It was golden autumn then. The still-bright sun was biting down on everyone who happened to stumble upon it. On that warm and pleasant afternoon, many people strolled through Wrocław's market square. From Wrocław residents to foreigners. Wrocław was a beautiful city, and most importantly, it possessed a unique, friendly atmosphere that encouraged others to visit.
A short woman in a black coat sped down Świdnicka Street. She had light, curly hair that reached down to her shoulder blades (though if she straightened it, it would have gently brushed her coat belt, it was so long). She gazed with her blue eyes at Wrocław, her hometown. She had always admired it, loved wandering its beautiful, colorful streets. She loved the small cafés where they served the best coffee and tea in the world. Wiktoria held many memories of Wrocław. And the saddest of them was probably leaving the city for so long.
Wiktoria spent part of her life far from Wrocław. For six years, she lived and studied in Gdańsk. She didn't know why she moved. Perhaps it was due to a flood of unpleasant memories? For exactly six years, she didn't visit Wrocław. She wanted to forget everything that had happened to her there. She decided that a "forgetting cure" would be the most sensible solution. She succeeded. She got accepted to the University of Gdańsk, studying Polish.
When she graduated, she decided to go to work, albeit for a short period. She was hired at one of the better high schools, where she had to teach Polish to a rabble of spoiled teenagers. It wasn't that the aforementioned rabble weren't eager to learn. Quite the opposite. Each of them, for every lesson, studied incredibly hard and systematically. After a while, Wiktoria realized that all this was slowly wearing her down. That, ultimately, she had had enough of Gdańsk, had had enough of the students. She decided it was time to return home and start a new life there, with a clean slate. The "forgetting treatment" was over. A complete success, almost a hundred percent.
On September 1st, Wiktoria arrived at the Gdańsk train station. At high noon, a train arrived, taking her straight to Wrocław. In Gdańsk, she left everything behind: her ex-husband, her job, and her memories.
"You've got to be kidding... After all these years, you just want to leave me and go back to Wrocław?" shouted a rather well-built man with large, blue eyes and dark hair. He was truly handsome and intelligent, but for Wiktoria, that wasn't enough.
"Forgive me... I've had enough of this life. I have to go home and start all over again..." Wiktoria said, looking at the man with an indifferent gaze.
"Wiki... But you won't find a job there! What you're doing is unwise. Don't leave!" the man said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Marek, come on, I've already made my decision. I know what's best for me." Here she took a deep breath, and joy and relief washed over her face. "And I believe that's Wrocław and a new life."
The man approached Wiktoria and embraced her as tenderly as he could.
"You're an adult, you know what you're doing... Remember, I'm with you. I hope you'll call me someday. I love you..." he whispered in her ear. The blonde woman squeezed him even tighter.
"Goodbye," she simply replied, and released herself from his heavy embrace. She grabbed her suitcases and boarded the train.
Returning to her stroll along Świdnicka Street... Wiktoria decided, on such a beautiful, sunny October day, to stroll along the streets, straight to Galeria Dominikańska. It had been ages since she'd been there, and she concluded that something had probably changed after six years. She walked along, her heels clicking gently.
When she finally reached the aforementioned shopping mall, she saw the exact same building she'd seen six years ago. She glanced at it. Memories began to flood her mind. She knew how much had happened in this area. However, she had no intention of dwelling on those days. After all, she was starting a new life.
With a flourish, she pushed open the shopping mall's doors and quickly stepped inside. Here, she noticed only minor changes. Some shops had changed locations and names. Furthermore, the decor, which was different every day anyway, was different. She didn't want to shop today. She didn't have the strength, the inclination, and, of course, the funds. After surveying each shop, she decided to leave Galeria Dominikańska and visit Wyspa Słodowa (Słodowa Island). She stepped onto the escalator and slowly descended. Without looking down, she walked quickly toward the exit. She opened the swinging doors... She didn't even notice that someone was walking in front of her. The other person probably didn't see her either, because they both collided with each other with a crash. Wiktoria glanced at the man, who turned out to be a young, tall, slender man with dark hair and brown-green eyes.
"I'm sorry..." the blonde muttered, and without noticing anything, she sped away.
The man stopped for a moment, his gaze fixing on the retreating figure of Wiktoria. No, that's impossible, he thought, and ran to the blonde.
"I'm sorry!" he shouted after her.
The girl turned away for a moment. "What could this guy possibly want from me?" she thought.
"Our little accident left a burden... You lost this..." He didn't finish because when he saw Wiktoria's face, he was speechless. The blonde wasn't entirely sure what he meant.
"This... Wiktoria?!?!?" he asked suddenly, his eyes widening.
"Yes..." the blonde replied, and suddenly realized who the man standing right in front of her was, holding the lost item, which turned out to be a tiny keychain.
"Max..." she said, looking at the man in disbelief. How much he had changed in her life back then. He was the one she had to forget. And she had managed.
"Are you back for good?" Maksymilian asked.
"Yes..." she replied. "I've had enough of this whole Gdańsk thing." She added without meeting his eyes.
"It's been so long since we saw each other... Did you miss me?" he asked, handing Wiktoria the keychain. Still not looking him in the eye, she put the lost item in her purse.
"What do you think?
" "I don't know... That's why I'm asking.
" "I missed you. I missed everything I left here."
Maksymilian lowered his gaze to the ground. He knew Wiktoria had left for Gdańsk partly because of him. No, they weren't in love – contrary to appearances. It wasn't a matter of unrequited love – nothing like that.
"Would you mind if I invited you for coffee?" Maksymilian said, smiling sincerely. Wiktoria looked him in the eye for the first time.
"I wouldn't," she replied, giving the man a blissful and calm smile.
"Then let's go. What do you recommend?" the man asked, innocently touching Wiktoria's back.
"You know, I haven't been in this city for six years... You could say I don't even remember where a decent café serving excellent and cheap coffee might be." Here she took a slight breath. "So you invite, you decide. At this point, I'm just a tourist here," Wiktoria finished, smiling at her companion, giving him an intriguing look.
"Ah... Tourist." Okay, so we'll go to the newly opened café next to the Vernicius..." Maks looked straight into Wiktoria's blue eyes. "Do you remember that pub?" he asked, smiling mysteriously.
Yes, of course she remembered that place. In her high school years, she'd been at the Vernicius very often. One could even say too often, with Maksymilian, of course.
"Of course I remember," she replied, looking ahead. She fell into thought.
A million memories from those memorable years came flooding back to her, memories she'd tried to shake off in her final moments. Her heart ached at the thought of those days, those moments (some of the happiest of her life so far), and countless tears streamed down her cheeks. Now, however, the surge of emotion was somewhat different. Its intensity wasn't as overwhelming as it once had been.
They both walked in silence. Both he and she were probably pondering those memories, memories impossible to forget. They sped along the sidewalks. Every now and then, cars sped past them. This was the center of the city... A city teeming with life every second of his existence. Maksymilian listened intently to the clatter of his companion's heels. She had changed, he thought, a lot.
"Here we are," Maks suddenly said.
The girl glanced at the cafe's sign.
"'The Silver Raven Cafe,'" she read aloud. "They came up with a nice name," she added.
Maksymilian nodded and smiled, as if casually. The man swung the door open. They heard the jingle of the bell that rings whenever someone decides to enter. The entire room was decorated in shades of green and brown. The cafe had two floors. On the first floor were several wooden tables and a small bar where orders could be placed. Each table had a small menu, an ashtray, and a jug with a dried rose. Various photographs hung on the walls, from still lifes to highly original and inventive works of art.
Wiktoria gazed at each one with admiration.
"Let's go upstairs," Maksymilian said, gently nudging Wiktoria toward the wooden, spiral staircase. Within seconds, they were upstairs. The decor was identical to the one downstairs, except the room was much smaller and contained fewer tables.
"Where should we sit?" Wiktoria asked, smiling gently at her companion.
"I don't care..." Maks replied with a shrug.
"If so, here," Wiktoria said, heading for a table by the window with a fancy red curtain and wooden blinds.
Maks and Wiktoria settled comfortably on chairs upholstered in greenish silk.
"It's very nice here," Wiktoria said, rubbing her hands together. Maksymilian grabbed the menu, which was inviting to look at in all its glory.
"I recommend Maxwell House, with two teaspoons of sugar and foam." A smile spread across Maks's face at these words.
"Sorry, I prefer Tchibo with one teaspoon of sugar and a dash of milk...
" "Oh, I forgot you prefer it bitter!
" "Of course I do. Coffee is coffee when it contains as few additives as possible.
" "Really?
" "Of course I do.
" "Because you see. You only drink coffee for the sake of drinking it. You don't know how to savor it!
" "I can... I just prefer it bitter.
" "Are you sure?"
They both burst into uproarious laughter. Wiktoria often emphasized that the more bitter the coffee, the better. Maksymilian had a completely antagonistic opinion on the matter.
"Amateur!" Maks snorted, waving his hand at Wiktoria.
They both sat in silence, sipping hot coffee. They looked into each other's eyes and pondered the past. The intriguing events that had taken place many years ago.
"You've changed," he finally said.
"Really?" Wiktoria replied, looking at Maks with a look of feigned surprise. "And what has changed about me, my dear?" she asked, grabbing a cup of the soothing beverage.
"Everything...
" "Meaning what?
" "Well, your appearance, your personality. I feel like you're a different woman.
" Wiktoria took a sip of coffee.
"But that's obvious. I left Wrocław to change, to chase away the previous Wiktoria, you know that, right?
" "Yes, but...
" "But what?"
"But I know that the previous Wiktoria lives on in you. It's just that she's fallen into a coma from which she'll wake up someday.
" "Maks, you know perfectly well that none of us would want that, right? I'm a different person and I'm fine with that.
" "Fine, I won't argue with you. It's not appropriate with guests." Here Maks laughed loudly and set his coffee cup on the saucer.
The fair-haired woman intertwined the fingers of her hands and rested her chin on them.
"And what about Klaudia? Are you still together?" she asked, looking at her companion. A shadow of sadness and regret appeared on Maksymilian's face after this question.
"Klaudia? Not anymore, for a long time now... She's been living in the States for three years." He finally replied, looking at the view emerging from the window.
"In the States, you say... Why didn't she leave with you? You were like lovebirds, after all..." Here she took a short breath. "...you know."
"It's a long story," he replied, still staring out the window.
"I want to hear it.
" "Why?
" "I'm curious what's going on with my friend from school. Don't you think that's normal?
" "Ask her yourself.
" "Believe me, I would if I could. I haven't spoken to her in six years. I don't have her address, phone number, anything... I have a feeling she's probably even forgotten me," she said in one breath.
"It doesn't matter. You'll find out in due time. And now, please, don't pressure me," he said with a cold expression.
"No, no, I don't want to be a bother."
An awkward silence fell. Wiktoria decided not to speak. Or at least, she didn't want to do it first. She waited for Maks to make a move. But he sat silently, fiddling with his empty coffee cup. He took a pack of Marlboro Reds from his pocket and aimed them at Wiktoria.
"Do you still smoke?" he asked.
"Yes, but this time I won't be tempted by someone else's cigarettes. "
After these words, Wiktoria took out a blue L&M and clumsily began searching for a lighter. Maks, noticing her slight desperation, handed her his.
"Thank you."
There were a few seconds of silence. After that, Maks couldn't contain himself; true despair appeared on his face.
"I'm sorry I reacted like that. I just didn't want to go back to those days. Forgive me. "
Wiktoria frowned.
"Was it that painful?
" "You could put it that way.
" "You can't get away with it. Tell me, my dear, tell me while I have time. "
Maks sighed deeply.
"It happened about three years ago. I was a rising star in Wrocław rock back then. We didn't have much time for each other. You know, constant rehearsals, constant concerts, recordings, and stuff like that..."
Wiktoria was stunned.
"Excuse me? Have you finally stood on a real stage?" "Absolutely," Wiktoria asked, undoubtedly filled with admiration.
"Of course. We even played at Spodek in Katowice. I remember they even invited us to the Sopot Festival.
" "You've got to be kidding... Why haven't I ever heard of you in the media?"
"Maybe because we changed our name and a few members. And on top of that, our vocals are no longer solo, but a harmonious duo.
" "Trevor..." Wiktoria whispered.
"Exactly." Maks replied, looking at Wiktoria with a mischievous smile. "But getting back to that damn story..." Maks took a deep breath. "So I was a rising star of Wrocław rock, frequent rehearsals, concerts. You know, the smell of fame and money. Klaudia sometimes went on tours with us. All the band members were extremely fond of her. It didn't bother me... There was only one person who didn't accept Klaudia.
" "Who?
" "The vocalist—Maciek." He often told me not to take Klaudia on tour because she only bothered us and didn't bring anything positive to our band. On the contrary, she just distracted everyone. As you might expect, the other members had a completely different opinion on the matter. Every time Maciek criticized Klaudia, someone would refute his false claims. You know, for example, Krzysiek would shout that she always relieved the tension before a concert, that she was always smiling... You know how Klaudia was.
"Yes, I know."
"One day, a few days before a very important concert in Katowice, Maciek called Piotrek during a rehearsal. He said he was seriously ill and couldn't perform. He said that Marysia, our vocalist, would be able to sing on her own. The band concluded that there was nothing we could do, that Maciek couldn't be cured in a few days. He was truly seriously ill. We decided it would be better to leave him alone for the next month. His health was the most important thing. A month passed. One day I went to his house to visit...
"But what does this have to do with Klaudia?
" "Wait, you'll find out soon..." I went to his house to ask about his health. I knocked on the door, and his mother answered. I asked if Maciek was there. The woman frowned strangely and said that he had left for the USA a few days ago. The woman looked at me with surprise. I thanked him and left his gate, quite pissed off. I immediately called Krzysiek and told him the news. He was probably even more pissed off than I was.
At the next rehearsal, I spoke to Marysia. Of all of us, she was the closest to Maciek. I asked her, "Did you know Maciek was going to pull such a shitty prank on us?" The girl looked at me regretfully: "Yes... But I promised him I wouldn't say a word." Stupid bitch, I thought to myself. Marysia, with tears in her eyes, added: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything, especially you..." I looked at her strangely, then asked: "And why me especially?" "Because he went with your girlfriend." I remember running out of there. How could she do this to me? It was all so damn orchestrated by that bastard! But Klaudia also rocked it. They were so careful to hide their, so to speak, affair! I don't know... It was terrible. When I remember the moment when Marysia told me that this scoundrel had left for the States with my woman, something inside me turns. Klaudia called me from the US a few times, but I didn't feel like talking to her. Everything was clear to me.
Wiktoria silently looked at Maks.
"I'd say it was simply your male ego that was bruised, that's all. There's nothing painful about this story," Wiktoria replied in a neutral tone. "The girl was simply fed up with you, and since she'd gotten used to you and respected you in some way, she decided not to cause you any problems and simply left with—what's his name?—Maćek. "
Maks looked at the girl with a look of disgust.
"You know? How can you think like that?
" "Normally. What hurt you most was that she preferred someone else over you. She said he was better at something. Simply.
" "At what, for example?" Maks was slowly becoming irritated by this conversation.
"I don't know. Maybe he was better in bed? You know... Any reason is a good reason to end a relationship that lasted several years, don't you think?" she replied ironically.
"I don't think so.
" "You see, Maks, you have to understand that nothing lasts forever. Doesn't that sound familiar? Your relationship with Klaudia clearly had no future. She found it with someone else. You have to do the same. Look for it with another woman." Wiktoria fell silent for a moment. "Well, unless you've already found it. But I don't think so, since that memory evokes such emotions in you even after three years.
" "You're right. I don't have anyone," he said, looking impassively out the window. Deep down, he felt irritation. He finally opened up to Wiktoria, told her a story that practically no one except Maks and the witnesses knew, and she simply mocked him.
"Oh, we taste loneliness, don't we?" Wiktoria added with an ironic smile, looking him straight in the eyes.
"You..." Maks replied, stubbing out his cigarette in the dark ashtray.
"I'm sorry if my words offended you in any way. I'm perfectly aware that Klaudia was very unfair to you, but you know perfectly well that my friend wasn't the kind of person who would do anything stupid or thoughtless in her life. She must have had a specific reason to leave you like that. You know..."
Maks took a deep breath. He didn't feel like talking about Klaudia any further. He didn't like to revisit those days.
"Now, tell me what you did during those six years in Gdańsk." Maks abruptly changed the subject.
"Nothing specific. I studied Polish studies, and then spent a year teaching a bunch of unruly, emotionless brats in high school. I guess I'm not a born teacher.
" "You're exaggerating..." Maks snorted.
"And as usual, I'm being hyperbolic?" Wiktoria added questioningly, though she knew the answer very well.
"Too."
"I lived with a man who convinced me every day that he was the one and only, the chosen one.
" "How did you meet?
" "At some exhibition. Marek is three years older than me, very handsome. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. A talented artist. He sculpted and painted beautifully. Our bedroom was filled with portraits of us together. Sometimes he even painted us in various suggestive positions. I loved looking at those paintings. Each one had its own lamp. Sometimes in the evenings we would gaze at them. I must admit, it was very romantic.
" "Are you still together?"
"No."
Maks looked at Wiktoria in surprise. She smiled as she finished her coffee.
"Why? You were so perfect... He was an artist, you were an artist... Miracle, honey, and nuts!"
"You see. Marek was a truly wonderful guy. But deep down, I felt like this probably wasn't it. I decided he was just a distraction from the grim reality for those six years. I knew my future lay in my hometown, Wrocław.
" "Aha... So you're saying you were living a quiet life in Gdańsk with the man of your dreams, but suddenly decided it was pointless and came back? In short, you returned to the nightmare from years ago, right?"
"Yes!" Wiktoria replied, laughing softly.
A hint of amusement appeared in Maks's eyes. Wiktoria noticed this too. She gave her companion a radiant smile. She knew she was doing the right thing by returning to Wrocław. It only occurred to her now, when she saw the amused look on her friend's face from years ago. She preferred to return to the city where she had gone mad. She preferred to recall the story, the course of events of which had created quite a mishmash in Wiktoria's mind. Wiktoria went mad... Maddened by the previously unknown feeling she felt for Maks. It was something far stronger than love, than friendship. Years ago, Maksymilian had been her addiction, her drug. Days spent without speaking with him became agony, and every word he uttered was carefully sorted and scrutinized.
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