The wooden-horses spun joyfully in the middle of the Plaza, like a prized crown-jewel. They were painted in vibrant hues of cerulean and crimson, prancing and dancing up and down. Each horse bore a unique expression: fierce, gallant, gentle and whimsical.
But it was ‘she’ who attracted his gaze. Frozen in a moment of laughter with her long black silky hair framing the loveliest face with eyes so green he could drown in them, that was all he saw.
As the carousel turned, the soft music filled the air and the scent of popcorn and cotton candy mingled in the hot summer air.
The little children’s laughter echoed his beating heart.
It was his first visit to France and first time travelling with a group of school mates. At seventeen, he witnessed the ‘joie de vivre’ of the French as well as their food and culture. Though, he did not expect to fall in love at first sight.
“Hey, did you hear what I just said?”
One of his friends teased.
“Uh, no, I was thinking…”
“You were gaping at her!”
“Really? No, I wasn’t!”
He blushed. His friend laughed out loud.
“I totally understand mate. She’s a dish!”
The carousel stopped and she went down from her wooden -horse. She ran to the ticket booth and bought another ticket.
His friend nudged him:
“So, what are you waiting for? Go and buy a ticket.”
He followed her and bought one too. She turned around so fast she bumped into him and dropped her ticket. They both bent down to pick it up and their hands touched.
She smelled of vanilla.
“Merci” she said and smiled.
His heart stopped for a second or two.
“It’s ok, no worries.”
“Oh, vous êtes anglais.”
“oui, oui.”
“Venez monter avec moi sur ce caroussel. »
He shook his head not understanding what she just told him.
“Come wiz I.”
Her accent was alarmingly charming.
“Comment t’appelles tu? Moi, c’est Magali. »
She pointed at herself.
He understood and answered :
« Me, Josh. »
She grabbed his hand and together they rode on the merry-go-round.
It was not merely a ride; it was a portal of joy, of dreams spinning through time, inviting them to embark on their first discovery of love.
They rode until their heads spun.
After several rides on the merry-go round, she decided to take him on a tour and explore the historic center.
His other friend had left and he let her be his guide.
The intensity of their first love gave them a rush of eternal bliss.
She made him want to go out and experience the world like he’s never have before, she took his breath away every time she looked and smiled at him.
This first summer in France was unforgettable.
15 years later
Josh was walking by the Avenue Foch holding his little daughter’s hand, when he heard at a distance the faint music of a merry-go-round.
He thought to himself “can it be the same one?”.
He sped up and arrived at the main plaza.
He could barely recognize the Place de la Comédie. All the buildings including the Opera house had clean façades and there were no more cars. It was a pedestrian center with restaurants and cafés surrounding the statue of the Three Graces proudly erected right in front of the Opera and on the other side of the tram tracks, there it was the old ‘Carousel’.
The colors on the horses had faded but the smell of popcorn and cotton candy remained. He remembered his first encounter with her, he closed his eyes for a few seconds and there, she was, riding one of the horses with her smile and flowing black hair, looking at him and her green eyes were like a mountain lake inviting him to dive in…
« Daddy, daddy, I want to ride”
His daughter was tugging at his sleeve, breaking his reverie.
He approached the ticket booth and his heart stood still, Magali was behind it, she had not changed, she was still sixteen, except that her hair was light brown, she looked up at him and smiled:
“Vous voulez un billet monsieur ? »
He was astonished and stuttered.
“Ma…Magali?”
She tilted her head, showing some surprise
“Non, c’est ma mère. Vous la connaissez ? »