I kept trying to find the right words, to tell Daniel how I felt about him. I started over and over, only to fall silent in frustration. Then the ride was over and I had missed that chance. Discouraged, I climbed out of the boat.
The old man winked at me.
"You're good together, you must be happy."
I smiled friendly and went to Daniel.
Daniel
"What did he want from you?" I asked curiously.
"We should recommend him to others," Alex replied.
"I enjoyed the ride," I sighed and looked at him expectantly. Alex did not respond. During the ride I had been struggling with myself and wanted to confess my feelings to Alex. Cowardly as I was, I had not dared. A better opportunity would not come up again so quickly.
Alex seemed to be disappointed and just stared silently at himself. In a depressed mood we made our way back to the hotel. Our way led us past the fountain. I threw an angry look at the well.
That stupid wish didn't work at all!
"Not so angry, young man," a voice echoed near me. I stopped and turned around. Right next to the fountain stood her, the old woman who had met me for the third time. Slowly I went to her and stopped in front of her.
"Does the fountain grant wishes or not?" I asked in frustration.
"Sure he does, but you have to do your part."
"And how?"
Slowly these hints began to annoy me enormously. The old woman pointed in the direction of Alex, who had stopped in the meantime and looked at me irritated.
"Tell him. Openly and honestly."
I looked at Alex and hesitated briefly.
"This is bound to go wrong," I said, turning to the old woman. Like the times before, she had disappeared again, I searched in vain. In the meantime Alex had reached me and looked at me worried.
Alex
"Is everything all right with you? I'm starting to worry. You're standing here chatting to the air."
I looked at Daniel with concern.
"The old woman was back, right here in front of me. Didn't you see her?" Daniel talked to me excitedly and gestured wildly.
I shook my head and took him gently by the arm.
"You're seeing ghosts. Let's go back to the hotel."
Daniel broke free.
"Why must some woman have gotten into my head."
"Who else could it have been?" I asked cautiously.
"Well, it could have been a man. Or would that be too bad for you?"
Daniel angrily threw his arms in the air and sparkled at me. His outburst caught me on the wrong foot and I looked at him speechlessly. Had I heard right?
"There you are speechless. I've fallen in love with a man."
I cleared my throat briefly.
"That's fine with me," I said softly.
"All right? That's all you have to say?" cried Daniel furiously.
I shrugged my shoulders in embarrassment. All right, so Daniel had just fallen in love with a man. Even though it broke my heart, I wanted him to be happy. What else could I say?
"Congratulations. I wish you all the best," I said friendly and turned to leave.
"I've fallen in love with you!" Daniel shouted after me.
I stood there perplexed and turned to him in surprise and stared at him with open mouth. With hanging shoulders, Daniel stood in front of me and looked at me sadly.
"Please repeat that I think I misheard you," I brought out with difficulty.
Daniel
"I've fallen in love with you," I quietly repeated. When I had uttered the words, I felt relieved and sad at the same time. What had I expected? That Alex would fall joyfully into my arms and everything would be all right?
"Romantic fool," I called myself. Alex's features were unmistakable. As surprised and horrified as he had looked at me, I had ruined my friendship with him within that brief moment.
"Let it go," I waved off and went back to our hotel.
"It's all that crazy old lady's fault," I murmured to myself.
"Stop," I heard Alex's voice behind me.
I ignored him and accelerated my steps. I had completely ignored what he was shouting after me, I didn't notice anything of my surroundings anymore and marched mechanically across the square. With a thick lump in my throat and laboriously suppressed tears I entered our hotel and went to the reception to get the room key.
"Are you all right, Daniel?" the receptionist asked me anxiously.
I nodded quickly and fled towards the elevator, caught it just about the level and stood in a corner. I did the only right thing in the room, I packed my things. I could not stay here any longer, hectically I threw all my things into the bag. Let's get away from this cruel place. The weekend had ended in a complete disaster. I heard the door and Alex entered the room. He didn't say anything and stayed behind me. I could feel his look in my back.
"What are you doing there?" he asked quietly.
"As you can see, I' 'm leaving."
"And why? I didn't ask you to move out and our flight is tomorrow."
I threw my last pair of shorts into the bag and turned around annoyed.
"I'm leaving, after my performance, I can't imagine you want to spend the rest of the weekend with me."
I paused for a moment.
"I'm sorry I blindsided you like that and ruined our friendship."
Alex thought for a moment and then nodded.
"No problem. But you don't have to leave."
"It's better this way", I shook my head, went to the bathroom and threw my stuff in the bag. Alex watched me in silence and said not a word.
"This is bullshit. Now put your stuff down and we'll sit down and talk."
"Talk about what? That I just made a fool of myself?" I cried sadly.
As much as I wanted to suppress it, I did not succeed and a tear ran down my cheek. I turned away in shame.
"No!" Alex said determinedly and turned me around. With his blue eyes he looked at me, he bent over and kissed me. Gently
