Recondita armonia...

“Recondita armonia di belleze diverse!..É bruna Floria, l’ardente amante mia, e te, beltate ignota, cinta di chiome bionde! Tu azzurro hai l’occhio, Tosca ha l’occhio nero! L’arte nel suo mistero le diverse belleze insiem confonde: ma nel ritrar costei il mio solo pensiero, il mio sol pensier sei tu, Tosca, sei tu!” (in Tosca by Giacomo Puccini)

“Hidden harmony between different beauties! Floria, my passionate lover, is a brunette; and you, unknown beauty, are enveloped by golden locks! You have blue eyes; Tosca has dark eyes! Art, in its mystery, merges the different beauties together: however as I paint her, I only think…Ah, I only think of you, Tosca, you!" (in Tosca by Giacomo Puccini)

…Suddenly Catherine, crying, bumps into him «I am so sorry!» she says, he looks at her with a mix of compassion and tenderness in his eyes «Are you all right? Can I be of any assistance?»…

Catherine wipes her tears with her sleeve and says, «I’m not all right, no…I’m pregnant by a distasteful man!» Bernard offers her a handkerchief and suggests that they talk in a café nearby. They sit and Catherine tells him her story; as she does it Bernard admires her beauty: dark brown hair, olive black eyes, fair complexion, fleshy pink lips [“she doesn’t smoke” – he thinks]; pure salty tears running down her beautiful cheek bones…«and in the end he tells me that nothing has changed! [Sobbing] I even thought about getting rid of my child…stupid me!»

Bernard holds her hand and utters, «Your story beats mine by far!» and tells her his tragedy. As he speaks Catherine, with swollen dry eyes, admires his lips [«it’s not that I was deeply in love with her…»], his wavy brown hair, his blue eyes [«…but you see: I want to settle down and…»], she wondered what those beautiful hands could do…«and I catch her kissing another woman! In our spot!» Catherine frowns «Another woman, you said?», «that’s right!» replies Bernard…«and you didn’t take advantage of it, Bernard?!» they look at each other and start laughing out loud…

Five years later…

«Bernard, darling, don’t forget to bring Sebastian’s teddy! It’s on our bed!», «Got it! I am dying for a cappuccino!». Every Friday afternoon, Catherine and Bernard take their son to the café where their romance began – “it’s part of our story” Bernard says.

They get to the café, sit at their table and Laura – the owner – holds Sebastian «he’s cuter and cuter everyday! The usual, guys?» the couple nods. After an hour talking, laughing and playing with their kid, Bernard sees someone who reminds him of Sophia…this person smiles at him as she walks towards their table. «Hello, Bernard! It’s been a long, long time...» in shock, Bernard introduces Sophia to his wife [“she’s so so, but so fat! What on earth…?” – He asks himself] and invites her to join them.

Looking at Sebastian, Sophia comments «I didn’t know you had Pakis in your family, Bernie!», «I don’t!» Bernard gently replies. Catherine intervenes «Bernie’s description of you, didn’t make you justice…you seem larger!» [Bernard tries to conceal a smirk, with no success], Sophia explains «Yes, I used to be slim, but with all the things going on I started eating like a bloody African…[Catherine and Bernard can hardly believe in their ears]…I made a bad decision, Bernie; I got married to a gorgeous Opus Dei guy, who does not approve of my alternative desserts and…[Bernard looks at Catherine who is taking a set of ear-muffs, from her bag, and places them on Sebastian’s ears]…instructed his religious people to keep their eyes on me (I think they are afraid of my shagging an Anglican vicar or something LOL), and on top of everything Paul is lousy in bed…I think he hates women, Bernie!» [By now Catherine is lullabying little Sebastian; probably to keep her mind off that ghastly conversation].

Bernard says «I’m sorry to hear that, Sophia [while looking at Catherine]; you deserve i…better!» Sophia smiles «well, it’s nothing really…at least I still have my muffins! [Catherine gets up and takes Sebastian away from the table] I must go now…bye Catherine [who waves from afar]! Goodbye, Bernie. It was nice seeing you [she leans over him and whispers]: Seb is a bit of a chocolate, isn’t he?» and leaves…

«Catherine?!» she instantly recognises his voice and turns around slowly «Tarik! How’re you?» he smiles «Fine, fine…How’re you? Is that your baby boy?» Catherine shivers [“he’s going to take him away from me” she thinks] «yes, he is; I got married…Bernard, come here please, darling! [Bernard approaches and instinctively holds Sebastian] This is Tarik. Tarik, this is Bernard!»
«Hey mate [firmly shaking Bernard’s hand]! You have a gorgeous son. Congratulations!» Bernard dryly replies «Thanks!»…

The End

Next episode: Entangled Webs