Mysteries of the Emotional Rollercoaster

Lovers close their eyes when they kiss, because they want to see with their hearts. Daphne du Maurier (Writer, 1907–1989)

1 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF BIANCA AND MICHAEL

Never before has Michael arrived at an airport so early. Today is a very special day. With a quick look at the monitor he finds out that the transatlantic flight he is waiting for will arrive at gate B14 in an hour.

On board that flight is Bianca, to whom he has been happily engaged for six months. Bianca, a medical student, has spent a large part of the summer holidays with relatives in the US, where she had an internship at a hospital, and she must have had many interesting experiences. For Michael, however, an IT engineer for a European electronics company, the separation appeared like an eternity. While he always kept himself busy, he hates to think of the long weekends spent alone.

"Well, in that case, I could have taken it slowly," he mused by himself, "but never mind, better to be early at the airport than late." The thought of getting stuck in traffic, while Bianca, with her suitcases in hand, might be looking for him in vain, makes him uncomfortable.

Strolling through the arrivals area, Michael checks one more time which exit Bianca will be taking coming from B14. He realises how his inner tension relaxes gradually and makes way for deeply felt joy. To pass the time, he takes a seat in the cafe called "Zeppelin," allowing him a direct view at the monitor displaying the arrivals.

"I'll have a chicken sandwich and a cup of coffee," he tells the waiter and reaches for a newspaper. He scans the headlines, but only skips diagonally through the articles. He finds it hard to concentrate today. Only a feature about San Francisco holds his attention. "Her relatives live in Monterey," he recalls. "Knowing her, she hasn't been content with seeing the photos of Golden Gate Bridge."

While Michael is busy eating, the monitor updates the "arrivals" information. The plane arrives a little earlier after all and will land in a few minutes, he realises. Nervously, he folds up the paper and signals the waiter. After paying the bill, he walks straight to the