The Kiss at Bar “La Concha”

El Raval, Barcelona

Halil had been in a radiant mood for the past few weeks. Confirmation that Omar would be visiting had completely changed his state of mind, although today he felt more nervous and anxious.

Halil’s anticipation was immense. Finally, he could meet his Omar openly and freely, and they no longer had to pretend to be cousins to embrace as they had done in Casablanca. They had agreed to meet at midnight on Friday at La Concha in Barrio Chino. Halil was an entire hour early and sat at the bar, chatting with the bartender who was from the same country. Ray and North African blues music filled the room, and on the small dance floor right next to the bar, several enthusiastic couples were already dancing. Some were smoking Turkish pipes and the atmosphere was quite lively. The place was dark but red lights illuminated the wall and the many pictures of the old Spanish actress Sarita Montiel, Spain’s equivalent of Sophia Loren.

A few minutes after twelve, Omar entered the room. Halil saw him instantly despite the darkness and immediately recognized his movements and gestures when Omar asked the bartender for him. Halil took a few hesitant steps forward and, after thirty seconds, they embraced in a deep hug.

They chose to sit in a corner of the room and ordered a pitcher of Moroccan tea. They hardly spoke. They looked at each other as if they wanted to read each other’s eyes. After a while, they began to dance slowly. Their bodies became more feverish with movement and music. Finally, Halil could freely kiss his Omar.