It’s not that far, an hour’s walk. We should be able to catch it. Ida said, glancing at Gabriel.
He walked with her following the same route they took earlier but this time, they went downwards.
It’s a beautiful walk, I’ve done it a few times with my dad but never at night. He loved it, especially because there’s a light house at the end. We should be able see the west sky there. We would have to climb a part of the cliff. If you’re up for that.
I won’t say not to chasing a comet! Gabriel said.
When they were at the church again, they quickly stopped and took time to observe the small city lit up with street lamps. The sky is turning dark blue, with hints of purple and pink. When they reached the bay, they turned right. The road hugged the coastline, and they can hear the gentle lapping of waves.
Don’t you think it’s uncanny that when we met again, a comet appears? Ida said.
It’s pretty cool right? He said with a big smile.
No, I mean, don’t you think that it’s too much of a coincidence. What are the chances of us seeing each other again and suddenly a comet comes by. Come on! I think something’s going on..
Like what?
I don’t know but it feels very familiar. Remember, the first time we met, we saw a fireball.
But that was a very likely coincidence. It was during a meteor shower and fireballs are not commonplace, but it could happen. He answered, making it sound all reasonable.
That landed just in your backyard? I would be OK with that but this time, a comet in the sky? Somethings’s up. Ida said suspiciously. What if we are in a simulation, and someone is making us experience all these unlikely coincidences?
OK, let’s say there’s something to what you’re saying? To what end?
I don’t know, for fun. Like a game or something.
I don’t buy it. Life’s too complex for it to be just a game. Give me another theory. Gabriel challenged her.
So maybe we’re in a story and the author wanted two characters to talk together to explore his/her existential angst? That’s why we just keep talking about these stuff. Plus, in this story, both our parents died so that’s a sure way for us to connect and build rapport. You know how in some books or films, you feel everything too coincidental but you accept it because it’s needed to make the story interesting. It feels like that.
Your imagination is wild. Gabriel said, laughing. You should put that in a book.
She laughed. Maybe I will. I’m actually planning to write a book…I was meant to say it earlier. I had this recent impulse lately and you reminded me earlier about it. I have been thinking about it the past days. I feel I want to write something.
But you’ve already been writing no?
Yeah, but I’ve always just written articles and some travel articles but not really a creative story. Or a novel. And when I was doing my photography project, I was telling a story but with photos. Now I feel I want to tell a story with words. It’s always been my dream.
Why not? I told you. Boom. A volcano. Gabriel said with a sound. He scrunched up his nose. Does this author also make me do these stupid jokes?
She laughed. I find them funny, don’t worry.
Seriously, you should try it. What’s stopping you?
I guess nothing or no one now. She said, thoughtfully. My friend, from school, she lives in Costa Rica. She invited me to stay with her for 6 months at her home. So I thought I could work online and at the same time write there. I think it could be perfect time so I said yes to her yesterday.
Oh you’re going there? When?
In two weeks. I already bought my ticket. It would be amazing to spend the winter in a tropical country. But I don’t know, maybe I’m just being impulsive.
I think that’s what they call, intuition. You should follow it. He said encouragingly, forcing a smile, even though he felt a pang of sadness just then.
She looked up at him and smiled. Come, this is the final turn and we’ll be at the start of the trail. They took a left turn and the path turned stony. The moon started the rise.
I know you’ve decided. But is there any other way for you to keep it, the Night Sky, I mean? Ida asked Gabriel.
There is. I could take out a loan to pay Anais’ share and run the observatory. It was working financially well before. There’s not really a lot of costs because I could run it by myself. So profits could go to pay the loan until its paid off. It’s doable.
And you’re not considering it, because?
Because, the truth is, it feels lonely to do it alone. Also, there’ still much to do out there. He gestured his hand towards the open sea.
But it seems like you’re missing out on what you want to do personally. She said. I haven’t asked you this but did you want a family of your own?
I do, with the right person. If it works out….
Wait, you do realize it’s a choice, Gabriel? It’s not up to fate or something. Ida looked at his eyes. And it seems to me. You’re not choosing yourself, your own needs and happiness. And maybe you should.
It’s not that easy. I’m going on a mission in Ukraine for something that’s essentially a repeat of the last 10 years. And now I have more expertise to share. I could do more.
She nodded. I guess it’s not that easy. I feel that I should probably consider expanding our project in South America and here I am saying I want to try writing. It’s my lifelong dream but at the same time, I’m feeling guilty about not doing more for our project. Can I do both? I’m not sure. I feel I’m compelled to make a choice. And I just realized lately, like just yesterday actually, that that choice should be for me. As selfish as it sounds.
See, you’ve turned out more mature and more wiser than me, I see. He teased.
She laughed. You’re just three years older, you know. I’m catching up. I also I have these feelings doing artistic work. She continued. I always question myself, who am I helping when I’m doing art? I know people could be inspired but am I really making an impact? Or is it just something for privileged people to enjoy. I could have spent this time, writing more stories about NGOs that needs funding. Isn’t that more important? But someone once told me, that finding my path is what makes me happy. She searched his eyes then.
Oh was that me? He replied, returning her gaze. I know what you’re saying. I’ve thought about it many times before, running the Night Sky. Especially during COVID. I can see myself doing it because my family was there. But now Anais left, I don’t have any strong reason to keep it…or I thought I did, for one moment earlier, but she just told me she’s going far away again..
Oh. Ida said, realizing what he said. At the moment, they caught a glimpse of the lighthouse. We’re here. Ida said looked at her watch. It’s almost 8pm. Come, we have to go up now.
They quickly climbed up the cliff and at the top, found themselves in front of the west sky. Look there it is! It’s faint but it’s there. Ida said, pointing up at the sky.
Gabriel caught up with her. Here, he gave her the binoculars. She took them and found the comet through the lens.
Amaazziing, it’s disappearing though. Ida gave him back the binoculars.
He looked at it. Beautiful but yeah it’s a bit faint now. They sat there for a while, alternately observing it with the binoculars.
It seems surreal looking at a comet in the sky. Ida said. I sometimes wish we would see more of these spectacles, and maybe more grander. It could remind us of our place in the universe and have some kind of perspective of our lives.
If comets were commonplace, we would ignore them, I dare say. When you think about it, it’s not much different from the planes we see in the sky. Gabriel said. We never get excited because we already know what they are.
Except for children. She added.
Yes, except for children. He smiled.
When they could not see any trace of the comet, Ida slowly stood up. We should head back down to town. Ida said. Are you hungry? Do you have a hotel? There should still be some open.
Gabriel did not reply and kept sitting. He was thinking about something. Wait, if the comet showed up today, it should still be here tomorrow, no? Gabriel said.
Oh yeah, that’s true. She sat down again and quickly searched something on her phone. The comet is called Atlas comet. It says here it was already visible in some parts of the world since last week and should be still visible in the next week. The best time to see it in Spain is today and tomorrow.
Then it should still be nicely visible tomorrow at dawn. Gabriel concluded. I remember my dad slept early and woke up early during the Hale bopp days.
That’s true! We could just go here again before the sunrise. We’re exactly facing east. Ida said excitedly.
Or we could just stay out here. It’s not that cold. And I have my sleeping bag.
She made a snide laugh. You see, what are the chances? We even have your magical sleeping bag…
Don’t fight it. Simulated or contrived. We find ourselves here, together. He reached out for her right hand and squeezed it. Let’s just enjoy it.
Ida felt the warmth of his hand and held it. I’d like that, I know a place we can maybe lie down, do you remember the beach we passed by? We’ll maybe have to remove a few stones.
Sounds good, let’s go! He said as he stood up. He gently pulled up Ida with his hand.
They climbed down and walked back pass the lighthouse, pass the way they came.
Now that we have time, tell me everything that happened to you. Gabriel said.
You mean from the very beginning? Ida answered.
Since the day you left the train station…
Hmm, let me think. Ida said, her hands on her chin. So there was this old guy…