What would you write about? Gabriel asked Ida. They were sitting down by the beach, facing the sea. They have been catching up for the last hour or so.
I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it. I feel I could only write about what I know, what I’ve experienced. With photography, I could not do the conceptual kind even if I wanted to. I need to see things happening in front of me, that’s when I compose the shot. I’ve met some interesting people in my travels. I could maybe write about my experiences meeting them…
Or you can write about us, and our serendipitous encounters. He glanced at her sideways, catching her eyes.
She laughed. I could. People love to read love stories. She paused. I meant, stories about serendipity…
I don’t mind what you said. Gabriel said, holding her hand. About the love story.
Ida looked at him and smiled shyly. She looked back at the sea and slowly slid her hand away. Waves crawled over the small stones on the beach.
Do you still love him? Gabriel asked, picking a stone and played with it.
She did not reply immediately. It’s complicated. We’ve been together about 5 years now. It was intense from the start. We’ve been on and off so many times that I don’t know if this breakup would be any different. But I feel this time, I want it to be.
What happened?
He was here last weekend for the opening of my exhibit. Everything was great, he knew many people in the industry. I thought we both had a great time but after that, he started a fight. I sensed he was jealous…not sure with whom exactly or maybe at what exactly. But it’s always been like that. Not only from his side. Because I’m like that with him too. Much more. I’m jealous with his students, his co-workers, everyone that gets close to him. I think I love him but I’m very emotionally unstable when I’m with him.
Is he much older than you?
Yes, but just 7 years. He’s 45. But I guess I’ve always looked up to him. I respect him but I’m not really sure if we’re good for each other.
He just nodded. It’s always complicated.
What about you? Are you with someone? Ida asked.
No, no, not right now. He said. With this kind of work, it’s really hard to maintain a relationship . I did meet someone 3 years ago, just after the pandemic. She’s an engineer too working for IOM. It felt great to have someone who could understand the pains and joys of this work. And she’s also French. So it seemed it could have worked out. We even found a way to sync our missions together. He paused then continued. But every time we’re back in Paris, we don’t seem to know how to be together. It’s as if, we just share that one big thing and the rest, we don’t.
Oh…like the Night Sky?
She did like it but not as much as I do. She had her friends and family in Paris and she wanted to spend as much as time with them when she’s home. I understood that, so when I was with her, I wasn’t at the Night sky. It didn’t last. Just almost 2 years.
I’m sorry. Ida said. What does it take to have a relationship work? I’m getting more disillusioned about it. Even shared interests and passion doesn’t cut it. Like you and me. She paused. I mean me with my ex and you with yours.
I think at the minimum, both people want to be in one place together. Or have a plan to be together. He said, glancing at her sideways. He then rested his arms to support his back and looked up at the night sky.
Yeah. She said also looking up.
It has become very dark but the moon is almost full, casting a reflection on the ocean.
I read earlier that last time this comet passed, it was 80,000 years ago. She said, breaking their silence. During the ice age, where Neanderthals were roaming the earth. Imagine? What could they be thinking that time?
A faux meteorite in slow motion. For a few weeks or some months, they’d be afraid something is going to fall but it never does…He said in a monotone voice.
Oh my God, that’s terrible interpretation! I think they’d be smart enough to know that after some time, it’s not going to fall, no?. Then they can relax and just be in awe of it. She paused. I want to think that by getting back that sense of awe and wonder about the universe it will heal humanity…and remind us of our connectedness.
If only. I forgot how ideal you are. I’ve missed these conversations. He said.
I’ve missed them too. You know I was writing to you, at least in the first 5 years. I was lying earlier.
You did?
Yeah, remember the travel blog I wanted to write. Well, It became letters to you. But I stopped sending them when I realized that I couldn’t reach you. She said.
I’m touched. I’m sorry I didn’t reply all those years.
It’s OK. She said. I don’t think I was really angry. I was more sad. But now that I saw you again, I feel that we’re just meant to see each other again right now. She hugged her body and started to warm herself by rubbing her arms with her hands.
Are you cold? He took out the sleeping bag in his bag and spread it out like a blanket. Come here. He wrapped it around them.
Thank you. Still does its magic. She said. You know that this comet won’t be back in our lifetime. If all goes well out there, if it doesn’t eventually burn out or collide with another object, it will be back in another 80,000 years. I wonder what kind of humans will look at it?
Maybe by then, there’s no earth. We live in space. Or we didn’t survive, the robots did. Gabriel said.
That’s entirely possible. Especially now with AI. She said. At least Halley’s will be back when I’m 75. I hope I’d still alive that time. I want to see it.
You’d still be! I can imagine it – you reading a book, maybe something you’ve written, to your grandchildren, in your dream home somewhere.
I think you have a better vision of my future than me. Ida laughed. I don’t mind going that age, if I feel I’m fulfilled with my life. I would like think that Halley’s comet brought me into the world and I’ll go with her after 75 years.
That’s a story I’ve never heard of before. Gabriel said. I like it. You should put that in a children’s book. And that’s the book you’ll read to you grandchildren when you’re 75. But don’t die just after or they’d believe the comet has taken you!
You and your ideas! But that’s they’re not bad actually. She smiled. Maybe I will write one someday. I’ve always loved children’s books. My mom used to read me a lot. I always thought I would write one for my future child. If ever I’ll have one.
I could really see you doing that. Gabriel said. Did you want to have children?
I did, but never felt ready or felt it was right with someone. She answered. I still do but I’m close to that age, you know…so maybe it’ll never happen.
That would be a shame, a waste of wonderfully curious genes. He said looking into her eyes. He saw the moon reflected in them.
Did someone tell you your eyes have a twinkle in them?
Um yes…my ex-boss.
Oh…probably that was a very common pickup line. He raised his left hand and awkwardly touched the side of his head.
Haha no, she’s a she. She was my first boss in the NGO I worked in Palawan. And it was platonic and friendly, don’t worry. She just said my eyes twinkle. Like I have this wondrous view to the world.
Ah, yeah, I think she’s right. He said, looking at her eyes.. But more than that, when I look at them, it’s bursting with possibilities.
Thanks. She held his gaze. I thought I’d lost it somewhere. But maybe I’ve found it again. She paused. I’m happy to have found you again. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
I think technically I found you. Gabriel corrected her. He placed his right arm and held her close.
That’s true. Wait, you still didn’t tell me that story how you got here in the first place.
Oh yeah , well there was this old man…
Wait, why’s there always an old man in this story…Ida said, again with her suspicious voice.
He laughed. Relax, can’t you see it’s God writing this story himself so he’s inserting himself as an old man any chance he gets. Gabriel said.
You never take me seriously! She complained.
He just laughed. You really have to let me finish this story. So this very nice old man gave me the festival’s brochure, he was trying to show me the page on Dali but the photos of the comets caught my attention. I thought I recognized them but I was confused with the name.
Yeah, I am using a pen name. The first part of my name and a variation of my dad’s surname. I never really used his surname. But when we got reconnected, it felt right. Do you know he was the one who named me? I wanted to honor him.
Ah I get it now! I’m sure your dad was touched. I’m happy you and your dad finally reconnected. I remember how much it hurt you before.
Me too, we still have to continue building our relationship but I think I have already forgiven him. I feel much lighter about it.
It shows. Maybe the mushroom had undone you, in a good way. He smiled. You’ve grown to be more confident and more beautiful than what I remembered. He looked at her and touched her face. Ida tried to look away but he gently nudged her face back towards him. She laid her face in his palm, closing her eyes.
God, I’ve missed you… He kissed her and she kissed him back. Slowly, ever gently, they rediscovered the sensations they felt that first time, ten years ago, under the night sky.