What’s that mountain over there? The one sticking out? Ida asked aloud. Ida joined Gabriel at the balcony. She caught him, sitting on an on a chair, with his eyes closed. The sun is low.
Gabriel slowly opened his eyes. Ah, glad you decided to come down. Feel free to sit. He said, smiling.
Ida sat down at the chair opposite his.
That’s Mt. Canigou. It’s really beautiful out there. We hike it every time I’m here. He got up then and asked if she wanted something to drink.
Just hot water please.
Are you sure, just plain hot water?
Yeah, that’s it. She said.
Okay, coming right up. He went to the kitchen and started the water heater. He also prepared himself some coffee, he knows it will be a long night. He wants to give Ida the opportunity to enjoy the only night she’s here. His dad would have wanted it, having made an unusual connection with Ida. At first he didn’t understand it, but now he can see why his dad was drawn to her.
Gabriel came back with a tray carrying the drinks and handed her the cup of water. He placed his drink on the table and kept the tray on the side.
Thanks. She said as she cradled the cup in her hands.
Not at all. It took me forever to prepare that. Gabriel said with a chuckle.
She laughed. Don’t judge me. I can’t drink coffee and tea. Hyper-acidity.
I’m not judging. I find it cute actually. Never served someone hot water before! He continued to chuckle.
She just smiled as she silently sipped from her cup. Your home is beautiful! Here outside and even inside. Everything is designed so tastefully. She said. Did you have an interior designer? Don’t tell me it’s your sister?
Ah no, Anais did some pieces, in fact, she’s a furniture designer. She designed that red chair inside the living room and these outdoor chairs. The interior designer is, my fiancee. Um, was. He quickly corrected himself.
I see, she did a great job. Ida said nonchalantly. Your sister too, I love that concept of elevated over-sized floor cushions. And these outdoor chairs, very sturdy yet quite comfortable.
Thanks, I’ll tell her that you said that. He said, thinking Anais might soften up to the idea of Ida. She was definitely not happy that they needed to accommodate her with the current circumstance. He was the one to convince her that their Dad would have wanted Ida to visit. And last night, he was sure of it.
Quite a family project! Ida said.
Yeah, it was a very special time. He said. He remembered the first time he camped out with his dad. Even with the now small estate it had become, it hadn’t changed much for him – the feeling of being at home in this place.
You’ve always lived around here? I mean, before this was all built. Where did you grow up?
My dad and mom, they’re from Toulouse so we grew up there until the split. Then my mom moved to Paris with my sister. I stayed with my dad and we moved to Perpignan.
Ah, so you’ve been always close to your dad…
Yes, but that also meant I’ve been estranged with my mom and my sister. Mostly my sister. She was angry at my dad for the split. She stopped communicating, stopped going to summer vacations with us. Until 10 years ago, when we invited her to do some pieces for the place. After that, she warmed up and started joining us for weekends, first to show her designs, then to actually spend time with us.
This house brought you together again! How sweet. Ida said.
Gabriel smiled at her comment. And you? I get that you have a complicated relationship with your dad?
I barely know him. My only real memory of him, is that time in Montsec. The summer after, he got married. He told me about her girfriend and that I’m going to have a brother before I went back home to Manila. After that, I never saw him again. Until last week.
That must be tough. I get now why you wanted to bring him here. He said.
It was supposed to be 7 years ago, the first time I contacted Ollie. Somehow he never was available and then my mom got sick. We were also supposed to also hike the Camino together after this. But at the last minute, my step-mom convinced him to go on a trip to Mexico. My stepbrother just graduated, she argued, it’s their celebration. She won her case.
Sounds a very complicated situation for your dad. But I can see why you’d be hurt. He said.
I never got to know him or spend time with him. I just wanted to have some of that. She said. Anyway, that’s life. She placed her empty cup on the table. She looked down, clasped her hands on her lap, and started to play with her fingers.
What was the song you sang earlier? Gabriel asked.
Oh you heard that. She said, embarrassed. Was I that loud?
I forgot to close your bathroom window when I cleaned it this morning so I was able to hear you. He explained.
Sorry, you got to hear that…
Well, it was a pleasure in fact. I really like the melody…and your voice too.
It’s one of my favorite songs by my favorite Filipino artist. It’s called the Dance.
Close your eyes, become blind from the world… He recited what he remembered.
I’m impressed you got the lyrics…
I’m a good listener, you should know by now. He said, smiling. It sounded sad and nostalgic..but hopeful and beautiful. He looked at her eyes but she only held it for a second, then looked away.
How’s it like living in Palawan? Gabriel asked sensing her shyness. How is it now, after Haiyan?
Things are slowly recovering. She said. I lived in a quiet house in the outskirts of Puerto Princesa, the city capital. But on weekends or during work trips, I always find myself by the sea. We have the most beautiful beaches in the world, if I must say. I loved the simple provincial life. She said.
Sounds idyllic. Do you plan to go back and live there?
I’m not sure yet. It seems the most obvious thing to do but so many things feel uncertain right now. I don’t even know what I want anymore. But one day, I’ll find a place to call my home.
I’m very sure you will. Gabriel assured her.
In silence, they looked as the sun is setting. He placed both his hands at the back of his neck, and stretched out his legs while she raised her legs up and hugged them close to her body.
I have a friend back in college who cries almost every time the sun sets. Ida said as they lost sight of the sun. It bothered me a bit at first. I thought she was too emotional. But one time, we saw it together and I truly saw how she was deeply moved by this event. I almost felt it too. The sun “dying” in her words. She was sad about having all this beauty fade into darkness.
Do you think she might kind of depressed? Gabriel said. Because you know how the story goes, the sun rises again.
She could be. I lost in touch with her. She said, thoughtfully. Life is so poetic when you really think about it. Everyday we see the sun rising and falling, it’s like a symbol of life and death, dark and light, of beginning and endings. Nature is full of these symbolisms. When I really think of it, I always feel that someone has designed it to be that way to remind us of something. I just don’t know what that something exactly is.
It’s nice to think it could all have meaning, but it could also just be completely random. There’s this theory that the reason why we’re able to evolve to something that can ponder and give meaning about this stuff is because the conditions, like the distance of the sun to us, were exactly right for it to happen.
I see what you mean, that it’s the other way around. Hear me out, though. I’m not exactly a religious or spiritual person, but it’s hard for me to believe that it’s all random chance, how everything is so intricately created, when it’s all so exacting. Take the example of the eclipse, the sun is 400x bigger than the moon and yet when viewed from earth, they’re exactly the same size! It’s like we’re meant to see this phenomena. How could that be random?
Well technically, in about 500 million years, it won’t be exactly the same size. right now. He said, letting out a little laugh. But I agree, it’s unnervingly accurate. For me, it could be random chance or it could be designed. I don’t mind. I’m okay not knowing that part. I welcome the mystery.
I want to solve the mystery! I want to know everything. Ida said with a sigh.
Everyone has these questions. But they don’t think about it all the time, except maybe, philosophers. Maybe you’re one yourself?
It’s funny because I wrote that in my social media page to describe myself. I like to think, to travel, to philosophize. I’ve always have these existential questions and sometimes I feel burdened by it. Mostly because, I feel it’s not something normal people have, I mean with the same intensity. But at the same time, I’m also wondering if we’re just meant to ponder about the mystery all the days of our lives?
Ah non, I definitely don’t think so. Gabriel answered. If so, nothing would get done in the world. What if you think about it another way? That the mystery could be solved by living your life. I remember this quote by Rilke. I think it goes …do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything.
That’s beautiful. She said, pondering on what he said.
Dark silhouettes of mountains in front of them cut across the vast expanse of the sky, now awash in red and orange.
How long is it to hike? Mt. Canigou. She asked.
About 7-10 hours. Depends where you start from. He replied. Why, are you thinking to hike it? September-November are good months.
Yeah I was thinking, maybe with my dad. If I come back, that is. She said.
Well, it’s always there. And your dad, too. He said softly.
Will the Night Sky still be here?
I don’t know…you might turn out to be the last visitor.
That makes me sad. Really.
That means we’ll have to make the most of it. He said standing up, mimicking a showman’s voice. Just after sunset, we can see Andromeda. And as the night darkens, Orion. I can also show you Sirius, the brightest star. And don’t forget, it’s the Orionids just after midnight! He doesn’t understand it but he feels comfortable to show her this side of him.
Haha yes. That’s the main spectacle I came here for. She was giggling, surprised by his sudden openness.
It’s going to be amazing…especially after the new moon. You’re at the right place at the right time! He continued, laughing at his own silliness.
You remind me of Ollie…you sound just like him but a lot more animated. She said with a sad tone. I wish I could have met him. He was really kind. Like you. Thank you.
Ahhh, no more sad thank yous! Come, I’m going to make us some dinner. He said as he stood up. Does Ratatouille with red rice sound good to you?
It’s perfect! I’ll help you. She also got up and walked towards the door with him. So how do you cook your rice here…I heard horrendous things…
Well first, you boil the water in a pot…
Oh no…
The sounds of their laughter drifted into the house. The night has come.