It’s so wonderful … Ida said as a cluster of meteors fell in one part of the sky. They were both lying down facing the sky. Earlier, Gabriel laid out a ground lining and they went inside the sleeping bag. Gabriel folded his arms under his head, while Ida laid with her right arms at her side and her left on her belly. They turned their flash lights off. It was very dark, with the sliver of moon as the only source of light.
I didn’t think this sleeping bag could keep us so warm. It’s not that thick. She said as she touched the material around her.
Yeah, it’s a very particular one. My mom bought it for me. She knows I’m always out here.
That’s really sweet of her. Ida said. So she never came down here with you?
Never, she’s not that kind of person. She just looked at the telescope once to please my dad. But she liked what she saw, that one time. He said.
Hmmm, don’t tell me that’s how your dad proposed? She said with a giggle.
He just laughed.
And your sister?
No, she doesn’t like to be uncomfortable but she had observed the meteor showers from the balcony a couple of times. To test her chairs, she says. She doesn’t admit but I think she has grown fond of it. He said.
Inside the sleeping bag, their legs slightly touch each other and they can feel the warmth of each other’s bodies.
If you’re asking if I’ve been down here with any other girl….the answer is no. You’re the first one. He turned and faced her. He couldn’t really see her but he looked anyway.
I wasn’t going to ask that… She gave a small tensed laugh.
But I’ve been with dad here many times. He said and paused. Ah, maybe that’s why my mom bought a sleeping bag for two. Always wondered about that.
That’s nice, I’m sure they loved each other no?
I think so, but you know how it is. They were high school sweethearts and married too young. As they grew older, they had vastly different interests and activities. They grew apart. Mom is kind of an adventurer, like your dad. She needs to always travel even outside work. While my dad is perfectly content to spend all his time out here, with his telescopes. It could never have worked out.
Is that what happened to you and your ex, too? She asked softly.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Sorry if it’s too intrusive, you don’t need to answer that.
Well, not exactly. She was not really a fan of the night sky. But the real reason was the long distance relationship. She couldn’t handle it and I completely understood. We were together since our college years. She always knew I’ve wanted to do this kind of work but she didn’t realize I would do it for so long. I didn’t know too. Mostly, she took the brunt of it. She was the one always waiting. I should have ended it way before for her sake. Anyway, we broke up a year ago. She wanted a family and for me to stay and work here. I loved her but somehow, I couldn’t do it. Give up the job, I mean.
That must have been tough. She said. That’s why it’s hard to believe in a love that lasts. My dad claims every time he sees me, which is only two times by the way, he remembers my mom and the day they met. He tells me that, he really loved her but they had different priorities at that time. I guess his adventures are more important than her, and well, me. He could call it something else, but I don’t think you can call that love.
Sorry for saying, but your dad , was an ass*!$% for leaving you both like that. Gabriel said.
I know. And he knows it too. I haven’t forgiven him yet. But I’m trying to give him a chance. That’s why I’m here in Spain. Except he blew that chance. Her voice started to sound distressed. I’m angry at him for leaving before but I’m more angry at him for…never mind.
I’m sorry. He touched her left hand and gently squeezed it. She let him.
And you? Are you with someone? Gabriel asked, gently letting go of her hand.
No, not right now. I just quit him, 6 months ago.
I see you’re in a quitting phase. He commented.
Yeah, that’s because he was my boss too…
Ah. The English boss that gave you the job.
Yes, I worked professionally for him of course. But I stayed at his house, he paid for our vacations. He’s 15 years older. Though it’s not what you think. I paid for everything else, I worked my ass off and contributed to that company. And I loved him.
So what happened?
He was controlling…but it was something I wanted, until I didn’t anymore. He’s a really great guy but I don’t think we’re right for each other. When my mom died, I decided to quit my job, him, Singapore. I wanted to give myself a chance to find myself outside of that relationship. She paused. Like you said, love is complicated. Personally, I think it’s better for me to be alone.
I don’t think you really believe that. Gabriel said. You just haven’t found the right person yet. Or it’s just not the right time.
You don’t look like the type who believes everlasting love, are you? Ida said as she turned to face him.
What do you think? He replied. I’m not shy to say I am. But let’s just say…it’s not my priority right now. I want to be out there – to completely pour my efforts and energies to a cause. If I find love and it works out with my situation, I’d be happy. If not, I won’t force it.
You mean, you won’t fight for it. Ida said as she turned on her back again, looking at the sky.
I think there’s a difference. He said as he turned to also face the sky. I believe things work out when it’s meant to.
There was an awkward silence. Side by side, they continued to look up at the night sky.
Do you know we call the constellation Orion Balatik in the Philippines? She said, breaking the silence.
What does it mean?
A boar’s trap. Because the constellation is shaped like a trap, you see. She said drawing a shape with her left finger. And the big dipper we call Bubu – it’s a traditional fish trap. These were what our ancestors saw in the night sky because they were hunters and sea people.
Very interesting.
It’s like looking at cloud formations during the day. Do you do that? I always do. But at night, we connect the stars to form different constellations in our mind. Ida added. Play with me a little, when you look at the big dipper the first time, what would you make of it?
I see a cart.
An engineer’s mind. She said. For me, I see what we Filipinos call tabo, a kind of water dipper that we use in the Philippines. So it’s not that far from it’s name.
I remember this tabo. He said with a little laugh. I’ve seen it in houses and I must have used it once somewhere. Sure must be an important part of your culture.
It really is! We use it for everything. She laughed. Anyway, I find it really interesting that we see different things based on who we are and what we know. And it’s almost the same sky we see for thousands of years. Think of how many kinds of things have been imagined by our ancestors before.
He nodded. They had more time, a lot less distractions, a much more clearer sky before.
If you were alive back then, you’d ask people what they see in the night sky to get to know them. She quipped.
You’re not going to stop teasing me about that, aren’t you? He laughed.
What fascinates me personally is the fact that earlier civilizations use the stars as navigation system. She said. Without any advance tool, only the stars to guide them, Polynesians, for example, was able to reach faraway islands like Hawaii. I read somewhere that Polynesian navigators memorized the location of at least 220 stars, and the locations where they come up and where they go down in the night sky!
That amazes me too. Gabriel said. Most of the stars are fixed and they act like maps.
For me, it just proves to me that nature provides everything. Ida continued. I’m not anti-technology but there’s something about this idea that we can always rely on nature or the universe at the very basic level. It’s there to guide us in a very literal sense.
I get what you mean. We don’t really need a lot of things but we’re always looking for more. Gabriel said.
Me, I’m not looking for more things in the world, I’m just looking for answers out there. She said, wistfully.
But isn’t it the same thing? I think one moment could hold some kind of answers about life, more than a lifetime of material accumulation…He turned to face her again then. Or philosophical thinking. He said emphasizing his last words.
But I can’t enjoy the moment when I know the world is in chaos, is on fire. When I can’t be sure if everything will be OK…
I understand but look, right now, everything’s OK, where you are. I don’t know about you but I’m here inside a warm sleeping bag, talking to a bright beautiful girl, under the night sky at my favorite place in the world. What more can I ask for? He moved a little closer to her. Something about what he said touched her. She turned to face him and felt his breath on her face.
In the darkness, she found his lips and he caught hers. They kiss, slowly, then deeply, passionately. Some more meteors fell across the sky above them but they were not looking anymore.