After setting up her telescope on the balcony, Riya leaned against the railing, gazing up at the vast night sky. The stars twinkled brilliantly, scattered across the dark canvas like diamonds, each one pulsing with an ethereal glow. The moon hung high, bathing the world in a soft, silvery light, and for a moment, she simply stood there, breathing in the crisp night air.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing her oversized t-shirt to flutter slightly. She hugged herself, not from the cold, but from the familiar wave of emotions that always surfaced at this hour. This was her favorite time of the day, a moment of peace, a moment where she felt closest to them.
Her parents.
"Good evening, Mother. Good evening, Father," she murmured, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips.
She had spoken to the stars like this for as long as she could remember. Since the day she lost her parents, they had been her silent confidants. Her mother used to say, "Good people will always reaches to the stars." Those words had etched themselves deep into Riya's soul. And so, after her parents passed away, the stars became her connection to them.
She would sit here every night, telling them everything.... her problems, her achievements, her random thoughts. Even though they couldn't respond, she felt comforted, as if their presence surrounded her in the shimmering sky.
She adjusted her telescope, peering through the lens at a cluster of stars. Tonight, the sky seemed clearer than usual, and she could see countless celestial bodies stretching endlessly.
"You know, today was a rough day," she sighed. "Work was exhausting, and I felt so alone when I got home. But then again, I guess that's nothing new, right?"
The stars twinkled, as if listening.
A small chuckle escaped her lips. "Sometimes I wonder… what if you really are up there, watching over me? Maybe I'm just being foolish, but I like to believe you are."
Her mother had instilled a love for space in her from a young age. That love had never faded... it had only grown stronger. As a child, she had dreamed of working at NASA, dedicating her life to the stars she adored so much. That dream had driven her, pushing her to study harder than anyone else. And now, she had achieved it. She was an IT specialist at NASA, working alongside brilliant minds, contributing to space exploration.
Still, no matter how far she had come, there were nights like these when the loneliness felt overwhelming.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden buzzing of her phone. She blinked, pulling it out of her pocket. A smile crossed her face as she saw the name on the screen.... Anu.
She answered immediately. "Hey, Anu."
"Hey, Riya! What are you doing?" Anu's voice was as lively as ever.
Riya glanced up at the sky. "Talking to the stars."
Anu chuckled. "Of course you are. Who else would you be talking to at this hour?"
Riya laughed lightly. "What's up?"
"Well, I have something exciting for us tomorrow!" Anu announced, her voice filled with excitement. "Are you free?"
Riya furrowed her brows. "Yeah, it's the weekend. Why?"
"I booked two tickets for a 3D space show! We're going!"
Riya's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, a space show?"
"Yup! I knew you'd love it. That's why I booked the tickets without even asking you first," Anu teased.
Riya let out a laugh, shaking her head. "You know me too well."
"Of course I do! You're obsessed with space. You literally work at NASA, Riya," Anu said dramatically. "There was no way you'd say no."
Riya leaned back against the balcony railing, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "Thanks, Anu. I really appreciate it."
"Pfft, no need to thank me. Just be ready by ten tomorrow. And don't be late!"
"Yeah, yeah," Riya said, rolling her eyes playfully.
They talked for a few more minutes, discussing random things, before finally saying goodnight. After hanging up, Riya stared at the sky once more.
"Looks like I'll get to be closer to you tomorrow," she whispered. "Even if it's just through a show."
She let out a content sigh, picked up her telescope, and went inside. After setting it back in its place, she stretched, feeling the exhaustion of the day catching up to her.
She slipped under the covers. As she lay in bed, her mind drifted to the space show. She was excited. Not just because she loved space, but because, in some way, it always made her feel connected to something greater.
With that comforting thought, she slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep, with the stars shining brightly in her dreams.
- - - to be continued - - -