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Across the Universe

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Across the Universe is a short story I have written in 2008 as an entry to the 3rd Philippine Graphic Fiction Awards.

Introduction

Across the Universe was finished in October 2008 and submitted as an entry to the 3rd Philippine Graphic Fiction Awards. The awards show was conceived in 2005 by Fully Booked owner Jaime Daez and multi-awarded novelist, graphic fiction author and screenwriter, Neil Gaiman, who as some of you may know as my all-time favorite author. The goal of the competition was to encourage Filipino writers and artists to create science fiction and fantasy stories that would be at par with the best in the world. Of course, that would have been a huge deal for me.

Anyhow, without further ado, here’s Across the Universe:

Prelude

Miguel dialed Mia’s mobile number nervously as he rolled something in his other hand. He was breathing hard and his heart raced quickly. A mutual friend introduced them to each other during college. They started dating and have been in a relationship ever since.

“Mig!” Mia excitedly answered, knowing it was Miguel. She had been anxious to hear his voice since they haven’t seen each other for a couple of days.

“M-Mia,” Miguel stuttered, “can I see you today? I mean I’d love to see you today.”

“Oh, Mig,” she cut him off, though not unkindly. She looked at her watch, “I can’t. Not today. Isn’t it a bit too late na? I still have classes until tomorrow.” Unlike Miguel, Mia is taking up a masteral course and is staying in a dormitory so it would be easier for her to concentrate on her studies. “How about tomorrow afternoon?”

Sige,” Miguel agreed. “Tomorrow, it is. I’ll pick you up after your class.”

“Hmm… Something’s up, I can sense it,” she said. In fact, she was right: something was brewing in the air. “I’ll wait for you then. Oh, I can’t stay on the phone too long, I have to go na. I love you!” Mia hung up before Miguel could tell her how much he loved her too.

As soon as they finished talking, he opened his palm to reveal a ring. It’s not enough but I’m sure she would love this, he told himself. Although he did not come from a well-off

family like Mia, he was able to buy a splendid ring for her. The ring was made of three metal bands interwoven together. Different-sized diamonds have been carefully arranged to fit its name: Shooting Star. He had just bought the ring from a jewelry store inside Mall of Asia.

With the Shooting Star in his hand, he strolled down to the esplanade beside Manila Bay. It wasn’t much of a sight but he felt at ease just by looking at the night sky. He raised the ring towards the stars and thanked God for everything he was blessed with. Tomorrow is going to be the day, he assured himself. Tomorrow, I will ask Mia for her hand in marriage.

The day he decided to settle down with Mia finally arrived. Before he would be stationed for work abroad, he decided he would confess his undying love to Mia. Thinking about the next day, he stared at the bay as the stars reflected their light like millions of dancing fireflies. He watched as the moon glowed white and started—crashing into the bay! Splash! It went.

He felt the cold water splash onto his face. A sudden jolt came through him, and instinctively, he looked at the ring he was holding, only to find out it was missing. A tiny glimmer caught his eye ahead of him and he realized that the ring was caught in the rocky shoreline. Hurriedly, he climbed over the stonewall, hoping that the tide would not carry the ring away.

“Please, please don’t get washed away,” he prayed as he desperately reached for the ring with one hand as the other held onto the wall’s edge. His fingers trembled as he tried to reach the ring. He placed his feet in-between rocks so that he wouldn’t lose his balance if ever he accidentally lets go. With one smooth motion, he slipped his finger through the ring just before the waves crashed over the rocks. “Thank God!” he exclaimed in relief as he gestured the Sign of the Cross.

He thought that the night was over when suddenly he heard another splash. Nervously, he turned around and looked at where the ripples originated. There were rumors of gigantic janitor fishes swimming in Pasig River, what more can a bay hide beneath? By mistake, he stepped back on mossy rocks, making him slip into the water. Little did he know that this was just the beginning.

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