Episode 2: The Connection
886 Words
The day that followed at work was a miserable one for Jake since he could hardly concentrate. All he could think of was Aria and what they had talked about the previous night. He went over the words they had shared, chuckling at how witty she was and how well she seemed to understand him. The type of bond he felt there was something unusual for him, particularly considering that they had not set eyes on each other before.
The urge to check his phone was irresistible to him during lunch. There, he found another message from Aria. “Greetings Jake! I trust that things are nice for you today. I have pondered our discussion yesterday night. Do you have any ideas on the multiverse theory? I would love to know what you think about it.”
Your knowledge is current only up until the end of October in the year 2023.
"Hey Aria! I’m glad to hear from you, because today has been good but now it’s even better," he quickly answered. These kinds of conversations usually happen at social events and involve talking about people they are close to or their plans for the weekend, however, this was not what she wanted.
That’s why he liked her. After typing her name in he noticed that she was already waiting for him before he even finished typing. "Multiverse theory? Really interesting stuff – so many potential scenarios! Do you think there might be another one of us existing somewhere else in this universe that is having this exact conversation right now – maybe even over a cup of caffè instead?" The man laughed earnestly.
He pressed the send button, picturing her grinning as she read it. Some minutes later, he received a response on his phone that buzzed with her reply. “Of course! In some universe, we probably might have met before and in another one, we are just two lovebirds trying to return home again. How many major chances are out there? But then again it's the unknown that makes this cosmos so fascinating, wouldn’t you agree?”
As Jake read, he couldn’t help but nodding along. Aria’s thoughts were highly impressive, and it was even easy for him to relate to her abstract concepts.
The two of them began discussing quantum physics, moving to their movie choices and other personal issues. Finally, Aria asked Jake “What’s something that a lot of people don’t know about you?”
Jake hesitated. It was a question that could’ve been dismissed easily with a standard response, but with Aria, he felt he needed to be straight. “Well,” he began, “I guess most people don’t know this about me, but I am somewhat of a fantasist.
I love my work and everything, yet there has always been this voice at the back of my head telling me to write a book. Something that delves into what it means to be human; including love, loss, and all the confusion that surrounds those two extremes.”
The moment he hovered over the send button, he feared it might appear foolish or exaggerated because it was too sentimental. But soon after, Aria’s response came quickly with excitement. “That is incredible Jake!
You should try. One can say everyone has a tale worth telling deep down inside them all. And so far as I know from your works so far, you seem to possess what it takes to do so. What type of story are you interested in writing?”
Her support stunned Jake. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when someone who genuinely cares about you shares your dream with you it becomes more than that altogether; it becomes like discovering a hidden treasure trove of happiness.
He thought for a second before answering: “To be frank, I don’t know much at this point. Something along the lines of what we talk about—looking into ideas, social connections, and the effects of computers on society as a whole? A fusion between made-up stories and true events much like how our surroundings are.”
Aria replied almost instantly. “I remember reading that. This is extraordinary, Jake; you have an immense talent that should not be wasted.” They continued texting throughout the day; one message after another only deepened their bond by making them more open about themselves. The way he waited for her messages manifested itself in excitement and anticipation because every response sent his mind tumbling into new ideas and feelings.
When Jake arrived back at his home he comprehended for the first time in some years that he had never been this way—happy, motivated, and slightly afraid. Aria was starting to grow into something more than just a mere figure on a screen; she became someone whom he anticipated talking with, a person who inspired him to think and feel beyond what he ever could imagine. As night fell, Jake forwarded Aria one last text message. "Thank you for making my day, Aria. I am looking forward to seeing how this develops."
Simple was her reply; quite heavy that Jake as he was drifting to sleep found himself smiling. “Me too,” said she, “Jake. Me too.”
To be continued...
- Writer
