Meo Animus: The Mover; Episode IX

Orange glints danced across the dimming sapphire ocean. The radiant sun laid tangent on top of the vast horizon. Seagulls squawked as they flew by in flocks. The sky divided. Like a blanket that was laid above the earth with three different colors. Each gradually becoming the other as distance was obvious. The segment nearest to the sun burned a bright orange hue. Lines of light rays were visible, trying to reach and break through the clouds. The sky directly above was reddish and the outlines of the great clouds were like interwoven roses that floated overhead. The opposite horizon was tinted dark blue. Night had already fallen on the other side. Far, in the middle of the ocean, just beside the column of orange glints, was a silhouette of a cargo ship. It moved slowly across the baring sea towards the north where the Queen City was at. The breeze was gentle and continuous. Ian ran his fingers through Ava’s hair as they sat side by side on the edge of the Centennial Park just a few feet above the waves.

By the time Ian had wrapped his right arm around Ava’s back, the sun had already begun its decent. She gently leaned her head on his shoulder as the lines of light rays became brighter. Her hair was as fragrant as the flowers that surrounded them. He held her tighter and rested his cheek on her velvety hair.

Centennial Park was one of the only few public gardens in the city. It was a rectangular plain covered with a carpet of verdant grass. In the middle was a concrete structure that elevated the base of a tall metal post. At the spire was a large fluttering flag of the country. In most times, the park would be filled with groups of friends hanging out, families having a picnic, or lovers gazing at the beautiful sunset. But this time, they were the only ones around. It was better that way. No disturbances, no screeching children playing, just a solemn moment to be experienced.

“Ian?” she whispered.

The horizon had already covered a quarter of the sun.

“Hmm?”

“Is it okay if we come here every after class?”

“That’s actually what I had in mind.”

She smiled and chuckled slightly.

Ava had removed her shoes before they sat on the edge. She felt cool sprinkles of seawater on her feet every time the waves crashed beneath them.

“Tell me more about being a Mover,” he said.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything you can remember.”

“Hmm, let’s see…” she paused to think.

“What about the limits of my ability?” he asked eager.

“Well, from what I’ve read, you are only limited to the amount of concentration you can exert.”

“What do you mean?” he turned his head slightly.

“As long as you can concentrate on something, you can move it,” she explained.

“I see.”

They paused until only half of the radiant sun was left.

“Oh!” snapped Ava, “There’s also one interesting thing I’ve read from the book.”

“What?”

“It is said that Movers have this special ability when they are emotionally…uh…how do I put this?” Ian listened closely, his mouth perfectly zipped, “Emotionally…agitated? I guess that’s the word.”

“You mean when I’m very angry?”

“I guess you can put it like that? They called it berserk. According to the book, your eyes will turn blood red and you’re abilities will enhance,” she revealed.

“What kind of enhancements?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” she sounded disappointed, “but from what I understood, when you are berserk, you can read a person’s mind.”

“Really?” he said astonished.

“Yes, but unfortunately it will also liquefy the person’s brain in the process.”

“That’s…disappointing.”

“I’m not sure if it’s true though. I’ve never seen my father’s eyes turn to red.”

“I see,” he whispered.

They felt the sea breeze starting to diminish as nightfall was imminent. The light on the horizon became smaller and smaller. Burning orange gradually becoming soothing red, but the bright hue slowly receded from the now dominant dark blue sky. Tiny sparks in the sky started to appear. And as the final shade of light flashed its last for the day, Ian kissed Ava’s hair. She tilted her head to face him and without regrets or remorse, their lips collided in intimate consent. It was long and passionate, and it lasted until the radiant orb finally ebbed into the other side of the world. Only a dark orange canvas was left to be slowly engulfed by the darkness.

Their lips retreated slowly. Ian held the back of her head gently and kissed her forehead. She smiled. It was time to go home.

They stood up. Ava grabbed and wore her shoes. They walked slowly hand-in-hand towards the park’s exit.

The park was actually quite a distance from downtown. They rode a taxi to Ava’s house. It was the most efficient form of transportation considering the time and the distance. They had the same position as before; her head leaned to his shoulder, and his cheek rested on her hair. But their hands were now held together in unfailing connection.

Relative time wasn’t in their favor. It didn’t feel too long before they were finally outside Ava’s house. They got out of the taxi and waited for the moment to pass.

They stood closely—wrapped in each other’s arms. They held on as long as they could and finally kissed goodbye.

Ian’s house was just a few blocks out, so he decided to walk the rest of the way. He reflected about everything that had happened. He remembered the recognition that Mrs. Enriquez gave to him and Ava for a well-done project. It was quite the attention. And he tried remembering how many times he kissed Ava today. He discovered that it was too many count. He smiled while walking with his hands in his pockets. He felt his phone and decided to read the messages. There was nothing unusual, until he reached Henry’s message saying: Where the hell are you? He had forgotten to tell Henry that he could no longer go home together with him since he would have to spend time with Ava. He decided to send his reply when he got home.

A few seconds later he received a new message. It was from Ava and it had a simple thought: I love you. He grinned for the rest of the way home.

The Mover Episodes

Episode IX