Aufisü: "Neither have I."
The two lay flat on the football pitch, staring at the sky.
Eoulapa: "Now that the stadium lights are off, the light pollution have finally eased... How many stars are there, like 20? I've only seen at most 3 or 4 before."
Aufisü: "Indeed. The world is beautiful isn't it? An hour after and our hearts will be resonating with the booms of fireworks. New year... I know you've got profound reflections on this stuff, no?"
Eoulapa: "When the world jumps together in jubilation, when people hug and when parents tell their children about fireworks, when friends say 'Happy new year' and when we hold our phones high to film the fireworks, we don't remember who we are. We are, of course, an infinitesimal species on an infinitesimal dust in space, but think about where we've been. The moon, we've sent satellites to Mars, we've left our mark on a spaceship roaming in space... I think that's good enough."
Aufisü: "And how d'you feel here, with us?"
Eoulapa: "Proud, melancholic, confused. Confused mostly. I mean, yes we are small, we're not prodigious scientists, neither are we world-renowned politicians. But we're friends, and we're here. At this exact moment. What are the odds? We're nothing special, but we are very special. How many times do you get to celebrate the earth finishing one orbit around its star? With friends as well... Friends that have expiry dates - friends that one day will leave. Out of the 100 years of life. How ephemeral. But we don't care. Humans live on and celebrate. Isn't that, to an extent, prevailing over the cruelty of life? Doesn't matter if it's out of negligence or ignorance. I guess living is already a profound gift."
The two stayed silent. Eoulapa took photos of the stars with his phone.
~Written 1/1/24 02:22 at home.
