When the stars align, everything seems perfect. Nothing else in the world matters. A moment in time when every wish comes true, and everything you could ever ask for, comes to life. In one moment in time, you feel as if you are in control. Almost as if you hold the universe in your hands.. but what if, you were given that privilege, but told you were only allowed to use it once? For only one full day out of your entire life. To change anything you want, even interfering with free will. When and how would you choose to use it? Embark on this journey with Ania as we unravel her story on how one moment in time, changed everything forever.
Ania sat isolated in her room. Lights off. Curtains closed. The only sound was blasting through her headphones as she rested her head on top of her folded arms that rested on her computer desk. Sound of Silence piercing through her ear drums. Only someone in this state of mind could fully understand what sound silence actually cried out. The fully orchestrated sound of destruction and tears intertwined with mental exhaustion.
It has only been a few days since her ex had left. They conquered the world together, and now the world was conquering her. Everything was perfect…or so she thought. The break up took her by surprise, she would have never expected that day to happen. But it was here, and she had to deal with it. There would be no getting back together with him, he made that very clear through the countless texts she received after the fact. She handled it the only way she knew how. Self isolation, self destruction, attending the funeral of all the emotions she once held so dear. Candle lit vigil with a solo attendant, layered head to toe in all black attire as the casket of hope buried itself beneath the very ground she walked on. Twwww… she spit on the casket as it disappeared into the darkness.
The tears flowed, no matter how hard she tried to hold them back. The Sound of Silence became so loud it was almost deafening. She ripped the headphones out of her ears and repositioned herself, laying her head back atop of her wounded arms. Her arms were covered with cut wounds scattered all over them. Almost as if she had gotten into a razorblade battle with herself, and lost. But those battle wounds weren’t visible to the outside world, no. Thats what the long sleeve shirt was for.
As she lay there, wounded, trapped behind enemy lines, backed into a corner and taking a mental beating, she felt something that felt like a hand on her shoulder. She lived alone, and as far as she could remember, all doors and windows were locked. She quickly lifted her head and turned around. What she saw before her eyes was beyond mesmerizing. Her eyes widened as she sat in awe.
It was her father, who had passed away when she was 10. He was surrounded by a beautiful white glow, guarded by many angels who stood close to him. The halo that sat above his head had a beautiful gold shine. She was frozen. Couldn’t find the words to say, or even the strength to move. But that was ok, because he spoke first. “Ania…” It was a heavenly voice. One of love and comfort. “My child. I understand you are going through a time time. I love you.” Tears of joy overpowered the ones that cried out just moments before. “I was given a mission. A chance to make things better for you, but its important you hear every detail.” She shook her head in agreement.
He reached into his beautiful white ivory robe and pulled out a key. This key was a beautiful rose gold color, her favorite. “This key will allow you to control the universe, to change anything you want, as many times as you want to, but, its a one day pass. Once you use it, that’s it. So my dear, I advise you to choose carefully when you decide on a time. The consequences could be severe if you unlock everything at the wrong time.” He handed her the key. The moment it was firmly in her hand, he began to fade away. “No! Please don’t go!! Dad! I love you!” She cried out as she heard the faint reply, “I love you too Ania.”
It was amazing being able to see her father, whom she hadn’t seen in 20 years. She wished she would have been able to hug him close before he left. That would have made everything better. As she fantasized about what she could have done, she snapped back to reality and stared at this beautiful key that lay in her hands. I can change anything I want, as many times as I want, for one day, she thought to herself as the many ideas began flooding her mind. What would she change? Her father warned her that using it at the wrong time could have severe consequences, but what was the right time? And if there were consequences, she had a whole day to fix them….right? Atleast thats how she understood it.
The problem she was struggling with was trying to determine the right time to use the key. Her overthinking overpowered her mind at the many possibilities that lay before her. Every minute detail, and outcome of every situation presented itself in grand fashion within a matter of seconds. Patience was non-existent to Ania. The idea of waiting for the “right time” sounded just as farfetched as women who, by choice, were single, waiting for their knight in shining armor to show up. “Thats it.” She said out loud. If there was a right time, it had to be right now, according to Ania. “Tomorrow’s not promised. And today is miserable.” She began firmly gripping the key, trying to figure out what the hell she had to put the key in for this universe thing to be hers.
She gripped tighter and tighter. The only thing she wanted more than anything, the one thing she would change if given the chance, was to have him back. Not her father, as much as she loved him and hated him being gone, there was a different type of love with the person you were supposed to spend the rest of your life with. Now she had the ability to change that. To go back to the happiest moment in her life and relive those endless nights cuddled up to the man of her dreams, watching whatever the hell was on tv. Back to feeling like life is great, and nothing else mattered as she looked deep into his oceanic blue eyes and felt at peace. That was what she wanted. Nothing else. “I know what I want, but I dont know where this stupid key is supposed to go.”
The lights flickered constantly, almost as if she were attending a sold out rave show, powered by bass and electronic music. “What the…” Flash. Everything disappeared as she began twirling about through some sort of intergalactic tunnel. It was very similar to the imaginary time travel experiences she had seen in the countless movies her and her ex would watch late at night. Only this one was real. No actors. She was experiencing it first hand, and within a matter of seconds, she awoke in a frantic motion on the couch she shared with the love of her life. “Whats wrong?” He asked, as her sudden movement woke him up as well. “I just had the weirdest dream. But it was so real.” She replied as she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you.” She said as she rested her head on his shoulder, and watched as the key she once held in her hand faded out until the point that it completely disappeared. She gasped and whispered “It was real….”
“What was?” He replied as he pulled back to look at her. “Oh, nothing honey.” As she said that, she pulled him close and locked lips with him. Here’s to the rest of our lives, she whispered to her mind as she was lost in the kiss. Little did she know, the quick impulse she made based on her current feelings wouldn’t turn out the way she hoped. The quick irrational decision had actually mixed up the rotation of the stars and rearranged everything to the point that Heaven and Hell were now intertwined with one another. Ania has now unleashed the curse her name has haunted her with her whole life. Ania is also the name of a Greek Goddess. Ania : The Goddess of Sorrow.