The Destiny’s Sphere

Andrea Menéndez Matilla

The woman knew she had owned her sphere for too long. She would carry it everywhere with her and would always keep it close to her chest. It was not too small neither too big. She had been observing it for years, and she was sure that its diameter could not be bigger than an apple’s.

Everybody had a sphere — that’s how the world worked. When she had come across hers in a park, she had realized that it was the second-best day of her life. She remembered her mom explaining everything to her when she was still just a little child: “At some point along the line, the sphere must show two names. One for the person who will always love you unconditionally. The other for the person that is somehow going to get you killed. The same day that happens, you will at least meet one of them.” The only problem with all of this was that, obviously, you were not able to know who was who. You were just given two names and no details. But then again, that’s how the world worked.

She had been looking at her crystal-clear sphere for way too many years. She would never get in a relationship, knowing that it wouldn’t be perfect. Even if she was happy she wouldn’t die anytime soon, she still wanted to feel that fairytale love all of her friends talked about.

She would always remember the day she met that handsome man during her beach trip. She would always look at the orb when he wasn’t paying attention, hoping for it to light up or change in some way — but it never did. There was then no point in continuing their romance. It was clear that he wasn’t made for her.

As she was having breakfast one morning, the glass orb in front of her on the kitchen table, a beautiful light illuminated the room. She couldn’t tell the color of it, but she was sure it was the most delightful one she had ever seen. It was obvious the moment had arrived. She grabbed it with both hands, excited but terrified. It felt warm to the touch, almost as if it were alive.

In crimson lettering, two names reflected on the surface of her cared-for orb. Arthur Hill and Elijah Wilson. She was attracted to men, so that wasn’t a surprise, but the names were so plain and boring that she was truly disappointed.

Before going out that afternoon she made sure she looked her best. She went out to the park with her dog, and it was then that someone jumped onto her. A handsome blond was followed up by an OK looking man — same age, but different looks. She almost couldn’t contain her excitement when the first man introduced himself as Arthur Hill. She had found the love of her life — she was sure. And he was beautiful to look at! She felt her heart stopping in her chest when his friend said his name was Elijah Wilson. Unsure, she slept hugging the orb, almost hoping it would talk to her again, and she would go on doing so ever since.

She decided to take the risk and started dating Arthur. They had lots of things in common: he loved to read, just like her, and the fact that he was a journalist made him even more attractive. The only thing that bothered her was that Elijah kept texting her, asking how she was, how work had been, how she was feeling… He would even send her roses! She kept all of this and the words of the orb a secret to Arthur. As she kept dating him, she was more and more convinced he was the one and that she should keep herself as far away from Elijah as possible.

Her relationship with Arthur wasn’t perfect, but she knew it would get better, even more exceptional, with time. It had to! They were soulmates! Four months into dating, she was nowhere to be found. Her family grieved her disappearance and Arthur was condemned for murder. On Emma Cavanaugh’s tombstone reads: “Trust, but verify.” *

September 2019

*Ronald Reagan