Across Parallels

Chapter 1

Deep in the dark space, where our Earth is existing & everything seems endless. The only sight is some rocks of huge masses floating around, even if we try not even a single soul can be found. In there according to the Xpwork Space Program 2050, a Space Station is been operated by a team of Astronauts & other technical workers. In that Space Station, a station mechanic Kang Sung-jo is laying over his bed. And he is sweating like crazy & blabbering during his sleep due to a dream which he repeatedly used to see, about an accident which he witnessed in his days of teenage in which he ended up losing his girlfriend's life. And whenever he dreams about that incident he sees that in an empty road he is sitting with his girlfriend's head on his lap & she is laying on that empty road fully covered in blood & as he is speaking to her.

Kang Sung-jo: Eun-so, Eun-so, stay awake!

Go Eun-so: Sung-jo, do you know I'm not able to feel the pain now. And I can see a bright light from the skies. Can you see it too?

Kang Sung-jo: What are you talking about? The ambulance is on its way here!

Go Eun-so: Oh! Sung-jo! I can see a person & he is giving hands to me with a sweet smile on his face.

Kang Sung-jo: Hey! Eun-so, don't close your eyes! Stay to be awake, okay. Nothing will happen to you.

Suddenly, Go Eun-so lifts her hands up into the direction of the skies & Kang Sung-jo ends up finding her dead. And she fades off from his hands. And as he ends up seeing these kinds of events in his dream he suddenly gets awake from his sleep shouting in a high voice. Meanwhile, Kang Sung-jo's friend Edward who had entered the chamber to rest after his hours of duty he asks Kang Sung-jo.

Edward: Again, same dream?

Kang Sung-jo: Yes. (taking a deep breath & scratching his head)

Edward: Here, have some water. Ain't you moved from that till now, Sung-jo? Do you know it's been more than 15 years now? You actually told me about this dream & this accident which resulted in your girlfriend's death when we were in college. And it wasn't your mistake too. Just move on, man.

Kang Sung-jo: How? Tell me that also, please! Till now I can see her laying on that street covered in blood & me being helpless.

Edward: Sug-jo, Do you know? In every person's life, there is a tragic moment. It may be some people's death or it may be any kind of accident. And for living a happy life what we humans do? Yes, leave behind that all bad memories & move forward with time. Like that, if you try forgetting those bad memories you can also live a better life.

Kang Sung-jo: Yes, I will try to leave behind those bad memories.

Edward: Yeah, that the spirit dude.

Then Edward lays down on his bed in the chamber & lifts a book which was kept over a table near his bed & starts reading the book. Kang Sung-jo asks Edward laying over his bed.

Kang Sung-jo: Hey, what are you reading?

Edward: Oh! This. Its just Stephen Hawking's "A brief history of time". Actually when I was getting ready for my departure from the earth for this space program. I bought around 20 to 40 books of these genres.

Kang Sung- jo: So, how is it?

Edward: It's pretty much good according to me. I should say Sir Hawkings had a deep foresight on this universe in which we are existing. And do you know when I read it each time I find something new & it always amuses me throughout?

Kang Sung-jo: Is it?

Edward: Do want any books to read? Just ask me, okay.

Kang Sung-jo: As you asked me, then, give me the most interesting book you brought here according to you.

Edward: Okay, I had read all the books I have brought here. Am actually reading these books for my 3rd time.

Kang Sung-jo: Then, what are you waiting for? Just get the book.

Edward: Just, wait a sec! I will get that book now itself for you.

Edward jumps out off his bed & walks toward his locker which was attached to a wall right in front of them in the chamber. And he puts the pin in the digital lock & opens the door of the locker, then looks for some time inside the locker & comes up with a book in his collection with a smile over his face & says.

Edward: Yes, here it is. One of my favourite book from the collection, the evergreen "The Time Machine" by H. G. Wells.

Kang Sung-jo: Isn't it a story?

Edward: Yes, it's a story & that's the reason why I'm giving you this.

Kang Sung-jo: Why? And, Can I know why is it your favourite?

Edward: I'm seeing you from the college days, Sung-jo. And, I know that those hi-fi science books will make you bored & at the end, you will just through that book at the corner of the room. Do any weird stuff.

Kang Sung-jo: Oh, you are so mean! Was is it necessary to tell me?

Edward: You only asked me!

Kang Sung-jo: Okay, okay! Hey, you didn't tell me why this story is your favourite of all?

Edward: Oh, that! Ain't you know my wife?

Kang Sung-jo: Yes, I know her. Don't you remember I was also there on your wedding day?

Edward: Yes, I know you were there! After our marriage as my wife got pregnant after a few months. I used to read this story for her so that she can relax & have a stress free sleep. So, keeping that memory in mind which was one of my golden times with her & my baby, it became my favourite book of all time from then.

Kang Sung-jo: Oh! What a sweet story? So, Have you seen your baby then?

Edward: No, I haven't seen her personally but as she was born I have got to see some pictures of her. Anyway, it will not take too long now to see her. Our batch's service is getting over here, we can now go back to Earth in 2 weeks. Did you forget that?

Kang Sung-jo: Oh that's right! I totally forgot about that.

Edward: As expected from you!
Kang Sung-jo walks towards a window of the chamber & takes a look outside the space station through the window & talks a deep breath & says to Edward.

Kang Sung-jo: Isn't it little weird if we think about a few decades back. Actually, we have left all our family & life on earth behind & lived to hear in this endless space for the past 15 years now?

Edward: Yeah, you are right. 15 years. It has been 15 years we are in this darkness now 2 weeks, within 2 weeks we will be on earth with our family.

Kang Sung-jo: That's your case mate but in my case, the only one I got was my father & he is no more.

Edward: Hey, what happened to him?

Kang Sung-jo: Nothing much, already that old man was a chronic asthma patient. As I boarded within 2 months he also died. Anyway, it's past. I was actually thankful to god to know that he was not bedridden during his end days. So that was a relief for me. And do you know? He was the person who motivated me to study Astro mechanics. In my childhood itself, my mom passed away & that old man worked day & night, to feed me & teach me, to make me what am today? And, want to listen to a fun fact he told me one day? When I asked about mom to him. He just took me outdoors & showed the night sky & said to me that my mom is between these stars up high here.

Edward: Hmm, Mr Kang was like a father figure to me also because he was the only person who helped me on our first day of college when I was not able to pay the taxi fare in which I came in. And from that day he treats me as his own son too.

Suddenly the emergency alarm inside the Space Station turned on & an announcement came behind. And that announcement instructed the whole crew to gather in the control rooms lobby as Edward & Kang Sung-jo heard it they looked at the face of each other & spoke to each other.

Kang Sung-jo: Now what happened suddenly? Why do they need a meeting now?

Edward: I don't know! Let's go & check it out.

Kang Sung-jo: Let's go!