Illusionary Visionary

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky.

I never thought they would leave. On the 25th of June 2019, our nights became less bright. We returned to the darkness we had before the beautiful purple tint arrived. We were filled with sadness, confusion and disappointment but with an appreciation for what we had when we did. Although, two weeks later our night was blessed with the purple tint again. We were overjoyed taking the moment all in. However, this time the air seemed foggy preventing the pure experience we always had. 

No one wanted to question this difference to prevent the tint from leaving, we concluded it was an effect of the weather changing. I was not offended by everyone's refusal to question. It came when we were struggling to bless our nights with anticipation and joy. This purple tint stirred up hope in our people, making us bask in its strange greatness. No one knew of its origin but thanked the gods for sharing a bit of joy they had through the tint.

"Benjie, hurry up or I'll eat your food."

"Stop! I'm coming now. Ayana, seriously, stop."

I head to the dining table to eat dinner with my family, which we try our best to do each week. Everyone's already there staring at me coming through the doors as I apologize generally. 

"You know, you're lucky you have food.", my mother said.

"I know, I am very grateful.", I said.

We pray and then start eating. 

"So, how is everyone doing?", my father asks making conversation.

"I'm fine" and "I'm okay" fills the air as we all respond about our well-being.

"Ayana, how are the phone sales going? My friend, David said he got one for his son recently.", my father said.

"It's…well, it's going. I am getting more sales with Mila's emergency story.", Ayana said.

"Yes, I'm glad she had one with her when she got lost that night. Her parents were so worried she might not find her way back. So, James will be buying and bringing the same stock or what? Have you let him know how things are going?", my father said.

"I have been talking with him and keeping him up-to-date with everything. He's been spending all his time taking care of our niece but he's still going to make it this December with the phones.", Ayana said.

"That's good. Well done!", my father said.

"Yes, well done Ayi.", my mother said.

"Jiin, how's the farm work? I see the crops have been fruitful.", my mother said.

"They have been very fruitful lately, work has also been a bit easier.", my brother said. 

"That's great! Are the breaks getting better too?", my mother said 

"Not always. Some days are better though. He actually gave us 2 1-hour breaks the day before yesterday, we were all shocked haha.", Jiin said. 

"Wow! I hope he has better days so you all have better days then haha", my father said.

"Right!", my mother said.

"Benjie, you're on holiday now but how are you doing?", my mother said.

"I'm fine. I'm still here as much as you and father but I'm fine. I spent time with Mila and Zame earlier today and we are considering business options.", I said.

"Oh, business options?", Jiin said.

"Yes", I said.

"Maybe just play for now before you have no more free time, Mr. business options", Ayana said.

"You'll have time to brainstorm your path and options, don't worry.", my mother said. 

"Benjie could you talk all the plates and cups to the sink, I'm washing them. Uni, go rest for a bit so you don't miss the sky today.", my father says.

"Alright.", I said. 

"Thank you", my mother said.

We retreat to rest.

"Reh! It's starting now", my mother said.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!", my father answered.

We sit and join the festivities with others outside. After, tedious merriment with our neighbours we return to sleep. For some reason, I am unable to sleep. I kneel on my bed holding onto my bedboard to look out the window behind me. The purple skies are still beautiful and I decide to write down my thoughts in my journal. Trying to recount a moment, I look above the page and catch the purple skies swiftly moving in one direction. Concerned, I close my eyes and re-open them to ensure I am seeing what I see and still see it moving swiftly. Most of it has gone now revealing the dark skies we know. In the morning, I inform my family of what I noticed earlier that morning. They stated that it was possible for it to do that because other clouds move too. I emphasized the speed of the movement was unnatural compared to the other clouds. "It seemed as if it was running somewhere," I said. Still listening to me, I brought up the possibility of seeing where it was going by following it. That way we find out its origin, if it goes to another village or if it's even from the gods. They told me to be careful and stated I might be chasing it to the ends of the earth which could be exhausting and dangerous. We all leave to do our respective activities. I tell Mila and Zame of my discussion and findings earlier that morning and they dismiss my interest as an effect of tiredness. They say the clouds have to leave because they don't last forever before saying I could observe again at midnight today. We avoid the topic for the rest of the day and visit the animal home to discover the kind of pet we would like. I went home smellier but also happier after my love discovery of rabbits. After dinner today, we waited and then went outside for the purple sky merriment but to our surprise the air was glittery. The glitter-filled air offended many as an impure experience and for harming our eyes. For the first time including the time with the fog, we did not appreciate the purple-tinted clouds. We head to sleep after everyone avoids the topic despite bringing notice to the obvious. I look at the sky outside my window and for a brief moment, I notice a glitch-like movement. 

"Hmm, interesting."