Kaliskis Chapter 6.1

Chapter 6.1: The Eggs of Lambanang-Tubig (1)

Roselda was abruptly woken by the knocks on her door.

“Eda! Wake up already. Why, it’s almost noon now!” she heard her mother’s call. “Get down here. We have lots to do.”

The girl sleepily blinked and let out a yawn. Ah, really Mamang; she’s too loud this early in the morning, she thought. She had hoped that she could sleep longer now that she has no classes.

Before she got up, she stretched and reached out her arms. The light flowing through her curtains was blinding. The sun has already risen up high; she really should get up now. She can even hear the clucking of their backyard chickens outside.

She looked from her open window and saw many of their neighbors. Most of them were occupied in their daily tasks. Aling Minda was sweeping her yard; Mang Tino was hammering out his old boat; Manang Bining was walking out to peddle, on her head laid a bilao1 full of fresh fish; while around the area, many children were playing chase. She could hear them shouting and laughing all over. She felt that this was how a real vacation should be.

(TL: Italicized words in above paragraph are honorifics for elders)

“Eda!” she was called once again.

“Coming!” she responded in a yell.

When Roselda arrived in the kitchen, the breakfast was already arranged; a paper pouch filled with pandesal2 was there beside the empty cup that should have been used by her Papang earlier, and next to them was a fried fish dish. She was relishing on the sight and immediately sat by the table.

“Eat your food quickly,” said her Mamang who at that moment was sorting her completed native bags.

“What’s up today, Mang?” Roselda said between her bites on the pandesal.

“Why, you’ve really forgotten your words that you’re coming with me to deliver these?”

The girl halted in stuffing herself. Oh yes, today was Friday. She promised her Mamang that she would accompany her in delivering the bags to her client in town.

She swiftly stood up and affectionately approached the old woman. “Of course, I remember,” she said to her sheepishly. “Where’s Papang?”

“Been long gone since he wanted to finish mending the fishing net. He said it’s too wasteful for such good days to not sail out and do fishing.” She continued, “What should I do? Your Papang won’t listen to me; he still keeps on sailing when he’s already too old.”

“Mang, you know that he has survived through fishing, right? It’s his ‘life’. You even told me that you fell for him because of his graceful charm on it,” Roselda said teasingly.

The old woman’s face virtually blushed. “You mischievous child.”

Roselda simply laughed. That’s their usual day at home.

“Managat?“

He felt a soft shove on his shoulder. He didn’t notice that he has fallen asleep. With roused consciousness, he felt that he was still holding the hand of Head Maayo. He has no idea how long he’d been asleep.

“Managat,” Once again, he felt the tugging. “Wake up.“

Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked for the source of that small voice.

“Come on, Managat, please wake up.“

He turned around and found a young mermaid behind

him. From head to tail, her entirety was almost white; that’s the typical color of mermen’s and mermaids’ body when they just got out from their eggs. Then, her quite long hair was braided with a satin-like type of sea-plant and was resting on her right shoulder.

She was smiling at him.

“Oh, Sarikit.” Managat greeted the young mermaid.

“It’s a good thing you finally woke up,” she said tenderly. “I’ve been shaking you awake but you’re really under a deep sleep.”

“Sorry,” said Managat as his sight turned to the huge shell once again, sorrow evident on his voice.

“I’m sorry,” Sarikit approached the edge of the shell. “She’ll be cured, right?” The young mermaid’s eyes were full of hope while looking at Managat. A small child like her believed so strongly.

I wish I was like her, he said in his mind.

“Of course, Sarikit.” He said. “You’ll see. Maybe by tomorrow, our Head Maayo will have woken up and then she’ll play with us once again.”

“I hope so, too.” said the young mermaid who, after some time, turned to the exit.

Managat followed the little mermaid but before finally going out, he turned once more to Head Maayo’s appearance by the huge shell. She looked like she’s just sleeping.

——–

1Bilao – a winnowing basket, usually shallow and circular in shape.

2Pandesal – from Spanish word pan de sal or ‘salt bread’; a well-known breakfast bread with Filipinos. It’s a common bread roll which is usually dipped in hot coffees or complimented with margarine, cheese, peanut butter or other jams.

Chapter end