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You know what's the most tragic love story ever told? It's the love between the land and the sea. They would meet in the shorelines but they would always and constantly be pulled apart by the waves.

They would always meet in the middle. . . but they couldn't stay together and they're not meant to be with each other.

"At 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi kayo puwedeng pumunta sa lupa. . ."

The sea king would always remind us how the land is perilous compared to the calming sea. How peace and prosperity is abundant in the waters—it could never be the same for the dry land.

Pumangalumbaba ako sa isang malumot na bato habang paulit-ulit ang hari sa kan'yang pangangaral sa amin.

"Kaya huwag na huwag n'yong nanaisin na umahon mula rito. Hindi maganda ang nasa ibabaw at hindi kailanman naging mapayapa roon," saad ng aming ama.

Nagkasalubong ang aking mga kilay. Kung ako ang tatanungin ay hindi naman lahat ng payapa ay masaya. Hindi naman nakikita ang kasiyahan sa pagiging payapa. It is a safe choice but never the measurement of happiness.

I wanted more than peace. I wanted more than comfort. I wanted adventure and danger, I wanted to feel the thrill and adrenaline through my veins.

At wala no'n sa tubig. Anong nakakatakot sa mga isdang maliliit na susundan ka dahil may dahon na sumabit sa iyong buhok? Wala. Walang thrill o excitement dito. Tumulis ang aking nguso habang napapanis sa aking isipan ang nabubuo kong pangarap.

"Si Cerenia lang naman ang may gustong pumanhik sa lupa," Azaria scoffed, harshly. Ang panganay kong kapatid na striktong binalingan ako ng tingin.

Humalinghing lamang ako. Wala na silang ibang nakita kung hindi ako! Kung sabagay, ako ang pinaka-bata kung kaya't mas nakatuon sa akin ang kanilang mga atensyon.

"Pagbibigyan naman namin kayo. . ." Ngumiti ang hari sa amin, bakas ang mahigit dalawang daang taon pagkabuhay sa ningning ng kan'yang mga mata.

We gasped in bewilderment. Ang mga mata'y tuluyang nanglaki sa kan'yang sinabi. Azaria's strict eyes shifted. Alam kong kahit siya ay interesado rin sa sinabi ni ama.

"Sa ika-labing limang kaarawan ninyo, papayagan namin kayo lumangoy patungo sa mga lupain ng mga tao."

My heart convulsed because of anticipation, napalibutan kami ng mga bula dahil sa biglaang paglapit namin kay ama. He quickly chuckled with that. My fins moved in their own will or maybe because I was too excited. Binilang ko sa aking isipan kung ilang taon pa ang hihintayin ko bago tumuntong ng ika-labing limang kaarawan ko.

I was the youngest thus I was the last one who will be able to see the surface. Sa galak ko ay niyakap ko si Adelaida, ang ikatlong kapatid ko. Kumapit din siya sa akin sa sobrang tuwa.  We swam around and around, making oscillating bubbles in the process.

I had to wait for my turn. And each time as my sisters retell their tales about what appears in the surface. My poor young heart can't help but be filled with envy. Hindi ko maiwasan ang ngumuso sa tuwing maririnig ang mga kwento nila tungkol sa mga pangyayari sa ibaba.

Azaria didn't like the surface much. Ang sabi n'ya ay puro raw ito basura at halos maiingay ang mga tao kaya naman bumalik siya sa karagatan agad. Yet I saw it in her eyes, the yearning for more days and hours to see what's beyond the surface. She could lie all she wants but the eyes never lie.

Sa sumunod na taon, Adelaida enjoyed the vast view of the sea from the above. She boasted about the shining stars and how it twinkles for her. Mas naging matapang din siya dahil nakarating siya sa tabing dagat. Kumuha pa nga siya ng iilang bato sa dalampasigan at mayabang na pinakita sa amin ito. It varied in sizes; some were rock solid but the others were smooth.

"Pahingi naman ako!" ungot ko.

"Kumuha ka na lang ng iyo!" maramot n'yang tinago ang mga bato sa kan'yang lalagyanan.

We all have our spaces for our beloved treasures. It is also used for us to grow our individual plants. Ang sa akin ay kadalasang puno ng mga gamit ng mga tao na kinukumpuni ko pa sakaling may sira. My sisters find me very peculiar because of it. I dived down th deepest trenches in order to get these treasures.

Yet, I don't mind at all.

Napanguso ako nang makitang tinapon ni Adelaida ang mga bato n'ya sa kan'yang lalagyanan. Wala man lang pinaubaya sa akin, kahit ang pinakamaliit ay hindi talaga pinagbigyan!

Ang damot talaga! Kapag ako na ang aahon, hinding-hindi rin ako magbibigay sa kanila! Ngumuso ako habang kitang-kita ang galak sa kan'yang mga mata.

It must be really fun. . . to be on the surface.

Bartalema was next, she focused more on creating friends with the birds. Ang ilan pa nga ay muntik n'yang dalhin sa ibabang bahagi ng karagatan subalit muntik na itong malunod. Galit na galit sina ama at inay dahil dito.

"Hindi kayo p'wedeng magdala ng hayop dito, Bartalema!" galit na sigaw ng aming ama. Natawa naman kaming magkakapatid dahil si Bartalema ang medyo kailangan pa talaga ng gabay pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay.

Zefania didn't stay that long ashore. Sumakto kasing fiesta sa lupain kung kaya't hindi rin siya p'wedeng magtagal. Subalit may mga nakalaro siyang mga bata. She immediately went back because the children wanted to show her to the other people. Hindi 'yon p'wede sa amin.

May mga bagay rin siyang dinala mula sa mga tao. Inuto-uto ko pa nga siya para bigyan n'ya rin ako. Inabot n'ya sa akin ang isang laruan na pabilog na may pahabang hawakan. "Para sa 'yo, Cerenia."

Kinapa-kapa ko ito. I don't know what this is—subalit nakikita ko ang sarili ko. My reflection is present in this object.

"Tatawagin kitang kagandahan!" I chortled as I played with the object. I called it 'Kagandahan' because it shows my face! How cool is that!

Zefania is my already favorite sister! Kahit kailan ay hindi naging maramot. Siya lang ang bibigyan ko ng bato! Mga tatlo!

The following year, it was Isabela's turn. Hindi ko mapigilan ang paninibugho sa aking sistema subalit pilit ko rin pinapaalala na ako na ang susunod. Ako na ang susunod na aahon patungo sa lupa.

"Dalhan mo ako ng kahoy!"

"Ikaway mo ako sa mga ibon!"

"Huwag kang magpapakita sa mga tao!"

Ang huling pahayag ni Azaria ay bumagabag sa akin. Lumapit ako sa aking ina upang itanong kung bakit bawal kaming masaksihan ng mga tao. Tahimik lang siyang nakamasid habang naghahanda si Isabela pumanhik sa lupain.

"Inay, bakit hindi tayo p'wedeng makita ng mga tao? Ang aarte naman nila. . ." Ngumuso ako at hinilig ang aking ulo sa kan'yang buntot.

Tumawa lamang si inay. She brushed my hair using her fingers. Si Inay ay ang ina ng aming ama at siya na rin ang tumayong ina sa aming magkakapatid nang mawala ang aming inahin.

"Naiiba tayo sa kanila. Hindi nila tayo matatanggap. At delikado rin kung malaman nila na may mga tulad natin sa ilalim ng dagat."

"Bakit? Maiinggit ba sila? Dahil tayo ay may mga buntot at sila ay wala?"

I saw an abandoned statue of a human before. They don't have fins. They have a pair of. . . feet? If I remember it right. Ito ang huling rinig ko na tawag ni Azaria sa mga buntot ng mga tao. Dalawa pa nga ito e, bakit kaya sila maiinggit sa amin?

Baka kasi may kulay 'yong buntot namin?

Kawawa naman pala sila, walang kulay mga buntot nila.

My sisters were allowed to go ashore whenever they wanted to after their fifteenth birthday. The enthusiasm on their faces gradually faded because they didn't appreciate the surface as much as I would go great lengths in order to see the white sand, the sea creatures above, and how the scalding bright sun would look like from above.

A year has passed since that day. It was finally my turn. It was finally my moment. My glowing pale skin went peach because I can't contain the overflowing excitement to go ashore. To witness what's beyond the waters, to see what's the world without the ocean, and to befriend some people.

"Magi-ingat ka ha?" paalala ni inay. "Bumalik ka sa amin."

"Depende po, baka po may pogi roon." I giggled like a child.

"Cerenia!"

"Opo! Babalik po ako."

Inay clothed me with white lilies around my hair, petals complimenting with my smooth flowing dark ember hair. She also gave me eight oysters clam and tied it around my tail to show my nobility. It was supposed to be sewed in my fins however my grandma was worried that I couldn't handle the pain of stitching.

"Ang bigat naman!" reklamo ko kay Inay.

"Tiisin mo lang, sa una lang naman 'yan." 

Hindi na ako nag-reklamo dahil baka maantala pa ang pag-angat ko sa tubig. I patiently waited for this day.

I'm finally going ashore.

I'm finally going to the land.

My heart was bursting in euphoria. How lovely it is to witness the vast sky, the green land and the chapels that always ring their bell when the canvas of their sky is blue.

I inhaled sharply as I deliberately swam ashore. My sisters' eyes were watching me intently as I finally reached what I was yearning for years now.

"Ah!" I grunted out as I was able to reach the surface of the ocean. Agad kong ikiniling ang aking ulo patungo sa malawak na langit.

The hues of red and orange are blending together yet it majestically turned into pink skies. The sun, that I adored so much, was finally scalding my skin. It made me feel warm.

A dolphin saw me and sprayed me some fresh water. I laughed as I returned it to the sea creature, it made a sound of happiness.

Unti-unting lumubog ang araw at nilunod ito ng kadiliman. The stars shone brightly as the ships finally roared their entrance. Nagtago ako sa mga malalaking batong nakapaligid upang hindi nila makita. I watched them as the lights of their ships were blinking.

Ang ingay nga nila. It is as if there's a celebration. . .

I gasped. My hand flew to my mouth.

Alam kaya nila na kaarawan ko ngayon?!

"S-sandali! Nandito ako! Nandito 'yong may kaarawan!" I yelled at them. Yet my voice only echoed in the massive ocean.

Pahingi ng handa!

I swam towards their ship closer and closer until I was able to touch the rough skin of their massive ship. I heard feetfalls and felt the vibration on the side of the ship.

"Maligayang kaarawan, mahal na prinsipe!" the sailors cheered as someone went to their deck.

I was immune to beauty. My sisters were beautiful. My aging father and grandmother were beautiful beings too. And even I, myself, am also a beauty. My mouth gradually went agape upon seeing a tall and beautiful boy in his suit as he graced upon the sailors.

"Masyado naman po kayong pormal," he said and laughed lightly. Nakipagkamayan siya sa mga tao kahit na siya lang ang may marangyang kasuotan. The others were wearing bright dresses and formal attire too but this beautiful boy. . .

"Ilabas na ang mga paputok!"

someone yelled from the upper part of the ship. Agad ko itong nilingon at agad akong napabalikwas dahil sa biglang putok sa gitna ng kalangitan.

As soon as the booming voice announced it, the skies were filled with different hues of colors. Various shapes, painting bright lights on the dark canvas of the sky, and the amazement of being able to witness the reflection of it in the ocean made my heart swell with happiness.

Walang ganito sa ilalim.

I could only see this from here.

Nakisali ako sa munting kasiyahan nila. I also dance when they dance, I would laugh when they laugh, and I would admire the prince whenever he was being presented in front of the huge crowd.

"Sali n'yo naman ako! Tamaan sana ng kidlat 'yong ayaw ako isali!" I shouted, even if it's futile. Alam ko naman na hindi nila ako maririnig.

A sudden strike of lightning made me yelp. I bristled because of it and lifted my head to the skies.

"Biro lang po! Di naman po kayo mabiro! Nagbibiruan lang po tayo rito," I yelled to the skies. Wala namang kidlatan! Magiging pritong isda ako!

Natigilan ang pagkabog ng puso ko. In one swift moment, his eyes landed on mine. There was a quick shift on his expression. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng saya nang tumama ang kan'yang mga mata sa akin.

"Pst! Pasali! Isali n'yo naman ako!" I yelled. And The prince only tilted its head with confusion in his eyes.

"Pogi! Pasali!" I beamed at him and waved. Yet, he looked distraught when the people around him started running.

Ako naman ay nakaramdam ng matinding kaba dahil sa takot na nakaukit sa kanilang mga mukha.

The sea became calm. It was odd because it was too calm. And the sea was never this calm. I didn't know that it was only calm before the storm.

Everything went as black as coal. I thought that the celebration was over; yet the shrieking and helpless voices of the people inside the ship alarmed me.

Pagewang-gewang ang sinasakyan nila. The lightning were strucking them. The huge waves were gradually eating the people by making the water enter into their lair, slowly consuming the whole ship. Kahit ako'y inanod palayo sa kanila. I was fighting against the huge waves in order to see what's happening.

"Ang prinsipe!"

My attention shifted towards that voice. The prince fell into the water. At tulad ng palubog na sinasakyan nila ay unti-unti rin siyang nilalamon ng tubig. My fins swam towards his direction and searched for him but it was like finding a needle in a pile of seaweeds. Kumalat ang mga gamit, mga tao at mga kagamitan ng kanilang barko sa ilalim ng karagatan. it was slowly lurching down the deepest part of the sea.

The prince can't go there because no human can live underwater. Those who plummet to the deepest waters can only return as a dead man. Hindi nga kami pinahihintulutang magdala ng mga ibon sa aming kwarto!

I found him barely breathing and his eyes were close. Agad ko siyang sinagip mula sa ilalim ng tubig. Niyakap ko siya upang mabuhat. I swam upwards and upwards until I can finally assure that he could breathe.

"Ha. . ." he gasped for hair as I carried him on my back. He wasn't light in weight but somehow I felt comforted that we were touching skins.

Lumangoy ako patungo sa dalampasigan. The red sun is deliberately rising as I reached the shore. Sinandal ko siya sa isang malaking bato. His eyes were still close, his hair was damp, and his suit were soggy that it showed his skin.

"Prinsipe. . ." my voice quivered. "Ano. . ."

My eyes kept blinking as I watched him. I decided to stay for a while until someone can finally bring him back to his home.

"Sino ka. . ." his husky voice asked. I couldn't answer back. I was too appalled to give an answer. Hindi ko alam ang tamang sagot sa kan'ya.

I admired his ethereal looks. The way his jet black hair sticks on his skin because of the water, his flawless skin, and his lips. . . but I was also worried. Namumutla na siya.

Kumuha ako ng maliliit na bato at binato ang isang maliit na bahay na gawa sa kahoy. Matira matibay na lamang. I did this so someone can notice him. A young girl, I assume, the same age as me came towards our direction.

I gave a small and faint kiss on the prince's forehead even if his eyes were close. I smiled as I fixed his beautiful onyx hair. "Magi-ingat ka, ha?"

Lumangoy na ako papalayo at pinanood kung paano nagulantang ang babae nang makita n'ya ang prinsipe. The girl shouldn't see me, she'll be shock and the prince won't be saved.

"Tulong! Kailangan po ng tulong dito!"

The young girl screamed to get some help. Lumuhod siya upang itayo ang prinsipe at inakbay n'ya ang braso nito sa kan'ya bilang suporta.

I watched as both of them were staggering on their steps towards the old white castle.

Napatingin ako sa kanilang mga paa. And my eyes abruptly looked at my fins. We live in a different world. . .

I smiled with utmost gratitude as I dived into the waters.

I can't help but be grateful that the prince is saved.

𖠵 ｷ 𖠳