You defied the parching heat of the sun against your back as you enjoyed yourself among the cool waves of the sea. The summer class in English 10 took time out in a picnic and you had joined the group because of a younger sister that belonged to the class. You listened to the ringing laughter of the girls and their happy shouts. You also watched the games the boys played. They even called out to you: Hey Fred, come on over- join us! But, No thanks, you called back. I'd rather swim.
There was this kind of impulse from within that made you want to do something you never did before. Just about anything, you muttered, and you swam in measured strokes. Nearer and nearer to nowhere you wanted to go. Stroke came after stroke. Waves splashed against your face one after the other. The sounds came in rhythm; even your heartbeats joined the rhythm.. And you thought it was beautiful.
For some moments, it went on this way until suddenly you realized the sounds you created weren't the same anymore. Now, there came two splashing sounds for each one stroke that you made and it made you wonder. You kept a moment's stillness. And a distant swim-splashing prevailed, naturally demanding your eyes. You looked to your left and sure enough, someone else was swimming. Perhaps in your eagerness to be alone, you believed you were really alone but you were not. So you decided to might as well meet him and you swam toward his direction.
Only a few yards from him a little much later, you took in a deep breath and then shouted your lungs out, Hey kid, come on and beat me to shore! But almost instantly, you thought you could have burned from embarassment if only you weren't in water. You just realized he turned out to be a 'she'. It was only then that you noticed the long black hair flowing with the water. And you could have easily given her a first impression of being fresh and very well deserved a look of swords in return, - but his one sweetly smiled a smile you couldn't understand. Could she have meant to be polite? To act a good sport? Or to insult in a very nice way. At any rate, your heart argued to heaven that you honestly thought she was just a boy. She didn't say a word though but started swimming to shore. Good naturedly, she had accepted your challenge and you were silently thankful as you swam alongside with her.
Back on dry sand, you gently helped her against a big rock and waited for her to catch her breath. Too, without a word, you took your place in a position near her where you could watch her closely without her eyes meeting yours. She's not bad to look at, you thought. With those delicate features, why she could very well stand out in a beauty contest! Eventually she moved. With both hands, she swept her hair from her face and then started to stand up but you quickly clasped her hand down to the sand and said in almost a stammer, Before you you go, can't we first be friends? You probably pleaded with eyes that penetrated into her very soul because at this, and without the slightest hint of hesitation, she made herself comfortable once again. Was that a lightning flash of a gladness that surged into your being?
See, I'd like to apologize for sounding so rude a while back, you managed to begin, but believe me, I was just trying to be friendly. Did you resent it? She put on view an interested look but she didn't say a word so you went on. I'm not really a member of the class but I have a younger sister who is. Do you know her? The name is Tina. Tina Cruz. Still, there was the painful silence from her that you began to feel rather uneasy under her wordless gaze. Then it came to you. She probably didn't understand a thing you said. Yikes! And you whistled a long slow one. That means I'll have to employ some vernaculars I know. So you first ventured with Ilokano and asked for her name. Ania't nagan mo Ading?
She let out a hard-suppressed giggle which made you look blankly at her. She was obviously amused but you couldn't understand why. Suddenly mermaid tales filled your thoughts. You wouldn't admit it but fear creeped into your bones. You met in the water, didn't you? She smiles but she doesn't talk although she probably sings. Before you readied to quietly leave her, you still wanted to ask her just one more stupid question, Are you a mermaid?
This time, she broke into a musical laughter that brought you up to your feet. Of course not, crazy, she stood up too. Can't you see I've got a pair of legs? She continued with a smile that was kind of pixie-ish. My turn to apologize, though, for playing this nasty joke. Friends? She let out her right hand which you readily took into your own. Friends, you answered, very much relieved.
Hand in hand as you walked towards the group, she went on talking. I'm actually called Linda. I'm president of the class and certainly know Tina. She's a nice girl. No wonder you're nice too, and she raised her admiring eyes to you. You could have said some more but you deemed them better left unsaid. At least for the moment. You had to make faster steps; the sand was hot - very hot. You were walking right over your shadows because then, it was already HIGH NOON!
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