Kaliskis Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Chapter 8.1: Saginrawa and Saminsadi (1)

“Amang1!”

The young mermaid excitedly called as she ran through the door. She was so happy to what she had found. In her palm laid an egg of Lambanang-tubig. She stopped abruptly when she felt that the egg in her hands began beating furiously. Through her widening eyes, she watched the egg as the golden lines around its surface s.h.i.+ned brighter increasingly while the tentacles at the bottom wrapped tightly on her little hand. It then slowly spread out like a budding flower.

By the middle of the budding egg was a tiny form. It looked like a mermaid but in thumb size figure. From head to tail, its color was that of the bright marigold, while its very fine hair was instead pure white. It has two long fins on its back and they’re giving off a different kind of glow.

Sarikit held the little being next to her face to look at it closely and found it slowly starting to move. It stretched out its small arms and peeked at her. Its eyes were quite huge for its small head.

“Sarikit!” The little mermaid heard a tiny voice. It was like a gentle stream of water.

“Saginrawa…” whispered Sarikit to herself.

Then, there was a glaring light!

At the end of the corridor, an approaching figure of Maalam, the Healer, could be seen. He noticed the curious light coming from a room so he made his way to it. He was stuck dumb in the middle of opening the door as he found Sarikit immediately. She was kneeling on the floor and a strange light could be seen swirling around her.

“Lambanang-tubig,” he said to himself. “An imprinting is taking place.”

 

 

 

On the rocky area, Roselda was laughing heartily at the young merman. He really ate everything inside the paper bag that she brought.

“Earlier, you seemed hesitant to eat those bread. But now, look, nothing’s left,” the young woman shook the paper bag in front of Managat.

The merman could only smile. He was being teased by the mortal girl.

“My apologies, I couldn’t help myself,” he laughed quite abashed.

The two guffawed, but suddenly, the young merman jolted. He felt an eye catching glow coming from his small bag. He inserted his hand inside and took out the egg of Lambanang-tubig.

(TL: Author really used ‘felt’ not ‘saw’)

Roselda quietened herself. She saw the merman holding something that looked like a silvery stone with a golden line that spiraled from the top to the bottom, but the bottom area still has something like tentacles that were somewhat moving.

The girl stepped aside as Managat laid it between them. It then sunk its tentacles into the crevices of the rocks.

“What is that thing?” her voice sounded terrified.

“Don’t be afraid, Eda. It’s just an egg.” Said the merman.

An egg, repeated Roselda in her mind. But eggs didn’t look like that.

But soon enough, the two found themselves dumbstruck. The glowing golden lines on the egg s.h.i.+ned brighter as the surface gradually separated as if cracking; it gradually opened out like a blooming flower.

Roselda felt a mixture of fear and curiosity on this scene. Fear because she can’t understand the thing that’s happening in front of her eyes and curiosity for it was a mystery to her. She didn’t even notice that she had even bent down to watch it closely.

From the center of the egg, even though the young girl deemed it to be really a flower instead, she saw a small human-shaped figure―merman, she cor

rected herself. It has a blue body but the hair was pure white. The tail was of a bright blue hue and behind the small figure, she saw two still folded fins.

The little creature gradually moved. It stretched its small arms and yawned. Then, it opened up its eyes.

“Roselda.”

Chapter 8.2: Saginrawa and Saminsadi (2)

“Roselda,” the girl heard her name being called in her mind but it seemed coming from far away.

She suddenly turned to Managat. “Did you hear that?”

The merman knitted his brows, wondering. “What?”

“Someone called my name.” Roselda replied.

“I didn’t hear anything.” The young merman’s face was plastered with confusion as he shook his head in response, but then he suddenly realized what’s happening. “Imprinting! It’s imprinting to you, Eda.”

The girl was still obviously confused. She didn’t understand the merman.

“Imprinting?” She repeated as she looked towards the egg once again. But the small merman was no longer there; instead, it’s hovering in front of her face.

“Saminsadi!” called Roselda, unconsciously.

At that instant, they were covered with a blinding light that also immediately dissipated.

When Managat opened his eyes again, he saw Roselda was still sitting while the Lambanang-tubig flew, darting around her. He didn’t expect this outcome. Typically, Lambanang-tubig would imprint those water creatures only. He only just found out that it can also imprint to a mortal life.

“Managat, what happened?” asked the surprised girl.

“You’ve been a part of a wonderful phenomenon, Eda.” The merman answered her with joy. “The imprinting is a sacred bond or agreement between two ent.i.ties. It serves as vows that both of you are forever connected in the same spirit. That means you’re both connected in mind and in soul. No matter what you think or feel, it can also know and perceive.” The merman pointed at the Lambanang-tubig.

“It is now a part of you.”

(TL: Oh, so there’s no contracted beasts? Huehue!)

Roselda couldn’t understand her feelings. Her emotions grew more and more intense. She couldn’t even relate the merman’s words to what’s happening. She seemed to have become more confused by his explanation.

The girl spread her palm then the little creature landed there.

“What  do you call them, Managat?” Roselda inquired.

“We call them Lambanang-tubig. A familiar.” he answered.

“Like a pet?” She asked.

“More than a pet,” strongly corrected Managat. “They also have their own minds and emotions. They understand well. And they are the gentlest of creatures.”

Roselda carried the Lambanang-tubig next to her face. It tenderly caressed her in response. “Saminsadi, that’s his name.”

Managat fondly watched the mortal girl and also the Lambanang-tubig, who’s darting all over the girl while giving out a funny sound and chirping.

 

 

 

“Sarikit!”

The old healer swiftly approached the position of the little mermaid.

“Amang!” called the mermaid. “Look, I’ve found a Lambanang-tubig.”

The little Lambanang-tubig flew around Maalam adoringly. She kissed him on the cheek before returning to Sarikit.

“That, I can see,” answered the old man.

The Lambanang-tubig was rarely found nowadays since it needed a century for an egg to hatch. Sarapay was the last mermaid that he knew who found the eggs of such creatures; but when she died, the healer wasn’t able to find them on her keepsake. They suddenly disappeared. But now, the little one in front of him has just met one.

“Where did you find it, child?”

“By the garden,” Sarikit replied while playing with the small fairy.

In the garden? Surprised, the healer secretly wondered. Most of the time, the eggs of such fairies were hidden in areas that would be difficult to reach and a garden, such from the palace, couldn’t have been a hiding place for such eggs.

Sarapay, was this a sign that you’re still looking after us?

 

 

 

Mang Berto was one of the villagers who strongly believed in engkanto1. He lived alone in his kubo2. His wife has been long gone while their children have their own family already. He was the only one left in his place. He didn’t want to leave their home for he grew up and learned so much here. The kubo housed his precious memories of her.

Today, he was walking back home from the farm that he inherited from his late parents and that he has been patiently farming for so long. On his back laid the bundles of saba3 banana. These served as his daily food since it’s all he can afford.

He walked very fast not only because it’s already getting dark but also because his long route home will pa.s.s near the rocky area, which was believed to be the home of engkanto and lost souls. He, amongst all, believed this. Time may have already pa.s.sed but he will always remember.

As he continued walking, he heard laughter somewhere. He was immediately frightened and walked even much faster. Shortly afterwards, he saw a light exuded from the rocky place. He could no longer stop his panic and fear. He frightfully ran the remaining distance to his kubo.

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1Engkanto – from Spanish word ‘encanto’ (incantation or charm); a Philippine mythological creature synonymous to fairies, fays, nymphs, deities, G.o.ds or G.o.ddesses who are believed to be guarding the seas, rivers, forests, trees and mountains. They are also a.s.sociated with dark beings that bring sickness and bad luck.

2Kubo – a hut or a nipa hut; a traditional house for Filipinos which is usually made from light materials like wood or bamboos and nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) for the roof. This way it is easier to be moved around (bayanihan).

3Saba – cardaba banana; a variety of banana in the Philippines and an ideal ingredient in cooking.