CDS: 5

“And why is it not possible?” he said as he looks at her amusedly.

Annelia look at the man who simply confuses her thoughts. Who is he? He is so mysterious and cold, and yet…… attractive and strange. Who is he to confuse her like this?

“Tell me why it is not possible?” he questions again when she just stares at him.

“M-monsters, vampires and mermaids are a product of imaginations. T-they s-simply DON’T exist. A-Are you saying that you are just a product of my imagination?” she said as he looks at her as amusement starts to show in his face.

“And my sweet Annelia, where my I ask did they base these images of mermaids? The stories and descriptions of what mermaids look like?”

“Y-you mean someone saw mermaids in reality?” Annelia said in awe.

“Or one of us started the stories of mermaids.”

“What do you mean?” she asks as he look at the seat he seated back then, he walks towards it and sit again crossing his legs and arm.

“Some of us preferred to stay in your world; some may have married here and dwelled with all of you like a normal human. We prefer to call ourselves the protectors of the sea or… children of the sea. You see……… you do not live in a normal world, you just not noticed it but somewhat the impossible is truly possible. You thought that only you lived in this world but hidden deeply there are US who dwelled with you all… you just haven’t noticed it because you humans only thinks of one thing and that is...yourselves. That’s what made the world mysterious.”

“S-so you mean y-you are a sea nymph?” she said in a doubtful tone.

“I believe you can call me what you humans are familiar with. But I am more different, more sovereign, more powerful and dangerous. The one everyone is avoiding to…. I AM the ultimate destruction.” he looks at her with his dark green eyes that seems to change with his moods and Annelia look down to the floor to avert her eyes away from him or she might get lost again.

“S-so y-your name is L-Luthan then.” she said almost like a whisper.

“That is half correct and half incorrect.” he said as he stands then he waves his right hand and the book she just read appears into his hand.

“I have to leave, time is upon us but fret not, I’ll see you again my dear Annelia.” he gives her a light peck on her lips then he suddenly disappears in thin air and Annelia is left hating herself for losing her mind and for letting him do that AGAIN to her.

“Gosh, what am I doing?” she said as she locks the door and walk towards her room to sleep.

Human World

KUP University

Philippines

“Sorry Anne you can head home first without me, besides you already knows that it’s my turn on sitting my butt in the OSA (Office of the Student Affairs) today. So…… good luck on your way home dude, see you tomorrow.”

Annelia took a deep breath just thinking about what Regie said, she is about ask Regie to accompany her to Mr. Benzamine’s jewelry store to ask him about something. Since her friend is busy… bless her, she need to head there alone.

“Oh never mind I can do this.” she said as she starts to head to Mr. old Ben’s place.

She is reluctant as she stands in front of the sliding door of the shop. She is suddenly startled when someone suddenly speaks behind her.

“Oh Miss Annelia you are here. What can we do for you? Come in, come in.” Annelia turns to see Leny Mae holding a bag of groceries.

“Hello Miss Leny, good evening. I-am here to talk to you grandfather, if he is here. I have a q-question r-regarding about that old b-book. I-if I’m not disturbing anything.” she said shyly.

“No not at all. Come and I will call him down.” Miss Leny pulls her in and made her sit on the chair of the waiting area as she walks towards the door to call her grandfather.

“So you already read the book. I know right, you’re confused, unable to believe. There is a great conflict in your mind fighting if you either believe it or not. You’re thinking that it’s not possible...for such creatures do not exist, they are only tales told for kids.” the old man Ben told her as Annelia look at him really confuse and dazzled.

“So what is it that you want to know?” he said as he leans on the handle of his cane.

“Uhmnnn are mermaids tr-truly e-existing?” she said unable to find her nerve to consider believing in their existence.

“Hmnnn it’s hard to believe isn’t it……… even if some of them are dwelling with us or even right in front of us. Yes… they DO exist BUT it is in you to believe or not. If you believe then they do exist but if you don’t then they don’t.” he said as Annelia hold the pendant of the necklace she wore.

“How di-did you come in possession of such book and how did you know about the---.”

“I was saved by a lovely little mermaid from the plane I was on. We were sent by the government on a secret mission to save a kidnap senator in Costa Rica. We were passing the cost of Washington DC and the Bermuda when an enemy’s jet came attacking us. We lost control in the sea and eventually start to sink and drown. All of the people inside that plane drowned… except for me. A young beautiful mermaid came to rescue me and I clearly watch as she pulls me from the sinking debris of the plane before it hits the sea floor. She has this lovely bluish tail that glimmers like millions of diamonds; I saw how it changes into legs when she pulls me out of the water. She is young…… around 6 or seven. She must be all grown up now maybe… same age as you. She give me that book and said that one day someone will come to me wearing a necklace and that I need to give that person the book. I still remember her soft words that feel like a melody in my ears. Before I lost my consciousness she told me her name…… Marianna.” The old man recalls as a smile appears to his face.

Annelia is feeling a little restless within the passing weeks; her thoughts are being invaded by that mysterious man and the tale told by Mr. Benzamine to her. For that passing week he…Luthan if that is his name never showed up. Annelia feel that somehow she is anxious. She is walking on her way to school when she heard her cellphone ring. She automatically reaches her jacket’s pocket to answer the call.

“Anne we are coming to pick you there at the end of your period. We are going to the beach and don’t worry we will wait for you at the boarding house so you can pack your clothes” said her mother while she wonder why out of a sudden they decide to go for a vacation and to where?

Anyways! She can’t blame them since summer is already here and she thought it is a great opportunity to have a little time off from stressing school works.

“Yes ma, I’ll text you once we will be dismissed.” she ends the call then sighs.

Annelia is setting in her chair and waiting for their work to be finish since their teacher just entered a while ago to give them their activity then left them assigning someone to collect and leave it into her table in the office...again. She is leaning on her seat when her thoughts went reminiscing to what happened to her and that stranger she found to be called Luthan and a prince of a sea kingdom called Asheville. That was what she has read on that book old man Ben give her and was taken by Luthan after she have finished reading it.

“You already KNOW who I am. You are just UNWILLING to admit it.”

“That is nonsense- I mean if you are the one I think you are- it’s not possible.”

“And why is it not possible?” he said as he looks at her amusedly.

Annelia takes a deep breath upon remembering her conversation with him at her place when he suddenly appeared before her.

“Some of us preferred to stay in your world; some may have married here and dwelled with all of you like a normal human. We prefer to call ourselves the protectors of the sea or… children of the sea. You see……… you do not live in a normal world, you just not noticed it but somewhat the impossible is truly possible. You thought that only you lived in this world but hidden deeply there are us who dwelled with you all… you just haven’t noticed it because you humans only thinks of one thing and that is yourselves. That’s what made the world mysterious.”

“S-so you mean y-you are a sea nymph?” she said in a doubtful tone.

“I believe you can call me what you humans are familiar with. But I am more different, more sovereign, more powerful and dangerous. The one everyone is avoiding for…. I AM the ultimate destruction.”

Annelia suddenly remembers how he kissed her and she suddenly feel her whole body burns as her face redden.

“Anne are you okay, you’re turning red are you sick?” she turns to see her friend Regie gaping at her.

She immediately turns around as she touches her face to hide it from her friend.

“N-no I’m fine don’t worry, I’m not sick.” she said as she diverts her attention to her desk to close her book and put it back to her bag when she heard someone speaks.

“Uhmnnn Annelia do you have any plan for this weekend?” she sees Blake standing shyly in front of her as he slightly rubs the back of his head as he slightly reddens and smiles at her.

“W-why?” she smiles and asks feeling a little bit confuse to Blake’s sudden change of attitude.

Blake turns to his friend Albert then look back at her.

“A-ahmnn w-we uhmnn we are planning on going to the park tomorrow. I-we would like to know if you would like to come with us, you and Regie of course.” he said as he looks at Regie who is looking thrilled.

“I would love to...I’ll be there!” Regie said as she taps Annelia’s shoulder.

Annelia know what her friend is plotting but she smiles when she saw Blake seems to be delighted. Annelia also knows that Regie also have a feelings for Blake but is letting Annelia be the one to pursue her feelings for Blake.

“That’s great so if you are coming then Annelia will have to come to. Annelia what do you say?” he said as they look at her.

“Oh sorry no can’t do. My family is going somewhere this weekend so I’m going with them, maybe next time.” he smiles as she picks her bag and waves them goodbye as she walks out the door then she turns again.

“Regie will go even without me, right Regie. (She looks at Regie and signs her using her hand indicating ‘call me’) See you all next week!” she said as she walks towards the exit.

Annelia sigh as she feels this weird sensation she feels in her chest. What will happen to her now? Blake is somewhat acting odd to? She wonders...that man...why can’t she just forget him? Why does he invade even her dreams every night? Will she see him...again?