𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙀𝙍. | k.th ✓

19 | siren story

15 years ago

"It's bedtime now, Haneul," my father called out for me. I squeaked in excitement as I silently hid under a table with, fortunately, a long table cloth that covered until the floor.

I was perfectly hidden under and I held my breath as I anticipate for my father's footsteps. Just as I expected, the distant voice of my father was now loud and clear, his footsteps echoing across the dining room.

"Oh, Haneul?" he sang. "Where are you, my little dove."

The nickname he gave me made me smile so wide that my cheeks were almost stretched widely. I remained quiet, hugging my knees to my chest as his footsteps came nearer and nearer until I saw the shadow of his feet.

I covered my mouth as I laughed as quietly as possible.

"Hmmm, my dear dove seems to be not anywhere. I guess I'll have to borrow her teddy bear for awhile to accompany me in my sleep."

I gasped loudly as I shoved a chair away, the creaking sound resonating through the whole room. I clumsily crawled out and stood up with a panicked expression on my face.

"No, appa!" I yelled. "Do not steal my Tete bear!" I cried out, tears welling up in my eyes.

My father lets out a melodious chuckle as he found me adorable. He reached out for me, scooping up my tiny form into his safe and strong arms.

"Don't fret, my little dove." He booped my nose and afterwards, wiped the tears from my face. I instantly stopped sobbing at his next words. "I won't steal your precious bear, okay? Now, let's go upstairs and tuck you in bed."

I nodded, placing my small head against his chest as he made way upstairs. After he entered my bedroom and tucked me in bed, I smile brightly.

"Appa, tell me a bedtime story!" I exclaimed.

He turned on the lampshade on my bedside table as he replied with a smile. "Alright, Haneul. Tonight's bedtime story will be a little different." He winked at me.

Excitement bubbled up in me as I anticipated for him to start. Sensing my silence, he immediately began his bittersweet story.

"Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there lived a girl in a big mansion by the sea. Because of how rich their family was, she was always lonely and alone in her bedroom. Fortunately, her room happened to be at the view of the sea. Everyday, she goes down through the staircase that was attached to her balcony and spend time at the seashore. She collected shells and rocks, sometimes, she finds a few small crabs hidden in the sand, play with them and let them free after awhile.

However, one day, things were a little bit—no, alot—different, for she has met someone. A newfound friend to play with. Someone to fill up the loneliness she felt. It was a boy, who randomly appeared in the shore. His voice soft and alluring, he called out for the girl, who happened to be taking a stroll around the beach. She became confused and flustered upon meeting a new face. But soon, the awkwardness faded away because of the boy's enthusiasm. As time passed by, they soon became close friends.

But one late night, as they were both sitting beside each other, hugging their knees close to their chest, the girl couldn't help but ask where did he come from. I would like to tell you that this was the first time she sneaked out late at night just for him.

The boy did not answer for awhile, afraid of what would be the girl's reaction. Nonetheless, he answered that he came from the sea. This confused the girl but the boy immediately dismissed the matter, oddly starting to get annoyed and angry. The girl swore she saw his eyes turn red for a few seconds.

When the boy suddenly left her side, leaving her all alone and cold, she wasn't sure if she was happy or if she regretted sneaking out. She didn't know what was wrong with the boy but she decided not to push him nor follow him. However, the boy, as he walked away, he wished that she would call his name out, or chase him. He was tempted to turn back around but he didn't.

The next day, the boy did not come. The girl was saddened because she refused to feel lonely again. She missed the boy and craved for his attention and presence. For her, he was enough. She wanted to be his friend forever. The same day, when night came, he surprisingly appeared as the girl was busily drawing doodles on the sound. She was so relieved and happy that she jumped into the boy's arms and hugged him.

The boy returned the hug, however, there was a weird aura about it. Before the girl could wonder more, he proposed to play in the water. Of course, she agreed. But then...the moment they set foot together in the water, hand in hand, things began to spiral out of control.

The boy, whose grip tightened around the girl's wrist, continued to pull her towards deeper into the water. However, there was another side of him resisting, trying to urge the both of them to stay out of the water. The girl comforted him, pulling him into a warm hug, mumbling words of comfort in hopes to ease him.

Suddenly, the boy said sorry. He said this over and over again like a chant and he gave in. He pulled her deep into the water, catching her lips with her own, then everything went black."

I stared at my father in awe, amazed by such a bittersweet story. "Appa," I called out. "What happened then after? Did they both drown and die?"

Normally, stories and things like this would've scared a child, right? However, for me, it was different. Death didn't scare me even as a child. But the moment my father passed away, new fears emerged and they terrified me.

I was scared of losing someone. I was scared of being left and abandoned by someone.

Hence, the person I grew up to be.

"Appa?" I called his name again.

He caressed my hair before resuming the story.

"It turned out the boy was a siren. A siren is a creature who isn't capable of being compassionate and caring towards others. They are cursed creatures because they felt guilty about something. They are cursed to roam the depths of water. There are two ways in which you can lift the curse. One is when it kisses its victim, then the curse will transfer. The other one, if a siren and a human was able to feel compassionate towards each other, an underwater kiss will be able to save the siren as well as the human.

Somehow, he was able to feel something for the girl. She was special to the boy.

However, it wasn't the same for the girl. She only loved the idea of someone being there for her. She didn't realized that she had been using the boy all this time to make herself happy and contented.

Hence, when they kissed, the curse transferred to the girl, while the boy became human.

And they both lost all of their memories."