"Oh come on now and join us, Lilith." I heard Justin from behind, but i didn't bother answering as I read the book that i just bought last night. New sightings? Familiar rin pangalan ng ibang lugar.
I licked my lips excitedly as I turn the next page, showing picture of a cliff beside the sea, kita ang ibaba nito na puro malalaking bato, scattered because of the strong waves. And there, there's a silhouette of something sitting on one of the rocks. A mermaid.
I jolted when suddenly someone grabbed the book from my hand. Erin, visibly annoyed but I don't care. They're the ones who wants to go out and party, not me.
"What the fuck is that for?" I asked, frowning.
"You nerd, can you at least stop being such a mermaid-nerd whenever you're with us? Jeez lagi ka na lang ganyan, spend time with us, minsan lang 'to." Justin said as he walks towards Erin, he took the book from her then turned to face me.
"See this?" He said, holding the book right in front of my face with his left hand. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.
"Saka mo lang ito makukuha bukas pag sumama ka samin." He said, confidently smirking. I crossed my arms without leaving his gaze, "Really, Tin? Mas lalo ko lang ayaw sumama sa inyo dahil dyan, you know." Panghahamon ko.
"Stop being childish na kasi, Lith. Pambata naman yan eh, like seriously? You're turning 18 na tomorrow and yet, naniniwala ka pa rin sa mga merfolks na yan." Erin added. I rolled my eyes, "Whatever."
"Oh right, i forgot to mention na katabi lang ng dagat yung pupuntahan nating party." singit ni Esven na nakaupo lang sa sofa habang nanonood samin.
And with that, things starts to get weird.
~~~
"Hey?" Napalingon ako sa left ko nung may biglang tumabi sakin, si Justin lang pala. I answered him by returning my gaze into the sea right in front of me as I finished my glass of wine.
"We get it, you don't like this kind of stuff. Namiss ka lang talaga namin." He explained, pero di ko pinakinggan ng ayos nung may napansin ako sa malayo.
"Lith, are you even listening?"
What's that?
I squinted my eyes so that I can see the figure clearer but, it's no use kasi it's too dark sa labas. Dahan dahan kong inabot sa pinsan ko ang glass na hawak ko without leaving my gaze sa figure na nakikita ko malapit sa dagat.
"Why? Para san ito--H-hey! Where are you going, Lith?!"
"T-to the bathroom." I answered, leaving without waiting for him to reply. I immediately made inside the club, enduring the reek smell of sweat and alcohol, scooting myself to tight spaces between people who are busy dancing. This is the reason why I hate being into social gatherings, especially when my counsins are the ones who invited me.
"Ah, fuck. Finally." I whispered to myself, gasping for fresh air. Note to self, never again. Napahawak ako sa left side ng ulo ko nung nakaramdam ako ng sakit dito, is it because of the cigarette that people been smoking inside earlier? Never again , indeed.
Okay, back to objectives. I glace to the direction kung saan ko huling nakita ang anino na nakita ko mula sa balcony earlier and agad na naglakad papunta don.
I'm sure na tama ang hinala ko, even though I only had the glimpse of it. I have to make sure, I have to. I muttered the mantra again and again inside my mind as I walk further papuntang dagat.
