Simah - The Pearl Warrior

The Beautiful Island of Meribella

Present Time

On a bright, sunny day, a girl rides a boat in a tropical island's vast, crystal-clear water. She stares at the coral reefs and fish and enjoys the sea view of her hometown. The boat docks at the beach, and the girl goes down in the knee-deep water and walks towards the fine, white sand shore. She scans the whole view of the island, and her eyes twinkle with delight. She is back home after so many years.

" Simah, is that you?" an old man, probably in his 60's, approached her.

"Uncle Rudy!!!" she hugged the old man.

"I've missed you, uncle!!! Of course, I'm Simah. How can you ever forget your favorite niece?" she smirked.

"Ah, of course. How could I ever forget my one and only Simah?" the old man patted her head.

"Leticia, come quick and look at who our visitor is."

"Simah...Oh! How you've grown so fast! Look at you now. You're so pretty, just like your auntie," the cheerful lady giggled delightfully.

"Let's go inside so you can eat something. I'm sure you're tired. I'll cook your favorite dishes."

At the dining table, Simah enjoyed the home-cooked meals her auntie had prepared for her.

"So, how's your work in the big city?" her uncle asked.

"I've resigned already, uncle. That's why I returned here to Mirabella."

"Well, it's good that you're back here for good, but I am warning you, life here now is not easy compared to before. We can hardly harvest pearls since the company that produces artificial pearls has arrived. Nothing is for us small-time pearl divers."

"Speaking of that big pearl company, they are offering me a job with a salary thrice the one I'm getting in the city, and I've accepted it. I hope you don't mind, uncle."

"Oh, I don't mind, Simah. After all, you are the best pearl diver I have ever known, next to your father. It's a better opportunity for you. Just be careful with your work, okay?"

"Yes, uncle, I will... Oh, I think my stomach will explode at any moment. I'm so full. You are a great cook, Auntie."

And they all laugh loudly together.

"Oh my, I think we all enjoyed that sumptuous lunch," his uncle said.

"I've missed the grilled tuna and the 'Sinigang Na Sugpo' (shrimp in sour soup)," replied Simah.

"By the way, Simah, your room is now ready if you want to rest and have your 'siesta' (an afternoon nap). There are also fresh towels if you want to freshen up a little bit," her Auntie said.

"Oh, somebody is knocking on the door. Who will go here in the middle of this sweltering afternoon?"Uncle Rudy said.

He went to the door and opened it.

A young, tall, lean man in his early 20s with a brown complexion and perfectly cut hair is standing outside the door.

"Oh, it's you, Alexis!!! Come quick inside, as it's so hot there."

"Good afternoon, Uncle Rudy. My mother heard that Simah arrived this morning, and she wants to give this handful of  'Turon' (Sweetened Banana in Spring Rolls)," Alexis shyly uttered.