Jal main Kahin (Somewhere in the Sea)

Chapter 12

In the days that went past the exploration, the team continued on their research work as usual. They were getting regular updates from the substation about the progress of the specimens and were keen to return back. Shehzad and Nadia were eating each others' ears as usual. Zaid was sulking behind the computer trying to complete the thesis. His background was filled with complains such as, "You shut up! No you shut up! No, I get to the surface first! No I did!" The look on Zaid's face was comparable to a cat that has been forced to take a shower. He put on his headphones and typed on. "...with increasing distance from the shore, and provided that suitable hard substrate is available for attachment, coral communities become more diverse and abundant..."

Through the haunting music of "Descent to the Ocean Floor", Zaid's mind drifted off. He thought back to the nightmare he had back then. It didn't mean anything, right? He had a lot of crazy dreams but none like this. Those half human-like sea creatures were probably something he thought of while diving. But there was also one thing more. That day during the dive, he felt someone was watching him. It wasn't a scary feeling but more of that of someone who was looking out for him. Either way, it was strange that someone was watching him underwater.

"See I told you! It wasn't me, its your stupid camera!", exclaimed Nadia. "No, its not. I am telling you, something's there.", replied Shehzad. "If it were, then why are these pictures blurred and not the others?" "Maybe because you were busy ogling at the other fish to not focus on the speciemens. Look this one with Zaid is also blurred", Nadia pointed out in the camera. "Here let me look", Shehzad snatched the camera and looked. "Huh! It is", said Shehzad thoughtfully. "Here, Zaid look! Your friend can't even take your picture right", said Nadia while rolling her eyes. Zaid took off his headphones and looked. The picture showed Zaid picking up the plastics from the reef floor. It all looked normal except for one thing. There was a blurred shadow in front of him as though someone was floating just there. Zaid looked in shock but kept it to himself. Was it just the problem with the camera? Or was there really someone there? Was someone really watching him? "What is happening?!"

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Marjan spent her days living in the reef along with the corals. All of them had gotten pretty well together. She spent her day helping around the reef, cleaning around and made friends with the residents. Even Old Timer was complaining less about her and more on the coral politics. She was happy living with them but she still needed answers. What happened to Sanho and where is she now? Marjan kept asking around if they had seen another mermaid around but they all said the same thing. A rogue mermaid went about killing fishermen and then disappearing without a trace.

The migratory shoals didn't report any recent attacks and everybody was relieved that things were back to normal but that still didn't explain where's Sanho. Marjan was worried that something might have happened to her. But something else was also bugging her. That human who she saw the last time. Will he ever come back? What's his name? What's he like? When can I meet him again? Everytime a boat passes overhead, she would assume that he will come down again.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the idea that she wants to meet him again. "What's going on in that mermaid brain of yours, honey?" Flower pot asked her as Marjan almost collided with Old Timer. "Oh.. what?.. No, nothing.. I am fine", replied Marjan still deep in thoughts.. "Um-hmm", said flower pot in a meaningful way. "So what's his name?" "Who, what? What are you talking about?", replied Marjan looking flustered. "I've been here long enough. I know that look honey. So is there a Mr. Mermaid that we need to know about?", inquired flower pot. "No, no there's nothing like that!",

Marjan shook her hands and swam away embarrassed. "Huh, young love! What can you say?", said flower pot as she went back to feeding. "Rio, get up its lunch time!"

Marjan swam away still red from embarrassment into the old shipwreck. She stopped and thought to herself. "No, that's not true. What am I so embarrassed about? Why do I feel so awkward when I think of him? Why does my heart beat so fast everytime? I get all confused and flustered. What is happening to me? Do I.. do I... like him? Marjan laughed at her own stupidity. "That's not possible. He's a human and I'm a mermaid. I know nothing about him and he doesn't even know that I exist. Maybe he's coming back tomorrow so I can see him again and maybe he can see me too and I might have a chance to talk to him and... " Marjan froze.

"What was that?" She can feel her face turning red and her arms shaking. She leaned against the wall and breathed deeply. "What is happening?!"