Beneath the surface: Forbidden Love

Twenty Nine

Marisela

I am in a bedroom of what seems to be a cabin.

I can hear the sound of waves smashing against the shore. I walk towards the window, and there below, is the sea. Strangely, I couldn't smell or feel anything, almost as though I was in a dream.

''Sit down Lucrecia, I don't want you walking around, the baby is almost due any moment now.'' I hear a man speak in the next room. I follow the sound of his voice.

''I told you to rest, love, let me help you.''

I walk into a room where a man and woman are, their backs to me. The man is standing behind the woman who is stirring something on the stove.

''You are always so demanding, Syris,'' the woman laughs. Syris places his arms around the woman lovingly. I couldn't help but smile watching the two of them.

''When I am married to a woman who is just as demanding, makes me wander what our daughter will turn out to be.'' he says placing his hand on her belly.

''As long as she is healthy and isn't born with gills then I'll be happy.'' Lucrecia says jokingly, the man takes a step back looking slightly offended.

'' Sirens aren't born with gills.'' He says and the woman laughs.

''Yes, but you are born with tails.'' she says still laughing. Syris turns around and takes a seat by the table. I gasp when I notice who it is.

It is the Siren, the one who claimed to be my father, only he looked much younger here then he did before.

''And yet you see me walking on my two feet.'' he grumbles. Lucrecia turns around and places a kiss on his forehead, making him instantly smile. As she stands up to turn around, Syris pulls her onto her lap and kisses her again. When they break apart they both have big smiles on their faces, looking lovingly at each other.

She is beautiful. She had long dark curly hair, that reached below her breasts. Her skin was a dark caramel, almost gold. Her eyes, were a dark brown colour.

''I love you.'' He says to her.

''And I love you.'' She says back to him.

Syris bends down to the same level as her protruding belly.

''And we love you princess Alana.'' he whispers. Lucrecia playfully slaps his hand away and rolls her eyes.

''I told you, we are not naming her Alana," Lucrecia playfully slaps at his arm. "We agreed on naming her after my Mother, Marisela.'' It was as if the wind was knocked out of my lungs as I stumble back.

This can't be true.

''Well whatever we decide to name her, she will always be our little princess.'' Syris smiles at her belly, "our princess Marisela." Lucrecia smiles and turns back to the stove.

Syris lifts his head and turns to the direction I am standing in. He seems to be thinking about something. I knew they couldn't see me, almost as if I was invisible.

This must be some kind of memory.

The truth, once elusive, now stands before me in stark clarity. It's a revelation I never saw coming, and it feels like a surreal punch to the gut. I stand there, stunned and breathless, trying to process the weight of what's been unveiled.

He gets up and starts to walk towards me. I panic, thinking maybe I was wrong and he could actually see me. Fortunately, he walks to the wall beside me. Confirming my previous thoughts. I look over and notice that there were pictures hung on the wall.