MINDAZA

1. IN THE ISLAND

As the sun rises on this radiant morning, a young girl gazes out at the expansive ocean enveloping her, extending towards the misty horizon in three distinct directions: east, west, and south. Towards the east, she observes a slender blue line on the horizon, while to the west, a blue island catches her eye. The girl imagines the island to be vast and teeming with natural beauty, a thought reinforced by her father who informs her that the sizable landmass is none other than the "mainland of Mindanao."

Her name is... "Mindaza" a 16-year-old girl who knows nothing about life on another island.

As she settled onto the sturdy wooden fishing boat, a surge of determination filled her heart. In that moment, she made a solemn vow to herself - one day, she would embark on an extraordinary adventure to the vast island that lay ahead. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she imagined the treasures and invaluable discoveries that awaited her there. But it wasn't just material wealth that enticed her; she yearned to immerse herself in the vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures and forge meaningful connections with newfound friends from different tribes. In her dreams, she envisioned a life enriched by the wisdom and experiences of others, a life that would forever be shaped by the wonders of that big island.

"Someday" she said.

Today was a regular day for fishing, she set out with hopes of reeling in a bountiful catch from the mysterious depths of the water. Along the coast, she eagerly scoured the sandy shores, anticipating the possibility of stumbling upon hidden treasures washed ashore by the ever-changing tides. Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, she couldn't help but admire the rugged beauty of the grassy plains and the vibrant heather patches that adorned her beloved island of "Sulaya". The landscape was further adorned with rocks, their surfaces stained with lichen, creating a picturesque scene that seemed to tell stories of the island's rich history.

Mindaza climbed a grassy hill, her eyes wandering eastward as they had so often before. The small island near the area in which there is a "Forbidden Cave"

Her parents forbade her from even venturing close to it, and she had gone there many times. Her father had always caught her before she reached the door of the forbidden cave. She promised herself, "Someday, I'll explore what's inside the cave and discover why it's forbidden."

Mindaza hurried towards the beach, gathering up her skirt to avoid tripping. She knew that the shoreline always held surprises waiting to be discovered, whether it was a uniquely shaped seashell, a piece of driftwood that could be repurposed on the island's scarce trees, or a strange fruit with a tough exterior. She moved swiftly, savoring the sensation of the breeze tousling her hair and the sound of the pebbles shifting beneath her bare feet as she neared the water's edge.

A sudden rain shower added a refreshing touch to her adventure, the seabirds above adding to the lively atmosphere with their swooping and screeching, while the waves crashed in a mesmerizing rhythm around her.

Mindaza abruptly stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing in confusion. Much to her astonishment, a peculiar mound caught her attention as it stood proudly on the shoreline. Despite the fact that the tide was at its peak, she had only just noticed its presence. It wasn't an ordinary seal or any stray creature; rather, it possessed an elongated and mysterious darkness that intrigued her.

"Has someone made it there?" She whispered to herself.

With a momentary pause, Mindaza felt a surge of uncertainty coursing through her veins, fully aware that the forthcoming event would have a profound impact on her existence. Gathering her courage, she cautiously advanced towards the mysterious mound, her hand reaching out to grasp a stone, transforming it into her makeshift weapon. Each step she took was filled with a mix of trepidation and determination, as she prepared herself for the unknown that lay ahead.

Upon closer inspection, she observed a sizable cavity at the rear of the mound. It appeared to be large enough for a single individual to enter through the opening, yet the darkness shrouding the interior prevented her from discerning what lay within. The mystery of the hidden chamber intrigued her, sparking a sense of curiosity and wonder as she pondered the secrets that might be concealed inside.

Then she tried to call, "Hello?"

Mindaza heard the nervousness in her voice.

"Hello?" She tried again. Her voice was blown away by a gust of wind.

Mindaza advanced one pace, and in an instant, the mound expanded to the dimensions of a grown adult. Assessing its length in comparison to her own height, she then cast her gaze downwards, only to stumble upon a hidden object nestled within the mound's depths.

Bending down on her knees, she carefully inspected it, her eyes fixated on the object. With a gentle tug, she pulled at one of the long, trailing strands of seaweed that clung to it. As she did so, her curiosity grew, for she sensed that there was something hidden beneath the surface. Intrigued, she continued to unravel the mystery, eager to uncover what lay beneath the layers of seaweed.

Mindaza continued to uncoil the seaweed, revealing what lay beneath.

"Wait a minute, I need some fire."

Mindaza decided to explore beyond the shoreline in search of dried coconut leaves, which she needed for a specific purpose. With determination, she gathered the leaves and made her way back to the mound. Once there, she carefully tied up the leaves, ensuring they were secure. As the sun began to set, she ignited a fire nearby, casting a warm glow on her surroundings. Curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist peering into the hole she had stumbled upon earlier. With anticipation, she leaned in, eager to discover the hidden secrets that lay within.

At first, she thinks the mound will give her treasure, and if not, she's hopeful that there is some useful thing in there.

"A man?" Mindaza said, as she stepped back. She is still holding the coconut leaves on fire.

Then she made a second look to ascertain if it was really a man. With the help of the light from the burning fire of coconut leaves, to her surprise, she saw that there was actually the body of a man. Then she got cautiously closer and said, "Hey! How are you there? Are you okay?"

But the man did not answer.

"Are you still alive?"

Again, there was no response. Mindaza shook her head and forced herself to go down.

"How did you reach this place? Don't tell me you crawled from the sea." Mindaza said. She looked at her surroundings. It seemed that the man was still alive when he arrived.

She checked his feet and hands as a result of a sudden thought.

"So you're not a merman," She asked the silent body. She scanned him with her gaze.

"You're well-made. Who are you?"

Mindaza's heart raced with fear as she watched him closely, her mind racing with thoughts of danger. However, her fear quickly turned to empathy when she noticed the unhealed wound stretching across the man's ribs. The realization shifted her perspective, filling her with compassion instead of dread.

"My father will know what to do with you, just wait here," she says.

Lifting her skirt above her knees, Mindaza ran back home across the hills, then stopped for a moment, glancing over her shoulder to ensure that her discovery had not risen and run away. She ran through the open backyard of their house, where her parents were busy arranging the dried squid and fish on the long table made of bamboo.

"Mother! Father! There's a man on the beach. He might be dead, but I think he is still alive. Please come and check him." Her eyes widened, saying those words to her parents.

Lito and Sulaya, her parents, abruptly halt their activities and cast astonished gazes at their daughter, leaving them both taken aback by her unexpected presence.

"What?" Her mother said in shock.

"Take me with you" her father said.