MINDAZA

2. THE MAN

As Mindaza's father approached the motionless body, two little crabs crawled quickly in a sideways motion. Mindaza's attention slid downward, her lips pursed as she noticed the scar on his face. The image was both spooky and moving, serving as a silent reminder of life's harsh facts and the fragility of human existence.

"Father, we can take him to the house,"

"He's all naked," Mindaza pointed out. Her father gave a small smile.

"So that's why you have to wear your clothes," he reminded his daughter.

"Now, take his left arms" Lito ordered.

"He's heavy," Mindaza said.

"We'll manage, now, lift!" her father said.

Mindaza stole a quick glance at the man being carried, her cheeks flushing with color before she averted her gaze. The man's feet left a mark in the sand as they dragged him along, making the shingle rattle as they made their way home. Meanwhile, Sulaya observed her husband and daughter's efforts from the house.

"Who do you think he is, father?' she asked, when at last they lurched across the cottage threshold.

"He is a man," her father said, "and I think he is a warrior."

Mindaza glanced down at his body.

"He is well-muscled, but not muscle-bound like a stonemason or a farmer. He is lean and smooth and supple."

When she looked again, Mindaza thought she saw a gleam of interest in her eyes.

"That scar is too straight to be an accident. That is a sword slash, sure as death."

"How do you know that, father? Have you seen a sword slash before?" 

"Well, it was a long time ago.. I will try my best to help this man." Lito answered.

Mindaza assisted her father in carefully positioning the man's arms against his own, providing support as they settled him onto the bed. The man lay motionless, his face turned upwards, unaware of his surroundings. His body bore the marks of saltwater, with grains of sand clinging to different areas, a testament to the ordeal he had endured.

"Mindaza," her mother called out.

"Yes, Mother." Mindaza did not leave the room.

"Get yourself out of the room first, your father and I will go check for him," Sulaya said.

"But I want to watch and see who he is..." Mindaza's insisted abruptly as her mother swung a well-practiced hand.

"Ah, yeah alright, I'm going, Mother, I'm going!"

When the castaway finally regained consciousness, he found that a total of forty-eight hours had slipped by unnoticed. As the islanders went about their daily routines, many of them couldn't help but notice the mysterious stranger who had been uncovered by Mindaza's vigilant watch over the past couple of days. Curiosity piqued, they began to discuss the peculiar situation that had unfolded in Mindaza's vicinity, making her humble abode the center of attention and speculation among the community.

After the guy awoke, Mindaza's home took on a prominent role in the neighborhood.
Granny Juana sat on the three-legged stool next to the fire and said to Mindaza, "We haven't seen anything like this since the old days." Not since your mother was a young adult, not much older than you are at the moment.