NIMI

Prompt: If you speak when passing under the ancient sea arch, it will steal your voice for its own.

Must use words: Golden, Whisper, maelstrom.

I

The house sat like a bird perched on the edge of the tree. The slope from the shore to the house was steep and had been getting steeper. Nimi found it upsetting that her siren couldn't reach the house anymore. When Iravan first arrived here, she would swim along the shore, her long hair plastered across her face like of an eloped human bride, her scales shimmering like the remains of luminous algae, and she'd call out to him like a true mermaid. Although, 'true mermaid' made her sound more like her mother. Nimi longed for those days. They'd talk until midnights, laughing at whatever gossip she brought from the sea. Their friendship seemed heavier now.

Thick green hills surrounded this section of the island, making it difficult for the seafarers to find. Not that many had not, because those who did paid a high price. On Nimi's left, Vibha was playing beneath the ancient arch. Nimi wished her serpent friend didn't run under the arch, yelling unintelligible words, and laughing every time it took her voice. It was the cursed arch that stole several mortal voices to itself. If any of the islanders, those who hadn't killed themselves yet or were abandoned for being a liability, saw her right now, they'd hate her without a doubt. The demonstration of immortality had never been so ridiculous.

"Vibha, would you stop that madness now?" Nimi yelled, rising out of the water. The sea was unnaturally warm today. Nimi had known warmness like this only when she swam past the sunken boats and saw humans being devoured by the sharks and the piranhas, their blood soaking into the salt water.

Vibha childishly shook her head, faking innocence, most likely because she'd run under the arch once more and was robbed of her voice. 'She is such a—' Nimi thought for a while, staring at her friend. 'Gods, she looks prettier than me in her human form.' Vibha's cheeks turned enviously pink from all the running, and she looked like she belonged there. Unlike Nimi, she never felt confined or ashamed of her human side.

Nimi wondered why she compared herself to one of the few beings who wholeheartedly accepted her. Without Vibha, Nimi would have never had the chance to meet Iravan or experience all those pleasant evenings with him. What did she become? Why the envy and the guilt? Nimi found no way of answering those questions. She'd to bear them just like how she was bearing the truth that she might not meet these two in a while.

"Are you hungry?" said a voice above.

Nimi rolled around in the sand and watched Iravan standing right above her. His chest was naked to the warm afternoon sun and his pants were shorter, barely reaching the ankles. He looked like the lost humans from those wind-tossed boats, wishing if they could find treasures on this tiny island.

"What have you cooked?"

"Our carrot crop has been successful this year." Iravan kneeled, bringing the wooden bowl close to her face.

Nimi took the bowl from his hands and emptied the contents without hesitation. The sweetness of the dish dissolved on her tongue, and she savoured every bite. "You blessed son of a god," Nimi said, swallowing gently. "Those humans in your house don't know how lucky they are. This is the food of the heaven."

"I am grateful for your opinion."

"Regardless of your humble behaviour," Nimi said, handing him the empty bowl. "Can I have more?"

"Sure. Not yet. I will get you—"

"Hey." Vibha's scream reverberated between them, and they both turned. Below the arch, Vibha hopped up and down on the slippery ground. The waves bashed over the arch in a bitter torrent, washing over her and the rock every couple of minutes. But Vibha didn't seem to care; she waved both hands and smiled like a mad beast. Her silver saree was so wet it became her second skin. "I got my voice back. Again."