The Invisible City

The Story of Tandang Tiago

Tandang Tiago tried to adjust his position while sitting on the opposite side of the bench. It looks like he's getting ready to tell his story. It will be a long one for sure. Hopefully, there will be enough time before I have to leave for Biringan.

"I'm a local here in Samar Island. Being born into a poor family, I need to work at a very early age. I was just ten years old when I started fishing. We have a group called Muro-Ami. It's a group of child fishermen who need to catch fish before we can eat anything. Could you believe that?"

"That's bad. I'm sorry to hear that you have to deal with that kind of life before." I answered while feeling thankful that I was able to experience a great childhood. Thanks to my parents, they were able even to send me to college.

"It sounds awful but come to think of it; I had a happy childhood. We were poor and struggled a lot about food, but we were happy and content. When I was fishing with my friends, it felt like all fun and games. I never overthought the bad side of it. Diving to the ocean without any diving gear was fun. I even wish I can still do that now. But all my friends were gone now." He said and stopped for a while, looking nostalgic.

"What happened to them?" I asked, wondering when he will get to the best part of his story.

"They all drowned!" He said. I automatically covered my mouth in shock. I thought he just had a fight with them and never talked to them anymore.

Tandang Tiago continued, "Anyway, that's when things started to get weird. You see Im the only survivor of that accident. It was a stormy day, and even the ship operators were dragged down to the ocean. I thought I would die from there as well. But then, something pulled me out of the water before I lot my consciousness. It was a mermaid called Shiela. She brought me back to shore where the locals found me."

"A mermaid? So you mean they are real?" I asked in shock again. But Im sure that it will not be the only revelation I will hear today.

He laughed and looks amazed by my reaction. "Yes, my dear. Mermaids are real. At least around here. A lot of people see them and help them catch more fish. They are not a myth on this island. But Sheila is different from the rest of them. She can come and go to Biringan whenever she wants. The others cannot afford fo back if they choose to go here."

"That's amazing! I wish that I can also see the mermaids around here. I wanted to see one even if people told me they're not real." I said without thinking. Well, if it's real, then I don't have to be ashamed of it.

"Oh, Im sure you will. You have an invitation to the festival. They showcase the mermaids during the aswang festival. But you will see more than mermaids when you stay there for a while. Unicorns, fairies, and a lot more!" He assured me as if Im a little girl wishing for it all to happen.

"Anyway, Sheila and I became friends, and she helped my family a lot by allowing me to catch more fish. Some locals paid me to come along so that I can ask for her help for more catch. But she didn't just help me with the fishes. She also gave me some pearls occasionally. My family was able to live a better lifestyle because of her.

But when I turned 16, something terrible happens. Out of jealousy, some people from a nearby town went here. They went to our home and forced my family to tell them where to find me. Im not aware that was happening at home. People around here are peaceful and friendly. I never thought some strangers would even go here.

I was in the middle of the ocean during that time. Shiela asked me to join her for a dive. She showed me some of her treasures and told me that I could get as much as I want. But I declined since she already gave us so much. She just laughed and said to me that everything in the ocean belongs to anyone. But since she collected them, it's now hers. Which means she can give it to anybody she wants to.

I thanked her for her generosity. I don't want to offend her, so I grab some pearls, gold bars, and huge diamonds. I know I can only carry them all while on the water. Im just going to let her feel that I wanted that much. Maybe she will stop me from taking a lot from her treasures. But she even helped me to add some more. I laughed and told her that I dont think I can carry it on land. Then I put it all back in one area.

She said that's fine. Those piles are now mine, and I can get it whenever I want. She said she would watch it for me instead. We agreed on that since I don't want to bring everything at home. People might abuse Shiela's generosity, and I even warned her about it. She just shrugged and said that she like helping people.

When I went back to shore, one of the locals told me what happened. We run back to my house and saw my mom and dad lying on the floor. Their lifeless bodies are drenched in their blood. My two brothers and four sisters are all hanging from the ceiling—Im in total shock at what happened. I lost my ability to move, and I can't even cry.

The local police are there as well, helping the other residents to take down my brothers and sisters from the ceiling. An older woman who is one of our neighbors assisted me to my room and told me I shouldn't look to my family. I just followed her and went inside my room. She left me alone when she was called by one of the policemen.

The funeral has been done the next day. I don't want to see all of my family's caskets piled in our living room. Sure, we already have a large home because of all the money I've got from the pearls and Shiela's help. But I can't bear the fact that they are all just lying dead there. All of a sudden luck takes away everything from me.

I went to my boat straight away after the funeral. I need to be in the ocean and talk to me, Shiela. Maybe she knows something that can bring back my family. I hoped for that while I paddled my boat to the middle of the ocean. Once I reached the usual place where I see Shiela, all my emotions just went out. I cried so hard.

Then I saw something bright right in front of me. I thought it was Shiela, but it's not her. It was a lovely girl standing in the ocean. I already knew that she's not human since she should have sanked down already. She's wearing a plain white gown, but she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I was mesmerized by her and just staring at her intensely.

I suddenly felt that my sadness just disappeared by just looking at her. She said that Shiela went back to Biringan. The mermaid told her what happened to her friend's family. She cant swim well when she's upset or sad. Therefore she just went there instead to see the mermaid's friend. I can hear everything that she said, but I still can't take my eyes off her.

She told me her name is Corazon. Then she asked me if Im Tiago. I just nodded, feeling unable to talk. She then snaps her fingers, and as if I got out of a trance. I apologized for staring too much at her. She said, " That normally happens when humans see me. You see, Im a fairy." Then she smiled ao sweetly.

"I heard you lost your family. Do you want to go with me instead? Shiela will be there too. Im not sure when she can swim on the way here." She said. I feel that I dont want to deal with my loss. Im already an orphan, and I dont want to get back to our house anymore. So, I said yes, and she touched the front part of the boat. I thought we're going to fly at first. After all, she's a fairy.

"Let's bring your boat too, so you have it if ever you already want to go back." She said and dragged the boat as if it's weightless. Corazon was gliding for a while, and then I thought that she just tricked me. I can see the port on the way to our town. Bu, she waved her right arm, and a vast portal suddenly appears before the port. We then entered the doorway, and I look back to see it closing.

"So, that's why nobody went in that direction when the night falls," I said out loud that made Corazon giggled. She's still gliding effortlessly on now magical water. It's like the extension of the sea, but it's glittering more than the normal water. When we reached the shore, Corazon called for Shiela. She popped up from the other side of the sea and saw me. She smiled wide and swam in our direction. I'm still in the boat.

"Tiago!" Then she turned, "Oh, thank you, princess Corazon, for bringing my poor friend here." She then swims all the way o the shore, and her tail just transformed into feet. Corazon smiled at me and said

"Welcome to Biringan City, Tiago!" Then she left me scratching my head, seeing Shiela's naked butt.