TN: Yes, our POV is on third person multiple/omniscient. Meaning, you will see changes of scenes from one character's to another. Let me know if you want tags or notes to tell whose scene is which.

Once again, I'm really sorry for the very late update. Here is the other half of chapter 6 and yeah, I guess I really should give you guys those three weeks of chapters I owe you as soon as possible. I'll do my best so please bear with me.

Chapter 6.2: The Eggs of Lambanang-Tubig (2)

The area allotted for the market was only a small piece of land. It's really lacking for a typical market. That's why, every 'market day', just like today; it would be densely crowded with people rus.h.i.+ng about.

From the market's very entrance, the usual customers were already mobbing together with their bayong1. Those who have arrived earlier to buy goods here were able to return home early, too; whereas, those late comers were still rus.h.i.+ng and haggling over with the merchants especially since today, the market day, commodities were being sold cheaply. Noisy and messy; that's the exhibit today in all corners of the market.

At this same time, Roselda was standing outside from one of the booths. Above this booth was a banner where the words “Love Natives” in bamboo-shaped letters could be seen. Then inside this booth, her Mamang was discussing heartily with the store’s watcher. She couldn't hear their conversation because they're being separated with the gla.s.s walls, though.

Looking ahead of her, tents were erected where various vegetables and fruits were being sold; while its owners were screaming out, advertising their goods so customers will easily notice their merchandise. These were merchants traveling to different towns to peddle their products.

“Psst, Negra2!” Roselda felt a pinch on her flank-side.

When she turned around, she saw Marissa, her big-mouthed cla.s.smate. She was wearing her favorite bright blue dress with fluffs and tying sh.e.l.l-ribbons here and there. She had put her curly hair on a high ponytail but it couldn't hide her lush and frizzed hair even when viewed from afar which was actually due to her having the blood of an Aeta3.

“You really dare call me negra, Marissa?” Roselda responded indignantly. “When you’re even darker than I am.”

They were standing closed to each other and with a glance, anyone can tell that the darker one was evidently her friend.

Marissa simply laughed at her and gently struck at her friend’s arm. “Alright, I’m blacker; but I’m still prettier than you.”

Roselda was laughing now. “Sure, you're much prettier, then. Fine. So, what are you doing here, again?”

"Today is market day; of course, I’m buying goods,” her friend replied sarcastically. “And I’m also in a date,” she continued in a whisper and then looked towards the man standing in the distance.

Roselda followed her friend's eyes. The man looked decent and was also patiently waiting for her.

“I think he's already bored,” Roselda said. “But in fairness, he's kind of cute.”

Marissa’s ears turned flush when she heard her friend's praise. “Of course, who do you think I am?” she retorted as though she was really the best woman on the face of the earth. “Alright, I need to go now. My Papa4 is still waiting for me, you see.”

(TL: The author actually used 'Marissa's ears grew big…' which should mean 'she was proud' but I'd rather want her to flush… not to the toilet, no, really.)

The two laughed.

“Okay, I'll drop to your house sometimes.” She even added.

Roselda nodded in reply. “Sure, you're always welcome in our kubo5.”

While still laughing, Marissa hugged her. “Bye, negra,” she teased her friend once more before turning away.

Roselda smiled as she watched her friend walking away but now with the man from earlier. Even that Negra has good luck; she caught a handsome fish, she thought. When will mine come, I wonder? Managat suddenly flashed in her mind.

In the depths of the ocean, the young merman sat on a wide rock in the reef garden of the palace. There were different types of colorful corals, sponges, anemones and various types of sea-gra.s.ses everywhere. He was watching over Sarikit, the little mermaid, as she played and chased the fascinating jellyfishes around the garden.

Still, he can't help thinking about the condition of the Head Maayo and the legend of Dalit-Kamingawan. He needed to find a cure as soon as possible. But he has no idea where to start. If this disease originated from thousands of years old, he's not confident he could find its cure. He can still look at the list of medicines from Maalam, though; but, he thought that if the latter had already surrendered, he was quite sure he would find nothing from that list or those medicines.

But still, he must try.

(TL: Dalit-Kamingawan is the ailment of Head Maayo)

“Managat, look, I found eggs.”

He didn't notice when Sarikit made it to his side. As he looked at her, he saw two round and elongated eggs in the palms of the little mermaid. The sh.e.l.ls were silvery in color with a spiral of gold lines around them; whereas at their bottom, there were seemingly small tentacles that looked like moving. It gave a weird silhouette of something throbbing inside.

(TL: round and elongated = oblong)

“Sarikit, those are no normal eggs,” said Managat with amazement in his voice. “Those are Lambanang-tubig's eggs.”

“Lambanang-tubig*?” repeated the little mermaid.

“The Lambanang-tubig are exceptional creatures of water. When you encountered one and it imprinted to you, it will always follow you. It can be your best friend and whatever you ask, it will fulfill.” The young merman explained.

“Really?” Sarikit’s eyes were filled with excitement. “Here, I’ll give you the other one,” the little mermaid offered him the other egg.

Managat stared at Sarikit. “Really, it's for me?” He was feeling embarra.s.sed as he took the egg.

The little mermaid nodded. “Of course, Managat. That's for you. One for each of us.”

The young merman smiled and tightly embraced the little mermaid. Somehow, she made him feel better. All thanks to Sarikit.

————-

1Bayong - traditional bags from the Philippines, which are made from wove dried leaves and are typically used when visiting the wet markets.

2Negra - black woman; a Spanish term which is the opposite of Negro (black man). They are typically used to describe someone with dark skin. They can also be used as some kind of endearment or a pa.s.sing joke between friends and peers but can also be used as derogatory name-calling.

3Aeta - indigenous people from the Northern area of the Philippines. They are thought to be one of the earliest inhabitants of the country and are also considered as negritos (negro or negra) due to their skin tone being dark, having a small stature, curly frizzed hair, small nose and dark brown eyes.

4Papa - or for some, Fafa; a term used for boyfriends or sometimes for DOM (dirty old men) and between gay men.

5Kubo - a hut or a nipa hut; a traditional house for Filipinos which is usually made from light materials like wood or bamboos and nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) for the roof. This way it is easier to be moved around (bayanihan).

*TN: For the record, 'Lambanang-tubig' means a water fairy; but according to Sanskrit or the olden writing style of the Filipino ancestors, 'lambana' actually means “he upon whom all depends”.