"Thank you so much for the food you brought, Izan. But I’m sorry, I really can’t eat what you call fish crackers because they’re made from fish," Esteban said, his mouth filled with three candies. The merman was clearly excited about the sweets, perhaps because he was used to salty foods in Ver Profundo.
Izan took a candy and unwrapped it. "Don’t worry, next time I’ll bring you chocolates and ice cream. I’m sure you’ll like those too," he said, popping the candy into his mouth. He saw Esteban's eyes light up with excitement. Izan felt as though he was being drawn into those blue eyes. He had never felt this way about anyone before.
"Are those sweet too? Delicious?" Esteban asked.
"Yes. A lot of people love chocolates and ice cream—"
Izan was caught off guard when Esteban suddenly hugged him. The merman's strong arms wrapped around his neck, sending a thousand volts of electricity through his body. "Oh, thank you so much, Izan! You’re so kind. Now I’m convinced that what Queen Mother and King Father said about humans being evil isn’t true at all!"
Izan still didn’t know how to react to Esteban’s embrace. He wanted to return the hug, but he was too shy. "It depends on the person, Esteban. Some people are bad, but many are good. The important thing is to know how to judge what kind of person you’re dealing with," he replied, gently pulling away from the hug.
Wow! I couldn’t breathe for a moment there. Am I starting to like Esteban? God! I can’t. We live in two different worlds.
"Hmm... but I’m sure you’re a good person, Izan."
"Thank you, Esteban. And I’m sure you’re a good merman too. You even saved me. But wait, don’t you ever get legs, Esteban? That’s what happens to mermaids in the stories I’ve read—they always find a way to get legs..."
Esteban looked out at the vast sea. "There is a way, Izan. And my desire to have legs has only grown stronger because of you..."
"B-because of me?"
"Yes. Because you showed me how wonderful it is to be human! And when I finally get legs, I want you to be the first person to walk beside me..."
Izan almost squirmed at what Esteban had just said. He had to admit, he was thrilled! Who knew mermen could be so charming? But he tried to hide his excitement and the redness creeping up his face. Is Esteban even aware of what he’s saying? Izan thought to himself.
Izan was both happy and sad when he and Esteban parted ways that day. They couldn’t stay long on the island because Granma Ancha would look for him, and Esteban would be missed in Ver Profundo. He was happy because he got to spend time with the merman who made his heart feel full. But what did it mean to have a 'full heart'? He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he felt happy when he was with Esteban. He was sad because they had to part ways again. But the merman promised they would see each other again in the coming days. Esteban even joked that maybe next time they met, he would have legs.
Izan could sense that Esteban really wanted to have legs. Maybe that’s just how people or creatures think... they long for what they don’t have. They never seem content with what God has given them.
When Izan returned home, lunch was already prepared. After washing up, they ate together.
"Oh, by the way, Izan, high school enrollment starts next week. Do you want to go to Donastia - San Sebastian National High School or the school in the neighboring town? There’s no problem if you choose the one in the next town—it’s just one jeepney ride away. Besides, I prefer the teaching there," said Granma Ancha while they were eating.
He paused from eating. "I think I’d prefer the one in the neighboring town, Lola. What’s the name of that school again?"
"Concepcion National High School..."
"Ah. Didn’t Mommy study there?"
"Yes, she did. Do you want me to come with you to enroll, grandson?"
"No need, Granma Ancha. I know how to get there. Mommy took me there last year to get some documents..."
"Alright. Just make sure you do well in your studies, Izan. So that your mommy will be proud of you."
"I’ll try, Lola!" he replied with a laugh.
But his laughter faded when he thought about Esteban. He realized that he would be going back to school soon. Their meetings would surely become less frequent, and he would definitely miss the merman!
Esteban woke up early that morning because it was the day of the Pagmamatyag. Pagmamatyag was a tradition where the king and queen of Ver Profundo would patrol the entire kingdom to observe what was happening. It was also a way for the king and queen to talk to their subjects to find out if there were any problems in Ver Profundo.
On this day, his father and mother would leave early to carry out the Pagmamatyag. And it was a perfect opportunity for him to take the Piedra from their room! Nothing could stop him from doing it now. He really wanted to have legs so he could experience what humans do.
He also wanted to spend more time with Izan. He couldn’t understand why his heart beat so fast whenever he was with the boy.
Could it be that I’m in love with Izan?
Esteban smiled at the thought. Maybe he really was in love with the human. If that was the case, it was his first time falling in love, and with a human no less! But he had no regrets about falling for a human. He believed Izan was worthy of his love. He was kind and fun to be with.
Esteban shook his head. *This is not the time to think about my love for Izan. I need to focus on the Piedra!* he whispered to himself. But he couldn’t deny that the reason he wanted to get the Piedra was because of the human.
He swam towards his parents' room. He peeked inside carefully and smiled when he saw that they were no longer there. His parents must have left for the Pagmamatyag.
Esteban entered the room and began searching for the secret door that La monja Raballa mentioned, the one that only the Sangre could open. He couldn’t deny that he was nervous at that moment. He could already imagine the anger of his father and mother when they found out he took the Piedra. But he hoped they would forgive him because having legs would make him happy.
Esteban scanned the room. He needed to hurry because a guard might pass by. He felt around each wall until he touched the one near the bed, which suddenly receded slightly. He was startled when the wall moved, emitting a blinding light! Esteban stepped back and covered his face with his arm due to the dazzling light coming from the wall. Only when the light dimmed did he lower his arm and see that a door had appeared where he had touched the wall. It was golden, decorated with various colors of diamonds.
“This must be the door La monja Raballa mentioned,” Esteban said.
He gently pushed the door open and entered. He was amazed by what he saw inside the hidden room! The walls and floor were golden, and the only thing in the room was a small table with a golden box on top.
He couldn't be mistaken. That box must contain the Piedra!
Esteban swam quickly to the box. He couldn’t waste any more time! When he reached the table, he opened the box, revealing a necklace with an unusual appearance. It was made of small black shells with a black pendant, and in the middle of that shell was a tiny pearl. Inside the box was another glowing stone. This must be the Piedra de Celebridades, he thought.
Esteban quickly took the Piedra and placed it in a pouch tied to his waist. He swam away from the room and headed straight to La monja Raballa's quarters.
“Prince Esteban, what brings you here?” the elder asked.
“La monja, I-I got the Piedra!” Esteban announced, nervous but happy.
La monja Raballa quickly pulled him closer. “Really, Prince? Where is it?” the elder asked eagerly.
“It’s in my pouch, La monja. My dream of having legs will finally come true! I can finally be with the land-dweller I love...”
“You love a land-dweller?” La monja Raballa asked, disbelief in his voice.
Esteban smiled. “Yes, La monja. And they are one of the reasons I want to have legs.”
With that, La monja Raballa embraced him. “I wish you happiness, Prince. Don’t make the same mistake I did by being too afraid to fight for my love for a land-dweller. Keep the Piedra safe, Prince Esteban. If you want to have legs, just wear it around your neck. But remember, if you lose the Piedra, your tail will return.”
“Thank you, La monja Raballa. I promise to remember everything you said.” Esteban released the elder from their embrace. “I need to go now, La monja. I might get caught here by the King and Queen.”
“Go on, Prince. Take care!”
Esteban nodded and smiled. He hugged La monja Raballa one last time and swam away from Ver Profundo with joy in his heart.
AS usual, Izan stood on the rock by the beach where he often saw Esteban. He had been waiting for almost half an hour, but there was still no sign of the merman. He sighed. Maybe Esteban couldn’t escape from Ver Profundo today.
“Izan, come inside. I’m leaving for church to pray!” Granma Ancha called.
He turned to look at the old woman. “Okay, Lola. I’m coming!” he called back.
Izan didn’t want to leave the beach just yet because Esteban might suddenly appear. But he didn’t want to be questioned by Granma Ancha, so he reluctantly followed her inside the house.
A WAVE of happiness washed over Esteban as he finally surfaced. He swam towards the rock he usually went to and looked at the shore, feeling a pang of sadness when he saw that Izan wasn’t there. He took the Piedra from his pouch and looked at it, taking a deep breath. Izan would surely be surprised when he saw that Esteban now had legs!
Without hesitation, he placed the Piedra around his neck. His lilac tail suddenly lit up! He felt it split in the middle and separate. The light disappeared, and so did his tail! It was replaced by long legs and a beautiful pair of feet. Finally, he was a human!
“OH, what is this? There’s nothing good on TV on Sundays!” Izan complained as he flipped through the channels.
When he couldn’t find anything worth watching, he turned off the TV. He was about to go to the kitchen when he heard a commotion outside.
He went to the front door and saw a crowd gathering on the beach. It looked like they were surrounding something.
Maybe it’s a big fish they’re gawking at, or maybe… a mermaid? Wait! A mermaid?!
Izan suddenly felt a surge of panic at the thought that the fishermen might have caught Esteban. The people shouldn’t see his friend. They might take him to a carnival or, worse, kill him! Izan ran towards the crowd, almost flying.
“Excuse me! Please let me through!” he said as he pushed his way through the people.
Izan was shocked when he finally saw what the people were gathered around. It was indeed Esteban! And what surprised him even more was that Esteban no longer had a tail! He was standing in the middle of the crowd, clearly trembling on his new legs. The people were gawking at him because he was completely naked, wearing nothing but a strange necklace. Everyone could see his… well, everything!
Izan saw the fear in Esteban’s eyes.
“Esteban!” he called out.
The fear disappeared from Esteban’s face when he saw Izan. “A-Izan!” Esteban tried to take a step, but he stumbled. Perhaps he wasn’t used to walking yet.
Izan quickly rushed to his side. He took off his T-shirt and helped Esteban up. “Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?” he whispered to the merman.
“Look, Izan! I have legs now! I got the Piedra!” Esteban said, almost childlike in his excitement.
“I know!” Izan covered Esteban with his T-shirt, draping it over the merman’s lower half. He slung one of Esteban’s arms over his shoulder and helped him walk. “Let’s talk at home.”
People were staring at them, but Izan didn’t care. He just wanted to get Esteban out of there. But it wasn’t easy to move away from the crowd because he was struggling to support Esteban’s weight. The merman was heavy, and he almost stumbled a few times.
After a while, Esteban whispered to him, “Finally, my dream came true, Izan. To walk with you on my first steps!”
Izan felt those words from Esteban seep into his very being.