Meriedeth Salazar
I woke up early, I looked at the sofa bed that is currently in my room. Shelanie and the others are still asleep, we shared my room. While Eryx and boys stayed at Kuya Marcus' room and the Castro siblings stayed at the guest room. Except for Jezreal, she is here with us.
I silently walked out of the room and went downstairs. I can still remember their reaction when I said that this is our house.
"Whose house is this, Meriedeth?" Melanie asked.
"H-Hey Shark girl, maybe the owners of that house will kill us!" Rovic yelled at me as I tried to open the gate.
"Do you know the owners, Salazar?" Eryx asked.
"Hija, are you Marco Salazar's child?" I looked at the driver who was helping Wesley bringing down the bags.
"Opo."
"Does your grandmother know that you're here?"
"I'll visit her tomorrow, po."
"Manang Solidad is not here, she probably just got home. I'll buy you food to cook so you kids can have dinner."
"I'll be the one to go with him," Wesley said.
Wesley went with him and they went to town. I opened the gate and went inside. It's a good thing I have duplicate keys. I opened the main door to enter the house. I turned on the lights.
I looked at them, it looks like they don't have any plans to enter.
"Come in, there are a lot of mosquitoes outside."
"Your house is beautiful, Salazar," Shelanie said as she looked around.
"Why you did not told us that we are neighbors here at the province?!"
I raised a brow a Rovic.
"It's not that special."
I offered them to watch a movie as I settle things. I called Kuya, he is glad that we are staying at the house. I asked him if it's okay that I will let them use his room and he agreed.
"Shelanie, you guys are going to sleep at my room," I looked at Jezreal. "Also you, let's go upstairs.
They followed me while bringing their bags. I opened the door to my room and they are amazed. Geez.
"Your room is beautiful, Salazar."
"It's just colored blue. You can put your stuff here," as I pointed the outside part of my cabinet. "We will set up the sofa bed here," and pointed the space between my study table and bed.
We went downstairs, I called Eryx and Rovic. I lead them towards Kuya's room. I also called the twins and their brother, I lead them towards the guest room.
After an hour Wesley arrived and they cook some food. I know how to cook, but I'm not confident about my skills. I'm not that confident to cook for a group.
When I arrived downstairs, I heard something from the kitchen. I walked towards the kitchen and he jumped when he saw me.
"You did not said a word that you're here, Meriedeth," Wesley said. "Good morning."
"Morning."
I grabbed a mug and opened the refrigerator. It has a lot of food inside, well, we are staying here for three days, and I guess we can consume all of this. I grabbed the jar which is there. It contains milo.
I made one, I offered some to Wesley but he declined. I just realized, he is preparing breakfast.
"You woke up early to cook breakfast," I said as I sat down in front of the bar counter and watch him chop the spices.
"Well, as president, I want that we are able to do a lot of things during our three days stay here. Last night Melanie gave out the training regimen that we are going to do here."
"The public pool is kind of far from here," I took a sip of my milo.
"I'm planning to hold our training at the sea."
"S-Sea?!"
He looked at me. I scratched my nape.
"Is there a problem about the ocean?"
"Ahahaha, nope. No problem at all," I lied.
Damn it. Why do we have to do it at the sea?! Hello?!
He chuckled as he chopped the vegetables.
"We also did this last year but at the province of our former president. Also, swimming in an ocean can help you swim more efficiently."
I frowned because of what he said.
"Why? Because you can learn how to master currents as well as challenge your strength against waves."
I blinked because of what Wesley said. I just nodded and go to the flow. A few minutes passed by Dashiel is walking downstairs. He greeted us and he offered help to Wesley.
As time passed by, they are here. Melanie told us that she will take a bath, also Jezreal. We two bathrooms here, we have one upstairs and another one downstairs.
"Eryx and Rovic are still not up yet?" Wesley asked.
"They are still sleeping, po," Jazhel answered.
"I'll wake them up," I volunteered.
They prepare the table as I went upstairs. I knocked three times before entering, it looks like they are still sleeping. I opened the door and entered, Rovic is laying on all fours while Eryx is sitting at the edge of the foam. He looked at me.
"Breakfast is ready," I said.
He just nodded. He woke up Rovic. The three of us went downstairs, after having breakfast we prepared for our training. I wear my swimsuit under my t-shirt and shorts, I also wear a cap because it is very hot outside.
Shelanie and Dashiel is wearing a rash gourd, well, they are not included in training. But, Shelanie will help with the training, Dashiel will be on guard on his siblings later.
"Is the sea near here?" Melanie asked.
"It's near, 15 minute walk," I answered as I closed the gate.
"Are we just going to walk?" Jazrill asked, they really have an accent.
"Dummy, of course. It's part of the training, duh," Jazhel said.
We decided to walk going to the beach. Kuya Marcus called, he's checking on us. I told him I will drop the box later at Lola's place.
I don't want to go there, maybe Uncle Mario is there.
"Wow!
"It's so beautiful! Oh my gosh."
"Let's take a picture! Hurry up!
There are no people here at the beach. Well, it's a public beach resort. It's also low tide, the high tide will occur later. We settled our things in one of the cottage here, Wesley reviewed the things that we are going to do when the sea is going to be high.
Melanie and the others are taking picture, they found an instagramble spot. Eryx and I are left at the cottage. The triplets are looking for seashells while Dashiel is looking at them.
"Are there tourist spots here, Salazar?" I raised a brow at Eryx.
"You are going to go there?"
"Just wondering."
"I don't have any idea. Ask Rovic."
"You don't have a thing for outside activities."
"I prefer staying at my room than staying outside."
He just shrugged. After a few moments the sea level is rising. My heart is beating fast while staring at the waves that are hitting the seashore.
The triplets are already taking a dip at the sea with their Kuya. Rovic and the others came back to prepare.
"Uh, I have to buy something," I told them.
"You are going to buy a snack?" Shelanie asked. I nodded.
"I'll go with you," Eryx said.
Tsk.
"Come back immediately," Wesley said. "We are going to do some warm-ups."
We went away and walked towards the nearest snack house. Why does he have to come with me?! Argh!
"What are you going to buy?"
"You go ahead, I'll go to the comfort room."
"Oh? I'll just wait for you here."
"Tss."
"Fine, fine, fine," as he waved his hand and picked some chips and headed to the counter.
I ran towards the comfort room. Tsk. I just want to ask the locals here if there are jellyfish this time of the season, if I remember it clearly there is a time that there are a lot of jellyfish that are washed up at the beach where we are right now.
"Excuse me, po," I said as I approached girls that are talking at a cottage in front of a house.
I think I'm already far from the beach to look for locals to ask about the question that is in my head.
"Why, Miss?"
"Uh, are there a lot of jellyfish this season?"
They looked at each other, the other one scratched the back part of her neck.
"It looks like there is none," the other girl answered.
I was able to breathe in relieved.
"Okay po, thank you."
I ran back to the beach. Hays, safe. Okay, the ocean is safe, Meriedeth. You should not be scared because there are no jellyfish this time of the year.
When I arrive, they are at the ocean. Eryx is standing by the seashore. I took off my t-shirt, revealing my swimsuit. I already applied sunblock earlier. I took off my cap and grabbed my goggles and swimming cap.
"It took you so long," he commented.
"There are a lot of people," I lied.
I started doing my warm-up, then we went towards where Wesley and the others are. I fixed my swimming cap and goggles. As the sea level rises, anxiety is slowly creeping up to my heart.
"What's that?" I asked.
"The what?" Eryx asked.
I pointed the dark part of where we are standing, the water level is up to up my neck.
"Seaweed."
Damn it.
I wear my goggles. I swim away from that part. We went near Wesley and the others who are already started training.
While we are swimming right now, I am anxious and scared. We are not alone in the sea, it's a home of wild animals. But, the girls told me that there no jellyfish right now.
We swam from cliff to cliff with different strokes. Wesley and Melanie are keeping an eyes on us. Shelanie is using a kickboard and Dashiel knows how to swim, they are keeping an eye on the triplets.
We went back to the shore to eat lunch. I sat at by the sand, silently thanking to God that I haven't seen a single jellyfish or a seaweed drifted near me.
"You look pale," I looked at the one who one who commented, it was Eryx.
"I'm just hungry."
"Let's go the cottage," he offered his hand but I stood up on my own.
We walked towards the cottage, Wesley prepared our lunch earlier. We are just chatting while eating lunch.
After eating, Wesley said that we will swim later after half an hour. They bought some ice cream from the snack bar. It looks like the low tide occur later. The ocean reached the bottom of the cliff, it is very deep.
"Dude, let's try cliff diving," Rovic invited.
"Tss. We just ate."
"If I were you, just sit down."
Rovic rolled his eyes and looked at Eryx.
"You really don't want to, Dude?"
"Fine, I'll go with you. I'll not jump," he stood up and went out of the cottage.
"Hey, it's dangerous over there," I told the two of them.
"Concern?" Eryx asked and smiled.
"Tsk."
I'm convincing them not to go there but I end up standing with the both of them at the edge of the cliff.
"Can't we just go back?"
"The breeze is very beautiful," Eryx commented and closed his eyes, he even raised both of his hands.
"Anyway, I'll jump three times. There is also a fast way to get up back here, take a look over there," and he pointed the other side of the cliff, there is really a way back up.
"Anyway," he took off his shirt and throw it to the ground.
"Hasta la vista, babies!" he shouted as he ran and jump towards the cliff.
I gasped, we heard a splash of water. I immediately look down, it was a great timing, and I saw Rovic emerged to the surface. He was laughing and waving his hand at us to jump.
"Cool."
I looked at Eryx, he took off his shirt and jumped, I heard a loud splash and Rovic laughing.
Great.
"Yow, Shark girl! You should try!" Rovic immediately said when they got back up here.
"It gives a good vibe," Eryx said while fixing his hair using his hands.
I don't know how many times they jumped. Beside me are their shirts, I feel so bad. I'm scared that maybe something bad will happen. Just as I closed my eyes I remembered I didn't brought my goggles with me.
Tsk.
Hays.
I sighed.
I looked at the sea. It's beautiful, but at the same time it's scary.
Yeah, I know how to swim, I'm not scared at the pool but being in the sea is different.
It's a different environment.
In the pool, you're safe, you're alone. In the sea you're not alone.
Rovic and Eryx are swimming towards the way where you can climb back up. I saw something floating at the sea.
My eyes widened when I noticed what the things that are floating are. My heart beat fasten. I'm more anxious and scared now. I stand up, I was about to alert them, when someone called me from the back.
"Ate Salazar!"
I jumped because of surprise, making my foot slipped.
The next thing I knew my body hit the water. I immediately swam up to the surface, my eyes hurt! Sea water went into my eyes, it stings. Even if how many times I tried to wipe it, it still stings. I have trouble looking around me.
Shit!
I kicked my feet underwater to prevent me from sinking, then I felt something.
I screamed at the top of my lungs because of fear.
I don't know what I hit underwater.
I'm scared! I'm having a hard time to see.
In a second, I just remembered that I saw some jellyfish—
If the waves are crashing towards me…
Then the jellyfish...
I can't hear my own voice because of fear.
I can't see!
And my worst fear has come.
I can't feel my leg.
This is bullshit!
No matter how I force to move it, I can't!
The image of jellyfish coming near me made me screamed even louder.
I don't know.
I'm sinking.
I have a hard time breathing, I'm getting dizzy.
Am I going to die?
Am I gonna die like this?
If so...
I guess it isn't bad at all…
Being lost under the water...