The weather was calm, much to Jon's relief. He could see clearly across the ocean to the line of the distant horizon, broken only by a few islands that seemed to sprout out of the water. The leaves of the coconut trees that lined the beach barely swayed in the almost imperceptible breeze and the sky was a bright blue with a few seagulls flying across it. The occasional call of the birds could be heard in harmony with the rhythmic sound of the waves gently lapping the sandy beach.
In other circumstances, Jon would have enjoyed relaxing and swimming in these turquoise waters. He could imagine himself hanging from a hammock between two coconut trees and sipping a glass of ice cold tropical fruit juice as he listened to the soothing sound of the waves. He wanted to close his eyes that very moment and lie on the sand as he listened to the sea that beckoned like a welcoming innkeeper, inviting wearied travelers to rest.
The sound of laughter caught Jon's attention and he turned his gaze to the dock. He saw three people, two men and a woman, conversing noisily and laughing as if at some joke. The man telling the story was standing up and had his back towards Jon. He was moving his arms animatedly as he told what seemed to be a funny story to his sitting companions. A red bandana decorated with white ethnic designs was wrapped around the storyteller's head while on his right wrist were a number of black rubber bracelets that moved with his gestures.
The man in the audience was sitting down across the storyteller. He wore a faded blue shirt that was riddled with holes and the sleeves cut off while a pair of dark sunglasses sat high on his forehead. He was laughing loudly at the storyteller's story and was clapping his hand against his thigh. The woman sitting beside him wore a sarong with colorful floral designs and was giggling at the same joke. The string of white pearls hanging around her neck blended with the vibrant colors of her sarong. On her hair was a wooden comb decorated with mother-of-pearl. The three people seemed oblivious to Jon's approach.
Jorge took out the luggage from the car and followed Jon. Upon reaching the dock, Jorge deposited the luggage in the shaded area not far from the three people Jon observed earlier. "We're an hour early," Jorge said, looking at his watch. "The boat that will take you to Orsica has not arrived yet."
"Jorge!" cried the storyteller as he walked towards the newcomers. "Who do you have there?" looking at Jon as if he were some specimen in an anthropology museum.
"Hey, Gringo! This is Jon, my client." Jorge then turned to Jon. "This is Gringo, my old buddy." Jon and Gringo shook hands. Gringo then proceeded to introduce his wife and his brother who also shook Jon's hand.
Everyone then conversed in the local language of which Jon could only catch a few words. When Jorge said 'Orsica' and 'Dante', Gringo's wife suddenly looked at Jon, her eyes showing deep concern. Gringo's brother, on the other hand, looked away at the sea and the gathering clouds on the horizon.
There was a sudden change in the tone of their voices and Gringo's voice lowered as he shared glances with his wife and his brother. The rising intonation in Gringo's statement signified it to be a question and Jon observed that Gringo asked it after being prodded by his wife.
Jorge took out his phone and tapped the screen. He waited silently as he made the call, his eyes scanning the horizon and the gathering clouds. Hearing a 'no network coverage' recording, he turned to Jon and spoke.
"The phone signal here is very weak and I can't make a call. The captain of the boat is not replying to any of my messages either. It's possible that he's already on his way here, but we can't be sure." Jorge paused. "Gringo said it's quite perilous to go near Orsica as it gets late in the afternoon. If you are planning on getting there today, you should go now. There is a storm brewing and with the high tide coming in, it will be even more dangerous to go out to sea as it gets late." Jorge pointed at the dark clouds in the horizon as he talked to Jon. Then, Jorge turned to Gringo who was talking to his wife.
After exchanging a few words with the couple, Jorge told Jon what they talked about. "They were asking if you can still be persuaded not to go to Orsica," said Jorge. Jon saw Gringo's wife nod at him.
Jon paused for a moment and said, "If there's still any chance that I can get to the island today, I think I will have to do my best to get there. Besides, it looks like it's a long way to any accommodations where I can stay for the night." Jon was definitely concerned, but it would not do to change his schedule without informing his client first.
Taking out his own phone, Jon tried calling Dante, but like Jorge, he was also outside network coverage. It was Gringo's wife who spoke to Jorge and Gringo nodded in agreement.
"Jon, they are proposing something," said Jorge. Jon gave up trying to contact his client and faced Jorge. "If you want, they are willing to give you a ride on their boat. They are on their way to another island, but they could pass by Orsica."
Jon looked apprehensive so Jorge continued. "I've known these people for a long time, Jon. You can trust them. They're far more experienced in navigating these waters than anyone I know. In any case, I will contact Mr. Dante once I get a signal."
Jon was apprehensive at joining Gringo, but Jorge seemed comfortable with his friend. Besides, getting on the boat with Gringo seemed the best option against waiting for a boat that may not come or navigating through treacherous waters during a storm.
After agreeing to the proposal, Jon thanked Jorge and bid him goodbye. He then got in the boat with Gringo and his small crew.
Gringo started the boat's motor as Jon took his place on one of the seats in the middle of the boat. Gringo's wife looked at Jon and tried conversing with him, but they were not able to talk a lot because of the language barrier. Jon, however, got the impression that Gringo's wife was trying to dissuade him to go to Orsica, possibly because of the same belief that it was dangerous to go there, especially on this day.
When everyone in the boat seemed to have settled to their routine, Gringo and his brother navigating the boat and Gringo's wife also busy with her own tasks, Jon simply sat and passed the time looking at islets and rock formations. The rocks formed grotesque figures that could easily find their place in a surrealist landscape. Between Salvador Dali and nature, nature definitely wins, thought Jon.
They passed more islets, each one having its own character - one rock formation looked like a sailboat and another looked like a cathedral with towers that jut out against the sky. Jon was starting to enjoy the scenery when he noticed that the wind had started to pick up and the waters getting choppy. Gringo left the navigation to his brother and went to Jon.
"The wind. It is getting stronger." Gringo said, not quite fluent in Jon's language. "We go to nearer island to be safe," he added. Gringo then motioned to his brother who steered the boat sharply to the right.
They had not gone far when coming from behind one of the islets, a white yacht appeared and quickly approached them from the left. It was the only thing that was new and glistening that Jon saw since coming from the airport.
The yacht blew its horn and proceeded to the side of Gringo's boat. In stylized gold letters, the name of the yacht was painted on its side – The Golden Cowrie. One of the crew then shouted to Gringo who then told Jon that it was the boat from Orsica coming to fetch him.
Gringo and his brother helped with Jon's luggage. Before Jon transferred to the yacht, he thanked Gringo and his crew for their help. Gringo merely nodded and smiled. Gringo's wife, however, held on to Jon's wrist as if to make one last attempt to stop him from getting aboard the yacht. Jon gently removed her hand and smiled at her. She finally yielded and bowed her head when she saw that there was nothing that could change Jon's mind.
Aboard the yacht, Jon made himself comfortable as he was handed a glass of iced tea and a plate of biscuits. He was quite happy to be on a bigger boat just as the weather seemed to be getting worse. He thanked the yacht's crew for their hospitality. They all seemed friendly, but somehow, even with their wide smiles, they lacked the warmth that he felt when he was with Gringo and his small crew.
In a while, the yacht's captain went to see Jon and shook his hand. He was a tall man with long limbs and a tight grip. "Welcome aboard the Cowrie. I am Captain Salazar. It's a good thing that we were able to track you after you left the dock," he said. His face was dark and his gaze intense.
"How far are we from Orsica? The weather seemed to be turning for the worse," said Jon.
"Not too long now. Don't worry about the weather. Mr. Dante told me to take care of you. My crew and I will do our best to make your trip comfortable." At this the captain smiled, revealing his white teeth that looked sharp, even menacing, probably if seen in the dark.
Jon looked out to the sea and the ominous clouds that portend the worsening weather. As he looked downwards, he was taken aback at seeing two dorsal fins jutting out of the water. A little farther on, there were two or three more.
For some reason, sharks seemed to gather around the Golden Cowrie.
The water was clear and Lisa had no trouble seeing the cave opening just ahead. Before swimming through the opening, she took a quick look behind her and saw Nestie just behind her. Lisa gave Nestie a quick wave and shot through the opening of the cave with broad strokes of her arms and legs. Lisa swam to the surface and was quickly amazed at what she saw. The sun shining through the opening of the grotto made the water luminous, turning it from emerald to a glowing neon. She looked at her hands from under the water and saw the fine bubbles on her skin turning her hands into silver. She looked up at the ceiling and saw the ripples in the water reflected on the high dome of the grotto, giving the cavern an otherworldly appearance. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling glinted in the green light and looked like numerous fingers reaching for the water below. Nestie’s head bobbed out of the water and he quickly wiped the water from his face with his hands. Lisa watched his friend’s re
The boat glided over the water, leaving ripples in its wake. The boatman jumped aboard and started the engine, steering the boat towards one of the many islets that dotted the sea. Nestie turned his head and looked at the cliff that they had just descended. He swallowed hard before saying to Lisa. “I can’t believe we descended from that,” he said. “Are we going back the same way?” Lisa smiled as she saw the expression on Nestie’s face. Her friend took the front seat on the boat while she sat behind him. “Do you want to?” Lisa asked. “I don’t know if I can make it,” Nestie replied. Then, he added. “Maybe I can, but you will have to pull me up.” Lisa laughed at Nestie and pinched his back. “Ow! What was that for?” asked Nestie, rubbing his back which Lisa had just pinched. “For being so adorable!” Lisa answered. “Look ahead of you and enjoy the scenery. Don’t you think the islets and the rock formations look stunning?” Nestie loo
Upon alighting from the tricycle, Nestie saw the ocean and the tall cliffs that surrounded a wide beach. They were a short distance from the sandy coast where several boats were docked. Out on the sea were numerous islets that rose from the water like the backs of turtles or upturned boats. Several of the islands were connected to each other like a pearl necklace, the sea between them becoming labyrinthine for boats to navigate through. Fortunately, the islets also served a purpose in protecting the moored boats on the small beach where Lisa and Nestie were standing as well as the inner islets in the archipelago from the strong currents and big waves coming from the open ocean. “Do you like what you’re seeing so far, Nestie?” asked Lisa who had just paid the tricycle driver and stood beside Nestie to admire the scenery. “I’ve seen so many coasts in my life, but this is still breathtaking!” remarked Nestie, drinking in the scene before him. They were on top of a cliff
Lisa woke up from the sound of birds outside the window. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the room flooded with golden light. She stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes before sitting up in bed. It looked like it was going to be a good day, she thought as she looked around the brightly-lit room. Celie was still sleeping soundly so Lisa silently got off her bed and prepared to take her morning shower. It was good that Celie was able to sleep without any incident. Her cousin needed to have a good night’s rest if she were to look great for her birthday party. After taking her shower and putting on her usual comfortable clothes of jeans and a cotton shirt, Lisa noiselessly left the room. She then walked to Nestie’s room and knocked on the door. “Come in, Lisa,” came Nestie’s voice and Lisa twisted the door knob. “How was your sleep last night, Nes?” asked Lisa. Nestie had already changed and was combing his hair. “Very well. Thank you,” replied Nestie.
Lisa lay in bed with her blankets to her neck. Celie was right. It was a cold night. Lisa, however, could not figure out why Celie insisted on having the windows open despite the cold. Her cousin’s actions had been a bit erratic and illogical these past days, thought Lisa. She knew that her cousin tended to be unpredictable at times even when they were young. Back then, it could just be attributed to their youth; Lisa, herself, remembered doing some wild things with Celie. However, they were now grown women and very much in control of their actions. Lisa could understand Celie’s predicament of having to live under public scrutiny and always acting as a model figure for her father’s citizens, but Celie’s sudden disappearances and escape from her security detail were quite irresponsible. There was a quick snort coming from Celie’s bed and Celie moved restlessly to one side. Lisa looked at her cousin and wondered where she had gone after her photo shoot at the Home for the Elde
“Is that you, Lisa love?” came Celie’s drowsy voice as Lisa entered the guest room. The lights were off and Lisa could only tell from the dark shape over the bed that her cousin was already lying down as if ready to sleep. “Yes, Celie,” said Lisa, looking at her cousin. “It seems too early for you to be sleeping. Would you mind if I turn on the lights?” Lisa switched on the lights and saw that her cousin was in bed with her blankets drawn up to her neck. There was a soft moan from Celie. “Oh, sorry. Is the light too bright?” asked Lisa. “N-no,” came Celie’s reply. “Keep the lights on.” Lisa was about to walk towards her bed when she noticed Celie’s face. Celie’s face was ashen and her lips were pale. “You look pale, Celie. Are you sick?” asked Lisa worriedly. “No. I’m alright, Lisa. Don’t mind me. I just feel tired, that’s all,” came Celie’s reply. “Sorry to hear that,” said Lisa. She nevertheless went towards Celie and