Crossroads: Phantom of Verdanase

Episode 2: Turpelo Village


I can hear birds chirping and something else flapping but I couldn’t figure out what they are. I opened my eyes and gathered some strength. I scanned the room but it was empty. I wonder what time it is. I reached for my blue Swatch wristwatch on the table. It’s my favorite watch. Eric and Jasmine saved all their money and bought the watch for me on my 15th birthday. They are the sweetest things a sister could ever have. I stood up and went to the bathroom. I wonder where everybody is. No one woke me up. When I opened the door, Hajji was standing there full of energy.

“Good morning Aoi oneesan.”

His greeting surprised me. “Oneesan? Did Yuuhi teach you that?”

“You know what it means!?” he asked with an innocent shock in his face. I nodded. “He said it means bog sister. Can I call you my big sister?

“Sure. You know what, you remind of my younger brother Eric.”

“Does he call you Aoi oneesan?”

“No, not really.” I can see the confusion building in his face. “You see, oneesan is a Japanese word. But the language I speak is called Tagalog.”

“You have another language!?” he asked shockingly. “But that would confuse other people, right? And you speak our language too. Why do you speak so many languages?”

Hajji looks very confused now. I knelt down and held his hands. “Well, having your own language makes your country independent and free. Every country has a right to choose whatever language they prefer to use. We study other language for us to communicate better with other people, and since English is the commonly used language, we have to learn it. But I think it’s up to the person if he wants to learn another language or not. Well, for me, I think that’s how it should be.”

“But you speak Oralian.”

“Oralian?” now I’m the one who’s confuse.

“Oralian, our language.”

“That’s what you call your language?”

“Yes,” Hajji replied promptly as I try to absorb it. I stood up blankly. I don’t know what to think of next. This is getting so oddly crazy.

He grabbed my hand and we ran to the back door. He then opened a sack and scooped some brown looking pellets. He then held my hand and ran again to the front of the house. He threw some of the pellets on the ground and the chickens and some chicks started coming and ate it. He smiled at me and nodded. So I threw some of the pellets in my hand as well.

“Hajji, what are you doing?” Abarim shouted while walking towards us with Baron, and Yuuhi.

“We are feeding the chickens, father.”

“I know that, but you should be doing that alone, and I told you to do that half an hour ago.” Hajji just laughed nervously while his father scolded him some more. “Sorry about this Aoi. Leave this work to Hajji.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“Everyone, breakfast is ready,” said Sammie peeking at the window. We all headed to the door and went in.


* * * * * *


“We did not see anything strange by the sea at all,” said Abarim while smelling the aroma of pekoe, a kind of black tea from selected young leaves.

“You went to the sea?” I asked.

“Yes. But we found nothing that could give us anything useful to why and how this all happened to us,” said Baron as I look at him. Hajji choked.

“Slow down, son. No one is after you,” Abarim seriously looking at his son.

“Dad, can I come along with you later?”

“Son, it’s not a playground we’re going to. It’s The Father’s house.”

“Abarim!!! Abarim!!!” everyone was surprised to know who is shouting early in the morning. Lulu got up and went to the door.

“Who could it be? I’m not expecting any guest this early.” Abarim scratched his head a little and held his black tea.

“Abarim, it’s Sylen,” Lulu is now standing beside a short man with mustache. He is wearing a green Rejong and a big smile. He is around 27-30 years old. His smile turned into amazement as he looked at the two men as if seeing some celebrities.

“So it’s true! They say that they saw you with people not from this village by the sea a while ago!” he said with excitement in his face. He is now behind Yuuhi and Baron observing them. “What city are they from? Are they from Ortem City or Fortune City?” He then looked at Sammie and I with eyes wide open. “Aaaahh!!! Wonderful! Such beautiful ladies” he said as he rushed to our side. He looked on his left and then right, and back to his left. “What is your name pretty young lady?” holding Sammie’s hand and brushing it. Sammie was surprised to the man’s action. I tried to hide my laughter so I looked at Abarim instead. I couldn’t put into words Abarim’s shocked reaction. It’s as if he’s dumb-founded by the scene he is witnessing.

Lulu rushed in to slap Sylen’s hand and pulled him to Abarim’s side. “You will never get a wife that way,” Lulu shook her head in disappointment.

“What did they tell you?” inquired Abarim. Lulu handed a cup and poured pekoe for Sylen.

“Thank you Lulu, as always for being so kind,” and accepted the tea. He sat on the other side of Abarim. “Well, they said that you’re with 2 strange people not from this town or even this country. Is it true they don’t have the seal?” he sipped his tea and grabbed Baron’s hand on his right. “So it’s true! They are not from here. What country are you from? Insetia? That place is so…I hate that place, so many scavengers and their president stinks!”

“No, they are not from Insetia. They’re from another country,” Lulu is now sitting beside Abarim again. “Please, we don’t want any unnecessary attention right now, keep this to yourself.”

“Sure. It’s not like they’re prisoners….Oh no! Are they escaped prisoners from another country? “ Sylen’s voice is now intense, eyes wider than before, and panicking.

“No, they are not escaped prisoners either. They just got lost and landed here in our town,” explained Abarim. “We will meet with The Father an hour from now. I already made an appointment with him.”

Sylen can’t seem to get his eyes off at Sammie. “Well, since no one cares to introduce you all to me, let me introduce myself instead. I am Sylfaen Cardo Wadorum, but you can call me Sylen. I am the very best friend of this man over here,” pointing at Abarim sipping his tea and doesn’t seem to be interested in what Sylen’s talking about. “I’m 29, single and looking for a lovely bride. It’s nice to meet you” He was now shaking Baron’s hand. He then shook Yuuhi’s hand on his left. He stood up and shook hands with me and finally to Sammie. When Sammie took his hand, he placed his other hand on top of Sammie’s hand. “What is your name beautiful lady?”

“Sammie. Sammie Brown.” He answered in surprise by the man’s motion.

“I am honored to meet you Miss Brown. Welcome to Turpelo Village.”

Yuuhi and I exchanged glances and noticed that Abarim and Hajji are secretly laughing while Lulu just shakes her head.”

“How young is Miss Brown, if I may boldly ask?” asks Sylen sounding like a hopeless-romantic man…or should I say just a ‘hopeless man’.

“I am 21.”

Sylen’s black eyes widen in shock. “You…have…that?!?” pointing at Sammie’s throat. Abarim and Hajji’s eyes are focused on Sylen’s face and they are about to burst out in laughter. “You can’t be…”

“Yes Sylen, Sammie is a man, trapped in a woman’s body as he claims,” Lulu said which made Sylen’s eyes even bigger and more shocked.

The man shook his head and sighed. “Just my luck.” He was standing for a moment; eyes focused on the floor. He was silent but I thought I saw him smile a little and suddenly faced our direction. “And you my lady, what is your name?” he was now holding my left hand with a big smile on his face. I smiled nervously looking at him.

“Aoi…Just call me Aoi.”

He was still holding my hand. “Aoi,” he said while thinking. “What a weird, but lovely name. Miss Aoi. How old is lovely Miss Aoi,” still holding my hand while I glance at Lulu.

“I’m 19.”

“Perfect!” Sylen shouted with glee. “Alright! This is my lucky year, I can tell.”

“Sylen, behave like a man! You’re embarrassing her,” Lulu sounding really pissed off.

“What’s wrong? I’m just getting to know her better. And I am not embarrassing her. I am not embarrassing you Miss Aoi, am I?” he bent forward and his face is just a couple of inches away from me.

“Now you’re scaring her.”

“I am not!” he was now standing straight again but still holding my left hand.

“Do you have a boyfriend my lovely Miss Aoi?”

I was surprised by his question. I couldn’t think of anything to say but smile. I saw a glimpse of Yuuhi sitting right next to me smiling. Sylen let go of my hand gently and shook his head, eyes focused again on the floor.

“Don’t say you have a boyfriend ‘cause that would break my fragile heart,” he sounded silly, I thought. “Nooooo…!!!!” he shouted and sighed aloud and sat between Hajji and Baron.

“I told you to just settle yourself with Sarina. She will make a good wife. Why don’t you try it out between you two?” Abarim sounded more like a preacher than a concerned friend.

“That woman!? No way! She’s like…an amazon woman. So barbaric. I want someone who’s gentle and caring and sweet and soft and…charming…”Sylen acts like he’s daydreaming and doesn’t seem to be bothered that we are witnessing his silliness .

We had breakfast while listening to the stories of his childhood and his journey in search for his bride.


* * * * * *


“And do you remember that time when we went to Mrs. Bansil’s backyard to get some lychees? If you didn’t trip over her plant, we could have had a smooth escape,” the two best friends are laughing so hard that I didn’t understand what Abarim added. The laughter was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Mr. Maradone…Mr. Maradone…” calls out the voice of a young man.

Hajji opened the door, exchanged greetings and let the young man in.

“Good morning Mr. Maradone.” He has a surprised reaction to see Sylen and us. “Good morning Mr. Wadorum.” He then locked his eyes on the four of us.

“Ahem…Ah, this is Isomer, grandchild of the head of this village. So, can we go to the head now?” Abarim set aside his second pekoe this morning.

“Yes, he is expecting you now. He told me to escort you, so if you are all ready we can leave now.”

“Yes, yes. Shall we go then?” Abarim looking at us. Baron, Yuuhi, Sammie and I nodded in unison and stood up. Lulu entered the living room, greeted the young man.

“Don’t do anything foolish while you’re there,” reminded Lulu. I am not sure whom she is talking to because no one seemed to bother responding. So we all went out and headed to the head of the village’s house.

Leading the way is Isomer. Behind him are Abarim, and Sylen. Hajji, Sammie, Yuuhi, Baron, and I are at the back of them. People would stop on what they’re doing the moment they’d see us. Some smiled and even greeted us. Some were just staring with their mouth half open. I can tell that people living here knew each other very well. The houses look all the same, made of palm leaves and bamboo mostly.

“As I have said earlier, Turpelo is a very small village, so we know everybody here,” Abarim reminded us. “Morning!” he shouted as he waved when he saw an old man with long white beard sitting under a tree. The old man waved back at him, and just looked at us all. We continued to walk for another 10 minutes or so. Finally, we reached a house just like Abarim’s. We stayed outside while Isomer went in. I surveyed the place. I saw an old woman on the far left side of the house, drying some clothes. She is so busy with her chore that she didn’t notice us at all. Hajji waved at the kids playing near a shrine. The kids shouted his name, and so he ran to them. There are some men walking with big fishnets.

“Good morning Abarim. I see we have guests. Sylen, you are here as well. Good morning,” an old man in his late 70’s greeted us. He is about just as tall as Isomer.

“Good morning Father,” greeted Abarim and Sylen. They were acknowledged with a nod.

Abarim stepped forward. “Everyone, this is the head of Turpelo Village, Father Ismir Ruminahui. Father, these are our guests, Baron, Yuuhi, Aoi, and Sammie.”

“Father...” Isomer called.

“Please, come inside.” The old man said then turned his back on us and walked inside.

“We call him ‘Father’. He is Izmir Ruminahui, the Head of Turpelo village. Now, let us get in,” Abarim stepped forward and led the way. We all followed.

Inside the house, Abarim introduced us one by one and told the story of how we got in to their village. The Head was in deep thought, analyzing the story he just heard. Sylen was sipping his black tea when the head finally spoke.

“I am sorry, but I would be of no help to you. I have never heard of those countries before. I have traveled almost all over this country. But I have never heard of the places you have mentioned here in Verdanase. But there is a man whom I think can help you. I will ask for his whereabouts so you can go visit him. For now, that’s all I can offer.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Father,” I said.

“Why don’t you stay and enjoy here in Turpelo while we wait for some information?” suggested The Head. The four of us smiled and nodded.

After 10 minutes, we decided to head back to Abarim’s house.

“Again, thank you so much for helping us, Father,” said Sammie.

We said our goodbyes and went on our way. Hajji left his playmates, ran back to us, and followed.


* * * * * *


We decided to go back to the place where we all first met that afternoon. We all looked for something that could give us something…anything. But we found none. The four of us stayed for a little while by the sea. We were all sitting horizontally, watching the sunset.

“I miss my house, my car, my cat, and my friends,” Sammie sobbed.

“I miss my mom, and I’ve got exams a couple of weeks from now. What’s gonna happen if I don’t make it in time,” Baron threw a stone into the sea as I look at him. I was starting to worry about my family as well. I wonder what they are doing right now. I know that they are all worried but they should not be so worried since I am not injured or anything like that. I wonder if dad knows what happened to me. I hope Jasmine and Eric are doing just fine at school and not so worried about me. Those two…I miss them so much. But, I don’t feel very lonely and sad. My attention was caught when I had a glimpse of Yuuhi beside me. He is so absorbed with his thoughts. He isn’t moving at all. I wonder what he’s thinking this very minute. Actually, he did not talk much the whole day.


That night after supper, I saw Baron heading to the sea again. I was about to call out his name when I heard a voice from behind me.

“Aoi oneesan!” Hajji was standing by the door holding a pen and paper with a big smile. He reminded me of Eric, though Hajji is a year younger than my brother. I was wondering what the paper and pen was for. He grabbed my hand and went inside.


* * * * * *

“I’m so sorry Aoi for the disturbance. We don’t have much so we can’t afford to send Hajji to school. Besides, the school here is in the next town,” Lulu served tea and then looked at Hajji’s writing.

“That’s not a problem. Besides, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and I do this all the time to my siblings,” I insisted. Hajji doesn’t know how to read and write yet. Well, most of the kids here don’t go to school either, said Lulu. She also said that Turpelo is just a small poor town so everybody is busy with their livelihood –fishing, planting rice, corn and some vegetables that they transport to the town of Ordona. I felt pity especially for the kids of this village. “I have an idea! Hajji, I’m gonna be needing your help on this one.” I was so excited about my plan that I didn’t notice Sammie came in.

“What’s all the excitement about, girl?” asked Sammie.

“She has an idea!” explained Hajji.

“What about?” Sammie sat beside Hajji while Lulu’s eyes are all focused on me.

“Well, since the kids here don’t go to school and they don’t know how to read and write, I thought that maybe, well, since we’re here, I could teach them some.”

“You’ll be teaching the kids here to read and write? Just like what a teacher does?” Sammie crossed his arms on his chest.

“Well, I will be a real teacher in 2 years time, so I thought that maybe I could practice it. I know it’s too soon but…well, why not, right?” I answered.

“What about me? Don’t I have a say on this?”

“Well, ummm… if it’s not a good idea, then…”

“What’s not a good idea? All I’m trying to say is, …can I teach too? I’ve always wanted to teach children when I was young.” Sammie said smiling.

I was relieved. “I thought you don’t like the idea since we are going to be stuck here for a while.” Ideas kept floating in my head. “So, let’s see, first, we need a place for teaching.”

“We can build a hut near here,” proposed Lulu.

“We can ask the guys to help us build it,” I said.

“I will invite all my friends to join,” Hajji said as he raised his hand.

“Good. Now we need writing tools.” I was thinking of charcoal and wood to be the writing materials since pen and paper would cost much. We don’t have money in the first place when we got here. “Let’s ask the guys, maybe they can help.”


* * * * * *


“That’s a great idea! But where are we going to get the money for the materials that we need?” Abarim asked as he closed the window on his left.

“Maybe Father Izmir can help us,” Sammie suggested.

“Alright, tomorrow morning, I will ask for some assistance to Father. By the way, where is Baron? I haven’t seen him after supper. Is he asleep already?”

“I saw him heading for the sea after supper,” I replied. We heard the door opened and Baron entered. Everyone was looking at him.

“Hey, boy! Where have you been?” asked Abarim.

“Just went for a walk. Why, did you find out anything?”

“No, but we came up with a project,” Sammie wink and told him everything we have planned. I can see that Baron wasn’t interested at all. He head straight to the room as we watched him disappear.

“What’s his problem,” Sammie is pissed off.

“Let’s just leave him. Maybe he’s not feeling okay,” said Lulu.

Sammie proposed some more of his ideas and he seems to be very much excited about it. Yuuhi was just sitting next to Hajji, listening and smiling. We learned that Abarim studied literature but wasn’t able to finish it. His parents are both business-minded people so they barely have time for him. So he stowed away and lived with Sylen’s family. He didn’t hear anything from them after that.

It was getting colder so we all decided to head to our rooms and rest.



* * * * * * * * * * * *