Chapter Twenty Two:

As the lightning crosses the gap between Meria and Susan, so does the arrow. It hits Meria in the chest while Susan shouts in pain when the lightning struck her.

A voice shouting nearby was heard and Meria slowly sank into the water. Joseph immediately swam the gap and dive for Meria.

She can feel her body weight pulling her down. She can barely keep her eyes open. Then once again, memories started flashing before her eyes. Her mother's face, Susan, Vanessa,.. and then there's Joseph, looking down at her with sparkle in his eyes. Good memories.

Life indeed is unpredictable. It will take you to a path you never imagine you'll be walking. It will teach you things you never intend on learning. It will hurt and love you all the same time, and you just have to keep on going.

The more she sinks deeper, the darker it gets for Meria. Her heart ached, not because of the arrow pierced through her but because of the sorrow in it. She failed her subjects. She failed Oceana.

After diving to where Meria sank, Joseph was able to find her and pull her on the surface before taking her to the shore. His heart beats faster every second.

"Meria..." he whispered waiting for her to wake up but saw the arrow in her chest. Her eyes closed, she's barely breathing.

His chest tightens and his breath started to be rugged, his limbs started to weaken, and his eyes started to burn.

He placed Meria on his lap and held her hand. "No." he whispered to stopped himself from sobbing, but failed to do so. "Please, wake up..." he said that almost chocked him. His eyes started to water, and hot tears stream down his cheeks.

"Mom, how do you know that dad was the one?"

Josephine laughed at the question her 18 year-old son asked, "To be honest, I didn't."

Joseph look at his mother with wondering eyes, "What do you mean?"

"I didn't know. Your father and I we're nothing more than strangers when we we're thrown to each other to marry. I didn't love him, but he did-- oh and I didn't know that until our third anniversary when he told me why he agreed to marry me." she chuckled.

"You fell in love with him." Joseph stated

Josephine smiled at him, "I did. After the wedding I was balling my eyes out with sadness, but realized later on that nothing will change even if I cry my eyes out every single day so I decided to work things out with him."

"That's it?"

Josephine shrugged, "You see, love isn't just about the momentary spark. It's not all about the chemistry. It's not just about the butterflies in your stomach, the fast beating of your heart, and how nervous you get when you're around them. Sometimes it's beyond that, or should I say the other side of that. When I saw how your father cared for me, I choose to do the same not because I am in dept to his kindness and affection, but because I know he deserve it. I choose him. I choose to love him. I choose the person who chose me. I make that choice everyday. And that choice will always be one the greatest things I will never regret." she explained, "Plus, your father wasn't hard to love."

"So who's the lucky girl?"

Joseph was taken aback by his mother's question. "I-- uh..." he stutter while blushing

Josephine laugh at her son. "You can tell me." she assured him, "Is she the new girl from your school?"

"It's just that I barely know her but..."

"But you somehow is pulled to her?" she trailed "There's something in her that you can't distinguish and you felt the urge to be close to her?"

"How'd you know?" Joseph asked, surprised

Josephine smiled, "So I'm right." she said and Joseph didn't answer "Well. I can tell that you like her."

"I think I already love her...but she's way to good for me and I think I don't deserve her."

Joseph can't help to smile from the memory of that night when he asked his mother about love. His parent's love story isn't a typical love story. It's different from what he's feeling right now, but the fact that it's different from any love story made it relatable for him. He's not the lover like his father, not the most conventional thinker like his mother, but right now he's choosing his heart.

"Meria!" Yula shouted crouching down to Meria in tears, followed by Mellisa and Cora. They all have tears in their eyes.

Mellisa also reached won to Meria's level, her eyes closed looking at the arrow that is still pierced through her chest. Mellisa covered her mouth to keep herself from sobbing loudly. "Meria,..."

"I am so sorry." Yula said, "This is all my fault. If I hadn't been friends with Susan's father she wouldn't be upset and harm anyone." she sobbed

"No Yula, It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault that Susan held a grudge to Mermaids without knowing the truth. Events just turn out this way, and we don't have anyone to blame because we don't have to." Mellisa said to Yula and Cora hugged her

"How can we help her?" Joseph asked, his tears now gone.

Yula, Cora and Mellisa turn to each other with unsure look, then Cora slowly shook her head. "We don't know, but we need to get her back to Oceana. There are sea witches might help her, but we need to hurry up."

Joseph look at Meria. She's still breathing-- faintly but still breathing. He squeezed her hand. No, he won't loose her.

His parents were thrown to each other to marry, and they manage to bridge the gap in between them with love. The bridge that brought him and Meria together is the sea, and he knows that it happened for a reason. It's not just a chance that he was the one who saw her that night, he knows she will be a part of him.

He nodded to Cora.

He knows that if he let go of her hand now, she might be able to slip away forever, but he won't going to be selfish. He wants Meria to live even if that means letting her back to the ocean with the possibility of her not coming back. Living without her is better than letting her die.

Cora and Yula started to create a way back to Oceana. A hole enough for them to pass through.

He can't feel anything, he just wanted Meria to be better. Cora and Yula lifted Meria from her lap.

"We're going." Yula said to Mellisa and Joseph changing their legs to tails.

Mellissa nodded, "Please hurry up and take care of her."

Yula nodded.

When they we're about to close the portal, Joseph stopped them. "Wait!"

Three heads turn to him. He walk over to the unconscious body of Meria and lean down to put the necklace around her neck. That's the necklace he bought the day they visited Mellisa's store. It's meant for her, but he never got courage to give it to her before. "I'll wait." he whispered in her ear even if she can't hear him. Despite the burning sensation of his eyes, he keep his smile, even though deep inside it's tearing him apart. "I'll wait for you."

When the portal finally closed, Joseph keep his eyes to where it was. It wasn't a goodbye. It's sad, but necessary.

They stayed there in silence until Mellisa turn to Joseph, "When a mermaid is treated by the witches, it has certain effects. One of them is loss of memories." she paused and released a deep breath, "I am not against you, Joseph. I just want you to know that whatever happens, it's for her good."

Joseph swallowed hard. She might not remember him, that's what she's saying.As if his courage started to fade. His mouth felt dry. He nodded. He can't think of anything right now. He just want Meria to be fine.

Mellisa started to walk away, but Joseph spoke again. "Wait."

Mellisa turn around to face Joseph

"H-How did it work between you and...Poseidon?"

Mellisa just smiled sadly at him and said, "It didn't."

***