When Sal sailed back on that small boat, there was always that feeling that someone will be watching her back. Ro’s and Lea’s. She sat by the tip of the boat. The other two chattered endlessly, specifically Ro. She’d heard Lea interject then they’d laugh together amidst Lea’s sermons. Sal opted to watch the trees and the ripples go past. Everytime, Sal felt that if she’d lean back, something. Someone will catch her back.

What conversations transpired the past hour or the expressions of the constable and the braided woman escaped her like they were brushed away by the river breeze. As the island in front of them grew in size, Sal felt herself empty of thoughts, the kind that thrashed away unpleasantness.

When the boat docked on the shore, Sal was sure she could leap off and march forward. To do what? She does not know but somehow the answer might just show itself to her.

She leapt off. A sharp pain drew across her ankle. She thought she’d fall into the water when something or someone caught her.

“Careful there, lil kid.”

Ro surely forgets her age.

LEa immediately set to work inspecting her foot. “ Nothing worrying. This one’s far from the gut, but you better not walk ‘till-”

“No, I can.”

Sal felt that odd surge within her but she let it be.

“ IF I say you can’t, you can’t”

“I’m older than you.”

“Right, and I’m still your nurse and Ro’s older than you by two whole years.” LEa continued.

Ro knelt to his knees. His wide back would be the size of one and a half of Sal’s/

She insisted to walk and found herself falling onto him. It felt warm, a bit musty and sweaty. Perhaps, it might not be too bad?

Sal let Ro carry her. Although the touch was alien, it felt oddly alright. Sal snuggled in and hid herself.

They arrived in the village not long after. Sal was certain they, the villagers were watching them. Muffled whispers were hidden by the squawks of the ducks and crows of the roosters. Strangely, even Ro was quiet. Sal’d preferred hearing him over the whispers.

The boatman led the two of them to the couple’s house at the end of the path. Sal was seated on a chair on the bamboo porch of the hut while the boatman served some drinks to them, apologizing all the while that they were short on proper snacks.

The boatman left. Ro and Lea’s silence was strange especially after their squawking on the boat. Sal basked in that silence as she watched them throw stares at each other or fidget where they stood.

The boatman came back with the couple.

Ro darted to his feet. “ Rocco Marasigan, a Constable from the Capital. If you need anything, I could be of help. “ He gave one long squeeze on the man’s hands and one too on the woman. “ The tea was so good I thought, my golly, I might forget my name.”

The woman laughed, “ Oh, no need to flatter me, son. It’s just the juice of a plain old root. “

Lea stood at exactly three steps from the others. “ And I’m Lea, nice to meet you.” She spoke like how Sal was taught to. It sounded strange coming from her.”

“Oh. kid. Don’t be shy.” The man said as he came in with more refreshments. The woman looked at her husband before asking for a cup. She reached for Lea and handed the cup with both hands. Lea in turn reached for it with both hands.

“Thanks a lot. “ Lea said.

“It’s not often we get visitors. Who’d make a trip this far?”

Lea sipped from her cup, “ This has a different zing to it. This is a different kind of turmeric root?”

“ It must be because the turmeric here is different from the one in the capital.”

The conversations simmered by and their voices blended with the wind. Sal watched a diorama before her eyes, a curious but pleasant picture nonetheless.

“What happened to your ankle?”

All their eyes were on her. Sal had to turn her head away.

Ro spoke for her, “She stumbled on a root back there.”

Lea continued, “ I had her sit for a while, but she could walk in a few days as long as she doesn’t move her foot so much.”

“What nice friends you have.” The man said.

Sal did not know what to say. She squirmed on her seat. Perhaps, it was the boatman who told them such things. Mayhap, it was customary to call a person who accompanies you, a friend.

“Lea’s the best nurse, I’m telling you. “

Sal hoped they’d continue talking about Lea and Ro. She wanted to watch her diorama in peace.

“ I did not expect she’d take you to our village. Poor girl could’ve rested her feet first.” The man said. He turned to Sal, eyes seeming to expect an answer.

“Isn’t it?”

Sal squirmed on her seat even more.

“And it was scaldingly hot today.”

“ Are you sure you're alright?”

There were a few more questions directed at Sal. Perhaps. She’d been haughty to think she could ace this scenario without a script.

She could not remember what she said for Ro and Lea to readily follow her to an unknown place or for the boatman to cart in people whose names he didn’t even know.

Why did she bring them here? It was unworthy to be said. Ridiculous even. In fact, heartless. Her coming here was an experiment, a bold inquiry to a senseless question. How do you just help a stranger for no reason at all?

She started, “ I am curious -”

“The conditions here.” Lea interjected. She shot her a quick look. “ She’d insisted there were patients here. It must be something of grave concern so we rushed here. If we can help, it would be nice.”

Ro piled in,” Yes, I remember Sal said if we wanted patients. Must be so afraid and concerned.”

The couple cooed to Sal, “ Oh, what shweet girl.”

Sal sank on her seat. Though she felt perhaps relieved not having to answer questions, their coos and compliments took away her comfortable diorama. Like other people in her life, Lea must have lied for her and Sal did not have a script to correct her assumptions.