@Ling01 1 September 2021

The Girl in the River

*Gonna share again a spooky yet mysterious story for this day/night. I was very interested about this kind of stories, so readers bear with me. Seems like I'm going to be a Lola Basyang in read.cash. But I hope you will find this story interesting.* *So this story was based on the experience of my father when he was a kid.* ***But first, let me Flex to you my sponsors, one of those persons who guide and support me throughout my journey here. You guys can check them too:)*** *________________________* The Girl in the River

My father has seven siblings, and each one was assigned a task. One is responsible for fetching water, another is for feeding their animals, another for assisting my grandmother in their mini sari-sari store, another for assisting my grandfather in fishing, while my father is responsible for washing the dishes. This are their morning routine while those other siblings don't have task to do yet, since they are just 5 years old and younger. They used to wash their laundry and dishes in the river. There was an old style-water pump in their area, but because there are so many people in line, it takes so much time for their morning task that they prefer to go in the river, which is a little further away from their house. When my father turned ten, my grandmother told him he could go by himself because he already knew what to do and where to go. My father does not want to agree, but he has no choice because he does not want to be beaten by his father. Another day has passed, and it is only my father who go in the river. He doesn't want to go alone in that river because there are a lot of big trees and no one lives there. It was a quiet spot away from the houses, so if they were washing there, they could do so alone.

When he arrived in the river, he dropped his basket of dishes and clothes, and began to wash it. Then he noticed a beautiful girl(*my father even said that, she is a look a like with one of the actress in that time.*) My father was thinking that maybe that girl is from another part of their place, why he is unfamiliar with her. But then my father noticed that the girl was staring at him; he was confused, but he tried to ignore the girl and go home after washing. Another morning has come, and my father went to the river with his basket of dishes once more. While washing, he noticed that the girl had returned and was staring at him from a distance. He was terrified and needed to get home as soon as possible. At night, he told my grandmother that he did not want to go back into the river. My grandmother asked him why, and he simply stated that he is not at ease in the environment. My grandmother agreed, but he would have to get up much earlier to be the first one to use the old style-water pump. My father did not go in the river the next morning and instead washed the dishes in the water pump, which was about a 15-20-minute walk. He then returned home to assist with other household chores. But in that night, he began to feel ill, and it worsened day by day, to the point where he thought he was going to die. Then the other night, when grandma was busy preparing dinner for him in the kitchen. He is the only one in their room when he heard a lot of noise, and when he opened his eyes, he noticed a lot of people staring at him. ***They are like knights in a kingdom, they are wearing golden clothes with a big belt. They have armors, just like what you have seen in tv.*** ***And then I saw that girl in the river, staring at me in a very nice dress; I believe she is the queen or princess of their kingdom. They are attempting to get me until I begin to float. I was shouting, but I couldn't hear myself. I float until I rich the top of our ceiling, and then your grandmother enter.*** -Author's father, 2021 When my grandma enter the room, she touch my father who are still lying in bed, and shout to call my grandpa, as my father was already having a high fever and start with convulsion. Hospital is not common in there, so they bring my father to a folk healer. The old woman told them that there is a strong element who wants to get my father, and this element was watching my father for a long time. The old woman told them the things that they need to do to heal my father. They made some rituals and offerings until my father get better. From that day, they didn't back in the river and didn't saw **the girl in the river** again. ________________________ ***Lead image was edited using*** *****Canva***** **** Author's Love Message : Hello lovely readers! How was your first day of the month? Finally it's Ber-months, I'm not gonna share Christmas articles for now, saving it for a much nearer months, but I'm happy to read some articles about it. Also I have seen and met a lot of newbies here, so welcome and I wish you luck in this wonderful platform. GOD Bless! Sending hugs.

September 1, 2021 -**Ling**