Mason's mind reeled as he struggled to process the information he had just received. His necklace, the mysterious and seemingly magical object that had been a part of him for as long as he could remember, had never allowed anyone to touch him while he was unconscious.
Going as far as using objects to tap him to wake him up would result in a tragic experience. It was as if the necklace had a mind of its own, protecting him from harm and warning others to keep their distance.
The memories of his time at the orphanage home came flooding back, and Mason couldn't help but think of the fear and superstition that had surrounded him. The other children and even the staff had avoided him, whispering among themselves about the "Demonic boy" or "a child who seemed to be cursed."
Now, as Mason heard that Mr. Robinson's wife had touched him while he was unconscious, he couldn't shake off the feeling of worry and dread. Had something happened to her? Was she okay?
Mason's eyes darted to his chest, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that the necklace was still secured around his neck. The pendant was clinging to his chest like a scared monkey on a tree, as if it too was worried about what might have happened.
"You don't have to worry about that, none of us could take it from you either. Where did you get such a strange necklace?" Mr. Robinson's voice broke into Mason's thoughts, his curiosity on full display.
But Mason's worries wouldn't let him think straight. "Is your wife okay? Is something wrong with her?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear.
"What could possibly be wrong with me, little boy?" A voice came in from the open door at the corner of the room. A short, dark-haired woman emerged, her resemblance to the young girl sitting beside Mason was uncanny, and Mason could tell at first glance that she was Mrs. Robinson. "Are you in a condition to be worried about me right now?"
Her warm smile and gentle tone immediately put Mason at ease. His worries dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief. Mason let out a deep sigh and struggled to make a respectful bow, despite his injured legs.
"Thank you for taking care of me while I was unconscious," he said. "And I'm sorry for putting you through all the trouble. I should've watched out before crossing the road."
Mrs. Robinson smiled charmingly. "Oh no, you sweet boy. It wasn't your fault, darling. It all happened because of those bullies," she responded. "Don't worry, dear, they are now in police custody."
Mason's eyes sparkled, and he felt a sense of justice being served. But Mrs. Robinson's next question brought him back to reality.
"Where are your parents, boy?" she asked, concerned.
Mason's gaze dropped, and he hesitated.
"He has no parents, he's living at the orphanage house," Mr. Robinson chimed in, and a gasp escaped Mrs. Robinson's lips, her eyes filled with compassion.
"Oh dear, that explains why his bullies went unnoticed," she said, stepping closer to her husband, her voice lowering to a whisper in his ear. "Let's help him; he wouldn't survive if we sent him back to the orphanage home like this."
Mr. Robinson's eyes narrowed, his expression turning serious. "You need to think before making a decision, or you might end up in trouble, Veronica," he warned. "And whatever your decision is, I won't be involved in it." He turned around and exited the room.
"Darling! Darling!!" Mrs. Robinson called as she trailed him out.
The room fell silent once more, leaving Mason and the Robinson's daughter staring at each other. The silence was broken by the girl, who smiled warmly at Mason.
"I am Nana, twelve years old, I'm in grade six."
"I'm Mason, twelve years old, grade seven."
"Come to my school, we'll go and come back together from now on. I'll protect you from being beaten, okay?" Nana said, and Mason nodded, feeling a sense of hope that he hadn't felt in a long time.
The two kids smiled sheepishly at each other, forgetting the situation for a moment.
*****
Now, as Mason caught sight of Nana approaching, a warm smile spread across his face, a proof of the strong bond they shared, and he turned his attention back to the serene pond below. Nana emerged from the distance and stood beside him, her gaze following his to the pond's tranquil water.
"Do you still experience those feelings whenever you gaze at this pond?" she inquired.
"It's not just this pond, Nana. Any large amount of water evokes the same sensation within me. I feel an overwhelming urge to plunge into its depths, like something beneath the surface is beckoning me, calling out to me," he responded. "Do you still recall that incident two years ago when you pushed me into the swimming pool at your friend's house?"
Nana's eyes sparkled with recollection, her lips curling up in a smile. "I remember it vividly," she replied, "I was terrified that something terrible might happen to you. That was the day I truly believed that God answers prayers."
As Nana finished speaking, both erupted into laughter, the tension and seriousness of the moment dissipating. As their laughter subsided, Mason's face turned contemplative.
"Ever since that day, I've been consumed by fear. Can you comprehend what it's like to be deeply drawn to something, yet simultaneously terrified of it because it poses a danger to you?" he said and glanced at Nana. "It's akin to your love for candies – you adore them more than anything, but even a small amount would make you purge and have diarrhea."
Nana frowned, giving Mason a long, sideways stare. "Don't assume that kind of nonsense! I can't imagine myself staying a day without eating candies," she snapped, shaking her head as if to get rid of the thought. "But sincerely, I still couldn't understand, nor could I forget what happened that day. All I knew was you swam to the bottom of the pool, trying to go deeper even though you've reached the end, until that bright light–"
"I didn't swim to the bottom of the pool, I was pulled in by something I couldn't fathom," Mason cut in for clarification. "And that light you saw, it was real. It emitted from this" — he pointed at the pendant on his chain. Nana's eyes widened slightly, awkwardly pretending to be intrigued.
"Sometimes out of fear, I stayed away from water for three to four days; it's really unbearable."
Nana grimaced immediately.
"!That explains why you always smell like fish sellers," she said. "Whoa! Pulled in? Don't make me laugh. You know what I thought? You're just scared of water."
However, her words were met with Mason's swift retort, "Scared? I also feel like jumping inside it!"
"Then jump in and take a bath, instead of smelling like... whatever!" Nana chuckled. "You need to get rid of your err... 'Water-Phobia' or whatever it's called. You're not getting any younger. Three years from now, you'd be preparing to leave our house to start your own life."
"You don't have to remind me of it, I'll leave before that time comes. So annoying!" Mason snapped and turned around abruptly, heading toward the end of the bridge where the truck was parked.
Nana chuckled slightly, shaking her head. "He still hasn't fixed that short temper of his," she muttered to herself before striding after him.
Just then, Raymond's voice came from behind, "What are you guys chatting about all the while I've walked past two times already to transport your father's supplies?"
He was Robinson's neighbour, who often lent a hand to Nana's father in his workshop. As a high school graduate, Raymond was four years ahead of Mason and Nana and was currently helping out as he prepared for college.
Nana swiveled over her shoulder, catching sight of the big man approaching, his breathing heavy from exertion. "Talking some sense into our water-phobia boy," she grinned, prompting Raymond to burst into laughter.
"It's not water-phobia, it's hydrophobia, or aquaphobia," Raymond corrected amidst laughter.
Nana scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Whatever! Hydro and Aqua are both water anyway." She faced forward to see Mason a few meters ahead. "Wait for me, Mason!"
Raymond chuckled again. "Yeah, yeah, yeah! Brilliant Waterphobia girl!" he muttered and continued toward Nana and Mason, who were now almost at the end of the bridge.
*****
Three years ago, one week after Mason's accident, Mr. Robinson entered the room, his gaze falling upon Mason, who was sitting in the room inside his workshop. Mason was to stay with the Robinsons temporarily, pending his recovery, before returning to the orphanage home.
However, due to the limited space in Robinson's apartment, with the two rooms already occupied, Mason had been set up in a makeshift space in the workshop.
Mason was engrossed in a book, his focus so intense that he failed to notice Mr. Robinson's arrival. After a few moments of watching him, Mrs. Robinson entered the room, breaking the silence.
"There you are, Mason," she called, walking closer to the little boy. "Come, sit down. Nana's daddy wants to speak with you."
Mason closed his book and limped toward his bed. One of his legs has healed, while the other one is still encased in plaster. He sat down on his bed, looking up at Mr. Robinson with curious eyes. Mr. Robinson stepped closer, seriousness on his face.
"I'll just be clear and direct, Mason. I went to your orphanage home as you've described, and no one there was even aware of your one-week absence." He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"I'm not your father, Mason, and I will never be. However, I'll do everything I can for you: feeding you, taking care of your school fees, and sheltering you. I'll do everything. So, when you're of age, I don't need to tell you before you find your own way of living, okay?"
"Darling! You shouldn't talk like this to a kid! At least let him grow older," Mrs. Robinson interrupted her husband.
However, little Mason's voice cut through the din. "I understand, sir. Thank you for accepting me," he said, his small voice filled with gratitude. "I'll do everything I can to repay you when I become an adult."
Mrs. Robinson's emotions burst forth as she heard Mason's words, and she couldn't control the tears streaming down her face. She rushed to embrace the little boy, patting him on the back in a soothing gesture.
"Don't worry, love, I'll take you as my son. You can call me your mother if you want, okay?" she said.
Little Mason nodded slowly, his own tears pouring down his face as it was triggered by Mrs. Robinson's emotional outbursts. The warmth and love emanating from her enveloped him, making him feel seen, accepted, and loved for the first time in his life.
The tender moment was filled with a deep sense of connection and belonging, as Mason felt like he had finally found a home and a family that truly cared for him.