Part 3 :  The Old Seaman

Two weeks earlier, Rizal was just an ordinary man at Mabul.  He sold souvenirs to tourist who came to the island. Sometimes he arranged dive trips for tourists who came without the services of any travel agents.  One day an old man came to his stall.

Rizal observed the old man as he stood in front of his stall looking at the souvenirs without saying a single word, hugging a plastic bag onto his chest as if it was his life.  He was unkempt, like he had never bathe for quite some time.  His ruffled untidy hair covered his dark face.  His tattered clothes, emitting a nauseating smell which attracted some flies, hung loosely over his frail body.  Several tourists already at the stall gave a disapproving look at the old man and hurriedly left the place.  Rizal heaved a sigh of despair.  He had hoped to make some sales but the appearance of the old man had driven his customers away.  Rizal said nothing but continued to observe the old man. 

He concluded that the old man was once a fisherman.  His dark skin showed the telltale signs that he had been a seaman for long time.  He must be hungry, Rizal thought.  He took out his packed lunch and beckoned to the old man to enter his stall.  He was met with a blank expression.  Rizal went to the old man, held his thin arm and helped him into the stall.  Trembling, the old man just let Rizal lead him to a table.  Carefully, Rizal helped the old man sit.  He opened his pack lunch and invited the old man to eat.  Again, the old expressionless face looked at him. 

Rizal moved his hands repeatedly to his mouth as a sign for the old man to eat.  The old man just looked at Rizal.  Rizal began to feel embarrassed looking like a fool.  He was afraid the old man might think that he was making fun of him.  Suddenly, the old man stood up and went to the back of the stall.  Rizal was surprised at first but he said nothing.  He just watched as the old man walked to the tap and washed his hands.  Then the old man returned to his seat and ate.  All the while, he said nothing.  He finished his food slowly.  When he had done eating, he stood, mumbled something to Rizal and left.  As he watched the old man walked away, Rizal wondered where he would go, and sleep.  He kept on watching as the old man turned and walked towards the beach.

Map of Sipadan showing popular diving sites.