Chapter 2
1567 Words
MARIA Victoria was sweeping the yard when she saw her father Vicente and her brother Victor walking towards their house.
"Sister!" Victoria smiled when Victor called out to her as he saw her. After that, he held up the fishnet full of fish they caught. "Father and I caught a lot of fish," he informed her.
It's Saturday, and her brother Victor doesn't have school. Whenever he doesn't have classes, he accompanies their father to go fishing. It's also his day off.
Isla Azul, a tiny, secluded island in the Philippines, thrives on fishing. The island's remote location means life is uncomplicated, untouched by the modernization found in other towns. With a four-hour journey to the mainland, trips are rare. Electricity is available, but the lack of signal means no internet connection. Yet, in its simplicity, the island exudes peace.
As Victor entered the house, Maria Victoria couldn't help but feel grateful for their simple life on Isla Azul. The island's beauty was a constant reminder of the peace they'd found here.
The white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, warm sunshine, and fresh air made every day feel like a blessing. And witnessing the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets only added to the island's charm.
"Father," she greeted with a smile, approaching Father Vicente to show respect by taking his hand and kissing it. "You can rest now, father . I'll take care of the fish you caught," she said. "How about your mother?" he asked.
"She's still at the market, Father," she replied. They had a small stall there, selling the fresh catch from the sea.
Maria Victoria Angeles, 23, lives a simple life on Isla Azul. She graduated from senior high school but couldn't pursue college due to financial struggles. Her family's income relies on her father's fishing and her mother's market stall, which can be unpredictable. When the catch is scarce, their earnings suffer. With no university on the island, pursuing higher education would require leaving their home.
Last month, her parents surprised her with a conversation about enrolling in a vocational course. They'd been saving up for her education, and she was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, breaking into tears upon hearing the news. However, she had mixed feelings about pursuing further studies, considering her brother Victor's dreams. Victor aspired to attend college and become an engineer, and she wondered if she should prioritize her brother's education instead.
By next year, she'd be graduating from Senior High, and she'd already told her parents to focus on Victor's education instead. She'd support her brother's studies, leveraging her job as a cashier at a small grocery store in the market. Although the pay wasn't much, she was trying to save up. Initially, she'd been saving for her own education, but over the past few months, her priorities had shifted – now she was saving for Victor's future.
"How's the guy doing?" her father asked, referring to the stranger they'd rescued from the sea a week ago.
"He's still sleeping, father," she replied. The man had been presumed dead, drifting in the ocean, but miraculously, he was still breathing when they pulled him ashore.
Since there's no hospital on Isla Azul, her father brought the stranger home. The small clinic often lacked medical staff, so they usually relied on traditional healers and herbal remedies for minor ailments. When her father brought the man home, he was badly bruised and had a head wound that the traditional healer had treated. After a week, the wounds were healing, but the stranger still hadn't regained consciousness.
The family had no idea who the man was or what had happened to him. They wanted to take him to the mainland to see a doctor or report his situation to the authorities, but financial constraints made that impossible. As a result, they decided to care for him at home until he regained consciousness.
During the stranger's week-long stay, the family took turns caring for him, working together to ensure his well-being. Despite being unconscious, his good looks were undeniable, especially as his facial wounds healed. Victor even joked that he might be an actor or model, given his chiseled features, smooth skin, and tall stature – his legs hung over the edge of the bed.
Victor joked that once the man woke up, he'd ask if he was an actor or model and request an autograph. He even wanted a picture, but they didn't have a cellphone.
"Is that so," her father said, and she nodded in response.
"Let's just pray he wakes up soon."
"Yes, Father," Victoria replied.
She also includes the man in her prayers, praying for his speedy recovery and hoping he'll wake up soon.
****
"SOMETHING smells amazing, sister," Victor said, making Victoria turn around.
"Are you getting hungry?" she asked. "It's almost done cooking," she added.
"Not yet, sister. My stomach worms can wait," Victor replied with a chuckle.
She laughed at his joke. "I'll set the table, sister," Victor offered.
"Go ahead," she replied.
Victor headed back inside to set the table while Maria Victoria continued cooking in the backyard. They preferred cooking outdoors using wood-fired stoves, reserving gas for rainy days. Her father would often collect firewood when he wasn't fishing, which helped them save on gas expenses.
She soon finished cooking and brought the food inside. The dinner featured the fish her father had caught earlier. Just then, her mother arrived home from the market. As she entered the small kitchen, she saw Victor setting the table and smiled at her diligent brother, who was hardworking not just in academics but in everything he did.
"I'm good here. Can you call Mom and Dad?" Victor said.
"Okay," she replied, heading to the living room to fetch her parents. There, she found her father massaging her mother's legs while listening attentively to her mother's stories about the market. The tender moment warmed her heart.
She couldn't help but smile at the loving scene before her. She'd witnessed her parents' affection for each other, and despite their simple life on Isla Azul and the challenges they faced, she'd never heard them complain. They maintained a positive outlook on life
"Dad, mom, dinner's ready!" Victoria called out. When they looked up, she added, "Let's eat!" Her father stood up, helping her mother rise from her seat. As they headed towards the kitchen, Victoria returned to join them. They sat down at the table, and Victor led the prayer, expressing gratitude for the food. Moments later, they were enjoying their meal together.
After dinner, her mother said, "Victoria, check on the man in the room. Keep his lips moist so they don't dry out. We'll handle the dishes."
"Okay, mom," she replied, standing up from the table.
She fetched a glass of clean water and a cotton ball, then headed to the small room where the stranger was resting. The room belonged to Victor, but he'd graciously given it up temporarily. Victor was sleeping in the living room without complaint, showcasing his accommodating nature.
Victoria opened the door and stepped inside, but her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the man's condition. She couldn't help but drop the glass, shattering it on the floor. The sudden noise caught the man's attention, and he turned to her with furrowed brows, his charcoal eyes filled with confusion.
"Who are you?" the man asked in a groggy yet deep voice.
Instead of answering, Victoria called out, "Mom! Dad!" Her parents rushed to her side, followed closely by her brother.
"What happened, Victoria?" her father asked. Instead of answering, she pointed to the man, now awake and looking at them. Her parents followed her gaze and gasped in surprise upon seeing the stranger's awakened state
"Good heavens!" her mother exclaimed.
"Dad, be careful, there's broken glass," she warned as her father entered the room.
"Victor, get a broom," her father instructed her brother.
"Yes, Dad," Victor replied, promptly following the order.
Her parents entered the room cautiously, careful not to step on the broken glass. She followed, her eyes fixed on the stranger. "Are you okay, son? Is anything hurting you?" her mother asked gently as they approached his bedside.
"My head hurts," he replied, clutching his head.
"His head hurts, Dad," she translated, noticing her father's confusion.
"You have a head wound, so it's expected to hurt," her father explained.
The stranger's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who are you? And where am I?" he asked. Her parents introduced themselves, and her father added, "And this is our eldest child, Maria Victoria." She felt a jolt in her stomach as their eyes met, and the stranger's gaze lingered on hers.
"Maria Victoria," he repeated her name, and inexplicably, her heart began racing.
"You're in our home. My husband found you floating in the sea and brought you here since you were still breathing. You've been asleep for a week," her mother explained.
As her mother explained what happened to the stranger, she kept her eyes on him, observing his reactions.
His brows furrowed even more, forming a single line. "What happened to you, son? And what's your name?" her father asked. They waited for his response.
"I don't know," he replied, clutching his forehead in pain. "And who the hell am I? Why can't I remember anything?" he added, frustration evident in his voice.
Victoria couldn't help but gasp at his words.
- Writer
