Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 3
Maya took two careful steps down from the short ladder, since their kubo was elevated about two feet off the ground to protect it from moisture. She glanced at Karlos, who was staring at their twins with adoration written all over his tired but content face.
She gave him a soft smile, her eyes filled with warmth, before heading to their open-air kitchen and sink beneath a makeshift roof made from salvaged, stitched-together tarpaulin.
Their kubo was mostly made of wood, so starting a fire inside was too dangerous, something they'd never risk. Maya tucked her light red hair behind her ear as a gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the nearby sea.
Unlike on Earth, the people in Thera naturally had different hair and eye colors, like something straight out of an anime.
Maya had light red hair, deep crimson eyes, and sun-kissed bronze skin. People who lived near the sea usually had tanned skin, though the shade varied depending on exposure.
She opened the cooking pot and confirmed that the dish was done. A rich aroma filled the air. She also checked the rice pot to ensure nothing was burning at the bottom. When she lifted the lid, a cloud of steam escaped, briefly fogging her vision. The rice looked perfect, fluffy and fragrant.
"Let me help you carry them," Karlos said as he stepped outside the kubo.
He took the rice pot from Maya, using two pieces of worn cardboard to shield his hands from the heat. These makeshift pot holders had been in their home for almost a year, flattened, bent, but still dependable. They'd used them since they first started living together.
Karlos then carried the pot of mussel soup into the house, stepping carefully to avoid spilling, while Maya watched with amusement at how seriously he took the task. She grabbed two ceramic plates, a bowl, and a couple of spoons and forks from the shelf.
Their dinner was mussel soup, Nilagang Tahong, a staple in their household. Maya added ginger and lemongrass to cut through the fishiness and give it a refreshing kick.
Since their town was near the shore, and the local fish port handled tons of seafood daily, it wasn't surprising that seafood made up most of their meals. It was cheap, nutritious, and fresh.
The mussels Maya used only cost 35 pesos per kilo at the market, a small price for a dish so flavorful.
"Did you find another job at the pier?" Maya asked as she sat cross-legged on the bamboo floor, her tone relaxed.
Both of them preferred eating on the floor. They had only one table, and it was too large and heavy to bring inside without damaging the floor. It stayed outside, near the kitchen.
Dinner conversations were a cherished routine. Talking about their day made the simple meal feel more wholesome and comforting.
"Today was the last day. No one needs help with odd jobs anymore," Karlos said with a shrug as he scooped more soup.
"Then I guess you'll be carrying baskets at the fish port tomorrow."
"Hm," he nodded while chewing thoughtfully. The mussels tasted clean and savory, perfectly balanced by the ginger and salt.
To Karlos, it didn't matter what job he did as long as it was honest work. As long as he could provide for his family, he would take anything, no complaints, no hesitation.
"Tomorrow I'll ask Mr. Kanor if the parts I ordered have arrived."
Karlos had been saving money to buy parts for his broken engine. He had a small fishing boat, about four meters long, ideal for one or two people to fish near the shore during calm weather.
The boat was over thirty years old, and the engine parts were hard to find due to its outdated model. He had asked Mr. Kanor, the manager of a boat shop in town known for helping local fishermen, to search for them.
Thankfully, Mr. Kanor found the parts, but due to shipping delays, it would take about two weeks for them to arrive. During those weeks, Karlos worked any odd job he could find such as carrying fish baskets, scrubbing barnacles, anything to keep food on the table.
Tomorrow was the day the parts were scheduled to arrive and Karlos could finally start repairing his boat.
After dinner, the couple sat back and listened to the radio, sometimes chatting quietly about their day.
Karlos was originally from the year 2025, before he was transmigrated into this world. In this new life, he had landed in the year 1998, a time when technology was developing to improve lives, but hadn't yet become overwhelming.
Thera's 1998 felt similar to Earth's, particularly in its development and economy.
In fact, owning a radio in a rural area was already considered a luxury. Their family had one, though it was old and filled with static. Still, it was their nightly entertainment.
When night came, the couple had no reason to stay up. Crickets chirped outside as the breeze cooled the air. Maya checked on the twins, who were sleeping peacefully, satisfied with their milk and a bit of soft bread.
Karlos laid out their bedding on the bamboo floor with practiced care. He set up two mosquito nets, one for the twins and another for him and Maya.
They turned off the lights and the radio. Darkness filled the room, except for the faint silver glow of moonlight seeping through the window.
Maya lay down, but Karlos remained a few inches away, eyes open and staring at the ceiling.
She raised an eyebrow and turned toward him. "What are you doing?"
"Hm? About what?" Karlos blinked, feigning innocence.
"Why aren't you next to me?"
"I smell like diesel," he sighed.
"So what? I want you to sleep next to me," she said firmly, a slight pout forming on her lips.
"…Alright."
He scooted closer, inch by inch, until their bodies touched and their warmth blended. Maya giggled softly, clearly satisfied as Karlos wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"Much better."
They didn't fall asleep immediately. The silence of the night wrapped around them in peace and comfort.
To anyone else, Karlos and Maya looked like a normal couple, but under the sheets, they were anything but ordinary. Why do you think they ended up with twins?
But just as they were about to doze off, the twins began crying.
Arabella cried first, quickly followed by Iñigo, forming a perfectly timed duet of wails that shattered the quiet.
Karlos sat up and checked on them.
"Looks like they soiled their diapers. I'll take care of them. You go back to sleep."
Maya yawned and returned to her slumber without protest.
Karlos methodically removed the dirty diapers. The smell hit him like a slap in the face, potent and powerful, now that the twins were eating solids. No matter how many times he did this, it never got easier.
After changing both diapers, he gently hummed lullabies and patted the babies with a steady rhythm. When they finally fell back asleep, he returned to bed, trying not to wake Maya.
But as he lay beside her, she frowned with her eyes still closed and mumbled:
"Stay away from me, you smell."
"…" Karlos let out a long, defeated sigh in the dark.
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[Author's Note: For now, this novel will be updated one chapter per day.]
Maya Alejandro Illustration.