Chapter 10

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 10

Maya looked at her husband as they lay beside each other on their modest bed, waiting for his answer.

"I didn't finish college."

"But you can still apply for jobs even without a diploma, right?"

"I don't have my credentials with me here. I have to go to North Major Island to get the documents myself."

The country where Karlos and Maya lived was an archipelago made up of hundreds of islands. However, it had two massive main islands, each about 300 kilometers wide and stretching over 1,000 kilometers from north to south. These were known as the North Major Island and the South Major Island, home to the nation’s largest cities and most significant infrastructure.

The two islands were separated by a sea, with dozens of smaller islands scattered between them. The name of their country? Adobo Country, yes, seriously. In this world, countries were named after beloved national dishes because food is culture and culture is identity, apparently. Their neighboring countries were named Sushi Country and Kimchi Country, proudly following the same culinary logic. This was a parallel universe, anything could happen, no matter how absurd it sounded.

For Karlos to retrieve his credentials, he had to book either a flight or a ship ride, neither of which were cheap. He would also need to travel to Maynila, the capital city, to reach his college. That meant more expenses on transportation, food, and possibly lodging.

"But you can still try other jobs while we wait and save up. Maybe we can fix the shop and start our business instead."

"Maybe..." Karlos replied thoughtfully.

He seriously considered the idea for the first time in a while. Currently, his only income came from fishing and trapping crabs. Odd jobs like being a porter were also possible, but they were physically demanding. Then again, fishing wasn’t exactly easy either, especially on rough sea days.

"Fishing can be rewarding, but it's also a tough job. It demands both physical strength and mental patience. Plus, there are days when you can't go out because of the weather, red tides, or engine problems. Sometimes the catch isn’t even enough to cover the diesel for the whole trip. Let’s not forget, it’s dangerous, and you're always at the mercy of the sea," Maya said, her voice filled with concern.

"You're right..."

Karlos agreed. He turned to Maya, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close, gazing into her captivating crimson eyes.

"One year. If fishing doesn’t work out for me within a year, I’ll find a different job, something safer, more stable. For now, we have no choice but to make do with this life until we can afford more options. Besides, I get more free time when I go fishing. I usually spend around five hours at sea, then come home right after I meet my quota. I can help take care of the kids and give you some rest too."

"Hm." Maya nodded. In truth, Karlos did have more time for family compared to other jobs. Once he was done fishing, he often returned home by noon or early afternoon, giving them precious time together.

She smiled and gave him a soft peck on the lips as a show of support.

"Okay, Papi~" she teased.

She whispered sweetly, and Karlos grinned like a proud fool in love. He suddenly rolled over, pinning her down with playful energy.

"Looks like you're asking for more!" he teased with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Maya giggled softly. She had feared he would brush off her concerns, but the fact that he thought seriously about their future made her love him even more.

"I promise, I’ll give you and the twins a better life, no matter what it takes."

"Hm." She nodded again and gasped softly as his lips met hers once more.

.........

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...

The next day, Karlos was carefully fixing the boat engine behind their kubo under the warm morning sun. The engine was detachable, and Karlos always removed it after fishing as part of his anti-theft routine.

A boat with an engine was easier to steal than one without, anyone with the right tools or knowledge could start it, even without the crank handle. Karlos had heard plenty of stories from fellow fishermen who had their boats stolen, even without a crank. It was terrifying.

He didn’t know exactly how the thieves managed it, but he made sure he never had to find out by being extra cautious.

In their region, it was common practice to remove the boat engine and carry it home after each trip. Some fishermen left their engines on the boat, but their houses were close enough to the shore to keep watch. Karlos’ house, on the other hand, was over 100 meters from the beach. Because of that, he always carried the engine, despite how much of a hassle it was.

Maybe he should rent a space at the town’s small pier and dock his boat there, it would definitely be more secure. But walking back and forth would take nearly two hours, and that felt like such a waste of time and energy.

So for now, Karlos left his small boat on the beach, tied and padlocked to a coconut tree.

And even if someone did try to steal it, they’d have to paddle, against the tide, no less, which would buy time or make them give up.

Was this method effective? Definitely. Karlos had never had his boat stolen in two years. It was better to be safe than to lose his only livelihood.

"There are also some bastards who steal just the engine instead of the whole boat and that pisses me off more. Those guys are unforgivable."

Karlos muttered as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. His palms were covered in grease and oil from tinkering with the engine.

"It's done." He exhaled in relief.

He started the engine. It sputtered at first, then roared to life. Since it wasn’t hot yet, he hoisted it up and carried it to the boat still resting on the beach near the coconut tree.

It was the middle of a school day, so only little kids were out playing, building sandcastles or chasing dogs. Karlos reached his boat and reattached the engine with practiced ease. He removed the chains and pushed the boat into the water until it floated on the shallow waves.

The boat was small, only about 4 meters from end to end. It had very little space to move around and was only suitable for near-shore travel. Its light structure and modest engine couldn’t handle deeper waters. If Karlos ventured too far, the waves could capsize his boat. That was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

That’s why he stuck to the mangroves in the south, where the river met the sea and the brackish water made for a rich ecosystem, perfect for catching crabs. Mangroves were a crab’s favorite hangout, and they had become Karlos’ main source of income.

Once the boat was in the water, Karlos climbed aboard and used the crank handle to start the engine. He listened carefully to the rhythm of the motor. It roared smoothly, and the boat moved forward steadily.

He nodded, satisfied.

The boat was ready.

Tonight’s trip would go as planned.