Chapter 46

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 46

The couple returned to their house and put everything away before taking the twins back, making sure that all the groceries, baby walkers, and other purchased items were safely placed and organized in their respective spots.

They had spent 15,000 pesos in a single day, which, although significant for one day’s shopping, seemed reasonable considering the extraordinary earnings Karlos had made from the tuna earlier. Maya winced a little when she saw the price of the television. She tried to accept the expenditure, thinking she was comfortable spending thousands today because of her husband's earnings, yet the cost still made her pause. The 21-inch Penisonic television alone cost 10,000 pesos, more than she had expected for a single household appliance.

She had actually considered buying the 14-inch television, which was only 7,000 pesos, thinking it would be adequate for their modest home. But Karlos argued that the 14-inch screen would be too small, explaining that it would make it uncomfortable for the family to watch programs for long periods.

The two baby walkers cost 2,000 pesos in total, providing support for the twins as they learned to walk, while the remaining 3,000 pesos went toward essentials such as new clothes for the rapidly growing children, including shirts, shorts, and shoes.

Karlos was the one who went to Andres’s house with a box of roasted chicken, carefully wrapped to ensure it arrived in good condition. They were out for four hours, and by the time they returned, it was already nighttime. The sky was dark, and the air slightly cool.

When he reached their house, he saw Andres’ two kids entertaining Arabella and Iñigo, their laughter echoing softly as they played together. The twins giggled as the older kids tickled them to squeals of delight.

"Uncle, you're back!" Jenny, the oldest child, shouted as she saw Karlos at the door, her small hands waving enthusiastically.

Marlon stood to open the door carefully, making sure it didn’t hit the twins’ strollers as Karlos entered.

When Karlos appeared, Iñigo and Arabella became excited, crawling toward him with tiny hands reaching out, eyes sparkling with recognition and joy. They clearly missed their parents, their expressions a mix of longing and happiness at seeing a familiar face. Even Iñigo yelled loudly in his high-pitched, energetic voice.

"Pa!"

"Papa!"

They had learned that calling him "Papa" would get Karlos's attention, and ever since that day, it became their default way of addressing him whenever they wanted something or affection.

"Jenny, this is for you guys."

"Wow, roasted chicken!"

The children eagerly carried the box to the kitchen, laughing and jumping slightly as they tried to manage it together, careful not to drop the contents. Reina appeared from the kitchen, curious about the commotion.

"The twins didn’t like staying in the strollers, so I called my kids to watch over them. Sorry if they were crawling on the floor," she explained, glancing at the twins happily hugging Karlos’ legs.

"It’s alright. These kids are too naughty to stay still, they’ll crawl around. Thank you for taking care of them. We brought roasted chicken as a gift; hope you don’t mind."

"Why would I?" Reina shrugged, smiling lightly at the thoughtful gesture.

Karlos chuckled and scooped up both twins, holding them securely while playfully bouncing them slightly, making them giggle. Arabella, meanwhile, was fascinated by the box Karlos had given to Reina’s kids, her small fingers pointing excitedly.

"Andres still not back?" Karlos asked.

"Either he’s working or drinking; that’s usually how he is," Reina clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes slightly.

Karlos bid farewell and thanked Reina once more before placing the twins in their strollers, ensuring they were secure and comfortable. He had to stick the two strollers together for easier maneuvering through the streets, so he wouldn’t worry about one veering off.

When the twins spotted their mother, they started calling her name, making Maya’s heart melt. Her lips curved into a wide smile as she embraced them, showering each child with kisses and holding them gently with tender affection.

Arabella and Iñigo were intrigued by the new items in the house, especially the boxes with pictures of the television and baby walkers. Their curiosity and excitement were evident as they examined the packaging.

"I'll set up the television tomorrow; it’s too dark to do it today," Karlos said.

That night, the family enjoyed a cozy dinner, accompanied by the aroma of roasted chicken. The twins savored the delicious meat, their small mouths chewing enthusiastically, even if they couldn’t eat much.

After that, they went to the bed.

"You're not going to take a day off tomorrow?" Maya asked while lying down, her tone curious and slightly teasing.

"I’ll return early. I won’t stay long at sea. Once I finish collecting the catch, I’ll come back," Karlos replied calmly, reassuring her.

Karlos had no intention of fishing tomorrow, as he had tasks that required time, effort, and planning, such as setting up the television and finding people to renovate the shop.

The couple decided to completely renovate the shop, as it needed a fresh coat of paint and even a new toilet in the bathroom.

That night, the family slept peacefully, filled with joy in being together and quietly optimistic about the days to come.

In the middle of the night, Karlos woke up and started his day, moving silently so as not to disturb Maya and the twins. His mind was already planning the morning tasks. He changed into his old fishing clothes, a shirt with sleeves, comfortable and durable, suitable for work on the boat.

"Eh?"

When Karlos opened the door, he found the surroundings covered in thick, damp fog, dramatically reducing visibility.

"So it’s foggy today, huh?"

Fog was common in their region during early mornings, caused by temperature differences that created condensation over the water and land. Once the sun rose, the fog would gradually dissipate, clearing the way for boats to navigate safely.

Karlos grabbed his flashlight, shining it across the foggy expanse. He saw other men awake around the same time, their figures barely visible in the haze as they murmured about the conditions.

"This fog is quite thick," Antonio, one of the fishermen, muttered, his flashlight unable to penetrate more than five meters ahead.

"It will be hard to sail at this hour," another said, concern in his voice.

It might even be dangerous, as even the most experienced sailors could misjudge distances or obstacles in such conditions. Extreme caution and patience were required to avoid accidents or collisions.

"Such a waste, I have to earn money today. I’m just a worker and can’t afford a day without pay," one fisherman complained, frustration in his tone.

"Well, we can fish later, when the sun rises," another suggested, emphasizing patience and safety.

"It doesn’t matter. I need money to support my crippling gambling addiction," the first admitted with a heavy sigh.

Karlos listened to their conversation, analyzing both the situation and the risks. After checking his boat, he decided to return to the house. Maya and the kids were still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the fog outside, their breaths slow and even. He went inside the mosquito net and slept next to them, feeling a sense of contentment.

As expected, the fog completely disappeared once the sun rose, and the warmth of sunlight gradually illuminated the surroundings. Some boats began sailing once visibility improved.

Karlos, however, chose to take a day off to focus on domestic tasks and personal priorities. The first task that morning was setting up the television antenna, carefully adjusting it to receive the clearest signal possible.

Maya and the twins watched the static screen, their eyes wide with anticipation. Once Karlos finished, the television caught a signal, transforming the flickering static into a vivid, recognizable image. Maya happily switched channels, exploring her options, while the twins squealed, mesmerized by the moving pictures and bright colors. They reached out with their little hands, unable to contain their curiosity.

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[Author's Note: I haven't been feeling well lately. It didn't help that my father's salary was delayed this month. We can only eat rice and eggs to get by. Anyway, thank you all for your support.]