Chapter 51

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 51

Karlos reached the fish port around 3 p.m. He didn’t feel like haggling over the price of his catch and sold everything for 5,400 pesos, a sum that wasn’t small, yet somehow felt insufficient after losing three traps to theft. For him, today was exhausting. On top of that, he spent a lot on fuel. The fuel meant for tomorrow had already been used up because Karlos had to go north and reach the resort island to bring the weak stranger there.

From what he remembered, the island was owned by a wealthy family, and all of its infrastructure was their property. People could use the island as a vacation spot, but with its expensive accommodation fees and costs, only the rich could afford to stay there.

Still, Karlos had to admit the island was beautiful. The pure white sand was rare in their region, and the waters surrounding it were as clear as glass. Karlos thought of taking his family there one day, but that would likely take a long time. He would need to be super-rich to afford such a place, and for now, that kind of wealth was nothing more than a dream.

'The man I saved seems to be rich because the manager recognized him.'

The weak man had orange hair. That was the only striking feature Karlos remembered, aside from his pale skin, which had looked almost ghostly when Karlos pulled him from the sea. He remembered the man’s face too; if they met again, Karlos would recognize him instantly.

By the time Karlos finished selling his catch, it was already 4:30 p.m., and the sun was slowly sinking. He reached the beach with the reddish-orange sun dipping into the horizon and the sound of waves crashing gently against the shore.

Some young men helped him carry his boat to its usual spot, beside a sturdy coconut tree that had become a silent guardian of his bangka.

Karlos paid them and thanked them.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Maya waiting on the beach. She was clearly worried, her figure framed against the setting sun. The sight made Karlos feel both guilty and grateful.

Karlos gave her a weak smile as she approached. Maya breathed deeply in relief before hugging him tightly.

“You’re late today.”

“Yeah, something happened. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Hm.” She buried her face in his chest and hugged him tighter.

“Babe, I’m alright.” Karlos patted her back, feeling his t-shirt dampen with her tears. He knew how much she had worried.

“I know.”

A few minutes later, Maya released him. Her eyes were a little red, but she seemed better, her lips curving into a faint smile.

“I was just scared. You usually arrive around noon, so when you didn’t show up, I started to worry.”

Karlos gently wiped her tears.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m blessed by the sea. The Ocean Goddess will always protect me.”

“Yes, I believe Her.”

“So, where are the twins?”

“They’re at Reina’s.”

Karlos carried his belongings while Maya helped with the lighter items.

The couple returned to the house first to settle their things. Then, Karlos went back to the beach with a cart to fetch the engine while Maya went to Reina’s place to pick up the twins.

They worked together to prepare dinner while the kids played in their baby walkers, laughing happily as they toddled around.

Now, Iñigo and Arabella could explore the house with ease, their curious little hands always reaching for anything within sight.

“So, you’re saying you met someone floating in the sea?” Maya asked as she listened to Karlos.

“Yes. He was holding onto a wooden log to survive. I don’t know the full story, I just helped him and took him to the resort island. That’s why I was late today. Sorry for making you worry.”

“Make it up to me later.” She teased him with a sly grin.

“Oh, I definitely will.”

They both giggled.

“But are you sure you’re okay after seeing that? You didn’t feel scared or anything?”

“Me? Nah. I didn’t have any traumatic reaction.”

The truth was, Karlos had transmigrated into this world while drowning. The original Karlos hadn’t been able to live on anymore. That was why Maya worried, seeing someone else floating on the ocean might have triggered memories.

Karlos only shrugged and kissed her forehead to reassure her. Maya felt comforted by the gesture. It had been a terrifying experience, yes, but Karlos had long overcome it. The fact that he had become a fisherman was proof enough. He was not afraid of the ocean, on the contrary, the vast, unpredictable sea had become a part of him. He loved it. Being a fisherman, sailing, setting traps, and fishing gave him joy and purpose.

That night, Karlos and Maya had “srutal bex.” They enjoyed it so much that Maya was glowing with happiness the next morning, and Karlos himself woke up with a satisfied grin.

.........

......

...

“You’ve got to be kidding me...”

Karlos stared at his sixth empty trap. His expression hardened as his teeth clenched and his fists tightened in anger.

“Fuck!”

It was all he could say.

“Yesterday it was three traps, but today it’s so much worse.” His voice trembled with suppressed fury. He looked around, but no one was in sight.

“He probably steals my catch when I’m not around... but when, and at what hour?”

Karlos was only at the mangroves between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. That gave the thief plenty of time to take his catch. The thought of someone shamelessly profiting from his hard work twisted Karlos’s stomach with disgust.

He glanced at the still-empty containers. The sight was heartbreaking. To ease his burning frustration, Karlos ate the biscuits Maya had packed in his bag the night before, though the dry crackers did little to soothe the bitterness inside him.

“Whoever stole my catch, I hope both sides of your pillow are warm.”

Now that was a curse. How could anyone sleep comfortably if both sides of their pillow were warm? That would be a nightmare.

Despite the cold weather, Karlos was fuming with rage.

He realized the stolen catches were from the traps near the sailing route, where dozens of boats passed by daily. The thief didn’t go deep into anyone’s territory, he only targeted traps easy to grab along the way.

“I’m done. I’m fucking done.”

Karlos nearly lost it when another trap yielded only a tiny crab that wasn’t even sellable. It meant the thief had stolen from seven traps in total. That was money his family needed for food and savings.

He decided then and there to move half of his traps elsewhere. The mangroves were compromised. As long as the thief roamed freely, Karlos couldn’t leave his traps here without risking more losses and endless frustration.

That day, he caught only half of his usual haul. With determination, he loaded seven traps onto his boat, ready to relocate them and fight back in his own way.

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