Chapter 57

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 57

The wind was blowing so strongly that even the trees on the shore swayed violently back and forth. Naturally, the waves were also stronger than usual, rising higher and crashing harder against the shoreline with relentless force.

In a day or two, the typhoon would make landfall in their region, so the fishermen had to prepare meticulously, securing their boats, nets, and equipment.

The big fishing vessels had already gone to the bay harbor in the northern part of town. The bay was wide, about one kilometer across, and partially enclosed by land, protecting the water from the strongest waves and creating a safe haven for the larger boats.

As for smaller boats such as bangkas, fishermen had to work together to carry them far from the beach so they wouldn’t be destroyed by the violent surf.

"This is sad. I was expecting that we would fish for salmon this week. I even hired two more people to help with the catch and increase efficiency, but now everything seems pointless," Antonio said grimly as he looked at the raging waves and dark clouds.

Karlos nodded in agreement. He too had expected to earn money since the salmon season had begun. Unfortunately, they couldn’t control the weather. After all, they were just humans, powerless against nature’s wrath.

It was disappointing and heartbreaking for so many who relied on the sea for their livelihood, watching their hopes and potential earnings swept away by forces beyond their control. Many fishermen were surely cursing the storm in silence as they moved their boats to safety.

"We already carried my boat to a safer place. How about you, Karlos? Do you need help?" Antonio asked, squinting through the wind, his voice nearly drowned out by the gusts.

"Yeah, I can’t carry my boat alone. I want to take it to my house since it’s small and could be stolen if left unattended in this chaotic weather."

Karlos thought about braving the sea to salvage his traps, but he decided against it. A wrong move could mean disaster, it would be dangerous to sail against the storm.

"Alright."

Antonio tapped his shoulder, encouraging him not to lose hope. Antonio was in his 50s and a veteran of the industry, with decades of experience surviving storms like this.

"Don’t think too much about it. Life always has ups and downs. It’s not the end of the world, even if it feels like it at moments like this. Remember, storms pass, and the sea eventually calms."

Karlos and Antonio’s group carried his boat back to the kubo. Along the way, Andres saw them struggling and joined in, grunting under the heavy load.

When Maya saw the boat, she immediately opened the gate. At 4.5 meters long and 3 meters wide, it just barely fit through.

Once the boat was set down, Karlos thanked them while Maya offered biscuits as a token of gratitude. The fishermen accepted, though their expressions made it clear they were tired of eating biscuits.

For most fishermen, biscuits were the go-to snack while out at sea. There was even a type called sea biscuits, though those were much worse, hard as concrete, dry, and crumbly. Still, they were essential for long trips. After finishing, Andres and the others left.

The plot of land Maya had inherited was wide enough that a small boat could fit inside without a problem.

"The boat will stay here while the typhoon lasts."

"Hm."

Maya noticed Karlos’s frustration and hugged him tightly, offering comfort and reassurance.

"You don’t have to be sad. There are times when things don’t go according to plan."

"I know... I just feel like it’s a waste that I can’t fish for days while the salmon season is happening. Every lost day means lost income for the family. It frustrates me. We’ll lose a lot of money."

"We didn’t lose any money. Besides, you’ve already earned around 500,000 pesos since the salmon season started. I think it’s time to lie low, rest, and preserve your energy for when the sea calms down again."

"... Alright."

Karlos sighed and hugged his wife back, making her giggle softly. They returned to the kubo and waited for the rain. They had already filled the thermos with hot water, knowing they couldn’t use the kitchen once the storm grew stronger.

They also detached the tarpaulin, which could have been torn away by the wind and caused injuries if it got loose.

By afternoon, thick dark clouds covered the sky, the sun completely hidden, as if a gray blanket smothered the entire town.

Suddenly, lightning struck the ground with a blinding flash, followed by deafening thunder. The electricity vanished with a loud pop, plunging the neighborhood into darkness.

Arabella and Iñigo cried loudly, terrified by the strike. They huddled next to their mother, trembling in fear. Maya hugged them close, whispering soothing words, though she could feel their small bodies shaking.

'Even though this typhoon has already weakened after days on land, it can still generate this kind of power...' Karlos thought as he closed the window. Their last bit of natural light was gone, leaving the house in near total darkness.

Typhoons weakened once they hit land, but they were still destructive, capable of causing floods, felling trees, and tearing apart roofs.

Karlos lit a candle they had prepared. Its weak flame illuminated the house just enough, giving them a small but comforting source of light. The candle would last four hours before burning out completely.

Lightning flashed again, followed by another boom of thunder, and the twins cried out once more, flinching in terror.

The typhoon had fully arrived, rain pouring down in thick sheets as the wind howled around them. The nipa hut shielded them as best as it could, though the whistle of the wind and the pounding rain were constant reminders of the storm’s power.

The rain continued into the night, lightning striking every so often. Though the twins were still afraid, Maya’s embrace calmed them enough that they only jolted when the thunder roared.

Instead of weakening, the typhoon seemed to grow stronger. If Karlos was right, it was probably regaining power now that it was close to the sea, bringing stronger gusts.

The family ate dinner quietly, their nerves on edge, listening to the storm rage outside. The twins eventually drifted off to sleep as Maya patted them gently. Exhausted from comforting them all afternoon, she soon fell asleep too.

Karlos, however, stayed alert, checking the ceiling every so often for leaks. The rain beat against the roof relentlessly, and sure enough, he found water dripping near the door. He sighed and placed a bucket beneath it to catch the steady stream before it could soak the floor.

He peeked through the cracks in the window but saw nothing. It was midnight, the world outside pitch-black, illuminated only by the occasional flash of lightning.

After that, Karlos returned to bed. He covered Maya and the children with a blanket and closed his eyes, hoping the worst of the storm would pass without causing serious damage.