Agnes winced as she tightly held her growling stomach. How many days had it been since she last ate properly? All her savings were gone, so she had no money to buy food or the daily things she needed.
Another problem was what to feed Islaw. She couldn't find any seafood washed up by the waves anymore, so she had been feeding him raw fish instead.
Agnes sighed and looked down at her closed hand. She opened it and stared again at the beautiful pearls made from Islaw's tears.
She had learned a few days ago that mermen and mermaids could create pearls through their tears, but it was dangerous because it felt like taking away their life whenever they cried. She couldn't remember how many times she had seen him cry, but she had only just found out about this.
She closed her hand again and hid the pearls in her pocket. For now, she didn't know if she should use them. No matter how hungry she was or how much she needed money, she didn't want to use pearls that weren't hers and that she didn't work for. She felt that using them would be like stealing from Islaw.
"Good morning, Islaw," she said with a smile to the merman who had just woken up.
Islaw tilted his head and smiled when he saw her. Agnes picked up a plate of food for him from a small table. She didn't know if it would be enough, since she could only give him three small fish.
In fact, even though she was very hungry, she didn't eat just so Islaw could have something. She would rather be hungry than let him go without food.
"I'll feed you now," she said and started to feed him.
In less than a minute, the food was gone. Islaw pouted at her, and Agnes knew immediately that the food wasn't enough. From his pouting lips and pleading eyes, she knew he was asking for more. She sighed as she looked at the empty plate; not even a fishbone was left because it still wasn't enough for him.
"I'm sorry, Islaw. I really have nothing left to feed you," she whispered, and he just tilted his head.
She didn't say anything else and just stroked his hair for a moment to make him feel better, even though she could hear his stomach growling. She wasn't surprised because he had a large body, and what she fed him was only enough for a small child. But no matter how much she wanted to feed him, she had nothing left to give.
Her stomach growled when she finally left the room. She had been feeling weak and dizzy from hunger, but she forced herself to do the housework.
Later, Agnes planned to borrow money or ask for a little food from people she knew. She also thought about looking for a job in town so she could provide for her and Islaw's daily needs.
It looked like the Acosta family wouldn't be home for a while.
She kept herself busy by wiping the decorations in the living room, but her body was too weak to ignore the hunger. She stopped what she was doing when her vision blurred and everything seemed to spin. She had fainted several times whenever the Acosta family left her hungry, and it was happening again.
Agnes dropped her rag and fell to her knees. Her arm hit the edge of the table, making her cry out in pain. Some items on the table fell, making even more noise. She couldn't handle the exhaustion and hunger anymore and collapsed on the floor. Before she completely lost consciousness, she looked toward the room where Islaw was.
Her eyes closed on their own, and when she opened them, Islaw's innocent face was the first thing she saw. Her eyes widened when she realized his face was only inches away from hers. She gently pushed him away and stood up. She realized she was still lying on the floor and Islaw had been watching over her until she woke up.
"How long was I unconscious?" she asked herself, frowning.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Islaw grabbed the hem of her long skirt. He was pulling it down gently, nearly pulling it off. Islaw was sitting sideways, using one hand to balance himself on the floor. She knelt in front of him to be at his level and stroked his hair.
"Why, Islaw?"
He didn't answer and instead stared at her with a worried face. He placed one hand on her pale face and gently rubbed her cheek with his finger. Agnes felt her face get warm, so she quickly moved away, which made him frown. It seemed Islaw didn't know that what he was doing could be seen as flirting.
He was being sweet, but he didn't realize it.
"Come on, I'll take you back to the room. Someone else might see you."
Agnes went behind Islaw, put her hands under his arms, and tried to pull him back to the room. She was tired and felt even weaker after lifting Islaw onto the bed. She sat beside him to rest and to keep him company until Cholo visited. She had one hand on her lap, which Islaw suddenly held.
He seemed to notice her body shaking from hunger and weakness. With sad eyes, he pressed the back of her hand against his rough cheek and gently rubbed her arm. She just smiled because he seemed so worried. Islaw was good because he actually cared about her.
"Thanks for worrying, Islaw," she whispered.
He didn't reply and just stared at her with a frown. She raised one hand to hold his, but she stopped when she saw the bracelet he was wearing. It was the one she gave to Islaw that belonged to the first mermaid she saw. For some reason, her feelings were hurt and she felt bitter toward Islaw, so she pulled her hand away from his grip.
"H-hmm?" he tilted his head.
"I'll leave you for now," she said without emotion and turned her back on him.
Agnes's breathing and her chest felt heavy as she left the room. Her shoulders were slumped as she sat in the chair where she slept every night. She let out a deep breath to release the bitterness she felt.
Why was she annoyed at the thought of Islaw having a first woman he loved? Why was she annoyed and hurt when they weren't even an official couple?
Yes, she and Islaw were married because their hands had joined several times—which meant accepting each other's feelings—and they had even kissed, but she didn't take it seriously. She knew it was accidental and not real, but why did it hurt? She was annoyed thinking that Islaw loved another woman. It wasn't right, was it?
She shouldn't be feeling this way.
"Big sister Agnes!" Cholo entered with a smile, bringing her back to reality.
"You're here, Cholo."
"Big sis, I'm sorry my mom couldn't send rice and food because we're short on money right now, too."
"It's okay, Cholo, I understand," she smiled gently.
"But don't worry, Big sis, I picked some apples from a fruit farm I passed by." He smiled widely as he put down a bag of fruit.
"There are only three pieces, but they'll do for now, Ate Agnes."
"Thank you, Cholo," she said, hugging him emotionally.
"Eat now, Big sis, so you can get your strength back."
Agnes nodded and took the apple he offered. To be honest, fruit wasn't enough; she would only get her strength back and feel full if she ate rice. But because life was hard, she had no job, and she was the one feeding and caring for Islaw, she was really running out of money and food.
"Big sis, I'll just go see big brother, Islaw, okay?" Cholo said and hurried inside.
Agnes followed him with a smile, wanting to see Islaw's face too. She stood at the doorway, leaning against the frame while chewing. As she watched the two of them, she couldn't help but laugh.
Cholo had been spending time with Islaw for weeks and they were almost inseparable, but Islaw still didn't seem to like Cholo. He was always grumpy toward the boy.
"Big brother Islaw, why are you scowling?" Cholo asked with a pout, but Islaw just ignored him.
"Maybe you're jealous of my good looks, huh?" Cholo joked, which seemed to annoy Islaw even more.
Islaw hissed at the kid like a cat.
"Calm down, big brother. I can share my handsomeness with you. Did you hear me? I'll share it with you, I will cut my handsomeness for you," Cholo said confidently.
Agnes laughed even more because even though she hadn't finished school, she could tell Cholo's grammar was wrong. She shook her head at the expression on Islaw's face; it looked like he was ready to pounce on the teasing kid at any moment. But she wasn't worried he would hurt the boy because she knew Islaw was a very kind creature.
"Calm down. You're just jealous of me. It's obvious you have a crush on big sis, that's why you're mad at me because you think I'm taking her from you." Cholo laughed.
"Don't worry, Big brother. I like you for big sis," Cholo said with a smile. Islaw stopped for a moment and then smiled as if he understood.
Agnes's cheeks suddenly turned red.
"Oh, Cholo, the things you think of," she said, shaking her head as she walked toward them.
"Hmm?" Islaw tilted his head and frowned when he noticed the apple she was holding with a bite taken out of it.
"You call it apple." Cholo said.
Agnes frowned slightly when Islaw's mouth moved after hearing Cholo. She watched in amazement as Islaw copied the way Cholo's lips moved, as if he was studying the word. Because she was so fascinated, she didn't notice right away that Islaw had taken the apple from her hand and was about to bite it.
"Islaw, no!" She quickly took the fruit back, which made Islaw whine like a child who had been denied something by a parent.
"Big sis, why?" Cholo asked, confused.
"I don't know if mermen can eat human food."
"What? Doesn't he eat fish? Fish is human food too, right?"
"Cholo, mermen really eat fish. Besides, I always feed him raw fish."
"But he looks hungry, Big sis. Look, he's almost drooling while staring at the apple. Why don't we try feeding him human food?"
"I don't want to do something I'm not sure about. Instead of being full, something bad might happen to him. Some fish are very sensitive about their food, so I won't let Islaw eat any of our food until I'm sure it's safe."
"I guess you're right. I used to have a pet fish; I fed it rice and it died in less than three days," Cholo replied with a pout. Agnes didn't say anything more.
Feeling sorry for Islaw, Agnes hid the apple behind her back because Islaw was still staring at it, almost drooling. She sat beside him and stroked his hair. The merman looked at her and smiled before acting cuddly like a cat. Even his tail wagged slightly.
He seemed to have forgotten about wanting the apple.
But she could still hear his stomach growling. She spent a restless night worrying about him. The next morning, she forced herself to leave the house to find a way to buy him a real meal.
Agnes let out a deep breath as she walked out of the crowded market. The smell of raw fish and other goods clung to her. Her shoulders slumped as she walked away. Even though it was already afternoon, she didn't go home right away; she stopped at the plaza to rest. She was exhausted from walking around town all day looking for a job.
She had seen many job openings, but no one would hire her. Before she could even enter the shops, people pushed her away. She leaned back in her seat and sighed deeply. As she stared at the orange sky, her stomach growled with hunger again.
Her eyes were full of exhaustion. Honestly, she was tired of living a life where she was alone, bullied by the rich, betrayed by her boyfriend, and always short on basic needs like food. But since Islaw arrived, she felt better and found a reason to keep living.
Agnes smiled when she thought of Islaw's cute face—imagining him tilting his head with crossed eyebrows as if he were confused. For some reason, her heart started beating fast just thinking about him. She shook her head and sat up straight.
She thought she must be going crazy to be thinking about a merman this way.
"Looks like you're happy thinking of something? Or let's just say, of someone?" a familiar man approached her.
Agnes recognized the voice immediately.
"Is it me?" Erick asked with a smirk and sat down comfortably beside her.
She immediately moved away.
"You really have a lot of nerve, Erick," she said irritably as she stood up.
"What? Are you going to deny the truth again—that you still haven't moved on from me?"
"Will you ever leave me alone?!" she asked.
"I'm not doing anything to you. Just because I sat next to you doesn't mean I'm chasing you," he laughed insultingly, which made her go silent.
"You're just pretending, Agnes. Pretending you don't want me, but deep inside you love it when I approach you."
"You jerk!" she shouted angrily and turned her back on him.
Agnes stomped away from Erick, barely able to stop herself from slapping him. It was getting dark and the people on the streets were thinning out. Now that she knew Erick's true character, she knew she had to stay away because he looked like he was capable of hurting or even killing her.
"Agnes." She was startled when, suddenly, his arm was around her shoulder.
"Get away!" she pushed him.
"Relax, I don't have bad intentions. I know what you're capable of," he laughed.
"What else do you want from me, Erick? Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Want? I don't need anything from you. But you... I know you'll be needing my help. So here I am, willing to help. The pier is coming to the ship," he said arrogantly.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Erick."
"Agnes, I know you have no money left. I've been watching you, and it looks like you're applying for a job."
"What do you care? I don't want your help, so just leave!"
"And where will you find money for your daily needs? No one will help you or hire you because it's an order from Brianna's dad," he said, which shocked her.
So that was why no one would hire her earlier.
"Agnes, I have a proposal. Come with me, let's spend the night together and you'll receive a large payment."
"You jerk! Keep your money. I'd rather die of hunger than accept your offer!"
Agnes turned her back on Erick for good and didn't look back, walking quickly away from the rude man. Before she was out of earshot, he yelled that the proposal was open until she agreed. Even if his hair turned white waiting, she would never sell her body for his money.
The sky was gloomy when she saw her house. Before she could even get close, she frowned when she saw a crowd of people outside. She ran toward them. Gasping for breath, she reached the door and tried to block the people who were pushing to look inside.
"What are you all doing outside my house?" she asked nervously.
Did they find out what she was hiding?
"You're finally here, Agnes," an old woman said.
"Why are you here?"
"Hey, Agnes! Clean your house! It smells terrible. The fishy smell from your house is reaching our homes!" a large woman shouted at her.
Agnes breathed a small sigh of relief. She thought they already knew about Islaw.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Sorry? We've been putting up with this smell for days. We're going to get sick because of your irresponsibility!" the woman snapped.
"What is inside your house that makes it smell so fishy? Can we go inside? If you want, we can help you clean to get rid of the smell," an old man said, and the others agreed.
Agnes's heart pounded with intense fear. She swallowed hard as cold sweat ran down her cheek. Based on their faces, they were determined to go inside. With trembling hands, she held the doorknob behind her back. She had to be ready.
"Well, Agnes? Let's get rid of that annoying smell!" the large woman shouted again.
"I'm sorry about the smell. I... I will be the one to clean my house."
"Fine, but the smell better be gone by tomorrow, or we'll get sick."
She was about to answer when Islaw suddenly made a sound.
"What was that?"
"I-it was nothing. You all should go home, it's getting very late." she lied but people began to suspect.
"No, I want to know what that noise was!"
"It sounded like it came from inside that house."
"Let us in, Agnes!"
Agnes was filled with fear as they insisted on entering. She quickly opened the door, went inside, and locked it behind her. But they wouldn't leave, especially since Islaw continued to make strange noises. She rushed into the bedroom and found him crying while Cholo tried to calm him down. She went to them immediately.
"Big sis, what took you so long? Big brother has been crying waiting for you," Cholo reported.
"Islaw, I'm here. Stop crying now." She sat beside him and he immediately hugged her. With a simple stroke of his hair, he calmed down.
"Big sis, what do we do about the people outside?" Cholo asked, making her even more nervous.
"Cholo, I'm sorry, but can you face them? Distract them while I take Islaw out."
"How?"
"There's a back door. I'll take Islaw out there, and you take care of getting their attention."
"Are you... are you returning him to the sea?" Cholo started to cry.
"He doesn't belong here. He'll only be in danger if he stays."
"But I don't want him to go," he wailed.
"Cholo, this is the only way to help him. If we keep him here, people will find him. They will capture him, experiment on him, or sell him. In the sea, he is free and he can find food."
"Y-you're right, Big sis."
They didn't waste time. Agnes brought Islaw to the kitchen back door. She opened it quietly, put her arms around Islaw's waist, and pulled him out of the house. Meanwhile, Cholo busied himself picking up scales from the floor and bed before facing the people outside. The crowd entered the house, and Agnes took that chance to bring Islaw to the sea right in front of her home.
"G-go now, Islaw," she said with sad eyes as he reached the water.
"Go!" she shouted, but he didn't listen.
"I said go, you'll only be in danger here." She turned away, but before she could leave, she looked back.
She caught the merman crawling back toward her.
"Islaw, what are you doing? Don't be stubborn!" she shouted, crying.
"Hmm?" he stared at her with worried eyes.
"I said leave! I... I don't want you anymore. I'm tired of taking care of you! You're just a burden, Islaw! They're right—your kind is a curse. You're a curse!" she lied, screaming at him.
Islaw stopped. He closed his eyes tight before opening them again. She couldn't stop sobbing because she was hurting for him; she knew he understood what she was saying. He raised a hand, wanting to hold her hand again. She looked down and swatted his hand away, pushing him.
"Go! I don't like you, just go!"
He started to cry, but she didn't give in.
"Go, Islaw!" she shouted with authority.
Islaw made weak crying sounds as he finally turned away from her. He waded into the sea. When the water reached his neck, he looked back at her one last time. Agnes was crying and wanted to run after him, but instead, she picked up large stones and threw them at the water until he left.
She wanted to cry forever, but she wiped her tears and ran back to the kitchen.
"Big sis!" Cholo ran and hugged her.
"Where were you, Agnes? Why did you lock the door on us?" the people asked as they looked at her.
"I'm sorry. Nature called, so I had to leave you for a moment."
"You should have said so, instead of making us think the worst. we thought you were hiding something," the large woman said rudely.
"I'm sorry. Are you... are you satisfied now? Now that you've seen the inside of the house, do you still have doubts?"
"No more. It was just Cholo making those noises," the old man replied.
"In that case, please leave."
"What? You're kicking us out?"
"That wasn't my intention, but please don't enter a person's house without permission. Besides, you might get sick from the smell."
"Ugh, what a rude woman!" the large woman turned and left, followed by the rest.
Only Agnes and Cholo were left.
"Big brother is gone," the boy said, crying.
"Stop crying, Cholo. Just think that his life will be better there in the sea."
"Big sis, will he ever come back to us?" he asked, looking up at her.
"I... I don't know," she replied, even though she knew the reason.
Because of what she did, Islaw would never come back.
That would be better for Islaw's safety