Agnes let out a deep breath before slowly lying down on the bed. Her lips were trembling slightly. She was feeling an intense nervousness for her well-being, which was why she had called for Cholo's mother, to give her a check-up.
The older woman had some knowledge of medicine. Because hospital fees in their town were incredibly expensive, almost everyone consulted Cholo's mother instead. Even at the local clinic, nothing was free; they charged a high price just for a basic consultation.
Lately, Agnes had noticed significant changes in her body and various symptoms she couldn't explain. Cholo himself had recommended that she seek advice from his mother.
"Agnes, just calm down. I can feel your body shaking," Aunt Lucia said with a light laugh.
"Be calm, Big sis," Cholo said, gently patting her arm.
Islaw stood silently in the corner, as if he didn't want to cause any trouble, but she could see how deeply worried he was for her. She bit her lip as she watched his posture. He was tucked away at the very edge of the room, feet together, pouting with his hands clasped. He looked like a child who had been scolded.
"Big sis, the consultation with my mom is free," Cholo mentioned.
"I usually charge because this is one of the ways I earn a living, but for you, Agnes, it's free," Aunt Lucia added.
"Thank you," she answered simply.
"Now, tell me everything that's been happening to you over the past few months that you feel isn't normal."
"Yes." Agnes swallowed hard. "I've noticed that I'm often dizzy and weak. I used to be able to work all day, but now I can only last about three hours. I'm also very emotional lately. I feel like I'm being immature because I cry so easily and get irritated quickly."
"Is there anything else you've noticed about yourself?"
"I'm always hungry. Every morning, I crave the smell of raw fish or I want to eat dried seaweeds from the convenience store. At night, I end up vomiting, and I wake up around ten o'clock just to eat green mangoes and shrimp paste."
"Whoa, maybe you're turning into a milkfish!" Cholo joked, earning a sharp look from his mother.
"Your body—do you feel like anything is changing physically?"
"I've noticed I'm gaining weight, getting tired easily, and always feeling sleepy. I can't help falling asleep at work sometimes, which makes Lady Brianna scold me even more. I also noticed that my stomach is getting a bit big."
"A big stomach?" Aunt Lucia frowned and gently felt Agnes's abdomen.
"I don't know why my stomach is growing. I just assumed that since I go straight to sleep after dinner because of exhaustion, that was the reason."
"In my opinion, that isn't the reason."
Agnes didn't respond and remained silent as she let the woman continue. After a moment, Aunt Lucia took her hand and placed her fingers on Agnes's pulse, feeling the rhythm. Not ten seconds later, her mouth fell open in surprise.
"Is there a problem?" Agnes asked worriedly.
She glanced briefly at Islaw, who was still quiet in the corner, but she could see that his anxiety had grown as much as hers. What if she had a serious illness? What would happen to Islaw? Who would take care of him? What about her husband?
"There are two heartbeats in your pulse."
"What does that mean, two heartbeats?" Agnes asked, confused.
"Agnes, please don't be shocked by what I'm about to ask... but have you and your husband been intimate?"
Agnes couldn't answer immediately and looked at her husband again. He was staring at her with a completely innocent and gentle face. But even she was clueless about what was happening.
"Surely something has happened between you since you are married. But I want to be sure."
"Big sis, has something happened between you and big brother?" Cholo asked.
"Please don't take my question the wrong way. I just need to know because I have a suspicion about these symptoms and the changes you're noticing," the older woman explained.
"So, has something happened?" she asked again, and Agnes nodded slowly.
"How many times have you been together?"
Agnes bit her lip and looked down. She was embarrassed and hesitant to answer. Did they really need to know that? They had done it more than six times, but she didn't want to share that. It felt too personal.
"I'm sorry for the question. But Agnes, I have good news. You're pregnant."
Agnes let out a long breath of relief. She thought she had some kind of disease, but it turned out she was pregnant—wait! P-pregnant? What did that mean? Who was pregnant? She was pregnant? She blinked repeatedly as the news struggled to sink in. Was she really pregnant?
"Congratulations!" Cholo shouted, jumping up and down and giving her a tight hug.
"I'm pregnant?" she asked, tears welling up as she sought confirmation.
"Yes, Agnes. I can feel two pulses—one for you and one for the baby. Plus, everything you mentioned are common symptoms of pregnancy."
"Is that so?"
"That's exactly right. If you look at your stomach, it's not just from being full. That shape is because there is a life inside your womb."
Smiling, Agnes placed her hand on her stomach. Was this real? Were she and Islaw going to have a child? She couldn't stop herself from sobbing and signaled for Islaw to come over, which he did immediately. Before he could even sit on the bed, she buried her face against his chest.
"Congrats, Big brother! Congrats to me too, I'm a godfather now!" Cholo said, slapping Islaw on the rear with a loud thwack.
"W-why? Why are you crying?" With soft eyes, Islaw wiped the tears from her wet face.
"I'm pregnant. We're going to have a child!"
"W-what? We're going to have a baby?" Islaw asked, sounding completely shocked as she nodded repeatedly.
"W-where is my baby? He needs to n-nurse on my nipple!" He started to stand up, but she stopped him.
She heard Aunt Lucia laugh.
"Big brother, in such a hurry? What do you think? You just shove a hotdog in once and the baby is finished and ready to dances?"
"Dance," Agnes corrected.
"Whatever."
"But where is my baby?" Islaw asked.
"Right here. Inside my womb. It will take a while before our child comes out, but you're willing to wait, right? Until we can finally see our child?"
"Hmm," he answered, his gaze dropping to her stomach.
Islaw's right palm gently rested on her belly, making her smile. Even now, she could see that her husband would be a good father to their child. But the smiles on Agnes and Cholo's faces vanished when Islaw suddenly balled his hand into a fist and knocked on her stomach.
"Is anyone home? Baby, open up!"
"Big brother, you're something else."
"Isn't there a h-hole in your s-stomach, Agnes? Maybe that's the d-door for the baby to come out."
Islaw smiled wider as he look down at her stomach.
"It's called navy." Cholo chimed in.
"It's actually navel, Cholo." Agnes corrected.
"I'm close enough to the right word, Big sis."
"Baby, this is your f-father. Open the door so you can n-nurse on my nipple."
"Wow, you're really something, Big brother," Cholo remarked.
They all laughed at Cholo's comment.
"Alright, Cholo and I will head out. Agnes, it's best if you consult a doctor to be absolutely sure. Or at least use a home pregnancy test if the budget is tight. You know how corrupt the people are here," the woman advised. Agnes nodded and let them leave.
"I'm going to be a mother, and you're going to be a father," she said, kissing Islaw on the forehead.
Finally, their dream as a couple was coming true.
The joy of that realization lingered for days, filling their small home with a newfound sense of hope. However, as the initial celebration settled, the reality of their daily life returned, along with the need to sustain the family they were about to grow. With a new life on the way, every centavo mattered more than ever.
Islaw stood outside Mr. Morris's office inside the mansion to collect his and Agnes's wages. Usually, Agnes was the one who received both their salaries before giving him his share, but because his wife was pregnant and resting at home, he had gone to work alone.
To be honest, Madame Beattrice was furious about the arrangement, but Lady Brianna seemed to favor it. At first, Islaw had been quite fond of that woman, but as time passed, he began to notice and realize her unpleasant attitude, especially toward Agnes.
"I'm only giving a hundred pesos for Agnes's salary because of her constant blunders, and she's been absent several times. This three hundred is for you," Madame Beattrice said.
"Thank you, Madame."
Islaw knew that the way they paid him and Agnes was unfair, but he also knew that he couldn't complain for now because they both lacked the means to do otherwise. He simply accepted the wages the lady handed him and immediately left to buy what Agnes needed.
Before he had left for work, Agnes had asked for raw fish and seaweeds that could be bought at a convenience store. She also instructed him to buy a home pregnancy test. He had the list of things to buy written on a small piece of paper because he didn't know what they were.
"That will be 150 pesos, sir."
He just stared blankly at the woman handing him the small bag, unsure of how much money to give. When the woman repeated the price, he pulled a twenty-peso bill from his pocket and handed it to her, causing her to frown.
"Sir, you're still short by 130 pesos."
He bit his lip, not knowing the correct amount to provide. He had been taught in school and by Agnes how to count and how to use money, but the amount the woman in front of him was asking for felt overwhelming.
"Sir, what is your budget?"
"What?" He tilted his head.
"How much money do you have with you?"
He didn't hesitate and immediately pulled all the cash from his trouser pocket. There were four purple bills; Agnes had told him that the purple paper was called a hundred.
He was puzzled when the woman took two of the bills, returned his twenty pesos, and handed him a red bill which he quickly took. Agnes had said that the thin red paper was called fifty.
"Thank you, sir."
He gave the woman a small smile after she explained the slip of paper she handed him—a receipt for his purchases. He pocketed the small bag and immediately left the store. He wanted to get home to see Agnes.
He was stopped when a car pulled up in front of him.
"Stupid!" a familiar man shouted as he stepped angrily out of the vehicle.
He thought the man's name was Erick.
"You again? You really are a complete idiot!"
"Why are you a-angry? What did I do to you?" Islaw asked, confused. He had no idea why this man was suddenly fuming. He hadn't done anything wrong to him.
"Really? You're asking me that? You're blocking the way, and what do you expect me to do? To adjust?"
"I was on the side of the r-road."
"Yeah, whatever. No matter what I say, you will never understand because you are crazy!" the man said, his teeth gritted in rage. "I can't believe Agnes tolerated staying with a mental case like you."
Islaw didn't say a word and simply tried to walk past the man. This was Lady Brianna's boyfriend, who was always hostile toward him. Agnes had told him to just avoid the man and pay him no mind. But before he could leave, Erick grabbed his arm and jerked him around, causing the bag he was holding to fly out of his hand.
"We aren't done talking yet."
"Oh no!" Islaw ignored him and rushed to pick up the items Agnes had asked for.
"What the heck is that?!"
Before Islaw could put the item from the pharmacy back into the small bag, the man in front of him snatched it away. Erick stared at the object with a deep scowl. A moment later, he let out a mocking laugh before throwing the item back at Islaw.
"A home pregnancy test, huh?"
"Tell me, is Agnes pregnant?"
"Yes—" Islaw was about to answer proudly, but the man let out a furious scream.
"This can't be!"
"This is bullshit! She wouldn't let me touch her, and then she just opens her legs for you? What a whore!"
"Are you c-cursing at my wife?" Islaw asked with a furrowed brow.
Yes, his mind was a bit slow and there was much he didn't know. But even if he didn't fully understand the words being used, he could feel that what was being said about his wife was bad.
"Yes, that wife of yours is a whore. Acting all innocent and virginal, but she's rotten inside. A slut who only wants to get into bed with you."
"You jerk!" Islaw couldn't stop himself, he immediately punched the man in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Fuck! You're acting brave now?" Erick struggled to stand but couldn't quite manage it.
"Don't you dare hurt or speak ill of my wife!" Islaw bellowed before turning his back and walking away.
"I'm not done with you, you lunatic!" the man shouted after him, but Islaw just ignored it.
If he was a lunatic, then this man was a total scoundrel.
Islaw didn't look back as he hurried away, his heart thumping with a mix of anger and protective instinct. He tightly clutched the small bag of supplies, his only focus now being the safety of his home and the woman waiting for him. The harsh words of the world outside were quickly forgotten as the sun began to set, replaced by a much more primal urge that seemed to be taking over their household lately: an insatiable hunger.
By the time the moon hung high over the sea, the tension of the afternoon had dissolved into the quiet sounds of their evening meal. The small kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh fish and the clatter of silverware.
Agnes shoveled spoonfuls of rice and viand into her mouth, feeling famished despite eating every few minutes. Cholo tried to warn her to slow down since it was late at night, fearing she might have trouble breathing in her sleep or suffer a nightmare from a heavy stomach.
But despite the protests from Cholo and Islaw, she couldn't stop herself, especially since the food Islaw cooked was so delicious. There was fried fish. There was even raw fish on the table because she found the scent so enticing.
"Big sis, you might choke on that," Cholo said, shaking his head and scratching his scalp.
"Am I being too greedy?" she asked, gently wiping her lips after taking a sip of water.
"Oh, Big sis, do you really even have to ask?"
"I'll take this!" Islaw pouted, pointing at the raw fish.
Agnes laughed because he seemed a bit sulky, she had practically finished their entire dinner. She let Islaw have the fish. In truth, it was a small reward for everything he had done for her. Islaw deserved to eat well, but she felt limited by her current situation.
"Big brother, are you okay?"
She froze when she noticed Islaw suddenly turned pale after he began to shift from his human form back into a merman. Both she and Cholo sprang up when Islaw collapsed from his seat and began to crawl toward her feet, gasping for air.
"Islaw, w-what's happening to you?!" she panicked, her legs trembling as she knelt beside him.
"I-I can't b-breathe, Agnes," he gasped, his voice a ragged whisper that terrified her even more.
"He needs water, Big sister! He hasn't shifted in a long time, he's been on land for too long!"
Without hesitation, Agnes moved. With Cholo's help, they hurriedly and quietly carried Islaw outside and heaved him into the shallow part of the sea. There, Islaw slowly began to breathe again, his strength returning instantly. Her fear vanished as she watched Islaw swim around, letting out small chirps of joy.
"Big brother is so energetic now."
"We can't blame him. It's been a while since he returned to the sea."
"True. Look at how happy he is."
Cholo ran excitedly toward where Islaw was. Since the water wasn't that deep, she followed. She couldn't help but smile as Islaw splashed Cholo with water, frolicking happily.
"Is this real?"
The three of them froze at the sound of a voice.
"Erick!" She clutched her stomach when she saw Erick staring intently at Islaw's shimmering tail. Her stomach suddenly began to ache.
"He's not human?"
"Big sis, he knows," Cholo panicked, running to her side.
"He's a merman!" Erick burst into a loud, disbelieving laugh, appearing completely mesmerized by the sight.
"No, he's not a merman. You're just seeing things." She turned toward the water. "Islaw, get out of here!" she bellowed, and he immediately obeyed.
"No, I won't let you be on the loose!"
Erick tried to chase after her husband, but he couldn't keep up with the speed of Islaw's swimming. She felt a wave of relief when Islaw disappeared from sight, her husband was safer beneath the waves. But her ordeal was far from over.
"You let that animal escape!"
"You bastard!" Furious, she slapped the scoundrel Erick. She couldn't contain the rage boiling inside her. "Don't you dare speak about my husband that way! You're more of an animal than he is!"
"Really? A human has no tail, but he does. That means he's not human. He's a merman, Agnes!"
She felt a chill down her spine as he cackled.
"Agnes, I never thought you had such a dark secret. I struggled so hard just to take your womanhood, only to find out you prefer fish."
"Stop it! Why are you even here? Just leave!"
"I came here because I found out you're pregnant. But I didn't expect you to have a surprise waiting for me." He glanced mockingly at the sea behind him.
"Erick, I'm begging you. Just leave me and my husband alone."
"What? No! Agnes, no. He's a merman. He should be caught, experimented on, and sold."
"You're evil!" Her voice cracked under the weight of her distress. How could such a person exist?
"Hmm, I'm planning to build my own Merman Show. And Islaw will be the star of that show."
"You're insane! Who are you to plan something like that?! I'm his wife, and I've never planned anything bad for him. And here you are, deciding his life for him! You have no right!"
"You know, Agnes, you can be part of my plan. It's not too late for the two of us. Dump that fish, and I'll dump Brianna just for you. We can start again. And this plan of mine will be our beginning."
"You're a jerk!" For the second time, she slapped Erick, harder this time, making him stumble. She noticed his jaw tighten. "Go ahead, keep living in your imagination. I will never let your plan happen, it will stay a fantasy."
"You keep rejecting me." The jerk smirked, placing his hands on his hips. "You'll pay for this, Agnes. The night I witnessed your secret is the night your happy days with that fish end."
"You're drunk, Erick. If I were you, I'd go home. You're losing your mind."
"Don't try to make a fool out of me, Agnes! I know what I saw! He has a tail! He's a merman, and you can't hide that secret anymore! I will reveal that dark secret to everyone!" Erick declared before finally walking away.
Trembling with fear, Agnes clutched her large stomach. She felt a sharp, intense pain deep inside. But her blood ran cold when she felt a warm liquid flowing down her thighs.
"Big sis, Big sis!" Cholo cried, shaking her as he realized, just like her, that something was terribly wrong.
"My b-baby!"