A small smile played on Agnes's lips as she took in her surroundings one by one. It's been years—three years since she bought the island she now holds. She never imagined the day would come when she would let it go, but she was finally returning to the first island she ever loved. To the island where her parents conceived her, and where she was born even before they moved to the island of the Mishayam.
To the place where she and Islaw once hid.
The island she was on now was the only thing there for her when she and Islaw were separated. It served as her home during the time she was alone. The people here, who were once as penniless as she was, were the ones who opened their hearts and took her in. That is why she was giving this island to someone worthy.
"Ma'am Agnes, are you really sure about leaving the island of Isalawa just to go back to your old island?" Intense sadness was etched on Nika's face.
"That's right, Nika. Please don't feel bad that I'm choosing to go back and live on the island of Mishayam instead of staying here," she said, referring to her home island.
Where she met Islaw.
"It's not that I feel bad, but I'm sad. We all are, because of your departure. We've grown so fond of you."
"I am sad to leave, too, because I'll be leaving all of you behind, but knowing that this island will be in good hands gives me peace of mind."
"Do you really not plan on taking even one of us with you? I am willing to go with you to the island where you'll be living."
"Thank you for the offer, Nika. But I want to go back to my own town as the person I used to be. The old Agnes who was simple and happy with a simple life—but in a better version. A bolder and braver one."
"If that is what you wish, then I will support you." Though sad, Nika forced a smile for her.
After their short talk, Nika left her to rest. No matter what position Agnes took on the bed, sleep simply would not come. It was ten in the evening, but her mind was wide awake. She sighed and stood up. Whenever she couldn't sleep, she would go out to the balcony to feel the breeze.
She had truly come a long way. It felt like only yesterday this island was hidden, but now it was full of lights because of the hotels and tourist spots that had been built. The people were so grateful to her for her contributions to the island, but none of this would exist if not for Islaw.
She was able to rise because of Islaw.
As the night wind brushed against her skin, the modern world seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of a memory so vivid she could almost feel the weight of a child in her arms again...
The sparkle in Agnes's eyes wouldn't fade as she gazed intently at the infant in her arms. She didn't realize how fast time flew; it felt like only yesterday her child was still in her womb. But now, she held him in her very own arms.
He was so light. Such a joy to carry. She felt like she could endure holding him for hours, ignoring the numbness and fatigue in her arms. Just by looking at her and Islaw's child, all the pain in her body seemed to melt away. This was how wonderful it felt when the baby you carried for months in your womb was finally in your hands.
"Agnes, it's my turn." Islaw approached her with a pout; she couldn't help but laugh.
His pout couldn't get any longer.
"Why is your face like that? You're like a child who didn't get a toy," she said, laughing.
"Because of you! You've been holding the baby for so long. It should be my turn!" He crossed his arms as if sulking.
The little merman, who once spoke with a stutter, had finally become fluent in his speech.
"Your father is jealous," she said, laughing as she turned to their child.
"Baby Shilaw is mine. He's mine!"
"Wait a moment, Islaw. I'm still holding him."
"You've had baby Shilaw for so long. You're cheating!"
"Because I had to feed him and make him burp. I'll give Silaw to you later."
"Later? But he already went burghhh earlier." Her laughter grew louder when Islaw mimicked a burp.
"What is burghhh?"
"Never mind! Give me baby Silaw."
"Fine, here he is," she surrendered.
Agnes gently transferred the baby to Islaw's strong arms. She laughed even harder seeing her husband struggle with his posture, it hadn't even been a month since she gave birth to baby Silaw, so both of them were still fumbling with how to properly care for an infant. It was a good thing their neighbors were kind.
They were the ones guiding Agnes and Islaw.
"Baby Shilaw."
"Islaw, how many times do I have to tell you that our son's name isn't Shilaw? It's Silaw. Silaw is his name."
"I get tongue-tied with 'Shilaw'."
"Hmm, fine. I'll accept that reason, but Silaw is really our child's true name."
"Why Silaw?" he suddenly frowned.
"It's been almost three weeks since we named Silaw and you still don't know why?"
"No!" he answered directly, making her laugh.
"I just reversed your name, Islaw. Besides, I see our child as a sunrise. A beautiful hope in the morning—blinding to the eyes, but truly magnificent. That's the meaning of his name."
"Why magnificent? He should be handsome because baby Shilaw has a hotdog!"
"You're too much, always full of nonsense. Anyway, I've explained the meaning of Silaw's name."
"You're so confusing."
She didn't argue and just laughed.
"Agnes?"
"What is it, Islaw?"
"It's actually so happy to be a father."
"Really? You're happy? Even when you're tired from taking care of our child? Even when your back and arms ache from carrying him, you're still happy?"
"Yes, I'm happy."
Agnes was silenced by the way Islaw answered. His eyes were full of determination. If she were asked, she would say being a mother wasn't easy. There were times she felt her body would collapse from exhaustion and pain, and she knew Islaw felt the same.
But despite that, her husband was still so happy. At first, she looked at Islaw like a child just playing with a doll, but from what she saw now, she could say Islaw was a very good father. He had no complaints and always followed what she said. She was truly lucky to have her husband and son.
"Don't you get tired? While I hold Silaw, you have to do the laundry, clean the house, cook, and earn a living. When you get home from work, you have to take care of baby Silaw. Until our child grows up, you'll do that over and over again. Every day until we grow old, we will guide Silaw and his future siblings."
"Agnes, you're so excited to get pregnant again." He suddenly laughed at her.
"You really are a mood killer."
"Sorry." Islaw pouted and kissed her cheek.
"Agnes, always remember that I love you and baby Shilaw so much, and as his father, I will do everything for him. Even if I have no sleep or rest, it's okay as long as it's for the baby."
At those simple words, she remained silent. Whenever Islaw spoke, she ran out of things to say. Wait, were those really just simple words? No, they weren't just words. They were the words of a father overflowing with love for his child.
"Thank you, Islaw," she whispered.
Agnes intended to kiss her husband, but before her lips could touch Islaw's forehead, they heard a series of knocks. She expected it was just a neighbor bringing them some food, but when she opened the door, her eyes widened and her knees shook with fear.
Fear for her family.
"Well hello, it's been a while. We finally found you, Agnes."
"Mr. Morris."
The sound of that name in her memory felt like a cold blade cutting through her heart. The warmth of the hut and the smell of her baby vanished instantly, replaced by the dark, lonely balcony of the present. The contrast was too much to bear.
"Islaw!"
Agnes could no longer hold herself back. Her knees gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor. She didn't realize she had been sobbing for a long time. That scene from the past was truly beautiful to look back on. But the events of that night marked the last night she and Islaw were together.
The Acosta family had arrived then, along with their men. She thought they were safe, but the Acostas had been searching for them. Those people were heartless, ready to do anything to make money off of Islaw. This became the reason she grew stronger and learned to fight back.
But despite the bravery she showed everyone, here was her true self. Completely shattered. She looked like she could handle it, but the truth was she was about to give in. Since then, and until now, Islaw and Silaw were the only things she held onto to keep living. Only them.
"I can still do this! I will keep fighting. I need to continue because I will find you, and I won't give up until I am with you both—my husband and my son."
Determined, she stood up and wiped her tears. She didn't stay in the safety of her balcony for long. The fire in her heart pushed her to take action immediately. If she was going to reclaim her life, she had to start with the people who truly knew her before the wealth and the suit.
She left the mansion and headed toward the outskirts of the town, where the houses were smaller and the air smelled of woodsmoke and the sea. Every step felt like walking back in time. Finally, she stopped in front of a familiar, weathered door. The bravado she felt earlier wavered, replaced by a sudden, sharp anxiety.
Agnes bit her lower lip, hesitating whether to knock on the door or not. She was afraid to face a friend she hadn't seen in years. After everything, it couldn't be denied that she had left him behind to flee far away.
"Can I do this?" she asked herself.
"I can," she said, finally gathering enough courage.
"Hello? Anyone home?" She knocked several times until the door finally opened.
"Big sister?"
Shock washed over the face of the person standing before her.
Before he could even process it, Agnes lunged forward and pulled him into a warm, longing embrace—a hug that felt as if she never wanted to let go. Her yearning for this child was beyond words.
"Big sis, is it—is it really you?" he asked once they were seated on the large rocks by the shore.
She hadn't even realized they had made their way to the beach.
"Yes, Cholo. It's me, your one and only big sis."
"Pinch me, Big sis," he commanded, and she immediately followed.
"Ouch, you've got a grip like a vice!" Cholo hissed as he rubbed his reddish cheek.
"Oh, so it's not just your voice and your height that have leveled up—you're even speaking so well now!" she remarked with delight.
"Of course, I English before so I know English now."
"Huh?" was all she could say.
She thought there had been some improvement.
"What I mean is, I've always known how to speak English since before, so I speak well now."
"But it's still lacking. Don't worry, you'll learn more and get even better. Just study hard, Buncel Cholo." She smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Big sis, don't call me that. Just Cholo."
"Wow, someone doesn't want to be called by his full name anymore," she teased, laughing.
"That name sounds so bad. Besides, I'm a young man now, I'm too old for that name. The name Buncel sucks!"
Agnes smiled at what he said, it was true that Cholo was now a young man. He was nearly as tall as her, and his voice had deepened, marked by his prominent Adam's apple. She was happy for Cholo, but she couldn't help the sadness she felt knowing he grew up without her.
She had always treated Cholo like a brother.
"Buncel Cholo, your name is actually quite beautiful."
"Come on, Big sis, just call me Cholo."
"Alright, alright," she surrendered with a laugh.
"You know, you've become even more beautiful now, Big sis. I'm happy you fulfilled your dream of rising from poverty and escaping the cruelty of the Acostas."
"Thank you, Cholo. How about you? How are your studies?"
"Oh, I stopped going to school a long time ago," Cholo answered, which made her freeze.
"I only finished Grade 3. But maybe if I had continued, I'd be in high school by now."
"Cholo..."
"It's because my father passed away. I only have my mother now. You know how hard life is here on the island, right, Big sis? So my mother and I have been living hand-to-mouth. Instead of studying, I just worked—"
"Forgive me!" Without warning, she hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry, Cholo. You were always there for me, but when you needed me, I wasn't there."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Big sis. In fact, I'm just happy you're back. I have a big sister again."
"Don't worry. Now that I'm here, I won't neglect you and your mother. I will help everyone on this island. We will all rise together, start over, and bring back the beauty of this place."
"Is that true?"
"Of course, Cholo. And as for you, I want you to study again. Finish your education. Even if you're older now, go back to primary school. Don't be ashamed, because I'm here to support you."
"Thank you, Big sis." He hugged her back emotionally.
"Big sis?"
When he composed himself, Cholo held her hand.
"I hope big brother's life is good right now," Cholo said, which made her pause.
"I... I hope so, too. I hope he's okay, I hope he's safe. Him and our child."
"I hope so, too. I hope he survived and is still alive." Cholo said making Agnes confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
"He came back here that night."
"W-what?" She immediately stood up from the rock she was sitting on.
"W-what do you mean? Islaw came back here?" So Islaw came back here in Mishayam after they were separated on Isalawa island.
"Where is my husband? How is our child? Are they okay? I want to see them!" She was frantic, causing Cholo to stand up as well.
"I'm sorry, Big sis. But the night he came back here, we only spoke briefly because Mr. Morris's men were chasing him."
"What happened next?"
"I helped him get into the water, but even into the sea, Erick chased him."
"Erick?" Her former boyfriend?
"Erick had a gun. I saw it clearly, he shot big brother in the chest. Big brother was bleeding then, but he managed to escape with the infant he was carrying. And I haven't seen them since."
Without warning, Agnes's legs grew weak. She collapsed onto the sand as the revelations sank in. Why was she only learning this now? If she had known, she would have returned to this island long ago to search for her husband and child. Even if it took years, she was willing to wait.
"Big sis, don't lose hope. I have a strong feeling that your husband and child are still alive."
"I hope so," she whispered softly.
"Erick... where is he?" She stood up, seething with rage.
It couldn't be like this, she couldn't just stay this way forever. She would not remain silent after learning about the beastly thing that man did to her husband. She wanted to see Erick and pour all her anger onto him. If it weren't for Erick, her husband and child might still be here.
"Why are you asking, Big sister?"
"Take me to Erick."