As the sun cast its golden hues upon the coastal town of Eldoria, Victoria stood on the shoreline, her face illuminated by a serene smile. Nestor, her beloved, prepared to embark on his daily fishing expedition, a routine that bound him to the vast expanse of the sea.
Nestor, with a weathered yet content expression, adjusted the brim of his hat and secured the net over his shoulder. Victoria, her eyes reflecting both love and a touch of sadness, walked alongside him, tracing the sandy path to the waiting boat."Take care, my love. May the sea bless you with abundance today,” she told him smiling with so much affection on her lovely face.Nestor replied to her grinning. "You worry too much, Victoria. The sea has always been kind to me,” he told her planting a soft and warm kiss on her cherry lips.As they reached the edge of the water, Nestor's boat gently rocked with the rhythm of the tide. He kissed Victoria's forehead, a gesture that spoke volumes of the unspoken bond they shared."I'll be back before sundown. You'll see,” Nestor told Victoria with assurance in his gentle voice.Victoria nodded and waved at him. Not long until she started whispering an incantation. "May the sea guide your path, and may the waves embrace you with safety." Victoria, with a grace that mirrored the ebb and flow of the waves, raised both hands in a silent prayer. Her lips moved in a rhythmic dance of words—a melody meant for the sea alone.Nestor smiles as he stares at Victoria with love."Thank you, Victoria. I'll bring you the best catch today."As Nestor set sail into the cerulean expanse, Victoria stood on the shore, her eyes following the boat until it became a mere speck on the horizon. The town, awakening to the gentle caress of the morning sun, seemed to join Victoria in her silent communion with the sea.In the heart of Eldoria, where the murmur of the sea blended with the hum of daily life, Victoria returned to the routines that tethered her to the town. As the market square bustled with activity, she moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and sharing smiles.The townsfolk, accustomed to Victoria's enigmatic presence, observed her with a mix of curiosity and reverence. Whispers of her nightly rituals, a dance with the sea beneath the moon's watchful gaze, circulated like a secret melody among the tight-knit community.Victoria's actions, steeped in a mystical rhythm, became an integral part of Eldoria's daily tapestry. And as the sun climbed higher in the sky, painting the town in a warm embrace, the echoes of her silent prayers lingered—an unspoken dialogue between a sorceress and the boundless depths that cradled Eldoria in their watery embrace.*****"If there's something we're all eagerly anticipating here, it's the day you and Nestor tie the knot, Victoria," declared Sinang, a slender and morena woman known for her straightforwardness and wit. Victoria, her face bathed in the soft glow of the early morning sun, couldn't help but respond with a broad smile. "You always know how to make me blush, Sinang. You're well aware Nestor is still saving up for our wedding," she admitted, her head bowed in a shy gesture. Sinang chuckled at Victoria's response. "Oh, Victoria, a grand wedding isn't necessary. What matters is sealing the bond that you two have nurtured for so long. Besides, isn't marriage the only thing missing for you two?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "That's true," chimed in Dolor, a stout and amiable woman who was busy arranging the freshly caught fish she intended to sell in the town. "And after that, a child is next in line," she added, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint. Victoria's expression shifted, and a heavy silence settled over the group. A melancholic sigh escaped her lips, and for a moment, she seemed lost in her thoughts. Afterward, she decided to divert the conversation, moving towards her humble nipa house, a structure standing not far from where the conversation took place.As she approached her home, a barrage of questions flooded her mind. How would she tell her close-knit community that she couldn't bear children? How could she admit that someone like her, possessing dark powers inherited from her witch mother, lacked the courage to broach the topic of marriage with Nestor? In truth, jealousy was already consuming her heart, even though Nestor had no knowledge of her condition.In that state of mind, Victoria was about to step inside her home when a series of vans caught her attention. Her gaze followed the procession, and she saw them stop in front of a large mansion that used to be an old resort in their town."Ah, they might be the ones others were talking about, the ones who bought that resort. They say they're wealthy and from Manila. The buyer is reportedly a widower with only one child, a beautiful daughter!" Dolor mentioned, directing Victoria's attention back to the vans. "Well, for me, there's no one more beautiful than Victoria. That's why the most handsome fisherman in our town fell for her!" Sinang retorted with a playful wink.Victoria merely smiled at the compliment and returned her attention to the three vans now parked in front of the gate of the old resort. Before long, she saw a mestiza woman alight from one of the vehicles. Dressed in a flowing yellow gown, with long, wavy hair the color of sunrise, the woman exuded grace and captivation.In a brief moment, the townspeople, including Victoria, stood still. An unseen energy permeated the air, an anticipation that lingered like the scent of salt in the breeze.As Victoria observed, the mestiza woman, an enigma in the evolving tapestry of Eldoria, seemed poised to leave an indelible mark on the canvas of their lives. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement that went beyond the ordinary as if the winds whispered tales of change and unforeseen encounters.Carmela stepped out of the van, the cool sea breeze embracing her as she surveyed the quaint town of Eldoria. The streets, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and weathered wooden structures, painted a picturesque scene that spoke of a simpler life untouched by the bustling pace of the city.As her gaze drifted across the bay, where fishing boats rocked gently against the dock, a sense of tranquility washed over her. "I feel like something unforgettable is going to happen here," she thought. Eldoria, with its coastal charm and the symphony of waves that caressed its shores, seemed like a haven frozen in time.With each step, Carmela felt the warmth of the community's welcome. Eldoria's residents, their faces etched with the stories of the sea, greeted her with genuine smiles. The local market, a vibrant mosaic of colors and scents, invited her to explore its treasures—freshly caught seafood, handmade trinkets, and the warm camaraderie of the townspeople. "The restaurant-hotel that my
Victoria and Nestor sat down for dinner, the aroma of freshly cooked dishes wafting through the air. The atmosphere was cozy, with the dim light from a nearby lamp casting a warm glow on the table."So, Nestor," Victoria began, sipping from her glass of water, "I heard some interesting news about the newcomers from Manila. They seem to have quite the story."Nestor looked up from his plate, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Oh, really? What did you hear?""Well," Victoria started, taking a bite of her meal, "apparently, there's a family that recently moved here. A daughter returned from the United States after studying culinary arts. Quite the accomplished chef, I must say."Nestor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A chef, you say? That's impressive. What's her name?""Carmela," Victoria replied, savoring the flavors of her dish. "Carmela, the daughter of Martin, our neighbor. She inherited her mother's beauty, they say."Nestor nodded, his interest piqued. "And what brings her to Eldoria?
Nestor's heart pounded loudly as he stood with Ariel outside the resort gate. He knew why he felt nervous—because of Carmela. He really didn't want to be affected by the strange feelings he had for that woman. But no matter what he did, he couldn't stop it. And he was frustrated with himself because of it.Ariel was the one who rang the doorbell. In a few moments, a uniformed maid opened the gate. She briefly left them and returned to usher them in."Wait here; Ma'am Carmela will be down shortly. I'll prepare some drinks for you," the maid said before turning away."We're so lucky. Don Martin's daughter will be joining us," Ariel expressed his delight in a hushed tone.Nestor didn't respond. During those moments, his overwhelming feelings took precedence. It intensified even more when he heard the light and approaching footsteps."Good evening," Carmela greeted them with a smile.Nestor truly stood there, momentarily transfixed and seemingly out of himself, upon seeing her.The word "
As agreed, Nestor picked her up in front of her house to accompany her in talking to other fishermen in the town of Eldoria. Initially, their plan was to bring a vehicle. But eventually, they opted to walk since their destination wasn't that far."I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend and partner, Victoria," Nestor introduced to her the beautiful woman he called Victoria."Hello," Carmela greeted, extending her hand for a handshake, which Victoria warmly accepted.A radiant smile graced Victoria's lips, accompanied by her cordial acceptance of the handshake. "I'm pleased to meet you, Carmela. I'm also happy to have the opportunity to reopen the Eldoria Hotel, Restaurant, and Resort. It's a significant help in providing jobs for the people here aside from fishing," Victoria shared.Carmela felt the sincerity in Victoria's words and responded with a smile. "That's our plan too, Papa and I. To help the locals and provide them with job opportunities.""So, my love, I'll accompany Ms.
It was a Saturday morning when Carmela was suddenly struck by relentless bouts of vomiting.“What happened to you? My God, I don’t know what to do. Your father isn’t here yet; he’s still in Manila. He won’t be back until the day after tomorrow!” This was Nanny Ising’s lengthy tirade as she assisted Carmela back to bed.She had been perfectly fine earlier in the morning. What she couldn’t understand was why, after having breakfast, she suddenly felt like her stomach had turned upside down. And it was all because of the corned beef she had for breakfast.Carmela quickly deduced the situation. She remembered the day she and Nestor went to the cottage. It had been over months. They had been successfully keeping their rendezvous secret for more than nine months now. She believed Nestor loved her dearly, even though, in reality, they were deceiving Victoria, who considered her a close friend.In her final thoughts, guilt consumed Carmela. She didn’t choose this. She never even thought about
Those days passed quickly for Victoria. That day was special for her because it marked the anniversary of her relationship with Nestor.Just like before.Nestor left early for a fishing expedition, while Victoria immersed herself in household chores, including shopping for the special dinner she planned for later."Hey, Victoria, you look beautiful today!"As usual, Victoria quickly blushed at the compliment from her friend Sinang."Are you earlier than usual?" Dolor asked her, smiling sweetly, much like Sinang."Yeah. And also, we didn't see you here yesterday. Maybe Nestor didn't leave; that's why?" Sinang teased her, causing her face to turn even redder.Victoria shook her head in succession and hesitantly opened her mouth to answer her friends' consecutive questions."No, he left yesterday. The truth is, I didn't come here because I accompanied Carmela to their place. She wasn't feeling well," she said, her voice carrying a hint of sadness that she couldn't hide.Victoria couldn't
"Isn't he such a handsome baby, Nestor?" Victoria asked Nestor with excitement that night.Lucia was buried that afternoon. And as Aling Simang hoped for, Victoria took care of Lucas and willingly embraced him as her own.Truth be told, it wasn't just because Aling Simang talked to her that she decided to take the baby. As she mentioned, she wanted to give a chance for a family with Lucas and her beloved Nestor."Are you sure about what you want to happen, Victoria? Taking care of a child is a significant responsibility. Plus, we're not wealthy," Nestor remarked as he sat at the table, sipping on hot coffee.Victoria smiled as she glanced at Nestor, then gently lowered her head to smell the head of the peacefully sleeping baby in her arms."Of course. And besides, I want to experience being a mother. You know the real reason why, despite being together for so long, I haven't gotten pregnant, right?" Victoria asked."Because your witchcraft-practicing mother cursed you," Nestor sighed
"Why don't I know about this, Carmela?" Martin's voice carried anger, yet it refrained from outright shouting. He caught Carmela in a compromising situation, vomiting in her bathroom, which wasn't the first time he had discovered her in such a state. Perhaps that's why he had already come to his own conclusions about her condition, even before she had a chance to reveal it to him."I-I'm sorry, Papa," she stammered, her voice teary.Carmela observed the complex emotions playing across her father's face, a tumultuous mix of concern and frustration. Even though she hadn't explicitly informed him about her pregnancy, it seemed as though he had already pieced it together. Her apology served as a form of acknowledgment, a non-verbal confirmation of the news he had likely deduced."Who is the father of this child?" Martin's question remained charged with anger.Before Carmela could respond, Nanny Ising entered her room. Worriedly, the older woman approached Carmela, who, at this moment,