Mirror Mirror

Chapter 1: So It Begins

"Martina, napadalaw ka? Do you need anything for your internship?" Avi asked as she saw Martina entering the living room of their house.

Mikee and Avi had recently moved to a house in Ayala, Alabang, wanting more space for their growing family. The penthouse they used to live in felt too small, especially with their kids needing a place to run and play. Plus, the building was no longer in its prime condition, so they decided to sell it.

"No good morning? Ayaw mo po ako pong magvisit?" Martina teased. "But yeah, I need something, just not for my internship. Do you have bikinis or a swimsuit I could borrow?"

"Eto naman si conyong kuripot. Why not just buy a new one?" Mikee joked as she pulled her daughter into a hug.

"Eh... walang maganda. My Tagalog is getting better, dada. Mas conyo ka pa nga sa 'kin," Martina replied, giving her mom a quick kiss as she walked toward her.

With her siblings at school, the house was unusually quiet. Avi led Martina upstairs to find some swimming attire.

"Kailan ba alis mo?" Avi asked as they sorted through the closet.

"Tomorrow na po," Martina replied, a bit hurriedly. She still had to pack her things back at her condo. Her parents had recently bought her a unit just across the hospital they owned, where Martina would be doing her internship.

As she was heading out after hugging her parents goodbye, Avi called out, "Mag-ingat ka dun ha? No boys muna!"

"Eh girls?" Martina shot back with a playful grin before shutting the door.

"Ay, bading?" Mikee said to Avi, making them both burst into laughter.

Day 1 on the Island

Martina arrived on the island just before lunch, eager to start her solo adventure. After doing some research that assured her the island was safe, she felt confident exploring it on her own. She chose to stay in a simple nipa hut, aware that electricity would only be available from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Her accommodations were modest, but that suited her just fine—she was there for the experience, not the luxury.

Feeling a bit hungry, Martina wandered down to a small eatery not far from the shore. The place was simple but inviting, with a few tables scattered under the shade of coconut trees. She placed her order and then let her eyes wander, taking in the scenery. The island was beautiful—white sand, clear blue water, and a gentle breeze that made everything feel peaceful.

As she waited for her food, something—or rather, someone—caught her attention. A woman standing a little distance away seemed to belong to the island in a way that tourists never could. She had long black hair, a warm smile with visible dimples, and twinkling eyes that made her stand out. Her tan lines suggested she'd been there for a while, and her simple clothes, free of any touristy frills, reinforced the impression that she was more local than visitor. Her outfit was a bit girly, with short shorts and a fitted crop top the same color as the ocean.

Curiosity piqued, Martina leaned over to the woman serving her food. "Ate, local po ba yun?" she asked, gesturing toward where the woman had been standing.

But when she looked back, the woman was gone, vanished as quickly as she had appeared.

"Saan, ineng?" the server asked, looking around.

Martina felt a little embarrassed as she replied, "Ay, nakaalis na po ata." She sat back in her seat, still thinking about the woman. There was something captivating about her, something that made Martina wish she had spoken to her before she disappeared.