I am Marcial. I am a complete orphan—I have no parents, and my only family is my brother. Since childhood, I have been his parent. I am the one who educated him so that his dream of becoming a merchant marine, like me, is a seaman, comes true.
After a few years at sea, I had saved up a little so I went home and got married. At that time, I felt like my life was complete. But after five months, I had to sail again to save more for our future as a couple. I left my husband at home—with my sister, who I had dreamed of having a good life with.
I had been away from the Philippines for three years, confident that everything was fine. Until one day, I heard whispers from acquaintances. They said that my husband and my sister were having an affair. I thought it was just a rumor—I couldn't believe it because I knew that my husband loved me, and more importantly, he was my sister.
But when I got home, I found out the truth. My wife was pregnant. And what was even more painful, the father of the child she was carrying was my own brother. It was like the world had fallen on me. I didn't know what to feel—anger, sadness, or hatred.
In so much pain, I threw my husband out. I couldn't bear to see him anymore. I filed for an annulment, and to this day, I don't know if I'll ever be able to get back on the ship because my mind is in turmoil.
But even so, I still love my brother. He's the only blood relative I have left in the world. So even though it was heavy on my heart, I forgave him—but have I truly forgiven him? To be honest, to this day, the pain and anger still haven't gone away.
I ask myself every day: how can I fully forgive my brother? How can I erase the pain caused by their betrayal? I know I can't change what happened, but I hope I can learn to put it in the past and start a new chapter in my life.
Sometimes I wonder, was it right that I forgave him? Was it right that I chose to remain siblings despite what he did? Or should I forget him completely? It's hard, because he's all I have left.
