The nineteenth morning in Maratua should have been one of profound peace. The sound of calm waves breaking beneath the bungalow, a gentle sea breeze fluttering thin curtains, and a bright tropical sun promising a beautiful day for relaxation. However, that peace was slightly disturbed by a stifled shriek originating from the next-door bungalow, where Caroline and Andrea were staying.
"NOOO! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SKIN?! WHY IS IT THIS WEIRD COLOR?!"
Nisa and Reza, who were enjoying their morning coffee on their bungalow terrace, exchanged glances. "It seems... we have a new 'victim' of the Derawan sun," Reza murmured.
They hurried to the youngest Corr's bungalow. The door opened, revealing Caroline standing in front of a large mirror, staring at the reflection of her back and arms with maximum horror. Andrea stood beside her with a mixed expression of pity and wanting to laugh.
"Nisa! Reza! Look at this!" Caroline cried out in panic, turning around to show her back.
And the sight was indeed... quite astonishing. Caroline's back and arm skin, which had been so enthusiastically swimming for hours in Kakaban Lake yesterday, chasing jellyfish timelessly (and forgetting to reapply sunblock), now displayed a pattern of color that was both very artistic and tragic. Most of her skin was red like a boiled crab, indicating quite severe sunburn. However, there were other areas covered by her swimsuit straps, or perhaps areas that miraculously received less sun exposure, which were still pale white, typical of Irish skin. And somehow, there was a faint greenish tinge in a few spots (perhaps remnants of lake moss clinging on?).
Red... White... Faint Green...
Alex, who came over after hearing the commotion, was the first to notice. His eyes widened, then he struggled hard to suppress his laughter. "Aunt Caroline... your back... it looks like the Irish flag!"
Instantly, all eyes turned to Caroline's back, then to the Irish flag which happened to be on Sharon's bag keychain. And it was true! The red-white-faint-green pattern on Caroline's skin coincidentally formed a color gradient very similar to the flag of their homeland!
"OH MY GOD! I'VE BECOME A WALKING MAP OF MY OWN COUNTRY!" Caroline wailed, even more hysterically, this time torn between wanting to cry and laughing at the absurdity of the situation. "How am I supposed to perform on stage again with patchy skin like this?!"