Karl awakens alone inside the tent. He hadn't noticed that he had dozed off and had been asleep for several hours. As he sits up, his eyes scan the area, searching for something. When his gaze lands on his bag, he discovers what he was seeking. Swiftly, he grabs his cell phone and unlocks it. Checking the time, he realizes that he has slept for nearly two hours.
"Rose?" he calls out to his girlfriend as he rises to exit the tent. "Babe?" he calls out once more, but there is no response.
Karl swiftly emerges from the tent and calls out Rose's name once again. Stepping outside, he notices the absence of their friends from their respective tents as well. Karl scratches his head in confusion. Perhaps they have already ventured into the sea, basking in the beauty of the surroundings and the refreshing water. Maybe Rose is among them, enjoying a swim at the beach. They likely didn't wake him up due to his deep slumber.
Karl commences his journey towards the beach to search for his beloved Rose. Perhaps Vanessa and Agnes are also in their company. If he spots the three of them, he intends to speak with Agnes, as he has observed her avoiding him since their arrival on the island.
Karl suddenly recalled that Rose had mentioned her plan to find a location with a reliable network signal. This way, she could reach out to her parents and alleviate their concerns about her safety.
Under the scorching heat of the sun, he continued to wander in search of his beloved. He made several attempts to call or text Rose, but all of his efforts were in vain. Despite the relatively low population on the island, he was unable to locate Rose. Thoughts crossed his mind that she might have changed her plans, deciding to return to the hotel where they were staying with her family instead of staying on the island with him. However, Karl knew Rose well enough to believe she wouldn't do that or even consider it. She always meant what she said. Maybe his recent paranoia was getting the best of him. After all, she loved him deeply. Attempting to call her, he realized there was no network signal on the island. As the temperature skyrocketed to nearly forty-eight degrees Celsius, Karl's tanned skin glistened with sweat. The sunburn on his shoulders caused discomfort. Although he noticed Mercy and Lourdes enjoying a swim in the refreshing seawater, he didn't feel at ease joining them. Instead, he decided to head back to the camp where Chantelle was now busy cooking for the evening party.
Under an unfamiliar tree, Karl spotted Agnes and approached her with the intention of discussing certain issues relating to their friendship. Wearing dark sunglasses and holding a glass of iced tea, she was completely engrossed in her favorite novel, oblivious to Karl's presence.
"Hey," he said tentatively, hesitating to touch her or even smile. Startled, Agnes closed her book and hastily rose, ready to leave. Karl gently grasped her shoulder, urging her to stay.
"I think we need to have a talk," he asserted, his voice firm yet kind.
"There's nothing to talk about, Karl," she replied.
"But there is, and there are many things we must address for me to understand what's happening with you," he insisted. Agnes tried to free her arm from his grip.
"Please, let me go!" she pleaded. "You're hurting me."
"I won't let go unless you tell me what's going on!" he retorted, his voice now filled with anger. Drawing her closer, he compelled her to sit down. "You need to explain everything. Let's discuss this and find a resolution together!"
Agnes broke into tears, unable to meet Karl's gaze while he sat before her, attempting to console her.
"I'm sorry if I'm being rude. I just truly want to talk with you. It pains me to see you like this. You're my best friend, and there are so many things you keep from me. I don't know if I did something wrong that caused you to act so strangely, to the point where I don't even recognize you anymore," he said, his voice softening. Agnes kept her eyes fixed on the ground, tears shimmering.
"I've noticed you've been avoiding me since we arrived at the hotel last night. Please, tell me if I did something to upset you. I don't want to see you like this," he implored. Genuine concern reflected on his face. Agnes lifted her gaze, attempting to speak, but the words eluded her. Karl gently wiped away her tears with both thumbs.
"Please, tell me what's wrong," he pleaded.
"Karl...," Agnes whispered, her voice trembling. "It's just that... I haven't been in the mood to talk to you or mingle with the group lately. Right now, I have personal issues and problems I need to deal with on my own. I hope you can understand," she explained. Karl shook his head upon hearing Agnes's words.
"Don't make excuses about being in the wrong mood to talk or socialize. That's not true, Ness! It's not true!" His voice echoed, drawing concerned gazes from Chantelle. Agnes was taken aback; it was the first time she had seen him so angry.
"I am your best friend, Ness. I know you better than anyone else. We grew up together in the same place and went to the same school. Please, don't make me feel stupid."
Agnes continued crying, her face red with anger. Karl's expression softened as he realized what he had just said to her.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you," he said, wanting to touch her but hesitating. "It feels like you no longer consider me your best friend. I'm truly sorry, Ness."
Agnes nodded and looked at him, her expression stern this time. "Yes, you're right. You're right, Karl," she sobbed. "You are my best friend, and you have known me since we were young. You know me better than anyone else. I thought you were my best friend, but I was mistaken."
"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.
"Maybe I expected too much from you. I expected too much, and that's why I'm hurting now," she took a deep breath and wiped her tears. "You always said you know me and understand how I feel. But you don't, Karl. You don't know me at all. If you did, I wouldn't be as miserable as I am today," Agnes wailed. Karl tried to embrace her, but she pushed him away roughly. Instead, she clenched her fists and began striking his chest repeatedly.
"Hey, stop it! I'm sorry if I made you feel that way!" he said, trying to control Agnes.
"You're so unfair! Why didn't you know? How could you be so oblivious to the fact that I've loved you since we were young?" She continued striking his chest, and Karl let her do so in the hopes of comforting her.
"Why can't you love me?" she asked.
Karl searched for the right words to answer her question. He couldn't meet her gaze, knowing he had no answer.
"You're so unfair! I was foolish enough to think that one day you would love me not just as your best friend but as your lover," she said, ceasing her strikes. Her hands covered her face.
"Ness, please?" he said, trying to control his tears. He was sorry for hurting his best friend. He took her hands and held them.
"I have loved you so much, but you keep ignoring me. I don't even know what respect means anymore. You're so unfair."
"Ness, please forgive me?" Karl pleaded, tears streaming down his face as he realized how much he had hurt her. "I'm sorry; I didn't know. Oh God, what have I done to you?"
"Why can't you love me, Karl? Am I not worthy of love?" she asked.
"Don't say that. You're a beautiful person, and you're worthy of love," he assured her.
"Then why Rose? Why not me?" she questioned, looking directly at him. Her eyes held hope that he might love her back. Karl tried to speak, but no words came out. He couldn't find the courage to answer her question. He didn't want to hurt her again, but he felt there was no choice.
"Ness, I'm sorry. I... I cannot love you the way you want me to. I can only love you as my best friend," his voice filled with sadness. Agnes was frozen; her strength drained from her body as she watched Karl slowly turn his back to leave her. She couldn't live without him; she had to do something to win him back.
"Karl, please love me, I'm begging you! Love me instead of her," Agnes shouted, quickly moving towards him. She faced her best friend, pleading.
"I'm sorry, Ness," he said sadly. Agnes grabbed Karl's neck and passionately kissed him on the lips. Karl's eyes widened, and he tried to push her away. Agnes clung tightly to his neck, continuing to kiss him, and whispered against his lips.
"Love me instead, please." Agnes tried to kiss Karl again, but they heard a familiar voice behind them.
"Karl?! Agnes?!" she exclaimed. It was Rose, her voice trembling. Her face turned ashen as she saw them kissing each other.