Broken Serenade

It is a cold and windy night of September 1st and It's quarter to 7. People are ready to lay their back on their beds and finally call it a night. A day in a province is not so easy as what people might think it is. So going to the bed earlier than what the city people does is not new for them. And that actually happen in almost all provinces in the Philippines. Yet, tonight, in one particular household, lights are not yet turned off. It is the house of Mang Oscario Erquiza with his two beautiful daughters, they are identical twins and named Selene and Serene. The lights are still on because the twin's father are not home yet. (Mang-Mister) Concern is visible on their faces. It is the first time that their father didn't came home early as what he usually do. But they can do nothing rather than to sit on their balcony and wait for their father's arrival. At 8:30 pm, an horrifying yells of someone broke the silence of the night. Almost all the people in the neighborhood came out of their houses. Including Selene and Serene. They saw a man who is running and look so horrified. Right at that moment, one of the people grab the man's arm and tries to talk to him. And it is Mang Leo, the Barangay captain there. "What happened?" Mang Leo asked him. "I-I saw Mang Cario lying in there." He said with his shaky voice and pointed the east part of their neighborhood. Upon hearing their father's name, the twins came at the front the front and ask the man with a pleading eyes. "Where is our father? Please, tell us his whereabouts." Selene asked, the older twin. "H-he is dead. B-brutally killed in the forest by someone in this place." The man answered, who named Mang Joebert. "Noooo. That can't be. He just promised us this morning that we're going to visit our mom's grave tomorrow." Serene said and fell down to her knees, feeling defeated And started to cry. "Selene, take care of your sister. For now, go to our house, my wife is there. Just tell her that I asked you to go there. We'll find your father." Mang Leo said. Selene is the opposite of Serene. Serene can easily show her emotions, either she's happy, sad or afraid. But Selene is a very tough girl outside. She neither cry nor speak anymore. She just nod and guide her sister to Mang Leo's house. "S-selene, what we're going to do? D-dada left us already. W-we have no one now. I am scared. What if someone will take you too, away from me? If only mom is here." Serene asked her sister. "That will never gonna happen, Serene. You have me, okay? Only death can take us apart." Selene answered as she wiped her sister's tears away. When they reached Mang Leo's house, a woman welcomed them. She brought them in their living room and made a chocolate drink for them to calm down. She didn't dare to utter even a single word. She is just looking at them with a concern. Few hours already passed. Serene already fell asleep. But Selene is just staring blankly at her sister. Or she might thinking tons of things but she is just acting like nothing is happening inside her mind. Finally, a car stopped at Mang Leo's front gate. It was a van. And from the passenger seat, Mang Leo and another man came out. The driver went to the back too. And then, a tricycle stopped too. There are additional 3 men. Mang Leo and Selene met each other's gaze. Sadly, Mang Leo shook his head like he was so defeated. Mang Leo and together with the 5 men, they carried the coffin, where Mang Oscario's cold body was laid. Selene run and went to see her father. Tears suddenly flows from her eyes, yet, she still looks emotionless. Tears are visible from her cheeks but her face still look so blank. "Selene, we are sorry to confirmed that your father really died inside the forest. Brutally killed is just an understatement. It is more than that. We are hoping that your father will get the justice he deserves. Our deepest condolence to you and your sister." Mang Leo said who looks like he cried too. "Thank you." Selene replied coldly. Mang Leo insisted that they can use his house for their father's Burial for 5 nights. So the people move together to organize their living room where the casket will be placed. Serene help the people too. While Selene is sitting next to their father's casket. People didn't bother to approach Selene, for they believe that she needs a quiet time with her father. Selene was staring blankly at the coffin in front of her. There is no any single tear on her face. People could even think that she is not hurting. But the truth is, Selene feels like she was tearing apart. Pain, fear of tomorrow's challenges and worries about her sister is mixing up inside of her. She look so bold and brave, but she is also capable of being weak and scared but she chose not show it. It's not because she is afraid of someone's opinion but she is selfless enough to think about her sister first before herself. Serene sit beside Selene, she remained silent and just have gaze to their father's coffin and to her sister Selene. She know her twin so well. She knew that even though Selene don't talk about it, she knew that Selene was hurting too. She knew her too well that it hurts already. It hurts that her sister is being selfless again. Selene is so selfless to the point, she just grieves silently just to make her sister less worried. Serene wiped the tears that fell on her cheek while thinking how lucky she is to have a sister like this but at the same time, she is sad that her sister has to be this selfless. A couple of minutes after Selene lean closer and put her head on the side of the coffin, she finally able to have some sleep. Just like what they usually do before, they would use their Father's legs as pillow, and they would fall asleep. Serene covered her sister with a small blanket. A simple gesture of love and concern. And from that night, they both knew that the days ahead of them will be tougher. This havoc can either be their encouragement to fight or their downfall already.