Broken Serenade

CHAPTER 16: Heirloom

A week already passed but the twin are still doubtful about the man's word. They couldn't trust him or rather they shouldn't.

Selene is somewhat anxious whenever they are going out, especially whenever SPO3 Dela Cruz is approaching them. Serene on the other hand seems to be back on her old self, she's not as over thinker as her twin.

It was Sunday afternoon when the twin decided to attend the Sunday mass on the small chapel inside their Barangay. They both want to go early so they prepare themselves 2 hours before the mass.

[Barangay (in the Philippines) a small territorial and administrative district forming the most local level of government.]

After the mass, the twin decided to go home already because they are back on saving money. Not just for their soon schooling expenses but for their coming birthday as well. They want a simple celebration even just for the two of them.

When they got home, they prepare their lunch for that day, and it felt so satisfying, it's been 2 weeks since their last lunch together on their house.

Later that day, they cleaned their small apartment and wash their clothes. It seems like a general cleaning. From the ceiling down to the floor.

While they are cleaning and sort of organizing their old stuffs from their previous home. They both laugh and reminisce those memories on their hometown while turning each of the pages of their photo album.

"I've never seen this album before. Have you? Selene asked while passing the photo album to Serene.

Selene grabbed it open it.

"Look we are not even smiling in this photo, I guess we don't like the outfits." Serene said while pointing at their photo wearing jumpers and boots.

"I think so too. Dada made us look like cowgirls." Selene replied while wiping her tears of joy.

"I miss Dada so much, Selene." Serene said as she stare at their picture with their father.

"I miss him too so much. It seems like just yesterday when he was singing our favorite songs to us just to make us fall asleep."

"I miss all thing about him."

"So do I." Selene said and smile at their father's photo. "Wash the dishes, I'll be cleaning in here." She added.

"Are you sure? There's a lot of things to organize in here."

"Yup, don't you worry, I got this."

"Alright. I'll be washing the dishes for now. I'll be right back." Serene said.

While Selene is looking further to the photo album, she happens to turn in on a special page. She was a page where there is a necklace and an anklet on it. It was a white gold one and it has a small jade gemstone on it as a pendant.

When Selene grabbed it, she realizes that there is a small letter on it too. And what was written there made her miss their parents even more.

Selene,

I hope the moment you will see this letter, you are old enough to accept this little gift of mine. It is my necklace that I got from your Grand mother, my mom. This is our family's heirloom. It is being transfer to the first born of the family. Sad to say, if you are reading this, I,'m sure that I'm not physically present with you anymore. Today is the day that you are born, but sorry I am going to rest early than what I hope. Please give the anklet to your twin. And take these accessories wherever you will go. I love the both of you!

Sincerely yours,

Mommy Selena.

'I love you too, Mommy!' Selene said to herself.

"Hey, why on earth you are crying?" Serene said and rush to Selene who's in the corner.

"Mommy left something for us." Selene said while showing the heirloom and the letter she have just found.

"Mommy is so thoughtful. She didn't even forget to make sure that the heirloom will be on our hands. And Dada kept it well." Serene said.

"Indeed. Why did we do on our previous lives to deserve them?" Selene said and wipes away her tears.

"Nothing. God just really love us."

Selene when near to her sister and show the heirloom.

"Give me your feet." Selene said.

Serene obliged and let Selene put the anklet on her.

"Let me put the necklace on you." Serene said.

Selene turned around and grabbed her hair. Serene put it and then they both looked at the mirror. They also faced to each other and look at their accessories.

"They are gorgeous." Serene said.

"And elegant as well." Selene added.

"Can we hide it with our other stuffs?" Serene asked.

"No, Mommy said in the letter that always wear it." Selene replied.

"Is that so? Well, it's fine. I just don't want to lose it. People with bad intention might be interested in it especially it is considered an antique accessory. The price might be doubled." Serene said as a matter of fact.

"You're right. But be sure not to take that off." Selene said.

"Noted, Ma'am." Serene said and grinned.

They continued cleaning and organizing their stuffs. There are still old stuff from their late parents. But they have no enough time.

After they organized the stuffs, they went to their kitchen to prepare something for their dinner.

"What should we eat, Selene?"

"Whatever will do."

Serene take in charge of cooking. Selene usually the one who is cooking but it seems like she was still thinking about the heirloom.

Right after they are done eating and taking a shower, the twins get ready for their bed time. It was just 7:30 pm but it is already late for them.

When they laydown at the bed, they talked for a little then prayed together. After that they became silent.

"I'm gonna sleep already, Selene. Good night!" Serene said.

"Good night too, Serene!" Selene replied.

Due to their tiredness, Serene fell asleep easily but not Selene. She was still fascinated by the beauty of their heirloom. And when she focused looking at the pendant, she became curious. She was sure that if was a jade but she doesn't know what it is means.

She wanna know it and she will surely find a way for it to find out. Nothing can stop a strong willed person.

Little by little, Selene is falling asleep already. So she put her necklace on the side table and closes her eyes.

Few hours later, Selene wakes up because of strange beautiful music. She couldn't stop herself from listening.

The music sounds so perfect and sound so sweet. It can compare to a beautiful drug, the more you listen at it, the more addicted you become.

Selene sit on their bed and still listens to the music. When she can't get enough of it, she decided to stand up and follow where it is coming from.

She was about to reach the door when Serene stopped her.

"Selene wake up!" She shouted and shook Selene's shoulder. And that moment, Selene woke up for real. "You have been sleep walking!" She added.

"I thought I was really awake. I was following the music." Selene said.