THE ROYAL REPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 4

For a moment, I forgot about the pain I felt due to Rachaela's accident because of the short talk Mom and I had awhile back. It felt good receiving those kind of stuff from your mother. Especially when she's not the type to get really affectionate with her children. 

 Well, except for Rache. 

 She and Mom always had the same stuff in mind. Fashion, books and all the girly things they could ever think of. They get along well and often do shopping and attend gatherings together with Dad. Sans our identical facial features, I could've thought they were the real sisters if I haven't known them personally.

 "You have to wake up soon, okay?" I exclaimed as if Rache would hear me. "You're making us all worried."

I looked at her more carefully and felt like I wanted to cry. But that was just a feeling and it stayed a feeling.

All my life I could count the moments when I broke down into tears, I guess yesterday was the fourth time in history. 

Lawrence says my heart is like an organ made of steel and often asked me if I'm numb or what. I just shrugged. I'm naturally like this since I think tears are a waste of time and effort. 

Who needs them when you can keep up a straight face and conceal them so no one could make fun of you?

Unlike Rache who cries all the time even after seeing a tearjerker movie or feeling too much emotions all at the same time. For a big sister, she really is weak-hearted and emotional. Even the little things make her burst into tears and I often call her a drama queen for that. I laughed reminiscing those moments. We really are opposites when it comes to self-expression. And I admire her for being such a vocal individual. Maybe that's why she's always been fit for the theater. She excels well in that field. Well, she excels almost in everything. 

 "Geez, I guess you have to teach me how to do that when everything's okay. Teach me how to be good at throwing lines at least." I sighed and fixed her blanket that rested on her stomach. "Oh, Romeo, romeo." 

Okay, Robyn. That was disgusting and so not you. It's only fine when Rache does it. 

I glanced at the machine beside her that showed her heart rate. 

Come to think of it, I should be happy that the results came out positively. That there were no major damages that happened to her like how people who get into accidents do. I should be glad that this is the only thing that happened to her and nothing fatal has come to take place. I have so much admiration for her. Rachaela's brave and strong ㅡ so valorous that's why she strived so hard in life. And if this isn't something she couldn't overcome, then that may not be Rachaela but someone else now. She's got this and she's gonna wake up like the strong woman she is before this ever happened. 

The corners of my lips started to rise. 

Even if she won't see it, I wanted to do that to assure myself that everything will be back to its rightful place. I don't need to weep because she wouldn't like it if we kept on acting like this. All I know is that we need to do is have faith and wait for her to wake up. And in her, we trust. 

 Because this is Rachaela Elizabeth Heffley we're talking about ㅡ my twin sister ㅡ the woman who'd burn jungles that would block her way ㅡ the woman who's build castles just to reach her goals ㅡ he is the mightiest woman who ever existed in my era. 

When afternoon came, my parents told me to go home so I can rest. They insisted to look after my twin during the evening, but I refused. I told them that I should be the one doing that so they can rest at home for the night since they all have to attend to their workplace tomorrow. 

"It's okay, Dad. I told Pops that I'd be out for a couple of days and he said it was okay." 

"Are you sure, honey?" I nodded with a smile so they would know that they can trust me with the responsibility. 

After I dropped by the house to get some clothes, I decided to drop by the mall as well to get some food I can store in Rache's room. Besides, I don't know how long I'm going to stay there, might as well stuff myself with supplies while I'm at it. But before heading to the grocery store, I checked out on the record store like I always do. 

"Heya, Heffley! Haven't seen you for a while, eh?" Jacques greeted. 

He's the son of the owner of this shop. And like me, chose music as well rather than to study. 

Silly people for choosing their dreams they say, silly people. 

"I've been busy with stuff." I cleared my throat. "Anyway, new releases yet?" 

"Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey and some korean pop musics on the hot list." He shrugged. 

"Oh, is that so?" I'm not really interested in those kind of genres those singers sing. 

So I walked towards the CD player and put my favorite Mozart jam in there. 

Turkish March by Ivy String Quartet. 

Before I step out of this store, I never leave without hearing any Mozarts or Beethovens ringing in my ears. 

I've been performing RnB music for years, but I weirdly found my heart coming back to classical music. 

As the song was about to finish, I noticed someone leaning on the shelves. 

He's wearing a long coat, black gloves and a black face mask. I couldn't say he was asleep. Because if he was, why the shelves of all places? There's a nearby spa just a few walks from here. 

The music ended and his eyes opened like it was synced to the last melody of the violin. Wait, was he enjoying the same jam I was? He caught me staring at him so our eyes met. The look on his face gave me a feeling that he was trying to figure out why I was looking at him. So I immediately averted my gaze and acted like I was looking around. 

That was awkward. 

I removed the disk from the player and put it back on the CD rack. 

"Hey Jacques, gotta go. I have some groceries to attend to and a stomach to feed." I leaned closer and whispered. "By the way, there's a weird dude in the corner. You might wanna start dusting off your shelves 'cause he might become regular." 

He looked at me confusingly so I just tapped his shoulder. I didn't take too long in the grocery store, I just bought some fruits with lots and lots of eggos and waffles. And when I came at the hospital, I asked my parents to go home so we they can sleep in their comfy beds. 

Twin sister hospital duties starts now.