Sisters Forever   by Lanie Shanzyra P. Rebancos     Feb 2005
   

                                                  A girl in the mirror

                                                  Looks just like me-

                                                  Twin sister.

    Hilary and Holly were identical twins. They both have ebony American Indian hair, magnolia skin, Nubian colored eyes and button nose. People were sometimes confused with who’s who but to their friends, they could be easily identified. Hilary was a cheerleader, animated, outgoing, and loved the fast-food restaurants. Holly was soft=spoken, loved to read, and was editor of the school newspaper. The girls each had their own group of friends. Despite of these differences, Hilary and Holly were the best of friends.
   One windy evening, Holly awoke to the sound of sobbing.
  “Hilary?” Holly rubbed her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
   Hilary was still in her slitted black leather mini, cashmere, and black leather cowboy boots when Holly found her twin, crying on the other side of the bed. Mascara smudged her dark eyes.
    “Hey, what’s the matter?” Holly asked softly.
    “I saw Randy with another girl,” Hilary sniffled. “That creep! He’s a total jerk!”
    Holly handed Hilary a tissue and put her arms around her sister. “Forget him, Hil. You’d find someone else who’s better than that goose-stepping guy!”
    Hilary looked at Holly. “What did you say? Randy walks like a what?”
    “A goose!”
    They looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing.
    “Oh, Hil! Stop crying, okay?”
    “Okay. Thanks, Holly.”
    “Nah. What are twins for?”

    Hilary and Holly shared all their secrets. They borrowed each other’s make-up and wardrobe. Every weekend, Hilary and Holly spent their afternoon strolling around the crowded mall.
    “Gosh! That’s beautiful!” Holly exclaimed as she pointed to a moss green turtleneck sweater in the shop’s window. “Let’s see how much it is.”
    The angelic faced saleslady greeted the twins as they made their way inside the air conditioned boutique.
    “No way! It’s too expensive,” Holly said a hint of disappointment in her voice.
    “I’d pay the half, Holly.” Hilary offered.
    Holly shook her head. “Gee, thanks Hil! But I don’t want to be a bother, you know.”
    “Hey! You’re not a bother at all.”
    Holly hung the sweater back on the rack and put a reassuring hand over Hilary’s shoulder.
“Thanks, Hil but no thanks.”
     “Okay, sis, if that’s what you want.”
      But before they closed the glass door of the shop, Hilary saw her sister turn and stare at the lovely sweater for the last time.

     Months passed and the twins’ seventeenth birthday arrived. They spent it with their closest friends and family on the beach. They have a cook-outs, potato salad, grilled prawns with butter sauce, sandwiches, chilled fresh peaches and strawberries, and of course, the dark chocolate birthday cake with strawberry fillings. It was a festive afternoon. They enjoyed the food and after having a wonderful lunch, Hilary and Holly’s friends dived into the refreshing water. Everyone had a great time. It was sunset when they started packing their things.
     “Hey, Holly!” Hilary whispered. “Do you have a minute?”
     “Sure, Hil!”
  The twins walked down the seashore. Cool water brushed their feet, waves made a soft splashing sound against the big rocks.  “It was a wonderful afternoon.” Hilary said.
     “Yes.”
     “Come. Let’s sit on that rock.” Hilary cheerfully said as she took her sister’s hand into hers.
      The sun began to close its eyes, making a warm and relaxing scene. The water turned to yellow-orange hues, casting shadowy images.
     “This is for you, Holly.” Hilary beamed as she handed her twin a baby blue box.
     “Oh, Hil! You didn’t have to but thanks.” Holly stood up and pulled a small, black velvet pouch from her jean pocket. She held it out. “This is for you.”
     Hilary gasped and a broad smile flashed in her pretty face. The two opened their gifts in silence, only the sloshing sound of the waves and the occasional cry of seagulls could be heard.
     “Hilary Dobbin, this is too much!” Holly cried. Tears swelled in her eyes as she took out the moss green sweater from the box. “It’s beautiful! I love it, Hil. Thank you so much.”
     Then it was Hilary’s turn to scream in delight. She held out a silver necklace with a heart-shaped locket. Hilary opened it; she saw two identical baby pictures inside it. She threw her arms around Holly’s neck and cried. “This is the best gift ever.”
     “I’m glad you liked it, Hil,” Holly also burst into tears. “I love you, sis.”
     “I love you too.”
     The sun went to bed as the twins embraced each other.

     It was only a week after their birthday, when Mr. Dobbin received a late call from the police station. The officer reported a car accident up on the hill. He said that it was driven by a young girl, when a swaying truck suddenly came out from no where hit the scarlet red jeep. The jeep was thrown down the hillside that made its driver dead on arrival.
     Mr. Mrs. Dobbin went to the hospital and confirmed that it was Hilary’s body. “I think this was Hilary’s, Holly,” Mrs. Dobbin sobbed. “Keep it for your sister, dear.”
     It was the locket. Hilary was wearing it when the accident happened.

     The funeral followed after three days. It was the most agonizing day for Holly and her family. Holly still couldn’t believe that her bubbly twin was gone. Hilary Dobbin was buried beside an old oak with bridal wreaths and violets surrounding it.
     “Mom? Dad? I would like to go to the beach. Is it okay with you?” Holly softly asked, tears brimmed in her eyes.
     “Go ahead, darlin’ but please be very careful.” Mr. Dobbin managed a half-smile as he patted her shoulder.
     It was only a thirty minutes drive to the beach. Holly cried all the way to the resort. Wonderful memories came flashing her mind. She parked her fox colored jeep and headed straight to the seashore. She walked there for awhile, when Holly reached the rock where she and Hilary had once sat down and shared lovely memories. Holly sat there and cried.
     “I missed you, Hil.” Holly sobbed. But something caught her eyes. Holly kneeled down beside the rock and found a very wonderful thing on it. There were words chiseled on the surface of the rock, and it was dated on their seventeenth birthday.

                                             Holly and Hilary

                                             Oct. 13, 1998

                                             Sisters forever.

     A soft, salty breeze kissed Holly’s wet cheeks as she traced the words on the rock. “Yes, Hil. You and I forever, sisters forever.”