The Twins

 

Whenever the whole family goes to church, Fiona and Riona wear the same clothes.

 

"Wow, the twins, they're together again!" said Aling Guada.

 

"Mama sewed it," Fiona replied.

 

"This is our ribbon. Dad bought it," Riona said.

 

"Oh, really!? You are both pretty and you have a happy," the elder said.

 

Whenever Fiona and Riona go to school, they are really look like each other.

 

Both of their blouses are white. Their skirts are in the same length. Their shoes are both shiny. Both had white socks. Their ribbons have the same color. They have the same bags.

 

"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" the twins said. They would also wave before they go to school.

 

"Good morning, Twins!" the guard said.

 

"Good morning, Kuya!" the two greeted synchronously.

 

"I cannot recognize you again. You're Fiona? You're Riona?"

 

The two laughed first.

 

"No," Riona replied.

 

"I'm Fiona."

 

Every day, the security guard guesses who Fiona is and who Riona is. Many times, the guess is wrong, so they often just laugh.

 

In the classroom, Fiona is also often mistaken for Riona. Sometimes, Riona becomes Fiona.

 

"Riona... Fiona, how can I recognize you?" asked Binibining Pamela.

 

"I'm Fiona."

 

"I'm Riona."

 

Binibining Pamela looked at the twins who are very similar, but still she cannot identify. "Alright, sit down. When the day comes, I will know you."

 

The teacher looked at Fiona and Riona while they are copying something. Both are using right hand in writing. They have the same actions. However, Binibining Pamela didn't lose hope. In the next few days, she can recognize the twins by their names.

 

At home, Fiona and Riona study together. They work together to fulfill their assignments. Then they will take a book and read.

 

In all household chores, washing plates is their favorite. They're so excited about the bubbles. Fiona is fond of sweeping the living room. Riona, on the other hand, was interested in sweeping their garden. Sometimes, they help their mother with the laundry. They also watched their father's cooking.

 

At the dinner table, Fiona and Riona took turns praying. They also don't forget to wash their hands.

 

Before going to bed, they wash their bodies, brush their teeth, and change their sleeping clothes. And of course, they pray before they lay down.

 

"Lord, thank you for the blessings we have received," Fiona began.

 

"Thank you for the love of my mother and father," continued Riona.

 

"Always guide them."

 

"Always protect them."

 

"We love them so much," Fiona said.

 

"Forgive us our sins," Riona said.

 

"Amen," they said.

 

When they wake up, they don't forget to organize their pillows and blankets. They stretch together. Together they would yawn. They thank God together. And they gargle together.

 

"Good morning, Mom!" they greeted their mother.

 

"Good morning, Fiona and Riona!"

 

"Mama, why are you so sad?" asked Fiona.

 

"Where's Dad?" asked Riona.

 

Their mother cried, then hugged them both.

 

On Sunday morning, only three of them went to church.

 

"Wow, your daughter is so beautiful, Leona!" said Aling Guada.

 

"Yes! Thank you! We go to church and pray to the Father."

 

"Where's Lino? Why not join you?"

 

"He left," Leona replied. "We gotta go, Aling Guada."

 

"Bye, Fiona and Riona! Pray for me, huh?"

 

"Yes!" answered Fiona and Riona.

 

Then, their mother quickly pulled them away.

 

As the days went by, many noticed that Fiona and Riona didn't get together often.

 

"Oh, where's your sister?" Aling Guada asked curiously as Fiona bought some cooking oil.

 

"She is with Daddy."

 

"Where are they?"

 

"I don't know," Fiona replied.

 

"What?" Aling Guada was still perplexed.

 

As the days went by, Fiona already stayed inside their house. She could remember Riona. She missed his sister very much. She wanted to play doll with her. She missed reading with her. She wanted to bathe, sleep, and feed their pet fish together again.

 

One day, Fiona fell ill. Her mother took her to the hospital.

 

"Mom, are Dad and Riona coming here?" she asked.

 

The mother just shrugged her shoulders.

 

"Does Riona know I'm sick?"

 

The mother just shook her head.

 

"Mom, did Riona and I get sick together?"

 

"Mom, when will we go to church again?

 

"Mom, do you still love Dad?"

 

She bombarded her mother with questions, but she answered nothing, but tears.

 

Before Fiona went to bed that night, she prayed. "Lord, thank You for the blessings we have received. Thank You for the love of my mother, father, and sister. Always guide them. Always protect them. I love them very much. I wish we could be together again. Forgive us our sins. Amen."

 

"Good morning," the nurse said. "You two have visitors."

 

When the visitors knocked on the door, Fiona almost jumped on the bed. "Dad! Riona!"

 

Her father and her sister hugged Fiona.

 

"How are you doing?" the father asked.

 

"I’m now fine… "And it’s good that you're back with Riona."

 

The father looked at Riona and Leona. They miss each other. "Yes, Fiona. "I'm sorry, but your mother and I have been having trouble," the father replied.

 

"What will happen to me and Riona?"

 

Lino thought for a moment. He looked at the children and wife one by one. "On Sunday, we will go to church as one, whole family. Fiona and Riona, you'll always be together and never be apart again."

 

"Yehey!" Fiona and Riona shouted synchronously.

 

Leona burst into tears of joy. Fiona suddenly felt better.

 

Riona pulled her father and mother to embrace them.