A TALE OF TWIN SISTERS. BY DIEM JUDILLA.

Maria Luna is jealous of her twin, Maria Sol. At an ordinary glance, no one can tell apart the twin daughters of the rice farmer, Mang Insoy and his wife, Manang Leda the seamstress. Both girls are blessed with fair skin; clear and free as polished rice. They have wide open eyes that seem to take in everything they see, good noses and fine lips. (Gifts of the flesh, perhaps from Mang Insoy's great-grandmother's rumored tryst with a foreign missionary.) The children also bear the beginnings of their inheritance from their mother; comely Vestal figures, dark voluminous hair and long slender hands. It's been going around the town, and among its neighbors, that Maria Sol and Maria Luna are the prettiest the whole municipality has seen in a long, long while. Beauty that blooms once in every two generations. Now twice, others would say. But Maria Luna is jealous of her twin Maria Sol and to know why, one should have a magnifying glass at hand. No one knows this, not even the girls' parents know or showed notice of it but Maria Luna has a tiny, dark spot a dot of a mere mole that can be found between the crest of her rosy upper-lip and the noble base of her nose. It can only be found with, yes, a magnifying glass. Children, with their minds being so small, make a big fuss over the most little of things. With or without a magnifying glass, Maria Luna thinks the whole world of her mole. Before, she cried for days, finding out that she was named after the moon. For she had seen its full face one night. True-- it glowed cool and bright, yet the light also showed the gray patches on the moon's face that filled secret shame in Maria Luna's heart. And the girl did cry for days, her sister and their parents never knew or understood why. The air about the house would be wet with Maria Luna's tears and warm with her family's questions every time a full moon would show its face. As old wives' tales go, twins share some special knowing of each other's hearts. If Maria Sol would know what bothers her twin sister, she hasn't told their parents or anyone or even talk to Maria Luna.

Though late at night, in sleep; Maria Sol would place a firm clasp on her sister's shoulder-- however, Maria Luna would shrug the hand away and curl into a tight ball-- coiling and coiling within herself. She would lie awake, thinking. Thoughts fill her mind, both random and not-so-random. With all that thinking, through many half-slept nights, one is bound to find something, a realization of truth that would change one's life forever. And for the girl, Maria Luna, it is this: she can be more beautiful than Maria Sol by becoming better than her. In everything. In everyday. One late summer day when the intent noon sun stares down on the verdant rice fields; causing some patches of ripe gold to come before the rest, the twins stroll on a narrow flat wall that borders the paddies, bearing a huge basket between them. Covered by wide square cut banana leaves, the basket contains the midday meal of hot rice, stewed fish and boiled eggplant; which the girls are delivering to Mang Insoy and his men. There is enough for everybody so that the girls can eat with their father. As the twins walk, Maria Sol talks about the upcoming fiesta and wonders aloud if their mother would allow one of them, or maybe both of them, to join the local beauty pageant. Or maybe they would just watch, like every year before. Maria Luna only half-listens to her sister. The other half hears her own inner voice saying that once they arrive, she would make sure that she would be the one to serve her father, like a good daughter... like the best daughter ought to do. Maybe she would give Papa a massage. His shoulders must be aching. And she would fan him with one of the banana leaves to cool his face and then... Her inner voice stops, as Maria Luna realizes Maria Sol has become sullen with silence. Maria Luna stares at her twin only to see her staring at something up ahead. That something happens to be a small hill of dark earth-- wait, what seems to be a small hill of dark earth that rises out of the mud. When the girls approach, they see it is actually a man, bone-thin and poor; rich in rags and dirt. He has his feet stuck in the wet mud while a pair of worn and

dusty sandals lies near by. The girls walk on, quiet, their steps like cat falls. Maria Sol stares ahead, ignoring everything about the beggar man. Maria Luna, on the other hand, looks at him as he rest his torn hot feet in the cool mud. The man raises his face to Maria Luna. The skin around his eyes is dry, like cracked earth after weeks without rain. His hair is long, thick like the roots of the balete. His eyes, however, hold Maria Luna's attention: steady and large and so dark that the girl could actually see her own small reflection in them. He lifts up his hand, which frightens Maria Sol for it looks so much like a claw yet when he speaks, his voice is gentle and clear as the stream. Good day, young senoras. Maria Sol acts as if she only heard the wind. Maria Luna stops and returns the greeting. Good day. Maria Sol is surprised. She tugs at the basket to pull Maria Luna away but her twin wouldn't budge. Mama and Papa told us not to talk to strangers! She whispered, quick and harsh. Maria Luna retorts, They didn't raise us to be rude either. The beggar man watches and hears. Your sister is right, young senora. It is not wise for you to be talking to people like me. His words affect Maria Luna as a challenge would. The girl raises her chin in conviction. You are not bad. A glint of light comes in the beggar man's dark eyes, some of the sun's perhaps. You seem so sure, young senora. Maria Sol places a hand on her twin's shoulder for her to stop but Maria Luna shrugs it off, answering. I just know, that's all. I am sure. The beggar man smiles two rows of even, clean, white teeth. The twins notice, it seem so unlikely a man so poor to have such beauty, Perhaps. Like knows like, the clear, gentle voice says. And he laughs, a rippling chuckle, like falling rain. On this hot sunny day, the sound is pleasant. After taking his breath back, the beggar man looks at Maria Sol, his dark eyes

full of admiration. You are kind, young senora, to think so. And you have made me laugh. Thank you. Maria Luna asks, Are you hungry? The beggar man nods. The girl slowly releases her hold on the basket, forcing her twin Maria Sol to let it down. Without a word, Maria Luna carefully pulls away the leaf covers. Maria Sol is aghast. Luna! What are you doing? There is not enough~ If Mama.. Papa hears about this. He can have my share, Maria Luna tells her in a tone that made Maria Sol bite her lips in uneasy silence. Maria Luna offers the beggar man a clean banana leaf of rice, some fish and steamed eggplant. He bows his head low as he takes the food in reverence. Thank you, but kindness deserves kindness. I may have not much but all that I have is mine to give to you. As Maria Sol hastily packs the food back in the basket, Maria Luna is about to say there is no need but she couldn't say it as the manner of the beggar man somehow wouldn't allow her to. His back becomes straight. There is a strong set to his features that marks him as someone more than what he first seemed; more than a small hill of dark earth, more than a lowly beggar man. His dark eyes are not dark with mystery or madness but deep with a thing unfathomable. Yet these thoughts do not occur in Maria Luna's mind as her heart is seized by something else. Though she does not know what magic is, she feels it about the man. So she waits for the man to have his say. Maria Sol stands up eagerly, bearing the basket in both hands. Luna, let's go. Eyes now bright, the beggar man speaks to her, Maria Sol. Young senora, you will marry a Prince one day. A dream will lead you to him. A dream will lead you to him. His words are clear and gentle as always, like a stream. Yet Maria Sol looks stunned, as if she plunges in cold water.

Maria Luna is also stunned. A prince? Maria Sol will marry a prince? The beggar man then turns to Maria Luna but the light is gone now, only dim with a sudden sadness. Even his words are miserable, Senora if it was only in my power I wish I could share happier knowledge, but I am a lowly servant. Like your sister, a dream will lead you to your husband. It is your destiny. His voice chokes with hesitation. Your unhappy destiny, for you will marry a monster. His last words, so soft-spoken, a whisper above silence, floods Maria Luna's mind and nearly drowns her. A monster? At that, Maria Sol laughs. And she continues to laugh as she and Maria Luna are far from the beggar man and closer to their father who is probably already wondering where they are and waiting for his lunch. Maria Luna walks on but her face is blank. She doesn't sense anything, nor feel. She is hollow and her twin's laughter echoes within her, along with the words of the beggar man. A monster?! Maria Sol marries a Prince while she gets a monster for a husband?! Maria Luna then wanted to take back the food she given for the beggar man's dark words but she couldn't-- for he continued on with an urgency. I am very sorry young senora but please take this wisdom as your warning. Your destiny is not your fate; knowing this, you can change it. Change it! If a dream would lead you, turn away. If a dream would bid you to come, do not hear it. Do not follow! Do not follow the dream.. Remember! After this, he became silent. With a bowed head, he would not say more and the twins did not stay any longer. They left him like that. Laughing, Maria Sol admonished her twin, See? We're just wasting time and food with that nobody. But I won't tell mama and papa. Maria Luna did not respond, mute in her shame. Maria Sol laughs and talks on as if nothing happened, that they haven't met a beggar man who spoke gentle words rich in wisdom or foolishness.

Maybe they haven't for the children do not look back to be certain. They do not see also that the man has disappeared. He is gone. Several weeks pass since that strange summer day, and Maria Luna soon forgets as if it is a dream, a trick or a fancy brought on by the heat. One early morning, however, Maria Luna is pulled out her slumber by a persistent shoving on her shoulder. Luna, Luna wake up.. wake up! Hhhrm. Maria Luna opens one sleepy eye and sees that everything is still dim and cold. The sun hasn't risen yet but Maria Sol lays a hot breath on her ear. Luna-- I have something to tell you! I've had the most beautiful dream! Maria Luna turns toward her sister leaning over beside her. Both are sharing a worn bed sheet as a blanket, lying down on the cogon-grass weaved mat. Maria Sol's smile and eyes are bright as day. She looks happy and she starts to speak. It's so beautiful my dream. I think its real. Luna, my prince is waiting for me! Prince...? Remember what that old dirty man told us that day? I'm going to marry a prince and that a dream would lead me to him? Maria Luna blinks, slowly remembering that strange, summer day. Well my prince came to me in the night, in my dream! And he tells me he has loved me ever since I was born and he wants to bring me into his kingdom. He has a hundred castles and each castle has a thousand servants! But he's going to give me the biggest castle of them all and two thousand servants! It is always day in my prince's kingdom. There is no night because of the jewels and diamonds that are on the earth. But he says he will make it night if I want it to be, and the stars will be my jewels on my crown and necklaces! It felt so real, my dream! It is real! In their lives being together as twins, Maria Luna has never seen her sister this happy. Fulfillment shines out her young face, a beautiful blush that would shame

a rose is on her cheeks. Her eyes sparkle like black pearls. She looks so happy. I'm in love, Lu. My prince loves me and I love him! Maria Luna stammers. Sol. How- how can you be sure? I know. Maria Sol's happy beauty shines out so bright that Maria Luna's heart darkens with dread. Could this be all true? The girl child asks herself but no answer comes. Maria Sol embraces her sister and kisses her, her voice becomes as soft and as strong as a heartbeat. My prince will be coming for me tonight. I will meet him later as the full moon rises high over the lonely balete tree at the edge of Father's rice fields. Maria Luna stares at her twin whose face against hers, feels feverish. She's crazy! Maria Luna thinks. Is this what dreams can do? What love can do? Let's keep this as a secret, Lu. Do not tell mother and father. A hollowness begins to grow within Maria Luna. Maria Sol laughs as a babe would and the sweet sound fills Maria Luna's hollowness, mocking her. The sisters move through the morning but the way they act are as different as day and night. Warmed by her secret, Maria Sol is eager and quick while the same secret is a burden on her twin, a lead weight in her heart. After the dinner plates are washed and cleaned, the twins prepare for sleep. Maria Sol watches the moon as it floats over the horizon. She turns to Maria Luna, calm and serene, a bride on her wedding day. I must say goodbye now, Luna. I'll not have time later when all of you're asleep. For the first time today, Maria Luna breaks her silence. It is only a dream, Sol...! It's only a dream but I will still go. It'll come true for me. She turns back to the moon as if willing it to rise higher. An impatient sigh escapes her. I am the happiest girl in the world. Watching her twin kneeling by the low window, Maria Luna slumps down beneath the sleeping blanket in sorrow. Then she turns away, feeling the cold hollowness grow heavier in her heart.

For pretense, Maria Sol lays beside her sister as their mother looks on them. When the last lantern's light is blown out, the house becomes as dark as the surrounding night. Maria Sol, her eyes closed, remains awake, waiting. Maria Luna waits with her. Her mind takes in the darkness around her and it merges with the dark hollowness within her. Her inner voice mocks her and tortures her with memories of her shame, of her inferiority to Maria Sol. They are twins, yet Maria Sol is the real girl while she Maria Luna is merely the dull reflection of a mirror. And she is going to marry a monster while Maria Sol becomes a princess, the love of a Prince. In that heavy silent darkness, the passing moments become centuries that one night rolls into an eternity. That eternity becomes filled with Maria Luna's thoughts, both dangerous and troubled. Why should Maria Sol have a prince? Am I not better than her? In everything. I am good. I am better. I am kind, I am helpful. I give to the needy. You seem so sure, young senora. I am sure. Like knows Like. I am not like my sister. I am better. I deserve a prince. Your sad destiny. I can change my destiny! Yes. I deserve a prince! Do not follow the dream. I will take my sister's place. I am the real girl! She is only a reflection. A reflection. She laughs at me. She even laughs in her sleep. Hear, she laughs at me now. She is so happy I can't stand it! I just want her to be quiet! Stop laughing! Stop! Stop it! Stop! Be quiet. Quiet. Stop. Hatred binds strength to Maria Luna's arms as she presses the pillow hard against Maria Sol's gasping face. Maria Sol does not struggle nor suffer for long. Soon, she settles down in still silence. Maria Luna calmly pulls away the pillow to see her twin sister, now peaceful in a deep sleep she would never wake up from. She goes to death, young, beautiful and dreaming. Quiet as a cat, Maria Luna walks the well-known way through the night covered fields. She remembers where the balete stands, a giant among trees, a tower, a

great gate. Like a huge blind eye, the moon stares down cold and unseeing as the child runs towards the balete tree. And there, there as sure as Maria Luna hopes it would be, as sure as she knows it to be true, there he waits. Clad in white and silver, a young man stands, noble. His features fair and angelic, aglow with an inner light softer and warmer than moonlight. His eyes look kindly at the approaching girl. Maria Luna is breathless. Every inch of her skin tingles as if bathed in sunlight. Is this love? This is love. You are my prince. The young man bows low in respect. I am merely an unworthy servant of my master, your prince. He waits for you in his kingdom. If you would be so kind, Princess. There is a sharp sweet scent about him, of clean wild blossoms. The back of his offered hand feels smooth as Maria Luna holds him. He leads her towards the balete where the roots that wrap around the massive stone-grey base uncoil themselves to reveal a door of fire. Through the portal, the girl Maria Luna leaves the night of her world into the world of her prince where eternal light reigns in both heaven and earth. Every description that Maria Sol's dreams holds true. The land is vast; gems of priceless value litter the ground like pebbles. As far as Maria Luna's eyes can see, a hundred large castles rise like mountain peaks. But none of these would compare to the awesome castle that the man of white and silver brings her to. It appears to be holding up the skies. Your palace and home, Princess. Please, your prince awaits. The guide leads the girl through a huge mass of people waiting, nobly dressed, whose handsomeness and beauty makes Maria Luna blush self-consciously. Yet all of them, thousands upon thousands, bow to her as if they are unworthy and she is the most beautiful of all. Into a vast throne-room, the guide leads Maria Luna who floats in happiness. The cold hollowness in her is gone. The memories of her sister and family are gone.

Those are the dreams and this is now her reality. Maria Luna is the most beautiful, the most fair of all. With the stars the gems on her necklaces and feet, with the Sun as the crest diamond on her crown, she is the Queen of the World. The man then kneels low before a large crystal throne, his face kissing the floor. My lord, my Prince, I bring you your Princess. And on the large crystal throne sits an even larger creature, scaly and horned, fanged and clawed. Beastly black eyes burn fire, gazing down on Maria Luna with love perhaps? With hunger, perhaps. Come to me my Princess, come and be my eternal bride.