The Real Earnestine Blanchard's POV
We immediately rushed Earlnestina to the hospital. I'm nervous. Even though my brother did the same to me, I still did not want him to die.
"Earnestine I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to. I was just scared that he might do something to you and hurt our baby."
"N-no. H-I'm not angry. It was an accident. Please call our parents. They need to know the truth."
Rhett called our parents. While I was a caretaker waiting for my twin's condition to improve. Our parents came with the police.
"Earnestine my baby. What happen? Why did you just tell us the truth now?"
Mom hugged me. I do not know where to start with telling the truth.
"Why didn't you tell us you had a twin?"
"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. Earlnestina was my twin sister. When you went to the orphanage and decided to find an adopted child Earlnestina and I were happy because we had a chance to have a parent. Case, the lady superior said only one I wanted to have a family. I wanted to have a family. I lied to Earlnestina. I said when I was the first adopted I would come back to her. But I did not fulfill that. to their parents because they have a brother. So until I was older I kept it a secret from you about Earlnestina. And I didn't know that her life would be hell because of what I did. I became selfish. I'm sorry . "
My parents hugged me.
"We understand you baby, but I hope you said it first so that we can help Earlnestina."
Rhett also approached us.
"Tito Perry, Tita Molly, I'm sorry. It's my fault why Earlnestina had a gun. I'm so sorry."
"We knew it was an accident ihjo. But let's pray for Earlnestina's condition first."
"But how did you exchange Earlnestina? How did she become you?"
"Because -"
Suddenly, the police intervened.
"Excuse me, maybe we can invite Mrs. Earnestine Blanchard / Lawson and Mr. Rhett Lawson to the precinct for some questions."
We just nodded. And we both went with the police. They need to know the truth. The whole truth.
"Ms. Blanchard-"
"Mrs. Lawson, I'm just getting married."
"Oh, I'm sorry. So, Mrs. Lawson, what really happened?"
"What really happened was ..."
FLASHBACK
September 7, the last time we met Rhett. After he delivered me, a few minutes ago he texted that he was in the parking lot of his condo. I feel safe. Rhett has returned home safely.
Then another text message came. From my twin sister Earlnestina. Contains text ...
"I have Rhett. Don't tell anyone or else I will kill him."
I immediately deleted it. I was horrified when I read that text. Earlnestina has mental disorder. He got it after I left him alone in the orphanage.
I can never forget the first time we met.
"Ate Earnestine!"
She hugged me so tight. I was at the mall then. In the parking lot to be exact he suddenly approached me from somewhere. Maybe he has been watching for a long time.
"E-Earlnestina?"
I looked around. No one knows I have twins. And I'm not ready for other people to know that yet. So I hurriedly got him into the car and drove to a less crowded place.
"E-Earlnestina how are you looking for me?"
"H-Aren't you happy that we're together again?"
"M-happy. B-but what happened to you? Why your dirt?"
She cried. Earlnestina really cried since we were kids. I hugged him and forced him to calm down.
"A-ate Earnestine I ran away from the orphanage. T-then Mama Orla found me. A-I thought she was kind, she was bad! Who are the men she let into my room."
He looks like a 7 year old boy complaining to his Mommy.
"A-ate Eanestine, whose man is using me. T-then there's white powder. S-they said I should taste it then I don't know. T-then I left. N-I hid. -I'm wandering around. A-ate Earnestine don't leave me please? "
I feel sorry for my brother. This is my fault. So I will take him back. Unbeknownst to Mom and Dad I took care of Earlnestina.
I gave him his own apartment. As well as clothing, food, and money. I also introduced him to Rhett. I always visit him with Rhett.
We also did a check-up to find out what Earlnestina had and how she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I would have introduced him to my parents in case this happens. I didn't know that he also liked Rhett and not only did he want to get Rhett but my whole life.
"Sister Earnestine, can I just be you?"
"E-Earlnestina -"
"You don't want to ?!"
"H-not so Earlnestina, but -"
"N-no! You really don't want to! You're stingy sister Earnestine! You're selfish! It's your fault why I'm like this! You're bad!"
"E-Earlnestina -"
"I don't want to see you anymore! Go away! Go away!"
It hurts to admit but it's all my fault. I regret what happened. I did not know that Earlnestina had such a plan. He kidnaps Rhett.
I tried to find where Earlnestina could hide him but to no avail. Until September 14, he texted me using Rhett's number. I went to him at the address he said and there I collided with Rhett. I was the one who collided with Rhett.
I got out of the car then and saw Rhett lying down.
"It's your fault! It's your fault why Rhett is like this!"
A loud blow from Earlnestina's wooden hand made me lose consciousness. I woke up inside the trunk of the car. I have no other clothes but just a bra and panties. My belongings are gone too.
He may be pretending to be me. I tried to make noise but no one seemed to be listening to me. I felt the car start and stop somewhere. The door of the trunk opened and Earlnestina exposed me.
"Ay? Are you awake yet? It's ok to go to sleep again!"
He was spraying some chemical so I lost consciousness again. When I woke up again I was in the apartment. His apartment I gave him.
"Good morning twinie! I'm sorry I just went again. I'm busy watching over Rhett. You know, he's comatose and it's your fault! So, Aunt Amelie just changed us so I might not be able to bring you food every day . "
He entered with a tray and food. I would have liked to have begged him to let me go in case my mouth was sore. So only moaning sounds came out of every word I said.
"What's that?"
("Let me go Earlnestina! I feel sorry for you!")
"I'm sorry sis I can't understand you."
It's time for him to leave. When he faced me again.
"How are you going to eat, eh?
He took the food and removed the mouthpiece from my mouth.
"Say ahhh!"
"E-Earlnestina please, let me go!"
He dropped the spoon.
"I'm not Earlnestina! I'm Earnestine! I'm Earnestine! You understand!"
Her cry was frightening. I knew anything he could do. Even I, his own brother, can kill him.
"I am Earnestine and you are Earlnestina. Once you call me Earlnestina I will kill you and your whole family!"
I could do nothing but cry and nod. A few days later, Earlnestina did the same to me. Only when he urinates and defecates does he release me. There was still a gun pointed at me so I could not escape him.
One day he was very happy to visit me. He announced that Rhett had remembered him and that they were getting married.
"You know Earlnestina, when Rhett and I get married I will kill you! So that there is no obstacle. I will forget I have twins like I did before. For fair right?"
After he said that he left. I was depressed about what I was going to suffer. Besides, Earlnestina did not know I was pregnant. Even with Rhett, I still do not admit that I am pregnant with her child.
No. I can't die! I have to escape. I tried to move and Earlnestina's tie was a bit loose.
She seemed so comforted by the news that she was getting married so she didn't pay attention to me anymore. I tried to open the bedroom door of the apartment but it was locked. Fortunately, the door is sliding door. It was also locked so I broke it.
When I looked at the terrace, I was on the 3rd floor of the building. I could not jump so I just tied the blankets and used it to get down to the next terrace on the 2nd floor. When I got down there was exactly someone. A family.
They were surprised where I came from. I did not bother to explain. I begged you not to see me on their phone and they gave it to me. I called the phone at Rhett's condo.
I knew she was there because our mothers would not allow the groom and bride to meet before the wedding. Fortunately, my prediction is correct. Rhett answered the call.
"Hello? Who's this?"
"Quen! This is Earnestine. The real Earnestine."
"Wait, what? Are you kidding me ?!"
"N-no! Listen. Remember Earnestina? My twin that I introduced you to? She's the one with you now. She kidnapped me. Please Rhett, believe me."
"Shit! That bitch was a great actress! She convinced me, she convinced us all! I'll call the police!"
"No! Just go to the address I will tell you. That's what we do first. You don't know what the twins can do. She was totally insane."
"O-ok my lovee. Wait for me. I'll be there."
And that is exactly what Rhett and I planned. We told Earnestina that Rhett would still marry her. But somewhere else the bridal car will take her. While I am going to church to continue the wedding.
But we did not expect this to happen. I have no intention of killing my twin.
END OF FLASHBACK.
"I understand your story Mrs. Lawson. Let's just hope your twin is ok then we will say the result of the case."
"All right."
A policeman approached the policeman I was talking to. He whispered something and then left immediately.
"Mrs. Lawson, you need to go back to the hospital."
We arrived at the hospital immediately. When I arrived they were all quiet.
"W-what will happen?"
I peeked inside and the doctors were upset. My twin has not even revived. Until we heard the deafening noise of the machine telling me if my brother's heart was still beating.
"N-no, h-hindi! Pwede! Earnestina!"
I could do nothing but cry. Is my twin dead? Is Earnestina dead ?! Is he gone?
It hurts. Earnestina can't die!
1 YEAR LATER.
"My love?"
I decorate things. We will visit Earnestina. I want to introduce him to our son Rhett.
"Yes My love?"
"Are you ready?"
I nodded.
"Oh? Why do you seem sad? It is forbidden to be sad! We will introduce the twins to their Aunt so you should be happy."
"Rhett because I just can't help but blame myself. It's all my fault so that happened to Earnestina."
"Sssshhh. I also have a fault there so don't blame yourself all."
He kissed me.
"But -"
"Enough. Let's take the twins and introduce him to their Aunt Earnestina. Ok?"
"Ok."
We went to Earnestina's place. Carrying her favorite flower. White tulips.
"Earnestina, happy birthday to the two of us."
I cried as I talked to him. I handed him the flowers.
"I'm sorry twinie. I hope you can forgive me."
Rhett touched my shoulder. I just smiled at him signaling that I love you.
"Earnestina, you will introduce you to our son Rhet."
Our son is a twin. Both men.
"This is Rhen Earnest my first baby, and this is Rhex Earl."
We were enveloped in silence. The strong wind blew. It smells so cool.
"Can I carry my nephew?"
I was stunned by Earnestina's answer. Yes, he is alive. After a few months of being here in the mental hospital, after that incident he just spoke.
"S-sige."
I handed him Rhen Earnest. And there was a look of joy on his face.
"Ate Earnestine, I'm sorry."
"Earnestina, I'm sorry too."
We hugged. It is funny that after all that happened to us we were still able to forgive each other. Forgiveness is the stepping stone. Peace and love is the reward of it.
Sometimes we want other people's lives to be mapped to us. We keep forgetting who we really are. But me? I have nothing more to ask for.
I do not want to change the story of my life. I will not change who I really am. I am Earnestine, and Earlnestina is my other half. Without her, I'm incomplete.
We are twins. This is our story. This is who we are.