Trinkets for Keeps
By:Charo P. Desamparado
A pale tint of orange painted the sky and the noise of the cicadas could be heard nearby. A warm breeze could be felt, along with the salty smell of the air. Two friends Caitlyn and Karen could be seen walking along the shoreline. For a month now since the school year ended it has always been their routine to go the seashore and collect shells or extra-ordinary rocks that they could see along the way. They would often talk about their dreams and aspirations in life as well as their day-to-day happenings.
When the sun could be seen no more, they both decided to call it a day and started walking towards home. They passed by a small boy sitting alone on a rock as if waiting for someone to come. Both his hands were holding trinkets which they thought were for the market. Out of curiosity and awe of the ornaments the two friends stopped and asked the boy. “Are those trinkets for sale?” they asked. “No, they are not”, he replied. “Then what are those trinkets for?” Caitlyn asked. “And who are you waiting for?” Karen asked. The boy without saying anything looked at them with a smile. Looking deeply into the boy’s eyes, Caitlyn vaguely remembered a very unforgettable incident. “I think I know you and have met you before,” she exclaimed.
Both were surprised when the boy extended his arms and gave each one the trinkets he was holding. “These are treasures handcrafted with love. Just like your friendship which you two cherish. Accept these as my gifts for you two”
Upon saying this the little boy smiled, waved them goodbye, and ran.
Caitlyn and Karen were left shocked and looked at each other’s eyes. Right then and there they both remembered the day their friendship started. It was the same boy who was with his mother who had an accident while selling accessories outside their school two years ago. The boy whom they helped and they never left until his relatives came. They both shared the same grief the boy felt and that was when their treasured bond began.
With tears in their eyes, they looked at each other and both of them smiled, they clasped each other and uttered. “Thank you for the friendship!”
