3. Sisterhood and Struggles

Celine Andrews is what her father named his firstborn. She was born on July 11, 1996, during the beautiful twilight on the western horizon. She was born after her mother endured the pains of contractions since dawn at a nearby midwife clinic.

Firstborns are always a special surprise. Back then, there weren't widespread ultrasound examinations to determine the baby's gender. However, the elders in the family, her maternal grandmother in particular, believed in predicting the baby's gender based on the signs exhibited by the pregnant mother.

At that time, Celine's maternal grandmother believed their future grandchild was a boy. Consequently, the family prepared a name for a boy. But, when the baby was born, it turned out to be a girl. With little planning about the character, her father quickly decided.

"Let's name her Celine; what do you think, Dear?" Mr Felix suggested to his wife while cradling the tiny baby. He was enchanted by the hues of the sunset that infiltrated through the window into the delivery room.

"It seems it's not a son, Dear. Hahaha," Mrs Maggie laughed heartily, remembering the amusing incident right after successfully delivering the baby. When the midwife said, "Congratulations, Mom, a healthy and complete baby girl is born." Her initial response was dumbfounded because she had assumed it would be a baby boy from the start.

"That's true, Dear. We can only plan and estimate. In the end, God is the Most Decisive," Mr. Felix spoke wisely. He, a man whose face reflected patience and responsibility, was filled with love for his family. Once again, he cradled the tiny baby they had anticipated for three years since their marriage.

Mrs. Maggie, still slightly tired from childbirth, mumbled her agreement while gazing at her baby with wonder. She was still absorbed in the euphoria of the birth of their first daughter, and three years of waiting had finally paid off with the arrival of the cute little one who had cried a few times loudly and then quickly fell asleep within a short period.

Whether it was a boy or a girl didn't matter to them. They would love the baby no matter the gender. After all, they hadn't prepared much for baby supplies.

Their village still adhered to some old superstitions, especially regarding significant events like marriages, pregnancies, childbirth, and even deaths. Many elderly neighbours expressed superstitions about preparing too many baby items. Therefore, they only prepared a little. It wasn't that Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie believed in superstitions, but they followed what the elders said to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

The philosophy behind the name Celine was also a prayer from her parents for her to match the warmth and enthusiasm, symbolizing adventure, optimism, self-confidence, and social skills. This was because Celine was born in twilightmoment, a fusion of red and yellow, giving a strong and warm effect.

Like most firstborns, Celine was showered with love, attention, and affection from her parents and extended family since childhood. She was spoiled, and almost everything she desired was quickly fulfilled.

However, things began to change when her mother gave birth to her younger sister four years later. The second child, named Gina Andrews, seemed to take many things away from Celine. She suddenly had to sleep alone in a separate room from her parents. Her mother rarely carried her since she was pregnant because pregnant women were prohibited from carrying heavy loads to avoid endangering the fetus.

Since then, a bit of envy crept into little Celine's heart towards her younger sister. But, as they grew older, mutual understanding and affection developed due to their emotional closeness and the patient and loving guidance from their parents.

The younger sister had a personality opposite of her older sister. While Celine was serious, introverted, and independent, Gina was playful, mischievous, and overly spoiled. They named the second daughter Gina hoping she would be a sweet and obedient gentle girl. When they discovered that Gina's personality was far from the meaning behind her name, they could only shake their heads and realize that expectations don't always match reality.

"I don't care! Just know that Celine sleeps below, and I'm on top. Fix!" Gina insisted when their father bought bunk beds for the two of them, replacing Celine's small mattress. This happened when Celine was nine and Gina was five.

Since childhood, Gina has been overly pampered and cheeky. Celine had to continually yield to avoid prolonged arguments that usually made their mother angry. As they grew older, Celine and Gina began facing economic difficulties. Mr. Felix's welding workshop received fewer orders, significantly reducing the family's income. Therefore, when Celine graduated from high school, she decided to work.

She applied to several companies in her city with only a high school diploma. While waiting for job calls, she helped her mother shop for their store stock. She preferred being sent to shop rather than managing the store because, according to her, dealing with buyers required a lot of patience and ears ready to listen to the long complaints of their neighbourly customers. And she had neither.

Gina, who was friendlier with buyers and balanced their conversations with her cheerful and relaxed demeanour, wasn't the sensitive type like Celine when she heard some teasing from neighbours during jokes. After a few months of applying here and there, Celine finally received a job offer as a production employee at a shoe factory. It was conveniently located near her home, about a ten-minute motorcycle ride.

The girl immensely enjoyed her job. Even with a salary according to the regional minimum wage, she received many additional benefits from overtime work and performance bonuses whenever her team reached production targets. She also felt comfortable with the work environment. As the newest and youngest employee, she quickly became the favourite of her superiors due to her agility and competence. She didn't take long to climb the ranks, surpassing many older colleagues.

Her increasing salary helped support the family's economy. Her parents often hesitated to accept money from Celine. Therefore, she went to the market every payday to shop for their store stock. She often secretly tucked some money into her father's shirt pocket, usually hung in front of the prayer room. Her parents were deeply moved when they realized that their firstborn had matured and had noble intentions to help the family without being asked.

When the time came for Gina to graduate from high school, Celine finally asked their parents to fulfil Gina's desire to continue to college. She promised to help with the financing. She had a personal savings account that could be used whenever there was a sudden need. She wanted her high school graduate sister to have a better job than her.

Gina was joyful to attend college, especially since her older sister couldn't. She gradually changed, becoming more respectful to Celine as she understood that her sister helped finance her education.

Finally, Gina enrolled in the Accounting program at a private university in their city. The pampered girl wasn't convincing enough to be allowed to live in a boarding house in the town, the provincial capital, where the nearest state university was located.

"Study properly. Be careful if you mess around!" Celine warned one day when the family listened to Gina's exciting stories about campus life.

Gina put on a severe expression, stood upright, and saluted with her hand.

"Ready! I'll do it!"

Celine playfully tapped her sister's head. Typical Gina, turning a severe talk into a joke, she thought. Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie shook their heads and sometimes joined in the laughter while witnessing the debates between their two beloved daughters.

The house, though modest, felt complete when both daughters were around. Celine's dedication to work and Gina's pursuit of higher education brought a sense of pride to their parents. They were grateful for their daughters and the sacrifices they made for the family.

Celine's workplace became busier daily, and her reputation at the shoe factory continued to soar. She managed to secure a supervisory position, overseeing a team in the production line. Her income steadily increased, allowing her to contribute significantly to the family's finances.

Meanwhile, Gina adapted to university life. The transition from a pampered younger sister to a college student changed her personality. She became more independent and responsible, juggling her studies and part-time jobs to ease Celine's financial burden.

Despite their age difference, Celine and Gina developed a strong bond. Celine, the protective older sister, would occasionally visit Gina at the university, ensuring she adapted well and managed her studies. Gina, in turn, appreciated Celine's guidance and support, recognizing her sister's sacrifices for her education.

One day, Celine surprised Gina with a new laptop. It was a gesture that left Gina speechless. She knew her sister had saved up for months to buy it, and the act of generosity brought tears to Gina's eyes.

"I want you to have the best tools for your studies," Celine said, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her intentions.

The laptop became Gina's constant companion, aiding her in research assignments and staying connected with Celine. It symbolized a material possession and a manifestation of the sisters' unspoken commitment to each other's success.

As time passed, Gina's academic achievements shone. She proved herself academically competent and socially adept, making friends quickly and actively participating in campus activities. Celine beamed with pride at her sister's accomplishments.

As the family gathered for dinner, Gina had exciting news to share one evening. She had been selected as a university representative for an upcoming national accounting competition.

Celine's eyes lit up with pride. "See, I told you to study properly!"

Gina blushed, grateful for the encouragement. The family celebrated the achievement, and Celine couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—pride in Gina's success and a pang of nostalgia for the dreams she had once harboured for herself.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, Celine found solace in her sister's achievements. She had become a silent supporter, offering guidance and encouragement and rejoicing in Gina's triumphs as if they were hers.

As the years unfolded, both sisters pursued their respective paths. Celine continued to excel in her career, earning promotions and recognition for her dedication. Gina, armed with her accounting degree, landed a job at a reputable firm, realizing the dreams she and Celine had once shared.

Their paths diverged, but the bond between them remained unbreakable. Celine's role evolved from protector to confidante, and Gina, in her newfound independence, still sought Celine's advice and shared her joys and sorrows.

Once filled with the laughter and bickering of two young girls, the family home witnessed their growth into remarkable women. Through their journeys, they discovered that sisterhood was a matter of blood and a connection of hearts forged through shared dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering support.

And so, the story of Celine and Gina unfolded, a tale of sisterhood that transcended the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witnessed their journey.

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