CHAPTER 1 "DIARY"

Bella waited for a few moments and then stood up. After leaving the funeral parlor, she went home. Her mother, Susan, had asked her to prepare the things they would bring tomorrow when they returned to San Ricardo, where they were scheduled to bury Ara. Bella was also told to look for items they could bring for her sister.

She started searching through her sister's belongings. She opened a tall cabinet in her sister's room. Bella smiled. Ara's things were neatly arranged. Since the beginning, Ara had always been meticulous and careful with her belongings, so Bella wasn't surprised.

Aside from clothes and a few personal items like bags and others, Bella couldn't find anything that she knew she could bring along when they accompanied Ara to her final resting place the next day.

For some reason, Bella decided to search through another cabinet that was there. She still found nothing, until she finally decided to look under her sister's bed.

There, Bella smiled upon discovering a box. She took it and opened it. It was a bit dusty, but that was okay.

Inside, Bella found some old items such as a box of chocolates, a hat, a photo album, and more. But what truly caught her attention was a medium-sized box designed like a treasure chest.

Curiosity got the better of her as she took it out and opened it. Inside were yellowed papers and a green notebook. Bella picked up one of the many papers and realized it was a love letter. As she read the letter, her eyes paused when she saw a name written at the bottom: Daniel.

She didn't know who Daniel was. Whoever he was, he had become a puzzle to her. Bella swallowed hard as she tried to ignore the sudden chill that ran through her. She couldn't understand why she felt that way, even though she knew deep down that Ara had a boyfriend in Malaysia, none other than Timothy Godinez.

Just thinking about Timothy's name quickly mixed anxiety with the emotions in her chest during those moments. It reminded her of the favor Ara had asked of her regarding her boyfriend, just a few days before Ara passed away.

After reading the letter, Bella returned it with a smile, along with others that had a similar design of the stationery used. At the bottom of the paper was a red rose and next to it, a guitar.

Bella had only read one of the letters so far, but she couldn't help but feel amused. Daniel was so sweet. Even though she was older than the possible age when he wrote that letter, she still felt a tinge of excitement.

Next, Bella picked up the green notebook. She had a feeling she knew what it was, and she was right. It was a diary. Ara's diary.

Though it was wrong for her to read it, her curiosity overwhelmed her, and she began to flip through the pages. Bella was greeted by her twin sister's beautiful penmanship, and once again, she couldn't help but smile. The first page was blank, so she turned to the next.

On the following page were the words, "PERSONAL PROPERTY BY ARABELLA MADRIGAL." Bella felt a sudden rush of chills and coldness, s if Ara had wrapped her arms around her. She knew it was Ara, and just like earlier, her sister embraced her once again.

Bella held back her emotions. During those moments, she felt like she had finally understood the true meaning behind everything Ara had done since earlier. It seemed that Ara wanted her to read her diary. Or perhaps she was giving Bella permission to read whatever was written in that notebook. So, driven by intense curiosity, Bella began to read her twin sister's diary.

"DEAR DIARY..."

These two words became the gateway that seemed to transport Bella into every page of that notebook. As she read each word and admired Ara's beautiful penmanship, she felt as if she could visualize every scene written there. It came to life, and that motivated her to continue what she had started.

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NINE YEARS AGO...

"CONGRATULATIONS!" Ara happily greeted her twin sister Bella, embracing her tightly and planting a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Bella. Congratulations to you too! Isn't your graduation in a week?" she asked, wrapping her arm around Bella's.

Bella nodded. "By the way, what course are you planning to take in college?" she asked Ara.

"I want to take Hotel and Restaurant Management. I've already mentioned it to Mom and Dad, and they agreed. How about you? Will you continue with Education?" they exchanged questions.

"Yes, I want to become a teacher," Bella replied as they walked towards the parking lot of the public high school, where their old sedan was parked.

"Where will you study? How about we enroll in the same university? There are many options here in Manila, and I'm sure we'll both get accepted. It would be so much fun to always be together," Ara said, with a hint of playfulness in her voice, hoping her sister would agree.

Bella's smile faltered slightly. "Sorry, Ara. I've already made my decision. I can't leave our grandparents. It would be unfair to them if I go, leaving them alone in the province."

Ara immediately felt a pang of sadness upon hearing her sister's response. Bella had a valid point, and she understood what she meant. She didn't push further for what she wanted.

"What about you? Aren't you going back to San Ricardo for a vacation while there's no school?" Bella asked Ara.

Ara shook her head. "I don't think so. I applied to be a student assistant at the school I'll be attending. I'll find out the result in a week. If I get accepted, Mom and Dad will only need to provide half of the tuition fee," she explained as they got into the car, with their mother Susan in the front seat, and their stepfather Anselmo as the driver.

Their youngest sibling, Anthony, was left at home with their grandparents, who had traveled to Manila to attend Bella's graduation.

"Really? What job did you apply for?" Bella inquired.

"Student Assistant at the library. It's an easy job, so it won't affect my studies," Ara explained with a smile directed at her sister.

Bella simply nodded and remained silent.

In Ara's mind, she couldn't wait to start her college journey, to graduate, and to provide a better life for her family in the future.