Eggs For Keeps

Jenie and Ruth set out for the Easter Egg Hunt activity in their barangay. They brought their baskets and wore their matching bunny ears.

“Do you think we will win this year?” Jenie asks her best friend.

“Do you still remember that we almost made it last year, but Christopher and Robby had 14 eggs more than we had?” Ruth reminded her.

“Then let’s work harder this time,” Jenie smiles and offers her pinky finger for Ruth to connect hers with, signaling a promise.

They were the first ones to arrive at the venue. The people in charge of the registration were not even there yet. They tried to sneak in the garden but a “No Entry” sign was placed. Jenie tried looking for another way in. Ruth tried to stop her, but she had already crept through the small gap in the fence.

“Jenie! Come back here or you’ll get both of us in trouble.” Ruth called.

“Ruth, can you hear me? I need your help. My basket got stuck on my way in and when I pulled it harder, some ribbons in the handle gave way and got tangled in the sharp parts of the fence,” Jenie sounded scared and was about to cry.

Before Ruth could answer, one of the organizers saw her standing there “Hey, what are you doing here?”.

She didn’t know what to say. Afraid that Jenie might get scolded if she said anything, she looked around and answered “I’m looking for the bathroom. I really need to pee.” The kind lady accompanied her to the nearest restroom.

Jenie heard lots of noise coming from outside, but she didn’t hear any sign of Ruth. “How could she have left me all alone here? I thought we were friends. Friends don’t abandon each other.” She felt tears running down her cheeks. She began to sob.

“One, two, three! Go!” She heard the emcee give the go signal for the egg hunters to enter the Easter Garden. She scrambled to her feet and without thinking twice, ran to all the eggs she had seen earlier.

“Hey, Jenie! Where is your basket?” Ruth finally found her. “Are you okay? I was going to get your mother to help me get you out, but the gate opened. I ran inside as fast as I could to find you.” Ruth was out of breath when she finished the sentence.

“Never mind. Give me your basket, we need to keep all these eggs safe as we look for more.” Jenie poured all the eggs she had pouched in her skirt and ran off.

“Woah! That’s a lot!”, Ruth exclaimed.

“Ruth, come here! Come this way fast before others could get here.” Jenie called out in a whisper.

Ruth couldn’t believe her eyes. They found themselves standing under colorful trees with differently sized and differently-colored eggs hanging from their branches.

“Bingo!” one of the contestants found the place, too. As soon as she started walking to where they were, Jenie and Ruth ran in different directions. Ruth filled her basket, while Jenie pouched the eggs in her skirt.

“TOOOOOOOOT! Time’s up! All contestants, please proceed to the reception area now.” The emcee announced on the speakers.

“With 36 eggs is Robby from Tudtud Street!” The crowd cheered.

“With 51 eggs is Ruth from Ipil-ipil Street!” The crowed cheered louder.

“No, these eggs are Jenie’s,” Ruth whispered to the emcee. “But it’s your name on the basket,” she sounded confused.

“The basket is mine, but the eggs are hers.” Ruth explained.

“Jenie! Jenie! Jenie!” The crowd chanted.

Jenie had mixed feelings when Ruth pulled her gently up the stage.

When everyone had left, she turned to Ruth and said “These are your eggs and this trophy belongs to you.”

“No, Jen. These are OUR eggs, we collected them together, but the trophy belongs to you.” Ruth hugged Jenie.