Chapter 96

Chapter 96
Anna decided to play along and feigned ignorance.

"Oh my goodness, who is standing in front of me. I don't recognize little Iris from little Irene. Who gave my baby the masks?" Anna asked, looking from Iris to Irene as if she's really confused.

Iris giggled cutely showing her cute dimples, yes they both had dimples too. She quickly whispered to her sister who also giggled. "Didn't I tell you that mummy cannot recognize us?"

"It's actually a toy we used to play in the class and our teacher gave it to us to take home. Okay mummy quickly answers whether I'm Irene or Iris." Irene spoke cutely, her babyish voice and innocence soothing Anna's heart.

Anna put her hand on her chin, her expression serious as if she was really thinking.

"Okay," She turned to Iris and Irene "You're my little Iris and you're my adorable little Irene."

They removed their masks and went ahead to hug their mother, then Iris asked. "How do you always recognize us every time while our teachers find it hard to recognize us?"

Anna smiled and patted their cheeks lovingly. "Of course, I'm your mother and you're my little angel. I'll always recognize you."

Irene slapped her forehead lightly and muttered in exasperation like an adult. "We've totally forgotten about what the teacher asked us to say whenever we get home."

Iris also nodded acknowledging her sister's words and they departed from their mother's embrace. Anna looked at them with confusion.

They stood together looking adorable as hell and said at the same time. "Good day mom, school was good. We hope you're good too, how was your day?"

Anna's heart trembled from their cuteness and she engulfed them in a hug, taking in their milky and sweet scent.

“Thank you so much babies. My day was good. And by the way I have something to tell you both.” This is the first time she's going to leave them and she feels so bad about it.

“Your grandpa is dead and no more, so I have to go back to Italy and attend his burial. I'm not taking you along. I want you to stay here and be a good girl and don't trouble your godfather until I return, okay?” Anna asked, staring at the two girls for approval.

Iris was the first to speak up. “Mom, what's the meaning of death?” Anna chastised herself mentally, because of their smartness and maturity she had already forgotten that she's talking to three years old kids.

“I'm sorry baby being dead means that the person will no longer be alive, he will not be able to eat, drink or play and he'll be buried.” Anna explained as best as she could hoping the girls would understand.

Their eyes widened at the same time and they looked at each other, Anna couldn't help but to grin at their cuteness. It's as if they are using telepathy. They always have the same expression, thoughts and mindset. She was really blessed with them.

She couldn't help but think that if Reina was here, the twins would be very much adored by their aunt.

“Oh that means grandpa is also dead like daddy. Then you must be very upset and sad but don't worry we are here for you and will not let you be sad.” Anna's eyes widened and she almost choked on her spit taking in one of her twins words but she was also touched by their understanding of her current situation.

“And who told you that your daddy is dead?” Anna didn't know what to say as this is the first time this conversation is coming up. They've never asked about their dad and she hasn't bothered to tell them anything but hearing that Fernandez from their mouth, she felt guilty for not telling them and even though Fernandez is never a good husband to her, she never for once wished for his death.

“But we've never seen him and he has never come to see us so we thought he's dead.” The confusion was very clear in her tone.

“Okay, okay. I'll be going there tomorrow and will come back immediately after the burial.” Anna digressed the topic away from Fernandez.

They snuggled closer to her, their head in her bosom. “But we'll miss you mom.” They muttered in their babyish voices.

Anna kissed their head fondly. “I'll miss you too, angel.”

****
They were all dressed in black, Anna's mother, Anna and some of Anna's father's relatives. Anna had arrived in her mother's apartment in Italy the previous day.

And today, they were all present for her father's burial. Anna feels blank and void of emotion. There was no tear or anything as she watched her father being put in the grave.

Anna felt a pat on her shoulder and looked back to see her mother. “Anna, I know you don't want to do this but thank you for coming back.”

Anna went ahead to drop a flower on her father's tomb and then turned to face her mother.

“I can't hold grudges forever and I've forgiven him, I just pray his soul rests in peace.” Anna said and her mother engulfed her in a hug.

“He had actually met me two days before his death looking quite miserable. He told me he regrets everything and our divorce. He apologized to me and he also told me that he is not worthy to ask for your forgiveness face to face so he asked me to help him beg for your forgiveness.”