3 III. A New Heart

Charlie turned to see her looking astounded at his heart. He never thought that his heart was anything beautiful to be amazed at nor is it something worth looking at. But seeing her wide-eyed and mouthing 'wow' at first glance made him somehow happy and proud of the kind of heart he has. He smiled.

After looking at her astounded face, his gaze moved to the crystal heart on Lily's hands. It was almost pure white and very radiant, it looked like a whitish-gold creamy pearl. He has never seen anything that looked so fair and radiating with so much light. He has seen many crystal hearts of sojourners he met before, most with intricate and colorful designs or multi-colored. But this one looked so pure and simple. Looking at it made him feel warm and peaceful. He saw her looked down on her heart as well, as if to compare, and she frowned a bit. He wanted to tell her how beautiful her heart is, but then she smiled as if contented with what she has.

The man in white reached out his open hand to her. When she realized he was asking for her heart, she hesitated a bit. She did say to give it, but when it comes to actually handing it over, she felt a pang of regret. To give up something so precious to her made her feel melancholic. She shook her head to relieve her depressing thoughts, believing that surrendering her heart is for the best. She bravely came forward and placed her crystal heart on his hands. As she let go of it she whispered 'goodbye' like it was the last time she'll see it. She smiled knowing that it will be safe and that she has made the right decision, but she can't keep the sadness from showing in her eyes. She stepped back and sat on the grass. Charlie did the same and sat beside her.

As if glad with her decision, the man in white flickered brighter. He told them he'll show them something wonderful. They were both wondering what he'll do.

He raised both of their hearts and put it together.

Despite how uneven and incomprehensible the rough edges were, they surprisingly complement and fit each other. There was a sudden burst of light flooding from the two hearts as they bind. Charlie and Lily raised their hands to cover their eyes from the blinding light. It lasted for a few seconds, and when it faded to a luminous light, their mouths hung open with what they saw. Their hearts formed into one perfect crystal heart which exceeded the beauty when they're on its own. It was bigger and even more radiant. The uneven lines totally disappeared, as if no merging has happened. The heart looked like a clear sky, with wisps of feathery clouds in silver lining floating around a golden pearl shining like the sun in the center. It was pulsing like a heartbeat. Like how a star twinkles at night. It was the fire of love which was exceedingly visible even in the daylight.

They're still in amazement when the Lord stood up and spoke, "This is the heart which I bind and blessed this day. The two hearts shall no more be two but one."

Lily and Charlie also stood up, their eyes still looking in awe at the new heart, and their ears listening intently to the command of the Lord. He lowered the heart to them. Their eyes widened even more upon seeing it up close and they're still lost for words.

"Continue to pour your love into this heart to keep the fire burning," he continued as he placed it on their hands. They were surprise why he gave it back but held it with much care. It was an inch bigger than the usual size of a heart, but to their surprise, it was much lighter and warmer.

"Be careful each of you to commit to love and value one another, and not go and honoring your own selfish ways, or else the fire will also slowly lose its power and your path will darken. At the same time the heart will dry and cracks will appear as it starts falling apart."

Charlie and Lily swallowed hard as they heard the warning. They clutched the heart tighter, beholding it with such reverence. They knew that whatever they do will reflect in their heart, and whatever happens to the heart will also revert back to them.

"That heart is still owned by me as you have freely given it to me. Take very good care of it as it lights your path and guides your way to my Kingdom." 

They stood in silence, holding the heart together with both hands. They were both contemplating all the advice that the lord has said. Then they looked up and met eye to eye. Both showed dedication to fulfill their duties in protecting the heart. They stared back at the crystal. Without words being said, they realized that there's two of them but there's only one heart. There's also only one golden string for the necklace. Who would be the bearer?