Everyday, the only jewelry I put on are my pearl earrings from Boracay. Months ago, I lost one pearl earring. It just rolled off from the shelf in the closet, where I keep it, and disappeared right under my nose, gone without a trace. I heard it land on the floor but it was nowhere to be found. I was so upset. I wanted to buy another pair but I wanted to buy them in Boracay, so I had to wait for a few months. In the meantime, I decided to keep the other earring. Who knows? It might show up. Maybe one day, while cleaning, I'll find it. For now, I was a girl with a pearl earring (yes, in reference to the Cinemanila movie, The Girl with a Pearl Earring).

To fill in the gap, I wore the diamond earrings my only godmother gave me. The one that coincidentally matched the heirloom diamond necklace my dad passed on to me. But somehow, there were just days that the diamond earrings wouldn't match my outfit. It just wasn't right. Not like my pearl earrings, which matched all my outfits.

When I went to Boracay last summer, I finally bought my next pair of pearl earrings. Upon returning to Manila, I kept my diamond earrings back in it's case and haven't worn them since.

Just this morning, I was rummaging through the communal drawer looking for a purse to take to the wedding. I was pulling out bag after bag. And then there it was. Lying at the bottom of the drawer was the missing pearl earring. I sighed with relief. And then a thought suddenly entered my head, "What am I gonna do with two pairs of pearl earrings???"

Who cares. At least I've got back ups in case one pearl earring decides to run.. or roll away from me again. I'm no longer a girl with a pearl earring.