It has been said that a wish made while the sun sets and hits the perfect shade of red, any wish made at that moment would be granted.
Aliyah squinted at the bright sunlight glaring in her warm brown eyes that glowed in the sun, she lifted her right hand to shield her eyes from the sun's harsh rays and stared at her twin sister who was busy painting and humming a tune.
Though they were so identical it was difficult to tell them apart, they lived in different worlds. Aliyah believed in fairytales and the world being a better place while her twin, Laylah was more of a cynic and Aliyah found it difficult most times to come to an agreement with her sister because it seems her sister always had something cynical to say.
Taking a huge breath, Aliyah turned to her sister, "Laylah?" She called.
Laylah paused mid stroke and turned to face her sister with one eyebrow raised. She hated being interrupted during a painting session and her twin knew it but she went on anyway.
"Do you believe the legend?" Aliyah gave Laylah her best smile, her teeth shining white in the sunlight.
Laylah's eyebrows rose and fell in a quick movement as she rolled her eyes.
Here we go again… she thought.
"There are a lot of legends, Aliyah," Laylah made an impatient gesture with her right hand which held her painting brush.
"Hmm-mmh, yes!" Aliyah clapped her hands, glad that she had her sister's attention.
"Get to the point, Aliyah. I'm busy," Laylah snapped.
"There's a legend that says that any wish made when the sunset hits the perfect shade which turns it blood red, such a wish would be granted." Aliyah finished with a big smile on her face, obviously eager for the sunset so she could try her luck.
It took an effort for Laylah not to hiss through her teeth as she turned her back to her sister, she really didn't want to hurt her sister's feelings.
"You're too old for fairytales, Aliyah. How many times do I have to tell you that such things don't come to pass." Laylah turned towards the bright sun that was just beginning to set, "it's just a beautiful sunset, that's all,"
"Oh, but it's not," Aliyah disagreed as she watched the sun set with wonder in her eyes.
"It's much more than just a beautiful sunset. There's something…. different about the sun especially when it sets," Aliyah looked to her twin for agreement.
"Just look at it," Aliyah urged with a laugh when she found Laylah staring at her with a scowl.
"Fine, only because I'm finding it difficult finishing the painting and nothing else," Laylah mumbled and smiled a little when Aliyah linked their arms together as they watched the sun set.
As the sun began to dip lower and lower, the most magical thing happened. Right before their eyes, the glow of the sun turned blood red and Aliyah's eyes went as wide as saucers.
"Oh my goodness! Such wonder! It's happening, Laylah!" Aliyah screamed in awe.
"It is beautiful to behold," Laylah agreed, obviously captivated by the beauty of the sunset.
"Make a wish, make a wish!" Aliyah urged her sister.
"I wish for my painting to be finished perfectly," Laylah said aloud after a moment and smiled happily for she suddenly felt a lightness in her heart that she had never felt before.
Aliyah's happy shout brought her out of her reverie.
"What is it this time, Aliyah?" Laylah asked.
"Your painting!" Aliyah stared at the painting in awe and wonder as if it were a magical object.
Laylah walked to her paint board and to her utmost surprise, saw her painting finished exactly the way she envisioned in her mind but couldn't quite put it down on the canvas.
"Oh wow. Oh my goodness!" Laylah shouted happily, unable to believe her eyes.
"You were trying to paint the sun," Aliyah said.
"No sister, I was trying to paint the perfect sunset," Laylah said and hooked arms with her sister as they stared at the painting showing the blood red sunset rumored to grant wishes.
"It's beautiful!" Aliyah said.
"Yes, it is," Laylah agreed.
