THE BRACELET was the best gift that Audrey received for Christmas. It was a slim, gold chain with seven seed-pearls strung along like beads of a rosary. Because of this, Audrey was excited about going back to school after the holidays. The first school day in January was a time to show off what each girl had received for Christmas. In the past years, the standard gifts were cuddly stuffed toys, dolls, perfumed stationery, or baby T-shirts.

"I bet I’m the only one who got something really grown-up and expensive," Audrey thought.

On the morning of her first day back to school, Audrey took the pearl bracelet from her jewelry box. It was the only real piece of jewelry she had. The other things in the box were a pair of Hello Kitty clip-on earrings, a bubble watch and a strand of plastic, colored beads that she made into a necklace.

Audrey’s mom walked into the room.

"Your school bus is here," she said.

"Mom, could you please put this on me?" Audrey held up the bracelet. "I bet no other 8-year-old has got something like this."

Her mom took the bracelet and returned it in the jewelry box.

"It’s against school rules. Besides, you’ll be wearing it in the wrong place at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons."

On that morning, many girls in school brought their new gifts for show. As expected, most of the girls got the latest craze in stuffed toys, like Winnie the Pooh bears. Others brought their box-like, clear plastic handbags. In them, one could see colored pens, little notepads, and even combs with compact mirrors.

As for Audrey, all she could do was to talk about the pearl bracelet left back at home.

"We’d have to see it to believe it," Stella, her classmate, said.

"Your mom told you that you may not wear it but she didn’t say you couldn’t bring it to school," Myra chimed in.

In the next few days, Audrey thought about bringing the bracelet to school. She could keep it in her pocket so no one else except the girls would see.

One day, Audrey decided that it was time to bring the pearl bracelet. All classroom activities in Grade 3 were called off. They were to practice for the sports festival for the entire day.

When Audrey left the house that morning, she had her hand in her right side pocket. The grains of pearls were jiggling around her pocket.

In school, Coach Reyes called on all Grade 3 students to change into their PE uniforms in the locker rooms.

"Aren’t you gonna wear it?" Stella reminded Audrey.

"You can’t leave it in the pocket of your skirt," said Myra. "It might get lost."

Audrey thought awhile. Her PE shorts didn’t have any pockets. She would have to wear the bracelet. "Okay, put it on me."

Myra slipped the chain around Audrey’s right wrist. "Just a sec," she said while trying to snap the lock.

"Wow, it looks so pretty," Stella gushed.

Volleyball practice was held in the grassy field behind the canteen. Audrey made sure to stay a safe distance from the coach so he wouldn’t see the bracelet. Her classmates, though, noticed the faint glitter of the gold chain whenever Audrey lifted her arms to hit the ball. Audrey liked the feel of it rolling up and down her forearm. The seed-pearls turned and twisted along with her arms’ movement.

Right after practice, some of the other girls approached Audrey to have a look at the bracelet.

"You must feel like a real princess," one of them exclaimed. "Imagine real pearls!"

That remark made Audrey feel very special.

Then they all went back to the locker rooms. Everyone was in a hurry to change clothes and go home.

"Oh, no!" Audrey gasped as she buttoned up her blouse. "My bracelet’s gone!"

Myra and Stella searched the floor. Audrey rummaged through her things. No bracelet. The three of them ran back to the field. How on earth would they be able to search the grass of an entire field? Still, they tried.

Audrey’s throat felt very dry. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hands were cold.

Finally, they gave up the search. Audrey had to go home without her bracelet.

For the rest of the day until early evening, Audrey thought about where the bracelet could have fallen. The family had her favorite food for dinner--sweet meat rolls. But Audrey couldn’t taste a thing. Mom offered her some ice cream for dessert. She decided to pass.

Audrey’s secret was too terrible to keep. It was a kind of secret that made her feel sick in the stomach. The feeling worsened every time Audrey’s mom was in the room with her.

"I’ll have to tell . . ." Audrey thought.

"Mom . . ." said Audrey once they were alone in the bedroom. "There’s something I . . ."

"Come sit beside me," her mom interrupted.

Audrey sat on the edge of the bed. She raised her right arm as if there was some kind of pain that she felt. But she kept her head bowed low.

"Mom . . . the bracelet . . ." Audrey’s voice quivered. She wanted to continue but no words came out.

"I know, dear," her mom whispered. "Is it lost?"

Audrey lifted her head in surprise. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

"How did you know?" Audrey gasped.

"It’s a mom’s special gift. To know without having to ask."

"I’m sorry." Audrey embraced her mom.

Her heart was pounding but she was not afraid anymore. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks but she felt happy inside.

"Thanks for telling me, sweetie," her mom whispered in her ear.

Heidi is an English professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.