The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were pregnant at the same time, when they gave birth, the father-in-law looked pale…
In barangay San Roque in Laguna, there is a story that makes everyone who hears it cover their mouths and laugh: the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law… are pregnant at the same time.

Aling Minda – over fifty, stocky, still young – has always disliked her daughter-in-law. However, after a lamay (a vigil for the dead) and drinking a little too much gin, she suddenly changed: friendly, gentle, and openly indulgent to her daughter-in-law. A few months later, she announced to the whole family: “I’m pregnant.”

The whole family was stunned, especially Mang Tino – her husband, nearly sixty, a weak person, for a long time the village rumored that “the superiors don’t listen to the subordinates.” And yet Aling Minda was pregnant. And Lani – the daughter-in-law – had just announced her pregnancy a few weeks before.

People in the barangay whispered: “This house is about to have two more baby cries, but who is the father is not yet certain.”

Nine months later, Aling Minda gave birth to a son. Lani also gave birth to a son. The two children were fair and plump, but what caught everyone’s attention was… both had very deep dimples and slightly curly, reddish-brown hair.

Mang Tino, when he first saw the two children, turned pale. He stammered, unable to speak, and had to hold onto the bed.

Because… those dimples, that hair – exactly like Carlo – the neighbor who had lived next door to them more than a year ago, before he suddenly moved away in the night.

Carlo was a strong, muscular, handsome man. When he was still in the village, he often helped Aling Minda with the gardening, and taught Lani to practice the piano because she loved music. Mang Tino had often felt uncomfortable when he saw Carlo being too close to both his wife and daughter-in-law. Then Carlo left, no one knew why: some said he had a business deal in the city, others said he was in debt.

And now, two children were born – both bearing the same appearance as that man.

Rumors spread quickly. Some people said that Mang Tino was “double cuckolded” – his wife was having an affair, his daughter-in-law was also having an affair, and both were… with the same person.

The family fell into crisis. Mang Tino withdrew, spoke little, and did not even dare to look at the two children.

Until one rainy day in September, an anonymous envelope was sent to the house. Inside was a handwritten letter – from Carlo
“I apologize for leaving so quickly.
That day, I was threatened with being beaten because I had flirted with the wife of a powerful man. I had to run away.

Before I left, I left something precious behind – not my child, but the truth.

Mang Tino, do you remember the time I went to the Laguna Provincial Hospital? I was a resident at the time. I was the one who discovered the mistake in the records: you were not sterile as the doctor said.

I know you are sad and self-conscious. So I secretly sent the correct results to Aling Minda. Maybe thanks to that, you and her… have a chance to start over.

As for Lani, that day I only taught the piano, completely innocent. If the child looks like me, it might be a coincidence. After all, I am not the only one in this village with curly hair and dimples.

I wish the family peace.
– Carlo”

After reading the letter, Mang Tino was speechless. The letter had no proof, but it was enough to make him cry. For the first time in years, he believed: there were things that did not need to be solved to the end – just choose to forgive, and hold on to what was.

He held both children on his lap, whispering:

“No matter who you are… you are still my grandchildren.”

Aling Minda and Lani stood behind, silently wiping away their tears. What should be said, they would let time answer. For now, just the innocent laughter that echoed in the small house in Laguna – was enough.