Twins

I felt them rubbing my back.

“Hush now, my child. Didn’t I tell you before you left that no matter what problem you have, you should just tell us because we’re ready to help you? But what did you do? You hid it and ran away from the truth,” I shook my head at what Mom said to me.

“M-Mom, I didn’t want to… I didn’t want you to know. I have so many dreams for the three of us, and I haven’t even repaid you both, yet here I am, pregnant. Mom, Nay, I promise I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“Shhh, calm down, Claire. Crying isn’t good for the baby. I’ll get you some water,” Nanay said to me before standing up.

I looked at Mom, who was staring at me in disbelief.

“Mom, I’m sorry. I know I disappointed you. I’m really sorry,” I hugged her, and she rubbed my back.

“I accept your apology, Claire, but God has a plan. I know there’s a reason why there’s a baby in your belly. I just can’t believe you’re going to have a family now, my child. I just can’t believe it. By the way, where’s the baby’s father?” I froze at Mom’s question.

“Yeah, Claire, who’s the father of the child you’re carrying, and where is he now?”

Nanay handed me a glass of water when she returned. I took a sip before answering.

“He doesn’t know about my baby, and I don’t plan on telling him. What happened between us was a mistake. I was drunk that night—it was during Bea’s wedding in Batangas.” They nodded in understanding.

“If that’s your decision, but remember, no father would refuse to know and be with his child. And besides, even if it was a mistake, he should still take responsibility for your baby,” Mom was right, but I wasn’t ready.

“We’ll see, Mom. It’s just not possible.” She sighed in frustration at my response.

“Alright, fine, let Claire be, Erin. By the way, Claire, have you had a check-up yet? Are you taking any vitamins?” Nanay asked, making me frown.

“Is that necessary, Nanay?”

“Oh, you silly girl! Of course, it is—you’re pregnant! Alright, tomorrow we’ll go for a check-up. Mom and I will come with you.” I smiled at her words and hugged them both.

“Thank you, Mom, Nay, for accepting my baby! I’m sure he’s happy about what’s happening right now,” I told them with a smile.

“No wonder you were always sleeping before you left—you were already carrying a baby!” Nanay joked, making the three of us laugh.

---

THE NEXT DAY, the three of us left early. By 10 AM, we went to an OB-GYN Mom knew and had a check-up.

We also scheduled an ultrasound to check on the baby’s condition.

Now, I was lying on a hospital bed, staring at the monitor. I glanced at Mom and Nanay, who were just as nervous as I was about what we might find out.

A few moments later, the sound of a heartbeat echoed through the screen like music to my ears.

“You have twins, Ms. Sanchez!”

I was shocked by the doctor’s words and stared at her in disbelief.

“Huh? How, Doc?” I asked, and she pointed at the screen.

“Look, there are two heartbeats.”

Overwhelming joy filled me as I saw two consecutive heartbeats on the screen. No wonder the heartbeat sounded so loud—there were two of them.

I couldn’t stop my tears from falling.

“Congratulations, my child—you’re having twins!” Mom said tearfully as she hugged me. Nanay did the same. I still couldn’t believe my baby was twins.

The doctor gave me a prescription for my vitamins and a schedule for my regular check-ups. She also handed me the ultrasound photo.

“Congratulations again, Ms. Sanchez. Come back, okay? So we can monitor the twins,” she said with a smile, so I smiled back and nodded.

We got into the car, and Mom drove us home.

“I still can’t believe they’re twins!” Mom said excitedly while driving.

“Me too, Erin! The house will surely be noisy once the twins arrive!”

“You’re right, Lucing! I hope they’re boys!”

“For me, I hope they’re girls!”

I smiled at their conversation. They were happy, and I was even happier. I took a picture and sent it to Bea. When she saw it was twins, she couldn’t believe it and congratulated me.

I placed a hand on my belly.

“So there are two of you in there? You didn’t even tell Mommy. I promise I’ll take good care of you.”

That’s a promise, my children.