“MA’AM, THAT’S THE SAME AS MY MOTHER’S RING”

“MA’AM, IT’S THE SAME AS MY MOTHER’S RING”: THE BEGGAR WHO SURPRISED A DONYA — AND REVEALED A SECRET THAT HAD BEEN BURIED FOR 14 YEARS
Donya Carmela is known throughout the city not only for her wealth, but also for the sadness etched on her face. Fourteen (14) years ago, her youngest daughter disappeared while they were on a medical mission in the province. No one knows if she was kidnapped or lost.

The only memento that Donya Carmela wears is a custom-made ring. It has a design of two angels embracing each other with a small sapphire in the middle. She had it made for herself and her son when he was still a baby.

One Sunday, after church, Donya Carmela was waiting for her driver outside the church. A young girl, about 14 years old, thin, and carrying lilies approached her.

“Ma’am, buy some… just for my mother and I to eat,” the child offered weakly.

Being naturally kind, Donya Carmela took some money from her bag. When she handed over the money, the child noticed the ring on Donya’s finger.

The child’s eyes widened.

“Ma’am…” the child said, pointing to Donya’s hand. “Your ring is beautiful. It’s exactly the same as my mother’s ring. It’s hidden under her pillow, she keeps it because she says it’s important.”

Donya Carmela stiffened. She let go of her bag.

“W-What are you, little girl?” she asked tremblingly. “Identical? Impossible… There are only two rings like this in the whole world.”

“Yes, Ma’am! The one with two angels and a blue stone!” the child answered confidently.

Donya Carmela’s heart suddenly beat faster. He held the child by the shoulder.

“Daughter, take me to your mother. Right now. I will pay for all your groceries, but take me to her.”

They got into Donya Carmela’s car. From the paved road, they entered a narrow alley leading to a shack under a bridge.

When they entered, Donya Carmela saw an old woman lying on a mat, coughing and pale.

“Mom, we have a visitor. She bought some sampaguita,” the child said.

Donya Carmela approached. “Where is the ring?” she asked immediately.

The old woman, Aling Ising, was surprised to see the expensive outfit her visitor was wearing. Her hands trembled. She took a small pouch from under the pillow and took out a necklace with a ring pendant.

The ring with two angels and a sapphire.

Donya Carmela burst into tears. She took it and looked at the back. There was a name engraved on it: Carmela & Celestina.

“My God…” Donya Carmela fell to her knees. She looked at the young sampaguita vendor. “Celestina? Is that you?”

Aling Ising confessed, crying.

“Forgive me, Ma’am…” Aling Ising said with difficulty. “Fourteen years ago… I saw the baby on the bank of the river in the province. Crying, hungry, and swept away by floodwaters. There was no one around. I thought she had been thrown away.”

“I took her to save her,” the old man continued. “I brought him to Manila. I was afraid to report him to the police, lest they accuse me of kidnapping him because I am poor. So I raised him as my own son… Tin-tin… I loved him, Ma’am. I did not sell the ring even though we were hungry, because I knew that was the only wealth he had from his real family.”

Donya Carmela looked at Tin-tin (Celestina), who was now also crying because of the revelation.

Donya Carmela saw her own eyes in the child’s face.

The anger in Donya Carmela’s heart disappeared. It was replaced by gratitude. If it weren’t for this woman, her son might have died in the river before.

“Mom… aren’t you my real Mom?” Tin-tin asked.

Donya Carmela held Tin-tin’s and Aling Ising’s hands.

“Son…” Donya Carmela said to Tin-tin. “I am your real mother. But she…” she pointed at Aling Ising, “She is the one who saved you and gave you life. I owe her your life.”

Instead of sending her to prison, Donya Carmela took Aling Ising to the best hospital to treat her lung disease.

Through a DNA test, it was confirmed that Tin-tin was indeed the missing heiress Celestina.

Donya Carmela took Aling Ising to their mansion. There, she was cared for until she recovered. Tin-tin, a former sampaguita vendor, was able to study at an exclusive school and return to the life she deserved.

But she never forgot her “Nanay Ising.” Now, she has two mothers—one who gave birth to her, and one who gave her life. And the ring? Celestina now wears it, a symbol of the love of two mothers.

THE END.