My husband worked abroad as an OFW in Japan.For four years, all the money he sent went straight to his mother.He had complete trust in her because my mother-in-law said:\u201cSon, don\u2019t worry. I will take care of your money. When you come home, we will buy a house for you.\u201dI was left here in the Philippines, taking care of our little daughter, trying to survive day by day. Whenever I wanted to buy milk or medicine for the child, I had to ask for permission.I was always told:\u201cI am the one who takes care of your money. If it goes to you, it will definitely disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I endured everything. I thought, with a little more patience, when my husband comes home, we will also have our own house and freedom.But I never thought it would happen like this\u2026When my husband comes home, everyone is happy. My mother-in-law slaughtered a pig, had a big party. I was so happy, I thought the hardship was over.But that night, my husband asked his mother:\u201cMom, in four years, I have sent almost 900,000 peso. Can I take some so that Mylene and I can buy land?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mother-in-law answered quietly while drinking tea:\u201cWhat 900,000 peso? It\u2019s gone. I\u2019ve spent it all on the house, on food, on electricity. You\u2019re not leaving me anything here.\u201dMy husband turned pale. I, on the other hand, was stunned.\u201cMom, I send money every month. You said you were saving.\u201dI\u2019m saving \u2014 for this house! You\u2019re not the only ones eating here.\u201dI couldn\u2019t stop crying. \u201cEven what I earn from sewing, you take it too. You said, it will be included in our savings. Now, where did it all go?\u201dSuddenly my mother-in-law shouted:\u201cYou have no right to talk like that! You just live here, and then you want to take money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My husband was silent. I did not defend myself, nor did his mother. That silence of his, was like a dagger piercing my chest.I saved everything on a USB. I also had an official copy of the bank records made, with the bank\u2019s signature and seal.The next night, I invited relatives to a dinner, supposedly to \u201cwelcome my newly-wed husband.\u201d After eating, I turned on the TV and plugged in the USB.The recordings played one after another:\u2014 \u201cYes, son, I\u2019m just keeping your money safe.\u201d
\u2014 \u201cJust send it all the time, don\u2019t worry.\u201dEveryone was silent. My mother-in-law turned pale. The relatives whispered. One of my husband\u2019s aunts said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cConchita, that\u2019s really bad. Your son worked hard abroad, and you\u2019re just like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few days later, in front of the family, my mother-in-law admitted that she still had 500,000 peso in savings in the bank. \u201cI just put it aside,\u201d she said, \u201cin case I get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My husband had her sign the document to return the money. Then, he held my hand and said softly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForgive me, Mylene. I should have fought for you long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My tears flowed. I was no longer angry. All that was left was silence \u2014 and the truth that the truth had come out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We moved into a small rented house. We slowly saved up again to buy our own land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, every day, I still saw Aling Conchita sitting in front of the old house, holding the old receipts, she whispered softly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought, I was saving it for my son\u2026 I don\u2019t know, I\u2019ll lose him too.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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