My mother promised to give me a piece of land and told me not to tell my wife, I was speechless and replied with a sentence that disappointed her

Last week, Nanay and Tatay came to our house in Pasig to visit. While my wife went to palengke to buy food to cook, I stayed home to talk to my grandparents.

My husband and I dated for 3 years before deciding to get married. In the first years of marriage, our income was low, the money we earned was only enough for family expenses. Not accepting the difficult life, I quit my job at the company and went out to do business with my friend.

For 10 years, I traveled all over Luzon to do business, the family’s economy gradually improved, we had enough to eat and save, thanks to that we were able to buy land and build a house. Every month, I come home to visit my wife and children for a few days; seeing the three of us gathered around the dinner table, I believed I was on the right path.

Then one time when we were doing business, my friend and I had a conflict over direction, we went our separate ways. Since I started my own business, I could not find a partner, the work gradually decreased, and finally went bankrupt.

Not wanting my wife to know about my poor business situation, when I had no money left, I did not dare to ask my wife or borrow from friends or relatives. I turned to loan sharks to have money to send home every month for my wife and children and to manage daily living expenses.

When the debt reached 600 million, I could not borrow more from anywhere. The creditors kept demanding money, making me feel like I was sitting on a pile of fire. Unable to get it from me, they came to my wife, forcing me to sell the house to pay the debt.

My wife cried a lot when she found out that her husband was in debt, and at times even wanted to leave me. Luckily, Nanay and Tatay on her side intervened and helped in time, the debt was paid off; my wife no longer had any thoughts of divorce, and my family was reunited.

After that stumble, I was very grateful to my in-laws. Every time I went back to Quezon City to visit my grandparents, I told my wife to buy supplements or milk for Nanay and Tatay. In my mind, I was thinking: if my wife’s brothers treat me badly in the future, I will take care of my grandparents.

Last week, Nanay Tatay (father’s side) came to visit. When there were only three people left, Nanay suddenly said:

“Nanay Tatay came this time for something. The two Ate children are getting married so they cannot divide the land, we will only divide it for our two sons.
The land in Bulacan where we are living will be divided into three parts: you and Kuya each have one part. The part with the main house is the common house where everyone can gather and worship their ancestors after our parents pass away.
But don’t tell your wife about this, lest your daughter-in-law gets greedy and wants to take half of it.”

Kuya nodded in agreement not to tell Ate-in-law (sister-in-law). But I thought differently. I was silent for a moment, then said immediately:

“My husband and I have chosen to live together for life, neither of us thought about divorce, so I want my wife to have her name on the land my parents gave me.
Moreover, my wife used to be my benefactor — how could I be ungrateful?
A few years ago, I suffered losses, and my family knew about it but no one helped me. At that time, only my wife was there to encourage me, and then begged Nanay Tatay from my wife’s side to withdraw her retirement money to help me pay off my debt.
I will remember my wife’s family’s gratitude for my whole life.
If you don’t agree to let my wife and I have her name on it, I won’t dare accept that land.”

My straightforward words made Nanay Tatay pause for a few seconds. Finally, Tatay sighed:

“It’s up to you to decide, I just hope you don’t regret it later.”

I bowed my head and said “opo” (yes), but my heart felt lighter: between family ties and fairness to my life partner, I chose to go with my wife — the one who didn’t leave me at rock bottom. In crowded Manila, perhaps a word of love is the strongest foundation for a home.