After the divorce, her husband’s family took all her property, the mother and her three children had to eat instant noodles to survive. 10 years later, she returned and made her husband’s family pay a heavy price….
At that time, when she was only 25 years old, Rosa entered into a marriage amid the joy of the whole barangay. Her husband – Miguel – was the eldest son in a well-off family in Quezon City, and she was just the daughter of a poor farmer in Bulacan. People said Rosa “nakatsamba ng mayaman”, but few knew that behind that sturdy iron gate were bitter days.

At first, the marriage seemed happy. But when Rosa gave birth to two children, the couple’s feelings gradually faded. Her husband’s family treated her like a kasambahay. All big and small decisions were decided by her mother-in-law and Miguel. Once, Rosa asked to keep some capital for business, her mother-in-law sarcastically said:

– Sa bahay na ito, hindi kailangan ang babaeng puro gastos lang.

The climax came when Miguel had an affair and filed for divorce. Rosa thought she would at least keep a small portion of her assets for her children. But at the trial, with the clever arrangement of Miguel’s family, she lost almost everything. Rosa left empty-handed, with only custody of the two children.

The Hard Years

The three of them rented a small room in Tondo, Manila. The walls were damp and moldy, it was stuffy in the summer, and it leaked everywhere in the rainy season. Many meals, there was not enough rice to eat, only a few packets of pancit canton to share. Seeing her two children slurp up each spoonful of noodle soup, Rosa turned away to wipe away her tears.

Every night she almost collapsed, but when she heard her children turn over and whisper, “Mama, gutom na ako,” Rosa’s heart was filled with strength. She thought to herself, “I can’t let my children suffer for the rest of their lives.”

Rosa applied for a job at a small company in Makati. At first she was just a janitor, but thanks to her diligence and love of learning, she was noticed by her boss and sent to extra classes. Staying up all night with books and work trained her. Step by step, Rosa was promoted to a management position. Then she boldly opened a small store selling clean food.

Difficulties piled up: little capital, unsold goods, almost closed many times. But Rosa did not give up. She understood that every step she took was hope for her two children. Years passed, thanks to perseverance and reputation, the store grew into a chain of mini supermarkets famous throughout Metro Manila.

The Woman Returns

Ten years later, the woman who was once looked down upon, who used to eat instant noodles every day, is now a successful businesswoman. Her two children have also grown up, are good at studying, and are obedient.

And fate brought Rosa back to face her ex-husband’s family. Her company was looking for a supplier, and ironically, Miguel’s business was on the application list.

On the day of the meeting, Miguel’s whole family was stunned. The woman from the past now walked in in a luxurious business suit, her eyes confident, her demeanor dignified.

The ex-mother-in-law stammered:….

Rosa… ikaw ba talaga iyan?

Miguel bowed his head. He had believed that Rosa would always be poor, but now she had the power to decide the fate of his family’s company.

Rosa did not respond harshly. She just smiled, her voice calm:

– Noong araw, lumabas ako na walang dala. Ngayon, bumalik ako hindi para maghiganti, kundi para ipakita: kapag isang babae tumindig sa sariling paa, mas malakas siya kaysa sinuman thought.

The Law of Karma

Just like the cycle of karma, Miguel’s family company, due to poor management and fraud, quickly fell into crisis when it could not cooperate with Rosa’s system. Creditors came, the whole family was in trouble.

People whispered:
– Tama lang. Noon, sila ang nagpaluhod sa Rosa. Ngayon, sila naman ang nagdurusa.

But Rosa did not gloat. Her heart was only relieved because she had overcome a long journey of tears. The most precious thing was not the success or failure of others, but her two children who were now grown up, and she no longer had resentment.

One afternoon, Rosa took her children and stood in front of the old house that had witnessed so much suffering. She said softly:

– Mga anak, hindi tayo bumalik para alalahanin ang nakaraan. Mama just wants you to understand: in this life, the most important thing is dignidad and determination. No matter who takes everything away, if you don’t give up, you will rebuild from scratch.

The proud eyes of your children made Rosa know: those ten years of hardship were completely worth it. Finally, she found herself again – a strong, resilient, and loving woman.

Part 2: A Desperate Plea

After Miguel’s company went bankrupt, creditors surrounded the old house in Quezon City. The family’s luxury cars were now just memories. Rosa’s mother-in-law, who used to hold her head high, now had gray hair and a haggard face due to debt.

An Unexpected Encounter

One afternoon, Rosa had just finished a meeting at the main office of a mini-mart chain in Makati when the receptionist walked in and said softly:

Ma’am, may mga taong naghihintay sa lobby… they said it was your old family.

Rosa was momentarily stunned. Her heart suddenly ached, but she regained her composure. When she walked out, she saw Miguel, her ex-mother-in-law, and a few relatives sitting and waiting, looking haggard.

Miguel stood up unsteadily:

– Rosa… we… we need to talk to you.

Rosa calmly:
– I don’t think there’s anything else to say.

The ex-mother-in-law quickly interrupted, her voice trembling:
– Rosa, I know you used to… used to treat me badly. But now the company is about to go bankrupt, and creditors are surrounding us. Without your help, this family will fall apart.

Old Wounds

Rosa looked at them for a long time. Memories from ten years ago flooded back: the days of being rejected, of being looked down upon, of nights holding her child and eating instant noodles in a cold rented room. Tears stung at the corners of her eyes, but she did not let them fall.

– Back then, when I asked for some capital to start a business, what did you say? – Rosa asked, looking straight at her ex-mother-in-law.

She lowered her head, not daring to answer.

– When I left this house empty-handed, Miguel… what did you do for me and the two children? – Rosa’s voice became low, sharp as a knife.

Miguel trembled:
– You… you were wrong. You were selfish, you were cowardly. Now you pay the price…

Rosa laughed coldly:
– Yes, the law of karma is always fair.

Female Courage

Everyone in the hall was silent. After a long while, Rosa sighed:
– I don’t hold any grudges anymore. But if you want me to help, you must first face the past.

– What do you mean? – Miguel was bewildered.

– That means, publicly admit to the press that you have lied, abused your power, and robbed a weak woman of her property. Only when you dare to tell the truth will I consider helping.

Mother-in-law burst into tears:
– Rosa… if you do that, this family’s honor will be destroyed!

Rosa looked at her, her eyes calm but determined:
– Honor? Back then, when you pushed my mother and I out onto the street, did you think about my honor and my children’s honor?

Decision

The atmosphere was heavy as if it was suffocating. Finally, Miguel knelt down in the hall, his voice choked:

Rosa, if that’s the only way… I’ll do it. I’ve lost everything. I just hope you give this family a chance to survive.

The ex-mother-in-law burst into tears, no longer able to maintain her pride.

Rosa looked at that scene, her heart both aching and at peace. She understood: this was the price they had to pay – not only losing money, but also losing the arrogant ego that had made them look down on others.

She slowly replied:

– Okay. When I see you have the courage to tell the truth, I will decide whether to reach out or not.

After saying that, Rosa turned and walked away. The sound of her heels echoed throughout the hallway, leaving Miguel’s entire family in humiliation and despair.