I admit that I was wrong in the past, but now I have changed, trying to be a sensible daughter-in-law. After breaking up with my first love that lasted for four years in college, I met Quen (Q) Dela Cruz. After dating for half a year, Q wanted to get married because his younger sister — who was studying abroad — was about to return to Metro Manila for a few weeks, and the wedding was on this occasion so that his younger sister could join in the fun. Hearing him talk about his spoiled younger sister, I was also eager to get married early to “please my husband’s aunt”.

On the crowded wedding day, I didn’t have the mind to pay attention to whether my brother-in-law had arrived in Quezon City or what he looked like. After the party, my husband pulled me into the bridal chamber right away, without even having time to greet my parents-in-law or my younger sister.

After a tiring night, I woke up early in the morning to prepare breakfast to score points with my husband’s family: tapsilog, longganisa, fried eggs, hot pandesal. The whole family was there, except for my brother-in-law. I struggled to climb up to the third floor to call her down.

As soon as I reached the landing, a basin of dirty water poured down on me. Luckily, I managed to grab onto the railing and didn’t fall. When I regained my composure, I saw my brother-in-law — Mika Dela Cruz — standing there, looking pleased. I tried to hold back my anger and asked why she had treated her sister-in-law so roughly on the first day. Mika curled her lips and said that was too lenient with me, then walked down, leaving me drenched like a drowned rat that had just crawled out of the sewer.

As a new daughter-in-law, I swallowed my anger and went down to the dressing room. As soon as I sat down at the dining table, Mika said bluntly:

“I thought you were someone, but you turned out to be my former love rival. Do you think I don’t know that Tristan supported you for four years in college? I was so angry that I broke up with him right before I went to study abroad. I thought you and Tristan became a couple, but now you’re my hipag (sister-in-law). I don’t know where my brother’s eyes were that he chose you?”

Mika’s words tore apart the secrets and mistakes I had tried to bury. It was true that before, even though our first love lasted four years, I did not love Tristan; I selfishly took advantage of his support to stay in Manila to study. Little did I know that, besides pursuing and supporting me, Tristan was also my brother-in-law’s boyfriend now.

Mama Lourdes — my mother-in-law — coldly insulted me, hinting that she wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible. Q’s face darkened, she skipped meals, and she picked up her keys and went to work.

A few days later, no one in my husband’s family said a word to me. Q went to work and slept at her friend’s house, not bothering to come back. My story with Tristan was in the past, and now I tried my best to be a good daughter-in-law, a good wife — but no one believed me.

My marriage was at a standstill in the middle of bustling Quezon City. I don’t know how to make people let go of the past and see me for who I am now.