Sold all the houses in the province to go to Manila to live with my son: I was also “annoyed and looked at” by my children when I had a meal, I was stunned when I accidentally heard their conversation about the scary plan.

I sold all the small nipa hut in Iloilo province, packed up and went to Manila to live with my eldest son – Miguel and his wife. I thought that in my old age I would be close to my children and grandchildren, but after less than 20 days, my heart was already heavy.

I quickly poured rice into the bowl, accidentally dropping a grain of rice on the table, making my daughter-in-law Maria frown. Miguel growled:

– “Nanay eat carefully, it’s dirty for the whole family!”

I sat silently, tears rolling down. That night, while cleaning the house after dinner, I accidentally heard a whisper from the couple’s room:

– “Nanay is old, raising her will only add to the burden.”
– “Why don’t you send her back to Iloilo, send her a little money every month to fulfill your duty.”

I felt like someone was squeezing my heart. I didn’t blame my children, I only blamed myself for being old and weak, becoming a burden. The next morning, I woke up early, packed some old clothes in a plastic bag, lied that I missed home, and took a bus home alone.

But just 30 minutes after arriving at the barangay in Iloilo, the phone in my pocket rang continuously. The caller was my old neighbor in Manila, her voice trembling
– “Ma’am… Miguel’s house… burned down! They just took everyone to the hospital…”

I was stunned, my limbs went limp, the bag in my hand fell to the ground. The neighbor saw me collapse and quickly helped me in. In my head, there was only one question: did God intentionally let me leave, so that I could keep one last life?

When I heard that Miguel’s house had burned down, my heart was in turmoil. Even though it was only yesterday that I was crying because of the harsh words of my son and daughter-in-law, but hearing that they had been in trouble, how could a mother’s heart be at peace?

I hurriedly took a bus back to Manila, my hands trembling as I held a small cloth bag. In my head, there was only one thought: “Even though they hurt me, they are still my children and grandchildren. I cannot abandon them.”

When I arrived at PGH (Philippine General Hospital), the scene before my eyes stunned me. Miguel was lying with one arm bandaged, his face covered in smoke, and Maria was crying beside the bed of her little daughter – Angela – who also had a slight burn on her leg.

As soon as Maria saw me, she burst into tears:
– “Nanay… I’m sorry. I was wrong. If you hadn’t forced me to go back to my hometown that day… you would have…”

I couldn’t hold back my tears. I hugged my granddaughter, then looked at Miguel, feeling both heartbroken and relieved that at least the whole family was still alive.

The following days, I stayed at the hospital to take care of my children and grandchildren. Every night, when Maria fell asleep, I sat peeling fruit and making milk for Angela. One time, I overheard two nurses talking while passing by the room:

– “Luckily we saved them in time. But strangely, the fire was not caused by an electrical short circuit like the first time. The police said they found traces of gasoline in the kitchen…”

– “Maybe someone deliberately set the fire?”

I was startled. Deliberately set the fire? Why?

The next day, I asked Maria tactfully, and finally my daughter-in-law burst into tears and confessed:
– “Nanay… actually, Miguel borrowed money from loan sharks. Interest on interest, they came to threaten me many times. I think… maybe they set the fire.”

I was stunned. It turned out that, after the harsh words calling me a burden, Miguel and his wife had been living in a miserable debt situation without my knowledge.

That night, looking at my son sleeping soundly with his arm bandaged, I felt my heart ache like a knife. Partly I was angry at him – how foolish he was to borrow money, putting the whole family in danger. But partly I felt sorry for him – the son I once thought was unfilial, turned out to be struggling in despair.

I held Angela’s hand and took a deep breath. I knew that since the day I sold the house in Iloilo, I had kept some savings for emergencies. I hadn’t planned to use it, but now, perhaps God had let me live not to blame him, but to save my family one more time.

The next morning, I went to the police to provide what Maria had told me. I also secretly went to the bank and took out the remaining money. I knew it might not be enough to pay it all, but at least it was a temporary escape.

Looking at my son and daughter-in-law regretting, looking at my granddaughter smiling even though her leg was still bandaged, I thought to myself:

“Perhaps, the so-called burden of old age is nothing compared to motherly love. And the painful secret I just learned – debt, threats, and the fire – is the reason why I once again stand up for this family.