Afraid that his wife would bring money to her parents’ house, the husband secretly installed a camera and was shocked to see the “transaction” between his wife and his mother-in-law…

At around 10am, Nanay Rosa (my mother-in-law) entered the house with three large sacks: a sack of rice, a sack of garden vegetables, and a sack of meat.

I got married, started a family, and then lived with my wife’s parents at her parents’ house in Quezon City. After the birth of our first child, we continued to live with Nanay and Tatay.

Life at her parents’ house had many limitations, so I told my wife to ask her parents for a piece of land next to the house in the barangay to build a separate house. But after asking for a long time, her parents-in-law did not agree. They said:

— “We only have one daughter, so this house and land will eventually belong to you. There is no need to build a new one, which is expensive. Just live here with us. When we die, the house and land will be given to you.”

Hearing that, I knew that my parents did not want to give it to me, so they just tactfully refused. So I insisted that my wife move out.

We took our two children and rented a 3-story house 15 km away in Valenzuela. Since the move, I have also “avoided” my in-laws’ house, not going back and forth like before to show my attitude.

This time, my wife just gave birth to our third child, stayed home with diapers and milk, and took the two older children to public school. The economic burden was on my shoulders. Once again, I gently said:

— “Please ask Nanay Tatay to lend you the land next to the house to set up a workshop. It’s okay if you don’t transfer the name, just consider it a place to work.”

I said that but Nanay Tatay still didn’t agree. I was so angry that I ignored her.

I went to work from morning to night every day, so I didn’t know much about what was going on at home. I began to suspect: I didn’t understand how my wife spent the 7 million I gave her every month. I was resentful:

— “A family of 5, we g spent every month?”

My wife replied:

— “7 million  is still small, just the tuition for the two of us is 3 million , and then diapers and milk for the baby, and food. I have saved a lot, it is just enough.”

I did not believe it. I suspected that my wife was hiding money to bring back to Nanay Tatay. So I secretly installed a camera in the house, without telling her, and secretly monitored it from my phone at work.

After many days, I caught Nanay Rosa coming to my house when I was away. And the “transaction” between Nanay and my wife gave me the answer.

Around 10am that morning, Nanay came in with 3 sacks. I turned up the speaker to listen, then Nanay said:

— “Do you still have the stuff I brought last month? I was afraid you and the kids would run out, so I brought it early this month. I just butchered a chicken at home, Tatay went fishing and caught some tilapia, clean it and cook it for the kids. I know you guys have rice and vegetables here, but the other house has a lot, I’ll bring more for you.”

My wife replied:

— “Why does Nanay bring so much every month? We have money, Nanay doesn’t have to worry.”

Nanay said softly:

— “Don’t hide it from me, your husband only gives you a few million each month, including food, school fees, and diapers and milk for the baby. How can that be enough? Besides, you stay home to look after the baby, and don’t have time to go to the market. I brought it over to make things easier for you.

Also… she (meaning me) is angry with Nanay Tatay, so I secretly came over. Don’t say it’s something your grandparents gave you, or she’ll get mad and throw it all away. When she’s not angry anymore, your parents will come over to play with the kids.”

After saying that, Nanay hurriedly put on her raincoat and took a jeepney back to Quezon City.

I watched my wife carry and arrange three sacks by herself, and my heart sank.

I sat in front of my phone screen, crying. It wasn’t because I didn’t have enough money, but because I didn’t understand: I didn’t understand Nanay Tatay’s heart, and I hadn’t been able to provide my wife and children with a full life as promised.

That day, I texted my wife:

“Let’s stop by Nanay Tatay’s house this afternoon. I was wrong.”

Outside, Manila suddenly started to rain. In my heart, a man was speechless with family love — quietly learning to be grateful again.