I have been married for two years. My husband’s family has three brothers, my husband is the youngest child, and his sister – Ms. Hanh – is famous among them as a sour person who likes to show off. Since I came home as a bride, she has always shown a seductive attitude, not bothering to hide it.
My family is in a poor rural area, my parents are farmers, and I have been an independent girl from an early age. After I finished school, I worked hard in the furniture field, and gradually built my own company. But because of my simplicity, I don’t brag, even my husband’s family doesn’t know that I am a director. In their eyes, I am “a provincial girl who is lucky to marry a rich husband”.
Ms. Hanh often hinted:
– “I don’t know what blessing her family has to marry my sister. Women today know that they are good at cooking, but money is probably useless.”
I listened, just smiling. I don’t have to prove anything. But life is a paradox – and the day you have to accept “revenge” came faster than I thought.
One weekday morning, the whole family was busy because they thought Ms. Hanh was getting married. Her husband – that is, the groom – was a man who worked in the field of construction design, and everywhere he sounded “bloody”. My mother-in-law was very happy, and kept telling me:
– “Prepare beautiful clothes, tomorrow I will go to the children’s house with the whole family to debut.”
I nodded, but before I could speak, Ms. Hanh, crossed her arms, and said in a sarcastic voice:
“Come on, I won’t go. His house is full of people with conditions, I come from this background, I’m afraid to go with you.”
I was stunned. My husband said,
“What are you talking about, my husband is also a family member!”
But Ms. Hanh still said nonsense: – “I don’t understand.
You should look at your face everywhere! People know that my youngest daughter-in-law is a provincial resident, and if she wears cheap clothes, what kind of system does she have?”
I was silent. Not because of embarrassment, but because I didn’t want to be a couple. I just smiled and said softly:
– “I want you to be happy. You can’t go.”
But I know that fate sometimes has an arrangement that makes even the most arrogant person bow down.
Three months ago, my company just signed a contract with a construction company for an interior project for a high-end hotel. My direct partner was Mr. Quang, the head of the technical department – who worked seriously and humbly, and I loved him for his professionalism. We had met several times, just for work.
I never thought that this man would be the groom at my mother-in-law’s wedding.
On the wedding day, even though Ms. Hanh forbade it, I still went. I didn’t want to show off, I just wanted to bless sincerely. I was wearing an elegant, simple but classy white dress. When she entered the banquet hall, Ms. Hanh saw me and immediately scowled:
– “What are you here for? I told you, there’s no need.”
I smiled:
“I’m just here to congratulate you, it’s okay.”
He said,
“That depends, but don’t think my house is inviting.”
I remained silent.
A few minutes later, the groom arrived, dressed neatly. When he looked at me, he was as shocked as if he had seen a ghost. The entire glass of wine in his hand fell to the floor, breaking.
His voice trembled:
– “Giam… director Xiang?”
The space was silent. Whispers spread throughout the banquet table.
Ms. Hanh’s eyes widened:
“You… What are you saying?”
Quang turned pale, bowing his head:
– “He… He is my direct boss in the company, the one who signed the contract and approved the hotel project with me.”
Binuksan ng biyenan ko ang bibig niya, at si Ms. Hanh ay nakatayo na parang rebulto.
Ngumiti ako nang bahagya, sa mahinahon na tinig:
– “Hello, Mr. Quang. Hindi ko inasahan na magkikita tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon.”
Iniyuko niya nang malalim ang kanyang ulo:
“Ako… Oh hindi, direktor … Nagulat talaga ako. Pasensya na, ngayong araw na ito… Siguro kailangan kong pasalamatan ka nang maraming.”
Sumagot ako nang mahinahon,
“Hindi na kailangan ng plawta. Happy day ko ngayon, relax ka lang. Dumating lang ako para batiin.”
Ang pangungusap na iyon ay nagpatahimik sa buong awditoryum. Ang ilan sa mga panauhin sa panig ng bata ay tumingin sa akin nang may iba’t ibang mga mata – parehong magalang at mausisa.
Sister Hanh, ang kanyang mukha ay maputi sa oras na ito, at sinubukan niyang ngumiti nang may pag-aalinlangan:
– “Oh… Parang ang laki ng titi ko… Boss ba talaga ng asawa mo?”
Tiningnan ko siya at sinabi ko sa mababang tinig:
“Oo. Sa kompanya, hindi ako sanay na ipakita ang aking mga personal na kuwento. Ngunit sa palagay ko ang mga tao ay mayaman o mahirap hindi sa kanilang bayan, ngunit sa paraan ng kanilang pamumuhay at pagtatrabaho.”
Biglang humina ang hangin. Bumaling ang biyenan ko kay Ms. Hanh at bahagyang napabuntong-hininga:
“Hanh, paano ka mabubuhay para mas igalang ng mga tao ang bunsong manugang mo kaysa sa iyo?”
Ngumiti lang ako, hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Hindi ko kailangang ipahiya ang sinuman—ang katotohanan ay sapat na upang mapahiya ang mga tao sa kanilang sarili.
Matapos ang kasal, nagbago ang ugali ng buong pamilya ng asawa. Hindi na nagsalita si Ms. Hanh, nag-text pa siya para humingi ng paumanhin. Hindi ako nagalit – nalulungkot ako. Hinahamak ka lang ng mga tao kapag hindi nila naiintindihan kung sino ka.
Hinawakan ng aking asawa ang aking kamay at mahinahon na sinabi:
– “Ipinagmamalaki kita. Tinuruan ko siya ng leksyon nang walang mabibigat na salita.”
Natawa ako:
“Walang mahirap magpakailanman, walang mayaman magpakailanman. Ang mahalaga ay kung paano ko tinatrato ang iba kapag nasa itaas ako.”
Tumingin ako sa kalangitan ng hapon, nakaramdam ako ng ginhawa. Ang buhay ay patas – ang taong hinamak kahapon ay maaaring yumuko sa taong dati nilang hinamak.
At nang yumuko ang nobyo at tinawag ako ng dalawang salitang “Director”, hindi ako nakaramdam ng pagmamalaki. Nakikita ko lang na, sa huli, ang tunay na paggalang ay hindi nagmumula sa pera, kundi sa personalidad at pagsisikap na inilalagay natin.