When the Last Peso Falls

Chapter 9

The Weight of Promises

The once serene home of the Manlapig family had turned into a battleground, where every word spoken seemed to carry the weight of a thousand unspoken resentments. Since Lola Remedios's passing, the once tight-knit family had become fractured, each member consumed by their own sense of loss, greed, and betrayal. The revelation of her will had only deepened the divisions, turning siblings into adversaries in a bitter struggle over the family's fortune.

Aling Ising, the loyal maid who had served the family for decades, watched this turmoil unfold with a heavy heart. She had been with the Manlapigs long enough to witness both their happiest moments and their darkest hours. But nothing had prepared her for the storm that was now brewing within the walls of the house she had come to consider her second home.

As the arguments over the will grew more heated, Aling Ising felt a pang of guilt that had been gnawing at her for days. Lola Remedios had confided in her shortly before her death, revealing a promise that had been kept secret from the rest of the family. Aling Ising had kept this secret, believing it was her duty to protect the family's peace. But now, seeing the once-united Manlapigs on the verge of tearing each other apart, she realized she could no longer remain silent.

During yet another contentious family meeting, where accusations and grievances were hurled back and forth like weapons, Aling Ising found her moment. With a trembling voice but unwavering resolve, she spoke up.

"I have something to say," she began, her voice barely cutting through the din of heated voices. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her, a mixture of curiosity and impatience on the faces of the Manlapig siblings—Patricia, Luis, Rosa, and Marco.

"What is it, Aling Ising?" Patricia asked, her tone sharp with frustration, but softened by a hint of concern.

Aling Ising took a deep breath, steadying herself before revealing the truth that had weighed so heavily on her conscience. "Before Lola Remedios passed away, she made me a promise," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "She promised me a portion of her hidden fortune as a token of gratitude for my years of service."

A stunned silence greeted her words. The siblings exchanged looks of disbelief, each processing the revelation in their own way. Luis, the ever-calculating schemer, narrowed his eyes, already thinking of the implications this new information might have. Patricia's face was a mix of shock and hurt, while Rosa, the family mediator, looked torn between sympathy for Aling Ising and loyalty to her siblings. Marco, the youngest and most uncertain, simply looked bewildered.

"That's impossible," Luis finally said, his voice cold and skeptical. "If that were true, it would be in the will."

Aling Ising shook her head. "Lola Remedios wanted it kept private. She said it was a personal promise, something between her and me."

Rosa, always the peacemaker, stepped forward. "Aling Ising, why didn't you tell us about this earlier?" she asked gently, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"I didn't want to cause any more trouble," Aling Ising replied, tears welling up in her eyes. "I've seen how much this family has been through, and I didn't want to add to the pain. But I can't keep it inside anymore. I had to speak up, for Lola Remedios's sake."

Patricia, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "We all know how much you meant to Lola Remedios, Aling Ising. But this...this complicates everything."

Luis, never one to miss an opportunity to assert his dominance, cut in. "We need to think carefully about this. We can't just take Aling Ising's word for it without any proof. If we start honoring verbal promises, where does it end?"

Marco, who had been lost in thought, finally found his voice. "But if Lola Remedios really did make this promise, don't we have a responsibility to honor it?"

The room fell silent once more as the siblings grappled with this new twist in their already complicated lives. Aling Ising's revelation had thrown yet another wrench into the delicate balance of their relationships, and now they were left to pick up the pieces.

Aling Ising, sensing the growing tension, spoke again, her voice soft but resolute. "I don't want to cause any more strife. I just want to honor the woman who meant so much to me. Whatever you decide, I will accept it. But I couldn't stay silent any longer."

The weight of her words hung in the air, a reminder of the promises that had been made and the bonds that were now being tested. As the Manlapig family stood at a crossroads, each member was forced to confront the true cost of their inheritance—not just in pesos, but in the love and loyalty that once held them together.

The legacy of Lola Remedios was no longer just a matter of money. It was a test of their character, their integrity, and their ability to remain a family even when the last peso fell.