I'm Rina, 40 years old. My husband and I have been married for twenty years. Our life is simple—we both have jobs, and we earn just enough to get by. But one incident completely disrupted our peaceful world.
One night, while we were eating dinner, he suddenly grabbed his stomach and sat up. I immediately took him to the hospital and there the doctor said: he needs surgery right away. The surgery cost ₱100,000. It was like the world had fallen on me. We didn't have that much money.
We immediately asked for help. We went to several government offices and talked to some friends. We did everything, but we only got ₱50,000. I held that money as I sat in the hospital, looking at him lying there, weak, and unaware of what was happening.
While waiting in the hallway, I thought about our wedding ring. It was a ring we had bought for a small fortune, but to us, it was the symbol of our commitment. I held her hand and looked at the ring on my finger. What would the ring be worth if she were gone?
The next day, while he was sleeping, I went home and took off the ring. I cried as I put it in a small pouch. I went to a pawning shop near us. I was nervous, my hand shaking as I showed the ring to the teller. I got ₱50,000. Enough to complete the amount needed for the surgery.
When I left the pawnshop, I held my chest. It felt like I had lost a part of myself. But I told myself: This was the right decision. Her life is more important than any material thing.
Thank God, the surgery was successful. He was in the recovery room for a few days, and every day, I wiped his sweat, taking care of him like the first day I loved him.
But a week after he got home, he found out what I had done. He was so angry. “Why didn't you tell me? I won't let you!” That's what he shouted as I sat on the edge of the bed. I explained that we didn't have time, I couldn't think of anything else. He replied that we could borrow from other people, sell things, as long as the ring wasn't there.
To this day, he is still cold towards me. We were unable to get the ring back because it was foreclosed on.
Sometimes I wonder, am I really wrong? But for me, her life is the most important thing. If I hadn't acted, she might not be here now. Yes, the ring is gone, but she is here—alive.
If you were in my situation, would you do the same?
