My son Nam is the greatest pride of my life.
My wife and I are simple country people — we survive through hard work and sweat, saving every penny with one single dream: to watch him graduate from college.
So when he called to say he’d been accepted into a big company in Manila, we couldn’t believe it. I hugged my wife, and we both cried with happiness.
And when Nam said proudly,
“Dad, Mom, I bought a house!” my heart nearly burst with joy.
That house was worth millions – something I never thought my son, who developed in poverty, could ever afford. In that moment, all our sacrifices suddenly made sense.
Nam later invited his wife’s parents to live with him so he could take care of them. I didn’t object and it looked natural to me. The only thing that mattered was his happiness. Sometimes, I would stop by just to see my grandchildren and ease the loneliness of the countryside.
One evening, I arrived in Manila right before dinner.
I thought I’d share a warm meal with my family. But as soon as I entered the house, Nam frowned and said loudly,
“Dad, why didn’t you call before coming?”
I froze, then forced a smile.
“I just missed you, son. I caught a ride and came straight here.”
The room fell silent.
My daughter-in-law’s parents chatted cheerfully while she served them food. Nam barely glanced my way, hardly providing me a portion.
I ate, but every bite tasted like sand.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I gazed at the ceiling of the guest room, feeling like a stranger in the house my own son – the boy I once carried through muddy fields – had built with his hands.
Around midnight, I got thirsty and quietly stepped out. Passing by Nam’s room, I overheard their voices.
“Tell your dad,” my daughter-in-law muttered.
“This place is too small. I’m not comfortable with him showing up unannounced.”
There was a pause before Nam answered softly,
“I know… but how can I tell him without hurting him? He’s sensitive about these things.”
“Well, tell him soon! Otherwise, he might think he can stay here. This house is for my parents not for hosting others.”
The world stopped. A heavy weight sank into my chest. Was this what I had become — an inconvenience in my son’s home?
I lay awake the rest of the night, silent. At dawn, before anyone woke, I quietly packed my bag and left. I didn’t want goodbyes. I didn’t want more pain.
On the bus back to the camp, the tears finally came. I didn’t blame Nam or his wife. I only blamed myself for being poor, for not giving him the kind of father he could be proud to welcome.
As the bus rumbled down the road, my phone rang. It was Nam. I hesitated before answering.
“Dad! Where are you? I woke up and you were gone,” he said, his voice trembling.
“I’ve gone home, son,” I said quietly. “I didn’t feel comfortable staying there.”
He fell silent, then spoke with a crack in his voice,
“Dad… I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Did you… did you hear what we said?”
I didn’t answer. Tears streamed down my face.
“Dad,” he continued, “Do you know why I bought that big house?
It was so you and Mom would have a place whenever you came to visit. I was just scared my wife’s words might hurt you.
But you two will always be my foundation – please don’t ever think otherwise.”
His voice broke completely; I heard the sobs of the same boy I once carried on my shoulders through the rice fields.
I smiled through the tears and muttered,
“I understand, son. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
But deep inside, I knew something had broken — a wound time could dull, but never fully heal.
As the bus passed the sunlit paddies, I gazed out the window and murmured,
“In the end, the countryside remains the most peaceful place for a father like me.”