A MAN WHO DOUBTED HIS WIFE BECAUSE OF HER FACEBOOK POSTS OF EVENTS AND FOOD AT AN EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT SO HE RETURNED HOME FROM SAUDI ARABIA WITHOUT A WORD TO CATCH HER IN THE ACT

The air in Riyadh was steaming hot, but Dante was even hotter as he stared at his cellphone screen. He had just finished his shift as a mechanic in a workshop in the middle of the desert. His hands were covered in oil, his body was tired, and he was thirsty for cold water, but what he saw on his wife Loring’s Facebook seemed like he was in another world.

“Feeling blessed at Spiral Buffet with friends!” was the caption of Loring’s photo. She was smiling, wearing an expensive dress, and in front of her were dishes Dante had never even dreamed of tasting.

Dante’s grip on his cellphone tightened. “I’m here, almost dying from the heat and work, and you, Loring, are indulging in luxury?” he whispered to himself. This wasn’t the first time. Last week, he checked into a resort in Batangas. A month ago, there was new jewelry. What’s worse, the comments from their neighbors in San Pablo, Laguna were fueling his suspicions even more.

“Oh, Pareng Dante, if you only knew,” his friend Berting chatted. “Your wife always has a pick-up in a white van. She often comes home late at night. Maybe there’s another ‘investor’ here.”

Out of jealousy and anger, Dante made a decision. He would go home. He wouldn’t say anything. He would catch Loring in the act. He wanted to see with his own two eyes where every cent he had worked so hard to earn abroad was going.

Dante quickly arranged his exit clearance. Within two days, he was on a plane back to the Philippines. He felt no excitement, but pure anger and revenge. He wanted to show Loring that he wasn’t stupid.

Upon arriving at NAIA, he didn’t bother to rest. He immediately headed to the bus terminal heading to Laguna. As the bus traveled through SLEX, he imagined a scenario. He would find Loring with a man, or maybe throwing a party at their house using his money.

It was four in the afternoon when he arrived at their barangay. The street was quiet. The marites at Aling Puring’s store stopped their chatter when they saw him. “Dante? I thought you were coming home for Christmas?” Aling Puring asked in surprise.

Dante didn’t say a word. He continued walking towards their house. But when he reached their gate, he was stunned.

The house he had left in good order two years ago seemed neglected. The paint was peeling, the grass in the yard was high, and it seemed empty. “What happened here?” he asked himself. “Where did Loring take the money?”

Suddenly, a familiar white van pulled up in front of the house. This was what Berting was talking about! Dante’s blood boiled. He hid behind a large mango tree to watch what would happen.

The van door opened. Loring got out. But she wasn’t dressed like on Facebook. She was wearing a simple t-shirt and jogging pants, and was carrying large boxes. A man got out after her—Berting! Her friend had incited her!

“Take it easy, Mare, that’s heavy,” Berting said while also carrying a box.

Dante couldn’t hold back anymore. He came out of his hiding place. “That’s why! That’s why you had the courage to defame my wife in the chat, Berting, because you’re the snake!” Dante shouted.

Loring and Berting were shocked. Loring dropped the box and its contents scattered on the road—packs of food, noodles, and canned goods.

“Dante?! What are you doing here?” Loring asked tearfully.

“Don’t be Dante-Dante to me! I see your posts! You’re living your life while I’m being a slave, and now I see you with my partner and our house, it’s like a trash can! Where did you take my money?!”

Page: SAY – Story Around You | Original story

The surroundings fell silent. The neighbors had already come out, ready to watch the free drama. Loring, instead of being scared or angry, slowly approached Dante. He picked up his cellphone and showed an app.

“Honey, calm down,” Loring said gently, although tears were already flowing. “The ones you see on Facebook? That’s work. ‘Mystery Diner’ and ‘Influencer’ are my sidelines. I get paid to eat and post, all of that is free. The clothes? That’s sponsored.”

Dante was stunned. “And the white van? Berting?”

Berting laughed bitterly. “Father, I’m a driver for the DSWD service. Mareng Loring is a volunteer. Your house looks old because we don’t live there anymore.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Dante asked confusedly.

Loring took Dante’s hand and led him into the van. “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

They drove in silence. In less than ten minutes, the van entered an exclusive subdivision with a guard house. They stopped in front of a huge house with a modern design, two stories, and a new SUV parked in the garage.

“Whose house is this?” Dante asked, his eyes widening.

“Ours,” Loring replied. “Dante, I didn’t touch a single peso of all the money you sent. What I earn from being an influencer and online selling, that’s what I used for daily expenses and to build this. The old house? We’re renting it out to bedspacers, so it looks messy because the previous tenant just moved out and we’re just renovating it.”

Dante knelt down on the paved driveway. He was so ashamed of himself. What he thought was a waste was a huge sacrifice. What he thought was a scam was preparation for their future.

“Sorry… sorry, Mahal,” Dante sobbed. “I believed the rumors. I sent it out of jealousy.”

Loring hugged him. “It’s okay, I understand. This was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday next month, but you’re going home early.”

They entered the house. It was beautiful. The entire living room was air-conditioned. But the biggest surprise was in the kitchen. Dante’s favorite Kare-Kare was served there.

“And Berting’s?” Dante asked while eating.

“He’s the one who handles our business permits. He’s our partner in the trucking business I opened last month,” Loring smiled.

Since then, Dante has never returned to Saudi. He’s the one who runs their trucking business, while Loring continues to be “Donya” on Facebook—not to brag, but to make money. And whenever someone asks Dante why he’s under his wife, his only answer is:

“I’m not under. I’m just in the right place—in the heart of my wife who is better at handling money and family than me.”