When Promises Turn Into Empty Words: My 11-Year Wait for a Debt That Never Gets Paid

Hello Hive Friends! It’s almost 3AM here in the Philippines, and once again I find myself writing on the spot before heading to bed. I guess this late-night ritual has become part of me—sharing thoughts, frustrations, and reflections when the world is quiet. Tonight, I want to talk about something that has been weighing on me for more than a decade.

I have this friend, a former colleague from my previous company. We met at work, became friends, and shared moments that made me believe our bond was genuine. She resigned long before I did, but even after leaving, one thing remained unresolved—her debt to me.

It’s not a massive amount, but still more than 5,000 pesos. For almost 11 years, I’ve been waiting. I asked her several times, especially during the hardest days when I was the sole breadwinner of my family. Every time I reached out, she promised to pay on a certain date. But those dates came and went, and nothing happened.

The worst part? Even when my father passed away last year, and when my family’s house was washed out by a severe typhoon, her words were still the same: promises, promises, promises. I badly needed money during those times, but her promises never turned into action.

Now, I think I’m done. I don’t want to ask again. I don’t even know what to feel anymore. Strangely, I’m not mad at her. Maybe because when I look at the pair of sandals she gave me years ago for my birthday—a gift I still use sometimes when I go out—I’m reminded that she wasn’t always just about broken promises.

But still, the debt remains unpaid. And the weight of waiting for something that never comes is heavier than the amount itself.

That's all for today's blog. Thank you, my dear Hive Friends, for going through my post. Good mornight!