Tijah [name_f]Alexandrine[/name_f] [Phang] Holbeck (30) is Jude’s sister-in-law and the ex-girlfriend of [name_m]Argo[/name_m] [name_u]Madison[/name_u], as well as the mother of a cousin to [name_m]Nando[/name_m], [name_u]George[/name_u] and [name_f]Victoria[/name_f]: her daughter with her husband, who’s just turned 4 and has a Malay first name in tribute to her mother. Given the circumstances regarding her ex-boyfriend and his sister, Tijah felt a little uncomfortable around her sister-in-law, but [name_f]Fleur[/name_f] never let Argo’s opinions colour her approach to meeting Tijah, and the two are on very good terms; although they’ve made the choice to not pursue a particularly close friendship, as it would be a slap in the face to [name_m]Argo[/name_m] and no doubt bring on an influx of conflict.
The circumstances of her breakup with [name_m]Argo[/name_m] are something she feels shame over, having had no idea he was determined to propose until the moment came upon her. While she never said it to his face - as it would undeniably hurt [name_m]Argo[/name_m] terribly - Tijah found the relationship a little overwhelming. Things moved so fast she barely had time to process what direction they were going in, and in a sense, the attempt at proposing marriage finally gave her the clarity to stop things before they hurtled off a proverbial cliff.
She had no intention to move on quickly either - throwing herself into her studies as a means of coping with her guilt - but when she met her now-husband, there was an immediate spark between them. Tijah found him easy to confide in, and what charmed her the most were his listening abilities (an admitted opposite of her time with Argo). They got engaged 3 years into their relationship and married at 25, with [name_u]Jude[/name_u] being best man to Tijah’s husband. She’s an only child, however one of her cousins is practically the sister she always wanted, and they were maid of honour, while Tijah’s best friend was head bridesmaid.
Working as a counselor, Tijah specialises in divorce and domestic violence. Her work tends to be virtually based now she’s a mother, and she has been considering home schooling. This interest was spurred by her teaching her daughter how to speak both Malay and [name_f]English[/name_f], an experience that bought them even closer together while Tijah found it incredibly rewarding and fulfilling; however she doesn’t want to make any rash decisions when it comes to her child’s future. She and her husband also make sure to visit Tijah’s parents whenever possible - they live an hour’s drive away - so their daughter can further be immersed in her maternal culture, now being old enough to help her granny with cooking.