Five months have quickly passed, but mama still wouldn't allow the newlyweds to leave our house for a lot of reasons: Ben had to look for a stable job, Naya needed to be close to the Opiana family while her belly grew bigger, they have no money to build a house of their own, and the list went on.182Please respect copyright.PENANAx0PYwKeaLL
That was not the first time mama attempted to keep her boys close. Even when our two other brothers got married, she would give a lot of reasons for their family to stay.182Please respect copyright.PENANACTGp3a7NQJ
We were all sitting around the table one evening, having dinner, when mama opened up to the family about Ben's need for a job.182Please respect copyright.PENANAaCtKizzQ0J
"Ben, you have been hopping from job to job since you graduated college," she started. "But now you have a family. You have to start finding a decent job. Having a baby is expensive nowadays."182Please respect copyright.PENANAMRnbgzsGy7
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.182Please respect copyright.PENANAialzANtMsd
"If only you took your board exam seriously, you wouldn't have that problem," she continued. "Much as I wanted to support you, I have loans to settle too."182Please respect copyright.PENANAnfDcqhNL1V
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.182Please respect copyright.PENANA8tJzvaGAw1
"Mahal, do... do you want me to ask papa to help you?" Naya asked Ben. "There's a job vacancy in his company. They hire fresh graduates, with or without experience."182Please respect copyright.PENANAlqF5Yd0bLd
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5Dj3cXQwh8
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."182Please respect copyright.PENANAawpJoofqJC
"But mama—"182Please respect copyright.PENANA0LEVaO9Crh
"The offer is appreciated but I'm afraid we have to decline," mama interrupted, her voice raising a fraction for emphasis. "That has been a family tradition and I promised their father that it should not be broken."182Please respect copyright.PENANAEmJUvy1TzR
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.182Please respect copyright.PENANAlfFTdBf1Dp
Ben nodded like a zombie, but without an answer. It was hard to tell whether he agreed with who or not. I released a weary sigh. Meanwhile, the other boys were quietly finishing their meal. Mama turned back to Ben.182Please respect copyright.PENANAQhvrqvhHRQ
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."182Please respect copyright.PENANAFRwi3sZTCn
Joe almost threw up at the sound of it. Good thing everyone's too focused on mama to pay attention to what happened. I tightened my mouth to control the overpowering desire to laugh while watching him gulp glass after glass of water. I chided myself for wanting to burst out amid a serious business.182Please respect copyright.PENANAI9kpB70Bgd
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.182Please respect copyright.PENANAqrY677Kz0A
He quickly composed himself.182Please respect copyright.PENANAdMVdajxL9D
"I'll try," he replied.182Please respect copyright.PENANAklbib2LUgc
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."182Please respect copyright.PENANAu91eFKz1SH
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAoQWpUcxKBQ
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.182Please respect copyright.PENANAEaNgRMxfYM
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.182Please respect copyright.PENANAoDqusTWe0Q
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"182Please respect copyright.PENANAU8QHkc6fab
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."182Please respect copyright.PENANAKbwDb9vOGv
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Ben finally got a job as a clerk in the town hall. It was not really related to the course he finished in college, but better have a source of income than nothing, right?182Please respect copyright.PENANAP0y8ZKtbI5
Week after week, he and Joe took turns in bringing food to our table. Our pantry started to overflow with supplies so we divided some of it to our brothers from the other houses.182Please respect copyright.PENANAfLICZs7eUL
Our ball of sunshine rapidly bounced back to his usual self, making hilarious antics at the dining table during his days off. He also used his spare time to review for his licensure exam.182Please respect copyright.PENANAoXaxTHycQY
Naya on the other hand tried to save money when mama told Ben to keep his earnings instead of buying supplies. When everyone was asleep, I would find her counting paper bills on the coffee table.182Please respect copyright.PENANAWi9bH0JRuM
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.182Please respect copyright.PENANANDkFV95q5m
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.182Please respect copyright.PENANAl2vyogV0lq
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAuZTlrDqkKz
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhOyKZ6wqtK
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.182Please respect copyright.PENANAWrWbpCh0Sk
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."182Please respect copyright.PENANArUIlrnCZdg
My brows arched out of curiosity.182Please respect copyright.PENANAXGbyyIExEp
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.182Please respect copyright.PENANAmVm1jVDnzC
She didn't answer, but I could tell I wasn't wrong. Sometimes, I wanted to be thankful I was raised this way; I wouldn't endure the offensive, unsolicited remarks of a mother-in-law. But on the other hand, the desire of defending a wife from the same remarks made me push the thought at the back of my mind.182Please respect copyright.PENANAsNfVCIvTQD
"I'm sorry, you know, about her," I continued. "If it makes you any better, she treats all my brothers' wives like that. Well, until they have a baby and move out of this house."182Please respect copyright.PENANAJnE2wrBV7G
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.182Please respect copyright.PENANAxaSAJc1yCV
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5mP1VLjVcd
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."182Please respect copyright.PENANABmJU5Ocwd0
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."182Please respect copyright.PENANAhQvzIg1JRi
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My room was just beside Ben's, and since its walls were made of bamboo, I could clearly hear him and his wife argue about anything, most especially about the subject of moving out. Ben naturally wouldn't want the idea, having just started his job. But time came that Naya could no longer handle the unspeakable pressure she felt so she decided to pack up and go.182Please respect copyright.PENANAqmZb9EQkdl
I was replacing the cover of my bed when the sound of a door busting open made me jolt like a frightened rabbit. It came from the next room, which happened to be Ben's. I tiptoed to the door of my room to see what was happening. And the sound of footsteps behind me indicated that Asher has done the same.182Please respect copyright.PENANABLE1zN6XN5
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.182Please respect copyright.PENANAyRvbCTwtIW
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAABHhW3u9yk
"I can't take it anymore, Ben. Stay here if you want, but I'm going back to my parents." She struggled to lift her luggage and support her big tummy at the same time.182Please respect copyright.PENANAYOX7L8a2gV
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAr8co0oCSBr
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"182Please respect copyright.PENANAhlG4X8Dej7
She spun around and tried to take a step, but Ben stopped her with a hug from the back. Mama and the rest of us went to the living room, where we saw Ben bury his tearful face in the nape of his wife.182Please respect copyright.PENANAU6Albfok0V
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAPtx1f9gCbj
But my brother ignored the question.182Please respect copyright.PENANAyG1WHsK5Zw
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.182Please respect copyright.PENANAVCzkhSDV4w
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.182Please respect copyright.PENANASx7oLUgA50
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.182Please respect copyright.PENANAW7PaAIzCmf
"What do you want me to do, Naya?" he growled in frustration. "I told you we cannot move out; we need a lot of money to build our own house!"182Please respect copyright.PENANAkJTCB8CaI3
"Then why don't you let me borrow from papa?" she snapped. "I am your wife, Benjamin! We are supposed to be equals, but you treat me like a fool who shouldn't have a say about anything!"182Please respect copyright.PENANAdBMTngRaP2
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.182Please respect copyright.PENANAPNxRfQoIsJ
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.182Please respect copyright.PENANAz3xcYczJqJ
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.182Please respect copyright.PENANAwJ8KX5XGPi
Joe spoke to our brother.182Please respect copyright.PENANAv4FrJlFyCC
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."182Please respect copyright.PENANAikmQ0Opuiw
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"182Please respect copyright.PENANAgQAk6hOSVK
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.182Please respect copyright.PENANA3fjcOii4XH
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."182Please respect copyright.PENANAsx41Y7baTJ
"Kuya..."182Please respect copyright.PENANA0gTAsIXx44
Joe pulled Ben in a one-armed hug, allowing the latter to pour out the tears on his shoulder. From a short distance, mama also teared up, drowned by the drama and confusion.182Please respect copyright.PENANAXik17Bzplm
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.182Please respect copyright.PENANAR7lmrbdYu4
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A few days later, all the men and women in our barangay gathered at our compound, bringing the supplies they could contribute to building Ben's house.182Please respect copyright.PENANALFqGLCTVv8
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.182Please respect copyright.PENANAxKqHES8Uhk
The women with whom I was grouped busied themselves in the kitchen. As we were working, I couldn't help but stare at my brothers. I really wanted to be with them and display my manly feats. Maybe Joe would allow me to do their work this time.182Please respect copyright.PENANAA1ozRUlNdp
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.182Please respect copyright.PENANAc34Il3b5EE
"Yes anak?" she replied.182Please respect copyright.PENANAjuFg5rRuSk
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.182Please respect copyright.PENANAh4AX0GBO5i
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.182Please respect copyright.PENANA1qff6uuDCE
I shrugged.182Please respect copyright.PENANATdelD4dO7K
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.182Please respect copyright.PENANAX9qhOrqU04
Her head violently turned toward me.182Please respect copyright.PENANAeUSdueNary
"You're shifting from Arts and Design to TVL? My God, Judy, you're graduating in a year!" she said, slapping her head after the last word. "Are you having a—what you call that, midlife crisis?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAGtWTRqOEwh
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."182Please respect copyright.PENANA6wOve17RWD
"Master carpenter?! You'll get those soft hands dirty by doing manly work? Can't you just give that job to your kuya Joe?" she asked in a frustrated voice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAFAWysdTaeH
Luh.182Please respect copyright.PENANAemlz7NpCh1
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.182Please respect copyright.PENANAYyxCkEHCGb
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.182Please respect copyright.PENANAwnllmjBzWO
"Judy, do you really want to be a carpenter or do you just want to abandon your responsibilities here to join your kuyas? You've been staring at them the whole time since they started clearing the area," she said. "You think I didn't notice?"182Please respect copyright.PENANAWKqWhOoS3A
My eyes rolled upward, wondering how in the world she found out my true purpose. Mama's expression suddenly shifted from panic mode to gentle. Her hand rose to smooth my hair.182Please respect copyright.PENANALsZvNt53Zn
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.182Please respect copyright.PENANAT2JfTpYZCa
The emphasis did not escape my ears. Have I really chosen a different path? It seemed more like it was being shifted against my will.182Please respect copyright.PENANAjAHTFZHprW
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"182Please respect copyright.PENANALiB9Ac4ANm
No, I didn't.182Please respect copyright.PENANA7COPuXWC2N
"Right?" she insisted.182Please respect copyright.PENANAoHDOKTeEWr
I released a heavy sigh.182Please respect copyright.PENANA6mXAOmMWK7
"Right," I said in resignation.182Please respect copyright.PENANAWkxifEVCfP
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.182Please respect copyright.PENANAKnsLGVMLo0
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.182Please respect copyright.PENANAZS0MyIJX78