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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGf4IMbTjK
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuwznXI7o5
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFTTapodNV
"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."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfUA0E8C7d
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OSbwoRGT5
"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."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQoSPDW86V
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0NbGblAje
"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."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkBYGlcvtG
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL883WrYlyy
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5mPyUy7Wn
"But mama—"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMArasIs7u
"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."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CJTfdhr9I
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr04xKJ0ar7
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDykAscbE3
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgisIYdXln
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpr2Jxfh4V
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3z7iBOlU0
He quickly composed himself.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHUmd7FhAn
"I'll try," he replied.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMkdLkX3JV
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2wibJdpfy
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD0WZ14V07
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswWBvHWeHU
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFC9VOsYzx
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZcZ56OWng
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBzeHS1ToK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64uUjyVLHZ
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?395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8WGS3pVzZ
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUobZIRRcq
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEPXjYSq5b
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tI2xeYPBe
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7cME0tOtT
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo22x1DSt2v
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSGF9PyChQ
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxgvv54QHi
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgKcijKzEr
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlTu7RkTbD
My brows arched out of curiosity.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvlJ19piJm
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH60PYPLCL4
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsBAOjTT0p
"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."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOJ6ONV04F
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mposg3Dh
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoZAQWIoKW
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiEC1LhBTg
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1BCRHMjSc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2bodHYG6Y
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRpAoxfGp0
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGGAmZ2NJj
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4F8oVj0yl
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbB8hHgQ7O
"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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky6GsY3xMc
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtjHiwEkWX
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2yxQzhhh7
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrumaVBfqOs
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SmKPpukLb
But my brother ignored the question.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn4MH3Ol1v
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOchjGslo1
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPpIaiQfNg
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVV08qP8Y3
"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!"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMKFOEWsK5
"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!"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiO1lOHf4o
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ooNJnVMTW
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KJgBbuBf1
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzqokEx8VH
Joe spoke to our brother.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJY560kXfR
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYkMkPDApu
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQawCgrayZK
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf0Gw2dsIB
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4bqVToaE6
"Kuya..."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxD1BZlYcD
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXE3Kgkc9b
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87K26KGTen
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT8CtfDEYU
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn91uurCQA8
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73L5JMpSba
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJJu54ru9k
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWeFpbQho
"Yes anak?" she replied.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4CmynqlxL
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYX7ObZ2Nq
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD4xuHdgJc
I shrugged.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC2L1f4rw9
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBZD0jPO9K
Her head violently turned toward me.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5WwlZ8Mr2
"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?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SDxCWk0IR
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRWqA8HQAG
"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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVP9m03bjm
Luh.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uD7Oa5yoS
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNeLFdcxaN
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9jYnZzK9c
"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?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DM0B2IZn8
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO9jD677d5
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUdw7PSO6c
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.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsITzjGJ13
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhA9Z3tY1k
No, I didn't.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Dx2dHsOK
"Right?" she insisted.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH6lRuTNXD
I released a heavy sigh.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38NCcQB7YQ
"Right," I said in resignation.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUbCab4nKu
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdBGxlBchY
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJo7US24K1
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