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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJojBrr5Lct
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlS6FmsYaZ
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfJ6Cdwu8A
"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."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T2rgn3glo
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeyFhHPolL
"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."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM8j4W9Qre
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvdVhF4hiI
"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."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bKwT66auG
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4cvw6mu0u
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeKLRDYXyN
"But mama—"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclTKQQckRD
"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."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZPVMvXNgi
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc2qVKiJ5K
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5jaXFu34H
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFsBvCMT0d
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvquoIrdbzM
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAwU2cMKw2
He quickly composed himself.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KNC1ndUET
"I'll try," he replied.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W0kH5Gwpy
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7SP17LCHu
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrLG6M55Mp
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoB0am3cDb
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YV5MT7yAo
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmNogR4qu2
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBYUcroTJC
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoEmfwFJkG
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?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZzRvpD0d6
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvv4mcw7aW
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1bg5bm8CJ
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QC9MUVSh1
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36yqGKG4FF
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtIu8SHeK1
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf4jZXbNd8
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP060LCXGkY
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte5whvshFj
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQYeLNol8R
My brows arched out of curiosity.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHv1R5xgHD
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3VPzKO01P
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFv8r48Of8
"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."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLOFhSyJDh
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8cGytcDve
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90ONbbjznj
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXadhXQqYDR
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhwPuKdPXY
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMXgM1GgRI
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg43eC1SJD5
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwtQ17XXZU
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMy0c6PYqJ
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6zrbuooVd
"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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9LFyMatfF
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWYpfjEVoR
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQI0ewj1Mp
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUWfyV3aXT
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW6gjCoLBu
But my brother ignored the question.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkWhGZcaab
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGurgSyi7Ye
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lxVl9QeET
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiohvMJYOin
"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!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6CGzSs8LR
"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!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5q3UEaeOb
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCFipfEAko
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw4KojTCEi
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zViGnhcC1
Joe spoke to our brother.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTtB0aSPrl
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8NW6cS7hc
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyqYQNFQGr
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonVblbmV56
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChWTH3tUPV
"Kuya..."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZp5bTvjGO
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebD6I93UNA
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDjEFNJr1r
355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqicqzAEOhv
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsqgDEcDO9
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMElON0a6qW
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7KwBR3J4q
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFp69qC8d5
"Yes anak?" she replied.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bugzxXXvf
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7FVEvJgm5
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzCqiNYS55
I shrugged.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF4BNiTtGl
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3kY6uIEhi
Her head violently turned toward me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8eCN5eaY7
"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?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIrJinPoJn
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXE2YodMhs
"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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4LqmdnAPY
Luh.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnidevCEJJt
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpTqvM6oDK
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0BO55zfmx
"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?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UKcFtOPiN
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbp5E6PtNr
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCLlBFXXta
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.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU4eYXs520
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNartn2Rvd
No, I didn't.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OZ6KnvDLS
"Right?" she insisted.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qG5Z5m9pk
I released a heavy sigh.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEn6GaBbPg
"Right," I said in resignation.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwKHeyEhR4
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODWvgt7uZH
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ae5N6yQmM
Penana
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