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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlEJciUpZb
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqEpI3prDp
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW84LLhVg3
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPQ4sBlXbY
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AzOYHKJBI
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbVaHXidhK
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIcgAAb6Q0
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXPZ40b2ZW
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HQ9LF6VwF
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLjzaUoawd
"But mama—"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav0DhROeDX
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT21zMdDyqs
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyMWvSKggn
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuRKEWCv4Q
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAeII18o4s
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15dQ35vyeg
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEneSkRy2GK
He quickly composed himself.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7AJGD90k
"I'll try," he replied.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvk9g44jeM
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qinUqDPUM
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuceR5AA0lx
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FJXX4N7I4
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ0lsV2A7M
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmSr4osYlN
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxd3e0N9ui
364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMrQsfVf7P
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?364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrLCS7eWbl
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYM9l5cOgH
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgREw3GXFK
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoathr4ex0a
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc5JMAlYNw
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW61lxktqb0
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSuPFG1rwU
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj16LfywcH
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hiKwzebYL
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOHZWwwiIr
My brows arched out of curiosity.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0KiQlDxCT
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxnfmmV69z
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TKsZEaayu
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSNUIwETli
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF4e3vmNQ5
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkrnHD0Nnu
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGmtZjyC2L
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcoSYWYkK6
364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60fWIEPpXq
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1TXkIjyBC
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6MsvJsQ8G
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qSRrqbaHY
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySUFouWQDh
"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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4hJv6HlxM
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHUzulXIAJ
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2I1dzi1zI
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKLyIDWN9Q
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE18Y4buz8
But my brother ignored the question.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTqVP3Pitj
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJcLBTCy4O
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTv6hgA8EN
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Uh2gO6k7
"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!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblVLE2LHcR
"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!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM0yFE0PZ1
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldfSlF3zQv
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAcyXd52Ur
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdPqTxC0dc
Joe spoke to our brother.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrGNeF0V8d
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnKA2WqUXh
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKovwYfqc6
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtBK0rC4ye
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoAsv0gwA2
"Kuya..."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lKv0EjQs3
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiI7Gdc9iC
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNoaWc3nNC
364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5iXSLqF47
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa2QWWFbWy
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPht3NDmJr5
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoScd9Np2J
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiePy43QaJ
"Yes anak?" she replied.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TedZ0fsTA
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknHI2zH5rX
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRmLzegfDx
I shrugged.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9jfvOWpbw
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MNEzevgGW
Her head violently turned toward me.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mz8zrqUf1
"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?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3JPiyHVf0
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9i7p36v7l
"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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP62hOnBvnF
Luh.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5VyZHMs8T
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsnYVeOUqY
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5aAqKBqZ8
"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?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkf1CgnEpr
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3H0T20jfi
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUfCYXuRVU
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoiRmpAc7t
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCCQ9zhrTN
No, I didn't.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDGDCRrPZo
"Right?" she insisted.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGcDxFswKO
I released a heavy sigh.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXgcwSzPov
"Right," I said in resignation.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ygoiSSDu
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjOuZtUKJa
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqsEc77RLc
Penana
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