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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiai2GLFwhf
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LzDo86Oes
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxjZnkj7ym
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIj6wAZmS2
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyckhsw8OLK
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uYtXK83nA
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkulwPZ0h9h
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZOKMtUP1K
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nxdGFtCnS
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPZoOOvyq1
"But mama—"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4FAeU2KWN
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd4UVdRESf
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy5hGcAtUy
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTdXQHrjQC
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIZJ1PTS8s
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdANejyxVKT
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWZ8OelH4r
He quickly composed himself.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgFdk7qivQ
"I'll try," he replied.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWITtKlXHJx
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwdJqs2Xpe
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxOZdfJq9t
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZvphQ1d7C
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ob7mntWjJ
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN2fV64RYT
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex3BnWKhzl
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9URumzUj18
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?404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eymkw8CLK
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlPN4vkqgM
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFrtpy3PMR
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGztK9iXcRY
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs4cFLAx3F
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW4wHkiwEy
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72HQXbBmL5
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObzIRWNyXJ
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Ai9pQSaG
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowUAEFfcMf
My brows arched out of curiosity.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFxVshQXuV
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp7yFamy4x
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zIAeQpbQL
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmXRuWPUdU
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRbpuw5jpS
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56dPOtxjgB
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIrccWdA3g
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Jgj6JbEk
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL01cZOTp9
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QSjCOvUKN
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXoQBmlzyf
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dV4bPBDhe
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFOmbioVju
"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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE6Yp9XVRN
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2TibQDay1
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPr4Rx116B
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibMJ2xIAyO
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtlUaNRT2S
But my brother ignored the question.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hB12WeGiw
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy5mHquy6B
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyiLuE9bRS
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEm7YWHR8Y
"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!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanfZaE1MRM
"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!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfmt4hrq8y
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNFT4OxhD6
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvkvhtHEgp
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToQQFRPOI3
Joe spoke to our brother.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrcyF53aEv
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkL2gKZD9X
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICbJYdjMu4
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fuCugIcKA
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tuix5siit
"Kuya..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl2jbLxfAZ
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw6CGzZntG
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVXHO8SJIl
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVht6X85at
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B3nDPRRSf
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn6BBw3QTN
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvo1alOCaF
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SJhLsdthF
"Yes anak?" she replied.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iGwC8SlAM
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcanbMKA1Rv
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYccNcyXQtm
I shrugged.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH4SFkGLO5
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sG1L0jXEg
Her head violently turned toward me.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbjGyomluc
"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?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9F2KWxdBc
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d50oWQyjT
"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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EpLNo6sTF
Luh.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4k3wraWLN
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WDJHBDwQU
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnMFQZkjtl
"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?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8RkfNWX8f
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6scBU5dFt
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo153Syf4x
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UWPhhMgrO
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BVgePgx3N
No, I didn't.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRivmFliekX
"Right?" she insisted.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyfNMMALJI
I released a heavy sigh.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcso3JC1Ju
"Right," I said in resignation.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8BkMwrCyR
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8ZPBz4nHz
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx33AtcayPG
Penana
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