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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE5U5xtdN2
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRgzK4wOQJ
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N63eoCH9l
"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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM37vpTf4cw
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXQAyrYYGc
"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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbVwps3lW
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UoCCEZemM
"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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE0rryoCfA
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vu1RvZzBp
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSBPLC8vgH
"But mama—"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ILPGVSZM
"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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh6j0Vy5nM
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlJu4AxxEq
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiRoXtjlHY
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZJlL0FcE9
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH68DWrICNk
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpK5pLoCcL
He quickly composed himself.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE3SW6OzPm
"I'll try," he replied.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsqfp1L4IX
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnjfsMJpah
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiaeQDiEMG
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxaUOcMWuP
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSqMd87P9T
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXblbk4NQy
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv9M1raqMH
363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5DKGwJzsh
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?363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYIypzJomP
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHafvKcf3xV
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDy8VwzPVR
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjyXXm01JW
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL9Hd8cKG8
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcLUeumW4w
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs7BT7c62G
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34OvUTrYmZ
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSV6bcvinN
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXajIaBwsty
My brows arched out of curiosity.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVyqzhRn2U
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu3gkst2Ci
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO1H33MH5H
"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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tPfb1Lz7h
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmN4uZ5KOu
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisNgoQRuXc
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaqI1tUL22
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUr1dftIsq
363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXwqdYTj7x
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75J96O34Sn
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQNA20xUmV
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvOc60LIjX
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEniHtn9tfB
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCwnhy5OY7
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV5o8cfQTn
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHQElUMSFf
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOO8Ywjd7U
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp1w9wme6X
But my brother ignored the question.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMzuNvDEOZ
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT1bL7d0Bu
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl8MhpFJWL
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrtB1Kmb60
"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!"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaipyiV3M5
"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!"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs0Kj2Pfcn
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8XwpQYSkI
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYrq1jr7bm
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0RYtTZU00
Joe spoke to our brother.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps0V77FpsS
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jNYlUmyM2
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EijtuEOjj
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqq1nx9Lxy
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDS0qzalI
"Kuya..."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Eicnnml1
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3GRiNjcs2
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvm44lLCGj
363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOY7e4Q8Km
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6iZOq6fmh
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vms22TuNw
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaT2fhkfzl
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjRaDZVak3
"Yes anak?" she replied.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSCxJbJwYO
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimzeD7Omj8
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMir740KnBF
I shrugged.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1neZFn5Az
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKcp2YHabr
Her head violently turned toward me.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTotmUKRNB
"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?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4vtRRYTWY
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8gD3fRr5L
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ3xNz9wN3
Luh.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDbXYZfZXs
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpfvGPhJK5
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI24GDNtHe
"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?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxqhN5BNMA
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO284ejjhd
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ857ItEc4CE
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdWXdzPhkj
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeYv9xj8q7
No, I didn't.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTxO5IRvOw
"Right?" she insisted.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa88KpOhhy
I released a heavy sigh.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzUhIOyIIG
"Right," I said in resignation.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zdqnj1LTf
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sZTSOSERo
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38VisVyzb1
Penana
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