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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJYz0g2arH
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP77gBQcaFa
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW15AqWc4ZR
"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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7JAp5lAHX
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOtcU4qSg1
"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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHToPVdZBTa
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZSUCLWsr6
"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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmMER6ISF1
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5dACOeXnx
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp2wkTkiRo
"But mama—"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp90t4ftN1f
"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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ho2qDyHoH
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0eq9ykJy
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCqvUXY9Aw
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XTB0FywcV
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyN2958qCc
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhSnpJG9Xk
He quickly composed himself.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsCmhyIYjM
"I'll try," he replied.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o3GdFSobF
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT4KpkV9iK
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6WtuQq49E
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlvH76ZsoZ
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHzlI3WCxw
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0J4x0oKSJ
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUNd0QPTBQ
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYMQ9K5RIG
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?402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WrezCmVBg
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSdtt16xHM
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tJnHZkXfy
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmwB8YfpqK
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYL2x6QWRS
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxIqdhRHj8
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhGdQwhdwa
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvPDDHT26r
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKdj3tnyRK
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuO8DzQa4I
My brows arched out of curiosity.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIojj4RfQgQ
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2WD5OiAje
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡproIVOBIu9
"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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSmZKA2hJv
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJiEFRpKa3
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqahs8vqATk
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig379sCrx1
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNOaEgQLV7
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuctLvYFSk8
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PsiLB6mMe
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCy2xTWSl9
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7pZmHWD0k
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpinzZyZbRK
"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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3nw03DOe0
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rSvhJWgGo
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SpCarJzZi
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHizFzfnS7
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAKeATLdFg
But my brother ignored the question.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhwHqeRr2m
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD59JoKlNcY
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcTmI1COJ8
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqGn8jGeMm
"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!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflQlRY0sxn
"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!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKjxCjYQH0
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZFmb43Uf
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTR9Vf8zYn
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhRffGD3OC
Joe spoke to our brother.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgqfGTRbHb
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXdZyIAYfa
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZ8wayfx5
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYMAd4GNqr
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkXvxhWP3L
"Kuya..."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DVec0OCft
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2A4xVavAe
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA9ueXnU90
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOA2TyUK5I
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KMPfFqJlN
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUiUIs4dw2
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8YFBawXlc
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaxYZa0N1A
"Yes anak?" she replied.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxMosdUlgf
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZP0hOkB3j
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADHKwpA5nq
I shrugged.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqo6Nipk2
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVz1l6Wdbr
Her head violently turned toward me.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduIeXsTm8B
"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?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcSUBkHLAR
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GgqGw1SoT
"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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pcdn4PVVU
Luh.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaHFjPu6Lp
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ciAGx4utD
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpv6yZag6P
"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?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XeUXQKRwx
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYOtIDvoYs
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zHktftTEa
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNvkhPNGIH
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqi7efsuEI
No, I didn't.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wCsdTB25s
"Right?" she insisted.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5gbmsKOpv
I released a heavy sigh.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP54yyzQ4E
"Right," I said in resignation.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFOGySUHDO
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11soGw11kU
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrIU8uIua8
Penana
search
登入arrow_drop_down
註冊arrow_drop_down
