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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI7qcOiBT8
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RHD9ZfH4W
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWOjHAQ5pv
"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."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RdzYEqM5Y
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM5boukitC
"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."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVveglyLtVk
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvpGy4Ico6
"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."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLPfgZxjXd
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHLjtftw44
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhsemd5hZk
"But mama—"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM12jdZqV1
"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."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnVAPg8hV0
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2166W8oYiU
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngwGPDhVbA
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdLlmBa63l
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20IBqu3Grr
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHSKNXMWh5
He quickly composed himself.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k0Et4X0G9
"I'll try," he replied.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7HmmSUQ61
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvD0BIuSvz
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaflUjCkI4
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxYj3dTt4K
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuZNuo19Ee
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPgzfcNhJy
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfULbQfkdAy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDR1g4oMyk
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?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnToZTZAjk8
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoa2gTe9Hz
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6mmixRiQz
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZcyeBuIBL
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLepfXTkGU
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtjWC8COJH
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0aNUTp00r
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub0QRpmuNo
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF9hi8EpR6
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkKse4bZ7c
My brows arched out of curiosity.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9teEGl8gmo
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXhhMXRTkw
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEMsHVt8m1
"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."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2J2A4EN44
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBWsN3I7xo
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY1IknLJn4
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P9FIShTie
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RhDnhJtLj
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dNivKNMI1
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPgusiOx6o
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCwsSUOY6Y
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaLhnqOLiB
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFoX0LndOp
"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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62i4F4Svl1
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpLNxU17bB
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTMfVxKsjh
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaSqROqP3M
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTpARl0qcX
But my brother ignored the question.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvrCA6VTG3
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIrZK4qFVp
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMoJklVc4Y
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTWcmfD41
"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!"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFiJzAJCO
"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!"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlC9UeUxEC
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy42S5ovCh
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy0DolOAFf
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5quNjTnUg
Joe spoke to our brother.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ421CMqWgyo
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfNoYYSu6x
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJJJxa8Oyb
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YE921YOck
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOehy2sli0x
"Kuya..."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZPI2V3dUA
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtrsOFtLi0
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyt8WCqOwn
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qy5au8CJe
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KGQNx0fjG
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyVKScGI43
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw7Tf2BBRc
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVRaL8JIq
"Yes anak?" she replied.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9lka5fpO
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPPXbEs0Dl
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sFc2P2yB5
I shrugged.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAaYS9qw03
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRrtHFTc24
Her head violently turned toward me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUrHRvRed5
"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?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pL3Fz0TWF
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBujubzdGt
"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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPzdbXlFZq
Luh.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DUQdeGldw
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS52ysKaIMl
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQByuiC2OM
"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?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrAErn4NJx
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmPyyrSayQ
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrDyU9dX25
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.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAnubcGoaa
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIOQEHt9dC
No, I didn't.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAdkFP27jX
"Right?" she insisted.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LlvTfNtkS
I released a heavy sigh.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDfEL3l4fm
"Right," I said in resignation.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvLga8cy7W
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteEo0OoWpu
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D8XtGYBOa
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