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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPjy1Au24z
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagykpsq25F
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8NlNzv6Qo
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YQrZZL5Tn
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kC29vZyC7
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF1CBRptew
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINht7CVHGh
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFOc7L9yo4
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ncGllFZ8
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1JB63pwHE
"But mama—"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5rfM1EXu7
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLHk7JM3CJ
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsnmIETKZJ
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa3nLe8iyG
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5o0B2piXP
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI2YatYVar
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEow0tnYXqn
He quickly composed himself.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw8OBa1p1t
"I'll try," he replied.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fpmkNUPb
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucj1HtVxlm
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPNFE9OtZl
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1EJBavQV6
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEKMowssAj
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDnzYw04Yl
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipQEYmIfRv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkvtAp5Irc
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?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QJvYpkgV5
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHgZPyUvVq
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIdEiaHsfH
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZpEHY9LD
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxLf1wSGe8
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjpFaTQY1P
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidaakbWMqI
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyuFa9MBKd
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFxCRNcj7y
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca2lPMVOjp
My brows arched out of curiosity.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS4dYGfjiN
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufymBdbnd4
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhJDWvmA00
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LkRl6SmUf
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QyHcOgL1J
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHlUb1EwWw
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5jZBGppoy
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf3pSmT1Iu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51xdZV1Apb
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3hG7rUPp
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfDGFeBZkf
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxpHdelQR3
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuXuy5uHU4
"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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwXZfJzqVY
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrtPaT0v46
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4zSHUxg7h
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4DVEmC6mL
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGPxSQ1D96
But my brother ignored the question.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuUpyg0mSy
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIgH4WR4tp
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8SQAGjbez
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP6jOt9Xpq
"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!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjOtt3IfSb
"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!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMVhgTSv49
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuaNjbSwLX
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDZPQtNBIM
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV80PYNYmx
Joe spoke to our brother.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qrecRcYBA
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q9ETEytFF
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgoi93xuYz
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDistCnCB
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSirOZmFxXJ
"Kuya..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZe4cz5uhG
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IngQnAjWy
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcxCIgNbjA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP3uyfx6UC
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmODdtnPSEP
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0irnt0EMx
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkSd0FpOov
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWGiLK8MmP
"Yes anak?" she replied.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXBJe14fmG
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPdqSyMvkl
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsxgsvlaaO
I shrugged.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZk7eb16B0
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0btYQHsE9R
Her head violently turned toward me.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOCaK3A61K
"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?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpvejbQD3Q
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4kVObiDxG
"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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGUlfJ8Ch4
Luh.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxV4YMzsTY
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHXHe7nGCB
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT26DYyx2I
"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?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDEUIfybjj
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLeoA3FHJ
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4qUncxyO
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtnkj3tm9M
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhezxvX7SP
No, I didn't.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjV8TrF3DT
"Right?" she insisted.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwBq0ocBIP
I released a heavy sigh.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFrPux7Tep
"Right," I said in resignation.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLPHYd9P2k
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSUf55jILu
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPXNAFWzuB
Penana
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