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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O7prGL6Ts
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8QCgIFWah
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyJ4wCfm4q
"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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMFgpXcTSM
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsiCmsX0c0
"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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnmpvFjGYw
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM09UBNXHd
"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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgScCM2lKrV
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUr3Xeaxw9
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjhaMsAHSM
"But mama—"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Tb7YbBmz
"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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jOh9ua8uC
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJH8qOqEOb
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3PTDpdpZ3
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4K4HBiHRo
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsmGNNjDQ3
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZOrovLuCB
He quickly composed himself.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbNb27OQNJ
"I'll try," he replied.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JiDdONMLi
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJy8pCubIo
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl9Kh7BDgF
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kwWetPBVU
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qCIdznbkr
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc2WT1k1zX
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4rrSoG2Y4
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YZ3Mx1gsD
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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xozF8hkFd
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Cr7bjKNn
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr26q8SLNU
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWzqXD0nww
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdr8IeEvIq
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38U8B3Bcdt
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5upfJrTwf
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOzw9CNp3A
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuyYADNP1z
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANrUviz1At
My brows arched out of curiosity.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSceCd4l0f4
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZEB3v2DSW
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7ARJMi1PG
"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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Gz8teFwy
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCVv83CCJp
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagoyDjpPjc
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uXGq5hwEf
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbtT8nzZ0b
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPxjqGsCS4
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxblvKnv1Jr
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUH1qVvfy
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ipZawsTmL
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hVJRoOo6H
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJP56077Hj
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8SocryTY1
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G8LbOpFYD
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC0LoZ5BoN
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwG9SjIaRP
But my brother ignored the question.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcW6Q6VsVL
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fPwiiGDwR
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFvlBR7QlL
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm6cdNsMxM
"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!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRnU73Y7iR
"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!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRkNNB5CBU
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJodLLHAeux
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzgQpCgPS3
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoVeCGXujM
Joe spoke to our brother.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDzf6Q5yMH
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV8n3ms1F3
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRTs70Ux80
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya0mPxxtqI
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0s3qCCg98
"Kuya..."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSvPqmeZyV
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVvfRtp1xs
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBhzbZwbLd
377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpoiZDuVqW
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnnpWF56sF
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsKmVVvwa2
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAWHSGIsRx
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBPXhgjlAp
"Yes anak?" she replied.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YVqnQ1Dfk
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRIE2bZXhn
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0XxF0GNYU
I shrugged.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDs2KMxVsP
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbKsuHz6Rs
Her head violently turned toward me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBIeWH2k8M
"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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTRijx1Dl3
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImav7skxp0
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eStxrpZ9I
Luh.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWNDQGdP1o
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEpMcL7R3k
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYKcHWT6pn
"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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK6YjRykOH
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RQrtyZs3e
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlSMERdWqf
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTIufLSqLb
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqXgsFvmao
No, I didn't.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe3VCGZ4OF
"Right?" she insisted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZGxPdZsyd
I released a heavy sigh.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGphrA3E684
"Right," I said in resignation.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Jtzf8Kvs
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWppNfrwPI0
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImAE5TNajT
Penana
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