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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXgl88i9RG
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LfrimUZ3C
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ENIi20uyi
"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."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8nxYLkOuV
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK0wdapp2h
"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."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1j5bw4Ts5
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YlTbe9Tv5
"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."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAWqAMOf1t
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixHfkCClSp
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkhvdyQcRO
"But mama—"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZWzJMi9cc
"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."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ2MUZGCBa
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmen2PgWG4W
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxnotz8D4b
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafwqfCTwxW
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWMGx2QvXs
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIc3ps6TPe
He quickly composed himself.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuISv3FFf0G
"I'll try," he replied.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrB66EKam9
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIK7h3QOOo
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuv68Ek9vc
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M8Qymd3CO
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGwEzH8QPB
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEWR3fL3rP
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUJO1ggWvW
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqde3qEAF5
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?331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ379YIcBw5X
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTTIWc6Aw
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXK4PAJj8t
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9WPr2nKYk
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6clNJNQWe5
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVfaOrvHGS
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauoUffDR2r
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXU6cKLA35
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa0c832EhC
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3HlZbn1Mz
My brows arched out of curiosity.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Oeo7ZyngY
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB6NtNSHBF
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe64OTytcBi
"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."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqEc2o1neV
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXU4nsUVHc
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJHjlETaxq
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllVdCAi1dP
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73GHLT5pxE
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNr0djVLKY
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1LU3aBu6T
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7wkZJgTJl
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK0ao03wsh
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVunKr2ioo
"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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0eOKx8Wri
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAyopTDRzi
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiQJiFzqhS
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Wx7TH42e
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LV0Zcwsy0
But my brother ignored the question.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDFSCanh6k
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cVN8AN1eI
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnq5mHYRvJ
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBBFf2BYwa
"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!"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYfxHnlYZM
"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!"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmr9IiSOBh
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv7RnMU4k2
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALoPmuFuSr
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMyCVUKR3H
Joe spoke to our brother.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmekh55XVxa
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAywh5UVqOk
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0acIsrnF07
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkU62YNwm8
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAhGHjLy9t
"Kuya..."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1LHDwigUt
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6UJ6V6Jv0
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9iZAn3STg
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2vThIH8Xp
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkRkr4IP40
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YPHL85MPU
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPfjiEFBUU
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAHDooHk3w
"Yes anak?" she replied.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4YJRfUpym
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bd577bNK8
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwdDSVOeu1
I shrugged.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIfnhVqjWv
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXccyJQ7dy
Her head violently turned toward me.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFE6pIPDu9
"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?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewiIxFt3AR
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pSOc74g2D
"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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyjxPEwBfi
Luh.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtGkAWHoeN
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNZlphlT7l
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjY2DTlj4x
"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?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Z9G7Y6SY
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M4qK8OGJI
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYWQnh7JAs
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.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRKAFkbnKT
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1srJ7Fgao
No, I didn't.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNW7ytIxBx
"Right?" she insisted.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1uGgau3Bc
I released a heavy sigh.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf1FM3bEpn
"Right," I said in resignation.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgw1Hf1rUQ
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiJCQLipzX
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70sJOGaoD0
Penana
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