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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFHRC82lXZ
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyJKhWokml
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSmaBKyXKv
"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."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUea9Dwop7
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHKUILQ5iJ
"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."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcTgg57hn0
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyPBec6fNb
"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."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K1x21EEAJ
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3kuTGo3kk
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr2Z8TwHw3
"But mama—"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B7mkhfBLe
"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."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGaqMNVD2U
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf1Erc38UU
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBpYg1xdjz
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5qkiKJekl
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIPejpM04A
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjwwtDR4ZV
He quickly composed himself.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7eo7YHQST
"I'll try," he replied.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jQQNm4MY2
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCrsMkDp0A
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTNGjuMpeW
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKUixAZvR5
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIOwOct2Ay
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXJRm1roG6
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyaMbuerGD
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMczx35HVF
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?444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ931FoaOhU
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKr3YgTJ7v
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP3ilATsv9
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4oBD3xLQC
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW0yk1a5BF
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJzJBeGemF
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqXwbWS9Wy
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSbx8lBoTz
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSDSdrMWsu
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrQhmirjB4
My brows arched out of curiosity.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoW7Sy6zJ2
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdVDuN0nkL
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgmZNy63yw
"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."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg1pRVucFZ
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96VcK9Blk6
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LHvAnKkIv
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLkKwFYFWG
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0dP9bYMZu
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcqEfEepR7
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExhC6XvtqD
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFKWvPcIXU
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4tTRZckVT
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXWSlE8d1A
"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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdXTdSHdhe
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxLUn7WnD5
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLLfYKT7Xo
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi85U7CMhtP
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPCGDr5pWO
But my brother ignored the question.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAGa2X6ikl
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr6s0vRvcu
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIAOHmery3
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIY9qalSym
"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!"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexxcf5nUBK
"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!"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVncPbkVcJ5
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlaBWb1aCd
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBQbbLiTCc
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNIvqMCyKB
Joe spoke to our brother.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFIPJPdaoT
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgut56tDiQD
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRGWSt6s9n
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mIw5oCFk2
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t63wvwqDP
"Kuya..."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kiYCpxWNM
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiAgbPr8uv
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTO5LbM8Bm
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYArwODUXK
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpqM2S8WSC
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX3MOspmV4
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2tZP9xc7F
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqHsIBCVES
"Yes anak?" she replied.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUDySEqsl6
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MxtYpsNWn
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFJ7pvxD6x
I shrugged.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLFUbArJx8
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbTRYvGWjk
Her head violently turned toward me.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZCJ7ZPQ2o
"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?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPnCh1fwLL
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1MZk2l9zT
"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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9ZFxpXXCO
Luh.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwacUcLYKvB
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYnsflJCeK
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGtSGjuSJO
"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?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B2mbh5NnX
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEhGAAOJbi
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBegJ6eGz2k
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gZjFSkluE
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU279MlASv
No, I didn't.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepCzj18l6N
"Right?" she insisted.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDntWhfxgOI
I released a heavy sigh.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwh8LHDUa6
"Right," I said in resignation.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ1uTfjP8s
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G5DvvKYXr
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIsKZXDOgA
Penana
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