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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X0RXzKS4c
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiY7l0afmh
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWkAn0LSbt
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18t6cyZaoR
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQQvY95qAT
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0vvOnvY1N
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt03yw3XPgV
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG42vu1x2Cu
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrIK7ryLew
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO9036ASYe
"But mama—"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg4gbdomYa
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTMBrUzgyj
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk2IV7Wrm8
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOupDrp9Z8k
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQVESKDyFM
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVG4oA33U6
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoLN2vlakT
He quickly composed himself.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2GVNsY73y
"I'll try," he replied.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1VAdMdhYJ
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7fHb1z6FN
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w7LeGGTVV
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MGTUCEhbr
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDniBFdkbK
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF43fH7xhs
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMK7jqW5sT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxPxVUU6b6
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?265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NXoyTdC7s
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB341hmO3k
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNXQSJofjj
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJcfP5xQct
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NVqQXhV4J
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfqBPelpvb
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB5Vq6OG4N
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOpGgYyF2H
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2bhrz8AOL
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC0XLkTPuM
My brows arched out of curiosity.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nl1KkOnq9
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9gIBmsLwA
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe3MjwKj9G
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeOVIRHcrh
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUMux3M4yz
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaslDaKhUo5
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy4KGI0Ulk
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGfUaJ8YPu
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2407DaJfpI
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKSD5wk2st
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnLMnubXs7
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm9keZJYgT
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFqGFI8yfi
"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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ZYbt7zko
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sUiHqUP1a
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgE3FShE8n
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6O2KXNEFk
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjRQ5rfmKL
But my brother ignored the question.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRKJNJu8dp
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmKAQ7rcqK
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaVhBon9mj
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmYpLY5SqU
"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!"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZPnr3Mbpx
"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!"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElkMwxUqUf
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1r1p9fOQf
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxiCLFOQzl
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGrln10gVJ
Joe spoke to our brother.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3RcM0o6UM
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREuTGv9IRm
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPJguqgO0n
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZodjvundv
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqTWw9D4tZ
"Kuya..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ171u7iLLHa
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVjDJFIlfp
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DGqeeVW17
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3jqCLUiy2
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCqkqYPMJQ
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7uyzPhCbM
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm51ycbMZq
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnxeal0FWg
"Yes anak?" she replied.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ek6pwZj09
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUPBz5eXug
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo1H89HhIu
I shrugged.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7j3wdeFgF
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhvrhFqS6G
Her head violently turned toward me.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH43kV43lbg
"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?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Rjkt0U9Y
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1oz9hZIA8
"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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktuPr6JwZX
Luh.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe65kUGipdl
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyHnM6eRj6
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C7uMDrUmL
"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?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FMunLseK3
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpJIkslXDv
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB64E2mG7w
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyOOqs2JIp
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQnurPy8a
No, I didn't.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOMiewuua4
"Right?" she insisted.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniKLNxGR4O
I released a heavy sigh.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdidXq5WeL
"Right," I said in resignation.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyzUtavQYo
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjkwq5ND1
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OKocYe2Pq
Penana
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