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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gqZziAKEy
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVohGj7kk9
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKB8HaBjnZ
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju2784Lovu
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mSnlMu6ns
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG2z3HMDP3
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY8XMzqn6r
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzdHAzGQj7
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEBQ7hLZqP
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP2T25Y7Hs
"But mama—"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeccyKj0I4Z
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTpE4cXYNF
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eXzDG5IOn
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKUq8MzPY1
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7bMNnar6U
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodbhQEeWBV
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2BowRdyi
He quickly composed himself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPtB5QUz9E
"I'll try," he replied.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGaWnxDi75
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfAyMV46eE
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNuenyDc0E
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuPuxkWS6E
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aT2FAwRjD
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT3C9cUXIE
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ357dloqYJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKj1vGxqNG
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?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgVhgWY0cj
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzugHOUSjH
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshHBkaNtLB
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuavmo3JGhs
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoOEUYRZEe
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtXA2kjMZW
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQi9K2sElK
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyHS1BALQy
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI3cQ4ivGO
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VkFQMci8Q
My brows arched out of curiosity.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMB9HM0yoL
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjPjbq5EJx
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFvf4LgWje
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbPx0G5ipF
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h0F2CrGXC
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapIEKMQ65C
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxdLKUN9sq
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpxI8nc75e
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JJKiCnjWg
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUG8DxZ1ce
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5NEU3JYv5
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElQLiwF17U
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBUJfx85xS
"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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgZruwaDdO
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnKRJz5FIO
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd80LQTEP6T
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPf6AgvnTj
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsglNlHYFQ
But my brother ignored the question.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH723zlDLUe
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eq69DAj8E
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbJ2PfUnlu
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7XjkfyKfo
"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!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2cwGKXv15
"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!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1iB71WopP
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpfmZWdoVF
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UwEiY0rZw
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwPpwUNaSz
Joe spoke to our brother.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSDJaWq1wN
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowRq1Nc0QG
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot1N09zkBN
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgM1KlLsIh
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSovJgKsHo6
"Kuya..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7EgiNWHXb
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzogjBsBwlG
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLXi5o3DtO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Srl2R00n
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspfTthP6qF
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNfkbdE7iB
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILPksmfDsQ
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZlQQGUdAj
"Yes anak?" she replied.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOYY79Ye9j
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMsRQpDsI0
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBLBX2oc77
I shrugged.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdCzxA7m9e
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbJb3KsKOh
Her head violently turned toward me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl71dhfwES
"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?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB4EauhwFy
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4JiVJDtGf
"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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzR8GqljD5
Luh.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BtJ8VNfnz
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc0EbcHGfQ
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvJNmKJ5Y9
"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?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv9BjzaV7h
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcO3ZEDAqX
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPljaXIlov
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rcqG2g1Qa
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6IME9A6F9
No, I didn't.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGALh4m4ibe
"Right?" she insisted.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lp2OxeMbs
I released a heavy sigh.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY5aQQhOs0
"Right," I said in resignation.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRLgcouthK
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz9YZGHxhj
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1hVvaf4eF
Penana
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