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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnqBNwX9d8
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBHsea3hzt
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdc23uR7tS
"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."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0fEo7mgVa
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSe7YMno7Y
"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."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg28dPaWsg
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L3ncKXMum
"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."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbhJy1KgLQ
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6JNHHjTlR
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbpkwBrVRU
"But mama—"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e1XY42829
"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."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KiodqamXk
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWMDju3JUc
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fjcGl7JI
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxQKMvsJZL
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnUdYc9TtA
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDYmpnK3Ja
He quickly composed himself.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKKhWpbznt
"I'll try," he replied.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTE4HDGnCY
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNYW1wz6W0
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nqEiDyxoL
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzhn6NBUox
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhp1h8HWnq
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVzpFRGyv9
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb1xrnA08J
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiwsLVMIzV
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?332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWRAvUtWW7
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pXLOfbEzh
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEeUr1sD4E
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPkxscNBnk
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYAr0l2cgn
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uAwTpyTfq
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflKengIEWZ
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDw5fJzPQr
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkOIYnIK5p
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2UGCryjvy
My brows arched out of curiosity.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqGYKzrSL
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgz5njK2z5
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVzSXKSYdA
"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."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnq3RbGP64
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDix0BFlJm4
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2LIQ5xVz3
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRxSBZwUZD
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6btFPjLDfP
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzFfqs7Mo4
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQM76PDV1P
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiMIiUi2zB
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuJw66M15x
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGkbauXMz
"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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqVlWxQdF2
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHZf0Ss8Zb
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pOydx6m0M
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGLLcm4W56
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM2oKTBEMl
But my brother ignored the question.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6fEXQlv7K
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfzLaVjlly
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWttYLYxrp
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL7ms2mlfW
"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!"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm6KYuFQLW
"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!"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q26HUeamX
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx3WTyrPLs
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ7EsviP6j
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjDGEfaLB1
Joe spoke to our brother.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCNfKV0xL2
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSaAbGatBc
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb9gw60hTd
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1353gETvGn
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnZwJQFmrM
"Kuya..."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB33GwMcJ1Y
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aKO7cMFw1
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xut3fHPDl
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Ji8gxgJc
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReaQIHLQ8O
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8JOVk2lbw
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmble9NLZFr
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ujnOX5Qq
"Yes anak?" she replied.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqXXuL7eAF
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTd7NUI4Fe
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ3J29faZv
I shrugged.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeDWp4Xnse
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsXzocRJiI
Her head violently turned toward me.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS9608coNM
"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?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGGghGIbR9
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY8ziV5Yps
"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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbADMcN0Ic
Luh.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ50tdT5Np9
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDAj92s7UR
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs6GcDp2UD
"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?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ8SPBevGZ
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbu90V494t
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhl8UQDkYn
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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuV2y5ldBi
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTOd6c7yyN
No, I didn't.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfl1UeDsVR
"Right?" she insisted.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzUmj2znGl
I released a heavy sigh.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXApStyEWp
"Right," I said in resignation.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6t2nQSajj
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT3Izr694T
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZOGqVpkvj
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