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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiskqCI7vBb
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz8mghHWBK
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx1DlMui7L
"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."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkOx969kg9
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY3ZtZ4fx4
"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."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGHFHaruwi
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNw1wIUQ3d
"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."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0C1ZBFT2E
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eIM0jt2JI
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlg8JuVH2
"But mama—"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXiFsX2N6H
"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."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMlSg0Dmq8
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dcyP41FDj
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fl6defQGT
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EyTomPPBs
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQAV16Ie9B
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fKM5PWmbQ
He quickly composed himself.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyojBejiL4Y
"I'll try," he replied.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEpjF9h2nG
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhwBuHYstt
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vwkeInyf
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuL7MOHxBH
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ84podKB6
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpg2aUgKWh
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ok7mlxphO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHlww55TG7
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?295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp44Id5dQUJ
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf30DQUhsY1
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRQVvBfhhA
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRZaHN3t2D
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x9D3JGBp4
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qPaD28naD
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ106aNT2XEf
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcfpHCoVdE
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwobNEdVbWn
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kCxsSxZop
My brows arched out of curiosity.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjTBhen196
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ROYwB1Oh
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlgRiZFAqz
"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."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLHWoV3CM7
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc197egoz9J
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4jHfH1o37
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNS2yOdypY
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2sJLrjVb8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB4FW6vfMU
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKzIBkkIP7
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZxDKJuNMW
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeHIAwpmXO
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvvfZujO1k
"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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3mgI9B4Hd
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcrpuKi0f9
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqAPn9bptZ
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn2WFgnTzO
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMAajvrQiY
But my brother ignored the question.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4MM3DsK0u
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpxeSIw8rg
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHtllpC5Db
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc570Im9UW2
"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!"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dlwWhHFWs
"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!"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL53xft0gb
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RjzVFOQ8o
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkYiCR0mK9
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y4doIExef
Joe spoke to our brother.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY9EQbc1Zy
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbWvn87w8j
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6P02AfNAO
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTvAHH440Y
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0pFnV7lGw
"Kuya..."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEZonXGj4W
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx59qxrFRS
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXGHUb4yhD
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUle54X71IM
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphwjf6BYOl
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXPQ2qmFni
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF25U4THUIH
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaRRraYliS
"Yes anak?" she replied.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq4mlu2Skt
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ43GfMWAC
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr0uXp1P5z
I shrugged.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUClIuNR3L
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSKPvuRj0e
Her head violently turned toward me.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTKPnqRfL8
"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?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHriOdXk06w
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4i2k9HPES
"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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVJNQiiT5G
Luh.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7r8QzESqk
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8dJ2stB4U
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dlFhTWo71
"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?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cdezMLMDI
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXOdeR7YyI
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpuPkN5dqB
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.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYGGMwzca3
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBGI1PIfJq
No, I didn't.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgItwXWLeoT
"Right?" she insisted.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9mPvnEcqA
I released a heavy sigh.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSFcyk3Dxk
"Right," I said in resignation.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdfZxpqPbf
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlljB1nIPaQ
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYPHEZKB2p
Penana
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