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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhQMEqkPZT
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulOISPzpSH
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggGwF05Duh
"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."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI9OmPcprQ
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZADeYccrfw
"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."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1GSw3bCLm
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg49Fd4FQGk
"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."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWqOuS8q6o
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDsGy6y9Td
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5yv9qQxec
"But mama—"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg2j0diFYf
"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."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjieA75l48p
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oLvw81s4l
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0yIsG1exh
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBl9L4HVe7
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AIV9YZmOY
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ouguFzZe
He quickly composed himself.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNwBYIxmIj
"I'll try," he replied.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVsHgfnLA2
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOxDXhrjoW
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGunM2YnQtu
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ls3uUxjY
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvCo10gSBf
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZgTUEzijT
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ciQmFkac
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5NmNLvnHX
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?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r0AmAb3ox
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Wrkhg5Mx
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMnNDw3Mbi
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwYQuwK0Fk
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC8IcW1X4D
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabnox03whW
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kgafC2JUW
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwTAw3r7rQ
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kh6hrLh7W
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zzJtmLl9P
My brows arched out of curiosity.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNvyEescXQ
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT42le4cm8
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rGuFQaMA0
"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."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3nRxIF2by
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnktm5y3h8o
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Lc637Uoi
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp0DC55SjH
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebCuLR3lwD
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10x1aiGFIT
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXBHtWQmmh
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEHXincVix
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJNTuCN5I
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP2caUFebO
"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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrdzC1SoYQ
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQpLrjyzDl
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIv7uWB6SI
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjaCiV8sj6
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPRsnC8eKk
But my brother ignored the question.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbqnZd5Lnh
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPVs7teeg3
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYFpnPAoRo
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4680G3PlV
"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!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy5CoBsMEF
"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!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrne7rXd6Z
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNPaTvReV2
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIvxNxp2Ia
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlzCBJpuxf
Joe spoke to our brother.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6igPWTDRD
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY6RKMJBrG
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxrrqhZ4Id
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SrSvrVfoT
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBo2jud1Ow
"Kuya..."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQQHcQgcBH
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagy5OlAUhG
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP3BanYeyq
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6AUxdMgwk
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU1vlIl6ms
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCgbwxOKh1
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOlt3ytRq4
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOglYfbOxwG
"Yes anak?" she replied.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpoFLZdODn
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGN0BRBIHJ
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIsJyLqT2u
I shrugged.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsjMU2D8a
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4hUnNMvcK
Her head violently turned toward me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfAh8XsdTQ
"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?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKxprQmsn0
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUhPr7g1Eh
"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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj3Yi2StQW
Luh.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa2QLY27Hk
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmbyhbH22G
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBxt25TpFa
"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?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoPq0EQ4LY
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki9l6wMGCH
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MqiXyAidS
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUZkfvqKCv
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnGJUZ3eqT
No, I didn't.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPAVMJFbWw
"Right?" she insisted.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCdON0w1Yk
I released a heavy sigh.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUd0sG9lIY
"Right," I said in resignation.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVHLA4hT4c
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26i9Z9Q2Ge
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCCNyZPeNm
Penana
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