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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHUdjswUT0
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXO7zxaah6
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC8rVjdpfo
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWsAZPZ2EW
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MlzaMu71T
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi30r2n61H
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrSEcDlQPJ
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8E5CJlixm
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71aPHiaRbu
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQiZoU1hXR
"But mama—"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvaxhTCV9X
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV5SEPyQkN
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A9YPM4zQa
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubnxkf8cO
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcyg3CY80t
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyPjnA6GcI
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X4HjTTXGN
He quickly composed himself.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzURLp2hIaE
"I'll try," he replied.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4w4aghDbr
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI53nrVn67
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqgpAk63RM
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡato9GtmUk2
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2JjIMO1mn
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIIu0wSbvp
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJgJXVBfty
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9DRHittjf
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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oM4YoBLYK
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSgRqaH6AK
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXH7HUdod7
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVdu3zCKv9
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2u4if0nnA
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y0KGFCfmw
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TamMZkxfL
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU8Ghp5YNe
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQBKYyIJXe
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGq9RRZbrk
My brows arched out of curiosity.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugI4peKxJa
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCCP99Hog
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrARpFGiRt
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HYq2J37hb
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4G4EOIfG7
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioKvyR446z
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQIFIfinvd
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4PFhgYUE4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z1bVCXZFC
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsZJwztoLv
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIquVFHnfnG
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm9OBQn533
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TsYqARI70
"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDAOXdR28t
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDNf3kXwPp
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTWOrglLkP
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnBdImeJWV
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG6rxseL7i
But my brother ignored the question.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty3uWuVrzj
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VgmSrl2Wu
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1h42UtOCb
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal3HV9gHSu
"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!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi4ZKy8i3R
"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!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49rnxWaEQG
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmk6KknqAS
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheSZIEQwhm
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQxDu54N1A
Joe spoke to our brother.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlK5RKo9xE
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EhQMosgIK
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eH92CH5Gn
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vW9CggIEa
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZIrKH8uDa
"Kuya..."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDMXIcVODN
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsLvYVJ6uK
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAISOx9nIDH
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H6xSjKTJL
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEsruPZg9E
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbFuOdUZRK
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIppWUYNrbw
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVJAf4kr1V
"Yes anak?" she replied.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4XZdu7Epr
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzDHHp93yu
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN2DfSHrlP
I shrugged.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzXbh302Fp
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTJAbil6GA
Her head violently turned toward me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZq4j37ulq
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RViEZUWpc
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bJFJtjsz9
"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTwo0sQv38
Luh.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4tINr6vHf
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRBuNyRRtH
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoBaOwPtAW
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ1UkWwRG3
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbVw8I89Kx
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0yGY4oSBu
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjeJvfjC05
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynTKxoYkJW
No, I didn't.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7lvIPU2X3
"Right?" she insisted.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeuOEqZBLQ
I released a heavy sigh.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT6PqNUjKE
"Right," I said in resignation.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhriKDyW08g
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ZjoLl6Gc
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKrR2uUeR9
Penana
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