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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybfgonE2pF
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucwAAChfHQ
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty8JekFpDl
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKRvAgOHaM
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi0aIpf8xw
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2pfhCW5ic
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZK8ipg7q
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAa9detlw6
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPU25YeiDj
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohgaMufeHS
"But mama—"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKUgu6KaMx
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIvePX8Ofs
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKNguDr8Bv
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv2zq1EKt9
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7O4XUHdn3
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKT0gJ1ciZ
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGuOEfr1A0
He quickly composed himself.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxcCn9taMm
"I'll try," he replied.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxlgWwLdvO
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0XyerOl4J
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9BuqrZngR
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbGKGxC4Yz
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuzCz9KGhp
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1UyN2l2AJ
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlyihU1KMQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9ziMgNiV9
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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK77hFtmJ2d
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPJ0xcSkl8
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8xLLNnlJ6
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEJmez3Lq7
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PQa8DZwFb
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2niCPmJLn
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImEgMvIQpH
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKsu0jmjAN
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1ATriHRNN
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JxRt7nDx9
My brows arched out of curiosity.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RxpQe3Q7J
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpnDGiJHwb
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHG6QPYZYB
"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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYWpaFoUlr
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vMST0qxMi
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuywlPF8Xq
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCgP5saYJ2
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3YE3fM2g9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3TbK7gz94
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ja5WMuZW
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEygDzJjm5
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhL9gGWrjF
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsB3PCJdma
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ji6hiugw
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MVeYGtm7Y
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8kR4d6EKi
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcrYGOQwtY
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeBoJ6h0z0
But my brother ignored the question.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9cv7l1jeU
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFE9nE1taL
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysFf4Ztlr1
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdGVWGxXzG
"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!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW26Z62AeH
"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!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl8GggxE5x
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6k85lKPwh
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSogaetvJr
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt2U7CHHcF
Joe spoke to our brother.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszbkGTx9P1
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz40G1WqHP
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQnI6selSo
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAl4XCdDp6
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMOGoJqpiH
"Kuya..."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPT2hv3Vhk
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqu2VHyBjY
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJYV806HBA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrwiddZr7R
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi9IqVnc0k
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Z8Vv38jg
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu4pee5KPa
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamgB9AFn1n
"Yes anak?" she replied.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxVvjbwM9s
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ8HXlXZSb
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1kM2onXJH
I shrugged.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1dod59qB5
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01T0oqQdCZ
Her head violently turned toward me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpAWLIuHrD
"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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV1PhDFFvE
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYxw9aO0L
"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9spftH2se
Luh.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKOkAiNgiX
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBsuCpords
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BxBK1ce4S
"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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfca2tkTo6h
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM07DUkCWq5
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ9QA9MP8Z
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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw1NGhZeIq
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXpNIWzsjK
No, I didn't.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE5lAF7Eni
"Right?" she insisted.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc35L8hGzM
I released a heavy sigh.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmbEebFABF
"Right," I said in resignation.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWvuaE0q28
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDUBxgPhkg
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S4DGcZvQq
Penana
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