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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWhlP9HM7U
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHQbQBOK5Y
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cPgGrtVFG
"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."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1f1DLdzD6
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco1feBjzrv
"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."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEinnez15M7
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQVBnvlcUj
"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."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvesKDS0vue
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMToAaZuNbs
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgT4Z9ZdnD
"But mama—"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJPfMnCb9m
"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."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfueoSdlssD
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEyvtkJdb
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNNdfb2k7k
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L1tvcMyCd
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJSDxLLzi0
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLvD7OdWrE
He quickly composed himself.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVzoFCHDMV
"I'll try," he replied.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6YSRbpSd
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxr2JFg5hf
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v3b82D7AC
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJtJ1lTEQU
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrEyalmVRp
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oxqyeDApK
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtTxuZwJld
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBDrvi7CNp
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?348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8rqQHOyKX
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn81enxOohI
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyOq2PylGV
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JoX3JcJqI
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYplVV2DMdE
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Rlbak98q
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2qjRoeOtj
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGGXJOSSof
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq1kHQX864
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb2acjEOxC
My brows arched out of curiosity.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd3flNTYS7
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkziNCIX02w
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDacPmvLgoQ
"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."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vq0Yshi3o
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTmW18d5HA
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRGU91TKsc
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKmbp41BMA
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNy0QkuzIP
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZDxT8WK7b
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUVz6hIUNj
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEhi6ANDc7
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOAAToZtbp
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNMliTcHhL
"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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cpIRcEEhq
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjLGNJc3FL
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnm5fvB3Ev
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJBHgsBid
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23zMfqQNyK
But my brother ignored the question.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3D7slOjpI
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4syST4vOYI
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFEIP69Wxe
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2leqDBp6eS
"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!"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURNm4LUChG
"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!"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKmMUjC3H8
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUeyWCxhzY
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63SgGjs179
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3iG8eLyNb
Joe spoke to our brother.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCqlG1whjb
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDgz3OhEOv
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb3DHGvMcN
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINQL3vhZG
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ahRmBzVgj
"Kuya..."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg7UZuxcDf
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFVmtky6Fz
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb30Q3EKqiU
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTykAnMU81
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVPKrZ1V2l
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJUELUnz3a
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatdltvDLa
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk85EhO63j
"Yes anak?" she replied.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjf0WkcX6K
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1zjuUEWLJ
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7wRMjaG5y
I shrugged.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusao19wXN0
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fsfFG9xu7
Her head violently turned toward me.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjPSTXeahf
"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?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibk9EmegWE
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTnIXvyJ5q
"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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tszvnwEk4
Luh.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdCuIeUp11
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun8su8Pfis
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDYRmnZNbD
"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?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPVaW4WuWm
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU1uWjGcHR
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6PLiokFrA
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.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhZugtzcu
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4PXEArAx3
No, I didn't.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvLC2DJZWd
"Right?" she insisted.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUkOpPONSi
I released a heavy sigh.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLszop44H3
"Right," I said in resignation.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0L2Q1SrjW
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc9odg92Ev
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpAkjP1Hw
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
