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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYiH3qWl7V
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5fOHhcYLT
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSaNdwPoH
"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."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPX9aSnVsm
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb9Upwvn7o
"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."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxErwW562F
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDBh0H9bP6
"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."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3x0CT6PcE
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u50feqZIs
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyuVSe8Xtm
"But mama—"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwWh34QGZV
"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."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OLvAwR0J9
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PBzRDIueb
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNHvZU6Fz3
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXsQewoCXL
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRdYIZhlFk
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sHu9mcgYr
He quickly composed himself.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbBjaexNGr
"I'll try," he replied.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kUirMdW76
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIzSMUhhJy
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmu6cfPAob
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDi1JXgQt6
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHVC9PulZq
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW36t2Klfk
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83eJsvtAEy
316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8slsCVyOV
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?316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMscdcGZze
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBAfVPInmV
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmJuBEisGf
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLlToN9dIv
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtqYP2bALH
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKm5srJaJE
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS21igJVZXz
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoBHcgxpHp
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm9f8PBaGb
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2v9c6x7XP
My brows arched out of curiosity.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoI4HASvSl
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqXwouV7lc
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAN8MyirQc
"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."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7czijBbIya
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v7V4X9n69
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH7NuP4AdT
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wVFJSJXPn
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcEsMd3SvA
316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx5cXnJz2T
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0byIxhhZZS
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5XP85lxcu
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfknq1ceYnf
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfbpmd6SIE
"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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV0qz1ac1p
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe6yzwG0IN
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8WjJjfJzX
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB2L5nIIB2
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInhss53zJl
But my brother ignored the question.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JDtInM57
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4T6CNhhcH
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOT8qWd8oy
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPfdTgY2Yz
"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!"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHMIHv7FvJ
"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!"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmzboKXctu
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynedShbNdd
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5V1u8R86f
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcr3E0bHqZ
Joe spoke to our brother.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzuvSUfJF1
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMBOCnyQhQ
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn17XGJCe8
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK1BQrW3Zy
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKiO1lI6pT
"Kuya..."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA50eU65wF
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCGjF1PAz5
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYsTpj8siy
316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopOrS7m5xD
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7F2EU8zIO
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnO4seAzis
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGBkehfz9L
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG5CTax1ub
"Yes anak?" she replied.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F4FdXmt39
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvgLoLsdWz
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa9hrQ2xPN
I shrugged.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwZaikq7L3
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO1f9QWsCO
Her head violently turned toward me.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQf3PneYlD
"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?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k1xto8wsP
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpqfm9XBR4
"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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeVOuOfl5c
Luh.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8WbQGlNo8
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqq8gKq1Me
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakp14GxLHS
"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?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrCRh8SAHb
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz7HvqFY3k
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0bnpY9l2C
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.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmtgAEfROE
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdjh9x4H3P
No, I didn't.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutOdfWhRhI
"Right?" she insisted.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaIdrIKv0J
I released a heavy sigh.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKvICjkWx5
"Right," I said in resignation.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nU1iBgdFY
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjekSVtmei
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.316Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ6UcxPfga
Penana
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