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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ky03NBfM
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiF6EBXvZq
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGZPDxXWVA
"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."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVPPOeWzeS
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKibaQ4URFp
"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."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIQMNxFQeD
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv42DK9E63U
"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."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO3mrlvWvy
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2tIfGmP02
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqkwtpePh6
"But mama—"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv9c3LYS05
"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."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpyDdyl0Y4
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JuMgJA2q2
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9U9WN4y6j
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsdL4lR8KO
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkalxXJHRrg
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkvQ7jShw1
He quickly composed himself.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeFBbKgzre
"I'll try," he replied.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8w7nxtur3
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbe8bUnlve
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTZCEZMoaM
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmwF6kjMWq
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkxdbiSc1r
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43glIdqeYc
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQLAaQnH07
420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sms7BzRY4
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?420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2flM4nooK
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkWrjyTzVc
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE1ctaODOl
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQZpGqzT8b
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFLsaPODtb
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zh74TPHD7
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsW8T3dDwO
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxxwDB5zkr
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpuLsOkyt5
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB9PjIz6ec
My brows arched out of curiosity.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoN4QgFyKO
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMuDXL68mk
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5j1hESynX
"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."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPrRKDYmB5
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItYp5Orhnu
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz39fJacLG
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsBgWiYImX
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7DaPJwhTS
420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqPKiHopQb
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiPOttMNgF
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV80Jv2PBo
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr24RBvuu6d
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFAZHLPgWG
"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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4orqPE6Q0u
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJpv58dclE
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhpjHLCsbi
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTidL4cUXo6
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPw6pr1CX
But my brother ignored the question.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YTfA244LI
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29cy0tHjrE
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HXXBf8gqT
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAUfoevHm4
"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!"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSiGM9WZEw
"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!"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIh2lupebL
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVaVt76GRN
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuawKc9vb7
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2gCQkjrZM
Joe spoke to our brother.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryHcA7FeOj
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjLTTWqJDi
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Js3tBv3EM
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnOCxvtooY
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24KQbg791c
"Kuya..."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmANTwWY8Ry
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZlOm9hgpf
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8fb2r5kzZ
420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVonTx3N5yv
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigPPpSCsOv
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZfEjr8Mqw
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVSqDzZGHj
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ9LEgcYVA
"Yes anak?" she replied.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwsJf7uK3I
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32ANKUe6xw
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamoxflVMrG
I shrugged.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rtBtAOlIR
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtwGFjhCD1
Her head violently turned toward me.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE5Lu8pP0p
"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?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBCpPsIgP4
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NxR6b31YP
"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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXbO0HELwZ
Luh.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAhp52bUA9
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG0PVEPvX6
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzK1EJxo1S
"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?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRek0bgW3Pp
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFreoSo5Eo
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURX3PYBtCQ
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.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyUcmn2cJG
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyhmTAGSvq
No, I didn't.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaa5mlsOfk
"Right?" she insisted.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq4RGBelel
I released a heavy sigh.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkoB6i3Gag
"Right," I said in resignation.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCUFUmX3mK
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxDyK9L9Tk
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.420Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q3ibP6mbd
Penana
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