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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUlD5eMFLw
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF2NrWJqrH
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdJGJmuawc
"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."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YR90qcN0D
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ086OfMQf19
"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."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgl0s3dQB5
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EfGuBxDrq
"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."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bpQ30dFOq
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkIuYgDKOg
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbgqM7vXj6
"But mama—"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIISX1PXmwy
"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."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH1NUgf05j
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtdl0yWZAz
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhfv1PQfVv
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fKSpKccBK
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYsoraHRT8
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUEt6qepAf
He quickly composed himself.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0cqJofaid
"I'll try," he replied.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2huezkVS2O
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOkKOtBMp2
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2c0kOmN2d
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0pvFDr5J4
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD5zCJc0bb
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqlUvWdQRx
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuj0ZjNGhH
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3iagHKT6U
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?320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77zz0hJ0ma
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlGp6SSPCl
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr3jO0gRxq
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zfqklp6fY
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pBiTF0ji5
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oX6FAUYyR
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiZgyj8LnS
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF2aCdAnUm
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDKgmXIoR
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdweUfx4wc
My brows arched out of curiosity.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWA9Jz0bXq
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6p7HVbWWl
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQVR0AIIwz
"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."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8soX7a0RmO
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXCthS77zC
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuPow6nPz8
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UoX03q6eY
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbwNITqv7J
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6yMyyxC3L
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaDpnBcR4Y
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9viDbqJrr
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5e2EF41qA
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2XlrJzVlK
"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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEJvwHe8Ly
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0mkinwWUt
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2YepB6fLK
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsikNHdSdXY
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5bTmZ2R6Y
But my brother ignored the question.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq9GyIVSpi
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioZwecrxyi
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYtR9puGmG
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzE4goYnCu
"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!"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFbTt6uNMh
"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!"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqVzTsfNYc
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkGvBaYG8X
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8eVigNFfq
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFfYbq7rGY
Joe spoke to our brother.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLWLjqUxq
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv2Pd6BxWL
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GwK7BakdR
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SljKz2jbg
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsZmTFdBPk
"Kuya..."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawM2NMfTrH
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClFDYbzMcM
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOzicgu46W
320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsw8RG4xop
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYQh8nFNVg
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2ez5Yud4E
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDkFG63jqi
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNtySc65kD
"Yes anak?" she replied.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSqlWCvkuY
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWit4HTBZx
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsAmIkgISu
I shrugged.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqKAAglNMq
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbnUfah8zK
Her head violently turned toward me.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOKjS73MDn
"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?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNcJXZJmA5
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuuMrr81gI
"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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwIm87ENYJ
Luh.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvaN3KuXj1
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT3WuBvdJd
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u75kOlCLr
"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?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGwfb5gv0b
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeErx82qSB4
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH87n6DRyn
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.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Li6PTe7FN
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ul1JSsBWP
No, I didn't.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBMiQPPfgV
"Right?" she insisted.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ05G2uNVl1
I released a heavy sigh.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuucAfVG0sR
"Right," I said in resignation.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9LmQ8xcPm
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSluUJ73eIh
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ZY9t9R3E
Penana
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