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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4t2tuNWFk
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqncQ7tnPg
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR5RbwuJ3b
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTHGm81p7
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBDAylEr9W
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCAH5J95ab
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHRiZOsGlB
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswywL8G5Gp
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxygsidvLSM
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVkscaDvUs
"But mama—"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPtkXqp3fL
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtdRhbcQhY
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxeqSvohsH
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtIqw34msS
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi42QFy6Lo9
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRh63XwpRb
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhpF6a5Elm
He quickly composed himself.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2N8M9j8M8
"I'll try," he replied.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsmWV9yTTR
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhHHOvmgq5
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv2GCsIOuK
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjzd5zc7ej
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUfFRtl1tf
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxefYTu9dH
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLrMY6XKno
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANQShnJIa
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?439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIogj7ykH9
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnyViBoUTF
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5YEdlqCcb
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CzeUgxN7p
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKexloN3y
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIbPfuSMGz
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT270Owgbp
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfWalufr5l
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpke1eEEcqQ
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSx1LtGc8J
My brows arched out of curiosity.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUsHfplawI
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMbce3MdB
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVcrLB1dZC
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoEnPmAXLo
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTgTpLPOHy
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94EUWi1U8
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV1RRpoJX7
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa5vk8ymKt
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZOHkpY5sz
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv8Vu2uorI
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZPSQnaydu
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7qukAcmFl
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwihkazT5DS
"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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTK4C5jAfF
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFAXOE7Dvj
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOZZn9qCo8
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBuN0IFI4W
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzIpHA0U0K
But my brother ignored the question.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAX9coAi78
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtBYZDNHdn
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRuTAMI7HO
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQkL4Y6b3C
"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!"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73X3Xbe9Y2
"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!"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuFc2SN5q6
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3v3gvsxnX
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2ObUwDcmJ
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGm7BZ2qzq
Joe spoke to our brother.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZMrVQBcRO
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOSCp7wqqF
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUP1tp8QO7
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwW5kr1ZvB
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2QAJ7o4D3
"Kuya..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocrhz4Bm0l
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjSO7TTUaU
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5LRWl1nNJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH1VGG8fAN
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpARRdPYJQ
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK5NOvrmme
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmqVgtlO59
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvoBkMFarl
"Yes anak?" she replied.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpr1moYZNX
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81tXcgsCT5
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MmZurXZTG
I shrugged.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Ddco5QnP
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErHU4HL8RK
Her head violently turned toward me.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sXlx4vZle
"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?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5a9ZzNZ3v
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZvVWGJP0a
"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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFCByaLbOI
Luh.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdVEObIjTC
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2whYr1PZb
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx0w1QWGS8
"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?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYV2P1dt4F
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe37YcOu1cQ
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmAVcVlyn7
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfaq62HYXd
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgucjHMexql
No, I didn't.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3zCFXC01v
"Right?" she insisted.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfxJrWY4Ml
I released a heavy sigh.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTivYKiMHDk
"Right," I said in resignation.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvklE0Rh7RU
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHxHiqFRxS
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrxs6dLtIb
Penana
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