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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uGHKXUP8h
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzzIDmwhj
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx86E9eQsLi
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmUHJGrevk
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrenPDQp3aq
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH5f8iMxSi
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhtrxEUTlR
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBAkn0JZHt
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73ExyRUlQv
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7w853X8A5
"But mama—"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgqfxJMI8v
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgUnbsANKl
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIZCOmjkyy
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SnUXB02CS
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPgjjtOReK
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3v4ICBK5L
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSrlmKEk24
He quickly composed himself.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG5UtrhEo7
"I'll try," he replied.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlPjvk4NGw
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DVMwD0wnU
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUiAotTICK
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLals2p2WQk
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx7QlFlm7J
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNmhryhLiI
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15IAcoQsS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b80v1qOKG
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?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7nue106V
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmKyV2bS6D
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL5fkIzziG
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxi3TVwd0l
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NozcX3Q2O
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVFMLkuMeG
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q76fjKcur
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UoCNePt1
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN2DpCbSqF
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIlyDDjJ10
My brows arched out of curiosity.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBLj8wLpbb
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZc4rKKy9K
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ixjBE1zc
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAugYw0htl
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjLshDegFR
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCEUOc2p9A
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG6blmZ8AV
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiQ7skHYP5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCu3ZlARga
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkSB502jbm
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu5RpVz6ey
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgwn3skphG
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecz0WEmYT8
"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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQxojedcbR
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zTVXVYPmQ
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnEYlBtGxB
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5bXH6o6ng
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl1JGA0q10
But my brother ignored the question.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfoXlt6O4d
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWBhM69K0
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMP5VAqLTg
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHYT0vjDUJ
"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!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW8rXEeyhG
"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!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztbu9UiAxw
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tqqn5mPEP
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYgpv9qkuN
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphsC4DJkfJ
Joe spoke to our brother.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7YnUDYCVr
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwybpBTwf5
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerWRhvSYVN
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXPF4zFuv1
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5dSA0YOYq
"Kuya..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpJkGOD7qP
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoEmPnp3xa
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbtidS9rge
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rkLeIG7Iu
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9WQqwaudR
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlumR1fwmx
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mErnQ599D
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6iscoMXt9
"Yes anak?" she replied.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQjroZzqHm
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofYpmauep2
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVxOvO86U
I shrugged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQkjSKAvHL
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PKBz01zGr
Her head violently turned toward me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSi39sPkMf
"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?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8czKmL6iWi
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8E5GRuEH1
"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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8b9Ocia4o
Luh.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKn15Dud8J
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7yxq2v51s
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXYExVGPPN
"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?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETJzIL2LIj
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNnHUwvHGk
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lu9nyAVmK
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyL0oFOSRT
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAecGENzzz
No, I didn't.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ODfoMJZP
"Right?" she insisted.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg86DVBdCr
I released a heavy sigh.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwx1T5qWLU
"Right," I said in resignation.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnywMnWAxtF
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqos7lrOyS
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ulnaB8SPt
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