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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBTv6zQS1v
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTar59TISD6
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBHpKHqdEi
"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."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFgrhDseRv
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9isoiQpycl
"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."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2QtlMljYq
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk1bbMRt3U
"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."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae9kmWA4vl
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGCEKSg2C3
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDGvfd7gAd
"But mama—"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwvNOy8Iku
"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."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TXYFS0lnJ
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRXBD0B0eI
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h8c2K8WKl
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFagMoElSEQ
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccVmoL0RIl
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjchmePOax
He quickly composed himself.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaxenEE3u7
"I'll try," he replied.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapMuCczxuC
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAmU8YzPqY
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYYVFS8L3
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmaAwjwNEU
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqhi3Syro
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdb3eB7cQF
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHLZqu8ZIs
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijuc756qA2
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?394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFINgvePL01
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdTnbnw8lR
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XV5AKM8Cf
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq10K9KyY4
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTGk7qjmhR
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7FfmKwgtn
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ4DGrapI7
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWluz7epJM
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFqkk7ARZd
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcx586vTIb
My brows arched out of curiosity.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0s9GusYfp
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyRIJCkI57
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFXVAEg91L
"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."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSDW8Ra3cY
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLACqtohw
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WE4qFcGb4
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLSvussIYn
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKuC4kFThA
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSI2OUauIi
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIxNUR1OXS
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70BHsuP2G2
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBMyPnehWw
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvCShYFvQV
"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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHKBkdhpT7
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVES2wnh6V
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeba4uhjWhz
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIkgSGIKMy
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9sE045Eps
But my brother ignored the question.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORI071ReIs
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyow19mmdGt
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN21j9VxYpR
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvppN3vLlvy
"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!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2LrL96W50
"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!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgf385YJGH
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBTWpRSR1S
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaidzpQOFX
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNTqzyUn3q
Joe spoke to our brother.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQddWGWhi
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CJIhKToGx
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQY722j4dN
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjnHEnLvgL
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7dUfPqiFF
"Kuya..."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsQjtj8g28
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUlpUi0F9Q
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPiwUC0N3G
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv0tCEZPIJ
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXxEpqcVaj
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ibfn0GGmr
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD201h4qZ4
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSQkzcFQ2s
"Yes anak?" she replied.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK8XZipBfj
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvzH6vonvv
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBbTwXseGI
I shrugged.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rWLNKX3i2
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzaMx51I16
Her head violently turned toward me.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNu6PiNx5b
"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?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxadSmPG1of
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd7qS5aNWA
"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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP5QxyVb3b
Luh.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZQxjyyzka
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFaVI6UetZ
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR1Mf2aMbM
"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?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtFcmvQ1Vs
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2bIOtt0f6
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe0MTJS5Rq
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.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Sg0KrTMm
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkQ2uLCPFz
No, I didn't.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEWUTSZAWX
"Right?" she insisted.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW9sbzEeI4
I released a heavy sigh.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeFeUkQJda
"Right," I said in resignation.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1S9wIiktf
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtmgRjtRKE
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorDa6YAxhO
Penana
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