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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4mXV4ghk2
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRomWeeVhNe
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3se4l6tlPs
"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."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIbhnmERoo
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmZGR8VFYs
"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."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb3ghIJnSv
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiJjUXhCdN
"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."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dLwFBYSZ8
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTzsmJ6CJv
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfa4ub3JRa
"But mama—"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkmX9npe2i
"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."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcgLUWq3HF
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyWZCoIdJb
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoA9icdGZP
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7glDkWsDo
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Ij2FZiaL
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBdlXPFqnR
He quickly composed himself.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz8CmA2Ts0
"I'll try," he replied.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4PST290Rc
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDRnrQbIRV
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp3z6AoDTp
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWby6wgE3rk
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMeb5yTDhi
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJTVOM14OF
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvU9rimTvk
318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgLdwa5VsU
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?318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmWd3iyAQD
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9uuaF7LSf
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAg6sSbv5p
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbrx2vGgf1
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSReYiPtT5U
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBrnmlcGvh
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGMjBHXlTb
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA3FVh0wlP
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhSWmdWPZN
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaKkSfuYbn
My brows arched out of curiosity.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvu4vzm85o
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DJqEIoR4O
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxd7kzNbIE
"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."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw4mYpkVG3
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliOzmwzCuO
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIaYM7ISPo
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaPdcJe4DJ
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO4xRBu7Ew
318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37N2ZyCL8p
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lEooww9Rk
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnPfoyCdJU
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsZngW1gQL
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNqtt3sXV6
"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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaCuXQuGs5
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6qeRvbJv3
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvYbkslwuq
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UbCsFrjSp
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79K5RoZDk3
But my brother ignored the question.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10i5hrbbRp
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWk93LLMyY
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan3EsQ2ewS
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRscPByvMkl
"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!"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP8hxO2iYp
"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!"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZYIeUmRBX
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGn1Rt4N6R
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOgKqjz0cu
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQw74ls1EA
Joe spoke to our brother.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFYobj4Skj
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEsRcqmfFk
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqDPZZj2Nm
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AZhPOrSzO
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk1UINUqaR
"Kuya..."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m5NI8yLtp
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsT5EVk1eN
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMgLWW5eGP
318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cte4DWR7Q
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9K4NYJdUq
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZSO3z842H
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZbFalnYgg
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem804tOqkH
"Yes anak?" she replied.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn4zBYbVbC
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2wXDJtGC5
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeFwVSLtZs
I shrugged.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmFPNonsKe
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG65Rh0Oui
Her head violently turned toward me.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ukv7uly3E
"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?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZeLxnePDt
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxDJk0GFhP
"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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pHY1UpUuq
Luh.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOrYuENcxK
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdMKjUimNk
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oIy4V5Yl0
"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?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglV7xZAEd2
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToKAVFxhz2
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs86rm5kEJM
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.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0OQK373H2
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnU6qWyLSU
No, I didn't.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX489taqy6
"Right?" she insisted.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZbLeuR5f
I released a heavy sigh.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA96jO9OB5
"Right," I said in resignation.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ1DYl9o33
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVvNsmbWhG
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.318Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlX2QgVl7P
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
