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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfIKm0w03O
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKCYITI0Os
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc09VWgm2T
"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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvafQhCOdhq
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiQAPBghbQ
"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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchMHbC3d6O
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk9YslFtvK
"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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeioAqkyCj
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5y2whUJGk
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8xBZ4CjcW
"But mama—"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJLLyFGuBh
"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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKASH3oFVs
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQhgn6kBlk
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87xBjkHsmL
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv9kXK9JRH
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiCcSAE1oA
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp5Qw51s2G
He quickly composed himself.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hT8EU04gV
"I'll try," he replied.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK6q5hqAzE
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTBS9WnXp6
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEqpP7MeLx
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D39sqilL5
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fGvAucff2
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5TdDtubl9
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRzHsoaA4U
347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANiuN5uPza
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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePshD66B2v
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKcmleEwzk
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTGjen3obZ
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqMQ2SXKjM
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVPMkJ29DM
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzmOzWjAN7
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpOt5hPFDl
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWMwxl3QhB
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzJzcUfD1L
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFAcfAmY56
My brows arched out of curiosity.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxZBefFFwm
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmcDqun6AJ
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYi40QtDOH
"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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGOdHEel6p
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDcsGF55ZN
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ZV1Gk50Y
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlUwFbDELW
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkgyd6MkJm
347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4zvd6cIlw
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJUKumqHuy
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvNkfcOkcP
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ecjsPuZW
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f03TSpAk1
"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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFTCIqbjDT
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PoF3c7lBa
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIeUb59Sz2
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXrkDHVG3m
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPMNXptm6Y
But my brother ignored the question.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQqRTdqlng
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2fce2q5hJ
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNpx8mbF5W
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMLxBpPXAP
"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!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRfkU1BJTh
"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!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iBKdSMQj2
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmNJJxoUHs
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsrWPJ7JZK
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAFr9WUtMO
Joe spoke to our brother.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuYV1pMcrI
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuUbszwIn1
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1NDEXzfBX
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl72OZlj4x
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsu5FvKAGi
"Kuya..."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithpS3GrjM
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIVkSUtw1K
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpVhXM9gTg
347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCeMi5Pukh
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh920unDVmv
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJqCGgMraU
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQZaARWy6d
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iOClWvv44
"Yes anak?" she replied.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0zKof9s27
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLTGPd2NRJ
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGyh0HVDUR
I shrugged.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjPYL47rms
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ2lPRLxeU
Her head violently turned toward me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX5d40xlkt
"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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Feo1aK67T
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWsKNXzspU
"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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yvyu2v9cp
Luh.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2PO44XYO7
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4flgSUlpTv
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMDtG8HOFp
"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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimTcDoPnwF
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPVwFHQqSP
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MnOgStLHy
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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHPlDRMPbg
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuolBqYeDV
No, I didn't.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZLaOYURnt
"Right?" she insisted.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB2S5YJk98
I released a heavy sigh.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8XMYk1Fvx
"Right," I said in resignation.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNHcDtu26Q
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CIeUqEmpU
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRbL9DneBi
Penana
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