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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo9xnsCBbT
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4pi2OpXhI
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLaC5hHk3m
"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."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA0bra8aCk
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nvRXUAtuY
"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."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfdXNdJnud
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNH3c0py0o
"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."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7mHuc6YrS
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0RakqHKzH
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81OCunIkto
"But mama—"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFUL5dtmPZ
"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."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOMZ23QVg7
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVV8zAysZB
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHmTXTvIwl
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjcXBhciFK
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDXHsKICYb
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ02n1cy1n1
He quickly composed himself.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7xfcYA83N
"I'll try," he replied.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WCy1KythH
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI9OvQAdav
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvbQKVwgmV
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflc6pBYvRo
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hn66uctx1
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGowBWHbDGs
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM606ZoUWW
 637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y3wkOhPm4
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?637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZvXEZiQLz
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0EYLViSeS
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTC32rO9uU
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvqxJkiUvR
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG5VaaVbCJ
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrn8LrPW37
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD49cDT2YBT
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcybnFhpw52
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG60eoCAyBU
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYj80ITjO6
My brows arched out of curiosity.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoULiNgb20O
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuxObICsEP
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc6uTKcYyd
"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."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61qfyLo6v7
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSwc8rAjR5
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Jsqps7m8
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrWogYXsuZ
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlYhusxDfa
 637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3neOe9Q5QR
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwtAb9UDNW
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX27vQmiq5X
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKxXHoGzx2
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB7xoxavtG
"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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cn171Cqi4
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq106FZ7x2
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHx2XIGtz9
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6FXTtQRq
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEek3EHerBw
But my brother ignored the question.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eDjNisTS
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknZInoCYWS
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzQljrbb8T
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9pSMaL91b
"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!"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXlvAG9t2X
"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!"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHnwyMWr6B
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMjtj8aTTK
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekj7wfgBfS
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtW3Sptaaf
Joe spoke to our brother.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMh5ffZZH5
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxiMxL7iXK
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34qibMYGnd
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQEVZG6whK
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetc9kz1TBw
"Kuya..."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqVS5xu0hZ
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllHOi7W70O
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aXwaFTqKT
 637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeyJUYOFWn
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BNo7hRgsN
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ673rj4t89w
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWrn1nsSgE
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMjttX9xNJ
"Yes anak?" she replied.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr6T0juIo9
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61SPHFo04Q
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklJT0nR6oO
I shrugged.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiKQ5dW2A6
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4uR26mLiT
Her head violently turned toward me.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcReAfuD0Ra
"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?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j3LErue1c
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nwb5Hozw8
"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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1lL0iTC15
Luh.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz8bTWwFw2
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRv6wYb4kd
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ6QpSsdDq
"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?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOntK898UQ
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK6fDIsuN3
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy94Sf9RtR
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.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK1uJUNhp3
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UFilr3KYj
No, I didn't.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQrQs4Oorl
"Right?" she insisted.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA4u8OBitD
I released a heavy sigh.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLmTCPY36
"Right," I said in resignation.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWgblyRcws
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhrv5o9CiE
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IJNC4YR6E
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