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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQBpgX2E2N
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BKvmrpJeJ
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEEAiEa15J
"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."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenqg1izpl8
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0kWvqaKzu
"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."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YDbZO4qIk
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDSKbXALQM
"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."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHG20XoXqS
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBCIsZf1O2
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW8k5g90OA
"But mama—"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLbv1XaQ8P
"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."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv72Dhy7wrJ
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JWRtB7Rng
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt7i2DygyZ
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5pNMVYNV1
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz9sg05Wj9
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GXyaJVDIV
He quickly composed himself.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dKKyDMJee
"I'll try," he replied.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuV3HqiMku
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJufwe83CF
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpE3duBZO
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRK0tVhPTl
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoGGDFG05C
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d9IrHUdpT
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7DCa80MMN
 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx07rLAG8D6
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?338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0qdkb8dw3
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zbmWBOiv0
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a4DvwfjpY
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DjHnVSMLE
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FdmHazSdn
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe40QI75rJ8
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34te3KK3NL
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc3Ao3cX3m
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9zV2jENB9
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1uH2lVEju
My brows arched out of curiosity.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXj6iOBaYX
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ULLVIhUC5
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzeNVtxJd8
"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."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviqcQFdW7I
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwfmH4HlNK
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtTJltj8cu
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyegLyriZN
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm6nmDUO1R
 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRyGtJESLH
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi8qpuSwOn
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstzfZy53XJ
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUv2fOiTTc
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYraXhweGLB
"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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fAHO71q5d
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio0UAAhVcO
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLPL8frYvj
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jJXYn3D2D
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7e8v8NSTA
But my brother ignored the question.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuja6II7X8U
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo6oOLi0sL
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8i2C4mxsp
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXOSCmQXOs
"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!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee1yy6yWC1
"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!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sfs9QGlje
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDvYBazQEj
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiuMMMKtgV
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvsd7R5VOp
Joe spoke to our brother.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqUk4CKsaA
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xKPr8y47E
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoqBC16cYD
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Q6tU8TX5
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVnp4JJHEb
"Kuya..."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TYyOavv4C
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj0YP6PGi8
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3gZ9T8r7
 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykilSENE9n
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Us71a6q3U
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmqxk38aUw
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mTwJQ5Aq3
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC75vA0UaJ5
"Yes anak?" she replied.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cxB2SzOOt
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YmN96Cksz
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBmndZo1ji
I shrugged.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb6M8w5rLy
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwAdEXpiZe
Her head violently turned toward me.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnlk1StTRF
"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?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLNM8OkE2t
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuvvCa2yCp
"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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheXrzz1S6Q
Luh.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYwkOrJUaC
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw64LuikMm
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc6Fo5YXuw
"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?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg02VmkRBHr
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d2IN0xtyh
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL6IFKzBHl
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SEoGxpnk7
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkRtK0Qh9d
No, I didn't.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNvleNLZw9
"Right?" she insisted.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4RymPAI7m
I released a heavy sigh.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwHb4VJ1IF
"Right," I said in resignation.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWDdBR0UOE
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfzOj3m7lo
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQZVHAA9CG
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