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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjsxKm5rX3
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7lY9Y7p3T
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI1BrljEGZ
"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."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqnbSQIDZS
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFg0b3BR7P
"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."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALIbXbJDib
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0Ecl7sgdD
"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."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtllCzAULvp
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00BGOeIHqW
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6xDSGhi7X
"But mama—"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmqB3Kll7F
"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."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TxSKnevW9
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWUxCJ9DMV
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JXQBHnssF
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jbSxvrUKI
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7N1HRY3W1
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ0Vdebmhd
He quickly composed himself.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOjWaCQNkq
"I'll try," he replied.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpWVN5IiAE
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6TZN0P31v
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPfMHfUvus
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1D2WDee70
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHJPBOLfYd
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pnu0cw9v1
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8moW8R13pK
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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?470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxr3wOySQ
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevrFHoOi6n
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbzQQd8Qjq
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWge2bkZPd
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisJeowJfZD
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHxQJx19t9
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bEBWUfwaB
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iMJkPCZZV
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEBbX4jAEf
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwWgwiqCmj
My brows arched out of curiosity.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPry4vQE9l
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbFtCRCgE
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2O7PN38ce
"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."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ueUI63Q5h
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eYR3dj7kz
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb3rTcgFeU
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcGQPVh73R
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUQHre1v5v
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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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQcX6vasYm
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUgHYqeLq1
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1PCkDgpqr
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelCtaUHc1d
"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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr15wnojcSm
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5KnYWdX8s
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzwWNrvQAO
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LaQqEbuhJ
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXF1czQgJj
But my brother ignored the question.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZuCbBYS78
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBqSoAZ8l9
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgF8uoQciQ
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYLNpHntlG
"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!"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BkPgYs5cN
"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!"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMYVmKOmLD
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0gpChMoqv
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdU99X97mh
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERM9EE0u9c
Joe spoke to our brother.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFvz4thTrj
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTK6TKWWvo
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsGgGX98gT
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pXczAJuHO
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7kT1LiW6Y
"Kuya..."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Js8ZhI3j
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36VQ6MBe0R
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafRngDya5R
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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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD6P8Yt1TE
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4SqZzFYiP
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtHEqy7a8c
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcTjsd951W
"Yes anak?" she replied.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfWE3KN3By
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RG354TOsV
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBycD2Vrgk
I shrugged.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe18fVxpAZ
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxt7R2Eirt
Her head violently turned toward me.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr7N062FVO
"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?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPtzChC40F
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pZ1247hQQ
"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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFnEkZq0VG
Luh.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQt0c0g1af
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWHMNQPPjY
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOmguS9aEa
"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?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IEZ537KkK
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iHn1iBRB6
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0H2ae7TDL
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.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw3fKWjZLA
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3HmxQBcB3
No, I didn't.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBFB4M2SBT
"Right?" she insisted.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkHURerVh1
I released a heavy sigh.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgydtKZ7CX1
"Right," I said in resignation.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa35Z9FGfq1
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtym49hx8nE
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMwpHQOLlf
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