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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQLXa8XKiS
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDePbgj9MKg
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz1rSfTYdV
"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."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpprLiOKaP
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupvvqumzAL
"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."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbDosq1kCA
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU96z8YAT5x
"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."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79jRiswPjt
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdhfVn0bDz
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UNyoeAhXo
"But mama—"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oPGb6dQbv
"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."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TYQykoXi3
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz98wAE5Xl2
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YxtuHaGfx
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMj5wt3iIr
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeaLdYuuTR
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJqr6rdwhV
He quickly composed himself.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbEiT1ZLOd
"I'll try," he replied.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBtKE6DFNv
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUzeR9HVb9
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs2A8Sn4lZ
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEduWtPm0k
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKyMP0jPI1
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKPTW2oTAj
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNFkMxlvP5
 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI0Fbxl89u
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?368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uLgPohs2t
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LevDkkCJ5
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmkq4LMTuA
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3IipTw18P
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIviu3xcJf
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7gTmQNQTW
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmLEIw3tzc
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSpM3KRIiU
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPPyCyBgNn
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKkIsI9kU7
My brows arched out of curiosity.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhXEinVgSg
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYvKI2hsRR
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUdIgcdrXu
"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."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KcOa09ac3
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKHeQQDHNo
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZUhUycgjY
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMooZc3tT5
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASoa5uHyus
 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPZdjXNSxL
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9DLigFm89
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i0mJqxq8N
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7OkyHfsdL
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X2ZK8SuL1
"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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9cag8IyNN
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4955kwWOWn
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq48PBqfMg
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISEzlW1N0A
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkxBLfWLP4
But my brother ignored the question.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgrEGzWInz
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltNNXh7W27
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuMIr0ZdYp
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM99IXtKVn
"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!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAMZOillf6
"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!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCL12soq9I
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj28oH7Boi
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFU9Oqbzlw
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0GqpXveiE
Joe spoke to our brother.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWKSeM7zZ2
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClJXT97I8G
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWZZCAbN8J
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wldxy2xJK
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DGFGDmqa2
"Kuya..."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JETPhHbnk
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd3g7xi9pD
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty9ZTpC5MW
 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeSNfWcQXC
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK4zTA3JpH
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqxVyOLjGz
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasGXw9g12h
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOgiSF9eS1
"Yes anak?" she replied.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl1tG8OR7N
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiImCz57KVN
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchq9vWFHtR
I shrugged.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQbZFqVlYO
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWQBjjzjam
Her head violently turned toward me.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2agdIHZWCs
"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?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rCNvqRwhW
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU8KHJRWcy
"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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzpyQ7ZqWF
Luh.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBtG2WHFzF
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhq1bm6P4X
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIZmr0UiLE
"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?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJmwUWPPA9
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhav04uqd1S
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nlw4dI41H
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCgeizucl3
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScwYj7MT6i
No, I didn't.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tmlPd0ZtM
"Right?" she insisted.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos2oLI1Gmn
I released a heavy sigh.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU41P6QjKK
"Right," I said in resignation.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7lJ5jRRvx
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt24FUgMId
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwW8K3D1s7
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