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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymQvINTwEv
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYwfegsZuf
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegpm6GBkW4
"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."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhect5IgQ3
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0GNbWuEeT
"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."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL2GSCHMBG
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR6yOzBiiA
"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."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AANhUVe9i
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ITSKEy0ps
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxACfuwkac
"But mama—"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtBmDtNeRW
"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."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CCaSMVZcf
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRXvv9ammc
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3602GuQG0v
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W01eyNEwA
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHCZi1KATg
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTlTm3aMwb
He quickly composed himself.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnBw3dl3oI
"I'll try," he replied.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Krn5c5QUV
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejZLLVpG3M
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Mom9u9QL
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2pV9GLYXP
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxciX2g9OvT
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUIEqAAxoH
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJkw6pdBoN
 461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBU6zE7bvQ
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?461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98k1vb61TR
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrK3fZTbDa
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIOvt2euxh
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp3OxNVUvL
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y7AYvZN8C
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CK1ZU2q7k
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm29LPORaY
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbviU8zSJg
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPco8rFeCo
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvgDniqpyh
My brows arched out of curiosity.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEm2QMfTbk
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkopFvVNyJ
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DrDPZfpnh
"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."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV0KJHhW4v
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdUSpPIFV3
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoTuAhlbbG
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09Mk4aoei
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KRBdhwagc
 461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCTa1piDCc
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapyD9fB24O
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpKhr0VdKq
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwho61FKG8N
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh8aMCeBr1
"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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrgRAvf6IW
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862o3ktDwo
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBXAZHduUO
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDnKrKjiJi
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MhQJ5xH7n
But my brother ignored the question.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnXvK8rz31
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ138HwRAtTJ
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kFbV9DzqX
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItnkwQJFhH
"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!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWOnRmxSJs
"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!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvsw6dYqi5
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkEiqyh0OH
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wtOa52pkY
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c6kGauNOS
Joe spoke to our brother.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzWZ4ZE16e
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPK9G6AIqB
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s0vrI1ip3
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8P57iXDwE
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zeql3pCBm
"Kuya..."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINH8bULFkL
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7rxku1cUs
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFHFUtYUEz
 461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25FxsxSxiN
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzSWolw8uN
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8IXNrdDPV
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjXrGSDshK
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MVchzuAL
"Yes anak?" she replied.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkjSpK7Nq
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWIgcZ7pua
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOOnnjPBbP
I shrugged.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWdzrrnpmY
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bxPoxCrdC
Her head violently turned toward me.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W71zBiYpY
"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?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAeaPVAy1o
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ19NHM8Zcm
"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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2kFTcqwhN
Luh.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7BONkECRF
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuGi79jPvW
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59CmUgnQyF
"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?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrmNjFRip0
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEyzU6RLmv
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx2jbv9wJe
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.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGUKGMa9ta
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CWAALmjWR
No, I didn't.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9CPYEVYTi
"Right?" she insisted.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD9vZITM3a
I released a heavy sigh.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8y119Sw4g
"Right," I said in resignation.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAhTmd9J5q
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJIzXj1W4J
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXF7cU81ul
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