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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0kd6olyya
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaPhJ5YrMZ
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEXd6ptmKV
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW5qowIYZ6
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1z8jzqNH3
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqBxlJHrvf
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJQ5gMPYqN
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom0Vu2rl9h
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0utQzvVqDL
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAKmVTsplY
"But mama—"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGEA9JwPpV
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORoRyM3Vay
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yfE8HfIUU
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKAbeLWqq0
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgWZPBf2Mj
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvlEJ5xbZV
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b4CVJiCR4
He quickly composed himself.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhpjodfScO
"I'll try," he replied.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGltIIasow
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHAKCvSwLx
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtijsL4RziX
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfluFikO0TF
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB91G8pE9r
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDfAlNc7uz
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiXBSyzW2o
 619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1gb8R0u3w
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?619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQoE7mlTP5
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3roPOWhbZ
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmooRCNGT8R
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkOElYymMj
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OINZuHELJ
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQU1v0TYvk
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQKsGcKD6
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGi2BfU1Hn
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSm4nJ6TCR
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwKbc21n16
My brows arched out of curiosity.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktHH0NuXEe
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIMORB8Mq4
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4gVvtLPDy
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYNaiatdvV
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9QIRBHHWA
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB2ncuJf78
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0LfoIJDk8
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAmB7L8i8a
 619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRHkMfIxXl
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJCEoB7NmQ
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms1WV9hMfB
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRwB8xPQCZ
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcqulVpYru
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXK53nigz0
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4FjzIirVV
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0I3yEj1rp
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBAKIaH9CA
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWKzzZp6wu
But my brother ignored the question.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex0kyH8myG
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHomUOK0sUg
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4e5QSkzZO
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KLLFbb6Yv
"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!"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBYAcQL9Ny
"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!"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fAWeTGnes
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE84DqlDDiV
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPElUlVkhw
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTILVXGJVYF
Joe spoke to our brother.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziGZVCn9tL
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUIaFlg0JS
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxbp3LE5OB
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk91ohTj7hS
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj4ql2eMVu
"Kuya..."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY3JsbDDuO
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy8c1owLuv
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJPuUGm60S
 619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz5ptL5a1P
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNhNn4LZbB
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkin439pfx
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ew9KoKpr
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23jfzQ8kKK
"Yes anak?" she replied.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ029xlVWYAl
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhcSIntTT9
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6NhS2b6SQ
I shrugged.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1MgyVAArU
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITbPohjPmM
Her head violently turned toward me.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqQcvmG9nj
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt31VwAgHX
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWGuClSR69
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6wGE0Q8Op
Luh.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qWamAqPm
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0E8vZfIQ7
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73VTwi6M9d
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi9YhlyTlr
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsOOwLhs3T
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLCh4o4b2J
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTnp1Lm0UO
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0StXrseoc9
No, I didn't.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPlyod2Sza
"Right?" she insisted.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKJpKSr55N
I released a heavy sigh.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNIsxGIHeD
"Right," I said in resignation.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYR0anzUDE
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsNinsQg11
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g0NrxM0CN
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