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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2zx3mAhZo
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ8BuCFn6o
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhyVlxqsEP
"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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TGYKZUajG
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kKqGWHdyD
"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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAgWKJ6u9e
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9S7L2iOL4
"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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLQAeDJWBm
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXDZa9KCsv
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzPyjJDoFE
"But mama—"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKwSL5EEmv
"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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEqWJ3Kihy
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOoqqQo7xx
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnffJ8E1Br4
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTbYjHqYFY
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9R5WeI1YQ
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWDdDcJMGs
He quickly composed himself.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYYES4TOd8
"I'll try," he replied.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67vchh3SSK
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XJ9WKBPwo
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s8KRjKsHE
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1WRCc5EZ
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdP2b05Duw
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThjkQTo97h
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lBFk5c3KQ
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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?660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeczDq0eeij
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLa3SgIgFp
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSsaazAtQ0
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsM4OoQqy9
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTN4au1kcr
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM2d8tfN2v
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe1TzEHAc7
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnys46CatG
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0RdcXk4mr
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXA27C5Gkp
My brows arched out of curiosity.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDIPzvXkJ5
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaguFh1J6e
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3EzsrEpi1
"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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37sk8pY8PO
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN7kxsLbXt
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3fwnyiVl4
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NvJGHNxKb
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNao5GZaGbA
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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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG4uaEhBlo
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIBH4IAWyy
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9m4c01sdX
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrmSFi0w5S
"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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV7YzVE7ZE
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGMBKn34q4
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfMcWHN5M8
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXPlHdRvdL
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoJiEhTedP
But my brother ignored the question.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfckWyYCcGB
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw2fzZ8W6c
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlAXZbbJRf
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsjkNXL117
"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!"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g1sDHVKPL
"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!"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahkPkNJsQN
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiau6KU00R
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZl65FAuOk
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucG1cOBcr6
Joe spoke to our brother.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOBTCTsJXb
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx7X90rHTt
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMRZQL5wxq
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQFyr0xiMn
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjsodnUgbz
"Kuya..."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzteN6wV1Y3
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLnCPGPfG4
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReyGY4UF97
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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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlOH1Fp0Tr
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR8H1JDRBR
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAylcoLQY3
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxGkH13ejK
"Yes anak?" she replied.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap40ucTeXI
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45KQq1r2xr
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSpJ7NBXJH
I shrugged.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Ixm20TZb
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua92T2h5Tx
Her head violently turned toward me.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqc5VcY0Iy
"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?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcSvTeK4Ts
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gA1XoFGXv
"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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4NArrPUfh
Luh.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcUu4PKylO
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFsW8KOzMl
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbraI6YFWj
"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?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWMzftYoFj
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuL9Dkjv6e
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pqTMZSvsN
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u5Rabzapq
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zgGpqPlr8
No, I didn't.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYMMR7NkLA
"Right?" she insisted.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNIk6O2dX3
I released a heavy sigh.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZR7DAKwLz
"Right," I said in resignation.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnmvioVlab
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMK0QuHqmA
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgEyxJTgw3
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