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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRLnokkbrd
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrta2gFquR
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ182LuQbOJH
"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."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOFbpBkHSR
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZfs5mT8Yi
"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."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSSjusHQuk
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEnVr8ZW1G
"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."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5j862v2PL
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzU0MvrIxM
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6MsC5AwTX
"But mama—"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKMp2MPkuN
"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."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYALYE2dSv6
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKiRxC2emj
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny81BTlMpH
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19byqprJX
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4L0aiO301
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhs3yfJBpE
He quickly composed himself.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaF10Mliz4
"I'll try," he replied.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapRvlhOGTb
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfPitrosgl
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7uMBAcW6b
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799T8S0dX5
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBFasSuE1z
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wdHIZq29z
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUYAjhvGxz
 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNsBtobDzZ
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?359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgJIlihIva
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vP66kH5mD
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLRLcz1alv
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd87TtPlowL
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9kL3g2s16
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPCmqZVKKP
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIQLAf8uRR
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlOTEKFo0k
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb8pgK5vRv
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y4wCfbPOx
My brows arched out of curiosity.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kPoarni6r
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYlmJZNXK6
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGZGK2ikiC
"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."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZR45tGFhr
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgxHjRyoZU
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ0YihuOLc
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQVK2TktPR
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6aXI3Rxp0
 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAugWDnz6cJ
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcomBfKrxP
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV2p1lbxYw
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgulg2E9ra2
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5NuWX7GNC
"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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpl8xXx8Kj
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRvle1iB6l
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70uP7nuM6m
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqozP1CA6VA
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS21qbdB48H
But my brother ignored the question.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7W92JVVl9
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPwoAp8zXx
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrcXjyYMYy
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHxvNVSIhI
"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!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFEpt5lAFB
"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!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3aAwYi7lO
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOiBhmYRGy
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvHfRLPPDj
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHwsjFZmuX
Joe spoke to our brother.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Vv2oMdr7
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEblvR6d6N
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYK1EXukd3
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSJUyDQdcV
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNSZcmEjgG
"Kuya..."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0369NDEzMq
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1p1MQv7h1
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAqOBC5CVA
 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckwikibrba
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ4jy5ACpA
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeDjxz2wqy
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kUT9DPKxo
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqkf8n2Wlg
"Yes anak?" she replied.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kp4L6ijpV
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWMmcMjCLG
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgtEEM1XQN
I shrugged.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuu5OVgdr0
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKcH1YLOLJ
Her head violently turned toward me.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOobvzkT4w
"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?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxgAuTEEfL
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPPO5taljc
"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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfVTp19X5w
Luh.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcta1jP7qK
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYmvyYetIM
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZJirjkQV4
"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?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsD9Oz4fJK
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYzmQKLOBk
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkXsx9siEA
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.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vYVAOgdsb
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7buPtXXiy
No, I didn't.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdkuVBm24s
"Right?" she insisted.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguwCbcuiHw
I released a heavy sigh.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF1Rxv73VZ
"Right," I said in resignation.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0x3fzHi8R
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxyxlI5SWT
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxIYeDAW7Z
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