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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFExHYlYCU5
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAxqtrqAZx
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB410uZZ20Z
"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."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1H1F12NX2
Ben did not answer and refused to touch his food, while Naya frowned like she needed a hug at that moment.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBn9CiMOiE
"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."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ialMX5ft
Naya, who had been glancing on the floor and at her husband, placed her hand on my brother's bare shoulder.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIftIHLq4A
"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."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0a1HNhQ69
Mama flashed her that smile that she usually gives to the people who get on her nerves.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a9tdEYiSb
"Naya, anak," mama said, "Opiana men help, but they do not beg. Your man, your provider; he should look for work on his own."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9exp95Umc
"But mama—"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwnUrNSEhQ
"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."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVihOLsvnIS
The poor young woman fell silent and looked away.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtScDTGbYv
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpPOxWWrWn
"Why don't you look for a job in town?" mama suggested. "Or you can work with Joe in the construction."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL1FWk8vyY
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHDPXEIrpd
"Can you help him get a job, son?" mama asked, her attention to Joe who seemed to have swallowed a half pitcher of water.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnbdin5QgH
He quickly composed himself.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TZI25tdgD
"I'll try," he replied.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPn0VMugQp
"Alright, Ben. You go with Joe tomorrow."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RUvQjv7LI
"Tomorrow?" Joe blurted out. "But that's my day off. What about um... Monday?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9jXH2SJJ
Her slipper made a loud clap on the shoulder of our eldest.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bWuvrkpuw
"Aray!" he cried, massaging the pained area with his fingers.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmVizpIeLH
"Do not keep your brother waiting, my goodness! He needs to provide for his family!"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscF5zA2OpI
Joe threw his hands in the air. "Fine, I'll do it."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpQ587yoeP
 386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BHg9K596B
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?386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDKdy8iotc
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMbB74f8Gp
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxmuZtTFeF
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n414rH8Ix
One of those nights, I surprised her with a cup of warm milk only to find out what was keeping her up at night.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeW8qnuWHt
"How thoughtful of you, Judy," she said, then took a sip.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCduZ41Rapx
"I try," I answered. "You're always up late. Won't it affect the baby?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAK7BmmZFG
"I cannot sleep," she answered, then turned the attention to the bills.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgcEADGM0I
She pretended to count the money before her but decided to continue when I didn't answer.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR3eovyskL
She reluctantly raised her head and looked at me with a serious face. "Truth is, I want Ben and I to move out already."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31onPRmnGc
My brows arched out of curiosity.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6KiqDDkDZ
"Is that mama getting in your head?" I asked, looking at her frowning face intently.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmImLkdK7B
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1SyHTFPs2
"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."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwRCbzRdDH
She laughed nervously, but I gave her a smile of assurance.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMveWo50xo
"Just know that I'm here whenever you need me," I continued.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CAu6CY1Ch
She gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Judy... For understanding me."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskPWsChOgi
"Anytime, ate," I said, placing my palm at the back of her hand. "Anytime."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ0i4QnFqR
 386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfpOFGf9JI
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZrz7RudtZ
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUh36N4ZQ3
Naya carried a big suitcase in her left hand while Ben followed her.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmioEp0yCHi
"What are you doing, Naya?" my brother asked. "You leaving? What happened to till death do us part, huh?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20ayOj5Hbg
"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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRbpnmtjIG
"Naya," he called, grabbing her by the arm, "We talked about this, right?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOwksc0jLt
She wiped the tears using the back of her hand. "No. You keep running your mouth, but you are not giving me any choice!"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKJ9KRfRZX
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMjmeThHxN
"What's going on?" It was mama. "What is this commotion about?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsyDc3S9U7
But my brother ignored the question.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofQj1Jvg7O
"Naya, don't do this, please," he mumbled.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7TIVjmOYa
"No, Ben, don't stop me. Just stay here." She tried to free herself away from his embrace.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlwY32nwMU
Ben violently spread his arms in the air.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST1NrqcPHE
"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!"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZaVNhnCxu
"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!"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQM0Duol6x
She slowly slumped on the floor, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She buried her face in the palms of her hands.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiV47bayDH
I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace, while Joe placed his hand on Ben's shoulder.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzgtlkfXLh
The next thing we heard was nothing but the sobs and snivels of the couple.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHp2UVGHhJ
Joe spoke to our brother.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiPDmIYZuT
"Ben, she's your wife," he said gently. "Respect her wish."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyayKNymBYx
Ben turned his teary face to our eldest. "But kuya, I cannot, not yet... Not now—"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6rUNSMTbg
Joe shook his head, stopping Ben mid-sentence.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ166BIyHIw2
"You want to lose your baby by stressing your wife?" Joe asked, his brows furrowed. "Come on, man, we will help."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Ge4LuDBK
"Kuya..."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBjSfLr0Yj
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpA1KEAXWX
Still running my palms through the back of our sister-in-law, I looked at our eldest and gave him an understanding nod.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1SQaFxy6v
 386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkjar9xJ4R
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl21OhSRi8
My brothers cleared the elevated, taro-filled lot just behind our house and started flattening the area where Ben's dwelling would be built.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35HxrQtW6F
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKQ4CiiEyt
"Mama," I called one day as we were mincing the garlic and onion for lunch.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuh4pFGhXO
"Yes anak?" she replied.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8jXv1xjs0
"Can I shift strands?" I asked.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V9jrnyzHY
"Can you what?!" she blurted out.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPjS4ry4ES
I shrugged.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYbB7gsiH8
"Shift strands, you know, from Arts and Design to TVL," I explained.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnDq1Yh9JD
Her head violently turned toward me.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXZLkMzd4U
"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?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvujWq9QlLU
"No, I just don't find fashion designing appealing anymore," I said, struggling to sound casual. "I want to be a master carpenter."386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9shmzg8Rm
"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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB9j52WJKk
Luh.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcpbZmjmNM
"What's wrong with me wanting to be a master carpenter? I could earn millions there too," I defended.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjdC2CGgfr
She faced me again with arms folded together, giving me an old-fashioned look.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEZIow96mE
"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?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtaZRAIZPx
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WNkUvQGpP
"Anak, you know that Mama loves you even if you have chosen a different path from your brothers, right?" she said.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCjAfyXzb
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmRvfTz2qX
"And you promised me you'll grow up to be a refined woman and help me keep the house," she continued. "Right, anak?"386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnYeWSUHdr
No, I didn't.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EUsnpviq
"Right?" she insisted.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLfRqsuCOw
I released a heavy sigh.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuhJMlEZym
"Right," I said in resignation.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJm5D0snOS
"So please, Judy, can you respect me on this?" she asked.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7d3XD0Sud
I nodded, hoping that would stop her from talking.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwyeJWm1SX
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