Chapter 16 Exhaustion

It has been few days already when Dina has been ignoring Rico… she is still mad at him. Despite her anger, she still felt unhappy and gloomy, it's as if she is also torturing herself every time she avoids Rico. Rico is still bothered with his guilt, he doesn't know how to make up with Dina… he is not used to this, he missed arguing with Dina. He missed Dina's loud voice and bratty answers between them. He doesn't want Dina to treat him as nobody. He can no longer endure it. It was Saturday and the whole family shares their meal but Dina is still elusive towards Rico as she is still treating him as if he doesn't exist. Rico's parent felt the tension between Dina and Rico. It was Sunday the next day and Alice didn't ask Rico for a date. He wanted to invite Dina for a stroll to make up with his shortcomings. 'Uh… Dina… d-do you want to go for a stroll? T-tomorrow?",Rico asked Dina in a low voice while Dina was about to eat a spoonful of their meal. Even though it was just like a murmur, Dina still heard it clearly. She was so surprised that she also choked on her food. Rico's parents were even more surprised. "I mean… if you are not doing anything tomorrow--- I mean if you are free--- if you want…", Rico stuttered as if he doesn't know how to express what he wanted to say, he also looked so tensed. Dina wrinkled her forehead, this even made Rico more nervous because it seems like Dina was about to decline. Rico's parents were both smiling as they both stare at both of them, intently waiting for Dina's reply. "Are you feeling unwell?", Dina asked. Rico's cheeks turned red, it is also his first time to ask Dina out. Dina is still mad at Rico but she doesn't know why during that time her anger immediately vanished. "Why are you asking that? It's because I am not busy… and you are always in the house that is why I have thought to ask you for a stroll.", Rico replied to Dina's doubtfulness. Rico felt awkward while looking directly at Dina's eyes as if it only made his cheeks turned even redder. He was so embarrassed that's why he turned to look at his parents and he saw them grinning up to their ears. "Mom! Dad! Don't be so malicious! This is not what you are thinking!", Rico defended himself as he was able to read his parents' naughty smile. Rico's words made them smile even more. "Okay.",Dina answered abruptly. Dina was truly happy and excited inside but she is just covering it up with her 'I-don't-care" reaction. Rico couldn't explain why he felt so happy when Dina agreed to take her out for a stroll. He couldn't even hide his happiness as it can be clearly seen on his face, he was happily smiling from ear to ear. That night, Dina was not able to sleep early thinking what to wear tomorrow. She couldn't deny, she is truly excited. Rico was also still smiling inside his room. He is so happy to the 'hard to please" Dina agree to take her out. It's time to make up with Dina… because every time he remembers Dina's sobs, it feels like his heart is also being crushed. Rico was happily thinking where to bring Dina, he wanted her to see beautiful places. While being lost in his thoughts and excitement for tomorrow's stroll, his cellphone suddenly rang… it was Alice. His happy smiles vanished when Alice's name popped out on the phone. For some reason, he doesn't even want to answer it… but he shouldn't do that, right? You shouldn't just ignore the one you love,if you really truly love them, right? "Alice?" "Hello Rico... Rico, can you come with me tomorrow?", Alice asked Rico on the phone. 'W-where?" "I want to visit the place where we frequently hang out during our dates…" "Uh...mmm... Alice because---" "Why Rico? Are you going to say no to me now?", Alice said with a sad tone. 'I-It's not like that, Alice. You know I could never say no to you, right? However… Dina and I had plans already…" "Oh.. Is that so?I see…I understand...",Alice sounded as if she was about to cry, this made Rico worried. 'B-But if you want… you could come. It would be much better if you would come along with us.",Rico said in defeat. "Really?! That would be nice!",Alice sounded very excited on the other line. Rico couldn't explain why but his excitement for tomorrow had vanished. His happy smiles earlier were replaced by bitter sighs. ###Chapter 17 An Unwelcomed Guest It is Sunday. Dina had readily dressed up already and was very excited. Rico couldn't even tell Dina that Alice would come along with them when he saw her happy smile. He is worried her smile would vanished and would decided not to come along anymore. Ding! Dong! 'Huh? Are we having any visitors?", Dina wondered and turned to Rico because it was Sunday and someone had rang the doorbell. They are not expecting any visitors since they were about to go out, right? "Uh… maybe it's Alice. She wanted to come with us.",Rico answered anxiously. Dina felt like she was poured with a cold water. Her happiness was replaced with annoyance. She never expected Rico would just wanted to make her a chaperone to the 'real couple's" date. Rico couldn't look at Dina directly, he felt that Dina didn't receive his words well. "Then you go ahead and open the door. After all, you are the purpose of the one ringing the door bell.", Dina said to Rico flatly, it was evident on her face and in her voice that the excitement is no longer there but a hint of irritation instead. Rico knows that Dina is now in a bad mood because he id fully aware that Dina doesn't have good vibe with Alice due to their difference. Alice and Dina are each other's exact opposite and for this reason, they will never get along with each other. Rico went to open the door, expecting Alice to be there but to his surprised, the visitor is not Alice… but a tall and white-skinned man with Asian eyes. He was handsome. The pretty guy smiled at him but he doesn't like it. He looks just fair… not too handsome at all., Rico thought in his mind as he saw the man smiled at him cooly like a model or might be mistaken as a Korean or Chinese actor. "Good morning! I'm looking for Dina Ortega.",the guy said cooly. Rico's ear rang a bell when he heard what the guy said. He indeed doesn't like this guy's tongue, he just doesn't feel good looking at him. 'There is no Dina Ortega here. This is the family residence of the Ballestros.",Rico answered annoyingly. "Oh, sorry... I forgot! You're right, she's already a Ballestros now. Yes, I'm actually looking for Dina Ballestros. Please tell her I'm Carlos Tan.",the guys smilingly said which only made Rico annoyed. How dare him! Saying he had forgotten Dina is already married in front of my face! And the nerve of this guy to even order me around!, Rico thought annoyingly even though the guy had told him 'please". The guy also treats him warmly and cordially… but Rico wasn't feeling it. He had a bad vibe about this guy. 'Rico, where did you put the--- BEST?!",Dina said and was not about to continue her words because he was surprised to see Carlos. Carlos looked at Dina, he was so happy to see her and he immediately went to hug her tightly which made Rico angry. Rico is so mad but he controlled his anger despite what he is seeing because he saw how Dina's smiles. She was in a bad mood earlier, but now she looks happy. Rico wouldn't want to ruin that… but he still doesn't want this man hugging his wife. So he made them feel his presence. "Hey, what's up with this?",Rico hissed making them feel he is annoyed but it failed because Dina and Carlos hadn't seem to notice him. "Best, Dina I am so happy to see you!",Carlos happily said, smile was from ear to ear and went to hug Dina again. Dina and Carlos looks very close but he doesn't want to see it and he couldn't tolerate it anymore. Eyebrows-crossed, Rico went to separate the two. "HEY! You haven't introduce yourself to me properly yet! And what are you doing to my wife?!", Rico hissed at Carlos. Rico is so angry that he wanted to skin this guy alive. "Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry.",Carlos humbly said, still smiling. Rico doesn't want to see those smiles, it feels like a mock and insult to him… because those smile weren't for him. It was for his wife! "Stop it, Rico! Don't be too malicious. Rico, this is my best friend…Carlos. Best, my husband, Rico.", Dina answered instead and went on to introduce Rico and Carlos to each other. Carlos turned to Rico and gave him a cool smile, which only made Rico cringe even more. Rico wanted to erase that smile on his face. Rico ignored Carlos and looked at Dina, who is also smiling back at Carlos. You can't even smile like that in front of me… then why are you giving that 'Miss Universe" smile to this guy?!, Rico thought annoyingly while staring at Dina. She looks so beautiful and her smile is so genuine. Rico didn't even notice he was already intently looking at her. For him, the time stopped when he saw her beautiful smile. "Glad to meet you, Dina's husband.",Carlos said with a smile as he reach out to shake his hand. Rico was interrupted with his intent stares at Dina and bitterly turned to Carlos, unsmiling as he went to receive his hands, unwillingly shook it quickly and immediately withdrew his hand away as if he touched something dirty. Then he just realized that Carlos is a man… and this man is his wife's best friend. 'Wai—wait… Dina, he's your best friend?", Rico suddenly commented, obviously surprised. Dina nodded to confirm. 'So he is the one you're talking about? The one you promised to be the first one to see your feminine side?", Rico asked again. Carlos chuckled, Rico didn't receive it well. He doesn't like his chuckles. "Oh, so he also knew about your promise to me?", Carlos smiled at Dina. Dina just nodded to both men as she laughed with their questions. "But Dina… he is a guy!", Rico reacted. Dina laughed even harder. "Well, what do you expect, Rico? It's just natural. There's no woman you would like to enjoy my company, you know?", Dina chuckled too and raised her arms as if forming her biceps. "Well, too bad! Because I saw it first!",Rico snorted with annoyance. Carlos fell silent and his smile vanished. 'Yes, you… and Alice. And you made fun of me!", Dina frowned as she remembered that moment again. Rico also felt the guilt too. "Let's go inside, Best. Come on!", Dina turned to Carlos. She went on inside first as she guides Carlos from behind. 'But Dina, we have plans today, right?", Rico reminded Dina. "Oh yeah… You and your date with Alice. Oh well, I guess I shouldn't come along anymore. I might just disturb you both on your sweet date.",Dina snorted. Carlos wondered about the conversation between Dina and Rico. "Rico?",it was Alice. They were surprised to see her inside the house. "Speaking of Alice, well… there she is.",Dina said. 'I'm sorry for intruding… the door was already open so, I went inside.",Alice answered and immediately went to Rico and held his arm. Rico was surprised and he wanted to move his arm away from Alice. Dina stared at Alice's hands around Rico's arm with irritation but maintained her cool… Carlos now had become confused of the situation. Everyone fell silent for a short moment. "Best, Alice... Rico's girlfriend. Alice, my best friend, Carlos.",Dina eventually broke their silence and went on to introduce Carlos and Alice to each other. "Nice to meet you.",Alice greeted warmly but Carlos just ignored her as if he didn't hear anything. Dina chuckled at Carlos' reaction while Rico felt irritated of his rude manners to Alice as if he ignored her to insult her. Alice feel embarrassed on how Carlos had ignored her. 'Don't worry, best. Rico and I being married is not like what you are thinking. We are not like the usual and normal wedded couple.", Dina joked. Carlos, though still confused replied with a smile too. Rico went silent, he can't accept how Dina is able to open up their married life to other man. 'Aren't you going?", Dina turned to Rico who seemed to be out of himself as he just stands there without moving or saying anything. "Aren't you coming with us?", Alice asked Dina. "What do you think of me? Am I your chaperone? No thanks, I might end up being a disturbance. I might have your boyfriend brought me tons of foods, snatching away his attention from you.", Dina was kidding but the joke was half-meant as she intended to make Alice feel she doesn't like her. "Well, I guess we better go now, Rico.",Alice said to Rico. Rico unwillingly nodded, there is no reason to stay anymore and they went on to go outside.