Chapter 18 Insecurities

"You didn't show up at the reunion.", Carlos said to Dina when Rico and Alice left. 'The truth is… I was really there. I just didn't get inside to meet you. I thought I might end up feeling out-of-place. So, I just left… you know because you had your girlfriend with you.", Dina said frankly. "Girlfriend?! What?! What girlfriend?", Carlos was very surprised. "Who else could it be? I saw it. She kissed you on your cheek.", Dina answered. 'Oh, it's Gela! She's my cousin! She is a lot younger than us. I think she is in her senior year of high school. Actually, it was just a coincidence to meet her there. She went to me and I wasn't even able to recognize her at first. She was just a child the last time I saw her. She's just really sweet… and she's still a kid, Dina.", Carlos was laughing as he explained to clear him from Dina's misunderstanding. Dina laughed too for being too judgmental. "So you mean... you really wore a dress for me but didn't show up because of that?", Carlos asked again. Dina nodded. "Yeah… and instead, I was seen by Rico and his girlfriend. They even both laughed at me.", Dina said sadly and sighed. "Well, you've got a lot of explanations, Dina. I am really confused between you and your husband… and there's even a girlfriend? What is happening?", Carlos asking as he still looked confused. 'Alice is Rico's first love. Rico and I got married because it was my father's last wish. No love involved in our marriage.", Dina explained. "No love?", Carlos wanted to confirm. Dina nodded and somehow, Carlos felt relieved. 'And… it's really impossible for Rico to like me because Alice and I are completely different. First, Alice is his first love… and, we're mortal enemies. Then, Alice is so refined, modest, gentle, and kind… and me?", Dina added and laughed at the last part as she was comparing herself to Alice. "You sounded insecure, Dina.", Carlos half-joked, and Dina still laughed at it. "But honestly, best... for me, you're more beautiful than that woman. Maybe she looks appealing because she is too lady-like to which you are definitely not. But… you are gutsy, courageous, strong-willed, honest, and genuine… not once have I saw you acting so plastic, then you are also very athletic… without too much effort, you're still pretty.", Carlos said sincerely while staring directly at Dina, putting emphasis on his last words. Dina felt uncomfortable with Carlos' praises so she just brushed his awkward stare and laughed it off… but somehow she finds his words comforting and she is thankful for it. "If he doesn't love you and your father's dead... then why do you still cling unto him?", Carlos curiously asked. Dina turned to face Carlos again and just stared at him for few moments. "Oh wait, Alice. I forgot my car keys. Wait for me here.", Rico excused himself to Alice when he noticed his car key is not on his pocket. "Okay.", Alice said as she patiently waits beside the car. Rico was about to go to the drawer where they always put their car keys when he accidentally heard Dina and Carlos talking. "... then why do you still cling unto him?", Rico heard what Carlos had asked Dina. Rico also heard Dina's loud and deep sigh as if she was being burdened by a heavy problem inside her. 'You know, the day that I wore a dress to meet you and then decided to go home… I went across Sunshine. I got my answers to my questions on why they hated me so much… she and her mom.", Dina started. 'Her.. her mom?", Carlos wondered why Dina called THEIR mom, HER mom instead. 'The truth is… I'm an illegitimate daughter of my father. My biological mother and father are not married because she died giving birth to me… right before when they were about to marry. The family I knew and grew up with was actually my stepmom and stepsister. I am actually their big obstacle to receive the inheritance. They really never wanted me but had treated me as their fake family right from the start. They wanted to disown me… that's why they are using my father's death to do that. And that is the reason why I cling unto Rico. I have no one.", Dina explained and there was a pain in her eyes and in her tone. Rico was shocked to hear Dina's words. He was not expecting Dina had been going on through this big problem. 'I don't want to go back to being an Ortega. I wanted this family so much… Rico and his parents. They are my family now. They are honest and sincere to me… and I don't want to be left alone.", Dina added. Rico felt regretful to what he just heard. That day… he even laughed at Dina, unknowingly, she had been enduring a lot of pain already. How could her sister and mother do that to her?!, Rico is so furious, he is so angry about what Dina's supposed-to-be family had done to her. Rico felt sad, pity, and guilt towards his wife. "What took you so long?", it was Alice. She followed Rico inside. Rico was surprised to see her, even Dina and Carlos too, to see the 'real couple" inside the house again. 'Oh… Uh, I forgot where I put my car key.", Rico was just reasoning out to Alice but for Dina, it was pure nonsense. "It's ALWAYS on the drawer.", Dina emphasized at her words while unruly staring at Rico for his unacceptable alibi for eavesdropping. "Ah yes… You're right.", Rico answered while avoiding Dina's eyes as he can't look at her directly without feeling guilty. 'Best, have a ball there. Do you want to play basketball with me? Because you know, we might be a disturbance to some couples here, so we better get out, right?", Dina said to Carlos but her eyes are still set on Rico. Rico tried his best to ignore and just brush off Dina's intent stares on him. "Sure. Let's see how you've improved since I went abroad.", Carlos gladly agreed. Dina immediately went on to get the ball nearby. 'Come on! There's a basketball court near here. For sure we won't be disturbing any couples dating there.", Dina casually said while hinting about Rico and Alice. She went to Carlos and held his arm and dragged him while they leave the place. Rico didn't like the way Dina held the stranger's arms so casually like that, he also wanted to explain, he wanted to run after Dina but in the end, he wasn't able to do anything. "Shall we go now?", Alice initiated when Carlos and Dina had left already. Rico unwillingly nodded.