Chapter 22 Confrontation

'So where is the obnoxious man earlier, huh? You know what, you shouldn't underestimate anyone, because you might end up eating your words. What goes around, comes around.", Carlos said to Rico as he picked up the ball. Rico fell silent and was not about to say anything. He couldn't accept this quick and easy defeat with Carlos. "Keep this.", Carlos to Dina as he gave her the ball. 'Thanks again, bes--- Carlos.", Dina said but her attention was on Rico. Dina knew Rico… he is not accustomed to being humiliated or being defeated… and she is aware Rico couldn't accept this defeat easily. "Carlos, it's getting late. Rico and I should head home already. You too, you should get home already too. Take care, okay?", Dina bid Carlos goodbye. Carlos nodded as a reply and waved at her. Dina went closer over to Rico but he avoided her. Instead, he walks ahead out of the court. Dina waved again to Carlos for the last time before leaving the court along with Rico. They're inside the car but Rico is still quiet. "Rico, don't think of it too much of what happened---" 'That Carlos… is he your reason why you really like to play basketball to the point that you had been rebelling against your father and even hid the fact that you continued playing despite him being against it?", Rico asked while staring directly at Dina. Rico seems different, for this reason, Dina wasn't able to answer. "Do you like Carlos, Dina?", Rico sounded so desperate as if he MUST know her answer because he badly wants it. "Your questions are too personal, Rico.", Dina complained, trying to brush off the awkwardness between them. "You don't want to answer me? I want to know Dina… I need to know if he is the guy… who's ready and bold enough to take you away from me…", Rico said but it feels like he has difficulty in saying the last words to Dina. Once again, there was silence between them. "Carlos is…", Dina started. "… is my senior in college and in basketball. He is one year ahead of me. He was just in his second year but he was already the team captain of the men's basketball… he was so talented and he immediately became my inspiration.", Dina added. Rico hated hearing Dina's praises for Carlos coming from her mouth but… he needs to listen… it is important because this will be his basis if he will… …if I will set Dina free.,Rico thought sadly. 'At first, I joined the basketball club by accident. At first, I was just going around, not intending to join any club but then I saw Carlos… it was a slam dunk. I was amazed! I immediately had a crush on him and that's why I also strived hard to become the best in my team so he would notice me. When he started talking to me, I was really happy and he told me I had the potential. He also gave me basketball tips and taught me techniques.", Dina happily opened up to Rico about her and Carlos's past. "He patiently taught me how to play basketball and I really did my best until… I learned to love the sport itself, not only because of him. Nobody wanted to befriend me because of my, you know, tomboyish looks and it had gotten worst because Carlos was a campus crush and since he befriended me, lots of women became jealous of our closeness. The thought of people getting angry because of Carlos annoyed me so much. I focused myself playing basketball… and it came to the point that Carlos had finished his studies and had to go to Canada to be with his family. I was left behind but I didn't feel alone. You know, it's like I have no one because Carlos is the only friend I had, he was gone but I didn't feel lonely at all… because I had basketball. It was my one and only outlet.", Dina said. Even though Dina said she wasn't lonely but he felt her sadness of being all by herself. At school, she is a loner, at home, she is a rebel… he wanted to hug tightly and ask her if she could just stay with him… but he mustn't because if Dina really loves Carlos… then he must sacrifice for her loved one so he could give Dina true happiness which she never had when she was still an Ortega. Can you really do it, Rico? Can you?, Rico thought in pain. '… that's why I look up to Carlos as my mentor. I respect him. Looking back, I now realized that I don't see myself being romantically attached to him the way I used to think before.", Dina said. Rico was stunned, he wasn't able to understand what Dina had just said because his thoughts are in a mess. "W-what?", Rico stuttered. Dina looked at Rico's eyes directly. Rico felt his heart beating fast when their eyes met. "I said… I thought I liked Carlos because he is great when I saw him doing the slam dunk. However, I realized it was his manner how he did the dunk is that had caught my attention and what I had really liked at that time, not Carlos as a person. I fell in love with basketball at that moment that is why even though when Carlos left, I still feel complete. When I saw Carlos doing the slam dunk… is also the moment I fell in love with this sport.", Dina answered honestly. Rico's eyes widened. "So meaning... you are not in love with Carlos? I mean... in a romantic way???", Rico wanted to confirm. 'No, I don't see myself being like that with Carlos. Romantically involved? Nope.", Dina answered frankly as she thought of Carlos trying to kiss her earlier made her cringe again. Rico suddenly gave an ear-wide smile and he couldn't even hide it. Dina wondered why Rico's mood suddenly shifted in a brief moment. "We better head home now.", Rico said happily. It was only a few minutes when Dina and Rico had arrived home together. She immediately went to her room when her phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number but she still answered nonetheless. "Hello?" "Dina, hi. This is Alice. Can you go outside for a moment? I really want to talk to you. I am here at the park near your house and... Please don't tell anyone that I am meeting you.", it was Alice. "Okay.", Dina agreed even though she was anxious to face Rico's loved one alone, she still agreed. She immediately transformed herself from the girly Dina into her boyish self once again. She was wearing cargo shorts and a loose T-shirt when she met Alice secretly. 'Why do you want to meet me? It's very late already. Is it so important that we couldn't even talk about it on the phone and you still have to intentionally meet me in person?", Dina frankly said to Alice as she approached her. "I won't be beating around the bush…", Alice replied while Dina was just silent, ready to hear what Alice is about to say to her. "I know that you are aware that I am Rico's first love. I also know that you are aware that until now, I am still the woman he truly loves.", Alice added. "Yes. But you left him---" 'Because I was sick. I went to America to cure my illness.", Alice interrupted Dina with what she was about to say. Dina was stunned. "But now, I am here. I should be the one who is on his side… But we couldn't be together because…" "Because of me.", Dina finished Alice's words annoyingly. Alice looked at Dina's eyes directly. "Yes. That's why… I want you to set Rico free… because he won't let you go unless you, Dina, lets go of him first. So set him free for his sake, for his happiness. Please, I beg you.", Alice begged as small teardrops fell from her eyes. Dina fell silent. She looked at Alice's gentle face and her tears. She felt pity. "No.", Dina anwered. Alice was taken aback. "I may end up as the villain to you and Rico's love story but still, no. I won't separate from Rico.", Dina answered firmly on her decision. Alice was surprised. "Could it be, that...", Alice couldn't continue what she wanted to say that Dina might be already inlove with Rico. 'No. Rico and I are like siblings. We also fight everyday, and make up just like what siblings do.", Dina wanted to assure Alice because she felt pity on her. She wanted to erase what Alice is thinking, she doesn't want to her misinterpret her raltionship with Rico even though she is his wife… because she doesn't want to hurt Alice. If Alice is hurt, Rico will be hurt too… and she doesn't want to be the reason why Rico gets hurt. "Then why couldn't you let him go?" "Because I am his wife. You both could have a relationship, it's fine by me. It's okay to me because whatever happens, I won't separate from him. I don't want to become Ortega again… being a Ballestros, this is what I am holding on to that is why I don't want to separate from Rico.", Dina answered. Alice was confused. "It's hard to explain, Alice. But there is a reason behind this and it's not what you are thinking. You love Rico, Rico loves you too. Yes, I understand that is why I am allowing you to be together. Just don't take away my right to be a Ballestros.", Dina added as she stands firmly with her decision. Alice was silent, she doesn't know what to say or how to react. "If there's nothing more to say, I go home now. You should head home too, it's dangerous for a delicate woman to be out this late. Rico will be worried if there's something that will happen to you. You should take care of yourself… for Rico's sake.", Dina said before leaving. She didn't even wait for Dina to answere and she just left her behind immediately. While walking home, Dina felt heavy. Suddenly, she noticed there are tears on her eyes already. She doesn't know why she is crying. She sighed loudly. She felt tired because a lot of things happened. For Dina, this has been a very long day. ###Chapter 23 Unusual Feelings Rico had been in a good mood these past few days already. Dina wondered as Rico kept on smiling at her, he also kept on greeting her or asking her if she had eaten already or if she was doing well and other unusual things. She is wondering why Rico had been acting weird lately. Maybe I just got caught in his good mood because he is happy to be with Alice again., Dina just thought. Knock! Knock! Dina heard someone knocking on her door, she immediately opened it. 'Uh… Hi?", it was Rico. Dina once again wondered as to what his reasons might be for him to personally come unto her. 'Oh… so you're home already. Mom and dad went out and you know I can't cook. So, I just ordered pizza. It's on the dining table. Just get some, if you want.", Dina sounded uninterested as if she doesn't really care if Rico hadn't eaten yet, who knows if he had already eaten… with Alice. She tried to ignore Rico's unusual behavior and went back inside her room, going back to what she was doing. She was reading her e-mails just before Rico had knocked on her door and she had noticed an e-mail from the school where she had just applied. 'You can just close the door.", Dina added as if instructing Rico what to do next. But instead of doing what she told him to do, he ignored it and continued to go inside her room which only shocks Dina even more. "Uh… so… if that's the case, you haven't eaten a full meal yet, right? I mean, it's just pizza.", Rico said. 'Uhmn… yeah just a few slices of pizza. It doesn't make me full.", Dina answered as-a-matter-of-factly while her eyes are still on the computer, reading e-mails and ignoring Rico. "Uhm… maybe you want to…", Rico couldn't continue what he wanted to say. He wanted to take Dina and eat out with him. He doesn't know what to reason out if ever Dina would ask why, because he doesn't even know why he is doing this in the first place too. "YES! YES! WOHOOO!!!", Dina cheered and jumped with excitement, and Rico was surprised. 'Rico! Rico! I was hired! I applied in Wisdom and I got the job! YES!!!", Dina happily said to Rico and due to her joy and excitement, she suddenly hugged him. Rico was stunned then he suddenly felt his heart beating so fast the moment Dina had touched his skin… and before he even realized it, he was already hugging Dina back too. It's as if his own body has its own mind while doing it. Rico felt Dina's warmth and he liked it. It feels good to have Dina locked inside his arms… it feels so right and slowly, Rico had closed his eyes as he continued feeling Dina's embrace. Dina wondered why, she froze for a moment when she felt Rico hugging her back which he doesn't usually do every time when she hugs him. Dina felt her hot on her cheeks and she also felt her fast heartbeat but instead of going against it, she just let herself feel how good it is to be inside Rico's arms. She felt Rico and slowly leaned her head on Rico's broad chest, she heard his heart beating so fast and loud. Rico hugged Dina even tighter as if he doesn't want to let go of her. Rico felt Dina and Dina liked to be wrapped inside Rico's embrace… then her cellphone suddenly rang. They both opened their eyes and in surprised Dina pushed Rico away. For this reason, Dina had gotten away from Rico's embrace. Rico froze and was stunned. For a moment, it's as if he had forgotten what had just happened… he just saw Dina going away from him and walking towards her ringing phone. 'Wait a minute.", Dina said to Rico before answering the call. It was obvious that Dina was uncomfortable, it was written all over her face. She didn't know what happened between them and what had both felt when they were in each other's arms. Rico looked at his hands… he was staring intently at his hands. These hands were able to hug Dina… but they couldn't with Alice. Why? Why did I do it? Why did I like what I have done? Why am I feeling this way?, Rico wondered as he put his hand over his chest. He can still feel his heart beating fast as he looked earnestly at Dina. "Best?", Dina said as she answered her phone, Rico felt like he has been poured over by a pail of cold water. For an unknown reason why, he became in a bad mood when he found out that Dina's caller was the annoying Carlos after all. "Thanks best. Ok, good night.",Dina said and ended the call. Rico fell silent. 'Uh… it's Carlos. He congratulated me because I got hired at Wisdom.", Dina sais as if she was explaining to Rico. 'Wisdom?", Rico said flatly but still controlling his annoyance over her caller. 'Yeah, the school near here. I was accepted as their PE teacher there.", Dina said gladly. 'W-wow! I'm speechless. Congratulations, Dina. That's… really… very surprising.",Rico sounded surprised but it seems like he wasn't really that happy for Dina and he seems to be worried instead. 'Thank you.",Dina happily responded. 'Well, h-how? What? I mean… does this mean that you are moving out? You're not… right?", Rico asked anxiously. 'Moving out? Why would I? The school is near here. I don't want to rent an apartment, it's too expensive… however, if you really want me to go---" "NO!!! Of course not! I won't allow you to just move out. Well… if that's the case, congratulations again. Welcome to adulthood.",Rico hurriedly cut off what Dina was about to say and now he is already smiling when he found out that she would stay. 'Sorry if I didn't tell you, Rico. I really want to surprise you. You know, it's kind of boring to be alone here in this house. Every time mom and dad went out, I really have no one to talk to. Of course, I could talk and bicker with you before but now you have Alice. I couldn't do that anymore. I know you are busy both with Alice and your work… I shouldn't bother you. That's why I ended up applying for a job.", Dina explained. Rico felt sad and heavy with what Dina had just said. He has no time for Dina anymore… even with his own parents just because of Alice. 'Well… I am so proud of you, Dina for your achievement.",it was what all Rico could respond. Dina answered him with a gentle smile. It caught Rico's eyes… he stared at Dina steadily, her smile seemed to be the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, it jad almost left him breathless. Dina wondered why Rico went silent. 'Uhm… if you have nothing to say anymore, then I think you should go back---' 'Let's celebrate.",Rico abruptly said to Dina. 'Huh?",Dina wondered. 'I said, let's celebrate… because you go hired. All you was just pizza and you haven't satisfy you hunger yet.", Rico smiled at her. Dina smiled at the thought too. 'Really? I like that idea!", Dina happily said. Rico laughed. 'You really liked pigging out!", Rico teased Dina happily. "Why? Any objections? Make sure we're eating in an eat-all-you-can restaurant so you won't end up wasting tons of money just to make me full.", Dina laughed. Rico laughed harder. He really missed being like this with Dina, feels like it's been ages since he laughed aloud like that.