Chapter 8 The Wedding

Because Rico's parents are in a hurry to have Rico and Dina get married, Rico had hurriedly processed their wedding procedures too. Even though Dina's presence and willingness is not there, Rico was still able to take care of all of it accordingly. Dina, as usual always locked herself in her room, even though Rico kept on asking her out to take part in their wedding preparations such as choosing her ring or her wedding gown. However, Rico failed to convince her to come out because Dina never cares about their wedding as long as she just needs to say yes to their wedding day. Dina would just always tell Rico 'It's all up to you." Rico's schedule is very hectic but despite this, he was still able to process their wedding… he is anxious that Dina might change her mind if he is not able to please her. It is too late to back-out that is why he is doing his best to get Dina out of the Ortega's responsibility and give her complete freedom from the prison she is experiencing now. By doing so, he will also clean his conscience from the guilt of Dina's father's death. --- After one month, everything is prepared already for Rico and Dina's wedding. It was their wedding day… however, Dina is still in her room, locking herself up like her usual days. She is not aware of her surroundings and she felt as if time is not existing for her. 'Where is Dina?", Mr. Ballestros anxiously asked the Ortegas. 'I told the elder sister that she needs to get ready because today is her wedding day and I also knocked at her door a lot of times too this morning. And she just told me that my mom and I should head out first.", Sunshine answered. "This child is really a burden! All she gives us if not pain, are problems!", Dina's mom said in an angry tone. She also looked annoyed and distressed. 'Calm down, I'll call her instead.", Rico said and trying to calm Dina's mother as he reached over his phone to call Dina. 'It's ringing… but she is not answering.", Rico said after few times of trying to call Dina on her cellphone. Rico didn't give up, he continued calling Dina on her cellphone until they notice a taxi stopping in front of them. They saw Dina coming out of the taxi. She is wearing a loose shirt and baggy jeans. She is wearing high-cut sneakers and didn't even comb her hair. She looks like she had just gotten up and out of the bed. 'DINA!", Dina's mom shouted at her. 'ELDER SISTER?!", Sunshine shouted in horror when she was her elder sister. Dina lifelessly stared at Rico, ignoring her mom and younger sister. Rico was in disbelief when he saw Dina. What is she planning to do?!, Rico is wondered in shock while staring at Dina with doubt in his mind if he was really going to marry this woman. 'Why are you dressed like that?!", Mrs. Ortega yelled at Dina. 'Why are you not dressed in your wedding gown?! Where is it?!", Sunshine asked Dina in panic as she has noticed Dina hasn't anything with her except herself. 'I couldn't find it.", Dina answered, uninterested. Without caring to what will her mom and Sunshine would react, she left them and went towards the well-dressed Rico instead. 'The only thing that I need to do to just say I DO, right?", Dina was talking to Rico. Rico quickly nodded as Dina sounded so intimidating. Everyone was so shocked, the guests, and even the Ballestros seeing what Dina is wearing. However, for the Ballestros couple, the most important thing is that she has now arrived at the wedding. 'Elder sister! I told you a thousand times that I put it in front of your bedroom door! You said that I just need to put it there! You still have enough time to get dress, hurry---', Sunshine ran after Dina as she was preventing her to enter the venue without having her dressed properly. "I. Did. Not. See. Anything.", Dina's tone was cold as she turns to face her younger sister. 'Let's get on and start the wedding.", Dina turned to Rico after giving a sharp glare to her sister. "O-Ok.", Rico hesitatingly answered as he is still in shock and disbelief. He can't still get overseeing how Dina is dressed on their wedding day. 'You ILL-MANNERED b*tch! Are you CRAZY?! Are you uneducated?! ARE YOU REALLY THAT IMPOLITE?! IMPUDENT!", Dina's mom furiously yelled at her daughter as she went towards her and grabbed her by the hair. Dina was not defending herself. She just lets her mom hurt her it's as if she is accepting her anger. 'WEAR YOUR WEDDING GOWN AT ONCE!!!", Dina's mom hissed at her as she continually grabbed her hair. Rico held Dina's mom to intervene and stop her from hurting Dina. "Please calm down, Mrs. Ortega…", Rico persuaded as he noticed everyone around them had been looking at them as a scene in a movie. Dina's hair is all messed up but she doesn't care. Humiliation doesn't affect her anymore. "What do you think of the Ballestros? Can they really be insulted like this? Have you forgotten already, THEY ARE YOUR FATHER'S DEAREST FRIENDS… YOUR FATHER who died because of YOU!", Mrs. Ortega's words are full of hatred and anger. 'Kumare please stop… Calm down. We don't really mind. It's okay, really… it doesn't matter. Dina looks beautiful to whatever she is wearing.",it was Rico's dad. His words are so comforting even though it can be seen on his face that he is still in shock with Dina's actions. 'Yes kumare, she must have her own reason.", Rico's mom agreed as she gave a warm smile to Dina. 'All she gave us are pure problems! Humiliation! No wonder her dad died because of her impudence!", Dina's mom was frustrated and she cried. Dina was hurt because her mother constantly blamed her for her father's death, she is fully aware of it but they keep on reminding her, never letting go, having no intentions of forgiving her. Rico felt Dina's pain. 'Rico promised me that he will never tie me down, that I will still be free even if we are married. So, it means I am also free to wear whatever clothing I wanted to wear.", Dina sounded so uninterested, it was not even a question, she wanted Rico to acknowledge what she had just said. 'Yes. I said that to her.", Rico confirmed what Dina had claimed. 'Yes, my child of course you can.", Rico's father affirmed as she took Dina's feelings into consideration. Rico's mom nodded as she agreed. 'Are we still gonna carry on with the wedding?", Dina turned to Rico in a very threatening tone, it seems like she is considering not to pursue their wedding anymore. Rico panicked. 'Y-yes!", Rico abruptly said to prevent Dina from thinking any negative thoughts. 'Of course, my child.", Rico's mom agreed too. 'Sure, I think we better start already.", it was Rico's dad as if signaling everyone to be in their places. Dina's mom and younger sister went silent. They are still angry and annoyed as they see Dina wearing her boyish clothes instead of her wedding gown while walking down the aisle. Guests and wedding witnesses are also wondering what Dina is wearing as well. 'Do you Dina Ortega accept---', the minister was interrupted to what he was supposed to ask when Dina immediately answered. 'I do.", Dina said in a disinterested tone. The minister wondered and yet he continued and went on to ask Rico. 'Do you, Rico Ballestros accept Dina Ortega as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?", the minister asked Rico. At that time Rico felt the urge to back-out. Everyone was wondering why Rico is not answering. 'Do you, Rico Ballestros accept…", the minister repeated, he is talking but for Rico, the words seem to become unclear as to if they have no meaning anymore. He really wants to back-out and he is firm with his decision. He will do it because he doesn't love the woman he is going to marry today. He opened his mouth to talk but there were no sounds. I don't love Dina… it is very wrong to marry someone you don't love! Rico thought as he attempted to talk, once again he opened his mouth but there are still no words coming from it. Dina and I are not compatible with each other… just look at her! It's our wedding but just look at how she looks!..., Rico stared at Dina and Dina stared back at him. Their eyes meet and he felt her sadness. He felt pity for her. She looks very desperate in her life, it looks like she doesn't want to live anymore too, she looks lifeless and no longer cares about herself and whatever the world does to her… Could I really more add another burden that this woman is already experiencing?, Rico asked himself as guilt filled his heart. Dina looked down… maybe because of the hardship she is experiencing, she no longer have the energy to face the world confidently anymore. Should I really need to humiliate this woman? Am I really capable of backing out and embarrass her in front of many?", Rico still thinking as he saw Dina turned her back to him and started to walk away. Why is Dina walking away? Where is she going?, Rico wondered. His mind went blank as he have forgotten his wedding and was just about to realize his mistake when the minister tried to asked him he-doesn't-know-how-many-times-already again. Rico panicked. 'I DO! I DO! I DO!!!", Rico yelled with full emotions because he was so anxious especially when he saw Dina still walking away from him, unaffected of his answer. Even though everyone was wondering even the minister itself as well. Despite wondering, the minister continued to say the famous line on every wedding event… 'And now, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.",the minister. Dina was already in the middle of the aisle when Rico ran after her… and caught her… Rico held her shoulders, had her face him, and he immediately held and locked her cheeks with his two hands as he gave her lips a kiss. Dina wa so shocked. Everyone stood up and clapped their hands as they all went to shout… 'CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY-WED!", everyone celebrated. They cheered and clapped but Dina pushed Rico away from her and was about to punch him. However, Rico was fast enough to stop her as he caught her fists. "You can't do that here.", Rico smiled. 'Yes, I can!",Dina stubbornly said and went on to trample Rico's foot. Rico felt the pain but he endured it because all the prying eyes are on them. Dina hurriedly went out of the scene as Rico quickly ran after her outside. Eveyone cheered happily to the newly-wed. 'CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY-WED!!! BEST WISHES TO RICO AND DINA!", everyone happily cheered the new couple. ###Chapter 9 New Family, New Life After the wedding, Dina immediately went on to live along together with the Ballestros. Dina has her own room because the Ballestros already knew Rico's intention is not to sleep with Dina but to marry her so that Dina will be under his responsibility and wouldn't have to endure all the blame anymore… Rico will take care of Dina, feed her and make sure she has a home. However, despite Dina and Rico having 'no strings attached", the two old Ballestros are still hoping that one day they will learn to like and love each other as a couple. They think it is possible especially they are now living under the same roof… that is why when they saw Rico kissing Dina on their wedding day, they are extremely delighted and hoping to have a grandchild as soon as possible… hopefully… hopefully… 'Let's eat.", Rico called on to Dina inside her room. Dina just went on to ignore Rico as if she never heard what he had just said or just acting as he wasn't even there. For this reason, Rico was annoyed and went inside Dina's room to confront her. 'WHAT are you doing?!", Dina hissed as she saw him inside her room. 'I said let's eat.",Rico insisted. He needs to change Dina's unhealthy lifestyle. It is not good if Dina would continue locking herself inside her room. Dina needs to see the world… POSITIVELY! He needs to help Dina change her ways, it would have been easy if Dina is cooperative but looking at her, she is unwilling and she is not like a tamed sheep that will obey whatever you tell her to do. She would definitely go against you and would really take accountability of her actions and all the things she wanted to do. Rico must definitely show her who is the boss, and he needs to do it in a more aggressive and forceful way. Due to this reason, Dina is even more distant and hostile to him… but he still needs to do it, because if he won't… Dina will forever blames herself and would shoulder the guilt… she might end up getting depressed and might do horrible things to herself. 'No. I am not hungry.", Dina answered back. 'You wil eat… even if you don't want it or not want it---', Rico was interrupted. "Why are you forcing me to eat?! Who gave you the authority to order me around?! It would have been good if you just let me be---' 'I am your husband! Your father entrusted you to me!Right before your very eyes he said that you will be my responsibility and I know you heard it as well!" , Rico interrupted Dina with his loud tone too. Dina fell silent because of Rico's roaring voice. 'What is it to me if I heard it too?! Are you my father---!", Dina wasn't able to finish what she was about to say. "I may not be your father but I am his substitute. My words are as effective like you father's word. He entrusted you to me so, therefore you must listen to me!", Rico was firm with his words. Dina was in disbelief, she gnashed her teeth in anger and she wanted to punch the man in front of her. 'Are you crazy?! I will never listen to you whatever it takes! I will not follow---', Dina's anger was interrupted when Rico began to talk again. 'If your father is really important to you… you should have listened to him, even just once. He is no longer with us anymore, are you still rebelling against him? I am sure he doesn't want to see you like this. This is also a way for you to make up with your father especially for those times that you have refused to hear him.", Rico ended their conversation before leaving Dina alone in her room. Dina reflected on her actions. She felt the pain Rico's words had brought her. She cried. 'Dad… dad….", Dina cried in grief as her tears continually fell on her cheeks. While everyone was about to eat, Dina arrived. Everyone was so surprised to see Dina pulling a chair, signaling that she is now ready to share a meal with them. Rico seemed to be expecting this already and was somewhat happy because he was able to convince Dina to eat together with the whole family. 'My child, I am glad that we are able to eat together like this. Let's be like this from now on.", Rico's father happily said to Dina as he gave her a warm smile. Dina looked at him with her sad stares as a reply because she still felt awkward to see that she is now going to share her meal with different people… she realized that she belonged to a different family now. 'Don't be shy, my child, okay? We are your family now.", Rico's mother smiled as she tried to make Dina feel welcomed to the family. Dina nodded as if she was accepting what they were saying. "Thank you, mister and missis---', Dina wasn't able to finish her words. 'Dad… Please call me Dad, my child.", Rico's father said when he cut-off Dina's words. 'And please call me Mom.", Rico's mom smiled warmly at Dina. Dina stared at the old couple. Their words are to comforting and Dina felt satisfied as if she is well-fitted to be in the family… this is the feeling that she had almost forgotten already due to her father's death and before everyone had been constantly blaming her. 'Y-Yes Dad… Mom…", Dina answered shyly in a low voice. "You should eat a lot, okay?", Rico smiled at her. Dina answered him back with a sharp look on her eyes. This man is plastic! Earlier, he was just like a bull, ready to fight and he keeps on shouting at me. Now that we're in front of his parents, just look how he's acting like an angel. Look how silly he is, smiling like an idiot! The truth is he never smiles like that… what he always wear is an ugly frown!, Dina thought annoyingly. While thinking, Dina was surprised when Rico suddenly widened his eyes as if threatening her just to make her get some food on her plate. Plastic!, Dina thought as she went on to put some food on her plate. Even though Dina is sad, she didn't notice that she was already eating a lot. She can't point out if the food Rico's mother had cooked is really delicious or if she was just really starving... the Dina suddenly realized, she hadn not eaten anything for few days already. She was not eating well because no one cared for her. No one even invited her to eat. It has been few days already that she had not been eating well, sometimes she just let time slip by without putting any food on her mouth… she was almost used to it already. Her tears suddenly fell. She missed this feeling, she missed her former family and she is sad because she knew it will never be like before anymore. She can't go back to how they were used to be. Everyone and even Rico wondered why Dina suddenly cried. 'Why, my child? Is there something wrong?", Rico's mom worriedly asked Dina. Rico's dad is also worried. Rico was just wondering. Dina shook her head as her reply to them. 'I just missed my dad…", Dina sad in a low tone and for some reason why, she can't stop her tears from falling continuously. She kept on crying. Rico's mom stood and went over her and hugged her immediately. Dina wept louder… she was not able to do this when her father dies because she felt like she has no right to cry because everyone was blaming her. When her dad died, no one comforted her that is why when Rico's mom hugged her, it was the first time as if someone had comforted her… it was the feeling she wanted to feel again… the care and comfort which she had almost forgetten how it feels like already. Rico's dad begin to cry as he was touched when he saw his bestfriend's eldest daughter's tears. Rico just went on to look at his crying father and then he turned to Dina… he is confused but at the same time, he also felt pity towards Dina. Ever since Dina's father died, she never had a good sleep but that night she was able to sleep really well. She cried a lot and somehow it eased the pain and burden she had been enduring these days… this is also the reason why she felt closer towards Rico's parents. It was easy to accept them. Dina felt that Rico's parents are just like her parents right before the horrible things happened that almost ruined her life. Rico's parents are very caring that is why it was really easy for Dina to loved them back in return. The Ballestros was easy to care for because they are warm and accommodating… well, except Rico. Dina gets along very well with everybody except Rico because they still always argue. It's because Rico is always the villain to everything she does and to anything she wanted. However, in the end, Rico always wins and Dina ends up doing what Rico wanted her to do, making her reflect on her actions as Rico keeps on insisting that he is her father's substitute. Dina thought, maybe Rico was actually right because just like her dad, Rico keeps on contradicting all the things she wanted. Rico and her dad are surprisingly very alike. Even though Dina has a new family now, she still feels the presence of her former family. She belongs with a different family now… She is now a Ballestros. She has been given a chance for a new life and to make up for all her mistakes she has done towards her father. Rico also forced Dina to go back to school, it seems like her father would also do the same if ever he is still alive. Dina's home now is really far from where she used to live, her previous university is also far away that is why Rico decided to transfer Dina to a nearer school by using his connections as a lawyer. It is not yet too late to make up for her missed classes at school because she is not a slow learner. 'OKAY! Okay! I get it! I'll go back to school again! But promise me one thing… there is only one thing in this world that I don't want you to oppose!!!", Dina hissed at Rico when she was finnaly forced to agree after arguing with Rico about school. 'It depends. What would that be?", Rico said cooly while Dina looks like smoke is already coming out of her nose. Although Rico may looked relax on the outside but deep inside, his blood is already boiling of annoyance too. 'I will join the basketball club and you are not going to stop me!",Dina said. Rico just stared at Dina and after a few moments he showed her a simple smile. Dina was shocked to see Rico's reaction and because of this reason her heart skipped a beat and her cheeks turned red. 'Sure. You're free to do that.", Rico casually answered. Dina got even more surprised of his answer that Rico would allow her to play. Her cheeks even turned redder as she felt the excitement of going back to school. She really missed playing basketball. 'YAHOOOOO!!!", Dina cheered happily and hurriedly went back to her room. Rico was so amused with Dina's reaction, he was not expecting that she will be this happy when he agreed to let her continue playing basketball.