Chapter 10 Unknown Emotion

When Dina shut her door, she felt her heart. It was beating really fast and she also feels the heat of her cheeks. She stared blankly in wonder. Why am I feeling this way?!, Dina thought as she remembered Rico showing his gentle smile earlier. It was the first time Rico did that to me… he smiled at me without people around us… it wasn't a plastic smile… BUT a genuine smile…, Dina thought but immediately took it out of her mind. Wow! I had not been playing for so long already… I am so excited to play basketball once again!, Dina thought, removing Rico from her mind. It has been almost a year already when Dina became a part of the Ballestros and her mom and younger sister haven't visited her or even attempted to contact her and ask if she was okay. She hasn't seen them ever since she moved in with the Ballestros. Everything went smoothly with Dina's studies and as usual, she is still aloof at school even with her classmates except with the women's basketball team. She was able to feel comfortable with her teammates which is vital because unity is a primary source for good play. Teamwork is the key to a successful game. She is close with her teammates but not there is a limitation with her friendship with them. She is never too open with them and her friends doesn't even bother to probe her too much as well. Despite the situation, she still get along well with them and for this reason, they were able to win the championship during that basketball season… Dina defeated the previous basketball team where she belonged once. Others felt bad to what she did and had taken it personally, treating her as if a traitor because she ignored the moments she had with the team. Although, some of her former teammates are open-minded enough to understand that it was sports… everyone are doing their best to win the game for their respective teams. However, Dina must have been given a ton of luck with her excellent talent and playing skills. Dina's current teammates are fully aware that she had a major impact why they won the game, it's because of her why the members of the team learned how to cooperate, they learned teamwork instead of hogging each other for points. Rico was also happy when Dina was telling about it during their meal. Everyone was so proud of her, especially Rico. He boasted Dina's proficiency in playing basketball in front of his parents and he felt proud of it, due to this, Rico's parents are both happy for Dina winning the game and also for Rico's reaction towards Dina. They continually hope that the newly-wed would later develop romantic feelings towards one another even though it has been a year already and they still treat each other as siblings. After few months, Dina had successfully finished her college degree… and yet, not even a shadow of her mom and younger sister came. She felt a bit down because the family she knew when she was young until she got married weren't there to witness her success. She felt disappointed but it was a good thing that the Ballestros were there. There presence cheered her up a bit. However, she felt sad again when it came to her realizations that she had graduated already… it means, Rico will no longer support her studies… and that she must look for a job, it's the right thing to do. 'Rico… I have graduated now. I have earned my degree.", Dina premised when she was along with Rico inside their mini-library at the house. "Well, congratulations Dina! I am truly happy. We are so proud of you.",Rico said happily. 'You sounded so old.", Dina laughed but went serious afterwards. "Uhmn… Rico… since I have graduated already… is it okay if I moved out of this house, I feel embarrassed staying here without---', Dina was interrupted to what she was about to say. Rico eyebrows crossed signifying as if he didn't like what she had jud said. "NO.",Rico answered instantly. 'But Rico… I won't be doing it right away. I will find a job first and if I am able to stand alone---', Dina tried to explain her point but she was again cut off to what she wants to say. "Job? You will look for a job?",Rico still sounded angry as his eyebrows still met in the middle. In an effort to convince Rico, instead of arguing and answering him in a loud tone like the usual, she decided to nod sheepishly. 'Why do you need to look for a job? My job is enough to not make you starve---' 'BUT RICO---" 'DINA! You are my responsibility until the day I die! That is my promise… I am acting like your guardian.. like your father now. This is the truth and we can't get away from it! We are now your family, Dina." 'Rico, didn't you say that you won't tie me down?!", Dina complained and her voice seems like she is annoyed. "WHY?! Is there a man who is brave enough to take you away from me already?!". Rico answered in a much louder tone. Dina fell silent and was not able to answer Rico. "Have you forgotten already that parents only set their little girls free when they are supposed to marry---', Rico was interrupted with his argument. "Then what will happen to me? I am already married with you Rico! How can I free myself when I already knot the ties with you?!" "If he can't be a man enough to face me... then he's not worth to have you and I won't even give you to any man. You will stay with me.",Rico simply answered. Di became impatient and held Rico by his collar and pushed him against the wall. Rico was surprised although he is fully aware it is Dina's natural instinct but he was taken aback when he saw the anger in Dina's eyes. He held Dina's hands and reversed their positions. Now, Dina is locked between Rico's strong arms and wall. Dina was shocked with Rico's actions that's why she had loosen her grip against his collar. 'Remember mom and dad… they treated you like their own child. They loved you so much. Haven't you thought of their feelings, Dina?", Rico asked. Dina fell silent and was shocked with Rico's words as she remember how kind Rico's parents are to her. Rico had taken Dina's silence as his opportunity to remove her hands against his collar. "Don't be selfish. If you don't have enough reason to get away from here… then don't. Stay here with us. You will also do your father a favor by doing so. My parents love you so much, especially dad… he really likes you… for me.", Rico said and Dina still went silent. "Stay here, Dina. You don't have to go. You don't have to be alone anymore because… you have us, we are your family here.",Rico gently said as if it was to comfort Dina. Dina felt soothed with Rico's words and it made her cry. 'The truth is… I really want to stay here, Rico. But I am embarrassed because everytime I thought that I am useless here and I am just forcing myself to be in this family…", Dina confessed. "No. That's not true. Who says you are useless? You are not useless Dina. You make us all happy here. I hope you know how happy we are to have you here. Since you came here, the house had filled again with laughter.",Rico smiled. Dina stared at Rico when she saw his gentle smile. She just stared at him and she felt her cheeks turned red. "Wipe your tears now, okay? We want you, Dina. We want you to stay here with us.", Rico repeated and tapped her shoulders then went on to mess her hair like a little kid. He was about to leave Dina to give her space… when Dina suddenly went on to hug him from behind his back. Rico was taken aback because he was able to feel Dina behind him, even though he cannot see her, he felt her warm embrace. "HEY! What are you doing?",Rico asked as he felt awkward but Dina didn't stop from hugging Rico. Rico was about to push Dina away because what Dina is doing is making him feel uncomfortable. "Thank you, Rico. The truth is I also want to be in this family. Thank you for bringing me here.", Dina shyly said while letting Rico go, hurriedly left the mini-library and went to her own room. Rico felt ashamed to himself because Dina was able to show her gratitude. She is not the type of woman who is very prideful and not vocal with her feelings. It must have been hard for her part to say those words and she must have gathered all her will to tell it to him. Rico smiled and was amused with Dina's reaction. He treats Dina like a yonger sister he never had. He is also aware that it was normal for Dina to feel shy because it is not in her character to say thank you to just anybody and that is why he is really happy because he felt like somehow, Dina is opening up to them little by little unlike before. Now, they are still constantly arguing like cat and dog but there is no hatred in it anymore. It was a casual habit or like a routine but no more anger. They are used to their arguments but there is care with each other now… like a family. When Dina closed the door to her room, she immediately looked at her hands. Why? Why did I do it? Why did I hugged him?!, Dina thought, she is confused of her actions. Her heart was beating really fast as the thought of Rico's gentle smile still lingers on her mind. Am I… Am I starting to like Rico? NO! Impossible!!!,Dina is annoyed with her thoughts.