Chapter 5 Her Declination

• HER DECLINATION
• Dina’s father was just discharged from the hospital. They just got home and were about to share a feastful meal as a celebration… when her father opened the topic about Dina and Rico’s marriage once again.
• “I really like that guy, Rico. He is responsible. I really want him to become my son-in-law as soon as possible. He will teach our boyish Dina to become more refined. You are fortunate, Dina. Rico is a rare catch.”, Dina’s father said happily, and all he could only talk about was just Rico’s good aspects. Everyone in the family laughed and agreed with him except Dina. Dina clenched her fist, forcing her anger on the knife and fork in her hands. She is definitely displeased with everything that her father says. She’s angry as she remembers Rico, this cold-hearted being.
• I don’t want Dad to find out the man he wanted for me had declined his request… that evil jerk rejected me. It would be better if, on his mind, it was I who rejected him., Dina grudgingly thought, and in one flash of the moment, she had made her decision.
• “I don’t want to marry that guy, Dad.”. Dina coldly said to her father. The happy laughter of the whole family had come to an immediate stop because of what she had declared.
• “Elder sister!”, Sunshine reprimanded Dina. It is a fact that their father has not fully recovered yet, and he will not be able to withstand shocking and stressful discussions.
• “I don’t want that guy! I’ll never like him---“, Dina was interrupted by what she was about to say when her mother began to speak.
• “Dina! Your dad had just been discharged from the hospital! Don’t say anything that would cause harm to your father!”, Dina’s mother angrily said.
• “But mom! It is not right to make dad believe that Rico and I will end up together! It’s impossible---“, Dina was once again interrupted, but now it was her dad.
• “Until when will you become a rebel, Dina?! Until when will I have to endure your stubbornness! All you gave me is displeasure and resentment!”, Dina’s father said furiously. It was evident in his tone that he was already fuming deep within him. Dina was hurt by his words. For him, there was never a single memory of her doing good deeds.
• So dad, all those times that I have listened and obeyed you… ever since a child… were all meaningless? I won a piano competition for you because you said you loved to hear me play the piano. I won quiz bees and academic tournaments because you proudly say that I am your clever daughter… All those things I did for you didn’t make you happy, dad?, Dina wanted to say, but she couldn’t.
• “DAD!”, Sunshine tried to get in between them.
• “You are so hardheaded! Are we all meaningless in your sight? You think you are always right and all of us are foolish and wrong?! Do you really think you are that perfect on your own---“, Dina’s father angrily said when Dina interrupted him. Dina was so hurt by his painful words and could not stop her mouth.
• “NOOO, DAD!!! Of course not! But making me marry that guy is too much! I can’t do it!”, Dina answered with a loud tone.
• “I know you don’t like him, elder sister, and I do understand why but that is not enough reason for you to hurt our dad! Elder sister, dad is very sick, and you should have understood that!”, Sunshine shouted at Dina.
• “But Shine, you were also a witness how arrogant that bastard is---“, Dina insisted but was easily cut-off with her words.
• “STOP IT! Are we all gonna fight just because of this?! Dina… whether you want it or not, YOU WILL MARRY RICO. And that’s FINAL!”, Dina’s father’s voice roared like thunder inside the house. Everyone went silent for a moment.
• “No, dad! NOOOO! Am I a robot to you, dad? When will you listen to me, dad?! I hope you’ll listen to me… please hear me just this once!”, Dina cried. Dina’s father felt pained when he saw his elder daughter’s tears. Dina is brave, and never in his life had he seen Dina cry like this in his front ever since she was young… but now she is weeping. He felt a sharp pain in his heart and felt sorry for his daughter.
• Dad, please… let us not stoop down and force ourselves to those people who don’t want us! Please! I beg you, dad… just this once!, Dina thought on her mind and in her heart.
• “Dina stop!”, Dina’s mother intervened.
• “You’re too much elder sister!”, Sunshine angrily said to her.
• “How about you, Dina, my child? When will you listen? Until when will you hear your own father’s voice?”, Dina’s father suddenly cried while speaking to Dina. He looks exhausted and downhearted. He was sighing heavily when he suddenly went unconscious.
• “DAAAAADDDD!!!”, the three of them shouted together when they saw him fall. They all went to him quickly.
• “Dad? DAAAAAAD!!!!”, Dina shouted and cried while hugging her father tight.
• “Elder sister, what have you done?! Dad! DAAAAD!!!”, Sunshine cried while blaming Dina with her tone. Dina was in shock. It was because of her desire to keep her father’s reputation and not to hurt him with Rico’s rejection… it was her who scarred her father’s feelings. Dina cried like there’s no tomorrow.
• Dad… Dad, sorry… Sorry, please… Wake up, dad…, are the only words inside Dina’s mind.