Loving You

Set Up

#LYSetUp

A week later

Nina attended her friend's wedding while Rea has to join their family dinner.

Rea called Nina to inform her again about their dinner. The latter went out the venue so that she can hear the former clearly. "Hun, how are you?" Rea asked. "I'm fine hun, nandito na kami sa reception," Nina answered.

"Ah okay. Ako naman papunta na para sa dinner namin nila Papa," Rea replied. Nina didn't say anything.

"Hun, are you still there?" Rea asked. "Uh, yes, uh--may sumagi lang sa isip ko," Nina replied. "What is it? I'm curious," the former says.

"Kung ipapakilala ka ng Papa mo sa lalaki, ano mangyayari sa'tin?" Nina asked her. "Nothing will change. We'll still be together. I'll fight for you, honey," Rea gave her an assurance.

"I love you, Hun" Nina replied. "I love you more. Don't drink much. Take care." Rea ended the call.

---

Rea entered her father's house. The maids and her brother welcomed her. "Good evening ma'am," maids greeted with a smile. "Hi ate! Good evening," her brother, James also greeted her then kissed her cheeks.

"Good evening. Nasan si Papa?" Rea asked him. "Nasa kwarto pa niya," James answered.

She went to the living room together with her brother and waited for their father.

"James, I have good news," Rea says with her big smile. "Wow. Mukhang good news talaga 'yan ha. Ilang years ko ring di nakita 'yang ngiting 'yan e. Okay, ano 'yun?" James replied.

"Kami na," she whispered. "Talaga ate? Yung best friend mo?" he also whispered so that no one can hear them.

"Oo, I'm so happy nga kasi--" she was interrupted when they heard a door from upstairs closes.

They heard footsteps going downstairs and knew it was their father. They stood up and waited for him.

"Good evening, Pa," she greeted her father. "Good evening. Maupo na tayo, papunta na sila," their father smilingly replied. "He'll do something for sure." she thought because her father doesn't smile like that unless he will ask for a favor.

"Pa, I have something to say," says Rea. James looked at her nervously. "Okay, go ahead," he replied. "Maybe after nalang po ng dinner," she replied then he nodded.

After a while, the Guevarra family has arrived. "Good evening," Mrs. and Mr. Guevarra greeted. "Good evening po Tito," their son greeted Mr. Legaspi but instead of looking at him, he looked at Rea.

Rea and Victor had an eye-contact but she immediately looked away.

"Kumain na tayo," he says then lead them to the dining area.

While eating, Mr. Guevarra and Mr. Legaspi are talking about business while Victor was not taking his eyes away from Rea. James noticed it and figured out what was happening. His mood suddenly changed.

"Son, you said you have something to say?" Mr. Guevarra talked to Victor. The latter then looked at him. "Ah, yes Dad, thank you" Victor replied then fixed himself. "Tito, can I court Rea?" he added.

Rea looked at him. Without asking for Rea's answer her father answered, "Of course, Victor," says Mr. Legaspi. "With all due respect, Pa, isn't it Ate's decision if she wants to be courted or not?" James talked.

"We'll talk later, son," he replied. James can't take it anymore, he's about to leave but Rea stopped him before he even stands up.

"Pa, I don't like this," says Rea. "Why? He's a nice guy and I think you're single, aren't you?" he replied.

Rea didn't reply to give some respect to her father. Victor looked at Rea annoyed. "What do you want? To be my husband? You wish!" she thought as she was looking at him mad.

There was a silence after the conversation.

They all finished their food and the Guevarra family decided to leave.

After seeing Guevarra family out, Mr. Legaspi decided to go upstairs, "Pa, ano 'yun? Ipapapakasal mo na naman ako?" Rea asked. Her father stopped from walking and turned around, "Get to know him, have fun. Maganda naman pinagsamahan nyo ni Miko, hindi ba? This might work too." her father smilingly says.

"What? Pa, bigyan naman po natin ng respeto si Miko. 2 years ago palang syang wala. Ipapapakasal mo na naman ako?" Rea said, trying to stop her father's plans.

"Respect him? Pero in a relationship ka ngayon. Then sasabihin mo sa aking respetuhin sya? Ikaw nga 'tong walang karespe-respeto!" her father angrily said.

"What? Pinapa-sundan mo pa rin ako? Pa naman, kailan mo ba ako titigilan. Hindi na nga ako umaasa sa inyo pero patuloy pa rin po 'yang pagpapasunod mo. But, yes Pa, we are together. What about that? Will you stop me from loving her again?" Rea said.

Her father was surprised upon hearing what she said. James was just watching her sister fighting for her love.

"Yes Pa. I already know what you did. Miko's family wasn't really planning for us to get married. You forced them, because you didn't want me to confess to Nina. Miko told me a week before he died. And you're wrong by saying na maganda pinagsamahan namin ni Miko. Pa, one-sided love and marriage namin. Naintindihan ako ni Miko dahil ni sa kama hindi kami nagtabi. Kung naaalala ko sya, sisterly love nalang 'yun. Hindi kami naging masaya, Pa," she says.

He just turned around then started to walk again.

"Sa akin, Pa. Kahit sa akin manlang, magka-respeto po kayo. Anak mo rin ako, Pa. Hindi lang ako kung sino dyang babae na pwede mong ipakasal sa hindi ko naman mahal," says Rea. The father didn't say anything and continued to walk.

Rea was walking toward the door when James talked to her. "Ate, ipaglaban mo na sya. Huwag ka na magpatali ulit." Rea looked at him and nodded.

Rea's now in her car. She remembered memories of 5 years ago.

Flashback

"Anak, tumawag si Nina," her mother says.
"Ano raw po? Bakit po sa inyo tumawag?" she asked.

"Anak, umiiyak sya. Sa tingin nya mali 'yung nagawa nya," she says. "Ha? Ano po bang nagawa nya, ma?" she replied confused.

"Kinausap nya kasi si Miko, magkababata pala yung dalawa, matagal lang hindi nagkita. Pero, hindi nasagot si Miko e, tahimik lang daw," she says.

"Ha? Kinausap nya po si Miko at magkababata sila?" she asked with her widened eyes.

"Oo, iba talaga 'yang kaibigan mo. Pinaglalaban ka pa rin. Pero, alam kong gusto mo syang tawagan pero ayaw ng Papa mo. Huwag mo raw syang kakausapin hangga't di ka pa kasal," she says.

I'll fight for you just like what you did the last time I hurt you.