Threads of Love

Chapter 3

Lea's POV

I paced nervously in my condo, the weight of the recent events settling heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't believe what I had just agreed to—playing the role of Aga's girlfriend in front of his unsuspecting parents. The memory of their surprised faces lingered in my mind.

"Okay, Lea, breathe," I muttered to herself, trying to calm the chaos inside my head. I sank onto the couch and took a deep breath.

"So, I've officially entered a sitcom plot with Aga's little scheme. Ang talino ng galaw mo, Lea. Now, I've got not one but two major problems on my plate."

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration evident on my face. "Problem one: Aga and this fake relationship. Ano ba tong pinasok ko? I'm not exactly a pro at this acting thing, and Aga seems to be enjoying the chaos he's created. How do I navigate through this mess without making a complete fool of myself?"

My gaze wandered to my phone, contemplating whether to call Aga for a strategy session or let the charade play out naturally. "Guess I'll have to wing it and hope for the best. Fake it till you make it, right?"

A sigh escaped my lips as I shifted to problem number two. "And then there's the issue of Dad's arranged marriage. Seriously, who still does that in this day and age? It's like I've stepped into some 19th-century novel. How am I supposed to break free from this archaic tradition without causing a family war?"

I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. "Maybe Aga's little act is a blessing in disguise. A distraction from the impending disaster waiting at home. But can I handle both dramas simultaneously? It's like juggling with fire."

I grabbed a pillow, hugging it to my chest as if seeking comfort. "Alright, Lea, you've dealt with worse. You're smart, resourceful, and, above all, stubborn. You'll figure this out. Just take it one chaotic step at a time."

In the midst of my chaotic thoughts, my phone buzzed, and I saw a message from my dad. I hesitated for a moment before opening it, half expecting another surprise to be waiting for me.

Dad:
I've arranged for you to meet the man and his family I told you at the Aguera's on Friday, 6pm. Be punctual. This is an important step, and I trust you'll make a good impression.

Aguera's a restaurant, if I'm not mistaken it is owned by his business partner.

I sighed, glancing at the text. "Great timing, Dad," I muttered sarcastically, as if the universe conspired to make my life more complicated.

After an hour or two, I decided to seek refuge in the familiarity of Vice and Dawn's company. I invited them over to my condo, feeling the need to unload the weight of my chaotic life.

As they entered, Vice raised an eyebrow at the disarray in the living room. "Girl, dinaanan ka ba ng buhawi at ganito ang itsura ng sala mo?"

I chuckled weakly. "More like a whirlwind of drama. Take a seat, I need to fill you in on the latest episode of my life."

Dawn gave me an empathetic look as they settled onto the couch. I took a deep breath before launching into the surreal tale of Aga's fake relationship and my impending arranged marriage.

"So, imagine this—Aga, the guy I'm seeing, decides we should pretend to be a couple to ward off his parents' arranged marriage plans. I mean, who does that?" I shook my head in disbelief.

Vice leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity. "Teka, fake dating ba?"

"But wait, it gets better," I continued, a wry smile playing on my lips. "His parents, instead of being angry, decide to plan our wedding right then and there.

I nodded, rubbing my temples. "Yeah, and it's not as fun as it sounds. The charade got even crazier when his parents started planning our wedding on the spot. I'm stuck in a rom-com nightmare, at hindi ko alam paano ako makakalabas dito."

"Ngayon mo lang nakilala yan ah. Nagtiwala ka talaga?"

Dawn offered a sympathetic smile. "That's a lot to handle, Lea. But what about your dad's arranged marriage plan? How are you dealing with that?"

I sighed, realizing the complexity of my predicament. "Oh, that's still on the table. I got a message from Dad, arranging a meeting at Aguera's, of all places. It's like he's pushing me into a trap."

Vice raised an eyebrow. "Aguera's? Doon kayo magmi-meet lahat?"

I nodded, my frustration is evident. "Yep, and it's happening on Friday. Just to add more chaos to the mix."

"Talaga, Aguera's? Parang eksena sa telenovela! Baka mamaya, yung waiter mag-dramatic monologue tungkol sa bawal na pag-ibig!" We all burst into laughter.

Dawn placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Lea, you need to stand up for yourself and make your own choices."

Vice chimed in, "Oo nga, girl, you've got us in your corner. "Tutulungan ka namin lampasan ang kaguluhang ito. Baka makagawa tayo ng plano para tapusin ang mga kalokohang 'to."

I smiled gratefully at my friends. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate the support. But for now, I need to figure out how to handle both dramas without causing a complete disaster."

Vice grinned. "But, honey, I think kailangan mo ng reality show."

Dawn agreed. "Exactly! And you, my dear, are the star of this crazy show. Now, spill more details. We're here for you, through fake relationships and arranged marriages. It's all in a day's work for the fabulous Lea."

As my friends left, the echo of their laughter faded, leaving me alone in the whirlwind of my thoughts. The absurdity of my situation struck me like a sudden gust of wind. I couldn't help but wonder if my life had become a script written by a mischievous cosmic playwright.

"Okay, Lea, you're officially the star of your own rom-com, complete with fake relationships, arranged marriages, and a touch of absurdity. It's like I stumbled into a scriptwriters' convention for unconventional love stories."

I wandered back to the couch, sinking into the cushions with a sigh. The events of the day replayed in my mind like scenes from a quirky romantic comedy.

"First, Aga and his impromptu performance of 'Let's Pretend We're a Couple.' I mean, seriously, who does that? It's like he pulled a plot twist out of thin air and dragged me along for the ride. Note to self: next time, be more cautious about accepting spontaneous proposals, even if they're fake."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "And then there's Dad, orchestrating a rendezvous at Aguera's, the supposed den of romantic escapades. It's like he's trying to set the stage for a meet-cute between me and Mr. Arranged Marriage. Maybe the waiter will indeed deliver a dramatic monologue about forbidden love."

I paused, contemplating the bizarre turns my life had taken. "But, Lea, you can't let this be the plot of your story. You're the protagonist here, not a puppet in someone else's narrative. It's time to take control, even if it means adding a few unexpected twists of your own."

Kumuha ako ng notebook at papel, ready to strategize. "Step one: deal with Aga and this fake relationship. I need a game plan, something that will let me gracefully exit this sitcom plot without causing a ratings drop. Maybe I can convince Aga to come clean or make a dramatic breakup scene. The possibilities are endless."

I smirked at the thought, feeling a surge of determination. "And then there's the Aguera's affair with my potential suitor. Dad may have picked the venue, but I can certainly dictate the terms. I'll turn the tables, make this meeting work for me. Who knows, maybe I'll end up with a story worth telling, and not just for the comedic value."

As I scribbled down ideas, a sense of empowerment washed over me. "Lea, you've faced challenges before, and this is just another chapter in your unconventional tale. Embrace the chaos, rewrite the script, and let the rom-com gods be on your side. After all, what's a love story without a few unexpected plot twists?"