From Boring to Burning

2: The Announcement

Patuloy na nakaupo si Alex in her family's dining room, the weight of the announcement still settling in her mind. The grandfather clock ticked ominously, marking the seconds of an unwanted reality. Umikot ang paningin niya sa pamilya niya – her father's earnest expression, her mother's hopeful smile, Reagan's reassuring nod. They were all in on this, at pakiramdam tuloy niya pinagkakaisahan siya sa sarili niyang bahay.

"Is this really necessary?" 'Di na napigilan ni Alex magtanong, her voice edged with frustration.

"Napaka-outdated na ng arranged marriages, Dad."

Bumuntong-hininga si Aragon, running a hand through his graying hair. "Alex, 'di ka na rin bumabata. I worry about what will happen to you if something happens to me. I just want to make sure you're taken care of."

Huminga nang malalim si Alex, maraming tumatakbo sa isip niya. The irony of her situation wasn't lost on her. Here she was, living a scenario straight out of one of her dark romance novels. She never expected her life to mirror the very tropes she wrote about.

Lumingon siya sa kanyang ina, "Mom, may alam ka ba rito?"

Romana nodded gently. "Lex, just give it a try. You've never had a boyfriend. This is just an engagement pa naman. May oras ka pa para kilalanin siya."

Alex glanced at her older brother, Reagan, hoping na kampihan siya nito. "Did you know about this agreement, Kuya?"

Reagan shook his head. "Ngayon ko lang din 'to nalaman. But Alex, Cassiel is a good friend. I'll talk to him, don't worry. I promise, if ever na sinaktan ka niya, ako yung unang makakaharap niya."

Alex cursed inwardly. Was her family nuts? Of all people, it had to be Cassiel. Sure, he was the kind of man many girls swooned over, both in real life and in fiction, but Alex knew better. He was a walking red flag.

"Dad, 'di mo ba narinig yung mga pinaggagagawa niya?" she asked, exasperated. "Are you really going to marry me off to that man?"

Aragon nodded, his expression serious. "Nakausap ko na si Tito Cassius mo about this. Pinaghandaan na namin ito before announcing this to you. You have time to get to know him. At tsaka, mas panatag ako kung sa matagal na nating kilala yung magiging asawa mo. We've known them since you were kids. Wala naming mawawala kung sumubok, 'di ba?"

"Walang mawawala? Mawawala freedom ko. I've been living my life since then. Madami pa kong gustong gawin sa buhay ko. Wala pa sa plano ko mag-settle down. Why does society rush things?" she thought bitterly and sighed. Pero in her mind, minsan lang humiling ang Dad niya. She always gets what she wants. Is she really accepting her fate now?

"Okay Dad, fine. But don't expect me to act sweet and nice to him," she warned.

Aragon gave ber a reassuring smile. "Just get to know him, okay? Everything will be alright."

"As a start," Aragon added, "both families will have a formal dinner sa restaurant ng mommy niyo, It will give you and Cassiel a chance to meet and talk."

Alex nodded reluctantly, feeling cornered yet determined. If she had to face Cassiel, she would do it on her terms. Her life was spiraling into the unexpected, but she wasn't going to let it consume her.

After kumain ng pamilya Andrews, pumasok si Alex sa kanyang childhood bedroom, the familiar surrounding offering little comfort. She lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts.

Unable to keep it all inside, kinuha niya yung phone niya at tinawagan si Noelle.

"Hey, what's up?" Noelle's cheerful voice greeted her.