A/N
A DOUBLE-UPDATE TODAY : CUZ IT'S THE START OF MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!
___
Synopsis:
"The more they denied it, the more that denial brought them back together."
Set at a time when Pat and Pran are fresh from their first actual break-up and decide they were mad at each other and will stay as friends till the negative air wears off. Both Pat and Pran’s families mistakenly think they're dating again and plan an elaborate family dinner to “celebrate.” Pat and Pran have to act like they’re still in a relationship to avoid causing family drama, only to realize they might not be faking it as much as they think.
*END OF SYNOPSIS*
_____________________________________________
It was supposed to be a quiet Saturday. Pran had been looking forward to spending the day at home, away from the chaos of university and Pat. But instead, he found himself standing outside his parents' house, trying to figure out why on earth his mom had called him over for a "special family dinner."
Pat was already there, leaning casually against his bike with that trademark smirk that Pran had grown both fond and frustrated with over the years.
"Don't tell me you're here for dinner too," Pran said, crossing his arms as he approached.
Pat grinned. "What, you're not happy to see me? It’s been, what... a whole two days since you last saw this face?"
Pran rolled his eyes, but there was something off about Pat's playful tone. Before he could ask, his mom came out, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Pran! You're here!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug. Then she turned to Pat. "You two must be so excited about tonight!"
"Excited for what?" Pran asked cautiously, sensing something terrible was about to unfold.
His mom's smile widened. "Oh, Pat’s mom and I planned everything! It’s a dinner to celebrate your relationship. We’re so happy you two are back together!"
Pran froze, and he could see Pat's smirk slowly slipping into a look of horror. This could not be happening.
---
Pran stared at his mom, his brain scrambling to catch up with what he just heard. “Celebrate… our what?”
“Your relationship, sweetie!” his mom said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Pran shot a panicked look at Pat, who looked equally stunned. Pat opened his mouth to speak, his usual confidence wavering.
“Wait, no, no,” Pat said, raising his hands in defense. “There’s been a misunderstanding. Pran and I… we’re not together. Anymore.”
Pran nodded, relieved Pat was backing him up. “Exactly. We’re just friends now. This is all—"
“Oh come on! You don't have to lie to us” Pran's mom was not buying it. “We heard Pat attempting to enter Pran's room every night and he would watch you until you fall sleep from outside your window and-" Pat's mom walked over happily, but accidently ended up blurting everything out. I mean, you two were so cute together before, how could you possibly stay apart? I knew it was only a matter of time before you got back together.”
Pran’s denial died in his throat. He glanced at Pat again, who had a look of growing dread on his face. Now Pran knew Pat's secret about wanting to talk to him and watching him sleep to make sure he was okay and not breaking down every night from all the stress. Apparently, Pat secretly knew that Pran was having a hard time at his summer internship, and that stress was also somehow a factor in his break-up with Pat about 2 weeks ago. How did Pran not know about the window-watching? Pat was quite a sweetheart, and a quiet one at that. As for this evening's arrangements, for the both of them, there was no getting out of this.
