The Place of Love

El Lugar del Amor

Loosely shuffling my hands inside the drawers, I was hoping to find my watch and purse. This situation messed up the drawers I'd recently removed time to clean but I was too late to consider that now. I had always been this messy with things. This was one of the things my mom loved going on about. Mom always had an argument ready whenever she visited me. It was like she was preparing what she had to lecture me about on her way.

My mom was beautiful. A lot of people always said I looked very similar to her. Her yoga classes kept her in shape and that was another thing she lectured me about.. working out. I never needed to work out that bad. Whenever I thought I was gaining weight, it was during holidays and when I got back to work, my crazy schedule made sure I don't eat well and work more which eventually brought me back in shape.

This however wasnt the time to think about my mom and her lectures. I was getting late and the registration booth would close in an hour. Failing to find my watch, I decided to let go and grabbed my purse and car keys and closed the door behind me. I'd seen enough of the clock to know that I was late.

My apartment was beautiful. I managed to rent it for myself with the money that I earned. It wasn't very easy to convince mom about moving out, but I really needed to learn things by myself. She knew that too so it didn't take long for her to give up on her concern. However, her motherly speeches didn't seem to cease.

I reached down to the parking and walked towards my car turning the GPS on. I took a look at the address which was printed on the flyer and put it on the GPS. I would normally not use it since I found the voice on it pretty irritating but I realized I hadn't been to this place before and I was getting really late. I didn't want to do any searching.

Stepping on the accelerator, I started my thoughtful drive. Throughout the drive, I contemplated to myself if this registration was a good idea. I played a slow song on the music system of my car so that it also allowed me to think but I made sure it doesn't make me drive any slower.

I started to think about why I was on this drive. My mom brought me the flyer the last time she came to visit me.
She kept complaining that I was single and did not have much time for myself and she just could not accept it. She was right. About being single, I was waiting for the right one. I knew I sounded cringe sometimes but I just couldnt commit myself to someone that easily unless I was sure I experienced love. Past experiences had a place in my decision but I kept pushing it back.
I went on a few dates sometimes. A few from mom's influences and others with the influence of my very own friends. I tried, but never really felt like love. I would keep in contact with them and a few even happened to become great friends.

About not having much time for myself, well I had a job and that took most of my time. I have been more focused on my career but mom didnt seem to understand much of it. She always commented that Id grow old alone one day and as much as I hate to accept it, that scared me.

Cali you should try dating, get to know more boys. Go out on trips with your office colleagues, she kept suggesting. Its not that I didnt want to do those things but time never permitted me. I was this reserved girl who only wanted to be by herself after working all day. And I had fun with myself, didn't I? Some ice-cream and a good old movie by myself don't feel that bad.

The flyer that mom brought me had caught my attention. When she spoke about it, I had expected nothing more than a counselor she wanted me to see but it turned out to be something much more interesting. It was an advertisement for a place that claimed to find ones love. The place was called El Lugar Del Amor.

They can help find love? Better than my mother? I wondered if the love they claimed about remained forever. I didnt have very good experiences with that word. Sure I had people who loved me.. but I wouldnt know if they will always love me that way.

Ignoring all my insecure questions, I decided to check it out. After probing more into it I learned that it was a program that invited singles and unhappy couples to find love. Not only was the name but also the thought of this program seemed too fake. Like a wonderland where everything is perfect and people are roaming around with cupids on their clothes. I wouldn't consider taking leaves from work for something like this.

However, when I told my mother about my views, she wasn't very happy. She wouldn't give up and kept giving me reasons to give it a try. Though she herself experienced love differently, she hoped her daughter felt it in a better way.

She kept raising arguments about how messed up my life was and how I needed a break. Maybe you can relax and have fun there, she said in an attempt to convince me. I knew she was right. It wouldnt do me harm to explore a little. Also, I would get a break from my busy life.

I pulled to the side and came to a halt seeing the big poster on the entrance of the area. There was a huge banner that was similar to the flyer that mom had shown me. In huge fonts, at the center of the poster were the words El Lugar del Amor. With little Spanish knowledge that I had, it meant The Place of Love.

There were little cupids used as decorations making it cringe, just as I had expected. There was one sentence though that wasnt included in the flyer. I felt the anticipation through me as I read it to myself. Unforgettable memories and love by your side! it claimed. I wondered how that would turn out for me.

------------------------------

Hey readers!
This was the first chapter of my first book!

Let me know what you think!
Don't forget to vote!
Stay tuned next Wednesday for a new chapter!
Loads of love!