I Wish Time Would Repeat Itself

“Did I hear you right, Carlo? You want me to pose as your girlfriend?” “Please, Cass, help me out here,” pleaded Carlo to Cassandra, a close friend of his younger sister. They live near each other and Cassandra usually hang-out in their house. Tomboyish in attitude, she prefers being called Cass. They have known each other for quite some time already and during that time Carlo knows that Cassandra has a crush for her sister. It’s for this reason that he mustered enough courage to convince Cassandra to play along with his plan. “Are you nuts? Have you gone out of your mind thinking I will agree to pose as your girlfriend? You must be way out of your mind. (Snicker!) “No, Cass… I’m just desperate. Please hear me out.” “Huh! If you’re desperate, then it’s best to leave me out, Carlo. Maybe it would be better if you just jump out into the river.” “Please, Cass.” “Ahhhh, stop bothering me or I’ll punch you silly.” “Don’t be like that, Cass. Can’t you help a friend in need?” “Aaaarrrgghh! Are you deaf? Can’t you understand a word I’m saying? Read my lips… no way, no way… NO WAY! You’re ruining my day, I’m out of here.” Carlo was frantically searching his mind for a way to convince Cassandra. She’s the only one he knows that is perfect for his plan to get back his ex-girlfriend. They’ve just broken up and he just couldn’t take it. Actually, it’s just a cooling off period, as pointed out by her ex. She said it will be good for them to ‘test the market’. Who knows, there may be a better partner for them. Six months, that’s the duration of their cooling off period. If they are not able to find a more suitable partner, then its written in the stars that they are destined for each other. However, if one of them finds a more greener pasture, then they should be happy and release them with no hard feelings. “Destiny… Aaarrgghh!” he said to himself during that day, “She just happened to watch ‘Serendipity’ and there she goes having crazy ideas. Stupid!” At first, Carlo doesn’t want to go along with the plan but he knows her too well to contradict. When she concoct of something, no matter how crazy it is, she pursues it. Unfortunately, he is hopelessly blinded by the popularity of his ex, Eloisa. She’s beautiful, rich, popular, an honor student and pursued by many. To put it simply, Carlo considers himself extremely lucky to be his boyfriend. He also knows that he became her boyfriend because he happens to be in the right place and time, right after she dump her last one. That’s why, when she asked for a ‘cooling-off’ period, he grudgingly agreed. Carlo was sent back to reality when she saw Cassandra heading out of their house. He quickly caught up with her. “Cass, from now on, don’t even think of going back here.” “Huh? Are you for real? Just because I won’t play along with your plans… I'm off-limits here? Who are you to say something like that? You’ve really gone crazy, Carlo.” “I’m serious, Cass. From now on, you are off limits to this house.” “Are you the king of this house to demand something like that? In the first place, let me remind you that it’s your sister, Rachel that I’m friends with. Not with you. Do you think she’ll brush me off because of your say so? Hah! Fat chance!” Cass said sarcastically. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad that you are a lesbian and you have a crush on my little sister. I’ll even tell Rachel about that.” Cassandra was dumbfounded. She didn’t expect Carlo to stoop this low. “You’re really gonna do that?” she said trying to control her anger. “Well, all is fair in love and war. You don’t want to help me… then we’re even.” Carlo is really grasping at straws. Her sister is his last ace in his sleeve. He knows that Cassandra and Rachel are both scheduled to go on a school sponsored team-building activity. He’s very sure that if Rachel knows about Cassandra’s intent on her, she will avoid her. And if in the event that it’s okay with her sister, their parents will surely not allow Rachel to go on the trip once they know the real score. Better yet, they may come up and guard her sister like a leech to prevent Cassandra from making her move. Worse, Cassandra will be persona non grata to their home. “Ugh! Carlo, you’re taking this personally. This is unfair.” “Call it what you like, but that’s the way it is. No hard feeling, my friend.” Again, Cassandra kept silent, her frustrations showing. To Carlo’s relief, she did not make any move to go away. “Mmmm… are you ready to hear me out,” Carlo asked. “C’mon, let’s go to the nearby Burger House so we can talk about it.” “Arrrggghh!” screamed Cassandra to no one. Seeing no way out to her dilemma, she had no recourse but to follow Carlo.