The next morning was something out of a romance movie. Theo ordered us breakfast from a local breakfast boutique and we ate together in bed. He forced me to call out and get some rest after I threw up the entire breakfast. Apparently, growing up, his mom would get extremely sick like me when she was on her period as well. 

Theo surprised me all week with his kindness. From ordering me lunch, to coming over to cuddle, it overwhelmed me with emotions. It brought back memories of my parents taking care of me during my childhood. Dad showered me with gifts, while mom was the queen of cuddles and just laying in bed. 

By Saturday, Aunt Flo had said her goodbyes and I was feeling much better. I woke up early and went for a run. The morning air was cool on my skin. Stopping in the park nearby, I rested on a bench and observed the Saturday morning crowd. Due to the cool weather, it seemed like everyone was engaged in some activity in the park. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head backwards towards the sky and took some deep breaths. For the first time in a very long time, I was very relaxed. 

I replayed Theo’s kind gestures throughout the week in my head. Smiling to myself, I recalled Theo trying to bake me cupcakes and the defeated look on his face when they came out deflated. His mom was absolutely correct in that Theo was horrible in the kitchen. He rushed about frantically, forgetting ingredients and “freestyling”. We laughed so loud in my tiny apartment. I really am falling for Theo.

Still smiling to myself, I got up and stretched to warm up to head back to my apartment when I bumped into two men. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry!” I bowed awkwardly for some reason while apologizing and the men laughed. 

“Melodi?” I looked up and saw a familiar face. 

“Rayyan? Hi! What are the chances?” I exclaimed with a light giggle. Next to him I saw this most well-dressed man I had ever seen. His style was that of Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye. I was obsessed with his outfit! A flowy, yellow baby doll dress grazed his knees. His hair was styled in an afro with a sunflower behind one ear and long dangly earrings. His combat boots brought the look together. 

“Babe its rude to stare,” he said, batting his eyes in a playful manner as he twirled around. Embarrassed, I apologized, “I am so sorry! I am just obsessed with your look. I love sunflowers too!”

“You obviously have exceptional taste,” he blushed. “I’m Malaki. Rayyan’s fiance,” he held out his hand and I gaped at the enormous diamond ring on his finger. 

Taking his hand, I pulled it closer as I admired the ring, “I’m Melodi. But you can call me Mel. Congratulations by the way.” Turning to Rayyan I added, “I didn’t know you were engaged! Theo talks about you all the time but failed to mention you were engaged?”

“Well, it’s really new. I just asked him this morning during brunch,” Rayyan replied, hiding a very noticeable and shy smile. “Could you believe it took him 8 years to ask me?” Malaki laughed and draped his arm around my shoulder. We had somehow started walking together at some point. 

“So, you’re Theo’s new girl, huh?” Malaki whispered. “W-well I guess? I’m not sure. We’re getting to know each other still,” I squeaked back. Malaki’s smile brightened even more. “Oh babe, all Theo’s been doing is texting us non-stop about Mel, the baker and smartest employee at the university.”

Blushing, I looked at my feet. Malaki squeezed me into a side hug. “You’re freaking adorable and I am going to take you home in my purse if you don’t stop!”

“Mal, stop it. You’re embarrassing her on purpose. Sorry, Mel” Rayyan smiled and pulled his fiance away. “So, were you working out? Where’s Theo? He said he was picking you up for breakfast like 10 minutes ago,” Rayyan asked, confused. 

“W-wait what? I’ve been out running for the past 45 minutes,” I stated as I grabbed my phone from its holder on my arm. My phone was still on Do Not Disturb. I hated when I would get notifications while listening to music and Siri would start reading the messages, so I put it on Do Not Disturb after texting Theo good morning. 

My screen showed that I had two missed calls and a text from Theo seven minutes ago. I pressed his name to call him back and Malaki took the phone, “Hey future brother-in-law!” I watched as Rayyan rolled his eyes and chased Malaki around trying to retrieve my phone. Malaki was extremely fast for someone in heeled combat boots. I would have definitely eaten it if I tried to run in those 5 inches. 

I stood on the sidewalk and observed the couple. They looked at each other with so much love radiating between them. Seeing them reminded me of Chels and Remy. The kind of couples that there is no denying the bond between them. My mind drifted to Leonardo and I sighed. How could I have ever thought we would have had this together. 

Malaki sauntered over, holding out my phone and pouting with Rayyan in tow. “Richard here says I have to stop teasing you and Theodore and give this back.” Richard. I wondered if Rayyan had another name like Theo did. Theo had told me Taish was his middle name and his “Malaysian” name. His parents wanted them to have “normal” names for school, but also their Malaysian roots. 

I pressed my phone to my ear and smirked at Rayyan and Malaki. Rayyan was hugging Malaki and smiled at me apologetically while patting his back. “Hey,” I said into the phone.

“Hey,” Theo chuckled back. “So, you finally got to meet Malaki. Thoughts?” 

“Well, he wants to take me home because he thinks I’m adorable. I think I’ll let him if he promises to buy me a new wardrobe,” I exclaimed loudly so Malaki and Rayyan would hear. “DONE!” screamed back an excited Malaki. 

“If a new wardrobe is all it takes to get you to move in, let’s go shopping today,” there was no trace of sarcasm in Theo’s voice and I paused. “Theo,” I replied.

“I’m kidding about moving in, but I would like to go shopping with you today,” Theo stated. I watched as Rayyan and Malaki argued about whether I should go to lunch with them, “Sure. I need to take a shower when I get back, but I’m down. I haven’t been shopping in a while, and I’m curious to see what stores you shop at.” 

The word ‘shopping’ must have peeked Malaki’s interest, he scurried over and yelled next to the phone, “Yes! Let’s all meet downtown in two hours!” Dragging Rayyan next to him, he ran towards a cab smiling ear to ear. Theo chuckled before saying, “Sure. See you in a bit Mel” and hanging up. 

I stared down at my sports bra and leggings. I don't have anything to wear as cute as Malaki’s outfit. Even Rayyan was wearing a nice yellow shirt with tiny flowers dotting all over. I texted the only person I know that could be at my apartment in 30 minutes with some cute clothes for me to borrow and jogged back.