"Whew! Melo, are you sick? you look like a zombie today!" Asha squeaked her afternoon greeting when she came back from school and started putting on her work apron.

"Gee! Thanks, Ash." I rolled my eyes at her, "I just couldn't sleep last night."

"Aw! Is it Clark again?"

"You mean Akram," I corrected, " I was worried. I couldn't catch a wink until 3 a.m," I admitted sheepishly as I turned my zombie face towards the coffee machine to prepare another Mocha Latte to go.

As I'd predicted, it really had been a long sleepless night, even though I was lucky enough not to come across Cruella De Viv.

The night had started with frustrated tears and heavy disappointment squishing my chest. I contemplated the possibility that he didn't really care. But then I began to breathe, to clear my mind and think about the other probabilities as well, which were even more daunting. What if something bad  happened to him? He could be really sick! Oh God, what if he had an accident? Or someone hurt him on the way home? What if he was in the hospital?

My heartbeat had sped up like a race car.

That was typical me. My mind always conjured up the worst imaginary scenarios ever. Sometimes I thought that was a good thing to keep me prepared for all the possible situations. But the truth was, I ended up scaring myself like an 8 year old reading R.L. Stine for the first time.

"Poor thing!" Asha patted on my shoulder, real sympathy in her eyes. "Love's tough!"

"Oh, shut up, Ash! We're just friends!" Again, I felt my face turn into a space heater. That wasn't even funny!

Asha would never get it though. There were things I would never share with her or anyone. Whatever she thought about this was not possible for me. Not with the kind of life I'd been through.

For a person who'd never been loved by anyone, and abandoned by everyone, that word was frightening. A person can't give something he'd never had in the first place. It was a risk to hope when you know you'd fail and be deserted in the end. At least that was my life experience.

Friendship was my limit. It was the best I could get and my life just started to feel a little bit better after having Asha's acquaintance and possibly Akram's.

Only if he really meant it.

Asha also didn't know that it was knowing her that made friendship seem so appealing to me. If all friends were like her, people would've been a lot happier. And less talkative.

"Alright, alright. Whatever you say, Dumbo!" Asha rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Stop calling me names, Ash-tray." I retorted. I didn't really mean to insult her, I was frustrated.

Her expression seemed shocked as she froze and glared at me, her eyebrows raised almost touching her hairline.

"I can't believe it!" Asha placed her hand on her forehead. "You just... gave me.... A BRILLIANT IDEA!" She grinned, and threw her fist in the air, her eyes shining with playfulness. It was so easy to forget we were at work.

"You just picked your birthday present, kiddo! I'll make you an Ashtray. It'll be a keepsake. Oh. My. Gosh! I can picture the design right now! You love pink, right? Imagine this! Pink, heart-shaped with our names carved into it and 'Bff's' written at the bottom? 'Melody & Ash' just like 'Tango and Cash'. You know the movie , right? " Asha went on about it with fired up enthusiasm, waving her noisy hands all over the place as she explained her idea.

"Really?" My voice broke. I didn't know why, but my lips trembled and tears prickled my eyes. I didn't see this coming and it was just so sweet of her and... and...so emotional.

"What? You don't like it?" Asha's face fell for a second as she stared at my expression.

"No! It's just... nobody ever made something for me before." I bit my lip to swallow my emotions.

"Aw! Melo! I promise I'll make you a cake too. Just don't give me this lost puppy look!"

I chuckled.

Asha was the only person that helped me tolerate the rest of the day since Akram didn't show up . I'd be down in the dumps if it weren't for her esprit and chattery distraction.

It was almost the end of my shift when I started to get my act together, adjusting to the idea that he wasn't coming today either.

5:44. Asha sprung up from her spot on the front counter, landing with a muffled thump on the floor beside me. "He's right outside!" She whispered loudly in my ear.

My head snapped up to look at her excited expression. My eyes widened as she literally dragged me to stand next to her on the front counter, which faced the glass door.

The daylight was diminishing outside when Akram pushed the front door lightly and passed from the entrance into the cafe. His trim physique and his confident walk livened up the place. His face was gleaming with a stunning smile that made his almond eyes crease at the sides. He caught me hidden behind the front counter. He raised his long-fingered hand waving at me once and flashed his eyebrows in a silent greeting, which added a certain glow to his good looks.

My hand crept up, just above the counter, shyly waving back at him. The past twenty-four hours of aggravation seemed to evaporate in a second.

It didn't matter that it was an anomaly to his usual visits. There must've been a really good reason. The one time we'd talked, he told me he worked nights at the jazz club. Maybe he'd been busy and he decided to drop by before going to work?

Anyways, in the moment, I didn't care. I was just glad to see him. I caught myself grinning fiercely and it seemed that I had the condition of 'happy feet'. My feet were tapping on the floor in anticipation. I gave Asha the credit for that. Her bounciness definitely rubbed off on me.

Who am I kidding? Of course I'm elated to see him. He's superman for heaven's sake! And he's my friend!

Akram stopped right in front of me. He leaned slightly across the counter top and mouthed, "I'm sorry."

I shrugged and shook my head, a teeny bit floored, "What for?"

"I told you I'd come and I couldn't keep my word. I apologize. My family came here yesterday and they just left this afternoon." There was real regret painting his face. It seemed to really matter to him.

"It's Okay. You don't... have to." I mumbled.

"Please. I need to apologize properly. Are you leaving soon?" There was an eager tone to his voice that made me think there was more, but then I thought maybe it was just my imagination.

Why is he even asking?

"My shift is nearly over." I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, glancing up. "Why?"

"Just thinking... hoping, actually, that you'd accept my apology and maybe... have dinner with a friend? It's an Egyptian tradition." His face lifted up questioningly then he pressed his lips, apparently awaiting my answer.

"What is the tradition?" I asked curiously, my eyes traveling over the nearly empty tables before returning to his face.

He chuckled quietly, his ears became faded red as he scratched his forehead. "Well, uh, they say good friends share bread and salt. A metaphor for a simple meal."

I heard Asha's chirpy giggle somewhere behind me.

Where did this pixie go?

"Erm!... Okay." With less than a moment of hesitation, I accepted his offer, nodding quickly.

Does it seem like I couldn't say no to him? I should've argued a little more.

This instant compliance started to feel weird. It was normally against my personal code. Not that I'd ever been invited to dinner before. Maybe that's why it felt strange?

His smile widened showing an alignment of pearlescent teeth. "Thank you. I'm... going to wait right there. " He pointed to his favorite table in the back.

"You should order something!" Asha suddenly chimed in, materializing next to me. I glared at her, but she was right. It was like an unwritten rule that people couldn't just sit there without ordering something.

Akram turned towards her in surprise. "Oh! Sure!" He replied. "Can I try the special tea?"

"Excellent choice. Right away, sir." She smirked and winked.

Akram smiled and stepped away. My eyes drifted to watch his journey to his table, checking the way his outfit complemented his figure. He had on a simple sky blue shirt with the sleeves folded up just below his elbow, over a light grey T shirt and black jeans. He looked effortlessly elegant. Even his walk looked artistic.

Akram strode to the table making himself comfortable as far as possible from everyone. He held his cell phone and engrossed himself in whatever was happening on its screen

" Oh, Clark! he's so cute, isn't he?" Asha gushed in my ear with her adorable accent. Her dimples gave away her genuine joy as she clapped her hands and cheered in a whispering voice, "First date! First date! First date!"

"He's Akram and It's not a date. It's a friendly invitation!" I grumbled , my eyes shooting glances between her and Akram.

"Yeah, right. " She rolled her eyes as she shifted to brew his tea. "What's wrong with you, Melo? The guy is obviously smitten. He had the look! "

"Ha ha! Very funny." My turn to roll my eyes. "He made it pretty clear it's friendship. I wouldn't have said yes if it was something else."

"Because?" She gave me a lopsided grimace, arching her perfectly thin eyebrow.

"Because... It's just a wrong time in my life for anything right now." That was mostly true. Always true.

Asha snorted and shook her head. She poured his tea and handed it to the server.

The cafe was not crowded this evening. Only a few customers scattered throughout the place. A couple of blondes having drinks and chatting. An old man with whitish hair who was apparently dozing. And a loved-up couple in a corner who looked totally lost in their own world.

A few minutes later, I was wiping the counter for the hundredth time today when I caught sight of one of the blondies whispering something into her friend's ear. Blondie number two smirked impishly and then blondie number one stood up, roving among the tables for some unknown reason. She pranced gracefully to the far end of the cafe, parading in her tight jeans and red tank top that enfolded her tall slender figure. She turned midway to wave at us at the counter. Something in her attitude seemed too phony. Too Vivian-ish! It could be just me being unfairly judgmental though.

"Hey! Is that the restroom?" Her voice rang too loud and coquettish in the middle of the quiet cafe.

Asha and I nodded then turned our heads to look at each other. Apparently I wasn't the only one who felt the weirdness.

Blondie kept her pace in a pair of gigantic heels, juggling her well-rounded body and obviously, drifting to where Akram was seated.

Oh my God! I know what's going to happen in this scene!

Suddenly, her leg twisted and she almost tripped just beside Akram's table. She grabbed the edge of his table so that she wouldn't fall to the floor. Definitely a sham!

"Ohhh!" Blondie moaned.

Man, What a cliché!

Akram's head snapped up, oblivious to the Oscar-worthy scene that was going on.

"Are you okay?" He sounded concerned. He really shouldn't be.

Deliberately, She waved her long golden hair away from her face and got up to her feet in slow motion, arching her torso forward.

Seriously?!

"Yeah. Thanks." Still bending forward she looked closely into his eyes. Akram leaned away from her.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" She tilted her head to one side.

The conversation was crystal clear which would've been impossible if it were a crowded afternoon. I heard him clear his throat, "No, I... don't think we've met," Akram said. His arms were crossed on the table, holding his phone in his hands like a lifesaver. He angled his body against the wooden partition on his right side.

The girl was a flirting machine. She kept interrogating him in a kittenish tone. "Are you an actor maybe? You really look familiar. "

Akram tried to avoid her bold gaze, his eyes darting around the place as if he was looking for an escape or someone to save him. He looked stiff and ill-at- ease.

Something about his awkwardness got me. I felt sorry for him. Although maybe I shouldn't. Any other guy would've been flattered.

"Erm, No, I'm not. Sorry. " His voice was gruff.

"Aww! Your shy boy is in trouble." Asha whispered in my ear. I just realized she was stuck to my side, watching the awkward exchange with an amused expression.

"Shush!" I whispered. Her comment made my cheeks warm.

Immediately, I had an idea. And I had to act fast without thinking about what I was going to do. Because if I thought about it, I'd most likely change my mind. It was about time to leave any way and Asha could take care of it. She wouldn't mind covering for me for 10 minutes. Besides, she technically owns the place.

In two seconds, I took off my apron and handed it to asha who raised her eyebrows in surprise.

" I've got to go, ok?" I told her and left my place to save the day. Walking hastily towards Akram and the intrusive girl, I tried to collect all the gall that I could muster.

If my guess was correct, persistent Blondie was trying to convince Akram to save her number on his phone or even worse. She kind of made me furious.

Sucking in a deep breath, I hurried to his seat, bent over his back and hugged him from behind, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders. " Honey, I'm done. Let's go home."

He jerked his head up, his wide eyes mystified. Then I saw a spark of understanding and he grinned "Hey, baby. You kept me waiting for too long." He narrowed his eyes playfully.

Lucky he was as quick witted as I thought. But when he said 'baby' something flapped inside my chest.

Putting on my most unwelcoming face, I glowered at the embarrassed Blondie who straightened up, smoothed her ostentatious outfit and turned away, retreating to her table without a word.

Akram started to get up slowly.

Feeling awkward all of a sudden, after my bout of necessary boldness, I unwrapped my arms from around him. His lips twisted into an appreciative smile as he turned toward me, offering his extended arm to take my hand.

Unthinkingly, I let him hold it in his grasp, escorting me to the door and this amazing nameless buzz radiated from his touch and spread all over me, warming my being from top to bottom.

The fuzzy effect was still taking over when he leaned to whisper in my ear as we left the place.

"Thank you."

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