The sun starts to peek over the horizon, spreading a golden light that bathes the world in a warm, gentle glow. The air is crisp and cool, carrying the fresh scent of blooming flowers and damp earth. Birds begin to chirp happily in the trees, creating a melodic symphony that signals the start of a new day. Tiny dewdrops settle on the soft green grass and leaves, shimmering like diamonds in the early light. The world feels peaceful and untouched before the daily rush begins. A poetic reminder of a "new page in every story," offering hope and a fresh start.
Malaika was in the kitchen preparing her coffee. She poured it in the white ceramic mug and headed to the dining table. A heavy hardwood, with twelve chairs all round. At the centre of the table is a bowl holding mixed fruits. She pulled one of the chairs and sat. The only sound was the soft, steady rhythm of her own breathing. Leaning back with her hands crossed over her chest, her fingers curled around the mug. She stared on the table. Her eyes wide open like she was in deep thought. The quiet was eventually broken by the rhythmic thump-thump of footsteps descending the stairs. A moment later, Belinda drifted into the kitchen, with a luxurious sleeping gown that she had lent Malaika the last time she was at their place. Heading for the kettle 'You're up early' a sleepy greeting. 'I need a clear mind for an upcoming event,' she replied slowly sipping her coffee.
Pouring hot water into her mug that now had the coffee 'That explains why you didn't overdrink yesterday,' she commented as she joined Malaika at the table. 'What sort of event if you don't mind?'
'I am a novelist_' she began but Belinda interjected '_like an Author?'
'That's a huge title. I just write novels online and it chances that one of my BL stories, Sour Love, is amongst the nominated stories, should it be top three, they'll be produced as movies,' she explained.
'BL!' Belinda was taken aback.
'Boy's Love,' Malaika elaborated. 'Well, I thought eer… I don't know… Filly mentioned something like you're yet to publish it.'
Scoffing, 'Filly is a blubber mouth,' Malaika retorted sipping her coffee.
Luca walked out of his room, upstairs and found Omar leaning on the grill. Hands in his pocket, he approached him ' Are you eavesdropping on someone?' After a few seconds of silence 'It's Belinda and Mishy at the dining, I don't know what they are conversing about ,'he explained. From his voice, he sounded worried. 'You're worried that Mishy might spill or they'll confront each other?' Luca inquired.
'Both,' he mumbled
'Relax, she already gave you her blessing to get married, remember,' he comforted him.
'How long do you intend to hide it from Belinda?' Filly asked as he closed the door behind him and approached them. He was with Renzo. He looked like he was forced to wake up. He still looked sleepy. Neither bothered to look at him or answer him.
'What is this? Men's conference?' Ivy asked in a sleepy voice. Approaching them, she hugged Luca from the back. Turning around he kissed her 'Good Morning Babe.' With a lazy sleepy voice 'Good Morning.'
'Urghh I can't with straight people,' Renzo commented.
With a huge smile 'I'd say that if I were gay too,' Luca replied following Renzo. In an undertone, 'Let it go,' as he tapped Omar's shoulder.
'Last night was a mess,' Belinda changed the subject. Immediately Renzo followed by everyone else walked into the dining area. With his hoarse voice 'Guurl you hit me with a blunt object,' placing his head over Malaika's shoulder. 'Thank God,' I didn't drag you, with your head hanging from the car,' she joked.
"Sheesh,' lifting his head 'I nearly jumped out of my skin." Grabbing Malaika's coffee.
'Good morning Darling,' Omar Kissed Belinda. 'No hangover's today?' she inquired kissing him back. He shook his head and walked towards the kettle. Filly approached Malaika and stood behind her without saying a word. 'What?' she asked looking up to him. His eyes were boring through Omar's soul. He couldn't stand the fact that Malaika fell for such a jerk. The man was the reason Filly didn't stand a chance with Malaika. This very man was now keeping secrets from Belinda.
Renzo , the only person in the room who happened to read the room full of Filly's jealous mouthed "¡Mira qué celoso!'
'You have to be the most two-timing bastard I've ever come across,' Anna yelled. She banged the door and rushed down the stairs.
'Babe, let me explain ,'Seth pleaded rushing after her.
Everyone in the dining area, turned to look at everyone else as if asking the same question "What's going on?'. Before anyone could open their mouth's to answer the unasked questioned, all of them dashed to the sitting room. Ivy and Belinda approached the so confused Anna who paced up her hands around her waist. The boys obviously approached Seth who stood a metre or two away from Anna.
'Hey, what's wrong?' Belinda asked throwing her hand around Anna's neck as Ivy patted Anna's hair.
'You know what?' she began at the top of her voice 'I can't put up with this sick cheating bastard anymore.' Turning to her girls 'I wish y'all knew what the office's new project is…' she paused before turning to Luca and Omar '… the standards have terribly dropped.' 'Woow!' Renzo giggled with raised eyebrows. Everyone in this friend group was surely dramatic.
At the dining room, Filly stood there hands crossed over his chest. His eyes fixated on them. From the look of things, he had no intention of trying to calm down the chaos. After all they were friends of Malaika. As he turned, Malaika walked out of the dining room. Earlier when everyone rushed out, not even a single vein in her body moved. She stayed glued to the chair and from a distant she listened to the drama.
As she approached the opening to the sitting a thin, razor-edged smirk that flashed just a hint of teeth. It was a smug upturn of the lips, cold and calculated, the kind of expression that made it clear she wasn't just laughing at them—she was dancing on the ashes of their dignity. She didn't bother to meddle, she marched out. Immediately Filly followed her. 'We're out,' Renzo whispered tapping Luca and dashed out as well.
'You won't calm down the situation?' Filly asked immediately he caught up with her outside. She stood still. For some time, it looked like she was debating on whether to answer or not. She however began to walk away. 'Don't walk out on me,' he ordered. Standing still, she took in a deep breath before turning around. Then proceeded to make two steps. They were calm strides, the kind that is made by those who are highly confident in their next moves.
'What moral authority do I hold to calm a mess I never created?' She asked looking him dead in the eye.
'Well,' he began confidently. '… Eer! … …I … I … Umhh! … ' he no longer knew what to say. Amidst his lost words and confusion, amidst the loudly throbbing heart which was not brought out of fear but the fact that the woman he desired badly stood in front of him. All he could smell was the scent of her not so strong perfume yet fulfilling. In some sort of 3D vision, he clearly saw how the breathing process in humans takes place. He couldn't stop imagining how the eyes boring through him could look like when they make love. Would they still keep burning up with desire?
' I thought so too,' she began, not knowing that this man before him didn't grasp a single word coming from her mouth. 'The same way I don't hold the moral authority, neither do you. So quit ordering me around.' She clarified.
'That's unnecessarily rude,' Renzo commented attracting Filly's attention. Well his words didn't shake her. She walked out on them and sat on the passengers sit of Filly's car. For some ten head silent counted seconds, he looked at her pull out her phone unbothered from the front mirror . As she did whatever it was she was doing on her phone, Renzo approached him 'Dude, do you think you'll win her over?' he inquired as he threw his hand around his shoulder.
Filly didn't say a word, instead he brushed over his nose and walked towards the car. Renzo followed them and they drove away.
********************************************
'Luca,' Ivy called making slow steps through Belinda. 'You mind explaining what Anna is talking about?,' With a calm voice, Ivy interrogated staring him plainly in the eye.
'I really don't ... …'
'Don't you dare try the deny and deny strategy with me,' she interfered sternly and immediately turned to Omar '… … Omar you better tell me and don't dare lie.'
'Biophilic Upgrades' without any hesitations he answered. 'It's the integrating of greenery, natural light, and organic materials to reduce workplace stress.'
'What sought of fools do you take us for?" Anna yelled.
'Babe, can you relax,' Seth tried to calm her down.
'Don't you dare touch me with your filthy hands,' pushing him to the couch. 'You disguist me,' she said and stomped out banging the door. 'Anna, Anna,' Belinda and Ivy followed her out.
The girls disappeared and the door clicked. The tension and hot air subsided. Omar broke the silence, 'Seth , what did you do this time?' joining him on the couch where he was pushed unto.
Rubbing his head, he sat upright 'It's just a long time fling that reached out to me first, I was just going with the flow.'
Luca scoffed. 'I couldn't argue with Anna,' I swear you're a bastard. What do you mean you were going with the flow?" Luca inquired. 'When you're drank you're stupid, irresponsible_ as a matter of fact there's no term to explain how much you blabber when you're drank.'
'Ugh! Caaalm down! You ain't helping the situation,' he acted up and began to pace around. After making several rounds he suddenly stood and turned to Omar ' If anything this is your fault.' With furrowed eyebrows 'What do you mean?"
' If only you were patient and kept it in your plants, Malaika would've been here and calmed the situation.'
Sighing in disbelief. 'You need mental pills,' Luca commented and marched out.'
'I am not in the mood for your absurd conversation,' Omar commented and followed Luca.
Omar threw his hand around Belinda's neck. The three of them were just standing outside enjoying the view. 'Where's Malaika and her friends,' he inquired.
'Seems like they already left,' she replied putting her hand around his waist.
With a tiny, slow nod 'She has really changed,' Ivy mentioned. A sad sort of light flickered in her eyes, remembering the effortless way he used to look out for everyone. '… … back then she would've tried to calm down the situation. Come up with something… … … mhh! Above all ensure no one's feelings were hurt.' The faint smile on her face disappeared as a light tear dropped.
'From the way she walked out, I guess that's a version of her that no longer exists,' Anna added with a calm voice you wouldn't believe she was the one yelling minutes ago. The words hit him like a physical blow, leaving him breathless and suddenly, terribly small. Blankly staring at the moving air, you'd think he was watching a movie of the mistake playing on a loop.