Me-Me decides to try and surprise Kai by preparing breakfast for him. But her good intentions prove to be too ambitious. The next thing she knows, the stove is on fire. She can feel the heat all around her as sparks begin to settle on her clothing. Thinking fast on her feet, she manages to extinguish the flames before her clothes completely ignite.
I’m not sure what to think when I see Me-Me covered in soot as I enter the kitchen. My first instinct is to pull her into my arms as she assures me that she’s okay and that she managed to get control of the fire before anything serious could happen. I grab something quick to eat from the refrigerator.
Kai: What were you doing?
Melisa: I wanted to make you some breakfast.
Kai: You don’t have to do that. You don’t ever have to do that.
Melisa: If we’re going to live together, I figured that at least one of us should know how to cook.
Kai: We’ll take cooking classes – together. There’s no reason why we both can’t learn.
Melisa: Yeah, okay. *pause* I need a shower.
It’s not until Me-Me walks away that I begin to panic. I could have lost her. Just like that – she could have been gone in the blink of an eye. It makes me realize that I’ve been putting off this proposal for way too long. Today is the day. I’m going to ask Me-Me to be my wife. I pull out my cell phone to call ma, thinking maybe she can give me some advice on proposing.
Prosperity: *on the phone* I’ve never been to Mt. Komorebi, but I’m sure there are some beautiful places to propose. Maybe Me-Me’s family can help you out with that.
Ma is right. And right on cue, the perfect person to ask steps into the kitchen – Lia.
Kai: *on the phone* Yeah, I know who to ask.
Lia leaves the kitchen as ma fills me in on everything that has happened since I last saw her. Uncle Merit and Aunt Roni have moved out and purchased a home in Henford. She believes it’s very close to the house I’ll be moving in. They are also expecting another baby. I’m glad to hear it. But I soon get off the phone, because it’s time to make some plans.
I find Lia in the hallway right outside of the dining room.
Kai: I need your help again. *lowered voice* I want to propose – today, but I need help finding the perfect place to do it. Do you have any ideas?
Jamelia: Yeah, I have a few ideas. When you two are ready to go, meet me outside.
Meanwhile, Me-Me sits in the dining room alone. She can hear Kai and Lia whispering right outside the door, but she can’t hear what they are saying. They have both been acting a little strange lately. She can only guess why, but she suspects that they have left her out of some big secret.
We meet Lia outside, and she takes us to the Wakaba neighborhood of Mt. Komo. And just as I hoped, it’s beautiful. Lia and I secretly look around for the perfect spot. I glance at Me-Me, wondering if she suspects anything. I want this to be a surprise.
Kai: What do you think?
Melisa: Think about what?
Kai: This area
Melisa: It’s pretty. It’s where we stayed when my family and I visited when we were kids. So I’ll always be fond of it.
The thought of me proposing to her in a location that she’s already fond of sounds promising. We catch up to Lia.
Kai: This place is beautiful.
Jamelia: Will it work out for you?
Kai: Yeah, I think so.
Jamelia: I’m going to leave you two alone then.
Lia steps away, leaving me with nothing left to do but ask Me-Me to be my wife. I can tell that she’s confused. Maybe that means she doesn’t suspect what I’m about to do.
Melisa: What’s going on, Kai? Why are you two being so strange?
I take her hands and inhale deeply. This is it – it’s now or never. But I can’t think straight. My pulse attacks my neck and floods my ears, completely drowning out my thoughts.
Kai: I just – I wanted to…
My words trail off. I want more than anything to ask Me-me, right here and now. But it’s just not quite right. It’s so cloudy out. And although it’s warm in this part of the city – we’re overdressed. We both have on gloves, and I can’t even feel the warmth of her hands or put a ring on. So I have to come up with an excuse quickly.
Kai: I um – feel bad that we’ve been doing everything I want to do since we’ve been here. I want to make it up to you and find out what you’d like to do.
Melisa: Is that why we’re here?
Can she read the lie in my eyes?
Kai: Yeah. I asked Lia, and she said there’s a lot to do in this area. We can hike or take a walk. It’s about you today. We can do whatever you want.
That sounded convincing enough – at least that’s what I hope.
Me-Me is silent for a few moments. I’m anxious again because I’m convinced she’s on to me. Then, suddenly she turns and begins to walk.
Melisa: Well, it might be warm enough to go swimming.
She leads me down some steps to a lakeside waterfront.
Kai: Swimming? Are you sure that’s what you want to do?
Melisa: Yeah, you said I could pick anything, right?
I did, but I’m not feeling up to swimming, that is until she strips down to a fairly revealing swimsuit. I watch as she saunters to the water, and the curve of her hips and the soft caramel tone of her skin persuades me. I’m aware of two things. One, I’ve never wanted anything more than to follow her into that water right now. And two, I need to stop overthinking this and make this woman my fiancé as soon as possible.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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