Opposites

s e v e n t y - t w o

        "Are you naked
              because he loves you,
                                   or does he love
                               because you're naked?"
                                                                       — Unknown

Melody

I sigh in complete contentment and utter bliss, as I feel Zayn's cold index finger tracing along the outline of my waist, making the goosebumps to rise on my trembling skin. A satisfied sigh soon escapes Zayn's mouth as well, slightly moving under me to fix his position.

I lean back against his chest, making the water around me to move and splash slightly. I feel his hot lips on my forehead. Zayn retrieves his lips back only to press them again after pushing away my wet hair from my face.

"I love you."

The three simple, yet effective words, still sound so weird coming out of his mouth. It leaves me wondering. Wondering about how long it took him to realise it. Wondering about my lies. It leaves me wondering about how Zayn managed to fall in love with this Melody. Zayn didn't fall in love with the real me, no. Zayn is falling in love with the Melody who sits in her flat all day, doing nothing, and depending on her older brother on everything. Zayn isn't falling in love with the Melody who has a passion for dancing, who her life depends on her career, who loves to share her dance moves with the people she loves. Zayn isn't falling in love with that Melody, and it hurts. I can't blame him, because it's all my own fault. I always prepare myself mentally to get the truth out, but I just can't. Can you blame me? Are you okay with risking your source of happiness?

"I love you, too." I reply with a sigh, gripping the edges of the bathtub.

"Are you okay?" Zayn worriedly whispers in my ear, while moving his hand in a circular motion on my tummy.

I nod vigorously, cranking my neck to look at him. "I'm with you, how can I not be okay?"

Zayn grins, immediately leaning for a kiss, then pulls back.

With my head on his naked chest, I listen quietly to his steady heartbeat.

I suddenly begin to wonder, speaking my mind. "Do you ever think about the development we've achieved?"

"Development?" Zayn asks, confusion lacing his voice.

I nod, playing with his fingers above my stomach. "We've come a long way. I mean, if someone told me I would be sitting with Zayn Malik like this a year later while saying those three words, I would assume they're just crazy."

Zayn chukles at my words, still silent to let me get to my point. 

"You were really different than what you are now when I first met you. Seeing you developing into this. . . person is astonishing." I furrow my eyebrows, trying to explain some more. "Seeing how you were so infuriated with me in a lustrous way, and now. . . You're telling me you love me really makes me question how life can turn on you."

"You changed me." Zayn softly confesses. I turn around, now face to face with the man I'm helplessly in love with. He continues, tracing my face with his fingertips while inspecting every flaw I have. "I'm healthier, committed, affectionate. I'm better, Mel. I can't really imagine myself as the old, cold person I once was anymore. I love myself when I'm with you."

My chest tightens, different kinds of emotions flooding in me. Sighing, my forehead rests against his as I take deep breaths.