The Next Best Thing: Part II

Eleven

Min opened up about her relationship with Lyle. She gushed about the sweet things he would do for her; these were all the things she loved but didn't know how to react to, leading to her finding comfort in another's arms.

To her, love wasn't something she ever expected would come to her without any hidden agendas. She thought it reckless and stupid to be in love with someone if that same person could turn around and break your heart. She wasn't one for being vulnerable, incapable of opening herself up to just anyone.

I, on the other hand, was a firm believer in love. I fell hard for a boy I adored as a friend, someone I believed was my soulmate. He had me wrapped around his finger, his words my drug and his love my euphoria. He taught me so much about my sexuality, my vulnerability and myself as a whole.

I was hooked on him, unable to bear the thought of losing him. Mitchell was my destiny and I thought we would be together till kingdom come. I couldn't bring myself to understand how I would get over him.

Rae was absent for most of the day, hard at work with publishing her works and wholly integrating herself into the artistic community. She was either at the publishing house, lunch with editors or poetry showcases.

Tyler was jetting off to England every other day, leaving Min and I to our own devices and shared melancholy.

I accompanied Min to her scheduled obstetrician appointments, eager to get out of the house. Doctor Andrew Young was a young guy with an impressive record and one of Min's family friends.

He too despised his mother for many reasons, her frivolous nature for one; their common interests made them very close from an early age and they remained that way ever since.

He greeted us with a dimpled smile, his demeanor one of positivity and the will to live. He struck me as a carefree spirit, explaining why he wore colourful Nikes with his resident scrubs and artsy tattoos peaking out of his crisp shirt, livening his appearance.

His office was open and spacious, tall windows with a calming view of Central Park and cool colours providing a fresh environment.

"Well, your baby's doing well. There's a strong heartbeat and no sign of any problems. The morning sickness however still worries me but your prescription should make it easier on you," he informed us after he performed an ultrasound. "Hormone levels look great so keep doing whatever it is you're doing," he added with a wink.

Min laughed at his compliment, having understood exactly what he said. "Andy, I would if that was the case," she replied with a sigh.

"Just make sure she eats enough and doesn't stress herself out too much," he redirected to me.

"The first part is taken care off, trust me." That got me a glare, her baby friendly way of expressing herself without swearing.

Andy agreed with me and we laughed at our common understanding of her large appetite. After making another appointment and general conversation, he saw us out.

"Take care of her, Zoe. She will need you these upcoming months." I promised I would and we left the hospital.

Taking a cab into midtown, I asked Min why she kept him hidden from us. "He's really nice," I added.

"I didn't want any of you messing him up," she teased. "Seriously, he's always been there for me and well, I hate sharing. Besides, he got married two years ago and he adores his wife. She's a paediatric neurosurgeon and she grounds him."

She told me a little more about their 18 year old friendship and their brief stint as a couple. "He's the only guy I dated before Lyle. It was amazing until his mom slept with his best friend and basically ruined their family."

I learnt that afterwards his family broke up, he went through a lost boy phase and shut everyone out of his life.

"It was too much for a sixteen year old to handle, him leaving on holiday in the middle of college finals to 'find himself' in a jungle in Thailand or the insomnia caused by changing his major unexpectedly from architecture to medicine.

I broke up with him and we didn't talk until before he got married - I was his 'best man', you see. He's the one who told me to screw my mom and go to film school."

Min originally intended to be a director, her ultimate life's passion - she was her drama class's theatre director in high school for three consecutive years. Her dad was thrilled, a movie buff himself who took her to many premieres when she was younger; her mom wouldn't have it.

So she was forced to take up medicine like her father and become a renowned surgeon who didn't date "classless scum" like Lyle.

"I didn't raise you up and provide you an education to direct immoral movies and date a foreigner guitarist in a band of empty, uneducated vessels. You're better than that, Min." That was the final straw that saw Min deciding that happiness was for those who had nothing to lose.

I later probed her on her decision on school, whether she would continue or hold off until after giving birth.

She was silent for a moment, engrossed in tossing a smoked beef and rocket salad. "I decided I won't continue with medical school. I've already talked to the school and I asked if they could inform only my dad."

I wasn't surprised, considering how miserable she was attending classes everyday. That explained why she was a party animal whenever she was set free - she felt held back, imprisoned, in her life.

"I think I'll start film school but I will do it part-time until after I have this baby. It's time I do something I love for a change. God knows I need to be happy right now."

"Does that mean we won't be roomies anymore?" I asked with a pout. I was going to miss the dysfunction to my obsessive organisation.

"About that, I was thinking since you want to help out with me and Mace-"

"You've named the baby?" I interrupted, shocked and amused at her enthusiasm.

"Don't you dare judge a pregnant part Asian woman, Zoe Moy. I was thinking I should get my own place and you could stay with me," she smiled shyly. "And you can't say no because that'll just be racist."