It was a dark, stormy evening in Seattle's University District. Caught in a torrent of hail, Malik sought refuge. Erin, meanwhile, found herself passing the storm at Cafe Allegro caught somewhere between graduate school assignments and starting her new career.

Malik stepped through the doors of Cafe Allegro into a crowd. Not much of a coffee drinker, he ordered himself a hot cocoa, and looked around for a seat. Unable to find one on the lower level, he made his way upstairs.

Just as Malik reached for the handle to the second-level door, it swung open. Malik stumbled on the top step and brushed against a woman's shoulder as he caught his balance.

“Be careful, it’s a long way down,” she said with a smirk.

Malik smiled, "Right? At least I didn't spill my cocoa."

Malik searched for a seat in the upper room. He saw a table full of textbooks with no occupant. Knowing there were no seats below, he chose to wait for one.

The woman he passed on the stairs returned with a beverage and made her way over to the table full of books. She was alone with an empty seat. Malik approached.

"Excuse me, " said Malik. "I don't mean to be awkward. Would you mind if I sat in this seat until the hail stops?"

"Sure," she said.

"My name is Malik, by the way. Thank you."

"You bet. My name is Erin. Sorry if my books are taking up too much room. I can move some, if you need space."

Coffee and cocoa were consumed, conversation ensued, and eventually the storm passed.

Not wanting the conversation to end, Malik asked, "would it be possible for us to meet each other again? Maybe over dinner?"

"Sure."

Well, you know the rest.

Watch Malik's proposal here.