We are family
Summer sensed something was wrong. Diano had returned from lunch and gone straight to his room. He shut the door from inside and stayed quiet. She wondered if he was tired and wanted to sleep for a few hours. But he didn’t always shut the door to his bedroom. A shut door meant he wanted to be alone; he wanted to stay cut off for some time.
She always tried to give him his own space, his privacy. Space and privacy were so important in Hong Kong where people lived huddled together in matchbox-sized flats.
She picked up Jai Jai and put him on the sofa. He was too small to jump from that height, so he just cuddled up beside her. She was making a toy for him. She rolled up an old torn sock into another and tied a knot. Then she took a pair of scissors and cut strips through the remaining portion. When she was done, it resembled a cross between a bird and a mouse. She showed it to Jai Jai but he displayed no interest in the toy. It was his nap time. He put his head down between his paws and shut his eyes. The tip of his tongue stuck out of his mouth. He looked more like a puppy than a kitten. His heavy breathing sounded as if he were snoring.
She wondered what Oliver was up to. He had neither messaged her nor called. Maybe he was enjoying the time with his family. She didn’t know whether he had a girlfriend or not. Should she ask him when they met next? Was it appropriate? She wanted to hang out with him during the new year. It was that special time of the year when everybody longed for someone they loved.
She heard the front door open.
“Hallo.” It was Cute.
“You are back early. How was it?”
“It was nice to meet old friends but, honestly, I can’t stand them any more.” He sat down on the sofa.
“Why is that?”
“They are so full of themselves. They kept comparing who’s doing what and how well. Who’s got a lover and who’s engaged. Okay. Nice information to share, but there’s a limit to it.” He shook his head.
“Sounds like normal to me lah. People always talk about how well they’re doing. Why would anybody talk about how badly they’re doing unless, of course, they’re hoping that someone in the audience would help them?”
“Well. I don’t want to hear people talking like that. For the first ten minutes, it was acceptable but not beyond that. They were showing off.” He sighed.
“Cheer up lah. It’s new year time. Don’t think about them.”
“Okay. How about you? How was your dinner last night?”
“It went well. We were asked when we are getting married.” She laughed.
Summer patted Jai Jai who had opened an eye to check them out.
“Where’s Diano?”
“Sleeping.”
“At this hour? That’s very unlike him.”
“He came in while I was in the kitchen. He was very quiet. So I thought he was heading for the washroom. When I came out, his bedroom door was shut.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s sleeping. Shall we check?” Cute asked.
“Not sure. He shut the door because he doesn’t want us to disturb him.”
But it was too late. Cute was knocking on Diano’s door. There was no answer.
“Hey, open up.”
There was silence.
“If you aren’t coming out, I’m coming in.”
Cute turned the knob on the door and gave it a gentle push. The door swung open and they stepped inside.
Diano was seated at the window, looking out towards Times Square and its adjoining buildings. He didn’t turn.
“Is everything okay?” asked Cute.
They stepped closer. Summer heard him sobbing.
“Oh baby, are you okay?” She hugged Diano from behind.
“Obviously he isn’t,” Cute said.
“We love you.” She didn’t know why she said that, but maybe it would help.
“Yes, however gay that may sound.” Cute added with a grin.
“Pok Kai.” Diano tried to kick at Cute who stepped away just in time. The reaction was so funny that all three started laughing.
“Aiya. I shouldn’t have gone to the lunch.” Diano sighed.
“What happened?” asked Cute.
“Same old. Aunts and uncles… Do you have a girlfriend, etc.” Diano sighed again.
“Did your Dad say something again?” Summer knew Diano was too tough to cry over silly questions from relatives.
“Yes. And I think I’ll never go back to visit him.”
“I’d warned you yesterday,” Cute said.
“Come on. Nobody prepares for these things,” Summer said.
“But it could have been avoided. That’s why I don’t go home. Why go to a place where nobody wants you? Why go to a place where nobody loves you for being yourself? Why go to a place where your heart doesn’t live any more?” Cute burst out.
“I did it for mom.”
“It was your duty,” Summer said.
“Bullshit!” Cute said. “Everybody comes into this world alone, everybody leaves alone. Then why talk about superficial things like duty? One should try to make this painful passage as smooth as possible.”
“Not everybody thinks like you do.” Summer wasn’t offended by Cute’s thinking. “If we didn’t care for each other we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I know it’s a sensitive topic. Normally you’d avoid it. Today you’re saying this because you want Diano to become tougher. Right?”
Cute didn’t say a word. He was looking out of the window with his hands gripping the grille so hard his knuckles looked white.
“Anyway, no matter who we were before and where we come from, the most important point is we are here right now, standing next to each other, supporting each other. Don’t you think that’s a wonderful thing?” Summer said.
“You guys are my family now until…” Cute paused.
“Until?” she asked.
“Until I find that rich and, hopefully, handsome guy who can take care of me for the rest of my life.”
“Huh? Do you mean you’re going to break our family when you find him?” Diano asked.
“No, stupid. I was lying. I love you guys.”
Jai Jai let out a loud meow.
“And Jai Jai too!”
They laughed.
