A room with a view
Diano was high. He’d drunk too fast. There obviously was some alcohol in the drinks. He was worried about not having received any messages or calls from Andy. It was 1.30 a.m. already. Where was he?
He splashed more water on his face.
“Are you okay?”
He looked up to see Norman standing across the washbasin.
“Yes. Just washing my face.”
“Did your friend call?”
“Not yet.” Diano shrugged his shoulders.
“Hmm. Do you wanna go back to the dance floor?”
He preferred to go outside for a breath of Shanghai’s fresh polluted air.
“Can I take a break? I wanna go out for a few minutes.”
“Sure. I’ll come with you,” Norman said. “It’s too crowded in there.”
“Do you smoke?” Diano asked Norman when they passed by a group of smokers hurdled around a trash can right outside the building.
“No. Do you?”
“No. Never have. Never shall.”
“Mama’s good sons, are we?” Norman teased.
“Yes, we are.” Diano laughed.
“So how do you like this place?” asked Norman, pointing towards the club.
“It’s okay. The music is alright.”
“Yeah. Hey, do you want to head down to Babyface?” Norman asked.
“Where’s that? What is that? Another club?” Diano felt embarrassed about not knowing much about the clubbing scene in Shanghai.
“Yes. It’s down the road. The crowd is mostly Chinese. Young. Trendy. Hip crowd.”
“Not sure. It’s late already.” He felt tired. “Do you want to go?”
“Not alone. It’s boring to go alone.”
“You can make new friends there. You are good-looking and dance well.” Diano felt his cheeks burn.
“Ha-ha. Not handsome enough, I think. Will you go back to your friend’s place now?”
“Yeah. He hasn’t contacted me yet, but maybe his flatmate’s back.”
“What if there’s nobody at home?”
“I don’t know.” Diano thought for a minute. “I guess, I’ll have to check into a hotel.”
“It’s risky to walk around at this hour. I’ll come with you,” Norman said.
“But you can go to Babyface instead ma.” Diano didn’t want to end up being a burden.
“I changed my mind.” Norman assured him. “Let’s get your bag first.”
They walked back to the cloak room and retrieved Diano’s bag. Then they took a cab to Andy’s place. Norman asked the cab driver to wait.
“Let’s make sure whether they’re home first,” Norman told Diano.
“Thanks.”
They went to the main entrance to the building and found the door ajar. It swung back with a slow creaking noise.
“It’s dark in there. Let me come with you,” Norman said.
“We need to take the stairs to the third floor.”
“That’s okay. I’ve done seven floors before.” Norman chuckled.
“Strange, you mentioned that. I live on the 7th floor. It’s an old building with no lifts,” Diano whispered.
“Really? What a coincidence.” More chuckling.
“Dim ar?” Diano objected as he smiled in the darkness.
They climbed to the third floor landing. Diano went through the doorway first while Norman tiptoed in behind him. When they found Andy’s flat, Diano rang the bell and gently knocked on the door.
“Looks like nobody’s home,” Norman whispered into his ears.
Diano continued to knock. After a few minutes, he jotted down a few lines on another piece of paper while Norman shone the light from his cell phone. He slipped the note under the door and they left the place.
“So where do we go from here?” Norman asked.
Diano couldn’t think of any place.
“Some hotel. Any hotel. I just need to spend the night.”
“You can come with me,” Norman said.
“Where are you putting up?”
“The Grand Hyatt. It’s in Pudong.”
“Oh. That’s expensive!” Diano didn’t want to spend much for a few hours of rest. Well, what other options did he have, really? Head to the Railway Station maybe? He shook his head.
“I meant you could stay with me.”
“What about your friend?”
“I don’t think he’ll be back until late morning,” Norman said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, yes. No problem. Don’t worry. It’s a matter of a few hours anyway.”
“Thank you so much!” Diano beamed his best smile at Norman.
They got into the cab and rode to the Grand Hyatt.
“Oh, I didn’t know it’s in the Jin Mao Tower.” Diano felt excited.
“Wait until you see the view from up there. It’s superb.”
“Better than Hong Kong?”
“It’s different. I can’t explain,” Norman said. “You’ve got to see it for yourself.”
They went in and rode up to the 53rd floor. From there they took another lift to the 60th floor.
Diano let out a squeal when Norman opened the door and let him in. The view was amazing.
“It’s beautiful. Quick, turn off the lights,” Diano said.
Norman switched off the lights.
“It’s romantic. Wow!”
“Yes, it is. You enjoy it. I’m going to shower.”
“Okay. Please, don’t be late. I need to sleep soon.”
Norman was back from the washroom in five minutes.
“That was quick.” Diano noticed the funny print on his pajamas.
“Yes, I’m quick.” Norman laughed. “Your turn. You can use the fresh towels from the rack.”
Diano took out his nightwear and toothbrush from his bag, and headed for the bathroom. He took a slow shower. Then he brushed his teeth. While he was at it, he noticed how neatly Norman had lined up his personal toiletries.
When he went back to the bedroom, he found Norman looking out of the window.
“I’ll take the sofa.” Diano pulled up the ottoman and joined it with the sofa.
“No need, there’s enough space for two people. It’s a huge bed.”
“No lah. I don’t wanna disturb you any more.” Diano insisted.
“Well, if you’re shy, then I can take the sofa. You need a good rest, you’re going to Hangzhou in the morning.”
“Are you sure? I don’t think it’s fair to you.” Diano reasoned.
“Don’t think so much. My friend is paying for it.” Norman smiled.
“I see.”
“Just share the bed lah. Otherwise I’ll feel awkward. Don’t worry you’ll be safe.” Norman laughed.
“You better behave. No hanky-panky, mister!” Diano laughed.
“Sure. You keep a control on yourself,” Norman said. “I always behave!”
They got into the bed on either side and Norman switched off the lights.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
The bed was very comfortable. Diano lay there wondering about sharing a bed with a complete stranger. And then he thought about Andy. What had happened to him? If things didn’t look better in the morning, he’d go to the police. Would they believe him? Will they help look for Andy? Maybe not. Sigh.
He fell asleep.
