The fountain
They got off the cab and walked on the crowded path along the bank of the West Lake. It was as if the entire city had descended upon the lake that afternoon. People were walking. People were sitting on the benches and the grass that surrounded them. People were chatting with their friends. People were taking photos. People were watching over their children as they played with other children. And all that was taking place under the watchful eyes of patrolling policemen who were in charge of ensuring harmony existed at all times.
They walked to the water fountain section and watched the fountain show. Jets of water shot upwards in rhythm with music playing in the background. It looked ordinary to Diano but Norman seemed to enjoy it
After the show was over, they walked to a packed McDonald’s outlet nearby.
“Do you wanna order? I’ll look for a place to sit,” Norman said.
“Okay. What do you wanna eat?”
“A Big Mac meal, please.” Norman grinned.
Diano ordered a grilled chicken burger meal for himself. He paid the bill and carried the food to the table Norman had found.
Before he took off the wrapper on his burger, Diano checked his cell phone. No message.
“When do you fly back?” Norman asked as he took a big bite off his burger.
“Tomorrow evening. So I have a whole day left.”
“And a night as well. Do you wanna go clubbing with me and my friend?” asked Norman.
“Tonight?”
“You don’t have to come if you’re feeling tired.” Norman smiled.
“Thanks.”
Norman was a nice guy.
“You should smile more often.”
“Why? Are you hiring me for a toothpaste ad?” Diano laughed.
“You look great when you smile.”
“Doesn’t everybody meh?” Was the guy flirting with him? “Thanks.”
Norman took another big bite.
“So what do you do?” asked Diano.
“IT.” Norman replied.
“IT? As in the brand IT?”
“No lah. IT as in Information Technology.”
“I see.”
“What do you do?” asked Norman.
“I’m a writer-designer.” Diano said without giving any specific details.
“Design what?” Norman asked.
“Websites, etc.”
“That’s nice. Write as in write for magazines and newspapers?”
“Yes. I had my own column before,” Diano said. “But nowadays, I just write when I could use some extra money. Freelancing.”
“I see. I don’t think I can ever write anything. I’m a zero at creativity.”
“Ha-ha. Everybody is creative. It’s just the degree of creativity that separates them.”
“So your columns — could I have read them? What were they about?” Norman asked.
“A lot of topics. Most were related to fashion, cinema, art, books and food. And what exactly do you do in IT? It’s a vast area.”
“I work as a network admin.”
“Tough?”
“It’s boring.”
After the meal, they took a cab to the railway station. Two hours later they were back in Shanghai. They took the subway to the Nanjing Road West stop and walked to Andy’s home.
Diano had told him that he’d manage on his own. However, Norman had insisted on tagging along. Although it bordered on intrusion, Diano let him come along. He was getting used to Norman.
Samuel opened the door and shrugged his shoulders. There was no message from Andy.
“I was home all day.”
Diano was sad. Was Andy avoiding him deliberately? Should he stay back at their place? It was too late to go any place else. Also, he was on a restricted flying deal and couldn’t change his return flight to Hong Kong; he had to stick to the booked schedule.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve kept his mom’s contact number or something. I didn’t realize I’d need it all of a sudden.”
“Maybe he keeps the numbers somewhere in his room,” Norman said.
“I didn’t see anything in the morning. Most of his stuff’s missing.” Diano said.
“Missing?” Samuel looked surprised.
“I can’t find his laptop. I can’t find some of his favourite clothes. I know since I helped him move here.”
“That’s strange. Do you mean they’ve been stolen? The door was locked when I returned.”
“Not stolen,” Diano said. “Missing.”
“Could he have taken them with him?” asked Norman.
“Why?” asked Samuel. “You mean he’s moving out?”
“I don’t think he’s moving out lah. He’d have told me if he were,” said Diano. “He likes it here.”
“Then we have to assume he’s taken them with him to Guilin.” It sounded more like a question.
“At least, that means he didn’t have an accident,” said Norman. “He wouldn’t carry his stuff to the hospital.”
“You’re correct. If his stuff’s gone, he should be okay. Good thinking, Norman.” Diano smiled at him.
“Do you guys wanna join me for dinner?” asked Samuel.
“Yes!” They replied in unison.
