Back in the grind
Diano reached home after a long bus ride.
“Welcome back.” Summer opened the door.
Jai Jai ran up to him and brushed against his legs.
“Where’s Cute?” asked Diano.
“He’ll be late tonight,” Summer replied. “How was your trip?”
“Terrible.” He put his bag on the floor and plopped down on the sofa.
“What happened?” Summer sat down next to him.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t replied to my calls or messages since the 14th. I went to his place but he wasn’t there.”
“What do you mean he wasn’t there?” Summer looked confused.
“He wasn’t home and his flatmate knew nothing about his whereabouts. We couldn’t reach him on phone either. We assumed he’s had to rush to Guilin for some reason.”
“That’s strange. He knew you were coming over for the weekend. He should have called you.”
“I hope nothing’s happened to him or his mom.”
“Let’s hope so.” Summer put a hand on his shoulder. “There’s no use worrying. He’ll call you soon.”
Diano sighed. Why hadn’t Andy called him yet?
“How did you kill your time?”
“I bumped into a guy from Hong Kong,” Diano said.
“Do I know him?”
“I don’t think so. His name’s Norman.”
Diano told her about their day trip to Hangzhou.
“You should buy him a lunch or dinner for having helped you in Shanghai.”
“Shit.” Diano slapped his right hand on to his forehead.
“What?”
“I forgot to take his number. Damn.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll bump into him again, I guess.”
“Hope so.”It was a pity he’d forgotten to ask for his phone number.
“When you do, ask him if he’s got any good-looking friends,” Summer said.
“Why?”
“For me lor. Remember? I’m single ma.”
“Huh? What happened to Oliver?” asked Diano. “I thought you’re in love with him?”
“Yeah.” Summer didn’t smile.
“Have you told him yet?”
“Tell him what? That I’m madly in love with him? That would be like sticking my head under the guillotine.”
“Maybe he loves you too. You should ask him.”
“I’m afraid.”
“Why?”
“Maybe he has a girlfriend. He’ll think I’m crazy.”
“There’s no harm in talking to him. According to probability, there’s a fifty-fifty chance he loves you back.” He winked at her.
“And what if he doesn’t?”
“That would mean either he doesn’t love you yet or he wants to maintain a neutral position,” Diano said.
“I don’t wanna keep hanging forever. What if he never falls in love with me?”
“Unless you tell him your feelings and try your luck, you’ll never know.”
Summer sighed.
“I think I’ll go to bed now. You need some rest too.” Diano hoped she’d see the point. Knowing Summer, nobody could push her.
“Jai Jai’s been naughty. He hasn’t shit all day!” she said, picking up the kitten. “Anyway, good night la.”
“Good night.”
