Heartbreak
Diano and Summer were taking a tram back from Fortress Hill. They had been to their favourite DVD shop. Their purchases included the latest TV series from Japan and Korea. They were excited since they’d watch them months before the local TV channels aired the subtitled versions.
Diano’s cell phone went off right in the middle of the small talk they were making. It was Samuel.
“Hello.”
“Hello. It’s Samuel.”
“Yeah, I know. What’s up?”
He couldn’t hear the garbled response.
“I can’t hear you. Please speak slowly.”
Still the same.
“Okay, hang up now. I’ll call you in another 15 minutes.” They’d be home by then.
“Okay.” Samuel hung up.
“Who was that?” asked Summer.
“Samuel, Andy’s flatmate.”
Diano dialed Andy’s number hoping he was back in Shanghai. The response was different this time. The call didn’t go to his voicemail. Instead, a recorded message told him the number had been discontinued. Diano didn’t like it at all. What did it mean? Andy had given up the number?
“Are you okay? What’s up?” Summer asked him.
“It says that the number has been discontinued. Where is Andy? Why is he doing this to me?”
“Call Samuel back when you reach home. Maybe he has more information. Don’t be upset.”
They got off at the stop nearest to their home and walked the rest of the way. As soon as they reached home, Diano headed to his room and plopped down on the bed. Jai Jai followed him and tried to paw at his feet. Diano dialed Samuel’s number.
“Hello. It’s me. What’s up?”
“Hi. I have something to say,” said Samuel. “I don’t know how to say it.”
“Just say it lah.”
“He was here,” Samuel said.
“Andy? What did he say?” Diano could feel impatience building up inside him.
“No. I didn’t see him. He was here while I was away at work.”
“Then? What about his stuff?” asked Diano.
“They are here. I think only that ugly crocodile you brought for him — that’s gone.” Diano didn’t know whether that was happy or sad news.
“Then?”
“He left a letter and some money to me,” Samuel said.
“Letter?” Who wrote letters these days?
“Yes. It was in an envelope along with the money. Unfortunately, I cannot say on which day it was delivered. I found it under a pile of papers on my bookshelf.”
“What bookshelf?” Diano didn’t remember seeing any.
“Er… The stool where I put my books and stuff? It’s more of a tiny table. It was on that one,” Samuel said.
“Okay.”
“I just asked the maid and she said it had been on the bed. She put it on the pile thinking I’d see it there. Stupid woman.”
“What does it say?” Diano couldn’t bear listening to the unnecessary details any more.
“Do you want me to read it to you?” asked Samuel.
“Yes, sir.”
“It says — Samuel, I’m sorry for this untimely notice. I have decided to leave Shanghai and go home. I can’t live without my mom. I have taken some of my stuff, the others I leave behind. You can either throw them or give them to the maid. Please find enclosed some money to take care of the rent for this month. You can use my deposit to take care of the rent until you find somebody else to share the apartment with. Don’t worry about me. I’m happy to go back. Please don’t look for me or contact me. Thank you very much. Andy.” Samuel paused.
Diano was stunned. It didn’t make sense. Why would Andy run away like that when he knew Diano was coming to meet him?
“Are you sure it’s in his handwriting?” asked Diano.
“It’s a printout. And there’s something that doesn’t make sense.”
“What’s that?”
“He mentioned a deposit. But I never took any safety deposit money from him. He must be out of his mind. Yes, he must be. Why would somebody run away suddenly, leaving everything behind.”
“How much money has he left you? Is that enough?” asked Diano.
“Enough for the rent, actually. In fact, it’s almost two months worth. That’s another surprising thing. It’s as if he didn’t even remember how much rent we pay per head.”
“Strange.” Diano felt uneasy.
“That’s all.”
“Okay. Let me know if there’s anything else. Thank you, Samuel.” Diano hung up.
Summer entered his room.
“What was that about?”
Diano narrated the conversation with Samuel.
“That’s strange. Why did he run away suddenly?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you okay?”
“No. I’m not.”
They sat in silence for some time. Jai Jai let out a screech of a meow to draw attention towards him. As soon as Summer put him on the bed, he ran to Diano and snuggled up against his chest. Diano gave him a hug. Jai Jai purred.
They heard the main door open. It was Cute.
“Hello, anybody home?” He shouted. “Jai Jai, where are you, baby?”
Jai Jai wrestled out of Diano’s arms and walked to the edge of the bed, waiting for Cute to appear.
“Oh ho. Did I interrupt a secret convention? What’s on the agenda today — nuclear warfare?”
When neither replied, Cute walked in and sat down on the bed.
“Who died?” He asked with a serious face.
“Stop it,” Summer said.
“Are you okay?” Cute looked at Diano. “It’s Andy, right? Did he call? What happened? Will you guys, please, speak up? I can’t bear the suspense any longer. I accept defeat, alright.”
Summer told him about the call while Diano looked at the ceiling. He wasn’t really looking at it. He was looking far away. Jai Jai snuggled up against Diano’s chest again.
No matter how much he tried not to think about it, the call had upset him. No news was good news. It was always better than bad news. At least he knew what Andy wanted. Yes, it was a cruel way to get dumped. Why didn’t he call him and tell him directly instead of all the drama? Was he feeling guilty? Had the dinner with his ex changed the equation? Was he back with his ex? Question after heart-wrenching question came to his mind. But he had no answer. He stared upwards and let his heart weep.
