A new beginning
December 13. The first ever gay pride parade in Hong Kong. At 2 p.m., Great George Street was packed with gay people and their allies. Volunteers were busy putting up banners, selling souvenirs and using megaphones to draw cheer. Soft music added to the festive atmosphere. Reporters were busy interviewing the organizers. And photographers were busy capturing the bravest moment in Hong Kong’s proud history.
A lot of Diano’s friends had turned up. Some of them represented the various local LGBT organizations lined up to participate in the march. In addition to the curious tourists who had stopped to watch the crowd, groups of people from Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other cities were in attendance.
It was a day for celebrating love but Norman wasn’t around to hold his hand. He had used his camera shyness as an excuse. Diano thought Norman was more closeted than most of his gay friends. A straight man in a gay closet. He laughed.
A huge rainbow flag was brought out and the march began. The procession made its way along Hennessy Road towards Wan Chai. The marchers sang songs and shouted slogans of love and equality to the amusement of unsuspecting passersby. People supported them from atop footbridges and inside trams. It was like a street festival. With vehicles whizzing past the procession, policemen and volunteers ensured everybody walked within the safety zone. At the intersections, they regulated the crowd movement and split it into several parts. But each time the lights turned green, the marchers would come back together to form a human river of happiness and celebration.
The parade ended at the Southorn Playground. The crowd accumulated on several basketball courts marked for the event and watched the musical performances until the sun went down. They were filled with a hope for a new beginning. From then on, they would not be afraid to come out in support of the gay community, their rights. From then on they would stop feeling guilty and be proud of who they were. It was a happy feeling.
He wanted to call Norman and tell him what he’d missed but maybe it was better to let him watch the media coverage instead. He was tired and wanted to save his energy.
Cute had attended the event with his own group of friends but Summer had opted out. She had a date with Oliver — a movie, followed by dinner.
All of a sudden, Diano missed Norman even more. Seeing couples kiss each other in public, at the parade, had filled him with a similar longing. He knew Norman would never agree to it.
Unable to think of anything else to do that evening, he decided to go to Norman’s apartment and surprise him. Too bad Norman was out with his friends. Diano had thought of baking a cake that day. Hmm. Maybe another day then. He decided to buy a small bucket of ice cream and some wine instead.
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December 13 was a day of misery for Priscilla. She felt more miserable on that day than she had during the past weeks. It was their anniversary but Oliver hadn’t bothered to check on her. Yes, the relationship was broken but she couldn’t believe Oliver would give up on her so soon. He was the one with all the patience; it wasn’t a virtue she possessed. She felt broken.
Agnes had been correct although she’d never had a successful relationship herself, barring the fling with Energy. They weren’t matched but at least they knew how to take care of each other. Priscilla was jealous of her best friend.
She thought hard for a way to get back into Oliver’s life. She still had the key to his apartment. She hoped he hadn’t changed the lock. She wondered if she should sneak in that night and surprise him. She was sure one kiss from her would bring back old memories and feelings. They’d be friends again. They’d be lovers again. She felt excited. She’d bake a cake for him.
In order to avoid feeling suicidal, she’d agreed to a dinner with her mother two days ago. Now she had to figure out a way to sit through it somehow. She was afraid of exploding from the nervous tension in anticipation of what would follow later that night.
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For Summer, it was a dream day. She was happy she hadn’t gone to the Pride parade. Spending a day with Oliver was more meaningful.
They had met up for a movie at the Palace IFC. Midway through it Summer slipped her hand under his arm and snuggled up against him. He didn’t object to that. She took it as an okay to proceed. But she was overpowered by a sudden rush of shyness. Her heart wanted to go ahead and hold Oliver’s hand but her mind reminded her to behave.
Over dinner, Oliver talked about his apartment and how it overlooked the sea. Summer asked him if it was okay for her to visit his place that night. She wanted to see the view for herself. He thought for a moment and then said he was okay.
She found it difficult to concentrate through the rest of the dinner. She was planning her next move. Whatever it was, it had to happen at Oliver’s apartment. Privacy would give her the courage to try something intimate. Yes. She had to make her move that night.
She looked up at Oliver and smiled. He looked amazing. Summer wanted to reach over and kiss him there and then. He looked so yummy, more handsome than all the guys she had dated before.
Oliver was busy talking about his plans to fly to South America on holiday. She wondered if he’d let her come along. It would be bloody expensive but worth it. Quality time with a quality person. What more could one ask of life? A foreign location, wine, roses, chocolates, making love under the moonlight… She found herself drifting away again.
