Oliver’s twist
“Thank God, I found you.” A familiar voice interrupted them.
Diano turned around to see Oliver.
“Who’re you?” Brian looked surprised.
“I’m his boyfriend.” Oliver replied, stealing a glance at the guy who’d just come up from behind him. “I’m Oliver. This is Energy.”
“I’m Brian.”
“I’m confused. You have two boyfriends?” Nyle asked.
Nobody replied for a moment.
“Two?” asked Energy. “Really?”
Again nobody replied.
“I want to talk to him.” Oliver pointed towards Diano. “Alone.”
“He doesn’t want to talk to anybody,” Brian said.
“Please, Diano, can I speak to you for a moment?”
“You can speak to me here, in front of everybody. I don’t like secrets and I don’t like impostors.”
“I’m sorry, Diano. I know I’ve made a big mistake.” Oliver tried to catch his eye but Diano turned his gaze away. He loathed the very sight of the liar.
“It doesn’t matter now.” Diano snapped at him.
“I know you’re pissed at me but please hear me out. I didn’t want to cheat you. It was just by chance.”
“Yeah, right.” The guy was so full of himself even when he was apologizing.
“Summer must have told you how I helped you home on the night you’d passed out.”
“Yes, thanks for carrying me up the seven floors.”
“Seven floors?” Energy looked at Oliver.
“Summer had told me how embarrassed you felt about it.”
“She can’t keep any secrets now, can she?”
“When I met you the second time, it was quite by accident. But I remembered what Summer had said and so I used a fake name to break the ice,” said Oliver. “I’d intended to tell you afterwards but it just got more complicated with time.”
“It got so complicated you couldn’t tell me your real name? Even when you introduced me to all your friends, you didn’t bother to use your real name. What am I to say to that?”
“No, no. Chan Wai Chun is my real name. Norman was the name I used for a very short period in primary school before switching to Oliver later on. So I didn’t lie to you. But by not telling you the whole truth, I made a big mistake.”
“Well, whatever you are going to call yourself next, I hope you’ve realized where lying takes you.” Diano was surprised at Oliver’s stupidity.
“Yes, I have. I’ll never lie again. I just want to tell you I love you and that’s a truth.” Oliver looked at Diano in the eye and then for a fraction of a second he looked at Energy. Diano wondered if Oliver was getting some kind of assurance from Energy as an encouragement to speak up.
“After the way you have been playing with both Summer and me, I don’t think it is fair of you to say that. You should call her up and say sorry to her. I don’t need your apology. I’m beyond it now.”
“I called her and I apologized to her. It was a weak moment for both of us and I had no idea she’d hit on me. It was my fault I didn’t stop her in time.” Oliver looked down at his own feet.
“Do you know she loves you very much?” asked Diano.
“I do. But she’s just a friend. You are my love. I don’t know how else to explain it. I’m straight. You know that. But it doesn’t mean I cannot love, protect and take care of you. I made a mistake and I want you to forgive me. Please don’t leave me.” Oliver looked into his eyes.
“He’s telling the truth.” Energy backed his friend.
“What about Priscilla?”
“We broke up before I met you. I should have changed the lock.”
“He’s telling the truth,” Energy said.
“I’d just wanted you as my boyfriend. I’d told myself I wouldn’t interfere with your physical adventures with others. But you broke the only rule I’d asked you to honour. I don’t think it was a tough one. You didn’t even think twice before you brought someone home. You didn’t.”
“I swear I didn’t bring anybody else home. It was just Summer. What happened in the bedroom was completely unplanned and unexpected.” Oliver tried to reach for Diano’s hand but he moved away.
“It doesn’t matter now. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want my boyfriend to sleep around.” Diano looked at Brian who nodded his head.
“I’m ready to give up everything for you. It doesn’t matter to me any more. I just want you back. Please come back. Don’t leave me.” Oliver looked at Energy who responded by stepping up.
“I know my words mean nothing to you but I’m Oliver’s best friend. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs with him but not this one. At least not until today. He’s a man of his word. He’ll never break your heart again. Please give him another chance. And if he attempts to do any such thing, I’ll break his head first.” Energy laughed at his own joke. When nobody else reacted to it, he looked embarrassed.
“Please give me a chance, Diano. I know I was helpless before but not any more.” Nyle, who had been watching the drama unfold, spoke again. “Remember the days we were together. We were so happy. I want us to feel happy again.”
“I’m happy now. I don’t need anybody in my life any more. Brian shall take care of me until I’m able to take care of myself.” Diano looked at Brian. Taking the cue, Brian moved closer and put his hand on Diano’s shoulder.
