Chapter 6...

After work…
Chi San: First things first, Fei. There really is nothing between Quin and me.

Fei: San Gor…I’m sorry…

Chi San: I don’t blame you for misunderstanding. After all, you still have feelings for her.

Fei: (laughing bitterly) Feelings? That’s a mild word. I love her so much, San Gor. Words can’t even describe the love I feel for her. Ever since she left me, the only part of the day I looked forward to was night. Because only at night, only in my dreams, can I see her again. Life is so unfair, isn’t it?

Chi San: Fei…I know, but you know you will never leave Ching Ching.

Fei: If it wasn’t for her leg and everything she had suffered, I’ll pick Kwan in two seconds. But Kwan didn’t even give me the choice. She backed out. She left Hong Kong. Tell me, San Gor. What can I do? What should I do?

Chi San: It all depends on you yourself. If you have the intention of leaving Ching Ching and going back to Quin, then you should tell her how you really feel. However, if you don’t, the kindest thing you can do is not to give Quin any false hopes, and let her get on with her own life. Truly, Fei, you HAVE to make a choice. Or else, you, Quin and even Ching Ching won’t have a happy life. I understand how you feel that you owe Ching Ching, but don’t you deserve a chance to love Quin freely as well?

Fei: I need to be alone to think. (getting up to leave)

Chi San: Fei…

Fei: Thanks for everything, San Gor. I’ll be fine.

Fei left Chi San sitting alone and walked off. He needed to sort out his feelings. You have to make your decision now. There will be no turning back after you made this decision. Think carefully. Fei drove to a beach and sat down on the sand. Images of his and Quin’s happy times flashed through his mind. Every conversation they had replayed in his memory. And then he thought of what Ching Ching had done and suffered for him. He thought of his and Ching Ching’s times together. He thought about HIM, himself. He sat there until the sun rose. And he made his decision. He carefully dug a hole in the sand. He pulled out his wallet and took out a photograph of him and Quin from a hidden compartment. He kissed the Quin in the photograph and dropped the photograph into the hole. He covered the hole with the sand. He stood up wearily. Tears blurred his vision. In the final moment, it was still responsibility that won over love. He knew that no matter how he reasoned it, he couldn’t forgive himself if he abandoned Ching Ching. It was the most difficult, most painful decision he had ever made in his life. Goodbye, Kwan.

Meanwhile, the wheels in Chi San’s head were turning. He understood how painful was it to love someone you couldn’t love. And he hated to see his best friend so depressed. And Quin, too. Quin was, after all, his good friend. Chi San mentally cooked up a plan to let Fei and Quin meet. Perhaps that would help Fei to be clearer about who he should choose to spend his life loving.

Ching Ching: Fei! I was so worried. Why didn’t you come home last night?

Fei: (took Ching Ching’s hand in his) It doesn’t matter where I went. From today on, I will give you a better life.

Ching Ching was pretty confused, but nevertheless, she hugged Fei happily. Maybe this is the start of something new. Fei hugged Ching Ching back, but only had one thought in his mind. Kwan.

Saturday morning…
Man: Quin…wait for me. Don’t walk so fast. I’m beat!

Quin: Man, come on. You’re slowing me down.
(Quin waited impatiently as Man staggered up the steps, out of breath.)

Quin: I take it that you’re not teaching Physical Education in China.

Man: Cut it out, Quin, I’m just a little tired.
(Man sat down on the ground and drank some water.)

Quin: We’re almost there. You better hurry. Remember our date with Gigi.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the cemetery…
Chi San: Fei, slow down. You wouldn’t want to fall flat on your face.

Fei: (stopping to wait for Chi San) Come on, let’s just get this over with. I promised to meet Korean to pick out a new television for his and Gigi’s new apartment. Why do you want me to come along, anyway?

Chi San: (nonchalantly) Just want some company, I guess.
(Chi San looked up ahead and saw Quin stopping in front of Tong Sum’s grave.)

Chi San: Hey, look. Quin’s already here. And I thought she’s going to be late.

Fei: What do you mean, already?
(Chi San grinned sheepishly.)

Fei: (a look of understanding dawned his face) You mean, you set me up? San Gor, I can’t believe you. How much more old-fashioned (lou tou) can you get?

Chi San: Hey, I’m only helping you. You need to make a choice, remember? My setting you up should make your choice clearer.
(A sour look came over Fei’s face. He strode on and didn’t answer Chi San. He saw another girl coming up behind Quin, evidently complaining. Fei widened his eyes as he saw the girl’s face. He grinned evilly. It’s payback time, Kong Chi San.)

Fei: (innocently) Oh hey, look who’s with Quin. Man’s back.
(As expected, Fei heard something dropping behind him. He turned around to see Chi San looking ahead, stunned. His flowers lay beside him.)

Chi San: Man?!?! When did she come back? Why didn’t Quin tell me?

Fei: (inwardly laughing like a hyena) Let’s go and say hi.
(Quin looked up to see Fei. Her expression changed instantly. Man saw Chi San. She waved to him and smiled.)

Fei: Hi, Man, Kwan.

Chi San: Man…it is certainly…unexpected.

Man: Sorry I didn’t call you when I got back. Things got a bit hectic. You know, arranging a place to stay and all…

Chi San: No, it’s all right. Where are you staying?

Man: Near Central. We (linking Quin’s arm in hers) are staying together.

Chi San: That’s…nice.
(Not knowing what to say, Chi San bent down and pretended to be busy with his flowers. His face was flushed and his heart was beating fast. It was certainly an unexpected shock to see his first love again. Meanwhile, Fei was trying to talk to Quin, and she, on her part, kept brushing him off.)

Fei: Kwan…

Quin: (turning to Man) Man, these roses are beautiful.

Man: Tong Sum loved roses.
(A look of sadness came over Man’s face and she bit her lip to keep from crying. Quin bent down and began brushing the dirt off Tong Sum’s grave. Fei bent down to help her. As they were cleaning the grave, Quin’s fingers brushed against Fei’s. Fei stiffened and resisted the urge tograb hold of her hand and never let go. Quin immediately drew back and jumped to her feet.)

Quin: Tong Sum, I’ve come to visit you at last. Please don’t be mad at me for coming this late. I was studying in Canada. I hope you are happy in the heavens.
(Man was starting to cry softly. Seeing Tong Sum’s grave brought back all their childhood memories, and she couldn’t bear it. Again, she replayed the scene in her mind. Why couldn’t she had shove Tong Sum away? Then today, perhaps, she will be drinking coffee with her best friend instead of standing at her grave.)

Chi San: Man, don’t be like that. Tong Sum wouldn’t want to see you like this.

Quin: (softly) Come on, Man. Let’s go and not disturb Chi San.

Man: (nodded) I’m okay. Bye, Tong Sum. I will come again soon to visit you. (turned to look at Chi San) Chi San…I’ll call you.

(Chi San nodded, his eyes trained on Tong Sum’s picture.)

Chi San: Thanks for coming, you two.

Man and Quin left the cemetery. Fei watched Quin leave, a feeling of emptiness in his heart. Chi San, meanwhile, had temporarily forgotten about Man. All he was aware of was Tong Sum.

Although Fei has chosen Ching Ching, he couldn’t seem to let go of Quin. Did he make the right choice? Man and Chi San seemed to have let go and are just, for meanwhile, friends. But what happens when the past caught up with them?

Chapter 7...

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