The Longest Chat

The room is clean. Aircon is at its full blast but I am not cold. There is no spare bed except for a lazy chair by the side; yet I don't complain. For this is the moment when the chat is the longest and yet, strange as it seems, it is the most fulfilling ever.

What did we chat about? Hmmm... we chatted about everything but nothing. How's my work he would ask. I would say it's as apolitical and yet it is highly political. No point making others worry about you particularly the one you love the most.

How about politics? Will ruling or opposition win this time? There are rumours swirling around but none is certain. Perhaps we can see to it together when the time comes. Perhaps perhaps. It would be great don't you think? We can then vote together.

Oh! Do you still remember the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? You enthralled me with layers upon layers of those historical tales. I still remember hearing those stories as you fed me years ago. My mouth went "O" as you kept me on the cliff-hanger and will continue only when I dutifully swallowed my food.

I spoke to you as I kept running my fingers through your sparse, grey hair. Emotions chocked and brimming at the seams. Do you know that I love you so very much? How can a man tell that to another man without shame; oh, that shame of man-love. Or should I put that as egoistic feel of not confiding when the time is ripe and now?

Look at the time, its almost 6am. Can you believe that we've chatted for more than 7 hours now? Go to rest now papa. Do you want to have anything to drink or eat before you sleep? Don't worry papa, Chinese New Year is nothing without you. Just rest and don't worry about anything else ok?

I covered him carefully and tapped him to sleep.
Sitting uncomfortably at his side, never once complaining because this is the longest chat ever. As the antiseptic smelling, sterile looking room quietened down, I kept my vigil. I kept hoping against hope that there will be more such days to come. But alas, fate dealt a different hand. Never before, and never ever again will I have the chance to have such long heartfelt talk again. Chinese New Year will never feel the same.