woman wearing irish linen shirt

We walked hand in hand for a while, though only for a short distance.

"You know, even with the mask on, I can feel you smiling like you just had your teeth whitened today," Miss Pender said.

"Your analogy sucks." I took a breath, "And I'm not the only one laughing, so where do you stand against me?"

"I meant to say that you smiled silly." She avoided the seriousness, "but I like the way you look in your eyes now, you look very confident."

"Like just had your teeth whitened?" I answered.

Miss Pender shook the hand we were holding: "That's right!"

Immediately I said, "If that holds true, you're laughing like you stole the last pudding in the fridge."

She paused and narrowed her eyes: "Actually, it's quite accurate."

"Do you like pudding?" I asked casually.

She shook her head: "I like things with a richer and more fixed taste, and commercialized puddings are usually not healthy enough, while homemade puddings are always a surprise in taste and texture. I'm not saying I don't like surprises, but in refined puddings When it comes to food, people tend to have better choices." She glanced at my left hand, "Like the one you're holding."

"Why don't you let me pack two?"

"I didn't say I wanted to eat." She looked aside.

I laughed: "I just bought it for you. I won't eat it. Are you happier?"

Miss Pender hid her smile and didn't answer.

We went to Miss Pender's.She bought a new projector, which can project directly on the wall, but the machine has not been debugged since it was delivered.I suggested trying it out in the living room first, but the machine's owner, who claims she's pretty good at these things, insisted on a first attempt in the master bedroom, where wiring is difficult.

It was two hours after we watched the movie.Chicken rice was cold.

Today, I am very flustered.It seems that every gust of wind that blows around is warm, as if the venomous sunlight and the torrential rainstorm suddenly become gentle, and the French windows that isolate the danger are here to protect you, and she and I co-starred, and she and I became my partner. The protagonist in the world/dancing, crossing, and resonating together.

I have been able to share with her everything around me: the best Hainanese chicken rice in the world that I know, the beautiful clothes that have stood the test of my critical eye, my feelings, my pains - most importantly is my joy.

And, my joy can also resonate with hers.

Miss Pender was also very happy.She was visibly happy, jumping up and down and singing "one two three, three two one, one two three four five" even to fetch a glass of water, but in front of me, she refused to mention any extra words. .

The clock is ticking.We are in the fog, and we are still reluctant to leave in the overflowing happiness, but there are always people in the world who keep awake.

"What did you say?" Miss Pan De, who was video chatting with her brother outside the room, suddenly raised her voice, "What do you mean you're just stopping by, fourteen days of quarantine..."

"I do not want--"

"And where did you get it—"

"...Okay, but—"

Her voice came intermittently from outside, and the more I heard it, the more nervous I became, so I simply sat up from the bed and got dressed.

When everyone is resting, those who stay awake are responsible for sounding the alarm bells, as has always been the case in human society.

The fragmented information pieced together the same answer: Miss Pan De's brother is coming to Singapore.

There was no movement outside for a long time, Miss Pande slowly opened the door, looked at me: "I want to tell you something..."

"Well," I walked over, "Your brother is coming to see you?"

She took a breath and spoke very slowly: "Yes. In addition, you may need... well, have a meal with him. I promise not to make him too annoying, but..."

I feel like my voice is distorted.I pointed to myself: "Your brother wants to see me."

Miss Pender nodded resignedly.She took my hand, looking very pitiful: "Can you see him? Can you? Please."

"Okay." I replied dryly.

She was obviously relieved: "Thank you."

I wanted to say something, but the trachea seemed to be clamped, and it was difficult to breathe.I know I'm nervous, but Miss Pender seems more worried than I am.

I don't know why she is so worried about Rajiv's visit. According to the descriptions I usually hear, their relationship is quite good, even better than some siblings of the same blood-maybe it is for me?

I wanted to try to comfort her, but both of us released anxiety that was insulated from reason at the same time, as if we drank a drink called "anxiety drug", and we had to be tense all night for no reason.

Miss Pande and I looked at each other, and I didn't know who was the first to laugh out loud.

"Why don't you want him to come?" I hugged her, and the two sat on the low sofa at the corner of the bed.Before the projector was turned off, a square of white light fell on the wall.

"It's not that I don't want him to come..." Miss Pender sighed, "He always cared about me. You wouldn't think how crazy he was when I came out, Rajiv used to be the busiest time of the year Flying halfway around the world, you want to take me to find a temple in Massachusetts to do Puja."

This is already the second time I have heard the word puja.I asked, "When did you come out of the closet?"

"For him? It was the day after I met you on the plane." She lifted the hair hanging on her forehead, "We are too close, it is impossible to hide him--have I ever told you, Peter is a very devout Orthodox Christian?"

I shook my head.

"It's really ironic, my brother thinks it's been a long time without eating, uh - we would offer food to the gods and then eat part of the offering, which is understood as a gift from the gods, pronounced in Sanskrit' Prasada' - I, who haven't eaten Prasada for a long time, need purification and blessing; and my best friend, strongly advises me not to choose such a 'Western way of life', because it will make me Go to hell." Miss Pande held her forehead and smiled.

It was clearly such a bitter topic, but there was no trace of gloom in her smile.I put my arms around her shoulders and Miss Pender just looked at me and said slowly, "Both of them supported me to the fullest. Peter took a class on LGBT and my brother did it behind my back." I have no way of knowing what efforts I have made. He just wants me to be happy...so I promised him later that when I meet the right person, I will tell him as soon as possible.

"Peter helped me a lot. In the months after I found out that I might like girls, I answered my doubts, but then I fell into a long trouble—" She said this, her voice and emotion seemed Transmigrated to a distant place, "And he, a person who persuaded me to stay away from this 'sin', actually helped me complete my self-identity."

I didn't expect this to be the story.I said, "They transcend religion to understand you."

"So you can imagine how much they love me." Miss Pender sighed softly, "And Rajiv may not be as friendly as Peter, and his personality is stronger than mine. You have to prepare."

My nervousness came back, I stroked one eyebrow, and propped up the skin of my forehead with my fingers: "I will."

She smiled helplessly.After a while, Miss Pande asked, "When did you come out to your parents?"

"When I was in high school," I said, "but it was a long process, and it took years just to get them to face it. And my dad and I weren't close—to be honest, I haven't until now. Know what he thinks, pretending I want to marry later, or acquiescing that I'm a naughty kid. My mom is ok, but we've only exchanged one message on Labor Day since the reunion. I haven't Find an opportunity to tell her about us."

"Did you meet this year? Is it just a coincidence?" She looked over.

I nodded: "Before the flight was completely cut off. My 'match' friend came over to play, and then I met her downstairs in the Sands Hotel. She is a senior research expert in behavioral economics."

Miss Pender hesitated a little: "Are you a metaphor or..."

I couldn't help laughing: "It's true. After leaving the oil field, my mother made a living from this. But she really likes to gamble. For a while, I even thought that as long as I would take half a month off to go to Macau to look around, I should My mother will be found soon."

"Is she currently living in Singapore?"

I shook my head: "It should be in Japan. I don't know exactly where. She also has her own life now. I don't want to disturb her."

"Maybe that's not necessarily an interruption." Miss Pender lowered her eyelashes, moved her eyelids, and said again, "But I respect your opinion."

I feel that such a good atmosphere today is not suitable to talk about this topic, so I asked: "Is your brother a permanent resident of Singapore? The current navigation situation still seems to be very optimistic."

"No." Miss Pan De was silent for several seconds, and she could see that this matter really troubled her, "He said that the Ministry of Trade and Industry would send him an entry approval letter, and our company has an office here. I I think it might be true. It seems that I saw a similar introduction in the news a few days ago, but I didn’t pay attention at the time. The flight should have not resumed now. I don’t know when he will come. I will go to the embassy’s website later. Confirm the situation online - who would have thought he would spend fourteen days of self-observation to come to 'office'?"

I frowned slightly: "Why did he come to see you at this time of year?"

"On the one hand, it's because the last time we met was at Diwali last year, and it's been almost ten months. We usually see each other every three months." She glanced at me quietly, "On the other hand, it's because , I was so excited when I met you this year, I accidentally told him..."

I took a breath, not knowing how to respond.

"Besides, he's older than me, and occasionally acts like my caregiver." Miss Pande pursed her lips, looked at me, remained silent for a few seconds, and said solemnly, "I haven't come out to my parents yet. .”