I had requests for this to be re-posted in one post. I suppose I could, so here we go!
Stand By Me (Part 1)
When Azio opens the door, the strong aroma of herbal chicken soup and easy banter coupled with laughter greets him warmly. Azio is 22 years old, a 2nd year student with NTU, Business Faculty.
Standing at a strapping 1.85cm tall and weighing an ideal 75kg, Azio is tanned, physically active and well proportionate built.
His boyish features are matched with thick and dark eye brows, red pouty lips and a pointed nose whereas his floppy hair easily passes him off as Japanese with sportsman attributes.
He closes the door softly behind him and tiptoes to the dining hall, then greets happily “Hello people!”
“Uncle Azio! Happy Birthday!” The 2 boys jump up from their chairs and run towards Azio and hug him tightly.
Azio ruffles the boys’ hair and hugs them just as tightly.
He complains “Hey Juno and Wy-en! You boys grow up so fast and how on earth did your mum teach you? Call me brother Azio and not uncle! I am too young to pass off as an uncle lah.”
Azio casts a sideway glance at the lady standing behind Juno and Wy-en; she is Cassany, elder sister of Azio and the 2nd child in the family.
She is 27 years old and got married to an American Born Chinese at 22 years old, immediately after getting her Masters from NUS.
Her husband is currently a CEO with a newly public listed company and Juno is 4 years old while Wy-en is 3 years old.
Though being the only girl among the siblings, Cassany exudes quiet confidence on her delicate face and easily stands out from her specimens with her porcelain skin and maintains her fantastic figure by regular yoga and gym classes.
She retorts “Oh, the security guard is back and you are already 22! Don’t misguide my boys into believing you are a little brother to them.”
Azio sticks out his tongue and makes funny faces. He says “Please lor, I am not a security guard; I was a Guardsman during my national service days. What is wrong with your pea brain? All the years of studying make you bonkers? Or rather being a Tai-tai for these years shrinks your pathetic brain?”
“Why must you two always make rude comments about each other? You are the birthday boy today, can’t you be more civilized in front of your nephews?” a well maintained lady in her late 40s can’t help scolding, she is their mother, Helen.
“All right then, I should be taking my bath now. I will be back to continue this verbal war, Cassany.” Azio flashes his boyish smile and kisses the boys before running to his room.
“Ding Dong.”
Cassany calls out to Juno “Juno, can you help mummy to open the door? It must be Uncle Wayne and Uncle Ted.”
“Ok, mummy!” Juno runs to open the door.
“Hi Juno! Whoa, you have grown taller again!” the guy sitting on the wheelchair says cheerily and his small eyes and single eyelids form a line when he smiles.
He is Wayne, elder brother to Cassany and Azio. Standing behind him is Ted, boyfriend of Wayne since their varsity days in NUS.
Wayne is 30 years old, with a height of 180cm and weighs 70kg. He used to play rugby during his JC days in RJC and NUS, the years spent on the rough sport make him a rugged man with manly features.
Even though he has been on the wheelchair for the past 3 years, he ensures he doesn’t give up carrying weights and remain health conscious. He currently lectures at SIM.
Ted, on the other hand, exudes a sense of maturity and silent demeanor. A year older than Wayne, Ted is Wayne’s senior in RJC and NUS and played rugby as well.
But Ted is much taller and bigger build than Wayne; he stands at 188cm tall and weighs 85kg.
Both Wayne and Ted are tanned and have manly rugged features but while Wayne likes to keep his hair short, Ted shaves his head since NS and remains status quo since.
Ted is a lawyer with a well established law firm located at Capital Tower.
Ted wheels Wayne to the dining hall and both of them greet “Mum!” when Helen appears from the kitchen.
Helen smiles and nods “You boys are late, caught in the traffic?”
Ted replies matter of factly “Wayne took a little late than usual to dress up.”
Wayne throws a disdain look at Ted and argues “It was entirely your fault!”
–
Stand By Me (Part 2)
Cassany walks out from the kitchen as well; she places the dish on the dining table and walks over to hug Wayne and Ted.
She says “Hey hunks, time is really kind to you two, both of you look fantastic! Now, it’s your turn to return compliments, Ted.”
Wayne laughs and nudges Cassany. He pleads “Cass, please don’t bully Ted! You know he isn’t the sort to sweet talk, stop making him blush and stammers!”
Cassany smiles “Ted is a hot shot lawyer in town, I am sure he doesn’t stammer!”
When Azio emerges from his room after his shower, Juno and Wy-en run towards him and insist that he piggy back both of them.
Azio lifts the boys with both arms and kisses them on the cheeks. He says “Brother Azio cannot piggy back both of you at the same time leh.”
He carries the boys to the dining table and kisses Wayne on the cheeks and turn to hug Ted after that.
Helen shows a look of disapproval and can’t control but to say “Azio, please show your brother some respect, what’s there to kiss?”
Azio sticks out his tongue and says sheepishly “I love my brother and you and of course the argumentative Cassany.” He reaches out to kiss Helen but Helen brushes him away.
All of them eat and chat merrily at the dining table, laughing at the jokes that Azio makes. The ambience is warm and fun.
Azio asks when the laughter dies down from a joke he made earlier “Cass, why isn’t your ABC joins us tonight? He do know it’s my birthday tonight and everyone is here, right?”
Helen interrupts “Azio! He is your brother in law, please address his name properly and show him some courtesy!”
Azio retorts “But you never correct me when I address Ted with his name, should I call him brother in law as well?”
Helen stares at Azio and reprimands “They are not married! Why should you address him as that? And your brother is not a wife! They are 2 men in a relationship and that’s it!”
Cassany gives a light pat on Helen’s palms and says to Azio “Stephen has a business appointment tonight so he couldn’t join us but he has set aside a huge present for you so you better be good to me if you want his present.”
Juno chips in “I saw mummy wraps the present, it’s an ugly watch with diamonds, I think.”
Wy-en chimes “Ugly watch. Diamonds.”
The boys’ antics make everyone laughs and they take more than 2 hours to finish the table full of food.
Ted is about to help to clear the dishes when Helen stops him. She says gently “Let the maid do the job. We will go to the living room and make Azio unwrap the gifts.”
Ted nods and smiles. He wheels Wayne with Helen by their side.
When all of them sit comfortably in the living room, Juno and Wy-en fight with each other to sit on Azio’s lap.
Azio breaks them up and positions them on his laps; he smells their soft hair and says “I won’t have hands to unwrap the presents, why don’t you boys do the honour?”
“Yay!” The boys scream and ponder over which present to unwrap.
The boys finally agree to unwrap Cassany’s gift first, it is a Rolex watch and Azio just allow his jaws to drop wide open when he sees it. He couldn’t believe what he saw.
Next up, the gift from Helen. It is an air ticket to Europe. She reminds “You can only use this air ticket during your term break!”
When the boys look at the last gift, a small box, they just couldn’t increase their excitement any further. When they unwrap the box, it is a key. The boys are puzzled but not Azio.
Azio exclaims “No way! You guys didn’t get me a Suzuki V-Strom motorcycle, do you?”
Wayne smiles and nods. Azio shakes his head in disbelief and repeats “No joke? You guys really get me a V-Strom?”
Ted says “Drop by my office tomorrow after your class and I will drive you to the showroom to get your dream bike.”
Azio jumps up and gives a bear hug to Ted and kisses Wayne, he says excitedly “Thanks! You guys are the best!”
–
Stand By Me (Part 3)
The boys are complaining that they are tired and Cassany decides to call it a night, she bids her family farewell and drives the boys home.
Azio keeps bugging Ted on information of his V-Strom and Helen walks over to Wayne and says “Do you want to stay here tonight? It is quite late anyway.”
Wayne shakes his head and replies “No, it’s ok, mum. Ted has a late morning court session tomorrow so it won’t be too rush for us.”
Helen presses on “You will have to come home one day, this is your home. You can’t always stay with Ted and trouble him.”
Wayne controls his building rage and asks “Why can’t I stay with him, mum? We are a couple and we have been together since our varsity days. What do you mean by troubling him? Why are you always saying such things?”
Helen raises her voice a little “He is after all not your family, we are! And given your situation, we should be the one taking care of you, not an outsider!”
Wayne raises his voice too and snaps “He is my family! He is part of the family too! Your guilty conscience should not be the barrier to my relationship with him and not obstruct him being a part of this family!”
Both Ted and Azio stop their discussion when Wayne’s argument with Helen gets too loud for comfort. Azio tries to salvage the situation and asks “Why can’t the two of you just talk things over calmly for just one time?”
Wayne maneuvers the control on his wheelchair and move towards the door, he says “Ted, let’s go now.”
Ted looks a little embarrassed and moves over to Helen, he holds her hand and says “Sorry mum, you know about his temper. Just don’t take his words to heart. We are leaving now, he has morning class tomorrow.”
Helen nods and grabs Ted’s hands hard, she whispers “Thanks Ted, you have been a great help to the family, just help me to look after Wayne, ok?”
Ted nods and manages a smile. He turns to Azio and signals to him to take care of Helen. Wayne is already in the lift when Ted bids farewell.
Ted helps Wayne into his Mercedes SLK 200 and when he gets in the driver seat, he asks gently “What happened earlier? Both of you were perfectly ok during the dinner.”
Wayne lets out a sigh and answers “She is just so good at masquerading her real thoughts. I just can’t agree to her views on us and the way she is trying to make amends to me.”
Ted lets the engine run, he holds Wayne’s hands and says “Wayne, she is trying very hard to come to terms with your sexuality and accepting me as her son’s boyfriend. I think we can be more tolerant to her.”
Wayne starts to shiver but control his tears from flowing, he quivers “I don’t think she will ever be able to accept her son as a gay and even welcome her gay son’s boyfriend to the family but she is suppressing all her objections because of what had happened to me. She knows it was basically her fault.”
Ted holds Wayne and kisses him on his forehead; he says gently “Wayne, it’s over. The nightmare is over, so was the accident. No one wanted that to happen. You did not miss out on anything; you have me all these while.”
Wayne rests his head on Ted’s broad shoulders; he can no longer holds back his tears. He says in between sobs “I have stopped blaming her when she makes effort to welcome you to the family. But I just can’t get over the fact that she is not doing it whole heartedly. I am just glad you have been here always.”
They sit in the car for a while longer before Ted drives off. Wayne falls asleep on the journey home to their semi detached bungalow in Upper Bukit Timah.
Ted wakes Wayne gently after he parks his Mercedes SLK 200 and wheels Wayne into the house.
He helps Wayne to undress and prepares a hot water bath for Wayne, Wayne requests “Can you come into the bath tub with me? I would like to have your arms around me in the tub.”
Ted smiles and undresses himself; he helps Wayne into the tub and gets in slowly. He hugs Wayne for a while before scrubbing his back and bathing him.
Ted is drying Wayne when Wayne asks “Ted, am I a burden to you? You basically babysit me for the past 3 years, after my accident.”
Ted presses his lips onto Wayne’s and answers “Don’t say that, you know I am willing to take care of you forever. We have been together for so long and been through the best and worst times. You should know what my answer will be.”
“Thanks Ted. I wouldn’t know how to get on my life if I don’t have you.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 4)
Azio braves through the heavy human traffic to NTU the next morning, he thinks to himself “I hate this maddening crowd. I can’t wait to get my hands on my V-Strom!”
After alighting from the bus, Azio runs through the blocks of dormitory to his room. He thinks to himself “How could I have forgotten to bring my lecture notes home last night?”
When Azio opens the door to his room, he lets out a yelp when he sees someone in his room and that someone grabs the towel off Azio’s bed and covers his private areas hastily.
“Who the fuck are you? What are you doing in my room?” demands Azio.
“Mind your freaking language, punk! I am your new room mate.” The guy retaliates.
Azio shakes his head a little and repeats “My new room mate? Since when? Says who?”
“I can’t be bothered with you, I am late for my lessons. Go ask the dormitory management if you are so worried that a man has come into your sanctuary.” The guy says.
The guy turns his back and his taut buttock cheeks greet Azio and it is at this instant that Azio starts to size the guy up. The guy pulls out a clean piece of bermuda and slips it on and pulls a t-shirt over his muscular back.
The guy is about the same height of Azio but definitely weighs heavier, he is about 77kg, a muscular frame accentuated with defined biceps. His muscular back also matched perfectly his protruding chest, and he is even tanner than Azio.
He has a bad boy look with a Mohawk haircut and spot a goatee, Azio is still looking at the hunk when the hunk stares at him and questions “Never see a man change in front of you before? Get used to it, punk.”
The hunk is about to leave the room when Azio finds his voice “I am sorry, I apologize for my behavior. What is your name?”
The hunk turns back and replies nonchalantly “None of your business.”
Azio is taken aback by his rudeness, he has wanted to say something when the hunk just walked out of the room. Azio just sits on his bed, cursing the hunk in his head when his mobile rings.
“Hey Az, where are you? The class is starting soon!” the voice from the other line says.
Azio snaps out of his zombie state and replies “Shit. I am coming over now.” After hanging up his phone, Azio grabs the lecture notes on his desk and about to leave when he sees a student card on the floor.
He picks it up and realizes that it’s that hunk’s student pass, he looks at the name that reads “Elgene Chan Chee Han”.
Azio lets out a loud laugh when he sees the photo, he talks to himself “So nerdy looking, such a drastic change! But too bad, a good looker with an undesirable personality.”
Azio places the student pass on Elgene’s bed and rushes off to his lesson.
It is a long day as Azio only has a full day schedule and only an hour break in between the lessons. When the last class ends, Azio walks back to his dormitory with his pals.
One of his pals remind Azio when Azio is about to open his door “Az, do not forget our dragon boat training tomorrow yah?” Azio nods. He wants to take a quick shower and goes over to Ted’s office as fast as he could.
He swings open the door, totally forgetting that he has a room mate now. The forceful swing jolts Elgene out of his nap, he sits up and snaps “What is wrong with you? Can’t you behave like a normal human?”
Azio looks at the topless Elgene and realizes that the blanket has strategically covered his torso and lower half of his impressive body. He replies “I forgot that there is someone else in the room.”
Elgene gives Azio a cold stare and lay down again, with his back facing Azio. Azio rolls his eyes and takes off his shirt with the door ajar and searches for his toiletries.
Elgene mumbles “Close the door when you are changing unless you are an exhibitionist. I don’t have the habit of showing my family jewels to the whole campus.”
Azio stops his search and answers back “I don’t know what pisses you off today but I don’t deserve your rudeness. If you want your stay with me to be pleasant, show me some basic courtesy!”
Elgene turns over and stares at Azio, his movement causes his blanket to slide down and reveals a hairy trail from his navel, Elgene pulls up the blanket a little.
“You are a spoilt brat, I take back my politeness and apology. You deserved everything I said this morning.” Azio snaps.
–
Stand By Me (Part 5)
Azio storms out of the room with his toiletries and take a quick shower, when he returns to the room, Elgene is already in slumber land.
Azio dries himself with his back to Elgene and Elgene flips over just in time to catch Azio in his nudity.
Elgene takes a quick glance and immediately turns back. He is surprised that Azio has a lean and well proportionate physique.
Azio puts on a set of clean clothing and leaves the room, he badly wants to see his V-Strom.
When Azio reaches Ted’s office an hour later, Ted is still in a meeting with a client. He waits impatiently in Ted’s office when he chances upon a photo frame with Ted and Wayne’s picture on it.
Azio looks at the photo and thinks “Wayne used to be so active and attractive before the fateful accident. Thank god that he has Ted with him all these while.”
Azio is deep in thoughts when Ted comes in, he gives a light pat on Azio’s shoulders and that gives Azio a jump.
“Geez, why didn’t you make any sound when you come in?” Azio asks.
Ted smiles and says “I did but you were deep in thoughts. You ready to go? I have to pick Wayne from his campus after bringing you to the showroom.”
Azio jumps up enthusiastically and says “I am all set to go, you are such a darling to my brother! You are the best brother in law!”
Ted shuts down his laptop and responds “Don’t be a bootlicker. It doesn’t work on me. But I am indeed your best brother in law.”
The salesperson walks Azio through the functions of V-Strom with Ted listening attentively as well. Azio’s heart skips a beat when he is all set to drive his V-Strom away.
Ted insists that Azio follows his Mercedes SLK 200 to the campus to pick Wayne and they will follow him back to his dormitory after that. Azio reluctantly agrees.
When they reach SIM, Wayne is already waiting for them at the pick up point. Ted parks his car and walks over to hug Wayne and kisses his forehead, Wayne waves to Azio and Azio waves back happily.
Azio thinks to himself “Wayne is really fortunate to have Ted, he takes so good care of him. And to have boyfriend who isn’t afraid to show his affections in public, how I wish I have a boyfriend like him too!”
When they make their way to Azio’s dormitory, Wayne asks Ted in the car “Why didn’t Azio get off his bike and say hello to me earlier? That’s unlike him! He loves to stick to me.”
Ted smiles and places his big palms over Wayne, he says “He was so happy with his bike and that cool helmet you bought him, he just simply couldn’t bear to take it off and get off that monster.”
Wayne smiles back and replies “I hope we got the right present for him, you know how mum is like, she just simply couldn’t trust Azio to take care of himself. Remember how strongly she objected to Azio to move into dormitory? And she never trusts motorcyclists.”
Ted looks at Wayne lovingly and reassures “I am hope Azio is old enough to do things right. And you shouldn’t worry too much, he is an adult. Spend more time thinking of me is a better advice.”
Wayne smiles back and looks out of the window, he realizes that the cars beside theirs are casting envious looks. He smiles to himself and look away.
When Azio switches off the ignition on his bike, Ted wheels Wayne over and Wayne reminds “Promise us that you won’t speed, and be responsible on the road.”
Azio flinches his long wavy hair and nods, he says impatiently “You are just as long winded as mum. If you continue at this rate, Ted will be checking his ears soon enough.”
Ted gives a light punch to Azio and says with a smile “Leave me out of the siblings quarrel.”
The 3 chat a little longer and Ted decides it is time to go home for Wayne to take his rest. Azio kisses Wayne and hugs Ted before they make their exit.
When Azio walks up the flight of stairs to his room, loud muffled music roars through the corridor. He soon realizes that the loud music comes from his room.
He opens the door and the loud music deafens him immediately, he closes the door and shouts “Are you deaf? Why do you turn up the volume so high? We will be booked for nuisance if others complain about it!”
“Don’t bark at me. Go elsewhere to bother others and leave me alone.” Elgene replies.
–
Stand By Me (Part 6)
When the family gathers at Helen’s place for their weekly dinner, Stephen is there as well. Stephen always enjoys chatting with Ted, getting free advice from him on legal issues.
Helen, at the other side of the table, is complaining to Cassany on her worry for Azio about his new bike and Cassany is reassuring Helen that Azio is matured enough to exert extra caution.
At the living room, Wayne is reading the latest Harry Potter’s book to Juno & Wy-en when Azio opens the door.
Wayne throws him a dirty glance and says “Why are you always the last one to turn up for our gatherings? I wonder what your excuse is this time. All of us know that you stay here on weekends.”
Azio sticks out his tongue and replies “I went for my dragon boat training earlier and went for a spin, forgot about the time.”
Both Juno and Wy-en tear themselves away from Wayne and run to hug Azio and they shout on the top of their lungs “Mummy! Uncle Azio is back! We can have dinner now!”
Azio gives a light pat on Juno & Wy-en heads and complains “How many times must I correct you boys to address me as brother?”
The boys dodge away from Azio and run towards the dining hall, Azio walks to Wayne and gives him a peck and notices that Wayne looks pale and a little tired.
“Are you ok? You don’t look too well.” Azio asks.
Wayne smiles and replies “I am ok, just tired easily recently. I just had a body check up and the report will be out tomorrow.”
Azio nods and wheels Wayne to the dining hall. Helen starts nagging when she sees Azio “The whole family has to wait for you always! The boys are so hungry, can’t you be more responsible?”
Azio looks away to Cassany for help but she ignores his look and gets the maid to lay the table.
They start on their dinner soon after, halfway through, Stephen asks “Azio, so when are you going to bring a nice girl to join us for dinner? Such a good looker like you shouldn’t have any difficulty in getting a fair lady.”
Helen agrees and chips in “Yes, Stephen is right. You are already 22 and I have never seen you bring a girl home. Isn’t there lots of girls in your campus?”
Wayne and Cassany look at Azio inquisitively but Ted continues on with his food, oblivious to the topic.
Azio looks up and says “Girls? Why not boys?”
Stephen laughs and answers “It will be a huge loss to the female popularity if you choose boys over them. They have already lost Wayne and Ted, they can’t be losing you and all remaining hopes.”
Helen shows a look of disapproval and reprimands “Can’t you just grow up, Azio? Why are you making jokes over such issues?”
Azio wants to say something when Cassany cuts in “So how do you like your new bike?”
But Azio chooses to continue “What’s wrong being a gay? Wayne is gay so is Ted. Me too.”
There is a pause of poignant silence when Juno asks “Mummy, what is gay? I want to be like Uncle Azio, I want gay.”
Cassany and Stephen show a look of discomfort and contemplate what to say to Juno when Helen slams her chopsticks onto the table.
Helen demands “Azio, how could you say such things in front of the kids? Why can’t you be a responsible adult and stop making a fool of yourself?”
Juno and Wy-en look startled at Helen’s reaction and keep quiet but Azio has no intention to back off, he argues “Why can’t you accept that your sons are gay? As for Juno and Wy-en, I am sure Cassany and Stephen will guide them well to understand my sexuality.”
Helen shouts “Shut up! Just shut up now!”
Wy-en gets so startled at Helen’s explosion that he starts to cry, Stephen quickly walk over to Wy-en and carries him, he tells Juno “Juno, bring your plate and come with us to the living room.”
Ted also gets up and says “Let me help Juno to the living hall.” He looks at Wayne knowingly and Wayne nods.
Helen wants to leave as well but Azio stops her by saying “Is it that you want to create another accident to paralyze me like what you did to Wayne in order to accept the fact that I am gay?”
–
Stand By Me (Part 7)
Wayne keeps his silence on Azio’s accusations but Cassany cuts in “Azio, why are you bringing up the past? All of us know that it was an accident!”
Azio argues “What accident? If mum had not pushed Wayne towards that oncoming car on the road, Wayne would not be on the wheel chair for the past 3 years! He had lost so much over these years in order to gain her acknowledgement that Wayne is her gay son, does she want the same sacrifice from me as well?”
Helen breaks down and screams “I don’t deserve all these! I don’t need 2 gay sons! Yes, I had wanted Wayne to die when he came out to me but I am now making amends to him and accepting him of who he is. I just hope to have 1 normal son who is not gay!”
Wayne wheels himself out of the dining hall and calls out to Ted “Ted, I need to go now. I am not feeling too well.”
Ted looks concerned and places Juno off his laps, he walks over to Wayne and asks “Everything ok? You looked very pale.”
Wayne shakes his head and pleads “Drive me home now, I really do not feel well.”
Azio also gets up from the table and says “Like it or not, you have another gay son! I am going back to the dormitory.”
Helen breaks down soon after when Ted, Wayne and Azio leave. Cassany gets Stephen to bring the boys back home while she stays with Helen for the night.
Cassany gets into Helen’s bed and asks “Mum, you feeling better?”
Helen replies “Thanks for sleeping over. It has been ages that I have my kids sleeping with me on the same bed.”
Cassany smiles and holds Helen’s hands, she says “Mum, we are all adults now. We have our own paths and Azio is a big boy. I think you see his confession coming, right?”
Helen lets out a sigh, she replies “I just hoped that all signals were wrong and this day never comes. I so badly want him to be normal and have a family.”
Cassany consoles “Mum, there is nothing wrong with Wayne and Azio’s sexuality. They are matured adults, they will live their lives well. Maybe you should accept Azio just like you came to terms with Wayne’s sexuality?”
Ted takes half day off in the afternoon and drives over to SIM to pick Wayne before proceeding to Gleneagles Hospital to collect Wayne’s medical report.
After going through the medical report, the doctor says “Wayne, I am afraid that your tumour is cancerous and you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it is at 2nd stage. I would like to put you on medication straight away.”
Ted grabs Wayne’s hands tightly when he hears that, he asks “Doctor Koh, are you sure? How could Wayne contracted cancer out of a sudden?”
“I am really sorry but we must be strong and starts medication if we do not want his condition to worsen.” The doctor advises.
Wayne slumps in his chair, he mumbles “Why is this happening to me? What have I done wrong?”
After leaving the consultation room, Ted wheels Wayne to the counter to collect his medication in silence.
Ted wheels Wayne to the waiting area and walks over to the counter when someone calls out to Ted, “Ted!”
Both Ted and Wayne turns to see a suave man wearing a white doctor robe, he looks like their age but stands shorter than both of them, about 177cm and cuts a lean fit physique.
He has fair smooth complexion and big attentive round eyes, supple lips on a clean shaven face. Perching on his sharp nose is a funky pair of spectacles and sports a diamond ear stud.
Ted and Wayne couldn’t make out who this handsome stud is until Wayne suddenly mutters “Flack?”
Flack turns and looks at Wayne, his looks of smiles change to a look of surprise and he asks “Is that you, Wayne?”
Wayne nods and Ted walks over and gives Flack a hug, he asks “Oh my. I couldn’t recognize you at all. When did you come back from the US?”
Flack replies “Just came back less than a week and have been busy trying to accustom to the life here. In fact, today is my first day at work.”
Flack turns to hug Wayne, he asks softly “What happened? You were perfectly healthy when I last saw you 8 years ago.”
“It’s a long story.” Wayne says weakly.
Flack nods and says “Most importantly, you are living fine now.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 
It has been a month since the argument between Azio and Helen and the family has not met for their regular weekly dinner as well.
Azio has been staying in the dormitory over weekends and only go for spins in his bike when he feels too cooped up in the room.
The tension between Azio and Elgene has not improved either. Though both of them still lock horns over the smallest details, they have started to notice and understand each other’s habits and behaviour better.
Azio realizes that Elgene must study with the music blasting loud but he has since put on ear plugs instead of blasting through the speaker.
Azio also notices that Elgene is an avid basketballer and has the habit of sleeping in the buff.
There is even once that Azio accidentally glances into Elgene’s cupboard and saw a number of trophies in Taekwondo and basketball tournaments.
While Elgene notices that Azio has been extremely quiet the past month and has stayed in over the weekends. He also notes that Azio goes for dragon boat training twice a week.
He knows that Azio enjoys going for spin in his bike at late nights to clear his thoughts and will usually come back freshen up and study through the night.
Azio is packing his swimming trunk and towel after his dragon boat training on Saturday afternoon. He jumps a little when Elgene swings open the door, dripping in sweat.
“Oh. I didn’t know you are in.” says Elgene.
Azio nods and goes back to packing his bag, Elgene walks over and strips off his dirty and wet singlet and shorts. Azio steals a glance and notices that Elgene is not wearing any briefs underneath his shorts.
His eyes linger a little while longer and catch a glimpse of Elgene’s manhood when he wraps a towel over his waist.
Azio fidgets a little when Elgene looks at him, Elgene says “Remember to lock the room when you are gone.”
Azio swallows his saliva and replies “I will, you better remember to bring the key along with you for your bath then.”
Elgene nods and walks pass Azio, brushing his sweaty arms against Azio’s hands accidentally, that send chills down Azio’s spine.
Azio swims in the deserted pool in the campus leisurely, his thoughts keep replaying the image of Elgene’s manhood. He thinks to himself “Life is so nice to that idiot, giving him such a hard body and impressive family jewels!”
Some water enters his mouth and he struggles a little, swims towards the side and breathes hard. His breathing resumes to normal after a while and he laughs at his little infatuation over his “enemy’s” manhood.
Azio spends 1 hour in the pool and decides to call it a day, he pulls on his shorts and walks back to his dormitory with his towel hanging over his shoulder topless.
Azio opens the door to his room and Elgene sits up immediately and pulls the blanket over his naked torso. Azio looks at Elgene and Elgene turns away sheepishly.
Azio walks over to his bed and toss out the dirty laundry, he strips off completely and heads off to the communal bathroom to clean up.
When Azio comes back from his bath, Elgene has already put on a pair of shorts and sitting by his desk, focusing on his laptop.
Azio couldn’t control himself and jokes “Finished jerking off? I hope you didn’t dirty your bed or the floor. Throw the tissues at the dustbin outside otherwise they might attract ants.”
Elgene stops his typing and stare at Azio, he suppress his anger and says “You are such a pain in the arse! All men masturbates, there is no point in making fun of it. Especially when I am a virile and healthy young man.”
Azio sticks out his tongue and apologies “I was just making fun of you. I know it is perfectly normal, I just thought of making fun of you.”
He continues sheepishly “Hey, we have not been on the right wavelength all these times. If you don’t have any appointments, shall we go for dinner at Jurong Point? Just to get to know each other all over again?”
Elgene lets out a loud sigh, he says “Your treat.”
Azio eye’s grow wide, he complains “Why my treat? You are not even my boyfriend, I mean, my girlfriend.”
Elgene looks at him and gives a nonchalant look and goes back to his laptop.
Azio gives in and says “All right! My treat. But we are eating at the food court. Let’s go now.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 9)
Wayne has been taking his medication regularly and Ted accompanies him to the doctor for his weekly review, Wayne has decided not to tell his family about his condition and Ted reluctantly agrees to keep it a secret from his family.
Wayne feels a sigh of relief when Helen has not been urging everyone to gather for weekly dinner for the past month, at least he won’t have to put on a brave front and lie to the family.
“Wayne, you will have to continue taking your medication. We have to monitor your condition, but you have to stay positive.” The doctor tells Wayne at his review.
When Ted wheels Wayne out of the consultation room, Wayne whispers “Ted, what if my condition doesn’t improve? How am I going to go through all those therapies?”
Ted kneels down besides Wayne, holds his hands tightly. He looks at Wayne’s eyes intensely and says “Don’t you ever say that! No matter what it is, I will be beside you. We will brave through this together, nothing fazes us anymore after your accident.”
Ted continues “I almost lost you at the accident, I swear I will never let you out of my sight since then. I know we can get through this as well. I am not going to let you go before it’s my time to report to God.”
Wayne feels his tears rolling down his cheeks, he wants to say something when they hear “Ted! Wayne!”
Both of them turn and see Flack quickening his pace and approaching them, Flack smiles and hug both Ted and Wayne when he reaches them.
“We seem to be bumping into each other in the hospital pretty often. So who is sick today?” Flack asks.
Wayne stammers “It’s me again.”
Flack looks at Wayne and notices that Wayne looks even paler than a month ago. He senses something might be wrong, he squats down and asks “Wayne, are you all right? Would you like to tell me?”
Ted places his palms on Wayne’s shoulders and says “Why don’t we find a place to sit down and talk? I think it will be good to listen to another doctor’s opinion and advice.”
Flack can’t hide his disbelief when Ted tells him about Wayne’s condition in the cafeteria, he holds Wayne’s hands and says softly “Wayne, you must be strong and positive. Medicine today has evolved rapidly, if you follow your doctor’s advice and take your medication regularly, you should be able to control the cancerous cells from spreading.”
Flack continues “If you need another opinion on your condition, I can arrange another doctor for you. We are after all the best of pals during our college and national service days.”
Ted gets up and asks them “I forgot to get us drinks. What would both of you like to have?”
When Ted leaves the table to get the drinks, Wayne says “Flack, thank you for bearing with me. I am just so glad that you did not bear any grudges against me after what I had done.”
Flack shakes his head and says “Wayne, it was all in the past. I was at fault too, I was the one who asked you to stand in for me when I couldn’t go on dates with Ted. I was the one who decided to go to the States after national service, I was never there for him.”
Flack continues “And I emailed him so many times when I first reached US to ask him if he would like to wait for me but he never replied. So I am not surprised that both of you got together in the end.”
Wayne wants to say something but stops when Ted comes back with the drinks. Ted smiles and asks “So what did you 2 buddies been gossiping while I was gone?”
Flack jokes “We were talking about the good old times, how we try to get your contact when you came back as a senior for our school concert. And how I lost you to Wayne.”
Ted looks amazed, he asks “Are you sure? That was so long ago! Wayne knew that I had gone on a few dates with you but we didn’t work out. But it was a blessing in disguise because I now have Wayne.”
Flack smiles and agrees, he says “Yes, I can see how happy and blissful both of you are together. And I am glad that I lost you to Wayne and some other guys.”
Wayne fidgets a little uneasily.
Ted asks “Hey Flack, we have not buy you welcome dinner since you are back. Why don’t we do one soon? I am sure Azio will be ecstatic to find out that you are back, he adores you so much when he was younger.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 10)
Flack agrees and says “Sure! Why don’t we do it at Wayne’s place? I have not tried Auntie Helen’s cooking for a long while and I missed Cassany and Azio too.”
Ted nods and offers “Ok, I will arrange then.”
Wayne keeps quiet on the journey back home, Ted only realizes Wayne’s silence upon reaching their home.
He asks concernedly “Are you ok? You were so quiet during the journey.”
Wayne asks “Why do you agree to host the dinner at mum’s place? We have not been back there more than a month and you know about Azio’s temper.”
Ted reassures “I know what I am doing. I think it is a perfect timing! We all know how much Azio adores Flack, he will sure come home if he hears that Flack is dropping by for dinner and mum has not seen Flack for a long while.”
He continues “Both you and Flack are such close buddies since college and mum likes Flack a lot too. Maybe she will simmer down and accept Azio’s sexuality if she sees that Flack is one too.”
Wayne nods wearily, he agrees “Yes, mum does like Flack a lot and she always praises Flack as an intelligent kid. Maybe Flack might be able to change her stance on Azio.”
“Are you joking? Flack is back? He is coming to our place for dinner this Sunday? Oh my, I misses him so much, of course I will come home this Sunday.” Azio says happily over the phone.
When Azio hangs up the phone, he is still smiling. Elgene notices his happiness and asks casually “So the iceberg melts? You are finally willing to go home and give me some peace over the weekends?”
Azio throws his pillow at Elgene and says happily “Don’t be a spoilsport! I am going home all right but it’s because I am meeting my idol, I have not seen him for years!”
Elgene mutters “Him? A guy? Why are you so excited over seeing a guy?”
Azio asks “What did you say?”
Elgene replies “Nothing.”
Suddenly Azio hops over to Elgene’s bed and asks intently “Why is it that you never go home? You are such a loner. Are you an orphan?”
Elgene shoves Azio a little and retaliates “I don’t like to go home, simple as that! Now, go away! Don’t disturb me.”
Azio takes back his pillow and asks “Hm..if you don’t mind, why don’t you come home with me this Sunday? The more the merrier. My whole family will be there and they are cool people.”
Elgene shakes his head and says “I don’t need company.”
Azio bugs Elgene the whole morning on Sunday, insisting that he accompanies him home. Azio begs “Join me please? My mum will at least show some mercy if there is stranger around.”
Azio helps to pick up the clothes for Elgene and forcefully drags Elgene with him to his bike.
Elgene gives up struggling and reluctantly puts on the helmet.
When Azio and Elgene reaches home, everyone is already there. Helen is chatting with Flack when Azio opens the door.
“Azio!” Flack exclaims when he sees Azio.
“Flack! Oh god, you look fantastic! I missed you so much! When did you come back from the States?” Azio gives Flack a bear hug while asking the questions.
Azio forgets totally about Elgene and leaves him at the door looking awkward while he continues his banter with Flack.
Cassany signals to Elgene to come in and asks “You are the room mate of Azio that he was telling us about?”
Elgene nods slightly. Cassany gushes “Gosh, you are so good looking! I bet there are loads of girls stealing glances at you in campus.”
Cassany’s easy demeanor puts Elgene at ease and he introduces himself to the rest of the family.
All of them chat merrily throughout the dinner and Juno and Wy-en warm up to Elgene easily.
Suddenly, Wayne covers his mouth from vomiting and that scares everyone.
“Are you ok?” Everyone asks Wayne at the same time. Wayne nods.
“Is it because of the new medication that you have been prescribed?” Flack asks with a concern.
–
Stand By Me (Part 11)
“What new medication? Are you sick, Wayne?” Helen asks anxiously.
Flack looks surprised and replies “Wayne didn’t tell you that he has been put on a new medication to control his cancerous cells?”
The whole family look stunned and lost for words when they hear Flack. Azio runs over to Wayne and asks “You have cancer?”
Helen asks with a quivering voice “Wayne, what are you keeping from us?”
Flack realizes his mistake and turns to Wayne to apologise “I am so sorry, Wayne. I didn’t know that you are keeping your condition from your family.”
Ted blurts out “It’s enough! Yes, we are keeping Wayne’s condition from everyone. Wayne has cancer.”
Helen and Cassany bursts into tears when they hear that. Their cries scare the kids and Stephen rushes over to calm the boys.
Elgene is taken aback by the commotion and immediately gulps down the glass of red wine that is on the table.
Nobody finishes the dinner in the end, Elgene and Flack excuse themselves soon after the commotion.
Both of them wait for cabs at the junction when Elgene snaps “What kind of a doctor are you? Spilling patient’s confidentiality as if it is some sort of gossip?”
Flack is taken aback by Elgene’s hostile attitude, but he maintains his composure. He replies “I didn’t know Wayne is keeping his condition from his family.”
When a cab stops in front of them, Elgene gets in without waiting for Flack. He slams the door on Flack, rolls down the window and says “A bunch of excuses! To me, you are just simply trying to make everyone unhappy.”
Back at home, Stephen stays with Juno and Wy-en to finish their dinner while the rest adjourn to the living hall.
All of them sit there quietly when Helen finally says “You shouldn’t have kept it from us. We are your family, you need our support most!”
Azio cuts in impatiently “This is not the time to put the blame.”
Cassany holds Wayne’s hands in hers and she asks gently “How is your condition now? Is the cancer under control?”
Wayne replies “I have been under medication for a while, the doctor just changed my medication 2 days ago as the initial medication yields no effect.”
Turning to Ted, Cassany says painstakingly “It must be hard on you, taking care of Wayne and working at the same time. Can both of you cope with the medical expenses?”
Ted nods and replies “Yes, we are getting on fine. Wayne is very strong and positive. We are sure that he will ride this through.”
Helen interrupts “Move back here, Wayne. I can take care of you. Ted has to work, we can’t burden him any longer.”
Wayne keeps his silence but Azio laments “Mum! Here you goes again! Why are you always pushing Ted away? He is a part of this family too!”
Cassany throws Azio a pleading look not to continue but Helen explodes “I never push anyone away! Wayne is my child and it is a mother’s responsibility to take care of her children!”
Helen continues “I just want to fulfill my part as a mother, why are you always blaming me for trying to do that?
Wayne says wearily “Mum, can we stop all these? Ted is taking very good care of me. He accompanies me through those dark phases after my accident and he is doing the same for me now, I feel safe and protected with him.”
Ted reaches over to Wayne and places his arms on Wayne’s shoulders, he pleads “Wayne, it is my responsibility to take care of you but mum is correct too. It is better to have someone looking after you while I am at work.”
Helen insists “Even Ted agrees to what I said, I don’t care! You move back here this instant, Wayne!”
Wayne wants to say something but his motion causes him nausea again, he tries to stifle his urge to vomit. Ted passes Wayne a bowl immediately in case he needs to vomit.
After cooling down, Wayne says “Mum, I am staying with Ted. I can’t carry on the treatment without him by my side.”
Helen wants to say something but Cassany restricts her. Cassany suggests “Mum, why not let Wayne stay with Ted? They have been staying together for years anyway. You can go over to look after Wayne when Ted is out to work. Isn’t it a better arrangement for all?”
–
Stand By Me (Part 12)
Elgene tosses around in his bed, and has difficulties sleeping. He will wake up with the slightest noise, thinking that Azio is back.
He lies on the bed, thinking to himself whether he should give a call to Azio to check on him but looking at his watch and realizing that it is close to 3am, he decides against the idea.
Azio can’t get to sleep either, he has decided to stay home for the night as Ted has suggested that both he and Wayne stay for the night.
The three of them and Cassany talk till the wee hours before Wayne is too tired to carry on and Cassany suggests everyone grab some sleep.
Cassany has gotten Stephen to drive the kids back home earlier and she tiptoes over to Helen’s bed, she gets on the bed quietly, hoping not to wake Helen.
She startles a little when Helen sobs “Cass, I almost lost him once. I can’t lose him for good, I should be the one shouldering the retribution, not him!”
Cassany hugs Helen and reassures “Mum, we will not lose Wayne. Nothing can take him away from us.”
Azio has let out his room to Wayne and Ted, he lies on the couch, million of thoughts running through his mind.
He asks to no one in particular “Why Wayne? Hasn’t he suffered enough? How much longer will he be tortured?”
Azio stares at the ceiling and images of Flack flashes in front of him, Azio can’t resists but to feel at peace when he sees Flack’s image. He thinks to himself “He still look so good after so many years!”
Ted hugs Wayne tightly the whole night to sleep, he has been doing so every night when they learnt about Wayne’s condition.
Ted wants to make sure that Wayne feels protected every night and he will immediately be woken up if Wayne has any difficulties in his sleep.
But both of them can’t sleep tonight, Wayne feels his body getting very tired but he just couldn’t fall asleep. He nudges himself closer to Ted to make sure Ted hugs him even tighter.
“Can’t sleep?” Ted asks.
“Yah, tonight is much worse than the time when we got my medical report. Now, the whole family is worried about me.” Wayne replies.
Ted kisses Wayne’s neck and promises “Everyone is here for you, you must stay strong with all our support.”
The next morning, Ted calls in sick for both himself and Wayne. Azio too decides to skip his lessons and with Helen and Cassany, they have their breakfast in silence and then go to the hospital together.
“Wayne, it’s good that your family is here for you. Nothing beats the support from your close ones.” The doctor said after everyone is seated.
“Doctor, please tell me that my son’s condition is under control.” Helen asks anxiously.
The doctor goes through the check up report one more time and says “I am afraid that the cancerous cells are still spreading. If this continues, we have to consider chemotherapy.”
Helen cries uncontrollably upon hearing the doctor, so does Cassany. Ted holds Wayne’s hands tightly and Azio places his palms on Wayne’s shoulders gently.
They make arrangements for Wayne to undergo chemotherapy after the visit and are about to head for the car park when Flack calls out to them.
Helen cries again when she sees Flack and Flack hugs her and consoles her “Auntie, don’t be like that. It hurts Wayne to see you like this. All of you must stay positive for Wayne and with the latest medication, Wayne will be fine!”
Flack looks at Wayne and apologies “I am so sorry to have caused everyone unhappiness.”
Wayne smiles weakly and nods “Don’t worry, they have to know sooner or later.”
Ted holds Wayne closer to him and says “Mum, I better drive Wayne home, I don’t want him to catch a cold. The air conditioning is too strong for him, do you want to come over later and stay with us?
Cassany chips in “Mum, why don’t I drive you home to pack then I will drive you over to Ted’s place after that?”
Flack walks everyone to the carpark and sees them off. Azio stops his bike in front of Flack and asks “Do you need a ride? I can send you there if you like.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 13)
“I still need to pack up some of my stuffs in the office before I can leave.” Flack tells Azio.
Azio switches off his ignition switch and says “Ok! I will wait for you then. You need me to help you in your packing?”
“You are so sweet! Ok, give me a minute.” Flack smiles but his eyes follow Ted’s car out of his sight.
When Flack comes back to Azio, he notices Azio’s happiness in seeing him. He teases “You seem real happy to see me, don’t you?”
Azio feels his face blushes and stammers “I am really glad to see you again all these years, you have no idea how much I misses you!”
Flack isn’t really paying attention to Azio as he is fidgeting with the helmet, he gives up finally and asks “Can you help me with this? I am really hopeless with this!”
Azio could feel his hands trembling and his heart pounding when he adjusts the helmet for Flack, he could feel Flack’s breathing hot air at his trembling hands.
When Flack gets on the bike, he whispers into Azio’s ears “Don’t drive too fast! I am not a good pillion rider!” Azio could feel his knees going weak.
Flack holds on to Azio throughout the journey and Azio feels ecstatic to have Flack’s body pressing against his, something he has been dreaming of.
When they reach the destination, Flack holds on to Azio’s shoulders to get off the bike. He smiles and asks “Can you help me to take off this hideous thing?” while pointing to the helmet.
Azio nods and while undoing the helmet, Flack studies him carefully and says “You have grown so much! You were that impressionable kid when I last saw you, and now you are so fantastically built and good looking!”
Azio drops the helmet and blushes, he mumbles “Really? Am I attractive to you?”
Flack touches Azio’s face and replies “I am sure you attract lots of people! So you are gay too?”
Azio nods.
Flack smiles and says “I guess as much. In fact, I suspected you are one of us when you insisted tagging along to me and Wayne everytime.”
“You have noticed me since then?” asks Azio.
Flack smiles again and teases “Who wouldn’t notice such a desirable boy like you?”
Azio takes a deep breath and asks “Flack, would you like to do dinner with me, I mean just the 2 of us, when you are free?”
Flack agrees “Of course! I would love to. We will arrange again, I got to run, late for appointment!”
Azio watches Flack walking into the building and out of his sight, he punches his fist in the air and yells “Yes!”
At that instant, Azio’s mobile rings.
“Hello?” Azio asks.
“Hey, you doing fine? How’s your brother?” Elgene queries.
“Oh, Elgene? I am ok and Wayne will be starting on chemo soon.” Azio says without a hint of sadness, his thoughts are still with Flack.
“And yet, you don’t sound too bad. Then I don’t have to worry about you too much, I have gotten your classmates to pass me the notes for today’s lessons, you can get them from me when you are back.” Elgene says.
“Whoa! Thanks a great deal! Hey, why don’t I come back now and pick you up for dinner?” Azio suggests.
“Nope, I am heading to the gym now.” Elgene rejects.
“I don’t care, I will be reaching in 20 minutes to pick you up. We will be going to Jurong Point for dinner, my treat!” Azio hangs up the phone without waiting for Elgene’s reply.
Elgene smacks his palm on his forehead and mumbles “How rude can he get?”
After resting for about 15 minutes, Elgene strips off his clothes and wraps a towel around his waist, thinking to himself “Might as well go take a bath first.”
“Hey, I am back!” Azio swings open the door and comes face to face with Elgene’s naked body.
–
Stand By Me (Part 14)
“Fucking idiot! Why must you always do that?” Elgene scowls at Azio.
Azio sticks out his tongue and apologizes “Sorry! I was just too excited. Anyway, how would I know you would be naked? Masturbating again?”
Elgene’s face turns red and he snaps “Don’t be an idiot! I don’t always masturbate!”
Azio laughs and proceeds to change out of his clothes into singlet and Bermudas. Elgene looks at him with a disgusted look and asks “Are you not going to take a bath?”
Azio shakes his head and says “What for? We are only going to Jurong Point, not Orchard Point. I can always bathe when we are back. Come on already, let’s go!”
Azio spreads his arm and want to grab Elgene’s shoulders but he brushes them away.
He snarls “Don’t you dare use your dirty hands touch me!”
Azio answers back “You are such a freak! Bathing so many times in a day! Why? You got body odour, is it? Let me smell and confirm!”
Azio pounces toward Elgene and the two of them wrestles for a while but Azio is no match for Elgene who is trained in Taekwondo.
Elgene scolds “I am so going to kill you! Told you not to come near me already!”
Azio tries to break free from Elgene’s arm lock and in the process, both of them falls onto the bed and Elgene accidentally kisses Azio on the lips.
Elgene quickly gets up and looks away with his face blushed.
Azio gets up as well, and is taken aback by the incident. He mutters “Let’s go! I am famished.”
The two of them keep their silence throughout the dinner and on the journey back to dormitory.
Azio grabs his toiletries and heads straight to the shower when they are back in the room.
Elgene just waits till Azio finishes his shower and comes back to the room before he heads to the shower.
Azio talks to himself “Weirdo! Always shower before or after me, I wonder why he never enters the shower together with me.”
Elgene locks the shower room door, and lathers himself with foam. He can’t help but replays the earlier incident of accidentally kissing Azio in his mind.
He thinks to himself “Why am I thinking about him? He is such an idiotic himbo! I must control myself from getting too close to him, otherwise he might detect that I am a gay.”
When Elgene comes back to the room, Azio is busy MSNing on his laptop. Elgene walks over to his desk and picks up some notes and passes to Azio.
He says “These are the notes your classmates took for you today.”
Azio looks up from his laptop and takes the notes from Elgene, he smiles sheepishly “Thanks!”
Elgene couldn’t control his curiosity and asks “Why are you in such a chirpy mood the whole day? You were so distraught just last night!”
Azio stops his typing and says happily “I am positive that Wayne will be going to be ok! And I am going for a dinner date with someone I have been carrying a torch for the longest time, finally!”
Elgene repeats “You are secretly in love with someone?”
Azio nods and continues “You will never believe it! I have been secretly in love since I was 9 years old!”
Elgene rolls his eyes and quips “What do you know about love anyway? 9 years old somemore!”
Azio wants to say something but Elgene just plugs his iPod to his ears and immense in his own world.
Ted is washing the dishes when his mobile rings but he couldn’t hear it. Wayne who is watching TV with Helen in the living room, wheels over to pick it up.
But the ring stops before he could answer it. He looks at the missed call number and finds it familiar. He ponders for a while and jumps a little when he feels Ted’s wet hands place on his shoulders.
Ted asks “Someone called?”
Wayne nods and passes the mobile to Ted. Ted dials the number and asks “Hi, did anyone just call?”
–
Stand By Me (Part 15)
“Oh hi Flack! Sorry for missing your call. What’s up?” Ted says over the phone.
Wayne sits up in his wheelchair when he hears Flack’s name.
Ted speaks over the phone “Tickets to Corinne May’s showcase? When is it? Hmm…Wayne has a chemo session that day and I don’t think he will be able to sit through the showcase after his chemo.”
Wayne signals to Ted and Ted says “Hey Flack, hold on a sec.”
Ted walks over to Wayne and asks “You feeling all right?”
Helen sits up when she hears that.
Wayne shakes his head and says “Why don’t you go with Flack? You have always been a fan of her and would never miss any of her showcases.”
Ted smiles and answers “Flack says he has a pair of tickets to her showcase and would like us to have them. He is not asking me out.”
Ted returns to his phone and says “Hey Flack, I will be staying home with Wayne after his session that day so you better give the pair of tickers to someone else.”
When Ted hangs up the phone, he squats down beside Wayne and asks “It’s time to take your medication, sleep early tonight ok?”
Wayne nods and looks at Ted going to the kitchen to take his medication, Helen feels relieved that Ted is taking such good care of Wayne but she could also sense that Wayne is troubled.
After watching Wayne taking his medication, Helen says to Ted “Ted, let me helps Wayne to bed tonight. You go and take a rest.”
Ted nods and agrees “Ok, mum. Wayne, I will come in later.”
Helen wheels Wayne to the bedroom and helps him to bed, she pulls the blanket up and covers Wayne.
She asks “Wayne, I am really glad that Ted is taking very good care of you but I can tell that you are worried about something. Do you want to share with me?”
Wayne looks at his mum and says “Mum, thank you for coming over. Ted has been a wonderful partner and I really want the family to accept him as a part of our family.”
Helen nods and says “Yes, he is a rare find. I made a horrible mistake and caused you much mishap. All these times, he has been standing by you and accepting my hostility towards him. Yet, I resent him for taking my son away from me.”
Helen continues “I pushed you towards that oncoming car and caused you to be paralyzed. If not because of Ted, you probably would not have been able to accept this fact and forgive me. But I have time and again, pushes him away from our family.”
Wayne holds his mum’s hands with his own, he says “Mum, I know it was a great blow when I came out to you. After all these years, I can see and feel that you have accepted my sexuality and my relationship with Ted and I know deep down inside your heart, you have accepted Ted as well.”
Helen nods and smiles “Yes, I have learnt to accept the fact and I am happy that he is here for you. But I know something is troubling you. Is it because of your condition?”
Wayne takes a long breath and says wearily “Mum, he helps me through that dark phrase of my life when I have to be on wheelchair. He bears with my unstable temperaments and builds back my confidence.”
Wayne continues “But now, I am diagnosed with cancer and they are spreading. I don’t know if I can cross this hurdle or how long can I live. It’s so unfair to him to take care of me unconditionally, he deserves a better life and a better someone.”
Helen disagrees “Wayne, I might not understand the relationship between 2 men but I can tell he is very much in love with you and he is doing all these on his own will. There are not many such man around, you must treasure him and stay positive because of him.”
Wayne says softly “I love him so much and he loves me more. He has been doing so much for me and missing out on so much more. I shouldn’t be so selfish to tie him down like this.”
Helen asks worriedly “Wayne, why are you saying these? I was wrong to have given him the cold shoulder in the past. You must not hurt him, like what I did.”
Wayne takes a deep breath and says “He deserves a better life and someone better.”
Helen leaves the room when Wayne finally dozes off, she walks over to Ted who is going through his emails and says “Ted, thanks for taking care of Wayne on my behalf all these while. It must have been hard on you.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 16)
Ted drives Helen and Wayne to the hospital the following morning for his chemotherapy session, he drops them by the entrance and says “I will be back to pick both of you up after my meeting.”
Helen wheels Wayne in and is about to press the lift button when Flack calls out to them.
“Hi Auntie, you are accompanying Wayne for his treatment?” Flack asks.
Helen nods and wheels Wayne into the lift together with Flack. When they get out of the lift, Helen leaves Wayne with Flack and proceeds to register their appointment.
“Flack, I have told Ted to join you for Corinne May’s showcase. I will get him to call you to arrange the timing to pick up on Saturday.” Wayne says gently.
Flack looks surprised, he replies “Oh? I thought he told me he will not be joining as he wouldn’t want you to be alone.”
Wayne smiles and says “I won’t be alone, my mother is staying with us now. She will accompany me when Ted joins you for the showcase.”
Flack places his hands on Wayne and says “Don’t get the wrong idea, ok? I asked Ted along because I thought he will like Corinne May and of course, I can use him as my chauffeur.”
Wayne laughs weakly and reassures “No, I didn’t get the wrong idea. I just wanted him to have some time to his own to enjoy himself without worrying about me every single moment.”
Flack is about to say something when Helen comes back, she says “We got to go to see the doctor now.”
“I will get Ted to call you tonight.” Wayne tells Flack before Helen wheels him away.
Wayne feels extremely tired and nauseous after his therapy session, he dozes off in his wheelchair, with Helen by his side, while waiting for Ted to pick them up.
When both Helen and Wayne get on Ted’s car, Ted says to Wayne “I will be changing my car to BMW 523i saloon so that there will be more leg room for you and mummy.”
Wayne protests weakly “Why do you want to spend money unnecessarily?”
Ted replies gently while concentrating on his driving “I just want you and mummy to sit comfortably in the car, the journey to and fro the hospital can get tedious if both of you are not seated comfortably.”
Wayne dozes off again and Helen says “It’s very thoughtful of you to think of our comfort but we are fine really.”
Ted looks at Helen from his rear mirror and says “Mummy, I want to change the car for all of us. I am just glad that you are helping out.”
After wheeling Wayne back to their unit, Ted is about to leave for work when Wayne stops him.
“Ted, I have told Flack that you will be joining him for the showcase this Saturday and you would be calling him tonight to arrange the timing to pick him up so don’t forget to call him.” Wayne says.
Ted’s chiseled face shows a surprised look, he squats down beside Wayne and asks “Why do you tell him that? I have told him I won’t be joining him last night.”
Wayne reaches out to hold Ted’s hands and pleads “Please go, ok? I don’t want you to worry about me, I have mummy here with me. Just go and enjoy yourself with Flack.”
Ted looks straight into Wayne’s eyes and says “I hope you are not letting your imagination running wild. There is nothing between me and Flack, it was all in the past. Flack broke off with me before both of us started dating.”
Wayne smiles weakly, he replies “I just want you to have an enjoyable night out without me and I figure Flack will be the ideal partner for the night. And you are crazy about Corinne May.”
Ted holds Wayne’s hands tightly and relents “Ok, if you say so. But I am only agreeable to the showcase because you say so. And just showcase, no dinner and no supper.”
Ted gives a call to Flack before he leaves his office in the evening and make arrangement for their meeting.
When Flack hangs up the phone after chatting with Ted, he thinks to himself “It has been a long time since we went out alone.”
Deep in his thoughts, the loud ringing volume startles Flack and he clumsily picks up the phone.
“Hello Flack? Azio here. Regarding about your promise to go on a dinner date with me, shall we make it this Saturday?” Azio asks anxiously.
–
Stand By Me (Part 17)
Flack purses his lips, pauses for a few seconds before saying “Hm..Azio, I won’t be able to make it on Saturday. Let’s arrange again. Got to go. Bye!”
Azio is taken aback by Flack’s hastiness to hang up on him, he thinks to himself “Maybe he is busy with work and can’t talk. I will try to call again tomorrow.”
Flack avoids picking up Azio’s calls for the next few days which causes Azio to feel frustrated and anxious. He throws his phone onto the bed after it rings for the umpteenth time.
Elgene glances at Azio and asks casually “What’s wrong?”. Azio stomps out of the room without answering.
When Saturday comes, Flack’s mood is at all time high. He basically turns over his wardrobe and couldn’t decide on which clothes to wear for the concert. In the end, Flack drives out to town to shop for new clothes.
Ted casually picks up a polo-shirt and a pair of worn jeans with Wayne looking adoringly at him.
Wayne grumbles gently, “Can’t you at least put on a clean pair of jeans? You are destroying your good looks on purpose.”
Ted walks over to Wayne and presses his lips onto Wayne’s, when their lips part, Ted whispers “I only dress up for you.”
Ted takes his time to fuss over Wayne, making sure he takes his medication and reminding him to switch the air-con to timer mode so that Wayne won’t get too cold in the night.
Wayne looks at his watch and cuts Ted’s rumbling, “You are going to be late. Go now!”
Ted reasons, “Concert never starts on time. I just want to make sure you will be fine when I am out.”
Wayne gives a light pat on Ted’s palms and says “Just go! Mum is here, she will take good care of me.”
Ted squats down and cups Wayne’s hands in his, “I feel so lost not having you by my side. Can I don’t go and stay home with you?”
When Ted finally leaves the house, Wayne wheels himself to the kitchen to chat with Helen.
Helen asks “Are you sure you are ok for Ted to attend the concert without you?”
Wayne nods and replies, “He has his own life to lead. I just want him to have his own private time and enjoy himself without having me tagging along.”
Ted fidgets throughout the concert and even excuses himself few times to call and check on Wayne. He calls so many times that Wayne has to refuse to answer his calls and Helen has to tell Ted to go and concentrate on the concert.
Flack feels so neglected and unhappy with Ted’s lack of concentration and disinterest in striking a conversation. When Ted is about to get up from his seat again, Flack grabs his hands and pulls him down to the seat.
“What’s wrong with you tonight? You have been leaving your seat more than 10 times within an hour. Do you know how disruptive it is?”
Ted is taken aback by Flack’s outburst and apologises “I am sorry. I just couldn’t sit still without worrying about Wayne. I just need to check on him to make sure he is ok.”
Flack loses his control and slurs “Wayne? You are here with me and you are thinking about him whole night? Why is it that difficult to just sit beside me and enjoy the concert in peace?”
Ted gets up slowly and walks out of the concert hall and Flack rushes after him. “Stop! I said Stop! Ted, you hear me?!”
Ted stops in his tracks and turns back to look at Flack, “Show some respect for yourself even if you don’t respect mine. I don’t have to tolerate your rudeness.”
“I am rude? And your Wayne is an angel? Do you know he tore away the letter I left you before I left Singapore? He literally played a dirty trick to snatch you away from me!” Flack loses his composure and shouts back.
Ted shakes his head and says, “Let it go, Flack. I am very much in love with Wayne and I do not care if he had done you a disservice. But you have to bear in mind that he is the one I love dearly and no one else.”
Flack stands still, tears rolling down. He mumbles “I have been thinking about you all these years and this is what I get?” He reaches to hug Ted.
Ted sweeps Flack’s hands away and affirms “I don’t have any feeling for you. If not for Wayne, I wouldn’t even be here tonight.”
Ted approaches the carpark to get his car and leaves Flack standing there, looking disoriented.
–
Stand By Me (Part 18)
Wayne is surprised when Ted returns home much earlier than he expects, he asks “The concert ended so early?”
Ted bends over and hugs Wayne tightly, he whispers in Wayne’s ears “Don’t push me away again. I love you dearly and will only love you.”
Wayne controls his emotions and look at Ted, he asks “What happened?”
Ted kisses Wayne gently and shakes his head “Nothing happened. I just want to make myself clear to you. There is only place for you in my heart.”
Flack finishes 1 glass of Tequila after another in MOX after leaving Esplanade. He is devastated over what Ted had said. He even tries calling Ted but Ted has switched off his phone.
Flack accidentally presses Azio’s number when he tries to call Ted again. Azio picks up his phone immediately after the first ring and answers “Hi Flack!”
“Why are you so cruel to me? Why are you doing this to me? I have been pining for you and you don’t feel anything for me?” Flack mumbles in between sobs.
Azio sits up from his bed, raising his voice and asks “Are you all right, Flack? Where are you now?”
Azio’s voice wakes Elgene up, who has agreed to stay in with Azio to accompany him. He rubs his eyes and sees Azio putting on his clothes and rushes out.
Elgene gets off his bed and chases after Azio, shouting “Hey! Where are you rushing off to? Is everything ok?” Azio just waves his hands at Elgene and rides off.
When Azio reaches MOX, Flack is already dead drunk and slumps on the table. He reaches just in time to see someone helping Flack to leave. Azio rushes over and shoves the stranger.
“What are you trying to do?” Azio demands. The stranger looks startled and is intimated with Azio’s towering built, he stammers “I just thought of helping your friend to leave. Nothing more.”
“It’s ok. He is my friend. I will take care of him myself.” Azio says coldly.
Carrying the unconscious Flack out of MOX, Azio thinks to himself “He is in no condition to pillion ride. I will have to get a cab.”
Azio searches Flack for his keys and blushes when he accidentally brushes Flack’s crotch, he couldn’t find the keys and decides to bring Flack back to his dormitory.
Helping Flack out of the cab, Azio realizes that he does not have enough cash to pay for the ride. He leaves Flack in the cab and rushes to his room to ask Elgene for help.
Elgene jumps up from his bed when Azio rushes in from the door. Azio is so close to his bed and he could feel the warmth emitting from Azio’s body. Elgene subconsciously pulled up the blanket to cover his naked taut body.
“Bro, I need some cash from you now. The driver is waiting outside.” Azio says.
Elgene is still in a state of sleepliness and queries “What driver? I thought you went out riding your bike?”
Azio is getting impatient and reaches for Elgene’s wallet which is beside his bed. “Just shut up and lend me 10 bucks.”
Before Elgene can react, Azio has taken the money and leaves the room. When Azio appears again, Elgene is shocked to see Azio carrying an unconscious man with him.
Elgene sits up and pulls a pair of boxer under the blanket, he says with a hushed tone “Who the hell is he?!”
Azio ignores Elgene and gently rests Flack on his bed. He proceeds to take off Flack’s top and rushes to the communal toilet and comes back with a wet towel.
Elgene watches Azio fussing over Flack for more than 15 minutes and finally asks again “Is he Flack? What the hell is he doing so drunk? And what are you thinking? Bring a drunkard to our dormitory? You do know I am here, right?”
Azio turns to look at Elgene, he pleads “Please. I don’t know what happened to him or why did he get himself so drunk. But just let him sleep here tonight, ok?”
Elgene asks matter of fact “Then where are you going to sleep?”
“The floor.” comes Azio’s reply.
Elgene puts on a singlet and reach for his wallet. He says softly. “Take my bed. I am going home now.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 19)
Flack wakes up with a splitting headache, he scans around the unfamiliar dark room and comes to view a topless muscular back. He quickly touches himself to ensure he is clothed.
At the same moment, Azio turns around and Flack lets out a yelp when he sees Azio, “What am I doing here?”
Azio rubs his eye and mutters “You are up? You were so drunk when I reached the club.”
Flack tries to get up but the bad headache prevents him from doing so. He struggles “What am I doing here with you? Why are you undressed?”
Azio gets off the bed and walks over to a small fridge to take a bottled drink, his muscular topless body comes into full view and Flack feels his heart beating fast.
Azio passes the bottled drink to Flack, he says “Drink some water. You must be feeling thirsty.”
Flack takes over the bottled drink, his eyes linger on Azio’s hard chest. He clears his dry throat.
Azio sits besides Flack and looks at Flack concernedly. When Flack wants to put the bottled drink on the table, their eyes meet. Azio quickly looks away.
Flack inches closer and Azio could feel the hot breath emitting from Flack’s mouth. Azio looks up and brushes his lips against Flack. Azio stammers “Sorry.”
Flack’s hands guide Azio’s face to face his, and presses his lips onto Azio. Azio is taken aback with Flack’s action. He tries to back away but Flack holds on to his kiss.
Both of them lose all inhibitions soon after and ravage each other hungrily. They fall to slumberland after the vigorous tryst.
Elgene paces up and down the corridor of the lecture hall, he looks at his watch and gets even more worried. He dials Azio’s mobile number but the phone is not switched on.
Elgene catches hold of a classmate who is about to rush into the lecture hall and says “Help me tell the lecturer that both Azio and myself is on our way rushing here, we will be late for the test.”
Elgene sprints back to the dormitory, wondering how Azio could have forgotten about the test.
He thinks “The lecturer has shown unhappiness over his poor attendance and yet he is late for the test.”
Elgene opens the door hurriedly and the noise of opening the door wakes up Flack and Azio who have been naked since the previous night.
Elgene stands in his tracks when he sees them, Flack snatches the fallen blanket to cover his naked body. Azio scratches his head and questions “Can’t you just knock?”
Elgene feels his anger boiling, he snaps “Fuck you! If I knew you are having a great time and not because you overslept and will miss your test, I wouldn’t need to run all the way back here and misses my test as well!”
Azio looks puzzled, he asks “Test? What test?”
Elgene slams the door behind him and dashes back to the lecture hall. He has never feels so agitated and the view of the naked Azio and Flack keeps replaying in his head.
Flack nudges Azio who is still puzzled over Elgene’s outburst. Flack asks “I have to go. I have a duty shift this morning and I am running late.”
Azio snaps out of his trance and says “I drive you?”
Flack shakes his head and says “No need. I will just call for a cab. Seems like you missed your test and your room mate look really unhappy of what he had seen.”
Azio explains “He is all right. This is probably the first time he sees two men sleeping together. Let me ride you to the hospital, ok?”
Flack puts on his clothes and says “I said no need.”
Azio pleads “But I can’t bear to leave you. Can I just ride you to the hospital so that I can have more time with you?” while suddenly remembering that he had left his motobike at MOX the previous night.
Flack finishes buckling his belt, he looks at Azio and says “Azio, it was pure lust last night. I was drunk and you are attractive. Everything just fall into place and we had sex. Nothing more than that. Don’t be misunderstood.”
Azio feels his head spin, he asks “Just pure sex? You mean you don’t have any feelings for me at all?”
Flack nods and confirms “No, I have never have any feelings for you. We are consenting adults and had great sex. That’s it.”
Azio repeats “You don’t have any feelings for me at all?”
–
Stand By Me (Part 20)
Ted parks his car into the lot and helps Wayne out. He wheels Wayne to his office, reminding Wayne on the timing to take his medication.
Wayne smiles and stops Ted’s repeat reminders “Oh, you are so nagging. I know the timing by heart and I never miss my medication. Stop nagging like an old hag.”
Ted plants a quick kiss on Wayne’s cheeks and says “I am an old hag whom only will nag at you and no one else.”
Wayne starts preparing his lecture notes after Ted leaves. He tries to reach for the file at the top of the shelf but feels faint suddenly.
He grabs hold of the handle of the wheelchair and breathes deeply, he feels his breath getting hasty and in pain. He passes out soon after.
Ted looks at the comatose Wayne worriedly, he blames himself for not being there for Wayne.
Helen pats on Ted’s shoulders and says “It’s not your fault at all. You have done so much already.”
Ted shakes his head and says “I am so sorry, mum. I have failed to ensure Wayne’s safety in my care.”
Helen is about to say something when Cassany rushes in with Ju-no and Wy-en in tow. She exclaims “Is he ok?”
They wait for hours before Azio finally shows up. The boys almost could not recognize Azio who looks haggard and sluggish. His unshaven face and dark eye rings mask his good looks.
Cassany asks “What on earth happened to you?”
Azio ignores Cassany and walks over to look at Wayne who has not woken up.
Ted gets up when a nurse comes in, he asks anxiously “Why hasn’t the patient wake up? He has been unconscious for hours!”
The nurse is about to say something when Flack walks in with another doctor. Flack greets Helen “Hi, auntie. This is Dr Alberdo.”
Azio looks up immediately when he hears Flack but Flack ignores him. Azio can’t help but to feel dejected and downcast.
Dr Alberdo explains to the family “The cancerous cells in the patient’s body have spread to the rest of the body. The chemotherapy has not helped the patient.”
Everyone look shocked at the news even the boys who have gone totally quiet upon seeing the grave looks on the adults.
Azio shots out of the ward when Flack and Dr Alberdo leave. He runs after Flack and Dr Alberdo looks surprised. He excuses himself to allow Azio to talk to Flack.
Before Azio says anything, Flack barks “What do you think you are doing? This is where I work, don’t you embarrass me like that!”
Azio looks hurt, he pleads “I am sorry if I have done anything wrong. Please forgive me. But don’t ignore me please.”
Flack says coldly “I have explained to you that night. I thought you are matured enough to handle it, obviously you are not. If you can’t handle it, then I will have to do it my way.”
In the ward, Ted holds Wayne’s hands tightly, tears welling in his eyes. He whispers “Wake up, honey. You have to stay strong for me. I can’t go on without you.”
Helen and Cassany hold on to each other and sob. Ju-no and Wy-en look scared and stay close to Cassany.
Stephen drops by the hospital at night to take the boys home. He assures Cassany that he will be able to handle the boys for the night and wants her to stay with Helen in the hospital.
When Wayne finally wakes up, he is weak and thirsty. Ted tries to feed Wayne some water but most of it drips out of his mouth. Helen can’t control her tears and Cassany has to escort Helen out of the ward.
Azio stays quiet at the corner and Ted holds back his tears, he whispers “Thank god, you woke up. Everyone has been worried.”
Wayne mumbles weakly “Sorry.”
Ted’s tears roll down his cheeks and he sobs “Don’t apologise. You have done nothing wrong. I should be the one saying sorry. I should have insisted you not to continue lecturing and stay at home.”
When Helen and Cassany come back into the ward, they fail to control their tears from flowing.
They hold on to Wayne and cry “You must stay positive and be strong!”
–
Stand By Me (Part 21)
Wayne remains hospitalized after he woke up, his condition has taken a dive and he is now bed-ridden. Looking at his thinning hair, Ted controls his pain and strokes Wayne’s face slowly while he is asleep.
Helen is preparing the tonic herbal soup with the recipe in hand which was given to her by her friends; they told her cancer patients have recovered after taking numerous dozes.
She turns around to reach for the container when she sees Cassany standing by the hallway in silence, Helen jumps up “Oh my god! You gave me a fright. Why are you standing there so quietly? Where are the boys?”
Cassany draws out the chair and sits down feebly; she mumbles “The boys are with Stephen. Mum, we are divorcing.”
Helen is busy filling the container with the tonic herbal soup and asks “What did you say again? Why didn’t Stephen and the boys come over with you?”
Cassany clears her throat and says dryly “Stephen has another woman, she is pregnant with his child. We are divorcing.”
Helen stops what she is doing and walks over to hug Cassany; she asks softly “When did you find out? Are you sure?”
Cassany replies “That woman came over our place with the medical report and Stephen admitted he is having an affair with her. He said he wanted to be with her.”
Helen hugs Cassany tightly and the two women cry in each other’s embrace.
Azio’s voice breaks the two women up “What the hell is Stephen doing? How could he do this to you?”
Looking at Azio’s unshaven face full with stubbles, Cassany touches his face gently “I am fine, Azio. My boys and I will get along just fine without him in my life.”
The three of them go to the hospital together after that, putting up a brave front in front of Wayne and Ted.
Elgene also drops by to visit Wayne. Everyone try to be chirpy and positive in front of Wayne.
Cassany moves in with her boys a week later, and she has also gotten herself a job as a Public Relations Manager with an advertising agency. Helen has also moved out of Ted’s apartment but still visits Wayne at the hospital daily.
Wayne’s condition has been declining and it worries the family a lot, especially Ted. Ted has lost a lot of weight, rushing from work to hospital daily and his once formidable physique shrinks drastically.
Ted gets extremely worried when Wayne dozes off unexpectedly and he will try to feel Wayne’s breathing and heart-beat. He whispers to Wayne one night after everyone has left the ward “I can’t do without you.”
Flack consciously stays away from Wayne’s ward, to avoid seeing Ted. But he bumps into Ted at the corridor one day, on his way to do his rounds.
Looking at how much weight Ted has lost, Flack can’t help but to feel sad. He asks “How are you holding up? You have to take care of yourself.”
Ted shakes his head “Not good. Wayne is getting weaker each day and I can’t do anything.”
Flack reaches out to touch Ted but Ted brushes his hands away, Flack pleads “Why are you pushing me away? You need someone by your side; I am fine being a substitute for Wayne.”
Ted snaps “Enough! I am not seeking any substitutes, not now and never! There can be and will be nothing between us. Respect Wayne if you treasure our friendship.”
That night, Flack walks into Wayne’s ward after Ted and Wayne’s family has left.
He pulls a chair and sits besides the sleeping Wayne; he says “You have to let Ted go if you really love him. He is suffering.”
Wayne opens his eyes after Flack leaves, he weeps uncontrollably and goes into a cardiac arrest.
Ted and Wayne’s family rush to the hospital after learning the news, they wait anxiously outside the emergency room.
All of them stay at the hospital throughout the night and heave a sigh of relief when the medical staff wheels Wayne back to his ward the following morning.
–
Stand By Me (Part 22)
Ted calls back his office to take the rest of the week off, he advises Helen to go back and rest but she refuses. Cassany has to rush off to work but she is reluctant to ask Helen to help to babysit her boys.
She pulls Azio aside “Azio, can you help me to babysit my boys today? I don’t want to ask mum, looking at how worried she is over Wayne’s condition. And I can’t take leave as I have a major event this afternoon.”
Azio agrees “Ok, I will skip my class today and stay with the boys.”
Cassany rushes off soon after. Azio signals to Helen “Mum, I have to go home to babysit Ju-no and Wy-en. I will bring the boys over in the afternoon.”
Azio walks along the corridor to the car park when he meets Flack, he feels awkward and tries to pretend not seeing him when Flack calls out “Azio, I badly need some company. Do you have time for coffee?”
Azio stuns a little but regain his composure; he nods “Ok. But I need to make a call first.”
“Hey Elgene, I need a favour from you. Can you help me babysit my nephews today? I have some urgent matters to attend to now.”
Elgene agrees over the phone but before he can ask anything, Azio interrupts “Great! You can find a spare set of keys to my house in my drawer, and can you go over my place now? The boys should have woken up by now.” Azio hangs up the phone soon after.
Azio smiles at Flack and asks “Where do you want to go?”
“My place. Let’s take a cab; I don’t want to mess up my hair taking your motorbike.” Flack says.
When they reach Flack’s house, Flack proceeds to take a bottle of whiskey and pours into 2 glasses. He passes 1 glass to Azio and gobbles down the other glass before pouring another.
Azio barely finishes his 2nd glass of whiskey when Flack throws aside his own glass and starts to drink from the bottle.
Flack’s reaction shocks Azio and he immediately tries to snatch the bottle away from Flack.
Flack tries to block off Azio and hangs on to the bottle but he is no match to Azio’s brute strength. He lunges at Azio and hits him.
“Give it back to me!” Flack shouts.
Azio hugs Flack tightly and consoles “Don’t hurt your own health. What’s wrong?”
Flack slumps in Azio’s embrace; he mutters “I am so sad. Am I such a detesting person?”
Azio hugs Flack closer, he mumbles “No. I would never detest you. I want to be with you.”
Flack looks up at Azio and says “Make love to me.”
Azio is taken aback by Flack’s outburst, Flack continues “Carry me to the room; I want you to make love to me.”
Flack takes the lead when they are in the room, Azio is surprised at Flack’s aggressiveness on the bed, and Azio totally succumbs to Flack’s commands on the bed.
Flack’s attitude towards Azio turns cold after they reach their orgasm; he turns his back on Azio and mumbles “I need to rest, put on your clothes and leave. Close the door behind you.”
Azio caresses Flack’s smooth back and whispers “I can stay here with you.”
Flack sweeps off Azio’s hand; he snaps “I said I needed to rest. I don’t like to have other men stay over. Leave now.”
Azio is stunned at what he had heard, he repeats “Other men? You are only using me to fulfill your sexual needs? Don’t you have any feelings for me at all?”
Flack sits up and looks at Azio “Haven’t I made clear to you many times? I don’t have any feelings for you. But you are indeed my cup of tea when comes to sex.”
Azio gets up the bed angrily, puts on his clothes and storms out.
–
Stand By Me (Part 23)
When Helen opens the door, she is surprised of the aroma coming from the kitchen. She quickens her pace to the kitchen.
Turning back to face Helen, Elgene greets her politely “I am sorry to have messed up your kitchen but I am making some food for Ju-no and Wy-en as they are hungry.”
Helen asks “Where is Azio? How could he get you to do the cooking?”
Elgene scratches his head and replies “He mentioned he had to attend to some urgent matters and asked me to take care of the boys for him.”
Helen apologises “That boy! I am so sorry that you have to come by to help us. Come, let me feed the boys. Why don’t you go take a bath and freshen up? Just take any set of clothing from Azio’s drawer; his room is at the end of the corridor.”
At that moment, Azio swings open the main door and storms towards his room.
Elgene tries to stop Azio but Azio snaps “Leave me alone now. I am not in the right frame of mind.”
Helen walks into the hall upon hearing the commotion, she nags “How rude can you be? First, you got Elgene to stand in for you and you broke your promise to Cassany and now you are barking at Elgene?”
Azio slams the door behind him when he is inside his room, leaving both Helen and Elgene dumbfounded.
Helen apologises again “I am so sorry for his behaviour. Why don’t you bathe in the common bathroom and I will get the clothes for you?”
Elgene shows a look of discomfort, he replies “It’s ok, auntie. I think I better run along, I have some errands to run anyway. Let me say goodbye to Ju-no and Wy-en before I go.”
After Elgene leaves, Helen knocks on Azio’s door but is ignored. Helen gives a tired look when Cassany comes home at the same time.
Helen shares with Cassany what had happened and Cassany immediately gives a call to Elgene to apologise and thank him at the same time.
Elgene lies on his bed in the dormitory, looking at the ceiling pondering. He is puzzled over Azio’s behaviour and is unhappy at the way Azio treated him.
He asks himself “Why am I even bothering myself with that person? I hated him to the guts when I first met him. I still hate him, right?”
Memories of Azio flashes across his head, images of Azio playing basketball, dragon boating, swimming and fooling around pop up inside Elgene’s head.
Elgene subconsciously tries to recall Azio’s naked body that he had seen numerous times when he is changing in the dormitory room.
Elgene sits up forcefully, shakes his head and mutters “I must be going crazy! Fantasizing about that rascal!”
After tugging Ju-no and Wy-en in bed, Cassany walks over to Azio’s room and knocks on the door.
“Azio, it’s me. Can I come in to have a talk?”
Azio unwillingly gets up from his bed and opens the door; Cassany looks concerned at Azio’s dejected look.
“Would you want to share with me what happened earlier? Why are you so rude to Elgene? He had helped us a great deal.”
Azio lets out a loud sigh “I will apologise to him when I see him in school.”
Cassany presses on “It’s not only that. I know you are troubled. Can I help by lending you my ears?”
Azio refuses initially but relents after seeing Cassany’s persistence, he tells Cassany about his infatuation towards Flack and how Flack had used him for sex.
Cassany places her smooth hands on Azio’s face, stroking his face. She says gently “Azio, Flack is not the type of man you would want to associate yourself with. You have overlooked someone so precious for far too long.”
Azio looks puzzled “Who have I overlooked?”
Cassany smiles “No one will be so readily available with just one phone call. He drops whatever he was doing at that moment and rushed over here because of one phone call from you.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 24)
Ted has been missing work for more than a week, accompanying Wayne at the hospital. He will help the nurse to cleanse and feed him. He will also read out the newspapers for Wayne, watching him sleep.
Wayne’s condition has turned for the worse, he can barely talk and have to rest a lot. His cancerous cells have spread at an alarming pace as his condition is unsuitable to continue chemotherapy.
Ted will sob quietly at one corner everyday and puts on a brave front when Wayne’s family is over for visitation. He wants to make sure he is strong enough to support Helen’s concerns.
Ted is looking at the photographs he had taken with Wayne on his digital camera when Wayne calls out to him weakly.
Ted immediately puts down his digicam and cupping Wayne’s hands, he queries “Yes, my dear. What do you need?”
Wayne smiles weakly, he mumbles softly “It is a nice weather today. Can we go outside for once?”
Ted looks uncomfortable, he protests “But you might catch a cold and you are not in a position to get out of the bed.”
Wayne pleads “I have been lying on this bed ever since I am hospitalized. I have been sleeping ¾ of the day after my cardiac arrest; I have not been feeling the warmth of the sun for too long. Please?”
Ted unwillingly nods his head; he calls for the nurse and after doctor’s approval, carries Wayne onto a wheelchair and wheels him to the garden.
Wayne tries to breathe in the fresh air but coughs as his lungs are too weak to take in the sudden inhale.
Ted pats on Wayne’s back worriedly and asks “I think let’s go back to the ward.”
“No. I want to stay out for a little while more. Stay with me.” Wayne pleads.
Ted wheels Wayne to a resting area up the slope; he sits himself besides Wayne, holding his hands.
Wayne asks weakly “We have not watched the scenery for a long time.”
Ted answers gently “We will do this everyday after your discharge if you like.”
Wayne smiles a little “I don’t think we will have another chance like today. Ted, promise me to move on with your life after I die, ok?”
Ted, holding back his tears, stutters “Don’t you dare say that! You are not going anywhere without me! My life is incomplete without you.”
Wayne continues weakly “Ted, you have to let go of me. I know I won’t be able to be a part of your life any longer. If you really love me, you should let me go and find back your life.”
Ted kisses Wayne’s forehead and whispers “I will not let you go. You will get well and I will love you even more. Listening to your every commands and wishes. I will be your slave.”
Wayne shivers and stammers “I am getting cold. Can you hug me?”
Ted hugs Wayne tightly; he takes off his jacket and wears it over Wayne.
Wayne places his head on Ted’s broad shoulders, he asks “Let’s stay here a little while more.”
Ted agrees and says “Ok, we will stay here a little while longer. Rest on my shoulders if you are tired.”
Wayne whispers “Can you remember how we met? How did you ask me out for our first date?”
Ted allows the fond memories to come rushing back to his head and verbalise them to Wayne, laughing softly when he recalls some embarrassing moments.
Wayne too smiles weakly when he recalled those same moments, he slowly closes his eyes while listening to Ted reminiscing about their past.
Ted feels the weight of Wayne’s head on his shoulders getting heavy, he asks softly “Shall we go back now?”
There is no response from Wayne and Ted tries to hold Wayne’s hands but they slip away from his grab.
–
Stand By Me (Part 25)
Helen is sobbing loudly in her room, due to traditional belief, she is not to be present at the funeral. Ju-no and Wy-en are keeping her company in the room, looking hapless at the grieving Helen.
Ted is tending to the guests who come to attend Wayne’s funeral, with Cassany and Azio tending to their relatives.
Ted’s tiredness is clearly visible to everyone and Cassany is extremely concerned, she walks to him when Ted is alone.
“Ted, how are you holding up? Why don’t you go upstairs to take a rest for a while?” Cassany asks.
Ted shakes his head and whispers, “I want to be near Wayne.”
Cassany hugs Ted and both of them sob uncontrollably.
Azio is talking to some relatives when Elgene arrives; Elgene avoids Azio and go straight to the altar to pay his last respects to Wayne.
After paying his last respects, Elgene turns to Ted and consoles “Be strong, the family needs you to be there for them.” Ted nods.
Elgene finds a corner and sit by himself when he notices Stephen shows up with a pregnant woman and out of a sudden, Azio rushes up to them and gives Stephen a punch to his face.
“Get the fuck out of here! You are not welcome here!” yells Azio.
Both Elgene and Ted rush over to stop Azio from throwing his second punch, Cassany rushes over too, she pleads “Don’t create a scene, please!”
The commotion causes all the guests to gossip in whispers after a moment of silence. Stephen leaves with his pregnant companion shortly after the commotion.
Elgene pulls Azio to a quiet corner and demands “What is wrong with you? It is your brother’s funeral and you are creating a din!”
Azio pushes Elgene aside and Elgene falls as he loses his balance, Azio is astonished at his behavior and offers to help Elgene up.
Elgene refuses and picks himself up; he tries to contain his anger and says “You seriously need to grow up. Your family needs you even more now.”
Elgene walks away from Azio when Azio apologises “I am sorry about my rude behavior. But that rascal cheated on Cassany and is even giving up their marriage. I won’t let anyone hurt my family.”
Elgene stops and turns back “All the more, you should be matured and protect your family. You can’t solve problems with brute force. If you need my help, just let me know. I got to go now.”
Just when Elgene is about to leave, both of them see Flack shows up at the funeral. Azio walks over to Flack immediately. Elgene hesitates but follows Azio soon after.
Azio is about to call out to Flack when he sees Flack drags Ted to a corner, he follows them out of curiosity.
Azio is astonished when he hears Flack pleading with Ted “Ted, you have to wake up! Wayne has left us; he is no longer with you. Let him go, let me take care of you!”
Ted loses his cool and barks “Flack! You are the one who should wake up! I have no feelings or whatsoever for you. There is only one love in my heart and he is Wayne. Your persistence will only make me give up our friendship!”
Flack trembles with anger and gives Ted a slap on the face; he protests “I hate you! I hate Wayne, he was the one who caused me to lose you in the past and now, even after he is gone, he made me lose you forever!”
Ted starts to walk away from Flack; he says coldly “No, Wayne didn’t do anything to you. You have only yourself to blame, thanks for coming to the funeral. After tonight, we are no longer friends.”
Ted leaves Flack sobbing and shivering, Azio walks softly towards Flack. He whispers “Flack, are you all right?”
Flack maintains his back at Azio and yells “Leave me alone!”
Azio tries to hug Flack from behind but Flack refuses, he barks “Stop bothering me, Azio! You are just a substitute for Ted!”
–
Stand By Me (Part 26)
Azio swallows his saliva hard, he pleads softly “Can you don’t say such things? All I want is to be with you, why must you keep hurting me?”
Flack snarls “I will tell you one last time, I don’t have any feelings for you! I needed a man to soothe my sexual urges and you fit the bill as a sex tool, that’s all!”
Azio could not believe what Flack has just said, he presses “I don’t believe you.”
Flack walks up close to Azio till Azio feels Flack’s hot breath, Flack says spitefully “You are only good for me in sex and nothing else, and now even your look disgusts me. Be a man and have some pride, leave me alone from now on!”
Azio takes a few steps back, he continues looking at Flack and Flack continues “You are just as irritating as your brother!”
Azio snaps “Leave Wayne out of this! I can tolerate with all your abuses because I really love you but Wayne has nothing to do with this, don’t you tarnish his reputation!”
Flack takes a deep breath and says “Wayne is no saint; he snatched Ted away from me and influenced Ted to dislike me. Wayne is nothing but a despicable devil. I am so glad I encouraged him to give up fighting for his life!”
Standing at a corner, Elgene gets a shock when he hears that and suddenly he notices Azio clenches his fist and rushes out to stop Azio.
Elgene tries to stop Azio from reaching out to Flack and Flack retorts “You are only good at throwing punches! If you dare to ever lay one finger on me, I will sue you till you bankrupt!”
Azio shouts “Get off me! I am going to beat the daylights out of you, Flack!”
Elgene blocks Azio with all his might and interrupts “Bitch! Just get out of here now!”
Flack storms off while Elgene loses his footing and Azio accidentally punches Elgene in the process.
“Ouch! That freaking hurts!” moans Elgene.
Azio has the intention to run after Flack but stops in his tracks when he hears Elgene moaning on the ground.
Azio bends over and helps Elgene up, he apologises “I am so sorry! Why did you turn up all of a sudden? Aren’t you supposed to have already left?”
Elgene pushes Azio away hard; he scolds “Damn you!”
Cassany goes around looking for Azio when she sees him with Elgene at a corner, she approaches them and is shocked to see Elgene’s bruised face.
Cassany exclaims “Oh my! Have you guys been fighting? How could you do this to Elgene, Azio?”
Azio remains silent and Cassany reaches out to Elgene “Come, follow me upstairs and I will apply some ointment on your bruises. Azio, go help Ted now!”
Helen helps to dress Elgene’s bruises and keeps apologizing, she insists that Elgene stays the night and offers Azio’s bedroom for him to rest.
When Elgene walks out of the bedroom the following morning, Helen is already preparing breakfast. Ju-no and Wy-en are playing by themselves in the hall quietly.
Elgene walks to the kitchen and greets Helen “Morning auntie.”
Helen turns back with blood-shot eyes, she croaks “Oh? You are up. I have made some breakfast, join us.”
Elgene nods and helps Helen to lay out the table, he can feel the grief in Helen and he is at a lost as he has no idea how he should console Helen.
Elgene helps Helen to feed Ju-no and Wy-en and makes some small talk during the feedings. Helen uncontrollably breaks down and Elgene tries his best to console her.
Helen is too weak to continue so Elgene helps her to her room to rest while he stays to take care of the boys.
For the next 2 days, Elgene continues staying there to help Helen takes care of the boys.
–
Stand By Me (Part 27)
A week has passed after Wayne was cremated, but Azio has not shown up for class. Elgene starts to wonder when he receives a call from Ju-no.
“Kor-kor Elgene, Ju-no here. Mummy asked you if you can join us for dinner this weekend.” Elgene agrees.
Elgene fidgets uneasily when he presses the door-bell; he heaves a sigh of relief when Wy-en answers the door. Elgene carries Wy-en up when he steps into the house.
Cassany walks out of the kitchen to greet Elgene “Thanks for coming over for dinner, Elgene.”
Elgene smiles and asks “Where is Ted? How is he?”
Cassany replies “He is on his way. He has been busy clearing his work after the funeral. Azio is in his room, he has not stepped out from the room after the funeral. Please help us to cheer him up.”
Elgene nods and walks towards Azio’s room, he knocks on his door cautiously. He knocks again when there is no answer.
Azio opens his door slowly and Elgene is surprised to see Azio losing so much weight and looks so haggard.
Elgene asks “What’s wrong with you? You should be taking care of your family and not cause them worry!”
Azio mumbles “Spare me the preaching.”
Elgene follows Azio into his room; he says “Azio, you can’t go on like this! You have been missing classes and your family is worried about you!”
Azio slurs “I was such an idiot to have been so immersed with that devil! I have been such a disgrace!”
Elgene places his hands on Azio’s shoulders “Azio, it is no big deal. You pick yourself up from here and be brave. Your family needs you to take care of them and not the other way round.”
Azio looks at Elgene and whispers “Thank you for being here whenever I need you.”
Elgene feels his face blushing and he looks away “That is what friends are for. To help each other, but right now, you have to buck up and get back on your feet.”
Ted opens the door and Ju-no runs to him, Ted kisses Ju-no and piggy backs him to the kitchen.
Cassany and Helen are busying laying the table when they see Ted, Ted too has lost a lot of weight, his once manly rugged face has now shrunk sharply and his trimmed stubbles have grown substantially.
Helen’s heart aches when she sees Ted in this state, she touches Ted’s face and asks concernedly “Have you been eating well? Have you taking good care of yourself this past week?”
Ted nods and answers “Yes mum, I am fine. Don’t worry. So where is our guest?”
Cassany takes Ju-no away from Ted and says “Elgene is in Azio’s room, I hope he can help to encourage Azio. He has been hiding in the room the whole week.”
Helen holds Ted’s hands “Come over for dinner everyday, you have been losing too much weight.”
Ted smiles “Thanks mum. I will.”
Helen says softly “You don’t have to call me mum if you don’t want to.”
Ted holds Helen’s hands in his huge hands, he says softly “Mum, we might have lost Wayne but I always regard his family as my own. You might have lost a son but you have gained a son too, and that is me.”
Helen’s tears roll out onto her wrinkled face, she says in between sobs “Thank you, Ted. Wayne was very lucky to have you by his side and I am thankful for having you as my great son.”
Cassany too starts sobbing and chips in “Thank you, Ted. You are always a part of the family.”
Standing at the corridor, Azio tries to control his tears and when Elgene notices that, he places his arm over Azio and pats him continuously.
–
Stand By Me (Part 28)
Elgene insists that Azio follows him back to the hostel after dinner so that he will not be missing anymore lessons. Azio agrees after much hesitation.
Ted walks them to the carpark, when they reach Azio’s bike, Ted says “Elgene, thank you so much for standing by Azio. He is a lucky chap.”
Elgene’s eyes widen and he mutters “There is nothing between us. I am just helping a friend.”
Azio also chips in “Ted, don’t embarrass Elgene. He is very shy and I don’t think he is gay.”
Ted surrenders “I give up.”
Azio helps Elgene to fasten his helmet but Elgene brushes him off “I can do it myself. I don’t need your help.”
Azio shrugs “Whatever. Homophobia.”
Azio’s fast driving causes Elgene to fidget nervously and Azio can’t help but to complain “Hey, don’t get fidgeting. You will cause the bike to lose balance.”
Elgene couldn’t really hear what Azio said, he almost slips when Azio makes a sharp turn. Elgene grabs onto Azio’s waist immediately.
Azio is taken aback when he feels Elgene holds onto his waist, he smiles and shouts against the strong wind “Yes, hold onto me tighter!”
Elgene loses his grab and hits on Azio’s helmet which catches Azio unaware and almost skids.
Azio stops the bike by the quiet stretch of the road; he scolds “Don’t do that again! It is very dangerous if I lost control of the bike. I will leave you here if you dare to argue back.”
When they finally reach the hostel, Elgene gets off the bike fast and storms towards their room.
Azio follows behind closely and he is almost hit by the swinging door when Elgene slams the door behind him.
“Hey! What’s that for?” demands Azio.
Elgene turns back and snaps “I didn’t know you are behind me. Blame yourself and not others.”
Azio shrugs “Are you unhappy because I scolded you earlier? It was really dangerous what. Anyway, I won’t leave you on the streets lor.”
Elgene takes off his shirt forcefully, revealing his taut body. He grabs the towel on the chair and walks past Azio.
“You are bathing? Wait for me!” Azio jokes.
Elgene slams the door hard behind him.
Azio is sleeping soundly when Elgene slaps him hard on the face.
“Ouch!” yells Azio.
Elgene looks at him coldly and says “You are going to be late for your morning class.”
Azio sits up, rubbing his eyes, he complains “You don’t have to slap so hard. It hurts!”
Elgene ignores his complaint and walks towards the door, causing Azio to reach for the pair of boxers near him anxiously.
He mumbles “Don’t you know I have the habit of sleeping in the buff? Wait till at least I put on some clothes before you open the door.”
Elgene ignores Azio throughout the day when they bump into each other in the campus a few times.
Elgene strolls back to the room at the end of the day; it has been a long day, sitting through lessons after lessons.
When he opens the door, Azio appears in front of him with a box of chocolates. Elgene asks with a shocked look “What is that for?”
Azio smiles sheepishly “My way of apology. Accept it if you are man enough.”
Elgene lets out a sigh, takes the box of chocolates and says “You are really getting on my nerves.”
–
Stand By Me (Part 29)
Elgene helps Azio with all the schoolwork that he has been missing on and it has also become a daily routine for Elgene to remind Azio of his lesson schedules.
Both Elgene and Azio form their own study group for the impending examinations.
Stepping out of the examination hall after their last paper, Azio runs after Elgene who leaves slightly earlier.
Azio shouts after Elgene “Hey Elgene, wait up! Why are you in such a hurry? Meeting your secret admirer?”
Elgene slows down and turns back impatiently, he says under his breath “I am so sick of your silly jokes.”
Azio gives him a pat, he smiles “But you still love my jokes anyway. Mum asks you to come over for dinner tonight, to celebrate moving on to our last semester.”
Elgene wants to reject and is about to say so when Azio interrupts “You don’t have a choice anyway. Let’s go back to our room to freshen up before going over my place.”
Azio opens the door with Elgene behind him and see Ted piggybacking Ju-no and carrying Wy-en at the same time.
Seeing them, Ted smiles “Welcome home. Mum is in the kitchen with Cassany, preparing dinner.”
Azio walks over to Ted and gives him a bear hug, he says “It’s nice to see you, Ted.”
Elgene is surprised to see the tender side of Azio and can’t help but feel that Azio has suddenly grown up.
They have so much fun over dinner, laughing and joking with each other. Ted has also become more relaxed and he joins in the jokes too.
Halfway through the dinner, Cassany asks suddenly “So, tell us Azio, have you finally gotten Elgene’s hands?”
Elgene drops his chopsticks and Azio chokes on his rice, both of them look at Cassany unbelievably.
Helen chides “Cassany! Why are you making fun of our guest? Don’t you scare Elgene like this!”
Cassany continues “You know, Azio. Elgene is really a nice guy, it is your lost if you lets him slips off your hands.”
Azio swallows hard and says “This joke is getting too far, Cassany.”
Cassany shrugs “You are such a block head! I will take Elgene if you are not going to buck up.”
Azio argues “Even if Elgene is not gay, he will not fall for you. You are too old for him lar!”
Upon hearing that, Elgene’s face turns red.
Sensing the awkwardness, Helen demands “Stop it now!”
The dinner continues in awkward silence after that and Elgene can’t wait for it to end.
After finishing their desserts, Elgene gets up and says to Helen “Auntie, thanks for the dinner. I think it’s time for me to leave, I have some errands to run.”
Helen smiles “My pleasure. I hope you enjoyed the dinner. Let Azio drives you back since you are in a hurry.”
“No, it’s ok. I can hail a cab. Thanks auntie.” Elgene declines.
Azio gets up and says “He is a big boy, mum. He can take care of himself. Come, Ju-no, let’s go play PS2.”
After Elgene leaves, Cassany goes up to Azio and takes away his console. She scolds “How insensitive can you get?”
Azio looks puzzled and asks “What have I done wrong?”
Cassany lets out a loud sigh; she says “If Elgene doesn’t have any liking for you, why would he be doing so many things for you? If he is not gay, why doesn’t he stand up and deny it?”
–
Stand By Me (Part 30) – Conclusion
Azio remains silent; he looks at Cassany then Ted. Ted nods quietly.
Azio mumbles “Elgene has a liking for me? Why didn’t he say so?”
Ted says gently “He is just as shy as me. I didn’t have the courage to say I love you to Wayne till he said that to me. Cassany is right, you know. If Elgene has no feelings for you, he wouldn’t be doing so much for you and stood by you all these while.”
Cassany joins in “A woman’s intuition is never wrong. You can still catch him if you rush after him now.”
Azio stands there, not moving, still looking at Cassany and Ted with his mouth open.
“Wayne got me one son and he is Ted. I would love to have Elgene as my son too, if what they said is correct.” Helen says after appearing from the kitchen.
Ju-no grabs the keys from the table and pass it to Azio, he says excitedly “Uncle Azio, quick go! I like Uncle Elgene too!”
Azio lets out a laugh, he takes the key from Ju-no and says “Thanks.”
Driving out of the car park and onto the road, Azio sees an ambulance driving away and 2 overturned vehicles.
Azio stops his bike by the side, and gets off. He walks towards the accident area.
Lying on the side of the road, Azio chances upon a familiar object. He thinks to himself “Isn’t that the same bag that Elgene carried earlier?”
Joining the watching crowd, he overhears “The collision was so bad. The young chap just got into the cab and then the lorry just sped towards them and the mini-van.”
Azio feels sweat rolling down his spine; he interrupts “Did you say a young guy? How does he look like?”
The stranger replies “There were a few casualties. One of the young chap is badly hurt. He is quite muscular.”
Azio immediately runs towards his bike and rushes after the ambulance.
When Azio reaches the hospital, he frantically asks around for the information counter.
After getting information from the counter, Azio is searching for the ward when he bumps into Flack.
“Hey, watch it.” Flack complains.
When their eyes meet, there is a moment of awkwardness and embarrassment, Azio apologies “Sorry.”
Flack loses his temper, he scolds “Azio! You have to stop harassing me! I am going to call the security guards if you continue doing this.”
Azio looks at Flack flabbergasted, he retorts “Flack, I am so over you long time ago. Don’t over-estimate yourself.”
At that moment, Elgene steps out of the consultation room with his bandaged hands, he sees Azio and Flack at the corridor.
Elgene shakes his head, muttering to himself “He still can’t get over that doctor evil. I am so silly to even harbor thoughts that he might have some feelings for me.”
Elgene turns and walks the other way when he hears someone shouts out to him. “Is that you, Elgene?”
Elgene turns back and sees Azio running towards him. Azio hugs Elgene tightly and in full view of the people along the corridor.
Azio gushes “I am so glad you are ok.”
Elgene is surprised at Azio’s reaction; he blushes “We are in the public, Azio.”
Azio couldn’t care less; he says “I thought you were the one who was badly hurt in the accident! What happened? Are you going to be hospitalised?”
Elgene says softly “You are getting too excited. I wasn’t the one who was badly hurt. I had some bruises, that’s all. Did you just say you came here to look for me?”
Azio nods, he tries to hold Elgene’s hands but Elgene brushes them aside. Azio says softly “I was such a block head and totally overlooked the fact that you have always been there for me.”
“I thought I should catch hold of my happiness and not lose you for good.” Azio continues.
Elgene gives a distrusting look, he asks “I saw you talking to Flack, I don’t think you are over him.”
Azio puts up his hand and swears “I am so over him! I told him that too!”
Elgene presses “If not for Cassany, would you yourself have realized my existence?”
Azio nods furiously, he exclaims “I was really silly in the past, I don’t want to let you slip by once again.”
Looking at the silent Elgene, getting nervous, Azio stands up on the chair and declares “My feelings for you are for real. Give me a chance!”
That declaration creates another round of attention; Elgene drags Azio off the chair and pleads “Don’t create a scene here! We are at the hospital.”
Azio presses on “Give me a chance, ok?”
Elgene replies “Let’s get out of here now.”
Getting on Azio’s bike, Azio reaches for Elgene’s hands and places them on his waist, Elgene immediately takes them back.
Azio refuses to give up, he reaches for Elgene’s hands again and places them on his waist, and he demands “Leave them on my waist, so that I can feel safe.”
Elgene loosens his grip but Azio tightens them, he says gently “Please.”
Driving off and wearing a large grin, Elgene holds on to Azio’s waist throughout the journey.
–
This is fabulous. Before the country can clean up the air and get their act together for the upcoming olympics, pirated eggs surfaced. The market value is 3c each, half the value of the real ones. The best part is, it looks, feels, and tastes almost like the real thing. I gotta give it to them! Picture courtesy of Stomp! I don’t go there but I was tipped off over another unrelated article and this one caught my eye indeed!
