Booking a room at the Marina Bay Sands was never cheap. To book a suite on New Year’s Eve though, was what the younger generation called ‘flexing’. The hotel had earned a glowing reputation the world over in the decade or so since it had been opened. Its arrival onto the scene was a sign of Singapore’s forward leap into the future. The high price tag was justified and in any case, Alvin had cash to spare and was determined that there was no expense too high if he was to save his marriage with Selina.
The whole affair had to kick off at a talismanic venue. Alvin needed all the luck he could get. He knew Selina would have the afternoon of New Year’s Eve off work. He offered to take her to lunch at the Swissotel. It was no longer the tallest hotel in the world and the Equinox had become Skai. However, Alvin hoped that the memories the place held for both of them would outweigh the name change. The view was still great if not better. He raised his hopes when she readily accepted his invitation. She even sounded happy about it.
Fetching her at her office in Bugis, he had complimented her dress and makeup to no reply. The conversation on the way to the Swissotel had been terse but it held promise as Selina had a smile plastered on her face throughout. Perhaps she knew what was coming and had her mind made up in his favour.
Delusion gave way to reality. Halfway through their main course, Alvin had asked Selina if she would consider getting back together. Prior to that, they had been discussing May’s academic performance as well as her recent piano recital. Her instructor thought that she had talent and potential to become quite a proficient pianist in time to come. Selina had been engaged in that conversation.
But she had fallen into silence after Alvin’s suggestion.
Alvin’s steak remained untouched as he stared at the top of Selina’s head. Her gaze was cast downwards towards her baked Barramundi. As Alvin started to repeat himself, she dropped her knife onto her plate and held up her right hand with the palm facing him. Her unmistakable signal remained there as she took a sip of white wine from the glass in her left hand. She was looking out the window by which they were seated. Far below, the verdant Padang stretched out, a remnant of the country’s past which lay before what was once the City Hall but had since been converted into a museum. She rolled the wine around the inside of her mouth for a minute before she swallowed. Picking up her napkin, she dabbed at her mouth with both hands, still not looking at Alvin.
Selina did not bother returning her napkin to its place on her lap. She crumpled it and set it next to her wine glass, before she finally looked Alvin in the eye.
“No.”
Alvin was formulating a protest in his head but Selina spoke again before he was done thinking. “No, there is no getting back together. I’m moving to Manchester for work in April. In England. I am taking May with me.
“I think I’ve given you enough time with her these last few months. You don’t deserve more. So no, it’s not happening.”
As Selina got up to leave, Alvin sank backwards into his chair. She turned to him one last time before taking the elevator and said her final parting words to him.
“Happy New Year.”
…to be continued
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