After having missed last week, it was not possible to keep Ni away today. She had assumed more than likely it would be the same precautionary measures again this week. But it was not possible. Like a fortnight ago when we had started with the careful practice, we refrained from kissing. On the way over Ni had stopped at Tekka to pick up the choice naan and chutney and made a similar salad to last time, this week adding pineapple and lemon. Less of a Greek repast this week. After Ni left a walk was taken around the neighbourhood, half-hoping Neet might be at Azhar’s Table 16 again. Not to be. Lat also had not contacted from the night before; no doubt her employer had forbidden an outing, like the last couple weeks. The fantasy of a first union with Lat in her scarf and added mask came to nothing. Now more than likely we had lost our chance. Something further seized from the day was a pavement buzz-cut in the usual middle Geylang lorong, where the jovial Chinese construction worker moonlighting seemed to recall his customer. His previous customer had obtained a good deal of attention for his scissor cut; we two though were done in five minutes. In the open air it was safe enough and the barber wore a mask. Snake Brand talc, 250ml. Singer machine oil, 4-5inch paintbrush and thick, broken pieces of foam the tools of trade. (The latter for applying the talc and brushing down—declined in this case.) Understandably the man was shy about photographing. Hearty congratulation on Wuhan was received with warm thanks by the barber.
29 March
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