He read the news in his mobile app and sat down on the sofa as a rush of emotions overwhelmed him.
He closed his eyes and laid back his head on the sofa. A series of images flashed in his mind.
The first time when he realised that his choice was different. The feeling of terror, elation and confusion that followed thereafter.
The way he had avoided acknowledging himself for what he was. The tantrums, the fights over petty issues, staying locked in his room and avoiding everyone.
The way he had felt guilty when his parents assumed his behaviour as teenage issues and had tried to be patient with him.
The way he could not meet anyone's eyes - male or female.
The last two years had been the hardest. His parents, specially his mother, had been pressurizing him to get married. He had had a difficult time inventing excuses. At first he insisted on taking up some course for higher studies, then he brought up the excuse of an impending promotion in his office.
He recollected the most difficult part of his life. That day his parents had confronted him when he reached home and was having dinner with them.
"Is there any reason why you are avoiding marriage? We are fed up by the excuses that you have been giving us. Tell us if there is someone whom you would like to get married to. We will meet the girl and her parents too, if you wish. We just want to see you settle down and have a family of your own." His father had said firmly yet gently.
As usual he had opted to keep quiet. Then his mother began slowly in a trembling voice. "We hear a lot of things now-a-days. Unimaginable and unbelievable for us who have been raised in villages. They speak about people choosing partners of the same gender for themselves. Are you too... " She had not been able to continue for something about the way his hand had stilled while eating, the way he had closed his eyes, something about his body language had given him up. When his father had shouted 'What?' in deep outrage and his mother had burst into sobs, he had quietly left the dining table.
It had taken another year for his parents to adjust with and accept him for what he was. His mother had been the first to soften. She had, all by herself, read various articles and had slowly learnt that it was not a big sin to be what he was. She had read stories of people proudly proclaiming to the world about the support that they had been providing to their children. It had motivated her and he would never forget the day when she had stopped him while he was leaving for office and said to him in a soft voice filled with love and affection. "You will always be my dear boy, come what may. I am there with you." He had just hugged her and had broken down just a little bit. Once his mother accepted him, it became much more easier for his father too. There had been no open declarations of support from his father, but he no longer avoided him and made it a point to have breakfast and dinner together like they all used to before. His dad also started talking to him about general topics and the wall that had suddenly erupted between him and his dad had slowly started dissolving.
And today the news article about the verdict on Section 377 flashed in his mobile screen and brought him respite from the mental agony and suffering that he had borne since almost twenty years. He smiled from within as finally in the thirty-second year of his life, he accepted himself for what he was - Just another individual who could love a person unconditionally.
His mobile signaled a text message. He checked it and smiled. It was from his soul-mate, his partner of ten years.
Coffee at the cafe? Want to celebrate today. There was a smiley with the message.
He smiled and typed Yes! . It was no longer his crime or shame, just another reason to celebrate and love.
He closed his eyes and laid back his head on the sofa. A series of images flashed in his mind.
The first time when he realised that his choice was different. The feeling of terror, elation and confusion that followed thereafter.
The way he had avoided acknowledging himself for what he was. The tantrums, the fights over petty issues, staying locked in his room and avoiding everyone.
The way he had felt guilty when his parents assumed his behaviour as teenage issues and had tried to be patient with him.
The way he could not meet anyone's eyes - male or female.
The last two years had been the hardest. His parents, specially his mother, had been pressurizing him to get married. He had had a difficult time inventing excuses. At first he insisted on taking up some course for higher studies, then he brought up the excuse of an impending promotion in his office.
He recollected the most difficult part of his life. That day his parents had confronted him when he reached home and was having dinner with them.
"Is there any reason why you are avoiding marriage? We are fed up by the excuses that you have been giving us. Tell us if there is someone whom you would like to get married to. We will meet the girl and her parents too, if you wish. We just want to see you settle down and have a family of your own." His father had said firmly yet gently.
As usual he had opted to keep quiet. Then his mother began slowly in a trembling voice. "We hear a lot of things now-a-days. Unimaginable and unbelievable for us who have been raised in villages. They speak about people choosing partners of the same gender for themselves. Are you too... " She had not been able to continue for something about the way his hand had stilled while eating, the way he had closed his eyes, something about his body language had given him up. When his father had shouted 'What?' in deep outrage and his mother had burst into sobs, he had quietly left the dining table.
It had taken another year for his parents to adjust with and accept him for what he was. His mother had been the first to soften. She had, all by herself, read various articles and had slowly learnt that it was not a big sin to be what he was. She had read stories of people proudly proclaiming to the world about the support that they had been providing to their children. It had motivated her and he would never forget the day when she had stopped him while he was leaving for office and said to him in a soft voice filled with love and affection. "You will always be my dear boy, come what may. I am there with you." He had just hugged her and had broken down just a little bit. Once his mother accepted him, it became much more easier for his father too. There had been no open declarations of support from his father, but he no longer avoided him and made it a point to have breakfast and dinner together like they all used to before. His dad also started talking to him about general topics and the wall that had suddenly erupted between him and his dad had slowly started dissolving.
And today the news article about the verdict on Section 377 flashed in his mobile screen and brought him respite from the mental agony and suffering that he had borne since almost twenty years. He smiled from within as finally in the thirty-second year of his life, he accepted himself for what he was - Just another individual who could love a person unconditionally.
His mobile signaled a text message. He checked it and smiled. It was from his soul-mate, his partner of ten years.
Coffee at the cafe? Want to celebrate today. There was a smiley with the message.
He smiled and typed Yes! . It was no longer his crime or shame, just another reason to celebrate and love.
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