The heart's battle

Chapter 22

« Dad, I'm gay »

The old man's fork clattered as it fell on his plate, his eyes grew darker, « what did you just say ».

A chill run down Tul's spin, he could not even recognize his own father's voice, the usual calm and controlled voice was replaced by a cold and harsh tone he had never heard from his old man before.

« I'm gay » the student reaffirmed once again, he took a deep breath and added, « and I'm dating someone. »

« No son of mine is a- » the old man stopped his words, unable to pronounce the word, he stood up, glaring in disgust at his son. « Is it that boy ? That girl's brother » he hissed, pointing an accusatory finger in Maylee's prostrated form. He was not an idiot, he had noticed the unusual closeness, the frequent visit, the increasing number of night out 'at a friend's place'. It could only be him.

« Yes, I'm dating Max »

Tul's voice had been composed and unwavering as he spoke, words spilling out from his mouth without hesitation.

« You fucking fag- » he raised his fist, anger and hatred deforming his face. Ready to punch the face of the boy he was, until not too long ago, so proud of.

« Stop ! »

A horrified cry stopped the man in his track, as he looked to his side to see his wife, eyes wide opened in shock at the turn of events.

« What ? Didn't you hear what our s-... » he stopped himself before continuing, « that boy just said ? »

Tul felt a pang in his heart as his own father was denying him, he made a step towards him, his hand reaching for his shoulder, « dad, I- »

« Don't fucking touch me » the old man slapped the younger man hand away, « you disgusting piece of sh- »

« Stop it ! » the older woman shouted, grabbing her husband's arm in fear he would try to punch Tul once again. « Please stop » her voice pleading, heart shattering at seeing her beloved husband and son fighting.

The old man stared at his wife pathetic posture, her eyes begging him to calm down, almost understanding, and then realization hit him suddenly, « you knew about this... this abnormality ! »
He removed her hand harshly, pushing her away.

« Don't take it out on mom ! She didn't do anything wrong, neither did I ! I'm still the same as before, I'm your son ! I just happen to like a man. » Tul's voice was desperate, he did not know what he could say to appease his father anger.

« Don't you dare say that » he glared coldly, not even trying to hide the growing loathing he was feeling, « as far as I'm concerned, I don't have a son anymore. »

Tul felt his chest tightening, his heartbeat quickening as all colors drained from his face. The little food that he managed to ingest protested in his stomach, his throat tingled as bile was raising to the back of his mouth, his fingers cupped his mouth to suppress the urge to throw up.
He stared at his arguing parents hopelessly, his heart breaking seeing his mother agitated form trying to make his father see reason.
The realization that his biggest fear was becoming reality hitting him harshly. His family was falling apart in front of him.

This was too much, he had to stop this before it was too late.

« Dad, please, st- » he was stopped mid sentence as a hard punch knocked the air out of his lungs.

Tul stumbled backwards, gasping for breath as the iron taste of blood invaded his mouth, his ears deaf to the sound of two loud cry. A sharp pain run through his nose to his lips. His face was aching, but not as much as his heart, as for the first time in his 17 years of living, his father has raised his hand against him.