The striking glow of the midnight candle brightened the dark, gloomy and murky room of Darwin. It was already wee hours still he continued to read the book of his favorite author. Looking at the mirror he noticed that his eyes were becoming small and his vision started to become hazy. He decided to place a bookmark on the page where he ended reading followed by the blowing of the midnight candle. Darkness filled the sad and pressured room but not his mind. Tomorrow will be another day of routine activities comprised of studying, making of projects and reporting to duties imposed by the stern university where he was enrolled. He was in his last year in a nursing school in one of the country which is well known in producing competent and caring nurses in the world. The clock continued to tick and Darwin fell asleep.
It was a humid and sunny morning the next day. Darwin woke up early and arranged his things for his class. After taking a bath he ate his breakfast and went to school. He was expecting a normal day; another day full of routine just like a monotonous movie which the ending is very predictable. However, destiny played over him, a twist happened during that day- 9th of June. He was never expecting that he will meet the one that will add colors to his vague life, the one who will give meaning to his abstract thoughts and the one who will fix his heart shattered so many years ago.
Darwin was hesitant to approach his apple of the eye. He was afraid of the possible rejections; uncertain of the possibilities, he moved nearer and nearer as if a lion moving nearer to a deer. “Hi! I’m Darwin”. , he said while extending his hands. His hand was trembling and droplets of sweat were becoming visible on his forehead.
“Hi! I’m George! Nice to meet you”. , he replied with a smile.
The anxiety Darwin was feeling during that time subsided because he was never rejected. He continued to socialize with his new acquaintance. Darwin knew that George was a son of a wealthy family in the nearby province. Charismatic, handsome and equipped of things, values and morals that anyone will surely love to have. They become good friends, study together, hang out together and share the same pattern of activities. Starting the day Darwin met George his days were different from his typical days. He often compared his life now as to a colorful rainbow; full of hue and happiness. The people around them were starting to speculate whether the two has a special relationship.
One day, in the library while studying for their final examination, Darwin did gained a handful of courage to verbalize his feelings to George.
“You know George, since you came, my life changed”. , Darwin uttered while looking to his book, as if to pretend that he was reading. George remained reading the book. Hearing no response, Darwin continued to verbalize.
“George, I love this book and I love you.” Darwin said while looking George straight to the eyes. George closed his book and bowed down his head.
“You know Darwin; there are things in this world that are supposed not to happen. We are bound with rules and norms that should be observed”, George replied as soft as possible because the librarian might hear the private conversation. Darwin’s face became flushed as if he had a fever.
“George, you mean, you can’t accept my feelings for you”? Darwin asked while his tears were about to fell from his eyes.
“My friend, our society does not and will never permit same sex relationship even homosexuality! I love you! You are very kind and loving to me, however, the environment will not permit us to enjoy life, and it would be very difficult for the both of us. And I don’t want that to happen.” George spoke with full of feelings, tears fell from his eyes. Darwin was stunned after hearing those words. The librarian rang the library bell signaling that they should observe silence. Many judgmental eyes were looking at them. Some were smiling, some were uttering while some were taking down notes of the incident so that they could post it later in their internet accounts. Darwin and George decided to move out from the library and escape the hostile environment.
