Organisers Note: This story, by Rahul Rangan, is an ode to the insensitivity, that the so called "normal" people showcase towards the LGBTQ community. It's a well written piece, Happy Reading!
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"I'm not what you think I am"
I sat beside the mundane silence on a quiet winter night. Attempting to reach one hand into my loneliness for warmth, I plunged deep into a pot of gold at the end of my rainbow. A man, with titan shoulders and a timid personality, he had grasped my attention in no time. Added to that his concrete jaw and conniving smile tricked me into believing he was spoken for. Yet my eye couldn't help itself but to anchor its gaze to his physique. He was quick to jump at the opportunity to place himself right beside me to put an end to the prosaic evening.
I didn't want to assume.
No, I shouldn't assume.
But my heart was racing at a pace even F1 drivers couldn't fathom.
It's rather difficult to find someone who meets your never-ending criteria out of a handful of us in the community, yet he satisfied every single one of mine.
He was elusive, and I was awake. I was worried that every time I'd blink, I'd miss another piece of his wondrous world. So while I sat
there with glaring eyes trying to come off as nonchalant, he looked
over to me and whispered, "Can you give me directions? I seem to
have lost myself".
I mustered up the courage to speak. My mind muttered minced words, "Yes, um...where are you off to?"
"The Parfait Café", he replied.
I thought to myself, in a day and age of Google Maps, a stranger
couldn't possibly be wandering unaware. Which lead me to believe
he was showing signs of inclination towards me.
I offered to drop him off. My ulterior motives were cleverly disguised in that small gesture of goodwill.
Yet, he was quick to refuse.
"I'm not what you think I am", he said sternly.
Those were heavy words
to my dizzy ears. I leapt off that desolate park chair and scurried like a satellite spinning away leaving almost no trace just hurrying through that dark place.
What did he mean?
Why was I hurt?
My heart still raced at a pace even F1 drivers couldn't fathom.
'I'm not what you think I am", I was cursing the dusk laden skies of
his company. The evening got a little bit colder.
In my mind, I was proud to roam. While outside I was shunned and put down cold.
Am I naive to believe that a gay fairy tale romance exists? Yes, I am
a man who wants to love another man. What's wrong in that? His
words seemed to portray me as an exotic breed.
Just like every other man is allowed to profess their inclinations to a woman or vice versa, aren't I too allowed to lay my cards down once in a while hoping for a response?
Sometimes, all I want, is to be let down gently. Yet every time the
response I get is, "I'm not what you think I am".
- Rahul Rangan
YOU ARE READING
Born This Way
NouvellesOn the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, #idahtb The Rotaract Club Of Karad City is organising a Short Story Competition, #bornthisway. Judge: Vishal Pinjani Owner of a Publication House and Bookstore (...
