Gabriel and Gyan were college sweethearts, and they thought they had found the love of their lives. Then Gabriel got an opportunity in Australia, and he left behind a heartbroken Gyan.
It's been more than five years, and Gabriel finds hims...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Gyan, your father will come around eventually," my mother said on the line while we talked.
I hadn't seen my father in months, and we hadn't spoken just as long. I guess we really were taking a "break" from being in each other's lives. These months had been amazing, from Kenji and Darian's wedding to me and Gabriel enjoying each other's company, drama-free for the first time since he'd been back. The only downside was the tenuous relationship between me and my father.
"I'm not going to think about it too much."
Gabriel and I were on a road trip, traveling around the U.S. before grad school started for him. We were currently at Harley Falls University, wanting to visit our alma mater. This was a good moment. I didn't want to ruin it with thoughts of my father.
"I just want you to know I love you," my mother said. "Your father does, too, even if it shows it in strange ways."
I was still adjusting to our current circumstances, but with time, it got a little easier knowing this could be it for me and my father. Things were uncertain, but that was life. I was a little more comfortable with the unknown now than I was a couple months ago. My career wasn't set in stone. I was still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life now that I had the choice to choose my own path. I didn't know where I was going to be five or ten years from now, but I was okay with that. I was going to enjoy the journey, not obsess over the destination.
"I know you do," I assured her.
"Your sisters are here, too."
Regardless of my father's presence or absence, I had my mother, sisters, Gabriel and my few friends like Darian and Anushka, who I'd seen regularly for the past couple months. I was still loved, and that was all I needed to know.
"I know," I told her. "I'll be okay."
"You guys being safe on your road trip?" she asked.
I glanced over at Gabriel while we walked through campus, our hands interlocked. I never knew I would do this, walk in public, being able to show my affection for him in such a simple way. I kept my word. I never announced our relationship, but I never hid it either. Things were strained between me and the rest of my extended family due to rumors and gossip surrounding my sexuality, my canceled wedding and the current tension between me and my father. But that wasn't going to stop me from living my life and loving Gabriel.
"Don't worry about me," I said. "I'll be fine."
"You will," she agreed. "Doesn't stop me from worrying."
"I'll talk to you later, Mom," I said. "We'll talk some more when I come back."
