His struggle

Yesterday I was speaking with my close friend Sakshi (pseudonym). We had been speaking for over half an hour. While speaking about topics drifted from current day to 15 years ago. We had been speaking about our common friend Samrat (pseudonym) aka Sam.

I met Sam in my first corporate organisation. He was one of my friends friend. Sam was a doctor by qualification. He was the kind of guy you would want to be friends with - well mannered, polite, kind, sweet, and knowledgeable. Sam was really a good looking guy with athletic build. But it was Sam's nature that made him more likeable.

Sam was hiding pain behind his smile. Sam was in "closet". There was signs but he had not openly told anybody. However when he had resigned from the organisation he once told me in private and confidence.

It was a regular Tuesday in our office. I had gone to cafeteria with my friends. It probably was a holiday and hence the office was not crowded. In the cafeteria I saw Sam sitting alone. I went to his table and ask him if somebody is going to join him. He said he was alone and me and my friends are more than welcome to join him. I grabbed my cup of coffee and got back to the table. That is when Sam told me the hidden truth about himself.

" Congratulations you have left one of the most of the places, so where are you going to go now?" I said unaware of what he was about to say.

" Will there are some plans," Sam sad with a distinct sadness in his voice.

" What happened? It's something bothering you?" I asked empathetically.

" My family. They are asking me to see girls. You know what I mean right?" Sam looked at me with sadness, I nodded. I very well knew what he was saying. His family wanted him to get married and meet girls.

" But I don't want to do that. I am not interested that way. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against girls or women. But this is just not for me. I don't want to meet girls in order to get married. I hope you are getting me. I feel this is not for me," this time Sam was not making an eye contact with me.

I could not believe what I heard just now. Sam had just "came out" to me. Though he did not make it obvious, he gave me the indication. I knew I have to say something.

" In that case I think it is better you tell your family. You come from a very good and educated family. I believe they will understand and respect your choice. If you want speak for yourself who else would?" I was a very careful with the words I was using. I wanted to ensure that whatever I say should not appear offensive or hurtful towards him.

Now Sam looked up. There was still sadness in his eyes. But there was hope as well. Sam smiled at me and said, " thank you so much for the saying that. You have no idea how much that relieves me. Even if I am accepted by one person in this world I would still be ok. Thank you very much for being that one person for me."

That moment I really wanted to cry. I was completely choked up because of what Sam had said. He was not looking for rights, he was only looking for acceptance. He had a very different struggle from most of us. He knew that the world would be against him and he was ready to fight the world even with one person on his side. That day I realised that how strong he was.

Today Sam is living a quiet and peaceful life with his partner. I feel happy to see him thriving. I believe everybody deserves happiness irrespective of who you are.