"Is Tevin the one you love?" I stared at her in disbelief. The thought of my mother finding out about this was unimaginable.

"Wait, Mom," I stammered, my voice filled with panic.

"Rehaan, that day when you were drinking, I needed to make a call but my phone was out of balance. So, I used yours. When I unlocked the screen, I saw your quiz about sexuality." She looked at me, her hand reaching out to hold mine.

"I'm sorry, son, that I saw it."

"Mom, I'm sorry for being gay," I said, my voice breaking as I bent down and started sobbing.

She gently cupped my face in her hands. "You don't need to apologize for who you are, my dear. Being gay is not wrong. It's not a crime that

you have to say sorry to me for."

"Mom, are you okay with this?"

"I'm more than okay, Rehaan. I love you just the way you are. And I'm sorry if we made you feel like we couldn't accept you for who you are."

I embraced her tightly, tears streaming down my face.

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"I was terrified, mother. Terrified that you would be disappointed in me."

"How could I ever be disappointed in my wonderful son? You've never let me down. I'm sorry for making you feel like you couldn't openly share with us about the person you care for."

"I'm sorry too for assuming you wouldn't accept me."

"It's alright, my son. It's not your fault. But did he know?" she inquired.

I sat up straight. "Know what?"

"That you love Tevin."

"Why do you assume it's him? It could be anyone."

"It can only be him. You may not realize it, but you always speak highly of him and show care towards him. Isn't it obvious?"

"Was it really that obvious?"

"Absolutely. And you brought him here today to cheer him up when he was feeling low, didn't you?"

"Hmm. Then are you okay with Tevin?"

"I'm fine with who ever you like. And Tevin, he's a good person. I've always liked him. He's even cuter than you. Let him be my son-in-law."

"Mother, you're playfully teasing me," I chuckled, wiping away my tears.

"I was just joking around. But, have you shared your feelings with him?"

"No, mother. I'm afraid he won't be able to accept it."

"Then, are you going to let yourself become like *Devdas, constantly pining for him and eventually dying without expressing your love?"

"It's not like that."

"Rehaan, I'm not saying that he will definitely reciprocate your feelings. But you should let him know about your love. If he doesn't feel the same way, then it's time to move on and explore other possibilities. There are plenty of handsome boys out there."

"Mother, please stop."

"Do you want me to assist you?"

"No, I had planned to confess my feelings to him on the last day of our college. That way, even if I faced rejection, I wouldn't have to see his face anymore."

(*Devads is character in a Bengali novella by Saratchandra Chattopadhyay)

To be continued...