A Luv Story

“How is this the first I’m hearing about him?” asked Kia. The beaming face of Luv simultaneously amused her and multiplied her curiosity.

“I would say it’s been a rollercoaster of a time ever since I met him. He’s a private person and wanted to keep our relationship under wraps. But I figured it’s been long enough. I would love for you guys to meet!” said Luv, attempting to restore a normal facial expression.

“You do know I am elated to see you this happy, right? Although I would expect you to at least give me a warning, Luv! I have been worried sick for you. It hasn’t been too long since the incident after all,” sighed Kia, hoping she wasn’t making her delicate friend revisit unpleasant memories.

“The incident”—what a delightful way to refer to something that was far from it. Luv remembered it all too well, of course. It had begun when Luv’s mother let Sony move in with them. He had been a perfect gentleman at the start—they always are. He helped with the household chores, took care of the work that mom found taxing, and he seemed to keep her happy. That was enough to earn him brownie points. Soon after though, things began to evolve. He figured Luv could do the work just as well and handed over the baton. It wasn’t uncommon for Luv to be covered in bruises during a disagreement. Torn between choosing mom’s happiness or Luv’s own well-being, it took losing a finger and some help from Kia to get out of there.

It had been a gruesome three years. Years of pain and feeling stuck. But that was before Luv met Tyler. Tyler was the one that took all the pain and replaced it with kindness, patience, and hope. Tyler was the knight in shining armor, if the armor were made of all the wonderful things in the world. Tyler was love.

“Kia, you worry too much. You should learn to let yourself be happy more often. That’s what Tyler says.” And there was that stupid smile again.

Kia shrugged. “That’s easier said than done,” she said and noted the irony. “Where is he anyway? I have seen no sign of him and it’s almost midnight”.

It was odd for him to stay out that late, but Luv figured he was trying to avoid running into Kia. As lovely as she was, she could be protective of Luv and would certainly be skeptical of Tyler’s intentions. “The dinner with his work friends is probably running late. Nothing to worry about.”

“Right. Almost seems like he’s avoiding me.”

“Like I said, he’s taking his time disclosing the relationship. I’ll get him to meet you soon,” Luv promised, placing a hand on the chest.

“What is he afraid of? You’re practically living together at this point.”

“Yes, but his family doesn’t know. They wouldn’t approve. Heck, I’m not sure if mine would either. Not like I care, after everything I had to do to get away.”

“Why wouldn’t they approve?” asked Kia.

“Just because you are accepting doesn’t mean the rest of the world thinks like you do, Kia! A gay relationship is a taboo for most,” Luv pursed his lips.

“Right, the world really needs to grow up. But I still want to see him. Soon,” said Kia as she got up to leave.

“You will. I promise,” he hugged her goodbye. Kia turned to leave and almost toppled a frame lying on the table. “Careful!” exclaimed Luv as he pulled the frame towards himself. “That’s for the palm painting we made when we first painted the house.”

Kia rolled her eyes. “Do you have to be this cheesy?” she said as she shut the door behind her.

It was almost an hour later that Tyler returned. “Would you run back if I told you Kia was still here?” asked Luv as Tyler entered the room.

“I wouldn’t, but that’s only because I made sure she had left the building before I got in,” he replied and winked at Luv.

“You realize that I’m going to make you meet her regardless?”

“I do. I’m just not sure how she’ll take it.”

“I told you already, she is accepting. She was also supportive when I first came out. ‘So I should stop dreaming about our wedding then?’ were her exact words,” he chuckled at the memory.

“She does seem friendly,” he considered it for a moment. “Alright. I’ll meet her if it means that much to you, my Luv,” he smiled.

***

“My Luv?” he had repeated back to Tyler on their third date.

“Can I take the liberty of calling you my Luv?” Tyler had asked hopefully.

Something about the way he had said it sounded just right. Just like everything else about him. Just right. Luv could barely believe they were only on their third date. He had felt much better in the three dates than he had in the last three months with his distressed self. The rest of the world seemed a blur when he was with Tyler. The waiter was eyeing Luv quizzically as he asked to refill the sole mug of beer on their table for the fourth time, and Luv had waved him off as he said to Tyler, “It seems you already have.”

***

Kia was knocking hard on the door as Luv forced himself out of bed. He heard her shouting through the thin walls. What did she want this urgently? “I swear to God Luv, I’ll break this door if I have to!” she was yelling as he reached for the doorknob.

“Jesus. What is it, Kia?”

“What is it! Don’t you dare behave like you don’t know what you did there.”

Luv felt dizzy. “Did where? What are you talking about?”

“You think this is still going to work? Just drop the act already.”

“Slow down. I have no idea what you’re saying. I just got out of bed!”

“So you’re saying, you don’t remember meeting me at the restaurant, introducing yourself as Tyler, proceeding to have the most puzzling conversation with me, and when I couldn’t take it anymore, storming off as if it was somehow my fault?” she said incredulously.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I have heard.”

Kia took a deep breath, not trusting herself to keep from yelling. “Isn’t that exactly what I said to you before you ran away all offended?”

“Kia—can you explain to me how I could possibly meet you at the restaurant if I’ve been in my bed all afternoon?” Luv shook his head, looking for confirmation that he wasn’t in a dream.

“I don’t know Luv, you tell me. You have been dodging me about Tyler from the beginning and now you pull this!”

He was beginning to grow impatient. “Look, I had just convinced Tyler to talk to you. I have no reason to dodge you!”

Kia had had enough. She pushed her way into the house. “Alright then, if he’s ready to meet me, you should have no problem if I wait here for him,” she declared.

“Be my guest!” Luv gestured to the couch.

As they waited in silence, Kia looked around the room. “Luv?” she said after a while, concerned.

“What is it now, Kia?”

“Didn’t you say Tyler lives with you? Where are his shoes?”

Luv was lost. “What?”

“Where are his shoes?” Kia repeated. And as she walked into the bathroom, “Where is his toothbrush?”

“Kia.. What..?” Luv’s eyes followed her around hopelessly.

“The painting! Luv, where is the palm painting you made?”

Luv pointed to the wall behind her as it dawned on him. She turned around to see two pairs of palm prints, only something wasn’t right. Both pairs had nine fingers, just like Luv. Luv felt the ground beneath him crumble. How could it have been? Tyler was the one that took all the pain and replaced it with kindness, patience, and hope. Tyler was the knight in shining armor, if the armor were made of all the wonderful things in the world. Tyler was Luv.