Flashback
XXXX Campus is a prime example of both education and environmental beauty. As the students walk towards the campus in the morning, some are still chatting under the trees while others are already headed to classes. Hasith is a third-year student at the Medical Faculty on the campus. He's the quiet type, so he doesn't have many friends—just a small circle of acquaintances.
Today, as usual, Hasith headed towards the campus church and made his way to the road leading to the campus. He was going to the hospital for a practical session today from the Medical Faculty. As he walked towards the Medical Faculty, he noticed, as always, the Business Faculty area where two boys were fighting on the ground.
Today, Hasith's dream boy was tangled in a mess. Yes, our Hasith's heart had a dream boy, but not just anyone. It was Hirunya Aravinda Vikramasinghe. Hirunya's name was well-known in the campus for his troublemaking ways. He was not someone who liked to ask for help from anyone, something Hasith realized during their ragging time. How could someone like Hasith's heart fall for someone like him? That was a question Hasith himself couldn't answer.
Even though many girls at the campus tried to get close to Hasith, he couldn't stand even their touch, and his heart would always drift towards Hirunya. Hasith realized that he was an gay person, someone who felt differently about love. Society judged people like him, so Hasith had been afraid to share his feelings with anyone.
Still, while the boys continued their fight on the ground, Hasith didn't pay it much attention. No matter how much they fought, he realized that it wasn't his problem. But no matter how many times Hirunya hurt him, just one word from him would make Hasith submit like a dog. So, like usual, Hasith ignored the situation and went on his way.
At the Faculty, the medical students were sent to the hospital as assistants to the doctors.
"Hey, boy. You're on duty with me today," came a voice. It was the sound of Shera Nanda, Hasith's father's sister-in-law.
As Hasith walked in with Shera Nanda, he saw the patients waiting for treatment. Shera Nanda helped them with medicine, and Hasith, feeling a strange sense of heaviness, watched as the next patient came in.
It was no one else but Hirunya, the same boy from the fight earlier. Hasith froze as Shera Nanda started administering treatment to Hirunya.
There was a small injury at the back of his head, and his skin was scratched. Even though Hirunya had been in fights before, this wasn't a typical injury. Hasith realized that Hirunya wasn't fighting with just anyone this time; it was something different.
"Hasith, give me the bandage, the surgical kit, and the necessary medicine," Shera Nanda called out.
"Sorry, Auntie ."
Snapped out of his daze by her shouting, Hasith quickly handed her the medical supplies.
They stitched up Hirunya's head and treated the rest of his wounds. By the time Shera Nanda had completed the scan reports and treatment, an hour had passed. All the while, she scolded Hirunya without holding back. Hasith, too, tried to scold him, though the effort was half-hearted.
The quiet, reserved Hasith from campus now stood here, fumbling for words. And Hirunya could only smirk in return.
"He's good to go now. Hasith, hand him over to one of the professors from his faculty. After that, you can return to the boarding house. That's enough for today," Shera said as she walked off.
As Hasith stepped out, he was stopped by Hirunya, who grabbed his collar and pinned him against the wall.
"Always acting like some saint while I get beat up, huh?"
His words hit Hasith like icy water down his spine. How could someone not notice when the person they loved stood this close?
"What? Cat got your tongue? You've got plenty to say around others, don't you?"
"N-no… I-I was just…"
Hasith struggled to form words. He was lost in Hirunya's eyes.
Hirunya let go of his collar and turned away. "Even if you're soft, don't act like a damn flower. I'm leaving. Don't follow me. Go wherever you want."
With that, Hirunya walked off, leaving Hasith rooted to the spot, still trembling. His mind replayed every word.
Those deep coffee-colored eyes... How could he forget them?
And in that frozen moment, between those coffee eyes and his own dark ones, Hasith had forgotten everything—his identity, his fears, even his love.
One lonely tear slid from those eyes and landed softly on the hospital floor.
🌸 A love that binds without expectation... a love that comes with its own form of agony. 🌸
________________________________________
•.Hirunya Aravinda Vikramasinghe.
University Student (past)
2nd year
•. Shera S. Silva
Doctor