"Li Ming. You had the entire night to think about what you said to us yesterday. Are you certain about what you had said? That you are that 'thing'?" There was some hope in Rong Xing's eyes when she asked Ming about his confession, but all of it was extinguished away when Ming opened his mouth.
"Mom, I am not a 'thing'. I am gay. And yesterday night, I did not think about what I had said. Rather, I had one of the best rest in my life as I was finally able to tell the both of you about my homosexuality."
"What if being gay is just some phase that you young people had made up? Yeah! It could all just be a mix up in your mind. You know how the media loves to corrupt little children's minds nowadays."
"I'm not a kid anymore, mom."
"No! You are still my kid! You will forever be my little boy!" Rong Xing shouted out hysterically before speaking with her usual sweet tone. "Why not you follow me and go see a Christian therapist?"
"A Christian therapist?"
"Yes. The pastor in our church is also a therapist. Maybe he will be able to convince you that everything you said is wrong."
"Huh.." Something clicked in Ming's head that night when he slept. It was like a lightbulb that was left unlit his entire childhood, had suddenly turned on. Ever since he was a child, Li Ming was taught to respect and listen to his parent's instructions. That was how his life worked.
'Everything I say to you is for your own good and if you did not listen, you are being unfilial.Listen to mom and not play in the park. Listen to mom and play the piano. Do not listen to pop music, it is all brainwashing music. Read the bible, it will help you in the future. You are now older and so please take care of your brothers and sister. Remember to study and get into a good university, only then will you have a future.'
The advices from over the years had compounded into a giant snowball that came crashing down on Li Ming. His parents not being supportive of his homosexuality was the last straw that finally broke the camel's back.
"No." Ming looked up at his parents and stared directly into their eyes. This was the first time he had said no in regards to advices from his parents. When it came to what he did when he was younger, all the way to when he was selecting his university course, everything was decided by his parents. Just today, he was going to be unfilial. Just today, he wanted things to go his way.
"Did you just say no?" This time, Ming's father spoke. There was underlying anger in his words.
"I will not go to this Christian therapist, much less a therapist." Ming spoke disappointedly.
"We raised you into a fine young man and now, you would like to ruin your chances of going to heaven, just to be some gay?!" The underlying anger became an outright ragefest. "Get out of my house."
"What?"
"I said get out of my house! Take your filthy gay things and get out!" By now, Li Fei could see nothing, but red. He was like a raging bull that didn't recognise his directions.
"Okay, if that is what you want. I will gladly do so." Ming did not get angry from his father's words. He had expected it. After all, his parents were the type that would never listen to their children's feelings. To them, what they do is all for their children's own good.
Grabbing his haversack that was untouched from yesterday, Ming left the house without seeing his parents. Rong Xing had watched the back of her oldest son leave the gates of their house. Disappointed, she cried in the embrace of her husband.
On the bus, Ming's stomach growled in frustration. He had stormed off with grabbing some food and so now, there was a need to satiate his hunger. Knowing that there was a shophouse that sold breakfast on the next bus stop, Li Ming got off and bought himself a rice cake dish. As he ate his meal, Ming's eyes were glued to his phone. His mind was elsewhere too, only his stomach was focused on the food.
In his mind, there was someone that he really wanted to call, but he was afraid of being a bother to him. In the end, he decided to call him anyways. As the phone rang twice, on the third ring, the receiver picked up the call.
"Hey Ming! why'd you call me on this fine and dandy morning?" The receiver's voice was loud and chirpy. On the call screen, the name 'Yue Guang' was displayed on it.
"Hey Yue Guang, I am just calling you to tell you that I am gay. I like men." Ming came out to him.
"Ah? You're telling me this now? What is the point of that?" From his tone, it seems that Yue Guang already knew from the beginning.
"Huh? You already knew that I was gay?"
"Yeah! Dude! I saved you that night on the bridge, remember? You told me about how you saw your boy crush kissed another guy."
"Uhhh…" Ming went speechless. In his heart, he was extremely embarrassed that he had forgotten what he had said before on the bridge.
"Hahaha! Still, I appreciate that you are telling me this."
"You're welcome," Ming said his pleasantries to Yue Guang. His senior had started soccer practice yesterday and so far, his performance on the field has not deteriorated by much.
"I will call you out for a meal in a few days time. Don't say no, okay?" Ming Yue Guang declared cheekily.
"Okay," Ming smiled, "Thank you for being here for me, Yue Guang."
"Ah no problem, Mingster. I enjoy being there for you too. Don't be too hard on yourself. Live happily and enjoy your winter break."
"I will. Don't worry." Ming was serious about that last sentence. This was the first holiday that he was able to live life the way he wanted.