With Malith's guidance, Hasith finally regained consciousness and began the surgery. For the first time in his life, Hasith felt a deep fear before a surgery—something he had never experienced before. But in the end, with everyone's support, Hasith successfully completed it.
"Yo! Finally done! Honestly, I thought it would take another hour. Hey Hasitha, go get changed and come back. That guy's not going anywhere, man. Come on. You'll regret it if you don't stay and wait for him."
As Malith said that, Hasith turned around to glance back one last time and then stepped outside to change and freshen up a bit.
After a quick wash, he returned to the ward—straight into the room where Hirunya had been. As he entered, his eyes fell on a small note placed near her clothes. Though he knew it wasn't right to touch someone else's things, he picked it up and began to read.
> To my dearest little Daisy flower,
This wild heart
Is stirred by a thousand feelings,
That talkative, innocent face—
Has stolen my soul.
Etched into memory,
That image brings more peace
Than any luxury the world can offer,
With just a single word.
—Hirunya
As he read those words, new tears began to fall from Hasith's eyes. He realized then—he truly loved someone.
"Will you finally tell us everything about your story today?"
It was Malith, standing at the doorway, who asked. As Hasith turned to look, he saw someone behind Malith—Thenu aiya had his arms wrapped around Malith in a back hug.
Thenu aiya entered the room with Malith and locked the door behind them. Both of them sat down on the same sofa where Hasith had been sitting. Malith rested his head on Thenu aiya's chest. Hasith felt, for a moment, like he too wanted to cry into that broad chest. But he didn't want to ruin such a beautiful bond because of himself.
"Come here. If you need to cry, then cry, man. Even if no one else is there for you, the two of us are here."
As Thenu aiya pulled Hasith into an embrace, pressing him close, Malith gently placed his hand on Hasith's head. Truly, these two were so lucky. When their eyes met, all Hasith saw in those gazes was love—pure and unwavering. Though society in Sri Lanka had rejected them countless times due to their sexuality, they never let that break them. It was for the hope of living somewhere they wouldn't be judged for being gay that they had moved to Thailand.
While Malith and Hasith went on to become specialists in surgery, Thenu aiya became a specialist in psychology. Maybe that's why he was always able to understand when someone needed him—and that's how he understood Hasith too.
Tears welled up in Hasith's eyes again. He realized he could no longer keep hiding his past.
He looked at the heart rate monitor beside him. The lines moved along in a steady, peaceful rhythm.
"Our story too… begins in a place like this."
_____________________________________
•. Naveen Sasmika Thenuwara
Malith's Boyfriend
Psychologist