The weathermen were right this time...by morning there was 10 inches of snow on the ground. Rohit woke up when the alarm reminded him that he needs to go to work and looked out of the window.
"My God! How am I going to get to work?" he thought to himself.
He started getting ready for work following exactly the same routine that he has been following since he moved to this city and took up this job for a bank. After about 30 mins he was ready to leave with a flask of coffee in his hand. He ensured that the dogs had enough food and water for the day and they could go out to the backyard whenever needed to poop or pee or to chase a squirrel using the small trapdoor. He opened the front door to leave and that is when he saw the face.
The municipality snow remover was operating on the street and from the window of this huge machine he saw the most beautiful face he had ever seen.
Eyes that reflected both kindness and roughness at the same time, followed by a strong nose underlined by curvy every-smiling lips and a full curly beard trimmed to perfection were embedded carefully in the handsome face of that black man. "Oh...how wonderful it would be to get kissed by those full lips!" he thought. But it was time for work and he couldn't be late for the early morning meeting. So, he picked up the shovel and started to remove the snow from the driveway. While half way through, he suddenly lost control and slipped into the snow. He tried his best to stand up but something was wrong. He couldn't move his arm on which he fell. That is when he saw him.
The municipality truck was now parked on the street and the beautiful face was running towards him. Rohit couldn't help but notice that the beautiful face was accompanied by an equally muscular and fit body that fitted the uniform perfectly well. Even with the pain and the cold he could not stop wondering how some people are so good looking.
"Are you alright, Mister?" said the handsome guy from the municipality truck whose name was Steve as per the name tag on his uniform.
"Yeah, but I can't move my left arm"
"Here, let me help you get up"
His arms were strong as steel and he picked Rohit up without any difficulty and took him inside the house and lay him on the couch. This close physical contact gave Rohit a chance to feel those muscles up close and he was really impressed. "If this is a dream, I wonder what will I call it when I wake up - a nightmare because of the pain, or a wet dream because of this man?" Rohit thought to himself just before he lost consciousness.
He gained consciousness in a couple of hours in a hospital. At first he had difficulty in recalling why he was there...but then it all started coming back to him.
"Steve?" was the first word out of his mouth involuntarily and he wasn't disappointed when Steve's handsome face appeared above him almost immediately.
"You lost consciousness so I brought you to the hospital. The doctors have done some scans and seems like you have a small fracture in the left arm. You'll have to keep your arm in a cast for 2-3 weeks and you'll be fine before you'd know it" said Steve with a convincing smile and Rohit believed it almost instantly. "Would you like to call your wife to inform her?"
This question brought Rohit back to reality. His wife? Yeah, right!
"I am not married and I stay alone. My family is back in India and I live alone here" stammered Rohit unsure of how this man, who is definitely happily married, will interpret his situation.
"Ah ok. Well, no wife, no problem! You might want to inform your boss though" joked Steve with a wink and handed over his phone. Rohit dialed his work number and informed his boss about the accident and asked for a couple of weeks' leave. It was after this and getting over with the hospital formalities that things started to worry Rohit "How am I going to manage alone with a broken arm? Who will take the dogs out for a walk? How will I even change clothes?"
It was as if Steve read his thoughts right off his eyes and said "I don't want to impose, but if you like I can help you for next couple of weeks given that you don't know anyone around. You know, I can come over twice a day and help you in whatever you need. It is always good to make new friends and get to know about other cultures."
"Would you do that, really? You are so kind. I don't want to burden you. I am sure you have your job and family to manage as well" said a flabbergasted Rohit.
"Don't worry about it. I am not married and stay alone as well. My family lives in another state. I am pursuing my masters degree and work with the municipality sometimes to get some extra cash."
"I really appreciate it" is all Rohit could say while getting into Steve's car for the drive back home.
Back home, Steve cooked some pasta for Rohit and himself, took the dogs out for a walk, helped an embarrassed Rohit change into more comfortable clothes and tucked him in the bed with a book.
"Well, I will go now but I will come tomorrow morning after my school and get you some breakfast. I've saved my number in your phone so you can call me anytime you need anything"
"Thank you, Steve. I don't know what would've happened to me if you were not there today. I can't thank you enough"
"I think that's enough thank you already" laughed Steve and Rohit noticed the cute little dimples on his cheeks. It made him wonder if he also has dimples on his lower back just above his beautiful and round ass. "Gosh! Could this man be any more attractive?" thought Rohit while trying to fight a hard-on that was starting to show through the blanket. For a moment he felt that Steve noticed the hard-on but thankfully he left without saying anything. Rohit felt bad as he didn't want to spoil this beautiful budding friendship with this stranger. Such a sexy black man cannot be gay and even if he was, Rohit probably wasn't his type. "It doesn't necessarily have to be sexual...but would't it be wonderful if it is?" was Rohit's last thought just before he fell asleep.
Days passed, Steve kept his promise and visited Rohit twice a day while keeping up with his studies and part time job. They usually had breakfast and dinner together and over conversations Rohit came to know that Steve was pursuing his masters in human psychology and that he aspired to be a psychologist. "I have met many people with mental health issues and wanted to help them so took up this field. Also, human mind is so complex that it is amazing to uncover it layer by layer" was how Steve explained it. He was 32 years old and used to have a girlfriend in high school that didn't last for long. He likes Indian culture & food and has a few Indian friends at college too. He believes in God but not in religion. He would like to settle down some day with a partner (Rohit noticed that Steve didn't say "woman" but used a generic term "partner") and that he likes to travel and enjoys the beauty of nature whenever he gets a chance.
3 weeks got over in a jiffy and the day arrived when doctor's appointment was scheduled. Steve came over in the morning to pick up Rohit and was looking at his book when Rohit emerged from the bathroom. At the hospital, the doctor was impressed by the improvement in Rohit's broken bone and told him that his wife must have really taken care of him. At this comment Steve winked at Rohit and they both laughed out loud. The doctor advised Rohit to do some basic exercises for a few weeks to regain the strength in his arm before he can start using it completely. Rohit had mixed feelings about getting his arm back as he wondered if Steve will go back to his life and they won't meet as frequently. If Steve will ask him to meet in straight bars with loud music where he will have to see him flirt with women and feel jealous and sad about himself.
He knew this day would come when Steve will no longer be obligated to visit him daily so he had written his thoughts on a paper and he wanted to give it to Steve. He wanted to open up to Steve about his sexuality and let him know that he was OK with just a platonic friendship, if that's what Steve wants. He wanted to travel with Steve, if he wanted company. Most of all, he just wanted to thank Steve for all the help over the past few weeks and let him know that he now feels at home in this foreign country where everybody asks "How are you?" but nobody wants to hear a response to that question. But probably delivering a letter by hand requires as much courage as saying those words so he just kept it in his pocket till Steve dropped him at his door steps. The last hug in the car was a bit awkward and he didn't realize when the paper slipped from his pocket and fell on the seat.
It was too late by the time he was inside the home and realized that he had lost the paper. Steve had driven away and he knew that it was all over. Steve might not be homophobic but he won't be hanging out with Rohit more than what was necessary. Everything was lost. He just wanted to hold on to something that reminded him of Steve so he picked up the book that Steve was reading this morning from the bedside table. While he was flipping through the pages, a paper fell down. That was weird because he didn't remember keeping any paper in this book. Rohit picked up the paper that seemed to have a handwritten note on it. It read:
"Rohit - you might find it strange that I am leaving this note to you but I wasn't sure how else to tell you all this. The past 3 weeks spent with you has been the most blessed period in my life. I enjoyed our conversations and sharing house chores (with you helping as much with one hand ;-)). I told you that I broke off with my high school girl friend but I didn't tell you why. The reason is that I am gay and I am really attracted towards you. I noticed you coming out of your house the day we met holding a flask in your hand and I was wondering if I would ever get a chance to say hello to you. My gaydar became stronger when I noticed some gay magazines in your bathroom (apologies for snooping around). And I am telling you all this now because I didn't want to misuse your situation earlier. I completely understand if you don't find me attractive and I will be very happy to just have a platonic friendship with you. We can travel together sometimes, if you like, and I can show you the way of life in this part of the world. I really hope that we will continue to meet and keep our conversations as lively as they have been for the past few weeks. Just drop me a text if you are still comfortable to meet after all what I've mentioned above. Yours - Steve"
Tears blurred Rohit's vision while he tried to redial Steve's number on his mobile. But before he could hear the bell ring, he heard Steve's car honking outside. He ran towards the door and could see Steve holding his letter in hand. They hugged and kissed in the driveway while the dogs circled around them. Neither of them had ever imagined that an accident on a cold winter morning could lead to so much.