My Friend Was a Gay. But What He Wanted From Me Ended Our Friendship.
I never thought he would tell me to do something like this.
In 2011, a stranger sent me a friend request on Facebook. Later, he became my friend (despite our huge age difference). One year after that, everything fell apart.
Here is why.
Martin (alias) was a middle-aged gentleman who lived in California, USA and worked for US Postal Service. He sent me a friend request on Facebook in 2011. Seeing my countryman living in the USA, I gladly accepted the request.
At that time, I was a grad student — young, energetic, and adventurous. So maybe a part of me was excited to know the life in the USA.
Soon my friendship with Martin began. We started exchanging a lot of messages about almost everything.
I came to know that he immigrated to the USA in his early childhood. Now he is a middle-aged man, living alone in his house. When I asked about his family members, he said that his mom and other relatives live in a different city, and his dad passed away long ago.
Within a couple of months, we exchanged phone numbers.
Martin called me at least once a week and talked until the calling card died. We talked about so many aspects of life. He used to share his life stories and learnings. He advised me on what to do to keep my mind more active. As I had some anger issues, he inspired me to try meditation.
Martin was a lovely human being. He always encouraged me to study hard and do good. So, with time, our friendship grew stronger.
Then, one day, something unexpected happened.
I can’t remember the exact day. But it was more than six or seventh months of our friendship. Then, one morning, Martin called me. We were talking like usual. But when I asked what he was doing, he said, “I am feeling great because I just had sex.”
Though the answer was unexpected, I showed excitement and said, “Oh! Really! That’s great. I didn’t know you have a girlfriend.”
Martin replied, “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m gay. I fu*ked a man.”
“Oh! I see.” I mumbled.
But I was shocked to know that Martin is gay. As I’m not gay, being friends with a gay person felt a little weird at first. Then I thought, it’s his choice. And there is nothing wrong with it. Everything must be fine if he is not trying to change me to believe what he believes.
Time went by, and everything was going smoothly. Martin was always so kind to me. He inspired me to study hard and sometimes recommended interesting books. He was a poetry lover and a poet himself. Some of his poems were really brilliant.
Martin also wrote me a few postcards where he handwritten how he adored our friendship. I sent him a few letters too. As far as I can remember, I once sent him a three-page letter when I knew he was having a tough time.
Once, our communication got disrupted because, unfortunately, my mobile phone got hijacked. Knowing this, Martin insisted and sent me $300 through Western Union to buy a new phone. Our relationship was that close.
Even my mom and dad knew I had a middle-aged friend in the USA. They told me to invite Martin when he visits our country.
But as the saying goes all good things must come to an end, our good relationship didn’t last forever.
One day, Martin told me he wanted something from me. Something that I cannot say no to.
I was very curious. “If I can afford it, of course, I will give you. Just tell me, what do you want?” I said.
Martin hesitated for a moment. Then he asked me again, “You said you would send me what I want. So you cannot say no. Okay?”
I assured him by saying, “You’re my friend. I would be happy to help you. Tell me, what do you want, Martin?”
Then what Martin said was beyond my wildest imagination. He said, — “I want two of your used t-shirts and underwear.”
“Are you kidding, right!!!!” — I thought I heard him wrong.
Martin said, “No, I’m serious. Please, send me those.”
“What!!!!! Are you out of your mind????” I was puzzled.
Martin pleaded so that I send him those things by air. He said I must send him those if I think of him as a friend.
But I strictly refused to satisfy his weird wish. And it literally made him very upset. So, he tried to threaten me.
“I just want to smell you. Nothing else. Please, send me those. I will never ask for anything,” Martin tried one last time. “Otherwise, I don’t want to keep this friendship.”
“Friends don’t behave like that. You’re gay and I have no problem with that. But what you’re asking from me is quite objectionable. If you want to end the friendship, it’s your choice. I’m okay with it.”
I made my point loud and clear.
As I refused to send what Martin asked for, our friendship ended abruptly and unceremoniously. Martin stopped all communication.
It was indeed a very weird experience for me. I never thought Martin would end a wonderful friendship this way.
Except for that last event, I found Martin as a very well-behaved person. He was also kind and supportive. I always treated him as my big brother.
But in the end, I lost him.
Author’s note: I do respect LGBTQ+ people. I have no intention of denigrating them through this story. I kept this story hidden in me for so long. I just wanted to free myself by sharing this bizarre experience with others. Peace.
New to Medium?? Unlock thousands of AWESOME stories only for $5/mo. and OUTSHINE others — Click Me.
If you want to read more of my writings, do check out the following articles.