OUT

I'm the kind of person who has nothing against PDA. Heck, I even practiced it myself a couple of times before. I also have nothing against those people who decided to leave their life like the world is their stage. I'm sometimes like that. And being discreet is nothing new. Some practice it, some despise it. Me? Well let's just say I prefer to keep it under the radar. And so the story goes...

MB and I work for the same company. And as far as I know, nobody knows about us. Of course there are those who can “smell” people like me but they just keep it to themselves. Late last year, we decided to take our relationship to another level. We went to a friend’s wedding as a couple. Their reactions are of mixed surprise and joy. Everything is going our way. Until recently…

I don’t care what other people will think or say but as much as possible, I would like to keep our “identities” under the radar. Of course there are those that can smell us out but since they keep it to themselves, it doesn’t really matter. I just don’t get it why people need to know what I do on my own free time. I go to work to work and not to tell stories about my personal life. But of course, it can’t be helped. People have been like this for like forever.

Many of my colleagues know that I live with my partner. What captures their curiosity is why I haven’t introduced, let alone met, her. I always tell them that my personal life is mine to keep. I thought this was clear enough. I forgot the fact that there are people out there who are stubborn as me. They actually found out that my partner works for the same company. They were even able to know which department. And since they keep asking, they were able to fish the information that my partner is not a she, but a he. Not that it really matter, but I always answer their questions except when they started asking weather I’m with a guy or a girl. I will just smile and tell them: “think what you would like to think.”

Yesterday, and like all the yesterdays since I got involved with MB, I took my lunch break when he decided to go home. Our place is just 5 minutes away by cab anyway. The reason for this is because I want to eat with, and sometimes cook for MB. I never thought though that the people in the office will make a big deal out of it when a couple of folks saw us getting in a cab. I was suddenly the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to know about my relationship with MB and why did I keep it secret. I immediately notified MB about this to prepare him for what people’s reaction might be. Luckily for me, MB already developed a think skin about such controversies.

When the dust settled, a couple of friends approached me and told me how sweet of me to take time to bring my partner home everyday. How lucky I am for being able to find my life partner. And how much they envy me for my courage and strength to keep my affairs private as possible.

After all is said and done, I kept my head down and my mouth shut. MB doesn’t want people in the office to know what they don’t have to know and I will keep it that way. So what if they saw us getting in a cab. As long as we continue what we do, this will be forgotten and we can continue to live our lives like we want it. Private and peaceful.

"The moment the world decides who and what you are is the moment you died" - Anon