The morning Michael returned to the dormitory felt strangely new.
The long stone corridor smelled faintly of floor polish and incense drifting from the chapel nearby. Sunlight streamed through the narrow windows, forming golden strips across the tiled floor.
Seminarians passed by with curious glances.
"Look who survived the battlefield," one of them joked.
Michael smiled politely.
His right arm was still supported by a sling, though the bandages beneath his sleeve were smaller now.
Sam walked beside him carrying a small bag.
"I still say you should have stayed in the infirmary another week," Sam said. "Free food and no lectures."
Michael chuckled.
"You just wanted the bed."
"Exactly."
They reached their room.
Sam pushed the door open and dropped the bag onto Michael's bed.
"Home sweet home."
Michael looked around the familiar space—the wooden desks, the small crucifix on the wall, the narrow beds on opposite sides of the room.
It felt good to be back.
Lucas appeared in the doorway a moment later.
"I heard the hero returned," he said calmly.
Michael turned toward him.
A quiet smile appeared on both their faces.
Sam noticed immediately.
"Well," Sam said, stretching dramatically,
"I'll leave you two to celebrate Michael's grand survival."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"You're leaving already?"
"Actually…" Sam said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I have to travel home tomorrow morning."
Michael looked surprised.
"Why?"
"My aunt is sick. My parents asked me to come help for a few days."
Michael nodded.
"Everything okay?"
Sam shrugged.
"Nothing serious, hopefully."
Then he pointed playfully at Michael.
"And you—try not to destroy the seminary while I'm gone."
Michael smirked.
"No promises."
Sam laughed and stepped out of the room, leaving them alone.
For a moment the room became quiet.
Lucas stepped inside slowly and closed the door halfway.
"You look better," he said.
Michael sat down on the bed.
"Less broken, you mean?"
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Yes. That too."
The next day-The morning air around the seminary gate carried the quiet hum of early activity.
Michael walked slowly beside Sam along the gravel path that led toward the large iron gate at the entrance of the seminary compound. Tall mango trees lined the road, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.
Sam adjusted the strap of the small bag hanging over his shoulder.
"You really didn't have to escort me all the way here," he said.
Michael shrugged lightly.
"I needed to walk."
Sam glanced at Michael's arm still resting in its sling.
"Your doctor would disagree."
Michael smiled faintly.
They stopped near the gate where a small motorcycle waited to take Sam to the bus park.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Sam looked at him carefully.
"You know… you're smiling more these days."
Michael frowned slightly.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Sam smirked.
"Nothing. Just an observation."
Michael shook his head.
"You're impossible."
Sam stepped closer and lowered his voice slightly.
"Lucas cares about you."
Michael looked at him quickly.
Sam raised both hands.
"Relax. I'm not judging."
Michael stayed quiet.
Sam gave him a small, knowing smile.
"Just… don't get yourselves into trouble."
Michael didn't answer.
But his silence was enough.
Sam climbed onto the motorcycle and adjusted his bag.
"I'll be back before you destroy the seminary again."
Michael laughed.
"Safe journey."
The motorcycle roared softly and disappeared down the dusty road beyond the gate.
Michael stood there for a moment before turning back toward the dormitory.
Later that evening Michael met Lucas again in the small seminary library.
Stacks of theology books surrounded them.
Michael tried to focus on reading, but Lucas kept glancing toward him.
"Stop staring," Michael muttered without looking up.
"I'm not staring."
"You are."
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"You sing well."
Michael looked up.
"That again?"
"I mean it," Lucas said quietly.
Michael shrugged.
"I only sing when no one is listening."
Lucas gave him a small smile.
"I was listening."
Michael lowered his eyes again.
The silence between them felt comfortable but heavy with something neither of them fully named.
That evening the dormitory felt unusually quiet.
Without Sam, Michael's room seemed larger and emptier.
The corridor lights dimmed as night settled over the seminary.
A soft knock came at the door.
Michael opened it.
Lucas stood there.
"Sam left already?" Lucas asked.
Michael nodded and stepped aside.
Lucas entered the room and closed the door halfway behind him.
They talked for a while at first.
About classes.
About the hospital days.
About Michael's family visit.
"My sister likes you," Michael said suddenly.
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know?"
"She doesn't smile like that unless she approves of someone."
Lucas chuckled softly.
"I'll take that as good news."
The conversation slowly faded into silence.
They were sitting closer now.
Closer than they had been before.
Lucas reached forward and gently took Michael's hand.
Michael didn't pull away.
Their eyes met.
Lucas leaned closer.
This time Michael didn't move back.
Their lips met softly.
The kiss was gentle at first.
But it quickly deepened.
Weeks of tension seemed to release in that single moment.
Michael's heart raced as Lucas pulled him slightly closer.
They kissed again, slower this time, holding onto each other as if afraid the moment might disappear.
Lucas moved carefully, guiding Michael backward until he sat on the edge of the bed.
The kiss continued, warm and lingering.
But when Lucas's hand began to move lower, Michael gently caught his wrist.
Lucas immediately stopped.
Michael's breathing was uneven as he looked at him.
"I'm not ready for that yet," he said quietly.
There was no anger in his voice.
Only honesty.
Lucas nodded immediately.
"That's okay."
He moved back slightly, giving Michael space.
For a moment they simply looked at each other.
Then Michael smiled faintly.
Lucas lay down beside him on the bed.
The narrow mattress forced them close together.
Lucas wrapped one arm gently around him, pulling him into a quiet embrace.
Michael rested his head lightly against Lucas's shoulder.
The room was silent except for the faint sound of night insects outside the window.
After a while Michael spoke softly.
"In secondary school… the boys I trusted didn't stay."
Lucas listened quietly.
"They said they cared," Michael continued, "but when things became real… they disappeared."
Lucas tightened his arm slightly around him.
"I'm not them," he said gently.
Michael looked up at him.
Lucas's voice was calm but certain.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Michael studied his face for a moment.
Then he relaxed again against him.
For the first time in a long time, he felt safe.
Outside the room, footsteps suddenly echoed in the dormitory corridor.
Both of them froze.
The footsteps slowed near the door.
For a long moment neither of them spoke.
Then the sound continued down the hallway.
The danger had passed.
But one thing was now clear to both of them.
What they were building together inside that small dormitory room…
Was a secret that will soon be discovered.