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Not on My Bucket List

When Sam goes on a gay website looking for romance, he finds more than he bargained for. Rejecting all the usual requests for hook-ups, he searches for something more sincere. And he finds it in the most unexpected of places, as he is drawn to the profile of a man in a faraway place.<br><br>Amir, an Algerian descended from desert nomads, has posted a profile looking for the love of his life. Sam finds it amazing that a gay man born in the Algerian desert has the bravery to not only declare he is gay, but also to admit his dream is to find a husband to spend his life with.<br><br>While Sam doesn’t consider himself the marrying kind, he starts chatting with Amir, telling himself he just wants to learn about another culture. His friends laugh at him, saying this man just wants to use him to emigrate to the west and take him for his money. But he refuses to believe it, sensing a sincerity he has never seen with anyone else. The two begin a dialogue that moves to weekly Skype sessions, discussions of religion and world politics, assistance with life challenges and, finally, a declaration of love ... and an invitation.<br><br>Can these two men from vastly different worlds and cultures meet and find common ground for a romance? The challenges are great, and spending a life together seems like an impossible dream. While Sam’s friends continue to discourage him, he knows he cannot give up this man. Is Amir sincere, or is Sam being used?<br><br>There is only one way to find out if Amir is really sincere. And Sam knows what he has to do.

Tom Monroe · LGBT+
Not enough ratings
55 Chs

Chapter 5

“Also, in my country I must take a test in order to qualify to go on for my PhD. I hope to qualify to take that test and do well enough on it to continue my education.”

“But wouldn’t that be expensive? College over here is very expensive, and most students incur a lot of debt even just to get a bachelor’s degree. Do you have a scholarship for your studies?”

“No, I am not that fortunate. There are not many scholarships here like in the West. I have borrowed money from various people. Banks charging interest are frowned upon in Muslim countries, as that is pretty much against our religion. I owe a lot of people a lot of money, which I will have to be sure to pay back one day, as these people have had the faith in me that I will do so.”