I am 25, gay and in love with an older guy. He loves me but hides me from his friends and family. He still loves his ex-boyfriend. Help.

Name and address withheld

Look son, let me say this as bluntly as I can. I am trained to advise normal couples in abnormal situations and not abnormal couples in normal situations. Now homosexuality, while is a matter of personal preference, is something that I am not used to. Yet. So my advice would be a bit sketchy but here it is regardless. I would imagine that like it would be in the case of a girl, even in your case, you are not worthy of this lover-boy of yours which is why he hides you and is also making out (if that is possible) with his earlier lover-boy. You are the one who is getting screwed over without actually getting screwed over if you know what I mean. So I would suggest, now that you are already dumped, find yourself another boy. Attend any Fashion Week in India and you will be lucky. Simple.

My company has relocated to Hyderabad. But the compensation is very low. I’d rather study for the ICAI. Please help me decide.

Anshuk, Calcutta

Look as I’ve said in this column many a time, I’m very cagey about passing opinions on Chartered Accountants and their breed. Most of them are boring and lack a sense of humour besides which, what kind of life is one where all you’re pressing is keys on a calculator. So I’ll not advise you either to study or not study for the ICAI: take a look around and see how many bright interesting CAs you can spot. In our times, CAs like A. P. Singh were superb debaters but even that era is over. Now as for Hyderabad: you must relocate and become part of the Telengana movement: and if by chance you’re shot by mistake, then you’ll also be on national television. So what would you rather want? Die by becoming a CA or die and become a martyr? Again, I’m passing no value judgment on CAs. God bless them and their families.

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25, Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous

(Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)

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