Not only was Bhim raised in asociety where gay people and gay relationships are not accepted, he also had the pressure of high expectations set by his parents-and a cultural norm that pleasing THEM was more important than being true to himself. Long before Bhim even knew what being gay meant, he was ridiculed by his father for behaving in a way that seemed unmanly (dancing at the festival). The message Bhim received from a very early age was that there was something wrong with him. Instead of being set free from these attitudes when his father disowned him, the action only reinforced to Bhim that there was something wrong with him. I think he was not only ashamed because of the messages he received in India, but also full of guilt for not being the son his parents wanted him to be.
Jake was patient, open, and honest. He loved Bhim completely. When a person has been rejected by those who should love him the most, I think it may be difficult to feel worthy of love from another person. I'm sure the power of Jake's emotions felt a little intimidating to Bhim, as he was not used to being the recipient of or expressing such passion.
Rita makes a very valid point. What if the setting of the story had not been the west coast, but in an area where society's views were more in line with those of Bhim's parents?