The Tender Confessions of Love and Longing:
After finishing their meal, both of them quietly settled onto the sofa. Silence lingered between them for a while before Ramish turned his gaze toward the hotel balcony and softly asked:
"Shall we go out to the balcony together?"
Richer replied gently, "Not now… I'm too tired. I just want to sleep."
Ramish rose, walked toward the balcony, and stood gazing at the sky. The moon was glowing brilliantly, as if it too rejoiced in the reunion of Ramish and Richer. Turning back, Ramish found Richer's eyes already fixed upon him.
With a tender smile, Ramish asked, "Richer… why are you looking at me with such wonder? Have you fallen in love with me?"
Richer smiled faintly, shaking his head in disbelief:
"Ramish, I can hardly believe it myself—seeing you again. Sometimes wings, sometimes impossible encounters… and now suddenly you, here with me after so long. Do miracles like this truly happen in love?"
Ramish whispered, "Yes, Richer… if the love is true, miracles do happen."
Pointing towards the sky, Ramish added softly:
"Look, Richer… the moon tonight shines so brightly—like a celebration of joy."
Richer smiled and said, "You watch it. I'm fine right here."
Ramish, with loving eyes, gestured for him to come closer. Richer shook his head in refusal. For a moment, the silent gaze sparked a war of gestures between them. At last, Richer laughed, stood up, and joined him on the balcony.
Ramish lifted his hand toward the sky:
"Look at the moon, Richer… see how it glows tonight. Richer, I have always been looking for your reflection in the moon. There hasn't been a any single night, when I haven't spoken to the moon it about you. This moon has been my witness—of longing, of separation, of countless nights I've to spent in the burning of your absence. Ask the moon itself, and it will tell you."
Richer raised his eyes and said quietly:
"Ramish, do you remember? You told me last meet up to stand at my own balcony and look at the moon. And every time I did, memories of you rushed back. The feeling of your absence haunted me in the moonlight. Every time I looked at the moon, your face would be made in my heart. After you left, I stood alone for many nights, staring silently at the moon, remembering you."
Ramish, moved, reached for Richer's hand and clasped it with gentle warmth. His voice trembled with tenderness:
"Richer… have I made a place in your heart? Do you love me too?"
At this, Richer fell silent, his gaze drifting toward the moon. Then in a low, almost breaking voice, he said:
"Ramish… I don't know if what I feel is love. That is love or not. But the moments I've spent with you—I can never erase them. The way you appeared suddenly in my life, cared for me, confessed your love, those five nights, those impossible journeys under the stars… all of it filled my life with a storm. I have too burn in all of this, Ramish."
Richer's face grew heavy with sadness.
Ramish gently drew him into his arms and whispered softly:
"Richer… I will wait for the day when you fall in love with me."
Richer smiled, nodded gently, and replied:
"Ramish… these two weeks are the most precious days of my life. I want us to live each moment in such a way that every second becomes a beautiful memory… memories that will always bring peace to our hearts."
Ramish fixed his gaze on Richer's face and softly said:
"Richer… can't you stay with me? Can't we live together?"
With a faint sadness, Richer answered:
"It's difficult, Ramish… We are from two different countries, two different culture, different environments, and different lives. It's not that simple."
Hearing this, Ramish's face dimmed. He quietly turned away and looked up at the moon. Richer came from behind, held him tightly with lovingly, and rested his head on Ramish's shoulder.
"Ramish, don't be sad… I just want us to enjoy every moment. Tonight… I want to watch the moon with you."
Ramish turned, pulled Richer close, and whispered:
"You look at the moon in the sky, Richer… and tonight, I will look at my moon."
Saying this, he gazed deep into Richer's eyes and placed your lips on Richer Lips. Richer blushed, trying to pull himself back, but Ramish's hold kept him locked in his embrace. Richer's breath trembled as he whispered:
"Ramish… if you want to sleep in my room tonight, then let me go right now… otherwise you'll have to sleep on the couch outside."
Ramish laughed, releasing him, and said:
"Fine… but remember your words. I want you to let me sleep beside you every night."
Richer's eyes sparkled mischievously as he replied:
"We'll see…"
As Ramish stepped forward, Richer teasingly moved back until he was pressed against the glass wall. Ramish slid his hand to Richer's neck, brushing his thumb over the small mole on his throat, then kissed it tenderly. Richer's breath grew heavy, his body shivered with nervousness.
Suddenly, Richer pushed him away with a quick motion and laughed:
"Seems like you really do want to sleep outside, Ramish."
With that, he ran into the room and shut the door behind him.
He leaned against the door, placed his hand over his chest… his heartbeat racing, cheeks flushed with redness, and lips curved in a shy smile.
Outside, Ramish knocked softly on the door and said playfully:
"Alright, I won't do it again… but I must sleep with you tonight."
From inside came Richer's smiling voice:
"This is the punishment for that kiss, Ramish… tonight you'll sleep outside."
Ramish leaned against the door, silent, his heart racing with a faint smile on his lips, as if the love and playfulness of that moment had carved itself deep into his soul.
He closed his eyes and said the poetry line:
Your eyes are a wonder, my beloved,
That the heart wants to drown in them.
If I behold you just once,
I forget the world, I just remember you.