When Love Begins to Heal
The soft golden light of morning slowly slipped through the edges of the curtains and entered the room.
After last night's rain, the atmosphere of Abu Dhabi felt strangely fresh. The sunlight fell gently upon the glass skyscrapers, making them shimmer, while the greenery outside looked freshly washed and renewed.
In front of the wardrobe, Richer was busy for choosing clothes for their next trip. He took out one suit, looked at it for a few moments, and then put it back. He picked another, considered it, and placed it aside as well.
Ramish sat quietly on the bed, watching him constantly fixed on it.
For several moments, Richer did not even realize how intently someone was watching him. Then, suddenly, his gaze fell upon the mirror, where Ramish's reflection—and his fixed stare upon him—were clearly visible.
He remained silent for a few moments.
Then, with a faint smile playing on his lips, he said.
"Ramish…"
Ramish immediately came back to reality.
"Yes?"
Richer asked, extending the suit he was holding towards his.
Ramish, how is this suit? I think it would be suitable for the trip we are taking today.
But instead of looking at the suit, Ramish continued staring at Richer's face.
Richer noticed it.
He picked up a shirt and playfully threw it toward Ramish.
"Stop looking at me and tell me how this suit looks."
Ramish laughed.
"I wasn't looking at you."
Richer raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"But your eyes are saying exactly that," Richer said.
Then Richer looked at him for a moment and said,
"Come on, just tell me now."
Ramish finally looked at the suit and smiled.
"It's beautiful. It will look great on you."
But you didn't even tell me where we're going today.
Richer paused for a moment, Perhaps I simply forgot to tell you.
"Today we are going to Desert Safari."
Ramish's eyes immediately lit up.
"The Desert Safari?"
"Yes."
Richer turned toward him.
"Abu Dhabi has a huge desert with enormous golden dunes. We'll get to see the beauty of the desert, ride across the dunes, and enjoy different activities there."
Ramish's excitement was almost childlike.
"I've never seen a desert before."
Richer smiled softly.
"Neither have I."
He looked at Ramish.
"But today, I'll see it for the first time—with you."
Those words made Ramish smile.
Richer closed the wardrobe and looked at him.
"Now get out of bed before the manager calls us, we won't even have time to get ready.
Ramish got out of bed, with soft smiling.
Richer said affectionately:
That's a good boy."
Ramish smiled.
"Then choose a suit for me too."
Nodding, Richer took a suit out of the wardrobe and held it up against Ramish.
"Wear this one. It will look great on you."
Ramish took the suit from him with a smile.
"Because you chose it, how could it not look good?"
Richer smiled and shook his head.
Alright, no more talking now. Get ready quickly.
And don't forget we have to go breakfast first."
Ramish said ok and walked toward the bathroom.
But before he could enter, Richer stopped him.
"Wait."
Ramish turned around.
I completely forgot to ask one thing.
"Did you eat anything last night?"
Ramish looked away.
"No."
Richer frowned.
"But why didn't you eat?
Ramish Said,"I didn't feel like it."
Saying this, he went into the washroom.
A hint of frustration appeared on Richer's face.
"Didn't have a heart? What exactly does that mean?
"Richer said with a hint of anger:
Then, a helpless sigh escaped him.
How can I finally make you understand, Ramesh? Why do you do this?
"Why are you so careless about yourself?"
There was annoyance in Richer voice; he paced back and forth in the room for a few steps.
Just then, the manager called.
The manager informed them that the car would arrive in about thirty minutes.
Richer gave a brief reply,
"All right. We'll leave after breakfast."
The manager said:
Its Sounds good sir, but I suggest keeping the breakfast very light. Because the desert trip would be long and the weather could become quite hot.
The call ended, and a short while later, Ramish Its Sounds good sir, but I suggest keeping the breakfast very light. Because the desert trip would be long and the weather could become quite hot.
The call ended, and a short while later, Ramish came out dressed and ready for the journey.
Richer's gaze rested on him for a moment.
Ramish asked with a smile:
"Tell me, how do I look?"
Running his hand over the back of his neck, Richer said:
"Really... you look great."
As soon as he saw Ramish, it was as if all of Richer anger and resentment had disappeared in an instant.
"Okay, now I'll come prepared and dressed too." Richer said:
After saying this, Richer headed towards the washroom.
Ramish said with a smile, "Richer, you are forgetting to take your clothes with you."
Saying this, Ramish picked up Richer clothes and, stepping forward, handed them to him.
Richer took them.
"Thank you."
Still distracted, Richer started walking in the wrong direction.
Ramish watched him with an amused smile.
"Richer…"
Richer stopped.
Ramish pointed toward the other side.
"The bathroom is this way."
Richer looked around.
For a moment, embarrassment appeared on his face.
"Oh…"
He quickly changed direction.
"Yes. I know."
Ramish smiled.
Richer entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
He stood in front of the mirror.
For a few moments, he simply stared at his own reflection.
"What has happened to me?"
He touched his chest lightly.
"Is this the effect of Ramish's love?"
He paused.
"Or is it because he looked so handsome today?"
His heart beat faster.
"Why is my heart and mind so out of control?"
He looked at himself again.
"Why is my heartbeat so fast whenever he comes close?"
As if searching for the answer to his own questions.
Deep inside, he already knew the answer.
Perhaps the answer was there in his heart.
But he was afraid to accept it.
After getting ready, Richer returned to the room and he saw Ramish standing near the large glass wall, gazing at the view of city.
Richer slowly approached him.
"Ramish, what are you looking at outside?"
Ramish looked outside.
"Abu Dhabi looks different after last night's rain."
These buildings, this greenery—everything looks so clean and beautiful. It seems as though the entire city is bathed in light.
Richer gazed at the scene outside;
The streets were clear. A faint layer of moisture on the buildings glistened in the sunlight, and the leaves of the trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Ramish said:
"It's a beautiful view, isn't it, Richer?"
Richer, who had been gazing at the view outside, smiled and said,
"Yes, it is truly beautiful."
There was a strange softness in his voice.
"It looks as though the rain has washed the entire city and given it a fresh new look."
Richer turned his gaze away from the view outside and looked towards Ramish.
He paused before adding,
"Maybe some journeys are like that too."
Ramish turned toward him.
"What do you mean? "I can't understand.
Richer remained silent for a moment.
"Sometimes, some journeys remain incomplete."
His voice became softer.
"And we become tangled in questions while searching for answers."
He lowered his gaze.
"But the answers never come."
A brief silence followed.
"Maybe the fear inside us wins over us."
Ramish listened carefully.
Then Richer continued,
"Yes… but maybe if the rain of love is allowed to fall upon a city tangled in fear…"
He looked toward the shining city outside.
"…perhaps that tangled city of the heart can also begin to shine like this one."
Ramish looked at him quietly.
He understood.
Richer wasn't really talking only about the city.
He was talking about his own heart.
His own confusion.
His own fear.
Ramish could have asked what he meant.
He could have asked Richer to explain.
But he didn't.
Some things, he realized, were better left to time.
Perhaps time would reveal what words could not.
After a few moments, Ramish spoke softly.
"Richer…"
Richer looked at him.
"Can I hug you?"
Richer did not say anything.
He simply nodded.
Ramish stepped closer and gently wrapped his arms around him.
For a few moments, they remained that way.
Ramish softly patted Richer's back, as if silently telling him that he did not have to explain everything.
That he did not have to answer every question today.
That sometimes, simply being present with someone is the greatest form of love.
After a while, Richer slowly stepped back.
He looked at Ramish.
"Can we go downstairs in five minutes?"
Ramish smiled.
"Why not?"
They were both ready.
Ready for a new journey.
But perhaps this journey was not only about the golden desert dunes, the long roads, or the adventures waiting ahead.
Perhaps, somewhere between the desert winds and the endless sky, they were also moving toward the questions hidden inside their hearts.
Toward hope.
Toward uncertainty.
And toward memories that might remain with them long after this journey was over.