The Question Beneath the Moon
The sky was adorned with stars. The whispers of the cool breeze blended a strange sense of peace into the silence of the night. Beneath the moonlight spreading across the deserted road, a car moved forward, carrying two hearts travelling in the comfort of each other's closeness.
Richer rested his head on Ramish's shoulder, his eyes closed. Meanwhile, Ramish gazed through the car window at the quiet roads stretching beyond. Tall buildings had begun to appear in the distance, and the silent desert road was gradually giving way to the city.
Feeling Richer's head resting against his shoulder brought Ramish a strange sense of peace. Yet, at the same time, he seemed to be waiting for an answer from Richer. His silent eyes spoke volumes. There was a glimmer of hope in them, but also a fear of separation. His lips seemed eager to say so much, yet the words refused to come.
After a while, Richer lifted his head from Ramish's shoulder and looked at him.
"Ramish, what's wrong? What are you looking at so seriously?"
Ramish turned his gaze towards him.
"Nothing. I was just looking outside. I'm tired, perhaps that's why I'm quiet."
With a faint smile, Richer said, "Then rest your head on my shoulder and close your eyes. You'll feel better."
Ramish stared at him in surprise for a few moments. Perhaps he had not expected such an offer from Richer. He simply looked at him without saying a word.
Noticing his surprise, Richer asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
As he spoke, he reached out towards Ramish and gently rested his head on his own shoulder.
"Now close your eyes. You'll feel relaxed."
Ramish quietly closed his eyes. It felt as though his entire being had sunk into a deep sense of peace. He remained in that state for a few moments, until Richer whispered softly,
"Ramish, can I ask you something?"
Keeping his eyes closed, Ramish replied, "Yes, go ahead."
Richer paused for a moment before asking, "Ramish, if Zuraiz had never accepted Mehmat's love, what would Mehmat have done?"
At Richer's question, Ramish's eyes immediately opened. Without lifting his head from Richer's shoulder, he asked more seriously,
"Why are you asking?"
Looking at him, Richer said, "Just like that. I want to know what Mehmat would have done if Zuraiz had never accepted his love. How would he have reacted?"
Ramish fell silent. Slowly, he lifted his head from Richer's shoulder and sat upright. The uneasiness on his face made it clear how deeply Richer's question had troubled him.
Seeing the worry appear on Ramish's face, Richer quickly said, "Why do you look so frightened? I thought perhaps Mehmat had told you something about it. If he hasn't, that's fine."
Ramish did not answer. His heart had grown heavy, and one question kept circling through his mind.
Had Richer really asked about Mehmat and Zuraiz, or was he indirectly trying to find out what his own future might hold?
Noticing Ramish's silence and uneasiness, Richer placed his hand over Ramish's.
"I think you didn't like my question. I was only asking casually. A question came to my mind, so I asked you."
Ramish's gaze remained fixed on Richer's face. He tried to understand the meaning hidden behind his words, but nothing became clear.
The car had now left the deserted roads and entered the brightly lit streets of the city. Ramish lowered the window and leaned against it, looking outside. The moving breeze tousled his hair.
Silence settled over the car once again.
A short while later, they arrived at the hotel. When the car stopped, Ramish and Richer stepped out. They shook hands with the driver, thanked him, and entered the hotel.
Once they reached their room, Richer looked at Ramish and said with a smile,
"Look, I'm still awake today, and I'm not even that tired. Otherwise, you would have had to carry me to the room again."
Ramish's expression remained serious because of Richer's earlier question. He replied just as seriously,
"Even if you came back exhausted and fell asleep every day, or simply fell asleep for no reason, I would still carry you. You may not even realise how special you are to me."
Richer looked at him for a moment. He had no answer to Ramish's words. Looking away, he said,
"All right, I'll freshen up first. Then you can go."
Ramish nodded silently.
When Richer went to freshen up, Ramish slowly made his way towards the balcony. Once there, he stood quietly, gazing at the moon.
His eyes remained fixed on it, as though he wanted to ask it something, but the words disappeared before they could reach his lips.
He stood there for a while. Moonlight fell across his face, yet it could not ease the uneasiness spreading within him.
A little later, Richer returned, refreshed. Seeing Ramish standing silently on the balcony, he approached him quietly and wrapped his arms around him.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Without looking at him, Ramish replied, "Nothing. I just felt like looking at the moon, so I came out here."
Richer smiled mischievously.
"If you feel like looking at the moon, just look at me."
Ramish smiled at his words.
Seeing his smile, Richer said, "Keep smiling like that. You don't look good when you're so serious. Now go and freshen up, then we'll rest."
Ramish nodded.
"All right."
As he turned to leave, Richer called after him,
"Ramish, come back quickly. I'm waiting for you."
Ramish paused for a moment. Turning back, he saw Richer's smiling face, and a smile spread across his own lips. Then he went to freshen up.
As soon as Ramish left, the smile on Richer's face slowly faded. He stood on the balcony, looking up at the moon. Taking a deep breath, he whispered to himself,
"Moon, I'm afraid… I'm afraid of breaking his heart. I can't make a decision. What should I do?"
His gaze remained fixed on the moon, as though he were lost in his own questions. He could feel the depth of Ramish's love and devotion, but he also knew how painful it could be to awaken hope in someone's heart and then fail to fulfil it.
A little later, Ramish returned, refreshed. Seeing Richer still standing on the balcony and looking at the moon, he asked,
"Richer, what are you looking at?"
Richer turned towards him with a smile.
"You're back? Nothing, I was just looking at the moon."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Come on, let's get some rest."
Ramish replied, "All right."
They went inside and walked towards the bed. After lying down, they looked at each other.
"Good night, Ramish."
"Good night, Richer."
They continued looking at each other until, little by little, the weight of sleep began to close their eyes.
Perhaps this night had come to bring some peace to both their hearts. But what message the coming morning would bring remained unknown.