Tired Souls, Tangled Hearts
The night had fully settled across the sky.
The cool breeze that followed the rain had made the weather gentle and pleasant.
Two hearts that had been tired all day finally reached the hotel.
As soon as they entered the lobby, Richer said to the manager,
"Please take our luggage to the room."
The manager responded immediately,
"Sure, sir. You may head to your room without worry. I'll bring everything right away."
The two walked slowly toward the elevator and stepped inside to go up to their floor.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, Richer sighed in exhaustion,
"I'm so tired… how will we even start tomorrow's journey?"
Ramish smiled softly,
"Don't worry. When you wake up in the morning, you'll feel completely fresh."
Richer nodded lightly,
"Yeah… maybe sleep will chase away the tiredness…"
The elevator was moving up when, suddenly, it jerked harshly and stopped.
The lights flickered twice, then dimmed to a low glow.
Both were startled.
When Ramish looked at Richer, he could see he was already frightened.
Ramish immediately held his hand and said,
"Don't be scared… I'm right here. We'll get out. Everything will be fine."
Richer quickly called the manager,
"We're stuck in the elevator… please check what happened!"
The manager contacted the staff and called back,
"Sir, don't worry. Hotel team is working on it. We'll stop the elevator at the nearest floor and get you out."
Richer said anxiously,
"Okay… please just hurry. I'm exhausted, and this defect had to happen today!"
Ramish laughed softly,
"Why are you stressing so much? They'll fix it soon…"
Then he slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.
Richer stared at him, confused,
"Ramish! What are you doing now?"
Ramish said: Don't you think we should take advantage of this opportunity?
Richer said in a panic: "Please, stay calm and don't think anything like that."
Ramish only gave a playful smile,
He took off his shirt, spread it on the elevator floor, and sat down.
"Come. Put your head on my leg and lie down until the elevator starts again. You'll feel better."
Richer said in an irritated tone,
"I'm already stressed from being trapped in here, and now you're acting strange.
And your shirt will get dirty! Why did you spread it on the floor?"
Ramish replied gently,
"It will wash and become clean again… what's the problem?
You just lie down and relax."
Richer hesitated,
"Lying like this in an elevator feels weird…"
Ramish chuckled,
"It's just us here. Come on, lie down."
Richer refusal him, shaking his head.
Ramish extended his hand with a smile,
Richer "No, I said I don't want to lie down."
Ramish: I'm asking you to help me stand up."
Richer slowly extended his hand towards Ramish, but Ramish mischievously grabbed his arm and pulled him towards him..
Richer lost balance and fell right on top of him.
Ramish wrapped his arms around him and whispered softly,
"Lie down and don't worry."
Richer finally gave in.
He lay on the shirt, placing his head on Ramish's thigh.
Ramish gently touched his face and ran his fingers through his hair.
Ramish whispered,
"Richer… keep smiling. I don't like sadness or worry on your face."
Richer said: "In a situation where you're suddenly stuck in an elevator, where would a smile come from?"
Ramish immediately said, "Isn't my presence with you enough the reason of smile?"
Richer smiled a little and then asked quietly,
"By the way, Ramish… you never told me what you bought at the mall that made you so late?"
Ramish smiled,
"You'll see when we reach the room… not now."
Richer sighed,
"Alright… then can I ask you something?"
"Ask, Richer…"
"You once told me you fell in love with me while watching my drama.
What was in that drama that made you fall in love?"
Ramish spoke slowly,
"Your expressions… your face… the tiredness in your eyes.
I still remember the scene that made me crazy for you.
You were sitting on the couch, worry covering your face,
your head tilted back, looking upward…
Richer, that moment sank into my heart and never left.
The camera captured your face… your emotions… everything—
it was like a storm that struck me."
Richer laughed,
"That's it?"
Ramish whispered,
"That was more than enough… too much.
And when I saw you in real life for the first time…
your face looked like a blooming rose,
like a poet's dream,
like the bright ray of morning…
like the moon glowing on a silent night."
"You were drunk, and I was afraid to even touch you.
But when I laid you on your bed and saw you up close…
it felt like your body carried the colors of life,
like winter sunshine,
like a fragrant breeze melting into the air.
And the first time… when I kissed your lips…
it felt like silk,
like the sweetness of honey,
like a slowly rising intoxication…"
Richer's eyes were fixed on Ramish's face,
his cheeks glowing red with shyness.
Ramish continued,
"And after that… the burning in my wings…
it wasn't easy to bear.
The marks are still on my back."
Isn't all this reason enough to love you?
Richer sat up in shock,
"Is that true? Your wings burned?
I don't even remember anything like that…
Ramesh said: Yes, that first meeting… that kiss… it was without your permission… that's why it happened.
And how would you know? You were asleep from the alcohol... I was standing next to you, yearning.
And you were enjoying your sleep, I didn't have the heart to leave you but I had to go, there was no other way.…
Do those burn marks really still exist?"
Ramish smiled gently,
"Yes. I can show you even now… if you want."
Richer quickly said,
"No… I believe you.
I wish I could have done something for you then.
And if you still had your powers today, we would have gotten out of this elevator ourselves."
Ramish laid him down again, placing Richer's head back on his thigh,
his fingers soothing his hair.
"My powers are gone, Richer…
but thankfully, my love… is still with me."
Inside the elevator, half-lit and silent,
Like one heart resting on another,
a strange closeness surrounded them—
with no fear, no tiredness—
only the soft fragrance of love was filling the air between them.
Beautiful word for love:
Love is like a cold,
If it catches you, it can make you sick.