"The River of Fire… and Love"
Lonely is my heart, and dancing above it are the restless clouds.
It is the season of your memory… and my eyes, they rain like a monsoon.
Ramish soul cried out:
"O my indifferent beloved, when will your gracious gaze fall upon this helpless and forsaken lover?"
In the agony of your separation, this heart burns and trembles every passing moment.
Come now, grant me the sight of you, for these eyes ache with longing… they crave but one glimpse of your face.
Richer… I have forgotten what happiness means. There is no desire left in my heart except for you.
Only after parting from you did I truly learn what it means to be broken, to live in pain.
Ramish inner loneliness had reached its peak.
Every part of him had turned into a prayer — a plea to be reunited with Richer.
Every night, every moment, he raised his hands in supplication:
"O Creator of the heavens, if I cannot reach him, then send him to me. Or give me back the wings I once had. O God, bring about a miracle in this love once again."
He tried to lose himself in office work, but the wounds of his heart wouldn't let him rest.
One day, his friends at work excitedly told him:
"Ramish, we've got holidays from the office! We've all decided to go to Global Village. You must join us."
As usual, Ramish replied:
"I don't feel like going. You all go ahead."
Just then, Mehmat entered the room, smiling.
"What's the discussion?" he asked.
One of the friends explained the plan and added,
"We're all planning a trip to Global Village, but, as always, Ramish is saying no."
Mehmat looked at Ramish and gently said:
"You should go. It's a beautiful place where you can experience cultures from around the world."
Ramish sighed, his voice low and distant:
"My heart's not in it, Mehmat."
Mehmat's eyes sparkled a little:
"Should I come too?"
The friends chimed in:
"Of course! It would be great if you joined us."
Mehmat nodded:
"Then it's settled. I'm going. Ramish, you must come along too. Trust me, it'll do you good."
Ramish, after a pause, agreed:
"Alright... I'll come."
A few days later, the holidays began. The friends gathered, ready to leave in their cars.
Ramish came downstairs, dressed and quiet, and saw Mehmat already waiting.
"Come, sit with me," Mehmat offered.
Ramish got into the car, and they all set out for Global Village.
On the way, Mehmat glanced at him and softly said:
"You're quiet again. Is Richer still troubling your heart?"
Ramish nodded silently.
Mehmat smiled gently:
"Love isn't easy, Ramish. Think of it as a river of fire... you can only cross it by drowning."
Ramish looked at him, his gaze full of sorrow:
"This separation feels like the end of the world, Mehmat. Why aren't my prayers being heard? Maybe Richer never loved me… maybe I'm burning in a love that was never mutual… maybe he never even felt it."
Mehmat said kindly:
"Don't think like that. Everything will be okay."
Ramish sighed deeply:
"Why does it happen, Mehmat? That the one we fall in love with… never seems to love us back? Why do we let ourselves burn in the fire of love, only to find there's not even a spark for us in their heart?"
With teary eyes, Ramish continued:
"Mehmat… why don't we receive love in return? Why does love become a punishment?"
Mehmat replied with a soft smile:
"Because love isn't a business, Ramish. It's not something where you expect returns. Love is sacrifice, selflessness, patience… and once your heart belongs to someone, you remain loyal, no matter what. You don't ask for love in return. You find joy in their happiness. There's no bargaining in true love."
Ramish took a long breath, filled with pain:
"Perhaps it's not in my destiny that my beloved looks into my eyes the way I look into his."
He paused briefly, then whispered:
"Fire burns the wood... and love burns the soul…"
"Yes," he added softly, "I know I spent little time with Richer… but every moment I spent was filled with pure love. And, even if just for a second, I saw love awaken for me in his eyes."
Mehmat gently said:
"Have faith in your love, Ramish. You'll be united someday."
Then with a warm smile, he added:
"Today I'm going to introduce you to someone very special."
Ramish blinked, curious:
"Who?"
Mehmat smiled:
"Zuraiz."
Ramish's eyes widened in surprise:
"The same friend you once loved?"
Mehmat nodded:
"Yes, him. I told him about our holiday, and he said he wanted to spend this time with me."
Ramish said happily:
"That's wonderful! Is he coming to Global Village too?"
"Yes," Mehmat replied. "After that, I'll be heading off with him. We won't meet until after the holidays."
A few hours later, they arrived at Global Village.
Ramish looked around and said:
"Mehmat, talking to you made time fly… I didn't even realize we had arrived."
Mehmat smiled:
"I always enjoy our conversations too. Come on, everyone's here. Let's head inside."
Ramish quietly said:
"Shouldn't you call Zuraiz and let him know we're here?"
Mehmat grinned with a hint of mischief:
"No need. He'll call when he arrives, and we'll tell him where to find us. He'll take a while still."
Mehmat looked at Ramish with a faint, knowing smile and said softly,
"Besides… let him wait for me a little as well.
After all, I've waited long enough for him."
Ramish took in a deep breath upon hearing Mehmat words, his gaze lowering for a moment as if they had touched a hidden wound within his heart.
Then, in a quiet voice filled with unspoken longing, he recited:
"If ever you find the gift of spare moments,
come to me…
For there are still so many unfinished matters,
from my soul to yours soul."