The gift of love and the stirring of hearts:
Soft, mellow music played inside the car. Ramish slowly reached out and placed his hand on Richer's leg.
Richer looked up in surprise at Ramish, who simply gestured toward his hand.
With a teasing smile, Richer asked through his eyes, "What?"
Ramish didn't say anything — he just gently took Richer's hand and placed it on top of his own, intertwining their fingers together.
Richer looked at him softly, smiled, and said nothing.
Talking, laughing, and teasing each other, they drove toward the mall.
When they arrived, they got out of the car and started walking inside.
Ramish once again held Richer's hand.
Smiling, Richer asked,
"Ramish, why are you holding my hand like a child?"
Ramish instantly replied,
"Not like a child — like a couple."
Richer looked at him deeply, smiled faintly, and said,
"Alright then, let's go."
Ramish felt both surprised and happy.
They entered the mall together, followed by the manager.
The mall was grand and beautiful — filled with colors, lights, fragrance, and laughter.
Richer turned to the manager and said,
"You can wait for us in the lounge. We'll do a bit of shopping and come back. If you want to get something for yourself, feel free. We'll meet you there."
The manager politely replied, "Sure, sir. If I move around, just give me a call."
Richer looked at Ramish and said,
"Come on, we'll first get you some clothes, then we'll grab something to eat."
Ramish nodded, "Alright."
They entered a branded clothing store.
Richer said, "Pick whatever you like for yourself."
Ramish smiled and said,
"Richer, you choose for me."
Richer grinned. "Alright, I'll pick pants and shirts for you."
Ramish started browsing through the clothes, but when he saw the price tags, he fell silent.
Everything was far beyond what he could afford.
He tried to look for something cheaper, but every tag felt heavier on his heart.
Meanwhile, Richer had chosen a beautiful suit.
When he turned around, he saw Ramish staring at a price tag, worry written all over his face.
Richer sighed softly, smiled, and said,
"Ramish, look at this suit! The color will suit you so well — go on, try it. Let's see how it looks."
Ramish took the suit hesitantly, looked at the tag, and said quietly,
"Richer… let's check somewhere else. I don't really like this one."
Richer looked surprised.
"You don't like the one I chose?"
Ramish quickly replied,
"It's not that… it's nice, but—"
"But what?" Richer asked gently.
"Go on, just try it once. Let's see."
Ramish said softly,
"Alright, but Richer… it's too expensive. It's way beyond what I can afford.
Please, let's go somewhere else and look for something cheaper."
Richer took Ramish's hand and said in a warm, tender voice,
"Ramish, why do you worry about money? I'm here, aren't I?"
Ramish quickly responded,
"No, I can't let you spend on me.
You're already taking me out and covering everything — that's more than enough.
And about clothes… I'll just wear yours."
Richer looked into his eyes for a moment, then spoke softly,
"Don't look at the price of these clothes, Ramish. Look at me — at your feelings for me.
When you wear this suit with my love behind it, you'll look perfect. Believe me."
Then, smiling tenderly, he added,
"This suit… is a gift from me to you."
Ramish said gently,
"Richer, I'm not used to receiving such expensive gifts."
Richer replied,
"Ramish, a gift has no price — and one should never measure the cost of a gift, only the love behind it.
So, take it as a token of my love… and accept it."
Ramish fell silent for a moment.
A mix of surprise and softness spread across his face.
There was such sincerity in Richer's voice — that kind of sincerity that melts the heart.
Ramish finally accepted the suit.
When he came out of the changing room wearing it, Richer seemed frozen in time for a few seconds.
His eyes locked onto Ramish — the first time he had looked at him like that, as if his gaze refused to move.
Something stirred inside Richer, something strange and powerful.
He didn't quite understand it, but his heartbeat had forgotten its rhythm.
Softly, he said,
"Ramish… you look really good in this suit."
Ramish blushed a little and asked,
"Really? Do I look that good?"
Richer smiled gently,
"Yes, very good. Look in the mirror yourself if you don't believe me."
Ramish turned toward the mirror — and even he was surprised.
Maybe Richer was right… he did look good.
Richer said,
"Alright then, let's get it packed."
Ramish replied,
"Okay, I'll take it off and bring it."
As soon as Ramish went back into the changing room, Richer picked up two or three more suits and knocked on the door.
From inside, Ramish's voice came,
"Who is it?"
Richer replied softly,
"It's me…"
Ramish said,
"Give me two minutes."
Richer, teasingly, said,
"No, open the door."
Ramish laughed,
"Richer, this is a public place!"
Richer laughed too,
"Come on, just open it a little."
Ramish opened the door slightly, and Richer handed him the clothes.
"Try these on too — let's see which one suits you best."
Ramish smiled,
"No, I don't want them."
Richer replied gently,
"I didn't say you have to take them. Just try them on one by one — I want to see how they look on you."
Ramish smiled and said,
"Alright, I'll come out in a minute."
A little while later, he came out wearing the first suit.
Richer looked at him carefully,
"This one looks good too. Try the next one."
The second suit fit him perfectly as well.
But when Ramish came out wearing the last suit, the moment seemed to stop.
Richer's eyes froze on him.
His heartbeat quickened.
Ramish looked radiant — bathed in light.
There was simplicity in his eyes but an irresistible charm on his face.
Richer just stood there, silently gazing at him.
Ramish asked softly,
"Richer? How do I look?"
But Richer seemed lost somewhere else, like in another world.
Ramish asked again, gently,
"Richer… where did you drift off to?"
Richer blinked, as if waking from a dream.
"Ramish, you… you look amazing."
Flustered, he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.
"Alright, go change now. We'll just keep the one you like and return the rest."
Ramish nodded,
"Okay, I'll be right back."
When Ramish went back inside, Richer placed his hand on his chest.
His heart was beating out of rhythm.
He whispered to himself,
"What's happening to me?
Why does my heart beat were so faster when I see Ramish like this?
Could it be… am I falling in love?"
Before he could finish that thought, Ramish returned with the clothes.
Ramish Said: "Richer, let's get this one packed and return the rest."
Richer steadied himself and said calmly,
"Alright."
After paying the bill, they both left the store.
A few steps ahead, Richer stopped and said,
"Ramish, wait here. I think I left my card at the counter. I'll go get it."
Ramish said,
"I'll come with you."
Richer quickly replied,
"No, it's fine. I'll be right back."
He went back inside, approached the counter, and asked the salesman,
"The clothes I asked you to keep aside — you still have them, right?"
The salesman nodded,
"Yes, sir, just as you said."
Richer smiled,
"Good. Bill them all."
Then he immediately called the manager and said softly,
"I've paid for some clothes here at this store.
Please have them placed in the car.
And if Ramish asks, tell him they're mine."
The manager replied,
"Understood, sir."
Richer took a deep breath, steadied himself, and walked back out.
Ramish smiled and asked,
"Did you find your card?"
Richer forced a casual look and said,
"Yes, the shopkeeper had kept it aside. He gave it back when I went in."
Ramish nodded,
"Alright then, let's go."
Richer looked at him quietly —
and that same wild heartbeat began again in his chest.
Ramesh recited a poem in his heart:
We are not that beautiful, but yes, love.
When we look at someone with all our heart,
we leave them lost—in a sweet confusion.