You looked at me quietly, your eyes full of gentle and undisguised fondness that you no longer hide. Then you stretched out your right hand slowly, placed it in front of me gently, and said in a low and firm voice: “I do not want to be just your friend anymore. Can I walk with you hand in hand for all the days to come?” There were no fancy romantic words, no expensive gifts, no exaggerated romantic scenes. Just plain words, a sincere look, and a hand waiting for me to hold. At that moment, all my hesitation and inner tangle disappeared completely. I put my hand into your palm without any hesitation. Your palm was wide, warm and powerful, wrapping my hand tightly and firmly, as if wanting to hold all my loneliness and unease in the past tightly, and never let go again. That was our first hand-in-hand. We did not hug, did not kiss, did not make grand vows. We just held hands tightly and continued walking along the lakeside path covered with fallen leaves. The wind was gentle, the sunset was soft, and the whole world became warm and sweet because of this simple holding of hands.
