The Clay of Love

The air between them seemed to shimmer with a delicate intimacy as Stranger felt the warmth of Nil's breath against his shoulder. In that suspended moment, time itself appeared to hold its breath. The lines of Nil's face were softened in the tranquility of his expression, a serene relief evident in the upward curve of his lips and the gentle rise of his cheeks.As they stood in that quiet embrace, a sudden awareness brushed through Stranger like a cool breeze. His gaze shifted, catching sight of Lata approaching their room, engrossed in conversation with Shima, Nil's aunt. It was as though fate itself had conspired to interrupt their private moment, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of their connection.With a silent urgency, Stranger gently urged Nil to step back, his voice a whispered warning tinged with both urgency and reluctance. "Nil, we must part," he murmured, his eyes darting to the impending arrival of Lata and Shima. With a swift motion, he closed the door behind them.Lost in the private world they'd constructed, Nil's fingers tightened around the breadth of Stranger's chest, anchoring himself in a moment of undeniable intimacy. Oblivious to the world beyond their cocoon, they existed in a silent exchange of solace and understanding.But the intrusion of reality, relentless as ever, came with a gentle rap upon their door. Lata's voice, soft yet insistent, pierced their sanctuary, reminding them of their surroundings.Stranger hesitated, torn between the intimacy shared with Nil and the impending presence of Lata.Yet, Nil remained steadfast, his grip unyielding, as if unwilling to release the safety of their embrace. With a gentle insistence, Stranger's voice broke the silence, a whispered plea laced with urgency, "Nil... your mother calls."Nil's response came in a distracted murmur, his focus still consumed by their shared moment, "Hmm..."Stranger's attempts to redirect faltered against Nil's resolve, his voice carrying a tinge of resignation, "Your mother awaits, Nil..."With stubborn determination, Nil's voice rang out, drowning all other concerns as he clung to Stranger, "Ma, I am engaged. I'll attend to you later."Lata's acquiescence drifted through the door, a gentle acceptance tinged with concern, "Very well, but do not dally. I'll be waiting."Stranger attempted to turn away, but Nil's hold tightened, refusing to let go. With a strained voice, Stranger questioned, "Are you not content with causing me enough pain? Must you also destroy me entirely?"Nil's grip faltered at Stranger's words. "Without you, I am but an empty vessel, devoid of purpose," Nil confessed softly. "Without you, my existence was akin to wandering aimlessly, devoid of direction." Stranger turned to face Nil, their eyes locking in a silent exchange.Nil continued, his words flowing uninterrupted. "This chamber is hardly conducive to such discussions," he remarked, his gaze unwavering. Despite Nil's insistence, Stranger remained silent.Nil and Stranger found themselves seated upon the lush green grass beside the tranquil waters of the Nabaganga River. The river flowed steadily, its waters shimmering in the gentle sunlight. Above them arched a sturdy bridge, while the vast expanse of the sky stretched out endlessly in hues of blue.Seven cows grazed nearby, contentedly munching on the verdant grass. In the distance, a few women went about their daily chores, their movements imbued with a serene tranquility that permeated the surroundings.Seated facing the river, they were enveloped in the soft caress of the mild breeze. It was a moment of quietude, of peaceful contemplation.Breaking the silence, Stranger's voice pierced the calm. "When do you plan to depart?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the flowing waters."I need to arrange tickets and flights..." Stranger's words trailed off, his attention elsewhere, not meeting Nil's gaze.Nil sighed, sensing the weight of disappointment in Stranger's demeanor. Summoning his courage, Nil finally spoke, "Stranger, there are a few things I need to discuss with you..."The weight of disappointment etched across Stranger's face was palpable, his expression a mosaic of dashed hopes. "Hmm," he uttered, his tone heavy with unspoken regret.Turning to face Stranger, Nil's voice carried a tone of sincere apology. "Stranger, I'm truly sorry...""I was lost in confusion, uncertain of how to navigate the intricacies of our connection... I never intended to jeopardize your happiness," Nil continued, his words tinged with remorse.Flushed with emotion, Stranger's eyes betrayed the turmoil within as he met Nil's gaze. "I wish I could simply switch off these feelings I have for you," he confessed softly, the ache evident in his voice."But as we both know, some things defy the constraints of our desires," he added, a note of resignation threading through his words."I, too, find myself unable to suppress the emotions that have taken root within me," Nil admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of their shared predicament."And perhaps I bear responsibility for failing to adequately convey the depth of my feelings for you," he conceded, a sense of regret coloring his confession.Tears welled in Nil's eyes as he reached out to grasp Stranger's waist, his touch seeking solace in the warmth of their connection. "It's not your fault," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion."But my love for you runs so deep that the mere thought of causing you pain rends me apart. You are my world, Stranger," Nil confessed, his words a testament to the depth of his devotion. Recalling the moment Ms. Nin had unveiled the damning footage, Nil's heart had plummeted with shock. "I thought I was guiding you toward your true self, not unwittingly pushing you away," he admitted, his voice trembling with regret.Stranger's response was tinged with frustration as he countered, "You jumped to conclusions without ever hearing my side. That clip is ancient history, damn it..."With a firm resolve, Stranger declared an end to the conversation, rising from his seat. Yet, before he could depart, Nil's hand closed around his, pulling him close. Resting his head upon Stranger's reassuring shoulder, Nil's voice was barely a whisper as he confessed, "I wish to bury this dark chapter deep within the recesses of memory, Stranger... Forgive me."As Stranger's head leaned gently against Nil's, a quiet understanding passed between them, unspoken yet deeply felt.In the bustling streets of Bangkok, Achara and Than's concerns for their missing companions weighed heavily on their minds. Than suggested, "Achara, perhaps you should reach out to your brother..."Achara hesitated, torn between her worry and her desire not to intrude. "I do worry, but I hesitate to disturb him.""You're just overthinking..." Than's voice trailed off, his own worry evident.Achara shook her head. "Perhaps..."As Stranger and Win revisited the familiar tea stall, Nil's request for extra sugar went unheeded, the tea still lacking in sweetness. Sampling various street delicacies, from kabab to jhal-muri to pani-puri, Stranger eventually succumbed to the effects of their gastronomic adventure, his hand resting on his protesting stomach."Nil, I fear I can go no further," he confessed, his discomfort evident."It's time we head home. Aunt has been wanting to speak with you," Nil reminded him, a sudden realization dawning upon him."Oh, I had completely forgotten," Nil admitted, a tinge of guilt coloring his tone.As they stepped through the threshold of their home, they were greeted by a scene that left them dumbfounded. The air was abuzz with the frenetic energy of preparation, each member of the household engrossed in their tasks. Yet, amidst the bustling activity, there was a palpable sense of joy rather than weariness.Caught in the whirlwind of the moment, Lata's gaze fell upon them, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and disappointment as she summoned them forth. "Nil, come here..."Nil and Stranger obediently approached, only to be met with an unexpected twist of Nil's ear by Lata, prompting a sharp cry from him. "Ma, it's hurting...""What will my friend think of me?" he protested, a hint of concern tinging his voice.A subtle smirk graced Stranger's lips as Lata retorted, her tone firm, "That's of no consequence...""The Kali veneration is tomorrow. I had asked you to speak with me..." Lata's words hung heavy with reproach."You never made the effort to approach me, and now you come at this late hour..." she continued, her frustration evident."Ma, I never meant to be disrespectful. Stranger insisted on taking me outside. I tried to resist, but he wouldn't listen," Nil explained, his voice tinged with regret.Lata's gaze bore into Stranger's, his eyes widening as he retorted, "You're a liar! I never asked you to accompany me!"Unwavering, Lata responded, "I trust Kao implicitly. He wouldn't deceive me. It must have been you who led him astray."With a deep sigh, she continued, "Now, as punishment, you must fashion 100 clay lamps..."Nil's eyes shot up to his brow in disbelief, "But Ma, I..."Ignoring his protest, she turned away, attending to her tasks. Nil glared at Stranger, a blend of fury and exasperation crossing his features. Yet, despite his efforts, Stranger couldn't contain his amusement, erupting into laughter.As Nil diligently crafted the lamps as his punishment, his thoughts churned with a mixture of resentment and sorrow. "He always claimed he loved me dearly, yet now he's nowhere to be found," he muttered to himself. "He's probably resting while I endure this ordeal because of him... Stranger, I loathe you."Meanwhile, across the globe in Thailand, anticipation buzzed as the first teaser for 'Love Your Shorts' hit screens. Within a mere six hours, it soared to an astonishing 25 million views on YouTube, igniting a fervent longing for the full series. In his room, Stranger found himself immersed in the quietude, until his phone rang, Achara's name flashing across the screen."Achara, how are you?" he greeted warmly.Achra, sensing the tone of Stranger's voice, gleaned that all was well between him and Nil. "Brother, I couldn't be happier for you," she remarked.There was a pregnant pause on Stranger's end."Nil must be preparing to journey to Bangkok," Achara ventured, breaking the silence.Stranger's smile held a glimmer of recognition. "How do you know?" they asked, their tone tinged with curiosity.Achara's response came with a gentle certainty. "There's a reflection of happiness in your voice. And only Nil could bring about such joy."With a hint of anticipation, Stranger replied, "We'll be there soon."Achara's excitement bubbled over. "Oh, brother, just hurry and come... I love you!"Achara's smile waned as she uttered, "Brother, there's something of utmost importance that I need to share with you...""What is it?" Stranger's voice was laced with curiosity."Nil's series teaser has just been released..." Achara's tone carried a weight of concern, "Then trouble may be on the horizon for you and Nil. Please, try to make your way here as soon as possible.""I'm already aware," Stranger replied tersely, "There's an event scheduled for tomorrow, but I'll make my way over the following day.""Alright, take care, Achara. We'll speak later," Stranger concluded, and the call came to an end. As the connection severed, a glimmer of satisfaction and relief flickered in Achara's eyes.Nil sat amidst the scattered remnants of his labor, his weary gaze lifting as a figure materialized before him. Stranger, with an enigmatic smile, seemed to emerge from the ether, a silent observer of Nil's wearied state. Mud clung to Nil's features, a testament to his toil and frustration.With a mixture of exhaustion and resentment clouding his eyes, Nil directed his gaze upward, meeting Stranger's gaze. "Because of you, I find myself in this plight," he declared, his voice thick with weariness and a simmering anger.Stranger, unperturbed by Nil's accusation, responded with a calm assurance, "It wasn't my actions that led you here. Rather, it is the consequences of your own deeds, your own karma."Perplexed and perhaps seeking solace in Stranger's presence, Nil questioned, "How could you say such a thing, Stranger?"Seating himself opposite Nil, Stranger reached out, gently wiping away the mud that obscured Nil's features. His voice, soft and reassuring, carried a hint of empathy as he spoke, "You once professed your love for me."With a tenderness that belied his cryptic words, Stranger continued, "Know that my feelings for you remain unchanged. But sometimes, we must confront the consequences of our actions, however undesired they may be."Nil smiled softly, his eyes gleaming with a gentle warmth. "Don't tease me," he said, his voice carrying a hint of playful reproach.Stranger shook his head earnestly. "I'm not teasing," he insisted, his tone sincere."Alright, let me assist you then," Nil offered kindly.His caring tone enveloped the room as he continued, "There's no need, it can be quite challenging."Stranger persisted, determination evident in his gaze. "But I want to learn from you," he stated earnestly.As Nil began guiding him through the process, he reached for a handful of clay and began to shape it from its center. Despite his efforts, Stranger found his attention repeatedly drawn to Nil's captivating presence, struggling to focus on the task at hand. Eventually, Nil handed him a handful of clay, his gaze unwavering as he gently chided, "If your mind is elsewhere, please lend me your help."Attempting to conceal his distraction, Stranger feigned indifference. "I wasn't looking at you," he protested weakly.But Nil, with a knowing smile, countered, "You were indeed looking at me."As Stranger reached for the clay, his companion, Nil, seized it from him without a word, plunging into a futile endeavor that soon faltered. Amidst the struggle, laughter erupted from Nil, who playfully smeared mud across Stranger's cheeks and nose. Caught off guard, Stranger reciprocated, only to be met with a sudden push from Nil, a departure from his usual demeanor. Perplexed by Nil's uncharacteristic behavior, Stranger attempted to protest, but Nil silenced him with a finger pressed gently against his lips."Shh... why must you always be so effortlessly handsome?" Nil teased, puckering his lips in jest, inching closer as if to bestow a kiss.Feeling a rush of embarrassment, Stranger scanned their surroundings anxiously. Their private moment interrupted by approaching footsteps, they hastily composed themselves, adjusting their attire. Just as they did, Lata appeared before them, her voice carrying a gentle reprimand."I asked for clay lamps, not for you two to indulge in a mud bath," she chided softly, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.Both Nil and Stranger lowered their heads in sheepish acknowledgment, but Lata's smile softened her admonishment. With a maternal tenderness, she offered a directive."Go on now, both of you. Freshen up," she said, her tone gentle yet firm.Despite Lata's suggestion to freshen up, both Nil and Stranger opted to remain, their determination unwavering. With a nod of understanding, Lata joined them, and together they embarked on the task of crafting clay lamps.Stranger, unaccustomed to such endeavors, exerted himself earnestly, his efforts mirrored by Lata's encouraging smile. As beads of sweat mingled with the remnants of mud on his brow, Lata gently wiped them away, eliciting a grateful flutter within Stranger's chest. It was a sensation foreign to him – the warmth of maternal affection.In that fleeting exchange of smiles, a silent acknowledgment passed between them, weaving a bond forged in the crucible of shared labor and tender care. For Stranger, each moment was a revelation, a glimpse into the tender embrace of a mother's love, a sentiment he had long yearned for but never dared to imagine experiencing firsthand.