Bonds Beyond Blood

In the dimly lit room, Nil prepared to serve the meal, but Stranger, with a swift motion, snatched the spoon from him, taking charge of the task. Astounded, Nil began, "Strangerrr..."Before Nil could finish his sentence, Stranger interjected, "Sorry, but I don't want to take any risk." A faint smile played on Nil's lips as he lowered his head.Uncle Tham's voice echoed in the background, calling for Stranger. Puzzled, Nil inquired, "Who's calling you so late at night?""Uncle Tham!" Stranger responded, answering the call promptly. Uncle Tham's words flowed through the phone."Sorry, Son, I hope I didn't bother you," Uncle Tham apologized."No bother at all, Uncle. You never bother us," Stranger assured him."I sent you and Nil's food, what Techno gave you," Uncle Tham informed."Yes, Uncle, and we were about to start eating," Stranger replied."Well, can I talk to Nil?" Uncle Tham requested."Sure," Stranger agreed, activating the speaker. Just as Nil was about to speak, Uncle Tham's commanding voice filled the room, "Nil, you will not quarrel with Kao. You better be with each other."A wry smile crept across Stranger's face, and Nil, in response to Uncle Tham's words, made a disgruntled expression. Attempting to defend himself, Nil queried, "When have I ever started a fight with Stranger, Uncle? If there's a quarrel, Stranger initiates it.""No need to say. Take care," Uncle Tham dismissed. "And Kao, I know he's a little mad, but please take care of him.""No one knows it better than me," Stranger acknowledged.Uncle Tham concluded with a warm smile, "Enjoy the meal, and take care of you both."Nil, unable to contain himself, shouted, "Uncle...unclee, It's not fair...uncleeee," but before he could continue, Uncle Tham hung up the phone. Catching Nil's eye, Stranger remarked, "See, even Uncle Tham knows you well."In the ensuing silence, Nil glanced at Stranger, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.A nuanced joy played on Nil's face, a departure from the earlier tension. Stranger, his own eyes misty, gently wiped away his tears with a steady hand and uttered, "I'm sorry, Nil. I didn't anticipate that our words would weigh so heavily on you."Nil, looking directly at Stranger, offered a smile that held a depth of meaning. Taking Stranger's hands in his own, he spoke, "It's a tear of happiness, you know. When I left my own family and country, I never imagined I'd find so much in a foreign land. I've gained so much – from Love you shorts to Uncle Tham, Marry, Techno, Achara, and..."A subtle change crossed Stranger's expression as he realized his name hadn't been mentioned among those dear to Nil. Inwardly, he wondered, "Nil took everyone's name except mine. Am I not that important to Nil?" Lowering his head, he couldn't resist the urge and sat down, pressing Nil with curiosity. "And...?"Nil, sensing Stranger's unspoken question, looked at him with a hint of mischief and replied, "And what? Nothing."Stranger felt the weight of Nil's response, his unease manifesting in the aimless stirring of the salad dish with the spoon. Observing Stranger's evident discomfort, Nil chose not to press further, offering a reassuring smile as he said, "And I found my love, my Stranger."As Nil's words resonated, the rhythmic turning of the spoon on the salad dish came to a sudden halt. Stranger lifted his head, meeting Nil's gaze with a glint in his eye and a peculiar happiness gracing his features. Without warning, Nil pressed a firm kiss to Stranger's cheek and declared, "I love you, Mr. Neptune."Stranger, moved by the gesture, pulled Nil close to his chest, his voice a soft whisper in Nil's ear, "Love you."With that affectionate exchange, they delved into their meal. Nil's selection comprised Tom Kha kai, Khao pad, and green papaya salad. Midway through their dining, Stranger, noticing the absence of Tom yum Goong curry on Nil's plate, inquired, "Nil, why didn't you take the Tom yum Goong? It's healthy, and you might like it."Nil, placing his spoon on the plate, offered a smile. After a moment, he revealed, "Actually, Stranger, I'm not particularly fond of shrimp. Moreover, I struggle with removing the shrimp thorns. You know, Stranger, back home, when my mother used to prepare this dish, she would meticulously take out the thorns. Even if I resisted eating, she'd insist, and I'd often get quite annoyed with her."A subtle smile adorned Nil's face as he shared his sentiment. Though not explicitly vocalizing his emotions, the ache of missing his mother was evident. Stranger, attuned to the unspoken depth, softly mumbled, "I think a mother's love is like that."Caught in a moment of reflection, Nil glanced at Stranger, a playful tone in his voice, "Strangerrr, did you say something? I believe you've adopted some of my traits since we've been together."Stranger grinned, responding, "Hmm, I'd like to think so, but there's nothing quite like that. Nil, why don't you make a wish for someone to pick out fish thorns for you?"Nil chuckled, his tone softening, "Really? Is that so? Well, as you suggested, I will."Closing his eyes gently, Nil sighed, expressing his wish, "God, send someone to pick up my shrimp thorns." When he reopened his eyes, Stranger held a thorn-free fish before him. Nil, captivated, gazed at Stranger, who, mirroring the sentiment, proposed, "Get angry with me today."After a beat, Nil, astonished, stared at the shrimp and, in a mockingly tearful tone, declared, "I'm very angry with you. I'm very angry with you..." Uttering these words, he embraced Stranger tightly. The scene unfolded as Stranger fed Nil a spoonful, reciprocated by Nil feeding Stranger. Thus, their dinner concluded, wrapped in an abundance of love.