Love, Lies, and Confrontations

In the heart of the kitchen, Than found himself under Nil's watchful gaze."Do you need something?" Nil inquired."No, I just noticed you coming in. Thought you might need a hand," replied Than.Nil's response was a sweet acknowledgment, "Oh, so sweet of you, my friend."However, an unexpected interruption occurred when something fell into Nil's eyes. Instinctively, Than stepped forward to assist, unwittingly creating a scene that appeared as if they were sharing a hidden moment.Observing this, Lava seized the opportunity to divert attention, requesting a glass of water from Stranger. As Stranger ventured into the kitchen, the peculiar sight led to a misunderstanding.Without hesitation, Stranger, misinterpreting the situation, grasped Than's collar, his hand raised in an unintended act of aggression. Lava, with a wry smile, whispered, "The drama begins."The resonating slap sounds attracted a curious audience to the kitchen, where Than stood, marked by an unintended consequence—bleeding.A heavy silence settled in the room, the air thick with tension. Nil confronted Stranger, his expression a mixture of disbelief and anger."Have you any idea what you've done?" Nil's voice, laced with frustration, cut through the charged atmosphere.With a hardened tone, Stranger retorted, "Why should I feel remorse? I raised my hand on your lover." In a burst of emotion, he flung a set of glassware across the room.Nil, raising his voice in defense, shouted, "Stranger, how many times must I say he's just a good friend? Your possessiveness blinds you."In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, Stranger issued an ultimatum. "Choose, Nil. It's me or Than. If you pick me, you leave everything behind and stay with me in my house."Nil found himself at a crossroads, his dreams pulling him one way while his heart tugged him another. "I've given up so much for my acting career," he confessed, torn between his aspirations and the love they shared. "I can't turn my back on it now."Stranger, feeling the ground shift beneath him, struggled to comprehend. "You mean more to me than anything," he uttered, his shock palpable. "But you can't let go of this damn career of yours?"The silence between them echoed with unspoken words. Nil couldn't bear to meet Stranger's eyes, a weighty silence looming over them.And then, in that charged moment, Stranger's eyes blazed with determination. "So that's it," he declared, the words hanging heavy in the air. "Let's end this. I can't navigate a relationship with someone so uncertain."The word 'breakup' struck both like a lightning bolt, leaving them stunned and raw. Nil, resigned to the outcome, acquiesced with a heavy heart, "Fine..."Stranger, his gaze burning with unshed tears, held back a flood of emotions as Uncle Tham intervened, pleading for reconsideration. Despite the entreaties, Stranger, awash with overpowering feelings, departed. The realization that Nil didn't halt him tore at his core. Meanwhile, Nil retreated to solitude, locking himself away, succumbing to the weight of unspoken regrets and tears, while everyone remained shocked outside waiting.Meanwhile, Stranger accelerated his car, navigating the roads at full speed, the echoes of the shattered relationship reverberating in the night.After a period of reflection, Nil resolved not to succumb to weakness. Refreshing himself with a face wash, he emerged with a determined smile, tending to Than's wounds before urging everyone to continue with their evening. Returning to the kitchen, Lava trailed after him, her voice laced with feigned concern. "Oh, my dear Nil, are you injured today? I had no inkling of the commotion in the kitchen. I merely found myself parched and asked for a glass of water," she remarked, her lips curving into a sinister smile.Seeing through her charade, Nil confronted her. "So, you orchestrated all of this."Lava met his gaze unabashedly. "Yes, indeed. And now, I issue you a challenge. I will snatch Kao—pardon me, I mean your Stranger—away from you, leaving you utterly powerless."Unperturbed, Nil countered, "Powerless, you say? He'll gravitate back to me.""I assure you...''With a fake smile, Lava departed. As dinner concluded, words of faith in God were exchanged, and the others left. Nil sat alone on the sofa, contemplating the situation. Than approached him, expressing remorse."I'm sorry. Everything happened because of me," Than acknowledged.Nil reassured him, "You don't need to blame yourself. In India, no love story ends without drama, and without problems, no love story is complete. Now, it's the problem in our love life, and both Stranger and I have to face it."Reflecting on their relationship, Than reminded Nil, "You're very lucky. P.Kao loves you, and he's lucky that you love him. Now, you must go and meet him."Despite his sentiments, Nil insisted, "Whatever I say, he must apologize to you for what happened today."Unexpectedly, Techno and Merry joined them, explaining that they had chosen to stay with Nil for the night. As they shared a comforting embrace, Merry advised Nil to meet Stranger and address the misunderstandings. Techno, noting Nil's newfound wisdom, remarked, "You're dumb, but nowadays, you talk like an intelligent person."Meanwhile, in the office, Stranger sought solace in alcohol, replaying the kitchen scene in his mind. Shian offered his company, but Stranger requested to be alone. Nil contacted Shian to inquire about Stranger's whereabouts and learned that he was still in the office, consumed by alcohol.Nil asked Techno, Merry, and Than to stay together until his return and ventured to meet Stranger. However, before Nil could reach him, Lava, seizing the opportunity to deepen the misunderstandings, approached Stranger. Witnessing the scene, Nil was incredulous, struggling to comprehend as Stranger, in a state of inebriation, pulled Lava onto his lap.In the wake of the emotional upheaval, Nil's heartache manifested in a tangible shattering—his phone slipping from his grasp, mirroring the fragments of his own shattered heart into a million pieces. With a heavy heart, he silently departed from the scene, leaving an aura of brokenness in his wake.As the echoes of his departure lingered, Stranger, grappling with the effects of alcohol, turned to Lava. In a voice weighted with intoxication, he uttered, "Nil... you're here. I knew you would come. You can't choose anyone but me. I love you, Nil."