Chapter 21 - Between Takes and Heartbeats

As the morning light bathed the room in a soft glow, Nil gently nudged Stranger."Wake up, my handsome boyfriend. You wouldn't want to be late for work, and neither would you want to keep me waiting," Nil playfully teased.In a sudden stir, Stranger opened his eyes and pulled Nil closer to the bed. Fixing his gaze upon Nil, Stranger couldn't help but marvel at the beauty before him."What makes you so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you?" Stranger wondered aloud.Nil, with a playful smirk, responded, "First, you called me a Blabber, and now I can also call you a Blabber..."Stranger, feigning offense, questioned, "Really?"Nil, with a soft smile, added, "But a handsome Blabber."Caught in the warmth of the moment, Stranger pulled Nil into his embrace, their lips drawing closer. However, their intimate exchange was abruptly interrupted by the persistent voice of Than calling out to Nil."Nil, where are you? We're going to be late for the studio!" Than's urgent shout echoed through the room.In frustration, Stranger muttered to himself, "Oooo, this As***le Than."Curious, Nil inquired, "Did you just say something?"Stranger, quick on his feet, replied, "Aye..ayee..might be your script lines are roaming in your head."Doubtful, Nil challenged, "How can that be possible?"Stranger, locking eyes with Nil, cheekily remarked, "Now you're roaming in my mind."As they shared a playful exchange, Stranger and Nil found themselves on the brink of another kiss. Yet, before their lips could meet, Than's voice pierced the moment once again."Oooo Nil, come on... otherwise, that pig-faced Kim will scold you again."Apologizing for the delay, Nil promised, "Sorry for being late. Just wait for two minutes; I'm coming."Before Nil could leave, Stranger seized the moment, gently kissing Nil's hand. "Sorry, I have to go, Stranger," Nil expressed with a tender smile. "I've already prepared your breakfast, so have it, and before leaving, lock the house properly, okay?"As they headed to the studio together, Stranger playfully tossed a pillow aside, reminiscing about their shared moments. The thought of Nil's kisses brought a smile to his face. After having breakfast and a quick shower, he headed directly to the office. While driving, Achara's call interrupted his thoughts."Have you done what I asked you to do?" Achara inquired.Stranger, genuinely confused, responded, "Do what?""Oh, brother, you again forgot! I asked you to buy P.Nil for today's dinner," Achara reminded him.Realizing his oversight, Stranger apologized, "Oops... I just forgot, sorry. But don't worry, I will bring him."Achara, insistent, declared, "P.Nil must come, otherwise, I won't talk to you for 1 month," and promptly ended the call.Trying to salvage the situation, Stranger called out, "Hlww, hlww... Achara..."Unable to reach Nil as he was engrossed in shooting, Stranger contemplated, "The studio is not so far, why not I go and invite him personally for dinner."Before heading to the studio, he decided to buy some snacks for Nil. Meanwhile, Than and Nil had just finished a kissing scene. Although Kim had taken two shots already, Nil seemed uncomfortable. To ease the tension, Than offered some advice."See Nil, I can understand your situation because I've faced it too. But just think, you're kissing someone you love, not me. Make it easier, imagine you're kissing P.Kao," Than suggested.Shyly smiling, Nil responded, "(being shy he smiled)...Not the bad one. Thank you, Than."In the scene, Nil was required to close his eyes. As he did, he found himself envisioning Stranger kissing him.In an unexpected moment, Stranger entered the studio, and upon witnessing Nil and Than locked in a passionate kiss, a surge of anger overcame him, visible in the fiery expression and red tint in his eyes. The snake, even slipping from his hand, couldn't escape the grasp of his frustration. Director Kim, ever observant, swiftly concluded the scene."Alright, the scene is done," Kim declared, attempting to diffuse the tension.Nil, opening his eyes, noticed Stranger standing with an expression that clearly betrayed his discontent. As Kim acknowledged Stranger's presence and tried to engage him in a discussion about music placement, Stranger's focus remained solely on Nil. Ignoring Kim's attempts to involve him, Stranger curtly stated, "Next time, I am busy now."He left the studio without a second glance, and Nil, sensing the brewing storm, followed suit, shouting after him, "Stranger... Strangerrrr!"Stranger continued walking, seemingly unaffected by Nil's calls. In a determined sprint, Nil caught up with him and held onto his hand."Strangerrr, where are you going?" Nil questioned, his voice hoarse with concern.Stranger, without breaking his stride, replied, "Wherever you mean."Nil, sensing the underlying issue, acknowledged, "See, I know you're angry with me because I kissed Than, right?"Stranger, expressing his relief at Nil's understanding, remarked, "Thank god, at least you understand why I'm behaving like this. But you could have denied the scene."Nil, with an air of helplessness, responded, "I cannot. It was a script demand, and we both belong to the same industry. So you have to understand that everything cannot be so easy to deny. For me, it means a lot. I am a newcomer, not even a native Thai. Please try to understand my difficulties."Stranger, relenting, conceded, "Okay, fine. Whatever you have to do, just do it. I am getting late; leave my hand."Nil, forcing a hug, confessed, "How do you know I kissed him?"Stranger, with a stern tone, questioned, "What do you mean?"Nil explained, "I was awkward, so Than comforted me by saying, 'you just think you're kissing someone you love, not me. Make it easier, just imagine Ummm you're kissing P.Kao.' So, with my eyes closed, I imagined I was kissing you. When Kim said it's all done, then I came to my senses. So, I was kissing my dreams, Stranger."Stranger, with a soft smile, apologized, "I am sorry."Nil, with a nonchalant tone, replied, "It's okay. By the way, my dream Stranger is much better than you."Stranger, intrigued, asked, "How?"Nil elaborated, "He never asked me any questions, believes in me, and always does what I ask him to do."Stranger, sincerely apologetic, promised, "I am sorry again, and from today, I'll always believe in you. Okay, what do you want me to do?"Nil, smiling, suggested, "I think your head is too hot now, so there's a hotel. Let's have some cold coffee or juice."Stranger, concerned about Nil's ongoing commitments, inquired, "What about your shots?"Nil reassured him, "It's a 25-minute break."They headed to a nearby cafe and ordered two cold coffees. Nil, seizing the opportunity, asked, "By the way, why did you come here? Anything important?"Stranger, recalling the purpose of his visit, explained, "Yeah, I just forgot. I came to invite you for dinner at my 'Neptune Villa.' Achara wants to meet you personally, and I promised her that I would bring you today."Nil, expressing a mix of excitement and nervousness, admitted, "Yeah, I also want to meet your family, but I am feeling a little awkward. I don't know how I will face them."Understanding Nil's concerns, Stranger reassured him, "I can understand, but you have to come at 7:00. I promise you I won't let you feel uncomfortable."With a soft smile, Nil accepted, "Okay, command accepted. Oh god, I'm getting late."Stranger, maintaining a calm demeanor, assured, "It's okay; let's go."They parted ways, heading back to their respective places.