Chapter 30 - Between Love and Agony

In the kaleidoscope of emotions, Stranger's eyes flared crimson at the sight of Nil with Than, a reflection of the agony that mirrored Nil's inability to witness Stranger with Lava.Yet, the intricate dance of changing partners unfolded. After two intricate rounds, Nil found himself entwined with Stranger, the latter's grasp on his waist unwavering. In a whispered exchange:"PKaoo, you're hurting me," Nil uttered, adorned with a pained yet beautiful smile."P.Kao? Whose name is that? I recall being Stranger," mused Stranger, his words a veil concealing the turmoil within."You may have forgotten the definition of 'Stranger,' but not me. Now, I know you intimately," Nil responded, a revelation tinged with heartache.As the partners shifted once more, Nil, attempting to depart, found himself ensnared by Stranger's renewed grip. Onlookers observed the unfolding drama, Sir Mew discreetly wiping away the beads of tension."What're you doing? Everyone's looking at us. Let me gooo," pleaded Nil, a lamentation echoing through the emotional turbulence.With a soft tone, Stranger implored, "Goo, goo, Nil. If you can. I won't let you go. I don't release what's mine so easily.""People and the media are seeing us. Ouch, you're hurting me again," Nil exclaimed, the ache palpable in his voice."I am hurting you, but not long ago, you reveled in Than's touch. You craved his lips on yours, yet you resist mine," Stranger observed, his touch exploring Nil's lips and neck, a poignant reminder of unrequited desire.With a tired, heartbroken smile, Nil retorted, "It should not be your concern.""Your heart is full of me, isn't it, Nil?" Stranger questioned, the weight of his words heavy with unspoken pain."My heart is not like yours, casually discarding its inner love through fleeting encounters," Nil asserted, the echo of his convictions resonating through the emotional chasm."If you know so much, then tell me who I slept with," demanded Stranger, his grip tightening as an unspoken challenge hung in the air."Moreover, I've given up," Nil confessed, a surrender wrapped in a cloak of vulnerability.Holding Nil's waist with increasing intensity, pain masked by a persistent smile, Stranger questioned, "Given up on what?"Their lower bodies intimately entwined, Stranger's touch spiraled out of control, a tumultuous blend of desire and conflict. Nil, torn between resistance and surrender, found himself ensnared in a web of emotions, and Stranger, attuned to the silent language of the heart, realized the depth of Nil's unspoken surrender.In the shadowed corridors of media intrigue, the senior figure whispered commands to the junior, urging a relentless focus on Stranger and Nil. A clandestine exchange unfolded a whispered secret between the protagonists, with the promise that their love story, once broadcast, would catapult their channel to unprecedented heights in Bangkok. The directive was clear: let the world be consumed by the enigmatic dance of Nil and Stranger.As the unfolding drama captured the attention of onlookers, Lava, Than, and a sea of faces bore witness to the chaos. Mew, his disapproval evident, admonished Kim for allowing the inevitable collision of destinies."I warned you not to let them meet tonight," Mew lamented to Kim, the repercussions of their encounter echoing in the whispers of the crowd.Caught in the spotlight, Nil sensed the collective gaze and, overwhelmed, pushed Stranger away, seeking refuge in the anonymity of the washroom. Kim, intervening, urged Stranger to face the media and request Than's presence for Nil.Amidst the chaos, Than entered, responding to Nil's distress. He embraced Nil, offering solace and counsel in the face of mounting pressure."What happened, Nil? You can't shelter yourself like this. Every media outlet, every guest is asking about you. Be strong," Than implored, a pillar of support.Nil, tears staining his resolve, confided, "I just can't hold myself when I see Stranger near me, his continuous touch..."Understanding the complexity of Nil's plight, Than reassured him, "It won't be easy, but you have to think about your mom. She will help you face this situation."With newfound resolve, Nil wiped his tears and declared, "You're right. I have to attend to this. Let's go."After a brief respite, Nil returned to the hall, ready to face the storm. Director Kim, emphasizing the stakes for "Four More Shots" and Nil's career, implored him to dance with Than, despite the evident turmoil."I am sorry, Sir. I won't repeat this mistake," Nil promised, a pledge born of desperation.As the announcement echoed through the venue, Stranger, lost in a sea of alcohol, refused to relent. Lava, unable to temper his excesses, sought help from Shian, but the unreachable phone left her helpless. Director Kim, seizing the moment, announced a dance performance by Nil and Than, intending to shift the narrative.The stage was set, and amidst the rhythmic cadence of the series' title song, Nil and Than took the spotlight. Unbeknownst to the audience, Senior Media honed in on Stranger, capturing his shattered wine glass and bleeding hand. Lava attempted to tend to him, but Stranger, consumed by intoxication and passion, took the stage by storm.In an unexpected twist, Stranger forcefully ousted Than and, with a bleeding hand and undeniable fervor, danced romantically with Nil. The crowd, was entranced by the collision of pain and passion.In the hushed aftermath, Nil's concern spilled forth as he whispered to Stranger, his words carrying the weight of worry."What madness is this? You're bleeding, Stranger. You need first aid," Nil urged, his voice a tender melody tinged with concern.Stranger, caught in the dance of emotions, questioned, "Why do you care for me? Why the jealousy when Lava danced with me? Admit it, you can't bear to see me with anyone.""Jealous, my ass," Nil retorted, a facade of indifference masking the turmoil within.Desperate to address Stranger's wound without disrupting the dance, Nil tightly clasped Stranger's hand, in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. Yet, Stranger, lost in a haze, seized the opportunity to breach boundaries, his grasp wandering."You're crossing your limits, P.Kao," Nil protested, a line drawn in the sand.Looking into Nil's eyes, Stranger asserted, "No, I am not. I have a full right on you."As their intricate dance unfolded, each guest and member of the media captured the unfolding spectacle. A palpable awkwardness hung in the air, intensified as Stranger drew dangerously close to Nil's lips. The audience, suspended in anticipation, believed a kiss was imminent.In a surprising twist, Stranger's lips grazed Nil's, leaving everyone in stunned silence. The tension reached its zenith, pushing Nil to a breaking point. With a forceful push, he distanced himself from Stranger, seizing a jug of water from a nearby waiter.The water cascaded, a metaphorical deluge extinguishing the flames of an intense moment. As the droplets glistened on Stranger's once-handsome face, the echoes of a heartbroken dance lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who bore witness.