In the sterile confines of the ICU, Nil lay ensconced in fragility, a spectral thread between life and the unknown.Uncle Tham, Merry, Achara, Techno, Kim, Than, and a tapestry of others held vigil in the hushed anteroom. As time unfurled, the intrusion of media heightened the tension. Amidst the quiet chaos, Stranger, a forlorn figure, found solace on the cold hospital floor.His garments, neck, and hands bore the silent testimony of Nil's ordeal. A tableau of despair painted him entirely in her blood. Efforts to console him proved futile; he remained an island adrift in a sea of grief, impervious to the embraces extended by those desperate to mend the shattered fragments of his spirit. In the recesses of time, Stranger's mind wandered back to a poignant encounter with Nil within the serene confines of Buddha's temple.Nil, casting an observant gaze, remarked, "Strangerrr, your reverence suggests unfamiliarity with this sacred haven."Head bowed, Stranger confessed, "Ummm, these hallowed halls have remained unexplored by me, for my beliefs find no anchor in him.""Why?" queried Nil with genuine curiosity.A tinge of disappointment laced Stranger's response, "He has persistently torn away pieces of my world—first, my mother, and then, my father. In the innocence of my three-year-old self, my mother whispered, 'Kaoo, never lose faith; he'll shield you.' Yet, as my father slipped away, so did my trust."With a soft gaze, Nil empathetically stated, "To claim I understand your pain would be disingenuous. But I do grasp its weight. Our journey stretches far; tethering yourself to those dark days denies you a life, today and tomorrow."Puzzled, Stranger inquired, "So, what do you propose?"Nil, in the wisdom of flowing rivers, imparted, "Just as rivers yield their excess to the sea, let your inner turmoil, the shadows of the past, disperse into the embrace of Lord Buddha."Stranger's gaze lingered on him, prompting Nil to ask, "Why fixate on me?"A knowing smile played on Stranger's lips as he remarked, "A snippet from a Hindi film, perhaps."Stunned, Nil responded, "You claimed indifference to Hindi movies."Stranger rolled his eyes, admitting, "Love transcends preferences. To embrace your passions, I too am willing to love Hindi."Nil, still focused on him, remarked, "But, Strangerr, I only sought to console you."Stranger burst into laughter, proclaiming, "You're a unique creation of God in this world."Amused, Nil questioned, "Are you praising or mocking me?"With a playful smirk, Stranger replied, "How could I mock you, Mr. Qing?"A gentle tap on his chest from Nil was met with a kiss, prompting a moment of silence and lowered eyelashes.With a soft gaze, Stranger confessed, "When you lower your eyelids in shame, it becomes a formidable task to rein in my impulses."Attempting to divert his attention, Nil cautioned, "Mind your words; we stand in a sacred place."Undeterred, hearing him, Stranger led them behind a pillar, where he enveloped Nil, intertwining their destinies in the sanctity of the moment.In a clandestine moment, Nil's concern echoed through the hushed air."Strangerr, what are you doing? Someone might witness us," he cautioned.With mischievous allure, Stranger locked eyes with him, jesting, "Is our love not sacred?""Ahh, Strangerrr, you know I never mean to..." Nil's protest trailed off.Unyielding, Stranger placed his hands behind his waist and buried his face in the hollow of Nil's neck, eliciting a startled exclamation."Ahhh...ouchh, Strangerrrrr, please..." Nil's plea hung in the intimate space they occupied.Unbeknownst to them, a Buddhist monk ambled toward the temple. As the approaching presence caught Nil's attention, urgency tinged his words."Strangerr, someone's approaching," he urgently whispered, attempting to break through the cocoon that enveloped Stranger.Unperturbed, Stranger, lost in his own reverie, casually unbuttoned his shirt. In a swift maneuver, Nil pushed him aside just before the intruder could spot them. Perplexed, Stranger queried, "Nil, what?"A soft voice materialized behind them, and Stranger, a blush of embarrassment coloring his features, turned to face Nil. The Buddhist monk, his inquiry hanging in the air, questioned, "What brings you both to the entrance? Have you paid homage to Buddha?"Nil, swiftly buttoning his shirt and bowing his head, alongside Stranger, shook his head and replied, "No."A gentle smile played on the monk's lips. "Even when we visit someone's home, we don't depart without acknowledging their presence. Similarly, in God's abode, leaving without seeking His blessing seems amiss."Nil exchanged glances with Stranger, the monk's words lingering in the air. The monk, understanding their silence, suggested, "You need not speak. Let us seek the blessings of the Buddhist deity."However, Stranger, meeting the monk's gaze with a hint of firmness, stated, "No need. We merely came for a visit. It's late; we should go."Seizing Nil's hand, he guided them away. As they departed, the monk, hands behind his waist, offered a parting smile, remarking, "Son, turning away now, you may one day willingly come before Him."Outside, besides their car, Nil inquired with a compassionate tone, "Strangerrrr, what just happened?"Unfazed, Stranger responded, "I don't know, and I didn't want to linger there."Nil, maintaining eye contact, expressed, "But Strangerr, I want you to emerge from your darker days. As true companions, just as we share our joys, you should also share your sorrows with me. Because..."Interrupting, Stranger questioned, "Because what, Nil?"Holding his hand, Nil continued, "Because I want to be your confidant in every aspect."Their gaze locked, Nil added, "And if you choose not to bow before Him, I won't compel you. However, I promise you on His behalf, if you seek Him in life, He won't let you down. Can't you trust my trust?"Stranger, looking at him with a soft gaze and a smile, responded, "Ummm."With a touch of moisture in his eyes, Nil concluded, "Next time, we'll return here with unwavering faith."Overwhelmed, Stranger embraced Nil beside the car.In the haunting echo of a remembered promise, Stranger, unburdened by conscious thought, rose from his seat and set forth barefoot. Achara, her concern palpable, gently laid a hand on his shoulder, inquiring, "(Put her hand on his shoulder)...Brotherrr, where are you going?"Ignoring the touch, Stranger continued his solitary pilgrimage, leaving Achara with a sense of helplessness.Devastated by her brother's evident distress, Achara uttered, ''Everything happened because of me; I shouldn't have called them.''In a compassionate embrace, Than drew her close, offering solace, ''No, Achara, you're not responsible for this. If you shatter, who will take care of your brother?''Managing to console her, Than navigated the tumult of emotions. Meanwhile, the collective concern of those around Stranger manifested in repeated queries about his destination. However, his silence persisted, leaving the inquisitors in limbo.Uncle Tham, seeking divine intervention, prayed fervently to Lord Buddha, mirroring the plea of Nil's mother, who also sought solace in prayer. Amidst the hushed desperation, medical professionals orchestrated a symphony of urgency, their efforts mirrored by the concerned inquiries of onlookers. Kim, desperate for answers, approached the medical team, but with a tone tinged with disappointment, Dr. Atid responded, ''Nil already had a significant loss of blood. The bullet is deeply embedded in the upper bone on the right side of his back. My team and I are working diligently, and your prayers are needed.''With those somber words, Dr. Atid hastened back to the operating theater.As Nil teetered on the precipice of life, the medical team administered a crucial electric shock. His weakening pulse hinted at the relentless struggle against the clutches of death. Achara, desperate for any news, sprinted to a nurse and urgently inquired, ''How's P.Nil?''The nurse, a bearer of both somber realities and a glimmer of hope responded, ''Such strength he possesses! His pulse weakens, and his heart falters, yet he fights—a testament to the will to live, especially when one desires a lifetime with their love.''Those words breathed a tentative hope into the anxious hearts of onlookers, prompting a relieved sigh from Marry.Meanwhile, Stranger, seeking solace in the familiar temple, found an altered ambiance, an eerie solitude enveloping the sacred space. A peculiar scent wafted through the air as he reverently bowed before the deity of Buddha. After a moment of silent contemplation, an overwhelming surge of emotion compelled him to kneel and prostrate himself.In a voice simultaneously soft and laden with tears, he confessed, ''(With a little soft but crying tone)...When my mother passed away, I thought I'd learned to navigate a world without her comforting embrace and nurturing hands. As I comprehended the essence of a mother, I'd already adapted to a life without her. When my father departed, my tears were scarce; I had grown accustomed to existence without him. Yet, when I witnessed Nil bleeding before me, I lost touch with myself.''Tears welled in his eyes, threatening to overflow as he struggled to maintain composure. "(Choking up)...God, I've endured the absence of my parents, but the mere thought of Nil's departure is unbearable. You've taken so much from me, but please, not Nil. Without him, existence feels hollow. I beg of you, spare him. I've never asked for anything, but today, I plead for Nil. Without him, I fear I would fade into nothingness.""(Once more overcome with emotion)...I cannot bear the thought of life without him." With a trembling hand, he brushed away the tears. "I would cease to exist without him."In an outpouring of raw emotion, Stranger found himself weeping helplessly before the deity of Lord Buddha, laying bare the depths of his desperation and love... .......................................................................................