Chapter 43 - The Language of Love

In the dimly lit room, Stranger occupied the sofa engrossed in a magazine, his unreadable gaze fixed on the pages. Nil, perched on the edge of the bed, had been enduring the unsettling silence for an hour. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Nil implored, "Strangerrr, please forgive me. How much longer will you remain like this?"Stranger, shrouded in his own thoughts, offered no response. The tension in the room lingered until a new nurse made her entrance, bearing an injection. Stranger, seizing her hand abruptly, voiced a concern that caught both Nil and the nurse off guard. "What if Nil gets hurt?"The nurse, taken aback, reassured him, "Kaoo sir, he won't get hurt. It would only feel like an ant bite." Undeterred, Stranger persisted, seeking assurance once more, "Are you sure?"Intrigued, Nil broke the silence with a knowing smile. "Strangerrr, you're overthinking. Don't forget, I was a medical student too; these things are second nature to me." Ignoring Nil, Stranger retorted in a curt tone, "I'm not talking to you."The nurse, sensing the complexity of emotions in the room, remarked with a gentle smile, "It seems you care deeply for Nil. Rest assured, he won't be bothered." Deep in thought, Stranger relented, instructing the nurse with a hint of worry, "Alright, I'll hug Nil. Just give him the injection quickly, okayy."The nurse nodded in surprise as Stranger, against the odds, embraced Nil. As the nurse delicately administered the injection to Nil, Stranger averted his gaze, concealing emotions threatening to spill as tears. His unexpected vulnerability left both Nil and the nurse bewildered. With determined composure, the nurse completed the task and turned to Stranger, offering reassurance."Sir, you can look now. The injection has been given," she said, her gaze softening. Stranger shifted his focus, eyes fixed on Nil's hand. Speechless, Nil returned the intense gaze, a silent exchange of emotions unfolding.Breaking the tension, Stranger, hands cradling Nil's cheeks, uttered in a tone laden with concern, "Nil, are you alright?" In response, Nil, with a subtle nod, conveyed his well-being.Witnessing the profound connection between them, the nurse, her lips curled into a warm grin, extended her wishes. "Until today, I've only heard about your love, but today I've seen it with my own eyes. Such depth of affection is rare nowadays. I'll pray to God that you can be by each other's side forever."In the midst of their embrace, Nil, gazing at the nurse with gratitude, responded in a language unfamiliar to her, "Khaawp khun khrap,"The nurse gracefully exited the room, leaving Nil and Stranger in a lingering embrace. As Stranger withdrew his hand from Nil's back, a deep sigh escaped him, breaking the silence that hung in the air."Nil, let me gooo," Stranger implored, his plea underscored by the weight of unspoken emotions.Maintaining the embrace, Nil spoke with a soft, remorseful tone, tears glistening in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Stranger. Techno tried to explain after you left, but I didn't comprehend it properly. Today, I realized the depth of your anguish. Forgive me; and on the day I was shot, I can't fathom the limits of your suffering. I promise, Stranger, I will never do anything to hurt you again."In response, Stranger tightened his grip, encircling Nil's neck, and tenderly kissed his head. As tears streamed down Nil's face, Stranger's eyes reddened, deeply moved by Nil's words. Gently parting from Nil, Stranger cradled his cheeks with both hands, their faces in close proximity. Speaking in a soft tone, he revealed, "Nill..." With that, he embraced Nil once more. A faint ache throbbed in Nil's back, a whisper of discomfort overshadowed by the fervent intensity of Stranger's embrace. As their entwined bodies embraced, eyes closed, the tactile connection between them deepened. Abruptly, Stranger withdrew, prompting Nil to question, "Ki holo...(What Happened In Bangla language)"Stranger, with widened eyes, responded in a firm tone, "Again bangla? And I will never forget what you did to me." A mischievous light danced in Nil's eyes as he retorted, "Mr. Neptune, I've done a lot with you; what are you talking about?"A fleeting smile graced Stranger's lips at Nil's words, but the levity evaporated as he spoke resolutely, "About Achara and Than. Don't think you saved her; I'll talk to her next morning."In an unexpected twist, Nil playfully tugged Stranger onto the bed, eliciting a snort from Stranger as he landed. Laughter erupted from Nil, met with an astonished gaze from Stranger. "What was that, Nil?" he inquired.Nil, still grinning, affectionately pulled at Stranger's cheek. "Strangerrr, you look so cute like this."Sitting up on the bed, Stranger, with wide eyes, retorted, "You think it's all a joke!!" A hint of concern crossed Nil's face as he turned towards Stranger, lowered his head, and admitted,

"Strangerr, I'm very hungry."