Love's Recipe

In the quiet twilight of the day, Than approached Nil with a decisive announcement.

"Nil, I've spoken to my homeowner, and he's agreed. Today, you can shift there."

A sincere gratitude resonated in Nil's voice as he replied, "Thank you for doing this for me, Than."

"It was my duty to help you," Than humbly responded. "So, you don't need to thank me, okay?"

With a hesitant tone, Nil inquired, "Ummm yeah, and can I shift there after a few days?"

Than, displaying a gentle understanding, advised, "See Nil, I know you're very close to them, but it's time to move on. Besides, you can still meet them after the shift. So, as a friend, I suggest you come out."

"Maybe you're right," Nil admitted. "But can you help me? I don't have much stuff, just a few clothes."

"Nilll, you don't need to ask me; it would be my pleasure," Than assured him.

As the shooting concluded, Than and Nil made their way to the cafe. Nil's phone was silent, so despite Kao's persistent calls, Nil didn't notice. Curiosity lingering, Than turned to Nil and asked, "Nil, can I ask you something?"

"Go on," Nil encouraged.

"Are you in a relationship with P.Kao?" Than inquired.

A prolonged silence enveloped Nil before he finally confessed, "Yeah, we're in a relationship''

''You're so lucky!" Than exclaimed.

Amidst their conversation, Kao's repeated attempts to contact Nil went unanswered. After a time, Than noticed Nil's phone lighting up and inquired if someone was calling him. As Nil glanced at the screen, he saw Kao's name accompanied by thirteen missed calls. He proceeded to return the call promptly.

Kao picked up the call, and Nil spoke, ''Stranger, I'm sorry; my phone was silent. So, I..." Nil began, but Kao cut him off.

"Nil, it's okay. You don't have to justify yourself," Kao reassured.

"Umm, the shooting ended early. Now I'm in the car with Than; he's dropping me at the cafe. After that, I'm going to shift," Nil explained.

"Okay, fine. I have a meeting now. Please message me your new address," Kao requested, a hint of jealousy evident in his voice, and promptly ended the call.

"Hlww... hlww... Stranger," Nil attempted to reestablish contact, but there was no response.

"What happened?" Than inquired.

"Hmm, nothing," Nil dismissed the concern.

As Than and Nil reached the cafe, Nil bid farewell to everyone. Hugs were exchanged, and tears were wiped away. "If you cry so much, dark rankles will come under your beautiful eyes. Then, no one would like you except Techno," Nil teased Mary.

"No way," Mary retorted.

"Even I will not," added Techno.

"Nil left him. You tell me, can we come to see you?" Mary inquired.

"Always. I'm not going to leave all of you so easily. Every Sunday, I will come here," Nil promised.

With his belongings in hand, Nil made his way to the new place. Kao was engrossed in a meeting, but couldn't concentrate on anything.

Kao found himself lost in thoughts about Nil, prompting a sudden decision.

"Shian, please manage everything today. I have to go somewhere," Kao instructed.

Shian, bewildered, questioned, "Kao, where are you going? And how will I manage... Kao!"

Without uttering a word, Kao left the office. Upon reaching his destination, he discovered Than already assisting Nil in cleaning the room.

The apartment, modest in size with two bedrooms, one kitchen, three bathrooms, two balconies, and a dining room, was the focus of their efforts. Though Kao felt the urge to explode, he contained himself and addressed Than.

"Than, you should go and take a rest now. I will help Nil."

Than, visibly shocked, hesitated, "Ummmm..."

"Yes, Than," Nil affirmed, "Stranger is right. You should go and take some rest. We will manage."

"Are you sure?" Than inquired.

With a stern tone, Kao asserted, "Pretty sure."

Reluctantly, Than retreated to his apartment. Alone with Nil, Kao couldn't help but express his possessiveness.

"Why didn't you call me? I could have helped you," he demanded.

Nil, with a playful smile, teased, "Is my boyfriend jealous?"

"No," protested Kao. "I am 'The Kao Neptune.' I can't be jealous of anyone."

"Don't lie. You were jealous," Nil insisted.

"I said no," replied Kao, blinking his eyes. "Something...something."

Nil found his response adorable, remarking, "Ooo, so cute. You know, I always prayed to God to send someone who would be possessive of me, who cares for me. And today, I got you, 'The Kao Neptune.' ''

Kao, slowly approaching Nil, questioned, "Really?"

"Ah, stop being romantic and do what you came here for," Nil playfully retorted.

As they romantically cleaned the house, hunger struck both of them. Kao planned to order food online, but Nil intervened.

"You should take care of yourself. Consistently eating outside foods can hamper your health," Nil advised.

Kao questioned, "Do you really think so much of my health?"

"Hmm" Nil clarified. "But as I have to live with you lifelong, it's my duty to take care of your health."

In a soft tone, Kao remarked, "Really, you'll be with me lifelong?"

Nil, holding his hand, replied, "Even after death. I won't leave you."

"Let's not talk about death. We live together and die together," Kao suggested.

"Okay, fine. I don't know when we will die, but if we don't eat, we will die now. So, let me cook," Nil said.

Kao asked, "May I also help you?"

Nil agreed, and together they ventured into the kitchen, with Kao assisting in the culinary preparations.

In the heart of the kitchen, Nil embarked on the enchanting task of crafting Khichdi, a beloved Bangladeshi rice dish. Handing Kao a medley of vegetables—cauliflower, carrot, onion, garlic, and green chilies—Nil observed in awe as Kao adeptly sliced through them. A surprised smile graced Nil's lips, "Oh my god, who knew the CEO of 'Neptune Musics' is so skilled in the culinary arts?"

Glancing at Nil, Kao smirked, ''I'm used to it..." Nil found himself captivated, unable to shift his gaze from Kao, a blend of love and respect coloring his expression. This Kao was different—affectionate, nurturing, and remarkably down-to-earth.

Kao revealed, "For three years, I was in a boarding school, where we had to assist the chef in the kitchen. So, I got used to it. Eventually, I fell in love with cooking, aspiring to create various cuisines. But after my dad passed away..." A sudden pallor overcame Kao's face. Nil instinctively embraced him from behind, placing a gentle kiss on his back. A smile broke across Kao's face, and Nil spoke with love and gratitude, "Thank you, Stranger, for sharing that with me. I want to know everything about you."

As the vegetables were finally prepared, Nil took a pressure cooker, adding rice, oil, turmeric powder, salt, lentil seeds, and the freshly cut vegetables onto the stove. Kao, watching Nil in fascination, grabbed him from the waist with a smirk, "So, what about dessert?"

Nil, arms encircling Kao's neck, teased, "What dessert would you like?"

Kao brushed his thumb against Nil's tender lips, saying, "Maybe one kiss will be enough for now."

As their eyes locked, leaning in for a kiss, the pressure cooker began to ring, interrupting the impending moment. After a few minutes, the meal was ready, and they sat at the table. Nil served Kao first.

Witnessing this, Kao made a face and inquired, "Nil, what's this?"

Encouragingly, Nil responded, "Don't make that face; it's very healthy. In Bangladesh, my mom used to make this for me, and it was my favorite afternoon dish. Believe me, Stranger, you're going to love it."

Astounded, Kao questioned, "Ahh, I wish to greet her one day."

Nil smiled, "Hmmm..."

Mumbling to himself, Kao remarked, "Maybe, seeing such food in front of oneself, no one's head will be right."

Meeting his gaze, Nil asked, "Did you say something?"

Quickly denying this, Kao replied, "No, no. I'm just eagerly waiting to eat."

As Kao savored the dish, Nil observed him, eventually asking, "How's that?"

With a casual response, Kao said, "Fine."

Playfully, Nil retorted, "Just fine!" prompting giggles from Kao.

Kao admitted, "Nil, I was just kidding. It's very tasty..."

Excitedly, Nil inquired, "Really?"

"Yeah," Kao affirmed.

Kao then served Nil, and during the meal, a grain of rice clung to the side of Nil's lips. With a gentle touch, Kao pointed it out, and in an unexpected turn, he slowly moved in to clean it, leading to an intimate kiss. The passion deepened as Kao's tongue explored Nil's mouth, their hands entwined in each other's hair.

Their romantic moment, however, was abruptly halted as Than entered Nil's apartment. Both Nil and Kao, startled, broke their kiss. Nil's cheeks were flushed, and Kao's ears tinged with red, their hair in disarray. Together, they presented a captivating and disheveled sight—a breathtakingly hot mess.