An Unexpected Connection

Bonus 23 - storm

It was a dark and stormy night, the rain falling in sheets against the windows of Raihan's apartment. Raihan was curled up on his couch, a book in his hands, trying to ignore the thunder that shook the walls.
Just as he was about to turn the page, Raihan heard a loud knock at his door. He sighed, hoping it wasn't some lost traveler seeking refuge from the storm. He put down his book and made his way to the door.

When he opened it, Raihan was shocked to see Alejandro standing there, soaked to the bone and bleeding from a head wound. Alejandro collapsed onto the floor, almost hitting his head, and Raihan quickly rushed to his side.
"Alejandro, what happened?" Raihan asked, his heart racing with worry.

Alejandro didn't respond, his eyes closed and his breathing shallow. Raihan knew he had to act fast, so he carried Alejandro to his bedroom and laid him gently on the bed.
He examined the wound on Alejandro's head, trying to assess how serious it was. It wasn't deep, but it was bleeding a lot. Raihan quickly grabbed some towels and applied pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
"Alejandro, can you hear me?" Raihan asked, trying to rouse him.

After a few moments, Alejandro's eyes fluttered open. He looked confused and disoriented, but relief washed over his face when he saw Raihan.

"Raihan," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I...I didn't know where else to go."

Raihan felt a pang of sadness at the desperation in Alejandro's voice. He knew that Alejandro couldn't go to the hospital, not with his criminal connections. Raihan had to take care of him himself.
"It's okay, I've got you," Raihan said, giving Alejandro's hand a reassuring squeeze.

For the next few hours, Raihan tended to Alejandro's wounds. He cleaned the wound on his head, stitched it up as best he could, and gave him painkillers to ease his discomfort.
Alejandro drifted in and out of consciousness, sometimes delirious with fever, but Raihan never left his side. He sat by the bed, holding his hand, and whispering words of comfort.
When Alejandro finally woke up, he was weak but coherent. Raihan was relieved to see him looking better, although he knew that Alejandro still had a long road to recovery.
"Thank you," Alejandro said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You saved my life."

Raihan smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. He knew that he cared for Alejandro deeply, and he couldn't imagine his life without him.

"You're going to be okay," Raihan said, squeezing Alejandro's hand. "I'll take care of you."

Alejandro closed his eyes, a small smile on his lips, and for a moment, everything felt right in the world. Despite the storm raging outside, Raihan felt a sense of peace settle over him. He knew that he and Alejandro would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

"I love you," Alejandro whispered, just before he drifted off to sleep.

Raihan felt his heart skip a beat at those words. He leaned down and kissed Alejandro's forehead, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the unexpected circumstances that had brought them together.