Only You (OhmFluke)

Prologue

The year 2015

Ohm had a long exhausting day at work. He packed his stuff and clocked off. He massaged his temples to ease his aching head.

As the Head of the Design Department of one of the leading design companies in Thailand, he had heavy responsibilities. He was in charge of almost all big projects that the firm took up leaving him little to no time to spend on his personal life. He didn't need time as well. He had no one to dedicate his time to. He was single as ever.

Ohm sighed seeing the repair sign hanging on the elevator door. This meant that he would have to climb down the stairs. He was already exhausted and this physical exercise was not welcomed.

Swinging his office bag on one shoulder, Ohm started descending the stairs. He was not in a hurry to get back even though he missed his comfortable bed. He paused to check his phone which had been vibrating nonstop from receiving message notifications.

Ohm saw that the chat group consisting of his classmates from the university was especially active today. He clicked open the chat.

As expected Auan, their class representative had announced the date and venue of the get-together party of the year.

'Oh, it's that time of the year.' Ohm thought. He had always been so busy with work that he never paid attention to the passing days. The only dates he cared about were the deadlines he had to meet to satisfy his superiors and clients.

Get-together parties were an annual thing that happened almost every year at this time of the year. Auan would be the one organizing the whole event every single year in the hope of keeping everyone in touch with each other. It had been five years since they graduated and this was the fourth get-together Auan was organising.

Even though he was well-connected with all his classmates, Ohm had never attended these get-togethers. Partly because he was busy and partly because he was not interested. Not that he did not like socializing or partying, just that he was not interested in seeing his classmates show off and brag in front of others. The topics of flaunting varied from career, paychecks, property, cars, partners, or even kids.

Ohm was one of the most successful people in the batch and had everything to flaunt other than partners and kids. That was also a reason why he avoided being there. He didn't want people throwing themselves at him, trying to get into his bed, or boot-licking him.

When he was in university these people used to approach him for his looks and charm. Now, they approach him for his money and connections. He would rather stay ten miles away from them than be cornered by the bunch of vultures.

Reading the ongoing conversation in the chat he smiled. It was kind of nostalgic when he saw his old friends bickering with each other as they did back in their university days.

Suddenly a message caught Ohm's attention. His headache flew out of the window. His legs which were busy climbing down the stairs, paused. His whole being brightened up.

Ohm read the message again and again, finding it unreal. He pinched himself to check if he was dreaming because he had been dreaming of this day for the past five years. He couldn't believe that the day had come. He couldn't believe his best friend from university, the most precious person in his life, had returned to Thailand, just like he had been promised.

Excitement took over Ohm as he smiled ear to ear displaying his dimples. A few ladies passing by the area blushed upon seeing their handsome co-worker's rare smile.

He could feel his heart beating like crazy in his ribs. He wondered if just the news of 'him' returning could make him so giddy, what would happen to him when 'he' actually appeared before him. He couldn't help but fantasize about the day they would meet again.

Ohm keyed in the words 'Have any of you guys met Fluke?'. He wanted to know more about Fluke's arrival. He wanted to make sure that the latter would attend the get-together just like he had promised him.

'Since he went out, no one could contact him.' One of the classmates replied to Ohm.

'You were the closest to him back then. Haven't you guys been in touch?' another classmate texted as a reply.

The answer was a big 'No'. He hadn't spoken to Fluke since he left Bangkok. The last time they spoke was on their graduation day when Fluke had come briefly to collect his certificate and left in a hurry as soon as the ceremony was over. He didn't even give Ohm a chance to click a picture together.

The replies in the group disappointed Ohm. He didn't expect anything else to happen either. But the little hope he had after hearing the news of Fluke's return, was exhausted after watching the chat take another direction. All he could do was wait. Wait like he did for the past five years to hear from Fluke.

Fastening his seat belt, he ignited his car. The car hit the road in no time. Peak-hour traffic made the drive back home slow for Ohm, giving him much time to think of Fluke.

'Will he remember me? Will he remember our promise?' Ohm wondered. 'What will I do if he doesn't? Even if he did, what would I do if he was already taken? Wish him well and move on?' Ohm scratched his head in frustration.

The patience he had kept for years was wearing thin after learning about Fluke's return. He was also annoyed that he was not the first person who got to know that his best friend had returned.

Parking his car in the allotted parking lot of the apartment complex, Ohm headed to his apartment. Having moved out of his parent's place at eighteen, he didn't move back in with them even after he graduated. He lived in a rented apartment before he finally saved up enough money to buy this apartment for himself.

Throwing his back to the couch, Ohm lay on the soft bed staring at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting away. A few minutes later, he shot up and headed to the store of his house.

From the huge wall cabinet, he took out a cardboard box. He dusted its surface and opened it. The contents inside the box were all his memories with Fluke. His most cherished memories.

After going through the contents of the box, he finally found what he was looking for an old cassette. The era of cassettes was long gone. But he still kept this one, for him, for Fluke, for love.