The Right Number

9. Lost

[Hello?] Ohm's voice sounded chirpy, and Nanon couldn't help but grin while listening to it.

"Hi Ohm. Ryu this side." Ryu said as he was talking on the speaker phone. He couldn't help smirk looking at his friend blush by just listening to someone's voice. How long did the project development last? Hardly around a few weeks, right? How down are these guys?

[Oh...] an expected pause from the other side as Ryu realized Ohm might be disappointed listening to someone else calling from Nanon's number. [Hi Ryu. What's up?]

Ryu pressed his lips to stop his grin and sound serious for once. "I was fine before I met Nanon today. And I am really shocked, Ohm."

[What? Wh-what is it?] Nanon shook his head and tried to take the mobile away from Ryu, but he jumped back, knowing what Nanon was planning to do.

"Are you not going to invite me for dinner? Is this because I didn't show up the first time?" Ryu asked.

[Umm... No... A... Actually...]

"Nanon told me that you invited him. I was really sad." Ryu continued teasing Ohm and Nanon.

There was a bit of a pause from the other side, and Ryu and Nanon could hear a bit of a hustle-bustle before an unfamiliar voice responded. [Dude, get a life.]

"Excuse me?" Ryu, shocked at the rude remark, looked at Nanon, who seemed as confused as he was.

[Rob...] Ohm's distant voice could be heard. [What? Let me handle this business partner.] The other voice responded to Ohm, which must be of the guy whom Ohm called Rob. And then Rob answered through the phone. [My friend here is dying a sweet death, waiting to adore your friend's face. Are you seriously going to be a turn-off?] Rob asked Ryu.

"Did you just call me a turn-off?" Ryu asked. Nanon pressed his lips, refraining from smiling.

[You sound like one.]

"Hello? Ask my boyfriend. He will tell you who I am and how I am." Ryu countered.

[Hahahaha. Seriously? Does everyone need to talk to your boyfriend about this?]

"You..." Nanon snatched the phone before Ryu could continue.

"Enough Ryu! Stop being childish. Give me the phone. Um, hi, Rob? Right? Nanon, this side. Ryu was just trying to tease Ohm in a friendly way. We all kind of knew each other for a short time, but we have formed a nice bond. Please don't mind us." Nanon said, looking at Ryu, who pouted and walked out of the room, annoyed.

[Dude, I approve!] Rob seems to say it to Ohm. Nanon couldn't help but smile. [Hi Nanon, nice to talk to you. I'll give the phone to Ohm. I hope we get to meet soon.]

"Yeah. Thank you. And nice to talk to you too." Nanon replied.

[Really?] A flirty voice came from the other side, which Nanon recognized instantly, making his heart burst with excitement.

"Uh... Ummm... I..."

[Nice to talk to you always, Nanon.] Ohm said.

"I need to go." Nanon said, blushing hard.

[Oh? Are you going on a date or something? You sound excited.] Ohm continued smoothly, making Nanon melt in place.

"I have... some urgent matters to take care of."

[I see... Urgent... May I help anyway?]

Nanon smiled. "Yeah, I guess you can. I'll send you a location. Meet me there."

Both of them smiled from each end of the phone, feeling all giddy and excited. How strange it could be that a person's breathing sound on the phone can make you swoon too? Everything Ohm did made Nanon swoon, even the way he just... breathes.

Ohm checked himself in the mirror for the fifth time as he waited for Nanon in front of the café he had texted Nanon to meet him at. This time, he decided to stick to a café instead of a pub.

Nanon, while drunk, is cute but not rational per se. And he wants to have some rational discussion after the random, irrational kiss-meets that will only rile up his heart but not let him be at peace.

As the time of the meeting was nearing, Ohm became restless and started pacing in the parking lot. Someone patted his shoulder, and Ohm immediately turned with a huge grin.

"Wow! It's been long since I saw you smiling at me like this." Nancy grimaced.

Ohm's smile was now long gone. He straightened his face and sighed. "What do you want, Nancy?"

Nancy smirked. "I guess that smile wasn't for me after all." She walked to Ohm's bike and leant on it, standing cross-armed, looking at Ohm with a sly grin.

Ohm rubbed his face with his palms to not let his good mood get ruined. He contained himself before asking again. "What do you want, Nancy?"

Nancy did not like the way Ohm spoke to her, but she did not let her expression flicker before she straightened herself. "Nothing. I was passing by and happened to see you. This used to be our regular Ohm." She bored her eyes in his.

Ohm was not willing to come here tonight. But Nanon picked this place because he had some business nearby. Ohm was sceptical before arriving but tried to be optimistic. However, his resistance was correctly indicating the adversity.

Ohm ignored Nancy and started walking towards the café. He decided to call Nanon and see if he was done with his business so that he could take him somewhere else.

A hand gripped Ohm and pulled him back. Nancy pulled Ohm into an embrace. "I feel sorry for you, Ohm. You had a whole sexuality crisis because of me."

Ohm immediately tried to push her away. "Stop being delusional. Your sick mentality is starting to get on my nerves."

Nancy still held on to him like nothing bothered her. "I know you, Ohm. I know you like women. You like boobs; you like long hair; you like who I am." She said.

Ohm, who was struggling to get out of her grip, was getting really pissed. "Nancy, I would have punched and slapped you if you weren't a girl. Get away from me." He said.

Nancy pulled back, grinning wide, looking at something behind her.

Ohm frowned and turned to see Nanon standing and looking at both of them. His face was unreadable, and he was far too far away to have listened to anything.

"Nanon..." Ohm mumbled, but before he could walk to him, he saw him running away fast.

Ohm couldn't believe that his first date with Nanon and their potential relationship ended before it could even begin properly.

The fact that Nanon had come was proof that he was interested in taking this forward. But how unlucky can Ohm be in love to have lost for the second time?