Lovesick the Series :

5 - The Hotel

Nohm's album released after a string of promos. The music video gained millions of views within days. The fans supported them throughout the promotion of their new album. The Nohm band members hardly slept a wink. There were shows, interviews, endorsements, concerts and magazine shoots. Nohm band learnt how it worked within agencies like BB & Boys. Their schedule was packed. Noh and Ohm gave their all. A nationwide tour was the next big event on their agenda. Ohm forgot about Mick for a while, to Noh's relief. 

Mick on the other hand had shut down all social networking. He went about his daily life and kept his word about staying away from Ohm. He did, except Nohm's popularity was such that news bits would trickle in from unknown sources. There was no escape and it was getting hard for him to keep himself Nohm-free. 

Their 6th anniversary was coming up and Mick was browsing online to find a gift for Mary. It was an annual ritual thing and the shopping site opened up a colorful banner that announced the nation-wide tour of Nohm band. Mick was curious. He clicked open the banner and there was a list of cities they would be touring. One of the cities they were performing in was about 2 hours drive from the town he lived in. 'Purchase tickets', 'Get up close and watch Nohm perform', 'Don't miss seeing them perform live,' .... every promotional line seemed to be inviting Mick personally. He shut down his laptop. Mary heard him sigh from the other room. Mary wasn't in love with Mick but she was curious. He hadn't been in his element of late. There was a drastic change from the bathroom singing Mick to the sighing Mick. She left him to deal with his own angst. Some things were best left unspoken and unquestioned. 

The next day, Mary found Mick rummaging through the store room for an instrument he hadn't played in the longest while. The Horn. His prized but hidden possession. She saw him clean it, polish it, tune it and took great care in bringing it back to life. After school, he would play the Horn for a while, trying to remember some old tunes. Their 6th anniversary was coming up. She was curious about her gift this year. Will it be a pair of earring or a necklace? Boring, she thought. Fine dining in an upscale restaurant? Boring, she thought. Mick was indifferent about these matters and never bothered to ask Mary if she was happy celebrating the way they did, the past 5 years. Mary thought it over that night - maybe this time, she should take charge and give him a surprise instead. Let's take the celebration elsewhere!

Mick was having breakfast that morning when Mary asked, 'Mick, our anniversary is coming up in the next few days. I thought this year, we should celebrate differently. No earrings or necklace, no fine dining restaurants. Let's just leave the town for the night and do something else. Mick agreed without further questions. Mary seemed more chatty that usual but he didn't mind. Maybe she is trying to cheer me up or something, he thought. Mary asked him to take two days off on their special day as she had already planned something special this year. 

On their 6th anniversary, Mick and Mary drove to the city with clothes enough for 2 days, 2 nights stay. Mary had booked the hotel in advance. She needed that getaway. He needed it even more. Mary switched on the radio for some music - Nohm band was playing on almost every channel. She left it on. Mick unconsciously started humming to the tune. As the song came to an end, the radio jockey started talking about the Nohm band and their music tour. 

'So let's hear it from the boys about their ongoing tour and how many hearts they broke in all those cities they've visited.' Cheers, applaud and whistles went up in the studio. 

Mick flinched a bit. Noh's smooth and cheerful voice came on next. He spoke like a pro as he promoted their tour and thanked all those supporters who came for their concerts. Ohm was next. Mick switched off the radio. Mary looked alarmed. She saw his face had a worrisome look and casually asked if the radio was being a nuisance while he drove. He nodded with that same anxious face. Mary thought it was strange especially when he was playing Nohm's tracks day and night not too long ago. They drove in silence the rest of the way. Mick wished he was back in school teaching piano instead of this road trip to the city. Mary couldn't wait to get out of the car and escape the silence. 

At the hotel, Mary was at the front desk trying to get them checked in while Mick sat in the lobby with their luggage. Suddenly, there was a scream and few hotel staff rushed to the entrance. Mick got up and craned his neck to see what the fuss was about. More screams went up, more hotel staff ran out. There was a crowd and there was a huge fuss as if some celebrities were making an appearance. Mick sat back down but continued to look at the source of all that noise till the parade marched in. The Nohm Band and the entourage with teenage fans, their phones and their gift bags came stumbling into the lobby. Mick looked away. He caught a glimpse of Ohm - the tall dark and handsome Ohm in the midst of all that fuss. He failed to notice Noh and the others but Ohm caught his eye. What? Are they staying at the same hotel? Are they performing in the city tonight? Mary looked startled too when she came to his side with the bell boy. 'Its the Nohm Band,' she said. 

Mick was trembling when he went into the washroom. His heart was racing. He had a feverish look to him - flushed and exhausted. Mick just didn't want to ruin the surprise Mary had carefully planned. Mick took his time in the shower and as he came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, he was taken aback. Mary had lit the aroma candles in the room, dimmed the lights and was sitting at the edge of their large bed with just the hotel white robe. Mick didn't often see Mary in this mood for play back at home. He went over to her and put his hands on her head. Mary hugged his waist. It was played out in silence. No questions, no exclamations, no demands. Mick knew his duty as a husband and as he made love to her, slow and steady, his mind began to wander aimlessly - towards Ohm!