Lovesick the Series :

10 - The Confession

Mick's head hung low as he sat across his parents. This was the moment of truth. He was sure about something. Either they were going to accept him as he was or will just have to forget they ever had a son. He was sure they'd pick the latter. They tried making a man of him. He tried being what they wanted. In the end, it ended up hurting Mary, himself and Ohm! 

'Ma, Pa - I know why I was called back home. And I am not sorry about anything. Mary and I have decided to part ways, and on good terms, so there is no need for any kind of worries. We had our talks and we made our decision. I have nothing more to say.'

'So our son is now all grown up, making independent decision now, huh?' his mother snapped. 'Is it too much to ask of our son to live a normal life - wife, kids, family - is that too much? It's your happiness we're worried about and all we get is this. This divorce comes out of the blues - why? What have you done to Mary that she is seeking divorce? What's wrong son?'

So Mary hadn't told her parents about his affair. It was like her - to keep it between them and seek a quiet separation without the drama. Mary's parents were something else. They demanded to know what Mick had done to her? This was one of the biggest hurdle he had to cross... for Ohm and for himself! His parents. 

'I love someone else Mom. I am not going to be the Mick you and Pa wanted me to be. I am going to be who I am and no rehab centre can change that, not even 6 years of marriage to a woman. I may not be the son you wanted me to be - for that alone, I say sorry. You may choose to accept me the way I am or walk away from me, disown me! I leave that up to you. I would like all of us to be in the clear today. The person I am most apologetic to is Mary. She endured me for 6 years and I have treated her well, with respect but never grew to love her. So you can't say, I didn't try. I did. Mary knows it too. We want nothing but your blessings as we go separate ways. I didn't fly down to get your permission. I came here to own up for being the person I am, I always was.'

His mother and father listened to him with disbelief. This wasn't the Mick they knew. He had reformed in those early years when he got carried away during high school. His mom had made sure of that. She fell back on the sofa, crushed by the discovery that her son was still a gay and he wasn't sorry about it. 

When Mick left the house, he congratulated himself mentally. It was smoother than he expected. No hysteria, no emotional blackmail, no pleading, no tears. He took a cab and went straight back to his hotel. Ohm, Noh and Phun came to meet him at the hotel late at night. When Mick opened the door for them, Ohm rushed in and hugged Mick. Noh and Phun stood there wondering for a while if they should leave the room. Mick greeted Phun and Noh when he saw the duo standing by the door. They seemed like an incredible couple, having gone through their own set of hardships. Now here they were, holding hands and looking very much the couple they were back in high school. Mick was a wee bit jealous of their open relationship. Noh's fans were supportive of their relationship after he had declared their love to the world. 

As they opened a champagne bottle, Mick narrated what happened at his home. Ohm was proud of his boy and said, 'Mick, I am glad they didn't lock you in the house after you confessed. I don't know what I would have done, if you disappeared again.' Noh and Phun laughed. They teased Ohm. Mick came to know how much Ohm had suffered during their vulnerable years. They drank till wee hours in the morning reminiscing their hey days. For the first time, Mick felt alive, felt himself. This was him - not a dutiful husband or a good son or that helpful neighbor. This was him and he was grateful for Noh's and Phun's presence. He could bare his soul and not feel guilty or ashamed. 

Mick had a flight to catch the following evening. Noh and Phun gave them their space and hurried back home around noon. Mick and Ohm had a bit of catching up to do before the painful byes at the airport. Mick assured Ohm that he would start the procedure for divorce once Mary was ready to sign those papers. Ohm promised to meet Mick sometime next month. They lay in each other's arms till the alarm went off for Mick to start for the airport. Ohm drove Mick to the airport but couldn't come out of the car as he was afraid of being recognized by people. He was a celebrity after all. Mick hugged and kissed him in the car. 'I love you Mick,' Ohm whispered. 'I know' replied Mick. 'What? Are you afraid of saying you love me?' Ohm complained. 'Ohm, I couldn't love anyone more than I love you, even if I tried,' Mick said it with a shy smile. Ohm was pleased. He kissed Mick on the forehead and ruffled his lover's hair. That twinkle in Mick's eyes was the same. 

As Mick was getting off the car, Ohm handed him a gift bag. Mick looked at the bag sheepishly and thanked him. Ohm stared after Mick. Mick had definitely turned manlier than he last remembered but those eyes and the smile still reminded him of Mick when he was just a lad who was very bad at the horns. Ohm smiled as he drove away. He reached his villa and sent a text message, 'I miss you already so much.. hearts hearts hearts'. Mick was blinking at the text message that came on as soon as he opened the gift box. It was a brand new phone. He texted back, 'I missed you the moment I stepped out of your car... hearts hearts hearts.'