Lovesick the Series :

13 - The beginning.

Mick woke up when his phone buzzed early morning. It was Noh. Noh wanted to know if Ohm was with him. Mick answered positive. Noh asked for his address details. Ohm woke up while Mick was still on the phone. Ohm put his arms around Mick's waist in the sleepy state. Mick handed over the phone to Ohm. Ohm refused but Mick struck the phone to Ohm's ears and all Ohm heard was Noh's string of curses for disappearing like that. Ohm winced and then with a big smile asked Noh when he was getting his ass there instead of yelling like an old maid. Ohm knew his friend like no other. 

Noh and Phun flew to Mick's town. The four of them met at a resort in the suburbs of the town. They talked about everything except the band and the recent termination from the agency. It was understood. Ohm and Mick were sorting out their lives and Noh didn't want to bring other concerns into this matter. It was not the right time. They spent a good day, gathering all the positive energy from each other by the pool. Beer, good food and good friends.. that's all they needed.

While Mick and Phun went inside to challenge each other at a game of pool, Noh finally found some time with Ohm alone. 

'So what's next for you Ohm?' started Noh, as he handed him a bottle of beer.

Ohm hesitated. He couldn't look at Noh in the eyes. Noh sensed it. Ohm's eyes teared up. There was so much to apologise for and Ohm knew he had let his best friend down, his band mate, the leader of Nohm - Noh was the kind who'd side with Ohm and stand by his decision. It was a given and Ohm felt this time, he took it for granted. 

Ohm put the beer bottle down and held Noh's hands with head bowed down. 'Noh, I am an asshole and don't deserve to be your friend or your band mate. I know I went a little too far this time and I don't know how I can make this right. I am sorry, truly. I took our friendship for granted and I know you've been covering my ass for me all this time. I can be quite a burden on Nohm at times like this. I am sorry Noh... I truly am.'  The flood gates opened and Ohm had bent double sobbing like a child while Noh held on to him. 

'Stop crying.. you're not a baby and am not gonna kiss you to make you feel alright. That's Mick's job,' teased Noh. Noh handed him some tissue. 'You don't have to say sorry Ohm. We've been friends forever.. so stop being dramatic.. I just wanted to know if there was anything I can do as you plan your future.. that's all. Who's asking for apologies? Gosh, you're something.'

'I haven't really thought it through Noh. I won't be giving up music for sure. I want to spend some time with Mick as his divorce comes through in the next month or so. I want to make a comeback as a solo artist. I will be doing few collabs with some of the indi artists I know.. But I haven't given myself a timline yet, so let's see Noh.. for now, I just want to be happy.'

'Ok Ohm. You have plenty to deal with. Take your time. Let me know if you need any help.. of any kind. We've got few fan meetings and some overseas concerts. I have to re-arrange some of the parts of the songs for the other two guys. I will be busy myself the next few months.'

'Thanks Noh. I owe you so much. I know Nohm will be better off without me. I am a bit of a hot-head, I know. But I am thankful for all the lessons learnt in the past year. Thanks Noh.'

'Jeeezzzz, you're making yourself sound like u're giving a farewell speech.. chill pal. Yeah, you're a hot-head - that's one thing you got right. You better be showing up at our concerts and fan meets if you want to continue being my friend.. got that?'

That lightened the mood just in time, as Phun and Mick came towards them. Mick found it easier to share thoughts and concerns with Phun. He hadn't changed at all, always attentive and he was the perfect man for Noh. Mick envied the couple. 

Noh and Phun flew back late that night as Noh had his schedule for the next day. Ohm had planned a week's stay there while Mick would hurry back from his school to jump into Ohm's arms. Ohm had to get back to the city as he had few unfinished business to take care of. He would be moving back to his own apartment and start getting ready for Mick's relocation. They discussed all the details of their live-in arrangement once Mick wrapped things up in the town.

Once Ohm flew back, Mick returned too to find a bunch of mails stuffed into his post box. He went through the mails and saw one from his lawyer's office. It was the final document that needed Mick's and Mary's signature. A quick call with the lawyer confirmed that. He immediately called Mary and updated her. She seemed just as ecstatic about it. He felt a slight pinch when he sensed her excitement and happiness. It should have been done long time ago - a fleeting thought. 

Mick flew to the city in the following week. Mary and his lawyer were waiting at a cafe. He signed. She signed. Mary had refused the house he offered as she had no plans to move back to that town. She didn't think it was right to accept it. The house deed was handed back to his parents. Mary's parents had already started looking for a suitable partner for Mary, she updated him.  He offered an apologetic smile. 

As they were leaving the cafe together, there was a crowd of young girls were making quite a scene. Mick craned his neck to see the cause of the fuss and found himself looking at Ohm in the middle of the crowd, autographing for the teenage fans. Ohm had caught his eyes already and was making his way towards Mick and Mary. Mary was a bit alarmed. She was about to slip away from Mick's side as she watched Ohm taking bigger strides to reach them. Mick grabbed her wrist and requested her to stay. When Ohm caught up with the couple, a trail of his fans were right behind him with their phone cameras. 

Ohm greeted Mary. Mary greeted him back. The smile and Mick's gaze said everything and she knew this was the real Mick - the one that never appeared before her in their 6 years together. While the three of them stood with the fans around them, Mary did the most absurd thing -  she took Mick's hands and placed them in Ohm's hands. Mary then leaned towards Ohm and whispered into his ears - 'Mick is all yours Ohm... Please take care of him.'  She then hugged Mick one last time and disappeared from the crowd before Mick could respond.

Ohm and Mick stood, hand in hand - looking at each other. Mick had informed Ohm about his whereabouts but Ohm got there a little too early, attracting a crowd. The fans requested they stand close together so that they could take pictures of the couple. Ohm wrapped his arms around Mick and pulled him closer, causing many of his young fans to squeal with delight. Ohm was in a playful mood and it showed, causing a very shy Mick to go beetroot red. 

One of the fans teased Ohm, 'Where were you hiding him all this time? He's cute.'

'Hands off ladies... it took forever for me to find him - he's all mine.' With that he pulled Mick towards his car and they drove off, leaving his fans to update their status online.

THE BEGINNING.