The Past begins in the Future (ohmnanon)

37. Show

Nanon stared at Ohm, his brows furrowed, lips pressed into a tight line. "Are you out of your mind?" he asked, his voice sharp but not raised. 

He didn't want to wake the kids in the next room, though his frustration was evident in the way his fingers tapped against the kitchen counter.

Ohm stood across from him, arms crossed over his chest, his expression equal parts defensive and confused. "What now?" he asked, his tone lighter than the situation warranted.

"Why did you agree to the reality show just like that?" 

 "I agreed to the show because it could help Gemini and Fourth. Isn't that a good thing?"

Nanon sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Good thing?" he echoed, lowering his hand to look at Ohm. "Did you even stop to think about what that means for us—for our family—before you said yes?"

Ohm frowned, his lips twitching as he bit back an immediate rebuttal. He hadn't thought much beyond the opportunity to help Gemini and Fourth out of the mess they were in. 

"I did think about it," he said after a pause, though the hesitation in his voice made it clear he hadn't thought about it enough. "What's the big problem? It's just a couple of weeks of shooting. If it helps them, why not?"

Nanon scoffed softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "You don't see the problem because you don't think things through," he muttered, but then caught himself. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his irritation. 

"Listen, Ohm. I am not saying we shouldn't help them. But we have two very young children who have never been away from us for more than a day. Have you considered what it would do to them if we just left for two weeks?"

Ohm blinked, the weight of Nanon's words sinking in slowly. He hadn't thought of that. He hadd been so focused on helping Gemini and Fourth—particularly Fourth—that he hadn't considered the logistical or emotional strain it might place on their family. 

He bit his lip, a small crease forming between his brows.

Seeing Ohm's hesitation, Nanon continued, his voice softer now but still firm. "Navin is seven, Ohm. He's attached to both of us. And Orn?" 

He gestured toward the closed door of their kids' room. "She's three. She still wakes up crying some nights if she doesn't see you in bed with her. How can you agree to something like this without thinking about them?"

Ohm lowered his gaze, guilt creeping into his features. "I... I didn't mean to be reckless," he admitted quietly. "I just—" He paused, searching for the right words. "After what happened to Perth and Chimon, Fourth has been a wreck. You have seen it too, Nanon. He has barely holding it together. If this controversy tanks his career, I am scared of what he might do."

The mention of Perth and Chimon brought a wave of bittersweet memories crashing over them both. 

Nanon's expression softened briefly before he set his jaw again. "I get it," he said, his tone gentler. "I know how much Fourth means to you. And I understand why you want to do this. But our kids are still our priority, Ohm. We can't just leave them behind and hope they will be okay."

Ohm nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You are right," he conceded. "But if we did decide to do the show, we could figure something out for the kids. My parents could take care of them. They would love having Navin and Orn around."

At that, Nanon's demeanor changed abruptly. He straightened, his expression hardening as he crossed his arms. "Absolutely not."

Ohm frowned, puzzled by Nanon's sharp response. "Why not?" he asked, a touch of irritation creeping into his voice. "My parents live in a joint family. They would have plenty of help—my uncle, aunt, grandparents. The kids would never feel lonely."

Nanon's eyes narrowed slightly. "Ohm, have you forgotten how your family treated the kids the last time we met?"

Ohm flinched, the memory of that visit flashing through his mind. It hadn't gone well. His parents, still struggling to accept their son's marriage to a man from their enemy family, had been cold and distant toward Navin and Orn. But Ohm wanted to believe they could come around. 

"That was last time," he said, trying to sound optimistic. "They are going through a hard time right now, and having the kids there might actually help. It could bring everyone closer."

"Closer?" Nanon repeated incredulously. He shook his head, his voice steady but firm. "Ohm, our children are not some kind of magic potion to 'heal' your family. They are not pawns in your attempt to fix things. I won't experiment with their well-being just because you think it might help your parents."

Ohm's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "That's not what I am saying," he shot back, though his voice remained quiet. "I just... I want to give them a chance."

"And I don't," Nanon said bluntly. "I don't trust your family with our kids. If we have to leave them with anyone, it will be my parents. At least they were welcoming to our kids."

Ohm sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Your parents live so far away, Non. It's not practical."

"It's safer," Nanon countered. "They love Navin and Orn unconditionally. They would never make them feel like outsiders. Can you honestly say the same about your family?"

Ohm opened his mouth to argue but hesitated. He couldn't. Not yet, anyway. His family's history with his marriage—and by extension, his children—was complicated. He wanted to believe they would change, but he couldn't guarantee it.

Nanon took Ohm's silence as agreement and softened his tone. "Ohm," he said, stepping closer. "I know you want to help Fourth. I do too. But we have to be smart about this. We can't just jump into something without considering every angle. Our kids deserve that much."

Ohm looked up at Nanon, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and guilt. "I just... I don't want to lose Fourth too," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You won't," Nanon assured him, placing a hand on Ohm's arm. "We will figure this out. Together. But we have to do it the right way. For Fourth, for Gemini, and for our kids."

Ohm nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Okay," he said softly. "We will think it through."

Nanon gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Thank you."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Then, as if on cue, a small voice called out from the kids' room. "Paa! Dad! I need water!"

Ohm chuckled softly, the tension breaking as he moved toward the door. "Coming, princess," he called, glancing back at Nanon. "We will talk more later?"

Nanon nodded. "Later," he agreed, watching as Ohm disappeared into the room. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but for their family—and for Gemini and Fourth—they would find a way. Together.