Josh's POV

Every second is passing with apprehension. When I sent the recording to Richard, I was nervous. The only thing which kept me sane was Mey. In just a few days, she has become support. I haven't had the urge to smoke or drink. It's like the old me is getting further and further away from the new me.

Its been more than 4 hours since I sent the recordings to Richard. He must have woken up by now. We still hadn't talked since I got here. However, I knew that he will call back once he hears the recordings I sent him. Has he heard them yet? What is he going to say? Will he like it? It's the same anxiety I used to feel back in the days. Like my whole life is on the line. It's sort of like the make or break point of my career.

I jump up and pace around the room. Mey is downstairs talking to her interior décor team and Sameer. We rarely spent any daytime together. I am locked up in my recording room, even slept on the plush carpet in between recordings, While Samaira spent her time working on perfecting the house. Maybe her infectious and passionate energy infused in me. In between, we have our stolen moments together. Too discreet for my liking. Though, I can take as much as I can from these moments. Soon, it would be over anyway.

A ring from my phone has me halted in my steps. I peer through and see Richard's name flashing on the screen. I let out a long breath and take the call.

"Josh?" he says, in a seemingly serious tone.

"Hey, Richard," I say tentatively, holding my breath.

"Dude, I told you to send one decent song..." he says.

My heart sinks in the deepest point, unable to reply. Somehow the rest of the world seems to come to standstill and eerily silent.

"Josh, my man," he says. "It's far from decent! It's a hit. We are going to make it a hit."

My face breaks into a grin.

"I told you... that place is great. Now we have songs. Damn!"

"So, tell me honestly...do you think Freddy will like it too?" I ask.

"There is no way he would reject this, Josh. Hell, I think we can also talk to a couple of other record labels. We would choose the best offer. What say?" he exclaims.

"Wow, that's ambitious," I respond awestruck.

"Come home, Josh. I think we will just need a couple of other songs to make it into an Album. You can do that back here," he suggests.

I am mute. I have been mulling this for days. Leaving this place, Mey's side has my stomach twisted into knots. This is surprising for me. How am I reacting to this? I should be happy to get my future back. I finally overcame this hurdle. I have grown up. Now, I can finally able to taste the success and fame again. This will be my time. But why am I not eager to leave?

"Josh?" Richard calls. "What's up? Are you mad at me for not contacting you?"

"It's fine," I answer. "It worked out as you wanted anyway." I try and keep scorn away from my tone.

"Come on, man. You have to understand what was at stake. Your career. I simply couldn't ignore it," he says meekly. "Leave all that aside, Josh. Let's get you back here and I will plan the rest."

I breathed in and mumble, "Book my tickets."

I don't know how much time passed, since I laid on the carpet, staring at the ceiling. Mey had kept the ceiling as it is. She managed to retain the past of the mansion while bringing the new designs. The curvature design bordering the ceiling is still exquisite. She added sea green and light blue gradients on the façade while keeping the light fixtures in antique style. She has an artistic eye, which cannot be gained but simply should be inherent.

Can Samaira see herself living in LA with me? I want that. But I can't picture it. Perhaps because we decided earlier on, not to be greedy. We decided to live in the moment because that is all that we could have of each other. Our lives are different and apart. That is the reality.

Why does it bother me? Her reaction to me asking to come to LA was an abrupt no. She did not even consider the possibility for a moment. Her priorities are clear and I am perhaps the last on the list. Well, now that I think about it, I am also excited to get back. My future awaits me and nothing can hold me back.

I flip to the side as if it would give some other perspective. I see my recording set up and feel content wash over me. Those instruments put life into me. They are my first and last love. Seeing the guitar reminds me of Serena. We were once carefree, closest friends. Never had the opportunity to confess properly though.

I had always been busy doing gigs in a supermarket, sometimes at a local mall or some local festivals. Both of us had a crush on each other. Though the familiarity of each other was overwhelming that we did not take it further. She was waiting for me to say something, but I just couldn't say it. And when I finally thought of taking a step ahead, she was already with Will. We three were friends since kindergarten. He liked her all along and used to shower her with attention. Though nothing happened till one day, I found them walking while holding hands on the three-legged bridge. It was our hangout spot when we biked from our houses in Brighton to the bridge at the Chippewassee Park.

I felt a stab of pain seeing them so close and holding hands. For the first time in my life, I felt a feeling of betrayal. Suddenly, I had felt like I was alone. Two of my best friends are dating behind my back. I was fixed on my spot, tears stinging in my eyes. I felt anger, a sense of betrayal coursing through me. I never confronted them or asked why did they keep it a secret. I just left without goodbyes.

I was always kept aside in my life. The day my mom and dad sat me down and told me that they were getting a divorce, all my fantasies of happy marriages shattered away. They never fought in front of me. I was shocked as I didn't know where it all came from. In that time, Serena and Will understood me and took all my mood swings patiently. I got a lot closer to Serena in that period and finally, I decided to ask her out and make her my girlfriend.

I remember that bitter feeling when I saw Serena and Will together in their own world. Serena's blond hair danced in the evening light as she laughed animatedly with Will. I couldn't take it anymore and left that place for good.

I landed up in LA. Stayed with my maternal uncle for a couple of months and finally rented a studio with two others on the outskirts of the dream city. I took all kinds of odd jobs. I starved so I could buy the gear. I associated with small bands, broke up with them. I continued to do solo, small-time gigs, until one day, Freddy walked into the basement restaurant where I was singing. And just like that, eight years of struggle went away and I was in line to get the record label. Even that part of having the opportunity was tough. It took a year of hard work and a lot of songs later, The Hypnotic Sound, one of the newest record labels in the music industry, made me a household name. I enjoyed the success for four whole years until the fame receded and I was no longer in the limelight. I managed to get away from what I loved to what I could enjoy at the moment. Day after day, all my decisions went wrong. I dated some of my counterparts for few months, broke up with them. I finally thought that I was going to be a loner. My parents invited me to Christmas, thanksgiving. But I never went. I had become too bitter in life.

The last six months were the lowest point in my life. I got to know that Serena and Will were getting married. I had no recognition left. My creativity had left me. Whenever I sat down, all I can hear was the myriad of thoughts running carelessly in my head, until spiraling itself to the feeling of desolation. I wanted to escape the thoughts I no longer controlled. I wanted to feel optimistic and hopeful. All I could experience was despair. Truthfully, the alcohol, smoking only aggravated my depression to the point that I even thought of taking my own life.

Shudder passed through my body. I never want to go to that place again. This time it will be different. I have gained a different perspective in life. I want to walk away from wanting approval from my people or the public at large. The songs I created came from my heart and from my experience. Raw and vulnerable. It was all I need. Apart from wanting Samaira to at least consider the possibility of coming to LA.

Think of the Devil, here she comes. Samaira peers through the door tentatively. My eyes locked with hers and I grin and open my arms. She smiles and follows my lead. Soon we are in each other's arms, laying on the carpet, legs interlocked and breathing in each other's scent. This is the definition of content, surely.

"I assume that Richard liked the songs," She looks up through her long lashes.

"Hmm..." I reply inhaling her vanilla-scented hair.

I see a twinge of disappointment in her eyes. "Does that mean, it's time for you to leave?" she asks in an even tone.

I nod and hug her. It's the bitter reality which we have to accept.

She stays unmoved in my arms for a long time until finally she breaks the embrace and looks up. "Congratulations, Josh! You deserve every bit of success that soon will follow you."

"You are my sweet honey, Mey. I am going to miss you badly," I murmur, holding back the three words suddenly invading my senses. I love you, Mey.

I am unable to look away from her perfect face, those innocent eyes behind the glasses. Do I really love this woman? The answer is an obvious yes. I want to know whether she feels the same way. I desperately want to tell her to love me too.

Will she reciprocate my feelings?