Call It What You Want (BounPrem-Reimagined)

ii

"I'm- it's coming together." I lied to my manager slash friend, Fluke, seeing as he has been nagging me about this book that I've been attempting to write for months now.

'I swear to God, Boun, you've been saying that since five months ago!' He said through the phone that I had chucked between my ear and my shoulder. It's six in the morning and the awful vibrating of my phone woke me up from my dull sleep. This has been a routine for me, Fluke calling me every morning, checking up on me and asking about the book. He can't rush art, he can't just ask me about the book and expect me to show him a solid book just like that! But eh, it's not like I've got a say to this. Actually, I'm glad to still have someone who checks up on me on a daily basis. Every since Sam completely dumped me way beneath the friend zone, I just couldn't seem to find the motivation to do anything.

"I'm working on it, I promise." I groaned with a roll of my eyes, stretching my back and walking out of my room to the kitchen.

'You have to go out, Boun, look for an inspiration.'

"I know, Fluke. I'm just.. Still grieving." The guy sighed loudly through the phone, sounding exasperated. Without even seeing him I know for a fact that his index finger and his thumb is pinching the bridge of his nose. "It takes time!"

'To write a book or to get over someone who didn't even love you back?'

"Okay, first of all, ouch." I said as soon as I gulped down an entire glass of water in one go. I dumped my glass in the sink, making a mental note on doing the dishes some time this day. "Second, yes, to write a book." I rolled my eyes.

'But you told me that you'd be able to send me a rough draft in five months, it's been almost eight months now, Boun!'

"Yes, I know." I replied, wiping my face with my palms.

"It's six in the god damn morning, what the fuck is wrong with you?" I heard Ohm groan from the living room. I bet he passed out on my couch again. Every time he comes over, I repeatedly tell him to sleep in the guest bedroom because sooner or later, he'll somehow ruin my couch due to his weight. A couch is not meant for sleeping, take note. A nap, maybe. But a full-on eight-hour sleep? I don't think so.

'Is that your brother?'  Fluke asked from the speaker of my phone. Immediately, my face lit up. I've always known that he's fond of my brother. Don't get me wrong, though, they both have their own girlfriends but still, I couldn't help but to be hopeful of my imaginary ship sailing.

"Yeah. Why?" I asked, sounding too cheeky for my own good.

'He stayed over?'

"Yeah. Do you want to talk to-"

'No! I- uh, I was just checking. I thought you brought in someone or something.'

"I am a twenty-six year old man, I don't think I need you to check up on me." I said with a chuckle, shaking my head at his horrible excuse. I don't find Fluke's admiration towards my brother weird, though. Way before, I thought it was weird but seriously, it's 2021, all of us should have broader perspectives and respect by now.

'Well, I won't treat you like a twenty-six year old man if you keep on procrastinating with that damn book.' He went back to that authoritative tone in just one click of his tongue. I rolled my eyes at him, yet again.

Sighing, I said, "Alright, alright. Jeez. I'll update you in three weeks, okay?"

'Two, weeks, Boun. Just please go out every once in a while. Inspiration is just right around the corner, for all we know.' And with that, the line went flat.