From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

1. Captain is leaving

Prem took a last look at his dorm. There were no emotions on his face. He felt numb.

"Prem, it's time to go." Pete taped his shoulder.

Prem was the Captain of the National Tennis Team of Thailand, and the star player of the whole team. Yet today, he had turned into nothing. He was officially retiring from the team.

A week ago, Prem won the gold medal in Men's Singles at Australian Open. By the end of the game, his wrist pain got unbearable, to the extent that he couldn't use his right hand to hold the tennis racket. He stubbornly put up with the pain and won the championship.

Seeing Prem's condition, the head coach insisted on taking him to the hospital for a further checkup after the award ceremony.

The diagnosis left Prem devastated. It said that Prem was a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome [1]

Surgery could cure it, but the symptoms may remain. He could go back to doing his daily activities but will have to give up tennis.

Prem's coach was shocked by the discovery and immediately informed the National sports council.

Without a second thought, the Council ordered Prem to retire from the National team for the time being and get admitted to the hospital for surgery.

Prem was left with no choice but to give up his position on the national team.

When Prem arrived at the main hall, all the members were gathered there to send him off. Most of them were extremely emotional as they loved and idolized Prem.

Prem had taken over the Captain position one and a half years ago. He had managed to win the hearts of all members easily. He was both strict and friendly to all members irrespective of their age, experience, or performance.

Prem often gave them tips to improve their playing style.

"P' Prem, I am going to miss you so much." Pat, the youngest member of the team came forward to hug Prem crying.

"We too Phi." The younger ones in the team joined in to form a group hug.

"Hey, I am just going for minor surgery. I will be back in no time." Prem smiled as he wiped Pat's tears.

Pat was Prem's number-one fanboy on the team. He was also Prem's favorite. The duo shared a special bond.

Prem patted Pat on his shoulders consoling him.

Chris came forward to hug Prem.

Chris was Prem's partner in doubles and his close friend. He was also the vice-captain of the team.

Prem gave Chris a small smile as they parted from their hug.

Prem placed a bunch of keys in Chris's hands.

"Keep these. From today, these are your responsibility. I know you will do a good job. I trust you. Don't let me down."

Chris felt his hands shake as he held the bunch of keys. Those keys were the responsibility of the team captain. Prem handing them over to him meant that Prem wanted him to take over the position of team captain.

Tears of joy ran down his cheeks.

"Don't worry Prem, I will take good care of these. Leave the team to me."

Prem rampaged through his bag and took out a USB.

"Here. Take this too. It contains all the plans and strategies that I came up with for the next tournament. You can use these as references when you are creating strategies. There is information about our upcoming rivals and their weak points in this. It may also be of help." Prem said as he handed over the USB to Chris.

Chris smiled and received the USB and put it away carefully as if it was a treasure.

"As expected of N' Prem." Jet, the eldest member of the team said.

Jet was an outcast due to his age before Prem took over the team. Because of Prem's interference, others started interacting with Jet and his performance during matches also improved drastically. Hence, he was thankful to Prem.

Prem responded with a smile.

He turned and looked at the whole team.

"Take care of yourselves. Practice hard and don't slack off. We have a tournament coming up." Prem addressed the whole team.

"KHRAB, CAPTAIN," the team said in a single voice.

Prem smiled in satisfaction.

Prem saw the team coach and assistant coach walking into the main hall.

He went over and waied to them.

"Have you completed all the handover procedures?" the coach asked.

"Khrab, coach."

"Hmm. Good. Don't worry about the team or the tournament anymore. Just focus on getting well soon. Even though it is just a minor surgery, you will need to take good care of yourself during the time period for complete recovery."

"Khrab, coach."

"We will be waiting for your return." The coach patted Prem on his shoulders.

"Who is picking you up?" the assistant coach asked.

"My friend is picking me up. She is already at the parking lot."

Prem said final goodbyes to his coach and assistant coach.

A few team members came forward to help Prem move his bags to the car.

Sammy was waiting for Prem when she saw a bunch of people walking over carrying bags.She hurriedly unlocked the boot of the car.

The men loaded the car with the bags.

"Thank you, everyone," Prem said as he reached the car.

"Phi, please take care of yourself." Pat started crying again.

"Prem, take care of yourself." Other members of the team said.

Prem side-hugged them one by one before getting into the car.

Sammy watched by the side as her usual emotional friend acted calm and composed in front of his teammates.

Prem never showed many emotions in front of the team. He had to maintain the image of the strong, decisive, reliable team Captain that he once was. He didn't want anyone to see his weaknesses. This was the habit he developed over years.

Prem waved goodbye to everyone as Sammy started the car.

The car moved forward.

Prem kept looking at the fading view of the National tennis team coaching Centre in the rearview mirror.

Prem sighed.

"We will be going to your new accommodation first. You can settle down there today."

"Okay," Prem said in a low voice.

"It is near our university."

"Okay."

"I have booked your appointment with the doctor for the day after tomorrow. Since it is a minor surgery, you will most probably be operated on the same day."

"Okay"

"After the surgery, you need to return to the university. The semester is almost at the end and you are yet to submit the final year thesis. We are having exams in two months."

"Okay"

"Prem, are you alright? You being like this is worrying me." Sammy asked Prem as he was acting weird.

Prem was the kind that would never agree with her in anything without a fight. Now, his being so submissive made Sammy concerned.

"Just a little under weather. Kind of nervous actually. Don't know what I am going to do with my life anymore."

"Don't worry. You will have everything figured out with time." Sammy consoled.

[1] Carpal tunnel syndrome- also known as median nerve compression. It is a numbness and tingling in the hand and arm caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist.. it can be caused due to the wrist anatomy, patterns of hand use, and underlying health conditions.