From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

67. Invasion of privacy

"First of all, Prem, you seem to have forgotten what my mom does for a living." Fluke leaned back on the bean bag as he looked at his best friend who had finally stopped crying.

"No, I remember." Prem chuckled through his tears.

"Then, I wouldn't have to remind you that she owns Asia's biggest and best hospitals." Fluke crossed his arms across his chest. "We have the best doctors and therapists under our wings. Treating your injuries or helping your Pho get back on his feet will be a piece of cake."

"But, Fluke..."

"No. No arguments. It is decided. You should send me all your test reports and diagnosis. I will ask my mom to find a good sports doctor to handle your case."

Prem could only nod and agree.

"As for your Pho, I will have my lung look into it himself. Most probably with the help of medicines and treatments, the block in the heart can be removed. The only thing left behind is the paralysis. That can be solved by ourselves. A lot of people who got paralyzed after a stroke got back on their feet. All we have to do is find a good therapist. You can leave it to me."

"Fluke, but all these cost money. I can't take you for granted."

"Take me for granted? It's your family that we are talking about. Your pho-mae had taken care of me much more than my own biological ones did. When I address your Mae as Mae, I mean it. I am paying for all this. That is my duty as a son. If you are willing to contribute. You can repay the half of the bill when you have money."

Fluke's words were not suggestions but statements. Statements were meant for Prem to follow.

"Okay, Khrab" Prem joined his hands and bowed.

"I am not done yet."

"What else?"

"About that sports coaching centre of yours...I would like to invest in it." Fluke said looking away so that Prem wouldn't feel embarrassed.

"You don't have to, Fluke. I will find some investments soon."

"I am not doing this because it's you, Prem. But because I am truly interested in doing it. I heard from Sammy about the details of your plan and the location in which you want to start the centre. I see a lot of potential in the idea. I am a businessman through and through. I will not throw away my money until and unless I see true value in anything."

Fluke's words brought a smile to Prem's lips.

"But you will have to..." Fluke was interrupted by Prem.

"I know, I know. Friendship is friendship and business is business for you. You will not mix them up. I will put forward all my idea into a proposal and present it in front of you as soon as possible."

"Good." Fluke smiled and ruffled Prem's hair. "Sammy was right. You have indeed matured in the time I was gone."

"I would have matured long before if you hadn't been spoiling me."

"Oh? Now it's my fault?"

"Yes. It's your fault. It's your fault that I grew up fearlessly. It's your fault that I didn't have to watch my back for enemies when I grew up. It's your fault that you left me all of a sudden."

"Prem, I didn't have a choice back then. The situation was out of my hand and didn't you have Sammy with you."

"Sammy is not you, Fluke. Having her and having you is just not the same." Prem snuggled against Fluke sulking like a baby. "You always chose Earth over me."

"That's not true and you know it. Back then Earth needed me more Prem. You could have survived without me but Earth... Earth needed me to be by his side to support him. his whole world had collapsed those days. Do you think that he would have had the strength to overcome all that without any help?"

"I know." Prem pouted. "But still, I missed you."

"I missed you too idiot." Fluke hugged Prem tightly.

"Fluke..."

"Hmm?"

"There is actually something I want your help with."

"Ask away. As long as it is something within my capability, I will help."

"Can you help me find everything about Hia's life? As in his family, his history etc." Prem asked cautiously.

"Why do you want his details? It's an invasion of his privacy you know." Fluke said.

"I know Fluke. But I need it to figure out why Hia has been acting all weird these days."

"Weird? As in?"

Prem started explaining all the incidents that occurred between him and Boun, even the part where Boun had sexually assaulted him. He didn't feel ashamed or guilty when he shared all the details of their relationship.

"Hmm...from what you said, it looks like a case of PTSD." Fluke analyzed. "But, I can't say for sure. I will have to observe him for a while to reach a conclusion." He was well-versed in psychiatry. For him, Boun's case sounded familiar.

"PTSD? What is that?" Prem frowned.

"PTSD means post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition that is triggered by some terrifying event that might have happened in the past. It might cause flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety."

Prem's eyebrows furrowed deeper as he listened to Fluke.

"Its main symptoms include being easily upset or angry, hypervigilance, irritability or aggressive behaviour, difficulty in concentrating, being jumpy or easily startled and panicking when reminded of the trauma. According to what you said. P' Boun is showing all the above symptoms. I think that his trauma must be something related to some kind of assault as he started panicking after he saw the clip as you mentioned."

Prem nodded, slowly digesting Fluke's words. "Fluke, can you please help me figure out what's wrong with him? You know, my heart dropped when I found out that Hia was using anti-depressants. I felt so guilty and sad... that was one of the main reasons I decided to forgive him."

"Prem. Let me tell you one thing clearly. His condition is not your fault. If what you said is true and P' Boun has been taking high-dose pills, then that means that he had been in the treatment for a long time. So don't blame yourself or feel responsible. And your idea of looking into his past might help you find a way to help him." Fluke assured Prem.

Prem inhaled deeply and nodded.

"I don't know how to thank you, Fluke." Prem smiled weakly.

"As long as you don't get into any more trouble, that is more than enough for me." Fluke chuckled.

"What did you just say?" Prem chokehold Fluke playfully.

"You guys are leaving us out of the fun," Sammy complained. "I want a hug too."

"Me three." Earth joined them.

The four had a group hug.

"Ah...I missed these group hugs." Prem groaned causing the other three to giggle.