From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

70. Information

Prem's face reflected anxiety and excitement a second before the screen went black. He groaned and turned around to see Fluke staring at him with the remote controller in his hand.

"I was just about to win, Fluke," Prem complained. "Just let me play one last round, na. I promise that this will be last." He raised his fingers as he swore half begging.

"No more, Prem. You have been saying the same thing for the last one hour. I didn't ask you to come over to let you play games." Fluke turned to grab some drinks.

Prem made a face at Fluke as he set aside the game controller and sat on the couch. "What do you want me to do?" He asked in a defeated tone.

Fluke placed the drinks on the coffee table in front of Prem and took a seat opposite him. "I took a look at the medical reports."

Prem made an I-knew-it face.

"Your health is basically good," Fluke said.

Prem exhaled in relief, slowly patting his chest. Fluke looked so serious that for a second he thought there must be something wrong.

"There is a slight problem with your legs." Fluke looked at Prem and moved over to his side.

"My legs? What's wrong with my leg?" Other than feeling some pain time and again and swelling every now and then, it didn't seem to have any problem. At least that was what he thought.

"Look at this." Fluke's tablet screen showed few images. Prem looked at the images not really understanding what they were. "Don't you feel heel pain and tenderness, especially in the morning?"

Prem nodded in agreement.

"This condition is called Achilles tendinopathy. It's caused because of all the jumping around and running you have been doing."

"Is it serious?" Prem asked cautiously. The last thing he wanted in the situation is yet another injury.

"From your X-ray results, it is not serious."

A smile appeared on Prem's face.

"But it can be serious, 'if' you don't take care of it properly. It can even lead to the growth of the heel bone."

Fluke's words made Prem blink.

"Anyway, you don't have to know that. It is easily treated. All you have to do is rest, use both ice and heat compression and elevation. As for the stretching and massaging part, I will help you with that. In case you can't bear the pain; I will get you some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You will have to use a brace or splint at times."

"Rest? As in?"

"Don't worry, it's not full bed rest," Fluke answered watching Prem's worried expression. "You will have to avoid some exercises like running, jumping, climbing, squatting..."

"Enough. Enough. Now you are scaring me. I can't do any exercise?" Prem's eyes widened.

"No idiot. You can. Not the ones that include legs or ones that put pressure on legs like pushups." Fluke explained. Prem didn't seem convinced. "As long as you follow my instructions, your legs will heal within a few months."

Prem pouted and nodded.

"Good." Fluke smiled. "Now, about your Pho-Mae."

Fluke's words caught Prem's complete attention.

"Lung Tom took a look at both of them and called me. Mae is alright. We have to keep an eye on her diet and she needs regular exercise. Medication is not necessary."

"What about Pho?" Prem was nervous.

"We will have to regulate his cholesterol levels. Lung Tom already arranged for a physiotherapist for him. He had also taken him to a dietician and he is taking charge of everything himself. Don't worry about your Pho anymore."

Prem showed a weak smile.

"Now, about that business proposal you submitted to me." Fluke showed his most fake smile at Prem. "That's shit."

Prem had expected to hear that. So, he just shrugged.

"That is not something to be proud of Prem. Redo the whole thing and submit it to me."

"Khrab Khun Fluke." Prem felt that he was back in school, where teachers would say that they weren't satisfied with their assignments and ask them to do it all over again.

Fluke took a cushion and smacked the back of Prem's head, seeing the dismissive attitude.

"Aw. That hurts." Prem said trying to dodge Fluke's attack, yet got hit every single time.

After a few minutes, Fluke sat back sparing Prem.

"We could have just gone to your condo directly. We didn't have to come here. When you brought me here, I thought it was something Earth shouldn't know." Prem said sitting up.

Both of them were at Fluke's villa, a little far from the condo that Ohm had arranged for Fluke and Earth to live in.

Seeing Fluke remain silent Prem asked "Don't tell me I am right! You did bring me here to tell me something without letting Earth know!"

Fluke sighed and got up. He went to his study. When he returned, he had a huge envelope in his hand.

Prem could sense the shift in the atmosphere within a few minutes. He understood that Fluke was going to tell him something serious.

"What is that?" Prem eyed the envelope in Fluke's hand.

Fluke licked his lips and let out a deep breath. "The information. The information you wanted me to find out for you. About P' Boun."

"Oh?" Prem's smile dimmed a bit. "Give it to me." He reached out.

Fluke pulled his hands back, taking the envelope away from Prem's reach.

"Prem, I want you to prepare yourself before you go through this." Fluke's voice was grave.

"Okay. Now you have successfully scared me." Prem raised his hands surrendering.

"Prem!"

"Khrab? Khun Fluke? What do you want me to show that I am serious now?" Prem asked playfully.

"Maybe wipe off that smirk on your face?" Fluke glared at Prem.

Prem instantly stopped smiling. He knew that Fluke was angry at the moment.

Fluke handed the envelope to Prem. "Prem, take your time to go through it." He said seeing Prem opening the envelope with excitement.

"I will Fluke." Prem took out the papers from the envelope and started going through them.

The initial pages had details about Boun's childhood and family. The photographs and details of each member of his immediate family were placed in front of him.

"Prem..."

"Hmm?" Prem hummed in response, not looking up from the papers.

"About what I said about remaining neutral about your relationship with P' Boun... I don't think I can do that..." Fluke looked down. He knew he was being selfish on his friend's behalf but he couldn't help it. It was not just any friend, it was Prem, someone who was like a little brother to him. He couldn't let the latter walk into a pit of fire.

"Why Fluke?" Prem was taken aback. This was the first time Fluke was going back on the words he had given.

"You will understand what I am talking about when you finish the whole thing." Fluke pointed at the papers. "Let's talk then. I am going to sleep." Fluke left without waiting for Prem's reply.