Autumn is a second spring

4. Wimbledon

"Mr Warut, how do you feel about being the first Tennis player from Thailand to not only take part in the Wimbledon but also bag victories in multiple categories?" A British reporter asked.

Multiple cameras were flashing simultaneously as Prem sat in front of the crowd of reports with a table full of mics before him.

He maintained a neutral face while answering the reports' questions one by one.

Taking part in Wimbledon had always been his biggest dream. A dream that he had in mind ever since the day he became a professional Tennis player. After so many years of effort, he finally got to take part in one of the biggest tennis tournaments.

The journey hadn't been easy. He even gave up on his dream when he was suspended from the Thailand National Tennis Team because of his injuries. He never thought that he could go back to who he was after the long break.

But thanks to the supportive people around him who pushed him to try his best telling him that the results didn't matter as long as he gave it his all.

"Thank you, everyone, we will be wrapping up the interview here." The person in charge of arranging the conference said as the allotted time was over. 

The reporters still had several questions to ask Prem. They kept trying to get close to him asking more and more questions.

The well-built security guards prevented them from getting any closer to Prem.

Prem was escorted to the athlete's resting area, blocking all the reporters at its door.

He pulled out his phone to check for messages or missed calls. Other than a few messages from his best friends, there wasn't anything else, leaving him disappointed.

"What happened?" Chris asked his team captain.

"Nothing." Prem put his phone back in the pocket."Are you done? Shall we head back to the hotel? I want to sleep."

He had been in London to take part in the Wimbledon for over two weeks and he was already home sick. The blunt British cuisine was murdering his taste buds. He longed for something with spice. Even the Thai cuisine available there was way too light to fit the English people's taste.

"Oh? I am done. let's go." Chris knew that Prem wasn't in a good mood.

The duo exited the building through the back entrance because the main entrance was filled with reporters from all over the world, waiting to interview every athlete passing by.

The RV arranged by the Thai tennis team was already waiting for them.

"You did a great job at the interview." Kacha, the coach of the national tennis team, patted Prem on his shoulders, gesturing him to enter the RV.

Prem smiled at the middle-aged man and got inside. Chris followed him in.

"Didn't you say that he will be here to watch the finals?" Chris asked.

"He must be busy," Prem said dismissively.

"He didn't call or text to either?" Chris asked again. He was almost sure of the reason behind his captain's bad mood.

"None of your business" Prem adjusted his seat, closing his eyes to take a nap.

Chris hummed. He was a little disappointed in his half-brother's action. Even he knew that the moment was a big deal for Prem. There is no way Boun didn't know that.

He wondered how busy Boun was to not show up at something that meant a lot to Prem.

He secretly called his half-brother. But the call didn't go through. He sighed heavily. He glanced at Prem who was already asleep of tiredness.

He still remembered the time when he found out that Prem was in love with Boun. Back then he himself was so in love with Prem that he found it difficult to accept that the latter was going to be with someone else.

But with time, both Prem and Boun proved to him that they belonged with each other. He eventually gave in. 

He was now in a relationship with one of his juniors from the university. He found it silly that he had been in someone like Prem who had only eyes for Boun.

The RV stopped in front of the hotel.

"We are here." Chris patted Prem on his shoulders to wake him up.

"Oh?" Prem rubbed his sleepy eyes.

They got out of the RV and walked to the hotel lounge.

Prem covered his mouth as it split open as he yawned. 

"Why don't we grab some dinner before heading to the rooms?" Kacha looked at the two athletes.

"Sure." Chris was pretty hungry.

"You guys go ahead. I will order some room service or something." Prem said between his yawns.

Seeing how tired Prem looked, Kacha agreed. "Alright, go ahead. Don't forget that we are leaving tomorrow morning. Pack your bags tonight itself."

"Khrab, Coach. Good night." Prem waied and left to his room.

Entering the elevator, he took a look at his phone again. Still nothing from Boun. 

He considered making a call to the older guy but decided against it.

Entering his room, he removed his jacket and threw it on the couch. He lay on the bed with his limps spread, staring at the ceiling lights.

The ringing of his phone made him jump up from the bed in excitement. But the excitement faded when he saw that the person whom he was waiting for wasn't the one calling.

He slid the answer button, accepting the call. "What?" He slumped on the bed sulking.

"Wow. No Hello, no greeting, what's going on with Khun Warut?" The male voice from the other side of the phone said with a chuckle.

Prem rolled his eyes at his friend's teasing voice. "What the fuck do you want, Fluke?" 

"Easy there, friend. I know that I am not the person from whom you wanted to get a call from. But you don't have to be so rude."

"Tell me why you are calling." Prem got up and walked up to the head of the bed. He climbed on the bed and sat down leaning against the headboard.

"Nothing in special. Just wanted to congratulate you." 

"Hmm" Prem looked at his fingernails that badly needed trimming. He was supposed to be celebrating the moment. But Boun's absence killed his spirits.

"When are you coming back?"

"Tomorrow."

"Do you have plans for the weekend? We can get together at your place." Fluke suggested.

"I don't have plans for the weekend but at your or Earth's place. I think I will be staying at the dorms for a while." Prem picked up a cushion and placed it on his lap.

"Prem, are you okay, buddy?" Fluke was concerned sensing the irritation in his friend's voice. "Are you really mad that he didn't show up?" 

"He promised me, Fluke. He promised me." Prem massaged his forehead, trying his best not to take out his frustration on his friend.

"I am sure that something might have come up or else we all know that P' Boun wouldn't have missed the finals." Fluke tried to comfort him.

"Something came up? Something my ass. He had time to go attend that concert, travelling full twenty-four hours in the plane all the way to Sao Paulo, but he had something to do when he had to show up at my game? Wow! Bravo! Hats off to him." Prem said sarcastically.