From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

194. New Beginning

Prem felt an overwhelming amount of emotions within him as the prayer continued. He peeked at  Fluke who was sitting next to him with his eyes closed and hands put together in prayer, and smiled.

Both of them were sitting in front of the priests as the prayer for the inauguration of his fitness centre and athlete training centre was going on.

He still found it hard to believe that everything was happening so fast. Almost a year ago, he was a helpless boy who had lost his career and had no way of survival. Yet today, he was starting his own venture as a businessman.

He wasn't worried about failures and was very confident in himself.

Fluke had invested in more than half of the start-up and became the co-owner of the business. He not only helped Prem financially but also provided pointers and suggestions that helped the latter get a better vision of how to run the business and how to attract more customers.

Boun and Ohm sat behind the duo, alongside Prem's family.

Jassy was holding the baby. Just as Prem had expected she had formed a deep bond with the baby.

Tessa and the rest of Boun's family were also present to support Prem. She and Ann already took their membership in the fitness centre. They even dragged Jane and Seth along with them to do so.

Jet, who used to be a national team member alongside Prem was hired as the head coach of the athlete training centre. His presence brought in so many customers as well as talented staff to work there.

The whole national team was also there to support Prem and Jet.

Prem felt warm having all the supportive people around him.

This was the new beginning of his life.

After the prayers were over, the offerings were distributed to everyone. 

The crowd dispersed happily after giving their blessings and well wishes. 

Prem, Boun and their friends were left to clean up the place. 

Ohm had to leave early because he had a photoshoot. The rest of them were actively cleaning up the place.

"Thank god everything went well" Prem said as he stacked the plastic chairs together. He was tensed about the day for a whole week and was relieved to see that everything went well.

"I told you not to be so stressed about this," Boun was very confident about Prem's efforts and dedication. He had no doubt that things would go well. 

Prem was all smiles as he continued the work. He and Boun carried the stack of chairs into the building.

"Pao, there is something that I wanted to ask." Bounsaid as they unloaded the chairs, making Prem look at him. "Ah... Can you tell me about your... first love?"

"Eh?" Prem looked surprised "Haven't I already told you about Kate?"

"I know Kate is your first girlfriend and the person who you dated first but I know she is not your first love. I also know it is a guy."

Prem was a bit shocked but tried his best not to show it. "I don't know what you are talking about, Hia. Instead of making small talk, help me arrange these." 

Seeing how Prem was trying to dodge the topic, Boun became even more persistent. He started pestering Prem until he gave in with a groan.

"You are dying to know who my first love is?" Prem huffed putting his hands on his hips. "Then, I will tell you! It was Fluke! You hear me? Fluke! F-L-U-K-E Fluke! I had been in love with him since I was a kid! But I never dared to confess to him."

CRASH

A loud sound was heard from behind. He turned to see Earth and Sammy who had dropped the things they were carrying because they were shell-shocked by the revelation.  

Fluke, who was right behind them was on the phone but had his eyes on Prem. He excused himself to finish the call.

Prem covered his face in shame and groaned. He was a hundred per cent sure that Fluke had heard everything. He wasn't lying when he said that Fluke was his first love. He used to have a major crush on Fluke for years. He only realised it had turned into love when one of his fellow trainees in the summer camp pointed it out to him.

However, he never found enough courage to confess to Fluke. Not because he was afraid of rejection but because he was afraid of Fluke himself. He was sure that Fluke would beat the crap out of him if he confessed, followed by his father.

That tiny first love remained well hidden in his heart until the day he accidentally blurted out that he found Kate attractive, making his friends think that he had a crush on her. They were very supportive and helpful of him chasing her, especially Fluke.

That was how he ended up dating Kate, even though he wasn't actually attracted to her. The lack of real emotions reflected in his actions during the dating period made Kate realise things weren't working and she cheated on him.

After the breakup, he wasn't sad because he was heartbroken. He was sad because he realised that he was gay through and through and had completely lost the chance to confess to his first love as Fluke had gone abroad by then.

It wasn't until he met Boun that he finally gained courage and didn't want to repeat his mistake of not confessing.

"You bitch! How could you hide something this big from us?" Earth asked as he strode over to Prem. He was completely clueless on this matter.

"You could have at least told me!" Sammy complained. She was the one who stayed with him even when Earth and Fluke went abroad. She felt that she deserved to know about this.

Prem didn't answer any of them. He was still thinking what he was going to say to Fluke when he came back from the call.

"So Fluke was telling the truth!" Boun muttered.

Prem raised his head and looked at Boun in horror "What did he say?"

"He said that he was your first love when I asked him" Boun answered in a guilty voice

"You asked him what!?" Prem was exasperated.  

"Fluke, you knew that he had a crush on you?" Earth asked as soon as he saw Fluke walk back in.

"Yeah. He confessed to me." Fluke answered sparing a glance at Earth before looking back at his phone.

"When the heck did that happen?" Sammy questioned.

Fluke frowned, trying to recall everything "I think it was when we were in seventh grade or something when he got drunk on the cooking wine from Mae Darla's kitchen. He even kissed me that day. Man, that was the sloppiest kiss I ever got."

"I do remember the kiss but I don't remember the confession" Prem was talking to himself.

"He kissed you? Does that mean that you gave him a positive reply?" Sammy, the gossip girl was on duty.

"Nah, He passed out before I could say anything." Fluke shrugged. "The next day when he woke up, he seemed to have forgotten everything. So I didn't bring it up myself."

Prem finally understood why Fluke was so enthusiastic in helping him get Kate to be his girlfriend. His buddy didn't want to hurt his feelings with a direct rejection and played it down as if he was completely oblivious.

Boun, on the side, was still frozen. The words 'What the Fuck' can be seen written all over the face.

Fluke noticed this and smirked at Boun "P' Boun, as I have said before, I will always be your biggest competitor." He proceeded to place a smooch on Prem's cheeks before leaving the room smiling evilly to himself.