Fluke's Memories I - IX

Fluke took his phone and called Boun as he watched Ohm's car driving away. With his eyes fixed on the car, he whispered with a smile, "Take care."

"...take care too?"

The sudden voice of Boun made him remember that he is on the phone with Boun. "Oh! Hello, Boun! No, I am not talking to you."

Fluke can clearly see that Boun is rolling his eyes at him as Boun answered, "Ah. I knew it. Ohm just left, didn't he?"

Snickering at the answer, Fluke went inside the house, leaving the balcony open. "Boun, let's do a video call. I want to see a glimpse of your grandma." Hearing the hesitance of Boun from the other line, Fluke confusedly added "You don't want me too?"

"No, it's not that." Boun denied from the other side of the line, he let out a sigh before he added, "Grandma is still sleeping. But you can have a video call with me if you wanted to see my face."

"Who wants to see your face?" Fluke retorted but turned on his video anyway. He laughed seeing Boun's affronted face on the screen.

"Ohm's attitude is really rubbing on you now! No matter what, I am your brother! That's not how you talk to your brother!" Boun exclaimed, Fluke laughed at his reaction but suddenly stilled when Boun moved and saw the face of the sleeping person inside the room. "Fluke?" Boun worriedly asked, seeing the younger's wide eyes and still expression. When he noticed that the younger was not looking at him but behind him, Boun immediately walked out of the room.

Leaning on the wall, he called the younger again "Fluke? Hey, answer me." Boun asked, calling his name repeatedly. But Fluke didn't even move or blinked his eyes. The younger's line of sight is still somewhere on his shoulder. "Fluke, please answer me. Did you recall grandma just now?" Boun asked again, rubbing his forehead. "Wait for a while, I will call Ohm right- Fluke!" Boun shouted, gripping his phone as he saw the younger's body swayed before the screen blurred. Boun heard the sound of Fluke's body hitting the floor and the sound of his phone tumbling on the floor. "Shit. Ohm, where is your number. Hurry" Boun murmured, hastily scrolling through his contacts to look for Ohm's number. In his haste, he had completely forgotten he has his cousin on speed dial. "No, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it to let you see grandma. Not yet Fluke. No, not yet."

.

He is dreaming.

Fluke is dreaming.

Fluke is standing on the side, watching his dream about someone that he seemed to know.

He feels like he knows whose dream it is.

But

Who?

"Samantha, Prem, this is Tayn. He lives here in this house with us. Be good to each other, alright? Mother and Father will be coming home soon, for the mean time, I am in-charge of the three of you."

"Brother Fluke! Samantha wants to be part of your family too! I love auntie and uncle and brother Fluke!" Little Samantha exclaimed.

Mine?

This dream is mine?

Is this...my memories?

"No fair! Prem wants too!"

"Sammy first! Sammy will marry brother Fluke!"

"No! Prem first! Prem will marry brother Fluke!"

"Sammy!"

"Prem!"

"Sa-"

"The both of you can be part of Sir Fluke's family. You can marry him both. No need to fight." Tayn cuts in, patting them on the head.

"Let's play again! Play! I will be the Princess and Prem will be my Prince! Brother Fluke is the King and Tayn is the Knight!"

"Why am I the Prince again?! And why are you always the Princess?" Little Prem whined, adding "I want to be the cook! Or the Knight!"

"But the King already has Tayn as his Knight, Prem. And I am a Princess! Auntie said I am a rose, a Princess Rose!" Samantha pouted

"I will be your Knight then, Sammy!" Prem exclaimed innocently and happily.

"Why am I always the King?" Fluke asked, stifling a yawn. He was waken up by his cousin who wants to play with all of them.

"Because you are the oldest and the smartest and the tallest-" Prem started talking but Sammy cut him "And we always follow you and we love you!"

"Alright, alright. Big brother understands." Fluke mumbled, cuddling his pillow and going back to sleep.

"Ah! The King went back to sleep!" Prem exclaimed.

"I saw a caterpillar squirming to the cocoon!! How fascinating!" Fluke exclaimed to Tayn and his father. "Little living things like the caterpillars should be given love too, even though they are at my plants and eat their leaves... but they are just trying to survive! Be a beautiful butterfly, Mr. Caterpillar!" He added, murmuring to the struggling caterpillar.

"Tayn, listen to what Fluke says. Everything in this world must be given with love."

"I know, Sir. I love all of the things you have given to me."

"No, no." Mr. Chantarra laughed. Ruffling Tayn's hair, he said "Do not be materialistic. Do not love things but love the moments, love the time. Pictures and films can be both though, frozen moments turned into things that you can easily look backed on. Now that's what you call a valuable thing." He then laughed at what he said.

"Father, I don't think it's a funny joke. I cannot even point out where the joke is." Fluke said at the side, still watching the cocoon. His father has been telling them jokes to change the 'Uncle is scary' phrase from Samantha. But sadly, Fluke is still too young to understand his father's words and whether his father is joking or not.

"I am not being funny." His father replied, denying what his son just said.

Mr. Chantarra then decided that he must stop making jokes to the children or else his words will forever be questioned by them.

"Sir Fluke! What happened to you?!" Tayn exclaimed after seeing Fluke's clothes full of dirt. "And how did the soil reached your hair?!"

Mr. Chantarra laughed as he ushered Fluke inside the house through the kitchen. His jeans are dirty, but only his jeans. Fluke's father then gave his son a glass of water after washing his hands. "He suddenly dived in the backyard. Though we are supposed to plant flowers in the backyard, not go on swimming in the backyard. But Fluke had fun so it's alright, right?" He asked his son who rapidly nodded his head, smiling wide at him.

Someone cleared their throat and as if a button was pushed in him, Mr. Chantarra scolded, "But look at your clothes! Your mother will get angry at you!" He sneaked a glance at the person who entered the kitchen with a raised brow. He added, "And me. She will get angry at us." Then started walking to his wife, cajoling her. "Hi, dear. Do you want to go outside? Fluke planted a lot today, two beds of your favorite flowers. Do you want to examined it? Hmm?"

Behind the married couple, two children are watching them; one is giggling and the other is confused.

Tayn frowned in confusion, murmuring "Sir really uses different tone with Ma'am."

"Yes, father only uses that tone with mother."

"When he is like this, he is not scary at all?" Another bout of giggles from both children this time. They watched as Mr. Chantarra was successful and lead his wife outside.

"The both of you, don't move!"

Both children stiffened and follow the instruction of Mr. Chantarra. "Good, boys. Smile to the camera, okay? 1, 2, 3. Smile!" Sitting on the stairs side by side, they smiled wide at the camera. "Done! Another frozen moment to treasure. Now you can go back on playing."

Mr. Chantarra took the film and decided to go out to develop it.

"Sir Fluke, I want to learn but I don't know how to read as fast as you."

"Do not worry, you'll get better. Just keep on practicing and learning."

"Come on now, Fluke. Wake up and help mother with cooking breakfast."

"Alright, mother! I'll be right there!" Fluke replied, stretching his small body and getting out of bed. "What are we cooking today?"

"Vegetable soup, since you said last night that you want to eat it."

"Yes! Thank you mother!"

"Hi! We are here, Auntie! Uncle! Tayn! Brother Fluke!" Samantha announced her's and Prem's presence loudly while holding Prem's hand.

"We can see you, Sammy. No need to annouce." Tayn replied, passing her by. The young girl stomped her feet at him.

Fluke is just behind him and ruffled Sammy's and Prem's hair, telling them "Both of you go to the living room. Mother and father are waiting."

"Father, I want more kind of flowers in front of our house! And please allow me to plant them again!" Fluke pleaded, latching himself on his father's arm.

"Tell that to the person who washes your clothes, Fluke" His father replied, ruffling his hair when he pouted at his answer. "Go, ask your mother." His father said, pushing him to the person sitting in front of him at the table.

"Mother, please??" Fluke pleaded, hugging his mother's bossom. "I am now old, mother. I promise to be careful!"

That day, the three men in the house can be seen washing a bundle of clothes. The woman of the house assigned them that as a punishment for allowing Fluke to not only go swimming in dirt but accidentally cutting himself too. Though for the men it was nothing, for the woman of the house it is a big deal.

Four young teens were sadly watching from the window pane. They are coped up in the house because the thunder started rumbling and the sky opened letting the rain pours.

They are sad because they were supposed to water the flowers themselves.

Then, suddenly, one of them gasped and stood from his kneeling position. "I know! Let us play in the rain!" Prem suggested, already dragging Samantha out of her seat. "Come on Tayn! Brother Fluke!"

"I don't know. Sir Fluke might get scolded by his mother again. He can easily get sick." Tayn hesitantly said

"But Mother is not around, Tayn! One of us will be a lookout, we will run then when they are near." The 16 yr old Fluke replied. The younger is still hesitant so he added, "If you're that worried, you can be the lookout."

"Okay, I will."

But the four teens have forgotten about the parents because they had fun catching each other under the rain. Their fun suddenly ended when they heard a loud shout calling their names, which (they are not mistaken) sounds like the mother. And when they turned to the gate, she is already walking towards them. The four of them hastily run to the kitchen, to go to the bathroom there. Three boys are in one, trying to shimmer out of their clothes in breaking time. While Samantha is in another bathroom, easily taking her dress and strapping a towel on her body before she run out of the bathroom and went to Fluke's room to change.

When the three boys went out of the bathroom, Samantha is already getting out of the room, freshly dressed. Fluke and Prem then hastily pushed Samantha out of the room because they are going to get change while Tayn run to the other side, towards his room to change.

When they were finished and went to the living room, the table was already been prepared for them. In the first place, they were told to study and not play outside.

"What happened to the lookout?!" Fluke whispered, as he sat down on his chair. Sitting up straight when his mother suddenly turned to look at him.

"I forgot." Tayn sheepishly answered, already sweating from the amount of books he has to finish reading for the night as their punishment. Samantha and Prem are also in the same situation. Before Prem and Samantha can talk to them, someone walked towards them.

"Enough talking, start studying."

"Yes Mother/Auntie/Ma'am"

"Do you remember that time when the both of you wanted to marry Sir Fluke?" Tayn asked, grinning as he served them their dinner.

Laughter filled the dining table as Prem answered giving Samantha a wink, "Didn't think it will be the both of us going to be marrying each other."

"Quiet!" Samantha answered with a blushing face.

"Ohoh? Is the Princess being shy?" Fluke teased the young girl who covered her face with her hands. Taking pity of her, Fluke said. "Alright, eat now. Before mother gets angry at us."

"I am glad you remembered, my dear. Because whoever doesn't finish the food on their plate will be given a plate of bitter melon"

The kids made a face and immediately eat their food.

"Auntie! Uncle!" Samantha sobbed, running towards Fluke and giving him a hug "Brother Fluke! Why?!"

Biting his wobbling lips, Fluke hugged his cousin as he whispered, "The only thing we can do is move forward now, Sammy. I know mother and father doesn't want me to keep wallowing about their death. Now it's time for me to stand on my own. I might be alone now but their teachings and memories lives within me."

"You are not alone. You have us, Sir Fluke." Tayn, who stayed by his side, commented. "I am grateful and will be forever grateful with your parents for taking care of me all these years. And now, it is my turn to show my gratitude. I will stay with you, Sir Fluke."

"When will you call me brother Fluke, Tayn?" Fluke suddenly asked Tayn. Seeing Tayn thinking about how to answer the sudden question, Fluke smiled and ruffled the hair of the person who has grown as tall as him now, and he is certain Tayn will still grow taller. "You will stay with me but not forever. I am not allowing you. This is your life. Live your life without me in the equation, Tayn. Because I have made a promise with mother and father. I promised them that I will help you attain a degree. And I am going to make that happen." Fluke watched as Tayn's eyes become watery. He watched as Tayn tried to reply but cannot find his words. Having one more thing to say, Fluke added, holding the other's hand. "And please, Tayn, you have to have a family of your own, make me an Uncle. Think about your future too, please."

"Brother Fluke..." Prem mumbled, sniffling. He took Samantha away from Fluke's embrace to let Fluke and Tayn talk properly. "We are also here. You are not alone, brother Fluke. We are your family too. Do not forget that." He added, voice breaking at the end as he grabbed Fluke and hugged him tight. "You have to think about yourself too, think about your future too."

"What?" Fluke asked, he is still in shock. Still cannot believe that Prem and Samantha are telling him that they want to live on their own together. "I know you are going to get married, but don't you think this is too early?"

"Brother Fluke, we know, we understand. Don't worry." Prem answered

Fluke stared as Samantha kept her silence, her eyes fixed on Prem's fingers that she has been playing with since they sat on the cushioned seat. Knowing there must be another reason for this decision, he gently asked "Are they being forceful again, Samantha?"

The asked person just stiffly nod, suddenly sniffling. "If I wouldn't get out of the house and stand on my ground until I finished my high school, they will force me to give up on my dream again."

The three young men looked at each other sadly. Samantha's parents want to keep her at home, to be a housewife when the right time for marriage comes. They don't want her to do work because it's the husband's duty. Unlike Fluke's mother who married the man who has same views with her, Samantha's mother married someone who has different views with her when it comes to traditions and beliefs. Though her mother is sometimes neutral and is on her father's side, she helps her daughter when needed. "Mother suggested that I can ask for brother Fluke's perspective."

Thinking about a solution, Fluke suggested "You can live here. With me and Tayn. I will give you my old room while Prem can room with Tayn. With that, they won't see it as wrongly as what they perceived because you have me as a guardian."

"Is it really alright? We do not want to impose, brother Fluke." Prem worriedly asked, gripping Samantha's hand tight.

"I would rather have the both of you live with me than the both of you deciding to run away from home." Fluke replied, frowning at the thought.

"Thank you so much, brother Fluke."

"It's alright. We are a family. And you still have time to think of another way. Just do not forget that my house will always welcome you both."

"You really fit your course, Sir Fluke. You have always love cooking."

"And I will continue mother's legacy by letting her food be known by more people."

"You can do it. I know you can."

Fluke laughed loudly at the comment, arranging his things, he said with a big smile, "Thank you for believing that I can do it."

"Brother Fluke, I miss you." Samantha suddenly mumbled to the person who just got home.

Fluke turned to her, looking confused. Tayn and Prem are sitting beside her, also looking at him worriedly. "Why? Did something happen?"

"We are worried about you." Prem replied, adding "You have been working very hard everyday at work, on top of that, you have been helping us with our studies. We also want to help you."

Fluke heaved a sigh when he realized their concern. Putting his case and his uniform on the table, he walked towards them and told them. "Leave the worrying behind. Just focus on your studies. Because I took all of you in, I am responsible for all of you. Also, you are already helping me when you report to me your grades excitedly. You are already helping me because you are all serious with your studies and I can see that you love your course. That's all I need."

"But you have been tiring yourself. All we want is to see you taking a rest especially during weekends. We want to see you carefree just like before, brother Fluke. So tell us, is that all we can help you with? Our performance in school?" Samantha asked. "I know we are older, adults now... but I want to see you living for yourself too. Do not just do things for us, do things for yourself too." Hugging the person standing in fron't of them, Samantha added "Do not forget about yourself too."

Just one of the moments when Tayn woke up too early in the morning to start doing his household chores. When he passed by the garden, he witnessed a beautiful sight of the sky changing its blue hue, and the sun slowly peeking at the horizon.

"Tayn, what are you doing there?"

Tayn heard Fluke calling him. He looked up and saw the other at the balcony, he is already awake. Fluke has been an early riser since his parents died. "Watching the sunrise, Sir Fluke."

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"It's more beautiful here, Sir. This spot where I am standing. Should we watch the sunrise tomorrow? The four of us together?"

"That's a great idea, Tayn! I will leave them to you then. Please wake them up tomorrow morning."

"What are you two doing?"

"B-brother Fluke!"

"It's alright, I understand. You are a couple. I will go now so as not to disturb you."

"Ah! Idiot Prem's fault!"

The couple heard Fluke's laughter all the way from the kitchen.

"Congratulations on graduating! I am very proud of you!"

"Thank you!" Samantha and Prem replied, hugging Fluke.

"Congratulations the both of you." Tayn also said, giving them flowers.

"Thank you, Tayn! You will be next! You are almost finished too! We'll cheer for you!"

"Thank you, Prem. I brought a camera so pose for me. I'll take your picture, the three of you."

Fluke has been stressing himself with work when Prem and Samantha arrived and called for his name. "I am upstairs." Fluke called. He waited for them on his living room upstairs and saw how excited Samantha looks. "What is it? You look happy." Fluke said, exhaustion can be heard on his voice and can be seen on his face.

"I have been scouted! Well... more of I saw an advertisement and called the company. My dream is in my reach now, brother Fluke! I am going to be a reporter/journalist soon! My first step on having my own talk show!"

"Aren't you thinking too far ahead? You are still going to have a mock reporting." Prem wryly replied, sitting beside Fluke on the couch.

"That's good for you, Sammy. What's the name of the company?"

"AK & P Agency!"

"I have never heard of them though. What kind of company names themselves AK & P?" Prem asked, teasing her.

"I have read their history, Prem! They have been -"

"No, you can't Samantha." Fluke said with a frown, his voice tone telling he won't receive another answer, there's no room for negotiations. "Choose other companies, just not them."

Prem turned to look at him, surprised at his tone and how he calls Samantha. Because it has always been Princess or Sammy for Fluke. "Brother Fluke..."

"Brother Fluke! How can you not allow me?!"

Rubbing his forehead and feeling a headache coming, he replied "Do not argue with me right now, Samantha. Just listen to me this time."

Surprised by Fluke's statement, Samantha's response was a given; how she angrily stares at Fluke and exclaimed "You have no control over my life! Especially over my dream!"

"Sam!" Prem shouted her name when the other dashed down the stairs. Prem looked as Samantha went to the direction of their bedrooms, catching Tayn's eyes when the other looked up at him... Samantha just pushed him out of the way without Tayn knowing why. At least she didn't walk out of the house like before.

"Brother Fluke what was that about?" Prem asked, concerned because the other is gripping his hair and because his Samantha is angry right now.

"Is she having another tantrum right now?" Tayn asked them when he reached them, putting a medicine right beside the glass of water on the table. "Here, drink this for your headache, Sir Fluke."

"Thank you, Tayn. You may sit as I tell you what i know."

Sitting beside Prem, Tayn looked at him and asking him what it's all about through their eye contact but Prem only shrugged and pointed at Fluke.

"You know my friend, Rin." Fluke started. Seeing them nodding at him in recognition, he added "Four months after we graduated, she tried applying in an agency. She loves journalism and she loves to continue writing so she pursued her dream. So she applied and luckily, she got accepted easily. She was happy. She even invited me, Bell and Fran for dinner as a celebration. We were all happy for her that time because finally, she has taken the step towards her dream... Among the four of us, it was only her who pushed aside her dream for the sake of her parents wish for her. So when she told us the great news, we were all happy.

But one day, she called us crying... she was devastated and told us everything was a lie. She loves journalism with all her heart. What would you do if you're being controlled by your agency to write lies and use people's speculations as an evidence for your writing? That's not how it works in their world... reporters and journalists must only write the truth because people will always believe what they write are the truth.

They can persuade people, they can inform people... but they must only write the truth... because their words weigh more... Writing something serious and using it against someone, can destroy one's life... can destroy one's family. And it can destroy you."

"You mean the reason why Rin..." Tayn asked, gulping when Fluke nodded. "Are you saying Sammy got accepted by the same company? Wait, why is that company still around, Sir Fluke? Rin has been gone for almost a year already!"

"Tayn..."

"Prem! You better look after Sammy! That company is using other's dream for their own sake." Tayn harshly said. Both Prem and Fluke understand why Tayn is being harsh right now. It's because Rin has once become an important person in his life too. When Rin cut her life short, Tayn was the one who took the news of her passing badly more than Fluke. "Seth is already in the Police, I can ask him to look after it."

"No need for that. The police have been on them since Fran tried to bring them to court. And Fran will not let them go till he will be able to shut them down. I am telling you now, do not tell Sammy about Rin's story, do not convince her using Rin's story."

"Then, I will ask Sam to think about the offer more. She can do better than that company." Prem said, rushing down the stairs with Tayn going with him.

Fluke was given two hours moment of silence and rest before their telephone rang, disturbing him. "Hello, this is Fluke."

"Why am I seeing your cousin in here? Is she on her rebel state?"

"Bell, hello to you too." Fluke replied, massaging his temple at the message he received. "Are you saying Samantha is near your apartment right now?"

"Yes, actually right beside mine. But she didn't see me because she just went inside with the landlady. If she's not on her rebel state, then... did she and Prem broke up?"

"Neither of what you are saying is correct. She is angry at me, actually."

"Rebel state then."

"No, Sammy has her reasons and I understand her."

"You really should let your cousin grow on her own without you guiding her. You know, experience life on her own feet, without you, without Prem, and without Tayn. Stop her on always relying on you."

"Prem and Sam should be counted as one." Fluke scolded the person on the other line who only laughed at him. "Also, there is nothing wrong with relying on someone when you need it. And I only let her rely on me when she needs it. But I guess this time, she won't accept my help anymore."

"Did something happen?" Bell asked worriedly.

"Nothing serious." Fluke softly replied, adding "Please look after her for me."

"You do not have to ask me, I will do it for you." Bell replied softly.

"Thank you, Bell."

"Brother Fluke! Sam -" Prem shouted, hurrying upstairs.

"I know. Here." Fluke said, giving him a piece of paper. "Someone I know contacted me about a new person on the apartment next to her and asked me why she was there and if she was on her rebel state."

He sadly laughed and added, "She is not doing this solely because she wants the job, but also because she wants to prove herself to her parents and to me, to us, that she is capable and old enough to make decisions on her own. That is why she holds her ground and refuses help.

It is wrong for me to say those things to her without explaining myself. It is also wrong for me that I just let her be and let her believed whatever her mind was telling her.

It is now your duty to take care of her, Prem. I trust you. She is going to be your wife soon. So stay by your wife's side and keep her safe. See this as a test for the both of you. She is still naive and quite gullible. The both of you are still on your first steps towards the world of the adults. You have to keep on holding each other's hand.

Do not let go of each other's hand so easily. And remember, no matter how hurtful her words would be directed to you, do not fight back with angry words.

Use this experience and learn from it, and grow from it, together."

Biting his lip, Prem replied, "I promise you, I will take care of her. Thank you for your trust. Brother Fluke, please don't hate her."

"Why would I? She needs this experience but this will be a bit on the hard side for her so you must not leave her. Please understand her right now, Prem... even though she will be harsh and hurt your feelings. Please love her still. She will need you. Do not forget that she loves you. Now, go and chase her."

"Tayn, I am happy for you." Fluke said, eyes glistening in happiness at the news Tayn brought with him. "You are finally going to start your own family soon. You do not know how happy I am right now "

"Thank you, Sir. But Faith and I haven't finalise everything yet, so don't go and cry for me yet." Tayn replied, not really looking at the emotional 'big brother' at the moment.

"I am not crying! Who says, I am crying?!" Fluke denied, looking up at the ceiling to not let his happy tears fell. "They are water drops!"

"Is everything alright now?"

"She cried herself to sleep but I will be here for her always. Do not worry, brother Fluke."

"Thank you Prem. She is still young, she still has many opportunities ahead of her, same to you too. So, do not think too hard about the future yet. Everything will be alright."

"I am sorry, brother Fluke. She still cannot push herself to meet you."

Fluke softly laugh, replying "I know. If only you would allow me, but both of you and Tayn won't allow me to take the first step."

"We cannot always let Sammy be like this brother Fluke. We cannot always let her have her way, too. She has to learn how to apologize too. She is already starting to apologize to me right away, so maybe soon she can finally find the courage to face her mistakes."

"That's good to hear. You are really the right person for her, Prem. With you around, you balance her personality. She will become a good mother in the future and you will be a good father too. Someday, your dream of having a warm and loving family will come true."

"Of course! And you will be the most loving Uncle then along with your kids!" Prem replied excitedly. Fluke only laugh in response, already imagining Prem's reaction on the other line.

"I won't have kids, you know that. This period of time won't allow me. But I will love your kids as much as I will love mine."

"We love you and accept you, brother Fluke. Always remember that."

"I know. Thank you, Prem."

"Allow yourself to love too. Allow yourself to be vocal and show your love too." Prem softly said.

Fluke smiled as he replied, "Someday in the future, I will allow myself."

"But why, Sir Fluke?" Tayn sadly asked.

"Because, I am not allowing you."

"But Sir Fluke, I canー"

"No Tayn, I am not allowing you. You just got married. You are finally starting your own family. You are not allowed to go back here unless I really need it."

"But you do not have anyone with you, Sir. I am worried."

"You do not have to worry about me anymore." Fluke smiled, assuring the person he grew up with together, the person he had already called his younger brother, the person who grew taller than him. "You have entered our lives as a young orphan wanting to work for us to sustain yourself to survive. I promised my parents to support you and let you stand on your own when you are ready. And you are already ready. You have been ready for quite some time now. And who am I to hinder you?"

"Sir Fluke, why do you have to grow up too soon? You are still too young to say things that I only heard from your father." Tayn seriously asked. He is seriously sad for him.

Fluke only laughed at him. "They have all said I have become like my father now unlike when I was younger, when I laugh and am playful like my mother. You do not have to worry about me Tayn. My house is always welcome to you and your family, remember that."

"The date of the engagement has been finalised?! That's good to hear!" Fluke exclaimed on the telephone, Tayn who just entered the house stopped on his track and listened. "And the wedding is a few days after? Aren't you guys too obvious that you want to get married as soon as possible?" Fluke added, teasing Prem on the other line.

"I will definitely bring Sammy with me, one of these days and I will lock the both of you together in one room. In that way, she won't have nowhere else to run but she will have the courage to move forward and face you." Prem informed, determination bleeds in his voice.

"You do not have to do that. Just let her see our gift for the both of you. Tayn and I will send you one certainly." Fluke replied, laughing.

"But I want to have you in our wedding, brother Fluke! I want to see you too!"

"We will be there, Prem. This is the most important moment of your lives, I cannot miss it. Also, Tayn has been thinking about what to give as a wedding gift for a month now. Finally, you are letting his mind rest!"

"That only meant I have to find a suitable gift sooner than expected, Sir Fluke. Help me with thinking already so we can look for our gift together." Tayn grumbled, loud enough for Prem to hear on the other line.

Fluke has talked to Tayn about the gift they are going to send for the engagement. He has already given Tayn an idea about giving them a music box about their favorite music that he used to sing to them when they were little, no matter how much he doesn't like his singing voice, they still want to hear him sing the song.

"Let's have a customized music box for them. I will leave it to you then, Tayn."

Unbeknownst to Tayn, Fluke is thinking about gifting him one too.

When Tayn visited Fluke to catch up with him, he has already noticed how the other looked pale. When he asked him if he's sick, Fluke assured him he is not and continued practicing the new recipes he is going to present as his entry for their upcoming annual event in the restaurant he has been working for years.

"I am not sick. Just a little tired. Don't worry, I am going to call it a day after I make this dish perfect."

"Whether you win or lose, they will choose your dishes Sir" Tayn commented, truthfully.

"Don't say that!" Fluke said, laughing. "That's not true."

"You won and they let your dish be added in the menu, you lost but your dish was still added in the menu. I don't think you have noticed or you just innocently see everything as luck. But you have always been an exception, Sir."

"Sometimes you are funny, Tayn. But I prefer you this way. I can handle you this way."

"Are you talking about the story of the ghoー"

"Ah! Stop! Why do you have to tease me as soon as I said that!" Fluke whined, stopping his cooking when he had a coughing fit.

"Are you alright, Sir?" Tayn worriedly asked, getting a glass of water and giving it to Fluke to drink.

"I am alright, thanks. My throat has been itchy for a while now."

With furrowed brows, Tayn rubbed Fluke's back, suggesting "You should rest now, Sir. You are already feeling unwell. And you look pale."

"I guess you are right. Let me clean the kitchen first then I'll call it a day. You should go home too, Tayn. It's getting late already. Your wife is pregnant, don't leave her for a long time."

"I know. And I will go home after. But let me help you first." Tayn said when Fluke started coughing again.

Thanking him, Fluke immediately retreated to his room and rested for the night.

The next morning, Fluke felt alright and it doesn't feel like he has a fever so he went back to cooking again. When night comes, he felt fatigued so he rested for a while.

Late at night, he suddenly woke up feeling cold.

He is shivering.

He took his temperature and noted it together with the time on a small notebook he always keep on his bedside table. Slowly, he stood up with a blanket around him and looked for the cold medicine. Before going back to sleep, he kept a glass of water on his bedside table to keep himself hydrated.

When morning comes, his head feels heavy and he doesn't want to get out of his bed but he needs to get well and examine himself.

Checking first his temperature, he jotted it down again and found out how his temperature went up and down for two days. He was debating whether he should call Tayn and ask for his friend who is a doctor or wait for one more day to observe himself before deciding.

Fluke feels fine all morning and afternoon. Fatigue still present but he feels alright already so he decided not to call Tayn anymore and went back to the kitchen to cook. But when evening comes, the shivers and headache came back, Fluke has to steady himself on the counter first before he can walk forward because of dizziness.

Slowly walking to the telephone, he called Tayn who answered after two rings. "Hi, Tayn."

"Sir Fluke? Why do you sound tired?"

"I think I am sick. Can you ask your friend, Tom, to come and check up on me tomorrow? You can come too, Tayn."

"How about now? You don't sound so good." Tayn replied worriedly

"It's alright. It's already late. And I can still manage. Thank you Tayn."

Fluke went back to the kitchen and slowly cleaned and organized the clutter in the kitchen. Slowly he forced himself to finish cleaning. When he cannot stand the headache anymore, he took another cold medicine and retreated to his room. With shaking hands, he prepared a glass of water on his bedside table. Fluke groaned as he bundled himself with the blanket, still feeling cold.

"I only need rest."

Late at night, Fluke suddenly woke up. Feeling disoriented and lightheaded, he felt that he has forgotten something. When he saw the gifts he prepared on the coffee table, he suddenly remembered the wedding. Not knowing that the wedding is still a few days ahead, he rushed out of his bed but his movements are slow, tripping on the process. "No, I woke up late. I shouldn't be late. Where is Tayn? Why is he not here yet? I should not be absent at the most important day of their lives.... Tayn, where are you?"

In his mind, he heard Tayn calling for him downstairs. "I am coming, wait for me. Do not forget to bring our gifts." He mumbled, dryly coughing as he cradled the gifts and hurriedly exited his room. "I am coming, wait for me Sam and Prem. I have the best gift for the both of you." He kept on muttering as he zigzagged on his way to the stairs.

In reality, Fluke's temperature has risen and he is burning hot at the moment. His vision is becoming blurry but he still pushed himself to walk down the stairs, not even holding the handrail for support because in his mind he is feeling well and walking alright.

He is seeing Tayn, Sammy, and Prem waiting for him at the door. "Here, I have to give you my-" Fluke felt his body moving forward as he watched his gifts flew through the air. "No, I still have to give them their gifts-"

Feeling his body falling down, his eyes were only locked at the gifts he was carrying earlier. Fluke has his right hand outstretched as he hit the floor hard. Realizing he is in so much pain, his consciousness slowly left him. His last thought when he realized he is dying was, "It's alright, they will certainly live and move forward."

(–A MountainFairy work Collection–)

The door suddenly opened, Boun stands there as he gasped, out of breath from his running. One look at the sight before him, with Fluke peacefully sleeping and his cousin solemnly sitting beside him while holding his hand, pains him. "Ohm, how is he?"

"Still sleeping" Ohm softly replied, not taking his eyes away from the sleeping young man.

"I'm sorry. It's because I let him see grandma" Boun murmured. On his way home, Ohm has called him and asked Boun for the truth.

Turning to look at his cousin, Ohm shook his head as he replied, "No, not your fault. He has to. It must happen... and I know, I kind of understand. You are conflicted and do not know how to tell me because you are caught in both sides. You want to help your family; by helping grandma and at the same time by helping me."

"Still, I was already thinking on how to tell you so you can prepare for it but this happened. I cannot stop myself from thinking this is my fault. I cannot stop myself from thinking I have taken him away from you."

"Don't, Boun." Ohm replied, rapidly shaking his head as he lifted Fluke's hand and kiss his palm. "He is still here. He is just recollecting his memories and reorganizing everything. When he wakes up, let's think of what we should do to move forward together."

"Then... let's talk about something other than Fluke right now. How are you holding up?" Boun asked, stopping at the edge of the bed and sitting on it, facing his cousin who gave him a small smile.

"I am fine" Ohm replied, hand on Fluke's tightening as he gave his answer.

Boun frowned hearing that. "No, you are not fine at all."

"I can't say it. I can only say I am fine, Boun." Ohm replied, leaning on the headboard and letting out a deep sigh.

"Why? There is nothing wrong with admitting you are not fine at all, Ohm."

"I know that... but I do not want to because I cannot help but voice out my wish too if ever I admit it. And I do not want that. I do not want my wish and desire to be added to the shackles that kept him here, Boun. ... Fluke deserves to be free... no matter how much it will pain me, he deserves it."

"What do you want to happen then, Ohm?" Boun asked, already thinking of follownup questions to let his cousin reveal his heart.

"I just want to keep him in my heart at least. I want to always remember that I have loved a person named Fluke Chantarra with all my heart."

"You know, it's not wrong for you to say your wish out loud once, Ohm. There is no certainty that one's wishes for him will be added to his chains that keeping him here. As long as you won't repeat it over and over again, it is alright."

Ohm looked hesitant as he stared at Boun. When Boun gave him a nod of encouragement, He gripped Fluke's hand as he said, "My wish... is for him to be free from the past that has him chained in this house. I know, that wish will come true. I am certain of it because we are helping him both with that. But I have another wish, a selfish wish... that I am only going to say it once. My selfish wish is for him to be with me until the end of our lives. If possible, I want to grow old with him together. But I am ready... I am ready to keep him in my heart. You understand right, Boun? This pain... this pain of not being able to see him and hold him soon."

"Ohm... the both of you are being selfish then. But personally, I do not think it is selfish at all when both parties say the same wish."

Ohm stiffened before dropping a kiss on Fluke's forehead "What do you mean?"

"I asked him before you know. And he said the same wish you said; for you to be with him until the end. Though in Fluke's part, there is a different fear that lingers within him. He was a bit pessimistic and was sure you will realize it's not worth it at all and leave him as months passed by." Boun informed his cousin, patting the leg of Fluke that he can reach from where he is sitting. Boun watched as his cousin chuckled and moved to lay down beside Fluke. Slowly, Ohm neared his face and touched the younger's face, arranging his hair before he traced his face.

"Silly" Ohm mumbled, caressing Fluke's face. "Why would I leave? When it's the opposite that I want? And I told you before didn't I? You are in my heart and I will carry you with me. Always." Ohm didn't look away and kept his face near the younger. He then dropped a kiss on his cheek.

"Call me when he wakes up. I will prepare our late lunch." Boun said, hastily standing up to leave Ohm alone and have a moment with Fluke. Before he can turn around, he saw Ohm nodding at what he said before he dropped a kiss on the younger's lips.

Slowly, Boun closed the door. His heart quivering at the amount of love oozing from his cousin's eyes. "When everything that needs to happen happens already and the other one will finally disappears... Please, whoever is listening up above, tie the both of them together once again. So they can easily find each other next time."

"Where am I?" He mumbled, looking at his unfamiliar surroundings. "Why is it dark and barren in here?" He asked, cautiously walking straightforward, to the place that looks brighter than the others. He reached out his hand, surprising himself when his hand pass through the white material. "Why did ny hand pass through the curtain?" Cautiously, he outstretched his hand again. When the same thing happened, a wide smile appeared on his face and he walked forward with big steps. "Beautiful!"

He belatedly noticed that he is at the balcony of the house he woke up to. He looked at the house's surrounding; beautifully filled with trees outside the area and flowers inside the gate of the house. The sun is already high up above, he leaned up and tried to feel the heat of the sun. He didn't feel any heat but he is still feeling happy, happy and free.

Laughter fell out of his mouth as he turned around and instinctly gestured his hand to swipe the curtain. When the curtain followed his hand's direction and was pulled to the side and sunlight filled the room, he brightly laugh and dashed in the house suddenly feeling exhilarated.

Inside an old empty house, sunlight started filling in.

Bright laughter rings from upstairs, coating the once empty space.

"Why does it sound busy outside?" He murmured before passing through the window. Before this, he didn't try venturing outside and just stayed inside the house. It's already enough for him and he did not mind being alone at all so he was surprised when he saw a person below at the garden. "I can introduce myself to him! But what's my name again?" He thought, concentrating on thinking hard to remember his name and just when he felt like he remembered something like his name, he suddenly felt being dragged down. In a blink, he is not at the balcony anymore but at the garden, standing in front of the person at the garden.

He was amazed being teleported outside the place he had woken up. Also, he is seeing another person up close, that's already surprising because how many nights have already passed since he saw another person aside from him at the house? Also he knows and he is aware that he is not a living being at the moment so being able to communicate with this person amazes him. "Wow. You can see me? Hello! I do not know why but I think I am called Fluke. It is my pleasure to meet you! What is your name?"

"S-sir Fluke..."

"Yes! That's my name! You plant all of these flowers? This place is beautiful! Are you planting for more? Please do plant more! The colorful and vibrant kind! The yellow ones, the white ones, the blue ones, and the violet ones!"

"H-how"

Fluke stopped his pacing on the garden and turned to look at the human in front of him, "I don't know. Suddenly, I was there upstairs. And then something pulled me and I am here in front of you!" He ended, smiling brightly.

The person let go of the garden trowel and pack of seeds he has been carrying, too shock to react to the soul he is seeing in front of him. He fell on his knees.

"Are you alright?! Why are you crying?! I did not do anything to hurt you or did I? Mister?" Fluke tried to help but his hands only pass through.

"For the first time in my life, I am glad I have the same gift as my mother." The crying man laughed, confusing the ghost. He bowed down in front of him, crying, apologizing "I am sorry. I am so sorry"

"Why are you apologizing to me? You did not do anything wrong to me." Fluke crouched down and replied, trying to peek at the face of the person who has his head bowed in front of him. "What is your name?"

"I am Tayn, Sir Fluke." He replied, finally lifting his face to look at Fluke with a glad smile on his face.

Fluke waved happily when he saw Tayn arriving with a small child in tow. "So that is his son, Boston! He brought Boston with him!" Fluke exclaimed, happy to see a child.

Tayn has started leaving the front door of the house opened whenever he visits the garden, saying Fluke can go out whenever he wants to. Though Fluke reminded him he can pass through walls, Tayn still kept the door open.

Tayn was busy with his gardening that he didn't notice his son has already left his side and entered the house.

Fluke was at the balcony again, happy seeing Tayn taking care of the garden. Suddenly, he heard small steps. He turned around and found Tayn's son carrying a stick, tapping the floor. Surprised at the sudden appearance of the small child, he shouted for Tayn, notifying the father who immediately looked up after hearing him shout his name. "Tayn! What is Boston doing in here?"

Tayn arrived upstairs and saw how Fluke was trying to stop him on opening the balcony. Passing through the window, Fluke said to the child, "You cannot go there, Bosston. It is dangerous for a child to be there unsupervised."

"Boston! What are you doing up here? What did I tell you earlier? I told you to stay outside!"

"Do not be angry at Boston, Tayn." Fluke defended the small child who stopped trying to open the window but lifted his stick and tried to poke Fluke who is standing beside him.

"Father, does this mean I cannot play with him? I cannot hold him. My friend stick only passes through him."

"You can see me?/You can see Sir Fluke?"

"His name is Sir Fluke? Hello Sir Fluke." Bosston greeted with a small smile, getting embarrassed when the strange translucent person only stared at him.

"You and your father have gifts it seem. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Boston." Fluke warmly said to the child. He turned towards Tayn and brightly told him, "Boston will surely be a good man when he grow up, just like his father."

Tayn's suddenly glistening eyes confused Fluke but let the adult be and not questioned him.