Chapter 5: New Friends Are Like Durians — Smelly but Sweet!
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"Help!?"
The voice cut through the quiet alley like a sudden jolt. I froze, glancing at Jan, both of us eyes wide with concern and curiosity, trying to figure out where it came from. Without a word, we knew we had to act.
We ran toward the sound through the narrow alley, tension thick in the air. Five burly men stood before us. One brandished a pistol, another held a knife, two more gripped batons, and the last had nothing in his hands. In the center, a foreign girl stood defensively, flanked by two foreign men ready to protect her.
I glanced at Jan. No words were needed. We knew what had to be done to help the girl who called out for help with everything she had.
"Hey! You bastards!?" I shouted with confidence, my voice slicing through the air. The thugs turned, startled.
Time to be the hero, I thought. Maybe show off a bit.
I spun, dodging to the side, lifting my leg high and kicking the man holding the pistol. The gun flew out of his hands, clattering on the ground. Without hesitation, I followed up with a side kick to the thug's face, sending him stumbling backward.
Jan dashed to the foreign girl. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man charging with a baton. She didn't hesitate, delivering a precise kick to his groin. He collapsed, clutching himself in pain. Another thug lunged at her, but before she could strike, the two foreign men intercepted him.
I was still surrounded by two attackers. Time was running short. I sidestepped the man swinging a baton, but the one with the knife slashed at my arm, leaving a sting. Still, my determination held.
Dropping low, I kicked the knife-wielding man in the leg, making him stumble. Quickly pushing off the ground, I used my left leg to drive into the chest of the man with the baton. The baton fell, and I struck the knife-wielder's arm, forcing him to drop the knife.
"Don't play with fire!" I said, my voice confident. Both men stayed down, unwilling to move.
Meanwhile, the man I had kicked tried to grab his gun, but one of the foreign men intercepted him just in time.
From the distance came the unmistakable wail of approaching police sirens.
The tension finally broke. I approached them, asking about their situation and quickly learning they were around our age.
James, a young man with shoulder-length dark brown hair and deep green eyes, smiled warmly at me. "Thanks for helping us, man!"
I nodded, feeling the sincerity, before turning to Thomas, who stood tall and muscular, short light brown hair with a faint beard giving him a mature look. "We owe you one. That was some impressive fighting."
Pride swelled in me. All those training sessions finally paid off. "My master would probably cry tears of pride if he saw me now," I thought.
I smiled and introduced myself. "I'm Ray… no, actually… I'm Waran, but you can call me Ray."
Jan added, "I'm Jan. My real name is Nipa, but you can call me Jane."
Maria approached. Her long dark brown hair fell in soft waves, large lively blue eyes sparkling. Her warm smile instantly put everyone at ease. "I'm Maria."
Leah, James's older sister, looked strikingly similar to him—short, neat blonde hair and flawless skin, exuding confidence. "Thanks for stepping in."
This short conversation made me realize I was forming new bonds I'd never had before.
Then James spoke again, catching me off guard. "Actually… we know you, Ray."
"Huh?" I pointed at myself. "You… know me?"
Fragments of memory flickered back. Right, we'd been in the same class, but barely talked. They were as mischievous in class as I was—except Maria.
James and Leah were English, Thomas was British-American, and Maria was Thai-English. James and Leah were the children of an import merchant from England. Thomas's father worked in the lumber industry. Maria's father was a high-ranking civil servant, like mine. Encounters had been rare.
"Who in class doesn't know you?" Thomas asked with a laugh.
"True…" I replied, slightly embarrassed.
"Never knew you spoke English," James added.
I felt their gaze pierce me, glancing at Jan for help, but she was distracted talking with Leah and Maria.
Okay… I'm on my own here, I thought.
"Uh… well…" I started, but my words stuck in my throat.
"Your little secret, huh? Interesting," Thomas teased.
"Yeah…" I muttered, flustered.
"Then I guess we'll keep it a secret," James said, glancing at Thomas. They both laughed.
"Ray, don't look so serious. I won't tell anyone," James said, suppressing a smile. I just froze, not knowing what to say. Cramp was spreading across my face from all the tension.
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"Ray, don't make that face. I won't tell anyone," James said, trying to stifle a smile.
I froze for a moment, feeling a wave of awkwardness creeping across my face, like every muscle was cramping at once.
Before I could react, James and Thomas spoke almost in unison.
"Then… shall we be friends?"
Their eyes were fixed on me, pleading, like puppies begging for a treat—or maybe it was just my imagination.
I felt warmth bloom inside me. "Sure, why not," I replied with a smile.
Not bad at all. More friends meant more confidence to act all cool and nonchalant. Heeheehee.
After chatting for a bit, Jan and I bent down to grab the items we had set on the ground, then we wandered around, talking and joking. The camaraderie grew naturally through playful banter and teasing remarks that came out without restraint.
Who could've guessed we'd bond this quickly…
Just minutes ago, everyone was still being polite. We'd become fast friends in no time. And now… oh my god…
James turned to me with a grin. "Shall we grab lunch together?"
"Go!"
Thomas shifted forward. "Then let's go to the usual place."
Jan and I exchanged a look, silently asking, 'The usual place… which one?' But before we could ask, Thomas leaned in slightly, his face calm and his voice soft but clear.
"No need to worry. It's on me."
Jan immediately blurted out, "Let's go!"
I quickly interjected, "Hey, wait! Can't just answer like that!" I looked at Thomas, feigning ignorance. "So… unlimited ordering, right?"
Jan shot me a quick glance, shrugged, and muttered playfully under her breath, "Damn!"
Thomas raised an eyebrow, still a little puzzled by my words. "You mean… order as much as you like?"
He smiled faintly. "Of course."
I turned to Jan with exaggerated seriousness. "I'm not doing this for the food! If a new friend is treating us, we have to show respect!"
My declaration of respect became the topic of a short, lighthearted conversation, leaving everyone smiling.
Oh my god… I didn't expect this. At first, I imagined he'd take us to a fancy European-style restaurant. But no… he led us to a small noodle shop tucked in a narrow alley.
Jan and I stood there, bewildered, muttering together, "Noodles?"
Thomas laughed. "Oh, come on! You don't know a thing. The best stuff is right here! Authentic Thai noodles!"
Leah chimed in, her voice bright and slightly dramatic, "This place is fabulous!"
James and Maria nodded enthusiastically, their expressions reflecting past experiences of truly delicious food.
I glanced at Jan, still wide-eyed, and chuckled softly.
Thomas tilted his head, curious. "Or… you don't like it?"
We quickly replied together. "No, we love it!"
We stepped inside. The shop wasn't crowded. Its small, cozy atmosphere was perfect—just a few wooden tables, the gentle bubbling of bone broth in a large pot, water splashing into bowls, the soft clinking of spoons on bowls as the dishes were served. It felt alive and warm, yet peaceful.
An elderly man stood behind the counter, diligently preparing the noodles. His wife smiled warmly, chatting casually with the few customers. The fragrance of the broth and spices wafted through the air, giving the place a homely, comforting vibe.
Grandpa approached to take our order, his face bright with warmth. "Khun Thomas, did you bring new friends today?" His voice was polite, friendly, and welcoming.
Thomas smiled. "Yes, we'd like them to taste the shop's special noodle recipe today."
Grandpa nodded slowly, with a kind demeanor. "Excellent, excellent. My noodles will make sure you like them. I'll make them extra special."
Jan and I exchanged a small glance before placing our orders.
"I'll have a big bowl, please. Extra special!"
Jan smiled sweetly. "I'll have boat noodles, with lots of pork, Khun Grandpa."
Grandpa beamed. "Of course! Just a little wait and the good stuff will be ready."
James and Thomas exchanged glances and chuckled quietly, as if sharing an inside joke. "Khun Grandpa probably hasn't met foreign foodies who are this hardy. Maybe we'll even get an extra spicy version today."
Leah whispered to Maria, "Think our new friends can handle it?"
Maria laughed softly. "At Khun Grandpa's noodle shop, everyone falls in love. If not for the taste, then for the warm, homely vibe."
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It didn't take long before Khun Grandpa returned to the counter, accompanied by Khun Grandma's warm smile. They took the orders and started cooking the noodles with careful, eager movements. The aroma of the broth and spices wafted through the air, carrying us back to another era.
Jan murmured softly to me, "Ray… this feels like a scene from some old movie."
I chuckled quietly. "Right? That's the charm of the old days. It's cozy, isn't it?"
We sat down at a worn wooden table, its faded but clean tablecloth giving the corner of the shop a homey warmth. Everyone started chatting and laughing, the quiet atmosphere filled with small sparks of friendship that bloomed between words and laughter.
After laughing for a while, I shrugged and said, "Whatever, who cares?" waving my hands dismissively, earning chuckles from everyone.
Jan grinned mischievously before slapping the table loudly. "Ow! My hand!" Everyone flinched and burst into laughter.
I shouted immediately, "What the hell, Jan?"
She shrugged and gave a sly look. "Nothing, just had a fun idea! We're supposed to dress up for the theater, right? But I think it's not cool enough. I want it to be more fashionable. What do you think?"
We exchanged glances, puzzled. "Fashion?" Thomas tilted his head, curious.
Jan arched her eyebrow confidently. "Yep! Just wait and see. It's gonna be hot!"
Then the noodles arrived. Khun Grandpa brought them over, chuckling. "Try not to hit the table too hard, or it might break, eh?"
Everyone erupted in laughter. Thomas laughed so hard he held his stomach. "Bloody hell, mate, we'll have no table left if Jan keeps this up!"
I gazed at the bowl of noodles. The chewy strands rested in a wooden bowl, showing signs of wear from years of use. The golden broth, fragrant from pork bones, steamed invitingly, garnished with chopped green onions and coriander for freshness. Tender slices of pork and crisp bean sprouts floated on top. The flavors were rich, the aroma practically pulling at my nose. I looked at the bowl as if it had been crafted to resurrect the dead.
I stared at the noodles hungrily, watching the golden broth shimmer like heavenly light. The strands seemed to beckon me softly, whispering, "Eat me… eat me…" I carefully picked up a strand and tasted it, excitement bubbling as if I'd discovered a hidden treasure.
"The noodles are tender, the pork melts in your mouth… This pig must have been unlucky but died for the honor of this bowl!" I thought, chuckling while sipping the broth.
"Oh… this is literally ambrosia!" I exaggerated in my mind, drinking as if it were my last meal. "If I got to eat like this every day, I'd be another pig in the bowl!"
Jan peeked at me, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Really that good?"
I raised an eyebrow, holding up a slice of pork. "You don't get it. This pork sacrificed itself for our taste buds. This pig is a hero. I'll remember it forever!"
James laughed. "Oh mate, that's a bit over the top, isn't it?"
Thomas nodded. "Yeah, if every bowl was like this, you'd be as big as an elephant!"
I laughed. "Who cares, I'd die happy with this in my belly!"
After we finished eating, everyone wandered through the shops again. The narrow alleys were lined with antiques, vintage jewelry, and old European-style clothing that captured Jan's attention. She barely wanted to let go of the beautiful things she found.
After a while, forgetting they needed to head home, Thomas asked, concerned, "Hey, should we walk you back?"
I smiled confidently. "No need, we'll manage ourselves. Easy peasy." I waved dismissively, as if it were no big deal.
"Seriously?" Maria asked, doubt flickering in her eyes. "You sure you can handle it?"
"Absolutely," I confirmed.
"Then we'll walk with you," James added earnestly.
We walked to the pier. Thomas, James, Maria, and Leah froze when they saw the small wooden boat waiting there, disbelief written across their faces.
"You… you rowed here yourselves!?" Maria exclaimed, astonishment sparkling in her eyes.
I grinned proudly, raising an eyebrow. "Of course! We're pro-level—just rowing the boat, piece of cake."
Professional, huh?
Jan, standing beside me, rolled her eyes silently, thinking, "Pro my ass," but didn't voice it.
Thomas still looked shocked. "Then… next time, you'll have to teach us." He laughed dryly.
I laughed. "Deal! We'll show you the ropes."
Haha, honestly, even we barely survived rowing ourselves, I thought.
After that, we packed everything into the boat. I untied the rope and started rowing. The afternoon air was crisp and fresh, with other boats gliding by, adding life and movement to the pier.
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After we had paddled away from the dock for a while, a sense of pure fun started to bubble up in the air. The river stretched silently around us, but our laughter and singing cut through the calm like fireworks.
Jan sat at the back of the boat, paddling and belting out songs at the same time. Her voice carried with wild enthusiasm, bouncing over the water and blending with the gentle rustle of the river's edge.
She lifted her paddle high, holding it like a microphone, rocking her head to the rhythm. Her long hair whipped around in the breeze, and she kept one hand on the paddle-microphone for balance as the boat glided forward.
I glanced at her with a grin, feeling the rush of energy that only comes from pure, unrestrained fun.
Jan shouted, moving to the beat, nearly tipping the boat in her excitement. Our laughter echoed across the river, catching the attention of anyone who happened to be nearby.
I swung my paddle down into the water with a loud splash, using it like a drum, and the boat jolted slightly in response. Jan's voice cut through the rhythm crazily, her movements wild, as she stood and danced like she was on a grand stage, barely caring which way the boat drifted.
The river around us seemed to pulse with our laughter and music, a private little festival in the quiet evening. People on the banks and passing boats turned to watch, drawn by our chaotic joy.
"Woohoo!" Jan yelled, throwing her paddle into the air with a triumphant laugh. "This isn't enough! We need to go all out!"
I laughed, spinning sideways in the boat and pretending to lose my balance. Jan shrieked, "Watch out! You're gonna fall!"
I pulled a silly face, and we both burst into another round of laughter, the kind that shakes your whole body.
The sun was sinking slowly, painting the sky from soft orange to deep purple, a backdrop that made our reckless joy feel even more magical.
As we paddled closer to home, the music and laughter began to fade, replaced by the soft hush of evening. And then, something caught my eye, changing the atmosphere in an instant.
"Holy shit!?" I exclaimed, my heart skipping a beat.