She stopped her train of thought. Smiled to herself. And why shouldn’t she? After all, she was just a teenager. She’d almost forgotten.
Mirak turned up at nine and sat at the bar entertaining staff and customers alike with his tales of police work. Siswan enjoyed his company and especially liked the way he smiled at her every so often. She sat and listened, along with everyone else at the bar, as he told a story concerning a farang and his local wife.
‘It was when I was stationed in the North,’ he told them. ‘We didn’t get many farangs in those days, but there was one who moved there to be with his wife’s family. We received the call at about two in the afternoon.’
As Siswan watched the customers faces it became clear that Mirak had a certain something. He drew people toward him. They liked him. His voice was easy to listen to, his manner relaxed. Comfortable.
‘When we arrived, there was a huge argument going on between the farang and several members of his wife’s family,’ he continued. ‘The farang, whose name was Steve as I recall, was most upset.’
Siswan smiled when Mirak glanced her way. She was enjoying listening to him speak. He seemed to be in his element.
‘It appeared that, the night before, Steve’s wife had told him that the following day her family were coming over to do some fishing in the small lake attached to their land. Steve had thought this a wonderful idea and a great way to get to know the family better.’
He paused to take a sip of the drink in front of him. Siswan noticed that his audience also drank from their own glasses. He was leading them just as she would have done. She had even sipped her own orange juice.
‘Anyway, the following morning,’ Mirak continued. ‘Steve told his wife he was going into town to get a rod and reel. Apparently he had never fished before and was looking forward to learning with her family. His wife, who didn’t speak a great deal of English, didn’t understand what a rod and reel were, so she just let him get on with it.’
Mirak paused once more. Looked to Siswan and gave her a quick wink.
‘You see, Steve had this image of them all sitting on the side of the lake, rods in hand, a few cool beers, getting to know one another,’ Mirak told them. ‘Off he went, in to town, to find a fishing shop. Meanwhile, his wife’s family turned up in the back of a pickup truck.’
Siswan had an idea where the story was going but didn’t say anything to spoil it for the rest of the customers. Even the girls were listening intently as Mirak went on.
‘Whilst Steve was equipping himself with the latest carbon fibre extending rod complete with a high tech casting reel, his wife and her family pulled two diesel powered water pumps out of the back of the pickup and started draining the lake.’
He paused to take another drink and to let what he had just said sink in. His timing was just about perfect.
‘By the time poor old Steve got back with his fishing gear and a crate of beers, the lake was virtually empty and his wife and her family were wading through the mud picking up all the fish. As you can imagine, Steve wasn’t too pleased and started yelling at his wife. Her family joined in on her side and a fight ensued. By the time we got there, the pickup was loaded with fish, Steve had a broken nose and his wife wanted a divorce.’
‘What did you do?’ one of the girls asked him.
‘There wasn’t a lot we could do. We arranged a trip to the hospital for Steve, fined two of the local men and helped ourselves to a few fish,’ Mirak laughed.
‘Did they divorce, then?’ Siswan asked him.
‘No. They patched it up in the end. Eventually, when the rains came again, the lake filled up and Steve got to use his new rod and reel,’ he answered. ‘It all boils down to a lack of communication between the locals and the farangs.’
‘I can understand why he got angry, though,’ a farang customer said. ‘I’d have been bloody livid.’
‘That’s the problem,’ Mirak said. ‘It’s all about understanding our ways. Trouble is, half the time, we don’t understand them ourselves. I would have used a net to catch the fish.’
Other customers started with their stories of misunderstandings between farangs and the locals. It seemed as though everyone had a tale to tell. Some funny, others sad. Mirak managed to extract himself from the bar and joined Siswan at a table in the corner where they could talk.
‘The bar is doing well, Siswan,’ he said, as he sat down opposite her.
‘Yes. It’s coming on. We still have a lot to do though.’
She told him about the challenge with Apple. She lowered her voice to explain that it had started off as a fixed incentive and he had to lean towards her to hear.
‘So, now it’s a real challenge?’ he asked.
‘Yes. Apple set it up with the girls from Mike’s Bar,’ she explained.
‘Well, good for Apple.’ He laughed, not unkindly. ‘Makes it far more interesting.’
‘I suppose it does. Mind you, I was a bit shocked when she did it,’ Siswan smiled.
‘Of course, you do know I’ll have to report this, don’t you?’ He looked at her.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, gambling’s illegal here. As a police officer I have no other choice.’
He laughed at her expression.
‘Unless, of course, you had an invite as well?’ she asked, with a wry smile.
‘Ah, well. A day in a spa surrounded by beautiful girls? I suppose I could be tempted to overlook it just this one time.’ He smiled.
‘No way! I’m not having you staring at all those women!’ she said, before she could stop herself.
‘Really?’ he asked quietly. ‘Why not, Siswan?’
Siswan felt herself blush. Why had she said that? Did it matter if he looked at another girl? Why should she care? Unless, of course, she was falling for him. Allowing herself to like him.
‘I don’t know,’ she said, quickly. ‘I don’t know why I said that. It was just a joke.’
He didn’t say anything. Sat back in his chair. Siswan got the impression that he was helping her. Letting her off the hook. He didn’t seem annoyed or frustrated in any way. He didn’t want to embarrass her further. He looked around the bar.
‘Do you think Apple might win?’ he said, looking back to her.
She was thankful for the respite. Pleased that he didn’t push her into revealing her true feelings. If he had, she would have withdrawn completely. Perhaps he knew that, or felt it? Perhaps that was why he didn’t push too hard? Maybe he knew her better than she knew herself? At that precise moment, Siswan realised, and accepted the fact, that she had really strong feelings for the man sat opposite her. It was the first time she had ever felt the emotions that stirred within her.
‘She might,’ she smiled at him. ‘She’s very good.’
‘Oh dear, that wouldn’t be good would it,’ he teased her.
‘No.’ She laughed. ‘I’d have to buy her a new outfit, as well.’
‘I could arrange a few visits, if you like?’ Mirak joked. ‘Put the customers off.’
‘No, that wouldn’t do. If I’m going to win, it has to be fair,’ she said.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Enjoying each other’s company.
Siswan felt perfectly at ease. The first time she had ever felt at ease with a man.
‘So, what does your future hold, Mirak?’ she asked, and added quickly. ‘With your job, I mean.’
‘I think another two years as a detective, then try for promotion. Probably have to go back into uniform for a while,’ he told her.
She looked at him whilst he spoke. He became serious when he talked about his work. She could tell he was passionate when it came to policing.
‘Did you always want to be a policeman?’ she asked.
‘Yes. My father was
a cop. His father was a cop. It runs in the family,’ he answered.
‘So, where will you end up? Chief of police?’ she smiled, as she asked.
‘That would be good, wouldn’t it?’ He laughed with her. ‘No, I don’t think so. I’d be happy to make Inspector.’
Siswan sat and talked with Mirak for another hour or so. She skirted any subjects that came too close to revealing her feelings towards him. Feelings that she had now accepted and actually enjoyed.
‘Well, I’d better be going now, Siswan,’ he told her. ‘I have to be up early tomorrow and, unlike you, I need as much beauty sleep as I can get.’
She smiled at his compliment and regretted that he was leaving. The evening had passed so quickly in his company.
‘Thank you for coming, Mirak. I enjoyed myself,’ she told him.
‘I enjoyed it too,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘Perhaps we could see each other again a little sooner rather than later this time?’
She didn’t pull her hand away. Allowed it to rest in his.
‘Yes. I’d like that,’ she answered. ‘You have my number?’
‘Yes, I logged it straight after you called. First thing I did.’ He smiled.
‘Okay. Well you call me next time,’ she said.
‘Tomorrow?’
‘If you like.’ She laughed. ‘Now go and get some sleep.’
He smiled, squeezed her hand gently, and left with a wave to the customers and the bar girls. Siswan went back to work. She allowed herself a little smile as she started towards a table where a farang sat alone. Occasionally, she thought to herself, it was better to go with the wave. Allow it to push her back into the shallower water. Then, when she found her feet, she could try once more to go deeper. Mirak was a wave she was content to swim with.
*****
At the end of the second month, Siswan, Apple and Mike sat together to tally up the totals from each bar. The three of them met up in Mike’s before anyone else turned up for work. Mike acted as the impartial referee. He really didn’t mind who won and was enjoying his unbiased position.
‘So, Siswan,’ he said, as he methodically went over the receipts. ‘How do you think you’ve done?’
‘Oh, come on Mike!’ She laughed. ‘Just get on with it!’
‘Yes, hurry up, Mike, the suspense is killing me!’ Apple admonished him.
‘Okay. Okay. Take it easy. This has to be done right, you know,’ Mike said, in mock seriousness. ‘We can’t have any mistakes.’
Siswan watched him as he slowly went over the figures again. He was looking so much better than when she had first seen him. Rican was fattening him up and he had all but given up drinking alcohol. His eyes smiled more often and his skin had a healthier shine to it. She guessed he was enjoying his life once more.
Apple too, had changed since Siswan had first seen her. The young, dreamy girl had gone. In her place was a woman who commanded respect. A woman who earned respect. The silly girl she had seen a few months before, was now a woman who knew her future. As she watched them both she wondered what they thought of her.
Mirak was in her life now. An important part of it. She wondered how far he would go with her. How long before he became frustrated enough to move on. She knew he wanted to take the relationship further. Knew he would eventually want to sleep with her. That was where the problem lay. With her. She couldn’t take that all important step. She had come close once or twice. She had tried to allow him to take her. Had tried to respond to his touch. His passion. She had tried really hard. And failed.
Twice they had become passionate. Both times in his apartment. Both times she had pulled away at the last moment. The thoughts, the memories, wouldn’t allow her to relax. To enjoy. To let go and abandon herself to him.
She knew he felt confused. Dissatisfied, even. She wanted to open up to him. To explain the problem. To gain his understanding, his help. She couldn’t. The shame of it all kept flooding back into her mind. Her mother had condemned her. What you do is wrong, Siswan. She couldn’t block the thoughts. Couldn’t prevent the image of her mother entering her mind.
She knew that she loved Mirak. She knew it with all her heart. His warm voice, his laughter. The sparkle in his eyes. She enjoyed their time together.
Enjoyed the feel of his hand as he held hers. She loved everything about him. Everything, except one thing. He was a man who wanted her.
She just couldn’t give herself to him. It was like giving herself to Bak. Giving herself to the boys in the fields. Don’t let them enter you, Siswan. Bak had told her that time and time again. Do whatever they want but don’t let them enter you. Her mother had condemned her.
Siswan pulled her thoughts back to Mike and Apple. This was what was important. The feelings inside her, the emotions, were nothing compared to her dream. Mike was speaking.
‘You know, it’s a close thing,’ he told them. ‘I’d better go over the figures again, just to be sure.’
‘Don’t you dare,’ Siswan told him.
‘We both love you, Mike,’ Apple told him. ‘But if you keep us waiting another second, I swear, we’ll kill you.’
‘Alright, alright.’ Mike laughed. ‘Siswan, this month Swan’s Bar turned over a total of one million, eight hundred and twenty six thousand, four hundred and ten. Not bad, not bad at all.’
Mike paused. Took a drink from his glass of orange juice. Slowly pulled the paperwork from Mike’s Bar towards him.
‘Mike. I swear,’ Apple warned him.
Mike looked at both Siswan and Apple. Two lovely looking girls. Siswan’s almost perfect beauty. Apple’s radiant cheekiness. He thought of them both as his daughters now. He couldn’t help but smile at the concerned expressions on their faces. Both of them determined to win, both of them equally worried that the other would have to lose.
‘Okay, well here we go then,’ he said to them, as he pored back over the paperwork. ‘Apple, this bar turned over a total of one million, eight hundred and twenty four thousand, eight hundred and eighty two.’
He smiled at them both. Saw the slight look of relief on both of their faces.
‘A difference of one thousand, five hundred and twenty eight. Sorry Apple,’ he said.
‘Wow, that was close,’ Apple said. ‘We almost beat you, Miss Siswan.’
‘Yes. Very close.’ Siswan smiled back.
She was thinking that it was a little too close. What would have happened if Apple had won? Would she have lost face in the sight of all the girls? She didn’t know. Glad that she didn’t have to find out.
‘So. When do you want to go shopping?’ Apple asked her.
‘Oh, I didn’t mean it, Apple,’ she said.
‘If I’d have won, would you have insisted on buying the outfit?’ Apple asked her.
‘Yes. You’re quite right. I’m sorry,’ Siswan told her.
Apple had grown up completely. Had the girl won, Siswan would have insisted on keeping to the bet. In fact, Apple was exceeding her expectations. She really had expected Mike’s bar to flounder a little. As it was, it had beaten the previous months’ turnover quite considerably.
‘Tomorrow morning?’ she asked Apple.
‘Great. Meet you here at eleven?’
‘That’ll be good. Want to come, Mike?’ Siswan asked him.
‘Oh, yeah. Sure. Now what makes you think I’d enjoy shopping with two women? I don’t like shopping with one. I don’t even like shopping.’ He laughed, in response.
‘But you are going to the spa, aren’t you?’ Apple asked.
‘No, keep it as an all girl day. You don’t want an old man there, ogling all you sexy girls,’ he said, laughing.
‘Well, if it’s okay with you, Mike, I think both bars did really well so I think all the girls should go, don’t you?’ Siswan aske
d him.
‘Funny, I was going to suggest the very same thing,’ he said. ‘Take Rican with you as well, eh? She’d enjoy that.’
‘What about the bars? Who’s going to open them?’ Apple put in.
‘I don’t think it would hurt if we open late. What do you think, Mike?’ Siswan turned to him.
‘What are you both looking at me for? You two run the bloody places, you sort it out,’ he joked.
In the end it was agreed that they would put up notices in both bars saying that the following Monday was a staff training day and that the bars wouldn’t open until nine in the evening.
‘So, I’ll arrange the spa for next Monday. We’ll all meet up here at twelve. That’ll give the girls enough sleep,’ Siswan told Apple. ‘What are we going to have? Mud packs? Body scrubs? Herbal baths?’
‘Oh my god, worse than bloody shopping.’ Mike laughed, and left them to their feminine discussions.
‘You know where he’s going, don’t you?’ Apple asked, as soon as Mike had slipped out of the main doors.
‘No. Where?’ Siswan was curious.
‘To go and get Rican. He hardly ever lets her get a bus or taxi anymore. And never lets her go home alone at night,’ Apple told her.
‘Well, I knew there was something going on, I just didn’t know it was that serious,’ Siswan said.
‘Oh, yes,’ Apple said. ‘It’s serious alright. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to a wedding any day soon.’
‘Really? That serious?’ Siswan was shocked.
‘Yes. Why do you think Mike spends so much time in this bar and not the other one?’
Siswan felt a little out of touch. She had been spending so much time working in Swan’s bar, spending so much time with Mirak, that she had lost track of what was going on. She didn’t like the feeling. Didn’t like the fact that things were happening that she didn’t know about. She needed to concentrate on what was important.
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