Semester Abroad (closed for justabrick)

[justabrick]

“Yeah, no problem!” I smile happily.

Then I open the door for you, and motion for you to lead the way, looking forward to another look at you from behind…

 

[brandijade]

As I head downstairs, I realize that I actually feel ok, for the first time since I caught them together. I give you a smile when we get to the street.

"Which way?" I ask you.

 

[justabrick]

“Oh, this way,” I instinctively wrap my arm around your slim waist, and guide you to the left. I keep my hand there as we walk, both because it feels comfortable, and because I want people who see us to believe we’ve been together forever.

“So… how much Thai do you know?” I ask, trying to come up with conversation.

 

[brandijade]

I am about to say something about your arm around me, but I stop. Maybe you know what you're doing. Maybe foreign women are seen as targets.

"How much?" I say. "I don't know. Not much, just like... please, thank you, my name is... where is the bathroom?"

 

[justabrick]

I set down the street, enjoying the feeling of the curve of your hip on my hand, and the looks we get.

“Good thing I’m here to help,”
I smile, and proceed to make the transaction, explaining to the teller that you’re my partner. I end up taking a fairly large cut for myself.

“I’m enjoy this little detour from my normal routine,” I smile down at you, “Anything else you need to get done while we’re out?”

 

[brandijade]

"Yeah, good thing," I say, wondering if you are really here to help. The conversation with the teller is far too fast for me to follow, but I look up the exchange rate while you talk. What you hand me is less than it should be.

"I'm good," I say. "Thanks for all your help." I frown as I realize I really can't trust anyone. Not Jack. Not Jill. Not you.

 

[justabrick]

“Ok,” I smile contently, and give you a small hug.

“I’m glad we found each other, Brandi. I know you’re hurting inside, but I believe everything happens for a reason, even if you don’t see the reason right now. Hang in there. I’ll pick you up at 7, ok?”

Soon, I’m off down the stairs.

 

[brandijade]

"Yeah, seven," I say.

He hugs me after he rip me off, so that's something. I go up to the little room, chewing on his words. Things happen for a reason. What reason was there to any of this though? Jack's betrayal? His little con? Jetlag is catching up with me, so as soon as I'm inside, I fall asleep on the couch.

 

[justabrick]

I go about my shift, but you’re in the back of my mind all day. I can’t wait to introduce you to the group that saved me- I know they can improve your life, too, and I know every one of them will be happy to meet you.

After going home to shower and change, I return to your flat, and knock at your door right at 7.

 

[brandijade]

I wake up to the knocking, and head to the door. I almost fall over my feet, I hadn't even got my heels off before I fell asleep. I open it and I see you.

"What?" I say, and then I remember where I am. Thailand. Alone. And you were the cab driver. Who was going to take me... somewhere, At 7. "Is it 7 already?" I say.

 

[justabrick]

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “You look like you just woke up… You ready to go? I can wait…”

I look past you into the room and smile, seeing your bags in the corner, just as we left them.

 

[brandijade]

"I did just wake up," I say, my voice sleepy and disoriented. "It's like, really early back home."

I look at my bags. I haven't even begun to unpack. "Let's just go. It's ok if I fix my makeup in the car, right?"

 

[justabrick]

“Aww, hun,” I smile, touching your hand, and looking you deep in the eyes, “You look beautiful. But yeah, if you want to do your makeup in the car, that’s fine too.”

 

[brandijade]

"OK, thanks," I say. I grab my purse and start to head down, stopping as I pull the door closed to look at him. I look beautiful. I sigh softly. I know he's probably just bullshitting me but it's nice to hear.

 

[justabrick]

It’s true, I think to myself as I wrap my hand around your waist as I had when we went to the bank earlier in the day- you’re a natural beauty, and Jack or whoever it was who left you is a fool. I open the passenger door for you, and watch you relax into the big, plush front seat.

“Feel free to nap,” I smile as I turn the ignition and head off down the road, “I won’t be offended. I know you’ve had a long day.”

 

[brandijade]

I'm riding in the front this time, I think. I'm a little confused when he tells me to nap, because at home, it's morning. My body is telling me to wake up, and I'm waking up. I flip the sunvisor down and use the mirror to start putting on makeup.

"I'm fine," I say. "I slept... pretty much since you left, honestly. Have you been working all that time?"

 

[justabrick]

“Oh, I went home to take a shower,” I explain, now seeing that you’re awake and alert. “Don’t I smell nice?” I tease, poking you playfully in the ribs.

 

[brandijade]

The poke in the ribs makes me jump, and nearly makes me put my lipstick up my nose. I frown at you for a second and then shrug.

"You do, kinda, yeah," I say.

 

[justabrick]

I smile confidently at your comment, and continue on down the road, occasionally stealing glances at your curves. Soon, the smoggy city air gives way to lush, green forest.

“So, why did you pick Thailand to study in?” I inquire as we get closer to the compound.

 

[brandijade]

"A little about beautiful beaches and a little about the culture, I guess," I say. It's clear that I'm having a hard time explaining myself. It had all been so clear, when it was going to be me and Jack.

 

[justabrick]

"You're going to love it here," I reassure you, touching your leg as the Temple comes into view. It's two stories tall, with tall exterior walls and iron bars disguise by bright paint of every color. I scan my key card at the wrought iron gate, which opens with a creak, then shuts behind us.

I pull up to the front door, where a strong young man, dressed in a flowing blue robe, opens the door for you. "This is Ocean," I introduce him to you, and he bows silently and kisses your hand, then smiles slightly as he looks into your eyes.

 

[brandijade]

I am surprised that we are going into a place with a gate, but then, who knows what is normal in Thailand? I was drawn here because things were different, and the building is so colorful. It's beautiful, but it would never get by an HOA back home.

Then the door is opened by a young man in a robe.

"Uh, hi Ocean," I say, and I blush when he kisses my hand. "Thank you," I say, giggling nervously.

 

[justabrick]

Kumara smiles at your nervousness, and puts a hand on the small of your back, urging you forward, toward the large, ornately colored door at the front of the Temple. Seemingly not able to keep his eyes off of you, Ocean opens the door for you.

“He’s taken a vow of silence,” Kumara explains, as you walk through a hallway that’s just as brightly colored as the outside walls. At the end of the hall is a punch bowl, with a brightly colored liquid inside.

“Would you like some wine?” he asks, approaching the bowl and scooping a ladle-full into a glass.

“Careful,” he adds with a wink, “It’s strong stuff!”

 

[brandijade]

This was all so strange, she thought, looking at the hallway. So colorful. It seemed meaningful, but as if it were in a language she couldn't understand.

"What is this place?" she said, turning to look at the handsome, silent young man who opened the door and stared at her. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her shiver with excitement. Maybe it was just the thought of him being silent, forever. "Is he some kind of monk?"

It was disappointing. And that was annoying. She had met Ocean thirty seconds ago, and already she was disappointed that they wouldn't be hooking up. She accepted the wine without thinking and took a sip. It was sweet, complex, full of exotic flavors. And strong.

It was just what she needed, to stop thinking about Jack. She took a bigger sip.

 

[justabrick]

Kumara smiles, watching you relax as you take another sip.

“Good, isn’t it?” he grins, taking a sip from his own cup, and letting his hand wander lower down your back, feeling the curve of your waist and hip, occasionally wandering down from there. “Come on, I want you to meet the others.”

“We’re all monks in a way,” he says, mysteriously answering your earlier question. “Even you…” he grins, “You want to learn more about life, uncover its meaning, right? That’s what being a monk is all about.”

Before you can respond, a couple walks up to you, arm in arm. “This is Naranja and Sweetgrass” Kumara introduces. Sweetgrass looks at you flirtatiously, and touches Naranja’s chest as she whispers something in his ear, causing him to smile.

“Has she had her Reading yet?” Naranja asks with a grin.

“Not yet,” Kumara responds, taking a sip, and grinning at you, “We’ll get there.”