The Taste of Clouds

IV

It is my first time to go outside like this. I feel nostalgic at the moment. My mom, my dad and I used to go like this kind of place.

I was surprised when we arrived here. The image of Soi Cowboy during the night is so nice. It looks like I'm inside the bar because of the neon lights.

Also, it's my first time showing up here. Clouds in the evening are not visible to the naked eye that's why I sometimes move outside when the evening strikes.

"It seems you like Soi Cowboy?"

"Yes, mom. It's nice to be here." I joyfully said while looking at the lights.

"Where do you want to go?"

While Gene and his mom was strolling around, he found himself a book store.

"There!" I pointed at a book store beside the mini restaurant that captivate my eyes first.

I dragged myself inside due to excitement. I didn't expect that Soi Cowboy has a book store, if I knew, I would visit here every day and if I don't have nephophobia. I came to the interior and was amazed by all the books they sell.

While I was scanning for good books, an unknown person bumped me who appears out of nowhere.

"Aw!" I cried.

"Gene?" I got chills when he called my name. I rubbed my eyes to see him clearly. "Who are you?"

"It's me, Tay. Have you forgotten your childhood friend?"

Tay is my childhood friend and he moved to Bangkok 10 years before me and my mom permanently lived here.

"Tay? Is it really you?" I was still in shock so I asked him in curiosity.

"Yeah, dude. How are you?"

"I'm doing great, and you?"

"I'm fine. You are now a grown-up and a handsome man!"

I giggled "Oh, silly! Not 'that handsome', you are more handsome." I praised. "It's such a long time since we saw each other." I tapped his shoulders and put a big smile on my face.

"I didn't know that you are here in Bangkok."

"We moved here 7 years ago."

He formed an 'o' shape in his mouth "Wow! I didn't even know that."

"Long story."

"Where are you staying right now? So that I can pay you a visit."

"At Prawet."

"Oh! You live in Prawet? I permanently staying at Phra Khanong."

"What a small world for us!"

"Yeah. You're searching for books?"

I shook my head. "I can't pick one."

"Oh, try this..." He paused and tries to find the book he's looking for.

"Here." He handed it over.

" Here's To Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli?"

"It's a nice book, a romance one."

"Thank you but I don't read romance books."

"Really? What are you reading then?"

"Horror."

"Oh, I see. I can not recommend you one, I don't read horror books."

"Horror books are exciting and thrilling to read, try reading it. ... Or maybe you are afraid of the ghosts?" I strangely smiled while eye contacting him.

"Uhh... I di-didn't say that. I-I just don't like the vibes when reading it." He broke the eye contact then I burst out laughing. Did I just scare him with my smile?

"You are just like Gulf," I whispered to myself.

"Gulf?"

"Uhh... Nothing. See you around!" I waved goodbye to excuse myself.

I paid for the books I chose and leave. My mom must be waiting for me for several hours.

My phone vibrated, I received a message from my mom.

Are you finished buying books, Gene? I'm here at the mini restaurant. Come over here if you are done.

The mini restaurant looks simple but serves expensive foods.

As Gene entered the resto his mom called him.

"I'm here, Gene!"

“Did you wait long?”

“No, I was startled when you entered the resto after I send you the message 2 minutes ago. Since you cut your dinner, what do you want to eat?”

Gene scanned at the menu, trying to find what his stomach craves. He saw a chicken stew that his father cooks for him when he was little.

"Hmmm... Chicken stew would be nice, mom."

“Oh, you missed your dad's chicken stew?"

I nodded.

His mom can't cook the same chicken stew as his dad. He really misses that stew.

His mom called the waiter for them to order.

"One serve of hot chicken stew and two serves of khao man gai.”

Hainanese chicken rice is a common dish in Thailand where it is called Khao man kai (Thai: ข้าวมันไก่), literally meaning "chicken oily rice". (Correct me if this research is wrong).

Everybody loves khao man gai. The chicken rice dish is one of the most popular items in a long list of Thai street food.