Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Twenty


The traffic was much lighter than they thought. A tour bus had just arrived with scores of tourists at the Narai hotel. Touts were seen licking their lips and talking on their cell-phones to hook the new tourists arriving and leaving the hotel. Only they knew the art of cheating and misrepresentation, but somehow they survived.

James and Rudy arrived at the hotel, separately. Rudy wore sunglasses so that he saw others, who were staring at him. Like a tourist, he walked to the reception, and asked a few questions regarding sightseeing. The receptionist gladly answered all his queries and directed him to the concerned travel agency specializing in such tours.

After thanking her, Rudy looked around to see if anyone was watching him. He saw James reading the Bangkok Post in the lounge. Before he could finish asking the bellhop the direction to the lavatory, Rudy recognized a familiar voice. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Jeffrey was talking to another foreigner and walking hurriedly to the lavatory just like him. Rudy hesitated first whether it was the right decision. James was still reading the paper deceptively, while keeping an eye on the lavatory.
And he had no other choice. Inside the lavatory, Jeffrey and the foreigner were still talking about some stones like the way gem dealers talk: Non-stop.

Meanwhile, Rudy’s attention concentrated on the second toilet. It was locked, while other doors remained open. Rudy waited for Jeffrey and his friend to leave. Instead, they were reading a newspaper while urinating. Rudy began to worry whether this was a set up. He thought of James. Now he opted moving discreetly to the first toilet instead of waiting for them to go. He had other ideas. Rudy pulled up a few rolls of toilet paper, and wrote his name, and urged Meechai to remain in the second toilet, if he was still there. He wrote Jeffrey’s name, and threw them over to the second toilet, urging him to remain quiet. There was no reply. Rudy began to worry. He saw people arriving and leaving in a dash. Without showing any sign of confusion, Rudy decided to come out and pretended washing his hand and face, while keeping an eye on the door.

Jeffrey and his friend were still there. Then in a matter of few minutes they were gone. Rudy then rushed to the second toilet, and called Meechai. There was no response. He called again, shaking the door. It was locked. After several attempts, he decided to give up. As he was washing his hand, the second toilet door slammed open, with a angry-looking foreigner swearing in an unknown language, looking in all directions for the lunatic who threw the paper on his head. Rudy ducked his head deeper into the washbasin, pretending he was washing his face. The foreigner then returned to the second toilet to finish the unfinished business.

At first Rudy laughed at what he saw and at himself—stupid. He then wondered why Meechai had tricked him this time. With that sunken feeling, he came out of the lavatory walking toward James. Rudy thought James was still reading the paper. Before Rudy could call James’s name, he got the surprise of his life.
“Meechai! What the heck are you doing here? Where is James?” Rudy asked in utter disbelief.
Meechai laughed and pulled up a chair to say something. James joined them with diet coke and a Singha beer.
“I saw Jeffrey in the lavatory. What’s going on here?” Rudy asked worriedly.
Meechai was silent.
“Do you know a safe place?” James asked. Meechai looked at them pathetically.
“Okay guys. Let’s get out of this place, before it is too late,” said Rudy, and urged James to keep an eye on Meechai.
Rudy’s mind was unsettled after seeing Jeffrey in the hotel. He couldn’t find any trace of Jeffrey, as they walked to the entrance. They hired a taxi immediately and instructed the driver to a quiet back street restaurant off Silom. It was James’s suggestion. Meanwhile, Meechai was signaled to remain quiet, till they reached the back street restaurant. It was a naturally filthy place. After ordering soft drinks, they got to the real topic.
“What happened?” Rudy asked. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“I’m finished. They will kill me,” Meechai said.
Rudy understood everything. Other ideas were brewing in his head. But he didn’t wanted to disclose them. He wanted more information knowing Meechai too well. James too was thinking on the same wavelength. Meechai was in real trouble.
“Where are you staying now?” Rudy asked.
Meechai explained everything that had happened to him. Rudy didn’t have that many choices. Now he had to keep Meechai in safe hands till the mess was settled, but still Rudy had his reservations knowing the past. Sometimes it was difficult to trust Meechai.
“You are a courageous man,” James complimented him.
“So, what do you want me to do? I have nothing to lose. I have nobody in this world. I don’t trust anyone now except you,” Meechai said helplessly.
It was a difficult moment. Rudy and James sat silent for a while. There was nothing more to ask. The difficult task was facing Seri during the final stage of the deal, and Meechai’s role was definitely going to be influential at a crucial moment. But Rudy had no other choice.
“What did you tell Rasami before you left her home?” James asked.
“Nothing much. But I don’t think there is any need to return,” Meechai replied thoughtfully.
“What are we waiting for Rudy? Let him stay with me for a while, till we arrange alternative accommodation,” James said. Rudy nodded.