"Please spare me!"
My eyes widen in fear as I watch the three burly disgusting men walk towards me with obvious lust in their eyes.
"I told you to take my money and you did! You can't go back on your word!" Just screaming is futile, I don't think they even understand what I'm saying. The moment I feel my back against the wall, I seem to have seen my end. How the hell did this happen, I was running away from home not away from life!!
Few hours ago, I had just arrived here in Thailand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that flight BR1234 to Bangkok is now ready for boarding. Passengers for this flight are requested to proceed to Gate A1. Please be sure to bring all your carry-on baggage with you. Thank you."
I grab the rest of my bags, tossing the empty coffee cup by the trash can as I walk towards the boarding gate. My phone buzzes in my back pocket making me pause, I pull it out and check. It's another message from Kelvin, I don't bother opening it. I already know what it's about.
I switch the phone off, sliding it back in as I keep walking, not looking back.
The moment I hear the announcement, I take out my bag from the overhead compartment, walking out of the plane. Struggling to pull my luggage pass the tourists taking selfies near the giant statue, the heat hit me as soon as I step out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. My foot hurt from wearing the heels but I couldn't wear low ground sneakers, I don't want to look like some broke backpackers.
"Sawadee krub ma'am, Taxi?" I reach for my phone, "Take me to Novotel bangkok, um si..siam square" He nods and opens the door.
I slide in and pull my dress over my knees, the taxi smells faintly of coconut air freshener and something I can't put a finger on. "New here krub?" The driver didn't speak much English, I didn't speak good Thai.
"Mai chai," No. The middle aged driver smiles at me through the rear mirror in return at my attempt in speaking Thai. Running to Bangkok was an impromptu shit and yes, I am new to this place but kelvin has been here a lot and I had thought that we would come here together. I also went as far as learning a few vocabularies because he really loves this country but that jerk. I don't want to think about him but that might be hard since I came here out of all places. If I had known I would have just broken a few of his expensive cars before I ran away, damn it. I lean my head against the window, watching the city grow louder and brighter with every mile. The streets blur past, tuk tuks, lanterns, and a girl riding pillion on a motorbike with her arms wide like wings. Slowly, the sky darken and the neon signs in alphabets I couldn't read were in display like coded warnings trying to tell me I should pay attention to the driver who watched me with evil intent in his eyes.
Second skin. A gold neon sign displayed in front of a bar makes me sit up. Neon lips hang above the entrance, half melted, seductive. Then the taxi turned, and it was gone. I lean back in my seat, my eyes moving round the redecorated space in little shades of colors poking out, the driver lightly humming a tune, so I close my eyes but I shouldn't have.
Now I'm here, wishing I had been more careful. "Please… please, let me go, brother" I rush to grab his legs while my eyes carefully watch the other two lecherous men. "Teerak, mai chai, Khun suay mak mak." I don't understand but I know it means no. He roughly grabs my hair, pulling me up to sniff my face, I try to not cringe my face in disgust else I get a beating. He pushes me to another while laughing, who grabs me tight by my waist, running his hands all over. And just when I think I'm done for, a car suddenly speeds in, hitting a few blocks by the side in the empty construction building.
"Lor Wong Thong," I hear one of them scream.
"Jing jing?"
"Ai chai!" That's a curse word, I know that one. Immediately, I run towards the car, I'd be stupid to still lie down there. "Help!!" I scream running, I look behind me for a few seconds but I don't see those men still, I keep running. Horror movies has taught me enough to know never to stop running in situations like this. The car drifts over stopping right in front of me. I crouch, taking deep breaths as the adrenaline fade. The car door slides up open, and a handsome man dressed in… no I don't have the time to admire all that.
He rushes up to me, "Hey are you okay?" My eyes rushes up to meet his in excitement, he spoke English! In fluent accent. Count my lucky stars!
I try to say a few words when suddenly I feel my body fall into his arms, I guess that answers it. He lifts me in the air, princess carry and that's the last thing I see before I black out.
"You have to"
"No I don't, and I won't"
"You will and that's final!"
"No!!!!" I jolt up hitting my head against something. "Ouch!" I turn in the direction of the sound. It's my savior, "Hey, are you alright?" I climb out of the bed in a hurry, gently massaging his head, his soft silky red hair. He pulls my hand away, "I'm good, what about you?" My hands are embraced in his, I look into his black eyes staring at me in worry. I smile pulling away, "I think I'm okay. What happened?" Staring at the room that didn't give any warmth, I move back closer to the bed, in my sunflower dress. Wait sunflower?!
"You changed my clothes! My bags! Where's my bag?!" Shit, did I come across another pervert?! With vigilant eyes, I move back further away from him.
"Calm down" I watch him chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corner. He makes a stance walking slowly towards me with his hands stretched out in the air, watching me as if I would sprint the moment he does anything funny, and yes I would. "Calm down, I couldn't get your things back except your purse, there." His fingers slowly point in the direction opposite him, and beside me, my old tattered purse given to me by my late dad, the one thing I can't seem to let go of even though I hated that man and the stupid engagement he left me with. Wanting to leave me with someone who would take care of me? Those bastards just treat me like a joke.
"I know you don't have anything left for now, and I can help out," I furrow my brow in suspicion. "That's if you want me to." He quickly adds, still watching me carefully. "Okay" Why refuse the help when I can enjoy it.
No longer suspicious, I smile at him. "I'm Anya, Anya Takanashi" He breathes in relief, walking back towards the couch, crosses his leg while leaning his head back for some seconds. Looking back at me he smiles, "Krit Thongchai" His eyes move and I follow it to my purse.
I rush towards it in embarrassment checking throughly, my passport! thank God. At least I should be able to leave this place when I want to, or so I thought.