11,99 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: tredition
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
In the bustling city of Bangkok, Nongchat seemed to have it all - youth, charm, and a privileged upbringing. But one drunken night, a lost bet lands him at an elephant sanctuary in Krabi. There, he meets Thanasak, a rugged veterinarian, and sparks fly amidst hilarious mishaps. What began as clashes of city versus country soon blossomed into a deep bond, filled with laughter, love, and a shared passion for the gentle giants. Join them on a heartwarming journey of discovery, where unexpected twists lead to a life filled with joy, understanding, and the true meaning of love.
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Seitenzahl: 123
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
Ähnliche
Romance Under the Banyan Tree
From City Lights to Sanctuary Nights
Romance Under the Banyan Tree
A novel by Tom F. Klein
Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Chapter 1: A Bet and a Belle: a Rooftop Bar and a Lost Challenge
Chapter 2: Sanctuary Sentencing: from Luxury to Rustic Living
Chapter 3: Dr. Grumpy: from Luxury to Rustic Living
Chapter 4: Mud, Mayhem and Midnight Conversations: a ‘Fortunate’ Accident
Chapter 5: Trumpeting Laughter and Elephant Memories: Back to Bangkok
Chapter 6: A Return to Krabi: Confessions in the Jungle
Chapter 7: Keeping Romance under Wraps: the Challenges of a Discreet Relationship
Chapter 8: City Slickers in the Wild: a Weekend of Surprises
Chapter 9: Crisis in the Jungle: a Test of Strength and Unity
Chapter 10: A New Path: the Challenges of a Discreet Relationship
Chapter 11: Family Revelations: an Unpredictable Dinner
Chapter 12: Embracing Truth: Out and about in Bangkok
Chapter 13: Building Dreams Together: an Affirmation of Love
Chapter 14: following the Heart: Love’S New Horizon
Copyright
Romance Under the Banyan Tree
Cover
Title Page
Chapter 1: a Bet and a Belle: a Rooftop Bar and a Lost Challenge
Chapter 14: following the Heart: Love’S New Horizon
Copyright
Romance Under the Banyan Tree
Cover
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
Chapter 1
A Bet and a Belle: A Rooftop Bar and a Lost Challenge
Nongchat couldn’t quite remember what had possessed him to join the rooftop bar escapade that fateful night in Bangkok.
Maybe it was the stress of exams, or maybe it was the sheer allure of the city lights stretching out beneath him like a be-dazzled blanket.
Whatever it was, it led him, a usually composed and ever-so-slightly privileged and handsome medical student, into the clutches of a bet he would soon regret.
The rooftop bar was a sight to behold. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed above, casting a warm, inviting glow over the crowd.
The hum of conversation mixed with the steady beat of the music - a blend of modern pop hits and old-school Thai classics.
The air was thick with the scent of grilled skewers and exotic cocktails, the chatter punctuated by bursts of laughter and the occasional cheer as someone knocked back a particularly potent shot.
From his vantage point, Nongchat could see the Chao Phraya River below, its dark waters dotted with colorful lit ships that looked like floating lanterns drifting lazily downstream.
The city's skyline glittered, high-rises and temples alike casting reflections that danced on the water's surface.
Nongchat was in the company of his closest friends, though in his current state, the line between friend and instigator was blurry.
Earlier that evening, they had dinner together at an exclusive Japanese restaurant, indulging in sushi and sake before deciding to hit the rooftop bar for drinks.
Pao, his obnoxiously charming classmate, was the ringleader. With his ever-present smirk and mischievous glint in his eye, Pao was the kind of guy who could talk you into just about anything.
"That sushi was killer, but we need some real fun now," Pao had said, flashing a grin. He was flanked by Mint and Beam, equally buzzed and equally complicit.
Mint, with her pixie-cut hair and infectious laugh, was the loudest cheerleader for any of Pao's harebrained schemes.
"C’mon, let’s hit the rooftop bar. The night’s just getting started! " she had exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Beam, quieter but no less daring, was the steady anchor of the group, always ready with a sarcastic quip or a steadying hand when things went too far.
"Yeah, let’s go see what kind of trouble we can find up there," he had added with a chuckle.
And so, they had found themselves at the rooftop bar, the night air filled with the promise of adventure and a hint of mischief.
As they settled into their seats, the city lights sparkling around them, the booze started flowing like there was no tomorrow. Nongchat found himself getting sucked into the fun, each drink making everything a bit more hazy. Pao was on a mission, ordering round after round with a smirk that said, "Why stop now?" And hey, who were they to argue? So they kept 'em coming, one after another, laughing and joking like there was no end in sight.
"C’mon, Chat! Don’t be such a wuss! " Pao slurred, waving a shot of something potent in Nongchat’s face. "Bet you don’t dare ask Peach out for dinner! "
Nongchat blinked slowly, the alcohol blurring his vision but not enough to obscure Peach, the undisputed queen of their faculty.
She stood by the bar, laughing with her friends, her perfect hair shining under the neon lights like some kind of shampoo commercial.
In a sober state, Nongchat knew better than to approach her. But tonight, logic had left the building.
"You’re insane, " Mint giggled, nudging Beam. "This is going to be epic. "
"Do it, Nongchat! " Beam urged, his grin wide. "What’s the worst that can happen? "
"I’ll do it, " Nongchat declared, puffing out his chest with the confidence only a few drinks can bestow. "Right, what’s the worst that can happen? "
"Attaboy!" Pao patted him on the shoulder, making him almost stumble off the rooftop, at least that's how it felt to Nongchat. He steadied himself, took a deep breath, and swaggered over to Peach.
"Hey, Peach! " he said, his voice cracking halfway through. Smooth, Nongchat. Real smooth.
Peach turned, her eyes narrowing in confusion, then widening in amusement.
"Chat? Are you… are you drunk? "
"Nope! " he lied, swaying slightly. "Just… extremely confident. Wanna have dinner with me? "
For a split second, there was silence. Then, Peach burst out laughing. Not just a polite giggle, but a full-blown, head-thrown-back laugh. Nongchat felt his face turn a shade of red that no medical textbook could describe accurately.
"Oh my God, Nongchat! That’s… well, that’s adorable," she said between fits of laughter. "But no, I don’t think so. " She concluded, turning back to her friends.
Humiliated, Nongchat slunk back to his friends, who were, naturally, in fits of their own.
"Well, guess you gotta do the forfeit, " Pao said, barely able to contain his glee.
"Can’t believe you actually did it! " Mint gasped, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Man, you’ve got guts, " Beam chuckled. "Stupid, drunken guts. "
The forfeit turned out to be two weeks of volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Krabi. Now, this might sound like a noble and rewarding experience, and sure, it probably was, but it would for sure also involve a lot of dirty, sweaty work and… elephant poop.
And Nongchat wasn’t exactly the ‘get your hands dirty’ type of guy.
The next morning, Nongchat woke up with a pounding headache and a churning stomach, regretting every last cocktail from the night before.
Dragging himself to the breakfast table, he mustered the courage to talk to his parents about the bet he had lost.
As Nongchat spilled the beans, his parents’ disappointment was palpable.
They were not amused by the extensive rich kids' nightlife he and his friends were leading. They'd always hoped he'd follow their lead into law and had reluctantly supported his choice to study medicine, but his nocturnal escapades with his posh pals were a really sore spot.
They had always hoped their son would channel his free time into more respectable activities. But here he was, nursing a hangover and confessing to reckless bets. It was a far cry from what they had envisioned for him.
"Nongchat, nightlife will be your downfall," his mother sighed, shaking her head. "But maybe this will be a character-building experience. "
"Yeah, Ma, " he agreed, trying to sound earnest. "It’ll be great. Elephants, nature, fresh air. A real change of pace."
Chapter 2
Sanctuary Sentencing: From Luxury to Rustic Living
Two weeks later, the visit to the elephant camp was arranged, and Nongchat set off for Krabi.
Upon his arrival, he was picked up at the airport by someone from the camp in an old pickup truck and had to sit in the back, holding on for dear life so he wouldn't fall off.
Nongchat squinted through the haze of sweat as the beaten-up truck bounced along the dusty path.
The sign welcoming him to the sanctuary seemed to mock his discomfort, its cheerful colors contrasting sharply with the sweltering heat that wrapped around him like a suffocating blanket.
The drive from Krabi airport to the sanctuary only lasted about an hour, but to Nongchat, it felt like many more. Each bump and jolt of the truck sent shockwaves of discomfort through his already frazzled nerves, leaving him longing for the cool embrace of air conditioning and a shower to wash off the dust and grime from the ride on the open truck.
Finally, they arrived. With a groan, Nongchat stumbled off the truck, his legs struggling to adjust to solid ground again. His back ached from the rough ride.
Before him stood a row of rustic huts, their wooden frames weathered by years of exposure to the elements. Towering trees surrounded the camp, their thick foliage providing little relief from the oppressive heat.
The air was alive with the cacophony of chirping birds and buzzing insects.
As he stood there, trying to shake off the discomfort, the first mosquitoes descended upon him, their persistent whine a reminder that he was now in their territory, and they were only too eager for fresh blood in the camp.
"Welcome to paradise," the driver said with a grin, before speeding off in a cloud of dust, leaving Nongchat to fend for himself in this unfamiliar wilderness.
"Paradise, my foot," Nongchat muttered under his breath, eyeing the simple wooden huts that he hoped would not be his home for the foreseeable future. They looked more like makeshift shelters than a place of comfort, and Nongchat couldn't help but feel a sting of longing for the air-conditioned luxury he had left behind.
He was greeted by a group of workers who welcomed him to the sanctuary with warm smiles and led him to his hut under the watchful eye of the camp's boss, setting the stage for the next chapter in Nongchat's jungle journey.
Inside the hut, the reality of rustic living hit him like a ton of bricks.
The air was thick with the smell of damp wood and earth, and the dim light filtering through the cracks in the walls cast eerie shadows across the sparse furnishings.
The bed, if it could even be called that, looked more like a slab of straw than anything resembling comfort. Its thin mattress sagged in the middle, threatening to swallow him whole as he tentatively tested its springs. Nongchat let out a sigh of dismay at the prospect of spending the next weeks sleeping on what felt like a glorified pile of rocks.
The outdoor shower, located just a few feet from the hut, promised a chilly wake-up call every morning, its crude construction offering little privacy from prying eyes.
Nongchat eyed it warily, already dreading the prospect of braving the cold water in the early hours of the day. For sure there was only cold water.
He imagined the shock of the icy spray hitting his skin, and he shivered involuntarily. It seemed that even something as simple as taking a shower would be a test of his resilience in this unforgiving jungle environment. He made a mental note to stock up on soap and shampoo, determined to at least make the most of his daily ritual despite the less-than-ideal conditions.
As he took in the sight of his temporary abode, he felt a pang of regret at his impulsive decision to sign up for this jungle adventure.
Faced with the harsh reality of rustic living, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made a grave mistake.
Nevertheless, with a deep breath and a resigned shake of his head, he resolved to make the best of his situation. After all, how bad could it really be? So, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
He scrubbed the furniture clean, wearing disposable gloves (…he bought for the trip, because you never know), unpacked his belongings, and changed the bedsheets (…he had brought from home, because…). It wasn't much, but it made the place feel a bit more welcoming amidst the jungle chaos.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Nongchat's stomach rumbled, reminding him of his need for sustenance. He approached the open hut where dinner was served, carrying a flashlight to fend off the encroaching darkness, and was greeted by the workers who were already seated at the makeshift tables.
They welcomed him with warm smiles and gestures, inviting him to join them for the evening meal.
