Chapter 5            In the late afternoon, while Tom was taking a rest in his bed, Somchai and his parents entered the room accompanied by a peculiar bald man dressed in a saffron-coloured robe. As Tom gazed at the man, he immediately recognized            Somchai introduced Tom to Bhikkhu Kang, who had come to assist him. With a slight bow and joined palms, Tom greeted the monk, recalling the gesture from documentaries about Buddhist monks. Bhikkhu Kang reciprocated the salutation with a smile and moved closer to examine Tom.

Since Bhikkhu Kang could not speak nor understand English, it fell upon Somchai’s shoulder to act as interpreter. Bhikkhu Kang seeks Tom’s permission before he gently touched Tom's face, and Tom consented. Bhikkhu Kang closed his eyes and placed his hands on either side of Tom's face, murmuring a mantra that Tom did not understand. Tom observed the monk's actions, knowing they held a profound significance.

            Somchai's parents looked at Tom with concern, the monk's serene presence offering a stark contrast to their worried expressions. The monk, with a gentle smile, then asked Tom to recount his recent experiences. Tom, with a hesitant voice, shared his encounters with the mysterious woman and the nightmares that followed. The monk listened intently, his eyes closing in concentration as Tom spoke.

            When Tom finished, the monk opened his eyes, and a look of understanding passed over his face.

            “Are there any banana plants nearby?” Bhikkhu Kang asked.

            “Yes, in the garden,” Somchai answered.

"You have summoned the banana spirit, Nang Tani," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But do not worry, for I am here to help you break this unwanted connection."

            Tom's eyes widened in surprise, and a sense of relief washed over him. Finally, someone could offer a solution. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders as the monk continued,

            "The spirit is known to bring misfortune and chaos if you angered her. But we can perform a ritual to sever the bond you have unintentionally formed," Bhikkhu Kang explained further.

Tom nodded eagerly, grateful for the monk's assistance.

"We must act quickly, for the spirit's hold on you will only strengthen with time," the monk added, his tone turning urgent.

            It was at that moment that Bhikkhu Kang noticed Tom’s bloated stomach. He then said something in Siamese to Somchai’s father. Tom noticed that Somchai and his parents exchanged worried glances, the gravity of the situation evident to them all. Bhikkhu Kang then again addressed Somchai's parents in the Siamese language, which was incomprehensible to Tom.

Subsequently, Bhikkhu Kang and Somchai's parents departed the room, with Somchai trailing closely behind. Peering through his window, Tom observed the four of them making their way towards the cluster of banana plants. He could tell that they were intently examining the banana plant with the withered banana blossom. Tom noticed Somchai's father speaking and gesturing fervently at Somchai, causing him to feel pity for his friend. He was aware that Somchai was receiving a severe rebuke from his father.      

            After a short while, all of them made their way back to Tom's room. The look on their faces revealed that they were deeply troubled.

            Tom gazed intently at Somchai for a moment before finally speaking up. "I've gotten myself into a mess, haven't I?" Tom inquired.

            Somchai's expression turned forlorn as he replied, "Yes, you have. I warned you against meddling with things beyond your understanding." Tom's apology was metwith a dismissive wave from Somchai, "It's too late for that now. What's done is done." Slowly, Somchai calmed down and his features began to return to normal.

            "So, what's our next move?" Tom asked, his voice filled with concern.      

            "Bhikkhu Kang will perform a short ritual now to protect you and all of us in the house. This evening, there will be a special ceremony. A ceremony to seek forgiveness from Nang Tani. The banana blossom was ruined due to negligence in untying the string and removing the nail. As a result, Nang Tani is now furious and seeking retribution," Somchai elaborated.

            Tom was gripped with a shudder upon hearing this. Regret engulfed his thoughts as he reflected on how he should have heeded Somchai's words. If only he hadn't toyed with something beyond his understanding. Above all, he lamented his own arrogance and lack of reverence for others' beliefs and culture.

            "We should start the ritual now," Bhikkhu Kang interrupted them.

            Bhikkhu Kang, with a serene expression, instructed Somchai's parents to gather specific items for the ritual: three incense sticks, a sharp knife, and a cup of holy water. While his parents searched for these items, Somchai and Bhikkhu Kang prepared the space, drawing intricate patterns on the floor with chalk and placing candles at key points. Bhikkhu Kang then asked Tom to hold one end of the string that he had attached to the banana blossom.

            When everything was in place, Bhikkhu Kang took his position, closing his eyes and entering a meditative state. He then opened his eyes and, with a steady hand, lit the incense sticks. The sweet fragrance filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere. He began to chant softly, his voice carrying a soothing melody, at the same time, sprinkling holy water around them. As the incense smoke rose, the monk's chants grew louder, filling the room with an energy that seemed to pulsate in time with his words.

            Suddenly, Tom felt a tug on the string, and his heart skipped a beat. Bhikkhu Kang's eyes snapped open, and he fixed his gaze on Tom. With a swift motion, he reached out and, with a sharp knife, severed the string. A burst of energy escaped, and the room fell silent. The monk turned to Tom and, with a gentle smile, said, "It is done. The bond has been severed, and your connection is broken."

Relief washed over Tom, and he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

However, the situation is far from resolved. Bhikkhu Kang cautioned Tom that Nang Tani still harboured a desire for revenge. Tom shuddered at the words of Bhikkhu Kang.   "Tonight, we will hold a new ritual, beseeching Nang Tani for forgiveness and requesting her to absolve you completely."