During the evening, while enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by Somchai's mother, Tom noticed a cluster of banana plants growing near the porch where they were sitting and sipping coffee. The cluster consisted of five to six plants, one of which had small, green bananas growing on it. At the end of the bunch, there was a banana flower, which caught Tom's attention and left him in awe as he had never seen one before.

            "Are those banana plants?" Tom asked Somchai, pointing to the clump of banana plants."

             Somchai turned in the direction of Tom's finger and confirmed that they were indeed banana plants.

            "What's the thing at the end of the bunch of bananas?" Tom asked.

            Somchai explained that it was the flower, known as the banana blossom or 'jantung pisang' in Malay, which translated means 'banana heart. The banana blossom, the banana plant's edible flower, is a tear-shaped, fleshy bloom with purple skin. It emerges at the end of a cluster of banana fruits and is used in various savoury dishes, brewed into tea, and turned into a dietary supplement. Its taste is a delightful combination of sweetness and floral notes. Somchai then informed Tom about the existence of folktales concerning the banana blossom.

            "Oh? That sounds interesting," Tom exclaimed. "Why don't you tell me about it?"

            "Well, certainly. The legend of the banana plant's spirit is prevalent in various Asian societies. It is believed that the spirit can be benevolent or malevolent, depending on the culture. However, one common aspect among all cultures is that the guardian is always portrayed as a female," Somchai elaborated.

            Tom was attentively tuned in. He inquired, "What form does the female spirit take?"

            "According to the Mah Meri, a native tribe of the Malaysian Peninsula, the banana flower metamorphoses into a beautiful maiden with flawless white skin. She lures in men with her charm and steals their souls. In Chinese lore, she is known as Ba Jiao Jing, a weeping woman who materializes under a banana tree at night, sometimes cradling an infant. It is believed that those who gamble can summon her to ask for "lucky numbers" in hopes of hitting the jackpot. In various other Asian cultures, such as in Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and The Philippines, there exist similar folklore." Somchai continued.

            Tom was fascinated by the various versions of the legend. "Yes, very interesting. Tell me more," Tom said.

            "According to Thai legend, The spirit is called Nang Tani, who dwells in wild banana tree groves. She is supposedly very beautiful and wears a green traditional Thai costume. Her skin is also green, the colour of the banana leaves. Hiding in the day, she will only appear at night when the moon is full. Generally, the Nang Tani is not malevolent and will only harm bad men who mistreat women," Somchai said, encouraged by the interest shown by Tom.

            However, Somchai posed an even more captivating question, prompting Tom's curiosity. "Do you know what is even more intriguing?" Somchai inquired.

             "I don't know, what is it?" Tom asked his eagerness showing on his face.

            "Well, there is a method to summon the spirit through a specific ritual. Are you interested in learning about it?" Somchai probed, testing Tom's reaction.

            Tom was surprised, but eventually replied, "Yes, tell me about it." Tom was very interested to know more when Somchai revealed that there was a ritual to summon the spirit, luring Tom in with the promise of this secret knowledge.

            "beware, for she will slowly drain your energy and life force until your ultimate demise," explained Somchai.            Tom expressed his dismay and disbelief, questioning the validity of the story.  "Well, that's terrible, isn't it? It's only a tale, folklore, isn't it? Anyway, is it true?"  

            Somchai's response was uncertain, "Well, I don't know. Some people say it's true. But I haven't tried it, and I have not known anybody who dared to try it,"

            Looking up at the full moon, Tom said, "It's full moon tonight. Do you want to find out?" Tom asked.

            However, Somchai strongly advised against it, warning Tom not to toy with such dangerous matters.

            "Don't be crazy lah," Somchai responded in his Malaysian English. "Don't play with such things."

            "Are you afraid? Well, I'm not. Besides, being gay gives me immunity from the ghost's seductive powers and energy-draining tactics," Tom retorted, dripping with cynicism.           Somchai stared at Tom in disbelief. Not because Tom told him that he is gay, but the seriousness that Tom displayed in wanting to try out the ritual. Tom continued to persuade Somchai. Somchai was in doubt and hesitant.

            "You want to test that theory?" Somchai finally asked Tom. Tom nodded confidently. "But don't blame me if something unexpected happens."

            "Don't worry, it's just for fun," reassured Tom.

            "But we have to keep it between us. If my parents found out, they'd scold me," Somchai cautioned.

              After reaching a decision, Somchai and Tom snuck out of the house under the cover of night towards the cluster of banana plants. They carefully chose the plant with the banana blossom and Somchai attached a length of white string to a long nail. He then handed the nail to Tom and instructed him to pierce it into the banana blossom. With great care, they stringed the string back to Tom's bedroom.

            "Before going to sleep, secure this end of the string to your big toe," Somchai advised Tom. This simple yet strategic plan would have a profound impact.

             As he prepared to sleep that night, Tom secured the other end of the string to his large toe. He then lay on the bed, contemplating whether the banana spirit would make an appearance. Tom was curious to discover the truth behind the existence of the banana spirit, unsure if it was simply a figment of superstition. Despite not being particularly religious, Tom was not immune to superstition. Gradually, Tom's eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he succumbed to a deep slumber. The symphony of crickets and other nocturnal creatures served as a soothing lullaby, coupled with the cool night air, luring Tom into a tranquil slumber.

             In the dead of the night, Tom sensed a tug on the string linking his big toe to the banana plant's blossom. He pried open his eyes and surveyed the surroundings. He then peered out the window, but could not spot anyone. The darkness of the night was illuminated by the golden beams of the moon. As he lay in bed, he caught a glimpse of the cluster of banana trees and the string from the banana blossom toward his bedroom. Despite his efforts to doze off, slumber eluded him. Each time he shut his eyes, he sensed a presence and that jolted him awake.