Smirnoff Ice

It is a premixed vodka drink

Until now I declined any offer for a Smirnoff ice in my home country, not because I dislike this drink, but because I’m afraid that its taste brings back a flow of memories I won’t be able to hold back, memories I can’t share; it would be like rubbing salt in a wound. Sometimes oblivion is preferable, and the best way I know to find it is to tell the story, using a similar method to the one used to stop recurrent nightmares.

So for the last time, I will let myself be overwhelmed by that Smirnoff ice recollection that will soon be only a story and no more a part of me.

This was the last day evening of my first holiday in Patong. I had just bought a small farewell gift to T**, the Thai darling that stayed with me these last 3 days, and as we step forward in the escalator heading out the underwear department of Carrefour in the Junceylong shopping mall, I had absolutely no idea how I would spend the rest of the night. I already informed T** that I wouldn’t go again to her bar, next day would be busy, starting early with a flight back to Hong Kong and resuming work. I was expecting her to go home, refresh and start a new cycle with an other Farang. But she had other plans, and this is one of the charms of these Thai holidays, as you never know what’s next, good or bad.

Arriving at the ground floor she led me to the supermarket section.

‘?’

‘Buy something for diner’ she said while picking up a plastic basket at the entrance.

She then started to fill it with grilled cat-fishes, boiled cockles - ‘I know you like’ she commented - lychees and two bottles of Smirnoff ice. Although it looked familiar, I wondered what this drink was but I knew already to “go with the flow” and not ask too many questions, not being able to do something without getting the whole picture first or sticking to a comfort zone being one of the major shortcoming of my fellow countrymen I try to overcome. Of course this is a sure way to avoid getting into trouble but it is also a way to miss terrific experiences.

Back at the hotel she led me to the restaurant, chose a table with a seat and started to unpack the food. We were the only customers and I was worrying like hell to be kicked out the place, so I asked her that she checks with the staff if we were allowed to behave like that. She seemed a little bit surprised by my demand, but she brought herself to do it. The waitress didn’t look at all miffed and she agreed, too happy to be left alone watching some soap opera on TV. Again, no need to try and understand too much, “go with the flow”, some answers don’t bring anything to the table anyway.

Anybody who spent some time with a Thai woman that “take care you” know what happened next, the meticulous shelling of the cockles, fish meat and lychees, the gentle stuffing in the mouth with the ‘eat more’ incentive, the quiet idle chat, punctuated by the occasional clinging of bottles and a ‘à ta santé mon amour’.

She wanted me to finish all the food, I had already noted that she didn’t like waste, and I was quite full and a little bit lightheaded from the Smirnoff ice when we got out of the room. She gave the spirit house a wai like every time she went by and I took one more picture as the restaurant staff had replenished it with fresh offerings. As we reached the pool we exchanged glances and we smothered laughs, the memories of the events that happened last night were still very fresh.

Back in the room we settled in front of the TV and started watching some musical program while sipping at another Smirnoff ice from the mini-bar. As she was humming some luk thung tunes comfortably seated on the bed, swinging her feet to beat time, she looked so happy-go-lucky and I was so relaxed that for a fleeting moment I forgot everything. Only this peaceful instant existed, stretching in all direction and extending beyond past and future, and I envisioned myself enjoying such a delightful company for the rest of my life.

‘T**, you know what will happen if you stay here tonight?’

‘Uh-huh’ she said with that mischievous look that I was finding so irresistible, and you too you know.

The author can be contacted at: gatesofparadox@gmail.com