The Sesame Seed Burns Before The Cashew Nut Cooks

By Robert Bell

Sean had an agreement with his parents. If he worked hard and applied himself at University, then they would fund his summer trips. On graduation, provided he had finally decided on a plan for his future, and there had been no problems on his summer trips, he could have a gap year.
The first year, after sixth form, he chose Thailand. It was cheap and had a reputation. He wanted sex, as well as enlightenment. He was expecting to have problems, be robbed or conned. He hoped to have casual sex. After all he was eighteen and horny, and his experience limited. But he wasn’t expecting to get close to anyone, certainly not a bar boy. But then he met Tam. Tam shared his life, in ways Sean hadn’t wanted and by the end of his trip accepted Tam’s lifestyle.
A year later Sean returns, against all odds having kept in touch with Tam. A year older, but maybe not a year wiser. He reluctantly agrees to join Tam on a trip to his home village where Tam wants to visit his ‘teacher’. A journey to the far north east of Thailand, to Isaan. A journey that would be a challenge in ways Sean never dreamt.
The ‘teacher’ turns out to be an Isaan Black Magic Master, or so he claims. The truth is revealed and both Tam and Sean have to reevaluate their beliefs.
What they both realise is that it’s time to put the past behind them, start afresh and ensure that they act on things before it is too late. After all, the sesame seed burns before the cashew nut cooks; don’t let issues hang around too long or they’ll burn you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert
• Release date: Sep 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301579778

Robert Bell

Robert Bell was born in the UK and after years of visits finally relocated to Thailand 7 years ago. Initially he lived in Pattaya, but has now relocated to Udon Thani in the North East [Isaan] of Thailand.His first novel, Rough Diamonds, which he has made available for free download, draws heavily on his experiences in his early years living in Thailand, and frequent trips before then. Many of the more surprising events actually happened to him, although they are set in a fictional bar. The characters take traits from various guys he has met in Thailand, as do the locations.The story of the characters, and venues, Robert created continues in Diamond Fellowship and Facets of Thai Diamonds. History is revealed, and they set up a business empire.In his fourth book, Final Closure, a past that Paul Swift thought he'd left behind in Germany, comes to control the present. The fictional sois that Robert created are the backdrop to this thriller, but the characters are new. They realise however, that it isn't Final as his latest book, The Fifth Man, follows Paul as he tracks down the puppet master. Robert is working on a further instalment of the Thai Diamonds story, provisionally entitled 'Polished Diamonds'A short story marks a departure for Robert. The first, 'Clash of Wills' is the story of set in North Yorkshire where Ray returns to take care of his father's funeral and finds things aren't as expected, as he slowly discovers the truth about his father.His time living in Isaan has exposed him to 'Isaan Black Magic' which was the inspiration for two books. 'Run Away From the Tiger, Face The Crocodile' relates the journey of Martin and Rene to overcome their demons at a 'temple' in North East Thailand. They have a feeling that they are dealing with forces they don't understand. In 'The Sesame Seed Burns Before The Cashew Nut Cooks' Sean visits Thailand and meets Tam. Tam believes in Black magic but the events which take place in Udon shake that belief'Filipino Cruz' sees the backdrop change from Thailand to Manila as four young guys decide on their future. The follow up, 'Thai Cruz' sees them visit Thailand. The story will conclude in 'Cruz Control'.For more information visit http://thaidiamondbooks.moonfruit.com

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The Sesame Seed Burns

Before The Cashew Nut Cooks

By Robert Bell

Copyright 2013 Robert Bell

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic adult language and situations which some readers may find objectionable.

Present Day - Bus Journey

Sean sat uncomfortably on the bus. Why had he agreed to make the trip? It had taken Tam a week to convince him. His first week back in Thailand, when what he really wanted was to relax, plan and not think of journeys to meet families. Meeting families implied permanence.

And why a bus; they could have flown, or taken the train and had a bed instead of a seat that only half reclined. He could have stayed in Pattaya, let Tam make the trip alone. But Tam had insisted. It wasn’t like a week apart was the end of the world. It wasn’t like they were boyfriends or anything. But in the end he had given in. He was here to experience Thailand. And he owed Tam. Tam had arranged his room, and a motorbike, for three months, at Thai prices. He’d saved more than enough to get a plane!

And it couldn’t be that bad a trip, could it? A few days in the village; some sort of religious ceremony, Sean assumed Buddhist and a concert. But then he’d almost forgotten about long distance bus travel. It wasn’t a good way to start, or make him look forward to the rest of the trip.

Sean liked Tam, and the sex was good. They had met half way through his trip the previous year. Sean had a deal with his parents. As long as he applied himself at university, and worked at Christmas and Easter, he could spend his summer vacation overseas. Last year had been the first, the year before he started university. He had made a list of countries and narrowed it down slowly. It came down to Kenya and Thailand. But as he wasn’t going ten weeks without sex, Kenya was eliminated.

The previous year he’d headed for Pattaya, to acclimatize was his reasoning, at least that’s what he told everyone. He did want to do some touring, but at least he could start with sex, and learn a bit about the country. And he was being allowed to travel alone. Other than checking in once a week, and keeping to budget, he was a free agent. He knew that if he had to ask for extra money, it would be his last trip, at least until he was working.

It’s funny how things worked out. One trip to Thailand and he felt like his life had changed. One thing was certain, the desire to return had made him work hard, and save. He saw Tam as a good mate, someone to help him out. He didn’t see him as a boyfriend, or anything like that. Okay, and he was good in bed. Provided nearly everything Sea required. Once Sean had confirmed his dates, Tam had set about sorting a room in the building he’d stayed the previous year.

The trip last year had been a whole new experience. Travelling alone, having to fend for himself. He had found a small restaurant in one of the gay areas; it was cheap, the food was good and he could watch what was going on. No way was he going to pay for sex; he hadn’t even wanted to go into a go-go bar; it all seemed so seedy. If he couldn’t find some action without resorting to a cash payment, his right hand would have to do.

Of course, Thailand and plans, as he soon learnt, rarely work out. A lot of things happened to change his view on life. And his plan had been one year, one country. By the end of his trip he had already planned his return. He and Tam had kept in touch. Or at least he had kept in touch with Tam, called him once a month. Tam sent the occasional text message; Sean guessed when he had had a good customer and a big tip. Despite the horror stories there was never a request for money, or a story that things weren’t going well.

Still he was back, and on an unintended trip into the unknown. Try as hard as he might, Tam would not tell him much about the trip.

And sleep wasn’t coming. In fact, the bus seemed to be stopping every ten minutes to pick up passengers. At least he had prevailed and booked VIP seats. He turned to Tam. How many more stops, we’ve been on the bus an hour and we are only ay Chonburi?

Another stop in about thirty minutes, maybe. Then Korat. We stop there twenty minutes; can get coffee, about two morning.

Fine! Maybe I’ll get some sleep. He turned and looked out of the window. They were on the move again. Tam was already asleep. How had he ended up here, with Tam, heading to the village and some strange ritual? Tam wanted him to see it; to know if he believed. Sean was sure he wouldn’t, which was one reason he had been so against the visit. Meeting mother was another. It was what boyfriends did, introduce you to their parents. But he couldn’t tell Tam. Not without explaining everything, but he hadn’t felt the time was right when they were arguing. If pushed about believing, he would have to bluff his way through. Now if only he could get some sleep.

One Year Earlier

Sean arrived and stayed at a cheap hotel near the airport that provided a shuttle service. His mother didn’t want him to hit public transport, or Pattaya straight from his flight, or to be more accurate flights. Especially with a six hour stopover in Mumbai and an evening arrival. He was determined to be independent, and prove he could do it alone, but he knew that he had to give in on some things. His goal was not to screw up at the first attempt. He got the bus to Pattaya the next day, and after a couple of nights in a hotel, he found somewhere cheap, and quiet, away from the nightlife. It was a room in a building that seemed to be mainly occupied by young Thais. But it was quiet and clean; he had a fridge and TV and, importantly, a month cost