Finally the train came. We boarded the train and the train conductor showed us to a two bed bunker. It was small but comfortable. I felt so much safer in here. It was my first time taking a train.
How ironic. I had always wanted to travel but never in my dreams in such a situation.
Soon the train started to move and we were on our way to a country called Thailand. I cannot help myself and asked Chen.
"Have you been to Thailand before? What is it like there?"
"Yes, I had been there a few times with your father. It is a beautiful country rich in cultures. The people there are very friendly," replied Chen.
Then he continued to explain to me.
"Thailand used to be known as Siam. They changed it after the civil war two years ago. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. Overall, it is a peaceful country. Their main religion is Buddhism. You can see many temples there. People there love their king very much. There are many paddy fields there too. Thailand is one of the biggest rice importer in this region. Your father has many business contacts over there."
"How about the Lim family which we will be staying with?" I asked.
"Your father and Master Lim are sworn blood brothers. They first started the paddy business together in Malaya. After a few years, Master Lim decided to go to Thailand to expand the business. He got married and settled down in Bangkok," explained Chen.
"He came to Malaya to pay your parents a visit not long after you were born. Master Lim is a good man and his wife is beautiful and kind. He also has two lovely sons," continued Chen.
"Get some sleep now. It will take us one and a half day to reach there. The journey is still very long," said Chen.
I nodded and lay down on the bed. I fell into a deep slumber immediately.
Suddenly, I heard bombs and gunshots in the distance. I saw my father being shot by the Japanese soldiers.
"No! No! No! Father! No!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Tears were streaming down my cheeks.
"Sabrina...Sabrina wake up..." a familiar voice pulled me away from the scene.
I opened my eyes and realized that I was having a nightmare. My face was wet with tears and sweat was trickling down my forehead. Chen was beside me. He helped to wipe away my tears and sweat.
"Its alright, Sabrina. We are safe now. I am here." Chen assured me.
He then started humming one of my favorite lullaby. He used to sing it to me when he helped my mother to babysit me. I fell into another deep slumber.
I was awaken by the smell of coffee the next morning. When I opened my eyes, Chen was sitting opposite of me sipping a cup of hot coffee.
"Good morning, Sabrina. I will go and get some breakfast for you," said Chen with a smile on his face.
"There are lavatories at the end of this compartment. You can go and wash up there," he continued.
After washing up, I sat down and ate my breakfast quietly; all the time looking out of the window.
There were only thick forest on both sides. Eventually the scenery changed. There were miles and miles of paddy fields on both side and many small villages can be seen.
"We will be reaching Bangkok soon," said Chen.
As the train moved, I can see a very long river cutting through the paddy field. There were people selling things on their boat in the river.
"What is that river called?" I asked Chen.
"That is the Chao Phraya River. It is the livelihood of the Thai people. It is a vital part of their life. This river flows through Bangkok and their king called it the River of Kings," explain Chen.
Then from a far I can see a magnificent palace. It became bigger as the train neared our destination.
"That is the Grand Palace where the King of Thailand resides," explained Chen when he saw the expression on my face.
"It is beautiful," I replied.
Eventually the train came to a stop at a very busy train station. There were many people. They were dressed in clothes and spoke in a language which I had never seen or heard of.
Some people were hurrying over to board the train while some were paddling on the side pavement of the train station.
We took our belongings and disembark from the train. It was really crowded. Chen made sure that he was holding one of my hand tightly. He was afraid that he might lose me in the crowd.
"Hold on tight to me," he instructed.
Chen carried our belongings on his other hand. We did not bring much with us just some of my clothes and some important documents which my father passed on to Chen.
There were many rickshaws outside the train station. Chen stopped one of them and then spoke in the same language as the local. The man nodded his head and gestured for us to go on his rickshaw.