How can I just go out for red noodles with Khun Sam?
Since we were scheduled for the night, I first pretended to have forgotten and started to get ready to go home, but it was as if she knew what I was going to do. Then she texted me.
[See you in my car.]
I'm finally in his luxurious car, the same one Nop and I were talking to that day on the bus. We didn't exchange a word until the food arrived. Why is it so difficult to understand her?
"Khun Sam."
Khun Sam puts his red noodles aside and looks at me with his beautiful brown eyes.
"Hmm?"
"You look hungry."
She said she wanted company for dinner, so she should at least talk to me.
"And you are not eating anything."
Because it's too spicy. I'm just looking at it with a lot of hunger. On the other hand, Khun Sam puts on more and more chili sauce, as if he can't live without chili. From what I've seen in the magazines, she can't eat spicy food.
Why are we so different?
"It is too spicy."
"It is weak."
"Do you come here often?"
"Not. Only when I feel like eating." She puts in more pepper as she answers. It's scaring me.
"It's not a type of food you eat very often."
"What you mean?"
"I assume you always go to luxurious and renowned restaurants or eat some kind of special royal food."
"I am a Mhom Luang. But that doesn't mean I eat royal food. Mhom Luang is just a regular person like everyone else.
She takes a few more bites and then puts the chopsticks and spoon aside.
"Please don't tell anyone I ate here."
"I will not. Even if I told it, no one would believe it. Why did you invite me instead of Mr. Kirk?"
"He doesn't like street food. And I don't eat that often either. It had been a long time since the last time. You like to ask questions, huh?"
"I just want to talk."
Am I being nosy again? When she sees me looking down, she hooks my leg with hers under the table.
"I'm not blaming you for anything. I just answered. Right... Go ahead, talk to me."
Khun Sam straightens up in his chair and stretches his spine. She's so determined it makes me feel uncomfortable.
"You are so determined to talk. I don't know what else to say."
"Anything. Talk to me whatever you want."
"Anything?"
I smile.
"Do you know the Suthat Temple?"
"I know. It's not far from here."
"You know? It has a famous restaurant as popular as Red Tee Noodles. They make the delicious Pad Thai Pratu Pi."
"I know. I've tasted it. Do you want to go there to eat? We can go, but we will probably have to wait a long time, as many people go to Pratu Pi every day."
"No, I do not want. I was just asking."
I move to make myself more comfortable.
"And... do you know why they call it Pad Thai Pratu Pi?"
