Silence settled between us all. I pursed my lips in surprise at my father's aggressive reaction, because since I was born, he had always been a very kind person. No matter how wrong I had done something, I had never been scolded or criticized. In the end, he would always smile and tell me that all problems had a solution.
But that was not the case in this situation. Dad was trying to prevent the problem from arising before it was too late, he had already determined that I should marry Mawin. If he could stop me from having any relationship with Arun BekFah now, he would do it immediately.
But I'm not going to accept it.
"Fah, don't worry. The person you are with is me, not my father."
I knew that Arun BekFah was a person who thought a lot before acting, and before we got into arguments, we both would have to overcome many misunderstandings and her tendency to avoid problems. And this would be yet another obstacle to overcome. But this was a big obstacle...
A big one.
"I'm an smart person. You must see that it won't work out between you and Nong In. Let me explain to you why it can't work out."
He clasped his hands behind his back and slowly approached the two of us.
"First, you're not worthy of Nong In. You're just an ordinary person who can't grow the business. Second, you're a woman. And third... you're not worthy!"
He spoke so harshly, as if he wanted to drive these words deep into the heart of the little person who was still silent. I clenched my fists, feeling a rising anger, wanting to yell at Daddy, but before I could say anything, Arun BekFah interrupted in a calm voice, like someone who had complete control over herself.
"I will become worthy. You can be sure of that."
I looked at Arun BekFah, a little surprised. I expected her to lower her head and walk away, as she always did when she didn't like to confront situations.
"Are you capable of this?"
Dad's aggressive words made me lose my patience immediately. After being silent for so long, I ended up shouting without thinking, forgetting that the person in front of me was my father.
"Enough! What else do you want? I'm no special, where did I come from? Why do you have to talk to Arun BekFah like that?"
"Don't talk to me like that, In!"
Dad shouted back, and I flinched, I didn't know if I was angry or scared, but I wasn't going to cower.
"I can't help but speak up! You just keep saying that Arun BekFah is no good for me, as if I were some angel who came down from heaven! I'm an ordinary person, I'm no better than anyone else. Don't come with this class division, Dad!"
"What sets you apart from Arun BekFah is the enormous responsibility you have, especially after I'm no longer here."
"That has nothing to do with our relationship!"
"It has everything to do with it. Whoever inherits the business needs to have the right qualities. Mawin is the chosen one, he is the one who is worthy of you."
"But I don't love him."
"That's not necessary to be worthy!"
"You're overreacting!"
My mother's voice came from behind us, like a cold wind, but with a strange sense of apprehension. Even so, Dad, who was visibly irritated, looked at my mother and grimaced.
"I knew you would come to help your daughter. But you don't have to get involved in this!"
"What's wrong with loving your daughter? Do you think that only you can be happy in the world?"
