Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 6

The funeral for Pran Boon was held at the district's temple, attended by a large crowd. Known for his kindness, generosity, and his longstanding presence in the community, he was well respected. When Mom Luang Chatklao and Paramet entered, everyone turned to look. Their striking looks and attire, which clearly set them apart from the locals, caught everyone's attention.

Sergeant Muon, Paramet's close subordinate and a relative of Pran Boon's wife, came forward to greet them and guided the two men to pay respects at the altar. Chalerm, Pran Boon's widow, sat in front of the coffin, crying, with her daughter beside her, offering her smelling salts.

Upon seeing the guests, both women clasped their hands in respect. Nongnuch, the daughter, handed incense sticks to Chatklao and Paramet for them to pay their respects.

Chatklao took out an envelope with a donation for Chalerm, intended to help the family during this difficult time. The amount wasn't significant to him, but it was meaningful support for them.

"Mae Chalerm, this is Dr. Chatklao, the new doctor at the camp hospital, and this is Dr. Paramet, my boss. They're the ones who operated on Phorn," Sergeant Muon said in the local dialect. Chalerm, hands folded, nodded with tears streaming down her swollen eyes, exhausted from crying through the night.

"Thank you so much for helping Phorn, my dear nephew. Without your help, I don't know what would've happened to him. Now with Boon gone, how will my daughter and I survive?" Chalerm spoke in the local dialect, as the family didn't speak the central dialect.

Pran Boon and Phorn had been the main providers for the family, earning their income from foraging in the forest, collecting wild honey, and gathering herbs for sale.

"Take it easy, Mae. Let's take one thing at a time, especially with Phorn needing time to fully recover," Chatklao reassured her gently. Though Phorn's condition had improved, his recovery would be a long road. The family, without health insurance, was struggling with all the medical expenses falling on Chalerm and her daughter.

"But I have no money left. Nongnuch just got married, and now I'm alone. How will I ever pay for Phorn's medical bills?"

Chatklao reached out and gently patted her shoulder, seeing her pain as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Don't worry about that. I'll speak to the director and see if there's a way we can help."

Chalerm looked up at the young doctor, hands folded in a gesture of respect, tears flowing again. "Truly, Doctor? You're not just giving me hope, right? I don't know what to do anymore. Phorn's injuries are so severe—just going to the forest to collect honey, and this happens. It's not like he wronged anyone out there."

As she finished, a brief silence fell over the hall. Nongnuch, face pale, turned to her mother in a firm voice, "Mae, please stop saying things like that. Let it go. I'll take the doctors to a seat; the monks are about to start chanting."

Chatklao and Paramet exchanged puzzled glances, noting the strange reaction from Nongnuch, and even Sergeant Muon seemed momentarily stunned. With no other choice, they followed her to seats in the second row.

The chanting began as the temple's lay leader invited the monks to start. The hall was somber, with only ten rows of chairs, and fewer than thirty guests. As the chanting continued, Chatklao's gaze wandered, stopping on a portrait of Pran Boon, whose face bore an uncanny resemblance to his son Phorn. The father had been shot and thrown into a ravine, while the son had been left severely injured, eventually losing a leg. Whoever did this must possess an unfathomable cruelty.

Just then, a black four-wheel drive pulled up. Chalerm and Nongnuch quickly stood to greet the newcomers. A man, dressed in a tailored black silk safari suit, stepped out. A thick gold chain, with multiple Buddha amulets, hung around his neck, and his wrist sported a gold Rolex. His wife, a striking middle-aged woman, followed him, accompanied by a group of bodyguards, who looked particularly intimidating.