Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 10

The hotel restaurant was bustling with people that day. Khun Ying Ampai chose a table in the far corner near the window to avoid being the center of attention. When she noticed a familiar figure entering, she waved warmly, offering a friendly smile as a greeting. Klongkaew, seemingly surprised, returned the smile; they had just seen each other at a party the previous night.

"Good afternoon, Khun Ying. I hope you haven't been waiting too long?"

"Not at all. What would you like to order? We can chat over our meal." Khun Ying handed the menu to Klongkaew, who glanced through it before ordering a simple dish. Meanwhile, in front of Khun Ying was a vibrant bowl of chicken khao soi, looking quite appetizing.

"Is there something you wanted to discuss with me, Khun Ying?" Klongkaew asked after some hesitation. Last night, she had accompanied Khun Ying home early from the event, as Khun Ying hadn't been feeling well, leaving her son Phak to sit with Mom Luang Pokkets.

"Shall we eat first?" Khun Ying suggested.

"No, it's fine. I'm rather impatient myself. Or... did my Kets do something to offend you or Phak last night?"

In the past, the powerful General Pinit had pursued Klongkaew, but she was the only woman who dared reject him. Her refusal had led Mom Ratchawong Phuthipat to become the target of the general's resentment. Yet, eventually, the general yielded to the purity of their love. After they married, Klongkaew pursued a career in nursing and continued in public service. Khun Ying Ampai had once donated to the hospital where Klongkaew worked, leading them to cross paths often at social events, where Khun Ying came to admire Klongkaew's courage.

"Oh, not at all! Quite the opposite, I find myself very fond of Kets," Khun Ying replied with a smile, gently placing her hand on Klongkaew's.

"Forgive me for being so direct, but after seeing Kets last night, I couldn't help but think a lot about things," Khun Ying continued, catching Klongkaew off guard. She looked up in disbelief.

"Are you saying..."

"I know it's a bit sudden, but after seeing Phak and Kets dancing together, I felt I had to meet with you today."

"You don't mean to suggest..."

"Yes, you understand correctly. Phak is twenty-eight now and has yet to find anyone. I can vouch for him; he's a hardworking, responsible young man. I hope you don't think poorly of him."

"Our family has faced its share of scrutiny from the media, but regardless, he's still a man of integrity."

Klongkaew hesitated, visibly startled by Khun Ying's proposal to arrange a match between Mom Luang Pokket and her son Phak.

Her pause made Khun Ying anxious, prompting her to ask directly, "Or... do you think poorly of Phak?"

"Not at all, I know Phak is a good man. I've known him since he was a child, being close friends with my son Chat. But, I worry it might be too soon, as they only just met last night."

Klongkaew didn't reveal her intuition that her daughter wasn't fond of Phak, as her tone and choice of words last night hinted at an underlying dislike.

"I understand. I only ask that you give Kets a chance."

"But Kets studied abroad and has quite modern views. I'm worried she might not appreciate us trying to play matchmaker."

Klongkaew's own life taught her that a marriage rooted in love stands the test of time, just like hers with Mom Ratchawong Phuthipat.

"Then let's keep this between us," Khun Ying suggested. "I'll be honest, I wish Phak could meet a lovely woman like Kets. Until now, he's focused solely on work and hasn't looked at anyone else. I'm partly to blame for his closed-off nature. When I saw him with Kets, I felt it might finally be time to help him find happiness."