To Hold Tight or to Let Go

Chapter Seventeen

"Oh, you're finally here," Chanthira stood up as Arthit approached the table they'd reserved outside in the garden of the café.

Arthit approached the table, holding hands with Kongpob. He stood behind the seats, not moving to sit down.

"Sit down Oon," Chanthira said. She looked at Kongpob. "You too young man."

"His name is Kongpob," Arthit informed her. "I've told you that before. You can't even bear to remember it, can you?"

"Don't make this into something it's not. Please just sit."

Arthit nodded towards Ploy. "And she's here because?"

"It's not just me who owes apologies," she replied.

"Mae, how can I trust that you're not going to do something crazy? I agreed to come here because I keep thinking you're going to change but I know you aren't."

"Let's just hear her out P, then we can go. It's better to get it over with as soon as possible," Kongpob whispered. He pulled out the chair and guided Arthit to sit down. He didn't miss the look Chanthira gave them, but he didn't care.

"So Kongpob," Chanthira began. "You fell in love with my son, when?"

"My first year of college. When P'Arthit was my head hazer."

"And that was normal to you? To date your senior?"

"Perfectly normal," Kongpob smiled.

"Well...my concern is that you're younger. Can you provide and give him everything he needs? Can you take care of him?"

"I believe I can and I think I'm doing an okay job of it now."

"He's doing more than okay at it mae," Arthit said.

"Let's order some food," Chanthira said. She motioned the waiter over. "Oon I'll get you a pink milk."

"Mae I don't want it," Arthit said.

"He'll have a banana milk frappe and the spicy chicken pasta. For me, I'll have spaghetti Bolognese, please don't add extra spices. And I'll have an iced cappuccino," Kongpob ordered for the both of them. He saw Chanthira glare at him but she shook her head and continued on with her order. While they waited for the food, Kongpob held Arthit's hand under the table.

"So, you don't like spicy food?" Chanthira asked, sparking conversation.

"No, it upsets my stomach from acid reflux," Kongpob replied.

"So you guys can't really share food then? Arthit won't eat anything unless it's spicy," she said.

"We're not the type of couple that needs to share each other's food. We just like eating together," Kongpob shrugged.

"Oh, I see," Chanthira nodded.

They were quiet until the food arrived and once it did, Arthit didn't make any move to start eating. Kongpob mixed the pasta so the sauce coated all the pasta noodles.

"Eat a little bit P," Kongpob whispered.

Arthit nodded and started eating but he was constantly looking at his mother warily. Maybe it was a good idea that they got this meeting over and done with or Arthit just might get even more anxiety.

"Shall we talk about why we're meeting like this?" Kongpob asked.

"Alright, I suppose I should get straight to the point. I'm sorry for this trouble I've been causing. But Arthit you know much I want to be a grandmother. And you being with him makes that hard for me so that's why I went so crazy."