Chapter Four
As they took each step and became closer to the town, Nadech seemed to walk slower and slower. He was beginning to feel sick, his face pale as a spirit and his eyes, droopy. Nadech finally stopped walking, while Urassaya was still perched comfortably on his back. He took a deep breath and exhaled out of exhaustion.
"Hey, hey, peuan, you alright?"
Toey grabbed Nadech's arm and examined his pale, sweaty face.
"I'm fine," Nadech gasped.
"Keep on walking then," Urassaya ordered.
"Nee khun, he's been carrying you for almost an hour already," said Toey. "You can get off and walk now."
"I didn't hear him complaining yet," Urassaya snapped.
"Nee!" Toey exclaimed. "He's a human, not a horse or cow. You can't just use him like that."
"Put me down," Urassaya said, finally.
Nadech put her down and suddenly became light-headed.
"Hey, unbelievable," said Urassaya. "You seem so strong yet you're so weak."
"Enough already," said Toey, losing patience with Urassaya. "It's all your fault. If we didn't stop to help you, P'Dech wouldn't be like this."
Beep! Beep!
The three of them turned around to see a small, red pickup truck brake abruptly next to them.
"Por Yai!" Toey exclaimed happily.
Nadech gave a weak smile. Urassaya's face lit up at the sight the roadside assistance.
"Khun Noo krub," said Loong Boon, exiting the passenger's side of the vehicle.
"What took so long, Loong Boon?" Urassaya asked.
"Sorry na krub," Loong Boon apologized. "I had to wait over an hour until Por Yai happened to come by."
"Glad to see you, Por Yai," said Nadech.
His lips were dry and his face, pale as ever. He was sweating from head to toe.
"Nadech, are you alright?" Por Yai asked him.
"I'm fine, krub," Nadech replied.
"It's because of this hi-so, girl!" Toey exclaimed. "P'Dech haven't had a drop of water the past two hours."
"Don't blame me," said Urassaya. "I've gone half a day without water plenty of times; I'm fine and still alive."
"You have?" asked Toey. "Was it in the scorching hot sun? Were you carrying anyone on your back for nearly an hour? And at the same time, did you walk over three hours nonstop?"
Urassaya was silent. She then made a face and apologized to Nadech.
"It's okay," he said in an almost whisper.
"Alright, Nadech, get in the truck," said Por Yai.
Toey helped Nadech into the front next to Por Yai and then joined Urassaya and Loong Boon in the backseat.
"You haven't two haven't told me yet why you left the village," said Por Yai, as they continued down the road. "Why are you going into town?"
"Yesterday,...
"Nadech, mai tong," said Por Yai. "Let Aie Toey explain."
Por Yai handed Nadech a bottle of water and told him to drink up. Nadech nodded and did as he was told while Toey explained their situation to Por Yai.
"Puthanate, Puthanate...
Por Yai thought for a moment and tried to remember where he had heard this name before. He had vague memories from twenty years ago but this name was significant.
"I can't think of it right now," he said finally.
"But I know this name," said Urassaya, after a moment of silence.
They had almost forgot she was in the car too because since they got in, she was silent the entire time.
Urassaya scratched her head and thought for a second.
"Khun Noo, krub, this Puthanate guy, do you reckon it's the same Mom Rachawong Puthanate Naresuan?" Loong Boon whispered into her ear. "It must be, right?"
"Chai si!" Urassaya exclaimed suddenly.
"Hey," said Toey, slightly surprised by her reaction. "Don't tell me you know him?"
"How can I not?" Urassaya snapped. "He's my to-be father-in-law? And, he's a good guy!"
Nadech turned around and exchanged looks with Toey, who seemed more shocked than Nadech. He then turned back around in his seat and rested his head on the headrest. They will resolve everything once they reach town.
"If that Por Yai doesn't agree, what will do, phor?"
Chaiyapol stuffed a forkful of green beans into his mouth and listened to his father's response. More than anything, he needed this resort construction to happen and to happen fast. Even though he was the sole heir to his family's business, he had to ensure his stability by gaining recognition and power.
"If we don't get an agreement, then we must come up with another plan," replied Mom Rachawong Puthanate. "No matter what, I know Por Yai will take this matter very seriously because I'm sure he wants progress of the village."
Chaiyapol smiled a half smile and put his fork down. After wiping his mouth with the dinner napkin, he excused himself to the restroom. On the way, loud chattering outside caught his attention.
"You can't go in! You can't go in!"
"Mee arai ah?" Chaiyapol asked the security.
His attention was shifted to his fiance, Urassaya.
"Rasa!" he exclaimed. "How did you get here?"
"P'Pol!" Urassaya ran up to him and explained her not so pitiful situation. In the the middle of her short story, she blamed Nadech and Toey for her journey difficulties, to which Toey took as offensive.
"You should blame yourself missy," said Toey. "If you weren't so hot-headed to chase after a man out here, you wouldn't be in this situation."
"Who are you to talk to my fiance like that, let alone stand in front of this hotel?" asked Chaiyapol, pointing a finger at Toey. "Even though this isn't a five star hotel, you still aren't suitable to even just stand in front of it. Judging by your looks and clothes, you're just a despicable villager! How dare you even talk to my fiance like that?!"
"P'Dech, I never knew before that Krungthep dogs bark loudly as this," said Toey, turning to Nadech. "Have you known that before?"
"THAT'S TOO MUCH!" Chaiyapol bellowed, angrily stepping forward as if he were about to punch Toey.
"Alright, that's enough," said Por Yai. "Let's not make a big deal out of this."
"Por Yai! You heard what he called us villagers!" Toey exclaimed, fuming with anger.
"Who are you to command me?" Chaiyapol asked Por Yai.
"What's going on?"
Soon enough, Mom Rachawong Puthanate appeared outside the lobby.
"Aow, Por Yai," he said, immediately taking notice of the headman of Barn Nam Tok village. "It has been about 20 years. How have you been?"
Finally, Por Yai recognized him, Mom Rachawong Puthanate, who visited the village about 20 something years ago for a volunteer project. The two smiled and shook hands.
"Aow, phor num."
Mom Rachawong Puthanate then noticed Nadech, who was still pale but feeling a little better.
"Thank you for bringing Por Yai to me."
Mom Rachawong Puthanate totally misunderstood. Nadech did not bring Por Yai to see him but Nadech didn't have the strength to explain. Instead, he just nodded and slightly smiled. This was more difficult than he had initially thought.
As Nadech had presumed, Por Yai would dissent the idea of moderning the village, much to Mom Rachawong Puthanate's disappointment. This seemed to fuel the fire within Chaiyapol, who stood there still and quiet, watching as his dreams flushed away before his eyes. No matter what, he will talk his father into the resort project.
"Is it that important to you?" Urassaya asked him, when they both walked out of the room.
She had followed the angry Chaiyapol out down to the lobby.
"Chai!" he angrily replied.
"I don't think it makes a difference at all," said Urassaya. "As long as we're together, it's all that matters."
"Nee Nong Rasa, I'm not all fun and games like you na," said Chaiyapol. "I was born into an aristocratic family and I must engage in business as my father does. Business is business; you wouldn't understand."
"I didn't mean it like that," said Urassaya.
"I don't care how you meant, but I mean what I mean," said Chaiyapol.
"Noo Rasa."
The two turned around to see the others join them in the lobby.
"Say goodbye to Por Yai and these two gentleman," Mom Rachawong Puthanate said to her. "You should also thank them for taking care of you."
Urassaya did as she was told and even apologized to Nadech.
"Mai bpen rai," he said.
She helplessly watch them walk out of the hotel and suddenly felt guilty inside.
Finally, they resolved the problem and returned to the village. Nadech was very glad they ran into Por Yai along the way because if they didn't, things could've been much worse. At the same time, he was also drained of all of his energy. More than anything, he was happy that their village will remain the same, the beautiful Barn Nam Tok that all of the villagers had adored for many generations with more to come.
Before they reached home, Nadech passed out in the truck, only to be greeted by his mother's warmth several hours later.
A smile formed on Mae Jieb's face for she was proud of her only son and the sweet young man that he grew to be. She whispered, "I love you" to him and blew out the lamp so he could sleep peacefully. It had indeed been a very long day.