Chapter Two
"Coffee ka, Khun Nu...aow, Khun Lada!"
Bpa Morn, the nanny, acknowledged Nathlada as soon as she stepped into Chisanu's office.
"How did the hospital visit go?" Bpa Morn asked Nathlada, who only smiled as opposed to an expected, detailed reply.
"I'm sorry I couldn't accompany you to the doctor," said Chisanu, looking up at his wife.
He capped his pen and turned to the next page in his binder, then taking a sip from his hot coffee Bpa Morn had just brought him.
"I have to finish all of this work before our trip to Paris this weekend," Chisanu added.
Nathlada's smile turned into a slight frown, but into a smile again when she walked over behind him and began to massage his shoulders. Bpa Morn happily watched on with a wide grin. She winked at Nathlada, who motioned for the nanny, and then steered her out of the room. Nathlada closed the door behind then softly and looked at Bpa Morn, her smile wider than ever. Bpa Morn's curiosity grew as to what her lady was hiding.
"Khun Nathlada ka," said Bpa Morn. "Don't just smile like that; you make me nervous. Go ahead and tell me what you want to tell me."
Nathlada looked away shyly and brought herself together to finally tell Bpa Morn the good news.
"HAH?! You mean you're telling me that I will have a young master?!" Bpa Morn asked aloud, in the most hilarious ecstatic tone ever.
"Shh!" Nathlada shushed her in case Chisanu would hear. "I don't want to tell him yet...well, I want to find the right time to tell him."
Bpa Morn's smile was as wide as ever. She nodded frantically and clapped her hands together.
"I am so delighted!" she exclaimed in a quieter, calmer tone.
"Promise you won't slip out to Khun Nu?" Nathlada questioned reassuringly.
Bpa Morn nodded in confirmation to keep the secret.
Nathlada returned to Chisanu's office, where she immediately returned to massaging his shoulders.
"Harder," said Chisanu.
Nathlada squeezed harder while trying to contain her smile.
"Harder," he repeated.
Nathlada made a face and squeezed even harder.
"Oy!" he yelped, looking up at her.
"Well, how's that?" Nathlada asked.
"Feels great," he replied, with his dorky smile. "Jeb gaw ruk."
Nathlada felt her cheeks turn pink and playfully slapped him on the shoulder. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist, softly kissing her neck and cheeks.
"You always turn red when I do this," he whispered. "I like it. Naruk."
Nathlada laughed and tried to get up but he tightened his grip.
"Oy, be careful," she said, worried that he will harm the baby.
"What's wrong?" he asked with a concerned expression.
"Uhm, you're squeezing the life out of me," she hinted at him.
"Arai ah khun," he said, almost breaking into laughter. "You've been acting kind of...funny lately. I...
All of a sudden, Chisanu put one hand over his mouth and looked away from Nathlada.
"What's wrong?" she asked him, getting up from his lap.
"I feel like I need to vomit," he replied.
Chisanu ran out of the office to the nearest restroom. Nathlada gave a slight laugh and shook her head, then followed him to the restroom.
"Khun Nu, ka," she said, gently rapping on the bathroom door.
She heard him vomiting and stopped.
"It is possible that the father may experience maternity symptoms as well," Nathlada remembered the doctor saying. She had asked the doctor beforehand because she remembered seeing it in many lakorns. Now, it was her turn to watch her lovely husband go through a wonderful experience.
"Oho, Nathlada, what perfume did you use today?" Chisanu asked his wife, when he reappared from the restroom.
Nathlada did not answer.
"I'm kidding," said Chisanu. "But, it's funny that I have to vomit all of a sudden. Maybe it's due to lack of sleep."
"Then you must get a lot of rest," Nathlada. "Especially before leaving to Paris this Friday."
"I hope I don't get sick on the plane," said Chisanu. "Otherwise, I'd have to call Amitada and Preuk that we're gonna miss their wedding."
"If that's so, why don't you leave that work for tomorrow morning and go to bed right after dinner?" Nathlada suggested.
"Okay, krub," said Chisanu in his soothing tone.
He pecked on her the cheek and escorted her to the dinner table, where Bpa Morn and Nuan had already set the food out. Chisanu pulled the chair out for his wife and seated himself next to her, at the end of the table.
"Where's Amaj?" he asked aloud.
"Maa laew krub!"
A handsome young man of about 18 pranced into the room.
"Aow, Amaj, where have you been all day?" Nathlada asked him.
"I went out with friends," he replied, piling some food onto his plate.
"Friends or girlfriend wa?" Chisanu asked.
"Friends, krub!" Amaj replied with utmost confidence.
"I hope it's true," said Chisanu. "Your parents left you under my care. I don't want to have to do any unnecessary explaining when we see them Friday."
"Trust me, if I had a girlfriend, I would surely ask you for advice," said Amaj. "Why? Because I would like to have a perfect woman like Khun Nathlada too."
"Amaj!" Nathlada nearly choked on her water.
"Gaw mun jing nee krub," Amaj added, piling some more food onto his plate. "If I don't find a good woman like Khun Nathlada, I'd rather not get married at all."
"Ja baa ler?" Chisanu blurted. "Your parents are counting on you, man."
"Oh...yeah...
Everyone laughed and dinner proceeded with a lot of happiness and laughter. It was until dessert was brought out that Nathlada began to feel uncomfortable. The smell of the pumpkin custard made her want to vomit. The sight of it in front of her made her symptoms even worse. Nathlada hurried out of the dining room to the restroom, where she had vomited all of her dinner.
"What's wrong with Khun Nathlada?" Amaj asked Chisanu.
"She probably caught the illness from me," Chisanu replied.
Bpa Morn snorted but remained silent because she had promised Nathlada to keep the pregnancy a secret...at least for now.
No doubt the next day was a busy one for Chisanu. On the bright side, he had completed all of his work, but he was very tired. As a matter of fact, he was unusually tired. Before, he could sit in his office for prolonged periods of time without even yawning, as opposed to today, he was constantly yawning and requesting for coffee.
Nathlada found that quite humorous, but at the same time, felt bad for him. Her symptoms weren't as bad as his.
"I think this isn't good if it goes on," said Bpa Morn. "When are you going to tell him?"
"I will tell him at the right time," replied Nathlada, handing her the empty cup of coffee.
"Tell him what?" asked Amaj, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Nathlada and Bpa Morn exchanged looks.
"Nothing," replied Bpa Morn. "Mai mee arai loey."
"I think you two are hiding something," said Amaj.
"Mai mee," said Nathlada, in the most convincing tone.
Amaj bought that and left his question unanswered. He grabbed a cookie and skipped up to his room, where Nathlada advised that he go ahead and pack.
They would be leaving mid-afternoon the next day and this would be their second trip to Paris together. Even though it was years ago, it felt as only yesterday when the three of them had travled to Paris for Chisanu's cornea transplant. This time, they were going for Preuk and Amitada's wedding, something happy and special that all look forward to creating unforgettable memories. Nothing should go wrong.
I'm so excited for this! And Nathlada is pregnant? That's awesome. I can imagine Cherry portraying that. I miss Tik-Cherry.