Chapter 5: The Ball
Pong In was a very popular man amongst the young women, but his heart desired no one, but one woman. The one woman who he let go nearly 3 years ago. She was now a completely different woman. She was not only bitter, but she was vengeful. He watched as many women and their mothers pile onto his parents estate. He didn't know how to reject his parents good will by holding this ball for him. It was time for him to settle down according to his parents and with His family's name at stake Pong In cannot merely choose just any woman, but her family must be in good social standing. He hoped that at the ball she would appear, but he knew in his heart that she had forgotten him long ago.
"Pong In, Pong In." Mrs. Barinyasarn Called out for her son.
"Yes mother?" Responded Pong In
"All of the guests are here. Hurry and help us greet them. Remember you must pick wisely." Mrs. Barinyasarn said leaving the room. Pong In obediently followed. Pong In didn't know how to avoid this fate, but he must follow his parents wishes. Although he knew nothing about one woman at the ball tonight he vowed to give it a try. Obedience wasn't the only reason, but he also wanted to move on. Move on from the woman who had once broken his heart. It was time for him to move on and finally settle down. He hoped that she would one day be happy. His time was up. He must now choose the woman that he must devote his life to. The woman that his parents approve. Pong In stepped in to see many beautiful young women in the ballroom. Although they were very beautiful not one captured his attention, but one. She was beautiful just as the others, but she was different. She wearing a maroon dress with a thin ribbong wrapped around her waist. She had a necklace on, but unlike others it wasn't so exceedingly lavish. The necklace was on a simple chain with a small heart hanging on it. She had on light redish maroonish heels. Her hair was tied in a ponytail with curls hanging to her side. Pong In starred at her in amazement; he felt something from her. Although he had never seen her before she stood out amongst the ten's and hundreds of other young women there.
"Pong In, Pong In." He heard his mother lightly call
"Yes mother?" Pong In responded turning his glaze to his mother.
"Pong In Ja, meet Nou Moh Anitida. She is the daughter of Khun Garn Anitida the owner of a very large print company. Nou Moh ja, this is Pong In."
"Sawatdee Ka," Mon responded to Mrs. Barinyasarn's introduction.
"Sawatdee Krup." Pong In responded.
"Nou Moh just finished her bachelor's in business management from England."
"A business management bachelor degree? You have to fly all the way to England for that?" Pong In said.
"Pong In!" Mrs. Barinyasarn said tapping her son on the arm. "Excuse us Nou Moh." She said pulling her mischevious son aside. "Whats wrong with you Pong In? That was so rude." She scolded.
"I'm sorry mother, but you know how I am."
"Ja, Patriotic to your own country. You know oversea studies is becoming more famous these days."
"Mother, who is that woman?" Pong In asked pointing to the woman he had captured his attention. Mrs. Barinyasarn turned her attention to follow her son's finger and noticed the young beauty also. She smiled at her son's choice.
"That is Nou Lukkana Jiranya or Lukkana Mahatada. She is the daughter of Jao Khun Mahat from his first marriage with Khun Ying Anarnsaree. Although she is legally a Mahatada she introduces herself by her mothers last name."
"Mother would you mind introducing me to her?"
"Why son? Have you taken a liking to her?"
"Mother she's beautiful, not only that but she's so plain and simple. Nothing like the other lavish women here."
"That is because Nou Lukkana is a very conservative young woman. I've had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions."
"Mother... "
"Ok, ok come I'll introduce you." Mrs. Barinyasarn said leading her son towards the young woman. "Nou Lukkana Ja." Mrs. Barinyasarn said in a soothing tone.
"Ka?" Lukkana said turning around. She immediately put her hands up to Wai Mrs. Barinyasarn. "Sawatdee Ka, Khun Ying Pah." added the young lady.
"Sawatdee Ja, Nou Lukkana ja, meet my son. This is Pong In. Pong In ja, meet Nou Lukkana."introduced Mrs. Barinyasarn.
"Sawatdee Ka, Khun Pong In." Lukkana responded to the introduction with a Wai included.
"Sawatdee Krup." Pong In in return said including his Wai.
"I'll go greet the rest of the guest. You two talk for a moment." Mrs. Barinyasarn said leavin the pair. The two stared at one another in awkwardness after Mrs. Barinyasarn left them alone.
"Do you live in Chiang Mai?" asked Pong In attempting to start a conversation. Lukkana smiled and responded.
"I suppose so? I wouldn've have flown all the way here for a party." Pong in felt embarrassed for asking such a stupid question. He attempted again to make conversation, but this time he choose wisely the question he would ask.
"What brings you to this ball?"
"An invitation?" She responded sarcastically. Pong In was once again embarrassed. He thought to himself (Heaven's what is it about this girl that makes me so nervous.)
"I'm sorry; I tend to get nervous and ask stupid questions around beautiful women."
"Well I pity for you then."
"Pity for me? Oh?"
"Because you're surrounded by hundreds of beautiful women, and if you ask them as little as 2 questions then you're bound to ask over 200 stupid questions before this night ends." responded Lukkana wittingly. Pong In's face was devoured by blood vessels as they all burst to give him a dark blush.
"Ok, ok. You win. I will admit you're amazingly witty; and intriguing." Pong In said with a slight smile.
"Why thank you." She said with a bow.
"Now tell me about yourself Khun Lukkana Mahatada."
"Lukkana Jiranya please."
"Ok now tell me about yourself Lukkana Jiranya."
"What can I tell you? I'm a woman obviously, I am the only daughter to exist between Khun Por Mahat Mahatada and My mother Khun Ying Anarnsaree. I have 2 half brothers which are both from different mothers. I just received my bachelors degree in literature studies from the national university. I am 25 years old. I am here speaking to you. Is there anything else you would like to know?"
"Yes, your phone number? Your address to perhaps? What I am most interested in is your acceptance of the invitation I would like to extend to you to join me for lunch outside of this ballroom."
"In exchange for?"
"Exchange?"
"Yes, you are a businessman aren't you? You know that for a woman such as myself the company doesn't follow freely."
"How about a beautiful necklace accompanied by a full set of jewlery."
"Khun Pong In Barinyarsarn I'm quite offended. Surely you know who I am and I can most definitely afford any jewlery I desired. I am more interested in your word."
"My word?"
"Yes your word that this invitation will not be scheduled along with any other invitations."
"A bit possessive now aren't we for someone who just got introduced."
"Not in the slightest, but I am a woman with high morale. I refuse to see a man on his schedule."
"Then you have my word Khun Lukkana Jiranya." Pong In said with a smile.
"Good; Then I must excuse myself. I have something people call a job in the morning." Lukkana said walking away. Her midnight scent followed her as Pong In watch in amazement. He had just had one of the most entertaining conversation with a woman in the longest time. There was something about this woman that made him want to explore her. Although she wasn't exactly a traditional young woman she was very elegant and confident; something Pong In loved in women.