Every Kind of Way

Table for Three

During the car ride, I couldn't help but notice that Mon looked uncomfortable. She kept looking around in the car as if it would break if she touched anything. I was watching her through the rearview mirror.

"Do you have cramps? Why are you so tense?"

"Normally, I only take the bus or a taxi. I've never ridden in such a luxurious car before." Oh right, I forgot she's poor. I didn't want to say anything to make her even more uncomfortable, so I tried to reassure her.

"They're all moving vehicles. Just think of it as a taxi." Mon nodded.

"That means I'm a taxi driver, right?" Kirk's sense of humor is something I will never understand.

"Kirk. Not funny. I'm hungry." He dropped his smile and looked forward again. Mon still looked a bit stiff.

"Please relax, Mon. I know that being near Sam can make you feel stressed." Hey, I resent that. "Even I get stressed sometimes." That caused Mon to smile so I didn't say anything back to Kirk. I loved when she smiled.

I spent the rest of the ride just staring at Mon's every move. Kirk was too busy driving and Mon helped him with the directions to the small restaurant. I think I came here once with Mom when I was younger.

Mom was not a descendant of any royal family. Some saw her as a commoner. When she wanted to escape reality, she would take me to local spots to try the different cuisines after visiting the art exhibitions. She always reminded me that those who aren't rich like the royals are people too.

There was no hostess to lead us to a table, so Mon chose it. I sat next to Kirk and Mon in front of us. We ordered Pad Thai and other dishes as well. It didn't feel uncomfortable to be in this place with Mon and also Kirk, but I really wish Kirk wasn't here.

When the dishes arrived, Kirk looked at me. This non-verbal communication was getting on my nerves. I don't know what more he wanted from me. Mon was happy, I was happy, what else should I do? No one said a word. I was really hungry, so I attempted to grab the seasoning for the Pad Thai, but Kirk's hand got in the way. I glared at him, and he moved his hand.

Fun fact, I love spicy food. I wasn't scared that the food might not taste good, but I really wanted that hint of spice, so I added three tablespoons of chili powder to my dish and mixed it all up. Mon and Kirk just stared at me while I took my first bite. I closed my eyes to savor the flavor. Not bad.

"You like spicy food, Lady Sam?"

"Can't I?"

"I didn't think you would."

"I agree. You put so much chili that I feel the burn in my stomach." I rolled my eyes at Kirk. Such drama queens, it's not even that spicy I would have added more. I took another bite and closed my eyes again to savor the flavor. I could eat this every once in a while. I felt eyes on me again.

"What are you looking at?" Mon looked down at her plate.

"Nothing, ma'am." She looked comfortable now, that's good.

"Aren't you going to season your dish?"

"I prefer it this way." I grabbed a lime wedge and squeezed some juice on top of her Pad Thai.

"You should eat it like this. It will taste better." I hope I didn't overstep.

"Thank you." I nodded and licked the lime juice off my fingertips. Ok everything's still good. "You don't look like someone who can eat street food like this. I thought you only ate at expensive restaurants or royal Thai cuisine." I never thought Mon would pass judgement upon me. I'm shocked.

"Being an Mhom Luang doesn't mean I have to eat the royal cuisine only. Below the rank 'Mhom Ratchawong', everybody is considered a commoner." (Mhom Ratchawong is the title above the Mhom Luang which is Sam's title. In other words, Sam is considered a commoner in the royal family.) Mon nodded.

"Mon, why is this area called 'Pratu Phi'? Sam and I are not familiar with this." (Pratu Phi means Ghost/Spirit gate)

"My mom told me that during the cholera outbreak in the past, it was illegal to cremate the dead bodies in the city area. So, people had to bring the corpses to the temples around here." I looked at Mon. I don't like anything related to ghosts. "The gate where spirits of the dead walked through is called Pratu Phi." I choked on what I was chewing.

"Why are you talking so much? Are you here to eat or for a field trip?" Mon, please stop talking about ghosts.

"Are there any more urban stories?" Kirk! Why are you asking for more? Google it! I just want to eat in peace. I'm just going to ignore you both.

"There are." Great... "There's also a story about the hungry ghosts of Suthat Temple." I hate this topic, but I'm so intrigued by what Mon is saying I can't stop listening. "Petas are very tall, have mouths as tiny as a pinprick. At night, they will appear and ask for portions of merit from people. Their grief moaning is terrifying." I felt something near me and heard a low moaning sound. I looked at Mon who was humming for some reason, then I looked towards Kirk who was standing over me with a straw in his mouth. I jumped out of my chair and screamed. This idiot! This is so embarrassing. Can the floor swallow me now please and thank you?

"Woah! What's wrong?" Mon and Kirk were laughing at me.

"Kirk, what are you playing at?" I pouted and looked at my dish.

"I wanted to show you the image in case you have difficulty visualizing a Peta." Mon giggled, I melted. I couldn't get mad at her, it was impossible. "I forgot to tell you Mon. Sam is afraid of ghosts." I choked on the water I was drinking. Dude, did she really need to know that fact?

"She is?" If looks could kill, Kirk would be dead.

"Oh, very much. She never watches horror movies, or she won't be able to sleep."

"Ahem!" Kirk, I will kill you eventually. "Enough."

"It's true, isn't it? There's no need to be embarrassed." He kept teasing me and Mon kept chuckling at the fact.

I'm never coming back here.