Damn it. I should've just stayed quiet and minded my own business, but no—I had to agree with the elders. Who would've thought that the sarcastic, throwaway line I said to my parents would actually come true?
'If I don't end up with Minister Panin as my husband, I'll stay single for the rest of my life.' Turns out my grandpa is friends with his. And that stern-faced minister? He didn't even say no. I fell right into it before I even knew what was happening. So… what is my life going to be like from now on?
"Don't be upset with him, dear. He has work to do—important work for the country," Pimrasmi, his grandmother, said gently, trying to comfort me on her grandson's behalf.
Of course. More important than the legal wife he just signed for.
His family was made up entirely of high-ranking civil servants. His grandfather, who had royal lineage, had once served as Deputy Prime Minister. His father, a former provincial governor, had passed away in an accident along with his mother when he was only ten. I suppose this ambition was passed down through the generations.
"It's all right, Grandma. I'm not ready to face him head-on either."
We had met barely five minutes ago. An introduction, an engagement, and a marriage registration—all on the same day. Truly a blessed start to a married life. The only thing missing was a wedding ceremony.
The Minister had made his position very clear: no ceremony, no public announcement, and I was not to take his last name. If I could accept that, he would agree to marry me. If not, everyone would have to stop trying to set him up once and for all. That was actually fine by me. No becoming "Mrs.", no taking someone else's last name. I would still be Miss Kawinthida.
"Don't be silly. You have a husband now—learn to be proper, to be a good wife, and take care of the household. Don't let anyone say your parents failed to raise you. It would disgrace our entire family. Whatever he asks of you, don't go against him. Be mindful of your words and show him respect. Don't forget, he's twelve years older than you. Whatever happens, you must endure it. Don't act childish or sulky, and don't be too headstrong until he can no longer tolerate you. Do you understand, my dear?" My mom, Kawinthita, a Senior Professional Level teacher, lectured me.
It went completely against my nature. Living under my husband's authority—if he said left, I couldn't go right. And if he told me to go die… would she still stand by those same words?
"Please remember to give me a great-grandchild soon, dear. I'd love to hold a little one," said my husband's grandmother.
Ugh! Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps. Forget about great-grandchildren—I had to wonder whether he'd even come to my room at all. Please, let things turn out the way I hope: living separately would be enough. I'm not ready for that yet.
"Then I'll go pack my clothes at home."
"I've already had the housekeeper pack everything for you. Your essentials are in the room next to his. If you need anything else, you can buy it later. While you're waiting for him to come home, you should show off your cooking skills."
This was clearly twisting my arm. Was she really not going to let me go home at all? She was afraid I might run away—and she was right. My mom knows me too well.
"Pin and Paeng will look after you while you're here. If you need anything, just let them know. Besides, Jao Peem and Jao Pat still don't know that their dad has brought a wife into the house. I'll tell them myself. Please don't hold it against your sons," said his grandmother.
'Stepsons!'
The sons I had just found out he had—not five or six years old, but sixteen. Their names sounded familiar. I was sure I'd heard them somewhere before.
"I'll try," I said through clenched teeth. It wasn't easy to come to terms with it, but the decision had already been made. What else could I do? Sure, I used to admire him on TV. But this… this wasn't it. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.