khunchailek

I like Chai Lek, I think he’s adorbs. But seriously, the boy can’t go around telling every girl that he’s going to take care of her. I mean, what does he mean anyway by taking “responsibility” over someone’s life? Typically in the lakorn world, the word is misconstrued as “marriage.” So it’s easy to see that Soifah misunderstands his meaning.

She had been grounded by her daddy to stay in her room for 7 days and 7 nights. But her concern gets the best of her, so she jumps down her bedroom window and makes her way to check in on Khun Chai, who had saved her from a trap and got his forearm scratched up. But as she veers the corner of his stilted house, she spots him sitting down with Jantha who had already tended to his wound. Jantha is in the process of asking him about the condition of her father, not realizing that the man had already died days ago in the forest by Wieng Poo Kum soldiers.

With regret and utter sadness, Khun Chai takes Jantha’s hands- it’s a form of how he comforts people by touching them- and he breaks the news to her that her father’s dead. He lets her lay her head on his shoulders for a moment until she collects herself. Khun Chai feels guilty and remorse over her father’s death: because if he didn’t embark on this adventure in the forest, her father wouldn’t have died. But he also should recall that he saved Jantha and her dad’s lives from those Wieng Poo Kum soldiers at the restaurant as well. But Khun Chai is not the type to tally his good deeds. He tells her that he wants her to come and stay with him, that he would take good care of her. No No NO! Don’t give the girl hope. But Khun Chai is a responsible and nice guy.

Soifah abysmally walks back to her room before getting caught by her daddy. I do love this father-daughter duo. Even though she defies him and is obstinate, she can’t bear to disappoint him or worse, be ignored by him. Daddy releases a big sigh and gives up on her. He says that he can’t force her to do as he wishes anymore and that it is time to let her go. From now on, she could do as she pleases. His reaction hits her squarely on the face. Soifah apologizes profusely and begs for forgiveness, that she has repented and would listen to him from now on. But daddy doesn’t believe her, and so she does the one thing that comes to mind: kneel on the deck until he finds it in his heart to forgive her.

The elders try to talk on her behalf to Por Yai, that it seems she’s sincere and she won’t disobey his orders again, but Por Yai is unconvinced. Khun Chai learns of her predicament and doesn’t think it is a fair punishment to have her kneel until she’s repentant. So to show his ever fair heart and alignment with Soifah, he decides to kneel with her on the deck until Por Yai forgives them both. Aw. This reminds Por Yai about the village doctor’s prophecy: that he will lose his “kaew tah” (precious eyes) but will gain his “hua jai” (heart) back. He must send her off with a trustworthy man. By now the village elders believe that perhaps Khun Chai isn’t their prince but a significant force that will help them gain entrance into Wieng Poo Kum again. Por Yai doesn’t want Khun Chai to risk his life for a fight that isn’t his, but this gives Por Yai an alternative idea that needs some mulling over.

He peers at the duo from his bedroom door, it is thundering and pouring out, they are soaked to the bones. He mulls over the idea in his head. He must find a way to keep Soifah out of trouble and from creating trouble. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

But this occurrence teaches humility to Soifah. She shed some of her obstinacy, as far as disobeying her father’s orders. He eventually forgives her as she promises to listen to him. His order is the law in this village. Yes sir!

A party is set to wish Jantha and Khun Chai a safe farewell. He would be leaving soon since both their wounds have healed properly. But it shows Soifah that Jantha and Khun Chai is an item. They would be leaving to Nong Khai together and somehow, some way, Khun Chai will take “responsibility” over Jantha. There is that word again. This seems to frustrate Soifah as she hasn’t sorted out her feelings for him. He’s goofy and a notorious flirt. He claims that Jantha is not his significant other, and that he wants to be her (Soifah) friend. More than a friend, he wants to be her “peurn dtai” (death comrades.) She doesn’t believe him so she puts him to the test. If he could jump from the waterfall and into the depth of the pool, than she would believe him.

Everyday Khun Chai learns something new and intriguing about this Soifah. She’s a warrior and tough as steel through and through. But every time he’s with her, he does and say stupid things. He is starting to differentiate to himself, the meaning of “taking care” of someone. In regards to Jantha, he wants to take care of her like a brother. He has told her before that he liked her as a sister. He has had brothers abound growing up and would like a sister just like Jantha. But with Soifah, he wants to take care of her in a different way. Ah, but he can’t seem to relay that to Soifah because she is set on thinking what she wants to think.

Whew, at least our silly Khun Chai can differentiate the two feelings; the problem is the method by which he’s relaying them to the two girls. Anyone who hears his wont to take care of a female, would easily misunderstand. He tells Soifah that he wants her to have more going for her than living in the forest. (Hey dude, she’s lived this life even before she met you, don’t pretend to know what’s best for her lol.) Ultimately he wants to take her to live with him and offer her everything he has (heh) but Soifah wonders where he would place Jantha then? That is a conundrum for Khun Chai, because at this point he is unsure of how he would introduce Jantha to his family. Obviously everyone would want to know his intentions.

I thought it was so cute how he makes her wrap a yarn around his wrist to promise that they would be friends. I love how he wants to make peace with her because they don’t have a lot of time left together. And I especially love how he tells her that he will never forget her. He feels that they are more than friends now and can die for each other, a love that is blossoming from friendship, obstacles, and life threatening conditions.

Ah, and the universe is going for our duo. Daddy wants to protect his daughter and has finally decided upon his next course of action. He would ask Khun Chai if he could take Soifah back with him to Bangkok. (Woo!)

But Joi overhears this tidbit and makes a beeline for Soifah, reporting this newsflash to her. What will she do, especially after promising Daddy that she will obey his orders from now on? She too is stuck in a tough place. Our warrior princess wants nothing more than to fight alongside her father, seize the crown back to the King and take over their home country again. And she also finds herself enjoying too much of her time with Khun Chai.

So good, so engaging. How will this all play out?!