( Still around 1 pm, at "Ely Mall". :;)
(Outside the mall at the parking lot:);;
.....As Nat stepped out of the car, Wirot's eyes flicked towards him, and he bowed slightly "Nong Nat."
Nat nodded curtly, his gaze already drifting towards the mall entrance. "Did Siri say what she was getting?" He asked subconsciously
Wirot's expression remained inscrutable. "No, Nong Nat. She just asked me to drop her off here." Nat's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Okay. Thanks, Wirot."
Nat's driver cleared his throat. "Nong Nat, shall I escort you?" Nat waved him off without looking back. "No need. I'll be fine. Wait here with Wirot."
With long strides, Nat entered the mall, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft whoosh. The cool air enveloped him, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee, the sweet aroma of mango sticky rice wafting from a nearby food stall, and the subtle hint of incense from a nearby Buddhist amulet shop.
The hum of conversation and soft Thai pop music swirled around him, punctuated by the occasional chime of a vendor's bell or the laughter of children playing in the food court.
But Nat's focus was singular – finding Siri. He scanned the sea of faces, his eyes combing through the crowd with an intensity that bordered on desperation.
Faces blurred together, and for a moment, Nat felt a pang of uncertainty. But then, at the far end of the hall, he spotted a figure that made his heart skip a beat. Siri. She was making her way towards a corner, partially hidden by a *ran kha*.
*NB: ran kha - a small shop or stall often found in Thai malls, selling various items such as snacks, drinks, or souvenirs.*
Without breaking stride, Nat navigated through the crowds, his gaze never leaving Siri's figure. The fluorescent lights above cast a warm glow on the polished floor, and his footsteps echoed softly as he followed her from afar, anticipation building with every step.
The sounds of the mall receded into the background as he focused on Siri, his senses heightened in anticipation of catching up to her.
As Siri walked through the crowded mall, Nat followed her from afar, his eyes fixed on her figure. Suddenly, a hand tapped Siri's shoulder making her turn around, confused.
"Hey", said a familiar looking face ,dressed in a simple yet luxurious looking white shirt and dark pants, stood out in the crowd with a smile .
" P'Thakorn!" Siri says her calm expression gave way to confusion.
" Oh, You remembered", Thakorn said with a flustered smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Siri's calm voice was reassuring as she replied, "Of course, I remember."
"Great, thought for a sec there you might've forgotten me, you looked a bit confused," Thakorn said with a genuinely warm smile.
Siri's calm tone remained steady as she replied, "Oh no, I just didn't expect to run into you here."
"Likewise," Thakorn said with a warm smile.
"So P' Thakorn , what brings you here, if you don't mind me asking?" Siri inquired with a calm and polite tone.
"Just running some errands..," Thakorn said, holding up the two branded bags on his hands, "...getting some stuff for my mom and me."
Siri nodded understandingly, and Thakorn asked with a smile, "What about you, what brings you here?"
Siri smiled calmly. "I'm just running some errands too, P' Thakorn"
Thakorn's eyes lit up. "Oh, Mind if I tagged along? I still have a few things to get."
Siri's expression remained serene. "Not at all, P' Thakorn "
As Nat observed the exchange, a subtle tension crept into his features, his eyes narrowing slightly. He felt a growing unease, not knowing who Thakorn was, and the thought of him accompanying Siri stirred a hint of unease.
As Siri and Thakorn walked and chatted together, Nat trailed behind them, his eyes fixed warily on the pair, his gaze narrowing slightly as he watched their interaction with growing unease.
He hadn't expected Thakorn to show up, and he wasn't sure how to feel about the two of them chatting like old friends.
As Nat watched, Thakorn and Siri walked side by side, their similarly styled outfits drawing attention to their proximity.
The coincidence of their clothing made them appear almost like a couple, and Nat's annoyance simmered just below the surface. Despite their silence, Thakorn seemed unfazed, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within Nat.
Yet, Nat couldn't help but notice that Thakorn's composed exterior belied a hint of fluster, a subtle tension in his shoulders that only someone paying close attention would catch...