Chapter 4 — 26 Days My Husband Lived In The Attic

Then there was the sound of the folding ladder descending, and the metal hinges made a very small "click" sound. Footstep. Bare feet stepped on the wooden floor, so lightly that it was almost inaudible. From the second floor hallway. Then stopped at the top of the stairs. That person is hesitating. I held my breath, crouched close to the sofa, looking through the gap towards the stairs. A pair of bare feet appeared. Next is the dark blue nightgown. Then a hand grabbed the railing. His fingers are very white, his nails are cut short - Tran Dien has never had long nails before because he said it was inconvenient to do experiments. He walked down the stairs step by step. At the last three steps, he stopped, tilted his head to listen to the movement again. Then turn around and walk towards the kitchen. When passing by the living room, the distance between him and where I was hiding was less than two meters. I saw that side profile. It's Tran Dien. Not “like”. Which is him. Small mole behind left ear. Chin curve. High nose bridge. It's all him. He is much thinner than four months ago. High cheekbones, sunken eye sockets, chapped lips. Like a person who hasn't been able to eat or sleep well for a long time. He went into the kitchen. I heard the sound of the refrigerator opening. The sound of running water is very small, like just a thin stream. I stood up. Both legs are numb. Step by step walk to the kitchen door. Tran Dien was turning his back to me, standing by the sink drinking water.

“Tran Dien.”

The cup fell to the ground. He was startled and turned around, his whole body hitting the stove behind him.

“Khuong Mac…”

His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken for a long time. We looked at each other for about three seconds. Tears fell from his eyes. Not the silent crying type. But the whole person slid and sat down on the floor, his hands covering his face, his shoulders shaking violently. I squatted down, some distance from him.

“What are you hiding here for?”

He shook his head, crying so much that he couldn't speak.

“Aren't you in Germany?”

He raised his head. Face full of tears.

“I've never been to Germany.”

I felt my mind go blank for a few seconds.

“So who is the person who video calls you every day?”

“Not you.”

Tran Dien's voice cracked.

"Khuong Mac... that person is not you."

I reached out and touched his arm. Has body temperature. Is a living person.

“Tell me everything.”

He wiped his face and cried for a while before gradually calming down.

“I've been living in the attic for twenty-six days.”

The voice was very low, as if afraid of being heard.

"Before that, I hid in a rented apartment in the Dong Thanh area. But since I was discovered, it's no longer safe, so I can only return here."

“Who discovered it?”

He bit his lip.

“I can't say.”

“Can't say?”

“If you knew… you would be in danger too.”

“Tieu Du too.”

I laughed, but my throat was cold.

“You are already in danger.”

“My husband hid in the attic for nearly a month.”

“Every day, someone pretending to be me video calls you.”

“But I don't know anything.”

“Do you think I'm safe now?”

Tran Dien burst into tears again.

“Four months ago you said you had to go to Germany to work.”

I stared at him.

"I packed my luggage myself. You even drove me to the airport."

“So in the end… did you get on that flight?”

"Bound?"

“After going through security check…”

He bowed his head.

“I went out another way.”

“Then take a taxi to Dong Thanh.”

“Because I forced it must disappear.”

"Disappear?"

I can't bear it anymore.

“I have a family, a son.”

“What did you disappear?”

“Khuong Mac!”

Tran Dien suddenly raised his head. Both eyes were red.

“Do you think I want that?”

“Every day I want to go home.”

"I hid in the attic and heard Tieu Du standing below calling for dad..."

His voice trembled violently.

“Do you know what that feeling is?”

He spoke too loudly. Almost instinctively, I immediately looked towards the window. Tran Dien also noticed and quickly lowered his voice.

“… Sorry.”

“You go sit down first.”

I helped him sit at the dining table and poured him a glass of water. Tran Dien held the cup with both hands and slowly drank each sip.

“When did you start interacting with Tieu Du?”

“Second day after going to the attic.”

"At that time, Tieu Du woke up from a nap and the maid was in the kitchen preparing food."

“I ran up to the second floor to play… just in time to see you lowering the ladder.”

“You didn't lock the attic door?”