Chapter 14 — After Rebirth, I Won't Marry You Anymore

I started to be able to breathe freely when I was next to him. This... More precious than love. One night after closing the shop, we moved the food boxes into storage. Outside it was drizzling. In the alley there was a faint scent of osmanthus flowers. The light tilted down from under the eaves. Chu Chieu Da put down the last box and suddenly asked:

“Truong Uong, have you ever dreamed of our future?”

My hand stopped. He looked at me, his voice very quiet:

“Some of the things you said... were not as expected.”

I didn't immediately deny it. The story of the resurrection has been hidden in my heart for too long. Like a rock sinking to the bottom of the water. Cannot be taken out arbitrarily. But Chu Chieu Da... Is the remaining person of that life. I leaned against the shelf. The sound of rain gently tapping on the window.

“What if I said… I really lived a married life with you?”

Chu Chieu Da's face changed. He didn't smile. Don't tell me to think nonsense. Just quietly calm down and ask:

“In that life... were you that bad?”

I looked at him. This question... It's too heavy.

“I'm not a bad person.” I said. “It's just that you always put me last on your to-do list.”

Chu Chieu Da's throat moved slightly. I continued:

"You will love me, love me, and treat me well when you remember. But as long as someone calls you, you will go first. You always think I can wait, can endure, can heal myself."

His face turned a little pale.

“We've been married three years.” I said. "I closed the door at night, moved to live near your unit, learned how to be a police officer that made everyone happy. Your mother praised me for being understanding, your colleagues praised you for being lucky, Lam Tri Dao praised me for being generous. Only I know... every day I lose a little bit."

Chu Chieu Da's eyes were red. Amid the sound of the rain, my voice grew calmer and calmer.

"The day of the divorce, you asked me why. Now I tell you. It's not because of Lam Tri Dao, nor because of any time you were late. But because I finally realized, after marrying you, I became someone that everyone could put behind."

Chu Chieu Da slowly squatted down. Both hands covered his face. This is the first time I've seen him like this. He's a police officer. Used to standing straight. Used to resist. Used to hiding emotions under police uniform. But right now, he is squatting in the warehouse of Nam Phong restaurant. Like someone finally seeing the ruins. A long time later, he asked hoarsely: "At that time... were you in a lot of pain?" My eyes suddenly became hot. His shoulders trembled slightly. I don't comfort him. There are pains, he should know. When he raised his head, his eyes were red: Those three words... Came too late. A lifetime too late. But I didn't feel as happy as I thought I would. Maybe what I was waiting for was not for him to kneel down and admit his mistake, but for someone to finally admit that in those years I never overdid it, never caused trouble, and didn't have to think too much. Chu Chieu Da stood up, his voice hoarse:

"I don't expect you to forgive me because of the past. I just want to ask... the person I am now, can I still continue to like you?"

I looked at him. The light in the warehouse was dim, fatigue and sincerity were on his face cannot be hidden.

“Like me is your right.”

A light flashed slightly in his eyes. I continued:

“Whether I agree or not is my right.”

He laughed softly. In that smile there was only bitterness:

“I understand.”