Chapter 28 — Appointment Under the Stars

The weeks after the event passed quickly in the stressful cycle of studying for graduation exams. Ngoc Han, with her newfound balance between studying and other activities, put all her energy into preparing for the most important exam of her student life. Nhat Quang is no less serious, although he still takes advantage of weekend evenings to review lessons with Ngoc Han, sometimes mixed with light stargazing dates to relieve stress.

The graduation exam went smoothly, and after many days of anxious waiting, the results were finally announced. Ngoc Han achieved scores higher than her expectations, especially in Physics, the subject she invested the most energy in after her love for astronomy was rekindled.

"I passed! I passed the school's Astrophysics major, mom!" Ngoc Han screamed with excitement when she saw the university admission results displayed on the computer screen, hugging her mother standing next to her.

This is a decision that Ngoc Han has considered very carefully over the past few months. Initially, she planned to pursue studying abroad as her old plan, seeing it as a way to escape the painful memories associated with her hometown. But after everything she has been through, she realized that her true passion lies in continuing to study more deeply about the universe, about the stars that saved her from years of suffering, right where she found herself.

"I'm so proud of you," Ms. Lan said, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks, hugging her daughter tightly. "I chose the path that best suits myself, not because I'm running away from anything, but because I truly love it."

Immediately afterwards, Ngoc Han hurriedly called to share the good news with Nhat Quang, who was also anxiously waiting for his own results. "I passed!" she exclaimed over the phone. "What about you?"

"I just received the results," Nhat Quang replied, his voice unable to hide his excitement. "I got into Aerospace Engineering, in the same city as your school."

That news made both of them unable to hold back their shouts of joy over the phone, knowing that, even though they were entering a new chapter in life, they would still have the opportunity to continue traveling together, not being far apart like what they both feared.

"We will still be able to watch the stars together every weekend," Nhat Quang said, his voice full of happiness. "Just this time, it'll probably be from the dormitory rooftop instead of our school rooftop."

Ngoc Han laughed, feeling a complete happiness spread throughout her body at the promising future that was opening up before her, a future that she had never dared to dream of when she first reluctantly stepped into the Astronomy Club living room more than a year ago.

That evening, when the whole family was gathering to celebrate the good news, Ngoc Han's phone rang again with a call from her father. This time, his voice was filled with excitement and pride when he heard that his daughter had passed the university entrance exam.

"I know you can do it," her father said, his voice filled with emotion. "And I have good news to tell you — the company has officially approved my request for a long-term leave. I will be home on your graduation day, not through a screen anymore, but actually present, to hold my daughter in my arms."

Hearing that news, Ngoc Han couldn't hold back her tears of happiness, feeling that, after all the hurt and disappointment she had experienced, finally, the last pieces of complete happiness were gradually being filled in at the right time, in the right way, following a journey that she herself courageously walked through to be able to reach.

"Are you sure dad will be able to come home?" she asked again, her voice still a bit reserved, partly because old habits had been ingrained over the years, partly because she didn't want to let herself down again if some unexpected event happened again.

"This time I prepared everything very early," her father reassured, his voice more certain than before. "I applied for leave right after the night of the meteor shower, when I realized I couldn't miss any more of your important moments. The company has approved, and my plane tickets have been booked, you can rest assured."

The certainty in that voice made Ngoc Han gradually feel more secure, a new trust was gradually being rebuilt, not based on empty promises, but on the specific actions that her father had actually performed.

That evening, after hanging up the phone, she sat down at her desk, took out the old star map, and placed it next to the piece of paper announcing the university admission results that she had just printed out. She looked at both of those souvenirs for a long time, clearly feeling a meaningful cycle closing - from the pain associated with the nights of waiting in vain, to the new hope and happiness that was gradually taking shape.

She texted Nhat Quang, telling her the good news about her father's upcoming visit. "I think, finally, all the promises under the stars that I've been hoping for so many years, are about to be fulfilled," she wrote, adding a small heart emoji.

"I'm so happy for you," Nhat Quang texted back immediately. "And I think, your father will be very proud to see his daughter standing on the podium receiving her diploma, after everything you have worked hard to get today."

A few days later, the whole club held a small meeting to say goodbye to the final graduating class members and hand over the leadership role to the next generation. Thanh Ha, although she still has another year of school left, was nominated to be the new president of the club, a decision that everyone agreed on thanks to the enthusiasm and excellent organizational ability she has shown throughout the past time.

"I will try to do this role well, continuing what you guys have built," Thanh Ha said, her voice emotional as she received the club's traditional notebook from Nhat Quang, a symbol of handing over responsibility that has existed through many generations of previous home managers.

"I trust you completely," Nhat Quang replied, smiling proudly. "This club has been built on a foundation of passion and sincere friendship, I believe you will continue to nurture those values, even developing it further than we have ever done."

Ngoc Han stood and watched that moment of transition, her heart filled with a feeling of both fear and pride. She realized that, even though her time with the club was about to end to open a new chapter of her life, the values and lessons she learned here would forever be an inseparable part of her personality, no matter where the future took her.

At the end of the meeting, Bao Ngoc, the shy girl before, tiptoed closer to Ngoc Han, holding a small homemade card. "Sister, I want to thank you," the girl said, her voice still a bit shy. "Thanks to your encouragement that day, I had the courage to continue joining the club, and now I have found many new friends and a new passion."

Ngoc Han received the card, opened it and read the neat writing inside, feeling speechless. "I'm very happy about that," she replied, hugging the girl gently. "Please continue to maintain that passion, and don't hesitate to help other new members like I did for you, that's the best way to keep this fire lit."

At that moment, between the familiar old faces about to part ways and the potential new faces that are gradually growing up, Ngoc Han clearly felt one thing: this Astronomy club, no matter how many people come and go each school year, will always be a warm home, where once lost souls can find their own light, just like it did for her.

On the way home with Nhat Quang that night, the two walked slowly through the familiar road, not in a hurry like usual. "Can you believe it," Ngoc Han said, looking up at the night sky that was gradually dotting the first stars, "a year ago, I couldn't even imagine that I would be standing here, so happy, in the middle of all these wonderful things."

"I believe it," Nhat Quang replied, holding her hand tightly. "Because I have witnessed every step you went through, every difficulty you overcame to get to where you are today. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed in my life."

Ngoc Han smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder as the two continued to walk under the warm yellow streetlights, her heart filled with peace and deep gratitude for everything life had brought, including the most difficult challenges, because they had trained her into the person she is today.