Chapter 10 — Directions to Cloud Valley

The morning of departure and return took place in a completely different atmosphere compared to the first day the group arrived in Ta Chai. The villagers gathered in large numbers to say goodbye, goodbye hugs, and promises to see each other again were given everywhere between the two groups of people who had become close after just three short days.

"Remember to keep in touch," Chua village chief advised Thao Vy, hugging her like a father seeing off his daughter. "And remember to bring the volunteer group back here, we still have a lot of people who need to be examined."

"I promise, Uncle Chua," Thao Vy replied, her voice choked with emotion, even though this was not the first time she left the village after leading a group.

The return journey was shorter than the departure, taking only two days instead of three, because the group was more familiar with the terrain and no longer needed to stop for too long to adapt to the altitude. However, the road is still full of familiar challenges - steep slopes, winding turns in the mountains and forests.

Dang Khoi and Thao Vy, during their return journey, found more opportunities to talk, sharing small stories of daily life that they had missed in the five years apart — the movies they had seen, the books they had read, the changes in each other's interests and habits.

"Do you still like reading books about landscape architecture?" Dang Khoi asked during a break, recalling her old passion.

"I still like it," Thao Vy replied, smiling nostalgically. "Although now, instead of designing on paper, I get to live among the most beautiful natural landscapes that any landscape architect could dream of designing."

"Sometimes I wonder, if I hadn't left, would you still pursue a career as an architect?" Dang Khoi asked, a question he had asked himself countless times.

Thao Vy pondered before answering. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I think, living here has given me many things that I'm not sure I could find in the city — peace, a deep connection to nature and people, a real sense of belonging somewhere."

"So you don't regret your decision?" he asked, his voice a bit probing.

"No," Thao Vy replied firmly. "Even though it came from a place of pain, it has led me to a life that I truly cherish. Perhaps, there is also a lesson — sometimes, the worst things that happen to us open doors we never thought possible."

***

By the end of the second day of the return journey, the group reached the town where they had begun their trip three days before. The passenger car was waiting to take the volunteer group back to the city, marking the official end of the business trip.

"Thank you for everything," Dang Khoi said to Thao Vy when the group was preparing to get on the bus, his voice full of nostalgia. "Not just for the professional guidance, but for giving him the opportunity to tell the truth, to begin to atone for his mistakes."

"Thank you for being honest," Thao Vy replied, smiling sincerely. "This journey has taught me many things, not only about my past, but also about my own ability to forgive and open my heart."

"Are we going to keep in touch?" Dang Khoi asked, his voice could not hide the hope.

"We'll keep in touch," Thao Vy confirmed. "And when you have the results of the genetic test, let me know. No matter what the results are, I want you to know that I will always consider you a good friend, at least."

"That was more than I dared to hope for when I first met you three days ago," Dang Khoi said, the smile on his lips sincere and full of gratitude.

When the passenger car began to roll, carrying the volunteer group out of the small town, Thao Vy stood and watched until the car disappeared after a turn, her heart filled with complex emotions - the sadness of the temporary separation, but also the hope for a future that she did not dare to believe in completely, but also no longer wanted to completely close the door.

"Are you okay?" Sinh asked, standing next to her, placing his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"I'm fine," Thao Vy replied, a gentle smile appearing on her lips. "I think, for the first time in five years, I really feel like there's hope for something good ahead."

Together they returned to the motorbike, preparing for the journey back to Ta Chai village, where Thao Vy's daily life continued, but now, carrying a new ray of hope that she had never dared to dream of just a few days ago - a hope for the possibility of healing, for a love that seemed lost forever but is now gradually finding its way back, just like the journey leading to Cloud Valley brought them back together.

***

In the following weeks, Thao Vy's life gradually returned to a familiar rhythm — leading trekking groups, managing a small tour company, and spending time with the Ta Chai village community that she has come to regard as a second family. But now, every evening, when the wavering phone signal in the highlands allows, she receives messages from Dang Khoi, short but regular conversations, gradually healing the five-year gap between the two.

"Today I examined an elderly patient, he reminded me of the old lady in Ta Chai that you translated for me," Dang Khoi texted one evening. "I miss those days there."

"Me too," Thao Vy texted back, sitting on the stilt porch, watching the moonlight illuminate the valley. "Today's delegation asked me if it was possible to organize more medical volunteer trips like the last one. It seems our model has resonated."

"I'm working with the organization to plan the next trip, maybe next month," Dang Khoi texted. "I hope you will agree to lead the group again."

"Of course," Thao Vy replied, a gentle smile appearing on her lips as she typed the messages.

Three weeks after the trip, Dang Khoi texted her important news: "I did a genetic test today. The results will be back in two weeks. I'm scared, but I think this is the right thing to do."

Thao Vy read that message many times, feeling the weight of the decision he had just made. "I'm proud of you," she texted back. "Whatever the outcome, you were brave enough to face the truth, instead of continuing to live in fear."

"Thank you for always supporting me," Dang Khoi replied. "Even though we don't know what the future holds, just having you by my side, even through messages like this, gives me enough courage to face everything."

Thao Vy put down her phone and looked out at the dark space outside, where the majestic mountains of Cloud Valley still stood as tall as they had for thousands of years, witnessing so many stories of people coming and going. She felt, even though hundreds of kilometers away, an invisible but strong connection was gradually being recreated between her and the man she thought she would never be able to forgive.

The two weeks of waiting for test results ahead will be a new challenge for both — not a physical challenge in the midst of dangerous mountains and forests, but a test of patience, of faith, and of a love that is trying to find itself after years of being lost.

The next morning, Thao Vy told Sinh about Dang Khoi's decision to have a genetic test while the two of them prepared things for a new group of guests. "I think he's really trying to change, Sinh," she said. "Not just with words, but with concrete actions."

"So are you ready for the possibility that things will progress further?" Sinh asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

"I don't know," Thao Vy admitted, packing a tent into her backpack. "But I think, this time, I'm ready for the chance to learn again, step by step, instead of closing my heart forever out of fear of being hurt again."

Sinh smiled and squeezed the hand of her sister whom she always admired. "I think it's the right thing you can do for yourself, Vy. After everything you've been through, you deserve to be happy again."

The next days passed in Thao Vy's familiar work rhythm, but embedded in it was a silent wait, a fragile hope that she did not dare to say out loud, but still smoldered in her heart every time she looked at the phone screen, waiting for the next message from the man who was gradually finding an important place in her heart.