Chapter 11 — Directions to Cloud Valley

The two weeks of waiting for test results passed slowly for both Thao Vy and Dang Khoi, even though each lived hundreds of kilometers away. During that time, their phone and text conversations became more frequent and deeper, gradually recreating the intimacy that had united them in the past.

"Are you scared, thinking about getting the results soon?" Thao Vy asked in a rare video call, when the phone signal in Ta Chai village was strong enough to support the image.

"Yes," Dang Khoi admitted, his face appearing on the screen with a tired but sincere look. "But I think, whatever the outcome, at least I won't have to live in ambiguity anymore. That's also a form of liberation."

"I will be with you, no matter the outcome," Thao Vy said, her voice so sure that they were both surprised by the sudden commitment.

"Are you telling the truth?" Dang Khoi asked, his eyes filled with both hope and doubt.

"I'm telling the truth," Thao Vy affirmed. "I've been thinking a lot these past weeks, Dang Khoi. And I realized, what hurt me the most five years ago was not the risk of your illness, but the fact that you didn't give me the chance to choose to face it with you. If you're willing to give me that chance this time, I won't refuse."

Those words made Dang Khoi so emotional that he couldn't speak for a few seconds. "Thank you," he finally said, his voice choked up. "Thank you for giving me a chance I didn't think I deserved."

***

The day to receive the test results came on a normal Monday morning like any other day. Dang Khoi arrived at the hospital early, his heart heavy with mixed emotions as he sat in the waiting room, clutching the unopened envelope.

He made an appointment to video call Thao Vy as soon as the results were available, and when the genetic counselor invited him into the room, he quickly texted her: "I'm about to know the results."

"I'm waiting," she texted back immediately. "Whatever the outcome, remember that you are not alone."

In the consulting room, the genetics specialist, an older colleague whom Dang Khoi had known before, opened the results envelope with the professional care often seen in sensitive situations like this.

"Dang Khoi," the doctor said, his voice gentle but serious. "Before I announce the results, I want to reiterate that, no matter what the results are, there are many support resources, both medical and psychological, ready to accompany your child."

"I understand, doctor," Dang Khoi replied, his voice shaking but trying to stay calm. "Please let me know the results."

The doctor nodded, looking down at the results paper. "My test results were negative for the gene that causes Huntington's disease. I do not carry the disease gene from my father."

For a moment, Dang Khoi felt like the whole world around him stood silent. He couldn't believe his ears and asked the doctor to repeat the results again to make sure he hadn't heard wrong.

"Are you sure, doctor?" he asked, his voice shaking with extreme emotion.

"Sure," the doctor confirmed, smiling as he looked at his young colleague who was experiencing one of the most important moments of his life. "You do not carry the disease gene, Dang Khoi. This is a lucky result, although I know, it cannot erase the years you lived in fear and uncertainty."

Dang Khoi thanked the doctor, then hurriedly left the consultation room, found a quiet corner in the hospital hallway to make a video call to Thao Vy, his hands shaking as he dialed the number.

"Dang Khoi?" Thao Vy answered immediately, her face appearing on the screen was filled with worry and hope.

"Negative," he said, his voice choked with tears. "I don't have the disease gene, Thao Vy. I... I won't become like my father."

Thao Vy couldn't hold back her tears of happiness, even though she was hundreds of kilometers away, she still fully felt his burst of happiness through the small screen. "I'm happy for you," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm very happy for you, Dang Khoi."

"Thank you for being with me in this moment," he said, even though it was only through the phone screen. "I don't know how I would have faced this outcome without you."

In that moment, even though they were geographically far apart, they both felt a deep connection, an implicit promise of a future that was now, no longer threatened by the fear of a genetic disease, more open and full of possibilities than ever.

***

That evening, Dang Khoi called his mother to tell the news, who was waiting for this result with as much anxiety as he was. "Mom, I'm negative," he said as soon as she answered the phone, unable to contain the excitement in his voice.

The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then Ms. Hanh's choked cry rang out. “Thank goodness,” she said, her voice shaking with extreme emotion. "I've been praying for this for a long time, son."

"I know, mom," Dang Khoi replied, his eyes were also wet with emotion. "I'm sorry for making you worry all these years without daring to share."

"It's okay, son," Mrs. Hanh said, her voice calmer. "The important thing is that now, you can live a life no longer weighed down by the shadow of that fear."

After the call with his mother, Dang Khoi visited his father at home, where he was sitting in a familiar wheelchair. Although his eyes were less clear than before, he still recognized his son.

"Dad, I have good news," Dang Khoi said, kneeling next to his father's wheelchair, holding his hands, which were shaking because of his illness. "I don't carry your genes. I won't have to go through what you're going through."

Mr. Long, although his ability to communicate was significantly reduced due to his illness, still tried to force a distorted but sincere smile, his eyes shining with joy that words cannot fully express. He gently squeezed his son's hand, a simple gesture that contained so much love of a father for a child of whom he was always proud, even though his illness had taken away much of his ability to express it.

"I will continue to take care of dad, both me and mom," Dang Khoi said, his voice choked up. "And I will live a fulfilling life, worthy of everything my parents have sacrificed for me."

Leaving his parents' house late at night, Dang Khoi drove through the familiar streets of the city, his heart filled with a feeling of relief that he had never experienced in the past five years. For the first time, he felt truly free to build a future, no longer bound by fear of an uncertain fate.

And in that future, the image of Thao Vy, with a warm smile and steadfast eyes amidst the Northwest mountains and forests, appears more clearly than ever - a lighthouse guiding him back to his true self, and perhaps, to a love that he thought he had lost forever.

***

The next day, at the hospital's briefing, Dr. Phong found Dang Khoi to congratulate him. The news quickly spread among his close colleagues. "I'm very happy for you," he said, patting his student on the shoulder. "This is a truly new beginning, Khoi."

"Thank you," Dang Khoi replied, the smile had not disappeared from his lips since yesterday. "I think this is also the right time for me to carry out the plan to build a long-term medical volunteer cooperation model with the Ta Chai area that I have cherished."

"A great idea," Dr. Phong agreed. "Gia is willing to support you professionally and connect with potential sponsors."

In the following days, Dang Khoi began drafting a detailed project, combining the construction of a permanent community health station in Ta Chai village and the sustainable trekking tourism model that Thao Vy is running. He spent hours every evening researching, consulting with public health experts, and constantly discussing with Thao Vy about the feasibility of each detail in the plan.

"I think, if we can mobilize enough resources, a small medical station with a permanent nurse and a regular examination schedule by a specialist will completely change the lives of Ta Chai people," he shared with Thao Vy over the phone one evening.

"I believe that," Thao Vy replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "And I can help you connect with the Chua village chief to find a suitable location, as well as mobilize support from the local community."

The conversation lasted late into the night, not only about the project plan, but also about the dreams and hopes that the two were gradually rebuilding together — a future that was not only dedicated to their love, but also aimed at creating sustainable values for the community that they both devoted their hearts to.