Chapter 20 — Directions to Cloud Valley

Returning to Ta Chai, Thao Vy threw herself into work with a new determination, both to make up for the time spent supporting Dang Khoi in the city, and to keep her mind busy while waiting for news from him about her father's health.

"Miss Vy, the project in Seo Chai is progressing well," Sinh reported in the first meeting after Thao Vy returned. "The sponsor has approved the budget, and we can start construction early next month."

"Wonderful," Thao Vy replied, although her mind was still partly on Dang Khoi and his family in the city. "You did very well during my absence, Sinh."

In the following weeks, Dang Khoi had to stay in the city longer than initially expected, as his father's condition continued to fluctuate, requiring constant adjustments in treatment and care regimens. Video calls between two people become an important connection, although they cannot completely replace face-to-face presence.

"I'm sorry that the wedding plans had to be postponed," Dang Khoi said in a call, his voice full of guilt. "I know we were planning on holding it in early spring, but with father's current situation..."

"Don't worry about it," Thao Vy interrupted him, her voice steady. "The wedding can take place whenever it's appropriate. The most important thing right now is that you take good care of your father and maintain your own health."

***

Amidst the difficulties, unexpected good news came when the treating doctor announced that, with the newly adjusted treatment regimen, Mr. Long's condition had gradually stabilized, and his seizures were much better controlled than in the early stages.

"This is good news," the doctor told Dang Khoi during a routine follow-up visit. "Although my father's condition cannot be reversed, with the right care, he can maintain a stable quality of life in the near future."

That news brought a great relief to the entire family, allowing Dang Khoi to begin considering returning to a more normal lifestyle, although close monitoring of his father's condition was still needed.

"I think I can return to Ta Chai in the next few weeks," Dang Khoi informed Thao Vy in a call, his voice filled with hope. "The doctor said father's condition has stabilized enough that he can make time, as long as he maintains regular contact with the medical team."

"That's the best news I've heard in weeks," Thao Vy replied, unable to hide the joy in her voice. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too," Dang Khoi said, his eyes filled with tenderness through the phone screen. "And I've been thinking a lot lately — about how we could have the wedding earlier than expected, as soon as I get back, instead of waiting until spring."

Thao Vy was surprised by that unexpected proposal. "Are you sure? We haven't finished preparing everything yet."

"I think, after everything our family has been through, I don't want to wait any longer to officially call you my wife," Dang Khoi replied, his voice sincere and decisive. "We can hold a simpler wedding, but no less meaningful. The most important thing is that we officially belong to each other."

That proposal made Thao Vy's heart filled with happiness. "I agree," she replied without hesitation. "Let's have the wedding as soon as I get back."

***

In the final weeks of preparation before Dang Khoi's return, Thao Vy and Sinh and the Ta Chai village community began preparing for the wedding with a sense of urgency but excitement. Chua village chief, upon hearing the news, immediately mobilized the whole village to participate in preparations.

"This will be the most memorable wedding that Ta Chai village has ever held," he announced with pride, assigning groups of people to be in charge of different tasks — from decorating, to cooking, to preparing traditional musical performances.

Thao Vy, despite being busy with preparations, couldn't help but be moved by the enthusiasm and love that the whole community had for her - a living testament to the fact that, despite coming from a far away place, she has truly become an inseparable part of this land and its people.

"You deserve to have this happiest day," Sinh said, hugging Thao Vy while they together selected the most beautiful wildflowers to decorate the ceremony. "After everything I've been through, I've finally found complete happiness."

Thao Vy smiled, tears of happiness sparkling in her eyes as she thought about the long journey that brought her to this moment — from the pain of a mysterious breakup five years ago, to a love that has been forged through trials to become stronger and more complete than ever.

***

Mrs. Hanh, although busy taking care of her husband, also arranged to go to Ta Chai a week in advance to assist in the preparations and become more familiar with the customs of the land that was about to become the place where her son would stay for a long time. Her presence brought great joy to both Thao Vy and the village community.

"I never thought I would be able to attend a wedding rich in highland culture like this," Ms. Hanh shared with Thao Vy as they both prepared traditional costumes for the ceremony. "But she was really touched by the love the whole village had for her child."

"I'm so happy to have you here," Thao Vy replied, squeezing her hand. "It means a lot to me, especially on this important day."

Chua village head personally guided Mrs. Hanh about the traditional rituals that would be performed at the wedding, explaining the meaning of each ritual with patience and pride in her ethnic culture.

"This ritual symbolizes the blessings of the ancestors and the mountains and forests for the new couple," he explained as he showed Mrs. Hanh the small altar elaborately prepared with traditional items. "We believe that, when witnessed by the mountains and forests, love will be as lasting as the mountains themselves."

Mrs. Hanh listened with genuine respect and interest, feeling the cultural and spiritual depth of the community of which her son was about to become an inseparable part.

Three days before Dang Khoi was scheduled to return, the entire village had completed its preparations — the wedding area was lavishly decorated with wildflowers and traditional brocade fabrics, food for the grand feast was prepared, and every smallest detail was carefully inspected.

"Are you nervous?" The bride asked as they made a final inspection of the wedding venue together the evening before Dang Khoi's return.

"Yes," Thao Vy admitted, smiling and looking around at the carefully prepared scene. "But it's a happy thrill, Sinh. After everything I've been through, I can't believe this day is finally coming."

Standing in the middle of the wedding preparation scene, under the starry night sky of Cloud Valley, Thao Vy felt the full meaning of the journey she had gone through - a journey that started from pain, went through healing, and now, is approaching a destination full of happiness that she never dared to dream of in the darkest days of the past.

That night, before going to bed, Thao Vy received the last text message from Dang Khoi before he got in the car: "Tomorrow I will come back to you. Nothing can stop me anymore." She read and reread that message many times, a happy smile did not leave her lips all night, as she lay there, imagining the moment she would meet the man she loved again, and about the big day that was about to take place - the day when all the suffering and challenges of the past would officially be closed, making way for a new chapter full of hope and happiness.

Outside the window, the moonlight still quietly shines throughout the valley, shining on the carefully prepared wedding area, as if the mountains and forests themselves were holding their breath waiting for the moment to witness the completion of a love that has gone through so many challenges to find its way back to each other.

Tomorrow morning, when the first sunlight shines over the mountain top, Thao Vy knows she will welcome not only a new day, but also a new chapter of her life - a chapter she will write with the man who walked with her through the darkness to find the light, and the community that supported her and became her second family, in the middle of Cloud Valley that witnessed the entire journey of healing and revival of a love that seemed lost forever.