Chapter 12 — First Love In Ngo Dong Village

12The warmth from his body penetrated through his coat, dispelling the morning cold. In the east, the sky begins to brighten, the clouds are dyed pale pink. Bo Jinyan suddenly spoke up: "An Sinh, do you remember the first time we met?" I laughed: "The day you went to register your marriage? Your face was as cold as ice, as if I owed you eight million." "No." – He shook his head – “It was in Long Mon village, that day you wore a white dress, standing on the podium teaching children to read poetry.” I froze. That memory was already faint, but under his low voice it gradually became clear - the seventeen-year-old boy Trieu Duong, always standing quietly outside the classroom door, his eyes as bright as stars. "Back then, I thought..." - Bo Jinyan's voice was very soft - "How could such a beautiful person come to a poor place like us." The pink clouds on the horizon became brighter and brighter, the first rays of sunlight penetrated the clouds. At the moment golden light covered the sky and earth, Bo Can Ngon suddenly knelt on one knee and took out a velvet box from his pocket. "An Sinh, this time I want to do it very solemnly." He opened the box, inside was a uniquely designed diamond ring, the main stone surrounded by small diamonds, sparkling in the sunlight. I suddenly realized that those small diamonds were arranged into shape - the outline of Ngo Dong village. "I..." - My throat choked - "Since when have you been preparing?" "Since the day I knew you were Thinh An." - He looked up at me, his eyes respectful - "This time it's not because of marriage, not because of any conditions, just because I love you." The morning sunlight covered him with a golden border, making me feel like I saw the boy who used to sit and read books on the schoolyard that year. Time turned around, we met again this way. “Okay.” – I held out my hand, my voice trembling slightly – “I agree.” He carefully put the ring on my finger, then stood up and hugged me tightly. We kissed in the sunrise. … The wedding is scheduled for three months later. Unlike the first time, Bo Jinyan took care of every detail himself. From the decoration, menu, to the font on the invitation, he had to personally look at it. "It's too ostentatious." – I flipped through the thick catalog – “We're not getting married for the first time.” He hugged me from behind: “Last time doesn't count.” His breath was in my ear: “This time I want to let the whole world know, you are the one I prayed for.” On the wedding day, my father insisted on taking me to the ceremony himself. He wore a tailored suit. Although he was much thinner, he was in good spirits. "Dad, if you feel uncomfortable, you have to say it." – I worriedly helped him. “Confused!” – He glared at me – “Daddy, how could you be absent on your daughter's big day?” The music played and the big door slowly opened. At the end of the red carpet, Bo Can Ngon wore a white suit and looked at me with bright eyes. Dad held my hand and led me step by step. "Boy," - He put my hand in Bo Can Ngon's hand, his voice a bit choked - "Dad entrusts his most precious treasure to you." Bo Can Ngon nodded seriously: "I will love her with all my life." When giving the ring, I noticed his hand trembling slightly. When the pastor announced that the groom could kiss the bride, he gently lifted my face, as if he were cradling a fragile treasure. The applause was loud, but amidst the noise, I still heard him softly say: "Thank you, teacher Thinh An." At the dinner party, my father rarely drank a glass of champagne. He pulled Bo Can Ngon and talked for a long time, then suddenly leaned on the groom's shoulder and fell asleep. He signaled me not to disturb him and gently guided him into the room to rest. I stood on the balcony, looking at the hall full of laughter. The dark girl who once devoted herself to staying in the mountains and forests to teach, now wears an expensive wedding dress and becomes the wife of the Bo family, making many people admire her. It's truly a wonderful fate. I raised my hand to look at it, it was still a bit dark, but I liked it

there. “What are you thinking?” – Bo Can Ngon hugged me from behind. I leaned on his chest: "Thinking of the children in Ngo Dong village." He kissed my hair: "Let's come visit next week? The helicopter landed straight on the school yard, giving the children a chance to open their eyes." I laughed, turned around and hugged his neck. The night sky is full of stars, just like in Ngo Dong village. The difference is, this time there was someone with me to look up at the stars.