Chapter 15 — Five Missed Registrations

“That's where you're wrong — you think I'll always wait for you.”

“You think I will never find out.”

Co Dien Chu's knees bent. Really — it's bent. His body slowly sagged.

“Nem Duong…”

His voice sounded like it was coming from under the water. Vague, broken.

“Please… give me one more chance…”

He knelt on one knee. Right in front of the design institute. Under the ginkgo tree. In front of passing passersby. Someone stopped and stood looking. Someone took out their phone to record. A man over one meter tall, kneeling in front of a woman. His eyes were red, his throat kept moving, his lips moved but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"I'm wrong... Niem Duong... You can hit me or scold me... Please don't go..."

I lowered my head to look at him. Sunlight passed through the leaves and fell, shattering all over the ground. I reached into my bag. Take out a piece of paper. That is — Marriage registration declaration form. On the fifth day of arriving at the Civil Affairs Department, the staff told us to fill it out. My name, his name, ID number, contact information. Only the last step is missing — stamping. A seal that has never been affixed. I unfolded the fold of the paper. Let him see clearly. Then — Swoosh. From the middle, tear in half. Tearing again. Tear into four. I raised my hand. Shredded pieces of paper blew up in the June wind. Light. Pure white. Like a snow that never touches the ground. Co Dien Chu knelt on the ground, raised his head and looked at the flying debris. His tears finally fell. Not a sound. Drop by drop pounded onto the asphalt. I didn't see his tears. I turned and walked away. The soles of high heels step on the road, each step is very steady. Don't look back. Even just one step. Luc Tu's car parked right at the intersection. I walked over, pulled open the car door, and sat in. He didn't ask how I was doing. Just quietly start the car. As the car left the intersection, I looked in the rearview mirror one last time - Under the ginkgo tree, Co Dien Chu was still kneeling there. Never stood up. Passersby walked around him. The wind blew away the shredded pieces of paper. There was a piece stuck to his shoulder. I withdrew my gaze. Look at the road ahead. The June sunshine is very beautiful. The trees on both sides of the road are so green that it blinds the eyes. I rolled down the car window. The wind rushed in, messing up my hair. I closed my eyes. Take a deep breath. Free. And completely new. 【Run out of】