Chapter 8 — Five Years After the Truth

The caption has only one sentence: "If a knife doesn't stab you, everyone advises others to be generous." Hoc Ky clicked like. Then very quickly canceled again. I don't pay attention. Later I heard that the Huo family had completely annulled the marriage. The unit fired Sam Yeu. Tan Man sold his house to compensate. Sam Kien Binh moved to another place to work as a laborer. Tan Thieu's diagnosis was not serious, but his condition worsened and he was hospitalized not long after. This news was all told to me by others. I didn't mean to ask. Because my life finally continues to move forward. That winter, my father's health was much better. Mom dragged me to the market to buy fish. On the way, she kept giving instructions.
“Now your father must eat frugally.”
“Less salt.”
“Don't work overtime all day.”
“Girls have to sleep too.”
I took her arm.
“Mom, I'm twenty-three years old.”
She glared at me.
“Twenty-three years old is still my daughter.”
I laugh. When I got home, someone called me at the apartment gate.
“Le Toc.”
I turned my head. It's Hoac Ky. He wore a long black coat and held a file bag in his hand. My mother looked at him. His face turned cold.
“Toc Toc, mom go first.”
I nodded. Waiting for my mother to go away, Hooc Ky gave me the file bag.
“This is what I compiled.”
“All the people who cursed at you in the group that year.”
“There is also a history of them apologizing later.”
I don't accept.
“Why give me this?”
He said: “I know you don't need it.”
“But I want to do something.”
I looked at him. Five years have passed, and he has changed quite a bit. No more coldness and arrogance of childhood. There is more fatigue in the eyes. He said: "I applied for a job transfer to the Northwest region."
“After this, I probably won't come back again.”
I nodded.
"Godspeed."
He smiled bitterly.
“You're still so determined.”
I said: “What if it doesn't?”
“Hugging you cry and thanking me because you finally gave me my innocence back?”
He bowed his head.
“Le Toc, I used to like you.”
I said nothing. He continued: “I like it very much.”
“After the university entrance exam, I originally planned to confess my love to you.”
“But after the wish happened, he no longer trusted anyone.”
“Sam Yeu just stayed next to me and cried.”
“I thought I was taking care of her.”
“Later I discovered I was hiding.”
I calmly listened. “I don't ask for your forgiveness,” he said.
“Don't beg to start over.”
“I just wanted to tell you.”
“You are very good.”
I laugh.
“Hoo Ky.”
"I'm good or not, I don't need you to tell me."
His eyes turned red.
"YES."
“You're always so good.”
I looked at the file bag in his hand.
“You keep this yourself.”
“To remind me not to continue pretending to be blind in the future.”
He was stunned. Then smiled softly.
"Okay."
He turned around and left. After taking a few steps, he stopped again.
“Le Toc.”
I looked at him. He said: "Wishing you a bright future." This time, I responded.
"Thank."
Not forgiveness. Just goodbye.
12
The following spring, I received a letter. No sender name. But I recognized the handwriting. Written by Sam Yeu. She said she went to a small city in the South. Working as a receptionist at a training center. She said she was very tired every day. I also don't dare mention the past to others. She said she finally understood that everything she stole would eventually go away turn into debt. At the end of the letter, she wrote: "Toc Toc, if I could return to the age of eighteen, I would definitely not touch your computer." After reading it, I tore up the letter. Not out of hatred. But because there is no need to keep it. I won't forgive her for my eighteen-year-old self. I won't let my twenty-four year old self continue to be bound by her. That night, I worked overtime until ten o'clock. When I walked out of the law office, the city lights were bright. Mom sent me a text message: "Come home for dinner this weekend, your dad caught fish." I answered: “Yes.” The law partner chased after him.
“Le Toc, there is an exchange in Kinh city, do you want to go?”
I was stunned. Kinh City. The place I almost went to. After that for a very long time, just hearing this name made me feel uncomfortable. But now, I just think for a few seconds. Then say: “Go.” The law partner laughed.
“Okay, submit your application tomorrow.”
I raised my head to look at the night sky. Suddenly I felt very relieved in my chest. Five years ago, I thought my life had been erased. Only later did I understand. Wishes can be erased by others. The admission notice may be stolen by someone else. But the strength for a person to continue moving forward cannot be taken away by anyone. Sam Yeu used all his resources and stole a part of my road. But she didn't expect that. I'll go around the ruins. Rebuild your own life. This time, I am no longer close friends with anyone. Not anyone's stepping stone. Nor is the evil female supporting character in anyone's story. I am Le Toc. I will personally write my name back to a brighter place.