Chapter 12 — Group Chat Without You

“Do you really feel uncomfortable being around me?”

It was stunned, then shook its head vigorously.

“No. I play with you very well.”

"It's just that they said... that the atmosphere was awkward around you, so I... started looking at you through their eyes."

“And you feel like they're right.”

“…Correct.” He lowered his head, "I'm so disgusting."

I don't answer. A moment later, it stood up.

"I'm coming back. Niem Niem, I don't expect you to forgive me."

“If you need any help in the future, you can find me. Although you probably won't find me.”

It left. I sat there, drinking a cup of milk tea. Not bitter, not sweet, just a very normal taste. When I got home, I removed Tran Du from the blacklist on my phone. Not to go back. It just feels like I keep blocking it, like I still care. The moment the block was removed, messages poured in like a flood. From three weeks ago until now, he sent a total of forty-seven text messages. At first it was *"Can you answer me"*, *"I know I'm wrong"*. Then it changed to *"To Niem, I disbanded the group, Phuong Hoai and everyone apologized to you"*. Later on, *"What do you want me to do in the end"*, *"If you do this, I'm really devastated"*. The most recent message was sent yesterday. *"To Niem, my father is hospitalized. I don't want to ask for pity. I just want to let you know."* I looked at that message, my finger stopped on the screen. Uncle Tran is hospitalized. Every Tet holiday, the older man always congratulates me on my age, smiling and calling me "Niem Niem". You are the only one who has never been in that group. I thought for a moment, then texted back: *"Hope Uncle Tran gets well soon."* About ten seconds later, Tran Du replied back. *"Thank you."* Then a sentence: *"To Niem, can we meet for a moment? We won't talk about anything else. Just want to look at you."* I didn't reply. Put down the phone, go cook dinner. One person's portion is very small, one bowl of noodles, one plate of side dishes. After washing the dishes, my hand suddenly reached for my phone. He did not send any more messages. I dried the bowl and put it in the cupboard. There's no need to meet anymore. What can happen when we meet? What he regrets is not marginalizing me. What he regrets is that I actually left. These two things are inherently completely different. 10 One Sunday after three months of separation. The flower shop is closed, Ms. Duong has gone home. I stayed alone to clean up the shop. Bring unsold flower bouquets out, trim them, change the water, and clean the table top. When I locked the door, I saw someone standing across the street. Tran Du. He stood on the side of the road, his back looking a bit desolate. It's true that I've gotten thinner. The cheekbones are higher than before, and the jawline has also become much sharper. He saw me locking the door, didn't come forward, and didn't call me. Just standing still like that. I locked the door, put on my backpack and headed towards the subway station. He followed behind, keeping a distance of ten meters. After walking two streets, I stopped.

“How long do you plan to follow?”

His footsteps stopped. A few seconds later, he walked over, standing about two feet away from me.

“To Niem.”

“Yes.”

"My father has been discharged from the hospital. He asked about you."

“Please send your thanks to Uncle Tran for me.”

Mold His face looked tired, and a bit strange. After three months of not seeing each other, his leisurely and natural ease was gone. Instead there is a cautiousness and caution.

“How are you these days?”

“I'm fine.”

“I saw you working at the flower shop.”

"I'll just do more."

“Ah.”

He rubbed his hands together, as if he didn't know what to say next. I won't help you.