Chapter 7 — Group Chat Without You

“Don't bring up the past and calculate—”

“I don't bring up old stories.”

"I'm asking you, when did you start to feel that it was normal to leave me out?"

It was silent for a long time. Finally let out a sentence: "Sister, don't calculate those things with me. I'm close to Mr. Tran Du, and you are two different things."

"Okay. Then in the future, if you lack money, don't look for me anymore, go find your brother Tran Du."

I hung up the phone. The phone is face down on the table, the screen is facing down. I sat in a cramped newly rented apartment. Without them, there wouldn't be anyone. But my breathing was much lighter than before. The next day when I went to work, I discovered that there was a flower shop downstairs at the company that was recruiting seasonal workers. I went in to inquire, the owner said there was a shortage of people on the weekend, and asked if I was interested. I thought for a moment, then replied: "Okay." Saturday morning, for the first time, I spent a weekend alone with no plans, no lies, no feeling of being left out. I was in the flower shop trimming branches and leaves, wrapping flowers for customers, my hands were covered in water and mud. In the afternoon, my phone rang. Tran Du's message: *"To Niem, can we meet for a moment?"* I glanced but didn't answer. He texted again: *"I want to meet and talk clearly with you."* Half an hour later, another message: *"If you don't answer, it will be considered that you agree, tomorrow at three o'clock, same place."* Old place. It's the coffee shop on our first date. How ironic. 06 I'm not coming. At three o'clock the next afternoon, I was at the flower shop tying a bow for a white auspicious bouquet. The phone was left on the cashier counter, vibrating continuously. Tran Du called four times, but I didn't pick up any of them. Finally he sent a very long message. *"To Niem, what do you really want?"* *"If you want to break up, I won't stop you. If you want to move out, I'll let you move out."* *"I've given you time to calm down, so you have to give me a chance to explain, right?"* *"Don't you think it's very immature of you to do this now?"* I turned the phone upside down and continued wrapping flowers. The flower shop owner's name is Ms. Duong, over forty years old, divorced, raising her children alone. She looked at my expression and didn't ask much. Just pour a cup of warm water and put it in my hand. Then let out a sentence: "After cutting the flowers, go to the back and rest for a while. Don't try too hard." That night, I lay on the bed in my newly rented room, thinking for a long time. Open the phone and reply to Tran Du's message. *"There's nothing to say. I'll come pick up the rest of my things next week. It doesn't matter whether you're home or not."* He replied immediately: *"To Niem, are you out of luck? After four years, you said you quit, you quit?"* I typed a line, then deleted it. In the end, I only sent one word: *"Yes."* On Wednesday afternoon, I took half a day off and went to my house to pick up my things. I planned to go at the same time he left for work. As a result, as soon as I opened the door, Tran Ngu was sitting on the living room sofa. She saw me, stood up, with a superior smile on her face.

“Is To Niem here?”

“Miss Tran, why are you here?”

“Dau told me to come today. I was afraid I would get tired of packing so I told you to come over and help.”

I looked around once. On the tea table there were fruits and snacks, as if they had been prepared in advance. She's not here to help. It's coming to block my way.

“No need I don't have many things."

“Sit down for a moment, have a cup of tea.”

She pulled me down on the sofa, "What happened to you and Du?" What am I doing when I'm calm and healing?

“It's not that we're doing anything, it's that we broke up.”

“Hey, why do couples in love not argue?”

"Me too, I keep everything in my heart."

"Dau has a clumsy personality, but in his heart he has you."

I looked at her and suddenly felt very strange.