Chapter 21 — Her Road Is Still Long

I smell the faint scent of sandalwood on him. Still the same as last year. I stop walking.

“Tham Quy Bach…”

“Does he treat her well?”

I turned my head to look at him. The expression on that face was extremely complicated. There is regret. There are also some emotions that cannot be named. First time in eight years. When mentioning Tham Quy Bach, I smile again.

“He treats me very well.”

“It's so good that I can't bear to keep him waiting too long.”

Tham Thanh Tu nodded slightly. He took a step back. Then he bowed deeply and bowed to me. It's not like clasping your hands together to show off. It's about truly bowing to the very end. The wind after the rain blew his white shirt. He's still hunched over like that. Immobility. I didn't help him up. I stood still. Receive that ceremony. Then turned around and left. Take two steps. I heard him calling from behind.

“Doctor Xia.”

I turned my head back. He stood up straight. The corner of his lips pulled out a smile. That smile was very forced. But the things in his eyes were finally no longer fragments. It's letting go.

“If we examine the doctor later.”

“Can I find her?”

I think for a moment.

“But you must register according to regulations.”

He nodded. Then turned around and walked into the alley after the rain. The back is still so thin. But my steps were much lighter than when I arrived. I stood on the steps in front of the Pharmacy Department's door. Watching him disappear into the alley. Then turn around. Go towards the Direction Bar. The book in my chest felt heavy. Roadside shops are packing up their goods. Someone saw me. Immediately say hello:

“Doctor Xia.”

I replied with a voice. A ray of sunlight penetrated through the clouds. Shining on the green stone road surface, still wet with water. Sparkling brightly. Bright like the broken moonlight on the surface of the lake that night. Tiet To Man is struggling in the medicine tent. Testing her new remedy. She crushed the medicine until white powder was all over the ground. When we step through the hospital gate. She raised her head and looked at me.

“Why is it taking so long to compare the books today?”

“I met someone.”

“Tham Thanh Tu.”

The movement in her hand stopped a bit. Then continue grinding the plaster. The pill grinder made squeaking sounds. After a while. She just asked:

“Still alive?”

“What did he say?”

“Say sorry.”

“How do you answer?”

“I said no more.”

Tiet To Van stopped the work at hand. Raise your head and look at me. Her eyes glanced around my face. Then burst out laughing. That laugh was very soft. But I know. She is happy for me.

“Don't hate him anymore?”

“No more regrets.”

“I don't care anymore.”

“That's good.”

She poured the crushed medicinal powder into the ceramic bowl.

“Hating someone is as tiring as loving someone.”

“It's better to be alone and free.”

Thanh Chi Duong is closed. I sit in front of the examination table. Light an oil lamp. Then took the osmanthus flower out of the drawer. It's still the same flower. No more fragrance. But I know. It used to be fragrant. I put the flower on the table. Take out pen and paper. The pen stayed in my hand for a long time. The ink on the stone has also cooled. I just put down my pen. The ocelot in Doan Chau has already hatched. We see flowers. Immediately remember him. The past eight years have been very good. Receive disciples. You can even learn how to raise silkworms. Directions The medicine he sent. We have received it all. We tried each sheet one by one. If it works, keep it. No effect, keep it. Because it's all his handwriting. I can't bear to throw it away. He told me not to remember. But I already remember. Remembered for eight years. I miss you very much.” Finish writing the last word. I put down my pen. Take the thread and press it on the paper. Wait for the ink to dry. Outside the window. The persimmon tree makes rustling sounds. The moon is still the same moon. It's just that it's no longer the moon of eight years ago. The moon that I raised my head to see is in the citadel again. Tiet To Van carried a bowl of hot noodles and pushed the door open. See the letter on the table in front of me. She said nothing. Just put the bowl on the table. Hot steam rose from the bowl of noodles. Green onion stalks float on the layer of golden fat. Extremely warm.

“Are you done crying?”

“I don't cry.”

“If you're done crying, think carefully.”

“This letter.”

“To send or not to send?”

I wiped my face with my hand. Fold the letter. Put it in the envelope. Then pick up the pen. Write two words on the outside of the envelope.

“Gui Bach.”

“Is it finally open?”

Tiet To Man tilted his head back to take a look. Grinning.

“Do you have an address?”

“If he doesn't write it down, he won't receive it.”

I carefully wrote down each stroke in the corner of the envelope. Then stand up. Push the chair back to its original position. Hold the envelope tightly in your hand. Tiet To Man leaned against the door frame.

“Ride my mule.”

“I just finished feeding it.”

It was dark outside. I stuffed the envelope into my chest. Then walk out the clinic door. The moon hangs on the top of the persimmon tree. The yard was covered with a layer of silver mist. From behind came Tiet To Man's call.

“Remember to eat something first…”

Her voice was blown away by the night wind. Being swallowed by the sound of insects. Overshadowed by the sound of drumming at midnight. We walk on the green stone path. Light footsteps. In his chest is that envelope. Right next to the heart. The edges of the paper rubbed against my skin. Causes a very slight itchy feeling. The mule in the barn snorted loudly. I must have you, Tham Quy Bach. (END OF FULL TEXT)