Chapter 13 — I took my three children and left, and he regretted it

Niem Du chuckled. Reach out your little hand to touch the dog's ears. Niem So still kept her cold face as before. But his eyes followed every move of the dog. Deputy Canh Sam stepped forward. Stop at the edge of the carpet. His eyes first fell on the two twins. Little by little, it turned to Niem An's face. Niem An raised her head to look at him. The smile on his face gradually disappeared. The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Deputy Canh Sam squatted down. Keep your eyes level with your child.

“Do you still remember dad?”

Niem An tightened her grip on the sand shovel in her hand. Lips moving. But no sound came out. I spoke up to break the silence:

“Call uncle.”

Niem An turned to look at me. Then looked at Pho Canh Sam again. Then it was very clear. Very polite.

“Hello, uncle.”

Those two words. It was like a knife stabbed straight into Deputy Canh Sam's heart. I saw the corner of his eye twitch slightly. The throat moves violently. It took a long time to force a smile. A smile is more unsightly than crying.

“Hello baby…”

Tham Quyen stood next to her, holding the dog in her arms. Sometimes I look at the sky. Sometimes I look at the ground. Definitely don't look this way. It looks like he just wants to turn himself into a lifeless electric pole. Niem Du suddenly crawled forward. Curious, he pulled Pho Canh Sam's pants leg. Raised her small face to look at him. My chubby hands still have cookie crumbs on them. Leaving two smudged fingerprints on the light-colored pants. Deputy Canh Sam bowed his head to look at his child. There was a gentleness in his eyes that I had never seen before. He reached out his hand to pick her up. But Niem Du turned around and crawled towards me. Get into my lap. Bury your face in my chest. Then she secretly turned her head to look at him. Smile shyly. And Niem So did not move from beginning to end. Sit quietly in the corner of the picnic rug. Quietly observed Deputy Canh Sam. Calm eyes. Carrying the scrutiny of a child who has never been held by his father. Deputy Canh Sam looked at the boy for a few seconds. Then quietly said:

“This child…”

“Very similar to me.”

My hand that was folding the carpet stopped for a moment. Then continue working. Calm tone:

“When children are young, everyone looks the same.”

Deputy Canh Sam stood up. Walk around in front of me. Lower your voice:

“You tell me.”

“The children…”

“Is it my child?”

Niem An suddenly stepped in between the two of us. Hold out your two little hands in front of me. Raised his head to look at Deputy Canh Sam. Crisp and resonant voice:

“We are mother's treasures!”

“It doesn't belong to anyone!”

“Don't bully my mother!”

Deputy Canh Sam was stunned by a three and a half year old child yelling at him. For a moment, I didn't know how to react. I picked up Niem An. The other hand pushes the twins' stroller.

“Deputy General.”

“It's time for the kids to go home for their nap.”

Deputy Canh Sam quickly held the handle of the stroller. The voice was extremely low. Bringing unprecedented pleading.

“Can you and the children come back to me?”

I looked at him. Look at the scar on his forehead. Look at the red eyes. An unprecedented feeling of chaos suddenly arose in my heart. Forgive him. I feel sorry for myself. But if I don't forgive... I'm afraid the children will continue to be hurt. Friends continue to laugh at them for being children without a father. Deputy Canh Sam stood at the beginning of the alley. From morning until late evening. Customers at Ms. Tran's wonton shop come and go countless times many times. Finally, she stopped by and asked quietly:

“That man has been standing there for several hours.”

“Do you owe me money?”

I laughed.

"Not."

Ms. Tran looked at me. Look at Pho Canh Sam again. Finally shook his head. Continue wrapping wontons. Mouth mumbling:

“What happens to young people today is truly difficult to understand.”

When the sunset dyed the entire alley red. I pushed the door and walked out. Lean on the door frame. Quietly looked at the man standing in the distance. See me appear. His body moved slightly. Want to step forward. But then stopped again. Just stay in place. I walked over slowly. Stop in front of him.

“Deputy Canh Sam.”

“What do you want anyway?”

He looked at me. Eyes filled with blood. The chin is covered with green beard. Shirt collar extended. No longer the noble and noble appearance of the past.

“I want to make amends.”

He was hoarse.

“Not with money.”

“But by time.”

“I want to be with my children.”

“I want to learn how to be a father.”

“I know it's too late.”

“But can you give me a chance?”

“Even if it's just a chance to try it once.”

The afternoon wind blew. The hair on his forehead moved slightly. Scars appear more clearly. The pink skin under the setting sun is especially dazzling.

“Based on what?”

“Based on the fact that they are my children.”

“Based on what I owe my children.”

He stopped. The voice choked.

“Based on me finally understanding what I've lost.”

I was silent for a long time. In the alley, someone was starting to cook dinner. The smell of grease. The smell of food. The smell of kitchen smoke. Blending together into a rich flavor of everyday life.

“To Van…”

Deputy Canh Sam called softly. I looked up at him.

“Deputy Canh Sam.”

“My sons are over a year old and I'm actually looking at them for the first time.”

“Nien An was called a wild child by her classmates.”

“I have to stand before everyone and affirm that they are Pho Canh Sam's children.”

“Nien Du has a fever of 39.8 degrees.”

“I held my child alone and ran to the emergency room.”

The corners of his lips trembled. Want to say something. But in the end, I was still speechless.

“The past three years.”

“I learned something.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Not every mistake can be forgiven.”

“Not every lateness can be compensated for.”

“I missed the first time you guys turned over.”

“First time crawling.”

“First time going.”

“For the first time, call dad, call mom.”

“Those things…”

“It can never be taken back.”

The hand hanging at his side clenched tightly. Then slowly let go.

"I know."

“I was an asshole.”

“I don't dare ask you for forgiveness.”

“I just pray to be with you and the children.”

“As long as I can take good care of you and my mother from now on…”

“That's enough.”

His throat was constantly moving. I saw tears of regret rolling down the corners of my eyes. He tilted his head away. Try to hide. That was the first time I saw Pho Canh Sam cry. No longer the cold and emotionless man of the past. My heart finally softened a bit. I nodded slightly. Deputy Canh Sam's eyes suddenly turned red. Like someone lost for a long time in the dark. Finally saw a ray of light.