Chapter 3 — Lam Ha Mat

That evening, my mother rebooked a more expensive plane ticket. The hotel was very far from the original planned location, the journey was also shortened by two days. She sent a photo of the payment to the group. “It costs more than seven thousand yuan.” “There are funds that don't need to be wasted.” The sister sent a hug emoji. Chu Hanh Da said: "You make up half." Dad sent a sentence: "Families still have to sympathize with each other." I left the group sharing the trip. The next day, they still departed as usual. The younger sister posted a photo of the four of them together. Parents stand in the middle. The younger sister took her mother's arm. Chu Hanh Da stood next to his father. Four people fit to fill the position that originally belonged to me. Under the photo, my sister wrote: "Departing from the beginning." Chu Hanh Da sent me a private message. "Waiting for you to come home." "Let's talk properly." I didn't answer. I called the wedding planning company. "Cancel the wedding." The other person reminded me that part of the deposit is non-refundable. I said, “Okay.” Then I contacted the hotel, the photographer, and the host. The total deposit was lost nearly twenty thousand yuan, and I still canceled the entire wedding. In the afternoon, I went to the wedding house. This house is the property Chu Hanh Da bought before marriage. When renovating, I spent money to buy a portion of furniture and household appliances. I moved all my clothes, books and personal belongings. Things purchased together are divided according to payment history. Belongs to me, I take it away. Belongs to him, I leave it. Finally, I sent a notice to relatives and friends on both sides. "Chu Hanh Da and I have annulled our engagement, and the planned wedding has also been canceled. Related expenses are being handled. Thank you for your concern during the past time." In less than ten minutes, my mother posted a long paragraph in the relative group. "She's just angry, don't take it seriously." "Her sister just fell in love, temporarily went on a trip, Ha Mat canceled. including the wedding." "Since childhood, I've liked to pay attention to trivial matters. When we get back, I'll advise him." Aunt said: "Marriage is a big deal, don't be so careless." Cousin said: "Sisters give in to each other a little, there's no need to ruin your happiness." Aunt sent me a private recording. "You're almost thirty, will it be easy to find someone else after an annulment?" "Chu Hanh Da takes care of your family like that, what else do you want?" I set relative group to do not disturb mode. Then I pulled the last suitcase away and closed the door to the wedding house. 5I rented a one-bedroom apartment. The room is not big, but very close to the company. The first night I moved in, I didn't immediately pack my things. I sat next to the suitcase, my phone continuously updating photos of their trip. The younger sister sat in the cable car, Chu Hanh Da fastened her seat belt. The girl leaned against the glass door to sleep, her head leaning close to Chu Hanh Da's shoulder. In the video his father filmed, Chu Hanh Da pulled two suitcases, his sister walked in front with empty hands. Mom smiled and said: "Thanh Thanh has had someone she loves since she was little." I turned off the phone. The next day, I went home to get my passport and birth certificate. There's no one in the house. The tour is not over yet. On the bookshelf in the living room are ten albums. Every time they returned, mom made the photos into an album. On the cover was written: “Our first family trip.” “Our second family trip.” And so on for the tenth time. I took down the first book. That year I was eighteen years old and had just graduated from high school. In the photo, parents and younger sister stand by the beach. The younger sister wore the white dress I chose for her. They held up a sign. “Congratulations on graduation.”