Chapter 5 — My Sister

Why did I say my youngest aunt wanted to sell Duong Duong? Why do I wear a watch for Duong Duong? But she just reached out and hugged me. “Sorry, child.” She cried very softly. “I almost didn't believe you.” I don't know how to answer. I just used my small hand to touch her face. “Mom, don't cry.” Mom cried even harder. Dad stood at the door calling. He took a photo of the criminal record confirmation and sent it to a group of relatives. Again sent fake documents, bus tickets, chat screenshots. At first, the group still advised. Grandmother: Is Tieu Nhu suddenly confused? Isn't Tang Tang not yet lost? Boy: We're all family, don't make a big deal out of it. Auntie: It's good to find the child, the adults talk slowly. Dad sent Tran Buu's "buyers are waiting outside the station, don't miss the train" line. The group was quiet. A long time later, grandmother sent a voice message. Her voice trembled. “No matter how wrong Tieu Nhu is, she is also my sister.” Mom held dad's phone. After listening to that conversation, her hands shook a little. Then she held down the record button. “Duong Duong is also my daughter.” "If anyone begs for Lam Nhu anymore, I will report them to the police." This time, grandma didn't answer anymore. I looked at my mother. In her previous life, she was advised by everyone. Advise her not to blame Lam Nhu, saying that Lam Nhu also has a good heart, saying that children running away is something no one wants. In this life, the evidence is presented before our eyes. No one can use the word "kindness" to cover Duong Duong anymore. What happened after that, I don't remember very clearly. I'm too small. Adults say a lot of words. The police came several times. Dad and mom also went to the police station many times. I only know that the person named Tran Buu was also arrested. There are many pictures of children on his phone. Some are even younger than Duong Duong. There are photos sent to him by relatives. There are photos secretly taken by neighbors. Adults said, this is not just Lam Nhu. But it's a whole line. I don't understand what a "line" is. I just know, after a long time, my father didn't smile. Mother also did not let any relatives carry Duong Duong alone. The locks in the house were changed. The entrance door is equipped with surveillance cameras. Dad bought me and Duong Duong new phone watches. Duong Duong's is pink. She likes it very much, every day she raises her hand to show me. “Sister, look, bright bright.” I patted her head. “Wear it carefully.” She obediently nodded. “Wear it carefully.” Grandma came once. She sat in the living room crying. “Your youngest aunt is wrong, but she is also my daughter.” Mom hugged Duong Duong behind her back. “Duong Duong is also my daughter.” Grandma wiped her tears. “His life is considered ruined.” Dad put down his cup of tea. The voice is not loud. “When she wanted to destroy my daughter, why didn't you cry like that?” Grandma was stunned. She looked at her father, then back at her mother. Finally, without saying anything more, I left. From that day on, mother left all groups of relatives. Dad also said: "If anyone wants to take you out in the future, you must ask me first." I hid behind the door to listen. Mom asked: "So what about you?" Dad said: "You also ask me, I also ask you." Mom was stunned for a moment and suddenly burst into tears. I didn't understand then. Only later will I understand. It's not like they don't trust each other. It's that they don't dare to believe any sentence that says "I am a relative" anymore. After Duong Duong woke up, she forgot a lot of things. She only remembers her youngest aunt giving her candy. The candy is very sweet. After eating, I feel sleepy. She still remembers that little pink dress. She asked her mother: "Where is the dress?" Mom hugged her, her eyes turned red again. “No need anymore, mom bought a new one for you.” Duong Duong nodded. “I want it too.” I sat next to it. “I don't want a dress.” Duong Duong looked at me. “I want.” She stuffed her small hand into mine. “You hold.” From that day on, she always wanted me to hold her hand. When you eat rice, you also want to hold it. Watching cartoons also wants to grasp it. Going downstairs to play also wants to catch it. Maybe she was sleeping, her hand still holding the corner of my shirt. Mom said: "Is Duong Duong scared?" Dad said: “Slow down.” Actually, I was also scared. At night I always dream. Dreaming about that gray van. Dreaming about car lights coming on. Dreaming about a pink hairpin falling on the ground. Dreaming of me screaming hoarsely, my father still couldn't catch up. Every time I wake up,

I crawled out of bed and ran to see Duong Duong. She slept on a small bed, breathing gently. I touched her small hand. Warm. She's still here. One time, my mother woke up in the middle of the night to drink water and saw me standing next to Duong Duong's bed. She squatted down and asked me. “Tu Tue, are you scared?” I nodded. She hugged me. “I'm scared too.” I said very softly: "Mom, you have to watch Duong Duong." "Okay." “Dad looks too.” "Okay." “I look too.” Mom patted my head. “Tu Tue also looks.” Now I feel a little more secure. A few years later, Duong Duong went to kindergarten. She's a little taller, her face is still round. She really likes pink. Pink backpack, pink water cup, and small pink flowers on the shoes. That pink hairpin was repaired by my mother. The bow tie has been replaced. One small pearl is lost. At first, my mother wanted to throw it away. I don't give it.