Chapter 7 — One Step Late, One Life Missed

After Tong Du Xuyen left, I sent a very long message to Giang Mo. Tell me clearly what happened last night. And told him: 【If you feel uncomfortable, then there's no need to come tonight. Sorry.】 Anyway, we are still lovers in name. This… I can't hide it from you. As for Ky Tru... I never thought he liked me. But… it's all too late. When we meet for the last time, I will leave Bac Thanh. And will never come back again. That afternoon, I took the bus to the hospital. Arriving in front of Ky Tru's hospital room, I was about to push the door open - when I saw Manh Giai Oanh. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Ky Tru's right hand tightly. I moved my eyes. Quietly leave. Not long after, I received a text message from Tong Du Xuyen: 【The nurse said you're here, you stayed all afternoon to look after Mr. Tru, so you have a conscience.】 I typed back: 【I'm not coming. The person you're talking about... isn't me.】 After sending the message, I blocked him. Only later did I find out — perhaps it was all arranged early on. That day, a friend of Manh Giai Oanh was also hospitalized. She came to visit her friend, accidentally passing by the hallway... With just one look, she saw Ky Tru lying there.

14

That night, I waited for a long time but Giang Mo still hadn't arrived. I was just about to leave alone when I received your call.

“Go back.”

I turned around and saw him dragging his suitcase, looking tired but still smiling at me. We returned to Giang Thi together. I started a new job, life gradually returned to stability. Giang Mo and I meet every day. Day after day is quiet. But I already feel satisfied. Until one day, we walked past my old high school. I pulled Giang Mo in to see. Walking around, going to the golden board of university entrance exam results for all years, I was surprised to discover - my name was right below his name. The boy of that year had bright eyebrows and bright eyes and was arrogant and proud. He is one grade older than me, he is my senior. Unfortunately, at that time I was like someone living in my own world, not caring about outdoor things. So I never remember you in my heart. I laughed:

“So that's it.”

You once said that the day we met on a foreign street was not the first time. At that time I found it difficult to understand - only now did I wake up. It turns out... that's it. Half a month before the engagement, I received a text message from an unknown number: 【Don't get engaged to him, you still have a chance to come back.】 No, what I hate the most is hesitation. I never turned back. Therefore, I did not answer. Unexpectedly, the next day, I met Ky Tru again in the director's office. He sat leisurely, his cold eyes looking at me. That's when I suddenly remembered, not long ago I met Manh Giai Oanh again. She said:

"Ky Tru woke up and didn't see you. He almost went crazy. I've never seen him like that. He... likes you. Tell me, is it funny?"

“So I told him something. Guess what?”

I don't guess. She wasn't kind enough to say it either. But now, looking at Ky Tru, the first words he said were:

“Don't get engaged anymore.”

“Come back to me, I'll marry you.”

At that moment, I understood - what Manh Giai Oanh told him was: I used to like him.

15

Ky Tru clung to me for several days straight. The body is not completely healed yet, still on crutches. Every day you following me, sometimes bringing this, sometimes sending that. I told him:

“I stopped liking you a long time ago.”

He silently looked at me:

"You're not that changeable person. I know you're not that type of person."

I looked at him, not knowing whether to cry or laugh. He kept believing that there was no real love between Giang Mo and me. Until the day he drove and waited for me under the company building. Seeing it with my own eyes, I ran to hug Giang Mo, smiled brightly and said:

“You're here.”

Afterwards, he stood watching the two of us return home together, seeing us go upstairs. Not long after, the lights on that floor turned off. Giang Mo... won't leave anymore. That night, Ky Tru smoked all night downstairs in my house. From then on, I never saw him again. On the day of my engagement, I received a congratulatory gift from Aunt Luc. She called me, and after a few words, she mentioned Ky Tru:

“A Tru still blames you.”

"Since that day, he refused to talk to me. But I only wanted the best for him. I once asked him if he liked any girl, even if it was Manh Giai Oanh, I would find a way to help him. But he refused to say anything."

I consoled her:

“Then he will think clearly.”

16

The following winter, I went to Bac Thanh to work. The schedule is tight. After the meeting, it started to snow. I looked around, there was no convenience store nearby. Fortunately, the hotel is not far, just walk more than ten minutes to get there. I was about to walk in the snow, when a female colleague pulled my hand and gave me an umbrella.

“There is a handsome guy who asked me to pass it on to you.”

I was stunned:

“Where is he?”

She pointed into the distance:

"There! Look at that face and aura, exactly like a 'rich kid'! Introduce me, will you? If you love someone like that, there will be no regrets in this life!"

I glanced at that back — then quickly turned away. I said:

“Not familiar.”

“Just a nice person.”

After speaking, I held the umbrella and walked in the opposite direction. Snow falls white on the collar. I couldn't help but sigh softly. How could I not notice? It's just... during those years, there was always another girl by his side. I've seen his back before — but never his own. When I was young, I was also naive, full of hope, dreaming... Can I walk with you through the wind and snow... Together until the end of the road? But in my whole life, I have never been able to wait for that day. RUN OUT OF