Chapter 6 — Please Don't Take Three Steps Back

He kissed very quickly, completely unlike the calm and controlled Doctor Luc as usual. I was pressed against the edge of the work table by him, my belt was pulled painfully, and the buttons of my police uniform were torn off by his fingers. I couldn't breathe, tilted my head to avoid: "Are you crazy?" Luc Van Chu put his forehead on my shoulder, his voice hoarse.

“Yes.”

“I've been crazy for a long time.”

I was so angry that my eyes turned red: "Please say it clearly, don't use this method to cover up the story." He raised his head, his eyes wet.

“Tham Tri, I'm sick.”

I was stunned. He laughed, as if making fun of himself.

“It's not a cleanliness mania.”

“I can't smell normal smells, only the smell of rot, the smell of blood and the smell of disinfectant.”

“Sometimes if I get close to a living person, I will feel nauseous, shake, and uncontrollably step back.”

“It's not because you're dirty.”

“It's because I'm broken.”

I froze in place. All anger was like being poured out by a basin of cold water. Luc Van Chu continued: "That day you said you liked me, I heard it."

“I also want to answer you.”

“But when you got closer, I suddenly smelled a strong smell of blood.”

“I'm afraid I'll throw up right in front of you.”

“I'm even more afraid that you'll find out, I can't even hug someone.”

He bowed his head, his fingers let go of my shirt.

“That's why I backed away.”

“I thought you would ask me again later.”

“But you don't need me anymore.”

That sentence hit my chest painfully. I opened my mouth, but not a word came out. Luc Van Chu slowly put the mask back on, as if he were reinstalling the cover for himself. He looked at me, his eyes broken and miserable.

“Now you know.”

“Tham Tri, you can go now.”

6 I'm not going. I sat on a bench outside the forensic room hallway, sitting until dawn. Luc Van Chu locked himself inside and didn't go out all night. Going to work in the morning, Tieu Trieu saw me and was startled: "Mr. Tham, are you punished for standing there?" I said hoarsely: “Shut your mouth.” Old Chu called me into his office and poured me a cup of hot water. He sighed: "You already know?" I looked up: "Does everyone know?"

“Know a little.” Old Chu said, "Luc Van Chu previously participated in rescuing a tragic accident in a neighboring city. The scene was so tragic, he worked continuously for more than thirty hours. After that, he saved many people, but he himself had problems."

I tightened my grip on the paper cup. Old Chu continued: "He didn't do anything to me. It's not easy for him to be able to return to work like now." It felt like a knife was cutting in my heart. I always thought he was arrogant and fussy, criticizing rude field workers like us. It turned out that every day he stood in front of the operating table, he was fighting with himself. Yet I still cursed him for being fake. I really deserve to die. At ten o'clock in the morning, Luc Van Chu finally walked out. He had changed into a white blouse and a tight mask. Except for his slightly red eyes, he looked no different from usual. I stood up: "Luc Van Chu, let's talk." He walked around me: "It's work time." I followed: “Let's talk after work story.”

“Not necessary.”

“Very necessary.”

He stopped walking: "Tham Tri, I lost control yesterday, I'm sorry. I won't block your transfer application anymore, you don't need to pressure me." Hearing this sentence, my anger rose again.

“Who said I want to transfer?”

He froze. I said, “I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

I took a step forward. He instinctively stiffened, but did not retreat. I looked straight into his eyes and said seriously: "Because I still like you."