Chapter 26 — The Chorus of Those Out of Rhythm

The stage lit up again when all competing teams were invited to gather to hear the results announced. Binh Minh Choir stood at a corner of the stage, with five other competing teams from many different districts in the city - young, well-trained choirs, with gorgeous costumes and skilled vocal techniques. Compared to them, Ba Nguyet's team looked much simpler, but none of those twenty-three people seemed self-conscious, because they knew they brought something to the table that no other team had.

The head judge, a famous musician with many years of experience in the industry, walked out into the middle of the stage, holding the results envelope in his hand. The entire auditorium was silent, the atmosphere was tense.

"Before announcing the official awards," he said, his voice solemn, "the judges would like to take a special moment to talk about one of the acts that touched all of our hearts tonight." He stopped, his eyes turned towards Ba Nguyet's group. "That's the performance of Binh Minh Choir."

Thu An's heart seemed to stop beating, she held her mother's hand tightly, both holding their breath and waiting.

"We have witnessed many technically excellent performances in our careers," the judge continued, "but rarely have we witnessed a performance as full of both technique and soul as what you just brought tonight. That's why, in addition to the official awards, the jury decided to award a special award — the Dedication Award — specifically to Binh Minh Choir, recognizing their extraordinary contributions and energy to the community."

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the auditorium. Ms. Nguyet stood still, not believing her ears, until Mr. Kha gently pushed her forward to receive the award, and the whole group burst into tears of happiness, hugging each other in the middle of the stage.

But the story doesn't stop there. After awarding the special prize, the judge continued to announce the results of the official prizes, and when reading the second prize, the name "Binh Minh Choir" rang out again, making the whole group unable to believe what was happening.

"We... we won second prize?" Mr. Tam Loc stammered, tears rolling down his face, wrinkled with age.

"That's right!" Ha Uyen shouted from the audience, unable to hide her extreme joy.

Ms. Nguyet stepped up to receive the award trophy, her hands were shaking but her face was brighter than ever. She looked down at the auditorium, looking for the eyes of Thu An, Mr. Kha, and all the people who had accompanied her throughout this long and arduous journey, and in that moment, she knew that this was not just her own victory, but the victory of all the people who dared to believe, dared to hope, no matter how difficult the circumstances were.

"I want to say a few words," Ms. Nguyet said into the microphone, her voice shaky but clear. "Two months ago, we were at risk of losing the place that had been with us for twenty years. I, the leader of the group, was also facing an illness that I didn't know how much longer I could continue this work. But it was in the most difficult moments that we found the greatest strength — the strength of solidarity, of love, of the belief that nothing is impossible if we try together. This award is not just for our voices, but also for all those who have been fighting to preserve the values they cherish, regardless of age, regardless of circumstances."

The applause rang out endlessly, many audience members stood up, some shed tears at those sincere statements. In the front row, Bao Quoc stood up and applauded most enthusiastically, his eyes filled with pride for the people who changed his life in a way he never expected.

When the awards ceremony ended, the entire choir hugged each other to celebrate right on stage, no longer caring about the formality of an official ceremony, simply letting themselves immerse themselves in the ultimate happiness that they had built together, after all the difficulties, tears, and fears experienced on this long and meaningful journey.

The organizing committee invited all winning teams to stay for souvenir photos and interviews with the press. Many reporters from major newspapers, not just Viet Long, surrounded Ba Nguyet, asking questions about the choir's journey, about the story of the struggle to retain the cultural house, and about her health condition. She answered each question with composure and sincerity, even though her hands were still shaking slightly from fatigue and pent-up emotions all day long.

"Do you have any plans after this victory?" a reporter asked.

"I just hope our choir can continue to operate for a long time, at the renovated cultural house," Ms. Nguyet replied. "And I hope that our story will inspire many other communities, so that they understand that small, seemingly insignificant cultural values actually have great meaning to the people who are attached to it."

Meanwhile, Thu An stood quietly in a corner, watching her mother give an interview with an indescribable pride. Bao Quoc walked up to her, his hand still holding the secondary award trophy that the organizing committee awarded to the sponsor who most actively supported the community.

“You did very well,” he said, smiling. "Not only in the role of logistical support, but also in the role of a child who knows how to put love above all resentment. I think your mother is lucky to have a child like you."

"Thank you," Thu An replied, bowing her head in gratitude. "And I have to thank you too, for giving us the opportunity to have this night."

Ha Uyen and Viet Long ran over, both hugged Thu An in joy. "Sister, I really won the second prize!" Ha Uyen shouted, unable to hide her excitement. "I still can't believe it!"

"I can't believe it either," Thu An replied, smiling, tears of joy still lingering in the corners of her eyes. "But I think, whether I win the award or not, tonight will still be the most memorable night of my life."

Viet Long raised his camera, capturing the moment the group gathered together, the award trophy sparkling under the stage lights, the radiant and happy faces of both the old and the young, a photo that he knew he would use as the cover photo for the final article in the series about this story — not an article about victory, but an article about the journey, about the people who taught the whole city a valuable lesson about determination, love, and the value of perseverance. Persevere and don't give up.

Later, when the stage lights were turned off and the auditorium gradually emptied, the group gathered in a corner of the theater lobby, waiting for the shuttle to return home. Ms. Ca Yen, still sitting in a wheelchair, clutched the Second Prize trophy in her heart like a treasure, not wanting to let go for even a second.

"I'll put this in the most important place in the living room," she said, her eyes sparkling in the hallway light. "So that every time my children and grandchildren come to visit, I can tell them about this night, about what their grandmother accomplished at the age of eighty-five."

"You deserve to be proud," Mr. Ba Nghia said, pushing her wheelchair toward the door, his eyes full of affection.

Mrs. Chin Thoa, standing next to her granddaughter, could not hide her emotions. "Ha Uyen, if it weren't for your help editing the parts from the beginning, we probably wouldn't have been able to achieve this achievement," she said. "You have contributed a significant amount of effort."

"I just do what I can," Ha Uyen replied, blushing at her grandmother's compliment, her hand still holding Viet Long's hand tightly standing next to her.

As everyone gradually dispersed to go home to rest after a long, emotional day, Ms. Nguyet stood for a moment, looking up at the starry night sky above the theater, her hand still clutching the award trophy. Mr. Kha stood next to her, putting a warm coat on her shoulders.

"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"I'm thinking about twenty years ago," Ms. Nguyet replied, her voice distant but warm. "When I started teaching singing to some old friends in the neighborhood, I never thought it would lead to this night — a big stage, an award trophy, and most importantly, a big family that I have gained through music."

"And now you have me too," Mr. Kha said, smiling, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"That's right," Mrs. Nguyet replied, resting her head on his shoulder. They both stood silently looking up at the night sky, enjoying a rare moment of peace after a long day full of turmoil, but also full of good things that they both knew they would cherish for the rest of their lives.