Chapter 5 — The Day I Return

The water boiled, I made myself a cup of tea. The tea leaves bloom in hot water, piece by piece they sink to the bottom. The phone is silent. One hour. Two hours. At noon, Nguyen Tieu Ngu came home from buying food. I ate and read documents, not bothering to look at my phone at all. At 1:45 p.m., the driver came to pick us up and take us to the new cemetery to see the location of the land. The cemetery is located in the north of the city, leaning against a small mountain. The environment is quite good, lots of green trees, quiet. Giang Ninh was waiting at the main gate. She changed into a different outfit, a light beige windbreaker, looking a little brighter than in the morning. Seeing me coming, she walked over, intending to say something but in the end she stopped, just quietly walked side by side, keeping a half-step distance. The cemetery manager took us to see three locations. I chose the area halfway up the mountain facing south, with the best sunshine and clear view.
“This location is beautiful.” Giang Ninh said softly.
I nodded. This is the most “normal” communication we have had in the past three years. After signing the confirmation, the cemetery manager left. On the small road in the cemetery, there were only three of us left. Nguyen Tieu Ngu was very observant and immediately said: "Go to the resort over there and sit for a while, you two can just talk." Having finished speaking, leave quickly. I don't call back. The autumn wind blows, bringing with it the scent of cypress wood and the earthy scent. Giang Ninh stood next to me, silent for a long time. When she opened her mouth, her voice was a bit hoarse.
"Tieu Duong. It's been three years. Don't you want to ask me a question?"
I looked at the outline of the mountains in the distance.
“Ask me what?”
“Ask me why you married him.”
I turned my head and looked at her. Her eyes contained many emotions. Feelings of guilt, resentment, unwillingness.
“Giang Ninh,” My voice was very quiet, “Three years ago if you asked me this question, I would have collapsed, cried, made a fuss, and would have forced you to give me an answer.”
Her eye sockets turned red immediately.
“But now —” I retracted my gaze, “I don't need answers anymore.”
“Tieu Duong —”
"It's fine if you marry him, or if you don't, it has nothing to do with me?" My tone was like I was discussing something unimportant, "He rejected me for eight years. Eight years. Do you know what eight years is? From the time I was fifteen to twenty-three years old. My entire youth was wasted because of someone who didn't like me."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“But he—”
“What is he doing?”
She bit her lip and did not continue. I waited three seconds.
"If there's nothing else, I'll go first. I still have a schedule this afternoon."
I turned around and walked towards the parking lot.
“He doesn't dislike you at all!”
Giang Ninh screamed from behind. My steps stopped for a moment.
“He never didn't like me.” Her voice sobbed and broke, "He rejected me... because..."
The wind blew away part of her words. But I heard one word.
“…Life.”
I stood still, my back turned to her. The autumn wind blows very strongly. Then I kept walking. Never turned back. Getting into the car, Nguyen Tieu Ngu was already waiting in the back seat. She looked at me and didn't ask anything. Just give me a tissue. I take it. But don't use it. My eyes are dry. Not a single drop any tears. When the car drove out of the cemetery gate, I saw a black Maybach parked on the side of the road. It's you again. Again, standing and looking from afar from the car window. I closed my eyes. Ky Lang, what are you afraid of? At four o'clock in the afternoon, I arrived on time at the City People's Committee. Deputy Mayor Tran is a man in his fifties, has gray hair, and speaks very gently.