Chapter 11 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

He answered very quickly.

"Are you going alone?"

He was silent for a long time. Only later did I text.

"Are you okay?"

I looked at the screen for a few seconds. Then put the phone down. No reply. Afternoon. Tran Dich went to the pharmacy. I took the initiative to call you. Bao came to get a copy of the medical examination results. He stood in front of the door. Compared to the first time we met... Much less stressful. But in his eyes... There was still a sense of caution. Just like a stray cat. Never really trust the surrounding environment. I looked at you.

"My grandmother..."

"Where did you live before?"

"In the southern area."

"In the old dormitory on Tan Hoa Street."

"Now that place is almost cleared out."

"When she passed away, there was no one left to take care of that house."

"Probably still blank for now."

I looked at Tran Dich.

"Can I take you there once?"

He thought for a few seconds. Then nodded slightly. The two of us took the bus. Tran Dich sat next to the window. Almost nothing was said during the journey. Sometimes I just quietly watch the traffic outside. When the car is about to arrive at the station. He suddenly spoke up.

"Yesterday..."

"The words you asked Mr. Ha at the assessment center..."

"I heard everything."

"My father..."

"Tran Quoc Binh."

"Is it..."

"Does it have anything to do with all of this?"

I didn't answer right away. Be silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"In the letter my grandmother left me, it was written."

"My father had an accident and passed away."

"You still haven't investigated the details."

Tran Dich withdrew his eyes. Two fingers tapped gently on his knee. Then lower your voice.

"When grandma passed away..."

"In her hand she still holds a prescription."

"I didn't pay attention then."

"But now that I think about it..."

"The name of the pharmacy is written on it..."

"It's an old pharmacy on your street."

I immediately turned around.

"What disease does your grandmother have?"

"She said it was heart disease."

"I don't understand either."

"Only later..."

"The condition is getting worse and worse."

"Goed to the hospital a few times."

"Died at home."

"That prescription..."

"Do you still have it?"

He paused slightly.

"I still keep it in my backpack."

Tran Dich took off his backpack. Search for a while. Take out a wrinkled prescription sheet. Give it to me. I opened it to see. Has hospital seal. The prescription date is January this year. All are common cardiovascular drugs. The doctor's name is stamped very neatly. In the pharmacy section... Thuan Hoa Pharmacy Chain. It's my store. I folded the prescription sheet. Put it in your bag. The bus has just arrived at the station. The two of us got out of the car. The old dormitory is extremely quiet. The staircase smelled strongly of dust that had accumulated over many years. The apartment Trieu Boi Dao used to live in was on the fourth floor. The door is not locked. Just closed. Gently push to open. Inside is empty. Most of the furniture remains. All covered with a thick layer of dust. On the windowsill. Some potted plants have long withered. Only dry roots stuck in the cracked soil remained. The water has evaporated cleanly. Tran Dich stood in front of the door for a while. Then slowly walk in. Stop in front of the old wooden chair.

"Grandma..."

"Usually sit here."

His voice was very calm.

"She likes to sit and look out the window the most."

I walked around the room. Check the headboard. Wardrobe. Didn't detect anything special. I turned to ask.

"Other than the envelope I gave you."

"Did you leave any other papers or letters?"

"There's still that exact envelope."

He stopped for a moment. Then suddenly walked closer to the wall. Sit squat down. Pry up a loose baseboard tile. From below took out an old iron biscuit box. He lifted the box and placed it on the table.

"Grandma once told me."

"This is something..."

"Do not arbitrarily show it to others."

"Waiting for the day you know who you really are..."

"Just opened."

I looked at the box. The lid is rusted. Use the key to pry for a long time before it pops out. Inside there are a few items. A letter. Folded carefully. The recipient's name was not written on the outside of the envelope. A photo. Face down. A small plastic bag. Inside is a very old gold ring. I picked up the letter first. The letter filled two pages. The handwriting is neat. Exactly like the handwriting on the piece of paper she left behind. All belong to Trieu Boi Dao. I read from beginning to end. Quietly put the letter back on the table. Take a deep breath. Tran Dich looked at my face. Can't hide the stress.

"In the letter..."

"What did your grandmother write?"

I pushed the letter towards him.

"Wrote down everything she knew."

Tran Dich bowed his head. And I held up the photo. Flip to front side. A young man and a young woman stand next to each other. Behind is a row of old houses. The boy wore a dark blue shirt. Girl wearing a floral dress. They both smiled very naturally. No posing at all. Just looking... I recognized that man. That's Ha Kien Minh. Nearly twenty years younger than now. As for the girl... I've never met her. But the facial features... Up to seven parts resemble Tran Dich. It must be Tran Nhuoc Mai. I turned the photo over. There is an inscription on the back. The pen strokes are completely different. Most likely written by Ha Kien Minh.

"Nhuoc Mai, wait for me."

Tran Dich finished reading the letter. Standing still in place for a long time. I don't urge. The sunlight outside the window penetrates through the dusty glass.