Chapter 22 — Three hours before the wedding, I locked the house as a dowry

After the conciliation session ends. Phan Nghien Chu was still waiting for me on the steps of the judicial office. See me coming out. He asked softly:

“Can we talk for two minutes?”

Tham Le did not go far. He stood under a tree more than ten meters away. Phan Nghien Chu saw it. Smiling bitterly.

“Now there is always someone by my side.”

“That will be safer.”

Those words made him silent for a long time. A moment later. He just spoke:

“The fingerprint thing…”

“I really don't know.”

Phan Nghien Chu raised his head. It seemed unexpected that I would answer like that. I looked at him. Calmly said:

“I don't know the last step.”

“But the steps before that…”

“You all know.”

“I know my mother wanted to add her name to the house.”

“Knew Phan Khai Nam would move in.”

"Knew the design of the extra bedroom had been changed."

“Know the commitment will be made before the wedding.”

“You know I won't agree.”

“That's why you guys chose the right wedding date.”

Phan Nghien Chu's face immediately turned pale. He said hoarsely:

“I'm afraid you won't agree.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“So you chose not to let me know.”

Phan Nghien Chu covered his face with his hands. A long time later. The voice choked.

“I'm sorry.”

That apology came too late. It's so late that it's no longer possible to change anything. He took out a ring box from his pocket.

“You still haven't returned this.”

“I just want to give it to you myself.”

I don't accept.

“You handle it yourself.”

Phan Nghien Chu tightened his grip on the box. The voice trembled slightly.

“Our four years…”

“Is it just going to end like that?”

I looked at him.

“Those four years were real.”

“But the real things…”

“It could also be broken.”

His eye rims turned red. After a while he asked again:

“If you were on my side that day…”

“Is the wedding still cancelled?”

I thought for a few seconds. Then answer:

“Will pause.”

He was stunned.

“Is there a difference between suspension and cancellation?”

“How different?”

I looked at him. Slowly say:

“Pause means I still want to hear your explanation.”

“Still cancelled...”

“It's because I knew.”

“Your explanations only make me continue to give in.”

Phan Nghien Chu was completely silent. Can't say any more words. I walked down the steps. Tham Le approached with an umbrella. He only moved the umbrella half an inch toward me. Don't stand too close. But I also don't let the rain fall on my shoulders. That moment. I suddenly understood something. Not all access begins with possession. There were people approaching. Is about carrying both boundaries and respect. When Phan Nghien Chu asked:

“Did four years really end like that?”

I was sad. Really sad. Human emotions do not immediately disappear because of sufficient evidence. I still remember the good days. On rainy nights, he used to buy medicine for me. On winter days, lining up to buy roasted chestnuts. The first days of house renovation. Two people choose each lamp together. Those memories are all real. But those good things... Can't make up for his silence at the most important moment. I looked at the ring box in his hand. Suddenly I understood. What I wanted was never that ring. What I want is after I put that ring on. I don't have to worry about my door being opened by someone at any time. Phan Nghien Chu cannot give me that. He looked me for a long time. Then ask the last question:

“Later…”

“Do you still trust others?”

I answered immediately. Not to comfort you. Nor is it to show generosity. But because I know. Trust should not be taken away forever by someone who has damaged it. Just later. I will no longer use my house. Or your boundaries. To prove trust to anyone anymore. When returning to the car. Mom gave me a tissue. Neither mother nor daughter asked what the conversation had just been about. There are endings. There's no need to tell it to others. Phan Nghien Chu left. The ring box was still in his hand. Take a few steps. He turned his head to look at me again. But I'm not going back. It's not because I'm not heartbroken. But because I know. I just need to turn around. He would see that bit of heartbreak as an opportunity to continue negotiating. I finally learned something. Not all pain needs to be seen by the other person.