Chapter 24 — Three hours before the wedding, I locked the house as a dowry

It took half a month for apartment 402 to be completely restored. The additional door opening in the secondary bedroom has been sealed. Excess drainage pipes on the balcony were also removed. The separate electrical circuit in the electrical cabinet has been removed. The red word "Hi" pasted on the door was peeled off. Only a faint streak of glue remained. My mother took the towel and wiped it over and over again for a long time.

“This stain is really difficult to clean.”

I sprayed glue remover on the door.

"No problem."

“Let's slowly wipe.”

The secondary bedroom finally returned to its original appearance. A reading room. Close to the wall is an original colored wooden bookshelf. The desk is located next to the window. On the sill there is a pot of small green gardenia leaves. Manh Mien also brought an old scanner case. Place on the second floor of the bookshelf as decoration.

“To commemorate the mastery of comparing three layers of documents.”

I laughed. The first meal after the house was restored. It's a braised fish dish cooked by my mother. The kitchen is very small. The two people standing in there could barely turn around. The range hood is also very loud. But when the pan starts to heat up. I know this house finally has a taste of life again. Right at that moment. The doorbell rang. Tham Le stood outside the door. In his hand he held a bag of documents.

“Electronic copy of case closure file.”

“I'll bring it over on the way.”

From the living room. Manh Mien poked his head out.

“Lawyer Tham.”

“I've used this phrase 'convenient' three times already.”

Tham Le's face did not change color.

“It's really convenient.”

Mom immediately stopped him from eating. But Tham Le did not answer immediately. He instinctively looked at me first. Every time. Don't get over me. Don't decide for me. Also, don't take adults' enthusiasm as something to take for granted. I leaned to the side to avoid it. Tham Le just walked through the door. After meal. He gave me a business card. It is a community legal consulting project. They want to organize a session to disseminate knowledge about premarital property and family property boundaries. But there is still a lack of people who understand real estate records.

“You can refuse.”

I looked at the business card in my hand.

“I want to participate.”

I always felt that telling my story to others was shameful. But now I understand. If you don't say it. Others will continue to use the same method to bully the next person. Tham Le nodded.

“I will help you connect.”

I looked at him.

“It wasn't you who helped me.”

He paused for a moment. Then correct the words.

“I sent you contact information.”

“You discuss it yourself.”

I laughed. On the shoe cabinet next to the door are four keys. One I use. One was given to my mother. A spare is sealed in an envelope. As for the last one... I haven't given it to anyone yet. The door can be opened. But who should I give the key to? It must be decided by me. The day Tham Le stayed for dinner. Mom even deliberately turned the fish's head towards him. Manh Mien sat next to him, holding back laughter until he blushed. I pretended not to see. During the meal. No one told me:

“You should start again.”

No one said:

“There are a lot of good men out there.”

That silence makes me feel comfortable. After being forced by others over and over again with love, marriage, and dignity. What I'm most afraid of now is that someone will arrange the rest of my life for me. Finished eating. Tham Le helped carry the dishes to the kitchen door. But he did not enter. Just stand outside and ask:

“Can I leave it here?”

Such a simple question. Makes me understand one more thing. Respecting boundaries is never about big words. It's in the smallest things. It's knowing how to stop before a step you can take. I put the key that I hadn't given to anyone in a drawer. I don't throw it away. Don't rush to give it to anyone. The key does not necessarily need to be found immediately. The same goes for the house. I could live here first. Eat rice with mother. Put books on shelves. Open the window for fresh air. Then slowly decide. Who will let in later? When leaving. Tham Le did not say:

“See you next time.”

Also don't ask when I'm free. He just stood in front of the door. Calmly said:

“If the file has additional new situations.”

“Just send it to me.”

Then turned around and left. After closing. I suddenly realized. A relationship without pressure. Not required. Don't rush forward. Makes people want to open the door a little more. Just a little. But it's voluntary.