Chapter 19. Another Deal
When I got home, I saw that the dinner was already prepared and my grandparents were waiting; it was just a family meal; the conversation was still about the 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment, how it was finished and furnished (to be honest, at that time I only knew about the dormitory room with the stairs, but I knew about the 6th floor apartment with the elevator, so I was quite excited); then the report on the results of the study, and advice to study well. As for my siblings and I, my grandparents only reminded us for formality.
It was just past 8pm when I finished cleaning up. I was about to go to the 3rd floor to pack my books when the bell rang so I had to open the gate.
Ms. Thuy brought her mother-in-law upstairs to greet her; the carry-on luggage was a young general, so I had to take him upstairs to play games while I had to review my homework; because the door was open, I could see people downstairs chatting animatedly.
Around 10pm, when I finished packing my books and stretching to relieve my fatigue, I turned around and saw that my little boy was already asleep. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I looked out and saw that it was Ms. Thuy coming to pick up my child. I pointed at the sleeping baby and conveniently closed the door, hugged him tightly and tried to kiss him, but Ms. Thuy pushed me away, pointed at her lips, and said that she had lipstick so it was inconvenient. There was no other way but to hug him tightly. I put my hand into her chest, but the shirt was tight. I put my hand down her butt, but the jeans were buttoned, so I had to give up.
– Or just leave the boy here?
– No, I have to let you go home to sleep with grandma because tomorrow, when mom’s car goes to Hanoi, she wants to take a ride down to see how Ms. Trinh’s place is to eat and stay, visit some acquaintances’ houses, then wait until the weekend when dad goes down to Hanoi for the year-end meeting… then take you home at the same time, so today I have to let you go home.
Sorry but there was no other way, so I had to help her wake up the baby, carry him downstairs, then go through the process of taking the bike, saying hello, closing the gate, turning off the lights, going upstairs, doing personal hygiene and… going to bed.
…
Extra story: I turned off the lights to go to sleep but I didn’t close the door so maybe about 30 minutes later when I was dozing off, there was a not-so-loud echo from the 2nd floor (I’m a light sleeper); I sat up, calmed down for a while then realized what was happening; also a bit curious so I quietly went out to the hallway, tiptoed down to the landing to choose a convenient position to peek into the old man ‘s room , the room was also open, under the dim light I saw the old man also doing the traditional thing with the old woman ; I had seen him with Ms. Thuy, Ms. Thoa in the real light of day but honestly, looking at it now still felt… enjoyable; in my head suddenly popped up: Someday I will somehow find a way to persuade some girl to sleep over at night so that we have plenty of time for the two of us to practice our powers, who knows we might even be together (now called some); tiptoed back to the room and slept peacefully!
The following Tuesday afternoon, because I had 5 classes, I came home a bit late. When I got to the gate, I saw many motorbikes, bicycles, and public cars of the old lady and the old man parked along the alley in the yard. I was a bit curious, but when I got home, I found out that this morning , the old lady summoned Ms. Nga, Ms. Thoa, and even aunt Thuy (if the whole family was there, I would have to call them…aunts to be the right family) to cook a few dishes together to celebrate the end of the solar year because she said that from now until mid-January, she would be busy and unable to come back. She also announced that the family had bought an apartment in… Hanoi, and at the same time thanked the people the old lady called “family members” who had helped the two of us when she was away from home often.
I noticed the old man’s driver and his wife, Ms. Nga and her husband (I forgot to mention it briefly so everyone knows, note that Ms. Nga’s husband is also a soldier but works in the district/city military command 15km away from home so he only comes home on Wednesdays and weekends a week, but if there is something urgent, just call and he will arrange to be there because he works in the political field… it’s easy to hide – that’s what he said); Ms. Thoa (Mr. Bao can’t come back); aunt Thuy and mother-in-law; the old woman ‘s driver ; Mr. Dung and his wife, the old man’s deputy (who gets along very well with the old man in work and play, in short, is absolutely loyal); a few other neighbors.
The meal was quite lively and cheerful; when meeting Aunts Thuy, Thoa, and Nga, I kept a serious expression, respectful and proper. After finishing, Ms. Thoa and Nga stayed behind with the old lady to clean up, Aunt Thuy took her mother-in-law home to pack; the old man and everyone rested a bit and then went to work; around 3:00 pm, Aunt Thuy let her go up and got in the car with the old lady to take her back to Hanoi, after which the old lady would go to her provincial office.
The car took the old lady and Ms. Thuy’s mother-in-law away. Ms. Thuy turned around to look around to see if there was anything else to clean up and then told me that I didn’t have to cook dinner tonight. After Ms. Thoa and Ms. Nga cleaned up and brought some of the lunch, there was quite a lot left. The two of us were comfortable; I let her talk and give instructions, but I just kept looking at her longingly, secretly comparing the three fairies. Except for her lust, in every aspect she was better than Ms. Thoa and Ms. Nga. Suddenly seeing my longingly looking at her, Ms. Thuy blushed:
What are you looking at?
Without saying anything, I boldly walked forward, pulled her close, hugged her waist tightly, and searched for her lips, but she pushed me away gently.
– No, that’s not possible.
– Why not, I miss you so much. I acted spoiled.
– Your dad will be home soon. I have to go pick up my son. Besides, I smell bad.
– It stinks, whatever!
– No; let me go home to avoid meeting your dad right now.
– Why avoid? I loosened my grip and wondered.
– Well… I met you yesterday; if I come home today and see you both at the same time, it will be awkward for both you and your father.
Suddenly, I realized that it wouldn’t be a good idea to let the three of us talk at this time; tonight, when it was just the two of us having dinner, the old man would bring this up anyway. So, it was better to listen to Ms. Thuy now; I obediently let her go home; when I reached the gate, I suddenly remembered and whispered:
What time do you usually come home at noon?
– I get home from work to cook lunch at around 11:30, but this time there is also a year-end party, summary… not sure; what’s going on?
– Then tomorrow afternoon…I’ll be down!
– I know; Ms. Thuy replied in a very soft voice with her cheeks blushing.
….
As expected; in the evening the old man asked to take out a can of beer, father and son ate and talked a bit; the old man started first:
Dad said this.
What, dad?
– The story of yesterday.
– What? I acted innocent.
– The day dad and Ms. Thuy.
– Oh, oh; I remember.
– The consensus is…silence.
– I also give up dad; even aunt Thuy but dad also…(I switched to calling her aunt so the old man can rest assured that this relationship…I will not interfere with anything).
– Just keep quiet for me; what do you want now?
– I don’t want anything; Aunt Thuy has to keep her mouth shut or the whole family will die; don’t worry, Dad.
– Yes; I believe you; remember that!
– But dad; I hesitated, looking uncertain.
– Star?
– It doesn’t matter with anyone, but with Aunt Thuy, I think you should… limit or… stop; if it doesn’t matter, it’s okay, but if it does… she’ll be… we’ll just hesitate (we have to advise him to stop so… he can keep it for himself, right? And we also have to abuse his weak point… his family).
The old man said nothing but just nodded his head so I had to think of a way to compensate him.
– Miss Thoa, then Miss Nga… I don’t know about anyone else, but I think whatever you do, you should keep it a secret and especially… avoid family members.
– Yes, agreed; this time the old man spoke firmly and I was sure…now besides Uncle Quang, I am Miss Thuy’s heroin.