Part 35
Redemption
Mr. Danh’s face, if it were last night, anyone who saw it would probably tremble with fear. Even though just a few minutes before, it was still very friendly. At that time, the party had just ended, it was probably almost 12 o’clock. Danh remembered the promise to meet Chi and Phuc at the beginning of the party, so he called to find them, afraid that they had waited too long. He had called Chi first but she didn’t answer, so he called Phuc later. However, after knowing that they were staying in the same hotel, he didn’t understand why his anger flared up so much. He gritted his teeth and shouted into the phone, wanting Phuc to come see him immediately in the morning.
But then, after calming down, he realized that he was being unreasonable. Both Phuc and Chi were adults, both could take responsibility for their own actions. Could it be that he was jealous of his son, jealous because the person who had devoted himself to him now belonged to someone else? He laughed at himself for that impulsive moment, then all night long he thought about what he would say this morning so that Phuc wouldn’t notice his embarrassment.
Phuc walked into his office and closed the door.
-Hello, Dad.
Danh looked up, looked deeply into his son’s eyes and said,
-Sit down, do you know what you did last night and what it meant?
-Yes, because I wasn’t sober enough and too greedy, I couldn’t control myself, I know that happened to her too quickly. But it wasn’t just a passing thing, I will take responsibility, I will prove to her that I am someone she can trust and rely on.
-How, have you thought of it yet?
-I…I will continue to be by her side, pick her up and take care of her more attentively.
-Will clinging create trust?
-So what will I have to do, Dad.
In front of him, Phuc felt so immature and weak, but he didn’t hate that feeling, on the contrary, when his father taught him, he secretly rejoiced.
-Doing nothing, I did too much without thinking, now slow down, put myself in her shoes and think deeply.
That’s right, that’s exactly what I always lacked after the incident. I apologized, blamed myself, promised and…etc… but I really didn’t find out what she thought, what she wanted, whether she was confused or scared, wanted to comfort her more mentally or physically. It’s true that in the moment of confusion, I was too careless.
Seeing that he seemed to have realized the problem, Mr. Danh continued.
-Let’s be honest with each other, Chi is not an easy person, so I must be the first one to have her. It’s not a victory or an achievement in love, but it’s a blessing and a responsibility. A huge sacrifice from a girl just because she loves and trusts me.
Phuc found his father’s words to be absolutely true. He thought about it and wondered if Chi hadn’t been drunk yesterday, would he have been able to have her. Now he understood the value of today’s meeting, so he paid full attention, listening as if he was absorbing every word.
-It would be nothing if our love was forged through time and challenges and importantly, when the two of you do that, she must be willing and happy. However, the two of you have only recently confirmed your relationship, and your feelings have never been tested. The worst thing is that when you do that, you are both in a vague state. Can you imagine how uncertain and troubled she will feel?
Phuc was silent, the feeling of guilt rising up was ten times greater than when he woke up last night. He now understands that his moment of losing control has left her with too much pain.
-Now that it’s done, don’t regret it in vain and make up for it with flowers and frivolous gifts, comfort her with trust. Prove that you are a trustworthy and strong man, with consistency, sincerity and courage. Understand?
-Yes, I know, don’t worry, Dad. I won’t let her be confused again, I will develop myself and my feelings to get better and better. I will prove to her that I have given myself to the right person.
Mr. Danh nodded in appreciation, Phuc was happy inside, but he hid it deep down and continued.
-Dad, can I bother you with something now?
-Speak.
-Yes, I hope you will go with me to her house, have a clear adult talk with her and her mother so that she is not confused about the future.
Mr. Danh frowned slightly, his voice somewhat annoyed. -You are being hasty again, adult
matters are like going to the market to buy vegetables, at least you should go back to your mother’s hometown to burn incense for your grandparents, your mother to report, then invite your uncle up. Besides, right now she needs to calm down to sort out her emotions and calm her worries. Give her some space but don’t disappear completely, give her and her mother a spring trip to places that can help calm her mind. After she and her mother return, if you don’t go there and talk properly, your uncle and I will tie you up and drag you over. Now go home, I still want to rest. Being scolded, Phuc was extremely happy inside. His father’s teachings proved that he only wanted the best for him, and that meant he loved him and didn’t completely hate him. Phuc also knew what he had to do. He quickly prepared and that same afternoon, he had two 4-day spiritual tours in Da Lat for you and your mother right after Tet. When he gave it to Chi, he said, “I know I made you think a lot. No matter how much I apologize, it won’t be enough. But I want to confirm to you once again that what I said and promised in the hotel came from the bottom of my heart. When you calm down and come back from the spring trip, I will prove to you that I am a trustworthy person.”
At that time, Chi also just nodded silently, but in her eyes there was no longer confusion but joy and much, much hope.
That trip was really necessary for Chi, the silence and closeness of nature along with her mother’s smile made her think more freely and optimistically. Also, her mind was at peace again and her emotions were no longer as unstable as before. During this time, Phuc still periodically asked, also continuously advised her mother and sister about beautiful places. Gradually, they talked more, more naturally and then Chi remembered. Remembered the way Phuc snapped his fingers to the song, remembered his tolerance when they argued, and remembered even more the hand holding when the weather turned cold, or the sly stolen kiss before leaving.
Those emotions grew, clearly showing on her face, making her mother also know, so before leaving, she confided in her.
– How are you, daughter, have the few days of relaxation helped your heart calm down, and are you no longer sad or angry with anyone?
-Yes, why do you ask that, Mom? I’m always happy and cheerful, it’s just that the pressure of work makes me a little frustrated. Going on a vacation like this makes me feel very comfortable, that bit of frustration is gone.
-Huh, Mom, you gave birth to her, Mom is a stranger. Mom guessed that the night you said you slept at your female colleague’s house, something happened. Mom couldn’t guess what it was, but it must have affected you a lot. It made you absent-minded and look far away, at that time your eyes were full of doubt and sometimes regret, Mom was very worried.
It turned out that Mom still paid attention to Chi’s every move without saying anything, so I revealed my emotions and made Mom worry. Thinking that, I immediately whined and snuggled into Mom’s arms, taking it as a tacit agreement and also as an apology to Mom. Instead of blaming Mom, Mom lovingly stroked my head and whispered,
-My daughter is grown up, knows how to love, so of course there will be times when she’s sad and angry. But you have to remember, you are my breath, the love of life you have for me is the source of joy. So when you love someone, that person must first bring you a lot of joy. Don’t let other factors control you and make you suffer, if necessary, sell your land and house to avoid being in debt to anyone.
It turned out that Mrs. Le had guessed that Phuc and Chi loved each other, but she was worried that because of her medical debt, Chi would be at a disadvantage or be bullied. If that was true, then even if she had to sell all her land and house, she would pay it off so that her daughter could hold her head high in the future. Knowing what her mother was worried about, Chi immediately explained for Phuc.
– No, he is very good and patient with me, sometimes I even feel like I bully him a bit too much. It’s just that these past few days I’ve felt that our love story has been too fast, so I need time to sort it out and verify it.
-So how do you feel now? You miss him so much, right? These past few days I saw you smiling and texting, and when you were alone your eyes were absent-minded, so I guessed that.
Chi was embarrassed and didn’t dare to admit it, so she snuggled deeper into her mother’s arms. Mrs. Le still patted her shoulder, sometimes her lips moved slightly.
The trip had ended, and as soon as mother and daughter landed at the airport, Phuc was already there. He was as neat as a son of the family, doing all the heavy work for Chi and her mother. Like the suitcases, without the two women having to lift a finger, he automatically knew how to go back to his room.
-Okay, Phuc, rest for a bit, sit down so I can boil water and make tea.
-Okay, I have to go home now, it’s the beginning of the year, the factory has a lot of work. -Okay
, then I won’t keep you, but take your time by car, when you have time, come to my house to cook for you. -Yes
, then I thank you in advance, I’ll say goodbye and go home.
Phuc went downstairs, Chi followed to see him off, when he stopped at the stairs, he turned to hold her hand and said to her.
-Are you still sad or angry with me?
Chi shook her head.
-So do you love me more than before?
Chi nodded. Phuc was clearly happy, he continued to ask.
-So is your mother busy this weekend?
-Probably not, why?
-Your father and uncle want to come to my house to meet the two families, it’s time for the adults to talk to each other.
-Oh, so sudden, am I too hasty?
Chi’s eyes widened, too surprised by what he just said, in contrast to me, Phuc was extremely serious at this moment, he squeezed my hand tighter.
-I did that to let you know that I’m completely serious about our love story. Moreover, I want to make up for what happened last time, so that you can have faith and not be confused.
Chi could only nod and couldn’t say anything more, when she told her mother, Mrs. Le couldn’t sleep all night. Neither she nor Chi pressured this, but if Phuc’s family took the initiative, she would be very happy for her child, because this proved that Chi was highly respected.