Poor Boy

Chapter 13: Dreams in the Dark Night

Summer had arrived, bringing with it the intense heat and blazing light. But in Minh’s small house, summer offered no relief. The heat only made the difficulties in the family's life even more pronounced. Each day was a battle against exhaustion and stress.

One early morning, before the sun had risen, Minh woke up to prepare breakfast for the family. In the cramped kitchen, Minh felt the air grow more suffocating than ever. His mother still lay in bed with red, tired eyes, while his grandfather remained in the corner of the room, his face drawn and gaunt.

“You’re up so early,” his mother said in a hoarse voice. “Let me help you with breakfast.”

Minh smiled and shook his head. “Mom, you should rest. I can handle it.”

His mother sat up, trying to regain her strength. “You shouldn’t overdo it. Even if you can do everything, your health is still important.”

Minh felt weary, but he tried to stay composed. After preparing breakfast, Minh called his mother and grandfather to join him.

“Eat something, Mom. I’ve made enough,” Minh said, trying to smile even though his stomach was empty.

His mother took a small portion of rice and some dried fish. “Thank you. You’ve worked very hard.”

Minh ate quickly and prepared to go to school. The summer heat made each step feel heavy. Although summer was far from pleasant, Minh had to work hard both at school and at the store to support his family.

In class, Minh’s fatigue was hard to conceal. Each lecture became a significant challenge, and Minh had to exert every effort to focus on the lessons while the combined effects of hunger and heat made him uncomfortable.

Hương, Minh’s close friend, approached him during the break with visible concern. “Minh, you don’t look well. Do you need to take a break?”

Minh nodded, trying to smile. “I’m okay, Hương. Just a bit tired.”

Hương couldn’t hide her worry. “You should rest and see a doctor. Your health is important.”

Minh knew Hương meant well, but he didn’t want to cause more concern. “Thanks for caring. I’ll think about it.”

The school day passed in tension. When the bell rang to signal the end of classes, Minh felt relieved but exhausted. Work at the store remained stressful, and Minh had to work tirelessly to meet customer demands.

When Minh returned home in the evening, the heat had made the room stifling. His mother had prepared a simple but warm dinner. Although the meal was not abundant, his mother’s love was the most important thing.

“You’ve worked hard all day. Thank you for your efforts,” his mother said, her voice filled with pride and affection.

Minh felt a wave of emotion. “Mom, I just want things to get better for the family.”

His mother smiled, her eyes full of love. “You’ve grown so much. We will overcome every difficulty together.”

After dinner, Minh went to his grandfather’s room. Grandpa lay on the bed, looking exhausted and gaunt. Minh sat beside him, feeling the pain in every gesture of his grandfather.

“Grandpa, I’m home. How are you feeling?” Minh asked, his voice full of concern.

Grandpa looked at Minh with loving eyes. “Minh, you’ve worked very hard. Even though my health isn’t good, you are still my greatest source of encouragement.”

Minh felt a pang of sadness. “I just want to help the family get through this hardship.”

Grandpa smiled, despite his declining health. “Minh, you’ve grown a lot. Grandma and I always believe in you. Even though life is tough, as long as we keep patience and love, things will get better.”

Minh felt uplifted by his grandfather’s words. No matter how harsh life became, his belief in his family and his perseverance were the driving forces that kept him from giving up.

The next day, when Minh woke up, the sky was clear, but the summer heat still enveloped the small room. His mother had prepared a simple breakfast, and Minh began another challenging day.

When Minh arrived at school, he felt the concerned glances of his friends around him. Their encouragement and concern were important parts of Minh’s life, even though he couldn’t share all the difficulties he was facing.

At the end of the school day, Minh returned to the store. Summer brought new challenges, and Minh had to continue working to help his family overcome difficulties. The job became increasingly stressful, and Minh had to work continuously to ensure everything was in order.

As night fell, Minh returned home, tired but satisfied. His mother had prepared a simple yet warm meal. The family gathered around the table; although the meal was not rich, the love and unity of the family made everything more meaningful.

“You’ve worked hard all day. Thank you for your diligence,” his mother said, her eyes filled with pride and love.

Minh smiled, feeling warmth in his heart. “Mom, I will always do everything for the family. We will overcome this difficulty together.”

After the family had finished eating and prepared for bed, Minh sat by his desk again. Despite his tired body and the discomfort of the summer heat, Minh remained determined to study, knowing that each bit of knowledge gained was a step closer to his dreams.

On long nights, with the wind blowing through the window and the heat making everything uncomfortable, Minh felt that no difficulty or challenge could make him falter. His belief in his family and his perseverance in his work were the sources of motivation that kept him from giving up.