MEMOIR OF MA.N

Chapter 2: Fateful Encounter

Chapter 2: Fateful Encounter

For the majority of provincial students heading to the city for studies, almost all of them end up taking part-time jobs. There are a few who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth and don't have to go through these months of toil. AN was no exception. After classes, he worked as a server at the M Fish Hot Pot restaurant on N V L Boulevard from 5:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. the next day.

Time passed monotonously, and already three months had gone by. On a beautiful day, the restaurant owner called AN in for a job discussion.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be responsible for receiving the customers and moving their vehicles to the parking area. Can you manage it?"

The restaurant owner asked him with a probing tone.

"Yes, but why, ma'am? Did I do something wrong?"

AN was slightly surprised, mixed with a bit of worry.

"No, it's just that the restaurant sales haven't gone well lately. I've noticed that customers prefer female servers in other places. So, I'm hiring a few female students to see how that goes."

"That's fine. Will my salary change, ma'am?"

"No, it will remain the same. Additionally, there are customers out there who offer tips. If you do well, it’s just like working inside."

As he was about to turn away, he suddenly remembered his friend, who also worked there. Could it be that he was fired... AN hesitated for a few seconds and then asked:

"Oh, by the way, is V still working here? Does he work the same as me?"

"He's working in the kitchen. He agreed already."

"Alright..."

The next day, on the first day of his new duty, AN treated a senior to two cups of coffee just to receive his guidance. The tool for the job was simple: a small towel. He learned that a new car, a scooter, and a sleek clutch scooter were signs of a generous tip. Depending on the customer, he would receive VND 2,000 or VND 5,000 after moving and cleaning their vehicles wholeheartedly. On average, he earned around VND 20,000 to 30,000 each day.

That day was the first day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar. After his shift, AN pedaled his way home. His rented room was quite a distance away, but at night, when traffic was scarce, he could reach it in a little over an hour. Crossing three bridges, one of which was called the C.V. Bridge.

While he was releasing the bicycle brake and drifting along the slope with excitement, he saw a black pile far away under the bridge. As he got closer, it turned out to be an elderly woman. The cold night mist made her wrap herself tightly in a large red cloth, visibly trembling.

For many people who grew up hearing tales of ghosts and spirits or were naturally timid, encountering such a scene would prompt them to hurry past. However, AN, who had never believed in such things from a young age, coupled with his curiosity and compassion, couldn't bear to pass by.

"Ma'am...!"

Slowly, the old woman revealed her face as she opened the cloth, exposing a haggard and aged visage.

"Did you call me, guy?"

"Yes, aren't you cold sitting here alone?"

The old woman contemplated for a moment, as if sizing up a stranger. After she was assured that AN was just a young man on a bicycle, she started speaking.

The old woman was from the western region of the country. She had been suffering from an illness for a long time and had finally saved enough money to come to S.G. for medical treatment. Fearing that she wouldn't have enough money for lodging, she roamed around, seeking shelter under porches at night. It was too cold and exhausting to come there. So, finding this clean and well-lit spot under the bridge, she sat there to rest.

After chatting for a while, AN had to leave as his home was still quite far away. He emptied his pockets and handed the old woman VND 22,000, his whole tip for the day. AN, a bit sheepish, placed the money in her hand.

"Here's a little money for you. If you're here tomorrow, I'll help you find proper lodging so that you can rest and recover. Staying out here in the cold will only worsen your condition."

The old woman looked at AN with a deep and probing gaze, reminiscent of the eyes of an ancient sage. She gently smiled and nodded without saying anything more.

The next day, AN asked for an early leave and waited under the bridge, but the old woman didn’t show up. The same thing happened over the next few days. The old woman was no longer there under the bridge. Despite AN's efforts to find her traits there, time slowly swept their meeting apart. Yet, in his heart, AN still held a sense of worry, occasionally wondering about the old woman's fate.

Three months later, everything went on as usual. Today was the full moon of the 9th month. After his shift, AN tiredly pedaled his way home through a light drizzle. Passing by the P M H quarter, he saw someone lying under a bougainvillea tree by the roadside.

Deep within, AN wondered how there were so many people in the world without a home like this. Thinking of it, he was fortunate to have a place to return to. With this in mind, AN approached and saw an intoxicated old man huddling up. AN shook the old man gently, and it took a while for him to regain consciousness.

"Sir, why are you lying here?"

The old man shook his head, first looking at him, a youngster, and then at his bicycle, before speaking brusquely:

"Oh, can you take me to the BD market? That's where I live."

AN felt an incredibly heavy weight carrying the drunk old man on his bike, though he was thin. He pedaled his bike with all his strength, feeling like those few miles were a lifetime's journey, heavy and challenging. Upon reaching BD Market, the old man seemed like a different person, entirely sober. AN was a bit surprised but assumed the intoxication had worn off.

"Do you have paper and a pen? Give them to me."

"Sure, here you go. I'm a student."

The old man hastily scribbled a series of numbers that were finally mobile phone numbers. Having a cell phone these days meant he was likely not an ordinary person. Thought to himself.

"Keep my phone number safe. Whenever you're in a plight with no way out, give me a call."

AN chuckled to himself. The old man was a weirdo, probably having seen too many movies. AN was examining the numbers more closely, but the old man was no longer there. He had vanished as quickly as his sobriety.