We Belong Together

Chapter 7

After a few cold days because of the monsoon, the air has become warmer despite the heavy rain, true to Hanoi's autumn style. Hanh raised her hands to lift the boy, in more than two months she worked here, she had never met such a cute child. Hanh put the boy on the bed and his eyes.

- Now, tell me, who is the bravest person in this room?

- Baby - The boy puffed out his chest slightly.

- Hmm, I've heard people say that too, but I don't believe it, what do you have to prove?

The boy asked Hanh the best way he could win her trust, and Hanh was always willing to share with him.

- Let's do this - Hanh sat down on the chair, facing the boy - The bravest person, the one who never cried when he was injected, Can you do it?

- I have.

- Um! Should you believe me?

- Yes - The boy puffed out his chest again, his face raised, his face full of pride - I am a "boy" who knows how to keep his promises.

Hanh smiled, the boy was so cute.

- Oh, that's right, a guy who knows how to keep his promises, I believe in you, then you won't feel any pain, just like a mosquito bite, have you ever been bitten by a mosquito?

- I did, but it's so itchy, miss.

- It won't itch, I promise.

- You promise.

Hanh patted the boy's head and told him that she had never broken a promise to anyone, especially a "brave guy" like him. She pushed the air contained in the needle out, along with some Gentamicil coming out of the needle like a small water cannon. Hanh glanced at the boy and then quickly and skillfully inserted the needle into the middle muscle of the biceps. Hanh slowly injected the medicine and quickly pulled the needle out, put it in the syringe shredder and turned to the boy, this time his lips were still tight, pretending to be brave, looking very cute. The job is over and "perfect" is the word that should be used to describe the injection just now. Gentamicil will quickly destroy the bronchitis that is tormenting the boy.

- No pain, right?

- It doesn't hurt.

- You are such a guy who knows how to keep his promises, very brave, even the other uncle - Hanh pointed to Viet, now standing against the wall, thumbs up in admiration - the other uncle was not brave either. I feel like you, you're such a good boy.

- My teacher also said the same, I get a good child ticket every week, do you?

"Of course I do, but probably not as much as you." Please return me to my mother, my mother must be very impatient.

Hanh walked over to the desk and picked up a ripe apple.

- The reward for the brave boy, you deserve it.

- I thank you.

- Be good, but now it's almost lunch time, you can eat later, don't skip meals. A good boy must also be a healthy guy.

- Yes, I know.

- But remember, after eating...

- You have to brush your teeth, I told you yesterday.

- Yeah - Hanh couldn't help but pick up the boy again, give him a kiss on the cheek, smile - You're so cute.

Hanh put the boy down, watched the boy's footstep run to the door, swooping into the arms of his mother who was waiting. Viet was still leaning against the wall, he was just silent, watching her work and smiling.

- What a wonderful, qualified Pediatrician.

- Hey, I'm very light-hearted about compliments. Are you here to test my expertise?

- It depends - Viet stammered - Why don't you take the boy into the room? Other doctors usually bring you in with them.

- Usually when the mother is around, the children often coddle, and act unwise. Plus, it's also old enough that it doesn't need to be looked after when it's injected.

- Lessons from you personally?

Hanh took off his mask.

- Maybe. Once upon a time, I was very pampered by my mother.

- All children are pampered by their parents.

- It's nice to be spoiled for children, isn't it?

Hanh bent down to the medical record book, Viet looked absently at the door, he understood that she had just been touched by pain, he knew that Hanh loved children very much, but she would no longer have the opportunity to be a mother.

- Actually...

- Did the boss come to check on my expertise? - Hanh snatched his words, looked him straight in the eyes.

- Not really, why don't you think I'm here to invite you to dinner?

Hanh took off his gloves and dropped them in the trash. Viet pulled his hand out of his jacket pocket.

- Do you always wear gloves when working?

- Yes!

- Actually, there's no need to be so careful, you know it's not spread by casual contact.

- I just... um, that's also the regulations on occupational safety and health in the medical profession, right, boss?

- I'm sorry, boss sounds too far away. We're friends, aren't we? Going to lunch? He invited.

- Is it convenient?

- What's up? Run past Nguyen Chi Thanh, then call Phan, don't be afraid to be lonely, Thao will also be there, don't worry about us bullying you.

- I'm not afraid of being alone among us, I'm just afraid that someone won't keep their word and take the opportunity to bully me.

- Who are you talking to?

- Maybe it's not you? - Hanh smiled vaguely - Do you see yourself as a guy who knows how to keep his promises?

- Yes - Thuy's voice, I don't know when she came, as gentle as a Cat stalking a Mouse - Boss always knows how to keep his faith, especially with ladies, right?

- Ah! Great, I'm going to eat with you guys.

Thuy glanced at Hanh's face, her gaze sharp as a razor. Hanh was a little startled.

- Well, I also have an appointment, and I don't dare to bother you two.

- Let's take a look...

- I'm going upstairs. Ms. Beautiful shoes...

Hanh saw that something had just passed his face, sharp and cold. Viet knew absolutely nothing, he asked:

- What do you want to eat?

- Something simple, bro, - Hanh wiggled her toes in her rather old loafers - it's best to let Mr. Phan, or Thao choose, they're better at this than me.

- God, I'm giving eggs to Evil.

***

About 2km away, Phan sneezed loudly, turned to Thao:

- Someone just spoke ill of you, bro.

- Talking well about you is new - Thao winked - but speaking badly..

- Do you know what? Hanh, who has just joined our institute, has just been promoted to head of the Department of Pediatrics - The young nurse, her face still covered with freckles, exclaim in admiration - Good?

- Are you kidding? - Her friend shocked her head in disbelief - she's only been working at our hospital for about two months, isn't she?

"One hundred percent true," said the other woman, pulling her hand out of Blouse's pocket, waving it around passionately, "A decision was made this morning at an unscheduled briefing. Vietnamese boss, very decisive.

- Is there any other reason? Looking at her, she is also very pretty and good-looking, but my boss is... - She clicked her tongue - And then Mrs. Thuy, must have exploded in her eyes, right? Tsk! guess what....

- The mouth, then you will die from the mouth - The other girl put her index finger to her mouth, eyes widening - Do you want the "fire lady" to cook you? Who doesn't know that Thuy loves her boss to death? That Hanh girl, who also looks gentle, knows a lot, it's not stupid to put her hand in the fire.

"Who knows," she does, again, "I don't know what happens in life, but you just have to wait see. Can't you see that the boss favors her so clearly? But Mrs. Thuy is also very hot , then just wait and see, maybe there will be a war Then I don't know who won or lost.

- I also see the war going to the alley here - Thuy's voice is cold, straight, emotionless, it must be saying that it is indifferent and cold - Where does the company pay the girls to let them gossip? If it were me, I would work harder, maybe one day I will also be the head of a department? - Yes!

Whispering, almost whispering, the two poor girls hurriedly ran, unable to say sorry, as far away from Thuy as possible. It's no coincidence that people call her "the fire lady"? Sometimes the staff in the Institute even joked that Thuy was the prototype for the famous roles of female comedian Van Dung. Also, if she didn't choose the position of Viet's assistant, maybe she wouldn't be a good co-star of Van Dung? "But unfortunately for Van Dung and her audience, when Thuy didn't choose the stage, - the nurse thought to herself - and it was also unfortunate for people like us. She was a difficult person to approach, angryly arrogant and sour."

They were even more afraid of her than Viet. Fear, but respect is a bit difficult.

Thuy, throwing a disdainful look at the two nurses who were quickly disappearing in the hallway. Obviously, to say that such gossip didn't affect her would be a foolish lie. What they say is not without foundation, lately Viet has clearly shown her favor. What does he mean? She dares to compare with Thuy? In terms of talent, in terms of beauty, she is not as talented and beautiful as her? In terms of work, although it is true that she is efficient and attentive, but can she not be equal to her? In terms of position in the company, she can't even compare with Thuy. Then why did all her co-workers love her so much? Vietnamese too? Why does Vietnam favor her so much? "No way, when this Thuy is still here, no one has the right to surpass me -Thuy almost wanted to scream - Only I stand above others, no one is allowed to stand above me, including her Who am I?"

"She", the girl that Thuy mentioned on Friday, is now busy stir-frying, cooking with Thao. Usually on Sundays, Thao prepares a "family meal" - as Vietnamese call it - for her, Phan, and Viet. But recently, Hanh has also been added, because all three want her to have more friends to make her feel less lonely and lonely. Anyway, Phan and Thao are also living away from home, living in the same house as her.

- Any! We raise a glass for someone who just got promoted - Phan raised his wine glass, eyes sparkling with joy as if he were the protagonist of today's meal - and...

- And the salary increase too - Viet steals the word, winks - I don't understand what the owner wants everyone to do? - Oh, I don't know where, I put my fate in everyone's hands - Hanh's voice is happy.

- I have a suggestion, let's go to the Red River beach to go fishing, the roadside place to go to Bat Trang. From time to time, go to picnic in the suburbs to make it airy, change the atmosphere - turn to Phan, Thao lowers her voice - is that right?

- Good idea, we haven't gone out together for a long time, adding Hanh is enough. What do you mean? Vietnamese?

- Oh good! Are you still asking my opinion today? Ever since then, when have I not lost a vote? Arrangements - Viet waved his hand, pretending to be angry but his voice was very happy - Add this "Dean" again, my staff doesn't hate the boss? Three against one, come on, I'll surrender just to be safe.

- Yes! Why did the boss say that? - Hanh continued, winking at Thao - I support you to the whole, do you mean that you want to go fishing? I support the boss wants to go fishing.

- This! Where did I say I wanted to go fishing?

- Well, Mr. Viet takes it - Thao interrupted - why are you still stammering and confused like a new girl who has just returned to her husband's house? Decided?

- HEY...

Viet turned to Phan, his eyes searching for allies. But it was clearly a hopeless endeavor. Because what he received was just a meaningful shrug. With Hanh added, the situation has changed, the number of troops is equal, but the female side is clearly overwhelming.

- Then it's decided - Thao steals the words - That day, Mr. Phan will take his "em iu" Sprint, freely taking pictures with my sisters. I suggest Mr. Viet ride a motorbike, the Acma explodes like his Cong Nong car. Take a photo and it looks so elegant.

- Story! - Almost both Phan and Viet in unison, both share an endless passion for the old Vespas - What to say...

- Speaking of Vespa, I am someone of the story "Must marry like you" by Tran Thu Trang. - Hanh's voice - Have you read it yet? Very good.

- I have not - Viet Reply - he is always allergic to all books.

- You are only inspired by the Polymer sheets.

Phan leaned over to avoid a peanut that was drawing a straight in the air, the destination of course being aimed at his head.

- I'm also planning to write a story - Thao's voice interjected again, since Hanh joined the "family meal", Thao boldly contributed to the story. Unlike before, just work hard while eating while listening to two men discussing the sky and the sea. - A very good love story. Sock...

- Don't get drunk...

- "Not a guy like you".

The room burst with laughter.

- Aren't you guys like Phan? Ha ha ha...