We Belong Together

Chapter 19

The Lexus drove along Giai Phong street, reached Nuoc Ngam bus station, turned left, ran to the highway, leaving behind a cloud of dust along with the city with busy roads and dense air. infected to find some fresh, airy and clean breath of the sea. Phan turned the volume up to drown out the grumbling Vietnamese beside him, still Nocturne in C minor with Horowitz's performance. Phan snapped:

- If you keep babbling like that peddler, I'll turn it off. Can't you just listen to this disc all day long?

- Yeah? Why do I keep babbling like a woman? I don't know either. I just remember that last week a crazy guy came to my house, crying, screaming loudly, insisting that I go to work. Then today, all of a sudden, he came and threw away my work books, dragged me like a cow and forced him to go to the sea for a while. That's weird, do you know why I'm babbling like that?

- Tomorrow is Noel, General. - Phan gently explained, although he did not tell the truth why he dragged Viet to the sea. Both of them are having troubles, one way or the other. So I hope this trip will help them both release all their troubles, and find balance in their lives - We're going to the beach for Christmas, right? Don't you remember?

- Tell me who are we here? As far as I know, Thao is in the countryside, and Hanh is... - Viet's voice ceased to be grumpy and frustrated, but when he mentioned Hanh, his voice was a mixture of regret and longing.

- She will be fine, someone like her will always be lucky and happy.

- Or really, did you even study fortune-telling? By the way, can you help me, your lucky god, her address? You know how he got her address? After I tried everything and it still doesn't work?

- Oh! How much do I love your sense of humor? Phan replied.

Suddenly, the Lexus tilted to one side, swerved abruptly to the left, almost jumped onto the median line in the middle of the road to avoid a passenger car traveling in the same direction that was suddenly into the road to pick up passengers without a signals. Please let me know in advance. Viet threw behind an angry shout, "Are you walking like that? Are you afraid that living like that is too long? Or are you afraid of being late for a coffee date with Death? f**k!". The curse made Phan, even though he was still startled, had to smile very interestingly, "You're so cute". "That's your friend", Viet did not fit.

The big blue sign with the words "Vinh city welcomes you" signaled to the Lexus that it was nearing the end of the journey. Ignoring that greeting, it proudly turned left, bouncing on the road that ran straight to the sea. Phan did not choose a new route where Cam mountain was shorter to go to the sea. But he chose this road because this is the way he used to go to the sea with Thao in the past. Sometimes, there is also Vu, when he was a child, Thao's family and Vu's family organized a trip to the beach, and he was allowed to go with him. But now, only he and Thao can go on this road. Thinking of Vu, he couldn't help but sigh.

It turns out that in winter, Cua Lo is not as empty as Phan still thinks. The proof is that the Binh Minh road running along the beach is still crowded with people. The Vietnamese are known for their industriousness and creativity, and for demonstrating their creative virtues. On Christmas day, instead of staying at home for family reunion as its original meaning, they all go out to the street to have fun or take advantage of traveling somewhere. That habit creates a unique characteristic with a very Vietnamese style, a holiday originated from the West.

Phan prevented Viet from turning into a rather luxurious hotel on the street, he motioned for Viet to continue. The car passed the Hoa Dong Tien Hotel, leaving the provocative billboard of the Post Office Hotel behind. Go to the end of Binh Minh road, then turn left to enter a small dirt road. When he came to a two-story house hidden under the rows of dark green casuarina trees, surrounded by a fence planted with dense bamboo, he stopped. The house of cousin Phan, this season is still vacant, the relatives who are asked to take care of it sometimes come to clean and take care. He is going to work abroad, while she is working as a hired worker in Saigon, the children are staying at Grandma's house nearby. Phan explained in Viet's doubtful eyes that if he went to the sea just to rent a hotel, eat seafood, rent a float, and take a dip in the sea. He'd better go to a restaurant in Hanoi, order a plate of seafood and ask for a basin of salt water to soak in. Having gone to the sea, it must be really like living in the sea.

- So, the good thing you just said, how many pages of the guidebook and travel guide did you read?

"Your suspicion makes me feel sorry for you, my dear. Not trusting others is a sad handicap.

- Well, I'm trying. - Viet is stubborn, his lips are protruding and his voice is long, he emphasizes at the end of each sentence. "But you're a bad doctor in this field, unless you can list some cool things that will make me feel like I'm really at sea."

- I'll have a list for you shortly, but wait until I go to my aunt's house to get the keys. While he waited, he started up slowly.

- For what? - Viet shouted with him.

- To really feel like living in the sea, - Phan also shouted back - you want that? Remember?

Four fishing rods are about 3-4 meters long, of which two have casting machines, and two have fishing rods that look like shrimps made of reflective plastic dyed in different colors. The bottom of the fishing line has a hook that looks very sharp. A lantern with a fairly wide canopy, two large racquets, a box of bait and a few other fancy tools that Phan has just brought back, making Viet's eyes wide with surprise, wondering what he was doing? Phan ignored it, didn't bother to explain, he pushed his face towards the beach, where Lan Chau island lay dormant on the waves like a big Toad. Maybe that's why people here also call it Toad Island.

Phan quietly pulled Viet's hand towards the beach. It is late afternoon, the sun is crawling towards the horizon and the tide is playing a game of land with the sand. Usually after a cold spell, the temperature will become warmer in the following days. So the two saw a few people sporadically wearing only thin autumn and winter coats walking back and forth on the street.

On the beach, a basket boat is bobbing and playing with the waves. Viet looked at the round boat like a big basket with a look of eagerness on his face. But when Phan began to row the boat, causing the boat to spin because it had been a long time since he had controlled this boat, Viet cried out in shock and panic. Phan shouted, "You really want to live in the ocean? Try to enjoy it", then laughed.

When he was rowing about a hundred meters from the shore, Phan hooked two silkworm shrimps into the hook, then threw some bait into the sea. He pressed a fishing rod into Viet's hand, explaining to Viet how to fish black bream in the sea. He told Viet that the most important secret is to be patient when waiting, be delicate when sensing the fish's signals of a bite, and be decisive when pulling the lever. If you're lucky, maybe Viet can get some grouper, geese, or even red snapper. Who knows?

- Is there any fish about 55 kg, wearing sexy bikini and long legs to armpits? It's crazy to be at sea in this weather. What a hot thing, even if it doesn't rain, wear a raincoat.

- Instead of babbling nonsense, why don't you give it a try? Do you think every tourist has this luck? People have to pay, and you get it for free, what else can you ask for? When night falls, if we are lucky, we will catch squid ink.

- Flashing ink? What is? How?

- I have four rods, my friend. Two for fishing, two for squid fishing. Do you know why they call it blinking ink? That's because the squids when picked up are still transparent, in their bodies there are flashing phosphorescent particles. But now people often call it jumping squid.

- That's it. Understood. But could you make an appointment with your squids another day? It's insanely cold, and the waves are so big, my head is spinning from seasickness.

- Don't worry, I just said I hope to have squid, but fishing usually has to be in the summer. That's why I say if you're lucky. Well, sit back and fish, and you'll thank me.

- Just ask to move your household registration to the dream forest. - Viet mutters while dropping the rod into the sea - crazy!

The basket boat gently swayed and danced with each undulating wave of the sea. Phan burst out laughing because of the regretful look on his face, like a child who lost a gift from Viet after each hook, but only received a bare hook that had already been chewed and lost its bait. It turned out that the fishing game ended up making Viet more passionate than Phan, even though Phan was the real fish killer.

Viet attentively watched each undulating beat of the fishing rod, he shouted excitedly, he clicked his tongue in regret. Even, he was bitter at Phan's triumphant smile every time Phan snatched another fish. Finally, when the sun began to visit the Phi Lao peaks on the sand, Viet also had the opportunity to scream with excitement because his hook was clearly attached to a huge black brew. Because, "it pulled all my fishing rod, it's a lie, look at me". Viet shouted and stood up at Phan's hasty intercession. But it was too late, the basket boat wobbled violently when it lost its balance due to Viet's spontaneous action and threw him into the water that was turning black, causing foam to splash all over Phan's face.

Phan panicked, grabbed the oars, waved to the side to pull Viet onto the boat, but he waved his hand and refused.

- Turns out the water isn't very cold, you just keep looking for dinner. It's wet anyway, now that I get on the boat, the wind blows very cold. I'll swim a few laps while I wait. Don't worry.

- Crazy? You'll catch a cold. Come up.

- It's okay - Viet waved his hand to show determination - I'll swim a few laps. Not cold at all.

- It's up to you, stubborn.

The blinking float kept pulling Phan back with his fishing rod. This biting fish promises to be a good dinner. While letting his dinner get drunk, Phan reached for the Vietnamese rod that was floating in the sea. He jerked, then burst out laughing. Hanging loosely from the tip of the hook that had just been picked up, was a huge cluster of seaweed.

Gratefully watching his black booty, about 40cm long, struggling on the sea surface, causing the fishing rod to bend down. Phan was not in a hurry to bring out the racket to catch it, he was about to call out to tease Viet, when he vaguely heard something very strange sounding on the sea. He urgently listened to it, it seemed like someone was calling for help? The cry was very distant and vague, even though the evening sea was very calm. Who else is here besides you and Viet?

Phan was startled and panicked, he looked around, Viet was struggling helplessly on the sea far away. It seemed that he was exhausted, it seemed that Viet was fighting surrendering. Perhaps the high tide and waves pushed the boat away from its original position, while Viet was too absorbed in swimming in the opposite direction to notice. There was no time to think about anything else. Phan threw the pole into the sea, grabbed the oars, and frantically for Viet. I lost Vu, and I can't lose Viet too. He silently prayed to God not to be so cruel to him. Or if he wanted to, he was willing to give his life, if it could save Viet's life. Only need to save Vietnam.

But God didn't seem to hear Phan's pleas. The wind was still rising, blowing harder, making his francic efforts futile, for the wind pushing the basket boat in the opposite direction. Desperate, Phan plunged into the sea and swam like crazy towards the place where he could still see Viet's flailing arms. He kept swimming frantically, even though he was not sure if he would find Viet? Or if he is lucky enough to find Viet, will he have the strength to pull Viet back to the boat? He didn't know, panic was taking over his mind, the only thing he wanted right now, was how to save Viet. Even if it costs him his life.

Finally, God also responded to Phan's plea with the sound of the canoe engine resounding on the calm sea. In the distance, a canoe broke through the waves and rushed to the place where Viet had just sunk. A red life jacket dived, and Viet was picked up shortly after by Phan's screams of joy and excitement. Gracefully drawing a large white arc on the sea, the canoe headed towards the shore.

Rushing to swim back to his basket boat, Phan threw everything into the sea, he rowed to the shore. He was too eager to know the status of Viet. On the shore, one of the two marine lifeguards carried him on his shoulder and ran around to help Viet vomit all the water he drank. The other was running across the runway towards the casuarina yard, probably looking for something to light a fire. With a decisive and agile movement, Nam - the rescue guy - used his hand to pull out all the sputum in Viet's mouth and prepared to breathe. Suddenly he looked up and shouted with joy, calling out to a young girl who was wandering on the sand not far away. "Fortunately, with her here, he is fine." Nam thought to himself, then called out, "Ms. Hanh, hurry up, someone is drowning".

Hanh dropped the bouquet of water lilies, her own Christmas gift, on the ground. When she realized that the person lying on the ground was Viet. Lost in thought for a moment, she called his name in panic and then flipped him onto his stomach, pressing her hands firmly on his shoulder blades to let him exhale. No, still there was no sign of him getting any better. Frustrated, she turned him to lie on his back, both hands hurriedly performing the method of chest compressions. She bent down, intending to give him some breath, but suddenly remembered that she couldn't. Glancing up at the lifeguard is still nervously standing to one side, she ordered him to do it for her now. As quickly as possible, and at any rate, he had to wake up. She would never forgive him if he left his life in her hands.

She didn't know why, but she was more worried about him than she was about herself. Maybe it was because they were best friends, or maybe it was because she owed him too much. But her heart was constricting, suffocating, and unconsciously, she didn't realize that she was praying for God's blessing. Although God made her suffer so much suffering and injustice, she never resented him. But if you take the life of Viet. She will hate him very much. You swear it!

A soft moan from Viet, plus the screams of two lifeguards rang out from behind. Hanh covered her mouth to stop her exclamation of joy. Tears kept falling silently down her eyes, perhaps she didn't even notice, but she was crying. Then when she noticed that Viet's eyes were fluttering open, she ran away in the surprise of two marine rescuers. The two only had time to call and follow "Ms. Hanh", she had already run far away. Shaking his head in surprise, Nam exclaims, "What happened to her?".

Finally, Phan was able to row to the shore, he jumped into the sand. Running like flying to get right to Vietnam, but as soon as he took a step, he was a bit stunned. Why does the girl who just ran away in the distance seem so familiar? It seemed that appearance was very familiar to him. Why did she run away? Strange.

Without much time to wonder, Phan rushes to your side. Although still quite tired, but Viet began to be able to sit up. Phan helps you to sit next to the fire that has just been lit by the marine lifeguard. Phan thanked them both, but they just looked at him with a smile, as if what they had just done was something completely out of the ordinary. Nam says:

- Lucky for you, we noticed you as soon as you got off the boat. You tourists are sometimes careless, and too reckless.

- Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Without you guys...

- It's our job. Nothing. But if you want to thank the binoculars, you should probably thank the binoculars. Thanks to it, we can monitor you guys from afar. And come to the rescue in time. Your friend is fine, you're lucky. Let's go.

Just as fast as it appeared. The canoe drew another arc, leaving behind it an arc of white waves.

***

- Welcome back - Phan patted his friend's shoulder - Interesting adventure?

- Hello - Viet held out his hand - My name is Thai Viet, nice to meet you.

- Mad. - Phan punched you in the stomach, he laughed. - But that means he's completely recovered.

- I seem to be ... - Viet opened his mouth, he was about to say something to his friend, but then he gave up his intention - Let's go back, I'm cold here.

The two helped each other get up and walk like drunks. At this point, fatigue shows its presence. Phan's people were exhausted, he had to hold onto Viet's shoulder to get up, even though Viet was no better than him. The place where there had been a huge fire burning in the forest was now only a pile of ashes, but still managed to give off a faint light. A little light is not enough to make the sky at sunset less bleak and gloomy.

Just a very faint light that suddenly flashed, then disappeared.