Page 12
The two of them sat side by side in the small kitchen.
Neither said another word.
Outside, the rain grew heavier with every passing minute.
Hạnh rested her hand on the table, right beside Minh’s rough, calloused one.
Their hands didn’t touch, but only a few centimeters separated them.
Minh stared at her hand for a long moment before quietly moving his a little closer.
This time, he didn’t make a joke.
In the middle of the rain, Minh’s phone vibrated.
Two words appeared on the screen: Dad.
The smile that had just formed on his lips disappeared instantly.
He stood up, walked out onto the porch, and only then answered the call.
“Hello?”
The other end remained silent for a few seconds.
“Minh…
your younger sibling has been admitted to the hospital.”
Minh tightened his grip on the phone.
“What happened?”
His mother spoke quickly, as though if she slowed down for even a second, she would burst into tears.
“The doctor says they need to run the tests immediately.
We’ve run out of money.”
Minh looked down at his torn sandals as rainwater streamed over his feet.
In his pocket were only a few crumpled bills he had earned that day.
“How much, Mom?” he asked.
She told him the amount.
Minh fell silent.
The number was so overwhelming that he had to calculate it several times in his head.
Even a month’s worth of work might not be enough.
the doctor says it may be impossible to save your sibling.”
Minh turned toward the wall, his hand gripping so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
From the kitchen, Hạnh watched him.
She couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but she saw his back stiffen.
A moment later, he walked back inside, his familiar smile already back on his face.
“It’s okay, Mom.
I’ll take care of it.”
He spoke so gently that even he almost believed his own words.
His mother asked softly,
“Do you have the money?”
“Yes,” Minh answered without hesitation.
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