The airplane drew a long trail of smoke across the clear blue sky. Man Ky watched it through the car window.
Nothing is easy!
He murmured to himself. His mother-in-law's house was right in front of him, and he was wondering what he should say to her. That Ngan Thu, his wife, had disappeared without a trace. At least he understood that his mother-in-law wouldn't scold him, but that woman always made him uneasy whenever they met.
Come on!
Man Ky adjusted his own wry smile. He knocked gently on the door. It was quite lively inside; it seemed everyone had gathered.
"Mom, I'm home!" He called out three times before his sister-in-law came to open the door. Seeing Man Ky, her face lit up with joy.
"Oh, brother-in-law, you're so late?"
Man Ky was a little embarrassed; he knew everyone would ask where Ngan Thu was. Feeling flustered, he slowly went inside.
"I greet everyone!" He said politely. Truly, at that moment, Man Ky tried his best to appear the well-behaved son-in-law. He smiled brightly, but the smile suddenly faded because... Ngan Thu had been at her mother's house for a long time already.
"Oh, honey..." Man Ky stammered. Of course, she had left him and come here alone; he was deeply hurt. His young wife's eyes were both indifferent and cold, and his heart clenched with pain.
The atmosphere was bustling. His mother-in-law's whole family, aunts, uncles, and relatives, numbered nearly a dozen people. They were having a party, singing karaoke lively. Today, Ngan Thu's cousin was also present. He had come from Australia. After many years apart, the whole family was giving him such a grand welcome. Can after can of beer was opened, and relatives toasted each other. Man Ky felt no joy at all. His heart was a turbulent storm because of Ngan Thu. His wife didn't even bother to say a word, while his father-in-law introduced him to that distant cousin as her husband.
"Please, have some!"
Man Ky was startled; his cousin-in-law offered him a glass of wine. Honestly, he wanted to drink himself into a stupor. Anyway, it was less sad than now. Maybe Ngan Thu would tell him not to drink too much.
"I'm Jim Tran. You can call me Jim if you like."
"Yes!" Man Ky took the glass, finishing it in one gulp. This cousin named Jim was slender, with light brown hair. His skin was fair, and he had a pleasing appearance. Throughout the evening, he kept offering Man Ky drinks. His mother-in-law glanced at him several times, but Man Ky didn't pay attention. He was only hoping his little wife would say something.
Evening came quite quickly. It was bright and then suddenly dark. The party showed no signs of stopping as Jim and some of Ngan Thu's aunts got carried away singing karaoke continuously. Man Ky's head was spinning; he was about to collapse on the table when his father-in-law and Ngan Thu had to help him into the bedroom. In the end, she reluctantly took care of him. Her mother enthusiastically brought a basin of warm water for her daughter to care for her husband. Little did she know how strained their relationship was.
Closing the door gently, his mother-in-law continued to join the lively atmosphere outside. In the room, Ngan Thu was engrossed in her work, just like all the other times he had been drunk. Sweat and alcohol filled the stuffy room. She loved him, but remembering the mistakes he had made hurt her even more. That young man with the delicate face. She loved him with all her true heart. And yet...
"Ngan Thu, don't go!" Man Ky suddenly grabbed her hand tightly. That alcohol was quite strong; it made him unable to sit up. He tried to hold onto that soft hand, hoping she could at least understand how much his heart ached.
Sweet affection enveloped a shattered piece of crystal. He was about to break down from this agonizing pain. Ngan Thu sighed, sitting down beside him. That gentle boy, how much she loved him. The fierce storm had worn out her heart. Deep love is easily hurt and causes suffering. She sat waiting, and only after Man Ky wearily fell asleep did she quietly leave the room. Her mood was too heavy, so she went outside for some air.
The cool autumn breeze once made her heart flutter at his sincerity. The engagement ring and the vows of being together forever. The thin moonlight shone on the sorrowful water's surface. A lonely star waited for a rosy dream. Surely someone was waiting for him to come. Waiting for him to love as she once loved him. The space was too quiet, she peeked at the window. The room he was in was strangely silent. Two wounded souls tormented each other endlessly over the word "love."
...
Light flooded through the window frame, and Man Ky frowned. He held his aching head. That alcohol from yesterday was too strong; he couldn't remember anything. The room was empty, and he startled as he realized he was at his mother-in-law's house. Today was Monday, and Man Ky hurriedly ran downstairs. He greeted everyone hastily and then got straight into his car and drove off. Ngan Thu was obviously at the company. Last night, she had stayed at her mother's. This morning, she had intended to call Man Ky, but... Man Ky understood the situation immediately. He looked at his phone screen, and a text message from his colleague was clearly visible.
Have you had breakfast yet?
That was it! Nothing could excuse that ridiculous reason. And it made Ngan Thu abandon him completely! A pointless explanation, he stopped his car in front of the company, just sitting there!
Eleven o'clock in the morning.
Calls kept pouring in, and Man Ky wearily answered the phone. He couldn't concentrate on work with his wife acting like this. Ngan Thu's figure passed by, and he quickly leaned forward to look. She was walking with someone, a young man. Looking from behind, he couldn't see his face clearly. Man Ky slowly drove, observing. They went into a coffee shop near the company. He turned off the engine and got out of the car. It wasn't very elegant, but he wanted to see what his wife was up to.
"Jim Tran?" Man Ky was utterly surprised. That cousin was meeting Ngan Thu? He was confused, it seemed he had misunderstood and overthought things.
About half an hour later, they left the coffee shop. Man Ky also trudged back to his car. He looked quite bad. Not working today, he was extremely gloomy. His employees kept calling, but he just sat there sluggishly.
"Sir!" The assistant knocked on the car window, and he was a little flustered. He shouldn't have let his subordinates see him in this state, but...
...
Ngan Thu brought coffee and some fruit to the living room. Jim had kindly come to visit his cousin and also to discuss some matters. Ngan Thu welcomed him very warmly. Anyway, her mother had already informed her. Jim needed to find a suitable job. He had been abroad for many years and had a solid academic background. He was truly a talent if her company hired him. The problem was with Man Ky; she didn't want to talk to her husband yet. Helping her cousin was fine, but it had to wait until her husband came home.
So be it! She was still sulking!
Jim took a sip of coffee. He looked at the wedding photo hanging in the living room, his eyes very different.
The sleek black car parked in front of the gate, and Man Ky slowly entered the house. He hadn't felt any optimism or the usual Monday morning spirit. His only wish now was to hear his little wife's gentle voice; he sighed and opened the door. Still with the same surprised expression as in the morning, he stared blankly at Ngan Thu and his cousin talking.
"Hello!" Jim gave a bright smile, politely approaching to greet him. Ngan Thu only slightly changed her attitude. She said slowly:
"Brother Jim is visiting. You two chat! I'll go prepare dinner."
Joy surged in Man Ky's heart. Anyway, she had spoken. He had to thank this cousin. Man Ky smiled faintly, sitting down on the chair to continue the conversation. His cousin spoke softly, with a hint of a Western accent. He had a gentle, tender air, like a young woman. Indeed, that was Man Ky's initial assessment of the guy.
Jim was quite perceptive. He asked about their married life, the joys of going out and traveling. He absolutely didn't touch on the topic of finding a job.
Ngan Thu set the dinner table, and they gathered around, looking like a family. Man Ky knew clearly that it wasn't easy to have such a meal. He seized the opportunity to care for his wife. Jim was occasionally surprised by his thoughtfulness. Man Ky served food to his wife, helped her clear the table and wash the dishes. Although Ngan Thu didn't say much, seeing her husband happy, she couldn't bear to be cold to him.
Seeing Jim off at the gate, he exchanged a few words. His purpose was for Jim to visit often. Although the reason was flimsy, it was making his girl willing to talk.
So be it...