The one who stays up all night on the thirtieth

(Baonghean) - Van's pregnancy is not just a joy for her and her husband. The paternal grandparents (as they've always hoped) are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their youngest son's child. For them, it's the final joy before they leave this world. Thinking their love life had faded as their thirties left unexpected wrinkles on their daughter's cheeks, Van's mother has now transformed her quiet worry into radiant joy. According to her mother, Van has a thousand and one taboos for pregnant women. It seems that everything from walking and speaking to behaving, the behavior of an expectant mother, has been codified by ancient wisdom. Duyen, Van's younger sister, who already has two children, looked at her sister's happy pregnancy and shook her head, saying, "Thinking about raising a young child, it sends shivers down my spine." Van retorted, "Getting pregnant so early like you did is a waste of life." Her sister burst out laughing, "Almost an old maid and still talking nonsense!" Then her voice softened, "If you had gotten married to Tung, your children would probably be grown by now." Her younger sister inadvertently rekindled Vân's first love, a love she had kept sealed away in her heart.

The two fell in love when Van was in her first year of economics university and Tung was in his final year at the Military Medical Academy. They were from the same hometown, and their love blossomed on a train journey home for Tet (Lunar New Year). Van vividly remembers the image of the soldier, slung over his backpack and clutching a peach blossom branch, eagerly braving the late winter chill at Hanoi train station that year. Throughout their time together, Van never once had the chance to proudly show off to her friends by being picked up at the school gate by her boyfriend. On Sundays, the military medical cadet didn't always have permission to leave the school, leaving Van anxiously waiting only to be disappointed. Although they were both students, Tung didn't have the same flexible schedule as Van. When they went out together, no matter how affectionate they were, he couldn't stay past nine o'clock. Once, after celebrating a friend's birthday, he arrived late and was stopped by the guards. Watching Tung stand at attention, listening to the guard's stern reprimand, Van felt sorry for him and for herself. "Well, things will be different when I become a doctor," Van consoled herself.

After graduating and both working in their hometown, Van was certain that all distance was over. But her longing and yearning continued throughout the days they were apart. As a doctor at the military's top-tier hospital, Tung was often deployed to other facilities or sent to provide medical care to people in border and island areas. "I really enjoy going," Tung would often say, describing his exhausting and tiring assignments with such a short sentence. And that would be followed by countless stories about places where soldiers desperately needed doctors like him. When she heard Tung announce that he had just received the decision to become the head of the medical corps of a regiment on the border, Van was stunned. She suppressed her emotions, silently observing him, but she couldn't detect any sadness in his expression or voice.

- Actually, I could have asked to stay, because the hospital director is a friend of my father's. But I didn't like the idea.

"Foolish," Vân couldn't calm down. "These days, who doesn't try to 'pull strings' for themselves?! Only a fool would be so carefree."

- Every era needs people who care about their fellow human beings. Otherwise...

"Excuse me," Van interrupted him, "Luckily, I haven't developed 'big heart' syndrome from harboring unrealistic expectations like you do."

They parted ways without a word of reunion. Watching him blend into the stream of people going back and forth on the street, Van felt lost, empty, and helpless. The next day, and many days after that, the void left by his absence grew larger, crushing her heart. She tried to forget him, but at such times, hopelessness replaced disappointment, and despair replaced boundless pain. Many times, Van wanted to run and embrace him. But her clear mind, reflecting on the impossibility of complete happiness due to the long, arduous journey of a soldier like him, held her back.

Illustration: Hong Toai

"Be sure to be prepared," was the reasoning Vân's mother gave to advise her daughter to seek medical attention when she went to the hospital. She chose Dr. Hoàng Oanh, head of the obstetrics department at the district hospital, a renowned doctor known for her skillful hands in helping young mothers give birth. When Vân arrived, Dr. Oanh was preparing dinner. Hearing the doorbell, she covered her meal with a food cover and hurried to open the gate. She looked surprised, then seemed to understand when she saw Vân's bulging belly.

- You must be worried because you heard about irresponsibility here and negligence there, leading to unfortunate consequences, right? - After hearing Van's explanation, Oanh smiled and reassured her, - Don't worry, everything will be alright.

While they were talking, she suddenly turned to her daughter, who was sitting in front of the television:

- The children's program is over, you should eat dinner first.

The little girl, about four years old, replied to her mother in a spoiled tone:

- I'm waiting for Mom.

- Eat your meal, then practice writing.

- I'm not eating alone!

The mother's face darkened at her child's defiant attitude. Vân spoke up, hoping to restore harmony:

Hasn't he come home yet, ma'am?

- My dad is a soldier, he's far away right now.

As Oanh poured water for her guest, she glanced up at the opposite wall. Vân turned to look in that direction. She was stunned: Tùng! Vân almost blurted it out. She gasped, speechless with shock. His radiant smile, his naturally curly hair, and especially those big, round eyes—to Vân, they were so dear. In the photo, Tùng was holding his child. He seemed afraid of dropping the baby, so the young father was hunched over, looking quite uncomfortable, but his smile was so contented.

-You two live far apart but still managed to meet, that's amazing!

Ignoring the overly polite inquiries and the guest's unnatural tone, Oanh sincerely said:

-We met when I was part of a hospital team working with his unit on a military-civilian medical cooperation program, providing medical care to people in remote border areas.

Does he come home often, sister?

- I get about half a month of vacation each year, sometimes I go to meetings or training, and I just drop by home for a few days, that's all.

Oanh smiled; she looked so gentle. Recalling the past, Vân felt a pang of shame. She thought that perhaps it was partly thanks to women like her that this country had never lacked people to defend it.

On the morning of the thirtieth day of the Lunar New Year, Van changed her clothes to go to the market, feeling a dull, throbbing pain in her stomach. Then, sharp, suffocating pains followed. She leaned against the wall, clutching her stomach, and grimaced, "I think it's my period!" Van's mother frantically urged her daughter to take a shower, then called a taxi and prepared her things. At the hospital, they were relieved and happy because it was Dr. Oanh's shift. Dr. Oanh, who was putting on her mask and gloves to enter the operating room, saw Van and came to the door, offering her hand to help her up the steps.

Outside, the festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) permeates every corner. People are busier, cars are speeding, as if everyone is rushing to finish the remaining tasks of the year in order to welcome spring with complete joy. And moreover, the colors of Tet are shimmering everywhere. But all of this seems to be stopped at the gates of this hospital. Here, amidst the pristine white, lies pain, worry, and a glimmer of hope. Even those completing discharge procedures, excitedly shaking hands and thanking the doctors, only manage a fleeting smile.

At noon, Van was taken to the delivery room. The medication to induce labor caused her excruciating pain. Doctor Oanh stood beside her, constantly encouraging her and wiping the sweat from her forehead with a towel. Van tried her best to follow the doctor's instructions. After what felt like unbearable pain, she suddenly felt a lightness in her body. Everyone exclaimed, "It's a boy!" Van fainted from both the agonizing pain and the overwhelming joy.

When she woke up, Van realized Dr. Oanh and her daughter were standing beside her. She was moved not only by Dr. Oanh's sincere greetings and New Year wishes. Van glanced at the clock; it was already 12:30 on the thirtieth day of the Lunar New Year.

- It's almost New Year's Eve, why did you bring your child here?

- It's just the two of us, mother and daughter, at home. Whenever I'm on night duty, I leave my daughter with the neighbors. But tonight, it's not convenient, and I'm afraid she'll feel lonely.

People celebrate New Year's Eve at the ancestral altar or at entertainment venues. But as for her... Vân felt a pang of sadness at the thought. She stopped looking at her sleeping baby brother and clutched her mother's hand.

When will the fifth day of the lunar month come, Mom?

- The fifth day of Tet is the end of the holiday, why are you looking forward to that day?

The little girl looked at Vân and smiled innocently:

- Because Tùng won't be back until the 5th or 3rd of the month.

How many families are unable to reunite during Tet? Van wondered to herself as Oanh and her mother went downstairs. She struggled to stand up and looked out the window. On the rooftops and in the streets, people were heading towards the New Bridge, eagerly awaiting the fireworks display. In the city square, which had recently been a flower market, sanitation workers were busily sweeping. Two guards stood at attention in front of the nearby military barracks. Van was startled by the sudden wail of an ambulance siren, which then stopped in the hospital courtyard. Doctors and nurses rushed out with stretchers.

Van realized that many people stayed up all night on the thirtieth day of the lunar month. But not to celebrate New Year's Eve...

Short stories by Nguyen Trong Hoat (Da Nang City)