I slept fitfully all night, drifting in and out of dreams.
At five in the morning, I decisively got up and packed my things. Minh Ly's bed next to mine was already neatly folded; it seemed he had been up for a while.
The pickup truck that Fatty Bang and I had borrowed was parked at the main gate. When I arrived, Fatty Bang was already there, talking to a woman of about thirty, probably his older sister. Seeing they still wanted to talk for a while, I went for a walk elsewhere.
Somehow, without noticing, I found myself standing in front of the medical room. It wasn't open yet at this hour, and Khang was probably not awake either.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to let it be. It wasn't like I wouldn't be coming back, anyway. I would see Khang when I brought the food supplies, and I could say goodbye to him then.
The walk took a little time. Guessing that Fatty Bang had finished his conversation, I quickened my pace to return.
Just as Fatty Bang was seeing his sister off, I asked: "Why don't you take your sister home with you?"
Fatty Bang was still grinning from ear to ear: "Nah, no need for the trouble. My brother-in-law is busy on the base. I'll have to come by again later anyway, so I'll pick her up then."
Before the two of us could exchange a few more words, Vu arrived with several people. He must have already reported our return to the village to gather food supplies. The young soldiers following him kept sneaking glances at Fatty Bang and me, the joy in their eyes was plain to see.
Vu also looked very cheerful: "I brought a few lads with me. They're all well-behaved, hardworking, and honest. Do you two want to take them along?"
Fatty Bang glanced at me. I understood his meaning and said: "There's no need, sir. Bang and I can just ask for help from people in the village. You're short-handed here as it is, no need for such trouble."
Vu nodded without another word. The two of us got into the truck. They all raised their hands to give us a military salute. Both Fatty Bang and I were a bit moved; in these difficult times, for them to have maintained their original principles was truly not easy.
I started the truck and said goodbye to Vu. The large iron gate at the main entrance slowly opened.
Just then, Fatty Bang nudged me: "Hey, did you hear that? Why do I feel like someone's calling your name?"
I thought I had faintly heard someone calling me too. As soon as Fatty Bang said that, my heart leaped with joy. Could it be Khang? I stopped the truck and stuck my head out the window to look back.
Vu and the others were also looking back.
A blurry figure in a white shirt was running towards us, becoming clearer with each moment. I hurriedly got out of the truck, somewhat in disbelief. It was Khang.
He ran up, panting heavily. I don't know what he said to Vu, but Vu didn't stop him. Clutching his stomach, he walked up to me, the corners of his eyes red, sweat streaming down his temples.
He looked at me, his eyes so dark that I couldn't clearly make out the emotion within them.
He spoke: "Tran Thanh Phuong, why didn't you wait for me? I just went to the restroom for a moment, and when I came back, I heard you guys had already left."
Khang's voice held a hint of grievance.
I was about to say something, but he let out a "hmph" raised an eyebrow, and climbed into the back of the pickup truck by himself.
I got into the truck and saw Khang sullenly sprawled out in the truck bed, not saying a word. Fatty Bang glanced at me, then at Khang, a mischievous glint in his small eyes.
The way back was very quiet. Khang sat alone in the back. Through the rearview mirror, I could see his expression was flat, completely lifeless.
I sighed to myself, truly not knowing what to say. Fatty Bang was also dead silent, as if he were in another world.
I don't know how long we drove. The sun had risen high, and it was starting to get hot in the truck.
Khang's annoyed voice came from the back: "Stop the truck."
Hearing that, I quickly pulled over. Khang calmly got out and knocked on Fatty Bang's window. Fatty Bang dazedly opened the door and got out.
The two of them whispered outside the truck for a long while; I could only hear Fatty Bang's teasing laughter. Not long after, Khang was sitting in the passenger seat, and Fatty Bang was in the back.
After getting seated, Khang didn't look at me, his voice still sullen: "Drive. Let's get back quickly."
Finally, as if remembering something, he gritted his teeth and stared at me: "You have to cook me something delicious when we get home."
His expression was fierce, but his eyes were very gentle, without a trace of anger.
I smiled: "Okay."
Khang let out a soft "hmph" his whole body visibly relaxing.
It was around two or three in the afternoon when we got back to the village. The sun was scorching, and we were sweltering. The village was deserted, without a soul in sight, enveloped in a suffocating atmosphere.
I gave the few bottles of disinfectant Vu had given me to Uncle Ba. This stuff couldn't be bought anywhere now.
Fatty Bang and I discussed it and agreed that it would be safer to wait until midnight to move the food supplies. For now, we would go to our respective homes to fill our stomachs and conserve our energy for the night's work.
Fatty Bang took his children home. The kids were reluctant to leave. Grandfather smiled kindly, inviting them to come play again next time.
Grandfather looked to be in very good spirits, and he walked briskly. Seeing me and Khang return together, he just smiled knowingly.
Khang helped Grandfather sit down in the rattan chair: "Grandpa, it's my fault. I left without telling you."
Khang's obedient admission of his mistake was truly endearing.
Grandfather patted his hand and said: "It's alright. You kids are grown up now, you have your own plans. Don't worry too much about me."
Seeing the two of them chatting happily, I went to the back garden to pick some vegetables for dinner. I had only been gone a day, but I already missed my vegetable garden terribly.
I picked a few tomatoes. I wondered if the strawberries by the stream were ready yet. If they were, it would be perfect since Khang was here to eat them.
Just as I was about to go pick them, Banh Nep ran out from the cliffside, pounced on my leg, its tail wagging furiously. This little guy was very clingy; having not seen me for a day, it was now ecstatic.
I picked it up, stroked its head, and then set it down at my feet. When it saw me picking its favorite strawberries, it watched with a craving look, constantly circling my legs.