Mountain eyes

I could only encourage Thin, that Ms. Dieu would come back. There must be unfinished business in the lowlands. As the vice principal of a school in a mountainous area, I understand the feelings of my young colleagues. Ms. Dieu loves her job and loves children, but somehow she has hidden in her mind the thought of "standing on this mountain looking at that mountain". Life has changed a lot, including this mountainous area. But even though the roads are convenient, this place is still a lowland, where only dedicated people want to stay and work long-term. The fact that Dieu has not returned to her hometown makes me worried. Dieu is a young, energetic, enthusiastic teacher. After the holiday, in the past few days, school activities have returned to normal, but without Ms. Dieu, the school has had to arrange a substitute teacher. Students miss her. Colleagues are empty. I have called Dieu many times but could not contact her. Many people ask, is Ms. Dieu not coming back to school anymore? Will she marry a man in the lowlands and have children there like some who have come and gone?

I put down the book because someone called me. “Teacher Khang, Teacher Khang”. I recognized Thin’s voice. The doctor at the district general hospital had a scholarly appearance and a gentle face. My wife was embroidering a scarf, so she stood up to reheat the water. I made some tea for Thin. The stilt house seemed warmer since Thin appeared. He seemed to be impatient so he came here. Thin said he didn’t have a schedule today, so he came to visit me. The tea from the mountain region was fragrant and strong. In the story, I understood Thin’s thoughts. He asked my opinion on whether I should go to Dieu’s hometown. I agreed. Being young, one must be bold in everything. Especially with love, in addition to sincerity, one must also be decisive. Everyone knew that Thin and Dieu had feelings for each other, but the biggest obstacle was Dieu’s family. Dieu’s parents wanted her to go to the lowlands. But Dieu loved the mountain region with its golden terraced fields in the ripe rice season, loved the peaceful streams with many peaceful nights of full and waning moons. And Dieu, like my husband and I, loves the simple people, like the plants and trees here have a strong and humble vitality. As for Thin, he is a native boy. After seven years of studying hard, he returned to the district to work. I and many people know that because of Dieu, Thin did not ask to work at the provincial hospital. The afternoon slowly passed. The plum blossoms in the corner of the yard bloomed brilliantly as if they wanted to devote themselves to the young spring. Thin asked for permission to go home, not forgetting to say: "If there is news of Dieu, please let me know". My wife finished butchering the chicken and gave it to Thin: "Take it home, nourish it". Thin said yes, then got on the motorbike and started the engine.

Illustration. (Source: Literature)

The next day, the cold fog still covered the whole area when suddenly the whole Thia village was bustling. Miss Dieu had arrived. Miss Dieu was there. Everyone called out to each other. Dieu was wearing a backpack and carrying a red basket, a bag of gifts and cakes. I stood by the flower bushes in front of my house, seeing Dieu made me happy. Dieu greeted me, then walked up the small slope, came over, and gave me a package of green bean cakes. Several students in the neighborhood rushed out, some helping me carry things, some holding the teacher's hand. Dieu smiled brightly:

- Did teachers and everyone have a happy spring?

I nodded, thanking the girl.

- And down in the lowlands, are your family and parents still well?

Her eyes were a little gloomy now, but still shining with vitality. Dieu said the reason she was late was because she was at home taking care of her father who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She had lost her phone while taking care of her father in the hospital, and then she was so busy with other things that she couldn’t contact anyone. I knew that behind that youthful face there was another sadness. Dieu must have struggled with whether or not to ask to go back to the lowlands, as her parents had wished.

The teachers' dormitory became very happy when Dieu arrived. The young teachers organized a cooking and party to welcome Dieu. Dieu invited my wife and I to join the party. I went up to join in the fun when Thin arrived. The young man was as happy as if he had found gold. The group of children ate, drank, talked and laughed noisily. The faces of their youthful faces made my mind drift back to a memory...

***

At that time, this school was still just a school with a sparse population. When I returned to Thia village to teach, two years later, my wife also came to teach at the school at the foot of Dung mountain. The classroom was deserted, with two boards at the front and back of the classroom for two classes to study together. Young teachers like us often had to go to the village and the fields to persuade parents to send their children to school. A few years later, the forestry farms developed. The town became more populated, many families also settled in the surrounding villages, so the number of students gradually increased. The love between my wife and I multiplied from those days of deprivation. The first time I met Dieu and later welcomed young teachers to work, I thought this peaceful land would be given a new breath of life. Once, I asked Dieu:

- You are an active, beautiful girl, I didn't think you would come to this place.

Dieu confided:

- Teacher, when I was still in school, I followed many volunteer groups to the highlands. I also went to this place, hunting clouds with my friends. I was attracted by the beautiful scenery and the people, after that, I wanted to do meaningful things...

- I think very differently from many young people today - I added - young people today like to stay in vibrant, leisurely places.

From that day until now, Dieu has always been enthusiastic and dedicated. One time, Dieu went to visit a sick student and on the way back, she slipped and fell into a deep hole. The locals helped her up, gave her first aid, and then took her to the town hospital. Doctor Thin directly treated Dieu's wound. They met and became friends from then on.

But the two of them experienced something else. One afternoon, while Dieu was still teaching in class, it started to rain heavily. The rains of the previous week had flooded the hills. Late in the afternoon, a fierce flash flood hit the foot of the hill behind the school. Rocks and soil from the hill slid down, collapsing the classroom. Fortunately, there were no casualties. A few students were injured. Dieu broke her leg and had to be treated and put in a cast for more than a month, and it was Thin who took care of her wholeheartedly. Life returned to peace, Dieu accepted Thin's confession on a sunny afternoon. Whenever he had time, Dr. Thin would go from the hospital to the school to see Dieu. Many times, he and other provincial and district doctors organized free medical checkups for the people and students in the commune. Enthusiastic and dedicated, he was loved by the people.

Dieu took Thin back to her hometown to meet her parents. Her parents still welcomed her warmly out of courtesy. Then her grandparents whispered to her that she shouldn't marry there. In the lowlands, there were many young men from well-educated families. The parents had talked to each other and expressed their desire to become in-laws. Dieu jumped up. She said, she belonged to the mountainous region. She loved that land and that man had always been there, helping and encouraging her. Dieu's parents only had two daughters. One was married and had settled down in a southern city. Her grandparents had no shortage of conditions to transfer her to another job, with a higher salary, more leisurely, and she could be closer to her parents.

Many times confiding, I saw Dieu was unstable.

- Maybe I really have to go home, teacher. My parents gave birth to me and gave me the opportunity to study. Now they are old. Between love and filial piety, I really have a hard time thinking.

As a colleague but old enough to be a father, I hope Dieu will stabilize and make the right choice.

***

Her father's illness became worse, and Dieu was so anxious that she asked for leave to return to the lowlands. The school had to arrange for a replacement teacher. Before she left, I told her:

- Take care of your health and take good care of your father. Keep in touch with your colleagues if anything happens.

Dieu shook my hand and held her colleagues' hands tightly. Thin was waiting, taking her to the district bus station.

After three days, Dieu called to tell me that her father was better, his illness had improved. Even happier, he wished to visit the land where his daughter had devoted her youth. I felt happy too. I said:

- Then please arrange and invite your father up here. My house is very large, there is no shortage of places for your father to rest and recuperate.

It was a sunny day, the village welcomed an elderly guest. He had a kind face, with a humorous smile. Dieu took her father to meet and greet the principal, colleagues and finally, he went to rest at my house. Many people came to greet him, chatted with him, and praised him for being lucky to have a beautiful and virtuous daughter. The next morning, I took him for a walk, to see the mountains and streams. In front of nature, he was much more cheerful. He said that he lived in the city all year round, occasionally traveling and enjoying the beautiful scenery, but it was still just "riding a horse to see flowers". But here, people could live and immerse themselves in the peaceful space of the mountains and forests. The mountain birds that I had collected, with their clear chirping, also fascinated him. He was a profound researcher, through the story, I realized that he loved literature, past and present. I love history, love literature, so the story became even more interesting.

That afternoon, during an intimate meal with Thin in attendance, Dieu’s father drank two cups of wine and boasted that he had written two poems about this mountainous region. I suggested that he read them and then “return” one himself. Everyone applauded. Then he looked at Thin and his daughter and said seriously:

- Dad thinks I won't interfere in your business anymore. Do what your heart tells you. This is a livable land and my daughter has the right to choose what she likes.

Her round black eyes suddenly sparkled. Dieu's face relaxed and brightened. She thanked her father and asked to sing a spring song.

The birds in the cage chirped, as if wanting to show off their voices. Outside, the sun was shining brightly. On the high mountains, a few white clouds floated, adding to the beauty of the natural picture.

Apricot and plum blossoms were in full bloom, but the sky still had something immense. Thia and Ngai villages seemed to become more deserted, lost in the mountains and forests. The footsteps of the students also became slower. I kept receiving calls from Dr. Thin and other colleagues asking about Ms. Dieu. I could only encourage Thin, saying that Ms. Dieu would come back. There must be unfinished business in the lowlands. As the vice principal of a highland school, I understood the thoughts of my young colleagues. Ms. Dieu loved her job and loved children, but somehow she had hidden in her mind the thought of “standing on this mountain looking at that mountain”. Life has changed a lot, even in this mountainous area. But even though the roads are convenient, this place is still a lowland, where only dedicated people want to stay and work long-term. The fact that Dieu has not returned to her hometown yet makes me worried. Dieu is a young teacher, energetic and enthusiastic about her work. After the holiday, the school has returned to normal in the past few days, but without Ms. Dieu, the school had to arrange a substitute teacher. The students miss her. The colleagues are empty. I called Dieu many times but could not contact her. Many people asked, will Ms. Dieu not return to the school? Will she marry a man in the lowlands, have children there like some people who have come and gone?