Short story: March girl

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - In March, the golden sunlight poured down like honey on every street, painting a brilliant picture of the last days of spring. Cuong stood in front of the mirror, gently adjusting his collar. He rarely wore a suit, because he was used to the loose sportswear of a basketball player. Today was no longer about intense matches or tireless practice sessions with a tight competition schedule, but a special day when Phong, his best friend from college, was about to get married.

The bride today - none other than Nhat Linh, the stern class monitor. Cuong suddenly remembered his university days, when the whole class challenged Phong that it was impossible to "flirt" with a girl like Nhat Linh, who was only known through thick books and dry lectures. Who would have thought that now, the two of them, hand in hand, proved that things that seemed impossible could become reality.

This was a rare occasion for all his college friends to gather together like this. As soon as he stepped through the gate, Cuong saw familiar faces and loud laughter echoing in the airy space of the outdoor wedding. Amidst the melodious music and the chattering laughter, everyone felt like they had just returned to the glorious days of youth.
- Please my beautiful bride smile beautifully!

A clear voice echoed in the bustling space of the wedding party. Cuong unconsciously looked in that direction. A girl in a pure white dress was tilting her head, squinting to adjust the angle of the photo for Nhat Linh. The March sunlight poured down, drawing a gentle halo around her, making her bright smile shine even brighter. Thy blinked slightly, as if at some point she had noticed his gaze, but then she turned away, smiling brightly at someone beside her.

It's Bao Thy!
His heart skipped a beat. How long had it been since he had seen her? Cuong had been following her since that day. From the news about the remote mountains to the reports from the Truong Sa archipelago, where she had stood amid the storm to tell stories about the resilient island soldiers. Wherever there was a story to tell, there was the small but persistent figure of that reporter.

When she was in school, with her lively personality, she was always the leader of the school's cheerleading team. Every time she stepped onto the field in intense matches, amidst the enthusiastic cheers, Cuong's eyes always unconsciously searched for someone. Her enthusiastic cheers and radiant smile in the vast stands always gave him a strong source of motivation. The times they accidentally met during recess, the times they waited for each other at the school gate after school, the endless stories that lasted until sunset... In the hustle and bustle of youth, in their own ambitions and dreams, they were once an important part of each other's world.

NH: VO VAN

Bao Thy - a strong Aries girl, always full of energy, not afraid of challenges with a romantic soul, thirsty for love. And he, an Aquarius guy with a spontaneous personality, sometimes impulsive and stubborn to the point of being difficult to understand. Two people, two different personalities, but that day they were drawn together like two winds of the changing seasons, both brilliant and uncertain. The day they left the university, life opened up separate paths before them. Thy tried out for a major newspaper in the capital. And Cuong, with his innate talent, wore the jersey of the Hanoi basketball team, continuing to pursue his dream on the brightly lit courts.

On their 5th anniversary, Cuong rushed back to Hanoi right after the friendly match with the Ha Giang team on the earliest train. On the way back, he could not hide his excitement. It had been a long time since they had a full day together. Work had kept them busy with tight schedules, long business trips, and endless matches. But today, he wanted to make up for it.

The clock hands slowly crept towards midnight. Cuong paced anxiously in and out, his eyes never leaving the phone screen. He had called countless times, but the other end of the line was still filled with long, hopeless beeps. Her silence made him feel indescribable unease. Cuong told himself that perhaps she was busy with work, perhaps the urgent reportage had made her unable to pick up the phone. But as each minute passed, his patience was gradually replaced by worry, then disappointment. Outside the window, Hanoi's night streets were still quiet. But in Cuong's heart, something had just broken, very softly...

It was almost dawn, Thy gently opened the door. She tiptoed in, thinking that Cuong must have fallen asleep. But when the light just turned on, she fell silent. He was still sitting there, on the sofa, his face a little tired. The big fire at the fabric warehouse in Ninh Hiep market had turned her whole night into a nightmare. The fierce fire engulfed the rows of goods, black smoke billowed across the night sky. In the chaos, she and a group of reporters rushed in to report, recording every moment. The sound of fire trucks' sirens, panicked faces, tears, screams... A moment of collision among the sea of ​​people, her phone fell to the wet ground, the screen light flashed once and then went out.
Cuong looked up at her, then slowly stood up. His eyes sparkled with something hard to name. He imagined the moment she walked in with a bright smile, ran to hug him, eagerly accepting the gift he had prepared. But, she came with the silence of a guilty person, and he, could only smile faintly to himself.
- Did you wait for me all night?
- Probably yes.
Just three simple words, but they were like a knife cutting into Thy's heart. She wanted to say something, but her throat was choked. Thy walked out of the house before dawn, her heart heavy.

She knew. He never said it, but she understood. Cuong needed a woman who could stay by his side, quietly taking care of the family, not a reporter who chased hot news all day, lived with trips, hurried calls and sleepless nights. She had missed appointments many times because of sudden business trips. She looked up at the pale sky before dawn, the sparse stars gradually giving way to the light of the first day. How many times had she wondered if love could overcome the distance between two worlds so different? She had tried, told herself that as long as they loved each other enough, they would find a way. But the moment she faced Cuong's eyes tonight, for the first time, she felt unsteady.

Maybe, love is not enough!
- Let's line up and take a souvenir photo, class! It's rare to have everyone here.
Phong's loud voice pulled him back to reality. He deliberately chose to stand at the back corner of the classroom, but somehow the hands that pulled and pushed him ended up in the middle, next to the groom. And then, as if by some ironic arrangement, someone pushed Thy close to him. The familiar scent of lavender touched his sense of smell, making his mind confused. In three years, he had never once forgotten her.
In me there is only Thy.

It was still her, with her determined eyes but sometimes so innocent that it was annoying. With the bright smile that he wanted to keep for himself forever. With the stubbornness and persistence that drove him crazy many times, but then he couldn't help but love her. He silently clenched his hand, feeling his heart beating inexplicably. Three years had passed, he thought he had learned to forget, but it turned out that, with just one encounter, everything came rushing back like a tidal wave.
- My deskmate is radiantly beautiful today, gorgeous like a princess. I'm so happy for you... If only...
- If you still love me, come back!
Nhat Linh immediately stopped the sigh that was about to escape.
- Hey hey, don't shake your head so quickly! Who cries out Cuong's name every time they're drunk? Who still holds on to the couple bracelet and can't bear to put it away?
Linh tilted her head slightly, glancing to the opposite side.

- Look at Cuong, his eyes have been following Thy all this time. Handsome, tall like a model, but he hasn't been in love with anyone for three years...
Having said that, Linh took the bouquet of flowers and tapped her friend on the head. This silly girl, who had secretly asked Linh to go watch Cuong compete many times, always sat in the far corner, covered up tightly as if afraid someone would find out. She never admitted that her heart still couldn't let go of that guy.
Under the warm lights, melodious music rang out.
- The little reporter is still as sentimental as ever. Can you take a picture of me?
A familiar voice rang in her ears. Thy was startled and turned around. Cuong had been standing there for a long time, still tall and still smiling with a hint of mischief like the old days.
She blinked, quickly regaining her mischievous look:
- I don't have enough money to pay young idols!
Saying that, she still raised her camera. Through the lens, Cuong appeared clearly, strangely close. Old memories unconsciously rushed back, causing her heart to skip a beat. Then suddenly, when he reached out to adjust his collar, a red stripe appeared under his sleeve. The couple bracelet from years ago... was still there.

Minh approached, scratching his head and ears, looking a bit embarrassed.
- This weekend... is the first match of this year's national tournament.
He hesitated a bit then glanced at Thy, his voice a bit reserved:
- Would you mind if I asked a reporter to come take pictures of the team? Oh... of course there will be a full salary. I'm just worried about the quality of the team's images. It would be a shame not to have a professional photographer for such an important event!
Thy slowly lowered the camera, her fingers unconsciously rotated the small ring on her hand, and took a deep breath:
- Okay. See you this weekend! Tonight, same as usual. Don't go home until you're drunk!

There are fates that seem to have missed a beat, but it turns out that they are always waiting for each other at some intersection in life. Cuong stood silently amidst the sparkling lights of the party, his eyes unconsciously following the small figure disappearing into the crowd of friends, whispering softly: "Bao Thy! I love you, March girl!"...

LINH CHAU

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Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc/202503/truyen-ngan-co-gai-thang-ba-afb1756/