Short Story: A Shooting Star

Tham is the fifth child of a farmer family in Thuong village. Tham has a slim figure, white skin, pink lips, two rows of teeth as even as corn, black eyes that are always sparkling, long, smooth hair. The older Tham gets, the more beautiful she becomes. After finishing secondary school, Tham enters the Teacher Training College and now Tham is a teacher at Vinh Thanh Primary School. When she was a student, Tham was an excellent student. When she became a teacher, Tham was an excellent teacher. Tham is gentle, diligent, and hardworking, so everyone loves her.

People said Tham was the village beauty, and it was not wrong at all. Every time they saw Tham in her white ao dai, carrying her bag to school, with her light and graceful steps, no man did not want to look at her. Many men had pursued her, but Tham had not fallen in love with anyone. Tham was the only party member at the school, so she had to join the Thuong village party cell.

Among those who were infatuated with Tham was Le Hanh, a boy from the same neighborhood. Hanh used to go to the same school as Tham but in a higher grade. Now Hanh is a veterinary officer of the commune, diligent, active, also a party member, participating in activities in the same party cell as Tham. Friends in the neighborhood saw that Hanh and Tham were a good match, tried to cultivate them but saw no positive signs. People kept teasing them, so things sometimes became awkward between the two. As for Le Hanh, he seemed disappointed and no longer dreamed of a relationship.

*

Teachers in urban areas are usually free in the summer, but most teachers in rural areas have to take care of farming, help their families, and are busy with many jobs. This summer, Tham took the opportunity to renovate her house. Her family's house was seriously degraded. On the other hand, Tham's family is also large, so it had to be renovated to make living more comfortable. For now, Tham has to add an extra room, build a wardrobe, two beds, and a table and chairs for work and receiving guests.

Tham's family hired a carpenter from town to do the repairs. Rumor has it that this carpenter is highly skilled. The tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets he makes are impeccable. At this time, they can still hire him, but near the end of the year, they can't, even if they pay double the rent.

Every day, Tham had to go to the market and cook for the carpenter. Sometimes, he asked Tham to buy miscellaneous items. There were often only two people left in the house, Tham and the carpenter. Tham often stayed by the carpenter's side, her eyes glued to his hands. Those hands seemed to be performing tricks on the wooden planks. In a flash, the rough wood became smooth, shining with a shiny wood color. In no time, the wooden planks were carved and assembled into a beautiful table and chair by him. Someone with skillful hands like him was rare. Tham was truly attracted to the carpenter. She looked at the carpenter with admiration and respect. The carpenter also showed his obvious affection for Tham.

*

The whole village was buzzing with rumors that Tham was pregnant. What else could she say, Tham's belly was getting bigger and bigger, she couldn't hide it. But who Tham was pregnant with was unknown. The people in the village who used to pursue Tham now avoided her like a ghost, afraid of being wronged, afraid that others would have to throw away the snail shells. In the countryside, a girl who got pregnant out of wedlock had a terrible reputation. People considered being pregnant out of wedlock a disgrace to themselves, their families, and their relatives. If she was really pregnant out of wedlock, wherever she went, people would scrutinize her, gossip about her, and it would be hard to raise her head, and she could only hide underground. Party members and teachers who got pregnant out of wedlock would be expelled and fired for sure. In the village, those who didn't like Tham because she often gave her opinions in meetings took the opportunity to mock her: "Thinking she was gold, jade, or something fragrant, turns out she's just trash."

The Party cell held a regular meeting to review its members. There were ten members in the cell, and no one was absent. The secretary, an elderly man, asked each member to read the self-criticism and self-assessment, then everyone gave constructive comments. When it was Tham's turn, she stood up to read the self-criticism. After reading, Tham stood still for a few minutes, looking at everyone, waiting. From the back of the meeting room, many voices were heard:

- I would like Ms. Tham to explain her shortcomings more clearly.

-Please tell me clearly who you are pregnant with.

-Ms. Tham must reconsider, is she still qualified to stand on the podium?

The whole conference room became tense. After the barrage of questions, everyone waited for Tham's answer. They waited for her confession to make a decision. One minute, two minutes, then several minutes passed, Tham still stood still without any reaction. Another hand was raised:

- I suggest that Ms. Tham, in the spirit of a party member, face the truth and don't waste our time. You must clearly state who you are pregnant with. If you are stubborn and don't say anything, I suggest that the party cell expel Ms. Tham from the party.

Tham was hesitating between two choices, to speak or not to speak. If she spoke, she would not only be expelled from the party but also lose her job. Tham was the main breadwinner in the family. If she lost her job, her family would fall into difficulty. Dozens of eyes were focused on Tham. The secretary stood up impatiently:

- I suggest that Ms. Tham should be proactive. I will give you three more minutes to sit down and think. After that time, if you have no opinion, the Party cell will vote.

The secretary finished speaking, Tham sat down on the chair, moving her toes. A fragile girl like her at this time did not have enough courage and bravery to face public opinion, just waiting for judgment.

Three minutes passed, the party secretary got angry:

- Tell me, who is the father of the baby in your belly?

From the row below, Le Hanh stood up and answered firmly:

-I, I am the baby's father!

The whole meeting was in an uproar of surprise. All eyes turned to Le Hanh in surprise. There was a whisper: "But he hasn't said anything since then", and another whisper: "He said that, but it's not certain that he's his son".

Hanh understood Tham's situation very well. Poor her, a gentle and pretty person falling into such a difficult situation. Hanh glanced at Tham, she was like a rabbit, curling up, so pitiful. Hanh looked at everyone then stepped forward and said loudly:

- I admit my shortcomings to the Party cell, forgot to report to the organization, accept all forms of discipline.

At this moment, Tham sat like a log, her eyes looking down at the ground, her ears as if she could no longer hear anything. No one in the Party cell argued anymore. Someone admitted it and Tham did not react, so the Party cell had to accept it. So Hanh and Tham were both warned by the Party cell for “the crime of eating before the bell rings”.

*

At this time, the US-puppet regime intensified the war in the South and escalated its attacks on the North. Young people everywhere were ordered to join the army. Le Hanh was among those in Thuong village who were ordered to join the army. He did not have time to complete the wedding procedures with his "unwilling" wife.

The day Hanh left, Tham saw him off to the village entrance. The two of them didn't have much to talk about. Hanh seemed to want to say goodbye as quickly as possible, without any hesitation. War was unpredictable. What he needed to do for Tham had already been done. Right now, he should focus on his duty as an army officer, fighting to protect his homeland. Hanh only hoped that Tham would overcome the obstacles and strive to move forward. As for Tham, she was clumsy and truly moved by her benefactor. She wanted to hug Hanh to thank him, but felt embarrassed and could only stammer a few words, "Have a safe trip."

After Hanh left, Tham was still standing there. Her eyes followed Hanh's figure until he disappeared.

That time, there were ten people in Thuong village's army, all of whom were sent to the Quang Tri battlefield. Five people died, including Le Hanh!

*

Summer has come again, the sun is sparkling on the smiles, on the rows of royal poinciana trees that are bright red on the path. The sound of cicadas brings back so many memories. Since Le Hanh left, Tham has worked hard to make up for her mistakes. Every year, Tham has achieved the title of emulation fighter and is an excellent teacher at the provincial level. Not long after, Tham was promoted to principal. Newly promoted people often have to fill out a resume. Tham is no exception, today she has to fill out a resume to send to the organization.

Tham carefully wrote each section of the self-declaration. When she reached the column for her husband's name, Tham stopped. She went to the altar to light some incense sticks, bow to her ancestors and remember the deceased. Tham did not have any pictures of Hanh to worship. She stood still, her eyes looking into the distance and Hanh's image appeared again, clearly before her eyes, a handsome, gentle, kind Le Hanh and Tham's eyes kept blurring, blurring with the smoke of the incense.

Tham picked up the pen and wrote carefully: "Husband: Le Hanh, occupation: Soldier, died...".

Tham put down her pen and put her face down on the personal history form. The whole room fell silent, absolutely silent. Tham clearly heard Le Hanh's voice in the party member review meeting: "I am the father of the child, I would like to admit my shortcomings before the party cell..."

Suddenly Tham looked outside. A streak of light just streaked across the sky. A shooting star just went out!

Dao Truong San

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/truyen-ngan-mot-ngoi-sao-bang-187202.htm