The midday sun was harsh, the sky a clear, cloudless blue. Ngan Thu was drenched in sweat, driving around the places he often frequented. It had been a long time since the assistant had called; could it be that Man Ky hadn't gone to work? Where could he have gone?
The more she thought, the more confused she became. Ngan Thu got out of the car. She wandered around the park, hoping it would calm her down at least. Man Ky couldn't have just disappeared like that. He was an adult, thoughtful, mature, and responsible. Something must have happened!
She was unbearably anxious. She kept remembering his every word, every lonely night he spent under the covers. She felt immense regret. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Ngan Thu buried her head in her hands, sobbing.
"What's wrong?" Jim's warm voice was beside her ear, and she startled, quickly wiping away her tears. Jim had just come from somewhere, carrying a shiny black leather briefcase.
"I... I'm looking for Man Ky! Right, have you seen my husband?" The question sounded rather ridiculous. It seemed the couple always thought that Jim would be there like a savior by their side. Jim didn't know what expression to wear.
"Ah... no... but..."
Ngan Thu was truly disappointed. It seemed Jim was gradually understanding the situation as she poured out her sorrow through her tears. What could a cousin do to help his sister-in-law find her husband, while he himself...?
"Come on, we should start at the company. Maybe Man Ky went there!" Jim tried to reassure her.
"I've been waiting for a long time, but the assistant hasn't called. Where could he have gone? His phone is completely out of contact," Ngan Thu said, flustered and lost. Jim's attempts to comfort her were in vain.
"Man Ky isn't a child. He can take care of himself. Calm down!" Jim patted her shoulder soothingly. He was running out of ideas.
"No, Jim! The problem is he left the hospital before getting the doctor's results. How can I be okay with that!"
Jim frowned, thinking. Suddenly, he told Ngan Thu, "I'm not sure, but there's one place my cousin often goes!"
A glimmer of hope appeared in Ngan Thu's eyes. She eagerly followed Jim's directions. Soon, they arrived at the park he often visited.
The lake was still, and in the sweltering midday heat, a few people sat enjoying the cool air under the large trees. Jim and Ngan Thu looked around. They split up, searching the entire lakeside.
Of course, Ngan Thu knew very well that her husband wasn't a child who would just run away and hide. She wondered if she was overreacting. Still, he had put her in this terrible state. It truly felt like sitting on pins and needles.
There?
Ngan Thu startled; she saw a figure flash before her eyes. A vagrant wearing... her husband's jacket!
There was no mistake! She had sewn that jacket for Man Ky herself. Why was that man wearing it?
Confused, Ngan Thu quickly followed him. Jim, seeing this, didn't quite understand but stayed close behind.
"What's wrong?"
"Quiet..." She gestured for silence, and they both crept behind the strange man. Soon, they were led to an empty lot with a makeshift, dilapidated shack. A group of children were playing there. It looked like a slum area.
The man sat down in front of the broken-down shack. Next to it was a rather comical-looking motorbike. The children ran around, while the adults seemed busy drying some kind of seeds that looked like grains.
"Listen, Jim, that guy is wearing my husband's jacket. I don't think this is simple!"
Jim raised his eyebrows. Of course, he thought he had misheard. Could it be that Man Ky had been kidnapped? Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and Jim urged Ngan Thu, "Let's call the police!"
"Wait, we haven't grasped the situation yet!"
She suddenly became calm, completely different from Jim's flustered state. The situation was slightly reversed; Jim was anxiously restless. The man kept lying down and sitting up. Finally, he slowly stood up to go... to the restroom!
"I'll go!" Jim gestured and approached the man. Quickly, the man's hands were locked behind his back. Ngan Thu came to assist, and they left the vagrant in a state of bewildered amusement. He hadn't even had time to zip up his pants before being attacked. Ngan Thu didn't dare to look, turning her face away.
"Hey, what are you doing? Hey!"
"Shut up!" Jim pressed the key against the back of his neck. The foolish guy didn't dare to move anymore. His face was tearful, as if wanting to throw a tantrum. Ngan Thu tried to suppress a laugh, not knowing what emotion to show on her face.
The interrogation scene was like a crime movie. At least, it could be seen that way. Jim suddenly became different, very manly. Ngan Thu almost mistook him.
"Where did you get this jacket? Tell us, and we won't make things difficult!"
"What?" He frowned, resisting.
Jim made the matter seem serious, and the guy finally admitted.
"Sorry, I just grabbed it conveniently! Please, you guys!" His pleading appearance was quite comical, so the two of them patiently asked, "Where did you get it? Tell us quickly!" Ngan Thu was impatient; she tried to calm down to bring the story back to the beginning. It had gone too far, out of control.
According to the man, they drove to a road near the highway, heading straight towards the sea. Ngan Thu placed all her hopes on this stranger. And then... the sea was there, but the person was nowhere to be seen.
She silently looked at the churning water at her feet. Patches of blue sky and white clouds faded in the distance. Seagulls glided in front of her. Hope surged in her ocean-like eyes. A poignant, loving voice in her small heart. Rocking a sad dream around the tears of time. What was gone could not be retrieved; she saw and clung to the last bit of expectation.
It's just that we loved each other too much...
It's just that you didn't touch the memory in my heart...
Do you know that the bud hasn't bloomed yet, and the sunlight forever embraces it?
Man Ky! Where are you?