But Mr. Son's mind didn't linger on the little cat; it was anchored in a distant place, where his familiar home and children lay. Mr. Son had been unemployed for two months. His savings weren't enough to last much longer; if he didn't find a job by the end of next month, he wouldn't have money to send home to support his children. So he could only glance at the cat, listening to its soft meowing greeting. Then he would rush off, searching for another opportunity.
There are plenty of jobs in the city, but when needed, they all disappear. They're like schools of fish lurking, provoking the fisherman; as soon as they see bait thrown in, they dive deep to the bottom of the river. Mr. Son hasn't found even a temporary job to make ends meet, let alone a stable one.
Today he rode his motorbike out again. Seeing an opening for a porter near the market, he applied for the job. But they politely refused, saying it was too physically demanding. He then applied to work as a ride-hailing driver. But his motorbike was too old and dilapidated...
Constantly running back and forth, his shoulders grew heavier and heavier. And when he opened the door to his room, confronted with the emptiness and heat, he almost collapsed. Each time, for some unknown reason, the little cat would dart up, look at him with its clear, pure eyes, meow once, and then run away. A tiny, delicate sound, like a needle prick, so skillfully, it temporarily mended the tear in his heart.
***
2. Giang only moved here a little over a month ago. This area is far from the city, and Dad said it would be good for her health. She can stay here temporarily, until the time comes. Consider it a long break to prepare.
Her father didn't explicitly state the origin of this house. But Giang could sense the signs throughout. Embroidered curtains, romantic novels on the shelves. Sometimes, as she dozed off, Giang would vaguely see the figure of a woman. It was just a feeling. That woman had once lived here, beside her father, in days long past. Giang thought that since her father hadn't told her, there was no point in trying to find out.
Giang spends her time reading books she recently borrowed from the library. Or she embroiders a picture, even though she doesn't know when it will be finished. She plants some trees from seeds, even though she doesn't know when they will grow.
Unsure when she would leave, Giang did everything half-heartedly. That was until she found a kitten. Well, "found" isn't quite right; she adopted it from an online post. Someone was urgently looking for a new owner; they were moving and their new place didn't allow cats. The kitten had just been adopted and would be left behind if no one claimed it. Giang messaged them immediately after seeing the post; she thought the kitten resembled her.
That calico cat loved freedom, never staying indoors but running around everywhere. Initially, Giang tried to keep it confined, but seeing the kitten's sad face, she couldn't bear it and let it be. The cat would go out and then come back, regularly twice a day. Sometimes Giang found it funny; it was as if the cat was working to support her. It would leave in the morning, come back at noon to eat kibble, leave again in the afternoon, and return in the evening. Occasionally, it would bring her a few lizards or mice. So small, yet so resourceful.
It seems the cat often runs across the street from the boarding house opposite where Giang lives. The other tenants in the boarding house greet her when they meet, and tell her about the cat's condition when they find out she's its owner. Thanks to this, Giang feels reassured.
***
3. Mr. Son found a temporary job; even the employer wasn't sure how long he would have to work. They said somewhere around a year. The contract would be renewed every three months.
His job was to be a butler. To be precise, that meant cooking, cleaning, housekeeping, and even driving. The boss said he needed someone strong enough to help with the caregiving.
Mr. Son locked the door, stepped out the gate, and headed to work. It wasn't far at all. Right across the street. A small house painted blue, shaded by a trellis of white and pink bougainvillea, was just pretty enough. He knocked on the door, anxiously waiting to meet the owner of the small house.
A girl stepped out. Giang looked at the man in front of her, let out a soft "ah," and remembered her father had mentioned someone who would be taking over the housekeeper job. She thought her father was strange; the house was tiny, there was no need to hire anyone. But her father said he wasn't comfortable with Giang living alone. He also said this person was recommended by relatives, so she could rest assured, they were very reliable. Giang thought, it was her father who needed to be reassured, so he could focus on his work without any worries. Giang smiled brightly to welcome the guest.
Mr. Son stepped inside and felt a completely different atmosphere. The house was decorated harmoniously and luxuriously, far superior to the rest of the neighborhood. Everything modern was available. He began to worry, unsure if he could handle the job.
"What time do you have dinner?" he asked, getting straight to work.
- Yes, usually twelve o'clock - Giang looked up to check the clock.
"So, what would you like to eat today?" he asked again.
"Hmm... I'm really craving sour soup, Uncle!" Giang said with a smile.
Nodding slightly, Mr. Son turned and went into the kitchen. Muttering to himself about the things he needed to buy, he made a list in his head. Besides sour soup, he'd probably cook some braised fish as well. The refrigerator was empty, so he should stock up on eggs, milk, some fruit, and vegetables.
Giang watched Mr. Son's back as he walked away, and suddenly she felt a warmth and a sense of security.
***
4. Having lived away from home for many years, Mr. Son was quite good at cooking. Not exceptionally delicious, but he thought it was decent. Yet Giang kept praising his cooking.
"It's been so long since I've had such a delicious bowl of sour soup!" Giang said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "It's also been a long time since someone sat down to eat with me. Just call me 'son' or 'daughter.' Calling me 'auntie' all the time makes me shy!"
Mr. Son felt awkward. He intended to eat later, but the young hostess insisted he eat with her. She gave him the feeling of a daughter from the countryside. Small and gentle, yet her eyes seemed to hold a hint of sadness.
"What grade are you in?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm in 11th grade..." Giang tucked her hair behind her ear, shyly looking down at her half-eaten bowl of rice. "I'm taking a break this year, I'll go back next year."
Giang told Mr. Son her story. She had a congenital heart condition, which worsened as she grew older. Her health deteriorated, forcing her to stop attending school and wait to go abroad for surgery. If this surgery is successful, she will regain her health.
A cat's meow interrupted their conversation. Mr. Son turned around and saw the familiar calico cat.
- You're home late today, darling? You must be hungry, let me go get some kibble for you - Giang stood up and walked to the cat's food bowl to pour out the kibble.
The cat meowed, whether to announce something or to greet Mr. Son, then continued eating, as obediently as a child eating their favorite treat.
Looking at Giang and then at the cat, Mr. Son suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
***
5. Giang will be flying next week. The surgery has already been scheduled. Dad called to inform her and told her to prepare herself.
Mr. Son already knew. The newspaper owner was giving him time to find a new job. He calmly accepted, helping the young owner pack her belongings. Giang didn't have much, just two suitcases. The hardest part was the cat. He didn't know what would happen to it after she left.
"How about you let me rent your cat?" Mr. Son suggested. "I'm fond of it. Having it around would make me less lonely."
Giang laughed at the strange idea. How could that be? He was looking for a job, and now he'd have to take care of a cat too—wouldn't that just make things more difficult? Knowing that Mr. Son really cherished the cat, she came up with another idea.
"I've already discussed it with my father," Giang said during the meal. "Today we have sour soup with water spinach, lotus root salad, and braised small fish—all my favorite dishes. When I get back, I also need a place to rest for a while."
It might be a few months, or even longer, if she chooses to study at a nearby school. Giang likes the peaceful pace of life here.
So Giang told her father to hire Mr. Son to continue as the housekeeper. He took care of the house, watered the newly grown plants, and looked after the kitten while waiting for Giang to return.
Mr. Son hesitated. This was too good an offer. It was precisely because it was too good that he hesitated. He didn't do much, yet he was being paid like a butler—wasn't that a bit excessive?
"Don't worry, Uncle," Giang said with a mischievous smile. "Once I'm better, you'll have plenty to do. Then I'll make you drive me around everywhere to explore !"
This time it was Mr. Son who laughed; he found the young mistress so adorable. Everything here was so cute.
The little cat walked by, meowing a few times. It seemed to know its owner was going away for several days, so it hadn't been going out much lately, instead staying close by, lying beside Giang while she read and embroidered. She would probably ask Mr. Son to finish that embroidery. Everyone needs needle and thread to mend the emptiness in their hearts, to begin a new journey.
The cat seemed to agree, letting out a long meow.
Short story: Phát Dương
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/con-meo-cho-thue-a208287.html
