Salty drops of happiness

Illustration: MINH SON

The ceremony hadn't started yet. She sat quietly, taking in the surroundings. The theater was divided into two sections. The lower level was for the graduates. They wore blue gowns with red trim, and many of the girls had added pretty bows to their caps. Everyone's face was radiant and cheerful. The upper level was for the parents and relatives of the graduates.

At this moment, all the seats around her were filled, and like her, everyone was silent. A shared feeling of anticipation was clearly visible on their faces. She tried to find her children, but they looked so alike that she couldn't spot them no matter how hard she searched. Leaning back in her chair, she relaxed, feeling at ease. So, her children had grown up, and she believed they would overcome the challenges of adulthood as well…

***

They got married when he was already quite old, so they planned to have two children close together to avoid the situation of an old father having young children. However, when their daughter was seven years old, after much difficulty, she became pregnant again, resulting in twins. Before she could even celebrate, she was overcome with worry (at that time, Viet Duc Hospital was buzzing with news of the twins being separated by surgery and named Viet Duc). Her health was already weak, and carrying twins meant she had to quit her job. He single-handedly managed the finances while caring for her every day, encouraging her to stay cheerful.

On the day she gave birth, the doctor anxiously informed him that she couldn't give birth naturally because the twins were tightly intertwined, the baby wasn't in the correct position, the mother's health was poor, and it was diagnosed as a difficult delivery. Therefore, an early cesarean section was recommended for the safety of both mother and child. He looked at her, unable to hide his worry, his hands trembling as he signed the consent form for the surgery. She sat beside him, trembling, clutching her belly as if to protect her child. That day, the stretcher carrying her to the operating room was lined with more than a dozen doctors, nurses, and orderlies. She saw her relatives running after the stretcher, their eyes filled with tears. Her whole body froze, and he ran alongside the stretcher, holding her hand tightly. At the operating room, before the doors closed, she saw his lips move, whispering: "Hang in there, my love!"

The operating room was pure white—white walls, white instruments, white the doctors' and nurses' uniforms. Her face was also pale with fear. The anesthesiologist gently took her trembling hand and asked her questions. Her voice was so warm, her hand, even through the gloves, was still very warm. She clutched the anesthesiologist's hand tightly, as if searching for a life raft in a raging torrent. The anesthesiologist continued to gently and tenderly comfort her, and she gradually drifted into unconsciousness, beginning her journey of childbirth.

She woke up after eight hours in a coma, her body aching, her limbs heavy. Seeing her awake, the nurse approached and announced, "You've given birth to adorable twin boys. The entire medical team and staff of the maternity ward are congratulating your family." A faint smile flickered across her tired face before she drifted off to sleep again.

Like other children, her children gradually grew up, sometimes healthy, sometimes sick, but always beautiful and adorable. What pleased the couple most was the obedience, obedience, and unity of the three siblings, which was a great motivation for them to overcome all difficulties. Throughout the past thirty years, he was like a "worker bee," shouldering the responsibility of providing for the family. She, in the role of "queen bee," diligently handled the cooking, schoolwork, and transportation. She studied while her children went to school, staying up with them every time they took entrance exams, gently encouraging them to ease their stress. For all the years her children were in school, she participated in the parent-teacher association. Wanting to closely follow her children, she never refused any assignments given by the teachers. Each stage passed, and when her eldest daughter received her university degree, her twin sons entered their first year of university.

Her children entered university right during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her heart ached when she heard that the two brothers were ill and had to rely on each other, struggling together to overcome the fragile boundary between life and death. But it was also through these difficulties that her children matured and became more understanding…

***

The loudspeaker's announcement interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. She looked down at the stage, listening intently to every word shared by the teachers and fellow students. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks and lips.

The teacher's warm voice rang out: "Children, turn on the highlighters in your hands so they twinkle like stars, pointing towards your parents. Express your gratitude to your parents with all your heart for the achievements you have made today..."

The instrumental music began to play. The auditorium lights dimmed. She looked down at her two children, one from the IT department, the other from the NNA department... every corner was illuminated by stars drawn in circles by the children to the music. She couldn't tell which star belonged to her child. But she felt proud and deeply moved knowing that her children were standing there, grateful and pouring all their emotions into the lights directed towards her. A feeling of overwhelming pride welled up within her. What greater, more genuine expression of gratitude could there be than this moment?

Tears welled up, surging and filling her chest. She smiled, letting her emotions flow freely, letting herself cry, letting herself sob in her own pride. All the hardships of the night, all the worries of the past, came flooding back. A mix of sadness and joy made her feel dizzy, as if in a dream, yet real. She swallowed hard, the tears that had just spilled over her lips. Oh... tears are always salty. Why did the saltiness of her tears make her so happy at this moment...? She murmured to herself, "Thank you, my children, for coming into this life and for choosing to be my children..."

A hand gently shook her shoulder. Her children had arrived. The eldest son placed his graduation cap on his mother's head, his eyes crinkling with joy. The youngest looked into his mother's reddened eyes as if asking a question. She smiled broadly and solemnly presented flowers to her children: "For you two. Thank you for your hard work! Now let's go enjoy some delicious food. I'll treat you!"

The mother and her two children burst into laughter. Their laughter blended with the myriad of laughter from everyone present, yet somehow it resonated deeply within her heart. Looking up at the clear, sunny sky, gently holding her child's hand, she smiled and said, "Let's go!"

Short story by : TRAN BICH HUONG

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202505/giot-man-hanh-phuc-1042047/