The afternoon slowly faded over the Can Tho River. The organ center's classroom was on the second floor. The window opened onto a small, tree-lined street. Hien was bending down to adjust the piano keys for her young student when her phone vibrated softly in her jacket pocket. She stepped out into the hallway to answer it. On the other end, the cheerful voice of an officer from the Ward Military Command said, "I have good news for you, Hien. You've been selected for military service this time."
After hanging up the phone, Hien stood still for a few seconds, her heart pounding, feeling as if she were dreaming, as if spring had just arrived at that very moment.
When she returned to class, Hien couldn't hide her smile. Her students chattered excitedly, asking her questions, and the music played more cheerfully than usual. After class, Hien drove straight to the riverside cafe where she and Nam, her university friend, often sat watching the boats go by on the Can Tho River. As soon as Nam saw Hien, he noticed something in her eyes. "I've been drafted into military service, Nam!" she said quickly, as if afraid that a moment's delay would cause the joy to fade. Nam was silent for a few seconds, his eyes showing surprise before the joy: "My dream has finally come true!"
Hien gazed out at the river's surface, sparkling in the sunlight. She knew the path ahead would be different, but in this very moment, she saw everything with a joyful, uplifting feeling, like the sound of music.
As Hien drove home, her heart pounded with excitement. The familiar road, lined with old tamarind trees and passing the farmers' market, suddenly felt more dear to her than ever. Upon arriving home, she called her parents, who were away on business. Her mother laughed on the phone, her laughter gentle like the river breeze, her words soft yet full of pride: "So, our family now has another soldier!"
The military uniform has been a part of Hien's childhood. Her father, from Hanoi , was assigned to work in Can Tho by the army, where he met her mother and they fell in love, like a thread connecting the two regions of the country. Hien always hoped to wear a military uniform like her parents when she grew up.
After failing the entrance exam for military school, Hien was very sad for a long time. She switched to studying vocal music and then music education, but her childhood dream always stayed with her. After being admitted to the Party, Hien volunteered to enlist. During the days waiting for the results, some nights lying in bed listening to the rain falling on the tin roof, Hien wondered if she was destined to wear the military uniform. And today, Hien is overflowing with happiness.
After informing her parents, Hien called her grandparents. Hearing her story, her grandfather laughed heartily, while her grandmother kept reminding her to take care of her health and eat properly while in the army. Hien missed her grandparents terribly.
Hien went out onto the balcony and looked down at the small alley that was lighting up. A cool, refreshing breeze blew in from the Hau River.
***
In the days leading up to her departure, Hien's small house seemed to expand with the laughter and chatter of relatives, teachers, friends, and local representatives who came to visit. Each bouquet of flowers, each notebook, each handkerchief, and each small gift carried the warm affection of everyone for Hien. "Even after joining the army, don't give up music, Hien," her vocal teacher said, holding Hien's hand tightly. As night fell and the guests had left, Hien sat beside her familiar organ. The soft sounds of the instrument served as a prelude to the new journey that awaited her.
On the morning of the enlistment ceremony, red flags fluttered everywhere along the roads leading to the recruitment point, and loudspeakers blared familiar, lively tunes. The atmosphere was bustling, spreading from the riverbank to every small alleyway. Hien, neatly dressed in her new uniform, her hair tied up high, her eyes shining with excitement mixed with a touch of wistfulness, paused for a few seconds when she reached the area where the ceremony was being held… Long lines of new recruits stood neatly, their relatives filling both sides, their calls mingling with laughter and a mix of emotions.
Thousands of sticky rice cakes (bánh tét) were prepared by local authorities, agencies, and organizations to be given as gifts to new recruits. These cakes, green with banana leaves and fragrant with the aroma of fresh sticky rice, carry wishes for peace and strength for the journey ahead.
Amidst the large crowd of mourners, many of Hien's friends came, calling her name excitedly. Nam stood closest to Hien, silently helping her carry her backpack and the bundle of sticky rice cakes. It was a small gesture, but full of care. The two had known each other from shared classes, rehearsals for school performances, and afternoons spent chatting idly by the river. Their feelings had grown over the years, but remained between friendship and something deeper, yet unnamed. Nam looked at Hien for a long time before softly saying, "Stay firm in your ideals." Hien looked at him, her smile clear and resolute.
The drums signaling the start of the military campaign resounded, blending with the music to create a heroic melody. Those departing and those remaining exchanged hurried farewells. Some mothers held their children's hands tightly, while fathers stood behind them, their faces thoughtful yet still smiling.
Hien turned to look at Nam. After a moment of silence, Nam said, "When Hien comes back, we'll go listen to music and watch the sunset by the river again, okay?" Hien nodded, then suddenly hugged Nam tightly. The hug was so tight, enough to hold onto the lingering memories of youth, the things left unsaid.
As the car began to move, in the spring sunshine, Hien heard a very soft melody playing in her heart, harmonizing with the spring of youth setting out on its journey.
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/hanh-khuc-len-duong-a199557.html
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