Besides the areas that have been around since my school days, such as areas A, B, C, E, and F, many new, more spacious areas have been built. I visited area A, and although it inevitably shows signs of aging over the years, it's still my favorite. It's cool and pleasant year-round, with all kinds of flowers. Standing amidst the lush greenery of the campus, I felt an indescribable sense of nostalgia.
My youth was here, my early years were here, and my first dreams began here. Back then, we were so carefree, living together with such genuine sincerity. We rode together on rickety bicycles, stayed up all night studying for exams, shared instant noodles and loaves of bread, and cried together whenever something bad happened. I see a reflection of myself and my friends from the past in these young student faces. I see that time has taken away so much: the enthusiasm and carefree spirit of our twenties, the pure belief in tomorrow, and the feeling of living life to the fullest without ever thinking about loss or gain.
I remember, on the day we said goodbye to our friends before leaving school, I cried my eyes out, crying because I didn't know when we would see each other again. Twenty-five years have passed, and everyone has gone their separate ways. Some still keep in touch, while others are just old names lying dormant in my memory.
I searched my memory for the small path we used to follow to the sea, a narrow road lined with weeds and bamboo groves, now a wide, paved road stretching out towards the waves. Hoa Khanh beach is still a dreamy, clear blue, only the pristine sandy beach of those days is now much more bustling.
In the old days, on hot afternoons, we would often gather here, bringing sweet potatoes, boiled beans, and an old guitar, and sing until late at night. The sea breeze would blow away the oppressive heat and the hardships of poor student life. Only laughter and rosy, innocent dreams remained. I still remember the fragrant smell of grilled stingray from the small baskets of the street vendors along the beach. That simple dish has been a part of so many generations of Hoa Khanh students, a unique feature of this place. Now, the shops are more numerous, crowded, and well-maintained than before, but for some reason, I still strain my eyes searching for those familiar baskets…
I drove slowly along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, the sea breeze gently pulling the afternoon sun down. My mind wandered, reminiscing about the faces of the past. I wondered what they looked like after all these years. If they ever returned, would they feel the same poignant, longing emotions I did?
Leaving Hoa Khanh, I carried with me a feeling of nostalgia, as if I had just emerged from a dream. Twenty-five years—a long enough time to change everything here, from the rooftops, the roads, the trees, the street corners. Even I am no longer the person I used to be. It seems only memories remain intact somewhere within each person. I think everyone has a place like that within them, a place where, upon returning, a gentle touch brings back the memories of their youth.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/khe-cham-thanh-xuan-3343072.html
