In early August, she returned to her hometown to pick up her child and take him to the city. As soon as she reached the end of the alley, walking between two rows of cool green bamboo, she heard the sound of children playing. In the brick yard in front of the house, a group of children were playing tag. When they saw her, they shouted:
- Aunt Ut is back...
While hugging little Hoang to her chest, she took out some candy from her bag and divided it among the children. Like a flock of sparrows, the children chirped in thanks. The oldest was her second brother's child, acting like the eldest sister, tearing open the candy wrapper, counting it carefully, then dividing it equally among the children. She sat between her nephews and her son, asking them questions for a while, then shouldered her bag and went into the house. Mom was grating coconut in the kitchen, and when she heard footsteps, she raised her head. Seeing her, her eyes lit up with joy:
- Are you home already? Are you tired from the journey? Mom made some lemonade for you.
- No, I'm not tired - she shook her head and smiled. What are you making with grated coconut?
- Mom is planning to make banh khot. The kids love it and keep asking for it, but today is the first day Mom has free time to make it.
She took off her coat and hung it over the back of a chair, feeling the coolness of the old house gradually seep into her body.
- Where is dad?
- I went to play chess with the neighbors.
She walked over and sat down next to her mother, rolled up her sleeves and started chopping coconuts, talking as she worked.
- Is Hoang good with his parents?
- The boy was very obedient. At first he was afraid of the sun and wind, but after staying there for a long time, he followed his older siblings to the fields to catch crabs and snails, and followed his grandfather to hug banana trees and learn to wade in the river. Now he looks so dark.
She smiled, shaking her long hair:
- My husband and I sent our grandchild back to our parents just for that reason. To go back to the countryside for a few summer months so that he can be close to nature, breathe fresh air, and experience many things.
Her mother nodded, tapping the coconut scraper:
- You two sisters get along very well. When you return to the city, the little ones will cry anyway, so remember that.
She suddenly became silent, remembering her childhood days. In the summer when she was eight years old, her father took her to Uncle Hai's house in the city to play. The city was so attractive to a naive child. Uncle Hai's house had a pet dog with white fur like cotton, and a wide, winding staircase that was beautiful. The aunt wore a dress, curled her hair, and spoke kindly. Her sisters were gentle and lovable, and everyone pampered and gave in to her. She had only been there for a few days, but she had eaten so many delicious dishes and been taken everywhere. The day she followed her father back to the countryside, she cried like rain, Uncle Hai and his wife and sisters gathered around to comfort her, promising to come down to pick her up at Tet, only then did she stop crying.
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Time passed, she grew up, graduated from high school, went to live with her uncle at university, then found a job, got married and settled down in the city. Living in the hustle and bustle of the city, with hundreds of worries, she longed for and regretted her carefree life in the countryside. She missed the bamboo banks, the coconut trees, the fields, the small house with her hard-working parents, her longing waned and then filled like the river water in flood season. Little Hoang - her son, was born in the city, often only went to his maternal home for a short time and then hurried back because his parents were busy with work. This summer, the couple discussed sending their son back to his maternal home. At first, the boy seemed reluctant, but after only a week had passed, when calling down, she heard him hurriedly trying to find a way to put off the conversation with her to run around with his cousins and new friends.
The school year was approaching, she went back to her hometown to pick up her child, stayed overnight on the old bed in the room, and early the next morning, she and her parents had a hot meal of braised goby fish and mixed vegetable soup. At 7 o'clock, she and her child packed up and took the bus to the city. As expected by her mother, Hoang's farewell to his grandparents and siblings was very regretful and lingering. So, just like Uncle Hai and his wife used to coax her, now she used those words to coax her child. The only difference was that the direction was the opposite, she promised that by Tet she would let her child return to her maternal grandparents' house for the entire holiday.
Throughout the long bus ride, sitting next to his mother, little Hoang kept his head down, tears silently falling. His mother felt so sorry for him that she used a handkerchief to wipe his face and gently kissed his hair. The little boy pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and buried his face in his mother's chest.
The bus stopped at the station, the mother and son had just gotten off when they heard her husband waiting to welcome them home. Seeing his father again, the little boy jumped up and hugged his neck tightly, chattering about stories from the countryside. From the time they met until lunch, the father and son kept whispering, the mother asked a few questions but couldn't get through. Seeing their son get healthier after a summer, the couple was very happy. When they sent their son to his parents' house, they were both worried, but the result was beyond their expectations.
A few weeks into school, little Hoang had an essay assignment. It was a perfect score, and he filled two sides of the paper. The day he got his score, he felt like the sun had risen in his chest. Smoothing the paper, he carefully tucked it into his book, and when he got home, he ran into the kitchen to show it to his sister, who was also home from work. The two of them put their heads together to read their son's essay. With neat, precise handwriting, the little boy told about his summer vacation honestly and emotionally. On the score box was a bright red number nine, along with the teacher's compliments.
What a fun lunch that day. Little Hoang ate several bowls of rice and vegetable soup that she usually had to force him to eat, but now she didn't need to remind him. She lovingly said to him:
- Let me see which weekend I'm free, I don't need to wait until Tet, I'll take you back to your hometown, do you like it?
The boy looked up at her, his eyes shining:
- Really, Mom? Then I'll ask Dad to take me to buy gifts first. I promise my brother and sister that when they come back, I'll give them books, stories, and toys.
- Okay, let me take you to the bookstore tonight - he agreed immediately.
Hearing that, the boy smiled widely. The dishes and chopsticks clanged, the meal was so much fun. Summer had passed, but the peaceful countryside and the image of his loved ones were still imprinted in the boy's mind. With joy in his heart, little Hoang eagerly looked forward to the day he would return...
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/mua-he-que-ngoai-a188920.html
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