Smiling, he waved.

There comes a moment when suddenly, names of people you thought had been buried forever in your memory flash through your mind: Bach Hung Vu, La Viet Thuong, Tran Van Quang... The names of old friends. Old acquaintances. Perhaps they once shared unforgettable memories with you. But now they are no longer with you. They have taken different paths, or ended their journey long ago, perhaps even a very long time ago. Do you think that when their names suddenly appear in your mind, it is precisely at the moment they have passed away, collapsed somewhere, due to old age, illness, or an accident?

This morning, I opened the gate to the street. My usually quiet neighbor saw me, smiled, and waved. I smiled back and waved. A small joy, a feeling of goodwill, suddenly blossomed in my heart.

***

Ten years ago, I rode a beat-up old motorbike, a SYM Power. It was old, small, and cheap, yet it creaked and groaned year after year. Occasionally, it would break down, and I'd take it to the mechanic on Bacu Street, where the company's dealership was located.

It's rare to find a mechanic as pleasant as this one. Gentle, tall, cheerful, and dedicated to his work. He patched a tire, changed the oil, and even fixed the spark plug, adjusted the chain, and warned me when the battery was low. I said, "If it's low, replace it with a new one." He smiled kindly and said, "No hurry, this battery is the first time it's been used. When it runs out, just recharge it; it's still in great condition."

My trips to the repair shop were my chances to relax. Sitting on a smooth, grease-stained plastic chair, I'd take off my helmet, unbutton my shirt, and enjoy the cool sea breeze from Bai Truoc beach, watching people go by on the street. I'd watch the mechanic nimbly unscrew this, tighten that… The best part was how he removed all the screws, big and small, long and short, filling a metal tray, then reinstalling them perfectly, not a single one missing or extra. When the job was done, I'd pay, and he'd shyly hold out both hands to receive it, thanking me profusely, as if the money were a gift rather than payment.

I told the story about the handyman to a few friends. I still don't know his name. I didn't get a chance to ask him.

***

I don't know exactly when SYM closed its dealership in Vung Tau. Once, when I took my motorbike to Bacu for repairs, I was confused and asked around where the mechanic had moved. Someone said he had apparently opened his own shop on Pham Hong Thai Street.

Every time I passed through Pham Hong Thai Street, I drove very slowly, carefully looking on both sides of the road, but I couldn't see any sign of the familiar mechanic.

The Power had been creaking around for over a decade, and it was finally time to replace it with a new one.

I went to a different place to get my bike repaired. Every now and then I take it in for "maintenance," an oil change, and to tighten a few bolts. The mechanic was quite young and seemed quite skilled.

"How long have you had your shop here, sir?" I asked.

Yes. It's been more than two years, sir.

- Do you live here permanently, or do you have to rent?

No, I'm not. I'm renting this place. My house is on Pham Hong Thai Street.

Upon hearing the street name, I immediately asked:

- Oh, do you know that mechanic who also lives on Pham Hong Thai Street used to work for the SYM company in Bacu?

- Is he gentle and tall?

That's right.

- Oh my God! He was my teacher. He's gone, Uncle. He left all these things to me.

I was startled when I saw the greasy tray full of snails. It was indeed the same tray that the worker in Bacu used to use.

After a moment of stunned silence, he asked again:

- Why is it that every time I drive past there, I look for his shop but can't find it?

The young worker smiled:

- How could you see that, sir? He doesn't have the money to rent a storefront, so he opened his shop right in his own house, deep in an alley.

***

He smiled and waved.

With your neighbor. With the mechanic who usually fixes your car. With the receptionist whenever you leave the hotel without making an appointment to return. And perhaps, with any random passerby, when your eyes meet…

That's easy, right?

Then do it.

TRAN DUC TIEN

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202505/nhoen-cuoi-gio-tay-chao-1043359/