The mountain is still green in the town

Next to the forest, there is a green lake that drains water into the dragon fruit garden in the town. Yen and Binh both study at the district school. Their love reaches its prime, full of fragrance and color. The two of them often put their arms around each other, enjoying the golden moon and mountain breeze, walking briskly through the small town, their feet not yet tired when they reach the end of the road. The moon hangs on the mountain top, casting long shadows on the national highway across the district town. The moonlight shyly and timidly appears with the street lights flickering under the shade of the forest trees. The tall mountain stands tall against the sky, witnessing generations of people here growing up in hardship.

Early in the morning, the green mountains were covered with a layer of blue mist like a flowing silk cloth, gently spreading over the district town. The green mountains and forests quietly crowded on the layers of stacked rocks, as if they were sitting and thinking about whether the mountains would still be there in ten years. The shimmering green, red, and white corrugated iron roofs lined up beside the forest hills, casting a slanting shadow. The scenery was magical and dreamy in the quiet and peaceful space. The cold ice air blew through the cracks in the window, making Yen's small shoulders shiver in the warm cotton coat that Binh had bought for her, on the day of the reunion, when he left to perform his military service on the island outpost. Yen pulled up her collar and kissed the soft wool. Her deep longing for him was like the waves of the sea that had seen her off.

The chief rooster wakes up at exactly 5 o'clock - it is the rooster leading the flock of jungle fowl living on the mountain. There are 5 hens gathered around, clucking loudly. Tuyen opens the window on the edge of the forest and sees the rooster with its five-colored wings: black, white, purple, yellow, red, stretching its neck, standing on tiptoes, flapping its wings and crowing loudly three times. The flock of larks, magpies, and bulbuls... respond in unison, chirping loudly to welcome the new day. The strong crowing of the chief rooster can be heard far and wide on the street. The customers wake up knowing that their morning coffee is waiting at the familiar sidewalk cafe. The pho noodle breakfast stalls are bustling with fragrant smoke welcoming the new day.

The green house of Yen's parents was built with its back against the mountain, facing the district town. Binh's parents' family lived and did business in the town. The long-time residents here used to call it Nhon Mountain. The young mountain peak had a pyramid-like peak soaring into the sky. Yen and Binh named it Love Mountain. Tri thought that in the near future, about one or two springs from now, talented people would take the trouble to create a landscape for Love Mountain Park. The precious green lung preserves the air and living environment for everyone. The two dreamed of having a walking path around the spiral slope hugging the mountain's back. From above, looking down at the street, they could see the bustling residential area with colors, the vibrant sounds urging and hastening the flow of life.

To build a wide road, it is necessary to exploit mountains to get the base material of gravel. The hills along the national highway were blasted with rocks, and collapsed, leaving them devastated. The foundations of houses, agencies, and offices were shaken, cracking. The mountains were eroded, disintegrated, and ugly. The green hillsides disappeared to build up roads. People said they would restore the status quo of the mountains and forests, but who knows when they will be able to plant grass and trees to make them green again like before. The company took advantage of the exploitation and transportation of base materials. The blasts and rocks shook the mountains like an earthquake. The residential areas of the district town lived in fear of dust pollution, rock fragments flying into houses, walls collapsing and cracking. Petitions were sent to all levels.

Love Mountain escaped from the exploitation of gravel and stone, Yen considered it a lucky thing for the lives of the people in the district town. Yen’s family took on the responsibility and rights to protect and preserve the mountain. Yen’s parents propagated and planted more Cam Xe, Giang Huong, and Ca Chi trees, which have thick bark that stores water, and strong roots that penetrate deep into the mountain to nourish the trees during the dry season.

Two springs passed quickly, Binh completed his military service and was discharged. Yen happily welcomed her lover. The kiss became deeper. Love became happier. She admired his strong, healthy figure, his skin tanned by the sea breeze. She eagerly held his hand to climb the mountain to visit the forest. There, the highly disciplined rooster still strictly kept the alarm clock. There, the two of them, during their childhood, played, studied, and explored the growth of the forest and the ground cover. The mistletoe plant on the tree trunk had a beautiful name, the orchid. The orchid liked to grow and depend on the rough tree trunk in the forest. The two of them saw people climbing the forest trees to pick orchids and keep them at home. When the orchid was far from its mother tree and lived in the home garden, it would die, how could it survive? People worked hard to dig up the roots of a large forest tree and transport them to plant in the city. The tree had to shed tears, wither, and sadly leave its source.

Not only the two of them had left their love memories here, but Love Mountain was also a witness to many couples who had become husband and wife, building a career in the district town. The Lagerstroemia tree on the top of the mountain was engraved with the names of the couples. The sign of love was vivid and strangely lovely. Every time Yen and Binh led each other up the mountain to hug the tree, touching the lines of letters that grew bigger and bigger, rougher and rougher. Their hearts were filled with love.

Love Mountain has two seasons, Yen calls it the green season and the bare season. In each season, the landscape of the land, sky, grass and trees are exposed, showing off their beautiful, healthy bodies. The mountain's energy, one part rising up, one part hidden and latent, is an attractive driving force that attracts people's footsteps. Young people and women eagerly go up the mountain to search for the lines of space, time and light, to explore, check-in, and share-face without ever getting bored. The cold winter solstice penetrates the mountain soil, the forest trees gradually lose their leaves towards the end of the twelfth lunar month. The bare branches of the trees embrace their deep sleep, storing up life sap. Birds and insects are silent, lazily curling up in their caves. At the beginning of spring, the flocks of larks, thrushes, and starlings sing loudly, calling the trees to wake up, open their eyes, and sprout thousands of new buds. The spring buds are pink, the spring buds are green, the spring buds are tender and young. The natural scenery of the land and sky is sublime and romantic. The blood vessels in Yen's body also yearn to surge.

Yen breathes in the pure mountain scent, drinks the clean and cool mountain water. Yen eats the products from the mountain soil such as shiitake mushrooms, termite mushrooms, yams, purple sweet potatoes which are herbal roots, and wild honey with the sweet fragrance of mountain flowers. Yen's body is fragrant and pure. Her muscles are strong and flexible. Yen's skin is as white as milk corn. Her black hair is as smooth as a stream, hanging down her slim waist. Her long, strong legs run quickly on the mountain roads. In the garden around the house, Yen's parents grow mangoes, jackfruits, and bananas. The mountain soil nourishes trees that produce many delicious fruits. Yen is grateful for the green mountains and forests that nurture her family to be healthy and peaceful.

Yen and Binh spread their legs on the mountain, leaned their shoulders against the mountain, and hugged the mountain. The kiss on the top of Love was sweet with the scent of mountain flowers. The couple felt healthy, enthusiastic, and loved life, dedicating their intelligence to their work. Yen showed off the mountain to her friends, posted pictures of the mountain on Facebook to honor the mountain as a majestic and lively entity; a priceless, majestic treasure of her hometown in the mountainous district. Yen was happy and proud to be a resident of Love Mountain.

No one knew where the fire appeared. Yen's father thought that the sun's rays through the dew were a converging lens that gathered the sunlight into fire. The dry grass was a delicious bait for the fire to flare up. The fire stuck out its tongue to lick the forest trees, chewed dry branches and leaves, devoured everything. The fire grew as fast as a red, hot wall. The fire ravaged Love Mountain, writhing and groaning. The red tongue fiercely swept across the mountainside, very close to the green house. Binh from the street hurriedly ran up, shouting loudly: "Everyone!... Young people!... Cut branches and leaves to put out the fire and save the forest!..." The brave youth group rushed into the thick smoke and fire. The whole town lined up to fight the fire.

The group of people joined forces to control and crush the dangerous wall of fire. A sudden strong wind fueled the fire. Binh was struggling to catch his breath when a terrible cloud of smoke and fire rushed in, knocking him to the rocks. The young man rushed forward to lift Binh up, seeing his hair soaked in bright red blood. Yen struggled to follow the stretcher to transfer Binh to the emergency room at the hospital. “Oh! Oh my God!... Brother Binh!... Brother Binh!...”. The miserable cries echoed through the cliffs, soared into the void, pierced through the white clouds, and spread throughout the land and sky. The fight of the town’s residents against the fire continued all that day.

The five-hour surgery saved Binh's life. Online consultation connected with doctors at a large hospital. Yen and other volunteers donated blood to help Binh. The family of both of them stayed up all night, waiting for information. Yen sat by the hospital bed, praying for faith to help Binh get through the danger. Binh's head was wrapped in a white bandage. Binh's eyes were closed. Time ticked slowly in the gloomy space. Memories of love flooded his mind. Yen held his hand and cried: "Brother Binh!... Brother Binh!..." Binh opened his eyelashes. The two of them looked into each other's eyes. His smiling lips radiated the light of a miraculous revival. In the emergency room of the hospital, spring suddenly blossomed with thousands of loving and happy kisses.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/nui-con-xanh-pho-huyen-126306.html