A familiar voice beside him made Minh freeze. "Brother Minh?"

He turned around, his heart skipping a beat. It was Lan. Ten years had passed since they last met. She sat down in the chair opposite him, her eyes as deep as ever, only now there was a distant sadness in her gaze.

They were in love during their youth, when both left their hometowns to build their careers in the city. Their first love was pure but also full of challenges. They once dreamed of a future together, but ultimately lost each other amidst the pressures of making a living. One day, Minh received a breakup message from Lan. No explanation. He was heartbroken and angry, then convinced himself that she had never loved him enough.

Now, she sat right in front of him, also returning to her hometown after all these years. "It's been so long, hasn't it?" Lan smiled softly, her voice slightly hesitant.

"Yes, it's been a long time," Minh replied, his hands unconsciously clenching together.

They started talking. About their hometowns, old friends, and work. But both avoided mentioning what had happened between them. Until Minh blurted out, "Back then... why did you break up with me so suddenly?"

Lan bowed her head, her fingers gently twirling the worn silver ring on her finger. "Do you remember the last time we met? That night, I wrote you a letter. But perhaps you never received it."

Minh frowned. "What letter? I don't know."

"Your mother kept it. She came to me and said that you needed a wife who could provide for you, not a girl who didn't know who her father was, always struggling with making ends meet like me. I was going to ignore her, but then that day... I saw you with another girl. You two were laughing and joking happily. I thought... maybe she was right."

Minh was stunned, bewildered for a moment, then exclaimed, "You've misunderstood. She's just my cousin."

Lan laughed, but her eyes welled up with tears. "But back then, I didn't know. I was just a girl in her twenties... I chose to leave, thinking it was the best thing for both of us."

Minh took a deep breath. He never imagined that all these years, they had lost each other because of a misunderstanding and a few careless words. If only he had persevered in finding her that day; if only she had been brave enough to ask him just once... would they still be together now?

They continued their conversation, layers of old memories being stirred up. Lan recounted the days she left the city, returning to her hometown with a broken heart. She tried to build a new life, but it wasn't easy. She got married, but the marriage was unhappy. Her husband was abusive and overly controlling. Finally, she divorced after three years of suffering.

Minh was speechless. He never imagined Lan had gone through all that. He blamed himself for not seeking her out, for not understanding the truth.

Minh also has his own story. After losing Lan, he threw himself into work, becoming a successful but lonely man. He had loved several women, but none had given him the same feeling Lan had. And now, on this train, looking into her eyes, he understands that his heart hasn't truly forgotten his first love.

Minh gazed at Lan for a long time. The rain outside continued to tap steadily against the windowpane, like the silent beats of memories. His heart suddenly felt heavy with the past and the things left unsaid.

"If I had received your letter that day, would things have been different for us?" Minh asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes fixed on Lan.

Lan smiled sadly. "No one knows what the future holds, right? Maybe we'll still part ways, maybe not. But perhaps I won't have had to go through those years alone."

Minh clenched his hands tightly. A feeling of anguish welled up in his chest. He had once resented it, once told himself to forget, but now, with all the truth revealed, he only felt regret. Regret for a love lost for many years due to misunderstandings and unnecessary hurt.

The ship continued to move forward, gently rocking with each turn. The yellow lights shone on Lan's face, making her look strangely fragile. Minh suddenly realized that, no matter how many years had passed, in his heart, she was still the same girl he had once loved wholeheartedly.

"Lan... how are you now?" Minh asked softly.

Lan tilted her head slightly, her eyes following the raindrops rolling down the windowpane. "I'm fine. Divorce isn't the end, it's just an opportunity to start over. Now I have a stable job, a simple life, and... no one hurts me anymore."

Minh's heart ached as he listened. He could clearly hear the strength in her voice, but also the hidden loneliness.

"And what about you?" Lan asked, searching for the answer in his eyes.

Minh smiled softly. "I'm doing alright. But perhaps there are some things that no matter how successful you are, you can never fill."

Lan didn't ask any further questions, just nodded slightly. Between them, there was no need for many words, because the silence spoke for itself.

The train gradually slowed down, signaling that it was approaching the station. Lan looked out the window, then turned to Minh, her voice soft as a gentle breeze: "There are things that can't be undone, but there are also things that aren't too late, you know!"

Minh froze. He gazed deep into her eyes, as if searching for something. And then, in the yellow light of the night ship, he saw a glimmer of hope.

"If there were another chance, would you like to try again with me?" Minh asked, his voice slow but firm.

Lan looked at him for a long time, then smiled softly.

The train stopped. And for the first time in ten years, they stepped off together, onto a road they never thought they would ever walk together again.

Le Ngoc Son