7am on the first day of Tet
When the shimmering drops of early morning sunlight penetrated the opaque clouds and shone through the leaves of the old jackfruit tree standing next to the patio, outside at the gate of my house, a group of more than ten people from my uncle’s family, led by my uncle, were laughing and chatting as they entered the gate. My grandmother and everyone in the house stepped out into the patio, greeting each other with New Year wishes, their eyes and smiles were friendly and happy. Aunt Hau walked behind with a carrying pole on her shoulder, on two baskets at the bottom of the pole were two trays of food that had been arranged with each dish fully prepared. My uncle’s eldest son carried a tray of food on his head.
My grandmother asked, what’s wrong with you?
My uncle smiled gently and held my grandmother’s hand.
Big sister, every year, according to tradition, after eating, we go over to burn incense for our ancestors at the beginning of the year. This year, a few days ago, I discussed with Uncle Binh that the morning meal on the first day of the year will be prepared by my family and Uncle Binh’s family at each house. Later, Uncle Binh’s family will bring it over here. We will burn incense and pray to our ancestors at the beginning of the year, then we will all sit down to eat the first meeting meal of the year, sister.
I sympathize with you, uncle Binh wanted to give you a surprise so he didn’t tell you in advance. I hope you understand.
My grandmother raised her hand to wipe away her tears..a smile appeared on her lips..
Auntie said, “Ba, you’re happy, why are you crying?” Hehe.
Her father, because he is happy
Children’s voices, children around ten years old chasing each other around the yard, down there the youngest uncle’s house is also dragging each other up to the yard…
Several trays of food were placed on the altar, my grandmother and two uncles knelt down to pray, the three-room house with Bat Trang tiled floor was cleaned by the mute lady, spread out several pairs of flower mats, on the bed two trays of food were placed ready waiting for the incense to burn out, everyone was waiting for the first family reunion meal of the year.
in the loving, waiting eyes, each grandchild received lucky New Year’s greetings from my grandmother, everything was so simple but planted in my heart that image that will never fade, my hometown’s New Year, the reunion New Year of each family, each house. So that today will last forever
On the first day of the month, my house was bustling, people came and went with leisurely and gentle steps, everyone was happy and smiling, my mute aunt and I chattered happily in our hearts.
The first evening of the year in the village was bustling. At 7 pm, she said, “Do you want to go out?”
I smiled, I’ll go with my friends later, grandma.
The first day of the fifth lunar month this year was not too cold. On the brick yard, Mr. Dong Tuong’s house and Mr. Cu Viet’s house were the two families that were the village’s champions in fertility. The two men were cheerful and gentle, had many children, and had several daughters of marriageable age, so they accidentally became the center of attention for the children and young men in the village who were looking for a partner.
In the yard, several mats were spread out and several decks of cards were displayed on three mats. In the house, several sets of cards were displayed for the elders to show their wins and losses.
The reward was just a basket of sticky rice each person contributed. Whoever lost would have some left over after a few nights, the homeowner would bring it to the temple to offer a drop of oil for the temple to make sticky rice.
At nearly 10 o’clock at night, the atmosphere in the two houses became more and more bustling. Mr. Tuan and some of the men in the village’s self-defense team,
i greet
you mean you
Yes
Are you on night patrol?
Yes, during Tet we have to patrol the village to ensure security, honey. I wonder if I’ve seen any girls yet?
I’m still young
hehe you’re only sixteen, get used to seeing girls
do you have it yet?
yes.. hehe
So you’re not coming home from patrolling tonight?
no we will sleep at the youth meeting place
I looked at him absentmindedly thinking back to the time when he was the most mischievous leader in the village. After years of growing up, now the land and Mrs. Binh’s house are his two sons, two sweet fruits.
Quiet night, peaceful village road somewhere echoes the sound of poetry… late night radio broadcast echoes in the late night with sad tones, the sound of lotus flute and the sound of the monochord sows in the hearts of people of my homeland this year so much hope
Walking back to the bathing dock, the cold wind blows against the river surface. The dock is a gathering place for the countryside all year round. Now, on New Year’s Eve, it is where young men and women seek warm embraces.
the sound of laughter, the sound of boys chasing each other with village girls, the sound of flirting…oh my…it seems like a bold guy is holding her hand
The girl’s grunts and moans rose up..
My best friend told me…you…you and I go to the bamboo bush over there, there’s a couple sitting hugging each other. We’ll probably drag each other to a quiet place later.
I said…I’m going home, along the way home behind is the bathing place…I hear the calls of boys and girls from both banks, the village is still full of humanity, still thriving…still loving, a thousand years of hope
The second day of Tet. Ms. Hong and her mother leisurely walked into the yard, looking at her slim waist, her beautiful body in a soft silk shirt, everything seemed to radiate heat unintentionally. Ms. Hong, the beautiful woman of the village, leaving behind many longing and envious gazes.
She looked at me and smiled, my chest heaved and heaved, remembering the old days…my mood was so melancholy, it’s been so long…oh, now…my heart feels so uneasy
The mute girl sat next to him with innocent and gentle eyes. The two most beautiful village girls.
Miss Hong said…looking at the tall young man today…her eyes sparkled with fire. The eyes of the village girl selling wine in the village lit up. Hardships, circumstances, many unexpected events. She was still red like a fruit in season, still very sweet.
you…i look at you strangely..
When leaving, she whispered… come to her house tonight to wish her a happy new year.
I asked her…grandma, I’m going to Mr. Dam’s house to wish him a happy new year.
His house was also happy..he was sending off his brother, his wife and grandson to his grandfather’s house at the beginning of spring..
The priest held my hand and gave me a red envelope. I was shy.
Tú. We are both men, so I don’t want to be long-winded. Honestly, my husband and I are grateful to Mu and you. If you love me, remember to visit your teacher. I am a man but I haven’t arranged to go back to my teacher yet. From now on, consider me as your close brother. If you want anything, tell me.
hehe..this summer I’m going to town to play, I’ll take you to the zoo
I smiled and said…I don’t need it yet. Then the couple walked to the village entrance. Looking at the beautiful wife following behind…her graceful figure swaying.
The man’s dream is coming true…remembering the promise from the rose this morning…going to her house tonight to wish her a happy new year…so excited it’s hard to describe
Mr. Dam said…what’s up…is there a story?
I laughed…no sir
Don’t hide it from me, kid..do you have an appointment with someone? I’ll pour you a glass of pink water that smells of Chinese medicine.
He put out a tray of cakes…the sweet, gentle scent of early spring cakes, come eat some cake.
I told you…so today you celebrate spring alone..
down mood..
He said it was okay if he wanted to, he would have moved on a long time ago.
Being single like this gives you more opportunities..later your nieces and nephews will come over to wish you a happy new year.
I laugh…
hee hee..is that you, bro?
hee hee…maybe both of us
Then there was a girl who lived in the province. Every year he treated her and had a son. After that, the couple broke up. Every year after Tet, she came back to visit him for a few days.
hee hee..so you are full of people
yeah..you can have it anytime you want..
oh sir
what a beauty
Did you take my aunt’s pulse and prescribe medicine before?
yeah..is there anything wrong?
Oh, my aunt said…when you held my hand to check my pulse, my aunt said her heart was pounding…hehe
Oh, that day he touched her wrist to see if she had any illness. Is that what your aunt said?
Yes
Her strong temperament was suppressed for a long time, so she became depressed and unbalanced. Girls and women with light arm hair, thick eyebrows, long eye corners, and a lot of hair in that area have healthy physiology, and can ask for men all day long.
really sir
people like Mrs. Binh, Miss Hong, long legs but not tired, back is narrow, chest is attacking, but butt is defending… all day long if the husband is weak, they will lose, my dear… hehe, those people are very lustful
sir…so when you met those people…can you win?
sometimes win, sometimes lose..the main thing is to stay calm at the beginning..let the opponent soften up..then attack, fight intensively..
I sat listening to him talk and tell stories… my heart was filled with anticipation, hoping that tonight I would go out to wish Miss Hong a happy new year.
he said… come sleep with him tonight
Yes, let me ask my grandmother. I will come over tonight, grandpa.
Yes, just leave the back gate open when you come over.
the evening of the second day of Tet..
from the afternoon the wind changed and the cold air poured in, i put on a warm coat and leisurely cycled to the playground of the same house, the children gathered in large numbers from the gate in, some of them lit oil lamps to play marbles for money… probably got money from their parents at the beginning of spring to go out for Tet
In the yard, boys and girls sat close together. There were even a few hands around the back, gently holding their wrists. Boys and girls of love age, a really happy scene in early spring. After 8pm, I backed the car to the end of the alley.
The road along the field, the wind is blowing gently..a feeling of heat somewhere gently shakes my heart..the wheels turn evenly..the night sky of the 2nd is dark. Somewhere, a dog barks in the night..someone’s kitchen smells of grilled meat wafting out in the cold night
In the distance, the wind blew through the fields, the leaves swayed and rustled. Her wooden gate was gently closed. I stopped the car, my heart pounding with excitement.
The oil lamp flickered…in the kitchen the fire was glowing red…someone’s shadow was graceful, the night sky above her quiet yard
I stood outside quietly, gently propped the bike up with a straw stump. I went around the gate latch to enter the house… nervous, a feeling of waiting… a few glasses of morning ginseng tea at Mr. Dam’s house… now that place is tense, filled with emotion.
oh..whose shadow is that by the fire, pushing the firewood, the tunic against the bulging chest..why isn’t it the pink hair, I step closer..heart beats fast..why is Mrs. Binh sitting by the stove at this hour..
thinking…why…let’s go home…she must have gone somewhere…huh why is she so calm at this hour
I stepped back out and said, “Miss Rose…”
come in..oh hello grandma binh..happy smile
oh..is that you?..going to buy something..
no grandma..i went to play cards..i plan to stop by to wish aunt hong a happy new year
ah…i understand…suffering
what a pain
Oh, that pink house…this afternoon, when I came back from wishing a few families a happy new year, a postman came by on his bike to deliver a telegram. He called downstairs saying his mother had fallen and broken her arm or something, and asked her and her to come home immediately. The mother and her have hurriedly arranged to ride their bikes back at 2pm and asked her to come out and help look after the house for a few days.
I heard Mrs. Binh say that and my mood dropped, so much excitement and expectation of the surprise..
now…hesitating
Grandma said, “Why are you standing out in the cold night dew, my dear?”
I walked lightly…close to the door. The scent of perfume wafted in the gentle breeze. Mrs. Binh wore soft, short pants that reached her knees. Her legs were white and soft, her plump buttocks bent over, her face was rosy.
I asked
grandma how long have you been out
Oh… I left last night, after dinner I came here. I was going to sleep but it’s so cold at home tonight. My house is on the edge of the field, the wind is blowing. Every now and then there’s a rustling sound outside the window. It’s like a ghost.
hehe..maybe the leaves are rubbing against the window
I looked at that corner…she spread some bundles of straw…on it was a flower mat and a careless pillow
Grandma. Are you planning to sleep here?
I wonder why she has trouble sleeping these days.. hehe.
Come in here and sit with me..no one is talking, I’m bored to death
Her eyes were sparkling and swaying, the charcoal fire in the stove flickered, casting a rosy glow on her face…
I hesitated…so strange
gently stepping into the wind-proof kitchen… the fire… the heat radiating from her plump chest quickly brought back the image of that day… at Mr. Dam’s house, the feeling of fluttering in the empty tent at noon in the vegetable field, her hand holding my hand, her footsteps that day running away so quickly
now… why is it so strange.. half want to go home, half tell me..
sit down
outside the night sky is late and quiet the fields are dark purple the cold wind still blows endlessly…
The feeling of early spring is back…what should I do now?