That day, it rained heavily, one of those seasonal downpours that seemed determined to wash away every sorrow.
Ngoc Vy sat quietly, watching the raindrops fall against the courtyard. The sound of the rain tapping on the ground only made the emptiness inside her grow colder and deeper.
She sighed, her mind wandering back over the past. There were moments that had been so beautiful, so dreamy, that she couldn't bear to let them go and yet there were also times so dull, so fragile, that it felt like a single gust of wind could blow them away.
She spun her phone between her fingers, her thoughts tangled and heavy.
Yesterday, she and Lam Tuan had argued. She never thought he would lose his temper over something so small.
Lately, he had become childish, easily angered. Even the tiniest thing could set him off. Gone were the warmth and patience he once had.
She remembered asking him long ago.
"When we're older, when work and life get stressful, will you still be able to handle my childish temper?"
He had smiled then, sweat glistening down his strong shoulders as he pedaled the bike.
"Silly girl doesn't worry. No matter what happens, I'll never let my stress make me angry with you."
Those words still echoed in her mind but to him, they must have already faded away.
The messages from last night still burned in her memory, each one cutting deeper into the fragile pieces of her heart.
"Can you stop being so childish for once?"
"I'm tired. I already have enough pressure here, don't make you become my burden."
Ngoc Vy finished reading his message, and her heart felt like it had shattered into pieces.
A burden?
Since when had she become a burden to him?
The girl who waited for him every single day, who longed for his return, was now his burden?
"I don't want to talk anymore. It's late. I can't stay up all night arguing with you. My parents worked so hard to send me here to study."
She glanced at the clock. It was barely past ten.
But to him, that was already late.
She suddenly felt so small, so helpless.
Past ten was "late" for him, but what about the nights she stayed up until midnight, or even until dawn, fighting to keep her eyes open just to talk to him?
So... she really didn't matter that much to him after all.
Those painful words echoed again and again in her mind, each one slicing deeper into her heart.
He probably didn't even realize how sharp; how cruel his words had been.
It hurt, the kind of pain that comes when you suddenly realize you're no longer important, no longer loved.
Promises to men, they often fade with time, forgotten easily.
But to women, a promise is faith itself, the only thing they hold on to.
Now that he was like this... what was she supposed to do?
Her nose stung, her eyes shimmered red with tears she refused to let fall.
Vuong Ngoc Vy!
Calm down, you can't let yourself break down right now!
As she headed home, the rain finally began to fade, but unfortunately, her scooter refused to start.
With a heavy sigh, Ngoc Vy pushed the stubborn bike step by step toward the gate. Then, lost in thought, her foot slipped. She fell hard, her knee scraping the rough pavement, a thin line of blood seeping out.
She stayed there, motionless, like a little girl abandoned at a street corner, curling up into herself. Slowly, she pulled her phone from her bag. For some reason, the only thought in her mind was to call Lam Tuan. She wanted to hear his voice, just once.
Even though they had argued bitterly the night before, he was still the first person she thought of in that moment.
But in the end, she didn't call.
It was three in the morning where he was, even if she called, what could he possibly do?
Ngoc Vy's thoughts drifted back to their past. When he was still here, there were already so many times she called and he never picked up, so how could she expect him to now, when they were oceans apart?
She didn't blame him. She knew he never meant to abandon her in those moments. She was just sad that she always had to handle everything on her own.
Sometimes, she just wished there could be someone... someone she could lean on, even for a little while.
In her most vulnerable moment, she suddenly felt the warmth of a hand resting over hers.
"Professor Luong..." – Her tears still streaked her cheeks as she looked up at him.
"Are you okay?" – His deep, calm voice broke through the silence and the fear gripping her heart.
She said nothing.
"Your knee is bleeding." – Concern laced his voice as he quickly helped her upright and propped her scooter.
Ngoc Vy glanced down, seeing the red stain spreading across her pale knee, a bitter reminder of reality.
That warm hand wrapped around her, guiding her to stand.
"Let me take you to the infirmary."
"N-no, it's fine..." – she mumbled, trying to hide her feelings.
Before she could finish, her small frame was already cradled in his arms. His masculine breath brushed lightly against her face, deep and gentle.
Ngoc Vy, like a child, leaned into him, feeling an unexpected warmth and comfort she couldn't explain.
The professor carried her carefully to the infirmary, meticulously cleaning and bandaging her knee with careful attention.
From the pain, she now felt as if drifting in a new dream, dazed as she watched every careful, serious gesture of his. Every movement, the subtle motion of his fingers, the gentle sway of his hair, all looked masculine and captivating.
His voice sounded again, sharp yet tinged with worry, making her both startled and touched.
"How did you manage to fall like this?"
She flinched, suddenly brought back to reality, and stammered to explain.
"I..." – Her eyes welled up again, her voice caught in her throat.
"Alright, enough! Let me take you home." – Professor Luong continued to focus on disinfecting his hands carefully.
"No, it's not necessary, it's just a small wound. I can manage on my own." – She waved her hands vigorously to refuse.
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes, really." – She smiled, bowing her head in thanks.
Ten minutes after speaking, she already felt deeply regretful. Her leg ached, and she was struggling with the heavy, cumbersome bike. Somehow, Phan Thanh Luong appeared, his voice calm but sharp.
"What's wrong now?"
She stayed silent, staring at the bike, quietly swallowing back her tears.
"The bike won't start?"
Without waiting for her reply, professor Luong lifted the bike, opened the trunk, and pulled out some spare parts. He busily tinkered, adjusting and fixing things.
After a while, he got on the bike, pressing the pedals hard, each push looking strong and commanding.
"All done." – His voice rang out, deep and decisive.
She stared at him, bewildered, still unsure what to do.
"The bike runs now." – He repeated.
"Ah... yes, thank you, professor Luong." – She awkwardly took the bike back.
He wiped his sleeve, brushing sweat from his forehead, shifting from that commanding presence back to his usual refined demeanor.
"Yeah... Take care."
She politely bowed her head in thanks and waved.
"I'll go first now."
On her way home, the rain fell in light drizzles, each cold gust of wind seeming to seep into her soul, filling it with a profound, lonely sadness.
Seeing couples walking hand in hand, clinging to each other despite the rain, her heart ached painfully.
She missed the days when Lam Tuan treated her just like that.
Back then, the rain had drizzled just like this, and he had carried her across three bridges. She remembered seeing sweat mingling with raindrops soaking the hollow of his shoulders, and it made her heart ache. She had suggested getting down to walk with him, but he had firmly refused.
"How could there be such a fool? I told you I'm not tired. Carrying the person I love, no matter how heavy, I won't feel tired."
Tears slid down her cheeks, carrying with them a whole rainy season of memories.
In that moment, she felt as if she had vanished from the world, leaving only her silent heart and hands trembling from emptiness.
Watching couples' hand in hand through the rain, she felt so small, so lost. Every emotion inside her seemed to have shattered, fading away along with the pain.
© Note: My Professor, My Husband – Copyright belongs to Zieny. Any copying, editing, or reuploading in any form without permission is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted according to the law.