First of all, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to you, my reader.
Thank you—for choosing to pause here, among countless other stories out there to read this little tale of mine.
I began writing When the Heart Remembers (Nhất Dạ Chiêu Tâm) when I was still a university student.
Back then, I was just stepping into adulthood, yet my heart was already filled with countless questions about love, about choices, and about the quiet ache of things left unsaid.
I wrote seven chapters and then set the story aside not because I ran out of ideas, but because life swept me away. I had classes, work, and a long-distance relationship. The person I loved was studying abroad, while I was caught in a whirlwind of nameless responsibilities.
But this story never truly left me.
There were nights when I found myself wondering:
If a girl could choose the one, she loves...
Should she choose the one who makes her heart race, or the one who quietly loves and protects her without asking for anything in return?
My mother once said:
"You should choose someone who loves you more, it'll hurt less that way."
I believe she was right.
But I also believe the most beautiful love is one where both people love each other deeply and choose to stay, not just out of longing, but with intention.
That's why I wrote this story not only to honor patient, steadfast love,
But to speak to those who have been hurt before:
That sincere love, even if it comes late, is still worth waiting for.
And true love should be a place where both hearts meet halfway.
Not where one keeps running toward someone who never turns around.
Perhaps that's why I created Bạch Lan, a girl who once loved wholeheartedly,
Who once gave all her trust and her heart to someone who couldn't protect it.
She isn't perfect. She wasn't strong from the start.
But amidst the chaos of past wounds and present choices, she learns to listen to her own voice.
I care deeply for her.
And for anyone who, like her, yearns to love but fears being broken again.
Through her journey, I hope readers will also pause to ask themselves:
"Am I loving the right person? Or am I just trying not to be alone?"
When the Heart Remembers is more than a love story.
It's a journey of self-discovery, of grappling with memory and reality,
Of choosing between the heart and the safety of what's familiar.
After a long break, I stumbled upon my old draft and reread every line.
To my surprise, I realized the story I once left behind... wasn't so bad after all.
So I picked up my pen again.
To finish what I started, to keep a promise to my younger self, and to tell a story I still believe in:
That real love exists, imperfect, yes, but genuine.
To those who are in love, who have loved, or who have fallen and are trying again.
I hope you find a part of your heart within When the Heart Remembers.
Even if you once chose wrong, it's okay.
Life still gives you the chance to choose again.
And this time, you deserve a love that's real.
Love should never be blind.
Sincerity doesn't mean surrendering.
Some people love but love themselves more than they ever could love you.
And some love quietly and never leave.
In the end, the choice is always yours.
Wishing you a meaningful journey.
And if you can… please believe:
There is someone out there who will love you with all the peace they carry in their soul.
– Zieny
Note on Names:
In this story, the protagonist's full name is Bạch Lan, which roughly translates to "White Orchid." It's a poetic and delicate name that reflects her gentle yet resilient nature.
Her family and those close to her often call her Bạch Nhi or Tiểu Bạch - affectionate nicknames that carry a sense of intimacy and endearment.
In Vietnamese, "Nhi" and "Tiểu" are diminutive forms, similar to calling someone "little" or "dear," evoking the image of someone small, tender, and cherished.
So, while Bạch Lan, Bạch Nhi, and Tiểu Bạch refer to the same person, the variations simply show how different characters relate to her, whether formally or with warmth and familiarity.
Don't worry - they are not different people. Just one heart… seen through many lenses.
Copyright Notice
The work "When the Heart Remembers" (Nhất Dạ Chiêu Tâm) is the original creation of me – Zieny. This story was originally written in Vietnamese.
All translations, including the English version, have been made by me or under my direct permission, with the intention of reaching a wider international audience.
Please do not copy, repost, or use any part of this work in any form without my written consent.