Hiền's door was still shut. He eased it open just a crack. Everything inside was still and quiet. Across the room, the second door that led to the side hallway showed no sign of being forced. He stepped in boldly, just as that second door swung open. On one side stood Dung, blocking the way; on the other, Hiền, caught off guard.
"What's got you so jumpy?" Dung asked with a half-smile.
Hiền didn't answer. He lunged, grabbed Dung by the shirt, and shoved him to the floor. Then, quick as a flash, he slammed both doors shut.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
"And you, what are you hiding?" Dung got up, straightened his clothes.
"You barge into someone's room uninvited, don't expect me to play nice."
Dung raised both hands in mock surrender. "Come on, we're old pals. No need to get all worked up."
"What do you want?"
"Just poking around, making sure you're not hiding anything stupid. If you think about it, I'm doing you a favor, Hiền."
"Get lost! A guy like you doesn't do favors. I know exactly what you are."
"And I know you. So watch yourself, you're not the only ones here."
Hiền found Dung's words puzzling but chose not to press him. "So you're here as a hunting dog?"
"That's right. And I'll haul in any bonehead who tries to play hero here, count on it."
Dung gave the room a quick once-over, then slipped out the way he'd come.
Left alone, Hiền let out a long breath, like a man who'd just dodged disaster. He felt quietly pleased that he'd managed to stay one step ahead of Dung.
.
On the small bed in the private room set aside for Đông Anh, the boy reclined halfway against the headboard, eyes on Dung's hand resting on his stomach.
"Am I hurting you?" Dung asked, his finger tracing lightly over the reddened skin.
"It tickles," Đông Anh murmured.
Dung's eyes went round. Then a wicked smile spread across his face. "Where, exactly? Here? Or maybe… here?" His fingers jabbed playfully over Đông Anh's belly.
"Stop, it tickles! I'm not joking!" Đông Anh grabbed Dung's hand and tossed it aside. "From now on I'll put the ointment on myself. Don't touch me again."
"No can do. That burn's way down here, you can't see it well," Dung said, sliding his hand lower, only to have it blocked again. He wriggled his fingers stubbornly. "You can't stop me."
"I'm stronger than you, you know." Đông Anh tightened his grip on Dung's wrist in warning.
"Agh! I give up, I give up. No more teasing. Lie down and get some proper sleep."
Dung sat up, screwed the lid back onto the jar of ointment, set it on the table, and went to pull out the mosquito net. He worked with meticulous care, tucking in each corner neatly. Đông Anh watched in silence, not blinking, and only spoke once Dung had stretched out on the bed.
"Dung."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you let me hold a gun this afternoon?"
Dung stayed quiet, one arm folded under his head. He didn't seem eager to answer. The silence was filled only by a faraway soldier's love song drifting from some unseen radio, the ballad's slow confession somehow cutting deeper in the night. Đông Anh kept his gaze on Dung, waiting.
"If you pick up a gun, you have to pick a side. You'll have to blow the enemy's brains out… and then your whole world will be nothing but grief and regret."
The dragging notes from the radio seemed to drape more melancholy over Dung's solitary back.
"Leaving before the dawn, we walk each other to the end of the road, afraid the night's joy might droop.…"
(Song: 24h Phép by Trúc Phương)
Dung glanced over his shoulder. "Sir, best you go back to God."
A heaviness settled in Đông Anh's chest. He'd never thought he wouldn't return to the seminary, yet somehow the mention of it left him feeling strangely hollow. He forced a smile, nudged Dung's back, and said:
"Sing me something."
"Why out of the blue? It's late, go to sleep."
"Can't. Still not used to it."
"Not used to it after two, three nights sleeping with me?" Dung slid closer.
"That's not even related!" Đông Anh punched him lightly but stayed firm on getting his song.
"Looks like I'm spoiling you a bit too much, sir."
Dung propped a pillow against the headboard and leaned back. He cleared his throat and sang a few flat notes:
"The eyes are the doorway to the heart,
and when they meet, the sorrows of the world slip away…"
"I thought you'd sing your favorite song," Đông Anh said.
"My favorite song?"
"That 'Yêu Em' (Love you) one—you sing it all the time."
"Ah, but I've got no 'love' to sing it to."
"Didn't you just say you had someone?
"Yeah, but who knows if they actually care for me?" Dung's eyes locked on Đông Anh.
A strange silence stretched between them. Dung rolled onto his side, propping himself on his left elbow, gaze never leaving Đông Anh. Then he began to sing again—this time with utter seriousness, the sweetest tones he could muster:
"Darling, I just want to say
why stay so cold when I love you with all I am?
Don't hide from your own heart,
when it colors your cheeks with blush,
and let me hold you in my dreams."
(Song: Yêu Em by Lê Hựu Hà)
For a fleeting moment, Dung thought he saw a blush rise on Đông Anh's cheeks. The mood was edging toward something tender when the light suddenly went out. Every trace of heat in Dung's eyes hardened into alertness. He grabbed Đông Anh's hand.
"Stay right here, don't make a sound."
Dung's chest tightened. He pricked up his ears, catching the noises outside—shouts of panic, the rattle of a door being pulled, the pounding of feet.
"Power outage?" he guessed.
When it seemed the danger had ebbed, he let go of Đông Anh. Slipping out from under the net, Dung made his way to the window. A flashlight beam swept across the hallway. Moments later, an officer jogged up to the window and handed him a flashlight.
"There's a fault in the power system. We're working on it. You two just stay put."
Dung nodded, switched on the flashlight, and returned to the bed. Đông Anh had already lifted the net for easier movement. After sizing things up for a bit, Dung shoved the flashlight into Đông Anh's hand.
"Keep this on you and stay here. If anything happens, head straight for the gate and get in one of the officers' jeeps. They all know your face, don't worry. Just go, don't wait for me."
"Where are you going?" Đông Anh gripped Dung's arm.
"I'm just saying that in case. I'm going out to see what's going on. I'll be right back. Stay put!"
With that, Dung left in a decisive stride, prompting Đông Anh to call after him in alarm:
"Dung!"
"Stay put," Dung shot back, his voice sharp, before vanishing through the door.