On a scorching summer day in 2024,
A young man stood silently beneath a flamboyant tree ablaze with crimson blossoms. His backpack hung heavily from one shoulder, and his eyes gazed into the distance — as if waiting for someone, lost in the golden blaze of midday sun.
From afar, a gentle silhouette appeared under the shade of tall green trees lining the path.
— "Hey Uy, have you been waiting long?" — a girl's voice rang out, light and clear.
The boy smiled quietly and shook his head.
— "You're always so cold," — the girl puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance, yet couldn't hide the joy on her face — "You invited me to Saigon, and now you're all silent?"
— "Shall we go, Nguyệt?" — the boy gently took her slender hand.
— "Okay, but you're the boy, you should be more proactive! I'm the girl, remember?"
Together, they strolled along the bustling streets of magnificent Saigon — where the crowd flowed like rivers, horns blared, and golden sunlight poured through the trees.
— "I have to admit, what you said about Saigon wasn't just talk."
— "So, where do you want to go now?"
— "Hmm... Let me think... Ah! Let's go to Bến Thành Market! I heard it's super lively!"
Bến Thành Market came into view — its bright red-tiled roof standing out in the heart of District 1. The old clock tower atop the building was a timeless icon of the city. Stalls bustled with activity, voices of vendors calling out, and the air was rich with the scent of street food.
— "Wow, this place is amazing! Hey, take some pictures of me!"
Without waiting for Uy's reply, the girl struck poses, her jet-black hair shimmering in the summer sun. Her red dress fluttered in the breeze — innocent, yet subtly blooming with the charm of youth.
Uy lifted his camera, capturing every lively moment of Nguyệt against the vibrant backdrop.
— "Let me see!"
— "I'll show you when we get home."
— "You're impossible! Who makes a girl wait? You owe me for this!"
— "Alright, how about some flan to cool down?"
— "That sounds awesome! You better treat me!"
— "Of course, I'm paying. It's not like you ever do."
— "You!" — She gave him a playful nudge on the back, cheeks tinged pink, her smile blooming like a flower in full sun.
They slipped into a small dessert shop tucked beside the market and ordered two servings of creamy caramel flan. The sweet, silky flavor — rich with egg and milk, balanced by a hint of burnt sugar — melted the heat away.
— "Hey, after this, let's head to Notre-Dame Cathedral! I heard it's a stunning place for wedding photos!"
In that dreamy moment, she pictured herself in a white wedding gown, walking side by side with someone she loved on her special day...
"He may never have known — that the innocent girl had always watched over him from afar, her love tender and true, as pure as spring's first bloom, and as fervent as summer's burning sun."
After paying, they resumed their walk through the city, now bathed in the glow of late afternoon. Sunset gilded the buildings, painting glass windows and metal frames in shades of fire and gold.
Notre-Dame Cathedral rose into view — solemn and stately, its twin spires reaching into the sky. The Gothic architecture stood proud in the center of District 1, illuminated by the dying sun.
Phượng ran around like an excited child, taking in the beauty with wide eyes.
— "Take my picture! Quick!"
Uy quietly raised his camera again, capturing her joy, step by step.
Once the excitement faded, they sat on a stone bench nearby. The sun had dipped below the skyline, and the city lights began to bloom. Saigon at night was like a symphony of light — neon signs dancing, buildings glowing like stars fallen to earth.
— "That was so much fun. Let's do this again sometime, okay?"
Uy stood up silently, walking away without a word.
— "Are you doing this again? Hey, wait for me!"
Phượng rushed after him, worry clouding her face.
— "Why won't you say anything? Where are you going?"
He stopped at the riverbank, resting his hands on the iron railing. The Saigon River flowed gently by, reflecting the rising moon behind towers and rooftops.
Then he cried. Quietly, but deeply — tears flowing like a dam broken.
— "Why are you crying?" — she asked, stunned and trembling.
Uy lowered his bag and opened it. Inside was a small, white urn. He cradled it in both hands — not because it was heavy, but because of the weight in his heart.
— "It's time…"
Phượng's cheerful demeanor faded. She stood still, staring at the river, then turned to face him.
— "Live on… for the both of us, okay?"
— "How could I, silly girl…"
— "You can."
She took his hand in hers, gently lifting it. The breeze tousled her hair. Moonlight bathed her face in a pale glow.
— "I love you."
— "I love you too."
With all the courage he had left, Uy cast the urn into the river. Phượng faded with the current, returning to the great sea, to the eternal embrace of nature. She was no longer of this world — just a memory held tightly in his heart.
Above, the moonlight shimmered across the water's surface — gentle and achingly tender.
And somewhere in the middle of this ever-moving city,
A lonely soul wandered quietly on, carrying a love that lived only in poetry and memory.
---