The sea breeze was no longer as biting as before, leaving only a gentle mist that brushed against the skin.
Bao Uyen knelt by the water's edge, her feet still submerged in the river. She made no move to leave—not because she couldn't, but because she refused to stray from this spot.
"…Right here..." she whispered.
Thien lay with his head resting on her lap. His hair was soaked, clinging to his forehead, and his face was pale—but it was no longer as cold as it had been. Bao Uyen's hand trembled as she brushed the hair from his face.
"…Can you hear me…?"
There was no reply. Only his breath, faint and shallow. She squeezed his hand tight, terrified that if she let go, he would vanish once more.
"I'm not taking you anywhere..." her voice was soft but resolute. "No hospital… no one else..."
She leaned down, her forehead gently touching his. "…Wake up… please wake up for me…"
The wind swept past, causing the water behind them to ripple softly. The necklace around Bao Uyen's neck began to vibrate once again.
"…?" She started.
The Rose-Blue light was clearer this time. No longer a fleeting flash, it was a thin stream of radiance flowing along the chain, spilling down into her hand where she held Thien's.
"…What is this…?"
The light surged into his body. Soft. Warm. One heartbeat. Then—
"…khụ…!"
Thien's body jolted. Bao Uyen froze. "…Brother…?"
A faint cough followed. Water spilled from the corner of his lips, his breath ragged… then gradually stabilizing. His eyelashes fluttered, and then… his eyes slowly opened.
"…Ư…"
His gaze was hazy, lacking a focus.
"Brother Thien!" Bao Uyen's voice broke. She leaned down, cradling his face in her hands. "Can you hear me?! Brother…!"
Thien blinked a few times, the world before him slowly sharpening into focus. He saw a face drenched in tears.
"…Uyen…?"
His voice was hoarse and weak, but clear enough. Bao Uyen went rigid, then immediately collapsed into him.
"You're awake…!" She clung to him, unable to hold back any longer, her body racking with sobs. "Do you have any idea how scared I was…?" Her voice was choked. "I thought… I had lost you…"
Thien didn't speak immediately. He just lay there, his head still on her lap, feeling her warmth and her frantic heartbeat. A long silence followed. Then, his lips twitched into a faint smirk.
"…I told you…" his voice was weak but carried a trace of his usual self, "…that I'd take you home…"
Bao Uyen went still, then bowed her head, fresh tears falling. "…You idiot…" she squeezed his shoulder lightly. "Next time… don't disappear like that again…"
Thien gave a soft chuckle, but immediately winced. "…It hurts…"
"…Serves you right." Yet her touch grew even gentler as she looked down at him. "…Can you move?"
Thien tried to lift his hand. It was slow and heavy. "…For now… I'm not dead yet…"
"…Don't you dare say that!" she snapped instantly.
He went quiet for a moment, then exhaled softly. His gaze drifted across the dark sky above before turning to the swirling river behind them. The Bach Dang River was now eerily quiet.
"Let's go home…" he said softly.
"No, your body is still badly injured. You have to stay lying here for me," Bao Uyen replied immediately.
Thien smiled faintly. "Alright… I'll listen to you… I'll lie here for a little longer…"
Bao Uyen's hand remained locked in his. At that moment, Thien's gaze settled on the necklace around her neck. The light had faded, but the resonance remained.
"…That necklace…?"
Bao Uyen looked at him, frowning slightly. "You're still asking about this now?"
Thien chuckled softly. "Because I just want to know… about that necklace of yours…"
She stared at him for a long time… then sighed. "…Fine… I'll tell you…"
The wind blew gently; the water was still. "…Actually… this necklace…" she hesitated. "…was a gift from you… when we were children."
Thien went still. "…I gave it to you?"
Bao Uyen didn't answer right away. She looked out at the silently flowing Bach Dang River, as if recalling something from a distant past. Then she turned back to look at him.
"…Do you remember… the little girl with her hair in twin buns?"
Thien narrowed his eyes. "…A girl… twin buns…?"
A long silence. Then, a memory flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning. A small girl, hair in twin buns, wearing a pink dress, standing by the riverbank and smiling at him.
"Big brother…"
Thien's eyes widened. "…Could it be…" He looked at Bao Uyen. "…you are… that girl?"
Bao Uyen looked at her, a smile that was faint yet reached the depths of her eyes. "…Finally… you remember…"
The sea breeze swept past. It was light, but this time, it was no longer cold. In the distance, the river water shifted slightly—so faint it was barely there. As if an old story had begun to wake up.
The memories had opened. And so had destiny.