Stay Near Me

Revelations

    "Let's get some sleep." Bian nodded her head and went over to the mattress where Hoa was in a deep sleep. She scooted Hoa a small bit and huddled next to her. Hoa fussed a small bit but didn't wake up. She huddled up to Bian and drifted far away. Bian eventually fell asleep.

    The next morning Panit woke Bian and Hoa up. He told them about how he had already been awake for a few hours and was organizing a few things. Hoa was able to rise quickly but Bian took awhile. Her fever was worsening. Hoa did her best to help her sister. She brought her water and gave her the last of her honey on bread. Bian happily accepted her offerings. After Bian ate she broke the news to Hoa. Hoa tried to hide her worry for Bian but she didn't do a good job.

    "Chị... well, if we don't hurry then you'll get sicker! It's time to get up." Hoa did her best to pull up Bian but she was too weak. Bian played along and pulled herself up. With Bian up, they could begin their journey. All of Hoa and Bian's possessions were moved into Panit's cart and the mule was ready to pull the cart. Bian had her bandages changed and everyone else had some form of breakfast.

    Bian lead the caravan to the main path. Panit took the directions from there. Hoa skipped along happily and Bian was holding on by a shoestring. Panit walked next to his mule to make sure they would stay on the right track. At the pace they were going, they would make it in a day and a half.

    The first day of travel went well. Hoa's legs began to hurt after hours of walking and was allowed to ride the mule. She talked to it and ended up naming it Jiji. Panit loved the name and decided to stick with it. Along the way, the topic of grandparents came up. Hoa was the instigator.

    "You know, Panit. You are really old and it reminds me of grandparents." She was petting Jiji on the head. "Can I call you, Ông ngoại?" Bian was shocked but also stifled a laugh.

    "Hoa! Don't go around calling people that. It's rude." Bian held back her laughter as best she could.

    "Before I assume anything, what does 'Ông ngoại' mean?" Panit asked in a friendly tone. Bian was quick to answer.

    "It means grandfather. She thinks you're as old as one and wants to call you Ông ngoại." Panit let out a hardy laugh.

    "If Hoa wants to call me Ông ngoại she can. In my native language, it's pronounced Khuṇ pū." Panit looked at Hoa with a bright smile. Hoa smiled back. Bian felt an ache form in her heart but she smiled along.

    They ended up setting a camp to sleep in for the night. Panit found a sleeping bag he had forgotten about and gave it to Hoa and the rug was split between Bian and Panit. Before they went to sleep, they heated up food by a fire. Hoa was given food first and Panit got his last. Hoa ended up being so tired she fell asleep while eating. Bian tucked her in lovingly. She and Panit finished up and sat by the fire. Panit was first to break the silence.

    "You know, Bian, when Hoa called me Ông ngoại I almost shed a tear. At some point in my life, I was supposed to be a Khuṇ pū." Panit poked at the fire with a stick.

    "Well, Hoa never had anybody to call Ông ngoại. This probably means a lot to her." Bian pulled her knees up to her chest. "Her grandparents would be disgusted to see her."

   "Why is that?"

    "Hoa wasn't meant to be born. When they learned of her they threw me out."

    "Why would they throw you out if Hoa is your sister?" Brian's eyes went wide. She slipped up.

    "Ahh... she... Hoa..." Bian began to breathe heavily. Panit scooted closer to her.

    "Bian, is there something you're not telling me?" Panit rubbed Bian's back to comfort her.

    "Hoa... She..." Panit could tell that Bian wanted to say something. Like she was choking on the truth and she wanted to scream it out.

    "Bian. You can trust me." Panit stopped rubbing her back. "It's ok."

    "Panit. Hoa she's... my daughter. She's my baby!" Her voice was shaking and tears fell down her face. "I told Hoa all her life that I was her Chị but it's not true. I've always been her Mẹ ơi." Bian was crying harder each time the memories of her lies came back. "Every time shes called me Chị, I could feel a small pit of guilt build up in me. I just feel horrible having to hide the truth from her." Panit did his best to comfort her. It took her a minute to compose herself. Years of guilt building up can do a number on one's mind.

    "Bian. If you don't mind me asking, what happened?" Panit was prepared to be yelled at but he was shocked to receive an answer.

    "It's alright, Panit. You have offered me something which puts me in heavy debt. You at least deserve to know about me and Hoa." Bian held her knees close to her chest.