Seeing the utter panic written all over Uy Phong's face, An Phong just chuckled softly. He turned away, grabbed a napkin, and handed it over.
"Relax. I was joking."
"...Damn it," Uy Phong muttered, cheeks burning as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
An Phong glanced at him, lips curling into a faint smile. Then, as if remembering something, he stood up.
"Oh—let me call my mom real quick. I'll be back."
"Uh, yeah… sure." Uy Phong mumbled, burying his face back into the soup bowl like it could hide his embarrassment.
An Phong slipped on his jacket and stepped out.The corridor was quiet—fluorescent lights casting a pale glow that stretched his shadow long against the walls. He walked until he reached the hospital courtyard, where a lonely stone bench waited under the trees. Sitting down, he pulled out his phone; the screen lit up, painting his pensive face in blue-white light.
The line rang twice before a soft beep sounded.
"Hello? An Phong? What's the matter, dear?"
Her voice was calm, unhurried—probably still working.
An Phong hesitated a second. So she's still at the office.
"Working overtime again, Mom?" he asked, glancing at the hospital's clock tower glowing in the distance.
"Yeah. I'll probably stay overnight here. Have you eaten yet?"
"I have." He lowered his gaze, hiding a sigh in his throat.
"That's good. So, why did you call?"
"Oh… I just wanted to let you know I won't be home tonight. I'll stay at a friend's place."
"Oh? Which friend? Vy?"
"No."
There was a pause on the other end.For a brief second, his mother seemed taken aback—as if surprised that her son, who rarely opened up to anyone, had another friend besides Vy.She'd always known he wasn't unsociable, just distant. Hearing this, her heart softened; surprise melted into quiet relief.But then her tone turned curious—almost teasing.
"…Do you have a girlfriend?"
An Phong blinked, then broke into laughter. The sound carried through the speaker, warm enough to make his mother chuckle too, her fatigue fading a little.
"What's funny? So you do have one, huh? Does Vy know this girl?"
He smiled faintly, shaking his head. "No, Mom. Not a girlfriend."
"Aw, shame. But hey, you don't have to hide it if you do. You're old enough to fall in love, you know? At my office, some coworkers' kids are barely in middle school and already dating. Meanwhile, my An Phong only sticks to Vy~"
He stayed quiet. His lips curved into a wistful smile, his eyes distant.Part of him wanted to admit something. Another part wanted to keep it tucked away, just a little longer.
"So, who is this friend?"
"Hmm? Just… a classmate."
"Oh? That's nice. A boy or a girl?"
"A boy."
"I see," she said gently, her tone softening. "Well, I'm glad you're making friends. He must be someone you trust a lot."
"Yeah…"
"Alright then. Stay there for the night, but wake up early tomorrow—you still have class. Don't skip breakfast, got it?"
"Yes, Mom. You should get some rest too."
"I will. Okay, sleep soon, sweetheart."
"Goodnight, Mom."
"Goodnight, my boy."
The call ended.
An Phong lowered his phone, sitting still for a while before leaning back and taking a deep breath. The night air was crisp, cool—washing away the noise in his head.
Above, the sky stretched vast and clear, unclouded. Stars shimmered faintly, scattered like quiet laughter across the dark velvet sky.
Wide, mysterious, and yet so gentle—it made him want to sit there forever just to look at it.
He'd always thought the night sky was like people: distant and cold at first glance, but if you watched long enough… it could be heartbreakingly beautiful.
After a while, he stood and walked back to the hospital room.
Inside, the lights were out; only silver moonlight spilled through the window, draping everything in stillness.
He stepped closer.In that soft light, Uy Phong's face appeared—every line and shadow familiar, yet strangely new. An Phong found himself staring for too long before shaking his head slightly.
He sank onto the sofa, rested his head on his arm, intending to nap for a bit…but sleep claimed him almost instantly.
—
The next morning.
An Phong woke to warmth—a blanket over him, softness beneath him. It took him a moment to realize this wasn't the sofa. It was the bed.
Uy Phong's bed.
He bolted upright, eyes darting around. Uy Phong was nowhere in sight.
Confused, he hurried to the door and pushed it open—only to freeze.
There, by the corridor railing, stood Uy Phong.Sunlight spilled over him, glinting on the IV line still attached to his arm. He turned at the sound of the door, lips curling into a mischievous smile.
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
An Phong stiffened, then quickly masked his expression. "Yeah."
A pause.
"Wait… I fell asleep on the sofa last night."
"Yep," Uy Phong said easily. "I carried you to bed. Nice of me, right?"
"What!? Then where did you sleep?"
"Right next to you, of course. The bed's big enough."
An Phong: "…"
Uy Phong crossed his arms, raising a brow in mock offense.
"What? Two guys sharing a bed—nothing weird about that, is there?"
An Phong turned away, not answering. Truth was, it did feel weird.No one had ever been that close to him before… especially not him.
"Relax," Uy Phong grinned. "I'm straight. …Wait, you're not gay, are you?"
An Phong snapped his head around, eyes flashing.
"You're the crazy one here!" he hissed—and SLAM!
The door shut so hard the frame rattled.
Uy Phong blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Jeez, it was just a joke! Why so serious, man?"
Still chuckling, he shook his head and pushed the door open again, muttering to himself with a grin:
"This is getting interesting…"