my goddess

"Hey, you there! Didn't anyone teach you any manners? Hmm... Why didn't you stand up when I came in?"

Terrified, I stammered, "Y-yes, ma'am. It's because… I wasn't paying attention."

The teacher's voice grew stern.

"Then stand for the next two periods!"

Without hesitation, she wrote my name into the class misconduct book. What a terrible day! I stood there, stiff as a statue, unable to move or do anything. Only when it was time to write did I bend down slightly to jot things down.

Finally, the time to go home arrived, but my back and legs were aching. The worst part? Getting punished right in front of the goddess herself. Everyone packed their bags, ready to leave as the sky began to glow with hues of sunset. My legs were numb, making it hard to move quickly. Slowly, I placed each book and pen into my bag, still brooding over the incident. It was such a small mistake; there was no need to blow it out of proportion.

Suddenly, a voice came from my right.

"Hey, do you need help?"

The voice was warm, sweet, and clear. I looked up. It was Mai! Oh my gosh...

"You've been standing for so long. Are you tired?" Mai's face showed genuine concern.

Oh no, someone like me was actually noticed by Mai! I couldn't believe this was real. Nervously, I blurted out uncontrollably:

"I'M FINE, TOTALLY FINE!"

Mai smiled gently, her eyes sparkling like stars.

"By the way, do we go the same way home? I've seen you walking along my route before," Mai asked softly, clutching her bag.

I looked out of the window, avoiding her gaze as my heart raced, thump-thump, thump-thump. Thoughts of wrapping my arms around Mai flashed through my mind, but I quickly dismissed them and replied:

"Yeah."

The two of us quietly left the classroom, not forgetting to lock the door. I fumbled with the lock for a bit before getting it secured. Done, I thought she had already left. But no! As I stepped down the stairs, her silhouette was still there, waiting for me at the school gate.

"Wait a minute, is this a sign from her?" I wondered, my heart bursting with joy. Perhaps the heavens had arranged for this budding romance.

The sky was breathtakingly beautiful, indescribably so. It blended with the blooming flowers—red, purple, yellow—creating a perfect masterpiece. The rows of green trees added to the dreamy atmosphere.

"Oh no, I walked to school today and forgot my bike at home," I thought to myself.

At that moment, Mai brought out her bike. I quickly jumped to assist her.

"L-let me help!"

"Thank you!" Mai said with a gentle look in her eyes.

Oh, how I wished she would become my wife one day! I imagined a little house in Hanoi, with two children—a strong boy and a beautiful girl who takes after their mother. What a perfect scene!

I pushed Mai's bike to the school gate. Noticing I didn't have a bike, she offered, "Would you give me a ride?"

Mai was asking me to give her a ride! What an opportunity! I nodded enthusiastically, almost shouting:

"Sure, I'll take you!"