After Mai finished with her shopping, she returned home with a cheerful spirit. Her parents were at home to wait for her return.
"Mother, I have something to tell you," said Mai as she placed her basket on the floor and took off her conical hat.
"Well, we also have something to tell you, my girl," replied Mai's mother. "Listen carefully, as it is very important."
"Mai, we will be immigrating to America soon as a family," said Mai's father. "The situation here is getting worse by the day and it seems like the Viet Cong will win the war sooner or later."
Mai was so shocked to hear the news that she didn't know what to respond.
"But...but why so sudden?" Only after a few minutes did everything begin to sink in and only then did Mai venture to speak. "How about our house here, and my grandparents?"
"We can leave our house unoccupied for the time being," answered Mai's father. "We will move to America first, and when we have obtained citizenship, we will bring your grandparents over with us."
"But...how do we get citizenship there?" enquired Mai, who was devastated as she immediately thought of Hung.
"We plan to let you marry an American man, so our family can gain citizenship through your marriage," responded Mai's mother. "We have just communicated with a broker, who is a relative of my mother, and he has very kindly agreed to help us."
"But....but I....I already have a boyfriend here, I can't abandon him," exclaimed Mai.
"A boyfriend? How come I have never heard you mention him?" demanded Mai's mother. "Who is he? What is his name? What is his occupation? How long have you been seeing each other?"
"His name is Hung and he is a construction worker. I met him this morning at Ben Thanh Market. He's such a nice person, I....." before Mai could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by her mother.
"Forget about him! He is just a low class worker, but you are a merchant's daughter. There is no way you two will be suitable for each other," asserted Mai's father. "Furthermore, you have only just met him. Your alleged love for him is just a childish fancy. You will forget about him very soon after you arrive in America. You will lead such a different lifestyle there such that you would not want to return to former lifestyle."
"No!" exclaimed Mai in tears. "I will stay here and marry Hung. You and father can go to America by yourselves."
"Enough of your complaints!" shouted Mai's mother authoritatively as she slapped Mai on the face. "We are your parents, of course we know what is best for you! In America, we can all lead a much better life, away from this terrible war. Moreover, your little brother can get a better education there. Do not be so selfish and just think about yourself! You are the eldest child in the family, so you should act like an elder sister and take care of your little brother."
"Indeed, your mother is right!" added Mai's father. "Without your marriage, none of us can get a citizenship and we will have to stay here to suffer the war and the Viet Cong's rule if they win the war. The country will not be prosperous under their rule."
"Enough is enough," said Mai's mother as she stood up to leave the room. "We are not here to negotiate with you. We have already decided and we are only letting you know. Do not forget your duty of obedience, which is a tradition all Vietnamese children should follow."
~To be Continued~
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