HUE “PIT”
Short story*
By Dang Huynh Thai
(Translated into English by Tran Quynh Hoa)
The cart derailed, tipped over, and crushed the cable hooked onto the metal frame left at the edge of the mine tunnel. Team leader Luc Van Phai and three others, who were ordered to open the cross-tunnel in the Canh Ga area of the Ha Phong mine, accidentally left the self-stopping cart stuck while transporting it. A blue fire snake emerged, crackling sounds were heard, and the flames quickly followed the cable to the transformer station. Moments later, the flames engulfed the transformer and burst into a blaze… It was beyond saving! It was burning. Some colleagues went deep into the mine, they were left alone. The power must be cut off. Phai ran to the transformer station and raised his hand to turn off the switch. The 380-volt medium voltage electricity gripped Phai’s hand tightly, his body heated up, and he fell face-first into the wet, cold mud, groaning, “Help… help…!” A moment later, he regained consciousness. The electricity was cut off, but the cable was still burning. Phai crawled a few more steps on his knees and used his soaked body to smother the cable and extinguish the fire…
Colleagues hurriedly ran to him, Phai groaned softly and asked for water. His eyes were wide open, rolling back, thrashing about. The rubber boot on his right foot burned and flew off, peeling away a patch of reddened skin…
Hue hurriedly ran with the crowd from the dormitory to the mine. They shouted to each other: “The mine is on fire,” “Someone is dead.” In the opposite direction, the ambulance was blaring its siren; the red light was spinning like a pinwheel on the roof, clearing the way. Who was in the ambulance? No one knew. Which miner? Nobody was sure.
The familiar car of the director screeched to a halt in front of Hue. Stepping out of the car, he pushed Hue into the car and chased after the ambulance. But the car couldn’t move because the crowd was too dense. Without anyone saying a word, Hue immediately understood:
- What happened to Phai, my husband?
Hue took a handkerchief from her pocket, her eyes flashing black and red circles, and she was in tears.
- Don’t cry, my dear, by the grace of God everything will be alright.
The director’s voice was breaking, trembling, unsure whether it was words of encouragement or condolence. His big hand held Hue’s small one:
- Don’t worry… Mine Hospital has good doctors and sufficient medicine, he will recover soon… Bad things happen… Working is like going to battle… There are always stray bullets… Believe it, my dear.
That day, the Quick Mining Technique Competition of miners from Ha Su, Thang Loi, and Mua Xuan mines, with Mua Xuan as the host, took place. Unable to enter the mine, everyone gathered at the waste dump right outside the mine entrance. Hue and a few women from Thang Loi mine, who came to support and cheer, had prepared canteens of roasted rice water to send in. Hundreds of people surrounded the mine entrance, cheering: “Go Mua Xuan, Ha Su champion…” Everyone knew that no matter how loudly they shouted, the competitors inside the mine couldn’t hear them. But those sounds created a wave, echoing against the mine walls, resonating endlessly in people’s hearts…
The Closing Ceremony was held right at the mine entrance, with the outdoor stage being the wide waste dump. The miners were still sweaty and smeared with coal dust, with their eyes and the lights on their helmets - their three brilliant eyes, bright smiles and the pride of the miners. In everyone’s anticipation, the Head of the Organizing Committee announced the results:
- Third place goes to Ha Su. Second place goes to…
The Head of the Committee paused for a moment, looking at the miners: their faces all flushed, all fatigue was wiped away, hearts were pounding, and sinewy hands clenched tightly. The Head of the Committee quickly announced:
- Second place goes to Mua Xuan team.
The crowd jumped and cheered, so first place went to the Thang Loi Coal Mine team. The male miners, the mine girls, and the distinguished guests hugged each other, crying and laughing, everyone’s clothes were smeared with dirt. Sweat, coal dust, and tears of many generations brought glory to this day.
Hugging Luc Van Phai, the team leader of the Mua Xuan Mine team, Hue recognized him. He also recognized her. Hue was startled and called out:
- Is it you, Phai?
- Hue! It’s Phai.
Neither of them could speak. They pulled each other away from the crowd…
Her parents died in a flood, their house was washed away, and Hue drifted on a banana raft to the shore and was rescued. Left an orphan, she begged at the market entrance. Fortunately, Hue met Mrs. Thiem from faraway Mua Xuan Mine. She took Hue in and raised her. Hue gradually grew up, becoming healthy and beautiful. Phai, Mr. Thiem’s son, two years older than Hue, was always with her. They didn’t distinguish between boys and girls, and usually shared food and played games together. Mr. Thiem was lusting for Hue, thinking that after all his effort to raise her, he couldn’t let another man benefit. Hue was so scared that she ran away from home, heading to Khi Bridge, with Phai chasing and pulling her back:
- Where are you going, Hue?
- I don’t know!
- No, come back.
The two struggled. Hue pushed hard, causing Phai to fall into the field, then she ran away…
Wandering from place to place, she eventually settled in the Thang Loi workers’ camp. Without a home or a job, she didn’t know what to do. Every day, she passed by the Western Quarter, where the French colonial mine owners lived. Although unmarried, she had been with many men, often seen leaving from some Western man’s house, hence the name “Hue Pit.” She couldn’t remember when it started or who led her to the Bataille officer’s house. That first night was unforgettable. The officer, far from home and his wife, was hooked on the Annamese virgin. Hue’s embarrassment and bewilderment made Bataille even more excited. After it was over, Hue received a lot of money, which she used for living expenses and supporting Tong for several months after he had his ribs broken while carrying coal. That was the only time, as Bataille moved away and disappeared without a trace. The ones after him were cruel and miserly. Treating the Annamese girl like a German Shepherd dog eating a piece of meat, they were tearing up, biting and gnawing her body until it was bruised. Once, Mrs. Thuc from the workers’ camp saw Hue passing by her shop and called her in, saying, “Let me tell you this: Find some other job to do and don’t let people call you ‘Hue Pit’ anymore.” Hue got very fond of her, decided to be candid and showed Mrs. Thuc her body. White skin, big round breasts with small pink nipples, but oh no, her body was covered in bruises! Hue groaned, “This is what ‘Pit’ means! A slave’s life isn’t just for the tunnel and mine workers. What else can I do?”
Mrs. Thuc turned away, swallowing her tears. They are salty like seawater…
After Hue left, Phai remained sad for a long time. The Mua Xuan Mine flooded and closed, and Mr. Thiem joined the French army at the Le Duong post. In a battle, he was shot dead at Khi Bridge. After the Liberation of the Mining Area, Mua Xuan was restored, and a vertical well was opened. Phai became a miner…
So many years had passed, and today they met again by chance. Mrs. Thiem wiped away a tear rolling down her wrinkled cheek and said:
- My dear! The past is behind us. Phai missed you a lot. No matter what I said, he refused to get married, insisting on waiting for your return.
Suddenly, before Hue could say anything, Mrs. Thiem continued:
- I knew it. From the beginning, I realized it. The seniors in the Thang Loi team told me everything. You came here to encourage the miners, but deep down, you still think of me and Phai. Poor girl. Nothing is more valuable than yourself, my dear.
Then she took the couple’s four hands and put them together:
- Love each other so I can be happy. I’m old now, and Khi Bridge is still a place for rendezvous, my dear.
Director Van Hong understood the whole story and cheerfully said:
- The Mua Xuan conveyor system is almost complete, and I’m willing to hire you…
The car seemed to take forever, and Hue felt it was going the wrong way. This familiar road led to the apricot forest and it should have taken only a short time to reach the hospital. If it continued like this, he might die…
Finally, they arrived. Hue flung the car door open, hurried down the long corridor of the hospital, and stopped right in front of the emergency room. A nurse stopped her, closing the door. A red light was on, indicating that they were in the middle of an emergency. Hue’s eyes darkened as she peered through the blurry glass window, seeing a blood-soaked bandage on her husband’s leg and chest. White coats moved hastily and silently around the hospital bed…
When she opened her eyes, Hue was bewildered and asked the person sitting at the foot of her bed:
- Where am I? Who are you?
- You’re awake? You fainted in front of the emergency room door yesterday afternoon. The doctor brought you here for some quiet, and I’ve been taking care of you all night!
- How is Phai?
- Don’t worry, the doctors are having a consultation.
Hue sat up abruptly:
- Let me go see him.
- You need to eat first. Let me feed you some porridge.
- Who are you?
- Don’t you recognize me? I’m Trung, the excavator operator who was imprisoned in the dungeon of the mine owner!
Hue suddenly hugged Trung, sobbing:
- Please save my husband!
She cried, then asked again in confusion:
- Why are you here?
- Before retiring, I was allowed to come here for a few days of rest. When I saw you faint in front of the emergency room, I recognized you immediately.
Nguyen Tien Trung tried to make Hue finish the bowl of porridge. Whether it was because of his old age and impending retirement or some other emotion, Trung’s eyes filled with tears. The images of those days in the mine owner’s dungeon came flooding back:
… That afternoon, Hue saw the mine guards bringing three truck drivers down to be locked up in the water dungeon. Hue didn’t know any of them but felt sorry for them. They were all badly beaten and tightly bound, without food or drink. Hue brought a dim oil lamp, bread and water; then she cautiously descended into the dungeon. She knew the water dungeon well: she had hidden there a few times to escape confrontations with romantic rivals. After walking a bit, Hue called out:
- Is anyone there?
No answer. Hue called again:
- Is anyone there?
- So thirsty, give me some water!
Holding up the lamp, Hue saw a familiar truck driver whose name she didn’t know. Well, how could she? Each person had their own job, and there were many miners. Hue held the canteen for him to drink, then she asked:
- Is it just you? Is there anyone else?
- Just me. They took the other two away.
- Where did they take them?
- Who knows.
- What’s your name?
- I’m Trung, a truck driver at the mine.
- I’m Hue, Hue Pit. Do you know me?
- No.
- Do you want some bread? There’s pâté too!
Hue broke the bread into pieces, and Trung ate ravenously. Eating and breathing quickly at the same time, he was too hungry because he had nothing to eat all day. His hands were still tied behind his back. Hue struggled to untie him, but Trung said:
- No need. If you free me, they’ll kill you. They’ll have to release me in a few days. I can endure.
Hue turned Trung around and had him lie down, resting his head on her lap to ease his discomfort. Then she took the scarf from her neck to cover him and softly said:
- Please take a little nap so you feel less tired!
- Thank you!
He was moved and choked up before he could speak:
- Why are you so good to me? Who are you? You found your way here. Are you not scared?
- Scared of what? Just ask people about Hue “Pit” someday, and you’ll know me. Please sleep now.
Her slender hand gently stroked his body and warmth emanated from her. Trung forgot all his pain, and the saying echoed in his head: “Compassion is always greater than any sin.” He fell asleep…
The siren from the Cot Min mountains blared, echoing into the dungeon. Hue hurriedly cleaned up and left. Trung sat alone, waiting in the cold darkness…
The wave of terror swept across the entire northeast coal region, with news spreading nationwide and even abroad.
Defying, even when martial law was imposed, all the women in the above-ground area stopped working, formed a procession of black-clad women and protested to demand their rights and the release of the prisoners.
“No more arrests, no more beatings! Build restrooms and bathrooms for the women!… Release our people!…”
Hue hid behind a door, watching the crowd surround the mine entrance. They rushed into the dungeon to rescue Trung, looking upright and strong.
Tears rolled from Hue’s sleepless dark-ringed eyes…
In Dr. Nguyen Van Tong’s office, three surgeons were consulting. Dr. Tong did not interrupt their conversation:
- The chest and abdomen have second-degree burns. The entire thigh and calf have third-degree burns, with many areas damaged down to the blood vessels and even the bones, which could potentially be fatal.
- Currently, the patient does not feel pain because the sensory nerves are damaged.
- The skin is waxy white, rough, and blistered in layers.
All of them rested their chins in their hands, deep in thought. Dr. Tong put his pen down on the table and said decisively:
- Amputate the thigh!!
Each person went to their task. The dry, rattling sounds of surgical knives and scissors echoed eerily…
Dr. Tong opened the door and stepped out. Hue knelt in front of him, clasping her hands and bowing. He lifted her up, stepped back in astonishment, and stammered:
- Sister Hue, is it really you?
Nguyen Tien Trung answered on Hue’s behalf:
- Yes, this is Hue, the patient’s wife.
Not stepping forward, Tong pulled Hue strongly towards him and hugged her tightly:
- Sister! It’s me, Hunched Tong from the old days.
Barely hearing his words, Hue cried through her tears:
- You can’t cut his leg. I won’t allow you to do that!
Tong held Hue tightly with both hands, their eyes were locked:
- Look at me. Am I your little Tong? Or Dr. Tong?
- Oh my God, it’s you!…
That night, Hue “Pit” came home and saw a boy huddled under a rose myrtle tree at the end of the road. She gently called out:
- Who’s there? Why are you lying here in this cold?
Touching his forehead, she found that the boy had a high fever. Hue quickly took the black square scarf from her head, wrapped it around the boy, and carried him back to the market. The Nam market shed was Hue’s “home.” No matter where she went or what she did, she would return there to shelter at night. A piece of burlap served as her mat, a palm leaf raincoat was her blanket; and she huddled through the rain, wind, heat, and storms until morning. The boy was still feverish, so Hue laid him on the bamboo table of a woman selling drinks. Seeing a light in Mrs. Thuc’s shop nearby, Hue ran to it. A little later, Mrs. Thuc brought the boy a bowl of chive porridge and a bottle of kaempferia balanga wine. She exclaimed when seeing him, “Oh, it’s Tong!”. Tong neither knew who his parents were nor had a home. In order to get by, he had carried coal in the coal yard since he was six or seven years old to earn a bowl of rice or some sweet potato…
Hue stayed up all night, warming and rubbing the boy’s body with the kaempferia balanga wine. Tong’s neck was retracted like a turtle’s, his head sunk into his short shoulders. Day after day, heavy baskets of coal pressed down on his head. It became too stiff that he had to turn his whole body to look sideways. Feeling sorry for him, Hue took a chance, pressed her feet on his shoulder, and pulled his head up with both hands. It cracked a little, and she managed to lift it slightly. Tong screamed but then felt some relief. It was a temporary fix, but maybe it would get better gradually.
Fortunately, Hunched Tong was taken by the International Red Cross to Sweden for treatment, where he became a witness to the brutal exploitation of the oppressed Vietnamese by the French colonists. He eventually became a doctor.
This time, Tong knelt down and pleaded with Hue:
- Sister, there’s no other way, please forgive me!
- Is this how you repay me?
Hue straightened her hand and slapped Tong hard across the cheek, then covered her face and sobbed. Tong was flustered and started crying too.
A doctor from the same room ran to them, helped Hue stand up, wiped her tears, took out a small package from his pocket and said:
- Sister! Without this black scarf you used to warm him, Tong would have died under that rose myrtle tree. All these years, he and I have traveled everywhere and always carried it as a token of gratitude, keeping our faith to repay you and the miserables who gave a helping hand. Please, calm down.
Hue gently pressed the scarf to her chest. It wasn’t diamonds, gold, or silk. It was just a piece of cloth from a poor person. It had followed noble, compassionate hearts around the world, becoming a treasure of boundless love. Hue burst into tears, cried loudly, called out Tong, called out her husband and her children… Who wouldn’t be moved? Tears welled up in everyone’s eyes.
The alarm rang, and the red light above the operating room door spun.
In a whisper, Hue said:
- Go in. I understand now!
White coats, hurried footsteps…
-------------------
*The short story in the novel “Be Than Dong Bac” (Northeast Coal Basin) by Dang Huynh Thai which won a prize in the Writing contest for works about workers and labor unions.
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