Journalist's Heart

I studied journalism like Quyen, but I didn't choose the right career and instead took a different path. At that time, partly because I wasn't passionate about journalism, partly because my ability was limited, and partly because I needed to make money, instead of pursuing my dream.

(Illustration image AI)

Every time we met, we talked about everything in life, from work to family, husband and wife, children, etc. We never felt any distance, even though we had not sat down together for more than a year. In our conversations, Quyen was always the center of attention.

- Quyen, have you ever regretted choosing journalism as a career?

She looked up, her eyes sparkling. Smiling brightly, Quyen replied:

- Never. Journalism is fun! I hope I can go a long way in this career.

I smiled, looking at Quyen with eyes of admiration. Although I studied journalism like Quyen, I did not choose the right career and instead turned to another path. At that time, partly because I was not passionate about journalism, partly because my ability was limited, and I needed to make money, instead of pursuing my dream . And then I entered the business world. Later, when someone asked me if I regretted it, I shook my head. Because my passion was not big enough.

In my old class, everyone respected Quyen. A brave, courageous and ambitious girl. She was born in a small, windy coastal province in the South Central region. When she first came to the city, Quyen had nothing in her hands. The first time I talked to Quyen was when she was standing absent-mindedly in front of the broken rice restaurant opposite the school gate. Recognizing an acquaintance, I waved and accompanied Quyen into the restaurant. That time, Quyen told me so many stories. Stories about the familiar sea where her father used to sail the waves and wind to make a living, stories about the long white sand beaches under the golden sunlight that whenever she was sad, she would go there to admire and release all her worries into the air... Through Quyen's stories, I knew that her hometown was beautiful and that she was always proud of that place.

Suddenly, Quyen asked me:

- Why did Phuong study Journalism?

A little hesitant, I smiled and replied:

- Because my dad wants me to become a reporter. It's that simple!

- Isn't it because Phuong wants it? - Quyen continued to ask.

I shook my head:

- No! I have more artistic blood than journalist blood.

Quyen laughed out loud. The smile of a girl from the sea was generous and sincere.

So we finished four years of journalism college. Quyen was a good student, received a scholarship every semester, was active and skillful, so right after graduating, Quyen got a job at a famous newspaper in the city. I also received a bachelor's degree in journalism, but I studied "less well" than Quyen. After graduating, I did not pursue journalism but applied to work at a private corporation. My job was quite stable, and my income was high, but I could not apply much of the knowledge I had accumulated from university, so sometimes I encountered many difficulties.

After working for several years, we met again. At that time, Quyen was already a “giant” journalist, mentioned a lot in the city’s press. I admired Quyen so much! Quyen still kept the innocence, natural smile and honesty of a coastal girl, as well as the gentleness, delicacy and always knowing how to care for those around her. Therefore, Quyen never let anyone worry.

It seems that life always creates opportunities for people who love each other to meet in different circumstances. Once, I met Quyen in a state of sweat, messy hair, in the harsh sunlight of the city noon. I waved and called out:

- Quyen! Quyen!

Quyen was stunned and looked back at me, recognizing an acquaintance, Quyen's eyes lit up:

- Direction!

I pulled Quyen into the coffee shop across the street. The dusty noon, the sound of vehicles, the clanging of carts and the bustling voices of people talking about the city today mixed together. Quyen breathed heavily, quickly smoothed her matted hair, and used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her sunburned face.

- Oh my god, it's so bad! Girls who stay out in the sun will lose their beauty quickly, Quyen! I screamed, feeling sorry.

Quyen smiled:

- It's okay. I go to get the news. Wherever the event is, I will work. Rain or shine, I can't refuse. Sometimes, I still wake up in the middle of the night and go. I'm a journalist, Phuong!

I shook my head and looked at Quyen. I always saw this girl full of energy. It seemed like no difficulty could defeat Quyen. I softly said: - Well, that's true! It's a job, a career. But why do I feel so sorry for Quyen! Quyen was gentle, feminine, the most gentle in class, and now she is also a strong and brave girl.

Quyen continued me:

- The profession trains you to have such qualities! I have no regrets, Phuong. Thanks to journalism, I feel I have become much more mature. Also thanks to this profession, I don't have to struggle with the changes and thorns in life.

I shook my head, looking at Quyen like looking at a “female general” in a story I read long ago. I took a sip of water in the scorching heat of the city at noon. Looking out onto the street, in the smoke and dust coming from the exhaust pipes of motorbikes, I suddenly saw so many people quietly making a living, so many people working hard to follow the call of their hearts, their passions, their desires. Each person has a different job, but everyone is burning themselves out in their work. Like Quyen.

We - the group of Journalism students back then, each of us now has a different job. Many of us have become journalists, reporters, editors,... living the dream that we once cherished and nurtured. There are also "unique" ones like me, who like to chase after fame and fortune, not passionate about lenses, words, journals,... like Quyen. But I think each person has a different fate, some are destined for journalism, some are not. Trying hard is good, but stubbornness will not bring joy and happiness to yourself.

It has been a long time since we had the chance to sit together, drink water and chat, recalling stories of our difficult and deprived student days, but each of us had dreams in our hearts. We always cherished those moments, suddenly feeling that life is so beautiful, because of the meetings and relationships. I see this life as all rosy, not too bitter, stormy, probably because there are people full of energy, love for the job and enthusiasm like Quyen.

Not letting the air settle, I joked:

- When can we celebrate Quyen's wedding?

The whole group laughed. Quyen blushed and was embarrassed:

- Well, I'm not getting married. What husband would let his wife roam around the streets all day working, what husband would accept letting his woman struggle through the sun, wind and storms? Well, I'll just stay single for peace.

I laughed out loud - my "trademark" laugh since college.

- Don't say it in advance, miss! If you announce the wedding, we won't have time to prepare the wedding money!... Just saying, if you love your job, you have to love yourself too.

Quyen nodded:

- I know.

Still a gentle and pure Quyen in my eyes.

Around me, not only Quyen but also many other people are trying their best for journalism, a profession of words, of sensitivity and accuracy. Suddenly, I felt sorry for Quyen and wanted to do something for her but I didn’t know what, as long as it was a way to say thank you. Because I felt that Quyen had done for me the job that I had been very well trained in both knowledge and skills. I understood that to become a journalist, those two things alone are never enough. It also requires a passionate heart and a burning passion for the profession./.

Hoang Khanh Duy

Source: https://baolongan.vn/trai-tim-nha-bao-a197501.html