Even though the sun beat down hard on the city, the sky is blurred by a faint but dark smog. To add to all this, it's humid. But this is a normal day here, in Vietnam.

So, today, I decided to take it easy. I thought I'd just watch my people doing their everyday business. Many people pass, going shopping, eating out or going somewhere with their relatives. There's also the occasional tourist.

As I enjoy my soybean milk while watching everyone carefully, something suddenly catches my eye. No, not something, but someone. His blonde hair seems to sparkle in the polluted light. Is it...? No, it can't be him; there are plenty of blonde tourists around here... But despite that, something compels me to watch him. Then I see it, the confirmation I want. I see a smile I couldn't forget, and I see blue eyes that I couldn't forget. Then, our eyes meet. They connect for only a second.

'Vietnam! Is that you?' he shouts. I quickly look away. He noticed me.

Paying the storekeeper, I strap on my helmet and hop onto my motorcycle. I drive onto the road and away from him. But as I look around, I can't see him. Through the crowd of drivers, he seems to have gone somewhere. Good, maybe he's given up and-

Suddenly, he jumps in front of me, a determined look in his eyes. Such a beautiful and strong determination. My first reaction is to quickly swerve away, but as I do so, my bike suddenly topples over, smashing a nearby street stall and skidding into a wall. I can hear people shout as they evade it. As that happens, I'm flung across the ground. My whole body is numb. Blood is covering the visor of my helmet. I can't see a thing, but I can hear every single last shout and cry.

'Are you all right?' he shouts, running up to me. He kneels down. 'Hey! Say something!'

'Stop shouting,' I say. 'Ah, whole body is numb...' I try to tell my body to stand up but nothing's moving. The numbness turns to pain and I let out a small cry.

'You're badly injured! Don't try to move!' he shouts. 'C-call an ambulance!'

'I'll be fine,' I say. I hurts to speak know. Suddenly my throat clogs up, and I'm forced to cough violently. I can smell it. Blood.

'We need to take your helmet off,' he says. He unstraps the helmet, takes it off. And sets it aside. I can breathe properly now. I can see now. I can see his face clearly now, filled with no smiles, just worry, just like the war. And... are those tears? My eyes start to sting too. Tears... Tears of pain or happiness? I can't tell; I can't tell at all.

I feel him slip his arms under my body. He lifts me up and holds me close to him. He smells like sweat, but it's somewhat pleasant. Maybe because it's him.

I can hear the ambulance and they take me onto a stretcher. He stays close by, whispering things worriedly. I guess I can close my eyes now, just for a bit. I know I'm going to be ok.

I can hear him... Hang in there, we're almost there... I can hear him... He's supporting me again. Please don't stop; don't leave me alone like last time. His voice suddenly fades away as all the pain turns into a kind of fluffy numbness. Don't leave me!

America, why?