Dwarf’s love stands tall on journey to romance

But at the age of 23 her hope for love was revived when she met Cao Ba Thanh, a young man from the northern province of Bac Ninh.

"Fate brought us together, but our perseverance kept us together," the 31-year-old Jarai woman in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai says.

Ksor H Nuai, known as Nu, was born in a poor family. Her mother, noticing her poor growth, took her to a local doctor, who diagnosed her with a growth hormone deficiency.

She needed treatment in HCMC, but their financial condition did not allow it. "Since then I have got used to curious glances and teasing," Nu says.

She could not fit into the smallest school uniform and had to have hers specially made. After school children in the neighborhood would make fun of her, causing her to run home as fast as she could.

Nu's family in Hien Van Commune, Tien Du District, northern Bac Ninh Province, June 2024. Photo courtesy of Nu

After finishing high school Nu decided to work in the fields with her mother to earn money to buy her first mobile phone.

She met Thanh, a worker, through social media. He had a girlfriend and Nu was only a friend. She even helped him with problems in his relationship a number of times. But gradually they began to converse less frequently as both had busy lives.

In late 2016 she moved to Hue City for a sales job at around the same time Thanh broke up with his girlfriend. He began to show more interest in Nu, drawn to her pleasant face and nice smile. "I always stopped him from thinking about moving forward in our relationship," she says.

She was worried about the geographical distance between them and her appearance, she says. But she could not deny her affection for the gentle, caring man.

Thanh would comfort her whenever she felt lonely due to homesickness, and frequently text her after her late shift asking about her feelings.

In 2017 her mother fell seriously ill, prompting her to return home. Thanh asked for a video call with her mother, one day before her death. "Please rest assured that I will take care of your daughter," he told her.

After her mother’s death she lived with grief and depression for two years, cutting off all contact with him. She finally reconnected with him one day after overcoming her grief.

During that first conversation, she said: "If you love me, we shall meet." Thanh agreed with excitement. He sent her money to buy a bus ticket from Gia Lai to Bac Ninh.

Nu with her husband and 4-year-old son in Hien Van Commune, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province, May 2024. Photo courtesy of Nu

But along the way, doubts flooded into her mind. "Is he sincere? What if he dislikes my stature?"

Thanh spotted the little person (she is 1.26 meter tall) among the crowd at the bus station. He took her home to meet his mother, introduced her to his relatives and took her to temples over the next three days.

On the last day Thanh's mother told her in private: "I appreciate your visit, but Thanh is my only son, and with your small stature, it will be difficult to have children."

She was about to leave his home with self-pity, but he convinced her to stay. He promised to persuade his mother but said he needed time and hoped Nu would stay back.

She agreed to stay and lived in an apartment in Hien Van town Thanh rented for her. She applied for jobs to nearly 10 companies but was rejected due to her short stature. Eventually she found work at a sewing company in Lim town, seven kilometers from Thanh's home.

He did not reveal their relationship to anyone while escorting her to work in the morning and bringing her home in the evening.

Four months passed, and the situation remained unchanged, causing Nu to feel uncertain about their future. She attempted to break up with him more than five times, but he remain steadfast. After her most resolute attempt in late 2019 the couple kept their silence for a while.

When she had packed her bags to return to her hometown, she noticed she had some strange symptoms: She slept more and felt nauseated by the smell of fish.

She went to a local clinic and discovered she was pregnant. "I was overwhelmed by a mixture of joy and sadness," Nu recalls. "I never imagined I would become a mother with a child growing inside my tiny body."

Thanh was overjoyed and determined to support mother and child. Nu described the baby as a challenge to her small stature. In the sixth month of pregnancy she struggled to walk with her large belly and swollen legs.

Thanh's mother felt sympathy for her, and took her home to care for her. Nu stayed at home and did the cooking while her mother-in-law worked as a sanitation worker, saving money to buy diapers and milk.

In 2020, after Nu gave birth, she felt as if she had overcome death. Diagnosed with preeclampsia, she had to undergo a C-section.

She was in the recovery room for three days while her son, who weighed two kilograms, was placed in an incubator.

Tears streamed down her face as she held her child for the first time. "I am endlessly happy," Nu says.

Seeing her child grow healthily is their greatest joy. The small family has been living happily since the birth of the child. Their son is now four years old and nearly as tall as his mother.

One day in early June Nu returns late after working overtime. As she arrives home on her electric bike, her husband and son greet her.

They have a late dinner together. "My husband and son's love makes me feel complete."