Chapter 41 - The tearful bid adieu.

Li Enlai pointed out and said, "Co-ordinate with Dr. Wu and request him to publish an obituary in one of the leading papers about the burial. Once that is done then it would become easy for me, and Diu to pay a visit to the family after the burial, with an excuse of the obituary published. Also, help him out with the publication of the same, and cover up the costs without anyone knowing about it."

Liqin then called up Dr. Wu, and informed him about the obituary to be published in the leading newspaper, and assisted him in publishing the same.

In the afternoon post-lunch, all the family members paid their final homage to Xiao Ann at the hospital. Diu had been completely shattered, at the thought of passing the information of her death to Bao.

In the evening, the Wu family with its members paid a visit to the hospital to pay their homage to the late Ann.

Both the families were in deep sorrow, and the dark blue, and black hues of the night seem to add to their sorrows.

Liqin who stayed back in the hospital with Bao looked at the dark deep blue sky, and thought, "I hope, that there will be a new dawn which will bring along with it, rays of hope and joy back to our homes."

27th December 2010

The twenty-seventh of December dawned with the obituary being presented to all of the families in Shanghai through the newspapers. Several of the family friends and schoolmates of Abigail felt deeply sorrowful, as a whole family had passed away before time.

At tea time Li Enlai said to Liqin, "Call up Dr. Wu, and inform about me, and Diu attending the burial ceremony without any attention being sought. Inform him not to recognize us under any circumstances."

"I will do that." He then immediately called up Dr. Wu and informed him about their plan.

As the prayers started at the Wu residence, people poured in to express their deep condolences to a family who had been a very committed part of the society, and its well-being.

Diu and Enlai joined the burial services in complete secrecy, by being seated in the last row in the church.

In tears, Diu bid her farewell to a daughter-in-law she had waited and longed for all these years. Throughout the service, Li Enlai held on to her hands tightly and comforted her.

As the body was being laid to its final destination in prayers, the Li family silently left for their residence in tears.

The rest of the evening was spent in silence at the Li household with family members comforting themselves in their respective rooms. They could neither hold back their tears nor make any display of their grief, lest the truth of the incident, be known to the public in general.

As Li Enlai, lay with Diu in his arms falling short of words of consolation, he made a promise to himself, and thought, "I will ensure, that the culprit is booked for his deed."

Liqin in the meanwhile spent the evening, and the night in the hospital with the thought, "How are we going to comfort you, Bao?"

Back at the Wu residence, Leah and Paul prepared to leave for the U.S. As they were packing Leah asked in tears, "Why did God allow disaster after disaster to hit this family?"

Paul placed his hands on her shoulders, and said, "Some things are beyond our control, and we cannot question God with our reasonings. Maybe there is greater goodness awaiting as a result of this sacrifice."

Dr. Leah replied crying, "What good can come out of her death, Paul? We have lost our daughter and you are still talking about goodness?"

Henry interrupted placed his hand on hers and said, "Mom, dad, you guys better take a quick nap before you leave. You must be very exhausted. You have not rested properly since arrival. It is good, that you guys have two days at your disposal before resuming your duty. Have you guys packed the pouch, that contained the belongings of Esther, that needs to be handed over?"

"I have kept them in my handbag. Everything is packed well. Seal and close the bags. We will both take a quick nap."

As they left for their rooms for a quick nap Henry packed the luggage, and then dozed off on the couch.

Early next morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wu left for the airport while back in Cervinia the preparation for transferring Ms. Esther Xiao back to the hospital in the U.S. was in full swing.

As the Wu family reached the airport and were leaving, Dr. Paul Wu said, "Henry, kindly check with aunt regarding the transfer of Esther. They are supposed to leave for the U.S. on twenty-eighth early morning."

"I'll do that once I reach home back dad."

Dr. Leah Wu touched his head and replied, "Take care of yourself, and grandpa. He does not express his grief, but must be missing Ann a lot."

Henry hugged her, and said, "Mom, you both take care of yourselves as well. I'll miss you guys."

Paul interrupted the mother and son affection, and said, "Well, can I get one too."

"Of course, dad."

He then gave a tight hug to Paul, and with tears said, "I realized how important time is after Ann's death. I promise I'll spend more time with you guys after this."

"Yes, we will surely do that."

As they walked into the airport for completing their check-in formalities, Henry turned back to drive back home.

As he reached the Wu residence it was already six in the morning, however, Dr. Boqin Wu was already up, and reading the Bible as usual.

Henry walked up to him, and said, "Good morning Grandpa."

As he sat beside him, Nuwa walked in with Dr. Jones, with the coffee tray and handed over their cups of hot coffee.

As Henry received the cup, he thanked her, and said, "Thanks, did you have a proper rest? You were already jetlagged, and had no time for rest since your arrival yesterday."

"It is all right troubled times call for tough decisions and stressed efforts."

Dr. Boqin Wu looked at her, and said, "We never got to introduce ourselves and speak yesterday as I was grieved, and in pain to attend to those who were present yesterday. I kind of miss her a lot. She had a nickname of Lavender given to her by the people of Zermatt. True to her name she always spread fragrance everywhere she went. The process of spreading the fragrance ultimately crushes the flower. Isn't it? Maybe, that was her call. I hope the fragrance of her love and sacrifice will not go in vain and bear fruit eventually. Your smile reminds me of her."

"Whenever you feel the urge to talk to her, you can speak to me. I may have a different personality from her, and may never be able to make up for her absence from your lives, but you can share your concerns with me whenever you feel like."

Dr. Boqin Wu smiled and replied, "Thank you, it's an honor to know you. I did not even get the chance to ask your name."

"Her name is Dr. Julian Jones, and she has been a constant companion and friend of mine since childhood."

"Julian, that's a nice name, Dr. Jones."

"You may address me as Julian, grandpa."

"I'll do that Julian. Now you both go and take a rest for some time. Nuwa will wake you up after some time."

"I need to call up Cervinia first, and then go, and take a nap."

Henry then called up Mr. Xiao, and asked, "Uncle, how are things down there? How is Esther doing?"

"She is still in a coma, and we do not know as to when she will recover. Cases like hers are difficult to predict."

"How is aunt doing?"

"She is solid as a rock always believing this too shall pass."

"That's the best part of knowing aunt. She always keeps telling, and practicing, 'Be still, and know, that I am God'."

"When you have the love of Jesus imprinted in your soul, there is peace, and joy amidst the storm, that is brewing around you. Isn't it? Maybe, that is what keeps her going on. She had never expected, as a neurologist to be treating her daughter one day. You need the nerve of steel to do that without breaking down. I just forgot to ask you in my grief, as to how things are back at home."

"Mom and dad left for the U.S., early morning. I just returned after dropping them off at the airport. Grandpa is in pain; however, he has been calm and composed. We have convinced him to accompany me to the U.S. He will be joining me back on the thirtieth of this month. We thought it appropriate to plan the travel after two days with his age. Dr. Jones will be accompanying me back home."

"She is a very good girl and a very efficient pediatrician."

"Yes, that's true. She has been my best friend since the time I have known her. I can share all my concerns both medical and personal with her anytime."

"Hmm!" Dr. Xiao responded.

Henry immediately diverted the topic sensing uneasiness, and asked, "Did I disturb your sleep uncle? I am sorry I did not check for the time lag."

"It's okay, I was not able to sleep anyway. We will be leaving for Zurich by two in the morning. The medical team is preparing for airlifting us from here to Zurich."

"Be rest assured uncle, they are a team of experts. I was a witness of their efficiency while they transferred the patient to China."

"Have you met the family of the patient, and do you know who they are?"

Henry immediately regretted making, that statement, and replied, "I have not met them till date, but they seem to be influential and wealthy, to afford the whole floor of the hospital in Cervinia, and then arrange for a chartered medical flight."

"Coming to that, I wanted to ask you but always missed out as to how their son is doing."

"I shouldn't be saying this, but they are expecting a miracle from a brain-dead patient."

"Is he brain dead?"

"Yes, and yet, they are in hope of his survival and hence, transferred him back to their owned hospital in China with a panel of expert doctors at their disposal."

As they were talking, Julian walked up to Henry sipping her coffee, and asked, "Henry, would you like to have breakfast now or after a short nap?"

Henry paused, and said to Mr. Xiao, "Give me a moment uncle."

"I'll have it later."

As she turned to return, she tripped and was about to fall when Henry held her in his arms and helped her up in the process spilling the coffee over his chest.

Henry turned to her and asked, "Are you all right Julian?"

"I am fine."

She then glanced at the coffee spilled over his chest, and said, "Oh my God, the coffee got spilled all over you. That was quite hot. You'll get scabbed."

Henry looked at her, and said, "Julian, I will be fine. Just stop worrying, okay. I'll go back to my room, and take a cold shower, and apply some medication, and it won't get scabbed."

"Let me get some first aid."

As she ran to her room to get the medicines, Henry traced his steps to his room getting back to the call in progress, and said, "I am sorry for keeping you waiting."

Dr. Xiao replied, "Are you hurt?"

"She tripped, and the coffee spilled on my chest. I'll be all right."

"Don't take it casually, you might get scabbed. Take a cold shower immediately. Call me once you are done."