Chapter 22: Peaceful Birth, Peaceful Death Ii (1/2)
Uncle Fu stopped me in my tracks as I was just about to step into the house.
”What is it?” I asked him.
He stammered, ”Uh... Madam has instructed for you to stay out here first. Young Master, please wait here while I go get her.”
”What on earth...” I had no idea what was going on.
Uncle Fu rushed into the house and my mother came out shortly.
She walked toward me in a white floral dress.
”What is it?” I asked.
”It's about your father.” She had no more tears at this point, only bloodshot and swollen eyes.
”What's the situation?”
”Your granny wants a direct burial but I prefer cremation. We've been arguing for five days now. He's entering the soil in two days,” she explained.
”Isn't burning necessary either way?”
”Your granny has managed to get the permission for a direct burial somehow. I just can't change her mind.”
”Since granny has already decided, what are you worrying about?” I asked.
”The problem is that your father will turn rotten and into white bones. This is a sin, I... I...” Tears rolled down her cheeks but she quickly wiped them away.
It was clear that she had been crying a lot these past few days.
”What are your thoughts?” Her words did make sense.
Having father rot in his coffin seemed very wrong.
”I was thinking that he could be cremated first and then buried, but I just can't convince her and I am at a loss right now. That's why I called you over, to see if you're able to talk some sense into her.”
I nodded. ”Where is she? I'll talk to her.”
”In the house. Go in and you'll find her.”
I opened the door and was shocked by what greeted me.
The huge living hall was divided into two sections.
On the left, twelve people were singing songs of praise, and on the right, another twelve people chanting.
An intense audio dissonance filled the hall.
Father's photograph was hung on the wall above everyone.
Voices on both sides were enthusiastic and persistent.
In an instant, I felt dizzy. ”Stop.”
Both sides quietened down.
”Who was that? Carry on with the chants!” Granny ordered urgently.
The chanting resumed.
Mother, too, walked from behind and raised her hands.
The chorus started once again.
”It's my grandson! Why are you back?” Granny's voice rang loud.
I said nothing.
”Your mother made you come back, didn't she?”
I nodded.
”Come over and let granny have a look at you,” she smiled.
I walked to her.
Granny shot my mother a glance before pulling me into her room.
”Tell me. She wants you to change my mind, right?” she asked.
I nodded.
”It's was hard for me to obtain the permission for a direct burial. Do you know how much I've spent?”
I shook my head.
”Speak up, silly boy.”
”I was thinking that cremation would be better. It doesn't seem right to have dad's body rot underground.”
”Don't you think that I know better? Is this your mom's teaching?”
”No, this is my own thought,” I answered.
”You don't understand. There's nothing left after burning.”
”What do you mean?” I asked.
”The tellers in the temple have done some calculations for your dad. He had such big business and fire is a jinx. He cannot be burned,” she explained.
”You're being superst.i.tious,” I pointed out.
”In order to give you a better future, I'd rather believe their words,” she insisted.
The room door was pried open.