Someone you cared for deeply had, died in a car crash, at the prime of his life, it’s so, tragic, translated…
Going to the funeral of a former student…translated…
As I’d made it there, the funeral home was, already, packed. The receptionist saw, that the first row, on the benches, he can still squeeze me in, and, helped made a seat for me there, that way, I can, sit in your gaze face-to-face. From the past, when you saw me, you’d always come up, held out your hand, to open your arms to hug me, then asked me, “How are you feeling today?”, and yet today, you just, quietly, smiled at me, looking at me, and everybody else who was there, for your funeral, to see you off.
We’d met fifteen years ago, back then, you just turned fifteen, and entered into my school by your examination grades, and entered into my class. You lived in Tienmu, and the school is in Banciao, shortly after you’d reported to the school, there was, the first-year student orientations, and the summer school sessions, although you are allowed to go home by three in the afternoon, but, for the couple of days’ worth of commuting, you’d had it. As school started, your parents sent you to live at the school, we’d thought, that problem solved, but, at the PTA meetings, your mother told me worriedly, that you talked of transferring. After one Saturday afternoon session with the counselor, I’d asked you if you wanted to ride with me to Guting, that you can get home to Tienmu sooner. And, just like that, we’d started, this carpool on the noons on Saturdays.
You were very shy, at first, I was the one, asking all the questions, about your family, your interests, what you’d wanted to do with your life, slowly, you’d, opened up, and so, you’d started talking, and I became, your listener, and in the end, you were able to, ask me anything, answer any question I had for you. This twenty-minute carpool had, pulled us closer, and it’d made you feel more secure, and that sense of belonging you’d longed to have. Slowly you’d adapted yourself to the environment, made some friends, and worked hard in your classes, and started enjoying the three years of your high school career.
Later, you’d gone to the university located on Zhongshan N. Road, then, entered into the graduate school on Zhongxiao E. Road. And, we weren’t able to see one another as often as we used to, but we can always connect through FB, I’d gotten to know, that you’d, hiked, climbed the mountains, and went riding your motorcycle………there were, the tracks you’d left behind, all over FB.
Before you started working, whenever you’d gotten the time, you’d made your way back to school to visit me. You knew I loved sweets, and always brought the famous cheesecakes, and, the two of us would have a lunch date. And, this gift you’d brought me regularly stopped, as I got started on glucose medication, but, that sweetness had, found its way, into my heart already.
The last time we saw each other, it was at the beginning of April, on your best friend’s wedding. That day, you were the chauffeur, as well as the best man, and the receptionist too, you were there, from the start to end, without any looks of fatigue, no complaints either. This is you, once you’d made friends, you would, go out of your way, to help the individual out, the high school classmates all sat together, I was the only instructor invited there, you’d kept putting foods onto my plate, and warned me about my cholesterol level. After the banquet, I’d asked you if you wanted to share a cab home with me. Child, you lived in Tienmu, and I, on the east side, it’s not on the way! So, I’d, turned you down, and made a date, that we’ll see one another again, on July first, as another student was getting married then.
On the evening of July first, you just didn’t come, and, not long thereafter, someone brought me the bad news; you were riding your heavy motorcycle in the morning, and got into a serious crash, and, until just moments ago, the doctors declared you, dead. My, can you imagine how I’d felt? This is July first, NOT April fools, who’d, played such a huge joke on us all?
Today, here I sat, at your funeral, and, with my heavy heart, and unwillingness, to say goodbye to you. Looking at your best friends in class, and the memorial footages made by your friends, I’d held my tears in, I’d wanted to tell you, “Jien-How, I hope everything is well, wherever you go next.”
this became, but memories now…not my photo
So, this, is what happened, to this student, and, he’d touched, many lives of those closest to him, and he will be dearly missed by those whom he loved, and those who loved him.