《拉薩情書》

第三十四章、格桑和安妮重回拉薩
01
班機降落在拉薩機場跑道上，緩緩駛向空橋區。入境室大廳裡，札希、美多和張揚三人盯著入境通關口，懷民拄著拐杖，安妮推著行李，夫妻倆緩緩走出來。札希三人立馬迎上前去，張揚幫忙推行李車，美多跟在懷民身側，札希和安妮跟在後面，父女倆開始聊著。
「幾天前才跟張揚商量好，如果你們不能回來拉薩，我和張揚就專程去台灣阿里山看妳們夫妻。」
「爹地，回來拉薩是格桑自己的意思，公司執行長霍爾還特地從美國加州跑來上海探視格桑，囑咐他安心休養。」
「妳電子信裡提到的兩件事，索南仁波切我已經跟他約好見面，至於手卷捐給小昭寺這件事，等索南見到懷民，承諾把懷民治療好，我就會答應。」
「爹地，你誤會格桑的意思了，格桑是替倉央家設想，那份傳家手卷應該有個理想的歸宿，但是否捐給小昭寺，仍尊重你的意思。格桑沒有要你拿手卷，當成條件去為難寺方啦！」
「我這哪算是為難寺方呢？索南仁波切精通藏藥，素來被推崇為藥僧，既然他能預知格桑會有此劫難，想必他有辦法治好格桑的癌症。我以傳家手卷當成條件，就是要索南盡全力治好格桑。我雖然不捨得好不容易找回來的傳家手卷，捐出來給小昭寺，但比起妳和小嘉措一家子幸福美滿，傳家手卷就不是最重要的了。」安妮望著格桑虛弱的背影說：「可這事如果讓格桑知道，他肯定會不同意爹地的做法。」
「這事我已經跟監寺喇嘛索南仁波切預告過了，只要妳不說出來，格桑是不會知道的。唉！就當作是善意的隱瞞吧？爹地過去這二十多年來，一直沒盡到為人夫為人父的責任，能夠為妳們夫妻倆做點事，也算是為我過去的荒唐贖罪吧！安妮。」札希伸出手，握著安妮的手，安妮感覺到父親手掌的溫暖厚實，不禁回想起小時候父親母親牽著她，在河堤上漫步的往事…。

02
一行人回到小山丘上的「阿里山雲海咖啡屋」，張揚和美多隨即安頓好格桑夫妻。夥計們見老闆回來，掛起布簾子開始營業。
這裡鬧中取靜，視野良好，前庭後院都是露天咖啡雅座，周圍花木扶疏，頗有藝術氣息。兩個糕點師傅，兩個外場夥計，札希和張揚煮咖啡泡茶，美多收銀結帳。
格桑不想待在客房裡，安妮把她扶到太師椅上，拿了一份點餐的menu給格桑看。
安妮說：「咖啡豆和茶葉都來自阿里山，咱們家園子裡生產的，在拉薩市區就咱們這一味最有特色，聽爸說我們店裡常有達官貴人前來消費呢。」
格桑說：「要不是我們去了上海，其實我也想等我們退休後，回到阿里山上開一家這樣的店。」
安妮鼓勵說：「那麼你就打起精神來，打敗病魔，然後平平安安陪我和小嘉措活著。」
張揚煮了壺咖啡，用木托盤帶過來，托盤上還有幾小盤點心：奶渣糕、綠茶糕、咖啡凍、咖啡羊羹和綠茶凍和綠茶羊羹，林林總總擺了半個桌面。
張揚得意地說：「格桑，你嚐嚐看，滋味地不地道？這桌上除了奶渣糕，其餘的都是安妮百忙中，透過教學影片教會我跟美多的。」
格桑開心笑著說：「看見這家店充滿活力，我的身體都好一半囉！」
「你嚐嚐看，嚐嚐看。」張揚催促著：「如果那樣不合你意，盡管說出來，反正大師傅安妮都在。」
格桑拿起每樣糕點都嘗了一口，滿意點頭說：「如果找得到龍眼花蜜，可以加到咖啡凍和羊羹裡提味，並減少黑糖用量。」
張揚說：「蜂蜜是有的，但龍眼花蜜恐怕很難找得到吧？也許西雙版納那裡有，我會上網查查看。」

03
張揚的客貨廂型車已經換成進口的福特小貨車，札希也買了一部國產的休旅車。
札希開車，帶著格桑和安妮，來到小昭寺見到監事喇嘛貢嘎‧索南仁波切。
索南領著札希三人進到他主持的藏藥學院，穿過兩道迴廊，來到後方廂房裡
。
札希和安妮坐蒲團上，小沙彌送來一小桶酥油奶茶，一旁服侍著客人。
格桑坐在木幹椅上，伸出一隻手給索南把脈。
札希感到訝異，心想：「以往只知道藏醫對於慢性疾病特別有效，沒想到索南仁波切竟然也兼通中醫經脈，看來藥僧這美譽果然名不虛傳。」
索南問格桑：「你感覺胸悶是從多久前開始的？」
格桑說：「約兩年前吧…」
「幾時開始頻繁出現睡前咳嗽？」
格桑想了一下說：「一年半。」
「當時，你就應該接受西醫檢查了。」
「那時，我的工作正忙碌著。」
索南略帶責備說：「你顯然疏忽自己身體了，病灶已經深入肺經，且向周圍擴散開來，治療上會比較棘手。」
札希關切地問：「師傅，依你看小婿這個疾病，有沒有可能治癒？」
索南正色說：「有一半以上的機會，但患者必須清心寡慾，全程配合治療。」
安妮問：「師傅的意思是…？」
索南說：「就讓格桑大德留宿在本院裡，等一個月後病情有起色，你們才來接他回去。不過，出院後他還不能離開拉薩，必須每週持續回來看診治療。」
札希和安妮四眼對望，安妮說：「師傅，就依您的吩咐吧！」
札希說：「請師傅吩咐兩個沙彌，跟著安妮到我車上搬來小婿行李。」
索南對著一旁的小沙彌揮一下手，沙彌小哥行禮後離開。
索南從木幹椅上站起身，雙手合十對著札希行禮說：「教授，請移駕禪房，老衲有事相談。」
安妮起身，趨前扶起格桑，無限愛憐地凝視著格桑說：「小男生，把你留在這裡住院，你要乖乖接受師父治療，一個月後我會來接你回去。」
格桑點點頭，擁抱安妮，輕撫安妮的髮絲說：「小姐姐，我會努力活著，陪妳到老，不離不棄。」
兩個小沙彌站在門口等待安妮，看見夫妻倆此情景，臉上泛起甜甜的微笑。

04
札希跟著索南離開廂房，來到禪房，兩人在蒲團上盤坐。
札希說：「小婿格桑跟小女說，必須為先祖倉央‧嘉措的情詩手卷真跡，找到一處可長可久的歸宿。我原本並不同意，畢竟我花了二十幾年功夫，才把這件文物找回來。可小婿身染重病，他憂心自己不能繼續守護這件文物，我經過深思，才會向師父提出，以手卷作為條件，請師傅全力救治小婿。」
索南說：「教授，實不相瞞，令婿與老衲頗有宿緣，自從老衲在台灣日月潭邊遇見他，就預知他會和令嬡結為連理，故而開示他前來拉薩。」
札希聽出索南話裡的意思：「師傅，你的意思是…」
「令婿三年前借住本寺研究西藏壁畫期間，與老衲相當投緣，老衲本有意收格桑為徒，傳他藏藥醫學衣缽，可他跟令嬡塵緣未了。」索南接著說：「教授，當你告知令婿格桑，主意把倉央‧嘉措情詩手卷真跡，交由本寺典藏，老衲感念格桑對本寺善意，決定傾全力治療格桑身體，不再要求令婿皈依佛門。」
札希聽懂索南的話意，恭敬說：「請師傅務必傾全力治療格桑，情詩手卷畢竟是身外之物，小婿若能從此無病無災，我和小女會終生感激師傅。」
索南雙手合掌說：「阿彌陀佛，救人一命勝造七級浮屠。」
札希又說：「師傅，其實我還擔心這份手卷捐贈貴寺之事，一旦消息走漏，文物局不免會向貴寺施壓，要求貴寺交出來。」
索南語氣堅定說：「本寺為國家級重點佛寺，官方向來充分尊重本寺對藏傳佛教文物的典藏和保存。何況倉央‧嘉措的情詩手卷真跡，消失三百多年後，如今得以重見天日，見證本教發展史跡，官方只會樂見其成，豈會出手橫加干預？教授當真過慮了。」
札希說：「有師傅給予保證，我就放心了。」

05
札希父女回到雲海咖啡屋，張揚和美多主動前來，關切格桑的病情。
張揚問：「格桑沒跟你們回來？」
札希說：「格桑留在藏藥學院住院治療。」
美多問：「索南仁波切怎說？格桑的病情…」
安妮神情有些黯然說︰「師傅說，還有一半以上的機會。」
美多打氣激勵說：「安妮姐姐，打起精神來！格桑是個善良的人，佛祖會保佑他的。」
札希感慨地說：「安妮，等格桑順利度過此劫難，我寧可妳跟他一起留在這裡，或者回去阿里山上，簡單平靜地過日子。」
安妮打起精神說：「爹地，等格桑度過這劫難吧！我得寫封電子信，跟阿里山上的公婆報平安。」

06
一個月後，札希和安妮去小昭寺接格桑。在藥師學院廂房裡，安妮見到格桑氣色精神許多，趨前去和格桑擁抱。
「索南師傅，感激你對小婿再造恩情。」札希向索南喇嘛再三鞠躬致意，隨即從背包裡拿出一只木盒，雙手恭敬地呈給索南。
索南接過木盒，掀開看了一眼，隨即交給身旁青年僧人，對札希說：「阿彌陀佛，教授，貧僧定會妥善保存此文物，讓世人得以理解高僧倉央‧嘉措行宜，不負你所託付。」
札希問：「師傅，小婿的病情…」
索南說：「令婿還需後續治療，一年之內不宜遠行。」
安妮對著格桑說：「聽到師傅的交代嗎？小男生。」
格桑點頭微笑。
安妮說：「我們就在拉薩住下來，直到師父治好你的身體。」

(故事完)
Chapter 34: Gesang and Annie Return to Lhasa
01
The plane landed at Lhasa Airport and slowly approached the jet bridge. In the arrival hall, Zaxi, Meido, and Zhang Yang watched the customs exit.
Huaimin leaned on a cane, Annie pushed the luggage. The couple walked out slowly. Zaxi and the others immediately went forward. Zhang Yang helped with the luggage cart, Meido walked beside Huaimin, Zaxi and Annie followed, father and daughter chatting.
"A few days ago I planned with Zhang Yang. If you couldn’t return to Lhasa, we’d go to Alishan to see you."
"Daddy, returning is Gesang’s own decision. CEO Hall came all the way from California to Shanghai to tell him to rest and recuperate."
"The two matters you mentioned by email, I’ve already scheduled a meeting with Lama Sonam. Regarding the scroll donation to Xiaozhao Temple, once Sonam sees Huaimin and promises to heal him, I will agree."
"Daddy, you misunderstood. Gesang considered the Tsangyang family’s heirloom. The scroll deserves a proper home. Whether to donate it to Xiaozhao Temple, we respect your decision. Gesang never meant to make it a condition to pressure the temple."
"This isn’t pressuring the temple. Lama Sonam is skilled in Tibetan medicine. Since he foresaw Gesang’s calamity, he surely knows how to heal him. I use the scroll as leverage to ensure he does his best. Although reluctant to donate a long-sought family heirloom, compared to your family’s happiness, the scroll isn’t the most important," Annie said, looking at Gesang’s weak figure.
"But if Gesang knew this, he would surely disagree," Annie thought.
"I’ve already informed Lama Sonam. As long as you don’t tell him, Gesang won’t know. Let it be a benevolent concealment. In the past twenty-plus years, I’ve failed as a husband and father. Doing this for you and Huaimin is my atonement, Annie," Zaxi held Annie’s hand, and she felt the warmth and solidity, recalling childhood walks along the river with her parents.
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02
The group returned to "Alishan Cloud Sea Café" on the small hill. Zhang Yang and Meido settled Gesang and Annie. Staff only hung the sign and opened after the boss returned.
The café was quiet despite being in a busy area, with a clear view, front and back patios for open-air seating, surrounded by greenery and artistic ambiance. Two pastry chefs, two servers, Zaxi and Zhang Yang brewed coffee, Meido handled cashier.
Gesang didn’t want to stay in the guestroom. Annie helped him to the grand chair and showed him the menu.
"All coffee and tea come from Alishan. Ours is unique in Lhasa. Dad says officials and VIPs often visit."
Gesang: "If we hadn’t gone to Shanghai, I would have opened such a shop after retirement."
Annie encouraged: "Then fight the illness and stay safe with me and little Jiazo."
Zhang Yang brought coffee and a tray of pastries, filling half the table: milk pudding cake, green tea cake, coffee jelly, coffee yokan, green tea jelly, green tea yokan.
Zhang Yang proudly said: "Gesang, taste them! Except milk pudding cake, Annie taught us through online tutorials."
Gesang laughed: "Seeing the café full of energy, I feel half better!"
Zhang Yang: "Try them. If not to your liking, say so—Annie is the head chef."
Gesang tried everything, nodding in satisfaction: "If we can get longan honey, add it to the coffee jelly and yokan to enhance flavor and reduce brown sugar."
Zhang Yang: "We have honey, but longan honey may be hard to find. Maybe Xishuangbanna has it; I’ll check online."
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03
Zhang Yang’s van had been replaced by an imported Ford truck; Zaxi bought a domestic SUV.
Zaxi drove Gesang and Annie to Xiaozhao Temple to meet the supervising lama, Gongga Sonam Rinpoche.
Sonam led them to the Tibetan medicine institute, through two corridors, to the rear rooms.
Zaxi and Annie sat on cushions. A novice monk brought a small bucket of butter tea and attended to guests.
Gesang sat on a wooden chair, extending his wrist for Sonam to check his pulse.
Zaxi thought: "I knew Tibetan medicine was good for chronic illness, but Sonam also understands meridian theory. The reputation of the medicine lama is well-earned."
Sonam asked Gesang: "When did the chest tightness start?"
Gesang: "About two years ago."
"When did the nightly cough begin?"
Gesang: "A year and a half ago."
"You should have had a Western medical check then."
"I was busy at work."
Sonam, slightly reproachful: "You neglected your health. The lesion is deep in the lung meridian and has spread. Treatment will be tricky."
Zaxi asked: "Master, can he be cured?"
Sonam: "More than 50% chance, but he must stay disciplined and cooperate fully."
Annie: "Master, you mean…?"
Sonam: "Gesang will stay here for a month. If his condition improves, you can bring him back. Even after discharge, he must return weekly for treatment."
Zaxi and Annie exchanged glances. Annie: "Master, we will follow your instructions."
Zaxi: "Please assign two novices to help Annie carry Gesang’s luggage to my car."
Sonam waved to the novices. Then he stood, palms together, and bowed to Zaxi: "Professor, please come to the meditation room. I have something to discuss."
Annie helped Gesang up: "Little one, stay here and cooperate with treatment. I’ll come back in a month."
Gesang nodded and hugged Annie: "I’ll fight to stay alive with you, never leaving."
Two novices at the door smiled sweetly.
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04
Zaxi followed Sonam to the meditation room, sitting cross-legged.
Zaxi: "Gesang wants the Tsangyang Gyatso poem scroll to have a long-term home. I initially disagreed; I spent over twenty years recovering it. But with his illness, I decided to make the scroll the condition for his full treatment."
Sonam: "Professor, Gesang and I share past karma. Since I met him at Sun Moon Lake, I foresaw he would marry your daughter, guiding him to come to Lhasa."
Zaxi understood: "Master, you mean…"
Sonam: "Three years ago, he stayed at the temple researching murals and bonded with me. I intended to take him as a student, but his karmic bond with your daughter remained."
Sonam continued: "When you tell him he can donate the scroll, in gratitude he will receive full treatment from me, without requiring ordination."
Zaxi respectfully: "Please save Gesang. The scroll is secondary; if he recovers, we will be forever grateful."
Sonam: "Amitabha. Saving a life surpasses building a seven-story stupa."
Zaxi: "Master, I also worry if news of the donation leaks, the cultural authorities might pressure the temple."
Sonam firmly: "The temple is national-level. Authorities respect its stewardship of Tibetan artifacts. The scroll, missing for over 300 years, now recovered, will be celebrated. No interference will occur."
Zaxi: "With your assurance, I am relieved."
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05
Zaxi and Annie returned to Cloud Sea Café. Zhang Yang and Meido checked on Gesang’s condition.
Zhang Yang: "Gesang didn’t come back?"
Zaxi: "He stays at the Tibetan medicine institute for treatment."
Meido: "What did Lama Sonam say about his condition?"
Annie, somber: "He said there’s over a 50% chance."
Meido encouraged: "Annie, cheer up! Gesang is good-hearted; Buddha will protect him."
Zaxi: "Annie, after Gesang overcomes this, you may stay here with him or return to Alishan for a simple, peaceful life."
Annie: "Daddy, let’s wait until he recovers. I must email Alishan to report safety."
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06
A month later, Zaxi and Annie went to Xiaozhao Temple to pick up Gesang. In the medicine institute room, Annie saw him looking much healthier and hugged him.
"Master Sonam, thank you for giving him a new lease on life," Zaxi bowed repeatedly, then presented a wooden box containing the scroll.
Sonam accepted: "Amitabha. I will properly preserve it, honoring Tsangyang Gyatso."
Zaxi: "Master, how is Gesang’s condition?"
Sonam: "He needs follow-up treatment; he shouldn’t travel far within a year."
Annie to Gesang: "Do you hear Master’s instructions, little one?"
Gesang nodded and smiled.
Annie: "We’ll stay in Lhasa until Master heals you."
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(The End)