Blue Jacaranda - Chapter 10

澳洲：何木

 

One afternoon Peter received a message from Lotus, telling him that she was feeling unwell, and couldn’t attend the meeting for their group assignment. 

 

“No problem, I will pass you the meeting notes,” he replied. “Have you seen a doctor?”

 

“Yes, I saw the doctor yesterday and I was told to do a blood test.”

 

“What is the result?”

 

“I will get it in a few days,” Lotus replied, “Peter, I am afraid I have some serious illness.”

 

“It would be all right, just wait and see the result.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

One week later, Peter learned the news from Jason. Lotus was diagnosed with Leukaemia, which was a blood cancer, caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.

 

“Oh, my god,” Melody exclaimed, when Peter told her the terrible news. “Poor Lotus, she must have been unwell for some time. Last time I saw her, I even joked that she was becoming thinner and thinner, and she should share her special ways of losing weight.”

 

Peter said sadly, “Yes, I have long noticed her paleness. But I never thought it could be anything more than a general weakness.”

 

“Is she going to die?”

 

“I don’t know, but cancer, you see, is terrible.”

 

Peter and Melody chose a day going to Westmead Hospital to see Lotus.

 

She was in sleep. Her face was as white as the sheet above her. Jason was in the room reading his computer textbook. Seeing them come in, he put his finger to his mouth, “Shush…” 

 

Quietly, Melody put her flowers on the bedside table. The bunch of colour contrasted with the white room, like a bonfire burning in a world of snow. Then they went out and carefully closed the door behind them.

 

In the corridor, Peter asked Jason, “Any more information about her diagnosis?”

 

“Yes, it is known as the type of Chronic, at stage B.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“Well, I have just learnt it from the internet. There are stages A, B and C. Stage B is when many counts of immature white cells are seen in the blood and in the bone marrow, while the red ones are still normal, not yet drastically reduced.”

 

“So what did the doctor say?”

 

“The doctors sound quite hopeful, assuring us that the treatment of Leukaemia had been making progress, now with a higher survival rate, about 70% surviving five years in similar cases.”

 

“Oh, survival rate...” Melody muttered, who like Peter, must have heard the terminology for the first time.  

 

“They will have a treatment plan for her,” Jason went on, “But like all cancers I think Chemotherapy would be the first option.”

 

“Is that the treatment that would cause hair loss?” asked Melody.

 

“Yes, that is one of the side effects. It kills the cancer cells, but it also hurts healthy ones, affecting the immune system.”

 

When they went back into the room, Lotus was awake. “Peter! ” she called out at once, her eyes threatened with tears, ''and Melody...” 

 

They went forward to her bed and Melody held her hand, “Oh Lotus…how are you feeling?”

 

“Just feel tired, and a bit nauseated,” said Lotus, “thank you both for coming, oh, beautiful carnations.”

 

“They are beautiful, aren’t they?” Melody said, picking one stem from the bunch and putting it close to Lotus’s nostril. “It is my favourite. I wish they could sell lotus flowers, is that your favourite?”

 

Lotus smiled, “Yes, it is, but carnations smell so nice.”

 

Melody turned to the other two in the room, “Guys, what are your favourite flowers?”

 

“Well, to be honest, I am not sure,” Peter said, “Aren’t all flowers beautiful?” And his answer was followed by Jason, “Me either, but perhaps roses?”

 

“See the two technical ‘geeks’,” Melody laughed, turning back to Lotus, “I bet Jason had never bought you flowers.”

 

“Protest, protest,” said Jason, “I did buy flowers for Lotus.”

 

Lotus responded quickly, “Only once at the very very beginning.”

 

Jason made a face to hide his embarrassment, which was soon superseded by Peter’s, for Melody had begun to challenge Peter, “Hey Peter, how about you?”

 

Peter’s face turned red. It was true he had never bought any flowers for Melody.

 

They continued to chat for another half an hour, during which Lotus had been cheerful, unlike someone who was seriously ill. When they were about to leave, something reminded Melody so she made an inquiry to Jason, “I wonder about the medical cost?”

 

“Well,” Jason replied, “her student insurance can cover a certain percentage, so eventually she needs extra funds. Her parents in China are preparing, and also planning to come to Sydney. A decision will then be made as to where she shall go through the treatment.”

 

“I see,” she said, and spoke to Lotus as if the latter were a child, “You rest well, listen to the doctors, okay? Don't worry about other things, okay?”

 

“Yes, thank you Melody,” Lotus nodded, her eyes now full of tears…

 

Jason went out to see them off. At the car park, Melody asked Jason for Lotus’ bank account, and by her phone she transferred $5k to her, “in case she needs urgent use,” she said.

 

“Thank you, this shall cover possible immediate fees. She will pay you back when her parents arrive.”

 

“Don’t worry about it, let me know if she needs more, I will ask my father for help.”

 

As soon as they were inside the car, Peter leant across and gave Melody a sound kiss, “Melody, you are so kind to help Lotus.”

 

“Am I?” Melody replied, in one of her playful expressions. “But poor Lotus looked so weak, hard to believe this could happen to her.”

 

“Yeah, let’s hope for the best and pray...”

 

That evening, Peter went to the internet doing his research for leukemia, and was relieved to confirm what Jason had said to him, that leukemia was now a highly treatable disease, though the treatment could be lengthy and very expensive. 

 

And as there was only one assignment remaining for achieving her university degree, it was agreed Lotus should just complete it, with assistance from Peter. So one afternoon, since Melody was engaged with her own study, Peter went alone to the hospital by train.

 

“Lotus, how are you feeling today?” asked Peter, putting a pillow up on her back as she managed to sit up.

 

“I am okay,” Lotus said, “Doctors came this morning with further information about my case. It is lucky that it is one of the mildest leukemia and can definitely be treated towards the elimination of the cancer cells. So Peter, I am so happy, I am not going to die.”

 

Peter, affected by her jubilant mood, said assuringly, “Of course not, Lotus. I have also searched the internet, and surely it can be treated. See, everything will be fine.”

 

“Yes, I now choose to believe it. At first when doctors, and my parents and Jason said hopeful words to me, I thought they were just trying to make me feel better,” said Lotus, and excited, began to cough.   

 

“Lotus, speak slowly,” said Peter, holding a glass of water to her mouth. “Drink this, and if you feel tired, just have a rest, and I can come another time.”

 

“No, today is okay,” Lotus replied, after the drink, “and thank you for helping me with the assignment. I am lucky that I can still complete my university studies. Should it be another time, it would have been impossible,” she paused to take another sip of the water, and went on, “and thank you, and thank Melody who is so kind as to lend money to me.”

 

“Don’t mention it, and, how about your parents, are they coming soon?”

 

“The plan was changed. Now only my mother will come, next week, and we will then decide with doctors on a time to bring me back to China. My father has his own work, and also needs to prepare a lot of things for my future treatment.”

 

“Where will your mum stay in Sydney?”

 

“Jason had found a studio type of apartment in Parramatta.”

 

“That is good, Parameter is just one stop away from Westmead station.” 

 

They then spent the next half an hour on the group assignment, until Peter felt it was time for her to rest. 

 

The next time Peter saw her was in Parramatta. To save cost and the frequent travelling of her mum, it was better Lotus stay at home under the care of her mum and only go back to the hospital as needed. And Jason, now her mum had arrived, had not visited her as frequently as before. He was, at the time, rather busy with his studies as well as setting up a shop at Burwood, a joint venture they had once discussed during their Hunter Valley trip. Melody had committed $10k, Jason $20k, and another classmate taking up the third tranche of 20k, to have a shop for Lamb-Skewer BBQ. 

 

Lotus’s mum opened the door. She looked so much like Lotus that Peter thought she was just an older version of her. “Oh, come in, come in,” she said, “Lotus is expecting you.”

 

Lotus, in the bedroom, had heard the voice and said loudly, “Mum, is it Peter?”

 

Peter, taking off his shoes, replied, “Yes, I am, sorry I am running late.”

 

The room, under her mum’s care, was clean and tidy. Lotus’ eyes lit up at once at the beautiful roses in Peter’s hands. Admittedly, it was the first time he had bought any flowers for any girls. And he thought Lotus would like a change of the type of flowers, from the carnations Melody had bought her last time. 

 

With a light blue hat on, Lotus looked like a girl much in fashion, instead of a patient who had lost most of her hair. Peter, having learnt from what Melody had done last time, picked a stem of the roses and gave it to Lotus and said, “Smell it, is it better than carnations?” 

 

Lotus took a deep breath, “Oh, this is so sweet, thank you so much Peter,” Lotus said, smiling beautifully, the rose petals shining upon her features. “How beautiful life is, now I know I am not going to die, I can deal with the discomfort and the pain, and whatever...”

 

“Yes, I am glad you say that, and trust me, Lotus, you will be living more than 100 years.”

 

“Ah…100 years! Peter, can I really live that long?”

 

“Yes, I promise you can.”

 

“Haha…” laughed Lotus, the laughter being her first in many months, “Peter, how can you promise I can live that long? Haha...”

 

“Not just a promise but a guarantee.”

 

Lotus’ chuckle went off further, her pale lips reflecting the colour of joy. “How I hope we can live that long, and.. and…”

 

Peter, and her mum who had been attracted by her happy voice into the room, both held on their smiles, waiting for her to finish what she was going to say.

 

“And, you can still see me when I am 100 years old. How wonderful would it be...”

 

“Yes, it is wonderful.”

 

Then a thin cloud seemed to spoil the moment of her happiness, “But then I would be too old, and ugly…”

 

“Oh, no, no,” Peter said, striving to keep her in a good mood, “I will also guarantee you will be as beautiful as ever.”

 

“Oh Peter, you are so sugar-mouthed, no wonder Melody, as proud and wealthy as she is, sticks with you,” said Lotus, “I haven't seen her for some time, how is she going? I haven’t thanked her enough for her help.”

 

“She is fine. She should have been here today, but she had a meeting with her classmates for the launch of an exhibition, so she asked me to pass her wishes.”

 

“Thank you, you are all so helpful. And don’t worry about me, now that my mum is here. I have also asked Jason not to come here often, so he has time for his study, and now his business.”

 

“Yes, I saw the shop. It was on the Burwood Road, a small place but in a very good location.”

 

“Do you think it will make money? I am concerned Jason may lose it.”

 

“Well, running a business always has risks. but I think the skewer BBQ will be popular in the area. It is one of the hawker shops favoured by Chinese students. When it is open, you should go and have the first bite of the string, see I will be the master chef.”

 

“How wonderful, I must see it before I leave. It will take some time for my first period of treatment here at Westmead so I think I can make it.”

 

“Sure, I will ask Jason to speed it up.”

 

Peter, on his way back, took the train to Burwood, to see the progress of the shop decoration. Jason sat on a little stool, with a pen in his hand scratching on a piece of paper. 

 

“Hi, Jason,” greeted Peter, “how is it going?”