ChinaPulling the red suitcase containing the ashes of his late wife, Mr. Hoang Kien Tai quietly walked forward.
A 60-year-old man walks on the empty streets of Shanghai. This city is still under blockade by Covid-19. More than 32 years ago, he and his wife first set foot in this city to buy wedding supplies. But now, it’s all over.
Two months ago, En Tao Huong, his wife, came from Changzhou, Jiangsu province to Shanghai for cancer treatment. On May 6, Mrs. An passed away.
The blockade in Shanghai has brought many traffic routes to a standstill. There is only one train to Changzhou every day, but buying a ticket is “as hard as going to heaven”. Unable to call a taxi, nor knowing how to buy a ticket, Mr. Hoang walked to the train station, hoping someone would cancel the trip. The distance from the crematorium to the station is 24 km long, if walking, it will take him 5 hours.
On the afternoon of May 7, Hoang Kien Tai put his wife’s ashes in a suitcase, started going, and arrived at the station at 8pm. Compared to the plan, he was two hours late due to lost track.
During the journey, Mr. Hoang did not feel tired, occasionally patting the suitcase as if he was talking to his wife: “I don’t want you to be out on the street for a long time, please wait patiently for me”. He was only worried that the wheel of the suitcase had a problem, so he pulled it very gently, moving at the same speed. Only when he crossed the bridge did he slow down his pace.
According to the custom of Changzhou people, you must call out the name of the deceased when taking them across the bridge, otherwise they will lose their way. Mr. Hoang knew this, so as soon as he reached the foot of the bridge, he shouted: “An Dao Huong, follow me home”.
The red suitcase containing his wife’s remains was dragged 25km by Mr. Hoang Kien Tai, from the crematorium to the Shanghai city train station. Image: qq
Hoang Kien Tai and his wife have just been married for 32 years. Before, both were workers. In 2008, they opened a tea shop in Changzhou, doing quite well.
Because of her busy business, Ms. An works very hard and rarely travels. “She’s never been on a plane, hasn’t heard of high-speed rail. A few years ago, I invited my wife to come to Beijing to play, but she kept busy with work and decided not to go.” At that time, Mr. Hoang blamed his wife for being greedy for work, but she just clicked her tongue: “There are many other occasions”.
Two years ago, Mrs. An discovered that she had cancer. Since April this year, her health has deteriorated, her husband has to be taken to Shanghai for treatment. Because of the epidemic blocking the whole city, in the last days of his life, only Mr. Hoang stayed at the hospital to take care of his wife until she passed away.
Mr. Hoang Kien Tai arrived at Hong Kieu station and waited almost a day to get a ticket to return home. Image: qq
On the evening of May 7, when he reached the station, Mr. Hoang found an airtight corner to rest. He leaned on the red suitcase and slept an uneasy night because he could not find anyone to cancel the ticket. The next day, he was still waiting at the station platform. Fortunately, until 4pm on May 8, the grandson found a ticket for him.
According to the regulations of Changzhou city, people returning from Shanghai must be isolated at a hotel for two weeks. Giving a red suitcase containing his wife’s remains to his son, Mr. Hoang instructed to do her funeral carefully. Although he was not able to participate, in his heart, Mr. Hoang felt very secure because he was able to bring his wife home.
Vy Trang (According to qq)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
