Tenzing had slept fitfully.
His dreams had been filled with odd creatures. Wiggling to get more comfortable in his hospital bed, he looked out through the heavy plastic of the oxygen tent.
Apa, a sweet boy who helped in the temple, delivered his meal of steamed vegetables and yak butter tea. Apa placed the bowl on the sideboard out of reach. Dr. Vandendijk entered the room. Tenzing was resigned; Chest Physical Therapy would come before breakfast.
"Tasha delek, Kundun." The doctor greeted Tenzing, bowing deeply then scrubbed his hands in a basin filled with cool, spring water.
"Tasha delek"
"How are you this morning?" Dr. Dirk Vandendijk, a Dutch born Buddhist monk, spoke fluent English. Tenzing had been his patient for over a decade.
"I am well." Tenzing enjoyed practicing his English with the doctor.
"Good, good."
Two hours later, Tenzing had finished with physical therapy. Breakfast had been followed by a handful of pills. He was mediating when a loud argument outside his room broke his concentration.
"Yeah, well, you shoved me through and I didn't like it!" Georgie's voice echoed through the stone corridor.
"Calm down. Keep your voice..."
"No, I won't calm down. You hurt my arm." Georgie's face was pinched. He gripped his arm as proof.
The noise was out of place in the hallowed halls of Jokhang. Tenzing watched as the door burst inward. In his thirteen years he had never heard such a disturbance.
The group who entered his private chambers were as jarring as their loud presence. An orange cat and 5 young people entered. There were two females in the group. Tenzing could not remember the last time he had seen a female, other than his mother, in the monastery. Eleven years ago his mother had done her duty and tenderly handed the chosen two year old over to the monks. Tenzing had never seen her again. He stood slowly, painfully.
"Hello, your holiness. " One of the boys stepped forward. The boy looked English, but his words were in perfect Tibetan. Tenzing froze, frightened.
He had long ago accepted that the disease that racked his body was less of a threat than the government who wished him dead. His entire life he had been hidden from view within the Monastery walls. He knew this was done only to protect him. Now it seems he had been found out. Tenzing was instantly ashamed of his fear. Hands in prayer position, he bowed a greeting. His expression was serene. "Tasha delek." If destiny had chosen this moment for this life on earth to end, so be it.
"Your holiness, we have come to help you." Ethan bowed in response. "We have been sent to end your suffering."
Tenzing folded his hands over his heart and gave his head a sad shake. "The truth of suffering has a cause. I seek no end to suffering."
"Sure, that's very noble, but..." One of the girls was speaking directly to him. Shock kept him mute. He had no idea how to react.
Tenzing did not have to respond as the door burst open. The room was suddenly very crowded. His guard positioned themselves in a circle around him. Everyone of them willing to die to defend him. Dr. Vandendijk placed himself between Tenzing and the intruders. Tenzing was humbled.
The intruders stood in a huddle near the window. The cat jumped onto the sideboard. The same boy who spoke earlier stepped forward, palms pressed together, held against his own forehead. His remarks seemed aimed at the doctor.
"Namo Buddhaya." He bowed respectfully, hands still in a prayer position, eyes downcast. "Please forgive our intrusion." The Tibetan dialect he used was formal. "We mean no harm. We have come to heal his holiness."
Dr. Vandendijk returned the greeting. "His holiness suffers from Cystic fibrosis. There is no cure."
"I am aware of his illness. We can cure him. Or rather, Lucy can cure him." Lucy stepped forward, her hands outstretched, palms up. The monk's reactions ranged from curiously to outright horror.
"No! She must not touch him"
Finally, Tenzing spoke up. "Doctor, please, I will speak with the lady."
Dr. Vandendijk bowed his head in submission, but did not move aside.
Lucy moved to Ethan's side. She spoke English, "Your Holiness, I have been gifted with a unique ability. If you would allow my touch, I can heal you."
Tenzing did not reply immediately. The room was silent while he thought. Minutes passed. No one moved.
Finally, after almost thirty minutes, Tenzing spoke. "I must ask the lady a question." Ethan translated.
Lucy nodded.
"Do you give this gift of your own free will?" Tenzing asked her in English
"I do." Lucy's smile was serene.