Page 178 - FATE & DESTINY
P. 178

FATE & DESTINY

               I picked them from the gate. At the roadside, near Phuntsho’s house, Choki arranged their luggage in
            the hatchback.
               Along the way, I stopped and barfed, but gastritis wouldn’t subside. At the fall of dusk, we arrived at
            Chuzom. About fifteen minutes later, I took the road to the nunnery at Sisina.
               “Here you are, Chojay,” I said. “Your home.”
               Four innocent little nuns frolicked out. The youngest one jumped into Chokjey’s arms. Chojey cuddled
            her.
               “Are these your friends?” I asked.
               “Yes, Ata,” she said. “We all come from a similar background.”
               The little nuns giggled and hid behind one another, glancing at me. I smiled back at them. Chojey had
            told us most of the nuns were from broken or disadvantaged families.
               But Chojey's case was worse. She said a couple asked her to babysit their baby saying they would take
            her to the US. But later, they deserted her and she had no place to go. And that’s how she landed at the
            nunnery.”
               I opened the hatchback and unloaded Chojey’s luggage. “Okay, Chojey, see you next time.”
               “Chojey,” whispered the eldest nun from behind. “Dinner.”
               “Ata, dinner,” relayed Chojey to me.
               “Thank you,” I said, “we are almost home.”
               Her friend whispered again, “But it’s ready.”
               “Maybe next time, Aney.” I turned to Chojey and said, “You know our place, don’t you?”
               She nodded and choked on her words. “I don’t know what might’ve happened to us, hadn’t it been for
            you. Thank you so much.”
               I turned the ignition on. “My pleasure, please. Do visit us sometimes.”
               “I would.”
               I made our way through the gate. “Bye.”


























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