Page 50 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Okay.”
The next day, over the loud spear, the Master of Ceremony announced, “X B, My Heart Goes Shalala.
Please come on stage.”
My heart thudded as the music floated across the hall. We began our moves. The first step needed us to
keep our hands on the head and do six steps of the catwalk, forward. A perfect synchronized move. Next
step, I leaped and wobbled my hips. Others squatted with their hands on their chest as the song shrilled
out: “My Heart Goes Shalalala....”
What an embarrassing mistake! The spectators laughed out their hearts, and some shouted at my name.
“Uncle!”
I cringed when the result was announced over the loudspeaker.
“X B, with 25 points at second last.”
“Oops,” I blurted. “I will never dance for the rest of my life.”
Mr. K.N. Sharma said, “It’s okay, we’ll perform better next time.”
In the evening, I went to the accountant to return his jeans pants. “Thank you, sir, for lending me your
jeans.”
“How’d it go?” he said.
“Sorry, my class stood second last.”
He guffawed as he puffed out the cigarette smoke. “Keep it. It’s yours.”
I stood gaping. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, you can keep it. I have extra jeans for myself.”
It was an expensive jeans pant, Pepe brand. If I had to buy, it’d have cost me over five hundred
ngultrums.
“Thank you, sir,” I said and walked home with the jeans tucked under my arms. I still couldn’t believe
it. “Did he say I can keep the jeans?”
On the football ground a few days later, Baggio gawked at me. “How serious are you with Aunty?” he
said.
“You mean Nyingthenma?” I said. “Why, buddy?”
“Because you’re chicken-hearted.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I see nothing but a joke.” His face went serious. “You make yourself a laughingstock.”
“Don’t beat around the bush. Tell me.”
“Why don’t you propose to her?” he said, looking straight into my eyes. “She likes you.”
I guffawed. “You must be joking, right?”
“Seriously, dude.”
“No way, buddy.”
“Why?”
“I can’t,” I said, remembering Yethrolma’s pretty face. “Nyingthenma deserves better than me.”
“Grow up, buddy,” he said. “The world is too small for her.”
“Excuse me?” I said. “Did you say—”
“See, just propose to her before it’s too late. All the guys are after her.”
“Calm down, buddy. There’s a big misapprehension. I want to stay as a friend to her, okay?”
His eyes met mine and sighed in disappointment. “Are you sure you don’t want to—”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “Everything is gonna be fine.”

***

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