Page 55 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

I scurried along, but he soon caught up with me. “Have you done your assignment?” He put his arms
around my shoulders.
I grinned. “Yes.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay.”
“I think I was harsh on you. Forgive me, please.”
“All I know is that you are a good buddy, nothing else.”
He took a deep sigh.

***

In an open football tournament, we were into the final. So, we went to school to see Coach.
“We cannot play the final, boys,” said Coach.
Mouth wide open, I said, “Why, Coach?”
“They curtailed it because of the controversy,” he said.
“It’s not fair,” said Jigwang. “We must fight for it.”
“We can’t do that either,” said Coach.
As we all broke down, Coach watched us. “Sorry, boys.”
“Can I ask why they’ve curtailed our final, Coach?” I said.
“It’s their decision,” he said. “They won’t listen to us.” He paused for a moment. “There’s another
open tournament starting at Trashigang. We will join it.”
“When is it, Coach?” said Baggio.
“Soon. Now go home, boys.”
With a heavy heart, I slouched home with Baggio and Jigwang.
As promised, Coach took us to Trashigang for the tournament. We were into a tough semi-final. Our
opponent, the BPC had hired two players from Sherubtse College, but they arrived late. We had scored
two goals.
“Two goals already?” said the center forward from Sherubtse College. “It’s too late for us to equalize.”
The game became tougher after they entered the pitch. We scored another goal in the exciting minutes
of the second half.
Our school bus stopped in the town.
“Boys,” said Coach. “A small treat from me.”
We trailed him into the cafeteria in the heart of the town. Inside, I sat on the chair at the corner and
listened to the others talking about the game.
“Wow, it was a great game,” said Ugyen, the fastest player on our team. “The best game in my life.”
“Mine too,” said Jigwang.
Everybody frolicked and sang, tapping on the edges of the tables.
Coach raised the teacup. “Well done. Everyone, cheers!”
“Cheers!” we said in unison.
It was dark when we returned home. As we arrived near the girls’ dormitory, we sang louder:

“Nge lam nanglu yang mena mo
Ngelam nang bay ru tub bay mo
Choe gi nga lu mega zer mi dhi
Gaedro bay ru tub bay mo….”

The school flag fluttered against the reflection of the full moon, and we all chorused:
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