Page 67 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

Two weeks later, I went to Lobesa to attend an interview at the Natural Resource Training Institute, but
I caught a nasty cough. There, Rinzin adjusted me in his hostel room. He was my senior at Mongar High
School. In mid-classes, he would come to see me.
“You okay, man?” he said.
“I still got a high fever,” I said.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll get you hot water.”
“And some paracetamol, please.”
He returned with paracetamol and a mug of hot water. “Just one paracetamol, please.”
But the cough didn’t subside, so I missed the interview.
I shook Rinzin’s hand. “Thank you, buddy, for everything you have done for me. I am never gonna
forget this.”
“Please don’t mention,” he said, shaking my hand. “Take care and all the best with your interviews.”
“Thanks.”
My host, Wangdila wasn’t at home. His immediate neighbor gave me the key. There were a few pieces
of shriveled chilies and onions in the kitchen. I bought a few kilos of rice and scrimped on one meal for
the rest of the days. Soon, the kitchen ran out of stock. So, I went to Cousin Dema’s place for lunch every
day.
One afternoon, I went to Yangchenphug High School football ground. A friendly match was going on.
A man wobbled up the path and said, “You are a goalie, aren’t you?”
I let out an involuntary gasp of surprise. “How’d you know that?”
“Who wouldn’t know you?” he replied. “We played many games before as opponents.”
“Oh, really? You’re—”
“I am Leewang,” he said. “Can you play in our team, please?”
“But you have a set of players.”
“We don’t have a goalie.”
“But you have a goalie.”
“We don’t have confidence in him.”
I stepped back. “Sorry, I—”
“Please.”
“But he’s a good goalie.”
“Please,” he said.
“Are you sure? Um, now?”
He beamed. “Yes, now.”
“I don’t have boots.”
“Don’t worry. You can use his boots and gloves.”
“You sure he won’t mind?”
“Trust me.”
We played friendly matches every day. One day, the second goalie didn’t come to practice.
“Where’s our second goalie?” I asked.
Leewang crossed his arms. “He left the team.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, no!” I bit my lower lip. “I am feeling guilty.”
Leewang patted my back. “You don’t have to.”
After the semi-final against Kelki High School, a middle-aged man stalked up to me. He wore a dark
glass and a white cap.
“Hey, goalie,” he said.
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