Page 68 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Yes?” I said.
“Would you join my club?”
“Which club, sir?”
“Our club can be invincible if you join.”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
“Why not?” He showed me a firm expression. “Where do you work?”
“I am a student.”
“What if I found you a decent job, boy?”
“Thanks,” I said. “I am gonna join the National Institute of Education, next year.”
He shook his head. “You sure you don’t wanna play for my club?”
“Sorry sir, I have signed the bond. Thanks for the offer.”
We played the final against Yangchenphug High School with a glimmer of hope. The match turned
tougher in the second half. Yangchenphug High School won.
The same night, our sponsor took us to Taktsang Hotel for dinner. I had a grand feast and drank to my
heart’s content. That night, someone had to drive me home.
A few days later, Mr. Wangdila rode me to the bus terminal on his Bajaj Scooter. “Here is some money
you’ve kept with me.”
I counted the notes. “Seven hundred only?”
“Yes,” he said, grinning. “Sorry, I spent the rest.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “This would suffice my journey. Thanks for the hospitality, sir.”
“Mention not, safe journey,” he said and rode away.
At Mongar, Dad came looking for me the moment the bus stopped. He carried my bag home. Over tea,
we had a conversation. He flashed me a wide grin as I told him about my job.
But I wasn’t happy with it. Seeing my colleagues in the college sank my heart.
“Dad, I think I should continue my studies,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. “What?”
“I want to study.”
“It’s hard to get a job these days. Why don’t you take up the job you already have?”
“There are many private schools in Bhutan now, Dad.”
“Listen, son.” He cleared his throat. “Who will pay your fees? My salary won’t even suffice for our
meals. Even if you had money, where would you stay? Please understand our situation, son.”
“Fine, I will take up the job.”
He beamed. “I am glad you took my advice.”
I nodded.
The next day, I went to Rezemo Community Primary School to see the principal. It was about five
miles south of Mongar town. The school was closed. A was a man watching me hobble the craggy hill,
sitting on a wooden chair on the porch of a small quarter. He looked shabby in his faded Adangmathra.
“Excuse me?” I said. “Can you direct me to the principal’s office, please?”
He flashed me a humble smile. “Any work?”
“I am an apprentice teacher, sent by the ministry,” I said, fanning my face. “I need to see him.”
“The office is closed for the day, sir. Come on Monday, please.”
I fidgeted hearing the word ‘sir’. “Um, where can I meet him? I have to submit my documents.”
“It’s me,” he said, grinning. “You can come on Monday.”
“Oh, sorry, sir,” I said, ambling down the hill. “I will come on Monday.”
I taught English and Mathematics in the fourth grade. With my first pay of two thousand ngultrums, I
bought a mattress for Nu.900 from a Tibetan shop.

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