Page 81 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Um, he wants to move in with me. Sorry, buddy.”
“I can understand that. Happy stay, man.”
In the evening, Bajim and Master, too, moved away.
Watching them move out, I said, “With friends like you, who needs enemies?”
During the summer vacation, I stayed back in the hostel with Bajim and Palden. But there was a
problem. Without trainees, the contractor stopped the mess.
“You know what?” said Palden. “The contractor has locked the kitchen now.”
Bajim scratched his head. “What should we do? Any suggestions?”
“Wish someone would lend us money,” I said.
Palden stroked his goatee slothfully. “Poor me.”
“Okay, now what?” I said. “Let’s do something.”
“How about asking a lecturer?” said Palden. “One of them might lend us.”
“A lecturer?” I said. “No way.”
“Great idea,” said Bajim. “But whom should we ask?”
“Follow me,” said Palden. “I’ll talk to them.”
We went to the lecturers’ colony. The doors were all locked. We moved to the last door.
“Oh, this door is not locked,” said Palden.
“Somebody, knock on it, please,” said Bajim.
Palden hunched to knock on the door but stopped. “You knock on it, Uncle.”
I shook my head. “You knock, Bajim.”
Bajim tiptoed and knocked on it. No response.
“Harder, Bajim,” I said.
Lop Ngawang Tenzin, with his lips red from nibbling betel leaves, craned his head out. “Yes?”
“Sorry for disturbing, sir,” said Bajim, “but it’s urgent. We need money to go home.”
“We’ll return it, Lopon,” I said.
He scrutinized our faces and said, “My wife would lend you. Wait here.”
We waited outside, beaming at each other, but he didn’t return.
“He won’t lend us,” said Palden, glancing at the door. “Let’s go.”
Disappointed, we turned away.
“Boys,” said Mr. Ngawang. “I got three thousand, but you must return, okay?”
Bajim took it. “Sure, thank you, Lopon.”
We hurried to the hostel room and shared the money. Palden and Bajim left for Thimphu right away.
The same evening, I went to Cousin Dema’s place to book the home ticket.
After the summer vacation, we collected the money and returned to Lop Ngawang Tenzin.
Soon the inter-class football tournament began. My class got through to the final. After the match, we
returned to the hostel, discussing how we should play our final. On the way, I saw our defender, Namtshe
kick-starting his Bajaj scooter.
“Wait, Namtshe,” I shouted down to him.
He removed the ignition key. “Yes?”
“Can I ride it?”
“Um, okay. Don’t go far.”
I sped along the smooth road that led to the airport. Zest surpassed my fear. At the gate, I turned back,
but the engine died. So, I kick-started again and sped up way back.
Namtshe waved at me from the roadside. “Stop, Uncle.”
I zoomed past him. At the junction, I maneuvered the curve but went straight to the wall. Screech!
“Ouch, my leg!” I limped out of the gutter and squirmed on the road.
Namtshe lifted the scooter and double-checked all the parts. “Drat, you crashed my scooter.”
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