Page 105 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Please sir, send me to any school. I have to show my baby to his surgeon.”
“Um, I will see to it.” He stroked his goatee. “Come after three days. But I can’t assure you.”
“It’s urgent, sir.”
He nodded. “I’ll try.”
I visited his office after three days. “Any seat, sir?”
“Babesa PS principal has agreed to adjust you.”
“Oh, I am privileged to be there, sir. Thank you.”
Back at Paro, Choki was pacing the veranda with the baby on her back. “How did it go?”
“Good news.” I grinned. “I am going to Babesa Primary School.”
“Babesa Primary School? Where is it?”
“It’s above the Babesa expressway.”
“What about the lodging? Where will we stay?”
“I will look for it after I return. I am going back to Kerong to hand over the school tomorrow.”
She deepened her thought and said, “Meanwhile, you can put up with my cousin Demtshe. We’ll join you after
you’ve rented a house.”
“Demtshe? Where does she stay?”
“Changjiji Colony.”
“Where is the Changjiji Colony? I hope it’s near to Babesa PS.”
“You can commute by taxi from there.”
“Why don’t you don’t you talk to her?”
“I would.”
The next morning, I carried my backpack to the taxi stand.
“Take care,” said Choki. “It’s summer.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back in two weeks.”
Straight away, I went to the DEO’s office at Pemagatshel. The DEO was busy at his computer.
“What brings you here, Dorji?”
“I am going on transfer, sir,” I said.
He scrunched up his face. “Transfer? Who approved it?”
“Ministry of Education. I got the office order.”
He read it, furrowing his brow. “A transfer in the middle of the year? How could they issue such an order?”
“It’s urgent, sir.”
“You can’t leave your school in the middle of the year. Who will take the charge?”
“I am sorry I must leave. My baby is important to me.”
“You got to be serious about this. It’s not a child’s play.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, sir? You understand my situation, don’t you?”
The Assistant Dzongkhag Education Officer and Office Assistant watched us in silence.
“Tell me, where would I manage a principal for you?”
“I must go. My baby needs me there.”
“I can’t relieve you.”
“You have to. What would you do if you were in my situation?”
“That’s what you should understand about my situation.”
“Sir, I beg of you, please.”
When he remained silent, grimacing, I slouched towards the door. “I am sorry, but I must go.”
At Kerong Community Primary School, I called Mr. Tengyel and other staff. “I am transferred to Babesa Primary
School, Thimphu.”
Mr. Tengyel smiled. “Oh, really, sir?”
“Yeah.”
“When are you leaving?” said Mr. Pechen. “There’s only a few months left. Why don’t you go next year, sir?”
I grinned. “I must go,”
Mr. Somgyel said, “Who’s replacing you, sir?”
“No idea, but don’t worry. Someone better than me would come.”
Mr. Tengyel’s beady eyes glistened as he said, “I can adjust with anyone.”
“Glad to know that,” I said, grinning. “Mr. Tengyel, take over the charge. You must run the school until the new
principal joins.”
“No problem, sir.”
“Thanks for your cooperation.”

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