Page 32 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

We exchanged glances, beaming at each other. Three of us out of sixteen was an honor for us.
“Only three of us, Coach?” said Baggio.
“Yes,” he said. “Are you going or not?”
We said in unison, “Yes, Coach.”
We would miss classes for at least two weeks, but we couldn’t afford to lose the prospect of playing for Zhongar
11. It was like signing a contract to play in La Liga and English Premier League.
Upon arriving at Thimphu, our team captain, Jigme, took us to a hotel above the clock tower. We had days
before we played our first match. So, I moseyed near the clock tower every day. In the evening, I walked into a
restaurant beside the clock tower for dumpling. I had the other intention. A gorgeous waitress in that restaurant
captivated my heart. Her dimpled cheeks, rosy lips, beady eyes under her bushy eyebrows, and her glossy hair
bewitched me.
“Wow, you are stunning,” I exclaimed to myself, seeing her walk with a graceful movement. “Why, you should
be a model, not a waitress.”
Every time she walked before me, my heart fluttered. In nervousness, I grinned at her, and when she returned me
a charming grin, I heaved a sigh of relief. But we never talked.
“You disappear every evening,” said Purna. “What’s the secret, buddy?”
I blushed. “I ain’t got any secret, buddy.”
“Take us with you,” said Baggio.
“Where?” I said.
“To the restaurant, dude.”
“Which restaurant?” I said. “And Why?”
Purna sneered. “We know everything, buddy. Come on, take us there.”
I grinned at them. “Okay, follow me.”
We settled down at the table far in the corner.
“What do we get here?” said Purna.
“I usually have dumplings,” I said, looking for the waitress.
“Dumplings for me, please,” said Baggio.
The angelic waitress walked to our table with her charming smile.
“Three plates of momos, please,” I said.
She smiled in the most coquettish manner. “Anything else?”
With such an easy ripple of amusement in her soft voice, she made me grin at her.
“And—”
“And three teas,” added Purna.
She tossed her glossy hair behind and shied away into the kitchen.
“She is glamorous,” said Baggio. “Seriously.”
“Yeah, she is,” I said.
She watched us from behind the buffet as we walked out, not knowing it was my last visit. With a heavy heart, I
turned back and waved to her. She waved back. Back in our room, I crept into my bed and rolled up the blanket
over my head, trying not to think of her.
“Get up, boys,” said the team captain, Jigme. “Get ready for the journey”
At the break of dawn, we washed our faces and packed our stuff. After breakfast, we waited for the vehicle
outside. The thought of the arduous journey made me retch.
“What’s this?” said Purna.
“Anti-vomiting pills,” I said. “I always take one half an hour before the journey.”
Baggio preened closer. “Give me one.”
“But you don’t get travel sickness, do you?” said Purna.
“No, but I will take it,” said Baggio.
“Then give me one too,” said Purna.
Heart fluttering, I said, “Are you sure you want to take it?”
They nodded.
The pickup truck arrived. After we crossed the bridge at Lungtenzampa, I skimmed for the restaurant building.
The clustered buildings obstructed my view, but I skimmed for it until we got behind the bend. The paddy fields at
Olakha and Babesa were lush. My heart ached more. So, I curled beside Purna and Baggio. “Um, what was her
name? Funny, I was head-over-heels with a girl I didn’t even know her name.” I closed my eyes.
Baggio nudged me. “Get up, Uncle.”
“What is it?” I said, squinting.
“The truck broke down,” he said. “We’re moving to a workshop.”

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