Page 44 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“It’s their decision,” he said. “They won’t listen to us.” He paused for a moment. “There’s another open
tournament starting at Trashigang. We will join it.”
“When is it, Coach?” said Baggio.
“Soon. Now go home, boys.”
With a heavy heart, I slouched home with Baggio and Jigwang.
As promised, Coach took us to Trashigang for the tournament. We were into a tough semi-final. Our opponent,
the BPC had hired two players from Sherubtse College, but they arrived late. We had scored two goals.
“Two goals already?” said the center forward from Sherubtse College. “It’s too late for us to equalize.”
The game became tougher after they entered the pitch. We scored another goal in the exciting minutes of the
second half.
Our school bus stopped in the town.
“Boys,” said Coach. “A small treat from me.”
We trailed him into the cafeteria in the heart of the town. Inside, I sat on the chair at the corner and listened to
the others talking about the game.
“Wow, it was a great game,” said Ugyen, the fastest player on our team. “The best game in my life.”
“Mine too,” said Jigwang.
Everybody frolicked and sang, tapping on the edges of the tables.
Coach raised the teacup. “Well done. Everyone, cheers!”
“Cheers!” we said in unison.
It was dark when we returned home. As we arrived near the girls’ dormitory, we sang louder:

“Nge lam nanglu yang mena mo
Ngelam nang bay ru tub bay mo
Choe gi nga lu mega zer mi dhi
Gaedro bay ru tub bay mo….”

The school flag fluttered against the reflection of the full moon, and we all chorused:

“Lab mai wai bumo lab mai wai
Gaedro ein zer lab mai wai
Choe sem ngalu mad zer mi dhi
Dhen rang med dhen zer lab mai wai.”

The next day, friends came one after the other and complimented us.
The school captain high-fived me. “Keep it, Uncle.”
“Thanks, captain,” I said.
“I heard you were the man of the match there, is it true?” said Dem, my bench-mate.
I grinned at her. “You could guess that.”
“Glad to know about your game, Dorji,” said Yethro Lhamo, the prettiest girl in the school.
“I am flattered,” I said. “Thanks for the compliments.”
Three days later, we played the final against the DOR team from Trashigang. Most spectators supported us,
including the students of Trashigang Junior High school. The second half was a tough battle. The score remained
zero each at the end of the second half.
As I saved goals, the spectators cheered. “Goalie! Goalie!”
Their boisterous cheers buoyed my spirits. We ran into extra time. In the dying moments of the extra time, one
of their strikers kicked the ball hard and whizzed into my net.
They lifted the goal scorer to the center. “Goal!”
My teammates hung their heads. Soon the referee blew the whistle. I covered my face in my hands and sobbed.
Jigwang joined me.
“Get up, Goalie,” said Coach. “No more resentment. We played well.”
As we received the medal, the spectators applauded us. We got on the truck and waved our school flag.

“Samta choe rang sam soong,
Tenchang choe rang sam soong.
Chey lay yiglen meba
Nga nikhor dang ched soong.”

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