Page 48 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

5 HIP, HIP, HOORAY!

The school was closed for winter vacation. Coach trained us for the inter-high school football tournament that
would be played at Phuentsholing. Our shouts and laughter echoed from the facades of the empty buildings around.
“How bleak our school looks without students!” I exclaimed.
Baggio looked around and sighed. “It’s more like a hell.”
I nodded.
But the training went on as usual.
On the last day of our training, Coach said, “Boys, we are moving tomorrow. Ready your stuff today. And carry
some pocket money, okay?”
“Sure, Coach.”
“We’ll start at 6:00 am,” he said. “Report to school at 5:30 am, okay?”
“We will, Coach.”
At dawn, Dad woke me and gave me one thousand ngultrums. “Spend only when necessary. Take care of
yourself and listen to your coach.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said. “Don’t worry about me. I am grown up now.”
Mr. Tashi was erecting the school flag above his door, and Coach arrived after ten minutes.
“All present?” said Coach.
The captain counted the heads. “Yes, Coach.”
As the bus moved, we sang. The flag fluttered and music floated across the seats. At Thimphu, Coach took us to
Karma Hotel, above the clock tower, where Baggio and I had once stayed.
In the evening, I grinned at Baggio. “Remember that gorgeous waitress?” I said.
“Yeah,” he said. “So?”
“Let’s go see her.”
“Not today,” he said. “I am exhausted.”
“Fine.” I strolled down the stairs and crossed the road. “Excuse me, does that tall girl with glossy hair still work
here?”
A girl at the counter crinkled up her nose. “A tall girl with glossy hair?”
“Um, that—”
“Tshomo?” she said.
“Yeah, Tshomo. Where is she?”
“She left the hotel a few weeks ago,” she said. “Why?”
“Okay, thanks, nothing,” I said and stalked out back to the hotel.
Back in the room, Baggio said, “What happened, Uncle?”
“She left the hotel.”
“Why?”
“No idea.”
“I would arrange one if you are looking for a waitress.”
“Don’t insult me,” I said, rolling up the blanket over my head. “Tshomo was too beautiful to be a waitress.”
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