Page 52 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

6 IN MY QUEST FOR JOB

Back then, the board exams, ICSE, were conducted in March. I did my winter-coaching right after we returned
home from Phuentsholing. Yet I didn’t qualify for college.
“It’s okay, son,” said Dad. “You don’t have to brood all day.”
I sobbed harder when I heard it. “I am sorry, Dad.”
“Never mind. You can look for a job.”
“What kind of job do you expect me to get?” I said. “Nothing.”
“Any job would do. Even blue-collar.”
A down-to-earth man who always fulfilled the moral obligations of his family, Dad tried to soothe me with his
fatherly manner. Yet I afforded a second opinion.
“What about the supplementary exams, Dad? I want to study.”
“A job would be better.”
I twirled my hair and reconsidered his suggestion. “Are you sure, Dad?”
“Please, son,” he said. “That’s my sincere advice for you.”
“Fine,” I said.
One week later, I bought a bus ticket for Thimphu. Tenzin Nyima was on the bus.
“Where are you headed, Uncle?” he asked.
“Thimphu,” I replied. “And you?”
“Thimphu. To attend the orientation programme for the college. And you?”
“Well, I didn’t qualify for college, so I am looking for a job.”
“Sorry to know that. Meet my brother-in-law, Wangdila.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I said.
“Nice to meet you too,” said Mr. Wangdila.
My worry burgeoned as we traversed closer to Thimphu. “Where should I go? Ana Pema’s place? No, there’d be
many guests. Oh, no! Where should I go?”
At the bus terminal, Tenzin said, “Where’re you headed, Uncle?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Um—”
“Meaning you don’t have a place to go?”
I nodded.
“Come with us,” he said. “We’ll put up at my brother-in-law’s place.”
Mr. Wangdila smiled. “You may come with us if you like.”
I hesitated for a moment and said, “Thank you, sir.”
“Please follow us,” said Tenzin.
Blushing, I carried my backpack after them to the taxi parking. After ten minutes, the taxi stopped at the terminal
point. From there, we walked through a dark street for five minutes.
“Should I put up with them?” I said to myself. “But where would I go?” As I traipsed after them in silent
footsteps, I looked for a means to sneak. “Oh, no! Where am I going?”
Mr. Wangdila opened the door. “Come in, please. It may not be a perfect place, but you will feel at home.”
I crept in after Tenzin. “Oh, thank you, sir.”

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