Page 79 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Maybe he saw it,” he said. “It possesses mystical powers. It could elude us in the blink of an eye and attack from
behind.”
I arched my eyebrows. “Really?”
“Should we sense it around us, we must heat stones,” he said, scraping off the corns. “It wobbles backward with
its pouch open to devour the prey. If we stuff its pouch with smoldering stones, Dredpu would shriek and run
away.”
I didn’t believe him, but I was curious.
If Dredpu ever existed, it would rove only the snow-capped mountains. But I assumed Dredpu might prowl any
woods under such circumstances. At my disposal, I drew out my Rambo knife from the backpack and held it in my
hand, ready to strike.
I heard another scream, closer this time. “Oh, human noises?” I muttered. “Thank God.”
People of all ages—about fifteen with leaden stuff on their backs—were hobbling up the mountain.
“Kuzu Zangpo la,” I said.
Young girls giggled and scrambled to hide, and kids smiled.
“Where are you coming from, young man?” asked the old man who was trailing the others. He was carrying an
old wooden box. “Where’re you headed?”
“I am going to SJ.”
Eyes popping out, he said, “Are you alone?”
“Yes… I mean no. I have got travel mates. I lagged. Did they go this way?”
“They did,” he said, looking up the path. “Half an hour ago.”
“We started at Nganglam together.” I squinted against the rays darting through the intersection of the branches.
“But they’re fast.”
“How could they leave you behind?”
“They are in a hurry.”
He clucked. “How could they?”
“It’s okay,” I said, leaning on my staff. “Now I am safe with you. Where are you headed to?”
“Reeshor.”
“Where is Reeshor? Why?”
“Near Dewathang.”
“Are you settling away?”
“Elephants are a nuisance. They destroyed our houses and crops.”
I gave them chewing gum. “Is it safe to move to Reeshor?”
“Yes. We have our land there.”
Traveling was safer and easier, chatting with them. The three brothers were sitting on a rock.
“We are waiting for you, sir,” said the youngest.
“Sorry you had to wait for me,” I said, “but you should have continued your journey.”
“Fair-weather friends?” said the old man. “How could you leave him?”
They turned their faces away.
“That’s okay, Maymay,” I said.
“Elephants are everywhere in these woods,” said the old man. “You should never leave your friends.”
“Come, sir,” said Sangla.
“Thank you all,” I said, smiling at everyone. “It was a great relief traveling with you all.”
“Take care,” said the old man. “Bye.”
The travel mates left me again on the last climb. My leg muscles strained and the rashes around the pelvis had
inflamed. It delivered thwarting pain. Dizziness worsened, so I rested on a rock.
“Are you coming?” shouted Sangla from far above.
I didn’t answer.
They shouted in turns. “Are you coming, sir? Hello?”
“You may go. Don’t worry about me.”
After a good rest, I climbed to the top of the hill. “Oops, finally.” It was like I was on the top of Mount Everest.
The path took me to a village. The road stretched through the Reeshor village and down to the coal mine at the
bottom of the village. I hobbled along the road. Soon a truck rumbled up from behind.
I waved at it. “Samdrup Jongkhar, please!”
The truck stopped, and the driver gestured to me to clamber.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Where’d you come from?”
“Nganglam.”

79