Page 8 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

With the passage of time, Dad and I lost two of our family members, over a span of just forty-nine days. From that
moment on, we mourned Mom and my brother, Tashi Wangchuk. Even after two years, Dad mourned them. Alone and
sad, he stayed indoors most days. But for me, I sauntered all day and returned at the fall of the dusk. Father and son
rarely sat together for the meals. When we did, we talked less.
One fine day, Dad and I were sitting beside the window of that dimly-lit room, facing each other. It was the first time we
had the father-son talk, happy and stress-free. He sipped black tea from the dinted aluminium mug he had preserved
from the time he was an army. So, the surge of knowing about my birth rushed into my mind.
“Would you tell me where I was born, dad?” I asked.
“You were born in the Yonphula army camp in 1977. You were an atypical baby. That you didn’t sleep a lot and cried all
day.”
“I did, dad?” I replied.
He nodded. “Your mom and I would tend to you every night. Even the crowing of crows would jerk us. We would rush
to check on you.”
Eyes popping out, I chuckled. “What a jerk I must have been, then.”
He grinned, sipping on his tea. “Glad that you’re helping grandparents back home. So, go on with it.”
“I would.”
“And remember you’re just an ordinary boy, not from the upper echelon of society.”
I scratched my head. “I can see that, dad.”
“Do not engage in fights. Stay away from unruly friends and situations. And, do not steal.”
“I know that too, dad.”
Well, that was the only valuable piece of advice I got from him in my life. Other days, he brooded over passing Mom
and younger brother. Even if we had time, he wouldn’t talk much. He would sneak away when I walked in.
Later, he remarried. The most amazing thing was stepmom was my mom’s half-sister from the other village. Dad settled
with her until his last day.

8