3 A Value Orientation Week

A WEEK PROGRAMME GAVE ME SUFFICIENT TIME to roam Thimphu City. Remaining back at school and listening lectures is out of my interest. On March 1, I went to Thimphu. I got out from the van and enjoyed the beauty of Dochu La. The atmosphere encircling the Earth was chilly and unfriendly---a disgusting one but absorbing simultaneously, too. It let my goose-fleshed body to blench itself to conserve water from being perspired under coordination of the Central Nervous System.

I could see numerous pimples-like dots sprouting from the base of my body hairs. The wind whooshed strong swaying the pine branches into different directions so endearingly furnishing the sensation of soaring high above to the ether where we can experience absolute euphoria and tranquility, from the materialistic world of never ending yearning. The landscape of Dochu La was infinitely picturesque flavoured with the wintry snowfall that whitened the entirety as far as my eagle-like eyes can espy.

The famed Darkar La Range, arranged ideally with amusing cirrostratus as its background gave the superb view of the the last Shangri-La. The fluttering flags of Dochu La put about the message of peace and serenity of nature to every flat creature of the entirety, one is so blind and lame not to explore such a masterpiece of the Heaven concealed in our own paradise that we dwell in.

The minuscule one-hundred and eight stupas set up in the idyllic location glitter with the sun and the moon proving their power to bless each and every up-and-coming creature and enliven the beauty of nature.

I prayed with seriousness in my tone of prayers that I have never did before. It was en route my way from Sarpang to Thimphu, a sink where every graduate flows into. I descended down the steps and adjusted inside a Maruti Van reserved from Gelephu with the charge of Nu. 4000, which is about 200Km in length.

The driver was quite drunk and was a drunkard because on the way he visited the bars on and off. I was terrified at his acceleration, driving in gear four screeching on the descending icy road, chances it may slip. Numerous heavy vehicles roared contradiction to our destiny that made mine fragile heart to cower oftentimes.

"Ashang, lower your acceleration. It's risky because there are heavy vehicles flying continuously. " I exhorted him who time and again prepared a mouthful of 'doma' to adorn his red dingy mouth without a sense of terror. The van flied at high celerity but he was not at all getting cold feet, maybe he is expert or maybe may not.

'Haha...what happened my poor chap, hunh? Are you afraid?" He asked showing his dirty teeth, due to excessive chewing of betel nut flavoured with lime.

"No. But, prevention is the best, isn't it uncle?" I asked him, entrenching the seriousness in my voice.

"Yeah!" He said," But this is nothing for me, I can even drive at 50Kmph, do I need to prove?"

"No. No...no...no. No need! You can drive in gear 3 for now as its almost on the point of reaching the destiny. You will be fined by the traffics." I responded, difficult to swallow my own saliva.

The apple orchards came into existence with numerous traditional hut houses with pebbles onto the roof to protect it from sliding or blown away by wind. All the apple trees were naked as the day one was born without a single leaf, maybe due to natural process of abscission. We plunged deeper and deeper.

Finally, Semtokha approached in view and significantly the stout Buddha facing eastward towards Lungtenphu. I joined my palms together right at my heart and vowed with gratitude for my safety throughout the lengthy journey. I cited the mantra, 'Om Mani Pemay Hung' for my long life, though a science student and modernist by time and technology, but still deeply spiritual and religious.

I believe the Omnipresent God and his existence, believed to be residing somewhere high in the Ether. His omnipresence and succour when ever necessary, the capacity to know everything and the power of being above death and born are incredibly sublime and these are the reasons why I appraise him.

We passed through Army Headquarter, Royal Bhutan Army(RBA), and YHSS, Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School and then finally the cab parking above RSTA building. I dismounted and taken out the luggage from the Van.

After the exchange of good-bye with the driver, I descended down the steps to the terminal. Startling, not before I could land my legs on the parking properly, drivers were snatching my luggage and postulating to travel by their taxis like dogs wearily aiming at the meat--- waiting for the pacific opportunity.

I turned down their proposals and went to the downward direction, left side of the building where there was the long linear shop divided into many smaller compartments reserved by individuals. I bought a cup of tea and a plate of dumplings and refreshed myself.

"Babesa! Babesa! ...." A driver was shouting.

I hurried to and huddled inside and made myself eased and comfortable. He drove the Santro cab around the heavy traffic once and stopped.

"Brother, please wait a minute okay?" He requested.

"Why?" I replied impatiently.

"I have one passenger, hang a minute.''He replied locking his front door and disappeared into the sickening throng of townie and motors. I awaited about thirty minutes but he didn't turn up, it was 4:30 p.m. then. I felt completely ennui and started to play Facebook as a solace.

An SMS buzzed:

"Hy...hi!" It was Selden but written as 'Seday' in her Facebook account. She was mine friend from SCS. She is a very chatty and humour-filled woman, adored by most of the people.

"Hi"

"Sup?"

"Nothing. What about you?"

"Nth..fyn. wer r u nawadys?"

"Travelling Thimphu, you?"

"@ hom onli. Misin' dos arguments and fights, haha"

"Me, too."

"Jst kiding lol"

"OK" I SMSed but my last message didn't get dilevered due to fluctuation of network, strength ebbed to E from 4G or LTE. So I just turned off the mobile data connection and went for a short slumber.

I heard somewhere into my deep sleep someone knocking the window shield. I woke up and looked outside. There was a young girl about nineteen of age peering modestly. So I opened the door and she entered with seducing smile.

"Thanks for waiting me. And how do you do? " She enquired ardently, her mien showed the twinkling stars .

"No problem. Yeah, I am fine!" I replied, turning the data on anew.

"Where are you going? I mean in which side of Thimphu are you residing?" She inquired playing with her ebony hair. She got silky hair, beautiful complexion with big cute and pearly eyes and cutesy dimples while she smiles.

" Babesa, and you?" I counter-asked.

"Ooh! OK. I am too Babesa. Then it means we are Babesain...haha" She replied amusingly.

"You got a nice physique. I mean, you're beautiful. " I commended blushingly, held my tongue and defended myself from the stupidity.

"Haha...Really? I don't think so. Anyways, thanks for the compliment." She replied and gave a sensualizing laugh.

I was ashamed for the oblivious silly compliment I made to a completely alien like girl to whom I have never set my eyes. I felt completely absurd

to converse with her further for mine devoid analysing power.

How I would be if I was Omnipotent like the God? But it's an envisage next to nothing. I was lost through in my own reverie.

While I was lost busying in my own world, our destination was called to halt.

''By the way what's your good name?" She cleared her throat.

"Oh! Yeah" I revived my consciousness and, "My name is Dawa. And about you?" I counter-asked.

"Lhasang. Haha!" She replied again with the same sensualizing laugh.

I couldn't further made enquiries and remained scratching my head. I couldn't speak out for which I would be in great remorse later.

''Anything?" She made the way, probably seeing me null and helpless.

"Can I get your fb account?" I asked but I pretty well lost my audibility.

"Of course! Lhasang Dee Luxe." And with the exchange of farewell, she went to her dwelling and I remained staring at her.

"Hey alu, what happened?" The driver asked smilingly.

"Oh! Nothing." I replied blushingly.

"Haha....um....it's like that way only. I too in my early youth used to stare if I saw any beautiful girls. But one thing. You shouldn't keep it secret. Should you keep it unrevealed, you shall regret later and that's the reason for sadness. Whatever you feel should be spoken out whatever maybe its outcome, my dear boy!" He patted on my shoulder and smiled.

"I too think it so." I responded.

"OK. Best wishes!" He said and left.

●●●●●●●●

After a little conversation, I went to my uncle's home located just above the Central Plaza. By the time I reached uncle's home, it was twilight and earthly dusk was approaching by the blue ridges. I switched on the bell and my aunt opened the door with a hospitable smile on her wrinkled-rich face.

"Come on Dawa" She welcomed me.

"OK auntie."

"Have a seat , nephew." She showed me the sofa and continued, " So, your schooling?"

"Oh Yeah. Holiday since we're having a week programme." I replied, felt little bit uneasy.

"Oh OK" She said and continued, " watch TV I will prepare tea for you."

I opted for Sony Max, a Hindi movie channel, which was screening 'Ek Tha Tiger', a Salman Khan's movie. The protagonists were struggling from the antagonists as a result they were running, Salman disguising himself by attaching mustache on his face.

''Dawa, tea." I was interrupted by my auntie.

"OK, thanks auntie." I acknowledged with a boyish smile.

I browsed Lhasang's account on the search box of the Facebook. Yes! She was there with a sweet smile while her face was adorned by two lovely dimples. I gazed at her bio. It was beautifully written " I am not a world to be explored in a day." I didn't know what she meant by that phrase. I clicked on the send request button and waited patiently.