Chapter XIII: The Disaster Part II

By the time Wangchuk returned from India, my life was like day and night. I was happy that he returned home but I was sad that he was postponing our marriage. Whenever his parents talk to him about the marriage, he would look for reasons to say that he is not ready. I was victim of trusting the wrong person again.

“Ongchu, you have already agreed to marry with Lekyuen. We all agreed that you two will marry as soon as you reach here. Now, what is the reason that keeps you from pushing your marriage farther?”, the father scolded him infront of me.

“See Apa! See Ama! I don’t mean that I will not marry with her. I am just telling that it is too early. She is a teacher. What do I have? I don’t have a job, I am still young and I am studying. Will not it be better if I marry after I become fully independent?”, Wangchuk shouted back at his parents.

My eyes could not carry the loads of his words. Often I had to wipe my tears. The quarrel and chaos went on in the house. I was helpless once again. I thought that I was the cause of chaos in the family. But I guess I wasn’t.

“Apa and Ama, to be honest with you, I have my own girlfriend who is of my age and who is going to become an engineer in few years to come. I am so sorry to tell you all these and I know I cannot hide anymore”, that was his conclusion that paused the chaos in the family.

“Apa and Ama, I am sorry for causing troubles in your family. Thank you for everything”, I tried to speak more but I could not. I was made to cry and run towards the school. It had become my routine ever since my break up with Tashi. Now, it was another person but of the same version.

I slammed the door of my house, pulled my blanket and slept with my face towards the pillow. I was trying to hold my voice by biting the edge of the blanket.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. I didn’t really know who was it. Might be principal? Might be Wangchuk’s mother? Or other? Well, I tried to be normal. I wiped all my tears. I tried to suppress my tears but it kept coming. Slowly, I tiptoed towards my door and opened it.

It was Wangchuk!

Why did he come on my door? To beg like a dog? But by looking at his face, he was furious. His parents might have scolded him. And he might have come to blame me for all the things happened in a family.

“Why do you come here? Just get out of my sight! I don’t want to see your stupid face! What do you think of me? Children to be teased and toy to be played? Well, you are wrong to think that”, I shouted at him.

Then he started crying. He melted infront of me like Himalayan Glaciers. I didn’t know why had he needed to act so innocent with the devil’s heart.

“Lekyuen,…”

“No! Stop speaking! I know that words that come from your mouth are all fake. If you don’t go out immediately, should I call Tshogpa (the head of the village)?”

He turned his back slowly like an old dog and disappeared out of my sight. I went back to my room and sit with my back hunched against knees. Instead of crying, I realized all men we meet in life are not meant to be married.

The Epilogue

I knew why I was called Lekyuen. I often asked mom who named me? She said that the name was given to me by one of the lamas. He might have seen my past and my future. Le in Dzongkha means karma or problems and Kyuen means everyone. I was fated to carry everyone’s problems. I carried for two and I am prepared to face fiercer battles than just broken marriages. Harder the stone, stronger the wall it will make. Life comes like a lemon and we have a choice: to make into lemonade or throw it away after a few bites.

Has anyone thought how important is to take care of ourselves first? Do you ask what makes you happy and what makes you sad? If you are sad about yourself, you will realize that you had been thinking and caring others instead of yourself. After every heavy rainfall, there is a time for beautiful rainbow.

I said earlier that I hated roads and the vehicles since they took the persons I loved. Now, I thank them because they knew that those persons are not worthy of marrying or spending a lifetime together. Since then, I have set the first priority to myself and to my students. They are better friends. I also said that I will hate Rukubji but I have changed my mind. I will instead remember it because it tested me and I passed the first test of my life.

In few years to come, I will be at Bajo or other schools. Before I leave, I will look at the valley of Rukubji and fold my palms to thank everyone for making me stronger.

For now, I am stronger and I am happy. Hardships are the effective ladders to be strong.