Chapter Three- The True Friend
“Tell him to be my Hero”
It’s been few weeks now and his heart is beating normally. Azure sky shelters the Mongar town as Ledra drives slowly passing the town and turning up to the road that leads to the Dzong. He is not going to Dzong right now. He is being invited as a guest speaker in Mongar Autonomous School to speak on the ‘Importance of Parents Role in Chidrens’ Mental Health’. Every year, he is privileged to speak to the students on different aspects of psychology.
As soon as he finishes his presentation, a big round of applause follows from the floor; an inherited culture in the schools whether they are pleased or not. Cheychey congratulates Ledra as they get in the car in the School Parking. Troops of students are marching along the road as they pass the gate towards Mongar Lower Secondary School. They are going to fetch Bubu. It’s Lunch time.
“Dad, I cannot go today. I have to complete my paper correction by next period”, Bubu informs in hurry as Ledra rolls down the window glass. Bubu’s Mid-term examination results are satisfactory. Cheychey managed 81.7% and ranked second in the class. Ledra smiles, “Fine, take this”. Bubu disappears downstairs pleased with some cash in his hand.
“What’s your mathematics score? I heard you are the distinction holder”, Ledra proudly utters. “It’s 94%”, Cheychey agrees his father by nodding her head as they enter the door.
Selzang is watching TV show, her best time to grab her favorite channel. She smiles like she is 40 years younger as she sees her darlings coming inside. Her smile has not changed. Broad smile with cute dimples on cheeks. She enters the kitchen and comes back, “I cooked your favorite dish”, as she glances to both. Both of them like to eat deeply fried wet fish and partially raw spinach during lunch.
Selzang is watching TV again. “Are you not going to eat?”
“I am preparing my favorite dish, Emadatse. Sorry for inconvenience” She gives a wonderful eye contact to Ledra as she mentions about Emadatse. Her eyes seduce him deeply. “You look gorgeous today”, Ledra makes her smile again. Cheychey smiles as well. Bubu would have smiled too. “Did you say ‘today’?”, Selzang frowns keeping her head high without looking at Ledra. “Yes, today. You were pretty before, like the Full Moon”. Selzang is just acting.
“She has accepted you”, Namden came shouting as Ledra walked towards Library entrance. In his world, surrounding was a heavenly paradise. He saw no one around him even if friends are around. Chirping of birds and buzzing of bees were no ordinary then. They are the melodious songs praising Selzang. He was sitting in that paradise with Selzang on his lap. They were sharing a beautiful moment together in the paradise. When Namden shouted at him, he didn’t know what Namden was talking about. “What? I don’t know what you mean”, Ledra was talking with seriousness on his face. Namden frowned at his ugly reaction. “Selzang accepted your proposal”, she grinned winking her eyes.
Ledra neither proposed nor told Namden to share it to Selzang. Namden was very sensitive. She studied him from his repeated unusual behavior in the class. She knew why Ledra is out of mind those days. She told Selzang of what she knew. It’s easy for her to approach. They were friends, hostel-mates. “Do you remember your dance partner, Selzang?”, Namden asked. “Yeah! Of course, he danced well”, Selzang replied.
“We are seat mate and good friend, I know him well”, Namden cleared her throat.
Selzang was wondering why all of a sudden Namden was bringing that topic when she heard.
“He says you are beautiful. And his heart is beating for you since the first time he saw you. He needs your response. What can you say?”, Namden explained. Selzang was overwhelmed and speechless. It’s first time she is hearing that someone loves her. Just by hearing, her heart became light and comfortable. She began recollecting his face and how he danced. She smiled herself. After minutes of silence, Selzang replied,”Tell him to be my Hero”. Namden sighed.
Ledra, who was astonished at first, realized why Namden had done that. He was pleased and relieved. Namden walked ahead of him bit faster reaching the Library entrance. “Namden”, he called her. She turned back smilingly. “Namden, Thank you so much. You are my true friend”, Ledra was blushing.
“My Emadatse is ready now, I shall eat too”, Selzang shouts from the Kitchen. Ledra finds his empty plate. “We are done, my Love”, Ledra stands as Chechey follows him. Ledra needs to attend his awaiting patients after 2:00 p.m, he waves good bye and steps down the stairs. Selzang opens the window facing the Public ground and looks down,”Ledra, Good luck. Make them happy! See you soon”, she shouts as Ledra nods back and gives her a sweet air kiss. People around him are smiling as he gets in the car. Selzang watches him until he passes the Public ground after which see cannot see anymore.
