Chapter Four-Departure Before Meeting
“Selzang, you are moon. I shall look at the moon and remember you forever. My angel”
Autumn ends within a short period of time. Mind makes everything and even the time which is not under our control seems shorter than normal at times. The chilly weather is coming soon. Mongar can feel it.
Ledra drives the car through a thick forest of Korela, a mountain pass between Mongar and Tashigang. Selzang is sitting beside him listening to the music and at the same time very conscious of whether Ledra is drowsy. She is always extra cautious when it comes to traveling in the vehicle. She enjoys herself with musics as well as talks to Ledra so that he won’t fall asleep. However, Ledra is not on the other side of the same thought. He never sleeps while driving. Moreover, he likes to drive longer when Selzang accompanies him aside. At the backseat, Cheychey and Bubu are in their own world. Earphones in their ears, they are shaking their body like they are going to stand up and dance. They reach the huge stupa circled by colorful prayer flags flattering with the rhythm of cold wind.
“Let’s get out here for a while and make some memories”, Selzang disturbed both the children. Ledra is already out, he is circumambulating the stupa with his hands hidden within the coat pockets. As he sees Selzang coming towards him, he catches hold of his brand new camera which is hanging from his neck and snaps some photos. “Smile. I want your dimples here”, Ledra shouts as he clicks on the button.
Selzang manages to smile as she walks slowly. Bubu comes first and then Cheychey after him. As they come crossing the road, Selzang and Ledra, who are leaning against the wall of the stupa watch them coming talk, “We are too old to have fun yet we do”, Ledra shares his feelings at that moment, “See, our children are grown up. They look handsome and beautiful. They are matured now. I love this feeling”. He holds her hand as he speaks. Selzang nods with agreement. She hangs her head on him as their children approach them. Cheychey takes out her mobile phone and captures her mom and dad being together. “Wow! Romantic, mom and dad”, she utters smilingly. “I love you, mom and dad, thank you for giving us time like this”, Bubu speaks on top of his voice.
“Our mom and dad are the best in the world”, Cheychey continues Bubu. Enjoyment in full swing, they cherish the short moment at Korela stupa. Driving a short distance up the rough and bumpy road, they find a comfortable place to sit for their lunch. Taking out the carpets and the packed lunch, fruits and some juices, they rest for a while. The beautiful moment that every family wishes for.
Selzang prepares to serve soon since the weather would soon become colder. The warm sunshine is beginning to fade away as the thin rolls of cloud jumps in slowly. After an hour, they are done with their wonderful lunch. By dusk, they pass the thick forest between Kidheykhar and Mongar. A beautiful Mongar town glows in the streetlights. Above all, Mongar Dzong is the brightest with glowing walls. Mongar Tshechu starts from tomorrow and the whole area is very busy preparing for the next four days. “Let’s try to be in the first line tomorrow”, Bubu shouts as they make their way to their bedroom after dinner.
Making themselves comfortable on the bed, Selzang gets closer to Ledra. She stretches her hand over his chest. She has a unique eye contact again. The cold winter wind is blowing outside. They can hear the swishing sound of the flattering leaves. Ledra holds her tightly against his body. Looking at each other smilingly, they share a sweet kiss and makes love beautifully. Selzang senses the rush of blood throughout her body as Ledra slowly tightens their bodies. She is used to the event but sometimes, it’s sweeter than she can imagine when Ledra is mad. It is an erotic night. Ledra waves gently on Selzang’s face.
Thanks to Namden that Ledra didn’t have difficulty in getting along with Selzang. Ledra was really simple. He had no courage to face Selzang. They both knew what they felt for each other but it was too difficult to meet and talk like others do. Love budding days by days within his heart, he could not hide his feelings anymore. He told his friends and soon the classmates knew about it.
It was the full moon night. Ledra could see the bright moon glowing beautifully in a clear sky. He remembered Selzang. “She is beautiful”, he muttered himself. Looking at the moon once again, feeling deep from his heart, he promised, “Selzang, you are moon. I shall look at the moon and remember you. My angel”.
Couple cases were strictly handled in the School. May be he couldn’t go against the rule. Selzang was really scared of the sensitive case; thinking that the teachers would know about herself and Ledra, she requested to give her photo back which she gave to Ledra on his request. Ledra was upset to hear but he couldn’t deny her words. Selzang had taken away his only mode of living with her. He always used to be with her photo from the day he got it. It was taken back. He couldn’t imagine. He thought it’s rude. On the other hand, Selzang had no choice, didn’t mean to end her love but too scared to be known by the teachers.
Their love was not like others. They both love each other but they didn’t have even a single minute to spend together yet their feelings didn’t die. It grew more and more. Ledra was simple. Selzang was simple too. It was not easy to get along without courage. They understood themselves. Just the name of being in love existed despite they being so deeply into their feelings for one another. They were like aliens to each other. No meeting, dating or talking. Not even a phone call. It was really sad, their contact was badly poor as if they meant nothing to each other.
Annual exam 2010 had finished successfully but Ledra’s heart was growing heavier each passing days. It’s time for departure. Winter vacation had come. He couldn’t imagine that he was such an innocent to fall in love but couldn’t even talk a word to her. He was frustrated at himself. Only if he was to join back Gyelposhing High School next year, he won’t worry much. However, his parents had got transferred to Thimphu and he had no choice left but to go away without a word to Selzang. He was frustrated at Selzang too that she seemed so normal when he was suffering a lot with a pain in his heart. “Okay, I will keep Loving you. My angel”, he muttered occasionally as the HILUX started the journey. It was so cold. Everything cold.
Ledra wakes up in the midst of his sleep feeling uncomfortably. His blanket has fallen off the bed. He is lying naked on the bed. Selzang is peacefully sleeping beside him, he smiles and pulls his blanket. He sleeps again noticing that it’s just 2:45 a.m. Sharp.
