A Friend From Wangdue

The final vehicle confirmation came at a very short notice. It was already past mid-day. I rushed in haste to catch the only vehicle plying for Gelephu. 

 

The driver was new to me although we live in the same mountain and shop from the same town. He happily offered me the front seat of his utility vehicle. As we progressed with the journey, I could see some farmhouses, farmers toiling in their fields, passerby on their own, birds chirping in styles, winds at its best and sun just like any other day. So, before we progressed deep inside the valley, for the last time I sent my silent prayers to the almighty of giant Black Mountain to safeguard my journey.  

 

We hardly exchanged a few words of introduction with each other; we met a mid-aged man desperately looking for a lift at Tingtibi try-junction. As I heard the driver assuring him the lift, he hurriedly grabbed his bag and took the empty seat behind me. I saw him joyful and happy. 

They quickly exchanged a few words of greetings. 

 

They were lively. I heard them discussing their business affirmation and the details of their travel. However, one thing that interests me more about the man behind me was his native spoken Dzongkha tone, he rather seems very articulative, very fluent, linguistically rich and experienced. Thus, by his Dzongkha silver-tongued, I guessed he must be a native Wangdueip. 

 

I was busy fantasizing with their nice conversation, I occasionally heard them say about the bad road conditions, business, and setting off monsoon season.

 

Just to have a short break of bumpy and winding roads of Tamala, the driver stopped a few miles down the Tamala top towards the face of Samkhara. As we relaxed for a few minutes, we had a quick introduction of each other before bumping up with a more treacherous journey down hill. 

 

As we continued with our drive down, the weather ramped up lightning and thundering, a few miles down, it started raining. We continued our journey in the rain. I could see farmers rushing home, workers sheltering by roadside and under the trees, cars and lorry approaching like a shadow. 

 

Before we crossed Surey road, it started to rain more heavily, thunder and lightning was not only frequent but also more dangerous. So, before we approached the newly constructed Ossey by-pass, I started to have Goosebumps, so many mixed feelings started to appear. 

 

As we finally entered the Ossey by-pass road, it started to rain more heavily and stiffly. I heard drivers saying the road down is more menacing and risky. Thus, he became more careful and watchful of each move. Despite a huge risk he continued down hill. The soil on both the sides of the road were very loose. I could hardly see anything outside except the sound of thunder and rain. 

 

It was when he brakes hard his Pickup to turn back, that I realized the danger of life and death. The road inch away was almost breaking into pieces. The collected rains have already damaged several parts of the unpaved roads. Thus, I came to know how road accidents occur during summer owing to bad road conditions and the power of the rain. 

 

So we returned back to a safer place. But the rain didn't show any sign to stop. It was already a quarter past 5. 

 

In the face of confusion, the driver gave us little hope by assuring that we shall get some place to eat and sleep for the night. 

 

It was already pitch dark when we reached back to a little unfamiliar shop. Birds are settling for the night. Two nearby shops were already being closed. Over a coffee, our diver requested for a room since there is no hotel nearby. Without any confusion the shop owner assured his private rooms. So, before light disappoints us more we made an order for a quick dinner. As we waited for dinner, I had my Coca-Cola drink and my friend on the other end of the table ordered for a chilled beer. 

 

After assuring everything for us, the driver left for his cousin's place. 

 

As we sip down our drinks, we discussed many things ranging from bad road conditions to few personal things. We discussed things like politics and government servants. Although we were no way close by blood or by community, we continue to talk about education, health, sanitation, infrastructural development, transport service, telecommunication, technology, rural electrification, construction work, business, film and hybrid cars. 

 

He was very careful in sharing his experiences of working in government offices for many years. He also had a wide experience of travelling around the country and meeting up with different people. I found him not only mindful but also very resourceful. 

 

As an educator, I had shared all the goodness of schools and institutions, teachers and students, books and curriculum, play field and instructor, classroom and building, technology and gadget just to let him know the school has become a very different place from the past. 

 

As we enjoyed sumptuous dinner, we continued to share more on the power of education and family bondage. However, as I believe, he also believes that education is a very important instrument and a powerful positive force in life anywhere in the world. Therefore, as I am, he also hopes that our education system improves and gets better every year and throughout the generation and fulfills the Royal Vision.

 

On the other hand, he worries about the dying culture and tradition. Also quite often he feels obsessed with so many sophisticated technologies in the market and people becoming overly naïve and selfish. As he recalls his youthful days, he had his last sip of beer and said, the real charm of community and family bonds has lost squarely and infinitely. 

 

As we have shared the same bed, we continued to share stories of different places and friends. As we delved deeper into our conversation, interestingly one of my high school classmates is his long time best friend, which has connected us even more as friends-friend. However, I felt sorry for him for being alone at this age and time. As he told me, he has lived a single life for the past seven years. Nonetheless, both their son and a daughter are married and have a secure job. 

 

He is currently working in one of the Stone Crushing Plants in Zhemgang. However, if everything goes well, he dreams of opening a restaurant. 

 

The next day as it was clear, we started only after breakfast. We finally reached our departing destination at around midday. With the final good-bye, we vehemently hope to meet again in some good times to share enduring stories and hope. 

 

 

Declaimer: The article is a writer's own personal experience.