Once
there lived a girl called Leki Wangmoangmo and a boy called Sonam Tashi . They
are cousin (half cousin) to each other.
ACT I
Sonam
Tshering and Kinley Wangmo have married and they have one kid. Before Kinley
Wangmo married Sonam Tshering she had husband working in police and owing to
differences of opinion and misunderstanding they got divorced after one girl
child who is Leki Wangmo. Sonam Tshering’s marriage isn’t first either; he was
married to one of the southern Bhutanese girl called Sirijana and had one son. Sonam
had changed many wives and now it is
with Kinley Wangmo he is entitled to remain in bond.
Scene I
AT DINNER
Sonam Tshering: Kinley Wangmo, today at work I
had a bad news about Leki Wangmoangmo’s father; I guess he won’t survive.
People say it is his last stage of living. Alcohol and he is inseparable and
ara after knowing that Jamtsho can’t live without it, it I guess is gonna take his
life.
Kinley Wangmo: You
see! he still drinks. The reason I left him was due to his excessive
drinking habits. He does not concern and
bother about what is happening in the house. He would never stay at home once
he comes from work. What more can there be left with him, now? I guess he
better prepare to die.
Sonam Tshering: Whatever Kinley, it is not good
on our part to be happy on the cause of misery of others. All of us born are
bound to die and change. Nothing remains behind, not even our shadow and
tiniest of needle pin. It’s only the matter of time and fate. Thus it is always
good to be good to oneself and others. Rather I guess, you better go and make a
visit to him taking his child Leki Wangmoangmo along. He would be more
contented.
Kinley Wangmo: I
cannot dare Sonam since it is I who left
him.
Sonam Tshering: Still then, think about Sonam.
It is her father. She is too young to understand at this stage, though.
Kinley Wangmo: Okay then I shall go tomorrow
early morning.
SCENE2
At Jamtsho’s
home
Tsheirng Dolker: Jamtsho, open your eyes. See who
came here?
Jamtsho: Whoever! I don’t care (his eyes
closed). Even if it is Mr. Death, brother of impermanence, I care very less.
Tsheirng Dolker: Don’t you say that my son: it’s
too bad and ominous to say such. It’s your own daughter Leki Wangmo.
Jamtsho opens
his eyes and in tears gives smile to his little one who is 3 years of age.
Jamtsho: My little one, there is nothing
I can do to transcend with this nature of life: death that is uncertain,
unwished and unwanted leaves no one, not even King and lama. It would be lie
for drunkard like me to transcend or evade. You got to grow up, live strong, be
beautiful and help out your mom and step father. Come my little (he takes
Leki, cuddles and kisses in tears). Be a kind human and I know you will as
I was except for my drinking habit. How could I quit drinking when I felt pains
within the heart each single day when thinking of stage that once I would have
to encounter which is not other than today.
All of
them have no other option to divert than to submit to strong and compulsive
wave of impulse that triggers emotions of heart to vaporize and let monsoon
fall through windows of the soul.
Kinley Wangmo: (crying) Don’t utter
such bad mouth. You don’t worry about her, I will do my best to grow her up.
You have to be strong and give up drinking once and for all. You will be cured.
Put your entire trust in kencho sum.
Jamtsho: No Kinley Wangmo,I guess it’s
too late. Nothing much can be done. Time has come and I will have to go. I
breathe last breath in and when I can’t exhale, then I am done. Do take care of
yourself as well.
Tsheirng Dolker: My son, worry not. All of us
will be fine. You be careful, have faith and trust in god since it is it who protects us all time.
(looking
at Kinely Wangmo)
He’s gone Kinley. My son left me. Jamtsho wake up, my son, you can’t leave
before me.
Kinley Wangmo: Jamtsho (in cold still
voice, cries silently- tears fell down).
Jamtsho
passed away and prayers and merits were accumulated in his name by his mother,
relatives and ex-wife Kinley Wangmo.
ACT
II
Sonam
Tashi half cousin to Leki Wangmo is son
of Tenzin Namgay and Mendrel Tshomo. His father was working under department of
road as a mason while his mom stays at home looking after children. By grace of
god, government and parents Sonam Tashi grew up and he got to study at Sherubtse
college.
Tenzin Namgay: My son, you are going to
college tomorrow. Till now you have been a good son to us. Don’t you change
since change inevitable will take care of itself. However if you change, change
plus change make tremendous change and if that is for bad and evil speech, act
and thoughts it would be shame on my part to be calling you as my son. Do protect
yours and others dignity, fame and name. But I would appreciate if change I see
in you is on the positive note.
Sonam Tashi : My speech, action and intention
are my character and identity yet they are not alone part of my identity.
Parent’s words, support, love, care and help are also foundation upon which my identity
has rested and I will ensure I don’t dismantle it when I change myself.
Mendrel: Good son, have faith in kencho
sum in whatever circumstances you go through. It is our greatest companion of
past, present and future. And most importantly, do not forget to study both for
marks and life. More you study, brighter you become. Study life and study
books.
Sonam Tashi : Alright mom, I shall. I got to
go; my friends are waiting. Bye and take care of yourselves.
ACT
III
Scene1
At
regional gathering at Sherubtse Sonam Tashi , Leki Wangmo and many of them
gathered. They are welcomed by organizers 2nd and 3rd
years’ regional mates. They shake hands and make first years sit.
Orgainizer (Dorji Norbu): (in soliloquy before
everyone turned up): I have been single all these years. If fate permits I
think I got to break this status. I shall pick one of freshers. I am so tired
of singlehood. When couple work in pair along the road and footpath it is
always my rational mind that has to be extra careful to defeat pain given by
sight of them and remind of my own status. I envied them and pitied my status.
But these year on I am going to let my ex status rest and enter into joyous
realm and let those single guys like me pain their heart. Ha ha ha
All of
them took seat.
Dorji Norbu: Hi, good evening to all. To
introduce myself I am Dorji Norbu studying in third year and I am from Tsirang
Toey. I have organized such gathering to
make ourselves, especially freshers to get acquainted with our regional mates.
It is important to know who else belong to our region and render help in times
of need. Though I am from Tsirang, I did my high schooling from Drukgyel. I
wish and hope all of you will have great time here at Sherubtse . Yes you have
worked hard or luck has worked hard to push you all till here and I wish you
all good luck in whatever you do. And most importantly I hope all of you will
smile and talk whenever we meet each other. It would be great and convenient,
as we did so far, if you guys can also travel together with us during the
vacation time.
Alright friends!
Now you introduce yourselves, seniors shall introduce first followed by junior.
Give your name, course you are pursuing, village, status and names of high
school you graduated.
(All will introduce ….audience shall not hear
all instead they shall hear soothing beautiful music and actions. Few will talk
and make it audible to audience in loud and clear voice).
When Leki
Wangmo talks at last
Leki Wangmo: My name is Leki Wangmo and I am from Dungkhar
Chhoeling. I did my high schooling at Damphu Higher Secondary School. (She makes attempts to sit without revealing
her status but to no avail when others shouted to reveal.) I am single.
Leki
Wangmo and Sonam Tashi kept staring at
each other since they heard they are from same village but they could not talk.
SCENE II
Going back to hostels from gathered place
Sonam
Tashi was amazed by her beauty on first
sight and now he is more curious to know about her after introduction. Tandin
makes effort to talk.
Sonam Tashi : Hi, you said you are from
Dungkhar Choeling, right?
Leki Wangmo: Yes, I am. You too, aren’t you?
Sonam Tashi : Yes.
Leki Wangmo: How come I have not seen you
even once? Where do you stay currently?
Sonam Tashi : My dad works at Monger and I
live there. It is my resettlement at Tsirang.
Leki Wangmo: We too
Sonam Tashi : Oh really. Where are you actually
from then?
Leki Wangmo: Drujeygan, you?
Sonam Tashi : Me too. My mom told we have our
relatives at Tsirang, my uncle’s daughters and sons.
Leki Wangmo: Their names?
Sonam Tashi : I am not really sure. Something
like Leki Wangmoangmo, Sonam Choki and Ugyen Sonam children of my uncle Sonam Tshering.
Leki WAngmo: Oh, is it? (Smiling) It is us, then?
SonamSonam : Oh really, then you are cousin
to me. What about your friend. Where is she from?
Yeshi Choden: Oh me? I am from Gosarling.
Sonam Tashi : Sorry I forgot to introduce
him. Brother would you mind introducing yourself.
Darjay: I am Karma and from Mendrelgang.
Leki Wangmo: So, how do you guys like here?
I am not yet accustomed here and am missing home desperately.
Yeshi Choden: Yeah me too. It is such a cold
place and melancholic here.
Sonam Tashi : For
me it is same. I can get used to and live anywhere. But I do miss my parents
too.
Darjay: It is really boring here as
opposed to words of people who say that college life is interesting one.
They reached
near hostel before Karma finishes talking.
Leki wangmo: Well brother, then I got to go.
See you later.
Sonam Tashi : Alright, bye.
ACT
IV
Scene 1
In
the open ground boys fight. Ugyen Tenzin ang friends got beaten up mercilessly
by seven friends of Sonam Tashi . In the middle of beating Ugyen Tenzin speaks.
Ugyen Tenzin: ah ah ..(in agony wakes up). What do you all think of yourselves? Is it only
you who have friends?
Yeshi Tenzin: Yeah, you should have felt really
proud having struck us so hard. Was it fair? Not in any ways. You are seven and
we are just three.
Kezang Dawa: If you guys still want to fight
let’s do this Saturday. Come eight of you, eight versus eight in free hands.
Our boss and friend too shall come.
Wangchuk Namgyal: Who is your boss?
Kezang Dawa: see it yourself. Come on guys
let’s go.
Scene 2
Eight
versus eight, team of Sonam Tashi and
Ugyen Tenzin fight in open ground as fixed. As they fight news of sickness of Leki
Wangmoangmo was reached by Phuntsho Wangdi to Ugyen Tenzin, recent close friend
of Leki Wangmoangmo.
Ugyen Tenzin: Excuse me guys, I am sorry and if
you guys will excuse me as I have to rush to hospital. Sonam is sick. Let’s fix
another time.
Sonam Tashi : No you cannot go. I am going;
she’s my cousin. Rather excuse us. Come boys, let’s go.
They rushed to hospital. She was
lying sick in bed.
Sonam Tashi : What happened Sonam?
Leki Wangmo: It’s slight heartache or may be
stomach pain. I have this illness and I will get over it.
Sonam Tashi : Is it? Do let me know whenever
you are sick. See, you have really grown weak and sick. You must be skipping
meals or not eating on time.
Leki Wangmo: Yeah sometimes when assignments
are due. Don’t worry bro, I will be alright.
Sonam Tashi : Well in this case take care of
yourself, alright? Yeshi look after her. In case you need something do let us
know.
They
rushed back to hostel.
As
Sonam moves to hostel with friends he
sees Ugyen Tenzin and friend going to hospital with some drinks and food in polythene
bag. Sonam was jealous of him going for
Sonam but he let him go as it was in her sickness.
Sonam
Tashi : Where
are they going and why? He always has to be on my way. Are they just friends? I
think he better be just friends when I am the one who loves her. Otherwise in
my need I would even drill a mountain and get to her and annihilate whoever
comes on my way.
SCENE
II
In
the library
Sonam
goes to search for book, “The Pursuit of
Happiness” by Will Smith to read during his most melancholic time. When he was
done searching and came downstairs he sees Ugyen and Leki Wangmoangmo seated
together in kuensel corner reading kuensel and teasing to each other. He goes
there.
SONAM
TASHI : Ugyen,
you better stay away from my cousin.
UgyenTenzin: Why? (to Leki Wangmoangmo)
Is he your cousin? Really? I regret to know that he is your cousin but don’t
worry I am not a child who leaves their parent after so much of bond and
affection are shared. I would better die than leave you.
Sonam
Tashi : am I
happy to know that my cousin has a boyfriend like you? Hey man better stay out
of her life or I break your bones next time I see you with her. Be reminded.
Leki
Wangmo was shy to say anything since her cousin had seen her with her boy.
At
hostel
Sonam
Tashi : Is what I see today the real? No! I would not like to think that way.
May be they are just friends and classmates. Reaction too fast always paints
and ruins our happiness. So let me not be judgmental and for now let’s say he
is not her boyfriend. I was so frustrated to see them together but why was I at
peace at the same time as I see her?
River of heart’s travel is so
rapid and quick that it merges itself into an ocean by a simple sight of rain.
Ocean moves slightly at night by winds of memory. Rain, rain rain! Do rain to
my sight often. You devour all illusions of the world. I breathe in total peace
as I see you. Sonam Tashi shine in my heart as sun clearing all the darkness
that my lives present and past accumulated.