One day when I was visiting Tango Monastery with my love, I saw a few people sitting there talking happily. But my sense got diverted to the one who was sitting silently at one of the corners.

"Hi, sir", I greeted.

"Hello, brother" he responded.

"Why are you sad when all are happy here?" I asked.

"It's a long story brother" he responded.

"Will you please share your story" I requested?

"It will take time and you will be late to return" he reminded.

"It's fine sir!" I along with my dear accepted and requested repeatedly. After continual petition he accepted. 

                         His Story.

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I was eighteen when I started gathering an audience for my career. I was glad that I could hold a medal from the elder for my hard work. My passion accumulated towards singing watching YouTube’s of many well-known singers. I too want to perform like distinct in numerous stages. So, I did and am now known to thousands of supporters. Because of my passion and hard work I obtained a chance when I was twenty-One to perform in front of a large audience at core Thimphu. My parents and friends were happy with my momentum. Right after my concert, I was leaning on a chair when my phone beeped from my pocket. I swiped up the screen.

"Hi! Is this you? Who performed today on the stage?" It was a text from an unknown account.

"Yes! I am the one" I replied.

"Oh! I am a big fan of yours, I like your voice, your confidence, and your smile" the unknown profile replied.

"Thank you for all these words" I acknowledged the account.

 

Those chats encouraged me to check her profile and probably her status. After a load of feeds, the profile picture was clear. The profile displayed a beautiful girl. I adored her beauty at first sight.

What would be her name, Age, the village she lives in, and her studies? Tens of queries interpreted my tiredness.

So, I asked, “Is your pretty name Tsheyang only".

"Yeah! I am Tsheyang Dema" she replied.

"Oh! I am Kunzang Tashi" I volunteered to introduce myself.

"I know your name, what about your studies?" She asked me.

 I retorted “I study at college of medical science, what about you?".

“I am pursuing my certificate at RITH" she responded.

Our conversation proceeded to the extent of love. Calling each other Babes. Tagging each other in the romantic pictures and articles was the most memorable thing I remember. One day she requested me to leave my passion and focus on my studies which are going to be ended soon. I agreed with her (my love) and rejected many requests from the organizer. Thinking about the future we exchanged more of our pictures, advice, and promises. Every single picture she forwarded me I was truly in love with her. Days passed to weeks and months to a year. So, Finally, I appeared my final exam which I should say was a successful one.

One day we decided to meet at the capital.

On the day we promised to meet, from the distance, I could recognize her. Her real beauty is extra than what I had seen in the picture. We hung out at the town, parks, shopping hall, and restaurants talking about our future, and exchanged much affection. We departed as the sunset behind the mountains and strolled towards home. I should say I reached home later when the moon reflected the rays of the sun. Our dating continued for many months and I decided on her too deeply.

 

But DID SHE CONTINUE?

 

One morning my nightmares were distracted by the alarm. I checked my phone. There were five lengthy messages from my lust.

I went through all. The first phrase was acceptable. She talked about the love and delightful time we had jointly. Followed little sad one and my eye were full of tears when I completed reading the last line. I was unable to control my sentiments. Are those promised words the fake ones? Am I dumped by her and am I just trash now?  I asked myself though I did not get a single answer. Seconds after I saw her words, neither I text her and ringed her nor she did. I couldn't catch up on the actual reason for my breakup. Without being known by my parents and community I was badly into the addiction. My lips became dark because of the cigarettes, I lost my weight and could only penetrate bones because of weeds, my body was full of scars because of the fights, and could not differentiate day or night because of liquors.

The year has passed and I was deeply infected by those substances.

One day when I was walking I felt a little uneasy. My leg felt like cooked noodles, there was a pain in my head; my body felt hot chilly air and bleeding reds continued from my nose. I just side up to left and landed to rest.

 

As I opened my eye I could see lights and a net. I turned my head barely I saw my parents talking with a person who wore a white dress. I asked what happened to me but no one answered. Finally, my friend Rinzin approached me and uttered "When one leaves you does it mean your life came to an end?” I blushed and realized he was true. I asked apology from my parents and promised not to continue my bad habits. The next day I was discharged from the hospital.  I was acknowledging my friend Rinzin when I saw the familiar face of a lady passed by on a wheeled stretcher. I recognized she was my love past few months. I eagerly asked what had happened to her and the answer was 'She stopped breathing a few hours before because of her heart disease'. I felt like a large hammer hit on my head. Humorous questions were running in my mind. Is that the reason for leaving me and why was I so rude not calling her even once after the breakup.

The millions of uninvited rears rolled down my checks. I felt something is missing in me truly. After a few minutes of crying, I afforded to control myself.

I felt so sorry for that and regretted unable being with her when she was ill for so long.

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“Brother! You are being called inside for the prayer" the boy interacted in between narrations.

"Okay," he replied wiping his chicks which were wet because of tears. 

“Sir, I am so sorry for making you sad on this day" I consulted.

"It's okay! In case I am glad sharing with you two which I had never done before to others" he confirmed feeling satisfactory.

"Thank you sir for your story" we two acknowledged him. 

He walked into the monastery while I was deeply touched hearing his story.

I felt the pain inside him. I glanced at my love and found out she was deeply touched too. From that day we never made a promise but encouraged each other not to leave each other speaking out the truth.

 

The end.