We set out on our journey to Paro Airport. It was still before
dawn and all dark. That’s the thing when we’ve to catch early morning flight. Actually
I was accompanying my friend Sonam till the airport as he was leaving for studies.
It was raining considerably in Thimphu. Sonam was driving and I
sat in the front seat and was feeling pretty woozy. In fact, we were traveling
in a stark silence. I tried talking to him but I’ve nothing to say, so I kept
quiet.
But it was Sonam who broke the silence, “Hey Riku, get married.
When I return from my studies after three years I want to see you complete. Settled
down.”
I knew he was pushing on me, jokingly though. So I just smiled
at him.
But he was quick to react on his own statement, “But you know
what? Marriage is all we wanted in our life. That’s what everybody wanted out
of you.”
He pulled down the window glass and the deep chill air gushed
into the car. This is exactly what happened to me when people inquired me about
marriage – a deep chill runs through my nerve.
“But you’re different, my friend. You are taking your own time.
Marriage is not everything. If you think you don’t want it, stay single. That’s
also life,” so he comforted me.
In fact, that’s got to be the nicest thing anybody’s said to me
in recent time. Then he played on his stereo. Well, it was Bon Jovi and his
track You had me from hello. It went
on,
At the mirror you fix
your hand and put your makeup on
You're insecure about
what clothes to wear
An' I can't see
nothin' wrong
To me you look so
beautiful, when you can't make up your mind
Meanwhile Sonam began singing to the song. As he sang, he
strummed his hands on the steering wheel and shook his head to the melody his
eyes focused on the road. Now and then, for a brief moment, he glanced and
smiled at me in an excited way.
The rain kept pouring down. I watched the nonstop drops of rain tapping
on the windshield and how the wiper pushed them away. At the same time, Bon
Jovi kept on singing from the stereo; but this time I too hummed it and together
we sang it loud,
The first time I saw
you, it felt like coming home
If I never told you,
and just want you to know
You had me from hello.
We rode through the road on and on. Sometimes bumpy and muddy,
other times foggy and dark, but most of the time it was a smooth ride. Our
friendship too has been suffused with a bittersweet passage of time. We had
highs and lows but often did it sail smoothly.
When we reached Paro Airport the rain stopped and dark sky
gradually opened up for a beautiful morning. After bidding Sonam farewell at
the airport, I began my journey back home.
As I drove, I played on that song again. I rolled down the glass
and the deep chill air gushed in the car, but this time it felt different – very
pleasant and comfortable.
I spread my hand out the window and craned my head too - receiving
the air full on my face. Oh, it felt simply amazing. That is it. I needed to
open the closed window of my mind and break out to embrace change in my life.
Eventually, the morning sunlight gently flooded the entire valley.
It’s a fresh morning and new day. For me it’s new take on life; hopefully
marriage and having my own family.