If early birds are supposed to catch most worms, exclude me for it is also the early birds who get caught. Weekends especially provide me enough time to oversleep. Batsman & Robin on Zee Studio kept me enchanted last Saturday night followed by Shanghai Knights. So, I was almost into late silent night nothing but the sounds of goods fighting over evils. It is always the good that win over evils.
It was a silent night so unusual of the busy Thimphu-Phuntsholing national highway. Is it the road block at Takti? But not even a car whizzed. Everything must be in slumber for no doubt the night was aged enough. But not everyone is asleep. I am still awake watching late night shows.
From no where in the silent night came familiar tone of old rugged Nepali song. I tried tracing the noise and it definitely is from outside. I wide opened the window and popped out my head and pair of antennae. For no doubt, it is the ‘ruler of Chhukha night’ Ap Sambha, a national workforce member returning from his midnight expedition. I tried catching the lyrics of his favourite Nepali number for this time he seems to babbling it much clearer and louder. But I failed this time too. He swayed his way home, almost stampeding a pair of street dogs sleeping on his way.
This is nothing unusual, this midnight chanting – the same figure in the same state, the same old song, at the same time of every night. He rules the nights here. I ran over to catch him up willing to sponsor few pegs from my stock. I don’t drink myself hence, few gifts remains on the wine stand for eternity.
A glassfull is like gulping down the water by a thirsty man. Emptying a bottle satisfied him. I have always been a friend to him sponsoring few pegs. ‘Hands that help is holier than the lips that pray’ he sees me more of a sponsor than a friend. Now that I have left not much of days to be here in Chhukha, it was sort of goodbye sponsor for him. I didn’t mention anything of it but I knew I will miss him as midnight singer, man who finds happiness in other’s happiness, in a way that he is casual and harmless, no desire, no greed, no wants, which equals to no intention for harming others.
Seeing the empty bottle, he was convinced that’s all I have. Barely able to stand up, he continued his journey home not forgetting to thank me. I followed him till the exit and out he disappeared into the dark night. He fought trying o maintain his balance. On his way, he toppled down pair of benches in front of a hotel, trying to gain balance. But there is not much worry. He has always survived that way, coming home in dead night.
He will surely be one from among many I will feel the absence in my new transfer place.
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