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Ap Sambha Legend continues

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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