Solo Enigma

Elsewhere Zone

7th, February, 2018 was his first time at main hub of the country. Unlike his home town, it is featured with various honking vehicles, different kind of apartment stacked to each other and numerous people getting on with their business. Lobzang got a little picture of people rushing from village and settling at Thimphu. He knew that everything and every kind is available in this boundary. Likewise, all kinds of people resides here ranging from head of the country, cabinet holders down to hooligans.

Unlike other, we will not find any beggars in the country. However, everyone starts panicking and warning the new comer to the place with exaggerations. Though it was the place with ample resources and facilities in the country, it too have some negative image of few gangsters, alcoholic personnel and druggist.

The sudden jerk of brake screech, brought his sense back, upon car nearly bumping into him. "Hey buddy, watch out man", shouted a cab driver and rocketed recklessly with his insolent skill. The first thing he got to knew was to follow traffic rules as a precaution. After that incident, he was ashamed being shouted at as well happy that he learned something new. He never fails to gain attention before making a way in-between a traffic. It was first time for him and felt that, it is the biggest city that he ever had visited. It even won his heart towards night with blends of colorful bright luminous, webbed from every direction.

After making a careful judgments, he walked the road through zebra cross. He made it quick with the phone contacting his one of cousins in Thimphu. "Oh, stay at the bus terminal only, will come and pick you in next few minutes" husked voice with soft corner, made it short. Lobzang don't have any idea about the place and never wants to get barked, like before.

So, he took careful and mindful decision with every single step he took. He was once again thrown back into the world of selfless army on seeing the traffic police working hard to maintain peace of the country. He proudly want to say that he is working to feed his stomach but intend for the citizen of whole country in future.

Amid his talks in the mind, his phone rung and mind got swaged towards his cell phone in the pocket. 17253293, blinks the unknown number, yet he knew it was no other than his cousin. He received a call by moving towards the white car, following the direction. He felt like an Army following the order from captain, ready to execute the mission. As soon as he was near the car, a middle aged serious looking man was greeting him and offered the ride. After gearing for few kilometers form the terminal, he started, "How was your day?” Startled from the reverie, "It was a good one" made it brief with horrific expression at last.

After making turn and twist through the black topped winding, finally he halted his car next to a luxurious apartment. Lobzang drew a conclusion that he is also one of high officials though he hadn’t got a chance to ask one, also. Sheepishly, he grabbed his bag and followed him into the room. A cozy, fully furnished room welcomed him with a very new electronic gadgets to Lobzang. Here is no one to be sighted than a Television entertaining the room. Lobzang examined every place of the room swiftly. Even, those simple things were important for him as a basic training to be in the field after next five years.

The charming simple defined woman in thirties was dropping her jaw into a broad smile with tray and tea set, ready to serve us. "She is my wife" gasped a man with sincere sign of satisfaction. Later, he came to know, Sampa was a man of few words and golden heart. They switched few words and won his heart with the warm hospitality from the family. Finally, after a dinner, they bid best nights and he resign from a monotonous tiring day into a peaceful night.

It was a longest night for him. He could not get a wishful sleep that night. It was not really a moment for him to spend blissful hour, rather a thoughtful panning for the next day. It was 5:00 Am and he was already up by the time and found mumbling silent prayers to God for eternal endowment. He was getting a goose bumps on nearing the dawn. He took brief shower and went through the document, getting ready for a day. Lobzang jotted down his daily activities in his Journal.

It begins,

1: Apply for No Objection certificate

2: Medical Fitness Certificate

3: Others

The activities for a day was brief one as a town is new to Lobzang. He even goggled the location of the hospital as it is his first time. Direction showed him with five kilometres from his place with fastest and shortest route. It is five to ten kilometre drive in car and half an hour walk on foot. He was all set by 7:00Am to break start a day. "Hey, come and have breakfast" echoed female voice from next room. Lobzang relished a steaming breakfast with toasted bread and jam. He took few slice of fruits as desert and felt awaited upon nearing to join with Sampa, who is ready for the office.

The car was zooming in-between rows of standing tall marts, pan shop, restaurants and other one-storied villa board reading, Taba. Taba is a just a name without any definite location and setting from hearth of town to him. After winding through twist and turn, few kilometres later, the clustered main town zoomed in with a congested traffic from first hour only with individuals, getting busy with their own task for the day.

He was summoned upon sighting quite number and type of vehicle for the first time. It was not a bad idea for him to get acclimatized with new environment, around. Right after passing a magnificent stupa, there comes an enormous structure, the biggest he ever saw. Sampa drove his car directly into gate with big parking space. Though serious and introvert personality he wears, was a man of generous heart who had helped him with acquainting with surroundings.

Lobzang followed him into five storied building with people moving in and out of it. On entering hall, he saw a long queue of people leading to various cubic transparent rooms at the reception counter. Upon swift eye scanning, there is a many ways, direction with continuous people zooming in and out from every room. It was a mere moment of confusion for him with complicated structure and dozens of all aged people. Oftentimes, he never forget to take everything as a trail and conclude to explore more than what actually world reveals.

On just making himself bold and wild with surroundings, someone tugged him by a collar of his jacket. He was no other than his friend Keazang who was a year senior to him. "Hey, buddy!" They hugged each other. For Lobzang, he felt as if he owns a world to bump with a high school old friend at something new to him. “I am here for the medical certificate" he stammered, trying to show everything is okay. "I am off today and you are blessing in disguise, brother" forwarded Keazang and promised to help him in acquainting with interior and exterior surroundings of the environment.

Lobzang paid his sincere and humble gratitude for making a time to help him. "Where is your token, Lobzang?" The word, "Token" in the hospital was alien to him and replied, "Do you mean like appreciation letter or anything new.” Their conversation followed with hysterical laugh and non-stop pad from his comrade. Lobzang hadn't got the reason behind his laughter but joined him with the giggle without succinct reason.

"Here is your token and we have to visit doctor for verification and sanctioning", diverted their attention with familiar vocal to Lobzang from other direction. "Come after me, I will brief you with chamber or I am running late to office" directed Sampa handing one pink sheet and piece of white paper. “I got one friend and he will be aiding me for today" told back Lobzang with respect in his eye. "Is it, we are blessed after all" Sampa exchanged few words with Keazang and was out of sight to the office.

Right after his disperse, there began a vicious discussion pertaining to word 'Token' followed with laughter. Somehow, Lobzang felt foolish but was thrilled to bumped across his friend and armoring him with those simple and basic etiquette. Token number: 21 was reflected on it. Keazang, on the one hand took him through and disclosed every significant entry and exist of hospital in next few hours. Later, when they are having lunch down-town, Lobzang learned that Keazang is one of health officials in the hospital though he didn't talk about his true nature of job.

In between having lunch, Lobzang outlaid his purpose for the day with thoughts about joining an Arm force. His companion was ecstatic to hear his dream. He seek a bit of idea about head quarter for first round written and physical test, following day. Instantly, Keazang grabbed his phone, listening to his goal simultaneously. Making short, Lobzang took final sip from his soup cup. "Hello Rinchen, how are you doing and where brother?" He heard him talking with another in phone covering his purpose, also. After winding up his talk, he smiled with respectful grin.

"Hey, let's move Lobzang" dragged his chair and went to counter. He followed him to pay but found already clearing bill. "Don't stay fussy brother, you don't look like one" They were in each other’s arm like a toddler after two years. As a childhood friend, everything coming in each other’s way does not disturb their friendship and helping hands. More or less, they are more like family than friend. Even after departing for two years, Keazang was ready to sacrifice everything for him. He was charming and adorable guy with little sense of humor.

"No I am not" replied Lobzang after him in-between knocking elbows on the street. Unlike his village, he saw much more jumble of people rushing to and fro towards dusk with blends of light glowing it's intensity with looming night. Even with resources and easy access to needy-luxurious goods, he felt aloof with new atmosphere. It was amazing to experience, yet he does not will to hangout and settle in hustle and bustle arena. He prefer to hide behind and possesses zero socializing skill.

"Keazang, please help me to find a cap towards Taba" Lobzang nags him. "Don't worry brother, here we can avail 24/7 hour service" replied him, insisting to hangout little more. It was not easy for him to deny his request, though worried running late to temporary home. There isn’t any specific goals for sneaking in town and ended up window shopping, a very new goods. The sudden buzzing beep from pocket diverged his attention. It was no other than Sampa, calling him.

He felt uneasy to take a phone call, knowing the number. Unknowingly, he was looking to Keazang with terror. "Take a call or they won't trust you. How come army fear, even to take call, haha", was laughing and teasing, amid crowds of people. The time was nearly 7Pm and Lobzang knew the reason behind his call. With much hesitation, he received call and replied with courtesy but was happy to hear a soft and wishful talk from other side.

They bid each other a best night trolling to their different directions. Lobzang went directly to Sampa who was waiting for him in car wearing smile, appearing fatigued. He shared about a day on the way back home. First day was full of eggshell white promises and felt great in every way. Dinner was not really handy, though sumptuous one. Finally, he relished back after a tiring day into lingering night.

Next day, sudden snooze of phone awake him from a slumber. Lobzang threw himself with a sudden jerk, wiping eye. He drew a curtain, wiggling with much trepidation. His heart throbs recollecting, late for studies in school days. "Beep, beep, beep", phone was ringing for second round. 'Unknown number', he saw and gathered sense back and began with conversation. He commenced with copra stretch, yawning with positive vibes for the day.

Not a minute to waste, he got ready for the day and went directly to Lungtenphu, head office for army. On the way to nearing gate, reading Head quarter office, he called the one who had ringed earlier. He was already there waiting with a camouflage dress. In a minute, Lobzang was driven into a day dream of wearing a similar dress in next few years. It was the wildest dream, he was yearning for years. They greeted each other, making a way into office.

The examination starts with written one followed by other series of test. To be a solider, the applicants have to undergo every simple and chain test as they are the backbone of nation in terms of defense. Even a tiny graffiti on skin gets rejected to undergo other series of test. With hundreds of applicants and minimum slots, they were scrutinized by academic sheets, height and other test. It was very new from him and didn’t notice the series, scores and results.

It is a really long process to be selected as a trainer in defense academic based at Pune, India. Many of us are reminded beforehand to left out as we are outnumbered. As a whole, he is never assured to fulfill his dream, yet was always the one with colossal instincts. He was over the hill with new fearful examination, inculcating as another step in pursuing his dream. Still, what comes next is never aforementioned and was ready to battle every obstacles on the way to hit bull’s eye.

With an ample of time, he went back to his village after hearing about its outcome in next three months and to prepare for next real entrance examination. Therefore, he concluded the journey and physical test in second phase as, “Elsewhere Zone”