When Sonam fell in love with Deki it was never meant to be a nuptial love and nor was it a wanton feelings for her luscious appeal. It started with a dog-shit and he wondered if his fate could have changed if he did not save her sitting on the fresh turd.

Deki joined in the middle of the year. Sonam was excited to see her in his class. Although he did not know whether he liked her or not, he knew she kept him happy. He thought she helped him because he remained active in the class. Although he would not volunteer to answer the teachers’ call, he had not failed to impress them whenever the question was dedicated to him. He would stand up from his seat and keep the hands neatly folded in the front with the pen clipped in between them. The answers were kept short and to the point. His voice was matured and charming. And when he spoke for the second time, everyone remained silent. This, however, was not his tactics to again attention of Miss Deki.

One bright November day, Dzongkha teacher wanted the class to bask in the sun. Everyone happily took the books and walked out. They spread over the dried grass surrounding the teacher in the center. Sonam walked beside the group of girls. When he was about to take a seat, he saw Deki trying to find any space for her to sit. She took quick steps upon seeing a place to sit near some boys whom he understood were notorious that even Deki had the knowledge of. Was he jealous of her sitting near them? I think he did. But what could he do to avoid the situation? He saw a lump of fresh dog-shit on the grass. Deki was making ready to sit over it. And that gave Sonam the idea to save Deki from sitting near the boys. He had never talked to her and calling by her name would take her by surprise. So he sprinted forward and pushed her to the safer side. Deki looked at him annoyed but not until he pointed his finger on the ground. Deki smiled and with suppressed embarrassment uttered a meek ‘thank you’. Sonam saw a glittering smile in her eyes. When Dzongkha teacher called out for a new chapter to open, Sonam was already at the next realm on the chapter of love. But as I said, his love did not take him anywhere and two decades later when he thought of Deki, the first thought that came to his mind was the dog who passed that stool. He then realised that his love or whatever feelings he had for her started with that dog and took it as a bad omen now. But I think it did touch his heart thinking of her. Love, after all, touches everyone, he told me one evening, teary eyed.

“What wrong with that? You are just lonely” I said comforting him.
“This is weird, very weird,” he spoke staring hard on the floor.
“What is weird?” I asked clueless.
“She is here, above me,” he whispered.
“What? She is at attic? Right on top of your head? Wow! You should be happy,” I exclaimed.

He rose suddenly and pulled me to the master-bedroom. He opened the toilet door and pointed to the 110mm diameter PVC pipe which ran vertical in the corner wall.

“Should I blame the designer for fixing it inside my toilet?” He said, the tone was heavy.
“That is only a soil pipe,” I said.
“And that carries her waste,” he continued. I stopped thinking. “I hear the sound in this goddamn pipe when she flushes,” he said. There was nothing I had to say when I did not have anything to say. I pulled him to the living room.
“Why don’t you take a chance and meet her? Is she single by the way?” I asked.
“She is, just got here a few days ago. Saw her several times. I peeked through the curtain and confirmed it was my Deki, God, she is here,” he said now sounding completely normal.
“Then go ahead, be a man, you have waited enough for her.” He thought of it for some time and looked straight into my eyes.
“But I don’t know,” he said, “although irresistible.”
“I think I know what you are thinking,” I said. “It does not matter anymore.”
“She is still beautiful, the glow in her face, her hair, her eyes, everything about her is as same as before,” he breathed in. “Even the sound from the pipe,” he breathed out.
“You will have a good romantic story, my friend,” I said at last feeling nice myself. “It is beautiful and unique. I mean, started from the school over a lump from a lucky dog and after two decades she is here, right above you, alone and that you are connected to her with the soil pipe that sings love notes calling out for you.”

I saw a smile overtaking his face. “Yes I will do it and pray our hearts unite together,” he said feeling jubilant. And equally feeling happy for my friend, I said, “I will call it Love Through The Soil Pipe if you agree to it,” laughing out loud.

“And love through the soil pile then,” he said and hugged me tight.

That evening, I left my friend Sonam teary eyed.

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