TUFA

"As I needed a roof for the night, I gave a subtle nod in response to his unspoken invitation. Silently, we descended the ancient stone stairs of the temple, the echoes of our footsteps lost in the stillness of the night. Before I stepped into the taxi, I stole a lingering glance at the centuries-old temple. Its imposing presence spoke of a history far deeper and more mysterious than I could fathom. "I'll come back," I whispered to myself, feeling an unspoken promise to the ancient structure.

The taxi ride to the northern part of the city was quiet, almost as if the night itself was holding its breath. Sankalpa, hailing from the Tamang family, had been a constant presence in my life for as long as I could remember. He wasn't just a friend; he was the brother I had chosen, my chosen family. Our bond had been forged in countless shared experiences.

The journey to his house was marked by a tense silence, as if the weight of my recent loss hung heavy in the air, shared by Sankalpa in his own way. His presence was a flicker of light in the darkness that had engulfed my soul.

The taxi finally halted in front of his home, a mansion that had become familiar over time. However, that night, it exuded an eerie unfamiliarity. I followed Sankalpa into the grand house, where the dining room lay abandoned in the late hours. The calm stillness of the place suggested that everyone had succumbed to slumber.

Sankalpa led me to the guest room, and as I placed my bag on the floor, he quietly closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts. "Goodnight," his soft voice murmured before he disappeared into the darkness beyond the door.

With the room to myself, I pulled out my phone, plugged in my earphones, and played a hauntingly emotional song. The music and lyrics seemed to reach into the depths of my pain, offering solace in their own way. Before I knew it, I had drifted off into a restless slumber.

The following morning, the jarring ring of the phone on the bedside table startled me awake. I fumbled for it, my voice quivering with nervousness as I answered my mom's call.

"Meet me at the cafe across Thana Road," she said, the conciseness of her words revealing her own turmoil. She didn't inquire about my well-being or where I had spent the previous night. I clutched my chest, my heart heavy with unspoken emotions, and muttered, "Can things get any worse?"

The mention of belongings found beneath my bed tore at my very soul. My mother had made the journey solely to return the things I had left behind. "Mom, Mrs. Roy, I'm deeply sorry," I said, filled with a sense of guilt and regret. I grabbed the bag and left the cafe with my heart aching.

Inside the bag, tucked beneath a notebook, I discovered both money and an envelope. The sight of the money brought relief since my credit cards had been rendered useless during my ongoing economic crisis. I didn't bother to take a look inside the brown envelope.

I picked up my bag and hailed a cab, heading directly to Sankalpa's home. As I prepared to leave, Sankalpa suddenly appeared before me. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in your Korean class?"

"I have to go. I can't give you trouble."

"Nire, you are not trouble to me. Stay with us."

"I know I am not a trouble to you, but my stay here is," I hesitated to say but I need to. I held the locket tight, the locket that the old lady at the temple gave me. "With what relation will I stay in your house? People will say things if I stay with you. My presence will ruin your reputation." My heart filled with sorrow. After what had happened yesterday, I had become the talk of the town. Whispers and pointed fingers followed me everywhere. I couldn't bear the thought of tarnishing his reputation. After all, he was a brother to me, and I should save my only brother's reputation.

He was stunned by my words, taking a step closer to me. His hand reached for mine, and I softly said to him, "Let me go."

"Go."

That was all I needed to hear. I swiftly grabbed my bag and darted out of the room. Waiting outside was the same taxi that had picked me up at the cafe earlier. Without hesitation, I jumped in.

"North bus stop," I instructed the driver, taking out the envelope that came with the money. As I tore it open, my heart raced with anticipation.

The envelope bore the stamp of TUFA College. I eagerly scanned the contents. It was the result from the online entrance exam I had taken: a scholarship to Seoul University of Fine Arts in Seoul, South Korea.

"To Nire Roy, Damak -6, Jhapa, Congratulations, Mr. Nire Roy, on achieving the scholarship student seat at our school. We are delighted to inform you that we are sponsoring you as the representative of our University to study in Seoul, South Korea. For further instructions, please visit our University. Along with this letter, we have sent you a ticket to Kathmandu. Bring your citizenship card, passport, and your 12th-grade transcript. With regards, Array Madhav."

I couldn't contain my joy. I held the letter close to my chest, a beaming smile on my face, silently thanking God for this opportunity.

Leaving home earlier, I had been lost and uncertain about my future. But now, with this letter in my hand, I had been given the chance to prove myself.

The taxi took me to the Eastern Bus stop as I had requested. I didn't have much time, as the ticket included in the envelope was for that very night, and it was already 8 p.m. The bus was scheduled to arrive at 8:30, leaving me half an hour to find something to eat for my journey to Kathmandu.

I searched all around, but every shop on every corner had already closed for the night. The only places still open were a few medical stores. My stomach was painfully empty, as I hadn't eaten since morning.

Suddenly, I remembered that Sankalpa had placed something in my bag. Opening it, I discovered a container of chicken dumplings from the elderly lady who sold them at the corner of INFA Street.

"He really was a friend who cared for me more than my own parents," I reflected. It was an 8-hour journey, and as I drifted off to sleep, I lost track of time. When I woke up, the morning sun was already casting its warm glow.

Kathmandu was a city I had never set foot in before. As I stepped onto its streets, I couldn't help but be captivated by the historical monuments that surrounded me. The beauty of the city was undeniable, but my tight schedule left me with no time to truly savor it. The bustling cityscape engulfed me, and by the time I finally reached the agency, the clock had ticked past noon.

"Namaste, Sir," I said with a warm smile as I entered the office, setting my luggage down beside me.

"You must be Nire," the guy remarked with a smile. He took a quick glance at my documents and said, "For tickets and all, I have assigned him." He pointed to a young man who was sitting on the long black sofa that stood beside the door right in front of the work desk.

"Nice to meet you," he looked up from his laptop and again continued to work.

"How much time will this process take?"

"Usually, it takes about a week as we have to send mail to the university, talk with airlines, and all."

[A week] Where am I supposed to stay? I asked myself as I walked out of the office building. In this valley, I knew no one. Even the beautiful atmosphere here seemed like a stranger to me. I held the locket that the old lady gave me. "Should I sell this? If I did, I guess I would have got enough money to spend a week here [Gave it to someone who will need this]," I recalled her voice.

The busy life of the city came to a halt, and the cold weather got stronger. I held the locket tightly, and as I thought of crossing over to the other side, a bright light came like a flash, and then I closed my eyes. My body was on the floor, and then a hand came from.

"Hello, can you hear me?"

"Hello??" As I came to my senses I heard a muscular voice, I gently opened my eyes and tried to stand up.

"Careful" A strong hand and broad shoulders helped me up He was a middle-aged guy dressed formally, with sharp pointed nose and soft tan skin showed he belonged to a Brahmin family