They did not have the courage to return home, so they spent the entire night weeping at the very place where the accident had happened.
Morning sunlight slowly rose across the sky, but for Kumar, it felt as if the sun of his own life had set forever.
Shiva gently spoke,
"Father, staying silent like this will not change anything. We must go home now. If we too disappear like this, there will be even more trouble at home. We should return and tell everyone everything."
Kumar felt that his son was right. With a heavy heart, he finally accepted the painful thought that his daughter and elder brother might no longer be safe.
Leaving their contact number with the police and saying, "Please call us if there is any news," they started their journey home in deep sorrow.
As soon as they reached the courtyard of the house, Kumar's heart trembled. He kept wondering what answer he would give to his mother and wife. He could not even gather the courage to step inside.
Just then, Maya came out through the door and said,
"Why are you so late coming home? We called so many times, but you had left your phone here. A call had come from brother in the city."
The moment Kumar heard this, he anxiously asked,
"A call from the city? Then… is our daughter alright?"
Maya quickly replied,
"While going to the city yesterday, the bus had stopped at a place for food. After eating, our daughter went to buy a few things. In the process, the bus left without her, and her belongings were left behind in the bus as well."
Hearing this, both Kumar and Shiva felt an immense weight lift from their hearts. The joy of knowing that their daughter and elder brother were safe filled them with relief.
After spending the whole night in the rain, both Kumar and Shiva had fallen slightly ill. Seeing this, Maya called them inside and hurriedly prepared warm soup for them.
Meanwhile, in the city, Suvarna was enjoying herself immensely, fascinated by the new place and new faces around her.
Man Bahadur's children, Prashant and Prashna, were both intelligent and well-mannered, and his wife Priya had a very loving nature.
With a new member added to the family, everyone was overjoyed.
The very next morning, Man Bahadur took his niece to the same school where his children studied and got her admitted.
Prashna was especially happy that she and Suvarna would now study together.
It was Suvarna's very first day at school.
So, before leaving, Man Bahadur called Kumar and handed the phone to Suvarna.
With great excitement, she spoke happily with her grandmother, mother, father, and brother, telling them all about the city and everything she had seen.
Hearing how happy she sounded, everyone back in the village felt deeply relieved.
Then Man Bahadur said,
"It's time for school now. The bus has arrived. We'll talk more in the evening,"
and sent her off.
It was Suvarna's first day at school.
Dressed in a brand-new uniform and carrying a new school bag, she looked absolutely lovely and was filled with excitement.
She was eager to meet new friends.
As soon as she reached the school, she stood in the playground and looked around in amazement.
The huge buildings in front of her, the gardens decorated with colorful flowers, the large sports field in the middle, and hundreds of students dressed just like her left her utterly astonished.
Slowly, Prashna led her toward the classroom.
Inside, there were beautiful desks and chairs neatly arranged. At the front was a whiteboard, and even a projector had been set up.
Everything felt wonderfully new to her.
That day, Suvarna made many new friends — Rubina, Bishal, Pradeep, Shrinkhala, Mantra, and Smarika.
They were all bright and talented.
They soon began going to school together every day and visiting the canteen during lunch breaks.
Even after returning home, Suvarna, Prashant, and Prashna would sit together to complete their homework and then go out to play.
Seeing them so happy brought great joy to Man Bahadur and Priya as well.
Time passed.
They all grew older, and soon reached the age to join college.
Prashna and Prashant decided to continue their studies abroad.
Seeing this, Suvarna also expressed her wish to go abroad with them.
But her uncle replied with visible sadness,
"My dear niece, right now I do not have enough money. I am already taking loans to send your brother and sister abroad. If I send you too at this moment, it will become almost impossible for me to bear the educational expenses of all three of you later. It would be better if you study in another college here in Nepal. I have no objection to that."
After hearing this, Suvarna became deeply disappointed.
Seeing her so disheartened made everyone — Prashant, Prashna, Priya, and Man Bahadur — feel sorrowful.
Then Man Bahadur gently suggested that she go to the village and discuss the matter with her father, Kumar.
Accepting her uncle's advice, Suvarna decided to leave for the village early the next morning.
As she traveled, countless thoughts filled her mind.
What will Mother and Father say after hearing me? Will they be angry? Will they ask me to leave my studies and stay in the village forever?
Lost in such thoughts, Suvarna finally reached the village.
The Khadka family was filled with joy at seeing their daughter return home after such a long time.
But Suvarna still looked troubled.
Seeing her sadness, Maya asked softly,
"What happened, my daughter?"
Suvarna replied,
"Nothing, Mother. The journey was very long, so I'm just a little tired."
Maya lovingly prepared all of her daughter's favorite dishes and asked her to go to her room and rest.
After finishing all the kitchen work, Maya went to Suvarna's room.
Suvarna was sitting there quietly, reading a book.
The moment she saw her mother enter, she closed the book and began talking with her.
Maya gently stroked her daughter's head and, sitting beside her, began to pour out the feelings that had long been hidden in her heart.