After listening carefully to Harka Bahadur, he said with concern,
"Why are you planning to send your daughter abroad instead of letting your son go for work? For studies, there are so many excellent colleges even in the cities of Nepal. It is not necessary to go abroad. And even if you have enough property now, if you sell the land you own, what will be left for your son tomorrow? What if someone in the family falls seriously ill and money is suddenly needed? If you invest everything into this, what will remain for your own future? Take care of your daughter and let her study here."
Hearing this, Kumar replied once again,
"I tried my best to keep my daughter close, but she has no desire to stay in Nepal. She does not see her future here. So trying to stop her now would be useless. I have already promised that I will send her. I cannot go back home and change my words now. And I have also decided to send my son abroad for work. If you can, please help me. Otherwise, I will have to go somewhere else."
Hak Bahadur sighed softly and said,
"If this is truly your final decision, then what more can I say? Very well. In a village called Dhurlikhal, there is a wealthy man named Lekh Bahadur Chhetri. He is known to buy and exchange houses and land. Perhaps we should go and ask him once. Let me know when you are free."
Since the village was quite far and it was already getting late, Kumar decided that they would go early the next morning, as he would be free then. With that, he returned home.
The next morning, after breakfast, Kumar and Harka Bahadur set out toward Dhurlikhal village.
Harka Bahadur had only heard of Lekh Bahadur before but had never actually visited his house, nor did he know exactly where it was. So, as they walked through the village, they began asking the locals for directions.
After some time, they finally reached Lekh Bahadur's residence.
Even though it was in the village, the house was remarkably impressive. It was a three-story building designed in a modern urban style. Beside it stood another round-shaped house made of clay, giving the estate a unique charm. A large gate enclosed both houses. In front of them stretched a beautiful garden blooming with flowers, while tall trees stood gracefully all around.
The sight filled them with quiet admiration as they slowly stepped through the gate.
Just then, a man approached and stopped them.
His name was Hari, the servant of the house.
He politely asked,
"May I know who you are looking for and for what purpose you have come?"
They explained that they had come to meet Lekh Bahadur regarding an important matter.
Hari then informed them that they could only enter after getting permission from his master, and he immediately made a phone call.
Once the call connected, Hari handed the phone to Kumar.
Taking the phone, Kumar respectfully explained,
"I have come in the hope that you might help me with selling my plot of land."
After hearing him, Lekh Bahadur granted permission for both Kumar and Harka Bahadur to enter. He also mentioned that he was currently outside for some work and requested them to wait inside for a while.
He then instructed Hari,
"Take good care of them until I arrive."
After entering the house, the servants warmly welcomed them, offered them chairs, asked if they would like tea and refreshments, and treated them with great respect.
After some time, Lekh Bahadur finally arrived.
As soon as they saw him, Kumar and Harka Bahadur immediately stood up and greeted him with respect.
Lekh Bahadur kindly asked them to sit down again and then inquired,
"So, how may I help you?"
Harka Bahadur spoke on behalf of his friend and requested him either to buy Kumar's land or help arrange its sale.
Lekh Bahadur replied,
"The land can certainly be sold, but why are you trying to sell it at a time when the market price is so low?"
Kumar then explained everything — his decision to send his daughter abroad for higher studies and his plan to send his son overseas for work as well.
He also described the location of his land.
After listening carefully, Lekh Bahadur asked about the size of the land and its expected value.
Kumar humbly said,
"Please see it yourself and offer a fair price that would not cause loss to either of us."
Lekh Bahadur then smiled and said that there would be no need to inspect it, as he had already visited that area before and had even purchased some land nearby.
Upon hearing this, he agreed to buy the plot.
He even offered to finalize the advance payment that very same day if Kumar wished.
Kumar then turned toward Harka Bahadur and asked softly what price would be appropriate.
After thinking for a while, both of them decided to sell the land for three million rupees (thirty lakhs).
Without any hesitation, Lekh Bahadur agreed to the price and confirmed the purchase.
He further informed Kumar that he could come and collect the money whenever he wished.
After that, the two friends took their leave, promising to meet again soon.
On the way back, they began talking.
Harka Bahadur said,
"If this plot had been in the city, it would easily have been worth thirty to forty million. But in the village, land has to be sold this cheaply."
Kumar, however, looked deeply saddened.
Harka Bahadur understood the reason behind his silence.
Trying to comfort him, he said,
"Please do not worry too much. Everything happens for the best."
But Kumar's sorrow was not because of the land's value.
What truly tormented his heart was the thought of having to send both his son and daughter far away from him, once again leaving him alone.