For a while, the whole family sat together, talking softly and sharing moments that felt more precious than ever.
But since Suvarna had to leave for the city early the next morning, Kumar gently told everyone that it was time to go to their rooms and get some rest.
He too quietly went to his room.
The next morning, everyone woke up very early.
Suvarna also got up and went to take a bath. After getting ready, she told her mother softly that she did not feel hungry and that she never liked eating early in the morning, asking her not to prepare breakfast.
But Maya lovingly insisted,
"At least have some tea before you leave."
And so, she made tea for her daughter.
After dressing and getting ready, Suvarna picked up her belongings and stepped outside.
Maya came after her and said gently,
"My daughter, you haven't eaten anything. You may feel hungry on the way, so I have packed some food for you."
Suvarna could not refuse her mother's love.
She quietly placed the food into her bag.
Now, it was finally time to leave.
Holding Suvarna's hand, Kumar said with a trembling voice,
"My daughter, study well after going abroad. Don't forget us. If you ever need money, call us. And if life becomes too difficult there, come back home. We will always be waiting for you.
I have already sent the twenty-five lakhs to your uncle. But you may need to buy some things there, and you will need travel expenses too. Keep this with you."
Saying this, he placed one hundred thousand rupees into her hand.
Her mother and grandmother also embraced her tightly.
"Go safely, child. Eat on time. Take care of your health. Keep calling us."
Then, with heavy hearts, they said,
"It is getting late now. Go quickly."
With tears filling her eyes, Suvarna said softly,
"Please all of you take care of yourselves. I will return soon."
Then she left with Shiva, who accompanied his sister to the bus stop.
As they walked, Shiva began teasing her,
"Once you go abroad and earn lots of money, bring me an iPhone."
Suvarna laughed and replied playfully,
"Why only an iPhone? I'll bring you a foreign bride too."
Both of them laughed together as they walked.
Soon, they reached the bus stop.
After a little while, the bus arrived, and Suvarna climbed aboard.
Shiva carefully arranged her luggage inside.
The bus slowly began to move.
As it pulled away, Suvarna waved at her brother with tears in her eyes.
Shiva, unable to hold back his own emotions any longer, waved back and called out,
"Fulfill your dreams and come home soon!"
He stood there, watching the bus until it disappeared beyond the hills.
Only when it was no longer visible did he finally turn back toward home.
Inside the bus, Suvarna looked out through the window.
The changing scenery outside made her heart fill with memories of home, and she began thinking about the beautiful days she had spent with her family.
After some time, the bus stopped for a meal break.
The driver loudly announced,
"Only twenty minutes for food!"
Passengers began getting down.
But Suvarna suddenly remembered the food her mother had packed for her.
So she stayed seated and quietly ate the food from home, feeling her mother's love in every bite.
After some time, Suvarna reached the city.
Prashant and Prashna had already arrived at the bus park to receive her.
The three of them then returned home together.
As soon as she reached home, Suvarna called her parents in the village and informed them that she had safely arrived in the city.
Hearing this, Kumar and the family finally felt relieved.
Now, only two days remained before Suvarna, Prashna, and Prashant would leave for abroad.
So they decided to spend one day going out together with the family.
Man Bahadur and Priya lovingly told them,
"You choose where you would like to go."
Early the next morning, they decided to visit Pashupatinath Temple for पूजा and blessings.
The entire family went together.
After having darshan there, they headed toward Boudhanath Stupa.
Priya and Man Bahadur prayed sincerely for the children's safe journey and a successful future.
By the time they finished exploring Kathmandu, evening had already begun to fall.
So everyone started heading back home.
On the way, Prashna, Suvarna, and Prashant made a plan to visit Thamel.
They asked their parents for permission, saying,
"We just want to go out for a little while."
After hearing them, Man Bahadur said,
"It will get late by the time you return."
But Prashna and Prashant persuaded him,
"Once we go abroad, who knows when we will return? And after going there, we won't get the chance to roam around Nepal like this. This is our last day. Please let us go, even if only for a little while."
Suvarna also pleaded softly,
"Uncle, we'll return quickly. I also want to meet all my college friends once and say goodbye."
At this, Prashna and Prashant added playfully,
"Now even your niece is asking. Please let us go for just a little while."
Unable to refuse his beloved niece, their uncle finally agreed.
"Come back before ten o'clock."
Hearing this, all three of them became extremely happy.
Prashna and Prashant even thanked Suvarna for helping them get permission.
After walking for some time, they reached Thamel and entered one of the clubs there.
Their friends had already arrived and were waiting.
After so many days, seeing their friends again filled them with joy.
Everyone began greeting one another warmly.
Soon, they all started dancing together and enjoying drinks.
The atmosphere was lively and full of laughter.
After a while, Prashna and Suvarna became tired and sat down on chairs to rest.
A little later, Prashna got up and went toward the bar counter to get some more drinks.
Suvarna remained seated alone.
Just then, a few rowdy men approached and began staring at her continuously.
Their behavior made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
Unable to tolerate it, she stood up and tried to leave.
But they grabbed Suvarna's hand and refused to let her go.
Seeing such shameless behavior, anger rose fiercely inside her.
In a burst of rage, she turned and slapped the man who had grabbed her hand.