-Dr. Buddhi Malla.

During the vibrant years of my youth, there was a guy named Bir who played an unexpected role in my life. He was my best friend despite the five-year age gap of us. Bir and I often found ourselves engaged in activities that resonated with the simplicity of rural life—cutting grass and gathering wood in the lush jungles that surrounded us.

One memorable day, the prospect of watching a movie in Damauli captured our excitement, but financial constraints loomed over our plans. It was then that Bir proposed a resourceful solution—to catch a ride on his elder brother Bhim’s bus to save on fare. At that time, Bhim was a bus conductor. We eagerly boarded the bus and embarked on an adventure to the cinema for a night show at Menuka Cinema Hall, Damauli. The film titled “Jungaj” was a multi-starrer of its era, featuring Rajkumar, Govinda, and Danny Dangjoppa.

The cinematic experience was pure joy, a respite from our routine, and the memory of that night lingered as a cherished moment in our teenage years. However, as the night concluded, we found ourselves stranded without a bus to take us back home. The chilling cold of Damauli at 10 pm added a layer of discomfort to our dilemma.

In our hour of need, a kind-hearted policeman came to our rescue, starting a fire to provide us warmth. Unfortunately, his duty concluded after half an hour, and a less compassionate policeman replacement took charge, extinguishing the fire and forcing us to find alternative shelter. Standing by the roadside, our stroke of luck finally arrived in the form of a bus at 12:30 am, letting us return home.

 Upon reaching home at 1 am, hunger wrenches overcame us, and we settled for a cold dinner. In those moments, we reflected on the wisdom of an old saying, “A hungry person doesn’t care about stale rice,” finding satisfaction in the simple nourishment. The stark contrast between the two policemen, one with a golden heart and the other with a stone heart, remained etched in our memories.

Bir, a figure akin to a parent in my life, has been a pillar of support. His generosity and kind-hearted nature have been evident on numerous occasions, creating a bond that surpasses the conventional friendship. With three other brothers, Bir stands by them in times of need, assisting in their endeavors to establish themselves in the business world. Thanks to his support, all his brothers have found themselves well settled in Chitwan.

Despite Bir being five years senior to me, I accepted the role of a tutor to him due to my academic advancement. As a talented student who skipped two classes, I found myself not only guiding my peers but also imparting knowledge to Bir in subjects where he needed assistance.

Our village, nestled between the serenity of nature, was not invulnerable to the occasional conflicts that arise in close-knit communities. A significant argument erupted between the youth of Chhang and our village, stemming from a swimming competition that escalated into a violent clash. While we excelled in swimming, tensions widened, leading to an exchange of aggression with stones and sands.

Bir, known for his strength, was called upon for assistance by Krishna, a close friend. His presence encouraged us, and we give tit for tat, chasing off the troublemakers. However, the aftermath saw an act of cowardice, as one of the Chhang youth, named Gire, attacked Bir from behind with a belt. The consequences were severe, and Bir sustained a significant injury.

To seek revenge for this unprovoked attack, Bir’s elder brother confronted Gire with force. Yet, the gang fight did not end there; a few days later, Gire, displaying a lack of shame, struck Bir again, this time with a log while he was alone in a field cutting grass for cattle.

The village elders intervened to settle this escalating feud. The elder villagers convened a village committee meeting, facilitating a consensus between both parties, and ultimately bringing an end to the feud. Afterward, Bir devoted himself to his profession and joined several organizations.

Meanwhile, Gire remained unchanged, persisting in a series of undesirable behaviors. Guided by the age-old adage, “As you sow, so shall you reap,” karma, the cosmic force, appeared to align with justice when Gire, the troublemaker, encountered a similar fate months later—his younger brother strike back, causing a serious injury upon him.

This distressing incident etched itself deeply into my soul, inspiring a heartfelt prayer to the heavenly powers above—may no one ever have to endure the shadow of such events in their lives. It served as a distressing reminder of the complex interplay between actions and their consequences, Complexly intertwined within the structure of our being, where each footfall leaves its trace on the journey through life.

-Author Dr. Malla is a Banker.