Nepal is known to the world as a land of tranquility—its towering peaks, lush forests, and peaceful villages. But beneath this serene facade lies a secret, one that has remained hidden for centuries. Outsiders may admire the beauty of this country, but they will never know what lies beneath its surface.
You might be asking, "What could possibly be so mysterious?" Well, all will be revealed as our story unfolds.
And so, the journey begins...
"Are you still awake, Shapra?"
Shapra looked up from the dusty shelves, startled by his mother's voice. "I was just about to go to bed, Mom. I'm looking for my old books from last year."
At sixteen, Shapra Subedi was living a fairly ordinary life in Jhapa, Nepal, with his parents. He was about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with no real muscles to boast of, but far from unhealthy. His slightly long, wavy black hair gave him a bit of an unkempt look, and his deep black eyes was one of his attraction point. He didn't consider himself special, but others sometimes said he was kind of good-looking, not that he cared. At the moment, he was rummaging through the storeroom, searching for his old Class 9 books for a school project.
"Alright, but don't take too long," his mother called from the other room.
"I won't!" he replied.
Shapra sighed, brushing his hair back. "Ugh! I can't find them anywhere." His eyes scanned the shelves until they landed on a small, worn-out box tucked in the corner. "Maybe they're in here."
He pulled the box closer and pried it open. Inside, he found an old photograph buried under layers of dust. He picked it up and sneezed as the dust scattered into the air.
"Just a picture of Mom and Dad…" he murmured, rubbing his nose. But then, his eyes widened. "Wait… what is that behind them?"
A strange glow surrounded his parents in the picture, almost like a portal to another world. He squinted, tilting the photo in the dim light. "It must be a green screen effect," he chuckled. Then a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Oh, this is perfect. I'll show it to them tomorrow and mess with them a bit. I'm a genius!"
He placed the photograph safely on his desk and stretched. "But for now, sleep."
11:20 PM
Shapra turned off the lights and climbed into bed, the photo lingering in his thoughts as he drifted off.
7:50 AM
The next morning, Shapra woke up feeling excited about his little prank. He grabbed the photo and walked into the kitchen.
His father was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper. He was a tall man, around 6 feet, with the same black hair and eyes as Shapra. Though his hair was cut short and neat, the resemblance between father and son was clear. He wore square-framed glasses that gave him a more mature, thoughtful look, like someone who had seen much more than he let on.
Shapra's mother, on the other hand, was standing by the stove, humming softly as she poured tea. She was a beautiful woman, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with long, flowing black hair tied back into a loose braid. Her black eyes had a calm gentleness to them, and her smile carried an effortless charm. A tiny mole on the left side of her chin only added to her graceful appearance, one of those subtle features that made her unforgettable.
He put on his best serious face, slipping the photo into his pocket before stepping forward.
"Mom, Dad…" he started, pulling out the picture. "What is this?" His voice was firm, his expression accusing. "Tell me the truth."
His father's spoon clattered against the plate. His mother's hands froze midair, gripping her cup tightly.
"Shapra…" His father's voice was unusually tense. "Where did you find this?"
"Tell us," his mother added, her voice barely above a whisper, her forehead glistening with sweat.
Shapra raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading. "Whoa, I was just joking. What's up with you guys?"
His father exchanged a look with his mother before taking a deep breath. "Shradha… I think it's time we told him."
Shapra's amusement turned to confusion. "Wait… what do you mean?"
His heart pounded as he watched his parents' expressions shift from shock to something else—something deeper, heavier.
What secret were they hiding?
To be continued...