I am Kiyon Baral. I've always found it difficult to make friends because of my lack of communication skills, and I feel uncomfortable in crowds. Today, on my way to college, I muttered to myself, "Anyway, today is my first day at my new college, but the problem is… I don't even know the school's location."
Ahead of me, I saw some girls walking, all wearing the same school skirts. My brain immediately went into stealth mode. I decided to follow them quietly, like a thief trying to steal something without being noticed. The girls stopped at a market shop to buy snacks, and I waited silently outside, planning to ask them for directions once they left.
Just as I stepped forward, another guy collided with me, and our heads smashed together.
"Ouch! It hurts! What the heck? I was trying to ask for help from those girls!" I exclaimed.
"Ah, seriously! I was also trying to ask them!" he groaned, rubbing his head.
And just like that, we laughed at our clumsiness and started walking together.
"Hey, dude, what's your name?" he asked curiously.
"Oh… my name is Kiyon Baral. What about you?"
"I'm Neon Malla. By the way… are you a Bahun?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why are you asking that?"
He smiled, shrugging. "Just curious."
"Well… I don't really believe in caste or religion, and I don't follow them. But technically, I'm a Khas Chhetri."
"Hmm… I see," he said, nodding.
As we walked, suddenly a girl came rushing toward Malla and slapped him across the face.
"You jerk! You said you'd go to Kathmandu and study with me, but you came to Terathum… Hehhhhhh! I'll kill you!"
She tried to chase him, and Malla started running in circles around me.
"Hey Baral! Help me!" he yelled.
"Man… sorry, dude, but even if I tried, I don't think I could help," I muttered, dodging his panic.
After a minute of chaotic running, we finally reached the school. We sat next to each other, panting.
"Bro… if she had stayed any longer, I would have died for sure," Malla said, trying to catch his breath.
From behind Malla's bench, a scary smiling face appeared.
"Oh… I see," it whispered.
"Please… don't… oh nooo!" Malla screamed, but when I turned, the figure had vanished. I felt a chill run down my spine.
Trying to calm down, I realized I should make an effort to communicate and make new friends. Suddenly, from the left side of my bench, a soft voice spoke.
"Hello… my name is Hikkiyo Limbu. I don't know how to express myself well… but I'd be happy to be friends with you."
"It's my pleasure to be friends with you, Limbu. I'm Kiyon Baral. I'd be glad to have a friend like you," I replied.
"Where are you from, Baral?" he asked.
"I'm from Jhapa."
"Why did you come here? There are better colleges elsewhere, you know."
"Yeah, but I just came here to enjoy these last two years in Terathum."
"But why?"
"Because this is my hometown. After graduation… who knows? I might never come back here," I explained.
"I see," Limbu said quietly.
Soon, the school bell rang, and we decided to share lunch together. Malla joined us, and the three of us spent the time laughing, enjoying ourselves, and feeling happy for the first time that day.
On our way home, Malla looked worried and asked, "Baral… if I'm ever in trouble, would you help me?"
"Huh? What does that mean?" I asked.
"Bro… you saw that time the girl tried to chase me? She loves me," Malla whispered.
"So? That's good, right? You should be happy someone cares about you," I said.
"No way! Have you seen her? She was like a psycho killer! Please protect me from her," he pleaded.
"But how can I protect you? I don't even know her," I said.
"Her name is Mew Thakuri, and she's a scary, devilish, evil monster girl," Malla replied dramatically.
I thought to myself, Man… asking him for information would probably be a waste. I need to deal with that girl directly. Still… I'll help him. Don't worry, Mr. Malla. I've got this.
"Thanks, bro… you're the only one I can trust," Malla said, tears forming in his eyes.
And so, I decided to help him, even though I had no idea how. I had never faced this kind of úsituation before—but somehow, I would figure it out.