Amaan stared out of the classroom window as Kathmandu grew louder, stranger, and more chaotic.
Students were panicking.
Teachers were scared.
Nobody knew what the sickness outside really was.
But fear spreads faster than any virus.
Amaan closed his eyes and took a slow breath.
"If the world is falling apart… the smartest person is the one who stays calm."
And that became the first rule of survival.
---
1. Stay Calm When Others Panic
Suman grabbed his shoulder.
"Bro what do we do?! Everyone outside is running!"
Amaan didn't shout.
Didn't panic.
Didn't guess impossible things.
He observed.
He listened.
He thought.
That's the real first step of survival.
---
2. Create a Small Safe Group
Amaan stood up.
"Okay… first, we stick together. Just us two.
No crowds. No chaos."
Crowds are the first place where accidents happen.
Small groups = safer.
Suman nodded.
---
3. Secure Water First
Amaan checked the classroom.
School kitchens always had large water jars.
If outside chaos grows worse, water supply can temporarily stop.
He whispered:
"Water is life. We collect some now, quietly."
They filled two empty bottles from a dispenser.
Not stealing.
Not running.
Just smart preparation.
---
4. Gather Simple Food (Safe, Non-perishable)
In emergencies, simple food matters:
dry biscuits
noodles
fruits
bread
Amaan didn't think about hoarding.
He took just two packets of biscuits from the school store.
"Only what we need. Nothing more."
Because survival is never about selfishness —
it's about balance.
---
5. Stay Informed — But Don't Believe Every Rumor
Outside, people were shouting random things:
"It's a zombie disease!"
"It spreads by air!"
"People are going mad!"
Amaan knew:
Rumors cause more harm than danger itself.
He checked verified sources on his phone.
Most info was incomplete.
So he told Suman:
"We don't assume anything.
We only act on real information."
---
6. Choose a Safe, Quiet Location
The classroom wasn't ideal anymore.
Too many people.
Too much panic.
So Amaan guided his friend to the upper library:
fewer students
only one entry
windows for light
quieter atmosphere
"Small, quiet places are safer than big crowded halls."
---
7. Protect Those You Care About
Amaan texted his mom:
"I'm safe.
Are you home?
Stay indoors."
Not a dramatic message.
Not a panicked one.
Just clear communication.
His mom replied:
"We're home. Stay calm, stay where you are."
Amaan felt relief.
Survival isn't just saving yourself —
it's protecting your people.
---
8. Don't Act Heroic — Act Smart
Some boys in the hallway tried to leave the school to "see what's happening."
Amaan shook his head.
"No. You don't rush outside during chaos."
Being brave is useless if it's reckless.
Wisdom > bravery.
---
9. Awareness Is the Real Survival Skill
Amaan sat near the window and quietly observed:
dangerous spots
safe routes
exit points
loud noises
unusual movements
police patterns
Every detail mattered.
Survival begins with noticing things others ignore.
---
10. Stay Human
When the sick man collapsed near the school wall, police tried their best to help him.
No one attacked.
No monsters appeared.
Just confusion, fear, and misunderstanding.
Suman said breathlessly:
"Bro… is this like a zombie
movie?"
Amaan shook his head gently.
"No.
It's people who are scared.
That's the biggest danger."
Survival is not about fighting enemies.
It's about staying kind, aware, and level-headed.
---
END OF CHAPTER 1