The grand house stood tall, with whitewashed walls and wooden shutters that rattled gently in the wind. To Abhi, it looked like a castle; to Nagesh, it was a giant playground; and to MK, it was simply enormous, like a magical fort waiting to be explored.
Their father handed them the keys to the main gate. "Abhi, you'll be in charge of the front. Nagesh, help your mother inside. MK… well, keep him with her. And remember, no running around," he said, eyes twinkling.
Abhi bowed slightly. "Yes, father. I'll keep everything in order."
Nagesh grinned. "And what if the 'thieves' are just stray cats, huh?"
MK laughed, clapping his tiny hands. "Cat! Cat!"
The inside of the house was even more impressive: high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and long corridors lined with portraits of people they didn't know.
Their father leaned in, whispering to Abhi, "You watch the main hall and the doors. Nothing fancy—just make sure nobody breaks in. That's all. When I go out of the country, just turn on the lights inside and make sure the house stays as it should."
Abhi nodded. Responsibility felt heavy on his shoulders, but he smiled down at his brothers.
"Don't worry," he said, crouching to Nagesh's level. "If anyone tries anything here, I'll chase them away faster than a lightning bolt."
Nagesh laughed. "Lightning bolt? You mean the one that trips over its own feet?"
Abhi rolled his eyes, but a small smile escaped. "Funny guy… just stay close to your brother."
Meanwhile, MK had already crawled off his mother's back and toddled toward a small dog sleeping in the hallway. "Doggie! Doggie!" he squealed. The dog lifted its head lazily, then yawned and went back to sleep, seemingly unimpressed by the youngest Damai.
Their mother shook her head, chuckling. "He's fearless, just like his father when he was small."
Abhi laughed softly, thinking of his own childhood. "Fearless, yes… but also very, very stubborn."
The family's living arrangement: Behind the main house, they stayed in a small house with a store room underneath. Upstairs, they had two rooms: a kitchen and a bedroom. The house was simple, but it gave them shelter and a place to rest after their long journey.
Daily work: Abhi and Nagesh helped keep the garden clean, swept the floors, and learned the routes of the sprawling house. Every day, they made sure the lights were turned on when their father went away, and everything in the main house stayed orderly.
The day continued quietly, with small chores and simple routines. Even though it was a massive house, the tasks were simple, yet they gave everyone purpose.
And for the first time since they had left Nepal, the house didn't feel daunting. It felt… like home.