Days passed.
But Mukesh didn't recover.
---
And then—
festival season arrived.
---
In Nepal—
the time of Dashain.
---
A time when every house is filled with joy.
Laughter.
Food.
Family.
---
Each day had its own meaning.
---
One day—
people worshipped crows.
---
Another—
dogs.
---
Another—
cows.
---
And then—
a special day.
---
Bhai Puja.
---
A day when sisters put tika on their brothers' foreheads.
Feed them with their own hands.
Pray for their long life.
---
And in return—
brothers give them money.
And promise protection.
---
A beautiful bond.
---
But this year—
Mukesh couldn't even stand.
---
He was still lying on his bed.
Weak.
Silent.
---
"…Festival…"
he whispered.
"…I can't even move…"
---
Outside—
children were laughing.
People were visiting each other's homes.
---
But inside his room—
everything felt distant.
---
His mother came near him.
---
"Come outside for a while."
---
Mukesh shook his head slowly.
"…I can't."
---
"Just sit for some time."
---
"…I'll fall."
---
She looked at him.
Worried.
---
"Try."
---
Mukesh tried to sit.
---
His body trembled.
---
"…See…"
"…I told you…"
---
His mother held him.
---
"Slowly."
---
She helped him walk outside.
---
He sat there.
On a small chair.
---
The sunlight touched his face.
---
"…It feels strange…"
---
"So many days inside," his mother said softly.
---
Mukesh looked around.
---
People passing by.
Kids smiling.
---
"…Everyone looks happy."
---
"Yes."
---
"…I don't feel anything."
---
His mother didn't reply.
---
Just then—
two girls came.
---
One younger.
One slightly older.
---
They were from the same village.
Like sisters to him.
---
"Mukesh!"
---
He looked up slowly.
---
"…You came?"
---
The younger one smiled.
"We brought something for you."
---
The older one added—
"It's from our house. We cooked it today."
---
They placed a bowl in front of him.
---
"Meat soup," she said.
"Try it."
---
Mukesh looked at it.
---
"…I'm not hungry."
---
The younger girl frowned.
"Just a little."
---
"…I don't feel like eating."
---
The older one sat beside him.
---
"You've become so weak."
---
Mukesh gave a faint smile.
"…I know."
---
The younger one leaned closer.
---
"Do you remember? Last year, you were running everywhere."
---
Mukesh looked at her.
---
"…Yeah…"
"…I remember."
---
A pause.
---
"…This year… I can't even stand."
---
Silence.
---
The older girl gently pushed the bowl toward him.
---
"Try one spoon."
---
Mukesh slowly picked it up.
---
He tasted it.
---
For a moment—
nothing.
---
Then he stopped.
---
"…I can't eat more."
---
They didn't force him.
---
Instead—
they just sat there.
Talking.
---
Small things.
Village things.
---
Mukesh kept looking at them.
---
"…Why are you both here?"
---
The younger one smiled.
"Because it's a festival."
---
The older one added—
"And because you didn't come."
---
Mukesh lowered his eyes.
---
"…I can't."
---
"We know."
---
A quiet moment.
---
Mukesh looked at their faces again.
As if trying to remember them.
---
"…Don't forget me."
he said suddenly.
---
They both looked surprised.
---
"Why would we forget you?" the younger one said.
---
Mukesh didn't reply.
---
Because somewhere inside—
he felt like he was slowly disappearing.
---
Days passed like that…
---
Festival days continued.
---
But Mukesh stayed the same.
---
Sometimes outside.
Sometimes inside.
---
Mostly silent.
---
Watching life from a distance.
---
Finally—
the last day arrived.
---
Dashain.
---
The biggest day.
---
The final celebration.
---
Every house was full.
People wearing new clothes.
Receiving tika.
Giving blessings.
---
But that same day—
Mukesh's mother made a decision.
---
"We're going."
---
Mukesh looked at her.
"…Where?"
---
"Somewhere else."
---
"…Why?"
---
She didn't answer clearly.
---
"We can't stay like this."
---
Mukesh didn't argue.
---
He didn't have the strength.
---
He just nodded slightly.
---
His brothers—
Abhi and Nagesh—
stood at the door.
---
"You're leaving?" Abhi asked.
---
His mother replied—
"Yes."
---
"For how long?" Nagesh asked.
---
"…I don't know."
---
Mukesh looked at them.
---
"…I'll come back."
---
Abhi forced a smile.
"Yeah. You better."
---
Nagesh said—
"Don't take too long."
---
Mukesh nodded.
---
"…Okay."
---
His mother supported him.
---
Step by step—
they walked away from the house.
---
Behind them—
the sounds of festival continued.
---
Laughter.
Music.
Voices.
---
And ahead—
only silence.
---
Mukesh looked back once.
---
"…Festival…"
he whispered.
---
"…I couldn't even feel it."
---
Then he turned away.
---
And slowly—
disappeared into the distance.
---
End of Chapter 15 🔥
---
This chapter gives:
Cultural depth (Dashain + Bhai Puja)
Strong emotional contrast (festival vs illness)
Village bonding (food sharing)
Sister-like characters
Inner loneliness peak
Transition toward next major arc