Kathmandu Teen

Chilly wind blew all morning. With it accompanied the slight drizzle of rain. “Today would be a gloomy day”, he thought. Maybe, that’s why he clutched his quilt tight. Naturally, the light should have reflected the daily busy street. But, a thick blanket covered the whole sky. Nonetheless, he got up trying hard to be half-awake. He made himself a cup of coffee and sat down. It was already past the good morning, and it really seemed a gloomy day ahead. He sat down with a  friend  but only a single cup on the table. For the past few days, it’s been chilly and dim. The chilliness worked its way up into everybody slowly. But, he firmly decided to resist it. He made a decision to only keep with him the good and happy memories. She liked to try new places and he liked to eat. Combo! So, they would try new places. Weekdays or weekends or weather was never an obstacle. Like everybody, they also had their favorites. And they would meet up there after a tiresome day or just to ...

He was just a know-nothing boy to her.   When he saw her for the first time, he was in daze. She was wearing her little black dress, she looked simple but all the more graceful in the evening light. She thought she was not beautiful enough. She was poetry. He loved her all the very same.   When everyone sat down together for a drink, he was excited. She was sitting right beside him, so gorgeous and elegant. She thought she was not social enough. She was good enough to initiate a conversation. He loved her all the very same.   When the two went out for a walk, she was apprehensive about the pessimistic and judgmental society. She stomped angrily away from him for not understanding her. But, he did. She looked cute even though she was mad. He loved her all the very same.   When the moonlight touched her face, she was glowing. They were in a garden under the moonlight as the night passed away. She playfully shoved him away as he teased her. A slight s...

"Growing up is a very strange and life bending process in itself. As you get older, you just get tired of repeating your daily routines. You just get accustomed to quality over quantity.    As you grow up and get into college or go out into the real world, you'll go your separate ways with your close friends. Grabbing a drink together means rescheduling. You have your own destination to reach, own dreams to achieve, own path to walk, so, making time for friends and family WILL be deemed a hassle.    But, every once in a while, you will genuinely abandon everything else and grab a drink together. You have a deadline? Let it be. You'll go out there for your friend, get a drink, and relive all your childhood memories together, laugh hard at that one time you got dumped. We all live for that one drink every once in a while. Not name, not fame, but for that one drink with your friends reliving all your childhood memories. Time doesn't halt for anyone. So, grab ...

-22 nd Dec, 2016 “Is this the real life? Or Is this just fantasy? I don’t know how and why but I cannot escape from this so-called reality. Thursday evening. Have you ever attempted to pursue what you love against the expectation and oppression of your society? Have you ever had your say in talks? Have you ever said ‘NO’ when your people tried to make YOUR life decision? No, because we are too afraid. The minute after you are born, you are judged and continue to be until the very last day. As you grow up in such society, you lose your purpose of what you were meant to do in this lifetime. Going deeper, you also have a responsibility towards your family. Women are under-appreciated and men are over-appreciated. Sometimes, I feel that men are over pushed to becoming an adult, taking responsibilities and providing financially for their family. What if we are not yet ready? What if we don’t want all the unnecessary responsibilities? What if I wanted to go s...

"I was 6 when I heard my friend's aunt play the piano. The sound she created, the notes she touched and the way she played made me feel like I was in a very warm place, just like the ones you see in movies. And she played it with a big smile on her face. She always used to tell me that playing piano is like caressing a baby, soft and gentle.    I was 7 when I first played a G note in my upright piano. It sounded like door banging. I cried. After many cries, I eventually learned to play without the door banging.    I was 12, but I still couldn't create melody, I still couldn't feel warmth when I played. Sure, everyone said I was a genius, but when She played, it still felt fresh and warm and I felt like a 6-year-old me.    I was 16 when I heard her play. I heard her, but this time something was off. First, I felt goosebumps, then I was the only one in an isolated dark room with distant cries in the background. I saw and heard her and the piano com...