You Know Harry..

Dear Harry

(first part)

You might be walking alongside a river, taking a sunbath at the beach you love, cooking food that you wish to taste, right? I assume at least you miss me and Maddy when you go for third round of Vodka, you remember? You must likely seem to be shocked, amazed, or surely amused, how I came to know. Friendship is more than mere knowledge of a habit; it involves a clear understanding of heart and mind.

Harry, in your last mail you put a great concern about our lost friend, Maddy somewhere in rural Nepal and who hardly gives a reply to phone calls, SMS, mails, and, a video call is out of the question. On last Friday, we had a guest from far-western village of Nepal in solukumbu, our restaurant. He was from Sankapur village some near to Shikarpur village. You know, he is not only near resident of Shikarpur, Maddy resides, also knows him in person.  Harry it is us who nicked name him “Maddy” whereas people knows him by his real name “Man bahadur poudel”. 

(source of picture is internet)

Here’s the Maddy story:  There was rumor in village on August, 2010 when only son of poudel sir’s (Maddy’s pa) came back to Shikarpur, baitadi (baitadi is listed in yet to develop and least privileged district in far western region of Nepal). Rumors got floated through out seven near villages that poudel sir’s only son must have gone out of mind. Rational human never takes such a decision. Leaving a settled modern life in London and coming back to crumbling, stoned, dry, hopeless far western land of Nepal- it was utter foolishness.  

Man bahadur studied till 8^th in private school of same village. Despite of low salary to government’s teacher his father was always an optimistic person. He chooses to remain hopeful. Quality of private school was poor but villagers can clearly notice dreams and expectations followed by his investment in son’s education. Poudel sir stood an idol of inspiration that was prayed by every fellow villager. Man bahadur was bright student and always found hovering around books, School’s home works and teachers- absolute an apple of everyone's eye.

Man bahadur left home for Buddhanilkantha School in Kathmandu. He earned higher school certification with flying colors while poudel sir lost his five acres of land nearby  market of village (you know these land nearby market are relatively expensive) in support. Those were the legacy poudel sir got from his late father.

Man bahadur was always quite, rule-oriented and ideal child to every parent for which villagers considered a worthy investment of his pa on him. Man bahadur opted for an animal-based subject in class 12 people used to talk those days (don’t get confused- it is biology).  People once saw him searching frogs when he came to village in holidays. Senior villagers and his teachers from the previous school always suggest him to take medicine.  

Mrs. poudel (Maddy’s mom) one night fell ill, poudel sir took it lightly. After no sign of recovery on 5^th day of illness, poudel sir took his wife to doctor in the city. The doctor went for numerous test and suspected cancer to Mrs. Poudel. Poudel sir took loan from Ram sahu (name of local landlord) in high interest, Man bahadur gave up medicine.

It was a rumor in village one fine morning that Man bahadur left Nepal for study to London. People talked it was his rich batch mate who helped him to get there. All believed since everyone knows no much valuable left with poudel sir to support man bahadur futher study after mrs. Poudel fell prey to breast cancer. Man bahadur must be destined or else who from lower middle class gets opportunity to learn in London. Gods must had seated right hand of poudel's family.

Once in a two month poudel sir used to get a call from London. There was only one telephone booth in the village owned by hari pandit, nearby there was a sweet joint of dahal bhaje which is known for gossip junction of senior male members of society. Poudel sir after call used to sit at least for two hours to talks and many times offers sweet to listeners. People were happy to see poudel sir's struggle getting rewards. Poudel sir had earned more than double respect that he earned as “teacher” for his service of decades. 

On Man bahadur's graduation ceremony poudel sir and madam got an invitation from college through their son. One day poudel sir rounded village at least twice with a photograph of his son, boy of his son's age and two couple seemed at age of Mr. poudel and Mrs. Poudel. Both boys were in an exotic black gown with an extra-ordinary cap on top of which something was hanging and also both boys have a similar file in their hand we had never seen. Poudel sir, carried that photograph for a couple of more days and showed people who he thought haven’t seen and known about his child.  Financial liberty may have stopped poudel couple from visiting London on the convocation of their child, but that didn’t limit their happiness. 

Harry, for now, I am ending this mail. You’re anxious, so I am and you must be quite disappointed with me, I know. Mr. Tamang (my guest) here is with his Swedish boss and they are here to enjoy the Himalayas, weather and it's beauty. They have gone Upper Solukhumbu. In couple of days, they will be back and again I will write for sure to you when I hear more from Mr. Tamang. Till the time, I will remain focus on restaurant so you to be on yours. Take care!

With Love.

Remy