A party is going on in full swing, and everyone seems to be busy and engaged. The music is played on a high crescendo, and children are enlivened by the music. They are dancing to the tune of every Nepali and Bollywood song. Young girls are taking photos from every possible angle. A few others are desperately looking for an ideal place to shoot a possible viral video to upload to their social media accounts.

I stood in a corner with my daughter, Aashi, who was busy eating her favourite ice cream. But I didn’t know where my husband was. Possibly chatting with his friends.

In the meantime, I came across my college friend, Meena. Some 10 years ago, we studied together at college. Despite their frequent communication via social media, Sumna was taken aback to see Meena at the party because the latter didn’t live in the country.

“Hi, Meena. What a pleasant surprise! When did you come from America?”

“I am sorry, Sumna, I could not inform you about my arrival in Nepal. Actually, I came alone to meet my mother. She is sick, and I have to take her to Kathmandu for treatment”, said Meena with an apology.

“Where is your daughter, Ashi?” Meena asked. Ashi arrived shortly after Meena inquired about her.

“I feel bored, Mom. Why don’t we go home now?” Asked Ashi eagerly.

“Wow! Your daughter has grown much taller than I imagined. I only saw you on Facebook, but today is the first time I’ve seen you,” Meena said, hugging Ashi tightly. Then Meena opened her bag and handed Ashi a milky bar.

About that time, Sumna’s husband arrived. “Did you and Ashi take dinner?” asked Dr Abhisekh.

“We are waiting for you. Where have you been?” asked Sumna.

“By the way, meet my husband, Dr Abhisekh.” Sumna introduced her husband to Meena. Meena was freaked out when Sumna introduced Dr Abhisekh as her husband.

“She is Meena and lives in the US with her family. I used to talk about my college best friend. She is here now”, said Sumna.

“Oh, yes. Sumna would always talk about you. I am glad to see you two friends together. Please carry on. I don’t want to disturb you. I will be back after some time”, said Dr Abhisekh, and he walked away.

“I don’t understand anything, Sumna. Your husband is Akash. Where is Akash? Or did you get separated?” Meena charged a barrage of questions at Sumna.

Sumna’s bright face suddenly turned melancholic. Seeing this, Meena took Sumna to a corner and sat on two chairs face-to-face.

“You were in love with Akash, and he loved you just as much. In fact, Akash was so attractive that many girls in college, including myself, admired him greatly. What caused your breakup? Please tell me everything, Sumna,” Meena asked.

Sumna flashed back and began talking about her former husband, Akash.

After getting married, we settled in Pokhara. Akash wanted to take me to his hometown, Biratnagar, but his parents refused to accept our marriage. As you know, Akash belongs to a Brahmin family, and I am a Dalit. Akash tried his best to convince his parents but to no avail. They were adamant and not ready to accept our marriage. I even requested that he leave me and stay with his family, but he refused.

Akash had already finished his master’s degree in business studies and intended to pursue a PhD in America. He finished all of his paperwork and presented it to the US Embassy. After a week, Akash received an email informing him that the US Embassy had contacted him for an interview.

Akash awoke early in the morning and began organising all of his documents. I made tea, and we both enjoyed it together. Meanwhile, our daughter Ashi awoke, sat in her father's lap, and implored him not to travel to Kathmandu.

“Whenever you go to Kathmandu, you don’t return for several days. I don’t want you to go to Kathmandu once again”, said Ashi annoyingly. Ashi eventually consented to let her father go to Kathmandu when Akash promised to bring her favourite Barbie doll.

Akash took a microbus from Pokhara bus park to Kathmandu. The following day, he had an interview at 3 pm at the US embassy. He called me after checking into a hotel in Sundhara. We talked over the phone for some time.

I prayed to God for his success, and God accepted my prayer. Akash got a study visa to the US. His happiness knew no bounds. He was excited and was going to buy a Barbie doll for Ashi.

I asked him to return home by taking a night bus, but Akash said that the journey by microbus from Pokhara to Kathmandu was so uncomfortable that his whole body was aching badly. He decided not to punish his body anymore and took a morning flight to Pokhara the next day. I did not oppose it.

Here in Pokhara, Ashi was extremely excited and had many questions, and I was tired of answering them. Finally, I gave in and told her that her dad would answer all her questions. Ashi agreed.

After some while, I spotted Ashi on the roof. I went to the terrace and implored her to come down, but she insisted on seeing the plane that would bring her father home. It took a lot of convincing, and she eventually consented.

Before boarding the plane, Akash called and told me he had already bought a lovely Barbie doll for his princess. That was the last time we spoke with each other.

His plane was supposed to land at 10 o’clock in the morning, but it was already 2 pm, and Akash had not reached home. Ashi was desperate to see her Barbie doll. I made several calls, but his mobile was still switched off. Sumna couldn’t go further as her throat choked, and tears began rolling down her cheeks.

“After then, what happened, Sumna?” asked Meena anxiously.

After a little pause, Sumna said, “The ill-fated plane that Akash boarded crashed near the Pokhara Regional Airport.”

“Oh, my god,” Meena whispered in complete shock.

Even after two days of diligent searching, Akash’s body could not be located. However, his severely damaged brown suitcase was discovered. When the suitcase was opened, there was nothing inside but the Barbie doll. I had to lie to my daughter, telling her that her father had to go to America and would return shortly to take us. To persuade Ashi, I gave her the same Barbie doll that was discovered in Akash's luggage.

No one came to assist me during such a difficult time. My existence revolved around Akash, and his death devastated my world to bits. I had a terrible time. I didn’t get a job and didn’t have enough money to start a business. I am living only because of my daughter; otherwise, I would have died long ago.

To add to my misery, Akash’s parents declared me an unfortunate woman. They even accused me of being the reason for their son’s death. I was absolutely devastated, broken, and fell into depression. I realised I was dying slowly, but I put up no resistance. I rather welcomed death. Then, one day, I consumed several sleeping pills and tried to have an eternal sleep.

When my eyes opened, I found myself on a hospital bed. It was a coincidence that the doctor who was treating me was an old friend of mine. Later, we grew close, and he confessed that he had an affection for me back then. But I was completely unaware of this.

Abhisekh was unmarried. He told me he was waiting for a girl like me, but never found one. Later, when he approached me, I explained my condition to him, and he agreed to accept Ashi as his own daughter.

Dr Abhisekh arrived and broke the tension between them. Meena wiped her tears with her handkerchief, smiled at him, and promised to visit them soon. Abhisekh reciprocated with a smile on his face.

He lifted Ashi in his arms and said, “Sumna, let’s go have dinner.”