The door creaked quietly, and time seemed to halt. Ramesh slowly dragged himself inside, closed the door, and sat down with a loud thud. Their house shook with the force of the thunder, and he tried to quiet his desperate sobs so as not to wake his family, who slept in one room they called home. He could see the half-eaten plates of dhido and gundruk lying nearby, tears blurring his vision. He saw the starving, gaunt figures with restless sleeping postures, feeling overwhelmed with guilt and gloom. The thunder roared even louder, but Ramesh couldn’t hear it. All he could hear was the trembling figures of his family, lying with their hands clutching their stomachs.

He was the eldest son, expected to work and support his family. Now twenty years old, he tried hard, but today, luck was not on his side. He couldn't believe his two months of effort had vanished in an instant. He envisioned his family’s happy faces when he finally brought home a proper meal after so long. He saw his parents’ contented smiles after enjoying it, and his little sister’s mischievous grin as she asked for chocolates he’d promised. The castle he built collapsed after one slip. He wished he could have been more careful and aware, but nothing hurts more than regret.

His brief moments of happiness cost him dearly: his family’s meal, the warmth of their small thatched house, and the hope of a good meal after a hard day. Above all, he lost those precious moments of contentment and joy. He remembered the dusty streets of Itahari, where he used to bike alone, selling newspapers. His only shield from the scorching sun and rain was a favourite hat that floated over the river as he hurried across the bridge. He could only toughen himself and keep going. The lonely, poverty-stricken days taught him that tears can't fill his stomach and that no pain matches the helplessness of failing to provide for his family, just as he saw his father struggle to make ends meet. He worked tirelessly, pushing himself to earn every rupee, often risking everything to save Rs1,000. Now, all his efforts have been wasted.

He believed he could surprise his parents, who worked tirelessly for their simple meals of dhido and gundruk. He also thought he could keep his promise to his little sister that they would share a simple but proper meal of rice, staple, and her favorite mango pickle on her last day of exams. Sadly, all those hopes were dashed. After falling hard on the skates, he couldn't feel his pain, nor could he turn those joyful moments with friends into good memories. He never realised how heavy the price of just a little carefree time could be. He remembered the moment...

Ramesh parked his bicycle at his usual spot in Pashupati Chowk, near Bista Complex. Feeling pleased, he realised he had earned Rs1,000 over two months, enough to finally buy the meal pack he had long wanted for himself and his family. It was a small surprise for them since he hadn’t mentioned that he sold newspapers after school, as they believed he was just attending coaching classes. As he walked down the street with his patched-up bag, he saw his friends, Anamol and Agastya, waiting for him near the building.

They persuaded him to join them at the skating rink named Roll&Play, a place they’d been eager to visit for a long time. It was Friday, and eventually, a discount day. Anamol had finally saved up enough from his birthday allowance the previous week to buy three tickets for Rs150. The young boys, full of energy and curiosity, couldn’t resist the allure of exciting skate rides. Ramesh, too, couldn’t resist the charm of youth, friendship, and stolen moments for himself. He carefully packed the money into his zippered bag and went along with his friends. They skated, tumbled, bumped into each other, and shared a lively experience. As it grew late, they said their goodbyes and headed home.

Ramesh quietly moved through the alley towards Sangit Chowk's supermarket, selecting a meal package before removing his bag to check for money. He searched the zipper compartment but couldn’t find it. His heart skipped a beat, pounding loudly, sending chills down his spine. Carefully, he placed the package on the rack and thoroughly searched his bag again. Desperately, he realised it was gone.

He rushed outside, running in his tattered shoes to the spot where they skated, tears welling up in his eyes. But he couldn’t spot the giant elephants lying on the road. In the quiet alley of Sangit Chowk, his young heart broke into countless pieces. The hope of feeding his family and making them proud was so fleeting that he drowned in self-doubt and guilt, unable to appreciate his hard work.

Tears stained his worn shirt as he tried to wipe away tears and snot, sitting in his small house with rain falling outside. He composed himself and vowed to work harder than ever to provide his family with a proper meal. Yet, a deep bitterness remained in his heart. He looked at his sister, sleeping on the floor with her mouth open and drool. He chuckled softly and said, “Probably dreaming of her little chocolates, little foodie.” Gently, he placed some chocolates in her hand and closed her palm, then retreated to his corner, attempting to sleep. However, sleep wouldn't come, as he kept thinking about the lost money. He wished he could go back in time and bring some happiness home. But the silent home, the day’s harsh reality, and his family’s half-filled stomach stayed firmly in his mind. He shifted positions several times and finally fell into troubled sleep at dawn. The next morning, he awoke groggy with a headache, hearing his sister squealing happily over the sweets. He offered a tired smile.

His mother saw him and asked, “Are you alright, son?” He barely responded and walked away to hide his wounded heart. He couldn’t let his family know about their missed chance at small joys. As usual, he carried his worn-out bag and went to school. On his way, his experience of loss made him think how foolish life can be! Sometimes, we forget ourselves and lose our way, but life has its own way of guiding us, costly and painful as it may be. It teaches us that we are capable of making better choices and learning important lessons.

The Rs1,000 lost made Ramesh realise that not every dream can come true, and not every effort guarantees success. We experience happiness and sadness but emerge stronger. The loss strengthened Ramesh’s resolve to become better and strive for a brighter future. Along the journey, we lose some things and gain others, and that’s what shapes us into who we are. When he got home late from school, his mother greeted him with a warm, delicious meal as always.

The family gathered around the kitchen fire for a simple yet satisfying meal. They shared stories of their day and treasured their time together. Ramesh also enjoyed his dhindo and gundruk, accompanied by a bittersweet smile. As summer heat lingered, a gentle rain began to fall. They approached their small window that overlooked a large peepal tree and spent some moments there. His younger sister snuggled into her father’s arms and fell asleep amidst yawns. Ramesh then rested his head on his mother’s lap and soon drifted into sleep. All worries faded, and his heart felt at peace. The light rain brushed their faces as they basked in a peaceful cocoon of tranquillity.

Ramesh silently resolved that regardless of the circumstances, he would study and work hard. He would no longer waste his efforts, even unknowingly. Although he lost a thousand today, he believed he would earn many more to share with his parents in their old age. Tomorrow, he planned to wake up again, cherish his sister, and value his friendships. With hope for a new beginning each day, he was determined to start anew. No matter how low he felt today, he was committed to rising again tomorrow!