Khushiram Chaudhary of Mahadeva in Gadhawa Rural Municipality-2 left for Kuwait 22 years ago. Immersed in his life abroad, he married Mitsi Samson, a Philippine national and colleague, 14 years ago. Since then, his stay in Kuwait had been extended.

Though he visited Nepal occasionally—most recently two years ago—he had planned to return this March. However, the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran disrupted travel, forcing him to reschedule his return for September to celebrate Dashain. During phone calls home, he frequently spoke of his desire to settle permanently in Nepal.

“I have spent enough of my life abroad; now I will stay in Nepal. I’m coming back soon to settle down,” he would tell his parents. But that dream remained unfulfilled. On the morning of March 14, the 51-year-old Khushiram passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack.

That same morning, his 12-year-old daughter Kim called her cousin Ayushma in Nepal. Kim, who speaks only English, broke the news of her father’s death. When Ayushma informed her grandmother, the elderly woman was struck silent and could only weep. She has been inconsolable ever since.

The news spread rapidly through Mahadeva, Khushiram’s hometown. Everyone was stunned that Khushiram, who had been so eager to return, had died. He had been particularly excited about the start of international flights at Bhairahawa airport. He had told his nephew, Hem Narayan Chaudhary, “Now I can reach home in a single day via Bhairahawa. One can travel between Nepal and Kuwait in just a few hours.”

Khushiram did eventually reach home via Bhairahawa, but not as the vibrant man he had hoped to be. He arrived in a coffin. “My maternal uncle’s wish to return home through Bhairahawa was fulfilled, but only as a corpse,” said Hem Narayan. “He came back, but he left an indelible mark of grief on all of us.”

His body was brought home on April 1 in a reserved vehicle from Bhairahawa International Airport. As the embassy arranged a sudden charter flight for repatriation, his wife and children could not accompany him. His wife Mitsi, daughter Kim and two-year-old son Kevin remain in Kuwait, mourning their loss.

The family rushed to Bhairahawa upon hearing of the body’s arrival. The Department of Foreign Employment arranged the transport of the remains to his home. Due to a lack of regular flights, his wife cannot travel immediately and now plans to visit during Dashain.

As his father is elderly and infirm, Ajay, the son of Khushiram’s eldest brother, is performing the funeral rites. The 13th-day purification ceremony is scheduled for April 14. Khushiram was the youngest of three brothers. The eldest, Keshav, is at home, while the middle brother, Dhaniram, has been working in Dubai for 12 years.

At home, 75-year-old father Leduram Tharu and 74-year-old mother Ramkali Tharu live in frail conditions. The father has been bedridden for a decade due to paralysis, requiring constant care from his elderly wife, who herself suffers from high blood pressure. Khushiram had been the primary provider for their medical expenses and household needs.

“Our troubles have multiplied. I have been caring for my husband, but what will happen if I fall ill and become bedridden myself?” lamented Ramkali. “Just when we thought we would have our son’s support, this happened. It seems we were destined for great sorrow. What is left now? Everything is finished.”

The news of his son’s death has left Leduram unable to speak. Already weakened by long-term illness, the shock has further shattered him. He cannot articulate words, only making sounds that convey deep anguish. He sits hunched over a walking stick, staring blankly, motionless with grief at outliving his son.

The crowd of relatives gathered in the house startles him. He lacks the strength to voice his pain or the physical ability to weep openly. His already fragile body has been further stilled by the weight of the tragedy.

Leduram has faced a series of misfortunes. In September, his middle daughter-in-law passed away after an illness, while his middle son remains abroad. Six months later, his youngest son is dead, and his eldest son is also unwell. His grandchildren are outside the district for work, and his daughters are all married, leaving the elderly couple to struggle alone.

Khushiram is survived by three sisters—Lakshmi, Nirmala and Urmila. “Our elderly parents are alone at home. There is no one to look after them. We thought it would be easier now that our brother was coming to stay,” said his youngest sister, Urmila. “Instead, our distress has increased. Crisis after crisis is being added.”

The process for claiming insurance has not yet begun. Urmila said they plan to complete the 13th-day rites before processing the death certificate and other paperwork. The family has yet to receive any information from the dairy company where Khushiram worked regarding relief or compensation.