This story… began long before that day.
Back when I was still in high school.
I wasn't good at talking to people.
In fact, I barely had any friends.
Except one.
Her.
She was the only person I could talk to normally.
The only one who didn't make me feel like I didn't belong.
If I had to describe our relationship…
it was more than friendship, but never something we named.
Just… close.
Very close.
---
One night, I got a call from her.
Her voice was shaky.
"Hey… are you free?"
"Yeah. What happened?"
"My parents went out for work. They won't come back tonight… I'm alone."
She paused for a second before saying softly—
"Can you… stay with me until morning?"
I didn't know why, but my heart started beating faster.
Excited… nervous… confused.
But I still said yes.
---
When I reached her house, I rang the bell.
She opened the door.
For a moment, we just stood there, looking at each other.
Then she smiled.
"Come in."
---
We had dinner together.
Nothing special—just simple food.
But somehow, it felt different.
Quieter than usual.
---
Later, we decided to just pass time.
We talked.
Played cards.
Laughed about random things.
To be honest… it felt like one of those nights you don't want to end.
---
At some point, she looked a little uneasy.
"Can you stay… a bit longer?"
"I'm not going anywhere," I replied.
She nodded, but didn't say anything more.
---
When it was time to sleep, I got up.
"I'll sleep outside," I said.
But suddenly—
She grabbed my sleeve.
"…Stay."
Her voice was small.
"I feel scared when I'm alone."
---
I hesitated for a second.
Then I nodded.
"Alright."
---
That night…
Nothing happened.
She slept on the bed.
I slept on the floor.
That's all.
---
But something changed.
Maybe inside me.
Maybe inside her.
Or maybe… in both of us.
---
The next morning, I woke up early.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
I didn't see her.
For some reason… I panicked.
Thoughts rushed into my head for no reason at all.
Without even thinking, I left.
---
After that day…
She disappeared.
From school.
From my life.
Just like that.
---
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
I tried to look for her… but eventually, I stopped.
And slowly—
I forgot.
Or maybe…
I forced myself to forget.
---
Years passed.
Life became something I just… lived through.
My father had taken on a lot of debt.
So I had no choice.
I left my village and came to
Kathmandu
---
Now my life is simple.
Night shift at a convenience store.
Daytime office job.
Sometimes trading.
Eat whatever I find.
Sleep whenever I can.
No goals.
No dreams.
And definitely—
No thoughts about "family."
---
I had already decided something long ago.
I wouldn't marry.
I wouldn't build a family.
That kind of life… just wasn't for me.
---
But then—
One evening, while waiting at a bus stop…
A small hand grabbed my shirt.
"…Dad."
---
And just like that—
Everything changed.
---
✍️ Author Note
What do you think?
Who is that little girl?
Is she really his daughter?
Or just a misunderstanding?
And that night from the past…
Was it really as simple as he remembers?