Today was Shrawan 25(11 August)Swarna's birthday.
The whole house was filled with joy and quiet excitement, but Swarna had not stepped out of her room at all. She remained inside, still holding on to the sadness in her heart.
Maya knocked on the door again and again, lovingly asking her daughter to open it.
Her brother Shriv also stood outside, gently knocking and saying,
"At least don't be upset on your birthday. I've brought a gift just for you. Please open the door once."
But Swarna's anger had not softened even a little, and she refused to open it.
Just then, her father Kumar said with a smile,
"Today I have brought such a special gift for my daughter that the moment she finds out, she will open the door herself. Don't keep knocking and making noise."
Saying this, he asked everyone to let her be and quietly walked away.
Meanwhile, Shriv began decorating the room with colorful balloons for his sister.
Grandmother lovingly started making flower garlands for the decorations.
Maya returned home from the temple carrying tika and prasad after offering prayers for her daughter's happiness.
Since Kumar had asked everyone not to disturb Swarna, no one called her again. They all simply waited for him.
After some time, Kumar returned home holding a birthday cake and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. To make his daughter happy, he had also invited her friends.
Soon, Swarna's friends began calling from outside,
"Swarna, open the door!"
The moment she heard their familiar voices, she immediately opened the door and happily met them.
Just then, her mother called out sweetly,
"Come, my daughter, it's time to cut the cake."
Her friends lovingly held her hands and led her to the table where the cake was placed.
In front of everyone, Swarna let go of her anger. Quietly, with her eyes fixed on the room around her, she cut the cake in silence.
Suddenly everyone began cheering,
"First feed the cake to your father!"
Swarna walked toward her father with the first piece of cake.
Everyone clapped and sang,
"Happy Birthday!"
As Kumar took the cake from his daughter's hands, his heart melted. His eyes slowly filled with tears.
Seeing tears in her father's eyes, Swarna too began to cry.
For a few moments, the room was filled with pure emotion.
Soon after, the atmosphere turned cheerful again. Everyone began singing, dancing, and laughing together.
Her friends gave her birthday gifts, and after dinner, one by one, they all returned to their homes.
Once everyone had left, Kumar came close to his daughter and gently began to speak.
He said softly,
"My daughter, you are growing up now, and with you, your dreams are growing too. I know I am not very rich, but I am not so poor that I would ignore your little joys. Even if we are not wealthy, if you had once told me, 'Father, I want to go on the educational trip,' I would never have said no. So please, always share what is in your heart with me. For me, nothing in this world is greater than the happiness of my family."
Hearing these words, Swarna finally realized her mistake.
Her heart filled with regret.
She apologized to her father and to the whole family for the way she had behaved.
With tears in her eyes, she promised,
"I will never behave like this again."
Then her brother smiled and said,
"Forget the past now. Let's look at your gifts and enjoy ourselves."
One by one, they began opening the presents.
There were many kinds of sweets, candies, beautiful clothes, flower bouquets, and other lovely gifts.
Seeing all her presents, Swarna's face finally lit up with happiness.
From that day onward, joy once again returned to the Khadka household, just as it had been before.
The next morning, Swarna and her brother went to school together.
That very same day, Maya's elder brother Man Bahadur Karuni arrived from Kathmandu to visit his niece, nephew, sister, brother-in-law, and mother.
It had been many years since Maya had last seen her brother.
Seeing him after so long filled her heart with immense joy.
Kumar too was delighted to meet his brother-in-law.
They warmly welcomed him into the house.
Maya quickly arranged tea and refreshments for him.
Man Bahadur had come carrying many gifts—new clothes for his nephew and niece, new saris for his sister and mother, a coat and pants for Kumar, and many delicious food items.
By evening, Shriv and Swarna returned home from school.
The moment they saw their maternal uncle at home, their happiness knew no bounds.
Both of them greeted him respectfully and hugged him tightly.
When they saw the new clothes he had brought for them, they became even more excited.
Watching the children so happy made Man Bahadur smile with equal joy.
Soon it was time for dinner.
Everyone gathered together in the kitchen.
Swarna, however, would not let go of her uncle's hand.
Maya gently said,
"Let go of your uncle's hand, dear. Let him eat comfortably."
But her uncle laughed and said,
"It's alright."
After dinner, everyone sat together for a long time talking warmly.
Maya began asking about everyone back home—her parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews.
Man Bahadur told her that their parents had returned to the village, his wife was still working at a bank in Kathmandu, his son Prashant was studying in grade ten, and his daughter Prashna was in grade eight.
It had become quite late.
So, one by one, everyone went to their rooms.