Men in Masks

Men in Masks

Published15 June 2017

Reading Time 2 mins

Author Stories of Nepal

Location Nepal

"Once, I was kidnapped. They took me to the forest. They made me walk for several hours. They would whisper to each other. I knew that my death was near. As they pushed me further inside the forest, I started to think whom have I hurt or done wrong to. Who were my enemies? Several names came to my mind, but I could not be sure of one. For small quarrels, I thought, no one would go to such lengths to seek revenge. But people have been killed for the smallest of reasons. At one point the men made me stop, they went to the side and whispered something. I knew that my time had come. I asked them why they had brought me to the forest. I pleaded with them to let me go. But they threatened me to keep quiet. As I was thinking of my family and praying, one of the men came to me and asked me if I had a cigarette. I told them I had no cigarettes and no money. Then he said, 'Why don't you go and get us cigarettes, we know you will come back, we will wait here.' They gave me some money and I left. I felt relief, I felt like they were stupid. I was not going to bring them cigarettes but escape. As I was walking away fast, strange thoughts started coming to my mind. Those masked men could easily find me. And hurt me and my family, if they wanted to. I could not bring such trouble to my family and my children. That day I made the most difficult decision in my life. I bought some cigarettes and went back to the forest. When they saw me they looked at each other. One came to me and said, 'You are a good man. You came back. We have a change of heart for you. You are free to go home. But before that smoke a cigarette.' I sat down with them and smoked a cigarette without saying a word. Soon after, I left to see my family that day. It was the happiest moment for me. It has been many years but I still remember those masked men and wonder who my enemies were. Who my enemies are?" (Nar Hari Sapkota, Panauti 7, Kavre)

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