He was on the way to funeral procession of his friend’s father, Antare baa. The procession was starting from Antare baa’s house. After half an hour walk, he came to the place. He was amazed by the newly built house. The grandeur French styled villa was like a real life ‘Xanadu’ which he had seen in a movie. At one point he tried to remember the name of the movie but at a same time was totally dazed with that humongous dwelling. He easily forgot that old one storey, three roomed cottage where his friend’s family used to live in two rooms and another was rented for a shop. After his friend died in an accident as soon as he went to Europe some 17 yrs back, he was never in contact with Antare baa. Hence it was more distressing.

As he was sauntering towards the entrance, he remembered how Antare baa came to ask money with his dad to start a business. Then suddenly Antare baa got the job in some government office. After that, he went to Europe and the only news he heard, about Antare baa, was that Antare baa returned the money in three months.

He was in front of the big twelve feet steel gate; where few plainly clad men in their mid twenties accosted him and took him inside. There was large gathering, something which he had never seen in funeral. The place was decorated with white chrysanthemum and it seemed like the there was heavy use of air freshener, probably French cologne. The swimming pool contained few white swans and heartening weeping noise were encircling the whole premises. People standing over there were eulogizing Antare baa, in their trailing voices, for his benevolence and his amicable nature. He over heard a guy in teens talking to his elder brother. He seemed like the domestic helper. The guy was recalling how Antare baa gave him money to get the land from village usurer. His snuffling was with less noise but very distinct. He was looking around; if he can ask anyone about the body.

He tried to ask one pulp headed, plump and mid aged person standing alone, near the gate. But the person refused to make an eye contact. He then thought to be louder and perhaps rude and asked,

”Do you know where the body is?”

The guy checked him from top to bottom and said on pensive voice,

“They have already cremated him”

“Is it?”

“Yes, they were back 15 minutes back. Antare baa’s youngest son done the cremation”

Knowing, they were three brothes, he asked,”where is the other son then?”

“Oh, you don’t know, he doesn’t have contact with this family anymore.”

“Why, he used to be a nice person?”

“It’s all about dough, my friend, it’s all about money”

Then that gentleman slowly drifted away from him, but he was standing there wondering what could have happened.

After, almost two decades, he realized people have changed. No people willing to explain him the situation further proved his point. He was quite a stranger in that place. He was searching that throng to see any familiar faces. So far, he knew no one.

Then, he tried to get in the house. A well built guy near the main door asked his identity. He told about his family friendship. That guy told him to wait and would seek for the permission. After five minute, he came back and said he has to wait for some time. He then stand beside the huge plant over there and start querying the people’s faces. Lots of people were passing to and fro. Every body had good words for the Antare baa. Nearby, two women were talking.

“He was like a god”

“Yes he was”

“Can you believe, he made so much money and name, despite being so poor just twenty years back”

“Antare baa is the real man. Mine is no good than putting a bangle. After working for 30 yrs, he couldn’t even buy a motorbike. See, how many cars Antare baa has left his son”

All people had their stuffs to say, and he was just listening silently. He then saw woman whom he probably knew. He guessed her as the elder daughter. So, he went close slowly and asked her.

“Are you ‘thuldidi’?”

She was little confused at first, but ultimately she recognized him. But she was with three other women, who were continuously crying. So, she just said,”I am very happy that you came”. Then someone told something in her ear. Subsequently, she left without saying anything. Then he knew, minister of finance came to the funeral with other noteworthy leaders

He was feeling odd. He doesn’t know what to do, whether to leave or stay. The person, whom he knew, Antare baa’s elder son, wasn’t there. Antare aama also passed five years back and youngest son was too young back then to remember him. He just stand there for a while gazing at the golden embroidered curtain and decided to leave.

He came outside befuddled by the Antare baa’s progress in these years. He then heard some one saying, “Luck favors the brave and you would progress if you dare.”

Retreating, same line kept ticking in his mind. An evening coffee addiction gets him into a café. Along with dark coffee, newspaper was his best companion. He then saw the condolence for Antare baa on one daily,

            “Our heartfelt condolence for the untimely demise of our subba sahib, whom everybody knows as Antare baa.  We offer a prayer to his soul and show our deep sympathy to his bereaved family.

-         Airport  Staffs

He then chuckled and murmured, ’Nepal has really changed’ and asked for one more cup of coffee.