Chapter 1

  Rayii lands in New Zealand soil.

  Rayii… POV

  I sat on my bed, carefully packing my suitcase. I had reached forward to pick up something lying in front of me, and as I leaned, a sudden flash of sunlight fell across on my face, streaming through the wooden window into my room. I turned toward the light, and a thought stirred inside me — I couldn’t explain it, but I felt as though I am leaving something behind.

  Slowly, I rose from the bed and walked toward the window. When I reached it, and placed my palm against the glass; it was cold to the touch. I slid my hand along the wooden frame, found the latch, and opened it with a soft click. Using both hands, I pushed until the window swung wide. At once, the wind rushed into the room, cool and refreshing.

  “Woah… so cool, but warm too,” I whispered with a smile, closing my eyes to savor the breeze.

  When I opened them again, the world outside looked like a painting. Tawang stretched before me — the monastery’s golden roof shimmering faintly in the morning light, standing proud against the snowy peaks. Clouds drifted lazily across the valley, hiding and revealing the pine forests I knew so well. Terraced fields curved along the slopes, dotted with cabbages, beans, and maize — the vegetables my family had always grown. Orange trees glowed with fruit, and the breeze carried the faint scent of orchids and rhododendrons.

  Down in the valley, the river caught the sun like a silver ribbon, winding toward the unknown. I lifted my hands into the air, as if to touch the wind itself, and felt a sudden ache. This view — the mountains, the flowers, the laughter of neighbours carried on the breeze — would soon be behind me. I was leaving the comfort of these hills for a new country, a new life. The thought was both thrilling and heavy, like standing on the edge of a cliff with wings she wasn’t sure how to use.

  “Rayii, have you finished packing?” The voice came closer, as if someone was approaching my room and I know who it is. I turned, and a lady stepped through the door curtains. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and she scolded me while rushing forward.

  “How many times have I told you not to open the window, huh? The cold is coming into the room!” She looked at me and she cupped my cheeks with her hands. “You’ll catch a chill, won’t you? Anyway, you’re leaving in just a little while.”

  It was my mother. Hearing this, I put her hand on her mother’s and said with a smile, “Mummy, I won’t catch a cold. And where I’m going, it’s cold there too.”

  Her heart ached as she looked me. Soon, her daughter would be gone, flying to a new country, far from these hills. She tapped my cheek lightly, trying to hide her worry. “Enough! With this all talking. Every time we talked, you’re always brings that place again.” She pouts.

  She closed the window with a firm click and hurried toward the door. “Finish packing quickly and come, I’ve made your favorite food,” she called back, her voice carrying both love and urgency.

  I replied with an enthusiastic “Yes!” and hurriedly began packing without another thought. I rushed downstairs, calling out, “Mummy, have Papa and Temang come back yet?”

  Mother shook her head. “Not yet.”

  Papa and Temang, my little brother went to the market to get a few things for me. Yesterday, Mummy and I bought almost everything, but some items were left, so they’ve gone to fetch them now. Normally it would be difficult to get it since it’s only 8 in the morning, but in the town, everyone knows us, so maybe they will give it.

  I quickly ate whatever Mummy had prepared for me and it was really delicious. My flight is at 12 in the afternoon, and it’s already 8 o’clock. I have to leave for the airport around 9 o’clock. Everyone will come to see me off — Mummy, Papa, and Temang. Today, everyone woke up early, took their baths, and got ready ahead of time.

  Just then a voice came, the doorbell rang, and I knew they had arrived. I quickly went to the entrance door and opened the gate. My father stretched out his arms to hug me tightly against his chest, even though his hands were full of commodities. I helped him, placing the items on the table in the living room near the kitchen.

  Temang went straight to the sofa, stretched out his legs, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling. Then he looked at me and said, “Do you even know how much trouble we had to go through? If you had brought it yesterday, we wouldn’t have had to work so hard today.” It sounded like they really had to go through all that trouble.

  Hearing our mother coming from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel, I saw and thought maybe she had finished what she was doing. Our mother looked at Temang and said, “Oh, my child, you’re tired.” She gently pressed his arms, which were stretched out along the edge of the sofa, and added, “But son, your sister is leaving today. For her sake, this much effort is worth it, hm?” Then she looked at him closely, as if to make sure he agreed. Temang gave a small nod.

  Then our father came and sat beside me, saying, “Be proud of your sister — see how far she has come.” Temang didn’t reply, only rolled his eyes, and seeing him like that, we three of us laughing secretly.

  We joked around a little, and Papa and Mummy reminded me how small I once was, and now how grown up I’ve become — able to walk on my own feet and go abroad. Then, as time was passing, we quickly packed the things that were left and had just arrived. Mummy had prepared plenty of snacks for the journey, ones I could even enjoy after reaching New?Zealand.

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  With a sharp click, Mummy turned the key and locked the house door behind us. Papa stepped out to the street, raising his hand to stop an auto rickshaw. The driver pulled over, and then we climbed inside. The vehicle jolted forward, carrying us away from the familiar warmth of home.

  I sat pressed between our parents, watching the houses and trees slip past in a blur. The hum of the auto mixed with the faint chatter of the morning streets, and for a moment I felt the weight of departure settle on my chest. Papa’s hand rested protectively on my shoulder, while Mummy adjusted the bag on her lap, as if making sure everything was in order one last time.

  By the time we arrived, the clock was nearing eleven. The air at the terminal was alive with voices, footsteps, and the distant echo of announcements. I drew in a deep breath, knowing the moment I had been preparing for was finally here.

  We reached the departure terminal, my luggage in hand. For a while we stood quietly together. Papa asked softly while glances at his wristwatch, “There’s still time. Do you want to eat something?” I shook my head. “No, I’m full.” Temang kept glancing around, sometimes at Mummy and Papa, sometimes at me.

  I wanted to say something — like call me whenever you miss me — but I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I knew that if I said anything, the heaviness in my chest would spill out through my eyes, and seeing me cry would make Papa and Mummy cry too. They were already holding back their emotions, and I didn’t want to see their faces break at the moment of my departure. I didn’t want them to hurt.

  So instead, I sighed, looked at Temang, and said, “Hey, you!” He finally turned those pretty eyes toward me. “What?” he asked. I said, “Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean you stop studying. Focus on your studies.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean, I don’t study? My grades are better than yours, hmph.” Seeing him still not crying, I smiled secretly. From childhood he had always been the crybaby — teased by classmates, running to me in tears, never leaving my side. And now, I thought, that cryboy had grown brave.

  I raised my voice so he could hear me clearly. “Won’t you miss me? Won’t you cry?” He scoffed, “What? Cry for you? No, no…” He said it with attitude, then added, “Actually, it’s better for me. Now I’ll make your room mine. I’ll put up posters of my favourite cricketers and anime, shift all my things there, and I’ll get even more love from Mummy and Papa.” He hugged both of them with his long arms, though they didn’t quite reach all the way.

  Hearing him, I turned to Mummy and protested, “No, Mummy, that’s my room. You can’t give it to him.” I pouted. Temang smirked, “I’ll take it. It’s not yours anymore.” I ignored him, muttering, “Just shut up,” then looked at Papa. “Tell him, Papa. It’s mine, and it will always stay mine.”

  We kept bickering, his teasing never stopping, until Mummy interrupted with a gentle laugh. “Oh my! don’t fight. Temang, don’t trouble your sister when she’s leaving.” He fell quiet then. Papa placed his hand on my head and said firmly, “Yes, it’s your room. It will always be yours.” I broke into a wide smile at his words.

  Then the announcement came. I looked at them once more, capturing their faces in my mind like photographs I never wanted to lose. I hugged Mummy, who held me tightly, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry. “If anyone troubles you there, tell me. I won’t spare them,” she said, clenching her fists. I laughed softly and replied, “Who would trouble me?”

  Before she could answer, Temang cut in sarcastically, “More likely she’ll be the one troubling others.” I smiled at his teasing, then added for Mummy’s reassurance, “But yes, if anyone does, I’ll surely tell you — so they’ll know messing with me comes at a heavy price.” I laughed, and she laughed with me.

  I turned to my beloved father. His face looked as though he was about to cry, and seeing him like that made my own tears rise. I quickly hugged him. He placed one hand on my head and the other on my back, gently tapping. “Don’t worry about money. I’m here, alright?” he said. I nodded against his chest.

  Then I turned to Temang, who wasn’t even looking at me. I hugged him anyway — he was my only younger brother, and I loved him dearly. He hugged me back, whispering, “Don’t eat too much there, or you’ll turn into a balloon.” I pulled away, looked him up and down, and said, “Are you looking for a fight?” He smiled and replied, “Oh, I’m so scared, aren’t I?” I lightly smacked his head and said, “Take care of Mummy and Papa.” He brushed my hand away and answered, “Of course I will. And you take care of yourself.” I nodded.

  Another announcement echoed. Papa quickly pulled out his wallet from his pants pocket and handed me four large notes, then bent to touch my feet. Mummy followed, taking out even bigger notes from her purse, and I touched her feet too. Finally, I extended my hand toward Temang and asked, “Where’s yours?” He shrugged, “I don’t have a job.” But I know he must have brought something for me. Then, from his jacket, he pulled out a bracelet. It was beautifully embellished, shining in white and light blue, and it looked truly expensive. I stared at it in shock. “Don’t tell me you bought this… wasn’t that money meant for your bat—” He cut me off, saying, “Yes, it was. But I don’t need it right now, so you can take this instead.”

  I tried to put the bracelet on, fumbling with the clasp, and when he saw me struggling, Temang leaned in to help. Once it was secure around my wrist, I placed my hand on my suitcase, turned toward the three of them, and gave a wide smile. Then I began to walk away.

  But I don’t know how — suddenly tears began to fall. I turned back to look at them, and the sight broke me completely. Temang was crying into Papa’s arm, while Papa himself wiped away his own tears. Mummy leaned against Papa’s shoulder, her face wet with grief. All three of them looked at me at once, raising their hands to wave goodbye. I lifted mine too, though my vision blurred.

  “Don’t cry, you big idiot!” Temang shouted, his voice cracking. “See? You’re crying, but so am I!” He turned his head away quickly, trying to hide it.

  I forced myself to move forward, each step heavier than the last. Soon I was seated on the plane, the hum of the engines surrounding me, carrying me farther and farther away.

  "..."

  After twenty-two long hours in the air, with the plane pausing briefly at two or three stops along the way, the journey finally drew to its end. My body felt heavy, yet my heart raced with anticipation. As the cabin doors opened and I stepped out, a cool breeze brushed against my face.

  I had arrived. The soil beneath my feet was no longer the familiar earth of home, but the distant land of New?Zealand. The air smelled different, fresher somehow, and the sky stretched wide and foreign above me. For a moment I stood still, letting the realization sink in — the journey was over, and a new chapter of my life had just begun.

  . . .