8. The Spice Of Life

How I spot a liar?

If someone tells me, s/he has never had Chatpatey or Panipuri in the streets then that's how I know there are high chances the person is lying to me because no matter how old you are and how unhealthy you think it is you must have at least once had Chatpatey or Panipuri from the street vendors.

I was introduced to this world of spice since very early age. There used to be the time when I and my friend used to have Chatpatey every single day while returning back home from school. I don't remember the year exactly but this was the time when we used to get Rs.10 worth of Chatpatey so much that it used to be difficult for both of us to finish it.

I started experimenting with the spice and was introduced to Panipuri a little later after Chatpatey. The cost was much lower than what it is now for the Panipuri as well, we used to get 10 pieces of Panipuris for Rs. 10 and sometimes more if we bargained for it.

But my favorite among the all the spices of the streets would have to be Papadi Chat. There are a lot of people who I know have never ate it and trust me when I say, you are missing out on one of the best street food. Try it, your taste buds will thank you for it.

Over the period of years, a lot of things have changed but my carving for these street spice remains the same. Sure, I am more concerned now than when I was a child when it comes to eating unhealthy food but once in a while, I give in to the carving. There are times when I leave everything I am doing and rush out of the house just to add some spice into my life.

I am very choosy about who makes my Chatpatey, Panipuri and especially Papadi Chat. I have been regular customer of two street vendors at New Baneshwor for over ten years and I don't think it will change anytime soon. I don't know anyone who knows how I like my spice better than those two.

And there are always perks of being the regular customer:

- You get to instruct them on how you like your spice

- You are always welcomed with the smile

- You get more compared to others in the same price

Most importantly while others don't get packing facility even when they ask for it, the first question I am always asked is "Khanney ki lanney?"

(Note: For those who haven't been lying about not having the street spices:
What are you waiting for? Go add some spice in your life.)

7. The Tikapur, Kailali Incident

This isn't the first time I have heard about people dying in Nepal. I grew up learning the news about people dying in one place or another from different sources; television, radio, my parents, strangers in the coffee shop. I grew up during the 10 years long civil war period in Nepal. There used to be thousands of headlines that were differently worded everyday; however, the meaning remained the same.

Back then I was just a child and I couldn't just contemplate what dying meant. It was just another headline for me, just another topic that old men would converse about in the coffee shop next day or in the family gatherings.

Over the period of time more of them have died but their deaths have been more meaningful to me with each passing day.

I learnt about the Tikapur incident via internet today. First post I learnt read, four police officers dying. It wasn't able to catch my attention just yet because sadly, I hear that kind of news every other day. I silently prayed for their soul to rest in peace and went on to do whatever I was doing. The next time I logged into the Facebook after few hours, there was a follow up to the same news, 21 dead and still counting.

I knew something was wrong, first thought that came to my mind was a year ago incident of Pakistan when the kids had been killed by the terrorists in the school. I don't know why but my unconscious related the two stories. I scrolled down my news feed instead of clicking on the link. I was too afraid. My news feed was filled with the posts of people showing their disgust towards the murders and government, shameful that they had to call themselves the part of this country.

A part of me felt the same because had this been 10 years ago, I could've avoided the news. I would have been too small. But now, I have not only grown up but have become older and wiser. I have learnt a lot about the world. I know what it's like to live. I know what it's like to lose something close to your heart, I know what it's like to have near death experience and I know what a family of the deceased go through.

As I kept scrolling I learnt about the death of two years old little child. The child should have been more clueless than I was, 10 years ago.

I texted a friend who lives there to make sure that her family was okay. And right now, I am overwhelmed with whatever I have learnt in past few hours. I sit in front my computer and let my fingers move in sync with my mind which is occupied with every one who died today. I can't help but think about their family, their aspirations, what they might have planned for tomorrow.

I don't know what the reason for their death was. I don't know why a little child was a part of this. I don't know what their demands are and whether or not they should be met.  All I know is no one should have died. All I know is no one should have killed anyone so brutality. All I know is this has to stop.