She was 17. Her name was Laxmi. She was working as a maid at my neighbor’s house. I first met her when my neighbor had brought her for tuitions as she had failed in her SLC. They wanted me to guide her for her supplement exams. At first, I was reluctant to tutor her as she had studied in village, that also in Nepali medium. I thought I would not be able to teach her like I was taught in Kathmandu. But it was her persistence that forced me to give it a go.

The story started when I was in class four. It was the day of distribution of our first math test results of the year. We were anxiously waiting for the report.

The husband started a small business for her wife so that she did not have to restrict herself only in household chores. The wife, a mother of three was bound to restrict herself at home to look after her mentally handicapped daughter. The husband had learnt the skills of making candles at the age of 11 to support his education. Many years later, he passed down the skills and craft to his wife.