FICTION: Befriending a barber
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A barber, not a Nepali citizen, is uninterested in an election and closes his shop.
- A friend, Pun Dai, arrives unexpectedly and asks to close the shop, leading to a conversation inside.
- Pun Dai brought scissors, and the barber questions his purpose after they discuss movies and Pun Dai admits he did not vote.
This fictional piece from The Kathmandu Post explores a quiet, intimate moment between two individuals, touching upon themes of friendship and perhaps unspoken anxieties. The narrative centers on a barber, seemingly detached from the national election due to his citizenship status, and his friend Pun Dai.
The shop is closed today.
Despite the external political backdrop, the story focuses on the personal interaction. Pun Dai's unexpected arrival and his bringing of scissors create a subtle tension, hinting at an underlying purpose that remains ambiguous. The dialogue, though seemingly mundane, touches upon the barber's disinterest in the election and Pun Dai's own admission of not voting.
It’s me. I’m Pun, your friend.
The piece captures a slice of life, highlighting the personal over the political. The setting, a small, dimly lit barber shop, enhances the sense of intimacy and introspection. The narrative invites readers to ponder the unspoken dynamics between the characters and the significance of Pun Dai's actions.
Oh, I’m sorry. You should have simply called on my phone. Now I feel ashamed for not recognising your voice.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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