The roar of the crowd

As Anil and Bikram entered Thamel, a rumour spread like wildfire: thieves were among them, stealing from the festival-goers.

On New Year’s Eve, revered figures, across one sweep of the eye—the evening tumult—were surrounded by the local commotion of Anil and a Bikram. Still, the duo were instead in an altogether different realm. The time, as it seemed, was coming. The drums were being banged, and momos and incense smelled around.