My happiness
Ngultrum 1850 I dug deep into my pockets again and again, checking every possible hiding place in my wallet. I counted and recounted the cash in my hands. Nu. 1850 was all I had left—the remaining balance from my very first salary at my new job. Just a month earlier, I had been thrilled to finally secure employment. Now, barely weeks later, I was worrying about what I would tell my parents. The moment an American tourist tested positive for COVID-19, the government announced the immediate closure of Bhutan’s borders. Panic buying erupted across the country. Shelves were being emptied, and people rushed to stock up on essentials. My parents had reminded me several times to buy enough food and supplies to last for months. But how could I tell them that I had only Nu. 1850? More than half of my salary had already gone toward rent and utility bills. With most of what remained, I bought utensils, a mattress, and a warm quilt for my parents because I had brought them to live with me in Thimp...