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| Sunday, 23 June 2002 |
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Short Story: The Horizon "Amma, it's true she is a Tamil; but what's wrong with that? Anupam is just another human being like us." "Putha", why can't you understand what I'm trying to say? It's true, she's a citizen of this country; but, we always treated them lower than us. They are intruders!.... What mother would like to see her son getting married to a Tamil? How can I face our relatives? Besides, you are an Army Officer who's fighting against them. This marriage will make us a laughing stock."
"No Putha, that would never happen. We have pure Sinhala blood in us. We are the true owners of this country. They always invaded our country and created trouble. They have India. We have only this little island." "My God Amma!, you talk like one of those fanatic politicians. If that is the point, I think everybody should read the "Mahavansa". Then they will realise who the so called Sinhalese kings were!...... Lineage of the kings according to the "Mahavansa" started from King Vijaya's nephew, Prince 'Panduwas' who's an Indian Prince and his wife 'Baddakachchana', who was also an Indian Princess. The real owners of this country are the 'Yakka' and 'Naga' tribes. Now everybody talks as if Tamils are the only intruders who have no right to live in this country. What about us? Aren't we intruders too. The only difference between us is that they came from the South and we from the North of the Indian sub continent. Even after twenty years of this cruel war and learning a bitter lesson, Sinhalese people haven't changed their attitude.... That is the disaster! So many kings had married South Indian Princesses. And so many of our ancestors had married Portuguese, Dutch and English. So, can we say we are pure blooded? Now we are a mixed race. If Tamils were good enough for our kings, why not us?" "I haven't learned enough to argue with you. Please keep in mind that I will never give my blessings to your marriage. It's time you decide which one of us you are going to choose." "Don't forget that Anupam saved my life." "That's a different matter. Remember how many people you saved. Our gardener Appadurai is also one of them. These things are common happenings in a war. You don't have to marry them to show your gratitude." "What you are saying is that they are only good enough to be our servants?" Sandun watched his mother retire to the kitchen without a world. He knew he had to take a decision. He knew he couldn't keep Anupam at his friend, Bhagya's house for long. His parents were dead against her staying there from the beginning. Anupam pleaded with him to take her away from there as soon as possible. Whatever happens, he would marry her tomorrow. Later, he knew everything would settle down. He had leave only for four more days. Sandun knew he had to act fast. After marriage he cannot take her back with him. It was too dangerous. The LTTE might be looking for her. What he did was very risky. But he had no other option. Anupam was a captain of the LTTE. She was one of the cadres who took part in the infamous battle of 'Alimankada'. He would be dead if not for her and her father. Up to date Sandun didn't know what made her hide him from the LTTE. After he was cured, they managed to smuggle him into an army camp, thirty miles away. Luckily, Anupam's father had his home in a government controlled area. LTTEers didn't have free access to the area. He didn't hear from Anupam for about one and a half years. But, Sandun couldn't forget her easily. Dreamed He dreamed of her every night. He remembered how she treated him day and night until he came out of danger. He wanted to go and see the old man very badly. But, he was advised not to do so by his colleagues, because if the LTTE got wind of it, it would be the end of both the father and the daughter. They reminded him of a scene in a Sinhala film where such an incident took place. He knew it was no laughing matter. When the government changed in nineteen ninety four, everybody was hopeful of lasting peace. Free movement allowed Anupam to come in search of him. She pleaded him to take her with him. She said she didn't want anything to do with the LTTE any more. Though Sandun could understand Tamil, he could't speak. His buddy, Captain Ranawaka helped him. Since both parties were on ceasefire. He was able to put leave and bring Anupam to Colombo. He was reluctant to take her to his house. Bhagya's was the only solution. Rang He rang his friend's house before going to sleep. "Bhagi, it's me machang. How's Anu?" "Oh.... don't worry. She's alright." "May I have a word with her?" "Sorry Sandun, she's gone to sleep..... If it's important, I'll call her." "No, no, it's OK..... I jsut wanted to tell her that we are going to get married tomorrow." "Congratulations machang!...... So, you got your mother's consent at last..... How lucky you are"? No, Bhagya, I'm not that lucky. Mother is dead against our marriage. But, I have nothing else to do." "But Sandun...... why don't you wait a little and see how things go? What you have taken is a drastic decision. It could affect your whole life." "I know Bhagya, I know.... But, I cannot turn my back on her. It is because of her that I'm still alive. I have to give back her life in return. In any case I can't keep her at your place any longer. Your parents won't like it. This decision is the only solution." "I wish you all the best Sandun. You really need it. But, please think again. Remember there's no turn back. "Thank you for your blessing and advice. Good night Bhagi, see you tomorrow." Bhagya put back the receiver with a sigh. He knew his friend is going to get into bit trouble. He didn't trust Anupam. She had eyes too sharp for an innocent. The following morning, Sandun came to take Anupam away. He saw his friend's family in the garden with agitated looks. He knew something has gone terribly wrong from the way Bhagya came to greet him. "What's the problem Bhagi?" Arrested "What!..... You know she has no where to go. Besides, she doesn't know anything about the city or the language except Tamil. She would surely be arrested as a suicide suspect." "You are talking about her. But I am worried about us. I suspected her from the beginning. I knew she was a frame. The LTTE always strengthen their war tactics during peace talks. What is surprising is that as an Army officer, you should know more abut them than us, normal civilians. You put us into big trouble." Bhagya's father was shaking with anger. Sandun knew he was helpless. "Nothing will happen to you uncle. I'll take care of it. But she is not the one who you think she is. Thank you so much for keeping her here". Sandun didn't know what to do. All his plans fell flat. He knew searching for her is a waste of time. There were many LTTE spies in the city. They would certainly have got hold of her by now. But, he wasn't a man to idle, and he wanted to get into the bottom of the mystery. Before going back to his base in the North, Sandun went and met one of his friends who was an SSP at the CID. He promised to let Sandun know if he finds anything. After about four months, Sandun received a letter from his friend at the CID. In it there was a photograph of a dead woman. He was sure it was Anupam. The woman in the photograph had the same features, same height and according to forensic reports, same age. Relief It was Anupam all right!.... Sandun sighed with relief as he threw the letter on his table. He didn't feel sad. Absence of her didn't make his heart grow fonder, but see sense. If he went ahead with marriage plans, he would have ended up in a bitter and dangerous situation. He knew he had acted like a teenager. He felt ashamed. Who knows whether she's really a spy. After all Bhagya's father might be right. Northing matters now. She's dead. If she really was a suicide bomber and carried out her mission successfully, then Sandun would have been in a big trouble for bringing her to Colombo. It would have cost him his job and his reputation. As anticipated, the new Government wasn't able to bring peace to the country. Sandun felt that interested parties who earned from the war disrupted the peace process. The leaders were not strong enough to face their intimidation. The war continued, sinking the country into debt and poverty. Sandun was transferred from one base to another, until a new Government was formed again in the year 2001. As usual, the peace process started with foreign mediation. This time things went a little ahead and the LTTE leader came out of hiding to assist the negotiations. Though some had different opinions, the mass wanted peace. All were tired of the war. Sandun was again transferred to Jaffna with a promotion to the rank of Brigadier. His former buddy, Captain Ranawaka, now a Lieutenant Colonel, too was transferred to the same base. They were happy to see each other alive. "Sir, how is your wife? Can she speak Sinhala now?" "I'm not sure. But, maybe her own people. There is a friend of mine in the CID." "He sent me the photographs and a copy of the forensic report." "Oh my god!" "To be frank, I think everything happened to the better. If I married her, I would have been in a bitter situation." "I always thought so. as you said Sir, what happened was for the best." Sandun wasn't too happy when he was appointed one of the Army delegations that was to meet the LTTE cadres to make arrangements for the peace talks. He didn't know how the LTTE considered Anupam's case. But, he couldn't dodge the situation. After a routine check, they were led into a room, where they had to wait till the Commander of the LTTE delegation came. When at last, after half an hour, the Commander came, Sandun was shocked beyond words. It was none other than Anupam! She did't give any inkling of knowing Sandun. With a straight face, she conducted the meeting. From the way she was regarded by her subordinates, Sandun knew she was highly respected. He applauded his stars. For the first time in his life, he experienced treachery. It also taught him never to trust a terrorist! He hoped the leaders knew that better than them. But, they had to start somewhere. People need to live without fear. He wished the LTTE too had an honest desire to end this war. But, for that, both sides should compromise without giving into 'arm-dealers', fanatic politicians and extremists. He knew the people of this country were waiting for that day. |
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"But,
we are not fighting against Tamils! We are fighting against terrorism;
just like we did in 1971 and 1988-1989 period against our own people. Just
like the JVP, they too would come to mainstream politics as a democratic
party one of these days. First we must get rid of this idea of them being
intruders."
