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| Sunday, 16 March 2003 |
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Short Story Delusion Duleeka was thrilled beyond words. Cousin Sydney has won the Elections ! "Ruwan, I'll show my relatives that they are no match for us anymore." "Why should you ? They are innocent people. Besides they have helped us lot of times." "That may be true. But, I don't like my mother's relatives. I never liked those low caste people." "But, you grew up with them !" "Yes, because I didn't have any alternative. I always thought that I would marry from a high caste or stay single. Luckily, you came across. "So, you married me because of my caste." It was not a question, but a statement which Duleeka conveniently ignored. "But to my knowledge, you don't that much like your father's relatives who are supposed to be from a good caste either." "They are too simple. What's the use of a noble caste if you don't have a high position in society?" "I don't understand you. What do you really want; a good caste or a high social position ?" "Both." was Duleeka's curt reply. Attitude Ruwan sighed involuntarily. He knew her attitude was dangerous, her aim too high. They are ordinary folk; aren't they ? They should live the way they can rather than climb the social ladder. His only goal was to educate his three boys properly. Duleeka too wanted that, but not for the same reason. She wanted her children to reach the pinnacle, so that she can boast about them. Ruwan knew her push was too much for the little boys. But, Duleeka was not a woman who listened to others. His only consolation was the bar after work. Alcohol helped him to tolerate her constant nagging. Cousin Sydney was his cousin, not hers. Besides, he doesn't even visit them except exchange brief pleasantries at weddings and funerals. He won from the party both of them hated. But, when mentioned the fact, all Duleeka said was 'blood is thicker than water'. Ruwan knew better. He never liked his cousin; in fact all of them. They were always too self important. He can't remember when he visited them last though they were his father's sister's family. But, Duleeka had gone with her parents to visit them once or twice, always coming back with new ideas for their home that's under construction. Still he had not been able to complete it due to her unnecessary interference. Ruwan Wijesundara was an area manager of a reputed company, which sold domestic gas. He had a good salary which was quite enough for his small family of five. He met Duleeka at a friend's wedding. He was the best-man, and she, a bride's maid. Duleeka was his friend's cousin. Affair They started an affair then and there. He, on his part for fun. She, on her part, because he was 'Govigama' caste and had a foreign degree. Ruwan became serious when he was told that her paternal ancestral home which was worth millions would belong to her though there was a long line of cousins. She also owned a plot of land and jewellery worth a considerable amount. They had their wedding at her grandmother's house just to show his relatives her inheritance. But, her grandmother had other ideas and it was given to her favourite grand daughter, who was comfortably married. Ruwan was flabbergasted to find out that every family from Duleeka's paternal side was expecting the house to be theirs. Now nobody visits the grandmother's house since they are all jealous of the inheritor. House Ruwan started to build a house on the plot of land belonging to Duleeka. He applied for a housing loan, which was quiet enough for their plan. But, Duleeka wanted it to be a millionaire's house adding a waterfall, an indoor garden, attached bathrooms to every room and a balcony right round the house. Ruwan could only complete quarter of the house with the loan ! The pressure was so much, Ruwan turned into an alcoholic. He knew it created more problems. But, he chose the cowardly way out, rather than face the challenges as a real man. School Then came the problem of finding a school for his eldest son. Ruwan went to one of the best government schools in the island. But, it was not an easy job to put his son. There were so many rules and regulations. Luckily, Duleeka's mom's cousin lived near the school and they changed all the relevant documents to their address. The boy got a place in the college. But Ruwan and Duleeka didn't want to accept the fact that her mother's cousin had a hand in the victory. They, said so to their face. They were astonished and hurt to hear Ruwan and Duleeka's brag that it was Ruwan's old boy status which got their son a place. False Pride With their son gaining admission to a big school, Duleeka became more swollen with pride. She completely ignored her side of the relatives. "Dulee, Sydney is the new Minister of Interior." "How nice Ruwan. Now we don't have to go behind my relatives to put our younger son to school. Sydney can easily do that. You know, uncle Sisil had gone to several of our relatives and has talked very badly of us. Let's show them that it was not their God - forsaken address that got our son the school." "Yes, I don't like the school authorities visiting that house. It's too small for our status." "It doesn't even have a proper road. This time, I'm putting our own address. Loku Putha is also there; so, we wouldn't have a problem." Interview Ruwan and Duleeka were over the moon. They had a very successful interview. They didn't forget to mention the fact that the new interior Minister was Ruwan's first cousin. The Interview Board looked impressed and pleased. They never thought that the mention of a Minister's name would make such a difference. But, it had made a big impact on the Board of governors. At last now they can sleep! "How can they reject a Minister's close relative?" Ruwan's father boasted. "Now Uncle Sisil will know that we got admission to school not because of his wretched address. He has vowed to Amma that he would not help anybody hereafter." "Just forget those foolish people. Now we have nothing to worry". Tolerable Duleeka was tolerable after that. Ruwan came home sober. One evening, after about two months, Duleeka saw Ruwan coming home, almost on his four legs. She couldn't believe her eyes. She went and assisted him to get into the house. "Ruwan what's wrong with you? You are disgracing Sydney. Everybody knows that he's your first cousin. Is this the way a minister's cousin behaves? It's disgraceful!" Duleeka hissed unable to control her anger. Nagging "Stop nagging you woman. Let me sleep!" Ruwan shouted. Duleeka was taken aback. He had never shouted at her before. What happened to her submissive husband? Something must have gone very wrong. But, it was not the time to ask him. She was impatient till the following morning. She would take her revenge for his shouting at her then. Ruwan was always like a mouse when he was sober. She didn't have to ask him. He said what happened. She was shocked to hear the news. "How could it be? They were thrilled to hear that Sydney was our relative. Why don't you give a call to Sydney?" Interfere "I called him. He said he can't do anything. They are under an oath to the party leader, not to interfere in that sort of business". "What! Give a call to your father. He canvassed and worked hard for Sydney's victory. He won't say no to him". As Duleeka suggested, he gave a call and his father promised to help. Both felt relieved after that. As Ruwan sat in his favourite chair sipping a cup of tea, his thoughts went back to the previous day's happenings. It was a friend of his who gave him the news, that the names of the new admissions were displayed on the College notice board. Dumbfounded Without even phoning Duleeka, he went straight to his old school. He had no doubt of his son's selection. He was dumbfounded when he couldn't find his son's name on the list. But, it was true! When he inquired from the office, he found out that his son had got five marks less than the required score. The rest was history. Duleeka and Ruwan were like two lunatics, running here and there to find their son a school. They were so sure of admission, that they didn't apply to any other school. It was too late to apply to another, too. When Ruwan's father too couldn't help them, Duleeka went insane. She started to scold Ruwan and his relatives. She forbade her parents-in-law, even to visit them, but made sure to spread the fact that her second son too got admission to his father's school like the elder brother. But, most of the people knew otherwise. "You know Duleeka, you kicked the ladder at the wrong position. Every fool knows that he'd fall, if he put the boot in, while climbing to the top. You should have waited till you were safely down. Haven't you heard that, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?" Duleeka started to wail after hearing Uncle Sisil's words over the phone. Inoka Makalanda |
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