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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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The love letter by Aryadasa Ratnasinghe
Her enchanting eyes, blue as the fairy flax and her face like the dawn of the day, would entrap anyone. She was proud of her beauty, and rarely associated with other girls in the neighbourhood, except with Rasika, who was her classmate. Rasika's father was a school Principal and was a hard taskmaster. He was serious, rarely laughed but loved Rasika intensely. With his transfer to a school at Hanwella, the family had to go there, leaving Niluka behind. This seperation caused great pain of mind to both. One evening, Rasika came to meet Niluka, to tell her that she would be going to Hanwella with her parents for the weekend. As Rasika entered the house, Niluka spoke to her in a sad tone. "Now that you are leaving me, I'm left alone without a companion. "Niluka you must write to me, so that we can maintain the friendship, "I'll never forget you, Niluka. Whenever you need my help, write to me, okay?" After a brief conversation, Rasika took leave of Niluka, and went away. A week later, Niluka received a letter from Rasika, inviting her to come to Hanwella, and join her to go to Kataragama, as her father had arranged a trip to fulfil a vow. She wrote "Hanwella is a nice little town and the school is by the Kelani river. Our quarters are near the Rest House. When you get an opportunity to come to Hanwella, please come, to enjoy urban life in a rural setting." After reading the letter, Niluka paused for awhile, and doubted whether her parents would allow her to go to Kataragama, because she had never been out of home alone. However, she did not divulge the matter to her mother Susila before taking a decision to go or not. Night That night Niluka did not have a sound sleep. She rolled on her bed, turning to the left, and then to the right, until sleep came to her. She looked up at the ceiling and saw through an opening in the roof, the crescent moon gliding over the sky, through overhanging clouds. It was a silent night, but was intermittently disturbed by the cry of an owl, perched on a tree nearby. With eyes wide open, she began to think over the invitation. In the morning, as the sun's rays beamed into Niluka's bedroom Niluka got up, wiped her eyes like a sleepy child, jumped from bed, and went to the kitchen, where her mother was busy preparing breakfast. "Amma! I got a letter from Rasika, inviting me to come over there next weekend to go to Kataragama. Shall I go amma? Her father will come and pick me up". "What nonsence. It's not proper for you to go alone. You are now a grown child, you understand what I mean. Your father will never agree to send you in the company of outsiders" said Susila showing her antagonism with the intent to discouraging her. "Why are you so wicked, amma? How can I tell Rasika that I can't join. her? What will she think of me, and of you, if I tell her that you are against my request?" asked Niluka. Silent "You keep silent. Don't write to her. The matter will end there. If you desire, ask her to come here,to spend a few days" said Susila seriously. One day, Rasika met Niluka at a wedding. They were surprised to see each other after a long time. As soon as Niluka called Rasika, she went running to her, and said "happy to see you Rasika. You have grown a little fatter. So how's life with you"? "Nothing special other than that I'm now employed in a commercial bank as a trainee accountant" said Rasika. "Since when"? "Three months ago". "Any other news, Rasika?" "I'm engaged to a boy from Nugegoda. He's also working at the same Bank with me. He's an Assistant Manager. Do you like to see him? Then come to the bank and I shall introduce you to him as my best pal. He's a very simple man, a teetotaller and a true Buddhist. His older brother is a Buddhist priest and his younger sister is a doctor attached to Karapitiya hospital in Galle. A decent family," said Rasika proudly. Having heard the story from Rasika, Niluka too thought of having a boy friend. She thought the best way was to get employed, so that she could move with men and select one. As she was pretty, she thought she could find one in the not too distant future. So, she told her father to find a job for her, preferably at a bank, where there are a lot of facilities and fringe benefits. "Niluka! I have discussed about your matter with one of my political friends. I think it will be a success," said Niluka's father. Meanwhile, a youngman travelling in the same bus with her, was able to win her heart. They befriended each other and occasionally met. When her father became aware of this, he dropped the other matter. The young man was Deepthi, a businessman owning a grocery shop. He was rich but preferred to travel by bus to entice women. It was his hobby. So, most women who travelled with him knew who he was. He was an expert at writing love letters and knew how to win the confidence of unsuspecting young women. Love Letters One day, Deepthi wrote two love letters, one to Niluka and the other to Renuka, but accidently, he had mixed up the names and put them into wrong envelopes. When Niluka received Deepthi's letter, she was surprised to read the contents. It was worded thus: To my sweet-loving Renuka. I love you wholeheartedly and you are the only one to whom my heart is open. My sweety! What a pleasure it is to be with you. The last time we met at Royal Guest House, and how we enjoyed the day is still fresh in my mind. I'm looking forward to another day; you must listen to me and not annoy me, okay?" Niluka now knew that Deepthi was a rolling stone. In the meantime, Renuka, was in a mess, unable to understand Deepthi, who always spoke of true love. Now the cat had jumped out of the bag, and Deepthi was unable to decide how to console Niluka and Renuka. As he knew nothing about the incident, Deepthi came to see Niluka, as usual, but he did not receive a favourable response. Guilty "Deepthi, you are guilty of trying to kill two birds with one stone. The result is that you will never succeed, because both birds will fly away. Be honest in your dealings, and do not put innocent women in difficulty. You are like a sepulchre. You must be ashamed of your conduct. I have nothing to tell you any more" said Niluka in an angry tone. Two weeks after this incident, Niluka met Rasika at the Kelaniya temple. She told everything to Rasika and how she scolded Deepthi for his deception. "Niluka! You have picked up the man from the gutters. I told you once that you should observe carefully when selecting a lover. You met him in the bus, and because he was handy, you fell in love with him, not knowing his background. The man I married is a good husband, and from what I feel, he has no involvement with other women. We are both happy and contented with nothing to worry about," said Rasika proudly. Well-mannered "My father having come to know that Deepthi was an unsuitable person said, "Duve! Now let us forget the past. I have a good chap who is well-mannered. Do you like to marry him, if the proposal is in order?" said Niluka. "Who is he, thathi?" "He is the son of Sextus Perera, an engineer working in a Public Department. The boy's name is Dinuka and he is a pharmacist. A good fellow. If you like, I'll speak to Sextus, because he told me to find a good girl for his son. It bore results and Niluka married Dinuka and lead a peaceful life. |
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Niluka was in her early twenties. She was pretty and attractive and was
the cynosure of every youngman, who saw her.
