Shortstory - Grey hair

The door bell rang. Nisha ran to the door with no feeling at all. A cold wind came in through the doorway. It chased away the comfort she was enjoying at that moment. Her neighbour, Mrs. Mannakkara was waiting at the door.

She had a bombastic smile on her lips to which Nisha couldn't respond with the same eagerness. It was quite obvious to Nisha that her smile was acquired for the time being only. Nisha felt that Mrs. Mannakkara was exuding a certain kind of aura which made the atmosphere intolerably hot. Her wealth was glowing all over her physique.

Her face had streaks of ageing which were not fully concealed by the make-up she was wearing. The wrinkles on her face smiled with Nisha through several layers of make-up. But she was totally unaware of the fact and seemed quite satisfied with her appearance.

"Hi! Nisha, you've gone down a lot during the days I didn't get to see you. Were you ill or something?"

Nisha was forced to heave an involuntary sigh hearing this remark. At the same time, she couldn't control the laughter which jumped out of her mouth instantly. It marked the beginning of the usual harangue that she had number of times.

Mrs. Mannakkara was so concerned about Nisha's plight. But her face had no signs of worry though she sounded so worried.

Appearance

It's pity that people become so worried especially over other people's appearance. Making negative remarks about one's appearance and health seems in the blood of people. But hardly any positive comments could be expected from them. Nisha thought about all these to herself.

She had recourse to her usual answer which was so hackneyed. "I'm studying a lot these days. I hardly have any time to concentrate on my meals."

"A perfect match for our Samadhi. He is also least bothered about his health and attire when he starts reading. Books became the only source of solace for him when he was here Nisha, can you remember him in a baggy shirt and a crumpled pair of trousers".

Mrs. Mannakkara asked. Why couldn't Nisha remember the image she cherished all her life. Samadhi's image was so engraved in her mind.

The mention of Samadhi's name became a shock to Nisha. She saw Mrs. Mannakkara's eyes glistening in motherly love at the mention of his name. The very name Nisha strived to forget all her life. A pang ran through Nisha's whole body. It was quite ironic to hear from his mother that Nisha is the perfect match for Samadhi.

"Poor child! It's almost six years since he left me. Now he might be lavishly enjoying the freedom he needed to enjoy. How could I let him be on his own as he requested. After all I'm his mother. He rang up several times.

In any of these occasions he didn't sound happy. The same serious tone he used to have is still there with him." Tears were trickling down her face. Motherly love is such.

Nisha came into a conclusion.

Contraries

Mrs. Mannakkara's family was a combination of contraries. How wonderful is the creation of the world? Variety is everywhere. You find people worlds apart within the same family.

Where we mostly expect uniformity, variety becomes obvious It is this variety which makes the world necessarily beautiful. While Nisha was strolling in a reverie, Mrs. Mannakkara disturbed her again. Nisha looked at her reluctantly. This time she looked pale as if in fear.

"Oh dear, didn't you see this grey hair, I suppose this is the first grey hair of yours, It's high time you got married. I was a mother of two when I was in your age." She was staring at Nisha's head. She tried to avoid her penetrating glance.

"Things which are due should occur at the right moment of your life, my dear." Nisha couldn't stop her laughter. Then why doesn't Mrs. Mannakkara let things occur at the right time?

Ageing process

Ageing is a process destined to occur. Nobody is going to be eternally young. So why does she strive to reverse the process. Make-up, accessories: aren't they used as a facade to conceal the signs of ageing. Nisha's conscience forced her to direct a series of questions to her neighbour. But she suppressed them intentionally.

Anyway what Mrs. Mannakkara told Nisha was news to her. She never knew that she had a grey hair. The concern outsiders have towards others is marvellous. Sprouting of grey hair is natural.

It's true that it causes worry in anybody. It is necessarily a sign of ageing. But it didn't cause Nisha any sadness. Instead, it supplied her with a reason to reconsider life.

Nisha walked into her room and sat on the bed. She took the mirror and had a glance at the reflection of her face. A crack in the mirror divided her reflection into two. Still it permitted her to have a careful look at the grey hair. It was quite outstanding among the other pitch black hair.

Nisha touched the strand with utmost care. So fragile and thin yet so powerful in making others frightened or perhaps worried. Life is wonderful. She thought to herself.

A string of questions arose in her mind. Do I have to join in the band wagon just because the others ask me to do so? Am I not the master of my own life? Why should other people decide things for me? Nisha repeatedly asked these questions from herself. But unfortunately, her efforts to find answers became really fruitless.

Love

"Love is inexplicably expensive. At times you have pay with your life for love. What I know about love is that it could only be felt for a different person only." Samadhi's words reverberated in Nisha's ears. The cherished memories of Samadhi flooded into her mind.

Nisha knew Samadhi for a long time as her neighbour. But the occasions that they had to associate closely were quite a few. Once they attended a party together. It was there he uttered these words.

Nisha was impressed. At the very moment she decided that he was the perfect match for her. But things don't happen in the way you expect them to happen. Samadhi left to England without even being aware of Nisha's love for him. He met her once before leaving the country.

"It's not worth being in this country if I can't take decisions for myself. It's difficult to change the system also. I can't go against my parents.

This seems the only option for me Nisha. I'll only return to Sri Lanka, if a day dawns in which you're free to take your own decisions."

Tears

Nisha could still remember how tears glistened in his eyes at the mention of these words. She embraced him at that moment. "Together, forever in my heart." Nisha uttered to herself while embracing him.

Memories in retrospect turned into big tears and they ran down her cheeks. Once again Nisha touched the very first grey hair so gently. She loved it so much. She felt proud of herself for being able to go to an extreme that most people would not even attempt to.

She wanted to shout out his name. But how could she reveal that her first grey hair is just a simple sign of commitment in the name of an unrequited love to which she is prepared to devote her whole life.

Indu Gamage. ELTU, University of Ruhuna.