She is Sarala, the beautiful daughter of Bisomenika who lived in the little hamlet of `Katuroda’. Biso, a poor woman who toiled day and night to keep the home fires burning, her husband died six years ago as a result of an explosion in a quarry. This poor woman was not paid any compensation, but only the funeral expenses.

The daughter was quite small then. Biso left the village after her husband’s death and now lives in another village with her little daughter as she was not happy living at Katuroda.

She was given a little house by a wealthy land owner, Ratemahattaya and his wife Kumarihamy, as she didn’t have any place to live. They are generous people.

Since Biso had no income, she toiled hard to bring up the little girl by working in well-to-do houses in the village without grumbling or envying the fortunates, “what we are today is because we have sinned in our past births that is why we are like this today. I envy nobody”, she said.

She is a humble woman, whatever she got, she brought for her little daughter Sarala. Sarala studied in a village school. She is beautiful. One would wonder how beautiful she could be when she grows up.

Her mother had been a beautiful woman in her young days. Little Sarala become prettier day by day and she was a bright student in the village school. She had dreams of going to the city school, but poverty stood her way. They had a milking cow.

Biso got up early in the morning and milked the cow. Little Sarala took the milk to the village boutique and with the little money she got she brought provisions for the house.

Sarala was becoming prettier and she never knew how beautiful she was. She was admired by some, but others did not want to comment. She looked prettier than the girls of rich families.

Tikirihamu of Rideedola Waluwwa was the owner of many properties. He was the only child of Ratemahattaya and Kumarihamy. It is in their property, that Sarala and her mother lived. They always helped the poor.

They were willing to educate Sarala and see to her future. When Tikiri got to know this a strange feeling aroused in him. When Tikiri saw Sarala after some time, he said, “You have become prettier, you were a small girl just yesterday” to which Kumarihamy said, “she is not small any more”, and Sarala gave a shy look.

Tikiri looked at her and admired her secretly. But Sarala never knew that she was being admired. She was too small to know what love was. She was happy as there was happiness everywhere.

It was Sarala’s daily routine to take the milk to the boutique, and to take the cow `Raththi’ to the meadow before going to school, and after returning from school she had her lunch whatever her mother has prepared, then bring back the cow from the meadow.

It was a rainy day, darkness and gloom was spreading, but Sarala had to fetch the cow home, if not they would not have money to buy their provisions for the next day. Thinking all these she went along the path.

The hidden thoughts to see Tikiri was in her mind. The thought itself made her happy. Usually Tikiri stands near the window and gives her a smile, the smile that Sarala looks forward to, but today, he was not there. She was worried in fact she had come inspite of her mother’s warnings. She wanted to go home before it was dark.

Dark clouds were gathering in the distant skies, hurriedly, she went thinking to come back soon bringing the cow. All sorts of things started circling her mind, the mother, the home, the sweet thoughts of Tikiri, which she secretly kept in her mind suppressed, while thinking of all these she came to the middle of the stream. Before she could get to the other side water came pushing her way which she never expected.

She shouted for help, but all in vain no one heard her cries. She was washed away by the angry waters and she breathed her last.

The villagers hearing Biso’s cries came to help her and started combing the river. Tikiri too came with his men, and started searching, but all in vain. They found the body of the girl, with her angelic face up right with her hair floating in the water.

Tikiri was repenting for not being able to show his love to her whom he admired secretly, there would have been reasons for it. Her body was brought to her humble home laid in a coffin.

She was as sweet as a rose brought from the paradise. She was laid to rest in the humble way. No satin lined coffins, no orations. Tikiri wiped a tear from his eye. He wept in his heart. The past - the beautiful past was haunting his mind. But for poor Biso, for whom will she live? But she has to live.

Patricia Mangalika Yahampath

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