She got hold of the photograph of Wicky. The past..... the sweet past
reminisced in a never ending repertoire. She was resting her face on
both hands, body lying prone, picture of Wicky just in front on the
pillow. She remembered how he ran along the vast stretching paddyfield;
without any purpose, just she was there admiring the feat, until the
time came for her to bathe.
He was a small courageous boy. Wickrema, though she called him Wicky,
was the only son of his parents. He attended the same school as she. It
was many many years ago in the fading memory of the past.
 “Manie”...., her mother entered the room.” “Don’t you have tea?” She
covered the photograph with the clothe and sat up, staring at her
mother. “Yes Amma!”. She staggered out of the room, after the mother,
like a rag.... trailing behind. Her world shattered for a brief moment.
She came back to the real world.
It was only six months since she married Wicky. His mother was very
kind to her. She was her only solace, although she was in declining part
of her life.Manie could imagine the thudding sound of fire, the rev of
the bustling aircraft, the vast black misty avalanche of smoke, burning
trees, the hustle of the battlefield, in the midst a small figure, Wicky,
with a weapon in hand. But with a mounting surge of courage. “Blessing
of all the Gods be with him.... Safeguard him”. She murmured. It was
evening.
The bright red sun was sending streaks of light through the branches.
Within a short period it would disappear, leaving no trace. The
night...... the dark night with the frightening tongue of cold, with a
shriek of foxes, will devour all. She knew that Wicky could not give a
call to her mobile phone, the little smart gadget which is new to her.
She looked at the small thing, no sign of “missed calls”.
The day would be gone without any news from Wicky.The mother knew
that Wicky was in a dangerous place, but with friends. She remembered
how happy Wicky was. When he came home. He went to see his friends. He
got the pushbike and flung away like a bird. Came back for dinner.
Manie was happy. Manie was how he called her, though her name was “Manike”.
Manie knew nothing about the battlefield, except what Wicky had told
her. But she knew there was danger. He could not stay, as he wanted to.
He had an aim, for which he would sacrifice even his life. Manie could
not imagine how. But she knew how people suffer, how they manage to
live. She had seen them in the TV. Yes..... a black and white television
set and florescent lamps are all she had. No mains power..... No
electric wires, poles. It is the God of Sun, who gave power to run them
all. With Wicky’s savings, he had bought the solar panel, which lit her
life to a certain extent. Her parents never had electricity. She had
seen tall electric towers in the town. But the town is far away from her
home.
If Wicky faced a danger..... a sudden thought flashed in her mind.
“No.... that shouldn’t happen. I shouldn’t think about it. It is
frightening! Her mobile phone was vibrating with a dubious shriek! She
got hold of it, with trembling fingers. She beamed into it, at last a
call from Wicky. “Manie.... we’ll be able to come home soon. Some of my
friends are missing....” But you...... She thought.....” We’ll finish
the thing very soon!....” She noticed a trace of delight in his voice.
But who knows! What will happen in the coming days, she thought.
Her mother and she would prepare the meals. Only twosome to
participate. Her mother and herself. When Wicky is with her, her heart
would bustle with joy. She feels the fullness in her bosom.
 The whole house is full of hope. That moment will come soon.... She
thought. She remembered his last visit, when she was pampered with his
loving gestures, and, most of all the great refreshing feeling and the
hope of the future, with a newcomer among them! Yes, a third one, to
liven up the joy of life, to liven up the memory of hers for ages. To
share the love, warmth. A glimpse of hope kindles in her. She feels
refreshed. She grabs the pillow. She twirls, and floats to the far away
territory light as a fleck of cotton.
A sudden burst of crackers rang through the cold misty air, over the
moonlight paddyfield. She came out.... and listened.... A second
explosion of crackers. She couldn’t believe that something new has
happened.
Then, a continuous surge of bursts.... like a wave. She ran into the
room, and switched on the TV.
They have completed their mission.... successfully..... They have
achieved what they longed for.... What all longed for.
The mother was beaming into the darkness with cariosity. Manie said,
“Amma, I think Wicky will come home soon....” The mother looked at her
“Is that so....?”. “Yes, Amma”. She told her “He will come.” With
another tiny dot of life.... With new hope.... With a newcomer.... Soon.
She muttered to herself.... looking at the bright dots of lighting
sparks.... Over the paddyfield.
Amarasinghe - P. Fonseka |
