The Black Australian

Chapter 9 - (Part II)

Rajini

by Sunil GOVINNAGE

(Continued from last week)

After saying goodbye to Jayadeva and Malini, they walked quietly to Siri's car. Rajini looked at his red Mazda and remarked: This is a real beauty! I always wanted to have a car like this. I like fast cars, but I've a company car. It is nothing like this!

The weather was calm and the early morning breeze added pleasantness to the atmosphere. Siri drove his car along Wanneroo Road and turned onto the freeway. Due to an accident, there was a long line of cars moving slowly in the opposite direction. Outside, the wind was blowing gently as the car moved swiftly on the road. Siri could smell Rajini's perfume circulating in his car. He inhaled deeply, feeling like a critically ill patient breathing oxygen to survive.

At the hotel, Rajini asked, "Would you please call me tomorrow after five o'clock? I'll be back in my room by then. My room number is 1214. Please give me a ring. This is my card with my mobile number. Thank you for the company, and for the lift. Cheerio!"

She waved and disappeared inside.

"Yes, I'll call you. Good night, no, good morning! Have a great day tomorrow!" Siri stammered.

Siri drove quietly along Riverside Drive, enjoying the serenity around the Swan River. He sniffed to find out if Rajini's brand of scent still lingering in his car. A huge wave of happiness washed over him. He started whistling a tune from the dance floor.

Just before leaving the office, Siri called Rajini.

"Hi, I was expecting a call from you and staying here watching TV in my room alone! What are your plans for the evening", Rajini enquired eagerly.

"What plans do I have? I'm as free as a bird! What else can an old bachelor do? Shall I come over and pick you up around six? Have you been to Fremantle? Maybe we could go there for a meal."

"That would be terrific. Thank you."

Siri drove to Fremantle where they had dinner at a local seafood restaurant. As it was revealed, Rajini Thambirajah had her primary education at St. Bridget's College, Colombo and moved to Melbourne with her parents when she was just nine years old. After nearly twenty years, she had become a real Aussie but with some distant roots in Sri Lanka. Siri admired her sophisticated manners. She enjoyed western cuisines and her hobby was snorkelling. She was a non-practising Anglican, despite having parents who were actively involved in church activities.

She also spoke of her relatives in Jaffna, who lived under a regime of fear in areas controlled by the Sinhalese Army in northern Sri Lanka.

Rajini was scheduled to return to Melbourne that weekend. Until then, they spent most of their time together, driving around, dining and talking as if they had known each other for years. On Friday, while driving down Mounts Bay Road, Siri wanted Rajini to have a good glimpse of the Swan River and he stopped the car near the Old Swan Brewery. After staying there for a few minutes, Siri asked Rajini whether she would like to have a drink at his place nearby.

"Well, are you planning to seduce me or make love to me at your home?" Rajini asked innocently. She saw him blushing. Rajini leaned over and kissed his cheek as he started the engine.

After regaining his senses Siri said, "Well, we can sit on my balcony and see the sun set over the Swan River, or go elsewhere. Maybe we can dine at a Greek Restaurant in Nedlands."

"I was joking! I really don't mind if you make love to me, though!", Rajini giggled innocently.

When they stepped into Siri's place, Rajini exclaimed: "Wow! Your unit is beautiful and you have a great view from here! This reminds me of a unit a friend of mine had in South Yarra."

"There's a better view of the river and the city from my study."

"What about your bedroom?"

"It faces King's Park, the biggest green patch in my city. I like that because it reminds me of waking up in the tropics, except during autumn."

"Let's see your study, before we cuddle up in your bedroom," Rajini said coquettishly.

Siri avoided Rajini's eyes as he directed her to his study.

"This is the only investment I have in Australia," he said proudly. "But the place is very lonely. You only feel it when you come home at night without knowing what to do," he sighed.

"Oh, look at your Sri Lankan flag with its huge lion. I can't believe you wasted an entire wall for a flag!"

"Well, that's my Sri Lankan flag! You should have one as well."

"We have two flags at my parent's place; an Australian flag and a Tamil Ealam flag in Dad's study," Rajini replied innocently.

"My God, who said you feel lonely here? Look at your place! I'd love to own a place like this, or share it with someone who's already got one!" She exclaimed as they walked into Siri's bedroom. Rajini winked at him suggestively. Siri smelt her strong perfume as she approached him with her arms outstretched out to grab him.

When the morning arrived unexpectedly, Siri drove her to the hotel and then accompanied her to the airport.

"Well, I'm going back to my place and its lonely there too. You must visit me in Melbourne. I'm not sure when I'll be in Perth again. Please do keep in touch. You're a very kind person," Rajini said before boarding the plane. Later he replayed her last words repeatedly in his mind, savouring each word like exquisite fruits served at the end of an expensive meal.

As the plane disappeared into the sky, Siri pictured the faint clouds as a huge wave coming to wash over him.

Six weeks later, Siri visited Rajini in Melbourne. The next month she stayed three days in Perth. During these short visits, they both felt that their friendship had grown beyond mere physical intimacy. Siri felt that it was the right time to discuss their future. He was direct and to the point. "Raji, would you please marry me? Will you come and live here or do you want me to come and live with you in Melbourne? I can easily find a job there. My boss is planning to move over there at the end of the year. He could arrange a good job for me."

"Oh no, I like Perth! I hate living in Melbourne. Anyway, I don't think that my parents would approve me living with you in Melbourne! My parents still have strong connections with the Tamil community and they'll not like me living with you there. I'll apply for a "one year no pay" leave. I'll come over here and stay with you!"

"You didn't answer my question! Would you please marry me, Rajini"

"Don't be silly! Are you serious?" Rajini saw the look on his face. Siri was like a lost child on a busy street.

"Do you really want to marry me? I can't be a traditional Sri Lankan housewife! You don't know me yet, I'm a very demanding person. Sometimes I could be very stubborn! Let's live together and see how things develop before we make any further commitments. That's the way to go!"

"It's not done, Raji! I feel very bad about it. I don't think that I could do it that way. It's not part of my culture!"

"What culture are you talking about?" laughed Rajini. "Do you mean the sword carried lion in your Sri Lankan flag? It's a sharp one!" She giggled and continued: "Where shall we go for our honeymoon?"

"Here in Perth."

"This is where we'll be living, Mister! I mean, where are we going for our honeymoon?"

"We must get married first! I don't mind going to a tropical place. Maybe Queensland. Have you been to Cairns?"

"No, but we must go overseas!"

"Let's go to Rottnest! That's overseas for many West Australians! You can go for your snorkelling leaving me on the shore!"

"You don't know what you are missing out under the water! You must take a diving course!"

"I'm scared of water. My elder brother drowned in a lake when he was just twelve years old. I was only ten then, but I remember everything. After that, all flowing waters were out of bounds for me. In fact, I didn't learn to swim until I was seventeen."

But Rajini was not bothered about Siri's past.

"Let's go to an ocean paradise! I'll make the arrangements. Where would you like to go? Seychelles? Mauritius?"

"I dunno!" he said smiling and sniffing her perfume. He put his hand on her thigh and pushed back her dress. "You do as you like. Maybe Mauritius! I've some interest there. I always wanted to visit Mauritius."

Rajini thought Siri was joking and allowed him to get the best of her temporarily.

The evening before the wedding, they went to the airport to meet Rajini's friend Melanie, who flew in from Melbourne. She was to be Rajini's bridesmaid. They dined in the city and returned to Siri's place for the night.

Although, it was not raining outside, the city looked gloomy and the weather was cold. The wind was coming from all directions like sharp arrows.

Siri was worried whether the wedding photos could be taken at three o'clock, at the university gardens, with murky weather lingering like a sore throat.

They managed to take the photographs just before the heavens opened up. The remaining hours of day looked gloomy and everyone present were keen to find appropriate shelters.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a simple function at the Matilda Bay Restaurant situated on the south foreshore. Only a few people attended the reception, and there was no one from the Sri Lankan community.

The only Sri Lankan couple they have associated, Jayadeva and Malini had gone overseas for a holiday. Daryl and wife, Frank and his partner, and a few friends from the company and some old mates from the university attended the wedding function.

The next day they flew to the Mauritius. Rajini organised the trip on impulse, and the decision suited Siri as he was interested in a historical link between Sri Lanka and the Mauritius although he did not explain this to his wife.

Two days before the wedding, Siri had sent a brief letter home. He wrote that he had met a lovely Sri Lankan girl who grew up in Australia and indicated his intention of marrying her soon. Siri also wrote that he loved this woman and they would be living happily in Perth.

However, he did not provide his mother any clues about his partner's ethnic origin.

Disclaimer: All the people's names and places appearing in this chapter are fictional and they do not represent anyone living or dead.