Itipahan (Burly Lamp) Chapter - 21

By Sumithra RAHUBADDE

(Translated by Ranga Chandrarathne and edited by Indeewara Thilakarathne)

"I am a lamp burning on both ends

Known well that I cannot pass the night

Yet

See my friends

Foes

How powerful light

Burnt

To dispel the darkness"

Niyathapala brought all what is needed. Although all other matters have been sorted out, Niyathapala thought that Soome was trying to evade the issue for various other reasons. For whatever the reason, Niyathapala could not take his mind away from Soome. Now, he had a chance to settle it and had space to do so. His two elder brothers, younger sister and mother and father rejected the idea of Niyathapala marrying Soome. Their assessment of Soome was a mere repulsion even to be heard of.

"Putha, don't marry that filthy woman. They are stanching foul from their very birth. Think about the mother; she is a whore who would go to bed with any man if she is offered fifty cents. Do you think that Soome is clean? You have just deceived yourself by her fair complexion." Mother advised Niyathapala on hearing that he was going to marry Soome. Niyathapala thought that mother's opinion about Soome's character was less harsh than those remarks made by villagers about Soome. Everyone had an opinion about Soome.

"Mother, I will marry her. Duleena Akka is not a bad woman as you said.

People can say anything," Niyathapala said mother. Niyathapala heard that mother was spreading stories and telling off that Soome and Duleena had deceived Niyathapala Putha.

"How many things are there to be done before the marriage? I must find a job and find a proper place to stay in. At least, must change the coconut thatched roof. Niyathapala cannot just marry and take me away, to your home " said Soome finally trying to evade the issue. Soome thought that she should reciprocate Niyathapala's courtesy, though she had no strong desire to marry anyone.

From the day he sought her love near the drinking fountain at the school, Niyathapala had been seeking love, despite he heard an ear full of slur about her. Soome understood though she had no intention of marrying Niyathapala, she could not forget this able bodied but soft-hearted person.

"What do you think of Niyathapala's proposal? He is not a bad person, a strong man for the family. Besides, do we have anybody? All these troubles because we don't have a male in this hut. Why should you delay it because + he is a government employee," mother said when Soome was delaying the proposal. Soome reflected that mother and she had fallen victim to all that happened in a household without a male. Soome thought of her youth where she considered love as an ultimate idealistic emotion. It was only she who knew that Sirinatha still hounding in her memories of youth. She thought it was the fragrance of love which Sirinatha left in the youth that wetted her eyes even in a revengeful remembrance and though he maliciously deserted her.

Nevertheless, Sirinatha was not the one who was destined to marry her. Soome thought that she should understand that love, romance and marriage were not blood relatives. A person like Sirinatha would not marry because of mere youthful romantic feelings. If it was the case, then he should have married her. On the other hand, was it Sirinatha's craving for her youthful figure that she understood as love?

"I'll marry Niyathapala not because I like him but he was the person who stood by us when others were insulting us. Because of that I convinced myself that I should marry him," Soome gave her final decision on the matter. Duleena listened to the words like a blotting paper. She married Heen Appu because she had no one else to care for her. Duleena reminded that though Heen Appu was not a bad person, she could not consider him either as a man or her husband. Since she had deserted him, the villagers blamed her for being stubborn in her youth and leaving him. Duleena was very sad at the thought that now Soome was entering into a similar marriage.

Soome thought though Niyathapala may not be able to evoke her feelings like Sirinatha did, Niyathapala would be able to calm down her agitated soul. She thought that though she could talk for hours on different matters with Sirinatha, how she could not engage in similar conversations with Niyathapala. Soome thought, though she could not build up a relationship with Sirinatha, Niyathapala would be more compatible man for her.

"Soome, now you have played enough. You could not understand things because Duleena had pampered you. Even after you became a woman, Duleena cradled you like a toddler. You were imprisoned and subjected to different rumours. If you settled down people would forget all of them. Therefore, you should agree to Niyathapala's proposal. It is a good proposal," Nanawathi Hamine said. Soome thought that she came to see Nanawathi Hamine because of mother's insistence and not to receive advice from her.

"Hamine, won't Sriya Akka return home? Has she not mentioned about me?" asked Soome with the intention of changing tack of the conversation." Soome, she comes once a month. She has registered her marriage. They want to have their wedding soon. He is an office worker in Colombo. Why, didn't Duleena tell you about him?" Nanawathi Hamine asked.

"Hamine, really, I forget all about it," said Duleena.

"Niyathapala's mother came and scolded Soome. She now spreads what others in the village utter about you. If Niyathapala likes you, why do you bother about villagers' tales about you? I advise both of you, don't let the bird that came onto the hand to fly away. You won't able to marry such a person again." Neither Soome nor Duleena could understand Nanawathi Hamine's sentiments. However, Soome thought that Nanawathie hamine's intention was to insult her in a subtle manner. Soome thought that she should not look down upon Niyathapala, in the same way Nanawathi Hamine insulted her.

Niyathapala is a kind hearted person unlike anyone else in the village.

Soome married Niyathapala. Soome, Niyathapala and two of his colleagues from the Army went to the Kachcheri. The two colleagues were the attesting witnesses. It was Nanawathi Hamine who stitched a blouse for the sari brought by Niyathapala. Soome herself stitched the poplin underskirt.

Niyathapala insisted that she should wear an 'Osariya'. Soome-felt like a strange being, when she wore an Osariya with high heeled shoes, with necklace that mother borrowed from Nanawathi Hamine. She understood that she did not feel the lightness wearing an Osari as in skirt and blouse or in gown. She felt both physically and mentally laden as she wore an Osariya for the first time in her life. The couple went to a hotel with the two colleagues.

"Today, we must eat well," Niyathapala said.

"You could have held a grand wedding ceremony," one of the friends said while the other approved it by nodding his head.

"Soome did not like such a grand wedding. She asked why I should waste money. Vipule, there is a truth in it. I also have not saved a lot?" Niyathapala explained beaming with smile. Soome also smiled.

"Today, we will have Biriyani," Niyathapala suggested.

"If you don't have Biriyani today, when are we going to have it?" Vipule supported him with a smile to have Biryani.

"You sit, I will take care of that," Niyathapala said when Vipule stood up.

Soome watched three of them murmuring for a while. The waiter brought a bottle of Arrack before serving them with Biryani.

"Niyathapala, the sword not used in a war is not meant for cutting jak? If we don't drink today, when are we going to drink?" asked Vipule toying with the bottle. Biriyani was served before they consumed alcohol. Soome looked at the four portions of steamful Biriyani for a while. She thought of taking home a parcel of Biriyani for mother, but she was ashamed to tell Niyathapala.

"Why is the bride meddling with the food. Today, you should eat well. Today should be a very happy day for both of you? " said Vipule wiping phlegm flowing from nostrils with his palm. Somasiri smiled. Soome thought that Somasiri was a shy person. Soome looked at Niyathapala. Sweat poured down from his face. From time to time, drops of sweat trickled down onto the plate. It was a disgusting sight for Soome.

"Soome eat," Niyathapala whispered looking at Soome who was meddling with the food. She had completely lost her appetite. Soome thought that except Somasiri, others were extremely greedy for food.

"Would you like ice-cream or watalappam?" Niyathapala asked Soome retrieving a large handkerchief from the pocket to wipe phlegm.

"I don't want anything," said Soome.

"How come that, a day like today. We will have ice-cream," said Niyathapala ordering four portions of ice-cream.

"Now, the couple will stay at bride's home?" Vipule asked while having ice-cream.

"Yes. Soome's mother also asked me to stay there. I thought of renovating the house in a couple of days," Niyathapala said.

"Soome, let's take a parcel of Biriyani for mother," said Niyathapala who was about to get up from the table.

Duleena got up as she watched Soome and Niyathapala coming home from a distance. Duleena went up to Soome with a glass of water filled with Jasmine flowers. Duleena had seen such a custom somewhere. But she could not remember whether it was when the bride leaving the home or coming home after the marriage. Duleena reminded of the glass of water filled with flowers after the couple went to the Kachcheri.

"What is this?" asked Soome who took the glass of water filled with jasmine petals.

"Take it. Today is a good day. May you receive the blessings of all gods," Duleena said. Soome hurriedly stepped into the house taking the glass of water with her.

"Duwe, I have set the table. Invite him also for lunch," Duleena said coming up to Soome who was untying the Osari. Soome made a noise from the throat.

"We had lunch. He brought a parcel of Biriyani for you," said Soome loosening the hair.

"Then, we can have the food for dinner. I also cooked fish," said Duleena who came into the room and smiling with Niyathapala.

"We should not celebrate the wedding on our own. I brought a Biriyani for mother. Will you have it? It is still warm," said Niyathapala giving the parcel to Duleena who went into the kitchen with the Biriyani packet. Soome was dressed in a baggy gown and sat on the camp bed.

"Why, don't you sleep on the bed? We will keep the camp bed in the kitchen for mother to sleep," Niyathapala suggested. He unfolded the camp bed and took it to the kitchen. Duleena had unwrapped the Biriyani parcel and took some rice onto a plate.

"Mother, since Soome and I have a bed, I put the camp bed in the kitchen," said Niyathapala who moved the bed to the kitchen.

"I am not comfortable on these beds and prefer sleeping on the floor, on a mat. Nothing wrong in putting it in the kitchen since there is no space here?" Duleena said.

Duleena was happy about the girl settling down. She thought how strong a household would be when there was a male in the house. Now there was no reason for girl to waft her mind. Duleena thought that Niyathapala was a person with a kind heart. He had married a girl like Soome who was imprisoned and subjected to torture. "Now I could even die," Duleena said to herself thinking that it was good enough that the couple could now live happily and have children.

She went to bed early without putting out the lamp waiting as usual into the late night to weave mats. Duleena fell a sleep even before the mat was laid by the camp bed.

"Niyathapala, why did you marry me? You know well about me; for a month, police officers seduced me. But you did not listen. Now, don't you try to fight with me over this at the slightest provocation," Soome told Niyathapala who lay beside her. Niyathapala was stroking her head running his fingers through her gentle hair.

"Even when we are very happy, can't you forget that? Everything happened against your will. For God's sake don't tell this story to anyone else. Did you tell this to mother?" asked Niyathapala and kissed her face and head.

"Mother had endured enough pain. If she knows this, her heart will burst," Soome said in a weeping tone.

"Your mother is not such a weak woman. She is like 'Mahamera'. She could endure a mountain of suffering. She is a unique woman," Niyathapala whispered.

"Yes, I have not seen her crying though she endured pain. At times, I wonder why she had ever give birth to me. There is no one called father. When I was a child, a white man came. He was my father. I could not understand those days. I would have gone with him to his country. If my inheritance was there, I should have gone there. "Niyathapala thought that Soome was crying like a patient about to die.

"I have also heard about this white man's story. Now, forget about them.

Come closer. Now I think it is past midnight. Soome, do you feel sleepy?" asked Niyathapala dragging her closer.

Soome thought Niyathapala was stronger than all the policemen who munched her up. She understood that Niyathapala who was like a strong Negro did not allow her to have any passionate feelings.

"Soome, now we will live happily. I was looking for your hand for ages. I made up my mind that I will not marry any other woman. If you like me, that's all what I want," said Niyathapala putting a hand over Soome. She did not respond to Niyathapala, but thought that Niyathapala is trying to control her.

After a while, Soome knew Niyathapala had fallen asleep hearing a loud snoring and considered his snoring a nuisance. People said that a woman must marry. She thought that when the married life commences, she had to face many things she did not like previously. Nanawathi Hamine said that Sirinatha had also decided to marry. Soome tried to imagine what kind of a person that woman must be. Soome thought she should get rid of Sirinatha from her heart, making him an object of hatred. On the other hand, everything happened according to one's destiny. Whatever Marx had said, things happen, as they ought to happen. Sirinatha had put up a ladder to climb up and he was waiting to be a gentleman after reaching the top.

Niyathapala had not put up ladders to climb up. He lived as he wished. He had no head to control his mind. Soome wished that she would never cross her path again with Sirinatha.

"Duwe, I have poured tea," Soome was woken up by Duleena's blubber in the morning. With a whine, Soome got up from the bed. Niyathapala was in a deep sleep.

"Where is my tea," asked Soome and sat as usual, on the camp bed in the kitchen.

"Why, you should give a cup of tea to that child also," Duleena said. "He is still sleeping," said Soome and began to drink the cup of tea poured for her.

Footnotes

The Kachcheri - The Office of the District Secretariat formerly known as the Government Agent's Office

Osariya - Sri Lankan brides usually wear the Indian style Sari (Indian Style) or Osari (Kandyan Style)

Biriyani - is a portion of rice-based dish made with spices, and meat, fish and or chicken. The name 'Biriyani', is derived from the Persian language.

Watalappam - A Sri Lankan dessert similar to an egg pudding with jaggery.

Mahamera - A huge mythical mountain as referred to in Indian and Sri Lankan literature.