Itipahan (Burly Lamp) Chapter - 31

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"

Daisy waited at the bus stop with her eyes focused on Praneeth Perera but she could not recognise him. Though Daisy could not recognise him at once, she recalled him as a person who was once very close to her. Praneeth's hair had partially turned grey. There were grey hairs here and there in the beard that shaped like a triangle.

'Daisy', why couldn't you recognise me? That's what happens when you become successful."

At once Daisy recognised his deep and clear voice, and well practised accent immediately. Daisy thought how much he has changed. Instead of his youthful look, doesn't he look mature? Where has that matured Praneeth Perera been hiding?

"Praneeth, how much, have you changed?", said Daisy taking his hands. She thought that the shining eyes that emanated friendship and youthfulness in those days retained their allure.

"Daisy, you look the same. You haven't changed at all. Then tell me about you", said Praneeth and leaned against the bus stop as if to commence a long conversation.

"Praneeth, as you may know, there is nothing new. In 1971, I was imprisoned. After my release, I got into another prison. There are two Rahulayos. But I have not given up old work," Daisy said smiling.

"But you have abandoned the revolution. That's why your leader is contesting the election. As the way the leader spoke about the revolution in the good old days, I thought that he would not abandon the revolution, even if Lenin gave up the revolution," said Praneeth in his usual manner. Daisy smiled with tight lips.

"Praneeth, are you married?" Daisy asked with affection. "Why not, who would wait such a long time? I have three children. These are not things that one should wait long?", said Praneeth.

She thought that Praneeth was a person who had taken every problem lightly despite the fact that he had spoken in simple terms about the state of the country, politics, economy and future of the country. Daisy was surprised at Praneeth's ability of shifting the conversation from one to another with his usual fluency.

"Who is looking after your two sons?"

'Mother', Is it true that your husband is in the Army?"

"How do you know?"

"We receive reports."

"Why? Praneeth, are you working for a Newspaper?"

"Yes, I also work for the newspaper."

"Praneeth, you seem to have got used to retort."

"When you are married, one naturally gets used to it."

Daisy thought how nice it was to meet Praneeth and spoke to him even by chance. Such a friendship helped to get away from a usual burden of life. However, above all, she felt that, a hope for future warming in her heart. Isn't the subconscious say that it's a mirage?

"We should not take arms again."

"This will be an unarmed revolution". "Comrade Wijeweera will be the President," according to the comrades. Daisy was surprised that even comrade Lionel was also, convinced, to a certain extent of the victory. She thought that it was a false belief to think that the election could be won because of a massive poster campaign.

"You were campaigning day and night even leaving the children for the victory of Wijeweera. Oh, now they have won. What election that we and can win?" Niyathapala said on the night Wijeweera lost.

"Was it only me, you also worked for the election. I knew that we would not win. Either you do the revolution or election," Soome said, wiping her sleepy eyes. Soome knew Niyathapala associated comrade Gamanayake. However, Niyathapala tried to convince that he had no links with him.

"Wijeweera destroyed the confidence in the party by contesting in an election. I didn't agree with that decision then and I don't agree with it now," Soome said again.

"Soome, you should get anti-worm treatment for children. The elder vomited in the morning. You and I would engage in election campaign. These wretched boys would die," Niyathapala changed the tack.

"Mother did not tell me. What have you given?" Soome shouted. Duleena came into the room on hearing Soome's shouting while carrying the younger son.

"I fed them with a curry of Batakirilla leaves. Hope it will be over, said Duleena.

"Soome, Batakirilla leaves won't do. Tomorrow morning, you should take both of them to the dispensary and get them medicine," Soome knew that Niyathapala who often would raise the allegation that she was not looking after the children, indirectly suggesting that she should stay at home. Nevertheless, Soome thought that she had more important tasks to do than looking after the children and stay at home. That was her duty. She thought that she should discuss this with Sister Bernadette. "Daisy, I will have to make a decision," Sister told Daisy when she went to meet Sister Bernadette to relieve the burden in her mind.

"I should decide whether to have a church or lay life. When I came to the church, I never thought that I had to leave the church. But now, I'll have to choose a lay life," said Sister Bernadette and paused on seeing a couple of sisters passing by. Sister revealed that when Soome could not visit her that it was Subha Siriwardena who met with her.

"I preferred comrade Sister Subha"s visits. That was not an issue for the church because of her class distinction. Whenever Daisy visited, it became an issue. However, now the problem is very serious. They know that I went to sing revolutionary songs," Sister described looking around and Daisy was amazed to hear it. She was surprised about Sister's ability to speak in a calm tone even after such dramatic events.

"Will the Church ask you to leave?", asked Daisy holding Sister by her hands.

"Oh no, they are prepared to give me a lot of benefits, if I stay in the Church. But Daisy, you don't know", said Sister and reminded silent for a moment. She could not think how she could break the news to Daisy. But she did not want to hide it from Daisy.

"Comrade Lionel will also have to select one from the two. He should take me out of the church or stop visiting me in the church. I decided to leave the church for me and on comrade Lionel's behalf. Sister Daisy, I could do more services together with Comrade Lionel than remaining in the Church."

Daisy remembered that she heard that the affair between Sister Bernadette and comrade Lionel was a serious one. Daisy thought that though she was a sister she is also a beautiful young woman. Comrade Lionel was also a soft spoken and pleasant person and was handsome. Soome was not surprised that the two of them would fall in such people falling in love and develop a strong bond.

Daisy looked at Sister's tearful eyes. The sharp sparkle of a girl in love was reflected in those eyes. Daisy tried to absorb the mild smile on her face. The man who could make this girl his life mate would be a lucky person. She thought that comrade Lionel was also kind and humane than other comrades. He was honest in politics and dedicated to the cause. Daisy thought that she could not tolerate his limitless devotion for comrade Wijeweera. Comrade had not understood the damage that might cause to the future of the party by worshipping the leadership.

"Sister, you had better take a decision that won't go against your conscience. If not, you will have to repent throughout your life. Please let me know if there is anything I could do. Comrade Lionel seems to be a good soul," Daisy who was about to leave said while holding Sister's hands. Soome who returned home earlier than usual, looked at the children on her mother's lap.

Soome happily looked at her younger son who was fonded by her mother. Both the children loved their grandmother dearly. Soome wanted to stroke the younger son. Now he is five years old. From next year, the elder son should attend school. Mother said that the elder son looked like Soome while the younger son resembled Niyathapala. Soome had a faint vision of leading a contended life bringing up her children. However, she doubted whether it was possible to lead a peaceful life with Niyathapala. Soome thought whether he knew the ecstasy of love. However, Niyathapala was a good soul. He toiled hard to feed the family. He happily shouldered the burden of life. When he was angry he rebelled like an untameable Nalagiri. She thought that he had a soft heart like a tender sapling.

"Puthe, Niyathapala has spoken to Nanawathi Hamine in an unwarranted manner," Duleena said sensing that Soome was engrossed in her thoughts. She was shocked.

"What for?" she asked quickly. "I don't know the reason. He had abused Nanawathi Hamine in filth. His words had hurt her feelings," Duleena spoke sadly.

"She would have said something nasty. Forever, you cannot tolerate her uttering because. Niyathapala would not fight with people for nothing," said Soome.

Thereafter, the duo did not talk about the argument between Niyathapala and Nanawathi Hamine. Duleena thought, although both of them were fighting, Soome had affectionate feelings for Niyathapala.

"Why are you dumfounded? J. R would roll up the election map for another twenty years. There will be no elections for Wijeweera to contest," Niyathapala who came into the house like a giant said in a loud voice. Soome thought, although Niyathapala had no knowledge of politics, he had the knack of gathering information.

"I have had enough of Wijeweera. He is greedy for power. He is a person who would change policies if he comes to power," Soome told Niyathapala who sat nearby.

"I told this to comrade Gamanayake. Soome can tell this to Wijeweera. Why should we be afraid of them from now on? They would try to put us under their thumb when they come to power," Niyathapala said.

Soome did not respond to Niyathapala and thought about the invitation by the women's organisation.

"Podi Puthe come here, I want to hug you. Your mother won't kiss you. Then, come here for a moment so that I can play with you," Niyathapala got up and held up the little one who was in Duleena's hand. With interest, Soome looked at the father and son playing.

When Soome went to the office of the women's organisation on an invitation to join the work, she heard a crackle of laughter from a distance. Thereafter, she heard very loud laughter by a couple of women speaking in English. Soome went into the office to meet the director to enquire about the task entrusted to her. Following the meeting, she could recognise Padmini, Waruni and Subha Siriwardena who worked as women activists in the organisation.

Subha Siriwardena, though she knew that Daisy did not like her, extended her warm hand of friendship to her. Daisy was disappointed with the Women's Organisation at the very sight of Subha Siriwardene. She angrily thought that whether the middle class women like Subha who had middle class ideas and middle class connections should work for the liberation of women. Daisy made her mind that it was not easy to work with them and they should be kept at arm's length. Daisy understood that she did not also like the couple of women who were talking and laughing in the company of Subha. Daisy detest their dress and fashions. Daisy thought whether there could be true feeling for the suffering of women when they wore those detestable dresses.

"Daisy, why are you here?" Praneeth who visited the office, after a couple of days, asked.

"Why, can't we be here?" Daisy asked smiling. "Wherever I go, you are there. This time, is it women liberation? It is good to work for women's liberation as Wijeweera failed to achieve liberation through election," Praneeth said, smiling. No one laughed at hearing his remarks. Daisy observed Subha engaged in her work as if she heard what Praneeth said. "Praneeth, I don't know what women's liberation is. But when given it to stylized middle class women, then god save liberation!" Daisy said loud enough for Subha to hear. Praneeth saw Subha acted as if she did not hear anything. Praneeth thought that he got into trouble. He could not either get up and go or stop talking to Daisy.

"Daisy, you are still angry. Don't form opinions at once, on others. Think leisurely of what you can do. Don't always try to find faults," Praneeth said in a clear and calm voice.

"How can we correct blunders without finding them out? I am not in the habit of ignoring the faults. I don't tolerate anything," Daisy shrieked. Praneeth, who understood that she could not be easily consoled, attended to his work.

"The women in Gangodawila will get liberated when dressed in trousers and lungis, wearing hanging ear-rings." Daisy said when Praneeth was about to go. Smiling Subha looked at Praneeth.

"You have a misconception about us," Subha said as she got and looked at Daisy.

"What?" Daisy asked .

"Misconception! You consider us as mere fashion-conscious women. Most of them look at us in that light," Subha smiled and sat on the chair that Praneeth pulled which was in front of Daisy's table. Footnotes Rahulas - A son of Prince Siddhartha who became the Buddha later in life. The birth of Rahula is considered as a worldly bond. Nalagiri - Nalagiri was a ferocious tusker in the Buddha's time.

Foot note

Podi Puthe - Younger son.

Rahulayo- referring to the son of prince Siddhartha who is considered as an impediment to enlightenment. Rahulayo is a idiomatic reference in Sinhala for an obstacle.