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Maneka was listening to Harin's plan. It made some sense to her. But, she was afraid. She wanted time to think. She knew she loved Harin more than anything else in this world. But, what he is asking is too much to consent to. Still, she knew it was the only way out.

Maneka Karaliyadda was just sixteen when she met Harin at a friend's birthday bash. He was a friend of the birthday girl's brother. She liked Harin's good humour and friendliness. It didn't take long for them to fall in love. Maneka's parents were not strict and allowed her to enjoy life. She always respected their trust her and never got into unnecessary situations. She was careful of what she was doing till she fell in love with Harin.

Proposal

She was doing her Advanced Level, when she got a proposal from the renowned gynaecologist, Dr. Stanley Mahadeva's only son. He had seen her at a cricket match and, had been captivated by her beauty and carefree manner. Her parents were thrilled beyond words when they heard of it. Who wouldn't want to be related to such a celebrated family! To Maneka's utter disappointment, their horoscopes too, matched perfectly. The parents of both sides, went ahead with the wedding plans. But, they had forgotten about Maneka's consent. Maybe they misunderstood her silence, as approval. She knew it was too late to tell her parents about Harin.

He didn't have a single advantage over the Mahadeva boy. Though Harin went to one of the best private schools in the island, his family didn't have a reputation as the Mahadevas. His father was a retired school teacher, and mother worked as a clerk in a private firm. She knew Harin couldn't give her any luxury in life, only love. She was not in a situation to realise, that love alone, was not enough to make a good marriage. She hadn't either heard, of the axiom, that love flies through the back door, when poverty enters.

"Why don't you tell them about me? If they are so considerate and understanding as you said; they'd definitely give their consent for me."

Harin was pressing her too much. How could she tell him that they won't give their daughter in marriage to a retired teacher's son over a rich and famous family. All parents wish for, is comfortable life for their offspring. Her parents were no exception.

Shock

At last, she had to go along with Harin's plan, with reluctance. It was too late, when she realized her mistake. Maneka decided to tell everything to her best friend Jani. She was not surprised to see Jani go into a shock.

"How could you do such a thing? You know how much your parents love and trust you. Do you value Harin's love more than their's?... I have no words to show you my disgust."

"I know Jani, I know what I did was deplorable. But how could I forget Harin so easily? We went strong for three years. How could I say no to him? Besides, how can I make up my mind to marry a stranger, when I love Harin?"

"You only knew him for three years. But your parents brought you up for nineteen long years. They only asked you to keep their trust for all the luxury and love they were giving you. But, what has Harin given you in the past three years? Only romantic tete-a-tetes and heartaches out of jealousy. Did he ever buy you a single present all these years? It was you, who always met the bills. If Harin actually loved you he wouldn't ask you to do such a thing. I will tell you now, even if it is too late, he is after your wealth. I wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I knew you wouldn't believe me. Try to understand. If he really loves you, he wouldn't do anything to harm your good name."

Maneka knew what Jani said was true. But, it is too late now. She didn't know what to do. She said so to Harin.

"After all this, you mean to tell me that you can't tell your parents what happened?" he shouted in anger. "Harin try to understand. I was foolish enough to do what I did. I cannot do anything more stupid. Besides, I know what will happen to my parents if I tell them the truth. They shall never know their loving daughter, whom they so trusted, betrayed them. I'd rather die than break their hearts."

No alternative

"Don't be silly. It's true, initially they would make a hullabaloo; but would definitely forgive you, since they have no other alternative."

"Is that what you think? Did it ever come to your mind, how I could go and tell such a thing to my parents?"

"Do you care for your parents or for me?"

"Don't ask unfair questions. My parents brought me up and gave me every comfort they could. It is I, who did them wrong. They didn't do me any harm unlike you. They gave me all the love in this world. I can't see them suffer from my confession. I wouldn't do such a thing."

"Then do whatever you like. But, I'm an impatient man. If you can't, I will tell them."

"Noo! you wouldn't do such a thing. Now I see how selfish you are. It's not me you want; it's my money."

"I want both, and I wouldn't stop till I reach my objective." Harin sneered.

Wedding

It was a grand wedding. There was everybody, who was somebody. All were enjoying the reception, apart from two people, who were feeling very uneasy. They succeeded concealing their discomfort from all the others, except themselves. Both knew how the other felt. Both had secrets to hide. Though neither spoke of what happened, they have silently resolved to make the best of a bad job. Both had much to lose if they opened their mouths. No one in their families knew, that the two of them had skeletons in their cupboards.

Maneka's thoughts flew back to the day, that she had to commit the biggest sin in her life. She realized, that she loved her parents more than Harin. She was determined not to hurt them for any reason. She wanted badly to get out of the mess she was in. As always, it was Jani, who helped her.

"There is a place my cousin told me. She'll help us. She had got into the same fix before she got married."

"Can we trust your cousin not to tell anything to others."

"Don't worry about it. She's a very understanding person. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone to her for help. We are very close. I'm the only person who knows about her past. When she was in trouble. I helped her. This is her turn to help me."

"You are more a sister to me than a friend." Maneka said with glistening eyes, hugging Jani.

Early one morning, Jani's cousin drove them to the place. It was at the end of a long winding road in the suburbs of Colombo. There were already few couples seated, waiting for their turn. Jani and her cousin had concocted a story and a false name to tell the doctor, if he asked. But, luckily, he was only interested in the money. She had to pay five thousand rupees to get her freedom. Maneka felt relieved, not knowing, that the shock of her life, awaited her in the operating theatre.

Though she was anaesthetized, Maneka was fully awake when the doctor came to her. He was not the one, who they paid money, at the outer office; but it was her intended father-in-law! She couldn't believe that a doctor of his calibre resorted to do such an immoral thing, just for money. She was sure that half of his wealth, was acquired from this illegal practice.

Her astonishment was doubled when Dr. Mahadeva came to her after she completely recovered from surgery.

"What happened today, never happened" was all what he whispered.

Inoka Makalanda- Mt. Lavinia.

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