 Return journey
by Piyasiri Baddevithana
Huge flamboyant trees of the
university premises have been sheltering the young lovers since the
beginning of time. During the months of April and May these trees are
full of flowers. Really, this scene reminds everyone of the evening
Western azure which is entirely reddish in hue with the beams of the
setting sun. These trees were very young during my time. Now they are
well matured and grown up having lots of branches.
I remember very well how I spent the time here in a pensive and
vacant mood every evening under these vast trees. I feel sometimes that,
these trees reflect my life in many ways. During twenty years time, lots
of changes have taken place. New buildings have been put up for various
purposes. But the way these huge trees sheltered young couples is still
the same. The sight of one such loving couple who was appreciating
nature sitting under the shade of huge tree took me to the past in a
sudden flight. That brought me both happiness and grief simultaneously
due to several reasons.
 The way that I spent four years of my youth and how I enjoyed during
that time in these premises will never be forgotten. The sweet memories
would be ever lasting in my mind rejoicing me very often. But my vision
about the university was not accurate at all. I thought campus is a real
cross section of society. To my astonishment reality was quite
different.
Now, I am matured like the huge flamboyant trees and the hostility of
the actual society can be identified very obviously. But I do not imply
that university is free from such hostility and hypocrisy. Anyhow, it
was not easy for me to have seen this difference at the initial part of
my life even though I have been living in it for many years.
The unity that we were talking of highly is only a dream in the
society in which we live in. The theories of Marx and Lenin did not
exceed the boundaries of the campus. There was not any value for them in
the reality. What prevails in society is the law of the jungle that is
the survival of the fittest. The whole society is running a rat race.
Customs and values do not enjoy any place there. Value of everything is
measured by the value of money. Romance that we experienced and learnt
in Literature is limited to works of Art. But they are not among the
agents of magic society.
It’s difficult for me to forget how some of my friends engaged in
politics. What they got in the end was nothing. I was not involved in
petty politics, but I noticed very well how they ended up in
frustration. Myth of politics was seen properly. One or two only emerged
from it. They even did not assist their companions after passing out of
the campus.
I have my reservations whether they would recognise their supporters
if they happen to encounter them on the way. “Now I am terribly fed up
with this system. Some lecturers do not pay heed to academic matters
properly. I feel like cutting lectures sometimes.” These are some of the
words of many of my colleagues. But how do I condemn the entire system
due to a handful of such slothful characters. Many lecturers paved the
way for us to achieve our dreams. Really, they could brighten our lives.
They rendered a yeoman service to uplift the standard of
undergraduates in many ways. Nothing can be concealed from these large
flamboyant trees. If they can utter words they will reveal the truth to
the rest of the world. But for everyone’s fortune it is something that
will never happen. Therefore, all the secrets are safe forever. It is a
frequent scene that many students are studying under trees when the
examination is round the corner.
Whatever they did throughout the year they have to get through their
examinations well. Otherwise they are unable to achieve their goals. The
worst experience that I had to undergo in the university can be never
forgotten. However much I tried to forget it, it comes to my mind very
fast like a rubber ball which comes on the surface of water however much
it is pressed under water. “Sugath, today I have to work in the night
because the manager wanted me to work tonight for an emergency order. I
may get late for the first lecture in the morning”.
That was a constant expression made by my room-mate Neil. He had to
do many odd jobs to earn his living as many of the other friends who had
a poor economic background. Geetha, Neil’s sweetheart was a peculiar
character. They had been in love for two years. When we were in the
final year, she was in the third year. She was a good looking, charming
girl. Neil really loved her and did everything that he could do for her.
He spent a portion of his hard earned money for his fiancee regardless
my objection. “It is all right Sugath, She is my future. This is not a
waste of money. What I do is an investment for our future.” That was his
constant reply when I advised him regarding this matter.
I did not want to go against him though I did not approve his way of
spending money because he might feel that it is something beyond the
limits of friendship. While working part-time in a printing press he
could devote his time for academic matters too. He had to burn midnight
oil always to reach his target. Certainly, he was a gifted and talented
one. He wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
“I cannot sleep tonight, Sugath. I have a doubt. My mind is restless
today.” That was an utterance made by Neil. I inquired the reason for
the unrest. He told nothing about that but implored me to join his
secret journey that night. However much I tried to make him delay till
the following morning, he did not listen to me at all. I could realize
the gravity of his problem. I did not have cross questions further. I
got ready soon and left the hostel in the dusk. He walked very fast. It
was difficult for me to follow him because of his speed. Anyhow I
managed to follow him.
We did not share any words during our journey in the night even
though I wanted to know many things from Neil. He directed me to one of
the well-known brothels in Bambalapitiya. “Are you mad Neil?” I shouted
as I lost my tempo. “Don’t shout Sugath, I am going for a very important
matter. Now we have to act as customers. Otherwise, we won’t be able to
get the necessary information from them.” We met the manager of the
brothel in his office. I waited there very impatiently and
inquisitively. “These are the ladies who are available at present”.
The manager provided us with some photographs of some sex workers. We
looked into each photograph very inquisitively. For our surprise we
noticed a familiar face among the photographs. Sugath was completely
dumbfounded. As I could not believe what I saw. I asked for more
information about that particular photograph. “Sir, this is a very fresh
girl. You have to pay double for her service. She is a university
product”. I expected that Neil would go mad and would be in a rage. But
an unbelievable thing happened. Neil was very calm and quiet. But I saw
that tears were rolling down his cheeks. This showed the turmoil of his
inner heart. He turned back slowly without saying anything taking my
hand. We walked towards the light in the pitch darkness of the street.
This is one of the secrets these flamboyant trees knew very well
because they sheltered both Geetha and Neil for two years both in sun
and rain. There must be many secrets that these huge flamboyant trees
hide forever.
The short story won the 3rd place at the competition, conducted by
the University of Peradeniya for the student’s festival of literature
2009. (Mage Deshaya Avadi Karanu Mena)
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