Itipahan (Burly Lamp) Chapter - 18

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"

Duleena thought that wretchedness had pervaded the village.

Everyone was looking forward to seeing what would happen next. Nanawathi Hamine said that Mathiniya had addressed the nation on wireless (Radio). Duleena learnt from Nanawathi Hamine that N. M. Perera had also spoken on the damage done.

"Mathini said that all those who have went wrong to surrender either to the police or the DRO Office. Thunderbolts should strike them. What wrong has committed that woman, Mathini? This wretched group has tried to capture her?" Nanawathi Hamine spoke expressing her anger. Duleena listened without uttering anything.

Compared with caustic remarks of the villagers, Nanawathi Hamine was excellent. Nanawathi Hamine did not make any insults but was open in her utterances.

"Where has Soome been hiding? You have ruined her by fondling her. You should not suffer today, if you had taught her domestic work and gave her in marriage to a man who does labour work," said Nanawathi Hamine getting closer to Duleena, who was separating paddy husk using the winnowing pan.

Duleena wanted to know the status of affairs of the country from Nanawathi Hamine without talking much with her. She unconsciously put a handfull of rice into the mouth. That was a just habitual action.

"Really, don't you know where Soome has gone into hiding? Has anything bad happened to her? For the blessing of the triple gem, such thing may not happen to her!" Nanawathi Hamine said folding her hands together and raising them up towards the sky. Duleena could not see any paddy seed on the winnowing pan. Nothing so far has happened to the girl. But Duleena did not know how long that girl could be protected in that manner.

"Has she not come home? If there is anything, tell me without hiding. I could tell Sirinatha Punchi Mahattaya. As Mathini told on the wireless, things won't be that easy," said Nanawathi Hamine putting the kettle of water to pour tea. Duleena struggled hard to be on firm grounds. Though Nanawathi Hamine would not cause any harm, Duleena's mind did not want to reveal the hiding place of the girl without her consent.

"You should have sent the girl there, when the White Agent came and asked for her. I think you would have been better off by working for him who may or may not have been the child's father. What have you done? You brought up the child like a doll. You toiled hard, starved and filled the stomach of your doll," said Nanawathi Hamine. Duleena tried hard to be silent. Hamine knew from Duleena's behaviour that she was hiding something.

"Hamine could not understand my feeling as you have never given birth to a child," said Duleena who tolerated up to the point, as never before.

She thought everyday she could not tolerate her words full of insults. Hamine was shocked, "what a foul mouth?" she thought. Duleena had never retorted in this manner. She thought Duleena had been influenced by her daughter.

"A mother should bring up her child. That's woman's work. I did more than what you did. Duleena, do you understand? Our parents did not bring us up to play with anyone whom we see just because I did not get married or bear children. I refused marriage proposals and brought up my brother's two children. You should not make such caustic remarks when I look after you, "Duleena thought that Nanawathi Hamine's tone carried both anger and sadness. The poor had to tolerate thousands of dirty insults without accepting even a single one in return. Though that thought crossed her mind Duleena did not say anything. Duleena thought that she should not tell Nanawathi Hamine anything about the girl. Duleena thought that she had not done any wrong doing as Nanawathi Hamine remarked and began to wave both the winnowing pan and her body. It was only her who knew everything about leaving the village separating from Heen Appu and about Paxton. The others could say what is in their mind. It was true that she had changed in her behaviour ever since she had gone to work at Paxton's bungalow. Her dress became orderly and speech became polite unlike before which was similar to casting stones. Her body also assumed a certain form. Different soaps, powder and scents from England contributed to a change in her. No one could say 'no' to the charisma of the Jaffna Agent, Paxton. Her youthful nature could not reject the love and affection of an admirable figure. Even today she could not convince herself that what happened was wrong. He was not a bad guy. He wanted to take the child back to England and raise her up there. She did not allow that to happen. The girl had his personality traits and she did not bow down to anyone.

After she arrived in the village, her brother-in-law Kumatheris forced himself into her hut. No one spoke about that and but there were a lot of people to make rumours about the incident. Like the water took its course through lower planes, it was about women they made rumours. Duleena thought that she should not go to the pit in the noon even if the girl had been in hunger. Villagers could be more poisonous than wild animals and serpents. Duleena hid a plate of rice without Nanawathi Hamine's knowledge.

"Duleena, you may stay here as the girl is not there," Nanawathi Hamine said.

"Hamine, I could not do that. At any time, she would come home. Besides you know that police would come two or three times a day. Who knows what would happen if I do not go home?" said Duleena.

A craw which could not find its nest flew over. Avichchiya, at the usual time, flew over weeping. Frogs made false noises, though Duleena could not think of a looming rain. She heard the "Bong ...bong" cry of a monkey. Duleena wrapped in a black blanket, carrying rice and curry in a Mati Koppe, a bottle of water and a bottle of tea, went to the pit. Duleena, who stopped near the pit, surveyed the environment. There were no clues either any two-legged animal had walked or walking nearby. Duleena who shifted a coconut leave, murmured "Puthe". She could only see the darkness of the pit through the gaps in the roof.

"I did not come in the noon. We should be more careful," she said. Soome did not make any sound. But Duleena heard her breathing. Duleena carefully reached the pit. Though there was enough room for two inside the pit, she got into the pit as she could not speak without getting inside. For a moment, Duleena was silent as if for spying and then she lit the bottle lamp.

She thought that Soome's face had turned pale. She consoled herself by thinking that 'it must be the way I see things in the darkness'.

"I will stay till you finish eating. Eat quickly Puthe," Duleena gave her the Mati Koppe with food. Soome ate rice and curry silently.

"Amme, I could not stay the whole day here lamenting. Bring me a couple of books when you come tomorrow morning," Soome said to mother who was about to return.

"Can you read books here?" Duleena asked.

"Yes, I can read during the daytime. Mother, you bring them," said Soome.

A scene from the teledrama; Nilmini Thennakoon and Priyantha Wijekoon as Soome and Sirinatha

The following morning, Duleena brought tea, a plate of manioc together with four books. She thought how the girl, who was used to lead an active life could stay in this pit. Duleena could not think how long the girl would have to stay in this manner. There was no one to settle this matter.

"Mathini says that no harm would be done to all those who surrender. Nanawathi Hamine says that they treat differently to those who are captured unlike those who surrender on their own. I don't understand any of these. But how long can you stay in this pit?" Duleena asked Soome.

"What did Mathini said?" Soome asked.

"Mathini said it on the wireless. By sheer luck that she had escaped. Thousands of girls and boys are said to be surrendering themselves to DRO Office," Duleena shared everything she knew with Soome.

"Mother, it is better to die rather than surrendering to them. Put soil into the pit, then everything will be over," Soome said with a shattered tone. Duleena did not speak. She knew that the girl uttered this because of the pain in her mind. Duleena understood that she had only to protect her as long as she could.

"Puthe, go out for ablution before day light comes," Duleena gave her the usual advice and came out of the pit. She was afraid that the girl had not come out of the pit until she brought tea. If a clue is out about her hiding everything would be over.

"Is there no news of your girl?" asked brother-in-law Kumatheris stepping into the hut, when Duleena was about to leave for the pit with rice and curry in Matti Koppe and a bottle of water. Now he could either stay or go. Duleena hid the Matti Koppe and bottle of water.

"There is no clue." Duleena murmured.

"Now, look at what happened when you brought up children in a wrong way. Now lament like a she-buffalo. I know, for sure, that she would have gone for an attack," uncouth brother-in-law Kumatheris said. Though Duleena knew about the girl, she trembled on hearing this. He wanted to see the end of the girl. Duleena sat on the doorstep without uttering anything. "Will you come here," brother"in-law Kumatheris ordered.

Duleena was angry knowing what he wanted even midst of this chaos. But, now he must be sent quickly. For that she had to obey him. Otherwise, he would stay till the dawn.

"Come here without compelling me to come up to you. I must go home quickly," Kumatheris said. Duleena went up to him furiously.

"I don't know whereabouts of my girl. There is not even a dog to look for what has happened to her. But you come as soon as you are on heat. Now, it is not time for these things. I am an old woman," Duleena retorted. But brother-in-law Kumatheris heard nothing. He had to go home quickly. He thought that he should not unnecessary listen to women's utterances.

"I thought I do not have a meal tonight," Soome complained to Duleena who came inside the pit. She was very hungry. Soome felt that she could not endure hunger as before. She took the Matti Koppe. While holding with one hand, she poured water into the throat from the water bottle using the other hand.

"Puthe, be careful, water would get into your lungs," Duleena murmured.

"Today, it was announced on the wireless that if one did not surrender, there would be trouble," Duleena mentioned to Soome who was emptying the Matti Koppe.

"Is that all on wireless?" Soome asked angrily. Duleena looked on. Both of them looked at each other. They heard the loud barking of the dogs. It came not very far from. Avichchiya flew over here and there, weeping incessantly. With raised eyebrows, both looked at each other without uttering anything even in whispers. Soome washed her hands, put down the Matti Koppe.

There was a rustling of leaves. Duleena and Soome heard the sounds of foot-steps.

Both mother and daughter realized that the sounds had encircled the pit and became silent.

"Remove these coconut leaves," both heard someone ordered.

Not only coconut leaves but also coconut bars were removed. Those who cordoned off the pit lit up their torches into the pit. Both women closed their eyes unable to withstand the electric lights. Soome understood that she had been caught.

"First, come out the old woman," one shouted out. Duleena got out climbing up the ladder.

"You, get up, bloody bitch, even without a proper stock, you try to launch revolutions?" a police officer supposed to be the leader of the group yelled. Soome got up without any resistance climbing up the ladder.

"Maha Gani, you told us that you don't know anything about your daughter! I release you because of your age. Otherwise, I know what to do," an officer pushed Duleena away. Another officer got into the pit and gathered what was there inside.

"Don't harm my mother," Soome spoke for the first time.

"Bitch, shut up your mouth," She received a thundering slap and her mouth was shut up. Duleena saw tears dropping from her daughter's eyes.

"Go home, we will look after her."

Soome did not speak. She knew that she had to face this at any moment. It had only quickened.

"Raise your hands - then go ahead." Duleena who followed them saw Soome being taken on foot up to the village Council's road. Those who lived in houses by the side of the road leading to village Council's road watched Soome being taken.

Duleena looked until the girl was forced into the rear of the jeep till it disappeared from the view. She thought to whom she should tell this. What should be done is to go to the police station in the morning.

However, she thought that she should share this with Nanawathi Hamine. She went to Nanawathi Hamine's house.

"You have concealed all these even from me. I don't know, you and your daughter are stubborn women," said Nanawathi Hamine, yawning as she had to break her sleep. The pendulum in the clock stuck twelve times.

"Women should behave as women, not trying to take over countries.

Now, you have to endure all these hardships," said Nanawathi Hamine, yawning again.

"I thought of going to the police station in the morning," Duleena said as if she did not hear anything that Nanawathi Hamine said. Nanawathi Hamine placed her hands on her hip.

"It is better if I could inform kandegedara Mahattaya.

Hamine, I came in haste to ask the same," Duleena said.

"He would not get involved in any of these. If Lamathani came to know this, it would create a problem for you." Duleena understood what Nanawathi Hamine meant.

Footnotes

DRO Office - The Office of the District Revenue Officer

Mati Koppe An earthenware with a wide opening

Maha Gani Elder woman