The street lamp

by Dr. K. Kunarasa (Sengai Aaliyan)

Selvarasan was unable to divert his eyes from the object in the junction for 10 minutes. he was fully upset and surprised to see the object. His legs would not move further and he stood still.

“Are you mad? What are you watching in the junction? You are stranded in the middle of the road while trying to cross the road? We are unable to travel in the cycle with the timber load. Get away from the road,”a cyclist scolded him; He was carrying a heap of firewood on an old cycle. He was trying to balance the bicycle. It was shaking like a bird which is always scrambling its tail.

“Sorry....” Selvarasan moved from the middle of the road and stood on the side.

The object which surprised him was still in the junction. A tall pole was planted. On the top of the pole, a pyramid shaped box made of glass was fixed. Inside the glass pyramid a table lamp was burning lighting up the surroundings. It was an old fashioned street lamp normally found in front of village temples. Those days they used coconut oil instead of kerosene oil.

He was surprised. During the past five years, Jaffna roads were in the dark. No electricity was available except in hospitals. Who introduced these new kind of street lamps in the junctions? Actually these lamps were very helpful to prevent accidents to night travellers who travel by cycle with firewood loads. Normally, Jaffna people were used to go to bed before dark.

They were not worried about road lights. Shanmugam would not have fallen with his load of firewood from his old cycle and injured his head if there was a street lamp in front of his house. His house was beside a dark junction. In the other case, an inebriated Manikkam lost his balance, fell into the drain and sustained injuries. He was not carrying any firewood on his cycle. The mishap would have been prevented if there was a street lamp in front of his house.

He and many people were living in a coastal area. Their huts needed repair. During the day, the sun rays entered the floor of these huts and during rainy time the rain water drenched the floor. Selvarasan was living in such a hut. His father was a fisherman. One day, he went to sea with his nets and thereafter he had not returned believed to have disappeared in the sea. Selvarasan and his three sisters with their mother had to wage a battle to live.

Selvarasan wanted a similar lamp which was in his hut. Sinnappu was the correct person to make the lamp. He was very helpful in the village. He prepared school bags from ‘pora’ bags and gave to the students. Selvarasan was aware that he had the talent to make lamps. He went there.

“What is your problem Son? What do you want..?”

“I want a lamp.”

“Simple. Go and bring a jam bottle.”

“What is a jam bottle?”

It was difficult to explain to him. The youngsters did not know what a jam bottle was.

“Alright ... I have one. You go to the junction cycle shop. Rasadurai, the cycle shopkeeper is a nice man. Ask him to give you a cycle tube bud. He will give.”

All things were ready. After an intricate process, Sinnappu made the lamp.

“Son, go to my kitchen and bring the bottle of kerosene. If you put one teaspoon of kerosene to the cotton, it is enough for one hour. Everything is ready. Take this and study.”

He took the lamp proudly. He was running towards his house.

“What happened, son? You are so busy? Is there anybody shot dead at the lamp post?” his mother asked.

“Lamp post murder, nobody Amma. But on the lamp posts which are in junctions there are street lamps hanging. Jaffna Municipal Commissioner did these good things. I met Sinnappu amman for a lamp ... “

“Why, we are having one?”

“I know. This is for something else.” He ran away.

Sinnappu was unable to sleep that night. Suddenly he got up without reason and came out. His eyes looked towards Selvarasan’s house. He was surprised and shocked. In front of Selvarasan’s house there was a light post. On the light post he saw the lamp which was made by him that morning for Selvarasan, it was fading due to lack of oil. He took the kerosene oil and went toward Selvarasan’s street lamp.

An Evening

by Amalshan Gunarathne

Not many people paid any attention to him as he entered the Three Gables Tavern with a dejected look in his face, for he was nothing other than a lowly existence in that miserable tavern. He dragged himself up to the bartender and cried for his favourite Martini. For a handful of coins, she just came rushing to his arms. He sought the pleasure of her company. “Hello dearest”

“What took you so long to get here? I was waiting for you for so long!” she responded with her most alluring voice. The alcoholic gazed at her new found companion with such admiration. In his eyes, she was not a mere lifeless object made out of glass pebbles. She was worth far more to him.

She was the best friend he has ever had in his life. He was amazed with the way her mesmerising voice had the ability to wipe out his day’s misery and dreadfulness. “I had a rough day, Sandra didn’t respond to my messages,” he said with a despondent look on his face. “Oh, why on earth do you have to worry about her when you have such a lovely lady like me?” she whispered with a seductive tone as she let herself be kissed by his coarse lips.

He felt her miraculous power working its magic through his veins. As she started to work her charm, the gloomy blood cells that dictated his soul ripped to millions of shreds whilst the dreary chains that tightened around his neck began to loosen and a feeling of utter sensation ran through him, as his veins began to dance in total ecstasy.

Yet something pulled him back. He was brought back to earth. A sudden thought just struck him. He loved her. He really did love Sandra.

“Oh behave yourself my sweetheart; you don’t have to beat yourself so much about it. Forget her and move on with your life. Come with me” she allured him with her tempting voice. Thus, he began to caress and cuddle her with his rough fingertips. He spoke to her again, “You don’t understand, do you? You don’t understand that she is the only woman I ever really loved in my life. Why did she stop smiling with me? Do I mean anything to her at all?”

“Oh, stop whining about her, do you want the truth?” She retorted.

“Yeah, enlighten me..”

“It is entirely your fault that she stopped smiling with you. No one but you, yourself is responsible that things turned out this way. Look at yourself mister. Do you really expect her to like you for who you really are? Look at you; as much as you hate to admit it, you must face the facts. You are nothing but a lowly loser and coward..” she trailed off.

He intervened, “Oh! Please stop, I thought you are my friend and you are suppose to make me feel better?”

“Yes I am your friend and I am telling you the truth.”

“What do you suppose I should do then?” he asked with a tone of desperation.

“I want you to kill me!!” the wine glass replied.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I want you to crash me to millions of pieces as if I am a piece of thrash and walk and walk away from this wretched place with your dignity intact!” her words pierced his heart. The bitterness of the truth struck hard on his chest that he wanted to shoot his own head to pieces. He glanced at the tavern door for a few seconds. Then he grabbed her hands and began to caress them gently. He spoke, “Is that what you wanted me to do?”

She did not reply. She stayed numb with a passive look on her face. He held her with his rough finger tips for a moment and let her slip, as she crashed on to the floor, making a shattering noise, which echoed through the mundane tavern hall. The bartender rushed towards his table to find the mess he had made. “Is there any problem, sir?” he asked in a rather demanding tone.

“No, nothing is wrong, No need to worry. I will pay for it!” he said in a serene tone.

“Is there anything else I can do for you sir?” the bartender inquired.

“Yes, there is one thing that you can do?”

“What is it, Sir?”

“Get me another companion!” he yelled with a grief-stricken expression on his face.

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