BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE

Kapilasena was getting better off day by day. His earning capacity gradually showed a progress for which he didn't waste much labor. He saved all his money for the construction work of the new house in Ulhitiya. Provision of food to the wood cutters was as extra duty entrusted to Kapilasena from which he could earn an extra income. Reporting of all the details of the trees cut down; the perimeter, the length, number of timber etc. to Bernard, was a responsibility of Kapilasena, which he accomplished to the best of ability. A portion from the income received from the trees cut down, was given to Kapilasena by Bernard. Amidst of all those duties, Kapilasena didn't give a second thought to the search operation of Yasawathi. Though he was an ardent believer in invisible forces, he never gave up his effort to find out whether police had got any clue about Yasawathi. The police officers' mention over the possibility of locating Yasawathi by means of her deformity was regarded by Kapilasena, as part of the miraculous performances of Ambale exorcist.

For the construction of the Ulhitiya house, postman Gunasena helped Kapilasena without letting his wife know anything of it. Kapilasena had no hesitation to help Gunadasa financially. As a result, between them a cordial relationship was built. At Ulhitiya, farming was not an easy task as there was no sufficient water despite the grounds was prepared for farming purposes. The construction of canals for the supply of the water to the farming lands was expedited. The Mahaweli project had planned to provide enough water to the new lands once the work of the reservoir was completed. Since the new road network, which was under construction, had not been tarred, it stirred up a lot of dust with the dry wind and it made transportation rather difficult.

The farming lands, which were supposed to go underwater, were cultivated by the villagers. As a result, they had the opportunity to farm their lands and reap harvest for another two or three season. Almost all the highlands had been strewn with trees cut down, their branches, and logs. Thereby, the houses which had been earlier covered by trees could be seen very clearly. Only the paddy fields were visible in green colour in the naked ground.

Nandana Menike's house, which was situated by the foot path just above the water spout also stood out smartly, as there were no trees to cover it. Samantha gazed at Nandana Menike's house being near the tamarind tree. He felt that his heart was filled with unbearable pain as he had no way to get any information about Nandana Menike. Even meeting Kapilasena, as he used to, was not an easy task. He believed the fact that his mother being charged with the accusations of Yasawathi's disappearance was reasonable. He knew his mother's disposition very well as she used to go behind exorcists even for trivial matters. Yet, he didn't fall into that category as he was against that ideology. He was of the opinion that black magic could do no harm to anybody.

He could observe a group of people moving here and there near Nandana Menike's house. The way they were carrying some equipment and putting their clothes on to the cloth line indicated that they were residing there. No sign of Nandana Menike's or Koinmenika's presence there. He waited there for a moment, sunk in thought. The idea of Nandana Manike's family deserting the house and moving to another place crept into his mind.

* * *

On Saturday, by noon, Victor, his mother and two others came to the bungalow. They were given a warm welcome by Bernard. Though Sandra's mother faced Bernard with difficulty, Victor showed no differences and exhibited his cordiality.

"Bernard… hopes you can remember this one…" Victor with a smile, pointing at one of the two asked Bernard. Bernard couldn't make him out at once.

"This is my wife's younger brother… Suren…"

"Aha… You are the one who take care of the Tangalle Hotel in Hambanthota… I can remember you now brother…" Bernard could recognize him then.

"This one… a friend of Suren… Running a hotel in Kegalle… Sathish…"

Bernard welcomed them shaking their hands and invited them to the second floor and take their seats.

"All the trees have been cut down…! Oh…! What a destruction…!" Bernard's mother-in-law, looking through the window, said resentfully.

"If Raja uncle was there, he would go against this…" Victor was reminded of Bernard's father.

Koinmenika was being with preparing tea for them, and it was taken by Periyavar to the second floor. Nandana Menike had been informed to remain at the first floor until she was asked to come up.

"Periyavar… how are you…?" keeping his hand on Periyavar's shoulder, Victor spoke to him showing his friendly nature.

"I think, after fifteen year I saw you…" Said Periyavar with a humble smile showing his betel stained teeth.

"Almost eighteen years…"

"You also seem to have worn out untimely…" Victor's mother commented on Periyavar knowing of him being single up to that point of his life at the bungalow.

He reacted to that lady bowing down his head as a gesture of respect. Diverse opinions and arguments were presented through their discussions regarding the construction of the reservoir. The benefits of the reservoir for the country and also the suffering and hardship faced by the people of the Dumbara Valley were discussed giving no priority to any of those. They spent most of their time on the balcony of the third floor as they could view the open area clearly. In the meantime, the lunch table was arranged with the help of Koinmenika. Victor's mother entered Bernard's room and lay down on his bed to have a brief rest. She felt sorry for Bernard, when she turned her eyes to the huge photo hung on the wall in front of her. She had no doubt about the love and affection Bernard had shown to Sandra.

Going for lunch was a bit delayed as the gentlemen spent some time on drinking while talking about some contemporary issues.

"Even from our hotel, I have not tasted this much delicious food… wow…! Suresh gave his recommendation for the taste of the food they enjoyed.

"Periyavar… an expert on this…!" Victor's mother, pointing at Pariyavar, commented.

"Loku Hamu Nona… it's not me…" Periyavar, turning his head towards Bernard said with a submissive look.

"Then… ordered…? Pooh… Great…!" Sathish served himself highly appreciating the quality and the taste of food.

"Lunch was prepared by Koinmenka…!" Paying his attention to Victor, Bernard said.

A serious look was etched on Victor's face as soon as he heard that name.

"Koinmenika is…?" Victor's mother looked at Periyavar hesitantly as she guessed that the name mentioned was his wife's name.

"Can you remember the guard of the estate…, Justin…? His wife… Koinmenika…!" To cast her doubt, Bernard further explained.

The mother looked at her son as Koinmemnika was one of the protagonists in connection with a past incident, which they had swept under the carpet.

"Is Koinmenika in the bungalow now…?" Victor had a desire to know not only Koinmenika, but also her niece whom he fathered about eighteen years ago.

Bernard shook his head signaling a positive response. In the meantime, he eyed Periyavar to accompany her to the second floor.

"Village folk can cook very well… I think, if our people are given training by these village experts, foreigners will never leave Sri Lankan hotels…"

Though Suren did not talk highly of the lunch, Victor nor his mother took any part of it. Koinmenika slowly stepped into the second floor. Towards the frail old woman, Victor turned his eyes.

"I suppose you can remember Koinmenika…?"

Victor's mother felt that Bernard's words were blended with sarcasm.

"How can he forget this woman…? Victor son looked after our lands for about one year… Moreover, Justine also worked at the guardroom of our estate…" she represented her son.

Bernard felt rather uncomfortable and a bit annoyed as well over the words spoken by his mother-in-law. He thought Koinmenika was hurt by her approach. Casting a pleading look towards Victor, Bernard diverted the topic to another direction, which Victor could easily feel through his common sense. From that point onwards, silence overtook the feedback given on food.

"Koinmenika… if you could bring that pot of curd for us now…?"

She was not allowed to undergo any more humiliation. Bernard acted swiftly and wisely, which the visitors couldn't perceive. For dessert, Bernard had already bought a pot of curd and Koinmenika had been entrusted with all that to give a good treatment for the visitors. The decisive round of discussion was held shortly after the lunch. It was a discussion only among six ears. Sathish and Suren went out to enjoy the scenic beauty of Dumabara Valley.