BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE

Nandana Menike thought, even Victor Hamu; how he deserted her mother making her suffer from an eternal social stigma and mental agony, had no difference to that of what Bernard did. Despite that, she believed Bernard at some point would come to her and with that expectation she waited with endless uncontrollable sobs. All her expectations collapsed like the giant trees that were cut down by electric chain saws for the reservoir. With an agitated mind she again got up. She accidentally saw her reflection from the mirror. She paused for a moment in front of the mirror and slowly touched the gold necklace. An intolerable pain crept into her heart as she remembered the moment, when Bernard put it around her neck with a kiss on her cheeks.

Nandana Menike slowly removed the gold necklace with a long deep sigh. She had no desire or willingness to keep it any longer in her possession. She looked at it again for a moment. Next she collected all the clothing items presented by Bernard and put them into the same colorful fancy bag and kept the necklace on it and went away. Then she opened the basket, placed near the towel rack and took out the red frock designed with flowers, which her grandma had bought for her. She put on that red frock thinking that she had no right to use anything given by the bungalow.

Her attention was drawn to the warp out bag, which was near the basket, used by her grandma. Grandma used it to put her clothes. She quietly opened it and saw the clothes she had used. They had been washed and folded properly. She felt the smell of her beloved grandma. She kissed all the clothes and buried her face in them for a while. The only shadow Nandana Menike had in her losses and gains. She was indeed a GRAND MUM for Nandana Menike in the absence of her father and mother. That smell of her grandma and the nostalgic feeling filled her heart with immense consolation. She collected the few frocks she had and put them into the bag. She slowly walked up to the door step. She cuddled up the bag and before she went out, turned back and paused for a moment. She couldn't stop the tears welling up in her eyes. The breath she took in released with a long sigh understanding the futility of repenting any further.

There was a long felt silence in the second floor. There was no evidence to prove the presence of either Bernard or Periyavar. The door of the upper floor was slightly closed. It proved that Bernard Hamu was on the upper floor. The main entrance of the second floor had been locked. On other days, Periyavar, by that time of the day, had kept it open. All had changed. The huge digital photo taken in Paris, in which Bernard and Sandra with smiles seemed to be looking at Nandana Menike directly and Nandana Menike thought whether Sandra Hamu was smiling at her sarcastically. She felt as if Sandra Hamu was trying to inquire about her attempt to possess Bernard Hamu, and to question at her retreat. Nandana Menike quickly turned away.

She thought of going to the first floor to find her way out. She saw how the queen had been trapped on the chess board, which was lying on the stool beside the piano. She slowly descended the flight of steps thinking at least at the last moment Bernard would peep through the door. Rover made some unusual groans as if it was in some kind of pain. Without paying attention to it, Nandana Menike slowly opened the kitchen door. Even the heavy rain had ceased, there was drizzling outside. Nandana Menike observed the small waves being made on the collected water in the compound, by the light shower. She thought of telling her move to Periyavar. Yet, there was no sign of his presence. She turned back and had a glance at the flight of steps leading to the second floor. Her mind did not prompt her to change the decision taken. Cuddling up the bag, she said good bye to the three tiered bungalows and its people. She found her chest was on fire in the drizzle.

Nandana Menike walked through the garden and got the short cut to reach the road down. She turned back and again had a look at the bungalow, which taught her many lessons for life. She thought as to why Bernard or Periyavar did not even simply inquire about her presence at the bungalow.

All of a sudden, like a bomb blast, there was a thunderbolt just beyond the Bambaragala Mountain, which vibrated the entire area. Nandana Menike was terrified; to seek help there was no one. Helplessness shrouded her entire world. Amidst drizzling, there were big rain drops that fell indicating the signs of another heavy rain again. Covering her head from the grandma's bag, she hurried down the road weeping out of self-pity.

The volume of muddy water that flowed from the hillock above the bend at the end of the road was violent. She continued her mission despite rain and floods. She noticed that the road was inundated. She couldn't believe the impending disaster. Since the rivers had been blocked by the Victoriya dam, the reservoir was being filled sooner than expected because of the torrential rains. Despite flood situation, she had no idea of taking a U turn. Mustering courage, she crossed the volume of water that flowed across the road. The water level was up to her knees. She was not in a state to identify the difference in the environment though it was so familiar to her eyes. She found it very difficult to walk on the muddy slippery road. There were a few more thunderbolts in the direction of Senarathgama village, which was located beyond Bambaragala. The rain increased gradually with thundering and lightning.

* * *

Going to the balcony and speaking to his master; Periyavar had no courage. He couldn't even think of it when his master's eyes were full of fire. He picked up the bed sheet lying on the floor and laid it again on the bed. He tried to understand why Bernard Hamu became so furious to the extent of throwing the bed sheet in such a violent manner. Since the servant was at a loss to understand anything, he slowly tip toed to the balcony. Bernard's eyes had been directed towards the horizon with no particular aim. Periyavar still could see his facial expressions, which were burning with rage. In the meantime, he remembered how Nandana Menike ran down the steps with sobs. He never expected that she would have committed such an offense to make him so furious. Ultimately, Periyavar thought he should speak to Bernard to find out a solution.

"Hamu…"

Bernard took no notice of his servant and remained in the same posture.

"Hamu…"

Periyavar spoke to him a bit louder than earlier.

Bernard looked at him with repugnance. There was no difference on his face. Periyavar was taken aback by his resentful look.

"What's wrong with you …?" His voice was not normal.

"Hamu… mmm… I… I am…" He was trying to articulate something, but couldn't collect the right words properly.

"Where were you, till that girl entered my room…?"

His sharp look was more powerful than his words. The servant looked down as he had no answer to be given. He couldn't bear the passing time being numb. He slowly raised his head and looked at his master. At that moment, Bernard had changed his posture and that brought Periyavar some kind of relief. The servant went away from him and lay down near Bernard's bed, thinking of speaking to him again once he came back to the room, with his tempers cooled.

* * *