BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE

Five years elapsed and the Mahaweli Zone - C had undergone a rapid development. The road network, which was shrouded with layers of dust earlier, had been carpeted and they looked like an express way. Water, electricity, and almost all the other basic facilities had been provided to the new villages by the Mahaweli Authority. Kapilasena prudently tried his best to lead his life with the help of Yasawathi.

Nandana Menike went in search of Kapilasena just a few hours before he left for Ulhitiya.

By the time she arrived, Kapilasena was just about to finish loading the roofing sheets, removed from the Koinmenika's house, to a lorry. The rain water continuously dripped from her face. He realized from her facial expressions that she was in a state of agitation; but he didn't try to inquire about anything as he felt it was not time for any of that sort. That night they decided to stay at the temple with some of the villagers and the following morning to go to Ulhitiya. Owing to Nandana Menike's insistence, Kapilasena happened to leave for Somawathiya on the following day itself.

Upon some information gathered, they were able to locate the place rather easily, where Yasawathi was staying. She was found at a nun's monastery close to Somawathiya temple. When Yasawathi was wandering without any aim, she had luckily been met by some pilgrims in Anuradhpura and with the help of them; she had got a chance to get to that monastery. Despite Yasawathis's reluctance to go with them at the beginning, later, she changed her mind as Nandana Menike beseechingly begged her to come with them. Yasawathi realized that it was her responsibility to look after her daughter as there was no other female character except her own mother, who could provide love, affection and protection.

The grudge between the postman Gunadasa's wife and Yasawathi was resolved with the interference of Kapilasena and Samantha. Their hostility came to an end sooner than expected, as Yasawathi voluntarily came forward to look after Samantha's mother. Samantha's mother was bed ridden for some time because of an accident. Her hip bone had been fractured and she was in a terrible helpless manner as Gunadasa couldn't find a suitable attendant to see to her needs. That gesture of generosity paved the path for both parties to strengthen and consolidate their bonds more quickly.

Samantha, though got through the Advanced Level examination, was not lucky enough to gain admission to a university due to lack of a few marks. He was able to get an employment in the Mahaweli Authority under the scheme of Provision of Employments for New Settlers. In the meantime, Nandana Menike was trying to join a garment factory for employment. Yet, she was not allowed to be employed anywhere, as by that time, Samantha had got the consent and blessings from both sides to marry Nandana Menike. Her lack of interest towards marriage left a question mark on Samantha's mind. Nevertheless, she showed no objection to the marriage either.

Before one year elapsed after the marriage, both of them became proud parents of a cute daughter. After four years of his dedicated service, Samantha got a promotion to a post at managerial level. Every weekend he travelled to Kandy to attend classes in pursuit of higher studies. Since it was his final year of his external degree cause, he found it very difficult to travel from Mahaweli - C zone to Kandy. He presented his grievances through an appeal. He could get a transfer to the Victoriya Office in Kandy with the help of a senior Project officer, whom Samantha knew very well. Going to Ulhitiya at every week end and on other public holidays that fell in the middle of the week created a lot of problems for his office work as well as studies. He therefore decided to bring Nandana Menike and his daughter to a vacant office quarters in the Victoria zone. Though Samantha's parents did not show any willingness at the beginning, later, thinking of the future prospects of their son's family, they agreed.

Yasawathi and Nandana Menike had a great desire and keenness to go back to the environment in which they had been for ages; but Kapilasena had a problem of leaving Ulhitiya as he was scared of losing his economic stability, which he built gradually through blood, sweat and tears. Looking after the baby couldn't be done by Nandana Menike all alone. That situation turned out to be a valid reason for Yasawathi to go with her daughter as she could help her to look after the baby.

"How can she attend to all the work by herself along with this toddler…? Shall I go with them for a couple of weeks…?" She came up with that question at the most relevant moment, observing the readiness of her daughter's and son in law's journey to leave for Victoria at the week end.

"It's up to you… These days, here…, there isn't much work either… But when the harvesting season comes… I suppose you have to think twice or thrice…" He didn't want to obstruct her journey.

On Saturday, a cab came cutting through the wind and stopped opposite the main entrance of the house. It brought a surprise for everyone as Samantha was found seated on the driving seat. The glimpse of the cab made Nandana Menike realized that the cab was not anybody else's but Bernard's.

"Whose cab is this Samantha…?" Without mentioning the name of Bernard Hamu, she tactfully inquired about the owner of it.

"This is our chief monk's cab at Oruthota temple… The Samanera Thero in that temple is going to classes with me… When I told them of my journey to Victoria Office, with the family members, the Chief Monk asked me to go by this…" Samantha explained light heartedly. Nandana Menike walked up to the cab and peeped through the shutters and checked inside for a moment.

"This is Bernard Hamu's cab…!" Her tone confirmed who the real owner was.

"May be… but now this is temple's property…" He responded in the same manner as before.

Without her knowledge, a long sigh gushed out. From the day she left the bungalow, she didn't utter a single word about Bernard with anybody. She observed that Kapilasena and Samantha were having a long chat over something. An expression of seriousness was visible on Kapilasena's face. Getting lost in a rain of thoughts, Nandana Menike went towards her child as she started crying. She eased her mind thinking that they would have discussed something about the journey, which they had arranged to go at weekend.

"It seems, you don't like that much to see mother going with us…" Looking at her mother Nandana Menike said.

"I don't have that much objection… She also grumbled many times saying that she too wants to join us…"

Though they had planned to leave for Dumbara early morning next day, they had to delay the journey as Kapilasena had to get hold of a neighbor to entrust the work load at his farm and field for a couple of days. That consumed more time than expected.

Nandana Menike had seen Samantha driving office vehicles on and off; but it was the first time she got a chance to sit next to his driving seat. She looked at Samantha with a keen interest. Through him, she saw Bernard's image appearing from time to time. She guessed, by that time, Bernard would have gone to his new house in Rangala and settled down there. Sandra also could have come back to Sri Lanka and rejoined Bernard as Bernard honestly loved her despite her bad conduct. A feeling of seeing them crept into her mind abruptly. Yet, the thought of facing them agitated her world with a sense of hesitation.

All of a sudden, she was reminded of Bernard's tight grip she experienced on that particular rainy day. She was taken aback by that thought, and taking a deep breath, she turned her eyes towards Samantha to see whether he had any suspicion over the sudden change in her mood. The Eighteen Bend Road, also known as Daha Ata Wanguwa is located along Kandy Mahiyanganaya road in the Central highlands. This is very popular as a very challenging drive even for a well-experienced driver. Many feared due to these bends.

"Nanda… Nanda… are you sleeping…? Still we haven't reached the Eighteen Bends…" Observing her shock, he asked that question from Nandana Menike, with an inquisitive glance.

Cuddling up the child sleeping on her lap, she looked at him implying that she was awake.

"I thought you were asleep…" casting an innocent smile, he said.

"Because of the cool inside, I don't know what happened… was I asleep…?" Leaving no room for any suspicion, she responded.

"I'll switch off the AC; you better put the shutters down…" He said while trying to turn off the switch.

"The gust of wind is so strong for the child; let me have the child…" Yasawathi tried to take the child to the rear seat with the help of Kapilasena.

"No… no…! Leave it… I like this …" Refusing to put the shutters down, she said casting a sidelong look a Samantha.