3 BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE

The Three-Tiered -Bungalow was a structure artfully designed to fit into the sloping hillside with road access to both the lowest floor and the second. Both had their separate carports which were at first used by father and son to park their cars. Raja Weerasekara used the middle floor garage and Bernard had the use of the lower floor port where he parked his double cab. When the new bride arrived the Bernard's double cab was moved to the bottom floor and the middle floor was allocated for Sandra's use. Bernard was more inclined to use his father's Volkswagen which he parked under the portico for his convenience.

Sandra's pet was a Doberman that she pandered to more as a status symbol and was four months old when he first arrived. He was playful and full of energy and quite distinctly bigger than the normal village mongrels as she called them. He was allowed to roam about in the house and it was Pariyavar's duty to take him out when necessary and exercise him every day. On the last occasion he picked up a leech there was no end to the tirade that Periyavar had to face from her mistress before she rushed the animal off to a veterinarian for a needless visit. As the dog matured he had to be confined to a large kennel in the ground floor carport on Bernard's instruction after the boisterous animal had been the cause for some damage caused to several antiques of value. From there on the access door from the carport to the house had to be kept open at all times. It also meant, merely to satisfy the mistress's pet, Periyavar had to sleep on a mat laid on the kitchen floor.

The government of the time had decided to construct a dam across the Mahaweli River flowing through the Dumbara valley. The idea was to replenish the water supply to the dry zone. When Bernard learnt much of his land was destined to go underwater when the dam and reservoir would be constructed under the Mahaweli Development Board the man was devastated. It was only after the irrigation department officials came along to demarcate the high water mark he realized only the upper floor of his Three -Tiered-Bungalow would be spared and that only just. Being a well informed and well educated man hailing from the upper strata of society he was all the more familiar with the political climate of the time. Ridden with corrupt politicians and their lackeys he had doubts about the way the funds borrowed from the World Bank would be disbursed.

The third floor consisted of two rooms, one of which was a sitting room which opened out to a balcony commanding a stunning view of the Dumbara valley below. The mighty river cascades down the valley and is in fact a long way below his luxurious home.

Looking out from his balcony, as far as the eye could see on both banks of the river every inch of land was cultivated with every conceivable crop. In between the larger plantations several hundred villages dotted the landscape with terraced paddy fields and peasant gardens. Bernard was aware that there was widespread disapproval from many quarters including the peasantry regarding the flooding of such fertile land. These people were survivors whose ancestors were deprived of their land by the wastelands ordinance of the British colonial government a century before to enable the colonial planters to encroach on native land. Bernard was under the impression that the popular outcry against the flooding of such fertile land by the general population would be successful. As he walked into the house Sandra understood that he was agitated by the impending takeover of his lands.

"Surely if these lands are to be taken over you will be paid compensation."

Bernard realized that Sandra had come close to him when he heard these words. She realized from the look on his face that no answer was necessary because the anguish was all etched in his face.

"The government makes endless promises... I don't believe Sandra any of them will be kept."

Sandra leaned on the half wall of the balcony and drew close to him.

"It has been rumored for a long time that a reservoir was going to be built." In a moment of intimacy he got close to her and removed a twig that was clinging on to her dress he made this comment.

"Bernard, why is there so many collars hook weeds allowed to grow in the area where I took rover for a walk... The seeds or fruit or whatever else they are called is so difficult to get off once they hook on to my clothes... What a nuisance they are... The natives call them 'Thuththiri'... I can't even pronounce the name."

She was flipping the bottom her skirt in, out and about struggling with the irksome hooks making sure she showed enough leg to snatch her husband away from his dejected mood. In this she partially succeeded because his mind came away from its present preoccupation with land matters and he drifted back in to pleasant memories of his courting days. The golden rays of the evening sun shone on her well-shaped legs giving them more ethereal color. The human mind being as it is he switched from dejection to delight in the flash of a second. His mind went back to the erotic moments he spent in his aunt Grace's house before he left to a foreign land to continue his studies. He recalled with pride how he succeeded to win her over. By the time Sandra entered the A level classes he knew she was to be his wife because the matter had by then been settled and sealed by their respective parents. The parents revealed at the after dinner speech on the day of his departure that the marriage had their approval. In Spite of this he did not get any indication from Sandra that she agreed to parental wishes until two months had elapsed into his three year study trip outside the island. She telephoned her confirmation to his immense relief.

"Do you want your tea served on the balcony Sir?" Periyarvar was standing at the doorway to the room.

After his wife went in to shower the brief respite was short lived as he once again viewed the wonderful sight of the fading sun over the Dumbara valley. He could not take his eyes off this beautiful Valley. He lingered on the balcony for what to be a considerable length of time, reminiscing the past and the happy times he had spent with his father learning the ropes of managing a large plantation growing multiple crops. He sighed deeply, turned his back on his favorite scenery with regret and fear seeing a bleak future for the area and country and walked into his room. His servant brought in a pot of his favorite tea. While he was busy stirring the brew to serve it out, Periyavar did not see Sandra get out of the bathroom and walk in clad in nothing other than a short towel which was barely large enough to wrap round her young body. When the old man turned round to go away his eyes nearly popped out for this kind of exposure was alien to him and he fled the scene promptly barely able to hide his disgust and embarrassment.

Sandra walked to the dressing table not perturbed in the least indicating that she had walked out in an almost undressed state accidently. Bernard was too immersed in his fear of the future to be concerned in what was going on around him. After having given a good look over her young body she tied her hair in a bun on top of the head and turned to her husband and said.

"I like you to go into partnership with my brother... Once you get your compensation... Surely Bernard you can invest in his Tourist-Hotel business..."

Her brother owned several hotels in the south of the Island. He was also aware that Victor was planning to build a hotel on the beachfront close to the Yala Sanctuary. She nestled up close to him and tried hard to relieve the pain her husband was going through.

I have no experience in the running of a hotel. That kind of work Sandra is not my kettle of fish."

"That would not be a problem... My brother will look after the business... You will rake in your share off the profit... You will have nothing to do Bernard."

"How can I do that...? Be lazy and idle... No... Sandra hat is not my style... I just can't do that."

When she realized her husband was not prepared to lead a life of that type she drew closer to him and caressed him and showed her affection.

"Alright... If you do not want to do that we will go to Colombo and think of another business... There are enough opportunities in Colombo."

"We will see about it later Sandra." He seemed very serious at the moment.

"On Friday our OGA is scheduled to meet... Can we go to Colombo tomorrow?" She asked while running her finger's tips through his hair. He was far from pleased at this request because a fortnight ago she returned from there after a stay of four days.

"This harvest time of my tobacco crop... Definitely not the time to be away…" He quipped.

"In that case may I go alone?"

"All by yourself...? Times are different now... The roads are chocking a block with traffic."

"Well even when i go with you I am the one who does most of the driving... So what…?" She put her hand on his lap and took the empty tea cup away and placed it on the table.

He was not in favor of her going alone.

"Why don't we go on Friday morning...? If we leave early you should be able to get everything done... Surely…?"

He saw the droop in her and spoke again.

"I have a chore to get done there too... I can go with you early in the morning and return on the intercity train in the afternoon... How does that sound to you?"

When she realized she was not to have her way she released a long sigh and relented. He noticed how her eyes drifted to the large photograph hung up on an adjacent wall. A photograph of the two of them at the Eiffel tower taken while they were on their honeymoon. A large poster size one enlarged using digital technology, gifted by her brother.

"I will get Victor to enlarge our wedding photo to the same size to fit the sitting room wall."

"I think the photo of us at St. Clair falls is more suitable for that spot."

* * *

Koinmenika was attending to the manioc patch in front of the house when Yasawathi approached her.

"Why my Mother... Are you not going to the bungalow for work?"

"The Mistress and Master have gone to Colombo today."

For some time now Yasawathi had been trying to extract some news about Victor from her mother to no avail. She was not forthcoming with any information about the father of her grandchild however earnestly Yasawathi tried. Today she tried a different approach.

"She must be going to see her mother... What the Mistress should do is to bring her here and take care of her."

"She is not inclined to come here daughter and leave all her assets there... On the contrary she is trying to entice these two to move to Colombo... That is how things stand."

"Does that mean that these people have large plantations over there as well?" She opened her eyes wide as she shot the question at her mother.

"I think they may have... The lady is always talking about large hotels they have there for white tourists to stay in…"

"Really... Hotels... Does our lady's mother handle the hotels as well?"

"I think so too daughter... They have enough money... They must be managing their properties with paid staff." Koinmenika made it a point not to mention the name of the father of Yasawathi's child lest she cause her pain of mind.

The moment Yasawathi realized that her mother was not going to rise to the bait she stood up to pick some manioc shoots to fry up for lunch.

"If you saw the lady you would be..."

She was about to pursue the subject a little further. When she saw the anxious hideous face of her daughter waiting for her to finish what she was about to say. Her mother's heart bled for her unfortunate daughter.

"She is the split image of our little girl."

"Some time ago Periyavar did say the lady was like our Menike."

"I am wondering what will happen if Menike was to meet the Lady one of these days face to face..." Koinmenika sighed deeply and stood up with difficulty to ease the pain of her hips after having stayed stooped so long at her task.

"That is most unlikely Mother... Even I have not seen Master Bernard in about six or seven years."

"That is because unfortunately most of your life is confined to the interior of the house... There is no opportunity for you to run into him even when he is on his field rounds."

"Tell me... My dear Mother...? Has he ever run into my lass at any time?"

"No... The master has never mentioned anything like that."

"I don't think she or he will take their expensive vehicle on our poor village tracks."

The track along which Menike goes to and fro is across a steep area of the property and Bernard only visits when the clove grove is being harvested. It is most unlikely of him ever running into her on her way to school and back. This thought was a comforting one to the grandmother and her daughter.

"If by some chance if our Menike was a shade fairer she would have been a carbon copy of our lady…"

"So she is fairer than our kid... Ha…"

"She is not a person who goes out in the sun much... All she does is spend time beautifying herself... You should see the stuff she is applying on herself... You can't go pass her... the perfume is overpowering."

"That may be so Mother... Priyavar only told me that she can be a nasty and cruel person."

"I really don't know about the cruelty... All I know is that sometimes she acts like a child... I have to say though that if she wants to find fault she will burst out without any regard to the time or the place."

"My daughter is also like that Mother... She has such a short handle on her temper... The slightest thing is enough for her to fly off the handle."

Yasawathi admitted this with a certain amount of pride because the similarity in character trait was for her a joy.

"That is quite natural... So it will be." Koinmenika observed.

Yasawathi moved away promptly to hide the tears welling up from deep within the long suffering woman she was.

* * *

Nandana Menike stopped by the huge age old Tamarind tree growing by the steep slope and kept looking at the brown fruits, not quite mature enough to fall off on their own. She was overly fond of the tangy semi sweet pulp of the fruit. Samantha was quick to realize her wish and being eager to please handed over his pile of school books to her and proceeded to find a suitable missile to bring down a few sausage shaped fruits for her. The moment she realized her wish would be fulfilled her mouth began to water in anticipation of the tanginess of siyambala! The boy broke off a branch of a Gliricidia tree. Broke off a suitable length of wood for a missile and let it off spinning in the style he was accustomed to towards a cluster of fruit. The spinning missile found its mark and he was rewarded with a cluster which landed below the path they were on. He hastened to slip down, retrieved the bunch of fruits and clambered up to the path. She had to bend forward and give her hand and haul him up onto the path. Samantha was all smiles but Nandana Menike felt some discomfort in her lower torso when she assisted him back on to the path.

"Why! What happened that made you look as if you are in pain?" He said this as he offered her the cluster of fruit.

"Nothing is the matter with me... You tell me why that funny grin is on your face?"

"Well you had to let me hold your hand at long last."

She looked away to hide her coy and turned round enjoying the taste of the fruit.

"To tell you the truth... Nothing would be more pleasurable than holding your hand... For always that is."

"What did you say?" She gave him a look not altogether discouraging but pretending not to understand the implication.

When his face shaded over some what she relented by offering him a fruit and saying.

"This stuff tastes heavenly."

"No... I don't want any... You are the one that is fond of the stuff... You can have them all."

There was a sign of protest in his tone. In order to show some affection to the boy she offered him a half-eaten fruit that she had in her hand with a cheeky smile decorating her face and when he attempted to take it she pulled away and ran a few feet away from him. The moment she turned to get away he noticed a telltale stain on the back of her uniform frock.

"Nanda something has rubbed off on your frock... I see a stain."

She turned round and swung the back of the skirt towards her. The moment she noticed the stain she took a few steps further away from the boy with a look of consternation in her eyes. Samantha realized the girl had reached a long awaited special moment in her life. He continued to look at her for a few moments wondering what he should say next. Nandana Menike who was staring at him equally perplexed turned around at once and made a beeline up the slope to get to her home. Samantha picked up the half-eaten fruit that lay on the ground brushed the sand off it and tested its taste before he headed home.