Even after the thugs had left, Senehelatha felt uneasy.
She knew they could come back or worse still catch Namali on
her way to school and harass her to extract more information.
Besides, what the hell was that Dematagoda policeman from
Kotuwegoda doing accompanying the thugs to her house? She knew Welikada police
turned a blind eye to Soththi Upalis thuggery in the area. Perhaps the cop is
looking for a promotion? If he gets on Vijes’s good books perhaps he can get
Vije to put a good word for him to Vije’s political connections who uses Vije
for their election work.
“ Duwey…get ready “
“To go where… amma”
“ To your nenda’s
house… in Nugegeoda”
“Why”
“Just get ready…. We
must leave right now”
Senhelatha accompanied Namali to her sister’s house in
Delkanda and told the sister to keep the girl for a few days until this blows
over. Senehelatha’s sitter was no stranger to these comings and goings
especially when Nirosha was alive. She frequently had to stay with the aunt to
avoid advances from the local gang members. Those punks were like animals
without any morals or fear. They knew that even if they get rounded up by the police
they would be bailed out soon enough.
When Senehelatha returned home she was relieved to see that
there had been no further invasions by the gang looking for Kanthi.
Senehelatha stopped
at Kalu Mudalali’s shop on the way to Thapowanya to buy some food for Kanthi.
“ Latho… what the hell did you do woman… to make not one but
two gangs angry… like disturbed wasps?” Kalu Mudalali whispered in a low voice
furtively looking at other customers to make sure they did not hear the
conversation.
“Why mudalali….what do we have to do with those rascals….we
mind our own business”
“Don’t lie woman! Who
is this girl they are looking for? They nearly beat up Sunil the Taxi driver
asking for her. He didn’t say a word. I had to intervene to save him from a sound beating”
“I told you once….I
don’t know who they are looking for. Just give me two buns and two kesel for my
kella and I for tea.”
When Senehelatha found Kanthi at one of the Thapowanaya
kutis occupied by Upasikas, she found a woman much more at peace with herself than
the girl she met in the morning.
“Duwa…how….did you manage to sleep a little”
“Better…I feel a
calmness here I have never felt before”
“ Where is Namali?”
“She went to her
Aunt’s place for a few days”
“All of a sudden?”
“No not all of a
sudden…..she was supposed to go yesterday to be with my sister because she is a
bit ill” Senehelatha told a white lie forgetting the promise to refrain from
lies.
“Here…I brought you some food. Eat duwa”
“ I am not hungry.
These ladies here don’t eat at night.”
“But they are here as
Upasikas….you don’t have to follow them”
“No nenda….I want to.
I’ve been thinking. Perhaps I should become a Upasika myself. I have no one…no
place to go…..without being found by Vije again. I am safe here.”
Senehelatha watched Kanthis’s determined but calm face as
she spoke those words.
“ We are here for you.”
“I know but I don’t
want to be a problem for you.”
“But please do me a
favour. You be my guardian until the temple accepts me. Then please give them
your consent for me to become a Bikkhuni” said Kanthi and fell at Senehelatha’s
feet worshipping as a daughter would on the day she is leaving home.
