Life of Silibiris 35

Silibiris ached.

Ached to feel the smooth Rani Sandalwood soap smelling body of Kanthi.

He felt like someone had suddenly turned a switch off.

She ignored him as if he were a total stranger.
As if…

Did all the tender moments they shared over many months amount to nothing?

How can she forget him so quickly after Vije returned. All of a sudden Kanthi’s mother was too busy to prepare meals for Silibiris and Sivapalan.

Sivapalan could feel his friend’s pain. He could see tended to Silibiris drink much more Kasiya at Sumana Akka’s spot than ever before.

“ Enna da Silibiris…. What’s the meaning of this? Why do you want to destroy yourself like this?” Sivapalan wanted to know. Silibiris said nothing and drank another dram.

“ Siva my brother… do you not see my aching heart? Why did she abandon me?”
 “ I see I see my friend …..but try to forget her . Tell you what… why don’t we go to Jaffna for Hindu – Sinhala New Year next week …and get drunk on Thal Raa?”

 “Maybe you are right. I must get away from here for a while. But not in Jaffana, I will spend some time in Ambarawa”

Silibiris wanted to see Kanthi for one last time. He dropped a note under her door asking her to meet him at Dematagoda Manel Hall just before the 6.30 show. They had enjoyed watching film shows there many times.

As it turned out,  not this time.
Kanthi never showed up.
Vije showed up instead.
Silibiris got the unspoken message.


 Silibiris and Vije watched Soora Chauraya starring Gamini Fonseka from the Gallery in the company of other rowdies whistling and clapping at love scenes and fight scenes. When the show was over they all went across to the Muslim Kade and treated themselves to a hearty Buriyani feed… lit up Bristol cigarettes and nonchalantly left leaving the cashier holding out their bill.


Next day, Silibiris and Sivapalan boarded Yaal Devi. Silibiris got off at Medawachchiya wishing Sivapalan a Happy New Year.