Kanthi followed the mother and daughter to their home in Kotuwegoda by Diywanna River. Senehelatha and Namali lived in a clean stand alone humble cottage, a little cut above the Kolonnawe Pelihouse.
Since Nirosha’s death, Senehelatha worked at Electro Plastic factory in Athulkotte to support Namali who was still attending President’s College. Without Nirosha’s income as a teacher, life was tougher but their generosity and compassion had not diminished. We...lcoming Kanthi to their home was second nature to Senehelatha. Besides, she had already sensed Kanthi was running away from home the moment she saw the strange look of Kanthi walking behind them head wrapped in a sarong, carrying a bag with some clothes sticking out.
“come duwa….come sit ….leave that bag over there in Nirosha’s room. “ Senehelatha motioned to Kanthi.
Namali took the bag of clothes off Kanthi and put on what had been Nirosha’s bed. The two had been sharing the room. Norosha's bed looked as if it had been made up by herself just this morning.
“So…..this is our home….not much…but we have been living here ever since I got married to Wimalay…..their father”
“ Duwa… I am Senehelatha…this is Namali….my dead daughter was Nirosha”
“ What’s your name ..duwa?”
“Kanthi”
“I haven’t seen you around here or at the temple before”
“no”
“Hmm….where were you going”
“……………”
“We noticed a policeman questioned you”
“……………”
Senehelatha realised Kanthi was not keen to talk for some reason. She surveyed Kanthi’s sad face which had some resemblance to Nirosha. Her face looked a bit swollen as if someone hat hit her.
“ Deiyyanay…..Kanthi…..why is there blood on your neck.” Senhelatha observed the caked up blood on Kanthi’s neck behind the ear.
“Akka….yes..yes …your head’s bleeding”
“what happened duwa? Did you fall somewhere on the road?”
“Budu ammo….your scalp is full of dried blood……hunhhh….there is a big gash” Senehelatha gasped.
Kanthi’s Pelihouse instincts told her to run out the door. She got up to run but Senehelatha held her by the shoulders and sat her down.
“Duwa….it’s alright…..tell me the truth…..I won’t let anyone harm you “
“Anay….akka…..you are badly hurt…..you'r head is still bleeding …we must take you to the doctor immediately”
“No …no …please…I don’t want to go to the doctors. He will find me” Kanthi whimpered in protest.
“Who”
“Vije”
“Who is Vije”
“…………….”
“Duwa….is that your husband?”
“…………..”
“Did he hit you?”
“Yes”
“When”
“Last night”
“My god…you must have lost a lot of blood already. Duwa….I am a mother…..I lost a daughter just like you because she had bled to death before someone took her to the hospital. Please don’t be stubborn. Dr. Jayasundara’s dispensary must be open now. It’s not far. Let’s go”
Senehelatha took charge.
Namali took the bag of clothes off Kanthi and put on what had been Nirosha’s bed. The two had been sharing the room. Norosha's bed looked as if it had been made up by herself just this morning.
“So…..this is our home….not much…but we have been living here ever since I got married to Wimalay…..their father”
“ Duwa… I am Senehelatha…this is Namali….my dead daughter was Nirosha”
“ What’s your name ..duwa?”
“Kanthi”
“I haven’t seen you around here or at the temple before”
“no”
“Hmm….where were you going”
“……………”
“We noticed a policeman questioned you”
“……………”
Senehelatha realised Kanthi was not keen to talk for some reason. She surveyed Kanthi’s sad face which had some resemblance to Nirosha. Her face looked a bit swollen as if someone hat hit her.
“ Deiyyanay…..Kanthi…..why is there blood on your neck.” Senhelatha observed the caked up blood on Kanthi’s neck behind the ear.
“Akka….yes..yes …your head’s bleeding”
“what happened duwa? Did you fall somewhere on the road?”
“Budu ammo….your scalp is full of dried blood……hunhhh….there is a big gash” Senehelatha gasped.
Kanthi’s Pelihouse instincts told her to run out the door. She got up to run but Senehelatha held her by the shoulders and sat her down.
“Duwa….it’s alright…..tell me the truth…..I won’t let anyone harm you “
“Anay….akka…..you are badly hurt…..you'r head is still bleeding …we must take you to the doctor immediately”
“No …no …please…I don’t want to go to the doctors. He will find me” Kanthi whimpered in protest.
“Who”
“Vije”
“Who is Vije”
“…………….”
“Duwa….is that your husband?”
“…………..”
“Did he hit you?”
“Yes”
“When”
“Last night”
“My god…you must have lost a lot of blood already. Duwa….I am a mother…..I lost a daughter just like you because she had bled to death before someone took her to the hospital. Please don’t be stubborn. Dr. Jayasundara’s dispensary must be open now. It’s not far. Let’s go”
Senehelatha took charge.
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