Senehelatha tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Kanthi had run away from Kolonnawe Vije.
Of course, everyone in this area had heard of Kolonnawe
Vije’s fearsome reputation. Senehelatha knew that it will only be a matter of
time before Soththi Upali’s men start scouring the area for the missing girl so
that Upali will be able to trade her for a greater share of the Kasippu
business in the area under his control.
After a turf between Soththi Upali’s gang and Kolonnawe
Vije’s gang war just a few months ago and having lost 5 of his good men in the
process, Upali had hatched a deal to let Vije sell kasippu in his area and in
return Upali could collect a commission from the sales. Upali knew this was
fraction of the money Vije was raking in but had decided to bide his time until
the fortunes reversed.
If Upali’s men find Vije’s woman before Vije’s men, it will
be the ace he had been waiting for.
Senehelatha had already witnessed Upali’s men trying to
exhort information from Sunil the Taxi driver.
Did Sunil reveal who Kanthi was with when she got into his
taxi, she wondered.
No. Sunil won’t betray Senehelatha but who else might had
seen Kanthi with the mother and daughter either going to the temple, coming
back from temple or going to Dr. Jyasundara’s dispensary?
Senehelatha played back in her mind the chance meeting of
Kanthi.
Hmmmm….The policeman on the bicycle!
He was from this area but worked at Dematagoda Police
Station.
No.. she thought… the policeman did not look behind after
questioning Kanthi to see her joining the mother and daughter.
Of course, he had
seen Kanthi.
“Duwa….Kanthi… do you have any relatives you can go stay
with?”
“No” Kanthi shook her
head.
“It’s not safe for you here. If those rascals find you here
it’s not safe for any of us”
“I understand. I will
try to get far away from here”
“How? Do you have
money?”
“………….”
“Then how far do you
think you can go on foot, girl?”
“Amma…I have some
money in my katay” Namali said hopefully.
“Please nangi….I don’t want to be a burden….somehow I will
find a way out of here. Thank you for all your help” Kanthi put the tea cup
down, collected her bag of clothes and prepared to go.
“Girl…..its not safe for you to go now…..you saw those men
looking for you already. Just wait here until night fall, at least”
“No….I don’t want to
unnecessarily put both of you in danger….I will be alright” Kanthi insisted.
“Akka , I have an idea. Why don’t you go back to Thapowanaya
temple and stay there until night fall. Those bastards will never come there.
We will come and get you once they stop looking”.
Senehelatha considered that option. She saw sense in that
idea. Besides Senehelatha knew enough people at the temple to make some sort of
temporary arrangement.
“Ok duwa….I think its best we take you back there for now”.
Senehelatha opened the front door, stepped out on to the
road, and looked both ways for any signs of the thugs.
“Let’s hurry then” the three women set off in the direction
of the temple. Luckily, a CTB bus came along which they boarded even though it
was a short journey, just to evade any thugs on the road.
Senehelatha explained to one of the temple seniors about
Kanthi’s predicament . He agreed to let Kanthi remain there until the evening.
The gong rang out signalling Dawal Daana.
Just like in the morning, bhikkus and bhikkunis emerged from
the forest to collect lunch.
The temple senior spoke to one of the older bikkhunis about
Senhelatha’s request and Kanth’s predicament. Ven. Upplawanna happened to
overhear the conversation. Ven Upplawanna respectfully approached Ven. Khema
and suggested “ why don’t we make arrangements for this girl to stay in the
Upasika’s section ?”
Ven. Kehma gave her consent.
Kanthi was shown the
Uapsika’s block.
“ Duwa…you rest here… we will return in the evening”
Senehelatha said reassuringly.
Senehelatha and Namali returned home to find a crowd
gathered in front of her home.
The front door had been kicked open by some men were who
were running around shouting.
“Don’t let anybody out. They must be in there. Check under
the bed. Check inside the almirah” one shouted orders, standing next to the
Policeman on the bicycle..
"Ralahami, are you sure this is the house?"
ordering man asked
“ I know, this is that woman's house.”
Senehelatha surveyed the situation. She knew Kanthi was
safe..for now.
She could take care of these young punks. They didn't look
like they were from the area.
“What the hell are you doing in my house” Senehlatha shouted
at the thug who was barking orders.
“Aaa Aunty…..where are you hiding our Vije’s kella?”
“What are you talking
about. Are you drunk.“Only my daughter and I live here”
“Then where is the
girl you took in a taxi”
“Aaa that girl? How
do I know? We took her to the hospital. When we were waiting in line, she just
disappeared. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find her. We didn’t even know
her name” Senehelatha managed to put on a convincing act.
“Somay….she is not inside the house” one of the punks
informed the one barking orders.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, 100%”
The Ordering Man considered his options for a few second.
“Ok then…if she comes back , you must come and tell us
immediately. Come on let’s check the hospital” the gang departed.
Senehelatha heaved a
sigh of relief realising what a close call that was.
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