The ungrateful son

Yasmin JALDIN

Ranhamy and Menike lived in a remote village in Kamburupitiya and they had two sons, Sunil and Nimal. Ranhamy was a farmer, he had his own chena and paddy fields to cultivate. Whenever Menike was free after performing her household chores, she would help her husband in the chena.

Sunil the eldest, was a bright student and excelled in studies. Having passed all his higher exams, he was fortunate to gain admission to the Peradeniya University to further his engineering studies. He was boarded at the hostel. Once, his family visited him at the hostel, Sunil was not too pleased to see his father who was clad ordinarily in sarong and shirt with a towel around his neck, the attire worn by most farmers. Nimal was quick to notice his brother's frown but preferred not to show it.

He covertly glanced at his father to see whether he had noticed Sunil's frown, but to his dismay his mother had seen it. When they were about to leave, Sunil whispered to his mother that in future to send his fees through his uncle. On their return journey the poor mother was very silent and sad, the father noticed her quietness and enquired from his wife what was wrong, indirectly she told the husband that 'Sunil putha is concerned of our welfare and that is why he is asking the uncle to visit him in the future'.

That night Menike cried herself to sleep thinking of their ungrateful son and Nimal too disliked his brother for his attitude and selfishness. The aged parents were able to see their son only when he came home for vacation.

Sunil obtained an honour's degree in Engineering and passed out as an Engineer. He got his first appointment in a State organization. He was so happy and so was his parent as it was his wish from childhood that he would become an engineer. His first assignment was in Kaudulla.

Sunil performed all his given tasks by his superiors with great enthusiasm. He inspected many irrigation tanks, jotting down shortcomings, producing reports the following morning to the office. His ability pleased his superiors and he was commended for permanency within one year of service.

His team-mates were displeased when they heard this, since some of them were still under probation for the past two years. When he received his first salary, Sunil's first thought was his parents.

Obtaining two days leave he left for the village, taking with him gifts for his parents and relatives. He had a rousing welcome and everyone in the village called him 'Engineer Putha'. Sunil promised his parents that he would send them money every month. When he returned to his quarters he was homesick, as he missed his village.

At the annual party organized by Mr. Dantanarayana, the Office Head, all Engineers were invited. Sunil was introduced to the guests by his chief as the most eligible bachelor. Bewitching Lilamani caught his eye but he pretended not to show his admiration.

Sunil knew that he was an eligible bachelor at 33 and the most sought after by unmarried females. At the party, Lilamani played host to Sunil. Lilamani came from a very wealthy family and her father was a landed proprietor.

Frivolous Lilamani liked the quiet Sunil from the very first moment she met him. However Sunil's friends warned him that he should not get serious about her as she has had many affairs and had a high handed attitude.

He brushed this aside and said he would not get serious. Two weeks after the party he was caught unawares when Lilamani came to his office on the pretext of handing over a report to the Chief Engineer. Actually, it was Sunil she came to see.

Without paying much attention to her he pretended to be engrossed in work. Back home, Lilamani thought to herself that she would entice this man, come hither thither. She kept on calling him and so they struck a friendship.

In this melee, Sunil was unable to visit his parents as his week-ends were spent with Lilamani, Outings were organized and Sunil was invited to join in the trips. Not being a spoil sport, he participated. A visit to the Peradeniya botanical gardens and an outing in Nuwara Eliya were the pick of the week.

Lilamani was under the impression that Sunil came from a very rich Walauwa family and she was pressing Sunil to take her to his village. He noticed that he was gradually falling in love with the girl which he tried to hide but he could not miss calling her. He knew she would not adapt herself to his village if she was aware of his family status.

His visit to the village become less. One day, his mother fell ill and was hospitalized. When the message was conveyed he was not in since he had gone on a long trip. When admonished, his reply was that it was an official trip and he was sent by his superior to collect data. That week-end he lift for his village to see his mother and she was overjoyed to see him.

He looked at his mother's pale face and his father whispered that she had contracted the dreadful disease 'lung cancer'. Lilamani was enraged that Sunil had left without informing her. When he returned to office she reprimanded him. This time the trip was for five days organized by Lilamani, with four other team mates joining them to Trincomalee.

Meanwhile, Menike's health was deteriorating fast. Ranhamy knew that Sunil's presence at his mother's bedside was crucial. Every night she asked for Sunil and every time the message of his mother's illness was conveyed, he was out of office or he had gone on inspection.

On Poya night Menike's condition took to the worse and she was rushed to the Kamburupitiya General Hospital. An immediate surgery was performed and her condition took to the worse. Blood was required and Ranhamy and Nimal rushed to the Blood Bank to obtain blood.

The operation lasted two hours and though it was successful, doctors advised Ranhamy that Menike would not survive, since both lungs were incurable.

She was on saline for two days. Nimal and his father were at her bedside throughout and Ranhamy heard Menike murmuring Loku Putha's name in her sleep. Two days later, Menike's health worsened, she could not focus any visitors and gasped for breath. After three days, she passed away. Ranhamy was unconsolable, the loss was irreparable and unbearable, he had lost his beloved wife.

When Sunil was informed of his mother's demise, he wept like a little boy, but, his father and brother never forgave him when he came to the funeral.

He had spurned their reminders and repeated requests and had not come to see his mother when she called for him. He saw all the village folk helping in the funeral arrangements as was customary in his village.

He then saw Lilamani seated in a corner of the room covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Her behaviour he could not fathom. Later, he learnt that she behaved so because the villagers at the funeral house were chewing betel and spitting them out at every corner of the garden.

Sunil noticed her arrogance and he overheard some of her nasty remarks. He hated Lilamani that very instant. The remarks of his colleagues came to light and he thought to himself, how could a woman who had no thought for mankind be his soulmate. His mother's loss showed him the bad woman in Lilamani.

He thought for himself that it would be best to end their friendship. She would never get on with his father, his relatives and his village folk. If he married her his life would be one of mental agony. His poor 'Amma' had saved him in the nick of time by showing the character of the woman he thought could be his life's partner. He thanked his lucky stars.

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