The Quarrel - Part III
A series of programs will be held to honour the renowned literati Dr.
Gunadasa Amarasekara, who turns 80 in November. Kalahaya appears in his
celebrated short story collection Jeevana Suvanda. The short story,
written in his usual lyrical style, portrays complexities in the
middle-class life. Artscope features the English translation, The
Quarrel, in five parts.
Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera
Translated by Professor Kusuma Karunaratne
 I saw that a heap of litter had been gathered in front of the
kitchen. If mother sees this, she is sure to question Lily and punish
her. So, I fetched the broom from the kitchen and collected the litter
into the bin. I examined in and around the kitchen to find out whether
there's anything else that I could do. There was a bucketful of dish
water in front of the kitchen. I knew that mother would not certainly
tolerate this. Hence I took it away and poured that water to the lemon
plant. As I felt that there's nothing else that would irritate mother, I
came back and sat again on the bench.
Mother, who was lying on the camp-bed, suddenly came out of the room.
As she walked toward the toilet, I quickly followed her. On the way, she
stopped under the jak tree. There were a few earthenware pots under the
tree. Usually, this is the place where pots and pans are washed after
meals; Mother looked for a while, bent over and carefully examined the
vessels. I was trembling with fear.
"Look at this... The one in which porridge was prepared... Look at
the muck... Even after so many hours." Mother went on as she tapped at
each vessel.
"This wretch... She has damaged all these vessels... Where is she...
See if she's around." Shouted mother and walked into the toilet.
When I went near the jak tree and looked around. I saw Lily near the
fence, scratching her head. I was infuriated when I saw her. I knew that
she would spark off a quarrel. I felt like asking her to go down to the
rubber plantation.
"Lily," shouted mother as she came out. She was fuming with rage. I
saw Lily, who was near the fence, running towards mother. My legs
started shivering for fear.
"From when are these pots lying here." Shouted mother, her eyes
burning with rage. Lily looked down and didn't speak a word."
"What is this pot?" Questioned mother as she pointed at the pot in
which porridge was cooked. She was looking down and was silent.
"What's the matter with your gap...? Can't you talk...? When did you
bring these here?" yelled mother mad with rage.
"In the morning," said Lily looking down trembling with fear.
"Why couldn't you wash these that were brought here this morning?
What on earth was wrong with you? Speak up." Mother pulled her by her
ear.
"Speak up... What were you doing from morning?"
"I prepared some medicine."
"You are here not to prepare medicines... You are here to do the
household work. Do you hear me?" Roared mother and slapped her across
Lily's cheeks. Mother's bulging eyes were burning with rage.
"Check each of these pots, one by one." Lily was sobbing as she
tapped at each vessel. Everyone of them emitted a dull sound.
"Come... I must check each and every pot in the shelf." Mother said
and walked to the entrance of the kitchen. I too followed her. I felt my
legs tremble with fear.
"I don't know for what reason she is being kept here... This slut has
come to ruin us." Shouted mother, this time louder. I guessed she did
so, perhaps for father to hear her.
"Take all the pots from the shelf"
Lily, trembling with fear, climbed on to the bench and handed mother
all the pans, from the shelf, one by one. Mother examined each by
tapping at it. Most of the pots and pans she examines emitted dull
sounds. Whenever that happened I could see the feeling of satisfaction
on mother's face, as much as to say her prediction has come true. She
leaves such a vessel on a side feeling victorious.
"Isn't this that big pot I bought only two months back?" She said as
she examined rather a newer looking pot. She held it up and tapped at
it.
"How did this get damaged?"
Lily was leaning against the door, without uttering a word.
"Speak up. How did this new one get damaged?" Still Lily did not
utter a word.
"Speak up. What's wrong with your gap?" Shouted mother and dashed
Lily's head, several times, against the door.
"Put that knife in the fire... I can brand her face... This witch is
the cause of all trouble." Roared mother, throwing the knife, which was
by her feet, towards me.
Mother's face was burning with rage. Lily stood there, speechless and
with her eyes downcast. Her silence infuriated me. Perhaps if she
speaks, I thought, mother's anger would soften. Not knowing what exactly
to do, I looked round.
"Speak up... You wretch." Shouted mother and slapped her several
times. "Take those from the lower rack."
I peeped into the bedroom. Father was still lying on the easy chair
with his eyes closed. Yet it was clear to me that he wasn't asleep. What
would he be thinking of? I came back again to the kitchen.
"Take that big pan. You are finished if that's damaged." Mother
roared again. Lily took the pan which was in the other corner and handed
it over to mother with trembling hands. I prayed god that it should not
be damaged.
I saw mother's face glow with satisfaction when she examined it. I
was shivering with fear. Mother pulled Lily out by her lock of hair.
"It is either she or I who has to be here." shouted mother and
slapped Lily on the face. Lily who was silent up to now started to
scream.
"What on earth is this nuisance?" Yelled father as he came out of the
room. I felt as if all life in me has departed.
"Yes, it is going to be a nuisance. Either drive me away or else she
must be thrown out." Screamed mother and dashed the big pan on the door
step with a bang. The shattered pieces flew in all directions. Mother
jumped forward as if to grab Lily again. |
