Short story
Prince Charming
Yamani Sisimala De Silva
“ A call for you” my mother announced.
It was my aunt. I answered her questions like “How are you” “What
were you doing” somewhat lazily. Then she got to the point.
A young man has inquired about me. I was surprised and was eager to
know the details. He had seen a photograph of myself and had got
satisfied with the plus points they could deliver to introduce me. He
had been looking for a long haired, fair and attractive bride. Knowledge
of English was also important.
Am I pretty? I do not know. I stood in front of the mirror, gazing at
the image in front of me.
 She
is very fair and with her long neck, it reminded me of a beautiful swan
I had seen in the Discovery channel. Yes, she had everything he was
looking for.” Explained my aunt.
Now about him. I have yet to know. He is serving as a captain of the
Sri Lanka Army. About his appearance? Well! Well! He is dark in
complexion. I was relieved. A dark person like Carl Lewis is more
attractive than a fair Ameer Khan. I was counting the day he gets a
holiday to come and visit our place.
At last, when the big day dawned I was very excited. I forgot to wrap
the cutlets twice in breadcrumbs. I realized how excited I was when the
cutlets started splitting from side to side.
The first thing he asked was what I thought about him. I lay silent
without uttering a word. Then he started chatting as if we had known
each other for long. I soon become friendly and started pouring
everything about me.
By the time he visited me next, and astrologer had gone through our
horoscopes and they said to have tallied.
While he sat in front of me he excused to answer a call when his hand
phone rang. I noticed he had pasted my photograph (which he managed to
collect from me the very first day) neatly cut in circle behind the
phone with a photograph of himself in blues, “Its my turn to make the
decision, he had already made his” I thought.
My relatives helped my mother and a grand wedding was planned. He
asked me to wait till his next holiday to go shopping in Colombo. My
father had passed away two years ago, so I had no one to chaperon me to
Colombo. He held my hand while toured the streets of Fort amids a sea of
people in search of a suitable wedding card. “It’s not nice to hold
hands in public” I commented “I don’t want to lose you in this crowd,
silly” he quipped. No sooner, I was clinging on to his arm.
While I shopped for nightdresses, bed sheets etc he lingered amongst
the gent’s stalls. He did not buy anything. When asked why he said since
it’s going to be a ceremonial wedding he has uniform and everything
ready already. He is well built and as I looked across the stall I knew
I could hang on to his strong shoulder hereafter.
He got fourteen days leave for the wedding and he wanted me to plan
visiting relatives during this period. Honeymoon was him to plan and the
very first night he took me to a food promotion at the hotel we stayed.
We got a free beer for each plate and he was happy to empty both. All
sorts of Chinese food were on display and he went on several serving
rounds like a small child enjoying every item on display. I could enjoy
myself-but with one condition that he said – not to eat too much starchy
food. He was keen about my figure!
My plan for visits was not bad according to him and one day I
remember, we had breakfast at my uncle’s lunch at aunt’s at Kirulapona
and returned to Panadura to his sister’s place. I was tired, laid myself
in bed, and soon fell asleep while he went for a body wash. After the
nap, I refreshed, came out of the room to notice him seated on a chair
still in his towel” why haven’t you changed” I asked. His kind eyes met
mine, “I was afraid to come in that I’d wake you up”. I stayed quiet in
shocked silence thinking how much this man adores me.
Last of the visits was to my sister’s place at Kurunegala. We spent
the day there and on our return stopped at a cane furniture vendor on
the pavement. We chose a set of verandah chairs and a bookrack. The
price came up to eleven thousand.
Our budget was not up to the mark. I collected the cash we got as
presents on our visits and it added up to only ten thousand. We told the
vendor and he understood. He gave the items for ten thousand for the new
couple and wished good luck.
It was late when we got home and it was raining. I was going through
my nightwear looking for a suitable nightdress. He came to the room and
opened the almirah. “This will do,” he said handing me a pair of pyjamas.
“When did you buy this”? I asked “Ten years ago” was the answer “You
haven’t even me me“ I asked startled. I had more in store. He emptied
the almirah. Sarees, fancy jewellery, jewellery boxes, fans, shoes
poured out.
”For my training I went to Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. I bought
these, then, to be given to my bride, whoever she may be,” he said. I am
the lucky one. I sat on the bed surrounded by the presents.”Priyankara,
you are like a prince in a fairytale my mother had related years ago!” |
