Wanderers in Eternity – Chapter 1 (Page 10)
“Mother, aren’t we going to bathe?” though Janaki asked out of habit, Thangamani walked by the well without a word. “Mother, don’t we have any dinner?”
“What a bother this is?” through her tears, words sputtered out of Thangamani’s mouth. Who will listen to her tragedy? Darkness of rain clouds was adding on to the evening sky. The canal appeared every so often across the road in a muddy hue. Thangamani walked in fear. Janaki was now silent. Unable to stand her hunger she nibbled at the second roti in the bundle.
A little further away, under a lamplight appeared a familiar face like that of an angel.
“Suduhaminay?”
“Oh, this is our little ladies?” Suduhaminay held up Janaki’s chin.
“Oh, Suduhaminay…” Thangamani started to cry. “My man Sundaram.”
“Oh, God and Buddha’s way… I heard all about it. Like a wild fire I heard all about it. Those awful people. Suduhaminay started to wail as well.
“We are going to see the shed, Suduhaminay.”
Silently, Suduhaminay stared. Some words which she could not mutter choked in her throat.
“If you all want to, you can come and sleep with me under the roof of the village meeting hall. That’s where I sleep at night. Under that roof.”
There was a pause. Shaking her head Suduhaminay said “Oh, Appo!” Then she added, “Go on, go on. Go and see what has happened before the looters come.”
Saying something more, Suduhaminay walked towards the well. Holding the girl’s hand and pressing the boy more to her bosom, Thangamani stepped towards the Delkanda junction.
It started to drizzle. Gradually the asphalt began to glisten. The fresh smell of the dampening earth filled their lungs.
All the vehicles went about as if nothing extraordinary had happened. Holding on to Janaki’s hand, Thangamani crossed the High Level road. To the left, the muddy water of the canal was churning. From there came a filthy smell.