Elderly expectations; lost memories; unfulfilled dreams; all lost in a moment.
When that dark woman toppled down the cake which I had got for my Granny, little did I know that it was meant to be a bad omen.
I had noticed this woman from the time she stood beside me in that crowded bus that took us all to the Palaly check-out point. She was incredibly dark and wore a dark brown top which didn’t match her purple striped skirt. Her reddish eyes were fixed on me all the time.
I held on tight to that big silverish grey cardboard box which contained an expensive cake from the Galadari. It was specially made for our Granny who was completing a century in her life. A century was a rare thing these days; and especially having passed through times of conflicts and wars.
Our Granny saw the face of this island when it was being reigned by the white skinned who drank coffee from the sweat of slavery and shared the bed with the dark skinned beauties to make sure they left something to be remembered by all.
The borders of the North opened the way for this beautiful little woman who took vows in a temple at the age of nineteen to become the wife of a well-known ‘civil-servant’ as they were called by the English.
Our granny who eyed the Queen’s flag disappear and a new one appear, also witnessed the World Wars and famines. But it was when she had to leave back to the North with her kids, and leaving behind her ‘civil-servant’ husband in the South to continue his duties, that she realized there was something at odds between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.
Riots, insurgencies, curfews, conflicts, displacement, looting, murder, killing, bombing, shelling, fighting, starving; conflict after conflict, disaster after disaster; and at last she had a glimpse of it too – Peace. She had not considered herself to be alive till the day. The day of Peace; the day she will get to see the world at hundred.
They had promised her they would be there. Her daughters; her grand – daughters; her grand – sons; from across the Indian Ocean. She was awaiting that day. She had lived for that day – to see them all. She believed.
When I told my mom about a birthday party, I realized the sluggish tone in her voice. I felt surprised but yet annoyed. Nobody was ready for a party.
“What’s the point of a party? No one is here to come.”
“Those who promised aren’t turning up either.”
“And who is taking care of the arrangements”
“Granny is too feeble and mumbles all the time, she won’t know the difference.”
Many words were uttered. Different opinions made. Everyone made sure they had said something on the matter.
The living room was filled with people. Neighbours, friends, known and unknown. Many were there except her own children from across the seas, who thought it absurd to keep a promise they had given to their old mother a couple of years ago. Children who decided that a few dollars and timely phone calls would make up for their absence.
Grandmother realized her waiting was in vain on that day in 2009 - the day she turned hundred. The day she saw peace around her. The day she lost peace within her.
No one had turned up. “You know, it is too expensive nowadays” one cried. “The conflict was just over. So maybe they will target the ones from abroad now” another shivered. “People don’t mean everything they say. We had just told her then to make her stay alive.” The third argued.
“They have been this from the beginning. I knew they wouldn’t come. Typical of them.” wailed my mother who never dared to pronounce the words to her sisters.
Grandma was silent. Silently grateful for the birthday party.
“Pappa used to order cakes from Perera and Sons, and Ice Cream from Elephant House those days for my birthdays. They bring it home. Poor Pappa. I will be seeing him soon.” It was Granny referring to Grandpa and sharing her old memories with us.
“Common Grandma, you will live another century.............wont you?” That was one of us.
Granny smiled with tears. That was the last time we saw her smiling.
She was resting in peace. She had found peace within her, and peace outside.
“Being a couple yet free is our next challenge on the evolutionary ladder. This book successfully helps us unravel the myths that block that achievement. It does it with warmth, with readability, and with balance. It recreates everyday problems and
