{"id":110759,"date":"2023-03-20T09:36:45","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T09:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=110759"},"modified":"2023-03-20T09:37:33","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T09:37:33","slug":"sellam-badu-kollo-a-short-story-from-rainbows-in-braille-a-collection-of-short-stories-by-elmo-jayawardena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sellam-badu-kollo-a-short-story-from-rainbows-in-braille-a-collection-of-short-stories-by-elmo-jayawardena\/","title":{"rendered":"Sellam Badu Kollo ” a short story from “Rainbows in Braille” – A collection of short stories – By Elmo Jayawardena"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sellam Badu Kollo ” a short story from “Rainbows in Braille” – A collection of short stories – By Elmo Jayawardena<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Toy<\/p>\n

\"\"The sunsets were magnificent; long and slow as the western sky got splashed in marmalade and vermillion. The glow in the far horizon was burnt gold where the sun\u2019s thin red rays sprouted through low \u2018mackerel shoal\u2019 clouds like a mute symphony from heaven. The beach became copper coloured and the water\u2019s edge a rare purple with white-foamed waves still battering the shore. Far to the right the rotating beam of the Galle lighthouse made its lazy rounds, still an infant blip against the fading last light of a day nearing its end. The sky, the sea and the beach in harmony were picture postcard perfect, an instant painting that would last awhile till the night cloaked it in darkness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The two lay on large Poseidon Inn towels spread on the sand, white with green lines with an oversized crude looking print of the sea god himself in the middle. None other than Mr. Poseidon himself, trident in hand, matted beard and the facial features all inter mixed in a grotesque design; result of a cheap and poor print job on the towel from a poor and cheap dye factory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The girls were long-legged and blond, one with cascading hair and the other the upside down bathroom mop style, both very easily pole-vaulting over the average hurdles of beauty. The French cut strips covering their near nakedness were blue and blue, a dark and a pale; they had picked them from the same shelf at half-price from a swimwear shop in Osterfeld, their hometown in the fatherland. The suits were about to go out of fashion and no one would possibly wear them in the grey and gloomy winter weather in Germany, certainly not in the small community where they lived. No wonder the swimsuits were so cheap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The typical beach-bummer paraphernalia were scattered around them like children\u2019s discarded toys; almost empty Evian plastic water bottles and half-squeezed\u00a0 tubes of sun-lotion lying on the ample towels along with cloth caps and sunglasses that had become redundant with the dying sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brigit rolled on her stomach and picked a Marlborough and flipped a lighter to ignite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWant?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dee shook her head. Her mouth still tasted stale from the last one she had smoked<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The late evening was the time Dee liked best to be on the beach, twilight in the tropics, just to lie on the sand and watch the looming sky fade from light to dark and spot the stars as they got lit one by one by some favoured angel on star lighting duty for the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou could pick them as they come to life and count them, if you cared,\u201d she whispered to herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dee watched Brigit in cigarette mode; face tilted up, cheeks hollowing on the inhale and then making her ever vain attempts to send out half-broken smoke rings with pouting lips. They both started the course together, this sending smoke ring business as they arrived at the hotel, self taught, to pistol-barrel the lips and push the tongue out to make the smoke drift off in abstract circles. Dee mastered and Brigit struggled, it was the story of their life in anything they did, biking and swimming and tennis included and not excluding who got the \u201cstrip for me please\u201d penetrating looks they got on their Friday night disco crawls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTime to go Brit,\u201d saying so Dee stood and picked her towel in one fluid motion and gave a vigorous shaking to get the sand off.\u00a0 She then rolled and squashed it into the bottom of her duffel-bag. Brigit took her last Marlborough pull and made her final attempt to send one last smoke ring to join the sunset.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brigit and Deidre had been in Galle for three days; three sun-filled lazy days that were nothing but wonderful. The Inn was exactly what the Travel man in D\u00fcsseldorf promised when they booked the trip. \u201cPoseidon\u201d that was the name and the seven rooms that Poseidon boasted of were all occupied, one for Brit and Dee and the other six for some noisy Italians from Catalina who walked all over the hotel n their pyjamas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat can you expect?\u201d Brigit calmed Deidre, you know where they are from; they only know to make shoes and pasta and anything beyond that they are either Ferrari mechanics or hairdressers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two beds and a little table crowded the Poseidon room and a built-in wardrobe fought for space beside the entrance to a tiny bathroom. The shower sprayed a trickle of water to bathe, which was fine for the price they paid. On one wall was a mirror and on the other hung a half naked slant-eyed dancer with an abundance of overflowing breasts and a seductive behind, a brown batik hanging on a cheap frame. As for the linen the sheets were brilliant white and had the unmistakable odour of Sunlight soap. The towels were the same, fluffy and thick and smelling strongly of laundry detergent as if the housekeeper here was hell-bent on keeping matters clinically clean. Though small, the room was airy and a wide window faced the sea for the guests to spectate how the waves broke on the shore. It was all golden sand and a nursery blue sky with the sea rolling and churning in the middle. The Poseidon Inn was certainly a haven to be for anyone who loved the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brit and Dee were more than happy; they had traveled very far for this serendipity. Bar the minor annoyance of the noisy pyjama clad Italians, the rest was all heaven. Wake up late and loll in bed and amble to the breakfast buffet where a feast of fruit and bakery delights awaited them. That took care of the best part of the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then to the beach to burn in the sun and dip in the blue and lie on the sand and make vain attempts to send Marlborough smoke rings to the sky. Such was life, rest at its best, and five more days before they packed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The restaurant was almost empty except for a local family that had taken a corner table facing the sea; the husband and wife were engrossed in menu reading while the children played with the cutlery. Dee chose to sit away from the noisy stereo, old voices and old songs, Belafonte was on a popular medley in a rustic voice, asking Lisa to come back and wipe his tears followed by a romp around the bay of Mexico and finally saying a farewell to Jamaica.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe local beer is tofs madam,\u201d lisped the waiter advertising Lion Lager.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBig one,\u201d Dee ordered gesturing with the hand and Brit nodded consent..<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMake sure it is well chilled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou like pried fotatoes\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The waiter ambled off to get the beer and the \u201cfotato-refuses\u201d looked at each other over the menu cards they were attempting to decipher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMixes his P\u2019s and the F\u2019s, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMust be pucking with his frick,\u201d Dee laughed loud and rowdily and Brit matched in equal pitch.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the beer arrived they had decided on devilled crab and mixed fried rice together with papadam and white vegetables to palliate the chillie in the devil. That is the first thing Dee and Brit learnt on the very first day they arrived. Less chillie to a Sri Lankan palate was mouth-burning to a German, almost like eating a meal with sulphuric acid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drinking beer and munching the crab having mixed it with crusting papadam and softening greens all added to make the fried rice a treat for the divine. The food was that good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLike some affle-fie?\u201d the waiter was back again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The ladies passed and opted for coffee instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was then that they noticed the two young men who were sipping drinks a few tables away, trigger-happy with darting eyes and inviting saucy grins that had so far been wasted on the German duo. It didn\u2019t take long for the tall one to muster the courage to unseat himself from the chair and head towards his hopes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello.\u201d\u00a0 The voice was deliberated to be soft, a notch or two softer than normal to make it somewhat raunchy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello,\u201d that was Dee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou ladies on holiday?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo we are locals,\u201d that is Dee again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, is that so? My friend and I are from Europe,\u201d says the tall one with a glint in his eye, widening his open mouth to an easy smile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The ice is broken and the tall one makes the move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMind if we join you, maybe share another beer?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSure, come over,\u201d this time it\u2019s Brit. \u201cCall your friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They declined the beer and had their coffee. The conversation filled the blanks on who and what and the where and when of both parties by the time the second round of coffee was consumed. The tall one was talkative and the short one continuously smiled. Ruwan, the taller, could be labeled good-looking, Sri the shortie was rounded, Danny Devito look, almost qualifying for fat man status. He had that unmistakable ease and jollity of those that carry a bit of extra weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They were both young, more like a decade younger than Dee and Brit who were born in the same month in the same year in the same German village almost four score ago.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo we sell cars,\u201d Ruwan said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was born in Colombo, but grew up in Galle,\u201d Sri added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe went to school together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSame as we\u201d quipped Brit. \u201cNot only did we go to the same school, but we lived down the same lane too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Small talk took its time. The two young men conversed with practised ease and knew a lot about people and places in far away Europe.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo we studied in an International School in Galle, the first that was opened before they mushroomed,\u201d Ruwan laughed as he answered Dee\u2019s comment on how fluently the car-sellers spoke English.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know words in German too, inder nacht, sind die catzen grau.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, that\u2019s right,\u201d Brigit simpered and translated, \u201call cats are gray in the dark.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Time passed in laughter and light talk and more coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The waiter came back with repeated offers of \u201caffle fie\u201d and they were seduced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLooks like he\u2019s got no place to store his affle fie,\u201d Ruwan mimics and laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey are ok\u201d thinks Dee, \u201ca bit on the young side, but not bad company to drink coffee by the sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Simon is now on the stereo in perfect harmony with Art Garfunkel as they give a nostalgic rendition of \u2018Dangling Conversations\u2019 praising Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost. That went over the head of the motor-trade men, different generation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we should drive somewhere and listen to some live music,\u201d invited Ruwan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIts getting late,\u201d negatives Dee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, come on, the night is still very young, and it\u2019s just ten minutes away and you can hear the best local band.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can even request German songs for you,\u201d added Sri.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The drive was shorter than the predicted ten minutes, maybe because Ruwan drove like a Daytona Ace; wheel spinning start and rocket accelerations on his modified noise-making Mazda sedan that had black leather seats smelling rich.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The place wasn\u2019t crowded and the band was nice, two guitars, a key-board man and the fourth was a drummer who was singing a local love-song. The band boys all wore their hair long and sported scanty beards. They had on red, gold and green rasta-man berets that Bob Marley popularized along with his Raggae music. A few couples were dancing, slow and easy on the spacious floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The drinks arrived; the girls agreed to try the Margaritas which both Ruwan and Sri swore by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs good as what you get South of the Border,\u201d the car salesmen promoted their choice. It was true, the mix was exactly right with the crushed ice and the salt on the rim and a cherry to top it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They raised glasses and toasted to new found friends and sipped on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDance?\u201d Ruwan gestured to Dee and they strolled to the floor hand in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The music changed to a slower tempo and they moved in rhythm and saw Sri and Brigit nod at them from across the floor.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The drive back was slow and they detoured to go by the majestic ramparts of Galle\u2019s old Dutch Fort wrapped in a silvery veil of an almost full-moon that had crawled up from the eastern sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s up for tomorrow?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat else, but beach, beach and beach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why we came,\u201d Dee detailed. \u201cSimply to take a long lazy rest and soak in the sun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy not take a day off from your beach and we will go some place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll take you to Rumassala Hill and then to the Unawatuna beach to spend the afternoon. You will still have your sun and sand and at a much better place than the Poseidon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs it far?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust a few miles away, we can have the whole day out and be back for dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat is this hill about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cFirst you say yes, and then we will take you and show you. You have to see to believe how beautiful it is, the place is too good for words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The morning was cool, it had rained in the night and the remnants of a few nimbus clouds still hung about in the far horizon rumbling with occasional growls of thunder, harmless like aged zoo lions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you off to?\u201d The lady manager Vini asked more or less in greeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe are going to some famous hill and then to another beach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh! Must be to Rumassala,\u201d manager Vini guessed correct. \u201cIt is a must for anyone who visits this part of the island.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOur friends will take us,\u201d replied Dee, \u201cThey were supposed to be here ten minutes ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTen minutes late?\u201d Vini exclaimed puckering her face and swinging her head like a wandering street cow. \u201cThis is Sri Lanka Madam, anything within half an hour is early for us, don\u2019t worry, they\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHope so, hope so,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Just then \u201cAffle Fie\u201d walked up to them with two young men in tow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere they are Sir, the German ladies.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The manager and the waiter watched them walk away; the German girls and the local boys, out for fun, to swing in the sun. They\u2019ve seen this before and that too, many a time, intercontinental fairy tales that unfolded in two-week longevity and vanished like a sweet taste that once teased the tongue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNice ladies madam,\u201d Affle Fie commented to Vini, his Argus eyes following the ample Deutsch hips saucily swinging from loose-legged micro shorts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe girls are nice indeed, but the boys I don\u2019t know,\u201d remarked Vini.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey are always the same, just SBKs,\u201d she added with a sarcastic half smile, her comment vacillating between statement and gossip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNothing but Sellam Badu Kollo, young, rich and think they are it, a gift from the gods to women; but very little else,\u201d condemned the manager with a faint trace of envy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They were on the road, Ruwan expertly dogging, braking and cursing, tooting the horn and changing gears as he maneuvered the Mazda through the heavy morning traffic. The motor men knew their trade, not only on cars, but on other things too. They smoothly arranged the seating; Sri opening the front door for Dee ensuring his place in the back seat with Brit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All done with practised and experienced ease, the who\u2019s who \u2018couple slotting\u2019 was complete.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTell me about this place we are going to see,\u201d Brit questioned without addressing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou tell them Sri, I\u2019m driving.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRumassala goes back four thousand years to Valmiki\u2019s Ramayanaya,\u201d Sri started the ever so many times repeated myth. \u201cTo the time King Ravana abducted Princess Seeta and her husband Prince Rama came to rescue her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLegend has it that Hanuman, Rama\u2019s friend the monkey was asked to bring medicinal plants from the Himalayan Hills. Having forgotten what was requested he carried a whole jungle area and a part of that had fallen down over Rumassala. Hence, the hill is famous for medicinal herbs, and the view from up there is spectacular.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u201cCan\u2019t take the car, got to walk, climb the escarpment and walk back,\u201d Ruwan laid the game plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good that way, the climbing and coming down will make us hungry and we will take you for a nice local lunch and then go to the Unawatuna Beach to spend the rest of the day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPerfect,\u201d Dee responded whilst watching the car swerve to avoid a hay laden bullock cart that came from the wrong side of the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The hill was an easy climb and the view at the top was indeed something to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing from here to the South Pole,\u201d Ruwan pointed a finger at the wave-crested sea below and commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI thought the Maldives were there,\u201d inquired Dee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh! No, those islands are more to the west, there\u2019s really nothing south of Galle up to the pole, only the sea.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The vegetation along the path to the top and the small garden at the summit was rich in colour and was carpeted with a variety of dwarf caladiums. The few trees looked stunted, their gnarled trunks covered with various creepers like embracing lovers. There were flowers everywhere, dots of red and blue matched by white and yellow blooming to make their presence against all the shades of green leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere are some plants here that you cannot find anywhere else in the entire Island,\u201d Ruwan explained. \u201cThat is a fact, gives some credibility to the Hanuman\u2019s story.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The walk up and the coming down made them pleasantly tired and hungry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll take you to one of our favourite places, Muslim food, and the best in Galle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was a small caf\u00e9 run by a kind old man called Samsudeen. They sat outside under the shade of woven coconut fronds supported aloft by bamboo-stalks. The sea shimmered in the distance and they were close enough to still hear the sound of waves amidst the rasping traffic noise on the main trunk road to Matara town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was halal food they ate, and the specialty was two mains, mutton buriyani or kotthu roti,<\/em> Dee and Brit had both and washed them down with ice-cool sweet Portello.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRuwan was right,\u201d thought Dee, Samsudeen\u2019s food was excellent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next was Unawatuna, a crescent moon shaped palm shaded paradise for beach-lovers and sun-worshippers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe sand beside the Poseidon Inn is no match for this,\u201d boasted Sri. It was true. For here the beach stretched for miles, as far as the eye could see, vacant except for a few beach lovers some distance away, walking ant-like in the wide golden beach and another few bobbing and weaving out of the shallow shoreline where the waves came in to worship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The day wore on; the four lay on the beach, the girls stripped to their blue and blue skimpies and the boys in crotch tight Speedo shorts that bulged boastfully to show off. Ruwan expertly applied suntan lotion on Dee\u2019s back and patted the voluptuous buttocks to say he\u2019s done. Sri was telling some story to Brigit, must have been very funny as she started laughing well before the punch-line. Such was the day, perfect for the young; when it got too hot, they dipped in the water and came out, to surrender to the sun again. They munched Marie biscuits whilst watching the snorklers looking for corals and shoals with their periscopes up. The windsurfers were there too, skimming the waves in perfect balance, more like nimble ballet dancers with the sea as their stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sun started its final crawl on the western sky and was getting ready to say good-bye to another day. Brigit pulled long on the last Marlborough and made her vain attempts to send out lop-sided smoke-rings. Ruwan and Sri helped them to pack their sling bags and carried them to the car.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They drove by the Fort again, the ramparts were breathing in the last light of the sun and timid lovers who had enjoyed stolen moments were walking away holding hands, scared to be out in the dark, or maybe to get home in time before the excuses ran out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The motor men were invited to have dinner, perhaps a fitting reciprocation for the wonderful day they planned and executed for the German duo. Ruwan wanted to shower and Dee took him to the room. Sri and Brit walked the beach to see the moon wake up through the palm trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s good we left them alone,\u201d Sri concluded. \u201cTwo is company, four is a crowd, isn\u2019t there some saying like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brit ignored the question, absorbed more in watching the water glittering in silver sparks as the moonlight soaked the beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Ruwan likes Dee,\u201d says Sri, \u201cand I think she likes him too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure they like each other,\u201d added Brit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe they might go a little further than mere liking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell you know, man meets woman, soul meets soul, nice beach, nice food, nice people, things do happen,\u201d Sri prophesised with practised ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Brit gave a shy smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she shrugged her shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell what about you?\u201d Sri asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean,\u201d Sri stuttered, \u201cdo you like me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I like you Sri, you are wonderful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The moon had just risen above the trees and was giving its florescent tint to anything and everything. The waves pounded the shore and provided an unchained melody. The stars were there, temporarily obscured by the lunar light, yet twinkling faintly to herald their presence to anyone who cared to observe carefully. It was a night of fairytale beauty, ripe for romance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sri searched for Brit\u2019s hand and entangled the fingers, like lovers do. There was no protest.<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned her around to face him; their eyes met and glistened for a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I kiss you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a foreboding silence, the world stood still, the sea froze and the wind became listless. Brit loosened her hand and set herself free.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Sri,\u201d she whispered softly, \u201cI\u2019m sorry but it is an altogether different story.\u201d Then she looked him straight in the eye and concluded \u201cit so happens that we are from the other team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their bags have been brought down and the car was waiting. Like all good things the sunshine holiday was over and it was time for Brit and Dee to leave Poseidon Inn and the beach paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As for the motor trade men, they never came back, Rumassala romp was the last day they had seen of them. They didn\u2019t even call. Sri and Ruwan had simply vanished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Manager Vini was there to do the checkout formalities and sort out the bills, of course to say good-bye and tell the German girls to come again. \u2018Affle Fie\u201d who doubled as porter sorted the bags and loaded them into the vehicle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI thought your Sri Lankan friends will come to take you to the airport,\u201d Vini gave a knowing look and a smile that said it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe know them well, they come here often looking for company; harmless and useful at times,\u201d Vini prattled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cNothing but Sellam Badu Kollo,\u201d she cackled like goose. \u201cWhat we call SBKs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh! Just Toy Boys,\u201d Vini laughed louder.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHmmmm Toy Boys,\u201d Dee repeated manager Vini\u2019s denotation, matching her cackle with a wide winsome smile. And then turned to Brit and declared naughtily \u201cpity they did not know the real score,\u201d she nodded her head and said the last bit in whispered Deutsch, \u201cwir sind lesbierinnen,\u201d and they both followed the comment with a rowdy laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sellam Badu Kollo ” a short story from “Rainbows in Braille” – A collection of short stories – By Elmo Jayawardena The sunsets were magnificent; long and slow as the western sky got splashed in marmalade and vermillion. 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