The Change
View(s):“Soma, Sandun Baby is coming next Sunday with his bride.” Suvineetha said. Soma is Suvineetha’s helper. When Suvineetha’s husband died, Sandun was only ten years old. Soma was a great consolation for bereaved Suvineetha at that critical moment. Soma tended Sandun as her own son.
Though Suvineetha’s intention was to educate her son, he left school after his advanced levels, just passing it and found work in a private company as a computer clerk.
After some time he developed a relationship with Mayuri, the daughter of the lottery seller at the junction who was well known to Soma, The news was a great blow for Suvineetha, and Soma too. She thought ‘Can I call her Madam whom I called ‘kelle’ (little girl)? If he brings her home am I to work according to her orders?’
The two women together attempted to convince Sandun to stop it, but was fruitless. One night, after a serious argument with his mother Sandun left home and married the girl and settled down at her place.
There was no end to Suvineetha’s suffering, but she gradually recovered. After about three months she was ready to welcome the couple home.
Soma heard the arrival of the guests. She silently arranged the table for lunch and sat in the kitchen. Suvineetha, knowing her dismay, did not force her to face the guests. After the meal she brought the used dishes to be washed to the kitchen and put them in the sink. When the noise at the dining room subsided she went to the sink and started to wash the dishes.
“Nende!”
Tlang! Soma dropped a spoon into the sink. Mayuri was behind her.
“Let me wash them.”
Soma shrugged her shoulder and muttered “1 can do that.”
“Soma, let her wash them.” It was Sandun. Soma looked at him. He was standing at the door smiling.
Soma looked at Mayuri’s face. She saw her twinkling eyes. Her tender smile was so charming. She gently pushed Soma aside and began washing.
“Soma, rest a while.” Suvineetha said in a cool tone, entering the kitchen.
Kumari Weerasooriya
Mahaweli National College of Education,
Polgolla
“This little story starts with the usual rich boy poor girl plot, but is given an interesting treatment in the sense that it is a poor woman in a rich household that is resentful of the young lovers. And the ending is charming. Though brief, there is repayment there, for a lifetime of service, there is understanding, and a sense of equality and belonging which is heartwarming.”
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