Kumara 26, was the only child of Gamini and Sheila Tissera, a middle class family. Father was a retired government officer, and mother a trained teacher. They lived in their own house, on a 60 perch land on the Negombo road. Elisa was with them, when Kumara was born, and more or less a family member. Kumara was a Research Officer at a Government Research Institute. He had been a lovable child and graced many a wedding as a page boy.
Now, 5’9”, pleasant, always with a smile, and a subtle sense of humour, Kumara was very popular at his work place, from the Director to the humble manual worker loved his company. He was to leave for his post-graduate studies to the U.K. soon. His parents were worried. Kumara loved his parents and they were made happy with trips to places of religious interest, tourist resorts, lunches and dinners. Elisa too accompanied them. Kumara’s parents and Elisa knew why he was postponing his day. His thoughts: “Will my future partner, be an angel to me in the bedroom and a she devil to my parents elsewhere. A vixen who will keep my parents in tears”. His parents wished he would find a partner before he leaves for U.K. Many proposals had come during the last few years, which he had declined politely. “There is time Amma” he would say. He had been saying it for the last two years. The reasons were obvious. His colleagues too were concerned. Kumara had to find a partner to be in the house.
On Kumara’s 26th birthday, at lunch break, his friends teased him. ‘Yes’ he had said “I wish cupid dips his arrows in empathy, contentment and universal love before sending his arrows to me and my would be partner, so that my dear parents could say proudly, “This is Kumara putha’s wife, our daughter”. Everyone congratulated him. Clapped and wished him. “I do not want her to be a daughter by law, or in law, but a truly beloved daughter to my Amma and Thatha”.
The Chief Accountant’s friend had a daughter, 23 years old. The family was well to do and respected by neighbours. She was a brilliant pianist, a music teacher in a convent. He shared his thoughts with his wife, and she was thrilled. Godwin de Saram and Manel conspired. They were close friends of the Tissera family. Godwin invited Kumara and his parents to tea. Manel invited the Pereras to tea. The girl’s brother an intern, was also invited. The de Sarams told them about the “getting to know you” plan. All were amused. The formal proposal was made by Godwin. Quipped Mr. Tissera, so our chief Ganankaraya has become a ‘Magul Kapuwa’.
“Yes” said Godwin, both proposals dabble in assets and liabilities and in this instance, my wife and I are striving to unite two lovely assets. Anyway, the two assets will have to look after their adorable liabilities they are bound to encounter. It was a happy occasion. An atmosphere of love and positive signs of the dawn of a beautiful happening prevailed. Dates were tentatively fixed, and the marriage was to take place before Kumara’s departure.
Kumara sat with Gamini and Sheila in his bedroom. Emily was seated on a stool.
“We have to buy rings, an expensive chain, new clothes etc. for the engagement. How are we going to find the money?” Kumara was in tears. Sheila said, “We have been discussing, Thatha and I, we do not want to borrow. Neither do we wish to mortgage the house, or sell any land. We have told Trevi’s Perera about what you will get. I am going to pawn the Millwatte Jewels. All, except a few. They are more than 100 years old. Gold was real gold those days. The jewels were famous. All eyes were on me when I wore them as a young girl, as a wife and as a proud mother. Our lady relatives looked at me with green eyes”. Gamini took the jewellery to the pawn shop owned by their neighbour, Rodney Weerasinghe, a fabulously rich person. He was the owner of a very prestigious pawn shop. His wife owned a jewellery complex, The Audrey A.U. Shop’. Incidentally, AU is the chemical symbol for Gold.
Gamini told him the reason for pawning the jewels. I have to be honest with Kumara’s intended in laws. We cannot mortgage our land or house and make the young couple pay interest for the rest of their lives. We want our son to have a memorable wedding”. Gamini cried. Rodney avoided his eyes. “I am happy for my friend, young Kumara. I will take the lot and get them weighed. Let me know the amount you want. I will take its equivalent in gold. You can have the rest.”
“No, please keep it. We need about Rs six lakhs for the function”. Rodney went in with the jewels, came back with a broad smile. “Gamini Tissera” he said, “here are two cheques for Rs. 600,000 each 2% interest. Please deposit one cheque. All this for your son Kumara”. Gamini went home with the cheques minus the family heirlooms.
“Never mind” said Manel, “all for our putha and Damayanthie duwa”.
“Amma” said Gamini, this calls for some of your Thembili wine. A toast in advance for duwa and putha”.
Kumara and Damayanthie discussed, before going to Audrey’s gold shop.
“Kumara” she said “Let us have a simple and elegant wedding. Who is worried about jewellery. Let us not tax our parents. Let’s spend what we have saved. I have a heavenly feeling that I am going to be blessed with another beautiful “Amma and Thatha”. Kumara then knew he had found a divinely selected partner.
She took a small velvet sachet. There were twenty two artistically cut many faceted diamonds, ‘we had a young South African girl staying with us, a cultural exchange program musician and pianist. She loved our country. Her father’s business was with the De beers, the Diamond Kings of South Africa. She gave me these. She said, “Diamonds are a girls best friend. But you and your family have been more to me. Wear them on your wedding day”.
“We must invite her, and her parents”! It was a memorable wedding. Janice and her parents Roux Vander Geld and wife were the special guests, all the way from South Africa.
Many months later, a call from Rodney Audrey.“ Gamini Tissera, here are the Milwatte Jewels. All of it, goldwise it is worth nothing. They are Thabakka-bronze, but exquisitely carved and gilded. So now, what about my money?” Sheila and Gamini broke into tears Audrey too. Rodney stood up. Put his arm round Gamini”.
You can take these jewels home so that those green eyes will weep on them. They were made by us. Had they been gold, its value would have been Rs. 3,400,000. The originals have been sold. Mr. Roux Van de Gold bought them. Here is a cheque in dollars for 500,000”.
They are South African antiques. You can pay my Rs. 1,200,000 later. It was your son, who taught me the true meaning of honesty. One day he was wearing a beautiful pair of shoes. I admired them. He said “Uncle, they are used, belong to my Thatha’s friend. He said, my Thatha has said, “It is better to be honest and be laughed at, than be dishonest and be spat at”.
An exemplary son of wonderful parents.