between breaths (#හුස්මක්_ගානේ)

#between breaths

#First_Breath

#Short_Novel

Written by Poorni Thilanka...

🚫 No part of this content may be reproduced without the author's permission. 🚫

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"Oh my goodness... Nikeshi darling... Is this really Nikeshi darling? Come in, come in... You really are full of surprises... You said you were coming next year, didn’t you?”

"Yes, Disna Aunty, but I thought I'd surprise you and come without telling."

"So, did you come straight from the airport?”

"Yes... I've been in Sri Lanka for about two hours now. Didn't you know? Our Pissi gave me a long list of things to bring the last time she called me, so I got some of those from Duty-Free, which took a while. I also got a new SIM card for my phone. Time flies when you’re running around... Otherwise, I would have come sooner."

"So, why did you come alone? Where's your mum?"

"My sister is still studying there, so mum couldn't come. If they come next year, they'll come with me. But I thought I’d come first... Mum wasn't worried about sending me here because of you all."

"Oh dear... If our little one finds out, he’ll come flying back."

"Why, Aunty? Where’s Aditya?"

"He left early this morning on a trip with friends to Haputale."

"Oh, shoot... If I'd known, I would have come yesterday so I could join too, Aunty."

"Yes, yes... He went with his school friends."

"No worries... We can all go on a nice trip together later. I came ready for a holiday."

"Let’s do that... Uncle said he’d be back next week. He left for Canada on business last night."

"So, Aunty, you were alone at home today?"

"No, dear... Why? My silly little boy, Niduk... He said he was coming home today."

"Oh... I forgot about Niduk, Aunty... What’s he up to now? Did he join Uncle’s business?"

"Oh, goodness, dear... That boy isn't interested in that. He’s been told off a million times. But he doesn't like the garment side of things, so he started his own business."

"What kind of business, Aunty?"

"He’s always been interested in vehicles. So now he has a car sales business in our town, and there are three car service centers in Kurunegala, Gampaha, and Colombo. He’s planning to open a new service center in Nuwara Eliya."

"Why open one there? Is there business in that area, Aunty?"

"According to him, there is. A lot of people travel to the hill country. If something happens to their vehicle, there aren’t many places like here to get it fixed. So, he's planning a service center with a garage there."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea."

"Dear, with all this talking, I forgot to offer you something to drink... Stay here; I'll get something ready."

"I’m already downloading here, Aunty... Let me come too. We can chat and have something to drink together. You must be lonely."

"Come on in, dear... To be honest, I’m used to this loneliness. Even though I raised children, they were only with us when they were little... staying at home. Now they have their own worlds... So, you can't blame them. The competition starts with their studies here. They have to be shaped for that... Even my son with his business... He needs to look after those too."

"Alright, Aunty... Don’t be sad, I’m here now."

"I remember when you were little, you and our white darling used to sit here and tell me everything that happened at school, competing with each other."

"Oh, Aunty... If only those days would come back... Everything changed so quickly... especially after our dad passed away."

"That man died in vain because of those scoundrels."

"No use talking about it, Aunty... But I heard that the ones who caused the accident with dad were remanded for a drug business."

"Yes... They were released later, but didn’t live long. There's a saying that those who take up arms perish by them... They were given instant karmic retribution, killed by their own gang."

"Hmm... That’s why we had to leave everything and come here."

"Your mother was very helpless after Edward's death... Left alone with two daughters... I don’t even want to think about it. But fortunately, your grandfather took you all to America... If not, who would have looked after you all?"

"Yes... But I couldn’t forget my memories here, Aunty... I always thought about you, especially Aditya... Mum said I cried for days, barely eating, missing him."

"Not only that... Aditya developed anxiety... He had to start taking medication... From the day you were born, both of you have been like my children. You even drank my milk when you were little, and white darling Shironi drank from your mother..."

"Though not born from the same womb, the bond we had went beyond friendship... It was more beautiful than a blood relation... Aditya would run to me whenever someone scolded him, thinking I was a hero coming to save him... Always telling hero stories... Even dreaming about them."

"Yes... Sometimes he even calls your name in his dreams... Playing all day, then dreaming about playing at night... I remember him telling you to score a goal in his sleep one day..."

"Haha... I can’t wait to see him, Aunty... He’ll be back tomorrow, won’t he?"

"Yes... Yes... He must come tomorrow. If not, I’ll go get him myself."

"Why is that?"

"A girl shouldn’t be on a trip like that... at most one day without mom and dad... Today’s times are scary, dear... In the past, you were safe because of your friend. But after he was sent to a new school, I don't know what kind of friends he’s made... But I trust you... As long as you’re around, I can let Aditya stay anywhere."

"Also, he changed a lot when you left... Unlike other girls... I don’t know why... I don’t understand her sometimes... If possible, dear, try talking to white darling... One word from you is enough for Aditya... She'll open up everything in her heart."

"Alright... I’ll talk to her... We have 12 years of things to catch up on."

"Yes... Yes... She won’t let you go all day tomorrow... Dear... You can go to the room in the middle, have a wash and come down... I’ll get lunch ready in the meantime. You’ll be staying at our house until mom comes."

"Aunty, how did you know I was staying here?"

"Shironi told me when they sold the house. So, if you came to Sri Lanka, you’d be staying in hotels, right? Your mom wouldn’t want you staying alone in a hotel, so I’m sure she sent you here."

"Aunty, you’re exactly right. That’s what happened. Besides, we don’t have any other relatives here... All of them are there... Only you are here for us... So, if I came here, who else would I stay with without bothering you?"

"Oh dear... just like when you were little... you know you’re no bother."

"Yes, Aunty... I know... After mum and dad, if I ever received love again, it was from you and Uncle... I still remember Uncle holding me close and crying the day dad passed away... So, how can we ever be a bother to such parents?"

"Oh dear... don’t make me cry... go and freshen up."

"Alright, Aunty... I’ll come down quickly and help with the cooking... Let’s cook together today. It’s been a while since you’ve had my cooking, hasn’t it, Aunty?"

"Oh, that’s a good idea... Come quickly then."

Nikeshi went upstairs and opened the door to the middle room, as Disna had mentioned. The neatly arranged room and the single bed caught her attention.

This must be Adi's work... She loved home design since she was little... Can’t resist it... I don't want to leave this room.

Lost in her thoughts, Nikeshi’s eyes suddenly fixed on a painting of a clover hung on the wall behind the bed.

"Hmm... This... Oh my god, I drew this... Adi enlarged it and framed it..."

A year ago, Nikeshi had sent this drawing to Aditya on WhatsApp to get her opinion. She was surprised to see that Aditya had valued it so much to enlarge it and hang it on the wall.

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷Poorni Thilanka🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

"Mom... We just got to our rooms... Really tired... but had fun... Do you need me to bring anything when I come back?"

"Oh, I don’t need anything, dear... Are you coming home soon? When are you leaving there tomorrow?"

"We plan to leave at around 8 in the morning, mom... Are you feeling lonely without me today?"

"Yes... Without you... Usually, both of us are at home at this time... It's lonely without you today."

"Oh mom... Hasn’t brother come home yet... I told that fool to come early today."

"He said he would come early... but still no sign."

"Wait, let me call him... Lock the doors and be careful, mom."

"You be careful too

# The Second Breath

# A Short Novel

Written by Poornima Thilanka....

🚫 Copying any content without the author's permission is prohibited 🚫

"Oh dear... Mom, please don't be scared.... One of our friends, Shanushi, her boyfriend had an accident.... So, she's been crying since last night.... Poor thing, Mom... So, we came early this morning.... We left around three...."

"Oh dear... Is that child in much trouble?"

"No, no, it's not that serious... Just a broken arm, they said.... But still, when your boyfriend has an accident, she can't just go about her day, Mom...."

"Yes, that's true.... Then, daughter, go have a wash...."

"Oh Mom, can you make me a cup of tea... I'll quickly have a wash and come back.... By the way, where's brother...."

"Brother left early this morning... said a customer was coming...."

"Hmm... hmm...."

Adithya went to her bedroom, took off her clothes, wrapped herself in a towel, and entered the bathroom. She showered thoroughly, feeling the weariness wash away.... Since she was alone in the house with her mother, she forgot to lock the bedroom door. Having realized Adithya had arrived, Nikesh sneaked into her bedroom to surprise her, hiding near the bathroom door.

After a few minutes, the sound of the bathroom door unlocking was heard, and Nikesh's heart pounded so loudly that anyone outside could surely hear it.

Adithya opened the door.... At that moment, Nikesh jumped and tightly covered Adithya's eyes with her hands. Adithya immediately started screaming from the bottom of her lungs.

"Ah............. There's a thief..... Oh God... Save me.... Mom... Oh, they're going to kill me...."

Nikesh was also scared by her scream, thinking people would come running.

"Hey... Stop screaming... It's me...."

"Wh... who...."

"Just slowly turn and look when I take my hands off your eyes...."

As Nikesh eased her grip on Adithya's eyes, Adithya turned to look at her. What happened next was something Nikesh never expected.

"Mom........ There's a ghost...... Mom......... Oh, Mom........."

"Oh dear... Why is she screaming like that from the bottom of her lungs... Now the neighbors will come thinking there's trouble...."

"Oh Mom... Mom, this.... this..."

"What, what... this..."

"Mom... Do you see anyone here...."

"Where... who..... No... behind me..."

"Where... there's no one here...."

"Ah... n...no... there was someone here... wh...where...."

"Buhaha.... haha...."

"Mom...........this....."

"Ah... Nikesh, daughter, this...."

"Ah... she's saying this... this...."

"Yes, yes..... Adi..... this isn't a dream.. I'm not a ghost either.... It's your Niki... Look, here's my precious Adi... Niki has come...."

"Ah.... come on, pinch me...."

"Ah.. here..."

"Ah.... Oh... dear... it's really you... Nikesh... so you came to see me..."

"Hmm... yes.... I came..."

"So, dear girl, it was a surprise... That's why Nikesh didn't tell you and came..."

"It was a surprise, indeed... just a bit more, and I would've been tying a thread for the fear...."

"You wouldn't be tying a thread... I would... and look, half of your towel's knot is loose..."

"Oh gosh... I even forgot to check if there were clothes... when did you come...?"

"Yesterday morning, man..."

"Oh dear, my mom didn't tell me... that you came..."

"If I had told you, how would I have surprised you... Besides, you know if I told you I was coming home yesterday, you would've left your trip halfway and come back home..."

"Yes... indeed... oh dear... I still can't believe it... seriously... is this really you, Nikesh..."

"Yes, yes... it's me, Niki...."

"Come on, you two... let's have tea.... We'll talk about the happy surprise later..."

"Yes, yes.... You must be tired... let's go downstairs with some clothes...."

"That's fine, Niki Miss...."

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"Well then... Thanks, man... for coming for me..."

"Why thank... if a friend like you faces trouble and I have the ability to come, what kind of friendship would it be if I didn't come, Adi..."

"Oh Niki... Please help me.... You're my bodyguard... Solve this problem for me too..."

"Alright, alright, buddy.... So... what is Ruwesh saying..."

"Oh don't talk about that, man. I'm sad about him... I'm more helpless because of this problem... He still follows me everywhere... Wherever I go, he's there.... To put it bluntly... I even saw him at the hotel where we stayed during the trip yesterday..."

"What.... How's that possible, man..."

"Our mutual friend must've told him I was going on a trip... put two and two together and figured out everything... He doesn't need to ask anyone else about me, man..."

"But that guy must really love you... Otherwise, he wouldn't be so protective.... It's surprising, man... Don't lose such a love... Marry Ruwesh and only then will this Niki be able to rest easy...."

"But I'm scared, man... Every time I try to get close to him, I remember that... When he learns the truth about me, will Ruwesh still love me... Then he'll also tell our brother about it...."

"No... If Ruwesh truly loves you... he'll never misunderstand this... He'll also help us...."

"How do you think that...."

"Don't be scared.... Niki won't let anything happen to you... Do you trust me, Adi...."

"Yes... I only trust you...."

"Hmm... Then our brother hasn't figured out yet that Ruwesh is hitting on you...."

"No... however others' love affairs go, at least this kind of feeling doesn't exist in this world according to our brother... My friends tried... But there's no price for this...."

"Can't be...."

"Why do you say that...."

"No, this is it... Aunt Disna told me that brother has a girl now... For some time, he’s been acting sneaky, she told me...."

"Ah... what is that scene... That must be checked out... If he's got a girl suddenly... it's definitely someone from the office...."

"Why do you say that...."

"No, well... we go to the same club... even if I don't go often, my friends are always there... they tell me everything...."

"Does brother always go to the club then...."

"Hmm... yes... definitely goes at night... comes home around three in the morning...."

"That's why Aunt was angry at brother yesterday..."

"Oh gosh, then will you be spying on his every move, Mom..."

"Yes... yes... just a little... hehe..."

"Are you two ready....."

"Yes, yes, Mom... we're coming...."

"Hey... who’s driving the car, Adi, you...."

"Hmm... yes...."

"Oh, I need to practice too, man.... Even though I drove there, I'm not used to here... So let's practice in the evening...."

"Ah... okay... okay... let’s go now then...."

"Hmmm...."

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"Ah... Madam... today's match... Please hand me the remote...."

"Oh dear... every Sunday, this man gives me a headache...."

"Hey... hey... go away without staying here reading everything...."

"Brother, can't you watch that match at night at the club... then we could watch TV in peace too... otherwise, I'll never be able to watch TV on Sundays...."

"Oh dear.... what nonsense are you talking about by my ear... go when I say so...."

"I’m going... maybe I'll tell Mom...."

"What...."

"I heard a rumor... is it true...."

"So... what's the rumor...."

"It’s none of your business.... I'm going...."

"Oh little sister.... please tell me... what is it...."

"Ah... now you remember to call me little sister... ha... fake love... brother in name only...."

With that, Adithya left, smiling like a cat, to find Nikesh.

"Ah... they are cooking heavily..."

"Yes..... even if I had a girl, she wouldn't know how to cook...."

"Oh Mom... don't lie... I know how to cook, right.... Mom, you've eaten my cooking too...."

"Yes... yes.... buddy... Aunt told me.... your cooking is really tasty... so you need to cook tomorrow... so I can taste it too...."

"Okay... I'll cook tomorrow then... let's eat your food today.... Mom, it’s not that...."

"Why are you spreading butter....?"

Today, Niki and I are going to the club...."

"Ah... are you going to train that child too...."

"Oh dear, I don’t go every day like brother... and I don't come home in the early morning...."

"Now is that child coming too...."

"Who, Suhasna...."

"Hmm.. yes.. yes..."

"He comes every day, Mom.... don't be afraid... everyone is afraid to mess with us... especially me....."

"Why man.... are you a bully now...."

"No man... our innocent brother is too innocent...."

"Hey... I don't know what kind of people come there, my

##The Third Breath

###A Short Story

Written by Poorni Tilanka...

🚫Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this is prohibited without the author's permission.🚫

One day, Aditya stayed behind for about two hours after school without informing her mother first. When she went to the music room, she noticed not only the two girls from the previous day but also a girl from her own class.

"Ah, little sister... come in, come in... you know her, don't you? She's from your class..."

"Yes, sister, I know her... but isn't Miss here today?"

"Ah... yes, Miss said she'd be here today, but she got a call from home saying her daughter is not well... so she had to leave..."

"Oh, really... but won't there be any problem with the after-school session without a teacher?"

"Don't worry, little sister... I'm the house prefect... and there's a prefect here too... if anyone asks anything, we can answer them... now come on, let's get started..."

Aditya sat in the seat nearby and began cutting out circles handed to her by the girl from her class.

"By the way, what's your name, little sister? When we asked Dilsha, she didn't know... you guys are new to the class, aren't you?"

"My name is Aditya... and what's your name, sister?"

"I'm Ruvi... and this is my friend, Kaumadi... and this is Dilsha... she told us you mostly keep to yourself in class and don't talk much... why is that, little sister?"

"I'm still new to the class... and my old friends ended up in different classes when they were divided."

"Ah, I see... well, now you know Dilsha, right? I think she'll be a good friend to you..."

"Yes, Aditya, from tomorrow on, come and sit next to me... I don't talk to many people either... so it’s good to get to know someone who suits me... you don't have to talk to the other kids in the class too much... some of them are quite peculiar..."

"Hmm..."

As the four of them finished their tasks and headed home, a strong bond of friendship had formed between them. Thus, the next day, Aditya sat next to Dilsha, further strengthening their friendship.

Over the next few months, Aditya and Dilsha participated in various extracurricular activities at school. Under Dilsha’s guidance, Aditya became well-known throughout the school. Their friendship gained popularity alongside their achievements.

However, one evening, as Aditya was leaving school, she encountered her best friend from grades eight and nine, Ranuki.

"Ah, Ranu... long time no see..."

"I see you now and then... but it seems you've forgotten you ever had a friend named Ranuki..."

"Ranu... what are you saying, man..."

"Am I lying? Do you ever come to talk to me at school?"

"Sorry, man... with all the competitions, I hardly have time to talk to anyone..."

"Hmm... fine... I'm really happy for you, Adi... to see you, who used to hide and never come forward, now being one of the most popular students in school makes me proud..."

"Thank you, Ranu... it’s Dilsha who changed me... I am where I am today because of her..."

"Hmm... that might be true... but let me tell you something... if you don’t mind..."

"What is it, Ranu... tell me..."

"That Dilsha isn’t what you think she is, man... she has a secret you don’t know... and those two sisters you often meet in the music room, Ruvi and Kaumadi, they aren't suitable people to associate with... I’m saying this for a reason... so be careful..."

"Why... why are you saying that... Dilsha is such a good girl... and so are those sisters... I don’t see any fault in them..."

"People can seem flawless on the outside but be different on the inside..."

"Tell me without beating around the bush... what’s the fault?"

"You might not know, but those two sisters, they don’t like boys... in fact, they are attracted to other girls... and it’s not just simple liking I’m talking about..."

"Then..."

"Like a boy would propose to a girl, they are drawn to other girls... now, think about it... in a world where boys and girls usually become friends and get married, do you think it’s morally right for two girls to be together like that? Even if it’s about love, think about it... can a girl find in another girl what she finds in a boy..."

"So, are you saying... that Ruvi and Kaumadi are like that... oh, come on, man..."

"It’s not just them... even Dilsha is like that..."

"Are you crazy... is that even possible..."

"Whether you believe it or not, it's true. Even if you don’t know their tricks, many in our school do... I’m telling you this because we used to share a meal together for years... because I care about you..."

"No, man... it’s not that... you’re just jealous because I have a better friendship with Dilsha now... you want to break that bond... and you’re jealous of my position too... when I was with you, I was just a frog in a well... but Dilsha brought me here. You can’t stand it..."

"Adi... is that what you think of me..."

"Yes... that's what I think..."

"It’s said that a teacher remains the same whether they walk or ride... but I’ll tell you one last time... be careful... think with your brain, not your feelings..."

Ranuki left Aditya, unwilling to stay any longer. Although they had shared a meal and lessons for years, the advice she gave Aditya now brought great pain, making her feel as if she was branding herself with a bad name.

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"Sweetheart... come have tea with us."

"Alright, Mum, we're coming..."

I'll tell you the rest of the story later...

Hmm... okay... let’s have tea and get ready... brother said he’s coming to pick us up today...

Hmm, yes... and... someone else is coming today too... you'll see...

Who is it...

He... Ramesh brother...

Ah, come on... I can see the honey smile on her face...

Oh, come on, let's go have tea...

As both of them sat at the tea table, Nidhuka entered the house.

"Ah, son... come in, come in... let's have tea together..."

"Oh no, Mum, not now... I already had tea on the way here..."

"Hey, brother... don’t drink today, okay..."

"What... sweetheart... does he usually drink?"

"Oh, no, no, Mum... she’s just making up stories to get me scolded..."

"Is that true, sweetheart?"

"Do you believe what he says, Mum?"

Then Nidhuka fell silent. Trust was something neither could afford at that moment. So she answered thoughtfully.

"Well... I trust both of you because you are my children... but sometimes, both of you lie... and tell the truth... so in this case, I can’t trust either of you... because as your brother said, you might try to get him scolded... you’ve done that before... and since you come home late at night, I don’t know if you sneak a drink... so I can’t trust you either, son..."

"Aunty... do you want me to help... find out who’s telling the truth and who’s lying..."

"Yes, dear, that would be good... thank you..."

"Are you a secret policeman... ah..."

Nikesha wasn’t surprised by Nidhuka’s sudden question, but Aditya was quite taken aback.

"Brother, please... speak quietly... this is my friend... my sister... sometimes like my mother... don’t talk to her like that... I don’t care how you talk to me, but speak respectfully to Nikesha... because she’s not just anyone... she’s your sister..."

"Ah, Adi... Adi... alright... I was just joking..."

"But I don’t like how you call her ‘you’...”

Aditya ran upstairs while Nidhuka scolded her, leaving both Nidhuka and Dinsana in a state of confusion.

"S... sorry, Aunty... s... sorry, brother... m... sorry if Adi’s words hurt your feelings... it’s... my fault..."

Saying this, Nikesha ran upstairs as well, while Nidhuka’s thin smile lingered on his face, though no one noticed it.

"What happened, son..."

"She respects that other girl more than me... you saw how she talked to me..."

"Oh, son, don’t say that... you know how close they were since childhood... after all these years, that girl came back just to see Adi... she’s probably dealing with some problem she won’t tell us about... but I know Nikesha knows... she’ll solve it soon... then my daughter will be happy and stop crying at night... they’re not just friends, they’re like sisters..."

"But why did she scold me so much for calling her ‘you’...”

"You know you shouldn’t talk to a girl like that..."

"Alright, Mum..."

"Son... talk gently with your sister... do you know why she cries at night..."

"No... why..."

"She cries because she’s sad..."

"Crazy... alright, Mum, I’ll shape up..."

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"Shall we go now... don’t think too much... siblings don’t hold grudges... if they