Chapter 9: “Ee padavakentha diguloo…”
“The Boat’s Unspoken Sadness:” It was night time, but I couldn't tell the exact hour. I didn't even have a watch on my wrist. The unfamiliar surroundings made it hard for me to sleep. The sea breeze was strong, and the sound of the waves was deafening. I wondered why I had come here and why I hadn't left before dark. The fierce wind made my body feel like it was soaked in saltwater, even though I wasn't sweating. The smell of fish was overpowering, a scent I wasn't used to. I looked up at the roof of the hut, which was thatched with palm leaves. The hut had only one entrance, with no doors or locks. A tattered saree hung as a makeshift curtain, flapping wildly in the strong wind. Whenever it lifted, I could see the sky outside, clear, and serene. The moon, played hide-and-seek among the wispy clouds. My racing thoughts refused to let me sleep. Had I made a mistake by coming here alone? The events leading up to this moment replayed in my mind like a film r...