Bernard's limit of tolerance exceeded when he learnt the valuations done for the second time had shown no difference as he expected. He could not bear the void created by that, despite his sacrifice and commitment he made cancelling his foreign tour with his wife and also organizing a meeting for the valuation officers. All those were done with a view to getting some sort of justice for the loss of his properties. He saw the dark clouds of disappointment were shrouding his entire world. Yet, he was determined to go another step further. He thought of seeking some legal advice from one of his colleagues called Samaratunga. The lawyer explained the difficulties Bernard had to face in the process of filing a case against the valuation officers and also he warned him of the compensations he deserved would be delayed owing to the court procedures as time taken for the verdict to be given couldn't be predicted. According to his advice, Bernard made up his mind to go for the recommended compensation first and submit an appeal again for the valuation done for the properties gazette later.
By the time they came to the end of their long discussion, both had taken liquor beyond their limit. Rover being unable to recognize the master became rather restless and started barking at him. Bernard came after mid night and parked his car in the garage of the first floor.
"Ro… Rover… it's… Me… here…"
Bernard got off the car with much difficulty and he couldn't walk properly as he was doped up.
Periyavar, having heard of the arrival of his master, switched on the lights of the garage. Bernard inclined against the kennel holding two horizontal bars fixed across the kennel. Rover making out its master licked his hands.
"Hamu…!"
Periyavar stood motionlessly looking at him in amazement as he had never seen his Master in that way. Periyavar was trying to figure out the reasons for his excessive drinking.
"Aha… You… you also woke up… Didn't you take the Rrr… Rover out..?"
"In the evening I took him out for about one hour… He got excited because of the mid night I suppose…"
Bernard couldn't properly understand the time of the day at that moment.
"Mid night… Are you m…a…d? How can it be mid night…? You all… Cheat me… Those idiots… idiots… didn't allow me to go abroad, wasted my time… giving broken promises exploiting me… Will they pay me for my properties from their father's and mother's legacy…? Ehe… yes…, I am asking only for a reasonable compensation for my properties going underwater… That's all… that' all…" His tone was high.
"That sick old woman also will get up now…"
Referring to Koinmenika's present state, Periyavar tried to calm down Bernard.
"Oh… I forgot that. Koinamma was a good woman… You must look after her well…, give her whatever she needs… Don't say 'no' to anything… What about her meals…? Has she taken them…?" There was no difference in his tone.
"Hamu shall I get you some lime…?" Periyavar asked with a submissive look.
"L…ime….? Lime… Why….? For what…? Lime…? To make a coconut sambol…?
"What's for dinner…? Isn't there anything for a bite…?"
Periyavar sensed that his master was again going to take liquor. He helplessly looked here and there thinking of a plan to take him away from that. Koinmenika, having heard of the loud voice of Bernard walked through the kitchen up to the main entrance of the bungalow. She put a bed sheet on her shoulder to cover her body to protect from the cold weather. Periyavar glanced at Koinmenika and then Bernard also noticed Koinmenika's presence there.
"Aha… Koinamma… How are you now…? Did you take me… dicing…?"
Koinmenika was taken aback by the unstable posture and half closed eyes of Bernard, when he stood close to her.
"Koinamma… We are going to lose… all these…! Yes…! All of these…! Yes… You see… Where's your Yasawathi now…? She is also gone…! Let them go… No problem… we are here for you… you… a good woman with a good heart… yes…"
Bernard kept his hand on Koinmenika's shoulder. She felt rather uncomfortable with the weight of his hand as she had no strength to hold it. If Periyavar had not interfered, Koinmenika would have had a fall.
"Please Hamu…. At least now go and sleep…"
Nandana Menike, coming through them, pleaded Bernard. That kind of approach from her was not expected by anybody.
"Ah… you also came here… what business do girls have with drunken people like this…?" Koinmenika warned her niece in an inaudible voice.
Bernard burst into laugh gazing at the grandma and the niece.
"You… you also now give me advice… Good, good… no problem…"
With the help of Periyavar, Bernard was trying to go up the flight of steps, where he had a couple of narrow escapes from falling. Nandana Menike couldn't resist screaming out of fear, when she saw Bernard was losing his balance and inclining to one side.
"You better go to the room… I'll come after Hamu goes to bed…"
Nandana Menike being pushed towards the room, Koinmenika walked up to Periyavat to help him to take Bernard to his room in the second floor. Nandana Menike, in abeyance, went back to the room and lay down on bed. She was trying to figure out the meanings of the words being uttered by Bernard, which she barely heard from above. A few minutes later, everything came to a standstill and silence reigned everywhere.
"His mind is in a terrible turmoil… It was the first time I saw him like that…" Koinmenika, while switching off the light in the room, told Nandana Menike in a low voice.
She then took her pillow from her bed and placed it next to Nandana Menike's pillow and lay down beside her. Nandana Menike felt relieved as her grandma was close by her.
* * *