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“So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.” - Oprah Winfrey - She was a sweet looking Portuguese girl who lived a few blocks away from where I resided. Veranic (not real name) had a pretty expressive face with big bright black eyes. She had short trimmed hair and a cute set of dimples. I was attracted to Veranic the moment I set eyes on her, and so was she. This was a clear cut case of, love at first sight. Veranic’s parents and my parents were close friends and it was not uncommon to see home exchange visits during the weekends, when our parents had more time on their hands. They had so much to talk about. It was from this setting that my feelings for Veranic began to develop. Veranic was her father’s pet, but her mother favoured her 2nd eldest son, Joshua (not real name). Joshua was more inclined to doing housework and lady-like things such as sewing, cooking and knitting. Aunty Maisy (not real name), who was much bigger built than her husband, Patral (not real name), adored Joshua because he enjoyed doing things with her - shopping with her, making cakes with her and even helping her to select clothes for her wardrobe. Veranic’s father was suspicious of me from day one. Uncle Patral was not in favour of his favourite child associating with me, let alone get into a serious relationship with a Fernando. “You are going to take your “O” levels this year and this is no time to fall in love with that Fernando guy. Concentrate on your studies, Veranic,” cautioned Uncle Patral. “But daddy, Ray is coaching me in my lessons and he is an asset to me. Don’t ask me to forget him, ” Veranic pleaded. “Dammit! I said NO!” yelled Uncle Patral. Very often when Veranic was engaging in cosy moments with me at the garden beside my block, Uncle Patral would sneak up on us. Both Uncle Patral and Aunty Maisy knew that Veranic was falling deeply in love with me. They had to put a stop to this. They had to find all means to break us up. While Uncle Patral would try to talk Veranic out of getting into a serious relationship with me, Aunty Maisy would shout, cane and slap her daughter unmercifully when Uncle Patral was not in the house. The abuse, clearly apparent on Veranic’s arms and legs, would in time to come take a heavy toll on her. Veranic would cry her heart out to me, sneaking out the back door at night when the family was watching TV or when her parents were out. I could not hold back my tears when I saw the blue-black marks on my girlfriend’s body. Back home, I threw myself on the bed and covered my face with a pillow, sobbing silently. At times, I would go to an open field, lie down on the ground and just stare at the sky at night, wondering why love can be so painful. I found some comfort looking at the beautiful stars. The world seems kinder from where I lay. Veranic and I exchanged letters secretly through her youngest brother, Dick (not real name) who attended a Catholic school in Moulmein Road. Despite the difficulties we encountered, we pledged that no matter what obstacles we had to face, we would overcome them. We vowed to be faithful to one another. Meeting secretly at church during the Sunday evening services, I found the special moments we shared so precious, so wonderful. Yes, I thought to myself, “Love is certainly a many splendoured thing”. My birthday gift to Veranic on her 18th birthday was a set of embroided handkerchiefs. Was it the right present to give? I would soon know. ****** We courted for about 9 months, but our relationship took a cruel twist when the results of our Cambridge School Certificate examinations were announced. I got through my examinations obtaining three credits and three passes, but Veranic did not do well. Her parents blamed her failure on me. “I warned you to stay away from that bloody Fernando guy. But no, you refused to listen to your father and I. You have no shame,” Aunty Maisy shouted at Veranic, then banged her head on the wall and gave her a couple of thundering slaps. “Mummy, please don’t mummy, I tried my best. Don’t blame Ray, he did coach me,” Veranic pleaded as she tried to ward off her mother's abuses - physical and verbal. “I do not want you to ever mention that bloody guy’s name again. You will have nothing more to do with him. Do you understand me? I want you to go out there and get a job,” demanded Aunty Maisy. Within days of her failed examinations, Veranic’s parents went out of their way to severe ties between us. They had to get rid of me. A few months later, I received a letter from the Ministry of Defence. It was time for me to do my bit for my country- National Service. “What bad timing? I would be away from Veranic for at least 2 months. Will absence makes the heart grow fonder? Will Veranic remain loyal to me? Will she wait for me?” These thoughts troubled me as I read the army’s call-up notice. The anxiety started to build up and it would, to some extent, affect my performance in the army. Raymond Anthony Fernando
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Veranic would cry her heart out to me, sneaking out the back door at night when the family was watching TV or when her parents were out.,
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