Lecturer (Short story)

The sun shone brightly and the continuous chatter of the passenger has stopped.  Nimalsiri thought may be after the morning lecture the lecturer must be feeling tired. Tt is a 3 hour speech at a leading Colombo school. He is with Nihal Perera as he takes him to different forums almost every week. He is happy working for Nihal. The International Non-Governmental Organization pays him a good salary. They never treated him like a driver. They all are a strong knotted family.

It is not usual for Nihal Sir to sleep for such  a long time thought Nimalsiri. He badly needed a cup of tea after around 2 hour ride. He stopped the vehicle at a village Kopi Kade. Nihal was happy to have a simmering hot tea. Although he usually liked a the sweet Sri Lankan food made out of coconut, kithul treacle and  kurakkan floor (helape); today he is not in a mood as he felt feverish.

Before going to the Rest House, as the house of the principle of the school was on the way, they both visited him. Principal explained the lack of resources and how eager the students to listen to the lecture. The Advanced Level exams are around the corner and the students will be vastly benefitted with such opportunities he explained.   It was around 6.30 pm and with the lamp light principal thought Nihal and Nimalsiri are brothers. Actually for the first time even Nihal thought how similar looking they are. They promised to be in the school by 9.30 am and went to the Rest House for a good night sleep. Nihal is so kind hearted and usually do not let Nimalsiri to pay for an additional room. He shares the room. The dinner was tasty stringhoppers, pol sambol and kiri hodi. Nihal said he does not have much appetite as he has got a bad tummy as well.

Around 4 am, Nimalsiri gets up with a voice of mourning. Nihal is talking feverishly. His temple is so hot that Nimalsiri quickly withdrew his hand. He remembered how his elder sister takes care of her daughter when she is having fever. He also wet a clean handkerchief and started nursing the sick Nihal. By 6 am Nihal felt much better but was feeling lifeless. Also Nihal was worried abut the lecture as this is a very rural area and he will fly to Princeton University for further education in 2 weeks time. He knew he will not be able to visit this school for a long period of time. It made him to feel so sick too as he understood how eager the students were to get additional source of information.

Nimalsiri was having mixed thoughts. However he thought it is important even to attempt something good. Therefore Nimalsiri proposed what he thought might be the most appropriate suggestion. After listening carefully and asking few questions Nihal was satisfied. So he asked to first visit the principal and to do the same explanation. Nimalsiri went to the Principals house by 6.30 am and met the surprised principal.

It was a very successful learning experience for the students. All the facts were explained in detail and the questions were answered. When the lecture was over after 3 hours time the lecturer won the hearts and minds of the audience. It was the principal who did not move from the time the lecture was started, first to clap. Nihal was thrilled too. He thought he did the best thing.  

Back in the office, the interview panel was surprised that Nihal wanted the candidate to speak on the current affairs of the world for 10 minutes as a practical test once the written examination is completed. Only 4 best candidates were selected and they have witnessed 3 bad performances so far. The 4^th person came in a smart suit with a familiar face, but none of them could not recognise him. His speech was the best and he took practical examples and they all were thrilled. He will be given the job they all agree. All this while they have done a blind screening. Therefore they wanted to know the name of the selected person for the Information Officer position. They were so surprised finally the name is revealed. Gamini Nimalsiri Thennakoon former driver of the Information Department was selected as the Information Officer. The new look without his usual beard and long hair suits his position well.

Nihal explained the Panel how Nimalsiri saved him that day in the rural school. When he explained sick Nihal that he might be able to cover him; Nihal was quick to ask his qualifications. He learnt that although Nimalsiri worked as a  driver he is a graduate in international relations. Poverty pushed him to join this organization as a driver. Since he drove Nihal everywhere he has listened to most of the lectures and  he knew them by heart. On the other hand he knows the subject as well. With this background the principal was contacted that day and explained the situation. Principal agreed as he also had no option as the students were so eager to listen to the lecture on the history and current affairs as preparation for the exams. Nimalsiri had qualification and a good mentor. So Nihal let Nimalsiri did the lecture while he was listening  by using his mobile and he knew it is not the same lecture but a much better one.

Although Nihal was not happy Nimalsiri came to pick Nihal from home to the airport the next day with the same office car under a special permission from the office and the new driver.

Compiled by Kumari Wickramasinghe