Scarlet’s POV
Pathum: So today is the 14th of April, and it’s a new year for us, the Sinhalese and Tamil peoples. My mother tongue is Sinhala so I‘m Sinhalese. In fact, the majority of Sri Lankans are Sinhalese, and the minority is occupied by Tamils, Muslims, Christians, and Burghers etc. You get the point.
So from a religious perspective, Buddhists and Hindu people celebrate the new year in April, and even though it isn’t in their religion Muslims and Christians celebrate it too. And we have some customs in our new year which I’ll get into soon.
So the customs are pretty nice.
For example we have a time annotated to eat the sweet meals we prepared. Then there are fireworks and celebrations. Also there are customs where oil is applied on our heads and finally we visit our neighbours and relatives.
As children we receive money or other gifts. I don’t receive much now since I‘m eighteen but still anyone here who doesn’t work is considered children. No, that’s not how the majority work but still my family still treats me like a kid. However, not every family treats their children that way okay?
The thing is my family’s good and I’m lucky to have them. I shouldn’t go without appreciating them for what they are.
We also prepare a special kind of sweet for the new year as well. Then we play games in our village for which I NEVER PARTICIPATE, yes I don’t go out to play with the external world. I’m a very negative person but I don’t need them. I have a bestie and that's all I need. But yeah there are games organised as well where you can win prizes. These games are mostly held in temples or some other place where events could be held. They’re fun, but I don’t like them.
Don’t get me wrong, yes it's fun to eat and play different games and stay with people but I never liked that idea. I don’t like being with and interacting with many people. Being with my family is much better. I hope you understand now.
Scarlet: How could I not understand when someone like you explained it? You explained everything so well. I do understand, so happy new year my boy!
Pathum: Well thanks, my girl!
Scarlet: So, what are you doing now?
Pathum: Talking to my bestie!
Scarlet: Aww sweetie!
Pathum: Yep sweetie. I’m glad that I’m talking to you and most importantly I’m grateful for the chance I got to be your bestie and enjoying the warmth and prosperous love I receive from you every day. So sweetie thank you so much for being in my life, I’m forever grateful.
Scarlet: I have to say the same for you. I’m grateful to have a boy like you in my life. I’ve had boys and girls in my life but none of them were able to make the impact you’ve made. You’re a great blessing from God and I’m forever grateful to have you as my bestie and have your company.
Pathum: Aww sweet!
Scarlet: So are there events today?
Pathum: Yeah, but I’m not going to them.
Scarlet: Sweetie, you shouldn't stay home alone.
Pathum: I’m with you. That’s enough for me.
Scarlet: You’re something cute.
Pathum: Sweetie, you‘re definitely something cute, not me. You know people also play a sport similar to basketball. Wait not, not basketball, baseball. People play it in a paddy field. It looks fun because there’s water in the field and it's not so dry. So injuries aren’t severe but you’ll still get wet.
So they play this event between the two sides of the village. There’s the left side of the village and right side separated by the paddy fields, so they play a few games between the two sides. You get it? And since our home is almost in the paddy fields we can watch the game from home. We shout and go wild.
I guess your people would enjoy it since it’s in the mud.
One day when you’re here we can play but I’m not going to let you play with the boys. I’m not letting any bastard touch you or talk to you. Oh that doesn't mean you can’t talk to them. There are some nice guys. So yeah. I mean you can play if you want to; I’m not forcing you to be away from them. I’m just being cautious or trying to protect you.
Scarlet: You care about me don’t you? You don’t have to care about me sweetie. Just focus on yourself.
Pathum: No, it’s not going to work. I felt the presence of an angel within you and I’d be a fool if I were to abandon someone like you. So sweetie I’ll always care about you.
Scarlet: I know. I’m grateful for that.
Pathum: And hey it's not because you’re an angel that I care okay? Angel or human. I still care about you. Keep it in mind.
Scarlet: I know that.
Pathum: Isn’t it amazing that we met? All because of this coronavirus and the lockdown. How’s the lockdown in America? It seems the lockdown would remain for a few months in Sri Lanka.
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Scarlet: They’ll probably get rid of it next month, but I’m not sure.
Pathum: Don't feel offended but while the whole world got hurt by this corona thing you and I met and had the chance to talk all day. It’s unbelievable.
Scarlet: It sure is unbelievable.
Pathum: Do you guys have any festivals like Halloween? Christmas?
Scarlet : We don’t do big fancy events around here sweetie. We do it as one event and that’s all. Nothing more than that.
Pathum: No more celebrations and lust entertainment right? I enjoy such company. I don’t like fancy stuff as well. I just want to stay with my family. Less people and good nature is all I need sometimes.
Scarlet: God made the right match from heaven. I couldn’t be happier about your nature, I love it.
Thank you my Lord. I sent a silent prayer.
Pathum: Do you like parties?
Scarlet: Let me guess, you don't like parties do you?
Pathum: Only unless it's mine or my family.
Scarlet: Me too
Pathum: You know they say opposites attract but we both are similar and yet attached to each other.
Scarlet: I was thinking the same thing.
Pathum: Bestie trend!
Scarlet: You know there is an app that you must download that will help you get rid of your shyness from the camera, it’s called marco polo. It’s a video recording app where you can deliver messages, you can basically record yourself and send it to your loved ones. You must try it, it’ll help you.
Pathum: I surely will try it.
Scarlet: Go on and download it.
Pathum: Already downloading.
Scarlet: YIKES!
Pathum: It has a million downloads, do you use this app often?
Scarlet: Yes not all the time but usually visit it like 3 or four times a day.
Pathum: Wow! You have many friends don’t you? Unlike me. But that's okay. I’m not sad.
Scarlet: No, I don't have that many friends sweetie. Even though I visit the app sometimes, because I have some new messages it’s kind of like unconscious effort and don't worry I don’t have that many friends. And even if I did, you’re my bestie. Nobody will take your place. Remember that hunny.
Pathum: Aww I’ll remember that ma’am. Hey, the app is downloaded. I’ll check it now.
With that message he disappeared. I waited until he came back.
Pathum: I made an account. Umm..
Scarlet: That’s good. Let me add you.
Within five minutes I was able to match our contact and send my first polo to him. Even though I send him a video polo he didn't respond with a video instead he sent me a text polo. Which frustrated me so I urged him to send me a polo in which his face is visible but he just struggled to complete my desires.
Even though I begged him to do so he was still hesitant. And finally after many pleadings he sent one, it was cute, he started apologising for his behaviour but I couldn’t listen to it fully, he deleted it.
Pathum: I’m sorry
Scarlet: Why the hell-
Pathum: That was so humiliating. That’s why I deleted it.
Scarlet: Am I a humiliation for you? Huh?!
Pathum: No, I wasn't talking about you. I was saying I was.
Scarlet: Shut up!
Pathum: I’m sorry!
Scarlet: I won’t forgive you until you send me a polo again. I want to see your face, no hiding or deleting afterwards. Okay?
Pathum: But I look so embarrassed. My voice on top of it is super ugly and my face too.
Scarlet: I’ll consider forgiving you if you send me the polo now.
Pathum: I’ll send it some other day. It’s night here, not the ideal situation to take a video.
Scarlet: Not my problem. Your time starts now.
Pathum: Please let's just talk. That’s better, my voice and face is a ugly mixture. How do you even tolerate them? Ugh I’m a mess.
He sure is, and I‘m going to fix him.
Scarlet: Tick tock your clock is ticking.
Pathum: Please some other day? Please
Scarlet: Nine minutes left. If you send one within that time period, I’ll consider an apology or else no talking for the whole day. Bye see you soon! Or never.
Pathum: Scarlet, don’t do this. I’m no good at this stuff that's why I’m hesitant. Please don’t do this. In a few hours I’ll be asleep so please.
His self esteem and self appreciation is very low and I have to take the responsibility to fix it, yep ma’am I am on it. So let's see, let’s wait until he sends me a polo. He must send me one or else no talking. It's for his own good.
Pathum: Hello? Scarlet? Why aren't you talking? Please stop this. Let’s talk…. Hello? I love you. Don’t you know that? Besties are supposed to be together.
He kept sending me messages. But I didn’t respond. I waited, hoping he would change his mind and send me a polo. Eventually, I closed the phone and went outside to have sunlight. While my mind still revolved around him I played with Mazie, I did not get the chance to play with her often because of Pathum. He has occupied that time.
After thirty minutes I came back and opened the phone and there was a new polo. Excited, I clicked the app and it turned out it was a text pool saying sorry. I opened Google Hangouts and there was a load of messages. But there wasn’t a single video of him.
Oh, Pathum, don’t do this. I can’t hurt you like this, but there’s no other way other than this to make a better version of you. You have to get rid of that shyness and low self esteem.
Scarlet: I won’t talk to you until you send me a video polo. Bye!
He read the message but there was no response. He then kept typing something but suddenly went offline. I waited but he never came back nor did I get a polo so I turned the screen off and kept the phone beside the bed and went to have my breakfast.
I’m so disappointed. Was the only thought running through my head.