A story from ‘Loabinfaru’
An impulsive feeling made him look up at the doorway leading to the back veranda of the house. Moosa’s gaze rested on an incredibly beautiful girl. As their eyes locked, Moosa had an emotional shock. His every nerve was affected. He literally froze. Even though this happened for a few seconds, the people seated with him on the bodu ashi having lunch, noticed the sudden change. The love struck look on Moosa told them that he must have seen a special girl. His uncle, Ahanmaidi looked in the direction of Moosa’s gaze. But by then the girl had moved away and he only saw the girl, Mariyambu who was waiting on them, at the doorway.
Moosa was a much sought after young man in his own island of Hithadhoo in Addu, the southernmost atoll of Maldives. He was handsome, kind and rich. His family owned an odi which sailed regularly between Ceylon for trade. They also owned a fishing dhoni, and a bokkura. The family also owned a large coconut estate in Odessala, an uninhabited area in the south of the island. Moosa’s house itself was a centre of enterprise. Tailoring, embroidery and making various food for sale made the house a hive of activity. Many people came to the house to lend a helping hand. Parents of many young women hoped Moosa would marry their daughter and provide a settled life.
There were three girls that Moosa’s family had shortlisted as suitable to marry Moosa. All the three girls were beautiful and well mannered. No girl would surpass them in the whole island. Their families were also respectable and well to do. Moosa’s family and the families of the girls also had come to some sort of understanding. As such the three girls would come to Moosa’s house and hang around. The excuse would be that they were there to get training in various household activities. It was hoped that Moosa would take notice and choose one of them as his bride.
When the three girls were around, they would often be asked to do various things connected to Moosa. This would include washing and ironing Moosa’s clothes, waiting on Moosa when he had his meals and preparing his bed for sleeping by setting the mosquito net after chasing away the mosquitoes from inside the net. The girls did these chores gladly because they themselves were hoping that by so doing they would get Moosa’s attention. Each of the girls were hopeful of winning over Moosa. Each of them would think, “I am the prettiest girl on the island. All the young men are after me. Even Moosa would want me. It is only I who could make him happy. He deserves me.” The girls would do all sorts of things to make Moosa notice them. Sometimes they would bring a delicacy that they have prepared at home and offer it to Moosa saying, “This is what I have prepared. Try it. Do you like it?” If Moosa did say that he liked it, they would want to know if he would want some more. Sometimes if they see Moosa working at home, they would hang around his vicinity. The girls would sit on low stools picking out the rice husks or black seeds from the rice before cooking or they would sit and scrape out coconut to extract its milk. The kandiki that they were wearing would be pulled up to facilitate the work, thereby revealing a good part of their shapely legs. And if by chance Moosa would look their way, they would present him with a warm smile. If Moosa smiled back that would make their day. Some nights one of the girls would keep a rose on Moosa’s pillow and secretly observe what he did with it. Sometimes, one of them might tie a piece of cloth round a finger in the hope Moosa might ask what was wrong with it. If Moosa asked such a question that would be an indication that Moosa was concerned. And if Moosa touched her finger that would be an indication that he was taking an interest in her. Moosa’s mother also played her part in pointing out to him how good they were. But all their efforts were lost on Moosa. He did not take any interest in any of the girls.
But today was different…….
