Letter to a Daughter

My dearest daughter,

I’ve watched over you from the moment you first opened your eyes,

And you clasped my finger in your tiny hands.

Your laugh reminds me of the soft music

Heard when cool water plays over smooth pebbles.

I would watch as you learnt to walk,

Stumbling about every two steps, as you gazed wide-eyed at your surroundings,

Amazed with delight.

Eventually, you discovered the wonder of forming meaningless sounds

Into meaningful words,

And then you’d talk for hours on end, cheerful and unabashed,

While I would cry with laughter.

… Your baby phase is wearing off, you are a little more mature.

Yet you still retain a child-like sensitivity…

You are thirteen now- most of your time is spent with your friends.

Your room, once filled with toys- now, the shelves

Are lined with bottles of cosmetics.

And I see you slipping away…

           …inch by inch…

                                                                                  …For at sixteen, you are no longer a child.

                               This much I know. You are nearly a woman.

But that doesn’t help make it easier.

It’s eighteen years

             to the day I first held you in my arms.

You’ve graduated high school and

                     you’re on your way.

Taking your first big step in life.

       Just as you did when you were one.

Eleven years have passed since you left for university.

(This is the hardest part,

For I swore not to cry).

But it’s a promise I can’t keep,

No matter how I try

We are waiting for the doors to open,

You clasp my arm- jittery, nervous.

I tell you, don’t worry, for you are beautiful

In your white wedding gown.

And when you smile, all at once,

You’re my little girl again.

And I’m escorting you down the aisle,

Unable to hide my pride,

Because for me, as your father, there’s nothing harder

Than letting you go.

The General Assembly 3 of CO-MUN 2011

Lights of the ballroom chandelier frozen in time,

Gaze down on the committee,

A hundred people or more assembled together,

Nice sight to see.

Head table of three, on elevated seats,

Judging us like royalty.

Introducing Dhanushka: rapper and fashion-ist of his own style.

And have you met Dulshan? The guy’s got a stoic face

Broken by occasional wry smiles.

And how can I forget the ever cheerful Reema? Hi!

(CAUTION: do not let that cute face of hers deceive you- 

                     Get your facts wrong, you're in for a hard time!).

Ah, my friends, there’s too much to mention, too much to tell,

In a nutshell, we are fun;

Off session, it’s all laughs

And take my word- it’s the best part.

Don’t believe it? Join us and you’ll see-

We’re the coolest:

WELCOME TO GA3.

Dinesh Liyanage's Top Ten Movies of 2010

These are my top ten favourite movies of 2010. I haven't watched every single movie released but I have watched most of them, so don't judge me entirely yet.

Here they are:

1. Toy Story 3
2. Inception
3. The Social Network
4. The King's Speech
5. How To Train Your Dragon
6. The Town
7. Let Me In
8. Black Swan
9. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
10. Easy A

HONORARY MENTIONS: Iron Man 2, Kick-Ass, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 

COUPLE CARVING

The new trend with teenage relationships these days are very strange. It has sort of become a fashion for them to carve on their bodies with anything sharp that they can get their hands on, like they are performing some kind of hideous ritual. Compasses… blades… more compasses… you get the picture.

Cutting yourself up is not going to help. Acting like a spoiled 2-year old child and throwing a tantrum doesn’t work either. Rather than gaining sympathy, a person committing the above is more likely to push the people who care about him further away, earning a lot of disgust and contempt in the process. To demonstrate my meaning, enter Master Carve Nut.

Mr. Carve Nut has been in love with this beautiful girl for a very long time. But he was too shy to tell her of his feelings (but he makes it pretty obvious) and she’s too… well, unsure… about whether liking him back. This lethal combination causes Carve Nut to sink into depression. So, what do his friends do? They are able, by some miracle, to get them together.

Why can’t stories ever end with, ‘and they lived happily ever after’? Instead, it gets further complicated, if that is even possible.

If Carve Nut was ever ecstatic about getting the girl he wanted, the only indication of this was the change in his relationship status on Facebook from “single” to “in a relationship”. Apart from that, it was as if the two were never even friends, much less a couple. We hardly ever saw them smiling or enjoying the company of each others. To be honest, it got depressing for others to hang out with them, especially around Carve Nut. Not a minute passed when he wasn’t complaining about some problem he’s having with the relationship. Carve Nut was a leech sucking out all the fun from the word ‘Fun’.

That was just the surface of the problem. Carve Nut sunk into further depression, if that is even possible, and started to act as if he was the unluckiest person on the planet. It got worse: he caused a lot of friction with his friends because they ended up having to be arbitrator since the above-mentioned couple could never find it easy to just talk to each other without tension rising. Of course, there was also the case where Carve Nut started acting as though they were getting married instead of simply being ‘boyfriend’. Friends alienated, possibility of losing girlfriend becoming more and more likely, it looked as if every day for Master Carve Nut was a waking hell. That couldn’t have been too pleasant.

Then, about 4 months after they’d gotten together, (surprise surprise!) Carve Nut and the girl broke up. That was the beginning of the period of eternal mourning. Unable to cope with the loss, Carve Nut sought to repair the friendships he’d damaged earlier with his arrogant attitude. Feeling sorry for his plight, the friends he’d once cast away reconciled to help lift him out from that dark pit of despair in which he was trapped. However, they weren’t exactly prepared for the task they’d undertaken as it started to blow out of proportion.

Carve Nut was continuously moping and blamed his poor girlfriend for everything that went wrong in the relationship, not realizing that perhaps he was the one at fault; all of this began to cast a terrible and infectious gloom amongst the company he kept with. It reached a point so unbearable that the friends decided to sort things out between Carve Nut and the girl, once and for all. They forced the ex-couple to decide whether they truly wanted the relationship to continue or not. Carve Nut was all for getting back. The girl, however, was extremely reluctant, realizing that she was more unhappy in the relationship than she was when single. For her, it wasn’t worth returning. This declaration was broken to Carve Nut.

Now, a strong and mature person would have been heartbroken to hear this, true enough. But he would have somehow found a way to overcome his sadness and with time, move on. Carve Nut, unfortunately, did not fit into this category. Au contraire…

People take bad news in different ways. Some bear it silently and don’t show much emotion outwardly. Some take it hard but they don’t break down completely. Carve Nut, in credit to his name, used his body as a wall for graffiti and started carving himself up.   

Normally, it is against the habit of a writer to get personal, but perhaps it is vital at this point. Carve Nut started behaving in an extremely foolish and immature manner. It should be reminded (very important!) that Carve Nut was less than sixteen; instead, he was behaving as though his wife of fifty years had just divorced him and then got run over by a car in front of his eyes. Unusual, but true.

Is it an act to get attention? Is it the ploy of a spoiled child used to getting his way having finally realized that for the first, he couldn’t get everything he wanted? Whatever the reason, one thing remains certain: resorting to such behavior- carving and behaving badly- leads to no good. Perhaps it is a way of “dulling the pain” so that they won’t feel so hurt anymore but it is still an extremely dangerous method of doing so and highly discouraged. Also, crying everyday does not do much help, either.

Carving among couples is done at the oddest of times. If a couple is sad, they will carve themselves. If they are happy, they will carve themselves. If they are bored, they will carve themselves! Is it a sign of affection they wish to show their significant other, a display of their devotion?

Love is complicated, true enough, but this writer highly doubts that the contract signed when entering a relationship requires the parties to use extremely unorthodox (and painful) methods such as carving. If you know any couple going to this extent, it is recommended that you make arrangements for them in rehabilitation. Silly people, are they not?

RATS!

There is no better recipe for disrupting a class than the unexpected discovery that perhaps you're sharing the room with more than just humans. No, not aliens... I'm talking about the furry friends we refer to as rodents.

Announcement of their arrival was worthy of a drama. The teacher goes silent for a moment, then asks us to stand up and walk out of class IN A LINE... without making a noise! One would think we were practicing for a fire drill. Once we get the news that there is a rat in the class, however, well... you can probably guess the reaction. Nope- no screaming or panicking. Everyone immediately tried to get back into class to try and catch a glimpse of the famous rat who brought some colour in what looked like another colourless day (I even wondered if this rat could perhaps cook like Remy from RATATOUILLE). 

Enter our saviours, a helper and a protocol officer. They've come to apprehend the stowaway when- surprise! It's not one rat... but TWO! Don't you love it when things come in pairs?

Anyway, we watched one rat finally getting bagged (literally- they put him into a bag) after hilariously scampering all over the class. The other scurried up the teacher's table, at which point I asked my teacher if her pencil box lying on top of the table was closed. Oops! Turns out it wasn't. Luckily, the rat had disappeared before trying anything with the box and couldn't be found anywhere, leading several members of the class to ponder the hiding places a rat might be in the given situation. Guesses included bags, open pencil boxes and under chairs. Best suggestion, however, was that the rat had taken refuge in a uniform hanging at the back of the class, resulting in several hilarious enactments of what would happen to the wearer if the rat was indeed hiding there. No need to worry, though, it wasn't there.

Just as everyone was settling (wasn't much help, though, the bell was about to go off in about 2 minutes), we discovered a possible explanation to the second rat's mysterious escape. One boy's pencil box, which he'd left on the table before leaving the class, was missing. This prompted much laughter from those around him as they pondered whether the rat escaped using the pencil box as cover, in true TOY STORY fashion. 

P.S. The writer is still unsure if the pencil box was recovered by the end of the day or not.

 

DUPEd!

A couple of months back, my best friend and I were extremely interested in making a short film; so I got down to writing a script for it. Of course, knowing we'd have a very restricted budget and that our use of location would be rather limited, we couldn't go overboard with our story. However, upon realising that it would be difficult to make with no prior experience, we decided to make an EVEN shorter film: a short SHORT film, hence.

However, what with all the work we have to deal with at school and such, we've never gotten around to making them- the short film and the short SHORT film. Yet, I thought it would be interesting to put up the script we came up with... for your reading entertainment.

This is the screenplay for our short SHORT film. Enjoy!

_____________________________________________________________________

DUPEd!

 

Written by
Dinesh Liyanage

INT. CAFÉ - DAY

Eighteen-year old MARK is walking towards the table with his CUP OF COFFEE, looking down and not really paying attention to where he is going...

SUDDENLY! He bumps into someone-- and the COFFEE spills onto that PERSON’s front!

MARK jumps, startled. But he’s not as startled- or as angry- as the other... a VERY BEAUTIFUL GIRL whom we’ll call CHRISTY.

CHRISTY

What the hell?!

MARK

Oh... God, I’m... I am so sorry--

In his panic, MARK grabs a NAPKIN from a nearby TABLE andattempts to clean the COFFEE off CHRISTY’s blouse, getting alittle too near her breasts--

CHRISTY

What are you doing?!

MARK

I didn’t mean--

(runs a quick hand through his hair)

I’m really, really sorry. Is there- is there anything I could do...?

In spite of her annoyance, CHRISTY is rather amused with MARK’s nervousness. Her glare subsides. She runs an interested eye over MARK... and unexpectedly smiles.

CHRISTY

It’s all right. It was my fault, shouldn’t have run--

MARK

No, it was mine. Should look where I’m going next time.

Pause. MARK nervously clears his throat. 

MARK (CONT’D)

Please let me make it up to you. Can- can I get you something to drink? Or to eat?

CHRISTY

Erm... Actually, I'm running late...

(checks her WATCH, looks at MARK's expectant face)

What the hell? I’ve got time.

MARK beams.
 

MARK

Great. Erm... What would you like? Coffee? Er-- probably not. Orange juice?
 

CHRISTY shrugs and gives him a smile that clearly says, “whatever you think is great”.

MARK (CONT’D)

Orange juice it is, then.

MARK goes to get two CUPS OF ORANGE JUICE. CHRISTY observes him standing at the counter... her interest in MARK is unusually creepy, like a watching tiger... MARK, though, is oblivious to the extra attention.
MARK brings the two CUPS OF ORANGE JUICE. CHRISTY reaches into her BAG--

CHRISTY

How much--?

MARK

No, no. My treat.
 

CHRISTY

Don’t be silly--
 

MARK

I’m serious. I still feel bad about what I did.

MARK sits with the TABLE. For a moment, silence. They sip their DRINKS, both aware of the growing awkwardness.

MARK (CONT’D)

(pointing to a PRETTY BRACELET on CHRISTY’s hand)

That’s very nice.

CHRISTY

Thank you.

MARK

Where did you get it?

 

CHRISTY

It was a birthday present.

MARK waits for more but clearly that’s all he’s getting. Another awkward pause.
Getting a little scared that he’ll have nothing to say to this girl, MARK looks around him frantically, as if looking for inspiration in the air...

...When he notices CHRISTY looking at something over his shoulder... the FOOD...

MARK

Are- are you hungry?

CHRISTY

(quickly catches herself)

No, no, of course not.

But MARK knows she’s lying... he moves off to the COUNTER.

After a few minutes, he returns. A WAITER come with a plate-load of FOOD and places it in front of her. CHRISTY smiles a little guiltily...

WE STAY IN A CLOSE-UP OF THE PLATE AS WE...
 

MATCH DISSOLVE:

...TO THE PLATE- NOW EMPTY- ONLY CRUMBS REMAINING...
 

CHRISTY and MARK finish off the last remaining FOOD. CHRISTY looks at MARK gratefully--

CHRISTY (CONT’D)

Thank you.

MARK
(shrugs it off modestly)

Don’t mention it.

For a long moment, they stare at each other, an attraction building...
 

Suddenly! CHRISTY gets up--

CHRISTY

I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’m late--

MARK is understandably disappointed. CHRISTY senses this. She takes out MONEY to pay for the FOOD but MARK stops her, shaking his head.

CHRISTY (CONT’D)

Mark, don’t be silly--

MARK

I told you, Christy, it’s my treat.

CHRISTY stares at him. She takes out a PIECE OF PAPER and scrawls something on it, glancing mischievously in MARK’s way occasionally... 

But she doesn’t give the PAPER. She folds it and goes--

I/E. CAFE - PAVEMENT - DAY

MARK follows her, curious.
 

They stand before each other. Beat... CHRISTY leans over and kisses MARK on his right cheek for a long time. At the same time, her hand reaches inconspicuously behind him.
 

CHRISTY gives MARK a final smile- puts the FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER in his hand, and leaves.
MARK stares after her, fascinated and captivated. Finally shaking himself out of the stupor, he goes back--
 

INT. CAFÉ - DAY

-- to his table, unable to stop smiling. The BILL lies on a plate, waiting to be paid.
 

EXT. PAVEMENT - STREETS - DAY
 

CHRISTY is walking at a brisk pace. A sly smile is growing on her face.

INT. CAFÉ - DAY

MARK reaches into his back pocket for his WALLET. Nothing. Unperturbed, he checks his other pockets. Still nothing. The smile drops, turning to alarm.
 

Suddenly, he looks outside, in the direction of the departed CHRISTY, the clouds of suspicion gathering...
 

EXT. PAVEMENT - STREETS - DAY 

CHRISTY holds up a WALLET-- MARK’S WALLET! Grins maliciously--
 

INSERT FLASHCUT: CHRISTY’S MEMORY- WHILE KISSING MARK ON THE CHEEK, CHRISTY DEFTLY SLIPS A HAND INTO MARK’S BACK POCKET AND WITHDRAWS HIS WALLET. 
 

INT. CAFÉ - CONTINUOUS

 
MARK opens the FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER-- a single SENTENCE scrawled on it:

“That’s for spilling coffee on me”

Stunned, MARK crushes the PAPER in his FIST.

EXT. PAVEMENT - STREETS - DAY

CHRISTY takes out the MONEY and tosses the WALLET over her shoulder... all this without breaking step.

The WALLET lies on the stone. The FIGURE of CHRISTY recedes into the distance as she walks away...

THE END.

_____________________________________________________________________

The Clock Moves Faster Than Can Be Perceived…

I kept a box on my top shelf,
It’s been lying there since I was eight,
I’ve stored a lot of memories in there,
To keep them from decaying.

-The time I stole the car to the beach
With my friends
On a sunny school day-

-When I won my first football match
And raised that trophy triumphant-

-How Mum taught me to cook
Without setting the kitchen on fire-

-The way Dad taught me to cycle
Without falling on my face-

I’ve put them all in the box, like photographic stills,
Least I should forget.

But that’s not all-

-The first girl I ever fell in love with,
She stole my heart, before
Returning it broken- she’s inside there, too.

-And that night I got
Drunk, and sneaked in through
The bedroom window-?

That box also has its secrets.

But I forgot to take down that box,
When I finally left that house- to forge my way in life.
The box- it stayed in its place, collecting dust-
It’s only task now.
And there it remained- forgotten…

Weeks, months, seasons passed,
And the box never strayed from its place. And,
Like all things material, it
Aged with time.

Just like a vessel in which the
Mind and soul are imprisoned.

Yet inside, the memories remain.
Strong, fresh as ever. Treasured.