Denzil's Stories

  An Unexpected Snack: Journey of Hunger and Adaptation Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read·1 hour ago T he first day in a new place can be quite challenging. You wake up and head out to explore the streets, but the uneven pavements make it difficult to walk without tripping. As you wander around, you come across a corner store that looks nothing like what you’ve seen recently. You step inside and notice buns, rotis, and hot snacks on display. A worker serves them with his bare hands. It’s still early morning, but you’re already hot and flustered with the heat. As you stand there, men rally around the counter, ordering their snacks. You observe them closely, wanting to fit in with the culture. It’s like those painful times when you were young, all the boys were into something, and you didn’t know whether you could join in. Over the years, you’ve learned the art of fitting in and adjusting. But this is so different. Most of the time, you can work it out and try to avoid being the focus of ...

  I am a quitter. The benefits of being a quitter, a bold quitter Denzil Jayasinghe 3 min read·1 hour ago I have a habit of quitting things that don’t work for me. I learned this from a young age when I left home at eleven to escape my mentally ill grandmother. I went to a boarding school, hoping to become a clergyman, but I hated it there too. So, I quit again and came back home when I was fifteen. In high school, I challenged myself to do things that scared me. I made friends with different people, applied for a scholarship in the US, and almost got it. But I also quit things that bored me, like chemistry and physics. I dropped out of high school and studied accounting at a private university. But I felt out of place there, surrounded by wealthy and older students. So, I quit again, thanks to my father, who got me an apprenticeship in an international telecommunication company. But I was not happy there either. I rebelled against the system that was unfair to young and bold peopl...

  The Search for a Skinny Vest: A Teenager’s Dilemma Denzil is a teenager who wants to smoke with his friends but can’t find his skinny vest, which he considers his lucky charm. He searches his room, asks his mother, and even checks the clothes rack, but to no avail. He decides to wear a yellow t-shirt and denim pants instead, hoping they won’t ruin his mood. He sneaks out of his house, avoiding his grandmother and other relatives, and joins his friends near the church. Will he be able to enjoy his evening without his skinny vest? Find out in this short story that explores the challenges of growing up in a conservative society. D enzil turned away from the window and surveyed his room, which he had mostly to himself. The warm glow of early evening still hung in the air, but the light from the sunset had shifted through the window grills and into his private space. As he looked around, he couldn’t help but think of Ruth. He tried to push her out of his mind, but it was impossible. H...

  Everyday into art How I Express Myself Through Art Denzil Jayasinghe 3 min read·Just now I love to draw, but drawing is not the only way to express myself. Sometimes, I take photos of what I see and write about my feelings. When I see something that catches my eye, I approach it and try to capture its essence. This is how I see life and how I live it. Art is also listening to music and watching cool movies. Art is everywhere. Everything I use, everything I wear, everything I do is art. My notebook, my writing, my work journal. The way I arrange my backgrounds and widgets on my devices. Even boiling an egg is an art. Everything I have, everything I choose, and everything I appreciate is art. It is the act of noticing, and the decision of selecting that interests me. When something interests me, I stop and look at it carefully. I take a picture or make a note with Siri. I want to remember that moment or create something new from it. It can be anything, ordinary or extraordinary. Th...

A Journey through Colombo’s Heart A Tanka tale of an emigre’s experience in Colombo Rail station Denzil Jayasinghe Just now W ooden counters of the past, Memories arise. Iron rods fence the queues and time, Hand-operated tickets chime. L ost in unfamiliar gates, A trio stands, bags of rags, Strangers in the crowd. I offer help, their smiles wide, Guiding them to the southern ride. P latform four, the destination, Train doors open, life in motion, Neglected seats tell tales. A journey through another time, Unique, though past its prime. S tandards low, I may confess, Yet millions make do, no less, With what life bestows. Sri Lanka’s heart, its rail’s embrace, A vibrant, resilient living space. Subscribe to my stories  https://djayasi.medium.com/subscribe . Images belong to the original owners.