Patrick Sonhoy

A Tale of Friendship of a Curious Boy

Denzil Jayasinghe

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Patrick Sonhoy, a Christian brother of the De La Salle order and a successful printing press managing director, was known for his admirable qualities. His attractive appearance, influential status, and interactions with high society distinguished him. His business acumen and elegant attire enhanced his robust health, youthful appearance, and graceful demeanour.

Despite his wealth, Patrick remained humble, showing deep respect for the church and his fellow Christian brothers. His living quarters, although furnished with luxury items like a cushioned bed and leather chairs, contrasted with the simple dwellings of his peers. Despite his elegant looks and lifestyle, he was humble and grounded.

Patrick’s entrepreneurial skills with the printing press brought him considerable wealth and independence. His excellent command of English likely stemmed from his Eurasian background with European roots. His social circle included high-profile friends and flamboyant women known for publicly displaying elegance, makeup and wealth.

A deep sense of compassion and generosity marked Patrick’s inner life. Deaf and mute boys, often overlooked by society, worked in the press as apprentices. Living inside the large press building and receiving training from tradespeople, these boys were a testament to Patrick’s commitment to inclusivity and care for the less fortunate.

Patrick owned a Volkswagen Combi, but he rarely drove it. Brother Jude, his business assistant and driver, handled transportation. This departure from the austere lives of other Christian brothers, who focused on teaching and simplicity, set Patrick apart. Brother Jude himself was known for his charm and proactive attitude.

Patrick’s ability to successfully operate the printing press and generate substantial profits covered all the Christian brothers’ expenses. Catholic businesspeople sought his services, granting him a monopoly over a specific segment of Colombo’s elite clientele.

Within the same grounds owned by the Christian brothers stood a residential school for young boys. Among them resided a young adolescent boy notable for his charming appearance, wide grin, and neatly trimmed hair. He was a class among his peers. Intelligent and friendly, he caught Patrick’s attention. As this boy returned from a sea bath, his hair framing his face, Patrick met him in the small corridor leading to the showers. Their brief interaction made the boy sense something different about Patrick.

Curiosity led the boy to stroll near Patrick’s room the next day. He observed the small garden and the parked Combi van. Knocking on the door, Patrick welcomed him, now dressed in colourful attire. The boy explored Patrick’s office — a spacious room with leather chairs and a library filled with books and files. Patrick’s genuine interest in him left the boy intrigued.

Days later, accompanied by a friend, the boy ventured into Patrick’s living room. The decor, surpassing anything they had seen before, was a feast for their eyes. That night, lying awake in the dormitory, the boy couldn’t help but reflect on those magical minutes spent in Patrick’s room. He felt a stirring of curiosity as if he had glimpsed a world beyond his own, guided by the memory of Patrick’s unique presence.

Patrick, a kind-hearted man, continued to extend his generosity to the boy. Their friendship blossomed, and the boy found solace in Patrick’s company. But it was Patrick’s lifestyle that intrigued the boy the most. The boy believed him to be a person of influence who could change his life.

Every evening, after his sea bath, the boy would quickly shower and change into his evening clothes. With anticipation, he walked up to Patrick’s room. Patrick warmly welcomed him, sharing picture cards, ornaments, and pens. He even gifted the boy a small statue of Jesus, a symbol of their growing bond.

The boy’s visits became a daily habit. Patrick admired the boy’s zest for life, bright smile, and unwavering positivity. The boy, fluent in English, carried himself with intelligence and poise.

Patrick noticed the boy’s love for dressing well. One day, he gave the boy fifteen rupees and suggested he visit the Velona showroom in Colombo. Grateful for Patrick’s kindness, the boy went to the showroom the next day. There, he chose a blue cheesecloth shirt, priced at twelve rupees fifty. The boy wore the shirt proudly every evening, a visible reminder of Patrick’s affection.

Patrick delighted in seeing the boy smartly dressed. The shirt enhanced the boy’s confidence, and Patrick observed how it became a cherished possession. A month later, Patrick gave him more money, allowing the boy to pick another shirt in another of his favourite colours, red.

Their friendship deepened beyond material gifts. It was about shared moments, laughter, and the simple joy of wearing a new shirt. Under the starry nights, Patrick and the boy forged a bond that transcended mere generosity — a gift of friendship that neither would forget.

During the next school holiday, the boy was excited to go home for the holidays. Patrick, his kind friend, invited him to join a holiday trip to the hill country. Without hesitation, the boy agreed. Back home, he shared with his parents how much he appreciated Patrick’s kindness.

On the agreed-upon day, the boy’s father dropped him off at the Colombo Rail station. Patrick arrived in a taxi and met them there. They boarded the train bound for Kandy, occupying a second-class rail carriage, not the cheap third-class reserved for the masses. Patrick ensured the boy had a window seat, and as the train moved, the boy was mesmerised by the passing scenes.

Patrick’s generosity extended to the train’s buffet carriage. There, he ordered an omelette for the boy. Unlike at home, where the boy’s mother only prepared boiled eggs, this gourmet omelette was made with egg, onions, green chillies, and a hint of spices. The boy savoured every bite — his first time enjoying an omelette.

They disembarked from the train at the Kandy Railway station in the Hill country. The duo checked into a hotel, and the next day, they continued their journey in a Morris Minor taxi. For the boy, it was his first time travelling in the hill country. His parents had taken him to every corner of Sri Lanka, but the hill country remained unexplored until now.

The boy marvelled at the scenery as the taxi wound through the tea estates and green hills. The lush landscapes unfolded before him, painting a picture of tranquillity and natural beauty. By midday, they arrived at their destination: a vast bungalow perched atop a hill.

At the entrance to the grand bungalow stood the lady of the house — a European woman — cradling a toddler. Her warm welcome made the boy feel at ease, and he looked forward to the adventures that awaited him in this picturesque hill country.

Their residence was a sprawling bungalow perched atop the hill, which provided panoramic views of the verdant landscape punctuated by mountains adorned with meticulously pruned tea bushes. The house was a testament to grandeur, boasting spacious rooms and a vast garden teeming with a curated selection of flora. Servants bustled about the house, cleaning and cooking, while gardeners tended to the lush greenery.

A hot meal of white rice and fish drenched in a tangy green sauce was served to Patrick and the boy. The meal, presented on fine China and silverware, was thoroughly enjoyed by the boy. This experience also served as a crash course in table etiquette for him, acquainting him with the art of using napkins and cutlery. Patrick, observing the boy, took pleasure in the fact that he was imparting memorable life experiences to him.

As evening descended, the boy experienced a bath in a bathtub for the first time, encircled by gleaming white ceramic tiles, a stark departure from the water well at home and the square water holes at his boarding school. Patrick applauded as the boy emerged, wrapped in a pristine white towel. Later that evening, Patrick and their hosts indulged in coffee after dinner while the boy immersed himself in the magazines in their large living room.

The day after their arrival, they dedicated themselves to exploring the estate. Patrick’s friend, the estate manager and the husband of the woman with the child drove them around the vast grounds in his Austin Cambridge car. The boy, seated alone in the back seat, was captivated by the meticulously maintained landscape.

The next day, Patrick and the boy were at the train station, ready to embark on the next part of their journey to another hill station. Awaiting them at their destination was Brother Roland, a Christian brother also of Eurasian descent who spoke in English. He was elegantly dressed in civilian clothes, a departure from his usual religious attire.

In less than half an hour, Patrick and the boy were guided to another large house resembling an English courthouse within a sprawling estate. Inside the house were Roland’s siblings, all impeccably dressed in trousers, shirts, skirts, and blouses. The women were striking, their cheeks flushed and lips painted red.

As evening fell, a lively party began. The room was filled with conversation, and the air thickened with cigarette smoke as many of the women indulged in smoking. This was the first time the young boy had seen women smoking, and he was taken aback. English was the language of conversation, and soon, their attention turned to the boy, the youngest person in the room, quietly observing them from a corner. They asked him about his school, his parents, and his aspirations. To their surprise, the boy responded quickly, as if conversing with friends. He was curious about these individuals who spoke English as if it were their native language.

Upon his return to boarding school after the holidays, the boy maintained his relationship with Patrick, who had become both a mentor and a friend. The year was 1969, when stylish pointy boots were in fashion, although expensive. In a kind gesture, Patrick gave the boy forty rupees to buy a pair from the well-known P. G. Martins store in Colombo. The boy’s school attire was now upgraded to crimplene trousers, leather boots, and a neat white shirt. He stood out at school events with his colourful shirts, earning recognition for his sense of style.

Passionate about photography, Patrick often photographed the boy with various cameras. The boy was frequently the subject of Patrick’s colourful slides and photo sessions. These moments, from casual beach gatherings to everyday school life, were immortalised through Patrick’s lens.

The boy in Patrick’s room — Patrick's photo is on the right.

The boy drew strength and confidence from his friendship with Patrick. As he advanced to his senior year, preparing for his general certificate, Patrick gifted him a coveted Sony Transistor radio. The boy cherished it, listening to it in his room at his parents’ house, powered by batteries.

However, the end of the year brought challenges for the boy at the boarding house. He faced mistreatment from a supervisor, leading to profound unhappiness. He was too young to share his troubles, so he kept silent, not informing his parents or other adults. Eventually, he left the boarding house to stay home, finding happiness in his own space.

He continued to visit Patrick until one day, Patrick was unexpectedly absent. Upon inquiry, the boy learned of Patrick’s near-fatal drowning incident and that he was recuperating at his sister’s place in the town of Kurunegala, a hundred kilometres away. Determined to see his friend and mentor, the boy obtained Patrick’s address and shared the concerning news with his parents, who were taken aback.

The following weekend, the boy, his father, and his siblings journeyed to Kurunegala to Patrick’s sister’s residence. They found Patrick dressed in civilian clothes, looking different and thinner. Patrick’s sister welcomed them warmly, offering a meal and allowing Patrick to spend time with the boy and his family.

The boy struggled to comprehend the events that had occurred. The printing press, once thriving, was now in peril, in the red with the business dwindling and the De La Salle brothers reducing investments in new equipment. The press operated at a loss, and everything Patrick had built seemed to crumble. Overwhelmed by depression and despair, Patrick had attempted to end his life in the sea but was fortunately rescued by passing seamen and revived. Upon learning of the incident, his sister brought him home from the hospital.

Patrick confided in the boy that he had no intention of returning to the Christian brother’s order. The boy, having left the boarding house himself, understood. They continued their correspondence through letters. In time, Patrick changed his surname to Silva, finding it more fitting among the locals than Sonhoy, a family name of European origin. Patrick Silva later married a local woman, a senior nurse at the Kurunegala hospital, and settled near his sister’s house.

A few years later, now eighteen, the boy continued his correspondence regularly with Patrick, who reciprocated with updates about his life. The boy-lad decided to travel independently and took a train one day to visit Patrick. At the station, Patrick greeted him, accompanied by his nephew, who was the same age as the boy. A bond quickly formed between the two young men.

The boy, now taller and confident, was a stark contrast to Patrick, who had recovered from his past struggles. Their friendship, forged through years of mutual support and shared experiences, was a testament to their enduring connection.

Years after leaving Sri Lanka, the boy-lad, now in Dubai and Patrick Silva, in Sri Lanka, maintained their friendship through letters. When the boy-turned-lad’s wedding day arrived in Colombo, he didn’t expect Patrick to make the long journey to attend. To his surprise and joy, Patrick was at the church, ready to embrace him on his special day.

Patrick Sonhoy was a great man who cherished and mentored the dreams of a young, curious boy.

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