Denzil's Stories

The Big Brother Blues The arrival of a little brother Denzil Jayasinghe 1 min read “A mma’s been sick for a few days, Kadayamma,” I said, my voice laced with concern. “The kitchen doesn’t smell the same without her cooking.” Kadayamma’s face creased into a warm smile. “Don’t worry, child. Your mother will be back to her duties soon. And besides, you’ll have a new playmate to keep you company.” “A playmate?” I repeated, my curiosity piqued. “Yes, a sibling! You’ll have a brother or sister to share your adventures with.” I clapped my hands in excitement. “A brother would be wonderful! Someone to play with and share my toys.” That night, I snuggled into Kadayamma’s bed, feeling the softness of her presence. The lamps cast a warm glow, keeping the darkness at bay. But when morning came, Amma was still not home. Aunty tended to my sister while I basked in the extra attention from my grandmother. “Where’s Thaththa?” I asked Kadayamma, noticing Father’s absence. “He’s busy, child. But don’t w...

  The Stone-Thrower of Wattala Tracks of Madness Denzil Jayasinghe · It is a short story about Nicholas, a man living in Wattala, Sri Lanka, whose mental instability leads him to antagonise local schoolboys. Through Nicholas's tragic tale, the story explores themes of madness, societal cruelty, and the inevitability of fate. A man named Nicholas lived in the heart of Wattala, where the sun blazed down mercilessly. His house stood close to the bustling Railway station, where time seemed to slow down, and the air carried the scent of distant adventures. But Nicholas was no ordinary man. Like a kite caught in a storm, his mind fluttered between sanity and madness. Every morning, as the schoolboys marched past his house on their way to St. Anthony’s College, Nicholas would emerge from his doorway. His eyes, wild and bloodshot, fixed upon the innocent faces. The boys, sensing danger, would quicken their pace, but Nicholas was relentless. He would hurl insults at them, words that stung l...

Caught Between Worlds: The Peeling of Tradition Denzil Jayasinghe · A short story excerpt set against the backdrop of a politically turbulent 1973 Colombo, the story follows Denzil, a young man grappling with the expectations of his traditional family and his desires. In his father’s office, a place of order and stability, Denzil faces his father’s concern over his withdrawn demeanour and his mother’s disapproval of his choices. The story highlights Denzil’s internal conflict as he navigates the chasm between duty and personal yearning, mirroring the changing sociopolitical landscape of Sri Lanka . T he smell of Colombo hung thick in the air that July afternoon in ’73. Curry leaves and cinnamon wrestled with the pungent tang of protest signs. The city simmered, just like the political unrest that choked the streets. Me, Denzil, I weaved through the throng, feeling as lost as the city itself. 1973 was a year in which I was caught between two worlds, much like myself. The echoes of Briti...

Whispers in Kochchikade: A Ceylonese Boy’s Question of Faith Denzil Jayasinghe · In the sweltering heat of a Ceylonese afternoon in 1966, Susan approached the small shop near the Kochchikade Church in Colombo. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the faint aroma of cinnamon from the nearby market. “Five candles, please,” Susan said to the shopkeeper, her sari clinging to her skin in the humidity. “One for each member of my family.” After paying twenty-five cents for the lot, she entered the crowded church, joining the crowd of devotees slowly inching towards St. Anthony’s altar. The ceiling fans whirred overhead, their rhythmic sound a counterpoint to the murmured prayers. The sight before her was mesmerising. Hundreds of candles blazed in flat metal trays, their collective light casting a warm, orange glow across the sanctuary. Around the trays lay a tapestry of offerings: coins of various denominations, some wrapped in cloth — a visual representation of the hopes and praye...