Denzil's Stories

  In the Shadow of Authority A Tale of Exploitation and Survival Denzil Jayasinghe 3 min read·3 days ago 1 It may seem complicated to fathom — nay, almost impossible to grasp — but countless souls have borne the weight of abuse during the fragile years of their childhood. This is no mere tale of moral failing, no simple parable of right and wrong. No, it is a harrowing testament to the twisted, unsettling truths of the human experience. The shadow of harm has grown darker, impacting individuals, and few can stand before the mirror of honesty and declare themselves untouched by its grasp in their formative years. Confronting these truths is not for the faint of heart. It is a journey fraught with emotional peril, one that may awaken long-buried memories — memories that sting like fresh wounds, raw and unrelenting. For those who have endured, the scars run deep, manifesting as a profound distrust of intimacy, a barrier that shapes their future relationships in subtle and devastating ...

  The Veil of Tradition Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read·4 days ago 1 S undays in Dalugama were cherished occasions, where church attendance was as much a social gathering as a spiritual one. Families would emerge from their homes in procession — the men leading in their distinctive blend of traditional sarongs paired with Western coats or shirts with trousers. Behind them followed their wives, elegant in sarees and white veils, with children in tow. The air would fill with pleasant conversation and laughter as they went to church. At the heart of Dalugama’s church life stood Father Charles, a charismatic priest whose commanding voice and vibrant personality particularly enchanted the younger members of his congregation. Known for championing local traditions, including the parish parade, he often found himself at odds with evolving church policies. The tension came to a head during one memorable sermon when Father Charles veered from his prepared homily to criticise women who wore wha...

The Scent of Blood Echoes of Fear Denzil Jayasinghe 3 min read · 5 days ago 35 1 D enzil, a bank clerk whose life was a monotonous rhythm of fluorescent lights and repetitive transactions, craved a break. Today, instead of his usual refuge — the tea stall and his solitary cigarette — he decided to explore the bustling market hall that sprawled behind the bank. As he delved deeper into the maze-like alleys, the midday heat intensified, the city’s clamour fading into a distant hum. An unfamiliar scent, earthy, mineral, and metallic, began to permeate the air, mingling with the usual aroma of spices and sweat. Then, a low, guttural sound shuddered through the market like a collective animal fear. Denzil rounded a corner and stumbled upon a sight that would forever shatter his complacency. A monstrous concrete and steel structure loomed before him; its walls stained a sickly red darkened brown. From within, a cacophony of sounds assaulted his senses: the frantic bleating of sheep and the c...

  The Wanderer Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read·Dec 28, 2024 He yearned for the horizon, a restlessness that gnawed at him despite the comforts of his tiny room. His radio, a battered relic, crackled with distant voices, each a whisper of a world beyond the confines of Colombo. Books, his constant companions, offered escape, each page a portal to lands unseen. But even these pale reflections of adventure couldn’t fully quench his thirst for experience. Two years into college, a certainty crystallised: his destiny lay beyond the city’s well-trodden paths. He longed to share his journey with the girl, to explain the unexpected detour that had shaped him — his time at the novitiate, a chapter of his life that had unexpectedly deepened his understanding of himself. His parents, though relieved he had not embraced the priesthood, had always been his unwavering support. His father, toiling tirelessly, had provided for the family, a sacrifice that filled him with profound gratitude. Yet, the ...