Page 22 - Memoirs of Sarasworthy Somasundaram

Samuel

1965

Sentha
It was in Bangkok. Sentha had just moved into the Intermediate Section at the International
School and I had an uneasy feeling that she was not at all that happy in the predominantly
American set-up. I suggested to Samuel that we send her back to Methodist College
Colombo and get her down for every holiday.

6
But Samuel was not happy with the idea. He said, “Saras, I’d like her to grow up with you. ”
What a heart-warming tribute would I have wanted anything more? Ever?

The note in Samuel’s office desk
Samuel was suddenly taken ill in office and rushed to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital.
He was placed in the ICU. Daya and I took turns staying with him. (There was a special
nurse too of course.)

The day following his admission, Samuel wanted me to go up and clear his office desk. I did.
So, suddenly my eyes fell on a sheet of paper, fairly neatly written. I started reading it and
sat there stunned. He was describing a woman in fairly glowing terms.

I was deeply hurt but I kept on reading. (He had been irresistibly attracted to someone in
the office and here was I completely disillusioned.) Thoughts like these continued recurring
and taunting me.

Then suddenly my mind cleared. I cried to myself “But… but this is me. Samuel is describing
me”

Samuel who was so sparing with his words had let himself go on a piece of paper! I felt
ashamed, folded the sheet and put it into my handbag. I don’t think Samuel knew I’d found
his note. Probably he had spare time from his office duties to indulge in short notes? But I
was happy.

6 From the Editor: I spoke with Sentha about this. She said that at the time her parents (Saras and Samuel)
were looking at two different schools for her to attend in Bangkok. One was an American International School
(coed) and the other was a British School. Samuel felt that Sentha would benefit from an American School
education, particularly with their modern thinking about Philosophy, Math, Science and English. Sentha said
that she enjoyed going to the American School, she learnt a great deal not only from her schooling but also
about another culture. Staying in Bangkok meant she was able to spend the remaining time that her father
had with her parents and little brother Shankaran.

21