REMEMBERING MY BOSOM BUDDY NADEEPA DHARMASIRI
Life Goes on…. Devnaka Abhisith Nadeepa Dharmasiri Three hundred and sixtyfive days, and the clock still ticks, One whole year and the months twelve, Beloved son, Darling brother and Dearest friend; You were loved by all on earth, but heaven couldn’t wait
Our connection, as a matter of fact, was something beyond acquaintanceship. It was actually brotherhood So, Nadeepa, a year ago you left me. But, still I am your biggest fan and you will always be my beloved friend. Goodbye Nadeepa. May your soul rest in peace!
It was a Saturday in the month of September. Even though I couldn’t remember the exact date, I still remember how remarkably enchanting that day was. Even though Saturdays were claimed to be very busy, I never missed my singing class at Miss. Priyanthi Seneviratne Vandort’s residence. I was a bit late that day after attending another class. When I entered through the gate, I heard a beautiful voice singing one of my favorite Sinhala hymns which captivated me “Jesu Amme Me Ahanna”. I was quite curious to know who the singer was. When I entered I saw it was a new member. The chubby cheeks and the warm smile gave me a good impression about his personality. His eyes revealed a charismatic radiance. Miss. Priyanthi, introduced him to me and said “Ravindu, this is your new friend, Nadeepa” and I, a loyal Josephian, and he, a proud Royalist, became “bosom buddies”.
I’ll start with the beginning of my friend’s life. Devnaka Abhisith Nadeepa Dharmasiri was born on 28.09.2002 as the son of Aunty Ruklanthi and Uncle Ajantha. He was the beloved brother of Navodhi Akki. He was very loyal, humble, generous, graceful, smart and funny. He was someone who made the people around him feel happy, because he laughed frequently and was always ready to greet anyone with that endearing smile of his. He had a great passion for music and technology. He was a junior prefect and an eminent chorister at his Alma Mater. Significantly both shared similar ambitions: To serve God in priesthood. But the only difference between our goals was that he wanted to be a scientist and a priest. That may sound as a unique combination. But for me it sounded like “Helapa and Fish Curry”. When I told him that, he started to giggle saying “yuck! But I could serve the world in two ways through that!” Even though it was a simple sentence, the message he conveyed through it was greatly deep and divine.
Our connection, as a matter of fact, was something beyond acquaintanceship. It was actually brotherhood. We only met each other on Saturdays at Miss. Priyanthi’s home. But we never forgot to have a “tête-à-tête” about the week and the latest news about movies, a movie actor or some prominent incident which made headlines in the newspapers. I should mention about the fact that my brother Sandaru- a Josephian- Josh and Hershelle– two Peterites- were also part of our click.
We were privileged to be chosen by God to be a part of Ms. Priyanthi’s special choir. This choir sang the ‘Welcome Song’ to receive Pope Francis at the Airport when he visited Sri Lanka on the 13th January 2015. Nadeepa was very happy. Even though he had made many speeches in front of large audiences and sung many times in variety of entertainment events, he was much happier being part of this special choir when compared to his other performances. That morning as we were taken to the Airport Garden Hotel to dress up, an unforgettable incident occurred. Miss. Priyanthi told usthe big “Aiyyas” (brothers)- to look after the younger ones in our room. One of them went screaming around the hotel corridor, disturbing the hotel guests at 4.00am! For our bad luck, Miss Priyanthi caught us and scolded us. She gave us a punishment in the form of standing along the hotel corridor, with our fingers on our lips. Nadeepa-who was standing next to me-looked at tourists who were walking in. He was dripped in sweat as fear and shame overcame him. But after we welcomed Pope Francis and were returning by bus he was sitting next to me. He said “I was really scared that she might not give us to sing. My parents’ hopes would have vanished”. And I thought how that little incident could influence his parents’ hope. But today I understand why. It was because of the extraordinary love and respect he had towards the members of his family.
He had many shortcomings, challenges and troubles in his life. He had asthma from his small days. Once, he fell down inside a pool and broke his ankle. Subsequently, he was on crutches for two months. Yet, he never lost his spirit. All these were signs of confidence. I admired his ways. If it was me, I would definitely have lay in bed complaining. Immediately after recovery he had a fall in school. This time he fractured his hand, but participated at the drill display of the school sports meet. His arm was in a cast at that time. He was often a victim of vicious acts of jealousy and envy. But my dearest Nadeepa never caved in in the face of challenges. He remained courageous. His response was “God is making me a matured person through the trials in life”.
It was quite upsetting to hear the news that Nadeepa was hospitalized. I couldn’t believe my ears when Miss. Priyanthi called us and told us to pray for him. I went immediately to see him and I saw him through the glass door of the MICU of the LRH. I couldn’t believe my eyes, because his health was perfect when we met him a week before at St. Theresa’s Church, Thimbirigasyaya. That was when we sang at a wedding mass. But, sadly my role model and above all my friend left us and went to be with Christ, our Lord, on the 08th of August 2016. He was loved by everyone. This was evident in the way his friends, teachers and relations emotionally responded upon hearing of his sudden death.
Happily, I can profess anywhere that I learned many things from him; about character, self-confidence, inner strength, good nature, being helpful, how to collaborate with others, welcome all with a smile and being large-hearted among other things.
So, Nadeepa, a year ago you left me. But, still I am your biggest fan and you will always be my beloved friend. Goodbye Nadeepa. May your soul rest in peace! Your Loving Friend Ravindu Fonseka (Chorister-the choir INSPIRATION)