A Mini-Series by Sriram Tawker
📌 Based on a Real Incident
📚 Missed the previous chapters? Catch up below:
➡️ Read Chapter 1 – Beginning of the End
➡️ Read Chapter 2 – The Retaliation
Previously on The Children of War:
As Jaffna erupted in violence, Kesavan was arrested, and Chintana’s world shattered. Her father, killed by soldiers, gave his life to protect her. Alone and pregnant, Chintana was forced to flee. Her only hope: escape to India by boat, with help from her father’s old friend — Senanayake, a retired Sinhalese general who considered her his daughter.
Chapter 4 – The Escape
Despite the pain in her body and the grief in her heart, Chintana ran. She sprinted through the chaos of Jaffna, heading for the home of Senanayake, her father’s old friend — a retired army general and a rare voice of compassion in a divided land.
Though Sinhalese, Senanayake had never shown prejudice. He had known Chintana since childhood, and in the absence of his own children, had always treated her like a daughter.
When she reached his home, he was already waiting, seated in his car. As soon as he saw her, he gestured urgently for her to get in. His face was grim — he had already heard about Kesavan and the unrest ravaging the town.
She slipped into the backseat. Their eyes met in the rear-view mirror.
Through tears, she said, “Uncle… they came to our house. They killed Appa…”
Senanayake looked away, guilt written all over his face. “I’m so sorry, Chintu. Your father was a brave man. He gave his life to save you. Now it’s my duty to make sure you get to safety.”
“But I don’t want to run,” she cried. “I want to fight for Appa… for Kesav. This isn’t fair.”
“Nothing is fair in times like these,” he said softly. “If you were alone, maybe you could have stayed back. But you’re not. You have a baby — an innocent child who didn’t choose to be born in this war.”
She wiped her tears. “But what about Kesav? I want to save him too.”
“We’ll try. I promise. The world is watching. The government won’t get away with this without questions.”
Chintana looked out the window, dazed. “Just last week, life was normal. People were smiling, shopping, laughing. And now… everything is gone.”
“That’s how quickly peace can fall apart,” Senanayake replied. “We don’t have much time. I need to get you to Thalaimannar. From there, you’ll take a boat to India. It’s not paradise, but it’s the only safe place within reach.”
Though still conflicted, Chintana nodded. Senanayake started the car, and she curled into the footwell, her pain ebbing slightly.
As they drove through town, she peeked out. The scenes were seared into her memory — soldiers beating civilians, bodies strewn across the road, women bleeding, children sobbing. Fires burned. Smoke curled into the sky.
In the distance, she saw the Jaffna Library in flames.
Her breath caught. “They’re burning the books… all our history…”
She gripped her stomach and closed her eyes. “Please, baby,” she whispered, “hold on until we’re safe. I can’t take more today.”
It took three hours to reach Thalaimannar, dodging army patrols and passing multiple checkpoints. At each stop, the guards stood down when they saw Senanayake — his rank still commanded respect.
As they neared the coast, Senanayake parked the car behind a tree and helped Chintana out. She struggled to sit, her body sore and heavy.
“Stay here,” he said gently. “I’ll speak to the boatman.”
He returned shortly after. “I’ve arranged for a speedboat. I’ve paid him well — he’ll take you as close as possible to Rameshwaram. If the Indian coast guard catches you, tell them the truth. They may not know yet what’s happening here.”
“Okay, Uncle,” she said quietly, stepping out of the car.
She stretched, retrieved her bag, and looked at him with teary eyes. “Thank you… for everything.”
Senanayake, holding back his emotions, replied, “I’m ashamed of what my people have done today. I’ll stand with your community — for your father, for Kesav, for all the innocent lives lost.”
The boatman waved to signal he was ready.
Senanayake turned to her. “This boat will take you to a safer place. I can’t promise more than that. You’ll reach India by morning. Please call this number once you arrive.” He handed her a small piece of paper.
Chintana hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Appa,” she whispered.
Tears streamed down his cheeks. He whispered back, “You are the daughter I never had. Please stay safe. We’ll come for you one day. We’ll be a family again.”
The sun was setting as they walked to the water’s edge. Senanayake helped her into the boat. The engine started. The boatman jumped aboard and began steering away from the shore.
The further the boat drifted, the more painful her cramps became. She bit her lip, clutched her belly, trying to stay strong.
As the shoreline faded behind her, she saw Senanayake’s silhouette one last time — along with her motherland, disappearing into darkness.
After four hours across the sea, a faint light glimmered on the horizon.
The boatman’s expression grew alert. “That’s India,” he said.
He scanned the waters with binoculars — no patrols in sight. He turned off the engine and began rowing silently toward the shore.
When they neared land, he stopped rowing. “I can’t go any further. You’ll have to get down and walk the rest.”
She nodded and waited for the right moment. The boatman helped her down.
The water was icy cold. Her contractions returned, more intense. Gritting her teeth, she waded through the shallow waves.
The boatman watched for a few moments, then rowed away, fading into the darkness.
Chintana turned back — but her country was no longer in sight.
She looked forward. The land ahead — India — didn’t seem so different from home. That gave her a small sense of comfort.
Every step sapped her strength. By the time she reached the shore, she was gasping for air. She tried to walk further… but her body gave up.
She collapsed onto the sand, completely drained.
Her eyes closed.
Darkness took over.
🙏 Thank you for reading Chapter 4.
👉 Chapter 5 — the final chapter — drops next Thursday.
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