LOVE OR MILK? - By Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena

Written By: Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena presents "LOVE OR MILK?," a compelling short story that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Sri Lanka, this narrative paints a vivid picture of a woman's journey as she navigates her relationships and personal growth. Bihansa's storytelling invites readers to explore the intricate balance between emotional fulfillment and life's simple comforts.

About the Work

"LOVE OR MILK?" by Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena is a poignant exploration of love's fleeting nature and the search for true companionship. Through evocative imagery and introspective reflections, the story captures the protagonist's emotional turmoil and longing for a deeper connection. Bihansa skillfully contrasts the protagonist's yearning for love with the comforting simplicity of everyday life, creating a narrative that resonates with the reader's own experiences of heartbreak and hope.

LOVE OR MILK?

Original Submission by Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena

LOVE OR MILK?

by

Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena

The wind was blowing with ashy dust breezing along the houses. The red brick hallway got busy as it caught up with hunger as the girls ran inside with empty glasses in their hands and came out with warm glasses of "Mount's House Milk" but, I was sitting there on my own balcony with a cup of caramel latte looking at the humble scenery in our lane. "Is it me who's unlucky? Or is it them??" I questioned myself. I was never the unlucky girl but always the unlucky lover.

I always wanted true love, but never received even half a glass of it! So, is it me unlucky or the thirsty girls down the lane with glasses full of milk??

Days passed. My vacation flew like cheese eaten by mice! I left for Colombo (city where my office is located). I'm staying in my amma's place. A huge mansion with temple trees around the tall white walls. My favorite thing about her house is the purple orchids drizzling from the glassy windows while giving a little purplish touch to the twinkling white mirror-like polished walls.

She's a principal, a very strict single mother and a religious lady. But the most interesting thing about her is, she loves cooking, therefore we never let the sun set a day without tasting a toast, pudding, cake or a cookie made by her. And as usual "Mount's House Milk" will be sponsored by me.

A bunch of calendar papers flipped. Now I'm a lover, a great lover. I love him like the cold breeze that hugs our mountains, like the sun rays that hugs and shines on top of the tall buildings, and I love him like a baby who's in need of a scratch on its back but calms down with a bit of milk fed by its mother.

One fine night he called me, "Deeli, shall we go out for dinner?" He asked. I jumped out with happiness and excitement. "Yesss!! Nikilllll!! Yesss" I said. It was around 6.30pm. He was at work, almost about to wrap up. I slipped down the staircase and ran into my closet. Grabbed the chilly red top and the black denim skirt. Rushed to the dressing table and glammed up myself with reddish gloss on my lips and some blush on my cheeks. "Wear these gold tussles" Amma said. She always supports me.

Tick tock, tick tock.

Beep!! Beep!!

He came. "Deeli" myself was blushing, I ran to the car and sat. No matter how excited I was, as soon as I saw him, the little shy Deeli popped out always. "So where are we going??, is it to the beach side? Maybe we can eat some crunchies and walk by the waves!" I said, because I was never made to expect much, even though my inner child always loved so much. I only wanted his presence, no matter where, when or how!?

"Deeli! no! Let's go to the Sunset Blu? Let's eat, have some wine..." "And dance a bit!!???" I bumped into his explanation with a heart full of happiness and excitement.

The car ran towards the busy streets and lights of lamps splashed against our glistening eyes. I switched on the radio, we started listening to some random music, I was never a good singer but appreciated his singing skills like a little fan waiting in front of celebrities houses till they come out.

It was a beautiful day... I rushed home, in my same outfit, with no wash, I opened my diary and wrote everything we did, everything I felt with an overflowing love in my heart, "oh the way he grabbed my hands while dancing ...." Even my pen started to blush. It was the next morning when I stopped writing. "Am I a crazy lover!?" I asked myself. "Maybe" Dunitha, my best friend bumped into me saying. "How did you hear it????" I asked even before processing the fact that she came to see me. "Ohh telepathy? Bluetooth?? I don’t know!!" She said while laughing. "So so!! What did u bring me bestieeeee!!!!" I asked. "Gave everything to our Madam Wanditha (my mother)" Dunitha, said.

Dunitha, She's my funny bestie. We meet once a blue moon! But the bond remains the same. That day was all about him, how he smiles, how he speaks, how he treats me, Dunitha must have been fed up that day! Poor girl!

Seven full moons passed,

"I guess it's a maximum of 6 months left! We did everything we could! Even the most expensive treatments around! But still I don't think we can stop or change the destiny Miss Deelisha", it was Dr. Wotson Kirialla. That day was a shot in my heart that pieced into my brain, that I don't have words to explain. It was when I found my beloved mother, the only thing left to me was about to leave me.

"You have your Nikil! Don't worry! He'll look after you, he won't leave you alone, that's the only hope I have, and that's why I can close my eyes anytime, peacefully!" were the words uttered by my mother.

Ever since then, I wasn't okay. because no matter how sparkling me and Nikil were as a duo, I always had this unexplainable emptiness, loneliness within me. I always felt that he won't stay with me. My brain used to always tell me, "Girl! He's just staying here! Has he ever put on an effort to actually understand to you?? He's listening to reply, he's not listening to understand!!!"

It was echoing through a 360° rotation around my head.

Days passed. It was the mid-July. My dearest Dunitha and I were sitting on my balcony cleaning my long-uncleaned wardrobes' lockers.

"I don't know Deeli! What are you gonna do now? Heading to the hills while leaving all here??, I mean you can stay with me! You know right, Justin won't be here in good 2 years till he gets the PR! So, it's only me and Rosy at home! Why don't you just come with me??" Dunitha asked me with a tired voice while wiping the sweat rolling down through her face to the neck.

I was about to respond, but my manager distracted me, "Madam, the parlour’s bills are settled, the orders to have the almsgiving is given. The statue to keep along in the cemetery will be done by tomorrow. " Manager said and left my room.

I took a deep breath up!

"Dunitha! I know! I had so much of dreams to achieve here! But without my mother and knowing that Nikil is not beside me, it feels like getting rotten alive. Therefore, I believe, I'll be able to manage myself with my factory work there. I have so much to do with Mount's House Milk." I said without putting my breath down.”

Dunitha was so tired by that time trying to convince me to stay with her.

After years, sun did set without a yummy plate of dessert from my Amma. I never, again saw the beauty of her mansion and never felt the warmth inside here, maybe that's why I did sell the mansion without a second thought.

Two full moons passed,

“Mount’s House Milk, the freshness of hills, filled with protein, calcium & vitamin D… onto your hands in a glass, how’s this madam for the mew slogan?” A marketing team member asked, I was in my cabin. “Well! We’ll need to do some changes. Let’s talk about it later” I gave a quick-feedback and rushed to my home as there was someone who came to see me.

"Deeli... if you are okay...can you please tell me at least now why you didn't spoke to Nikil? Since your mother got sick. I don't understand what happened? You really said you two are okay till your mother's death! You used to cry day and night! You didn't eat, but always said it was because of aunty Wanditha's situation, but I knew there was something going on!! How did this happen? How did Nikil vanish from your life??, he might be overseas but he could've come to the funeral at least right?" It was Dunitha, who came to see me to the hills, questioning me. I took a deep breath again and started explaining what happened.

"It was the day I got to know about my mother's cancer. I immediately booked a cab and went to the nearest cafe next to his office. He rushed in and expected a bubbly me! But never a daughter will smile while knowing her pillar is fading away! I told him the story, expecting comfort, a warm hug maybe! Or at least "I'm there for you my baby girl" but NO, instead it was, "So?? I don't know!! I have no time to console you now! Don't try to be a baby! " I stopped! I paused! I dimmed! "What do you mean?" I asked, I felt like I was the loneliest lover under the sun and moon while sitting next to my own lover at that time. "I don't know" he said, with a cool, nonchalant head nod.

He left with no guilt!

Dunitha, I can't remember how I came home that day...

I can peel my own oranges but I'd still appreciate someone who offers to peel one for me! Am I unfair here? If I loved, loving him unconditionally, why didn't he even try??, anyways, I realized I was lonely in that relationship... It wasn't about taking me into expensive cafes! Restaurants! I just wanted his presence in my life." I told the story.

Dunitha looked at me, gave me a long hug with tears filled in her eyes.

"Did he ever come back?" She asked.

"Not yet, as soon as I stopped trying and making plans, he vanished...."

I said while exhaling that long empty breath I inhaled.

It was pure silence for exactly two minutes and Dunitha didn't take her hands around me. She hugged me even harder and then,

"Love or milk??" Dunitha asked.

"Milk! Obviously!! At least it's a glass full of protein, calcium and vitamin D" I replied with a girly smile on my face.

-The End-

Amma: Is the primary word used for mother in Sri Lanka by Sinhala and Tamil speakers

Colombo – Commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka

Written and submitted by-

bihansayenulij@gmail.com

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. This prestigious platform provides participants the opportunity to showcase their literary talents on a global stage, fostering a community of writers and poets dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through this competition, Hashtag Kalakar continues to nurture creativity and encourage the exploration of the human experience through the written word.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bihansa Yenuli Wijesinghe Jayawardena for sharing "LOVE OR MILK?" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your narrative touches on the universal themes of love and self-discovery, leaving a lasting impression on our readers. We appreciate your contribution to the competition and look forward to witnessing your continued journey in the world of creative writing.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.