Saying Yes To Heaven

With its unsullied beaches, azure waves and army of trees, the tranquil town of Weligama is a sparkling jewel in Sri Lanka's generously studded crown.

- SADAF SHAIKH

My trip was off to an awful start. I had learned that I would be travelling less than 12 hours prior, stayed up late to pack and wrap up work, and had then woken up at an ungodly 7am (by my standards) on a public holiday to reach the airport with four hours left for my flight to take off (on time by my father's standards). The one thing I was looking forward to was winding down with a friend who would be joining me on this mini break. As she pranced across the queue and we proceeded towards the check-in counter, her phone screen lit up with a call. I watched her smile fade and her eyebrows furrow in slow motion before she turned to me and said, My friend's been in an accident and has no family here. I have to go to the hospital. I processed her words with my mouth comically agape. Three hours later, I was bound for Sri Lanka-alone, irate and feeling rather sorry for myself.