Dhareythi: The Deception That Shook Hithadhoo

The unrest that has taken hold in the three southern atolls is being fuelled by certain British military officers stationed on the island, particularly Major Phillips. Phillips, along with the leader of the RAF, participates in gatherings held by rebels against the Maldivian state — sometimes secretly, sometimes openly. Doshi Manippulhu travelled to the island because the Maldivian government wanted the truth of the matter clarified. Manippulhu is staying in Hithadhoo. Adhanu's island is also Hithadhoo. From midday onwards, Adhanu worked to meet Doshi Manippulhu without being noticed by any Hithadhoo resident — to try to stop Manippulhu's two trips to the island. That did not turn out to be as easy as Adhanu had imagined. There were many eyes watching Manippulhu from far and near. Even when an attempt was made to send someone to signal Manippulhu, no one trustworthy enough could be found. Sometimes Adhanu felt that he should not get involved in that whole affair. After all, what did it have to do with Adhanu? Adhanu was not Manippulhu's bodyguard, to protect him whenever he needed saving. But if Manippulhu came to serious harm, who would be most troubled? Asking that question of his own heart, Adhanu could not bring himself to just sit and watch. In the afternoon, there was a football match in Hithadhoo. The guest of honour was Hafeeza — a colourful figure who was also among those placed in Manippulhu's sights, to show support for the Maldivian government. Pretending to watch the football, Adhanu also went. Adhanu stayed hidden from Manippulhu. When Adhanu was seen, Manippulhu might come up to him. Sometimes people watching over Manippulhu were also very close to him. As soon as the match began, Adhanu saw refreshments being brought to Doshi Manippulhu and Hafeeza. Hafeeza ate none of the refreshments. She did not even reach out her hand. Manippulhu also did not look at them. From that, Adhanu understood something very deep. Adhanu also watched how the person who brought the refreshments conducted himself. He turned and left that place. Had Adhanu been able to follow, he would have learned more. But Adhanu had other things he had to do. Even when the football match began and ended, Adhanu could not find a good opening. Adhanu tried in many ways to signal Hafeeza without Manippulhu seeing. But Hafeeza did not look in Adhanu's direction. Adhanu moved from place to place. Once, when it seemed as though Hafeeza had glanced, Adhanu smiled. Hafeeza did not see him. After the match ended, tea had been laid out. There were English cakes and biscuits. Refreshments and cool drinks. Although it was announced that tea was available, there was no tea. The shortage of sugar was plainly visible on the tea table. There was not even an Addubondi, a bitter gourd, or a pack of sweet drinks. When the atmosphere became busy with doing justice to the tea and people getting to know each other, Hafeeza's attention was caught by Adhanu. Seeing Adhanu, Hafeeza went over in a fluster. Coming up behind the people, Adhanu stood two or three feet from Hafeeza. Doshi Manippulhu at that moment was far away talking with a group. "Come here!" Adhanu said with a nod of his head. Hafeeza's face felt as though water had been poured over it. Instead of coming near Adhanu, Hafeeza moved further away. Adhanu understood what had happened. Adhanu had not forgotten how things had gone the last day he met Hafeeza. Again, with much effort, Adhanu got to a place where Hafeeza could hear his voice. It was a very good opening. There was no one near Hafeeza. Adhanu stood with his back to Hafeeza, so that even if someone watched from a distance, they would not know the two were speaking. "Listen to what I have to say!" Adhanu said. Startled, Hafeeza first looked for where her husband was. "Why are you watching me, Adhanu?" Hafeeza asked. "I thought I was a very brave person," Adhanu said quietly. "But I did not dare to do this. When I came to this island, Hafeeza did not come! To tell the truth, I do not even want Hafeeza to see me." "Then why did you come to this island, Adhanu?" Hafeeza asked. "For treatment," Adhanu said, sitting with his head lowered. "There is no time to talk much. Do not go to the island tonight after your husband's name is called! There are people around..." "Why are you standing so far away all alone?" Doshi Manippulhu's voice was heard by Adhanu. Adhanu walked forward. He did not even look back. Hafeeza was left not knowing what to do. Hafeeza could not think of a way to tell her husband what Adhanu had said. On the way home, an invitation to tea came from the Katheebu house. Sitting in that house, an invitation came from another house. Then another invitation. But because there was no time, he did not accept that invitation and came home. "How tired I am!" Hafeeza said after entering the house. "And we have to go to the island tonight, don't we?" "Yes! That is the purpose of this trip," Doshi Manippulhu said. "Hey! Is Adhanu on this island?" Hafeeza was startled. She could not think of an answer to give. "Why suddenly..." was all Hafeeza could say. "The person I saw near the field today looks so much like Adhanu," Manippulhu said. "I even felt like calling out. But if it was Adhanu, he would have met me. He is a very strong, good person." Hafeeza did not dare say anything about having met Adhanu from what Manippulhu said. "Is there no way not to go to the island tonight?" Hafeeza asked. "Why are you talking in such a different way, all anxious?" Manippulhu said, somewhat surprised. "Hafeeza, I came because I wanted to go to the island. How impatient I was even this afternoon? In the evening, I was very tired, wasn't I? Didn't I say no!" "I know!" Hafeeza said with unease. "It's just that suddenly my heart started pounding. If my heart pounds like that, something bad will happen. I told you to change it to tomorrow, didn't I!" "If it were a personal matter, it could be cancelled," Manippulhu said. "But in a government matter, with the time this close, I will not change it without reason. Don't worry! God willing, nothing will happen. English people will also be watching as we travel on something moving fast. What can anyone do while under their watch?" "If something is going to happen, it will happen," Hafeeza said. "That is true. Wherever you are, what is going to happen will happen," Manippulhu said. "Let's go get ready! The English are very attentive to time." At eight o'clock at night, Doshi Manippulhu went to the harbour side, taking Hafeeza with him. People were gathering in another part of the island. Adhanu saw both of those scenes. Normally, when atoll chiefs send letters, they are read after Friday prayers on Friday. But the type of matter changed the usual practice. While Doshi Manippulhu was in Hithadhoo, a group had the sense to enlarge the nucleus of the unrest. Adhanu stayed listening with his ears open. What was read in the letter was the words of Ibrahimbe, the oil trader. What happened further was that it became somewhat more severe. "It is also informed that even though going to work for foreigners is prohibited, some people are continuing to do so. If this is done after this, that person will be brought to Male and given a severe punishment. Among the punishments..." At that point, the people who were reading the letter shouted. Musabehbe's younger sister went and struck the letter and threw it away. The big drum that was there was beaten. "Manippulhu went to the island to give a warning to the English," Musabehbe's younger sister shouted. "We will settle this matter by sea. Come on, let's go!" Everyone shouted. In addition to Musabehbe's younger sister, those who took the lead in the matter were Kudumuhammad and Abdullah Didi's Naseer and Dhondhiya's Muhammad Didi and Ali Didi and Abbeyya's Thutthu Didi and Abdul Majeed's Thutthu Didi and Muhammad Saeed. It was announced that the houses of those who tried not to take part in the matter would be demolished, and through intimidation everyone was made to participate. Small children, women, the sick and the poor were excluded. While this was happening, the island's leaders did nothing to stop it. (To be continued)