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EP: Tell us about Matthew Spencer. How well did you know him?

LM: We all just call him Spencer. He’s been visiting our office very regularly now, and I’m sure you’ve heard about how much he has helped the charity. He’s very well-connected, you see, and quite rich too. He’s very generous, though, and has dedicated so much of his time to helping us. Kaavi was right in saying that Pink Sapphires would never be what it is if it weren’t for him.

EP: And what was his role in the charity?

LM: He helped set up the study-abroad program. He and Kaavi apparently had the idea when she met him in the US. She had gone back to California for her university reunion, I think, when they met. Anyway, Spencer would arrange for the girls to be introduced to leaders in various American companies who would then guide them and give them some insight into how the business runs and so on. We are hoping that this will lead to internships, and some companies have even mentioned offering scholarships to participants. As you can see, it’s not the typical opportunities that most girls in Sri Lanka would get, especially if their families can’t afford to spend on their education. We are so proud to have just sent off our first batch of girls.

EP: Did you notice anything strange about Miss Fonseka in the days leading up to her disappearance?

LM: Well, she did seem a little flustered at times, but that would be normal for someone planning a wedding, especially with a mother like hers.

EP: Could you elaborate further?

LM: I mean, well, not that Mrs. Fonseka is a bad person or anything. She’s just, well, she and Kaavi don’t often see eye to eye on most things. Kaavi never said anything, obviously, but I could tell from the way she would stiffen up whenever her mother mentioned marriage.

And I don’t think she really supported what Kaavi did. Mrs. Fonseka would never admit to it, of course—she’d never go against her husband that way—but I’ve heard her mutter things under her breath about Kaavi never being able to find a husband with the amount of time she worked. I think the horoscope reader had told her that Kaavi needed to get married by a particular date, or she’d never get married at all.

There was an incident on Kaavi’s birthday. Her father asked what her birthday wish was, and Kaavi said it was for the charity to grow so she could help more girls. That’s the kind of person Kaavi is—always thinking about others. But Mrs. Fonseka blew a fuse. She’s always a bit high-strung, but she was extra upset that day. Maybe because she remembered the horoscope deadline? Who knows? But she exploded in front of everyone that Kaavi needed to “settle down” before she “brought shame on the family.” Kaavi and Mr. Fonseka managed to smooth everything over, of course, and no one ever spoke about it again.

She was over the moon when Kaavi got engaged. There are even rumors around the office that this rushed auspicious date was less about the astrologer and more about Mrs. Fonseka worrying whether Kaavi would back out at the last moment.

EP: And would Kaavi back out?

LM: I don’t think so. Why would she? Spencer is the perfect guy. But I’ll tell you one thing: Mrs. Fonseka would rather commit murder than have Kaavi walk out on this wedding.

[Pause]

Oh gosh, that was a horrible thing to say. I didn’t mean it like that, you know. I really do hope Kaavi is okay. Are there any updates yet?

EP: Not yet, Miss Malalasekara. Were there any discrepancies at the charity I should be aware of? Anything noteworthy that took place recently?

LM: Well, nothing significant, although Kaavi did mention that there was some issue with the accounts. This was about two months ago, I think. Anyway, she took it to finance, which doesn’t fall under Pink Sapphires, but Fonseka Jewellers as a whole. Those things were totally outside of our purview.

EP: You said that Miss Fonseka was always going out of her way to help girls through the charity. Are there any girls that she helped in an individual capacity? Perhaps those she formed an independent relationship with?

LM: I can’t think of anyone specifically, but she was always giving the girls advice, you know? They’d always be scared, at first. Scared to speak up. Scared to talk to men.

You understand that this is a normal thing for most Sri Lankan girls to feel—especially those from lower-income backgrounds. We aren’t supposed to even speak to boys, or look them in the eye, or ever talk for ourselves. We are brought up to be subservient. Maybe we could work in a garment factory or something, if we were lucky, but most of us are brought up to be wives and mothers, that is all. And then suddenly this entire new world is open to these girls, so of course they would feel scared.

Kaavi would give them a kind but stern talking-to, you know, to help them understand how important it was for them to learn and become independent. She helped everyone.

EP: Thank you, Miss Malalasekara. And the advice and guidance that Miss Fonseka gave out, did that extend to you too?

LM: Yes. Like I said, she was very generous. My parents never supported me working either. You see, everyone isn’t as lucky to have a father like Kaavi. My own wanted me to get married right after my A Levels, but I managed to put it off, telling him that I would do it after I finished my internship. But then I met Kaavi and realized how important it was that I become independent. She advised me a great deal about how to stand up to my parents.

EP: And did you finally get married?

LM: No. I am not on talking terms with my family anymore. I moved out of my house and live in a girls’ boarding.