Anna Karenina Final-mal

1 Blurb \·bpw kt´mjhpw sImXn¡p¶hÀ. ]nSn¨psI«m³ IgnbmsX t]mIp¶ ZuÀ_ey§Ä aqew Ah\hsâbpw NpäpapÅhcpsSbpw PohnX§Ä¡p ta CSn¯obmbn hogp¶ Zpc´§Ä¡p ap¶n AhÀ ]I¨p \n¡p¶p. Ahnip² Zm¼Xy§fpsSbpw IpSpw__Ô§fpsSbpw kaqlPohnX¯nsâbpw sI«p]nW¨nepIÄ. kuµcy¯nâbpw \·bpsSbpw ]mcayamb A¶ ]nghpIfpsSbpw AXphgn h¶pIqSp¶ Zpc´§fpsSbpw Gähpw henb DZmlcWw IqSnbmIp¶p. kÀhXn\pw tate kÀhmXnimbnbmb Ime¯nsâ Ipdn¸v: The Show Must Go On. kpJZpxJ k½n{iamb PohnX¯nsâ t\À¸IÀ¸v, djybnse BVyhÀK PohnX¯nsâ Nn{X§fneqsS. hnizkmlnXy¯nse Xs¶ Gähpw {]KÛaXnIfnsemcmfpsS XqenIbn \n¶v.

entbm tSmÄtÌmbv Iu−v entbmhv \n¡etbhn¨v tSmÄtÌmbv (1828 þ 1910). kp{]kn² djy³ kmlnXyImc³. hnizkmlnXy¯nse Xs¶ Gähpw anI¨ t\mhenÌpIfnsemcmÄ. Syqfbnse bmkv\mbm t]mfym\mbn P\\w. ssk\nI\mb ktlmZcsâ t{]cWbn ssk\y¯n tNÀ¶p. CXn\Iw FgpXn¯pS§nbncp¶p. sk_mtÌmt¸mÄ bp²m\p`h¡pdn¸pIÄ At±ls¯ {it²bcmb Fgp¯pImcpsS \ncbnte¡pbÀ¯n. bp²`oIcXIfpsS ImcpWyteianÃm¯ bYmXY Nn{XoIcWambncp¶p AXv. ssk\ytkh\w Ahkm\n¸n¨v kz´w FtÌänte¡p aS§nb At±lw AhnSps¯ IÀjIcpsS Ip«nIsf ]Tn¸n¡m³ XpS§n. hnZym`ymkkw_Ôamb D]cn]T\¯n\mbn hntZit¯¡p t]mb At±lw B[p\nI kwkvImcs¯bpw hnIk\s¯bpw \nÀ_ÔnXhnZym`ymks¯bpw shdp¯mWv aS§nsb¯nbXv. hnZymÀYnbpsS XmÂ]cy§fmWv ]ca{][m\sa¶pw sXmfnemfnhÀKPohnXhpw ImbnIm[zm\hpamWv kt´mjw ]Icp¶sX¶pw At±lw hnizkn¨p. IÀjIcpsS PohnXw ASp¯dnbm³ CSbm¡nb A[ym]IPohnXhpw 1873sebpw 1891sebpw £maImes¯ kmaqlytkh\hpw efnXPohnX¯nepÅ Cu hnizmkw Du«nbpd¸n¨p. ]cp¡³ sXmgnemfn¡p¸mbaWnªv \neapgp¶ tSmÄtÌmbnbpsS Nn{X§fpw hnhcW§fpw ]mÝmXyam[ya§fn \ndªp. kpJkuIcy§Ä ]camh[n shSnª At±lw sNcp¸p \¶m¡nbpw ImbnIm[zm\apÅ aäp tPmenIsfSp¯pamWv Ahkm\Imew Pohn¨Xv. 1864 þ 69 ImeL«¯nsegpXnb ‘bp²hpw kam[m\hpw’ IrXnbpsS hep¸w sIm−pw hnjbssh]peywsIm−pw kmlnXyta·sIm−pw h³ CXnlmkambn amdn. 1875þ76 djy³ sldmÄUnemWv ‘A¶ Itc\n\’ {]kn²oIcn¨Xv. XpSÀ¶ph¶ hÀj§Ä aX, kmaqlnI, XXzimkv{X {]_Ô§fptSXmbncp¶p. 1901Â, ap¸Xp hÀjs¯ kwLÀj§Ä¡p tijw djy³ HmÀ¯tUmIvkv k` tSmÄtÌmbnsb ]pd¯m¡n.

2 ss{IkvXhhnizmk¯n \n¶p bpànNn´bnte¡pw Xncn¨papÅ {]bmW§Ä At±l¯n \nc´camb B´cnIkwLÀj§Ä D−m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. A¶ Itc\n\bnse sehn³ BßIYmwiw GsdbpÅ IYm]m{XamsW¶v tSmÄtÌmbv Xs¶ ]dªn«p−v. At±l¯nsâ ‘kzÀ¤cmPyw \n§fn Xs¶’ F¶ IrXn almßmKmÔn, amÀ«n³ eqYÀ InMv XpS§nb alZvhyànIfn h³ kzm[o\w sNep¯nbncp¶p. tkm^nb B³{Uohv\ t_Àkns\ hnhmlw Ign¨ tSmÄtÌmbn¡v 13 a¡fp−mbn. A©p t]À _meyw IS¡pw ap³t] acn¨p. kmlnXyhmk\ ]peÀ¯nb c−p a¡fn Cey tSmÄtÌmbv AÑs\¡pdn¨pÅ HmÀa¡pdn¸pIÄsIm−p {]ikvX\pambn.

aäp {][m\ IrXnIÄ: Childhood, Boyhood, Youth, Sebastopol Sketches, The Cossacks, War and Peace, Resurrection, A Confession, Kholstomer, The Death of Ivan Ilyitch, How Much Land Does a Man Need?, After the Ball, Master and Man.

hnhÀ¯I³ _nt\mbv ]n. tP¡_v. CSp¡n PnÃbnse s\Sp¦−w No\n¸md s]m¶t¼Â ]n.F. Nmt¡mbpsS aI³. _mw¥qcnse ‘C³Uy kn³Unt¡än’ ko\nbÀ tIm¸n FUnäÀ. 1996 Pqsse apX ]¯p hÀjw aebmf at\mcabn k_v FUnädmbncp¶p. tN¼fw skâv tacokv, aphmäp]pg \nÀ½e, I«¸\ Hkm\mw F¶o kvIqfpIfnepw s\Sp¦−w Fw.C.Fkv., ]mem skâv tXmakv tImfPpIfnepw hnZym`ymkw. Cw¥ojv kmlnXy¯n _ncpZm\´c _ncpZw t\Sn. B⬠sNt¡mhnsâ sNdpIYIÄ hnhÀ¯\w sNbvXp {]kn²oIcn¨n«p−v. `mcy dn³kn.. a¡Ä: tUm¬, sU¶nkv. hnemkw: s]m¶t¼Â hoSv, 37/ 540, IrjvW³\mbÀ tdmUv, Icphnticn t]mÌv, tImgnt¡mSvþ10. email: [email protected]

hnhÀ¯I¡pdn¸v tSmÄtÌmbv hmbn¡m\nSbmInÃtÃm F¶ ss[cy¯n XpS§nb Cu kwKrloX hnhÀ¯\w hmb\¡mÀ¡p ap³]n kaÀ¸n¡pt¼mÄ Bi¦IÄ Gsdbp−v. bYmXYNn{XW¯nsâbpw (dnbenkw) am\knIm]{KY\¯nsâbpw

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BNmcy\mb At±l¯nsâ Hmtcm hm¡pw am\n¡s¸tS−XmWtÃm. Hcp¯n `À¯mhns\bpw aIs\bpw Dt]£n¨v asämcp AgInb cmhWsâ IqsS t]mIp¶p. AhfpsS ktlmZc³ As©«p a¡sf¯¶ `mcysb \nc´cw h©n¨v Hcp]mSv AhfpSamcpsS IqsSt¸mIp¶p. Cu h©n¡s¸Sp¶ `mcybpsS A\pP¯n AgInb cmhWsâ ]nSnbn \n¶p `mKy¯n\p c£s]«v BZÀihm\pw \· \ndªh\pamb `À¯mhnsâ IqsS k´pjvSamb IpSpw_PohnXw \bn¡p¶p... C\nsbmcp c−p hcnIqSn ]dªm Ahkm\n¸n¡mhp¶ IYmX´p “A¶ Itc\n\” F¶ t\mh CXnlmkamIp¶Xv Hmtcm IYm]m{X¯nsâbpw t\m¡pw hm¡pw Ne\§fpw `mh§fpw ]cnkc§fpw IYmImcsâ kq£vaXsIm−v t\Sp¶ angnhp aqeamWv. djybpsS kmaqlnI, cmjv{Sob, ImÀjnI ]Ým¯ehpw kaImenI XXzimkv{X, aX Nn´Ifpw t\mhen AXnhniZambn {]Xn]mZn¡s¸Sp¶Xv tSmÄtÌmbnbpsS {]`mjWþ{]t_m[\ Xzcbv¡p ia\w hcp¯m\Ã; AXv Hmtcm IYm]m{X¯nsâbpw hyànXzk¼qÀ®Xbv¡v Ahiyhpw AhcpsS {]hr¯nIÄ¡p \ymboIcWhpamWv. a\knsâ I®mSnbpsS A¯cw kq£vaNn{XW§fn Npcps¡gp¯pImcsâ ssI{InbIÄ hcp¯p¶ AwK`wKw hnhcn¡mhp¶XÃ. GXm−v Xpey{]m[m\yapÅ aq¶p {]`pIpSpw_§fpw AhcpsS _ÔpP\§fpw ]cnNmcIcpw kplr¯p¡fpw ChcpÄs¸Sp¶ D¶XhÀKkmaqly_Ô§fpw Hs¡bmbn IYm]m{X§fpsS {]fbw Xs¶bp−v (580 IYm]m{X§fpÅ ‘bp²hpw kam[m\hpw’ HmÀ¡pt¼mÄ ‘A¶’ F{Xtbm ]mhw). IYm]m{X§sfbpw kw`h§sfbpw Nn´Isfbpw ]camh[n DÄs¡mÅm³ {ian¨n«p−v. djy³ `mj hianÃm¯Xn\m Cw¥ojn \n¶mbncp¶p hnhÀ¯\w. kwkvImc§fpsSbpw `mjIfpsSbpw ]cnanXnIÄ aqeap−mIp¶ A]mIXIÄ c−p h«w BhÀ¯n¨n«ps−¶p kmcw. CXnsâ IqsS Npcps¡gp¯nsâbpw AhnZKv[XbpsSbpw ]nghpIÄ IqSnbp−mIpw. ‘A¶’bpsS kuµcy¯n³ta \S¯nb Cu A{Ia§Ä ‘A¶’sb R§Ä¡p X¶phtÃm F¶ hmÂkey¯nsâ t]cn £an¡psa¶ hnizmkt¯msS \n§Ä¡p kaÀ¸n¡p¶p.

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A¶ Itc\n\ entbm tSmÄtÌmbv `mKw H¶v k´pjvS

IpSpw-_-§-sfÃmw Htc amXn-cn-bm-Wv; F¶m Ak-´pjvSn Hmtcm IpSpw-_-¯nepw Hmtcm Xc-¯nemWv. Ht»m³kvIn- `h-\¯n BsI-¸msS Hcp Ipg-a-dn-¨n-em-bn-cp-¶p. `À¯m-hn\v ho«p-Im-cy-Ø-bmb Hcp {^©pImcn-bp-ambn cl-ky-_-Ô-ap-s−¶v `mcy Is−-¯n; C\n Cu ho«n Abm-fp-sam¯p Ign-bm-\m-hn-söv AhÀ ]dªp-I-gn-ªp. Cu kw`-h-§Ä Ign-ªn«v aq¶p Znhk-am-bn. `mcybpw `À¯mhpw am{X-a-Ã, ho«n-ep-Åhsc-sbÃmw AXp hÃmsX _m[n-¨n-cp-¶p. X§-sf-Ãm-hcpw IqSn ChnsS Hcp-an¨p Ign-bp-¶-Xn HcÀY-hp-an-söv AhÀs¡ms¡ tXm¶n. bmZr-Ýn-I-ambn GtXm k{X-¯n I−p-ap-«p-¶hÀ X½n t]mepw X§Ä¡p-Å-Xn-tesd s]mcp-¯-§-fp-−m-Ip-sa¶v AhÀ¡p tXm¶n-¯p-S-§n. `mcy apdn hn«p ]pd-¯n-d-§nbtX-bnÃ; `À¯m-hm-Is« aq¶p Znh-k-ambn ho«n-se-§p-an-Ã. Ip«n-IÄ ho«n Xe-§pw hne§pw HmSn\-S-¶p. Cw¥-−p-Im-cn-bmb ImcyØ ho«pth-e-¡mc-t\mSv iWvT IqSn; X\n¡p asämcp ]Wn Is−-¯m³ Hcp kplr-¯n\p Is¯-gp-Xp-Ibpw sNbvXp. ]mNI¡mc³ sXm«p-X-te-¶v A¯m-g-k-a-b-¯mWv s]mbv¡-f-ªXv. ASp-¡-f¡m-cnbpw h−n-¡m-c\pw ap¶-dn-bn¸p sImSp-¯p-I-gn-ªp. B hg¡p Ignªp aq¶mw \mÄ: Ình F¶p hnfn-t¸-cpÅ s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hnNv Ht»m³kvIn {]`p ]Xnhp t]mse F«p aWn¡v DWÀs¶Wo-äp. `mcy-bpsS InS-¸p-ap-dn-bneÃ; Xsâ Hm^okvap-dn-bnse tkm^-bnÂ. B _en-jvT-Im-b³ Hcp-d-¡-¯n\p IqSn tIm¸p-Iq-«p-¶Xp t]mse H¶p Xncnªp-a-dn-ªn«v Xe-bn-W-bn apJw ]qgv¯n. s]s«¶v AbmÄ NmSn-sb-Woäp tkm^-bn Ip¯n-bn-cp-¶p I®p Xpd-¶p. “Blm! sImÅmw.” AbmÄ Xsâ kz]v\-s¯-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯p. “ZwÌmÀSvän Aem-_n³ Hcp hncp¶p \ÂIp-I-bm-Wv. AÃ, ZwÌmÀSväv AÃ, Ata-cn-¡-bnse-hn-sStbm BW-Xv. Hm! ZwÌmÀSväv ]t£ Ata-cn-¡-bn Xs¶-bm-W-tÃm. icn-bm-Wv, Aem-_n³ NnÃp tai-ta A¯m-g-kZy \ÂIp-¶p. tai-IÄ kwKoXw s]mgn-¨p. tai-I-fn Nne sNdnb Ip¸n-I-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ]ns¶, AhnsS s]®p-§-fp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p.” Abm-tfmÀ¯p.

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AÀ¡-Zn-tb-hn-¨nsâ I®p-IÄ kt´mjw sIm−p Xnf-§n. Imep-IÄ sIm−v AbmÄ Xsâ sNcp-¸p-IÄ¡mbn \ne¯p ]c-Xn. Ignª ]nd-¶mfn\p `mcy D−m-¡n-s¡m-Sp¯ k½m-\-am-W-Xv. H³]Xp hÀjambn ]Xn-hpÅ-Xp-t]mse AbmÄ Xsâ tIms«-Sp-¡m³ ssI \o«n. InS-¸p-ap-dn-bn- `mcytbm-sSm¸aÃ; Hm^nkv apdn-bn-em-W-tÃm-sb¶v At¸m-gmWv Abm-tfmÀ¯-Xv. apJs¯ ]p©ncn amªp, ]pcn-I-§Ä Npfn-ªp. `mcy-bp-am-bp-−mb hg¡v FÃm hni-Zmw-i-§-tfmSpw IqSn Abm-fpsS HmÀabn sXfn-ªp. Xsâ \nk-lm-bm-h-Ø, Xsâ sXänsâ hep-¸w. “CÃ, Ahsf-\n¡p am¸p XcnÔ, AbmÄ thZ-\-tbmsS HmÀ¯p. Xnb-ä-dn \n¶v {]k-¶-h-Z-\-\mbn `mcy¡p k½m-\n-¡m³ hen-sbmcp s]bÀ ]g-hp-ambn F¯nb B \nan-j-am-bn-cp¶p Gähpw ITn-\w. kzoI-cW-ap-dn-bnepw Hm^nkv apdn-bnepw Ah-sf-¡m-WmsX At\z-jn¨p sN¶t¸mgp−v InS-¸p-ap-dn-bnÂ, FÃmw XIÀ¯ B I¯pw ]nSn¨v Ah-fn-cn¡p-¶p. Ft¸mgpw ho«p-Im-cy-§-fn am{Xw BIp-e-bmbn \S-¡p-¶, hnim-eNn-´-I-sfm-¶p-an-Ãm¯ B km[p-s¸-®v, tUmfn, B I¯pw ]nSn¨v \nÝebmbn Ccn-¡p-¶p. Ah-fpsS apJ¯v `bw, \ncm-i, tIm]w. A{]-Xo-£n-X-ambn \mWt¡Sn Ipcp-§n-t¸mb a\p-jyÀ¡p kw`-hn-¡p¶Xp Xs¶ At¸mÄ AbmÄ¡pw kw`-hn-¨p. sXäp I−p-]n-Sn-¡-s¸-«-h\v tbmPn¨ apJ-`mhw ssIh-cp-¯p-¶-Xn AbmÄ ]cm-P-b-s¸-«p. thZ-\, Ipät_m-[w, Ipä-\n-tj-[w, \ymbo-I-c-W-§Ä, £am-bm-N-\w - CXn-se´pXs¶bm-bmepw t`Z-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ ]Xn-hmbn Abm-fpsS apJ¯p hncn-bp¶ {]k-¶-amb B hnUvVn-¨n-cn-bm-bn-cp-¶p At¸mgpw sXfn-ª-Xv. B hnUvVn-¨n-cn. AbmÄ¡p kzbw s]mdp-¡m-\m-bn-Ã. AXp I− tUmfn ico-c-amsI thZ-\-sIm−p \pdp-§p-¶-Xp-t]mse ]pf-ªp, {Iqc-amb hm¡pI-fpsS Hcp s]bv¯m-bn-cp¶p ]ns¶. F¶n-«-hÄ apdn-hn«v HmSn-t¸m-bn. ]n¶o-sSm-cn-¡epw Abm-sf-¡m-Wm³ AhÄ Iq«m-¡n-bn-Ã. “B hnUvVn-¨n-cn-bmWv FÃmw Xpe-¨-Xv.” s̸m³ HmÀ¯p. “]t£! F´mWp sN¿m³ Ign-bp-I, F´m-Wn\n sN¿pI? AbmÄ \ncm-i-tbmsS ]ndp-]n-dp-¯p, D¯-c-sam¶pw In«n-bp-an-Ã.

bn-Ã. B hkvXp-X- Ah-fn \n¶p ad-¨p-h-bv¡p-¶-Xn Xm³ hnP-bn-¨nà F¶-Xnem-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡p ZpJw. `mcy-sbbpw a¡-sfbpw Ipdnt¨mÀ¯v AbmÄ¡p k¦Sw tXm¶n. “Hm, F{X `oIcw, Fsâ {]ntb” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]pe-¼n-s¡m-−ncp-¶p. “FÃmw F{X `wKn-bmbn s]mbvs¡m-−n-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. a¡-fpsS Imcy¯n Ah-sf{X k´p-jvS-bm-bn-cp-¶p. hoSpw ho«p-Im-cy-§fpw ]qÀWambn Ah-fpsS CjvS-¯n\p hn«n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp Imcy-¯nepw Rm³ CSs]-«n-cp-¶n-Ã. F´m-bmepw ho«p-Im-cy-Ø-bp-ambn sIm©n-¡p-g-bp-¶Xv \ÃsXm-¶p-a-Ã. F¶mepw Ah-sf-s´mcp anSp-¡n-bmWv!” (A-bmÄ anen tdmf−nsâ kpµ-c-amb Ccp− angn-I-sf-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯pt]mbn). “tlm, C\n-sb´m sN¿pI” AbmÄs¡mcp ]cn-lm-chpw tXm¶n-bn-Ã. Hä ]cn-lm-c-ta-bp-Åq. temIs¯ FÃm {]iv\-§Ä¡papÅ ]cn-lm-cw. kzbw ad¶v A¶¶s¯ Imcy-§fn apgpIn Pohn-¡p-I. Abm-sf-gp-t¶äv {UknMv KuW-Wnªv ZoÀL-ambn H¶p \niz-kn¨v P\m-ebv¡-Sp-t¯¡p \S-¶p. IÀ«³ hen¨p amän AbmÄ Dds¡ aWn-b-Sn-¨p. DS³ Xs¶ hkv{X-§fpw _qSvkpw Hcp sSen-{Kmapw ssIbn-te´n AbmfpsS kplr¯pw klm-bn-bp-amb amävhn IS-¶p-h-¶p. ]n¶mse _mÀ_dpw. s̸m³ sSen-{Km-sa-Sp¯v \ne-¡-®m-Sn-bpsS ap³]n-embn Ccp-¶p. amävhnbpsS I®p-I-fnse kl-Xm-]w I®m-Sn-¡p-Ån s̸msâ I®p-I-fpambn Iq«n-ap-«n. sSen{Kmw Xpd¶p hmbn-¨n«v s̸m³ ]dªp: “ “amävho, Fsâ s]§Ä A¶ AÀ¡-tZyhv\ \msf Cs§-¯pw”. “Cuizcm \µn!” A¶-bpsS hc-hnsâ {]m[m\yw hnfn-t¨m-Xp-¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p B {]Xn-I-c-Ww. AbmÄt¡sd CjvS-s¸« B s]§-fpsS hchv `mcym-`ÀXr_-Ô-¯nse De-¨n-ep-IÄ ]cn-l-cn-¡pw F¶ t_m[yw CcphÀ¡papÅXp t]mse tXm¶n. “Hä-bvt¡m, AtXm `À¯m-hp-ap-t−m?” £uc-¡m-c³ ta¨p-−p-I-fn ]Wn-bn-em-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m s̸m³ adp-]-Snbmbn Hcp hnc DbÀ¯n-¡m-«n. “Häbvt¡m? F¦n apIÄ\n-e-bnse apdn Hcp-¡t«?” “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm-³t{Um-hv\sb hnh-cadn-bn-¡q. AhÀ ]d-bp-¶n-S-¯v.” £uc-¡m-c³ ]WnXoÀ¯v s]mbv¡-gn-ªp. amävhn sSen-{Km-ap-ambn XncnsIsb-¯n. “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ]pd-t¯¡p t]mIp-I-bmsW¶p ]dbm³ ]d-ªp. \n§-fpsS CjvSw t]mse sNbvXp-sIm-Åm³.” “AXmcmWv?” {]k-¶am-sbmcp kv{Xoi-_vZ-amWv adp-]Sn ]d-ªXv. at{SmW ^nen-tamhv\ F¶ Bb-bpsS ZmÀVy-amÀ¶ apJw \o−p-Im-Wm-bn.

Bß-\n-jvT-amb Imcy-§-fn kXy-k-Ô-\m-bn-cp-¶p s̸m³. sNbvXp-t]mb-Xn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Xm³ ]Ým-¯-]n-¡p-¶p-sh¶v kz´w a\-kns\ sXän-[-cn-¸n¡m³ AbmÄ¡m-hp-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. km[mc-W-¡m-c-\mb Hcp ap¸-¯n-\m-epIm-c³. kpµ-c³. Pohn-¨n-cn-¡p¶ A©p Ip«n-I-fp-sSbpw acn¨p t]mb c−p t]cp-sSbpw A½bpw Hcp hb-kn\p am{Xw Cf-b-h-fp-amb `mcy-tbmSv X\n¡n-t¸mÄ {]W-b-sam-¶p-ansöXn AbmÄs¡m«pw Ipä-t_m[w tXm¶n-

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“F´m at{SmW?” s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. s̸msâ sXäp-I-sf-¡p-dn-¨dn-bm-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw B ho«nse FÃm-hcpw (Zmcy Ae-Ivkm-³t{Um-hv\-bpsS {]nb-¦-cn-bmb B Bb t]mepw) AbmfpsS ]£-¯m-bn-cp-¶p. “Dw. F´m?” AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p.

bmYm-kvYn-Xn-I-hm-Z-s¯-¡mÄ IqSp-X bpàn-k-l-am-sW¶XpsIm−à AbmÄ en_-d-en-ks¯ A\p-Iq-en-¨-Xv. Abm-fpsS Pohn-X-co-Xn-¡p IqSpX tbmPn-¨Xv AXm-bn-cp-¶p. djy-bn \ne-hn-ep-Å-sXÃmw sXäm-sW¶v en_-d ]mÀ«n ]dªp; s̸m\v \ndsb IS-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p, ]W-¯nsâ Ipd-hp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. hnhmlw Ime-l-c-W-s¸« Bi-b-am-sW¶v ]mÀ«n ]dªp; H«pw CjvS-an-Ãmªn-«p-IqSn IÅ-¯-chpw Bß-h-©-\bpw \S¯m³ \nÀ_Ôn¡pw-hn[w ZpÊ-l-am-bn-¯oÀ¶ncp¶p IpSpw-_-Po-hn-Xw. ImS¯w \ndª a\p-jysc AS-¡n-\n-À¯m-\pÅ Hcp kwhn-[m\w am{XamWv aXw F¶p ]mÀ«n hniz-kn-¡p¶p; s̸m\m-W¦n Ip´-¡m-en \n¶p IpÀ_m\ ImWp-t¼m-gs¯ Imep-th-Z-\- kln-¡m³ h¿. CutemIPo-hnXw C{X ck-I-c-am-sW¶ncns¡ ISn-¨m s]m«m¯ `mj-bn ]ctemI Pohn-X-s¯-¡p-dn¨p tLmc-tLmcw ]d-bp-¶-Xnsâ kmwK-Xyhpw AbmÄ¡p {Kln-¡m-hp-¶-Xn-\-¸p-d-am-Wv. ]{Xw hmbn-¨p-XoÀ¯v, Hcp I¸v Im¸n-IqSn IpSn-¨v, Ip¸m-b-¯n \n¶v sdm«n-¡-j-W-§Ä IpS-ªp-I-fªv Abm-sf-gp-t¶-äp. c−p Ip«n-I-fpsS i_vZw ImXn ]Xn-¨p. Cf-b-h-\mb {Knjbpw aq¯-hÄ Xm\y-bp-am-Wv. Ah-sct´m FSp-¯p-sIm-−p-t]m-Ip-I-bm-Wv. bm{X-¡msc ta¡q-c-bn Ccp-¯-cp-sX¶p Rm³ ]d-ªn-tÃ? Xm\y Cw¥o-jn ]d-ªp. "AXm , Ahsc FSp-¡q!" “FÃmw Ipg-¸-¯n-emWv”, s̸m³ HmÀ¯p. "Ip«n-IÄ Häbv¡v A§p-an§pw HmSn-\-S-¡p-¶p”. hmXn¡ t]mbn-\n¶v AbmÄ Ahsc hnfn-¨p. s{Sbn³ BsW¶ a«n sIm−p-\-S-¶n-cp¶ s]«n hen-s¨-dnªv AhÀ A¸-sâ-b-Sp¡-te-t¡m-Sn. A¸sâ {]nb aIÄ Xm\y HmSn-s¨¶v Abmsf sI«n¸nSn¨v Igp-¯n Xq§n-¡n-S-¶p. Nph-¶p-Xp-Sp¯ apJ¯v D½-sIm-Sp¯v HmSm³ Xp\nª aIsf AbmÄ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯n.. Ah-fpsS an\p-k-amÀ¶ Igp-¯n-eqsS hnctem-Sn-¨p-sIm−p tNmZn¨p: “A½-bvs¡-§-s\-bp−v?” At¸m-tg¡v ASp-s¯-¯nb {Knjsb AbmÄ “KpUv tamWnMv” ]dªv A`n-hmZyw sNbvXp. Ah-t\mSv X\n¡p kvt\lw Ipd-hm-sW¶ t_m[-ap−m-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m B Ipdhv Ah-\-dn-bmsX t\m¡m³ AbmÄ {ian-¨n-cp¶p. F¶m Ah\v AXp a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶p. ]nXm-hnsâ XWp-¯p-dª B ]p©n-cn¡p adp-]-Sn-bmbn Ahsâ Np−n Hcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶n-Ã. “A½ DWÀ¶n-cn-¡p-¶p.” AhÄ ]d-ªp.

“kÀ, \n§Ä Ah-cp-sSb-Sp¯v Hcn-¡Â IqSn sXäp-IÄ Gä-p]-d-bq. ssZhw Xm¦sf klm-bn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡n-Ã. AhÀ hÃmsX hnj-an-¡p-¶p-−v. Ahsc I−m Xs¶ k¦Sw tXm¶pw. AXp-a-Ã, ChnsS FÃmw Ae-t¦m-e-am-bn-cn¡p-¶p. Ip«n-I-sf-tbm-Às¯-¦nepw A§v Ah-tcmSp £a tNmZn¡Ww.” “AXn\v AhÄ Fs¶-¡m-Wm³ IqSn Xbm-dn-Ã-tÃm.” “A§v A§-bpsS `mKw sNbvXm aXn. ssZhw Icp-Wm-a-b-\m-Wv. Ahn-Spt¯mSv At]-£n-¡q.” “icn, \n§Ä s]mbvs¡m-Åq.” – eÖ sIm−p apJw Nph¶v s̸m³ ]dªp. AZr-iy-amb GtXm Agp-¡q-IqSn DuXn-¡-fªv amävhn Ip¸mbw s̸ms\ AWn-bn-¨p.

Hcp¡w Ignªv s̸m³ kpK-Ôhpw ]qin, {]k-¶-`mhw FSp-¯-Wn-ªv, DuWp-ap-dnbn-te¡p t]mbn. AhnsS Im¸nbpw I¯p-Ifpw Hm^n-kn \n¶pÅ IS-em-kp-Ifpw Abmsf Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. I¯p-I-fn-sem¶v Abm-fpsS `mcy-bpsS hkvXp- hm§m-s\m-cp-§p¶ Hcp I¨-h-S-¡m-c-tâ-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. At¸m-gs¯ ØnXn-bn AXp hnÂt¡-−Xv AXym-h-iy-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£, Ah-fp-ambn cay-X-bn-se-¯p-¶Xp hsc-sb¦nepw A¡mcyw Btem-Nn-¡m³ h¿. I¯p-IÄ hmbn¨p XoÀ¯v, Hm^nkv tcJ-I-fn H¶p c−p Ipdn-¸p-IÄ h¨v AbmÄ Im¸n IpSn-¡m³ XpS-§n. AtXm-sSm¸w Hcp ]{X-sa-Sp¯p adn¨p. `qcn-]-£m-`n-{]m-b-§tfmsSm¯p hÀ¯n¡p¶ Hcp en_-d ]{X-amWv AbmÄ hcp-¯n-bn-cp-¶-Xv. imkv{Xw, Ie, cmjv{Sobw XpS§n hnj-b§fnsem¶pw {]tXyI XmÂ]-cy-an-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw C¡m-cy-§-fn `qcn]£w t]cpw Xsâ ]{Xhpw ]peÀ¯n-bn-cp¶ A`n-{]m-b-§Ä Xs¶ Abmfpw ]peÀ¯n-t¸m-¶p. `qcn-]£w t]À amäp-t¼mÄ am{Xw Abmfpw A`n-{]mbw amän. Ipsd-¡qSn IrXy-am-bn-¸-d-ªm AbmÄ AbmÄ amäp-Ib-Ã, A`n-{]m-b-§Ä AbmÄ¡p-Ån Xmt\ amdn-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. AbmÄ t]mep-a-dn-bm-sX.

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At¸mÄ AhÄ B cm{Xnbpw Hcp t]mf I®-S-¨n-«p-−m-hn-söv AbmÄ Duln-¨p. “icn icn, AhÄ k´p-jvS-bmtWm?” A¸\pw A½bpw X½n iWvT-bn-em-sW¶v AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ A¸s\ t\m¡n. Ccp-h-cp-sSbpw apJw Nph-¶p-h-¶p. “F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã. A½ R§-tfmSp ]Tn-¡m-s\m¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. ankv lqfns\m¸w hen-b-½-bpsS ASp-¡-te¡p \S-¡m³ t]mIm-sa¶p ]dªp.” “icn, tamfp s]mbvt¡m-fq. AÃ, \n¡v” Hcp s]«n-bn \n¶v Hcp tNm¡-teäpw asämcp anTm-bnbpw FSp¯p sImSp¯p. tNm¡-teäv Nq−n AhÄ tNmZn¨p: “CXp {Knj-bv¡mtWm?”. AsX-sb¶p ]dªv Ah-fpsS tXmf¯v sasà Xtem-Sn, aqÀ[m-hnepw Igp¯nepw Npw_n¨v Ahsc bm{X-bm-¡n. t]mIm-\pÅ h−n Xbm-dm-Wv; ]t£ Hcp ]cm-Xn-¡mcn ImWm-s\-¯n-bn-«ps−¶v amävhn Adnbn-¨p. “h¶n-t«sd t\c-amtbm?” “Ac aWn-¡qÀ” “Bsc-¦nepw ImWm³ h¶m At¸m-¯s¶ Adn-bn-¡-W-sa¶v F{X XhW ]d-ªn-«p-Å-XmWv?” “Im¸n-sb-¦nepw kam-[m-\¯n IpSn-¡m³ hnSt− F¶p IcpXn?” tZjyw tXm¶m³ Ign-bm¯ hn[w Icp-X \ndª kzc-¯n amävhn ]d-ªp. “icn, h¶-bmsf thKw IS-¯n-hnSq”. ]pcnIw Npfn-¨p-sIm−v Ht»m³kvIn ]d-ªp. bpàn¡p \nc-¡m-¯, \S-¡m¯ Hcm-h-iy-hp-am-bmWv Ìm^v Iym]vä³ Imen-\nsâ hn[h h¶-Xv. F¦nepw s̸m³ Ahsc kzoI-cn-¨n-cp-¯n, ]dbm-\p-ÅXv Ah-km\w hsc tI«p. BÀ¡mWv At]£ sImSp-t¡−sX¶pw F§-s\-bmWv sImSp-t¡-−-sX¶pw hni-Z-ambn ]dªpsImSp¯p. Ahsc klm-bn-¡m³ Ign-tª-¡m-hp¶ HcmÄ¡v Xsâ hSn-shm¯ henb A£-c-§-fn kv]jvS-amb Hcp sNdnb Ipdn¸pw sImSp-¯p-hn-«p. Ahsc ]d-ªp-hn« tijw s̸m³ sXm¸n-sb-Sp¯p h¨p. Fs´-¦nepw ad-¶n-«p-t−m-sb¶v Hcn-¡Â¡qSn HmÀ¯p-t\m-¡n. CÃ, H¶pw ad-¶n-«n-Ã, ad¡-W-sa-¶m-{K-ln-¡p-¶-X-ÃmsX-: `mcy-sb. “F¦nÂ…” Xe Ip\n¨p \n¶ Abm-fpsS apJ¯v Hcp ]oUn-X-`mhw IS-¶ph-¶p. “t]mItWm th−tbm” kzbw ]d-ªp; t]mtI− Imcy-anà F¶mWv A´-cm-ßmhv a{´n-¨-Xv. t]mbn«p Imcy-sam-¶p-anÃ; Ipsd IÅ-¯c-§Ä am{X-amhpw ^ew; X§-fpsS _Ôw C\n t\sc-bm-¡m-\m-hn-Ã. Ahsf C\n BIÀj-Ibpw kvt\l-ap-WÀ¯p-¶-h-fp-am¡n amäpI km[y-a-

Ã; kvt\l¯n\p hg-§m¯ Hcp hb-k-\mbn kzbw amdm\pw Ign-bn-Ã. Ct¸m t]mbmepw h©-\bpw \pWIfpaÃmsX asäm¶pw D−m-In-Ã; AXp c−pw Abm-fpsS {]Ir-X-¯n\v FXn-cp-am-Wv. “F´m-bmepw Ipsd t\c-am-bn; C§s\ hn«n«p Imcy-anÃ’’, kzbw ss[cy-s¸Sp-¯n-s¡m-−v, s\©p \nhÀ¯n, Hcp knK-c-sä-Sp¯v c−p ]pI hn«v, _m¡n Bjvt{S-bntes¡-dn-ªv, [rXn-bn Nph-Sp-IÄ h¨v kzoI-cW apdnbn-eqsS AbmÄ `mcy-bpsS apdn-bn-te¡p IS-¶p.

Zmcy

Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ {UknMv Pm¡-ä-Wnªv apdn-bmsI NnX-dn-¡n-S¡p¶ km[-\-km-a-{Kn-IÄ¡p \Sp-hn Hcp _yqtdmbv¡p ap¶n \n¶v AXn \n¶v Ft´m FSp-¡p-I-bm-Wv. Hcn-¡Â kar-²hpw kpµ-c-hp-a-bncp¶ Xsâ Xe-apSn slbÀ]n-¶p-I-fp-]-tbm-Kn¨p ]nSenbn Ip¯n-h¨n«p−v. a§n-tim-jn¨ apJ¯v Xpdn¨p \n¡p¶ I®p-IÄ. `À¯m-hnsâ NphSp-h-bv]p-IÄ tI«v AhÄ hmXn¡-te¡p t\m¡n BsI-¸msS shdp¸p Xpfp-¼p¶ Hcp apJw FSp-¯-Wn-ªp. Xm\ Abmsf `b-¡p-¶p-s−¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n, Ct¸mÄ \S-¡m³ t]mIp¶ kw`m-j-W-s¯-bpw. Ignª aq¶p Znh-k-ambn sN¿m³ {ian¡p¶ Imcyw Xs¶-bmWv AhÄ Ct¸mgpw {ian-¡p-¶-Xv. Xsâbpw Ip«n-I-fp-sSbpw km[-\§ - Ä ASp-¡n-sb-Sp¯p-h-bv¡Ww. F¶n«p thWw Ah-sc-bpw-sIm−v A½-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p t]mIm³. ]t£ AhÄ¡Xp ]qÀ¯nbm¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã. Ft¸m-gp-sa¶ t]mse BhÄ kzbw BhÀ¯n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. “CXn-§s\ hn«m ]än-Ã. AbmÄ Fs¶ A\p-`-hn-¸n¨ thZ-\-bpsS Hcp `mK-sa-¦nepw Abmfpw A\p`hn¡-Ww. Abmsf hnSv#p-t]m-I-Ww. AXmWp th−-Xv. ]t£, AhÄ¡dnbmw AXn\p Xs¶-s¡m-−m-hn-söv. Abmsf `À¯m-hmbn IW-¡m-¡pIbpw kvt\ln-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pI F¶Xv AhÄs¡mcp ioe-am-bn-¡-gnªp. AXp-a-Ã, Chn-Ss-¯-s¶ A©p Ip«n-Isf \¶mbn t\m¡m³ Ah-sfs¡m−v Bhp-¶n-Ã. Chn-Sp¶p amdn-¯m-a-kn-¨m-es¯ AhØ Nn´n-¡m-Xncn-¡p-¶-Xmhpw \Ã-Xv. Ct¸mÄ Xs¶ Cfb Ip«n kq¸nsâ Ipg¸w aqew kpJ-an-Ãm-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Xte-¶m-sW¦n Bcpw-Xs¶ A¯mgw Ign-¨pt]m-ep-an-Ã. AhnSw hn«pt]m-Im³ km[y-a-söv AhÄ¡p \¶mbn Adn-bmam-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw kzbw h©n-¨p-sIm−v t]mIm-s\¶ `mh-¯n AhÄ km[-\-§-sfÃmw ASp-¡ns¡mt−bn-cp¶p. `À¯mhp hcp-¶Xp I− AhÄ ssIIÄ tai-h-en-¸n-te-¡n«v Ft´m X¸ns¡m-−n-cp¶p; AbmÄ sXm«-Sp-s¯¯n-bnt« AhÄ apJ-apbÀ¯n t\m¡n-

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bp-Åq. F¶n«pw shdp¸pw ZmÀVyhpw hcp-¯m³ {ian¨ apJ¯v Bi¦bpw kl-\hpw BWv {]Xn-^-en-¨-Xv. “tUmfo” AbmÄ \mWt¡SS¡n ]Xnª kzc-¯n hnfn-¨p. Xe tXmfn-¦te¡p Ip\n¨v hn\o-X\pw kl-Xm]w tXSp-¶-h-\p-ambn ImW-s¸-Sm³ AbmÄ {i²n-¨p. F¶n«pw AbmÄ Dt·-j-hm\pw Btcm-Ky-hm-\p-ambn ImW-s¸-«p. AhÄ Hä t\m«-¯n AXp Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. “AbmÄ k´pjvS\pw kwXr]vX-\p-am-bn-cn¡p¶p. Rm\n-hnsS … Abm-fp-sSbm \· \ndª apJw. FÃm-hcpw BZ-cn-¡p¶ B \à apJw. AXp ImWp-¶Xp Xs¶ F\n¡p kln¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã. “\n§-s¡´m th−Xv?” AhÄ Ir{Xn-aXzw IeÀ¶ I\¯ i_vZ¯n tNmZn-¨p. “tUmfn”, AbmÄ BhÀ¯n-¨p: “A¶ C¶p hcp¶p.” “Dw. AXn-s\\ns¡´m? F\n-¡-hsf ImWm-\m-hn-Ã.” AhÄ Ae-dn. “]t£ \o F§-s\-sb-¦nepw It− Xocq, tUmfn”. “t]m, t]m… t]m…” icocw \pdp-§n-bns«¶ t]mse AhÄ Nodn; AbmfpsS t\sc t]mepw t\m¡m-sX. ]{X-¯n\pw Im¸n-¡p-an-S-bn `mcy-sb-¡p-dn-t¨m-cv¯p-sIm-−n-cp-¶-t¸mÄ s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v im´-\m-bn-cp¶p; amävhn ]d-ª-Xp-t]mse FÃmw im´-am-Ipw, AhÄ FÃmw s]mdp¡pw Fs¶ms¡ Icp-Xn. ]oVbpw k¦Shpw sIm−p he-bp¶ Ah-fpsS apJhpw hn[n¡p Iog-S-§nb \ncm-i]q− i_vZhpw t\cn-«t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p izmkw \ne-bv¡p-¶-Xp-t]m-se, sXm−-bn-set´m XS-ª-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n; I®p-I-fn \oÀa-Wn-IÄ Xnf§n. “Fsâ ssZh-ta, Rms\´m sNbvXXv? tUmfo! ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v... “ AbmÄ¡p XpS-cm-\m-bnÃ; Hcp tX§Â sXm−-bn XS-ªp. tai XÅn-b-S¨v AhÄ Abmsf t\m¡n. “tUmfn, Rms\´p ]d-bm-\m.... H¶p am{Xw... £an¡tW, Ht¶mÀ¯pt\m¡q, Ignª H³]Xp hÀjs¯ Fsâ PohnXw HmÀs¯¦nepw Cu Hcp \nanj¯n\v... I®p-IÄ Xmgv¯n AhÄ {i²n-¨p. “…-Hcp \nan-js¯ ]ngbv¡v” AbmÄ At]£ XpS-cp-am-bn-cp¶p; ]t£ A{Xbpw ]d-ª-t¸m-tg¡v AhfpsS Np−p-IÄ Dd-ªp-IqSn; he-Xp-I-hnfnse akn-ep-IÄ Cf-In. “Zqsc-t¸m, Cd-§nt¸m Cu apdn-bn \n¶v.” IqÀ¯ kzc-¯n AhÄ Aedn. “\n§-fpsS ZpÀ¶-S-¸p-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v hnfn-¨p-Iq-hm-sX t]m”.

AhÄ ]pd-t¯¡p t]mIm³ {ian¨p; ]t£ th¨p-ho-gm³ XpS-§n-t¸mÄ Hcp Itk-c-bpsS ]n¶n ]nSn¨p \n¶p. I®p-IÄ \nd-ªv, Np−p-IÄ hnd¨v AbmÄ ]dªp: “tUmfo, \½psS a¡-sf-tbm-Às¯-¦nepw Ft¶mSp IcpW ImWn-¡q. Ah-sc´p sXäp sNbvXp. Rm\mWp sXäp-Im-c-³. Fs¶ in£n-t¨m-fq. F\n¡p Ign-bp¶ F´p {]mb-Ýn¯hpw Rm³ sN¿mw. „ AhÄ Itk-c-bn-en-cp-¶p. Ah-Ä hfsc Bbm-k-s¸«p izmkw Ign-¡p-¶Xp I−v AbmÄ¡v ]d-ª-dn-bn-¡m-\m-hm¯ ZpJw tXm¶n. AhÄ ]e XhW Ft´m ]d-bm-\m-ªp. ]t£ H¶pw ]pd¯p h¶n-Ã. AbmÄ Im¯n-cp-¶p. Ìnhm, \n§Ä Ip«n-I-fpsS IqsS Ifn-¡p-¶-Xn-s\-¸än Nn´n-¡p¶p; Rmt\m, CXv Ah-cpsS \mi-am-W-tÃm-sb¶p Nn´n-¡p-¶p. AhÄ Xs¶ “Ìnhm” F¶p hnfn-¨-tÃm, AbmÄ Bizm-k-t¯mSpw \µntbmSpw IqsS Ah-fpsS ssI ]nSn-¡m-s\m-cp-§n, ]t£ AhÄ shdp-t¸msS ssI hen-¨p-I-f-ªp. “Rm³ Ip«n-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v Bi-¦-s¸-Sp-¶p-−v, Ahsc c£n-¡m³ F´p sN¿m\pw Hcp-¡-hp-am-Wv. ]t£ F\n-¡-dnªpIqSm F§-s\-bmWv Ahsc c£n-¡m³ Ign-bpI F¶v. Ah-cpsS A¸sâ ASp-¡Â \n¶v AI-än\nÀ¯p-IbmtWm th−-Xv, AtXm ZpjvS-\mb B A¸sâ ASp-¡Â hn«psImSp¡p-I-bmtWm th−Xv?... C¯-c-¯n-seÃmw kw`-hn-¨p-I-gn-ªv \ap¡n\n Hcp-an-¨p Pohn-¡m³ Ign-bptam? AXp icn-bm-Iptam? ]d. AXp icn-bm-Ip-tam.” Ah-fpsS i_vZapbÀ¶p: “Fsâ `À¯mhv, Fsâ Ip«n-IfpsS Aѳ Ah-cpsS Bb-bp-ambn {]W-bn¨p \S-¶-Xn\p tijw?” “Rms\´p sN¿m\m… Rms\´m sNt¿−Xv?” F´mWp ]d-bp¶sX¶p Xs¶ And-bm-¯-h-s\-t¸mse Xe-Xmgv¯n ]Xnª kzc¯n AbmÄ ]dªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. “\nµy\pw \oN\pamWv \n§Ä. \n§-sfm-cn¡epw Fs¶ kvt\ln-¨n-«n-Ã. \n§sf-\n-s¡mcp A]-cn-Nn-X³ am{X-am-Wv. thZ-\bpw tIm]hpw \ndªv AhÄ ]e XhW A]-cn-Nn-X³ F¶ hm¡v BhÀ¯n-¨p. Abm-fn Xt¶m-SpÅ klm-\p-`q-Xntb AhÄ I−p-Åq. AhnsS kvt\lap-s−¶p tXm¶n-bn-Ã. “IjvSw, IjvSw” AbmÄ ]pe-¼n. s]s«¶v ASp¯ apdn-bnev Hcp Ipªnsâ Ic-¨n-Â. AXp I«n-enev \n¶p Xmsg hosW¶p tXm¶p-¶p. Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\-bpsS apJw BÀ{Zam-bn. AhÄ hmXn¡-te¡p \o§n. “Ah-sfsâ a¡sf kvt\ln-¡p¶p; Fs¶-sb-§s\ shdp¡pw?” AbmÄ¡m-izmkw tXm¶n.

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“tUmfo, Hcp hm¡p-IqSn” ]ns¶se sN¶v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “Fsâ ASp-s¯-§m\pw h¶m Rm³ the-¡mscbpw Ip«n-I-sfbpw hnfn¨pIq-«pw. \n§-fpsS sX½mSn¯cw Ah-scÃmw Adnbpw. Rm³ Ct¸m¯s¶ A§p t]mtb-¡mw, \n§-fn-hnsS Imap-In-bp-sam¯p kpJ-am-b§p hmtWm-fq.” IXIp hen-¨-S¨v AhÄ IS-¶p-t]mbn. “amävho, Zmcy-tbm-Sm-tem-Nn¨v A¶bv¡p th−-sXÃmw Hcp-¡n-h-t¨¡q”, amävhn hcp-¶Xp I−v AbmÄ \nÀtZ-in-¨p. tcma-¡p¸mbw FSp-¯-Wnªv s̸m³ IS-¶p-t]m-bn. ho«psNehpIÄ¡mbn amävhnbpsS ssIb ]¯p dq_nÄ sImSp-t¯Â]n-¨p. h−n t]mIp¶ H¨ tI«t¸mÄ AbmÄ t]mbn-¡-gn-sª¶v Zmcy¡p a\-knem-bn. Ip«nsb Dd-¡n-¡n-S-¯n-bn«v AhÀ InS-¸p-ap-dn-bn-te¡p aS§n. ho«pXnc-¡p-I-fn \n¶v Hgnªv AhÄ kzØ-a-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv Ahn-Ss-bmWv. “AbmÄ t]mbn-¡-gn-ªp. FÃm-a-h-km-\n-]v#n¨p t]mb-XmtWm? Rms\´m H¶pw tNmZn-¡m-Xn-cp-¶-Xv… AÃ, H¯p-XoÀs¸m¶pw C\n km[y-a-Ã. Htc ho«n¯s¶bm-bmepw C\n X§Ä A\y-cm-Wv. Ft¶¡pw A\yÀ. tlm... Rms\-§ns\ kvt\ln-¨n-cp-¶-XmWv! Ct¸mÄ Rm³ Abmsf H«pw kvt\ln¡p-¶ntÃ? AtXm IqSp-X kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-t−m? Gähpw `oIcambsXs´-¶mÂ... “ “Rms\sâ ktlm-Z-cs\ hnfn-¸n-¡t«? Ah³ F§-s\bpw A¯mgw sIm−p-h-cpw. CsÃ-¦n C¶-e-s¯-t¸mse Ip«n-IÄ C¶pw Bdp aWn-hsc H¶pw Ign-¡m-\n-ÃmsX hni-¶n-cn-t¡-−n-h-cpw.” Nn´-bpsS Hgp-¡n\p XSkw hcp-¯n-s¡m−v at{SmW ^nen-a-t\mhv\ hmXn-en-eqsS Xe \o«n. B icn, Rm³ Xs¶ A§p hcmw. \o ]mep hm§m³ Bsf hnt«m?” Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ BIp-e-XIÄ¡v Ah-[n-sIm-Sp¯v Npa-X-e-I-fnte¡p Iq¸p-Ip-¯n.

_Ôpthm kplrt¯m BWv. Cu km{am-Py-¯nse kzm[o-\-ti-jn-bp-Å-hcpsS \Sp-hn-emWv AbmÄ ]nd-¶p-ho-W-Xv. {]k-¶-`m-hhpw kXy-k-Ô-Xbpw \à CS-s]-S-epw Abmsf FÃmhÀ¡pw {]nb-¦-c-\m-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. {]kn-Uâmbn aq¶p hÀjw Ign-ª-t¸m-tg¡v kl{]-hÀ¯-I-cp-sSbpw tae-[n-Im-cn-I-fp-sSbpw CS-]-g-tI−n h¶ FÃm-h-cpsSbpw kvt\lhpw _lpam\hpw ]nSn-¨p-]-än-bn-cp-¶p. aäp-ÅhÀ¡p th−n F´pw sNbvXp-sIm-Sp-¡m-\pÅ k¶²-X, kz´w Ipdhp-I-sf-¡p-dn¨pÅ t_m[w, en_d Nn´-IÄ (]{X-¯n hmbn-¡p¶ XmXznINn´-b-Ã, cà-¯n-e-enª ka-`m-h-\) Hs¡-bm-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS P\-{]o-Xn-¡p Imc-Ww. Hm^n-kn-se-¯nb s̸m³ kzIm-cy-ap-dn-bn-se¯n bqWn-t^m-a-Wnªv Hm^nkv apdn-bn-te-¡p t]mbn. Poh-\-¡m-scms¡ F®o-äp-\n¶v At±-ls¯ hW§n. kl-{]hÀ¯IÀ¡p lkvX-Zm\w sNbvXv, H¶p-c−p Xam-isbms¡ ]dªv thKw tPmen XpS§n. emfn-Xyw, kzmX-{´yw, IÀ¡-iX FÃmw-IqSn C{X IrXy-ambn CW-¡n-s¡m−p t]mIp¶ Ie s̸ms\t¸mse \¶mbn And-bp-¶-hÀ thsd-bp-−m-hn-Ã. Hcp sk{I-«dn hnt[-b-Xz-t¯msS sIm−p-h¶p sImSp¯ IS-emkv adn¨p t\m¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v HmÀ¯p: “Ac aWn-¡qÀ ap³]v \n§fpsS Cu {]kn-Uâv Ipä-hm-fn-bmb Hcp kvIqÄ Ip«n-sb-t¸mse \n¶Xv Bc-dn-bp¶p!” C\n-sbmcp hn{iaw D¨bv¡p c−p-a-Wn¡v DuWnsâ ka-b-¯m-Wv. c−p-aWn-bm-bn-«n-Ã, At¸m-gp−v HcmÄ NnÃp-hm-Xn XÅn-¯p-d¶v AI-t¯¡p IS-¡p-¶p. Imh¡m-c³ s]s«¶p Xncnªv Abmsf HmSn-¨p-hn«p hmXn-e-S¨p. Iptd-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Abm-sf-gp-t¶äv Hcp knK-c-sä-Sp¯v kzIm-cy-ap-dn-bnte¡p t]mbn. apXnÀ¶ c−p t_mÀUw-K-§fpw IqsS-¡qSn.

anSp-¡-\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw

BcmWp ap³]p hmXn XÅn-¯p-d¶p Ib-dn-h-¶-sX¶v Imh¡m-c-t\mSv tNmZn-¨p-sIm−p \n¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ ho−pw Ib-dn-h-cp-¶p. hncnª tXmfp-Ifpw Npcp-f³Xm-Sn-bp-apÅ HcmÄ. sÌbÀsI-bvknsâ Gähpw apI-fn \n¶v AbmÄ BK-Xs\ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. “lmbv sehn³… HSp¡w \obn-s§-¯ntbm? Cu amf-¯n \o Fs¶ F§s\ I−p-]n-Sn-¨p?” lkvX-Zm\w aXn-bm-hmªv AbmÄ Npw_-\w-sIm−mWv kplr-¯ns\ FXn-tc-ä-Xv. “\o h¶n«p Iptd t\c-amtbm?”

Dg-¸\pw Ipcp-¯w-sI«h\p-am-bn-cp¶p s̸m³ kvIqfnÂ. Dg¸pw {]mb-¡p-d-hp-sam-s¡-bm-bn«pw tamkvtIm-bnse Hcp kp{][m\ Kh¬saâv t_mÀUnsâ {]kn-Uâmbn AbmÄ. ktlm-Z-cn-bmb A¶-bpsS `À¯mhv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Itc-\n³ `c-W-Iq-S¯nse D¶-X-\m-b-Xp-sIm-−mWv C¯-c-samcp ]Zhn AbmÄ¡p In«n-b-Xv. ]t£ Afn-b³ CXp kwL-Sn-¸n-¨p sImSp-¯n-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n s̸m³ atäsX¦nepw _Ôpthm kplrt¯m hgn Ahn-sS F¯n-tb-s\. tamkvtImbnsebpw ]otäg-gvkv-_-ÀKn-sebpw ]Ip-Xn-t¸-sc-¦nepw Abm-fpsS

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“Rm\nt¸m h¶tXbpÅq. \ns¶ AXym-h-iy-ambn ImW-W-sa¶p tXm¶n. kl-P-amb eÖbpw F¶m AÂ]w tIm]hpw IeÀ¶v AbmÄ AkzØ-X-tbmsS Npäpw-t\m-¡n. “hm, \ap¡v Fsâ apdn-bn-te¡p t]mImw.” kplr-¯nsâ \mWw-IpWp§n¯cw \¶mbn And-bm-hp¶ s̸m³ A]-I-S-§Ä¡n-S-bn-eqsS \bn-¡p-¶Xp-t]mse Abmsf ssI]n-Sn¨v \S¯ns¡m−p-t]m-bn. ]cn-N-b-s¸-«-h-tcm-sSÃmw ASp-¸-ta-dnb HcpXcw Ô-am-bn-cp¶p AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨n-\v. hb-km-b-hcpw sNdp-¸-¡m-cpw, A`n-t\-Xm-¡fpw a{´n-amcpw D¶-tXmtZym-K-Ø-cp-saÃmw AbmÄ¡p hnfn-t¸cp hnfn-¡m-hp¶ Ifn-t¯m-g³am-cmbn. kaq-l-¯nsâ hnhn[ {[ph-§-fn-epÅ ChÀ Ht»m³kvIn hgn _Ôn¡-s¸-«p. Xmtg-¡n-S-bn-ep-ÅhÀ¡p t]mepw Hm^n-kn-se-¯n-bm IogvPo-h-\¡mÀ¡p ap¶n AkzØX tXm¶m¯ hn[w ssIImcyw sN¿m\pw s̸m\v Hcp {]tXyI Ign-hp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. sehn³ Xmtg¡n-S-bn-ep-Å-bm-sfm-¶p-asænepw Abmtfm-SpÅ {]tXyI ASp¸w kphn-Zn-X-amIpw hn[-am-bn-cp¶p B\-bn-¡Â. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw GXm−v Htc {]mb-¡m-cm-bn-cp-¶p. sNdp¸w apX-te-bpÅ Iq«p-Im-cmWv AhÀ. A`n-cp-Nn-I-fnse sshhn-[y-§Ä¡v AXo-X-amb Hc-Sp-¸ap-−m-bn-cp¶p AhÀ X½nÂ. F¦nepw c−p sXmgn-ep-IÄ Xnc-sª-Sp¯ GXp ]pcp-j³amÀ¡p-ap−m-Ip-¶-Xp-t]mse Ah-cn-cp-hcpw X§-fpsS sXmgnemWp anI-¨-sX¶p Icp-Xn. sehns\ I−Xp apX Ht»m³kvIn¡v Hcp ]cnlmk-¨ncn XnI-«n-h-cp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. {Kma-¯nse Abm-fpsS tPmen¡nSbn \n¶v (A-sX´p tPmen-bm-sW¶v AbmÄ¡{X ]nSn-bn-Ã, Adn-bm³ henb XmÂ]cyw tXm¶n-bp-an-Ã) sehn³ CS-bv¡nsS tamkvtImbn-se-¯pw. Xnc¡pw Akz-Ø-Xbpw Hmtcm hc-hnepw Abm-fpsS IqsS-¯-s¶-bp-−m-Ipw. Imcy-§-sf-sbÃmw hnNn-{X-amb Hcp ImgvN-¸m-Sn-em-W-bmÄ ImWp-¶-Xv. s̸m\v AXn \à IuXpIw tXm¶nbn-cp-¶p. sehn-\m-Is« Xsâ kplr-¯nsâ Pohn-X-¯nse \mKcnI coXnIsf ]pÑt¯msS-bmWv I−n-cp-¶-Xv. F¦nepw Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS ]cn-lmkw -\n-µ-bn-Ãm-¯Xpw ip²-a-\-kvI-hp-ambn-cp-¶p; sehnsâ ]cn-lmkw ]e-t¸mgpw tIm]-hpw \nµbpw IeÀ¶Xp Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “R§Ä Gsd-¡m-e-ambn \ns¶ Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.” apdn-bn-te¡p IS-¶-t¸mÄ A]-I-S-ta-Je Ignªpp-sh¶ a«n sehnsâ ssIbnse ]nSn

hn«p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “\n\-s¡-´p−v hntijw? Ft¸mgmsW¯nbXv?” Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS c−p kplr-¯p-¡-sfbpw amdn-amdn t\m¡n \ni_vZ\mbn-cp-¶-tXbpÅq sehn³. Ht»m³kvIn Ahsc ]c-kv]cw ]cn-N-bs¸-Sp-¯n. “CXv Fsâ kl-{]hÀ¯IÀ: ^nen¸v sFhm-\n¨v \nIn-Xn³, anlm-bn Ìm\n-Ém-hn¨v {Kns\-hn-¨v.” sehn\p t\sc Xncnªv: “Ct±lw Hcp PnÃm Iu¬kn-e-dm-Wv, B[p-\n-I-Nn-´-I-fpÅ Iu¬kn-eÀ, Hä-ss¡-sIm−v 13 tÌm¬ `mc-ap-bÀ¯p¶ Pnw\m-Ìv, kz´-ambn Hcp I¶p-Imen ^mw D−v, Imbn-I-Xm-c-am-Wv, Fsâ kplr¯v tIm¬Ìmân³ Zvan{Xn-tb-hn¨v sehn³, skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v tImkv\n-tj-hnsâ ktlm-Z-c³. “]cn-N-b-s¸-«-Xn kt´m-jw. \n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨ns\ F\n-¡-dn-bmw.” \o− \J-§-fpÅ saenª ssI \o«n-s¡m−v {Kns\-hn¨v ]d-ªp. XWp-¸³ a«n ssIsIm-Sp¯v, sehn³ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS t\sc Xncnªp. djy apgp-h³ And-b-s¸-Sp¶ Fgp-¯p-Im-c-\mb Xsâ AÀ[-k-tlm-Z-ct\mSv Gsd BZ-c-hp−mbncp-s¶-¦nepw tIm¬Ìmân³ sehn³ F¶-ÃmsX {]kn-²-\mb tImkv\n-tj-hnsâ ktlm-Z-c³ F¶p ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶Xv AbmÄ¡n-jvS-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. “Rm\nt¸mÄ PnÃm Iu¬kn-e-sdm-¶p-a-Ã. Ah-tcm-sSÃmw hg-¡n-«p-]ncnªp; Ct¸mÄ tbmK-§Äs¡m¶pw t]mIm-dn-Ã. “ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS t\sc Xncnªv sehn³ ]d-ªp. “C{X XnSp-¡-¯ntem! F´n\v? F§s\?” “AsXmcp henb IY-bm-Wv. ]ns¶-t¸m-sg-¦nepw ]d-bmw.” A§s\ ]d-sª¦nepw AbmÄ ]d-ªp-Xp-S§n: “Npcp-¡n-¸-d-ªm PnÃm Iu¬kn-ep-IÄ Fs´-¦nepw sN¿p¶p-s−¶v F\n¡p tXm¶n-bn-«n-Ã. AhÀ¡p sN¿m³ Ign-bp-sa¶pw tXm¶p-¶n-Ã.” Btcm Xs¶ A]-am-\n-¨p-hn-«-tXÅpsh¶ a«nemWp XpS-¡w. “Hcp hi¯v Hcp Ifn-¸m«w t]mse-bm-W-h-c-Xns\ ImWp-¶-Xv. ]mÀe-saâv Ifn-¡p-I-bm-W-Hà. F\n-¡m-sW¦n Ifn-¸m-«-§-fn IuXpIw tXm¶p¶{X Cfw-{]m-btam {]mb-¡qSp-Xtem Cà Xm\pw. adp-h-i¯v (A-bmÄ hn¡n) shdpsX Imip-−m-¡m\pÅ Hcp D]m-b-am-W-Xv. ap³]v \nb-a-t¡m-SXn-I-fpw hmÀUn-jn-¸p-I-fpam-bn-cp-¶p, Ct¸m-gXv PnÃm Iu¬kn-em-Wv. ssI¡q-en-b-Ã, ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡msX In«p¶ i¼-fw.” Ahn-sSbncn¡p¶-hcmtcm Xs¶ FXnÀ¡p-¶p-s−¶p tXm¶pw Abm-fpsS hodp I−mÂ.

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“Blm!, Xm¦Ä ho−pw ]pXn-sbmcp L«-¯n-te¡p IS-¶-tÃm. \ap-t¡-Xmbmepw AsXms¡ ]n¶oSp kwkm-cn-¡mw.” “AtX, AsXms¡ ]n¶o-Sv. F\n¡p \n§sf ImtW-−-Xp-−m-bn-cp-¶p.” {Knt\-hn-¨nsâ ssII-I-fn-te¡p shdp-t¸msS t\m¡n-s¡m−v sehn³ ]dªp. s̸m³ apJ-s¯mcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶p. “C\n taem bqtdm-]y³ hkv{Xw [cn-¡n-sötà Xm¦Ä ]d-ªn-cp-¶Xv?” {^©v Xp¶-epÅ kyq«n-te¡p t\m¡n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “Blm! ]pXb L«w Xs¶.” sehnsâ apJw s]s«¶p Nph-¶p. {]mb]qÀ¯nbmb-h-sc-t¸m-se-b-Ã, kz´w Ipd-hp-Ifpw \mWt¡Sp-tamÀ¯v sIm¨p-Ip-«n-I-fpsS apJw Nph¡pwt]mse, Abm-fpsS I®ocnsâ ht¡m-fw. ]ucp-j-amÀ¶ Hcp apJ¯v Cu _meniamb ZpchØ ImWp-¶Xp ZpjvI-c-am-bn-t¯m¶n Ht»m³kvIn ZrjvSn amän-. “\½-sf-hnsS h¨mWv kzIm-cy-ambn H¶p ImWp-¶-Xv. F\n¡p \n§-tfmSv Hcp-]mSp Imcy-§Ä ]d-bm-\p-−v.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. “icn, \ap¡v Kpcnsâ tlm«-en `£Ww Ign-¡mw. aq¶p aWn-hsc Rm³ kzX-{´-\m-Wv.” “AXp-th-−,” Hcp \nanjw Nn´n-¨n«v sehn³ ]d-ªp. F\n¡p thsdm-cnS¯p t]mIm-\p-−v.” “F¦n \ap¡v A¯m-g-¯n\v Hcp-an-¡mw.” “A¯m-g-¯nt\m? F\n-¡{X hnti-jn-s¨m¶pw ]d-bm-\n-Ã. H¶p-c−p NnÃd¡mcy-§Ä. ]ns¶-sbmcp Imcyw tNmZn-¡m-\p-ap-−v. kw`m-jWw \ap¡p ]n¶o-Sm-¡mw.” “icn, F¦n B NnÃ-d-¡m-cy-§Ä thKw ]d-bq. sIm¨phÀ¯am\-§Ä A¯mgw Ignªp ]d-bmw.” “sNdn-sbmcp Imcy-am-Wv.” eÖ ad-bv¡m-\pÅ {iaw Abm-fpsS apJ-¯n\p tIm]-¯nsâ ]cn-thjw \ÂIn. “sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n-se-´p−v hnt-ijw? FÃmw ]Xnhp t]mse Xs¶tbm?” Xsâ `mcy-bpsS A\p-P¯n Inän-bp-ambn sehn³ {]W-b-¯n-em-sW¶v Adnbm-am-bn-cp¶ s̸msâ I®p-I-fn Hcp ]p©ncn Xnf-§n. “\n§-fpsS NnÃd hm¡p-IÄ ]d-ªp-I-gn-ªp, ]t£ F\n-¡{X NnÃd hm¡p-I-fn adp-]Sn ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-Ã, ImcWw… Hcp \nan-jw… CsXm¶v…

Hcp sk{I-«dn Ipd¨p IS-em-kp-I-fp-ambn h¶v Ft´m kzImcyw ]d-ªp. GtXm Imcy-¯nse hntbm-Pn-¸-dn-bn-¡m³ h¶-Xm-Wv. ]d-ªn-cp-¶Xp t]mse Xs¶ sNbvXm aXn-sb¶p ]d-ªv, AXn\v Dt]m-Zv_-e-I-ambn Xsâ ImgvN-¸m-Sp-IÄ hni-Zo-I-cn¨v, hm¡p-I-fpsS ImTn\yw Hcp ]p©n-cnsIm−p ab-s¸-Sp¯n s̸m³ Abmsf aS¡nb-b-¨p. Cu CS-th-f-bn sehn³ km[m-c-W-\ne hos−-Sp-¯n-cp-¶p. “F\n-¡n-sXm¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã, F´m-WnXv?” “F´mWp a\-kn-em-Im-¯Xv?” kZm IqsS-bpÅ {]k-¶-X-tbmsS Xs¶ s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. “\n§-sf-´mWo sN¿p¶sX¶v a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã.” Npa Ipep-¡n-s¡m−v sehn³ ]d-ªp. “CsXms¡ C{X Kuc-h-t¯msS sN¿p¶sX§-s\-bmWv?” “F´p-sIm−v ]änÃ?” “CXn-sem¶pw H¶p-an-Ã. AXp-sIm-−p-X-s¶.” “\n§-f-§s\ hnNm-cn-¡p-¶p. ]t£ R§Ä¡p ]Wn-sIm−v Ccn-¡-s¸m-dpXn-bn-Ã.” “IS-em-kn-etÃ. F´m-bmepw A¡m-cy-¯n \n§Ä¡v Akm-am\y Ign-hpX-s¶.” “F¶p-h-¨mÂ, F\n¡p Imcy-amb F´n-sâtbm Ipd-hp-s−¶v AtÃ?” “A§-s\-bm-bn-cn-¡mw.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. ]t£ C{X hen-sbmcp a\p-jy³ Fsâ kplr-¯m-bn-cn-¡p-¶-Xn F\n-¡-`n-am-\-ap-−v. ]t£ Fsâ tNmZy¯n\v \n§Ä adp-]Sn X¶n-Ã.” “AXp ]d-bmw. CXp ]d-ªp-Xo-c-s«. Imcm-kn³kvIn-bn Bdm-bncw G¡dpw, icocw \ndsb Dd¨ akn-ep-Ifpw ]{´-−p-h-b-kp-Im-cn-bpsS Dt·-jhpw D−m-bn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw Hcp Znhkw \n§fpw R§-fn-sem-cp-¯-\m-Ipw. ]ns¶, \n§-fpsS tNmZy¯n\pÅ D¯cw: amä-sam-¶p-an-Ã, ]t£ C{X \mÄ Xs¶ ImWm-Xn-cp-¶Xp IjvSambn-t¸mbn.” “DtÆm! F´p-]än?” sehn³ BIp-e-\m-bn. „H¶p-an-Ã, \ap-¡Xp ]n¶oSp kwkm-cn-¡mw. ]«-W¯nte¡p hcm-s\´m hnti-j-sa¶p ]d-bq.” “F¶m-eXpw ]n¶oSp ]d-bmw.” Ihn-fp-IÄ sNhn-tbmfw Nph¶v sehn³ ]dªp. Rm³ \n§sf ho«n-te¡p hnfn-t¨-t\. ]t£ `mcy \à aqUn-eà - . ]t£ kpthm-f-Pn-¡Â KmÀU-\n-te¡p t]mbm Ahsc ImWmw. \mep apX A©p hsc Ah-c-hn-sSbp-−m-Ipw. Inän kvtIäv sN¿m³ hcp-¶p-−v. \o Ah-tcm-sSm¸w IqSn-t¡m. Rm³ IqSn F¯n-bn«v \ap-s¡m-cp-an¨v A¯mgw Ign-¡mw.”

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“icn, F¦n ]ns¶ ImWmw.” “CsXm-s¡-b§p ad-¶n«v t\tc {Kma-¯n-te¡p aS§ntb-¡-cptX. X\n-kz`mhw ImWn-¡-cpXv!” “Gbv, CÃnÃ!” ]pd-¯p-I-S-¶-t¸m-gmWv Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS kl-{]hÀ¯I-tcmSv bm{X ]dªnÃtÃm F¶v sehn³ HmÀ¯-Xv. “DuÀPz-kz-e-\mb a\p-jy³ AtÃ?” sehn³ s]mbv¡-gn-ª-t¸Mä {Kns\hn¨v ]d-ªp. “Dw. `mKy-hm³. Imcm-kn³kvIn-bn Bdm-bncw G¡À; th−-sXÃmw ap³]n-ep−v; buh-\hpw Dt·-jhpw! \½-fn Nne-sc-t¸m-se-b-Ã.” “\n§Ä¡msW¦n ]cn-tZ-h\§Ä Hcp-]m-Sp−v Atà s̸m³ AÀ¡-Ztb-hn¨v?” “Dw. icn-bm-Wv. Rm³ Hcp Xc-¯n Zcn-{Z\mWv, Zb-\o-b-amw-hn-[w.” Hcp s\Sp-hoÀt¸msS s̸m³ ]d-ªp.

At¸m-tg¡v \Xm-enb \b-X{´ DtZym-K-Ø-\mb epthm-hnsâ kz´-am-bn¡-gn-ªp. Inän At¸mgpw sIm¨p-Ip«n am{X-am-Wv, sehnsâ bqWn-th-gvknän ]T\w Ign-ªp. Iq«p-Im-c³ sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p \mhn-I-tk-\-bn tNÀ¶p, _mÄ«nIv kap-{Z-¯n Hc-]-I-S-¯n acn-¨p. H-t»m³kvIn-bp-ambn kulr-Z-ap-−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw B kw`-h-t¯msS sjÀ-_mävkvIn IpSpw-_hp-am-bpÅ ASp-¸-¯nsâ Bgw Ipd-ªp. F¦nepw Hcp hÀjs¯ \m«n³]p-d-hmkw Ignªv C¡-gnª XWp-¸p-Im-e¯v tamkvtIm-bn h¶v sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_¯n t]mbt¸mÄ sehn³ Xncn-¨-dnªp ktlm-Zcn-am-cn BcmWv bYmÀY¯nÂ- X\n-¡p-Å-sX¶v. \à IpSpw-_-¯Â ]nd-¶-h³, k¼-¶³, ap¸-¯n-c−p hbkv sjÀ_mävkvIb {]`zp-tbmSv hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯m³ CXnepw tbmKy-\mbn aäm-cpap-−m-hn-sÃt¶ Bcpw Icp-Xq. ]t£ sehn³ {]W-b-¯n-em-W-tÃm. At¸m¸ns¶ Inän FÃmw XnI-ª-hfpw euIn-I-amb F´n-s\-¡mfpw Dbsc-bp-Å-h-fpw; Xmt\m F{Xtbm Xmgv¶-h³, km[m-c-W-¡m-c³. aäp-Å-htcm AhÄ Xs¶tbm CsXmcp \à _Ô-ambn ImWnà F¶mbn Nn´. Inänsb ImWm³ th−n am{Xw c−p amk-t¯mfw tamkvtIm-bn X§n. CXp \S-¡m³ t]mIp-¶nà F¶p kzbw Xocp-am-\n¨v HSp¡w {Kma-¯nte¡p aS§n. Xsâ H¸ap−m-bn-cp-¶-h-scms¡ tIWÂ, {]^-kÀ, m¦v Ub-d-IvSÀ, Ht»m³kvIn-sb-t¸mse t_mÀUv {]kn-Uâv XpS-§nb D¶X XkvXn-I-Ifn F¯n-¡-gn-ªn-cn¡p-¶p. I¶p-Im-ensb hfÀ¯nbpw \mbm-«n\p t]mbpw If-¸p-c-IÄ sI«nbpw Ign-bp¶ Xm³ AXn-kp-µ-cn-bmb Inän¡p tbmPn-¡n-söp Xs¶tb Ah-fpsS ho«p-ImÀ IcpXq F¶v AbmÄ XoÀ¨bm-¡n. GXm-bmepw c−p amkw \m«n³]p-d¯p Ign-¨p-Iq-«n-b-t¸mÄ Ip«n-¡m-e-s¯t¸m-semcp shdpw tXm¶-eà Cu kvt\lw F¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. Hcp thf t]mepw a\-kn\p hn{iaw sImSp-¡p-¶n-Ã. Xsâ \ncm-i-I-sfÃmw a\-knsâ krjvSn-I-fm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶p a\-kn-em¡n Ah-tfm-Sp-Xs¶ t\cn«p ]dªv k½-X-sa-¦n hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ h¶-Xm-W-bmÄ. k½-XasænÂ… Asæn F´msW¶v AbmÄs¡m-sc-¯pw-]n-Snbpw In«n-bnÃ.

“Rm³ \nsâ `mcy-bpsS A\p-P-¯n-tbmSp hnhm-l-k-½Xw tNmZn-¡m³ h¶-XmWv” F¶p ]d-bm³ ]än-Ã-tÃm. ]«-W-¯n-te¡p h¶-sX´n\m-sW¶v Ht»m³kvIn tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ sehn³ eÖn-X-\m-bXpw ]n¶oSp Xsâ eÖsbs¨mÃn kzbw tIm]n-¨-Xp-sams¡ AXp-sIm-−m-Wv. sehn³ IpSpw-_hpw sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_hpw tamkvtIm-bnse ]g-¡apÅ {]`p-Ip-Spw-_-§-fm-Wv. AhÀ X½n \à ASp-¸-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p. tUmfnbp-sSbpw Inän-bp-sSbpw ktlm-Z-csâsbm-¸-amWv sehn³ bqWn-th-gvkn-änbn ]Tn-¨-Xv. sehn\v A½sb HmÀ½-X-s¶-bn-Ã, ktlm-Z-cn- Abm-sf-¡mÄ Gsd aq¯-Xm-Wv. A¸\pw acn-¨p-t]m-bn-cp-¶p. AXn-\m sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_-¯n-emWv sehn³ DujvafX Adn-ªXpw Ipeo-\-{]-`p-Ip-Spw-_-§fnse Nn«-h-«-§Ä a\-kn-em-¡n-b-Xpw. {^©v, Cw¥o-jv, kmln-Xyw, \r¯w, kwKo-Xw, Nn{X-I-e, BIÀj-I-amb hkv{X-[m-c-Ww, kmbm-Ó-k-hm-cn-IÄ, Ch-tbm-sSÃmw H¸-apÅ BUw-_-c§Ä, Ch-sb- FÃmw Nqgv¶p-\n-¶n-cp¶ Kw`o-c-amb Hcp KqVX Hs¡ sehn\p hnkva-b-am-bn-cp-¶p. AXn ]eXpw AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-¡m-\m-bnÃ. F¦nepw AhnsS sN¿p¶-sXÃmw \ÃXp am{X-am-sW¶ Imcy-¯n AbmÄ¡p kwi-b-ta-Xp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. hnZymÀYn-bm-bn-cns¡ AbmÄ aq¯-h-fmb tUmfn-bp-ambn t{]a-¯n-em-bn-cp¶p, ]t£ AhÄ Ht»m³kvIn-bp-tSXmbn. ]n¶oSv \Xm-en-b-bp-ambn kvt\l-¯n-em-bn. B ktlm-Z-cn-am-cn-em-sc-sb-¦nepw kvt\lnt¨ ]äq F¶ a«m-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v. B kvt\l-km-{am-Py-¯n Xe ImWn-¨-tXbpÅq,

tamkvtIm-bn-se-¯nb

sehn³ t\sc t]mbXv Xsâ AÀ[-k-tlm-Z-c³ tImkv\n-sj-hnsâ ho«n-te-¡m-Wv. AbmÄ lmÀt¡m-hn \ns¶-¯nb Hcp ^ntem-k^n {]^-k-dp-ambn NÀ¨-bn-em-bn-cp-¶p. `uXn-I-hm-Zn-IÄs¡-Xn-scbpÅ Ipcn-ip-bp-²-¯n-emWv {]^-kÀ. SkÀPnbpw A§-s\-X-s¶. {]^-k-

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dpsS Gähpw ]pXnb teJ-\-hp-am-bpÅ Nne hntbm-Pn-¸p-I-fmWv NÀ¨m-hn-jbw: a\p-jy-sâ imco-cn-Iam\-knI hym]m-c-§Ä X½n AXncpIÄ hcbvt¡− Bh-iy-apt−m? FÃm-h-tcmSpw ]Xn-hpÅ Hcp ]p©ncn sehn\pw k½m-\n¨v skÀPn NÀ¨ XpSÀ¶p. NÀ¨ Xocm³ Im¯n-cp¶ sehn\v ]Xps¡ AXn XmÂ]cyw hÀ[n¨p. NÀ¨-bv¡m-[m-c-amb teJ-\-§Ä AbmÄ hmbn-¨n-cp-¶p. \m¨p-d kb³kv hnZymÀYn-bm-bn-cns¡ ]Tn¨ Imcy-§-fpsS XpSÀ¨-IÄ AbmÄ {i²n-¡m-dp−v. Pohn-Xhpw ac-W-hp-sam-s¡-bmbn Ahsb _Ôn-¸n¨p Nn´n-¡m-dp-ap−v. NÀ¨ ssPh-im-kv{X¯nsâbpw kmaq-ly-im-kv{X-¯n-sâbpw taJ-e-IfnÂ\n¶v Bßo-b-X-bn-te¡pw {]th-in-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. ImX-embn Imcysa¶p sehn³ \n\-bv¡p-¶n-S-sa-¯p-t¼m-tg¡v AhÀ ho−pw Xncn-¨p-t]mIpw. D²-c-Wn-Ifpw BNm-cy³am-cpsS A`n-{]m-b-§-fp-sam-s¡-bmbn Ipg-a-dnbpw. Iptd-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ A¯-c-samcp Xncn-¨p-t]m-¡nsâ h¡-¯p-h¨v sehn³ {]^-k-tdm-Smbn tNmZn¨p: “A§-s\-bm-sW¦nÂ, Fsâ C{µn-b-§Ä \nÀamÀP\w sN¿s¸«mÂ, Fsâ icocw acn-¨mÂ, F\n¡v Hc-kvXn-Xz-hp-an-sömtWm?” Cu CS-s]-S CjvS-s¸-Sm¯ {]^-kÀ Hcp ap«m-fsâ t\m«-sa-dn-ªp. {]^k-dpsS XmXzn-I-X-tbmSpw Ct¸m-gs¯ tNmZy-¯nsâ kzm`m-hnI emfn-Xyt¯mSpw Hcp-t]mse \¶mbn {]Xn-I-cn-¡m³ tijn-bp-−m-bn-cp¶ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ]p©n-cn-tbmsS ]dªp: “AXn\p adp-]Sn ]d-bm³ am{Xw Ct¸mÄ \½Ä Bbn-«n-Ã.” “AXn\p th−{X {]mY-anIhnh-c-§Ä \ap¡p In«n-bn-«nÔ F¶p ]d-ªn«v {]^-kÀ kwhm-Z-¯n-te¡p aS§n. sehn³ AXp {i²n-¡p-¶Xp \nÀ¯n, AbmÄ t]mIm-\mbn Im¯n-cp-¶p.

bw-`-cWw F{X tami-am-bmWv djy-¡mÀ ssIImcyw sN¿p¶¶Xns\-¸-änbmbn {]`m-j-Ww. ]ns¶ skÀPn sehnsâ tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fmbv Xncn-s¨-¯nb Imcyw ]dªp. In«n-b-sXÃmw Xpe¨v ktlm-Z-c-·m-tcmSv hg-¡n«v XmWXc-¡m-cpsS IqsS A¯-c-¯n-emWv AbmÄ Pohn-Xw. sehn³ sR«nsbgp-t¶-äp. “Rm³ \nt¶m-SnXp ]d-tb-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Rm\-h³ Xma-kn-¡p¶ Øew tXSn-¡-−p-]n-Sn¨v Ipd¨p ]Ww Ab¨p sImSp-¯p. CXm-bn-cp¶p F\n¡p In«nb adp-]Sn. skÀPn Hcp IS-emkv \o«n-¡m-Wn-¨p. hnNn-{X-amb A£-c-§-fn Hcp Ipdn¸v: "Fs¶-sbm¶p kam-[m-\-¯n hn«m aXn. AXp am{Xta Rms\sâ ktlm-Z-c-·m-cmSp tNmZn-¡p-¶p-Åq... \nt¡m-fmbv sehn³.” skÀPn-bn \n¶p hnemkw hm§n Abm-sf-t¸mbn ImW-sa¶p sehn³ Icp-Xn. hne-¡n-bnsænepw ImWp-¶-Xp-sIm−p henb {]tbm-P-\-sam¶pw D−m-In-söv skÀPn ap¶-dn-bn¸pw \ÂIn. ImWm³ t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n-bn-d-§nb tij-amWv sehn³ ]ns¶ a\-kp-am-änb-Xv. F´m-bmepw h¶ Imcyw Xocp-am-\-am-¡-bn«p aXn _m¡n-sbm-s¡. A§s\ AbmÄ s̸msâ Hm^n-kn-se-¯n, hnh-c-§-f-dnªv Ct¸mÄ Inänsb ImWm³ Ign-bp¶nSt¯¡v h−n-tbm-Sn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-¶p.

{]^kÀ

t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ skÀPn sehnsâ ASp-s¯-¯n. Irjn-Imcy-§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ tNmZy-§Ä D]-Nmcw am{X-am-sW¶dn-bp¶ sehn³ Npcp§nb hm¡p-I-fn AXn\p adp-]Sn \ÂIn. Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶Xp kw_-Ôn¨v ktlm-Z-csâ A`n-{]mbw tXSWsa¶v Dd-¸n-¨n-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. ]t£ Ct¸m AXp ]d-bm³ tXm¶p-¶n-Ã. Abm-fpsS ImgvN-¸mSv asäm-¶m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-s¶mcp tXm¶Â. skÀPn¡v PnÃm Iu¬kn-ensâ Imcy-§-fn henb XmÂ]-cy-am-Wv. Abmf-tX¸än tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ ]nW§n¸n-cnª Imcyw ]d-ªp. ]ns¶ Xt±-i-kz-

anSn-¡p¶

lrZ-b-hp-am-bmWv sehn³ kqthm-f-Pn-¡Â KmÀU\p ap¶n h−n-bn-d-§n-b-Xv. Ah-cpsS h−n AhnsS I−-Xp-sIm−v Inän D−m-Ipsa¶pw Dd-¸m-bn. AbmÄ kvtIänMv {Ku-−n-te¡p \S-¶p. sXfnª Znh-kw. \ndsb Bfp-IÄ. “sh{]m-f-s¸tS−” \S-¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS sehn³ kzbw DZvt_m[n-¸n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. im´-\m-bn-cn-¡m³ F{X-b[nIw {iant¨m A{X-b-[nIw izmkw Ign-¡m³ _p²n-ap-«p-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. Hcp ]cn-N-b-¡m-c³ t]cp-sNmÃn hnfn-¨n«v sehn³ Abmsf Xncn-¨-dn-ª-Xp-t]m-ep-an-Ã. sX¶ph-−n-IÄ aªn-eqsS DuÀ¶p-t]m-Ip-¶-Xn-sâbpw hen¨p Ib-äp-¶-Xnsâbpw H¨- tIÄ¡mw. GXm\pw Nph-Sp-IÄ IqSn \S-¶t¸mÄ kvtIänMv {Ku−v ImWm-dm-bn. BÄ¡q-«-¯n-\n-S-bn Hä t\m«-¯n Xs¶ Abm-fhsf Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. AhnsSt¸mbn Ah-sf-¡m-Wmtam? AhÄ \n¡p¶nSw ]cn-ip-²hpw A{]m-]y-hp-am-sW¶v sehn\p tXm¶n. FÃm-¯-c-¯nepw s]« \nc-h[n t]À Npän-\-S-¡p¶ AhnsS X\n¡pw t]mIm-sa¶p kzbw hniz-kn-¸n-¡m³ Gsd

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IjvS-s¸-tS−n-h-¶p. Xmtg¡p \S-¡p-t¼mgpw Ah-fpsS t\sc t\m¡m³ AbmÄ ss[cy-s¸-«n-Ã. hb-km-b-hcpw sNdp-¸-¡mcpw {]K-Ûcpw ]Tn-¨p-Xp-S-§p-¶-h-cp-sams¡ Ip¯n-a-dnªp Ifn-¡p¶ kvtIänMv {Ku−n Xm³ GI-\m-sW¶p sehn\p tXm¶n. Inän-bpsS _Ôp \nt¡m-fmbv sjÀ-_mävkvIn AhnsS Ccn¸p−m-bn-cp-¶p. sehn-s\-¡−v Ah³ hnfn-¨p-Iqhn: “lmbv, djy-bnse BZys¯ kvtIäÀ! h¶n«p Iptd t\c-amtbm? H¶mw Xcw sFkp-−v. kvtIäp-I-f-Wnªv thKw hm.” “Rm³ kvtIäp-I-sf-Sp-¯n-«nÔ, sehn³ ]d-ªp. Ah-fpsS km¶n-[y-a-dnªn«pw C{X kpµ-c-ambn kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-ª-Xn AbmÄ¡v AÛpXw tXm¶n. AhÄ kvtIäv sN¿p¶-Xn\nsS sehns\ I−-t¸mÄ aµ-l-kn-¨p. Hcp hfhp Xncn-ªp-In-«n-b-t¸mÄ AÂ]w ss[cy-ambn. C¯ncn thKw Iq«n t\sc sjÀ_m-ävkvIn-bpsS ASp-s¯¯n Ahsâ ssIbn ]nSn¨p \n¶p, sehn\p t\sc Xe-bm«n ]p©n-cn-¨p. sehn³ Icp-Xn-bn-cp-¶-Xnepw kpµ-cn-bmbn-cp¶p AhÄ. h¶n«p Ipsd t\c-amtbm? sehn\v ssIsIm-Sp-¯psIm−v AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. Xmsg hoWv XqhmesbSp¯v AbmÄ Ah-fpsS ssIbn sImSp-¯p. “Rm³? Rm³ A[n-Iw… C¶-se… AÃ, C¶v… Rm³ h¶-Xv…” sehn\v tNmZyw a\-kn-em-Im³ Xs¶ AÂ]w ka-b-sa-Sp-¯p. “Rm³ \ns¶ h¶p ImWm-\n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p,” AsX-´n-\m-sWt¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ Abm-epsS apJw BsI Nph-¶p. “\o C{X \¶mbn kvtIäv sN¿psa¶v Rm\-dn-ªn-cp-¶n-Ã.” F´mWn{X thh-emXn F¶- a«n AhÄ Abm-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n. “{]iw-kbv¡p \µn. GXm-bmepw \n§-fmWv F¡m-e-s¯bpw anI¨ kvtIäÀ F¶mWv ChnsS Ct¸mgpw FÃm-hcpw ]d-bp-¶-Xv.” “Dw… kvtIänMv Hcp Ime¯v F\n¡p henb Bth-i-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]qÀWX t\S-W-sa-¶m-bn-cp¶p Fsâ tamlw.” “\n§Ä F´p Imcyhpw Bth-i-]qÀh-amWv sN¿p¶Xv.” ]p©n-cn-tbmsS AhÄ ]d-ªp. “\n§fpsS kvtIänMv F\n-s¡m¶p ImW-W-sa-¶p-−v. kvtIäp-I-f-Wnªp hcq. \ap-s¡m-cp-an¨p t]mImw.” “Hcp-an¨p kvtIäv sN¿m³!” AbmÄ¡p hniz-kn-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. kvtIäp-I-sf-Sp-¡m³ sN¶t¸mÄ Aä³UÀ ASp-¯p-IqSn: “Ct§m«p I−n«p Iptd \mfm-btÃm kÀ. H¶mw-InS kvtIäÀam-cn aämcpw Ct¸m-gnt§m«p hcm-dn-Ã. C§s\ h¨m aXntbm?”

“Dw.- th-K-¶m-h-s«.” Abm-fpsS apJ¯v kt´mjw Hmfw sh«n. “CXmWp Pohn-Xw, CXmWv B\-µw. Hcp-an¨p kvtIäv sN¿pI. ]t£ AXmWn-t¸m-gs¯ t]Sn-bpw. Ct¸m-gmWv {]Xo-£-bpsS kt´m-jw…. C\n… F´m-bmepw Rm³ ]d-b-Ww. ZuÀ_-ey-§tf hnS!” sehn³ Fgp-t¶äv IpSn-en-\-Sps¯ ]cp-¡³ sFkn IqSn thKw IS¶v an\p-k-ap-Ån-S-s¯¯n Bbm-k-ta-Xp-an-ÃmsX thKw Iq«nbpw Ipd¨pw hfªp-Xn-cnªp DÅn AÂ]w eÖtbmsS Ah-fp-sSbSps¯-¯n. AhfpsS ]p©ncn sehnsâ eÖbIän ss[cyw \ÂIn. AhÄ Abm-fpsS ssII-fn ]nSn-¨p. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw H¸w sX¶n\o-§n. thKw IqSpw-tXmdpw Ah-fpsS ]nSn-bpsS apdp-¡hpw IqSn. “\n§-tfm-sSm-¸-am-sW¦n Rm³ thKw ]Tn-¡p-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶p; F\ns¡t´m Bß-hn-izmkw IqSn-b-Xp-t]m-se.” “\o Fs¶ Nmcn- \n¡pt¼mÄ Fsâbpw Bß-hn-izmkw sXfn-bp-¶p.” ]d-ªp-XoÀ¶-bp-S³ `bw Bfn-¡-¯n, Abm-fpsS apJw Nph-¶p. kqcy³ taL-§Ä¡p ]n¶n ad-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse Ah-fpsS apJ-s¯bpw kulrZw amªp, Nn´-bpsS emRvO\ apJ-¯v, an\p¯ s\än-bn-semcp Npfn-hv. “\n\-s¡-s´-¦nepw Akz-Ø-X-bpt−m? A§-s\-sbms¡ tNmZn-¡m³ F\n-¡-h-Im-i-an-sænepw…” AbmÄ Xnc-¡n«p ]d-ªp. “F´m A§s\ tNmZn¡m³…. hnti-jn-s¨m-¶p-an-Ã-tÃm.” XWp-¸³a«nembn-cp¶p adp-]-Sn. “\n§Ä ent\m-Wns\ I−nÃtÃm?” “CÔ “AhÀ¡p \n§sf henb CjvS-am-Wv. t]mbn Ah-tcmSÂ]w kwkm-cn-¡q.” “ssZh-ta, Rm\-hsf tZjyw ]nSn-¸nt¨m?” sehn³ thK-¯n {^©p-Imcn Bb-bpsS ASp-s¯-¯n. ]gb kplr-¯n-s\-t¸me AhÀ Abmsf FXn-tc-äp. “\½Ä hf-cp-I-bm-Wv. Ipªp-I-cSn Ct¸mÄ hfÀ¶n-cn-¡p-¶p.” ]¯p hÀjw ap³]v aq¶p s]¬Ip-«n-Isf Cw¥ojv IY-bnse aq¶p Ipªn-¡-c-SnI-tfmSv AbmÄ D]-an-¨-Xnsâ Xami Bkz-Zn-¡p-I-bmWv AhÀ Ct¸m-gpw. “\n§Ä t]mbn kvtIäv sNbvXp-sIm-Åq. \½psS Inän \¶mbn kvtIäv sN¿m³ ]Tn¨p AtÃ?” sehn³ XncnsI Inän-bpsS ASp-¡-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJ¯p ]gb kulr-Zhpw BßmÀY-Xbpw Xs¶. F¦nepw AbmÄ¡v Bi¦ tXm¶n. Bb-sb-¸än Ipd-s¨Ãmw ]d-ªp-I-gnªv AhÄ Abm-fpsS hnti-j-§Ä Xnc-¡n. “XWp-¸p-Im-e¯v \m«n³]p-d¯v hÃmsX aSp-¡ntÃ?” “aSp-s¸m-¶p-an-Ã. Rms\-t¸mgpw Xnc-¡n-em-bn-cn-¡pw.”

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“]«-W-¯n Iptd Znh-k-t¯-¡p-−m-hptam?” “Adn-bnÔ “AsX´m?” “AXp \ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶Xv”. ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p ho−pw t]Sn tXm¶n. AhÄ c−p XhW hogm-s\m-cp-§p-¶-Xp-t]m-se-bmbn; AI-te¡v sX¶namdn-t¸m-bn. Bb-bpsS ASp-¯p t]mbn Ft´m ]d-ªp, Ah-cn-cp-hcpw IqSn ]hn-en-b-\n t]mbn kvtIäp-IÄ Agn-¨p-h-¨p. DÅp \ndsb {]mÀY\ItfmsS sehn³ IqSp-X Xo{h-X-tbmsS ]e coXnbn kvtIäv sNbvXp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p.

sehn\pw Ht»m³kvInbpw IqSn dtÌm-dân-\p-Ån-te¡p t]mbn. FÃmhÀ¡pw kp]-cn-Nn-X-\mbn FÃm-h-tcmSpw Xam-i-IÄ ]dªv Ht»m³kvIn. ]cn-Nm-c-IÀ At±-l-¯n\pw At±-l-¯nsâ hncp-¶p-Im-c\pw \nÀtem`w _lp-am-\hpw D]-Nm-c-§fpw ]cn-N-c-Whpw \ÂIp-¶p. Cu H¨bpw _l-f-hp-saÃmw IqSn Akz-ØX ]q−v sehn³. hn`-h-§sfÃmw AbmÄ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS XmÂ]-cy-§Ä¡p hn«p-sIm-Sp-¯p. Bßmhp \ndsb Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨pÅ a[p-c-kva-c-W-IÄ am{Xw. “I¡-bn-d¨n \n§Ä¡n-jvS-an-söpt−m? AtXm Xm³ BsI Akz-Ø\mtWm?” sehn³ {]k-¶-\m-bn-¡m-Wm³ B{K-ln¨v s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. dtÌm-dân AbmÄ BsI Akz-Ø-\m-bn-cp-¶p. kv{XoIfpw ]pcpj³amcpw H¶n¨v kzImcy apdn-I-Ä, H¨bpw _l-f-hpw, apJ-¡-®m-Sn-IÄ, ]cn-Nm-c-IÀ FÃmw AbmÄ¡v Atcm-N-I-ambn tXm¶n.

ssIIÄ Øm\w amäpI t]mepw sN¿msX ]pXn-sbmcp \¼À Im«nb Hcp sNdp-¸-¡m-cs\ A\p-I-cn¨v Abmfpw `wKn-bmbn kvtIäv sNbvXp-. “F´p ck-am-W-Xv, At±lw F{X \Ã-h-\p-am-Wv.” Hcp ktlm-Z-c-s\-sb¶ t]mse kvt\lw \ndªv Abmsf t\m¡n Inän Nn´n¨p: “Fsâ sXämIptam? Rms\-s´-¦nepw sXämbn sNbvXn-«p-−m-Iptam? At±-ls¯bà Rm³ kvt\ln-¡p-¶-Xv. F¦nepw At±lw H¸-ap-Åt¸mÄ Rm³ hfsc k´p-jvS-bm-Wv. At±lw \à ckn-I-\p-am-Wv. ]t£, F´n-\mIpw At±lw A§s\ ]d-ªXv? …” Inän A½-tbm-sSm¸w t]mIp-¶Xp I−v sehn³ kvtIänMv \nÀ¯n HmSn Ihm-S-¯n-¦Â Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-sa-¯n. “I−-Xn kt´m-jw, hymgm-gvN-I-fn R§Ä ho«n Xs¶bp-−m-Ipw.” sjÀ_mävkvIb {]`zn ]d-ªp. “F¦n C¶p sshIn«v?” “hcq, kt´m-j-ta-bqÅq” A½-bpsS i_vZ¯nse ImTn-\y-¯n\p ]cn-lmcw sN¿m³ Inän Xe-Xn-cn¨v ]p©n-cn-tbmsS bm{X ]d-ªp. At¸m-tg¡v s̸m³ F¯n. A½m-bn-b½ tUmfn-bpsS hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ ]Xnª adp-]Sn \ÂIn, ]ns¶ Dt·jw hos−-Sp¯v sehnsâ ssI tImÀ¯p-]n-Sn¨v AbmÄ \S-¶p. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw IqSn Hcp dtÌm-dân-te¡p t]mbn. hgn-\osf s̸m³ Ignt¡− hn`-h-§Ä IW-¡m-¡n-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. sehn³ bm{X ]d-bp¶p InänbpsS ]p©n-cn-bn \n¶v ss[cyw DÄs¡m−pw CS-bv¡nsS A[o-c-\mbpw ImW-s¸-«p.

“Dw. AsX. ]t£ AXn-s\-¡m-sfms¡ Cu _l-f-§Ä Fs¶ Akz-Ø-\m¡p-¶p. Fs¶-t¸mse Hcp \m«n³]p-d-¯p-Im-c\v CsXms¡ F{X hnNn-{X-ambn-cn-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln-¡mt\ Ign-bn-Ã. \n§-fpsS Hm^n-kn I− Abm-fpsS \o− \J-§Ä t]mse…” “Fsâ Øm\¯p \n¶v H¶p Nn´n-¨p-t\m-¡q. ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡m³ Gähpw klm-b-I-c-amb \ne-bn ssIIÄ kq£n-¡m-\mWv R§Ä \m«n³]p-d¯p-ImÀ t\m¡p-I. AXp-sIm−v R§Ä \Jw sh«n¡f-bpw. ChnsS BfpIÄ Ah \o«n-h-fÀ¯pw, F¶n« tamXn-c-am-sW¶ a«n sNdnb tkmk-dp-IÄ ]nSn-¸n-¨p-h-bv¡pw, Hcp ]Wnbpw sN¿m³ h¿m-¯-t]m-se.” s̸m³ Nncn¨p “Hm icn, AbmÄ¡v ssIsIm−v I«n-¸-Wn-IÄ t¿− Bh-iy-an-söXnsâ AS-bm-f-am-W-Xv. AbmÄ a\-kp-sIm-−mWv ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡p-¶-Xv…” “Bbn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw F\n-¡Xp hnNn-{X-am-Wv. Ct¸mÄ `£-W-¯nsâ Imcy-¯n tXm¶p-¶-Xp-t]m-se: R§Ä \m«n³]p-d-¯p-ImÀ F{Xbpw thKw `£Ww Ign-¨p-XoÀ¡m³ t\m¡pw, s]s«¶p ]Wn-I-fn-te¡p IS¡m³; ChnsS \½Ä `£Ww F{X t\cw \o«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Im-sa¶p t\m¡p¶p; AXn-\mbn I¡-bn-d¨n Xn¶p-¶p…” “icn-bm-Wv. ]t£ AXm-WtÃm kwkvIm-c-¯nsâ e£yw Xs¶. FÃm {]hr-¯nbpw B\-µ-I-c-am-¡p-I.” “Hm, icn! AXmWv e£y-sa¦n Rms\mcp Im«mf\m-bn-¯s¶ Ign-tªmfmw.”

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“\o Hcp Im«mf³ Xs¶. sehn³ IpSpw-_-¡m-scÃmw A§-s\-X-s¶.” sehn³ \niz-kn-¨p. s]s«¶v tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fm-bnsb HmÀa h¶p, eÖbpw Akz-Ø-Xbpw tXm¶n. s]s«¶v Ht»m³kvIn AbmÄ¡p XmÂ]-cy-apÅ hnj-b-¯n-te¡p {i² Xncn-¨p. “Gbv, C¶p cm{Xn \n§Ä \½psS BÄ¡m-cp-sSbSp¯p t]mIp-¶pt−m? sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n” “XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. {]`zn-bpsS £W-¯n henb Dujva-f-X-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp¶p. F¦nepw Rm³ t]mIp-¶p-−v.” “F´-kw-_-Ô-amWv ]d-bp-¶-Xv, Ah-c-§-s\-bm-Wv. hb-k-¯n-btà … Rm\pw hcp-¶p−v. ]t£ F\n¡v asäm-cn-S¯p t]mIm-\p-−v. F¶nt« hcq. Gbv, \osbmcp Im«m-f-\msW¶Xp icn-X-s¶-btÃ? tamkvtIm-bn \n¶v s\mSn-bn-S-sIm−v A{]-Xy-£-\m-bsX§s\sb¶v H¶p hni-Zo-I-cn-¡q. sjÀ_m-ävkvIn¡mÀ Ft¶mSp tNmZn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p \osb-hnsS F¶v. \ns¶-¡p-dn¨v F\n¡v BsI-b-dn-bm-hp¶ Hcp Imcyw aämcpw sN¿m¯ Imcy-§-fmWv \o Ft¸mgpw sN¿pI F¶Xp am{X-am-Wv.” “Dw. Rm³ Im«m-f³ Xs¶. ]t£ t]mb-X-Ã, Ct¸mÄ h¶-XmWv Im«m-f¯cw F¶p am{Xw…” “\osbmcp `mKy-hm³” “F´m?” “I®p-I-fn t{]aw I¯p-¶-hs\ F\n¡p I−m-e-dnbmw. \nsâ ap³]n FÃm-a-§s\ InS-¡p-I-btÃ!” “F´m, \n§Ä¡v FÃm-¯n-sâbpw Imew Igntªm?” “F¶-Ã, F¦nepw hcpw-\m-fp-IÄ \ntâ-Xm-Wv, hÀ¯am-\-Imew Ftâ-Xpw. F¦nepw FÃmw th−-t]m-se-sbm-¶p-a-Ã.” “F´p-]än?” “Imcy-§-sfms¡ sXämb hgn¡p t]mIp-¶p. FÃmw Ct¸mÄ ]d-bm³ ]änb-h-b-Ã. \o C¯hW tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶-sX´ns\¶p ]d-ªn-ÃtÃm” “Duln-¨p-t\m¡q” “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p−v. ]t£ Rm\-ÃtÃm AXn-s\-¸än BZyw ]d-tb−-Xv. Fsâ Dulw icntbm sXtäm F¶v Ct¸mÄ a\-kn-em-bntÃ.” “icn, AtX-¸än \n§Äs¡´m ]d-bm-\p-ÅXv?” sehnsâ apJ¯p \n¶p Is®-Sp-¡msX s̸m³ ¥mkv Imen-bm-¡n. A{X-ta \Ã-Xmbn Rm³ Icp-Xp¶ asäm-¶n-Ã-X-s¶. asäm-¶pw.” “\n§Ä¡p sXän-²m-c-W-sbm-¶p-an-ÃtÃm AtÃ? F´n-s\-¸-än-bm-sW¶ t_m[y-t¯msS Xs¶-btà Cu ]d-bp-¶Xv? A¡mcyw km[y-am-sW¶p tXm¶p-¶pt−m?”

“km[y-am-sW ¶p Xs¶ F\n¡p tXm¶p-¶p. F´p-sIm−v km[y-aÃ?” “icn¡pw AXp \S-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡v A`n-{]m-b-apt−m? F´m \n§Ä¡p tXm¶p-¶-sX¶v Ft¶mSv Xpd-¶p-]-d-bq. AYhm \nc-kn-¡p-I-bmsW¦nÂ…F\n¡v GXm-−p-d-¸m-Wv…” “F´n-\mWv A§s\ Nn´n-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶?”Abm-fpsS BImw£ I−v Nncn-¨p-sIm−v AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]d-ªp. “Nne-t¸mÄ F\n¡v A§s\ tXm¶pw. A§s\ kw`-hn-¨m AXv F\n¡pw AhÄ¡pw `b-¦-c-am-bn-cn-¡pw.” “F´m-bmepw Hcp s]¬Ip-«n¡v AXn `b-¦-c-am-bn-s«m¶pw D−m-In-Ã. hnhm-l-hm-KvZm\w FÃm s]®n\pw A`n-am-\-Icw Xs¶-bm-Wv.” “icn-bm-Wv, FÃm s]®p-§Ä¡pw. ]t£ AhÄ¡v A§-s\-bÃ.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]p©n-cn-¨p. temI-¯nse s]®p-§Ä apgp-h³ sehnsâ I®p-I-fn c−p hn`m-K-¡m-cm-sW¶v AbmÄ¡-dn-bmw. H¶mas¯ hn`mKw: Ah-sfm-gnsI asäÃm s]®p-§-fpw, am\p-jn-I-amb ZuÀ_ey-§-sf-Ãm-ap-Å, km[m-c-W-¡m-cmb s]®p-§Ä. c−m-as¯ hn`mKw: AhÄ am{Xw, ZuÀ_-ey-§-sfm-¶p-an-Ãm-¯, a\p-jy-Ip-e-s¯-¡m-sfÃmw DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶-Xv. sehn³ hnSm³ `mh-anÃ. “F\n-¡n-sXms¡ ]d-bm³ thdm-cp-an-Ã. ImgvN-¸mSp-I-fnepw A`n-cp-Nn-I-fnepw \½Ä Xptemw hyXy-kvX-cm-bncn-¡mw. F¦nepw \n§Ä¡v Ft¶mSv Icp-X D−v. AXp-sIm-−mWv \n§-tfmSv F\n-¡n{X CjvSw. ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v C¡m-cy-¯n Ft¶mSv kXyta ]d-bm-hq.” “Rm³ DÅXp ]dbmw: Fsâ `mcy C¡m-cy-¯n anSp-¡n-bm-Wv.” Hcp-thf AbmÄ ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-ap-XnÀ¯p. “AhÄ¡v C¡m-cy-§Ä ap³Iq-«n-¡mWm³ Ign-hp-−v. AhÄ¡p \ns¶ CjvS-hp-am-Wv. AhÄ ]d-bp¶p \n\¡p Inänsb `mcy-bmbn In«p-sa-¶v.” AXp tI«t¸mÄ sehnsâ apJw {]Im-i-am-\-am-bn. apJ¯p hncnª ]p©ncn I®o-tcm-f-sa-¯n. Cu hm¡p-IÄ F¶n FÃmw ad-¡p¶ kt´mjw \nd-bv¡p-¶p. ]t£ hnhm-ln-X-\mb \n§Ä¡p s]s«¶p a\-kn-em-Ipw... ]m]-§-fpsS Hcp `qXImew DÅ \½Ä \nÀ½ebpw \njvI-f-¦-bp-amb HcphfpsS ASp-¡Â; Bß-\nµ tXm¶pw.” “AXn\p \ap-s¡´p sN¿m\mhpw? temIw krjvSn-¨n-cn-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶ A§-s\-bm-Wv.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]d-ªp. Bizmkw Ft¸mgpw {]nb-¦-c-amb B {]mÀY\ am{X-am-Wv: ‘Fsâ ]m]¯nsâ hep-¸-a-\p-k-cn-¨Ã; At§ Icp-W-bpsS Bgw-sIm−v Ft¶mSp £an-¡-Wta.’ A¯c-¯n am{Xta AhÄs¡-t¶mSp £an-¡m³ Ign-bq.

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“\n§Ä¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb Adn-bmtam?” s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. “CÃ-tÃm, F´m?” Hcp Ip¸n-IqSn HmÀUÀ sNbvXn«v AhÀ kwkmcw XpSÀ¶p. “\n§-fpsS Hcp {][m\ i{Xp-hm-W-bmÄ”. “Bcm-W-bmÄ?” sehnsâ apJs¯ Ip«n¯w \ndª {]k-¶X tIm]¯n\p hgn-am-dn. “Incn sFh-t\m-hn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS aI-\m-W-bmÄ. AXo-h-k-¼-¶³, kpµ-c³, D¶X_Ô-§Ä, \à {]Ir-X-¡m-c-\pw. ]cn-jvIr-X\pw AXo--h_p²n-im-en-bp-am-W-bmÄ. Inän-tbmSv AbmÄ¡v ISp¯ {]W-b-hp-am-Wv. sehnsâ apJw a§n. \nt¡m-fm-bnsb ad-¶-Xn AbmÄ¡p kzbw \nµ tXm¶n. “F¦nepw km[y-X-IÄ \n§Ä¡-\p-Iq-e-am-sW¶mWv F\n¡p tXm¶p-¶Xv.” sehnsâ ssII-fn arZp-hmbn kv]Àin-¨p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. sehn³ Itk-c-bn ]nt¶m«p Nmªp. “F¦nepw F{Xbpw thKw CsXmcp XoÀ¸n-se-¯n-¡p-¶-XmWv \Ã-Xv.” ¥mkv \nd-¨p-sIm−v Ht»m³kvIn ]d-ªp. “C\n-sb-\n¡p th−. Rm³ ^näm-bn-t¸m-Ipw.” “Hcp hm¡p-Iq-Sn. Ct¶-Xm-bmepw \obn-¡mcyw kwkm-cn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-Ibmhpw \Ã-Xv. \msf cmhnse AhnSw hsc t]mbn FÃmw AXnsâ apdbv¡p Xs¶ A§p sN¿p¶-Xm-bn-cn¡pw \Ã-Xv. Fsâ Øe¯v \mbm-«n\p hcm\pÅ ]qXn Ct¸m-gp-apt−m? F¦n ASp¯ hk-´-¯n A§p t]msc.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. s̸m\p-ambn Cu hnjbw kwkm-cn-¡m³ tXm¶n-b-Xn Abm-Ä¡p ZpJw tXm¶n. Hcp {]W-b-i-{Xp-hn-s\-¡p-dn¨pÅ ]cm-aÀihpw s̸msâ D]TtZi§fpw Abmsf Akz-Ø-\m-¡n. sehnsâ Nn´-IÄ s̸m\v ]nSn-In-«n. “Rms\-´m-bmepw Hcn-¡Â hcp-¶p−v.... s]®p-§-fmWv FÃm-¯n-sâbpw tI{µ_n-µp. Fsâ Imcyw Ct¸mÄ henb IjvS-¯n-em-Wv. AXpw s]®p§Ä aqew.” Hcp ssI ¥mkn h¨p adp-ssI-sIm−v Hcp knK-cäv hen-s¨-Sp¯p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “\o F\n-s¡mcp D]-tZiw Xcq.” “Dw F´m? F´p-]än? “ “\o hnhm-ln-X-\m-sW¶p hnNm-cn-¡q, \n\¡p `mcysb henb CjvS-hp-amWv. ]t£ thsdmcp s]®n-t\mSv `b-¦c BIÀjWw tXm¶ps¶¶pw...”

“]t£ F\n-¡Xp a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. Cu A¯m-g-ap-s−-gp-t¶äbpS³ ASp¯ t_¡-dn-bn t]mbn Hcp sdm«n tamjvSn-¡m³ ]äp¶sX§s\sb¶p a\-kn-emIm-¯-Xp-t]mse Xs¶.” s̸msâ I®p-IÄ ]Xn-hn-ep-tasd Xnf-§n. “Dw. Nnet¸m Hcp sdm«n-¡-jWw hÃmsX sImXn-¸n-¨p-I-fbpw” CXp ]dªn«v s̸m³ c−p hcn IhnX sNmÃn, F¶n«v aµ-l-kn¨p. sehn\pw Nncn-b-S-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. “Xami AhnsS \n¡s«. B kv{Xo am[pcyw Xpfp-¼p-¶-h-fmWv; km[p, GI-bpw. FÃmw XyPn-¨-hÄ. Ahsf A{X \nkm-c-ambn Fdnªp If-bm³ km[n-¡ptam? C\n IpSpw-_-s¯-tbmÀ¯v Ahsf Dt]-£n-¡m³ Xocp-am-\n¨mepw lrZ-b-¯n BÀ{ZX tXm¶m-Xn-cn-¡ptam? AÂ]w Icp-W, kz´w Imen \n¡ms\mcp ssI klm-bw? “£an-¡-Ww. Fs¶ kw_-Ôn¨v kv{XoIsf c−mbn Xncn-¡mw… Ipdª ]£w… AÃ… DÅXp ]d-ªm kv{XoIfpw ]ns¶… ]ng-¨-h-scÃmw F\n-s¡m-cp-t]m-se-bm-Wv… ]pgp-¡Ä” “At¸mÄ aKvZ-te-\-bnse adn-btam? “AXp If. C{Xbpw Zpcp-]-tbm-Kn-¡-s¸-Sp-sa-¶-dn-ªn-cp-s¶¦n {InkvXp Hcp-]t£ B hm¡p-IÄ ]d-bp-Itb CÃm-bn-cp-¶p. kphn-ti-j-§Ä apgp-h\p-−m-bn«pw FÃm-hcpw HmÀ¯n-cn-¡p-¶Xv B c−p hcn-I-fm-Wv. Rms\sâ tXm¶Â ]d-sª¶p am{Xw. icn-bm-bn-s¡m-Å-W-sa-¶n-Ã. \n§Ä¡v F«pIm-en-Isf t]Sn-bmWv; F\n¡v Cu ]pgp-¡-sf-bpw. F«p-Im-en-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v \n§Ä Bg-¯n ]Tn-¨n-s«m-¶p-ap-−m-In-Ã, Ch-ä-I-sf-¡p-dn¨p Rm\pw.” “hkvXp-X-Isf \ntj-[n-¨n«p Imcy-an-Ã. Ct¸m-sg´m sN¿m³ ]äpI F¶p ]d-bq. `mcy¡p hb-km-bn, \n§Ä¡m-sW¦n \ndbuh-\hpw Dt·-j-hpw. F{X {ian-¨mepw Ahsf \n§Ä¡v DÅw Xpd¶p kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶nÃ, F{X aXn¸pw _lp-am-\hpw Ds−-¦n¡qSn. s]s«¶v FhnsS\n¶nÃmsX kvt\lw Dd-h s]m-«p-¶p. AXp \n§-fpsS A´y-am-Ip¶p…” s̸m³ a\kp XIÀ¶p ]d-ªp. sehnsâ Np−n t\cnb ]p©ncn hncn-ªp. “F´p sN-¿m³ ]äpw?” “sdm«n-¡-j-W-§Ä I¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-I.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v s]m«n-¨n-cn-¨p. “tl, [À½-{]-hm-NIm! c−p kv{XoIÄ. Hcp-hÄ kvt\lw Ah-Im-i-ambn tNmZn-¡p-¶hÄ, ]t£ AXp \ÂIm³ \n§Ä¡p Ign-bp-I-bnÃ; aä-hÄ \n§Ä¡mbn FÃmw XyPn-¡p-¶p. H¶pw Bh-iy-s¸-Sp-¶p-an-Ã. \n§-sf§s\ s]cp-am-d-Ww. `oXn-Z-amb Hcp Zpc-´-ap-−-XnÂ.”

sehn³ ¥mkv Imen-bm-¡n. AhÀ Hcp \nanjw \ni-_vZcmbncp-¶p.

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“AXn-semcp Zpc-´-hp-an-Ã. Fs¶ kw_-Ôn-¨n-S-t¯mfw kvt\lw, t¹täm ]dª c−n-teXp Xc-am-bm-epw, a\p-jysâ Af-hp-tIm-em-Wv. Nne a\pjyÀ¡v BZy-t¯Xp am{Xta Adnbq, aäp NneÀ¡v c−m-a-t¯Xp am{X-hpw. t¹täm-WnIv AÃmsX kvt\ln-¡p-¶hÀ¡v Zpc-´-s¯-¡p-dn¨p ]d-tb− Imcy-an-Ã, ImcWw AhnsS Zpc-´-§Ä CÃ-tÃm. ‘FÃm D]-Im-c-§Ä¡pw \µn’ A{X-X-s¶. t¹täm-WnIv kvt\l-¯n Zpc-´-ta-bn-Ã, ImcWw AhnsS FÃmw ]cn-ip-²-am-Wv, \nÀ½eam-Wv, Imc-Ww…” A{X-bp-sa-¯n-b-t¸m-tg¡v sehn³ kz´w ]m]-§Ä HmÀ¯p. “Hcp ]t£ \n§Ä ]d-bp-¶Xp icn-bm-bn-cn-¡mw. F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã, F\n-¡-dnbn-Ã.” “CXmWv \n§-fpsS iànbpw ZuÀ_-ey-hpw. \n§Ä¡v Nne hnizm-k-§fpw t_m[y-§-fp-am-Wv. PohnXw apgp-h\pw A§-s\-bm-I-W-sa¶v \n§Ä B{Kln-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw. AXp km[y-a-Ã-tÃm. Pohn-X-¯nsâ kuµ-cyw, sshhn[yw, amkva-cn-IX... CsXÃmw D−m-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv \ngepw shfn-¨hpw IqSnt¨À¶m-Wv. „ Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izmkw am{X-am-bn-cp¶p sehnsâ adp-]-Sn. AbmÄ kz´w Imcy-§Ä HmÀ¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ht»m³kvIn ]d-ªXp tI«tXbn-Ã. C{X ASp¯ kplr-¯p-¡-fm-bn-«pw, C{X kabw Hcpan¨p sNe-h-gn-¨n«pw Ah-\-hsâ Imcyw am{X-ambncp¶p a\-kn-se¶v Ccp-hcpw Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. _nÃp-sIm−ph-cm³ hnfn-¨p-]-dªv ASp¯ apdn-bnse ]cn-Nb - -¡m-c-sâ-bSp¯v kwkm-c-¯n apgp-In-bt¸mÄ s̸m\v Bizmkw tXm¶n. sehn-\pam-bpÅ kw`m-jWw Abmsf am\-kn-Ihpw Bßo-b-hp-ambn hÃmsX sRcp-¡n-bn-cp¶p. Xsâ hoXw _nÃp sImSp¯v sehn³ Xnc-¡n«v ho«n-te¡p t]mbn. C\n Hcp§n sjÀ-_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n-te-¡v. Imcy-§sfms¡ Cs¶mcp Xocp-am-\¯n-se-¯n-¡-Ww.

Ã. F¶m {]`zn¡v Abmsf A{X ]nSn-¨n-cp¶n-Ã. AbmÄ s]s«¶v A{]Xy-£-\m-b-t¸mÄ AhÀ¡p kt´m-j-am-bn. hvtdm¬kvInsb Is−-¯p-IIqSn sNbvX-tXmsS AhÀ AXym-Ëm-Z-¯n-em-bn. hvtdm¬kvIn s]mXp-th-Zn-I-fn ]c-ky-am-bn-¯s¶ Inän-bp-ambn ]p¶mcw ]d-ªp. ap¸Xp hÀjw ap³]v Xsâ hnhmlw F{X Ffp-¸-¯n-emWv Ign-ª-sX¶v {]`zn HmÀ¯p. aq¯ c−p s]¬a-¡-sfbpw hnhmlw Ign-¨-b-bv¡m³ t\c¯mWv Imcy-§Ä F{X _p²n-ap«msW¶v AhÀ Xncn-¨-dn-ª-Xv. Imew amdnt¸m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Inän-bpsS Imcy-am-b-t¸m-tg¡v amä-§Ä IqSp-X ITn-\-amWv. amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä FÃmw Xocp-am-\n¨p IeymWw \S-¯p¶ {^©v coXn¡v Ct¸mÄ A{X AwKo-Im-c-an-Ã. FÃmw Ip«n-I-fpsS CjvS-¯n\v hn«p-sIm-Sp¡p¶ Cw¥ojv coXnbpw A{X \S-¸m-bn-«nÃ. CS-¡mcpsS CS-s]-S hgn h[q-h-c³amsc Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p¶ djy³ coXntbmSv Bfp-IÄ¡n-t¸mÄ ]cnlm-k-amWv; {]`zn¡pw AXv H«pw CjvS-a-Ã. A`n-{]mbw tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ FÃm-hcpw CXmWv ]d-bp-¶-Xv: ‘Ct¸mÄ ]g-b-Xpt]m-sem-¶p-a-Ã; s]¬Ip-«n-IÄ Xs¶bmWv Bsc IeymWw Ign-¡-W-sas¶ms¡ Xocp-am-\n-¡p-¶Xv’. s]¬a-¡-fn-Ãm-¯hÀ¡v AsXms¡ ]d-bmw. hvtdm¬kvIn Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶Xp kz]v\w I−v kzØ-ambn Ign-bp-t¼m-gmWv sehnsâ Xncn-¨p-h-c-hv. AhÀ Akz-Ø-bm-bn. sehn-t\mSv Inän¡p ap³]p-−m-bn-cp¶ XmÂ]cyw ho−pw DW-cp-tam, Csæn t]mepw acym-Z-bpsS t]cn AhÄ Abmsf aXn-sb¶p hbv¡ptam Fs¶ms¡ {]`zn `b-s¸-«p. “C{X \mÄ AbmÄ ChnsS Fs´-Sp-¡p-I-bmWv?”AhÀ aItfmSp tNmZn¨p. “At±lw C¶p h¶-tXbpÅq At½.” “F\n-s¡mcp Imcyw ]d-bm-\p-−v…” A½-bpsS kzc-Kmw-`o-cy¯n \n¶p Xs¶ Inän¡p Imcyw ]nSn-In-«n. apJ-amsI Nph¶v A½bv¡p t\sc Xncnªv AhÄ ]dªp: “At½ H¶pw ]d-tb-−, th−, th− F\n-¡-sXÃmw And-bmw.” A½-bpsS CjvS§Ä Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ¡pw; ]t£ A½sb AXn\p t{]cn-¸n¨ Imcy-§Ä Ahsf thZ-\n-¸n-¨p. “shdpsX {]Xo-£-IÄ…” “At½, Zb-hmbn A¡m-cy-sam¶pw ]d-tb-−. AXp hey IjvS-am-Wv.” aIfpsS I®p-Ifn \oÀa-Wn-IÄ I−v AhÀ \nÀ¯n: “icn, Rms\m¶pw ]d-bp-¶n-Ã; ]t£ F¶n \n¶v H¶pw ad-¨p-h-bv¡nsöp \o ]d-ªXp ad-¡-cp-Xv.”

Inän

sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]`zn¡p hbkv ]Xn-s\-«m-Wv. ]pdw-tem-I¯v Ah-Ä c−p ktlm-Z-cn-am-sc-¡mfpw tim`n-¨p, A½ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xn-ep-ta-sd. tamkvtIm-bnse \r¯w Ign-ª-t¸mÄ Ahn-sSbp−mbn-cp¶ sNdp-¸-¡mscÃmw Ahsf tamln-¨p-I-gn-ªn-cp-¶p. c−p-t]À Kuc-h-ambn¯s¶ Ahsf hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ apt¶m-«p-h-¶p: sehn\pw AbmÄ t]mb DS³ Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p-hpw. Gsd-¡me¯n\p tijw sehns\ tamkvtIm-bn I−Xp apX Inän-bpsS amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä Ah-fpsS `mhn-b-¸än NÀ¨ XpS-§n-bn-cp-¶p. {]`p-hn\v sehns\¡pdn-¨-ÃmsX asäm-cmsf Inän¡p th−n Nn´n-¡m³ Xs¶ Ign-bn-

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34

Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fnse sXfn-a- I−v, B I®p-IÄ sIm−v AhÄ¡p Xt¶mSv IÅw ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-söpd¨v Ah-À Biz-kn-¨p.

sehn³ Ah-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n. Ah-fmsI Nqfn-t¸m-bn. “Rm³ ChnsS F{X Ime-ap-−m-Ip-sa¶v Adn-bnà F¶p ]d-ªntÃ…FÃmw \ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶Xv F¶v...” F´p adp-]Sn ]d-b-W-sa-¶-dn-bmsX Ah-fpsS inckp ho−pw ho−pw Ip\n-ªp. “\ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v... Fsâ `mcy-bm-Imtam F¶v!” F´mWp ]d-bp-¶-sX¶dn-bm-sXbmsW¦nepw AXp ]dªp ]qÀ¯nbm-¡nb-t¸mÄ `oIcamb `mKw Ign-ªp-In-«nb Bizm-k-t¯msS AbmÄ \nÀ¯n, Ahsf t\m¡n... Ah-fpsS izmkw Xo{h-K-Xn-bn-em-bn; Bßmhn B\µw Xpfp-¼n. ]t£ AXv Hcp \nan-jta \o−p-Åq. AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb HmÀ¯p. I®p-I-fpbÀ¯n thK¯n ]d-ªp-XoÀ¯p. “Ft¶mSp £an¡q, AXp \S-¡n-Ã.” Hcp \nanjw ap³]p hsc Abm-fpsS Pohn-X-¯n\v F{X ASp-¯m-bn-cp¶p AhÄ, F{X {][m-\-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ F{Xtbm AI-se-bmWv! “AXmbn-cp¶p hn[n” Ahsf t\m¡msX C{Xbpw ]d-ªn«v t]mIm-s\m-cp§p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ.

A¯mgw

Ign-ª-t¸mÄ apX Inän-bpsS a\kv bp²-¯n-s\m-cp-§p¶ tbm²m-hn-tâ-Xp-t]m-se-bm-bn-cp-¶p. sehn-\p-am-bpÅ Ignª Ime-_-Ô-§-fpsS HmÀa Ah-fpsS a\-kn BÀ{ZX \nd-¨p. acn-¨p-t]mb ktlm-Z-c-\p-am-bpÅ Abm-fpsS kulrZw Ah-cpsS _Ô-¯n\pw Hcp Imhy-Nm-cpX \ÂIp-¶-Xp-t]mse AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨p Nn´n-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶ AhÄ¡p kt´mjw \ÂIn. F¶m hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸-än-bpÅ Nn´-IÄ Ah-fpsS a\-kn Ft´m Nne A\u-Nn-Xy-§-fmWv \nd-¨Xv. Ft´m Nne A]m-I-X-IÄ DÅ-Xp-t]mse... At±-l-¯n-\-Ã, At±lw XnIª am\y-\mWv; kz´w A]m-I-X-IfmWh. ]t£ sehn-t\m-sSm-¸-am-Ipt¼mÄ FÃmw efn-Xhpw ip²-hp-am-Ip¶p. F¶m hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm-¸-apÅ `mhn-Imew Btem-Nn-¡p-t¼mÄ sXfnabpw kt´m-j-hp-amWv ImWp-¶Xv; sehn-t\m-sSm¸w `mhn aªp-aq-Sn-b-Xpt]mse ImW-s¸-«p. Gg-c-bm-Ip-¶-tXbpÅq. AhÄ kzoI-c-W-ap-dn-bn-en-cn-¡pt¼mÄ sehn³ h¶-Xmbn the-¡m-c³ Adn-bn-¨p. {]`phpw {]`znbpw Xmtg-s¡-¯n-bn-«n-Ã. Ah-fmsI hnf-dn-t¸m-bn. càw apgph³ lrZ-b-¯n-te-¡n-c¨p Ib-dp-¶-Xpt]mse. Xs¶ Häbv¡p I−v hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯m³ h¶n-cn-¡p-I-bmWv sehn³ F¶v AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. At¸m-gmWv BZy-ambn AhÄ Imcy§sf Hcp ]pXnb shfn-¨-¯n ImWp-¶-Xv. Bsc-bmWv CjvSw, BcpsS IqsS-bpÅ Pohn-X-amWv kt´mjw XcpI XpS§nb tNmZy-§Ä Xs¶ am{Xaà _m[n-¡p-¶sX¶v Ah-Ä At¸m-fmtWmÀ¯-Xv. AhÄ CjvS-s¸-Sp¶ Hcmsf thZ-\n-¸n-t¡-−n-h-cp¶ \nanjw h¶-W-bp-¶p. AXpw Ahsf kvt\ln-¨-Xnsâ t]cnÂ. ]t£ aäp amÀK-anÃ. “ssZh-ta, Rms\-´mWv ]d-tb-−Xv? At±-ls¯ CjvS-an-SãansÃt¶m? AXp IÅ-atÃ? ]ns¶, asäm-cmsf kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-sht¶m? AXpw ]än-Ã. Rm³ Fhn-tSbvs¡¦nepw t]mIp-I-bm-Wv…” hmXn¡-temfw F¯n-b-t¸mÄ sehnsâ Ime-Sn-i_vZw tI«p. “AsÃ-¦n-se-´n-\mWp `b-¡p-¶-Xv. hcm-\p-ÅXv ht¶ Xocq. Rm³ kXyw ]d-bpw.” “A½ Ct¸m hcpw. Ah-cn-¶se hÃmsX £oWn-¨n-cp¶p…” Inän ]d-ªp.

s]sǦv

{]`zn Ahn-tS¡p IS-¶p-h-¶p. Ccp-h-scbpw Hcp-an¨p I−v, apJ§-fnse Akz-ØX I−v, Ah-cpsS apJ¯v Hcp `oXn ]c-¶p. Hcp \nan-jw. “ssZhta \µn, AhÄ Ah-t\mSv ]än-söp ]d-ª-tÃm.” shfn-]mSv t]mse Ah-cpsS DÅw ]d-ªp. apJ¯v hymgmgvN hncp-¶pImsc kzoI-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ ]Xn-hpÅ ]p©ncn ]SÀ¶p. {]`znbpw H¸-an-cp¶v sehn-t\mSv hnti-j-§-sfms¡ tNmZn-¨p. AXn-Yn-IÄ Hmtcm-cp-¯p-cmbn h¶p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. AXn-sem-cmsf I−t¸mÄ AXp hvtdm¬kvIn-bm-sW¶v sehn\p tXm¶n. Inän-bpsS I®pI-fnse Xnf¡w I−-t¸mÄ ‘CXmWv Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶-bmÄ’ F¶p ]dbp-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n. sehn³ Abm-sf-¯s¶ {i²n-¨p-sIm-−p-\n-¶p. Xs¶ ]cm-P-b-s¸-Sp-¯nb {]Xn-tbm-Kn-bpsS Xn·-IÄ am{Xw NnI-sª-Sp-¡m³ {ian-¡p¶ Nne-cp-−v. Xsâ ta hnPbw hcn-¡m³ {]Xn-tbm-Knsb {]m]vX\m¡nb \·-IÄ F´mWv F¶p Xnc-bp¶ c−m-a-s¯-¡q-«-cpsS KW-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p sehn³. Hä t\m«¯n Xs¶ BIÀj-I-\m-bn-cp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn. anX-amb Db-cw, Ccp− \ndw, im´-hpw ZrV-amb apJw. Abm-fpsS cq]hpw `mhhpw BsI-¸msS efn-X-sa-¦nepw AXyp{Kw F¶p ]d-bm-hp¶ Xc-¯n-embn-cp-¶p.

35

36

IS-¶p-h¶ h\n-X-Ibv¡p hgn-sIm-Sp-¯n«v AbmÄ {]`zn-sbbpw ]n¶oSv Inänsbbpw sN¶p hW§n. FÃm-h-tcmSpw D]-Nm-c-§Ä ]dªv AbmÄ Ccp-¶p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ {]`zn sehn-s\bpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw ]c-kv]cw ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n. hvtdm¬kvIn Fgp-t¶äv sehn\p ssI sImSp-¯p. {Kma-Po-hn-X-¯nsâ ck-ssh-c-ky-§fpw `qXt{]-Xm-Zn-I-fpt−m CÃtbm F¶p-Å-Xp-sams¡ Ah-cpsS kwkm-c-¯n\p hnj-b-am-bn. sehn-\p-ambn Ft¸mgpw iWvT IqSp¶ t\mÀUv̬ {]`zn-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp¶p AhnsS. sehn³ ]e-t¸mgpw ]cn-lm-ky-\m-bn. hvtdm¬kvIn im´-Kw-`o-c-\mbn bpàn-k-l-ambn {]k-¶-\mbn FÃm-h-tcmSpw CS-s]-«p. Inän-bpsS I®p-I-fn sehn-t\m-SpÅ kvt\lhpw kl-Xm-]-hp-ap-−m-bn-cp¶p. “Ign-bp-sa-¦n Ft¶mSp £an-¡q. GXm-bmepw Rm\nt¸mÄ k´p-jvSbm-Wv.” F¶p ]d-bp¶ amXn-cn-bm-bn-cp¶p Ah-fpsS I®p-IÄ “F\n-¡h-sc-sbÃmw shdp-¸m-Wv, \ns¶-bpw, Fs¶-¯-s¶bpw”, Abm-fpsS I®p-IÄ {]Xn-h-Nn-¨p. aäp-Å-h-scÃmwIqSn Hcp Ifn¡p h«w-Iq-«p-t¼mÄ sehn³ AhnsS-\n¶v c£s]-Sm³ Cd-§n. At¸m-gp−v {]`p IS-¶p-h-cp-¶p. At±lw sehns\ Benw-K\w sNbvXv hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv At±-l-¯nsâ s]cp-amäw XWp¸-\m-bn-cp-¶p. Inän¡v Akz-ØX tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvIn Xncnªv t\mÀUv̬ {]`zn-tbmSv ASp-¯-bm-gvNs¯ \r¯]-cn-]m-Sn-sb-¡p-dn¨p ]d-ªp. F¶n«v Inän-tbmSv A¶p \nÝb-ambpw hcpatÃm Atà F¶m-cm-ªp. At¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ ]p©n-cn-bm-bn-cp¶p aS§pt¼mÄ sehnsâ a\kp \nd-sb.

Inänsb sehn³ hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p {]`p-hn\v CjvSw. hvtdm¬kvInsb hncp-¶n\p £Wn-¨-Xn\pw Abm-fp-ambn Inän-bpsS _Ô¯n\p hgn-h-¨-Xn\pw At±lw `mcysb A[n-t£-]n-¨p. “CXp \½Ä Inän¡p Zpc´w hnfn-¨p-h-cp-¯p-I-bmWv.” {]`p ]d-ªp. “F´m-Wnt¸m A§s\ tXm¶m³ ImcWw?” “tXm¶-e-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bmw. A¯cw Imcy-§Ä ImWm³ R§Ä¡p I®p−v, s]®p-§Ä¡n-sænepw. Kuc-h-t¯msS kvt\ln-¡p-¶-h-s\bpw t\ct¼m-¡n\p \S-¡p-¶-h-s\bpw I−m-se-\n-¡-dn-bmw.” “\n§-fpsS Xe-bn Hmtcm¶p tXm¶n-¯p-S-§n-bm ]ns¶…” “\o Fsâ hm¡p-IÄ HmÀan-¡pw, ]t£ At¸m-tg¡p sshIn-t¸m-bn-cn-¡pw, tUmfn-bpsS Imcy-¯n ]än-b-Xp-t]m-se.” “th−, AsXm¶pw ]d-tb−”, \nÀ`mKy-h-Xn-bmb B aI-sf-tbmÀ¯v {]`zn kwkmcw \nÀ¯n, AhÀ ]c-kv]cw Npw_\w sIm−p ip`-cm{Xn t\À¶v InS-¡m³ t]mbn. ]t£ At¸mgpw kz´w \ne-]m-SmWv icn-sb¶v Ccphcpw Icp-Xn. hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸-än-bpÅ \à Nn´-IÄ {]`zn-bpsS a\-kn\v kzØX \ÂIn-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ `À¯m-hnsâ hm¡p-IÄ Ah-cn Akz-ØX \nd¨p. `mhn-sb-¸-än-bpsS Bi-¦-I-tfmsS Ahcpw Inän-sb-t¸mse {]mÀYn-¨psIm-−mWv Dd-§m³ InS-¶Xv: “IÀ¯mth I\n-b-W-ta, IÀ¯mth I\n-bW-ta, IÀ¯mth I\n-b-W-ta…”

A¶p

cm{Xn Dd-§m³ InS-¡pt¼mÄ Inän-bpsS a\kv sehns\ HmÀ¯v Akz-Ø-am-bn-. ]ns¶ AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb HmÀ¯p; Akz-Ø-X-I-fS§n a\kn kt´mjw \nd-ªp. sehnsâ kvt\lw A\p-`-hn-¨-Xn-\mtWm AtXm Abmsf \nc-kn-¨-Xn\mtWm Ct¸mÄ Ipä-t_m-[-sa¶v AhÄ¡p \nÝbanÃ. Ah-fpsS kt´mj-¯nsâ ASn-bn Bi-¦-I-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. “ssZhta R§-fpsS ta Icp-W-bp-−m-I-W-ta, ssZhta R§-fpsS ta Icp-W-bp-−m-I-Wta” F¶p sNmÃn-s¡m-−mWv AhÄ Dd-§n-b-Xv. Cu kabw {]`phpw {]`znbpw X½n aIsfs¨mÃn D{K³ iWvT \S-¡p-Ibm-bn-cp-¶p.

hvtdm¬kvIn¡v

Hcp \à IpSpw-_-Po-hnXw D−m-bn-«n-Ã. hnhm-l-Im-e¯pw ]n¶oSpw Ip{]-kn-²-amb At\Iw {]W-b-_-Ô-§Ä D−m-bn-cp¶ skmsskän teUn-bm-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS A½. A¸s\ AbmÄ¡v HmÀatb-bn-Ã. hfsc sNdp-¸-¯nte ]«m-f-¯n DbÀ¶ DtZymKw In«n AbmÄ ]otägvkv_Àknse k¼-¶-cmb ]«m-f-¡m-cpsS hr¯-¯n F¯n-s¸-«p. Ahn-Sps¯ ]cp-¡³ Pohn-X-¯n\p tijw tamkvtIm-bn-se-¯n-b-t¸m-gmWv Xsâ Xs¶ \ne-hm-c-¯n-epÅ \njvI-f-¦-bmb Hcp a[p-c-¸-Xn-s\-«p-Im-cnbpsS kvt\l-¯nsâ DujvafX AbmÄ A\p-`-hn-¡p-¶-Xv. \r¯-]-cn-]m-Sn-I-fn AbmÄ Ft¸mgpw Ah-tfm-sSm¸w \r¯-am-Sn. AhfpsS ho«n CS-bv¡nsS t]mbn. aäm-tcmSpw ]d-bm-hp¶ Imcy-§tf AbmÄ Ah-tfmSpw ]d-ªp-Åq, F¦nepw X§Ä¡n-Sn-bnse _Ôw hf-cp¶Xv Abm-f-dn-ªp. AX-bmÄ IqSp-X IqSp-X CjvS-s¸-«p. F¶m Inän-bpsS amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä ]dª Imcy-§tfm Ah-fpsS DÅn-encnt¸m Adn-ªm AbmÄ AÛpX]cX{´\m-bn-t¸m-tb-s\. AhÀ Xs¶

37 ]d-ªmepw AbmÄ AXp hniz-kn-¡n-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. hnhm-l-sa¶ Hcp Nn´ t]mepw Abm-fpsS a\-kn IS-¶n-cp-¶n-Ã. IpSpw-_-Po-hnXw AbmÄ¡n-jvSan-söp am{X-a-Ã, IpSpw-_hpw `À¯mhpØm\-hp-sams¡ Abm-fpÄs¸Sp¶ Ahn-hm-ln-X-cpsS hrµw A]-lm-ky-am-bmWv Icp-Xn-bn-cp-¶-Xv. F¦nepw X§Ä¡n-S-bn hf-cp¶ Bßo-bmw-i-apÅ _Ôw Abm-f-dn-bp¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Fs´-¦nepw sNbvtX ]äq. ]t£ AsX-´m-sW¶v AbmÄ¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. cm{Xn C\n-sb´p t\c-t¼m-¡mWp th−sX¶mtem-Nn-¨v, sjÀ_väv-kvI-bbn \n¶p In«nb \nÀhr-Xn¡p ta C\n-sbm¶pw ths−-¶p-d-¸n¨v AbmÄ tlm«Â apdn-bn-se¯n `£Ww Ign-¨p, Xe-bn-W-bn apJ-aaÀ¯nbtX HmÀa-bp-Åq, Dd-§n-t¸mbn.

]ntä¶v cmhnse ]Xn-s\m-¶m-b-t¸m-tg¡v hvtdm¬kvIn A½sb Iq«m³ dbnÂth tÌj-\n-te¡p t]mbn. AtX s{Sbn-\n hcp¶ ktlm-Z-cnsb Iq«m-s\-¯nb Ht»m³kvInsbbmWv tÌj-\n BZyta I−-Xv. A¶-sb-¡q-«m-\mWv Xm³ h¶-sX¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ Ahsf Xm\dn-bpsa¶p tXm¶p-s¶-¶p ]dªp hvtdm¬kvIn. Ah-fpsS `À¯mhv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨s\ \¶mbn Adn-bpw. AbmÄ {]i-kvX-\m-Wv. “At±lw _p²n-am-\m-Wv, ]Tn-¸p-Å-h-\m-Wv, hnizm-kn-bm-Wv… ]t£ Ft´m... AsXm-¶p-aà Fsâ-sbmcp sse³.” “bmYm-Øn-X-I-\msW¦nepw Fsâ Afn-b³ hfsc \Ã-h\pw anSp-¡-\p-amWv.” ]ns¶- AhÀ sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¨p; Abm-fpsS s]cp-am-ä¯nse A]m-I-X-IÄ, AXnsâ ]n¶nse Imc-W-§Ä ..sehn\v Inän-tbm-SpÅ A`n\n-thiw AbmÄ shfn-s¸-Sp-¯n.. Hs¡ ]d-bp-t¼mÄ Xte¶p X\n¡v sehn-t\mSv tXm¶nb A\p-`mhw Ct¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-Sm-sW¶v tXm¶n s̸m\v. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Abm-f-dn-bm-sXXs¶ Hcp tPXm-hnsâ `mhw h¶p. “hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn B Iw]mÀSvsaân-ep−v”, KmÀUv Abmsf Adn-bn-¨p. AbmÄ¡v Ah-tcmSv kvt\l-sam¶pw D−m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. kaq-l-¯nsâ CÑIÄ¡p tNÀ¶ hn[w amXr-`-ànbpw hnt[-b-Xzhpw Hs¡ {]I-Sn-¸n¨ncps¶¶p am{Xw.

38

KmÀUn-s\m¸w

h−n-bpsSbSpt¯¡p \S¶ hvtdm¬kvIn ]pd-t¯-¡n-d§p¶ Hcp kv{Xo¡p hgn-am-dn-s¡m-Sp-¯p. Hä-t\m-«-¯n Xs¶ AhÄ Ipeo-\-bmsW¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. Ah-cpsS I®p-I-fn-S-ªp. Ah-fpsS Xnf-§p¶ I®p-I-fpsSbpw Np−nsâ tImWn ]Xp-§n-bn-cp¶ ]p©n-cn-bp-sSbpw a[y-¯n AS-¡n-h¨ PnÚmk AbmÄ hmbn-s¨-Sp¯p. AS¡n-h-bv¡m-\pÅ Ah-fpsS t_m[-]qÀh-amb {ia-§sf adn-I-S¶v AX-bmÄ¡p shfn-s¸-«p. “\nsâ ktlm-Z-cs\ It−m Ip«o?” hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn Hcp kv{XotbmSv tNmZn-¨p. AbmÄ ap³]p I− kv{Xo Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p AXv. AhÄ s̸msâ ktlm-Zcn A¶-bm-sW¶v hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. “\n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ Chn-sSbp−mbn-cp-¶p. F\n¡p \n§sf s]s«¶p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. hfsc t\cnb ]cn-N-b-atà \½Ä X½n-epÅq. Fs¶ HmÀan¡p-¶n-ÃtÃm AtÃ? “Rm\pw Xm¦-fpsS A½bpw hgn \osf Xm¦-sf-¸-än-¯-s¶-bm-bn-cp¶p kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶-Xv.” hvtdm¬kvIn ¹mävt^m-an-en-d-§n-\n¶v Ht»m³kvInsb \o«n-hn-fn-¨p. ktlmZ-c³ hcp-¶-Xp-I−v A¶ HmSn-s¨¶v Igp-¯n-eqsS CSw-ssI-bn«v sI«n¸n-Sn¨v Npw_n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn aIt\mSv A¶sb kvXpXn-¨p-]-d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. Ah-tcmSv bm{X ]d-bm-\mbn aZmw Itc-\n\ h−n-¡p-Ån Ib-dn. “\n§Ä¡p aIs\ In«n; F\n¡p tkml-Z-c-s\bpw. Fsâ hnSp-hm-¡p-IsfÃmw ]d-ªp-Xo-cp-Ibpw sNbvXp.” “Cu temIw apgp-h³ Npän-k-©-cn-¨mepw \o IqsS-bp-s−-¦n F\n-s¡mcp aSp¸pw tXm¶n-Ã. aIs\ ]ncn-ª-tXmÀ¯v hnj-an-¡msX ss[cy-ambn sNÃv”. I®p-I-fn \nd-Nn-cn-bp-ambn A¶ \n¶p. {]`zn aI\p hni-Zo-I-cn-¨p-sImSp¯p: “A¶bv¡v F«p hb-kpÅ Hcp aI\p−v. BZy-am-bmWv Ahs\ ]ncnªp \n¡p¶-Xv.” “s{Sbn-\n Rm\pw Xm¦-fpsS A½bpw \nÀ¯msX hÀ¯am\w ]d-bp-I-bmbn-cp-¶p. AhÀ Ah-cpsS aIs\¡p-dn¨pw Rm³ Fsâ aIs\¡p-dn-¨pw.” ]cn-em-f-\-bpsS kpJ-apÅ Hcp ]p©ncn AbmÄ¡mbn hncn-ªp. “\n§Ä t_md-Sn¨p kln-sI«n«p-−m-Ipw,” Ah-sf-dnª irwKmc¯ns\m¯v Abmfpw {]Xn-I-cn-¨p. GXm-bmepw AXp XpS-cmsX AhÄ {]`zn-tbmSv bm{X ]d-ªp.

39

40

“t]mbv hcq aItf, Rm³ \n\-s¡mcp Npw_\w Xc-s«. Cu {]mb-¯n DÅXv AtX-]Sn ]d-bp-¶-XmWv Fsâ coXn: \o Fsâ lrZbw IhÀ¶p-I-fªp.” tXªp]-g-Inb {]tbm-K-am-bn«pw B kvXpXn AhÄ¡n-jvS-s¸-«p. AhÄ Ip\nªv Ihn-fp-Ifn Ah-cpsS Npw_\w Gäp-hm-§n. F¶n«v I®pIÄ¡pw Np−p-IÄ¡p-an-S-bn AtX ]p©n-cn-tbmsS hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ssIsIm-Sp-¯p. B sIm¨p-ssI-I-fn AbmÄ AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn¨p; Xsâ ssIIÄ _e-ambn ]nSn¨p Ipep-¡nb AhfpsS kzmX-{´yhpw Dt·-j-hpw AbmÄs¡mcp {]tXyI kt´mjw \ÂIn. AhÄ \S-¶p-t]m-bt¸mÄ {]`zn ]dªp: “Fs´m-cmIÀj-IXzw” aI\pw AXp-Xs¶ Nn´n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-tfm-Sn-s¨¶v ktlm-Z-csâ ssIIfn tImÀ¯p]nSn¨v sNhn-bn Ft´m a{´n-¡p-¶Xv P\-en-eqsS AbmÄ I−p. AXp Xs¶-¡p-dn-¨m-h-\n-S-bn-ÃtÃm Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ AbmÄ AkzØ-\m-bn. AhÀ ]pd¯p IS-¶-t¸m-tg¡v Bfp-IÄ thZ\ \ndª apJ-hp-ambn Ft§mt«m HmSp-¶p. tÌj³am-Ì-dpw. kv{XoIÄ c−p-t]cpw h−n-¡p-Ån-te¡p aS§n; hvtdm¬kvInbpw s̸m\pw F´mWp kw`-hn-¨-sX¶dn-bm³ BÄ¡q-«-t¯m-sSm¸w IqSn. H¶p-In aZy-]n-¨n-«v, AsÃ-¦n I\¯ aªp-aq-e-am-Imw, Hcp KmÀUv h−nh-cp-¶-X-dn-ªn-Ã. AbmÄ h−n-¡-Sn-bn s]«p acn-¨p. c−p t]cpw PUw Is−-¦nepw Ht»m³kvInbmWv hÃmsX Akz-Ø-\m-bXv. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJ¯v Kuc-h-ap-−v, F¦nepw At±lw im´-\m-bncp-¶p. “Abm-fpsS `mcy PU-¯n hoWp s]m«n-¡-c-bp-¶p. hen-sbmcp IpSpw-_¯n\v AbmÄ am{X-am-bn-cp¶p B{i-b-sa¶v Btcm ]d-bp-¶Xp tI«p.” “AhÄ¡p th−n Fs´-¦nepw sN¿mam-bn-cp-¶p.” A¶ Akz-Ø-bmbn ]ndp-]n-dp-¯p. hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf H¶p t\m¡n, h−n-bn \n¶p Xncn-¨n-d-§n, “Ct¸m hcmw” F¶p ]dªv \S-¶p-t]mbn. GXm\pw \nanjw Ignªv AbmÄ h¶-t¸m-tg¡v s̸m³ {]`zn-bp-ambn kwkmcw XpS-§n-bn-cp-¶p. “\ap¡p t]mImw.” hvtdm¬kvInbpw A½bpw ap¶nepw A¶ ktlm-Z-cs\m¸w ]n¶n-ep-ambn AhÀ \S¶p \o§p-t¼mÄ tÌj³am-ÌÀ HmSn-sb¯n hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSp tNmZn¨p: “\n§Ä sImSp-t¯Â]n¨ Ccp-\qdp dq_nÄ BÀ¡m-sW¶p ]d-ªn-Ãt- Ãm.” “B hn[-hbv¡v.”

“\n§-fn-Xn-\n-Sbv¡v AXp sImSpt¯m?” Ht»m³kvIn AXn-i-bw-sIm-−p. ktlm-Z-cn-bpsS ssII-fn AaÀ¯n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]dªp: “\¶m-bn, Abm-sfmcp Kw`oc a\p-jy³ Xs¶ AtÃ?” h−n-bn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ AhfpsS Np−p-IÄ hnd-bv¡p-¶Xv s̸m³ I−p. “F´p-]än A¶m?” “CsXmcp ZpÀ\n-an-¯-am-Wv.” “Akw-_Ôw ]d-bm-sX. \nsâ hc-hn {]Xo£bÀ¸n¨mWv Rm\n-cn-¡p-¶Xv. \o h¶XpXs¶ ip`-e-£-W-am-Wv.” “\n§Ä¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb Gsd \mfmbn Adn-bmtam?” “Dw... AbmÄ Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡m-\p-Å-bm-fm-Wv.” “C\n \n§-fpsS {]iv\-§Ä ]d-bp. I¯p In«nb DS³ t]m¶-XmWv Rm³.” “\n¶n-emWv Fsâ {]Xo£ apgp-h³.” Ahsf Xmsg-bn-d-§m³ klm-bn-¨n«v AbmÄ Hcp \nizm-k-t¯msS ssIIfn AaÀ¯n. F¶n«v Hm^n-kn-te¡p t]mbn.

\n§-fpsS

ktlm-Zcn h¶m-ep-ansænepw F\n-s¡m-¶p-anà Fs¶ms¡ Xte¶p s̸mt\mSv ]d-ªn-cp-s¶-¦nepw tUmfn FÃm-sam-cp¡n A¶sb Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. kvt\l-t¯m-sS Xs¶. "-CsXm¶pw A¶-bpsS Ipg-¸-a-Ã-tÃm. AsÃ-¦nepw Ah-sf-t¸mgpw Ft¶mSv kvt\lhpw hmÂk-ey-hpta Im«n-bn-«pÅq." ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse Ah-cpsS hoSpw A´-co-£hpw tUmfn¡v Xosc CjvS-s¸-«n-cp-¶n-Ã, FÃm-¯nepw Ft´m Ir{X-aXzw \nd-ªp-\n¡p¶p. F¦nepw ChnsS Ahsf \à \nebn Xs¶ kzoI-cn-¡-Ww. Ah-sfs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¡m-Xn-cp¶m am{Xw aXn. kz´w ZpJ-s¯-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ AhÄ CjvS-s¸-«nÃ; B ZpJw DÅnepÅt¸mÄ asäm-¶n-s\-¡p-dn¨pw kwkm-cn-¡m³ AhÄ¡m-hp-I-bp-an-Ã. F¶mepw F§-s\-sb-¦nepw A¶-tbmSv FÃmw ]d-b-W-sa¶v AhÄ Dd-¸n¨p. FÃmw Xpd¶p ]d-bm³ ]äp-a-tÃm-sb-t¶mÀ¯pÅ kt´m-jhpw, kz´w \mWt¡Sp-IÄ hnfn-¨p-]-d-ªn«v Bizm-kn¸n-¡-en-sâbpw D]tZi§fp-sSbpw sdUn-sabvUv hmN-I-§Ä tIÄt¡n-h-cp-a-tÃm-sbt¶mÀ¯v tZjyhpw amdn-amdn DZn-¨p-sIm-n-cp-¶p. A¶sb AhÄ Benw-K\w sNbvXv FXn-tc-äp. "Cs§-¯ntbm!" -F¶v AÛp-X-s¸-«p-sIm−-v. A¶ FÃmw Adn-ªn-«p-tm-sb¶v Ah-fpsS apJ¯p \n¶p hmbn-s¨-Sp-¡m³ {ian¨p tUmfn.

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42

{Knj Ahn-sSbpmbn-cp¶p; Xm\ybpw DS-s\-¯n. Ahsc Xtem-Snbpw D½h¨p emfn-¨n«v A¶ asä-Ãm-h-cp-sSbpw hnti-j-§Ä Xnc-¡n. t]cp ]dªv At\z-jn-¡pI am{X-aÃ; Hmtcm-cp-¯-cp-sSbpw B−pw amkhpw \mfpw {]IrXhpw hnIr-Xn-Ifpw tcmK-§-fp-sams¡ HmÀ¯v At\z-jn-¨p. tUmfn¡v BZchp tXm¶n. Ip«n-I-sf-sbms¡ I− tijw Ah-cn-cp-hcpw X\nsb kzoI-cW - -ap-dn-bn Im¸n-bp-ambn Ccp-¶p. "tUmfo, At±lw Ft¶mSv ]d-ªp.’ tUmfn Ahsf ac-hn-t¸msS t\m¡n. kl-Xm-]-sam-gp-¡p¶ ]c-¼-cm-KX hmN-I-§Ä¡mbn Im¯n-cp-¶p. "tUmfo, A-t±-l-¯n\p th−n \nt¶mSp hmZn-¡mt\m \ns¶ Biz-kn-¸n¡mt\m Rm³ {ian-¡p-¶n-Ã; AXn-sem¶pw AÀY-an-sÃs¶\n¡-dn-bmw. \nsâ Imcy-¯n F\n¡v icn-¡pw k¦-S-ap-−v.’ Ah-fpsS I\¯ I¬t]m-f-IÄ¡p Xmsg I®o-cnsâ Xnf-¡w. A¶ \m¯qsâ ASp-t¯¡p \o§n-bn-cp¶v Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ kz´w ssII-fn-se-Sp-¯p. tUmfn ssI hen-¨nÃ; ]t£ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ ac-hn-¸n\p amä-sam-¶p-ap-m-bn-Ã. "Fs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡p km[y-a-Ã. Cu kw`-h-§-tfmsS FÃmw Ah-km\n¨p!" CXp ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª-t¸m-tg¡v Ah-fpsS apJ-sam-¶-b-ªp. tUmfn-bpsS t\À¯ ssIIÄ DbÀ¯n Npw_n-¨n«v A¶ ]dªp: "]t£ tUmfo F´m sNbvI? \ap-s¡´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw? C¯-c-samcp hnj-a-k-Ôn-bn F§s\ s]cp-am-dp-I-bmWv Gä-hp-ap-NnXw… AXp-thWw \½Ä Nn´n-¡m³.’ "FÃmw Ign-ªp, C\n H¶pw _m¡n-bn-Ã. Abmsf Dt]-£n-¡m\pw h¿, Ip«n-Isf HmÀ¡-t−, AXmtWähpw henb Zpcn-Xw. Rm³ _Ô-\-Ø-bmWv. Abm-fpsS-sbm¸w Pohn-¡m\pw h¿, Abmsf ImWp-¶tX F\n¡p ]oUbmWv. tUmfo, tamtf, Ft¶mSv At±lw Imcy-§-sfms¡ ]d-ªn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw \nsâ hmbnÂ\n¶v F\n-¡Xp tIÄ¡Ww. ]d-bq.’ tUmfn Ahsf tNmZy-`m-h-¯n t\m¡n. "icn, Rms\Ãmw BZyw apX ]d-bmw. Fsâ Ieym-W-sa-§-s\-bm-bn-cps¶¶v \n\-¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm. A½ F\n¡p \ÂInb hnZym-`ymkw sIm−v Rm³ \njvI-f-¦-bm-bn-cp-¶p, Hcp s]m«n-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp-]t£ \o hniz-knt¨-¡n-Ã, ]t£ Ct¸mÄ hsc Rm³ hniz-kn-¨n-cp-¶Xv Ìnhm-bpsS" AhÄ Xncp-¯n, "s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨nsâ Pohn-X-¯nse Htc-sbmcp kv{Xo Rm\m-sW¶mWv. Ahn-iz-kvX-X, A§-s\-sbm¶v F\n¡p Nn´n-¡mt\

Ign-bp-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. A§-s\-bn-cns¡ `oIchpw \nµy-hp-am-b-sXÃmw IqSn s]s«-¶v…’ tX§eS¡ns¡mv AhÄ ]d-ªp, "Hcp I¯v,… Abm-fpsS Imap-In-¡v, Fsâ ]cn-Nm-cn-Ibv¡v, Hc-_-²-am-sW¦n F\n¡p a\-kn-em¡mw. CXv… Adn-ªp-sIm−v NXn-¡p-I… Htc kabw Ah-fp-sSbpw Fsâbpw `À¯m-hm-bn-cn-¡p-I… "F\n-¡-Xp a\kn-emIpw tUmfo" A¶ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn kvt\lt¯msS AaÀ¯n. "Fsâ thZ-\-bpsS Bgw At±lw a\-kn-em¡-p-s¶¶p \n\¡p tXm¶p¶pt−m A¶m?, H«p-anÃ; At±lw Ft¸mgpw k´p-jvS-\mbn kz´w Imcyw t\m¡n \S-¡-¶p. "icn¡pw A§-s\-sb-¶p-aà Ip«o, A¶ ]d-ªp. "Ipä-t_m[w sIm−p ]ch-i\mWv At±-lw. \ap¡p cp-t]À¡pw kvänhmsb And-bm-hp-¶-XtÃ? At±-lw ]mh-am-Wv. Fs¶ Gähpw kv]Àin-¨-Xv, (tUm-fnsb Bg-¯n kv]Àin-¡p-¶Xv F´mWv A¶ a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-c-¶p) At±-l-¯nsâ B thZ-\-bm-Wv. c−p Imcy-§-fmWv At±-ls¯ Gä-hp-a-[nIw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶Xv. H¶v Ip«n-I-fpsS Imcyw, c−v \nt¶m-SpÅ AKm-[-amb kvt\lw… Cu temI-¯n asä-´n-s\-¡mfpw kvt\l-amWv Bt±-l-¯n\p \nt¶m-Sv. tUmfn Ft´m ]d-bm-s\m-cp-§n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ¡v CS sImSp-¡msX A¶ XpSÀ¶p. "B \ns¶-bmWv At±lw thZ-\n-¸n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv, lrZ-b-¯sâ Bg-§-fnemWv \ns¶ apdn-thÂ]n-¨-Xv.. "CÃ, AhÄ¡v Ft¶mSv £a-¡m-\m-hnÃ' F¶p ]d-ªp-sIm-t-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv.’ At±-l-¯nsâ ØnXn-F-\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ipw. sXäp sN¿m-¯-hsc¡mÄ IjvS-amWv sNbvX-h-cp-tS-Xv. ]t£ F\n-s¡-§s\ At±-l-t¯mSv £an¡m³ Ignbpw? ho−pw F§-s\-bmWv `mcy-bmbn amdpI? R§-fpsS ]gb kvt\l-tamÀ¡p-t¼mÄ Fsâ thZ\ Ak-ly-am-Ip-I-bm-Wv.’ Ah-fpsS hm¡p-IÄ G§-e-Sn-I-fn ap§nt¸mbn. "Fsâ sNdp-¸hpw Fsâ kuµ-cy-hp-saÃmw \ÂIn-bXv AbmÄ¡pw a¡Ä¡pw thn-bm-Wv. F¶n-«n-t¸mÄ …’ Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fn shdp¸p angn-ªp-\n-¶p. "Rm\nXm Ct¸mÄ {Knjsb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bm-bn-c-¶p. Hcn-¡Â F\n-¡-sX{X CjvS-am-bn-c-s¶t¶m! Ct¸m-g-sXmcp ]oU-\-am-sW-\n-¡v. F´n-\p-th-n-bmWv Rm³ IjvS-s¸-Sp-¶Xv? F´mWv F\n¡p {]Xo-£n-¡m-\p-ÅXv?” cp \nan-j-t¯¡v cp-t]cpw au\-am-bn-c-¶p. tUmfn Ipd¨p im-´-bm-bn. "Rms\´m sN¿pI? \o Btem-Nn-¨n«p ]d-bq, A¶. Rms\mcp-]mSv Nn´n¨p-t\m-¡n. Hcp hgnbpw ImWp-¶n-Ã.’

43

44

A¶bv¡pw {]tXy-In¨p ]cn-lm-c-sam-¶p-ap-m-bn-c-¶n-Ã. ]t£ \m¯qsâ Hmtcm hm¡n-t\mSpw Ah-fpsS Hmtcm `mh-t`-Z-t¯mSpw Ah-fpsS lrZbw \¶mbn {]Xn-I-cn-¨p. ""At±-l-¯nsâ hm¡p-IÄ tI«-t¸mÄ F\n¡p hfsc kl-Xm]w tXm¶nbn-cp-¶p. Ahsâ hnj-ahpw IpSpw-_-¯nsâ ØnXn-bp-am-bn-c¶p Fsâ a\knÂ. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ \nt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¨p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Hcp kv{Xosb¶ \nebv¡v F\ns¡Ãw a\-kn-em-I-¶p. \nsâ thZ-\, ]oU-IÄ… Ht¶ F\n¡-dn-bm-¯-Xp-Åq. \nsâ a\-kn Ah-t\mSv F{X kvt\lw _m¡n-bp-s¶v… Ah\pw am¸p \ÂIm³ am{Xw Bgw _m¡n-bp-tm-sb-¶v. Ds-¦n FÃmw £an-¡q Ip«o.” ""CÃ…” ]t£ tUmfnsb ]d-bm-\-\p-h-Zn-¡msX A¶ Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ IhÀ¶p Npw_n-¨n«p XpSÀ¶p. ""Ah³ Fsâ-b-Sp-¡Â \ns¶-¸än ]d-ªp-I-cª \mfp-IÄ Rmt\mÀ¡p¶p. A¶-hsâ a\knepw Nn´-I-fnepw \ndsb Ihn-X-bm-bn-c-¶p. "tUmfn F{X anSp-¡-bmWv’ F¶v CS-bv¡nsS ]d-b-¶-Xn\v R§Ä F{X XhW Ahs\ Ifn-bm-¡n-bn-cn-¡-¶p. Ah\v \o F¶pw Hcp tZh-X-bm-bn-c-¶p.. C¶pw AXn\p amä-sa¶pw h¶n«n-Ã. CXp lrZ-b-¯sâ Ahn-izkvX-X-bmbn \o ImtW−- Imcy-an-Ã…"" ""]t£ C\nbpw BhÀ¯n-¨mtem?"" ""Dw.. ]t£.. \n\-¡mbn-cp¶p CXp h¶-sX-¦n s]mdp-¡m³ -I-gn-bp-am-bncpt¶m?’’ ""F\n-¡-dn-bn--Ã...’’ Hcp-\n-anjw Nn´n-¨n«v A¶ ]d-ªp. ""Ign-bpw.. FÃmw ]g-b-t]m-se-b-Im³ ]än-Ã, F¦nepw F\n¡p £an-¡m³ Ign-bpw, A§-s\sb¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-t«-b-sö a«nÂ...’ ""i-cn-bm-Wv.’’ H¶n-te-d-¯-hW Btem-Nn-¨n-«pÅ Imcyw H¶p-IqSn HmÀ¯pt\m-¡n-bn«v tUmfn ]d-ªp, ""AsÃ-¦n AXp £an-¡-em-hn-Ã. £an-¡ps¶-¦n AXp apgp-h-\m-bn-¯s¶ thWw. ]qÀW-ambpw... A§-s\tb ]äq. hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw. Rm³ \ns¶ apdn-bn-te¡p sIm−p-t]m-Imw. \o h¶-sX{X \¶m-bn.’’

Ht»m³kvIn DuWn-s\-¯n.. tUmfn Abmsf ]g-bXp t]mse “Ìnhm” F¶v hnfn-¨mWv kwkm-cn-¨-sXm-s¡. FÃm-ta-äp-]-dªv _Ô-ap-d-¸n-¡m-hp¶ a«m-bn-«p-s¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. DuWp Ign-ª-t¸m-tg¡v Inän-sb-¯n. A¶sb AhÄ¡p t\cnb ]cn-Nbta Dm-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse D¶-X-k-aq-l-¯n hncm-Pn-¡p¶ ]cn-jvIm-cnbmb A¶sb AÂ]w D¡-WvT-tbm-sS-bmWv AhÄ I−-Xv. F¶m ]cn-N-b-s¸«v AÂ]-k-a-b-¯n-\p-Ån Xs¶ A¶ Ah-fpsS lrZbw Iog-S-¡n. ]cn-jvIm-cn-bm-sWt¶m F«p-h-b-kpÅ Ip«n-bpsS A½bm-sWt¶m Ahsf I−m ]d-bn-Ã. Ne-\-§-fnepw hm-¡p-I-fn-ep-saÃmw emfn-Xyw, NmXp-cyw, DuÀP-kz-e-X. I®p-I-fnse B Kuc-hhpw Nne-t\-cs¯ timI-`m-hhpw CÃm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Hcp Ccp-]-Xp-Im-cnbm-sWt¶ ]d-bq. H¶pw ad-¨p-h-bv¡m¯ emfnXyw. F¶m X\n¡v A{]m-]y-amb, k¦oÀWhpw Imhym-ß-I-hp-amb Hcp Xew A¶-bv¡p-s−¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. DuWp Ignªv tUmfn Ah-fpsS apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. Hcp knK-cäv I¯n¨p-sIm-n-cp¶ s̸msâ ASp-¡-se¯n A¶ ]dªp: ""At§m«v sNÃq, ssZhw IqsS-bp−-m-bn-cn-¡-s«."" kn-K-cäv Zqsc-sb-dnªv AbmÄ hmXn IS¶p t]mbn. A¶ tkm^-bn sN¶n-cp-¶p. Ip«n-IÄ Ahsf s]mXn-ªp. A¶ Inän-tbm-Smbn tNmZn¨p: ""F¶mWv ASp¯ \r¯w.?"" ""ASp-¯-bm-gvN, Hcp \nanjw hnSmsX Bkz-Zn-¡m³ ]änb H¶v."" ""F\n-¡n-t¸mÄ A§s\ ]qÀW-ambn Bkz-Zn-¡m³ ]än-bXv H¶p-an-Ã. NneXn\p hnc-kX AÂ]w Ipd-ªn-cn-¡p-sa¶p am{Xw. ""Ah-fpsS I®p-Ifn X\n¡v A{]m-]y-amb B cl-ky-temIw Inän I−p. ""Hcp \r¯-th-Zn-bnepw \n§Ä apjn-¨n-ep−-m-¡n-Ã."" ""F´p-sIm−v CÃ? ""AXn-\pÅ adp-]-Snbpw A¶bv¡v Adn-bm-sa¶v Inän¡p tXm¶n. ""\n§Ä FÃm-bvt]mgpw aäm-sc-¡mfpw at\m-l-cn-bm-b-Xp-sIm−-v.” A¶bv¡p \mWn-¡m-\-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-fpsS apJw Nph-¶p. ""H¶m-a-Xv, A§-s\-sbm-¶p-aÃ; c−m-aXv, AYhm A§-s\-bm-sW¦n¯s¶ Fsâ aSp-¸n\v AXp-sIm−v Ipd-shm¶pw hcn-Ã-tÃm.” ""Cu \r¯-¯n\p hcpt¶m?” ""hcm-Xn-cn-¡m³ ]äp-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶n-Ã.” ""h¶m F\n¡p henb kt´m-j-am-bn-cp-¶p. \n§-fpsS \r¯w ImWm³ F\n¡p sImXn-bp−v”

A¶p

apgp-h³ A¶ ho«n¯-s¶-bn-cp-¶-tX-bp-Åq,. AhÄ h¶-X-dnªv Npäp-]m-Sp-apÅ Hcp-]m-Sp-t]À ImWm-s\-¯n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ Ip«n-I-fp-sSbpw tUmfn-bp-sS-bp-sam¸w apgp-h³ ka-bhpw ]¦n-«p. ktlm-Z-c\v D®m³ ho«nse-¯-W-sa¶p ImWn¨v Hcp Ipdn¸p sImSp-¯-b-¨-Xp-am-{X-amWv AÃmsX sNbvX Imcyw. ""ssZhw Icp-Wm-a-b-\m-Wv, hcnI’’ A{X-am-{Xw.

45 ""t]mtI−-n-h-¶m AXp \nsâ kt´m-j-¯n\p th−n-bm-sW¶v Rm³ kam-[m-\n-¨p-sIm-Åmw."" Ab-ªp-In-S-¡p¶ tamXn-c-¯n ]nSn-¨p-h-en-¨psIm-−n-cp¶ Xm\y¡v AXv Ducn-s¡m-Sp-¯p-sImv AhÄ ]d-ªp. ""{Knjm, Fsâ apSn-bn ]nSn¨p hen-¡m-sX, AÃm-sX-Xs¶ AXv BsI Ae-t¦m-e-am-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv."" ""sseemIv hkv{X-§-f-Wnªv \n§Ä \r¯-am-Sp-¶Xv Rm³ a\-kn ImWp-¶p."" ""HmSn-s¨Ãv Ip«n-I-tf, anknkv lqÄ Nmb IpSn-¡m³ hnfn-¡p-¶p. \r¯¯n\p hcm³ \o \nÀ_-Ôn-¡p-¶-sX-´n-\m-sW¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. {][m\ Nne Imcy-§Ä kw`-hn-¡m-\n-cn-¡p-¶p. FÃm-hcpw AXp ImW-W-sa¶v \o B{K-ln-¡p-¶p, AXtà Imcyw?” ""F§-\-dnªp? icn-bm-Wv.” ""Iuamcw IS-s¶-¯p¶ B Imew, F§pw kt´mjw am{Xw. \r¯-im-ebn IS-¡p-¶-Xp-Xs¶ Fs´m-cm-\-µ-am-Wv... AXp IS-¶p-h-cm-¯-hÀ BcmWp-ÅXv? ” Inän ]p©n-cn-¡pI am{Xw sNbvXp. A¶-sb-§-\-sb#mWv AXn-eq-sSsbms¡ IS-¶p-t]m-b-sX-¶-dn-bm³, Ah-fpsS {]W-b-c-l-ky-§Ä apgp-h³ Adn-bm³ Inän¡p sImXn tXm¶n. H«pw ImÂ]-\n-I-`m-h-an-Ãm¯ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v BWtÃm Ah-cpsS `À¯mhv F¶p-IqSn AhtfmÀ¯p. ""Ình Ft¶mSp Nne-sXms¡ ]d-ªn-«p-v. F\n-¡-bmsf Cj#v-S-am-bn. dbnÂth tÌj-\n h¨p Rm³ hvtdm¬kvInsb In-cp-¶p. ""Hm, At±lw Ahn-sS-bp-m-bn-cpt¶m? Ìnhm F´mWv ]d-ªXv? ” ""FÃmw ]d-ªp. Rm³ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS A½bpsS IqsS-bmWv s{Sbn\n h¶-Xv. AhÀ aI-s\-¸än \nÀ¯msX kwkm-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.” ""A½ F´mWv ]ªXv? ” ""Hcp-]mSv ]d-ªp. kz¯p-ap-gp-h³ ktlm-Z-c\v sImSp-¡m³ Xp\n-ª-Xn-s\¸-änbpw Ip«n-bm-bn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Hcp kv{Xosb shÅ-¯nÂ\n¶p c£n-¨Xpw Hs¡.... Hcp [oc-\m-b-I-\mWv BÄ.” dbnÂth tÌj-\nÂh¨v Ccp-\qdp dq_nÄ sImSp¯ Imcyw HmÀ¯-t¸mÄ A¶-bpsS apJ¯v Hcp Nncn hnSÀ¶p. ]t£ AhÄ A¡mcyw Inän-tbmSp ]d-ªn-Ã. AsX-¸än Nn´n¡p-¶-Xp-Xs¶ Ft´m Ipd-¨n-em-sW¶v AhÄ¡p-tXm-¶n. Xs¶ kw_Ôn¨v AXn Ft´m {]tXy-IX DÅ-Xp-t]m-se. ""Cuizcm \µn, Ìnhm tUmfn-bpsS apdn-bn Gsd t\c-am-btÃm! ” hnjbw amän A¶-sb-gp-t¶-äp. AhÀ¡n-jvS-s¸-Sm-¯-sXt´m kw`-hn-¨n«m-tWmsb¶v Inän kw-i-bn-¨p.

46

apXnÀ¶-hÀ¡p

Nmb IpSn-¡m-dm-bn. tUmfn apdn-bn \n¶p ]pd-¯p-h-¶p. AÂ]w Ignªv s̸m-\pw. Ah-À X½n kÔn-bm-sb¶v apJhpw kwkm-chpw sIm−v Inän¡pw A¶bv¡pw a\-kn-em-bn. tUmfn A¶bv¡p InS-¡m³ apdn-sbm-cp¡msa¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ AXp Xm³ sN¿m-sa-¶mbn s̸m³. "sN¿m³ ]äm¯ Hmtcm Imcyw amävhnsb GÂ]n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¯n«p Øew hnSpw, Abm-f-sXÃmw Ipf-am-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw' F¶p ]dªv tUmfn `À¯m-hns\ Ifn-bm-¡n. s̸m\pw BsI {]k-¶-\m-bn-cp-¶p. cm{Xn H³]-X-c. FÃm-hcpw hÀ¯-am\w ]d-ªn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. A¶ aIs\ InS-¯n-bp-d-¡p¶ ka-b-amWv ]¯p-a-Wn. B t\c-am-bm Fs´-¦nepw ]dªv sktcym-j-bpsS t^mt«m ImWm\pw Ah-s\-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn¡m\pw AhÄ ]gpXp I−p-]n-Sn-¡pw. BÂ_-sa-Sp-¯p-sIm-p-h-cm-sa¶p ]dªv AhÄ apI-fn-te¡p t]mbn. ]Sn Ib-dn-t¸m-Ip-t¼mÄ Xmsghvtdm¬kvIn \n¡p-¶Xv I−p. AhÄ¡v kt´m-jhpw Ft´m Hcp t]Snbpw tXm¶n. DÅn-te¡p hcm³ s̸m³ £Wn-¡p-¶Xpw ]Xnª, im´-amb kzc-¯n hvtdm¬kvIn \nc-kn-¡p-¶Xpw AhÄ tI«p. A¶ Xncn-¨p-h-¶-t¸m-tg¡v AbmÄ t]mbn-¡-gn-ªn-cp-¶p. ASp¯ Znhks¯ Hcp hncp-¶n-s\-¸än tNmZn-¡m³ h¶-Xm-sW¶v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. F{X £Wn-¨n«pw AbmÄ Ib-dn-h-cm³ Iq«m-¡n-bnà F¶pw. Inän-bpsS apJw Nph-¶p-Xp-Sp-¯p. B hc-hnsâ clkyw X\nt¡ Adnbq F¶v AhÄ hnNm-cn-¨p: "ho«n-se-¯n-b-t¸m-gmIpw At±-l-a-dn-ªXv Xm³ Chn-sS-bm-sW-¶v. t\sc Ct§m«p t]m¶p. Chn-sS-sb-¯n-b-t¸mÄ t\cw sshIn-b-Xp-sImpw A¶ Chn-sS-bp-s¶p I-Xp-sImpw Ib-dmsX t]mbn." ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n, IqSp-X-sem¶pw an−msX AhÀ A¶ sIm−p-h¶ BÂ_w ImWm³ XpS-§n.

Inänbpw

A½bpw F¯p-t¼mÄ \r¯w XpS-§p-¶tX D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. Gsd Icp-X-temsS Hcp-§n-bmWv Ah-sf-¯n-b-sX-¦nepw hfsc efn-Xhpw kzm`m-hn-I-hp-am-sW¶ a«n-em-bn-cp¶p FSp¸pw \S-¸p-sam-s¡. Na-sªm-cp§nb h\n-X-IÄ \r¯-¯n-\p £Wn-¡-s¸-Sm³ Im¯p-\n¡p-¶p-m-bn-cp¶p. F¶m Inän IS-¶p-h-¶-]msS Gähpw BIÀj-Wo-b-\mb ]¦mfn Xs¶ HmSn-sb¯n Ahsf Ac-s¡-«n Npän-¸n-Sn¨v \r¯w XpS-§n. Atcm-KZr-V-Km-{X\pw kpµ-c-\pw, {]i-kvX- \r¯ kwhn-[m-b-I-\p-amb sbtKmcpjvI sImÀkq¬kvIn.

47

48

\r¯-im-e-bpsS CSt¯ aqe-bn IqSn-\n-¶n-cp-¶-h-cpsS IqsS A¶-sbbpw sehn-s\bpw Inän I−p. hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \nc-kn-¨-Xn\p tijw AhÄ BZy-am-bmWv sehns\ ImWp-¶-Xv. Hcp-h«w Ign-ª-t¸mÄ Xs¶ A¶-bpsS ASp-¡Â hn«m aXn-sb¶v Inän sImÀkq¬kvIn-tbmSp ]d-ªp. Ah-fpsS ssI]n-Sn¨v Xmf-¯n Nph-Sph¨v AbmÄ A¶ \n¡p-¶n-S-s¯-¯n-¨p. Inän ImWm³ sImXn¨ sseemIv hkv{X-am-bn-cp-¶nà A¶ [cn-¨n-cp-¶Xv, Idp¯ shÂshäv Ku¬ Bbn-cp-¶p. A¶-bpsS bYmÀY kuµcyw Xm³ CXp-h-scbpw In-cp-¶nsöv AhÄ¡v a\-kn-em-bn. sImÀkq¬kvIn A¶sb \r¯-amSm³ £Wn-¨p. ""Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]äp-sa-¦n Rm³ \r¯w sN¿m-dn-Ã."" A¶ ]d-ªp. ""]t£ C¶v Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]än-ÃtÃm."" s]s«¶v hvtdm¬kvIn IS-¶p-h-¶p. ""Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]än-sÃ-¦n icn, \r¯w sN¿mw"" F¶p ]dªv A¶ s]s«¶v sImÀkq¬kvIn-bpsS tXmfn ssIh-¨p, hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS hµ\w AhÄ I−n-söp \Sn-¨p. A¶ hvtdm¬kvInsb Hgn-hm-¡n-b-Xm-sW¶v Inän¡p a\-kn-embn; ]t£ AsX-´n-\m-sW¶v AhÄ¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. hvtdm¬kvIn Inän-bpsS ASp-¡Â F¯n, kwkm-cn-¨p--sIm-n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Inän A¶-bpsS \r¯w Bcm-[-\-tbmsS t\m¡n-\n-¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn \r¯¯n\p hnfn-¡m-¯-Xn AhÄ¡p IpWvTnXw tXm¶n; AXp a\-kn-em-bt¸mÄ AbmÄ \r¯w XpS-§n. ]t£ At¸m-tg¡v ]m«p \ne-¨p. Ah-cpsS apJ-§Ä hfsc ASp-¯m-bn-cp-¶p. Xsâ I®p-I-fnse kvt\lw Xncn-¨p-In-«p¶n-söv Xncn-¨-dnªv AhÄ eÖ-sIm−v Nqfn-t¸m-bn. 23 Inänbpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw tNÀ¶v \nc-h[n XhW hmÄSvkv \r¯w sNbvXp. ]ns¶ Izm{UnÂ. At¸m-sgm¶pw Imcy-am-sbm¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-Ã. sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Ft´m tNmZn-¨-sXm-gn-¨m Imcy-ambn H¶pw kwkm-cn-¨pan-Ã. akqÀ¡ \r¯-¯nsâ ka-b¯v FÃmw Xocp-am-\n-¡m-sa¶v AhÄ \nÝ-bn-¨p. Izm{Un BSp-t¼mÄ Hcp-an¨p akqÀ¡ sN¿p-¶-Xn-s\-¸än AbmÄ H¶pw ]d-ªn-sÃ-¦nepw ap³s]-¶-s¯-bpw-t]mse Ah-cn-cp-hcpw Hcp-an¨p Xs¶ BSp-sa-¶p-d-¸n¨v AhÄ A©p t]cpsS £Ww \nc-kn-¨p. Hgn-hm-¡m³ km[n-¡m-sX-h¶ Hcp t_mdsâ IqsS Ah-km-\s¯ Izm{Un Nph-Sp-h-bv¡p-t¼m-gmWv AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw A¶sbbpw Hcp-an¨p ImWp-¶-Xv.

Xm³ kzbw A\p-`-hn-¨n-«pÅ Bß-{]-lÀjw AhÄ A¶-bn I−p. Bcm-[\ Ahsf a¯p-]n-Sn-¸n-¨n-cp-¶p. AXn\p ]n¶n Ahn-sS-¡q-Sn-bn-cp¶-h-cpsS apgp-h³ Bcm-[-\-bmtWm AtXm Hcp-h-tâXp am{Xtam Ft¶ kwi-b-ap-m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. AXn-\pÅ adp-]Sn hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJ-¯p−-mbn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS apJ¯p ]Xn-hm-bn-cp¶ ZmÀVyhpw im´-Xbpw Ft§m t]mbva-d-ªn-cn-¡p¶p; ]Icw Iog-S-§-ensâ `mhw. FÃmw Xsâ tXm¶-emhpw F¶m-iz-kn-¡m³ {ian¨p Inän akqÀ¡ XpS-§p¶-Xn\p ap³]pÅ kabw AhÄ HcnS-¯p amdn Xsâ I¯p¶ apJw hnidn-sIm−p hoin-s¡m−n-cp-¶p. t\mÀUv̳ {]`zn Ah-fpsS ASp¯v HmSn-sb¯n "\osb´m akqÀ¡ \r¯w sN¿p-¶ntÃ' F¶p tNmZn-¨p. Cà F¶ adp-]-Sn- I®o-cn IpXnÀ¶n-cp-¶p. ""Fsâ ap³]n h¨mWv AbmÄ Ahsf akqÀ¡bv¡p £Wn-¨-Xv. F´m sjÀ-_m-ävkvI-tbm-sSm¸w \r¯w sN¿p-¶n-tÃ-sb¶v AhÄ tNmZn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp.'' "AXn-s\-\n-s¡´m?' F¶p adp-]Sn ]d-ªn«v Xsâ KXn-tISv aämÀ¡p-a-dn-bnÃtÃm F¶v Ah-tfmÀ¯p. Hcp-]t£ Xm³ kvt\ln-¡pI t]mepw sNbvXncp¶bmsf \nc-kn-¨Xv Cu a\p-jy-\n hnizm-k-aÀ¸n-¨n-«m-Wv. t\mÀUvkvdv-d³ {]`zn-bmWv sImÀkq¬kvIn-tbm-sSm¯v aÀkq¡bv¡p NphSp hbvt¡-n-bn-cp-¶-Xv. Inänsb £Wn-¡m³ AhÀ Abm-tfm-Sm-h-iy-s¸«p. `mKy-h-im AbmÄ \r¯-ime apgp-h³ \nb-{´n-¡p-¶-Xn hym]r-X\m-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m Inän¡v A[nIw kwkm-cn-t¡-n-h-¶p-an-Ã. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te-¡pÅ aS-¡-bm-{X-bm-b-Xn-\m hn{i-an-¡-W-sa¶p ]dªv A¯m-g-¯n\p \n¡msX A¶ t]mbn. \msf-¯s¶ aS-§m³ Dd¸n-t¨m-sb¶v hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn-¨Xv hnNn-{X-am-bn-t¯m-¶n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ¡p kt´m-jhpw tXm¶n.

“BÄ¡msc

AIäp¶ Ft´m H¶v F¶nep−v.” sjÀ_mävkvIb `h\¯n \n¶p aS§pt¼mÄ sehn³ hnNmcn¨p. “aäpÅhcpambn \à _Ôw Øm]n¡m³ F\n¡p ]ämdnÃ. klrZb\pw k´pjvS\pw _p²nam\pamb hvtdm¬kvIn F{X X·bXzt¯msSbmWv B kmbmÓw ssIImcyw sNbvXXv F¶v AbmtfmÀ¯p. Inän Abmsf CjvSs¸Sp¶Xn ]dbms\m¶panÃ. Asænepw AhÄ PohnXw F\n¡p kaÀ¸n¡psa¶p Nn´n¡p¶Xn F´p \ymbamWpÅXv?” sehn³ s]s«¶ tPyjvT³ \nt¡mfmbnsb HmÀ½n¨p. tPyjvTs\ Xncªp t]mtI− t\c¯mWtÃm kZybpap−v Inänsb ImWm\pw t]mbsX¶v

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50

Ipät_m[w tXm¶n. At±ls¯ a\knem¡p¶Xn X§sfms¡ F{X ]cmPbs¸«psh¶v HmÀ¯p. bqWnthgvknänbnembncp¶ Imehpw AXn\p tijw GXm−v Hcp hÀjt¯mfhpw F{X \njvTtbmsSbmWv At±lw kplr¯p¡fpsS ]cnlmk§sf t]mepw XrWhÂKWn¨v aXmNmc§fpw t\mb¼pIfpw {]mÀ°\Ifpsams¡bmbn kÀhkpJ§fpw, kv{XokpJapÄs¸sS, shSnªv EjnXpey\mbn Pohn¨sX¶v HmÀ¯p. ]ns¶ s]s«¶v AsXÃmw Dt]£n¨v sX½mSnIfpsSbpw B`mk·mcpsSbpw IqsS IqSnbXv HmÀ¯p. AXnsâsbms¡ t]cn Bt£]n¡p¶hsc¡msfms¡ \· \ndªh\mWv DÅnsâbpÅn At±lw F¶v HmÀ¯p. Cu HmÀaIfn \S¶p\S¶mWv tPyjvTsâ XmakØes¯¯nbXv. aq¶p hÀjw ap³]p Ahkm\ambn ImWpt¼mgt¯Xns\¡mÄ saenªn«p−v At±lw. “\n\¡pw skÀPn sFht\mhn¨n\pw Rms\gpXnbncp¶tÃm, \n§sf c−msfbpw F\n¡dnbnÃ, ImWpIbpw th− F¶v. \n\¡nt¸m F´m th−Xv?” sehn³ hgn\S¶t¸mgs¯ HmÀaIfn \ndª Bfmbncp¶nà t\cn ImWpt¼mÄ tPyjvT³. Abmfpambn Fs´¦nepw _Ôw Akm[yam¡p¶ B sNmdnbp¶ kz`mhw A\pPsâ Nn´Ifnsem¶pw IS¶ph¶ncp¶nÃ. Ct¸mÄ B apJw t\cn ImWpt¼mÄ hÀ¯am\¯ns\m¸apÅ B ]nSensh«n¡Â ImWpt¼mÄ AsXÃmw a\w aSp¸n¡p¶ bmYmÀ°yambn ap¶n \n¶p. “H¶n\pw th−nbÃ. shdpsX ImWm³ th−n am{Xw h¶XmWv.” “Cu kv{Xo Fsâ PohnX]¦mfnbmWv, acnb \n¡etbhv\. Ahsf Rms\mcp No¯ `h\¯n \n¶p IqsS Iq«nbXmWv” AbmÄ ]nSen sh«n¨p. “]t£ F\n¡hsf kvt\lhpw _lpam\hpamWv. Ft¶mSv CSs]SWsa¶v B{Kln¡p¶hscÃmw Ahsfbpw am\n¡Wsa¶v Rm³ B{Kln¡p¶p. AhÄ F\n¡p `mcysbt¸msebmWv, `mcy Xs¶bmWv. BtcmsSms¡bmWv CSs]tS−sX¶p a\knembtÃm. AXp \n\¡v A[x]X\ambn tXm¶p¶ps−¦nÂ, CXmWv hmXnÂ. “CXnse´mWn{X A[x]X\w? F\ns¡m¶pw a\knemIp¶nÃ.” “F¦n aq¶p t]À¡v `£Ww sIm−phcm³ ]dbq, amjm.”

H¸ap−mbncp¶p. Ahcncphcpw kzImcyambn Ft´m ]dbm³ amdnbt¸mÄ sehn³ tPyjvT¯ntbmSp tNmZn¨p: “\n§Ä At±l¯ns\m¸ambn«v Gsd¡meamtbm?” “Hcp hÀj¯ntesdbmbn. \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨nsâ BtcmKyw hÃmsX £bn¨ncn¡p¶p. \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v Hcp]mSv aZy]n¡pw.” “F¶ph¨mÂ... F§s\bmWv IpSn?” “Hcp]mSv thmUvI IpSn¡pw. AXv At±l¯nsâ BtcmKy¯n\v tZmjamWv.” “Hcp]mSv?” “Dw.” AhÀ hÃmbvatbmsS hmXn¡te¡p t\m¡n. “F´m \n§Ä kwkmcn¡p¶Xv?” AbmÄ Ccphscbpw amdnamdn t\m¡n. “Gbv, H¶panÃ.” sehn³ ]dªp. “]dbm³ hs¿¦n th−. ]t£ \o AhtfmSp kwkmcn¡p¶Xv A{X \¶mhnÃ. Ahsfmcp No¯ kv{XobmWv, \osbmcp am\y\pw.’’ \nt¡mfmbv ]nSen sh«n¨p. “\o FÃmw t\m¡n¡−p a\knem¡nbnÃ, F´n\m klXm]t¯msS t\m¡p¶Xv?’’ “\nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v, \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v’’ acnb \n¡etbhv\ AbmfpsS ASp¯p sN¶v sNhn sasà a{´n¨p. “Hmlv, icn icn. \nsâ hntij§Ä ]dbq. \obnt¸m F´m sN¿p¶Xv?’’ “]gbXpt]mse Xs¶ Häbv¡p Ignbp¶p, \m«n Irjn t\m¡n \S¯p¶p.” F{X BÀ¯ntbmsSbmWv tPyjvT³ Xn¶pIbpw IpSn¡pIbpw sN¿p¶sX¶p t\m¡n, F¶m ImWm¯ `mh¯n sehn³ ]dªp. “\osb´m hnhmlw Ign¡m¯Xv?’’ “H¶pw icnbmbnÃ. A{X Xs¶.” apJw Nph¶v sehn³ ]dªp. “F´m BIm¯Xv? Fs¶ kw_Ôn¨nSt¯mfw... FÃmw GItZiw Ignbmdmbn. Fsâ PohnXamsI Rm³ Xpe¨p. ]t£ Rm³ ap³]p ]dªXp Xs¶ BhÀ¯n¡p¶p, F\n¡v Bhiys¸« t\c¯v Fsâ hoXw X¶ncps¶¦n Fsâ PohnXw asäm¶mIpambncp¶p.” tIm¬Ìmân³ sehn³ s]s«¶p hnjbw amän. “\nsâ Ipªp hm\y Ct¸mÄ Fsâ IqsS s]mt{ImhvkvtImbnep−v.” \nt¡mfmbv ]nSen sh«n¨v Nn´bnem−p. “Dw. s]mt{ImhvkvtImbnse hntij§Ä ]dbq. hoSv ]gbXpt]mse Xs¶bpt−m? _nÀ¨v ac§fpw kvIqfpw Hs¡? tXm«¡mc³ ^nen¸v Ct¸mgpapt−m? B sIm¨pImhpw AhnSps¯ Ccn¸nShpsams¡ Rm³ Ct¸mgptamÀ¡p¶p. AsXm¶pw amän¡fbmsX t\m¡Ww. s]s«¶p

A[ØnXsc

apXemfnhÀKw NqjWw sN¿p¶Xns\Xnsc X§Ä \S¯p¶ hÀ¤kac¯nsâ ]pXnb apJs¯¡pdns¨ms¡ tPyjvT³ A\pPt\mSp kwkmcn¨p. {InävkvIn Fs¶mcp _p²nPohnbpw

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IeymWw Ign¡v. At¸m Rm³ \nsâbSpt¯¡p hcmw, \nsâ `mcy \ÃhfmsW¦nÂ.’’ “Ct¸mÄ hcq, \ap¡v FÃm¡mcy§fpw `wKnbmbn Hcp¡mw.’’ “hcmw. skÀPn sFht\mhn¨ns\ \o At§m«p Ibänsöpd¸p Xcmsa¦nÂ...’’ \nt¡mfmbv hÀ¯am\¯n\nsS IpSn¨p IpSn¨v kwkmcn¡m³ h¿mXmbn. Hcphn[w Abmsf I«nen ]nSn¨p InS¯nbn«v t]mIm\nd§pt¼mÄ amjtbmSv Bhiy§sfs´¦nepaps−¦n FgpXWsa¶p ]dªp. FgpXmsa¶v, A\pPsâ IqsS sN¶p Xmakn¡m³ \nt¡mfmbnsb t{]cn¸n¡msa¶v AhÀ k½Xn¨p.

“\o ChnsS h¶v hensbmcp ImcyamWv sNbvXXv.’’ tUmfn ]dªp I®oÀ \ndª I®pIÄ sIm−v A¶ Ahsf t\m¡n. “A§s\sbm¶pw ]dtb− tUmfo. Rm³ hntijns¨m¶pw sNbvXn«nÃ, sN¿m³ Fs¶s¡m−p sImÅpIbpanÃ. FÃmw £an¡m³ X¡ henb kvt\lw \nsâ lrZb¯nep−mbncp¶p. AXmWv.” “\obnÃmbncps¶¦n F´mtbs\sb¶p ssZh¯nt\ Adnbq. \osb{X k´pjvSbmWv A¶m! \nsâ lrZb¯n FÃmw sXfnªpw \· \ndªpancn¡p¶p.” “FÃm lrZb¯n\pw Hcp AØnIqSap−v tUmfo, Cw¥ojpImÀ ]dbp¶Xpt]mse.” Hcp Itkcbntebv¡ncp¶v tUmfnbpsS apJt¯¡v ssZ\yXtbmsS t\m¡ns¡m−v A¶ ]dªp. “Rm³ C¶p Xs¶ t]mIp¶Xv F´psIm−msW¶p \n\¡dnbmtam? FsâbpÅn I\¯ `mcambn AXp \n¡p¶p. \nt¶mSv Rm\Xp Ip¼kmcn¡pIbmWv. Inänsb´m A¯mg¯n\p hcm¯sX¶p \n\¡dnbmtam? AhÄs¡t¶mSp tZjyamWv. Rm\msWÃmw \in¸n¨Xv. B \r¯w AhÄ¡v B\µ{]lÀjw \ÂIp¶Xn\p ]Icw timI]qÀWambn¯oÀ¶Xv Rm³ ImcWamWv. ]t£... kXyambpw... kXyambpw AXv Fsâ sXäÃ. BsW¦n¯s¶ AÂ]w am{Xw.” “tlm, Ìnhm ]dbp¶Xpt]msebmWtÃm \o ]dªXv.” A¶bv¡v AXp apdnhmbn. “tlbv AÃÃ, Rm³ ÌnhmbÃ. AXpsIm−mWv Rm\nXp \nt¶mSp ]dbp¶Xv. F\n¡v Fs¶¯¶ kwibn¨v Hcp \nanjw t]mepw apt¶m«p t]mIm³ h¿.” AhÄ ]pcnIw Npfn¨p. Xm³ ]dbp¶Xv apgph³ kXyasöv AhÄ¡p Xs¶ tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvInsb¸än Nn´n¡pt¼mÄ Xs¶ XsâbpÅn DÂkml¯ncbpbcp¶Xv Ahfdnªp. “\o AbmtfmsSm¸w akqÀ¡ \r¯amSnsb¶v Ình Ft¶mSp ]dªp. AbmÄ... AhÀs¡Ãmw AXp tXm¶n.” “]t£ AXbmÄ Kuchambns«Sp¯n«ps−¦n Rm\msI ZpxJnXbmWv. Inän¡v Ft¶mSpÅ shdp¸v thKw amdpsa¶p Rm³ {]Xo£n¡p¶p.” “A¶m, DÅXp ]dbmatÃm. Inän¡v Cu hnhmlw \S¡Wsa¶v F\n¡p henb XmÂ]cysam¶panÃ. Hä ZnhkwsIm−v AbmÄ¡p \nt¶mSp t{]aamsb¦n AXp \S¡mXncn¡pIbmWv \ÃXpw.”

XncnsI

ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ sehn\v Hcp]mSv Bizmkw tXm¶n. A¸\pw A½bpw Pohn¨p acn¨ temIw. sehnsâ Nn´Ifnse amXrImPohnXambncp¶p AhcptSXv. Xsâ `mcytbmsSm¯v AbmÄ Pohn¡m\m{Kln¨ PohnXw. sehn\v A½sb t\cnb HmÀ½tbbpÅq, ]t£ AXv AbmÄ¡v hnip²amb Hcp k¦Â]ambncp¶p. Xsâ `mcy B hnip² amXrIbpsS k¼qÀ® A\pIcWamIWsa¶v Abmfm{Kln¨p. kmaqlyPohnX¯nse ]e LSI§fnsem¶p am{Xambn hnhmls¯ I− ka{]mb¡mcn \n¶p Xptemw hyXykvX\mbncp¶p sehn³. PohnX¯nse FÃm kt´mj§fpsSbpw BWn¡Ãmb, kÀh{][m\amb kwKXnbmbmWv AbmÄ hnhmls¯bpw IpSpw_PohnXs¯bpw I−Xv. AXmWv Ct¸mÄ ths−¶p hbvt¡−n h¶ncn¡p¶Xv. F{X {ian¨n«pw DÅnepdª hnjmZw aqSnhbv¡m³ sehn\p IgnªnÃ. AbmÄ kÀhiàntbmSpw IqsS IrjnImcy§fn a\kns\ hym]rXam¡n.

\r¯w IgnªXnsâ ]ntä¶v cmhnse Xs¶ A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ tamkvtImbnte¡p hcpIbmsW¶v `À¯mhn\v sSen{Kmw Ab¨p. tUmfnbpsS \nÀ_Ô§sf AhÄ sNbvXpXoÀ¡m\pÅ Imcy§fpsS _mlpeyw sIm−v JWvUn¨p. s̸m³ ho«nenÃmbncp¶p. Inän XethZ\bmsW¶p ]dªv `£Ww Ign¡m³ h¶panÃ. A¶bpw tUmfnbpw X\n¨ncp¶mWv `£Ww Ign¨Xv. “\n\¡ns¶´p ]än? hÃmXncn¡p¶tÃm?’’ tUmfn tNmZn¨p. “Nnet¸m F\n¡§s\bmWv. shdpsX IcbWsa¶p tXm¶pw. shdpsXbmWv. Ipd¨p Ignbpt¼mÄ amdpw.’’

FÃmw

IgnªtÃm, kam[m\w F¶mWv bm{Xbm¡m³ h¶ s̸mt\mSv bm{X ]dªv h−nbn Ibdpt¼mÄ A¶bv¡p tXm¶nbXv.

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CSbvs¡mcp tÌj\n h−n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ C¯ncn ImäpsImÅm³ tamln¨v ¹mävt^manend§n. Bįnc¡n\nSbn ]«mft¡m«Wnª Hcph³ Ahsf hW§n. AXp hvtdm¬kvInbmsW¶v Ac t\m«wsIm−p Xs¶ AhÄ¡p a\knembn. \n§sf´n\mWp h¶Xv F¶p tNmZn¡msX Xs¶ D¯cadnbmambncps¶¦nepw AhÄ shdpsX tNmZn¨p. “Rm³ F´n\m h¶Xv?” \n\¡p Xs¶ AdnbmatÃm \o Bbncn¡p¶nS¯v Bbncn¡m³ th−nbmsW¶v. F\n¡p aäp amÀ¤anÃ.” F{X {]Xntcm[n¨n«pw XSp¯p\nÀ¯m\mhm¯ B\µw tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. ]otägvk_ÀKn h−nbnd§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ BZyw Xs¶ I−Xv `À¯mhns\bmWv. “arZpelrZb\mb \nsâ `À¯mhv hnhmltijapÅ BZy\mfpIfnset¸mse Xs¶ \n\¡pth−n Pzen¡p¶ lrZbhpambn.” A¯c¯n kvt\lw hnfn¨p ]dbp¶htcmSpÅ ]cnlmkw t]mse AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v ]dªp. “skcntbmj kpJambncn¡pt¶m?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “CXmtWm Fsâ IjvS¸mSn\pw Im¯ncn¸n\papÅ {]Xn^ew? Ah\p kpJw Xs¶.”

“\¶mbncp¶p.” AhÄ ]dªp. F¶n«v `À¯mhn\v Abmsf ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. “R§Ä X½n ]cnNbs¸«n«ps−¶p tXm¶p¶p.” AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v henb XmÂ]cyanÃm¯ a«n ]dªp. “\o A½bpsS IqsS t]mbn, aIsâ IqsS Xncn¨ph¶p AtÃ?” Hcp HuZmcyw t]mse C{XIqSn ]dªp AbmÄ. F¶n«p `mcybpsS t\sc Xncnªp Ifnbm¡pwt]mse tNmZn¨p: “tamkvtImbnse hnS]db thfbn Hcp]mSv I®oscmgpIntbm?” “Hcp Znhkw \n§sf kµÀin¡m\pÅ `mKyap−mIpsa¶p IcpXmtam?” hvtdm¬kvIn A¶sb hnSm³ `mhanÃ. “XoÀ¨bmbpw. Xn¦fmgvNIfn R§Ä ho«nep−mhpw.” AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v apjn¨ntemsS t\m¡nbn«v ]dªp. F¶n«v Abmsf XoÀ¯pw AhKWn¨v A¶bpsS t\À¡p ]dªp: “Ac aWn¡qÀ Hcpan¨p sNehgn¨v \nt¶mSpÅ Fsâ kvt\l¯nsâ Bgw t_m[ys¸Sp¯m³ C¶tXbmepw `mKyap−mbn.” AtX ]cnlmk¨ph At¸mgpap−mbncp¶p. “kvt\l¯nsâ Bgs¯¡pdn¨v \n§Ä Hcp]mSp kwkmcn¡p¶p; AXn\v Fs´¦nepw hne sImSp¡m³ Ignbm¯nSt¯mfw.” AtX ]cnlmkt¯msS AhÄ {]XnhNn¨p. F¶n«v skcntbmjsb¡pdn¨p tNmZn¨p. AhfpsS Akm¶n[y¯n aIs\¡mÄ AkzØ\mbncp¶Xv `À¯mhmsW¶v AbmÄ ]dªp. “F´mbmepw \ns¶¡mWm³ \½psS ktamhdn\p hfsc kt´mjamIpw. (Gsd kmaqly_Ô§fpÅ enUnb sFht\mhv\ {]`znsbbmWv AbmÄ ktamhÀ F¶p hnfn¨ncp¶Xv, Ft¸mgpw F´ns\¡pdn¨pw Bthiw sIm−ncp¶XpsIm−v). Ft¸mgpw \ns¶ At\zjn¡pambncp¶p. \o C¶pXs¶ Ahsct¸mbn ImWp¶Xp \¶mbncn¡psa¶mWv Fsâ A`n{]mbw. FÃmw kz´w Imcyw t]mse IW¡m¡p¶XmWv AhcpsS {]IrXw. Ct¸m¯s¶ Ht»m³kvIn IpSpw_w `n¶X ad¶v H¶ptNcm³ Ahsc{X sImXn¡p¶ps−t¶m! A¶ ]otägvkv_ÀKnse D¶Xhrµ§fn _豈 \ne\nÀ¯nbncp¶Xv `À¯mhnsâ Cu kplr¯p hgnbmbnbcp¶p.

hvtdm¬kvIn

h−nbn h¨v Dd§m³ {ian¨tXbnÃ. F¶n«pw ]otägvk_ÀKn h−nbnd§pt¼mÄ AbmÄ Dt·jhm³ Bbncp¶p. AhÄ Cd§p¶Xpw Im¯v AbmÄ kz´w I¼mÀ«vsaânsâ hmXn¡ \n¶p. AhfpsS B \S¯w, B apJw H¶pIqSn ImWWw, AhÄ Xncnªv Ft¶msSs´¦nepw ]dbpw. ]t£ Ahsf ImWp¶Xn\p ap³]v AbmÄ I−Xv Xnc¡n\nSbneqsS tÌj³ amÌÀ B\bn¨psIm−phcp¶ AhfpsS `À¯mhns\bmWv. AhÄs¡mcp `À¯mhps−¶pw AXv AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v BsW¶pw Adnbmambncps¶¦nepw Ct¸mgmWv aÖbpw amwkhpapÅ Hcp bmYmÀYyamWv AhfpsS `À¯mhv F¶v AbmÄ¡v HmÀa h¶Xv. Zmln¨p heª Hcph³ Hcp IpfnccphnbpsS ]¡Â HmSnsb¯pt¼mÄ AXv ]«ntbm ]¶ntbm Ie¡nbncn¡p¶Xmbn ImWp¶t]msebmWv hvtdm¬kvIn¡v At¸mÄ tXm¶nbXv. “cm{Xn \¶mbn Dd§ntbm?” A¶ ASps¯¯nbXp I−v hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn¨p. F¶n«v AhfpsSbpw `À¯mhnsâbpw t\À¡p hW§n. AbmÄ AXp kzoIcn¡pItbm {]Xy`nhmZyw sN¿pItbm sN¿mXncn¡pItbm þ DNnXw t]mse sN¿s« F¶ a«nÂ.

A¶ ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ FXntc¡m³ BZysa¯nbXv skcntbmjbmbncp¶p. BbbpsS hne¡pIÄ hIhbv¡msX Ah³ At½ At½ F¶p hnfn¨psIm−v Xmtg¡v HmSn.

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“Rm³ ]dªntà AXv A½bmsW¶v, F\n¡dnbmambncp¶p.” Ah³ Xncnªv BbtbmSp hnfn¨p]dªp. A¶ Im¸nt]mepw IpSn¡p¶Xn\p ap³]p Xs¶ enUnb sFht\mhv\ F¯n. Xq§nb apJhpw Nn´maáamb Idp¯ I®pIfpapÅ Hcp ZoÀLImbbmbncp¶p enUnb sFht\mhv\. A¶bv¡v Ahsc CjvShpambncp¶p. ]t£ C¶mZyambn Ahsc FÃm IpdhpItfmSpw IqSn AhÄ I−p. “\o HenhpNnà hoin XncnsIt¸m¶p AtÃ?” AhÀ tNmZn¨p. “Hm, FÃmw Ignªp. ]t£ \½Ä hnNmcn¨ncp¶nSt¯mfw Ipg¸sam¶panÃmbncp¶p.” H¶pw apgph³ tIÄ¡m³ £abnÃm¯ enUnb sFht\mhv\ aäp Imcy§fpambn CSbv¡p Ibdn. kw`mjWw Ignªv AhÀ t]mbt¸mÄ A¶ Xte¶s¯ AkpJIcamb Nn´ItfmÀ¯p. AsXÃmw t]mbvadªv AhÄ ]gbXpt]mse ZrVNn¯bpw im´bpambn ImWs¸«p. hvtdm¬kvIn Ft´m NnÃd XamiIÄ ]dªp. th− Xc¯n adp]SnsImSp¯v \nÀt¯−nS¯p \nÀ¯pIbpw sNbvXp. AXn `À¯mhnt\mSv ]db¯¡Xmbn {]tXyIns¨m¶pansöpw AhÄ¡p tXm¶n.

hvtdm¬kvIn tamkvtImbnte¡p t]mIpt¼mÄ AbmfpsS apdnIÄ kplr¯v s]{SnävkvIn¡p hn«psImSp¯ncp¶p. XncnsIsb¯pt¼mÄ apdnbn AbmtfmsSm¸w jn«¬ {]`znbpw ImsatdmhvkvInbpw D−v. AbmÄ¡pÅ Im¸n IqSn ASp¸¯p h¨n«v jn«¬ {]`zn tNmZn¨p: “`mcysb sIm−ph¶n«pt−m? \n§Ä t]mbt¸mÄ apX R§fnhnsS \n§fpsS hnhmlw \S¯pIbmbncp¶p.” “Cà {]`zo. FtâsXmcp s_mloanb³ P·amWv, acn¡pwhsc A§s\ Xs¶bmbncn¡pw.” Hcp]mSv sIm¨phÀ¯am\§Ä¡pw ]cZqjW§Ä¡pw tijw hvtdm¬kvIn bqWnt^maWnªv lmPcmIm³ ]pds¸«p. F¶n«p thWw ktlmZcsâbpw s_ävknbpsSbpw aäp ]ecpsSbpw ASp¡Â t]mIm³. A§s\ thWw ]otägvkv_ÀKv kaql¯n aZmw Itc\n\ F¯ns¸Sm\nSbpÅ thZnIfnsems¡ F¯m³. ]Xnhpt]mse cm{Xn sshIn am{Xta F¯q F¶pd¸n¨v AbmÄ ]pd¯nd§n.

cm{Xn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨psam¯ncn¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ bm{X XpS§nbt¸mÄ apXepÅ Imcy§Ä ]dªptIĸn¨p. hvtdm¬kvIb {]`znbpsam¯pÅ bm{X, tÌj\nse A]ISw, s̸mt\mSp tXm¶nb klXm]w, ]ns¶ tUmfntbmSp tXm¶nb klXm]w, Hs¡. “GXmbmepw A¯csamcp a\pjys\ Ffp¸¯n Ipähnapà\m¡m³ ]änÃ, \nsâ ktlmZc\msW¦n¡qSn.” AbmÄ ]dªp. “F´mbmepw FÃmw cayambn Iemin¨phtÃm!” ]Xnhp t]mse AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v ]pkvXIhpambn hmbn¡m³ t]mbn. A¶ Nne I¯pIsfgpXm\pw. IrXyw ]{´−mbt¸mÄ hmb\ \nÀ¯n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v F¯n. “kabambn” F¶p ]dªv AÀ°KÀ`ambn Nncn¨psIm−v InS¸dbnte¡p t]mbn. “Asænepw AbmÄ¡v At±ls¯ A§s\ t\m¡m³ F´[nImcamWpÅXv?” tÌj\n h¨v hvtdm¬kvIn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨ns\ t\m¡nb t\m«tamÀ¯v A¶ Nn´n¨p.

57

`mKw c−v sjÀ_m-ävkvIb

`h-\-¯n tUmIvS-sd¯n hni-Z-amb Hcp ]cn-tim-[\ \S-¡p-I-bm-Wv. InänbpsS BtcmKyw hfsc tami-am-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. hk-´Imew XpS-§n-b-tXmsS ØnXn IqSp-X Kpcp-X-c-am-bn. Gähpw {]i-kvX\mb tUmIvS-sd-¯s¶ hcp-¯n-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. At±-l-¯n\p am{Xta Inänsb kpJ-s¸-Sp-¯m³ Ignbq F¶v FÃm-hcpw ]d-ªp. ]cn-tim-[-\-IÄ¡p tijw At±lw {]`p-hp-ambn kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡pI-bm-Wv. PohnXw Iptd I−n-«p-Å-h-s\¶ \ne-bn At±-l-¯n\v InänbpsS tcmK-Im-cWw \¶m-b-dnbmw; NnInÂk-bn-sem¶pw Xosc hnizmkw tXm¶n-bp-an-Ã. aIfpsS tcmKhpw NnInÂkbpw kw_-Ôn¨v tUmIvS-dpsS ZoÀL-{]-`m-jWw tI«t¸mÄ ]¼-c-hnUvVn Ft¶ At±lw Icp-Xn-bp-Åq. B hr²-t\m-SpÅ AhÚ ]pdta Im«m-Xn-cn-¡m³ IjvS-s¸-Sp-I-bm-bn-cp¶p tUmIvSÀ. {]`zn-bmWv ho«nse Imcy-Øbpw Imcy-hn-h-c-ap-Å-bm-fp-sa¶v AbmÄ a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-cpsS ap³]n-em-Is« Xsâ ap¯p-IÄ hnX-dp-¶Xv F¶v hnNm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cns¡ AhÀ IpSpw-_-tUm-IvS-dp-sam¯v apdn-bn-te¡p IS-¶p-h-¶p. {]`p sasà ]n³h-en-ªp. {]`zn BsI Akz-Øbm-bn-cp-¶p. Inän-tbmSv Xm³ henb A]-cm[w sNbvXn-cn-¡p¶p F¶v AhÀ a\-kn-em-¡n. “{]Xo-£-bv¡p hIbpt−m” F¶p tNmZn-¡m-\m-sª-¦nepw tNmZyw AhcpsS sXm−-bn IpSp-§n. "tUmIvSÀ, FÃm hnh-c-§fpw hni-Z-ambn ]d-bq.” F¶p am{Xw ]d-ªp. At±lw IpSpw-_-tUm-IvS-dp-ambn Btem-Nn-¨n«v c−p t]À¡pw H¶pw XoÀ¯p ]d-bm³ Ign-ªn-Ã. £b-tcm-K-¯nsâ Bcw-`-am-tWm-sb¶mWv Imcy-amb kwi-bw. hnfÀ¨-bp-−v, hfsc thK-¯n hnIm-c-hn-t£m`§Ä¡-Sn-s¸-Sp-¶p-−v. A\m-tcm-Ky-¯n\p ]n¶n am\-kn-Ihpw Bßo-b-hpamb Imc-W-§-fp-ap-s−¶v IpSpw-_-tUm-IvSÀ A`n-{]m-b-s¸-«p. Xm³ AXv Du-ln-¨n-cp¶p F¶ a«n-emWv hnZKv[ tUmIvSÀ {]Xn-I-cn-¨-Xv. Ct¸mÄ ]cn-lm-c-ambn sN¿mhp-¶-Xv t]mj-I-§Ä [mcm-f-ambn Ign-¡p-I, sRc-¼p-Isf iàn-s¸-Sp-¯pI F¶o-¡m-cy-§-fm-Wv. c−pw ]c-kv]cw _Ô-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶p. {]iv\s¯ Ccp-h-i-¯p-\n¶pw Hcp-an¨v B{I-an-¡p-IbmWv th−Xv.

58 Hcp hntZ-i-bm{X \¶m-bn-cn-¡p-sa¶v IpSpw-_-tUm-IvSÀ A`n-{]m-b-s¸-«p. {]`zn-bpsS \nÀtZ-i-am-W-Xv. a\kp t\mhn-¡p¶ HmÀa-I-fn \n¶p amdn\n¡p¶Xv KpWw sN¿pw. hnZvKv[ tUmIvSÀ¡v AXn-t\mSp henb XmÂ]cyw tXm¶n-bn-Ã. F¦nepw At±lw k½-Xn-¨p. Hcp hyh-Ø-tbmsS: bm{X-bv¡n-S-bn Fs´-¦nepw AXym-hiyw h¶m A\y-\m-«nse hymP tUmIvSÀam-cpsS klmbw tXScpXv. Xsâ D]-tZi-{]-Imcw am{Xta {]hÀ¯n¡m-hq. tUmIvSÀ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Inän {]k-¶X A`n-\-bn-¨p. CubnsS-bmbn AhÄ¡v Ft¸mgpw A`n-\-bn-t¡-−n-h-cp-¶p. "Ct¸m F\n¡p \à kpJ-ap-−-t½. ]ns¶ A½bv¡p XmÂ]cyw AXmsW¦n \ap¡p bm{X t]mImw.” hntZ-i-bm-{X-bn Gsd XmÂ]-cy-apÅ-Xp-t]mse AhÄ ]ns¶ AXn-\pÅ Hcp-¡-§-sf-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ XpS§n.

tUmIvSÀ t]mb DSs\ tUmfn F¯n. Inän¡v A¶p ]cn-tim-[-\-bps−¶v Ah-f-dn-ªn-cp-¶p. amk-§Ä am{Xw {]mb-apÅ Cfb Ipªns\bpw (C-Xn-\nsS AhÄ Hcn-¡Â¡qSn {]k-hn-¨ncp¶p.) kpJ-an-ÃmXn-cn-¡p¶p asämcp Ipªns\bpw Hs¡ ho«n GÂ]n-¨mWv AhÄ t]m¶n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. tUmIvSÀ ]dª hnh-c-§Ä apgp-h³ AtX-]Sn ]d-bm³ AhÀ¡m-bn-Ã. Inän hntZ-i-t¯¡p t]mIp¶p F¶- hnhcw tUmfnsb BsI Akz-Øbm-¡n. Ah-fpsS Gähpw ASp¯ kplr-¯v t]mIp-I-bm-Wv, Ah-fpsS Pohn-X-am-sW¦n Akz-Ø-Xm-]q-cn-X-hpw. tUm-fn-bpsS Pohn-X-¯nepw kzØX Ipd-hm-bn-cp-¶p. A¶ Ac-¡n-«p-d-¸n¨p t]msb-¦nepw s̸m\p-ambpÅ _Ôw Hcp-h-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. km¼-¯nI {]iv\-§fpw [mcm-fw. h-enb IpSpw_-¯nsâ `mc-§fpw hep-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. \ndsb Ip«n-IÄ, BÀs¡-¦n-epsams¡ Ft¸mgpw Akp-J-hpw. At¸m-tg¡v tUmIvSÀ t]msb-¶-dnªv {]`p-hp-sa-¯n. tUmfn-bpsS Npw_\w kzoI-cn-¨p-sIm−v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p: “At¸mÄ \n§-fpsS bm{X F´mbn? t]mIp-¶pt−m? Rms\-´mWp th−Xv? ” “\n§Ä Chn-sS¯s¶ \n¡pIbmhpw \Ã-Xv. ” {]`zn ]dªp. “\n§-fpsS CjvSw t]mse. ” “At±lw IqSn hcp-¶-Xn-s\-´m-W-t½, \ap¡pw AXm-bn-cn¡pw ckw”, Inän ]d-ªp.

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{]`p Inän-bpsS apSn-bn hnc-tem-Sn-¨p-sIm−v ASp-¯p-h¶p \n¶p. AhÄ apJ-apbÀ¯n At±-ls¯ t\m¡n IjvS-s¸-s«mcp Nncn hcp-¯n. ho«n Xs¶ Gähpw \¶mbn a\-kn-em-¡p-¶Xv At±-l-amsW¶h-tfmÀ¯p. B \oe-¡-®p-I-fnse t\m«w Xsâ DÅn-ep-Å-sXÃmadnbp-¶p. Inänsb Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ {]`p ]dª hm¡p-IÄ Ah-fpsS HmÀa-Isf DWÀ¯n. angn-IÄ \ndªv AhÄ Cd§n HmSn-t¸m-bn. {]`zn `À¯m-hns\ imkn-¡m³ XpS-§n. “\n§-fpsS Hmtcm Xam-i-IÄ”. H«pw thZ-\n-¸n-¡msX t\mt¡-−-Xm-W-h-sf. a\p-jysc a\-kn-em-¡p-¶-Xn ]äp¶ Hmtcmtcm ]ng-hp-IÄ.” Ah-km\ hmNIw hvtdm¬kvInsb Dt±-in¨m-sW¶v kwkmcw hyà-am-¡n. “C¯cw s\dn-sI«h³amÀs¡Xnsc \nba-sam-¶p-an-Ãm-¯Xv F´m-sW¶mWv F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Im-¯-Xv.” “\nsâ hÀ¯am\w F\n¡p kln-¡m³ ]äp-¶n-Ã.” t]mIm-s\-gp-t¶ä {]`p hmXn¡-se¯n Xncn-ªp-\n-¶p. “\osbm-cmÄ am{X-amWv CsXÃmw hcp¯n-h-¨-Xv.” ]ns¶-bp-tasd ]d-bm-\p-−m-bn-cp¶p At±-l-¯n-\v. ]t£ At¸m-tg¡v {]`zn Ic-¨n-embn. Xsâ ssII-fn Ah-cpsS I®o-c-Wnª Npw_-\-ta-äp-hm§nb {]`p ]ns¶ `mcysb Biz-kn-¸n-¡p¶ Xnc-¡n-em-bn. ]ns¶ At±lw ]pd-t¯¡p t]mbn. tUmfn tNmZn¨p: “At½, Ignª XhW ChnsS h¶-t¸mÄ sehn³ InäntbmSv hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯n-bn-cp-t¶m? sehn³ Ình-tbmSv A§s\ ]dªn-cp-¶p.” “F¶n«v?” “Ah-fXp \nc-knt¨m? Inän A½-tbmSv H¶pw ]d-ªntÃ?” “CÃ. AhÄ c−p t]cn Bcp-sSbpw Imcyw Ft¶mSp ]d-ªn-«n-Ã. AhfpsS A`n-am\w AXn\p k½-Xn-¡n-Ã. ]t£ asä-bm-sf-s¨m-Ãn-bmWv Cu hnjaw apgp-h³. AsX-\n-¡-dn-bmw.” “AhÄ sehns\ \nc-kn-¨p-sh¶p hbv¡pI; F¦n AXp asä-bmsf {]Xntb sN¿q. At¸mÄ F{X henb NXn-bmWv AbmÄ sNbvX-Xv.” aIÄ¡v Xm³ hcp-¯n-h¨ Zpcn-X-tamÀ¯v {]`zn Dcp-In. A\p-P-¯nsb Bizkn-¸n-¡m-\mbn tUmfn Fgp-t¶äv AI-t¯¡p t]mbn.

“Rm³ aS§nt¸mIp-I-bm-Wv. Ip«n-IÄ¡p NqSp-]-\n-bm-b-Xp-sIm−v \o t]mIp-¶-Xn\p ap³]p X½n ImWm³ ]än-sb¶p hcn-Ã. AXp-sIm−v \ap¡Â]w kwkm-cn-¡mw.” “F´n-s\-¸än?” “\nsâ {]iv\-§-sf-¸-än.” “F\n¡p {]iv\-§-sfm-¶p-an-Ã.” “F´m Ip«o, F\n-s¡m-¶p-a-dn-bn-söp Icp-Xntbm? H¶pw kmc-anà tamtf, R§-sfÃmw C¯cw A\p-`-h-§-fn-eqsS IS-¶p-t]m-b-h-cm-Wv.” Inän H¶pw an−n-bnÃ; apJ¯v B Xdª t\m«w am{Xw. “Ah-s\-s¨mÃn \obn{X ZpJn-¡m-s\m-¶p-an-Ã.” tUmfn t\sc Imcy-¯nte¡p IS-¶p. “AX-§s\ Xs¶-bm-Wv. Fs´mch-Ú-bmWv AbmÄ Ft¶mSp Im«n-bXv.” XIÀ¶ i_vZ¯n Inän ]d-ªp. “AtX-¸-än- C\n Ft¶mSv H¶pw ]db-cp-Xv. B hnjbw kwkm-cn-t¡−.” “Bcp ]dªp \nt¶m-Sn-sXm-s¡. F\n-¡p-d-¸p−v AbmÄ¡p \nt¶m-Sp...” “Cu kl-Xm-]-amWv F\n¡p Xosc kln-¡m-¯-Xv. \osb-´mWp ]d-bp-¶sX¶p \n\-¡-dn-bmtam? F\n¡p ]pÃp-hne t]mepw Xcm¯ Hcm-sf Rm³ AKm-[-ambn kvt\ln-¨n-cp-s¶-¶v. Abm-tfm-SpÅ kvt\lw-sIm−p Rm³ hoÀ¸p-ap-«p-s¶-¶v... hmÂkeyw Xn§n-\n-dª Hcp tN¨n! C§-s\-bmtWm kl-Xm]w {]I-Sn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xv?” “ Inäo” “F\n-s¡mcp ZpJ-hp-an-Ã, Bcp-sSbpw kl-Xm-]hpw th−. Fs¶ kvt\lan-Ãm¯ HcmÄ¡p-th−n ]mgm-¡m³ F\n¡pw lrZ-b-an-Ã. A{X-bvs¡ms¡ A`n-am\w F-\n-¡p-−v.” “A§s\ thW-sa¶p Rm\pw ]d-bp-¶n-Ô Inän-bpsS ssI Xsâ ssIIfn FSp-¯p-]n-Sn¨v tUmfn tNmZn-¨p. “sehn³ \nt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¨ncpt¶m?” sehns\¸-än-bpÅ ]cm-aÀiw Inän-bn Ah-ti-jn-¨n-cp¶ \nb-{´Ww IqSn CÃm-Xm-¡n. “F´n-\mWv sehns\¡qSn shdpsX hen-¨n-g-bv¡p-¶Xv? Rm³ ]d-ªn-tÃ; Hcn-¡Â¡qSn BhÀ¯n-¡mw. F\n¡p Ipd¨v A`n-am-\-sam-s¡-bp−v. \o sN¿p¶ amXncn Hcn-¡Â h©n¨-bm-fpsS ASp-t¯¡p Rm³ XncnsIt¸mIn-Ã; asäm-cp-¯nsb kvt\ln-¨-bm-fpsS ASp-t¯-¡v. \n\¡p ]äp-ambn-cn-¡pw. F\n-¡Xp Ign-bn-Ã.”

Inän-bpsS

apdn-bn-te¡p IS-¶-t¸mÄ Ignª hÀjw X§-sfm-cp-an¨v AXv Ae-¦-cn¨ Imcy-§-sfms¡ tUmfn-bpsS a\-kn-te-t¡m-Sn-sb-¯n. hmXn-en-\Sp¯v Hcp Itk-c-bn apdn-bpsS aqe-bn-te¡p ZrjvSn-bp-d-¸n¨v Ccn-¡p-IbmWv Inän. tN¨nsb I−n«pw Ah-fpsS apJs¯ XWp-¯p-dª `mh¯n\p amä-sam-¶p-an-Ã.

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CXp ]d-ªn«v ]pd-t¯¡v HmSn-t¸m-Im-\mª AhÄ, XeXmgv¯n hnjm-Zt¯m-sS Ccn-¡p¶ tUmfn-sb-¡−v Ahn-Ss¯s¶ Ip¯n-bn-cp¶v Xqhm-ebv¡p-Ån apJ-sam-fn-¸n-¨p. Ft¸mgpw IqsS-s¡m-−p-\-S-¶n-cp¶ A]-am-\-`mcw A\p-P-¯n-bpsS Xs¶ hmbnÂ\n¶p h¶ Ip¯p-hm-¡p-IÄsIm−v H¶p-IqSn I\w-Iq-Sn-sb¶p tUmfn¡p tXm¶n. Inän C{X {IqcX ImWn-¡p-sa¶v AhÄ¡p Nn´n-¡m³ IqSn Ign-ªn-Ã. Ah-tfmSp hÃm¯ tZjyw tXm¶n. AhÄ XeXmgv¯n-bncp-¶p. ]mhm-S-bp-c-bp¶ i_vZw, lrZbw XIÀ¶ G§-e-Sn-IÄ ASp-¯p-h-cp¶p. c−p ssIIÄ Ah-fpsS Igp-¯n sI«n¸n-Sn-¨p. I®o-c-Wnª apJw tUmfn-bpsS DSp-¸n-\p-Ån ]qgv¯n Inän ap«p-Ip¯n \n¶p. FÃm apdn-hp-Ifpw DW-¡p¶ F®-bmbn AhÀ¡n-S-bn I®o-scm-gp-In. Ccp-h-cpsSbpw apdn-hp-IÄ AhÀ ]c-kv]-c-a-dn-ªp. Inän sehnsâ A`yÀY\ \nc-kn-¨-Xpw, hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf h©n-¨Xpw, hvtdm¬kvIntbmSpÅ Ah-fpsS shdp-¸pw, sehns\ ]qÀWa\tkmsS kvt\ln-¡m-\pÅ k¶-²-Xbpw FÃmw tUmfn a\-kn-em-¡n. Inän Hcp hm¡p t]mepw ]d-bmsX Xs¶. tUmfn-bpsS ho«n Ip«n-I-tfm-sSm¸w am{Xta X\n¡v C¯n-cn-sb-¦nepw kt´mjw In«q F¶p ]dªv AhÄ tN¨ntbm-sSm¸w t]mbn. A-hÄ¡p ap³]p NqSp-]\n h¶n-«p-Å-Xn-\m C\n hcp-sa¶p t]Sn-¡m-\n-Ã. Bdp Ip«nI-sfbpw ]\n Xocpw hsc ]cn-N-cn¨v AhÄ Ahn-Ss¯s¶ IqSn. t\m¼p XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ AhÀ hntZ-i-t¯¡p bm{X t]mbn.

HmSn-sb-¯n, Xsâ kvt\l-s¯-¸än hmtXm-cmsX kwkm-cn-¨p. A¶ Abmsf Hcp Xc-¯nepw t{]mÂkm-ln-¸n-¨n-Ã. F¦nepw s{Sbn-\n h¨v Bzy-ambn Abmsf I−-t¸mÄ tXm¶n-b-Xp-t]mse knc-I-fnse {Xkn¸v Ah-f-dn-ªp. Xob-ä-dn Hcp {]ikvXKmb-Isâ {]I-S\w \S-¡p-¶p. s_ävknsb I−v hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-cpsS-b-Sp-t¯¡v sN¶p. “\o F´m hncp-¶n\p hcm-Xn-cp-¶Xv? AhÀ tNmZn-¨p. ]ns¶ aämÀ¡pw tIÄ¡m-\m-hm¯ hn[w kzIm-cy-ambn ]d-ªp. “Ahfpw CÃm-bn-cp-¶p. GXm-bmepw Hm¸d Ign-bp-t¼mÄ At§m«p hm.’’ “Rm³ ]cn-lm-ky-\m-hp-I-bmtWm F¶mWv Fsâ kwibw’’ A§s\ ]d-sª-¦nepw Xm³ s_ävkn-bp-Äs¸sSbpÅ ]cn-jvIm-cn-I-fn-em-cpsSbpw ap¶n ]cn-lm-ky-\m-hp-I-bn-söv hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Adn-bm-am-bn-cp¶p. sIm¨p-kp-µ-cn-I-fpsS ]pdsI \S¶ ]cm-P-b-s¸-Sp-¶-h-tcmSv AhÀ¡p ]cn-lm-k-ap-−m-Ipw. ]t£ hnhm-ln-X-bmb Hcp-hsf Ahn-ln-X-_-Ô-¯nte¡p hogn-s¨-Sp-¡m-\pÅ {ia-§sf B kaqlw al-¯-c-amtb ImWq. B Adnhp \ÂInb {]uVamb Hcp ]p©ncn Abm-fpsS apJ-¯p-−m-bn-cp¶p. “hncp-¶n\p hcm-Xn-cp-¶Xv F´msW¶v ]d-ªnÃ?’’ “Rm\Â]w Xnc-¡n-em-bn-cp-¶p. AsXmcp IY-bm-Wv. F´m-bn-cp¶p Fsâ tPmen F¶p ]d-bmtam? F{X Dul-§ÄsIm−pw ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-Ã. `mcysb Bt£-]n¨ Hcp-h-\p-ambn `À¯mhv `b-¦c iWvT. c−p-t]-scbpw cay-X-s¸-Sp-¯p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p Rm³.’’ “F¶n«p hnP-bnt¨m?’’ “Dw.... Ipsd-sbms¡.’’ “kam-[m-\-ap-−m-¡p-¶-hÀ `mKyhm·mÀ; kzÀK-cm-Pyw Ah-cp-tSXmIp¶p.” Btcm ]d-ªp-tI« Hcp hmNIw HmÀs¯-Sp-¯p-sIm−v s_ävkn ]d-ªp.

]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse D¶X kaq-l-¯n\v G-Xm−v Htc kz`m-h-amsW¦nepw aq¶p D]-hn-`m-K-§Ä ImWm-am-bn-cp-¶p. (F¦nepw AhnsS FÃm-hÀ¡pw FÃm-h-scbpw Adn-bmw.) H¶v Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hnsâ kl-{]-hÀ¯I-c-S§p¶ DtZym-K-Ø-hr-µw. {]mb-am-b, ssZh-`-ànbpw lrZ-bm-ep-Xz-hp-apÅ, hncq-]-I-fmb kv{XoIfpw DbÀ¨ tamln-¨p-\-S-¡p¶ _p²n-im-en-I-fmb ]pcpj³am-cp-a-S-§p¶ asämcp kaq-lw. \r¯-§fpw hncp-¶p-Ifpw BÀ`m-SamÀ¶ hkv{X-§fpw apJ-ap-{Z-bmb asämcp hn`m-Kw. A¶ AÀ¡-tZyhv\bv¡v FÃm hn`m-K-¯nepw kplr-¯p-¡-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AXo-h-k-¼-¶-bmb s_ävkn sSzÀkvIb {]`zn-bm-bn-cp¶p BÀ`m-S-k-aqlhpambn A¶-sb _Ôn-¸n¨ I®n. X\n¡p Xm§m-hp-¶-Xn-\-¸p-d-am-b-Xn\m Cu _Ôw Ign-bp-¶Xpw Hgn-hm-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p A¶-bpsS ioew. F¶m tamkvtIm-bn t]mbn-h-¶-Xn\p tijw Ign-bp-¶Xpw Ah-tcm-sSm¸-am-bn-cn-¡m³ AhÄ {ian-¨p. sSzÀkvIb {]`zn-bpsS _Ôp-hm-bn-cp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn. A¶sb ImWm³ ]äp¶ Hmtcm Ah-k-c-¯nepw AbmÄ

s_ävkn

XncnsI ho«n-se¯n hkv{Xw amdn-b-tXbpÅq; At¸m-tg¡v hncp¶p-Im-cpsS {]hm-l-am-bn. h¶hÀ h¶hÀ Hmtcmtcm hÀ¯am\-§-fn apgp-In. Hm¸-d-bnse IYm-]m-{X-§Ä, s_ävkn-bpsS `À¯m-hnsâ CjvS-hnt\m-Z-amb sIm¯p-th-e-IÄ, Npäp-ap-Å-h-sc-¸än ]c-Zq-j-W-§Ä.... A§s\ kw`m-jWw Itc-\n³ Z¼-Xn-I-sf-¸-än-bm-bn. “tamkvtIm-bn t]mbn-h-¶-Xn¸ns¶ A¶ BsI amdn-t¸m-bn.” Ah-fpsS Iq«p-Imcn ]d-ªp.

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“AhnsS \n¶p aS§nbt¸mÄ AeIvkn hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS \ngepw IqsSs¡m-−p-t]m¶p F¶-XmWv Ah-fpsS amäw.” Aw_m-k-U-dpsS `mcy ]dªp. “AXn-s\´m? {Kn½nsâ GtXm Hcp IY-bnep−v \ng \jvS-s¸« Hcp-h³; F´nt\m DÅ in£-bm-bn-cp¶p AXv. AsX-§-s\-bmWv in£-bm-Ip-¶Xv F¶mWv F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Im-¯-Xv. Hcp kv{Xo Hcp-]t£ \ng \jvS-s¸Sp-¶-Xn ZpJn-t¨-¡mw.” “]t£ \ng-epÅ kv{XoIÄ s]mXpth Zpc-´-§-fnte sNs¶¯m-dp-Åq.” A¶-bpsS Iq«p-Imcn ]d-ªp. “\nsâ \m¡p \in-¨p-t]m-s«” aZmw abmIy ]d-ªp. “A¶ hfsc \à kv{Xobm-Wv. F\n-¡-h-cpsS `À¯m-hns\ H«pw CjvS-anÃ; ]t£ Ahsf hfsc CjvS-am-Wv.” “AsX´m Ah-cpsS `À¯m-hns\ CjvS-an-Ãm-¯Xv? At±lw hfsc \à a\p-jy-\m-Wv. At±-l-s¯-t¸mse {]KÂ`-\mb cmjv{S-X-{´-Ú³ bqtdm¸n Xs¶ CsÃ-¶mWv Fsâ `À¯mhv ]d-bp-¶-Xv.” “Fsâ `À¯mhpw AXp-X-s¶-bmWp ]d-bp-¶-Xv. ]t£ Rm\Xp hniz-kn¡p-¶n-Ã. `À¯m-¡-·mÀ hymJym-\n¨p Xcm-Xn-cp-¶m Xs¶ \ap¡v Imcy§sf Ah Bbn-cn-¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse ImWm³ Ign-bpw. F\n-¡-dn-bm-hp-¶n-St¯mfw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Hcp hnUvVn-bm-Wv. Abm-sfmcp alm-\m-sW¶p ]d-ªn-cp¶ Ime¯v Abm-fpsS alXzw ImWm³ Rm³ Gsd {ian¨p; ImWm³ ]äm-¯Xv Fsâ hnh-c-t¡-Sp-sIm-−m-sW¶p [cn-¨p. “F´m-bmepw A¶sb \n§Ä¡p ap³]n-se-dn-ªp-X-cm³ Rm\n-Ã. AhÄ anSp-¡n-bm-Wv, \Ã-h-fp-am-Wv. ImWp-¶-h-scÃmw Ahsf CjvS-s¸-Sp-Ibpw \ng-ep-t]mse ]n¶mse IqSp-Ibpw sN¿p¶-Xn\v Ah-Äs¡´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw?” “AXn\v Rm³ Ahsf Ipäw ]d-ªn-Ô A¶-bpsS kplr¯v kzbw \ymbo-I-cn-¨p. “\½psS ]pdsI \ng-ep-t]mse Bcpw \S-¡p-¶n-söp hnNm-cn¨v \ap¡v Ahsf Ipäw ]d-bm³ F´-h-Im-i-am-Wp-ÅXv?” “Bsc-¸-änbm ]c-Zq-jWw?” s_ävkn CS-s]«p. “Itc-\n³ IpSpw-_-s¯-¸-än. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ hmKvNn{Xw hc-bv¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p abmIy.” Aw_m-k-U-dpsS `mcy Hcp NncntbmsS ]d-ªp. “B, F¯ntbm?” s_ävkn hmXn IS-¶p-h-cp¶ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS t\sc Xncn-ªp.

AhnsS IqSn-bn-cp-¶-hsc hvtdm¬kvIn \¶mbn Adn-bp-am-bn-cp-s¶¶p am{X-a-Ã, \nXyhpw ImWp-¶-h-cp-am-bn-cp-¶p. Nnc-]-cn-Nn-XXzw \ÂInb kzmX{´y-t¯msS AbmÄ Hcp {^©p \Sn-sb-¸än Ft´m ]d-bm-s\m-cp-§n-bt¸mÄ Aw_m-k-U-dpsS `mcy Ifn-]-dªp: “tlm! B `oIcIY tht−-th-−.”

Btcm \S-¶p-h-cp-¶-Xnsâ i_vZw tI«p. AXv A¶-bm-sW¶p Xncn-¨dnªv s_ävkn hvtdm¬kvInsb t\m¡n. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fn Xnf-¡w. DbÀ¶ inckpw Dd¨ t\m«hpw A\m-bm-k-amb \S-¯-hp-ambn A¶ IS¶p-h-¶p, BXn-tYbbpsS ASp¯p sN¶v AhÀ¡v ssIsIm-Sp¯ tijw hvtdm¬kvInsb t\m¡n ]p©n-cn-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn Xe Ip\n¨p hW-§nb tijw Itkc \o¡n-bn-«p-sIm-Sp-¯p. ]ns¶ AhnsS \S¶ NÀ¨ t{]a-s¯bpw hnhm-l-s¯bpw Ipdn-¨m-bn-cp-¶p. “t{]atam? ]g-©³ k¦Â]-§Ä. Fsâ t\m«-¯n hnth-I-]qÀW-amb hnhm-l-§tf kt´m-j-Ic-am-Iq.” Aw_m-k-U-dpsS `mcy ]d-ªp. “]t£ A¯cw hnth-I-hn-hm-l-§-fn F{X thK-amWv B kt´mjw amªp-t]m-Ip-¶-Xv. ]ecpw AwKo-I-cn-¡m³ hnk-½-Xn¡p¶ hnIm-c-§Ä Xe-s]m-¡p-t¼mÄ AXp s]mSn-t]mse ]d-¶p-t]m-Ipw.” hvtdm¬kvIn. “AXp NqSp-]\n t]mse-bm-Wv. Hmtcm-cp-¯cpw AXn-eqsS IS-¶p-t]m-I-Ww.” “A§-s\-sb-¦n kvtamÄt]m-Ivkn-s\-¶-t]mse t{]a-¯n\pw {]Xn-tcm-[-Ip¯n-hbv¸v FSp-¡-Ww.” “Rm³ sNdp-¸-¯n Hcp Uo¡-\p-ambn t{]a-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p. AXp-sIm−v ]n¶oSv Fs´-¦nepw KpW-ap-−m-b-Xmbn F\n¡p tXm¶n-bn-«n-Ã.” abmIy ]d-ªp. “Xam-i-b-Ã, F\n¡p tXm¶p¶p t{]a-sa-´m-sW¶dn-b-W-sa-¦n Hmtcm-cp¯cpw sXäp-IÄ sNbvXpw Xncp-¯nbpw Xs¶ IS-¶p-t]m-I-Ww.” “hnhm-l-¯n\p tijhpw” s_ävkn ]d-ª-Xn-t\mSv Aw_m-k-U-dpsS `mcy Iq«n-t¨À¯p. s_ävkn {]`zn A¶bv¡p t\sc Xncnªp: \n\-s¡´p tXm¶p¶p? ssII-fn \n¶v Ducnb ¥ukn IkÀ¯p-IÄ ImWn-¨p-sIm−v A¶ ]dªp: "F{X a\p-jy-cp-t−m A{Xbpw a\-kp-I-fp-−v, A{X Xcw lrZ-b§fpw; A{X Xs¶ Xc-¯n t{]a-hp-ap-−m-Ipw.” A¶ F´p ]d-bp-¶p-sh-¶-dn-bm³ BImw-£-tbmsS Im¯n-cp¶ hvtdm¬kvIn hen-sbmcp A]-ISw Ign-ªp-In-«n-bm-se¶h®w \niz-kn-¨p. A¶ AbmÄ¡p t\sc Xncnªp: “tamkvtIm-bn \n¶p I¯p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Inän¡p kpJ-an-söv.”

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s_ävkn-bpsS ASp-¡Â sN¶v Hcp I¸v Nmb-sb-Sp¯v A¶ Hcn-S¯p amdn Ccp-¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn ASp-¯p- sN¶p. “_lp-am-\y-amb s]cp-amäw F´m-sW¶v `qcn-`mKw BWp-§Ä¡pw Adnbnsöp tXm¶p-¶p; an¡-t¸mgpw AhÀ AtX-¸-än-bmWv kwkm-cn-¡p-¶sX¦nepw. Iptd \mfmbn Rm\nXp ]d-b-W-sa¶p hnNm-cn-¡p¶p.” A¶ ]dªp. “\n§-fpsS hm¡p-IÄ F\n¡p ]nSn-In-«p-¶nÃ.” hvtdm¬kvIn ]d-ªp. A¶ I®p-IÄ sIm−v tkm^-bn-te¡p Nq−n. hvtdm¬kvIn AhnsS Ccp¶p. “]d-b-W-sa¶p hnNm-cn-¡m³ XpS-§n-bn«p Ipd¨p \mfm-bn. \n§Ä hfsc tami-am-bmWv s]cp-am-dn-b-Xv.” “Fsâ s]cp-amäw tami-am-bn-t¸m-sb¶v F\n-¡-dn-bn-SsömtWm Icp-XnbXv? ]t£ AXv Bcp aqe-am-bn-cp¶p?” “F´n-\mWv Ft¶mSv AXp ]d-bp-¶Xv?” Xo£Wambn t\m¡n-s¡m−v A¶ tNmZn-¨p. “F´n-\m-sW¶v \n\¡v Adn-bm-atÃm” Ah-fpsS t\m«w t\cn-«p-sIm−v ZrjvSn Xmgv¯msX Xtâ-S-t¯msS, DÅn \ndsb kt´m-j-t¯msS AbmÄ ]d-ªp. AbmÄ¡-Ã, AhÄ¡m-bn-cp¶p Ct¸mÄ Bi-¦. “\n§Ä lrZ-b-iq-\y-\m-sW¶Xn\p sXfn-hm-W-Xv.” “Ct¸mÄ ]d-ªXp kvt\l-¯n \n¶Ã; AXp sXäm-Wv.” “kvt\lw! B hr¯n-sI« hm¡v D¨-cn-¡-cp-sX¶v Rm³ hne-¡n-bn-«p-ÅXtÃ?” hne¡v F¶ hm¡p Xs¶ B a\p-jy-\p-ta Xm³ `mhn-¡p¶ Ah-Im-i¯n\p sXfn-hm-sW¶v A¶ HmÀan¨p; A§s\ kvt\l-s¯-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¡m³ AbmÄ¡pw Ah-Imiw sImSp-¡p-I-bm-Wv. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fn Xo£vWXtbmsS t\m¡n-s¡m−v A¶ ]dªp: “\n§sf ImWm³ th−n-¯-s¶-bmWv C¶p Rm³ h¶-Xv. CXnhnsS Ahkm-\n-¡-W-sa¶p ]d-bm³. C¶p-hsc Rm\m-cp-sSbpw ap¶n hnf-dn-bn-«n-Ã. Ct¸mÄ \n§Ä Fsâ a\-kn Ipä-t_m[w \nd-bv¡p-¶p.” Ah-fpsS apJ¯v At¸mÄ \ndª Bßo-b-ssN-X\yw Abmsf {`an-¸n-¨pI-f-ªp. “Rms\´p thW-sa-¶mWv?” “tamkvtIm-bn t]mbn Inän-tbmSv am¸p tNmZn-¡-Ww.” “bYmÀY-¯n \o A§s\ B{K-ln-¡p-¶pt−m?”

DÅn-ep-Å-X-Ã, AhÄ kzbw ]dªp ]Tn-¸n-¨p-h-¨-XmWv Bh-iy-s¸-Sp¶sX¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. “\n§Ä ]d-bpw-t]mse Ft¶mSv kvt\l-ap-s−¦n AXp sN¿Ww; Fsâ a\-k-am-[m-\-¯n\p th−n.” Abm-fpsS apJ¯p {]Imiw ]c-¶p. “\obm-sWsâ Poh\pw kÀh-hp-sa¶v \n\-¡-dn-bntÃ? ]t£ kam-[m-\-sas´¶v Rm\-dn-bp-¶n-Ã. ]ns¶-sb-§s\ \n\¡p \ÂIpw? C\n-ta- F\nt¡m \n\t¡m kam-[m-\-ap−m-Ip-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶n-Ã. \ncm-ibpw ZpcnXhpw am{Xw”. AsÃ-¦n henb ku`mKyw. AXp-−m-Im-sX hcptam? Np−p-I-fn-sem-Xp¡n a{´n¨ B hm¡p-IÄ ]t£ Ah-fpsS sNhn-I-fn-se¯n. A´-an-Ãm¯ \ncm-i-bptSsX¶p Icp-Xnb \nan-j-¯n A\p-{K-l-ambn AXp hs¶¯n. AhÄ Fs¶ kvt\ln-¡p¶p; AXv k½-Xn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXn-cn-¡p-¶p. “A§-s\-bm-sW¦n C\n-ta Ft¶mSv C¯-c-¯n kwkm-cn-¡-cp-Xv. \ap¡v \à kplr-¯p-¡-fm-bn-cn-¡mw.” AhÄ ]d-ªp. “\½Ä Hcn-¡epw kplr-¯p-¡-fm-bn-cn-¡nÃ; \n\¡pw AXp \Ã-Xp-t]mse And-bmw. H¶p-In Gähpw k´p-jvSÀ, AsÃ-¦n Gähpw ZpJn-XÀ .. GXp thW-sa¶p Xocp-am-\n-t¡-−Xp \obm-Wv.” A¶ Ft´m ]d-bm-\m-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ XpSÀ¶p: “Ht¶ Rm³ tNmZn-¡p-¶pÅq: {]Xo-£n-¡m-\pÅ Ah-Im-iw, Cu thZ\ A\p-`-hn-¡m\pÅ Ah-Im-iw. AXp-IqSn km[y-asæn IÂ]n-¨m aXn, Rm³ Fhn-sSsb¦nepw s]mbvs¡m-Åmw. ImWm-\n-jvS-an-sæn C\n-sbmcn-¡epw ap¶n hcn-Ô. CXm \nsâ `À¯mhv h¶n-cn-¡p-¶p.” B \nanjw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hnNv im´hpw Atcm-N-I-hp-amb ]Xn-hp-Np-h-Sp-I-tfmsS IS-¶p-h-¶p. A¶-tbbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-tbbpw H¶p t\m¡n-bn-«v BXntYbbpsS ASp-¡Â sN¶v Hcp I¸v Nmb FSp¯v ]Xnhp-t]mse D¨-¯n Bsctbm Ifn-bm-¡m³ XpS-§n. ]cn-lmkw tI«paSp¯ s_ävkn {]`zn Kuc-h-apÅ Hcp NÀ¨-bn-te¡p hnjbw amän-hn-«p. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hnNv NÀ¨-bn apgp-In. A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw Ah-cpsS sIm¨p tai-bv¡-cn-InÂX-s¶-bn-cp¶p. “CsXmcp \mWw-sI« CS-]m-Sm-WtÃm!” A¶, hvtdm¬kvIn, AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hnNv F¶n-hsc amdn-amdn t\m¡n-s¡m−v Hcp kv{Xo ]d-ªp. “Rm³ At¸mtg ]d-ªntÃ!” A¶-bpsS Iq«p-Imcn ]d-ªp.

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apdn-bn-epÅ FÃm-hcpw abm-Iybpw s_ävknbpw t]mepw AXp {i²n-¨n-cp¶p. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hnNv am{X-am-bn-cp¶p AXp {i²n-¡m-Xn-cp-¶Xv. FÃm-h-cp-sSbpw {]Xn-I-cWw tami-am-Ip-¶-X-dnª s_ävkn Fgp-t¶äv A¶bpsS ASp-¯p- sN¶p. “\nsâ `À¯m-hnsâ `mjm-Nm-Xp-cyhpw kv]jvS-Xbpw AXn-i-b-I-c-am-Wv. At±lw ]d-ªm AXo-{µn-b-hn-j-b-§Ä t]mepw F\n¡v Ffp-¸-¯n a\-kn-em-Ipw.” “AXp icn-bmWv” \ndª ]p©n-cn-tbmsS A¶ ]d-ªp. s_ävkn ]dª Hcp hm¡p-t]mepw AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. Ah-sf-gp-t¶äv henb tai-bpsS Acn-In-te¡p t]mbn Ahn-Sps¯ NÀ¨-bn ]¦p-sIm-−p. Ac aWn-¡qÀ Ign-ª-t¸mÄ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hnNv Fgp-t¶äv `mcy-sbbpw Iq«n ho«n t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n. Xm³ A¯mgw IqSn Ign-ªnt« DÅq-sh¶p ]dªv A¶ Ahn-sS¯s¶ X§n. FÃmw Ignªp aS§pt¼mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn A¶sb h−n-hsc A\p-K-an¨p. ]Xnª i_vZ¯n AbmÄ ]dªp: “\o H¶pw ]d-ªn-«n-Ã, Rms\m¶pw tNmZn-¡p-¶p-an-Ã. ]t£ F\n¡p th−Xp kulr-Z-a-Ssöp \n\-¡-dn-bmw. \o shdp-¡p¶ B hm¡v þ kvt\lw þ AXmWv F\n¡p th−-Xv.” kvt\lw!, \n§Ä¡p a\-kn-em-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶-Xn-\p-sam-s¡-b-¸p-d-amWv F\n¡v AXv. AXp-sIm-−mWv B hm¡p Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sm-¯-Xv. AbmfpsS apJ-¯p-t\m¡n AhÄ bm{X ]d-ªp. h−n-bn Ib-dpw-ap³]v AbmÄ¡p ssIsIm-Sp-¯p. Ah-fpsS Ic-kv]Ài-¯n AbmÄ¡p Xo]n-Sn-¨-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n. Xsâ ssI¸-¯n-bn Ah-fpsS Icw kv]Àin¨ `mK¯v AbmÄ Npw_n-¨p. Ignª c−p amkw sIm−v t\Sn-b-Xn-tesd C¶v Hcp-Zn-hkw sIm−p t\Snb-Xnsâ kt´m-j-t¯msS AbmÄ ho«n-te¡p aS§n.

I£-¯n Hcp ]pkvX-I-hp-ambn AbmÄ apI-fn-te¡p t]mbn. F¶m ]Xn-hp-t]mse HutZym-Kn-I-hn-Nm-c-§-fn a\-kp-d-bv¡p-¶n-Ã. ssI ]pd-In sI«n At§m-«p-an-t§m«pw \S-¶p. `mcy-tbmSv AsX-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¡-Wsa¶p \nÝbn¨t¸mÄ hfsc \nkm-c-Im-cy-am-bmWp tXm¶n-b-Xv. F¶m Ct¸mÄ AXp I\-s¸« GtXm kwK-Xn-bm-bn- ]nSn-sIm-Sp-¡m-sXbncn-¡p-¶p. C¡m-e-a-{Xbpw HutZym-Kn-I-Im-cy-§-fn a\-kv AÀ¸n-¨mWv AbmÄ Pohn¨n-cp-¶-Xv. Pohn-X-k-a-ky-I-sf-¸än Gsd Nn´n-t¡-−n-h-cpw. F¶m PohnXs¯ t\cn«v A`n-ap-Jo-I-cn-t¡−n hcp-t¼m-sgms¡ Hgn-ªp-am-dp-IbmWv sNbvXn-«p-Å-Xv. Ct¸m-gn-Xm, hen-sbmcp ae-bn-Sp-¡nse ]mew IS-¡p¶ Hcp-h-³ ]mXn-h-gn-bn ]mew XIÀ¶Xp ImWp-¶-Xp-t]mse, Xmsg AKm[-amb sIm¡. Xsâ `mcy asäm-cp-hs\ kvt\ln-¡p¶p F¶ hkvXpX Abmsf `oj-W-ambn t\m¡n. Abm-fpsS DÅn \nc-´-c-amb kwhm-Z-§Ä \S-¶p. “CXv Ah-km-\n-¸n-¡-Ww” “]t£ AXn-\p-am{Xw F´m-Wp-−m-bXv? AhÀ Ipd-t¨sd t\cw kwkm-cn¨p-sh-¶-X-ÃmsX asä-´m-Wp-ÅXv? s]mXp-k-aq-l-¯n Pohn-¡p¶ kv{XoIÄ BtcmSpw F{X thW-sa-¦nepw kwkm-cn-t¡-−-X-tÃ?” “F¦nepw CXn-s\m-c-h-km\w thWw.” “kz´w `mcysb Ahn-iz-kn-¡p-I-sb-¶m Ah-sfbpw Xs¶-¯-s¶bpw A]-am-\n-¡p-I-btÃ?” “Ah-fpsS `mK¯p\n¶p IqSn Nn´n-¨p-t\m-¡t−?” C§s\ HSp-hn ]d-bm-\pÅ Imcy-§Ä Hcp HutZym-KnI dnt¸mÀ«nsâ cq]w ssIs¡m-−p: H¶m-a-Xm-bn, kaq-l-¯nsâ A`n-{]m-b-¯n\p sImSpt¡− hnebpw ]men-t¡− am\y-X-I-fpw. c−m-a-Xv, hnhm-l-¯nsâ aX]camb {]m[m-\yw. aq¶m-aXv, X§-fpsS aI\v D−m-tb-¡m-hp¶ sshImcn-I-Zp-c-´w. \mem-a-Xv, AhÄ¡p Xs¶-bp-−m-Im-hp¶ Akz-Ø-X-IÄ. ]pd-s¯mcp h−n h¶p-\n-¶p. A¶ Ib-dn-h-cp-¶Xv ImÂs]-cp-am-äw-sIm−v Abm-f-dn-ªp. {]`m-jWw a\-kn Xbm-dm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw AXn-\p-−m-Imhp¶ {]Xn-I-cWw Abmsf `oj-Wn-s¸-Sp-¯n-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p.

A¶bpw

hvtdm¬kvInbpw Hcn-S¯p amdn-bn-cp¶v GtXm Hcp hnj-b-s¯¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¨-Xn AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n\v Akzm-`m-hn-Iambn H¶pw tXm¶n-bn-Ã. F¶m AhnsS IqSn-bn-cp¶p _m¡n-sb-Ãm-hcpw A§s\ Icp-Xn-b-Xn-\m Ah-tfmSv AsX-¡p-dn¨v kwkm-cn-¡-W-sa¶v AbmÄ \nÝbn¨p. ho«n-se¯n ]Xn-hp-t]mse Iptd kabw hmbn-¨p. Hcp-a-Wn-tbmsS InS-¡ms\m-cp-§n-b-t¸mgpw A¶ h¶n-«n-Ã.

Xe

Xq¡n-bn«v intcm-h-kv{X-¯nsâ hnfp-¼n hnc-tem-Sn-¨p-sIm-−mWv A¶ h¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS apJw {]Im-i-am-\-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AXv hÀtWmPz-e-amb {]Im-i-am-bn-cp-¶nÃ; ]mXn-cm-{Xn-bpsS Ccp-«n Xo]n-Sn-¯-¯nsâ `oXn-Z-amb Pzme-IÄ t]mse-bm-bn-cp-¶p. `À¯m-hns\ I−-t¸mÄ AhÄ Xe-bp-bÀ¯n Nncn-¨p, Dd-¡-¯n \ns¶-Wo-ä-h-sf-t¸m-se.

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“Ae-Ivko, C\nbpw Dd-§n-bntÃ? hÃmsX sshIn-b-tÃm.” hmXnÂI-S¶ apdn-bn-te¡p IS-¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS AhÄ ]d-ªp. “A¶m, F\n¡p \nt¶m-SÂ]w kwkm-cn-¡m-\p-−v.” “Ft¶mtSm? {UknMv dqan \n¶n-d-§n-h¶v Abmsf t\m¡n-s¡m−v AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “F´m-WXv? F´p-]än? AXym-h-iy-am-sW¦n Ct¸m¯s¶ ]d-bmw.” Ah-sfm-cn-S-¯n-cp-¶p. “]t£ t\cw sshIn-bXpsIm−v thKw InS-¡p-I-bmWv \ÃXv.” F{X kzm`m-hn-I-ambn IÅ-¯-c-¯nsâ IqSpsI-«m³ Xm³ ]Tn-¨p-sh¶v A¶ HmÀ¯p. “\o Ipd-¨p-IqSn {i²n¡Ww.” “Rmt\m? F´p Imcyw?” Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hn-s\-t¸mse A{X-ta ASp-¯-dn-bp-¶-hÀ¡ÃmsX AhfpsS i_vZ¯ntem s]cp-am-ä-¯ntem Akzm-`m-hn-I-ambn H¶pw tXm¶p-I-bnÃ. ]t£ Ae-Ivkn¡Xp a\-kn-em-bn. AbmÄ InS-¡m³ A©p an\n«p sshIn-bm ImcWw Xnc-¡p¶; Hmtcm kt´m-jhpw k¦-Shpw AbmtfmSp ]¦p-h-bv¡p¶ AhÄ Xsâ a\-knsâ Ae-«ep-IÄ Xncn-¨d- n-bp-t¶bnà F¶Xv, Ah-fpsS Imcy-§-sfm¶pw Xt¶mSp ]d-bp-t¶-bnà F¶Xv {][m\w Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. CXp-hsc Xsâ ap¶n aeÀs¡ Xpd-¶p-In-S-¶ncp¶ Ah-fpsS Bßm-hnsâ DÅ-d-IÄ sIm«n-b-S-bv¡-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶p. AXv Ahsf H«pw Ae-«p-t¶-bnà F¶-XmWv IqSp-X thZ-\m-I-cw. “C\n-ta AX-§-s\-X-s¶-bm-bn-cn¡pw” F¶v AhÄ ]d-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. bm{X-I-gnªp aS§nsb¯n-b-t¸mÄ kz´w hoSv ]q«n-¡n-«-¡p¶Xp I− Ah-Ø. “Xmt¡m Fhn-Sp-s¶-¦nepw I−p-In«pw” F¶v AbmÄ Biz-kn-¡m³ {ian-¨p. “Nn´m-iq-\yhpw A{i-²-hp-amb s]cp-amäwsIm−v \o kaq-l-¯nsâ hnaÀi\w hnfn-¨p-h-cp-¯pw. C¶p-Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-am-bpÅ \nsâ {]k-cn¸pw hÀ¯am\hpw kwkm-c-hn-j-b-am-bn-cp-¶p.” “\n§-sf-t¸mgpw C§-s\-bm-Wv. Nnet¸m Rm³ NSªpIq-Sn-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv CjvS-s¸-SnÃ; Nnet¸m Fsâ Dt·-jhpw {]k-cn¸pw ]nSn-¡n-Ã.” Ae-Ivkn¡v Hcp hndb A\p-`-h-s¸-«p. “A¶m, \o Xs¶-bmtWm Cu kwkm-cn-¡p-¶Xv?” “F´n-\mWo _lfw? Rms\´m th−Xv?” AeIvkn s\änbpw I®p-Ifpw AaÀ¯n XS-hn. kaq-l-¯nsâ I®n icnb-Ãm¯ Hcp Imcy-s¯-¸än ap¶-dn-bn¸p sImSp-¡-W-sa¶p am{Xw Icp-Xn-bncp¶ Xm³ A¶-bpsS am\-kn-I-hym-]m-c-§-sf-s¨mÃn £p`n-X-\m-bn-cn-¡p-¶psh¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dnªp.

“C{X-bpta Rm³ ]d-bm³ B{K-ln-¡p-¶p-Åq, \o AXp Zb-hmbn {i²n-¡Ww. Akqb Xcw-XmW hnIm-c-am-sWs¶\n-¡-dn-bmw; AXn-\-Sn-s¸-Sm-Xn-cn¡m³ Rm³ {i²n-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw. ]t£ kaqlw Bh-iy-s¸-Sp¶ Nne acym-Z-I-fp-−v. C¶p sshIn«v Rm\à AXp I−p-]n-Sn-¨-Xv, AhnsS IqSn-bncp¶ asä-Ãm-hÀ¡pw \nsâ s]cp-am-äw A\-`n-e-j-Wo-b-am-bmWv tXm¶n-bXv.” “AbmÄ¡Xp {]iv\-ta-b-Ã, aäp-Å-hÀ {i²n-¨-XmWv {]iv\w” AhtfmÀ¯p. “Ae-Ivko, \n§Ä¡p \à kpJ-anÔ F¶p-]-d-ªn«v AhÄ hmXn-en-\-Sp-t¯¡p \S-¶p. AeIvkn Ah-fpsS hgn XS-ªp-\n-¶p. CXphsc I−n-«n-Ãm¯ Hcp `mhw B apJ¯v AhÄ I−p. “]d-tªm-fq, Rm³ {i²n-¡p-¶p-−v. F\n¡p tIÄ¡m³ henb XmÂ]-cyhp-ap-−v. F´mWv {]iv\-sa-s¶-¦nepw Adn-b-W-a-tÃm.” Xsâ hm¡p-I-fnse Bß-hn-izm-khpw D]-tbm-Kn¨ hm¡p-Ifpw Ah-sf¯s¶ AÛp-X-s¸-Sp-¯n. “Bßm-hnsâ DÅ-d-IÄ NnI-ªp-t\m-¡n-bm CXp-hsc ImWmsX InS¶ ]eXpw Is−-¯m³ Ign-bpw. \nsâ hnIm-c-hn-Nm-c-§Ä \nsâ a\-km-£nbpsS hym]m-c-§-fm-Wv. AXnsâ hni-Zmw-i-§-fn-te¡p IS-¡m³ F\n¡v Ah-Im-i-an-Ã. F¶mÂ, \nsâ Npa-X-e-I-sf-¸än HmÀa-s¸-Sp-¯m³ IS-s¸-«-h\mWv Rm³ þ Ft¶mSpw \nt¶mSpw ssZh-t¯m-Spw. \½psS PohnXw Hcp-an¸n-¨Xv a\p-jy-\-Ã, ssZh-am-Wv. B _Ôw thÀs]-Sp-¯p-¶Xv Ipä-I-c-am-Wv. A¯-c-samcp Ipä-Ir-Xyw ANn´y-amb in£ hcp-¯n-h-bv¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw.” “F\n-s¡mcp hm¡p-t]mepw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. hÃmsX Dd¡w hcp-Ibpw sN¿p¶p.” “A¶m, ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v \o C§s\ ]d-b-cp-Xv. Nnet¸m Fsâ sXän-[mc-W-I-fm-bn-cn-¡pw. ]t£ Fs¶-tbmÀ¯p am{X-a-Ã, \ns¶-¡qSn HmÀ¯mWv Rm³ ]d-bp-¶-Xv. Rm³ \nsâ `À¯m-hmWv. Rm³ \ns¶ Hcp-]mSv kvt\ln-¡p-¶p.” A¶-bpsS I®p-I-fnse ]cn-lmkw s]s«¶p amªp, Xe Ip\n-ªp. ]t£ kvt\lw F¶ hm¡v ho−pw Ahsf Akz-Ø-bm-¡n. “CbmÄ¡p kvt\ln-¡m-\m-dn-bmtam? A§-s\-sbmcp Imcyw DÅ-Xmbn ]d-ªp-tI«v And-ªn-cp-¶n-sæn B hm¡p Xs¶ D]-tbm-Kn-¡m³ ]än-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. kvt\lw F´m-sW¶p t]mepw Adnbn-Ã.” “C¡m-cy-¯n Fs¶-bà Rm³ {][m-\-ambn ImWp-¶Xv; \obpw \½psS tam\p-amWv F\n¡p {][m-\w. Rm³ \ns¶ hÃmsX kvt\ln-¡p-¶p. Rm³ ]d-ª-tÃm, Hcp-]t£ Fsâ sXän-[m-c-W-I-fm-bn-cn-¡mw. F¦n Ft¶mSp

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£an-¡p-I. ]t£ CXn\v AÂ]-sa-¦nepw ASn-Øm-\-sa-¦n-ep-ap-s−¶p \n\¡p tXm¶p-s¶-¦nÂ, kzbw Nn´n-¡p-I. \nsâ lrZbw \ns¶ t{]cn-¸n¡p-s¶-¦n Ft¶mSp Xpd¶p kwkm-cn-¡p-I.” Btem-Nn-¨p-d-¸n-¨-sXms¡ hn«v AbmÄ lrZ-b-¯n \n¶p kwkm-cn-¡p-Ibm-bn-cp-¶p. “F\n-s¡m¶pw ]d-bm-\n-Ã. hÃmsX Dd-¡hpw hcp-¶p.” XnI-«n-h¶ Nncn HXp¡n A¶ ]d-ªp. AeIvkn Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-t¯msS InS-¸p-ap-dn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. A¶ F¯n-b-t¸m-tg¡v AbmÄ InS-¶n-cp-¶p. Np−p-IÄ _e-ambn tNÀ¯ph¨v, I®p-IÄ AI-te¡p ]mbn¨v AbmÄ InS-¶p. A¶bpw InS¶p. AbmÄ Ct¸mÄ Fs´-¦nepw ]d-bp-sa¶v Hmtcm \nan-jhpw AhÄ Icp-Xn. Fs´-¦nepw ]d-ªncp-s¶-¦nse¶v sImXn-¨p; AtXkabw AhÄ AXp `b-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXp. AeIvkn H¶pw an−n-bn-Ã. Iptd t\cw Im¯p-In-S¶v AhÄ Abmsf ad-¶p. Ct¸mÄ a\-kn atä-bm-fm-Wv. Abmsf-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯t¸mÄ a\-kn hnIm-c-¯nsâ then-tb-äw, Ipät_m[w IeÀ¶ B\-µm-Xn-tc-Iw. Ipd¨p Ign-ª-t¸mÄ im´-amb IqÀ¡w-hen tI«p. AhÄ ]ns¶bpw Iptd t\cw IqSn Dd-§msX InS-¶p.

hvtdm¬kvIn. Hcn-¡Â A`n-am-\hpw kt´m-jhpw \nd-ªp-\n-¶n-cp¶ AhfpsS apJw Ct¸mÄ A]-am-\-`m-c-¯m Ip\n-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p. tkm^-bnÂ\n¶qÀ¶v Abm-fpsS ]mZ¯n¦Â Ccp¶v ssIIÄ Xsâ amdn tNÀ¯v AhÄ hn§n-s¸m«n: “Fsâ ssZh-ta, Ft¶mSp s]mdp-¡-tW.” ]m]-t_m-[hpw ]Ým-¯m-]hpw sIm−v AhÄ s]mdp-Xn-ap-«n. am¸-t]-£n-¡pI-b-ÃmsX AhÄ¡p asäm¶pw sN¿m\n-Ã. Ah-fpsS Pohn-X-¯n Ct¸mÄ Abm-f-ÃmsX aäm-cp-an-Ã. AXp-sIm−v B At]-£-Ifpw AbmÄ¡p t\sc Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Xm³ Poh-s\-Sp¯ ico-cs¯ t\m¡n-bn-cn-¡p¶ sIme-]m-X-In-sb-t¸m-sebmWv AbmÄ¡p tXm¶n-b-Xv. X§-fpsS {]W-bw, {]W-b-¯nsâ BZy-Imew, Bbn-cp¶p B PUw. `oXn-I-c-amb hne-sIm-Sp¯p hm§n-bXv Cu Bßo-b-\-á-X-bm-bn-cp¶p F¶ thZ\ Ahsc ImÀ¶p-Xn-¶p. sIme-]m-XIn `oXn-sbÃmw amän-h¨v PUw IjWw Ij-W-ambn apdn¨v Hfn-¸nt¨ ]äq. AbmÄ Ahsf Npw_\w sIm−p-s]m-Xn-ªp. “FÃmw Ignªp; F\n¡p \n§Ä am{X-ta-bp-Åq. AXp ad-¡-cp-tX.” “Fsâ FÃm-sa-Ãm-am-bXv F§s\ ad-¡m-\m-Wv. Cu Hcp \nan-js¯ kt´m-j-¯n\p th−n.” “kt´mjw! C\nsbm¶pw an−-cptX.” Xsâ Nn´-IÄ ]IÀ¯m-\pÅ hm¡p-IÄ AhÄ¡p In«n-bnÃ; kzØ-ambn Nn´n-¡m³ t]mepw Ign-ªn-Ã. F¶m Nn´-IÄ¡p ta AhÄ¡p \nb{´-W-§-fn-Ãm¯ kz]v\-ambn Ah IS-¶p-h-¶p. FÃm Znh-khpw AhÄ Htc kz]v\w I−p. Htc kabw Ah-cn-cp-hcpw Ah-fpsS `À¯m-¡-·mÀ. c−p-t]cpw emf-\-Ifpw kvt\lhpw tImcn-s¨m-cn-bp-¶p. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hnNv Ic-ªp-sIm−v Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ Npw_n-¡p¶p: “Ct¸mÄ \½sf{X k´p-jvS-cmWv?” AeIvkn hvtdm¬kvInbpw AhnsSbp−v. Hcn-¡Â Akm-[y-sa¶p Icp-Xn-bn-cp¶ C¡mcyw F{X efn-Xam-sW¶v AhÄ AhÀ¡p hni-Zo-I-cn-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡p¶p; Ah-cn-cp-hcpw hfsc k´p-jvS-cm-bn- Ccn-¡p-¶p. HSp-hn Hcp Zpkz-]v\-¯nsâ `mc-t¯msS AhÄ sR«nbp-W-cpw.

At¸mÄ

apX Ae-Ivkn¡pw A¶bv¡pw asämcp Pohn-X-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]pdta FÃmw ]g-b-Xp-t]m-se-X-s¶. am\-kn-I-_Ôw BsI De-ªp-t]m-bn. A¶ ]Xn-hp-t]mse s]mXp-]-cn-]m-Sn-IÄs¡ms¡ t]mbn; ]äp-t¼m-sgms¡ hvtdm¬kvInsb I−p. AeIvkn AsX-Ãm-a-dn-ªn-cp-s¶-¦nepw H¶pw sN¿m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. cmjv{So-b-¯nse AXn-Im-b³ ChnsS \nk-lm-b-\m-bncp-¶p. Hm§nb ASn inc-kn ]Xn¡p¶Xpw Im¯v XeIp\n¨p \n¡p¶ Imf-sb-t¸m-se. kvt\lhpw hmÂk-eyhpw sIm−v Ahsf hos−-Sp-¡-W-sa¶v Hmtcm Znhkhpw Nn´n-¡pw. t\cn¡−p kwkm-cn-¡m³ XpS-§p-t¼mÄ Ahsf ]nSnIq-Sn-bn-cn-¡p¶ Xn·-bp-sSbpw Zpc-`n-am-\-¯nsâbpw ZpÀ`qXw Xs¶bpw ]nSnIq-Sn-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-bpw. Btem-Nn-¨p-d-¸n-¨-sXm¶pw ]dbm-\m-hm-sX, C¯-c-samcp hnjbw ]d-bp¶ BcpsS Np−nepw hncn-bmhp¶ ]cn-lm-k-§Ä ]d-bpw. A¯cw hm¡p-IÄsIm−v Ahsf Hcn-¡epw B am\-kn-Im-h-Ø-bn \n¶p hos−-Sp-¡m³ Ign-bp-I-bp-an-Ã.

Hcp hÀj-t¯m-f-ambn Im¯p-Im-¯n-cp¶ kz]v\w bmYmÀYy-ambn. ]t£ hnf-dn-hn-dbv¡p¶ apJ-hp-ambn A¶sb Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¡p-I-bmWv

tamkvtIm-bnÂ

\n¶p Xncn-s¨-¯nb \mfp-I-fn sehns\ Xnc-kvI-cn-¡s¸«Xnsâ \mWt¡Sv- hÃmsX Akz-Ø-\m¡n-bn-cp-¶p. At¸m-sgms¡ AbmÄ ^nkn-Ivkn ]cm-P-b-s¸-«-t¸mgpw s]§-fpsS Imcy-§Ä t\m¡n-\S-¯n-b-Xn ]nghp h¶-t¸m-gp-sam-s¡-bp-−mb \mWt¡Sv HmÀ¯p. “hÀj§Ä¡n-¸pdw \n¶v HmÀ¡p-t¼mÄ A¶v F{X-am{Xw \ncmi tXm¶n-bn-cp¶p

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Ft¶mÀ¯v AÛpXw tXm¶p-¶p. C¡m-cy-¯nepw A{X Xs¶tb D−m-Iq. Ipd-¨p-Imew Ign-bp-t¼mÄ FÃmw icn-bm-Ipw.”

sehn³ Imcy-Øs\ I−v aS§nh-¶-t¸m-tg¡v s̸m³ Ipfn-I-gn-sª-¯n. Ccp-hcpw IqSn apIÄ\n-e-bn-te¡p t]mbn. “Chn-sSsb¯ns¸«-Xn Rms\{X k´p-jvS-\m-sWt¶m. KqV-amb F´p Xnc-¡p-I-fn-emWv \n-§-sft¸mgpw apgp-Ip-¶-sX¶v F\n¡p ImWm-a-tÃm. kXy-ambpw F\n¡p \n§-tfmSv Akqb tXm¶p-¶p. F{X at\m-l-c-amb hoSv. F§pw {]Im-iw, {]k-¶-X. \n§-fpsS Bb F{X {]K-Ûbpw BIÀj-I-bp-am-Wv. G{]-sWms¡ sI«nb Hcp sNdp-¸-¡mcnbmsW-¦n Nnet¸m Ipd-¨p-IqSn \¶m-tb-s\, ]t£ Chn-Sps¯ B{i-am-´-co-£-¯n\v CW-§p-¶Xv ChÀ Xs¶.” s̸m³ Hcp-]mSp hnti-j-§Ä ]d-ªp. skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v sehnsâ ASp-t¯¡p hcm-s\m-cp-§n-bn-cn-¡p-I-bmsW-¶XpÄs¸sS. F¶m Inän-sb-¡p-dnt¨m sjÀ_m-ävkvIb IpSpw-_-s¯-¡p-dnt¨m s̸m³ H¶pw kqNn-¸n-¨-tX-bnÃ; tUmfn-bpsS At\z-jWw ]d-ªXp am{X-ta-bp-Åq. Abm-fpsS HuNn-Xy-t_m-[hpw Xt¶m-SpÅ ]cn-K-W-\bpw sehns\ kt´m-jn-¸n-¨p. tIÄ¡m\m-fn-Ãm-¯-Xn-\m C{X-Imew a\-kn-semXp-¡n-b-sXm-s¡bpw sehn³ s̸mt\mSv ]d-ªp þ hk-´w X\n¡p \ÂIp¶ Imhym-ß-I-amb kt´mjw, Irjn-bnse Pb-]-cm-P-b-§fpw ]co£-W-§-fpw, hmbn¨ ]pkvX-I-§-fp-sSsbms¡ hnaÀi-\w. s̸m³ Ft¸mgp-sa-¶-t]mse hfsc BIÀj-I-am-bn-¯s¶ {]Xn-I-cn-¨p. C¯-hW ]t£ Abm-fpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯n IqSp-X BÀ{Z-Xbpw _lp-am-\hpw D−m-bn-cp¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªv c−p-t]cpw IqSn ]£n-th-«-bv¡n-d-§n. “I¨-h-S¡mc³ dym_n-\n³ h¶m kzoI-cn¨n-cp-¯m³ ]d-b-tW, AbmtfmSp Rm³ hcm³ ]d-ªn-«p-−v.” Cd-§m³ t\cw s̸m³ sehn-t\mSp ]d-ªp. “Abm-fp-am-bn-«mtWm \n§-fpsS I¨-hSw?” “AtX, F´m Abmsf Adn-bmtam?” Adn-bm-sa¶p sehn³ ]d-ªp. AhÀ¡p t]mIm-\pÅ h−n-sb-¯n. “\n§-sfmcp `mKy-hm³ Xs¶. th−-sXÃmw kz´-am-bp-−v. IpXn-c-Isf CjvS-am-Wv, Ah th−-{X-bp−v; \mbv¡Ä, th«, Irjn þ CjvS-ap-Å-sXÃmw \n§Ä¡p In«n-bn-«p-−v. ” “Hcp-]t£ In«n-b-Xn-s\-sbms¡ Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶-Xp-sIm-−m-bn-cn¡pw; In«m-¯-Xn-s\-s¨mÃn thh-em-Xn-s¸-Sm-¯-Xp-sIm-−m-bn-cn-¡pw” Inänsb HmÀ¯p-sIm−v sehn³ ]d-ªp. AXp a\-kn-em-¡nb s̸m³ sehnsâ I®p-I-fn-te¡p t\m¡n; ]t£ H¶pw tNmZn-¨n-Ã. Abm-fpsS {Kl-W-ti-jnbpw lrZ-bm-ep-Xzhpw sehns\

]t£ aq¶p amkw IS-¶p-t]m-bn«pw Hcp amä-hp-an-Ã. BZy-\m-fp-I-fnse Akz-ØX AtX-]Sn \n¡p¶p. IpSpw-_-Po-hn-X-s¯-¸än C{X-tbsd kz]v\-§Ä I−n-«v, C{Xbpw {]mb-am-bn«v C\nbpw hnhmlw IqSp-X AIte¡p \o§p-I-bmWv. F¦nepw Ibv¡p¶ HmÀa-IÄ Ipsd-sbms¡ \m«n³]p-d-¯nsâ Xnc-¡pIÄ¡n-S-bn Aen-ªp-t]m-bn. Hmtcm BgvN Ign-bpw-tXmdpw Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨pÅ Nn´-IÄ Ipd-ªp-h-¶p. Ah-fpsS hnhmlw Ign-sª-t¶m, Asæn Dd-¸n-s¨t¶m DÅ hmÀ¯ tIÄ¡m³ AbmÄ A£-a-tbmsS Im¯p. thZ\ h¶ ]sÃSp¯p If-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse, AXv Xsâ ZpJ-¯nsâ Ah-km-\s¯ IWnIbpw \o¡p-sa¶v sehn³ {]Xo-£n-¨p. hk´w hs¶-¯n. a\p-jycpw sNSn-Ifpw arK-§fpw H¶p-t]mse DÃ-kn¡p¶ kpµ-camb hk-´w. Ae-«p¶ Nn´-I-sf B«n-b-Iän Dd¨ a\-tkmsS kzX-{´-\mbn Pohn-¡p-sa¶ {]XnÚsb iàn-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p {]Ir-Xn-bpsS B CS-s]-SÂ. AXn-\nsS acnb \n¡-te-hv\-bpsS I¯p-h-¶p: Abm-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ \nt¡m-em-bn-bpsS BtcmKyw hÃmsX hj-fm-bn-cn¡p-¶p, ]t£ acp-s¶m¶pw Ign-¡m³ Iq«m-¡p-¶n-Ã. sehn³ DS³Xs¶ tamkvtIm-bn Ah-cpsS ASp-¯p-t]m-bn. ktlm-Z-cs\ tUmIvS-dpsS ASp¯p sIm−p-t]mbn; ]Whpw sImSp¯v NnInÂk-bv¡mbn hntZ-it¯¡v Ab-¨p. AbmÄ¡v H«pw A{]oXn tXm¶m-¯-hn[w C¡m-cy-§Ä sN¿m³ Ign-ª-Xn sehn³ kzbw A`n-\-µn-¨p. Irjn, hmb-\, Irjn-kw_-Ô-amb Kth-j-W-§Ä, AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bp-am-bpÅ kwhm-Z§Ä... hnc-k-Xbpw Akz-Ø-Xbpw IS-¶p-h-cm³ AhnsS CS-anÃm-bn-cp-¶p.

Hcp Znhkw tXm«-¯nse ]Wn-sbms¡ Ignªv aS§nsb¯pt¼mÄ s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v F¯n-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Inän-bpsS hnhm-l-¡m-cy-§Ä tNmZn-¨-dn-b-W-sa¶v sehn³ Dd-¸n-¨p. B hk-´-\m-fnsâ am[p-cy-¯n Ah-sf¸-än-bpÅ Nn´ Abmsf H«pw apdn-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-Ã. “Fs¶ Xosc {]Xo-£n-¨nÃ, AtÃ? s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. \n§sf-sbm¶p ImW-Ww, sNdn-sbmcp th«bv¡p t]mIWw, FÀKp-tjm-thm-bnse ImSv hn¡p-Ibpw thWw. C{X-bp-amWv ]cn-]m-Sn-IÄ." s̸ms\ apdn-bn-em¡n sehn³ ]d-¼n-te-¡n-d-§n. Ign-¡m³ F´mWp th−-sX¶p tNmZn¨v AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ h¶p. “F´m-bmepw Ipg-¸-an-Ã, s]s«¶mbn-t¡m-s«.”

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kv]Àin-¨p. kz´w hnti-j-§Ä am{Xw ]d-bp-¶Xp acym-Z-bà - tÃm F¶v At¸m-gm-tWmÀ¯-Xv. “\n§-fpsS hnti-j-§Ä ]d-ªn-ÃtÃm” F¶v HmÀan¸n-¨p. “\n§Ä k½-Xn-¡n-Ãm-bn-cn-¡pw, tdj³ In«p-¶Xp Ign-¨p-I-gn-ªm cpNnbp-Å-Xnt\mSv XmÂ]cyw tXm¶pI kzm`m-hn-I-am-sW¶mWv Fsâ A`n-{]mbw. \n-§-fpsS \à a\-kn\v AXp Ipä-I-c-am-bn-t¯m-¶pw. ]t£ kvt\l-anÃm¯ PohnXw Pohn-X-a-sömWv Fsâ A`n-{]m-bw. F´p-sN¿mw? Rm³ A¯-c-¡m-c-\m-bn-t¸m-bn. BÀ¡pw Hcp tZmjhpw hcp-¯msX Ah-\-h³ Ipd¨p kt´m-jn-¡p-¶-Xn F´m sXäv? ” “F´m, ]pXn-b-sXs´¦nepw Dt−m? ” “AtX tamt\... kz]v\-¯n-sems¡ ImWp¶ amXn-cn-bpÅ Nne s]®p-§-fntÔ Nnet¸m Ahsc t\cn«pw ImWm³ Ign-bpw. F{X ]Tn-¨mepw Ft¸mgpw ]pXp-Xm-bn-s¡m-−n-cn-¡p¶ H¶mWv kv{Xo.” “F¦n ]ns¶ AXn-s\-¸än ]Tn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-I-btà \ÃXv? ” “AÃ-Ã, GtXm KWn-X-im-kv{X-Ú³ ]d-ª-Xp-t]m-se, kXyw Is−-¯p¶-Xn-eà At\z-jn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-¶-Xn-emWv AXnsâ ckw. ” sehn³ \ni-_vZ\mbn tI«psIm-−n-cp-¶p. F{X {ian-¨n«pw Xsâ kplr¯p ]d-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse A¯cw kv{XoIsf ]Tn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-¶-Xnsâ ckw AbmÄ¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã.

F{X s]s«¶v AXns\ Is−-Sp¯p?” emkvI-bpsS hmbn \n¶v ]£nsb FSp¯v GI-tZiw \nd-ªn-cp¶ k©n-bn CSp-t¼mÄ sehn³ ]d-ªp.

Ipän-¡m-«n ]pÅp-I-sfbpw Im«p-Xm-dm-hp-I-sfbpw shSn-h¨v t\cw-t]m-b-Xdn-ªn-Ã. aS§mdmbn. At¸m-gmWv sehn³ tNmZn-¨Xv: “Ìnhm, \n§-fpsS `mcym-k-tlm-Z-cn-bpsS Imcy-sam¶pw CXp-hsc ]d-ªn-ÃtÃm. Ft¸m-gmWv Ah-fpsS hnhmlw? ” Hcp adp-]-Snbpw X¶n {]tXy-In¨v Hcp `mh-t`-Zhpw hcp-¯m³ t]mIp-¶nsöp \nÝbn¨pd-¸n-¨mWv sehn³ tNmZn-¨-Xv. F¶m s̸msâ adp-]Sn AbmÄ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xn-s\ms¡ A¸p-d-¯m-bn-cp-¶p. “AhÄ hnhm-l-s¯-¡p-dn¨p Nn´n-¨n-«n-Ã, Ct¸mÄ Nn´n-¡p-¶p-an-Ã. AhÄ¡p Kpcp-X-c-amb tcmK-am-Wv. tUmIvSÀamÀ Ahsf hntZ-i-t¯-bv¡b-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p. DÅXp ]d-ªm AhÄ acn-¨p-t]m-tb-¡p-sa-¶p-hsc AhÀ kwi-bn-¡p-¶p. ” “tM, AhÄs¡-´p-]än? ” At¸mÄ Hcp ]£n Ah-cpsS Xebv¡p apI-fn-eqsS ]d-¶p. c−p-t]-cpsSbpw tXm¡n \n¶v Htc-k-abw shSn-s]m-«n. ]£n Xmsg-ho-Wp. emkvI t]mbn AXns\ FSp-¯p-sIm-−p-h-¶p. “Ah-sfmcp anSp-¡n-Xs¶ AtÃ,

ho«n-te¡p

aS§pt¼mÄ sehn³ Inän-bpsS hnti-j-§-sfÃmw tNmZn-¨-dnªp. ]pdta k½-Xn-¡m³ \mWw tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw AbmÄ¡v kt´mjw tXm¶n-sb-¶-XmWv kXyw. {]Xo-£n-¡m³ C\nbpw hIbp−-tÃm. Xsâ thZ-\-IÄ¡p Imc-W-am-b-hÄ Ipd¨p thZ\ Xn¶s« F¶pw tXm¶n. F¶m s̸m³ Inän-bpsS tcmK-Im-c-W-§fpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¡p-dn-¨psams¡ ]d-bm³ XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ sehn³ hne-¡n. “IpSpw-_-c-l-ky-§-sf-Ãm-a-dn-bm³ F\n-¡-h-Im-i-anÃ; DÅXp ]d-ªm XmÂ]-cy-hp-an-Ã. ” Hcp \nanjw ap³]p sXfnª {]Imiw amªv sehnsâ apJw a§n-bXv s̸m³ I−p. “dym_n-\n-\p-ambn I¨-hSw Dd-¸n¨p F¶mtWm ]d-ªXv?” sehn³ tNmZn¨p. “Hm, FÃm-ap-d-¸n-¨p. D{K³ hnebpw In«n. ap¸-¯n-sb-®m-bn-c-¯n-\v. F®mbncw scm¡w. _m¡n Bdp hÀjw-sIm-−v. thsd-bmcpw Xcnà C{Xbpw hne. ” s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “AXp shdpsX sImSp-¯-Xp-t]m-se-bm-btÃm! ” “AsX´m A§s\ ]d-ªXv? ” sehnsâ I®p-IÄ¡v Ct¸mÄ H¶pw icnbmbn tXm¶p-I-bnà F¶p-d-¸n¨v s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. “G¡-dn\v \qä-¼Xv dq_n-sf-¦nepw In«-−-Xm-Wv. ” “\m«n³]p-d-¯p-ImÀ C§-s\-bm-Wv. FÃmw AhÀt¡ Adnbq F¶mWv hnNm-cw. I¨-h-S-¯n F´m-bmepw \K-c-hm-kn-IÄ Xs¶-bmWv sa¨w” F¶p s̸m\pw "B−n-semt¶m atäm tXm«-¯n hcp¶ ChÀ FÃm-a-dnbm-hp-¶-t]mse kwkm-cn-¡pw, ImWmsX ]Tn¨ Ht¶m ct−m hmN-I-§fpw {]tbm-Kn¡pw” F¶p sehn\pw a\-kn hnNm-cn-¨p. ]d-ªp-d-¸n-¨-Xnsâ Cc«n hne-bv¡pÅ ac-§fp−v AXnse¶p sehn³ ]dªp. Abm-sf-Ãm-s¡m-Ãhpw AhnsS th«bv¡p t]mIm-dp-Å-Xm-Wv. Ah-c§s\ XÀ¡n¨p ho«n-se-¯p-t¼mÄ dym_n-\n³ F¯n-bn-«p-−v. sehn³ Ahsc AIs¯ apdn-bn-te¡p Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. dym_n-\n³ Ipd-¨p-IqSn hne Ipd-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡-W-sa¶v s̸mt\mSv Bh-iy-s¸-«p. “Npfp-hn-e-bv¡mWv \n§fnXp ]d-ªp-h-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. Ct±lw Fsâ-bSp¯p hcm³ sshIn-t¸m-bn. Asæn Rm³ \à hne ]d-ªp-sIm-Sp-t¯s\.” sehn³ ]d-ªp.

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“tIm¬Ìmân³ Znan-{Xn-tb-hn-¨p-ambn I¨-hSw \S-¯m³ henb ]mSm-Wv. Rms\m-cn-¡Â Ipd¨p tKmX-¼n\p \à hne ]d-ª-Xm-Wv.” “Rm\n-sXÃmw \ne-¯p-\n¶p Np½m hmcn-sb-Sp-¡p-¶-sXm-¶p-aÃ; Is«-Sp-¡p¶-Xp-a-Ã, \n§Ä ]d-bp¶ hnebv¡p Xcm³.” “At¿m, C¶-s¯-¡m-e¯v AsÃ-¦nepw Is«-Sp-¡m-s\m¶pw ]än-Ã. tImS-XnI-sfm-s¡- Imcy-£-a-atÃ! R§-Ä am\y³am-sc-t¸mse hne NÀ¨ sN¿pIbmWv. At±lw AÂ]w IqSp-X-emWv tNmZn-¡p-¶-Xv. F\n-¡Xp apX-em-Ip-I-bn-Ã. ” “\n§Ä I¨-hSw Dd-¸n-¨-XmtWm AÃtbm? BsW-¦n ]ns¶ shdpsX hÀ¯am\w ]d-ªn«p Imcy-an-Ã. I¨-hSw Dd-¸n-¨n-«n-sæn icn Rm³ hm§n-t¡m-fmw. Rm\-Xn\p \à hne sImSp-¡pw. ” dym_n-\nsâ apJs¯ Nncn amªp. BÀ¯nbpw {Iqc-Xbpw sXfn-ªp. AbmÄ thKw ]W-sa-Sp¯p sImSp¯p. s̸m³ B[m-c-¯n H¸n-Sm-s\mcp-§n. sehn³ I-XIp hen-¨-S¨v Cd-§n-t¸m-bn. Hcp aWn-¡q-dn-\p-Ån CS-]mSv XoÀ¯v dym_n-\n³ aS§nt¸m-bn.

“Rm³ ]cn-Nm-c-IÀ¡p ssI sImSp-¡m-dn-Ã. AbmÄ ]cn-Nm-cI - -s\-¡mfpw F{Xtbm \oN\mWv. ” \n§-sfmcp Xo{h-hmZn Xs¶. At¸mÄ hÀKkwtbmP-\tam? ” “hÀKkwtbmP\w th−-hÀ AXp \S-¯n-t¡m-s«. F-\n-¡Xp ]Yy-a-Ã. ” “\n§-sfmcp {]Xn-I-c-W-tcmKn Xs¶. F-´n-\mWv Abm-tfm-Sn{X hntcm[w? ” “Hcp-]t£ hntcm-[-am-bn-cn-¡pw. F´p-sIm-−m-sW¶dn-bntÃ? Rm³ IqSn DÄs¸-Sp¶ htc-Wy-hÀKw Fhn-sSbpw XIÀ¶p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. ZpÀhy-bw-sIm-−-Ã, AXp htc-Wy-cpsS Pohn-X-co-Xn-bm-Wv. Npäp-apÅ Iqenth-e-¡m-scÃmw kz´-ambn Øew hm§p-¶p. am\y-·mÀ tae-\-§m-sXbncn¡p¶p; Iqen-¡mÀ A[zm-\n¨v Ae-k-·msc ]n´-Åp-¶p. AXnepw F\n¡p ]cm-Xn-bn-Ã. AXv A§-s\-X-s¶-bmWv th−-Xv. Fs¶ tZjyw ]nSn-¸n-¡p¶Xv AsXm-¶p-a-Ã. F´m ]d-tb-−-sXs¶\n-¡-dn-bnÃ; Hcp Xcw \njvI-f-¦X þ ip²-a-\-kvI-X, s]m«-¯cw þ sIm−v Zmcn{Zyw hcn-¡p-¶-h-cmWv Fs¶ tZjyw ]nSn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xv. ss\knse Hcp bph-Xn-bn \n¶v t]mf-−p-Im-c\mb Hcp Dul-¡-¨-h-S-¡m-c³ H¶m-´-c-samcp FtÌäv ]IpXn hnebv¡v ASn-s¨-Sp¯p; ]¯p-dq-_nÄ hne-bpÅ aqt¶-¡À Øe-amWv Hcp I¨-h-S¡m-c³ Hcp dq_n-fn\p Pmay-ambn hm§n-bXv; ChnsSbnXm, Hcp Imcy-hp-anÃmsX \n§Ä B \mdn¡v ap¸-Xn-\m-bncw cq] shdpsX k½m-\n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p. ” “Rms\-´m, B ac-§Ä apgp-h³ F®n t\m¡-W-am-bn-cpt¶m? ” “thWw, dym_n-\n³ AXp apgp-h³ F®n. Abm-fpsS a¡Ä¡v kar-²nbpw hnZym-`ym-khpw D−m-Ipw. \n§-fpsS a¡Ä¡v Nne-t¸mÄ AXp-−m-sb¶p hcnÃ. ” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ `£-W-hp-ambn hcp-¶-Xp-hsc B XÀ¡w A§s\ \o−p. ]ns¶ kwkm-c-¯n-\n-S-bn sehn³ hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸än tNmZn-¨p. “\n§Ä t]m¶ DSs\ Abmfpw t]mb-Xm-Wv. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te-¡v. ]ns¶ CXp-hsc tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶n-t«-bn-Ã. FÃmw \n§-fpsS Ipg-¸-amsWt¶ Rm³ ]d-bq. Rm\t¶ ]d-ª-Xtà c−p-t]À¡pw Xpeyw km[y-Xbm-sW¶v. \n§Ä s]mcpXn \n¡W-am-bn-cp-¶p. Rm³ A¶p ]d-ªntÃ. ” “Rm³ A`yÀY\ \S-¯n-bXpw AhÄ \nc-kn-¨-Xp-sams¡ CbmÄ¡-dnbmtam Bthm! ” sehn³ Btem-Nn-¨p. AhÄ¡v At¶cw Xm¡m-en-I-amb Hcp {`aw am{Xta D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. Abm-fpsS BVy-Xzhpw kaq-l-¯n D−m-Im³ t]mIp¶ Øm\-hp-

s̸m³

AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v hoÀ¯ t]m¡-äp-ambn apI-fn-te¡p Ib-dn-t¸mbn. I¨-hSw \S-¶p, Imipw In«n; th«bv¡p t]mbn«v Iptd ]£n-Isf In«n; s̸m³ \à kt´m-j-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p. B Znhkw XpS-§n-b-Xp-t]mse Xs¶ kt´m-j-I-c-ambn \sÃmcp A¯m-g-t¯msS Ah-km-\n-¸n-¡-W-sa¶v AbmÄ¡p tXm¶n. sehn³ A{X kt´m-j-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. Inän-bpsS AkpJw kw_-Ôn¨ hnhcw Abm-fpsS ta {]hÀ¯n¨p XpS-§n-bn-cp-¶p. Inän-bpsS hnhmlw Ign-ªn-«n-Ã, AhÄ Kpcp-X-c-amb tcmKn-bmWv Xm\pw; tcmK-Im-c-Wtam {]W-b-h-©-\-bpw. hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf NXn¨p; AhÄ sehn-s\bpw. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ap³]nepw Xm³ sNdp-Xm-Ip-¶-Xmbn sehn\p tXm¶n. ImWp-¶-sXÃmw AbmÄ¡p tIm]-ap-f-hm-¡n. Ht»m³kvIn¡p ]änb NXnhv, Xsâ ho«n h¨v Ct¸mÄ Ah-km-\n¨ B I¨-hSw Abmsf Akz-Ø-\m-¡n. “Igntªm? ” s̸m³ ]Sn-I-bdn hcp-¶-Xp-I−v sehn³ tNmZn-¨p. “A¯mgw Ign-¡t−?” “ths−¶p Rm³ ]d-bn-Ã. ” “tlm, \in-¨-h³” “\n§-fn-t¸mgpw Abm-tfm-Sv” AbmÄs¡m¶p ssIsIm-Sp-¡pI t]mepw sNbvXn-Ã-tÃm. ”

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sams¡ Ah-fpsS A½sb am{Xta BIÀjn-¨pÅq; Ah-fpsS a\-kn CÃm-bn-cp-¶p. ” hvtdm¬kvInbpsS BVyXzw kw_-Ôn¨ ]cm-aÀiw Abmsf ho−pw ipWvTn ]nSn-¸n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSsb¶Ã, aäm-cp-sSbpw H«pw Xmsg-b-ÃmsX BVyXzw F\n-¡p-ap-−v. AbmÄ BVy-\m-sW¶p \n§Ä Icp-Xp-¶p-−m-hpw, ]t£ Rm\n-Ã. Xmtg-¡n-S-bn \n¶p KqVm-tem-N-\-IÄsIm−p henªp Ib-dnb A¸sâ aI³. A½ BcpsSsbms¡ IqsS PohnXw ]¦n-«n-«p-s−¶v IW¡pt−m? F\n¡v Ipd-ªXp \mep Xe-ap-d-sb-¦nepw ]nt¶m«v IpSpw-_-alna Ah-Im-i-s¸-Sm-\p-−v. Bcp-sSbpw HuZm-cyhpw ]£-]m-Xhpw ]nSn¡msX Pohn-¨n-«p-−v. A§s\ thsdbpw Hcp-]m-Sp-t]-cp-−v. R§-fmWv BVy-·mÀ; A[n-Im-cn-hÀK¯nsâ HuZm-cy-§Ä ]nSn-¨p-]-äp-¶, c−-c-¸Ww sImSp-¯m BÀ¡pw hm§m³ ]äp-¶-h-sc-b-à A§s\ hnfn-t¡-−Xv. ” “\n§-fm-sc-bmWo B{I-an-¡p-¶-Xv. \n§Ä ]d-bp-¶-Xn-t\m-sSms¡ Rm\pw tbmPn-¡p-¶p” c−-c-¸-Ww-sIm−p hm§m-hp-¶-h-cpsS Iq«-¯n sehn³ Xs¶bpw s]Sp-¯n-bn-«p-s−¶v Adn-bm-sa-¦nepw s̸m\v Abm-fpsS DujvafX CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. AXn-\m im´-\mbn XpSÀ¶p. “hvtdm¬kvInsb-¸än \n§Ä ]d-bp-¶Xp apgp-h³ icn-b-Ã. \ap¡m hnjbw hnSmw. \n§fpsS Øm\¯p Rm\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Fsâ IqsS tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶v. ” “th−. \n§Ä¡-dn-bm-tam-sb-s¶-\n-¡-dn-bnÃ; Rm³ Ah-tfmSv hnhmlm`yÀY\ \S-¯n-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ \nc-kn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. ImsX-do\ Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ Ct¸mÄ F\n¡v thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶, eÖn-¸n-¡p¶ HtcmÀa am{X-am-Wv. ” “F´n\v?, F´-kw-_-Ô-am-WnXv! ” “F´m-bmepw \ap¡m hnjbw C\n kwkm-cn-t¡-−. Ft¶mSv £an-¡q, Rm³ hfsc tami-ambn kwkm-cn-¨p. ” lrZbw Xpd¶p kwkm-cn-¨-tXmsS sehn³ im´-\m-bn. "Ìnhm, \n§Äs¡t¶mSp tZjy-an-ÃtÃm? Acp-tX. ” sehn³ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS ssII-fn apdp-s¡-¸n-Sn-¨p. “H«p-an-Ã. lrZbw Xpd¶p kwkm-cn-¨-Xn kt´m-j-ta-bp-Åq. cmhnse th«bv¡p t]mIm³ \à ck-am-bn-cn-¡pw. Rm\n-¶se H«pw Dd-§n-bn-«n-Ã. F¦nepw kmc-an-Ã, AhnsS \n¶v Rm³ t\sc tÌj-\n-te¡p s]mbvs¡mÅmw, F´m? ” “icn, hm”

hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS B´-cn-I-Po-hnXw {]W-b-]-c-h-i-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw _mly-Po-hnXw ]Xn-hp-t]m-se-X-s¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. [mcmfw kz¯pw D¶-Xn-bnte-¡pÅ ]mXIfp-saÃmw D−m-bn«pw Xsâ sdPn-saânsâbpw Ahn-Sps¯ kl-{]hÀ¯I-cp-sSbpw XmÂ]-cy-§-fm-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS a\-kn H¶m-aXv. AXv AhÀ¡n-S-bn {]oXnbpw kÂt]cpw \ÂIp-Ibpw sNbvXp. ]t£ Ah-tcm-sSm¶pw Hcn-¡epw þ Asp-¸-¯nsâ t]cn-tem, aZy-]n¨p e¡p-sIt«m þ Hcp Xc-¯nepw AbmÄ A¶-bp-am-bpÅ _Ô-s¯-¸än kwkm-cn-¨n-Ã. kwkm-cn-¡m³ Xp\n-ª-h-cpsS hmb-S-¸n-¨p-hn-«-tXbpÅq. F¶n«pw B _Ôw \K-c-¯n-se§pw ]m«m-bn-cp-¶p. Itc-\nsâ D¶-X-]-Zhnbpw CXp ]c-¡m-\n-S-bm-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. A¶-bpsS A]-Zm-\-§Ä tI«v klnsI«ncp¶ sNdp-¸-¡m-cn-IÄ¡v CXp henb kt´mjw \ÂIn. "R§-ft¶ ]d-ªntÔ F¶ a«n Ahsf sNfn hmcn-sb-dn-bm-³ X¡w ]mÀ¯ncp-¶p. a[y-h-b-kvIcpw D¶-X-Øm-\n-Ifp-amb Hcp-]m-Sp-t]À kaq-l-¯n ]c-¡m-\n-cn-¡p¶ A]-IoÀ¯n- ap³Iq-«n¡-−v Akz-Ø-cm-bn. BZyw tI«t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS A½bv¡v Cu _Ôw CjvS-am-bn. ]t£ AhnsS¯s¶ XpS-cm\pw A¶sb ImWm-\p-apÅ kuI-cy-¯n\p th−n hvtdm¬kvIn Hcp Øm\¡bäw ths−¶p h¨-Xpw AXp ]e D¶X-cp-sSbpw A{]o-Xn¡p Imc-W-am-bXpw A-dn-ª-t¸mÄ AhÀ¡v XmÂ]-cy-anÃmXm-bn. AhÀ aq¯ aIs\ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ASp-t¯-bv¡-b-¨p. tPyjvT\pw Cu _Ôw CjvS-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. kz´-ambn IpSpw_-ap-−m-bn«pw Hcp _mte-¡m-cnsb IqsS-s¸m-dp-¸n-¡p-¶p-−m-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ. [mÀan-I-XbpsS t]cn-e-Ã, {]oXn-s¸-Sp-t¯− ]e-scbpw shdp-¸n¡pw F¶-Xp-sIm-−mbn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v A¶-bp-am-bpÅ _Ô-t¯mSv FXnÀ¸v. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Bth-i-apÅ asämcp Imcy-am-bn-cp¶p IpXn-c-¸-´-bw. As¡mÃw Hm^n-kÀamÀ¡m-bpÅ ]´-b-¯n Abmfpw t]cp sImSp-¯ncp-¶p. {Imkvt\m sktem-bnse ]´-b-¯nsâ A¶v hvtdm¬kvIn sdPn-saânse `£-W-ap-dn-bn ]Xn-hnepw t\c-t¯-sb-¯n. h¶pw-t]m-bp-an-cn-¡p¶ Hm^nkÀamsc Hgn-hm-¡m³ Hcp t\mh-en I®p-d-¸n¨v AbmÄ A¶-sb-¡p-dn¨p Nn´n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. A¶p ]´bw Ign-bp-t¼mÄ ImWm-sa-¶mWv A¶ ]d-ªn-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. Ahsf I−n«p aq¶p Znh-k-am-bn. `À¯mhv hntZ-i-bm{X Ignªp h¶n«p−v; AhÄ¡p hcm³ Ign-bptam Bthm?

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A¶ ]´-b-¯n\p hcp-¶pt−m F¶p Xnc-¡m³ s_ävkv Ab-¨-Xm-sW¶ `mh-¯n AhnsS t]mIm³ Xs¶ Abm-fp-d-¨p. A¶sb ImWp-¶Xp Nn´n-¨-t¸mÄ Xs¶ B apJ¯p {]Imiw ]c-¶p. “Fsâ h−nbpw aq¶p IpXn-c-I-sfbpw thKw Xbm-dm-¡m³ Ah-tcmSv ]dbq.” DW-¡n-d¨n sIm−p-h¶ ]cn-Nm-c-I-t\mSv hvtdm¬kvIn \nÀtZ-in-¨p. `£Ww Ign-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ c−p-t]À þ No¡-t¸m-¯p-t]m-semcp XSn-b\pw asämcp bphmhpw þ ASp-¯p-h¶p temlyw ]d-bm³ {ian-¨p. AbmÄ `£-W-¯nepw ]pkvX-I-¯nepw am{Xw {i²n-¨n-cp-¶p. ZoÀL-Im-b\pw _en-jvT-\p-amb Iym]vä³ bmjvhn³ At§m«p IS-¶p-h-¶p. “AÃ, CXmcv!” AbmÄ Xsâ I\¯ ssIIÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS tXmfn h¨p-. hvtdm¬kvIn tZjy-s¸«p Xncn-ªp-t\m-¡n. bmjvhns\ I−-t¸mÄ tZjyw AI-¶p, apJ¯p {]Imiw ]c-¶p. bmjvhn³ [mÀan-IX CÃm-¯-h-s\-¶-Ã, A[mÀan-I³ Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. sdPn-saân hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Gä-hp-a-Sp¯ kplr¯v Abm-fm-Wv. hÃm¯ Btcm-Kyw. Dd-¡-an-f-¨n-cp¶p IpSn-¨mepw shÅ-¯n InS-¡p¶ ao\n-s\-t¸m-setb DÅq; Hcn-f-¡-hp-an-Ã. F{X IpSn-¨mepw No«p-I-fn-bn Hcn¡Ât]mepw ]nghp hcm¯ IW-¡p-Iq-«-ep-IÄ. kl-{]hÀ¯ItcmSpw D¶-Xm-[n-Im-cn-I-tfmSpw Hcp-t]mse ASp-¸w; FÃm-hÀ¡pw kvt\lhpw _lp-am-\-hpw. F¶m hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Abmsf CjvS-s¸-Sm³ ImcWw AbmÄ¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb CjvS-am-sW¶Xm-Wv. t]tcm ]Wtam I−n-«Ã, Abmsf Abm-fm-bn-¯s¶ bmjvhn\v CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. Xsâ PohnXw \nd-ªp-\n¡p¶ Ct¸m-gs¯ hnIm-c-s¯-¡p-dn¨v ]d-bm³ sImÅm-hp¶ Htc-sbm-cmÄ bmjvhn\m-sW¶v hvtdm¬kvIn¡p tXm¶n. hnIm-c-§-tfm-sSÃmw ]pÑw `mhn-¡p-¶-h-\msW¦nepw CXp a\-kn-em-¡m³ AbmÄ¡p Ign-bpw. ]c-Zq-j-W-sa¶ tcmK-hp-an-Ã. ]d-bmsX Xs¶ bmjvhn\v FÃm-a-dn-bm-sa¶v hvtdm¬kvIn Duln-¨p. “C¶-es¯ Ifn-bn hÃXpw t\Sntbm? ” hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn-¨p. “F®m-bn-cw. AXn aq¶p Iq«-−. AbmÄ Xcn-Ô “At¸mÄ Fsâ t]cn-epÅ ]´bw tXmämepw Ipg-¸-an-Ã. ” “tXm¡m³ km[y-X-sbm-¶p-an-Ã. amslm-«n³ am{Xta Hcp shÃp-hn-fn-bm-bpÅq. ” c−p t]cpw IqSn hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ho«n-te¡p t]mbn.

ap«n³ta \n¶p t\m¡nb s]{SnävkvIn hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSp ]dªp: "v\n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ h¶n-cp-¶p. ho−pw hcp-sa¶p ]dªp t]mbn/” kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS h−nbpw IpXn-c-I-fp-sa¯n. IpXn-c-¸-´n-bn-te-¡m-sW¶p ]dªv AbmÄ h−n-bn-te¡p \o§n. {_bm³kvIn-sbbpw ImW-Ww. IpXn-c-I-fpsS Bh-iy-¯n\p Ipd¨p ]Ww kwL-Sn-¸n-¡-Ww. AbmÄ At§m«p am{Xaà t]mIp-¶-sX¶v kplr-¯p-¡Ä¡p a\-kn-em-bn. "\nsâ {_bm³kvInsb R§Ä¡-dnbmw” F¶p ]dªp s]{Sn-ävkvIn. "t\cw sshImsX t\m¡tW” F¶p am{Xta bmjvhn³ ]d-ªp-Åq. “tlbv, \n¡v, \n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ Hcp I¯pw Ipdn¸pw Fs¶ GÂ]n-¨n-cp-¶p, Rm\-sXhnsSbmtWm h¨Xv? ” “thKw Xm” “tlm, Rm\sX-hnsSbm h¨Xv? ” “Xami Ifn-¡msX thKw Xm. ” “tlbv, NqSm-ImsX. C¶se IpSn-¨-t]mse \mep Ip¸n-sbms¡ IpSn-¨m Fhn-sSbm InS¶sX¶p hsc ad-¶p-t]m-Ipw” AbmÄ AI¯p t]mbn I«n-en Iangv¶p InS-¶p. “CXm Rm\n-§s\ InS-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. ”. AbmÄ Chn-Ss-bmWp \n¶-Xv. lm.. CXm In«n.” InS-¡-bv¡-Sn-bn \n¶p Is¯-Sp¯v AbmÄ hvtdm¬kvIn¡p \o«n. ImWm³ sNÃm-¯-Xn\p imkn-¨p-sIm-−mWv A½-bpsS I¯v. AÂ]w kwkm-cn-¡m-\p-s−-¶mWv tPyjvTsâ Ipdn-¸nÂ. "c−p t]À¡pw Imcyw H¶p-X-s¶. ChÀs¡´m Imcyw” Ft¶mÀ¯p hvtdm¬kvIn. h−n-bn Ibdn aÂk-c-¯n-t\m-Sn-¡m-\pÅ IpXn-c-sb-¡m-Wm³ AbmÄ IpXn-c-¸-´n-bn-te¡p t]mbn.

hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm-¸-amWv

s]{Sn-ävkvInbpw Xma-kw. AhÀ sNÃp-t¼mÄ AbmÄ DWÀ¶n-«n-Ã. bmjvhn³ Abmsf X«n-hn-fn-¨p. NmSn-sb-gp-t¶äv

Ipd¨p Znh-k-ambn Ahsf HmSn-¨n-«v. ]cn-io-e-Is\ GÂ]n¨p t]m¶-Xm-Wv. GX-h-Ø-bn-emWv C¶se F¯n-bn-«p-−m-hp-I, Cs¶-§-s\-bp−v Fs¶m¶pw Adn-bn-Ã. “{^u{^u-hn\v F§-s\-bp−v? ” hvtdm¬kvIn Cw¥o-jp-Im-c-\mb ]cn-io-eI-t\mSv Cw¥o-jn tNmZn-¨p. “\¶m-bn-cn-¡p¶p kÀ” AbmÄ sXm−-bpsS DÅn \n¶mWv kwkm-cn¡p-¶-Xv. "Rm³ Ahsf ]pd-¯n-d-¡mw. DÅn-te¡p sN¶m Nne-t¸mÄ {]tIm-]n-X-bm-tb-¡pw” “th−, Rm³ AI-t¯¡p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. ”

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kz´w IpXn-c-sb-¡mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn ImWm³ sImXn-¨Xv amslm-«n³ HmSn¡p¶ ¥mUn-tb-ä-dn-s\-bm-Wv. ]t£ ]´-b-a-cym-Z-IÄ {]Imcw ImWm³ t]mbn«v FXn-cm-fn-I-fpsS IpXn-c-I-sf-¸än tNmZn-¡m³ t]mepw ]mSn-Ã. GXmbmepw tNmZn-¡msX Xs¶ ]´n-t\m-«-¡m-c³ sNdp-¡³ Hs¶-¯n-t\m¡m³ Ah-k-c-sam-cp-¡n. \à H¯ IpXn-c. ]ns¶ AhÀ {^u{^u-hnsâ ASp-s¯-¯n. A-hÄ BsI DuÀP-kz-e-bmsW¶p I−v hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Dt·jw Cc-«n-¨p. {_bm³kvIn-bpsS ASp¯p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv, Hcp aWn-¡q-dn-\p-Ån aS§pw Fs¶ms¡ ]d-sª-¦nepw Cw¥o-jp-Im-c\pw Imcyw a\-kn-em-sb¶p tXm¶n. AbmÄ ]dªp: "]´-b-¯n\p ap³]v a\kv Hcn-¡epw Aim-´-amIm³ ]mSn-Ã. H¶pw Ae-«m³ A\p-h-Zn-¡-cp-Xv.” h−n-bn-en-cp¶v AbmÄ A½-bp-sSbpw tPyjvTsâbpw Ipdn-¸p-IÄ hmbn-¨p. FÃm-hÀ¡pw Xsâ lrZ-b-hym-]m-c-§-fn CS-s]-Sm-\mWv hy{K-X. AXv Abm-fn tZjyhpw shdp¸pw \nd-¨p. Fs´-¦nepw Ipcp-«p-th-e-I-fmsW¦n BÀ¡pw Hcp Ipg-¸-hp-an-Ã. CXnt¸m Np½m t\c-t¼m-¡-Ã, Ah-sf\n¡p Poh-s\-¡mÄ hep-Xm-sW¶dn-bp-¶-Xp-sIm-−mWv FÃm-hÀ¡pw C{X hnj-aw. R§Ä kzbw sXc-sª-Sp¯ hn[n; R§Ä BtcmSpw ]cmXnsbm¶pw ]d-bp-¶p-an-Ã. t]mtc” PohnXw ]Tn-¸n-¡m³ h¶n-cn-¡p-¶p. kt´m-j-a-dn-bm¯ hÀKw. Cu kvt\l-an-sæn R§Ä¡v kt´m-jhpw Ak-t´m-jhpw Cà þ Pohn-X-ta-bn-Ã. Ah-scÃmw ]d-bp-¶Xv icn-bm-sW¶v Abm-fpsS A´-cm-ßmhn\-dn-bm-am-bncp-¶p. B Adnhv Ah-tcm-SpÅ tZjyw Iq«n-. IÅ-§fpw Hfn-¨p-I-fnbpw BhÀ¯n-t¡−n-h-cp-¶Xv Abm-tfmÀ¯p. At¸m-sgms¡ Ah-fpsS apJ¯p hncn-bp¶ \mW-t¡Spw. IÅ-¯-c-§Ä Ah-cn-cp-h-cpsSbpw {]Ir-X¯n\v FXn-cm-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ AXp-Iq-SmsX hs¿-¶m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. A¶-bpam-bpÅ _Ôw XpS-§n-b-Xn\p tijw X\n¡p h¶ asämcp amähpw hvtdm¬kvIn {i²n-¨p. BsI-sbmcp shdp¸v þ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhn-¨n-t\m-Sm-tWm, Xt¶mSp Xs¶-bmtWm, AtXm temIw apgp-h-t\m-Sp-amtWm. Adnbn-Ã. Cu IÅ-¯-c-§fpw cl-ky-§fpw Ah-km-\n-¸n-t¡-−Xv AXym-h-iy-amsW¶v Abm-fp-d-¸n-¨p. asäÃmw Ah-km-\n-¸n-¨v, Rm\pw Ahfpw R§-fpsS kvt\lhpw am{Xambn Hcn-S-¯v Hfn-¡p-I.

´-b-¯n\p ap³]v Xm\n-hnsS hcp-sa¶v Ah-sfm«pw {]Xo-£n-¡n-Ã. icn¡pw AÛp-X-s¸-Sp¯Ww. ap³hm-Xn Hgn-hm¡n tXm«-¯n-eqsS AI-t¯¡p \S¡p-t¼mÄ AbmÄ IW-¡p-Iq-«n. Ft¸mgpw ad-¶p-t]m-Im-dpÅ B Imcyw, A¶-bp-am-bpÅ _Ô-¯nse Gähpw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p¶ Imcyw, tNmZy-`m-hhpw i{Xp-Xbpw (A-§-s\-bm-WbmÄ¡p tXm¶n-b-Xv) \ndª I®p-I-tfmsS Ft¸mgpw Ah-tfm-sSm¸apÅ aI³. Ahsâ km¶n-[y-¯n AhÀ ]cn-N-b-¡m-sc-t¸mse am{Xw kwkmcn-¨p. Ah\p a\-kn-em-Im¯ Hcp hm¡p-t]mepw ]d-bm-Xn-cn-¡m³ {i²n-¨p. Ahsâ I®p-I-fn Nne-t¸mÄ kulr-Zw, Nne-t¸mÄ i{Xp-X. Cu a\p-jy\pw Xsâ A½-bp-ambn Ft´m Imcy-amb _Ô-ap-s−¶v Ah\-dn-bmw. A¸\pw Bb-amcpw Xsâ ho«n asä-ÃmhÀ¡pw hvtdm¬kvIntbmSv A\njvSw am{X-a-Ã, shdp¸pw `oXn-bp-am-sW¶v Ah³ a\-kn-em-¡n. A½-bv¡m-sW¦n AbmÄ Gä-hp-a-Sp¯ kplr-¯m-Wv. Abm-sf GXp Xc-¯n-emWv Xm³ ImtW-−-sX¶v Ah\v Hsc-¯pw-]n-Snbpw In«n-bn-Ã. Cu Bi-b-¡p-g-¸-amWv Ahsâ I®n Hmtcmtcm hnImc-§Ä \nd-¨-Xv. sXämb Zni-bn-emWv k©m-c-sa¶v HmÀan-¸n-¡p¶ hS¡pt\m¡nb{´-am-bncp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw A¶bv¡pw Ah³. F¶m k©m-c-¯nsâ KXntbm thKtam I¸n-¯msâ \nb-{´-W-¯n-e-Ã. sXämb Zni-bn \nb-{´W-an-Ãm¯ t]m¡v F¶p-h-¨m kÀh-\m-i-amWv ^e-w. C¯-hW F´m-bm-epw skcn-tbmj ho«n-en-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ sNÃpt¼mÄ AhÄ sSd-kn-en-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. apJ-amsI Nph-¶n-«p-−v. “\n\-s¡´m kpJ-antÃ?” I−-]msS hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn-¨p. Ah-fpsS ASp-¡-te¡v HmSn-s¨-Ãm³ tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw Bsc-¦n-ep-sams¡ {i²n-¡p¶p-−m-hp-t¶mÀ¯p kzbw \nb-{´n-¨p. “F\n-s¡mcp Ipg-¸-hp-an-Ã. kpJw Xs¶.” “ssZh-ta, ssIIÄ ac-hn-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-tÃm.” “\n§-fpsS hchv Fs¶ sR«n¨p-I-f-ªp. Rm³ skcn-tbmj hcp-¶Xpw Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. AhÀ \S-¡m³ t]mb-Xm-Wv.” F{X im´X `mhn-¨n«pw Ah-fpsS Np−p-IÄ hnd-bv¡p-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. “Ft¶mSv £an-¡q. F\n¡p \ns¶ ImWm-sX hs¿-¶m-bn. AXp-sIm−mWp h¶Xv.” “£an-¡m-t\m. h¶-Xn F\n-s¡´p kt´m-j-ap-s−t¶m? ” “Ft´m \ns¶ Ae-«p-¶p-−v. F´mWp \o Btem-Nn-¡p-¶sX¶p ]d-bq. ” “Ft¸mgpw H¶-tÃbpÅq. ” AhÄ Nncn-¨p.

AeIvkn

Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v hntZ-i-¯p-\n-s¶-¯n-bn«v ]otä-gvkv_ÀKv hn«p t]m¶n-«n-Ã. h−n A¶-bpsS hoSn-\-Sp-s¯-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ahsf Häbv¡v In«p-¶-tXmÀ¯p hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS lrZbw XpSn-¨p. C¶v IpXn-c-¸-

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aäp-Å-hÀs¡ms¡ CsX{X Ffp¸w? (s_-ävkn¡v SjvtI-hn-¨p-am-bpÅ clky-_Ôw AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p) F\n¡p am{Xw F´m-Wn{X henb ]oV\w? AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv ]´-b-s¯-¡p-dn¨p tNmZn-¨p. AhÄ im´-bm-Is«-sb¶p IcpXn AbmÄ ]´-b-¯n-\pÅ Hcp-¡-§Ä hni-Z-ambn hÀWn-¨p. “Ct¸mÄ ]d-btWm? At±lw hfsc kt´m-j-¯n-em-Wv. ]´-b-¯nsâ Imcy-§-sfms¡tbmÀ¯v henb Bth-i-¯n-ep-amWv. Nnet¸m Ct¸m-gXnsâ apgp-h³ Kuc-h-¯n-ep-sa-Sp-¯nsæntem.” Ah-tfmÀ¯p. “Ft´m kw`-hn-¨n-«p-−v. Rm\-dn-bm¯ GtXm henb ZpJw \n\-¡p-s−-¶dn-ªp-sIm−v F\n¡p kam-[m-\-am-bn-cn-¡m³ ]äptam? ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v ]d-bq. ” ]d-btWm? AhÄ Xncn¨pw adn¨pw Btem-Nn-¨p. th−{X Kuc-h-¯n-se-Sp¯nsæn F\n-s¡m-cn-¡epw s]mdp-¡m³ ]än-Ã. HSp-hn ]dbm³ Xs¶ Xocp-am-\n¨p: “Fsâ DZ-c-¯n \½psS Ip«n hf-cp-¶p-−v. ” AbmÄ hnf-dn. Ft´m ]d-bm-\mªp ]mXn-h-gn-bn Dt]-£n-¨p. Ah-fpsS ssII-fnse ]nSn Abªp; Xe XmWp XmSn s\©n XS-ªp-\n-¶p. AhÄ¡p kt´m-j-am-bn. "apgp-h³ Kuc-hhpw DÄs¡m−p Xs¶-bm-Wv. ” ]t£ AhÄ Icp-Xnb amXncnbpÅ Kuc-h-am-bn-cp-¶nà AbmÄ¡v. Ct¸mÄ CS-bv¡nsS tXm¶m-dpÅ Bß-\n-µ-bmWv Abmsf ]oUn-¸n-¨-Xv. F¦nepw Ah-fpsS hnIm-c-§Ä AbmÄ ]qÀW-ambn DÄs¡m-−p. AhfpsS ssIIÄ FSp¯v Npw_n¨v, sasÃ-sb-gp-t¶äv At§m-«p-an-t§m«pw \S¶p-sIm−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “FÃm-¯n\pw Hc-dpXn hcp-¯-Ww. IÅ-¯-c-§-fpsS temI-¯nse Cu Pohn-Xw C\n th−.” “Ah-km-\n-¸n-¡mt\m?” “\nsâ `À¯m-hns\ Dt]-£n¨p hcn-I. \½psS PohnXw H¶m-I-s«.” “AXn-t¸mįs¶ H¶m-W-tÃm.” AhÄ hfsc ]Xps¡ ]d-ªp. “]qÀWambpw H¶m-I-Ww.” “AXp km[y-amtWm? Rm\-bm-fpsS `mcy-btÃ?” “FÃmw km[y-am-Wv. \½psS hgn \½Ä Xocpam\n-¡-Ww. atä-sXm-c-hØbpw \nsâ Ct¸m-gs¯ ØnXn-sb-¡mÄ t`Z-am-bn-cn-¡pw. \o FÃm-¯ns\-s¨m-Ãnbpw thZ-\n-¡p¶p -þ Cu temIw, \nsâ aI³, `À¯m-hv.” “`À¯m-hn-s\-s¨mÃn H«p-an-Ã. F\n-¡-bmsf Adn-bn-Ã, Rm\-bm-sf-¸än Nn´n¡m-dn-Ã, A§-s\-sbm-cmÄ¡v AkvXnXzw Xs¶-bn-Ã.” “AXp apgp-h³ icn-b-Ã. \o Abm-sf-tbmÀ¯pw hnj-an-¡p-¶p-−v.”

“AbmÄ¡-dn-bpI IqSn-bn-Ô Ah-fpsS apJ-amsI Nph-¶p, Igp¯pw s\änbpw Ihnį-S-hp-sa-Ãmw. I®p-I-fn I®oÀ \nd-ªp. “th−, \ap¡-bm-sf-¸än H¶pw kwkm-cn-t¡-−.”

hvtdm¬kvIn ]eXhW A¶sb ]dªp a\-kn-em-¡m³ {ian-¨-Xm-Wv. Imcy-t¯m-S-Sp-¡p-t¼mÄ AhÄ F´n-s\tbm `b-s¶¶ t]mse ]n³am-dpw; bYmÀY A¶ DÄh-enªv AbmÄ¡v ]cn-N-b-an-Ãm-¯, CjvS-s¸-Sm³ Ignbm¯, Abm-fpsS bpàn-IÄ¡v FXn-cp-\n¡p¶ asämcp kv{Xo {]Xy-£s¸-Spw. “AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-sa-¦nepw CsÃ-¦nepw \ap-¡v, \n\¡v Cu ØnXn-bn C\n XpS-cm³ Ign-bn-Ã. “F´p sN¿Wsa-¶mWv Xm¦-fpsS A`n-{]mbw?” Ah-fpsS kzc-¯n ho−pw AtX hntcm-[m-`m-kw, ]cn-lm-kw. hvtdm¬kvIn C-¡mcyw Kuc-h¯n-se-Sp-¡ptam F¶p `b¶ncp¶ AhÄ Ct¸mÄ AbmÄ Kuc-h-]qÀhw ]d-bp¶ Xocp-am-\-§sf `b-¡p-¶p. “Abm-tfmSv FÃmw ]d-ªv, \ap¡v \½psS hgn¡p t]mImw.” “]d-ªm-se´m kw`-hn-¡pI F¶-dn-bmtam? “\o asäm-cp-h-s\ kvt\ln¡p¶p? F¶n«v Ah-\p-ambn Ipä-I-c-amb KqVm-tem-N-\-I-fn GÀs¸-«n-cn¡p¶p?” (A-eIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨nsâ kwkm-cs¯ A\p-I-cn¨v Ipä-I-c-amb F¶ hm¡v AhÄ Dd-¨p-¨-cn-¨p.) “AXnsâ aX-]-chpw kmaqlnIhpw IpSpw-_-]-c-hp-amb {]Xym-Lm-X-§-sf-¡p-dn¨p Rm³ ap¶-dn-bn¸p \ÂIn-bn-cp-¶p. AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ. F¶n-«nt¸m Fs¶ (Fsâ aIs\bpw F¶p-IqSn ]d-bpsa-¶-hÄ¡dnbm-sa-¦nepw AXv AhÄ Hgn-hm¡n; aIsâ t]cv A¯cw Imcy-§-fn-te¡p hen-¨n-g-¡m³ AhÄ¡p Ign-bn-Ãm-bn-cp¶p.) Fs¶ \mWw sISp-¯m³.” Abm-fpsS HutZym-KnI `mj-bn XnIª IrXy-X-tbmSpw hyà-X-tbmSpw IqSn ]dbpw t]mIm³ ]än-söv; t]cp-tZmjw hcmsX Xsâ A[n-Im-c-§-fp-]-tbm-Kn¨p t\m¡p-sa-¶pw. F¶n«v im´-\mbn A{]-Imcw Xs¶ {]hÀ¯n¡pIbpw sN¿pw. AXmWp kw`-hn-¡p-I. Abm-sfmcp a\p-jy-\-Ã, b{´-am-Wv.” “F´p-Xs¶ h¶mepw \½Ä Abm-tfmSp ]d-b-Ww. F¶n«v Abm-fpsS {]Xn-I-c-W-¯n-\-\p-k-cn¨v \o§mw.” “F´m, Hfn-t¨m-StWm?“ ” “th−n-h-¶m AXn-s\´m Ipg¸w? ” “Hfn-t¨m-Sp-I, Hfn-t¨mSn \n§fpsS sh¸m-«n-bm-bn-¡-gn-bp-I. A§s\ \miw ]qÀ¯nbm-¡p-I.” ‘Fsâ aIsâ’ F¶Xv D¨-cn-¡m-\m-ImsX AhÄ hn«p-I-fªp.

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“AtX-¸än C\n H¶pw ]d-tb-−. Fsâ Ah-Ø-bpsS ssZ\y-Xbpw ]cn-lmky-Xbpw F\n¡p \¶m-b-dn-bmw. F¦nepw \n§Ä ]d-bp¶ ]cn-lmcw \S¡p-¶-X-Ã…. FÃmw IS-¶p-t]m-Ipw. Rm\m-iz-kn-t¨m-fmw… \n§-ftX¡pdn¨v Fs¶ HmÀan-¸n-¡m-Xn-cp-¶m am{Xw aXn” “F\n-s¡m¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. ” “F\n-¡-dnbmw \n§-fpsS Xpd¶ {]Ir-X-¯n\v \pWIfpsS Cu IqSmcw F{X-am{Xw thZ-\m-I-c-am-sW¶v. \n§-fpsS PohnXw Xs¶ F\n-¡p-th−n Xpe-¨tÃm F¶v Rm\m-tem-Nn-¡m-dp−v. ” “\nsâ PohnXw F\n-¡p-th−n _en Ign-¨tÃm F¶m-tem-Nn-¡p-I-bm-bncp¶p Rm\pw. \o ZpJn-X-bm-bn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ F\n-s¡-§s\ Biz-kn-¡m³ Ignbpw?” skcn-tbmj Zqsc-\n¶p hcp-¶-Xnsâ i_vZw tI«v AhÄ NmSn-sb-gp-t¶-äp. s]s«¶v Abm-fpsS Xe Npän-¸n-Sn¨v Np−p-IÄ hnSÀ¯n Abm-fpsS Np−pI-fnepw I®p-I-fnepw Npw_n-¨p. F¶n«p thKw t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n. Abm-fhsf ]nSn-¨p-\nÀ¯n. “Ft¸mgm?” “cm{Xn Hcp-a-Wn-¡v.” aIsâb-Sp-t¯¡v HmSn-t¸m-Ip¶-Xn-\nsS AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSp bm{X ]d-ªp. “Rm³ thK-sam-cp-§s«. IpXn-c-¸-´bw ImWm³ s_ävkn-sbs¶ Iq«m-sa¶p ]d-ªn-«p-−v.”

Xp-sIm−v AbmÄ im´-ambn Nncn-¨p-sIm-−v, Ft´m Ipiew ]d-bp¶ amXn-cn, BWv {]Xn-I-cn-¨-Xv. F¶m {ItaW AbmÄ¡p tZjyw h¶p. CXp aämcpw CS-s]-tS− Bh-iy-an-Ãm¯ Imcy-am-sW¶p ]-dªp apt¶m«p \o§n. aÂk-c-¯n\p ap³]v a\-kns\ t£m`n-¸n-t¡− F¶p-]-tZin¨n«pIq-Sn-bmWv tPyjvT³ t]mb-Xv. At¸mÄ s̸ms\ I−p. “kplr-¯p-¡sf Xncn-¨-dn-bp-I-bnsömbn AtÃ? Rm³ C¶-se-sb-¯n. \n§-fpsS hnPbw ImWm³ Ign-bp-a-tÃm-sb¶ kt´m-j-ap-−v. Ft¸mgm H¶p ImWp-¶Xv?” “\msf sakv dqan-te¡p hcq.” hvtdm¬kvIn \S-¶p. tImÀUv {^u{^u-hns\ Hcp-¡n-\nÀ¯nbn-«p-−v. AhfpsS Bth-ihpw I®p-I-fnse Aánbpw I−-t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Bß-hn-izmkw Cc-«n-¨p. Ggm-a-XmWv hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Øm\w. IpXn-c-¸pd¯p Ib-dm-\pÅ AS-bmfw apg-§n. IqsS aÂk-cn-¡p-¶-hsc BsIsbm¶p t\m¡n. Hm«-¯n-\n-S-bn Bscbpw ImWp-I-bn-Ã. c−p t]À aÂkcw XpS-§p¶ t]mbnân-te¡v HmSn-¨p-t]m-bn. KmÂävkn³ hg-§m³ Iq«m-¡m¯ Hcp IpXn-csb hew-h¨p \S-¡p-I-bm-Wv. AbmÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS kplr-¯mWv; aÂk-c-¯n Icp-¯-\mb FXn-cm-fn-bpw. H¯ Hcp s]¬Ip-Xn-c-bpsS ]pd¯v Iptkm-hvtehv {]`p hnf-dnb apJ-hp-ambn Ccn-¡p¶p; HcmÄ IpXn-csb ISn-ªm¬ ]nSn¨p \S-¯p-¶p. alm t]Sn-¨p-Xq-dnbpw s]m§-¨-¡m-c-\p-amWv {]`p. FÃm c£m-k-¶m-l-§-fp-ap-Å-Xp-sIm−p am{XamWv AbmÄ ]´-b-¯n-\n-d-§m³ Xbm-dm-b-Xp-X-s¶. hvtdm¬kvIn Hcp ]p©ncnsIm−v At±-ls¯ t{]mÂkm-ln-¸n-¨p. {][m\ FXn-cm-fnsbþ ¥mUn-tb-ä-dnsâ ]pd-t¯-dnb amslm-«n-s\ þ am{Xw I−n-Ã. “Xnc-¡p-Iq-«-−. Ahsf Ah-fpsS hgn¡p hnt«-¡p-I.” ISn-ªm¬ ssI-amdn-s¡m−v tImÀUv ]d-ªp. “icn-, icn” “]äp-sa-¦n H¶m-a-\mbn HmSpI; ]n¶n-em-sW¦nepw Ah-km\ \nanjw hsc {]Xo£ ssIhn-S-cp-Xv.” \nan-j-t\cw sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn {^u{^u-hnsâ ]pd-t¯-dn. A\mbmkefn-X-am-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS Ne-\-§Ä. tImÀUv ]nSn¯w hn«p. Igp¯p-sIm−v ISn-ªm-Wn hen-¨p-sIm−v {^u{^u kv{]nMv t]mse NmSm³ XpS-§n, hvtdm¬kvInsb IpS-sª-dn-bm-s\-¶-t]m-se. tImÀUv s]s«¶v H¸-sa-¯m³ {ian-¨p. i_vZ§fpw Xtem-S-ep-sam¶pw Ahsf sacp¡n-bn-Ã. AhÀ ÌmÀ«nMv t]mbnân-te¡p \o§pIbmWv. ap¶nepw ]n¶nepw aäp]ecpap−v. s]s«¶v ]n¶n Hcp Ipf-¼-Sn-i-_vZw. ¥mUn-tb-äÀ amslm-«n-s\bpw-sIm−v AXn-thKw ]mªp-t]m-bn. amslm-«n³ Nncn¨p;

hvtdm¬kvIn AhnsS-\n¶v t\sc {_bm³kvIn-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p t]mbn. ]´-b-¯n\p sshIp-sa-¶-Xp-sIm−v A©p an\ntä AhnsS sNe-h-gn-¨p-Åq. F¦nepw B bm{X Abmsf Hs«m¶p XWp-¸n-¨p. aÂk-c-¯nsâ Bthihpw A¶p cm{Xn A¶sb ImWm-a-tÃm-sb¶ kt´m-jhpw am{Xta _m¡n-bm-bp-Åq. IzmÀt«-gvkn-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ the-¡m-c³ Im¯p-\n¡p¶p. aÂk-c-§Ä XpS-§n-¡-gn-ªp-sh¶p hnhcw In«n. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS C\w hcp-¶-tXbpÅq. IpXn-c-¸-´n-bn \n¶v Hcp ]¿³ c−p XhW At\z-jn¨p h¶n-cp¶p. A-bmÄ H«pw Xnc-¡p-Iq-«msX (H-cn-¡epw AbmÄ Xnc¡p Iq«p-Itbm ka-\ne ssIhn-Sp-Itbm sNbvXn-cp-¶n-Ã) hkv{Xw amdn Hcp-§n. IpXn-c-¸-´n-bn-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ {^u{^u-hns\ Hcp-¡n-\nÀ¯nbn-«p-−v. Hvtdm¬kvIn ssaXm-\-¯n-te¡p \S-¶p. Hcp-]mSp ]cn-N-b-¡mÀ Ipiew ]dªp-h-s¶-¦nepw Ah-sc-sbÃmw Hgn-hm¡n AbmÄ AI-t¯¡p \S-¶p. At¸mÄ ktlm-Z-c-s\-¡-−p. Xm³ sImSp-¯-b¨ Ipdn¸p In«ntbm F¶v AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p. P\-¡q-«-¯nsâ {i² Xsâ ta D−m-Ip-sa-¶-dn-bm-hp-¶-

89

90

hvtdm¬kvIn¡p tZjy-amWp h¶-Xv. amslm-«ns\ ]t− CjvS-aÃ; aÂk-c¯n Gähpw ISp¯ FXn-cm-fn-bp-amWv; Ct¸m-gnXm IpXn-¨p-]mªv Xsâ {^u{^u-hns\ sR«n¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. {^u{^u CS-Xp-Im apt¶m-«p-h¨v IpXn-Ip-Xn-¨p. ISn-ªm³ apdp-In-b-t¸mÄ c−p Nm«w NmSn AS-§n. Xpdn-¨pt\m-¡n-bn«v tImÀUv AXn-th-K-¯n hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS H¸-sa-¯n.

Wv. sNIp-¯m³ ASp-s¯-¯n. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS I®p-I-fn {^u{^uhnsâ sNhn-Ifpw ]nSen-bpw, FXntc ]mª-Sp-¡p¶ {]Xn-_-Ôw, Htc Zqcw ap¶n ]mbp¶ ¥mUn-tb-ä-dnsâ ]n³`m-Khpw shfp¯ Imep-If - pw. DbÀ¶p-s]m-§nb ¥mUn-tb-äÀ t\cn-sbmcp i_vZw t]mepw tIĸn-¡msX hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ImgvN-bn \n¶p ad-ªp. H«pw Bbm-ktam KXn-am-ätam CÃmsX {^u{^uhpw “sNIp-¯m\p” tase DbÀ¶p. ad-bpsS I¼p-IÄ ImgvN-bn \n¶p ad-ªp. ]n¶n Ft´m X«nbp-Sª i_vZw. ¥mUn-tb-äÀ ap¶n Xs¶ XpS-cp-¶-Xnsâ Akz-ØXw aqew AhÄ C¯ncn t\cs¯ IpXn-¨n-cp-¶p; ]n³Im-ep-IÄ then-s¡«n Dckn-b-Xm-Wv. F¦nepw Ah-fpsS thK-¯n\p amä-sam-¶p-ap-−m-bn-Ã. apJs¯ sXdn¨ sNfn hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ss[cyw ]IÀ¶p þ ¥mUn-tb-äÀ H«pw IqSp-X apt¶-dn-bn-«n-Ã. CXmWv amslm-«ns\ Xf-bv¡m-\pÅ Ah-kcw F¶p hvtdm¬kvIn a\kn hnNm-cn-¨-Tx-bpÅq, {]tXy-In-s¨mcp \nÀtZ-itam {]tIm-]-\tam IqSmsX Xs¶ {^u{^u thKX Iq«n DÄh-i-¯p-IqSn ¥mUn-tb-ä-dns\ andI-S-¡m³ {ian-¨p. AhnsS amslm-«n³ hgn-sIm-Sp-¡n-söp a\-kn-em-btXmsS AhÄ thKw Ipd-¨n«v ]pdw-h-i-¯p-IqSn adnI-S-¡m³ XpS-§n. hnbÀ¸p-sIm−p Idp¯p XpS-§n-bn-cp¶ Ah-fpsS ]pdw ¥mUn-tb-ä-dp-ambn H¸-¯n-s\m¸w \o§n. ]pd-h-i-¯p-IqSn \o§p-¶-Xnsâ Aku-Icyw a\-knem¡n hvtdm¬kvIn ISn-ªm¬ hen-¨p. henb Ip¶n\p ap³]p-Xs¶ amslm-«ns\ ]n¶n-em-¡n. amslm-«nsâ sNfn-]p-c− apJw Hcp-t\m¡p I−p; AbmÄ ]p©n-cn-s¨¶p tXm¶p-¶p. ap³]n-em-sW¦nepw ¥mUn-tb-ädnsâ Ipf-¼-Sn-sbm-¨bpw DÑzm-k-i-_vZhpw tIÄ¡mhp¶{X AI-e-tabpÅp AhÀ X½nÂ. B{K-ln-¨-Xp-t]m-se, tImÀUv D]-tZin¨Xp-t]m-se, hvtdm¬kvIn-bmWv Ct¸mÄ Gähpw ap¶nÂ. C\n hnPbw Xsâ ssI¸n-Sn-bn Xs¶-bmsW¶pd-¸m-Wv. sFdnjv _mcn-t¡Uv ap¶nÂ; IpXn-cbpw IpXn-c-¡m-c\pw Hcp \nanjw ]I¨p. IpXn-c-bpsS sNhn-I-fnÂ\n¶v Bi¦ hmbn-s¨-Sp¯ hvtdm¬kvIn Nm« hen-s¨-Sp-¯p. ]ns¶ Cu `bw AØm-\-¯m-sW¶pd-¸n¨p; AhÄ¡-dnbmw F´mWp th−-sX¶v. AbmÄ Icp-Xn-b-Xp-t]mse Xs¶ AhÄ thKX Iq«n, arZp-hmbn DbÀ¶v, ià-amb Hcp IpXn-¸n InS-§n-\p-a-¸pdw sN¶p\n-¶p. ]ns¶ H«pw Bbmkw IqSmsX AtX thK-¯n IpXn¸p XpSÀ¶p. ]hn-en-b-\n \n¶p tI« Bc-h-§Ä¡n-S-bn bmjvhnsâ kzcw AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.

]Xn-t\gv Hm^n-kÀam-cmWv aÂk-c-¯n-\p-−m-bn-cp-¶-Xv. ]hn-en-b\p ap¶n aq¶p ssa \of-¯n Hmh BIr-Xn-bn-em-bn-cp¶p tdkv tImgvkv. AXn H³]Xp XS-k-§Ä D−m-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp tXmSv, A©Sn Db-c-apÅ lÀUnÂ, Hcp InS-§v, shÅw \nd¨ asämcp InS-§v, Ip¯-s\-bpÅ Hcp Ncnhv, Hcp sFdnjv _mcn-t¡Uv (G-ähpw _p²n-ap-t«-dnb XSkw AXm-bn-cp¶p. apÄs¨-Sn-IäsIm−p then-sI«nb Hcp Ip¶v; HmSn-h-cp¶ IpXn-c-IÄ¡p ImWm³ h¿m¯hn[w AXn\p ]n¶n Hcp InS-§pw. c−pw Hcp-an¨p adnI-S-¶n-sæn acWw Xs¶), ]ns¶ aq¶p InS-§p-IÄ IqSn þ cs−®w shÅ-ap-ÅXpw H¶v CÃm-¯-Xpw. ]hn-en-b\p t\sc-bmWv Hm«w Ah-km-\n¡p-¶-Xv. aÂkcw XpS-§n-bm BZys¯ XSkw GgSn hoXn-bpÅ tXmSm-bn-cp-¶p. NmSn-¡-S¡p-Itbm Xpg-ªp-I-S-¡p-Itbm sN¿mw. aq¶p XhW Hmtcm-cp¯À XpS¡w ^uÄ B¡n. \memw Xh-W-bmWv aÂkcw icn-bmbn XpS§n-b-Xv. ImgvN-¡mÀ FÃm-hcpw Hcp-an-t¨m-Sn-¯p-S-§n-sb¶p tXm¶n-sb¦nepw Hmtcm AÀ[-\n-an-jhpw aÂk-cmÀYn-IÄ¡p {][m-\-am-Wv. {^u{^u Aan-Xm-Imw-£-aqew Hcp \nanjw sshIn-t¸m-bn-cp-¶p. Iptd-t¸À AhÄ¡p ap³t] IS-¶p-t]m-bn. F¦nepw tXmSn-\-Sp-s¯¯pw ap³]p Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn aq¶p t]sc adn-I-S-¶p. Xmf-an-s«m-gp-Ip¶ Nph-Sp-I-fp-ambn ¥mUn-tb-äÀ; apI-fn amslm-«n³; kpµcnbmb Ubm-\bv¡p apI-fn N¯-Xp-t]mse Iptkm-hvse-hv. c−p t]tc hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ap¶n-ep-Åq. ¥mUn-tb-ädpw Ubm-\bpw Hcp-an-¨mWv tXmSn-\-Sp-s¯-¯n-b-Xv, Htc \nanjw IpXn-¨p-b-cp-Ibpw sNbvXp. sXm«p]n¶mse ]d-¶p-\o-§pw-t]mse {^u{^u-. hmbp-hnepbÀ¶ \nanjw hvtdm¬kvIn I−p, {^u{^u-hnsâ Ipf-¼pIÄ¡p Iosg Iqtkm-hvse-hv. AhÄ Nph-Sp-h-¨n-d-t§-−n-S¯v Ubm-\-bpsS Imep-Itfm Xe-tbm. Db-c-¯n \n¶p hogp¶ ]q¨-sb-t¸mse \Sp-h-f-¨v, Imep-IÄ Npcp¡n Ubm-\-bv¡p-a-¸pdamWv {^u{^u ]d-¶n-d§ - n-b-Xv. “A¼Sn tIao” hvtdm¬kvIn tcmam-©w-sIm-−p. “sNIp¯m³” F¶-dn-b-s¸-Sp¶ henb lÀUn amslm-«n\p ]n¶n IS¡mw, ]ns¶ Aªqdp bmÀUv t\Àh-gn-bm-Wv. Ahn-sS-h¨v Ahsc adnI-S¡-Ww. hvtdm¬kvIn \nÝbn-¨p. FÃm I®p-Ifpw B c−p t]cpsS taem-

91

92

Ahkm\s¯ InS§p am{Xw _m¡n. ¥mUn-tb-äÀ sXm«p-]n-¶n Xs¶-bp−v. _lp-Zqcw ap¶n-se-¯m-\pÅ hy{K-X-bn Ah-fpsS thK-¯n-s\m¯v Xe- D-bÀ¯nbpw Ab-¨p-sIm-Sp-¯pw hvtdm¬kvIn ISn-ªm-Wn Bªp ]nSn-¨p. Xe-bnepw sNhn-bnepw Ip©n-tcm-a-§-fn-ep-saÃmw hnbÀ¸v XpÅn-Ifmbn \nd-ªp-\n-¶p. F¦nepw _m¡n-bpÅ Aªqdp bmÀUv IqSn IpXn¡m-\pÅ DuÀPw Ah-fn _m¡n-bp-−v. Xd-\n-c-¸p-ambn IqSp-X ASp¯Xpw Ne-\-§-fnse A\m-bm-k-X-bp-amWv Ah-sf-{X-am{Xw thKw Iq«n-bncn-¡p¶p F¶ Xncn-¨-dnhp \ÂIn-b-Xv. IW-¡m-¡m³am-{X-an-sö a«n A{X efn-X-am-bmWv B InS-§n\p tase AhÄ Hcp ]£n-sb-t¸mse ]d¶n-d-§n-b-Xv. Hä \nan-jw. IpXn-c-bpsS thK-¯n-s\m¸w Xsâ Ne-\-§Ä \nb-{´n-¡p-¶-Xn A£-´-hy-amb ]nghp ]än-bn-cn-¡p¶p F¶v hvtdm¬kvIn sR«temsS Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. `oIcambsXt´m kw`-hn-¨n-cn-¡p¶p. F´msW-¶p a\kn-em¡pw ap³t] c−p shfp¯ Imep-IÄ an¶n-a-dªp; amslm-«n³ ]mªp-I-S-¶p-t]m-bn. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Hcp ]mZw \ne¯p kv]Àin-¨n-cp-¶p. IpXnc AXn-t·te¡v DuÀ¶p-ho-gp-¶p. Im hen-s¨-Sp-¡p-t¼m-tg¡v AhÄ Hcp hit¯¡p hoWp-I-gn-ªp. thZ-\-tbmsS sRc-§n-s¡m-−v, Ipgª Igp¯v t\sc-bm¡n FWo-¡m³ AhÄ hn^-e-{i-a-§Ä \S-¯n. shSn-tbäp hoW ]£n-sb-t¸mse ]nSªp. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ]ng¨ Ccp¯w Ah-fpsS \Spshm-Sn-¨n-cp-¶p. ]t£ A¡mcyw AbmÄ ]n¶otS a\-kn-em-¡n-bp-Åq. B \nanjw Abm-fpsS a\-kn Ht¶ D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq: amslm-«n³ Xs¶-¡S¶p ]mªp-t]m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p; Xm\n-hnsS sNfn-bn ]mZ§fq-¶n CS-dn\n¡p¶p; {^u{^u InX¨p hoWp-In-S-¡p-¶p, Xe ]nt¶m«p Xncn¨v AXna-t\m-l-c-§-fmb I®p-I-fm kq£n¨p t\m¡p-¶p-−v. kw`-hn-¨sX´msW¶p a\-kn-em-Imª hvtdm¬kvIn ISn-ªm-Wn ]nSn¨p hen¨p. ]nSbp¶ ao\n-s\-t¸mse AhÄ Hcn-¡Â¡qSn Fgp-t¶Â¡m³ {ian¨p. ap³Im-ep-I-fn DbÀ¶n«v ]n³`mKw DbÀ¯m-\m-hmsX hi-t¯¡p ]nSªpho-Wp. tIm]w-sIm−p Iep-j-amb apJ-t¯msS hvtdm¬kvIn D¸qän-sIm−v Ah-fpsS hb-än Bªp-Nhn-«n, ISn-ªm-Wn Bªp-h-en-¨p. AhÄ A\-§n-bn-Ã. aq¡p \ne¯p ]qgv¯n hmNm-e-amb I®p-IÄ sIm−v Abmsf t\m¡pI am{Xw sNbvXp. hvtdm¬kvIn Xe-bn ssII-fn-dp¡n Rc-§n. “Blv, Rms\-´mWo Im«nbXv? ]´bw tXmäp. FÃmw Fsâ Ipäw, s]mdp-¡m-\m-hm¯ sXäv. eÖm-Icw. ]mhw IpXnc, AXn-t\mSv Rms\-´mWo sNbvX-Xv.” Bfp-IÄ HmSn-¡qSn: Hcp tUmIvSdpw klm-bn-bpw, sdPn-saânse Hm^nkÀamÀ. IpXn-c-bpsS \Sp-shm-Sn-ªn-cn-¡p¶p; Ahsf shSn-h-bv¡m³ Xocp-

am-\n-¨p. X\n¡v sNdnb ]cp¡p t]mep-an-sÃt¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS A]-am\w Cc-«n-¨p. Xmsg hoW sXm¸n FSp-¡m³ \n¡msX AbmÄ tdkvtIm-gvkn \n¶p \S¶p; Ft§m-s«-¶-dn-bm-sX. Po-hn-X-¯n-emZy-am-bmWv C§-s\-sbmcp ZpcnXw; AXpw kz´w ]ng-hp-sIm-−v. sXm¸n-bp-sa-Sp¯v bmjvhn³ H¸-sa-¯n, Abmsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. Aca-Wn-¡qÀ sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn a\-ssØcyw hos−-Sp-¯p. F¦nepw B aÂk-c-¯nsâ HmÀa-IÄ Abm-fpsS a\-kn ZoÀL-Imew X§n-\n¶p; Pohn-X-¯nse Gähpw Ibvt]-dnb HmÀa-IÄ.

AeIvkn

Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-sâbpw `mcy-bp-sSbpw PohnXw ]pdta ]gb-Xp-t]mse Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. ioX-Imew IhÀs¶-Sp¯ Dt·jw Xncn-¨p-]nSn-¡m³ AbmÄ ]Xn-hp-t]mse hk-´m-cw-`-¯n kpJ-hm-k-¯n\p t]mbn. Pqsse-bn Xncn-s¨¯n IqSp-X Dt·-j-t¯msS HutZym-Kn-I-Ir-Xy-§-fn apgp-In. th\-em-b-t¸mÄ ]Xn-hp-t]mse A¶ \K-c-¯n\p ]pds¯ hnÃ-bnte¡p Xmakw amdn; AbmÄ ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn Xs¶ XpSÀ¶p. sSzÀkvIb {]`zn-bpsS ho«nse hncp-¶p-I-gnª cm{Xn-bp-−mb kw`m-j-W¯nse AhfpsS \ne-]mSp kw_-Ôn¨v AbmÄ¡v AXr]vXn D−m-bn-cp¶p. Ct¸mÄ FÃm-¡m-cy-¯nepw Ah-tfmSv Hcp XWp-¸³ a«mWv. “\o Ft¶mSp a\kp Xpd-¡p-I-bn-Ã-tÃm. F{X sI©nbmepw icn Fsâ a\-kn-ep-Å-sXm¶pw C\n \obpw And-bm³ t]mIp-¶n-Ã, \n\¡v A{X-bpw-IqSn ZpcnXw” F¶ a«n-em-bncp¶p Abm-fpsS a\-kv. Bfn-¡-¯p¶ Xo sISp-¯m³ {ian¨p ]cm-P-b-s¸«-h³ “F¶m \ob§p I¯v, sh´p-cpIn A\p-`-hn¡v” F¶v AXn-t\mSv ]d-bp-¶p-Xp-t]m-se!. HutZym-Kn-I-Im-cy-§-fn AXo-h-{]-K-Û-\m-bn-«pw AbmÄ `mcy-tbmSv C¯-c-samcp \ne-]m-sSSp-¡p-¶-Xnsâ AÀY-iq-\yX a\-knem-¡nbn-Ã. aIt\mSpw Ct¸mÄ Hcp-Xcw ac-hn¨ _Ô-am-Wv. Ae-Ivkn-bpsS ]oäÀtlm-^nse th\¡m-e-h-k-Xn-¡p sXm«-Sp-¯m-bn-cp¶p ]Xn-hmbn enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\bpw th\¡mew sNe-h-gn-¨n-cp-¶-Xv. ]Xnhmbn A¶sb kµÀin-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw. A-s¡mÃw AhÀ AhnSps¯ Xmakw ths−-¶p-h¨p; Hcn-¡Ât]mepw A¶sb ImWm³ t]mbpanÃ; Ae-Ivknsb I−-t¸mÄ s_ävknbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-am-bpÅ A¶bpsS _Ôw A{X ]´n-b-söp kq-Nn-¸n-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. Xsâ `mcy kwi-b-§Ä¡-Xo-X-bm-sW¶v AbmÄ Øm]n-s¨-Sp-¯p. ]n¶o-sSm-cn-¡epw enUn-bsb ImWm-Xn-cn-¡m³ {i²n-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. F¶n«pw Xm³ h©n¡-s¸-«-h-\m-sW¶ t_m[w Abmsf hÃmsX Ae-«n.

93

94

A¶-bp-sam-¯pÅ F«p hÀjs¯ Zm¼-Xy-¯n-\n-S-bn Ahn-iz-kvXc - mb Z¼-Xn-I-sf-¡−v F{X h«w AbmÄ kzbw tNmZn-¨n-«p−v: “a\p-jyÀ¡v F§s\ C{X Xcw-Xm-gm³ ]äpw?” IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯nsâb¶s¯ {]`mXw Ae-Ivkn¡p Xnc-t¡-dn-b-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw A¶v A¶sb ImWm³ hnÃ-bn t]mIW-sa¶v AbmÄ Dd-¸n¨p. ]pdw-tem-I-¯n\p ImWm-\mbn BgvN-bn-sem-cn-¡-se-¦nepw Ahsf kµÀin-¡-W-sa¶p \njvT-bp-−v. Xs¶-bp-aà A¶p ]Xn-\-©m-Wv. AhfpsS sNe-hp-IÄ¡p th− ]Ww sImSp-¡-Ww. hÃm¯ Xnc-¡m-bn-cp¶p A¶p cmhnse. Xte¶p sshIn«v enUnb sFht\mhv\ {]i-kvX-\mb Hcp ssN\okv bm{Xn-Isâ eLp-teJ sImSp-¯-b-¨ncp-¶p; AbmÄ ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-ep-−v, Ign-bp-sa-¦n ImWWw Fs¶mcp Ipdn-¸p-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. cmhn-setb AXp apgp-h³ hmbn-¡m³ kabw In«nbp-Åq. ]ns¶ Hmtcmtcm Bh-iy-§Ä¡p ImWm³ h¶ Hcp-]m-Sp-t]À. ]ns¶ Nne kzImcy CS-]m-SpIfpw þ Imcy-س h¶p IW¡p t_m[n-¸n¨v ]Whpw sImSp-¯p-t]m-bn. Ae-Ivkn¡v ASp-¸-apÅ Hcp {]ikvX tUmIvSÀ h¶p. Cu ka-b¯v At±-ls¯ Xosc {]Xo-£n-¨-X-Ã. AXp-a-Ã, Btcm-Ky-Øn-Xn-sb-¸-än-bmWv At±lw tNmZn-¨-sXm-s¡bpw; izmtkm-Ñzmkhpw Ic-fnsâ ØnXn-bp-sams¡ ]cn-tim-[n-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. ]Xn-hpÅ{X Btcm-Ky-hm-\à Ae-Ivkn-sb¶p {i²n¨ kplr¯v enUnb sFht\mhv\ sI©nbn«mWv tUmIvSÀ h¶-sX¶v AeIvkn Adn-ªn-Ã. “Zb-hmbn, Fs¶-tbmÀ¯v” F¶mWv AhÀ tUmIvS-tdmSv ]-d-ª-Xv. “Aà {]`zo, djy-sb-tbmÀ¯v” F¶v At±lw adp-]-Snbpw ]d-ªp. “Aaq-ey-\mb Hcp a\p-jy³” enUnb ]d-ªp. Ae-kvIn-bpsS BtcmKyw H«pw sa¨-aà F¶mWp tUmIvSÀ ]d-ªX - v. Ign¡p¶ acp-¶p-IÄ IqSmsX Ign-bp-¶{X hymbmaw thWw, a\-knsâ Bbmkw Ipd-bv¡Ww F¶o \nÀtZ-i-§fpw \ÂIn. c−m-as¯ Imcyw izmtkm-Ñzmkw \nÀ¯p¶-Xp-t]mse Xs¶ Akm-[yam-sW¶v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v HmÀ¯p. ]ns¶bpw Iptd kµÀi-I-cp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ssN\-bnÂ\n-¶pÅ bm{Xn-I\pw F¯n. AÂ]w ap³]p hmbn¨ eLp-te-J-bpsS HmÀabpw A¯cw Imcy§-fn Xsâ ]mWvUn-Xyhpw kphy-à-amb A`n-{]m-b-§fpw sIm−v AeIvkn Abm-fn aXn-¸pfhm¡n. ]pd-¯p-t]mbn Nne {]ap-Jsc ImtW−n-bn-cp-¶p. FÃmw XoÀ¯v A©p aWn-bm-b-t¸m-tg¡p Xncn-s¨¯n sk{I-«dn-tbm-sSm¸w `£Ww Ign-¨p. F¶n«v th\¡me hk-Xn-bn-te¡pw AhnsS-\n¶v IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯n\pw Xsâ-sbm¸w t]mcm³ Abmsf £Wn¨p.

A¶-bp-ambn t\cn¡m-Wp-t¼mÄ H¸w aq¶m-a-sXm-cmÄIqSn D−m-Ip-¶Xn Cubn-sS-bmbn AbmÄ \njvIÀj ]peÀ¯n-bn-cp-¶p.

apä-s¯mcp

h−n h¶p \n¡p¶ i_vZw tI«v A¶ s_ävkn hcm³ t\c-am-bn-ÃtÃm F¶v HmÀ¯p. F¯n t\m¡n h−nbpw Idp¯ sXm¸nbpw AXn-\-Sn-bn XÅn-\n¡p¶ sNhnIfpw I−-t¸mÄ “Cuiz-cm, At±lw C¶n-hnsS X§m-\mtWm? Fs´mcp IjvS-amWv!” Ft¶mÀ¯p. X-sâ-bpÅn hf-cp¶ IÅ-¯-c-§-sf-tbmÀ¯v AhÄ apJ-s¯mcp {]k-¶X FSp¯-Wnªv Abm-fp-sSb-Sp-t¯-t¡m-Sn. “C¶p cm{Xn ChnsS D−m-Ip-atÃm AtÃ?” F¶mWv BZyta tNmZn-¨-Xv. IpSpw-_-¯n-sem-cm-sf-t¸mse Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶ ÉqUnsâ t\À¡p Xncnªv \a-kvImcw ]d-ªp. “C\n \ap-s¡m-cp-an¨p t]mImw. s_ävkn-tbmSv Hcpan¨p t]mIm-sa¶p Rm³ ]d-ªn-cp-¶p. AXp kmc-anÃ.” s_ävknbpsS t]cp tI«tX Abm-fpsS ]pcnIw Npfn-ªp. “Hm, AXp th−! ]ncnbm¯ CW-Isf Rm\m-bn«p ]ncn-¡p-¶n-Ã.” AeIvkn ]XnhpÅ ]cn-lm-k-¨p-h-bn ]d-ªp. “Rm³ anlm-bn hmkn-en-tb-hn-¨nsâ (Éq-Un³) IqsS-s¸m-bvt¡m-fmw. IqSp-X hymbmaw thW-sa¶v tUmIvSÀamÀ ]d-ªn-«p-−v. R§Ä \S-¶p-t]m-Ip-I-bm-Wv.” A¶ Nmb sIm−p-h-cm³ ]d-ªp. skcn-tbm-jsb hnfn-¡m-\pw. ÉqUns\ sSd-knse ImgvN-IÄ ImWm³ hn«n«v AhÄ `À¯m-hnsâ ASp-¡-en-cp-¶p. “\n§Ä¡p \à kpJ-an-söp tXm¶p-¶-tÃm.” “Dw. tUmIvSÀ C¶p cmhnse h¶n-cp-¶p. Fsâ hne-s¸« Hcp aWn-¡qÀ ]mgm-¡n. Kplr-¯p-¡-fmtcm ]d-ª-b-¨-Xm-sW¶p tXm¶p-¶p. Fsâ BtcmKyw BÀs¡m-s¡tbm A{X {][m-\-amsW¶p tXm¶p-¶p.” “tUmIvSsd´p ]dªp?” AhÄ At±-l-¯nsâ Btcm-Kyw, Zn\-N-cy-IÄ, aäp hnti-j-§Ä Hs¡ tNmZn-¨p. Ah-fpsS hm¡p-I-fn Poh-\p-−m-bn-cp-¶p, I®p-I-fn khn-tij-amb Hcp Xnf-¡-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v B kzc-¯n\v {]tXyI {]m[m-\y-sam¶pw sImSp-¯n-Ã. ]Xn-hp-t]mse ]cnlm-k-apÅ efn-X-amb hm¡p-I-fn-embn-cp¶p adp-]-Sn. Cu kw`m-j-W-¯n hnti-jn-s¨m-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw ]n¶oSv AtX-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯t¸msgÃmw AhÄ eÖbpw thZ-\-bpw-sIm−p ]pf-ªp. skcn-tbmj Bb-tbm-sSm¸w IS-¶p-h-¶p. {i²n-¨n-cp-s¶-¦n Ahsâ I®p-I-fnse Bi¦ AbmÄ¡p ImWm-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AbmÄ H¶pw {i²n-¨nÃ; H¶pw I−n-Ã.

95

96

“B, bphmth, Cs§-¯n-tbm. \o Hcp ]pcp-j-\m-Im-dm-b-tÃm. F´p−p hntijw bphmth?“ skcntbmjbv¡p ap³t] Xs¶ A¸s\ `b-am-Wv. “bphmth” F¶ hnfn XpS-§n-b-Xn¸ns¶, hvtdm¬kvIn i{Xp-hmtWm an{X-amtWm F¶ kwibw XpS-§n-b-Xn¸ns¶ Ah³ Ah³ A¸s\ Hgn-ªp-\-S-¶p. A`bw tXSp-¶-h-s\-t¸mse Ah³ A½-bpsS t\sc t\m¡n. A½-tbm-sSm¸-am-bn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ am{Xta Ah\v Bizmkw tXm¶n-bn-cp-¶pÅq. skcntbmj-bpsS tXmfn ssIh-¨p-sIm−v Bb-tbmSv kwkm-cn-¡p-ImbWv Ae-Ivkn. Ip«n-bpsS I®p-IÄ \nd-bm-dm-bn-cp-¶p. A¶ Fgp-t¶äv Ae-Ivkn-bpsS ssI FSp-¯p-amän Ip«n¡v Hcp½ sImSp¯v Ahs\ sSdkn sIm−p-hn-«n«v thKw Xncn-¨p-h-¶p. “\n\¡p Ipd¨p ]Ww Xcm³Iq-SnbmWv Rm³ h¶-Xv. hm\-¼m-Sn-IÄ¡v b£n-¡-Y-IÄ tI«p am{Xw Pohn-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã-tÃm.” ssIIÄ Iq«n-¸n-W¨v sRm« hn«p-sIm−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “\n\-¡Xp thW-sa¶p Xs¶ Rm³ Icp-Xt«?” “F\n¡p th−… Dw… F\n¡p thWw” AbmfpsS t\sc t\m¡msX A¶ ]d-ªp. Ah-fpsS apSn-th-cp-IÄ hsc Nph-¶p. “aÂkcw Ign-bpt¼mÄ Ct§m-«p-Xs¶ hcp-IbntÃ?” “XoÀ¨-bm-bpw…. ]oäÀtlm-^nse al-\ob h\n-X, sSzÀkvIb {]`zn CXm Fgp-¶-Åp-¶p.” ]pdt¯¡p t\m¡n-s¡m−v AeIvkn ]d-ªp. “\ap¡pw t]mImw.” A¶ aI\v D½-sIm-Sp¯v bm{X ]d-ªn«v Ae-Ivkn-bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p ssIIÄ \o«n. AbmÄ Ah-bn Npw_n-¨p. “Nmb-bpsS ka-b-am-Ip-t¼m-tg¡p aS§nsb-¯p-atÃm AtÃ? kt´m-jw.” AhÄ BËm-Z-t¯msS Npdp-Np-dp-t¡msS ]pd-t¯¡p t]mbn. AeIvknsb ImWm-\m-hm¯ Zqc-s¯-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Xsâ ssIbn AbmÄ Npw_n¨ CSw HmÀa h¶p. AhÄ¡v Ad¸pw shdp¸pw tXm¶n.

“Rms\mcp \in¨ kv{Xobm-Wv, No¯-bm-Wv. ]t£ F\n¡p IÅ-¯cw kln-¡m-\m-hn-Ã. AbmÄ¡Xp Poh-hm-bp-hm-Wv. AbmÄs¡Ãm-a-dn-bmw, FÃmw ImWp-¶p-−v. F¶n-«n-§s\ im´-ambn kwkm-cn-¡p-I. Fs¶bpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw A§p sIm¶n-cp-s¶-¦n F\n-¡-bm-tfmSp _lp-am\w tXm¶n-tb-s\. \pWIfpsS a[y-¯nembmepw kaq-l-¯n am\y-X-bmWv AbmÄ¡p th−-Xv.” AeIvkn bYmÀY-¯n F§-s\-bmWv s]cp-am-td-−Xv Fs¶m¶pw Nn´n¡msX AhÄ Xt¶m-Sp-Xs¶ ]d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. s]m¡-¡m-c-\mb Hcp P\-d Ae-Ivkn-bpsS ASp-s¯-¯n, “Xm³ aÂk-cn¡p-¶ntÔ F¶p Ipiew tNmZn-¨p. “Fsâ Hm«w CXn-ep-sams¡ ITn-\amWv” F¶m-bn-cp¶p adp-]-Sn. {]tXy-In-s¨m¶pw a\-kn-em-bn-sænepw anI¨ Hcp hmÜn-bpsS hmbn \n¶p hoW hen-sbmcp Xami t]mse At±-l-aXv Bkz-Zn-¨p. “s_ävkn {]`zo, \n§Ä BcpsS IqsS-bmWv?” s̸m³ hnfn¨p tNmZn-¨p. “Rm\pw A¶bpw Iptkm-hvse-hn-s\m-¸amWv.” “Rm³ hvtdm¬kvIn¡p th−n. Hcp tPmSn ssIbp-d-IÄ ]´-bw.” “icn, Dd-¸n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p.” aÂkcw XpS-§n. ]´-b-¯n henb XmÂ]-cy-an-Ãm-bn-cp¶ AeIvkn ImgvN-¡m-sc-bmWv t\m¡n-bn-cp-¶-Xv. Abm-fpsS t\m«w A¶-bn-ep-S-¡n-\n¶p. tXmSp IS-¡p-t¼mÄ Iqtkm-hvtehv hoWp. A¶bv¡p bmsXmcp Iqk-ep-anÃ. X\n¡p th−-bmÄ hoWn-«n-söv Ah-fpsS apJw hnfn-¨p-]-d-ªp. amslm-«n\pw hvtdm¬kvInbpw henb XSkw Ign-ª-bp-Ss\ ASp-¯bmfpw hoWp; Abm-fpsS ]cp¡v amc-I-am-bn-cp-¶p. FÃm-hcpw Akz-Ø-cmbn. ]t£ A¶bv¡p `mh-t`-Z-sam-¶p-an-Ã. `À¯m-hnsâ {i² X¶n-em-sW¶v A¶bv¡p a\-kn-em-bn. AsXm¶pw Ku\n-¡p-¶nà F¶ a«n AhÄ Abm-sf-sbm¶p t\m¡nbn«p Xsâ {i²mtI{µ¯n-te¡p Xs¶ t\m«-ap-d-¸n-¨p. Gsd \nÀ`mKy-§Ä \ndª aÂk-c-am-bn-cp¶p AXv. aÂk-cn¨ ]Xn-t\gp t]cn ]Ip-Xnbpw hoWp Kpcp-X-c-ambn ]cp-t¡-äp. FÃm-hcpw þ kmÀ N{IhÀ¯nbpw {]tIm-]n-X-\m-bn-cp-¶p.

AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v tdkvtIm-gvkn-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ A¶ AhnsSbp−mbn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ hcp-¶Xv AhÄ Zqsc \nt¶ I−p. kv{XoItfmSpw ]pcp-j³am-tcm-Sp-saÃmw Ipiew ]dªp IS-¶p-h-cp-¶Xv AhÄ t\m¡n-bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS I®p-IÄ ]hn-en-b-\n Xs¶ Xnc-bp-¶Xp a\kn-em-¡n-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ t\m«w amän. AhÄ¡p tIÄ¡mhp-¶{X ASp¯mWv AeIvkn Ccn-¡p-¶-Xv. Dd¨ i_vZ¯n kphy-à-amb A`n-{]m-b-§Ä {]I-Sn-¸n¨v Btcm-sSm-s¡tbm kwkm-cn-¡p-¶p-−v. AhÄ¡p shdp¸p tXm¶n.

knwl-§fpw tbm²m-¡fpw X½n-epÅ bp²-am-bn-cn¡pw ASp-¯Xv Fs¶ms¡ NneÀ hnfn-¨p-]-d-bp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Bfp-IÄ A{X-ta {]tIm]n-X-cm-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\n-Sbv¡v hvtdm¬kvIn hoW-t¸mÄ A¶ Dds¡ hne-]n¨Xv Bcpw A{X hgn-hn«p IW-¡m-¡n-bn-Ã. ]t£ ]n¶oSv AhÄ BsI

97

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\nb-{´Ww hn«Xp-t]mse Bbn-t¸m-bn. Iq«n-en« Infn-sb-t¸mse AhÄ Akz-Ø-bm-bn. “hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw” F¶p s_ävkn-tbmSp ]d-sª-¦nepw AhÀ Ip\nªv Hcp P\-d-en-t\mSp kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v A¶-bpsS ASp-s¯¯n AhfpsS t\sc ssI \o«n. A¶ Abmsf I−nÃ; AhÄ P\-d-ensâ hm¡p-IÄ {i²n-¡pI-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “Abm-fp-sSbpw Imsem-Sn-sª-¶mWv ]d-bp-¶-Xv. CXp Ipsd IS-¶p-t]m-bn.” Zqc-ZÀin\n D]-tbm-Kn¨v AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn hoWn-S-t¯¡v t\m¡n. BsI P\-¡q«w H¶pw ImWm³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã. Hcp Hm^n-kÀ IpXn-c-¸p-ds¯¯n N{I-hÀ¯ntbmSv Ft´m ]d-ªp. AhÄ ImtXmÀs¯-¦nepw H¶pw a\-kn-em-bn-Ã. “Ìnhm, Ìnhm” AhÄ ktlm-Z-cs\ hnfn-¨p, ]t£ AbmÄ tI«nÃ. “Hcn-¡Â¡qSn Rm³ Fsâ Ic-§Ä \o«p-¶p. \o hcp-s¶-¦n \ap¡p t]mImw. ” AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]d-ªp. AhÄ shdp-t¸msS ]n³am-dn-bn«v Abmsf t\m¡msX ]dªp: “th−. Rm³ Ipd-¨p-I-gn-tª-bp-Åq. ” A]-ISw \S-¶n-S-¯p-\n¶v Hcp Hm^n-kÀ HmSn-h-cp-¶Xv AhÄ I−p. s_ävkn Abm-fpsS t\À¡v Xqhme hoin. AbmÄ h¶v hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ]cp-s¡m-¶p-an-söpw IpXn-c-bpsS \Sp-shm-Sn-sª¶pw ]d-ªp. A¶ Ip\n-ªn-cp¶v hni-dn-¡p-Ån apJw ad-¨p. AhÄ¡v I®ocpw G§e-Sn-Ifpw AS-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-söp I−v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v AhÄ¡p ad-XoÀ¯p \n¶p. a\skm¶p XWp-¡-s«-sb¶p IcpXn Ipd¨p t\cw Im¯p-\n-¶n«v AbmÄ ]dªp: “aq¶m-aXpw Rms\sâ ssIIÄ \o«p-I-bm-Wv.” A¶bv¡v F´p ]d-b-Wsa-¶-dn-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. s_ävkn c£-bvs¡-¯n. “th−, AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v. Rm\m-W-hsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-h-¶Xv. Xncn-sIsb¯n-¡m-sa¶p Rm³ hm¡p sImSp-¯n-cp-¶p. ” “£an-¡Ww {]`zo”, XnIª acym-Z-tbmsS, F¶m Dd¨ t\m«-t¯msS AbmÄ ]dªp: “AhÄ¡p Xosc kpJ-an-söp ImWp-¶ntÃ? Ah-sfsâ IqsS ho«n-te¡p hc-W-sa¶p Rm³ B{K-ln-¡p-¶p.” A¶ BsI `b¶ amXncn Npäpw t\m¡n, Iog-S-§nb a«n Fgp-t¶äv Abm-fpsS ssII-fn kzbw kaÀ¸n-¨p. “Rm³ Bf-b¨p hnh-c-a-dn-ªn«v \ns¶ Adnbn-¡mw.” s_ävkn kzImcyw ]d-ªp.

h−n-bn h¨v Ah-tfmSv kmaq-lnI acym-Z-I-sf-¡p-dn¨pw Ct¸mÄ AhÄ AXp ad-¶Xpw Hs¡ ]d-b-W-sa¶p hnNm-cn-s¨-¦nepw Ipd-¨p-IqSn ab-¯nemWv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v kw`m-jWw XpS-§n-bXv. ]t£ A¶-bpsS \ntj-[-`mhw I−-t¸mÄ Abm-fpsS \nb-{´Ww t]mbn. “i{Xp-¡Ä¡p t]mew tZmjw ]d-bm³ h¿m¯ coXn-bn am\y-ambn kaql-¯n s]cp-am-d-W-sa¶p ap³]p Rm³ \nt¶mSp ]d-ªn-cp-¶p. am\-kn-Ihym-]m-c-§-sf-¡p-dn¨p ]dªncp¶ A¡mew t]mbn. Ct¸mÄ ]pd-ta-bpÅ s]cp-am-ä-s¯-¡p-dnt¨ F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-Åq. Ct¸mÄ \nsâ s]cp-amäw Xosc \ne-hn-«p-Å-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. C\n A§-s\-bp-−m-I-cpsX¶v Rm³ B{Kln-¡p-¶p.” “F´mWp Rm³ \ne-hn«p s]cp-am-dn-bXv?” “]´-b-¡m-cn-sem-cmÄ¡v A]-I-S-ap-−m-b-t¸m-gs¯ \nsâ hnIm-c-{]-I-S-\§Ä.” “AYhm FÃmw Fsâ sXän-[m-c-W-bm-sW¦n Ft¶mSp £an-¡pI” F¶p-IqSn AbmÄ Iq«n-t¨À¯p. “sXän-[m-c-W-sbm-¶p-a-Ã.” Abm-fpsS XWp-¯p-dª apJ¯v Xd-¸n¨p t\m¡n-s¡m−v AhÄ \nÝbZmÀVy-t¯msS ]d-ªp. “sXän-[m-c-W-sbm¶p-a-Ã, F\n¡p \ncm-ibpw ZpJhpw AS-¡m³ Ign-ªnÃ. \n§Ä ]d-bp¶Xp Rm³ tIÄ¡p¶p-−v. ]t£ Rm³ Nn´n-¡p-¶Xv At±-l-s¯-¡p-dn¨m-Wv. Rm\-t±-ls¯ kvt\ln-¡p¶p; Rm³ At±-l-¯n-tâ-Xm-Wv. F\n¡p \n§sf kln-¡m³ ]äp-¶n-Ã; \n§sf F\n¡p `b-am-Wv…. \n§sfs¶ F´m-sW¶p h¨m sNbvtXm.” A¶ ssII-fn apJ-sam-fn-¸n-¨n-cp¶p tX§n. ho«n-se-¯p-thmfw AeIvkn A\-§n-b-tX-bnÃ. acn-¨-h-cpsS apJs¯ ZmÀVy-am-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS apJ¯pw. ho«n-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Xe Xncn¨v Ah-tfmSp ]dªp: “icn A§-s\-bm-bn-t¡m-«. ]t£ am\y-Xbv¡p tISp X«msX ]cy-h-km-\n¸n-¡m-\pÅ \S-]-Sn-IÄ ]qÀ¯nbm¡n, Rm\-dn-bn¡pw hsc ]pdta acym-ZIÄ ]men¨p Pohn-¡-Ww.” AbmÄ ]pd-¯n-d§n Ahsf ssIsIm-Sp-¯n-d¡n. XncnsI¡bdn ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te¡p t]mbn. Gsd sshImsX s_ävknbpsS ktµ-i-hm-l-I³ F¯n A¶bv¡v Hcp Ipdn¸p ssIam-dn. “Rm³ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Bf-b-¨n-cp-¶p. ]cp-s¡m-¶p-an-Ã, kpJ-am-bn-cn¡p¶p; F¶m \ncm-i-\mWv F¶v AbmÄ Adnbn-¨p.” “At¸mÄ At±lw hcp-am-bn-cn-¡pw. Rm³ FÃmw ]d-ªXv F{X \¶mbn.” Ah-tfmÀ¯p. C\nbpw aq¶p aWn-¡qÀ IqSn Im¯n-cn-¡-Ww.

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PÀa-\n-bn Pe-Nn-InÂkbv¡p t]mbn-S¯v Inän hnhn[ tZi-§-fnÂ\n¶pÅ \m\m-PmXn Bfp-Isf I−p. Nnesc AhÄ¡p \¶mbn CjvS-s¸-«p. NneÀ Atcm-N-I-ambn tXm¶n. henb ssIIfpw km[m-c-W-sa-¦nepw Idp¯p `oj-W-amb I®p-I-fp-apÅ, \ofw-Ip-dª tIm«n«p Ip\nªp \S¡p¶ Hcp a\p-jy\pw H«pw hr¯n-bn-ÃmsX hkv{Xw [cn¨, F¶m I\nhq-dp¶ apJ-apÅ Hcp kv{Xobpw FÃm-h-cp-sSbpw {i² ]nSn-¨p-]-än-bn-cp-¶p. AhÀ djy-¡m-cm-sW¶p a\-kn-em-¡nb Inän Ah-sc-¡p-dn¨v Fs´-Ãmtam Btem-Nn-¨p-Iq-«n-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. F¶m kµÀi-I-cpsS hnh-c-§Ä ]cn-tim[n¨ sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]`zn AXv \nt¡m-embv sehn\pw acnb \n¡-te-hv\bp-am-sW¶v aItfmSp ]d-ªp. Abm-sfmcp No¯ a\p-jy-\m-sW¶pw. tIm¬Ìmân³ sehnsâ ktlm-Z-c-\m-sW¶X-Ã, Cbm-fpsS CS-bv¡nsSbpÅ Xe-bm-«epw `oj-W-amb I®p-I-fnse shdp¸pw hntZz-jhpw IeÀ¶ Xpdn-¨p-t\m-«hpw Ah-fpsS ImÂ]-\nI Nn´-IÄ Ah-km-\n-¸n-¨p.

Inän-bp-ambn AhÄ henb ASp-¸-¯n-em-bn. Inän-bpsS A½bv¡pw Ahsf CjvS-am-bn. hmsd¦ \¶mbn ]m«p ]mSp-sa¶p a\-kn-em-¡nb sjÀ_mävkvIb {]`zn X§-fpsS ho«n h¶p ]mSm³ Ahsf \nÀ_Ôn¨p. Inän Iot_mÀUv hmbn-¨p. ]m«v \¶m-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-cpsS P\m-ebv¡Â Hcp P\¡q«w Xs¶ ]m«p- tIÄ¡ms\-¯n. hmsd-¦-bpsS Ign-hn Inän¡v henb tXm¶n. Ah-fpsS Øm\¯p Xm\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n F{X Al-¦-cn-t¨-s\. ]t£ hmsd¦ sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]`znsb kt´m-jn-¸n-¡m³ th−n am{Xw, A`yÀY\ \nc-kn-¡m-\pÅ aSn-sIm−p am{X-amWv ]mSn-b-Xv. ]pkvX-I-¯nse Hcp ]m«v AhÄ t_m[-]qÀhw Hgn-hm-¡n-bXv Inän {i²n-¨p. ]n¶oSv AtX-¡p-dn¨p tNmZn-¨p. “B ]m«p-ambn _Ô-s¸«v \n\¡v khn-tij-amb HmÀa-I-sft´m Dt−m? hni-Zmw-i-§-sfm¶pw Rm³ tNmZn-¡n-Ã. Fsâ Dulw icn-bm-tWm-sb¶p am{Xw ]d-ªm aXn.” “Hm, AXn-s\-´m. Rms\Ãmw ]d-bmw. Inän-bpsS adp-]-Sn¡p Im¡msX AhÄ XpSÀ¶p. “B ]m«n Hcn-¡Â thZ-\m-I-c-am-bn-cp¶ Nne HmÀa-IÄ D−v. Hcn-¡Â Rms\m-cmsf CjvS-s¸-«n-cp-¶p. AbmÄ¡p Rm\o ]m«p ]mSns¡m-Sp-¯n-cp-¶p.” hmsd¦ I®p angn¨v tI«ncp-¶p. AhÄ¡p kl-Xm]w tXm¶n. “F\n¡v Abm-sfbpw AbmÄ¡v Fs¶bpw CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AbmfpsS A½-bpsS CjvSw asäm-¶m-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ thsdmcp s]¬Ip-«nsb hnhmlw Ign-¨p. Ct¸mÄ R§-fpsS ASp¯ tZi-¯mWv Xma-kw. Rm³ hÃt¸mgpw ImWm-dp-ap-−v. F\n-¡n-§-s\-sbmcp {]W-b-I-Y-bp-−m-Ip-sa¶p Icp-Xn-bnà AtÃ?” “H«pw Icp-Xn-bn-Ã. Rms\mcp ]pcp-j-\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n \ns¶ ]cn-N-b-s¸« tijw asäm-cm-sfbpw kzoI-cn-¡p-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. A½bv¡p th−n \ns¶ ZpJn-¸n¨v asäm-cphsf hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ AbmÄs¡-§s\ Ign-ªp-sh-¶v F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. lrZ-b-an-Ãm-¯-h³.” “tlbv, AbmÄ hfsc \Ã-h-\m-Wv. Rms\m«pw ZpJn-X-bà Xm\pw.” “Hcp-h³ \½psS kvt\lw Ah-tl-fn-¨p-sh-¶v, AXns\ Ku\n-¨nsöv Adnbp-¶Xv th-Z-\m-I-c-atÃ?” “]t£ AbmÄ Fsâ kvt\lw Ah-K-Wn-¨nÃ; AbmÄ¡v Fs¶ kvt\lam-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ At±lw Npa-Xemt_m-[-apÅ aI\pw IqSn Bbn-cp-¶psh¶p am{Xw.” “AXv A½ Imc-W-a-Ã, Abm-fpsS kz´w Xocp-am-\-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦ntem?” Xsâ DÅn-ep-ÅXv Xsâ A\p-hmZw IqSmsX ]pd¯p NmSp-¶-X-dnªv Inän BsI Nph-¶p.

djy-¡m-cn-bmb Hcp k¼¶ h\nX þ aZmw ÌmÄ þ Ahn-sSbp−mbn-cp-¶p. Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-apÅ s]¬Ip-«n-tbmSv Inän¡v Ft´m {]tXyI XmÂ]cyw tXm¶n. Ah-fpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯n Akm-[m-c-W-amb BIÀj-IX - zhpw ssNX-\yhpw emfn-Xy-hp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-tfmSp N§m¯w IqSm³ Inän A½-bpsS A\p-hmZw tNmZn-¨p. Xm³ ]cn-N-b-s¸-«n«v \à Imcy-am-sW¶p tXm¶p-s¶-¦n B Ip«nsb ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n-¯-cm-sa¶v sjÀ_väv-kvIb {]`zn aItfmSp ]d-ªp. NnInÂk icn-bsöp ]dªv tUmIvS-ambn hg¡-Sn¨ \nt¡m-fmbv sehns\ im´-bm¡n Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bXpw cwKw hj-fm-ImsX Im¯Xpw B Ip«n-bm-sW¶v ]n¶oSv Ah-c-dn-ªp. hmsd¦ F¶p t]cpÅ B Ip«nsb sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]`zn aIÄ¡p N§mXn-bm-¡n. AhÄ aZmw Ìmfnsâ aIfÃ; ]cn-Nm-cnI-bp-a-Ã. aZmw Ìmfnsâ s]cp-am-ä-Zqjyw ImcWw Ah-cpsS `À¯mhv Poh-s\m-Sp-¡pI-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶v NneÀ ]d-bp¶p; Abm-sf-s¡m−v Ah-cpsS Pohn-XamWv ]mgm-bn-t¸m-b-sX¶v thsd Nne-cpw. `À¯m-hp-ambn ]ncnªv Gsd\mÄ Ign-bpw-ap³]v AhÀ Xsâ GI-k-´m-\s¯ {]k-hn-¨p. B Ip«n DS³ Xs¶ acn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. AXp-IqSn Xm§m-\pÅ tijn AhÄ¡nsödn-bm-am-bn-cp¶ ho«p-ImÀ A¶v AhnsS-¯s¶ P\n¨ asämcp Ip«nsb ]Icw h¨p. {][m\ ]mNI¡mc\p ]nd¶ aIÄ þ Ah-fmWv hmsd-¦. kz´w aIf-söp ]n-¶oSp Xncn-¨-dn-sª-¦nepw ÌmÄ Xs¶ Ahsf hfÀ¯n. Ct¸m ]¯p hÀj-t¯m-f-ambn Ìmfpw hmsd-¦bpw hntZ-i¯p Xs¶-bm-Wv.

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“A§-s\-bm-sW¦n AX-bm-fpsS sXämWv; Rm\-bmsf HmÀ¯v H«pw ZpJn¡n-Ã.” Xm\-Ã, Inän Xs¶-bmWv kwkm-c-hn-j-b-sa¶p a\-kn-em¡n hmsd¦ ]d-ªp. \r¯-im-e-bn hvtdm¬kvIn-bn \nt¶ä Ah-K-W\bpsS HmÀa Ahsf IqSp-X Nph-¸n-¨p. “Fs´mcp \mWt¡Sv.” “F´m-Wn{X \mWt¡Sv? Abmsf CjvS-am-sW¶p \o ]d-ªn-cpt¶m?” “]d-ªn-Ã, ]t£ AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. ” “Ct¸mgpw \n\-¡-bmsf CjvS-apt−m F¶-Xnte Imcy-ap-Åq. ” “F\n-¡-bmsf shdp-¸m-Wv, F\n¡p kzbw £an-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã. ” “F´p-sIm−v? ” “B \mWt¡Sv, A]-am-\w. ” “FÃm s]®p-§fpw \ns¶-t¸mse C{X sXm«m-hm-Sn-I-fm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nÂ… FÃm s]¬Ip-«n-Ifpw C¯cw A\p-`-h-§-eqsS IS-¶-t]m-bn-«p-−v. AsXm¶p-aà {][m-\-s¸« Imcyw. ” “]ns¶-sb-´mWv {][m\w?” Inän BImw£ \ndª I®p-I-tfmsS hmsd¦sb t\m¡n. “Inäo, jmsf-Sp¯p ]pX-bv¡v; AsÃ-¦n DÅn-te¡p hm.“ A½ hnfn-¨p-]d-ªp. “AsÃ-¦nepw t]mIm³ ka-b-am-bn. F\n-s¡m¶v aZmw s_À¯nsâ-b-Sp¯p t]mIm-\p-−v. ” “F´mWp ]ns¶ {][m-\-s¸-«Xv? \n\¡v Cu im´X \ÂIm³ X¡ h®apÅ AXv F´mWv?” Inän-bpsS I®p-IÄ Ahsf t\m¡n tNmZn-¨p. AhÄ Inän-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¨n«v th\Âcm-hnsâ Cfw-{]-Im-i-¯neqsS \S-¶n-d-§n-t¸m-bn. Akq-bmÀl-amb Cu im´-X-bpw Kmw`o-cy-hpw \ÂIp¶ A{X {][m-\-amb B kwKXn F´m-sW¶p shfn-s¸-Sp-¯m-sX. B clkyw Xt¶m-sSm¸w hln-¨p-sIm-−v.

t¸mepw \nkm-c-ambn ImWp-¶n-söv aZmw ÌmÄ Hcn-¡Â ]d-ªp. ]ns¶b-hÀ s]s«¶v atätXm hnj-b-s¯-¸än kwkm-cn-¨p. Ah-cpsS Hmtcm hm¡nepw kzÀKo-b-amb Hmtcm t\m¡nepw hmsd¦ ]d-ª-dnª Ah-cpsS Pohn-X-I-Y-bnepw “{][m-\-amb” Ft´m H¶nsâ km¶n[yw AhÄ Xncn-¨dnªp. Xm³ CXp-hsc Adn-ªn-«n-Ãm¯ H¶v. F¦nepw Nne kwK-XnIÄ AhÄ¡v Bi-b-¡p-g-¸-ap-−m-¡n. IpSpw-_-s¯¡p-dn¨p tNmZn-¨m aZmw Ìmfnsâ apJ¯v {InkvXo-b-Xbv¡p \nc-¡m¯ ]pÑw \nd-bp-¶p. Hcn-¡Â Hcp It¯m-en¡m ]ptcm-ln-X-s\m¸w I−-t¸mÄ AhÀ hnf¡pImensâ \ng-en apJ-sam-fn-¸n¨v Hcp {]tXyI coXn-bn Nncn¨p. \nkm-c-kw-K-Xn-I-fm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw Cu c−p Imcy-§Ä aZmw Ìmfn-s\¡p-dn¨v Ah-fn kwi-b-§Ä P\n-¸n-¨p. F¶m hmsd¦ Ah-Ä kz]v\w ImWm³ t]mepw aSn¨ ]qÀW-XbpsS Bhn-jvIm-c-am-bn-cp-¶p. kzbw ad¶v aäp-Å-hsc kvt\ln-¨m im´nbpw kt´m-jhpw ssIh-cp-sa¶v hmsd-¦bpsS PohnXw HmÀan-¸n-¨p. A§s\ Bbn-¯o-cm³ Ahfpw sImXn-¨p. “{][m\ kwKXn” F´m-sW¶p a\-kn-em-¡nb AhÄ AXn-\mbn Xs¶¯s¶ ]qÀWm-ßmthmsS kaÀ¸n-¨p. Fhn-sSbmbncp¶mepw k¦-S-§-fn s]«p Ign-bp-¶-hsc klm-bn-¡p-I, Ah-tcmSv kphn-tijw Adn-bn-¡p-I, tcmKn-IÄ¡pw XS-hp-ImÀ¡pw ac-Wm-k-¶À¡pw kphn-tijw ]IÀ¶p-sImSp-¡p-I, XS-hp-Imsc kphn-ti-j-a-dn-bn-¡p¶ Imcyw Ahsf {]tXy-I-ambn Bthiw sImÅn-¨p. CsXÃmw ]t£ Ah-fpsS a\-kn am{Xw HXp-§nb Imcy-§-fmWv. A½-tbmtSm hmsd-¦-tbmtSm AhÄ CsXm¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. Pohn-X-¯n \S-¸m-¡m-\p-d¨ henb Imcy-§-fpsS XpS¡w AhÄ AhnsS¯s¶ km£m-XvI-cn-¨p. Iq«p-Im-cp-ambn DÃ-kn-¡p-¶Xp \nÀ¯n AhÄ IqSp-X ka-bhpw tcmKn-Ifpw Ah-i-cp-ambn ]¦n-«p. Ah-i-\mb Nn{X-Imc³ s]t{Sm-hnsâ IpSpw-_-¯n Hcp AwKs¯-t¸m-se-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ. s]t{Sm-hnsâ `mcy Hcp \à kv{Xobm-bn-cp-¶p. AXp-sIm−v {]`zn FXnscm¶pw ]d-ªp-an-Ã. \·-IÄ A\p-I-cn¨v Inän \S-¸nepw kwkm-c-¯nepw I®p-Nn-½p-¶-Xn t]mepw hmsd-¦sb A\p-I-cn-¡m³ XpS-§n. Inän-bn Bßo-b-]-cn-hÀ¯\§Ä kw`-hn-¡p¶Xv A½ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. AXn-e-hÀ tami-ambn H¶pw I−n-Ã. F¶m ]cn-[n-IÄ ewLn-¡m³ XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ AhÀ Inänsb imkn-¨p. A-hÄ adp-]-Sn-sbm¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. Hcp Ic-W-¯-Sn-¨m atäXpIqSn Im«ns¡m-Sp-¡p¶, ta¡p-¸m-b-sa-Sp-¡p-¶-h\v DSp-¸p-IqSn sImSp-¡p¶ hnizm-k-kw-ln-X-bn AXn-cp-hn-Sm-s\-´n-cn-¡p¶p F¶v AhÄ Nn´n-¨p. aIÄ Xsâ ap³]n lrZbw apgp-h³ Xpd-¡m-¯-Xn-em-bn-cp¶p {]`zn¡v AXr-]vXn.

hmsd-¦-tbm-sS¶Xp-t]mse

aZmw Ìmfn-t\mSpw Inän¡v \à ASp-¸-am-bn. Cu _Ô-§Ä Ahsf im´nbpw kam-[m-\hpw \ndª D¶-X-amb Hcp \ne-bn-te-¡p-bÀ¯n. Bßo-b-amb Cu ssNX\yw aX-Pohn-X-¯nsâ asämcp apJ-am-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ sNdp-¸-¯n ]d-ªp-tI«\pk-cn¨ aX-PohnX-aÃ; ep¯n-\n-b-Ifpw hn[-h-I-fpsS hoSp-I-fnse PmK-c-W-{]mÀY\Ifpw ImWm-sX]Tn¨ P]-§-fp-aÃ; D¶-X-amb hnIm-c-hn-Nm-c-§Ä \nd-ª, AndbmsX kvt\ln-¨p-t]m-Ip¶ B²ym-ßn-I-X. kvt\lhpw hnizm-k-hp-amWv FÃm ZpJ-¯nepw a\p-jy\v Bizmkw \ÂIp¶-sX¶v, {InkvXp-hnsâ DZm-c-amb IcpW \½psS sNdnb ZpJ-§-sf-

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aZmw s]t{Sm-hsb Ipd¨p Znh-k§fm-bn«v Ct§m«p ImWm-¯-sX´msW¶v Ah-c-t\z-jn-¨p. “\o Ah-cpsS ASp¯p t]mbn«v Gsd Znh-k-§fmtbm? ” “CÃ-t½, R§Ä \msf Ip¶n³ap-I-fn-te¡p t]mIm³ Xocp-am-\n-¨n-cn-¡p-Ibm-Wv. ” “icn s]mbvt¡mfq” aIfpsS apJs¯ A¼-c-¸nsâ ImcWw Duln-¡m³ {ian-¨p-sIm−v AhÀ ]d-ªp. A¶p hmsd¦ DuWp-I-gn-¡m³ h¶p. ]ntä¶p ae-ap-I-fn-te-¡pÅ bm{X ths−-¶p-h-s¨¶v s]t{Smhv\ Adn-bn-¨-Xmbn ]d-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp. In-änbpsS apJw ho−pw Nph-¡p-¶Xv {]`zn {i²n-¨p. hmsd¦ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ AhÀ Inän-tbmSp tNmZn¨p: “Ah-cp-ambn Fs´-¦nepw ]nW¡ap−mtbm, Ct¸mÄ Ip«n-I-sfbpw Ct§m«p hnSm-dnÃtÃm? ” A§-s\-sbm-¶p-ap-−m-bn-«n-söv Inän adp-]Sn ]d-ªp. A¶ ]mhvtemhv\ Xt¶mSv AI¨ Im«p-¶-sX´n\m-sW¶v AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶n-Ã; F¦nepw AhÄ Duln-¨p. ]t£ AXv A½-tbmSp ]d-bm³ ]äp-¶-XÃ; AXns\ hm¡p-I-fn ]cp-h-s¸-Sp-¯m³ Xs¶ AhÄ¡p Ign-ªn-Ã. Adnbm-sa-¦nepw Ah-\-h-t\m-Sp-t]mepw ]d-bm³ aSn tXm¶p¶ Xc¯n sXän-[-cn-¡-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. Inän Ah-cp-am-bpÅ _Ôw BZyw apX HmÀs¯-Sp-¯p. Xs¶-¡m-Wpt¼mÄ A¶ ]mhvtem-hv\-bpsS apJ¯v hncn-bp¶ {]k-¶-X; X§-fn-cp-hcpw tNÀ¶v tcmKn-bmb s]t{Sm-hns\ kpJ-s¸-Sp-¯m³ \S-¯nb Btem-N-\IÄ; “Fsâ Inäo” F¶p am{Xw hnfn-¡p¶, Ah-fn-ÃmsX Dd-§m³ Iq«m¡m¯ Cfb Ip«n þ F{X at\m-l-c-§-fmb Znh-k-§Ä. saen-ªp-W-§nb cq]hpw tNmZyw-sN¿p¶ t]mse-bpÅ \oe-¡-®p-IfpapÅ s]t{Sm-hnsâ km¶n[yw DÄs¡m-Åm³ ]mSp-s]-«Xpw, ]n¶oSv Abm-tfmSv klm-\p-`q-XntbmsS s]cp-am-dm³ Ign-ª-Xn kzbw aXn¸p tXm¶n-bXpw þ s]s«-¶mWv FÃmw amdn-a-dn-ª-Xv. A¶ ]mhvtemhv\bpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯n Ct¸mÄ Ir{Xn-a-XzamWv; Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hn-sâbpw Xsâbpw a[y-¯n Imh \n¡p¶-Xp-t]m-se. Xm³ ASp-¯p-sNÃpt¼mÄ Abm-fn-ep-−m-Ip¶ B\-µ-amtWm FÃm-¯n\pw Imc-Ww? “\ns¶ Im¯p-Im-¯n-cn-¡pw, F{X hs¿-¦nepw Im¸n t]mepw IpSn-¡m³ Iq«m-¡nÔ F¶p Ignª Znhkw ]d-bp-t¼mÄ Ah-cpsS {]IrX-¯n\p tNcm¯ Hcp `mhw A¶-bpsS apJ-¯p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. A¶p Rm³ ]pX¸p sImSp-¯-t¸m-gs¯ Abm-fpsS `mhw, F\n-¡p-IqSn Atcm-N-I-am-bn-t¯m¶n; ]ns¶ AbmÄ hc¨ Fsâ t]mÀs{Sbväv; FÃm-än-

ep-ap-]-cn-bmbn B apJs¯ BÀ{Z-Xbpw i¦-bpw. Dw, AsXm-s¡-¯-s¶-bmWv, Cuiz-cm” ]pXp-Xmbn Is−-¯nb Pohn-XssNX\y¯n Cu kwi-b§ - -Ä hnjw IeÀ¯n.

C¯ncn

djy³ hmbp izkn-¡m-s\¶p ]dªp Xncn-sIt¸mbn-cp¶ sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p aS§nsb-¯n. Inän-bpsS ØnXn-bnse ]ptcm-K-Xn-bn At±lw kt´m-jn-¨p. X¶n \n¶v Ahsf AI-äp¶ Fs´m-s¡tbm amä§Ä Ds−¶p I−v AÂ]w Akq-bbpw D−m-bn. F¦nepw Abm-fnse \· AXn-s\-sbms¡ AXn-Po-hn-¡p-¶-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. aI-sfbpw Iq«n At±lw \S-¡m-\n-d-§n. Ah-fpsS Iq«p-Im-scbpw ]cn-N-b¡m-sc-bp-sams¡ ]cn-N-b-s¸«v \S-¶p-\o-§sh AÔ-bmb aZmw s_À¯ns\-¡-−p. Inän-bpsS kzcw tI«t¸mÄ Ah-cpsS apJ¯p sXfnª {]Imiw {]`p-hns\ kt´m-jn-¸n-¨p. s_À¯v Inänsb ap¯v, Bizm-k-Zm-b-Ibmb amemJ Fs¶ms¡ hnti-jn-¸n-¨p. “F¦n AhÄ c−mw amem-J-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.” {]`p ]d-ªp. “hmd-¦sb BWv AhÄ amem-J-sb¶p hnfn-¡p-¶-Xv.” “Hm, hmsd-¦. AhÄ icn-¡p-samcp amemJ Xs¶.” ]ns¶ AhÀ hmsd-¦-sb-¡-−p. AhÄ At±-l-t¯mSv Gsd \mfs¯ ]cnN-b-ap-Å-Xp-t]mse kzX-{´-am-bn kwkm-cn-¨p. “At¸mÄ AXmWv H¶mw amemJ AtÃ?” AhÄ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ {]`p ]d-ªp. At±-l-¯n\v Xsâ Iq«p-Im-cnsb CjvS-am-sb¶v Inän¡p a\-kn-em-bn. “hcq, \ap¡p \nsâ Iq«p-Im-sc-sbÃmw ImW-Ww. aZmw ÌmÄ Fs¶ Xncn-¨dn-bp-tam-sb¶pw t\m¡mw.” “aZmw Ìmfns\ ]¸m Adnbptam?” “Ah-cpsS `À¯m-hns\ Adn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p; Ahsc t\cnb ]cn-N-b-hp-ap-−v. AXv AhÀ ]b-än-Ìp-I-tfm-sSm¸w tNcp-¶-Xn\p ap³]m-Wv.” “]b-änÌv F¶p-h-¨m BcmWv?” “F\n¡pw Adnbn-Ã. AhÀ FÃm-¡m-cy-¯n\pw ssZh-¯n\p \µn ]d-bp-¶psh¶p am{X-a-dn-bmw. FÃm \·-IÄ¡pw, FÃm ZpJ-§Ä¡pw; `À¯mhp acn¨-Xnsâ t]cnepw AhÀ ssZh-¯n\p \µn ]dªp.” “Fs´mcp Zb-\o-b-ap-Jw. Bcm-WXv?” amwk-ta-bn-Ãm¯ Imep-I-fpsS tatebv¡p aS§naS-§n-¡n-S-¡p¶ shfp¯ {Sukdpw {_u¬ tIm«p-an« saenªv a[y-Im-b-\mb a\p-jys\¡−v {]`p tNmZn-¨p. AXv s]t{Smhv Bbn-cp-¶p. A¶ ]mhvtem-hv\bpap−m-bn-cp-¶p. AhÀ sNÃp-¶-Xp-I−v A¶ Hcp Ip«n-bpsS ]n¶mse \S-h-gn-bn-eqsS \S-¶p-am-dn.

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“]mhw, F´p \à apJ-am-W-bm-fp-tSXv. At±-l-¯n\p \nt¶mSp kwkm-cn¡-W-sa-¶p-s−¶p tXm¶p-¶p. \ap-¡-t§m«p t]mImw.” {]`p kzbw ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n. s]t{Smhv Nncn-¨p. “\o C¶se hcp-sa¶p R§Ä {]Xo-£n¨p.” s]t{Smhv Inän-tbmSp ]dªp. “Rm³ hcm-\n-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. \n§Ä t]mIp-¶n-söv A¶ ]mhvtemhv\ ]dª-Xmbn hmsd¦ h¶p ]d-ªp.” “t]mIp-¶nsÃt¶m!” s]t{Sm-hnsâ apJw Nph-¶p. “A\nXm, A\n-Xm…” Npa-IÄ¡n-S-bn-eqsS AbmÄ hnfn-¨p. A¶ Inänsb A`n-hmZyw sNbvXp Nncn-¨p. ]gb Dujva-f-X-bn-Ãm¯ Nncn. “{]t`m Xm¦Ä hcp-sa-¶-dnªv Ipsd \mfmbn Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.” “Hm, CSbv¡p Rm³ hnNm-cn¨p t]mIp-¶n-söv.” s]t{Smhv Npa-bv¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS ssI hoin ImWn-¨p. {]`p sXm¸n-bqcn aItfmsSm¸w \S-¶p-t]m-bn. “tlm, ]mh-§Ä!” At±lw s\Sp-hoÀ¸n-«p. “AtX ]¸m. AhÀ¡p aq¶p Ip«n-I-fp-ap-−v. the-¡m-cm-cp-an-Ã. hcp-am\w H¶pw Xs¶-bn-Ã. A¡m-Zan Ft´m sImSp-¡p-¶p-−v, A{X-am-{Xw.” A¶bpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯nse amäw Df-hm-¡nb Akz-ØX ad-bv¡m-\pÅ sh¼en AhfpsS kwkm-c-¯n\p thKw IqSn. AhÀ aZmw Ìmfn-s\-¡-−p. hnIm-ew-KÀ¡pÅ h−n-bn Xe-bn-W-IÄ¡p aosX \oebpw Nmchpw IeÀ¶ XpWn-s¡«p t]mse Ccn-¡p-I-bm-W-hÀ. Hcp PÀa³ the-¡m-c-\mWv h−n XÅp-¶-Xv. sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p aZmw Ìmfnsâ ASp¯p sN¶v hf-sc-¡p-d¨ - p-t]À¡p am{Xw kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-bp¶{X at\m-l-c-amb {^©n hf-sc-tbsd hn\-b-t¯mSpw acym-Z-tbmSpw IqsS Ah-tcmSv kwkm-cn-¨p. At±lw sXm¸n Ducn ssIbn ]nSn-¨n-cp-¶p: “Xm¦Ä Fs¶ HmÀan-¡p-¶p-t−m-sb-¶-dn-bn-Ã. F¦nepw Fsâ aItfmSp Im«nb Imcp-Wy-¯n\p \µn.” “Ae-Ivkm-−À sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p.” kzÀKo-b-amb Xsâ I®p-IÄ At±l-¯nsâ t\sc DbÀ¯n AhÀ ]d-ªp. “AXo-h-k-t´m-jw. \n§-fpsS aIsf F\n¡p hÃmsX CjvS-s¸-«p.” “\n§-fpsS BtcmKyw C\nbpw sa¨-s¸-«nà AtÃ?” “CÃ, Rm\-Xp-ambn s]mcp-¯-s¸-«p-I-gn-ªp.” “]¯p hÀj-t¯m-f-ambn Rm³ I−n-«v. \n§Ä¡v Ct¸mgpw Hcp amä-hp-anÃ.” “icn-bm-Wv. ssZhw Ipcnipw ]n¶mse AXp hln-¡m-\pÅ iànbpw X¶psIm-−n-cn-¡p-¶p. F´n\p th−n-bmWo Pohn-X-sa¶v tXm¶n-t¸m-Ipw….

atä h-i-¯v…” hmsd¦ Imen ]pX¸Wn-bn¨ coXn CjvS-s¸-SmsX AhÀ tZjy-s¸-«p. “\·-IÄ sN¿m\m-bn-cn-¡pw.” {]`p ]d-ªp. “AXp hn[n-t¡-−Xp \½-f-Ã.” {]`p-hnsâ apJs¯ `mhw {i²n¨v AhÀ ]d-ªp. tamkvtIm-bn \n¶pÅ tIW ASp-s¯-¯n-b-Xp-I−v {]`p Ìmfns\ hµn¨v aIsfbpw Iq«n Abm-tfm-sSm¸w \S-¶p. “AhÀ InS-¸n-em-Ip-¶-Xn\p ap³]v Ahsc And-bmtam?” tIW tNmZn-¨p. “Fsâ I¬ap³]n-emWv AhÀ InS-¸n-em-Ip-¶-Xv.” “]¯p hÀj-ambn AhÀ ImÂIp¯n \n¶n«v F¶p ]d-bp-¶p.” “Ah-cpsS Imen\p \of-an-Ãm-¯-Xp-sIm-−m-Wv. Ah-scmcp No¯ kv{XobmWv.” “A§s\ hcnà ]¸m.” “Zpjn¨ \mhp-IÄ A§-s\-bmWp Ip«o ]d-bp-¶-Xv. \nsâ hmsd-¦bpw AXp-Xs¶ sN¿p¶p.” “hmsd-¦bv¡v Ah-tcmSv Bcm-[-\-bmWv ]¸m. AhÀ F´p-am{Xw \à Imcy§-fmWv sN¿p¶-sX¶dn-bmtam? FÃmhÀ¡pw A-h-scbpw acp-a-IÄ Asse³ Ìmfn-s\bpw Adnbmw.” “icn-bm-bn-cn-¡pw. F¶mepw FÃm-hcpw Adnbm¯ coXn-bn \·-IÄ sN¿p¶-Xn\v alXzw IqSp-X-ep-−v.” At±-l-¯nsâ ImgvN-¸m-Sp-IÄ Xsâ a\-kn-s\ kzm[o-\n-¡-cp-sX¶v \nÝbn¨ncp-s¶-¦nepw Hcp amk-t¯m-f-ambn aZmw Ìmfn-s\-¸än D-Ån-sâ-bpÅn Im¯p-kq-£n-¨n-cp¶ kzÀKo-b-tXPkpÅ B Nn{Xw amªp-I-gn-ªncp-¶p. Ipdp-Inb Imep-I-fp-Å, Ft¸mgpw InS-¡p¶, ]pX¸n¡p¶ coXn CjvS-s¸-Sm-¯-Xn\v hmsd-¦sb No¯ ]d-bp¶ Hcp kv{Xobmbn amdn AhÀ. Inän F{X {ian-¨n«pw ]gb aZmw Ìmfns\ a\-kn XncnsI sIm−p-h-cm³ Ign-ªn-Ã. Id-§n-\-S¶p Xncn-s¨-¯nb {]`p tIWens\bpw hmsd-¦-sbbpw X§-fpsS ho«p-S-a-sb-bp-saÃmw hnfn-¨p-Iq«n Hcp hncp-s¶m-cp-¡n. Hc-ä-¯v BXn-tYb hn`-h-§Ä ssIam-dp-¶p. ap³s]-¶s¯-¡mfpw {]k-¶-Xbp−mbn-cp¶p {]`zn-bpsS apJ-¯v. atä Aä¯v Xm³ hm§n-¡q-«nb sIm¨p-sIm¨p km[-\-§Ä Iq«n-bn«v FÃm-hÀ¡pw hnX-cWw sN¿p¶ {]`p Xami tXm¶n-¡p¶ apdn PÀa-\n ho«p-S-a-tbmSv Hmtcm¶p ]d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. At±lw ho«p-S-a-Ø\pw the-¡mcn ssej\pw Hs¡ Hmtcmtcm k½m-\-§Ä sImSp-¯p. {]`p-hnsâ Xami tI«v {]`zn ]Xn-hn-

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tesd Nncn-¨p. tIW Xsâ ]Xn-hp-ssi-en-bn ]p©n-cn-¨p. acnb sbhvsP\n-tbhv\ {]`p-hnsâ hnUvVn-¯-§-tfm-tcm¶p tI«v s]m«n-s¸m-«n-¨n-cn-¨p. Nncn-b-S-¡m-\m-hmsX ]mSp-s]-Sp¶ hmsd¦ Inän¡p ]pXnb ImgvN-bm-bn-cp¶p. Inän¡p henb kt´mjw tXm¶n. ]t£ Ah-sc-t¸mse BËm-Zn¡m³ AhÄ¡p Ign-ªn-Ã. Xsâ Iq«p-Im-sc-¸än, Xmt\sd CjvS-s¸«p XpS§n-bn-cp¶ Pohn-X-co-Xn-I-sf-¸än AÑsâ \nÀtZm-j-amb A`n-{]m-b-§Ä DbÀ¯n-hn« kaky D¯-c-a-dn-bm¯ H¶mbn Ahsf Ae-«n. s]t{Smhv IpSpw-_-hp-am-bpÅ _Ô-¯nse AI¨bpw thZ-\m-I-c-am-bn-cp-¶p. FÃmhcpw henb kt´m-j-¯n-emWv; X\n-¡Xv A{]m-]y-hp-am-bn-cn-¡p¶p F¶ Xncn-¨-dnhv Ah-fpsS Akz-ØX hÀ[n-¸n-¨p. sNdp-¸-¯nse Ipcp-¯-t¡-SpIÄ¡v apdnbn ]q«n-bn-Sp-t¼mÄ ]pd¯v tN¨nam-cpsS s]m«n-¨n-cn-Ifpw A«lm-khpw tIÄ¡pt¼m-g-s¯-t¸mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v.

“A¶ ]mhvtemhv\ Abm-tfmSp tNmZn¨p \o Chn-sSbp-Å-Xp-sIm-−tà t]mIm³ aSn-sb¶v? AXnsemcp Imcy-hp-anÃ; F¦nepw \ns¶-s¨mÃn AhÀ X½n hg-¡m-bn. tcmKn-I-fmb a\p-jyÀ¡v shdpsX shdp-¸n-¡p¶ kz`m-ham-bn-cn-¡pw.” Inän Xpdn-¨p-t\m¡n an−m-Xn-cp-¶p. Ahsf Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ hmsd¦ \nÀ¯msX ]d-ªp-sIm-t−-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp sImSp-¦mäv Dcp-−p-Iq-Sp-¶Xv Ahf-dn-ªp. hm¡p-I-fm-tWm, I®o-cm-tWm-sbt¶ Adn-tb-−q. “AXp-sIm−p \o hcm-Xn-cn-¡p-I-bmWv \Ã-Xv. \n\¡p Imcy-§Ä a\-kn-emIp-a-tÃm. tZjyw tXm¶cp-Xv.” “F\n-¡nXp Xs¶ In«-Ww. Bcpw Bh-iy-s¸-SmsX Xs¶ C§-s\sbms¡ sNbvXn«v. F´n-\m-bn-cp¶p aäp-Å-h-cpsS Imcy-§-fn-en-S-s]-Sm³ t]mbXv? FÃm-samcp X«n-¸-Ãm-bn-cpt¶m? aäp-Å-h-cpsS ap³]n anSp-¡n-bm-Im³, ssZh-¯nsâ ap³]nepw Ah-\-hsâ ap³]n-epw. FÃm-h-scbpw h©n-¡p-Ib-Ãm-bn-cp-t¶m… Rmt\-Xm-bmepw A{Xbpw Xcw-Xm-gn-Ã. h©-\, NXn.” “BcmWv h©n-¨Xv…?“ “Rm³ \ns¶-bà Dt±-in-¨-Xv. \o ]cn-]qÀ®b-tÃ? Rm³ tami-¡m-cn-bm-bnt¸m-b-Xn\v F´p sN¿m³ ]äpw.? A¶ ]mhvtemhv\ t]mIp-s¶-¦n t]mIs«; Rms\sâ hgn¡pw t]mIpw. F¶m-epw, AX-Ã.“ “F´v AsömWv?“ hmsd¦ `b-¶p-t]m-bn-cp-¶p. “FÃmw. lrZ-b-¯n \n¶mWv Rm³ {]hÀ¯n¡p-¶-Xv, \o {]am-W§Ä¡-\p-k-cn¨p {]hÀ¯n¡p-¶p. H¶n\pw th−n-b-Ãm-sX-bmWv Rm³ \ns¶ CjvS-s¸«-Xv. \o Fs¶ c£n-¡m³, \¶m-¡m³ {ian-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p.” “\obo-¸-d-bp-¶Xp icn-bÃ.” “Rm\-Xn\p aäp-Å-h-sc-¸-än-b-Ã, Fs¶-¸än¯s¶-btà ]d-bp-¶Xv?” “Inäo, ChnsS hcq,” {]`zn hnfn-¨p. ]¸msb \nsâ s\Ivtekv ImWn-¨p-sImSp-¡q.” Inän XnSp-¡-¯n Hcp Ipªp-s]-«n-bn s\Ivtekp-sa-Sp¯v ASp¯ apdnbn-te¡p t]mbn; Iq«p-Im-cn-tbmSp ]nW¡w XoÀ¡m-s\m¶pw \n¡msX Xs¶. “F´m {]iv\w? \osb´m BsI Nph-¶n-cn-¡p-¶Xv?” {]`phpw {]`znbpw Hcp-an¨v Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¨p. “H¶p-an-Ã. Rm\nt¸m hcmw.” Inän Xncn-tªm-Sn. “tlm, Ah-f-hn-sS¯s¶bp-−v. Rms\-s´m-s¡-bmWv ]d-ªXv? F´n-\mW-§-s\-sbms¡ ]d-ªXv? C\n-bnt¸m F´m ]d-bpI?” Inän ]mXn-h-gnbn \n¶p.

t]mIm³t\cw hmsd¦ ]dªp: “Fsâ s]mt¶, C§-s\-sbm¶p Nncn-¨n«v F{X Ime-am-bn-cp-¶p. F´p ckn-I-\mWv \nsâ Aѳ.” Inän H¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. “\½Ä C\n-sb¶m ImWpI? ” “s]t{Sm-hn-sâ-b-Sp-¯p t]mIWsa¶v A½ ]d-bp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. \obpw At§m«p hcntÃ?” “XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. AhÀ A§nt¸mIm³ Hcp-§p-I-bm-Wv. km[-\-§Ä ]mbv¡v sN¿m³ klm-bn-¡m-sa¶p Rm³ ]d-ªn-cp-¶p.” “F¦n Rm\pw hcmw.” “th−, \osb-´n\m shdpsX?” “AsX´m? AsX´m? AsX-´m¶v?” hmsd-¦ t]mImsX AhfpsS IpSbn apdp-sI¸nSn-¨p-sIm−v AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. “hnti-jns¨m-¶p-an-Ã. \nsâ Aѳ h¶n-«ntÃ? AXp-aà \o klm-bn-¡m³ sNÃp-¶Xv AhÀ¡v Akz-Ø-X-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.” “AX-Ã, Rm³ s]t{Sm-hnsâ ASp¯v CS-bv¡nsS hcp-¶Xv \n\-¡n-jvS-an-Ãm¯Xv F´p-sIm-−m-sW¶p ]d.” “FÃmw?” “FÃmw ]d. FÃmw.” “A§-s\-sbm-¶p-an-Ã. anlm-bn Ae-Ivkn-tb-hn¨v (A-Xm-bn-cp¶p Nn{X-Imcsâ t]cv) t\cs¯ aS§m\n-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. Ct¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p t]mIm³ XmÂ]-cy-an-Ã.” “Dw, F¶n«v?”

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hmsd¦ IpS ssIbn ]nSn¨v, Inän ]nSn-¨p-h-en-¨-t¸mÄ HSn-ªp-t]mb kv{]nMv t\m¡n Ccn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. “hmsd-¦m, Ft¶m-Sv £an¡q; £an-¡m-Xn-cn-¡-tÃ. Rms\-s´m-s¡bm ]dª-sX¶v Xs¶ F\n-t¡mÀa-bn-Ã…” “Rm³ H¶pw \ns¶ thZ-\n-¸n-¡m³ ]d-ª-X-Ã.” hmsd¦ Nncn-¨p-sIm−p ]d-ªp. AhÀ ho−pw Iq«m-Im-cm-bn. ]t£ GXm-bmepw ]nXm-hnsâ hc-thmsS Inän-bpsS kz]v\-temIw BsI¯-IÀ¶p-t]m-bn. Xm³ ]Tn¨ ]pXnb Imcy-§-sfÃmw AhÄ A¸msS ths−¶p h¨p-sh-¶Ã; F¦nepw Xm³ Bbn-¯o-c-W-sa¶p hnNm-cn-¨-Xpt]m-se-sbms¡ BIm³ Ign-bn-söv, Bß-h-©-\bpw IÅ-¯-c-§fpw CÃmsX A¯cw D¶-Xn-bn \nc-´cw hncm-Pn-¡m\m-hn-söv AhÄ Xncn-¨dnªp. djy-bnse ip²-hm-bp-hn-te-¡v, I¯p-I-fn Adn-bn-¨-Xp-t]mse tUmfn Ip«n-I-fp-ambn t]mbn-cn-¡p¶ FÀKp-tjm-thm-bn-te¡p t]mIm³ AhÄ sImXn-¨p. ]t£ hmsd-¦-tbm-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm¶pw h¶n-Ã. hnS-]-d-bpt¼mÄ Ah-tfmSv djy-bn-te¡p hc-W-sa¶v Inän sI©n. “\o hnhm-ln-X-bm-Ip-t¼mÄ Rm³ hcmw.” “Rm³ hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶n-Ã. ” “F¦n Rm³ hcp-¶p-an-Ã. ” “A§-s\-bm-sW¦n AXn-\p-th-−n-¯s¶ Rm³ hnhmlw Ign-¡mw. hm¡p amd-cp-Xv. ” -tUm-IvS-dpsS {]h-N-\w \nd-th-dn. Inän kpJw {]m]n¨v djy-bn-te¡p aS§n. ap³]-t¯-Xp-t]mse Ip«n¯¯nsâ Nn´m-iq-\y-amb DÃm-ksam¶panÃ. ]t£ AhÄ im´-bm-bn-cp-¶p. tamkvtIm-bnse Akz-Ø-X-IÄ HmÀa-IÄ am{X-ambn HXp§n

F¦nepw At±lw hcp-¶-Xn sehn\v AÂ]w Akz-Ø-Xbpw D−m-bn-cp¶p. {KmaoW Pohn-X-s¯-¡p-dn¨pw Ahn-Sps¯ Irjo-h-e³am-sc-¡p-dn¨pw Hs¡bpÅ ImgvN-¸m-Sp-I-fn AhÀ X½nepÅ hyXym-k-am-bn-cp¶p Hcp Imc-Ww. ]ns¶ asäm¶v ktlm-Z-cs\ X\n-¨m¡n Irjn-bn-S-¯n-te¡p t]mIm-\pÅ ssha-\-ky-am-Wv. ]t£ Gähpw ]Wn-¯n-c-¡pÅ Ime-am-b-Xn\m t]mIm-Xn-cn-¡m-\m-hp-I-bp-an-Ã. skÀPn-bm-sW¦n \K-c-¯nse ]Wn¯n-c-¡n aSp¯v Xsâ DÅn-ep-Å-sX-Ãmw -þ ImgvN-¸m-Sp-Ifpw XXz-im-kv{X§-fp-sam-s¡-þþ Btcm-Ss¦fnepsam¶p ]d-bm³ Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. sehn\mWv ChnsS tIÄhn-¡m-c-\m-tI−Xv. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw Hcp-an¨p ]e-\m-fp-IÄ Ign-ªp. ]e-Im-cy-§Ä NÀ¨ sNbvXp, XÀ¡-§-fn-teÀs¸-«p. Hcp-\mÄ sehn³ Acn-hmfp-ambn ]Wn¡mtcm-sSm-¸-an-d§n. D{K³ hymbm-a-am-Wv; Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-apÅ ]Wn Hcp ck-hp-am-Wv. A¶p cm{Xn sshIn-sb-¯p-t¼mÄ s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨nsâ I¯p h¶n-«p-−v. Ht»m³kvIn ]otä-gvk-_ÀKn \n¶mWv Fgp-Xn-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv: “F\n¡v FÀKp-tjm-thm-bn \n¶v tUmfn-bpsS I¯p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AhnsS BsI Ipg-¸-§fm-Wv. H¶v Ahn-Sw hsc t]mI-Ww. AhÄ¡p th− klm-b-§Ä sNbvXp-sIm-Sp-¡-Ww. \n§sf ImWp-¶Xpw AhÄ¡v Bizm-k-am-Ipw. A½m-bn-b-½bpw aäpw hntZ-i¯p t]mbn«v CXp-hsc h¶n-«p-an-Ã. ” “AXp Ie-¡n. Rms\m¶v Ahn-sS hsc t]mImw. AsÃ-¦n th−, \ap¡v Hcp-an¨p t]mImw. Ah-scmcp \à kv{Xobm-Wv. \n§Ä¡-dn-bn-tÃ. ” “At¸m Ah-cn-hn-sS ASp-¯p-X-s¶-bmtWm? ” “Ccp-]-¯©p ssaÂ; Gdn-bm ap¸-Xv. \à H¶m-´cw tdmUm-Wv. ” t]mIm³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Ah-cpsS kwkmcw ]ns¶ aäp Imcy-§-fn-te¡p IS¶p. CSbv¡v “Cuizcm” F¶v D¨-¯n sehnsâ \ne-hnfn tI«v ktlm-Zc³ sR«n. “F´p-]än?” “AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bpsS ssI F§-s\-bp−v?” Xe-bv¡n-Sn-¨p-sIm−v sehn³ tNmZn-¨p. “Rm³ Ah-cpsS Imcyw Xs¶ ad-¶p-t]m-bn.” AhÀ hoWv ssIbp-fp-¡n-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “Ipd-hp−v.” “Rms\m¶v Ah-cpsS ASp¯p t]mbn«v s]s«¶ph-cmw. \n§Ä sXm¸n-bWn-bp¶ t\cw-sIm−p Rm\n-s§-¯pw.”

`mKw aq¶v skÀPn

sFh-t\m-hn¨v tImkv\n-tjhv hn{i-a-¯n\p hntZ-i-t¯¡p t]mIp-¶-Xn\p ]Icw A¯-hW tabv amkw Ah-km-\-am-b-t¸mÄ Xsâ ktlm-Z-c³ tIm¬Ìmân³ sehnsâ \m«n³]p-d-t¯-¡mWv t]mb-Xv. kz´w tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fmbv A¯-hW hcp-I-bn-södn-bm-hp-¶-XpsIm−v skÀPn hcp-¶-Xn sehn\p kt´mjw tXm¶n. ]nXr-k-tlm-Z-c-]p{X-\m-sW¦nepw sehn\pw skÀPnbpw X½n henb ASp-¸-am-Wv.

XnI¨pw

km[m-c-W-amb kÀ¡mÀ tPmen¡pth-−n-bm-bn-cp¶pþ CXp km[m-c-W-¡mÀ¡p a\-kn-em-¡m³ _p²n-ap-«m-sW¦nepw kÀho-kn-ep-ÅhÀ¡v s]s«¶p a\-kn-em-Ipw-: Ah-\hsâ AkvXn-Xz-s¯-¸än a{´n-k-`sb

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CS-bv¡nsS HmÀan-¸n-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡pI -þ s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]otägvkv_ÀKn-te¡p t]mb-Xv. CXn-\pÅ BNm-cm-\p-jvTm-\-§Ä¡mbn At±lw ho«n-ep-−m-bn-cp-¶{X ]Whpw sIm−p-t]m-Ip-Ibpw th\¡me hk-Xn-Ifnepw IpXn-c-¸-´-b-§-fnepambn Xsâ Znh-k-§Ä ]c-am-h[n DÃm-k-{]Zam¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp-t]m-¶p. Cu ka-bw tUmfnbpw Ip«n-Ifpw Nne-hp-IÄ ]c-am-h[n Ipd-bv¡pI F¶ Dt±-i-t¯msS \m«n³]p-d-t¯¡p Xmakw amäp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. s]mt{Im-hvkvtIm-bnse sehnsâ Øe¯p \n¶v GI-tZiw \mÂ]Xp ssa AI-se-bm-bn-cp¶p FÀKp-tjm-thm-bnbn AhÄ¡p k{Xo-[\ambn In«n-b B Øew. Ahn-Sps¯ ]pcm-X-\-amb henb amfnI s]mfn¨pIfªn-cp-¶p. ]n¶oSp ]WnX hoSv A{X Ccp-]Xp hÀjw ap³]v tUmfn-bpsS sNdp-¸-¯n AXym-hiyw hep-¸hpw kuI-cy-§-fp-ap-Å-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. F¶m Ct¸mÄ FÃmw s]m«n-s¸m-fnªp InS-¡p-I-bm-Wv. hk-´m-cw-`¯n s̸m³ Ahn-Sps¯ ac-§Ä hn¡m³ t]mbt¸mÄ AhnSw Xmak-tbm-Ky-am-¡-W-sa-¶v AhÄ ]d-ªn-cp¶p. Ahn-iz-kvX-cmb FÃm `À¯m¡³am-scbpw t]mse s̸m³ `mcy-bpsS kuI-cy-§Ä {i²m-]qÀhw km[n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¯p. \m«n³]pd PohnXw F´p-sIm−pw \Ã-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. Ip«n-I-fpsS Btcm-Ky-¯n\p \Ã-Xv, sNehv Ipd-hv, ]ns¶ AbmÄ¡p IqSpX kzmX-{´y-hpw. (\à `À¯mhpw AÑ-\p-sam-s¡-bm-bn-cn-¡m³ hn^-eambn {ian-¨n-cp-s¶-¦nepw s̸msâ CjvS-§fpw Pohn-X-co-Xn-Ifpw Ahn-hmln-X-cp-tSXmbncp¶p.) tUmfn¡pw FÀKp-tjm-thm-bn-te¡p t]mIm³ XmÂ]-cy-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ip«n-I-fpsS Btcm-Kyw, ]ns¶ ]Ww sImSp-¡m\pÅhcpsS -þ ao³Im-c³, sNcp-¸p-Ip-¯n, ac-¡-¨-h-S-¡m-c³þ ap³]n-epÅ \mWt¡Sv Hgn-hm-bn-¡n-«pw. “In«m-hp-¶-Xnse Gähpw henb ku`mKyw tN¨ntbm-sSm¸w FÀKp-tjm-thm-bnse hmk-am-bn-cn¡pw” F¶v Inän Fgp-Xnbn-cp¶p Xm\pw. AhÀ¡p c−p-t]À¡pw a[p-cn-¡p¶ Hcp-]mSv _mey-kvarXn-I-fpÅ Øe-amWhnSw. Aä-Ip-ä-¸-Wn-IÄ \S-¯p-t¼mÄ {][m-\-s¸« ]eXpw s̸m³ hn«pt]mbncp¶p. Ah tUmfnsb _p²n-ap-«n-¨p-. h¶-Xnsâ ]ntä¶p Xs¶ hen-sbmcp ag s]bvXp. CS-\mgnbnepw Ip«n-IfpsS apdn-bn-ep-saÃmw shÅw; ]ns¶ FÃm-h-cpw-IqSn t{UmbnMv dqan-emWv InS-¶-Xv. ASp-¡-f-tPm-en¡v BfnÃ; H³]Xp ]ip-¡-fp-−m-bn«pw Ip«nIÄ¡p th−{X t]mepw ]mepw sh®bpw In«m-\nÃ; ap«-bnÃ; Cd-¨n-¡pÅ arK-§-sfm-¶p-an-Ã. IpXnc CS-ªp-\n¡p¶-Xn-\m bm{X-sbm¶pw ]änÃ; Ipfn-¡-S-shÃmw I¶p-Im-en-IÄ Nhn-«n-bn-Sn-¨p-I-fªp; thenbnse hnS-hneqsS I¶p-Im-en-IÄ ho«p-]-cn-k-c¯pw IS-¡pw. ap{I-bn-«p-\-S-¡p¶ Hcp

Imf-¡q-ä³ A¡q-Ss-bp−v. AXp-sIm−v `b-¶n«v apä-¯p-t]mepw Cd-§m³ h¿. XpWn hbv¡m³ Ae-am-c-bn-Ã. Ie-§fpw ]m{X-§fpw th−-{X-bnÃ; XpWn- CkvXn-cn-bn-Sm³ CkvXn-cn-ta-i-bnÃ… BZy-Zn-\-§Ä icn¡pw Zpcn-X-am-bn-cp-¶p. Imcy-س H¶nepw klm-bn-¨n-Ã. FÃm hoSp-I-fn-ep-sa-¶-t]mse XnI¨pw A{]-[m-\-bm-sbm-cm-fmWv Imcy-§sfms¡ Hcp ]cp-h-¯n-em-¡n-b-Xv þ acnb ^nen-a-t\m-hv\. HcmgvN sIm−v GXm-s−-Ãm-sam-s¶m-Xp§n Imcy-§-sfms¡ \nb-{´-W-¯n-em-bn. kzØX F¶p ]d-bm-\m-hn-sænepw kam-[m\w ssIh-¶p. Xosc-s¨-dnb Bdp Ip«nI-fpÅ GX-½-bv¡mWv AsÃ-¦nÂ- kzØX D−m-IpI? Hcp IW-¡n\v Ip«n-I-fpsS Akp-J-§fpw Ah-sc-¡p-dn-¨pÅ hy{K-X-Ifpw Xnc-¡p-Ifpw AhÄ¡v A\p-{K-l-am-bn-cp-¶p. AsÃ-¦n `À¯m-hnsâ hgn-]n-g¨ Pohn-Xs¯-¡p-dn¨pw aäp-apÅ HmÀa-IÄ IqSp-X Ak-am-[m-\-¯n\p Imc-W-am-tbs\.

skâv

]otägvkv Zn\-t¯m-S-Sp-¯pÅ Rmb-dmgvN tUmfn Ip«n-I-sf-sbÃmw ]Ån-bn sIm−p-t]m-bn hnip² IpÀ_m\ kzoI-cn-¸n-¨p. NÀ¨-I-fnsems¡ asä-Ãm-h-scbpw sR«n-¡pw-hn[w hn¹-h-Nn-´-I-fmWv k`-sbbpw aXs¯bpw Ipdn¨v ]d-ªn-cp-¶-sX¦nepw kz´w IpSpw-_-¯n ]c-¼-cmKX hnizm-k-§fpw NS-§p-Ifpw ]men-¡p-¶-Xn AhÄ \nÀ_Ô_p-²n¡m-cn-bm-bn-cp-¶p. asäm-cn-¡Â Ip«n-I-sf-sbÃmw Iq«n Iq¬ ]dn-¡m\pw Ipfn-¡m-\p-ambn ]pd¯p t]mbn. FÃm-h-scbpw A\p-k-cn-¸n¨p sIm−p-\-S-¡pI F¶Xv hen-sbmcp ]Wn-bm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw Ah-cpsS {]k-cn¸pw Ipkr-Xn-Ifpw AhÄ¡p henb kt´mjw \ÂIn. Ipfn-¡-S-hn h¨v Ipd¨p {KmaoWkv{XoIsf ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ah-cpsS lrZ-b-ss\Àaeyhpw Xpd¶ at\m-`m-hhpw FÃm-än-ep-ap-]cn Xsâ Ip«n-I-tfmSv AhÀ Im«nb hmÂk-eyhpw Ahsf BIÀjn-¨p. Ah-sc-hn«p ho«n-te¡p aS§m³ AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-tb-bn-Ã.

Ipfn-I-gnªp

XncnsI hcp-t¼mÄ hgn-¡p-h¨v sehns\ I−p. IpSpw-_-Pohn-X-s¯-¡p-dn¨p sehn³ ImWp¶ ]I¡n-\m-hp-I-fpsS km£m¡mcambn-cp¶p Ah-cpsS hc-hv. “XÅ-t¡mgn Ipªp-§-sf-bpw-sIm−p \S-¡p-¶-Xp-t]m-se-bp-−tÃm Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\.” “lm, \n§sf ImWm³ Ign-ª-Xn F´p kt´m-j-ap-s−t¶m?”

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“ImWm³ Ign-ª-Xn kt´m-jw, ]t£ Chn-sSbps−¶v Fs¶ Adnbn¨n-Ã-tÃm. Fsâ ktlm-Z-c³ Ct¸mÄ Ft¶m-sSm¸w Xma-kn-¡p-¶p-−v. ÌnhbpsS I¯p-−m-bn-cp¶p \n§Ä Chn-sSbp-s−-¶v.” “Ìnhmtbm?” AhÄ AÛpXw Iqdn. “Dw… Fs´-¦nepw Bh-iyaps−¦n klm-bn-¡-W-sa-¶pw.” A_²w ]än-b-Xp-t]mse s]s«¶p \nÀ¯n sehn³ h−n-sb-¨pän \mc-I-¯nsâ CeIÄ \pÅn \S-¶p. `À¯m-hn \n¶p Int«− klm-b-§Ä aäp-Å-h-cn \n¶p ssI¸-äp-¶Xv Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\bv¡v CjvS-an-Sãansödn-bmhp-¶-Xp-sIm-−mWv AbmÄ Akz-Ø-\m-b-Xv. kz´w ho«p-Np-a-X-e-IÄ aäpÅ-hsc GÂ]n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡p¶ s̸msâ ]cn-]mSn AhÄ¡v H«pw CjvS-apÅ-X-Ã. sehn\v AXp a\-kn-em-sb¶v AhÄ a\-kn-em-¡n. C¯cw Imcy-§en-epÅ Abm-fpsS kq£va-X-bmWv sehn-t\mSv AhÀ¡pÅ CjvS-¯n\pÅ Hcp {][m\ Imc-Ww. “\n§Ä¡v Fs¶ ImWm³ XmÂ]-cy-ap-s−t¶ AXn-\ÀY-apÅq Fs¶-\n¡-dn-bmw. Rm³ hfsc k´p-jvS-\m-Wv. F¦nepw \K-c-Po-hnXw ioen¨ \n§Ä¡v ChnsS Cu Im«n Fs´-¦nepw Bhiyw h¶m Ft¶mSp ]dbm³ aSn-¡-cp-Xv.” “BZy-amZyw Ipd¨p _p²n-ap-«p-I-sfms¡ D−m-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ FÃmw icn-bm-bn. Zm Ct§m-«n-cp-t¶m-fq.” h−n-bn CS-ap-−m-¡n-s¡m−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. “th−, Rm³ \S-t¶m-fmw. Ip«n-I-fm-sc-¦nepw Fsâ IqsS IpXn-c-¸p-d¯p hcp-¶pt−m?” Ip«n-IÄ¡mÀ¡pw Abmsf A{X ASp¯ ]cn-N-b-anÃm-bn-cp-¶p. F¶n«pw A½-bpsS apJs¯ A{X kulr-Zhpw kzmX-{´yhpw Ah-cpsS apJ¯pw sXfn-ªp. aq¯ c−p Ip«n-Ifpw NmSn-bn-d§n. enÃnbpw t]mIWsa¶p hmin-]n-Sn-¨p. tUmfn Ahsf sehn\p ssIam-dn; Abm-f-hsf Npa-en-en-cp¯n HmSn-\-S-¶p. Chn-sSbo \m«n³]p-d-¯v, Ip«n-I-tfm-sSm-¸w, Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\-tbmsSm¸w AbmÄ¡p Ip«n-I-sf-t¸mse lrZ-b-em-Lhw tXm¶n. AXm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ¡v Abm-tfm-SpÅ {][m\ CjvS-hpw. `£Ww Ignªv sehn-t\m-sSm¸w _m¡Wnbn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ tUmfn Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨p ]d-ªp: “Inän Ct§m«p hcp-¶p-−v. th\¡mew apgph³ AhÄ Ft¶m-sSm-¸-ap-−m-hpw.” “Hm, AXp icn”, sehnsâ apJw Nph-¶p, hnjbw aäm³ AbmÄ ]dªp:

“Rm³ c−p ]ip-¡sf Ct§m«p sImSp-¯p-hn-St«? ]Ww Xc-W-sa¶p \nÀ_Ôam-sW¦n amkw A©p dq_nÄ h¨p Xt¶m-fq. ]t£ Xcm-Xn-cn¡p-I-bmWv F\n-¡n-jvSw.” Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨p IqSp-X-se-s´-¦nepw tIÄ¡m³ sehn³ AXn-bmbn B{Kln¨p; ]t£ AXv AbmÄ¡p t]Sn-bp-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]ip-¡sf Ct¸mÄ Bhiy-an-söp tUmfn ]dªp. sehn³ ]ns¶ ]ip-h-fÀ¯Â kw_-Ôn¨p Iptd \nÀtZi-§Ä sImSp¯p. F´m-bmepw Imcy-§-sfms¡ Hcp-Xcw ASp¡pw Nn«-bp-am-bn-«p-−v. C\n-bnt¸m AsXm¶pw amäm³ XmÂ]-cy-an-Ãm¯-Xn-\m A-hÄ B hnj-b-¯n henb XmÂ]cyw Im«n-bn-Ã. AXp-a-Ã, AhÄ¡p Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¡-W-am-bn-cp-¶p. “Ipd¨p im´-Xbpw kam-[m-\hpw am{Xta Pohn-X-¯n B{K-ln-¡p-¶pÅq F¶v Inän Fgp-Xn-bn-cp-¶p.” “F¶n«v AhÄ¡p kpJ-apt−m?” “ssZh-¯n\p kvXpXn, AhÄ¡n-t¸mÄ \à kpJ-ap-−v.” “F\n¡p kt´m-j-am-bn.” \ni-_vZ-ambn Xsâ apJ-t¯¡p t\m¡nb B I®p-I-fnse BÀ{Z-Xbpw \nk-lm-b-Xbpw tUmfn Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. “tIm¬Ìmân³ Zvan{Xn-tb-hn-¨v, Rms\m¶p tNmZn-t¨mt«... \n§Äs¡´m Inän-tbm-Sn{X tZjyw? ” “tZjytam? F\n-¡-h-tfmSv Hcp tZjy-hp-an-Ã-tÃm. ” “D−v, tZjy-ap-−v. AsÃ-¦n ]ns¶´m \n§Ä tamkvtIm-bn h¶n«v R§-fp-sS-bSpt¯m Ah-fp-Ss-bSpt¯m hcm-Xn-cp-¶Xv? ” “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\,” tcma-Iq-]-§Ähsc Nph¶v sehn³ ]d-ªp: “C{X-sbm-s¡-b-dn-ªn«pw \n§Äs¡-t¶mSp kl-Xm]w t]mepw tXm¶p¶ntÃ? ” “F´-dn-ªn«v? ” “Rm³ Ah-tfmSv hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯n-sb¶pw Ah-fXp \nc-kn-s¨-¶pw. ” “Rm\-dn-sª¶p Icp-Xm-s\-´mWp ImcWw? ” “FÃmhÀ¡pa-dn-bm-hp-¶-Xp-sIm−v. ” “Chn-Ss-bmWp \n§Ä¡p sXäp-]-än-b-Xv. F-\n-s¡m-¶p-a-dn-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p, CSbvs¡mcp kwibw tXm¶n-sb-¦n-epw. ” “F¦n Ct¸m-g-dn-ªtÃm! ” “Ahsf hÃmsX ZpJn-¸n¨ Ft´m H¶p kw`-hn¨p F¶p am{Xta F\n-¡dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p-Åp. AtX-¸än H¶pw kwkm-cn-¡-cp-sX¶v Ah-sfs¶ hne-

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¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ft¶mSp ]d-ªn-sæn ]ns¶ aäm-tcmSpw Ah-sfm«pw ]d-bn-Ã. F´mWv kw`-hn-¨Xv? Ft¶mSp ]dbq” “Rm³ ]d-ªtÃm. ” “Ft¸m-gm-bn-cp¶p AXv? ” “Ignª XhW Rm\-h-cpsS ho«n t]mb-t¸mÄ. ” “\n§Ä¡nXv A`n-am\w {hWs¸«Xnsâ apdn-hm-Wv. ]t£ AhÄ¡v,… Ah-sf-tbmÀ¯v F\n¡p k¦Sw tXm¶p-¶p. ” “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\, Ft¶mSp £an-¡q. \ap¡p ]n¶oSp ImWmw. ” “Hcp \nan-jw, Hä \nanjw \n¡q. ” AhÄ sehnsâ ssIbn ]nSn¨p\nÀ¯ns¡m−p ]-d-ªp. “¹okv, \ap¡o hnjbw kwkm-cn-t¡-−. ” Xncn-sIbncp¶p-sIm−v sehn³ ]d-ªp. Xsâ-bp-Ån Ipgn-¨n-«n-cp¶ {]Xo-£-IÄ¡p Poh³ hbv¡p-¶Xv Abm-f-dn-ªp. “F\n¡p \n§sf CjvS-an-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nÂ…“ Ah-fpsS I®p-IÄ \ndªp. “Ct¸m-g-dn-bp¶ coXn-bn F\n¡p \n§sf And-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶¦nÂ…” arX-am-bn-cp¶ B hnImcw DWÀs¶-Wo¡p-¶Xpw iàn {]m]n-¡p-¶Xpw lrZ-bs¯ Iog-S-¡p-¶Xpw sehn³ Adnªp. “F\n-¡nt¸m FÃmw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p-−v. \n§Ä¡-X-dn-bn-Ã, ]pcp-j³amÀ¡v Xnc-sª-Sp-¡m³ kzmX-{´y-ap-−v. Bsc-bmWv kvt\ln-¡p-¶-sX¶v \n§Ä¡v And-bmw. Kv{XoI-fpsS Imcyw A§-s\-b-Ã. Zqsc-\n¶p I−p a\kn-em-¡p¶ Hcp s]¬Ip-«n- FÃmw Hcp hnizm-k-¯nsâ ]pd-¯m-Wv… F´m ]d-tb-−-sX¶p Xs¶ AhÄ¡-dn-bn-Ã. ” “lrZbw kwkm-cn-¡p-¶n-sænÂ…” “AÃ-Ã, lrZ-b-amWv kwkm-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. I−pw Af¶pw t_m[y-s¸-«v, \n§Ä kvt\ln-¡p¶ Imcy-§Ä Ah-fn-ep-s−-¶p-d¸p hcp-¯nb tijamWv \n§Ä Hcp s]¬Ip-«n-tbmSv A`yÀY\ \S-¯p-¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS Imcytam? Xnc-sª-Sp-¡m-³ ]dbp¶p. Xnc-sª-Sp-¡m-\pÅ am\-Z-WvU-§sfm¶pw AhÄ¡-dn-bp-I-bp-an-Ã. “thWw” Ft¶m “th−” Ft¶m ]dbm³ am{X-amWv AhÄ¡v Ign-bp-I. “AtX, Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p-I, Fs¶tbm AsÃ-¦n hvtdm¬kvIn-tbtbm Xncsª-Sp-¡p-I.” ]p\ÀPo-hn¨p h¶sXms¡ ho−pw acn-¨-S-§p-¶Xpw AXp Xsâ ta I\¯ `mcw Ib-än-h-bv¡p-¶Xpw sehn³ And-ªp. “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\, hà hkv{X-§tfm aäp km[-\-§tfm Hs¡bmWv A§s\ hm§p-¶-Xv, kvt\l-a-Ã. GXm-bmepw sXc-sª-Sp¸p Ignª-Xm-W-tÃm… C\n amdn-sb-Sp-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã.”

“Hm, A`n-am-\w, A`n-am-\w.” tUmfn ]cn-l-kn-¨p. “\n§Ä tNmZn-¡p¶ kab¯v Inän kwi-b-§Ä¡p \Sp-hn-em-bn-cp-¶p. hvtdm¬kvInsb AhÄ FÃm Znh-khpw ImWp-¶-XmWv; \n§sf I−n«v Gsd-¡m-e-am-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ¡v Ipd-¨p-IqSn {]mbhpw And-hp-ap-−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦nÂ… Ah-fpsS Øm\¯v Rm\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Hcp kwi-b-hp-ap-−mIn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. F\n-¡bmsf ]−p-ap-Xte shdp-¸m-bncp-¶p, Ah-km\w AXp icn-bm-sW¶p sXfnbp-Ibpw sNbvXp.” Inän-bpsS adp-]Sn sehnsâ HmÀa-bn sXfn-ªp: “CÃ, AXp ]än-Ã.” “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\,” hc− kzc-¯n sehn³ ]d-ªp. “F¶nepÅ \n§-fpsS hnizm-k-¯n-\p \µn-bp-−v. icn-bm-tWm-sb-¶-dn-bnÃ; F´mbmepw \n§Ä ]cn-l-kn-¡p¶ B A`n-am\w aqew Fsâ a\-kn ImXdo\ Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\bv¡v Hcp Øm\-hp-an-Ã.” “H¶p am{Xta F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-Åq. Inän Fsâ A\p-P-¯n-bm-Wv. Ahsf Rms\sâ a¡-sf-t¸mse Xs¶ kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-. AhÄ \n§sf kvt\ln¨n-cp¶p Fs¶m¶pw Rm³ ]d-bp-¶n-Ã. \n§-fpsS A¶s¯ A`yÀY\ \nc-kn-¨Xn\v A{X henb {]m[m-\y-sam¶pw sImSp-¡-cpsXt¶ ]d-bp-¶pÅq.” “F\n-s¡m¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. \n§-sfs¶ F{X-am{Xw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶psh¶p a\-kn-em-¡m-¯-sX´m? Ah-s\{X anSp-¡-\m-tb-s\, Ah-³ A§s\bm-tb-s\, C§s\bmtb-s\, Ah-s\-s¨mÃn \n\-s¡{X kt´m-jap-−m-tbs\ Fs¶ms¡ \n§-fpsS Hcp aI³ acn-¨p-t]m-b tijw Ah-s\¸än ]d-bp-¶-Xp-t]m-se-bm-Wv. Ah³ acn-¨p, acn-¨p, acn¨p…” “F´-kw-_-Ô-am-Wn-Xv...” hnjm-Z-`-cn-X-amb BÀ{Z-X-tbmsS tUmfn ]d-ªp. F-\n-s¡Ãmw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p. At¸m, Inän h¶p-I-gn-bp-t¼mÄ R§sf ImWm³ hcnà AtÃ?” “CÃ, hcn-Ã. ImX-do\ Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\sb ImWm-\pÅ kml-N-cy-§Ä Rm\m-bn«v Hgn-hm-¡p-I-sbm-¶p-anÃ; ]t£ Fsâ km¶n[yw sIm−v Ahsf Atem-k-c-s¸-Sp-¯msX Rm³ {i²n-¡pw.” “CXp ip² Akw-_-Ô-am--Wv.“ BÀ{Z-X-tbmsS AhÄ ]d-ªp. “F´m h¶Xv?“ {^©n AhÄ Xm\y-tbmSv tNmZn-¨p. “Fsâ a¬sh«n Fhn-Ss-bmWt½?” “Rm³ {^©n-età tNmZn-¨-Xv. {^©v kwkm-cn-¡q.” Ip«n Iptd kabw Btem-Nn-s¨-¦nepw a¬sh-«nbpsS {^©v hm¡v HmÀs¯-Sp-¡m-\m-Im-sX \n¶p. A½ klm-bn-¨p, F¶n«v FhnsS t\m¡-Wsa¶v {^©n ]d-ªp-sIm-Sp-¯p. CXv sehn\v A{X ]nSn-¨n-Ã.

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“F{X Ir{Xn-a-am-Wn-Xv. Ip«n-IÄ¡Xp tXm¶p-¶p-ap-−v. {^©v ]Tn-¡p-I, kXy-k-ÔX ad-¶p-I-f-bpI.” Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\bpw AXp-Xs¶ Btem-Nn-¨n-cp-¶p. Gsd BtemNn¨ tijw Ipd¨p kXy-k-ÔX If-ªn-«m-bmepw a¡sf {^©v ]Tn-¸n¡m³ Xs¶ Xocp-am-\n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “F´n\m Xnc¡p Iq«p-¶Xv? Ipd-¨p-IqSn Ignªp t]mImw.” sehn³ Nmb-Ip-Sn-IqSn Ign-ªnt« t]mbp-Åq.

hm§tWm? Irjo-h-e³am-cn-sem-cp-h-\m-ItWm? Ah-cp-sS-bnS-bnÂ\n¶v Hcphsf hnhmlw Ign-¡tWm? F§-s\-bmWv Rm\o amäw km[y-am-¡pI?” AbmÄ ho−pw ho−pw kzbw-tNm-Zn-¨p. “cm{Xn H«pw Dd-§m-¯-Xn-\m F\n¡v H¶pw IrXy-ambn Nn´n-s¨-Sp-¡m-\m-hp-¶n-Ã. Dd-§n-s¯-fn-ªn«v FÃmw Xocp-am-\n-¡mw. F´m-bmepw Cu cm{Xn Fsâ Pohn-X-amsI amän-a-dn¨n-cn-¡p-¶p. IpSpw-_-Po-hn-X-s¯-¡p-dn-¨pÅ ]gb kz]v\-§-sfÃmw Akw-_Ô-§-fm-bn-cp-¶p. bYmÀY-¯n-ep-ÅXv F{X efn-X-am-Wv, F{X-tbsd \Ã-XmWv” ]pÂssa-Xm-\-¯p-\n-¶n-d§n sehn³ {Kma-¯n-te¡p \S-¶p. XWp-¸ns\ tXmÂ]n-¡m³ thK-¯n-emWv \S-¸v. aWn-sbm¨ tI«v AbmÄ Xe-bp-bÀ¯n t\m¡n. \mÂ]Xp hmc-b-Ise \mep IpXn-c-Isf ]q«nb h−n-bn Hcp aqe-bn Dd-¡w-Xq§n Hcp hr²; P\m-e-tbmSp tNÀ¶v shÅ-s¯m-¸n-bpsS dn_-Wn-f¡n Ifn-¨p-sIm−v Hcp s]¬Ip«n; Ct¸m-Ä Dd-¡apWÀ¶-tXbpÅp-sh¶v Hä t\m«-¯n a\-kn-em-Ipw. Abmsf Xncn-¨-dn-ª-t¸mÄ AhfpsS apJ-amsI {]Im-in-¨p. B I®p-IÄ þ X\n¡p sXäp ]än-Ã. AXv Inän Xs¶. AhÄ dbnÂth tÌj-\n \n¶v FÀKp-tjm-thm-bn-te¡p t]mIp-Ibm-Wv. Dd-¡-an-ÃmsX InS¶ B cm{Xn-bn a\-kns\ aYn¨ HmÀa-Ifpw PohnXw amä-a-dn-¡m-\pÅ Xocp-am-\-§-fp-saÃmw s\mSn-bn-S-sIm−v A{]-Xy£-am-bn. sXmgn-em-fn-s¸-®ns\ hnhmlw Ign-¡m-\pÅ Btem-N\ AbmÄ Hcp sR«temsS HmÀ¯p. CÃ… Ct¸mÄ IS-¶p-t]mb B h−n-bn am{XamWv Xsâ Pohn-X-¯nsâ Ipg-¡p¶ IS-¦-Y-bv¡pÅ D¯-cw. AhÄ ]ns¶ ]pd-t¯¡p t\m¡n-bnÃ, aWn-sbm-¨bpw tI«nÃ; h−n {Kma¯n-\p-Ån-se-¯n-sb¶v ]«n-I-fpsS Ipc hnfn-¨-dn-bn-¨p. “emfn-Xyhpw A[zm-\hpw \ndª B PohnXw F{X kt´m-j-I-c-amsW¦nepw F\n¡v At§m«p t]mIm-\m-hn-Ã. Rm³ Ahsf CjvS-s¸-Sp¶p.”

ktlm-Z-cn-bpsS

FtÌ-änse Imcy-§Ä t\m¡m³ t]mb sehn³ AhnSps¯ sXmgn-em-fn-I-fpsS PohnXw I−v Gsd ckw ]nSn-¨p. ]−p apXte AbmÄ¡v Irjo-h-e³am-cpsS PohnXw CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]I apgp-h³ A[zm\w. ap³]p h©n-¡m³ {ian-¨n-«p-Å-hcpw sehn³ ]cp-¡-\mbn s]cpam-dn-bn-«pÅhÀ t]mepw Abm-tfmSv henb XmÂ]-cyhpw hnt[-b-Xzhpw Im«n. hmin-ssh-cm-Ky-§tfm Ipä-t_m-[tam ]gb Imcy-§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ HmÀa t]meptam Ahsc Ae-«n-bn-Ã. ssZhw X¶ Znhkw; ssZhw X¶ Btcm-Kyw. AhÀ B Znh-khpw B Btcm-Kyhpw tPmen-¡mbn kaÀ¸n-¨p; B tPmen Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p AXn-\pÅ {]Xn-^-ew. BÀ¡p th−n-sbt¶m F´p ^e-sat¶m DÅ Nn´-I-sfms¡ ]mgv the-I-fm-sW¶ a«m-bn-cp¶p AhÀ¡v. DÂkm-l-`-cn-Xamb A[zm-\-¯nsâ B\-µw am{Xw. kÔy-bm-bn. ASp¯p hoSp--Å-hÀ Xncn¨pt]m-bn. aäp-Å-hÀ Hcp-an-¨n-cp¶v A¯m-gw Ign¨p; cm{Xn apgp-h\pw sIm¨p-hÀ¯am\hpw ]m«pw Nncn-bp-ambn IS-¶p-t]m-bn. ssht¡mÂ]pc-bn InS¶v sehn³ Ah-c-dn-bmsX CsXÃmw I−pw tI«pw \ni-_vZ\mbn InS-¶p. ]pe-cm-dm-b-t¸m-tg¡v i_vZ§sfÃm-a-S-§n. NXp-¸n \nÀ¯msX Ic-bp¶ Xh-f-Ifpw ]peÀs¨ ]pÂssa-Xm-\-¯n\p aotX s]m§nb aªn Nn\bv¡p¶ IpXn-c-Ifpw am{Xw. sehn³ th\ense B cm{Xn-bn Xsâ a\-kneqsS IS-¶p-t]mb Nn´-IÄ¡p cq]w-sIm-Sp-¡m³ {ian-¨p-. aq¶p Xc-¯n-embn-cp¶p B Nn´-IÄ. ]g-b-Ime Pohn-Xhpw XnI¨pw {]tbm-P-\-iq-\y-amb hnZym-`ym-khpw Dt]-£n-¡pI F¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p H¶v. Cu XymKw h-fsc Ffp-¸hpw efn-X-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p; AXv AbmÄ¡p henb kwXr]vXn \ÂIn. asämcp Nn-´m-k-c-Wn-bn Xm³ Ct¸mgm-{K-ln-¡p¶ Pohn-X-s¯¡p-dn-¨pÅ Nn-{X-§-fm-bn-cp-¶p. AXnsâ emfn-Xyw, ss\Àaeyw, bpàn-`-{ZX Hs¡ kam[m-\hpw kwXr-]vXnbpw A`n-am-\-t_m-[hpw \ÂIpw. Cu ]cn-Wmaw F§s\ km[y-am¡pw F¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p aq¶m-as¯ Nn´m-k-c-Wn. AhnsS ]t£ H¶n\pw \nb-X-amb cq]-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. “F´mWp sNt¿−Xv? hnhmlw Ign-¡p-I-? s]m-t{ImhvkvtIm hn«p-t]m-ItWm? IqSp-X Øew

H¶nepw Ipep-§m-¯-, XnI¨pw bpàn-]-c-ambn Nn´n-¡p-¶ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ kz`m-h-¯n H«pw s]mcp-¯-s¸-Sm¯ Hcp LSIw, Gähpw ASp-¸-ap-Å-hÀ¡p am{X-a-dn-bm-hp¶ Hcp Imcyw D−m-bn-cp-¶p. kv{XoItfm Ip«n-Itfm Ic-bp-¶Xv AbmÄ¡p kln-¡m-\m-hn-Ã. CX-dn-bmhp¶ sk{I-«-dn-amÀ ]cm-Xn-I-fp-ambn hcp¶ kv{XoI-sf “Ic-bmsX Imcyw ]d-ªn-sæn \n§-fpsS Imcyw \S-¡nÔ F¶ ap¶-dn-bn¸p IqSn \ÂInbmWv A-I-t¯¡p hn«n-cp-¶-Xv. IpXn-c-¸-´bw Ignªp aS§pt¼mÄ A¶ hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-am-bpÅ _Ô¯nsâ Imcyw ]d-ªn«v ssII-fn apJ-a-aÀ¯n s]m«n-¡-c-ªn-cp-¶p. Ah-

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tfmSv BsI tZjyw h¶n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p; CXp-Iq-Sn-bm-b-t¸mÄ ]cn-k-c¯n\pw Xsâ {]Ir-X-¯n\pw tbmPn-¡m¯ coXn-bn {]hÀ¯n¨p-t]m-Ipsa¶p tXm¶n-b-Xn-\m AeIvkn Poh-\-ä-Xp-t]mse Ccp-¶-tX-bpÅq. ho«nse-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ahsf ssI]n-Sn¨p Xmsg-bn-d-¡n, XnIª am\y-X-tbmsS bm{X-]-d-ªp- hnS-hm-§n. Xsâ kwi-b-§Ä icn-bm-sW¶p sXfn-bn-¨psIm−v A¶ ]dª hm¡pIÄ Abmsf lrZ-b-¯nsâ Bg-§-fn apdn-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-cp-¶p. F¶m aS§nt¸mIm³ h−n-bn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Xm³ B thZ-\-I-fn \ns¶Ãmw tamNn-X-\m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶p tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. thZ-\n-¸n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶ Hcp ]Ãv FSp-¯p-I-f-ª-Xp-t]m-se-bpÅ kzØ-X. “_lp-am-\y-X-bn-Ã, lrZ-b-an-Ã, ssZh-`-b-anÃ; \in¨ kv{Xo. F\n-¡n-sX¶pw Adnbm-am-bn-cp-¶p; F¶n«pw Rm³ kzbw h©n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p, Ahsf thZ-\n-¸n-t¡-s−¶p Icp-Xn. Rm\-Ã, Ah-fmWv sXäp sNbvX-Xv. Rm³ ZpJn-t¡− Imcy-anÃ. Fs¶ kw_-Ôn-¨n-S-t¯mfw Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡v AkvXnXzw Xs¶-bn-Ã.” -A-h-sfbpw Ah-fpsS aIs\bpw kw_-Ôn-¡p-¶-sXÃmw (C-¡mew sIm−v Ae-Ivkn-bpsS DÅn Ip«n-tbmSpw Ah-tfm-SpÅ AtX at\m-`mhw hfÀ¶p-I-gn-ªn-cp-¶p) AbmÄ¡v A{]-[m-\-am-bn-cn-¡p¶p. AhÄ Xsâ ta sXdn-¸n¨ sNfn-bn Gähpw am\y-hpw \oXn-bp-à-hp-amb coXn-bn F§s\ Igp-In-¡-fbmw F¶-Xn am{Xta Ct¸mÄ {i²-bp-Åq. AXn\p tijw Xsâ am\y-am-b, {]tbm-P-\-{]-Z-amb PohnXw ^e-{]-Z-ambn Pohn-¡Ww. “shdp-¡-s¸-tS− Hcp kv{Xo sNbvX Ipä-Ir-Xy-¯nsâ t]cn Rm³ F´n\v Ak-´p-jvS-\m-bn-¡-gn-bWw? AhÄ Fs¶ s]Sp-¯n-¡-fª Cu ZpÀL-Sm-h-Ø- adn-I-S-¡m-\pÅ hgn-bmWv ImtW−-Xv. C¯-c-¯n IpSp§n-t¸m-Ip¶ BZy-s¯-bm-sfm-¶p-a-ÃtÃm Rm³; Ah-km-\-t¯-Xp-am-hn-Ã.” sa\-em-shm-knsâ “kpµ-cn-bmb sle³” apX Xsâ ka-Im-en-IÀ hsc Ahn-iz-kvX-cmb `mcy-am-sc-s¡m−p Zpcn-X-a-\p-`-hn-¨-h-cpsS \o− \nc AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ a\-kn sXfn-ªp. “Zmcy-tem-hv, t]mÄ«mhvkvIn, {]n³kv Imcn-_-t\m-hv, Iu−v ]mkvIp-Un³” Xs¶-t¸mse CtX {]iv\-¯n-eqsS IS-¶p-t]m-b-hÀ AXns\ F§s\ t\cn«p F¶pw At±lw ]cn-tim-[n-¨p. “Zmcy-temhv Zzµz-bp-²-¯n-eqsS ]cnlmcw tXSn” sNdp-¸w-ap-Xte Ae-Ivkn-bpsS Nn´-I-fn Zzµz-bp²w Øm\w ]nSn-¨n-cp-¶p. imco-cn-I-ambn kmam\yw anI¨ Hcp `ocp-hm-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ. AXv AbmÄ¡p Xs¶ And-bp-Ibpw sN¿mam-bn-cp-¶p. Nq−n-¸n-Sn-¨n-cn-¡p¶

]nÌ- F¶ k¦Â]w Xs¶ Abm-fn `oXn-bp-f-hm-¡n. Pohn-X¯ - n-sem-cn¡epw Hcm-bp-[hpw AbmÄ D]-tbm-Kn-¨n-Ã. Pohn-X-hnPbw t\Sn kaq-l¯n D¶-X-amb Øm\hpw Dd-¸n-¨-Xn\p tijw A¯cw Nn´-IÄ Abmsf D]-{Z-hn-¡m-dn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. F¶m kml-Ncyw h¶-t¸mÄ Abmfnse `ocpXzw ho−p-ap-WÀ¶p. sXäp-Im-cn-bmb `mcy-sbbpw aIs\bpw hos−-Sp-¡m³ asäm-cmsf sImÃp-¶-Xnsâ AÀY-cm-ln-Xy-s¯-¸än AbmÄ Nn´n-¨p. C\n sImÃ-s¸-Sp-¶Xv Xm³ Xs¶-bm-sW¦ntem F¶ Nn´ Abmsf `b-s¸-Sp¯n. AXp IqSp-X henb Akw-_-Ô-ambn tXm¶pIbpw sNbvXp. hnhm-l-tam-N-\w. asäm-cp-hsâ IqsS sskzc-hn-lmcw \S-¯m³ kzmX{´yw \ÂIn hnSp-¶-Xn\p Xpey-am-W-Xv. Xsâ kzImcy \ymb-§-sf-sbÃmw ]cn-KWn-¡m³ hIp-¸n-Ãm¯ \nb-a-¯nsâ hymJym-\-§-fn Xsâ kÂt]cn\p If¦w hcp-Ibpw sN¿pw. Ahsf Imap-Isâ IqsS kt´m-j-I-c-ambn Pohn¡m³ hn«p-IqSm F¶p am{X-a-Ã, `À¯m-hnsâ a\-k-am-[m-\hpw kÂt]cpw XIÀ¯-Xn\p X¡ in£ Ah-f-\p-`-hn-¡p-Ibpw thWw. Zzµz-bp-²hpw hnhm-tam-N-\-hp-sams¡ Hcp-h-«w-IqSn ]cn-K-Wn-¨-tijw AbmÄ kz´w Xocp-am-\-¯n-se-¯n. kw`-hn-¨-sXms¡ temI-¯nsâ I®n \n¶p ad-¨ph¨v A¶sb IqsS-¯s¶ s]mdp-¸n-¡p-I; Cu cl-ky-_Ôw XIÀ¡m³ X¶m-em-hp-¶-sXms¡ sN¿pI. “C§s\ am{Xta aXm-\p-im-k-\-§Ä¡-\pkr-X-ambn Pohn-¡m³ F\n¡p Ign-bq.” AbmÄ kzbw ]d-ªp. “C§s\ sN¿pI hgn Rm³ sXäp-Im-cn-bmb `mcysb Dt]-£n-¡p-I-b-Ã, AhÄ¡v ]cn-hÀ¯\¯n\v Ah-kcw \ÂIp-I-bmWv sN¿p¶-Xv. F\n¡v _p²n-ap-«msW¦nepw Rm³ Ahsf c£n-¡m³ {ian-¡pw.” IS-¶p-t]m¶ Zpcn-X-h-gn-I-fn-sem-cn-¡epw aX¯n A`bw tXSm³ Xp\n-bmXn-cp¶ AbmÄ Ct¸mÄ Xsâ Xocp-am\¯n\v aX¯nsâ ]n³_ew IqSnbp-Å-Xn IqSp-X kwXr-]vX\mbn.

]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te-¡pÅ

bm{X-bn AbmÄ a\-kn A¶-bv¡pÅ I¯n\v A´n-a-cq]w \ÂIp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. ho«n-se-¯nb DS³ kµÀi-Isc A\p-h-Zn-t¡− F¶p-¯-chp \ÂIn-bn«v Fgp-¯p-ta-i-bpsS ASp-¡-te¡p \S-¶p. A`n-kw-t_m-[-\-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-sX-bmWv I¯p XpS-§n-b-Xv. Hcp-\n-anjw t]mepw CS-th-f-bn-ÃmsX A\p-kyq-X-am-bn-cp¶p Fgp-¯v. “\½Ä” F¶ _lp-h-N-\-ap-]-tbm-Kn-¨v, {^©n-em-bn-cp¶p (djy³`m-j-bn AtX hm¡n\p-Å{X ac-hn¸v {^©n-enÃ) I¯v.

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“\½psS ap³kw-`m-j-W-¯n AXn\p Imc-W-amb hnjbw kw_-Ôn¨ Fsâ Xocp-am\w Adn-bn-¡m-sa¶v hm-KvZm\w sNbvXn-cp-¶-tÃm. AXp \nd-thäm-\mWv FÃm-¡m-cy-§fpw hni-Z-ambn ]cn-tim-[n¨ tijw Ct¸mÄ Fgp-Xp¶-Xv. Xmsg-¸-d-bpw-{]-Im-c-amWv Fsâ Xocp-am-\w: \nsâ Ign-ª-Imew F§s\ Xs¶ Bbn-cp-s¶-¦nepw D¶-X-amb Hcp iàn-bm _Ôn-¡-s¸-«ncn-¡p¶ \½psS _Ôw thÀs]-Sp-¯p-¶Xv \ymbo-I-cn-¡-¯-¡-XmsW¶p Rm³ Icp-Xp-¶n-Ã. Hcp \nan-js¯ tXm¶-en-\v, AYhm ]¦m-fn-I-fn HcmfpsS ]m]-¯nsâ t]cn XIÀ¡m-hp-¶-Xà IpSpw_w; \½psS _Ôw C{Xbpw Imew t]mb-Xp-t]mse XpS-cp-I-Xs¶ thWw. Fs¶ kw-_Ôn¨pw, \ns¶ kw_-Ôn¨pw \½psS aIs\ kw_-Ôn¨pw AXv AXym-h-iy-amWv. Cu I¯n-\n-S-bm-¡nb kw`-h-§Ä kw_-Ôn¨v \n\¡p ]Ým-¯m-]-aps−¶pw \½Ä X½n-epÅ Cu AI¨ CÃm-Xm-¡m\pw Ign-ª-Imew ad¡m\pw \o ]qÀW-ambn kl-I-cn-¡p-sa¶pw Rm³ hniz-kn-¡p-¶p. adn-¨msW¦n \ns¶bpw aIs\bpw Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶Xv F´m-sW¶v \n\¡v Duln-¡m-hp-¶-tX-bpÅq. C¡m-cy-§-sfÃmw t\cn ImWp-t¼mÄ kwkm-cn¡-W-sa¶v Rm³ B{K-ln-¡p-¶p. kok¬ Ah-km-\n-¡m-dm-b-tÃm. Ign-bp¶Xpw thKw, sNmÆm-gvNbv¡p ap³]v F´m-bm-epw, ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te¡p XncnsI hc-W-sa¶v Rm³ At]-£n-¡p-¶p. ChnsS \n\-¡pÅ FÃm kuI-cy-§-fp-sam-cp-¡n-bn-«p-−v. Cu At]£ \nd-th-äp-¶-Xn\p Rm³ {]tXyI {]m[m\yw IÂ]n-¡p¶p F¶-Xp-IqSn Adnbn-¡-s«.

thZ-\-IÄs¡Ãmw aXn-bmb {]Xn-^-e-ambn X§Ä¡p ap¶n hgn-Xp-d-¶pIn-S-¡p-¶Xv AhÄ I−p. C\n IÅ-¯-c-¯nsâbpw h©-\-bp-sSbpw {]iv\-ta-bn-Ã. A¶p sshIn«v AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb Is−-¦nepw `À¯mhp-am-bp-−mb Cu kwkm-c-¯nsâ Imcyw ]d-ªn-Ã. ]ntä¶p ]peÀs¨ DWÀ¶-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS a\-kn BZyta h¶Xv `À¯mhn-t\mSp ]dª hm¡p-I-fm-Wv. At±-l-t¯mSv F§s\ A¯-c-¯n kwkm-cn-¡m³ X\n¡p Ign-ªp-sh¶v F{X Btem-Nn-¨n«pw AhÄ¡v ]nSnIn-«n-bn-Ã. ]cn-l-cn-¡-s¸-«p-sh¶v Xte cm{Xn tXm¶nb Imcy-§-sfÃmw Cc«n Kuc-h-t¯msS Xncn-¨p-h¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv A¡m-cy§Ä ]d-bm-ª-sX´psIm-−m-sW¶v AhÄ Nn´n-¨p. C\n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v Xt¶mSv F§-s\-bmWv s]cp-am-dpI F¶p Nn´n¨v AhÄ `b-¶p. ho«n \n¶v B«n-bn-d-¡-s¸-Sp-¶-Xn-sâbpw kaq-l-a-[y-¯n A]-am-\n-¡-s¸-Sp-¶-Xn-sâbpw Nn{X-§Ä Ah-fpsS a\-kn sXfn-ªp. hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¡p-dn¨p Nn´n-¨-t¸mÄ AbmÄ Xs¶ kvt\ln-¡p-¶nsöv, Xs¶ AbmÄ¡p aSp-¯p-Xp-S-§n-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh-¶v, Abm-fpsS ap³]n kzbw kaÀ¸n-¡m³ X\n¡p Ign-bn-söv AhÄ¡p tXm¶n; Abm-tfmSv AhÄ¡p tZjyw tXm¶n. `À¯m-hn-t\mSv Xm³ ]dª hm¡pIÄ kÀh-tcm-Sp-ambn ]d-ª-h-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. ho«n-epÅ-h-cpsS apJ¯p t\m¡m³ AhÄ `b-s¸-«p. s_ävkn-bpsS I¯p-ambn h¶ the-¡mcn Im¸n Xbm-dm-sW¶pw skcn-tbmjbpw Bbbpw Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶pw Adnbn-¨p. aIs\¡pdn-¨pÅ HmÀa-IÄ Ahsf \nk-lm-b-X-bn \n¶v DWÀ¯n. kz´w Ip«n¡p th−n Pohn-¡p¶ A½-bpsS Ipsd-sbms¡ kXy-kÔhpw F¶m Gsd DuXn-hoÀ¸n-¡-s¸-«-Xp-amb Nn{Xw Ah-fpsS a\-kn `À¯mhpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-a-ÃmsX X\n¡v Hcp XpW-IqSn Ds−¶ ss[cyw \ÂIn. Fs´Ãmw t\cn-tS−nh¶mepw aIs\ \jvS-s¸-Sp-¯m³ h¿. `À¯mhv B«n-¸p-d-¯m-¡n-tb¡mw; hvtdm¬kvIn kvt\l-saÃmw shSnªv kz´w hgn Xnc-sª-Sp-t¯¡mw (ho−pw Abm-sf-¸än Imep-jyhpw Ibv]pw \ndª Nn´-IÄ Ah-fpsS a\-kn tX«n-h-¶p); F¶mepw icn aIs\ Dt]-£n-¡m³ h¿. A¶ Xmtg¡p sN¶p. Im¸n Xbm-dm-Wv. ]q¡ÄsIm−v Ft´m D−m-¡p-IbmWv skcntbmj. A½sb I−tX Ah³ HmSn-s¨-¶p. Ah-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n-b-t¸mÄ Ipcp-¯-t¡-tSmÀ¯v Ah\p Ipä-t_m-[w. “skcn-tbm-jm, \o sNbvXXp icn-bm-bnÃ. C\n \o A§s\ sN¿nÃ-tÃm Atà tamt\? \n\-s¡s¶ CjvS-atÃ?”

F.-I-tc-\n³ ]n.-F-kv: \n\¡mh-iy-am-tb-¡m-hp¶ ]Ww CtXm-sSm¸w h¨n-«p-−v. Hcn-¡ÂIqSn hmbn¨v Xr]vXn-s¸« tijw AbmÄ aWn-b-Sn¨v Bsf hcp¯n. I¯v A¶-bpsS th\¡m-e-h-k-Xn-bn F¯n-¡m³ GÀ¸mSv sNbvXn«v HutZym-Kn-I-amb Nne ]cym-tem-N-\-bn apgp-In. CuPn-]vjy³ lotdm-¥n-^nIvkv kw_-Ôn¨ Hcp ]pkvXIw AÂ]w hmbn-¨n«v ]Xn-s\m¶p aWn-tbmsS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Dd-§m³ InS-¶p.

Ae-Ivkn-tbmSv

FÃmw Xpd-¶p-]-dªv X§-fpsS Imcy-¯n\p XoÀ¸m-¡pI F¶Xv \S-¡p¶ Imcy-a-söv hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv ]d-sª-¦nepw AXÃmsX apt¶m«p t]mIm³ hgn-bn-söv A¶bv¡p a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶p. IpXn-c-¸-´bw Ignªv Xncn-¨p-t]m-Ip-t¼mÄ Hcp \nan-j¯nse Bth-i¯n AhÄ FÃmw hnfn¨p ]d-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp. AXn\p th−n-h¶

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I®p-IÄ \nd-bp-¶Xv A¶ Adn-ªp. Ahs\ kvt\ln-¡m-Xn-cn-¡m³ F\n¡p Ign-bptam? A¸-t\mSp tNÀ¶v Fs¶ in£n-¡m³ Ah\p Ignbptam? apJ-¯p-IqsS I®p-\oÀ [mc-[m-c-bmbn HgpIn; AXp ad-bv¡m³ A¶ Fgp-t¶äv sSd-kn-te¡v HmSn-t¸m-bn. Ignª Znh-k§fnse s]cp-a-g-IÄ A´-co-£s¯ BsI XWp-¸n-¨n-cp-¶p. XWp-¸p-sIm−pw DÄ`o-Xn-sIm−pw A¶ BsI hnd-¨p. Xsâ IqsS sSd-knte¡p Ib-dn-h¶ skcn-tbm-jsb amcn-b-änsâ ASp-¡-te¡v AhÄ ]dª-b-¨p. Bcpw X\n¡p am¸p Xcn-söv AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. Ah-fpsS Bßm-hn FÃm-¯n\p Cc-«-ap-J-§-fm-Wv. “]mSn-Ã, Rm³ Nn´n-¨n-cn-¡-cpXv. s]s«-s¶mcp-§-Ww. ]t£ Ft§m«v t]mIm-\mWv? Ft¸mÄ? Bsc-bmWv IqsS sIm−p-t]m-IpI? icn, sshIp¶-tcs¯ s{Sbn-\n tamkvtImbnte¡p t]mImw. skcntbm-jbpw A\p-jvIbpw IqsS-t¸m-c-s«. Gähpw AXym-h-iyapÅ km[-\-§Ä am{X-sa-Sp-¯m aXn. hc-s«, AXn-s\ms¡ ap³]v c−p t]À¡pw Fgp-X-Ww.” A¶ AXn-th-K-¯n Xsâ apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn, tai-bv¡-cn-In-en-cp¶v `À¯m-hn\v FgpXn: “C{X-sbms¡ Ignª ØnXn¡v C\nsb\n¡p \n§-fpsS ho«n Ign-bm\m-hn-Ã. Rm³ t]mIp¶p; tams\bpw sIm−p-t]m-Ip-I-bm-Wv. F\n¡p \nba-sam-¶p-a-dn-bnÃ; AXp-sIm−v amXm-]n-Xm-¡-fn BcpsS IqsS-bmWv Ah³ Xma-kn-t¡-−-sX¶pw Adn-bn-Ã. F\n-¡-h-s\-¡q-SmsX Pohn-¡m-\m-hn-Ã, AXp-sIm-−mWv Rm\hs\ sIm−p-t]m-Ip-¶-Xv. DZm-cX Im«p-I, Ahs\ F\n¡p hn«p-X-t¶-¡p-I.” CXp-hsc hfsc thK-¯n Fgp-Xn. DZm-c-Xbv¡p th−n-bpÅ At]£bpw (A-bm-fn DZm-cX Fs¶mcp KpWw DÅ-Xmbn AhÄ¡p tXm¶nbn-Ã) lrZ-b-{Z-ho-I-c-W-£-a-amb coXn-bn I¯v Ah-km-\n-¸n-t¡-−-Xnsâ Bh-iy-I-Xbpw Ahsf ]nSn-¨p-\nÀ¯n. “Fsâ sXäns\-¡p-dn¨pw ]Ým¯m]-s¯-¡p-dn-¨p-sam¶pw F\n¡p ]d-bm-\m-hn-Ã, Imc-Ww... ” Nn´IÄ¡p XpSÀ¨ In«msX AhÄ ]I-¨p. ]ns¶ I¯p No´n-¡-f-ªv, DZm-cX-sb-¡p-dn-¨pÅ ]cm-aÀi-sam-gn-hm¡n ho−p-sa-gpXn Ih-dn-en«v H«n-¨p. C\n hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw Fgp-X-Ww. “Rms\sâ `À¯m-hn-t\mSp ]dªp” XpSÀ¶v Fgp-Xm-\m-hmsX AhÄ Iptd t\c-an-cp-¶p. C\n Rms\-´m-sWgpXpI? \mWt¡Snsâ ]c-h-iX Ah-fpsS apJw Nph-¸n-¨p. “th−, H¶pw th−” F¶p ]pe-¼n-s¡m−v Fgp-Xnb IS-emkv sNdp-I-j-W-§-fm¡n \pdp-¡n, Fgp-t¶äv FÃmw AS-¨p-h¨v apI-fn-te¡p t]mbn. Xm³ tamkvtIm-

bn-te¡p t]mIp-I-bm-sW¶v ]cn-Nm-c-I-scbpw Bb-sbbpw Adn-bn-¨p. F¶n«v km[-\-§-sfms¡ ASp-¡n-s¸-dp-¡m³ XpS-§n.

th\¡m-e-h-k-Xn-bnÂ

t]mÀ«Àamcpw tXm«-¡mcpw ]cn-Nm-c-Icpw Xnc¡n«p \S-¡p-¶p. Ae-am-c-IÄ Xpd-¶p-In-S-¡p¶p; ]{X-¡-j-W-§Ä \ne¯p NnX-dn-¡n-S-¶p. c−p-XhW ]pd-¯p-t]mbn IbÀ hm§n-s¡m-−p-h-¶p. s]«nIfpw _mKp-Ifpw s]mXn-s¡-«p-Ifpw \nc-¶n-cn-¡p¶p. ]pd¯p aq¶p h−nIÄ Im¯p-In-S-¶p. At¸m-gmWv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ I¯p h¶-Xv. Im¯p\n¶p adp-]-Sn hm§n-s¡m−p sNÃ-Wsa¶v sImdn-bÀIm-c\p \nÀtZ-i-ap-−v. AbmÄ t]mb-bp-S³ AhÄ I¯p Xpd¶p hmbn-¨p. A§p-an§pw HmSns¨m¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ c−p XhW BhÀ¯n¨p hmbn-¨p. A{]-Xo-£n-Xamb Hcp Zpc´w Xsâ ta ]Xn-¨-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. `À¯m-hn-t\mSp ]dª hm¡p-I-tfmÀ¯v A¶p cmhnse AhÄ ]cn-X-]n-¨ncp¶p; Ah ]d-ªn-cp-¶n-sæn F¶v Bin-¨p-t]m-bn. Ct¸m-gnXm Ah ]dbs¸«nt«-bn-sö a«n DZm-c-amb I¯v, AhÄ CÑn-¨-Xp-t]mse kw`-hn-¨ncn-¡p-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ AXv AhÄ¡v Gähpw `oXn-Z-am-bn-t¯m-¶n. “AbmÄ ]d-bp-¶Xp icn-bm-Wv. Abm-sf-t¸mgpw icn-bm-Wv. kXy-{InkvXym\n, DZm-c-a-\-kvI³! \oN³! ZpjvS³! F\n¡p am{Xta AXp a\-kn-emIq. henb hnizm-knbpw BZÀi-hm-Znbpw kXy-k-Ô\pw _p²n-am-\p-amsW¶v AhÀ ]d-bp¶p; F«p-hÀjw Fsâ PohnXw sRcn-¨-aÀ¯pIbm-bncp-s¶¶v AhÀ And-bp-t¶-bn-Ã. Poh-\p-Å, kvt\l-¯n\p sImXn-¡p¶ Hcp a\p-jy-Po-hn-bmWv Rms\¶v Hcn-¡Ât]mepw AbmÄ IW-¡m-¡n-bn-«nÃ. Pohn-X-¯n-\ÀYw \ÂIp¶ Fs´-¦n-ep-sam-¶n-\p-th−n Rm³ F{X {ian-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v Bcpw Adn-bp-¶n-Ã. Abmsf kvt\ln-¡m³ Rm³ F{X-am{Xw {ian-¨n-«p-−v. Abm-fpsS aIs\ -Rm-s\-{X-am{Xw kvt\ln-¡p-¶p−v. A§s\ kzbw h©n¨p apt¶m«p t]mIm³ h¿m¯ L«w h¶p, kvt\ln-¡p-Ibpw kvt\ln-¡-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sN¿m\mWv ssZh-sas¶ krjvSn¨-Xv…. Ct¸m-g-bm-sf-´mWo ImWn-¡p-¶Xv? Abm-sfs¶ sIm¶n-cp-s¶¦nÂ… AbmÄ kzbw sIm¶n-cp-s¶-¦nÂ… kz´w \oN-Xz¯n\p tNÀ¶ hn[-amWv Ct¸mgpw Abm-fpsS \o¡-§Ä. kzbw Ft¸mgpw icn-bpsS ]£¯m-bn-cn-¡p-I, Fs¶ IqSp-X henb \mi-¯n-te-¡v, Zpc-´-¯n-te-¡v…” I¯nse asämcp hcn Ah-fpsS a\-kn sXfnªp: “\½psS _Ôw C{Xbpw Imew t]mb-Xp-t]mse XpS-cp-I-Xs¶ thWw. ” “Zpcn-Xhpw ZpJ-§fpw am{Xw \nd-ª-Xm-bn-cp¶p B Pohn-Xw. ASp¯ Ime¯mbn AXp `oI-cambn amdn-bn-cp-¶p. C\n-bnt¸m AXnsâ KXn-sb-´m-Ip-

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sa¶pw AbmÄ¡-dn-bmw. izmtkm-Ñzmkw Ign-¡p-¶-Xn\pw kvt\ln-¡p-¶Xn\pw ]Ým-¯-]n-¡m-\m-hn-söpw AbmÄ¡-dn-bmw. AbmÄs¡s¶ ]oUn¸n-¡-W-sa-t¶-bp-Åq. shÅ-¯n aos\¶t]m-se-bmWv h©-\-bpsS temI¯v AbmÄ. Abm-fpsS IÅ-§-fpsS Nne-´n-he Rm³ t`Zn-¡pw. ” “]t£ F§s\! Fsâ ssZh-ta! AhÄ \nk-lm-b-bm-bn. ” Fgp-¯p-ta-i-bn ssIIÄ ]nW¨ph¨v AXn Xe tNÀ¯ph¨v AhÄ sIm¨p-Ip-«n-I-sf-t¸mse s]m«n-s¸m-«n-I-c-ªp. F{X s]mcp-Xn-bmepw Xm³ Aià Xs¶-bm-Wv. kvt\l-¯nsâ kzmX{´yw Hcn-¡epw Adnbm³ t]mIp-¶n-Ã. `À¯m-hns\ h©n¨v Imap-Is\ kvt\ln-¡p¶, Ft¸mÄ thW-sa-¦nepw ]nSn-¡-s¸-Sm-hp¶ No¯ kv{Xobmbn am{Xta X\n-¡n\n Pohn-X-ap-Åq. Ip«n-IÄ ASn-In-«p-t¼mÄ Ic-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse AhÄ Ic-ªp. “adp-]-Sn-bp-t−m-sb¶v sImdn-bÀIm-c³ At\z-jn-¡p-¶p. ” ]cn-Nm-c-I³ h¶dn-bn-¨p. “adp-]Sn? Dw... Im¯p-\n¡m³ ]d-bq. Rm³ Adn-bn-¡mw. ” Fs´-gp-X-W-sa¶v Iptd-t\cw Btem-Nn¨n«pw Hsc¯pw ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã. hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv Btem-Nn-¡-Ww. s_ävknbpsS ho«n D−m-hpw. A¶ Hcp IS-em-sk-Sp¯v “Xm¦-fpsS I¯p In«n” F¶p am{X-sa-gpXn Ih-dn-en«v sImdn-bÀ hiw sImSp-¯-b-¨p. “\½-fn-t¸mÄ t]mIp-¶n-Ã. ” A¶ A\p-jvI-tbmSp ]d-ªp. “t]mIp-t¶-bnÃ? ” “CÃ. sI«pIsfm¶p-a-gn-t¡-−. h−n-IÄ \msf hsc Im¯p-\n¡s«. Rm\n-t¸mÄ s_ävkn sSzÀkvI-b-bpsS ASp-¡-te¡p t]mIp-¶p. ”

“F\n¡v \n§sf AXym-h-iy-am-bn ImW-Ww. {hoUv KmÀU-\n-te¡p hcp-I. Rm\-hnsS Bdp aWn¡v F¯pw. ” I¯p Ih-dn CSp-t¼m-tg¡v s_ävkn F¯n. A¶ AXv H«n¨v sImSp-¯-b¨p. Ccp-hcpw Hcn-S-¯n-cp¶v kwkmcw XpS-§n. ]Xps¡ AXv enk saÀ¡-te-hbn-se-¯n. Ahcpw IepjvkvIn {]`p-hp-am-bpÅ _Ô-s¯-¸än A¶ tNmZn¨p. s_ävkn ap³s]m-cn-¡epw I−n-«n-Ãm-¯-hn[w s]m«n-s¸m-«n-¨n-cn-¨p. “Htc Imcyw Xs¶ Zpc-´-`m-h-t¯m-sSbpw \Àa-`m-h-t¯m-sSbpw t\m¡n-¡mWmw. \n\¡v Zpc-´-`m-h-t¯m-SmWv B`n-apJyw IqSp-X-se¶p tXm¶p-¶p. ” “aäp-Å-h-scbpw Fs¶-t¸mse Xs¶ Bg-¯n Adnb-W-sa¶v F\n¡v henb B{K-l-am-Wv. Rm³ Ah-sc-¡mÄ \Ã-h-fmtWm? AtXm No¯tbm? No¯-bm-sW¶p tXm¶p-¶p, AtÃ? ”

A¶

s_ävkn-bpsS ASp-¡-se-¯p-t¼mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ]cn-Nm-c-I³ F¯n-bn-«p-−v. Xm³ hcp¶nsÃ-¶-dn-bn-¡p¶ I¯p sImSp-¯p-hn-«-Xm-Wv. “A[n-I-k-abw X§m³ Ign-bn-Ã, AXym-h-iy-ambn aZmw {hoUns\ ImWWw” F¶p ]dªv A¶ t\ct¯ t]mIm³ If-sam-cp-¡n. Fhn-sSsb¦nepw h¨v hvtdm¬kvInsb ImWWw. A¶-bpsS am\-kn-Im-hØ a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-s«-t¶mWw s_ävkn hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp Ipdn-s¸-gp-Xn. AsXmcp Ih-dn-en«v A¶sb GÂ]n-¨p. “\obXv H«n¨v sImSp-¯-b-bv¡q. Rm³ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv `£-W-¯n\p hcm³ Fgp-Xn-bn-«p-−v. Fsâ IqsS `£-W-¯n\v Hcp h\n-X-bp-−v, Ahsc kzoI-cn-¡p-hm³ Hcp ]pcp-j-\nà F¶v. Fsâ hm¡p-IÄ F§-s\-bp−v? AbmÄ hcm-Xn-cn-¡ptam? \obn-sXm-¶-b-t¨-¡v, Rm\nt¸m hcmw. ” Hcp \nanjw t]mepw If-bmsX A¶ Ahn-Sn-cp¶p. s_ävkv Fgp-Xn-bsXm¶pw hmbn-¡m³ kabw If-bmsX ASn-bn C§s\ Ipdn¨p:

AhÀ

kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ kmt^m tjmÄSvkv hmkvI-tbmsSm¸w Ib-dn-h-¶p. Idp¯ angn-I-fpÅ kzÀW-¯-e-ap-Sn-¡m-cn-bm-bn-cp¶p kmt^m. XpSp-¯p-ap-gp¯ amdn-S-¯n\v þ AXn-te-sdbpw ImWm-hp-¶-Xpt]mse hkv{X-¯nsâ ap³`mKw Xpd-¶n-cp-¶p þ H¯-h-ep-¸-¯n Ah-fpsS Xebv¡p apI-fn asämcp Xe t]mse kzÀW-ap-Sn þ kz´w apSnbpw sh¸pap-Snbpw tNÀ¯v þ sI«nh¨ncp-¶p. s_ävkn Ahsc X½n ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp¯n. IeqjvkvIn {]`p, enk saÀ¡-tem-h, kvs{Stamhv XpS-§n-b-hcpw F¯n. enkbv¡v A¶sb hÃm¯ CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. kvs{Stamhpw Ahsf Gsd-¸p-Igv¯n; enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ Ah-sf-¡p-dn¨v Ft¸mgpw ]d-bm-dps−¶pw ]d-ªp. Iptd t\cs¯ sIm¨p-hÀ¯am\-¯n\p tijw A¶ t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n-bt¸mÄ FÃm-hcpw tNÀ¶p \ncpÂkm-l-s¸-Sp-¯n. C{X at\m-l-c-amb Hcp Iq«m-bva-bn \n¶v hr²-bmb aZmw {hoUnsâ AcnInte¡p t]mIp-¶Xv Fs´mcp hnUvVn-¯-amWv Fs¶m-s¡. kvs{Stam-hnsâ apJ-kvXp-Xn-Ifpw enk saÀ¡-tem-h-bpsS inip-Xpeyw \njvI-f-¦-amb kvt\l-hp-sams¡ HmÀ¯-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p t]mIm³ tXm¶n-bn-Ã. ]t£ Hcp Xocp-am-\-¯n-set¯-−-Xnsâ Bh-iy-I-Xbpw X\n¡v Häbv¡v AXp km[y-a-sö HmÀabpw Xebn ssII-f-aÀ¯n Ccp-¶p-t]m-bt¸m-gs¯ \nk-lm-b-Xbpw Hs¡ HmÀ¯-t¸mÄ AhÄ bm{X-]-dªv Cd-§n-t¸m-bn.

s]mXpsh

Xmfw-X-Ãn-bpÅ Pohn-X-{]-Ir-X-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw hvtdm¬kvIn¡p Nne Nn«-I-sfms¡ D−m-bn-cp-¶p. Imcy-§Ä ssIhn-«pt]m-Im-Xn-cn-¡m³ B−n A©p-h«w kuI-cyw t]mse AbmÄ apdn-b-S-¨ncp¶v IW-¡p-IÄ H¸n-¡pw. IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯nsâ ]ntä¶v AbmÄ Ipfnbpw

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£uc-hp-sam¶pw ths−¶p h¨v A¯-c-samcp bPvRw XpS-§n. A¯cw thf-I-fn Abm-sfmcp NqS-\m-sW¶dn-bm-hp¶ s]{SnävkvIn B `mKt¯bv¡p IS-¡msX kz´w Imcyw t\m¡n-t¸m-bn. BZy-ambn Xsâ km¼-¯nI \ne-bmWv hvtdm¬kvIn IW-¡p-Iq«n t\m¡nb-Xv. ]Xn-t\-gm-bn-chpw NnÃ-dbpw ISw; ssIbn-ep-ÅXv Bbn-c¯n F®qdp dq_nÄ. ]pXp-hÀj-¯n\p ap³]v C\n-sbm¶pw In«m\pan-Ã. ASn-b-´-c-ambn sImSp-¯p-ho-t«-−Xv \mem-bn-cw; A{X Ipg¸w ]nSn-¨-h-b-sænepw {][m-\s¸«h ]ns¶-sbmcp F®m-bn-cw, AXn c−m-bncw Ct¸mÄ sImSp-t¡-−Xp−v; m¡n-bp-Åh kmc-ap-Å-h-bÃ. A§s\ Ct¸m-gs¯ Imcy-§Ä \S¡m³ Xs¶ Bdm-bncw dq_nÄ thWw, ssIbn-emsI Bbn-c-¯n-sb-®qtd DÅq. e£w cq] hcp-am-\-ap-Å-h\v þ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v A{X hcp-am-\-ap-s−-¶mWv aäp-Å-hÀ a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv þ CXv A{X henb Imcy-sam-¶p-a-Ã; ]t£ AbmÄ¡v A{X-sbm¶pw D−m-bn-cp-¶nà F¶-XmWv hmkvX-hw. Abm-fpsS ]nXr-kz¯v Xs¶ c−p e£w dq_nÄ hcp-am\w \ÂIp-¶-XmWv. ]t£ AXv c−p ktlm-Z-c-·mcpw X½n hoXn-s¨-Sp-¯n-cp-¶n-Ã. AeIvkn hvtdm¬kvIn IpSpw-_-kz-s¯m-¶p-an-Ãm¯ Hcp kv{Xosb hnhmlw Ign¨v IS-§-fpsS \Sp-hn Ign-bp-¶ tPyjvT-\v AXp apgp-h³ Xs¶ hn«p-sIm-Sp-¯n-cp-¶p; AXnÂ\n¶v Ccp-]-¯-¿m-bncw cq] am{Xta AbmÄ kz´w Bh-iy-§Ä¡mbn FSp-¯p-Åq. hnhmlw Ign-¡pw-hsc X\n¡v Pohn-¡m³ AXp aXn-sb¶v AbmÄ tPyjvT-t\mSp ]d-ªp; hnhmlw Xsâ Pohn-¯n kw`-hn-¡m-\n-S-bn-söpw. A½ FÃm hÀjhpw AbmÄ¡v Ccp-]-Xn-\m-bncw dq_nÄ sImSp-¡p-am-bn-cp¶p. C¯-hW AXpw sNe-h-gn-¨p-I-gn-ªp. Ct¸m-gs¯ {]W-b-¡p-cp¡pw tamkvtIm hn«p-t]m-bXpw Xosc CjvS-s¸-Sm-¯-Xn-\m A½-bpsS hoXw A½ \nÀ¯n¡f-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp. A§s\ \mÂ]¯¿m-bn-c-¯n\p Pohn¨n-cp-¶-bmÄ¡v Ct¸mÄ AXnsâ t\À]-Ip-Xn-tbm-fta sNehp Ign-bm³ In«p-¶p-Åq. AXv Abmsf {]Xn-k-Ôn-bn-em-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. A½bpsSbSp¯p tNmZn-¡m-\m-hn-Ã, tNmZn-¨n«p Imcy-hp-an-Ã. thW-sa-¦n tPyjvT\p sImSp¯ hm¡p amdmw. ]t£ tPyjvT¯n CS-bv¡nsS ImWpt¼mÄ ]d-bm-dpÅ kvXpXn-Ifpw Ah-cpsS apJs¯ kt´m-j-hp-tamÀ¯t¸mÄ AXn\p Ign-ªn-Ã. ]cn-lmcw Ht¶-bp-Åp-sh¶v AbmÄ \Ã-h®w Xocp-am-\n¨v Dd-¸n-¨p. Ipd¨p ]Ww þ ]Xn-\m-bncw dq_nÄ þ ISw hm§p-I, sNe-hp-IÄ Xosc Npcp-¡p-I, ]´-b-¡p-Xn-c-Isf hn¡p-I. Ip-Xn-cIsf hm§n-s¡m-Åm-sa¶p ap³]p ]e-h«w hm¡p-]-d-ªn-cp¶ tdmfm³Um¡n\v Ipdn¸v sImSp-¯-b-¨n«v hvtdm¬kvIn A½bv¡v ISp¯ hm¡p-I-

fn¯s¶ Hcp adp-]Sn Fgp-Xn. t\m«v_p-¡n \n¶v A¶-bpsS aq¶p Ipdn¸p-I-sf-Sp¯v Hcp-h-«w-IqSn hmbn-¨n«v I¯n-¨p-I-f-ªp. Ignª Znh-ks¯ X§-fpsS kw`m-jWw HmÀan¨v AbmÄ [ym\-¯n apgp-In.

hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Pohn-X-s¯ s]mXpsh kt´m-j-{]-Z-am-¡n¯oÀ¯ncp¶Xv Abm-fpsS Nne hnizm-k-{]-am-W-§fpw XXz-§-fp-am-Wv. hn«p-ho-gvN-bn-Ãm¯ t_m[y-t¯m-sS-bmWv Fs´ms¡ sN¿Ww, Fs´ms¡ sN¿cpXv F¶v AbmÄ hniz-kn-¨n-cp-¶-Xv: IÅ-¨o-«p-I-fn-¡m-c\v hogvN hcp-¯msX Imiv sImSp-¡-Ww, X¿Â¡m-c\v sImSp-¡-W-sa-¶nÃ; Hcp ]pcp-j-t\mSv Hcn-¡epw \pW ]d-b-cp-Xv, kv{XotbmSv thW-sa-¦n ]dbmw; Hcn-¡epw Bscbpw NXn-¡-cp-Xv, thW-sa-¦n `À¯mhns\bmhmw; Xmt\ä A]-am\w £an-¡-cp-Xv, aäp-Å-hsc apdn-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶Xn\p Ipg-¸-an-Ã… A§-s\-b-§-s\. ASp-¯n-sS-bmWv Xsâ {]am-W-§Ä FÃm ASn-b-´-cm-h-Ø-I-sfbpw t\cn-Sm³ X¡-hn[w hnI-kn-X-aà F¶v hvtdm¬kvIn¡p tXm¶p-¶-Xv. A¶-tbmSpw Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hn-t\m-Sp-apÅ _Ôw kw_-Ôn¨ \ne-]m-SpIÄ hfsc kv]jvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. A¶ Gähpw _lp-am-\y-bmb h\n-X-bmWv; Ah-f-bmsf kvt\ln-¡p-¶p, Abm-f-h-sfbpw AXp-sIm-−p-Xs¶ Gähpw anI¨ `mcy-sb-¡mÄ kvt\l¯n\pw _lp-am-\-¯n\pw AÀl-bmWv AhÄ. kaq-l-t¯m-SpÅ \ne-]mSpw hyàw: FÃm-hÀ¡pw FÃm-a-dn-bm-sa-¦nepw Bcpw H¶pw kwkm-cn-¡m³ ]mSn-Ã. AYhm Bsc-¦nepw AXn\p Xp\nªm Xsâ {]nb-s¸-«-h-fpsS CÃm¯ am\w c£n-¡m³ F´p Xs¶ sN¿m\pw AbmÄ¡p aSn-bn-Ã. Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hn-t\m-SpÅ at\m-`m-h-am-bn-cp¶p Gähpw kv]jvSw: A¶ Xs¶ kvt\ln-¨p-Xp-S-§n-b-Xp-ap-X AhÄ Xsâ kz¯m-Wv. `À¯mhv shdpsX aSp-¸n-¡p¶ Hcp D]-cn-¹-h-Pohn am{Xw. Abm-fpsS Imcyw IjvS-amsW¶Xp icn, ]t£ AXn-\nt¸m F´p sN¿m³ ]äpw? `À¯m-sh¶ \nebn AbmÄ¡v Ah-Im-i-ap-ÅXv Hcp ssIbn Bbp-[-ta´n t]mcn-\n-d§pI F¶-Xm-Wv. AXp t\cn-Sm³ hvtdm¬kvIn Ft¶ Xbm-dp-am-Wv. Nne B´-cnI hym]m-c-§-fmWv Xsâ {]am-W-§Ä¡p hym]vXn t]mcm F¶ tXm¶-ep-f-hm-¡n-b-Xv. Ah-fpsS hb-än Xsâ Ipªp hf-cp¶ Imcyw ]d-ª-t¸mtg `À¯m-hns\ hn«p t]mcm-\mWv A¶-tbmSp ]d-ª-Xv. AXv Hgn-hm-¡p-I-bmWv \Ã-sX¶v IqSp-X Nn´n-¨-t¸m-gmWv tXm¶n-b-Xv. “`À¯m-hns\ hn«p t]mcpI F¶p h¨m Fsâ IqsS Iq«pI F¶p-X-s¶bmWv AÀYw. ssIbn ]¯p-ss]-k-bn-ÃmsX F§-s\-bmWv Ahsf

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IqsS Iq«pI? ]Ww D−m-¡m-sa¶p h¨m Xs¶ kÀho-kn \n¶psIm−v F§-s\-bmWv Ah-fp-ambn tNcpI? F§-s\bpw AXn\p Rm³ Xbm-dm-I-W-sa¶p ]d-ªm AXn-\ÀYw ]W-hp-ap-−m¡n ]«m-f-¯n \n¶p ]ncn-b-W-sa-¶mWv. ” ]«m-f-¯n \n¶p ]ncn-bp¶ Nn´ h¶-t¸m-gmWv Abm-fpsS DÅnse aämÀ¡pw Adnbm¯ cl-ky-tamlw ]pd-¯p-h-¶-Xv. sNdp¸w apXte alm D¡Àtj-Ñp-hm-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ. Hmtcm NphSpw kq£n-¨m-bn-cp-¶p. c−p hÀjw ap³]mWv Hcp A_²w kw`-hn-¨-Xv þ hmKvZm\w sN¿s¸« Hcp D¶XØm\w \nc-kn-¨-Xv. Xsâ hnebpw _lp-a-Xnbpw IqSp-sat¶ Icp-Xnbq-Åq; ]t£ ]n³t] h¶-hÀ ap³]n IS-¶p-t]m-bn. Gsd-¡m-e-ambn AXp ad-¶p-In-S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. kvIqÄ apX Hcp-an¨p ]Tn¨v ]«m-f¯nepw Hcp-an¨p tNÀ¶ skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtImbv Ignª Znh-k-amWv Gjybn \n¶p aS§nh¶-Xv. A{Xbpw sNdp-¸-¯n BÀ¡pw In«n-bn-«n-Ãm¯ P\-d ]Z-hn-bp-am-bn. “F\n-¡-bm-tfmSv Akq-b-sbm-¶p-anÃ; Ah-\-hsâ ka-b-¯n-\mbn Im¯ncn¡W-sa-¶mWv Ahsâ Imcyw kqNn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xv. Fs¶-t¸m-se-sbm-cmÄ¡v hfÀ¨ hfsc s]s«-¶m-bn-cn-¡pw. aq¶p hÀjw ap³]v Ah\pw Fsâ AtX XkvXn-I-bn-em-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸m hnc-an-¨m FÃmw AkvX-an¡pw. ]«m-f-¯n XpS-cp-I-bm-sW¦n F\n-s¡m¶pw \jvS-s¸-Sp-I-bp-an-Ã. Xsâ Ct¸m-gs¯ \ne hn«p ]pd¯p hcm³ B{K-ln-¡p-¶n-sömWtÃm A¶bpw ]d-ª-Xv. Ah-fpsS kvt\lhpw IqSn tNÀ¯p t\m¡n-bm F\n¡v skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtImbvtbmSv Akq-b-s¸-tS− Hcp Imcy-hp-an-Ã. ” FÃmw Btem-Nn-¨p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ A-bmÄ ho−pw kzØX ssIh-cn-¨p. tjhv sNbvXv, Ipfn¨v, hkv{Xw amdn hvtdm¬kvIn ]pd-t¯-¡n-d-§n.

“Fsâ `mcy ]dªv \n§-fpsS hnti-j-§-sfms¡ Rm\-dn-bp-¶p-−v.” skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bv ]d-ªp. “\o Ahsf CS-bv¡nsS ImWp-¶p-s−-¶dn-ª-Xn kt´mjw. ” “AhÀ hmcy-bp-ambn henb ASp-¸-¯n-em-Wv. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn Rm³ ImWm³ {ian-¡m-dpÅ ct−-c-−p- kv{XoIÄ Ah-cm-Wv. ” hvtdm¬kvIn ]p©n-cn-¨p-sIm−p ]d-ªp. “AhÀ am{Xtam? ” skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bv Nncn-¨p-sIm−p tNmZn-¨p. “Dw… \nsâ hnti-j-§Ä Rm\-dn-ªp. `mcy ]dªp am{X-a-Ã,” tNmZy¯nse [z\n Dd¨ Hcp apJ-`m-h¯m XSp-¯p-sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªp. “\nsâ hnP-b-IY tI«v F\n¡v hfsc kt´mjw tXm¶n, ]t£ H«pw AÛpXap−m-bn-Ã. Rm³ CXnepw hep-Xp {]Xo-£n-¨n-cp-¶p. ” DXvIÀtj-Ñ, hnP-bw, kt´mjw XpS-§n-b-h-sb-¸än AhÀ ZoÀL-ambn kwkm-cn-¨p.

tIW-ensâ

ho«n k¡mcw \S-¡p-I-bm-Wv. skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtImbv h¶n-«p-−v. Akq-b-b-Ã, Ah³ t\sc XsâbSp-t¯¡p h¶n-ÃtÃm F¶ ]cn-`hw t]mep-a-Ã, henb kt´m-j-amWv hvtdm¬kvIn¡p tXm¶n-b-Xv. \à kplr¯p¡fmWv AhÀ. henb BtLm-j-am-bn-cp-¶p. IpSnbpw ]m«pw Iq¯pw Hcp-]mSp t\cw \o−p. FÃm-hcpw tNÀ¶v skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-sbbpw tIW-ens\bpw BIm-i-t¯-¡v Fdn-ªp-bÀ¯n. FÃmw Ign-ª-t¸mÄ skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw kwkm-cn¡m-\n-cp-¶p.

“…AXp icn-bm-bn-cn-¡mw. ]t£ Fs¶ kw_-Ôn¨v AXp am{X-aà PohnX-¯n\v AÀYw \ÂIp-¶-Xv. ” “AXm, Ct¸m-gtà AXn§p h¶-Xv... Nncn-¨p-sIm−p ]d-ªp. \o {]tamj³ \nc-kn-¨-X-dn-ª-t¸mÄ apX Rm³... \o sNbvXXv Rm³ AwKo-I-cn¡p-¶p. ]t£ Hmtcm¶pw sN¿p¶Xn\v Hmtcm coXn-bp-−v. \nsâ {]hr¯n \Ã-Xm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw sNt¿− coXn asäm-¶m-bn-cp-¶p. ” “sNbvXXp Xncn-s¨-Sp-¡m-\m-hn-Ã-tÃm. sNbvXp-I-gn-ª-Xn-s\-¸än Rm³ Xncnªp-t\m-¡m-dn-söpw \n\-¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm. AXp-a-Ã, Rm³ hfsc kwXr]vX\pam-Wv. ” Ct¸m-gs¯ kwXr]vXn Xm¡m-en-I-am-Wv; hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw Xs¶bpw t]mep-Å-hsc djy¡v Bh-iy-ap-−v; kzX-{´-ambn Nn´n-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶, kzm[o-\-§Ä¡p hg-§m¯ anI¨ BÄ¡m-cpsS Hcp ]mÀ«n D−m-bnsæn djy¡v At[m-K-Xn-bmWv F¶p XpS§n Hcp-]mSv Imcy-§Ä skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bv ]d-ªp. adp-\ym-b-§Ä Hcp-]mSp ]dª tijw HSp-hn hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªp: “F´m-bmepw AXn\p th− Gähpw {][m-\-s¸« Hcp kwKXn F\n-¡nà -þ A[n-Im-c-t¯m-SpÅ B{K-lw. Hcn-¡Â F\n-¡-Xp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AXp \jvSs¸-«p. ” “tlbv, AXp kXyaÃ. ” “kXyw Xs¶, kXyw… Ct¸mÄ. ” “Ct¸mÄ kXy-am-bn-cn-¡mw. ]t£ ’Ct¸mÄ’ F¶Xv F¶-t¯bv¡pw \ne\n¡p¶-X-Ã.”

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skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bv Fgp-t¶äv hvtdm¬kvIn¡v A`n-ap-J-ambn \n¶p. “\½Ä Htc {]mb-¡m-cm-Wv. Hcp-]t£ Rm\-dn-ªn-«p-Å-Xn-s\-¡mÄ Hcp]mSv kv{XoIsf \o Adn-ªn-«p-−m-hpw. ]t£ Rm³ hnhm-ln-X-\m-Wv. Fs¶ hniz-kn-¡p-I, `mcysb kvt\ln-¡p-¶-h\v, Ahsf ]qÀW-ambn Adnbp-¶-h\v, Bbncw kv{XoIsf Adn-bp-¶-h-s\-¡mÄ \¶mbn FÃmw kv{XoIsfbpw a\-kn-em-¡m³ Ign-bpw. Icn-b-dns\ XS-k-s¸-Sp-¯p¶ {][m\ kwKXn-bmWv kv{XoIÄ. Hcp-hsf t{]an-¡p-Ibpw Kuc-h-X-c-am-b-sXs´¦nepw sN¿pIbpw IqSn Hcp-an¨p \S-¸n-Ã. XS-k-ap-−m-¡m¯ kvt\l-¯n\v Hä hgntb DÅq, hnhm-lw. akt¦mhn-s\bpw Irt]m-hn-s\bpw t\m¡q, kv{XoIÄ¡p th−n Icn-bÀ \in-¸n-¨-h-cm-W-hÀ. ” “\n§Ä CXp-hsc t{]an-¨n-«n-Ã.” A¶sb HmÀan-¨p-sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bvtbmSv ]d-ªp. s_ävkn- sSzÀkvI-b-bpsS ho«n \n¶p sImSp-¯-b-¨-XmWv F¶p ]dªv ]cn-Nm-c-I³ Hcp ktµiw sIm−p-h-¶p. AXp Xp¶phmbn-¨Xpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJw Nph-¶p. “F\n¡p Xe-th\ XpS-§n, Rm³ ho«n t]mIp-¶p.” “icn, KpUv ss_. \n§-sf F-\n¡p ]qÀW-ambn hn«pXcq…” “icn \ap-¡Xv hni-Z-ambn kwkm-cn-¡mw. \ap¡p ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn h¨p ImWmw.”

cmhn-es¯ Nn´-Ifpw Abm-tfmÀ¯p þ H¶nepw _Ô-¡-s¸-Sm-Xn-cn-¡p-¶XmWv \Ã-Xv. ]t£, A¡mcyw Ah-tfmSp ]d-bm-\m-hn-söpw AbmtfmÀ¯p. I¯p hmbn-¨p-I-gnªv AbmÄ I®p-I-fp-bÀ¯n A¶sb t\m¡n. F´p-Xs¶-bm-bmepw a\-kn-ep-Å-sXÃmw AbmÄ Xt¶mSp ]d-bm³ t]mIp-¶nsöv AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. Xsâ Ah-km-\-{]-Xo-£-Ifpw XI-cp-¶-Xpt]mse tXm¶n. “CXn-§s\ XpS-cm³ ]än-Ã. \o Abmsf hn«p-h-cp-sa¶p Xs¶ Rm³ IcpXp-¶p. \½psS PohnXw…” AbmÄ¡v BsI Hcp Nn´m-¡p-g-¸w. “\½psS PohnXw ¹m³ sN¿m\pw AXn-\pÅ Hcp-¡-§Ä \S-¯m\pw \osbs¶ A\p-h-Zn-¡p-I. \msf…” ]d-ªp-Xo-cpw-ap³t] AhÄ Aedn: “Fsâ Ip«n. Abm-sf-gp-Xn-bn-cn-¡p¶Xp \n§Ä hmbn-¨n-tÃ. Ahs\ Rm\p-t]-£n-t¡-−n-h-cpw, F\n-¡-Xn-\mhn-Ã. ” “Cu \mWt¡Sns\-¡mÄ \ÃXv AXtÃ? ” “F´p \mWt¡Sv? F\n-¡n-t¸mÄ H¶p am{Xta th−q. \n§-fpsS kvt\lw. AXp-s−-¦n Rm³ ià-bm-Wv, Hcp \mWt¡Spw F\n¡p \mWt¡SÃ. Fsâ ØnXn-bn F\n¡v A`n-am-\-ta-bp-Åq…” F´n-emWv Xm³ A`n-am\w sImÅp-¶-sX¶v AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn-Ã. A]am-\hpw \ncm-ibpw Ah-fpsS hm¡p-Isf sRcp-¡n-¡-f-ªp. \nÝ-ebmbn \n¶v AhÄ tX§n. Pohn-X-¯n-em-Zy-ambn Xm\pw Ic-¨n-ensâ h¡-¯msW¶v Abm-f-dn-ªp. AhÄ hÃm¯ k¦-S-¯n-em-Wv, B k¦-S-¯n\p ImcW¡mct\m! henb Ft´m sXäp-IÄ sNbvXncn-¡p-¶p-sh¶p tXm¶n hvtdm¬kvIn¡v. “sNmÆmgvN Rm³ ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-ep-−v. A¶v FÃmw Xocp-am-\n-¡-Ww. ” “icn, C\n Cs¶m¶pw kwkm-cn-t¡−.” A¶ h−n hcp¯n, bm{X ]dªp ]ncn-ªp.

Bdp-a-Wn-bm-bn-¡-gn-ªn-cp-¶p. s]s«-s¶-¯-Ww, kz´w IpXn-c-Isf FÃmhÀ¡padn-bm-sa-¶-Xp-sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn bmjvhnsâ hmS-Ih - -−n-bn thKw bm{X Xncn-¨p. A¶ F´p-sIm−v {hoUv KmÀU³ Xnc-sª-Sp¯p F¶v AbmÄ¡v Hsc¯pw ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã. A¶ Im¯p-\n¡p¶p−m-bn-cp-¶p. “A¶p aS§nt¸m-Ip-t¼mÄ Rm³ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-t\mSv FÃmw ]d-ªp. F\n¡v Abm-fpsS `mcy-bmbn XpS-cm³ ]än-söpw, FÃmw Xpd-¶p-]-d-ªp. ” “FÃmw hen-s¨-dn-ªn«v Fsâ IqsS t]mcq” F¶v Abm-sfm¶p ]d-ªn-cps¶-¦n aIs\¡qSn Dt]-£n¨v Cd-§n-¸p-d-s¸-Sm³ Xbm-dm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ. ]t£ AhÄ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xp-t]msesbmcp {]Xn-I-c-W-aà Abm-fnÂ\n¶p−m-b-Xv. AhÄ¡p tZjyw h¶p. “t\m¡q” ssIbp-d-bv¡p-Ån \n¶v `À¯m-hnsâ I¯v hen-s¨-Sp-¯p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. thÀ]n-cn-bm³ Xocp-am-\n¨ Imcyw A¶ ]d-ª-t¸mgpw Abm-fpsS I¯p hmbn-¨-t¸mgpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS a\-kn BZyw sX-fnªp-h-¶Xv Zzµz-bp²-s¯-¡p-dn-¨pÅ Nn´-bm-Wv. skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtIm-bv ]d-ªXpw Xsâ

Xn¦-fm-gvNs¯

Nne HutZym-Kn-I-Im-cy-§-fnse hnPbw \ÂInb el-cn-bnem-bn-cp¶p AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v. A¶bpsS sSen{Kmw A\p-kcn¨v Ahsf kzoI-cn-¡m-\pÅ BÄ¡m-sc-sbms¡ \ntbm-Kn-¨n-cp-s¶-¦nepw AhÄ hcp¶ Znh-k-am-sW¶v Abm-tfmÀan-¨n-cp-¶n-Ã. Xms\-¯nsb¶-dn-bn¨v Bsf-b-b-¨n«v A¶ kz´w apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. Hcp aWn-¡qÀ Ign-ªn«pw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v F¯n-bn-Ã. Hm^n-kn-te¡p t]mIpw-ap³]v F´m-bmepw It− Xocp F¶p-d¨v AhÄ

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]pd-¯n-d-§n. XmSn¡p ssIsIm-Sp¯v Nn´m-a-á-\m-bn-cn-¡p¶ `À¯m-hns\ I−-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p ]mhw tXm¶n. “AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v, ” kw`m-jWw XpS-§m³ Ai-à-\mbn AbmÄ t\cw sshIn-¡p-¶-Xp-I−v AhÄ XpS-§n-h¨p. “Rm³ sXäp-Im-cn-bm-Wv, No¯ kv{Xobm-Wv. ]t£ Ignª Znhkw ]d-ªXp-t]mse Xs¶, F\n¡v H¶pw Xncp-¯m³ Ign-bn-Ã. ” “Rm\-sXm¶pw tNmZn-¨n-ÃtÃm! Abmfpam-bpÅ \nsâ kwK-a-§Ä Chn-sSh¨mI-cpXv. tem-I-¯n-sâbpw Chn-Sps¯ tPmen-¡m-cp-sSbpw ap³]n t]cp-tZmjw hcp-¯p-¶-sXm¶pw ]mSn-Ã, Abm-fn-hnsS hcm³ ]mSn-Ã. AX{X _p²n-ap-«m-hn-söp Rm³ Icp-Xp-¶p. ]Icw hniz-kvX-bmb Hcp `mcy¡p In«p¶ FÃm kuI-cy-§fpw \n\¡p In«pw, Ah-fpsS Npa-X-e-IÄ \nÀh-ln-¡msX Xs¶. A{Xtb F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-Åq. t]mIm³ ka-b-ambn. D¨-`-£-W-¯n\p Rm\p-−m-hn-Ã. ”

sehn\v CjvS-s¸« Hcp s]¬Ip-«n-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ. Abm-sf-s¡m−v Ahsf hnhmlw Ign-¸n-¡m³ AhÀ¡pw XmÂ]-cy-ap-s−¶v AbmÄ¡-dnbmw. Cu _Ô-¯nsâ km[yX ]co-£n-¡m-\pÅ Ah-k-c-am-sW¶Xv bm{X-bn Abm-fpsS DÂkmlw hÀ[n¸n¨p. h«-ap-Jw \ndsb Nncnbpw \pW¡pgnI-fp-apÅ Hcp Ipdnb kv{Xobmbn-cp¶p aZmw kznbm-jvkvI-b. Nmb-ta-i-bn AbmÄs¡-Xn-sc-bmWv Ah-cpsS A\p-P¯n Ccp-¶-Xv. Ahn-Sps¯ kw`m-j-W-¯n kÀhm-ß\m ]¦p-tNcW-sa¶v sehn³ \nÝ-bn¨n-cp-s¶-¦nepw shfp¯ amdn-S-¯nsâ hen-sbmcp `mKw Xpd-¶p-h-bv¡pw-hn[w Xmgv¯nsh«nb Ah-fpsS DSp¸v Abmsf BsI De-¨p-I-f-ªp. X\n¡p th−n {]tXy-I-ambn Xbv]n-¨n-«-XmWv B DSps¸¶pw F¦nepw Ahn-tS¡p t\m¡m³ X\n¡v Ah-Im-i-an-söpw sehn\p tXm¶n. Abm-fpsS A¼-c¸v Ah-sfbpw _m[n¨p; F¶m Krl\m-bn-Isb CsXm¶pw _m[n-¨-Xmbn tXm¶n-bn-Ã. A\p-P-¯nsb kw`m-j¯n CS-s]-Sp-hn-¡p-hm³ AhÀ ]c-am-h[n {i²n-¨p.

Irjn-bn ]ng-hp-Ifpw ]cm-P-b-§fpw kw`-hn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶p; Ccp-]¯©p ssa am{X-a-Ise Xm³ ImWm³ sImXn¨ncp¶ Inän sjÀ_mävkvIb Xma-kn-¡p-¶p, F¶n«pw ImWm³ km[n-¡p-¶n-Ã. tUmfn AhntS¡p £Wn-¨n-«p-s−-¦nepw A§-s\-b§p t]mIm³ h¿. Ah-fn-jvS-s¸-«hs\ hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ km[n-¡m-¯-Xp-sIm−p am{Xw Xs¶ hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ kml-N-cy-sam-cp-§n-bn-cn-¡p¶p; AXn\p \n¶p-sIm-Sp-¡p-¶sX§s\? AhÄ¡p-Xs¶ ]pÑw tXm¶ntÃ? Inän¡v D]-tbm-Kn-¡m³ Hcp Po\n thW-sa-¶p-]-dªv tUmfn Fgp-Xn. “AXp \n§Ä Xs¶ sIm−p-h¶p Xcp-sa¶p hniz-kn-¡p¶p“ F¶p-IqSn D−m-bn-cp¶p Ipdn-¸nÂ. AÂ]-sa-¦nepw kmam-\y-t_m-[-apÅ Hcp kv{Xos¡-§-s\-bmWv kz´w ktlm-Z-cnsb C{X-tbsd A]-am-\-¯n\p hn«psIm-Sp-¡m³ Ign-bpI? AbmÄ ]¯p adp-]-Sn-¡p-dn-¸p-I-sf-gp-Xn, ]¯pw Iodn-¡-f-ªp. HSp¡w adp-]-Sn-¡-¯n-ÃmsX Xs¶ HcmÄ hiw Po\n sImSp¯-b-¨p. CsX-Ãmw-IqSn BsI a\kp aSp-¯n-cn-¡p-t¼m-gmWv kplr¯v kznbmjvkvIn-bpsS ASp¯v \mbm-«n\p t]mbmtem F¶p tXm¶n-b-Xv. Hcp-]mSp Ime-ambn AbmÄ hnfn-¡p-¶-Xm-Wv. Akz-Ø-X-I-fn Bizmkw \ÂIp¶ hnt\m-Z-amWv \mbm-«v. sjÀ_m-ävkvIb IpSpw-_-¯nsâ HmÀa-Ifpw Irjnbnse ]ng-hp-Ifpw ad¶v Hcp CS-th-f. kznbm-jvkvInbpw

`mcybpw AXo-h-k-´p-jvS-cmb Z¼-Xn-I-fm-bn-cp-¶p. Ahcp-sSsbm-¸-am-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS `mcym-k-tlm-Z-cnbpw Xma-kn-¨n-cp-¶-Xv.

kznbm-jvkvInbpw

aäp Nne IÀj-I-cp-sam-s¡-bmbn NÀ¨-I-fp-−m-bn. Irjn sa¨-s¸-Sp-¯m\pw sXmgn-em-fn-I-fpsSbpw IrjnbpS-a-bp-sSbpw em`-hnlnXw hÀ[n¸n¡m-\pÅ Nne Nn´-I-fp-am-bmWv sehn³ Ahn-sS\n¶p aS§nbXv. IrjnbnS¯nse -]-cn-jvI-c-W-{i-a-§-fn apgpIn Znh-k-§Ä IS-¶p-t]m-bn. CSbv¡v AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bp-ambn kw`m-j-W-§-fp-−m-Ipw. Irjo-he³am-cpsS D¶-Xn-¡mbn AbmÄ \S-¯p¶ {ia-§sf AhÀ ÇmLn-¨p. hnhmlw Ign-t¡-−-Xnsâ Bh-iy-IX CS-bv¡nsS HmÀan-¸n-¨p. Hcp Znhkw AhÀ kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. H³]Xp aWn Ign-ªn-«p-−m-hpw, ]pd¯p h−n h¶p \n¡p¶ i_vZw tI«p. AhÀ ]Sn-bn-d§n Xmsg-sb-¯pw-ap³t] lmfn apg-§p¶ Npa tI«p. saenªv Dbcw IqSnb, ]cn-N-b-apÅ cq]w; aäm-cp-am-Im-\n-S-bn-sænepw AXp Xsâ tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fmbv BI-cp-tX-sb¶v Bin-¨mWv AbmÄ \S-¶-Xv. sehn\v ktlm-Z-cs\ CjvS-am-bn-cp¶p; ]t£ Abm-tfm-sSm¸w Ign-bpI F¶Xv F¶pw Zpk-l-am-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw Xsâ tXm¶-en sehn\v Ipät_m-[hpw eÖbpw tXm¶n. \nt¡m-fm-bnsb ASp¯p I−-t¸mÄ AXp kl-Xm-]-ambn hfÀ¶p. saen-ªp-W§n IqSp-X Ah-i-\m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. AØn¡p ta tXm ]pX¸n¨Xp-t]m-se.

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“\nsâ-b-Sp-¡Â hcm³ Rms\m-cp-]mSp \mfmbn Hcp-§p-¶-Xm-Wv. C{X-Imew Rm³ hÃmsX Ah-i-\m-bn-cp¶p; Ct¸m-sg-\n¡p kpJ-ap-−v. Ht¶m ct−m amkw \nsâ IqsS Ign-bm-\mWv Rm³ h¶n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. ” -ktlm-Z-cs\ Npw_n-¨-t¸mÄ Np−n Abm-fpsS Xz¡nsâ hcĨ A\p-`hn-¨-t¸mÄ, AbmfpsS henb I®p-IÄ ASp¯p I−-t¸mÄ sehn³ `b¶p-t]m-bn. hoXw hbv¡m¯ IpSpw-_-kz¯p hnä-t¸mÄ Abm-fpsS hoX-ambn c−mbncw dq_nÄ In«n-bn-«p-s−¶v c−mgvN ap³]v \nt¡m-fmbv¡v Fgp-Xn-bn-cp¶p. AXp hm§m³ h¶-Xm-Wv. ]gb Iq«n Ipd-¨p-Imew Xma-kn¨v a®pambn ASp-¯n-S-]-gIn, CXn-lm-k-§-fnse \mb-I-·m-sc-t¸mse Xsâ ZuXy¯n\p apt¶m-Sn-bmbn, AÂ]w DuÀPw kw`-cn-¡m-\pw. £o-Whpw Iq\pw Ds−-¦nepw Abm-fpsS Ne-\-§Ä F¶-s¯-bpw-t]mse {ZpXhpw DuÀP-kze-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p. \à aqUn-em-bn-cp¶p \nt¡m-fm-bv. AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-tbmSp Xam-i-IÄ ]d-ªp. the-¡m-cn Hmtcm-cp-¯-scbpw t]sc-Sp¯v At\z-jn-¨p. ]mÀs^³ sU\nkn-¨nsâ ac-W-¯n ZpJn-X-\m-bn; apJ¯v `bw ]SÀ¶p. ]ns¶ “AbmÄ¡p \à {]mb-am-bn-cp-¶tÃm” F¶m-iz-kn-¨p. “H¶p-c−p amkw \nsâ IqsS X§nb tijw Rm³ tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. Fsâ Pohn-X-¯n\p ]pXn-sbmcp Znibpw Nn«bpw sImSp¡m³ t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. \nt¶mSv ]d-ªn-cp-t¶m, Rm³ B kv{Xosb Hgn-hm¡n. ” “acnb \n¡-te-hv\-sbtbm? F´n\v? ” “-Ah-sfmcp hÃm¯ kv{Xobm-Wv, F\n-¡-h-sf-s¡m−p hÃm¯ ]pen-hm-epI-fm-bn-cp-¶p. ” Fs´ms¡ ]pen-hm-ep-I-fmWv Ah-cp-−m-¡n-b-sX¶v AbmÄ ]d-ªn-Ã. Nmbbv¡p ISp¸w Ipd-ªXpw tcmKm-Xp-c-s\-t¸mse Xs¶ {i²-tbmsS ]cn-N-cn-¨p-Xp-amWv Ah-fp-ambn ]ncn-bm³ Imc-W-sa¶p ]d-bm³ ]än-Ã-tÃm. \nt¡m-fmbv sehnsâ hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn-¨p. hm¡p-IÄ¡-¸pdw `mh-t`-Z§fpw kzc-t`-Z-§-fpw-sIm−v kwkm-cn-¡m³ X¡ a\-s¸m-cp¯w AhÀ¡p−m-bn-cp-¶p. c−p-t]-cp-sSbpw a\-kn Ct¸mÄ H¶p am{X-ta-bpÅq þ \nt¡m-fmbvbpsS tcmKhpw Bk-¶-amb ac-W-hpw; F¶m AtX-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ccp-hcpw ss[cy-s¸-«n-Ã. ho«n-emsI CuÀ¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp apdn am{Xta NqSm-¡n-bn-«p-Åq. AXpsIm−v sehn³ ktlm-Z-c-s\bpw Xsâ apdn-bn Xs¶-bmWv InS-¯n-bXv. A-bmÄ Dd-§ntbm CÃtbm F¶p ]d-bm-\m-hnÃ; CS-bv¡nsS Npa-bv¡pIbpw InX-bv¡p-Ibpw sN¿p¶p−m-bn-cp-¶p. hÃmsX Npa-bv¡p-t¼mÄ

“Fsâ ssZhta” F¶p hnfn-¨p, izmkw ap«p-t¼mÄ “\miw ]nSn¨ ]nimNv” F¶p- ]vcmIn. sehn\v Dd-§m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. acWw F¶ imiz-XkXyw BZy-ambn Abm-fpsS ap¶n hniz-cq-]-ap-bÀ¯n\n¶p. hnth-N-\-anÃmsX ssZh-s¯bpw ]nim-Nn-s\bpw amdn-am-dn-hn-fn-¡p¶ tPyjvT-\n ac-Ws¯ AbmÄ F¶-s¯-¡mfpw ASp-¯p-I-−p. AtX acWw X¶n-ep-ap-−v. C¶-sæn \msf, AsÃ-¦n ap¸Xp hÀjw Ignªv; F¶m-bmepw H¶p-Xs¶-b-tÃ. “Rm³ ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡p-¶p, Fs´-¦n-ep-sams¡ sN¿m\m{K-ln-¡p-¶p. F¶m FÃmw Hcp Znhkw HSp-§-W-sa¶v Rmt\mÀ¯tXbn-Ã. ac-Ws¯ Rm³ ad-¶n-cp-¶p. ” sehn³ Hcp sagp-Ip-Xncn I¯n¨v \ne-¡-®m-Sn¡p ap¶n \n¶p. sN¶nbn apSn-bn-g-IÄ \c-¨p-Xp-S-§n-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. ]n¶nse ]Ãv {Zhn-¨p-Xp-S§n-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. akn-ep-IÄ \ndª ssII-fn _ew _m¡n-bp-−v. izmktIm-i-sa¶ km[-\-¯nsâ Ah-in-jvS-§-fp-ambn Pohn-¡p¶ \nt¡mfmbvtbm? Ip«n-¡m-e¯v X§-sfm-cp-an¨v Dd-§m³ InS-¶n-cp-¶Xv AbmtfmÀan-¨p. t^ymZÀ t_mKvZm-\n¨v ]p-d¯p IS-¶p-I-gn-ªm Xe-bn-WsIm−v X½n-eSn XpS-§pw, t^ymZÀ t_mKvZm-\n-¨n-t\m-SpÅ `bw t]mepw ad¶v s]m«n-¨n-cn-I-fp-b-cpw. Ct¸mÄ Iq\n, s]mÅ-bmb B lrZ-bhpw, Rm\pw... “Lm... LvLm... \miw! -\osb´m F®oäp \S-¡p-¶Xv? InS-¶p-d-§m³ ht¿? ” sagp-Ip-Xncn DuXn-s¡-Sp¯n sehn³ I«n-en-te¡p aS§n. Iptd t\c-t¯¡v AbmÄ¡v Dd-§m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. F§s\ Pohn-¡-W-sa-s¶ms¡bpÅ Nn{Xw H¶p sXfnªp hcp-¶-tX-bpÅq. At¸m-tg¡v A-]-cn-lm-cy-amb ktµ-l-§-fp-bÀ¯n acWw sXm«p-ap-¶nÂ.

h¶-Xnsâ

c−mw Znh-kw-ap-X \nt¡m-fmbv X\n-kz-`mhw ]pd-¯p-Im-«n¯p-S-§n. F´n\pw Ipäw I−p-]n-Sn-¡pw, s]s«¶p tZjy-s¸-Spw. tIm¬Ìmânsâ Irjn-co-Xn-IÄ kw_-Ôn¨v Hcp-\mÄ AhÀ kwhm-Z-¯nteÀs¸-«p. Abm-fpsS ]cn-jvIm-c-§-sfÃmw sXäm-sW¶mWv \nt¡mfmbvbpsS A`n-{]m-bw. tPyjvT³ ]d-bp¶ ]e Imcy-§fpw icn-bm-sW¶p sehn\pw tXm¶n; F¦nepw ]eXpw hI-h¨p-sIm-Sp-¡m³ ]än-bn-Ã. “\n\¡p t_m[y-§-fn-Ã, D−m-hp-I-bp-an-Ã. \nsâ s]m§-¨-§sf Xr]vXn-s¸Sp-¯pI am{X-amWv \n\¡p th−-Xv. ” “Hm icn, Fs¶ Fsâ hgn¡p hnt«-¡v. ”

137 “XoÀ¨-bmbpw \ns¶ Häbv¡p hnt«-¡mw. Rm\Xp ]t− sNt¿−Xm-bn-cp¶p. Rm³ h¶-Xp-Xs¶ sXäm-bn-t¸m-bn.. ” sehn³ Fs´Ãmw ]d-ªn«pw Abm-fpsS a\kp amäm³ Ign-ªn-Ã. t]mIpsa¶p Xs¶ AbmÄ hmin ]nSn-¨p. t]mIm³t\cw ktlm-Z-cs\ Npw_n-¨p-sIm−v \nt¡m-fmbv ]dªp: “tImÌym, Fs¶-¸än No¯-bmbn Nn´n-¡-cp-Xv. ” Abm-fpsS kzcw hnd-¨p. “Fsâ AhØ \n\-¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm, Hcp-]t£ \½-fn\n X½n Is−-¶p-hcnÔ F¶v sehn³ hmbn-s¨-Sp-¯p. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnÂ\n¶v I®p-\oÀ [mc-[m-c-bmbn Hgp-In. H¶pw ]d-bm³ Ign-ªnÃ; F´p ]d-b-W-sa¶v Adnbp-I-bp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. ktlm-Z-c³ t]mbn-¡-gnªv aq¶mw Znhkw sehn\pw hntZ-i-t¯¡p ]pds¸-«p. dbnÂth tÌj-\n h¨v Inän-bpsS _Ôp-hmb sjÀ-_m-ävkvInsb I−p. sehnsâ hnjmZw I−v sjÀ_mävkvIn tNmZn¨p: “F´p-]än \n§Ä¡v? ” -“{]tXy-In-s¨m-¶p-anÃ; Pohn-X-¯n kt´m-jn-¡m³ Imcy-am-sbm-¶p-an-Ã. ” “H¶p-an-sÃt¶m? ape-lu-k-\n-te¡p t]mIp-¶-Xn\p ]Icw Ft¶m-sSm¸w ]mcn-kn-te¡p hcq, Rm³ Im«n-¯cmw Fs´ms¡ kt´m-j-§-fmWv Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v. ” “Rm\-sXÃmw Ah-km-\n-¸n-¨-Xm-Wv. Rm³ NmtI− kabw Ign-ªp. ” “AXp Ie-¡n, Rm³ FÃmw XpS-§p-¶-tX-bpÅq.” sjÀ_mävkvIn Nncn-¨p. “Rm\pw AÂ]w ap³]p-hsc A§-s\-sbm-s¡-bmWv Nn´n-¨n-cp-¶-Xv. ]t£ Ct¸m-sg-\n-¡-dnbmw A[nIw sshImsX Rm³ acn-¡p-sa-¶v. ”

138

`mKw \mev Itc-\n³ `mcybpw `À¯mhpw Htc ho«n Xma-kn-¨p, FÃm Znh-khpw ]ckv]cw I−p, kwkm-cn¨p; F¶n«pw AhÀ XnI¨pw A]-cn-Nn-X-cmbn XpSÀ¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-cpsS ho«n-te¡p h¶n-Ã, F¦nepw A¶sb asä-hn-sS-¦nepw h¨v I−p. aq¶p t]À¡pw Hcp-t]mse Zpk-l-am-bn-cp¶p Cu Ah-Ø. ioX-Imea[y-¯n hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Ak-ly-ambn Hcm-gvN-bm-bn-cp-¶p. hntZ-i-¯p-\n-s¶-¯nb Hcp cmP-Ip-am-cs\ djy “A\p-`-hn-¸n-¡pI” AbmfpsS Npa-X-e-bm-bn-cp-¶p. djy-bpsS X\-Xmb hnt\m-Z-§-sf¶v Hmtcm-cp-¯À ]d-ªp-sIm-Sp-¯-sXms¡ AbmÄ¡p th−n hvtdm¬kvIn Hcp-t¡-−n-h¶p. ]´-b-¡p-Xn-c-IÄ, djy³ ]m³tI¡v, Ic-Sn-th-«, aq¶p IpXn-c-Isf ]q«nb sÉUvPp-IÄ, Pn]vkn-IÄ, ]mt\m-]-Nm-c-§Ä… cmP-Ip-am-c\v Gähpw CjvS-am-bXv {^©v \Sn-am-scbpw _mse \r¯-¡m-scbpw shÅ koen-s\s¡m-−p-−m-¡nb jmws]-bv\p-am-bn-cp-¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Abm-sfbpw sIm−pÅ \S¸v Ak-ly-ambncp¶p. kz´w {]Xn_nw_ambn-cp¶p Abmsf-¶-Xmbncp¶p shdp-¸n\v Hcp {][m\ Imc-Ww. kvs]bn-\nepw Cw¥-−nepw XpÀ¡n-bnepw C´y-bn-ep-sams¡ t]mbn«pÅ, \nc-´-c-amb hymbm-a-¯neqsS cmP-Ip-am-c³amÀ¡n-S-bn t]mepw A]qÀh-amb ico-c-ku-µcyw Im¯p-kq-£n-¡p¶ Abm-fpsS Al-½Xn Ak-ly-am-bn-cp-¶p. Hcm-gvNbv¡p tijw AbmÄ tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p t]mb-t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Bizmkw tXm¶n.

hvtdm¬kvIn ho«n-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ A¶-bpsS I¯p-−v: “F\n¡v Xosc h¿, ]pd-¯n-d-§m³ ]än-Ã; \n§sf ImWm-Xn-cn-¡m\pw ]än-Ã. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v C¶p sshIn«v Ggn\v Iu¬kn-en-te¡p t]mIpw; ]¯p-aWn hsc Ahn-sS-bmbn-cn-¡pw. hc--Ww. ” `À¯m-hnsâ hne-¡p-Isf Ah-K-Wn¨v AhÄ Xs¶ £Wn-¨-tXmÀ¯-t¸mÄ AbmÄ t]mIm-\p-d-¸n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v tIW-embn {]tam-j³ In«n-bn-cp¶p. Ct¸m-g-bmÄ sdPnsaânsâ IzmÀt«-gvkn-e-Ã, kz´ambn In«nb ho«n Hä-bv¡mWv Xma-kw. D¨-`-£Ww Ignªv tkm^-bn InS¶v AbmÄ ab-§n-t¸m-bn. A¶sbbpw Ic-Sn-th-«bv¡p IqSnb Hcp Irjo-h-e-s\bpwþ PS-]n-Sn¨ XmSn-bp-Å, hr¯n-sI« Hcp-h³, Ip\n-ªp-\n¶v Ft´m sN¿p¶Xn-\nsS Xe-D-bÀ¯n {^©v `mj-bn Ft´m ]d-bp¶p þ kz]v\w I−p.

139

140

FWo-ä-t¸mÄ F«c Ign-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p. kz]v\-¯nse Irjo-h-e³ {^©n ]dª hm¡p-IÄ HmÀa-bn sXfn-ª-t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v \s«-Ãn-eqsS Hcp Xcn¸p ]mªp. “Akw-_Ôw” F¶p ]d-ªp-sIm−v AbmÄ XnSp-¡¯n A¶-bpsS ASp-¡-te¡p t]mbn. Ahn-sS-sb¯p-t¼mÄ H³]-XmIm³ ]¯p an\n-«v. hmXnÂ-¡se¯p-t¼mÄ t\sc ap³]n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨v. cà-ab-an-Ãm¯ apJs¯ Xq§nb I®p-IÄsIm−v AbmÄ Xpdn-¨p-t\m-¡n. hvtdm¬kvIn Abmsf hW-§n. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v Np−p-IÄ ISn-¨p-sIm−v Hcn-¡Â t]mepw Xncn-ªp-t\m¡msX h−n-bn Ibdn t]mbn. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ]pcnIw Npfn-ªp. lmfn-se-¯-b-t¸mÄ AI-¶p-t]m-Ip¶ Ime-Sn-i-_vZw. Xs¶ Im¯p-\n¶ A¶ kzoI-c-W-ap-dn-bn-te¡p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. “CXv C§s\ t]mbm thKw Xs¶ ]cn-k-am-]vXn-bn-se-¯pw. thZ-\tbmsS Rm³ Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp aWn-¡qÀ... c−p aWn-¡qÀ... th−, Rm³ hg-¡n-\n-Ã. ”

“Abm-sfmcp Akw-kvIr-X-\mWv; arK-hm-k-\-I-fm-W-bmÄ¡v. ” “]t£, \n§-sfÃmw arK-hm-k-\-IÄ t]mjn-¸n-¡p-¶-h-ctÃ? lÆm-bpsS thj-¯n sXtc-kns\ ImWp-t¼mÄ \n§Äs¡´p kt´m-j-amWv? ” “tZ, ]nimNv ho−pw” Ah-fpsS ssII-sf-Sp¯p Npw_n-¨p-sIm−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “\n\¡p tcmK-sam-¶p-an-Ã, Ct¸m-gs¯ Ah-Ø-bpsS Akz-Ø-XI - fmWv. F¶-t¯bv¡v D−m-Ip-sa-¶mWv ]d-ªXv? ” “s]s«-¶v, hfsc s]s«-¶v. \½psS Cu ØnXn hfsc IjvS-am-sW¶tà ]dª-Xv. CXn-s\ms¡ Hcp Xocp-am-\-am-Ipw. \n§sf ]qÀW-ambpw [oc-ambpw kvt\ln-¡p-¶-Xn\v Rm³ F´p hne sImSp-¡p-sa-¶-dn-bmtam! Fsâbo Akqb sIm−v ]ns¶ Rm³ \n§-sftbm Fs¶-¯-s¶tbm thZ-\n-¸n-¡nÃ. AXp s]s«-¶p-−m-Ipw, ]t£ \½Ä {]Xo-£n-¡p¶ t]mse-bm-In-Ã. ” AtXmÀ¯-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS I®p-IÄ \nd-ªp. AhÄ Abm-fpsS Ip¸m-b¯nsâ ssII-fn _e-ambn ]nSn-¨p. ““FÃmw s]s«-¶p-−m-Ipw. ]ns¶ BsI kam-[m-\-am-bn-cn-¡pw. BÀ¡pw thZ-\-I-fp-−m-hn-Ã. ” “F\n-s¡m¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. ” “Ft¸m-gmWv ka-b-sa-¶tà tNmZn-¨Xv? s]s«-¶p-−m-Ipw. Rm³ AXn-eqsS IS-¶p-t]m-In-Ã. F\n-¡-dn-bmw, F\n¡p \¶m-b-dn-bmw. Rm³ AXn-eqsS IS¶p-t]m-In-Ã, Rm³ acn-¡pw. acn-¡p-¶-Xn F\n¡p kt´m-j-ta-bpÅq; F\n¡pw \n§Ä¡pw Cu Zpcn-X-¯n \n¶p tamN-\-am-Ip-atÃm! ” “Np½m {`m´v ]d-bm-sX. ” Hcp \nanjw ]X-dn-sb-¦nepw ka-\ne hos−Sp¯ hvtdm¬kvIn ]d-ªp. “{`m´-Ã, kXyw. ” “Ft´m¶p kXyw? ” “Rm³ acn-¡p-sa-¶p-Å-Xv. Rms\mcp kz]v\w I−p. ” “kz]v\w? ” hvtdm¬kvIn A¶-sbbpw Irjo-h-e-s\bpw kz]v\w I−Xv HmÀ¯p-t]m-bn. “Dw. kz]v\w. Ipd-¨p-\mÄ ap³]mWv Rm\Xp I−-Xv. Rms\sâ s_Uvdqante¡v HmSn-s¨-Ãp-I-bm-Wv, Ft´m FSp-¡mt\m Ft´m Xnc-ªp-sImt−m atäm. AhnsS aqe-bn Ft´m H¶v \n¡p¶p. ” “Fs´m-c-kw-_-Ôw. F§-s\-bm-Wv... ” Ah-f-bmsf ]d-bm³ k½-Xn-¨n-Ã. A{X {][m-\-s¸-«-Xm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ¡v Xm³ ]d-bp¶ Imcyw. “B km[\w! Fsâ t\sc Xncn-ªp. AXv PS-]n-Sn¨ XmSn-bpÅ Hcp Irjohe\m-bn-cp-¶p. Ipdnb, F¶m t]Sn tXm¶p¶ cq]w. F\n¡v HmSn-t¸mI-

“Abmsf

I−p AtÃ? ” Ccn-¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. sshIn-sb¯n-b-Xn-\pÅ in£-bm-Wv. hntZ-in-cm-P-Ip-am-cs\ bm{X-bm-¡m³ t]mtI-−n-h-¶-Xp-sIm-−mWv sshInb-sX¶p Ifhp ]d-ªp. “C¶p cmhnse enk Fsâ-b-Sp¯p h¶n-cp-¶p. \n§-fpsS AYo\nb³ kmbm-Ó-¯nsâ Imcyw ]d-ªp. F´p eÖm-I-c-amWv! ” “ Rm³ ]d-bm\v XpS-§p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. ” “\n§Ä¡p ]cn-N-b-apÅ B sXtckv Bbn-cpt¶m? ” “]pcp-j³am-sc{X \oN·mcmWv? Hcp kv{Xo¡v CsXm¶pw ad-¡m³ Ign-bnsöv \n§-sf´m HmÀ¡m-¯Xv? ” Ah-fpsS tIm]w Cc-«n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. “\n§Ä ]d-bp-¶-X-ÃmsX F\n-s¡´m Adn-bm-hp-¶Xv? ]d-bp-¶Xp apgph³ kXy-am-tWm-sb¶v Rms\-§-s\-b-dnbpw? ” Ah-fpsS Cu Akq-bbpw Ak-ln-jvWp-Xbpw Ahn-izm-khpw Cubn-sSbmbn CS-bv¡nsS shfn-hm-Ip-¶p-−v. kvt\l-¯nsâ ]mcayw sIm−msW¶v Adn-bm-sa-¦nepw AbmÄ¡Xv Ak-ly-am-bn-t¯m¶n; Ah-tfm-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n Hcp ac-hn-¸n\pw AXn-S-bm-¡n. ssIbn-en-cn-¡p¶ hmSnb ]qhns\ t\m¡n, AXp ]dn-s¨-Sp-¡m³ Xs¶ t{]cn-¸n¨ kuµcyw F´m-bncp-¶psh¶v AÛp-X-s¸-Sp-¶-h-s\-t¸mse AbmÄ A¶sb t\m¡n. “Dw, ]d-bq… cmP-Ip-am-c-s\-¡p-dn¨v \n§-sf´m ]d-ªp-h-¶Xv? ]d-bq, Rm³ ]nim-Nns\ HmSn-¨p-I-gn-ªp. ” Ah-fpsS Akqbv¡v Ah-cn« t]cmWv ]nimNv F¶v.

141

142

Wsa-¶p−m-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AbmÄ Hcp Nm¡n\p tate Ip\nªv Ft´m ]c-Xn-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. ” Abm-fpsS Ne-\-§Ä AhÄ A\p-I-cn¨p ImWn-¨p. Ah-fpsS apJ¯v `oXn \nd-ªp-\n-¶p. Xsâ kz]v\w HmÀan¨ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS DÅnepw AtX `oXn \nd-ªp. “AbmÄ ]c-Xn-s¡m-t−-bn-cp-¶p. AXn-\n-S-bn XnSp-¡-¯n Ft´m ]dªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p, {^©nÂ: C ^uXv se _Xvsc, se s^À, se {_mbÀ, se s]ävdoÀ... t]Sn¨p Rm³ sR«nbp-WÀ¶p, kz]v\¯ - n-emWv DWÀ¶Xv. Rm\-Xnsâ AÀYsa´m-sW¶v kzbw tNmZn-¨p. tImÀWn ]dªp: “\n§Ä {]k-h-t¯msS acn-¡pw, amUw, \n§Ä acn-¡pw... ” At¸mÄ Rm³ sR«nsbWo-äp. ” “Fs´m-c-kw-_-Ôw, Np½m Akw-_Ôw” A§s\ ]d-sª-¦nepw Xsâ hm¡p-I-fn X\n¡p Xs¶ hnizm-k-an-söv hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-dn-bp-¶p−m-bn-cp-¶p.

“\nsâ Imap-Is\ ChnsS kzoI-cn-¡-cp-sX¶v Rm³ ]d-ªn-«p-Å-XtÃ? ” “F\n¡v ... ” ]d-bm-s\mcp ImcWw In«msX AhÄ \nÀ¯n¡-f-ªp. NqtS-dnb hmKzmZw Xs¶ \S-¶p. ]d-bm-s\m-¶p-an-ÃmsX BZyw Nqfn-t¸mb A¶ ]ns¶ Cc«n hotdmsS Xncn-¨-Sn-¨p. HSp¡w XfÀ¶p Iog-S-§n. hoWp InS-¡p¶ FXn-cm-fnsb Nhn-«n-sa-Xn-¡-cp-sX¶v tIWp. AbmÄ¡v kvt\ln¡m³ Ign-bm¯ skcn-tbm-jsb {]Xn-Im-c-¯n\p th−n am{Xw X¶n \n¶v ASÀ¯n-sb-Sp-¡-cp-sX¶v At]-£n-¨p. Ahs\ X\n¡p hn«p-X-c-Wsa¶p sI©n.

hvtdm¬kvInsb

Xsâ hoSnsâ ]Sn-I-fn h¨p I− AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v t\sc t]mbXv t\cs¯ Xocp-am-\n-¨n-cp-¶-Xp-t]mse Cämen-b³ Hms¸dbv¡p Xs¶-bm-Wv. Xncn-s¨-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Abm-fpsS HmhÀtIm«v Ahn-sSbpt−msb¶p ]cn-tim-[n¨p; Csöp I−v ]Xnhp t]mse Xsâ apdn-bn-te¡p t]msb-¦nepw km[m-c-W-t]mse Dd-§m³ Ignªn-Ã. aq¶p aWn- hsc apdn-bn Dem-¯n. Xm³ h¨n-cp¶ kp{]-[m\ \n_Ô\ þ Imap-Is\ Xsâ ho«n kzoI-cn-¡m³ ]mSnà þ ewLn¨ A¶sb F§s\ in£n-¡-W-sa-¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p Btem-N-\. hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\Sn aIs\bpw IqsS sIm−p-t]m-Im³ AbmÄ Dd-¸n-¨p. InS-s¶-¦nepw ]pe-cpw-hsc AbmÄ¡p-d-§m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. A\p-\n-anjw hÀ[n¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶ tIm]w ]peÀs¨-bm-b-t¸mÄ aqÀ[-\y-¯n-se-¯n. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v hkv{Xw amdn t\sc A¶-bpsS apdn-bnte¡p t]mbn. Ahsf I−-Xmbn t]mepw `mhn-¡msX Ah-fpsS Xmt¡m¡q«saSp¯v Hcp hen¸p Xpd-¶p. “F´m \n§Ä¡p th−Xv? ” AhÄ Ae-dn. “\nsâ Imap-Isâ I¯p-IÄ” “Ah Ahn-sS-bÃ. ” hen¸p XÅn-b-S-¨p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. Xsâ Dulw icn-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. Ahsf XÅn-amän hen¸p Xpd¶v AbmÄ Hcp ^b hen-s¨-Sp-¯p. Ah-fXv X«n-¸d- n-¡m³ {ian-s¨-¦nepw hn^-e-am-bn. “Ccn-¡v. F\n¡p \nt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¡m-\p-−v. ”

AeIvkn

Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v h¡o-en-s\-¡−v hnhm-l-tam-N\w kw_Ôn¨ \nb-tam-]-tZiw hm§n aS§n. ]n¶oSv HutZym-Kn-Im-h-iy-¯n-\mbn Nne hnZq-c-{]-hn-iy-I-fn-te¡p t]mIp-¶Xn-\nsS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v aq¶p Znhkw tamkvtIm-bn X§n. AhnsS h¨v bmZr-Ýn-I-ambn s̸ms\bpw tUmfn-sbbpw I−p-ap-«n. `mcym-k-tlm-Z-c-s\bpw IpSpw-_-s¯bpw Hgn-hm-¡m³ {ian-s¨-¦nepw AhÀ hnSm³ `mh-an-Ã. Abmsf ASp¯ Znhkw ho«n hncp-¶n\pw £Wn¨p AhÀ. hntZ-i-bm-{X-IÄ Ign-sª-¯nb sehn³ tamkvtIm-bn-ep-−m-bn-cp¶p. Abm-sfbpw skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-¨n-s\bpw s̸m³ hncp-¶n\p £Wn-¨p. hgn-bn h¨p I−-t¸mÄ ]d-ª-tX-bpÅq; AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨ns\ £Wn-¡m³ s̸m³ AbmÄ Xma-kn-¡p-¶n-S¯p sN¶p. “\½Ä X½n-epÅ _Ô¯n\p Imcy-amb amä-§Ä th−n-h-¶n-cn-¡p-¶p. AXn-\m F\n¡p hncp-¶n\p hcm³ km[y-aÃ. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]d-ªp. “F´p ]än? \n§-sf´m AÀ°-am-¡p-¶Xv? ” “v\n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-cn-bmb Fsâ `mcy-bp-ambn Rm³ hnhm-l-tam-N-\¯n\p \o¡-§Ä \S-¯p-I-bm-Wv. ” AbmÄ ]dªp ]qÀ¯nbm¡pwap³]v s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v sRc-§ns¡m−v Hcp Itk-c-bn-te¡v AaÀ¶p. “F\n¡p \n§sf c−p t]scbpw Adn-bmw. C§s\ hcm³ hgn-bn-Ã. Ft´m sXän-[m-cW D−m-bn-«p-−v. ” “tlm, sXän-[m-cW Bbn-cp-s¶-¦nÂ. ” “F\n¡v FÃmw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p. £an¡q Ae-Ivkn. F´m-bmepw XnSp¡¯n H¶pw sN¿cp-tX. ” “XnSp-¡-¯n-sem-¶p-a-Ã. Rm³ FÃmw \-¶mbn Btem-Nn-¨p-d-¸n-¨-XmW. ”

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“F´m-bmepw \S-]-Sn-IÄ XpS-§n-bn-Ã-tÃm. Hcp Imcyw sN¿q. Fsâ At]£bmWv. \nb-a-¯nsâ hgn¡p \o§pw-ap³]v Fsâ `mcy-bp-ambn H¶p kwkm-cn-¡q. AhÄ¡v kz´w ktlm-Z-cn-sb-t¸mse CjvS-amWv A¶sb, \n§-sfbpw henb CjvS-am-Wv. “C\n, \n§-fpsS Xocp-am\w \S-¸m-¡p-I-bm-sW¦n Xs¶ \½psS _Ôw F´n\p apdn-¡-s¸-SWw? Rms\-´m-bmepw ]£w tNcm³ Dt±-in-¡p-¶n-Ã. \n§-sf-´m-bmepw hncp-¶n\p hc-Ww. tUmfn \n§sf {]Xo-£n-¡p-¶p-−v. Zb-hmbn hcq. ap«n³ta \n¶v Rm\-t]-£n-¡p-I-bm-Wv. ” “\n§-sfms¡ A{Xta B{K-ln-¡p-¶p-s−-¦n Rm³ hcmw. ” kzoI-cn-¨-Xp-t]m-se-bm-bn-cp-¶nà `mcym-k-tlm-Z-cs\ aS¡nbb-bv¡p-t¼mÄ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨nsâ `mhw.

AbmÄ Icp-Xn-bXv hy`n-Nmcw kw_-Ôn¨ hnth-N-\-amWv þ \nb-ahpw kaqlhpw Hcp-t]mse ]n´p-S-cp¶ hnth-N-\w. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ Hcp knK-cäv \ÂIn A-hnsS \n¶v amäns¡m-−p-t]m-Im³ s̸m³ {ian-s¨-¦nepw Xm³ ]pI-h-en-¡n-söp ]dªv AeIvkn B hnj-bs¯ X\n¡p t]Sn-bn-söp ImWn-¡m³ A`n-{]m-b-{]I-S\w \S-¯p-Ibpw sNbvXp. At¸m-tg¡v Sptdm-hvSvkn³ CS-s]«v {]ymNv\n-t¡mhv IvhnävkvInsb Zzµz-bp²-¯n h[n¨ Icyw ]d-ªp. ]p®n³ta Xs¶ apdn-th¡p-sa¶p I−v s̸m³ Ae-Ivknsb Ahn-sS-\n¶p amäm³ ho−pw {ian-s¨-¦nepw AbmÄ kw`m-jWw XpSÀ¶p: “F´nsâ t]cn-emWv AbmÄ Zzµz-bp-²-¯n\p ]pd-s¸-«Xv?'' “`mcy-sb-s¨m-Ãn. AbmÄ BW¯w Im«n. t\tc hnfn¨p ]pd-¯n-d¡n shSnh-¨p.'' “Hmtlm'' F¶p ]dªv AeIvkn ]pcnIw Npfn¨v AI-t¯¡p \-S-¶p. “\n§Ä h¶-Xv F\n-s¡{X kt´m-j-am-sbt¶m?'' `bw \ndª NncntbmsS tUmfn ]d-ªp. “hcq, AI-t¯-¡n-cn-¡mw. \ap-¡n-¯ncn kwkm-cn¡-Ww.'' `mh-am-ä-sam¶pw IqSmsX Ah-cpsS ASp-¯n-cp¶v AeIvkn ]dªp: “\¶mbn. Rm³ \n§-tfmSv bm{X ]dbm³ Xp-S§p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. F\n¡p \msf ]pd-s¸-S-Ww.'' A¶-bpsS \njvI-f-¦-X-sb-¸än Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\bv¡p kwi-b-sam¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. Xsâ \njvI-f¦ kplr-¯nsâ PohnXw \in-¸n-¡m³ t]mIp¶ hnIm-c-iq-\y-\mb, ac-hn¸p _m[n¨ Cu a\p-jysâ t\À¡pÅ tIm]wsIm−p Xm³ hnf-dp-¶Xpw hnd-bv¡p-¶Xpw Ah-f-dn-ªp. “Rm³ A¶-sb-¡p-dn¨p tNmZn-¨n«p Xm¦Ä adp-]-Sn-sbm¶pw ]d-ªn-ÃtÃm. AhÄs¡-§-s\-bp−v?'' apJ¯p t\m¡n ]c-h-i-X-tbmsS AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. “AhÄ¡p kpJ-am-sW¶p Rm³ hniz-kn-¡p¶p, Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\.'' apJ¯p t\m¡msX AbmÄ adp-]Sn ]d-ªp. “AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v, Ft¶mSp £an-¡p-I. Ah-Im-i-ap-Å-XpsIm−p tNmZn-¡p-I-b-Ã, A¶sb F\n¡p ktlm-Z-cn-sb-t¸m-se- CjvS-amWv, aXn¸pam-Wv. \n§Ä X½n F´mWp {]iv\-sa¶v Zb-hmbn Ft¶mSp ]d-bq.'' “A¶ AÀ¡-tZy-hv\-tbm-SpÅ Fsâ at\m-`mh¯n amäw hcp-t¯-−Xv Bh-iy-am-sW¶p Rm³ Xocp-am-\n-¨-Xnsâ ]Ým-¯ew \n§-fpsS `À¯mhv hni-Zo-I-cn-¨n-cn-¡p-sa¶p Rm³ Icp-Xp-¶p.''

hm¡p ]men-¡m³ th−n am{X-amWv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v s̸msâ hncp-¶n-s\-¯n-b-Xv. Abm-fpsS bm{´n-IX Ahn-sS¡qSn-bhscsbms¡ _m[n-¨p. ]Xnhpt]mse sshInb s̸m³ apdn-bn-te¡p IS¶-tXm-sS-bmWv kZkn\p Poh³ h¨-Xv. kv{XoI-fpsS Ah-Im-i-§-fm-bncp¶p Hcp {][m\ hnjbw. Inänbpw sehn\pw Hgn-sI-bp-Å-h-scÃmw kPo-hambn NÀ¨bn apgp-In. sehn³ AtX-¸-än-sbÃmw Hcp-]mSv Btem-Nn¨p Iq«n-bn-«p-Å-XmWv; kz´-amb ImgvN-¸m-Sp-Ifpw D−m-bn-cp-¶p. Inän¡pw XmÂ]-cy-apÅ hnj-b-a-bn-cp¶p AXv. Xsâ hntZ-i-kp-lr¯v hmsd-¦-bpsS ØnXn-sb-¸-än-sbms¡ AhÄ Hcp-]mSv Bi-¦-IÄ ]peÀ¯n-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Ah-cpsS XmÂ]cyw thsd-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw am-{Xambn asämcp kw`m-j-W-¯n apgpIn; Hcp-]t£ AsXmcp kw`m-j-W-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã, KqV-amb Hcp-Xcw Bi-b-hn-\n-a-bw. Hmtcm \nan-jhpw Ahsc X½n IqSp-X-e-S-¸n¨ Ft´m H¶v; X§Ä {]thin-¡p¶ AÚm-X-temIw Ccp-h-cp-sSbpw DÅn BËmZw \ndª `oXn Cf-¡n-hn-«p. X½n I−n«v Hcp-]mSv \mfm-b-tÃm-sb¶p Inän ]d-ª-t¸mÄ FÀKp-tjmthm-bn-tebv¡p t]mIp-t¼mÄ Xm\-hsf I− Imcyw sehn³ ]d-ªp. kv{XoI-fpsS

Ah-Im-i-§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ NÀ¨-bv¡n-S-bn s]Ìvtkmhv ]e XhW FSp-¯n-Sm³ Xp\nª Nne hnj-b-§Ä kv{XoI-fpsS km¶n[y¯n NÀ¨ sN¿m-\m-hn-söp Icp-Xn-b-Xn-\m skÀPn sFht\m-hn¨pw s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨pw tNÀ¶v apS-¡n. kv{XoIÄ s]mbv¡gn-ª-t¸mÄ s]Ìvtkmhv Ae-Ivkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-t\mSv CtX-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ XpS-§n. hnhm-l-¯nse hnth-N-\-§-fn {][m-\-ambn

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“Rm\Xp hniz-kn-¡p-¶n-Ã, Rm³ hniz-kn-¡p-¶n-Ã. F\n-¡Xp hniz-kn-¡m\m-hn-Ã.'' tUmfn saenª ssIIÄ hnNn-{X-ambn Iq«n-¸n-W¨p. AhÄ NmSnsb-Wo-än«v Ae-Ivkn-bpsS tXmfn kv]Àin-¨p. “ChnsS Bfp-IÄ iey-s¸Sp-¯n-s¡m-−n-cn-¡pw. \ap¡v At§m-«n-cn-¡mw.'' “hkvXp-X-Isf BÀ¡pw Ahniz-kn-¡m-\m-hn-Ã, Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\.'' hkvXp-X-Isf F¶-Xn\v Du¶Â sImSp¯v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “bYmÀ°-¯n Ah-sf-´mWv sNbvXXv?'' “Npa-Xe ad-¶p, `À¯m-hns\ h©n¨p. A{X Xs¶.'' “CÃnÃ, A§s\ kw`-hn-¡n-Ã. ssZh-¯m-sW, \n§Ä¡p sXäp ]än-b-Xmhpw.'' ssIIÄ Ccp sN¶n-I-fnepw Xm§n I®-S¨v AhÄ ]d-ªp. “F«p hÀjs¯ Ah-fpsS Pohn-Xhpw aI\pw FÃmw sXäm-bn-cp-¶p-sh-¶v, PohnXw BZvyw apX XpS-§m³ t]mIp-I-bm-sW¶v `mcy Xs¶ `À¯mhnt\mSp ]d-bp-t¼mÄ sXäp ]äm³ km[y-X-bn-Ã.'' “A¶bpw ]m]-hpw... F\n¡v CXp c−pw-IqSn _Ôn-¸n-¡mt\ ]äp-¶n-Ã. F\n-¡nXp hniz-kn-¡m³ ]äp-¶n-Ã.'' Ah-cpsS IcpW \ndª apJ-t¯¡p t\m¡n AbmÄ ]dªp: “Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\, kwi-bn-¨n-cp¶ Ime¯v Fsâ PohnXw Zb-\o-b-am-bncp-¶p; F¦nepw C¶-s¯-¡mÄ t`Z-am-bn-cp¶p AXv, {]Xo£ _m¡n-bp-−mbn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ {]Xo-£-I-fp-an-Ã, F¶n«pw Rm³ kwi-bn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn¡p-¶p. FÃm-¯n-s\bpw kwi-bn¨v Rms\sâ aIs\ shdp-¡m³ XpS-§nbn-cn-¡p-¶p, Nnet¸m Ah-s\sâ aI-\-söp hniz-kn-¡m-\pw. Rm³ hfsc ZpJn-X-\m-Wv.'' \mhv Xsâ \nb-{´-W-¯n \n¶p hgp-Xn-t¸m-Ip-¶Xv AbmÄ I−p. Ct¸mgn-§s\ ]d-tb− Imcy-an-Ãm-bn-cp¶p F¶v Abm-fpsS apJ-¯p-\n¶v Ahfpw hmbn-s¨-Sp-¯p. AhÄ¡bmtfmSp kl-Xm]w tXm¶n; Xsâ kplr-¯nsâ \njvI-f-¦-X-bn-epÅ hnizmkw XIÀ¶p-Xp-S-§n. hnhm-l-tam-N-\-a-ÃmsX aäp hgn-bn-söv AbmÄ ]d-ª-t¸mÄ A§s\ ]db-cp-tX-sb¶v AhÄ sI©n. Ah-fpsS I®p-IÄ \nd-ªn-cp-¶p. AeIvkn ]dªp: “C¯cw kµÀ`-§-fn aäp ]e-t¸m-gp-sa¶ t]mse \ni-_vZ-ambn kln-¨pt]m-Im³ ]äp-I-bp-an-Ã, Xocp-am-\-§-sf-Sp¯v \S-¸m-¡ntb ]äq.'' “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p, \¶mbn a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p... F¦nepw H¶m-tem-Nn¡q. Hcp \nanjw! \n§-sfmcp ss{IkvX-h-\-tÃ. Ah-sf-sbm-t¶mÀ¯p t\m¡q. \n§-fp-t]-£n-¨m AhÄs¡´p kw`-hn-¡p-sa-t¶mÀ¡q.'' “Rm³ Nn´n¨p Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hv\. Fsâ ta ]Xn-¡m³ t]mIp¶ \mW-t¡-Sn-s\-¡p-dn¨v AhÄ Xs¶ Ft¶mSp hnkvX-cn-¨-t¸mÄ

Rm\mZyw sNbvXXv AXm-Wv. FÃmw ]g-b-]Sn Xs¶ hn-«p. AhÄ¡p \¶mIm³ Ah-kcw sImSp-¯p, Ahsf c£n-¡m³ {ian-¨p. F´p ^ew? _mly-amb s]cp-am-ä-¯n am\yX ]peÀ¯-W-sa¶ sNdnb \njvIÀj t]mepw ]men-¡m³ AhÄ Xbm-dm-bn-Ã. \in-¡-W-sa¶p hmin-bn-Ãm¯ Bscbpw c£n-¡m³ {ian-¡mw. ]t£ \miw Xs¶-bmWp c£-sb¶p Icp-Xp-¶-h-sctbm? klm-\p-`q-Xn¡p \µn-bp-−v, ]t£ Rm\n-t¸mÄ t]mI-s«.'' “Hcp \nanjw IqSn! \n§-f-hsf XIÀ¯p-I-f-b-cp-Xv. Hä \nan-jw, Rms\sâ Imcyw ]d-b-s«. Rm³ hnhm-ln-X-bm-bn-cp-¶p, Fsâ `À¯mhv Fs¶ h©n¨p. tZjyw sIm−v Rm³ FÃmw XIÀs¯-dn-tª-s\... ]t£ Rms\s¶ Xncn-¨p-]n-Sn-¨p, A¶-bpsS CS-s]-S Imc-Ww. Ct¸mÄ Rm³ kt´m-jambn apt¶m«p t]mIp-¶p. Ip«n-IÄ \¶mbn hf-cp-¶p, `À¯mhv sXäp a\kn-em¡n Xncn-¨p-h-¶p, IqSp-X IqSp-X \Ã-h-\m-Ip-¶p. Rms\Ãmw s]mdp-¯n-cn-¡p-¶p. \n§fpw £an¡m³ IS-s¸-«-h-\mWv.'' “£an-¡m³ F\n-¡m-hn-Ã, B{K-l-hp-an-Ã. Cu kv{Xo¡p th−n Rm³ FÃmw sNbvXp, AhÄ Ah-sbÃmw sNfn-bn Nhn-«n-¯m-gv¯n. Rms\mcp {]Xn-Im-c-_p-²n-¡m-c-\-Ã, Bscbpw shdp-¯n-«p-anÃ; ]t£ Ch-tfmSv F\n¡p £an-¡m-\m-hn-Ã. Fsâ Bßm-hnsâ kÀh-i-àn-tbmSpw IqSn Rm\-hsf shdp-¡p-¶p.'' i_vZ-¯n t]mepw \ndª shdp-t¸msS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]dªp. “\n§sf _p²n-ap-«n-¨-Xn\v Ft¶mSp £an-¡q, ]t£ Hmtcm-cp-¯À¡pw Ah-c-h-cpsS ZpJM-§Ä Xs¶ th−-Xn-te-sd-bp−v.'' F¶p ]dªv im´\mbn AbmÄ hnS-hm-§n.

kwkmcw \nÀ¯n FÃm-hcpw FWo-ä-t¸mÄ Inän-bpsS ]n¶mse t{UmbnMv dqante¡p t]mIm\mWv sehn\p tXm-¶n-b-Xv. AhÄ¡Xv CjvSs - ¸-«n-sæntem F¶p IcpXn Ahn-sS-¯s¶ \n¶v BWp-§-fpsS kwkm-c-¯n apgp-In. ]t£ Abm-fpsS a\kv t{UmbnMv dqan-em-bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS a\kn \nd-ªp-\n¶ B cq]w Ahn-sS-\n-¶n-d§n hmXn-en-\-Sp¯p h¶p \n¶p. Xncn-ªp-t\m-¡msX Xs¶ CsXÃmw I− sehn³ Xe Xncn¨p t\m¡n. “\o ]nbmt\m hmbn-¡m³ t]mb-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-sa¶p Rm³ Icp-Xn. \m«n³]pd¯v F\n¡p Xosc In«m¯ ku`m-Ky-am-W-Xv.'' “AÃ. Rm³ \n§sf Iq«m³ h¶-Xm-Wv.'' Ah-tfm-sSm-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp¶ sjÀ_mävkvIn asäm-cn-S-t¯¡p amdns¡mSp¯p. Inän Hcp tai-bpsS ASp¯p t]mbn-cp-¶p. sehn-t\mSv kwkm-cn-¡p-¶-

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Xn-\n-S-bn AhnsS InS¶ tNm¡p sIm−v tai-hn-cn-bn shdpsX hr¯§Ä hc-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶p. ]ns¶ “tlm, Rm³ tai-bmsI Ip¯n-h-c¨p' F¶p ]d-ªp-sIm−v FWo¡m-s\m-cp-§n. “Hcp \nanjw! Hcp Imcyw tNmZn-¡-Wsa¶p Ipd-¨p-\m-fmbn hnNm-cn-¡p-¶p.'' “tNmZn-¡q.'' sehn³ tNms¡-Sp¯v tai-ta Npcp-s¡-gp-¯p-t]mse FgpXn: H ] A ] H F X A A Im. “Hcn-¡epw ]än-söv A¶p ]d-ªXv Hcn-¡epw F¶p-t±-in¨p Xs¶-bmtWm, AtXm At¸m-gs¯ Imcy-am-bn-cpt¶m?' Ipg¸w ]nSn¨ Cu hmNIw AhÄs¡m-cn-¡epw a\-kn-em-Im³ km[y-X-bnÃ; ]t£ Ah-fXp {Kln-¡p¶XnemWv Xsâ apgp-h³ Poh\pw F¶ a«n sehn³ Ahsf t\m¡n. Npfnª ]pcnIw ssII-fn Xm§n Inän B A£-c-§-fn-te¡p kq£n¨p t\m¡n; CSbv¡v Ht¶m ct−m XhW Abm-sf-bpw. “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p−v.'' apJw XpSp-¯p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. “H' F¶ A£cw Nq−n sehn³ tNmZn¨p: “CsX-´mWv?'' “Hcn-¡epw' F¶v, ]t£ AXp sXäm-bn-cp-¶p.'' Fgp-Xn-bXp apgp-h³ ambv¨p-I-f-ªn«v sehn³ tNm¡v Inän¡p sImSp-¯p. Ah-sf-gpXn: A F a D ] I At¸mÄ F\n¡v asäm-cp- D¯cw ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS t\m«w tNmZn¨p: “At¸m-Ä am{Xw?'' Ah-fpsS ]p©ncn adp-]Sn ]dªp: “AsX'' “Ct¸mtgm?'' AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p. “CXp hmbn¡q'' F¶n«v Ah-sf-gpXn: I a s]m X I Ign-ª-sXms¡ ad-¡m\pw s]mdp-¡m\pw Xm¦Ä¡p Ign-bp-sa-¦nÂ. hndbv¡p¶ hnc-ep-IÄ sIm−v Xnc-¡n«p X«n-¸-dn-¡p-t¼mÄ tNm¡v HSnªp-t]m-bn. B IjWw sIm−v AbmÄ ASp¯ Npcp-s¡-gp-s¯-gp-Xn. Ah-fXv C§s\ hmbn-s¨-Sp¯p: F\n¡p ad-¡m\pw s]mdp-¡m\pw H¶p-anÃ; F\n¡p \nt¶m-SpÅ kvt\lw Hcn-¡epw apdn-ªn-«n-Ã. “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p.'' AhÄ a{´n-¨p. sehn³ Hcp \o− hmN-I-sa-gp-Xn. AhÄ AXnsâ AÀ°w ]d-bm³ sa\s¡-SmsX Xs¶ adp-]Snsbgp-Xn. Ah-sf-´m-Wp-t±-in-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v Iptd t\c-t¯¡v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn-Ã; ]t£ kt´mjw sIm−p Xnf§p¶ Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fn AbmÄ¡-dn-tb-−-sXÃmw D−m-bn-cp-¶p.

AbmÄ s]s«¶v aq¶v A£-c-§-sf-gp-Xn. Ip\nªv tXmfn\p aotX IqSn AXp hmbn-¨n«v AhÄ s]s«¶p Xs¶ “icn' F¶p adp-]-Sn-sb-gp-Xn. “\n§-sf´m sk{I-ä-bÀ Ifn-¡p-I-bmtWm? Xnb-ä-dn ka-b-s¯-¯-W-sa¦n Ct¸m-sg-¦nepw t]mI-Ww.'' hb-k³ {]`p ]d-ªp. sehn-s\-gp-t¶äv Inänsb hmXn¡-temfw A\p-K-an-¨p. ]d-tb-−-sXÃmw AhÀ ]dªp Ign-ªn-cp-¶p. AhÄ¡-bmsf CjvS-am-sW¶v, AbmÄ \msf cmhnse hcp-sa¶v amXm-]n-Xm-¡-tfmSp ]d-bm-sa-¶v.

hgn-IÄ hnP-\-am-bn-cp-¶p. sehn³ ]peÀs¨ FWoäv sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\¯n-se-¯n. AhnsS FÃmw \à Dd-¡-am-bn-cp-¶p, hmXn-ep-I-f-S-ªp-In-S-¶p. AbmÄ XncnsI \S¶p apdn-bn-se-¯n. Hcp Im¸n- IpSn-¨p. ]pd-¯n-d§n H¶p \S-¶p. c−mw h«w sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n-se-¯p-t¼mÄ H³]Xp aWn-bmbn-cp-¶p. Bfp-IÄ FWo-än-t«-bp-Åq. Inän \S-¡p-Itbm HmSp-Itbm AÃ, GtXm AZr-iy-i-àn-bm-se-¶-t]mse Hgp-In-h-cp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. B I®p-I-fnse kvt\l-¯nsâ {]Imiw AbmfpsS I®p aª-fn-¸n-¨p. AhÄ sXm«-Sp-s¯¯n \n¶p. ssIIÄ AbmfpsS tXmfn h¨p. Abm-f-hsf Npän-¸n-Sn¨v Np−p-I-fn Np−-aÀ¯n. Ahfpw cm{Xn H«pw Dd-§n-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. cmhnse AbmÄ hcp-¶Xpw Im¯n-cn¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “\ap¡v A½-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p t]mImw.'' sehnsâ ssI ]nSn-¨p-sIm−v Inän \S-¶p. Ahsc I−-t¸mÄ {]`zn Bg-¯n izmkw Ign-¨p, s]s«¶v Hä-¡-c-¨nÂ, ]ns¶ s]s«¶p Nncn¨p. sehn³ H«pw {]Xo-£n-¡m¯ thK-¯n HmSnsb¯n inc-kn sI«n-¸n-Sn¨v Npw_n-¨p; Abm-fpsS apJw Ah-cpsS I®oÀsIm−p \\-ªp. “Rm³ F¶pw B{K-ln-¨n-cp-¶-Xm-WnXv...'' sehns\ ssII-fn ]nSn¨p X¶n-te-¡-Sp-¸n-¨p-sIm−v {]`p ]d-ªp. “ChfpsS a\-kn aäp...'' “]¸m!'' Inän D¨-¯n-e-e-dn, ssIIÄ sIm−v Abm-fpsS hmb s]m¯n. “CÃ, CÃn-Ã. Rm³ F{X kt´m... Rms\-s´mcp hnUvVn-bm-Wv!'' AbmÄ Inänsb Benw-K\w sNbvXp, Ah-fpsS apJ¯pw ssII-fnepw amdn-amdn Npw_n-¨p, Ah-fpsS ta Ipcn-i-S-bmfw hc-¨p. {]`p, {]`zn, Inän, sehn³. hnhmlw F¶p thW-sa¶v Btem-Nn-¡p-I-bmW-hÀ. “Cbm-fsà {][m\ hyàn. CbmÄ Xs¶ ]d-b-s«.'' {]`p sehns\ Nq−n.

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“Dw... \msf-¯-s¶-bm-bn-t¡m-s«.'' sehnsâ apJw XpSp-¯p. “C¶v BioÀhm-Zw, \msf hnhm-lw.'' “AXp Np½m Akw-_Ôw.'' “F¦n ASp-¯-bm-gvN.'' “CbmÄ¡p {`m´m-bnt¸m-bn.'' “F´m Ipg¸w?'' “hnhm-l-h-kv{X-¯nsâ Imcytam?'' sehnsâ XnSp¡w I−v BËmZw tXm¶nb {]`zn tNmZn¨p. “At¿m, F\n¡sXm¶p-a-dn-bn-Ã. a\-kn tXm¶n-bXp Rm\§p ]dsª¶p am{Xw.'' sehn³ ]d-ªp. “AsXÃmw \ap¡p ]n¶oSp Xocp-am-\n-¡mw. BioÀhm-Zhpw Adn-bn¸pw DS³ \S-¡-s«.''

H«pw B´-cnI kwLÀj-an-Ãm-sX-bà sehn³ Inän¡p Ubdn ssIam-dn-b-Xv. GXm-bmepw X§Ä¡n-S-bn C\n cl-ky-§Ä ]mSn-söv AbmÄ Xocp-am\n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AXv Ah-fn-ep-−m-¡p¶ {]Xn-I-cWw AbmÄ¡v Duln-¡m³ Ign-ªnÃ; Ah-fpsS Øm\¯p kzbw \nÀ¯n Nn´n-¨n-Ã. A¶p sshIn«v ho−pw Ah-fpsS apdn-bn sNÃp-t¼m-gmWv Xm\p-−m-¡nh¨ ]oU-bpsS Bgw Ic-ªp-I-e-§nb I®p-I-fn AbmÄ hmbn-¨-Xv. sh¬{]mhn-s\-t¸m-epÅ Ah-fpsS ]cn-ip-²nbpw Xsâ eÖm-Ic - -amb `qXIm-ehpw X½n- thÀXn-cn-¡p¶ AKm-[-amb B KÀ¯w amc-I-amb `oXn-bpWÀ¯n AbmÄ¡p ap¶n ]c-¶p-In-S-¶p. “`b-¦-cw. Cu ]pkvX-I-§Ä FSp-¯p-sIm−p t]m.'' Ah X«n-\o-¡n-h-¨psIm−v Inän ]d-ªp. “F´n\m F\n-¡nh X¶Xv? AÃ, Hcp IW-¡n\v AXp \¶m-bn.'' Abm-fpsS apJs¯ \ncm-ibpw ZpJhpw I−v AhÄ ]dªp. “F¶mepw AXp `oXn-Z-am-Wv.'' sehnsâ inckp XmWp, AbmÄ \ni-_vZ-\mbn \n¶p. “\n\-s¡-t¶mSp s]mdp-¡m³ Ign-bntÃ?'' AbmÄ a{´n-¨p. “Rms\Ãmw £an-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p, F¦nepw AXv `oI-c-am-Wv.'' Cu Akz-Ø-X-IÄs¡m¶pw sISp-¯m³ h¿m-¯-hn[w A{X hep-Xm-bncp¶p Abm-fpsS kt´m-jw. Inän Abm-tfmSp £an-¨p. F¦nepw B \nanjw apX AbmÄ kzbw Atbm-Ky-\m-bn-¡-cp-Xn, A\Àl-ambn ssIh¶ Aaq-ey-\n-[n-bmbn Ah-sf-¡-cp-Xn.

“C\n \ap¡p a[p-c-]-e-lm-c-§-fm-hmw.'' amZ-tam-k ent\m³ ]d-ªp. sehn³ Ah hm§m³ h−n-tbm-Sn¨p t]mbn. “lu, F\n¡p kt´m-j-am-bn. s_ms¡-IÄ s^man-sâ-b-Sp-¯p-\n¶p hm§p-I-bm-bn-cn¡pw \Ã-Xv.'' kznbmjvkvIn ]d-ªp. “Hm, s_ms¡ thtWm?'' AbmÄ s^man-sâ-b-Sp-t¯¡p t]mbn. Hcp-]mSp Nne-hp-I-fp-−m-hpw, k½m-\-§-sfms¡ hm§-−-X-tÃ, ]Ww Xm³ \ÂIm-sa¶v skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ]d-ªp. “Hm, k½m-\-§-sfms¡ thW-atÃ?'' sehn³ ^qÄUn-sâ-b-Sp-t¯¡p t]mbn. sN¶n-S-s¯Ãmw FÃm-hcpwþ ap³]p Ku\n-¡m-Xn-cp-¶-hÀ t]mepw þ Xs¶ kvt\l-t¯mSpw BZ-c-thmSpw hmÂk-ey-t¯mSpw ]cn-K-W-\-tbmSpw IqSn t\m¡p-¶-Xmbn sehn\p tXm¶n. F§pw F´nepw kt´mjw am{Xw. Inän-tbm-SpÅ Gäp-]-d-¨n am{X-am-bn-cp¶p Cu Zn\-§-fnse GI ZpJm-\p-`hw. {]`p-hnsâ A\p-a-Xnbpw D]-tZ-ihpw kzoI-cn¨v AbmÄ Xsâ Ubdn Inän¡p ssIam-dn. `mhn-`m-cysb Dt±-in¨p Ipdn-¨-Xm-bn-cp¶p Ah. c−p Imcy-§Ä Abmsf hÃmsX thZ-\n-¸n-¨n-cp-¶p. Xsâ ]cn-ip-²n-bn-Ãm-bvabpw hnizm-k-anÃm-bva-bpw. hnizm-k-an-Ãmbva A{X Kuc-h-apÅ kwK-Xn-bmbn AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-bn-Ã. AhÄ XnIª aX-hn-izm-kn-bm-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw Abm-fpsS _mly-amb aX-hn-izm-k-an-Ãmbva Ahsf Ae-«n-bn-Ã. kvt\l¯n-eqsS Xm³ ASp-¯-dnª B a\kpw Bßmhpw Hcp Ahn-izm-kn-bp-tSXm-sW-¶Xv henb Imcy-a-Ã. c−m-as¯ Ipä-k-½Xw Ahsf ITn-\-ambn Ic-bn-¨p.

AeIvkn

Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n\p c−p sSen-{Km-ap-IÄ h¶p. Gsd \mfmbn t\m«-an-«n-cp¶ XkvXn-I-bn-te¡p kvs{Stam-hns\ \nb-an-¨p-sIm-−pÅ-Xm-bn-cp¶p BZy-t¯-Xv. Xs¶ Hgn-hm-¡n-b-Xnepw thZ\ B Øm\t¯¡v Abmsf Is−-¯n-b-Xn Bbn-cp-¶p. c−m-as¯ sSen{Kmw A¶bp-tS-Xm-Wv. \oe-s¸³knÂsIm−v Ah-fpsS t]sc-gp-Xn-bn-«p-−v. “Rm³ acn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. Zb-hmbn Ct§m«p hc-W-sa¶v Rm³ At]-£n-¡p-¶p. As§-\n¡p am¸p \ÂIn-bm F\n¡p acWw Ipd-¨pIqSn Ffp-¸-am-Ipw.'' ]pÑ-t¯msS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v B sSen{Kmw Xmtg-s¡-dnªp. “Hmtcm AS-hp-IÄ. ]t£ F´m-Wp-t±-iy-sa¶p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. {]k-h-k-a-b-a-Sp-¯n-cn-¡p-I-b-tÃ, Ip«n Ahn-ln-X-a-söp hcp-¯m-\mtWm? AtXm hnhm-l-tam-N\w Hgn-hm-¡m³ H¯p-XoÀ¸n-\pÅ {ia-amtWm? ]t£ “Rm³ acn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bmWv'' F¶m-sW-gp-Xn-bn-cn-¡p-¶-Xv.' Abm-Ä Hcn-¡Â IqSn sSen{Kmw FSp¯p hmbn-¨p. “C\n AXp kXy-am-sW-¦n t]mIm-Xn-c-¡p-¶Xp {IqcX am{X-aà a−-¯-c-hp-am-Ipw.'

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AeIvkn ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te¡p t]mIm³ h−n hcp-¯n. X«n-¸m-sW-¦n Xncn-¨p-t]m-cmw. bYmÀ°-¯n ac-Wm-k-¶-bm-sW-¦n AhÄ¡p am¸p \ÂI-Ww, sshIn-t¸m-sb-¦n tij-{In-b-IÄ \S-¯-Ww. h−n hmXn¡-se¯n \n¶p. tImÀWn ]Sn-bn-d§n HmSn-h-¶p. “hfsc Kpcp-X-c-am-Wv. tUmIvSÀ C¶se h¶n-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ Chn-sS-bp-−v.'' AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “Bscm-s¡-bp-−n-hnsS?'' “tUmIvSdpw anUvssh^pw hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p-hpw.'' AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v DÅn-te¡p Ib-dnt¸m-bn. sXm¸nbpw sseemIv dn_Wpw [cn¨ anUvssh^v Cd-§n-h-¶p. ASp-s¯-¯nb acWs¯ I−-bm-fpsS kzmX-{´y-t¯msS Abmsf ssIbn ]nSn¨v InS-¸p-apdn-bn-te¡p sIm−p-t]m-bn. “ssZh-¯n\p kvXpXn! \n§Ä h¶tÃm. AhÀ \n§-sf-¸än¯s¶ tNmZn¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv.'' “sFkv s]s«¶v'' tUmIvSÀ hnfn-¨p-]-d-ªp. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v A¶-bpsS InS-¡-d-bn-te¡p IS-¶p. ssII-fn apJw Xm§n Ic-ªp-sIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn Ccn-¸p-−v. tUmIvSdpsS i_vZw tI«p NmSn-sb-gp-t¶ä AbmÄ I−Xv AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-s\-bm-Wv. AbmÄ Fgp-t¶-ä-]Sn Ccp-¶p-t]m-bn. ]ns¶ Fgp-t¶äp: “AhÄ acn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. Hcp {]Xo-£-bp-an-sömWv tUmIvSÀamÀ ]d-bp-¶-Xv. Rm³ ]qÀW-ambpw \n§-fpsS Imcp-Wy-¯n-em-Wv. Fs¶ Chn-sS-bn-cn-¡m³ am{Xw A\p-h-Zn-¡-tW... \n§Ä ]d-bp-t¼mse Rm³ sN¿mw... Rm³...'' A\y-cpsS ZpJw ImWp-t¼mÄ ]Xn-hp-Å-Xp-t]mse AbmÄ apJw Xncn¨v IqSp-X tIÄ¡m³ \n¡msX AI-t¯¡p \S-¶p. DÅn \n¶v A¶bpsS i_vZw kv^pS-X-tbm-sS, Poh-kpäv Hgp-In. apdn-bn IS-¶-t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p t\tc apJ-hp-ambn AhÄ InS-¡p-¶p. apJw Nph¶p XpSp-¯n-«p−v, I®p-IÄ Xnf-§p-¶p. AXoh k´p-jvS-bm-sW¶p tXm¶pw. AhÄ kwKo-Xm-ß-I-ambn kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv, IrXy-amb D¨m-cWhpw kzc-t`-Z-§-fpw. “ImcWw Ae-Ivkn þ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ Imcy-amWv Rm³ ]d-bp-¶Xv (F{X AXn-i-b-I-chpw IjvS-hp-am-W-tÃ, c−p t]cpw AeIvkn Xs¶?) þ Fsâ At]£ \nc-kn-¡n-Ã. Rm³ ad-¡-Ww, At±lw £an¡pw... ]t£ At±lw hcm-¯-sX´m? At±-l-¯n\p Xs¶ Adn-bm³ h¿m-¯{X \Ã-h-\mWv At±-lw. ssZhta Fs´mcp thZ-\. F\n-¡n-¯ncn

shÅw Xcq. th−, AX-hÄ¡p tZmj-am-bn-cn-¡pw, Fsâ Ipªp-s]-®n-\v. Ahsf Hcp \gvknsâ ssIbn sImSp-¡q. AsX, AXm-bn-cn¡pw \Ã-Xv. At±lw hcpw. Ahsf ImWp-¶Xv At±-l-s¯ thZ-\n-¸n-¡pw. Ahsf Hcp \gvknsâ ssIbn sImSp-¡q.'' “A¶ AÀ¡tZy-hv\m, CXm At±-l-sa-¯n.'' anUvssh^v ]d-ªp. “Hm, F´p hnUvVn-¯-am-Wv...'' AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ ImWmsX A¶ ]d-ªp. “Ahsf C§p Xcq. At±lw C\nbpw h¶n-Ã. At±-ls¯ Adn-bm-¯-Xp-sIm-−mWv At±-l-sa-t¶mSp £an-¡n-söp \n§Ä ]d-bp-¶-Xv. BÀ¡pw At±-ls¯ Adn-bn-Ã. F\n¡p am{Xta Adnbq, F\n¡p Xs¶ F{X IjvS-s¸-«n-«m-sWt¶m... At±-l-¯nsâ I®p-IÄ F\n-¡-dn-bmw þ skcn-tbm-jbv¡pw AtX I®p-I-fm-Wvþ AXp-sIm-−pXs¶ F\n-¡v Ahsb t\cn-Sm-\m-hn-Ã. skcn-tbmj `-£Ww Ignt¨m? FÃm-hcpw Ahs\ ad-¡p-sa-s¶-\n-¡-dn-bmw. At±lw Ahs\ ad-¡n-Ã. skcn-tbm-jsb aqe-bnse apdn-bn-te¡p amä-Ww, amcn-bäv IqsS InS-t¶ms«.'' s]s«¶v AhÄ ]pd-tIm«p hen-ªp, \ni-_vZ-bm-bn. `oXn-tbmsS ASn XSp¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse ssIIÄ apJ-¯n\p t\sc ]nSn-¨p. AhÄ `À¯m-hns\ I−p. “CÃ, F\n-¡-t±-ls¯ `b-an-Ã. ac-Ws¯ F\n¡p `b-am-Wv. Ae-Ivko, C§p hcq. Rm³ Xnc-¡n-em-Wv, H«pw ka-b-an-Ã. F\n-¡n\n A[n-I-k-abw Pohn-X-an-Ã. Ct¸mįs¶ ]\n XpS-§pw. ]ns¶ F\n-s¡m¶pw a\-kn-emIn-Ã, Ct¸mÄ F\n-s¡Ãmw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p-−v. Rms\Ãmw ImWp¶p.'' AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ Npfn-ª apJ¯p thZ\ \nd-ªp. Ah-fpsS ssIIfn ]nSn¨v Ft´m ]d-bm-\m-sª-¦nepw i_vZ-sam¶pw h¶n-Ã. Abm-fpsS Iogv¨p-−p-IÄ hnd-¨p. “Hcp \nan-jw, H¶p \n¡q... Hä \nanjw'' ]d-bm-\p-Å-sXÃmw kzcp-¡q-«p¶-Xp-t]mse AhÄ Btem-Nn-¨p. “AXp Xs¶, AXmWv Rm³ ]d-bm³ XpS-§n-b-Xv. Fs¶ I−v AÛp-X-s¸-S-cp-Xv. Rm\n-t¸mgpw ]gb BÄ Xs¶bm-Wv... ]t£ Fsâ-bp-Ån asämcp kv{Xo D−v. F\n-¡-hsc `b-am-Wv. AhÀ Abmsf kvt\ln-¨p, Rm³ \n§sf shdp-¡m³ {ian-¨p. Rm³ B kv{Xob-Ã. Ct¸mÄ Rm³ Rm³ Xs¶-bm-Wv, bYmÀY Rm³. Rm³ acn-¡pI-bm-Wv. Rm³ acn-¡p-sa¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. Ct¸mtg F\n-¡X - -\p-`-hn-¡mw-þt\m¡q Fsâ Imep-I-fn-sebpw ssII-fn-sebpw hnc-ep-I-fn-sebpw `mcw t\m¡q. Fsâ hnep-IÄ t\m¡qþ F{X hep-Xm-W-h-sb-¶v! CsXÃmw s]s«¶-h-km-\n-t¨mfpw. F\n-s¡m¶p am{Xw aXn. £an-¡p-I, Ft¶mSp £an-¡pI. Rm³ `b-¦-cn-bm-Wv, F\n-¡-dn-bmw; ]t£ Fsâ Bb F\n¡p

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]dªpXcp-am-bn-cp-¶p, ]cn-ip-²-bmb B cà-km£nþ Ah-cpsS t]sc´mWv? AhÀ CXntesd No¯-bm-bn-cp-s¶-¶v. F-¶n«v Rm³ tdman-te¡p t]mIpw. AhnSps¯ Xpd-kmb iq\y-X-I-fn Rm³ BÀ¡p-samcp iey-amhn-Ã. Fsâ skcn-tbm-j-sbbpw Ipªp-a-I-sfbpw am{Xta Rm³ sIm−pt]m-Iq. CÃ... \n§Äs¡-t¶mSp £an-¡m-\m-hn-Ã! AXp £an-¡m-hp-¶-Xsöv F\n-¡-dn-bmw! th−, th− s]mbvt¡m-fq, \n§Ä Hcp-]mSv \Ã-h-\mWv. s]mÅp¶ Hcp ssIsIm−v Abmsf ASp-¸n-¨p-\nÀ¯pIbpw atä ssIsIm−v XÅn-\o-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp AhÄ. AbmÄ ap«p-Ip¯n Ah-fpsS ssIbn Xe-b-aÀ¯n sIm¨p-Ip-«n-sb-t¸mse hnXp-¼n. ssIIÄsIm−v Abm-fpsS inckp Npän-¸n-Sn¨v Abm-fpsS ASpt¯¡p \o§n [n¡mcw \ndª A`n-am-\-t¯msS AhÄ inc-kp-bÀ¯n. “AXmWv At±lw! At±-ls¯ F\n-¡-dn-bmw. C\n FÃm-hcpw F\n¡p am¸p \ÂIq. Ah-scÃmw ho−pw h¶n-cn-¡p-¶p. ChÀ¡p t]mbm-se´m? Fsâbo hkv{X-§Ä Agn-¨p-amäq!'' tUmIvSÀ A¶-bpsS ssIIÄ hnSÀ¯n-amän Ahsf Npa hsc ]pX-¸n-¨p. “Ht¶mÀ¡p-I, F\n¡p am¸-ÃmsX asäm¶pw th−, asäm-¶pw. F´m At±lw hcm-¯Xv?'' hmXn¡ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS t\À¡p Xncnªv AhÄ ]d-ªp. “hcq, hcq, At±-l-¯n\p ssI sImSp-¡q.'' hvtdm¬kvIn InS-¡-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p sN¶p. A¶sb I−-t¸mÄ ho−pw apJw ssII-fn-sem-fn-¸n-¨p. “ssIIÄ amäq, At±-l-samcp hnip-²-\mWv!'' “\n§-fpsS apJs¯ ad \o¡q.'' AhÄ tIm]-t¯msS ]d-ªp. “AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v, Abm-fpsS apJs¯ ad-bv¡p¶ ssIIÄ \o¡q. F\n¡v Abmsf ImWWw.'' AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJ-¯p-\n¶v ssIIÄ ]nSn-¨p-am-än. B apJw \mWhpw thZ-\bpw sIm−v ]pf-ªn-cp¶p. “At±-l-¯n\p ssI sImSp-¡q. At±-l-t¯mSp £an-¡q.'' Xsâ I®p-I-fn Hgp-In-\n-d-bp¶ I®oÀ \nb-{´n-¡m³ sa\-s¡-SmsX AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ssIsIm-Sp-¯p. “ssZhta \µn, ssZhta \µn!'' AhÄ ]d-ªp. FÃmw Hcp-§n-¡-gn-ªp. Fsâ Imsem¶p \nhÀ¯p-h-s¨-¦nÂ. A§-s\, B... Ak-em-bn. F{X tami-am-bn-«mWv Cu ]q¡Ä h¨n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv.'' AhÄ Xq¡-e-¦m-c-§-fpsS t\À¡p Nq−n. “Fsâ ssZh-ta, Ft¸m-gm-Wn-sXm-¶-h-km-\n-¡pI? F\n¡Â]w tamÀ^o³ Xcq. tUmIvSÀ, F\n-¡n-¯ncn tamÀ^o³... Fsâ ssZhta!''

AhÄ InS-¡-bn sRfn-]n-cn-sIm-−p. acn-¡m-\mWv sXm®q-säm-¼Xp iXam-\hpw km[y-X-sb¶v tUmIvSÀamÀ ]d-ªp. ]I apgp-h³ ]\nbpw shfn-hp-tISpw ]pe-¼-ep-ambn IS-¶p-t]m-bn. ]mXn-cm-{Xn-bm-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ t_m[-a-äv, \mUn-an-Sn¸pw GXm−p \ne¨ ]cp-h-¯nem-bn. GXp \nan-jhpw A´yw kw`-hn-¡mw. hvtdm¬kvIn ho«n t]mbn-cp-¶p. cmhnse aS-§n-sb-¯n-bt- ¸mÄ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v lmfn h¨p I−p. “\n§-fn-hnsS Ccn-¡p-¶-XmWv \Ã-Xv, AhÄ At\z-jn-t¨¡pw'' F¶p ]dªv Abmsf Ah-Ä InS-¡p-¶nS-t¯¡p Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. CSbv¡p t_m[w sXfnbpw Nd-]dm ]eXpw ]dbpw HSp¡w t_m[w adbpw A§s\ Hcp-Zn-hkw IqSn IS-¶p-t]m-bn. aq¶mw \mÄ AÂ]w {]Xo-£bv¡p hI-bp-s−¶v tUmIvSÀamÀ ]d-ªp. A¶v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v InS-¸-d-bn hvtdm¬kvIn Ccn-¡p-¶nS-t¯¡p sN¶p. hmXn-e-S-¨n«v AbmÄs¡-Xnsc Ccp-¶p. “AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v'' Fs´-¦nepw hni-Zo-I-c-W-§Ä hcpsa¶p `b¶v hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªp: “F\n¡p kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã, Ct¸mÄ H¶pw a\-kn-em-¡m\pw Ign-bn-Ã. Fs¶ shdpsX hnSq. \n§Ä¡nXp hÃm¯ thZ-\-bm-sW-s¶-\n-¡-dn-bmw, ]t£ F\n-¡-Xn-tesd henb ]oU-\-am-Wv.'' Abm-sf-gp-t¶Â¡m³ XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ssIIfn ]nSn-¨p-sIm−p ]dªp: “F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-ÅXv tIÄ¡Wsa¶v Rm³ At]-£n-¡p-¶p. AXp tIt« ]äq. Rm³ hnhm-ltam-N-\-¯n\p Xocpam\n-¨n-cp-s¶¶pw AXn\pÅ \o¡-§-fn-em-bn-cp-s¶¶pw Adn-bm-a-tÃm. Ah-tfmSpw \n§-tfmSpw {]Xn-Imcw sN¿Wsa¶ Hä hnNmcta F\n-¡p-−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. sSen{Kmw In«n ChnsS hcp-t¼mgpw Fsâ a\kn AXp-X-s¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p; DÅXp ]d-bm-a-tÃm, Ah-fpsS acWw t]mepw Rm³ B{K-ln-¨n-cp-¶p. ]t£.... ’’ a\-kn-ep-ÅXp apgp-h³ ]d-b-Wtam F¶p i¦n¨v AbmÄ Hcp \nanjw \nÀ¯n. “]t£ Rm\-hsf I−p, AhÄ¡p am¸p sImSp-¯p. AXnsâ kt´mjw Fsâ IS-a-I-sf-´m-sW¶v F\n¡p shfn-s¸-Sp-¯n-¯-¶p. Fsâ adp-I-hnÄ IqSn Im«n-s¡m-Sp-¡m³, ta¡p-¸m-b-sa-Sp-¡p-s¶-¦n DSp-¸p-IqSn hn«p-sIm-Sp-¡m³ Rm³ Xbm-dmWv. am¸p \ÂIp-¶-Xnsâ al-\o-b-amb B B\µw F¶n \n¶p \o¡n-¡f-b-cptX F¶p am{Xta F\n¡p {]mÀ°\bp-Åq!’’ I®oÀap-¯p-IÄ Xnf-§n-\n¡p¶ B I®p-I-fnse {]Im-ihpw im´Xbpw hvtdm¬kvInsb AXn-i-bn-¸n¨p. “CXm-sWsâ AhØ: \n§Ä¡p thW-sa-¦n Fs¶ sNfn-bn Nhn-«n¯mgv¯mw; temI-¯n\p t\m¡n-¨n-cn-¡m-\pÅ Hcp Nc-¡m¡n amämw,

155 ]t£ Rm\-hsf Dt]-£n-¡n-Ã, \n§-tfmSv Hcp hm¡p t]mepw No¯ ]dbn-Ã. Fsâ IS-a-I-sf-s´¶v Rm³ \¶mbn Adn-bp-¶p. Rm³ Ah-tfm-sSm¸-am-bn-cn-¡-Ww, Bbn-cn-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw. AhÄ \n§sf ImWm³ B{Kln-¨m Rm³ XoÀ¨-bmbpw Adn-bn-¡mw, ]t£ Ct¸mÄ \n§Ä t]mIp¶-XmWv \Ã-sX¶v Rm³ Icp-Xp-¶p.’’ Abm-sf-gp-t¶-äp, hm¡p-IÄ hnXp-¼-ep-IÄ¡n-S-bn apdn-ªp-t]m-bn. hvtdm¬kvInbpw FWo¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p, ]mXn-sb-Woä \ne-bn ]pcn-Iap-bÀ¯n AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ t\m¡n. A-t±-l-¯nsâ a\kn-se-´m-sW¶v a\-kn-em-¡m³ Ign-ªnÃ; ]t£ F´p Xs¶-bm-bmepw AXp Xsâ Pohn-X-ho-£Ww h¨v X\n¡v F¯n-¸n-Sn-¡m-hp-¶-Xnepw Dbsc BsW¶v hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.

AeIvkn

Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨p-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-¯n\p tijw Itc\n³ `h-\-¯nsâ ]Sn-I-fn \n¶v ZpJn-X\pw ]cm-Pn-X\pw A]-am-\n-X\pambmWv hvtdm¬kvIn aS§nb-Xv. ho«n Xncn-s¨-¯n-bn«pw HmÀa-IÄ Ae-«n-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. Dd-§n-bn«p Znh-k-§-fm-sb-¦nepw Dd-§m³ ]äp-¶n-Ã. FÃmw ad¶v H¶p-d-§m³ {ian-¡p-t¼m-tg¡v A¶-bpsS apJw, i_vZw. Xsâ apJw ad-¨n-cp¶ ssIIÄ FSp¯p amäp¶ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨v, \mWw sIm−p XIÀ¶ apJw. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ hm¡p-IÄ, I®o-À \ndª I®p-IÄ… . C\n-sbm-cn-¡epw X\n¡v A¶sb In«m³ t]mIp-¶n-Ã. FÃmw Ign-ªp. FÃmw \jvS-s¸-«p. A¶-tbm-SpÅ kvt\lw Hgn-hm-¡n-bm Pohn-X-¯n C\n F´mWv _m¡n-bp-Å-Xv? Db-cm-\pÅ ]S-hp-IÄ? skÀ]p-tlmhvkvtImbv? kaq-l-Po-hnXw? “C§-s\-bmWv a\p-jyÀ {`m´p ]nSn¨v kzbw shSn-h-bv¡p-¶-Xv… A]-am\w Hgn-hm-¡m³.” hvtdm¬kvIn hmXn-e-S¨v \nÝ-eamb I®p-I-tfmsS ]Ãp-IÄ ISn¨p-]n-Sn¨v tai-bpsS ASp-¡-se-¯n, dnthmÄh-sd-Sp¯p, Npäpw t\m¡n. c−p \nanjw IS-¶p-t]m-bn. \ni-_vZw, \nÝ-ew, Nn´-IÄ am{Xw. \jvS-amb B\-µ-s¯-¸än-bpÅ HmÀa-IÄ. s\©nsâ CS-Xp-h-i-t¯mSp tNÀ¯v dnthmÄhÀ AaÀ¯n ssII-fn apdpsI¸nSn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn Im©n-bn hnc-e-aÀ¯n. sIm¼³ao-i-bpÅ thh-em-Xn-¡m-c³ the-¡m-c³ HmSn-sb¯n, Cu ImgvN I−v klm-b-¯n\v Bsf¡q«n. Hcp aWn-¡qÀ Ign-ª-t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn ktlm-Z-csâ `mcy hmcy-bp-sSbpw AhÄ \m\m-Zn-¡n \n¶mbn hcp-¯nb aq¶p tUmIvSÀam-cp-sSbpw ]cn-N-c-W-¯n-em-Wv.

156

A¶bv¡p

am¸p sImSp-¯-Xn-s\m¸w AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n\v hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSpw skcn-tbm-j-tbm-Sp-apÅ at\m-`m-hhpw amdn. aIt\mSv Ct¸mÄ hfsc ASp¸w tXm¶p-¶p-−v. A¶-bpsS Ct¸m-gs¯ Ip«n-tbm-Sv AbmÄ¡v kl-Xm]w am{X-a-Ã, BÀ{Z-Xbpw kvt\lhpw tXm¶n. F§pw im´nbpw kt´m-j-hpw. F¶m Znh-k-§Ä IS-¶p-t]msI _Ô-§-fn ho−pw hcĨ _m[n-¡p¶p. Bk-¶-amb ac-W-¯nsâ aXn-{`-a-§Ä Ign-ª-t¸mÄ A¶bv¡p ho−pw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ A`n-ap-Jo-I-cn-¡m³ t]Sn, Akz-Ø-X. s^{_p-hcn Ah-km-\-am-b-t¸mÄ A¶-bpsS Cfb Ip«n (AhÄ¡pw A¶ F¶p Xs¶-bmWv t]cn-«-Xv) tcmK-_m-[n-X-bm-bn. Imcy-amb Akp-J-sam-¶p-an-Ã, Bbbv¡p ]men-Ãm-¯-Xp-sIm-−m-sW¶v ]cn-Nm-cnI ]dªp. F¶n-«Xp ]d-bm-ª-sX´msW¶ tNmZy-¯n\v ‘BtcmSp ]d-bm-\mWv, A¶ AÀ¡-tZyhv\ Ct¸mgpw h¿msX InS-¡p-I-btÃ’ F¶ Atcm-N-IXz-am-bn-cp¶p adp-]-Sn. Xpfp-¼p¶ amdn-S-apÅ Bb Akz-Ø-X-tbmsS Ft´m ]ndp-]n-dp-¯p. s_ävkn sSzÀkvIb A¶sb ImWm-s\-¯n-bn-«p-−v. Ah-cpsS apJ¯pw KqV-amb Hcp `mhw. temIw apgp-h³ Xs¶ hnNn-{X-amb coXn-bn t\m¡n¡m-Wp-¶p-sh¶v Nn´n¨v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Akz-Ø-\m-bn. AsÃ-¦n Xs¶ s_ävknsb AbmÄ¡n-jvS-a-Ã. Hm^n-kn-te¡p t]mIp¶Xn\p ap³]v A¶sb ImWp-¶-Xm-Wv. A¶v AXp ths−¶v AbmÄ¡p tXm¶n. s_ävkn Ahn-Ss-bpÅXpw Hcp Imc-W-am-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw A¶ F´p hnNm-cn-¡p-sa¶p IcpXn Ah-fpsS apdn-bn-te¡p \S¶p. Ahn-sS- Hcp kw`m-j-W-¯nsâ ]IpXn Abm-fpsS ImXn ]Xn-¨p. “Fsâ `À¯m-hns\ HmÀ¯p am{X-aÃ, F\n¡pw AXn-jvS-a-Ã. \nÀ_Ônt¡-−.” A¶ NIn-X-bm-bn-¸-d-bp-I-bm-Wv. “F¦nepw \ns¶-tbmÀ¯v kzbw shSn-h-bv¡m³ apXnÀ¶ Hcp-h-t\mSv bm{X ]d-bm-\pÅ ]cn-K-W-\-sb-¦nepw Im«-Ww.” “AXp-sIm−p Xs¶-bmWv ths−¶p ]d-ª-Xv.” tIÄ¡m¯ amXncn Xncn¨p \S-¡m-s\m-cp-§n-sb-¦nepw AXp ths−¶p h¨v AeIvkn apc-S-\-¡ns¡m−v IS-¶p- sN¶p. C-¯ncn hÀ¯am\-¯n\p tijw s_ävkn t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n-b-t¸mÄ A¶ ssII-fn IS-¶p-]n-Sn-¨p. “Hcp \nanjw \n¡q, Hcp Imcyw ]d-bm-\p-−v… Aà \n§-tfmSv” AhÄ Ae-Ivkn-bpsS t\tc Xncn-ªp. “F\n¡p \n§-fn \n¶v H¶pw ad-¨p-hbv¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã. s_ävkn ]d-bp-I-bm-bn-cp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn XmjvsIânte¡p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv, AXn\p ap³]v ChnsS h¶p bm{X ]d-bm³ B{Kln-¡p¶p F¶v.” AhÄ `À¯m-hn\p t\sc t\m¡n-bn-Ã. F{X ITn-\-am-

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bmepw FÃmw thKw ]cn-l-cn-¡Ww F¶ a«n AXn-th-K-¯n-emWv kwkm-cw. “At±-ls¯ ImWm³ F\n¡p Ign-bn-söp Rm³ ]d-ªp.” “AXv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ B{i-bn-¨n-cn-¡p¶p F¶mWv Ip«o \o ]d-ª-Xv.” s_ävkn Xncp-¯n. “tlm, CÃ, F\n-¡-bmsf kzoI-cn-¡m-\m-hn-Ã. AsÃ-¦nepw AXn-se´p IYbm-Wv… F\n-¡Xp XmÂ]-cy-an-Ã.’’ “\nsâ hnizm-k-¯n\p \µn, ]t£…’’ XpSÀ¶p ]d-bm-\pÅXp s_ävknbpsS km¶n-[y-¯n ]d-bm-\m-hn-sö AÀ°-¯n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v Ahsc t\m¡n. AhÀ bm{X ]d-ªn-d-§n. Abmfpw hmXn IS¶v H¸w sN¶p. “F\n¡v AhIm-iap-Å-Xp-sIm-−-Ã, A¶tbm-SpÅ kvt\lhpw \n§-tfmSpÅ _lp-am-\hpw \ÂIp¶ _e-¯n Fsâsbmcp \nÀtZ-i-amWv: Abmsf kzoI-cn-¡q. AeIvkn hvtdm¬kvIn am\y-X-bpsS BÄcq-]-am-Wv. AbmÄ XmjvsIân-te¡p t]mIp-I-bp-am-Wv.’’ “D]-tZ-i¯n\p \µn {]`zo, ]t£ Abmsf kzoI-cn-¡tWm th−tbm F¶p Xocp-am-\n-t¡-−Xv A¶ Xs¶-bm-Wv.’’ XncnsI A¶-bpsS ASp-s¯¯n AbmÄ XpSÀ¶p: “\nsâ hnizm-k-¯n\p \µn, B kwKXn Rm³ \nsâ Xocp-am-\-¯n\p hn«p, Rm\m-{K-ln-¨-Xpt]mse Xs¶ \o Xocp-am-\n-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. C\n Hcp]t£... ‚’' “Rm³ ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª-tÃm, ]ns¶-sb-´n\m? AXnsâ Hcm-h-iy-hp-an-Ã.’’ AS-¡n-h-bv¡m³ Ign-bmª tZjy-t¯msS A¶ ]d-ªp. “\ap¡n\n Cu hnjbw kwkm-cn-t¡-−.’’ “C¯cw kzIm-cy-§-fn s_ävkn-bpsS CS-s]-S XnI¨pw A\m-h-iy-am-Wv. AhÀ {]tXy-In-¨pw…’’ “Ah-sc-¸än ]d-bp-¶-Xn Hcp hm¡p-t]mepw Rm³ hniz-kn-¡p-¶n-Ã. AhÀs¡-t¶mSv icn-bmb kvt\l-ap-−v.’’ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-ap-XnÀ¯v \ni-_vZ\mbn \n¶p. Abm-fpsS aSp-¸n-¡p¶ km¶n[yw Hgn-hm-bn-¡n-«n-sb-¦n- F¶p am{X-am-bn-cp¶p A¶-bpsS a\-kn At¸mÄ. “Rm\nt¸m tUmIvSÀ¡v Bsf hn«n-t«-bp-Åq.’’ “F\n-¡-Xn\v Ct¸m Ipg-¸-sam-¶p-an-Ã-tÃm. F´n\m tUmIvSÀ?” “AX-Ã, Ip«n hÃm¯ Ic-¨nÂ. Bbbv¡p Xosc ]men-Ãm-ªn-«m-sW¶v ]dbp-¶p.’’ “Rms\{X sI©n, Rm³ Xs¶ ]meq-«n-s¡m-Åm-sa¶v. F´m-bmepw” (‘F´m-bmepw’ F¶-Xp-sIm−v Ah-sf-´mWv AÀ°-am-¡n-b-sX¶v

AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn) “AsXmcp Ip«n-btÃ? Ah-c-hsf sImÃpw.’’ A¶ aWn-b-Sn¨v Bsf hcp-¯n, Ip«nsb sIm−p-h-cm³ Bh-iy-s¸-«p. “Ahsf ]meq-«m-\-\p-h-Zn-¡-W-sa¶v Rm³ sI©nbn«pw k½-Xn-¨n-Ã. Ct¸m F¶n«v Fs¶ Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶p.’ “Rm³ Bscbpw Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-Ã.’’ “Dw. \n§Ä Ipäw ]d-bp-I-bm-Wv. Cuiz-cm, Rms\-´p-sIm−p acn-¨nÃ?’’ AhÄ s]m«n-¡-c-ªp. “Ft¶mSp £an-¡q, Rm\msI Akz-Ø-bm-Wv. s]mbvs¡m-Åq.’’ \nb-{´n-¡m³ {ian-¨p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp.

s_ävkn

]pd-¯n-d-§p-t¼m-tg¡v s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v F¯n. ‘A¶sb AbmÄ sImÃp-I-bmWv’ s_ävkn ]d-ªp. ‘AXmWv Rm\pw Ct§m«p h¶-Xv’ s̸m³ ]d-ªp. ktlm-Z-cnbp-sSb-Sp-s¯¯n s̸m³ Ah-tfmSp Ipiew tNmZn¨p. “hfsc IjvSw. Rm\msI Zpcn-X-¯n-em-Wv. C¶-sebpw C¶pw C\n hcm\pÅ Znh-k-§-fn-ep-sa-Ãmw.’’ “\o Aip-`-hn-izm-kn-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Pohn-Xs¯ ss[cy-]qÀhw t\cn-Sp-IbmWv th−-Xv. AXv ZpjvI-c-am-sWs¶\n¡dn-bmw, F¦n-epw…’’ “]pcp-j³amsc Ah-cpsS Zpkz-`m-h-§-fpsS t]cn t]mepw kv{XoIÄ kvt\ln-¡p-sa¶p Rm³ tI«n«p-−v. CbmfpsS \·-I-fpsS t]cn Rm\bmsf shdp¯p t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. Abm-sfmcp \à a\p-jy-\m-sW¶dnbpt¼mÄ Xs¶, Abm-fpsS sNdp-hn-c-ensâ hne-t]mepw F\n-¡n-södnbpt¼mÄ Xs¶ Rm\-bmsf shdp-¡p-¶p. Abm-tfm-sSm¸w Pohn-¡m³ F\n¡m-hn-Ã.’’ “\nsâ AhØ Ft¶mfw \¶mbn \n\¡p a\-kn-em-In-Ã. Rms\sâ a\kn-ep-ÅXp Xpd¶p ]d-bmw.’’ kÀh-th-Z-\m-kw-lm-cn-bmb Hcp ]p©n-cntbmsS AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “BZn-ap-X XpS-§mw. \ns¶-¡mÄ Ccp-]Xp hbkv IqSp-X-epÅ Hcp-hs\ \o hnhmlw Ign¨p; kvt\l-t¯m-sS-bÃm-sX, kvt\l-sa-s´-¶-dn-bm-sX. AsXmcp sXäm-bn-cp-s¶¶p \ap¡p k½-Xn¡mw.’’ “`oI-cam-sbmcp sXäv’’ icn Xs¶, ]t£ AXp \S¶pIgnª Imcy-am-Wv. ]ns¶ \nsâ `À¯m-hÃm¯ asäm-cp-hs\ kvt\ln-¡m-\pÅ ZuÀ`mKyw \n\-¡p-−m-bn. ZuÀ`mKyw Xs¶, ]t£ AXpw \S-¶p-I-gn-ª-Xm-Wv. \nsâ `À¯mhv AX-dn-ªp, \nt¶mSp £an-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp.’’ AhÄ¡p \ntj-[n-¡m-\mbn AbmÄ Hmtcm hmN-Ihpw Ignªp ZoÀL-t\cw \nÀ¯n, ]t£ AhÄ H¶pw ]dªn-Ã.

159

160

“Ah-ti-jn-¡p¶ {]iv\-an-XmWv: \nsâ `À¯m-hnsâ IqsS XpSÀ¶p Pohn¡m³ \n\-¡m-hptam? \o AXv B{K-ln-¡p-¶pt−m? Abm-fXv B{K-ln-¡p¶pt−m?’’ “F\n-s¡m-¶p-a-dn-bn-Ã, H¶pw.’’ “]t£, Abmsf kln-¡m-\m-hn-söp \o Xs¶ ]d-ª-tÃm.’’ “CÃ, Rm\-§-s\ ]d-ªn-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bnÃ’’ thZ-\bpw \mWt¡Spw \ndª Cu Ah-Ø-sb-¡mÄ \ÃXv hnhm-l-tam-N\-am-sW¶pw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-t\mSv Xm\n-¡mcyw kwkm-cn¡m-sa¶pw ]dªv AbmÄ \S-¶p.

AXnsâ km[y-X-Ifpw thZ-\-I-fp-saÃmw ]qÀW-ambn A]-{K-Yn-¨p-I-gn-ªncp¶p AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v. ]qÀW-ambpw £an-¨v, AKm-[-ambn kvt\ln-¡p¶ A¶-bpsS ta hy`n-Nm-c-sa¶ Ipäw sI«nh¨v Ahsf C\nbpw thZ-\n-¸n-¡m-\m-hnÃ; hy`n-Nm-c-¯nsâ t]cp-tZmjw kzbw FSp-¯Wn-bp-¶Xv Xsâ am\y-Xbv¡pw aX-hnizm-k-¯n\pw \nc-¡p-¶-X-Ã. AXn-s\¡mÄ Kuc-h-X-c-amb Imc-W-§fpap-−m-bn-cp¶p At±-l-¯nsâ a\-knÂ. aI³: hntam-Nn-X-bmb A½-bpsS Ahn-lnX IpSpw-_-¯n Ah\v hfÀ¯p-]p-{Xsâ Øm\ta In«q; Ahs\ kz´w IqsS \nÀ¯pI F¶Xv A¶-tbmSp {]Xn-Imcw sN¿p¶-Xp-t]m-se-bm-Ipw. F-¶m Gähpw Kuc-ht¯msS AbmÄ I− Imcyw hnhm-l-tam-N\w A¶-bpsS k¼qÀ® \mi¯n\p hgn-hbv¡pw F¶-Xm-Wv. hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯n-eqsS Xsâ Imcyw am{XamWv Nn´n-¡p-¶-Xv, AXv A¶-bpsS PohnXw Xncn-¨p-]n-Sn-¡m-\m-hm¯ hn[w XIÀ¡pw F¶v tamkvtIm-bn h¨v Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ]dªXv Abm-fpsS a\-kn A{X-ta ]Xn-ªn-d-§n-bn-cp-¶p. hnhm-l-tam-Nn-X-bm-bm AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm¸w t]mIpw. `À¯mhp Pohn-¨n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ `mcy asäm-cp-h-t\mSp tNcp-¶Xv k`m-\n-b-ahncp-²-am-Wv. Hcp-an¨v Ht¶m ct−m hÀj-¯n\p tijw AbmÄ Ahsf ]pd-´-Åpw, AsÃ-¦n AhÄ ]pXn-sbmcp _Ôw XpS-§pw. F´m-bmepw hnhm-l-tam-N\w hgn Ah-fpsS \mi-¯n\p Rm\pw D¯-c-hm-Zn-bmIpw. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨nsâ Hmtcm hm¡n\pw Hcm-bncw adp-hm-Z-§Ä AbmÄ¡p-−m-bn-cp-¶p, ]t£ H¶pw Dcn-bm-SmsX AbmÄ tI«n-cp-¶p. Xsâ Pohn-X-¯nsâ \nb-{´Ww ssIb-S-¡n-h-¨n-cn-¡p¶ B h\y-i-ànbpsS kzcamWsX¶v, B kzc-¯n\v Iog-S-§ntb Xocq-sh¶ Xncn-¨-dn-thmsS. “F´p hyh-Ø-I-fmWv hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯n\p \n§Ä¡p-ÅXv F¶p am{Xta Xocp-am-\n-t¡-−-Xp-Åq. Ah-sfm¶pw tNmZn-¡p-¶n-Ã, tNmZn-¡m³ ss[cy-s¸-Sp-I-bp-anÃ; FÃmw \n§-fpsS alm-a-\-kvI-Xbv¡p hn«n-cn-¡p-IbmWv AhÄ.’’ “Cuizcm’’ ap³]p hvtdm¬kvIn sNbvX-Xp-t]mse AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v ssIIÄsIm−p apJw ad-¨n-cp-¶p. “\mWt¡sSÃmw Rm³ Gsä-Sp-¯p-sIm-Åmw, Fsâ aIs\bpw ths−-¶p-h-bv¡mw. F¦nepw… F¦nepw CsXm¶pw ths−-¶p-h-bv¡p-I-btà \ÃXv? F¦nepw FÃmw \n§-fpsS CjvSw t]mse…’’ `mcym-k-tlm-Z-c³ Xsâ apJw ImWm-Xn-cn-¡m³ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhn¨v Xncnªv P\m-e-bpsS ASp-¡Â Hcp Itk-c-bn-en-cp-¶p.

Xsâ

`mcy-tbmSv s̸m³ F´mIpw kwkm-cn-¡p-I-sb¶p Nn´n¨v apdnbn Dem-¯p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v. BapJw \o−p-\o−p t]mb-X-ÃmsX AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-t\mSv Fs´-¦nepw Imcy-ap-ÅXp ]d-bm³ Gsd t\c-am-bn«pw s̸m\v Ign-ªn-Ã. AeIvkn hnjmZw \ndª Nncn-tbmsS \S¶v Xsâ tai-bn \n¶v Hcp IS-em-sk-Sp¯v `mcym-k-tlm-Z-c\p sImSp-¯p. “Rm³ CS-X-S-hn-ÃmsX Htc Imcyw Xs¶ Nn´n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Fsâ km¶n[yw Ahsf Atem-k-c-s¸-Sp-¯p-sa-¶-Xp-sIm−pw IqSp-X hyà-XtbmsS ]d-bm-sa-¶-Xp-sIm−pw Rm³ Fgp-Xn-¯p-S-§nb I¯m-Wn-Xv.’’ Xsâ ta Xd¨p \n¡p¶ {]Imiw \jvS-s¸« I®p-I-fn-te¡v Ahn-iz-\ob-X-tbmsS t\m¡n-bn«v s̸m³ B I¯p hmbn¨p: “Fsâ km¶n[yw \n\¡p kln-¡m-\m-hn-sÃs¶\n-¡-dn-bmw. thZ-\m-I-c-amsW¦nepw AX-§s\ Xs¶-bm-sW¶p Rm\-dn-bp-¶p. Rm³ \ns¶ Ipä-s¸Sp-¯p-¶n-Ã. tcmKm-h-Ø-bn \ns¶ I−-t¸mÄ Ign-ª-sXÃmw ]qÀWambn ad¶v ]pXn-sbmcp PohnXw XpS-§m³ Rm³ ]qÀW-lrZ-b-t¯msS Hcp-§n-b-Xm-sW¶Xn\p ssZhw am{Xw km£n. F\n-¡-Xn ]Ým-¯m-]-anÃ, Hcn-¡epw ]Ým-¯-]n-¡p-I-bp-an-Ã. ]t£ Rm³ H¶m-{K-ln-¨n-cp¶p þ \nsâ \·, \nsâ Bßm-hnsâ \· þ AXp t\Sm-\m-bn-söp Rm³ Xncn-¨dn-bp-¶p. F´mWv \n\¡p icn-bmb kt´m-jhpw Bßm-hn\p im´nbpw \ÂIp-I F¶p \o Xs¶ ]d-bp-I. Rms\s¶ ]qÀW-ambn \nsâ Ic-§fn AÀ¸n-¡p-¶p; icn-sb-¡p-dn-¨pÅ \nsâ ImgvN-¸m-Sns\ ]qÀW-ambn hniz-kn-¡p-¶p.’’ Fs´-¦nepw ]d-bm-\m-ImsX hm¡p-Isf apS-¡p¶ I®o-cp-ambn s̸m³ \n¶p. ]n¶oSv kwkm-cn¨p XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ Bß-hn-izm-k-t¯msS AhfpsS thZ-\-Ifpw Ah-cpsS _Ô-¯nse \nk-lm-bm-h-Øbpw AXn\v GI ]cn-lmcw hnhm-l-tam-N-\-am-sW¶pw [cn-¸n-¨p.

161

162

“AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v, \n§-fpsS lrZ-bm-ep-Xzs¯ Ah-sft¸mgpw BZ-cn-¡p-¶p. ]t£ ssZh-lnXw C§-s\-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶p kam[m-\n-¡mw.’’ kz´w hm¡p-I-fnse hnUvVn-¯-tamÀ¯v ]X-ªp-h¶ ]p©ncn s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ISn-¨-aÀ¯n.

“\n§-sfs¶ Iog-S-¡n-¡-fªp; Rm³ C\n \n§-fpsS kz´-am-Wv.’’ AbmfpsS ssIIÄ Xsâ amdn tNÀ¯psIm−v HSp-hn AhÄ ]d-ªp. “\½psS kvt\lw… {]Xn-_-Ô-§Ä AXn\p Icp-t¯-Ip-Itb DÅq. \o IqSp-X kpµ-cn-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. ]t£ hÃmsX hnf-dn-bn-«p-−-tÃm.’’ “Rm³ hfsc Ah-i-bm-Wv.’’ “\ap¡v Cä-en-bn-te¡p t]mImw. \n\¡p thKw kpJ-am-Ipw.’’ “At±lw FÃm-¯n\pw k½Xw aqfn-bn-«p-s−¶p Ình ]d-ªp. ]t£ F\n¡v At±-l-¯nsâ HuZmcyw kzoI-cn-¡m³ h¿. F\n¡p hnhm-l-tamN\w th−, FÃm-sa-\n¡v Hcp-t]m-se-bm-Wv. skcn-tbm-jsb At±lw F´p sN¿psa¶p am{Xta F\n-¡-dn-tb-−-Xp-Åq.’’ C-t¸mÄ, Cu \nanjw Ah-fpsS aIs\bpw hnhm-l-tam-N-\-s¯bpw ]änsbms¡ HmÀ¡p-¶Xv F´n-\m-sW¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn-Ã. “AtX-¸-än-sbm¶pw ]d-tb-−, AsXm¶pw Ct¸mÄ Nn´n-t¡−’’ Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ Xmtem-en-¨p-sIm−v X¶n-te¡p {i²-bm-IÀjn¨v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. ]t£ AhÄ Abm-fpsS t\À¡p t\m¡n-bn-Ã. “tlm, Rms\-´p-sIm−p acn-¨n-Ã, AsX{X t`Z-am-bn-cp-t¶s\!’’ AhfpsS Ihn-fp-I-fn I®oÀ \ni-_vZ-samgp-In. At¸mÄ AbmÄ apdn-s¸-Sm-Xn-cn-¡m\mbn AhÄ Nncn-¡m³ {ian-¨p. \nc-kn-¡m-\m-h-¯-sX¶p Icp-Xn-bn-cp¶ XmjvsIâv \nb-a\w Hcp \nanjs¯ Btem-N\ t]mep-an-ÃmsX hvtdm¬kvIn ths−¶p h¨p. D¶-X-hr¯-§-fn AXp-f-hm-¡nb A{]oXn IW-¡n-se-Sp¯v ]«m-f-¯n \n¶v s]s«¶p cmPnbpw h¨p. Hcp amkw Ign-ª-t¸mÄ ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse ho«n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨pw aI\pw am{Xw. A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw Hcp-an¨p hntZ-i-t¯¡p t]mbn. hnhm-l-tam-N\w \S-¶n-cp-¶n-Ã, AXnsâ Bh-iy-aps−¶v AhÀ¡p tXm¶n-bp-an-Ã.

hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS

apdnhv Kpcp-X-c-am-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw kpJw {]m]n-¨t¸mÄ AbmÄ FÃmw ad-¶-h-s\-t¸mse tXm¶n. Xm³ kzbw shSn-h-¨-XmsW¶ Imcyw BtcmSpw ]d-b-cp-sX¶pw A¡mcyw C\n kwkm-cn-¡p-Itb Acp-sX¶pw tPyjvT-¯n-tbmSp ]d-ªp. Ignª Imehpw \mWt¡SpI-fp-saÃmw ad¶v hvtdm¬kvIn ]Xnhp coXn-Ifn-te¡p aS§n. `À¯m-hn-s\-Xn-cmb ]m]-§Ä¡p {]mb-Ýn¯w sNbvX \nebv¡v C\n-ta Ahsf ]qÀW-ambn Dt]-£n-¡p-sa¶pw AhÀ¡n-S-bn XS-k-am-In-söpw Abm-fp-d-¸n-¨p. F¦nepw lrZ-b-¯nsâ DÅn Ahsf Ft¶-¡p-ambn \jvS-s¸-Sp¶Xnsâ thZ\ Xd-ªp-\n-¶p. skÀ]p-tlm-hvkvtImbv hvtdm¬kvIn¡p XmjvsIân \nb-a\w Xc-s¸-Sp¯n-bn-cp-¶p. bm{X-]-d-¨n-ep-IÄ¡n-S-bn-emWv A¶-sb-¡qSn I−v hnS-]-d-bmsa¶p Icp-Xn-bXpw ]än-sö adp-]-Sn-bp-ambn s_ävkn aS§nsb¯n-b-Xpw. “HcpIW-¡n\v AXp \¶m-bn. AsÃ-¦n Rm³ kzcp-¡q«n h¨ ss[cysaÃmw Hcp-]t£ tNmÀ¶p-t]m-tb-s\.’’ ]ntä-¶p−v s_ävkn hcp-¶p. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v hnhm-l-tam-N\-¯n\p k½-Xn-s¨¶pw C\n thW-sa-¦n A¶sb ImWm-sa¶pw s̸m³ hgn Adnª hnh-c-am-bn-cp¶p ktµ-iw. s_ävknsb bm{X-bm-¡m³ t]mepw \n¡msX, A¶sb Ft¸mÄ ImWm³ ]äp-sa-¶p tNmZn-¡m-sX, Ah-fpsS `À¯mhv Fhn-sS-bmsW-¶-t\zjn-¡m-sX, AXp-h-sc-sb-Sp¯ FÃm Xocp-am-\-§fpw ad¶v hvtdm¬kvIn Itc-\n³ `h-\-¯n-te¡v ]d-¶p. ]Sn-I-tfm-Sn-¡-bdn t\sc Ah-fpsS apdn-bnte-¡v. hgn-bv¡p-Å- H¶n-s\bpw Bscbpw AbmÄ I−nÃ; apdn-bn Bsc¦nepw Dt−m Fs¶m¶pw Ku\n-¡msX Ahsf Ic-he-b-¯n-sem-Xp¡n apJhpw ssIIfpw Igp-¯p-saÃmw Npw_-\-§ÄsIm−p aqSn. C§-s\-sbmcp IqSn-¡m-gvNbv¡v Hcp-§p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p A¶, F´p ]d-b-Wsa-s¶ms¡ Btem-Nn-¨v. ]t£ H¶pw ]d-bm-\m-bn-Ã, Abm-fpsS hnIm-cmthiw Ahsf Iog-S-¡n-¡-f-ªp. Abmsf im´-\m-¡m³, kzbw im´-bmIm³ AhÄ {ian-¨p, ]t£ Ign-ªnÃ; Abm-fpsS hnIm-c-§Ä Ah-fntebv¡pw Bth-in-¨n-cp-¶p. Iptd t\c-t¯¡v H¶pw ]d-bm-\m-hm¯ hn[w Ah-fpsS Np−p-IÄ hnd-¨p.

163

`mKw A©v hnhm-l-¯n\p

tijw hntZ-i-t¯-¡-Ã, Xm³ IpSpw-_-ambn Pohn-t¡− \m«n³]p-d-t¯-¡mWv t]mIp-¶-sX¶p Inän ]dªp; AXp-{]-Imcw sehn³ \nÀtZ-in-¨-X-\p-k-cn¨v s̸m³ Ahn-sSt¸mbn kuI-cy-§-sfm-cp¡n aS§nh¶p. sehn³ Ip¼-km-cn¨v hnhm-l-¯n-s\m-cp-§n. ssZh-¯nsâ AkvXn-Xz-s¯t¸mepw Xm³ Nne-t¸mÄ kwi-bn-¡p-¶-Xmbn ]ptcm-ln-X-t\mSv At±lw ]dªp.

djy³

BNm-c-{]-Imcw hnhm-l-Zn-hkw sehn³ h[p-hns\ I−tXbn-Ã; Ahn-hm-ln-X-cmb aq¶p kplr-¯p-¡-tfm-sSm¸w tlm«en-em-bn-cp¶p `£Ww. A-hÀ \¶mbn BtLm-jn-¨p. hnhmlw FÃm kzmX-{´y-§fpw sISp¯p-sa¶pw sehn\v C\n Ic-Sn-th-«-bvs¡m¶pw t]mIm³ Ign-bn-söpw A§s\ ]eXpw kplr-¯p-¡Ä ]d-ªp. AhÀ s]mbv¡-gnªv Hä-bv¡mb-t¸mÄ Ignªpt]mb kw`m-j-W-§Ä XnI-«n-h-¶p. \jvS-s¸-Sp-¶p-sh¶v AhÀ ]dª kzmX-{´y-s¯-¡p-dn¨v X\n¡p ZpJ-apt−m? “kzmX-{´yw-þ F´n-\m-WXv? Ah-sf-¸än Nn´n-¡p-¶-XnÂ, Ahsf kvt\ln-¡p-¶-Xn BWv kt´m-jw. AXp kzmX-{´y-aÃ; kt´m-j-am-Wv.’’ “]t£ F\n¡v Ah-fpsS B{K-l-§Ä, CjvS-\n-jvS-§Ä Hs¡ Adnbmtam?’’ apJs¯ Nncn amªv sehn³ Nn´m-a-á-\m-bn. Hcp kwi-bhpw `oXnbpw Abmsf Bth-in-¨p. “AhÄs¡s¶ kvt\l-an-sæntem? hnhm-lw \S-¡m³ th−n am{Xw k½-Xn-¡p-¶-Xm-sW¦ntem? hnhm-l-ti-j-amWv Fs¶ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ignbn-söv AhÄ a\-kn-em-¡p-¶-sX¦ntem?” Hcp hÀjw ap³s]¶ t]mse AbmÄ¡v hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv ISp¯ Akqb tXm¶n. AbmÄ NmSn-sb-gp-t¶-äp. “CÃ, CXn-§s\ hn«m ]än-Ã. Ah-fp-sS-bSpt¯¡p t]mImw. Ah-km-\-am-bn«v ]d-bWw: \½Â kzX-{´-cm-Wv. A§s\ Xs¶ XpSÀ¶m t]mtc? A\-´-amb Zpcn-Xhpw \mWt¡Spw Ahn-iz-kvXXbpw hcp-¯n-h-bv¡p-¶-Xn-s\-¡mÄ \Ã-Xtà asä´pw?’’ lrZbw \ndsb \ncm-ibpw FÃm-h-cp-sSbpw t\À¡v þ Xt¶mSp Xs¶bpw Ah-tfmSpw þ tZjy-hp-ambn tlm«-en \n¶n-d§n AbmÄ Ah-fpsS ho«nte¡p h−n-tbm-Sn¨p t]mbn. “Blv, tImÌym! tIm¬Ìmân³ Znan-{Xn-tb-hn¨v! (Cubn-sSbmbn AhÄ c−p Xc-¯nepw Abmsf hnfn-¡m-dp−v) Rms\m«pw {]Xo-£n-¨n-Ã.’’ Ah-

164 fpsS apJhpw i_vZhpw kt´m-j-¯m Xnf-§n. “Rms\sâ hkv{X-§sfms¡ Hmtcm-cp-¯À¡p hoXn-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.’’ “AXp \¶mbn’’ “Zp\ym-jm, s]mbvs¡m-Åq, Rm\nt¸m hnfn-¡mw.’’ AhÄ the-¡m-cnsb ]d-ª-b-¨p. “tImÌym, F´m hnti-jn¨v?’’ “Inäo, Rm\msI k¦-S-¯n-em-Wv. F\n-s¡m-äbv¡p kln-¡m³ h¿.’’ AbmÄ ]d-bm³ h¶-Xn-sem¶pw Hcp IY-bp-an-söv a\-kn-em-¡m³ AhfpsS kvt\l-a-kr-W-amb t\m«hpw apJs¯ kXy-k-Ô-Xbpw am{Xw aXnbm-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ AbmÄ¡v AXv Ah-fpsS \mhn \n¶p Xs¶ tIÄ¡Ww. “C\nbpw kabw _m¡n-bp-s−¶p ]d-bm-\mWv Rm³ h¶-Xv. CsXÃmw thW-sa-¦n \nÀ¯nhbv¡mw.’’ “F\n-s¡m¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. F´mWp {]iv\w?” “Rm³ ap³]v Hcm-bncw XhW ]d-ªn-«p-ÅXp Xs¶. Rm³ \n\¡p tbmKy-\-sö tXm¶Â. Fs¶ hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ \osb-§s\ k½-Xn¨p… \n\-s¡s¶ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã. Hcn-¡Â¡qSn Nn´n¨p t\m¡q. A§-s\-bm-sW¦n Ct¸mtg ]d-bp-¶-XmWv \Ã-Xv. Rm³ C¯ncn \mWw sISp-am-bn-cn-¡pw. BÄ¡m-sc´p thW-sa-¦nepw ]d-tªm-s«. F-¦nepw kabw _m¡n-bp-Å-t¸mÄ… AXmWv \ÃXv.’’ “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã.’’ AhÄ kw`o-X-bm-bn. “CXp ths−¶p hbv¡-W-sa-¶mtWm? \n§Ä¡nXp XmÂ]-cy-antÃ?’’ “\n\-s¡s¶ CjvS-an-sænÂ’’ “\n§Äs¡t´m ]än-bn-«p−v.’’ “\n\-s¡s¶ kvt\ln-¡m³ ]än-söv F\n¡p tXm¶p-¶p. F´nsâ t]cnemWv \n\¡v Fs¶ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bpI?’’ “Fsâ ssZhta! Rms\´m sN¿pI?’’ A-hÄ s]m«n-¡-c-ªp. “tlm, Rms\-´mWo sNbvXXv?’’ AbmÄ AhÄ¡p ap³]n ap«p-Ip¯n Ah-fpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¨p. CSbv¡p {]`zn IS-¶p-h-¶-t¸m-tg¡v AhÀ ]qÀW-ambpw cay-X-s¸-«n-cp-¶p. sehn³ h¶-Xnsâ ImcWw tI«t¸mÄ AhÀ ]IpXn Ifn-bmbpw ]IpXn Imcy-ambpw tZjy-s¸-«p. eÖbpw Ipä-t_m-[hpw Npa¶v F¶m im´amb a\-tkmsS AbmÄ aS§n.

ktlm-Z-c-§fpw kplr-¯p-¡fpw tNÀ¶v FÃmw `wKn-bmbn t\m¡n-\-S-¯n. tamkvtIm apgp-h³ hnhm-l-¯n-s\-¯n-bn-cp-¶p. Xm\n-Xp-hsc kvt\ln-¨-Xns\-sbÃmw kvt\ln-¨-h-sc-sbÃmw ad¡p¶-Xn Inän¡p s\m¼cw tXm¶n.

165

166

F¶m AXv F´n-\p-th-−n-bm-sW¶v HmÀ¯-t¸mÄ s\m¼-c-saÃmw adªp. tUmfn-bp-sSbpw aäp ktlm-Z-c-§-fp-sSbpw hm¡p-I-fnepw I®nepw Ahsf ]ncn-bp-¶-Xnsâ thZ-\bpw Ah-fpsS Pohn-X-¯nse kp{]-[m-\-amb Hcp kw`-h-¯n\p km£yw hln-¡p-¶-Xnsâ A`n-am-\hpw Ah-fpsS ]pcp-j-t\mSpÅ hmÂk-eyhpw Hs¡ \nd-ªp-\n-¶p. Hmtcmtcm t\m¡nepw hm¡nepw tZhm-e-b-¯n D¨-cn-¡-s¸« Hmtcm hmIy¯nepw A\-´-amb B\-µ-¯n-te-¡pÅ a{´-§-f-S-§n-bn-«p-s−¶p tXm¶n Inän¡pw sehn-\pw. Ah-cpsS inc-kp-I-fn \n¶v Ae-¦m-c-ap-Sn-IÄ FSp-¯p-am-än-s¡m−v sshZnI³ kam-]-\-{]mÀ°\IÄ Dcp-hn-«p. sehn³ Inänsb t\m¡n; Ah-fpsS apJ¯v ap³s]m-¶p-an-Ãm¯ {]Im-iw. Ah-tfmSv Fs´-¦nepw ]d-bm³ AbmÄ sImXn¨p; ]t£ FÃmw ]qÀ¯nbmtbm Fs¶mcp Bi-¦. sshZnI³ Xs¶ klm-b-¯n-s\-¯n. BÀ{Z-amb Hcp ]p©n-cn-tbmsS At±lw ]dªp: “`mcysb Npw_n-¡q, \o `À¯m-hn-s\bpw’’. F¶n«v At±lw AhcpsS ssII-fn \n¶v sagp-Ip-Xn-cn-IÄ hm§n. Ah-fpsS ]p©n-cn-¡p¶ Np−p-I-fn sasà Npw_n-¨v, AhÄ¡p t\sc ssIIÄ \o«n, ssIIÄ tImÀ¯v AhÀ tZhm-e-b-¯n \n¶p ]pd-¯p-I-S¶p. A¯mgw Ignªv A¶p cm{Xn Xs¶ B bph-Z-¼-Xn-IÄ \m«n³]p-dt¯¡p bm{X-bm-bn.

cp¶ Fsâ aIs\t¸mepw F\n¡p \jvS-s¸-«p, sXäp sNbvX-h-fmWv Rm³, F\n-s¡mcp kt´m-jhpw th−’’ Fs¶ms¡ AhÄ Xocp-am-\n-¨n-cp-¶p. ]t£ kzbw kln-¡m³ F{X Xo{h-ambn Xocp-am-\n-s¨-¦nepw AhÄ¡v Hcp kl-\hpw D−m-bnÃ; eÖ tXm¶n-b-tX-bnÃ. aIs\ ]ncn-ªX - pt]mepw AhÄ¡p thZ-\-bp-−m-¡n-bn-Ã. Ah-fpsS Ipªp-s]®v þ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS Ip«n þ Ah-fpsS lrZbw IhÀ¶n-cp-¶p. B hmÂk-eymXn-tc-I-¯n aIs\ HmÀan-¨-Xp-Xs¶ A]qÀh-am-bn-cp-¶p. hvtdm¬kvInsb X\n¡p kz´-ambn In«n-b-Xn AhÄ A`n-am-\n-¨p, AXntesd kt´m-jn-¨p. ]-«m-f-thjw amdn km[m-c-W-th-j-¯n At±lw IqSpX kpµ-c-\m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. At±-l-¯n\p ap¶n Xm³ XnI¨pw Atbm-Ky-bm-sW¶v, \nkm-c-bm-sW¶v AhÄ IcpXn; AXp Xncn-¨-dn-bp-t¼mÄ ]ns¶ At±lw Xs¶ kvt\ln-¡n-söv AhÄ `b-¶p. X\n¡p th−n At±lw kln¨ XymK-§Ä, XyPn¨ Øm\-§Ä, Xsâ ta sNmcn-bp¶ {i², kvt\lw FÃmw Ahsf tImcn-¯-cn-¸n-¨p. AtX kabw AsXÃmw Hcp I\¯ `mcw t]mse AhÄ¡p tate \n¶p. AtX-k-abw, Gähpw sImXn-¨Xp ssIh-¶n«pw hvtdm¬kvIn kwXr]vX\mbn-cp-¶n-Ã. B{K-l-]qÀ¯oIcWw Xm³ {]Xo-£n¨ kt´m-j-km-\phnse Hcp aW¯cntbmfw B\-µta X\n¡p Xcp-¶p-Åp-sh¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. X§-fpsS PohnXw H¶m-bXp apXÂ, ]«m-f-thjw Dt]-£n-¨Xp-ap-X ap³]-dn-bm¯ kzmX{´yw Abm-Ä Bkz-Zn¨p, kvt\l-¯nsâ kzmX-{´yhpw þ ]t£ AÂ]-\m-f-t¯¡p am{Xw. ]ns¶ BsI sNIn-Sn¸p tXm¶n. Znh-k-¯nsâ ]Xn-\mdp aWn-¡qdpw \nd-bv¡m³ Fs´-¦nepw sNbvtX ]äq. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse kmaq-ly-Po-hn-X-anÃ; aäp-Å-h-cp-ambn ASp¯ _Ô-§Ä ]änà þ X§-fpsS _Ô-¯nsâ khn-ti-jX aqew AXv Akm-[y-am-Wv; Ahn-hm-ln-X-Po-hn-X-¯nsâ hnt\m-Z-§Ä ]än-à þ AXv A¶bn GIm-´-Xbpw Atcm-N-I-Xzhpw \ndbv¡pw. \n-kmc-Imcyw t]mepw þ Ahn-hm-lnX kplr-¯p-¡-fp-sam¯v cm{Xn sshIn Hcp hncp¶n\p \n¶-Xn\v þ F{X ITn-\-am-bmWv Ahsf _m[n-¨-Xv. Xm\-dn-bmsX Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn ]e-Xnepw A`bw tXSm³ XpS§n þ BZyw cmjv{So-bw, ]ns¶ ]pkvX-I-§Ä, ]ns¶ Nn{X-§Ä. sNdp¸w apXÂt¡ AbmÄ¡p Nn{X-I-e-bn kmam\yw hmk-\-bp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. X\nt¡-ähpw {]nb-s¸« {^©v ssien-bn Abm-sfmcp Nn{Xw hc¨p þ Cäm-enb³ thj-§Ä [cn-¨ A¶-bpsS Hcp t]mÀs{Sbväv.

aq¶p

amk-ambn hvtdm¬kvInbpw A¶bpw bqtdm-¸n k©mcw XpS-§nbn-«v. sh\o-kv, tdmw, t\¸nÄkv F¶n-hn-S-§Ä Npän Ct¸m-g-hÀ Cä-en-bnse Hcp sNdp-]-«-W-¯n-em-Wv. hntam-N-\-¯n-sâbpw kpJ-{]m-]vXn-bp-sSbpw BZy-\m-fp-I-fn Pohn-X¯nsâ B\-µ-§Ä sam¯n-¡p-Sn¨v am¸Àln-¡m¯ hn[w k´p-jvS-bm-bncp¶p A¶. Xsâ `À¯m-hnsâ ZpJ-§Ä Ah-fpsS kt´m-j-¯nsâ Xo{hX sISp-¯n-bn-Ã. Ign-ª-sXÃmw hn{`m-a-I-amb Hcp kz]v\w t]msetb AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-bp-Åq. AXn \n¶p-WÀ¶Xv hntZ-i-\m-«nÂ; hvtdm¬kvIn am{Xw Iq«n-\v. ap§n-¨m-Im³ XpS-§p-¶-bmÄ Xs¶ sI«n¸n-Sn-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-hs\ IpS-sª-dnª-Xp-t]m-setb AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-bp-Åq. AbmÄ ap§n-¨¯p; AXp Xn·bm-bn-cp-¶p, kwi-b-an-Ã. ]t£ AX-ÃmsX aäp hgn-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. “Rm³ B a\p-jys\ Zpcn-X-¯n-em-gv¯n, At±-l-¯nsâ thZ-\b - n \n¶v F\n¡v H¶pw t\tS−, Rm\pw thZ\ Xn¶p-I-bm-Wv, Gähpw hne-a-Xn-¨n-

Nn{X-Im-c³

anssl-tem-hns\¸än sKmse-\n-jvtNhv ]d-ª-dnª hvtdm¬kvIn Abm-sfbpw A¶-sbbpw Iq«n Nn{X-Im-c-sâ-b-Sp¯p t]mbn.

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168

Abm-fpsS Hcp Nn{Xw hm§n; A¶-bpsS t]mÀs{Sbväv hc-¸n-¡m\pw Xocp-am\n-¨p. anssl-temhv hc¨ t]mÀs{Sbväv I−p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn Xm³ hc-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶ A¶-bpsS t]mÀs{Sbväv ths−¶p h¨p a[y-Im-ePohnXw kw_-Ôn¨ Nn-{X-¯n {i² tI{µoI-cn¨p. a[y-Ime Pohn-X¯nepw Nn{X-I-e-bn-ep-apÅ Abm-fpsS XmÂ]-cyhpw Gsd-¡g - n-bpw ap³]p Xs¶ AkvX-an-¨p. {]tXy-In¨p hni-Zo-I-c-W-§-sfm¶pw IqSmsX Xs¶ Nn{X-c-N\ ]qÀW-ambn \nÀ¯nh-¨p. sN¿m³ hnti-jn-s¨m-¶p-an-sömbt¸mÄ Ahn-Sps¯ PohnXw AhÀ¡p aSp-¯p. djy-bn-te¡p aS§m³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn ktlm-Z-c-\pambn kwkm-cn¨p kz¯p `mKw hbv¡m³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Cu th\¡mew Abm-fpsS FtÌ-än Hcp-an¨p sNe-h-gn-¡m\pw Xocp-am-\n-¨p.

IqSmsX Ign-¡m-am-bn-cp-s¶¶p sehn\p tXm¶n; ]t£ ]Xps¡¸Xps¡ ho«p-Im-cy-§-fn-epÅ Ah-fpsS Cu {i² Abm-fn-jvS-s¸-Sm\pw XpS-§n. AhÀ X½n-epÅ hg-¡p-I-fm-bn-cp¶p \ncm-ibpw ]n¶mse BÝ-cy-I-c-amb kt´m-jhpw \ÂInb asämcp Imcyw. Xc-f-am-b, _lp-am\w \ndª kvt\l-a-ÃmsX asäm¶pw Xm\pw `mcybpw X½n-epÅ _Ô-¯n D−m-Insömbn-cp¶p sehnsâ kzImcy Al-¦m-cw. F¶m hnhmlw Ignªv BZy-\m-fp-I-fn Xs¶ hg-¡p-Ifpw XpS-§n. AbmÄ¡h-tfmSp kvt\l-anÃ, Ah-\-h-t\mSp am{X-amWv kvt\lw F-s¶m-s¡-¸-dªv AhÄ Ic-bm³ XpS-§n. ]pXn-sbmcp If-¸p-c-bn t]mb-Xm-bn-cp¶p sehn³. Ah-fp-sS-bSp¡Â thK-sa-¯m³ Ipdp-¡p-h-gn¡p t]m¶n«v hgn sXän-t¸mbn Ac aWn¡qÀ sshIn-b-Xn-\m-bn-cp¶p Cu hg-¡v. Ah-sf-¡p-dn¨p am{Xw HmÀ¯v, Ah-cpsS kvt\l-s¯-¡p-dn¨v HmÀ¯v, AXp \ÂIp¶ kt´m-j-s¯-¡pdn¨v HmÀ¯v HmSn-sb-¯p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ. hnhm-l-hm-KvZm\w \S-¯m³ tamkvtIm-bn t]mb A¶-s¯-¡mÄ Bth-i-am-bn-cp¶p a\-knÂ. AhfpsS ssII-fn Npw_n¡m³ Ip\n-ª-t¸mÄ ]nSn-s¨mcp XÅv. ]ns¶ Ic¨nÂ…

hnhmlw Ign-ªn«p aq¶p amk-am-bn.

sehn³ k´p-jvS-\m-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ Dt±-in¨ coXn-bn-sem-¶p-am-bn-cp-¶n-söp am{Xw. kzÑ-amb Hcp XSm-I-¯n Hgp-In-\o-§p¶ sIm¨p-\u-Isb Bcm-[-\-tbmsS t\m¡n-¡− Hcp-h³ AXn Ib-dn-b-Xp-t]mse Hc-\p-`-h-am-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v. shdp-sX-bncp¶v kzÑ-ambn Hgp-Im-\m-hnÃ; Nn´n-¡-Ww, Fhn-tS¡mWp t]mtI-−-sX¶Xv Hcp \nanjw t]mepw ad-¡m-Xn-cn-¡-Ww; ASn-bn shÅ-am-Wv, Xpg-bWw; ]cn-N-b-an-Ãm¯ ssIIÄ thZ-\n¡pw; I−p-\n¡m³ am{Xta Ffp-¸-apÅq, kzbw sN¿pI F¶Xv kt´m-j-I-c-am-sW¦nepw ZpjvI-c-hpamWv. Ahn-hm-ln-X-\m-bn-cns¡ aäp-Å-h-cpsS Pohn-X-¯nse hg-¡p-Ifpw Ipip-¼pIfpw BIp-e-X-I-fp-sams¡ I−v AbmÄ ]pÑt¯msS Nncn-¨n-cp-¶p. ‘Fsâ PohnXw C§-s\-sbm-¶p-am-InÃ.’ ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Xsâ A\p-hm-Z-anÃmsX Xs¶ Ah-sbÃmw Xsâ Pohn-X-¯n-te¡pw IS-¶p-h-¶n-cn-¡p-¶p. Ahsb {]Xn-tcm-[n-¡p-¶-Xn Imcy-sam-¶p-an-Ã-Xm-\pw. ho«nse NnÃ-d-¡m-cy-§-fn-epÅ Ah-fpsS ipjvIm´n Abmfn Nncn-bpWÀ¯n. tamkvtIm-bn \n¶p hm§nb ^ÀWn-¨À hn\y-kn-¡p-¶-Xv, X§fpsS apdn {Ia-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶-Xv, IÀ«-\p-IÄ Xq¡p-I, kµÀi-I-ap-dnbpw tUmfn¡pÅ apdnbpw Hcp-¡p-I, ]pXnb the-¡m-cn-¡pÅ Øe-sam-cp-¡p-I, hbk³ ]mN-I¡m-c\p `£Ww hcp-¯n-s¡m-Sp-¡p-I, tÌmdnsâ Npa-Xe kw_-Ôn¨v AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bp-ambn iWvT IqSpI… ]cn-N-b-anÃm¯ Imcy-§-fn sIm¨p-b-P-am-\-¯n-bpsS \S-¸m-¡m-\m-hm¯ \nÀtZ-i§Ä tI«v hb-k³ ]mNI¡m-c³ -]p-©n-cn-¨p, ]pXnb ASp¡pw Nn«bpw I−v AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ BÀ{Z-X-tbmsS XeIpep-¡n. CsXms¡

tamkvtIm-bnÂ

Hcp amks¯ Xma-k-¯n\p tijw aS§nsb¯n-b-XmWv

Z¼-Xn-IÄ. “CXm, Ah-cp-tS-XmsW¶p tXm¶p-¶p, \n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c-sâ… Rm³ s]m«n-¨p, ]t£ apgp-h³ hmbn-¨nÃ’’ hSn-hn-Ãm¯ A£-c-§-fn-epÅ Hcp I¯v Inän sehn\p ssIam-dn. “CXv Fsâ ho«p-Im-cp-tS-XmWv, tUmfn-bp-tSXpap-−v. tUmfn Xm\y-sbbpw {Knj-sbbpw Ip«n-I-fpsS \r¯-¯n\p sIm−p-t]m-bn-cp-s¶¶v.’’ sehn³ AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ. tPyjvTsâ sh¸m-«n-bm-bn-cp¶ B kv{XobpsS, acnb \n¡-te-hv\-bpsS, I¯p hm§n hmbn-¨p. CXp c−m-as¯ Xh-WbmWv Ah-sc-gp-Xp-¶-Xv. Hcp Imcy-hp-an-Ãm-sX-bmWv Xs¶ AI-än-bsX¶mbncp¶p BZys¯ I¯nÂ. ]cn-N-c-W-an-ÃmsX \nt¡m-embv Ipg-¸¯n-em-Ip-sa¶ Bi-¦bpw AXn-ep-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ AhÀ \nt¡m-embnsb Is−¯n cay-X-bn-em-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. AbmÄ¡v Hcp sNdp-]-«-W-¯n kÀ¡mÀ tPmen In«p-Ibpw sNbvXn-cp-¶p. ]t£, hIp¸p Xe-h-\p-ambn hg¡p-−m¡n tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p aS§pIbm-bn-cp-¶p. hgn¡v AkpJw _m[n¨p. C\n InS-¡-bn \n¶v Fgp-t¶Â¡m-\m-hp-tam-sb-¶-dn-bn-Ã. “\n§-sfbmWv At±lw Ft¸mgpw At\z-jn-¡p-¶-Xv, AXp-a-Ã, At±-l-¯nsâ ssIbn ]W-sam-¶p-anà Xm\pw.’’

169

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“CXm, tUmfn \n§-fpsS Imcyhpw Fgp-Xn-bn-«p−v.’’ ]p©n-cn-tbmsS AbmfpsS t\À¡p Xncnª Inän `À¯m-hnsâ apJs¯ `mhw amdn-bXp {i²n¨v ]mXn-bn \nÀ¯n. “F´p ]än?’’ “tPyjvT-\v, \nt¡m-embv¡v Xosc kpJ-an-söv. AbmÄ acn-¡m-dm-bn-cn-¡p¶p. Rm\-hnSw hsc t]mIs«.’’ Inän-bpsS apJw amdn. Xm\ybpw tUmfn-bp-sams¡ Ah-fpsS a\-kn \n¶p amªp. “Ft¸m-gmWv \n§Ä t]mIp-¶Xv?’’ “\msf’’ “Rm\pw IqsS hct«?’’ “Inäo, \osb-´mbo ]d-bp-¶Xv?’’ “Rm³ h¶m-se´m Ipg¸w? Rm³ \n§-fpsS Imcy-§Äs¡m¶pw XS-k-amInÃ’’ Hcp hg-¡n\pÅ hgn-sbm-cp-§p-¶Xp a\-kn-em¡n AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ sasà Ahn-sS\n¶v Hgn-hm-bn. “Fsâ ktlm-Z-c³ acn-¡m³ InS-¡p-¶-Xp-sIm-−mWv Rm³ t]mIp-¶-Xv. \osb-´n-\m...’’ “F´n-\m-sWt¶m? AtX Imc-W-¯n\p Xs¶.’’ “AXp \S-¡n-Ã.’’ “F´m \S-¶mÂ?’’ “GXp hgn-¡m-sWt¶m F´p Xcw tlm«-en Xma-kn-t¡−n hcp-sat¶m H¶pw Adn-bn-Ã. A§-s\-bpÅ bm{X-bn \o Hcp Aku-I-cy-am-bn-cn-¡pw.’’ “F\n¡p hnti-jn-s¨m¶pw th−. \n§Ä¡p t]mIm-hp-¶n-S-am-sW¦n F\n¡pw t]mImw.’’ “AhnsS \n\¡p tNcm¯ Cu kv{Xobp−v.’’ “Bscms¡ Fhn-sS-sbms¡ Ds−-s¶m¶pw F\n-¡-dn-tb− Imcy-an-Ã. Fsâ `À¯m-hnsâ ktlm-Z-c³ acn-¡m-dmbn InS-¡p-¶p, At±-ls¯ ImWm³ `À¯m-hn-s\m¸w Rm\pw t]mIp-¶p…’’ “Inäo, tZjy-s¸-tS−. \o Hä-bv¡m-Ip-¶-Xnsâ Akz-ØX {]I-Sn-¸n-¡p-sa¶v F\n¡p Nn´n-¡m³ t]mepw h¿m-¯{X {][m-\-s¸« Hcp Imcy-am-Wn-Xv. Häbv¡v \obn-hnsS hÃmsX aSp-¡pw. Ipd-¨p-\mÄ tamkvtIm-bn t]mbn \nt¶m-fq.’’ “\n§-sf-t¸mgpw F¶n ZuÀ_-ey-§-fm-tcm-]n-¡m³ hgn ImWp-¶p. Fsâ ZuÀ_eyw sIm−-Ã, Fsâ `À¯m-hnsâ BIp-e-X-I-fn Ft¸mgpw H¸-ap−m-I-W-sa¶ t_m[yw sIm−mWv Rm³ hcp-¶p-sh¶p ]d-ª-Xv. ]t£

\n§-sfs¶ apdn-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶p, H¶pw a\-kn-em-Im-¯-Xp-t]mse `mhn-¡p¶p…’’ “Fs´mcp IjvSw! Fs´mcp ASn-a¯w!’’ “F¦n ]ns¶ \n§-sf-´n\m hnhmlw Ign-¨Xv? A{Xbv¡p hnj-a-amsW¦nÂ…’’ AhÄ Fgp-t¶äv t{UmbnMv dqan-te¡v HmSn-t¸m-bn. AbmÄ ]n¶mse sNÃp-t¼mÄ AhÄ Ic-¨n-em-Wv. Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ ]dª hm¡p-I-sfms¡ shdp-sX-bmbn. Ah-sfm-¶n\pw hg-§p-¶n-Ã. AbmÄ Ip\nªv Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ Xsâ ssII-fn-se-Sp-¯p. AhÄ {]Xntcm-[n-¨p. AbmÄ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¨p, ]ns¶ apSn-bnÂ, ho−pw ssII-fnÂ. Ah-fpsS apJw Xsâ c−p ssII-fnepw tNÀ¯p]nSn¨v Inäo F¶p hnfn-¨-t¸mÄ AhÄ ho−pw Ic-bm³ XpS-§n. AhÀ cay-Xb - n-em-bn. c−p t]cpw Hcp-an¨v ]ntä¶p t]mIm³ Xocp-am-\-am-bn. sehn\v c−p t]tcmSpw Ar]vXn tXm¶n. C§-s\-sbm-cm-h-iy-¯n t]mIm³ A\p-h-Zn¡m-ª-Xn\v Ah-tfmSpw \nÝ-bZmÀVy-an-Ãm-¯-Xn\p Xt¶m-Sp-X-s¶-bpw.

\nt¡m-fmbv

sehn³ Xma-kn-¨n-cp¶ tlm«-en-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Inänsb X§fpsS apdn-bn-em¡n tIm¬Ìmân³ sehn³ ktlm-Z-csâ ASp-¡t- e¡p t]mbn. AhÄ aqe-ap-−mb Cu Xma-k-¯n AbmÄ¡v Atcm-N-IXzw tXm¶n. Ah-fn-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n h¶-]mtS t\tc tPyjvTsâ ASp-t¯¡v HmSn-tb-s\. acnb \n¡-tehv\ Ignª XhW I−-Xp-t]mse Xs¶. hkv{Xw t]mepw AXp Xs¶. Inän h¶n-«p-t−m-sb¶v AhÀ At\z-jn-¨p. Ahsf t\cn-Sp-¶tXmÀ¯v \mWw-sIm−p Nqfn. AhÄ hcp-t¼m-tgbv¡p Xm³ amdn-tb-¡msa¶p ]d-ªp. Inän apdn-bn \ns¶¯n t\m¡n tPyjvT\v F§-s\-bp-s−-¶-t\z-jn¨p; Xm\pw At±-l-¯nsâ apdn-bn-te¡p hcp-¶p-s−¶p ]d-ªp; ]ns¶ AXv At±-l-¯n\v Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡p-sa¶p `b¶v ]n¶o-Sm-hm-sa¶p ]d-ªp. acnb \n¡-tehv\sb I−-t¸mÄ Inänsb HmÀ¯pw Inänsb I−-t¸mÄ tPyjvT-s\bpw B kv{Xosbbpw HmÀ¯pw \nt¡m-fm-bnsb I−-t¸mÄ H¶pw HmÀ¡msX Xs¶bpw sehn³ BsI Akz-Ø-\m-bn. FÃm-hcpw ]c-kv]cw `b¶pw AI¶pw Ignª Cu BZy-\n-an-j-§Ä Ignª-t¸mÄ Inän `À¯m-hn-s\m¸w tPyjvTsâ apdn-bn-se-¯n. At±-lt¯mSpw acnb \n¡-tehv\tbmSpw Hc-\p-P-¯nbpsS kzmX-{´y-t¯mSpw hmÂk-ye-t¯mSpw IqSn Ipi-e-§-f-t\z-jn-¨p. tPyjvT\p ]pXnb hkv{X§fpw InS-¡bv¡p ]pXnb hncnbpw Hs¡ hcp-¯n-¨p. acn-bbpsS klm-bt¯msS apdn hr¯n-bm-¡n, At±-ls¯ ]cn-N-cn-¨p, ]pXnb hkv{X-§Ä

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[cn-¸n-¨p. `À¯m-hns\ Ab¨p tUmIvSsd hcp¯n, acp-¶p-IÄ ASp-¡n-h¨p. AÂ]-t\-c-¯n-\p-Ån AhÄ AhnsS FÃm-sa-Ãm-ambn. \nt¡m-fm-bnbpsS B{K-l-§-f-dnªv th−Xp sNbvXp. \nt¡m-fmbv ]n¶oSv ktlm-Z-c-t\mSv Inänsb¸än ]d-ªp. F´m-sW¶p a\kn-em-bn-sænepw At±-l-¯n\v Ahsf CjvS-ambn F¶Xv Dd-¸m-bn-cp-¶p. \nt¡m-fmbv tIm¬Ìmânsâ ssIIÄ Xt¶mSp tNÀ¯v ap¯w h¨p. sehnsâ I®p-IÄ \ndªp; AbmÄ hnXp-¼n-t¸m-bn. “A§v C¡m-cy-§Ä Úm\n-I-fnepw hnth-In-I-fnepw \n¶p ad¨v inip¡Ä¡p shfn-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-cn-¡p¶p’’ A¶p sshIn«p `mcy-tbmSp kwkm-cn¡p-t¼mÄ sehn³ HmÀ¯p. `uXn-I-ip-{iqj am{X-aà ac-Wm-k-¶-\mb a\p-jysâ Bßob Imcy-§fnepw Ah-fpsS {i² ]Xn-ªp. Ip¼-km-cn¨p IpÀ_m\ kzoI-cn-¡m³ BZy-Zn-hkw Xs¶ Ah-f-bmsf t{]cn-¸n-¨n-cp-¶p. “acnb \n¡-te-hv\bv¡v C¡m-cy-§-sfms¡ F§s\ \S-¯-W-sa¶v Hcp ]nSn-bp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. \o h¶-Xn Rm³ F{X k´p-jvS-\m-sWt¶m! \o ss\Àa-eyw…’’ “Häbv¡p \n§-fpsS ØnXn F´p IjvSam-bn-cp-t¶s\’’

]ptcm-ln-X\v Bf-b-¨p. At±lw h¶v A´y-Iq-Zmi \ÂIn. {]mÀ°\IÄ sNmÃnb t\c-sam¶pw tcmKn A\-§n-bn-Ã. {]mÀ°\ XoÀ¶Xpw AbmÄ H¶p \nhÀ¶p, ZoÀL-ambn izmk-sa-Sp-¯p, I®p-IÄ Xpd-¶p. ]ptcm-ln-X³ XWp¯ s\än-ta Ipcn-ip-sIm−p kv]Àin-¨p, AXv XncnsI h¨p, c−p an\näv IqSn AhnsS \nÈ_vZw \n¶n«v At±lw XWp¸p _m[n-¨p-sIm-−ncp¶ XSn¨ ssII-fn kv]Àin¨p. “AbmÄ bm{X-bmbn’’ CXp ]dªv ]ptcm-ln-X³ \S-¡m³ XpS-§n-bXpw acn-¨-hsâ aoi-I-fn A\-¡w. s\©nsâ Bg-§-fn \n¶v kv^pS-XbpÅ i_vZw: “Ign-ªn-«n-Ã… s]s«-¶v.’’ Hcp an\näv Ign-ª-t¸mÄ B apJw sXfn-ªp, aoi-bpsS Hmc-§-fn Hcp ]p©ncn sXfn-ªp. Npäpw IqSn-bn-cp¶ kv{XoIÄ arX-tZlw Hcp-¡m³ XpS§n. sehn³ A]-cn-ta-b-amb B kXys¯ ho−pw apJm-apJw I−p. ]nSn-sImSp-¡m¯ ac-W-¯n\p ap¶n Poh\pw kvt\l-¯n\pw th−n-bpÅ hmRvO Abm-fn \nd-ªp. ac-W-sa¶ clkyw NpcpÄ \nhcpw ap³t] asämcp clkyw Abmsf Poh-\n-te-¡v, kvt\l-¯n-te¡v amSn-hn-fn-¨p. InänbpsS Akz-Ø-X-IÄ KÀ`-e-£-W-am-sW¶v tUmIvSÀ Adn-bn¨p.

\nt¡m-fmbv

s_ävknbpw

Ip¼-km-cn-¨p, hnip² IpÀ_m\ kzoI-cn-¨p. imkv{X-¯nsâ hf-cp¶ bpàn-I-fpsS kzm[o-\-¯n aX\ntj-[n-bmb tPyjvT³ Ct¸mÄ aXs¯ Benw-K\w sN¿p¶Xv AXnsâ hn]-co-X-Zn-i-bn-epÅ {]bm-W-¯neqsS BßmÀ°-am-b-Ã, Inän-bpsS t{]c-W-IÄ¡p hg-§n, AXp Xs¶ Pohn-X-¯n-te¡p aS¡ns¡m-−p-h-cp-sa-¶pÅ hymtam-l-¯n-em-sW¶v sehn³ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. \K-c-¯n-se¯n ]¯mw \mÄ Inän¡p kpJ-an-Ãm-Xm-bn. Xe-th-Z-\bpw £oW-hpw. hn{i-a-an-Ãm-¯-Xp-sIm-−m-sW¶v tUmIvSÀ Is−-¯n, hn{iaw hn[n-¨p. A¶pw `£Ww Ignªv AhÄ ]Xn-hp-t]mse \nt¡m-fm-bn-bpsS ASp-s¯-¯n. “F§-s\-bp−v?’’ “IqSp-X tamiw. BsI thZ\’’ AbmÄ IjvS-s¸«p ]d-ªp. “Fhn-sSbmWp thZ\?’’ “Bk-Iew’’ “C¶-t¯msS FÃmw Xocpw.’’ acnb \n¡-tehv\ ]Xps¡-¸-d-ªp. sehn³ tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ Cu \nK-a\-¯n\p Xs¶ t{]cn-¸n¨ e£-W-§Ä AhÄ ]dªp-sIm-Sp-¯p. Ah-fpsS {]h-N\w icn-bmbn `hn-¨p. A¶p cm{Xn \nt¡mfmbv¡v ssI DbÀ¯m³ t]mepw hs¿-¶m-bn; ZrjvSn-b-\-¡m\pw h¿. Inän

s̸m\pw ]dªv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n\v a\-knembn C\n A¶sb Ah-fpsS hgn¡p hnSpI Xs¶-bmWv \Ã-sX¶v. F´mWp sNt¿−sX¶v AbmÄ¡v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã. AhÄ Ahn-iz-kvXX Xpd¶p]dª A¶p apX Xs¶ hn«p-t]m-bn-cp-s¶¦n thZ-\-bp-−m-Ip-am-bn-cp-s¶-t¶-bp-ffq, Ct¸m-g-t¯-Xp-t]mse {]Xo£ \in¨ ØnXn D−m-Ip-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. AhÄ¡p am¸p sImSp-¯X - n-\v, tcmKnbmbn I−-t¸mÄ Im«nb Imcp-Wy-¯n\v, kvt\l-¯n-\v, Imap-I-\n AhÄ¡p-−mb Ip«n-tbmSp Im«nb hmÂk-ey-¯n\v {]Xn-^-e-ambn In«n-bXv Cu \mWt¡Sm-Wv, BÀ¡pw th−m-sX, FÃm-h-cmepw ]pÑn-¡-s¸-«v… A¶ s]mbv¡-gnªv c−p Znh-k-t¯¡v AbmÄ km[m-c-W-t]mse Xs¶ s]cp-am-dn.þ I½n-än-I-fnepw hncp-¶p-I-fnepw ]s¦-Sp-¡p-Ibpw At]-£-Ifpw ]cm-Xn-Ifpw kzoI-cn-¡p-Ibpw A¶-bpsS kzImcyhkvXp-¡Ä F´p sN¿Wsa¶ tNmZy-§Ä¡p adp-]Sn ]d-bp-Ibpw Hs¡… ]t£ c−mw \mÄ A¶-bpsS Nne _nÃp-I-fp-ambn h¶ Hcm-fpsS ap¶n HmÀa-IÄ I\w hbv¸n¨ Xe ssII-fn Xm§n Ccp-¶p-t]m-bn. kwkm-cn-¡m-\m-hmsX kvXw`n¨ncn-¡p¶ bP-am\s\ c£n-¨Xv tImÀWn BWv. _nÃp-ambn h¶-bmfns\ asämcp Znhkw hcm³ ]dªv AbmÄ ]d-ªp-hn-«p.

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X\n-¡mbn Im¯p-\n¡p¶ h−n ]d-ª-b-t¨-¡m\pw kµÀi-Isc Bscbpw A\p-h-Zn-t¡-s−¶pw ]dªv AeIvkn AevI-km³t{Um-hn¨v AI-t¯¡p t]mbn. `£Ww Ign-¡m\pw Xmtg¡p h¶n-Ã. Xsâ thZ\ ]¦p hbv¡m³ ]änb kulr-Z-§-sfm¶pw At±-l-¯n-\p-−mbn-cp-¶n-Ã. aäp-Å-h-cpsS Imcy-§Ä ]cn-l-cn-¡m³ F{X t]cpsS klmbw thW-sa-¦nepw AbmÄ tNmZn-¨m In«p-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ kz´w ZpJ-§Ä ]d-bm³ am{Xw ASp-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶Xv No^v sk{I-«dn ÉqUn-t\mSpw kz´w tUmIvS-tdmSpw am{X-am-bn-cp-¶p. BZy-s¯-bmÄ HutZym-Kn-I-X-bpsS t]cnepw c−m-a-s¯-bmÄ Xnc-¡p-aq-ehpw AXn\p ]än-b-h-cm-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. ]ns¶ c−p kplr-¯p-¡-fp-Å-Xn HcmÄ hntZ-i-Im-cy-h-Ip-¸n A\y-cm-Py¯pw asäbmÄ hnZym-`ymk hIp-¸n DÄ\m-S³ djy-bpsS hnZq-c-X-bn-ep-am-Wv. kv{Xo kplr-¯p-¡Ä, Gähpw {][m-\-ambn enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\, AbmfpsS Nn´-bnte IS-¶p-h-¶n-Ã. kv{XoI-fm-sW¶XpsIm−p Xs¶ AXv A\-`n-a-Xhpw `oXn-P-\-I-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p.

¡m-hp¶ klm-b-§Ä sN¿m³ h¶-Xm-Wv. C¯cw sIm¨p-sIm¨p Imcy§Ä \n§-fpsS Npa-en \n¶v Gsä-Sp-¡m³ F\n-¡m-hpw. Hcp kv{XobpsS taÂt\m-«hpw hm¡p-Ifpw Bh-iy-am-sWs¶\n¡-dn-bmw. AsX-\n¡p hn«pX-t¶-¡q.’’ \ni-_vZ-ambn, \µn-tbmsS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Ah-cpsS ssIIfn apdp-sI¸nSn¨p. “skcn-tbm-jbpsS Imcyw \ap¡v c−p t]À¡pw IqSn icn-bm-¡mw. {]mtbm-Kn-I-Im-cy-§-fn Rm\{X anSp-¡n-sbm-¶p-a-Ã, ]t£ Rm³ Hs¡ icn-bm-¡mw.’’ “\µn ]d-bm-Xn-cn-¡m³ F\n¡p ]äp-¶n-Ã.’’ “kplr-t¯, Xm¦Ä ]dª B hnIm-c-¯n\p hgn sImSp-¡-cpXv þ- Hcp ss{IkvX-hsâ Gähpw al-Xz-I-c-amb kwK-Xn-sb-¡p-dn¨v A]-am\w tXm¶p¶Xv F´n-\mWv: “kzbw Xmgv¯p-¶-h³ DbÀ¯-s¸-Spw.’ \µn ]d-tb-−Xv F\n-¡-Ã, Ahn-Sp-t¯-¡m-Wv. B{ibw tXSn {]mÀ°nt¡−Xpw Ahn-Spt¯mSp Xs¶. Ahn-Sp-¶n-emWv \mw kam-[m-\hpw Bizm-khpw c£bpw kvt\lhpw Is−-¯p-¶-Xv.’’ kzÀK-¯n-te¡p I®p-I-fp-bÀ¯n AhÀ {]mÀ°n¡m³ XpS-§n. “hfsc \µn-bp−v þ \n§-fpsS hm¡p-I-fpsS t]cnepw sNbvXn-I-fpsS t]cnepw.’’ {]mÀ°\ Ign-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ ]d-ªp. Abm-fpsS c−p ssIIfpw Iq«n AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn¨v hnizm-k-ap-d-¸n-¨n«v AhÀ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p t]mbn. `b¶pt]mb Ip«n-bpsS Ihn-fp-Ifn I®oÀ hogv¯n Ahsâ Aѳ hnip-²-\m-sW¶pw A½ acn-¨p-t]msb¶pw ]d-ªp. enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\bpw tImÀWnbpw IqSn Krl-`-cWw henb Ipg-¸w-IqSmsX \S-¯n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. AXnep]-cn, AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨n\p th− am\-knI ]n´pW sImSp-¡p-¶-Xnepw Hcp XWp-¸³ hnizm-k¯n \n¶v Icp-¯pw Bg-hp-apÅ ss{IkvXh hnizm-k-¯n-te¡v At±ls¯ \bn-¡p-¶-Xnepw AhÀ \nÀWm-bI ]¦p hln-¨p.

]t£

enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ Abmsf ad-¶n-Ã. Gähpw henb ZpJ-¯nsâ thf-bn £Wn-¡-s¸-SmsX Xs¶ AhÄ Abm-fpsS ASp-¡-se-¯n. A\phm-Z-¯n\p Im¯p-\n¡msX t\tc apdn-bn-te¡p sN¶p. “{]nb kplr-t¯, \n§Ä ZpJ-¯n\p Iog-S-§-cp-Xv. Xm¦-fpsS ZpJw hepXm-Wv, ]t£ AXn\v Bizmkw Is−-¯ntb Xocq.’’ “Rm³ XIÀ¶p-t]m-bn, Cãmbva sN¿s¸«n-cn-¡p-¶p, Rms\mcp ]pcp-j-\Ãm-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. kzbw Xm§m-\pÅ tijn F\n¡p \jvS-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶p.’’ “Xm§v e`n-¡pw. AXp tXtS-−Xv F¶n-eÃ; Fsâ kulr-Z-¯nsâ FÃm iànbpw Rm³ hmKvZm\w sN¿p¶psh¦n-epw.’’ AhÄ Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izmk-t¯msS ]d-ªp. “\½psS B{ibw kvt\l-¯n-em-Wv, Ahn-Sp¶p hmKvZm\w sNbvXn-cn-¡p¶ kvt\l-¯n-Â. Ahn-Sps¯ `mcw eLp-hm-Wv.’’ “Hcp-hsâ tijn-IÄ¡p ]cn-[n-bp−v {]`zo. Fsâ ]cn[n ChnsS Ah-km\n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p.’’ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ZpÀ_-e-amb i_vZ¯n ]d-ªp. “]I apgp-h³ F\n¡v-ho-«p-Im-cy-§Ä {i²n-¡-W-am-bn-cp-¶p. the-¡mÀ, Bb, IW-¡p-IÄ... apÅp-IÄ¡n-S-bn s]«-Xp-t]m-se-bmWv Rm³. Fsâ aIsâ t\m«w F\n¡p Xm§m-\m-hp-¶n-Ã. CXn-sâ-sbÃmw AÀ°w F´mWv F¶v Ah³ Ft¶mSp tNmZn-¨nÃ; ]t£ Ah\p tNmZn¡-W-sa-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p, Fsâ t\sc t\m¡m³ Ah\p `b-am-bn-cp-¶p. AXp-sIm−pw XoÀ¶nÃ...’’ “F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p, {]nb kplrt¯’’ enUnb sFh-t\m-h\v ]dªp. Bibpw B{i-bhpw F¶n \n¶Ã htc-−-Xv, ]t£ Rm³ F\n-

enUnb

sFh-t\mhv\ {]`zn D¶-X-Øm-\o-b\pw k¼-¶-\p-amb Hcm-sfbmWv hnhmlw Ign-¨-Xv. c−p amkw Ign-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ Ahsf Dt]£n-¨p. {]`p-hnsâ lrZ-b-¯nsâ \· ASp-¯-dn-bm-hp-¶-hÀ¡v {]-`zn-bpsS Xc-f-amb s]cp-am-ä-¯nepw sXäp-I-sfm¶pw ImWm³ Ign-bmªXn-\m F´mWv Cu thÀ]n-cn-b-en\p ]n¶n F¶p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. `À¯m-hnsâ kvt\lw \jvS-s¸-«-Xp-ap-X AhÀ Bsc-sb-¦n-ep-sams¡ \nc-´cw kvt\ln-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶p. Htc kabw AhÀ Hcp-]mSp t]sc

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kvt\ln¨p þ kv{XoI-sfbpw ]pcp-j³am-sc-bpw. ]t£ Itc-\nsâ Zpc-´¯n\p tijw AhÄ aäm-sc-bpw-ImÄ Abmsf kvt\ln-¨p. AbmÄ¡p th−n asäÃmw kvt\lhpw ths−¶p h¨p. Abmsf {]Xn AhÀ hkv{X-[m-c-W-¯n IqSp-X {i²n-¨p, Znhm-kz-]v\§Ä I−p, At±lw apdn-bn-te¡p h¶-t¸m-sgms¡ Ah-cpsS apJw XpSp¯p, At±-l-sa-s´-¦nepw \ÃXp ]d-ª-t¸m-sgms¡ Ah-cpsS B\-µm-XntcIw ]p©n-cn-bmbn hncn-ªp. A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw XncnsI ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn F¯n-bn-«p-s−-¶dnªv enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v FhnsSsb¦nepw h¨v Ahsc ImWp-¶Xv Hgn-hm-¡m³ ap³I-cp-X-ep-I-sf-Sp-¯p. Hcp Znhkw A¶-bpsS I¯p h¶p:

“Ah-fpsS Bhiyw \nc-kn-¡m-\pÅ Ah-Imiw F\n-¡p-s−¶p tXm¶p¶n-Ã.’’ sasà I®p-I-fp-bÀ¯ns¡m−p ]d-ªp. “{]nb kplr-t¯, \n§Ä Bcnepw Xn· ImWp-¶nÃ’’ “t\tc adn-¨m-Wv. FÃmw Xn·-bm-sW¶p Rm³ ImWp-¶p. ]t£ \oXn-bpsS… “AÃÃ, FÃm-¯n\p Hcp ]cn-[n-bp-−v. hgn-]n-g-bv¡p-¶Xp a\-kn-em-¡mw; ]t£ {Iqc-Xtbm? AXpw \n§-tfm-Sv. IqSp-X Pohn¡pw tXmdpw IqSp-X Imcy-§Ä a\-kn-em-Ipw. \n§-fpsS al-Xzhpw Ah-fpsS \oN-Xzhpw Rm\nt¸mÄ IqSp-X hyà-ambn a\-kn-em-¡p-¶p.’’ “IsÃ-dn-bm³ BÀ¡mWv Ah-Imiw? Rm³ FÃmw £an-¨p-I-gn-ª-XmWv. ]ns¶-bnt¸m Ah-fpsS kvt\l¯nsâ þ Ah-fpsS aIt\mSpÅ kvt\lw þ Bh-iy-w Rms\-´n\p \nc-kn-¡Ww? “AXp kvt\l-amtWm kplrt¯! AXv BßmÀ°-amtWm? \n§Ä £an¨p-I-gnªp F¶-Xp-sIm−v B Ipªp-am-em-J-bpsS a\kns\ apdn-s¸-Sp¯m³ \ap¡v Ah-Im-i-apt−m? AhÄ acn-¨p-t]mbn F¶mWv Ah³ hniz-kn-¡p-¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS ]m]-§Ä¡p ta Icp-W-b-−m-IW - ta F¶v ssZh-t¯mSv {]mÀ°n¡pIbpw sN¿p¶p. AX-§-s\-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶-XmWv \Ã-Xv. C\n Ahsf I−m Ah³ F´p Nn´n¡pw?’’ “Rm\-tXmÀ¯n-Ã.’’ Ah-tfmSp tbmPn-¨p-sIm−v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]d-ªp. enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ {]`zn ssIIÄ sIm−p apJw ad¨v \ni-_vZ-bmbn Ccp-¶p. AhÀ {]mÀ°n¡pI-bmbn-cp-¶p. {]mÀ°\ Ignªv ssIIÄ amänbn«v AhÀ ]dªp: “Ahs\ ImWm³ A\p-h-Zn-¡-cp-sX¶mWv Fsâ A`n{]m-bw. AÂ]-sa-¦nepw a\p-jyXzw Ah-ti-jn-¨n-«p-−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n AhfnXv Bh-iy-s¸-Sn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. \n§Ä Fs¶ GÂ]n-¡p-I-bm-sW¦n Rm³ AhÄs¡-gp-Xmw.’’ AbmÄ k½Xn¨p. AhÀ Fgp-Xn. {^©n-em-bn-cp¶p I¯v. “\n§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ HmÀa-IÄ, Ahsâ a\kn ]cn-ip-²-am-bn-cn-t¡− ]eXns\bpw ]än No¯ shfn-¨-¯n-e-ÃmsX D¯cw \ÂIm³ ]äm¯ Hcp]mSv tNmZy-§Ä¡p hgn-hbv¡pw F¶-Xn-\m \n§-fpsS `À¯mhv Cu Bhiyw \nc-kn-¡p-¶Xv ss{IkvX-h-kvt\-l-¯nsâ ssNX-\y-¯n ImWW-sa¶v At]-£n-¡p-¶p. \nt¶mSp Imcp-Wy-ap-−m-bn-cn-¡m³ Rm³ kÀhi-à-\mb ssZh-t¯mSv At]-£n-¡p-¶p. enUnb {]`zn.’’ A¶bv¡p \sÃmcp Ip¯p sImSp-¡pI F¶ KpV-e-£yhpw Cu I¯v `wKn-bmbn km[n-¨p.

“aS§nt¸mIp-¶-Xn\p ap³]v skcn-tbm-jsb H¶p ImW-Ww. Imcp-Wy-hm-\mb AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ Fsâ HmÀaIÄ sIm−p thZ-\n-¸n-¡m-Xn-cn-¡m-\mWv Cu hnhcw \n§Äs¡gp-Xp-¶-Xv. Ahs\ Ft¸m-gmWv Fsâ-b-Sp-¡-te¡v Ab-bv¡pI? AsÃ-¦n F\n¡v AhnsS h¶v Ahs\ ImWm³ kabw A\ph-Zn-¡p-Itbm Ft¸mÄ Fhn-sS-h¨v R§Ä¡p X½n ImWmsa¶v Adn-bn¡p-Itbm sN¿patÃm. AXn-\pÅ A[n-Im-cap-Å-hsâ lrZ-b-hn-im-eX Adn-bm-hp-¶-Xp-sIm−v Cu Bhiyw \nc-kn-¡-s¸-Sp-sa¶p Icp-Xp-¶n-Ã. Ahs\ ImWm³ Rms\{X sImXn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln-¡m-\m-hnÃ; A{X Xs¶ hep-Xm-bn-cn¡pw Cu Ah-k-c-sam-cp-¡n-¯-cp-¶-Xn\v \n§-tfmSpÅ Fsâ \µn-bpw. A¶.’’ adp-]Snsbm¶p-an-södn-bn-¨n«v AhÀ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Hcp Is¯-gp-Xn-þ Hcp aWn¡v ImW-W-sa-¶m-h-iy-s¸-«v. Znh-khpw AhÀ AeIvkn¡v c−p-aq¶p I¯p-IÄ Fgp-Xpw. t\cn«p kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼m-gn-Ãm¯ Hcp KqV-Xbpw kuI-cyhpw AXn-\p-−v.

enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\-bpsS ho«n AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v F¯n. AÂ]w Bap-J-¯n\p tijw AhÀ A¶-bpsS I¯v At±-l-¯n\p ssIam-dn. I¯p hmbn-¨n«v At±lw Gsd t\cw \ni-_vZ\mbn Ccp-¶p.

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hymI-cWw A[ym-]-Isâ ¢mkn\p tijw AÑ-\mWv ]Tn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xv. taibv¡-cn-In Im¯n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ skcn-tbmj kz]v\-¯n-te¡p hgp-Xn-hoWp. \S-¡p-t¼m-sgms¡ A½sb Xnc-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p Ahsâ {]nb-hn-t\m-Z§-fn-sem¶v. ac-W-¯n Ah³ hniz-kn-¨n-cp-¶nÃ; A½-bpsS ac-W-¯n {]tXy-In-¨pw. AXp-sIm-−mWv enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ ]d-bp-Ibpw Aѳ Dd¸p \ÂIp-Ibpw sNbvXn«pw Ah³ A½-bv¡mbn Xnc-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶Xv. kuµ-cyhpw sFiz-cy-hp-apÅ GsXmcp kv{Xobpw Ahsâ A½-bm-bn-cp¶p. A§-s\-bpÅ Bsc-¡-−mepw Ah\p izmkw \nebv¡pw, I®p-Ifn I®oÀ \nd-bpw, B kv{Xo HmSn-h¶v apJw ad-bv¡p¶ X«-ap-bÀ¯n Xs¶ t\m¡n, ]p©n-cn¨p sI«n¸nSn-¡p-¶Xpw Ah-cpsS kpKÔw izkn¨v, shfp¯ ssII-fpsS amÀZhw kv]Àin¨p t\m¡p-¶Xpw Ahsâ a\-kneqsS Nn{X-§-fmbn \o§pw. As¶mcp \mÄ A½-bpsS aSn-bn InS-¶t¸mÄ Ah-f-hs\ C¡nfn Iq«n-b-Xp-t]m-se, Ah³ tamXn-c-a-Wnª AhfpsS shfp¯ ssII-fn ISn-¨-Xp-t]m-se. ]n¶oSp bmZr-Ýn-I-ambn hb-kmb Bb-bpsS hmbnÂ\n¶v AhÄ acn¨n«nsö hnh-c-a-dn-ªn«pw Ah-sfmcp ZpjvSvkv{Xobm-b-Xn-\m (A-h-\-hsf henb CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶-XpsIm−v C¸-d-ªXv Ah³ hniz-kn-¨-tX-bnÃ) Ahs\ kw_-Ôn-¨n-S-t¯mfw AhÄ acn-¨pIgn-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v AÑ\pw enUn-bbpw ]d-ªn«pw Ah³ \S-¡p-t¶-S-s¯Ãmw Ahsf Xncªp-sIm-t−-bn-cp-¶p. A¶p ]mÀ¡n t]mb-t¸mÄ I− HcphÄ Xsâ A½-bm-sW¶p Xs¶ Ah³ hniz-kn-¨p. \S-h-gn-bn-eqsS Ahsâ t\À¡p \S-¶p-h-¶ AhÀ ]t£ Fhn-sStbm h¨v ac-§Ä¡n-S-bn ad-ªp. Aѳ hcm³ Im¯n-cn¡sh hÀ[nXkvt\-l-t¯msS Ah-sf-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯ncp¶v Ah³ taibpsS AcnsIÃmw I¯n-sIm−p apdn-¨p-h-¨p. “kmbm-Ó-\-S¯w ck-am-bn-cpt¶m?’’ ss__n-fnsâ ]g-b-\n-b-a-]p-kvXIw X¶n-te¡p hen-¨-Sp-¸n-¨p-h¨p Xpd-¶p-sIm−v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhn¨v tNmZn-¨p. “hfsc ck-am-bn-cp¶p ]m¸m.’’ hi-t¯¡p Imen-«n-cp¶ Itkc B«ns¡m−v Ah³ ]d-ªp. A§s\ sN¿cpsX¶v Ah-t\mSp ]d-ªn-«p-ÅXm-Wv. “Rm³ \mZn¦sb I−n-cp-¶p. (en-Unb sFh-t\m-hv\-tbm-sSm¸w Xma-kn-¡p¶ acp-a-I-fmWv AhÄ) AÑ\v Hcp \£{Xw IqSn In«n-sb¶v AhÄ ]d-ªp. hfsc kt´mjapt−m?’’ “H¶m-a-Xm-bn, Itkc B«m-Xn-cn-¡q.’’ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]dªp. “c−m-a-Xv, {]Xn-^-e-a-Ã, tPmen Xs¶-bmWv hepXv. {]Xn-^ew

178 Imw£n¨v tPmen sN¿m³, ]Tn-¡m³ t]mbm AXp hfsc ITn-\-ambn tXm¶pw. sN¿p¶ tPmensb kvt\ln-¡p-I, AXnÂ\n¶p Xs¶ AXn-\pÅ {]Xn-^ew In«pw.’’ kt´mjw sIm−p Xnf-§n-bn-cp¶ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS I®p-IÄ Abm-fpsS t\m«-¯n\p ap¶n XmWp. IYm-¸p-kvX-I-§-fn am{Xw ImWp¶ k¦Â]_m-e³am-tcm-sS¶ t]mse-bmWv At±lw Xt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v Ah\p tXm¶n. A§s\ Ah³ Ft¸mgpw AÑsâ ap³]n IYm-¸p-kvXI-¯nse Ip«n-bm-Im³ {ian-¨p. kvt\l-¯nsâ Xmt¡m-en-Ãm-¯-h-sc-sbm¶pw Ah³ Xsâ-bp-Ån IS¡m³ A\p-h-Zn-¨n-Ã. Ah-s\m¶pw ]Tn-¡p-¶n-söv A[ym-]IÀ ]cm-Xn-s¸«p. F¶m Ah-sâ-bpÅw Adnhn-\mbn Zmln-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Im-¸n-täm-\n¨n \n¶v, Bb-bn \n¶v, \mZn-¦-bn \n¶v, hmknen eq¡n-¨n \n¶v Hs¡ Ah³ ]Tn¨p; A[ym-]-I-cn \n¶v H¶pw ]Tn-¨p-an-Ã. ]Tn-¡m-¯-Xn\p in£-bmbn \mZn-¦sb ImWm³ t]mtI-s−¶v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Ahs\ hne-¡n. AXp ]t£ A\p-{K-l-ambn þ hmknen eq¡n¨v Ahs\ hn³Uvan D−m-¡m³ ]Tn-¸n-¨p. kmbmÓw A½-sb-¡p-dn-¨pÅ HmÀa-I-fn-ÃmsX IS-¶p-t]m-bn. ]t£ cm{Xn InS-¡pt¼mÄ ]ntä¶p Xsâ ]nd-¶m-fn\v A½ Hfnhp hn«p Xsâ-b-Sp¯p hc-Twsb¶v Ah³ {]mÀ°n¨p. “hmknen eq¡n-¨v, C¶p Rms\-´mWv ]Xn-hn IqSp-X-embn {]mÀ°n¨sX¶p ]d-bmtam?’’ “]mT§Ä \¶mbn a\-kn-em-I-tW-sb¶v.’’ “AÃ.’’ “Ifn-¸m-«-§Ä’’ “AÃ, AXq-ln-¡m³ \n§Ä¡p Ign-bn-Ã. Imcyw \S-¶p-I-gn-bp-t¼mÄ Rm³ ]d-bmw.’’ “F\n-s¡mcp ]nSn-bp-an-Ã. \o Xs¶ ]d-ªm aXn. h¶p InS-¡q, sagp-Xncn AW-bv¡-s«.’’ “sagp-Xncnshfn¨w AW-ªm {]mÀ°\bn tNmZn¨ Imcyw F\n¡p Ipd-¨p-IqSn hyà-ambn ImWmw. AXm! Rm\nt¸m B clkyw ]d-ªp-t]mtb-s\.’’ BËm-Z-t¯msS Nncn-¨p-sIm−v skcn-tbmj ]d-ªp. sagp-Ip-Xncn sIm−p-t]m-b-t¸mÄ Ah³ A½sb IqSp-X hyà-ambn I−p. AhÄ ASp¯p \n¶v hmÂkeyw \ndª I®p-IÄ sIm−v Ahs\ emfn-¡p-¶p. At¸m-tg¡v hn³UvanÃpw I¯nbpw FÃmw IS-¶ph¶p; FÃmw IqSn IqSn-¡p-g-ªp, Ah³ Dd-§n-t¸m-bn.

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]otä-gvkv_ÀKn \sÃmcp tlm«-en-emWv hvtdm¬kvInbpw A¶bpw X§n-b-Xv. h¶ A¶p Xs¶ AbmÄ ktlm-Z-csâ ho«n t]mbn. A½bpw tPyjvT¯n hmcybpw Ahn-sSbp−m-bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS hnti-j§fpw hntZ-i-§-fnse ]cn-N-b-¡m-cpsS hnti-j-§-fp-saÃmw AhÀ tNmZn¨p. A¶-bpsS Imcyw am{Xw H¶pw tNmZn-¨n-Ã. ]ntä¶p cmhnse tPyjvTs\-¯n. AbmÄ A¶-bpsS hnti-j-§fpw tNmZn-¨p. A¶-bp-am-bpÅ _Ôw hnhmlw t]mse Xs¶-bmWv Icp-Xp-¶-sX¶v AeIvkn tPyjvTt\mSp ]dªp; hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\S-Ww, AXn\p tijw hnhm-lw. ]t£ AXp-h-scbpw Ahsf `mcy-bpsS Øm\¯p Xs¶-bmWv ImWp-¶-Xv. A½tbmSpw tPyjvT-¯n-tbmSpw C¡mcyw ]d-b-W-sa¶pw AbmÄ A`yÀ°n¨p. “temIw F´p Icp-Xn-bmepw F\n-s¡m-¶p-anÃ.’’ AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “]t£ Fsâ _Ôp-¡Ä Rm\p-am-bpÅ _ÔpX \ne-\nÀ¯Wsa-¦n Fs¶ IW-¡m-¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse Xs¶ Ah-sfbpw IW-¡m-¡-Ww.’’ A\p-Psâ Xocp-am-\-§sf am\n-¨n-cp¶ tPyjvT³ C¡m-cy-¯n temIw hn[n-sb-gp-Xpw-hsc icn-sX-äpIÄ hn[n-¡m³ Xbm-dm-bn-cp-¶nÃ; ]t£ kz´w Imcy-¯n AbmÄ¡v Hcp Bi-¦bpw D−m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã; Ae-Ivkntbm-sSm¸w AbmÄ A¶sb kµÀin-¨p. temIw X§Ä¡p t\sc hmXn-e-S-¨n-cn-¡p-I-bm-sW¶v Adn-bm-am-bn-cp-s¶¦nepw kaq-l-¯nse X§-fpsS kzoIm-cyX ]co-£n-¨-dn-bm³ Xs¶ AbmÄ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Fenbpw ]q¨bpw Ifn-bn-te-Xp-t]mse X\n¡p th−n Dbcp¶ ssIIÄ Xs¶ A¶-bpsS hgn-ap-S¡n Xmgp-¶Xv AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dnªp. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn AbmÄ Bzyw I− kv{XoIfn-sem-cmÄ _Ôp-hmb s_ävknbm-bn-cp-¶p. “lm, F´p kt´m-j-am-sbt¶m? \n§-sf-hn-sSbmWp X§p-¶Xv? A¶-sbhnsS? BtLm-j-amb bm{X-IÄs¡m-Sp-hn ]mhw ]otä-gvkv_ÀKv Hcp ZpcnX-`q-an-bmbn tXm¶p-¶p-−-Ip-atÃ? \n§-fpsS tdmanse a[p-hn-[p-shms¡ Rm³ a\-kn ImWp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯nsâ Imcy-sa´mbn? FÃmw Igntªm?’’ hnhm-l-tam-N\w Ign-ªn-«n-södnª-t¸mÄ s_ävkn-bpsS Bthiw XWp¯Xv hvtdm¬kvIn {i²n-¨p. “Bfp-IÄ Fs¶ IsÃ-dn-bp-am-bn-cn-¡pw. F¶mepw Rm³ A¶sb h¶p ImWpw. \n§-fn-hnsS A[n-I-Imew D−m-hn-ÃtÃm AtÃ?’’ ]d-ª-Xp-t]mse AhÀ A¶p Xs¶ A¶sb kµÀin-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. ]t£ ]g-b-Xp-t]mse A{X Dujva-f-am-bn-cp-¶nà kzc-`m-h-§Ä.

“hnhm-l-tam-N\w F¶-t¯-¡m-sW¶v \n§-fn-Xp-hsc ]d-ªn-Ã. Rm\-Xns\mcp hnebpw I¸n-¡p-¶n-Ã-¦n Xs¶bpw icn-bmb hnhmlw Ign-bp-¶Xp-hsc aäp-Å-hÀ \n§sf Ah-K-Wn-¡pI Xs¶tb sN¿q… shÅn-bm-gvNbtà \n§Ä t]mIp-¶Xv? At¸mÄ \½-fn\n DS³ X½n ImWn-Ã.’’ temI-¯n \n¶v F´p {]Xo-£n-¡m-\m-hp-sa¶v IrXy-ambn shfn-s¸-Sp-¯p¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p s_ävkn-bpsS kwkm-cw. F¦nepw IpSpw-_-¯n Hcp ssI t\m¡m³ Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn Xocp-am-\n-¨p. BZys¯ I−p-ap-«-en A¶sb A{X-tbsd CjvS-s¸« A½bv¡v aIsâ Icn-bÀ \in-¸n¨v AhtfmSv Ct¸mÄ Hcp Icp-W-bp-ap-−m-In-söv AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ tPyjvT-¯n-bpsS, hmcy-bpsS, Imcy-¯n AbmÄ {]Xo£ ]peÀ¯n. AhÀ t\sc t]mbn A¶sb ImWp-sa¶pw Ahsf ho«n-te¡p Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Ip-sa¶pw AbmÄ {]Xo-£n-¨p. FÃmw tI«pIgn-ª-t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp: “Ahsf Ipäw-hn-[n-¡p-I-bmsW¶p Icp-X-cp-Xv, Hcn-¡-ep-aÃ; Hcp-]t£ Ah-fpsS Øm\-¯m-bn-cp-s¶¦n Rm\pw CsXm-s¡-¯-s¶-bmhpw sN¿pI. AXn-te-s¡m¶pw F\n¡p IS-¡m-\m-hn-Ã.’’ Abm-fpsS XIÀ¶ apJ-t¯¡p aSn-¨p-a-Sn¨p t\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ ]d-ªp: “]t£ DÅXv DÅ-Xp-t]mse ]d-ªtà ]äq. Ahsf t]mbn-¡m-W-Ww, Chn-tS¡p hnfn-¨p-sIm-−p-h-c-Ww, kaq-l-Po-hn-X¯n-te¡p aS¡ns¡m−p-h-cWw Fs¶ms¡ \o ]d-bp-¶p. AsXm¶pw F\n¡p km[n-¡n-söp Zb-hmbn a\-kn-em-¡p-I. F\n¡pw hfÀ¶p-h-cp¶ s]¬Ip-«n-I-fp−v; Cu temI-¯n `À¯m-hn\p th−n Pohn-t¡-−-h-fmWv Rm\pw. Ft¶mSp tZjy-sam¶pw tXm¶-cp-Xv.’’ “tZjy-sam-¶p-an-Ã. ]t£ \½psS kulrZw ChnsS apdn-bp-¶p, Ipdª ]£w AXnsâ Bgw Ipd-bp-I-sb-¦nepw sN¿p¶p F¶Xp a\-kn-em¡pI.’’ AbmÄ Ahn-Sp¶p aS§n. AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-s\tbm Abm-sf-¸-än-bpÅ ]cm-aÀi-§tfm Hgn-hm¡n ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn Hcn-S¯pw t]mIm-\m-hn-söXpw Abmsf Cu Zn\-§-fn IqSp-X Akz-Ø-\m-¡n. CXp-hsc I−n-«n-Ãm¯ Hcp `mhw A¶-bn hf-cp-¶Xpw AbmÄ {i²n-¨p. Nne-t¸mÄ AhÄ kvt\lwsIm−p aqSpw; AÃm-¯-t¸mÄ Hcp-Xcw ac-hn¸pw tZjyhpw shdp-¸pw. Ahsf Ft´m Akz-ØX _m[n-¨n-«p-−v, Ah-sft´m ad-¨p-h-bv¡p-¶p-−v, Xsâ Pohn-Xs¯ Zpk-l-am-¡p¶ \mWw-sI-Sp¯-ep-I-sfm¶pw AhÄ ImWp-¶n-Ã.

A¶ djy-bn-te¡p aS§nbXp Xs¶ aIs\ ImWpI F¶ Dt±-iy-hp-ambm-Wv. \nc-kn-¡-s¸-Sm-\pÅ t\cnb km[y-Xbpw Hgn-hm-¡m-\mWv FÃmw

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AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ DZm-c-X-sb B{i-bn-¨mWncn-¡p-¶Xv F¶p I¯n {]tXy-I-ambn Fgp-Xn-b-Xv. ]t£ enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\bpsS adp-]Sn Ahsf BsI XIÀ¯p-I-f-ªp. aIs\ ImWp-¶Xv hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS a\-kn Xosc \nkm-c-Im-cy-am-sW¶v AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. A¯-c-¯n-epÅ F´p ]cm-aÀihpw Xsâ-bpÅn Abm-tfmSp shdp-¸p-−m-¡p-sa¶pw AhÄ¡-dn-bmw. Cu temI-¯n Ah-fn-t¸mÄ Gähpw IqSp-X `b-s¸-Sp-¶Xpw AXm-Wv. AXp-sIm−v Xsâ aIs\ kw_-Ôn-¡p¶ FÃm Imcyhpw AhÄ Abm-fn \n¶p ad-¨p-h-¨p. ASp¯ Znhkw þ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS ]nd-¶mÄ þ F´p-h-¶mepw, the¡msc ]änt¨m kzm[o-\nt¨m F§-s\-sb-¦nepw Ah-s\-¡m-W-W-sa¶v AhÄ \nÝ-bn¨p. ]ntä¶p cmhnse F«p aWn-bm-b-t¸mÄ A¶ ap³]v Ah-fp-tS-XpIq-Sn-bm-bncp¶ hoSnsâ ap³]n aWn-b-Sn-¨p Im¯p-\n-¶p. Imh¡m-c³ Im¸n-tämWn-¨nsâ klm-bn-bmb ]¿³ þ A¶ t]mbn-¡-gnªp tPmen-bn tNÀ¶h\m-Wv-þþ h¶p hmXn Xpd-¶p. Ahsâ ssIbn aq¶p dq_nfnsâ Hcp t\m«v h¨p-sIm-Sp-¯n«v AhÄ t\sc AI-t¯¡p ]mªp. AhfpsS A¦-em¸p I−p IS-¶p-h¶ Im¸n-täm-Wn¨v Bsf Xncn-¨-dn-ª-t¸mÄ hW§nbn«v FXnÀs¸m¶pw IqSmsX IS-¯n-hn-Sp-I-bmWv D−m-b-Xv. skcn-tbmj DWÀ¶p-h-cp-¶tX D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. “skcn-tbm-jm’’, AhÄ Ahsâ sNhn-bn sasà hnfn-¨p. ssIap«p Ip¯n FWo-än-cp¶v Xe-sN-cn¨v At§m-«p-an-t§m«pw t\m¡nb Ah³ Xsâ ap¶n \nÝ-ebmbn \n¡p¶ A½sb I−v Ah-fpsS ssII-fn-te¡v Dcp-−p-I-b-dn. “skcn-tbm-jm, s]m¶p-tamt\!’’ Ahsâ Ipªp-tZlw sI«n¸nSn¨v AhÄ InX-¨p. “At½’’ F¶p hnfn-¨p-sIm−v Ah³ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn ]pfªp-a-Zn-¨p. Xsâ tZl-¯nsâ Hmtcm Xcn-bnepw Ah-fpsS Ic-kv]Àita¡m³ sImXn-¨n-s«-¶-t]m-se. Ah-fpsS apJ¯pw Igp-¯nepw Npa-ep-Ifnepw apJ-ap-cp-½n. “Fsâ s]m¶-t½, N¡tc’’ F¶p hnfn-¨p-sIm−v Ah³ Ah-fpsS taemsI NmSna-dnªp, sI«n¸nSn-¨p. “At¿, CXp th−m’’ F¶p ]d-ªpsIm−v Ah-fpsS sXm¸n Ducn-am-än. sXm¸n-bn-ÃmsX Ahsf I−-t¸mÄ ]pXp-a-tbmsS ho−pw sXcp-sXsc D½-h-¨p. “A½bv¡v F´p-]-än-sb-¶mWp tam³ Icp-Xn-bXv? A½ acns¨¶p hnNmcnt¨m?’’ “Rm\Xp hniz-kn-t¨-bn-Ã.’’ “Fsâ s]m¶p-tamt\!’’

“F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p, F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p.’’ Xsâ apSn-bn XtemSp¶ ssIIÄ ASÀ¯n-sb-Sp¯v apJ-t¯mSp tNÀ¯v Ah³ D½-h-¨p.

]gb bP-am\¯n h¶n-«p-s−¶pw Im¸n-täm-\n¨v AhÀ¡p hmXn Xpd-¶psIm-Sp-¯p-sh¶pw Ah-cn-t¸mgpw skcn-tbm-j-tbm-sSm-¸-ap-s−¶pw ]Xn-hpt]mse H³]Xp aWn¡v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v At§m-s«-¯psa¶padnªv the-¡mÀ¡nSbn {]I-¼-\-§-fp-−m-bn. Im¸n-täm-Wn¨v BWv A¶sb IS-¯n-hn-«-sX¶dnªv Imcy-س tImÀWn Abm-tfmSp tZjy-s¸-«p. \ni-_vZ\mbn \n¶v FÃmw tI« hb-k³ HSp¡w Abm-tfmSp IbÀ¯p: “\n§-fm-sW¦n IS-¯n-hn-Sn-Ãm-bn-cp¶p! ]¯p hÀjs¯ tkh-\-¯n-\nsS Icp-W-tbmSpw Icp-X-tem-Sp-a-ÃmsX Hcn-¡epw kwkm-cn-¨n-«n-Ãm¯ Ah-tcmSv ‘Zqsc-t¸m, IS-¶p-t]mIq’ F¶p ]d-bp-am-bncpt¶m. At¸m-gmWv Bb þ acnb F^n-tamhv\ þ IS-¶p-h-¶-Xv. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ AÂ]-t\cw F§-s\-sb-¦nepw hgn-am-än-\nÀ¯m³ tImÀWnsb Npa-X-e-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn«v AhÀ \gvk-dn-bn-te¡p \S-¶p, A¶sb Ahn-sS\n¶p ]d-ª-b-bv¡m-³. AhÀ IS-¶p-sN-Ãpt¼mÄ skcn-tbmj A½-tbmSv Ah³ \mZn-¦-tbm-sSm¸w aªn sX¶nhoWXp hÀWn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ Ahsâ i_vZw tIÄ¡p¶p−v, apJs¯ `mh-§Ä {i²n-¡p-¶p-−v, ]t£ ]d-bp-¶sXm¶pw Ah-fpsS a\-kn IS-¶nÃ; Ahs\ hn«p-t]m-I-W-atÃm F¶ Nn´-bm-bn-cp¶p a\kp \nd-sb. A¶-bpsS ssII-fnepw Npa-enepw Npw_n-¨p-sIm−v Bb ]dªp: \½psS Ip«n¡v Ahsâ ]nd-¶m-fn ssZhw henb k½m\w \ÂIn-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. \n§Ä¡v Hcp Xcn-t]mepw amä-an-Ã-tÃm!’’ I®n \ndsb I®o-tcmsS AhÀ sXcp-sXsc A¶sb Npw_n¨p. Ah\p {]nb-s¸« c−p t]À X½nepÅ B kvt\l-{]-I-S\w skcn-tbm-jsb Gsd kt´m-jn-¸n-¨p. Bb A½-bpsS sNhn-bn Ft´m a{´n-¡p-¶Xpw A½-bpsS apJw `bhpw \mWt¡Spw sIm−p Nqfp-¶Xpw Ah³ I−p. “F¶pw H³]Xp aWn¡v’’ F¶o hm¡p-IÄ Ahsâ sNhn ]nSn-s¨-Sp-¯ncp-¶p. AÑ-s\-¡p-dn-¨m-WXp ]d-ª-sX¶pw Ah\p a\-kn-em-bn. A½ Abmsf `b-¡p-¶p-sh¶pw F´n-s\tbm sNmÃn eÖn-¡p-¶p-sh¶pw Ah\p a\-kn-em-bn. F´n-\m-sW¶p tNmZn-¡m-\m-sª-¦nepw Ah-fpsS thZ\ I−v H¶p-IqSn tNÀ¶p \n¶p a{´n¨p: “Ct¸mÄ t]mI-tÃ… At±lw hcm-dm-bn-«n-Ã.’’

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At±-l-s¯-¸än Xm³ F´mWp a\-kn-em-t¡-−Xv F¶v Ahsâ apJw tNmZn-¡p-¶-Xmbn AhÄ¡p tXm¶n.. “skcn-tbm-jm, s]m¶p-tam-t\, \o At±-ls¯ \¶mbn kvt\ln-¡-Ww. At±lw A½-sb-¡mÄ \Ã-h\pw kvt\l-k-¼-¶-\p-am-Wv. A½ sXäp sNbvXv At±-l-s¯ thZ-\n-¸n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p. hep-Xm-Ip-t¼mÄ \n\¡p a\-knem-Ipw.’’ “A½-sb-¡mÄ \Ã-Xm-bn«v Bcp-an-Ã.’’ Ah³ Ahsf tXmfn¸n-Sn¨p Xt¶mSp tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. AXnsâ Bbm-k-¯n Ahsâ ssIIÄ hnd-¨p. “At±lw hcp-¶p−’’ Bb sasà ]d-ªp. skcn-tbmj InS-¡-bn-te-¡-aÀ¶v ssII-fn apJ-a-aÀ¯n tX§ns¡m−n-cp¶p. ssIIÄ hen-s¨-Sp¯v Ahsâ IpXnÀ¶ apJ¯v Hcn-¡Â¡qSn D½ h¨n«v A¶ [rXn-bn hmXn¡-tebv¡p \S-¶p. AI-t¯¡p h¶ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v A¶sb I−v s]s«¶p \n¶p, Xe Ip\n¨p hµn-¨p. ‘Xs¶-¡mÄ \Ã-h\pw kvt\l-k-¼-¶\pw’ F¶p aIt\mSp ]d-sª-¦nepw At±-ls¯ I−-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p shdp¸pw aIs\tbmÀ¯v Akq-b-bpamWv tXm¶n-b-Xv. [rXn-bn X«w-sIm−p apJw ad¨v AhÄ Ahn-sS \n¶v HmSn-a-d-ªp. Xte¶v Gsd {i²-tbmSpw kvt\l-t¯mSpw k¦-S-t¯mSpw IqSn Xncªp hm§nb Ifn-¸m-«-§Ä Agn-¡m³ t\cw In«m-ª-Xn-\m AhÄ XncnsI sIm−p-t]m-bn.

I−p. hcp-t¼mÄ bmjvhns\¡qSn sIm−p-h-ct« F¶ tNmZy-hp-am-bmWv ktµ-i-hm-l-Is\ hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-b-¨-Xv. C¶se A¯m-g-¯n\p tijw X½n I−n-t«-bn-Ã. F¶n-«n-t¸mÄ asäm-cmsfbpw Iq«n-bmWp hcp-¶-Xv. F\n-s¡m¶p kzØ-ambn kwkm-cn-¡m³ IqSn In«n-Ã. Ah-tfmÀ¯p. At±-l-¯n\p Xt¶mSpÅ kvt\lw Ah-km\nt¨m F¶v AhÄ kwi-bn-¨p. IqSp-X Btem-Nn-¨-t¸mÄ AXp icn-bm-sW¶p tXm¶n. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-se¯n-b-t¸mÄ shtÆsd apdn thW-sa¶p iTn¨p; C¶se A¯m-g-¯n\p t]mepw Hcp-an-¨p-−m-bn-Ã. Ct¸mÄ… apJm-apJw ImWm-\pÅ Ah-k-c-§Ä t_m[-]qÀhw Hgn-hm-¡p-I-bm-Wv. “A§-s\-bm-sW¦n AXv Ft¶mSp ]d-b-Ww. ]ns¶ F´m th−-sX¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw.’’ bmjvhnt\mSv XnI¨pw acym-Z-tbm-sS-bmWv A¶ s]cp-am-dn-b-Xv. Ignª hÀjw IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯n\p I−Xv A\p-kva-cn-¡p-Ibpw hnti-j-§-sfms¡ tNmZn-¡p-Ibpw `£Ww Ign-¡m³ £Wn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. Xm³ DS³ H¸-sa-¯m-sa¶p ]dªv hvtdm¬kvIn bmjvhns\ bm{X-bm-¡n. “AeIvko, \n§Äs¡-t¶m-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶p-an-ÃtÃm AtÃ?’’ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ssII-fn apdp-sI¸nSn¨p-sIm−v A¶ ]dªp: “Ae-Ivko, Rm\n-hnsS hÃmsX _p²n-ap-«p-I-bm-Wv. \½-sf-¶mWv Chn-sS \n¶p t]mIp-¶pXv?’’ “s]s«-¶v, s]s«¶p Xs¶.. Chn-Sps¯ PohnXw F\n¡pw F{X-am{Xw ZpcnX-]qÀW-amsWt¶m!’’ AbmÄ s]s«¶p ssI hen-s¨-Sp-¯p. “icn! t]m, t]m!’’ apdn-th-ä-h-sf-t¸mse A¶ ]d-ªp.

skcn-tbm-jsb ImWm³ Gsd Hcp-¡-t¯m-sSbmWp t]mb-sX¦nepw AXv Xs¶ C{X-ta XfÀ¯n-¡-f-bp-sa¶v AhÄ Icp-Xn-b-tX-bnÃ. Bb-tbm-sSm¸w ]pd¯p t]mbn-cp¶ aIÄ Xncn-sI-sb¯n. Ah-fpsS sIm©-ep-IÄ ImWp-t¼mÄ Ahsf emfn-¡p-t¼mÄ skcn-tbm-jsb AXnep-sa-{X-tbsd kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-sh¶v A¶ HmÀ¯p; Ahs\ ]ncn-bp-¶Xv Xs¶ F{X-am{Xw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶p-sh-¶pw. aIsf Bbbv¡p Xncn-sI sImSp-¯n«v AhÄ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS BÂ_-sa-Sp¯p and-¨p. AXn-\pÅn tdmanÂh-s¨-Sp¯ t^mt«m I−-t¸m-gmWv A¶v BZy-ambn AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸än Nn´n-¨Xv. FÃmw Abm-tfmSp Xpd-¶p-]-d-b-W-sa¶v AhÄ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. “]t£ AXn\v At±-l-sa-hnsS?’’ Fsâ ZpJ-§-fn Fs¶ X\n-¨m¡n Fhn-sS t]mbn-cn-¡p¶p?’’ At±-l-t¯mSv thKw hcm³ ]d-bm³ Hcmsf Ab-¨p. F¶n«v ]d-bm-\pÅ hmIy-§Ä ]cn-io-en¨p; At±lw Xs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡p¶Xp a\-knÂ

hvtdm¬kvIn

Xncn-s¨-¯p-t¼mÄ A¶ Ahn-sS-bnÃ. Hcp kv{XobpsS IqsS ]pd-¯p-t]mbn F¶mWv Adn-bm³ Ign-ª-Xv. Ft§m-«m-sW¶p ]dbmsX t]mb-Xv, CXp-hsc XncnsI hcm-¯-Xv, A¶p cmhnse apX Xt¶mSv Hcp hm¡p-t]mepw ]d-bmsX AhÄ Fhn-sS-sbms¡tbm Npän-\-S¶-Xv, cmhnse Ah-fpsS apJ-¯p-−m-bn-cp¶ Bth-iw, bmjvhnsâ ap¶n h¨v Ah-fpsS aIsâ t^mt«m BÂ_w X«n-¸-dn¨p hm§n-b-t¸m-gs¯ i{Xp-Xm-`mhw FÃmw IqSn AbmÄ¡v Kuc-h-`mhw \ÂIn. Ah-tfmSv hni-Zambn kwkm-cn-¡-W-sa-¶p-d¨v hvtdm¬kvIn t{UmbnMv dqan Xs¶ Ccp¶p. ]t£ A¶ h¶Xv Hä-bv¡m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã; Ah-fpsS Ahn-hm-ln-X-bmb A½mbn Ht»m³kvIb {]`znbpw H¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm¸w bmjvhn\pw D−v. \mep t]À¡pw `£Ww hnf-¼n. At¸m-tg¡v s_ävkn-bpsS ktµ-i-hp-ambn SjvtI-hn¨v F¯n. Bd-cbv¡pw

185

186

H³]-Xn-\p-an-S-bn Ahsc ho«nÂs¨¶p ImW-W-sa-¶m-bn-cp¶p Bh-iyw. A¶ tJZw {]I-Sn-¸n-¨p. A¶ SjvtI-hn-¨n-s\bpw `£-W-¯n\p £Wn-¨p. AbmÄ kuI-cy-sam-cp-¡m-sa¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ AhÄ Hm¸-dbv¡p t]mIm³ XmÂ]-cyhpw {]I-Sn-¸n-¨p. CsXms¡ F´n-\m-sW¶p hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã. `£-Wth-f-bn A¶ SjvtI-hn-¨n-t\mSpw bmjvhnt\mSpw skmd-]-dªv DÃ-kn-¨p. SjvtI-hn¨v Hm¸-dbv¡p Sn¡äv hm§m³ t]mbn. A¶ ]mco-kn Xbv]n¨ Igp-¯n-d¡n sh«nb Ku¬ [cn¨v AXn-kp-µ-cn-bmbn ImW-s¸-«p. “\o Xob-ä-dn-te¡p t]mIm³ Xs¶-bmtWm?’’ Ahsf t\m¡msX AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p. “F´n\mWp tNmZy-¯n-en{X DXvIWvT?’’ AbmÄ Xs¶ t\m¡m-¯XpsIm−p IqSp-X apdn-thäv AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. “F´n\mWp t]mIm-Xn-cn¡p-¶Xv?’’ “A¶m, ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v! \n\-s¡´m ]än-bXv?’’ ]−v Ah-fpsS `À¯mhv tNmZn¨ AtX `mh-¯n AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p. “\n§-sf´m tNmZn-¡p-¶-sX¶v F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã.’’ “\n\-¡-dn-bn-tÃ…’’ AbmÄ ]d-ªp-Xp-S-§n. “Rm\Xp IW-¡m-¡p-t¶-bn-Ã. sNbvX-Xn-s\-¸-än- hÃXpw Rm³ ]Ým-¯-]n¡m-dpt−m? CÃ, CÃn-Ã. BZn-ap-X H¶p-IqSn sNbvXmepw A{X Xs¶tb DÅq. \ap-¡v, F\n¡pw \n§Ä¡pw, Hcp Imcy-¯nt\ {]m[m-\y-ap-Åq þ \½Ä ]c-kv]cw kvt\ln-¡p-¶pt−m F¶-Xn-\v. aäp-Å-hsc \½Ä IW¡m-t¡-−-Xn-Ã. ChnsS \½-sf-´n\m c−n-S¯p Xma-kn-¡p-Ibpw ]c-kv]cw ImWm-Xn-cn-¡p-Ibpw sN¿p¶Xv? Rm³ t]mbm-se´m Ipg¸w? \n§Äs¡t¶m-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶p-an-sæn t\tc t\m¡m-¯-sX´m?’’ AbmÄ Ahsf t\m¡n. F¶pw Abmsf tamln-¸n-¨n-cp¶ Ah-fpsS kuµcyhpw hiy-Xbpw F¶-s¯-bpw-t]mse I¯n-\n¡p¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ AXv AbmÄ¡v Atcm-N-I-am-bn-t¯m-¶n. Iog-S-§-ensâ `mh-¯n AbmÄ ]dªp: “Fsâ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm¶p-an-Ã, ]t£ Fsâ At]-£…” “t]mbm-se´m Ipg-¸-sa¶p hni-Zo-I-cn-¡-W-sa-¶mWv Fsâ At]-£.”

hvtdm¬kvIn kz´w apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. AhnsS bmjvhn\pambn kwkmcn-¨n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ A¶ Xob-ä-dn-te¡p t]mb Imcyw Adnbn¨v ktµ-i-hm-lI-s\-¯n. Hcp ¥mkv IqSn \nd-¨v, tIm«v FSp-¯-Wnªv bmjvhn³ FWo-äp. “hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw.” aoi-bv¡n-S-bn-eq-sS-bpÅ Abm-fp-sS Nncn FÃmw shfn-hm¡n: hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS hnjm-Z-¯nsâ ImcWw X\n-¡-dn-bmw, ]t£ Xm³ AXp Xosc Ku\n-¡p-¶n-Ã. “Rm³ hcp-¶n-Ã.” hvtdm¬kvIn Xosc DÂkm-l-an-ÃmsX ]d-ªp. “F\n¡p t]mtb ]äq. Rm³ hm¡p sImSp-¯-XmWv.” ‘`mcy Hcp _m[yX Xs¶-bm-Wv, icn¡pw `mcy-b-Ãm-¯-t¸mÄ AXp IqSpX Zpcn-X-am-Wv.’ tlm«-en \n¶n-d§n \S-¡p-t¼mÄ bmjvhn³ HmÀ¯p. a\-t£m-`-t¯msS ]e-Xp-tamÀ¯v A§p-an§pw \S¶ hvtdm¬kvIn Ip¸nbpw ¥mkp-saÃmw X«n-a-dn-¨n«p; tai-bn \n¶v Ah amän-h-bv¡m-Xn-cp¶-Xn\v the-¡m-c-t\mSv tZjy-s¸«p; \new hr¯n-bm-¡m³ XpS-§nb AbmtfmSv AXp shbväÀ sNbvXp-sIm-Åp-sa¶v ho−pw- Acn-iwsIm-−p. F«-c-bm-b-t¸mÄ AbmÄ Xob-ä-dn-te¡p Xs¶ t]mbn. A¶ Ccn-¡p¶ `mKt¯¡p t\m¡m-Xn-cn-¡m³ ]c-am-h[n {i²n-s¨-¦nepw hncnª tXmfn DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶ apJw Ncn¨p bmjvhnt\mSp hÀ¯am\w ]d-bp¶ AhfpsS AS-¡n-¸n-Sn¨ Bth-ihpw I®p-I-fnse Xnf-¡hpw ImWm-Xn-cn-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. tamkvtIm-bnse \r¯-im-e-bn A¶p I− apJ-amWv hvtdm¬kvIn¡v HmÀa h¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS kuµcyw Abmsf lcw-sIm-Ån¡p-I-b-Ã, apdn-s¸-Sp-¯p-I-bmWv sNbvX-sX¶p am{Xw. CS-Xp-h-i-¯mbn ImÀ«-tkmhv Z¼-Xn-IÄ Ccp-¶n-cp-¶p. saenªp Ipdnb aZmw ImÀ«-tkmh FWo-äp\n¶v D¨-¯n Fs´m-s¡tbm hnfn-¨p-]-d-bp¶p. XSn¨ Ij-−n-¡m-c³ ImÀ«-tkmhv `mcysb kam-[m-\n-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¡pIbpw CS-bv¡nsS A¶sb Xncnªp t\m¡p-Ibpw sN¿p¶p. `mcy ]pd¯n-d-§n-¡-gnªpw AÂ]-t\cw Ahn-sS\n¶ AbmÄ A¶-bpsS {i² £Wn-¡m³ {ian¨p. A¶-bm-Is« Abmsf t\m¡m-Xn-cn-¡m³ {i²n-¨v, Xsâ t\À¡p Xe Ip\n-¨n-cn-¡p¶ bmjvhnt\mSp kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. A½sb Iq«p-Imcn skmtdm-¡n\ {]`znbpsS ASp¯p hn«v hmcy A\p-Psâ ASp-t¯¡p sN¶p. “aZmw ImÀ«-tkm-hbv¡v AXp sNt¿− Hcp Imcy-hp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. \mWwsI« ]Wn-bm-bn-t¸m-bn. aZmw Itc-\n-\...“ “F´m kw`-hw. Rms\m-¶p-a-dn-ªn-Ã.“ “H¶pw? aZmw ImÀ«-tkm-h-sb-t¸m-semcp ZpjvS¯n thsd-bn-Ã.” “]t£ Ah-sc´m sNbvXXv?”

hvtdm¬kvIn¡v

BZy-ambn A¶-tbmSv tZjyw tXm¶n. B thj-¯n I−-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS kuµ-cy-¯n-epÅ aXn¸v H¶p-IqSn hÀ[n¨p. ]t£ s]cp-amäw Ah-tfm-SpÅ BZcw Ipd-¨p-I-f-ªp.

187 “Fsâ `À¯m-hmWv Ft¶mSp ]d-ª-Xv... AhÄ A¶sb A]-am-\n-¨p-sh¶v. Ah-cpsS `À¯mhv Xncnªv A¶-tbm-sSt´m ]dªp; At¸m-tg¡v AhÀ £p`n-X-bmbn NmSn-sb-Woäv Fs´m-s¡tbm Bt{Im-in-¨p, No¯-hnfn-¨n«v ]pd-t¯¡p t]mbn.“ hvtdm¬kvInsb A½ hnfn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v skmtdm-¡n\ {]`zn Adn-bn-¨p. “F{X t\c-ambn \ns¶ Rm³ Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶p. \ns¶ ImWm-t\-bn-ÃtÃm!“ hvtdm¬kvIn {]`zn-bpsS Np−nse ]p©n-cn-bnsemfn¸n¨ ]cn-lmkw aI³ {i²n-¨p. A¶-sb-¸än AhÀ {^©n Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-ªp. “CtX-¸än Ft¶m-sSm¶pw ]d-b-cp-sX¶p Rm³ A½-tbmSv At]-£n-¨n-«p-ÅXtÃ?” hvtdm¬kvIn tZjy-s¸-«p. “Rm³ ]d-bp-¶-X-Ã. FÃm-hcpw ]d-bp-¶Xv Rm³ ]d-sª-t¶-bp-Åq.“ “hnUvVn-s¸-¼-d-t¶m-¯n.” hmXn¡ h¨p I−-t¸mÄ tPyjvT³ ]dªp; AXp tI«nsöp \Sn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn \S-¶p. A¶ Ccn-¡p-¶n-S¯p sN¶v Ahsf I−p. H¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-«n-Ãm¯ a«n AhÄ {]k-¶-h-Xnbmbn kwkm-cn-¨p. ]t£ ASp¯ cwKw XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ koän-ensöp I−v hvtdm¬kvIn ho«n-te¡p aS§n. A¶ t\ct¯ F¯n-bn-«p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Xob-ä-dn \n¶p h¶ AtX thj¯n Hcp Nmcp-I-tk-c-bn-en-cn-¡p-I-bmWv AhÄ. “A¶m!” “\n§Ä, \n§-fm-sW-Ãm¯n\pw ImcWw.” I®ocpw \ncm-ibpw \ndª kzc-¯n AhÄ Ae-dn. “t]mI-cpsX¶p Rm³ F{X tIWp-]-d-ª-XmWv? F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp¶p Aip-`-I-c-am-b…” “Aip`Icw! `oI-cw!” AhÄ Ic-ªp. “Poh-\pÅ Ime-t¯mfw ad-¡m-\mhn-Ã. Fsâ-b-Sp-¯n-cn-¡p-¶Xv AhÄ¡p \mWt¡SmsW¶v.” AbmÄ¡v Ah-tfmSp kl-Xm]w tXm¶n, ]t£ tZjy¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶pap−mbn-Ã. Ahsf Biz-kn-¸n-¡m-\pÅ GI-amÀ¤-sa¶ \nebv¡v AbmÄ Xsâ kvt\lw BhÀ¯n¨p {]Jym-]n-¨p. hm¡p-IÄ sIm−v Ahsf imkn-¨n-sænepw lrZ-b-¯n AbmÄ Ahsf imkn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. D¨-cn-¡m³ t]mepw eÖ tXm¶pw-hn[w ]cn-lm-ky-sa¶v AbmÄ Icp-Xnb kvt\l-{]-Jym-]-\-§Ä Bthmfw ]m\w sNbvXv AhÄ kam-[m\w ssIhcn-¨p. ASp¯ Znhkw ]cn-]qÀW cay-X-bn AhÀ \m«n³]p-dt- ¯¡p ]pds¸-«p.

188

`mKw Bdv B

th\¡mew apgp-h³ Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ s]mt{Im-hvkvtImbn Inän sehnsâ H¸-amWv Ign-ª-Xv. Ah-fpsS kz´w FtÌ-änse hoSv BsI XIÀ¶p InS-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Inänbpw sehn\pw hÃmsX \nÀ_Ôn¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨n\v Cu GÀ¸mSv \¶mbn CjvS-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXp. tPmen¯nc¡p ImcWw Ah-cpsS IqsS h¶p Xma-kn-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã-tÃm-sb¶ hnj-a-am-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v. CSbv¡n-Sbv¡v Ht¶m ct−m Znh-k-t¯¡v Ah-tcm-sSm¸w IqSm³ tamkvtImbn \n¶v AbmÄ HmSn-sb-¯p-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ht»m³kvIn Z¼-Xn-Ifpw Ah-cpsS a¡fpw Bbbpw FÃmw tNÀ¶v sehnsâ ho«n \à _l-f-ambn-cp-¶p. aI-fpsS ‘hntijw’ Adnªv, Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡p Xsâ taÂt\m«w Bhiy-am-sW¶p I−v {]`znbpw Ahn-sS- F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. hntZ-i-¯p-h¨v Inän¡p In«nb Iq«p-Imcn hmsd¦ hm¡p ]men¨v F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. Ch-sc-Ãmhcpw sehnsâ `mcy-bpsS _Ôp-¡tfm kplr-¯p-¡tfm Bbn-cp-¶p. Ahsc-sbÃmw henb CjvS-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw ‘sjÀ-_mävkvIn LSIw’ sehn³ km{amPyw Iog-S-¡n-¡-f-ªXv AbmÄ¡v Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. sehnsâ _Ôp-¡-fn skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v am{Xta Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶pÅq. Abm-fmsW¦n tImkv\n-tjhv {]Ir-X-amWv; A§s\ BsI sehn³ temIw Xa-kvI-cn-¡-s¸-«p-t]m-bn. Gsd-¡m-e-ambn GIm´X A\p-`-hn¨p InS¶ sehnsâ hoSv i_vZ-apJ-cn-Xam-bn. FÃm apdn-I-fnepw Bfp-IÄ. FÃm Znh-khpw {]`zn Ah-sc-sbÃmw F®n-t\m-¡p-Ibpw ]Xn-aq-¶m-a-s¯tbm ]Xn-\m-em-a-s¯ sNdp-a-I-s\tbm sNdp-a-I-sftbm asämcp tai-bv¡n-cn-In-te¡p amän-bn-cp-¯p-Ibpw ]Xn-hm-bncp-¶p. hncp-¶p-Im-cpsS Xr]vXn-s¡m¯v tImgn-I-sfbpw ]m¯-I-sfbpw SÀ¡n-I-sf-bp-sams¡ icn-s¸-Sp-¯n-sb-Sp-¡m³ Inän icn¡p IjvS-s¸tS−nh¶p. FÃm-hcpw `£Ww Ign-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. tUmfn-bpsS Ip«n-Ifpw Bbbpw hmsd-¦bpw IqSn IqWp-IÄ ]dn-¡m³ t]mIp-¶-Xn-\pÅ Btem-N\-bn-em-Wv. ]mWvUn-Xyhpw _p²n-IqÀ½-X-bpw-sIm−v FÃm-h-cp-sSbpw _lpam\w t\Snb skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ka-kvX-scbpw sR«n¨psIm−v Hcp {]Jym-]\w \S¯n: “Rm\pw hcp¶p IqWp ]dn-¡m³. \à ck-apÅ ]Wn-bm-WXv’’

189

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Abm-fpsS t\m«w hmsd-¦-bpsS t\À¡m-bn-cp-¶p. “Hm, R§Ä¡Xp henb kt´m-j-am-Wv.’’ AÂ]w XpSp¯v hmsd¦ {]Xn-h-Nn-¨p. Inänbpw tUmfnbpw AÀ°-]qÀW-ambn ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n. Cu IqWp-]-dn¡Â ]²Xn Inän-bpsS Nne kn²m-´-§Ä¡p _ew ]I-cp-¶-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. IqWp ]dn-¡m³ t]mIm-\n-d-§n-b-t¸mÄ hmsd-¦-sb-¡−v Inän AXn-i-bn-¨p. Ah-sf{X kpµ-cn-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. “G..-bv... hmsd-¦m... \ob-hnsS \n¡v. R§Ä At§m«p hcmw.’’ AhÄ hnfn¨p ]d-ªp. “\o \nsâ Ct¸m-gs¯ ØnXn ad-¡p-¶p. A{Xbv¡v H¨-sb-Sp-¡p-Ibpw aäpw sN¿cpXv.’’ s]s«¶p hmXn¡-tebv¡p h¶v {]`zn Inänsb imkn-¨p. Inän-bpsS i_vZhpw A½-bpsS imk-\bpw tI« hmsd¦ Ah-fp-sS-bSpt¯¡v QSnXn-bn \S-s¶-¯n. Ah-fpsS Ne-\-§-fpsS thK-Xbpw apJs¯ XpSp-Xp-Sp¸pw A{X kzm`m-hn-I-a-Ãm¯ F´n-s\tbm aqSn-h-bv¡m\pÅ hy{KX shfn-hm-¡n. Inän¡v AXp a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶p. A¶v D¨-`-£-W¯n\p tijw Im«n\p-Ån \S-¡m-\n-S-bpÅ B kp{]-[m\ kw`-h-¯n\v A\p-{K-l-§-tf-Im³ AhÄ hmsd-¦sb ASp¯phnfn-¨p. “hmsd-¦m, C¶p Nne {]tXyI Imcy§Ä kw`-hn-¨m Rm³ hfsc k´pjvS-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.’’ “R§-tfm-sSm¸w hcpt¶m?’’ Inän ]d-ªXp tI«nsö a«n AhÄ hnjbw amän sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p. “hcp-¶p-−v, ]t£ saXn-¡fw hsctb DÅq.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. “Ahn-sS-sb´m?” Inän tNmZn-¨p. “H¶p-c−p NnÃ-d-¡m-cy-§Ä ]cn-tim-[n-¡m-\p−v. \osb-hn-sS¡mWpw?” “sSd-kn”

apJ-amsI Np«p-]-gp-¯v, apSn De-ªp-]-dn-ªv, DSp-¸nsâ ssI ap«p-hsc sXdp¯-pI-bän Pmw Cf-¡p-I-bmWv AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\. dmkv]vs_-dn-IÄ \¶mbn thhn-söpw ]m{X-¯nsâ Nph-«n Icn-ªp-]n-Sn-¡p-sa¶pw shdpsX tamln¨v AhÄ AXns\ cq£-ambn t\m¡n. Ah-fpsS tIm]¯nsâ apJy-]m{Xw Xm\m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-¶-dn-bm-hp¶ Inän-bpsS A½ aäp Imcy-§-fn hym]r-X-bmbn; F¶m CS-bv¡nsS ASp-¸nsâ t\À¡v Hfnªp-t\m-¡n. “the-¡m-cn-IÄ¡pÅ hkv{X-§Ä Rm³ Xs¶-bm-Wv hm§m-dv, hne Ipdª \à XpWn-IÄ.” \nÀ¯nh¨n-S-¯p-\n¶v AhÀ XpSÀ¶p. F¶n«v AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bpsS t\À¡v Xncnªp: “AXp hSn-s¨-Sp-¡m-dmbntÃ?” ]ns¶ “AXp \o sNt¿−, `b-¦c NqSm-Wv.” F¶p Inänb hne¡n. “Rm³ hSn¡mw” F¶p ]dªv tUmfn NmSn-sb-gp-t¶-äp. ‘]ntÅÀ¡nXp \¶mbn CjvS-s¸-Spw.’ temI-¯nse Gähpw cpNn-bpÅ hkvXp apXnÀ¶hÀs¡´m CjvS-an-Ãm-¯Xv F¶v AÛpXw Iqdn-bn-cp¶ _mey-Imew Abhn-d-¡n-s¡m−v AhÄ ]X hSn-s¨-Sp¯v aª-¸-Xbpw cà-hÀ®¨mdpw ]¦n-s«-Sp¯ ]m{X-¯n ]IÀ¯n. “Cu Infn-IÄ, \miw” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Ien-Xp-Ån. “lu, F{X kpµ-cn… AXns\ t]Sn-¸n-¨p-I-f-ª-tÃm.” ]Sn-bn h¶n-cp¶ Ipcp-hnsb t\m¡n Inän ]d-ªp. “Dw… \obm ASp-¸n-sâ-b-Sp-¯p-\n¶v Ct§m«v amdv.” A½ Inänsb imkn¨p. “C¶p hmsd-¦-bpsS Imcyw Xocp-am-\-am-Ipw.” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ a\-knem-¡-cp-sX¶p IcpXn AhÀ kwkmcw {^©n-em-¡n. “Rm³ ]d-ªXv A½bv¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bntÃ? AsX-§-s\-bn-cn¡pw?” “F§-s\-bn-cn-¡m³? AbmÄ F¶pw djy-bnse GsXmcp kv{Xo¡pw A\ptbm-Py-\m-bn-cp-¶n-t«-bp-Åq. Ct¸mÄ ]t£ A{X sNdp-¸-¡m-c-s\m-¶p-a-ÃtÃm. F¦nepw AbmfptS-Xm-Im³ sImXn-¡p¶ F{Xtbm t]sc F\n-¡-dnbmw…. AhÄ \à Ip«n Xs¶-bm-Wv, F¦n-epw…” “AÃt½, F´p-sIm-−m-sW¶pIqSn a\-kn-em-¡v. At±-l-¯n\pw AhÄ¡pw CXnepw \sÃmcp tPmSn Btem-Nn-¡mt\ Ign-bn-Ã. H¶m-aXv AhÄ hfsc kpµ-cn-bm-Wv.” Inän H¶m-as¯ hnc aS¡n. “Ah-fpsS kuµcyw AbmÄ¡p hfsc CjvS-am-bn-«p-−v.” tUmfn k½Xn¨p. “]ns¶ `mcy¡v k¼t¯m D¶-X-Øm-\tam thW-sa¶v iTn-t¡− Bhiy-an-Ãm¯ hn[w am\y-amb Øm\w At±-l-¯n\p kaq-l-¯n-ep-−v. At±-

sSd-kn\p

apI-fn kv{XoI-sfÃmw IqSn-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. D¨`£Ww Ignªm AhnsS H¯p-Iq-SpI Ah-cpsS ]Xn-hm-Wv. Ip«n-I-fpsS DSp-¸p-IÄ Xp¶p-¶-Xn\p ]pdta Pmw D−m-¡pI F¶ tPmen IqSn D−v C¶v. shÅw tNÀ¡msX F§-s\-bmWv Pmw D−m-¡p-¶Xv F¶v AKm^nb anl-temhv\sb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bmWv AhÀ. sehnsâ ho«n F¶pw Pmw D−m-¡n-bncp-¶Xv AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bm-bn-cp-¶p. kvt{Sms_-dn-I-fpsS IqsS shÅhpw tNÀ¡p¶Xp ]Xn-hm-¡n-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m shÅ-sam-gn-¡msX Pmw D−m-¡m³ Ign-bp-Itb Csö [mc-W-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÀ¡v. ]pXnb coXn Inän-bpsS hI-bmWv. Ah-fpsS ho«n ]−p apXte A§-s\-bmWv Pmw D−m-¡p-¶-Xv.

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l-¯n\p th−Xv kpµ-cnbpw kpio-e-bp-amb Hcp-h-sf-bm-Wv. \à Hcp s]®v.” “Ah-f-§s\ Xs¶-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.” tUmfn k½-Xn-¨p. “aq¶m-a-Xv, Ah-f-bmsf kvt\ln-¡-Ww. AXp kw`-hn¨p Ign-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p. AhÀ XncnsI hcp-t¼mÄ B I®p-I-fn \n¶p Xs¶ Rm\Xp hmbn-s¨-Sp¡pw.” “]t£ \obn-§s\ Bth-iw sImtÅ-−. Ct¸m \n\-s¡m«pw ]än-b-Xà AXv” A½ ]d-ªp. “Bth-i-sam-¶p-an-Ã-t½. At±lw C¶v Ah-tfmSv {]W-bm-`yÀ°\ \S-¯psa¶v F\n-¡§p tXm¶n, A{X-am-{Xw.” “Ft¸m-gm-Wv, F§-s\-bmWv Hcp-h³ Hcp s]¬Ip-«n-tbmSv {]W-bm-`yÀ°\ \S-¯pI! F{X hnNn-{X-am-WXv. Ft´m Hcp henb XS-kw… Hä-b-Sn¡v AXn-Ãm-Xm-hp-¶p.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨n-s\m¸w Xsâ `qX-Imew HmÀan¨p-sIm−v tUmfn ]d-ªp. “At½, ]m¸m F§-s\-bmWv A½-tbmSv A`yÀ°\ \S-¯n-bXv?” “{]tXy-In-s¨m-¶p-an-Ã. km[m-c-W-t]mse Xs¶.” A§s\ ]d-sª-¦nepw B HmÀa-bn Ah-cpsS apJ¯v Hcp Xnf¡w an¶n. “F¶m-epw.. F§-s\-bm-bn-cp-s¶¶v H¶p ]d-tª.. X½n kwkm-cn-¡p-¶Xn\p ap³]p Xs¶ A½ At±-ls¯ CjvS-s¸-«n-cpt¶m?” Hcp kv{XobpsS Pohn-X-¯nse A{Xbpw {][m-\-s¸« kwK-Xn-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v Xpey-X-tbmsS A½-tbmSp kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶-Xn Inän¡v hÃms¯mcp kt´mjw tXm¶n. “XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. At±lw AXn\p ap³]p Xs¶ R§-tfm-sSm¸w \m«n³]pd¯p Xma-kn-¡m³ h¶n-cp-¶p.” “F¶mepw… \n§Ä X½n F§-s\-bmWv CXp XoÀ¸m-¡n-b-sX¶p ]d.” “\o Ft´m ]pXnb Imcyw I−p-]n-Sn-s¨¶p tXm¶p-¶p-−tÃ? ]t£ F¡m-ehpw AXv H¶p Xs¶-bm-Wv. t\m«-§fpw ]p©n-cn-I-fpw…” “hu, Cu A½ F{X `wKn-bmbn AXp ]d-ªp-I-fªp.” tUmfn ]d-ªp. “]t£ At±lw F´mWv A½-tbmSp ]d-ªXv?” “tImÌy \nt¶mSv F´mWp ]d-ªXv?” “At±lw tNm¡v sIm−v Fgp-Xp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. F´p ck-am-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp]mSp Imew ap³]p kw`-hn-¨-Xp-t]m-se… ” aq¶p t]cpw Ah-c-h-cpsS Pohn-X-¯nse A¡me¯nte¡v Dufn-bn-«p. InänbmWv au\w `RvPn-¨-Xv. hnhm-l-¯n\p sXm«p ap³]n-es¯ ioX-Im-ehpw hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-SpÅ Xsâ {]W-bhpw AhÄ HmÀan-¨p.

“hmsd-¦-bpsS ]gb {]W-b-I-Y… skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-¨n-t\mSv Rm³ NneXp ]d-b-W-am-bn-cp-¶p. Abmsf Hcp-¡m³… Ah-scÃmw ]pcp-j³am-ctÃ… \½psS `qX-Imew kw_-Ôn¨v AhÀ¡v hÃm¯ Akq-b-bm-bn-cn¡pw.” “FÃm-hÀ¡panÃ. \o \nsâ `À¯m-hns\ ap³\nÀ¯n Nn´n-¡p-¶-Xp-sIm−m-Wv. Ah\v Ct¸mgpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¡p-dn¨v HmÀ¡m-\m-hn-Ã. icnbtÃ?” tUmfn ]d-ªp. “AtX” Inän-bpsS apJ¯v Nn´m-a-á-amb Hcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶p. “A¶ IS-¶p-h-¶Xv Inän-s¡{X \¶m-bn. AhÄ¡p IjvS-Im-ehpw.” tUmfn ]d-ªp. “A¶v A¶bv¡p henb kt´m-j-am-bn-cp¶p; Inän BsI ZpJn-Xbpw. C¶nt¸m t\tc adn-¨m-bn. Rm³ CSbv¡v Ahsf HmÀ¡m-dp-−v.’’ “HmÀ¡m³ ]änb HcmÄ! `oI-cw! ZpjvSkv{Xo! lrZ-b-an-Ãm-¯-hÄ.’’ A½ ]d-ªp. “\n§-fn-t¸m-sg-´n\m AsXms¡ FSp-¯n-Sp-¶Xv? F\n-¡-sXm¶pw HmÀ¡m³ Xs¶ CjvS-an-Ã.’’ Nnc-]-cn-N-bw-sIm−v ]pd¯v `À¯m-hnsâ Ime-Sn-i_vZw Xncn-¨-dnªv Inän ]d-ªp. “F´n-s\-¸-än-bmWv Nn´n-¡m³ CjvS-an-Ãm-¯Xv?’’ sSd-kn-te¡p IS-¶p-h¶p-sIm−v sehn³ tNmZn-¨p. Bcpw adp-]Sn ]d-ªn-Ã, AbmÄ tNmZyw BhÀ¯n-¨-Xp-an-Ã. “h\nXm kt½-f-\-¯n CSn-¨p-I-b-dn-b-Xn tJZn-¡p-¶p.’’ Hcp \nanjw AKm^nb anl-tem-hv\-sb-t¸mse Xs¶ Xs¶bpw sjÀ_m-ävknIn LSIw Atem-k-c-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶Xp sehn³ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. “\n\-s¡-§-s\-bp−v?’’ Inän-bpsS ASp¯p sN¶v sehn³ Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¨p. “\à kpJ-ap−v.’’ Inän ]p©n-cn-¨p. “t]mb Imcy-§-sf-´mbn?’’ “]gb h−n-I-fpsS aq¶n-c«n sImÅpw ]pXnb hmK-Wp-I-fnÂ. \ap¡p Ip«nIsf Iq«m³ t]mIt−? Rm³ h−n-bn IpXn-c-Isf ]q«m³ ]d-ªn«p−v.’’ “Dwwww.... Inänsb h−n-bn Ibän sIm−p-t]m-Imt\m?’’ Ah-fpsS A½ imk-\m-kz-c-¯n ]d-ªp. “AtX, \S-¶p-t]m-Ip-¶{X thK-¯n am{Xw, {]`zo’’ km[m-cW BWp§Ä A½m-bn-b-½-amsc hnfn-¡m-dp-Å-Xp-t]mse At½sb¶v sehn³ hnfn-¨n-Ã, {]`n¡v AXn A\n-jvS-ap-−m-bn-cp¶p Xm\pw. sehn\v Ahsc hfsc CjvShpw _lp-am-\hpambn-cp-s¶-¦nepw A§s\ hnfn-¡p-¶Xv Xsâ acn-¨p-t]mb A½-tbm-SpÅ kvt\l-s¯ Zpjn-¡p-¶Xn\p Xpey-am-sW¶v AbmÄ Icp-Xn.

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“R§-fpsS IqsS hm At½” Inän hnfn-¨p. “F\n¡p h¿ C¯cw [n¡mcw ImWm³.” “F¦n Rm³ \S-t¶m-fmw. F\n¡p h¿m-gvI-sbm-¶p-an-Ã.’’ “h¿m-gvI-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw FÃm-¯n\pw Hcp anXXzw \Ã-XmWv. “AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\m, Pmw icn-bmtbm? ]pXnb coXn F§-s\-bp−v?” Ahsc kt´m-jn-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¨p-sIm−v ]p©n-cn-tbmsS sehn³ tNmZn-¨p. “\¶m-bn-«p-s−¶p tXm¶p-¶p. \½psS IW-¡n\v Ipsd IqSp-X t\cw Xnf-¸n-¨p.” “A{X-bpw-IqSn \Ã-Xm-Wv. H«pw ]q¸Â ]nSn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡pw.” `À¯m-hnsâ Dt±iyw a\-kn-em-¡nb Inän Iq«n-t¨À¯p: “\n§-fp−m¡p¶ A¨mdn\p Kw`oc cpNn-bm-Wv. A{X \ÃXv CXp-hsc Iq«n-bn-t«-bn-sömWv A½ ]d-bp¶-Xv.” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Inänsb tZjy-t¯msS t\m¡n. “Fs¶ kam-[m-\n¸n-¡m³ IjvS-s¸-tS−. At±-l-t¯m-sSm¸w \n§Ä \n¡p¶Xp I−m¯s¶ F\n¡p kt´m-j-am-Wv.” ‘At±-l-t¯m-sSm¸w’ F¶-Xnse B ]cp-¡³ ASp¸w Inänsb kv]Àin-¨p. “R§-fpsS IqsS IqWp ]dn-¡m³ hcq. Ah IqSp-X-epÅ Øe-§Ä \n§Ä¡p \à ]cn-N-b-ap-−m-Ip-atÃm” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Nncn-¨psIm−p Xe-Ip-ep-¡n, ‘\nt¶mSpw \à tZjyw Im«-W-sa-s¶-\n-¡p-−v, ]t£ F\n-¡-Xn\p Ign-bnÃ’ F¶p ]d-bpw-a-«nÂ.

hmÀhc \n¶ncp-¶-Xn\v ]¯Sn AI-se-sb-¯p-t¼m-tg¡v skÀPn sFh-t\mhn¨v X¶-¯m³ C§s\ ]d-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ ap«p-Ip¯n \n¶v Hcp Iq«w Ipªn-¡q-Wp-IÄ {Knj ImWmsX ssIIÄsIm−p ad-¨p-]n-Sn¨v amjsb hnfn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v hcp-¶Xp Is−-¦nepw AhÄ Fgp-t¶-än-Ã. ]t£ Ah-fpsS apJw kt´mjw hnfn-¨-dn-bn-¨p. Abm-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n ]p©ncn-¨p-sIm−v AhÄ tNmZn-¨p: “Fs´-¦nepw In«ntbm?” “Hscm-ä-sb®w I−n-Ã.” amj h¶v Iq¬ ]dn-¡m³ XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ hmsd¦ sasÃ-sb-gp-t¶-äp. “Ip«n-¡mew Xncn-sI¡n«nb-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n.” Ah-scm-cp-an¨v GXm\pw Nph-Sp-IÄ \S-¶p. At±-l-¯n\v Xt¶mSv Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-bm-\p-s−¶v AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p; AsX-´m-sW¶pw. kt´m-jhpw `bhpw ImcWw XfÀ¶p-t]m-Ip-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. aämÀ¡pw tIÄ¡m\mIm¯ AI-e-s¯-¯n-bn«pw AbmÄ H¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. \nÈ_vZbm-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶-bmWv \Ã-sX¶v hmsd¦ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. IqWp-I-sf-¸-än-bpÅ kwkm-c¯n \n¶v Ah-cm-{K-ln-¡p¶ hnj-b-¯n-te¡p hcp-¶-Xn-ep-sa-fp¸w \nÈ_vZX-bn \n¶p XpS-§p-¶-Xm-bn-cn-¡pw. F¶n«pw kz´w Xocp-am-\¯n\p hncp-²-ambn AhÄ ]d-ªp-t]mbn: “H¶pw In«n-bn-sötà ]d-ª-Xv. AsÃ-¦nepw ImSn\p \Sp-hn Ah D−mIm-\pÅ km[yX hfsc Ipd-hm-Wv.” H¶p \niz-kn-¨-X-ÃmsX skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v H¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. AhÄ IqWp-I-sf-¸än kwkm-cn-¨-Xn AbmÄ Akz-Ø-\m-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ BZyw ]dª Ip«n-¡m-e-¯nte¡v Ahsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Im³ AbmÄ B{Kln-¨p. F¶n«pw AÂ]-t\-cs¯ CS-th-fbv¡p tijw Xsâ Xs¶ CÑbv¡p hncp-²-ambn AhÄ Ah-km\w ]d-ª-Xn\p adp-]-Sn-sb-t¶mWw ]dªp: “shfp¯p `£y-tbm-Ky-amb IqWp-IÄ ImSnsâ Acn-Ip-I-fn-emWv ImW-s¸Sp-¶Xv F¶mWv ]d-ªp-tI«n«p-Å-Xv.” GXm\pw \nan-j-§Ä IqSn IS-¶p-t]m-bn. AhÀ Ip«n-I-fn \n¶v Ipd-¨pIqSn AI-se-sb-¯n. kz´w lrZbw anSn-¡p-¶Xv hmsd-¦bv¡p tIÄ¡mambn-cp-¶p. tImkv\n-tj-hn-s\-t¸mse Hcm-fpsS `mcy-bm-bn-cn-¡pI AhÄ¡p k¦Â]n¡m-hp-¶-Xnse Gähpw henb kt´m-j-am-Wv. AXp Xocp-am-\n-¡-s¸-Sp¶ \nan-j-§-fmWv C\n. AhÄ¡p t]Sn tXm¶n. AbmÄ kwkm-cn¨p XpS-§p¶Xpw kwkm-cn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-¶Xpw AhÄ Hcp-t]mse `b-s¸-«p.

hmsd¦

Ip«n-I-tfm-sSm¸w IqWp-IÄ X¸n Im«n \S-¶p. skÀPn sFht\m-hn¨v Hcn-S¯p amdn-\n¶v Hcp knK-cäv I¯n¨v Btem-N-\-bn apgp-In. Pohn-X-¯n-en-t¶mfw I−p-ap-«n-bn-«pÅ s]¬Ip-«n-Isf Hmtcm-cp-¯-sc-bmbn Nn´-bpsS {Xmkn-en«p Xq¡n, hmsd¦ F´p-sIm−v Ah-sc-¡m-sfÃmw X\n¡p tbmPn-¨-h-fm-sW¶p hne-bn-cp-¯n. a\-tk-Xm−v Dd-¸n¨p Ign-ª-t¸m-tg¡v hmsd¦ AbmÄ \n¶n-cp-¶-Xn-\-Sps¯-¯n. knK-cäv hen-s¨-dnªv skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v Ah-fpsS ASpt¯¡p \S-¶p. “hmÀhc B³{Uo-hv\, Rm³ hfsc sNdp-¸-am-bn-cp-¶-t¸mÄ Xs¶ F\n-¡njvS-s¸-Sp-¶, Fsâ `mcy-bm-bn-cn-¡m³ Ign-bp¶ kv{Xosb¸än hyà-amb k¦Â]-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Rm³ kmam\yw \o− PohnXw Pohn-¨n-cn-¡p¶p; Rm\-t\z-jn¨p \S-¶Xv Ct¸mÄ BZy-ambn Is−-¯n-bn-cn-¡p¶p þ \n¶nÂ. Rm³ \ns¶ CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶p, Fsâ Ic-§Ä kzoI-cn-¨m-epw.”

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Ct¸m-gmWXn\pÅ ka-bw, Ct¸m-g-sæn ]ns¶ Hcn-¡-ep-anà þ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨pw Nn´n-¨p. Ah-fpsS apJs¯ BImw£ AbmÄ¡p a\-knem-Ip-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ct¸mÄ Fs´-¦nepw ]d-bm-Xn-cn-¡p-¶Xv Ahsf A[nt£-]n-¡p-¶-Xn\p Xpey-am-Ip-sa¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. Xsâ Xocp-am-\§Ä¡v Dt]m-Zv_-e-I-amb hmZ-§Ä Hcn-¡Â¡qSn a\-kn BhÀ¯n-¨p. Ah-tfmSp ]d-bm-\pÅ hm¡p-IÄ a\-kn BhÀ¯n-¨p-d-¸n-¨p. F¶n«pw ]d-ª-t¸mÄ ]pd-¯p-h¶ hm¡p-IÄ Ch-bm-bn-cp¶p: “_nÀ¨v IqWp-Ifpw shÅ-¡q-Wp-Ifpw X½n-epÅ hyXym-k-sa-´mWv?’’ “IpS-bn Imcy-amb hyXym-k-sam-¶p-anÃ; X−n-emWv hyXym-kw.’’ X§Ä ]d-bm-\m-{K-ln¨ Imcyw C\n ]d-b-ep-−m-hnà F¶v CXp ]d-ªp-I-gn-ªt¸mÄ Ccp-hÀ¡pw a\-kn-embn. AXp-hsc A\p-\n-anjw hfÀ¶p-sIm-−ncp¶ Ah-cpsS kvt\lm-thiw sasÃ-sasà XWp-¡p-¶Xpw Ah-c-dn-ªp. AhÄ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xp-t]msesbm¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-söv Ah-cpsS I®p-I-fn \n¶v Inän¡p a\-kn-em-bn.

“C¶p s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v hcp-atÃ? \n§Ä¡p In«n-b-Xp-t]mse C{X hn`n-¶-cmb c−p acp-a-I³amsc thsd-hn-sSbpw k¦Â]n-¡m³ IqSn Ign-bn-Ã.” skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ]d-ªp. Hcp-h³ XnIª kaq-l-Po-hn, shÅ-¯n aos\¶ t]mse kaq-l-a-[y-¯n am{Xw Pohn-¡p-¶-h³; A]c³ \½psS tImÌy, Ft¸mgpw kPo-hw, NSp-ew, Pm{K-X-bp-Å-h³; ]t£ BÄ¡q-«-¯n\p \Sp-hn s]«m Icbv¡p ]nSn-¨n« ao\n-s\-t¸m-se….’’ AhÀ kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ h−n h¶p \n¡p¶ i_vZw tI«p. {Knjsb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶ sehn³ tUmfn t]mepw Fgp-t¶äv F¯p-¶-Xn\p ap³t] NmSn-bn-d§n Ah-s\bpw Iq«n ]pd-s¯-¯n. “Ìnhm F¯n. lm… ]m¸mbpw D−-tÃm. Inäo, Ip¯-s\-bpÅ ]Sn-I-fn-d-t§-−, Npän h¶m aXn.” ]t£ sehn³ Icp-Xn-bXp amXncn {]`p-hm-bn-cp-¶nà s̸msâ H¸-ap-−m-bncp-¶-Xv. dn_-Wp-IÄ ]n¶n \o«n-s¡-«nb Hcp kpµ-c³ sNdp-¸-¡m-c³. sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_-¯nse AI¶ _Ôp-hmb hmsʦ hokvtemhvkvIn ]otägvkv_ÀKn-sebpw tamkvtIm-bn-sebpw kaq-l-¯n Adnbs¸-Sp-¶-h-\m-bn-cp-¶p. s̸m³ ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n-b-Xp-t]mse ‘\sÃmcp Imbn-I-Xm-cw, Hcp ASn-s]mfn I£n’. {]`p-hnsâ Øm\¯p h¶n-d§nbXp aqe-ap-−m¡nb \ncm-i-sbm¶pw sXÃpw GimsX hokvtemhvkvIn BËm-Z-t¯msS sehn\v \a-kvImcw ]dªp, t\cs¯ ]cn-N-b-aps−¶pw ]d-ªp; {Knjsb NmSn-sb-Sp¯v h−nbn-en-cp-¯n. sehn³ h−n-bn Ib-dmsX ]n¶mse \S-¶-tX-bpÅq. Hmtcm ImgvN-bnepw IqSp-X IqSp-X CjvS-s¸-«p-t]m¶ {]`p hcm-Xn-cp-¶Xv sehns\ Akz-Ø\m-¡n-bn-cp¶p; kulr-Z-`mhw tXm¶m¯ s]m§-¨-¡m-c-\mb Cu hokvtemhvkvInbpsS hchpw Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. Ip«n-Ifpw hen-b-h-cp-aS¡w FÃm-hcpw henb BImw-£-tbmsS IqSn-\n-¶n-cp¶ ]Sn-I-fn h¨v henb hotcm-Nn-X-`m-h-¯n Inän-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¡pI IqSn sNbvX-t¸mÄ IqSp-X Atcm-N-IXzw tXm¶n. “Xm¦-fpsS `mcybpw Rm\pw _Ôp-¡fpw ]gb kplr-¯p-¡-fp-amWv” Hcn¡Â¡qSn sehnsâ ssIIÄ apdps¡ Ipep-¡n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “F§-s\... [mcmfw ]£n-I-fpt−m? FÃm-hcpw ]c-kv]cw A`n-hmZyw sNbvXp Xocpw ap³t] s̸m³ sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p. “XnIª Im«mf¯w Im«m-\mWv R§Ä h¶n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. AÃ-t½, Ch-cn-Xp-hsc tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶n-ÃtÃm! Xm\ym, \n\-s¡´m sIm−p-h-¶n-cn-¡p-¶sX¶p t\m¡v.” AbmÄ \m\m-Zn-¡n-te¡pw kw`m-j-W-i-I-e-§-sf-dn-bp-I-

A¶p

s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v hcp¶ Znh-k-am-Wv. sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`phpw hcp-sa¶v Fgp-Xn-bn-cp-¶p. “Ae-Ivkm-−À hcn-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bmw. sNdp-¸-¡msc Ah-cpsS hgn¡v kzØ-ambn hnS-W-sa¶v At±lw Ft¸mgpw ]d-bm-dp-Å-Xm-Wv.’’ {]`zn ]dªp. ]t£ ]m¸m \½sf X\n¨p hn«n-cn-¡p-I-btÃ! I−n«v F{X \mfm-bn. AXpaà R§fnt¸m sNdp-¸-¡m-scm-¶p-a-Ã-tÃm, hnhmlw Ign¨ apXnÀ¶-h-ctÃ?” “At±lw hcp-¶n-sæn Rm\pw t]mIp-I-bmWv Ip«n-Itf” {]`zn hnjm-Zt¯msS ]dªp. “Fs´mcp IjvS-amWv A½m…” a¡Ä c−p t]cpw IqSn Hcp-an¨p NmSn-hoWp. “At±-l-ant¸m F§s\ Ign-bp-I-bm-bn-cn-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡p hà hnNm-chp-apt−m? Ct¸m…” Ah-cpsS i_vZ¯n\p s]s«¶v hnd-b _m[n-¨p. s]¬a-¡-fn-cp-hcpw ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n. ‘AsÃ-¦nepw A½ Ft¸mgpw k¦-Ss¸-Sm³ Fs´-¦nepw I−p-]n-Sn¡pw’ F¶ a«nÂ. aI-fpsS ho«n kt´mj-h-Xn-bmbn ImW-s¸-s«-¦nepw {]`zn-bpsS DÅn Ft¸mgpw Aán-]Àh-Xsa-cn-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶ Imcyw a¡Ä Hcn-¡epw a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. Ah-km-\s¯ aI-sfbpw hnhmlw Ign-¨-b¨v `h\w A\m-Y-am-bn-¡-gn-ªt¸mÄ apX AhÀ Xs¶-¯-s¶bpw `À¯m-hn-s\bpw IcpXn BIp-e-s¸«p Ign-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.

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bm-Wv. “tUmfo, \osb{X anSp-¡n-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p” F¶p ]dªv `mcy-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¨p. Hcp \nanjw ap³]p hsc hfsc k´p-jvS-\m-bn-cp¶ sehn³ Ct¸mÄ FÃmh-scbpw FÃm-¯n-s\bpw Ak-´p-jvSn-tbmsS t\m¡n. “C¶se Cu Np−p-IÄ Bsc-bmWv Npw_n-¨n-«p-−m-hp-I-sb¶v BÀ¡dnbmw?” s̸msâ kvt\l-{]-I-S-\-§Ä I−v AbmÄ Nn´n-¨p. sehn³ tUmfnsb t\m¡n; Ah-tfmSpw AbmÄ¡v tZjyw tXm¶n. “Abm-fpsS kvt\l-¯n AhÀ¡v H«pw hnizm-k-anÃ; ]ns¶-sb-´n-\mWmthm Cu BËm-Z-{]-I-S\w? \mWt¡Sv.” Hcp \nanjw ap³]v Gsd {]nb-¦-cn-bm-bn-cp¶ {]`zn hmsÊ-¦sb kz´w ho«n-se¶ t]mse kzmKXw sNbvXXpw AbmÄ¡p ]nSn-¨n-Ã. skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v s̸mt\mSp Im«nb Dujva-f-Xbpw AbmÄ¡p Xosc ]nSn-¨nÃ; Xsâ ktlm-Z-c\v Ht»m³kvIn-tbmSv H«pw aXnt¸m kvt\ltam Csöv Adn-bmam-bn-cp-¶n-«p-Iq-Sn. hmsd-¦-tbmSpw sehn\p tZjyw tXm¶n. Gä-hp-a-[nIw tZjyw Inän-tbm-Sm-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-[n-¡mew Bkz-Zn-¡m³ h¶Xp-t]m-se-bpÅ B a\p-jysâ kt´m-j-¯n ]¦p tNÀ¶Xn\v, AbmfpsS arZp-hmb ]p©ncn AtX-]Sn Xncn-¨p-\ÂIn-b-Xn-\v. Nd-]dm kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm−v FÃm-hcpw AIt¯¡p t]mbn. FÃm-hcpw Ccp¶p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ sehn³ ]pd-¯n-d-§n-t¸m-bn. `À¯m-hn\v Ft´m Ae-«-ep-s−-¶-dnªv Inän Abmsf X\n-¨p-In-«m³ {ian¨p. F¶m Ahsf Hgn-hm¡n sehn³ Ft´m AXym-hiyw ]dªp Øew hn«p.

“hokvtemhvkvIn A¶-bpsS ASp-¡Â t]mbn-cp-s¶-¶v. C\nbpw t]mIp-¶p−-s{X. A¼Xp ssa Zqc-ta-bp-sŶv. Rm\pw H¶p t]mIp-¶p-−v. hokvtemhvkvIo C§p hcq.” hmsʦ At§m«p IS¶v Inän-bpsS kao]w Ccp-¶p. “B ]d-bq, \n§Ä Ah-cp-sS-bSp¯p X§ntbm? AhÄ¡v F§-s\-bp−v? kpJ-amtWm?” Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ tNmZn-¨p. tai-bpsS At§-¯-e-bv¡Â {]`znbpw hmsd-¦-bp-ambn \nÀ¯msX kwkmcn-¡p-¶-Xn-\n-S-bnepw Ct§-b-ä¯v hokvtemhvkvInbpw s̸m\pw tUmfnbpw Inänbpw IqSn-bpÅ CS-ap-dn-bm¯ kw`m-jWw sehn³ {i²n-¡p¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ hmsÊ-¦-bpsS kpµ-c-ap-J¯p I®p \«n-cn-¡p¶ Inän-bpsS apJw \ndsb hnIm-c-§Ä hmbn-s¨-Sp-¯p. “Ah-cpsS hoSv F´p ck-am-sWt¶m! hn[n ]d-bm³ Rm\m-fÔ hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw A¶-bp-sSbpw hoSn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Bth-i-t¯msS ]dbp-I-bmWv hokvtemhvkvIn. “F¦nepw Hcp `h-\-¯nsâ k¼qÀWX AhnsSbp-−v.” “F´m Ah-cpsS ]²Xn?” “tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p t]mIp-I-bm-sW¶p tXm¶p-¶p.” “\½-sf-Ãm-hcpw IqSn At§m«p sN¶m F´p ck-am-bn-cn¡pw? \n§fn\nsb¶m t]mIp-¶Xv?” s̸m³ hokvtemhvkvIn-tbmSp tNmZn-¨p. “Pqsse-bn Rm³ Ahn-sSbmbncn-¡pw.” “\o hcp-¶p-t−m?” s̸m³ `mcy-tbmSp tNmZn-¨p. “Rm³ Hcp-]mSp \mfmbn t]mI-Wsa¶p hnNm-cn-¡p-¶p. Ah-fpsS Imcyw IjvS-am-Wv, F\n-¡-hsf \¶mbn Adn-bmw. icn¡pw \Ã-h-fm-W-hÄ.” tUmfn ]d-ªp. “Rms\-´m-bmepw t]mIp-¶p-−v. \n§Ä Xncn¨p t]mbn-¡gnªv Rm³ Häbv¡p s]mbvt¡m-fmw.” “icn, \otbm Inäo?” “Rmt\m, Rms\-´n\m t]mIp-¶Xv?” InänbpsS apJamsI XpSp¯p. AhÄ Xncnªv `À¯m-hns\ t\m¡n. “At¸m \n\¡v A¶ AÀ¡-tZy-hv\sb Adn-bmtam? Gsd IuXp-I-§-fpÅ Hcp kv{Xobm-W-hÀ” hokvtemhvkvIn ]d-ªp. “Adnbpw” F¶p ]d-ª-t¸m-tg¡v AhÄ ho−pw IqSp-X Nph-¶p. AhÄ s]s«-s¶-gp-t¶äv `À¯m-hnsâ Acn-In-te¡p t]mbn. “\msf \n§Ä \mbm-«n\p t]mIp-¶pt−m?” AhÄ sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p. Ign-ªp-t]mb \nan-j-§-fnÂ, {]tXy-In¨v hokvtemhvkvIn-bp-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-¯n-\nsS Ah-fpsS apJw XpSp-¡p-¶Xp I−-t¸mÄ, Abm-fpsS a\kv hÃmsX Akq-bm-ep-hm-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mgo tNmZy-¯n\v sehn³ kz´w

A¯m-g-¯n\p hnfn-¨-t¸mÄ am{Xta sehn³ Xncn-s¨-¯n-bp-Åq. s̸m\pw sehn\pw hokvtemhvkvInbpw A¯m-g-ta-ibv¡p Npäp-an-cp¶v Dd-¡-sam-gn¨v th«bv¡p t]mIp¶ Imcy-§Ä NÀ¨ sNbvXp. “Dd-¡-an-f-bv¡m-\pÅ \n§-fpsS Ignhv FÃm-hÀ¡padn-bmw; aäp-Å-h-cpsS Dd¡w If-bm\pw’’ `À¯m-hn-t\mSp kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Cubn-Ss-bmbn ]XnhpÅ ZzbmÀ°-{]-tbm-K-t¯msS tUmfn ]d-ªp. “]t£ Rm³ InS-¶p-d§m³ t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. F\n¡v A¯mgw th−’’ “C¯ncn t\cw-IqSn \n¡v. F\n¡p \nt¶mSv C\nbpw Hcp-]mSv Imcy-§Ä ]d-bm-\p−v.” “H¶p-ap-−m-hnÔ

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AÀ°-§Ä Is−-¯n; kpt_m[w ho−p-In-«nb thf-I-fn ho−pw HmÀ¯p-t\m-¡n-b-t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p Xs¶ hnNn-{X-ambn tXm¶nb AÀ°§Ä. AhÄ kvt\l-¯n-em-bn-cn-¡p¶ hokvtemhvkvIn¡v Cu B\µw ]IÀ¶p-sIm-Sp-¡m³ Xm³ Xbm-dm-Iptam F¶mWv Ct¸m-gs¯ tNmZy-w. “Dw... Rm³ t]mIp-¶p−v.’’ X\n¡p Xs¶ ]nSn-¡m¯ Akzm-`m-hnI i_vZ¯n sehn³ ]d-ªp. “th−, \msf Hcp Znhkw ChnsS sNe-h-gn-¨n«v aä-¶mÄ t]mImw. Asæn tUmfn¡v Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hns\ C¯n-cn t\cw t]mepw H¶p In«p-Ibn-Ã.’’ B hm¡p-IÄ sehn³ C§s\ hymJym-\n-¨p: “At±l¯n \n¶v Fs¶ thÀs]-Sp-¯-cp-tX. \n§Ä t]mIp-¶-Xn F\n-s¡m-¶p-an-Ã; ]t£ Rm³ B\-µ-Zm-b-I-\mb Cu bphm-hnsâ km¶n[yw Bkz-Zn-¡-s«.’’ “Hm, \o A§s\ B{K-ln-¡p-s¶-¦n \mfs¯ Znhkw R§Ä ChnsS¯s¶ sNe-h-gn-¡mw.” Akzm-`m-hn-I-amb hmÂk-ye-t¯msS sehn³ ]d-ªp. AtX ka-bw, Xm³ aqe-ap-−m-Ip¶ s\m¼-c-§-sfm-¶p-a-dn-bmsX hmsʦ Inän Fgp-t¶-ä-bp-S³ Ahsf A\p-K-an-¨p. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fn ]p©ncnbpw Bcm-[-\-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. sehn³ B t\m«w I−p. AbmÄ BsI hnf-dn-sh-fp-¯p, izmkw \ne-¨p. ‘Fsâ `mcysb C§s\ t\m¡m³ Ch-s\-§s\ ss[cyw h¶p’ F¶ a«nem-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS Nn´. “F¦n ]ns¶, \msf, \ap¡p t]Mi-tW...’’ Hcp Itk-c-bn-en-cp¶ hmsʦ ioew sIm−v Imen³ta Im Ib-än-h-¨p. ISp¯ tZjyw H¶p-IqSn hfÀs¶-¦nepw sehn³ hmsÊ-¦-tbmSv XnIª BXn-Yy-a-cym-Z-tbmsS hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn¨p: Abm-fpsS tXm¡v, _qSvkv, \mbm-«-\p-`-h-§Ä Hs¡. ]ntä¶v \mbm-«n\p t]mIm-sa¶p k½-Xn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. GXm-bmepw sehnsâ s\m¼-c-§Ä¡v AdpXn hcp-¯n-s¡m−v {]`zn InäntbmSv t]mbn Dd-§m³ \nÀt±in¨p. F¶n«pw sehns\ IS-¶p-t]m-ImsX Hcp thZ\ Im¯p-\n-¶p. ip`m-cm{Xn ]dªp ]ncn-bp¶ t\cw hmsʦ ho−pw Inän-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¡ms\mcp§n; At¸mÄ AhÄ BsI¨p-h¶v ssIIÄ ]n³h-en¨p; \njvI-f-¦-X-bpsS hnh-c-t¡-tSmsS ]dª hm¡p-IÄ¡v ]n¶oSv {]`zn-bn \n¶p iImcw tIÄ¡pIbpw sNbvXp: “R§Ä¡v Cu coXn CjvS-a-Ã.’’

C§-s\-sbmcp _Ôw hf-cm-\-\p-h-Zn-¨-Xn\v sehnsâ a\kv Ahsf Ipä-s¸Sp-¯n. AXnt\m-SpÅ A\njvSw C{X Atcm-N-I-amb coXn-bn {]I-Sn-¸n-¨Xn\v AXn-tesd Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯n. ]n¶oSp Xsâ InS-¸-d-bnse Nmcp-I-tk-c-bn iq\y-X-bn-te¡p t\m«-a-b¨v Ccn-¡p¶ sehn-t\mSv Inän F´p-]än F¶p tNmZn-¨p. \nÈ_vZX-bmbn-cp-¶p adp-]-Sn. Gsd t\cs¯ Hcp-¡-¯n\p tijw aSn-¨p-a-Sn¨v AhÄ A]-I-S-I-camb B tNmZyw tNmZn¨p: “C\n, hokvtemhvkvInsb kw_-Ôn-¡p¶ Fs´-¦nepw \n§Ä¡v CjvS-s¸-SmsX ht¶m?” AtXmsS FÃmw s]m«n-¯p-d-¶p-h-¶p. AbmÄ FÃmw ]d-ªp. ]d-bp¶ Imcy-§-tfmÀ¯v AbmÄ¡p Xs¶ eÖ tXm¶n; AX-bmsf IqSp-X hnj-an-¸n-¨p. Abm-fpsS apJ-`m-hs¯ {Iqcw F¶p thW-sa-¦n hnfn-¡m-am-bn-cp¶p; F¶m AtXmsSm-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp¶ kl-\-`mhw Ahsf Iogvs¸-Sp-¯n-¡-fªp. “\o Fs¶ a\-kn-em-¡-Ww. CXv Akq-b-b-Ã. Rm³ apdn-th-ä-h-\m-Wv.” temI-¯nse sNdnb ck-§Ä t]mepw X\n¡p \ntj-[n-¡-s¸-Sp-¶-Xn Hcp \nanjw AhÄ¡v hÃmsX tZjyw h¶n-cp-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ sNdn-bh F¶-Ã, F´p XyPn-¡m³ AhÄ Xbm-dm-Wv. Abm-fpsS kt´m-j-¯n\p th−n, kam-[m-\-¯n\p th−n. “Fsâ Ah-Ø-bpsS `oI-cXbpw A]-lm-ky-Xbpw \osbm¶p a\-kn-em¡Ww.” AbmÄ Akz-Ø-X-tbmsS ]ndp-]n-dp-¯p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS kvt\l-¯nsâ Bg-tamÀ¯v Inän¡p kt´mjw tXm¶n; AbmfpsS thZ-\-tbmÀ¯v k¦-S-hpw. “CsXÃmw Fhn-sSbmWv XpS-§n-b-sX¶v F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p.” “F´m? Fhn-sSbm?” “A¯m-g-k-a-b¯v R§Ä kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ \n§Ä {i²n-¡p-¶Xv Rm³ I−n-cp-¶p.” X§-sf-´mWv kwkm-cn-¨-sX¶v AhÄ ]d-ªp. AXp ]d-bp-t¼mÄ AhÄ¡p izmkw \ne-bv¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n. C¯ncn t\cw \nÈ_vZ\mbn Ccp¶ sehn³ Ah-fpsS hnf-dnb apJw {i²n-¨p. F¶n«v Xsâ Xe ssII-fn Xm§n. “ImXym, Rm³ \ns¶ hÃmsX hnj-an-¸n-¨p. UmÀen-Mv, Ft¶mSp £an-¡q. Fsâ-sbmcp h«v. AXp I−v \osb-´n\m hnj-an-¡p-¶Xv?” “\n§-sf-tbmÀ¯v F\n¡p k¦Sw h¶p.”

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“Fs¶-tbmÀt¯m? Rms\-s´mcp {`m´-\mWv?... \osb-´n\m hnj-an-¡p¶Xv? A\y-s\m-cmÄ¡p \½psS kt´m-js¯ sISp-¯m³ Ign-bp-sa¶p hcp-¶Xv F´p IjvS-amWv?” “hÃm¯ \mW¡t¡Spw.’’ AhÄ ]d-ªp. “Cu th\¡mew apgp-h³ Rm\-bmsf ChnsS Xma-kn-¸n-¡pw. BXn-Yy-acym-Z-sIm−v s]mdp-Xn-ap-«n-¡pw.” sehn³ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn D½-h-¨p. “\o t\m¡n-t¡m, \msf R§Ä Hcp t]m¡p−v.’’

“kXy-¯n F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã. e£-¡-W-¡n\p Ip«n-IÄ tamkvtImbv¡p ]pd¯pw P\n-¡p-¶p-s−¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. tUmIvSÀam-cpw… F´n-\mWv…” “A§-s\-bm-sW¦nÂ…” “th−. Inän-bpsS CjvSw t]mse” “CsXm¶pw Inän-tbmSp ]d-bm³ ]än-Ã. Ahsf Ct¸mÄ ]dªp t]Sn-¸n¡m³ ]änb ka-b-amtWm? C¡-gnª hk-´-¯n \Xm-enb tKmenävko\ acn-¨Xv tUmIvS-dpsS hnh-c-t¡-Sp-sIm-−m-Wv.’’ “\n§Ä ]d-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse sN¿mw.’’ sehn³ ¾m\-h-Z-\-\mbn ]d-ªp. {]`zn Abm-tfmSv ]ns¶bpw Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p, ]t£ sehn³ AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ. Ah-cpsS kw`m-jWw Abmsf Atem-kc - -s¸Sp-¯n-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw Ct¸mgs¯ ¾m\-X-bpsS ImcWw AXm-bn-cp-¶nÃ; ktam-h-dn-\-cn-Inse ImgvN-bm-bn-cp-¶p. “Gbv, A§-s\-sbm-¶p-ap-−m-In-Ã.” hiy-amb B ]p©n-cn-tbmsS Inän-bpsS t\À¡p Nmªp-\n¶v kwkm-cn-¡p¶ hmsÊ-¦-tbbpw apJ-amsI XpSp¯v Akz-Ø-bm-Ip¶ Inän-tbbpw AbmÄ amdn-amdn t\m¡n. hmsÊ-¦-bpsS Nncn-bnepw I®p-I-fnepw am\y-a-Ãm¯ Ft´m H¶v D−m-bncp-¶p. Inän-bpsS t\m«-¯nepw `mh-¯nepw sehn³ am\y-a-Ãm¯ Fs´ms¡tbm ZÀin¨p. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnse Xnf¡w ad-ªp. B\-µ-¯nsâbpw A`n-am-\-¯n-sâbpw kam-[m-\-¯n-sâbpw D¯pw-K-irw-K-§-fn \n¶v \ncm-i-bp-sSbpw t{Im[-¯n-sâbpw A]-am-\-¯n-sâbpw AKm[KÀ¯¯n-te¡p \n]-Xn-¨-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. s\mSn-bn-S-sIm−v kÀhXpw kÀhcpw shdp-¡-s¸-«-Xm-bn. “Gähpw DNnXw F¶p \n§sfms¡ Icp-Xp-¶-Xp-t]mse sNbvXp-sImÅq {]`zo.’’ “tamtWm-am-¡nsâ IncoSw F{Xtbm `mc-ta-dn-b-Xm-Ip¶p!” {]`zn-bpsS kwkm-c¯n\p-a-¸pdw sehnsâ Bß-]o-U-\-§-fpsS bYmÀ° ImcWw Xs¶ a\-kn-em-¡nb s̸m³ Ifn ]d-ªp. Inän-tbm-SpÅ hmsÊ-¦-bpsS kwkmcw Xte-¶-t¯-Xnsâ XpSÀ¨ Xs¶-bmbn-cp-¶p. A¶-sb-¡p-dn¨pw kvt\l-amtWm euIn-I-]-cn-K-W-\-I-fmtWm hep-sX¶pw aäpw. Inän¡v AXv H«pw CjvS-am-bn-Ã. B hnj-bhpw kwkm-cco-Xnbpw am{X-a-Ã, AXp Xsâ `À¯m-hns\ F§s\ hnj-an-¸n-¡p-sa-¶Xpw AhÄ¡v Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. ]t£ CjvS-an-sænepw AXv F§s\ Ah-km-\n-¸n-¡-W-sa¶v AhÄ¡v Hcp ]nSn-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶nÃ. “C¶p IqWp ]dn-¡m³ t]mIp-¶pt−m?’’ tUmfn tNmZn-¨p. “XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. Rm\pw hcp-¶p-−v.’’ Inän BsI XpSp-¯p.

sehn\pw

s̸m\pw hokvtemhvkvInbpw tNÀ¶v c−p Znhkw Kw`o-c-am¡n. [mcmfw ]£n-Isf In«n. Im«nepw If-¸p-c-bnepw Irjo-h-e-·m-cpsS hoSp-I-fnepw Hs¡-bmbn B Znh-k-§Ä Ahn-kva-c-Wo-b-am-bn. Xncn-s¨-¯n-b-Xn\p ]ntä¶v cmhnse hokvtemhvkvIn sehnsâsbm¸w \S¶v ]qt´m-«hpw IpXn-c-¸-´nbpw Hs¡ I−p; ]mc-e _mdn AÂ]w hymbm-ahpw sNbvXp. XncnsI ho«n-\p-Ån t{UmbnMv dqan-te¡v sehn³ Abmsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. “\mbm«v Kw`o-c-am-bn-cp-¶p. R§Ä \¶mbn Bkz-Zn-¨p.’’ hokvtemhvkvIn ktam-h-dn-\-cn-In-en-cn-¡p¶ Inän-tbmSp ]d-ªp. “kv{XoIÄ¡v C¯cw kt´m-j-§Ä hne-¡-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶Xv F{X IjvS-am-Wv.” “Dw. Ah³ Krl-\m-Y-tbmSv Fs´-¦nepw hnti-j-§Ä ]d-b-W-a-tÃm.” sehn³ kzbw ]d-ªp. Inän-bpsS t\À¡v Abm-fpsS ]p©n-cn-bn hniz-hnP-bn-bptSXmb B `mh-¯n Fs´m-s¡tbm Ds−¶v sehn\v ]ns¶bpw tXm¶n. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨pw KÀ`-ip-{iq-j-bvs¡-¯nb acnb hvfmtky-hv\-bpambn kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm−v tai-bpsS atä Aä-¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p {]`zn. AhÀ sehns\ ASp¯p hnfn¨v Inänsb hn{i-a-¯n\pw {]k-h-¯n-\p-ambn tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p sIm−p-t]m-Ip¶ Imcyhpw aäpw ]d-ªp-Xp-S-§n. IeymW-¯n-s\-¶-t]mse Xs¶ {]k-h-¯n\pw C¯-c-¯n-epÅ Hcp-¡-§fpw BÀ`m-S-§fpw A\m-h-iy-amsW¶v AbmÄ¡v tXm¶nbncp-¶p. AbmfpsS Nn´m-K-Xn-IÄ a\-kn-em-¡m³ Ign-bm-Xn-cp¶ {]`zn C¡mcyw kwkm-cn-¡m-\pÅ hnap-J-Xsb A{i-²bpw A\-h-[m-\-X-bp-ambn Icp-Xn. AXp-sIm-−p-Xs¶ AhÀ AbmÄ¡v Hcp kam-[m-\hpw sImSp-¯n-Ã. “F\n¡v AsXm¶pw Adn-bnà {]`zo. \n§Ä¡p bpà-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶-Xpt]mse sNbvXp-sIm-Åq.” “\n§-sf-t¸m-gmWv hcp-¶-sX¶v \n§Ä Xs¶ Xocp-am-\n-¡-Ww.’’

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hmsÊ-¦-sb¡qSn acym-Z-bpsS t]cn £Wn-¡-W-sa¶v tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ hnfn-¨n-Ã. “tImÌym, Ft§m-«mWv?’’ Dd¨ Nph-Sp-I-fp-ambn Xs¶-¡S-¶p-t]m-Ip¶ `À¯m-hn-t\mSv AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. At¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJ¯v Ft´m sXäp sNbvX-h-fpsS `mh-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AXv Abm-fpsS kwi-b§sf ZrV-s¸-Sp-¯p-Ibpw sNbvXp. “Rm³ ]pd-¯m-bn-cp-¶-t¸m-gmWv sa¡m-\nIv h¶-Xv. CXp-hsc Abmsf I−n-Ã.’’ Ah-fpsS t\À¡p t\m¡msX ]dªn«v AbmÄ Xmtg¡v Cd-§nt¸m-bn. Ah-fpsS ]cn-Nn-X-amb Ime-Sn-i_vZw hne-¡-s¸« thK-¯n Xs¶ ]n´p-S-cp-¶Xv Abm-f-dn-ªp. “F´m th−Xv? R§Ä Xnc-¡n-em-Wv.” AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “H¶p £an-¡-tW, F\n¡v Ct±-l-t¯mSv AXym-h-iy-ambn C¯ncn kwkmcn-¡m-\p−v” PÀa³Im-c-\mb sa¡m-\n-¡n-t\mSv Inän ]d-ªp. AbmÄ apdn-hn«p t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n. sehn³ ]dªp: “\n§Ä ]Wn apSt¡−.’’ “aq¶p aWn-¡tà s{Sbn³? sshIn-bm icn-bm-hn-Ã.” Abm-tfmSp adp-]Sn ]d-bmsX sehn³ `mcy-sbbpw Iq«n ]pd-t¯¡p \S¶p. “t\m¡q, F´mWp \n\¡v Ft¶mSp ]d-bm-\p-ÅXv?” AbmÄ {^©n Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¨p. Abm-f-h-fpsS apJ¯p t\m¡n-bn-Ã, Ah-fpsS At¸m-gs¯ ØnXntbm apJs¯ ssZ\y-Xtbm H¶pw IW-¡n-se-Sp-¯n-Ã. “C§s\ \ap¡p apt¶m«p t]mIm-\m-hn-Ã, CXp hÃm¯ IjvS-am-Wv.’’ AhnsS A¸p-d-hp-an-¸p-dhpw tPmen-¡m-cp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ASp¯ apdn-bn Xm\y-bpsS ¢mkv \S-¡p-¶p. tXm«-¯n-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ahn-sSbpw tPmen¡m-c³. F´n-s\tbm `b¶v HmSn c£-s]-Sp-¶-Xp-t]mse thK-¯n AhÀ ]mªp. HSp¡w tXm«-¯nse Hcp aqe-bn Hgnª `mK¯v F¯n-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ B hm¡p-IÄ BhÀ¯n-¨p. “C§s\ \ap¡p apt¶m«p t]mIm-\m-hn-Ã.” “F¦nepw \o Xs¶ Ft¶mSp ]dbq: Abm-fpsS i_vZ¯n Akzm-`m-hn-Iam-b, Akm-[m-c-W-am-b, eÖm-I-c-amw-hn[w `oI-camb Ft´m D−m-bncpt¶m?” Npcp-«nb apjvSn-IÄ s\©n tNÀ¯v B cm{Xn-bnteXpt]msebmbn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS \n¸v. “D−m-bn-cp-¶p.” CS-dnb i_vZ¯n AhÄ ]d-ªp. “]t£ tImÌym, Rms\´p sN¿m\mWv? cmhnse apX Rm³ Rm\-bmsf … ]t£ Cu a\p-jyÀ… Abm-sf-´n\m h¶Xv? \½-sf{X kt´m-j-¯n Ign-bp-I-bmbn-cp¶p?” izmkw ap«n-¡p¶ G§-e-Sn-IÄ¡nsS AhÄ ]d-ªp.

Ahsc Bcpw ]n´p-SÀ¶v HmSn-¨-X-Ã, t]Sn-t¨m-Sm³ Imc-W-sam¶pw I−p-anÃ, tXm«-¯nse B Itk-c-bn hnti-j-s¸« k½m-\-§-sfm¶pw CÃm-bncp¶p Xm\pw. F-¶n«pw Ct§m«p hcp-t¼m-gn-Ãm¯ Bizm-khpw kt´mjhpw Ah-cpsS apJ¯p I−v tXm«-¡m-c\v AÛpXw tXm¶n.

sehn³

t\tc tUmfn-bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. Abm-fpsS apJs¯ AkzØX AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. “F´p ]än?’’ “Rm³ Inän-tbm-sSm¸w tXm«-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p. c−mw Xh-W-bmWv R§Ä hg-¡n-Sp-¶-Xv... Ình h¶-Xn\p tijw.’’ Fs´m-s¡tbm ]nSn-In-«n-b-Xp-t]mse tUmfn Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fn t\m¡n. “H¶p ]d-tª, Abm-fpsS... Inän-bp-tS-XÃ... Abm-fpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯n Akzm-Øy-P-\-I-amb… Akz-Ø-X-bÃ, `oI-cam-b, Hcp `À¯m-hn\v {]tIm]-\-]-c-amb Fs´-¦nepw D−m-bn-cpt¶m?” “Rm³ am{X-a-Ã, Ìnhmbpw AXp {i²n-¨n-cp-¶p. Im¸n-IpSn Ign-ª-t¸mÄ At±lw ]d-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp.” “F\n-¡Xp aXn. Rm\-bmsf Ct¸mÄ Xs¶ ]d-ªp-hn-Sp-I-bm-Wv.” “Gbv tImÌym, F´p hnUvVn-¯-am-WnXv? Rm³ Ìnhm-tbmSp ]d-bmw. \n§Ä¡p kµÀi-I-cp-s−t¶m atäm ]dªv At±lw Hgn-hm-¡n-t¡m-fpw. \½psS hoSn\p ]änb coXn-I-fà Abm-fp-tS-Xv.” “th−, Rm³ Xs¶ sNbvtXm-fmw.” “Abm-tfmSp hg-¡p-−m-¡-cpXv.” “H«p-an-Ã.” h−n Xbm-dm¡n \nÀ¯m³ \nÀt±in¨n«v sehn³ hokvtemhvkvInbpsS apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. hmsÊ-¦-bpsS apJs¯ eÖnX`mhw I−-t¸mÄ sehn\v Ipä-t_m-[hpw \mWt¡Spw tXm¶n. F´p ]d-b-W-sa¶v AbmÄ¡v ]nSn In«n-bn-Ã. A¶p cmhnse iàn ]co-£n¨v Ah-cn-cp-hcpw tNÀ¶v HSn-s¨-Sp¯ Hcp I¼v tai-bn InS-¸p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AsX-Sp¯v Hcäw InÅn-s¸m-fn-¨p-sIm−v AbmÄ \n¶p. “Rm³…” H¶p aSn-s¨-¦nepw s]s«¶v Inän-sbbpw A¶s¯ kw`-h-§fpw HmÀa h¶-t¸mÄ apJ¯p \nÝ-bZmÀVyw hcp¯n sehn³ ]d-ªp. “IpXnc-I-sf-¸q«n h−n Hcp-¡n-\nÀ¯m³ ]d-ªn-«p−v. \n§Ä¡p th−n.” “Fhn-sSt¸mIm³?” “tÌj-\n-te-¡v.” sehnsâ apJ¯p ¾m\X ]c-¶p.

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“Fs´-¦nepw Ipg¸w kw`-hnt¨m? AtXm \n§Ä Fhn-sSsb-¦nepw t]mIpI-bmtWm?“’’ “F\n¡p Nne hncp-¶p-Im-cp−v.’’ sehn³ hSn InÅn-s¸m-fn-¡p-¶-Xnsâ thKw IqSn. “AÃ, hncp-¶p-Im-scm-¶p-an-Ã. {]tXy-In-s¨m¶pw kw`-hn-¨p-an-Ã, \n§Ä t]mI-Wsa¶v Rm\m-{K-ln-¡p-¶p. AXp \n§Ä F§s\ thW-sa¦nepw hymJym-\n-t¨m-fq.’’ sehnsâ hnc¯p-¼nepw hnd-bv¡p¶ Np−p-I-fnepw ]Xnª i_vZ¯nepw Xnf-§p¶ I®p-I-fnepw th−p-thmfw hymJym-\-§-fp-−m-bncp¶p; hm¡p-IÄ¡p ]d-bm-hp-¶-Xn-te-sd. Npa-en-f-¡n, Nndn tIm«n hmsʦ D]-Nmcw ]d-ªp. “F\n¡v Ht»m³kvInsb ImWp-¶-Xn\p XS-k-an-ÃtÃm AtÃ?“ Abm-fpsS Npa-en-f-¡hpw Nndn-tIm-«-ep-sam¶pw sehns\ H«pw {]tIm-]n-¸n¨n-Ã. “Rm³ Ct§m-«-b-bv¡mw.’’ CsXÃmw tI«v s̸m\v tZjyw h¶p. “CsX´p h«mWv?’’ “hni-Zmw-i-§-fn-te¡p IS-¡-−. \n§-tfmSpw At±-l-t¯mSpw s]cp-am-dnb coXn-bn F\n¡p tJZ-ap−v. ]t£ Abm-fpsS km¶n[yw F\n¡pw Fsâ `mcybv¡pw Atcm-N-I-am-bn-cp-¶p.” “]t£ AXv Abmsf A]-am-\n-¡pw-hn-[-am-bn-t¸m-bn.’’ “F\n¡v A]-am-\hpw thZ-\-bp-am-bn-cp¶p ^ew. Hcp sXäpw sN¿msX Xs¶.’’ Cu kw`-h-ap-−m-¡nb Atem-kcw s]s«¶p Xs¶ sI«S§n. {]`zn¡p am{Xw AXp ad-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. _m¡n-sb-Ãm-hcpw sshIp-t¶-c-am-b-t¸mtg¡p Xs¶ ]s−t§m Ignª Hcp Imcyw t]mse-bmWv AXn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Nn´n-¨-Xv. ss]Xr-I-am-bn-¡n-«nb \Àat_m[w h¨v tUmfn sa\ª IY-IÄ hmsd-¦sb Nncn-sIm−v Ah-i-bm-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp.

F{X hne-s¸-«-Xm-sW¶ t_m[yhpw CXn\p \nan-¯-am-bn. Ah-cpsS {]iv\§Ä kz´w {]iv\-§-fm-bn-¯-s¶-bmWv sehn³ I−n-cp-¶-Xv. aWn-¡q-dp-IÄ \o− B bm{X-bn Ah-fpsS a\-kn-eqsS Hcm-bncw Nn´IÄ Hgp-In-\o-§n. a¡Ä, Ah-cpsS hnZym-`ym-kw, `mhn, {]k-h-§fpw Ip«nIsf hfÀ¯-ep-ambn XoÀ¶p-t]m-Ip¶ kz´w Pohn-Xw, KÀ`-¯n-sâbpw {]k-h-¯nsâbpw thZ-\-IÄ... bm{X-bv¡nsS k{X-¯n h¨p I− B sNdp-¸-¡m-cn- kz´w Ipªp acn-¨p-t]m-b-Xn-s\-¡p-dn¨p ]dª hm¡p-IÄ: “F´n\m ZpxJn¡p-¶Xv? hb-k\v thsdbpw sIm¨p-a-¡Ä hsc-bp-−v. AsXmcp ieyw am{X-am-bn-cp-¶p. tPmen sN¿m\pw ]än-Ã, H¶pw ]änÃ. Hcp _Ô-\w.’’ At¸mÄ shdp¸p tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw AXn-eS§nb kXy-¯nsâ IWnI Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡p ap³]n sXfn-ªp-h-¶p. ]Xn-\-©p hÀjs¯ hnhm-l-Po-hn-X-¯n-te¡v AhÄ ho−pw Xncn-ªpt\m-¡n. KÀ`w, tcmKw, am\-kn-I-¯-fÀ¨IÄ, kÀh-Xn-t\mSpw hnc-àn, \jvS-ku-µcyw þ sNdp-¸hpw kuµ-cyhpw th−p-thm-f-apÅ Inän t]mepw Ct¸mÄ F{Xtbm hne-£-W-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p, {]k-hw, AXnsâ `oI-camb thZ-\-IÄ, ape-bq-«Â, Dd-¡-an-Ãm¯ cm{Xn-IÄ... Hmtcm Ip«n-bp-−m-bt¸mgpw ape-sR«pIÄ ]gp¯v A\p-`-hn¨ thZ\ Hcp sR«embn DWÀ¶ph-¶p. ]ns¶ Ip«n-Isf hfÀ¯Â, Ah-cpsS tcmK-§Ä, ]T-\w þ emän-s\ms¡ ]Tn-¸n-¡m³ Bsc-s¡m−p ]äpw, FÃm-änepw IjvSw Ah-cpsS ac-W-hpw. acn-¨p-t]mb Ah-km-\s¯ Ipªnsâ HmÀa-IÄ XnI-«n-h-¶p: Ahsâ kwkvIm-c-¨-S-§v, ]n¦v \nd-apÅ ih-a-©-¯n-\p Npäpw \n¡p¶ apJ-§fnse \nÀhn-Im-c-X, lrZbw Iodn-ap-dnª thZ-\, Ipcnip Xp¶n-t¨À¯ ]n¦v \nd-apÅ aqSn-sIm−v ASbv¡pt¼mÄ ih-s¸-«n-¡p-Ån AXv`pXw-sIm−p s]mfn-ªn-cn-¡p¶ Ipªp hmb... F´n-\m-Wn-sXm-s¡? Hcp \nanjw t]mepw kam-[m-\-an-Ãm¯ Pohn-Xw. kzbw `mc-am-bn, aäp-Å-hÀ¡v Atem-k-c-am-bn, `À¯m-hn\p t]mepw XmÂ]cy-an-Ãm-sX, hnZym-`ym-k-an-Ãm-sX, ssIbn ]¯p ss]k-bn-Ãm-sX... sehnsâbpw Inän-bp-sSbpw IqsS-b-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Cu th\¡mew F§s\ Ign-bp-am-bn-cp¶p F¶p-t]mepw Adn-bn-Ã. ]t£ CXp imiz-X-a-Ã, AhÀ¡pw Ip«n-I-fp-−m-Ipw, kz´w _m[y-X-Ifpw Xnc-¡p-I-fp-am-Ipw. kz´w Imcyw t\m¡m³ t]mepw hI-bnÃm¯ ]m¸m-bpsS ssIbn \n¶v Fs´-¦nepw In«n-bn«p Pohn-¡m-sa-¶mtWm? F¶nt«m? Cu ]msSms¡ F´n-\mWv? Gähpw \ÃXp am{Xw kw`-hn-¨m Cu Ip«n-IÄ am\y-·m-cmbn hfÀ¶p-h-cpw... A-Xn-\mbn Hcm-bpkp apgp-h³... k{X¯nse B sNdp-¸-

tUmfn

A¶sb ImWm³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvInbpambn _Ô-s¸« Hcn-S-]mSpw ths−¶ Inän-bp-sSbpw sehn-sâbpw Xocp-am\w icn-bm-sW¶p tXm¶n-b-Xn-\m Ahsc Akz-Ø-cm-t¡−Xn-söpw Dd-¸n-¨p. bm{Xbv¡p th− IpXn-c-Isf hmS-I-bvs¡-Sp-¡m³ Bsf-b-b-¨p. CX-dnª sehn³ Xsâ h−n Ab-bv¡m-sa¶p ]d-ªp, AXn-¯s¶ t]mI-Wsa¶p \nÀ_Ôn¨p, Ah-cpsS A½bv¡pw InänbpsS KÀ`-ip-{iq-j-Ibv¡pw h−n th−n-h-cp-sa-¶-dn-ªn«pw Gähpw \à IpXn-c-I-sf-¯s¶ tUmfn¡p hn«psIm-Sp-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. BXn-Yy-a-cym-Z-am-{X-a-Ã, Ccp-]Xp dq_nÄ tUmfn¡v

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¡mcn ]d-ªXv Hcn-¡Â¡qSn Ah-tfmÀ¯p, AXn-eS§nb {Iqc-amb kXyw \ntj-[n-¡m³ AhÄ¡m-bn-Ã. hgn-bn I− apJ-§-sfÃmw Hmtcm \nan-jhpw Pohn-¡p-I-bm-sW¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. AhÄ am{Xw Pohn-¡m³ Hcp \nanjw Xnc-bp-¶p. Ahsc-Ãm-hcpw Pohn-¡p-¶p. sXmgn-em-fn-s¸-®p-§fpw hmsd-¦bpw Fsâ ktlmZcn \Xm-en-bbpw A¶-bpw... FÃm-h-cpw. Rm³ am{Xw.... F¶n-«mWv FÃm-hcpw A¶sb B{I-an-¡p-¶-Xv. Rms\´m sa¨-amtWm? H¶p-a-sænepw Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sp¶ þ Rm\m-{K-ln-¡p-¶-Xp-t]msesbm¶p-asænepw þ Hcp `À¯m-sh-¦nepw F\n-¡p-−v. AhÄ¡m-Is« Hcn¡Ât¸mepw kz´w `À¯m-hns\ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-ªn-«n-Ã. Ahfpw Pohn-¡m³ sImXn-¡p-¶p. AXp ssZhw \½psS lrZ-b-§-fn \nt£-]n-¨n«p-Å-Xm-Wv. Ah-fpsS Øm\¯v Rm\pw an¡-hmdpw CXp Xs¶-bmIpw sNbvXn-«p-−m-Ip-I. A¶v AhÄ tamkvtIm-bn h¶p cay-X-s¸-Sp-¯nb Znhkw sNbvXXp ]qÀW-ambpw icn-bm-sW¶v CXp-h-scbpw F\n¡p tXm¶n-bn-«n-Ã. A¶-bmsf Dt]-£n¨p ]pXnb PohnXw XpS§Wam-bn-cp-¶p. F¦n Rm³ Hcp-]t£ icn¡p kvt\ln-¡p-Ibpw kvt\ln-¡-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvtX-s\. Ct¸m-sg´m? Abmsf F\n¡v Bh-iy-amWv. shdpsX s]mcp¯-s¸-«p-t]m-Ip-¶p. A-{X-am-{Xw. A¶m-sW¦n F\n¡p kuµ-c-sa-¦nepw _m¡n-bp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ssIbn Icp-Xnb I®m-Sn-sb-Sp¯v apJw t\m¡-Wsa¶p tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. ]t£ h−n-¡m-c\pw sehn³ Iq«n-\-b¨ ¢mÀ¡pw ImWp-a-tÃm-sb-t¶mÀ¯p ths−-¶p-h-¨p. I®m-Sn-bn t\m¡msX Xs¶ C\nbpw sshIn-bn-«nsöv AhÄ¡p a\-knem-bn. Xsâ Imcy-§Ä Ft¸mgpw {i²n-¡p¶ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-¨ns\ Ah-tfmÀ¯p. Ip«n-IÄ¡p NqSp-]\n amdp-thmfw Iq«mbn \n¶ Ìnhm-bpsS Iq«p-Im-c³ Sptdm-hvSvkns\ HmÀ¯p. c−p ktlm-Z-cn-am-sc-¡mfpw kpµcn Xm\m-sW¶p ]dª sNdp-¸-¡m-cs\ þ Hcp Xam-i-sbt¶m-WamWv Ình AXp ]d-ªXv þ HmÀ¯p. AXn-Xo-{h-amb {]W-b-hn-Im-c-§fm Ah-fpsS a\-kv ]pf-In-X-ambn. A-¶-bp-tS-Xn\p kam-´-c-amb hgn-I-fn Xsâ kz]v\§-fnse amXr-Im-]p-cp-j-s\ AhÄ {]W-bn-¨p, A¶-sb-t¸mse Xs¶ Xsâ _Ôw `À¯m-hn-t\mSv Gäp-]-d-ªp, AXp tI« s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨nsâ hn{`m-´n-IÄ a\-kn I−v AhÄ ]p©n-cn-¨p.

A¶-bp-sSbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw BËmZw ]d-ª-dn-bn-¡m³ ]äm-¯Xm-bn-cp-¶p.

A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw hmsʦ hokvtemhvkvInbpw Hcp tPm¡nbpw IpXn-c-¸p-d-¯v, kznbm-jvkvInbpw hmÀhc {]`znbpw Hcp h−n-bn þ A§s\ hcp-t¼mÄ hgn¡p h¨v tUmfnbpw kwLhpw Ahsc I−p-ap-«n.

tUmfn-tbm-sSm¸w h−n-bn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ `mhw hmbn¨-dnª A¶ tNmZn¨p: “Rms\§s\ C{X k´p-jvS-bm-bn-cn-¡p-s¶t¶m? am{´n-I-am-b-sXt´m kw`-hn-¨n-cn-¡p¶p. Zpkz-]v\-¯n \n¶v DWÀs¶-Woä-Xp-t]m-se. Zpcn-X-§Ä, thZ-\-IÄ FÃmw Rm³ Pohn-¨p-XoÀ¯n-cn-¡p-¶p. Rm³ DWÀs¶-Wo-äp, `b-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-cp-¶-sXÃmw CÃm-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Ct¸mÄ Iptd-¡m-e-ambn, hnti-jn¨pw Chn-sS-sb¯n-b-Xn¸ns¶, Rm³ hfsc k´p-jvS-bm-Wv.” “lmhq, kt´m-j-am-bn, \osbt´ F\n-s¡-gp-Xn-bnÃ?” “ss[cy-an-Ãm-ªn-«m-Wv. \n\-s¡sâ ØnXn And-bm-am-bn-cp-¶ntÃ?” “ss[cy-an-Ãm-ªnt«m? Fsâ-b-Sp-¡tem? Rms\-§-s\-bmWv \ns¶ ImWp¶…” bm{X-bn tXm¶n-b-sXms¡ ]d-bm-\mª AhÄ ]ns¶ AXp ths−¶p h¨v hnjbw amäm-\mbn asät´m ]d-ªp. ]t£ A¶ tNmZn-¨Xv AXp Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p: “Fsâ Imcyw \osb-´mWp Icp-Xp-¶Xv? Fsâ Pohn-X-s¯-¸än?” h−n-bn h¨v AtX-¸än ZoÀL-kw-`m-jWw ths−¶p h¨v tUmfn C{Xam{Xw ]dªp: “Rm³ AtX-¸än hnti-jn-s¨m¶pw Icp-Xp-¶n-Ã. F\n-s¡¶pw \ns¶ CjvSam-bn-cp-¶p. Hcmsf CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶Xv ]qÀW-ambn-«-tÃ, AhÀ Bbn-cn-¡p-¶-Xpt]mse; AÃmsX \½Ä B{K-ln-¡p-¶-Xp-t]msebmbn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ am{X-a-ÃtÃm...” “\n\-s¡-s´-¦nepw ]m]-§Ä D−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n AsXÃmw Cu kµÀi-\¯n-sâbpw Cu hm¡p-I-fp-sSbpw t]cn \nt¶mSp £an-¡-s¸-Spw.” A¶bpsS I®p-IÄ Cud-\-Wn-bp-¶Xp I−v tUmfn \nÈ_vZw Ah-fpsS ssIIfn AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn-¨p.

Cw¥ojv

t\mh-ep-I-fn hmbn¨p am{X-a-dn-ªn-«pÅ B[p-\nI bqtdm-]y³ BÀ`m-S-§-fm-Wv A¶-bp-sSbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw ho«n tUmfn I−Xv. djy-bn-se§pw CXp-hsc I−n-«n-Ãm¯ Xcw. Ah-cpsS sIm¨p-kp-µ-cnsb ImWm³ t]mb-t¸mÄ Ahn-Sps¯ Ifn-¸m-«§fpw Gähpw B[p-\n-Ihpw ta¯-c-hpw. Gsdbpw Cw¥-−n \n¶v sIm−p-h-¶-h.

209 ]t£ a\p-jy-sc Adnbm-\pÅ A¶-bpsS Ignhp h¨p t\m¡p-t¼mÄ aIÄ¡v Cu Bb-amsc Ah-sf-§s\ Xnc-sª-Sp¯p F¶v tUmfn¡p BÝcyw tXm¶n. ]ns¶ Ah-fpsS IpSpw-_-]-Ým-¯ew ImcWw IqSp-X anI-¨-hsc In«m-¯-Xm-Ip-sa¶p Icp-Xn. A¶bpw Bb-amcpw Ip«nbpw X½n A{X henb ASp-¸-sam-¶p-an-söXv ASp¯ BÝ-cy-am-bn. Ip«ns¡{X ]Ãp h¶p-sh-¶v A¶bv¡p \nÝ-ban-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. ]pXp-Xmbn h¶ c−p ]Ãp-IÄ Ah-fpsS {i²-bn s]«n-cp-¶-tX-bnÃ. “ChnsS C§-s\-sbm-s¡-bm-bn-t¸m-Ip-¶-Xn F\n¡p ZpxJw tXm¶m-dp-−v. Fsâ aIsâ Imcy-¯n C§-s\-sbm-¶p-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã.” “adn-¨m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-¶mWv Rm³ Icp-Xn-b-Xv.” “\n\-¡-dn-bm-tam, Rm³ CubnsS skcn-tbm-jsb I−n-cp-¶p. AsXms¡ ]ns¶-¸-d-bmw. `n£-¡m-cn-bpsS ap³]n hn`-h-k-ar-²-amb kZy hnf-¼n-h-¨Xp-t]m-se-bmWv F\n¡p \ns¶ I−-t¸mÄ. FÃmw \nt¶mSp ]d-b-Ww. Fhn-sS¯pS§Wsa-¶-dn-bn-Ã.”

AhÀ

\mep t]cpw IqSn \S-¡m-\n-d§n. tPmSn Xncn-ªm-bn-cp¶p \S¸v þ A¶bpw kznbm-jvkvInbpw, hvtdm¬kvInbpw tUmfnbpw. A-¶b - psS tIÄhn-¸p-d-¯p-\n-¶-Iän hvtdm¬kvIn tUmfn-tbmSv Xsâ ZpxJ§Ä ]dªp. ‘\nb-a-¡p-cp-¡p-IÄ {]Imcw Abm-fpsS aIÄ Itc-\n³ IpSpw-_-¯n-teXmbn hf-cp-¶p. C\n a¡-fp-−m-bm Ahcpw A§s\ Xs¶-bm-Ipw. AhIm-in-bn-Ãm-¯-h-\mbn kz´w a¡-fpsS ]nXr-Xz-¯n\v Ah-Im-i-an-Ãm-¯-h\mbn Ign-tb−nhcp-¶-Xnsâ thZ-\. ]nXrXzw Øm]n¨p In«-W-sa-¦n Itc-\n\pw A¶-bp-am-bpÅ hnhm-l-tam-N\w \S-¡-Ww. Ah-f-Xm-{K-ln-¡ps¶-¦n km[n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡m-sa¶v Itc-\n³ ap³t] ]d-ªn-«p−v; tUmfnbpsS `À¯mhv Xs¶-bmWv AXn\p a[y-ØX hln-¨-Xpw. ]t£ A¶ Xs¶ FgpXn Bh-iy-s¸-S-Wsa¶mWv Abm-fpsS \nÀ_Ôw. A¶-bv¡msW¦n C¯cw Kuc-h-apÅ Imcy-§Ä NÀ¨ sN¿p¶Xp Xs¶ CjvS-a-Ã. C¡m-cy-¯n A¶-bpsS a\kp amän-¡m\pw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨n\p Is¯-gpXn hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\Sn-sb-Sp-¡m\pw tUmfn-bpsS klmbw thWw. CXm-bn-cp¶p Ah-tfmSp ]dª kzIm-cy-§-fpsS DÅ-S-¡w.

hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS

s]mXp-{]-hÀ¯\w kw_-Ôn¨pw aäp-apÅ kw`m-jW-§-fn A¶-bpsS apJ¯p \nd-bp¶ CuÀjybpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJs¯ IÀ¡-i-Xbpw hmÀhc {]`zn s]s«¶p hnjbw amän kwLÀj-§sfm-gn-hm-¡p-¶Xpw Hs¡ tUmfn-bpsS {i²-bn ]Xn-ªp.

210

tUmfn

InS-¡m-s\m-cp-§p-t¼m-gmWv A¶ h¶-Xv. ‘Ah-tfmSv FÃmw ]dbWw’ Fs¶ms¡ ]d-sª-¦nepw AhÀ X\n-¨m-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡v FhnsS XpS-§-W-sa-¶-dn-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. FÃmw ]ªp-I-gn-ª-Xm-sW¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. “Inän-bpsS hntijw F´p−v?” Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-t¯msS Ipä-t_m-[t¯m-sS-bmWv A¶ tNmZn-¨-Xv. “AhÄ¡v Ft¶mSv tZjy-am-bn-cn¡pw AtÃ?” “tZjytam? tlbv, CÃ.” tUmfn a-µ-l-kn-¨p. “AhÄs¡-t¶mSv shdp-¸m-bn-cn-¡pw.“ “Gbv, AsXm-¶p-an-Ã. ]t£ FÃmw A{X s]s«¶p ad-¡m-s\m¶pw AhÄ¡p Ign-bn-Ã-tÃm.“ “AhÄ k´p-jvS-bmtWm? AbmÄ \Ã-h-\m-sW¶mWtÃm FÃm-hcpw ]dbp-¶-Xv.” “\Ã-h-s\-¶-Ã, A{Xbpw \à asäm-cmsf F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã.” “kam-[m-\-am-bn. Hm, kt´m-j-am-bn.“ “C\n \nsâ Imcy-§Ä ]d-bq. \ap¡v Hcp-]mSp Imcy-§Ä ]d-bm-\p-−v. Rm³... kwkm-cn-¨n-cp-¶p...“ Abmsf {]`p Ft¶m AeIvkn Incn-tem-hn¨v Ft¶m hnfn-¡m³ AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-bn-Ã. “Ae-Ivkn-bp-am-bn. \n§-sf´m kwkm-cn-¨n-«p-−m-IpI F¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. \o Fs¶-¡p-dn-¨v, Fsâ Pohn-X-s¯-¡p-dn¨v F´p Nn´n-¡p¶p F¶mWv F\n-¡-dn-tb-−-Xv.’’ “Rms\-´m-Wnt¸m ]d-bpI? kXy-¯n F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã.” “F´m-bmepw \o ]d-b-Ww. Ct¸m th\-en hncp-¶p-Im-tcm-sSm-¸-amWv \o R§sf ImWp-¶-Xv. hk-´-¯n ChnsS hcp-t¼mÄ R§Ä am{X-am-bn-cp¶p. C\nbpw A§s\ Xs¶-bm-Ipw. AXn¡q-Sp-X-sem¶pw Rm\m-{K-ln¡p-¶nà Xm\pw. ]t£, At±-l-an-ÃmsX Rm³ X\n¨p Pohn-¡p-¶Xv \osbm¶v HmÀ¯p-t\m-¡q-. CXp-h-sc-bp-Å-sXms¡ h¨v t\m¡p-t¼mÄ AXv Hcp-]mSv th−n-h-cpw. ]IpXn ka-bhpw At±lw ]pd-¯p-X-s¶-bm-Ipw.” tUmfn-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p \o§n-bn-cp-¶p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. adp-]Sn ]d-bm-s\m-cp-§p-t¼m-tg¡v A¶ XpSÀ¶p: “F´m-bmepw Rm³ \nÀ_Ôn¨v ho«n-en-cp-¯p-I-sbm-¶p-an-Ã. IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯nsâ Ime-amWv hcp-¶-Xv. At±-l-¯nsâ IpXn-c-IÄ aÂk-cn-¡p-¶p-−v. an¡-hmdpw C\n Rm³ X\n-¨m-Ipw. AsXm-s¡-¸-d-ªn-s«´m Imcyw? At±-l-sa-´mWv \nt¶mSp ]d-ªXv?”

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212

“Rm³ ]d-bm-\p-t±-in¨ Imcy-§Ä Xs¶-bmWv At±lw ]d-ª-Xv. AXpsIm−v At±-l-¯nsâ h¡o-em-Im³ F\n¡v Ffp-¸-am-bn-cn-¡pw… \nsâ Ct¸m-gs¯ \ne sa¨-s¸-Sp-¯m³… (A-h-sfm¶p i¦n-¨p) t\tc-bm-¡m\pÅ km[y-X-I-sf-¸-än-bm-Wv. Rms\-§-s\-bmWv AXp ImWp-¶-sX¶v \n\¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm. F¦nepw ]äp-sa-¦n \o hnhm-ln-X-bm-I-W-sa¶p Xs¶-bmWv F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-Å-Xv.” “hnhm-l-tam-N-\-amtWm \o Dt±-in-¡p-¶Xv? ]otägvkv_ÀKn Fs¶-¡mWm³ h¶ Htc-sbmcp kv{Xo s_ävkn tSzÀkvIb BWv. `À¯m-hns\ AXn-\o-N-ambn NXn¨v SjvtI-hn-¨p-ambn Ahn-ln-X-_Ôw ]peÀ¯n-bn-cp¶ AhÀ ]d-bp-I-bmWv R§-fpsS _Ôw \nb-am-\p-kr-X-am-Im-¯n-S-t¯mfw Imew kulr-Z-¯n-\n-söv. Xmc-X-ay-s¸-Sp-¯n-b-sXm-¶p-a-Ã, \ns¶ F\n-¡dn-bm-a-tÃm; shdpsX HmÀ¯p-t]m-sb¶p am{Xw. At±-l-sa´m ]d-ªXv?” “\ns¶-¡p-dn¨pw kz´w Imcy-¯nepw ZpxJnX-\m-sW¶v. Xsâ aI-fpsS taepw `À¯m-sh¶ \ne-bn \nsâ taepw \nb-a-]-c-am-bn-¯s¶ AhImiw Øm]n¨p In«-W-sa-¶v. \o thZ-\n-¡-cp-sX¶XmWv At±-l-¯nsâ {][m\ B{K-lw.” “AXn\n Akm-[y-amb Imcy-am-Wv.” “Xsâ a¡Ä¡v kz´w t]cp-−m-I-W-sa-¶-XmWv At±-l-¯nsâ \ymb-amb B{K-lw.” “F´p Ip«n-IÄ?” tUmfnsb t\m¡msX I®p-IÄ ]mXn-b-S¨v A¶ tNmZn¨p. “B\nbpw C\n hcm-\p-Å-h-cpw.” “AtXmÀ¯v C\n At±lw hnj-an-t¡-−. Rm\n\n A½-bm-In-Ã.” “AXp \osb-§n-s\-bmWv ]d-bp-I?” “F\n-¡-Xn-jvS-a-Ã, AXp-sIm-−v.” FÃm hnIm-c-t£m-`-§Ä¡n-S-bnepw A¶ ]p©n-cn-¨p. tUmfn-bpsS apJ¯v Bi-¦bpw AÛp-Xhpw `oXn-bp-saÃmw hncn-bp-¶Xv AhÄ I−p. “Fsâ tcmK-Imew Ign-ª-t¸mÄ tUmIvSÀ ]d-ªp…” “Akm-[yw…” I®p-IÄ Xpdn¨v tUmfn ]d-ªp. Ht¶m ct−m Ip«n-IÄ am{X-apÅ IpSpw-_-§-sf-¡p-dn¨v AhÄ¡p ]nSnIn«m-Xn-cp¶ Imcy-§-fpsS shfn-]m-Smbn AXv. Ahn-iz-k-\o-b-X-tbmsS AhÄ A¶sb Xpdn-¨p-t\m-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. Gsd-¡p-gª Hcp {]iv\-¯n\v AXo-h-\n-km-c-amb Hcp-¯-c-am-bn-t¯m¶n AhÄ¡-Xv. “[Àa¯n\p \nc-¡p-¶-XmtWm AXv?” Ipd-¨p-t\-cs¯ \ni-_vZ-Xbv¡p tijw AhÄ tNmZn-¨p.

“F´m Ipg¸w? c−n-sem¶p Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-W-sa¶p h¶m F´m sNbvI? H¶p-In sshI-ey-apÅ Ip«n-bpsS A½-bm-Ip-I, AsÃ-¦n `À¯m-hn\v \sÃmcp Iq«m-fn-bm-Ip-I. \n\t¡m aäp-Å-hÀt¡m c−m-asXm¶p Nn´n-¡m-\p-−m-Ipw. F\nt¡m? F\n-¡-t±lw `À¯m-h-Ã. kvt\lap-Ån-S-t¯mfw Imew kvt\l-ap-−m-Ipw. Rms\-§-s\-bmWv At±-l-¯nsâ kvt\lw \ne-\nÀ¯pI? C§-s\tbm?” AhÄ shfp¯ ssI¸Sw hf¨v Ac-s¡-«n\p aotX AÀ[-hr-¯m-Ir-Xn-bn Nen-¸n-¨p. tUmfn HmÀ¯p: Ìnhm-bpsS ap³]n BIÀj-I-bm-bn-cn-¡m³ Rm³ {i²n¨n-Ã. At±lw Fs¶ hn«v aäp-Å-h-cpsS ]n¶mse t]mbn. Ah-cn BZy¯-hÄ¡pw kuµ-cyhpw BIÀj-I-Xzhpw Im¯p-kq-£n¨v Abmsf ]nSn¨p-\nÀ¯m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. A¶bv¡p hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p-hns\ ]nSn-¨p\nÀ¯m³ Ign-bptam? AbmfpsS t\m«hpw Fsâ `À¯m-hn-s\-t¸m-se-bmsW¦n IqSp-X \nd-apÅ thj-§fpw apJ§fpw Abmfpw Is−-¯pw. AhÄ adp-]-Sn-sbm¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. Hcp s\Sp-hoÀ¸p am{Xw. B hntbm-P-\¡p-dn¸v A¶ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. ]t£ Ah-fpsS ]¡Â A\n-tj-[y-amb aäp Imc-W-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. “A\ysâ t]cpw t]dn \S-t¡-−n-h-cp¶ \nÀ`mKyP-·-§Ä. P·w-sIm-−-Xns\-¸-än, AÑ-s\-¸än, A½-sb-¸än Hs¡ \mWw-sI-tS−nhcp¶ Ipsd Ip«nIsf Rms\-´n\p P\n-¸n-¡Ww?” “AXp-sIm-−mWv hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\Sm³ ]d-bp-¶-Xv.” tUmfn ]d-ªXv A¶ tI«nÃ. kzbw BhÀ¯n¨p hniz-kn-¸n-¨n-cp¶ aäp Imc-W-§-fn-te¡v AhÄ A\ÀKfw {]h-ln-¨p. “Ak-´p-jvS-P-·-§sf Cu `qan-bn-te¡p sIm−p-h-cp-¶Xv Hgn-hm-¡m-\sæn ]ns¶ F´n-\mWv F\n¡v bpànbpw Xncn-¨-dnhpw \ÂI-s¸-«n-cn¡p-¶Xv? B ]mhw Ip«n-I-fpsS s\m¼-c-§-fpsS apgp-h³ D¯-c-hm-Zn-¯hpw F\n-¡m-bn-cn-¡pw.” “AÃ, A§-s\b-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bnÔ Fs¶ms¡ Np½m ]d-ª-X-ÃmsX tUmfn¡v IrXy-amb adp-]-Sn-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. A¶-bn \n¶v X¶n-te¡pÅ Zqcw hfsc hep-Xm-sW¶v s]s«¶v Ah-f-dn-ªp. henb {]Xn-_-Ô§Ä, tbmPn-¡m³ Ign-bm¯ \nc-h[n {]iv\-§Ä X§sf X½n-e-I-äp-¶Xmbn AhÄ a\-kn-em-¡n.

“Ign-bp-sa-¦nÂ

\n§-fpsS _Ô-¯n\p \nb-a-km-[pX \ÂtI-−-Xnsâ Bh-iy-IXbmWv CXp shfn-hm-¡p-¶Xv.” “AsX, Ign-bp-sa-¦nÂ.”

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“hnhm-l-tam-N\w Akm-[y-am-sW¶mtWm \o ]d-ªp-h-cp-¶Xv? \nsâ `À¯mhv AXn\p k½-Xn-¨n-«p-s−-¶m-WtÃm Fsâ Adnhv.” “tUmfo, AtX-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ F\n-¡n-jvS-an-Ã.” “F¦n th−, \ap-¡Xp hnSmw. ]t£ \obn-§s\ FÃm-¯n-s\bpw ¾m\X-tbmsS ImW-cp-Xv.” “Rms\-Ãm-¯n-s\bpw ¾m\-X-tbmsS ImWp-¶p-sh¶p \o ]d-bp-¶p. \n\¡Xp a\-kn-em-In-Ã, F´p `oI-cam-sWt¶m? H¶n-s\bpw ImWpI Xs¶ sN¿mXncn-¡m-\mWv Rm³ {ian¡p-¶-Xv.” “AXp ]mSn-Ã. \o t\m¡n-¡m-WpI Xs¶ thW-sa-¶mWv Fsâ ]£w.” “Rms\´p sN¿m\mWv? Ae-Ivknsb hnhmlw Ign-¡-Ww, Rm\-Xn-s\-¸-änsbm¶pw Nn´n-¡p-¶nà Fs¶ms¡ \o ]d-bp-¶p. Rm\-Xn-s\-¸än Nn´n¡msX Hcp \nanjw t]mepw IS-¶p-t]m-Ip-¶n-Ã. B Nn´-IÄ Fs¶ {`m´p ]nSn-¸n-¡pw. ]ns¶ F\n¡p tamÀ^o-\n-ÃmsX Dd-§m³ Xs¶ ]än-Ã. hnhml-tam-N\w t\Sm³ FÃm-hcpw D]-tZ-in¡p-¶p. H¶m-a-Xmbn AbmÄ AXn\p k½-Xn-¡n-Ã. enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\-bpsS kzm[o-\-¯n-em-W-bmÄ Ct¸mÄ.” apdn-bn-e-t§m-«p-an-t§m«pw \S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p A¶. “F¦nepw \o {ian-¡pI Xs¶ thWw.” “{ian-¡p-¶p-sh¶p Xs¶-bn-cn-¡-s«. Rms\´m sNt¿−Xv? shdp-¡pt¼mÄ Xs¶ Abm-fpsS alm-a-\-kvI-Xsb \an-¨v, \mWw sI«v AbmÄ¡p Rms\-gp-X-Ww. C\n Fgp-Xn-bmÂ, H¶p-In Fs¶ \mWw sISp¯n AbmÄ \nc-kn-¡pw, AsÃ-¦n k½-Xn-¡pw. k½Xw In«n-sb¶p Xs¶-bncn-¡-s«…Fsâ aIs\ Ah-sc-´m-bmepw F\n¡p hn«p-X-cn-Ã. Ah³ Fs¶ shdp¯v AÑ-sâ-sbm¸w hf-cpw. Cu temI-¯n Rmt\äw kvt\ln-¡p¶ c−p-t]À… Fs¶-¡mfpw IqSp-X-em-bn… skcn-tbm-jbpw Ae-Ivkn-bp-am-Wv.” shÅ-bp-Sp-¸n ]Xn-hn-ep-tasd kpµ-cn-bm-bn-cp¶ A¶ s\©n\p IpdpsI ssIIÄ Cdp-sI¸nW¨p \n¶v BsI ]c-h-i-bmb tUmfnsb t\m¡n. Rm³ kvt\ln-¡p¶Xv Cu c−p Pohn-Isf am{X-am-Wv. Ah-cm-sW¦n ]ckv]cw DÄs¡m-Åm³ ]äm-¯- temI-hpw. Cu c−p t]scbw Hcp-an¨p In«pI þ AXp am{X-amWv F\n¡p th−-Xv. asäm-¶n-s\-¸-änbpw Rm\nt¸mÄ Nn´n-¡p-t¶-bn-Ã. Hcp hn[-¯n-e-sæn asämcp hn[-¯n FÃma§v Ah-km-\n-¡pw. AXns\¸-än-sbm¶pw Rm³ Nn´n-¡m-dn-Ã, kwkm-cn¡m\pw CjvS-an-Ã. Fs¶ Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯-cp-Xv. F\n-s¡-Xn-cmbn hn[n-¡-cp-Xv. \ntâ-Xp-t]mse Hcp ip²-lr-Z-b-¯n\v Fsâ ]oU-IÄ ]qÀW-ambn a\-knem-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã.” A¶ tUmfn-bpsS ASp-¡Â sN¶ncp¶v A]-cm-[n-bpsS

`mh-¯n Ah-fpsS apJ-t¯¡v Hfn-ªp-t\m¡n ssII-fn apdp-sI ]nSn¨p. “\osb´m Nn´n-¡p-¶Xv? Fs¶-¡p-dn-s¨´m Nn´n-¡p-¶Xv? Fs¶ shdp¡-cp-Xv. Rm\msI Ak-´p-jvS-bm-Wv. Ak-´p-jvS-bmbn Bsc-¦n-ep-ap-s−¦n AXp Rm\m-Wv.” apJw Xncn¨v A¶ s]m«n-¡-c-ªp-. A¶ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ {]mÀ°\IÄ sNmÃn InS-¶p. A¶-tbmSp kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ apgp-h³ AhÄ¡p th−n XpSn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p tUmfn-bpsS lrZ-bw. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Ah-fpsS a\kn A¶-bnÃ; kz´w hoSpw Ip«n-Ifpw am{Xw. FÃmw ]pXn-sbmcp tXPtkmsS, BIÀj-I-Xz-t¯msS Ah-fpsS ap³]n \nc¶p. kz´w temI¯n\v Cc«n am[p-cyhpw aqeyhpw ssIh-¶-Xp-t]m-se, AhnSw hn«v C\nsbmcp Znhkw IqSn \n¡nsöv Ah-fp-d-¸n-¨p. \msf-¯s¶ XncnsIt¸mIWw. A¶ Xncn-sIs¨¶v Hcp ssh³ ¥msk-Sp¯v AXn tamÀ^o³ IeÀ¶ Ft´m {Zmh-I-sam-gn¨v apgp-h³ IpSn-¨p. AÂ]-k-abw Hcn-S-¯n-cp¶ tijw InS-¸-d-bn-te¡p t]mIp-t¼mÄ AhÄ im´Xbpw {]k-¶-X-bp-apÅ apJw ssIh-cn-¨n-cp-¶p. AhÄ IS-¶p-sN¶t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn BImw-£-tbmsS t\m¡n. tUmfnbp-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-¯nsâ {]Xn-^-e-\-§-sf-s´-¦n-ep-ap-t−m-sb-¶-dnbm³. ]t£ ]Iz-Xbpw Kmw`o-cyhpw \nd-¨p-h¨ B apJ-¯p-\n¶v H¶pw hmbn-s¨-Sp-¡m³ AbmÄ¡p Ign-ªn-Ã, Hmtcm Xh-W ImWp-t¼mgpw ]pXpa-tbmsS {`ms´-Sp-¸n¨ Ah-fpsS kuµ-cy-sam-gn-sI. Ah-sc´m kwkm-cn-¨ncp-¶-sX¶v Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¡m³ Abm-fn-jvS-s¸-«n-Ã, ]t£ Ah-sf-s´¦nepw ]d-bp-sa¶p tamln-¨p. AhÄ ]d-ªXv C{X-am-{X-am-bn-cp¶p: “\n§Ä¡v tUmfnsb CjvS-am-sW¶Xv F\n¡p kt´mjw \ÂIp¶p.” “F{Xtbm Ime-am-bn«v F\n-¡-hsc Adnbmw. \à Hcp a\-kn\v DS-a-bm-WhÀ. AhÀ h¶-Xn F\n¡p hfsc kt´m-j-ap-−v.” A¶-bpsS ssII-sfSp-¯p-]n-Sn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fn t\m¡n. AXnsâ AÀ°w sXän-[-cn¨v AhÄ aµ-l-kn-¨p. ]ntä¶p cmhnse BXn-tY-bcpsS ià-amb FXnÀ¸p-Isf Ah-K-Wn¨v Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ]pd-s¸-Sm-s\m-cp-§n. A¶bv¡p k¦-S-am-bn. tUmfn s]mbv¡-gn-ªm ]ns¶ C¶-es¯ X§-fpsS kw`m-j-W-th-f-bn-epbÀ¶Xp-t]m-epÅ hnIm-c-§Ä Xsâ lrZ-b-¯n -D-WÀ¯n-hn-Sm³ Bcp-ap-−mhnà F¶v Ah-tfmÀ¯p. A¯cw hnIm-c-§Ä {hWs¸Sp¯p-¶-h-bmWv, ]t£ Xsâ Bßm-hnsâ Gähpw \à Awi§fmW-h. Ct¸m-gs¯ amXn-cn-

215

216

bpÅ Pohn-X-¯n AIm-eN-caw {]m]n-¡m³ t]mIp¶ B Awi-§sf Dt¯-Pn-¸n-¡m³ -C-¯cw km¶n-[y-§Ä¡p am{Xta Ign-bq.

t]mIm-sa-t¶-än-cp-¶-Xnsâ Xte¶v A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpw Cu bm{Xsb-s¨mÃn hg-¡nsâ ht¡m-f-sa-¯n-bn-cp-¶p. AXp-sIm−v Hcp bp²-¯ns\m-cp-§n-¯s¶ XWp-¯p-dª apJ¯p ap³]n-Ãm-¯-hn[w ZmÀVyw \nd¨mWv hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-tfmSv bm{X ]d-bm-s\-¯n-b-Xv. ]t£ A¶-bpsS {]Xn-I-cWw XnI¨pw im´-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ft¸mÄ Xncn-s¨¯pw F¶p am{Xw tNmZn-¨p. Cu im´-X-bpsS Imc-W-a-dn-bmsX AbmÄ Ahsf kq£n-¨p-t\m¡n. B t\m«-¯n\v Hcp ]p©n-cn-sIm−v AhÄ adp-]Sn ]d-ªp. kzbw DÄh-en-bp¶ Ah-fpsS Cu {]IrXw AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ¡p ap³]n shfn-s¸-Sp-¯m¯ kzbw Xocp-am-\n-¨p-d-¸n¨ ]²-Xn-I-fp-Å-t¸mgmWv Ah-fn-§-s\-bm-Ip-¶-Xv. AXv AbmÄ `b-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw hg¡v Hgn-¡m³th−n AXp ImWm-¯-Xmbn `mhn-¡p-I-bmWv ]Xn-hv. ]ns¶ ]mXn a\-tkmsS Ah-fpsS bpàn-`-{Z-X-bnepw {]mtbm-Kn-I-_p²n-bnepw hnizm-k-aÀ¸n¡pIbpw sNbvXp. “\o hÃmsX t_md-Sn-¡p-I-bn-ÃtÃm AtÃ?’’ “CÃ, tKm¯n-tb-bn \n¶v Rm\n-¶se Iptd ]pkvX-I-§Ä hcp-¯n-bn-«p−v.“ Ah-fn \n¶v IqSp-X kXy-k-Ô-amb Hcp hni-Zo-I-c-W-¯n\p {ian¡msX AbmÄ ]pd-s¸-«p. kvt\l-_Ôw XpS-§n-b-Xn\p tijw BZyambmWv ]qÀW-ambn Ah-fpsS a\-k-dn-bmsX AbmÄ t]mIp-¶-Xv. AXbmsf Akz-Ø-\m-¡n-sb-¦nepw Hcp Xc-¯n AXp \¶m-sb¶pw tXm¶n. ]Xp-s¡-¸-Xps¡ AXp ioe-am-bn-t¡m-fpw. “AhÄ¡p th−n F´pw XyPn¡mw, ]pcp-j-k-l-P-amb kzmX-{´y-sam-gn-sI.’’ AbmÄ a\-kn ]d-ªp.

th\¡m-ehpw

ioX-Im-e-¯nsâ Hcp `mKhpw A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw Ahn-Ss¯s¶ Ign-ªp, hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯n-\pÅ Hcp \o¡hpw A¡m-ew-hsc \S-¯n-bp-an-Ã. {]Xy-£-¯n A{X k´p-jvS-amb Pohn-X-ap-−m-Im³ Xc-an-Ã. FÃm-¯nsâbpw \nd-[m-cm-fn-¯w, kz´w Ip«n, c−p t]À¡pw apgp-Im³ th−pthmfw Imcy-§-fpw. hncp¶pIm-cn-Ãm-¯-t¸m-sgÃmw A¶ kz´w kuµ-cy¯n {i²n-¨p. [mcmfw hmbn-¨p, t\mh-ep-Ifpw A¸-t¸mÄ {]m[m-\y-apÅ aäp Imcy-§-fpw. hntZ-i{]-kn-²o-I-c-W-§-fn ]pI-gv¯s¸-Sp¶ ]pkvX-I-§sfÃmw AhÄ hcp¯n hmbn-¨p. CXn-s\m-s¡-¸p-dta hvtdm¬kvIn¡p XmÂ]-cy-apÅ FÃm hnj-b-§-sf-¸-änbpw ]pkvX-I-§-fn-eqsS Adnhp t\Sm\pw AhÄ {i²n-¨p þ Irjn, hmkvXp-im-kv{Xw, IpXn-c]cn-]m-e-\w, Imbn-I-hn-t\m-Z-§Ä. hvtdm¬kvIn kw-i-b-\n-hm-c-W-¯n-\mbn ]e-t¸mgpw A¶-bpsS klmbw tXSn. AhfpsS Adn-hnsâ AKm-[Xbpw HmÀa-iànbpw AXns\¡msfm-s¡-tbsd X\n¡v AhÄ \ÂIp¶ {]m[m-\yhpw kaÀ¸-Whpw Abmsf AÛp-Xs¸-Sp-¯n. AtXkabw kvt\l-¯nsâ Cu Ipcp-¡p-I-fn Xsâ kzmX{´yw \jvS-amIp-¶-Xn AbmÄ Akz-Ø-\p-am-bn-cp-¶p. hoSp-hn«v Fhn-sS-sb¦nepw t]mtI-−n-h-cp-t¼m-sgÃmw hmKzm-Z-§Ä¡p hgn-h-bv¡p¶ Cu kvt\l-¡pcp¡v HgnsI FÃmw-sIm−pw kwXr-]vXhpw k´p-jvS-hp-am-bn-cp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn¡v FtÌ-änse Pohn-Xw. djy³ BVy-k-aq-l-¯nse kap-¶-Xamb Cu PohnXw AbmÄ¡p hfsc CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. sXmgn-em-fn-IÄ¡p th−n-bpÅ Bip-]-{Xn, ImÀjn-tIm-]-I-c-W-§Ä, kznävkÀem³Un \n¶p sIm−p-h¶ ]ip-¡Ä XpS-§n-b-hbv¡p th−n-sbms¡ apS-¡nb ]Ww FtÌ-änsâ apX¡q-«m-bn-¯-s¶-bmWv AbmÄ I−-Xv. XSn, tKmX-¼v, I¼nfn apX-em-bh hn¡p-¶-Xnepw FtÌäv \S-¯n-¸nse aäp Imcy-§fnepw AXp-ey]mS-hamWv AbmÄ¡p-−m-bn-cp-¶-Xv. Imjn³kvIn {]hn-iy-bnse Xnc-sª-Sp-¸mWv HIvtSm-_-dnÂ. hvtdm¬kvIn, kznbm-jvkvIn, tImkv\n-tj-hv, Ht»m³kvIn F¶n-h-cpsS FtÌ-äp-IÄ DÄs¡m-Åp¶ {]hn-iy-bm-Wv. sehnsâ `q-an-bpsS Hcp `mKhpw Ahn-sSbp−v. aÂk-cn-¡p-¶-h-cpsS {]m[m-\yhpw aäv Hcp-]mSp Imc-W-§fpw sIm−v A-Xoh-{]m-[m\yw t\Snb Xnc-sª-Sp-¸m-bn-cp¶p A-Xv. tamkvtImbn \n¶pw ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn \n¶pw hntZ-i¯p\n¶p-sams¡ CXp-hsc h¶n-«nÃm-¯-hÀ t]mepw F¯p-¶p. Ahsc ImWm³ kznbmjv-kvIns¡m¸w

Inän-bpsS

{]k-h-ip-{iq-j-bv¡mbn sehn\pw IqSn sk]väw-_-dn tamkvtIm-bn F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp amkw AhnsS H¶pw sN¿m\nÃmsX Ign-¨p-Iq-«n. At¸m-gmWv skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v Imjn³kvIn-bn-te¡p t]mIm³ hnfn-¨-Xv. AbmÄ¡v AhnsS hkvXp-hp-−v. kz´w `qan-bpsSbpw ktlm-Z-cn-bpsS kz¯n-sâbpw Imcy-§-fp-ambn _Ô-s¸«v sehn\pw AhnsS t]mtI− AXym-h-iy-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. F¶n«pw Abm-sfm¶p aSn-¨p. tamkvtIm-bn AbmÄ hÃmsX t_md-Sn-¡p¶p-s−¶p Xncn-¨-dnª Inän-bmWv t]mIm³ \nÀ_Ôn¨-Xv. Xnc-sª-Sp¸p Xnc-¡p-IÄ¡n-S-bn Imcy-§Ä km[n-¨p-In-«p-¶Xv _²-¸m-Sm-bn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw hnhm-l-¯n\p tijw Gsd amdn-¡-gn-ªn-cp¶ sehn\v AsXÃmw DÄs¡m-Åm-\m-bn.

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A©mw Znhkw PnÃm amÀjÂamsc Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p¶ Zn\am-bn-cp-¶p. skse-kvs\hvkvIn PnÃ-bpsS amÀj-embn FXn-cn-ÃmsX Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-s¸« kznbmjvkvIn Hcp Kw`oc hncp¶pw \ÂIn.

Xs¶ t\cn«p hc-W-sa¶p Icp-Xn-b-Xm-Wv, ]ns¶ \n§Ä¡-Xn-jvS-a-ÃtÃm Ft¶mÀ¯v ths−¶p h¨-Xm-Wv. Fs´-¦nepw adp-]Sn Ab-bv¡p-I, F´mWp sNt¿−sX¶v Xocp-am-\n-¡m-a-tÃm.” Ip«n¡p h¿m-Xn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ AhÄ Xs¶ hcm³ hnNm-cn-s¨-¶v. kz´w Ip«n¡p h¿m-Xn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Cu amXn-cn-sbmcp I¯v. Xnc-sª-Sp-¸nsâ BtLm-j-§Ä Hcp-h-i-¯v, aS§nsb¯p¶ ¾m\-am-b, ZpÀh-l-amb kvt\lw asäm-cn-S-¯v. hÃm-s¯mcp hntcm-[m-`m-k-am-Wn-sX¶p hvtdm¬kvIn hnNm-cn-¨p. F¦nepw t]mtb ]äq. A¶p cm{Xn BZys¯ s{Sbn-\n\p Xs¶ AbmÄ ]pd-s¸-«p.

Bdmw

Zn\w {]hn-iy-bpsS amÀj-ens\ Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p-¶- Znh-kw. bmYmØn-Xn-Icpw ]ptcm-K-a-\-hm-Zn-Ifpw X½n NqSp-]n-Sn¨ hmKzm-Z-§fpw XÀ¡§fpw \S-¡p-¶p. Ccp-`m-K-¯p-ap-Å-hÀ X§-fpsS hmZ-K-Xn-IÄ sIm−v ]cam-h[n Bfp-Isf kzm[o-\n-¡m³ {ian-¡p-¶p. BsI _l-f-a-bw. kznbmjvkvIn sehns\ Xsâ kplr-¯p-¡-fp-sSbn-S-bn-te¡p Iq«n-s¡m-−pt]m-bn. ]e XhW Hgn-ªp-am-dnb hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS kmao-]y-¯n \n¶p c£-s]-Sm³ C¯-hW sehn\p Ign-ªn-Ã. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨nsâbpw skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨nsâbpw H¸w \n¡pIbm-bn-cp¶ AbmÄ sehn-sâ-b-Sp-s¯-¯n. “I−-Xn kt´m-jw. sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]-`zn-bpsS ASp-¡Â h¨v \½Ä X½n I−n-«p-−v.’’ “Hm, HmÀa-bp-−v.’’ F¶p ]d-ªn«v sehn³ Xncnªv ktlm-Z-c-t\mSp kwkm-cn-¡m³ XpS-§n. s\shy-tZmhvkvIn ]pXnb amÀj-embn Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-s¸-«p. amÀjepw hnPbn¨ I£n-bnse asäm-cp-]m-Sp-t]cpw A¶v hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm-¸w hncp-¶n\n-cp-¶p. hncp¶p Ign-ª-t¸mÄ s̸m³ tUmfn¡v sSen{Kmw Ab¨p: “s\shy-tZmhvkvIn C-cp-]Xp thm«n\p Pbn-¨p. Bfp-I-tfmSv ]d-bp-I. Ahcpw \½psS kt´mjw ]¦p-h-bv¡-s«.’’ Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ktµiw In«n-b-t¸mÄ s\Sp-hoÀ¸n-«p, Xpe-¨p-Ifª dq_n-fp-Isf {]Xn. hncp-¶p-ta-i-bn \n¶v FWo¡pw ap³]v hvtdm¬kvIn¡v ktµ-i-hpambn Hcm-sf-¯n. A¶-bpsS I¯m-Wv. hmbn¡pw ap³]p Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v AXnsâ DÅ-S¡w apgp-h³ ]nSn-In-«n. Xnc-sª-Sp¸v A©p Znh-kw-sIm−p Xocpsa¶p IcpXn shÅn-bmgvN F¯m-sa¶p ]d-ªn-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. Ct¸mÄ i\nbm-gvN-bm-bn. F¯m-¯Xn-\pÅ imk-\-I-fm-Wv. Xte¶v Xm\-b¨ I¯v AhÄ¡v In«n-bn-«p-−m-In-Ã. Xpd¶p hmbn-¨-t¸mÄ {]Xo-£n¨ Imcy-§Ä Xs¶. ]t£, {]Xo-£n-¡m¯ `mj-bnÂ, H«pw kln-¡m-\m-hm¯ `mj-bnÂ: “B\n¡p Xosc kpJ-an-Ã. Häbv¡v Fsâ Xe s]cp-¡p-¶p. hmÀhc {]`zn-sb-s¡m−v Hcp]Im-c-hp-an-Ã, iey-ta-bp-Åq. \n§Ä an\n-bm¶p hcp-sa¶p Icp-Xn, C¶-sebpw Im¯p. Fhn-sSbm-Wv, Fs´-Sp-¡p-I-bmWv F¶-dn-bm-\mWv Ct¸mgo I¯v. Rm³

Hmtcm

XhW ]pd¯p t]mIp-t¼mgpw D−m-Ip¶ hg-¡p-IÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb Xt¶mSp IqSp-X ASp-¸n-¡p-I-b-Ã, AI-äp-I-bmWv sN¿p¶Xv F¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n-¯p-S-§n-bn-cp-¶p. Xnc-sª-Sp-¸n\p ]pds¸Spt¼mÄ im´-X-tbmsS bm{X-b-b-bv¡-W-sa¶v Xocp-am-\n-¡p-Ibpw sNbvX-Xm-Wv. ]t£ bm{X ]d-bm-s\-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnse Xo£vWX Ah-sf apdn-s¸-Sp-¯n. ka-\ne sXän-¨p, kam-[m\w sISp-¯n. B t\m«w Ahsf IqSp-X A]-am-\n-X-bm-¡n. “Ft¸mgpw Fhn-sSbpw t]mIm-\pÅ kzmX-{´y-{]-Jym-]-\-am-bn-cp¶p B t\m«w. Fhn-sSbpw t]mImsa-¶-Ã, Fs¶ Dt]-£n¨p t]mImw. AbmÄ¡v FÃm Ah-Im-i-§-fp-ap-−v, F\n¡v H¶p-an-Ã. B t\m«-¯n Hcp-]mSv AÀ°-§-fp-−v. Ah-K-W-\-bpsS XpS-¡-am-W-Xv.’’ X§Ä¡n-S-bn IS-¶p-h-cp¶ ac-hn¸v Adn-sª-¦nepw FÃmw ]g-b-Xpt]mse Bbn-cn-¡m³ B{K-ln-¡mt\ AhÄ¡p Ign-ªp-Åq. kvt\lhpw kuµ-cyhpw sIm−p am{Xta At±-ls¯ IqsS \nÀ¯m³ Ign-bq. ]I apgp-h³ Xnc-¡v, cm{Xn tamÀ^o³; A§s\ am{Xta `b-s¸-Sp-¯p¶ Nn´Isf AI-än-\nÀ¯m³ Ign-bq. hnhm-l-tam-N-\hpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-am-bpÅ hnhm-lhpw Axym-h-iy-am-Wv. At±-ltam kvänhmtbm A¡mcyw ]d-ªm At¸mįs¶ k½-Xn-¡-Ww. Cu Nn´-I-fn AhÄ A©p Znh-k-§Ä XÅn-\o-¡n. \S-¯-§Ä, hmb-\, hmÀh-c-bp-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-§Ä, Bip-]-{Xn-k-µÀi-\-§Ä Hs¡bmbn F´n-se-¦nepw Ft¸mgpw apgp-In-bn-cn-¡m³ {ian-¨p. Bdmw Znh-khpw h−n¡m-c³ At±-l-s¯-¡q-SmsX Xncn-¨p-h-¶-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡v AS-§n-bn-cn¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. AXp-aà aIÄ kpJ-an-Ãm-Xm-IpI IqSn sNbvXp. ]t£ aI-fpsS AkpJw Ah-fpsS Nn´-Isf ian-¸n-¡m³ am{Xw Kpcp-X-c-a-Ãm-bn-cp¶p. F{X {ian-¨n«pw AhÄ¡v Cu Ipªns\ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã. sshIp-t¶-c-am-b-t¸m-tg¡v Xosc \nb-{´Ww hn«n-«mWv At\z-jn-¨p-t]m-

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bmtem F¶v Atem-Nn-¨-Xv. ]ns¶ I¯-bbv¡m³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Fgp-Xn¯oÀ¯v, H¶p-IqSn hmbn-¨p-t\m-¡m³ sa\-s¡-SmsX sImSp-¯-b-bv¡pIbpw sNbvXp. ]ntä¶v cmhnse At±-l-¯nsâ I¯p In«n. Xsâ I¯v A§s\ th−n-bn-cp-¶n-söp tXm¶p-Ibpw sNbvXp. t]mIp-t¼m-gp-−m-bn-cp¶ B Xo£vWt\m«w BhÀ¯n-¡p-sa¶v AhÄ `bs¸-«p. Ip«n-bpsS AkpJw A{X ITn-\-am-bn-cp-¶n-söv Adn-bp-t¼mÄ hntijn-¨pw. A-bmÄ¡p Xms\mcp `mc-am-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v A¶ kzbw k½-Xn¨p. F¦nepw At±lw aS§nsb¯p-¶p-htÃm Ft¶mÀ¯v kt´m-jn-¨p. ‘Fs¶ aSp-t¯m-s«, F¶mepw At±lw Fsâ-b-Sp-¯p-−m-Ip-a-tÃm.’ hvtdm¬kvIn hs¶-¯n-b-Xdnªt¸mÄ AhfpsS {hWnXm`nam\Nn´IsfÃmw s]mbvt¸mbncp¶p. At±lw F§s\bmIpw A{]oXn {]ISn¸n¡pI F¶ `oXn am{Xw _m¡nbmbn. c−p Znhkambn þ Xm³ I¯b¨pIgnª B \nanjw apXÂþ Ipªn\p bmsXmcp AkpJhpw CsöXpw AhtfmÀ½n¨p; AXn AhtfmSv AÂ]w tZjyw tXm¶pIbpw sNbvXp. ]ns¶ AhÄ At±ls¯¡pdnt¨mÀ¯p, At±lw h¶ncn¡p¶psh¶v, At±l¯nsâ ssIIfpw ImepIfpw apJhpw, At±l¯nsâ i_vZw, AhÄ B\µmXntcIt¯msS Bthit¯msS At±ls¯ FXntc¡phm³ HmSns¨¶p. “B\ns¡§ns\bp−v?” “kpJap−v” “\n\t¡m?” hvtdm¬kvIn Hcp Itkcbnencn¡pIbmWv. klmbn tIm«v Ducns¡mSp¡p¶p. A¶ AbmfpsS ssIIÄ Xsâ c−p ssIIfnepw hmcnsbSp¯v Acs¡t«mSp tNÀ¯p. AhfpsS I®pIÄ AbmfpsS apJ¯p Xs¶ Xdªp\n¶p. “F\n¡p kt´mjambn. \n\¡p kpJamtWm?” AhÄ `bs¸« B Xdªpt\m«ap−mbncp¶p AbmfpsS I®pIfnÂ. “kmcanÃ, At±lw ChnsSbp−tÃm. ChnsSbmbncn¡pt¼mÄ Fs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶Xn \n¶v hncan¡m³ At±l¯n\mhnÃ.” AhtfmÀ¯p. kmbmÓw apgph³ kt´mj]qÀhIambncp¶p. hmÀhc hvtdm¬kvIntbmSv A¶ tamÀ^o³ Ign¡p¶Xns\¸än ]cmXn ]dªp. “Rms\´p sN¿m\m? F\n¡pd§m³ Ignbp¶nÃ… Nn´IÄ Fs¶ Ae«p¶p. At±lanhnsSbpÅt¸mÄ Rm\Xp Ign¡mtdbnÃtÃm.” AbmfhtfmSv XncsªSp¸p hntij§Ä apgph³ ]dªp. hnZKv[amb tNmZy§fneqsS AhÄ AbmÄ¡v {]nb¦camb coXnbn kw`mjWs¯ \bn¨p þ kz´w hnPbs¯¡pdn¨v Gsd kwkmcn¡m³ Ahkcw

\ÂIns¡m−v. ho«phntij§fn AbmÄ¡njvSs¸Sm\nSbpÅsXÃmw Ahfpw ]dªp. B\µIcambncp¶p B kmbmÓw. kÔy Ignªt¸mÄ Ahcncphcpw X\n¨mbn. At±lw XnI¨pw Xsâ hcpXnbnembn¡gnªncn¡p¶psh¶v Dd¸mbt¸mÄ h¶pIbdnbt¸mgs¯ thZ\n¸n¡p¶ B t\m«w ambv¨pIfbm³ Ahsfmcp {iaw \S¯n: “Fsâ I¯v \n§sf hÃmsX hnjan¸n¨p AtÃ?” tNmZn¨pXoÀ¶t¸mtg¡v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n, F{Xam{Xw kvt\l]qÀWamWv s]cpamäsa¦nepw AXp ]qÀWambn £an¡m³ At±l¯n\p Ignªn«nsöv. “Dw. icn¡pw. A{Xbv¡p hntcm[m`mkambncp¶p B I¯nÂ. B\n¡p kpJansöp ]dbp¶p, F¶n«v \o Xs¶ hcm³ BtemNn¨psh¶pw’’ “kXyambncp¶p AXv.” “Rm³ Ahnizkn¨ns«m¶panÃ.” “D−v, \n§Ä¡p kwibap−v. \n§fmsI AkzØ\mWv.” “H«panÃ. Hgnhm¡m\mhm¯ NpaXeIsf DÄs¡mÅm³ \n\¡p Ignbm¯Xp am{XamsWsâ AkzØX.” “It¨cnIÄ¡pw taf§Ä¡pw t]mIp¶ NpaXeIÄ…” “th−, AXp \ap¡p kwkmcn¡−.” “F´n\m kwkmcn¡mXncn¡p¶Xv?” “Hgnhm¡m\mhm¯ Bhiy§Ä ht¶¡mw F¶p am{Xta Rm³ Dt±in¨pÅq. Zm, Ct¸m¯s¶, F\n¡v hoSnsâ Imcy§Ä icnbm¡m³ tamkvtImbv¡p t]mtI−nhcpw… A¶m, \osb´m C§s\ shdp¸n¡p¶ Xc¯nÂ? \ns¶¡qSmsX F\n¡p Pohn¡m\mhnsöv \n\¡dnbntÃ?” “A§s\bmsW¦n” A¶bpsS kzcw amdn. “Cu PohnXw \n§Ä¡p aSp¯psh¶mWv. Hcp Znhkt¯¡v HmSnhcpw… F¶n«v s]s«¶p t]mIpw, BWp§Ä…” “A¶m, CXp Ipsd {IqcamWv. Fsâ PohnXw apgph³ ths−¶phbv¡m³ XbmdmWv Rm³.” AhÄ AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ. “\n§Ä tamkvtImbv¡p t]mIpIbmsW¦n Rm\pw hcpw. Rm³ X\n¨v ChnsS \n¡nÃ. H¶pIn ]ncnbWw, Asæn \msa¶pw Hcpan¨p Pohn¡Ww.” “F´m kwibw, AXmsWsâ Htcsbmcp B{Klw. ]t£ AXn\v…”

221 “hnhmltamN\w t\SWw. Rms\gpXmw AbmÄ¡v. CXn§s\ XpScm³ F\n¡mhnÃ… ]t£ \n§tfmsSm¸w tamkvtImbnte¡p Rm\pw hcpw.” “`ojWns¸Sp¯pwt]msebmWtÃm \nsâ kwkmcw. Hcn¡epw \ns¶ ]ncnbmXncn¡pI F¶Xnepw henb Hcm{Klhpw F\n¡nÃ.” hvtdm¬kvIn ]p©ncn¨p. ]t£ Hcp achn¸p am{XaÃ, ]oU\§tfäp {Iqc\mbn¯oÀ¶ Hcphsâ {]XnImchpw D−mbncp¶p AXp ]dbpt¼mÄ AbmfpsS I®pIfnÂ. AhÄ B t\m«w {i²n¨p; icnbmbn¯s¶ AXnsâ AÀ°w hmbns¨Sp¡pIbpw sNbvXp. “A§s\bmsW¦n AsXmcp h³Zpc´ambncn¡pw” B t\m«w AhtfmSp ]dªp. Hcp am{XsIm−p adª B `mhw, AhÄ¡v Hcmbpkp sIm−v ad¡m³ Ignbm¯Xmbncp¶p. A¶ hnhmltamN\w A`yÀ°n¨v `À¯mhns\gpXn. \hw_À HSphn hmÀhc ]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡pw A¶ hvtdm¬kvIns¡m¸w tamkvtImbnte¡pw t]mbn. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ adp]Sn¡¯pw sXm«p]n¶mse hnhmltamN\hpw {]Xo£n¨v AhÀ `mcym`À¯m¡·mcmbn AhnsS \mfpIÄ Ign¨p.

222

`mKw Ggv sehn\pw

Inänbpw tamkvtImbn F¯nbn«p amkw aq¶mbn. IW¡pIÄ {]Imcw Inänsb {]kh¯n\p {]thin¸nt¡− Imeambn. tUmIvSdpw \gvkpw tUmfnbpw A½bpw FÃmhsc¡mÄ¡qSpXembn sehn\pw AkzØcpw A£acpambn. Inän am{Xw im´bpw k´pjvSbpambncp¶p. P\n¡m³ t]mIp¶ Ipªnsâ amXrXzw Ft¶ kz´am¡n¡gnª AhÄ B kpJm\p`qXn BkzZn¡pIbmbncp¶p. AhÄ kvt\ln¡p¶, Ahsf kvt\ln¡p¶ FÃmhcpw H¸w Xs¶bp−v, FÃmhcpw Ahsf {i²n¡p¶p, ]cnNcn¡p¶p. AXv Gsd¡met¯¡v D−mInsö Xncn¨dnhv CÃmbncps¶¦n CXns\¡mtfsd kpJIcamsbmcp PohnXw Nn´n¡m³ Xs¶ Ignbpambncp¶nÃ, A{X \ÃImeambncp¶p Inän¡v. AhÄ B{Kln¨Xpt]mse, \m«n³]pd¯v At±lw Bbncp¶Xpt]mse A\mbmkambncp¶nà sehnsâ ChnSps¯ PohnXw F¶Xp am{XamWv B B\µ¯n\v AÂ]sa¦nepw a§te¸n¨Xv. \m«n³]pdw sehn\v Hmtcm ap¡pw aqebpw Hmtcm Ne\§fpw ASp¯dnbmhp¶ kz´w X«IamWv, AhnsS Ft¸mgpw Fs´¦nepw sN¿m\p−mbncp¶p. \Kc¯nse¯nbt¸mÄ H¶pw sN¿m\nÃ; F¶m Hcp]mSp Imcy§Ä sN¿m\pÅXpt]mse sh{]mfs¸«p \S¶p. Fs´Ãmtam \jvSambXpt]mse Hcp A¦em¸nembncp¶p AbmÄ. AhÄ¡v `À¯mhnt\mSv klXm]w tXm¶n. F¶m aäpÅhÀ¡v klXm]aÀln¡p¶ Hcmfmbn Abmsf tXm¶pItbbnÃ. Xm³ kvt\ln¡p¶ Hc]cnNnXs\ aäpÅhÀ F§s\ ImWp¶p F¶dnbm³ amdn\n¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Akqb IeÀ¶ `bw tXm¶pwhn[w BIÀjI\mbncp¶p AbmÄþ]cnjvIrXamb coXnIÄ, kv{XoItfmSpÅ s]cpamä¯nse am\yX, Icp¯pä icocw, ZrVamb apJw A§s\ FÃmw. F¶m AhÄ ]pdta \n¶Ã, AbmfpsS DÅnÂ\n¶mWv t\m¡n¡−Xv. kzXzw \jvSs¸«hs\t¸msebmbncp¶p AbmfnhnsS. PohnXcoXnIÄ amdnbXpsImt−m AtXm ]pXnb kmlNcy¯n Ccphcpw IqSpX IcpX FSp¯XpsImt−m F´mbmepw \m«n³]pd¯ph¨v D−mImdpÅXpt]mse ChnsS h¨v AhÀ X½n hg¡pItfm kuµcy¸nW¡§tfm D−mbtXbnÃ. ]m¸mbvs¡m¸w ]pds¯mcnS¯p t]mbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb I−pap«nbXpw Hcp \nanjt¯¡v AkvX{]Úbmbnt¸mbXpw ]ns¶ Ahsf¯s¶

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AÛpXs¸Sp¯pwhn[w kaNn¯XtbmsS s]cpamdnbXpw Inän sehnt\mSp ]dªp. At¸mÄ sehn\v AkzØXtbm Ipipt¼m Aà tXm¶nbXv, XncsªSp¸n\nsS hvtdm¬kvInsb I−pap«nbt¸mÄ s]cpamä¯nep−mb A\uNnXy¯n\v ASp¯ XhW ImWpt¼mÄ ]cnlmcw sN¿Wsas¶mcp {]tNmZ\ambncp¶p.

XeØm\\Kc§fnembncp¶p PohnX¯nsâ Gdnb Imehpw. Ignª hÀjw AbmÄ \bX{´Imcymeb¯nse tPmen hn«v tamkvtImbnse sIm«mc¯nte¡p Øew amdn h¶XmWv. {]tXyIn¨v Fs´¦nepw CjvSt¡SpsIm−mbncp¶nà AbmÄ tPmen amdnbXv; A§s\ H¶nt\mSpw BtcmSpw AbmÄ¡v Hcn¡epw Hc\njvShpw tXm¶nbnt«bnÃ. Xsâ c−v B¬Ip«nIÄ¡pw Gähpw anI¨ hnZym`ymkw \ÂIpI F¶ e£yw am{Xambncp¶p Cu amä¯n\p ]n¶nÂ. kz`mh¯nepw ImgvN¸mSpIfnepw {]mb¯nepapÅ henb A´c§Ä¡p]cnbmb Dujvaf _Ôambncp¶p sehn\pw epthmhpw X½nÂ. sehn³ IS¶psNÃpt¼mÄ epthmhv Hcp ]pkvXIw hmbn¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p. “Kw`ocambn. Rm³ \ns¶ hnfn¡m³ Bsf hnSm\ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p. Inäns¡´m hntijw?” Ccn¡ms\mcp B«pItkc \o¡nbn«psImSp¯p epthmhv. AhÀ AÂ]w cmjv{Sobhpw ]ns¶ sat{SmhpambpÅ kw`mjWhpw Hs¡ NÀ¨ sNbvXp. ]WvUnXhr¯§fn _Ôw \ne\nÀ¯p¶Xn sehns\ ]pIgv¯nb epthmhv ]ns¶ Ip«nIsf ]Tn¸n¡p¶Xnsâ _²¸mSpIÄ ]dªp. AhnSps¯ Ip«nIfmWv Xsâ ImgvN¸mSn Gähpw anI¨hsc¶pw epthmhmWv Gähpw \¶mbn Ip«nIsf hfÀ¯p¶sX¶pw hnÚm\¯nsâ Afhns\¡mÄ kz`mhcq]oIcWamWv {][m\sa¶psams¡ sehn³ A`n{]mbs¸«p. “kz`mhcq]h¡cWw! AsX{X ZpjvIcamsWt¶m. Hcp Zpkz`mhw F§s\sb¦nepw ]cnlcn¨v \à ioew ]Tn¸n¨psIm−phcpt¼mtg¡v ASp¯ Zpjn¸v Xes]m¡pw, ho−pw bp²w XpS§pIbmbn. aXsa¶ B{ibanÃmsX þ AtX¸än Ignª XhW \½Ä kwkmcn¨ncp¶pþ Hcp ]nXmhn\pw a¡sf kz´w anSp¡psIm−p am{Xw \¶mbn hfÀ¯m³ IgnbnÃ.” AXp sehn\pw XmÂ]cyapÅ hnjbambncp¶p. ]t£ B kw`mjWw AhnsSh¨p apdn¨psIm−v kpµcnbmb \Xmenb AeIvkm³t{Umhv\ IS¶ph¶p. “\o h¶ Imcyw Rm³ AdnªtXbnÃ.” Hcp kw`mjW¯n\nSbv¡p Ibdp¶Xnsâ AkzØXbÃ, tI«p tI«p aSp¯ Hcp hnjbw Ahkm\n¸n¡p¶Xnsâ kt´mjambncp¶p AhcpsS apJ¯v. “B, Inän¡v F§s\bp−v? C¶v A¯mg¯n\v Rm³ AhnsSbmWv. Bgvsk\o, h−n \n§Ä sIm−ps]mbvs¡mÅq.”

\KcPohnX¯nÂ

th−nhcp¶ sNehpIÄ BZysam¶pw sehn\v Xosc Zln¨nÃ. ]cnNmcIÀ¡p bqWnt^mw, _ÔpP\§Ä¡p k¡mc§Ä, CSbv¡p IpXncIsftbm h−ntbm hmSIbv¡p hnfnt¡−nhcp¶Xv Hs¡ \m«n³]pd¯v ]Xn³aS§p {]Xn^ew In«p¶ Imcy§Ä¡p sNehmt¡− ]WamsW¶v AbmfpsS a\kv tX§n. ]Xps¡¸Xps¡ ]Ww sNehm¡p¶Xnse a\{]bmkw \o§n¯pS§n. F§s\sb¦nepw _m¦n ]Wap−mIWsat¶ D−mbncp¶pÅq. AXn\pw ap«p hcpsa¶ ØnXnbmbt¸mgmWv AÃdNnÃd AkzØX tXm¶nbXv. ]t£ tKmX¼nsâbpw anÃnsâbpsams¡ ]Ww ap³IqÀ hm§m³ GÀ¸mSm¡nbtXmsS AXn\pw ]cnlmcambn. tUmfnbpsS Imcyw IqSpX ]cnXm]IcambXv Inän CSbv¡p kqNn¸n¨ncp¶p. \mep]mSpw ISw am{Xw. ]m¸mbpw Ahfpw C¡mcyw BÀsk\nbpambn (AhfpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `À¯mhv epthmhv) kwkmcn¨n«p−v, sehn³ AbmfpsS ASp¯p sNÃpt¼mÄ AhÀ NÀ¨ sNbvXv Fs´¦nepw ]cnlmcw ImWWw F¶p \nÀt±in¡pIbpw sNbvXp.

\KcPohnX¯nsâ

t_mdSnIfn \n¶p tamN\ambn sehn³ ]gb kl]mTnbpw Adnbs¸Sp¶ imkv{XÚ\pamb Iämhtkmhns\ kµÀin¡m³ t]mbn. Iämhtkmhnsâ A¢njvShpw hyàhpamb kwkmcw sehn\v hfsc CjvSambncp¶p; sehnsâ \mS³ a\kn \n¶v A\À¤fw HgpIp¶ ]p¯³ Nn´IÄ Iämhtkmhn\pw CjvSambncp¶p. ImÀjnIs¯mgn kw_Ôn¨v sehns\gpXp¶ ]pkvXIs¯¸än Iämhtkmhnt\mSv NneXp ]dªn«p−mbncp¶p. B hnjb¯n {]KÛ\pw sehn\v CjvSs¸« Hcp {]_Ô¯nsâ IÀ¯mhpamb sat{Smhpambn IqSn¡mgvNbv¡v At±lw Ahkcsamcp¡n. A§s\ Nne _u²nIhymbma§Ä¡p tijw sat{Smhnsâ £Ww hn\b]qÀhw \nckn¨v sehn³ epthmhnsâ ASp¡te¡p t]mbn.

InänbpsS ktlmZcn \XmenbbpsS `À¯mhv epthmhv hnZym`ymkhpw \bX{´Imcymeb¯nse tPmenbpsams¡bmbn hntZis¯

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]ns¶ `mcybpw `À¯mhpw AhcpsS A¶s¯ ]cn]mSnIÄ NÀ¨ sNbvXp. sehn\pw Ahcnsemcmfmbn Bkq{XW¯n ]¦psIm−p. epthmhn\v HutZymKnImhiy¯n\v Hcmsf ImWm\p−v. \Xmenbbv¡v It¨cn¡p t]mIWw, ]ns¶ Hcp I½nän tbmK¯n\pw. sehn\pw H¸w t]mIm³ Xocpam\ambn. TbmKØe¯p\n¶v `À¯mhn\v h−n Ab¨psImSp¡pw. HutZymKnI Xnc¡pIÄ Ignªv At±lw `mcysb InänbpsS ASp¡te¡p sIm−pt]mIpw; AYhm `À¯mhnsâ tPmen¯nc¡v Ahkm\n¨nsæn sehn³ tPyjvT¯nsb Iq«n ho«nte¡p t]mIpw. A§s\ Xocpam\ambn. “Cbmsfs¶ ]pIgv¯n \miam¡pIbmWv.” epthmhv `mcytbmSp ]dªp. “\½psS Ip«nIÄ _lpanSp¡cmsW¶mWv CbmÄ ]dbp¶Xv. Ahcn F{Xtbm IpdhpIfps−¶v F\n¡p Xs¶ Adnbmw.” “BÀsk\o, \n§sfmcp Xo{hhmZnbmsW¶v Rms\t¸mgpw ]dbmdntÃ? ]cn]qÀWXbv¡p th−n {ian¨m Hcn¡epw Xr]vXnbp−mInÃ. ]m¸m Ft¸mgpw ]dbmdpÅXpt]mseþ \½sfms¡ hfÀ¶ph¶ Ime¯v Ip«nIsfms¡ \nehdbnembncp¶p, apXnÀ¶hÀ Gähpw \à apdnIfnepw. Ct¸mgXp t\tc adn¨mWv: apXnÀ¶hÀ Ae¡p]pcbnepw Ip«nIÄ kpJ§Ä¡p \Sphnepw. C¶s¯ c£nXm¡Ä¡p \¶mbn Pohn¡p¶Xns\¸än Nn´n¡mt\ AÀlXbnsö a«nemWv; AhÀ a¡Ä¡p th−n Pohn¨pXoÀ¡pIbmWv.” “AhÀ¡XmWv CjvSsa¦ntem?” kpµcamb B Nncn Nncn¨v AhfpsS ssIIfn kv]Àin¨psIm−v epthmhv tNmZn¨p. “\ns¶ ASp¯dnbm¯hÀ \nsâ ]cphwI−m c−m\½bmsWt¶ hnNmcn¡q.” “Hcp Imcyhpw ]cn[n hnSp¶Xp \ÃXÃ.” im´bmbn \Xmenb ]dªp. kwkmc¯n\nsS sehn³ Inän G¸n¨ncp¶ ZuXyw Xs¶ adp¶pt]mbn. ]pdt¯¡p t]mIm\nd§pt¼mgmWv A¡mcyw HmÀ¯Xv. “\n§tfmSv Ht»m³kvInbpsS Imcyw kwkmcn¡Wsa¶v Inän ]dªncp¶p.” \Xmenbsbbpw sehns\bpw bm{Xbbbv¡m³ ]SnIÄ¡p apIfn \n¡pIbmbncp¶ epthmhnt\mSv sehn³ ]dªp. “Dw… \½Ä Ahs\ B{Ian¡Wsa¶mWv A½ ]dbp¶Xv. ]t£… F´n\m Rm³…?” apJw XpSp¯v epthmhv ]dªp. AhcpsS kwkmcw Xocp¶Xphsc Im¯p\n¶ aZmw epthmh (\Xmenb) Hcp ]p©ncntbmsS ]dªp: “F¦n icn Rm³ B{Ian¡mw Abmsf... hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw.”

It¨cn Ignªv \Xmenbsb tbmKØe¯p hn«v sehn³ Inän ]dªncp¶Xpt]mse t_me {]`znsb kµÀin¡m³ t]mbn. ]ns¶ XncnsI tbmKØes¯¯n tPyjvT¯nsb Iq«n ho«nte¡p aS§n. Inän BtcmKyhXnbpw k´pjvSbpambn Ccn¡p¶p F¶p I− tijw ¢ºnte¡p t]mbn. ¢ºn FÃmhcpw Imh¡mcsâ apdnbn X§fpsS sXm¸nbpsS H¸w Cu temI¯nse kIe D¯chmZn¯§fpw `mc§fpw Cd¡nh¨n«mWv kpJtemep]XIÄ \pIcm³ DÅnte¡p IS¡p¶Xv. kznbmjvkvIn, sjÀ_mävkvIn, s\shytZmhvkvIn, InänbpsS ]m¸m, hvtdm¬kvIn, skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v FÃmhcpap−mbncp¶p AhnsS. “Inän¡v F§ns\bp−v?” hbk³ {]`p tNmZn¨p. “kpJw. AhÀ aq¶p t]cpap−v A¯mg¯n\v.” sehn³ SptdmhvSvknsâ ASp¡se¯n. At¸mtg¡v Ht»m³kvIn h¶p. AbmtfmsSm¸w \m\mhn[w ]m\ob§Ä h¨ncn¡p¶ taibpsS AcnInte¡p \o§n. c−p Uk\ntesd ]m\ob§fnsems¶¦nepw FÃmhÀ¡pw CjvSs¸SmXncn¡m³ Xcansöp tXm¶nsb¦nepw s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v hntijs¸« asät´m Bhiys¸«p. bqWnt^maWnª ]cnNmcI³ Ft´m sIm−ph¶p sImSp¯p. AXp IpSn¨n«v AhÀ SptdmhvSvknsâ ASp¡Â `£Wtaibnte¡p aS§n. Xami¡YIfpw s]m«n¨ncnIfpambn AhÀ `£Ww XpSÀ¶p. ]ns¶ kwkmcw IpXncIÄ, ]´b§Ä, A¶s¯ kw`h§Ä, hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Aävekv H¶mw Øm\w t\SnbXv Hs¡bmbn. “Zm, Ahsc¯nbtÃm!” s̸m³ Itkcbv¡p ]n¶neqsS ssI ]pdtIm«n«v hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ssI sImSp¯psIm−p ]dªp. ¢ºn BsIbp−mbncp¶ kt´mjw hvtdm¬kvInbpsS apJ¯pap−mbncp¶p. AbmÄ s̸msâ tXmfn ssIap«q¶n Ip\nªv Ft´m a{´n¨p. AtX {]k¶XtbmsS sehn\p ssI sImSp¯p. “I−pap«nbXn hfsc kt´mjw. XncsªSp¸p Øe¯v Rm³ Xm¦sf t\m¡nbncp¶p. t\cs¯ t]msb¶dnªp.” “Rm³ A¶p Xs¶ t]m¶p. R§fnt¸mÄ Xm¦fpsS IpXncbpsS Imcyw kwkmcn¡pIbmbncp¶p. A`n\µ\§Ä.” “Hm, \n§Ä¡pw ]´b¡pXncIfp−tÃm AtÃ?” “CÃ, AÑ\v D−mbncp¶p.” ¢ºnse A´co£¯nsâ kzm[o\¯ntem AtXm IpSn¨ aZy¯nsâ anSpt¡m F´mbmepw sehn³ hvtdm¬kvInbpambn [mcmfw kwkmcn¨p.

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Xcn¼pw Akqbtbm hntcm[tam CÃmsX kwkmcn¡m³ Ignbp¶Xn kzbw A`nam\hpw kt´mjhpw tXm¶pIbpw sNbvXp. acnb t_mdntkmhv\bpsS ho«n h¨v hvtdm¬kvInsb I− Imcyw Inän ]dªXpt]mepw sehn³ A\pkvacn¨p. acnb t_mdntkmhv\sb¸än s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v ]dª IY AhnsS Iq«¨ncnbpbÀ¯n.

ImWm³ t]mIp¶Xv icnbmtWm, Inän¡v CjvSs¸Sptam Fs¶ms¡. AXp ]nSnIn«nb s̸m³ Nn´n¡m³ kabw sImSp¡msX AbmfpsS Bi¦Isf NnXdn¨pIfªp. “\n§Ä A¶sb ImWm³ hcp¶Xn Rms\{X k´pjvS\msWt¶m! tUmfnbpw Gsd \mfmbn B{Kln¡p¶XmWXv. epthmhv CSbv¡nsS Ahsf ImWm³ hcmdp−v. Fsâ ktlmZcnbmbXpsIm−p ]dbpIbÃ, A¶ hfsc \ÃhfmWv. ]t£ AhfpsS ØnXn IjvSamWv, Ct¸mÄ hntijn¨v.” “Ct¸mÄ {]tXyIns¨´mWv?” “AhfpsS `À¯mhpambn R§Ä hnhmltamN\¯n\v {ian¡pIbmWv. AbmÄ k½Xn¨n«p−v. ]t£ aIsâ Imcy¯n {]iv\§Ä _m¡nbmWv. ]t− Xotc− ImcyamWv, aq¶p amkambn \o−p\o−p t]mIp¶p. hnhmltamN\w In«nbmepS³ A¶ hvtdm¬kvInsb hnhmlw Ign¡pw. Cu a−³ BNmc§Ä. ]g©³ ]cn]mSnIÄ. a\pjys\ kzØambn Pohn¡m³ hnSnÃ.” “Ct¸msg´mWp {]iv\w?” “AsXmcp \o− IYbmWv. BsI¸msS Ipgªpadnªp InS¡p¶p. aq¶p amkambn AhÄ tamkvtImbnep−v. hnhmltamN\w Im¯pIm¯ncn¡p¶p. FÃmhÀ¡pw Ahsf Adnbmw. tUmfnsb AÃmsX Bscbpw ImWm³ AhÄ Iq«m¡mdnÃ. B aµ_p²n hmÀhc {]`zn t]mepw Ahsf Dt]£n¨pt]mbn. aämsc¦nepambncps¶¦n C{X ]nSn¨p\n¡nÃmbncp¶p.” “AhÄ¡v Hcp Ip«nbntÃ? Ahsf t\m¡p¶ Xnc¡p−mIpatÃm.” sehn³ ]dªp. “\n§Ä FÃm kv{XoIsfbpw shdpw kv{Xo Bbn am{Xw ImWp¶p. Fs´¦nepw sN¿ps¶¦n AXp a¡Ä¡pth−n am{Xw. A¶ aIsf \¶mbn hfÀ¯p¶p−v. ]t£ Ahfnt¸mÄ Fgp¯nsâ Xnc¡nemWv. \n§fpsS ]cnlmk¨ncn F\n¡p a\knemIp¶p−v, AhsfgpXp¶Xv Ip«nIÄ¡pÅ ]pkvXIamWv. AtX¸änsbm¶pw BtcmSpw ]dbmdnÃ. Fs¶ hmbn¨ptIĸn¨p, Rm\Xv thmÀ¡qhn\v ssIamdn. B {]km[I³, \n§fdnbntÃ; AbmÄ Fgp¯pImc\pamWv. C¯cw Imcy§fnsems¡ \à {Kmlyap−v. CXp Kw`oc³ ]pkvXIamsW¶v AbmÄ km£ys¸Sp¯p¶p. F¶ph¨v Ahsfmcp Fgp¯pImcnsbm¶paà tIt«m. lrZbapÅ Hcp s]®v, A{Xam{Xw. I−pIgnbpt¼mÄ a\knemIpw. Ahfnt¸msgmcp Cw¥ojpImcn s]¬Ip«nsb hfÀ¯p¶p−v, Hcp IpSpw_s¯ apgph³ ]cn]men¡p¶p−v.”

_neymÀUvkv apdnbn s̸m³ hvtdm¬kvInbpambn kwkmcn¨psIm−ncns¡ ho−pw sehns\ ]nSnIqSn. “CXm Fsâsbmcp bYmÀ° kplr¯v, Hcp]t£ Fsâ Gähpw \à kplr¯v.” AbmÄ hvtdm¬kvIntbmSp ]dªp. “\n§Ä F\n¡p IqSpX {]nbs¸«h\mbncn¡p¶p. \n§fncphcpw \à kplr¯p¡fmbncnt¡−hcmWv, c−pt]cpw A{X \ÃhcmWv.” “sImÅmw, Npw_n¡pI, \à Iq«mfnIfmIpI, A{Xtb C\n _m¡nbpÅq.” DÃmkt¯msS hvtdm¬kvIn ssIIÄ \o«n. sehn³ Dujvafambn B ssIIÄ kz´w ssIIfn AaÀ¯n. “\n§Ä¡dnbmtam, CbmfnXphsc A¶sb I−n«nÃ.” s̸m³ hvtdm¬kvIntbmSp ]dªp. “H¶maXmbn Cbmsf AhfpsS ASp¡te¡p Iq«ns¡m−pt]mIWw. hcq sehn³.” “AsXtbm, Rm³ Ct¸m¯s¶ ho«nte¡p t]mIp¶p−v. ]t£ AXn\p ap³]v F\n¡p bmjvhns\ {i²n¡Ww.” “F´m At±lw tXm¡pIbmtWm?” “At±lw tXmäpsImt−bncn¡pw. Rm³ ]dªm am{Xta Fs´¦nepw tIÄ¡pIbpÅq.” hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Npäpw kplr¯p¡Ä h¶pw t]mbpancp¶p. CSbv¡nsS AbmÄ bmjvhnsâ ASp¡Â t]mbnh¶p. sehn\v BsI¸msS hensbmcp im´X tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ i{XpX Ahkm\n¨Xn {]tXyIn¨p kt´mjw tXm¶n. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ s̸m³ h¶p hnfn¨p. “\ap¡v A¶bpsS ASp¡tebv¡p t]mImw. \n§sf sIm−psNÃmsa¶v hfsc \mfpIfmbn Rm³ ]dbp¶XmWv. sshIpt¶cw FhnsSsb¦nepw t]mIm\p−mbncpt¶m?” “kznbmjvkvIntbmSv ImÀjnI skmsskänbn sNÃmsa¶p ]dªncp¶p. AXp kmcanÃ, \ap¡p t]mImw.” h−nbn GXm\pw hmc \o§pwhsctb ¢_v A´co£¯nsâ kzm[o\w X§n\n¶pÅq. At¸mtg¡v sehn\v Bi¦bmbn: A¶sb

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“a\pjykvt\l{]hr¯nIÄ.” “\n§Ä FÃm¯ns\bpw C§s\ No¯¡®nte ImWq. a\pjykvt\lkn²m´sam¶paÃ. lrZb¯n \n¶p hcp¶Xp sN¿p¶p. A{Xam{Xw. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp Cw¥ojpImc³ IpXnc]cnioe\I\p−mbncp¶p. H¶m´cw ]cnioeI³, ]t£ apgp¡pSnb³. AhÄ¡v B IpSpw_t¯mSv klXm]w tXm¶n, kvt\lw tXm¶n, klmbn¡m³ XpS§n. F¶ph¨v klXm]wsIm−p Iptd ]Ww sImSp¡pIbÃ, AhÄ Xs¶ B¬Ip«nIsf djy³ sslkvIqfn\p th−n Hcp¡p¶p. s]¬Ip«nsb AhÄ IqsS Xmakn¸n¨ncn¡pIbmWv. \n§Ä Ahsf ]cnNbs¸«p Ignbpt¼mgdnbmw.” h−n apäs¯¯n. s̸m³ t\tc AIt¯¡p Ibdnt¸mbn. sehn³ ]n¶mse sN¶p. DÅn ]mXnshfn¨¯n I− OmbmNn{X¯n sehnsâ I®pIfpS¡n. Cäenbn h¨v anssltemhv hc¨ A¶bpsS Nn{Xambncp¶p AXv. sehn\v AXnÂ\n¶p I®p ]dn¡m\mbnÃ. Xms\hnsSbmsW¶p Xs¶ ad¶v, i_vZ§sfm¶pw tIÄ¡m\mhmsX AbmÄ \n¶p. Abmsf Ipg¡n¡fª Hcp t\m«hpambn hnPbnsbt¸mse AhÄ \n¶p. “icn¡pw kt´mjap−v.” B i_vZw Xt¶mSp Xs¶bmsW¶v Hcp shfn]mSpt]mse AbmÄ Xncn¨dnªp. Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ Nn{X¯nse kv{Xo. thjhpw cq]hpw `mhhpw thsdbmsW¶p am{Xw, ]t£ B kuµcyhpw BIÀjIXzhpw Nn{XImc³ H¸nsbSp¯Xpt]mse Xs¶.

t\m«¯n \n¶v AbmÄ a\knem¡n. hfsc s]s«¶p Xs¶ AbmÄ AhnShpambn CW§n. sNdp¸w apXte Ahsf ]cnNbapÅXpt]mse. A¶ Cw¥ojpImcns¸¬Ip«nsb Nmb sIm−phcm³ Ab¨p. AhfpsS ]T\sa§s\bps−¶v s̸m³ Aht\zjn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp: “anSp¡n Ip«nbmWv. \à {]IrXhpw.” “C§s\ t]mbm \o \nsâ Ip«nsb¡mÄ Ahsf kvt\ln¡m³ XpS§pw.” “AXm ]pcpjsâ i_vZw. kvt\l¯n IqSpXepw Ipdhpw H¶panÃ. Fsâ aItfmSv F\n¡v Hcp kvt\lw. ChtfmSv asäm¶v.” “Cu s]¬Ip«n¡p th−n sNehm¡p¶ DuÀÖ¯nsâ \qdnsem¶v djybnse Ip«nIfpsS hnZym`ymk¯n\p th−n sNehgn¨m henb ImcyamIpsa¶v Rm³ A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\tbmSp ]dbpIbmbncp¶p.” thmÀ¡qhv ]dªp. “icnbmWv, ]t£ F\n¡Xn\p Ignbt−? AeIvkn Incntemhn¨v {]`p Fs¶ Hcp]mSv \nÀ_Ôn¨XmWv {Kma¯nse Hcp kvIqÄ GsäSp¡m³. Rm³ ]e XhW AhnSw kµÀin¡pIbpw sNbvXp. \à Ip«nIfmWv. ]t£ F\n¡v AXnt\mSv Hcp XmÂ]cyw tXm¶t−! \n§Ä DuÀP¯nsâ Imcyw ]dªntÃ? AXv kvt\l¯n \n¶p hcp¶XmWv, AXp kzbw hcWw, \nÀ_Ôn¨p sIm−phcmhp¶XÃ. Cu Ip«ntbmSv F\n¡v F´psImt−m A§s\ tXm¶n, ImcWsam¶pw F\n¡dnbnÃ.” A¶ sehns\ t\m¡n. X§Ä¡p ]ckv]cw a\knemIpsa¶ a«nÂ, Xm³ ]dªsXÃmw AbmtfmSmsW¶ a«nÂ. “F\n¡p a\knemIpw. kvIqfpIsftbm A¯cw Øm]\§sftbm H¶pw A§s\ Ffp¸¯n kvt\ln¡m³ IgnbnÃ. AXpsIm−mWtÃm am\htkh DZvtLmjn¡p¶ Øm]\§fpsS ^e§Ä A{X DZm¯amIm¯Xv.” AÂ]t\cs¯ \ni_vZXbv¡p tijw AhÄ ]p©ncn¨p: “AtXbtX, F\ns¡mcn¡epw IgnbnÃ. kzbw apgpIm³ Fs´¦nepsam¶v Fs´¦nepsam¶v AXymhiyambn«pw F\n¡Xn\p Ignbp¶nÃ.” kz´w Imcyw Hcp]mSp ]dªpthm F¶ Ipät_m[t¯msS ]ns¶ AhÄ hnjbw amän: “\n§Ä s]mXp{]hÀ¯\§fn A{X hnizkn¡p¶bmfsöv F\n¡dnbmw. F¶m Ignbp¶ hn[¯nsems¡ \n§sf Rm³ ]n´pW¨n«pap−v.” “F§s\sbms¡.” “\n§fpsS taepÅ hnaÀi\¯nsâ kz`mha\pkcn¨v. C\n AÂ]w Nmb IpSn¨mtem?”

A¶bpsS

Ipªp ssIIÄ \o«nbpÅ lkvXZm\¯nÂ, thmÀ¡qhns\ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯nbXnÂ, sN¼³ apSnbpÅ kpµcns¸¬Ip«nsb Xsâ hnZymÀ°nsb¶p ]dªp ]cnNbs¸Sp¯nbXn Hs¡ sehn³ ]cnjvIrXtemI¯nse Hcp {]KÛaXnbpsS km¶n[yw Xncn¨dnªp. “F\n¡p kt´mjambn” F¶v AhÄ CSbv¡nsS ]dbp¶p−mbncp¶p. AhfpsS Np−pIfn \n¶p hcpt¼mÄ B hm¡pIÄ¡v Ft´m {]tXyI AÀ°apÅXpt]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. “F\n¡v hfsc¡meambn \n§sf ]cnNbap−v. ÌnhmbpambpÅ \n§fpsS kulrZw hgnbpw, \n§fpsS `mcy hgnbpw. Ahsf F\n¡v AÂ]t\cs¯ ]cnNbap−v. arZpebmb Hcp Ipªp]qhv. Ahsfmcp A½bmIm³ t]mIp¶p AtÃ?” A\mbmkefnXambncp¶p AhfpsS kwkmcw. sehns\bpw Ìnhmsbbpw amdnamdn t\m¡p¶p−v. Xsâ s]cpamäw hfsc \¶mbncn¡p¶psh¶v B

231 A¶bpsS IYIsf¸än sehnt\mSv ]dªn«ps−¶v s̸m³ kqNn¸n¨p. “AXp th−nbncp¶nÃ. Pbnen \n¶ enk saÀSvktemh F\n¡p hnäncp¶ sIm«Ifpw sIm¯p]WnIfpw t]msetb DÅq Ah.” A¶ sehnsâ t\tc Xncnªp: “AhnsS Pbn hIp¸nsâ NpaXe AhÄ¡mbncp¶p.” sehns\bpw thmÀ¡qhns\bpw t{UmbnMv dqan \nÀ¯n A¶ ktlmZct\mSv X\n¨v Fs´ms¡tbm kwkmcn¨p. AsX´msW¶p tIÄ¡m\pÅ PnÚmksIm−v sehn³ ]cnkcw ad¶p. A¶bpsS IYIfpsS alXzw kw_Ôn¨v thmÀ¡qhv ]dªsXm¶pw AbmÄ tI«nÃ. ]n¶oSv Nmbkab¯pw AhÀ CSapdnbm¯ kw`mjW¯nteÀs¸«p. FÃmhcpw BkzZn¨ \nanj§fmbncp¶p AXv. kuµcyhpw sFizcyhpw kw`mjWNmXpcyhpw am{Xaà XnIª kXykÔXbpw A¶bneps−¶v sehn³ a\knem¡n. Xsâ Ct¸mgs¯ ØnXn ad¨phbv¡m³ A¶ H«pw {ian¨nÃ. s\SphoÀ¸pIfpw apJs¯ achn¸pw Nn{XImc³ H¸nsbSp¯ BËmZ`mh¯n \n¶p XnI¨pw hyXykvXambncps¶¦nepw B `mh¯nepw AhfpsS BIÀjIXz¯n\v Hcp Ipdhpw h¶nÃ. AXp asämcp Xc¯nembncps¶¶p am{Xw. kwkmcn¡pt¼mgpw tI«ncn¡pt¼mgpsaÃmw sehn³ AhfpsS B´cnIPohnXs¯¡pdn¨p Nn´n¡pIbmbncp¶p. BZyw Ahsf hÃmsX Ipäs¸Sp¯n Nn´n¨Xn AbmÄ¡p hnjaw tXm¶n. AhfpsS \nesbbpw \ne]mSpIsfbpw \ymboIcn¨pw AhtfmSp klX]n¨pw hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw Ahsf ]qÀWambn a\knem¡m³ Ignbp¶nsöp ]cnX]n¨pw kz´w a\kv t]mepw Abmsf AXnibn¸n¨p. ]Xns\m¶p aWn¡v s̸m³ t]mIms\gpt¶ät¸mÄ sehn\v Xm\nt¸mÄ h¶tXbpsŶp tXm¶n. a\knÃma\tkmsS Abmfpw Fgpt¶äp. bm{X ]dbpt¼mÄ A¶ sehnsâ ssIIfn ]nSn¨v apJt¯¡v Dujvafambn t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ssIIfn \n¶p ]nSnhn«v I®pIÄ ]mXnbS¨p: “\n§fpsS `mcytbmSv Rm\hsf ap³s]¶s¯bpwt]mse kvt\ln¡p¶psh¶p ]dbq. Fsâ Cu \ne AhÄ¡p s]mdp¡mhp¶Xsæn AhÄ £ant¡s−¶p Xs¶bmWv Fsâ CÑ. CXp £an¡Wsa¦n Fs¶t¸mse CXneqsS IS¶pt]mtI−nhcpw. AhÄ¡v A§s\sbm¶pw hcmsX ssZhw Im¡s«.” “XoÀ¨bmbpw, Rm³ ]dbmw.” AXp ]dbpt¼mtg¡v sehn³ Nph¶p XpSp¯ncp¶p.

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“F{X

am[pcyapsÅmcp kv{Xo; A{X Xs¶ ZpxJnXbpw.” sehn³ s̸mt\msSm¸w ]pd¯nd§pt¼mÄ Nn´n¨p. “Rm³ ]dªntÃ?” s̸m³ tNmZn¨p. “AhfpsS kuµcytam _p²ntbm AÃ, lrZb¯nsâ DujvafXbmWv.” “C\nta a\pjycpsS ta {Iqcamb hn[nhmNI§Ä D¨cn¡mXncn¡pI.” h−nbpsS hmXn Xpd¶psImSp¯psIm−v s̸m³ ]dªp. “\½Ä C\n c−p hgn¡mWv.” A¶sb¡pdn¨p Xs¶ Nn´n¨psIm−v, X§fpsS kw`mjW¯nse sNdpsNdp hmNI§Ä t]mepw HmÀan¨psIm−v, AhfpsS t\cnb `mht`Z§Ä t]mepw a\kn I−v, AhfpsS ØnXn AhfpsS DÅn Ibdn \n¶v Adnbm³ {ian¨psIm−v, AhtfmSv IqSpX IqSpX klX]n¨psIm−v BWv sehn³ ho«nse¯nbXv. Inän¡p kpJamsW¶pw AhfpsS ktlmZcnamÀ c−p t]cpw s]mbv¡gnsª¶pw Iukva Adnbn¨p. c−p I¯pIfpw sImSp¯p. ]n¶oSv Ah ad¶pt]mtb¡psa¶p IcpXn sehn³ At¸mÄ Xs¶ Ah s]m«n¨p hmbn¨p. tKmX¼n\v A©c dq_ntf hne In«q F¶mWv ImcyØsâ I¯v. c−mat¯Xv ktlmZcnbptSXmWv. AhcpsS `qan kw_Ôn¨ CS]mSv C\nbpw icnbm¡m¯Xn\pÅ iImcw. A©cbv¡p Xs¶ [m\yw hn¡mw. tN¨nbpsS ØeanS]mSv ASp¯ Znhkw Xs¶ icnbm¡Ww. sehn³ InänbpsS ASpt¯¡p sN¶p. AhÄ hnjmZn¨ncn¡pIbmWv. A¯mgw hsc aq¶p ktlmZcnamcpw IqSn henb kt´mj¯nembncp¶p. ]ns¶ Abmsf Im¯ncp¶v aqhcpw apjnªp, tN¨namÀ t]mbn, AhÄ X\n¨mIpIbpw sNbvXp. “Fs´Sp¡pIbmbncp¶p cm{Xn apgph³?” FÃmw Xpd¶p]dbp¶Xn\p hnLmXamIcpsX¶p IcpXn AhÄ I®pIfnse Xo{hX AÂ]w Ipd¨p. kmbmÓs¨bvXnIsf¸än AbmfpsS hnhcWw BkzZn¨p tI«p. “hvtdm¬kvInsb I−Xn Rms\{X k´pjvS\msWt¶m. XnI¨pw kzm`mhnIambn s]cpamdm³ F\n¡p Ignªp. C\nbpw Abmsf ImWmXncn¡m³ Rm³ {i²n¡mw, ]t£ AkpJIcamb I−pap«epIfpsS Imew IgnªXn henb Bizmkw tXm¶p¶p.” Abmsf ImWmXncn¡m³ {ian¡psa¶p ]dªn«v t\tc A¶bpsS ASp¡tebv¡mWp t]mbsXt¶mÀ¯v sehnsâ apJw Nph¶p. “R§Ä sXmgnemfnIfpsS aZy]m\s¯¡pdn¨p kwkmcn¨p. BcmWv þ sXmgnemfnIfmtWm AtXm \½psS hÀ¤amtWmþ IqSpX IpSn¡pI F¶v F\n¡dnbnÃ. AhÀ Ah[nZnhk§fnÂ...”

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aZy]m\ioew NÀ¨ sN¿p¶n Inän¡v Hcp XmÂ]cyhpw tXm¶nbnÃ. `À¯mhnsâ apJw XpSp¯Xv AhÄ {i²n¨ncp¶p. AsX´n\msW¶v AdnbWw. “]ns¶ FhnsSsbms¡ t]mbn?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\sb ImWm³ Ìnhm hÃmsX \nÀ_Ôn¨p.’’ sehnsâ apJw IqSpX XpSp¯p. A¶sb ImWm³ t]mIp¶Xp icnbmtWm F¶ kwib¯n\v ]qÀWamb D¯cw In«n. t]mIcpXmbncp¶p. A¶bpsS t]cp tI« \nanjw InänbpsS I®pIÄ hnNn{Xamb Hcp coXnbn CaNn½n. ]t£ AhÄ hnZKv[XtbmsS Xsâ hnImc§Ä `À¯mhn \n¶v Hfn¸n¨ph¨p. “Hm!’’ Fs¶mcp i_vZw am{XamWv ]pd¯p h¶Xv. “t]mbXn\v \osbt¶mSv tZjys¸SnÃtÃm. Ìnhm hÃmsX \nÀ_Ôn¨p. tUmfn¡pw B{Klap−mbncp¶p.’’ “Gbv, CÃ.’’ ]t£ AhfpsS I®pIfn AkpJIcambsXt´m AbmÄ Xncn¨dnªp. “hfsc henb ZpxJ§fpÅ \sÃmcp kv{XobmWv AhÀ.’’ sehn³ A¶bpsS CSs]Sepw CS]mSpIfpw AhtfmSp ]dbmt\¸n¨Xpw FÃmw ]dªp. “Dw, icnbmWv. AhÀ icn¡pw klXm]aÀln¡p¶p−v.’’ `À¯mhv ]dªp\nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp. “BcptSXmbncp¶p I¯v?’’ I¯nse hntij§fpw AbmÄ ]dªp. AhfpsS kzc¯nse im´Xsb hnizkn¨v sehn³ hkv{Xw amdm³ t]mbn. aS§nhcpt¼mgpw Inän B NmcpItkcbn Xs¶ D−v. ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ Abmsf kq£n¨p t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ hn§ns¸m«m³ XpS§n. “F´m? F´p]än?” ]änbsX´msW¶dnbmambncp¶n«pw AbmÄ shdpsX tNmZn¨p. “\n§fm hr¯nsI« kv{Xobpambn kvt\l¯nemtWm? AhÄ \n§sf ab¡n¡fªp AtÃ! \n§fpsS I®pIfn Rm\Xp hmbn¨p. CsXÃmw FhnsSs¨¶hkm\n¡pw? ¢ºn t]mbn aZy]n¡pI, No«pIfn¡pI... F¶n«v thdmcpaÃ, AhfpsSbSpt¯¡v... \ap¡nhnsS\n¶p t]mImw. Rm³ \msf t]mIpIbmWv.” Hcp]mSv kabsaSp¯n«mWv Ahsfsbm¶v Bizkn¸n¡m³ sehn\p IgnªXv. HSp¡w AbmÄ Ign¨ aZy¯nsâ Afhns\m¯v tXm¶nb klXm]¯n A¶bpsS IpSnehiyXbn ab§nt¸msb¶v Gäp]dbpIbpw C\nta Ahsf ImWpIbnsöv Dd¸psImSp¡pIbpw sNbvXn«mWv im´X Xncn¨pIn«nbXv. IqSpX kXykÔXtbmsS AbmÄ

asämcp Imcyw Gäp]dªp: tamkvtImbnse PohX¯n Xoäbpw IpSnbpw hÀ¯am\w ]d¨nepw am{Xambn Xm³ A[x]Xn¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmWv F¶v. aq¶p aWnhsc kwkmcn¨ncp¶n«mWv AhÀ Dd§m³ am{Xw im´X ssIhcn¨Xv.

A¶bv¡p sehns\ \¶mbn CjvSs¸«p. hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ ISp¯ A´c§Ä¡pa¸pdw CcphÀ¡pw s]mXphmbn ]e Imcy§fpaps−¶v AhÄ I−p. AXmWv Inän c−p t]scbpw Xo{hambn kvt\ln¡m³ ImcWambXv. F´mbmepw sehn³ apdnbn \n¶p ]pd¯nd§nbtX Abmsf¸änbpÅ Nn´ AhfpsS a\kn \n¶p t]mbn. Hä Nn´ am{XamWv AhfpsS a\kns\ `cn¨Xv. aäpÅhcpsS taÂ, `mcysbbpw IpSpw_s¯bpw C{Xta kvt\ln¡p¶ B a\pjysâ ta C{Xta kzm[o\w sNep¯m³ F\n¡p Ign¶psh¦n ]ns¶ F´psIm−mWv At±l¯n\p am{Xw F´mWv Ft¶mSn{X achn¸v? achn¸Ã, At±l¯n\v Fs¶ kvt\lamsW¶v F\n¡dnbmw. ]t£ Ft´m H¶v R§sf X½neIäp¶p. tamkvtImbnse Cu PohnX¯n Rm\\p`hn¡p¶ Ibv]v At±lw Adntb−XtÃ? CXp PohnXamtWm? amdnamdnt¸mIp¶ H¶n\mbpÅ Im¯ncn¸v. D¯cw Ft¸mgpw AI¶pt]mIp¶p. C\n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nt\mSv tNmZn¡m³ hs¿¶v Ìnhmbpw ]dbp¶p. C\nsbgpXm³ F\n¡pw h¿. F\n¡v H¶pw sN¿m³ h¿, H¶pw XpS§m³ h¿, H¶pw amäm\pw Ignbp¶nÃ. kabwsImÃm³ Hmtcmtcm hgnIÄ þ Cw¥ojv IpSpw_¯nsâ kwc£Ww, ]pkvXIsagp¯v þ Is−¯n Rm\n§s\ Im¯pIm¯ncn¡p¶p. FÃmsamcp A`n\bw am{Xw. asämcp Xcw tamÀ^o³. At±lw Fs¶ a\knemt¡−XtÃ. hvtdm¬kvIn F¯nbXdnªv AhÄ s]s«¶v I®oÀ XpS¨p, im´X ssIhcp¯n, Hcp ]pkvXIw Xpd¶ph¨v Ccp¶p. sshInsb¯nbXnepÅ Ak´pjvSn Adnbn¡Ww, ]t£ AXv klXm]¯nt\m hg¡nt\m hgnhbv¡cpXv. “\o hÃmsX apjnªnÃtÃm?” AhfpsS ASpt¯¡p sN¶psIm−v hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn¨p. “Fs´mcp {`m´mWo NqXpIfn.” “CÃ, Rm³ apjnªnÃ. apjn¨nenÃmXncn¡m³ Rm³ ioen¨tÃm. Ìnhmbpw sehn\pw h¶ncp¶p.” “Dw. hcpsa¶v ]dªncp¶p. sehn³ F§ns\bp−v BÄ? CjvSs¸t«m?” AbmÄ AhfpsS ASp¯ncp¶p.

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“\¶mbn CjvSs¸«p. AhÀ t]mbn«v A[nIambnÃ. bmjvhn³ Fs´Sp¡pIbmbncp¶p?” “Pbn¡pIbmbncp¶p. ]Xnt\gmbncw t\Sn. Rm\mbmsf hnfn¨psIm−p t]m¶XmWv. ho«nte¡pÅ hgnbn \n¶v ho−pw Xncn¨pt]mbn. Ct¸mÄ tXmäpsIm−ncn¡p¶p.” “]ns¶sb´n\m \n§fhnsS \n¶Xv?” I®pIÄ AbmÄ¡p t\tc DbÀ¯n AhÄ tNmZn¨p. AhfpsS apJw {Ip²ambncp¶p. “bmjvhns\ hnfn¨psIm−p t]mcm\mWv AhnsS \n¡p¶sX¶tà \n§Ä ÌnhmtbmSp ]dªXv? F¶n«v Abmsf AhnsS hn«p t]m¶ncn¡p¶p.” bp²kÖamb achn¸v AtX coXnbn AbmfpsS apJ¯pw {]Xy£s¸«p. “H¶maXmbn, \nt¶mSv H¶pw ]dbm³ Rm\hs\ ]dtªÂ¸n¨ncp¶nÃ. c−maXv, Rm³ IÅw ]dbmdnÃ. AXnsems¡ {][m\ambn«v Ht¶bpÅq: F\n¡p \n¡Wsa¶p tXm¶n, Rm³ \n¶p.” AbmÄ cq£ambn t\m¡n. “F´n\mWp \½fn§s\ shdpsX, A¶m...” Hcp \nanjs¯ \nÈ_vZXbv¡p tijw AbmÄ AhÄ¡p t\tc Ip\nªv, ssIIÄ \nhÀ¯n, AhÄ Xsâ ssIIfn ssI tNÀ¡psa¶p {]Xo£n¨p \n¶p. Cu BÀ{ZX Ahsf kt´mjn¸n¨p. ]t£ GtXm ZpjvSiàn Ahsf cayXs¸Sp¶Xn \n¶p ]n´ncn¸n¨p; IogS§en\p hg§m¯ bp²shdnt]mse. “\n§Ä¡p \n¡Wsa¶p tXm¶n, \n§Ä \n¶p. \n§Ä¡p th−sXms¡ \n§Ä sN¿p¶p. AsX´n\m ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp hnfn¨p]dbp¶Xv? \n§fpsS AhImi§Ä Bsc¦nepw tNmZyw sNbvtXm?” AbmÄ ssIIÄ ]n³hen¨p, ]n´ncnªp, apJ¯v IqSpX ITn\amb Hcp `mhw \ndªp. “\n§Ä¡v shdpsX ]nSnhminbmWv. Fsâ ta taÂt¡mbva sXfnbn¡Ww. A{Xam{Xw... Fsâ thZ\ IqSn \n§fdnbWw. Ct¸mfo \nanjw, \n§fpsS i{XpX IqSn Gäphm§pt¼mÄ, hn\mi¯nsâ h¡n \n¡pt¼mÄ Cu \nanjw Rms\s¶¯s¶ F{Xam{Xw `b¡p¶psh¶v...!” hnXp¼eS¡n AhÄ apJw Xncn¨p. “\o Fs´ms¡bmWv ]dbp¶Xv?” AhfpsS hm¡pIfnse \ncmibpsS Bgw a\knem¡n AbmÄ AhfpsS ssIIsfSp¯v Npw_n¨p. “F´n\m C§s\? Rm³ hoSphn«v Fs´¦nepw hnt\mZ§Ä¡p ]n¶mse t]mIp¶pt−m? kv{XoIfpambpÅ kwkÀKw Xs¶ Rm³ Hgnhm¡nbn«ntÃ?”

“Dw. icn. AXp am{Xambncps¶¦n” “icn, \o ]d. \n\¡p kt´mjw In«p¶ F´p Rm³ sN¿mw. \nsâ thZ\bIäp¶ F´p ImcyamWv Rm³ sN¿m³ aSn¨n«pÅXv?” “H¶panÃ, H¶panÃ. GIm´sIm−mbncn¡pw, Fsâ at\m\ne... th−, \ap¡v AsX¸än kwkmcn¡−. IpXnc¸´b¯nsâ Imcysam¶pw ]dªnÃtÃm.” Xsâ hnPb¯nepÅ BËmZw ad¨ph¨psIm−v AhÄ tNmZn¨p. A¯mgw Ign¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ AhtfmSv ]´bhntij§Ä ]¦ph¨p. ]t£ AbmfpsS kzc¯n t\m«¯n Hs¡ IqSpX achn¸p−mbncp¶p. IogS§enepÅ AkwXr]vXnbp−mbncp¶p. hnPbw k½m\n¨ hm¡pIÄ AhtfmÀan¨p: ‘hn\mi¯nsâ h¡n \n¡pt¼mÄ Cu \nanjw Rms\s¶¯s¶ F{Xam{Xw `b¡p¶psh¶v’ C\nsbmcn¡Â¡qSn D]tbmKn¡cpXm¯ hn[w A]ISw ]nSn¨ hm¡pIfmWXv. X§Ä¡nSbnse KmVkvt\l¯n\pap]cnbmbn bp²shdnbpsS Zpcmßmhv ]pd¯m¡m³ h¿m¯ hn[w Icpt¯msS c−pt]cnepw _m[IqSnbncn¡p¶psh¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n.

Ipät_m[§Ä

þ IpSn¨p e¡psI«Xn\v, `mcybv¡v A]am\¯n\p ImcWamb Hcph\pambn kulrZw ]¦ph¨Xn\v, hgn]ng¨ Hcphsf kµÀin¨v AhtfmSv klX]n¨v `mcy¡v a\{]bmkw hcp¯nh¨Xn\v þ Ae«nbn«pw sehn\v A¶v \à kpJambn Dd§n. DÅnÂs¨¶ aZy¯nsâ Afhpw AXn\v Hcp ImcWambncp¶p. ]peÀs¨ DWcpt¼mÄ AcnIn InänbnÃ. F®oät¸mÄ A¸pd¯p\n¶v sagpXncnshfn¨hpambn AhÄ hcp¶p. t]äpt\mhmtWm F¶v AbmÄ BIpes¸s«¦nepw “H¶panÃ, kmcanÔ F¶p ]dªv AhÄ ho−pw I«nen Ibdn InS¶p. £oWw ImcWw AbmÄ ho−pw Dd§nt¸mbn. a\knÃma\tkmsS AhÄ hnfn¨pWÀ¯nbt¸mgmWv ]ns¶ DWÀ¶Xv. “kmcanÃ, t]Sn¡ms\m¶panÃ, F\n¡p \à ss[cyap−v” Fs¶ms¡ AhÄ ]dsª¦nepw AbmÄ sh{]mfs¸«p. enkmshä s]t{Smhv\bv¡v Bfb¨p, tUmIvSsd hnfn¡m³ sehn³ Xs¶ ]pds¸«p. A½sbbpw tUmfnsbbpw hnhcadnbn¨p. acp¶pISbn \n¶v Idp¸p hm§n. hnfn¡m³ sN¶t¸mÄ tUmIvSÀ \à Dd¡w. FWoän«pw HcpXcw sasÃt¸m¡v. Nmb thtWm F¶v tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Xs¶ ]cnlkn¡pIbmsW¶mWv sehn\p tXm¶nbXv. AbmÄ sh{]mfw Iq«n. CsX{X I−XmWv F¶ `mhambncp¶p tUmIvSÀ¡v.

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InänbpsS AkzØXbpsS Bgw I−v \ncoizchmZnbmb sehn³ “IÀ¯mth I\nbWta” F¶v AdnbmsX Dcphn«pt]mbn. Asænepw \nÊlmbmhØbn GsXmcph\pw ssZh¯n¦Â AÃmsX asähnsS B{ibw tXSm³. Ccp]¯nc−p aWn¡qÀ sh{]mf§Ä¡p tijambncp¶p AXv. AeuInIamb HceÀ¨. tUmIvSdpambn kwkmcn¨ncn¡pIbmbncp¶ sehn\v FWo¡m³ t]mepw IgnªnÃ. F´msW¶p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ tUmIvSÀ ]dªp: “FÃmw Ignªp.” Inän acn¨p F¶mWv sehn³ IcpXnbXv. AhÄs¡m¸w Xm\pw acn¨v Xsâ a¡Ä amemJamcmbn kzÀK¯n F¯nsb¶p ]dªm t]mepw hnizkn¡m³ C{X {]bmkanÃmbncp¶p AbmÄ¡v. anSp¡\mb Hcp B¬Ip«nbpsS Ic¨n AhnsS AebSn¨p. Inän Poht\msSbncn¡p¶p, AhfpsS thZ\bpsS \nanj§Ä Ahkm\n¨p. AbmÄ¡v Fs´¶nÃm¯ B\µw tXm¶n.

Hscmä hyànbn Is−¯m³ Ignbm¯hn[w sshhn[yamÀ¶ IgnhpIfpw tbmKyXIfpw th− XkvXnIbmWXv. FÃm IgnhpIfpw H¯ptNÀ¶bmsf Is−¯pI Akm[yambXn\m kÀh{][m\ambn AbmÄ kXykÔ\mIWsa¶XnemWv \njvIÀj. s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v B hm¡nsâ kmam\y AÀ°¯n am{Xaà tamkvtIm kaql¯n AXn\p e`n¡p¶ hntijmÀ°¯n Xs¶ kXykÔ\mbncp¶p. kXykÔ\mb cmjv{Sob¡mc³, Fgp¯pIm³, kXykÔamb Zn\¸{Xw, Øm]\w Fs¶ms¡ ]dbpwt]mse; Bhiyw h¶m A[nImcnIÄ¡p hncp²ambpw kzX{´amb \ne]mSv FSp¡m³ IgnhpÅhsc hntijn¸n¡p¶hn[w. C¯cw {]tbmK§Ä km[mcWamb hrµ§fnembncp¶p s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ PohnXw. AhnsSsbms¡ AbmÄ kXykÔ\mbn hntijn¸n¡s¸SpIbpw sNbvXp. AXpsIm−v ta XkvXnIbv¡v aämsc¡mfpw tbmKy\mbncp¶p AbmÄ. {]XnhÀjw Ggmbncw apX ]Xn\mbncw hsc In«mhp¶ B tPmen Ct¸mgs¯ kÀ¡mÀ tPmen ssIshSnbmsX Xs¶ \ndthäpIbpw sN¿mw. c−p a{´namÀ, Hcp h\nX, c−p PqX³amÀ F¶nhcmWv C¡mcy¯n Xocpam\saSpt¡−hÀ. Icp¡sfÃmw \¶mbn \o¡nbn«ps−¦nepw Ahsc t\cn¡mWWw. Itc\ns\ I−v hnhmltamN\¡mcy¯n k½À±w sNep¯msa¶v A¶bv¡p hm¡p sImSp¯n«pap−v. CXns\ms¡ th−nbmWv tUmfntbmSv Cc¶phm§nb A³]Xp dq_nfpambn ]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡p ]pds¸«Xv. djybpsS AkwXr]vXamb km¼¯nI\ne kw_Ôn¨v Itc\nsâ dnt¸mÀ«v hmbn¨ptI«psIm−v AbmfpsS hmb\apdnbnencn¡pIbmWv s̸m³. dnt¸mÀ«v hmb\ XoÀ¶n«p thWw kz´w tPmen¡mcyhpw A¶bpsS hnhmltamN\¯nsâ Imcyhpw kwkmcn¡m³. hmb\ IgnªXpw s̸m³ Z£nWdbnÂthbpsSbpw _m¦nMv I¼\nIfpsSbpw kwbpà kanXnbpsS sk{I«dn XkvXnIbn X\n¡p XmÂ]cyapÅ Imcyw s]mtamÀkvInsb ImWpt¼mÄ kqNn¸n¡Wsa¶v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nt\mSv Bhiys¸«p. Cu ]pXnb kanXnbpsS {]hÀ¯\§Ä Fs´ms¡bmsW¶v AbmÄ s̸mt\mSv tNmZn¨p. Xsâ km¼¯nIho£W§Ä¡v A\ptbmPyambncn¡ptam AsX¶v Itc\n³ Nn´maá\mbn. “XoÀ¨bmbpw Rm\Xv At±lt¯mSp ]dbmw. \n§Ä¡v C¡mcy¯nepÅ {]tXyI XmÂ]cysa´mWv?” “\à i¼fap−v, GXm−v H³]Xn\mbnct¯mfw. Fsâ Imcy§...”

s̸m³

AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ Imcy§Ä BsI AhXmf¯nembncp¶p. XSnhnäXnsâ ]Ww aq¶n c−pw sNehgn¨pIgnªp. Ahtijn¨ aq¶nsem¶nsâ an¡hmdpw ]¦v ]¯p iXam\w Cfhn I¨hS¡mc\n \n¶v aq³Iqdmbn hm§pIbpw sNbvXp. AXnsâ ckoXn Zmcy AeIvkm³t{Umhv\ H¸n«psImSp¡m³ hnk½Xn¨Xn\m IqSpX ]Ww \ÂIm³ AbmÄ hnk½Xn¡pIbmWv. i¼fw apgph³ ho«mhiy§Ä¡p Hgnhm¡m³ h¿m¯ NnÃd¡S§Ä ho«m\pw sNehmIpw. ]ns¶ Hcp ss]k t]mepw \o¡nbncn¸nÃ. Imcy§fn§s\ hn«m ]änsöv AbmÄ¡p tXm¶n. X\n¡p i¼fw IpdhmbXmWv CXns\ms¡ ImcWw. _m¦v UbdIvSÀ s]t{Smhn\v ]´ocmbncw In«pw, Hcp I¼\nbpsS UbdIvSdmb skzânävkvIn¡v ]Xnt\gmbncw D−v, Hcp _m¦nsâ Øm]I\mb anXn\v A³]Xn\mbncamWv In«p¶Xv. A©p hÀjw ap³]v AbmfpsS Øm\hpw i¼fhpw anI¨Xmbncp¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mg§s\bÃ. “Rms\m¶p ab§nt¸mbn; Ahscs¶ XgbpIbpw sNbvXp.” s̸m³ HmÀ¯p. AbmÄ I®pw ImXpw Xpd¶ph¨p. \sÃmcp Ahkcw I®nÂs¸SpIbpw sNbvXp. A¦nfpamscbpw Bânamscbpw Iq«pImscbpsaÃmw Adnbn¨v \¶mbn NphSph¨p; Imcy§tfXm−p ]ptcmKan¨pIgnªt¸mÄ ]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡p t]mbn. Z£nWdbnÂthbpsSbpw Nne _m¦nMv I¼\nIfpsSbpw kwbpà kanXnbpsS sk{I«dn Øm\amWv kwKXn.

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“H³]Xn\mbncw!” AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v BhÀ¯n¨p. C{Xbpw DbÀ¶ i¼fw km¼¯nIanXXzw DZvtLmjn¡p¶ Xsâ ]cnjvIcW ]²XnIÄ¡p hncp²amsW¶v s]s«¶v AbmÄ Xncn¨dnªp. “C{Xbpw DbÀ¶ i¼fw \½psS A]Izamb km¼¯nI hn\nab¯n\p sXfnhmbn«mWv Rm³ IcpXp¶Xv.” “]t£ AXns\´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw? Hcp _m¦v UbdIvSÀ¡v ]Xn\mbncw In«p¶p. AbmfXn\p tbmKy\msW¶p hbv¡mw. F³Pn\obÀ¡v Ccp]Xn\mbncw In«p¶p. CXp IqSns¡m−ncn¡pIbpw sN¿patÃm!” i¼f¡mcy¯nse AkaXz§fpw km¼¯nI A¨S¡hpw kw_Ôn¨v Itc\n³ Hcp {]`mjW¯nte¡p IS¶p. s̸m³ Afnbsâ hmZKXnIsf JWvUn¨psIm−v CSs]«p. “GXmbmepw hfsc ^e{]Zamb \nebn hfcm\pÅ Hcp ]pXnb {]Øm\¯n\mWv ChnsS XpS¡anSp¶Xv. AXv kXykÔambn sIm−pt]mIpI F¶Xn\mWv AhÀ kÀthm]cn {]m[m\yw I¸n¡p¶Xv.” “C¡mcy¯n s]mtamÀkvInsb¡mÄ A[nImcapÅXv shmÄKmcnt\mhn\msW¶v F\n¡p tXm¶p¶p.” “shmÄKmcnt\mhv ]qÀWk½Xw ]dªn«p−v.” s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ apJw Nph¶p. cmhnse B PqXs\¡mWm³ sN¶t¸mgp−mb Zpc\p`h§fpsS HmÀabmWv AbmfpsS apJw Nph¸n¨Xv. c−p aWn¡qÀ aäp ]cmXn¡mcqsS IqsS Im¯p\nÀ¯nbn«mWv AbmÄ ImWm³ Ahkcw \ÂInbXv. F¶n«v Im¯p\nÀ¯n \mWwsISp¯nbXnsâ BËmZhpw s]mÅbmb, G¨psI«nb hn\bhpambn FXntcäp. Bhiyw ]dªt¸mÄ GXm−v \nckn¡p¶ a«nembncp¶p adp]Snbpw. s̸m³ AsXÃmw ad¡m³ {ian¨p.

F¶p IcpXn A§s\bmWv ]dªXv) DÅ Xocpam\w. AhtfmSv klm\p`qXn Im«Ww.” “IrXyambn ]dªm GXp hn[¯nÂ?” “AhtfmSv Zbhp Im«pI. AhfpsS Imcyw BsI IjvS¯nemWv.’’ “A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ PohnX¯n B{Kln¨sXÃmw t\Sn¡gnªncn¡psa¶mWtÃm Rm³ IcpXnbXv.’’ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ i_vZw Xo£vWambn. “\ap¡v Ipäs¸Sp¯epIÄ \nÀ¯mw. IgnªsXms¡ Ignsª¶p IcpXmw. Ahsf´mWv B{Kln¡p¶sX¶v, F´n\pth−nbmWv Im¯ncn¡p¶sX¶v \n§Ä¡dnbmw þ hnhmltamN\w.” “Fsâ aIs\ F\n¡p thWsa¶ hyhØbn hnhmltamN\w ths−¶mWtÃm A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ ]dªXv. AtXmsS B hnjbw Ahkm\n¨Xmbn Rm³ IcpXn.” “ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v tZjys¸SmXncn¡q.” s̸m³ hncÂsIm−v AbmfpsS ImÂap«pIfn sXm«p. “AhfpsS ØnXn kln¡m³ ]äm¯{X Zb\obamWv. AX§s\ XpScp¶XpsIm−v BÀ¡pw Hcp {]tbmP\hpanà Xm\pw. AhfXÀln¡p¶p−v F¶mIpw \n§Ä¡p ]dbm\p−mIpI. Ahfpw AXp k½Xn¡p¶p; AXpsIm−p Xs¶ AhÄ H¶pw Bhiys¸Sp¶panÃ. \n§tfmSv H¶pw tNmZn¡m³ ss[cyansömWv AhÄ ]dbp¶Xv. ]t£ Rm³, R§Ä _Ôp¡sfÃmhcpw tNÀ¶v, \n§tfmSv At]£n¡pIbmWv, bmNn¡pIbmWv. AhÄ hÃmsX ]oU kln¡p¶p. AXpsIm−v BÀs¡´p {]tbmP\amWv?” “Rm\mWv Ipä¡mcs\¶ a«nemWtÃm \n§fpsS kw`mjWw?” “AÃÃÃÃÃ.... A§s\sbm¶pw Nn´n¡cptX.” s̸m³ sasà AbmfpsS ssIIfn kv]Àin¨p, AXv Abmsf XWp¸n¡psa¶ {]Xo£tbmsS. “Rm³ C{Xtb ]dªpÅq: AhÄ hÃmsX thZ\ A\p`hn¡p¶p−v. AXp eLqIcn¡m³ \n§Ät¡ Ignbq. AXpsIm−v \n§Ä¡v H¶pw \jvSs¸SpIbnà Xm\pw. Imcy§sfÃmw A¯c¯n Rm³ {IaoIcn¨psImÅmw. ap³]p \n§fXp k½Xn¨ncp¶XmWv.” “B k½Xw hfsc ap³]mbncp¶p. aIsâ Imcyw AXns\mcp Ahkm\hm¡mbn F¶p Rm³ IcpXpIbpw sNbvXp. A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\bv¡v A{Xsb¦nepw alma\kvIX...” Np−pIÄ henªpapdpIn apJw hnfdnshfp¯v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v AXp apgpan¸n¡m³ hnjan¨p. “AhÄ FÃmw \n§fpsS alma\kvIXbv¡p hn«ncn¡pIbmWv. Cu KXntISn \n¶p c£n¡Wsa¶p am{Xta At]£n¡p¶pÅq. aIs\

“C\n A¶sb¸än NneXp kwkmcn¡m\p−v.” A¶bpsS t]cp tI« am{Xbn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ apJw Poh³ \jvSs¸«Xpt]msebmbn. “Rm³ F´p thWsa¶mWv \n§Ä B{Kln¡p¶Xv?” “C¡mcy¯n Hcp A´naXocpam\w. Hcp cmjv{SX{´Ú³ F¶ \nebneÃ, Hcp km[mcW a\pjys\¶ \nebnÂ, lrZbmephmb Hcp ss{IkvXhs\¶ \nebn (‘apdnthä `À¯msh¶ \nebneÃ’ F¶p ]dbm\mWv s̸m³ Hcp§nbsX¦nepw kam[m\{iaw XIÀ¯pIftb−

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AhÄ Bhiys¸Sp¶nÃ. \n§Ä F{Xtbm \à a\pjy\mWv AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v. AhfpsS Øm\¯v kzbw k¦Â]n¨p t\m¡q. \n§Ä Dd¸p \ÂInbncp¶XmWv, AhÄ \n§Äs¡gpXpIbpw sNbvXp, F¶n«mWv tamkvtImbntebv¡p \o§nbXv. Ct¸mÄ Bdp amkambn. I−pap«p¶hscÃmw AhfpsS lrZbs¯ apdns¸Sp¯p¶p. Hmtcm Znhkhpw AhÄ Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv. in£ hn[n¡s¸«hs\ Igp¯n IbÀ Ipcp¡n Bdp amkt¯¡v C«ncn¡p¶Xpt]mse; Nnet¸mÄ acWw, Asæn IcpW. AhtfmSn¯ncn Zbhp ImWn¡q, \n§sf thZ\n¸n¡m¯ hn[¯n FÃm¡mcy§fpw Rm³ \S¯nt¡mfmw.” “AsXm¶paà Rm\nt¸mÄ ]dbp¶Xv. F\n¡v ]dbm³ A[nImcanÃm¯ ImcyamWv Rm³ Dd¸p X¶sX¶p tXm¶p¶p.” “At¸m \n§Ä hm¡n \n¶p ]n³amdpIbmtWm?” “]äp¶sXÃmw sN¿m³ Rm³ Hcn¡se¦nepw hnk½Xn¨n«nÃ. ]t£ hmKvZm\w sNbvXXn F{Xt¯mfw sN¿m³ Ignbpsa¶v BtemNn¨p Xocpam\n¡m³ F\n¡Â]w kabw thWw. hnizmknsb¶ \nebn C{Xbpw KuchapÅ Hcp Imcy¯n ss{IkvXh hnizmk§Äs¡Xncmb Hcp \S]Snbpw ssIs¡mÅm³ F\n¡p IgnbnÃ.” “ss{IkvXhkaql§fnepw \½psSbnSbnepw Fsâ Adnhn s]«nSt¯mfw hnhmltamN\w A\phZn¡s¸«n«pÅXmWv.” “A\phZ\obamWv, ]t£ AXnsâ AÀ°w...” “\n§Ä \n§fÃmXmbncn¡p¶p AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v. \n§Ä Xs¶btà FÃmw £an¨v ss{IkvXhkvt\l¯nsâ t]cn am{Xw F´p XymK¯n\pw k¶²\msW¶p ]dªXv? ta¡p¸mbsaSp¡p¶h\v DSp¸pIqSn sImSp¡Wsas¶ms¡ ]dªn«v Ct¸mÄ...” apJw hnfdn, sNmSnIÄ henªpapdpIn NmSnsbgpt¶ä AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v Aedn: “CsXm¶v... CXv... CsXm¶p \nÀ¯mtam! Rm³ At]£n¡pIbmWv.” “th− th−, Rm³ \n§sf thZ\n¸ns¨¦n Ft¶mSp £an¡q. Rm³ Fs¶ GÂ]n¨ ZuXyw \n§Ä¡p ap³]n \ndthänsb¶p am{Xw.” A¼ct¸msS ssIIÄ hnSÀ¯p]nSn¨v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v AbmÄ¡p ap¶n \n¶p. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v AbmÄ¡p ssI sImSp¯v, AÂ]w BtemNn¨ tijw ]dªp: “F\ns¡m¶v BtemNn¡pIbpw D]tZiw tXSpIbpw Hs¡ thWw. aä¶mÄ Rm³ A´na Xocpam\w ]dbmw.”

s̸m³ t]mIms\mcp§pt¼mÄ “skÀPn AeIvkntbhn¨v’’ F¶p ]dªv tImÀWn Abmsf hnfn¨p \nÀ¯n. C¯ncn BtemNn¨n«mWv AXp skcntbmjbpsS t]cmsW¶v AbmÄ¡v HmÀ½ h¶Xv. t]mcm³ t\cw A¶ Zb\obambn ]dªXv AbmtfmÀ¯p: “F´mbmepw Ahs\ ImWWw. Ahs\hnsSbmWv, BcmWhs\ t\m¡p¶Xv Fs¶ms¡ AdnªphcWw. ]ns¶ Ìnhm... km[n¡psa¦nÂ... AXp km[n¡ptam?’’ F´mWv AhfpsS a\kn F¶v AbmÄ¡p a\knembn. km[n¡psa¦n aIs\¡qSn X\n¡p In«pwhn[w hnhmltamN\¯n\p k½Xw hm§ns¨Sp¡Ww. C\nbnt¸m AXp kz]v\w ImWm³ IqSn ]äm¯ ImcyamsW¶v s̸m\p a\knembn. F¦nepw acpaIs\ I−t¸mÄ kt´mjw tXm¶n. A½sb¸än Aht\mSv Bcpw H¶pw kwkmcn¡mdnÃ, AXp sXän¡cpXv F¶v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v s̸mt\mSp ]dªp. “A½bpambpÅ A{]Xo£nXamb B IqSn¡mgvNbv¡p tijw Ah³ hÃmsX tcmKnbmbnt¸mbn. Poht\msS Xncn¨pIn«ptam F¶p t]mepw R§Ä `b¶p. ]ns¶ NnInÂkbpw th\en ISÂkv\m\hpsams¡bmbn ]Xp¡¸Xps¡bmWv BtcmKyw Xncn¨p]nSn¨Xv. tUmIvSdpsS \nÀt±i{]Imcw Ct¸mÄ Rm\hs\ kvIqfn hnSm³ XpS§nbn«p−v. kvIqfnse kulrZ§Ä Ahsâ ta \à kzm[o\w sNep¯p¶p−v. Ah\nt¸mÄ \à ]ptcmKXnbp−v.’’ “Ch\§p anSp¡\mbnt¸mbtÃm. shdpw skcntbmjbÃ, skÀPn AeIvkobn¨v Xs¶.’’ \oe tIm«pw ]mâvkpaWnªv hncnª tXmfpIfpw Bßhnizmkw kv^pcn¡p¶ I®pIfpambn IS¶ph¶ kpµcs\ t\m¡n s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v ]p©ncn¨p. Ip«n BtcmKyhm\pw kpapJ\pambncp¶p. Hcp A]cnNnXs\sb¶ t]mse A½mhs\ hW§nb Ah³ Bsf a\knembt¸mÄ s]s«¶v apJw Xncn¨pIfªp, Ft´m CjvSs¸Sm¯Xpt]mse. Ah³ AÑsâbSp¯psN¶ kvIqfn In«nb amÀ¡pIÄ kw_Ôn¨ Ft´m ISemkv sImSp¯p. “sImÅmw, \¶mbn«p−v.’’ At±lw ]dªp. “\n\s¡s¶ HmÀabpt−m?’’ s̸m³ tNmZn¨p. “D−v A¦nÄ” Ah³ AÑ\p t\À¡pw ]ns¶ \net¯¡pw t\m¡n. s̸m³ Ahs\ ASp¯p hnfn¨v Ahsâ ssIIfn ]nSn¨p. “\nsâ Imcy§sfms¡ F§s\bp−v?’’ Fs´¦nepw kwkmcn¡Wsa¶m{Kln¨v, F´mWp ]dtb−sX¶dnbmsX AbmÄ tNmZn¨p.

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Ah³ \mWn¨v D¯csam¶pw ]dbmsX sasà ssI ]n³hen¨p. s̸msâ ssIIÄ ]nSnhn«t¸mÄ kwibt¯msS AÑs\ t\m¡nbn«v IqSpXpd¶phn« Infnsbt¸mse apdnhn«v HmSnt¸mbn. skcntbmj Ahkm\ambn A½sb I−n«v Hcp hÀjw Ignªp. AXn\p tijw Ah³ Ahsf¸än H¶pw tI«n«pIqSnbnÃ. kvIqfn t]mIm³ XpS§n, AhnsS [mcmfw Iq«pImcmbn. A½sb I−Xn\p tijw Ahs\ AkpJ¯nemgv¯nb HmÀaIfpw kz]v\§fpsam¶pw Ct¸mÄ Ah³ ImWmdnÃ. Ah XncnsI hcms\mcp§nbt¸msgÃmw Ah\hsb B«nbIän. Ft´m hg¡nsâ t]cn AÑ\pw A½bpw X½n ]ncnªncn¡pIbmsW¶pw AÑsâ IqsSbmWv Xm³ \nÂt¡−sX¶pw Ah³ a\knem¡n, AXpambn s]mcp¯s¸Sm³ ioen¨p. A½bpambn Hcp]mSv kmZriy§fpÅ A½mhs\bpw Ah³ shdp¯p. hmXn¸mfn¡p ]n¶n \n¶v AÑ\pw A½mh\pambpÅ kw`mjW¯nsâ iIe§Ä HfnªptIÄ¡pI IqSn sNbvXt¸mÄ B shdp¸v iàambn. AÑs\ apdns¸Sp¯mXncn¡m\pw arZpehnImc§Ä¡p his¸SmXncn¡m\pambn Ah³ A½mhsâ t\À¡pÅ t\m«w Hgnhm¡pIbmbncp¶p. F¶m ]n¶msesb¯nb s̸m³ kvIqfnse Ifnkab¯v Fs´ms¡bmsW¶p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Ah³ IqSpX XpdhntbmsS, AÑsâ Akm¶n[yw \ÂInb kzmX{´yt¯msS adp]Sn ]dªp: “Ct¸mÄ R§Äs¡mcp Xoh−nbp−v.” s_©n Ccn¡p¶ bm{X¡mcpw \n¡p¶ I−IvSdpw Hs¡t¨À¶v Xoh−n Ifn¡p¶sX§s\sb¶v Ah³ hniZoIcn¨p. Hmtcmtcm tNmZy§fneqsS s̸m³ Ahs\ t{]mÂkmln¸n¨psIm−ncp¶p. “AXn\p \à ss[cyw thWw, \à _p²nbpw thWw. {]tXyIn¨pw h−n s]s«¶p \nÀ¯pt¼mÄ, Asæn hoWpt]mIpw.” “AXp hfsc {][m\s¸« kwKXnbmWv.” A½bptSXpt]mse Xnf§p¶ B I®pIfn s̸m³ hnjmZw IeÀ¶ DÂkmlt¯msS t\m¡n. F¶n«v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨n\p sImSp¯ hm¡p ad¶v Aht\mSv tNmZn¨p: “\n\¡v \nsâ A½sb HmÀabpt−m?” “CÃ.” Ahsâ apJw Nph¶p, ]ns¶ BsI aqSns¡«n Ccp−p. IqSpXsem¶pw Ahs\s¡m−p kwkmcn¸n¡m³ AbmÄ¡p IgnªnÃ. ]SnIfnencn¡p¶ Ip«n tZjys¸«ncn¡pIbmtWm IcbpIbmtWmsb¶v Ac aWn¡qÀ Ignªv Ahs\ I− A[ym]I\p ]nSnIn«nbnÃ.

“F´p ]än? FhnsSsb¦nepw hoWp thZ\nt¨m? AsXmcp A]ISw ]nSn¨ IfnbmsW¶p Rm³ ]dªn«ntÃ? C\n UbdIvStdmSp ]dbmw.” “Rm³ Xs¶ hoWp thZ\n¨XmsW¦n AXmcpw AdnbpItb CÃmbncp¶p. AsX\n¡pd¸mWv.” “]ns¶ F´p]än?” “Fs¶ shdpsX hnt«¡v. Rm³ HmÀ¯mepw HmÀ¡mXncp¶mepw AbmÄs¡´m? F´n\m Rm³ HmÀan¡p¶Xv? H¶p kam[m\¯n shdpsX hn«m aXn...” Ahsâ adp]Sn A[ym]It\mSmbncp¶nÃ, temIw apgpht\mSpambn«mbncp¶p.

HutZymKnIImhiy§fpw A¶bpsS Imcy§fpw ]pXnb tPmen¡mbpÅ NcSphenIfpsams¡ \S¯p¶Xnsâ IqsS ]otägvkv_ÀKn PohnXw \¶mbn BkzZn¡m\pw s̸m³ kabw Is−¯n. Fs´Ãmw kuIcy§Ä Ds−¦nepw tamkvtImbnse PohnXw hÃmsX aSp¸n¡p¶XmWv. Ipsd \mÄ ASp¸n¨v AhnsS \n¶mÂ, hntijn¨pw IpSpw_t¯msSm¸w IqSpX kabw sNehgn¨m a\kns\ hnjmZw aqSn¯pS§pw. F¶m ]otägvkv_ÀKn F¯nbm FÃmw amdpw. AhnsSbmWv BfpIÄ Pohn¡p¶Xv þ icn¡pw PohnXw. tamkvtImbn PohnXw a¡Ä¡p th−n Pohn¨pXoÀ¡pIbmWv. ]otägvkv_ÀKn Ah\h\p th−n Pohn¡m\pÅ AhImiw IqSn, A§s\ Pohnt¡− BhiyIX IqSn am\n¡s¸Sp¶p. tamkvtImbn HutZymKnI PohnXw aSp¸n¡p¶XmWv; ChnsS AXnepw Hcp cksams¡bp−v. Hcp ]p©ncn, C¯ncn t\ct¼m¡v, At§m«pant§m«pw klmbw Hs¡. km¼¯nIImcy§fn ]otägvkv_ÀKv s̸m\v hensbmcp Bizmkambncp¶p. _mÀSv\ym³kvIntbmSv ]pXnb tPmen¡v ip]mÀi Bhiys¸«t¸mÄ AbmÄ F´mWXnsâ Bhiysa¶p Xnc¡n. ]W¯n\pÅ AXymhiyhpw Ccp]Xn\mbncw dq_nÄ IS¯nsâ hep¸hpw ]dªt¸mÄ Abmfp−v Nncn¡p¶p. AbmÄ¡v Zie£§fmWs{X _m[yX, F¶n«pw BÀ`mS¯n\v Hcp IpdhpanÃmsX Xs¶ Pohn¡p¶p. jnhmtlmhn\p−v aq¶p e£¯nsâ _m[yX, PohnX¯n Hcp IpdhpanÃ. {InhvtÌmhv {]`p FÃmhcpw FgpXn¯Ånb HchXmcamWv; ]t£ c−v Nn¶hoSpIÄ ]peÀ¯n kpJambmWv AbmÄ Ignbp¶Xv. A³]Xp e£w ISapÅ s]t{SmhvkvIn XnIª BÀ`mS¯n Xs¶ Pohn¡p¶p, [\ImcyhIp¸n Ccp]Xn\mbncw dq_nÄ i¼fapÅ tPmenbpap−v. CXns\ms¡¸pdta imcocnIambn Xs¶

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]otägvkv_ÀKv s̸m\v Dt·jw \ÂIpw. AhnsSsb¯nbm ]¯p hbkv Ipdªpt]mse tXm¶pw AbmÄ¡v. Itc\n\pambpÅ kw`mjW¯nsâ ]ntä¶v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v s_ävkn sSzÀkvIb {]`znbpsS ASp¡Â t]mbn. AhÀ kwkmcn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ abmIy {]`zn AhnsSsb¯n. “Blv, \n§fnhnsS Dt−m? ]mhw, \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS F´p hntijamWpÅXv? Fs¶ A§s\ t\m¡−. FÃmhcpw IqSn AhÄs¡Xncmbn XncnªXn¸ns¶ þ FÃmw Ahsf¡mÄ Hcmbncw aSs§¦nepw Zpjn¨hÀ þ AhÄ sNbvXXp \¶mbn F¶ A`n{]mb¡mcnbmWv Rm³. ]otägvkv_ÀKn h¶t¸mÄ Fs¶ Adnbn¡mªXn\v hvtdm¬kvIntbmSv F\n¡p \à tZjyap−v. Rm³ Ahsf ImWms\¯ntbs\, AhfpsS IqsS FÃmbnShpw Npän¡d§pIbpw sNbvtXs\. AhtfmSv Fsâ At\zjWw ]dbWw. AhfpsS hntij§Ä ]dbq.” “AhfmsI IjvS¯nemWv...” AbmÄ ]dªpXpS§nbt¸mtg¡v ]Xnhpt]mse abmIy CSbv¡pIbdn. “FÃmhcpw, Rms\mgnsI, sN¿p¶Xp Xs¶tb Ahfpw sNbvXn«pÅqþ _m¡nsbÃmhcpw AsXms¡ ad¨phbv¡psa¶p am{Xw. AhÄ Bßh©\ sN¿nÃ, AhÄ sNbvXXp \¶mbn. \n§fpsS B {`m´³ Afnbs\ ths−¶p h¨Xp Xs¶ AhÄ sNbvX \à Imcyw. AbmÄ `b¦c _p²nimenbmsW¶mbncp¶p FÃmhcpw ]dbp¶Xv, Abmsfmcp shdpw hnUvVnbmsW¶p Rm³ am{Xta ]dªncp¶pÅq. Ct¸m enUnb sFht\mhv\tbmSpw em³tUmhnt\mSpapÅ ASp¸w I−t¸mÄ FÃmhcpw ]dbp¶p AbmÄ¡p {`m´msW¶v. FÃmhcpsSbpw A`n{]mbs¯ FXnÀ¡m\mWv F\ns¡t¸mgpw CjvSw; ]t£ C¡mcy¯n AXp \S¸nÃ.” “H¶pIqSn hniZam¡q. C¶se Rm³ A¶bv¡p th−n At±ls¯ I−ncp¶p. At§À Hcp A´naXocpam\w ]dbp¶nÃ. C¶v CXm adp]Sn¡p ]Icw enUnb sFht\mhv\bpsS ho«nte¡p £Wn¨ncn¡p¶p.” “B... AXp Xs¶, AXp Xs¶... Abmsf´p ]dbWsa¶v AhÀ em³tUmhnt\mSv tNmZn¡m³ t]mIpIbmWv.” “em³tUmhnt\mSv tNmZn¡mt\m? BcmWv AYhm F´mWv em³tUm?’’ “tM... bqÄ em³tUmhns\ AdnbntÃ? {]ikvX `mhn^e {]hmNI³. Abmfpsamcp {`m´\mWv. ]t£ \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `mhn AbmfpsS hm¡pIfnemWv. Hcp ]mcokpImc³. tUmIvSsd

ImWms\¯nb AbmÄ Dd§nt¸mbn. Dd¡¯n tcmKnIÄs¡Ãmw \nÀt±i§Ä sImSp¯p. AXpw \à Ak \nÀt±i§Ä. ]ns¶ bqdn saseUn³kvInbpsS þ B Ahi³ þ `mcy Abmsf `À¯mhnsâ ASp¡Â sIm−ph¶p. Abmsf em³tUm kpJs¸Sp¯nsb¶p ]dbp¶p, ]t£ Rm\bmÄ¡p hyXymksam¶pw I−n«nÃ. F´mbmepw AhÀ¡bmsf henb hnizmkambn«p djybnte¡p Iq«ns¡m−ph¶p. ChnsS AbmfpsS ASp¡Â henb BÄ¡q«amWv. s_kpt_mh {]`znsb AbmÄ kpJs¸Sp¯n. AhÀ¡v Abmsf s]cp¯njvSambn«v Zs¯Sp¡pIbpw sNbvXp.’’ “Zs¯Sp¡pItbm?’’ “Dw. aI\mbn«v. Abmfnt¸mÄ shdpw em³tUm AÃ, s_kpt_mhv {]`phmWv. enUnb þ F\n¡hsf henb CjvSamWv, ]t£ AhÄ¡v FhnsStbm Hcp ]ncn CfInbn«p−v þ Ct¸mÄ AbmfpsS henb Bcm[nIbmWv. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsStbm AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâtbm ho«n AbmfpsS D]tZiw IqSmsX Hcp Imcyhpw Xocpam\n¡s¸SpIbnÃ. AXpsIm−v s_kpt_mhv {]`p F¶ em³tUmhnsâ Ic§fnemWv \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `mhn.’’

]dª

kab¯nepw AÂ]w sshIn s̸m³ enUnb sFht\mhv\bpsS ho«nse¯n. DÅn Bscms¡bps−¶p Imh¡mct\mSp tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v Itc\n\pw s_kpt_mhv {]`phpw F¶p adp]Sn In«n. abmIy FÃmw ap³Iq«n¡−tÃm F¶v AbmÄ¡v AÛpXw tXm¶n. “hnNn{Xambncn¡p¶p. F´mbmepw AhtcmSv \à kulrZ¯n Xs¶bncn¡mw. henb kzm[o\amWhÀ¡v. Hcp hm¡v s]mtamÀkvIntbmSp ]dªm Fsâ Imcy¯ns\mcp Xocpam\ap−mIpw.’’ AbmÄ Nn´n¨p.

AhÀ aq¶p t]cpw kwkmcn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ em³tUmhpw AhtcmsSm¸w IqSn. Ipsd Ignªt¸mÄ Abmfpd§n, AYhm Dd§p¶Xmbn \Sn¨p. B Dd¡¯n {^©n NneXp ]pe¼n. s̸m³ AhnsS\n¶nd§n t]ymXvÀ Ht»m³kvInbpsS ho«nte¡p aS§n.

]ntä¶v

A¶bv¡p hnhmltamN\w \nckn¨psIm−v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ adp]Sn In«n. Dd¡¯n AYhm Dd¡\mSy¯n B {^©pImc³ hnfn¨p]dª Imcy§sf ASnØm\am¡nbmWv AsX¶v s̸m\p a\knembn.

247

Hcp

IpSpw_¯n Fs´¦nepw Imcyw \S¡Wsa¦n `mcybpw `À¯mhpw X½n ]cn]qÀW [mcW thWw; Asæn ]qÀWamb `n¶n¸v. BSnbpeªpsIm−ncn¡p¶ _Ô§fn H¶pw sN¿m³ km[n¡nÃ. hk´w Ignªv th\ hs¶¯nbt¸mÄ tamkvtImbnse NqSpw s]mSnbptaäpÅ PohnXw A¶bv¡pw hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw Aklyambn¯oÀ¶p. ]t£ F¶n«pw AhÀ¡v AhnSw hn«v thmkvUznsj³kvtImbnte¡p t]mIm\mbnÃ. kÔy Ignªp. Hcp hncp¶n\p t]mb hvtdm¬kvIn aS§nhcp¶Xpw Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv A¶. Xte¶s¯ hg¡ns\¡pdn¨v AhtfmÀ¯p. XnI¨pw \ncp]{ZhIcamb sIm¨phÀ¯am\¯n \n¶mbncp¶p AXp XpS§nbsX¶v tJZt¯msS AhtfmÀ¯p. s]¬Ip«nIÄ¡pÅ sslkvIqfpIÄ A\mhiyamsW¶p hmZn¡pIbmbncp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn; Ah \ÃXmsW¶v A¶bpw. kv{XoIfpsS hnZym`ymks¯¸än¯s¶ AbmÄ ]cnlkn¡m³ XpS§n. A¶ t\m¡nhfÀ¯p¶ Cw¥ojpImcns¸¬Ip«n l¶ ^nknIvkv ]Tnt¡− Hcp Imcyhpansöp ]dªp. CXv A¶sb apdns¸Sp¯n. Xm³ sN¿p¶Xns\sbÃmw ]cnlkn¡pIbmWv. Cu apdnhn\p X¡ thZ\ Xncn¨psImSp¡m³ ]änb hm¡pIÄ Xncªp AhÄ. “kvt\lapÅhÀ a\knem¡p¶Xpt]mse Fsâ hnImc§fpw Fs¶bpw \n§Ä a\knem¡psa¶v Rm³ {]Xo£n¡p¶nÃ, ]t£ kmam\yacymZ {]Xo£n¨ncp¶p.” s]s«¶p−mb \mWt¡Sn Abmsfs´ms¡tbm ]dªp. AsX´msWt¶mÀabnÃ; AhfpsS adp]Snbpw. ]ns¶ Ahsf apdns¸Sp¯Wsa¶ t_m[]qÀhamb Dt±iyt¯msS AbmÄ ]dªp: “B s]¬Ip«ntbmSpÅ \nsâ {`a¯n F\ns¡mcp XmÂ]cyhpw tXm¶nbn«nÃ, kXyw. ImcWw AXv H«pw kzm`mhnIaÃ. A{X Xs¶.” ZpÊlambn¯oÀ¶ PohnXw apt¶m«p sIm−pt]mIm\pÅ {ia¯nsâ `mKambn Xm³ IjvSs¸«p sI«ns¸m¡nb temIw X¨pXIÀ¯Xnse B {IqcX, Xsâ ta \mSyhpw Ir{XnaXzhpw Btcm]n¨Xnse A\oXn Ahsf tZjyw ]nSn¸n¨p. “{]mIrXhpw euInIX \ndªXpamb Imcy§Ä am{Xta \n§sf BIÀjn¡p¶pÅpsh¶Xn F\n¡p klXm]w tXm¶p¶p” F¶p ]dªn«v A¶ Cd§nt¸mbn.

248 “FÃmw Fsâ IpäamWv. Rm³ s]s«¶p NqSmIp¶p. At±lhpambn cayXs¸SWw. F¶n«p thKw \m«n³]pdt¯¡p t]mImw; AhnsS F\n¡p Ipd¨pIqSn kam[m\w In«ntb¡pw.” “kzm`mhnIaÔ t]mepw. Xs¶ Gähpw apdns¸Sp¯nb hm¡v AhÄ ho−pw HmÀan¨p, hm¡ns\¡mtfsd AXpsIm−v Xs¶ apdns¸Sp¯Wsa¶ t_m[]qÀhamb Dt±iyambncp¶p IqSpX ZpÊlw. F´mWt±lw Dt±in¨sX¶v F\n¡dnbmw. Fsâ aIsf kvt\ln¡msX asämcmfpsS Ip«nsb kvt\ln¡p¶Xv Akzm`mhnIamsW¶v, Ir{XnaXzamsW¶v. Ip«nItfmSpÅ kvt\ls¯¸än, At±ls¯ {]Xn Rm³ Dt]£n¨ skcntbmjtbmSpÅ kvt\ls¯¸än, At±l¯n\v F´dnbmw? F¶mepw Fs¶ thZ\n¸n¡m\pÅ B B{Klw! XoÀ¨bmbpw At±l¯n\p atäsX¦nepw kv{XotbmSv A`n\nthiw tXm¶nbn«p−v. kam[m\w ssIhcn¡m\pÅ {ia¯n ho−pw Akam[m\¯nsâ hgntbbmWv k©mcsa¶v AhÄ a\knem¡n. “H¶pw th−. At±lw IÅanÃm¯h\mWv. At±l¯n\v Fs¶ hfsc kvt\lamWv, F\n¡v At±ls¯bpw. Gsd sshImsX hnhmltamN\w In«pw, R§Ä¡p hnhmlnXcmImw. AXn¡qSpXse´mWp th−Xv. a\kam[m\w am{Xw aXn F\n¡v. FÃm sXäpw FtâXmsW¶v At±lw hcpt¼mÄ Rm³ Gäp]dbpw, kXy¯n A§s\bsænepw. F¶n«v \msf R§Ä ChnsS\n¶p t]mIpw. IqSpX Nn´Ifpw AkzØXIfpw Hgnhm¡m\mbn AhÄ Bsf hnfn¨v s]«nIÄ Hcp¡nhbv¡m³ ]dªp. ]¯p aWnbmbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn h¶p.

“AXpsImÅmw,

\¶mbn«p−v.’’ CS\mgnbn ASp¡ph¨ncn¡p¶ s]«nIÄ t\m¡n hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªp. “Dw, \ap¡p t]mImw. Rm\ns¶m¶p shdpsX ]pd¯pt]mbn. \m«n³]pds¯¯m³ sImXn tXm¶n. \n§Ä¡p XSksam¶panÃtÃm AtÃ?” “Rm\pw AXp Xs¶bmWv sImXn¡p¶Xv. tIm«v amdnbn«p Rm\nt¸m hcmw. \ap¡v hniZambn ¹m³ sN¿mw.’’ “AXpsImÅmw \¶mbn«p−v’’ F¶v AbmÄ ]dªXn \nµyambn Ft´m Ds−¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n. Ipcp¯t¡Sp \nÀ¯nb Ip«nIsf A`n\µn¡p¶Xpt]mse. AXntesd \nµyambncp¶p AhfpsS `mh¯nse ]Ým¯m]hpw AbmfpsS KÀhpw. XsâbpÅn bp²shdn apfs]m«p¶Xv

249

250

Ahfdnªp. AXns\ t_m[]qÀhw AS¡n\nÀ¯n {]k¶XtbmsSXs¶ Abmsf FXntcäp. “Hcp t_mt[mZbw t]msebmWv B tXm¶Â F¶nte¡p IS¶ph¶Xv. hnhmltamN\¯n\mbn F´n\mWv ChnsS Im¯pInS¡p¶Xv? \m«n³]pd¯mbmepw ^ew H¶pXs¶btÃ! F\n¡n\nbpw Im¯ncn¡m³ h¿, C\n F\n¡v AXns\¸än H¶pw tIÄt¡−. AXn\n\n Fsâ ta Hcp kzm[o\hpw D−mInsöv Rm³ Xocpam\n¨pIgnªp. F´p ]dbp¶p?’’ “A§s\ Xs¶.’’ AbmÄ ¾m\XtbmsS Ahsf t\m¡n. “Bscms¡bp−mbncp¶p?’’ hvtdm¬kvIn hncp¶ns\¯nbhcpsS t]cpIÄ ]dªp. “kZy H¶m´cambncp¶p, hÅwIfnbpw H¶m´cw, BsI \à ckap−mbncp¶p. ]t£ tamkvtImbn Fs´¦nepsamcp tImamfn¯canÃms¯ H¶pw Ahkm\n¡nÃtÃm. HSp¡w Hcp kv{Xo IS¶ph¶p, kzoU\nse cmPvRnbpsS \o´Â ]cnioeI, AhcpsS A`ymk{]IS\§Ä R§Ä¡p Im«n¯¶p.” “tM...! AhÄ \o´ntbm?” “Hcp hr¯nsI« Nph¶ thj¯nÂ. AhÀ Hcp hr¯nsI« hbk¯nbmbncp¶p. \½sft¸mgmWv t]mIp¶Xv?” “Fs´Ãmw tIm{]mb§Ä! AhÄ hntijs¸« A`ymk§sfs´¦nepw ImWnt¨m?” “H¶pap−mbnÃ. Hcp IYbpanÃm¯ ImcyamsW¶p Rm³ ]dªntÃ? Ft¸mÄ t]mImsa¶mWv \o IcpXp¶Xv?’’ AkpJIcambsX´ns\tbm B«nbIäp¶Xpt]mse AhÄ Xe sh«n¨p. “F{Xbpw thKw. \msf F´mbmepw \½Ä Hcp§n¯ocnÃ. aä¶mÄ t]mImw.’’ “icn... Hm... Hcp \nanjw. aä¶mÄ RmbdmgvNbtÃ? F\n¡v A½bpsS ASp¯p t]mIWw.” A½bpsS Imcyw ]dªt¸mtg¡v AhfpsS kwibw \ndª I®pIsf¡pdnt¨mÀ¯v AbmÄ ]chi\mbn. B ]chiX AhfpsS kwibw H¶pIqSn Dd¸n¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS a\kn kzoU\nse cmÚnbpsS \o´Â ]cnioeIbÃ, bphkpµcn skmtdm¡n\ {]`znbmWpÅXv. tamkvtImbv¡p kao]w Hcp {Kma¯n hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zntbmsSm¸amWv AhÀ Xmakw.” “\n§Ä¡p \msf s]mbv¡qtS?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “Dw... AXpsIm−p ImcyanÃ. AhnSps¯ CS]mSpIÄ¡p th− ]Whpw B[mc§fpsam¶pw \msf¯s¶ In«nÃ.”

“A§s\bmsW¦n \½Ä t]mIp¶nÃ.” “F´p]än?” “]ns¶sbmcp Znhkw Rm\nÃ. Xn¦fmgvNtbm AXn\p tijtam.” “AsX´m? CXnen{X hntijn¨v F´m DÅXv?” “\n§Ä¡nXnsem¶pw hntijn¨v H¶panÃ, ImcWw \n§Ä Fs¶¸än Nn´n¡p¶nÃtÃm. Fsâ PohnXw a\knem¡m³ \n§Ä {ian¡p¶nÃ. ChnsS F\n¡p {][m\s¸« Hcp kwKXn l¶ Bbncp¶p. AXv \mSyamsW¶v \n§Ä ]dbp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ aIsf kvt\ln¡p¶nsöv, Cu Cw¥ojpImcnsb kvt\ln¡ps¶¶v, AXp kzm`mhnIasöv C¶se \n§Ä ]dªp. kzm`mhnIamb F´p PohnXamWv F\n¡p km[yamIpI F¶v ]dªpXcmtam?” Xms\´mWv sNbvXpIq«p¶sX¶v Hcp \nanjt\ct¯¡v AhÄ¡p shfn]mSp−mbn, Xsâ \nÝbZmÀVyw XIcp¶Xdnªv AhÄ sR«n. kz´w \miamsW¶p Xncn¨dnªn«pw AXns\ {]Xntcm[n¡m³, Abmsf sXäp t_m[ys¸Sp¯ns¡mSp¡p¶Xn \n¶p ]n´ncnbm³, hgnamdns¡mSp¡m³ AhÄ¡p IgnªnÃ. “A§s\sbm¶pw Rm³ ]dªn«nÃ. s]s«¶p−mb B kvt\l¯n F\n¡p henb XmÂ]cyansÃt¶ Rm³ ]dªpÅq. \nsâbpÅnse _lpam\w...” “_lpam\w... kvt\lw Ccnt¡−nSs¯ iq\yX aqSnhbv¡m\pÅXmWXv. \n§Äs¡s¶ kvt\ln¡m³ Ignbp¶nsæn AXp t\tc ]dbp¶XmWv \ÃXv.” “CXp kln¡mhp¶Xn\pa¸pdamWv.” Itkcnbn \n¶p NmSnsbWoäv hvtdm¬kvIn Aedn. Ahsf t\m¡n ISn¨p]nSn¨ hm¡pIfn tNmZn¨p: “F´n\mWp \o Fsâ £a C§s\ ]co£n¡p¶Xv?” C\nbpw Hcp]mSp ]dbm\p−v, ]t£ ths−¶phbv¡pIbmWv F¶ a«n AbmÄ \nÀ¯n. “FÃm¯n\pw Hcp ]cn[nbp−v.” “F¶ph¨m \n§sf´m Dt±in¡p¶Xv?’’ AbmfpsS apJ¯p Xpfp¼n \n¡p¶ shdp¸nte¡v, B I®pIfnse {Iqcamb `ojWnbnte¡v Däpt\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “Rm³...” ]dbms\mcp§nbXp hngp§nbn«v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p: “Rm³ F´p thWsa¶mWv \o ]dbp¶Xv?” “F\ns¡´m th−Xv? \n§sfs¶ hn«pt]mIcpXv, Ct¸mgpt±in¡p¶Xpt]mse, AXp am{Xta F\n¡p th−q.” AbmÄ ]dbmsX hn«Xpw a\knem¡nsb¶ t]mse AhÄ ]dªp. “AÃ, AXÃ.

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AXp c−matX hcp¶pÅq. F\n¡p kvt\lw thWw. AXp In«m\nÃ. AtXmsS FÃmw XoÀ¶p.” A¶ hmXn¡te¡p Xncnªp. “\n¡q...” AhfpsS ssIIfn ]nSn¨psIm−mWv hvtdm¬kvIn AXp ]dªsX¦nepw apJ`mh¯n\p amäsam¶panÃmbncp¶p. “F´ns\s¨mÃnbmWo _lfsaÃmw? bm{X aq¶p Znhkt¯¡p amänhbv¡Wsa¶p Rm³ ]dªp. AXnsâ t]cn Rm³ \pWb\mWv, am\yXbnÃm¯h\mWv Fs¶ms¡ \o ]dbp¶p.” “AtX! F\n¡p th−n FÃmw _enIgn¨psh¶v Fs¶ Ipäs¸Sp¯p¶ AtX a\pjy³” ]gsbmcp hg¡nse hm¡pIÄ HmÀs¯Sp¯v BhÀ¯n¨psIm−v AhÄ ]dªp “am\yXbnÃm¯hs\¶p am{XaÃ, lrZbanÃm¯h\pamsW¶v Rm³ ho−pw ]dbp¶p.” “tlm, kln¡p¶Xn\pw Hcp ]cn[nsbms¡bp−v.” AbmÄ AhfpsS ssIbn \n¶p ]nSnhn«p. “Abmsfs¶ shdp¡p¶p, AXpd¸mWv.” AhÄ Xncnªpt\m¡msX, \nÈ_vZbmbn, CSdp¶ NphSpItfmsS ]pdt¯¡p \S¶p. AbmÄ asämcphsf kvt\ln¡p¶p, AXpw Dd¸mWv. F\n¡p kvt\lw thWw. AXp In«m\nÃ. AtXmsS FÃmw XoÀ¶p.” AhÄ B hm¡pIÄ BhÀ¯n¨p. “FÃmw Ahkm\n¸n¡Ww. ]t£ F§s\?” AhÄ \ne¡®mSnbpsS ap³]nse Dbcw Ipdª Itkcbn Ccp¶p. FhnsSt¸mIWw, Xs¶ hfÀ¯nb A½mbnbpsS ASpt¯t¡m, AtXm tUmfnbpsS ASpt¯t¡m AtXm Häbv¡p hntZit¯bvt¡m; At±lw Ct¸mÄ AI¯v hmb\apdnbn Fs´Sp¡pIbmhpw; CXv FÃm¯n\pw Ahkm\w Ipdn¡p¶ hg¡mtWm, C\nbpw cayXs¸S km[yamtWm; ]otägvkv_ÀKnse ]gb Iq«pImÀ Xs¶¸än F´mhpw Nn´n¡pI, AevIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v CXns\ F§s\bmIpw ImWpI; Cu ASn¨p]ncnben\p tijw F´mhpw kw`hn¡pI þ A§s\ Hcmbncw Nn´IÄ AhfpsS a\kn BÀ¯ph¶p. lrZb¯nsâ Bg¯n Ahsf BIÀjn¡p¶ Ft´m H¶v DZbwsIm−n«p−v, ]t£ hyàambn ImWm³ Ignbp¶nÃ. Hcn¡Â¡qSn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨ns\ HmÀan¨t¸mÄ Xsâ tcmKImehpw HmÀabn h¶p. A¶v Ft¸mgpw AhfpsS a\kn \ndªp\n¶ tNmZyhpw: Rm³ acn¡m¯sX´m? B tNmZyhpw B tXm¶epw Ahfnte¡p XncnsI h¶p. Xsâ lrZb¯nsâ Bg¯n sXfnªphcp¶Xv Fs´¶v AhÄ hyàambn I−p. AsX, FÃm¯n\pw ]cnlmcw H¶p Xs¶. acWw. “AsX, acn¡Ww... FÃm \mWt¡Spwþ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâbpw

skcntbmjbpsSbpw Fsâ AKm[amb \mWt¡Spw þ FÃmw acWw hgn ]cnlcn¡s¸Spw. acn¡Ww. At¸mÄ At±l¯n\v Ipät_m[w tXm¶pw, klXm]w tXm¶pw, Ft¶mSp kvt\lw tXm¶pw. Fs¶ {]Xn Ipd¨p thZ\ A\p`hn¡s«.” CSXp ssI hncen tamXncw CSpIbpw DucpIbpw sNbvXpsIm−v Xâ acWw Abmfn hcp¯m\nSbpÅ amä§Ä k¦Â]n¨psIm−v Ahfncp¶p. ASp¯phcp¶ NphSpIÄ Adnsª¦nepw Adnbm¯a«n Ahfncp¶p. AbmÄ ASp¯p sN¶v AhfpsS ssIIÄ hmcnsbSp¯v ]dªp: “A¶m, \ap¡v aä¶mÄ Xs¶ t]mImw. \nsâ B{Klw AXmsW¦nÂ.’’ Ahsfm¶pw ]dªnÃ. “F´m? F´p ]än?’’ “\n§Ä¡dnbmatÃm?’’ ]dªpXoÀ¶Xpw AhÄ tX§nt¸mbn. “Fs¶ Iftª¡q.’’ G§eSnIÄ¡nSbn AhÄ ]dªp. “Rm³ \msf s]mbvs¡mÅmw... AXneptasd Rm³ sN¿mw. Rm\mcmWv? A[x]Xn¨ Hcp kv{Xo. \n§fpsS Igp¯n sI«nb XncnIÃv. \n§sf ZpcnX¯nem¡m³ Rm\m{Kln¡p¶nÃ. \n§sf Rm³ kzX{´\m¡ntb¡mw. \n§sfs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶nÃtÃm! \n§Ä aämsctbm kvt\ln¡p¶p.’’ hvtdm¬kvIn AhtfmSv a\kp im´am¡m³ At]£n¨p, Ahsf Ae«p¶ Akqbbv¡p bmsXmcp ASnØm\hpansöv, AbmÄ¡v AhtfmSpÅ kvt\lw Hcn¡epw Ipdªn«nsöv, C\n Hcn¡epw Ipdbnsöv, Xm³ Ct¸mÄ Ahsf F¶s¯bpwImÄ Gsd kvt\ln¡p¶psh¶v ]dªp. “A¶m, shdpsXsb´n\mWv \o hnjan¡p¶Xv? Fs¶ hnjan¸n¡p¶Xv?” AbmfhfpsS ssIIfn Npw_n¨p. AbmfpsS apJ¯v BÀ{ZXbp−mbncp¶p, B i_vZ¯n I®ocps−¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n, Xsâ ssIIfn AXnsâ \\hdnªp. Ahfnse AkqbbpsS ]mcayw Hä \nanj¯n BÀ{ZXbpsS ]mcayambn amdn. hvtdm¬kvInbpsS tXmfn Npän¸nSn¨v A¶ AbmfpsS inckpw Igp¯pw ssIIfpw Npw_\§Ä sIm−p aqSn.

A¶

A\pjvIbpsS klmbt¯msS km[\§sfÃmw hmcns¡«n ASp¡pIbmWv. hvtdm¬kvIn A½bpsS ASpt¯¡p t]mIms\mcp§p¶p. Hcp ]cnNmcI³ h¶ sSen{Kmansâ ckoXv Bhiys¸«p. hvtdm¬kvIn¡p sSen{Kw hcp¶Xn A]mIXsbm¶panÃ, ]t£ AXv ad¨ph¨sX´ns\¶v A¶ Nn´n¨p.

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“BcptSXmWv sSen{Kmw?” “Ìnhm Ab¨XmWv.” “F¶ns«´m Fs¶ ImWn¡mXncp¶Xv? Ìnhmbv¡pw F\n¡panSbn F´p clkyamWpÅXv?” “sSen{Kmabbv¡p¶Xv AbmÄs¡mcp ioeamWv. {]tXyIn¨v H¶pw kw`hn¨n«nsæn ]ns¶ F´n\mWv AXbbv¡p¶Xv?” “hnhmltamN\s¯¡pdn¨mtWm?” “AsX. ]t£ Xocpam\sam¶pap−m¡m³ Ignªn«nsömWv. H¶pc−p Znhk¯n\pÅn Fs´¦nepsamcp Xocpam\w Adnbn¡msa¶v. CXm hmbnt¨mfq.” hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªsXms¡ Xs¶bmbncp¶p AXnÂ. HSp¡w C{X IqSn D−mbncp¶p: “{]Xo£bv¡p hIbnÃ; F´mbmepw Rm³ km[yambsXÃmw, km[yaÃm¯Xp hscbpw, sN¿mw.” “hnhmltamN\w In«nbmepw Csænepw F\ns¡m¶pansöv Rm³ C¶se ]dªXtÃ? CsX¶n \n¶p ad¨phbvt¡− HcmhiyhpanÃmbncp¶p.” apJw Nph¶v AhÄ ]dªp. “At¸m aäp kv{XoIfpambpÅ I¯nS]mSpIfpw F¶n \n¶p ad¨phbv¡p¶p−mIpw, D−v.” AhÄ Nn´n¨p. “F´n\mWnXv F¶n \n¶p ad¨ph¨Xv? Rm\Xn\v Hcp hnebpw IÂ]n¡p¶nsöp ]dªXtÃ? AXn\p \n§fpw Rm³ IÂ]n¡p¶{X {]m[m\yw sImSp¯m aXn.” “Imcy§Äs¡mcp XoÀ¸pÅXmWv F\n¡njvSw. AXpsIm−mWv Rm\Xn\p {]m[m\yw IÂ]n¡p¶Xv.” “XoÀ¸p−mtI−Xv _mlyambn«Ã, kvt\l¯nemWv. F´n\mWv \n§fXn\n{X _ew ]nSn¡p¶Xv?” “ssZhta, ]ns¶bpw kvt\ls¯¡pdn¨p Xs¶!” HmÀ¯t¸mÄ AbmfpsS apJw Npfnªp. “F´n\msWt¶m? \nsâbpw \½psS a¡fpsSbpw \à `mhn¡v.’’ “`mhnbn C\n Ip«nIfp−mInÃ.’’ “AXp henb IjvSamWv.’’ “\n§fpsS A½ F´p IcpXps¶t¶m, \n§Ä¡v F§s\bpÅ hnhmlamWv AhÀ IcpXnh¨ncn¡p¶sXt¶m H¶pw F\n¡v Adntb−.’’ “AXÃtÃm \½psS hnjbw’’

“AXp Xs¶bmWv \½Ä kwkmcn¡p¶Xv. lrZbanÃm¯ Hcp kv{Xo, AhÀ hbknbmsW¦nepw Asænepw, \n§fpsS A½bmsW¦nepw thsdbmsc¦nepamsW¦nepw, F\n¡hsc Adnbm³ XmÂ]cyanÃ.’’ “A¶m, Fsâ A½sb¡pdn¨p No¯ ]dbcpsX¶v Rm\t]£n¡p¶p.’’ “aIsâ kt´mjhpw am\yXbpw FhnsSbmsW¶dnbm¯ Hcp kv{Xo lrZbapÅhfÃ.” Xte¶s¯ H¯ptNcens\¡pdn¨v AhtfmÀ¯p. “A¯cw emf\IÄ AbmÄ aäp ]ecpsS taepw sNmcnªn«p−mIpw, sNmcnbp¶p−mIpw, C\nbpw emfn¡m³ sImXn¡p¶pap−mIpw.” “\n§Ä A½sb kvt\ln¡ps¶m¶panÃ. FÃmw shdpw hÀ¯am\w am{Xw, hÀ¯am\w.” “A§s\bmsW¦n¯s¶ \o...” “Xocpam\n¡Ww... Xocpam\n¨n«p−v...” At¸mtgbv¡p bmjvhn³ IS¶ph¶p. lrZb¯n sImSp¦mänc¼p¶ thfIfnseÃmw, PohnX¯nse hgn¯ncnhpIfpsS ]SnhmXnen \n¡pt¼msgÃmw aq¶masXmcmÄ¡p ap¶n \mSy§fpambn \nÂt¡−n hcp¶Xv AhÄ¡v BZys¯ A\p`haÃ. AhÄ \à BXntYbbmbn bmjvhns\ kzoIcn¨ncp¯n hÀ¯am\w ]dªp. IpXncsb hm§p¶ thmbvtämhv h¶t¸mÄ A¶ Fgpt¶äv ]pdt¯¡p t]mbn. hvtdm¬kvIn ]pd¯pt]mbn XncnsI h¶Xv sshInbmWv. A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ XethZ\bmbn«p InS¡pIbmWv, AhfpsS ASp¡tebv¡p sNtÃs−¶p ]dªn«ps−¶v ]cnNmcnI Adnbn¨p.

BZyambmWv

Hcp Znhkw apgph³ hg¡pIqSn Ignbp¶Xv. CXp hg¡mbncp¶nÃ, achn¸v. achn¸p am{XaÃ, AbmÄ Xs¶ shdp¡pI IqSn sN¿p¶p, asämcphsf kvt\ln¡p¶p, AXpd¸mWv. ]pd¯p t]mbnh¶ c−p aWn¡qsdmgnsI A¶p apgph³ A¶ kwib§fpsS IqSmc¯nembncp¶p. AbmÄ ]dª iImc§Ä¡p ]pdta ]dtª¡mambncp¶ hm¡pIÄ AhÄ kzbw Is−¯n. “\n\¡p hnhmltamN\w th−tÃ? ths−¦n th−, \o AbmfpsS ASp¡te¡p Xs¶ XncnsI s]mbvt¡m. ]W¯n\v Bhiyaps−¦n Rm³ Xcmw. F{X dq_nÄ thWw?” A§s\ ]eXpw. AsXm¶pw AbmtfmSp £an¡m³ AhÄ¡p IgnªnÃ, bYmÀ°¯n AbmÄ AsXms¡ ]dªXmsW¶ t]mse.

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“]t£ Fs¶ Hcp]mSv CjvSamsW¶v C¶sebtà At±lw Ft¶mSp ]dªXv? Hcp ImcyhpanÃmsX ap³]pw Rm³ shdpsX hnjan¨n«ntÃ?” ]n¶oSv AhÄ kzbw Bizkn¸n¨p. ]I apgph³ AbmÄ aS§nhcp¶Xv Im¯ncp¶p. cm{Xn InS¡m³ t]mIpt¼mÄ XethZ\bmsW¶ ktµiw ]dtªÂ¸n¨n«v AhÄ hnNmcn¨p: “AXp tI«n«pw At±lw FsâbSp¡Â hcps¶¦n kvt\lap−v. hcp¶nsæn FÃmw Ignsª¶p IcpXmw. F¦n _m¡n Imcyw Xocpam\n¡mw.” cm{Xn h−n h¶p \n¡p¶Xpw AbmÄ \S¶phcp¶Xpw the¡mcntbmSp kwkmcn¡p¶Xpw A¶ tI«p. ]dtªÂ¸n¨ ktµiw hnizkn¨v, AXns\¸än IqSpXsem¶pw Nn´n¡msX AbmÄ kz´w apdnbnte¡p t]mbn. A§s\ FÃmw ]qÀ¯nbmbn. AbmfpsS a\kn kvt\lw XncnsIs¡m−phcp¶Xn\pÅ, AbmfpsS ta hnPbw hcn¡p¶Xn\pÅ Ahkm\amÀKambn acWw AhfpsS ap³]n ho−pw sXfnªph¶p. C\n H¶pw Hcp {]iv\aÃ. thmkvUznsj³kvtImbnte¡p t]mIpItbm t]mImXncn¡pItbm, `À¯mhn \n¶p hnhmltamN\w In«pItbm In«mXncn¡pItbm F´pamIs«. Abmsf in£n¡Ww. ]XnhpÅ Idp¸v kzbw ]IÀs¶Sp¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ BtemNn¨p, Ip¸nbnepÅXv H¶msI AI¯m¡pItb th−q, F{X Ffp¸amWXv! Abmsf{Xam{Xw thZ\n¡pw, F´pam{Xw ]Ým¯]n¡pw, Xsâ kvacWIsf F{Xam{Xw kvt\ln¡pw Fs¶ms¡ AhÄ InS¡bn InS¶psIm−v BtemNn¨p. apdnbn shfn¨w ]IÀ¶psIm−ncp¶ sagpIpXncn FcnªpXoÀ¶p. F§pw AÔImcw. “acWw.” AhtfmÀ¯p. Xms\hnsSbmsW¶v HmÀs¯Sp¡m³, Xos¸«n I−p]nSn¨v ]pXnsbmcp Xncn sImfp¯m³ AhÄ Gsd t\csaSp¯p. “CÃ, F´mbmepw Pohn¡Ww! At±lw Fs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶p−v! Rm³ At±ls¯ kvt\ln¡p¶p−v! CsXms¡ ap³]pw kw`hn¨n«pÅXmWv, FÃmw IS¶pt]mIpw.” AhfpsS IhnfpIfneqsS B\µ¯nsâ I®oÀ HgpInbnd§n. A¶ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS apdnbnte¡v ]mªpsN¶p. AbmÄ \à Dd¡ambncp¶p. apJ¯n\p tate shfn¨w ]nSn¨v Gsd t\cw AhÄ \nÀ¶ntajbmbn \n¶p. Dd¡¯n Abmsf AhÄ AKm[ambn kvt\ln¨p; F¶m DWÀs¶Woäm B I®pIfn achn¨ t\m«w Xncn¨phcpsa¶v AhÄ `b¶p. Abmsf DWÀ¯msX AhÄ Xncn¨pt]mbn c−masXmcp tUmkv Idp¸p IqSn IpSn¨v InS¶p, ]pecmdmbt¸mtg¡v Dd§nt¸mbn. t\cnb Dd¡w.

`oIcamb Hcp Zpkz]v\w I−v sR«nbmWv AhÄ DWÀ¶Xv. hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ _Ôw XpS§p¶Xn\pw ap³t] ]eXhW BhÀ¯n¨n«pÅ H¶v. PSsI«nb XmSnbpÅ Hcp Ipªphr²³ Ft´m Ccp¼n\p ta Ip\nªp\n¶v Ft´m sN¿p¶p, {^©n Fs´ms¡tbm ]pe¼p¶p. B Zpkz]v\¯n Ft¸mgpw tXm¶mdpÅXpt]mse AbmÄ Xs¶ {i²n¡pt¶bnsöv AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. sR«nsbWoä AhfpsS a\kn Xte¶s¯ kw`h§Ä HmSnsb¯n. F´mbmepw \msf¯s¶ t]mIWw. AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb ImWm\mbn AbmfpsS apdnbnte¡p \S¡ms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ ]pd¯p h−n h¶p \n¡p¶ i_vZw. aWnbSn¡p¶Xpw hvtdm¬kvIn HmSnbnd§nt¸mIp¶Xpw sseemIv hkv{X§fWnª Hcp kpµcn Ft´m ssIamdp¶Xpw AhÄ I−p. aµlmkt¯msS hvtdm¬kvIn AhtfmsSt´m ]dªp, h−n XncnsIt¸mbn, AbmÄ XncnsI ]SnIÄ HmSn¡bdn. AhfpsS a\kns\ BhcWw sNbvXp \n¶ aªn³ad apgph\mbn \o§nbncn¡p¶p. Xte¶s¯ s\m¼c§Ä AhfpsS lrZb¯n ]pXnb Icpt¯msS ]Xn¨p. AbmtfmsSm¸w AbmfpsS ho«n Hcp ]IÂIqSn Ign¨v F§s\bmWv IqSpX A[x]Xn¡p¶Xv Ft¶mÀ¯v AhÄ AbmfpsS apdnbntet¡mSn. “aZmw skmtdm¡n\bpw aIfpambncp¶p. A½ sImSp¯b¨ ]Whpw B[mc§fpw Xcm³ h¶XmWv. C¶se Ahsc ImWm³ IgnªnÃ. \nsâ XethZ\ F§s\bp−v? Ipdhpt−m?” AhfpsS apJs¯ ¾m\Xbpw cu{Zhpw ImWmXncn¡m³ {ian¨psIm−v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. Abmsf cq£ambn t\m¡ns¡m−v \nÈ_vZbmbn AhÄ apdnbpsS \Sphn \n¶p. ]ns¶ H¶pw ]dbmsX apdnhn«p t]mbn. “B, ]ns¶, \½Ä \msf¯s¶ t]mIpIbmWtÃm AtÃ?” AhÄ hmXn¡temfw F¯nbt¸mÄ AbmÄ hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. “\n§Ä. Rm\nÃ.” Xncnªpt\m¡msX AhÄ ]dªp. “A¶m, \½fn§s\ apt¶m«p t]mIm\mhnÃ.” “\n§Ä. Rm³ CÃ.” AhÄ BhÀ¯n¨p. “CXp kln¡m³ ]ämXmbn«p−v.” “\n§Ä... \n§fnXnsâ t]cn ZpxJn¡pw.” ]dªn«v AhÄ ]pdt¯¡p t]mbn. AhfpsS hm¡pIfnse \ncmibdnªv AbmÄ `oXntbmsS ]ns©Ãm³ Hcp§n; ]ns¶ ths−¶ph¨v XncnsIbncp¶p ]ÃpIÄ sRcn¨p

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iq\yXbnte¡p ISp¸n¨p t\m¡n. “FÃm hgnbpw ]co£n¨p, C\n {i²n¡msX hnSpItb c£bpÅq.’’ AbmÄ ]«W¯nte¡pw AhnsS\n¶v B[mc§fn H¸phm§m³ A½bpsS ASp¡tebv¡pw t]mIms\mcp§n. AbmÄ ]pdt¯¡p t]mIp¶ i_vZw AhÄ tI«p.

“Zmcy AeIvkm³t{Umhv\tbm? B... Rm³ t]mIpIbmWv.” “]Xn\©p an\näv At§m«v, ]Xn\ªv Ct§m«pw. At±lw Ct¸msg¯pw.” AhÄ hms¨Sp¯p t\m¡n. “F¶mepw At±l¯n\v Fs¶ Cu ØnXnbn hn«n«v F§s\ t]mIm³ tXm¶n? Ft¶mSp ]nW¡w amämsX?” i_vZw tI«p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS h−n. ktµihmlI\mWv XncnsIsb¯nbXv. AhÄ AbmfpsS ASp¡te¡p sN¶p. “{]`phns\ ImWm³ IgnªnÃ. At±lw s]mbv¡gnªncp¶p.” “At¸mÄ At±l¯n\v Fsâ I¯p In«nbnÃ? Cu I¯pambn DS³ hvtdm¬kvIb {]`znbpsS ho«n sNÃpI, F¶n«v DS³ Xs¶ Hcp adp]Sn sIm−phcWw.” Hcp sSen{Kmw IqSn FgpXn Ab¨n«v AhÄ tUmfnbpsS ASp¡te¡p t]mbn.

“At±lw t]mbn. FÃmw Ignªp.’’ Xte¶v sagpInXncn AWªt¸mgs¯ Iqcncp«pw ]peÀs¨ I− Zpkz]v\hpw IqSn AenªptNÀ¶ `oXn Ahsfs¸mXnªp. Häbv¡mbncn¡m³ hÃmsX `bs¸«v AhÄ aWnbSn¨p; ]cnNmcI³ hcm³ Im¯ncn¡msX AbmfpsS ASpt¯¡v Cd§ns¨¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn IpXnc¸´nbnte¡mWp t]mbsX¶dnªv ASnb´camsW¶p ]dªv Ipdn¸p sImSp¯b¨p: “F\n¡p sXänt¸mbn. ho«nte¡p XncnsI hcWw. F\n¡p kwkmcn¡Ww! ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v XncnsI hcWw. F\n¡p t]SnbmIp¶p.” Häbv¡mbncn¡m³ `b¶v AhÄ ]cnNmcIsâ ]n¶mse \gvkdnbnte¡p \S¶p. “At¿m! CXv Ah\ÃtÃm! Ahsâ \oe¡®pIfpw \mWn¨ B Nncnbpw FhnsS?” Ccp−pNpcp− apSnbngIfpÅ Nph¶ Ipªpkpµcnsb I−t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªXv A§s\bmWv. Ipgadnª AhfpsS a\kv skcntbmjsbbmWv AhnsS {]Xo£n¨Xv. aIfpsS D¨¯nepÅ Nncnbpw ]pcnI§fpsS Ne\hpw hvtdm¬kvInsb A\pkvacn¸n¨p. A¶ AhnsS\ns¶gpt¶äv, tX§eS¡n, ]pdt¯¡p t]mbn. AhÄ hm¨n t\m¡n. Ccp]Xp an\näv Ignªp. Ct¸msgsâ I¯p hmbn¨n«v At±lw XncnsI hcnIbmbncn¡pw. Hcp ]¯p an\näp IqSn Ignªm Cs§¯pw. C\n AYhm hcp¶nsæntem? CÃ, hcmXncn¡nÃ. AhÄ I®oÀ XpS¨p, XeapSn NoInbn«ntÃsb¶v HmÀ¯pt\m¡n, Dd¸phcp¯m\mbn ssIsIm−v XShnt\m¡n, F¶n«pw kam[m\amImsX I®mSnbn t\m¡n. I®mSnbn \n¶v t]Sn¨c−v Xs¶ t\m¡p¶ NoÀ¯ apJhpw Xnf§p¶ I®pIfpw BcptSXmsW¶hÄ BtemNn¨p. “Hmlv, AXp Rm³ Xs¶bmWtÃm!” Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ AbmfpsS Npw_\§Ä HmÀ¯v AhÄ hnd¨p. kz´w ssIIÄ A[c§fnte¡pbÀ¯v AhÄ Ahbn Npw_n¨p. “F´mWnXv, F´p ]än? Fsâ ka\ne sXäntbm?” AhÄ kz´w InS¸dbnte¡p t]mbn, A\pjvI AhnSw hr¯nbm¡pIbmbncp¶p. “Zmcy AeIvkm³t{Umhv\sb ImWm³ t]mIp¶ntÃ?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

h−nbnencn¡pt¼mÄ

A¶ Ignª kw`h§sf ]pXnsbmcp shfn¨¯n I−p. Ct¸mÄ acWw A{X `oIcambn tXm¶nbnÃ. A{X A\nhmcyhpambncp¶nÃ. kzbw Xmgv¶psImSp¯p hcp¯nh¨ \mWs¡Sns\s¨mÃn AhÄ kzbw Ipäs¸Sp¯n. F\ns¡´m Abmsf¡qSmsX Pohn¡m\mhntÃ? B tNmZyw D¯cw XncbmsX hn«psIm−v AhÄ ISIfpsS t_mÀUpIÄ hmbn¡p¶Xnte¡p Xncnªp. “FÃmw tUmfntbmSp ]dbWw. AhÄ¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb CjvSaÃ. F\n¡p hÃm¯ \mWt¡SmIpw, F¶mepw FÃmw AhtfmSp ]dbWw. AhÄs¡s¶ CjvSamWv, AhÄ ]dbpwt]mse sN¿mw. AbmfpsS tXm¶ymk§Äs¡m¯p XpÅm³ ]änÃ.” “`qXImes¯ thtcmsS ]ngpXpIfbm³ ]änÃ. ]t£ AXns\¡pdn¨pÅ HmÀaIÄ aqSnhbv¡mw. Rm³ AXpXs¶ sN¿pw.” AhÄ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨psam¯pÅ Imew, AXnsâ HmÀaIÄ F§s\ ambv¨pIfªpsh¶v HmÀ¯pt]mbn. “Rm³ c−mas¯ `À¯mhns\bpw XgbpIbmsW¶v tUmfn hnNmcnt¨¡pw.” A¶ sNÃpt¼mÄ tUmfntbmsSm¸w Inänbpap−v. AhÄ hntijns¨m¶pw ]dbmsX, bm{X ]dªv XncnsIt¸m¶p. F¶mWp XncnsIt¸mIp¶sX¶ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw ]dbmsX AhÄ Hgnªpamdn. A¶bmWp h¶sX¶dnª Inän Ahsc ImWmsX amdn \ns¶¦nepw ]n¶oSv tUmfnbpsS k½À±¯n\p hg§n. t\cn«p I−t¸mÄ AhfpsS tZjyhpw shdp¸psaÃmw AenªpXoÀ¶p. klXm]w am{Xw _m¡nbmbn.

259

A¶

ho«n XncnsIsb¯nbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS sSen{Kw h¶n«p−v: “]¯paWn¡p ap³]v F¯m³ \nÀhmlanÃ.” ZqXpambn t]mb ]cnNmcI³ h¶ntÃsb¶v AhÄ Xnc¡n. h¶n«nsömbncp¶p adp]Sn. AÔamb t{Im[hpw {]XnImchmRvObpw DÅnepWÀ¶v AhÄ ]dªp: “Rm³ Xs¶ AbmfpsS ASp¡Â t]mImw. Fs¶t¶bv¡pambn bm{XbmIp¶Xn\p ap³]v AbmtfmSv FÃmw ]dbWw. Abmsf shdp¡p¶Xpt]mse Hcmsfbpw Rm³ CXphsc shdp¯n«nÃ.” s{Sbn³ kabw Adnbm³ AhÄ ]{Xw t\m¡n. “dbnÂth tÌj\n Csæn A§p t]mbn Abmsf ImWWw.” h−n Hcp¡n\nÀ¯m³ ]dªn«v AhÄ c−paq¶p Znhkt¯bv¡pÅ km[\§Ä hmcns¡«n. C\n Xncn¨nt§m«nsöv AhÄ¡dnbmambncp¶p. dbnÂth tÌj\n Asæn {]`znbpsS hkXnbn kw`hnt¨¡mhp¶ Imcy§Ä¡p tijw \njv\n tdmUnepÅ BZys¯ ]«Ww hsc t]mbn Cd§msa¶mbncp¶p AhfpsS a\knse Ahyàamb ]²XnIfn tcJs¸Sp¯nbncp¶Xv.

bm{XbnepS\ofhpw \njnsKmtdmZv dbnÂth tÌj\nse Xnc¡neqsS ^Ìv ¢mkv shbvänMv dqante¡p \o§pt¼mgpw t]SnsIm−p ]nSbp¶ AhfpsS lrZbs¯ {]Xo£bpw \ncmibpw amdnamdn ]oUn¸n¨psIm−ncp¶p. s{Sbn\n Ibdnbt¸mÄ Bscbpw ImWmXncn¡m\mbn AhÄ Hgnª Hcp `mK¯p P\mebv¡encp¶p. BsI sNfn]pc−, PSsI«nb apSn sXm¸n¡Snbn \n¶p \mep]mSpw sXdn¨p\n¡p¶ Hcp Irjohe³ N{I§fpsS t\À¡p Ip\nªpt\m¡ns¡m−v B P\mebv¡eqsS \S¶pt]mbn. “AbmfpsS t]Sn¸n¡p¶ B cq]¯n ]cnNnXambn Ft´m H¶p−tÃm?” AhtfmÀ¯pt\m¡n. BhÀ¯n¡mdpÅ B kz]v\w HmÀah¶t¸mÄ `b¶v AhÄ FXnÀhis¯ hmXn¡tebv¡p amdn Ccp¶p. Hcp `mcybpw `À¯mhpw X½n \nÀ¯msX kwkmcn¡pIbmWv. “AXn\mWv a\pjy\v _p²n \ÂInbncn¡p¶Xv, Xs¶ Ae«p¶ Imcy§fn \n¶p c£s]Sm³.” B kv{Xo {^©n ]dªp. Xsâ Nn´IÄ¡pÅ adp]SnbmWv AsX¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n. “AsX, Rm\msI AkzØbmWv. AsX, AXn\mWv F\n¡p _p²n \ÂInbncn¡p¶Xv, AkzØXIfn \n¶p c£s]Sm³. ImWm³

260 H¶pansömIpt¼mÄ, ImWp¶sXÃmw AtemkcamIpt¼mÄ shfn¨w sISp¯n¡fbp¶Xn F´mWp Ipg¸w?” s{Sbn³ tÌj\n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ ]pd¯nd§n IpjvTtcmKnIfn \ns¶¶t]mse asäÃm bm{X¡mcn \n¶pw AI¶v HcnS¯p \n¶p. Xms\´n\mWv h¶Xv, Ft§m«mWv t]mIp¶Xv Fs¶Ãmw HmÀ¯p. ]ns¶ Hcp Npa«pImct\mSv hvtdm¬kvIn {]`phnsâ I¯pambn Xsâ h−n¡mc³ ChnsShnsSsb¦nepapt−m F¶p tNmZn¨p. “hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p? Ahcnt¸mÄ Bsf hn«nt«bp−mbncp¶pÅq. skmtdm¡n\ {]`znsbbpw aIsfbpw Iq«ns¡m−p t]mIm³. h−n¡mc³ I−mse§s\bncn¡pw?” AhÀ kwkmcn¨psIm−ncn¡pt¼mÄ A¶bpsS h−n¡mc³ anssl HmSnsb¯n Hcp I¯v AhÄ¡p ssIamdn. AXp Xpd¶p hmbn¡pt¼mtg¡v AhfpsS lrZbw hÃmsX thZ\n¨p. “\nsâ I¯v In«pw ap³]v t]mcm\nSbmbXn Rm³ ZpxJn¡p¶p. Rm³ ]¯paWnbmIpt¼mtg¡v F¯mw...” hvtdm¬kvIn Aekambn Ipdn¨ncn¡p¶p. ansslens\ ]dªb¨n«v AhÄ ]dªp: “Fs¶ C\nbpw ZpcnX¯nem¡m³ \ns¶ Rm\\phZn¡nÃ.’’ AbmtfmSÃ, Xt¶mSp Xs¶bpaÃ, Xsâ thZ\IÄs¡Ãmw ImcWamb B iàntbmSv. AhÄ ¹mävt^maneqsS \S¶p. Hcp etKPv s{Sbn³ h¶p, BfpIÄ Cc¼n, ¹mävt^mw Deªp, ho−pw s{Sbn\nsâ DÅnse¯nbXpt]mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. s]s«¶v AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb BZyambn I− \mÄ h−n¡Snbn s]«p acn¨ a\pjys\ HmÀan¨p. Ft´m ]nSnIn«nbXpt]mse A\mbmkambn NphSph¨v AhÄ AXnio{Lw ]mf¯n\Spt¯¡p \S¶p. ASp¯phcp¶ h−nbpsS BZys¯ t_mKn t\m¡n AhÄ \n¶p. ap³]nes¯bpw ]n³]nes¯bpw N{I§Ä X½nepÅ AIew a\knef¶p, a[y`mKw Xsâ t\À¡p hcp¶ kabw IW¡pIq«n. “Abmsf Rm³ in£n¡pw. FÃmhcn \n¶pw F¶n \n¶p Xs¶bpw Rm³ c£s]Spw.” AhÄ Nn´n¨p. H¶mas¯ t_mKnbpsS N{I§Ä¡Snbnte¡p kzbw kaÀ¸n¡m³ AhÄ {ian¨p. ]t£, ssIbnencp¶ Nph¶ _mKv hens¨dnªt¸mtg¡v AXp IS¶pt]mbn. ASp¯Xn\mbv AhÄ Im¯p\n¶p. ap§n¡pfn¡m\pÅ BZys¯ Nm«¯n\p sXm«pap³]pÅXpt]mse Hcp tXm¶Â AhÄ¡p−mbn, AhÄ Ipcnip hc¨p. _meyIuamc§fnse Hcp]mSv HmÀaIÄ a\kn HmSnsb¯n, kÀhXns\bpw aqSn\n¶ncp¶

261 CcpÄ IodnbI¶p, IS¶pt]m¶ hgnIfnse kÀhkt´mj§tfmSpw IqSn PohnXw Hcp \nanjt¯¡v AhfpsS ap³]n {]ImitKm]pcambn DbÀ¶ph¶p. F¦nepw AhÄ h−nbn \n¶p Is®Sp¯nÃ. ap³]n³ N{I§fpsS a[y`mKw X\n¡p t\scsb¯nbt¸mÄ ssIIÄ Ip¯n h−n¡Snbnte¡p hoWp. ImÂap«pIfpw Ip¯n. s]s«¶v, F´mWo sNbvXsXt¶mÀ¯v AhÄ sR«nhnd¨p, NmSnsbWo¡m³, ]nt¶m«p amdm³ AhÄ {ian¨p. ImcpWyteianÃm¯ I\¯ Hcp `mcw AhfpsS inckns\ ASn¨phogv¯v Ahsf Dcp«nadn¨p. “IÀ¯mth, Ft¶mSv £ant¡Wta” s]mcpXm³ t]mepamhmsX AhÄ At]£n¨p. apjnªp PSsI«nb HcmÄ Ft´m ]pe¼ns¡m−v AhÄ¡p aotX Ccp¼n³ta Ft´m sN¿p¶p−mbncp¶p. thZ\IfpsSbpw Iůc§fpsSbpw AhnizkvXXIfpsSbpw Xn·IfpsSbpw s\m¼c§fpsSbpw B ]pkvXIw hmbn¡m³ AhÄ¡p Iq«mbncp¶ shfn¨w s]s«¶v iàambn Pzen¨p, Ccpfnembncp¶h IqSn AhÄ hyàambn I−p, ]ns¶ AXp a§n, Fs¶s¶bv¡pambn AWªp.

262

`mKw F«v skÀPn

sFht\mhn¨v Bdp hÀjs¯ IT\n]cn{ia§Ä¡pw KthjW§Ä¡psamSphn FgpXnb {KÙw Hcp Ne\§fpw D−m¡nbnsöÃ, A[nIamcpw {i²n¡pI Xs¶ sNbvXnÃ. CXp hÃmsX Ae«nsb¦nepw skÀ_nb³ bp²w kw_Ôn¨v P\m`n{]mbkzcq]W¯n apgpIn At±lw ]pkvXI¯nsâ Imcyw Xs¶ GXm−p hnkvacn¨p. Pqsse Bbt¸mÄ Iämhtkmhns\bpw Iq«n sehnsâ ASp¡Â hn{iaPohnX¯n\mbn ]pds¸«p. tÌj\n AhÀ bp²ap¶Wnbnte¡p t]mIp¶ k¶²`S·msc I−pap«n. \mep h−nbnembn F¯nb Ahsc bm{Xbm¡m³ ]q¡fpw sN−pIfpambn hensbmcp kwLw kv{XoIfpw F¯nbn«p−v. AXnsemcp kv{Xo skÀPn sFht\mhn¨nt\mSp tNmZn¨p: “\n§fpw Ahsc bm{Xbm¡m³ h¶XmtWm?” “Aà {]`zo, Rms\sâ A\pPsâ ASp¡te¡v HgnhpImew sNehgn¡m³ t]mIpIbmWv. \n§Ä Ft¸mgpw Chsc bm{Xbm¡m³ hcmdpt−m?” “Hm, AXv Akm[yatÃ? \½Ä CXphsc F®qdp t]sc Ab¨p F¶Xv icnbmtWm? Rm³ ]dªn«v amÂhn³kvIn hnizkn¡p¶nÃ.’’ “F®qdn IqSpXep−v. tamkvtImbn \n¶v t\cn«ÃmsX Ab¨hsc¡qSn Iq«nbm Bbnc¯n\p taÂ.’’ “C¶s¯ sSen{Kmanse´m hntijw? XpÀ¡nIsf ho−pw tXmÂ]nt¨m?” aq¶p Znhkambn XpSÀ¨bmbn XpÀ¡nIÄ tXmtämSpIbmWv, \msf Imcyambn Fs´¦nepw kw`hn¡pw. AÂ]w ap³]v X§Ä kwkmcn¨psIm−ncp¶ Imcyw skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v Adnbn¨p. “\n§fdntªm, hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p, B Ip{]kn²³... Cu h−nbn t]mIp¶p−v.’’ “AbmÄ t]mIp¶psh¶v Rm³ Adnªncp¶p. ]t£ F¶msW¶dnbnÃmbncp¶p. Cu h−nbn Dt−m?’’ “Rm³ I−p. bm{Xbm¡m³ A½ am{XtabpÅq. GXmbmepw AbmÄ¡p sN¿mhp¶ Hcp \à ImcyamWXv.’’ At¸mÄ IS¶ph¶ s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v skÀPn sFht\mhn¨nt\mSv tUmfnsb t]mbn¡mWsa¶v ]dªp. I½nänbpsS sk{I«dn Øm\w X\n¡p In«nsb¶v Adnbn¡Wsa¶pw.

263

264

hvtdm¬kvIn t]mIp¶ hnhcw ]dªptI«t¸mÄ AbmÄ Ahniz\obXtbmsS t\m¡n, apJ¯p ZpxJw \ndªp. Hcp \nanj¯n\p tijw aoi XShns¡m−v hvtdm¬kvIn Ccn¡p¶ apdnbnte¡p \S¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ ktlmZcnbpsS PU¯n\p tate sNmcnª tX§epIÄ ad¶pIgnªncp¶p. ]gb kplr¯pw hoctbm²mhpw Bbn am{Xta hvtdm¬kvInsb At¸mgbmÄ I−pÅq. “F\n¡bmsf H«pw CjvSaÃmbncp¶p. F´mbmepw CXv \sÃmcp {]mbÝn¯amWv. AbmÄ t]mIpI am{XaÃ, kz´w sNehn Hcp kvIzm{U¬ apgph³ sIm−pt]mIp¶pap−v.” s̸m³ \S¶pIgnªt¸mgmWv {]`zn AXp ]dªXv.

Ahsâ h−n¡mc³ FÃmw I−p\n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. Rm³ Ahsâ apdnbn HmSnsb¯pt¼mtgbv¡v AbmÄ AhsâbSp¯p−v. Ahs\ t\m¡m³ Xs¶ t]SnbmIpambncp¶p. Hcp hm¡pw ]dbmsX Ah³ IpXnc¸pd¯p Ibdnt¸mbn, acW¯nsâ h¡nemWv XncnsIs¡m−phcp¶Xv. I−n«v F\n¡pIqSn a\knembnÃ. GXm−p {`m´nsâ ht¡mfsa¯nbncp¶p. Hm, F´n\sXms¡ ]dbp¶p. \n§Ä F´p ]dªmepw Ahsfmcp No¯ kv{Xobmbncp¶p. kzbw \mi¯nte¡p \o§n, c−p \à a\pjyscbpw þ AhfpsS `À¯mhns\bpw Fsâ aIs\bpw þ \in¸n¨p.” “AhfpsS `À¯mhv F´p sNbvXp?” “AbmÄ AhfpsS aIsf¡qSn sIm−pt]mbn. AeIvkn BZyw F´n\pw k½Xn¡p¶ AhØbnembncp¶p. Xsâ aIsf asämcmÄ¡p sImSp¯phn«Xn Ct¸mÄ Ah³ ZpxJnX\mWv. ]t£ hm¡p amdm³ ]änÃtÃm. Itc\n³ ihkwkvImc¯n\p h¶ncp¶p. AbmÄ AeIvknsb ImWmXncn¡m³ R§Ä ]camh[n {ian¨p. AbmÄ¡v A{X _p²nap«p−mbnÃ, Ahfbmsf kzX{´\m¡nbncp¶tÃm. ]t£ Fsâ aI\v FÃmw Ahfmbncp¶p. Ah³ kÀhXpw AhÄ¡p th−n XyPn¨ncp¶p þ tPmenbpw Fs¶t¸mepw. F¶n«pw Ahfht\mSp IcpW ImWn¨nÃ. \n§sf´p thWsa¦n IcpXnt¡m, F¶mepw AhfpsS acWw Hcp ZpjvSkv{XobpsS, aXhnizmkanÃm¯hfpsS acWambncp¶p. Fsâ aIsâ ZpcnXw ImWpt¼mÄ AhfpsS HmÀaIsft¸mepw shdp¡mXncn¡m³ F\n¡mhp¶nÃ, ssZhw Ft¶mSp s]mdp¡s«.” “Ct¸mgt±l¯n\v F§s\bp−v?” “ssZhw R§Ä¡p X¶ A\p{KlamWv Cu skÀ_nb³ bp²w. F\n¡Xnsâ sXäpw icnbpw H¶pw AdnbnÃ. ]t£ ssZhw R§Ä¡p X¶ A\p{KlamWv Cu bp²w. AXv Ahs\ c£ns¨Sp¯n«p−v. Ahsâsbmcp kplr¯v bmjvhn³ NqXpIfn¨v kÀhXpw \jvSs¸Sp¯n, F¶n«p skÀ_nbbnte¡p t]mIpIbmWv. AbmÄ h¶v \nÀ_Ôn¨n«mWv Ah\pw t]mIm³ k½Xn¨Xv. Ct¸mÄ Ah\Xp henb XmÂ]cyambncn¡pIbmWv. \n§Ä Aht\mSÂ]w kwkmcn¡q. Ah\msI hnjmZ¯nemWv. \n§sf ImWpt¼mÄ Ipd¨p kt´mjamIpw. Ah³ A¸pd¯v shdpsX \S¡p¶p−v.”

h−n Hcp tÌj\n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v ¹mävt^man Cd§n \S¶p. hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Iw]mÀSvsaâv IÀ«\n«p aqSnbncp¶p. XncnsI \S¡pt¼mÄ IÀ«³ amänbn«p−v. {]`zn am{Xta DÅnepÅq. AhÀ skÀPn sFht\mhn¨ns\ hnfn¨p. “Rm³ IpÀkvIv hsc Ahsâ IqsS t]mIpIbmWv.” “Rm³ tI«p. F{X Ipeo\amb ImcyamWv At±lw sN¿p¶Xv.” “Ah\p h¶ A\p`h§Ä¡p tijw thsd´p sN¿m\mWv?” “Fs´mcp IjvSambncp¶p AXv?” skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v ]dªp. “Ibdnhcq.” AhÀ Abmsf AIt¯¡p hnfn¨p. “R§Ä AXp XcWw sNbvXsX§s\sb¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln¡m³ t]mepw IgnbnÃ. Bdv BgvNt¯bv¡v Ah³ H¶pw an−nbnÃ. Rm³ Icªp\nÀ_Ôn¨meÃmsX H¶pw Ign¡nÃmbncp¶p. Hcp \nanjsa¦nepw Ahs\ Häbv¡p hnSmsX R§Ä t\m¡n. AhÄ¡p th−n Hcn¡Â kzbw \ndsbmgn¨XmWh³. A¯csamcp kv{Xo¡p tNÀ¶ acWhpambncp¶p AhfptSXv. F{X A[aamb hgnbmWv acn¡m³ t]mepw AhÄ sXcsªSp¯Xv.” “Bscbpw hn[n¡m³ \½Ä BfÃtÃm {]`zo, \n§fpsS thZ\ F\n¡p a\knem¡m\mhpw.” “AsXm¶pw ]db−. Rm³ A¶v FtÌänembncp¶p, Ah³ Fs¶ ImWm³ h¶ncp¶p. Ah\v Hcp Ipdn¸p sIm−ph¶p. Ft´m adp]SnsbgpXn sImSp¯phnSpIbpw sNbvXp. AhÄ A{XbSp¯v tÌj\neps−¶v R§fdnªnÃ. sshIpt¶cw Rm³ apdnbnte¡p sNÃpt¼mgmWv tacn ]dªXv Hcp kv{Xo s{Sbn\n\p Xe h¨psh¶v. AXv Ahfmbncn¡psa¶v Ft´m F\n¡p tXm¶n. Ahs\ Adnbnt¡− F¶mWv Rm³ BZyta ]dªXv, ]t£ AhÀ Adnbn¨pIgnªncp¶p.

hvtdm¬kvIn Xs¶ I−n«pw ImWm¯ a«n \S¯w XpScpIbmsW¶v skÀPn sFht\mhn¨n\p tXm¶n. ]t£ AbmÄ¡p tZjysam¶pw

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tXm¶nbnÃ. ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ Bsf Xncn¨dnª hvtdm¬kvIn Dujvafambn Xs¶ lkvXZm\w sNbvXp. “\n§Äs¡s´¦nepw D]Imcw In«psa¦n Rm³ dnÌojn\pw anem\pw I¯p Xcmw.” “acWs¯ t\cnSm³ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯ensâsbm¶pw BhiyanÃ.” AbmfpsS Np−pIÄ Nncn¨p, I®n At¸mgpw A\´amb kl\hpw t{Im[hpambncp¶p. “\n§fpsS Cu bm{X al¯camWv. ktlmZc§fpsS tamN\w F¶Xv s]mcpXn Pohn¡m\pw acn¡m\pw DZm¯amb e£yamWv. \n§Ä asämcp a\pjy\mbn Xncn¨phcpsa¶v Rm³ {]hNn¡p¶p. ssZhw \n§Ä¡v _mlybp²¯n hnPbhpw B´cnIambn kam[m\hpw \ÂIs«.” skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v Ic§Ä \o«n, hvtdm¬kvIn DujvafXtbmsS Ah Xsâ Ic§fnsemXp¡n. “Hcp Bbp[w F¶ \nebn Rm³ hnes¸«Xmbncn¡pw, Hcp a\pjys\¶ \nebn Rms\mcp NhdpIq¼mcamWv.” hvtdm¬kvInbpsS I®pIÄ ]mf§fnepw h−n¨{I§fnepw ]Xnªp. AbmÄ Ahsf HmÀ¯p. BsI¯IÀ¶h\mbn dbnÂth t¢m¡v dqan HmSnsb¯pt¼mÄ AhfptSXmbn Ahtijn¨ncp¶ amwk¡q¼mcw, GXm\pw \nanjw ap³]p hsc Poh\p−mbncp¶ icocw, ]cpt¡Xpta¡m¯ inckv apSnbpsS `mcw sIm−p ]nt¶m«p adnªXv, s\änbn hoWpInS¶ apSn¨pcpfpIÄ, ]mXn Xpd¶ncp¶ hmbbpw `ojWambn Xpd¶ncp¶ I®pIfpw hg¡pIfpsSsbÃmw A´y¯n Xs¶ `bs¸Sp¯n AhÄ ]dªncp¶ B hmNIw HmÀan¸n¨p: “\n§Ä CXn\p ]Ým¯]nt¡−nhcpw.” hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf BZyambn I−Xv HmÀan¡m³ {ian¨p, AXpw Hcp dbnÂth tÌj\n Xs¶. \nKqVX s]mXnªp \n¡p¶ BIÀjIXzw, kvt\lw \ndª t\m¡pw hm¡pw, FhnsSbpw kt´mjw \ÂIpIbpw t\SpIbpw sN¿p¶hÄ; Cu Ahkm\\nanjt¯Xpt]mse {Iqcamb {]XnImchmRvO CÃmbncp¶p B apJ¯v. AhtfmsSm¸apÅ \à \nanj§Ä HmÀs¯Sp¡m³ {ian¨p AbmÄ; ]t£ AhsbÃmw hnjen]vX§fmbncp¶p. AbmfpsS apJw hnXp¼epIfn hndsIm−p. c−ph«w At§m«pant§m«pw \S¶pXoÀ¯t¸mtg¡v AbmÄ kzØX ssIhcn¨p. ]pXnsb sSen{Kmw hÃXpapt−msb¶v skÀPn sFht\mhn¨nt\mSp tNmZn¨v, anem³ cmPmhnsâ {]Jym]\w kw_Ôn¨v AÂ]t\cw kwkmcn¨n«v AhÀ XncnsI h−nbn Ibdn.

skÀPn sFht\mhn¨pw Iämhtkmhpw s]mSnsIm−p aqSn \ot{KmIsft¸msebmWv sehnsâ ho«n F¯nbXv. At¸mÄ AbmÄ tXm«¯nte¡p t]mbncn¡pIbmWv. Inän Ahsc FXntcäp. AhÀ¡p Ipfn¡m\pw `£W¯n\psams¡bpÅ kuIcy§Ä sNbvXn«v AhÄ aIs\ ]m IpSn¸n¡m³ t]mbn. ]meq«ns¡m−ncns¡

aIsâ apJw I−v AhÄ sehns\ HmÀ¯p. tamkvtImbn AbmÄ A\p`hn¨ AkzØXIÄ, AbmfpsS BIpeXIÄs¡Ãmw ImcWsa¶v AhÄ IcpXnb aX\ncmkw, ChnSps¯ Xnc¡pIfn Abmf\p`hn¡p¶ kzÑX, ChnsS _u²nIhnjb§Ä kwkmcn¡m³ BcpanÃm¯XpsIm−pÅ hnja§Ä, Ct¸msg¯nb kplr¯p¡tfmSv _u²nINÀ¨Ifn GÀs¸Spt¼mÄ In«ntb¡mhp¶ kt´mjw... aXhnizmknbsænepw Xsâ `À¯mhnsâ DÅn \pcbp¶ \·bpsS AKm[X Ahsf B\µn¸n¨p. ASp¯nsbSp−mb Hcp kw`hw AhtfmÀ¯p. c−mgvN ap³]v tUmfn¡v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ Zb\obamb Hcp I¯p−mbncp¶p. AhfpsS FtÌäv hnäv IS§Ä ho«n Xsâ am\w c£n¡Wsa¶v AbmÄ At]£n¨psIm−v. tUmfn BsI \ncmibpw klXm]hpw aSp¸pw Hs¡bmbncp¶p. AhÄ Abmfn \n¶p ]ncnbm³ Xocpam\n¨p, hn¡m³ k½Xn¡pIbnsöpd¸n¨p, HSp¡w Ipd¨p`mKw hn¡m³ k½Xn¨p. B hnjbs¯¡pdn¨p kwkmcn¨p XpS§m³ Xs¶ F{Xam{Xw \mWt¡Spw AkzØXbpambncp¶p sehn\v F¶v BtemNn¨t¸mÄ, tUmfnbpsS A`nam\w apdns¸Sp¯msX AhÄ¡v Bizmkw ]Icm³ kz¯n Xsâ `mKw ths−¶p hbv¡m³ InäntbmSp \nÀtZin¨Xv HmÀ¯t¸mÄ þ X\n¡p Xs¶ A{Xbpw t\cw A§s\sbmcp tXm¶ep−mbnà þ AhfpsS Np−n Hcp Nncn ]c¶p. AhnizmknbmsW¦nse´m! B lrZbw, Bscsb¦nepw, sIm¨pIp«nbmsW¦nÂt¸mepw, apdns¸Spt¯−nhcptamsb¶ B IcpXÂ. FÃmw aäpÅhÀ¡p th−n, Ah\h\p am{Xambn H¶ptabnÃ. skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v tImÌysb kz´w ImcyØm\mbmWv ImWp¶Xv. tN¨nbpw A§s\ Xs¶. Ct¸mgnXm tUmfnbpw a¡fpw At±l¯nsâ kwc£WbnÂ. Hmtcm Znhkhpw At±l¯nsâ ASp¡Â HmSnsb¯p¶ Irjohe·mcpw At±ls¯ X§fpsS kwc£I\mbmWv ImWp¶Xv.

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“aIt\, \nsâ AÑs\t¸mse Xs¶ BIWw, At±ls¯t¸me Xs¶ Bbm aXn.” AhÄ anXybpsS Ihnfn Np−p tNÀ¯v, Ahs\ BbbpsS ssIIfn G¸n¨p.

Xs¶ Ae«p¶ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw tXSp¶nÃ. AhÀ IqSpX `uXnI{]iv\§Ä AhXcn¸n¡pIbpw Ahbv¡v D¯cw tXSpIbpamWv. asäm¶v, InänbpsS KÀ`Ime¯v, Ahnizmknbmb Xm³ {]mÀ°n¡m³ XpS§nbncp¶p, {]mÀ°\bneqsS hnizkn¡m\pw. ]t£ B \nanj§Ä IS¶pt]mbncn¡p¶p, Ahsb A¸Sn XpSÀPohnX¯nte¡p sIm−phcm³ IgnbnÃ. B \nanj§fnteXmWv kXyw, Ct¸mgt¯Xp sXämWv F¶v AwKoIcn¡m³ IgnbnÃ. At¸mgs¯ tXm¶epIÄ sXämbncp¶p F¶pw ]dbm³ IgnbnÃ, ImcWw B \nanj¯nsâ Bßob\nÀhrXnIsf AbmÄ Aaqeyambn¡cpXn, Ahsb If¦s¸Sp¯m³ AbmÄ Hcp¡ambncp¶nÃ. A§s\ sehnsâ _u²nIPohnXw kzbw`n¶n¸pIfpsS \qemameIfnembncp¶p.

tPyjvTsâ acW¡nS¡bv¡cnIn \n¶v Xsâ ]pXnb t_m[y§fpsS þ Ccp]Xp hbkp apX ap¸¯n\mep hbkp hscbpÅ ImeL«¯n sNdp¸¯nse hnizmk§sf XpS¨p\o¡n ]Icw CSw]nSn¨ Ahsb A§s\bmWv AbmÄ hntijn¸n¨Xv þ shfn¨¯n acWs¯bpw PohnXs¯bpw Ipdn¨p Nn´n¨p XpS§nbt¸mÄ apX sehn³ kw`oX\mbncp¶p, acW¯¡pdn¨v F¶Xns\¡mÄ PohnXs¯¡pdn¨v. `uXnILS\, AXnsâ {ZhoIcWw, DuÀPkwc£W kn²m´w, {Zhy¯nsâ A\´X, ]cnWmkn²m´w apXemb B hm¡pIfpw A\p_Ô kn²m´§fpw _u²nIhymbma§Ä¡v D¯aamWv. ]t£ PohÂkw_Ônbmb Imcy§fnte¡p IS¡pt¼mÄ Cu amäw tcma¡p¸mbw amän akven³ DSp¯v aªnte¡nd§nbhtâXp t]mse BWv. hnhkv{XXbpsS ImTn\yw bpànsIm−Ã, A\p`h¯nsâ Xo{hX sIm−p Xs¶ Ah\dnbpw. hnhml¯nsâbpw ]pXnb PohnX¯nsâbpw IrjnbpsSbpw Xnc¡pIfn adªpInS¶ncp¶ C¯cw tNmZy§Ä InänbpsS KÀ`Ime¯v tamkvtImbnse t_mdSn¡nSbnemWv ho−pw Xes]m¡nbXv. “PohnX¯nsâ {]iv\§Ä¡v {InkvXpaXw \ÂIp¶ D¯c§Ä \nckn¡p¶psh¦n ]Icw F´mWv Rm³ kzoIcn¡pI?” ]pXnb t_m[y§Ä¡nSbn AXn\p adp]Sn Xncª AbmÄ¡v Ifn¸m«¡Sbn `£Ww Xncbp¶h\mWv Xm³ F¶p tXm¶n. Xsâ {]mb¯nepw Iq«¯nepw s]« an¡hcpw ]gb hnizmk§sf ]pXnb t_m[y§fpambn h¨pamdnbhcmWv. Ahcmcpw ZpxJn¡p¶Xmbn I−n«nÃ. Hcp]t£ AhÀ¡v Xs¶¡mÄ IqSpXembn Fs´¦nepw a\knembn«p−mIptam? AtXm AkwXr]vXnIÄ ad¨ph¨v Cc«¯m¸v Ifn¡p¶XmtWm? HmÀ¯pt\m¡nbt¸mÄ X\n¡v ASp¸apÅ \à a\pjyscÃmw þ sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p, skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v, epthmhv, InänbS¡w kv{XoIsfÃmw þ hnizmknIfmWv. _mey¯n Xm³ hnizkn¨ncp¶{X Xo{hXtbmsS Ct¸mgpw hnizkn¡p¶hcmWv AhscÃmw. djy³ P\Xbn sXm®qänsbm³]Xp iXam\hpw. At\Iw imkv{X]pkvXI§Ä hmbn¨pt\m¡nbt¸mÄ sehn³ Is−¯nb asämcp Imcyw, Xsâ t_m[y§Ä ]¦nSp¶hcmcpw Xs¶

t¹täm, kv]nt\mk, Imâv, sjÃnMv, slKÂ, tjm¸t\mhÀþ PohnXs¯¸än `uXnIhmZ]caÃm¯ hniZoIcW§Ä \ÂInb Nn´Iscbpw AbmÄ [mcmfambn hmbn¨pIq«n. tlmanbt¡mhnsâ ssZhimkv{X{KÙ§Ä hmbn¡m³ skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v D]tZin¨p. BZyw Atemkchpw ]ns¶ BIÀjIXzhpw hniz\obXbpw tXm¶nsb¦nepw HSp¡w aäp XXzNn´IcpsS No«psIm«mc§Ä t]mse Xs¶ tlmanbt¡mhpw XIÀ¶phoWp. “Rm³ BcmsW¶pw ChnsS Bbncn¡p¶Xv F´n\msW¶pw AdnbmsX PohnXw Akm[yamWv. A¡mcy§Ä F\n¡v Adnbm³ IgnbnÃ, AXn\m Pohn¡m\pw IgnbnÃ.’’ sehn³ kzbw ]dªp. “A\´amb kab¯nÂ, {Zhy¯nÂ, A\´amb Øe¯n Hcp Ipanf, GXm\pw \nanjs¯ Bbpkn\p tijw s]m«nt¸mIp¶ Ipanf, B IpanfbmWv Rm³.’’ bpK§fmbpÅ a\pjyNn´IfpsSsbÃmw A´na^ew CXmWv. C{Xam{XamWv Adnbm³ Ignbp¶Xv. CXv Hcp henb \pW am{XaÃ, GtXm ZpjvSiànbpsS iàamb ]cnlmkamWv. AXn\p IogS§cpXv. tamN\¯n\pÅ hgn Hmtcm a\pjysâ ssIbnepap−v þ acWw. k´pjvS\mb `À¯mhpw AÑ\pw, ]cn]qÀW BtcmKyhm\pamb sehn³ A§s\ ]eXhW BßlXybpsS h¡nse¯n. Xq§n¨mIm\pÅ {]tem`\samgnhm¡m³ AbmÄ IbdpIsfÃmw Hfn¨ph¨p; kzbw shSnht¨¡ptamsbt¶mÀ¯v tXm¡pambn ]pd¯nd§m³ `b¶p. ]t£ sehn³ Xq§n¨¯nÃ, kzbw shSnh¨panÃ. AbmÄ k´pjvS IpSpw_Ø\mbn Pohn¨p.

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IrjnImcy§fpw I¶pImenIsfbpw t\m¡n IpSpw_w ]cn]men¨v sehn³ PohnXw XpSÀ¶p. Gähpw Ipdª Iqen¡v tPmen¡msc Xcs¸Sp¯Ww, ]t£ \m«p\S¸nepw Ipdª Iqen¡v IcmÀ h¨v Ahsc NqjWw sN¿p¶Xv sXämWv; XSnsh«p¶Xv ITn\ambn in£n¡Ww, ]t£ Xsâ tXm«¯n tabm³ Agn¨phnSp¶ I¶pImenIsf ]nSn¨phbv¡p¶Xv \oXnbÃ. sImŸeni¡mc\v amkw ]¯p iXam\w ]eni sImSp¡p¶ t]ym¯dn\v Ipd¨p ]Ww sImSp¯v kam[m\n¸n¡Ww; F¶p h¨v hmSI apS¡p¶ Irjnhe³amcpsS t\À¡p I®Sbv¡m\mhnÃ. Aѳ acn¡m³ InS¶n«msW¦nepw ]Wn¯nct¡dnb amk§fn \m«n t]mb ]Wn¡mcsâ i¼fw sh«n¡pdt¨ ]äq, AbmtfmSv F{X klXm]aps−¦nepw; ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Hcp]Imchpw CÃm¯hcmsW¦nepw hr²cmb tPmen¡mÀ¡v FÃm amkhpw tdj³ \ÂImXncn¡m³ ]änÃ. aq¶p aWn¡qdmbn Im¯ncn¡p¶ Irjohe·mÀ¡v Ipd¨pt\cw IqSn Im¡mw; ho«nse¯nbm BZyta t]mtI−Xv kpJanÃmXncn¡p¶ `mcybpsS ASp¡te¡mWv. sN¿p¶sXÃmw icnbmtWm sXämtWmsb¶ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw tXSm³ Abmfnt¸mÄ {ian¡mdnÃ. bpànsIm−v Nn´n¡p¶Xv kwib§Ä Iq«pItbbpÅq. A[nIw Nn´n¡msX sN¿m\pÅhbn apgpIpt¼mÄ sXäp]äm¯ Hcp hn[nIÀ¯mhv Bßmhnencp¶v Xs¶ \nb{´n¡p¶Xv Abmfdnªp. Xm³ BcmsWt¶m F´n\mWv Pohn¡p¶sXt¶m AdnbmsX, Adnbm\pÅ t\cnb km[yX t]mepw ap¶n¡mWmsX, Cu AdnhnÃmbvabpsS t]cn BßlXy¡p t]mepapÅ km[yX `b¶v, F¶m kz´w IÀa]Y§Ä ZmÀVyt¯msS sh«ns¯fn¨v AbmÄ PohnXw XpSÀ¶p.

imkn¨Xv sehn³ HmÀan¨p. AhÄ sehn³ IqSn \n¡pt¼mgmWv Ip«nIsf imkn¨Xv. I¸v s]m«n¨pIfªm ]ns¶ Nmb IpSn¡m³ ]m{Xap−mInÃ, ]m \in¸n¨pIfªm Xn¶m\pw IpSn¡m\pw H¶pap−mhnÃ, hni¶p NmIpw Fs¶ms¡. Ip«nIfpsS apJs¯ Ae£yamb Atemkcw sehns\ AÛpXs¸Sp¯n. ckw ]nSn¨ Ifn apS¡nbXnsâ tZjyambncp¶p AhÀ¡v, AhÄ ]dªXn Hcp hm¡pt]mepw AhÀ hnizkn¨panÃ. a\pjyPohnX¯nsâ AÀ°hpw {]]© iànIfpsS {]m[m\yhpsams¡ a\knem¡m³ {ian¨t¸mÄ Rm\pw AXp Xs¶btà sNbvXXv? XXzimkv{X Nn´Iscms¡ AXp Xs¶btà sN¿p¶Xv? Ip«nIsf H¶p X\nsb hn«pt\m¡s«, ]ip¡sf Id¶pw `£Ww D−m¡n¯n¶pw Pohn¡s«. Ahcn{Xbpw Ipcp¯t¡SpIÄ Im«ptam? hni¶pNmIpw, A{X Xs¶. ssZhs¯¸än, {kjvSmhns\¸än H¶pw ]dbmsX \½sf H¶p shdpsX hn«pt\m¡s«. “Cu Bib§sfm¶panÃmsX Fs´¦nepsam¶v kz´ambn ]WnXpbÀ¯m³ t\m¡s«. “Bßob[mcmfn¯apÅXpsIm−mWv, th−Xne[nIw In«p¶Xp sIm−mWv \½Ä AsXms¡ XIÀ¡m³ t\m¡p¶Xv, Ip«nIsft¸mse. “ssZhs¯¸änbpÅ {]t_m[\§fn Du¶n, {InkvXym\nbmbn, {InkvXpaX¯nsâ FÃm A\p{Kl§fpw ]än hfÀ¶ph¶ Rm³ Ahsbm¶pw a\knem¡m³ IgnbmsX Ahsb XIÀ¡m³ {ian¡p¶p. F¶n«v B Ip«nIsft¸mse hni¸pw XWp¸pw Ae«pt¼mÄ B ssZh¯nte¡p Xs¶ Xncnbp¶p.’’ “AsX, Rms\s´¦nepw Adnbps¶¦n AXv Fsâ anSp¡psIm−Ã, F\n¡p \ÂIs¸«ncn¡p¶Xp sIm−mWv. k`bpsS {]t_m[\§ÄsIm−mWv.’’ ]t£ k` ]dbp¶sXÃmw A¸msS hnizkn¡m³ ]äptam? Hcp]mSp Nn´n¨t¸mÄ k`bpsS Hcp {]amWhpw BXy´nIamb, ]ca{][m\amb kXys¯ þ ssZh¯nepÅ hnizmks¯, \·bnepÅ hnizmks¯ \ntj[n¡p¶nsöv sehn\p a\knembn. aeÀ¶pInS¶v AbmÄ BImi¯nte¡p t\m¡n. sXfnª BImiw. “AXv hfª Hcp IpS t]msebÃ, A\´amb ØeamWv F¶v F\n¡v AdnªpIqtS? ]t£ Fsâ I®pIsf F{X Bbmks¸Sp¯nbmepw AXns\ IpS t]msebÃmsX A\´Xbnte¡p ImWm³ F\n¡p IgnbnÃ. AXv A\´amb ØeamWv F¶dnbpt¼mÄ Xs¶ Rm³ ImWp¶ B \oe XmgnI¡pShpw kXyamWv.

tXm«hpw

Rms\sâ

tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw Xncªp \S¶p. B D¯cw \ÂIm³ Nn´bv¡p IgnªpanÃ. PohnXamWv F\n¡m D¯cw \ÂInbXv, icnsbbpw sXäns\bpw Ipdn¨pÅ AdnhneqsS. B Adnhv Rm³ t\SnsbSp¯XÃ, FÃm a\pjyscbpw t]mse F\n¡pw AXv \ÂIs¸«XmWv. AXv t\SnsbSp¡mhp¶XÃ. CSbvs¡t¸mtgm AbmtfmÀ¯p. sagpIpXncn¡p apIfn ]nSn¨v dmkv]vs_dn thhn¡pIbpw kndn©n \n¶p hmbnte¡p ]m Noän¡pIbpw sN¿p¶ Ip«nIsf tUmfn

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sehn³ Nn´IÄ¡p hncmaan«v XsâbpÅn Ie¼Â Iq«p¶ KqVi_vZ§Ä¡p sNhn sImSp¯p. “CXp hnizmkamtWm?’’ Xsâ B\µ¯nsâ Bgw hnizkn¡m\mhmsX AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. “ssZhta, Rm³ At§bv¡p \µn ]dbp¶p.’’ tX§epIfS¡n AbmÄ I®pIÄ XpS¨p.

“Rm³ ]gbXpt]mse Xs¶ h−n¡mc³ sFhmt\mSv tZjys¸Spw, NqSp]nSn¨ hmKzmZ§Ä \S¯pw, A]cnjvIrXambn, AhnZKv[ambn Fsâ A`n{]mb§Ä \nc¯pw. Fsâ lrZb¯nsâ AXnhnip²amb DÅdbpw aäp a\pjycpambn, `mcybpambnt¸mepw Hcp `n¯nbpsS AIeap−mIpw. Fsâ sXäpIÄ¡v Rm³ Ahsf hg¡p ]dbpw, F¶n«v ]n¶oSp ]Ým¯]n¡pw; F´n\mWv {]mÀ°n¡p¶sX¶v Nn´n¨v D¯cw In«msX hebpw, F¦nepw {]mÀ°n¨psImt−bncn¡pw. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Fsâ PohnXw ap³]t¯Xpt]mse AÀ°iq\yaÃ, \·\ndª AÀ°§Ä \ndªXmWv.’’

tXm«¯n tX\o¨s¸«nIÄ¡cnsI shÅcn¡ tX³ ]pc«n Ip«nIÄ¡p sImSp¡p¶Xn\nSbnemWv hvtdm¬kvIn skÀ_nbbnte¡p t]mb Imcyw tUmfn sehnt\mSp ]dªXv. AXp \¶mbn F¶p ]dª sehn³ Ct¸mgpw bp²w \S¡p¶pt−msb¶v AÛpXw Iqdn. BtcmSmWo k¶²`S·mÀ bp²w sN¿p¶sX¶v {]`p tNmZn¨p. “kXyhnizmknIfmb skÀ_nb³ ktlmZc³amsc lmKmdnsâ Ahnip²k´XnIfpsS \pI¯n³ Iogn \n¶p tamNn¸n¡m³’’ XpÀ¡nIfpambmWv bp²sa¶ adp]Sn NqSp]nSn¨ hmKzmZ¯n\p hgnh¨p. kÀ¡mÀ {]Jym]n¡m¯ bp²¯n\p t]mIm³ hyànIÄ¡v AhImiansöpw, ]oUn¸n¡s¸Sp¶hÀ¡v klmbsa¯n¡pI am{Xta sN¿p¶psŶpw, klmbsa¯n¡p¶Xpw Pohs\Sp¡p¶Xpw c−msW¶pw, djy³ P\XbpsS apgph³ ]n´pW bp²¯n\ps−¶pw, sXän²cn¸n¡s¸Sp¶hcpsS A`n{]mbs¯ Hcp P\XbpsS apgph³ A`n{]mbsa¶p hnfn¡cpsX¶pw Hs¡ hmZ§fp−mbn. am\w aqSn I\¯ ag h¶t¸mÄ AhÀ Xnc¡n«p aS§n. sImSnb agbpw an¶epw CSnapg¡hpambncp¶p. ac§Ä HSnªphoWp. Ip«nsbbpwsIm−v tXm«¯nse ]mÀ¡n t]mbncp¶ Inänbpw Bbbpw \\ªpIpfn¨v \n¡p¶Xp I−v sehn³ AhtfmSv tZjys¸«p. anXy At¸mgpw im´\mbn Dd§pIbmbncp¶p. ag amdn XncnsI \S¡pt¼mÄ sehn³ tZjys¸«Xn\p ]cnlmcsat¶mWw Bb ImWmsX InänbpsS ssIIfn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. XncnsI ho«nse¯n Nmb IpSn¡pt¼mgpw, Ip«nsb Ipfn¸n¡p¶ InänbpsS ASp¯p \n¡pt¼mgpw ]n¶oSv aäp ]e Ahkc§fnepw Xsâ ]pXnb hnizmkw AhtfmSp ]dªmtemsb¶v AbmÄ BtemNn¨p. ]ns¶ ths−¶p h¨p. AXv Fsâ Hcp kzImcyamWv. \n[n t]mse hnes¸«Xv. “Cu ]pXnb hnImcw Rm³ IcpXnbXpt]mse Fs¶ amänadn¨ns«m¶panÃ. Fsâ anXy P\n¨t¸msg¶t]mse Xs¶, CXnepw AÛpXs¸Sms\m¶panÃ. hnizmkw BtWm, asäs´¦nepamtWmþ F\n¡dnbnÃþ F´mbmepw Cu hnImchpw AXohKqVXtbmsS Xo{hm\p`h§fneqsSbmWv Fsâ Bßmhn thcpd¸n¨Xv.

Ahkm\n¨p