ariyathalangalilekku sc

7/23/2019 Ariyathalangalilekku SC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ariyathalangalilekku-sc 1/85

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am¿®v ˛ Pqsse 2008

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c≠mÏpńIfpw Hcp s]Ïpńbpw.Xe ap d Iƒ IS∂v,

Hcp NXp cw K ∏ e I bpsS cq] Øn¬Ah¿°mbn Adn bm Ø e ß fn¬\n∂v

hcp∂ ktµ iw.

(t\mh¬)

C. lcnIpam¿



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Address: E. Harikumar5B, Avenue Crest Apartments

Avenue Road, MundupalamKuriachira P.O.

Thrissur 680 006Phone: (0487) 2251779E-Mail: [email protected]: www.e-harikumar.com

AriyathalangalilekkuAdn bm Ø e ß fn te bv°v (novel in Malayalam)Author: E. HarikumarElectronic version published in 2013

This book is meant for distribution among research organisationsabsolutely free of cost.

Copyright 2013 by E. HarikumarC

Copyright of the sketches, monograms, logo and other materials used in this storyto create pages as they appeared in the periodicals, belongs to the respectivepublishers of periodicals and/or artists.

C

sketches by artist namboodiri for the novel

ariyathalangilekku published in samakalika malayalam



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C. lcnIpam¿

1943 Pqsse 13 \v s]m∂m\nbn¬ P\\w. A—≥ almIhn CSt»cn tKmhnµ≥ \mb¿.AΩ CS°≠n Pm\In AΩ. I¬° Øbn¬ h®v _n.F. ]mmbn. 1972˛¬ efnXsbhnhmlw sNbvXp. aI≥ APbv hnhmlnX\mWv. mcy: ip`. I¬°Ø, Zn√n, t_mws_F∂o \Kcßfn¬ tPmensbSpØp. 1983˛¬ tIcfØntebv°v Xncn®ph∂p. 1962 sXm v sNdp IYI sfgpXn Øp S ßn. BZysØ IYmk amlmcw "Iqd Iƒ' 72¬ ]kn≤ s∏SpØn. 15 IYmkamlmcßfpw 9 t\mhepIfpw Hcp A\p`h°pdn∏pw ]kn≤s∏SpØnbn´p≠v.

]pc kvIm c ßƒ:1988 se tIcf kmlnXy A°mZan ]pckvImcw "Znt\mkdns‚ Ipń' F∂ IYmk

amlmcØn\v.1997 se ]flcmP≥ ]pckvImcw "]®∏øns\ ]nSn°m≥' F∂ IYbv°v.

1998 se \me∏mS≥ ]pc kvImcw "kq£n ®ph® abn¬∏oen' F∂ IYmkam lm cØn\v .

2006 se IYm ]oTw ]pc kvImcw "A\n X bpsS hoSv' F∂ IYmk amlm c Øn \v.

BUntbm Imk‰v dn°m¿Un Mv, sh_v Unssk \n Mv, aƒńaoUnb s]mU £≥,]pkv XI ]kn≤oIcWw F∂nhbnte¿s∏ń´p≠v . 1998 apX¬ 2004 hsc tIcf kmlnXyA°m Zan AwKam bncp∂p.

IrXn Iƒ:sNdp I Ym k am lm c ßƒ:IqdIƒ, hrj`Øns‚ IÆv, Ip¶paw hnXdnb hgnIƒ, Znt\mkdns‚ Ipń, Im\

U bn¬ \ns∂mcp cmP Ip amcn, io]m¿∆ Xn bpsS ]mZw, kq£n ®p h®abn¬∏oen, ]®∏øns\ ]nSn°m≥, Zqsc Hcp \KcØn¬, IdpØ Xºmń, A\nXbpsS hoSv, Cfshbnens‚ km¥z\w (IYIƒ 1966˛1996), \KchmknbmbHcp Ipń, Fs‚ kvXoIƒ (kvXo ] £ I Y Iƒ), s h ≈ n Ø n c b n s e ∂

t ] m s e .

t\mh ep Iƒ:Dd ßp∂ k¿∏ ßƒ + im] ine, Bk ‡n bpsS A·n \m f ßƒ, Hcp IpSpw_

]pcmWw, F©n≥ssUhsd kvt\ln® s]Ïpń, Ab\ ßƒ, XSmI XocØv, sIm® ºmń, ]W b Øn s\mcp tkm^v‰vshb¿, Adn bm Ø eß fntebv°v.

Hm¿ΩIƒ, A\p`h°pdn∏pIƒ, teJ\ßƒ:\o FhnsSbmsW¶nepw.

hnemkw: 5˛_n, Ah\yp sIÃv A]m¿Svsa‚ vkv Ah\yp tdmUv, ap≠p]mewIpcnb®nd (]n.H.)Xr»q¿ 680 006t^m¨: 091˛0487˛2251779

C˛sabn¬: [email protected],[email protected]

website: www.e-harikumar.com



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IY XpS ßp ∂Xv 1975 ¬˛ ˛

cmbncp tat\m≥(\µs‚ AΩΩbpsSbpw

Ah cpsS sNdn bΩbpsS aIƒ \mWn apØ »n bp sSbpw AΩm h≥)(P\\w 1840 1915 acWw)

C´n cm a ta t\m≥ cmbncp tat\ms‚ A\p P≥(P\\w 1850 1918 acWw)

Ip´s‚ A—Ω \µs‚ AΩΩ(P\\w 1900 a cWw?)

Ip´s‚ A—≥(P \\w 1918 a cWw?)

Ip´s‚ AΩ(P\\w 1938 acWw?)

\µs‚ AΩ kp`Z(P\\w 1938 acWw?)

tPym’y≥ am[h∏Wn °¿(P\\w 1902)

Ip´≥(P\\w 1957)

Cµnc (Ip s‚ s]ßƒ, \µs‚ `mcy)(P\\w 1964)

\µ≥ (Ip s‚ A—s‚ acp a I≥)(P \\w 1959 hnhmlw 1990 2006¬ (t\mh¬ XpS ßp tºmƒ) 45 hbv)

cm[ (\µs‚ tPyjvTØn)(P\\w 1956)

hµ\ (\ µ s‚bpw Cµn cbp sSbpw aIƒ)(P\ \w 1991 ˛ 2006¬ 15 hbv)

`m¿§ hn bΩ Ab¬°m cnbpw \mep sI ns‚ kq£n ∏pIm cnbpw(P\\w 1948)

tZhn m¿§ hn b ΩbpsS aIƒ(P\\w 1967)



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Adn bm Ø e ß fn tebv°v Hcp IhmSw

Fs‚ km[m cW t\mhepIfn¬ \n∂v hfsc hyXy kvX amb H∂mWv "Adnbm Øeß fnte bv°v.'AZv`pXIc ambn ]eXpw Fs‚ PohnXØn¬ kw` hn ®n´p≠v. AXn s\ sb√mw shdpw A‘hnizmkambn Xń°fbm≥ Fs‚ imkvX ]cn⁄m\w kΩXnbv°p∂n√. imkvXsØ∏‰n henb t_m[sam∂p an √m Ø h¿°v bp‡nhm Zn bm hm≥ Ffp ∏ am Wv. Hcp A‘hnizm kn bpam hmw. c≠pw, AXmbXv bp‡nhmZhpw A‘hnizmkhpw Htc AfhptImens‚ c≠‰ßfmWv. A—≥ Hcnbv°¬ ]dbpIbp≠m bn p ≠v. "F\nbv°v bp‡n a\ n em hpw, ]s£ bp‡n hm Zw, AsX ¥mWv?' F\nbv°pw AtX]d bm \p ≈q. as‰√m hmZ ß tfbpw t]mse bp‡n hm Zhpw Hcp Xcw Xoh hm Z am Wv.

Cu t\mhen¬ \nßfpsS bp‡nbv °XoXambn ]eXpw ImWmw. F\nbv°p ]dbm\p≈Xv , Cu t\mhense Hcp IYm]mXw Xs∂ ]dbp∂Xp t]mse, "Cu ]]©Øn¬ \ap°v a\nemhmØ ]eXpap≠v tamsf. F√madnbWsa∂v F¥mWv \n¿∫‘w?' F√m hbnep≈h¿°pw hmbn®mkzZn°m≥ X°

hÆamWv Rm\o t\mhens‚ cN\ \n¿∆ln®n´p≈Xv. Hmtcm A≤ymbsaØptºmgpw AXns\∏‰n KrlkZpIfntem ¢mpapdnIfntem Dulmt]mlßƒ°pw Xpd∂ N¿®bv °pw thZnsbmcp°p∂p Cut\mh¬. hmb\ bn¬ H´pw _p≤n ths≠ ∂p≈ A`n ]mb sam∂pw B¿°p an √ s√m. Aev] kz¬]w_p≤n bp ] tbm Kn ®mte Cu t\mh¬ ]q¿Æambpw Bkzm ZyX bpsS hcpXnbn¬ hcq.

Cu temIØv F‰hpa[nIw hmbnbv °s∏Sp∂ ]pkvXIßƒ \n[n tXSp∂ IYIfmWv F∂p tXm∂p∂p. ]mb hy Xymkan √msX Gh¿°pw Bkz Znbv°m sa ∂ Xm bncn bv°Ww Imc Ww. t]mcmØ Xn\v tXSn∏nSnbv t°≠Xmb Hcp \n[n F√mhcpsS a\nepap≠v . \ΩsS PnhnXw Xs∂ B \n[nbv °p th≠nbp≈ At\z jWam Wv. AsXs∂ ¶nepw s]s´∂v AhnNmcnX ambn apºn¬ s]m¥n h∂v \sΩ AZv`pX s∏ Sp Øp Ibpw BÀm Z cn X cm °p Ibpw sNøp sa∂ t_m[w F√m h cpsS a\ n ep ap ≠v. AXpsIm≠v Cu t\mh¬ hmbnbv°ptºmƒ hmb \ °mc≥ bmX sNøp ∂Xv kz¥w a\ns‚ \nKq VXeßfn tebv°m Wv. AhnsS AZv`p X ßƒ \nßsf ImØv ]Xp ßn bn cn bv°p ∂p ≠m hpw, Cu t\mh

ense Xń≥]pdw t]mse.kabsØ ∏ ‰n, ImesØ∏‰nsb√mw F\nbv°v Ft‚Xmb [mc WIfp≠v. Fs‚ ]e IYIfnepw

B k¶ev]w hcp ∂p≠v. kabw Hscm‰ Xe Øne√msX ]e AS cpIƒ As√¶n¬ ]mfnI fm bn mWv InS°p ∂Xv F∂msWs‚ hnizmkw. \mw Hscm‰ ]mfn amXw ImWp∂Xv \ΩpsS a\ ns‚ ]cnanXnaqe amWv. H∂ne [nIw Xe ßfp≈ temIw F\n°n jvSs∏´ hnj bamWv. AXv kzm`mhnI Np‰p ]m SpI fn¬\n∂v ]Ir XyXoX ]Xn m k ß fntebv°v sX∂n t∏m Ip ∂Xv Fs‚ ]e IY I fnepw ImWmw.Xmakn, hS°p\ns∂mcp kv Xo, Hcp ]gb HmÃn≥ Im¿, Biaw DdßpIbmWv , Pwdbnse sNIpØm≥,as‰mcp temIØn¬ as‰mcp Ime Øn¬, ImeØns‚ GtXm DuSphgnIfn¬, At\z j Ww, Ipń ®mØs‚ CSs]SepIƒ, a‰mcmƒ F∂o IY I fnepw Bk‡nbpsS A·n\mfßƒ F∂ t\mhenepw]Ir XyXoX ]Xn`m k ßƒ ]Xy £ s∏ Sp ∂p ≠v.

Cßns\bp≈ IYIƒ IpńIƒ hmbn°p∂Xns\∏‰n Rm≥ [mcmfw BtemNn®n´p≠v. Fs‚ A`n]mbw Cfw ]mbØn¬ IpńIfpsS mh\bv°v Xncn sImfpØm≥ Cu IYIƒ°v Ignbpsa∂p Xs∂bmWv. Ipń °m eØv F\nbv°v G‰hpw CjvS s∏ Xv t]X IYIfpw AZv`p X ] Xn mkßƒ Dƒs°m≈p∂ IY IfpamWv. Rm≥ A‘hn izmknbm bn s√∂p amX a√, Hcp icmicn ssZhhn izmkn IqSnbmhm≥ Iq´m°n bn √. adn®v Fs‚ InbmflI ia ßƒ°v XpS°w Ipdn ®Xv B hmb \bmWv. Fs‚apºnep≈ \s√mcpZmlcWw A—s‚ "]qX∏m´m'Wv. IpńIƒ G‰hpa[nIw CjvSs∏Sp∂ Hcp IhnXbmWXv. AXp hmbn® Hcp Ipńbpw apXn¿∂t∏mƒ A‘hnizmknbmbn´ps≠∂v F\nbv°p tXm∂p∂n√. Rm\dnbp∂ IpńIsfm∂pw Bbnń√. adn®v AXhcpsS mh\bv°v aghn√s‚ \ndßƒ sImSp°pIbmWv sNbvXn´p≈Xv. IqSpX¬ hmbn°m≥ t]cn∏nbv °pw hn[w AXhcpsS ]⁄bn¬ shfn®whnX dp IbmWp ≠mbn p ≈ Xv.

Cu t\mh¬ Ipń I sf s°m≠p hmbn ∏n bv°p I. AX h cpsS kwkvIm csØ Xo¿® bmbpw Db¿

Øpw. A]KY\Øn\pw hniIe\Øn\pap≈ km[yXIƒ \nd™Xn\m¬ IpńIfpsS _p≤n hnIkn ∏nbv°m\p≈ LSIßfpw kzm`mhn Iambpw Cu t\mhen¬ [mcmf ap≠v. GXm\pw kvsI®pIƒ



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tN¿Øncnbv°p∂Xv hcnIƒs°m∏w a\pw FØns∏Sm≥ klmbn°pw. CsXmcp \n[n At\zjWØns‚ IY bm Wv. kzm`m hn I ambpw am∏p Ifpw kvsI®p Ifpw Bh iy am hpw. B am∏p I fm hs´GsXmcp Ip´nbv°pw a\nemhØ° hn[ØnemWv hc®ncnbv°p∂Xv. NXpcwKsØ∏‰n Ipd®p ]cma¿i ß tf bp ≈p. AXm Is´ a\ n em °m≥ H´pw hnj a an √m Ø Xm Wv. Cu t\mh¬ hmbn®v HcpIp´nbvt°m apXn¿∂ Hcmƒt°m NXp cwKØn¬ Xmev]cyw hcnIbm sW ¶n¬ AXbpw \√ Xv. ]s£t\mhens‚ BkzmZyXbv°v Cu Ifn AdnbWsa∂v \n¿∫‘sam∂pan√. Adnbp∂h¿°v IqSpX¬a\ nem hpsa∂p amXw.

t\mhens‚ A¥yØn\v am\hoIXbptSXmb Hcp am\w krjvSn®Xv kzm`mhnIw amXamWv. FgpXp∂ hy‡n bpsS a\v AbmfpsS Fgp Øn¬ Fßn s\ bm bmepw ]Xn en bv°m Xn cn bv°n √.AsXmcp _e lo \ X bmWv. \Ωƒ \sΩØs∂ H‰ns°mSp°p∂ \nan j ßƒ. t\mh ens‚ A¥y hpambn \nßƒ°v km[¿Ωyw ]m]nbv °m\mhpsa¶n¬ Fs‚ t\mh¬ hnPbn®p F∂p ]dbmw. Aßns\Bbn s√ ¶n¬ CsXmcp ]cm P b hp a √. Xe bm bmepw hmem bmepw \nßƒ Pbn °p I X s∂ bm Wv.\nßƒ°p ≈n¬ Ip Sn sIm ≈p∂ kwkvIrXn.

C. lcnIp am¿2.11.2006



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Hmtcm ]Xn \©p h¿jw IqSptºmgpw Fs‚ Pohn XØn¬ \n¿Æm b I tam AZv`pX I ctam BbFs¥ ¶nepw kw` hn °p ∂p ≠v. Hcp \Zn bpsS im¥ amb Hgp °ns\ s]s´∂p hogp∂ I\Ø agF∂t]mse AsXs‚ Pohn X Øns‚ Xmfw NSp ehpw Akz ÿ hp am °p ∂p. CXv aq∂m asØ ]Xn\©mWv. BZysØ KUp D≠mbXv Fs‚ ]Xn\©mw hbnemWv, icn°pw ]nd∂mƒ Znhkw Xs∂.]n∂tØXv ap∏Xmw hbn¬ ]nd∂mfn∂SpØ Znhkw. bmZr›nIamhmw. ]s£ Fs‚ PohnXwXs∂bmZr›nI X I fpsS Hcp Nß ebmbn cp∂p. AZv`pXs∏Sm\n√. hfsc km[m c Wsa∂p tXm∂n°p∂Hcp Pohn Xw, ]s£ AXns‚ Dƒ∏ncnhpIfn tebv°v FØn t\m°ptºmgmWv ImWp∂Xv bmZr ›n IXIƒIqSn Ah bmZr›n I X IfmsW∂p ]dbm≥ Ign bmØhn[w hfsc Nn´s∏Sp Øn bn cn ° bmWv.Btcm AZriyambn Fs‚ ImcyØn¬ ]tXyI Xmev ]cysaSp°p∂t]mse. B tXm∂ep≠mhptºmƒBizmkw e`n °p ∂p. Hmô knse sXmgpØn¬°ptØm, Xn¶fmgvN sshZyqXn _n√S °p I bmtWm th≠Xv ASp ° f bn¬Xo¿∂p XpS ßnb km [ \ ßƒ hmßp IbmtWm th≠Xv F∂ Nn¥tbm Fs∂_m[n °p ∂n √. th\ en¬ s]s´∂p \sΩAZv`p X s∏ Sp Øn s°m≠v hcp∂ XWpØIm‰p t]m se bm W Xv. B Im‰ns‚ DZv`hw\mw i≤n °p ∂n √. AXp hoip thmfwAXns‚ Ipfn¿Ω BkzZn°m≥ ian°pIbmWv sNøp I. AXp t]mse Hcp tXm∂emWv C∂v Hmôknencn°ptºmgp≠mbXv.Ft¥m \√Xp kw` hn °m≥ t]mIp ∂psh∂ tXm∂¬. F¥m bn cn °psa∂v I≠p]nSnbv°m≥ Rm≥ ian°p ∂n√. AsXs‚Ignhn\pap]cnbmWv. Rm\Xv BkzZn°pIam XamWv sNøp ∂ Xv.

Hm^nkn¬\n∂v hońse Ønbt∏m gmWv Hcp Imcyw a\nembXv; Fs‚ aq∂masØKUphpw Fs¥m s°tbm kw` hn ®p sImt≠ IS∂p t]mIp. BZysØ KUp Rm≥Ipsd ian®n´pw C∂pw a\nem°m≥ Ignbm Xn cp∂ HcZv`p Xam bn cp s∂ ¶n¬ c≠masØ KUp Ft∂mfw ]mbap≈ ]ckyambncp∂p. Fs‚ hnhmlw. Rm≥ P\n® A∂pXs∂ AΩmh≥ Xs‚ ]nd°m≥ t]mIp∂s]Ïp nbv°v hc \mbn Fs∂ hmgn ®n cp∂p. AXpsIm≠v ap∏Xmw hb n¬ Cµncbpambp≈ hnhmlw Hcp kw`hta A√msXt]mbn. Ct∏mƒ CXm Fs‚ \mev]Ø©mw

A≤ymbw H∂v

1



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A≤ymbw

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hb n¬ Ft¥m kw` hn °m≥ t]mIp∂p F∂ Adn thmsS Rm≥ Ccn °p ∂p.Hmôkn¬\n∂p hońseØn j¿´pw ]m‚pw Ducnsbdn™v ap≠pSpØv Ipfnapdnbn¬ IS∂p. ]Øp

an\p‰psIm≠v ta¬ IgpIn ]pdØp h∂t∏mtgbv°v Cµnc Nmbbp≠m°n h®ncp∂p. Du¨taibv°papºnen cp∂v Nmbbpw anIvk Ndpw AI Øm°p tºmƒ Rm≥ Np‰pw t\m°n. tamƒ FhnsS? km[mcW A—≥ Hmôkn¬\n∂v h∂psh∂dn™m¬ Ahƒ kz¥w Z¥ tKm]pcØn¬ \n∂n dßn hcmdp≠v. apIfnep≈ H‰ apdn, Fs‚ ]gb 64 Fw._n. dmw, s]‚nbw 3 Iºyq´dS°w Ipd®p Imeambn hµ

\ IøS°nbncn°bmWv. hmXnent∑¬ AhƒXs∂ FgpXnh®n´p≠v. "Z¥tKm]pcw'. cmXn ]s£ Ddßm≥ ss[cy imen XmgØv Rß fpsS apdn tbmSp sXm´p≈ sNdnb apdn bn te bv°p Xs∂ hcp ∂p.Rm≥ Cµnc tbmSv tNmZn ®p.

"hµ\sbhnsS?'Cµnc Npa¬ Ipep°n Np≠p tImń. "Ahfv kvIqfo∂v h∂v Nmb IpSn®v IbdoXm apdoev. Ft¥m

sNømWv, AΩ _p≤n apń °cvXv∂v ]d™n v≠v.'aIfpsS PohnXØn¬ X\nbv°v ]thiw \ntj[n°p∂Xn¬ Cµncbv°p AXr]vXnbp≠v. "A—\pw

tamfpw H∂m hpw.....' F∂ ]kvXm h \ bn¬ Ahƒ AXp ]I Sn ∏n°mdp≠v."Ahƒ Fs¥ ¶nepw t]mPIvSv Xømdm °zm bncn °pw.'"Cu \µpth´≥ X∂ymWv tamsf Cßs\ sIm©n®v \mim °vWv......'CXpw Cµnc bpsS Hcp ÿncw ]tbm K am Wv. \mi am °p I bmtWm? F\n ° dnbn √. Rm\ hƒ°v

[mcmfw kvt\lw sImSp °p ∂p ≠v. BWpw s]Æp ambn H∂p≈XmWv. Ahƒ F¥m hiy s∏´mepwAt∏mƒØs∂ hmßns°mSp°pw. Ahƒ ]dbp∂Xp apgph≥ i≤tbmsS tIƒ°pw. sIm©n°pw.CXp sIm s≠m∂pw Ahƒ tISp hcp sa∂v F\nbv°p tXm∂n bn n √. Cµnc Ct∏mgpw tkOm [n] Xnbmbncp∂ A—s‚ \ngenemWv Pohn°p∂Xv. B a\pjy≥ acn ®n´v h¿jßtf sdbmbn´pw B \ng¬Ahsf hn´p ]ncn bm≥ aSn®p \n¬°p∂p.

B \mep sIń¬ a\p jy¿ i_vZan√mØ \ng ep Iƒ am X ambncp∂p. AhnsS AΩmhs‚ i_vZwamXw apgßnt°´p. AXv \mepsIńs‚ \Spap‰Øpw CS\mgnIfnepw Dbcw Ipd™ Xń´ apdnIfnepwAebSn®p sIm≠ncp∂p. apdnIfn¬ Ddßn°nS∂ \ngepIƒ B i_vZw tI´v sRń. Np‰pap≈ hoSpIƒ ImeØns\mØv amdpIbpw ]cnjvIcn°pIbpw sNbvXt∏mgpwB Xd hm Sp amXw ]mc º cy ßsf apdp sI ∏n Sn®v H‰ s∏ p \n ∂p.]dbpw sImtºm d hpw kzoI c Wapdn bnse Ae ¶m c h kvXp °fpw

IeymW∏¥en¬ \nd]dbv°p≈ D]IcWßfpw amXambn amdnbt∏mgpw B \mepsIń¬ AsX√mw \ntXym] tbmKh kvXp°fmbncp ∂p.

Ct∏mƒ AΩmh\n√, AΩmbnbpan√. CµncbpsS tPyjvT≥ HcpAtacn°°mcnsb hnhmlw sNbvXv Atacn°bnemWv. Rm\nhnsSFdWmIpfØpw. \mńse \mepsI´pw Np‰pap≈ \mte°¿ ]dºpwi≤n°s∏ SmsX ImSp]nSn®p InS°p∂p. Ipt´´≥ amkØn semcn°¬ km≥ ^m≥kn kvtIm hn¬\n∂v t^m¨ sNøpw. "B hoSpw]dºpw Cµnc bp sSbm Wv, F\n s°m∂pw th≠. AXv Fs¥¶nepwsNøp. Hcp ap‡ym¿ Ab®pX∂m¬ aXn. AXv H∏n´v Xncn®b °mw.B ÿew A\ym [o \ s∏ SmsX t\m°p.'

icnbmWv, Fs¥¶nepw sNøWw. ]s£ B hoSv t]mIp∂Xn¬hnja ap≠p Xm\pw. ]g a tbm Sp≈ Xmev]cyw amX a√. ]¥≠mwhb n¬, H∂pw icn bmhns√∂p IcpXnbncn °ptºmƒ F\nbv°v A`bw X∂ hoSmWXv. BZyambn Hcp s]Ïpńsb DΩ h®Xv B\mepsIńs‚ XfØn¬ h®mWv. amXa√ a‰v GtXm Adnbs∏SmØhgnIfn¬°qSn B hoSpambn _‘s∏ń´ps≠∂ tXm∂¬ Ieiembn´pap≠v. AXp hn´psImSp°cpsX∂v a\v Hmtcm \nanjhpw]d bp ∂p. Hcp Btdgp sIm√ Øn \p ≈n¬ tamfpsS IeymWw Ign™m¬ Cµncbpambn AhnsS Xmakam°Wsa∂p≠v. \S°ptamBthm. Ct∏mƒ Iº\nbn¬ hnbm sdp≠v. Ggp sIm√w Ignbptºmgpw B hyh ÿ bp ≠m bm¬ aXn bm bn cp ∂p. AhnsS ]®

°dnbp≠m°n sXßn\v ipiq jbpw sNbvXv Ign bmw. mKyaps≠¶n¬ h√ Ipdn°º\nbn¬ sNdnb tPmenbpw In´pw. AsXms° aXn.hµ\ tImWn bn dßn hcp ∂p. Ahƒ bq\nt^mw am‰n ta¬°

gpIn NqcnZmdntebv°p IS∂n´p≠v. Cfw ]® \ndØnep≈ NqcnZm¿

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Ah fpsS hońse thj amWv. Ign™ c≠p sIm√ambn Ahƒ Htc DSp∏p Xs∂ hoń en Sp∂p. ChfmtWm sIm©n®p hjfmhp∂Xv? Ahƒ°v hkvXßfnepw B`cWßfnepsam∂pw àan√. Ahƒhmßm≥ Bh iys∏ Sp ∂Xv ]pkvX I ß tfm, Iºyq ¿ sKbntam a‰p tkm^v‰vshbtdm BWv. AXhfpsS am\knI hf¿®bv°v Bh iy amWv. Ahƒ Hcn °epw tISp h cn√.

"A—s‚ tamƒ Fhn Sym bn cp∂p?'Ahƒ Fs‚ ASpØp h∂n cp ∂p.

"AtΩ F\nbv°v Nmbbnt√?'"\ob Xn\v tamfo∂v Fd ßn h ∂n´v ths≠?' Cµnc ASp ° f bn tebv°p t]mbn Hcp sπbv‰n¬anIvkvNdpw _nkv°‰pw Hcp •mkn¬ Nmbbpambn Xncn®ph∂p. hµ\ Fs‚ sπbv‰n¬\n∂v anIvkvNsd SpØp Xn∂m≥ XpSßn bn cp ∂p.

"A—\v C∂v Iºyq´ dm hiyt≠m?'F\nbv°v Iºyq ¿ sIm≠v henb Bh iysam ∂pan√. cmhnse sabn¬ t\m°m\pw, H∏w bmlp

hn¬ Xmev]cyap≈ h√ \yqkv tÃmdn I≠m¬ hmbn°m\pw amXsa AXp]tbmKn°mdp≈p. A]q¿∆wCjvS s∏´ ]pkvX I ßƒ h√Xpw I≠m¬ AXv Uu¨temUv sNøpw. \√ ]pkvX I ßƒ hµ \sbhmbn ∏n°m≥ ianbv°pw. am¿Iv sSzbv\ns‚ "l°vƒs_dn n∂pw' "tSmw tkmbdpw' Ahƒ°njvSs∏´ ]pkvX Iß fm Wv.

"F¥m tamƒ°v Bh iyt≠m?'

Ahƒ Xe bm n."C√ tamfp ] tbm Kn t®m fp. A—\v cmhnse amtX th≠p.'"]ns∂ Hcp Imcyw....' Ahƒ XpS¿∂p. "Rm≥ h¿°v sNøptºm Bcpw tamfnev hccvXv.'"AsXt¥?'"Hcp kzIm cym Wv. k¿ss] kv. Rm≥ \msf ImWn ®p X cmw.']Xn\©mw hbnepw IpńØw hnń n √mØ AhfpsS apJØp t\m°nbt∏mƒ Rm≥ BtemNn

®p. Chƒ°p th≠nbmWv Rm≥ Pohn °p∂ Xv. Chƒ°mbn amXw. Cµnc ]dbm dp ≠v. Aßn s\ bmbm¬ icnbmhn√. \tµ´\pw Hcp PohnXw≠v. B PohnXw HmtcmcpØ¿°pw Pohn°m\p≈XmWv. AXv kz¥w a°ƒ°p th≠nbmsW¶nepw XyPn °p∂ Xn¬ henb A¿∞sam∂pan √. sNdn sbmcp DZmlc W ambn Ahƒ ]dbp ∂Xv Sn.hn. ]cn]mSnIfmWv. aIƒ°v ]co £ bSpØp F∂p sh®v A—\ Ωam¿\nXyw ImWp∂ ]cn]mSnIƒ Dt]£n°p∂Xn¬ henb A¿∞sam∂pan√. Ah¿ thsd apdnbn¬ t]mbn

]Tn° s´. AXpt]m se......Rm≥ ]dbpw. Ahƒ P\n°Whsc \Ωƒ AsX√mw BkzZn®ns√. \ns‚ P\\w sXm v F∂pXs∂]dbmw \Ωƒ H∏ am bncp∂p. C\n Ah fpsS IeymWw Ign ™m¬ \ap°v \n¿Ønsh t®S Øp \n∂v ho≠pw XpS ßmw, a[p hn[p sXm´v. t]msc? HcmÏp n bm Wp ≠m bn cp ∂ sX ¶n¬ Cµnc bpsS A`n]mbw amdp ambn cp∂p Fs∂ \nbv°v tXm∂p ∂p. A— \Ω am¿°v a°fpsS Imcy Øn¬ hyXym kaps≠∂v Fs∂ \nbv°p tXm∂m dp ≠v. A—\v aI tfmSpw AΩbv°v aI t\m Spw ]tXyI aaX.

Rm≥ hµ\ tbmSv tNmZn ®p. "F¥mWv CX kzIm cy am bn p ≈Xv?'"\msf ImWp ∂Xp hsc Hcp kkvs]≥kv Bbn \n¬°s´.'"icn.'Aßns\ cmhnse hsc ImØncp∂p Xpd°m\p≈ AZv pXs∏ńbpw X∂v hµ\ apIfntebv°pXs∂

t]mbn. Ahƒ Iºyq dn¬ Ft¥m D≠m °p ∂p ≠v. AXp apgp an® tijw amXw Fs∂ ImWn °m

\m Wv. Ac ∏Wn Bim t\bpw Im´ cp sX ∂mWs√m.CXpw Rm≥ Hmôkn¬\n∂\p`hn® kpJm\p`qXnbpsS XpS¿® amXambncn°pw Fs∂\nbv°ptXm∂n.

cmXn hµ\ Cdßn hcm≥ sshInbXpsIm≠v DuWp Ign°m≥ ]Øp aWnbmbn. Hmtcm ]mhiywRmt\m Cµnctbm apIfn¬ Ibdn hmXn¬°¬ apńbmepw Ahƒ hmXn¬ s]mfn Aev]w amXw Xpd∂v ]dbpw "Ipd®p IqSn tPmen ≠v, AXp Ign™n´v hcmw.'

DuWp Ign °p tºmƒ Ahƒ tNmZn ®p. "AtΩ, \msf F¥mWv ]mbkw?'"\msf F¥mWv ]tXy IX?' Rm≥ tNm Zn ®p."AXpw IqSn Ado√y Cu A—\v.' hµ\ Nncn ®p sIm≠v ]d ™p. "\mfymWv A—s‚ _¿XvtU.'"\Ωfv ae bmfw ]nd ∂mƒ Znh kmWv t\m°zm.' Cµnc ]d ™p. "AXn\v C\ow Hcm gvN ≠v.'"AXv ]nd ∂m fv, CXv _¿XvtU. c≠p Znhkpw BtLm jn ° Ww.'

\msf cmhnseØs∂ t]mbn ASp°fbntebv°p≈ km[\ßƒ hmtß≠nhcpsa∂v F\nbv°pa\ nem bn. t^m¨ _n√v ImØp \n¬° s´.Dd ßm≥ InS°ptºmgpw \∑bpsS, ImcpWy Øns‚ A\p`qXn Ft∂m sSm ∏ ap ≠m bn cp∂p. hn[n

F\n bv°p th≠n Ft¥m Hcp °p ∂p s≠∂ tXm∂¬.

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Ipd®p Ime ambn kz]v\ ß fn √mØ Dd°wA]q¿∆ambncp∂p. Hc¿∞hpan√mØ kz]v\ßƒ.AXn \n Sbv°v sR´n bp W cp ∂p. Ipfn ap dn bn¬t]mbn h∂v Hcp •mkv sh≈w IpSn ®v InS ∂m¬AXphsc I≠ncp∂ kz]v\w a\n¬ IS∂phcp∂p. ]ns∂ Dd°Øntebv°v hgpXn hoWmepw Bkz]v \Øns‚ XpS¿®bmhpw ImWpI. AXpsIm≠v ho≠pw Dd ßpI bm bn cpt∂m AtXm kz]v\ sØ°p dn®v BtemNn®p InS°p Ibm bncpt∂m F∂p]d bm≥ ]‰mØ Hch ÿbnembncn°pw.

C∂se cmXn ]s£ kz]v\ ß fn √mØ temIØm bncp∂psh∂v cmhnse Bdp aWnbv°v DW¿s∂gpt∂‰t∏msg a\nembp≈p. Cµnc sIm≠ph∂ Nmb IpSn°ptºmƒ Rm≥ BtemNn®p. C∂sØ \SØw D≠mbn√. km[mcW A©p aWnbv °v Fgp t∂‰v Hcp aWn °q¿ \S °m dp ≠v. kmc an √.hµ\ Ipfn®v \√ DSp∏n´v apºn¬ h∂p\n∂p.

"Fs‚ tamƒ kpµ cn bm bn p ≠ t√m.'"C∂v A—s‚ ]nd∂mfs√? Rm\pw AtΩw IqSn

Aº eØn¬ t]m∆m Wv.'Cµncbpw t\csØ Ipfn ® Xns‚ Imcyw AXm

Wv. As√¶n¬ tPmensb√mw Ign™tijta Ipfn°mdp≈q. Ah¿ Fs‚ Cw•ojv, aebmfw ]nd∂mfpIƒ c≠pw BtLmjn°m≥Xs∂ Xo¿®bm °nbncn°p∂p.

"Rßfv ]kmZw hmßn Xncn®p hcp º fbv°v A—≥ Ipfn bv°p.'

Ah¿ ]Snbndßnb DSs\ Rm≥ Ipfn®p. Ah¿Xncn®phcm≥ C\nbpw kabap≠v. Cµnc Aßns\bm Wv. Aº e Øn \p ≈n¬ IS ∂m¬ AX Ffp∏sam∂pw ]pdØp IS°n√. AXpsIm≠v Fs‚ AºebmX an°hmdpw H‰bv°mWv. Hmtcm \Sbv°epwAhƒ \n∂p sXmgpXp ]m¿∞n°p∂Xp ImWmw.F\n bv°X £asbm ∂p an√. Rm≥ ]d bm dp≠v.

"\ns‚ ]m¿∞ \ bpsS \ofhpw NqSpw kln°msX ssZh ßƒ iotIm hn¬ hn´v Ftßm s´¶nepw t]mbn p≠mhpw.'

Cµnc bpsS apJØv Nncn bp ≠mhn √. Ahƒ°v

A≤ymbw c≠v

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CsX√mw ssZh \n µbmWv. Ahƒ Rm≥ ImWmsX kz¥w Ihn fpIfn¬ ASn®v ]ngsbmSp°p∂p≠mhpw.

Rm≥ apIfn tebv°p t]mbn Iºyq´¿ HmWm °n. AhnsSbncp ∂m¬ F\nbv°v Bsc ¶nepw ]SnIS∂v hcp∂ps≠¶n¬ ImWmw. tamWn‰dn¬ Hcp ]pXnb tjm¿SvI´v Rm≥ i≤n®p. AXn\p Xmsg FgpXnbncn°p∂p. "lm∏n _¿XvtU Sp UmUn'. h√ sshd p ambncn °ptam F∂v BZyw t]Sn ®p. ]ns∂a\nembn. hµ\ C∂se sshIpt∂cw D≠m°nb Ft¥m km[\amWv. cmXn ]Øp aWnhsc Ccp

∂p ≠m °n b ]nd ∂mƒ Biw kIƒ. Rm\m tjm¿SvIń¬ Aa¿Øn.AsXmcp Pn^v A\n ta j\m Wv. Nen °p∂ NnXßƒ tamWn‰dns‚ \Sp mKw kPoh am°p IbmWv. AXns\mSphn¬ lm∏n _¿XvtU UmUn F∂ hm°pIƒ Hmtcmt∂mtcm∂mbn DXn¿∂p hogp∂p.ho≠pw BZyw apX¬ AXmh¿Øn°pIbmWv . s]s´∂v Rm≥ NnXßfpsS ]›mØew i≤n®p. Fs‚ssZhta! A\ ßm≥ hømsX Rm≥ Iºyq dn\p apºn¬ Ccn°p I bm Wv. B NnXw! AsXmcp NXpcwK ∏e Ibm Wv. \ndsb Icp°fp≈ B NXpcw K∏ eI FhnsSbmbncp∂p. \S∂psIm ≠n cn°p ∂,]IpXnh®v \n¿Ønb Hcp NXpcwK°fnbpsS NnXw Ińbp≈ sNºpXInSn¬ F®nMv sNbvXp≠m°nbB ]eI F\nbv°v Ccp]Xntesd h¿jambn \jvSs∏ńcnbv°bmbncp∂p. icnbv°p ]d™m¬ ]Xns\´masØ hbn¬ Rm≥ tImgnt°m´v tImfPn¬ tNcm\mbn t]mb A∂p apX¬. Ccp]ØntbgpsIm√ambn \ jvS s∏ńcp∂ B NXp cw K ∏ eI hµ \bv°v Fßns\ Inń?

h√m sØmcp am\knIm h ÿbnseØnb Rm≥ hµ\ h∂v ]n∂n¬ \n∂Xv Adn™n √.

"Fß s\≠v A—m?'Rm≥ sRń Xncn™p t\m°n. Ahƒ Iønep≈ Ce®ofn¬\n∂v Nµ\w FSpØv Fs‚ s\‰nbn¬Ipdnbn p. Fs‚ apJ mhw At∏m gm bn cn °Ww Ahƒ i≤n ®n p ≠m hpI. Ahƒ tNmZn ®p.

"F¥m A—m, \∂m bn nt√?'"\∂mbn´v≠v tamsf. tamfv Cßns\yms° D≠mt°zm∂v BtemNn°ym bncp∂p A—≥.'Ahƒ k¥p jvS bmbn Hcp Itke hen ®n´v Fs‚ ASp Øn cp ∂p. Ahƒ°v C\nbpw Ah fp

≠m°nb A\ntajs\∏‰n Rm≥ ]dbp∂Xv tIƒ°Ww. ]s£ AXns\∏‰nsbm∂pw ]dbmsX Rm≥tNmZn ®p.

"Cu NXpcw K ∏ e I! AsX hn Sp∂p Inń \n\°v?'"AtXm, AXp kzIm cymWv.'Ahƒ Aev] sam∂v sIm©m \mWv Xo¿® bm °n bn cn °p ∂ Xv. Fs‚ Ct∏m gsØ am\ kn Im h

ÿtbm XnSp °tam AXp \in ∏n bv° ≠. Ahsf A\p \ bn°m \mbn Rm≥ ]d ™p."A—s‚ tamfs√, ]d bp, CsX hnSp ∂mWv InóXv?'A\p\ bØn\pw a[pchm°p Iƒ°pw CSbn¬ Ahƒ Fs‚ XnSp °hpw BImw £bpw I≠p ]n

Sn ®p sh∂p tXm∂p ∂p. Ahƒ Icp X temsS tNmZn ®p."A—\v icn°pw Adot√y?'"C√ tamsf, kXyw.'"Fs‚ Iøn e Sn®p kXyw sNøp.' Ahƒ ssI\o n.\ońb Iøn e Sn °msX Rm\ h fpsS Xebn¬ ssIh®p. "Fs‚ tamfmWv kXyw A— \ dn bn√.'"F\nbv°Xv AsΩsS s]ó∂v InóXm.' hµ\bpsS apJw hmSnbncp∂p. A—\dnbmsX AΩ Cßn

s\ sbmcp clkyw kq£n °p ∂p sh∂pw AXv Ahƒ ImcWw ]pd Ømbn F∂pw Ahƒ Hm¿ØpImWpw. F√m‰n\pap]cn B NXpcwK∏eIbv°v Ft¥m ]m[m\yap≠v AXhƒ Adn™nń√ F∂Xpw

Ahsf hnjan∏n®n´p≠mhWw. Rm≥ ho≠pw apºn¬ Nen®psIm≠ncn°p∂ ]nd∂mƒ Biwkt\m°n. c≠p an\p‰p Ign™p ImWpw. hµ\sb ho≠pw A`n\µn°m\mbn AhfpsS apJØp t\m°nbt∏mgmWv I≠Xv, AhfpsS apJw Ccp≠ncp∂p. IÆpIƒ \nd™v HgpIm≥ ]mIØn¬ \n¬°p∂p.

"F¥p ]‰o tamsf?'Ahƒ Ic bm≥ XpS ßn. AXn \n S bn¬ ]d ™p. "A—≥ AtΩymSv ]td ≠.'"AXn \mtWm A—s‚ a≠n tamfv Itc WXv?' AhfpsS IÆp Iƒ XpS ®p sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"AΩtbmSp ]d™mse¥m? Cu t_m¿Uv A—s‚ Ipń °m eØv≠mbncv∂XmWv. A—≥ tImfPn¬]Tn°m≥ t]mbs∏m ImWm≥√ymXmbn. AΩbv°Xv FhnSv s∂¶nepw Inń FSpØp sh®Xmhpw. \ap°v AtΩymSv tNmZn °mw. hcp.' Rm≥ Fgp t∂‰p Ah fpsS Npaen¬ ssIøn´v Xmtgbv°v sIm≠p t]mbn.

Xmsg ASp ° f bn¬ tZmi bp ≠m °n s°m ≠n cn °p∂ Cµnc ]d ™p.

"Fs‚ ASpsØm∂pw C√. A—\pw tamfpw IqSo´s√ NXpcwKw Ifn°mdv. \nß fvXs∂ AsXhnsS sb ¶nepw sh®n´p ≠m hpw. Ah fvsS Ae am doev t\m°ntbm?'Ahƒ Rm≥ ]dbp∂Xv apgph≥ i≤n°p∂p≠mbncp∂n√. At\zjn°p∂Xv Rßƒ Ifn°m\mbn

km[m cW D] tbm Kn °m dp≈ ac Øns‚ sNv t_m¿Um sW ∂mWv Ahƒ Icp Xn bXv. B sk‰v

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Rms\mcp ]nd∂mfn\v hµ\bv°p kΩm\ambn sImSpØ Xm W v .AXns‚ Icp °ƒ Nµ \w sIm ≠p ≠m °n b Xm Wv.

"AX √, \ΩsS ASvØv ]≠p ≠m bn cp ∂ns√ sNºp XIn Sn¬ F®v sNbvX Hcp NXp cw K ∏ eI? Hm¿Ωt√y?'

Cµnc s]s´∂v \n»_vZbmbn. N´pIhpw ]nSn®psIm≠v Ahƒ GtXm ]gb Ime tØbv°p t]mbn. ASp ∏Øv

tZmi InS∂p samcn bp∂p. hµ\ AΩ bpsS Iøn¬\n∂v N´pIw hmßn tZmi hmßn sh ®p."\ΩsS tamfv AXns‚ NnXw sIm≠v \s√mcp "lm∏n

_¿XvtU' A\nta j\p≠m°nbn v≠v.'"tamsfm? Ahƒs° hnSv∂mWv AXp InóXv?'AΩ bpsS apJ m h Ønse am‰w Ahsf t]Sn ∏n ®p

sh∂p tXm∂p∂p, hµ\bpsS apJw ho≠pw Ccp≠p. BNXp cw K ∏ e I bn¬ Fs¥m s°tbm cl kym fl I X bps≠∂pw AXp a\ n em hp ∂n√ F ∂Xp amX a√ Xm≥AXn s‚ sbm∂pw mK a√ F∂Xpw Ahsf hnjan∏n °p∂p≠v. ap∂mw hb n¬ A— s‚bpw AΩbp sSbpw \Sp

hn¬ c≠p t]cp sSbpw ta¬ Ip™nss° sh®p sIm≠v InS ∂p d ßnb Akq bm ep hmWv Ahƒ Ct∏mgpw. hµ\Fs∂ t\m°n. Rm≥ kmcans√∂ A¿∞Øn¬ Ahsft\m°n Nncn®p.

"Rm\Xv kq£n®p h® Xm bn cp ∂q tem. F¥n \m ∏Xv s]md sØ Sp ØXv?'

"AXncn°s´, Ign™ Ccp]tØgp sIm√mbn v CsXhnSym bn cp∂p?' BZyw \o Cu Imcyßƒ hni Zo Icn®p XmF∂ ań¬ Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"tZmibv°v Nmbtbm AtXm Imt∏ym th≠Xv?' Ahƒ°v hnjbw am‰Wsa∂p≠v. X¬°mew AXmWv \√sX∂v

F\nbv°pw tXm∂n. C∂v D® hsc amXsa Hmôkp≈p.t\cw sshIn bm¬ icn bm hn √. Cµnc bp ambn kwkm cn°m≥ \n∂m¬ kabw t]mIp∂Xdnbn√. ]ns∂ AXXs∂kpJap≈ kwkmcambncn°n√ F∂pw F\nbv°p tXm∂n.]nd ∂mƒ Znhka√ AXn\p ]‰nb ka bw. Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"F\nbv°v Im∏n aXn.' tZmi bpsS H∏w Im∏n IpSn°m\mWv hµ \ bv°n jvSw. F\n °njvSw Nmb bm sW ¶nepwaIƒ°p th≠n Rm≥ Im∏n bm °n.

Fs‚ Akz ÿ Zn \ ßƒ ho≠pw hcn I bm sW∂v F\nbv°p a\ n embn. ap∏Xp sIm√w apºv Fs‚ Dd°wA] l cn ®v a\ ns‚ kzmÿyw \jvS s∏ Sp Ønb Hcp

Imcyw ho≠pw Fs∂ tØSn FØnbncn °p ∂p.Fw. Pn. tdmUnse Hmôkv sIń S Øns‚ \memw \nebnse Hmô kntebv°p≈ en^v‰n¬ Ib dptºmƒ Rm≥Hm¿ΩIsf a\ ns‚ I®ds∏ nbn tebv°v X´pIbmbn cp∂p. C∂v F¥mbmepw kabØn\p Xs∂ Hmôkn¬\n∂ndßWw. i\nbmgvN H∂caWnhscbmWv kabsa¶nepw A°u≠vknep≈h¿°v A°u≠‚n\v ]tXyIn®pw A©p aWnbmhmsX ]pdØndßm≥ ]‰mdn√. B hIp∏nep≈hcpsS hn[nbmWsX∂p tXm∂p∂p. A—s‚ ]nd∂mfn\v H∏ancp∂pÆm≥ hµ\ ImØp\n¬°pw. AXp amX a√ Imc W sa∂v a\p ]dbp∂ps≠¶nepw Rm≥ Fs∂Øs∂ I_fn∏n°m\p≈ iaØnemWv. B iaw en°p∂ns√∂v Rm≥ a\nem°p∂p. F\n°n∂v Iptd Imcy ßƒ sNøm\p ≠v. Hm¿Ω Iƒ dossk °nƒ _n∂ntebv°p t]mbn n s√∂p Rm≥ a\ nem°p∂p. AXv [mcmfw ÿew FSp ØpsIm≠v Fs‚ lm¿Uv UnkvIn¬ NS™pIqSn bn cn ° bmWv.

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]Xo£n®Xp t]mseØs∂ Bcpw DuWp Ign®n´p≠mbn cp∂n√. kabw ct≠ap°m¬. Rm≥thKw Ipfnapdnbn¬ t]mbn Iøpw Imepw apJhpw IgpIn, Cµnc Ińent∑¬ FSpØph® Ae°nbIk hp ap ≠p SpØp ]pdØp IS ∂p.

"tamsfhnsS?'

"Ahfv tamfnev≠v.'"F¥m sNø WXv?'"B¿°dnbmw?'s]s´s∂ \nbv°v Imcy ß fpsS InS∏v ]nSn In n. "\o Ahsf NoØ ]d™p As√?'F\n°v CµncbpsS adp]Sn Bhiyap≠mbncp∂n√. Rm≥ apIfntebv°p Ibdn. hµ\ Ińen¬

apJw Xncn®v InS °pI bmWv."tamsf \osb ¥mWv sIS°vWXv?'Ahƒ apJw Xncn ®p. Ahƒ Ic bpI bm bn cp s∂ s∂\nbv°p a\nembn."hcq, DuWp Ign °ym.'"F\nbv°p shi∏n√ A—m.'"\√ Imcym bn. s]d ∂m fvIm c≥, tamfsS H∏ √msX DuWp Ignbvt°ym? FWobv°v.'

Ahƒ ho≠pw Ic bm≥ XpS ßn. Rm≥ Ah fpsS ASp Øn cp∂v ]pdw Xtem Sn."\o F¥p sXm´m hm Sn bmWv. AΩ Aßn s\ sbms° ]d bpw. AXp tI´v \o Ic ømtWm?'Cµnc F¥mWv ]d™sXs∂\nbv°dnbn√. B NXpcwK∏eIbn¬ Ft¥m A]ISw ]Xnbncn°p

∂p s≠∂v Ahƒ hnizkn ®p. AXv Fs‚ Iøn¬ s]Sm≥ ]mSn s√ ∂ Xp sIm ≠m bn cn °Ww AhƒCXbpw Imew AsXm fn ∏n®p sh®Xv.

"FWobv°v.'Rm≥ Ip\n™v Ah fpsS s\‰n ta¬ DΩ h®p. Ahƒ Fgp t∂‰ncp∂psIm≠v tNmZn ®p."F¥m—m B sNvt_m¿Un\v Ipg∏w?'"Ipg ∏tam? H∂pw√y tamsf, AtΩsS Hmtcm tXm∂ evI fm Wv.'"Ft¥m ≠v. F\n°v AtΩsS kwkm cØo∂v a\ n embn. As√ ¶n¬ AΩ Fs∂ CX NoØ ]d

bn√y.'

"C√ tamsf, A— \s√ ]dbvWXv. A—s‚ Ipń°meØv Xń≥]pdØv∂v Inó Xm Wv. A—≥ GXpt\cqw AtXm≠v Ifn°ymbncp∂p. Ahkm\w ]cot£ev tXm¬°pw∂v≈ s\eymbs∏m \ns‚ apØ—≥ AXv hmßn sh ® Xm. ]ns∂ Rm≥ AXp I≠n n √.'

"]s£ A—m AXnev Ifn °m≥ ]‰n √yt√m? AXnev s\dsb Icp °fv hc ®n n cn °ys√?''"NXpcwKw Ifn°y√. GXp t\cpw AXpw Iønev ]nSn t®m≠v \S °zs∂. As∏m ]TnsØm∂pw \S

°n√. AXp icnbmhn√m∂v apØ—\v tXm∂n, ImcWw aq∏cv A—s\ tImgnt°mSv tImfPn¬ tN¿°m≥ Xøm sd Sp Øn cn °ym bn cp ∂p. AXy≈p.'

"AXpw ]nSn®p \S ∂m se¥m ]Tn ®qsS? F¥m h√ kvs]√pwt≠m B t_m¿Un\v?'"C√ tamsf. AXn\v kvs]s√m∂pw√y.' B XInSv a¥\n_≤amsW∂mWv hµ\ IcpXnbXv. "A—≥

kzXth Hscmg∏\mbncp∂p. In´W kasbms° ]dºn¬ h√ acØnΩepw tIdpw. sImf Øn¬ NmSn\o¥pw. Aßn s\ym °ym bm¬ ]TnØw \S t°zm. ]s£ tamfsS apØ—≥ hnNm cn ®Xv B NXpcw K

∏ eIymWv ImcWw ∂m.'hµ\ Xr]vXbm sb∂p tXm∂p ∂p."tamfv hm kabw FXym bo∂m hnNm cw. A—s‚ shi∏v sI´p sXm S ßn.'

3

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A≤ymbw

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Ahƒ Fgpt∂‰v Fs‚ H∏w Xmsg bn d ßn h ∂p."Hm Ic øm bn cpt∂m? Rm\ hfv Iºyq dnev Ft¥m sNøm∂m hnNm cn ®Xv.' Cµnc ]d ™p."I≠n s√,' Rm≥ ]d ™p. "AX Kuc th≈p AtΩsS NoØ ]d ®n en\v.'"NoØ ]dtø?' Cµnc ]d ™p. "Cßs\ sIm©n®v NoØ bm °n t°m fp. Ahsf sI´m≥ hcW

]ø \mWv IjvS s∏SpI. sXm´mhm Sn.'"Ipd®p Ijv Ss∏Ss´, Rm≥ s\s∂s°m≠v Ijv Ss∏´t]mse.' Rm≥ ]d™p. ]ns∂ Xncn™v Fs‚

ASp Øp Xs∂ Ce bv°p ap ºn¬ Ccn °p∂ hµ \sb t\m°n ]d ™p. "As√, A—s‚ sXm´m hmSn°pó? CXv A—s‚ ap≈n √mØ sXm´m hmSn aI fm Wv.'hµ\bpsS ]nW°w Xo¿∂ncp∂p. ]nd∂mƒ Znhkw \neØv ]p√p]mbbn v AXnemWv aq∂p t]cpw

Ccn°mdv. heXphiØmbn Hcp \nehnf°n\p apºn¬ C´ Cebn¬ KW]Xnbv°v kZy hnfºnbncp∂p.

i\n bmgvvN Znhkw Rm≥ D®bv°v apIfnse apdn bn emWv Ddßm≥ InS°mdv. hµ\ AΩsb ASp°fbn¬ ]mXßƒ tamdm≥ klmbn°pw. XmgsØ \nebn¬ AXns‚ _lfambncn°pw. apIfnemhptºmƒ ieyßsfm∂pan√msX c≠p aWn°q¿ InS°mw. HcmgvNsØ Hmôkv £oWw Xo¿°p∂Xv B c≠p aWn°qdmWv. C∂p ]s£ F\n°pdßm≥ Ign™n√. Rm≥ Fgpt∂‰v Iºyq´¿ taibpsShen∏n¬ sNºn¬ Bte J\w sNbvX B NXp cw K∏eIbv°p th≠n X∏n. AX hn sS bp≠mIpsa∂tXm∂¬ icnbmbn. Fń©v NXpcØnep≈ B ]eIbn¬ Hcp Ifn ]IpXnbn¬ \n¿Ønsh®Xns‚

NnXw. AsXmcp ]gb h¿Øam\°Semkn¬ s]mXn™ph®ncn°bmWv. angnhp≈ Icp°fpsS Idp∏p\ndØnep≈ tcJmNnXw sNºns‚ \ndØn¬ DZn®pImWp∂p. hµ\ B XInSv \∂mbn IgpInbn´p≠m I Ww, ImcWw AXnse cq] ßƒs°m∂pw henb lm\n hcm sXØs∂ sNºns‚ ]›m Ø eØn\v \√ DZn∏p h∂ncn°p∂p. heØphiØp Xmsgbmbn Ipd®p mKØp≈ F®nMv Idh∂v aqSnbXv ]≠pw Aßn s\bm bncp∂p sh∂v Rmt\m¿Øp. AXp ]s£ Ifnsb _m[n°p∂n√. AhnsSImemƒ∏SbmWv. AsXX apt∂m´p t]mbn´ps≠∂p amXw Adnbm≥ ]‰n√. c≠p sIm√°mew Rm≥sIm≠p \S∂v s]s´∂v A] Xy £amb B sNºp NXpcwK∏eI Rm≥ ssIsIm≠v XtemSn. Icp°fpsS mKsØ√mw Aev]w s]m¥n\n¬°p∂t]mse tXm∂p∂p. tXm∂embncn°pw, ImcWw ]eIapgph≥ \∂mbn an\pks∏SpØnbncp∂p. Rm\m ]eI taihen∏n¬Øs∂ Xncn®ph®p Iºyq´¿ Xpd∂p.

C\n hµ \ bp ≠m °nb amÃ¿]okv Hcn °¬°qSn ImW s´. sUkvIvtSm ∏nse tjm¿SvI n¬

Aa¿Øn bt∏mƒ A\ntaj≥ XpSßn. BZyw ]›mØ eØn¬ hcp∂Xv \n¿Øn sh® Hcp NXp cw K° fn bpsS NnX amWv. B \n› e Nn X Øn tebv°vv Hmtcm hm°p I fmbn "lm∏n' ASpØ hcn bn¬"_¿XvtU' ho≠pw ASpØ c≠p hcn I fn embn "Sp' "UmUn' Fs∂ gp Xn h cp ∂p. F√m hm°pIfpwh∂pIgn™m¬ "lm∏n _¿XvtU Sp UmUn' F∂v \me©p h´w an∂nsØfn™tijw ho≠pw BZywapX¬ XpSßp∂p. F\n°Zv`pXw tXm∂n. c≠mgvN apºv amXamWv Rm\hƒ°v Pn^v A\nta‰dns‚_o‰m tIm∏n Uu¨temUv sNbvXp sImSp ØXv. CXthKw AXhƒ ]Tn °pIbpw Cßn s\sbmcpA\nta j≥ D≠m °p Ibpw sNbvXns√?

A\ntaj≥ \n¿Ønsh®v Rm≥ "Un' ssUhn¬ A\ntaj≥ D≠m°nsh® t^mƒU¿ Xpd∂v NXpcwK∏eIbpsS NnXsaSpØp t\m°n. NnXw kvIo≥ \nd™p\n∂p. \√ angnhp≈ NnXw. Ahƒ sslsdkeqj\n¬ kvIm≥ sNbvsXSpØXmWXv . 300 ]nIvkse¶nepw D≠mhpw. A\ntaj\pth≠n AhƒNnXØns‚ sskkv Npcp°nbn´p≠mhWw. ImcWw B sdkeqj\n¬ Pn^v A\nta‰dn¬ A\nta

j∂p≠m°m≥ ]‰n√. B s_≥Iyp Gk¿ kvIm\¿ Ign™ ]mhiyw Ipt´´≥ Atacn°bn¬ \n∂ph∂t∏mƒ acp aIƒ°v hmßns°mSpØ hbmWv. Hmtcm ]mhiyhpw \mńtebv°p h∂m¬ Ipt´´≥hµ \bv°p th≠n Fs¥ ¶nepw hmßm Xn cn bv°n√. C]mh iyhpw Abmƒ hµ \tbmSp tNmZn®p."tamƒ°v F¥mWv th≠Xv?' Ahƒ°v kwi bsam∂pap≠mbncp ∂n√. FSp Ø ]Snbv°v Ahƒ ]d™p. "Hcp If¿ kvIm\¿.'

"\o sNdpsXs¥¶nepw ]td tamsf.' Rm\hsf KpWtZmjn®p. Hcp kvIm\dn\v NpcpßnbXv aq∆mbnc Ø™qdp cq]sb¶n epamhpsa s∂\nbv°dn bmw.

"\o an≠m Xn cn.' Ipt´´≥ Fs∂ imkn®p. Ahƒ°mh iy ap ≈ Xs√ Ahƒ Bh iy s∏ SpI?'DSs\Øs∂ At±lw hµ\sbbpw Iqń ]pdØndßn. Hcp aWn°q¿ Ign™v Xncn®ph∂Xv Cu

kvIm\dpam bn´m Wv. AXns‚ hnebdn ™t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d ™p."C\n Ip´Ωma _enbnSm s\ ∂√ Hcp Imcy Øn\pw Ct¥yev \ns∂ t]Sn®v ImepIpØn √.'

kvt\l ap≈ a\p jy \mWv. Fs‚ AΩm h\v Fßns\ Cßn s\ sbmcp k¥ Xn bp≠mbn?kvIo\n¬ \nd ™p \n∂ NnXw t\m°n s°m ≠n cns° Rm≥ AsX√mw Hm¿Øp. Ipń °m ew,AXns‚ KrlmXpcX. NnXßƒ hfsc angnhp≈Xmbncp∂p. amkØnsemcn°se¶nepw \mń¬ t]mIp∂ Xp sIm≠v B \mepsI ns‚ NnXw a\ n¬ hfsc kPo h am bn cp ∂p.

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kv Io\n¬ \nd™p\n∂ NnXØn¬ t\m°nbt∏mgmWv Rm≥Hcp Imcyw i≤n ® Xv. NnX Øns‚ he Øp h i Ømbn XmsgFt¥m Fgp Xn bn cn °p ∂p. Aßn s\ sbm∂v Rm\n Xphsc

i≤n ®n p ≠m bn cp ∂n √. Rm≥B `mKw hep Xm °n t\m °n.Fgp Øp X s∂ bm Wv. hmbn °m≥ ]‰p∂Xn¬ ]camh[n hepXm°n. AsXmcp \me °kwJybmWv. H∂p IqSn hep Xm °n b t∏mgmWv a\ n em bXv AXv 1131Fs∂ gp Xn b XmWv. 1131? Rm≥ho≠pw t\m°n. AsX 1131 Xs∂.AXv Rm≥ P\n® sIm√ambncp∂p. aebmf h¿jw. F®nßns‚

ka bØv A_ ≤ Øn¬ h∂ps]´ Hcp Ic SmsW∂p IcpXnbncp∂Xv Rm≥ P\n® h¿jw Ipdn®p h®Xmbncp∂p. Rm≥ P\n°p∂ Xn\pw FXtbm apºv GtXmImcWhcmWv B NXpcwK∏eID≠m °nh ® Xv. B Imc W h¿ acn®Xv BbncØn F¨]Ø©ntem at‰m BWv. AXn\pw apºv Ft∂m D≠m °n h® Hcp ]e Ibn¬ Fs‚ P\\ h¿jw FgpXn

h®Xv bmZr›nIamtWm? GsXms°tbm A⁄mXamb hgnIfneqsS hn[n F\n°p th≠n Ft¥m Icp Xn sh ®n cnbv° bmWv.F\n bv°p th≠n amXw, Imc

Ww AtXhsc Hcmfpw B NXpcwK∏eI Kuchambn FSpØn´n√. AΩmh≥ Hcn°¬ ]d™Xv AXp≠m °nbXv At±lØns‚ c≠masØ AΩmh\m sW ∂mWv. At±lØn\v Xebv°v Aev]w AkpJamsW∂pw ]d™p. Xebv°v h´p≈ Hcmƒ sNøp∂Xv Kuchambn FSpt°≠Xn√s√m. AXdn™ tijhpw Rm\Xp Kuchambn FSp°pIbpw AXns‚ A¿∞sa¥msW∂v At\zjn°pIbpw Fs‚c≠p h¿jw ]mgm °p Ibpw sNbvXt∏mtgm? AsX \nbv°p amX ap≈ Ft¥m ktµ i am Wv. AsXSp °m\pw a\ n em °m\pw ]s£ F\n °m hp ∂n √.

hµ\ ]n∂n¬ h∂p \n∂Xv Rm\dn™n√."Fßn s\≠v A—m?' Rm≥ Xncn ™p t\m °n b t∏mƒ Ahƒ tNmZn ®p."\∂m bn v≠v.' Rm≥ ]d ™p. "\obnXv ssl sdkeqj \nevv sNbvXtXm≠v \√ sXfn a ≠v.'"A—m F\nbv°v Xo˛Un A\nta j≥ ]Tn ®m¬ aXn.'"AtXym? ]s£ tamsf A \n ta j \nev Nm≥kp Ifv hfsc Ipd hs√ D≈q? t\sc adn®v Hcp

tkm v‰vshb¿ F©n\obdmsW¶n¬ C∂pXs∂ tPmenIn´pw. \√ iw_fhpw BWv. tkm v‰vshb¿F©n\ob¿am¿ Bbn c ° W°n\v th≠n hcp tºmƒ A\ntat‰gvkv hfsc Ipd ®s√ th≠q? sh_v ssk ‰p I fn sems° Ct∏mƒ vfmjn emWv A\n ta j≥. XoUn A\n ta j \m sW ¶n¬ Im¿´q NnXØnepw h√t∏mgpw B¿°nsSIv Ndnepw amtX th≠nhcq. \o Ahtcw At\zjn®v \S°≠n hcpw.'

"AXp kmcey A—m.' Ahƒ Ipd ®p t\cw \n» _vZ bm bn, ]ns∂ ASp Øn´ Itkebn¬ Ccp ∂psIm≠v tNmZn ®p. "A—m, Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZn ®m¬ AXn\v icn °p≈ adp ]Sn Xtczm?'

"\o ]td.' Ahƒ F¥mWv tNmZn °m \pt±in°p ∂ sX∂v F\n°p a\nem bn cn °p ∂p."t]mankv?'"t]man kv.' Ah fpsS \o´nb D≈wIøn¬ ASn ®p sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d ™p."F¥mWv Cu sNvt_m¿Uns‚ ]tXy IX? F¥n \mWv AΩ AsXm fn ∏n®p sh®Xv?'

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hµ\tbmSv \pW ]dbm≥ F\n°njvSan√mbncp∂p. F¶nepw AhfpsS mhnsb t\m°nsb¶nepwAXns‚ clkyw Ahƒ Adn b cp Xv. Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"AXn sem ∂pw √ys‚ tamsf. AsXmcp shdpw NXp cw K ∏ eI amXm Wv. GtXm h´≥ Imc W hcv kabw If bm≥ th≠n D≠m °nbn Xm Wv.'

"A√, A—≥ \pW ]d øm Wv.' Ah fpsS kzcØn¬ ]cn hw."A—≥ Hcp Imcyw ]d bs´ tamsf? Cu t_m¿Uv A—s‚ c≠p sIm√w If™ km[ \mWv. tamfv

AsXm∂pw Adnb≠m. Adn bm≥ amsXm ∂pw √y. \ns‚ ]co£bv°v C\n \mep amtk ≈q. AXns\Sbv°v th≠mØXn sem∂pw FSs]´v a\v Nn∂n t∏m ≠. tamfv t]mbn ]Tn bv°v.'"C√, Rm≥ ]Tn°n√. CsX¥m∂dn ™mse Rm≥ ]Tn bv°p.'hµ\bpsS IuXpIap≈ apJØp t\m°nbt∏mƒ Ahƒ Ipńbmbncn°ptºmgp≠mb Hcp Imcyw

Hm¿Øp. aq∂p hbp ]mbap≈t∏mgmWv. Fs¥¶nepw hmin km[n∏n®p sImSpØns√¶n¬ AhƒòjWns∏SpØmdp≠v.

"Rm≥ XpWn √ymsX ap‰Øv t]mbn \n¬°pw.'DSp∏nSmsX \S°cpXv, ]tXyIn®pw ]pdØv F∂v Cµnc ]dbmdp≠v. Hcn °¬ Ft∂mSpw ojWn

apg °n bt∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d™p."\nt∂m, A—\v Ipgs∏m∂pw√y. h√ Imt°w ]d∂pt]mhptºmƒ s\s∂ I≠m¬ tXmeqs]mfn®

]qhw] gmWv∂v IcpXn sImØn s°m≠p t]mIpw. AXz s∂.'

Hcn°¬ AhfpsS Iøn¬\n∂v Hcp Im° ]elmcw sImØns°m≠p t]mbXn¬∏ns∂ Ahƒ°pIm° Isf t]Sn bmbn cp∂p. AXn\p tijw Ahƒ B ojWn apg°n bnń √."F¥m A—≥ Nncn ° WXv?'"H∂pw√y tamsf.' Rm≥ ]d ™p. "s\\°v \n¿∫ ‘m sW ¶n¬ Rm≥ ]d™pXcmw. C∂pw \msf

bpw th≠nhcpw AXp apgph≥ Xocm≥. Hcp hmKvZm\w XcWw. Cu IY tI´p Ign™m¬ Xncn®v \ns‚]TnØØn¬ i≤n °Ww. CXpXs∂ Btem Nn®v Ccn° cvXv.'

"kΩ Xn®p, ]d bq.'

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c≠mbncØnBdn¬ Pohn°p∂ Hcp ]Xn\mep hbpImcnbv°v sXm≈mbncØnFgp]XpIfnseImcyßƒ ]d ™p sIm Sp°p ∂Xv Hcp saKmkn ‰nbn¬\n∂v Ahsf t\sc Imńs‚ D≈nsehnsSsb¶nepw hnSp∂ Xp t]m sebmWv. Hcp ImSv Ahƒ°v ]nt∂bpw a\ n em sb∂p hcpw. Imew AXb[nIw amdnbncn°p∂p. Rßƒ amkØnsemcn°se¶nepw \mń¬ t]mbn Xmakn°p∂XpsIm≠v ÿeß sf ∏‰n Ahƒ°v GI tZiw cq] ap ≠v. AXp sIm≠v H∂pw Bbn √. Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"A—≥ Ipd®pt\cw InS ° s´, AXp Ign™v Fgpt∂‰tijw ]dbmw. tamfv Ct∏m s]mbvs°m.'"icn.' Ahƒ Fgp t∂ ‰p.Rm≥ Iºyq´¿ Hm^m°n, Ińent∑¬ h∂p InS∂p. DdßWw. ]s£ Fs‚ Dd°w \mń≥]pdsØ

\mepsIń se hn sStbm \jvSs∏ńcn°bm Wv. Cµnc B NXp cw K∏eI Hfn ∏n®p sh ® Xns‚ ImcWwF\nbv°nt∏mƒ a\nem bn. ]s£ AsX t∏m gmWv AhfpsS ssIhiw FØn s∏´ sX∂p a\nembn √. AΩmhs‚ acW Øn\p tij ambn cn °Ww.

AΩm hs‚ hoń¬ ]Xnaq∂mw hb n ¬ Xma kn °m s\ Øn b Xns‚ hfsc t\cnb Hm¿Ω IsfF\nbv°p≈q. Rm≥ AΩbpsS ]n∂mse B henb ]Sn∏pc IS ∂p sN∂Xv Hcp ]pXnb PohnXØntebv°mbncp∂p. ]™Øns‚bpw ]ńWnbpsSbpw \mfpIƒ kar≤nbpsSbpw kwXr]vXnbpsSbpw\mfpI fmbn amdn. AΩbpw G´ Ønbpw H∏w h∂n cp∂p. Ah¿ ]nt‰∂p Xs∂ Xncn®p t]m bn. Ah¿Xncn®pt]mbXv ZmcnZyØntebv°pw ]ń Wnbnte bv°p amsW∂Xv Fs∂ AXXs∂ hnjan∏n®n √.B ]mb Øn¬ Ah \ hs‚ hb¿ amXta Hcp Ipń i≤n °p, ]tXy In®pw hni ∂n cp∂ Hcp Ipń.B \mepsI´v Hcp henb b¥w t]mse F\nbv°p tXm∂n bn cp∂p. AXnthKØn¬ Id ßp∂ NIßfp≈ Hcp b¥w. Xnc °p am Xw. cmhnse F´p aWn bmbm¬ b¥w ]h¿Ønbv°m≥ Xp S ßp ∂p.]dºn¬ I≠w Ifbv°pItbm h√Xpw \SpItbm CeIvSnIv ]ºp]tbmKn®v sXßn\pw hmgbv°pw]® ° dn Iƒ°pw \\ bv°pItbm sNøp∂ tPmen°m¿, NmWIw sagp Inb ap‰Øv s\√pI‰ ASn®v s\∑ Wn Iƒ th¿Xn cn°pIbpw DXn¿∂ aWn Iƒ Im‰Øn´v ]Xncpw ssht°m¬Øcn Ifpw If™v hrØnbm °pIbpw sNøp∂ kvXoIƒ, Dc¬∏pcbn¬ Dc ens‚ XmfØns\m∏w Db¿∂p tIƒ°p∂iv, iv i_v Zhpw Ip∏nhfIfpsS Inep°hpw. Fs‚ hońse ]im¥Xbn¬ \n∂v Cu _lfØntebv °ps]s´∂p h∂Xv Fs∂ A‘mfn ∏n ®p. apºv h√t∏mgpw B hoń¬ h∂p Xma kn®n´p≠v. As∂√mwHt∂m ct≠m Znhkw Ign™m¬ Xncn®p t]mIpsa∂ Bizmkap≠v. C\n AXn√. CXmsWs‚ ÿnchm kw. Fs‚ mhn Chn sS bm Wv, Hcp ]s£ ac Ww h sc.

AΩbpw cmt[ SvØnbpw ]nt‰∂p cmhn se Xncn®p t]mbXn \p tijw Rm≥ icnbv°pw H‰ s∏´p.Ft∂°mƒ c≠p hbp IqSpXep≈ Ipt´´≥ CSvbv°p Rm\ncn°p∂nSØp h∂p t\m°pw. H∂pw]dbmsX Xncn®p t]mIpw. Ftßm´mWv t]mIp∂sX∂dnbn√. B ]SpIq‰≥ hoń¬ Hcmbncw t]¿°v Hfn®ncn°m≥ CS aps≠∂p tXm∂n bn cp∂p. F´p hb p≈ Cµnc CSbv°p h∂v Rm\ncn°p∂ CcpØn bpsS ASp Øp IqsS t]mIpw. AXn\nS bn¬ \s√mcp \p≈pw kΩm \n bv°pw. \√ thZ \bp≠mIpw. Rm\hsf Xpdn®p t\m°ptºmƒ Ahƒ sIm™\w IpØn s°m≠v HmSn t∏mIpw. HmtS≠ Bhiysam∂pap≠mbncp∂n√. AhfpsS ]n∂mse HmSns®∂v in£n°ms\∂p amXa√, \mshSpØp "thZ\n bv°p∂p≠v' F∂p ]d bm≥ t]mepw Ai ‡ \mIpw hn[w Rm≥ tamiw \ne bn embncp ∂p.

AΩm hs‚ a°ƒ c≠p t]¿°pw Rm\ hnsS Xma kn °m≥ h∂Xv CjvS am bn√ F∂¿∞w.AsXs∂ thZ\n ∏n®p. F\nbv°p kzbw Hcp n£°mc\mbn tXm∂n. ]s£ cmXnbmb tXmsS Imcyßƒ Iptds» A\pIqeambn h∂p. XfØn¬ \neØncp∂v Rßƒ aq∂p IpńIfpw DuWp Ign®p.

A≤ymbw \mev

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ssI IgpIn j¿ńs‚ Iøn¬ apJwXpS®v Xncn™p t\m°nbXv Ipt´´s‚ apJ Øm Wv. ap∏¿ Kuc hambn ]d ™p. "Fs‚ ]n∂msehm.'

Rm≥ AbmfpsS ]n∂mse \S

∂p. tImWn Ibdn apIfn¬ kz¥wapdnbnseØnbt∏mƒ hmXneS®psIm≠v Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p. "Ccnbv°v.'

Rm≥ taibv°p apºn enć≠p Itk e I fn sem ∂n¬ Ccp∂p.

"AΩ s\s∂ Fs‚ H∏w sISØm≥ ]d ™n´v≠v. \o Nne \n_‘ \Iƒ kΩXn®m¬ amsX Rm\Xp kΩXnbv°q. a\nemtbm?'

Rm≥ Xe bm n, F¥mWv B\n_‘\Iƒ F∂pIqSn tNmZn®n√. B tNmZy Ønepw RßsfNqgv∂p \n¬°p∂ kµ¿`ØnepwHcp \mS Io bXbp ≠m bn cp∂p.\mep t]¿°p InS °m≥ amXw

hep∏ap≈ B InSbv°bn¬ InS°m≥ kΩXn®m¬ Rm≥ F¥p \n_‘\bv°pw hgßpambncp∂p."H∂v Rm≥ AΩtbmSv \pW ]d bptºmƒ \o FSt¶menScpXv. AXm bXv AXns\Xnsc H∂pw ]d

b cp Xv. AΩbpsS H∏w Pohn®p t]mIm≥ Aev]kzev]w \pW ]d tb≠nhcpw. \n\°Xv hgnsb a\nemhpw.'

"c≠maXv, Rm≥ \nt∂mSp ]dbp∂sXm∂pw CµntcymSv ]dbcpXv. Ahsfmc]ISImcnbmWv.' Fs‚

apJØp I≠ kwib`mhw i≤n®psh∂p tXm∂p∂p. Ipt´´≥ XpS¿∂p. "Ahƒ \sΩ H‰ns°mSp°pw. Ahƒ ImcWw F\nbv°v A—s‚ Iøn¬\n∂v [mcmfw kΩm\w Inó v≠v. F√m s]Ïp nIfpw Aßns\Øs∂bmWv. Hscm‰ H∂nt\w hnizkn°cpXv . \n\°v A—s‚ Iøo∂v ASn Inó vt≠m?'

Rm≥ Cs√∂p Xe bm n. Fs‚ A—≥ F\nbv°v c≠p hb p ≈ t∏msg acn ®p t]m bn cp ∂p."\ns‚ A—s‚ Imcy√ ]d bWXv? Fs‚ A— s‚, \ns‚ AΩm h s‚. In´m≥ hgo √y. C\n In´m

\p≈ FS sImSp°≠. \√ NqSv≠v. AXm Rm≥ ]dbWXv Cµntcs\ kq£n°Ww∂v. a\nemtbm?'AXmbncp∂p Rm\pw Ipt´´\pw IqSnbp≠mb kulrZØns‚ XpS°w. Ct∏mƒ AºXp Intem

ao‰dpw ap∏Ømdv h¿jhpw krjvSn® AIeØn¬\n∂v t\m°ptºmƒ Rm≥ BtemNn®p AsXmcp\√ _‘ am bn cp∂p. Hcn °epw De bmØ kvt\l_‘w. Rßƒs°mcp s]mXp iXphp ≠m bXpsIm ≠m bn cn °Ww AXv. AXn \p tijw F\n°m hoń¬ A\y \mbn tXm∂n bn n √.

CµncbpsS ]oU\Øns‚ Imcyw ]d™t∏mƒ Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. AXv \ap°v \n¿Ømw. C\n ]n®m≥

hcptºmƒ ]d™m aXn, Rm≥ \ns∂ sI´m≥ t]m∆m Wv∂v. ]ns∂ Ahƒ ASpØp hcn√. ASpØXhW Xs∂ AXp Rm≥ ]co £n ®p. Ahƒ D]Z hn °m≥ hcn I bmsW∂v F\nbv°p a\ n embn.Rm≥ ap≥Iq dmbn ]d ™p.

"]n®nt°m, ]s£ Rm≥ \ns∂ sI´m≥ t]m∆m Wv.'"sI´mt\m?'"AsX, IeymWw Ign °m≥.'"th≠......'"AXp \ob √t√m Xo¿® bm °m≥, Rm\s√?'Ahƒ Ic™p sIm≠v AΩ bpsS ASp tØbvt°mSn. Rm≥ ]n∂m se bp≠mbncp∂p. Imcyw a\

nem bt∏mƒ AΩmbn ]d™p."AXn s\ ¥m, Ah≥ s\s‚ apds® ° \s√?'

"F\n°v Cu G´s\ th≠m.....' Ahƒ Ic bp I X s∂ bm Wv. AΩmbn Nncn ®p sIm ≠n cp∂p.AΩmh≥ B hgnbv°p hcptºmtgbv°pw AhfpsS Ic®n¬ \n¿ØpIbmWv \√Xv. Rm≥ ]d™p."icn, \ns∂ IeymWw Ign °n Wn √. ]s£ C\n Fs∂ ]n® cpXv.'Ahƒ Ic®n¬ \n¿Øn, Xe bm n.

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"]ns∂ thsdmcp Imcyw. hepXm bm¬ Fs∂ sI´ Ww∂v ]d™v ]n∂mse hcpw Acv Xv . a\nemtbm?'

"icn.']nd tIm´p t]mbn, Aev]w

NcnXw. BZysØ B¨] Pbv°p tijw A©p h¿jwIgn™v AΩm h\v Hcp s]Ïpń P\n ® t∏mƒ AΩm h≥BZyw sNbvXXv Bsf ]d ™b®v s]ßsf hcp Øp I bm Wv.c≠p hbp ]mb amb Fs∂bpw A©p hbp ]mbamb cmt[ SvØn sbbpw s]dp °n sbSpØv AΩ G´s‚ ASp tØbv°v ]pXh[p hns\ ImWm ≥

bmX bm bn. Rßƒ°v hfsc\√ kzoI c W amWv A∂p e`n®sX∂v AΩ ]d bpI bp≠m bn p≠v. Imcy ÿs\ ]d ™ b®v cmL hs‚ IS bn¬\n∂v HcpIp™n sjÕnbpw Ft∂°mƒhep ∏ ap≈ Hcp I≈n j¿´pwhmßn®p. Rm≥ BZyambn [cn®]pcp jthjw AXm bn cp ∂sX.AXphsc cmt[SvØnbpsS ]gbDSp∏pIfmWv Fs∂ CSo®ncp∂

Xv. Hcp Kwòc kZybpw Hcp°nbncp∂p. c≠mw hbn¬ \S∂ BImcyß sfm∂pw F\nbv°v Hm¿Ω bp ≠m hm≥ hø. \∂mbn;Hm¿Ωbp≠mbncps∂¶n¬ AXns‚sbms° A¿∞iq\yXtbm¿Øv F\nbv°p hnjaamtbs\.Xdhm´pkzØv ]pdØpt]mImXncn °m≥ \mb¿ X d hm Sp Iƒ]n≥XpS¿∂ncp∂ Cu kºZmbØn¬ BÏp nbvt°m s]¨

Ip nbvt°m hnhm l Øns‚Imcy Øn¬ kzbw \n¿Æ bm hImiw \¬In bn cp ∂n √. F√mw

F√mh¿°pw kzoImcy amsW∂v s]mXpsh [cn®p sh ®p F∂p amXw. ]Øn cp] Xp sIm√w H∏w Xmakn °p tºm gp ≠m Ip∂ aaX kzoIm cy X bmsW∂p Icp Xn bncn° Ww.

F\nbv°v CµnctbmSp≠mbncp∂ at\m`mhw F¥mbncp∂p? kXyw ]dbs´, F\nbv°n∂pw Adnbn √. AXn s\ ∏‰n BtemNn °m \p≈ ka bhpw In´mØ hn[w Imew Fs∂ adnIS∂p t]mbn. C∂v,NXpcwK° cp °ƒ NnXWw sNbvX sπbv‰v t\m°n \n∂ hµ\sb I≠t∏mƒ Rm≥ Hm¿ØXv c≠p]Xn‰m≠p apºv CtX NXpcwK∏eIbpw t\m°n \n∂ncp∂ Cµncsbbmbncp∂p. Rßƒ Hfn∏n®psh®B t_m¿Uv Ahƒ I≠p]nSn® Znhkambncp∂p AXv. ]dºn¬ _m‰van‚≥ Ifn®v Xncn®p apIfn¬Rß fpsS apdn bn tebv°p h∂ t∏m ƒ I≠ Xv Cµnc B F®nßpw ]nSn®v Xncn®pw adn®pw t\m°n

\n¬°p ∂XmWv. Rßsf I≠t∏mƒ Ahƒ AXv ]n∂n¬ Hfn ∏n®p h ®p."Bcm \nt∂mSv RßsS tai sXmd °m≥ ]d™Xv?' Ipt´ ≥ tZjytØmsS tNmZn®p. "Cß´v Xm AXv?'

Cµnc AXpw sIm≠v HmSpIbm Wv. mKy Øn\v Ahƒ tImWnbndßp ∂ Xn\p apºv Rßƒ° hsf

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]nSnIqSm≥ ]‰n. B t_m¿Un¬ Fs¥ms°tbm clkyw Hfn™ncn°p∂ps≠∂v Rßƒ°p tXm∂nbncp∂p. AXv AΩma\pw AΩmbnbpw I≠m¬ Ipg∏amWv. AhfpsS Iøn¬\n∂v sNºv XInSv Xń∏ dn®p hmßn.

"Rm≥ A—t\mSv ]d ™p sIm Sp °pw.' Cµnc oj Wn s∏ Sp Øns°m≠v t]mIp Ibm Wv.Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p. "\o AhnsS \n°v, \ap°v kwkm cn °mw.'ssI°q en bpsS hmKvZm\w hcp ∂p s≠∂v A\p`hØn¬\n∂v Ahƒ°dn bmw. AsXX sNdp Xp

am I s´. shdpw ssItømsS XmgØndßnt∏m I ≠ s√m. km[m cW AXv If¿s]≥kn¬ sXm´v hmbaqtS≠ kwK Xn bpsS Kuc h a \p kcn®v F¥p hne ]nSn ® Xp am Imw.Ahƒ Iń en¬ Im¬`m KsØ Agn Iƒ Nmcn bn cp ∂p."C\n ]td, \n\°v F¥mWv th≠Xv?' Ipt´ ≥ IqSn bm tem N\ XpS ßn h®p.F¥mWv Bhiys∏tS≠sX∂Xns\∏‰n Cµncbv°v \√ cq]ap≠mbncp∂p. Ahƒ ]d™p. "Fs∂

\nßsS H∏w NXp cwKw Ifn °m≥ Iq´ Ww.'"AXv..........' Ipt´ ≥ kwi bn ®psIm≠v ]d ™p. "H∂maXv NXp cwKw _p≤n bp ≈ h cpsS Ifn bm

Wv. AXv \osbßn s\bmWv Ifn°pI?'"F\n°v _p≤n bn √m ∂s√ ]d bWXv? F∂m¬ Fs∂ tN¿°≠, Rm≥ t]mWp.' Ahƒ Fgpt∂

‰p.AhfpsS kzcØnse ]IS amb ojWn icn°pw Dƒs°m≠psIm≠v Ipt´´≥ NmSnsbgpt∂‰p.

Cµncsb ]nSn®ncpØn aq∏¿ ]d™p."Aßns\ ]nWßnt∏mh s√. Hcp Imcyw sNøv; Hcp amkw \o Rßƒ Ifn °WXv t\m°n∏Tn°v.F∂n´v RßsS H∏w Ifn °mw. F¥m?'

Cµnc Xebmń. Ipt´´≥ taihen∏p Xpd∂v sNv t_m¿sUSpØv Ahƒ°p apºn¬ \ncØn Icp°fpsS t]cpw AhbpsS \o°ßfpw hniZoIcn°m≥ XpSßn. Hcp hn[Øn¬ AXp \∂mbn. ASpØsIm√w Ipt´´≥ tImgnt°mSv tImfPn¬ ]Tn°m≥ t]mbt∏mƒ F\nbv °v Ifn°m≥ Hcp Iq´mbn. AsXX Xs∂ tami am bm epw.

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sNºpXInSpsIm≠p≠m°nb NXpcwK∏eI HcZv pXambncp∂p. Xń≥]pdØp\n∂v Inńbs]mSn]nSn®p InS°p∂ B XInSv IpfØn¬ sIm≠pt]mbn IgpInbt∏mgmWv AXn¬ hc®n´ I≈nIfpwIcp°fpw hy‡ambXv. Aev]w Id AhnShnsSbmbn \n¬°p∂ps≠¶nepw XInSv HcpamXncn hrØnbmbncp∂p. AZv pXIcambn tXm∂nbXv AXn¬ sImØnh® Icp°fmWv. \S∂ncp∂ Hcp Ifn s]s´∂v \n∂t]msebmbncp∂p Icp°fpsS hn\ymkw. GtXm k∂nKv≤mhÿbn¬ Hcp Ifn achn®v Dd™pt]m b t]m se. Imew s]s´∂v \ne® t]m se. FX Ime ambn B NXp cw K ∏ eI Xń≥]pdØv InS°p∂p F∂v ]dbm≥ ]‰n √.

IgpInb sh≈w h‰nbt∏mƒ ]eI Iptd°qSn sXfn™p. sNºns‚ Nph∏p\ndØn¬ Icp°fpsSIdp∏p\ndw DZn®ph∂p. Ipt´´≥ kq£n®pt\m°pIbmbncp∂p. aq∏¿ s\‰n Npfn®ncn°bmWv. Ft¥mA]nbamb Imcyw AXn¬ Is≠∂p tXm∂p∂p. F\ns°m∂pw a\nembn√. Ipd®pt\csØ A\n›n XXz Øn\p tijw Abmƒ apJ ap b¿Øn Fs∂ t\m°n.

"\n\ °n Xn¬ Fs¥ ¶nepw Ipg∏w ImWm \pt≠m?'Rm≥ kq£n®p t\m°n. C√, H∂pw ImWp ∂n √. Rm≥ Ipt´ s\ tNmZy ]q¿∆w t\m°n."Cßns\ Hcp Ifn bp ≠m hm≥ hø. CXp sX‰m Wv. t\m°v?'Rm≥ kq£n ®p t\m °nb t∏m gmWv Hcp Imcyw a\ n em b Xv. Ifn bn¬ Imcy amb Hcp sX‰p≠v.

shfpØ tZh\v aq∂p mKØp \n∂v Ac ip sImSp Øncn ° bm Wv. tXcp sIm≠v Hcp sh® c iv, IpXnc sb s°m≠v Hcp CjvS c iv, B\ sb s°m≠v Hcp t]m´ c iv. Cßns\ aq∂p Icp ° sf s°m≠v Htcka bØv Ac ip sIm Sp °m≥ Hcp hgnbpw ImWp ∂n √. CsXmcp sX‰mb Ifn bm Wv.

"icn bmWv.' Rm≥ ]d™p. "Cßn s\sbmcp Ifn bp ≠m hm≥ hø.'"AsX¥mWv ImWn°WXv?' Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn®p. Ipt´ s‚ kwkmcw Hcp kvIqƒ amÃsdt∏mse

bmWv. Ipń Isf ]Tn∏n °ptºmƒ D]tbm Kn °p∂ ssien. Fs‚ adp ]Snsbm∂pw In´mXn cp∂t∏mƒAbmƒ Xs∂ ]d™p. "AXp ImWn°p ∂Xv CXv shdpsamcp Ifn b√m ∂m Wv. CXv as‰¥nt‚ym kqN

\bmWv........... F¥n‚ymWv∂v \av°v I≠p]nSn°Ww.hm \ap°v Xń≥s]m dØv H∂p IqSn tIdmw. AhnsSthsd Fs¥ ¶nepw kqN \Ifv≠mhpw.'

Ipt´ ≥ Hcp \√ hmb \ °m c \m bn cp ∂p. C\nhmbn °mØ Un‰ IvSohv t\mh ep I fn √. icn°p ]d™m¬ Un‰ IvSohv t\mh ep Ifpw \n[n tXSp∂ IYIfpw amXta aq∏cv hmbn°q. Xń≥]pdw AZv`pXßƒ \nd ™Xm Wv. hfsc ]mNo \ amb cl ky ßƒAhnsS Hfn ®ncn °p∂p≠v. \mepsIńs‚ ta¬`mKwapgph≥ ]c∂p InS°p∂XmWv B Xń≥]pdw. DbcwIpd hm sW∂p amX a√ ssIsIm≠v ]nSn®m¬FØmØX hÆ ap≈ DØ c ßfpw Xpem ßfpw\ndsb IpdpsI InS ∂n cp ∂p. Rßƒ Ipń Iƒ°pIqSn AXn\p Xmsg °qSn Ip\n™p \S t° ≠nh∂p.

BZysØ ]mhiyw AXn\p apIfn¬ t]mbt∏mgp≠mb A\p`hw sh®pt\m°ptºmƒ C\nsbmcn°¬

A≤ymbw A©vv

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AhnsS t]mhm≥ ian°n√. Fs‚ ]Xn \©mw ]nd ∂mƒ ZnhkamWXv. D®bv°v DuWp Ign™ kab ØmWv Rßƒ H∂mw \nebnse hcm¥bn¬ sh®, Zhn®p Xp S ßnb ac t°mWn Ibdn shfn®wIpd™ Xń≥]pdØp t]mbXv. AhnSw apgph≥ ]gb acmam\ßƒ NnXdn°nS∂ncp∂p. Hcp Im¬\jvSs∏´ tai, Iptd ItkeIƒ F√mw AwK`wKw h∂hbmWv, H∂pIn¬ ssItøm Imtem \jvSs∏´h, As√¶n¬ Nqc¬ saS™Xv hn´h, Hcp \√ Iń¬ AsX¥n\mWv Dt]£n®Xv F∂p a\nembn√, Iptd D]tbmKiq\yamb No\`cWnIfpw ]mXß fpw. Ahsb√mw ]e Imeßfn embn Dt]

£nbv°s∏ hbmh Ww. D≈n tebv°p \S°ptXmdpw F\nbv°p b ambnØp Sßn. shfn®w Ipdhmb Xn\m¬ Nne aqeIfn¬ Fs¥ms°bmWp≈ sX∂v hy‡a√. Aßns\ \S °ptºm gmWv B FgpØp s]ń I≠Xv. Hcn cp≠ aqebntebv°v Nq≠n s°m≠v Ipt´ \mWv ]d ™ Xv.

"t\m°v, Hcp s]ń.'\neØncp∂v FgpXm\p≈ DbcØn¬ \mep Ipdnb ImepIfn¬ B s]ń \n¬°pIbmWv. Ipt´

´≥ Np‰pw t\m°n. CdbpsS mKØp\n∂v t\cnb shfn®w h∂ncp∂ ÿeØv CjvSnIIƒ sh®v AS®n cp∂p. shfn®w CX Ipdbm≥ ImcWw AXmWv. Hcp ]s£ Icp Xn°qń sNbvX Xm hmw, A√msXCXbpw henb Hcp Xń≥]pdØv Cusbmcp ÿeØp amXw shfn ® Øns‚ hgn F¥n\p ]msS ad®psh®p? B s]ńsb kw_‘n °p∂ clky kz`mhw AhnSw apX¬ XpSßp∂p. CjvSnIIƒ am‰nb t∏mƒ s]ńbncn°p∂ ÿew HcpamXncn hy‡ ambn ImWm≥ ]‰n. \√ s]ń. aqeIfnep≈ ]n®fbpsS Ae ¶m cNnXßƒ°v Id ]nSn®n p s≠ ∂ √msX a‰p tISp ]mSp Isfm∂pw ]‰n bnń√. Ipt´´≥

AXn\p apºnencp∂v aqSn Xpd°m≥ t\m°n. AXv ]qńbncn°p∂p. A\ßp∂n√. Abmƒ Xmt°men\pth≠n s]ńbpsS Np‰pw X∏pIbmbncp∂p. FgpØps]ńbpsS apIfnepw AS∏ns‚ hißfnepw Ipt´´s‚ ssI Xńb ÿe sØ√mw s]mSn \oßn hnc¬∏m Sp Iƒ sXfn ™p h ∂p.

"CXns‚ Xmt°men\v C\n FhnsS t]mWw?' \ndsb s]mSn ]n Sn®v Agp°mb ssI hnj Æ \mbnt\m°n s°m≠v Ipt´ ≥ ]d™p.

"sXmd °m≥ ]t‰zm∂v Rm≥t\m°s´?'

AXp sIm≠v Imcy an √, F¶nepw thWsa¶n¬ iant®m F∂ań¬ Ipt´ ≥ Xe bm n. Rm≥

B s]ńbv °p apºnencp∂v Bhp∂X i‡n D]tbmKn®v AXns‚aqSn Xpd°m≥ t\m°n. aqSn Xpd°m≥ AXbpw i‡n Bhiyap≠m bn cp∂n√. F\n bv°pth≠nAXp Xpd∂p InS °p I bm bn cp∂p. i‡nbn¬ Rm≥ B s]ńbntebv°v aq°p IpØn hoWp.Fs‚ aq°v \∂mbn thZ \n ®p.Rm≥ \nh¿∂ncp∂ t∏mƒ Ipt´´≥ ]d ™p.

"\ns‚ aq°n¬\n∂v tNmc hcpWp.'"kmcey.'Hcp tISpan √mØ s]ńbm bn

cp∂p AXv. D≈n¬ \ndsb sIm®psIm®p I≈n Iƒ. Hcp \o≠I≈n bn¬ Hcp Xmfn tbm e s°´p≠v AXp amXw.

"CXv acn®pt]mb GtXm ImcW h cvsS PmXIm Wv.' Ipt´ ≥\ncmi tbmsS ]d™p. B s]ń

bn¬ Fs¥ ¶nepw AZv`p X I camb Imcy ß fp ≠m Ip sa∂]Xo£ XI¿∂ hnjmZw AbmfpsS i_vZ Øn ep ≠v. B I≈n

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Iƒ°paSnbn¬ Ipd®v Hgn™ ÿeap≠v. AhnsS shdpsX Iøn´p X∏n t\m°nbt∏mgmWv sNºns‚XInSn¬ Xńb Xv. Rm\Xp ]pdtØbvs°SpØp. kmam\yw hep∏ap≈ B XInSv sNcn®v ]nSn®mseFSp °m≥ ]‰p.

"AsX¥mWv, t\m°s´.' Ipt´´≥ ssI\oń hmßn AXp shfn®Øp ]nSn®p. "NXpcwKØns‚ ]eIymWv.'

Ipt´ s‚ _p≤ni‡n A]m cw Xs∂ sb∂p ]dbm≥ tXm∂n. F´p I≈n Iƒ Hmtcm hi Ømbn

Idp∏pw shfp∏pw CS I e¿∂v sImØn bn cn°p ∂p. t]mcm Ø Xn\v B\ sb bpw, IpXncsbbpw a¥nsbbpw tZh s\bpw Imemƒ∏ S sbbpw AXn¬ hc ®p sh ®n pap ≠v."CXp NXpcwK ∏ eIbmWv∂v a\nem°m≥ henb _p≤nsbm∂pw th≠m ∂m bn cn°pw \o hnNm

cn°WXv.' Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. ]s£ CsX¥mWv Cßns\ Hcp t_m¿Uv ? CXnev t≠m Ifn°m≥ ]‰pWq?'"\ap°v t]m∆m?' Rm≥ ]d ™p. FgpØps]ń ]qń Rßƒ Xncn®v tImWnbp ≈nStØbv°v \S

∂p. Ipt´´≥ Ipd®p t\cw \n»_vZ\mbncp∂p. tImWnsbØnbt∏mƒ CdßmsX Ipt´´≥ Xncn™p\n∂p.

"\o Hcp Imcyw i≤nt®m?'Rm≥ Fs¥∂v IÆp Iƒ Db¿Øn tNmZn ®p."B s]ńbns√? AXv \o Xpd°m≥ ian®t∏mƒ s]s´∂v Xpd∂p. F\nbv°Xv XeIpØn adn™n´pw

Xpd °m≥ ]‰nbn √.'

icn bmWv. AXp Xpd °m≥ H´pw i‡n Bhiy ap ≠m bn cp∂n √ F∂Xv Fs∂ Øs∂ AZv`pXs∏SpØnbncp∂p."F¥m W Xns‚ A¿∞w?' Ipt´ ≥ F∂ kvIqƒ amÃ¿ tNmZn ®p.Rm≥ Adn bn s√∂ A¿∞Øn¬ Npa¬ Ipep °n."AXns‚ A¿∞w, CXv Btcm \n\ °mbn Hcp °n h ® Xm sW ∂m Wv.'s]s´∂v Fs∂ bw K kn®p. Fßn s\ sb¶nepw Ahn sS \n∂v Xmsgbnd ßnt∏mbm¬ aXnsb ∂m

bn."\ap°v Hcp Imcyw sNømw.' Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. "\obXv AS®nt√? Rm\Xv Hcn°¬°qSn sXmd°m≥

t]m∆m Wv. t\m°m tem.'Xncn®p Xń≥]p d Øns‚ \nKq V X I fn te bv°p Xs∂ Dufnbn Sm≥ Xmev] cy an √msX aSn ®p \n∂

Fs∂ ]nSn®p h en ®p sIm≠v Ipt´´≥ \S ∂p. s]ń bpsS apºn en cp ∂ t∏mƒ Ipt´ ≥ Ipd®p ]Xdn

b t]mse tXm∂n. aq∏¿ s]ńbpsS aqSn BZyw sas√bpw ]ns∂ i‡n ]tbmKn®pw Xpd°m≥ t\m°n.s]ń \oßpIb√msX AXv Xpd°pIbp≠mbn√. F\n°v h√mØ bw A\p`hs∏´p. Rm≥ ]d™p."\ap°v t]mhmw.'

"C\n \o H∂p IqSn sXmd °m≥ t\m°v.' Ipt´ ≥ Fgp t∂ ‰p sIm≠v ]d ™p.Rm≥ Xncn™v Hcp amXncn HmSpIbm bn cp ∂p. tImWn bn dßn Xmsg hcm¥ bnse Øn bt∏mgmWv

izmkw hoWXv.Ipt´´≥ hcm≥ Ipd®p Xmakap≠mbn. Hcp]s£ aq∏¿ AXns‚ AS∏v Xpd°m≥ ian°pIbm

bncn°pw. As√¶n¬?.... Ipt´´\v h√Xpw ]‰nbncn°ptam F∂ Nn¥ h∂t∏mƒ Rm≥ Xncn®p tImWnIbdm≥ XpS ßn. At∏m gmWv I≠Xv. Ipt´ ≥ B XInSpw ]nSn®v apI fn¬\n∂v tImWn bntebv°pIm¬ shbv°pIbmWv.

"\√ Bsf bmWv Rm≥ H∏w sIm≠pt]m bXv!' Ipt´ ≥ Nncn ®p sIm≠v ]d ™p. "F¥mX t]Sn

bv°m \v≈Xv? hm \ap °nXv sImfØo sImt≠mbn Igp In sb Sp °mw.'CXbpamb ÿnXnbv°v IpfØn¬\n∂v "C\n AXns‚ apIfntebv°pXs∂ t]mIm'sa∂p Ipt´´≥ ]d™ t∏mƒ Rm≥ Xo¿® bm°n. C\n Rm\n√ Xń≥]p dtØ bv°v.

Ffp∏w Hcp Imcyhpw tXm‰p sImSp °p∂ Bf√ Ipt´ ≥. kwkm cn °m≥ _lp an Sp °≥."\o H∂pw sNtø≠. Fs‚ IqsS htcz th≠p. F¥mX t]Sn°m\v≈Xv. Rm\nt√? s\\°v \√

ss[cy≠v∂m Rm≥ Icp Xocv∂ Xv........'F¥mbmepw ]Øp an\p‰n\p≈n¬ Rm≥ AbmfpsS ]n∂mse Xń≥]pdtØbv°p≈ tImWn Ib

dm≥ XpS ßn. Xncn t®mSm \p≈ hgn I sf√mw Hgn ™p In S °p I bs√ F∂v Rm≥ CS bv°n Sbv°v Xncn™p t\m°p ∂p ≠m bn cp ∂p. Ipt´ ≥ B s]ńbv°p apºn¬ Ccp∂v AXp Xpd °m≥ ian ®p.FX i‡nbp]tbmKn®n´pw Xpd°p∂ns√∂p I≠t∏mƒ aq∏¿ Fgpt∂‰psIm≠v ]d™p. "\o Xs∂Xpd °v.'

F\nbv°Xv Xpd°m≥ ]‰psa∂Xv Hcp bmYm¿∞yambn Ipt´´≥ AwKoIcn®ncn°p∂p. Rm≥ \neØncp∂v hnd°p∂ ssIItfmsS B s]ńbpsS aqSn Xpd°m≥ t\m°n. H´pw A≤zm\w IqSmsXØs∂AXv Xpd∂ph∂p. Rm≥ s]s´∂v Fgpt∂‰p. Ipt´´≥ icn°pw Aºc∂ncp∂p. AXn¬\n∂pW¿∂tijw aq∏¿ ]d ™p. "\o amdv, Rms\m∂v t\m° s´. thsd h√Xpwt≠m ∂v.'

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s]ńbpsS apºnen cp∂v Ipt´ ≥ X∏p Ibmbn cp ∂p. Hmtcm I≈n Ifnepw Ah bpsS ASn bnep≈Ad bnepw ssIøn´v X∏n t\m °n. H∂pan √. BsI bp ≈Xv B Xmfn tbm es°´pam Xw.

AXp ]pd tØ bvs° SpØv s]ń b S®v aq∏¿ Fgp t∂ ‰p."CXmcpsSsb¶nepw PmXI °pdn ∏m bn cn°pw. ∂mepw \av°v sImt≠mhmw. Hcp]s£ B NXp cw

K∏ eI≠m°y BfvSymbncn °m≥ hgo≠v.'Rm≥ Xe bmń. F\n°v Aev]w ss[cyw Inńbncp∂p. Rßƒ Xncn™p \S∂p. BZysØ DØ

c Øns‚ ASn bn¬°qSn \qgp tºm gm WXp tI´ Xv. Hcp ¢nIv i_vZw. ]q´v Xncn bp tºm gp ≠mIp∂Xpt]mse hfsc hy‡ambn Hcp i_vZw. Rm≥ Ipt´´s‚ apJØp t\m°n. Abmfpw AXp tIńcp ∂p. aq∏ cpsS ss[cyhpw tNm¿∂p t]m bn cp ∂p. Rßƒ Xncn ™p t\m °msX [rXn bn¬ \S ∂p.

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A≤ymbw Bdv

6

hµ\bpsS IÆpIfn¬ AZv pXhpw Aev]w bhpwI≠p. h¿j ßƒ°p apºv Cµnc bpsS IÆp I fn¬I≠ AtX mhw. Xń≥]p dsØ Fgp Øp s] n bpsSImcyw ]d ™p sImSp Ø t∏mƒ Cµnc bpw CtX Ccn∏n¬ Dd®p t]mIpIbmWp≠mbXv. AXns‚ CSbnsehn tStbm Ahƒ DW¿∂p tNmZn ®p.

"AsX¥mWv Aßns\? \tµ´≥ ian®t∏mƒ amXwB s]ń Xpd ∂Xv?'

Ct∏mƒ ]Øpap∏Xp h¿j ßƒ°p tijw hµ\bpw AXp Xs∂ tNmZn bv°p ∂p.

"F¥mW—m Aßns\?'

AhfpsS ssIIfnse \\pØ tcmaßƒ Fgpt∂‰p\n¬°p∂p. F¥mWv adp]Sn ]dtb≠Xv ? Ijv Sn®v c≠p sIm √ °mew B NXp cwK ∏e I bpsS clkyw a\ nem°m≥ ian®p ]cmPbaS™ Rm≥ F¥mWv ]dtb≠Xv?

"Cu ]] © Øn¬ \ap°v a\ n em hmØ ]e Xpap≠v tamsf.' Ahkm\w Rm≥ ]d™p. "F√madnbWsa∂v F¥mWv \n¿∫‘w?'

hµ\ \n»_vZbmbn. ]s£ Rm\hfpsS kzmÿyw\in∏n®pthm F∂ bap≠mbn F\nbv°v. AhfpsS]co£ ASpØp hcnI bmWv. Ahƒ°v henb BK

l ß fm Wp ≈ Xv. Iºyq ¿ F©n \o b dnMv ]Tn®v tkm v‰vshb¿ s]m^j\emhWw. F∂n v Ipt´´s‚a°sft∏mse Atacn°bn¬ knent°m¨hmenbnseØn s∏ SWw. cmPnbpw \oXphpw km≥ slmsk bn emWv. aqØhƒ F®v. ]n.bnepw c≠m aØhƒ C˛t_bnepw. AXp sIm≠v ]Tn Ø Øn¬\n∂v Ah fpsS i≤hyXn Nen°m≥ km≤y X bn √. ]s£ Cu NXpcwK ∏ eIbpsS ImcyØn¬ H∂pw ]dbm≥ ]‰mØ AhÿbmWv . AdnbmØ hgnIfn¬ AXv \sΩ kzm[o\nbv °p∂p.

"F∂n´v A—≥ ho≠pw Xń≥]p dØp Ib dntbm?'hµ\ tNmZnbv°p ∂p.

Rm≥ Btem Nn ®p. Ib dn, ]s£ AsX t∏m gmWv?"\n[nIƒ Hfn∏n®psh® BfpIƒ Ft∏mgpw Fs¥¶nepw kqN\ _m°nshbv°mXncn°n√.' Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. "AXv Ft∏mgpw s]s´∂v a\nemhmØ mjbn



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embncn°pw. ]e Xnepw Hcp ta∏v H∏w shbv°ymWv ]Xn hv. Aßn\sØ \n[n Is≠ Sp°m≥ Ffp∏mWv. ]s£ CXn¬ ta∏pwey, H∂pw Cey. BsI ≈Xv Hcp NXp cw K∏e IymWv. \Ωfv IqSpX¬ A≤zm\n°Ww∂¿∞w.'

Aßns\bmWv Rßƒ tPym’ys\ ImWm≥ Xocpam \n ® Xv. NpcpßnbXv CXp ≠m°nb a\p jys\∏‰n Fs¥¶nepw a\nemhpas√m. am[h∏Wn°¿ hońs‚ DΩdØpXs∂ Hcp NmcpItkebn¬Ccn ° bm bn cp ∂p. \c® XeapSn ]s‰ shńbncnbv °bm Wv. Rßsf I≠t∏mƒ \nh¿∂n cp ∂p.

"F¥m Ip´m, hnti sjm ∂pw eys√m?'"H∂pwey.'"]ns∂ F¥nt\ h∂Xv? ]co t£ev Pbn t°ym ∂ dn bm\mbn cn°pw As√?'

6

"Duw, Mpw.' Ipt´ ≥ H∂p ]cp ßn s°m≠v ]d ™p. "HcpPmXIw t\m°m\m bn cp ∂p.'

"Fhn sS, t\m°s´?'Ipt´ ≥ Hcp k©nbv°p≈n¬ ISem n¬ s]mXn™ sI´v

]pd sØ SpØp ]Wn ° c Ωm h\v sImSp Øp. At±lw B Xmfntbmes° v NcSgn®v Xpd∂p. At±lØns‚ apJØp≠mb mh∏ I¿® Rm≥ i≤n®p.

"Ctßsc H∂v ImWm≥ ]t‰zm?'

B tNmZyØn\p apºn¬ Ipt´´≥ H∂p ]Xdn. ]Wn°cΩmh≥XpS¿∂p. "A√ \q‰nbncp]Xv hb mb Hcmsf Rm≥ CXphscI≠n n√. Bs´ CsXhnSv∂m IntýXv?'

"Xń≥s]m dØv Hcp s]ó ∂m.' Ipt´ ≥ kXyw ]d ™p.'"\nßfv Iptýmfv CsXm∂pw FSpØv Ifn °m≥ ]mSn√. CXv



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]Ødp]Xv sIm√w apºv acn ®p t]mb Hcm fsS PmX Im Wv. \nßsS Xd hm nse Hcp Imc W h cm Wv.icnbv°p ]d ™m¬ Ip´s‚ A— ΩsS AΩmh \mWv. Fs‚ sNdp∏ImeØv tI´ Hm¿Ω Xt∂y≈q.'

"Cu Imc tWmcv Fß s\≈ BfmWv?' Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p. "\√ ]Ww≈ Bfm bn cpt∂m?'"F¥n \mt∏m AsXms° Ado WXv?'"shdp sX.'"Bsf∏‰n AX \√ A`n ]m sbm∂pw A√ \m´vImcv ]dbm dv. AXv ]ns∂ ]≠sØ kº∂ Xdhm

ńse Imc tWm Ωmsc∏ ‰nsbms° Aßn t\y ]dbq. [mcmfw kºØv≠m bn cp∂q∂v tIń v≠v.'AXm bn cp∂p Ipt´ \v Adn tb ≠ Xv."\nßfv CsXm∂pw FSpØv Ifn ° cvXv. Cs∏m Øs∂ CXv Inńb ÿeØp sImt≠mbn hbv°

Ww. s]mtgsemgp°zmWv th≠Xv. AXn\v ]s£ sNe I¿Ωßsfms° sNøm\v ≠v . AsXm∂pw \nßfv Iptýmƒ°v ]‰n√. Cu hI km[ \ ß sfm∂pw FSpØv taem¬ Ifn ° cp Xv.'

Ipt´´≥ Xe Ipep°n. ]Wn°cΩmh≥ hońse HcwKw amXncnbmWv. Rßsf imkn°m\p≈ A[nImcap ≠v. t]mcm ØXn\v AΩmhs\ßm\pw CXdn ™m¬ ]iv\mWv. ]Wn ° c Ωmh t\mSv AXp ]db W sa∂p Icp Xn bn cn °p tºm gmWv At±lw Ctßm´p ]d ™Xv.

"Rm\nXv A— t\mSv ]d bvWn ey. ]d ™m¬ c≠p t]¿°pw Np´ s]S In´pw. s]mbvt°mfp.'PmX Iw s]mXn™v k©n bn en´ tijw t]mIm \mbn Fgp t∂‰t∏mƒ Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p."]Wn ° cm Ωmhm Rm≥ ]co t£ev Pbnt°ym?'

"F¥m h√ kwi bpwt≠m?'"C√, ∂mepw.'"Ip´s‚ \mfv DX´m Xn b s√. t]Sn bv°m s\m∂pw ey.'Aev]w Bizmkw Inńb Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p."]Wn ° cΩmta, Cømtfm?'"t]cv \µ≥∂s√? Xs‚ \msf¥m?'"\mfv Bbn eym Wv.'"Bbneyw?' ]Wn ° c Ωm h≥ s\‰n Npfn ®p. "B PmXIw H∂p Xcq.'Ipt´´≥ k©nbn¬\n∂v PmXIw ]pdsØSpØp tPym’y\v sImSpØp. F\ns°mcp Dƒ`bap≠m

bn. F¥n\mWv Fs‚ \mƒ tI´ t∏mƒ B PmX Is°´v ho≠pw t\m°nbXv? ]Wn°cΩm h≥ Xmfntbmes° v Xpd∂v hmbn°pIbmWv. CSbv°v Hcp ISemkn¬ Fs¥ms°tbm Ipdn°p∂pap≠v. IW

°pIfmWv. H∂pw a\nemhp∂n√. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰p t\csØ IW°pIq´¬ Ign™tijw At±lwPmXIw Nc Sp sIm≠v sIń XncnsI Ipt´ \p sImSp Øp."CXv C∏ Øs∂ Inń bn SØv sIm≠p t]mbn hbv°p. H´pw sshIn ° cp Xv.'PmX Is°´p Iøn¬ hmßns°m≠v Ipt´´≥ tNmZn ®p. "F¥m ]Wn ° c Ωmhm Fs¥¶nepw Ipg

∏ wt≠m?'"Gbv H∂pwey. Cømfv \nßsS XmhgnevsØ Hcp ImcWhcmWv. Ip´s‚ A—ΩsS AΩmh≥. Bfv

Ipd®v Ipg∏°mc\mbncp∂p. AXymhiyw B`nNmtcmw a¥hmtZmw Hs° Iønev≠mbncp∂q∂v tIń´v≠v. PmX I ] Imcw CtßcvsS P∑w Ign ™n n √.'

"AsX ßn \ymWv ]Wn ° c Ωm hm, aq∏cv acn ®n´v ]Ø dp]Xv sIm√m bo ∂s√ ]td WXv? As∏mFßn\ym P∑w Ign bmXn cn°ym?'

"Cu temIØv \ΩfdnbmØXpw \Ω°v a\nemhmØXzmbn v Fs¥ms° sIS°pWp. AXnsem

∂mWv CXv∂v IcpXym aXn. \nßfv s]mbvt°mfq.'Rßƒ Xncn®p \S ∂p. Fs‚ ]co £m e sØ ∏‰n tPym’y≥ H∂pw ]d ™n s√ ∂Xv Rm≥]tXyIw i≤n ®p. Ipt´ \pw B Imcyw ad ∂ Xp t]mse tXm∂n.

"Hcp Imcyw \o i≤nt®zm? \ns‚ \mfv ]d ™s∏m ]Wn ° c Ωm h≥ FX [rXn bn emWv PmXIwFs‚ ssIøn¬\n∂v Xń∏ d®v hmßn t\m°oXv?'

"F¥m ImcWw?'"B¿°dnbmw. F¥mbmepw CXnsems° Ft¥m Ifnbp≠v. B NXpcwK∏eI Hcp \n[n sIS°W

ÿe Øns‚ kqN\ X∂ym Wv. ]s£ AsX ßn \ymWv I≠p ]n Sn °ym∂v F\n ° dn bn √. \ap°v t\m°mw. F¥m B Imc tWmcvsS t]cv∂m ]Wn ° c Ωm h≥ ]d ™Xv?'

"Cńcmatat\m≥.'"h√m sØmcp t]cv!'

PmXIw Xń≥]pdØp s]ńbn¬ CSm\mbn Rßƒ t]mbn. bmX hnjaw ]nSn®Xmbncp∂p. F¥psImt≠m ]Wn°cΩmh\pambp≠mb IqSn°mgvN Rßsf bs∏SpØnbncp∂p. C\n Xń≥]pdØpIbdns√∂v i]Yw sNbvXncp∂ F\nbv°v Ipt´´s‚ H∏w ho≠pw t]mtI≠n h∂p. H∂maXmbn ss[cyimenbmb Ipt´´\pw t]Sn ]nSn®ncp∂p. ]ns∂ s]ń Xpd°Wsa¶n¬ Fs‚ klmbw thWw Xm\pw.

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Xń≥apIfn¬ Ccp´p IbdnØpSßn. AhnShnsSbmbn Ańbn´ km[\ßfpsS \ng¬ oIcP¥p°sft∏mse ]Xnbncp∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn®p. "\ap°nXv X¬°mew ChnsSsbhnsSsb¶nepw sh®mtem.\msf cmhnse h∂n´v s]ńbn en Smw.'

"AXp ]‰n √, ]Wn ° cΩm h≥ ]d™Xv CXpSs\ Inń bn SØp Xs∂ sIm≠p t]mbn hbv°m \mWv. Hcp Imcy hpw eymsX ]Wn ° cΩm h \Xp ]d bn √. \o hm......'

Ahkm\w s]ńbncn°p∂nSsØØn. Ipt´ ≥ s]ń bpsS hiØmbn Ccp∂v Ft∂mSp ]d ™p.

"h∂v CXp Xpd °v.'Rm\Xns‚ apºn¬ h∂ncp∂p. AXn\nSbv°v Ipt´´≥ Rm\dn™nńs√∂ hnNmcØn¬ s]ń Xpd°m≥ Hcp iaw \SØnbXv Rm≥ I≠ns√∂p \Sn®p. Rm≥ aqSn s]m¥n®t∏mƒ s]ń A\mbmtk\Xpd∂p. Ipt´´s‚ Iøn¬\n∂v PmXIw hmßn s]ńbnen´v Hcp tNmZytØmsS Rm≥ Abmsf t\m°n.

"ASt®m.'Rm≥ s]ńbS®v Fgpt∂‰p. Rßƒ AhnsS\n∂v Xncn™n√ At∏mtgbv °v Hcp ¢nIv i_vZw, A∂p

tI´ t]m ep≈ i_vZw tI´p. Rßƒ [rXn bn¬ \S ∂p. Ipt´ ≥ Nn¥m a · \mbn cp ∂p. Abm fpsSapJØv t]Sntb°m tfsd Bi b°pg ∏ambn cp ∂p.

AΩmbn ASp ° f bnem bn cp ∂p. Rßsf I≠Xpw ÿncw tNmZy apb¿∂p. "Duw?....'"H∂pwey.'"∂m¬ t]mbn Imepw aptJmw IgpIn \maw sN√v. A—≥ hc≠ ka bm bn cn °p Wp.'

"AtΩ,....' Ipt´ ≥ kwi bn ®p sIm≠v XpS¿∂p. "BcmWo Cń cm a ta t\m≥?'"Cńcmatat\mt\m?' AΩ apJw Npfn®p. B t]cpXs∂ AΩbv°v CjvS ambns√∂p tXm∂p∂p."F\n bv°ßns\ Btcw Adn bn√. F¥m Imcyw?'

"aq∏cv A—ΩsS AΩm h \m Wv.'"Hm..... F\nbv°v A— tΩs\Øs∂ icnbv°dnbn √. ∂v´mtWm AhcvsS AΩm h≥? F¥m Imcyw

]d?'"AΩ Hcp Imcyw sNtøm? A—\v Adn bvWv≠m hpw. H∂v tNmZn®v a\ n emt°zm?'"F¥m Imcyw∂v ]d ™n√ \o?'AΩ AXp ]d ™ t∏m tgbv°v AΩm hs‚ Npa ]Sn ∏pc bn¬\n∂v tI´p."A—≥!' Ipt´´\pw Rm\pw IqSn ssIImepIƒ IgpIm\mbn ]n≥ap‰ØpIqsS IpfØntebvt°m

Sn. Hcp sk°‚n \Iw Rßƒ ]Sn ™m ‰ bn en cp∂v D— Øn¬ \maw sN√m≥ XpS ßn.

Cµnc DΩ dØv A—s\bpw ImØn cn °bm bn cp∂p.]nt‰∂v cmhnse AΩmh≥ Irjn t\m°m≥ ]pdØndßnbt∏mƒ Rßƒ ASp° f bn¬ Ibdn ∏‰n. tPmen°mcn amfp h Ω , Igp Inb ]mX ßƒ hSt°m d Øp \n∂v ASp° fbntebv°p sIm≠phcnIbmWv. ]mXß sf√mw AXmXp ÿm\Øp h®tijw Ah¿ Xncpºm\p≈ hkvXßƒ c≠p _°‰p Ifn¬ \nd®p tkm∏p _mdpw aosX h®p Ipf Øntebv°p bmX bm bn.

"F¥m h∂n cn ° WXv?' AΩmbn tNmZn ®p. "shi°vWvt≠m?"C√ tΩ....' Ipt´ ≥ Dcp≠p Ifn ®p."]ns∂¥m ASp °tfev ]cvß WXv?'"A— t\mSv tNmZnt®m B Imc tWm sc ∏‰n?'I¬® n bn¬ Iq´m≥ Cf°n bncp∂ ac°øn¬ am‰n h®v AΩ Rßsf \√ hÆw t\m°n."A—≥ tNmZnIymWv \nßsfßn\ym B ImctWmsc∏‰n tI´Xv∂v. Rmºd™p kvIqfot∂m at‰m

tI´Xmhpw ∂v. Aßs\ hcm≥ Rmb eym∂v ]d™p. B ImctWmcv acn ®n´s∂ ]Ødp]Xp sIm√mbosX. A—s‚ heyΩmh\mbncp∂p. A—\pw tI´dnth≈q. Hcp Iqc\mbncp∂qsX. [mcmfw ]Ww≠m °o∂v ]tdWv≠v. AsXms° Fhn SymWv∂v B¿°pw Adnbn √msX!'

"Atßcv Cu hoń emtWm Xma kn®n cp ∂Xv?'"Bbn cn °pw, AtßcvsS Hcp NnXw Xf Ønev sImsd °mew Xqßo cp ∂p sX. ]ns∂ Ft∏mtgm

AsX SpØp am‰o Xm Wv. ]tdsºm F\n°pw t\cnb Htcm¿Ω hcvWv≠v. ]qap JsØ sNma cn ∑ev≈Imńs°mºns√, AXns‚ hS°phiØmbn v. A—Ω acn®s∏m A—sΩsS t^mt´m shbv°m≥th≠nB Imc tWmcvsS NnXw am‰oXm tXm∂p Wp.'

"B NnXw Fhn SymWv?'"B.... B¿° dn bmw. AXm Xń≥s]m dtØm at‰m hen s® dn ™n v≠m hpw.'aIs‚bpw acpaIs‚bpw ]cmIaßsf∏‰n A⁄bmb B AΩsb AhnsS hn´psIm≠v Rßƒ

ASp°fbn¬\n∂p ]pdØp IS∂p.C\n?



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C\n? F∂ tNmZyw Fs‚ a\n¬ amXta D≠mbncp∂p≈. F¥mWv sNtø≠sX∂v Ipt´´≥At∏mƒØs∂ Xo¿®bm °n bn cp ∂p. AXn\v Fs∂ Inń s√∂v Rm≥ ]d™p.

"F ¥m W —≥ Aßns\ ]d™Xv?' hµ\ tNmZn °p ∂p."C\n bp sam cn °¬ Xń≥]p dØp Ib dm≥ A— s\ s°m≠v km[n °n√ AXp sIm ≠p X s∂.'"A—\v CX t]SnbmtWm?'"icnbmWv tamsf A—\v t]Sn X ∂ym Wv. F\n bv°∂v ]Xn\©p hbt Bbn p≈p. t]Snt°≠

Ft¥m B Xń≥s]mdØv D≠v . F¥mWsX∂dnbn√. AZriyamb Ft¥m H∂v \ΩpsS ]n∂n¬ \n¬°p∂ps≠∂ tXm∂¬. ]ns∂ FgpØps]ń ]qń Rßƒ Xncn®p hcptºmƒ Ft∏mgpw tIƒ°mdp≈¢nIv i_vZw. AsXs‚ amXw mh\b√, Ipt´´\pw tIƒ°mdp≠v. amX√, s]ń Rm≥ Xpd°ptºmamsX Xpd∂p hcp. ]ns∂ Fs‚ \mfv Bbn eymWv∂ dn ™t∏m ]Wn° cΩm h≥ B PmXIw H∂pIqSn hmßn t\m°o Xv. AXn sems° Ft¥m sIS°vWv≠v, \ap°v a\ n em hmØ Ft¥m.'

hµ\ \n»_vZbmbn. Ahƒ HchtemI\w \SØpIbmsW∂p tXm∂p∂p. FXtbm ]mhiyw Ahsfbpw Iqń Rßƒ B \mep sI n tebv°p t]mbn p ≠v. ]s£ Hcn °¬t∏mepw Rm\ hsf BXń≥]pdw ImWn®p sImSpØnń√, F∂p amXa√ Aßns\ Hcp ÿew B ]SpIq‰≥ sIńSØn¬Ds≠ ∂p Xs∂ ]d™nń√. AXp sIm≠v AXn \p ap I fnse A¥ co £ sa ßns\ bm bn cn °psa∂v Ahƒ°v a\nem hp∂n√. Rßƒ h√t∏mgpw Xmakn°m≥ t]mIptºmƒ ct≠m aqt∂m apdnIƒamXw Xpd∂v hrØnbm°pw. XmgsØ c≠p apdnIfpw, H∂mw \nebnse InS∏papdnbpw. AXv Rm\pwIpt´ \pw InS ∂n cp∂ apdnbmbncp ∂p. m¿§ hnb Ω bpsS aIƒ tZhn h∂v klmbn °pw. Ah fpsS`¿Ømhv Kƒ^nemWv. \√ tPmen. "Ah¿°nt∏mƒ \Ωsf°mfpw \√ \ne bmWv.' Cµnc ]d bmdp≠v.Ahsf shdp samcp the °m cn bmbn ImW cp sX∂v Adn bn °m \m bncp∂p AXv. Hcp ]gb Iqdns‚t]cn¬ Ahƒ Cµnc hnfn®m¬ hcp ∂p. apdn Iƒ hrØn bm°m\pw £Ww ]mIw sNøm\pw klmbn°p∂p. F\nbv °v FdWmIpfØp t]mtI≠n h∂m¬ cmXn Cµncbv°pw tamƒ°pw Iqń\mbn tZhnh∂p InS°p∂p. Cµncbpw hµ\bpw henb Ińent∑¬ InS°ptºmƒ Ahƒ apdnbpsS adp`mKØnÍń en¬ InS °pw. AXv hµ \bpsS IńemWv.

]d™p hcp∂Xv Xdhm n¬ t]mbm¬ RßfpsS Ne\ ßƒ Cu aq∂p apdnI fnepw \Span‰Øpw]qap J Øp ambn ]cn an X s∏ Sp I bm Wv. AXn \ ∏p dØpw C∏p d Øp ap≈ ]qń bn´ apdn Iƒ Xpd∂pImWmt\m ]cntim [n°mt\m D≈ bmsXmcp Xmev] cyhpw hµ\ ImWn°mdn √. Hcp ]s£ Ah sfmcmÏpń bmbncp s∂¶n¬ kwKXn hyXy kvX amtbt\. hµ \bv°v BsI Xmev]cy ap ≈Xv B henb]dºpw AXnse acßfpw cmhnse F´p aWnbv°v AΩbpsamØv Bº¬°pfØnse Ipfn bpamWv.

Ct∏mƒ NXpcwK∏eIbpsS Imcyw Adn™t∏mƒ Ahƒ°v B ÿesa√mw ImWWsa∂p tXm∂nbn p ≠m I Ww. Ahƒ tNmZn ®p.

"∂v´v? A—≥ t]mbnt√?'"\√ Bfs√ \ns‚ AΩm h≥! Hcp Imcyw sNø Ww∂v Xo¿® bm °ym¬ AXp sNbvtX AS ßq.

Ahkm\w F\nbv°v t]m≠n h∂p.'"∂v v?'F∂n´v? Rm≥ BtemNn°p Ibm Wv. F¥mWp ≠m bXv? Rm≥ F¥n¬\n∂v HmSnt∏m Im≥ BK

ln°p∂pthm AXntebv°v Fs∂ GtXm Hcp i‡n hen®ng°pIbmWv. Ipt´´≥ AXnsemcp Icp

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amX amsW∂p tXm∂p∂p. RmbdmgvN. AΩm h\v Rmbdm gvNbn√, tPmen Zn \ßƒ amXw. s\¬s®Sn Iƒ°v Ah [n Zn \ ßfn s√ ∂mWv At±lw ]dbp I. AΩm h≥ ]pdtØbv°n d ßp tºmƒ ap∂n¬sN∂p s]SmXncn °m≥ Rßƒ c≠p t]cpw ian°m dp≠v. I≠m¬ Fs¥¶nepw tPmen G¬∏nt®t]mIp. apIfnse hcm ¥bn¬\n∂v AΩmh≥ ] Sn I S∂v hcºn eqsS \S°p∂Xv I≠p. Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. "hm'.

Ftßm m sW∂v tNmZn t°≠ Imcy an √. Rm≥ ab °p a cp∂p Ign® Bsf t∏mse Abm fpsS

]n∂mse Hc Sn abmbn \S ∂p."B NnXw Inń bn´v \ap s° ¥mWv Imcyw?' Rm≥ tNmZn ®p."\n\°dnbm™n´m. Cu a\pjy\ns√. ap∏cv hfsc _p≤nam\mWv . sNes∏m Cu NnXØns‚ s^bv an

embncn°pw Hcp Ipdn∏v Hfn∏n®p h®n´p≠mhpI. B Ipdn∏v Inńbm¬ \ap°v B NXpcwK∏etIsSclkyw a\ nem °m≥ ]‰pw.'

Xnc ®n¬ ZpjvIcam bn cp ∂p. FX DØ c ß fpsS Xmtg °qSn \q∂p t]mtI ≠nh∂p F∂dn bn √.FgpØps]ń Ccp∂ ÿesØØnbt∏mƒ Rm≥ Hfn IÆn´v t\m°n. F¥psImt≠m AX ]Xy£ambn´p ≠m Ip sa∂ tXm∂en\p hn]co X ambn AX hnsSØ s∂ D≠m bn cp ∂p. Ipt´´≥ AsXm∂pwi≤n °p ∂n √. Abm fpsS a\ n¬ s^bvan´ Hcp t^mt´m amX ta bp ≈p. AXns‚ hep ∏ sa ¥msWt∂m H∂pw Adnbn√. s]s´∂Xv FhnsSsb¶nepw Nmcnh® t]mse ImWs∏Spsa∂ hnizmkØnemsW∂p tXm∂p∂p aq∏¿. Xń≥]pdØns‚ ]c∏v A∂mWv F\nbv°p a\nem bXv. Hcp Ku≠p

t]mse Xpd∂X√ AXv. \ndsb DuSphgnIƒ \nd™Xv. Ipd®p \S∂t∏mƒ Fs‚ Znimt_m[w \in®p. Rm≥ tNmZn ®p."Ipt´ m, Fßn \ym C\n Xncn ®p t]m ∆m?'Ipt´ ≥ s]s´∂v \n∂v Xncn™p t\m°n. AXn s\ ∏‰n aq∏¿ BtemNn®nń√. Abmƒ Ipd ®p Zqcw

Xncn®p \S∂p. Ipd®p Ign™t∏mgmWv a\nemhp∂Xv h∂ hgnb√ AsX∂v. Ipt´´s‚ apJØpwAev]w bap ≈Xp t]mse tXm∂n. A\¥ amsbmcp KplbnseØns∏´ t]mse, hgnIƒ FhnsSbpwFØp ∂n √. Hmtcm hgnbpw apºp k© cn® t]mse b √.

"CX b [nIw Dt] £n ° s∏´ km[ \ ßƒ Fßns\ h∂p.' F\nbv°Zv`pXmbn."Cu hoń\v AX ]g°w≠v. ]Øncp\qdp sIm√mbn v FX Xeapd Xmakn®n´p≠mhpw∂v Adntøm.

Ahsc√mw Dt] £n® km[ \ ß fp ≠mhpw Chn sS.'Fs‚ AX s]m°ap≈ D∏pamß cWnIƒ. AXns\m∂pw tISp]mSpIƒ ImWm\n√. ]ns∂ F¥n

\m Wh Dt] £n®Xv? \S ∂p \ S∂v Ah km\w Rßƒ FØn t®¿∂Xv Xmtgbv°p≈ Hcp tImWnbpsS apºnembn cp ∂p."CtXXmWv tImWn?'Rßƒ B act°mWnbndßn. \√ Iń bp≈ acwsIm≠v D≠m°nb tImWn. Hcp hiØv sh≈

hen® NpacmWv , as‰ hiØv sImØp]WnIfp≈ ssIhcnbpw. CtXXp tImWnbmWv. Rßƒ Xń≥]pdtØbv°p Ibdnh∂XmIs´ hfsc IńIpd™ t]cn\pamXw _eap≈ Hcp Xmev°menI tImWnbmbncp∂p.

tImWnbpsS XmgØndßnbt∏mgmWv a\nembXv AhnsS ]qńbn´ Hcp hmXnemWv. Cßns\ HcphmXn¬ Rßƒ Xmg sØ hn sSbpw I≠n n√. GXp apdnbn tebv°m Wmthm Cu hmXn¬ Xpd °p ∂Xv. AXp Xpd°m \mhmØ hn[w Zambn AS ®n cn° bm Wv. Rßƒ Xncn®p Ibdn, ho≠pw Kpl bneqsS bmX XpSßn. F¥mWv At\zjn°p∂Xv F∂ Imcyw c≠pt]cpw ads∂∂p tXm∂p∂p. Rms\

¥mbmepw ad ∂ncn°bmWv. GsXms° hgn Ifn eqsS ho≠pw k©cn®p sh ∂dn bn √, s]s´∂v RßfpsS apºn¬ Hcp Im¬ \jvSs∏´ taibv°p aosX s^bnw sNbvX aq∂p henb t^m´mIƒ IangvØnh®n cn°p ∂p. Ipt´ s‚ apJw hnI kn ®p.

"CXm t^mt´m Ifv!'apIfnse t^mt´m h√msX s]mSn ]nSn®ncp∂p. AXv Hcp hr≤bpsS t^mt´m BWv. ta¬ap≠n√msX

kar≤amb AΩn™bpw ]Z¿in∏n®v ssIøp≈ Itkebn¬ Ccn°p∂p. AhcpsS apJw Npfn™ncn°p∂p. ASpØ t^mt´m Hcp ImcWhcptSXmWv. I\Ø ]pcnIhpw Xo£vWamb IÆpIfpap≈Hcmƒ. Hcp thjvSnbmWv thjw. s\‰n ta¬ Nµ \°pdn ]I S ambn ImWp ∂p. Itk ebn¬ hm°nMv ÃnIv Nmcn h®n´p≠v. Itke BZysØ t^mt´mhn¬ D≈ Xp Xs∂bmWv. aq∂masØ t^mt´mhns‚s^bnw Zhn®p XpSßnbncp∂p. Nn√n\p≈n¬ shfpØ ]q∏¬ h∂v DWßnbt]mse ]mSp≠v. apJwHcpam Xncn hy‡amWv. A[nIw Db can√mØ Hcmƒ.

"CXm bn cn°pw t^mt´m.' Ipt´ ≥ ]d™p. "CXmWv G‰hpw ]tg Xmbn tXm∂ W Xv.'"C\n \a°v s]mdØv IS °s≠?' Rm≥ ]d ™p. Rßƒ h∂ hgn bn te bv°p Xs∂ Xncn™p.Rß fpsS AZv`p X Øn\v AXn cn √m bn cp ∂p. sXm´ apºn¬ Rßƒ km[m cW Ib dn h cm dp≈tImWnXs∂ InS°p ∂p, bmsXmcp XS hp an √msX! At∏mƒ GXp hgnbv°mWv Rßƒ CX Zqcw

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Ae ™p h∂Xv? Fßn s\ bmWv ]pd s∏´ ÿeØv Xs∂ Ct∏mƒ FØn bXv?Xmsg RßfpsS apdn bn¬ FØn b Xn\p tij amWv Ipt´ ≥ kwkm cn® Xv."\n\s°¥p tXm∂p∂p?' t^mt´m Hcp \\™ XpWnsIm≠v hrØnbm°p∂Xn\nSbn¬ Ipt´´≥

tNmZn®p. Rms\m∂pw ]d™n√. apIfnse KplIfpsS A\n›nXØneqsSbp≈ bmX Fs∂ h√msXXf¿Ønbncp∂p.

hrØnbm°nbXpsIm≠v henb KpWsam∂pap≠mbnń√. Nn√ns‚ DƒhiØmWv ]q∏ens‚ ]mSp

Iƒ. FXtbm h¿jßfnse ag°mesØ Cu¿∏w Nn√n\p≈n¬ Ińbp≈ HcmhcWw Xs∂ Xo¿Øncp ∂p."\av°v GXmbmepw Cu s^bnw Cf°nsbSp°Ww. AXns‚ D≈nev h√ kqN\owt≠m∂v t\m°

Ww.' Ipt´´≥ s^bnw IangvØn sh®v ]cntim[n®p. ]pdØp ]Xn® lm¿Uvt_m¿Uv Zhn®p XpSßnbn cp ∂p. Hcp IØn sb SpØv B t_m¿Uv Cf °n sb Sp °m≥ian® t∏mƒ AXv s]mń s∏mń h∂p. AXv tISp h cp ØmsXFSp°m≥ ]‰ns√∂p I≠t∏mƒ Ipt´´≥ AXv IjvWw Ijv Wambn s]mńs®SpØp. Ac aWn °q¿ t\csØ A≤zm \ Øn\ptijw B t^mt´m ]pd sØ Sp Øp. AsXmcp t^mt´m Bbncp ∂n √. hc ®p ≠m °nb Hcp OmbmNnXw amXw.

"As∂m∂pw t^mt´m FSp °m\v≈ kuI cyw √y. As∏m

F√mw hc®v≠mIzmWv sNøm. hcbv°W BfsS apºnev \Ωfv sImsd t\cw Ccp ∂p sIm Sp °Ww. sNes∏m c≠pw aq∂pw sZhkw Ccp∂p sImSp t°≠n hcpw.'

Ipt´ ∂ dn bmØ Imcy ßƒIpdhmbncp ∂p. ]c∏nep≈ hmb\ bpsS eam Wv. Rm≥ _lp am\ tØmsS Abmsf t\m°n.

NnXw tISp IqSmsX \√ sXfna tbmsS DZn ®p \n ∂p. Nn√n t∑¬I≠ ]q∏¬ NnXsØ _m[n®nń

√. "CsXmcZv pXmWv.' Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. "s\\°v tXm∂vWvtey?'

Rm≥ Xe bm n. Fs∂ kw_‘n t® S tØmfw AZv`p X Øns‚bpw kzm`m hn I X bp sSbpwthen s]mfn™n´v Ipd®p t\cambn. Rm≥ BtemNn°pI bmbncp∂p. CXbpw Zqcw k©cn®Xv icn°p ≠m b XmtWm AtXm Hcpshdpw amb °m gvN bm bn cp t∂m. Rm≥ tNmZn ®p.

"Ipt´´m \Ωfv tamfnev sImtd Zqcw \S∂ amXncntXm∂p Wp. AXv icn bmtWm? Cu Xń≥]p dØv CX hgn I sfm s°t≠m?'

Ipt´ ≥ \n»_vZ\mbn, Ft¥m BtemNn °pIbm bn cp ∂p. Abmƒ Ct∏mtg AXn s\ ∏‰n Nn¥n®p≈q F∂p tXm∂p ∂p. Abmƒ ]d ™p.

"icym W s√. AXp t]mse \Ωfv Hcp tImWnI≠n s√. AXv XmgØv GXv apdo te bv°mWv t]mWXv? \ΩsS s\teev Aßs\ Fd ßn h cWHcp tImWo √y, ]qó´ tImWn hm Xnepw √y.CsXms° icn °v≠m b X \ymtWm?'

"\n°dnbn√y.'Ipt´´≥ NnXw ]cntim[n°m≥ XpSßn. s^bnan \p ≈n¬ tcJ I sfm ∂p ap ≠m bn cp ∂n s√ ∂Xv Abmsf h√msX \ncmis∏SpØnbncp∂p.

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"kmc√y. Cu ImcWhcv \√ kqX°mc\mWv∂v tXm∂pWp. sNes∏m Cu NnXw hc®Xns‚ ASosehnsS sb ¶nepw _jpsIm≠v h√ Ipdn∏pw Fgp Xn h ®n´p≠m hpw.'

Ipt´´≥ B OmbmNnXw P\en∂SpØp sIm≠pt]mbn kq£vaambn ]cntim[n°pIbmWv. F\n° Xn¬ hnizmkw \in®p XpS ßn. AsXmcp shdpw NnX am sW∂pw Rß fpsS C∂sØ A≤zm \sa√mw ]mgmbn sb∂pw F\nbv°p tXm∂n ØpSßn. IdpØ ]nSn bp≈ Hcp qX° ÆmSnbneqsS Ipt´´≥ NnXw ]cntim [n°p ∂Xv Rm≥ Ipd®v klXm]tØmsS t\m°n bn cp∂p. ]Øpan\p‰v t\csØ

]cntim[\bv°p tijw NnXw tai∏pdØp sIm≠ph®v £oWn®v I´nens‚ Xe`mKØv Nmcnbncp∂Ipt´´s‚ apJw A\p Iºm¿lambn cp∂p.Rm≥ NnXsaSpØp t\m°n. shdpw NnXw amXw, AXn\ ∏pd sØm∂pan√. NnXØn\p Xmsg he

Øp`mK Ømbn NnXImcs‚ t]cmsW∂p tXm∂p∂p lnµnbntem kwkvIr X Øntem FgpXn h ®n´p≠v. IrjvW cm b¿ Ft∂m at‰m BW Xv.

7



t\m h¬


A≤ymbw

33

A≤ymbw F´v

8

]co£ bv°n\n c≠p amk ta bp ≈q. Dt≠m F∂pXs∂ C\nbpwXo¿®bn √mØ Cu \n[nbpsS ]n∂mse \S ∂m¬ Cu ¢mn¬Øs∂bn cnt°≠n hcpw. Ipt´´ \msW ¶n¬ CXv Fkv. F kv.F¬.kn.bm Wv.GsX¶nepw tImfPn¬ AUv anj≥ In´Wsa¶n¬ \√ am¿°pXs∂ In´Ww.

Rm≥ s]s´∂v h¿Ø am \ Øn tebv°p Xncns® Øn. apºn¬ hµ\Hcp am¥n I h eb Øn¬ s]´ t]mse Ccn °p I bm Wv. Ah fpsS ]co£bpw ASpØn cnbv°bmWv. ap∏Xp sIm√w apºv Fs‚ ]co£ \in∏n®Xp t]mse AhfpsS ]co £bpw \in∏n°m\mtWm Cu NXp cw K∏ eI Cu kabØv ]Xy £ s∏ Xv? F\nbv°p _e amb kwi b ap≠m bn. Ahƒ°pw ]Xn\©p hbp XnIbm≥ c≠p amkw IqSntbD≈p.

"F∂n´v A—m, F¥p ≠mbn?' hµ\ DW¿∂p."tamsf, \ns‚ ][m \ s∏ ] co £ bmWv hc W Xv. tamfv C\n ]Tn

bv°m≥ t\m°v. _m°n sb√mw ]co£ Ign ™n´v ]d bmw.'"AXp ]‰n √, apgph≥ tI°msX F\nbv°v ]Tn bv°m≥ ]‰n √.'"]ns∂ H∂pw ≠m bn √. F¥p≠mhm \m. AXns‚ ]n∂mse \S∂v

A—≥ ]co t£ev tXm‰p, Ipt´ ≥ IjvSn®v c£ s∏ p. AΩm hs‚ASpØv∂v c≠p t]¿°pw \√ hÆw Inń, AXy s∂.'

"F∂n´v Ip´ Ωm abv°v Fßn\ym tImf Pnev AUvanj≥ InóXv?'"As∂m∂pw CX sXc °p ≠m bn cv∂n√ tImf Pn ev. Assπ

sNbvXm¬ an° hmdpw In´pw.'"A—≥ _m°ow IqSn ]dbWw, Rm\ns∏m ]Tn °m≥ t]m∆m Wv.'hµ \bv°p t]Sn ]nSn s®∂p tXm∂p∂p."C\n H∂pw ≠m bn n√ tamsf, hniz kn bv°v. Fs‚ ]co s£sS

dnkƒ´v h∂ t∏mƒ AΩm hs‚ hI hnNmc W bp≠mbncp ∂p. BZywkm£n ]d ™Xv \ns‚ AΩ Xs∂ bmWv. Rßfv GXp t\chpw, Ifn°m≥ ]‰mØ Hcp NXpcwK∏eIbpw sh®ncnbv°ymsW∂pw Xń≥]pdØv∂v Hcp ]tg t^mt´m FSpØv sIm≠∂v tISp hcp Øos∂ms°Ahƒ Pqdn ka£w t_m[n∏n ®p.'

"AXv icn, AΩbv°v CsXm s°bm bncp∂p ]Wn As√? A—\owIp´ Ωm a\ow X√p sIm≈n °ev?'

"AXp Rm≥ BtZy ]d bmdns√?'"icn F∂n´v?' Ahƒ°v _m°n mKw tIƒ°m≥ [rXn bm bn."F∂ns´¥m AΩma RßsS apdn ]cntim[n ®p. RßfmsW¶n¬

Cßns\sbm∂v ]Xo£n®Xpan√s√m, F√mw tai∏pdØv h®ncn°bmbncp∂p. AΩma AsX√mw FSpØv Ftßmt´m hens®dn™p. t^mt´mXncn®v Xń≥]pdØpXs∂ sIm≠pt]mbn C´p. A∂v Inńb AX ASn



t\m h¬


A≤ymbw

34

PohnXØnsemcn°epw Inńbnń√.'"F∂n´pw A—≥ AtΩs\ IeymWw Ign®q? ]mhw A—≥!'Rm≥ H∂pw ]d™n √. AsXmcp henb NcnX amWv. C\n AXn s\ ∏‰n h√Xpw ]d ™m¬ ]ns∂

hµ\ AXp apgph≥ tIƒ°msX Fgpt∂¬°n√. Fßns\sb¶nepw Ahƒ CsX√mw ad∂v ]TnØØn¬ i≤ sImSp Øm¬ aXn bm bncp ∂p.

"aXn. C\n tamfv t]mbn ]Tnbv°q.' IYbpsS ]cnWmaw Ahsf Xr]vXns∏SpØnbns√∂v F\nbv°p

a\ nembn. Rm\hsf Hcphn[w ]d ™b ®p. H‰bv°mbt∏mƒ ho≠pw a\v sX∂n sØ∂n t]mhpI bmWv. ]co£bn¬ tXm‰ Xnt\°mƒ hnja ambXv AΩmas‚ ASpØp \n∂v ASn Inń bt∏m gmbncp∂p. B thZ\ Znh k ß tfmfw Xßn\n ∂p.

8

Hcp Znhkw Ipt´ \pw t]mbn. Ipt´ ≥ AΩm hs‚IqsSbmWv tImgnt°m´p Kpcphmbqc∏≥ tImfPn¬ tNcm≥t]mb Xv. apºn¬ AΩmh\pw ]n∂n¬ Hcp sNdnb k©n ]nSn®psIm≠v Ipt´´\pw AXn\pw ]n∂n¬ InSbv°bpw Ccpºps]ń bpw Xebnte‰n NmØ∏\pw hbens‚ A∏pdØv CShgnIfn¬ \jvSs∏´t∏mƒ Rm≥ hcºn¬ \n∂v Xncn®p \S∂p,]Sn∏pc bpsS A‰° Smb NmSn° S∂v ap‰sØØn. AΩmbnap≠ns‚ tIm¥esIm≠v IÆp XpS®n´msW∂p tXm∂p∂p

ap‰ØpIqsS ASp°fbntebv°p \S°pIbmWv. ]qapJØv XnÆ bn¬ Cµnc Hcp Djmdn √msX Ccn°p∂p. Rm≥ AhsfhI sh bv°msX AIØp Xf Øn tebv°p IS∂p, tImWnIbdn apIfntebv°p t]mbn. AΩmhs‚ ASpØp\n∂v ASnInń b tijw Rm\pw Ipt´ \pw Ahsf Xg™ t]mse bmWv. GI tZiw Hcp amkw Igns ™ ¶nepw a\ nse thZ\XnI®pw hn´p amdp∂n√. AXns‚ ImcW °mcn Cµn c bmsW∂ Xp sIm≠v Ah tfmSv ASp °m≥ tXm∂p ∂n √. Ahƒ hmXpd ∂ Xp sIm ≠mWv AΩm h\v Rß fpsS apdn ]cn tim [n°m\pw Rßsf in£n°m\pw tXm∂nb Xv. As√ ¶n¬ HccaWn °q¿ t\csØ i Im c Øn¬ HXp ßn tbs\ in£.

apdn Hgn™p InS∂p. Iń¬ Hgn™p InS∂p. Db¿∂ph∂Hcp tXß¬ a\nsemXp°n Rm≥ Ińen¬ ae¿∂p InS∂p.Ipt´ \p am bp ≠mb BZysØ ]cn N b s∏ S¬ ho≠pwHm¿Øp. A∂v ]Iep≠mb GIm¥X ho≠pw \mencńbmbnA\p`hs∏´p. C\n H‰bv °mWv F∂ t_m[w h∂t∏mƒ AΩ

sbbpw cmt[ SvØn sbbpw Hm¿Ω h∂p.ASpØ i\nbmgvN hoń¬ t]mWw. AΩG´s\ ImWm≥ hcm sd bn √. hfsc ]gsbmcp IpSn ∏ I bpsS _m°n ] X am Wv.`¿Ømhns‚ H∏w mKhpw hmßn t]mIptºmƒ C\n Cu aÆn¬ Imep IpØn

s√∂v i]Yw sNbvX Xm Wv. hn[n AΩbpsS `mK Øm bn cp ∂n √. ¿Ømhv s]s´∂p acn ®p. c≠p ]n©p Ip™p ßsfH‰bv°p t]m‰m \p ≠mb IjvS ∏m Sn¬AΩbpsS Xocpam\ßfpw abs∏´p. s]ÏpńbpsS P\\tØmsS AΩmh\pw ]gbImcyßsf√mw ad∂p, s]ßsf ImWm≥t]mbn. acp aI \n¬ aI fpsS mhnhcs\I≠v Ahsc klmbn°m≥ XpSßn. acpaI≥ sslkvIqfnembt∏mƒ Ahs\ Xdhm n tebv°p sIm≠p h∂p.

CXsbm s° bm bn´pw AΩ ]gb Idh®psIm≠ncp∂p. h√t∏mgpw AΩmh≥Hmtcm Nm°v IpØcnbpw Xdhm´p hf ∏nep ≠mb ]® ° dn Ifpw sImSp Ø b °p



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A≤ymbw

35

tºmƒ "AsXm∂pw F\n bv° dn bn√' F∂ mh Øn¬ AΩ Xe Xncn°pw. AsX hnsSbmWv Cd°n shbvt° ≠Xv F∂v cmt[SvØn Npa p Im¿°v ]d ™p sImSp°pw. Ahscs°m≠p Xs∂ AXv Ieh d bn¬ sIm≠pt]mbn sh∏nbv°pw. Ahsc hnfn®v ASp ° f ®m bv∏n¬ CcpØn Nmbbpw ]elmcßfpw sImSp Øv AΩm bn bpsS hnh c ßƒ tNmZn ® dn bpw. AΩ bp sS s]cpam‰w Hcp Xcw Im] Sy amsW∂v \µ\v tXm∂m dp ≠v. As√ ¶n¬ bmYm¿∞ysØ AwKoI cn bv°mXncn°m≥ a\ n¬ kzbw\n¿Ωn® Hcp sI´m bn cn °Ww AXv. ac Ww hsc Ah¿ B sI´v Agnbv° ep ≠mbn n √.

ho≠pw Ipt´´s‚ Imcyw Hm¿Ω h∂p. cmt[SvØnbv°v ]Icambncp∂n√ Ipt´´≥. AXnepa∏pdØv Ft¥m. kvIqfnepw ]pdØpw Xs∂ kwc£n®p sIm≠ncp∂p, Xt∂°mƒ c≠p hbpamXw ]mbap≈ Ipt´ ≥. Ct∏mƒ Rm≥ GI \mWv. Fs‚ ]iv\ ßƒ BtcmSpw ]d bm \n √, Bcn¬\n∂pwkm¥z\w ]Xo £n°m\p an √.

"\tµ s\¥m Ic ømtWm?'Rm≥ IÆp Xpd∂p t\m°n. Cµnc Ińens‚ ASpØv h∂v t\m°n \n¬°pIbmWv. icnbmWv Rm≥

IcbpIbmWv. Rm\dnbmsX IÆo¿ hm¿s∂mgpIn XebnW \\bv°pIbmbncp∂p. Rm≥ IÆp XpS®v Fgpt∂‰ncp∂p. F¥psImt≠m CµnctbmSp≈ iXpX B \nanjØn¬ Rm≥ ad∂pt]mbn. Rm\hsf t\m°n. Ahƒ°v h√msX am‰w h∂n cp∂p. s]s´∂hƒ hensbmcp Ipń bmb t]mse. Ign™Hcp amkambn Rm\hfpsS apJtØ t\m°nbncp∂n√. Ct∏mƒ Ahƒ apºn¬ \n¬°pIbmWv, Fs∂]n®n D] Z hn®n cp∂ Ime Øp \n∂v hfsc hf¿∂v ]IzX h∂ t]mse.

"Ipt´ ≥ t]mb Xnev k¶ Swt≠m?' Ahƒ ho≠pw tNmZn °p I bm Wv."\n\°v k¶Swtey?'"Dw, Iptd s». AtΩsSw \tµ ‚ow AsXym ∂pw ey.'Rm≥ Ahsf Hcp tNmZy tØmsS t\m°n."F¥m ∂ do ey. F\nbv°v k¶Sqw kt¥mjpw Hs° sImdsh hcm dp ≈p. \tµ \v H‰bv°v sIS

°m≥ t]Snt≠m?'"sImtds».' Rm≥ ]IpXn kXyw ]d™p. icnbv°p ]d™m¬ H‰bv°p InS°p∂Xns\∏‰n Rm≥

Nn¥n®nt´ D≠mbncp∂n√. Ct∏mgmWv Hm¿ØXv. apIfnse \nebn¬ Rm≥ H‰bv°mhpw. AXn\pw apIfn emWv B i]n bv° s∏´ Xń≥]p dw. F\nbv°v \√ t]Sn bp≠v.

"Rm≥ hctWm Iq´p In S °m≥?'Hm! Hcp ss[cy imen! F∂ ań¬ Rm\ hsf t\m°n.

"icn°pw ]d ømWv. Cu mKØv Hcp Iń en´p Xcm≥ ]d™m aXn. ∂m AsΩsS ASvØv∂pw c£s∏ Sm tem. ss[cy im eym bn √, F\nbv°v k¶Spw kt¥mjpw amXncn t]Sow sImdhm. 'AXp icnbmWv. ImcWw t\cw Ccpńbmepw Ahƒ H‰bv°v ]dºnep≈ Imhn¬ hnf°p shbv °m≥

t]mImdp≠v. kXyw ]d™m¬ F\nbv°v H‰bv°v B Imhns‚ ASpØv ]I¬ t\cØp IqSn t]mhm≥t]SnbmWv.

"thW ¶n¬ ]d t™m fp. Rm≥ A tΩymSv tNmZn®n´v ChnsS InS °mw.'"th≠ Xm≥ AtΩsS H∏w Xs∂ InS∂m aXn.' ss[cyØn\pth≠n Iq´pInS°m≥ hcp∂Xv Ft∂

°mƒ \mep hbp Xmsg bp≈ Hcp s]Ïp n. CXn t\ °mƒ \mW t° sS ¥m Wp≈Xv?Xmsg tImWn ®p hń¬ \n∂v AΩmbn hnfn ®p. Cµnc hnfn tI´p. "F¥m AtΩ?'"\nß°v Nmb IpSn bv° s≠. \tµ t\mSpw hcm≥ ]td.'Xmsg Xf Øn en cp∂v Ce bS Xn∂p tºmƒ Cµnc ]d ™p.

"AtΩ \tµ´≥ Ic bym bn cp ∂p.'"F¥n\v?'"Ipt´ ≥ t]mb k¶ Sw sIm ≠v.'AΩmbn \n» _vZ bm bn. Rm≥ Xe bp b¿ØmsX AS Xn ∂p Xo¿Øp.F¥mbmepw AXn\p tijw Cµnc Ft∂mSv hfsc \∂mbnt´ s]cpamdnbn´p≈p. A—s‚ ASpØv

GjWn Iq´p∂ kz`mhw Xosc hn´p. kmh[m\Øn¬ AhtfmSv clkyßƒIqSn ]dbmsa∂mbn. Ahsfbpw GIm ¥X D] Z hn °m≥ XpS ßn bn p ≠m hpw, Ah f dn bm sX Ø s∂.

Ft¥m mKy Øn\v AΩm h≥ hen s® dn bp ∂ Xn\p apºp Xs∂ Rm\m NXp cw K ∏ e I bpsS Hcp]I¿∏v ISemn seSpØp sh®ncp∂p. Ct∏mƒ AsXSpØp t\m°ptºmƒ Cµnc h∂mepw Hfn ∏n®p shbv°mdn√. Ahƒ AsXs‚ Iøn¬\n∂v hmßn t\m°pw. Xncn®v taihen∏nen p sIm≠v ]dbpw.

"\av°v NXp cwKw Ifn°ym?'

BZy sams° \nc ¥cw Xm°oXv sImSp t°≠n h∂n cp∂p Ah sf. As√ ¶n¬ Ah fpsS tXtcmB\tbm IpXn ctbm Hs° \jvSs∏Spw. ]n∂oSv Ahƒ i≤n®p Ifn °m≥ XpSßn. Rm≥ IpXncsbapt∂m´p sIm≠p hcptºmƒ AXns‚ ]n∂oSp≠mtb°mhp∂ c≠p Ne\ßƒIqSn Ahƒ IW°nseSp°pw. Fs‚ Dt±iyw AXXs∂ ]mh\as√∂pw Acip Xcptºmƒ AhfpsS tXcns\bpw Iqń

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t°m¿Øv AXp Xń sb Sp °m \s√ F∂pw tNmZn bv°pw.BbnSbv°mWv Xń≥]pdØv Hcn°¬°qSn t]mIm\p≈ BKlw F\nbv°p≠mbXv. Hcp tXm∂

embncp∂p AXv. Ft¥m Fs∂ ]nSn®p hen°p∂t]mse. Hmtcm Znhkw IqSpwtXmdpw B tXm∂¬i‡ambn h∂p. F\nbv°msW¶n¬ H‰bv°p t]mIm\pw \√ t]Sn≠v. icnbv°p ]d™m¬ AXns\∏‰n Btem Nn °m≥ t]mepw hømØ Ah ÿ.

Hcn °¬ NXp cwKw Ifn bv°p tºmƒ Cµnc tNmZn ®p.

"\tµ t\mSv Hcp Imcyw tNmZn ®m¬ kXyw ]dtøm?'"F¥m ]d bmsX?'"\nßƒ°v B NXp cw K ∏ eI Fhn Sv ∂m InóXv?' AhfpsS tNmZyw s]s´ ∂m bn cp ∂p.C\n Ahƒ AΩmhs‚ ASpØv CsXm∂pw sImfpØm≥ t]mIp ∂ns√∂v F\nbv° dnbmam bn cp

∂p. amX a√ Cu cl kyw, Rm\pw Ipt´ \pw amXadnbp∂ cl kyw, Ipt´´\n√mØ Ah ÿ bn¬a‰mtcmsS ¶nepw ]¶psh bv°W sa∂pw F\nbv°p≠mbn cp∂p. Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"tamfnev Xń≥s]m dØv Hcp s]ó ∂v.'Ahƒ°Xns‚ IY apgph≥ AdnbWw. ]dbm≥ Rm\pw AXoh Xev]c\mbncp∂p. Hcp aWn°q¿

t\csØ IYmI Y \ Øn \p tijw Ahƒ ]d™p."icn°pw AZv p Xm bn cn °pWp As√?'"A√msX?' Rm≥ Cµn csb Ifn bm °n s°m≠v ]d ™p. AXnse Xami a\ n em °m \p≈ Hcp

am\ knImhÿbnembn cp∂n√ Ahft∏mƒ. Ahƒ ]d™p."\ap°v Xń≥s]m dØv t]mbn t\m°zm?'"F¥v???'"\apt°bv Xń≥s]mdØv t]mbn t\m°mw. F\nbv°sXms° ImWWw. B s]ów, ]ns∂ \nßfv

Ae ™p Xn cn ™q∂v ]d™nt√ B hgow Hs°. ]‰p sh¶nev B tImWow.'Rm\ hsf AZv`p X tØm sS, BZ c thmsS t\m°p I bm Wv."]ns∂ B s]ń F\nbv°v sXmd °m≥ ]t‰zm∂pw t\m° Ww.'CXv G´s‚ A\n bØn Xs∂. Ipt´ t\°mƒ ss[cy aps≠∂p tXm∂p∂p Cu s]Æn \v. Rm≥

]d ™p. "t\m°mw.'Ct∏mƒ ap∏Xp h¿jßƒ°pw ]Xn\mdntesd ]g°ap≈ Iq´pPohnXØn\pw tijw Rm≥ Cµn

ctbmSv tNmZn°pIbmWv B NXpcwK∏eIsb∏‰n. tamƒ ASpØ apdnbn¬ InS∂pdßpIbmWv . Ahƒ

H‰bv°p InS°m≥ XpSßnb tijw Rßƒ Ddßptºmƒ apdn ASbv°mdn√. Ahfpw AΩsbt∏msess[cy im en bmWv. hep Xm b t∏mƒ, AΩbv°pw ANOv\pw Aev]w kzIm cyX Bh iyap ≠m Ipsa∂v Ahƒ°p tXm∂n°mWWw. Ahƒ ]d bpw, "\nßfv apdn ASt®mfp, F\nbv°v t]sSym∂pw√y.'F¶nepw Rßƒ apdn ASbv°mdn√. "F¥n\m apdn ASbv°WXv? s\\ s° s¥¶nepw FSp°ms≠¶nev Rßsf HW¿Øm sX Øs∂ h∂qsS?'

Rm≥ Cµn c tbmSp tNmZn ®p. "Fßn s\ bmWv B sNvt_m¿Uv \ns‚ Iøn¬ s]´Xv?'"AsXmcp hey IYymWv?' Cµnc ]d ™p. "icnbv°p ]d™m≥ Hcp a\w am‰Øns‚ IY Xs∂.'"∂v sh®m?'"A—≥ \nßsf c≠v t]tcw X√WXv I≠s∏m F\nbv°v h√msX hnj a m bn.'"Aßns\ym∂pw ≠mhm dn√ s√m. Ft¥ Aßn s\yms° tXm∂m≥?'"F¥m∂do√y. apsºms° \nßsf ASn°WXv ImWptºm A—s‚ ]n∂nev \n∂v \∂mbn´p≠v∂v

BwKyw ImWn °m dns√?'"D≠mbn cp∂p Rm\ sXm∂pw ad ∂n n √, ZpjvS!'Cµnc Nncn®p. "]s£ B ]mhiysØ ASn Ipd®p IqSpXembn. F\n°v h√msØmcp Ip‰t_m[w

tXm∂n, \nßsf H‰ns°m SpØ Xn\v. AtXmsS Rm≥ A—s‚ mKw hn´v \nßfvsS mKØp tN¿∂p.]s£ AXv \nßsf Ado bv°m≥ Hcp hgow √ym. Rm≥ ASvØv hcp tºm tgbv°v \nßfv c≠mfpwHgn™p t]mhpw. F\nbv°v hey k¶Sm bn. Hcokw Rm\n cp∂v Ic ™p.'

Rm≥ AZv`pXtØmsS Ahsf t\m°n. Cµnc IcbpI! kXyambpw Rm\Xp hnizkn®n √. ]s£AhfpsS apJsØ mhw. F¥p sImt≠m AXv hniz k\ob am bn cp ∂p.

"Hcp Znhkw A—≥ Cu sNvt_m¿Upw sIm≠v ]d ºn tebv°p \S°WXv I≠p. ]dºnev Nhdv Iqºmcmbn Iqń bn n v≠m bn cp∂p, IØn®p Ifbm≥. ]dºnev sXßns‚ ISbv°ev IØn °m dns√?Rm≥ A— \dnbmsX Hfn ™p \n∂p t\m°n, F¥mWv aq∏cvsS Dt± iyw ∂v. A®\Xv Hcp Nhdv Iqºm

c Øntebv°v hen s® dn™v AXn\v Xobn p.'"∂v v?'"F\nbv°v hs√y k¶Sm bn. F\n ° dnbmw \nßƒ°m h iy≈ Hcp km[ \m W Xv∂v. Xo IØm≥

sXmStßys∏m A—≥ t]mbn. Rm≥ thKw t]mbn´v B Xobns‚ FtS∂v B t_m¿Uv X∏nsb SpØp.

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Fs‚ ssI s]m≈n. ∂mepw th≠n√, \nßsf klmbn°m≥ Fs¥¶nepw sNøWw∂v≠mbncp∂pF\nbv°v. Hcp ImcyØnev F\nbv°v AZv pXw tXm∂n. B sNvt_m¿Uv \√ NqSp≠mbncp∂p. Fs‚Iøv s]m≈n°m≥ amXw. Rm\Xv sImfØnev sIm≠pt]mbn IgpIn. t\mt°ys∏m AXn\v H∂pw ]‰o´n √y. Fs‚ Iøpw s]m≈o ey. AsXmc Zv`p Xs√?'

Rm≥ im¥\mbn aqfn. "F∂n´v \obXv FhnsS Hfn∏n®ph®p?'"Rm\Xv ]e ÿeØmbn Hfn ∏n®p h°ym bn cp∂p.'

"Ft¥ \obXv Rßƒ°v XcmXn cp∂Xv?'"AtXm? AXv \nßsS ]TnØw sImg∏m°vWv≠v∂v a\nem bn. AtXm≠m XcmXn cp∂Xv. ]ns∂\av°v hbmhptºm thsd ]Wnsbm∂pw≠mhn√s√m. As∏m c≠pt]¿°pw IqSn AXv t\m°mw∂pwIcp Xn.'

"anSp °n. As∏m \obv A∂vX s∂ Xo¿®ym °n ° gn™p, Rm≥ s\s∂ sI´pw ∂v. As√?'"A√msX? CXnepw \√ s]Æns\ At\z jn®v \tµ ≥ FhnsS t]mhm\m?'"]nt∂bv.......'

"\Ωfv X´n≥s]m dØv t]mbXv Hm¿Ωt≠m?' Cµnc tNmZn ®p.

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"Cs∂¥m \n\°v Hd°t√y?'km[m cW AΩ bpasX tamfpasX, InS∂ DSs\ Ddßpw. hµ\ apIfn¬ Imcy ambn Ccp∂v ]Tn

°p I bm Wv. C\n ]Xn s\m∂p aWnbv°v Xmsg Cd ßn h ∂v Ah fpsS apdnbntebv°v IS °pw."DwMpw. Hm¿Ωt√y?' Cµnc ho≠pw tNmZn bv°p ∂p."Hm¿Ω ≠v.'"C\ow t]m∆m≥ tXm∂vWvt√y?'"C√.' Rm≥ kXyw ]d ™p."\n°v t]m∆m≥ tXm∂vWv≠v. \ap°v ASpØ ]mhiyw t]mhptºm F¥mbmepw tamfnev t]mbn

t\m ° Ww.'"\ap°v Btem Nn °mw. \o Cs∏m sIS s∂m d ßm≥ t\m°v.'Ahƒ ]n∂osSm∂pw kwkmcn®n√. F¥n \mWv kwkm cn °p ∂ Xv. Ahƒ Hscm‰ tNmZyw sIm≠v

Fs‚ a\n¬ Hcp ae CSn®nńcnbv°bmWv . CµncbpsS H∏w Xń≥]pdØp Hmtcm ]mhiyw t]mbXpwF\nbv°v \√t]mse Hm¿Ωbp≠v. BZyw Ib dnbXv Hcp RmbdmgvN D®bv°mWv. Rßƒ apI fn¬NXpcwKw Ifn°pIbmbncp∂p. Xmsg \nebn¬ Hmtcmtcm i_vZßfmbn Ipd™ph∂v HSphn¬ Xosc\n»_vZambn. Xmsg t]mbm¬ AΩmhs‚ Iq¿°when tIƒ°mw. AΩmbn tImWn®phń¬ \n∂v Cµncsb hnfn ®p.

"tamsf HdßvWnt√y?'Cµnc tImWn bp sS A Sp tØbv°p sN∂v ]d bpw."C√tΩ, Rm≥ \µp th´s‚ H∏w NXp cwKw Ifn °ymWv.'"Rm≥ H d ßm≥ t]mWp.' AΩmbn \S∂p t]m bn. Ah¿ Xf Øn¬ kna‚n´ \neØmWv InS°p

I. AhnsS \√ XWp ∏m Wv.AΩmbn t]mbn°gn ™t∏mƒ Cµnc Xncn ®p h ∂p. t\sc h∂v \neØv P\en\cnsI h® NXpcw

K∏ e IbpsS apºn en cn°msX Ahƒ Fs∂ hnfn °pI bm Wv."hcq, tamfnev t]m∆m.'F\nbv°v am\kn I ambn Hcp XømsdSp∏n\pw Ah kcw XcmsX bmWhƒ AXp ]d ™Xv. Rm≥

aSn®p \n∂ t∏mƒ Ahƒ Fs‚ ssI ]nSn®p hen °bmWv. ssZhta, Cu Xń≥]pdØv HSpßm\p≈XmtWm Fs‚ PohnXw? G´≥ t]mbt∏mƒ A\pPØn XpSßnbncnbv°bmWvv! Rm≥ Fgpt∂‰p. Fgpt∂¬°m≥ \n¿∫ ‘n X\mbn F∂p ]d bp ∂ Xmhpw kXyw.

Xń≥]p d tØ bv°p≈ Hmtcm bmXbpw Hmtcm ]pXnb A\p h am bn cp ∂p. Hmtcm Im¬ sh∏pwFs‚ ss[cy Øn \p≈ ]co £bpw. ]n∂n¬ \S ∂n cp∂ Cµn cbv°v bmsXmcp sS≥j \pan√. AhƒAS °n∏nSn® i_vZØn¬ kwkmcn°pIbmWv. i_vZw XmgvØp∂Xv t]Sn®n´√ adn®v Xmsg InS∂pdßp∂ A—≥ DWcptam F∂v b∂n mWv. Xń≥]pdw Ign™ ]mhiyw Rm\pw Ipt´ \pw t]mbn°≠ AtX ań¬Øs∂bmWv. As√¶n¬ a\pjy∑m¿ IbdmØ B ÿeØv F¥p am‰amWv Rm≥]Xo£n °p ∂Xv? tImWn Ibdnb DSs\ InS∂ aq∂ c°m ep≈ tai ta¬ B ]gb NnX ßƒ InS∂ncp∂p. Ah HXp°nh® ańe√, AhnShnsSbmbn Ai≤tbmsS hmcnhen®nńcnbv°bmWv. Rm≥aptºm´p \S∂p. Fßns\sb¶nepw B FgpØps]ń Cµncbv°p ImWn®psImSpØv thKw ÿewhnSW sat∂ F\n bv°p≈q.

FgpØps]ńbpsS mKsØØnbt∏mƒ Rm\hfpsS apJØp t\m°n. Fs‚ apJsØ mhw I≠n

A≤ymbw HºXv

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´msW∂p tXm∂p∂p Ahƒ ssIsIm≠v BwKyw ImWn ®p, F¥m F∂ ań¬. Rm\hƒ°m s]ńNq≠n°mń. Ahƒ thKw \S∂v B s]ńbpsS apºn¬ sN∂ncp∂p. AhfXp Xpd °m≥ ian°p IbmWv. ]s£ Ignbp ∂n√.

"CXp Xp d °m≥ IgnbvWn√y.' Ahƒ \ncm i tbmsS ]d ™p.F\nbv°p hnja ambn. F¥psImt≠m AXp Xpd°m≥ ]‰psa∂ [mcWbn emWv Ahƒ AXn\p

apºnencp∂Xv. ]‰psa∂ [mcW F\nbv °pap≠mbncp∂p. Rm\hfpsS ASpØp sN∂ncp∂v AhtfmSp

]d ™p. "H∂pIqSn t\m°v, ]‰pw.'Ahƒ Xpd°m≥ ian°ptºmƒ Rm≥ AhfdnbmsX s]ńbpsS hiØv, Aa¿Øn∏nSnbv°ms\∂ań¬ ssIsh®v AS∏v Xn°n. s]ń Xpd ∂p.

"sXmd∂p!' Ahƒ AZv`p X tØmsS ]d ™p. Ah f dn bmsX Rm≥ ssI hen ®n cp ∂p. Ahƒ°psNøm≥ ]‰p sa∂ [mc W bn¬ C cn °s´. Ahƒ D≈n¬ Iøn´v ]c Xp I bm Wv. BsI Inń bXv BPmXIw amXw. AXp ]pdtØ bvs° Sp Ø t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d ™p.

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"AXv Xncn®v shbv°v.'"Ft¥?' AsX Sp Øv Xn cn®pw adn®p t\m°n s°m≠v Cµnc tNmZn ®p."AXv GtXm Imc W hcvsS PmX Im Wv. acn®p t]mtbmcvsS PmXIw FSp °m≥ ]mSn √ym∂v ]Wn

°c Ωmh≥ ]d™n v≠v.'"F¥m ImcWw?'"ImcsWm∂pw F\nbv°dnbn√.' Rm\Xv [rXnbn¬ AhfpsS Iøn¬\n∂v hmßn s]ńbn¬ \nt£

]n ®p. Ahƒ kmh [m \ Øn¬ D≈nse√mw \∂mbn t\m°ns°m≠v s]ń AS ®p."\av°v Xncn®p t]m∆m?' Rm≥ ]d ™p."As∏m \av°v Xń≥s]m sdms° ImWs≠?'"th≠ \av°v t]m∆mw.'"\tµ ≥ s]mbvt°m fp. Rm≥ Chn sSyms° \S∂v t\m°ot´ hcp. F\nbv°v \nßfv I≠ B

tImWn ImWWw.'s]m√m ∏mbn. Ahƒ Ahn sS sbms° Np‰n \S ∂nt´ hcq F∂v F\nbv°dn bmw. Ahsf AhnsS

H‰ bv°n´v t]mIm\pw `bw. Ah km\w ]d tb≠n h∂p."F∂m¬ hm. thKw \S∂v I≠n´v t]mWw.'ho≠pw DuSph gnI fn eqsS bmX. C]m hiyw apºv t]mbnń √mØ hgn Ifneq sSbmWv bmX. B

Xń≥]pdØv CXb[nIw hgn Isf ßns\ h∂p F∂Xv Fs‚ bp‡n°p tNcmØ Imcy ambncp∂p.

Ccph iØpw ]gb hkvXp °ƒ Xs∂bmWv. No\` cWn Iƒ, ho´pkmam \ ßƒ. s]mńbXpw s]m´mØXpamb HmSpIƒ. Cµncbv°msW¶n¬ Hmtcm∂pw hniZambn ]cntim[n°pIbpw thWw. ]e km[\ ßfpw D] tbmKn°m≥ ]‰nb \nebnem bn cp∂p. Hcp]s£ B \mepsIń¬ Xmakn® ]e Xmh gnIfpsS km[\ßƒ A∏t∏mgmbn Dt]£n®Xmbncnbv°pw. AhbpsS ]n∂nse√mw Hmtcm IYIfp≠mhpw. XI¿∂pt]mb XmhgnIƒ, ]e Zpc¥ßƒ. XeapdIfpsS Xet®mdn¬\n∂v \jvSs∏´pt]mb Hm¿ΩIƒ. CSbv°n Sbv°v Cµnc Hmtcm km[\hpambn Fs‚ ASpØv hcpw. "\ap°v CXv sIm≠p t]m∆m?'

AsXm∂pw sIm≠pt]m∆m≥ ]mSns√∂pw, sIm≠pt]mbm¬ AhfpsS A—≥ c≠p t]cpsSbpwN¥n bpsS tXmse Sp °p sa∂pw ]d ™ t∏mƒ amXta Ahƒ AS ßn bp ≈p. Ahƒ ]n∂n¬ \n∂v kwkmcn®p sIm≠n cp∂p. kwkmcw Ipd®p Zqc Øp \n∂mhptºmƒ Rm≥ Xn cn ™p t\m°n Ahsfhnfn bv°pw. Fs¥¶nepw kq£vaambn ]cntim[n°p∂ Ahƒ B km[\w AhnsS C´v HmSn hcpw.Aßns\ \S∂psIm≠ncnbvs° Rm≥ Ft‚Xmb Hcp temIsØØn. F¥mWv BtemNn®ncp∂sX

∂ dn bn √. ]n∂n¬ Cµnc bpsS kwkmcw Zqsc bmbn h∂p. Rm\ X dn bp ∂p ≠v. ]s£ AXp Imcyam°msX \S∂p \oßp I bm Wv.s]s´∂v Cµn c bpsS hnfn tI´p. hf sc b Sp Øp \n ∂m bn cp∂p AXv. "\tµ m, Cß´p hcq.'Ft¥m ImWn °m \m Wv. Rm≥ Xncn ™p t\m °n. Ahƒ Ahn sS sb ßp an √. Rm≥ Ipd®p Zqcw

Xncn™p \S∂p. AhfpsS hnfn Hcn°¬°qSn tI´p, ]ns∂ \n»_vZw. F\nbv°p bambn. Rm\hfpsS t]cp hnfn ®p sIm≠v thK Øn¬ \ S ∂p. HmSp I bm bn cp s∂∂p ]d bmw. Hgn™p InS °p∂AkwJyw CShgnIƒ amXw. FhnsSbpw CµncbpsS \ng¬ t]mepan√. Ahƒ Xncn®p t]mbn´p≠mIptam? AtXm Ahƒ°p h√Xpw ]‰nbn´p≠mIptam? PohnXØn¬ CXb[nIw sS≥j\\p`hn® Hchkcw ]n∂oSp≠mbnńs√∂pXs∂ ]dbmw. F\n°nt∏mƒ Fßns\sb¶nepw B Xń≥]pdØp\n∂v c£s∏´m¬ aXnsb∂mbn. Cµnc Xmtgbv°ndßnt∏mbn´p≠mIpsa∂ Zp¿∫e hnizmkØn¬ Rm≥c£bv°p≈ am¿§ßƒ Bcm bpI bmbncp ∂p. AXn\nSbv°v BcpsStbm Hs° \nizmk ßƒ sXm

´SpØp tIƒ°p∂t]mse tXm∂n. XeapdIfneqsS, ImeØns‚ Akzÿamb hoYnbneqsS Rm≥]nt∂m°w bmX sNøp I bm Wv. Fs¥mcp oXn Zamb tXm∂ em bn cp∂p AXv!Ahkm\w Rßƒ Ibdnh∂ tImWn I≠Xpw Rm≥ NSp]nSp∂s\ Xmtgbv°ndßn. ho≠pw Xmtg

bv°p≈ tImWn NmSn bn dßn ASp °fØf Øn tebv°v HmSn. AhnsS AΩmbn InS °p ∂p ≠mhpsa∂pw AhtcmSv Cµncsb∏‰n tNmZn°msa∂pw IcpXn. ASp°fØfw iq\yambn cp∂p. ASp°f bn¬\n∂v AΩm bn bpsS i_vZw tI´ t]mse tXm∂n. Rm≥ hnfn ®p. "Cµn tc.....'

Cµnc ASp ° f bn¬\n∂v h∂p. "Zm AtΩ \tµ ≥ h∂p , Nmb sIm Sp tØm fp.'Rm≥ HmSns®∂v Cµncsb sIń∏n Sn®v Ihnfn¬ DΩ h ®p. Rm≥ InXbv°p ∂p ≠m bn cp∂p. Cµnc

Ipd ®p t\cw ]I ®p \n ∂p. ]ns∂ Hcp Nncn tbmsS tNmZn ®p."F¥m \tµ´\v ]‰oXv? h√msX InXbv°vWv≠t√m.'"MpwMpw, Rm≥ Xń≥s]m dØv∂v s\s∂ ImWmsX HmSn h ∂ Xm.'

"As∏m \tµ´≥ CtXw kabw Xń≥s]mdØmbncpt∂m?' Ahƒ i_vZw XmgvØn tNmZn®p. Rm≥X e bmń. At∏mgmWv Rm≥ XfØnse t¢m°n¬ t\m°p ∂Xv. kabw Bdpa Wn bmhp ∂p. At∏mƒc≠p aWn apX¬ BdpaWnhsc, GItZiw \mep aWn°q¿ Rm≥ Xń≥]pdØv AebpIbmbncp∂p!

"≠mt°y Nmb XWvØv IpSn °m≥ sIm≈m Xm bn cn °p Wp. \osb hn Sym bn cp ∂p? Rm≥

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thsd≠m°n Ø cmw.' AΩmbn ASp° f bn¬\n∂v hnfn®p ]d ™p. "tamsf A∏ fbv°v \tµ´\v BAS FSpØv sImSv°v.'

Cµnc sπbv‰n¬ sIm≠ph∂p h® ASbpsS Ce am‰p∂Xn \n S bn¬ Rm≥ BtemNn®p. F¥mWv kw`hn®Xv? Cµnc F¥mWv Fs∂ Iq´msX Xmtgbv°v h∂Xv? C\n thsd h√ hgn bn¬°qSn bmbncn °ptam Ahƒ Cd ßnbXv? Ct∏mƒ H∂pw tNmZn bv°m≥ ]‰mØ kab amWv. Fs‚ IÆp Ifn¬Xßn \n¬°p∂ tNmZyßƒ Ahƒ i≤n®psh∂p tXm∂p∂p. Ahƒ ]pcnIw Db¿Øn Imcysas¥∂v

At\zjn ®p. ]d bm sa∂v Rm≥ BwKyw ImWn ®p. AΩmbn Nmb sIm≠ph∂v tai ∏p dØp h®p."\o FhnSymbncp∂p?'"AΩmbo, Rm≥ hnt\mZns‚ hoń¬ t]mbn cn°ymbn cp∂p. Ipd®v t\ms´ gpXn sb Sp°m\p≠mbn

cp ∂p.' \pW s]mfn b cptX F∂v ]m¿∞n ®p sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d ™p. AΩmbn Xr]vX bm bn.k‘ybv°v hnf°p sImfpØn \maw sNm√¬ Ign™m¬ AΩsb klm bn °m≥ t]mIp ∂Xn\p

apºv Cµnc Ipd®p t\cw Fs¥¶nepw kwkmcn®psIm≠v Fs‚ ]n∂mse \S °mdp≠v. Rm≥ t]mIp∂nSsØms° kwkmcØns‚ IÆn apdnbmsX Ahfpap≠mIpw. AΩmh≥ ]pdØp t]mbncnbv°bmhpw. AΩmbn ASp°fbn¬Øs∂ bmbn cn °pw. AΩmbnbpsS ]IpXn PohnXhpw ASp°fbnemWv._m°n ]IpXn PohnXw Dd° Øn epw.

ap‰Øv Ac≠ shfn®w amXw. ]dºn¬ \ng¬ hoWpIgn™ncp∂p. ]eXcw ]£nIfpsS i_vZwap‰sØ aqhm≠≥ amhns\ At\z jn®p hcp ∂p ≠v. ASp° fbn¬\n∂v tNmZn°m≥ IgnbmXn cp∂

Imcyw Rm≥ At∏mƒ Cµn c tbmSv tNmZn ®p."\o Fßn\ymWv Xń≥s]m dØv∂v XmgØn d ßnbXv?'"Rmt\m, Rm≥ \tµ s\ hnfn®p. As∏m \tµ ≥ apºnev \S°zmbncp ∂p. As∏m Rm≥ Xncn®p

\S∂p. Rm≥ hnNmcn®p G´\pw hcvWv≠mhpw ∂v.'"\o hnfn® HSs\ Rm≥ Xncn™v t\m°n. s\s∂ I≠n√s√m. Rm≥ sImtd t\cw s\t∂w sXc™v

Xń ≥s]mdØv \S∂p. s\\s°s¥ ¶nepw ]‰o´vt≠m∂v hnNmcn ®n v F\nbv°v t]Snbmbn.'"CXow t\cw Ft∂w sXc™v \S °zm bn cpt∂m?'"AsX.'"]mhw´m, Rm≥ hnNmcn®p \tµ ≥ Adn ™n v≠mhpw Rm≥ tImWn bn dßn h∂Xv∂v ....... Hcp

an\v‰v....... tImWnbndßo v? Rmt\Xp tImWnbmWv CdßoXv? A√m Rms\dßoXv, \tµ´≥ ]d™nt√Hcp tImWn sb∏‰n? B tImWym Wv.' Ahƒ Ipd®p t\cw Btem N \bn embn. "Hcp tImWn....... \√

`wKn≈ tImWn. Hcp mKØv IS™ AgnIfv h® tImWn. AXns‚ G‰hpw XmgsØ Agn s]mń Xqßns°S°zm Wv. B tImWn FdßoXv F\n t°m¿Ω ≠v. XmgØv Hcp hmXnev≠m bn cp∂p. AS ®n´ hmXnev. AXv IS∂v.......... Rms\ßn\ymWv Xmsg XfØnseØoXv. Rm≥ AΩsS H∏w HdßoXv amtX Hm¿Ω≈p.'

Cµnc BsI Bib°p g ∏ Øn embn. Fs‚ Bib°p g∏w amdn h cn IbmWv. Ahƒ B tImWnsb∏‰n mh\bn¬ \ns∂SpØp ]dbpIb√. B tImWnØ≠ns‚ G‰hpw Xmsgbp≈ Agn ASnbn¬\n∂v s]mń IqSp X ep≈ apIƒ`mKw Xqßn °n S °p ∂Xv I≠ Xmbn F\n °n t∏mƒ Hm¿Ω h∂p.At∏mƒ? At∏mƒ Xń≥]pd Øp \n∂v Aßns\ Hcp tImWn icn°pw Cdßn hcp∂p≠v. As√¶n¬GsX¶nepw Ime Øv Aßns\ sbm∂v Cdßn h∂n cp∂p. Rm≥ Fs∂Øs∂ XncpØn. ]s£ AXnt∏mƒ s]m¥n h cm≥ ImcWw?

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"\tµ´m, \av°v Hcp Imcyw t\m°Ww.' Cµnc ]d ™p. "\av°v tamfnev≈ F√m apdow sXmd∂v

t\m°mw."AXv \S °W Imcyw X∂ym?'"Ft¥?'"Rmb dmgvtN ]‰q. A∂v AΩm a \p ≠m hpw. tamfnev ]Øp ]Xn \©v hmXnev sXmd °m \v≠v.

Hmtcm∂pw sXmd°psºm CSn sh´W t]mesØ i_vZmWv. AXp tI´mev s\s‚ A—≥ HW¿∂v hcpw.]ns∂ \√ tImfmbn.'

"\av°v hmXn ens‚ sImtgev FÆ C´p sImSp Øm¬ t]msc?'"Fs‚ tamsf, c≠v \mgn FÆ AXn \s∂ th≠n hcpw. t\m°s´ thsd hgn t≠m ∂v.'"F¥n\m Cu apsdyms° Cßs\ AS ®n n cn ° WXv?'"AtXbv, Cu \mepsIńev ]≠v sImtd Xmhgn Ifv Xma kn ®ncv∂ X s√. sNe Xmhgn Isfms° \in

®p t]mbn. sNescms° ]t≠bv°p ]t≠ mKw hmßn t∏mbn. G‰hpw Ahkm\w mKw hmßn t∏m

bXv Fs‚ AΩym Wv. AΩ bv° tXm≠v KpsWm ∂pw ≠m bn √y. Ft¥m Hcp hmiym bn cp ∂p. Fs¥¶nepw Bh s´. Hmtcm cp Øcv t]mº Ahcv Xma kn ®n cp∂ apdn Ifv ]qń bn Spw. AsXms° sXmd∂n´mev s]mSn ]n Sn bv°pw. ]ns∂ sXmS bv°m≥ \n° Ww. AXm bn cn°pw Imc Ww.'

"BtemNn°ptºm AZv pXmbn tXm∂zmWv.' Cµnc ]d™p. "A√m, Rm\n∂v Fdßnh∂ B tImWnGXv apdote bv°mWv FØ WXv∂v t\m° Ww.'

"Imcy√y, ImcWw Aßns\sbmcp tImWn Hcp apdotebv°pw FØvWv√y. Rm\pw Ipt´´ \pwIqSn]e∏gmbn v F√m apdow sXmd∂v t\m°o v≠v. Hcp apdoepw Aßns\sbmcp tImWn C√. ]qńbn´ hmXnepan√. Xń≥s]m dØv BsI≈ tImWn \Ωfv tIdn t∏mb B tImWymWv. H∂mw s\te∂v XmgsØs\teev°v BsI≈ tImWn \Ωfv tIdn t∏mWXpw.'

"As∏m Rm\n∂v Fd ßn h∂tXm?'"AXv \av°v Hcn°epw a\ n embo∂v hcn √. \o AXn s\ ∏‰n Btem Nn®v Xe ]pÆm °≠.'

sh≈n bmgvN cmXn Ipt´´≥ h∂p. AΩmbn DuWn\p≈ h´w Iq´pIbmbn cp∂p. Cµnc AΩsbklmbn®psIm≠v ASp°fbnepw XfØnepambn \S°p∂p. Rm\mIs´ hni∏p kln®psIm≠v XfØn¬ DuWp thKw In´m\p≈ am¿§ßft\zjn®p \S°pIbpw. At∏mgmWv DΩdØp\n∂v Ipt´´s‚i_vZw tI´ Xv.

"\µq.'"AΩmbo, Ipt´´≥ h∂q.' AXpw hnfn®p ]d™psIm≠v Rm≥ DΩdtØbv°v HmSn. Ipt´´≥ Xf

Øntebv°p h∂p."AtΩ, Ipt´´≥ XSn ®n p ≠v.' Cµnc ]d ™p."tlmÃ¬ £ Ww.' Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p. "AtΩ DuWp Xcp, hni ∂n´v hø.'"Ipfn®n´v hm.'"DuWp Ign ™n´v Ipfn°mw AtΩ, AhnsS Rß sfms° Aßn\ym sNøm.'

AΩm a≥ FØn bn n √m Ø Xp sIm≠v Abmƒ c£ s∏ p.cmXn InS °p tºmƒ F\n°v Ign™ aq∂m gvN bnse dnt∏m¿´v sImSp t°≠n h∂p."icnbv°pw AZv`pXw tXm∂p Wp.' Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p. "B ]o°ncn s]Æn\v CX ss[tcym? F\n

bv°vXs∂ sNes∏m t]Sn bm hm dv≠v AXns‚ tamfnev.'

A≤ymbw ]Øv

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"F¥mWv Xń≥s]m dØv kw`hn °WXv∂v a\ n em °m≥ F¥m hgn?' Rm≥ tNmZn®p.Ipt´ s‚ A] k¿∏ I _p≤n DW¿∂p ]h¿Øn bv°m≥ Xp S ßn."icn bmWv, Ft¥m Hcp ]iv\≠v tamfn ev. AsX ßns\ I≠p ]n Sn bv°pw.'Abmƒ BtemN \bnem bn. GXm\pw \nan j ßƒ amXw. AXns‚ A¥yØn¬ Abmƒ ]d ™p."A—s‚ Hcp h√yΩ≠v. hbv CØncnbmbncn°pWp. F\nbv°p tXm∂WXv Hcp sXmÆq‰©n\pw

\qdn\pan Sbn¬ Bbn´v≠mhpw. C∏gpw Xet®mdv \√ jm¿∏mWv. temImcw`w sXm´v≈ kIe Imcy

ßfpw \√ Hm¿Ωym Wv. Cu Xd hmSns\∏‰ow, \mepsIń s\ ∏‰ow \∂m bn dnbpw. Ahcv mKw hmßnt∏mWhsc ChnsSØ∂ymWv Xmakn®ncp∂Xv. kwkmcn°m≥ h√y CjvSm. \av°hsc \msf t]mbnImWmw. F¥m?'

Rm≥ Xømdmbn cp ∂p. Fßns\ sb¶nepw Cu ISw IY Fs‚ Xebn¬\n∂v Hgnhm °Ww F∂p≠v. As√¶n¬ C\n hcm≥ t]mIp∂ ]co£bpw t]m°mbncn°pw. NXpcwK∏eI Iøn¬ \n∂v t]mbtXmsS \n[n Is≠ Sp°p∂ Imcyw Rm≥ Hcp am Xncn hn´p I f™ncp ∂p. t]mcmØ Xn\v AXv Fs‚Ignhn\pa∏pdØmsW∂ t_m[hpw hf¿∂p h∂ncp∂p. GtXm Hcp h´≥ ImcWhcv sNbv Xph® Imcyambn Rm\Xp X≈n °f™p. ]s£ apIfnse Imcyw Aßns\ Dt]£n®p X ≈m\mhp∂n √. ]tXyIn®v CµncbpsamØv AhnsS t]mbt∏mgp≠mb A\p`hØn\p tijw. B A\p`hw, ]tXyIn®v Cµnc bv°p ≠m bXv Fs‚ bp‡n bv° XoXambn cp ∂p.

cmhnse Ipt´´≥ t\csØ Fgpt∂‰p. AsX\nbv°Zv pXambn. Fs‚ hnNmcw tImfPn¬ tN¿∂m¬

cmhnse sshIn Fgpt∂¬°pw cmXn sshIn Ddßpw Fs∂ms°bmbncp∂p. Ipt´´ t\mSv Rm\Xp]d™p."AXp icnbm Wv. ]s£ Ipfn thWw∂v≈ hcv t\csØ FWo‰v Ipfn bv°pw. As√ ¶n¬ Ipfn ap

dnIfvsS apºnev \o≠ s\cym bn cn °pw. sNe t∏mƒ Ipfn °m≥ ]‰o √ym∂pw hcpw. AtXm≠v Rm≥t\csØ FWo°m dp ≠v. C∏ Aßns\ ioembn. \ap°v Ipf Øn¬ t]m∆m.'

\jvSs∏´ Ft¥m hne]nSn® km[\w Xncn®p Inńb t]msebmWv Ipt´´≥ IpfØn¬ s]cpamdnbXv . Abmƒ F√mw ad∂v \o¥nØpSn®v Ifnbv °pIbmWv . Hcp aWn°q¿ Ifn®t∏mƒ hni∂n´msW∂ptXm∂p∂p, Ipfn \n¿Øn Ibdn. F\nbv°pw hni∂n cp ∂p.

Ipfn Ign™v Cud≥ tXm¿ØpapSpØv Rßƒ saXnbv°m\n´ I‰IfpsS Iqºmcßƒ°nSbneqsSDΩdtØbv°p \S∂p. AΩma≥ cmhnesØ \SØØn\p≈ XømsdSp∏nembncp∂p. a™ns\ sNdp°m \mbn Xe bn¬ vfm\¬ Np‰nbn´p≠v. Ipt´ s\ I≠ t∏mƒ AΩm h≥ tNmZn®p.

"F¥m \ns‚ ]cn]mSn? C∂v Fßt´ ¶nepw t]mWvt≠m?'"C√ —m. H∂pw Xo¿®bm °n bn n √.'apØ »n bpsS hoń¬ t]mIm \p≈ Dt±iyw AΩm a \ dn b cp sX ∂p ≠m bn cp∂p Rßƒ°v. Adn

™m¬ Fs¥¶nepw Imcyw ]d™v AXv apS°nsb∂p hcpw. ]tXyI ImcWsam∂pw th≠, RßƒD≠m°nb ]cn]m SnbmsW ∂Xp amXw aXn G‰hpw \√ Hcp Imcyhpw apS °m≥. Ct∏mƒ thsdmcpImcyhpw RßtfmSv sNøm≥ Bhiys∏ScptX F∂ ]m¿∞\tbmsS \n¬°ptºmƒ AΩmh≥ ]d™p.

"F∂m¬ Hcp Imcyw sNøv. \mWnapØ»osS hońsem∂v sN√v. sImsd°membns√ AhnsS t]mbn´v. hb mbn Ccn °ys√. D®ym hp º gbv°v Xncn s® Ø Ww. Rm≥ Nµ t\mSv h√ s]mg a’yhpwInt´zm∂v t\m°m≥ ]d™n v≠v.'

"icn A—m.'

AΩmh≥ t]mIm \mbn Xncn ™ t∏mƒ Rßƒ At\ym\yw t\m°n Nncn®p. tImWn NmSn ° bdnapdnbnseØn Hcp \nanjw sIm≠v j¿´pw ap≠pw [cn®v Xmtgbv°ndßn h∂p. CS\mgnIbneqsS ASp°f bn tebv°p≈ bmX bv°n S bn¬ Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p.

"BcmWv apI fn encp∂v NcSv hen °p∂Xv?'Rm≥ ]d™p. "Cń cm a≥ Imc Wh cv.'"\o ]Tn °m≥ a¥\msW ¶nepw _p≤n≠v.' Ipt´´s‚ ]iwk.DuWp Ign®ncp∂Xv \neØncp∂n´msW¶nepw ]mXepw sshIo´p≈ Nmbbpw Ign®ncp∂Xv tai

∏pdØmbncp∂p. Hcp s_©nt\°mƒ hoXnbp≈ tai XfØnsemccpInen´Xn\p Np‰pw A©mdv ÃqfpIƒ Cńcp ∂p. AXn sem ∂n en cp∂v ]n´pw ISebpw AI Øm°n bn cp∂ Cµnc hnfn®p ]d™p.

"AtΩ, Ipt´ \pw \tµ \pw FØo v≠v.'AΩmbn ASp°fbn¬ m¿§hnbΩbv°v Ft¥m ASp∏Øp shbv°p∂ Imcyw ]d™psImSpØv

Ce ®ofp I fp ambn h∂p. ]n∂mse m¿§hnbΩ Hcp ]mX Øn¬ Bhn s]mßp∂ ]n´v tai ∏p dØpsIm≠p h∂p sh®p."Ip´≥ \t√mWw XSn ®n v≠ s√m.'"\o Ahs\ IÆn S≠ m¿§hn.'

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AΩmbn t]mbn Nmb bv°p≈ •mpI ƒ FSpØp sIm ≠p h ∂p.

"AtΩ RßtfmSv A—≥ ]d™p \mWnapØ»os\ H∂v t]mbn ImWm≥. F¥m A—\v \mWn h√y tΩymSv s]s´∂v Hcp Xmev] cyw≠m hm≥?'

"C∂sesØm v ]dbm≥ sXmSßoXm H∂v ImW

Ww∂v. hbmbn cn °ys√.'"Rm\pw≠v \mWn ap Ø »osS hoń tebv°v.'Cµnc ]d ™p.

"sXme ™p. Rm\ √msX hmb sXmdt°zm?'"F¥m F\nbv°v \mWnapØ»osS hońev hcm≥

]mSnt√y?'"Ahfow H∂v sImt≠m bvt°m. apØ »nbv°v

ImWWw∂v≠mhpw.' AΩmbn ]d ™p."B Ipńbv°pw ≠m hnt√ G´Ωm cvsS H∏w H∂v

she k Ww ∂v.' m¿§hnbΩbpsS hI Aßn s\.Ipt´ ≥ Ipd ®p t\cw Btem Nn® tijw ]d

™p."\o Hcp Imcyw sNøv. ]mXev Ign™ DSs\RßfvsS Hmôkn¬ hm. \ap°o Imcyw IqSnbmtem Nn °mw.'

Ahƒ Xe bm n. Rß fpsS H∏w CX ZqcwsX≠m≥ Hmô kn te bvs° ∂√ GXp sNIpØms‚ tIm´bntebv°pw hcm≥ Xømdmbncp∂pAhƒ.

RßfpsS Hmôkv F∂Xv InS∏dbn¬ Npacn∂cpInen´ taibpw AXn\p Np‰pap≈ c≠pItkeIfpw Hcp Ãqfpambncp∂p. hfsc IWn

i ambn AXn¿Øn Iƒ \n¿Æ bn ° s∏´ BHmô kn¬ Rßƒ aq∂p t]cpw Ccp ∂p."F¥m s\\°v t]mWw∂v X \n¿∫‘w?'

Ipt´ ≥ tNm Zn ®p."\n°pw \nßsS H∏w hc Ww.'AsXmcp adp]Snbmbncp∂n√. AhfpsS

BKlw amXw. Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p."c≠p Imcyw \o kΩXnb°Ww, F¶n

te Rßƒ \ns∂ sIm≠p t]m Iq.'"F¥m Imcy ßfv?'"H∂v AhnsS Rßfpw apØ»nbpam

bp ≠m hm≥ t]mIp∂ kw`m j W ßsfm∂pw ]pdsa tNm¿Øn s°m Sp ° cpXv. \ns‚ Adnhv ]Z¿in ∏n bv°m≥Aßn s\sbms° sNøm≥ \o ]tem`n X bm Ipw. F∂mepw sNø cp Xv. c≠m a tØXv,Rßfv c≠p an\n‰n\Iw ]pds∏Spw. ]ns∂bpw Hcpan\n‰ne[nIw Rßƒ ImØp \n¬°n√. s]Ïpń Ifv ]pd s∏ Sm≥ sImtd kabw thWw. temI NcnXsaSpØp t\m°nbm¬ Hcp Imcyw a\nemhpw.am\h hwiØns‚ ]ptcm KXn Hmtcm L´ ØnepwXS™p \n¿Ønbn´p≈Xv kvXoIfpsS amµyamsW

∂v. a\ nemtbm?'Cµnc Fgp t∂ ‰p sIm≠v Xe bm n. Ipt´ ≥Fs‚ t\sc Xncn™ X°w t\m°n Ahƒ Abmsf t\m°n tIm°ncn Imń.

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"Cu Iń≈ hm°pIfv........ AsXms° FhnSv∂m Ipt´´\v InóXv?' Cµnc t]mbt∏mƒ Rm≥ tNmZn®p.

"Hs° Fs‚ sSIvÃp _p°nep≠v. \Ωƒ hmbn °W ]pkvXIßfnse hm°pIfv \ΩpsS kuIcy Øn\v D] tbm Kn °m\pw a‰p ≈ hsc àn ∏n °m\pw ]Tn ° Ww. AXn\v henb A¿∞w ≠m hWwFs∂m∂pw√y. AXmWv hnPb Øn te bv°p≈ BZy ]Sn.'

Rßƒ ]pd s∏Sm≥ XpS ßn. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰p Ign™p ImWpw. s]s´∂v tImWn NSp]n Sp∂s\

Ib dn s°m≠v Cµnc FØn. Rßƒ c≠p t]cpw ap≠p Sp °m≥ t]mIp t∂ bp ≈p.Ahƒ CXbpw ka bØn\p ≈n¬ AΩsbs°m≠v Xe apSn saS™v Hcp tdmkv∏qhpw NqSn bncp∂p. kn¬°ns‚ ªukpw IW¶mephsc \o≠ ]mhmSbpamWv thjw. s\‰nta¬ IdpØ Nm¥ps]m´v.

Cu s]Æv Rßsf tXm¬∏n °m≥ Cd ßnØn cn ® Xm Wv.

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Rm≥ Hm¿ΩIfn¬\n∂v Fs‚ InS∏dbntebv°p Xncn®p h∂p. Cµnc Dd°ambncp∂p. Ahƒ°v Fs‚ Dd°w IfbWsa∂p amXtabp≠mbncp∂p≈psh∂p tXm∂p∂p. AXn\nSbv s°t∏mtgm hµ\h∂v AhfpsS apdnbn¬ Ddßm≥ InS∂p. Rms\s‚ Hm¿ΩIfpsS temItØbv°v Xncn®p t]mhpIbmWv. \mWn ap Ø»nbpsS ASp tØbv°v, Hcp apØ»n°Y tIƒ°m≥. Ddßm \√, Dd°w Ifbm≥.

Fs‚ F´mw hbntem as‰m I≠Xn\p tijw apØ»nsb ImWp∂Xv hfsc ImeØn\p tijwAt∏mgm bn cp ∂p. Ah¿ Ipt´ s\ I≠ DSs\ tNmZn ®p.

"F¥m Ip´m hntijw?'

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11

"H∂pw√y apØ »n. apØ »os\ H∂v ImWm≥ h∂Xm.' Ipt´´≥ AhcpsS sNhnbn¬ Dds° ]d™p. AhcpsS ImgvN \s∂¶nepw tIƒhn hfsc tamimbncp∂p.

"AtΩymSv AX Hds° ]td W Xn t\ °mƒ \√Xv sImd®v ]Xps° ]d ømWv. As∏m hy‡mbn a\nemhpw.'

h√yΩ ]d ™p. apØ »n bpsS ]Øp a° fn¬e£vanh√yΩ amXta Pohn®ncn°p∂p≈p.

h√yΩ ]d™Xv apgph≥ t_m[ymhmØXpsIm≠mbn cn °Ww Ipt´ ≥ Dd s° Ø s∂ bmWv ]ns∂bpwh¿Øam\w ]d™Xv.

"apØ»n ]dbq CXm scbmWv Rm≥ sIm≠ ∂ncn°WXv?'

apØ»n Fs∂sbm∂p t\m°n. Ahcncp∂ s_©nt∑¬ h∂n cn °m≥ BwKyw ImWn®p. ASpØp sN∂ncp∂ Fs‚ apJØv Ipd®pt\cw t\m°nb tijw Ah¿]d™p.

"CXv kp` ZsS tam\m Wv. F¥m s\s‚ t]cv?'Rm≥ ]d ™ns√ F∂ mh Øn¬ Ipt´´≥ Fs∂

t\m°n.Rm≥ t]cv ]d™p. hfsc Xmgv ∂ kzcØn¬Øs∂.

h√yΩ ]d™Xp icn bmWv. _lfw Iq´msX ]Xps°]d bptºmƒ apØ »nbv°v a\nemhp∂p≠v.

"\obv Cµn cym Wv.' Ah fpsS ssI ]nSn ®p sIm≠v apØ»n ]d ™p. "hs√y Ip´ymbn.'

"hm.' h√yΩ Cµn cbpsS ssI ]n Sn ®p sIm≠v AItØbv°p t]mbn. "\ns‚ hnti j ß sfms° tIƒ°s´.' Ipd ®p t\cw AΩsb t\m°m≥ Hcmsf In´nbs√m F∂p h ®n mhpw Ah¿ ÿew hn´ Xv.

Xm≥ kwkm cn °p tºmƒ CS bn¬ I bdn H∂pwkwkm cn ° cpsX∂v Ipt´ ≥ Fs∂ ]tXyIw hne °n



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bncp∂p. ImcWw Hcn°¬ kwkmcw ImSp Ibdnbm¬ ]ns∂ \Ωfpt±in® hnhscm∂pw Inń√. Ipt´´≥ kwkm cn °m≥ XpS ßn.

icnbmWv, B Xdhm n s\ ∏‰n, \mep sIńs\ ∏‰n Ah¿°dn bmØ Imcy ßfn√."Rm\ hnsS Xma kn °p ºgm F´p sI´v s]mfn ®Xv.'"Hm As∏m AsXmcp F´psI´mbncpt∂m?' Aßns\ hcs´ F∂ ań¬ Ipt´ ≥ Xebmń."]n∂y√msX? FX hepXm bncp∂p? Hc‰Øv∂v as‰ A‰w hsc FØm≥ Zqcw sImsd \S ° Ww.

AXv s]mfn®n´v \mevsI´m°n. Hs° sNbvXXv Fs‚ AΩm a\m. DK]Xm]ymbncp∂p.' ]ns∂ kzcwXmgvØn s°m≠p ]d ™p. "Fs¥mt°ym G¿∏m Sp ≠m bn cp ∂psX, ]Ww ]en ibv°v sImSvt°,Aßs\ Fs¥mt°ym.'

"F¥m t]cv?'"Cń cm atat\m≥. Hbcw sImd ™n m bn cp ∂p. ]s£ Bƒ°m¿s°ms° hsey bm bn cp∂p

Atß sc. Rß sfm∂pw apºn¬ t]mhm dn√.'"F¥n\m F´p sI´v s]mfn ®Xv?'"sImtd XmhgnIfv mKw hmßnt∏mbn. ]ns∂ thtdw sImsd ]iv\ßsfms°≠mbn. G´\pw A\n

b \pw IqSn hg°mbn.'"Bcm G´\pw A\n b\pw?'"Cńcm aΩm a\pw G´≥ cmbncpΩma\pw. htey hg°mbo∂v tI´v´v≠v. Rms\ms° A∂v Ipýmbn

cv∂n s√. \mep sI´v Btb\v tijm Rm≥ sXc ≠Xv.'"F¥m AXn \¿∞w?' Rm≥ hnZ KvZ t\mSp tNmZn ®p."Ct∏mƒ AXn t\°mƒ henb Imcyßƒ i≤n °m \p≠v.' Abmƒ ]d ™p. aq∏¿°pw "sXc≠Xv'

F∂Xns‚ A¿∞w Adnbn s√∂v kv]jvSw."t\m°v \ap°v ImXembn´p≈ ]e hnhcßfpw Inń°gn™p. C\nbpw In´m\pt≠m∂v t\m°mw.'"F∂v´v B F´psIńse km[\ßsfms°t≠m C∏gsØ \mepsIńev HXpßpWp. sImsdyms°

hn‰p. sImsdyms° Hmtcm apdoev sImt≠mbn h®p. _m°n ≈ sXm s° °qSn Xń≥s]m dØv Xó cy°ym Wv.'

"AXmWv Xń≥]p dØv \√ km[ \ ß sfms° ImWm≥ Imc Ww.' Ipt´ ≥ Ft∂mSp ]d ™p."F∂nt´m apØ»o.....'apØ»n, G´\pw A\nb\pw IqSnbp≠mb IpSpw_hg°ns‚ Imcyw ]dbpIbmbncp∂p. AXp aqØp

h ∂ Xn s\ ∏ ‰n. B \mep sI n¬ Xma kn °p∂ _‘p °ƒ°p ≠mb iey sØ ∏ ‰n. Ah km\w HcpkzImcyw ]d bp ∂ Xp t]mse ]d ™p."Hcokw cmXn Hd°Ønem cmbncpΩma≥ acn®Xv.... CńcmaΩma≥ IqtSmXw sNbvXn´m∂m ]d™v

tIń v≈ Xv...... a¥ hmZpw B`n Nmcpw Hs° ≠m¿∂p ap∏cvsS Iøn ev.'"Cń cmaΩma\v Iptýmsfm ∂pw≠mbncv∂ns√?'"C√. Fßn s\ ≠mhm \m. ap∏cv IeymWw Ign ®n´v ths≠? ∂vs´¥m acn®s∏m kzsØms° acp

a °ƒ°pw G´s‚ a°ƒ°pw Inń. aq∏ cvSym bn´v H∂pw _m°n h®n √.'_m°n h®ns√? B Imcyw apØ»ntb°mƒ Adnbp∂Xv Rßƒ°mWv. ]s£ Fs¥ms° _m°n

h®p, h® Imcyßƒ FXtØmfw Ipg∏w ]nSn®XmWv F∂Xp amXamWv Adntb≠Xv. AXn\v apØ»nklm bn°n√. Ipt´´≥ ]d™p.

"apØ»o, h√yΩ hnfn°vWv≠v.' h∂nń√mØ hnfn i≤n°pIbmsW∂v \Sn®v Ipt´´≥ Dds° ]d

™p. Ft¥m ]d bm≥ t]mb apØ»n AXp \n¿Øn ]d ™p."t]mbn t\m°v, Fs¥ ¶nepw Xn∂m≥ In´pw.'ASp°fbntebv°p \S°ptºmƒ Ipt´´≥ ]d™p. "\ap°v Int´≠ hnhcßsfms° Inń. C\n

ChnsS Ccp ∂m¬ apØ»n \Ωsf kwkm cn®v sIm√pw. thKw apß Ww.'ASp°fbn¬ Cµnc ]cn∏phS Xn∂pIbmbncp∂p. e£vanh√yΩ Ahsf Xo‰n®v Xdhmńse hnh

cßƒ tiJ cn°p I bm bn cp ∂p."Ccnb v°v.' h√yΩ c≠p sπbv‰p Iƒ Rß fpsS apºn¬ h®psIm≠v ]d ™p."Rßƒ°v Xnc °p ≠v.' Ipt´ ≥ ]d ™p. At∏mgmWv Cµnc Xn∂p ∂Xv ]cn ∏p hSbm sW∂v a\

n em b Xv. "A√, AX hsey Xncs°m ∂pw eym........'Xncn®p hońtebv°p \S°ptºmgmWv CµncbpsS Ignhv Rßƒ°v icnbv°pw a\nembXv. Ahƒ

]dbpIbmWv.

"F\nbv°v \nß°v Intý Xnt\ °mƒ hnhc ßfv Inó´v≠v h√y ΩsS ASvØv∂v.'"F¥v?' Ahƒ ]d ™Xv apgp h≥ ]nSn In´msX Rm\pw Ipt´ \pw Hmtc k abw tNmZn ®p."\nßt°bv apØ»nsS ASv Øv ∂v IntýXnt\°mƒ IqSpX¬ hnhcßfv \ΩsS XdhmSn\ow hoSn\ow

]‰n Inó∂v.'

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Rßƒ hgntbm cØv A¥w hn´v \n¬°pIbm Wv. At∏mƒ Rß fptSXv Hc]k¿∏I ZuXy ambncp ∂p sh∂v s]Æv Duln ®n cn°p∂p! F¥mbmepw Ahsf ]co £n ° W a s√m. Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p.

"F¥ns\∏‰ymWv \o ]tdWXv?'"B ]tg ImctWm sc ∏ ‰n. F¥m t]cv?...... Cń cmatat\m≥∂v. ht√y a¥hm Znbm bn cp∂sX. \mń

se √m¿°pw Atßsc t]Sym bn cp∂sX. ap∏cv kz¥w G´s\ IqtSmXw sNbvXv sIm∂q sX. \ΩsShoSv BZyw Hcp F´psI´m bn cp∂q . AXp s]mfn®v \mep sI m°oXv AtßcmWv. AXn\v G´≥ kΩ

Xn°mØ Xns‚ tZjym sX............'CµncbpsS "sX, sX' \nd™p\n∂ kwkmcw tI´psIm≠v Rßƒ hgnh°n¬Øs∂ A\ßm≥hømsX \n¬°p IbmWv.

"F¥m F√m Xmhgn °mcpw mKw hmßn B \mep sI´v hn´v t]m∆m≥ Imc Ww∂m? AhnsS Cuc≠p Imc tWm ∑mcvsS t]Xw ≠vsX. h√mØ ieym bn cp ∂qsX Ah sc s°m ≠v. A—\v amsXAhnsS Xmakn°m≥ ss[cy≠mbp ≈p. A—≥ Im´pamSØo∂v Xncpta \n sb s°m≠p h∂v Cu c≠v t]XØo\ow FhntSym AS°o∂v.....'

"AXns‚ Bh iy ≠m bn cpt∂m?' Ipt´ ≥ tNmZn ®p."Ft¥?'"\ns‚ A—s\ I≠ t∏mƒ t]X ßfv HmSnt∏mbn´v≠m hns√?'Cµnc tImIn Imń.

RßfpsS mhn ]cn]mSnbnepw IqSnbmtemN\Ifnepw Ahsf ]s¶Sp∏n°m≥ B \nanjw RßƒXocpam\n®p.Cµnc kwkmcn°pIbmbncp∂p. e£vanh√yΩbpsS ASpØp\n∂v tNm¿ØnsbSpØ Imcyßƒ.

]mhw h√yΩ. Rßƒ hnNm cn®Xv h√yΩ Chƒ°v Xn∂m≥ sImSpØv kt¥m jn ∏n®v hońse Imcyßƒ tNm¿ØnsbSp°pIbmWv F∂mbncp∂p. adn®mWp≠mbXv. Ahƒ Rßtf°mƒ hnhcw kºmZn®ncn°p∂p.

hoń¬ Xncns® Ønbt∏mƒ Rßƒ IqSnbm temN\bv°mbn "Hmôkn'¬ Ibdn. Cµncsb £Wn®p. Hcp aWn °q¿ t\csØ kwkm c Øn¬\n∂v Dcp Øn cn™ Imcy ßƒ Xmsg sImSp °p ∂p.

1. ]≠v B ]dºnep≠mbncp∂ F´psIń\v Ct∏mgpw \ne\n¬]p≠v, at‰tXm ImeXeØn¬. F∂psh ®m¬, Ipt´´≥ hnh cn bv°p I bm Wv, \Ωfv Xń≥]p dØv t]mº Ft¥m Hcp ]iv\w ImcWwAßns\ kw` hn °p∂p.

(Ipt´´≥ Hcp imkvX⁄\mhpsa∂v At∂ F\nbv°p tXm∂nbncp∂p. B tXm∂¬ Ct∏mƒ icnbmbncnbv°bmWv. At±lw Iment^m¿Wnb bqWnthgvkn‰nbn¬ _tbmsIanÃn ]Tn∏nbv°pIbmWv .)

2. \Ωƒ aq∂pt]cpw I≠ B tImWnbv °v Cu XeØnte \ne\n¬∏p≈p. Cµnc AXn¬°qSn CdßnXmgØv, G‰hpw XmgØv, XfØnseØnsb∂p ]dbp∂Xv icnbmbncnbv°mw. ]s£ AXv hfsc A]ISw ]nSn® Hcp ImcymWv. Ft¥m mKywsIm≠mWv Ahƒ AXn¬\n∂v c£s∏´Xv. C\n B tImWnI≠mepw AXn eqsS Cd ßm≥ ian bv° cp Xv. CXv B Imc W hcv D≠m °n h® Hcp sIWn bm Wv.

3. \n[n B ]d ºn se hn sStbm D≠m h Ww. ]s£ AXns‚ ka b am bm¬, AXv B¿°p th≠nbmtWm Dt±in ®Xv Abmƒ°p amXta ImWn ®psImSp°q. (AXpw ]d™v Ipt´´≥ Fs∂ t\m°n,Rm\mWv B AhImin F∂ ań¬. Xń≥]pdsØ FgpØps]ń Xpd °m≥ ]‰mXncp∂Xv Abmfn¬Hcp tImwπIvkv D≠m°nbncp∂p.) AXpsIm≠v \Ωfn t∏mƒ h√msX IjvSs∏ń´p Imcyan√. ka b

am hp tºmƒ AXp Xms\ shfn hm Ipw.4. Ct∏mƒ kabw ]mgm°msX ]Tn°m≥ ianbv °pI, ]tXyIn®v \µphns\t∏mep≈ aca≠∑mcpwCµnc sbt∏mep≈ aca ≠nI fpw.

AXpw ]d™v Ipt´ ≥ sNv t_m¿sU SpØv Icp °ƒ \nc Øm≥ XpS ßn."Rm≥ \nßƒ°v Cw•ojv sNv ]Tn ∏n ®p X cmw.'BZyw Ipd®p hnjaap≠mbncp∂p. Icp°fpsS t]cpIƒ°v amXa√, \o°ßƒ°pw hfsc hyXym

k ap≠v. tXcv Cw•ojv sNn¬ Imntem dqt°m BWv. B\ _nj ∏pw, a¥n cm⁄n bpw, IpXncss\‰pw Hs°bmWv. NXpcwK Øn¬ B\ aq∂v I≈n Iƒ amXw NmSptºmƒ Cw•ojv sNn¬ AtXIcphmb _nj∏n\v A\nb¥n X amb kzmX ¥y ap ≠v. tImWmb I≈nIƒ Hgn™p InS°W sa∂pamXw. cm⁄nbm Is´ Hcp \mWhpan√msX F√m bn SØpw b ¶c th K Øn¬ HmSn \S°p∂p. BZyambn Cw•ojv sNv Ipt´ s‚ H∏w Ifn ®t∏mƒ tXm‰p Xp∂w]mSn, ImcWw A]Xo£nXamb ÿe

Øp \n ∂mbn cn°pw aq∏ cpsS Icp °ƒ ]Xy£ s∏ Sp I, ]tXy In®v cm⁄n bΩ. ]cnN bamb t∏mƒ]ns∂ ck am bn cp ∂p.Ct∏mƒ ap∏Xp sIm√ Øn \p tijw AsX√mtam¿Øv Rm≥ Nncn®p. kabw c≠p aWnsb ¶nepw

Bbn p ≠m hpw. F¥mWv Dd°w hcm ØXv?

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CXns\√mw XpS°an´Xv Xń≥]pdØv t]mbXv Hm¿Ωbpt≠m F∂ CµncbpsS tNmZyamWv. AXpwtNmZn®v I£n \√ Dd ° ambncn bv°p∂p. Rm\n hnsS Hmtcm∂m temNn®v Dd ° an √msX InS°p Ibpw.

s]s´ ∂m W Xp ≠m b Xv. Hcp AW s°´p s]mń sh≈w IpØn sbm en bv°p ∂ t]mse AXp hcnIbm Wv. Fs‚ a\ ns‚ GtXm sI´v s]mń®nXdn, B Adnhv shfn]mSv t]mse F∂n tebv°v Hen®nd ßpIbmWv. Hgp°n¬ ]nSn®p\n¬°m≥ hnjaambn Rm≥ \n¬°pIbmWv.

Rm≥ Dds° Hcp i_vZ ap≠m°n ]nSs™gp t∂‰n cp ∂p.

"F¥p ]‰o?' Cµnc ]cn ` an®v Fgp t∂‰p. "F¥p ]‰o \tµ´m?'

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BtemNn°ptºmƒ tXm∂p∂p, icnbmWv ]ØpsXmÆqdp h¿jw apºp acn® Hcp hy‡n F\nbv°mbn Icp Xnb ktµiw F\nbv°p In´p Ibm Wv. F¥mWv CXn s\ms° A¿∞w? F¥mWv Ba\pjy≥ Dt± in °p∂Xv? C∂se cmXn Nn¥Iƒs°mSphn¬ c≠p c≠c aWntbmsS Rm≥ Dd°ambncp∂p. Ddßnsb∂v a\nembXv sRńbpW¿∂t∏mgmbncp∂p. AsXmcp kz]v\w amXambncn°pwF∂p IcpXm\mWv Rm≥ B K ln ® Xv.

hµ\ kvIqfn¬ t]mb t∏mƒ Cµnc ho≠pw cmXn bnse Imcyw FSp Øn p."Rm≥ t]Sn ®p....... Ft¥ h√ kz]v\pw It≠zm?'kz]v\w Xs∂, ]s£ F¥p kz]v\w!"Rm≥ Xń≥]pdØmbncp∂p. Ipń°meØv \Ωƒ Ae™ns√ AXpt]mse \S°zmWv. Fs‚ H∏w

Btcm≠v. BcmWv∂v Rm≥ t\m°vWv√y. AbmfmWv Fs∂ sIm≠pt]mWXv. Ahkm\w FØnbXv B tImWns√y AXns‚ apºnev. Rßfv tImWnbndßn Hcp apdoseØn. B apdn GXmWv∂v a\nembn√y. Xdhmńev HcpamXncn F√m apdnIfpw Hcpt]meymWs√m. B apdosS Hcp hitØbv°v Nq≠n°mń H∏w h∂ Bƒ ]d ™p. "Ahn sS ≠v.'

"s]s´∂v Rm\bmfvsS apJtØbv°p t\m°n. sRńt∏mbn. h√msØmcp oIc amb apJw. Rm≥sRń bp W¿∂p. B apJw \Ωfv I≠ B t^mt´m Cs√, Cń cm a °m c W hcv, AtßcvsS Ombbmbn cp∂p. AbmfvsS icnbv°p≈ apJmWv F\nbv°v ImWn®p X∂Xv∂v tXm∂p Wp. NnXØn¬ AXp`wKnbm °nb Xm bn cn °pw. F√mw Fs‚ tXm∂ epIfmbncnbv°pw. F¥mbmepw AXn\p tijw Hdßm≥ ]‰o √y.'

"F¥m∏ CXn s\ms° A¿∞w?' Cµnc tNmZn ®p."AXns\∏‰n BtemNn®pt\m°ptºm hey A¿∞ß sfm∂pw Rm≥ ImWvWn√. H∂pIn¬ Imc

Whcv°v £a \in®p XpS ßo´v≠mhpw.......'"F¥n\v?'"Rm≥ B \n[n I≠p]nSnbv°mØXn\v. Atßcv ]n∂osSt∏mtgm hcm≥ t]mW Xeaptdev≈ Hcp

Ø\pth≠n Hcp \n[n Xømdm°n Hfn∏n®p shbv°ym, ∂v v AXv I≠p]nSnbv°m\v≈ kqN\Ifv sImSp°zm. F∂n´pw Abmfv AsX Sp °m \p≈ Hcp iapw \SØvWv√y. £a sISm ≠n cnt°ym? c≠m a Xv,Atßcv ImWn®p X∂ tImWn Cs∏m s\ehnen√ Xm\pw. AXps≠¶n¬ Imcyw Ffp∏mbncp∂p. AXndßnt∏mbn \n[n Ipgns®Sp°mbncp∂p. t]mcmØ Xn\v Hc¿∞hpw C√ymØ B NXpcwK ∏ eIbv°v CXn sems° F¥p Imcyw? Hcp Imcyw Atßcv°v s]ghp ]‰n.'

"Dw, F¥m?'"\n[n B¿°p th≠nbmtWm FSpØp sh®Xv, B a\pjy≥ CX aµ_p≤nbmhpsa∂Xv IW°m

°m≥. Atßcv°v Imcy ßfv sImd ®p IqSn Ffp ∏m °n Ø cm bn cp ∂p.'"icn bmWv.' Cµnc Nncn®p sIm≠v ]d™p. "Fs‚ AtXw a\ nem°m≥ B ImctWmcv°v ]‰o

√y∂¿∞w.'"Hcp Imcyw sNøWw. hµ\sS ]co£ IgnbWhsc \Ωfv Cu Imcyw kwkmcn°cvXv. Ahfo ISº

NmSn ° S ° s´. AXv Ign ™n´v sht° j\nev \ap°v HcmgvN AhnsS t]mbn Xmakn°mw. F∂n´v HcpiapwIqSn \S Øn t\m°mw. F¥m?'

Xd hm n¬ t]mbm¬ Npcp ßnbXv Hcm gvN sb ¶nepw Xma kn° W sa∂v Cµnc Ft∏mgpw ]d bm dp≠v. ImcWw ASp °f Hcpam Xncn Hcp°m≥ Xs∂ thWw H∂p c≠p Znhkw. At∏m tgbv°v Xncn®p

A≤ymbw ]¥≠v

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Øn em bn t°ms´ F∂p Icp Xn bmWv Cßns\ Hcp kabw sh®n cn °p ∂ Xv.

"ChnsS Cs∏m s^_p hcn amkm Wv.'Ipt´´≥ ]dbp∂p. "AhnsSbpw Aßns\Øs∂sb∂p hniz kn°p∂p.'

`qJ WvU Øns‚ adp h i Øp \n∂v cmhnse Fgp t∂‰v ]dbm≥ I≠ Imcyw!

"amskms° s^_p hcn Xs∂. C∂nhnsS Ccp ] Øm dm ¥n bm Wv. \nßƒ°v

Ccp ] Ø ©t√ Bbn p≈p?' Rm≥ ]dbpw. "F∂psh®m¬ Znhkw H∂p Ign™ncn °p ∂p. As√ ¶n¬ \nß sfms° dn∏v hm≥ hn¶n fns‚ \m´p Imcs√?'

Hcp ]Xn \©p an\p‰v Ft∂mSv kwkmcn® tijw Ipt´ ≥ ]d bpw.

"\nt∂mSv kwkm cn ®m¬ icn bm hn √.Fs‚ acp a Ifv AhnsS Cs√, Ahƒ°psImSp °v.'

]ns∂ AhtfmSv Hcp ]Xn\©p an\p‰v kwkm cn ®m¬ t^m¨ a°ƒ°p ssI

amdp∂p. Ah¿ HtcmcpØcpw NpcpßnbXv ]Xn \©p an\p‰p hoXsa¶nepw hµ \bpambn kwkmcn°pw. Hcp Atacn ° °m cnbpsS a° fm sW ¶n¬°qSn Ah¿ ChnSpsØ s]Ïpń Itf°mƒ \∂mbn aebmfw ]d bp ∂p. ChnsS C¥y bn en cp∂v t^m¨ _n√ns‚ Xq°w IqSp ∂Xp t\m°n amXw tem°¬ Imfp Iƒ IqSn hnfn°p∂ F\nbv°v km≥^m≥kn kvtImhn¬\n∂v Hcp aWn °q dn¬°q Sp X¬\o≠p t]mIp∂ t^m¨hnfnIƒ AZv pX

ambn tXm∂p ∂p.\jvSs∏´pt]mb NXpcwK∏eI Xncn®pInń bXv Rm≥ Ipt´ t\mSv ]d ™n n √.C\n hµ\ ]d ™n pt≠m F∂ dn bn √.Ahƒ Ip´Ωmht\mSv ]dbmØ Imcy ßfn √. Nne t∏mƒ AΩ tbmsSm∏w hg °n Xns‚ mKambn ]d™n p≠mhpw. Ipt´´s\ ¥mWv ]d™n´p≠mhpI? Nnet∏mƒ]dbpw. "\n\°dnbm™n´m, Rm\pw \ns‚A—\pw FX hg°n n v≠v∂dntøm AΩtbmSv?'

Rmb dmgvN s]mXpth F√mw Ipd®paµKXnbnemWv. ]mX¬ Ignbv °m≥ Xs∂]Øc aWn bmhp ∂p.

"Rms\¥m sNøm?' Cµnc ]d bpw.

hcnIbmbn. sht°j≥ kabØv eoshSpØv t]mbn H∂√, ct≠m aqt∂m BgvN Xmakn°p∂Xn¬Ahƒ°v kt¥m j ta bp ≈p.

Ipd®p Znhkßtfmfw B kz]v\hpw AXns‚ hniIe\ Nn¥Ifpw Hmôknepw Fs∂ ieys∏SpØn. ]ns∂ as‰√m ieyßsfbpw t]mse Rm\Xn\pw kzÿ ambncn°m≥ a\n¬ HcnSw sImSpØp.

amkØnsemt∂m ct≠m hmcm¥yØn¬ Ipt´´s‚ t^m¨ hcp∂p. Ggp ISepw IS∂v AXnhnsS

FØm≥ RmbdmgvN cmhnse Fć aWn bmhp ∂p. ka b hyXymkw ]Øc aWn °qdmWv. At∏mƒIpt´´≥ hnfn°p∂Xv i\nbmgvN sshIpt∂cw Ggp aWnbv°mhpw. c≠p t]¿°pw tISn√mØ hn[

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"A—\pw tamfpw t^mWnev kwkm cs√? F√mw Xøm dm bn´v ka sb Xymbn?'"AΩbv°v Akqbm Wv.' hµ\ ]d bpw. "Ip´Ωma AtΩymSv kwkm cnbv°m™n v.'"th≠, th≠... \nßfv kwkmcnbv°WXv ImWptºmØs∂ izmkw ap´zmWv. F¥m CsXyms°

kwkm cn bv°m \v≈Xv?'icn bm Wv. Rm≥ Btem Nn bv°pw. F¥mWv CX sbms° kwkm cn bv°m \p ≈Xv?"AΩ bv°dn bm ™n m. imcn t®®nbpw aRvPpf tN ®nbpw Fs¥ms° ]d™q∂dntøm?'

Cµn c bv° X dn b W sa ∂p ≠v. ]s£ ]d bn√. BsI ]d bp ∂Xv CXp amXw. "Hm, tI° ≠.'Aßns\bncnbv °ptºmƒ ]co£sbØp∂p. hfsc ]Xo£nXambn Cu aq∂p t]cpsSbpw t^m¨D≠m hp∂p. hµ\bv°v "KpUv e°v' Biwknbv°m≥ aq∂p t]cpw aq∂p ÿeØp\n∂mbncnbv°pwhnfn bv°p I. Ah¿ RmbdmgvN amXta HØp Iq Sm dp ≈p.

"tN®namcvtSyw Ip´Ωm at‚w t^m¨ Inýmse Ahƒ°v ]cot£ev Hcp ss[cyw hcq.' Cµnc ]d™p.

"]nt∂.......' temIsØ F√m s]Ïp n Ifpw Cßns\ Htcm tN®n amcvsS t^m¨ hn fn bv°mbnImØncn°ys√.' F\nbv°v Cµnc ]dbp∂Xv CjvSamhp∂n√. "CsX√mw Htcm ssa‚ v sk‰mWv. AUn£≥. A√m sXm∂pw A√. \o ]co £ sb gp Xn bn cp ∂s∏m BcvsS Biw kymWv Inó cv∂Xv?'

"F¥m bmepw CsXm∂pw hµ t\ymSv ]d b ≠.' Cµnc ]d ™p. "Ahƒ°v CsXms° hey ImcymWv. Ipt´´\pw AsX, s]ÏpńIsfbmWv BÏptýmsf°mƒ IqSpX¬ CjvSw. c≠pw s]Ïp

ń bm bt∏m F¥p kt¥m jm bn cp ∂p. aZm Ωbv°pw AtX∂v tXm∂p Wp. '"kz¥w G´ Øn bΩ sb bmWv aZmΩm∂v ]tdWXv.'"Ahcv aZmΩy ∂s√?'ISep IS ∂p h∂ Biw k IfpsS A\p K l Øn¬ ]co£ \∂mbn Ign ™p. Ah km \sØ

t]∏dpw FgpXn FØnb DSs\ hµ\ tNmZn®Xv F∂mWv Xd hmńtebv°p t]mIp∂sX∂mbn cp∂p."\ns‚ ]co£ Fßn s\ ≠m bn cp ∂q∂v ]d.'"Cu......kn.'"AXn\¿∞w IjvSn®v ]mm hpw∂v As√?'"A√ —m, t]∏ sdm° Cukym bn cp ∂p. UnÃn Mvj≥ In´pw.'A∂p cmXn Dd ßp ∂ Xn \p apºv t]mIm \p≈ hkvX ß sf√mw Ahƒ s]ń bnem °n. kmam\yw

henb s]ń. \os≠mcp Xmakw Xs∂bmWv Ahƒ Dt±in °p∂Xv. F\nbv°m sW ¶n¬ HcmgvNsb

¶nepw Ign™mse eoshSp°m≥ ]‰p. Ahkm\w Ahsfbpw AΩsbbpw \mń¬ sIm≠pt]mbm°nXncn ®p h cmsa∂v ]d ™t∏msg Ahƒ kΩXn®≈p. AhnsS Rß fn√mØ t∏mƒ B hoSpw ]dºpwt\m°p∂ Hcp IpSpw_ap≠v Ab¬]°Øv. m¿§hnbΩbpw aIƒ tZhnbpw. Rm\n√mØ Znhkßfn¬ tZhn bmWv Ah¿°p Iqń\p InS °m≥ hcnI.

Rßƒ ASp Øp Xs∂ hcp sa∂v A dn bm hp∂ Xp sIm≠v Ah¿ ap‰sa√mw ]p√p sNØn hrØnbm °n ®n cp ∂p. DΩ dhpw Xfhpw ASp ° fbpw amdme Xń XpS ®p. a‰p apdn Iƒ ]qń bn Xp ImcWwAh¿ ASn®phmcnØpSbv°mdn√. Xmsg H∂p c≠p apdnIfpw apIfn¬ Rßƒ InS°mdp≈ apdnbpwXpS ∏n ®p. D® £Ww hoń¬\n ∂p Xs∂ D≠m °n s°m ≠p h ∂Xp Im cWw NqSm°n Ign °pItbth≠nh∂q≈p. DuWp Ign™v Rm≥ apIfn¬ t]mbn InS∂p. Ipd®p Ign™t∏mƒ Cµncbpw hµ\bpw Ibdn h∂p. tZhnsb ]d™b®v Ah¿ ]pdtØbv°p≈ hmXneS®n´p≠mhpw. CsXms°bmWv ChnsS h∂mep≈ ]cn ]mSn Iƒ. Hcp am‰ hp an √msX CXv Htcm Hgnhp Znh k ß fn¬ Xd hm n¬ hcp

tºmgpw Bh¿Øn°p ∂p. F\nbv°v sshIpt∂cw Xs∂ Xncn®p t]m IWw. \msf cmhnse Hmô knsetØ≠XmWv. RmbdmgvNbmb XpsIm≠v ASp° fbntebv°p th≠ ]ehyRvP\ßƒ hmßm≥]‰n √. kmc an √. AΩbpw tamfpw IqSn \msf AsX√mw hmßn t°m fpw. tZhn tbbpw H∏w Iq´pw.

sshIpt∂cw Xncn®p t]mIp∂Xn\p apºv Rm≥ ]dºnse√mw \S∂p t\m°n. Hcp am‰hpan√. acßfpsS sImºpIfpw Nn√IfpwIqSn am‰sam∂pan√msX \n¬°p∂p. B acßfnemWv Rm\pw Ipt´´\pw Hcp ImeØv Ibdn°fn®ncp∂Xv. F√mw hfsc km[mcWań¬Øs∂. bw Fs‚ a\n¬ amXta bp≈q F∂v F\nbv°p tXm∂n. Hcp ]s£ Aßn s\ sbm ∂p ap ≠m hn √. F√mw Fs‚ tXm∂ epIfmbncn°pw.

F¥mbmepw B bmX F\nbv°v Aev]w Bizmkap≠m°n. Cµnctbbpw hµ \ tbbpw AhnsShn´p hcp∂Xv F\nbvs°mcp hnjaap≠mbncp∂p. Rm≥ ho≠pw IW°pIfpsS temItØbv°p Xncn®p t]m bn. D®bv°v Hmô kn ∂ Sp Øp≈ dtÃm d ≠n¬\n∂v kky £ Ww. sshIp t∂cw hoń¬

sN∂m¬ tNmdpw Iq´m\pap≠m°pw. BZysØ c≠p Znhkw ^n÷n¬ D≠mbncp∂ £Ww NqSm°nIgn°pItb th≠nbncp∂p≈p. AXn\nSbv°v c≠p Znhkw Cµncbpw hµ\bpw cmhnse hnfn®ncp∂p. Aº e Øn¬ t]mIp∂ Znhk am W Xv. AºeØn \ SpØv Hcp _qØp ≠v.

"It≠m, CXm Rm≥ A—t\mSv ]d bmdv Hcp samss_¬ t^m¨ hmßn Øcm≥. Cs∏m a\n em

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12bnt√?'

"Cßns\sbms° Aßv t]ms´ tamsf.' Rm≥ ]dbpw. F¥psImt≠m Ahƒ tamss_¬ t^mWpwsIm≠v \S°p ∂Xv Rm\njvSs∏´n √.

"i\n bmgvN t\¿sØ FØ Ww.' Ahƒ ]d bpw."cmXn F´p aWn bv°v.'Fs‚ IW°p Iq´¬ icnbmbncp∂p. Rm≥ IrXyw F´p aWnbv°pXs∂ ho´nseØn. IpfØn¬

t]mbn Ipfn®p. FX eoshSpØp F∂ tNmZyØn\v Rm≥ AΩtbmSpw aItfmSpw icnbv°p≈ adp



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]Sn ]d ™n√. c≠mgvN F∂p ]d ™m¬ AXn \papºv t]mhm≥ Ah¿ kΩXnbv°n √. cmXn DuWpIgn®p. HcmgvNbv°p tijw \√ £Ww Ign°pIbmWv. AXns‚ Xf¿®bn¬ \√hÆw Ddßn. kz]v\ßfn√mØ Dd°Øns‚ Ahkm\Øn¬ Fgpt∂‰t∏mƒ t\cw ]pe¿∂ncnbv°p∂p. Xmsgbv°ndßnh∂p. Cµncbpw hµ\bpw AºeØn¬ t]msb∂v a\nembn. ASp°fbn¬ t]mbn t\m°nbt∏mƒImWp∂Xv tZhn Nmbbp≠m°p∂XmWv . ASpØp≈ ASp∏n¬ apf¶p‰nbn¬ ]n´p sh®Xn¬\n∂v Bhns]m¥p∂p.

"\tµ´≥ DW¿∂q∂v Rm\ dn ™p. As∏m Nmb ≠m °zm Wv.'Rm≥ Xf Øn¬ h∂n cp ∂p. tZhn Nmb bpambn h∂p."Ahcv Cs∏m hcpw. sImtd t\cmbn t]mbn v.'"ssZhk∂n[nbn¬ t]mbm¬ Cµnc AX Ffps∏m∂pw hcn√. F\nbv °v shi°vWv ≠v . Ahcv h∂m

DSs\ Ign °mtem?'"Mpw, IS e °dn ≠m°n ° gn ™p. tN®n AXv A©p a Wnbv°v Xs∂ ASp ∏ Øm °n bn cp∂p.'`m¿§hnbΩbpsS hntijßƒ tNmZn®p. Aßns\sbs¥¶nepw tNmZnbv°m\ncnbv°p∂t]mse

Ahƒ kwkmcw XpS ßn. hnh c ß fpsS IpsØmgp°p Xs∂. Ah fpsS a° fpsS Imcy ßƒ, Np‰ph´Øpap≈ hntijßƒ. Ac aWn°q¿ \o≠p\n∂ AhfpsS kwkmcw tI´p Ign™t∏mtgbv°v F\nbv°v Ign™ H∂c amkw \jvS s∏ sXms° Xncn®p Inń. C\n ]pdØn dßptºmƒ Bsc ¶nepwhgnbv°p XS ™p \n¿Øn kwkmcw XpSßn bm¬ AXns‚ NcSp ]nSn®v XpScm≥ hnj aap ≠mhn √.

Cµn cbpw hµ\bpw h∂p."Mm, Ipfn®nńs√?' Cµnc tNmZn®p. "Rm≥ hnNmcn®p Ipsfyms° Ign™v Ccnbv°ymhpw∂v. thKwIpfn®p hcp. F∂n´v aXn ]n´v Ignbv°ev.'

Ahƒ ASp ° f bn tebv°p t]mbn. hµ\ h∂v F\n bvs°Xncmbn Ccp ∂p."Rm≥ t]ms´ tN®n.' tZhn ]d ™p. "AhnsS a°fv ImØn cnbv°vWv≠mhpw.'"]mhw A—≥. AtΩ A—\v ]n´p sImSp °q. shi°vWv≠v∂v tXm∂p Wp.'hµ \ bpsS ip]m¿ibv°v Rm≥ Cµnc Adn bmsX \µn ]d ™p."A—m. Nmb IpSn Ign ™m¬ Rm\ —\v Hcp km[\w ImWn®p Xcmw.?'"F¥p km[\w?'"Hcp AS ®n´ apdo∂v Inó Xm.'"AS ®n´ apdot∂m?'

"B,t∂bv.' Cµnc ASp°f bn¬ \n∂p hnfn®p ]d ™p. "Ahƒ°v Ign™ HcmgvNymbn´v AXp X∂ymbncp∂p ]Wn. Cu hońse AS®n´ F√m apdow ]cntim[nbv°ym. AtXm≠v B apsdyms° hrØnbm °m≥ ]‰n.'

"ssZhta!'

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Hcn °¬ Ahsf kkvs]≥kn¬ \n¿Øn b Xn \v hµ\ ]Icw ho´p I bm sW∂p tXm∂p ∂p.F¥mWv Inńb AZv pXhkvXp F∂p ]dbp∂n√. ]dbmw, F¥m [rXn F∂mWv tNmZnbv°p∂Xv. Hcn°¬ Cµn csb H‰bv°p Inń b t∏mƒ Rm≥ tNmZn ®p.

"F¥mWv tamƒ°v Inńb km[\w?'"F\n°dnbn√.' Ahƒ ssI ae¿Øn. "Fs¥mt°ym ISemmWv∂v tXm∂pWp. Rm≥ ]d™q∂v

]dbt√.'icnbv°pw Ahƒ° dn bn√ F∂p tXm∂p ∂p. ImØn cnbv° Xs∂.Hcp hn[Øn¬ ]mX¬ Ign®p. s]s´∂v hµ\ A]Xy £ bmbn. kw`hw icnbv°pw kkvs]≥kv

\nd ™ Xp X s∂. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰v Ign™p ImWpw hµ\bpsS hnfn tI´p."A—m hcp.'Fhn sS\n∂msW∂p a\ nemhp∂n √. Rm≥ hnfn®p tNmZn®p."\o Fhn SymWv?'"Rm≥ Chn sS ≠v, A—\v a\ n emhvWvt√y?'"C√ tamsf \osbm∂v h∂n´v Fs∂ Iqń s°m ≠p t]m.'\nXyap]tbmKn°p∂ apdnIfnsem∂nepa√ Ahfp≈sX∂v a\nembt∏mƒ bw tXm∂n. Ahƒ

]Xy £ s∏ Sm≥ Iptd ka b sa Sp Øp."hcq, AXv Fhn SymWv∂v ImWn®p Xcmw.'Rm≥ AhfpsS ]n∂mse t]mbn. CS\mgnIbneqsS \S∂v Ahƒ Hcp Xpd∂n´ apdnbpsS apºnseØn

\n∂p. "hcq, CXn\p≈nem Wv.'apdnbpsS hmXnen\p apIfn¬ Hcp Iam \ap≠v. B \mepsI n¬ aqt∂m \mtem apdnI fpsS hmXn

epIƒ°p amXta Iam\ßfp≈q. ]gb ssienbmWv. Hcp ImeØv F√m apdnIfpw Aßns\bmbncp∂p F∂v tIń p ≠v. GtXm Imc W h cmWv AsXms° am‰n b Xv. A∂v D] tbm Kn°msX AS ®nńcp∂ Ipd®p apdn Iƒ amXta am‰m Ø Xp ≈p. ssZhta CXv Cń cm a≥ Imc W h cpsS apdntbm as‰mBtWm?

Iam\ap≈ sNdnb P\eneqsS hcp∂ shfn®Øn¬ apdnbpsS Dƒ`mKw t]Sns∏SpØp∂Xmbncp∂p. F¥n \mWv Cu s]Æv Cu hI kml k Øn s\ms° \n¬°p ∂Xv?

apdnbn¬ Hcp ]pcmX\amb Iń¬ InS°p∂p≠v. Cc´sb∂p ]dbm≥ hø, F∂m¬ HcpamXncn hoXnbp≠p Xm\pw. FXn¿hiØv ac Øns‚ Aeamdn. AXev]w Xpd ∂nń cp ∂p. hµ\ Ah fpsS ]c X en\mbn Xpd ∂n Xmbn cnbv°pw. Hcp aqe bnen´ tai∏pdØv Hcp \nehn f °p ≠v.

"CXn\p≈n¬ IÆp ImWvWn√.'"AXn\v Rm≥ hgn I≠n v≠v.' hµ\ tai∏pdØp\n∂v Hcp Xos∏ńsbSpØv \nehnf°v sImfpØn."t]msc A—\v shfn®w?'"Cu s\e sh f°v Chn sS≠m bn cp ∂ XmtWm?'"A√—m, Rm≥ sIm≠ ∂ Xm. Chn sS ≠m bn cp∂ shf°v CXm bn cp ∂p.'Ahƒ \ne Øp \n∂v Hcp dm¥¬ FSp Øpb¿Øn. s]s´∂m dm¥¬ Ah fpsS Iøn¬\n∂v Iºn

s]mń hoWp Nn√p XI¿∂p, Hcp b ¶c i_vZ tØm sS. hµ \bpw H∂v sRń. Iøn ep ≠m bn cp∂Xq°pIºn t\m°n s°m≠v Ahƒ ]d ™p.

"A—m AXp s]mń ho W Xm Wv.'

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"kmc√y.' Rm\m Iºn AhfpsS Iøn¬ \n∂v hmßn t\m°n. AXp apgph≥ Xpcpºp ]nSn®ncnbv°bmWv.

"tamfv t]mbn Hcp Nqev FSpØpsIm≠phm. Cu Nn√v C∏ Øs∂ ASn ®phmcn Hcp aqteev CSmw.'Nqev CS\mgnbnsehntSsbm D≠mbncp∂p. Ahƒ, D≈ shfn®Øn¬, Nn√pw Xpcpºp]nSn® IjvW

ßfpw taibv°p Xmtgbv°v ASn ®p Iq n."C\n ]d F¥mWv \o I≠p ]nSn® km[\ ßfv. \ap°v thKw t]mWw ChnSv∂v. F\n°o ÿew

CjvSmbn√y.'Ahƒ Aeamdn Xpd∂v GXm\pw ISemp sI´pIƒ FSpØp sIm≠ph∂v taita¬ h®p. B[mcwt]mep≈ sI´pIƒ. sXmSptºmtgbv°v s]mSn™p t]mIp∂ t]PpIƒ kq£nt® ssIImcyw sNøm≥]‰p. Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"\ap°v CXp ]pdØp sIm≠pt]mbn ]cntim[n°mw. Cu \nehnf°ns‚ shfn®Øn¬ A—\v H∂pwImWvWn√y. \o apºnev \S°v.'

hµ\ \nehn f°p sISpØn ]pdØp IS∂p. Rm\h fpsS ]n∂mse B IS emp sI´p Ifpambn]pdØp IS ∂p. s]s´ ∂mWv Hm¿ØXv P\ e S®n n√ F∂ Imcyw. Rm≥ sI´p Iƒ hµ \bpsS Iønte¬∏n®p AItØbv°pXs∂ t]mbn. P\epw hmXnepw AS®ncp∂XpsIm≠mbncn°Ww apdnbn¬Xńs‚ hfbn¬ Xqßn \n¬ °p∂ \cn ®o dp Iƒ hcm Ø Xv. F\nbv°m PohnIsf hfsc t]Sn bm Wv.Ahcpw acn ®p t]mb hcpw XΩn¬ _‘aps≠s∂ms° Ipń°meØv IY Iƒ tI´XpsIm≠mbncn

°Ww. ]mhw PohnIƒ. P\ eS®v Xncn®ph∂v hmXneS°ptºmgmWv Rm\Xp I≠Xv. \ng¬ t]mseapdnbntebv°v Hcp tImWnbndßn hcp∂p. Rm≥ ASbv°m≥ t]mb hmXn¬ Hcnbv°¬°qSn Xpd∂pt\m°n. AX] Xy £ am bn cn °p ∂p. Fs‚ tXm∂ em bn cn ° Ww.

"F¥m A—m?' hµ\ tNmZn ®p."Gbv H∂pw√y.'ho≠pw CS\mgn Iƒ."\ap°v tamfnev t]mhmw.' Rm≥ ]d ™p. "A—s‚ Hmôkv apdnbn tebv°v?'"Hmôkv apdntbm?'"AsX.' A— s‚bpw Ip´ Ωm a bp sSbpw Ipń °m esØ Hmôkv apdn GXm sW∂v Rm\ hƒ°p

ImWn®p sImSpØp. A—\pw Ip´Ωmabpw Hcp ImeØv InS∂ncp∂ apdnbmWv Rßƒ Ct∏mƒ InS∏dbmbn D]tbmKn°p∂sX∂Xv Ahsf kw_‘nt®StØmfw Aev]w Xn√p≠m°p∂ ]pXnb Adn

hm bn cp ∂p. Aßn \sØ Imcy ß sfm∂pw Cµnc Ah tfmSv ]d™n cp∂n √.BZyw Xpd∂ sI´v Hcp B[mcw Xs∂ bm bn cp ∂p. AXv hmbn ° W sa ¶n¬ ]gb ae bmfw Adnbp I Xs∂ thWw. h√m sØmcp mj. ae bm f m jbv°v Cßn s\ sbmcp ssien bp ≠m bn cpt∂m?Ãmºv t]∏dn¬ FgpXnb B[mcw Cu \mepsIńs‚bpw AXn\p Np‰pap≈ ]dºns‚bpw BWv . AsXßns\ a\ n embn Fs∂m∂pw tNmZn °cpXv. Hcp ]Øp iXam\w a\nem bXn¬\n ∂mWv ]dbp∂Xv.

"A—m Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZn bv°s´?'"]dbq.'"A— s\ ¥mWv B apdosS hmXn¬ Nmcm≥ t\m °o´v ]n∂ow sXmd ∂p t\m °yXv?'"Gbv shdpsX?'"F¥n \m—m s\mW ]td W Xv. Rm≥ ]d bs´? A— \ Xn \p ≈nev Ft¥m I≠p As√?'

"Gbv F¥p ImWm\m? F¥m s\W°v Aßns\yms° tXm∂m≥ ImcWw?'"Rm≥ ]dbs´ A—≥ F¥m I≠Xv ∂v. A—≥ AhnsS Hcp tImWn I≠p As√? ]ns∂ t\m°ys∏mAXp t]mhpw sNbvXp.'

Rm≥ H∂pw ]d™n√. ]d™n v Imcyan√. hµ\ Aßns\bmWv. Imcyßƒ Xpd∂p ]dbpw, AXpws]s´∂v. \ap°v Xømsd Sp∏n\p≈ kabw Xcn √. Ign™ HcmgvNbv°p≈n¬ Ahfpw AXp I≠n´p≠m hpw. F¥m sW∂p t\m°m≥ ho≠pw t\m°n b t∏m fXv A] Xy £ am bn p ≠m hpw. CsX√mwF¥ns‚ \nanØßfmWv? F√mw \n¿Ønh®v Xncn®p t]mhWsa∂mtWm CXns‚sbms° A¿∞w.F\n°m ImcWhsc icnbv°pw bambnØpSßnbncn°p∂p. F¥pt±iyambmepw AXv Ipd®pIqSnhy‡am°n Ø∂pIqsS?

"F¥m W—m AXv?'"F\n ° dn bn√ tamsf. AXv h√ \ngep ambn cn°pw?'

"F¥ns‚ \ng¬? AhnsS shfn®w hcm≥ bmsXmcp hgnbpw C√y s√m.'Rm≥ ho≠pw apºnencn°p∂ B[mcs°´p ]cntim[n°m≥ XpSßn. shdpw hrYmhymbmaw. s]s´∂mWv Hcp t]Pv Fs‚ IÆn¬ s]´Xv. Hcp kvsI®mWXv. Hcp sIńSØns‚ πm≥. kz¥w sIńSØns‚πm≥ hc ®Xp t\m°n t\m°n Rms\mcp hnZ KvZ \mbn amdnbn cp∂p. Hcp _n. B¿Iv UnKn sbm∂pw

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Inń s√¶nepw Hcp πm≥ I ≠m¬ AsX ¥n t‚XmsW∂p a\ nem °m≥ amXw sshZKvZyw e`n ®n´ps≠∂¿∞w. sIńs‚ FItZiw \Sphnembn ÿnXn sNbvXXpsIm≠v B t]Pn\v A[nIw tISp]mSpIƒ ]‰nbnń√. Rm\Xp ]pdsØSpØp. Hcp aWn°q¿ t\csØ ]T\Øn\p tijw Hcp Imcyw a\nembn. AsXmcp F´psIńs‚ πm\mWv. AXmbXv Ct∏mgp≈ \mepsIńs‚ ]gb cq]w. Hcp ]mIrXamb cq]tcJbmWv . Hcp s]m^j\¬ Xømdm°nbXs√∂v s]s´∂v a\nem°mw. Hcp ]s£ B[mc sa gpXp∂h¿ hc®p≠m°nb Xmbn cn°pw. As√¶n¬ k¿t∆ Un∏m¿´psa‚n¬ As∂ms° Aßn

\sØ kvsI®p Ifm bn cn°pw D] tbm Kn°p ∂Xv. kwKXn F¥p X s∂ bm bmepw B kvsI®v hfschy‡ambncp∂p. apdnIƒ, CS\mgnIIƒ, \Span‰ßƒ, ]Ømb∏pc, c≠p InW¿, CXbpw Imcyßƒhfsc hy‡amWv. ]pdØp≈ AfhpIf√msX D≈nep≈ AfhpIsfm∂pw tN¿Ønń√. B AfhpIƒ Xs∂ tImen¬ Bbn cn bv°pw. Hcp tIm¬ F∂p ]d ™m¬ FX ASn bm sW∂v GsX ¶nepwac ∏ Wn °m tcmSp tNmZn ° Ww. c≠ Snbm sW∂p tXm∂p ∂p. B kvsI®v t\m°n s°m ≠n cnbvs°Hcp Imcyw Fs‚ i≤bn¬ s]´p. Cu sIńSw Hcp \mepsI´√, F´psI´pa√, AXn\pc≠n\panSbn¬InS °p∂ H∂m Wv. F´p sI´p s]mfn ®p am ‰n b t∏mƒ c≠mw \Sp an ‰ Øns‚ `mK Øp \n ∂v A ∏p dtØbvt° s]mfn ®p am‰n bn p≈p. AXmWv Cu hoSv CX oIcambn cn °p∂ Xv. c≠pa √mØ Hcp oIcPohn.

hµ\ thsdmcp sIs´ SpØv Xpd∂p t\m°p I bmbncp ∂p. AXn \n S bv°mWv Fs‚ Iøn¬ CukvsI®v I≠ Xv. Ahƒ°v Xmev]cy am bn.

"F¥m A—m AXv?'"CXv tamsf \ΩsS hoSns‚ A¬, F∂ph®m¬Hdn Pn \¬ πm\m Wv. ]≠n sXmcp F´p sI m bn cp ∂p.\mepsIńs‚ Ccń hep∏ap≈ Hcp sIńSw. ]n∂oSXv Hcp Imc W h cp sS Im eØv s]mfn®v \mep sI m °nØo¿Øp. ]s£ Ct∏mgmWv A—\v a\n em hWXv CXv \mepsI´m°nbnń√m∂v. F´psIńs‚ sNdnsbmcp`mtK s]mfn®p am‰o p≈p. AXmWv CX b[nIw apdnIfv Cu hoń¬ImW W Xv. A—\pw B

temNn°mdv≠v........'hoSns‚ hmkv XphnZysb ∏ ‰n bp≈ Adnhv Fs∂ Fhn sSbpw FØn°p∂n√. NXpcwK∏eIbpsS A¿∞sa¥msWt∂m, Rm\pw Ipt´´\pwDt± in °p∂ Xc Ønep≈ Hcp \n[n AhnsSbpt≠m F∂p a dn bm≥C\nbpw Ipsd tbsd

A≤zm \n ° Ww. ssZhta Rms\ hn sSbmWv At\z jn®p t]mtI ≠Xv?Ahƒ I≠p ]n Sn® hkvXp °ƒ

Imcy amb Ne \ ß sfm∂pw F∂n¬D≠m °n bn√ F∂ dn ™ t∏mƒ hµ\bv°v \ncm i bmbn.

"Rm≥ hnNm cn ®p.......'Ahƒ hnNmcn®sXs¥∂v F\nbv °

dnbmw. Rm≥ sI´p Isf√mw taibpsSHc‰tØbv°v \o°nh®p ]d™p.

"\ap°v sNv Ifn°ym?'

D®bpd°w Ign™t∏mƒ Cµnc X∂ISp∏ap≈ Nmb IpSn®p. H∂v ]pdØndßn bm¬ \∂m bn cn °pw. eohv d±m°n\msfØs∂ Hmôkn¬ t]mbn tPmen

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XpSßnbmtem? Cu At\zjWw FhnsSbpw FØp∂n√. FØm\pw t]mIp∂n√. \ncmi amXw _m°n.GXp mKtØbv°p \S°Wsa∂v BtemNn®v ]qapJØncn°bmWv Rm≥. Cµncbpw hµ\bpw AhcpsS Znh tk \ bp≈ Aº e k µ¿i\ Øn\v Cd ßm≥ Xøm dmbn h∂p.

"hcpt∂m Aºe Øn tebv°v?'"A—m hcp, ckm Wv.'"C√ \nßfv t]mbn Cuizcm \p Klw hmßn hcq.'

"Fßt´ ¶nepw t]m∆msW¶nev tZhn tbmSv ]d ™n´p t]mWw.' Cµnc ]d™p. "Ahƒ hmXn eS®v Ip‰n bnt´m fpw. Ahfv ASv° tfev≠v.'"icn.'Rm≥ AI tØbv°p t]mbn ap≠pw j¿´pw am‰nh ∂p. H∂v \S ° Ww, Xo¿®. Ftßm´p t]mW

sa ∂Xv ]Sn∏pc IS∂m¬ X\nsb Xo¿®bmhpw. ]Sn∏p c bn¬\n∂v Rm≥ Xncn™pt\m °n. Hcp Iq‰≥hoSv. Ipt´´≥ ]d™ t]mse AXv Fs¥¶nepw sNøWw, \miamhp∂Xn\papºv. C\nbp≈ ImeØv F¥n\mWv CX henb hoSpIƒ? h√ \Kc]m¥ßfnemsW¶n¬ B¿s°¶nepw CsXmcp tlmém°nam‰m≥ Ignbpambncp∂p. ChnsS, Cu Im´pap°n¬ B¿°mWv CXmhiyw? s]mfn®p hn‰m¬ In´p∂ac Øns‚ hne sIm≠v Ah¿°v, sImSpØ ]Ww apX em hpw. AX X s∂.

Rm≥ ]mS sØ Øn bn cp∂p. hoXnbp≈ hc ºneqsS \S°p tºmƒ Btem Nn®p. Hcp ImeØv CuhbepIsf√mw RßfpsS bm bn cp∂p. AΩmas‚ Ah km\ Ime ØpXs∂ an° hmdpw F√mw hn‰

gn ®p. F\nbv°pw Ipt´ \pw AXns‚ hoXw Inń."Fß m Wmthm?'FXntc \S∂p h∂ncp∂ hb s\ Rm≥ i≤n ®ncp∂n√."aqØm im cys√?'"AsX ºm.'"Fs¥m°ymWv hntijw?'"Cßn s\yms° Igo Wp.'s]s´∂v tXSnb h≈n Imen¬ XS™psh∂v Fs‚ a\ p ]d bp I bmWv. GtXm Hcp i‡n B

h≈n Fs‚ Imen¬ sIm≠ph∂n´XmWv. AXv Cńcma≥ ImcWh¿Xs∂bmhs´ F∂p Rm≥ ]m¿∞n®p.

"A—\v hnti sjm ∂pw√ys√m.'

"C√ ºm. Ft∂ °mƒ Btcm Ky ≠v. Aßs\ s]md sØm∂pw Fd ßm dn √.'B Xºm≥ hnfn tIƒ°p tºmƒ hnjaw tXm∂pI bmWv. aqØmim cnbpsS aI≥ A\n¬ Fs‚kl ]mTnbmWv. Abmƒ _n. B¿Iv Ign™v Zq_mbn¬ \√ tPmenbnemWv. ChnsS AhcpsS ]gbsIm®p hoSv s]mfn®v Hcp henb Ccp\ne hoSp≠m°nbn´p≠v . ]W°m¿ F∂p ]dbmw. F∂mepw aqØmimcn Ct∏mgpw ]dbp∂Xv "ASnb≥' F∂pw, kz¥w hoSns\ "IpSn'sb∂pamWv. Hcp ImeØv kh¿Æ¿sNbvXp h® tZmlw!

"F\nbv°v A— s\ sbm∂v ImW Ww ∂v≠v. sImtd Imembn I≠n v.'"t]m∆mtem.'henb aqØm imcnbv°v Fs∂ ]cn N b s∏ Sp tØ≠n h∂p. At±l Øn\v Npcpßn bXv sXmÆqdv

hb mbn´p≠mhpw. GItZiw Ccp]Xp sIm√ambn´v At±lw ]Wn bvs°m∂pw t]mhmdn√. AXn\papºv B tZisØ amXa √, ASpØ tZi ß fnse ][m \ s∏´ hoSp ]Wn apgp h≥ henb aqØm im

cn bpsS ta¬t\m Øn em bn cp∂p. F¥m bmepw tNmZn ®p t\m °mw."A√m sX¥m? AsXms° sNbvXXv Rm¥∂ym. \nßtSmsS≠mbncv∂ F´psI´v apgp h≥ s]mfn®nń√. s]mfnbv°m≥ sXmSßy∏gm CńcmaØºm≥ ]d™Xv apgph≥ s]mfn°≠m∂v. Aß\yß v \n¿Øm≥ ]t‰zm? Rmº d ™p, CXn\v sNe s\b a ß sfms° Ct√y. CtXev \n¿Øym Xma kn °tWm¿°v \∂√m∂v. ap∏cv h√mØ Bfm bn cv∂p. \∂s√¶o \∂√, CX aXn. CtXw s]mfn®m aXo∂v. F∂n´m Xncp ta \os\ sIm≠∂v ]iv\w sh®p t\m°o Xv. Xncp ta\n ]d ™p. CtX s]mfn®masXy¶o AtXw aXn. ]s£ s]mfn® ÿeØv KhXos\ ]XnjvTn°Ww∂v. As√¶o sIńSØns‚Xq°w icnbmhn√m∂v. ]ns∂ At±wXs∂ ]iv\w h®pt\m°n. A∏fm a\nembXv AhnsS Aºew]mSn √m ∂v. Aº e Øns‚ ÿm\w sX°p mK ØmWv∂v. As∏m Cńcm a≥ Xºm≥ ]d™p. Aß\ymsW¶o Aßs\. F¥m cmam X\nbv°v Aºew ≠m °m≥ Adntøm? ASn b≥ ]d™p, ASn b\dnbns√ ¶o ∏ns∂ ChnsS B¿°pw Adnbqe. ∂m HSs\ ]Wn sXmS ßnt°m cmam∂v ]d™v Xºm≥.

ASn b\∂v hbv Ccp ]Ø©v.'Zp_m bn¬ \n∂p sIm≠p h∂ ]Xp ] XpØ Ipjy \p≈ tkm^ bn en cp∂v Rm\m IY Iƒ tI´p.At∏mƒ Fs‚ Dulw i cnX s∂ bmWv. F´p sI´v apgph≥ s]mfn ®p am‰nbn n √. km[m cW F´psI´pIfnepw \mepsI´pIfnepw ]Ømb∏pc sXm´SpØpXs∂ ImWmdp≠v. B ]d ºn se¥mWv Aßn

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s\ sbmcp ]pc D≠m hm ™Xv?Rm≥ Fs‚ kwibw aqØm imcn tbmSv tNmZn®p.

"\nßsS ]Øm b s∏ tc emWv C∏ i¶ c≥ \mbcvsS IpSpw_wXma kn ° WXv? ]Øm b s∏c

sImd®v hnń´mbncp∂p. ]tØI]d ºm bn cp∂p AXv∂v tI´v´v ≠v.Hmtcm Imc W h ∑m cm bn´v apdn®v hn‰Xm. CtXw hey ]dºv t\m°n≠m °ev Ffp∏mtWm?'

"Bcm i¶ c≥ \mbcv?'"Mm, AX dot√y? \nßsS sX

t° ]dºnev Xmakn°W m¿§hnbΩ Cs√? AhcvsS ¿Øm hv.\nßsS XdhmSnev Imcyÿ\mbncp ∂p. t\csØ acn ®p.'

AsX \nbv°v ]pXnb Adn hmbn cp ∂p. At∏mƒ B F´p sI´v F∂Xv Hcp òI c hkvXp Xs∂bm bn cp ∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn ®p.

"B F´p sI´v D≠m °oXv henb aqØmim cymtWm?'

"Atøm AsXms° ASys‚A—s‚ Ime Øv≠m °y Xm Wv.PmXthZ≥ Xncpta\nbmWv AXns‚ IW s°ms° sImSp Ø Xv.A—s\t∏m esØ F´v aqØmim

cnamcv≠mbncp∂p. t]mcmØXn\v sNdnb Bim cn amcv thdow.AsXms° tI´ d nth ≈q.'

"Hcp Imcyw tNmZn °s´? F´psI´v icnbv°v ]IpXn s]mfn °mØtXm≠v Fs¥¶nepw sImg∏w≠mtøm?'

"F¥m ≠m hm sX. Xºms‚G´≥ aq∂masØ sIm√w acn®pt]m bnt√y. aq∂p sIm√w Ign ™t∏m CńcmaØ ºm\pw acn ®p. sImtd °mew sIS∂n´m acn®Xv?'

"F¥m bn cp∂p AkpJw?'

"AsXm∂pw B¿°pw Ado√ym. As∂ms° B Xdhmńev \S°W Imcy ßfv AX Ffp s∏m∂pws]mdØv tI°n √. Hmtcm∂v ]d™v tI°pw. AsXms° icym h Ww∂v√y.'

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60

Fs‚ Dulw icn bmbn h∂p. F´psI´v s]mfnbv°p tºmƒ B mKw apgp h≥ s]mfn ®pam ‰n bn

ń√. F\nbv°p tXm∂p∂Xv hfsc Ipd®p amXta am‰nbn´p≈p F∂mWv. AXmWv Cu sIńSØn\v Hcp \mepsI n\p tbmPn°mØ hep∏w. C\n F\nbv°p sNtø ≠Xv B[m c Ønt\m sSm∏w Inńbπm≥ h®v AXn¬ s]mfn ®p If™ apdn Isf√mw Hgn hm°n ]pXpXmbn Hcp kvsI®v hc°pIbm Wv.F∂n v ? F∂n v F¥mhp∂p F∂p t\m°mw. Xń≥]pdØp\n∂v Inńb sNºns‚ NXpcwK∏eI tUmbdn¬ \ns∂ SpØv t\m°n. hµ\ AXp ad °msX FSp Øp sIm ≠p h ∂n p ≠v.

henb aqØm im cnsb I≠ Imcyw ]d ™t∏mƒ hµ\ ]d ™p."icn bmWv A—m. \ap s°mcp ]pXnb kvsI®p ≠m °mw. \ap°m Iºyq´¿ sIm≠p hcm bncp∂p.

AXn¬ Ffp∏w sNøm hW Imcym WXv.'"Iºyq´¿ Rm≥ \msfØs∂ sIm≠Øcmw.' Rm≥ ]d™p. "cmhnse t]mbm¬ F\nbv°v sshIp

t∂cw Xncn ®p h cmw. bp. ]n. F sm∂pw sIm≠cm≥ ]‰n √. \√ I\w≠v AXv.'"kmc√y. Aø©p an\p‰v IqSptºm tkhv sNbvXmt]msc? kvsI®p≠m°o v F¥p sNøm\mW—m?'

"kXyw ]dbs´ tamsf, A—\v henb cqs]m∂pw√y. A—≥ s]s´∂p≠mhW Hcp t]ctWemWv CsXms° sNø W Xv. CsXms° Fhn sSy ¶nepw FØpw∂v≈ tXm∂ ev. Cu tXm∂ev Ipń °m ewsXms´ D≠v. AΩ ]dbpw ssZh am sW∂v, Rm≥ ]dbpw hn[n bmsW ∂v. AXp c≠p a√, C\n thsdsb s¥ ¶nepw BtWm∂pw A—\ dnbn √.'

hµ\ Ipd ®p t\cw Btem Nn ®p sIm ≠n cp ∂p. AXn\p tijw Ft∂mSv Imcy ambn tNmZn ®p."Rm≥ Hcp Imcyw tNmZn ®m¬ A—≥ kXyw ]dtøm?'"F¥m tamsf?'"Xń≥s]mdØv≈ B s]ń Ct√y, Hcn°ev A—s‚ H∏w t]mbt∏m AXv sXmd°m≥ ]‰o∂v ]d™p

AΩ. AΩ icnbv°pw B s]ń sXmdt∂zm?'"F¥m tNmZn bv°m≥ ImcWw?'"A—≥ ]dbq.'

"AtΩsS hnNmcw AΩ bv°Xp sXmd °m≥ ]‰o ∂m Wv.' Rm≥ ]d ™p. "F∂m¬ AΩ bv°Xv icnbv°pw sXmd °m≥ ]‰o n√y.'D≠mb Imcyßƒ hnhcn®psImSpØt∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d™p. "F\nbv°pw AXp sXmd°m≥ ]‰o√y.'"As∏m \o Xń≥s]m dØv t]mtbm? BcvsS H∏w?'"Rm\o _p[\mgvN t]mbn, H‰bv°v.'Rm≥ Xcn®ncp∂p. Rm≥ G‰hpa[nIw bs∏Sp∂ Hcp ÿeambn B Xń≥]pdw amdnbncp∂p. Ahn

tSbv°mWv Cu ]Xn\©p hbpImcn H‰bv°v Ibdnbncnbv°p∂Xv! Rm≥ H∂pw ]dbmXncn°p∂XpI≠ t∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d ™p.

"A— s\ t∂mSv tZjymtbm?'"tZjy√ tamsf. F¥psImt≠m, t]mhm≥ ]‰nb ÿe√m AXv F∂v≈ tXm∂ev≠v A—\v. Rm\o

hoSv hn¬°m≥ Xo¿®ym °n bn cn °p Wp. AXn \p apºvv Hc h km\ iaw IqSn \S Ømw∂v Icp Xn bn cn

bv°ym Wv. CXpw icn bm bn s√ ¶n¬ AXp t]mt´∂v hnNm cnbv°pw.'hµ\ \n»_vZbmbn."kmc√y tamsf. C\n H‰bv°v tamfnev t]mh cvXv. Bsc ¶nepw H∏ws≠¶n¬ Fs¥¶nepw klmb

Øn\v hnfn®p ]d sb¶nepw sNømtem.'

A≤ymbw ]Xn\mev

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Ahƒ Xe bm n."Rm\n t∏mƒ t]mbn Cu kvsI®ns‚ Hcp t^mt´m tIm∏n FSpØp sIm≠p h cmw. s]mfn®p If

™q∂v tXm∂W mKßfv Xev°mew AXo∂v shń°f™m aXotem. AXp \ap°v Xmsg sIm≠pt]mbn icnbv°p≈ apdnI fpambn´v HØp t\m°mw. AXn \p tijw \n\ °Xp Iºyq dn em °m tem.'

"A—≥ Hcp Imcyw IqSn sNø Ww. \msf Iºyq´ sdSp°m≥ t]mº Cu kvsI®v kvIm≥ sNbvXpsIm≠cWw. F∂m¬ kvIm\dpw G‰≠s√m. kvIm≥ sNbvXmses‚ ]Wn sImd®pIqSn Ffp∏mhpw.'

"icn. \√ sFUnb.'kvsI®p t^mt´m tIm ∏n sbSpØt∏mƒ IqSp X¬ hy‡ am bn. Ipd®p hep Xm°n tIm∏n sb Sp ØXn\m¬ CS\mgnIIfpw Ahbv°nSbnep≈ sNdnb apdnIfpw tImWnapdnbpw IqSpX¬ hy‡ambn´p≠v. Iºyq´dn¬ kvIm≥ sNbvXm¬ IqSpX¬ hy‡am°m≥ ]‰pw. Bhiyap≈nSØv FX thWsa¶nepw hepXm°mas√m, Hcp `qX°ÆmSn h®p t\m°p∂t]mse.

cmhn esØ _n \p Xs∂ Rm≥ ]pd s∏ p. _n en cn °p tºmƒ Rm≥ Btem Nn ®p. F\n°v F¥ns‚ tISm Wv. acym Zbv°v Hcp tPmen bp≈Xpw h®v Hcp IpSpw_w t\m°n hoń encp ∂m¬ aXn.AXn \n Sbv°v Cßns\ Hmtcm `m¥ns‚ ]n∂mse t]mIp ∂p. GtXm Hcp `m¥≥ D≠m°n h® HcpNXpcwK∏eIbpsS t]cnemWv Rm\nsXms° sNøp∂Xv. B ]eIbv°msW¶ntem H¿∞hpw Rm≥ImWp∂pan√. AXpw ]d™v B Imcyw X≈n°fbm≥ t\m°ptºmgmWv a‰p ]e kw`hhnImkßfpwDS seSp °p ∂Xv. shdpw `ms¥∂p ]d™v X≈n ° f bm≥ ]‰m Ø h. F\n bv°v hn i Zo I cn bv°m≥

]‰mØ kw`h ßƒ. Bsc¶nepw AsXms° hni ZoI cnbv°s´, Rm≥ CsX√mw \n¿Ønh®v IpSpw_sØbpw s]dp°n hońtebv°p aSßmw. \mepsI´pw F´psI´pa√mØ B XdhmSv Inńb hnebv°psImSpØv kzÿambn Ign bmw. ]s£ B kw` hßsf√mwXs∂ hniZoI cWan√mØh bmWv. H∂ne[nIw t]¿°v kw`hn °p∂ XmbXpsIm≠v Fs‚ a\ n¬ DSseSp°p∂ hnIe Nn¥IfmsW∂p]dbm≥ IgnbmØhbmWv. At∏mƒ Ft¥m H∂v Fs∂s°m≠v CsXms° sNønbv °pIbmWv. \n¿∫‘am bn, Fs‚ KpWØn\m bn?

Xdhmń¬ Xncns® Øn bt∏mƒ cmXn F´p aWnbm bn cp∂p. mKy Øn\v sshZypXnbp ≠mbn cp∂p.Cu \mń≥]pdØv Id‚ v Ft∏mƒ thWsa¶nepw t]mhmw. Hcn°¬ t]mbm¬ ]ns∂ cmXn apgph≥h∂ns√∂p hcmw. ]Øp sIm√w apºv hb¿ sNbvXt∏mƒ apIfn¬ Cu Hcp apdnbn¬ amXta sNbvXp≈p. AXpt]mse XmgØv AXymhiyw D]tbmKn°p∂ apdnIfpw ASp°fbpw. shdpsX AS®n´ apdnIƒ hb¿ sNbvXn´v F¥p Imcyw?

bp.]n.Fkv C√mØXpsIm≠v Iºyq´¿ Hcp kvss]Iv AdÃ¿ hgn IWIvSv sNbvXp. _q´p sNbvXt∏mƒ tamWn ‰¿ \√ Ipń sb t∏mse IÆp Xpd∂p Nncn °m≥ XpSßn. hµ\ BizmktØmsS Zo¿Lizm k an p. Ahƒ°v BsI sS≥j \p≈ Imcyw Ah fpsS Iºyq ¿ Fs∂ ¶nepw NØp t]m IptamF∂Xp amXamWv. _m°∏v FSpØp shbv°p∂ ioetabn√. lm¿Uv UnkvIv t]mbm¬ Ahƒ Ipsd°m e ambn A≤zm \n ®p ≠m °n b sX√mw t]mbn °n pw. Hcp ]s£ Aº e Øn¬ t]m bm¬ BZyw]m¿∞n bv°p ∂Xv Ah fpsS Iºyq dns‚ Btcm Ky Øn \p th ≠n bm bn cn °psa∂p tXm∂p∂p.

cmhnse ]mXen\v \q¬∏n´mbncp∂p. AXns‚ A]q¿∆X sIm≠pXs∂ F\nbv°m £Ww CjvSam bn cp∂p. AXp shdpsX ]men¬ ]©km c bn´Xns‚ H∏w X∂mepw Rm≥ kzmtZmsS Ign bv°pw.C∂v \mfn tI c ∏m sem gn® ap´ °dnbm bncp ∂p. £Ww Ign™ tijw Rm\pw hµ\bpw kvsI®psaSpØv ]cythjWw XpSßn. AS®n´ apdnIƒ Htcmt∂mtcm∂mbn Xpd∂v AfhpIsfSpØp. AXv BhiyamWv, ImcWw apdnIƒ°nSbn¬ ImWmadbØv Hfn®ncnbv°p∂ apdnItfm CSßtfm Dt≠m

F∂p t\m°m≥ Af hp I fp s≠ ¶nte ]‰q. F\nbv°v thsdmcp Dt± iy hp ap ≠m bn cp ∂p. Cu hoSv hn¬°p tºmƒ hmßm≥ hcp ∂ h¿°v kvsI®p ImWn®p sIm SpØm¬ kuIcy am bn. AXp sIm≠v hoSns‚ apgph≥ AfhpIfp≈ Hcp kvsI®pw D≠m°m≥ hµ\tbmSv ]dbWw. Xev°mew Cu tPmenIgnbs´.

apdnIƒ ]eXpw shfn®w IS°msX Ccp≠ncp∂p. tSm¿®ns‚ shfn®ØnemWv D≈nsems° ]cXnAfshSp°p∂Xv. ]e apdnIfnepw ho´p kmam\ßfp≠mbncp∂p. Iń¬, tai ItkeIƒ, hkvXwXq°nbnSp∂ lmß¿, Npacn¬ NnXßƒ. Nne apdnIfn¬ \neØv s\∑Wn Iƒ NnXdn °nS°p∂XpI≠p. Hcp ImeØv s\√p kq£n °m≥ D] tbmKn®n cp∂ apdn Ifmbncn °Ww. F√m apdn bnepw ]ga bpsS hmk\ Xßn \n ∂p.

D®bv°v DuWp Ign°m≥ sNehm °nb Hcp aWn°q¿ kabsamgnsI _m°nsb√mw ta∏nßn\psNehgn®p. sshIpt∂cambt∏mtgbv °v Rßƒ°v Int´≠ hnhcßsf√mw Inń. C\n \msf AsX√mw

A]KYn®v icnbv°p≈ NnXap≠m°Ww. cmXn DuWp I gn °ptºmƒ hµ \bpsS £oWn® apJwI≠v Cµnc aq°n¬ ssIh®p ]d ™p."Hc —‚ow tamfSow ]m¥p It≠m?'AZv`p X ambn cn °p∂p. CX b[nIw Xmev]cyw ImWn ®n cp∂ Cµnc Ct∏mƒ Xncn™p t\m°p∂n

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√. Hcp ]s£ Ahfpw Cu `m¥n¬ apgp Inbm¬ aq∂p t]cpw ]ńWn InS t° ≠nh cpw F∂ Xp sIm≠mbncn°Ww. Rßƒ At∏mgpw C∂sØ ]cythjWsØ∏‰n kwkmcnbv°bmbncp∂p. tIƒ°ptºmƒ Cµncbv°v Xmev]cyw ImWp∂p≠v. icnbmWv £Wap≠m°m≥ Hcmsf¶nepw Hgnhmhs≠?

]nt‰∂v Rßƒ sNb XXv hoSns‚ ]pdw mKw AfshSp° embncp ∂p. F√mbnSØpw Htc t]mseb√ ]pdw mKw. NnebnSØv D≈ntebv°p X≈ns°m≠mWv. F√mw AfshSpØp t^mt´mtIm∏nbn¬ASbmfs∏SpØn. ]iv\ßsfm∂pw ImWp∂n√. C\n icnbv°p≈ AfhpItfmsS kvsI®p hcbv°p

tºmgmWv Fs¥¶nepw ]iv\aps≠¶n¬ a\nemhpI.hoSns‚ πm≥ kvIm≥ sNbvXXv ImcWw hµ\ hfsc thKØn¬ Hcp kvsI®p hc®p≠m°n. Hmtcmapdn bmbn B sIń S Øns‚ XmgsØ \ne apgp h≥ Iºyq´¿ kvIo\n¬ DSseSp°p Ibm Wv. KqKvƒkvsI®∏v tkm v‰v shb¿ sIm≠v Ahƒ AZv `pXßfp≠m°pIbmWv . \mep apdnIƒ hc®p Ign™m¬AXhƒ Xncn®pw adn®pw ImWn bv°pw. XoUn A\n ta js‚ km[y XIƒ I≠v Rm≥ AZv`p X s∏Sptºmƒ Ahƒ Iqfmbn Ccp∂v AXns‚ XpS¿® hc ®p ≠m °pw. Ahƒ ImWn °p ∂Xv I≠v A—≥A¥w hnńcn°pI bmsW∂v Ahƒ°dn bmw, ]s£ Ahƒ AXdn ™Xmbn \Snbv°n√. AXhfpsS

IpńØØns‚ mK amWv.Aßns\ hc®psIm≠ncp∂t∏mƒ Hcp ]iv\w h∂p. Ahƒ

]d ™p. "A—m F¥mWv Cu mKw icn bm hm ØXv?'"F¥m ]iv\w tamsf?'

"Cu c≠p apdnIfpw XΩn¬ ASp∏nbv °m≥ IgoWv√y. I≠ns√,c≠n‚ow FtSev Km∏v hcp∂p. F¥m Aßns\ hcm≥, \Ωfv Afsh Sp ØXv icys√?'

Fs‚ a\ n¬ Fs¥ms°tbm Xnf ®p s]m ßn.Fs‚ Dulw icn bmbn h∂Xmbncn°ptam? Fs‚ AXymthiw ]pd Øp Im Wn bv°msX Rm≥ ]d ™p.

"hcq, \ap s°m ∂p IqSnAfshSp Øp t\m°mw. Af

sh SpØ apdo sS sbms°hmXnenΩev \ºdn n v≠v. B\ºd\ymWv kvsI®nepw sImSpØn´p≈Xv. As∏m t\m°m≥ Ffp ∏m Wv. GsXms°apdosS FtSemWv Km∏v h∂ncn ° WXv? F´pw HºXpwAs√?'

Rßƒ tS∏p sa SpØv Xmtg bv°n d ßn h ∂p. HºXmw

apdn B[m c s° p Iƒ Inńb apdn bm sW∂v

AhnsS sN∂t∏m gmWv a\nem bXv. At\zjn °p ∂Xv ASp Ø Sp sØ Øp tºmƒ Fs‚a\v Xnf®p s]mßp I X s∂ bm Wv. apdnXpd∂v Af sh Sp Øp. apdn bpsS hoXn ]¥≠c ASn. BZyw FSpØ Af hp Iƒ X s∂.C\n ]Ømw \º¿ apdn bpsS Af sh SpØpt\m°mw. AXpw ]¥≠c ASn Xs∂. AfhpIƒ icnbmWv . ]s£ apdnbpsS ap≥hiØv ]pdØv Af sh Sp °p tºmƒ Cu Af hp Iƒicn bm hp ∂n √. IqSp X¬ ImWp ∂p. AXn\¿∞w Cu c≠p apdnIƒ°panSbn¬ Hcp hnS

hp s≠ ∂m Wv. GI tZiw Bd Sn bpsS hnS hv.AXn¬ Npacns‚ IńIpd®m¬ In´p∂Xv A©Sn. c≠p apdnbpsSbpw hmXnens‚ Ińf sXm v Nph¿h sc bp≈ \ofw t\m°n. AtX Iń f

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14Iƒ XΩnep≈ Zqcw apdnIƒ°p ]pdØpw t\m°n. icnbmWv. A©Sn hoXnbn¬ AhnsS Hcp apdnbp≠v!s]´ ∂mWv F\nbv°p qtXm Z bap ≠m bXv. AXns‚ mK ØpXs∂bmWv Rm≥ tImWn bn dßn hcp∂Xv I≠Xv. AsXmcp tImWnapdnbmbn cn°Ww. ]s£ F¥n \m WXnX tKm]y ambn AS®Xv?

Ct∏mƒ hµ\bv°pw Bthiw h∂ncn°p∂p. Ahƒ B Npacns‚ ta¬ tSm¿®Sn®v ]cnti[n°pIbmbncp∂p. FhnsSsb ¶nepw AXv AS®Xmbn ImWp∂pt≠m? AsXmcp tImWnapdn bmbn cps∂¶n¬ AXn≥\n∂v CS\mgnIbntebv°v hmXn¬ ImWpw. B hmXn¬ ]n∂oSS®XmsW¶n¬ AS® mKw

Fßns\ bm bmepw a\n em hm Xncnbv°n √. tX®Xv F√m bnSØpw Htc am Xncnbmh Wsa ∂n √s√m.Aßns\sbm∂pw ImWm\n√. F√mbnSØpw HtcXcw D]cnXew. ZpcqlX h¿≤n°pIbmWv. C\nF¥mWv th≠Xv?

C\n sNøm\p≈ Htcsbmcp Imcyw B Hfn ™p In S °p∂ apdn Xpd∂pt\m°pI amXamWv. AXv cmXn aXnsb∂v Cµncbpw hµ\bpw kΩXn®p. Cßns\sbmcp kvsI®p hc®p ImWn®t∏msg Hfn™pInS °p∂ apdn sb ∏‰n Cµn cbv°v t_m[y am bp ≈p. CXn sems° Fs¥m s°tbm Imcy ap≠v F∂v Ahfpw kΩXn ®Xv At∏m gmWv.

"\ap°v \n[n ]¶pshbv°m≥ Hcmƒ IqSnbmbn F∂¿∞w.' Rm≥ Ifnbmbn hµ\tbmSp ]d™p."C\n bmsc¶nepw ]n∂mse IqSptam Bthm?'"F\nbv°v \nßsS \n[nsbm∂pw th≠.' Cµnc Xami \ońs°m≠p t]mIm\mbn ]d™p. "Fs‚

hnZKvZklmbw thW¶n¬ ]dt™mfp.'

"iey s∏Sp Øm ™m¬ aXn.'"tZhn tNmZn°ym Wv, F¥m Cu A—\pw tamfpw IqSn sNøWXv? AfshSp° sWm s°≠s√m∂v.Rmºd™p Ah scmcp \n[nsS ]n∂m se bm sW∂v.'

"\o icnbv°pw ]dt™zm? icn bm bn. C\n \mńev apgp h≥ AXp ]m´m hpw.'"F\nbv°p `m¥pt≠m? Rm≥ Xami ]d™Xs√. Rmºd™p Ahcv Ft¥m hc®v≠m°zmWv∂v.

B adp] SnsIm≠v Xr]vXymtbm Fs∂m∂pw Adoey. hnNmcn°vWv≠mhpw F¥n \ms∏m hc®v≠m°WXv∂v? AsXm∂pw kmc eym t∂ bv.'

cmXn B apdn bn tebv°v \o≠ hbdpw π§pw FSpØv Hcp Xmev°m enI shfn®w D≠m °n.]n°mIvkpw ssIt°m´pw sIm≠ph∂v tPmen XpSßn. t¢iIc ambncp∂p tPmen. H∂maXmbn ]cn

ASpØ apdn Hfn™pInS∂ apdn

Rßƒ°v Cuapdnbn¬ \n∂mWv B[mchpw kv sI®pw

In nbXv

hmXn¬sXm v hmXn¬ hscNpa cns‚ Iń b S°wBsI \ofw ]Xn s\m ∂Sn

Imc W h cpsS apdnbpw Hfn ™p In S °p∂ apdnbpw

N b an √mØ tPmen. ]ns∂ F¥mWv ImWm≥ t]mIp ∂Xv F∂ kkvs]≥kpw. IjvSn®v Hcmƒ°v Ipºn´v IS °m\p≈ ]gpXp≠m°nbt∏mƒ Rm≥ D≈n tebv°p tSm¿®Sn®p t\m°n. Ahn sS sbm∂pap≠mbncp∂n√. Rm\mZyw AXn\p≈n¬ IS∂p. ]n∂mse hµ \ bpw. AsXmcp km[m cW apdn amXambncp∂p. hfsc sNdnb apdn. Xmsg a‰p≈ apdnIsft∏mse kna‚n´v Imhn tX®ncn°pIbmWv. apI

fn¬ acØns‚ X´p X s∂. Hcp ImeØv tImWn sh®n cpt∂m F∂ dn bm≥ Rm≥ X´v ]cn tim [n ®p.sh® tImWn FSpØp If™XmsW¶n¬ X v tbmPn∏n®Xv Fßns\bmsW¶nepw a\nemhpw. C√,Aßns\ bmsXm cSbmfhpw ImWm \n√. C\n, B apdnbnse X´v apgp h≥ am‰nb XmtWm? H∂pw ]d

12 1/2 ft. 12 1/2 ft.

21/2 ft.21/2 ft. 5 ft.



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A≤ymbw

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bm≥ Ignbn√."A—m, s\esØ hnsS ¶nepw Ipgn®n´Xm bn cnbvt°ym?'"t\m°mw.' ssIt°mńs‚ XmbsIm≠v \neØp apńt\m°m≥ XpSßn. F√mbnSØpw Htc i_vZw.

D≈n¬ Ad I fp≈ t]mse tXm∂p ∂n √."\nßfv s]mdØp hcp. aXn t\m°oXv.' Cµnc ]pd Øp \n∂v D≈n tebv°p Xe bn´v ]d™p."icnbm tamsf, \av°v s]mdØv IS °mw.'

hmbpk©mcan√mØ Cu IpSppapdnbn¬ F\nbv°p izmkw apńØpSßnbncp∂p. Cu apdn Hcp]pXnb kakysb∂Xn \∏pdw H∂p ambn√. ImcW h¿ Fs∂ ]co£n°m≥Xs∂ Xo¿® bm°n bn cn°bmWv.

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65

Dd ßm≥ t\cw sshInbXpsIm≠v cmhnse aq∂p t]cpw sshInbmWv Fgpt∂ ‰Xv. DW¿∂ t∏m

gmWv DW¿∂Xns‚ ImcWw a\ n em b Xv. Btcm ASp ° f bpsS ]pdw hm Xn en¬ Dds° X´p I bmWv.Rßƒ Xmtgbv°n d ßn h∂p."Rm≥ FX t\cmbn hmXn enev ap´p Wp.' tZhn ]d ™p."AtX bv, C∂se cmXn shdpsX sImtd t\cw kwkm cn ®ncp∂p.' Cµnc ]d ™p. "\o thKw

Nmbbv°v sh≈w shbv°v. \tµ \v Nmb IpSn bv°m≥ [rXym bn v≠m hpw.'XfØn¬ tai°ncphiØpw Ccp∂v Rm\pw hµ\bpw AΩ wKnbmbn \pW ]dbp∂Xp tI v Nncn

®p."AΩ Hcp hmNIw "AtXbv' ∂v ]dt™m≠v sXmSßym DSs\ a\nem°Ww AXv s\mWymWv∂v.'

Rm≥ i_vZw XmgvØn ]d™p. hµ\ Nncn®psIm≠v Xebmń. Nmb IpSn®p Ign™v Rßƒ A∂sØ]cn]mSn BkqXWw sNbvXp. ]dºp apgph≥ \S∂p t\m°Wsa∂v Xo¿®bm°n. Fs¥¶nepw kqN

\ Iƒ Inń bmtem?"A—m F\n°v Iºyq dn¬ B kvsI®v apgp an °m \p≠v.'"AXv s_bv Iv mÃv Ign™n´p aXn.' Rm≥ ]d™p. "cmhnesØ kabmWv ]dºnsems° \S°m≥

]‰oXv. shbnev≠mhn√. \√ HmPp≈ A¥co£mbncnbv°pw. ]ns∂ t]mcmØXn\v \ΩsS Xet®mdv G‰hpw Imcy £am bn v≈Xv B ka b Øm Wv. \av°v sNe Imcy ßfv I≠p ]n Snbv°m\v≠v.'

C∂p cmhnesØ ]cythjWw hfsc ][m\s∏´Xmbncnbv°psa∂v a\v ]dbp∂p. Rm\nXphsci≤n®nń√mØ Hcp tZitØbv°mWv CdßnØncnbv°p∂Xv. Ipń°meØv ]Xnaq∂p hbp apX¬UnKnsbSpØv Ccp]Ønaq∂mw hbn¬ Hcp tPmen In´p∂ Xphsc, ]ns∂ AΩmh≥ acn® tijwAΩmbn H‰bv°m bt∏mƒ Ipd ®pImew Cµncsbbpw hµ\sbbpw \mń¬ hn´p h∂t∏mƒ CS bv°nSbv°v klmb Øn \mbn t]mbncp∂t∏mƒ. AΩmbnbpsSbpw ac Wtijw Ipt´´≥ Ata cn bv°bntebv °p t]mbt∏mƒ an°hmdpw F√m Rmbdmgv Nbpw Rm≥ XdhmńseØnbncp∂p, H∂pIn¬ sXßp

Ib‰nbv°mt\m As√¶n¬ ]dºp Inf∏nbv°mt\m Bbn. CX sbm s° bm bn´pw B ]d ºns‚ Hcpcq]tcJ ImWmsX hc bv°m≥ ]d™m¬ F\nbv°p Ignbn √. AXn ses¥ms° acß fmWp ≈ Xv,Ipt´´t\msSm∏w Ft∏mgpw Ibdn°fn®ncp∂ acßƒXs∂ FtXXp I≈nIfnemWp≈Xv Fs∂m∂pwF\n t°m¿Ωbp≠m hn√. Xmev] cy an√m ØXpsIm ≠mbn cnbv°mw.

km[mcW B[mc ß fpsS H∏w B ]dºns‚ BsIbp≈ kvsI®pap ≠m hm dp≠v. ]c Xnt\m °nb t∏mƒ Aßns\sbmcp kvsI®v IS empIƒ°n Sbn¬\n∂v Inń. B kvsI®ns‚ ]I¿s∏Sp °m≥hµ \tbmSv ]d™p. Ahƒ [rXnbnsemscÆw hc ®p≠m°n. AXpw Hcp t\m´p]pkvX Ihpw s]∂pambn ]pdtØbv°ndßn. BZyw t]mbXv KhXnbpsS AºeØntebv°mWv. F´psI´p Ipd®p amXws]mfn®t∏mƒ Xq°w icnbm hm≥ ]n∂oSv ]WnXXmWv B A ºesa∂v aqØmimcn bpsS A—≥ ]d™Xv Hm¿Ω h∂p. AXp tI´ t∏mƒ hµ \ bpsS IÆp Iƒ hnS¿∂p.

"F¥m—m Xq°w icn bm °zm∂v ]d ™mev?'

"AsXms° hmkvXp im kvX Ønev≈ Hmtcm Imcy ßfm tamsf. AXn sem∂pw henb Imcyw √y.adn®v X®pimkvXw F©n\obdnßmWv. AXv IW°mWv. AtXm≠s√ GItZiw c≠p \q‰m≠papºv D≠m °o´v≈ Cu sIńSw C∏gpw Hcp tISpw C√msX \ne \n¬° W Xv. Cu Xq°w icn bm ° Wws∂ms° ]dbWXv hmkvXphnep≈XmWv . AXnev henb Igºps≠∂v A—\v tXm∂v Wney. Hcp sIńSw

15

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66

\n¬°W ÿe Øns‚ adp Xq ° am bncn °Ww Ahcv Dt±in °W Xv. F∂p sh®m¬ efn X ambn ]d™m¬ BZyw D≠mbncp∂ F´psIńs‚ ]IpXn s]mfn®p If™m¬ ]ns∂bp≈Xv \mepsI´p amXmWv. AXn\mIs´ H‰bv°v \n°m≥ XmWnbp≠mhpIbpw sNøpw. adn®v AXnt\mSv F´psIńs‚ Hcp`mKwIqSn hczm, Hcp F´psIńs‚ AkvXnhmchpw Xmßpw C√mXncn°pI, Aßns\sbmcp \ne h∂m¬sIńSØn\v tZmjamWv. Hcp tXmWnbn¬ t]mIptºmƒ \Sp∏pgbn¬\n∂v AXns‚ Hcp mKØp≠mbncp∂ kmam \ ß sf√mw If bpIbm sW∂p hnNm cn bv°p. At∏m sg¥m Wp≠mhpI?'

"tXmWn Hcp mK tØbv°v Xmgpw.'"AXp X s∂bm bn cn°Ww ChnsSbpw ]n≥kn]vƒ. AXpsIm≠v kw` hn °psa∂v A h¿ ]dbp∂ê ßƒ ]e t∏mgpw icn bm hW sa∂n √. Ahn sSbmWv A—\pw hmkvXp hp ambn ]nW ßp∂Xv.'

"As∏m Aºew B ]tg Imc tWmcv D≠m °n ® Xm Ws√?'"AsX.'"A—m, F\nbv°p tXm∂ WXv \n[n AXns‚ D≈n embn cn °pw ∂v. A—\v tXm∂vWvt≠m?'Rm≥ Nncn ®p."AXv, tamsf, hfsc Ffp∏w In´W HcpØcs√? CX Ffp∏w In´mhp∂ XcØn¬ Hcp henb \n[n

sbms° Bsc ¶nepw Hfn ∏n®p shbv°ptam? AX hepX√ \n[nsb¶n¬ \Ωƒ AXn\pth≠n HcpZnhkw sa\ s° m¬ B Znhkw \jvS am Wv.'

"\ap°v B Aº e Ønev \t√mWw t\m°mw. AXns‚ icn bv°p≈ kvsI®p ≠mt°w sNømw.'

Zqsc hn´p\n∂v t\m°ptºmgmWv B s]cp¥—s‚ Ignhv a\nemhp∂Xv. B \mepsI´pw AXn\phiØp≈ Aº e hpw IqSn Hcp henb inev] Øns‚ ]XoXn bp ≠m°n. c≠pw thdn´ hkvXp °fmsWt∂ tXm∂m Ø hn[w CgtN¿∂n cnbv°p ∂p.

sNdnb \S∏mX AºeØntebv°p \bn°p∂p. \S∏mX Ahkm\nbv°p∂Xv Icn¶¬∏ShpIfn¬.aq∂m asØ ]S hn¬\n∂v Aº eØns‚ D≈ntebv°p ]th in °mw. KhXnbmWv ]XnjvT. Aº eØns‚ Np‰pap≈ ]Z£nWhgn°v CcphiØpambn thdn´ c≠p sNdnb XdIfp≠v. AXn\v Dcp≠v hÆw Ipd™ \mev Imep IƒsIm≠v Xmßn\n¿Ønb ta¬∏pcbpw. CSXphisØ Xd bn¬ KW ]Xn bmWv ]Xn jvT. hen sbmcp KW] Xn. adp hi Øp≈ Xd Hgn ™p InS°pI bm Wv. AXn¬ Imc Wh ∑mscbmWv IpSnbn cpØnbncn°p ∂sX∂mWv k¶ ev]w. Imc Wh∑m¿°v KW]Xnbv°p≈ AtXÃm‰kv sImSp Øn cn °p∂p. F\nbv°p tXm∂nbXv B Xd Aºe Øns‚ Ccp hihpw s]mcpØs∏Sm≥ shdpsX \n¿Ωn®XmsW∂mWv. HcpamXncn hep∏ap≈ Hcp kzImcyIpSpw_Ønt‚sX∂p ImWp

tºmƒ CXv kmam\yw henb Aº e am Wv. CXn \p ≈n¬ IS ∂mWv hµ\ Znh khpw k‘y°v Xncnshbv°p ∂ Xv. F\nbv°v Ipd s®mcp t]Sn tXm∂n. Aºew HmSm ºenSp Itb sNøm dp ≈p. At∏mƒB¿s° ¶nepw AXn \p ≈n¬ Ibdn Hfn®ncnbv°m≥ ]‰pw. Rm\nXp hsc AXn s\ ∏‰n BtemNn®n n√ F∂Xv AZv`p X am bn cn °p∂p.

Aº e Øns‚ kvsIs® Sp Ø tijw Rßƒ ho≠pw \S ∂p. Xncn ™p t\m °n b t∏mƒ Aº eØns‚ hmXneS®nńs√∂p I≠p. Rm≥ Xncn®pt]mbn hmXneS®p. IÆpIƒ ho≠pw KW]XnbpsS]XnjvTbn¬ sN∂p \n∂p. wKn bp≈ KW ] Xn. Xpºnss° hfsc ]I S ambn ImWp ∂p ≠v. AΩmbnsbbmWv Hm¿Ω h∂Xv. I\Ø agbp≈ Znhkßfn¬ Rm\pw Ipt´´\pw Cµncbpw AΩmbnbv°pNp‰pw Ccn bv°mdp ≠v. IY Iƒ tIƒ°m≥. Aßns\ bp≈ Hcp Znhk amWv AΩmbn KW ] XnbpsSDZv`hsØ∏‰n ]d™Xv. Cu IY A[nIrX]mTØn¬\n∂v hn`n∂amsW¶nepw tIƒ°m≥ ckap≠v.Hcn °¬ io]m¿∆Xn ]c ainh\pambn kwkmcn ®ncnbv°ptºmƒ shdpsX tZlØp≈ sNfn bpcpń

Hcp a\pjycq]ap≠m°nbsX. ]ctaizct\mSv Bhiys∏´t∏mƒ AXn\v Poh≥ h®psImSp°pIbpwsNbvXp. ]m¿∆Xn AXns\ kz¥w ]pX \mbn hf¿Øn. Ah≥ hoc\pw iqc\pambncp∂p. Hcp bp≤Øn¬ B Ipń bpsS Xe t]mbn. ]m¿∆Xn timImIpebmbn Ahs\ FSp Øp, ASpØpXs∂ I≠Hcp Xebpambn tbmPn∏n®p. AsXmcp B\bpsS Xebmbncp∂p. cmXnbmbXpsIm≠v AXp a\ nem bn√. Aßns\ bm WsX KW ] Xnbv°v B\ bpsS Xebp≠mbXv. CXv Rm≥ thsdsb hn sSbpwhmbn ®n n √. Cu IY Rm≥ hµ \ tbmSp ]d™t∏mƒ Ahƒ Dds° Nncn bv °m≥ XpS ßn.

NncnbpsS A¥y Øn¬ Ahƒ hb¿ Aa¿Øn∏n Sn ®p."A—m F\n°v hni °p Wp. \ap°v t]m∆m.' AhfpsS hni∏v Aßn s\bmWv. s]s´ s∂mcp \nan

j Øn¬ FSpØp Nm Sp∂p. Ipń°m eØv F\nbv°pw Aß s\ Øs∂bm bncp ∂p. A∂v Ipt´ s‚H∏w Iehd bnepw ASp°fbnepw I´pXn∂m≥ \S°pw. ]ns∂ hepXmbt∏mƒ AXnt\°mƒ henb]iv\ßƒ hni∏ns\ ]n∂ntebv°p Xffn.

Rßƒ Xncn®p t]mbn. ]mX¬ Xømdmbn hcp∂p. tZhn Hcp ]mX Øn¬ Ft¥m Iq´m≥ sIm≠ph∂p sh®p. Xpd∂p t\m°nbt∏mƒ \√ ISe°dn. At∏mƒ C\n hcp∂Xv ]n´mbncn°pw. F√mw tai∏p d sØØn b t∏mƒ Cµnc ]d™p.

"\nßƒ Ignt®m fp. F\nbv°m bn n√. F\nbv°v Ipsfyms° thWw. Rm\pw tZhow IqSn ]ns∂

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Ign°mw.'Aßns\ Rßƒ°v Af h‰ Ip‰t_m[hpw Dfhm°n Ahƒ Itke bnen cp ∂p. tZhn taibv°

cnsI h∂p\n ∂p, hnfºms\∂ a´n¬. Ah fpsS Dt±iyw AsXm∂p am bn cp ∂n√ F∂v DSs\ a\ nembn.

"F¥m c≠o km bt√m A—\pw tamfpw IqSn hc bv°m≥ sXmS ßo v. Ign ™ns√?'Ahƒ Dt±in°p∂Xv F\nbv°p a\nembn. CµnctbmSv tNmZn®m¬ sk≥k¿ sNbvX adp]Sntb

In´p F∂hƒ°dnbmw. At∏mƒ t\cn v tNmZnbv°pIbmWv. Fs¥¶nepw ]d™ns√¶n¬ CXnse√mwFs¥m s°tbm cl ky ap s≠∂v Ahƒ°p tXm∂pw. Rm≥ ]d ™p."kXyw ]d bs´, ]pdsa BtcmSpw ]db cp Xv.' Rm≥ ]dbm≥ XpSßn bt∏mƒ Cµnc Fs‚ t\sc

t\m°n IÆpcp n. Ahƒ hnNmcn ®Xv \n[nsb∏‰n bmWv Rm≥ ]d bm≥ t]mIp∂sX∂m Wv. tZhnsbBImihm Wnsb∂mWv Ahƒ hnfn°mdv. CµncbpsS t\m´w AhKWn ®psIm≠v Rm≥ ]d™p.

"Rß°v Cu hoSpw ]dºpw hn¬°Ww∂v≠v. Ipt´´≥ sImtd°membn ]dbm≥ sXmSßo v. s]s´s∂m∂pw A√. Hcp ct≠m aqt∂m sIm√Øn\p≈nev. CtXw henb apXev hn¬°m≥ C°meØv Z√mf∑mtcw H∂pw Gev]n°n√. Cu XdhmSns‚ t]cnev Hcp sh_vssk‰v D≠m°pw. F∂psh®m¬ Iºyq´dnev C‚¿s\‰v hgn Cu sI´nSØn‚ow ]dºn‚ow F√m hnhcpw temIØv GXp aqteev≈ Iºyq´dnepwIn´ Ø° hn[ Øn¬ Hcp kwhn [m \w. Cs∏m ]ga CjvS s∏SvW [mcmfw Bƒ°m cv C¥ybv°v s]mdsa≠v. Ahcv \av°v C˛ sabn e b°pw. AXm bXv Iºyq dn tebv°v IØ bbv°pw. As∏m \Ω

sfmcp she ]d øm, Ahcv sNes∏m s]i Ipw. As√ ¶nev \Ωfv ]d™ she X∂v hmßqw sNøpw.C\n AsXm∂pw As√¶nev Cu hI hkvXp°fv teeØn\v shbv°W sh_vssk‰pIfv≠v. C˛t_Fs∂ms° t]cn ev. Ah sc G ev∏n ®m¬ aXn. \√ she In´pw.

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68

"As∏m \s√mcp sh_vssk‰p≠m°sW¶nev CXns‚yms° NnXßfpw, hc®p≠m°nb kvsI®pIfpw AXnev tN¿° Ww. Ah¿°n Xns‚ hep∏w Adn bm≥. a\ nemhvWvt≠m?'

"F\nbv°v CsXm∂pw a\ n em hn √. Icp tW´\v a\ n em hpw. aq∏cv Iºyq sdms° ]Tn ®n´mKƒôt∏mbXv. Hcp Imcyw F\nbv °v a\nembn Cs∏m hkvXp hn¬°m\pw Iºyq´dnev ]ptXy ]ptXyG¿∏m Sp I fp ≠v. tamfvsS Iºyq dnepw AsXms° ]t‰zm?'

"F¥m ]‰msX?'

tZhn t]mb t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d ™p."Ct∏mƒ Hcp Imcyw a\ n em bn.'"F¥v?' Cµn cbpw hµ \bpw Htc t]mse tNmZn ®p."tamfnencn°W Iºyq´ dnev F\ns°mchIm ihpw C√ym∂v.'"Ft¥?' Cµn c bmWv tNmZn ®Xv. hµ\ Nncn bv°p Ibm bncp ∂p."A√m, tZhn ]d™Xv tIńs√, "tamfvsS' Iºyq´dnepw CsXms° ]t‰zm∂v? tamfsS Iºyq´dmWv.'"kmcey,' hµ\ Biz kn∏n ®p. "A—\v th≠s∏m Iºyq dv D]tbmKn t®m fp, hmSI X∂m¬ aXn.'"AtXbv....' Cµnc Fs∂ kam [m \n∏n °m≥ ]d bm≥ XpSßn. Ahƒ°v AX s]s´∂v Xami a\

nemhn√. "tZhn C∂se s\ew sXmSbv°m≥ t]mbs∏m tamfv Iºyq´dnev kvsI®p≠m°WXv I≠p.As∏m Ahfv hnNmcn ®n´p ≠mhpw AXv hµ\SymWv∂v......'

Rm\pw hµ\bpw Nncn bv °m≥ XpS ßn.

hµ\sb apIfn¬ kvsI®p hcbv°m≥ Gev]n®v Rm≥ ho≠pw ]dºn¬ \S°m\ndßn. Fs¥¶nepwkqN\ Fs‚ apºn¬ s]s´∂v ]Xy £ s∏Sp sa∂ ań emWv Fs‚ \S Øw. Rm≥ \n[ntbm S Sp °pIbmtWm? Nne t∏mƒ tXm∂pw A√, F\nbv°pw Ipt´ \pw apIfnse FgpØptai bn¬\n∂v NXpcwK∏eIbpw ImcWhcpsS PmXIhpw Inńb AtX \nebn¬Øs∂bmWnt∏mgpw F∂v. AXn¬°qSpXembn F¥dnhmWp≠mbn´p≈Xv? Iptd bs∏SpØp∂ A\p`hßƒ D≠mbn F∂p amXw. AXmIs´ Rm≥ \n[n tbm S Sp °p∂p F∂ Xn∂v Hcp kqN\bpw Xcp ∂pan √. Hmtcm kqN \bpw HcnS \m gnIbpsS A‰Øp t]mbn apń \n¬°p∂ t]mse. AhnSp ∂ tßm´v hmXn en√, t]mIm≥ hgnbpan√.

Rm≥ ap°pIpØn hotg≠Xmbncp∂p. Fs¥ms°tbm BtemNn®v \S∂v apºnep≠mbncp∂ sh´pI√n¬ Im¬ XS ™p. Ft¥m mKyØn\v hogmsX c£s∏ p. B sh´pI√v ]≠hnsSbp≠mbn cp∂Hcp I¬ØqWns‚ AhinjvSambncp∂p. Ipń°meØv HmSn°fnbv°ptºmƒ Ft∏mgpw ImWmdp≈XmWXv. A∂Xn\v IptdIqSn Db c ap≠mbncp∂p. C∂Xv Hcp amXncn \netØmSp tN¿∂ \nebn emWv

InS°p ∂Xv. ]≠ hnsS Hcp XqWpw AXn t∑¬ Hcp IpXn cbpsS ]Xnabp ap ≠m bn cp∂p F∂v tIń´p ≠v. GtXm Imc W h cpsS hf¿Øp arK am bn cp∂p B IpXn c. AXp NØ t∏mƒ AXns‚ Hm¿Ωbv°mbn D≠m°nh®Xmbncp∂p. ]n∂osSt∏mtgm AXp XI¿∂p hosW∂p tXm∂p∂p. XI¿∂p hoWIpXn c bpsS IjvW ßƒ AΩm hs‚ Ipń °meØv I≠n cp ∂sX. AΩmbn IeymWw Ign™v CuXdhmń¬ h∂t∏mtgbv°v B IjvWßfpw A]Xy£ambncp∂p. s]mfn™p XpSßnb I¬ØqWv amXw Ah ti jn®p. Ct∏mƒ F¥mbmepw B XqWns‚ ASn ØdbpsS Awi ßƒ amXta ImWm\p≈p. Fs∂t∏m esØ kz]v\ Po hn Isf Imen´v hogvØm≥.

X≈hncen¬\n∂v tNmc In\n™p XpSßn. hoń¬ t]mbn IgpIn h√ acp∂panSWw, Cµnc AdnbmsX. Ah f dn™m¬ CsXmcp henb kw`h ambn amdpw. IgpIn acp ∂psh®t∏mgmWv hµ\bpsShnfn tI´Xv. Rm≥ apIfn¬ Ibdn.

Ahƒ kvsI®p t\m°n bn cn °p Ibm Wv.

"A—m, CsX ¥mWv Hcp XqWp t]mse Ft¥m H∂v. Xmsg Ft¥m Fgp Xo pw ≠v.'Rm≥ t\m°n. icnbm Wv. ]gb ae bm fØn¬ ]mIrX ambn "IpXnc' Fs∂gp Xnbncp ∂p. IpXncF∂mbncn°psa∂v Rm≥ A\pam\n °p∂p. AXn\p Xmsg aebmf en]nbn¬Øs∂ A°hpw FgpXnbn´p≠v.

ae bm f en ]n bn¬ A° ßƒ I≠p ]n Sn bv°m≥ AΩm bn bpsS cmam b W amWv Fs‚ klm bØns\Ømdv. AXns‚ t]Pv \º¿ t\m°n Rm≥ aebmf A°ßƒ a\nem°pw. Ht∂m ct≠m Znhkßƒ°p≈n¬ ad∂pt]mIm \mbn amXw. Rm≥ Xmsg ]qPmapdn bn¬ t]mbn cmambWw X∏n sb SpØp. Xmsg FgpXn bXv 1021. IpXn c bpsS kvamcIap≠m°n bXv 1021¬ Bbncn°pw. Ie ≠¿ t\m°nGI tZiw Cw•ojv h¿jw I≠p ]nSn®p. 1846. 160 sIm√w apºp ≠m °nb ]Xn a bm W Xv.

"F¥m A—s‚ Im¬sh c eo∂v tNmc hc WXv?'"AtXm.' Rm≥ Nncn ®p sIm≠v ]d ™p. "Rms\mcp IpXn c ∏p d Øp \n∂v hoWp.'

"IpXn cs∏m dØv∂v hotgz?' hµ\ tNmZn ®p. "F¥m icnbv°v ]‰oXv?'"Cu ]d ºn¬ Hcp IpXncsS ]Xna ≠m bncp∂p, Hcp XqWn∑ev. sImsd°mew apºsØ IYym Wv.Cs∏m AhnsS H∂pw√y. H∂pw√ym∂v ]d bm≥ ]‰n √y. B XqWns‚ AkvXnhmcØns‚ Hcp IjvWw_m°n \n°vWv≠v. B XqWm bn cnbv°pw Cu kvsI®n¬ sImSp Øn p≈ Xv.'

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Rm≥ ap°p IpØn hogm≥ t]mbXv hnh cn ®t∏mƒ Ahƒ Nncn °m≥ XpS ßn."\∂m bn v≠v. C√mØ IpXn c s∏m d Øv∂v hogzm As√?'s]s´ ∂mWv F\n bvs°mcp tXm∂ep≠m b Xv. Rm≥ Ipd ®p Im eambn CS ]gIp ∂Xp apgph≥ C

t∏mƒ \nehnen√mØ km[\ßfpambmWv. X´n≥]pdsØ CS\mgnIIƒ, AhnsS \n∂v Cdßnhcp∂tImWn, C´ncma≥ ImcWhcpsS apdnbntebv°v Cdßnhcp∂Xmbn ImWp∂ tImWn, XqWnt∑ep≈IpXn c. CsX√mw F¥n s\sbms°tbm kqNn ∏n bv°p∂ns√? C\n C√mØ Hcp \n[n bpsS ]n∂mse

bmbn cn °ptam Rm≥ HmSp∂Xv?

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C√mØ Imcyßfpambn \Ωƒ CS]gIp∂p F∂p ]d™Xv hµ\bv°n jvS am bn. AXhƒ°v Nn¥n bv°m≥ Hchkcw sImSp Øp. AhƒKuc hambn ]d ™p.

"C√mØ km[ \ ß fm bn cnbv°mw A—m, ]s£ AXns‚ A\p hwbYm¿∞ s√?'

"F∂ph®m¬?'"Rm\pt±in°WXv , Cu Imcyßsfms° C√mØhbmsW¶nepw AXp

≠m °W e wt√y, C^ IvSv, AXp hfsc bYm¿∞m W s√m. A—s‚Im¬shcev apdn™t]mse. Rm\o kvsI®n¬ XqWv I≠p]nSn® AtXkabØmWv A—≥ AXns‚ I√n∑ev ImepIpØn hogm≥ t]mbXv. ]≠v

AΩsb Xf Øn se Øn®Xv B C√m t°m Wn bmsW∂p ]d ™q tem. As∏m CsXms° kocn bmbn ImW Ww ∂m F\nbv°p tXm∂ W Xv.CsX√mw Imc W hcv A—\v XcW kqN \ym bn cn

°pw. Imc W hcv A— t\mSv kwkm cn °m≥ian°vWv≠v. \ap °Xv Unssk ¿ sNbvsX Sp°m≥ Ignb Ww∂v amXw. A—≥ Btem Nn®pt\m°p.'

Aßns\ t\m°p tºmƒ AXp icn bm sW∂ptXm∂p∂p. Cu A\p`hßƒ amXa√. a‰p \nch[nA\p h ßƒ B Imc W h¿ Ft∂mSp kwkm cn°m≥ ian °p I bm sW ∂ Xn\p sXfn hm Wv.Xń≥]pdsØ FgpØps]ń. AsX\nbv°p amXwXpd°m≥ Ignbp∂Xn¬ Ft¥m Imcyans√? hµ\]dºns‚ kv sI®v FSpØp t\m°pIbmWv. Rm\Xv

AhfpsS Iøn¬\n∂v taSn®p. AXn¬ Aºeap≈Xp sIm≠v, kvsI®pw AXn t\m sSm ∏ap≈ B[mchpw Cńcma≥ ImcWhcv ]n∂oSp≠m°n®XmsW∂Xns‚ sXfnhmWv. hµ\ NXp cw K ∏ eI FSpØv i≤tbmsS t\m°pI bm Wv. s]s´∂v c≠p t]cpw t\m°p∂ hkvXp ° ƒH∂pXs∂bmsW∂ t_m[sa\nbv°p≠m bn. Ft¥m Hcp BI kvan IXbmhmw. Fs‚ Xe t®mdv DW¿∂p]h¿Øn°m≥ XpSßn. Rm≥ ]d™p.

"tamsf, Hcp Imcyw \n\°v tXm∂vWvt≠m?'

"F¥—m?'

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"Cu NXpcw K ∏ eI \ΩpsS ]d ºns‚ NnXmWv∂v?'hµ\bpsS IÆpIƒ hnS¿∂p. Aßs\sbmcp km[yXsb∏‰n Ahƒ BtemNn®nń√. Ahƒ Bth

i tØmsS Fs‚ Iøn¬\n∂v ]d ºn s‚ kvsI®p Xń ∏ dn®p c≠pw ASp Ø SpØp sh®p t\m°m≥Xp S ßn.

"F\nbvs°m∂pw a\n emhvWn√y A—m.'"Rm≥ ]d™p Xcmw. CXn¬ s]s´∂v i≤n t°≠ \mev Icp ° fp ≠v, GsXm s° bm WXv?'

hµ\ t_m¿Un tebv°p t\m°n AXo h i ≤ tbmsS Ccn bv°bm Wv."cmPm hn\v Aciv sImSp Øn cn bv°ym Wv. AXm bXv sN°v. AsXmcp sX‰mb \o°mWv F∂p h®mepw B Icp°fmWv Ct∏m IW °m t° ≠Xv. H∂v cmPmhv, As√¶n¬ NXp cw KØn¬ Rßƒ ]dbm dp≈ tZh≥. c≠v tXcv, aq∂v _nj ∏v, As√ ¶n¬ A—≥ ]d bmdv≈ B\, \me a tØXv IpXn c.'

"AXn s‚sbms° \nesbm∂v t\m°v. As∏m a\ n emhpw. CXv B Aºehpw AXn\v Np‰pw≈B\bpw IpXn cbpw BWv∂v k¶ ev]n °p. AXm bXv KW ] Xnbpw XqWn t∑ev≈ IpXnc bpw. HcpcmPysØ \n[n Fhn SymWv km[m cW≠m∆m?'

"sIm´mc Ønev.'"F∂ph®m¬ cmPmhns‚ ASpØv. ChnsS c≠p cmPm°∑mcp≠s√m. GXp cmPmhns‚ IønemWv

AXp ≠mhpI.'"c≠p cmPm ° ∑m cpsS ASp Øpw ≠m hns√?'

"Chn SymWv Ipg°W ]iv\w ≈ Xv. AXm Wn\n I≠p ]nSnbv°≠ Xv.'"A—s‚ `mh\ ImSp I b do∂v amtX A¿∞ ≈p.' hµ\ Nncn ®p sIm≠v ]d ™p.Hc¿∞ Øn¬ hµ\ ]d™Xp icnbm Wv. Fs‚ mh\ ImSpIb dn bn cn bv°bm Wv. ]s£ Cu Hcp

Imcy Øn¬ Fs∂ \nb¥n °p∂Xp apgp h≥ Fs‚ A¥¿⁄m \ amWv. C≥Syq j≥. a‰p kqN \ Isf√mw AXn\v AIºSn tkhn °p∂psht∂bp≈p. Cńcma≥ ImcWhsc kz]v\ Øn¬ I≠Xns‚Hm¿ΩbnemWv Rm≥ hµ\tbmSp ]d™Xv , \n[n AºeØnemhm≥ hsø∂v . ImcWh¿ Fs∂ sIm≠pt]mbXv Xdhmńse \nch[n apdnIfnsem∂nemWv. apIfnemtWm NphńemtWm F∂pt]mepw Adnbn √. AXp I≠p ]n Sn bv°m \p≈ hgn I fmWv C\n tXtS ≠ Xv. Rm\m kvsI®pw NXp cw K ∏ e Ibpwapºn¬h®v [ym\n®p. At∏mgmWv Hcp Imcyw a\ nem°nbXv. Cu ]dºv icnbv°pw NXpc\m Wv. B

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sNvt_m¿Up t]m se. F¥p sIm≠mWv Cu Imcyw apsº Xebn¬ Ibdm ™Xv? sNvt_m¿Un¬\n∂v sIńSØns‚ ÿm\w I≠p]nSnbv°m≥ hnjaamWv. AXv kzbw A≤zm\n®p I≠p]nSnbv °Ww.

Ipń°meØv F\nbv°p≠mbncp∂ Hcp tKmjvTn bmWv XrtImWßƒ hcbv°pIsb∂Xv. ISemnsem∂pa√. a\n¬, As√¶n¬ IÆpIƒsIm≠v Htcm hkvXp°fn¬ AZriyamb XrtImWßƒhc bv°p I. Hcp Iq´w hkvXp ° fn¬\n∂v F\nbv°v \nc h[n XrtIm W ß fp ≠m °m≥ Ign bpw.F\nbv°v ss[cy°pdhp≈t∏mtgm, Fs¥¶nepw ImcyØn¬ Xo¿∏p≠m°m≥ IgnbmXncn°ptºmtgm

BWv Rm\o tImamfnØw Im´m dv. ]n∂oSv AZriy tcJ Iƒ hcbv°p∂Xn t\msSm∏w Fs‚ ssIhnc ep Ifpw Nen∏nbv°m dp≠v. AXpsIms≠ms° bmbncnbv°Ww ]n°mtm hns‚ NnX ßƒ I≠t∏mƒ F\nbv°p s]s´∂n jvSam b Xv. CXm thsdmcp tImamfn F∂p hnNm cn®ncn bv° Ww.

F¥mbmepw B kz`mhw Ct∏mƒ Bhiyambn h∂p. Rm≥ NXpcwK∏eIbn¬ I≠p ]nSn® c≠pIcp° fmb B\bpw IpXn cbpw tN¿Øv XrtImWßfp≠m°m≥ XpS ßn. B c≠p Icp°sf amXsa Sp°m≥ thsdbpw ImcW ßfp≠mbncp∂p. tZhs\, As√ ¶n¬ cmPm hns\ sN°vsabv‰v sNbvXaq∂p Icp°fn¬ B\bpw IpXncbpw icnbpw tXcv sX‰pamWv. F∂psh®m¬ IpXncsb B\bpsSapºn¬\n∂v am‰n Hcp Hm∏≥ sN°p sImSp Øp, AtXmsSm∏w IpXncsbs°m≠pw sN°ph ®p. AXv kw`mhyamWv. adn®v tXcn\v , As√¶n¬ Iymknen\v AhnsS hcm≥ bmsXmcp \ymbhpan√. AXpsIm≠v AXv _qfnb≥ temPn°n¬ ]d™m¬ "^mƒkp'w a‰p c≠pw "Sq'hpamWv. At∏mƒ icnbmbn´p≈XpamXsaSp°pI. c≠p Znibntebvt° Ahbn¬ \n∂v XrtImWßfp≠mhp. H∂v sIńSØns‚ Zni

bn te bv°v. ]ns∂ adp hi tØ bv°pw. adph itØbv°p≈Xv Xosc Dt]£n°mw, ImcWw AhnsSshdpw sXßpIfpw a‰p acßfpw \nd™ ]d ºmWv. sIńSØns‚ mKtØbv°p hc® pP ßƒ Hcpt\¿hcbnemWv Ipńap´p∂Xv.

B t\¿hcIfnsehnsSsb¶nepw BhWw Rßƒ At\zjn°p∂ \n[nbp≈Xv. an°hmdpw GsX¶nepw apdnIfn¬. AhntSbv°mWv Cńcma°mcWh¿ kz]v\Øn¬ Fs∂ sIm≠pt]mbXv. CXbpwhniZoIcn®psImSpØt∏mƒ hµ\bpsS kn\nknkw s]s´∂v A]Xy£ambn. Iºyq´dn¬ sNbvXpsIm ≠n cp ∂Xv tkhv sNbvXv Ahƒ tNmZn ®p.

"As∏m C\n I≠p ]n Sn bvt° ≠Xv GXp apdym sW ∂p amXm Wv, As√?'"AsX. AXn\v \ap°v th≠Xv Hcp Iºyq´¿ tamUemWv. \o Ct∏m D≠m°W kvsI®ns√, AXp

Ign™m¬ ]dbq. Rm≥ AXn \papºv KW]Xn bpsSbpw IpXncbpsSbpw CSbnep≈ Zqcw IW°m°mw. AXp t]mse Ahn sS \n∂v hoń te bv°pw. CXbpw Bbm¬ \ap°v ]Wn XpS ßmw.'

hµ\bv°v D’mlambn. kvsI®ns‚ Ahkm\ ]WnIfnemWv Ahƒ. C\n Af hpIƒ FSpØptN¿°p Itb th≠p. Ahsf B ]Wn XpS cm≥ Gev]n®v Rm≥ Fs‚ Afhp\m S bp ambn ]pdtØbv°n dßn. icnbv°p ]d™m¬ KW]Xnbpw Aºehpw IpXncbpw FItZiw Htc \ncbnemWp≈Xv . KW]Xnbpw IpXncbpw Aev]w apºntebv°p \n¬°p∂ps≠∂p amXw. NXpcwK∏eIbnepw Aßns\ Ø s∂bmWv Icp ° fpsS \ne.

sshIp t∂cw BZysØ Z√m f≥ h∂p."Cu \mep sI´pw ]dºpw hn¬°m \p≠v∂v tI´ s√m.'Rm≥ a\n¬ ]d™p. tZhn tbmSv \n[nbpsS Imcyambncp∂p ]d tb≠n bn cp∂ Xv. Hcp Imcyhpw

ChcpsS sbm∂pw a\ n¬ \nev°n √. Rm≥ ]d™p."ASpØ ho´pIm sc bmWv Gev]n®n cn ° WXv. Rßfv c≠p Znhkw Ign™m¬ t]m∆m Wv.'"Bsc, m¿§ hn b Ω sS ho´p Im sctbm?'

"AsX, AhnsS tNmZn ®m¬ aXn.'"CXvs∏m FX G°dv ImWpw?'"F√mw Ah¿° dn bmw, AhnsS At\zjn®m aXn.'cmXnbmb t∏mtgbv°v hµ\ kvsI®p hc®p Ign ™p. at\mlcambncn °p∂p. AfshSpØp hc

®XpsIm≠v F√mw hfsc hy‡ambncp∂p. ]gb F´psIńs‚ ÿm\w Ahƒ Duln®v hc®p tN¿Øncp∂p. AXpt]mse \mepsI´p amXambn \n¿Ønbncps∂¶n¬ FhnSwhscbp≠mhpsa∂pw Ahƒ]tXyIw ASbmfs∏SpØnbn´p≠v. ]dºn¬ c≠p IpfamWp≈Xv. H∂v sh´pIs√SpØ Ipgnt]msetXm∂nbv°p∂ Ipfw. Hcp mKØv ]ShpIfpw Ipf∏pcbpaps≠¶nepw a‰p aq∂p hiØv s]s´∂p≈XmgvNbm Wv. I≠m¬ bw tXm∂pw. Rßƒ Ipfn ®n cp ∂Xv sX°p In g°p mK Øp≈ hnim eambIpfØnembncp∂p. AXn¬ \ndsb Bº¬ ]q°ƒ GXpImeØpw hncn™p\n¬°mdp≠v. sh´pI√pIpfhpw Ipf∏pcbpw Hcp ImeØv F´psIńs‚ mKambncnbv°Wsa∂v Rm≥ Dulw ]d™n cp

∂p. AX\pkcn®mWhƒ F´psIńs‚ s]mfn®pIf™ mKhpw kvsI®n¬ tN¿ØXv. Rm≥ ]d™X\pkcn®v AºeØns‚bpw IpXncbpsSbpw CSbn¬ Hcp km¶ev]nI tcJbp≠m°n AXn¬\n∂v sIńSØns‚ hS °p`mKsØØp∂Xphsc XrtIm W ßƒ D≠m °nh ®p. Ct∏mƒ Imcyßƒ hfschy‡amWv . B XrtImWßƒ h∂p ap´p∂ GsX¶nepw apdnbnemhWw \n[n Hfn∏n®ph®ncnbv °p∂Xv.

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]IesØ A≤zm\w ImcWambncn°Ww Rm≥ cmXn \∂mbn Ddßn. cmhnse XmgsØØnbt∏mƒtZhn bmWv Nmb sIm≠p h∂p X∂ Xv. ]s£ apJ sØmcp ]km Z an √. Rm≥ tNmZn ®p.

"Ft¥?'"H∂pw√y.'"Ft¥m ≠v.'"\tµ s\ ¥n\m B s]mcp Øp Im cs\ Rß S Sp tØbv°v hn´Xv?'

"AtX ≈p. Rms\mcp tNmZyw Aß´v tNmZn bv°s´. F¥n \mWv Rßƒ°o hoSv hn¬°m \p t±iy≠v∂v s]mdsa ]d™Xv? Rm≥ ]tXyIw ]d™Xs√ thsd BtcmSpw ]dbcpXv∂v? Cs∏m F¥pieymbn∂v t\m°v. H∂maXmbn aq∂p sIm√Øn\p≈n¬ hnev°mt\ Dt±i≈p. ]ns∂ s]mcpØpImcv aptJ\ hn¬°m≥ Xosc Dt± i √y. AsXms° ]d ™ X s√.'

"Rm\ sXym∂pw Btem Nn ®n√.'"As∏m C\n hcW s]mcpØpImtcmsSms° ]d øm, Cu hoSpw ]dºpw hnev°m≥ t]mWn√y, Chn

SsØ Iqćv dn´bdv sNbvXp Ign™m¬ h∂p Xmakn°ymWv∂v. As√¶nev \n\°pXs∂bmWv ieyw.Rßfv aq∂p Znhkw Ign™m¬ t]mhpw.'

"icn.'Ahƒ ASp° fbntebv°p t]mbt∏mƒ F\nbv°p hnja ambn. Rßƒ IpńIfmbn cnbvs° ]d

ºn sems° HmSn°fn ®ncp∂ t∏mƒ Hcp hmembn Ahfpw D≠mbncp ∂p. Cµnc tb°mƒ \mep hbp

XmsgbmWv. Ct∏mƒ Ahfpw AΩbpw Cu hoSpw ]dºpw t\m°m\p s≠∂ ss[cyØnemWv RßfhnsS Ignbp∂Xv.C∂v \n¿ÆmbI ZnhkamWv. Cµncbpw hµ\bpw AºeØn¬\n∂p h∂t∏mƒ G√mhcpw H∂n®v

]mX¬ Ign®p. tZhntbmSv Ipd®p abØn¬ kwkmcn®t∏mƒ AhfpsS ]nW°w amdn. ]mhw, AXtbD≈p.

16

Rßƒ kvsI®n¬ ASbm fs∏Sp Ønb apdn Iƒ Hmtcm∂mbn ]cn tim[n°m≥ XpSßn. s]s´ s∂\nbv°v t\csØ I≠ kz]v\w Hm¿Ω h∂p. Cńcma≥ Imc W h¿ Fs‚ ssI ]nSn®v Hcp tImWnbn

d ßnh cp∂ kz]v\w. Rm≥ hµ \ tbmSp ]d ™p."F\nbv°p tXm∂WXv tImWnbp≈ Hcp apdnbm bncnbv°pw AsX∂mWv. ]s£ \ΩsS sXc®nen¬ tImWnsbm∂pw I≠nń√. AXn\¿∞w Hcp ImeØv D≠mbncp∂ tImWn Cń cma≥ Imc WhcpsS Ime Øn \p tijw FSpØp am‰n F∂m Wv. F¥m A`n ]mbw?'



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"Aß\ow Hcp km[yX≠v. A—≥ ]d™ncp∂ns√, tImWn FSpØp am‰nbm¬ Xńs‚ B mKwhyXymk s∏ n cn °pw∂v? As∏m \ap °Xp t\m°mw. GXmbmepw aq∂p apdntb \Ωfv AS bmfs∏ SpØo p ≈p.'

"t\m°mw.'Rßƒ kvsI®n¬ AS bmfs∏ SpØnb \ºd\p kcn®v t\m°m≥ XpSßn. H∂mw \ºdn¬ H∂pan

√. AXp ImcWhcpsS apdnbmbncp∂p. AXn\p sXm´SpØv Hfn™pInS∂ apdn t\csØ t\m°nbn

cp∂s√m. c≠mw \ºdnseØnbt∏mƒ s]s´∂v hnf°W™p. Id‚ v t]mbXmWv. Iøn¬ ]nSn® hnf°v Xmsg h®p Rßƒ hb¿ XSbmsX apdnbv°p ]pdØp IS∂p. C\n Ft∏mgmWv sshZypXn hcpIsb∂ dn bn √. \mń≥]p d sØms° Aßn s\ bm Wv. AXbpw kabw ]mgm °msX kvsI®p ]Tn °m≥Rßƒ Xocp am \n ®p.

"Hcp Imcyw \o i≤nt®m?' Rm≥ tNmZn®p. "\Sphnse apdnbpw AXn\p Np‰pap≈ CS\mgnIIfpw\Spap‰w \nIØn ]WnXXmbn cn°Ww.'

"icym W s√.' kvsI®p t\m°ns°m≠v hµ\ ]d™p. F´psIńs‚ c≠masØ \Spap‰ mWv AXv As√? Rm\tXm¿Øn√. At∏mƒ B \Spap‰Ømbncnbv°pw ImctWmcv \n[n Ipgn®n´Xv. AtXm≠mbn cn°pw F´p sI´v apgp h≥ s]mfn °m≥ kΩXn bv°m Xn cp ∂ Xv, As√?'

"Bbncn°pw. Cu \in® Id‚ v C\n Ft∏mgmWmthm hczm. B apdosems° ]cntim[n°sW¶nev \√ shfn®w thWw. \Ωfv t\m°m≥ t]mW apdoev H´pw shfn®w C√. s]md tØbv°v P\ en √mØ

apdn bmWv. BsI≈Xv Hcp kqtXmýmWv. hmXnev IS °W CS\m gnI AXntesd Ccp´p ]nSn ® Xpw.'"F¥m—m kqtXm´?'"X®pimkvX]Imcw Nne Npa cn¬ P\¬ ]mSn s√∂p≠v. ]s£ Aßns\bp≈ ÿeØv shdpw

Hcp Hm´ bp ≠m °pw. GI tZiw c≠n©p hymk Øn¬. AXn \mWv kqtXm´ F∂p ]d b W Xv. Hcp]s£ Xq sh‚n te j\p th≠n bm bn cn°pw.'

"AXp icn.'"Cu \mń≥]pdØv Cßns\sbmcp ieyw amtX≈q. Id‚ v, AXp t]mbm¬ Hcp t]m°mWv. \n\°v

Iºyq dn¬ H∂pw sNøm\pw ]‰n√.'"£an°p A—m.'

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A≤ymbw ]Xn t\gv

Id‚ v h∂Xv cmXn Ggp aWnbv°mWv. Rßƒ apdn ]cn tim [n °m≥ HmSp∂Xp I≠ Cµnc ]d ™p.

"C\n DuWp Ign ™n´p t]msc.A—\pw tamƒ°pw Xosc £a √y.'

"Hcp Imcypw IqSn t\m°m \v≠v. AXv Ign ™n´p hcmw. A∏ gbv°v \o DuWpicn bm °p.'

Rßƒ HmSp I X s∂ bm bn cp ∂p.hnf°v IØn \n ∂n cp ∂Xv FSpØpX´ns‚ tatebv°p ]nSn®p Hmtcm mKambn ]cntim[nbv°m≥ XpSßn. s]s´∂v Fs‚ lrZbw ]pdØp NmSnbn√m Fs∂bp≈p. Hcp aqebnembn Hcn°¬ tImWn]nSn∏n®ncp∂ mKw I≠p. Hcp IqSv, AXv ]n∂oSv AS ® Xm Wv. AS® `mKw Hcps^bnambn ImWp∂p.

"CXmWv Rm≥ ]d ™ Xv, t\m°v ChnsS Hcp tImWn ≠m bn cp ∂p.'

hµ\bv°v Xr]vXnbm bn."CXm bn cn °Ww B apdn. F¥m bm

epw Cs∏m t\m°ms\m∂pw ]‰n√. DuWpIgn™v kmh[m\Øn¬ t\m°mw. AXns\ Sbv°v tamfnevsØ s\teev t]mbnAhnSow H∂v ]cn tim [n bv°mw.'

Rßƒ CS \m gn I I fpsS hf hp IƒIS∂v ]pd tØbv°p IS ∂p. \Sp ap ‰Øns‚ hiØpIqSn \S∂v tImWn Ibdn. \o≠ hb¿ π§n¬ \ns∂SpØXv H∏wsIm≠pt]mbn. AhnsS \√ Ccp´pXs∂.]pdØv ambm≥ aSn ®p \n∂ t\cnbshfn®w B apdnbn¬ H´pw FØp ∂n √.ASp ° f bpsS hmXn en eqsS `¿Øm hns‚bpw aIfpsSbpw ]cmIaßƒ ho£n°p ∂ Cµnc Xe bm n.

apIfnse apdn I≠p]nSnbv°pI Ffp∏ am bn cp ∂p, ImcWw AXv G‰hpwA‰sØ apdn bm Wv. apI fnse hcm ¥

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bn¬°qSn CS\mgnIbntebv°p IS°mw. Rßƒ InS∏dbn¬\n∂v π§pphgnsbSpØ hnf°v IØn®p\S∂p. B apdnbnepw Hcp kqtXm´ amXsabp≈p. P\epIfn√. AsXmcp km[mcW apdn amXw. ho´pkmam\ßsf√mw am‰nbncp∂p. ]cntim[n®t∏mƒ Hcp Imcyw a\nembn. B apdnbpsS Xń¬\n∂pwXń≥]pdtØbv°v tImWnh®Xns‚ sXfnhp≠v. a\nemhmØ Imcyw H∂maXmbn Cu apdnbn¬\n∂v Xń≥]pdtØbv°v F¥n \mWv tImWn h® Xv. c≠maXv, F¥n\mWv B tImWn FSpØp am‰nbXv?Imc W h¿ sNbvXsX¥pw Zpcq l Xbp≈Xmbncp∂p. B apdnbnsem∂pw Hcp \n[n Hfn∏n®p shbv°m

\p≈ ÿew I≠n√. Rßƒ Xmtgbv°p Xncn®p t]mbn. tai∏pdØv DuWp Xømdmbn Cµnc ImØp\n¬°pIbmWv."Inńtbm?' Ahƒ tNmZn®p?"F¥v?'"\nßft\zjn°W \n[n?'"Ifn ∏n t®ms´ As√ tamsf?'"A√, AXp Inń bn´v \nßsf¥m sNøm≥ t]mWXv?'"Rß fXv Inń bn´v BZyw ]pXp Xmbn \s√m c Ωsb sIm≠p h cpw, As√ tamsf?'"A√m sX? Hcp _m‚ v \yp AΩsb.'"CsXm s° bmWv A—‚ow tamfSow a\ n en cn∏v As√? ]d ™Xv \∂m bn. Cs∏m F¥m bmepw

`£Ww Xømdmbn´p≠v. AXp Ignt®mfp. \msf apX¬ hµ\sS _m‚ v \yq AΩbp≠m°nØcpw.'

"\Ω fXv ]d™Xv Ipd®p t\c sØ bmbn As√?' hµ\ ]d ™p.ssI IgpIn Du¨taibv°p apºn en cn °p tºmƒ Rm≥ ]d ™p."KpW ]mTw, as‰m∂p Inńbnt´ Iøn ep≈ Infnsb hnSmhq.'"Bs´, icnbv°p ]dbq, \n[n Inń bm¬ F¥mWv sNøm≥ t]mWXv?'"t\¿ ]IpXn Ipt´´\p sImSp°pw. aq∏¿°pIqSn AhImis∏´XmWv Cu ÿew, AtXm≠vXs∂

Cu \n[ow. _m°n ]IpXnsIm≠v \ΩsS IsSms° ho´pw. \ΩsS hoSp sh®Xns‚ ISw C\ow _m°n≠s√m. AXpw a‰p Nne A√dNn√d ItSmw Hs°°qSo v Xo¿°pw. _m°n h√Xpws≠¶n¬ AXv \ΩsStamfsS Ieym W Øn\v FSp Øp sh bv°pw. t]msc?'

"aXn a Xn, A√, tNmZn ® Xm. F∂n´v thWs√m t]mbn´v Fs‚ kq´vtIkv t]°v sNøm≥.'Aßns\ Imcy ßƒ cay ambn ]cn l cn®v Rßƒ aq∂p t]cpw £ W Øn \ncp ∂p.DuWp Ign™t∏mƒ kpJambn InS∂pdßm\mWv tXm∂p∂Xv. XWpØ Im‰p hoip∂p≠v. Fhn

sStbm ag s]øp ∂p ≠v F∂¿∞w. C\n ag bpsS Bchw tIƒ°mw. Zqsc \n∂v XpSßn kmh [m \Øn¬ ASptØbv°p h∂v AXv Hmń≥]pdØv i‡ntbmsS ]Xnbv°pw. AXns‚ Bkpci_vZØn¬Dd°w FhnsS \nt∂m Cc®phcpw. ]ns∂ ]nSn®m¬ In´msX IÆpIƒ AS™pt]mIp∂p. C∂v c≠msem∂dnbpwhn[w Xnc®n¬ Ahkm\n∏nbv°Ww. Ds≠¶nepw Cs√¶nepw F√mw Ahkm\n∏n®v Xncn®p t]m Ww. FX Ime ambn Cu `m¥p XpS ßn bn´v?

"tZhn ]d øm Wv,' Cµnc kw`m jWw XpS ßn. "F¥m \nßfv h√ \n[ow At\zjn°ymtWm ∂v.'"F¥m Ahƒ° ßns\ tXm∂m≥?'"A—‚ow tamfSow sh]mfw I≠mev GXv ac a ≠\pw a\ n emhpw Ft¥m At\z jn °ym Wv∂v.

]Øncp \qdp sIm√w ]g °≈ Xd hm Ss√? ChnsS thsd F¥v At\z jn °m\m?'icn bm sW∂v F\nbv°n t∏mƒ tXm∂p∂p."ssZh ta, C\n Ahfv AXpw ]m´mt°zm?'

"B¿° dnbmw?'Hcp Imcyw Xo¿® bm bn. h√Xpw t\m°m \p s≠ ¶n¬ AXp thKw t\m°n ÿew hnSp I. DuWpIgn°¬ Hcp NSßv amXambn amdnbncp∂p. Ign°ptºmgpw kwkmcn®ncp∂Xv Htcsbmcp hnjbsØ∏‰nbmbncp∂p. Fßns\sbms°tbm £Ww Ign®psh∂p hcpØn Rm\pw hµ\bpw apIfnseØnkvsI®p ]Tn°m≥ XpSßn. DuWp Ign™ DSs\ tPmensbSp °m≥ hø. t]mcm ØXn\v Ab¬°mscms° Dd ° am hs´ F∂pw Dt± i ap ≠v.

Cµnc ASp °f ]qń apI fn tebv°p h∂p."Fhn sSsbØn \nßsS At\zjWw?'Rm≥ H∂pw ]dbmsX Iºyq´dns‚ tamWn‰¿ AhfpsS t\sc Xncn®p ]nSn®p. RßfpsS kwkm

cØn¬\n∂pw A∏t∏mgmbn Rßƒ Iºyq´dn¬ tPmensbSp°p∂Xp t\m°nbncp∂Xn¬\n∂pw Cµnc]iv\Øns‚ ImX se ¥msW∂v a\nem °nbncp∂p.

"Ct∏mƒ \nßft\zjn°WXv Cu apdnbnemWv As√?' kqtXm´bp≈ hSs° A‰sØ apdn Nq≠n°mń Ahƒ tNmZn ®p."AsX?'"F¥m Aßn s\ sbmcp Dulw \nß°v Inń bXv?'

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"AtXm, \ΩsS NXp cpw K ∏ eI Cu ]d ºns‚ amXn cymWv∂v ]d ™q tem. At∏m KW ] Xnbv°v ]Icw B\bmWv kqN\. IpXn cbv°v ]Icw ]≠p≠mbncp∂ IpXn c ]Xna. AXn\v \Sphn¬ tZh≥As√ ¶n¬ cmPmhv. AXm bXv Aº ew. KW ] Xnbv°pw IpXn cbv°pw FtSev Hcp hc hc ®qtem?c≠n\ow LSn ∏n ®p sIm≠v? AXns‚ HØ \Sp hn∂v Xmtgm´v Hcp hc hc ®m¬ AXv Cu aq∂p apdo°qSymWv IS∂p t]m∆m. Cßns\ Hcp Bibw InóXv XntImWw hc°W Fs‚ kz`mhw≠vsem,AXv∂m. As∏m B XntIm W ßfv Iqń t®¿°m s\mcp t\¿tcJ hc ® Xm.'

Cµnc Ipd®pt\cw tamWn‰dn¬ t\m°nbncp∂tijw Ft¥m ]nSnInńbt]mse Rßsf t\m°n.]ns∂ ssI \ońs°m≠v ]d ™p."FhnsS B NXp cw K ∏ eI? t\m° s´.'Hcp an\p‰v B ]eI t\m°n b tijw Ahƒ Nncn°m≥ XpS ßn."\nßsf ¥n\mWv Cßns\ Iqń s°mg°WXv? B\Sow IpXn cSow \Sphnev≈Xv shfpØ tZh\m

Wv, As√? Atß¿°s√ sN°p sImSpØn cn bv° WXv?'"AsX.'`KhXo\ymWv shfpØ tZh\mbn v ImWn®ncn°WXv. at‰ tZh≥, IdpØ tZh≥ shfpØ tZh\v

t\sc FXn ¿hiØm Wv. F∂ph ®m¬ ]qPm ap doevsØ tZh≥. AXmcmWv? \ΩsS iymaIrjvW≥Xs∂. As∏m Cu c≠p cmPm ° ∑mcow Iqńt®¿Øv Hcp hc hcbv°ys√ th≠p? AXm sW ¶ntemHcp t\¿hcbpw BWv. \nßfv t\m° ≠Xv ]qPm ap do emWv.'

hµ\ AΩsb Bcm [ \ tbmsS t\m°n.

17

"icym Ws√ A—m, Aßn\ow Hcp km[y X ≠s√?'Rm≥ Cµn c bpsS _p≤n bn¬ AZv`pX s∏´v Ccn bv° bm Wv."\o PohnX Øn¬ c≠masØ ]mh iymWv _p≤n ImWn° WXv.' Rm≥ Cµnc tbmSv ]d ™p."AsX¥m?'"BZysØ ]mhiyw Fs∂ IeymWw Ig n® t∏m.'

"Mm....AtX≈q?'hµ\ A\zehpw hoń\p≈nse ]qPmapdnbpw Iqńt®¿ØpsIm≠v Hcp tcJ hc®p. icnbv°pw Hcpt\¿tc J. Hcp tZhs‚ ASp Øp \n∂v as‰ tZh \n te bv°v Hcp cmP ]m X.

"\ap°v t]mbn t\m°mw.' Rm≥ ]d™p. "t\m°p ∂ Xn¬ sXs‰m ∂p an√ s√m.'



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Rm≥ Iºyq´dnse kvsI®v Hcn °¬°qSn ]Tn®p. ]qPm apdn 15 ASn \ofhpw BdSn hoXnbpap≈sNdnb apdn bmWv. Rßƒ Fgp t∂ ‰p. tImWn bpsS ASp sØ Øn b t∏mƒ hµ\ ]d ™p.

"A—m Rm\m Afhp tS∏v FSp ° s´. Fs¥ ¶nepw Bhiyw h∂mtem?'Ahƒ tS∏v FSpØp sIm≠phcp∂Xphsc Rßƒ tImWn®phń¬ ImØp\n∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn

®p."tamsf \o AfshSp Ø sXms° icn X ∂ys√?'

F¥m W ßns\ tNmZn °m≥ Fs∂ s°m≠v tXm∂n ∏n ®Xv F∂ dn bn √. ]s£ AXp \∂m bn,ImcWw Ahƒ°n t∏mƒ kwi b am bn."AtX∂m tXm∂vWXv.' Ahƒ kwibn®psIm≠v ]d™p. "\ap°v F¥mbmepw Hcn°¬°qSn Af

sh Sp °mw.'BZyw t]mbXv ]qPmapdnbntebv°p Xs∂bmbncp∂p. hoXn icnbv°pw BdSn Xs∂. \ofw ]s£

]Xn \©n\p ]Icw 13 ASn amX ta bp ≈p. At∏mƒ? ImcWh cpsS apdnbv°pw ASpØ apdn bv°p anSbn¬ Hfn™pInS°p∂t]se Hcd ]qPmapdnbnepw D≠v! B apdntb°mƒ kqc£nXamWv ]qPmapdnF∂v Cńcma°mcWh¿ IcpXnbn´p≠mhpw. Rßƒ aq∂pt]cpw apJtØmSpapJw t\m°n \n¬°pIbmWv.

"A∏ Ft¥ Aßns\ kw`hnbv°m≥?' Aev ]w Ip‰t_m[tØmSpIqSn \n¬°p∂ hµ\sb t\m°nCµnc tNmZn®p.

"Rm≥ ]d™pXcmw.' hµ\sb Hcp hnjak‘nbn¬ \n∂v c£n®psIm≠v Rm≥ ]d™p. "hcq.....'Rm≥ ]qPmapdnbv°v FXnscbp≈ apdnbntebv°v Ahsc sIm≠pt]mbn. AsXmcp IehdbmWv.]qPmapdnbpsS sXm´SpØmbXpsIm≠v ASp°fkm[\ßsfm∂pw AXn¬ sh®ncp∂n√. ]qPm kmaKn Iƒ AXpXs∂bp≠v [mcmfw. ]e hep∏ Ønep≈ Hm´p hnf°p Iƒ, ]n® f Øm eßƒ, sNdnbsN ºp ]m X ßƒ, FÆ ∏m X ßƒ Aßns\ ]eXpw. ]ns∂ kZybv°p ] tbmKn ®n cp∂ Nc °pIfpwDcp fn Ifpw henb N´p Ißfpw Hs° Bbncp∂p B apdn bn¬.

Rm≥ hµ\bpsS Iøn¬\n∂v tS∏p hmßn Af°m≥ XpS ßn. AXns‚ hoXn 9 ASn. kvsI®n¬ASbmfs∏SpØnb t]mseØs∂. \ofw 15 ASnbpw. Ahƒ°p ]‰nb A_≤w c≠p apdnIfpw ]pdsa\n∂v t\m°ptºmƒ Htc \ofap≈XpsIm≠v Hcp apdnbpsS hoXnsbSpØpIgn™t∏mƒ AtX Afhv as‰ apdn bv°pw, AXm bXv ]qPmapdn bv°pw, icnbv°v Afsh Sp°msX sImSpØp F∂ XmWv. ImcWhcpsS apdnbn¬ Afhp]niIp I≠t∏msg¶nepw Rßƒ AfhpIƒ Hcn°¬°qSn ]cntim[nt°

≠ Xmbn cp∂p.Rßƒ ]qPmapdnbntebv°p t]mbn. apdnbv°v \jvSs∏´ \ofw ]XnjvTbv°p ]n∂n emWv InS °p∂Xv F∂p a\nem bn. B NpacmWv s]mfn bvt° ≠ Xv.

s]s´∂v ag s]øm≥ XpSßn. Hmń≥]pdØv I\Ø Xp≈nIƒ i‡ntbmsS hogp∂ i_vZw. Im‰ns‚Nqfw hn fn. ]s£ F\n°v Dd°w hcp ∂n√. Rm≥ Cµnc tbmSv ]d ™p.

"\ap°v s]mfn bvt°≠Xv Cu _nw_Øn\p ]n∂nse Npa cmWv.'"AXn s\¥m?' Ahƒ hfsc im¥ bmbn ]d ™p. "\ap°v s]mfn bv°mw. ]n°mIvsk Sp °p.'F\nbv°v AZv`pXw tXm∂n. Ft∂ °mƒ ‡n bp≈ Iq´ Øn emWv Ahƒ. F∂pw Aº e Øn¬

t]mIpw, ]m¿∞nbv°pw. ChnsS Xmakn°p∂nStØmfw Znhkßƒ apS°msX ]qPmapdnbn¬ hnf°psImfpØpw. \maw P]nbv°pw. AXymhiyw GImZinbpw a‰pw t\m¬°pw. CsXm∂pw sNømØ I£nbmWv Rms\¶nepw B _nw_w A hn sS\n∂v am‰pI F∂mtem Nn°ptºmƒ t]Sn tXm∂p∂p. hµ\

H∂pw ]dbmsX \n¬°p IbmWv. AΩ Imcy ßƒ Gs‰ Sp ØXv Hs´mcmizm ktØm sSbmWv A hƒt\m°p ∂ Xv."As∏m Cu _nw_w Ahn S∂v am‰s≠?'"AXns\¥m \tµ´m? Rm\Xv FSs°Sbv°v am‰n AhnsSyms° hrØn bm°mdv≠v. t]mbn s]mfn

°m\v≈ Bbp [ ß sfms° FSpØp sIm≠p h cp. Rm \n∏ Cu aq∏sc am‰n Ø cmw.'Ahƒ Ip\n™n cp∂v ]Xna Iønse SpØp."DÆn °r jvWm, sImd®p t\cw H∂v amdn bncn bv° Ww t´zm. H∂pw hnNm cn bv° cvXv. Rß°v Hcp

Imcyw t\m°m \mWv............'Rm≥ Bbp[ ßsfSp°m≥ t]mbn.

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Rm≥ Xncn®p h∂t∏mtgbv°v Cµnc ioIrjvWs\ amXa√ At±lw HmS°pg¬ hnfn®v \n∂ncp∂ ]oTw IqSn am‰n h®v AhnsS XpS bv°p I bmWv.

"Ct∏mƒ XpS t° ≠n bn cp ∂n √. F¥m bmepw aÆpw s]mSow Bhpw.'"AXp kmc √y. tPmen XpSßpsºm hrØn≈ ÿeØncn°mtem. C]mhiyw Rm\o ]oT Øns‚

ASo sem∂pw sXmS ®n v≠m bn cv∂n √.']oTw c≠Sn \ofhpw IjvSn®v AcbSn Dbchpap≈ Hcp taibmWv. IS™ ImepIfpw hißfn¬

NnX∏WnIfpap≈ Cu´nbn¬ Xo¿Ø Hcp tai. Npacn¬ taibn´ncp∂ ÿm\Øv Hcp Ccp≠ ]mSph∂n cp ∂p. Ahn sSØs∂ s]mfn °m≥ XpS ßmw. Rm≥ ]n°m Ivsk Sp Øp.

18

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B Npacp≠m°nbXv CjvSnIsIm≠mbXn\m¬ s]mfn°p∂Xv Ipd®pIqSn Ffp∏ambncp∂p. a‰pNpacpIsf√mw henb sh´pI√psIm≠p≠m°nbXmWv. ImcWhcpsS apdnbnse AS™ apdnbpsSNphcp t]mepw sh´p I √p sIm≠p Xo¿Ø Xm bXpsIm≠v s]mfn °m≥ \s∂ ]mSp s] p.

\mev CjvSn IbpsS hep∏Øn¬ πmÃ¿ FSpØpam‰n. BZysØ CjvSnI FSp°m≥ ]‰psa∂mbt∏m tgbv°v Id‚p t]mbn. Iqcm °q cn cp v. ]pdØv Im‰ns‚bpw agØp≈n Iƒ Hmń≥]pdØv h∂ Sn°p ∂ Xns‚bpw oIc i _vZw. Rm≥ s]s´∂p ]I®p \n ∂p t]mbn.

"Rm\n t∏mƒ tSm¿®v FSp Øp sIm ≠p h cmw.' hµ\ ]d ™p."th≠ tamsf.' Rm\hsf hne°n. "\o H‰bv°v Cs∏m t]m≠. t]mcmØXn\v tSm¿®psIm≠v Imcyw\S°n √. Id‚ v hc s´.'

Cµnc ]oT Øn¬ h® Xos∏ń Dc®v \nehn f°p sImfpØn."C\n C∏sgm∂pw Id‚ v hcpw∂v tXm∂vWn√y.' Cµnc ]d™p. "Cu Im‰pw atgw≈s∏mt≠m Ahcv

sse≥ dn∏b¿ sNøpWq? h√ atcmw hoWv Iºn s]mó Xm bn cn bv°pw.'"Id‚ v hcpsºm hcs´. As√¶n¬ \ap°v \msf ]Iev sNømw.' Rm≥ ]d™p. "Cu Npacv s]mfn®m

F¥m ImWzm∂v ssZh Øn\p amtX Adn bq.'"AXp aXn AtΩ.' hµ \bpw ]d ™p. AΩ bpsS Ah km \ \n an j Ønse [rXn ImWp tºmƒ

Ahƒ°p bamhp∂ps≠∂p tXm∂n. "A—≥ ]d™Xm Imcyw. AXn\p≈nse¥mbncnbv°pw∂v \ap° dnbn√. \√ shfn ®≈s∏m t\m°ym¬ aXn.'

"Rms\mcp ]m\okv IØn®p sIm≠phcmw. AXns‚ shfns®ms° aXn. CXv sXmSßnb ÿnXnbv°v C∂s∂ Xo¿°mw. F¥m A—\pw tam°pw CX t]Sn?'Cµnc ]m\o sk Sp °m≥ t]mbn ° gn ™p. \nan j ßƒ°Iw Ahƒ dm¥¬ sImfp Øn s°m≠p

h∂p. hnf°v \neØv sh® tijw Ahƒ ssI \oń."]n°mIvkv Xcq, Rm≥ s]mfn °mw.'"th≠, Rm≥ sNbvtXmfmw.' Rm≥ Npacv s]mfn°m≥ XpSßn. c≠p CjvSnI FSpØp am‰nb t∏m

gmWv hµ\ hnfn®p ]d™Xv."A—m, t\m°q, AXn \ IØv Ft¥m≠v!'Rm≥ sRń ]n≥am dn. Cµnc AItØbv°p t\m°n s°m≠p ]d ™p."AsXmcp sN∏p Ip Sw amXn cn≠v.'icnbm Wv. kmam\yw ¢mhp ]nSn®v aßnb hensbmcp sN∏pIpS Øns‚ mKw ImWm \p ≠v.

Ah km\w! CXn \mWv Rm≥ CX Imew Ae ™ Xv."aqt∂m \mtem hcn CjvSnI FSp ° ≠n h cpw∂m tXm∂ W Xv.' Cµnc ]d ™p. "F∂m¬ IpSwsNcn®ph®v FSp °mw.'

Ignbp∂X Ipd®v CjvSnIIƒ FSp°pIbmsW¶n¬ B mKw ho≠pw ]SpØv tX°m≥ Ffp∏amWv. Rm≥ s]mfn °p∂Xv XpS¿∂p. sN∏pIpSw \√ I\ ap≠v. Rm\pw Cµn c bpwIqSn AXp ]pdsØSp Øp. AXns‚ aqSn Hcp sNºp X InSpsIm≠v D d ∏n ®n cn bv° bm Wv. Hcp XpWn sIm≠v IpSw XpS®phrØnbm°nbt∏mƒ aqSnh® XInSn¬ XntImWßsfs°m≠p \nd™ Hcp cq]w sXfn™ph∂p.\nch[n XntIm Wß fp ≈ Xn se√mw Hmtcm A£ c ß fp ap ≠v. AsX¥p amc Wam Wmthm?

"C\n Cu IpSw Fßns\ Xpd°pw?'"AsXms° Rm≥ Xpd ∂p X cmw. \tµ ≥ AXv tamfn tebv°v FSp °p.'Cµnc dm¥epambn apºn¬ \S∂pIgn™p. mcap≈ sN∏pIpShpambn tImWn IbdpI Ffp∏am

bncp∂n √. apIfn seØn bt∏mƒ Rm≥ In X ®ncp∂p. mcw amX a√, Ign™ GXm\pw \nan jßfn ep≠mb CfInadn®n¬ F\nbv°p kln°m≥ Ignbp∂Xnepw A[nIambncp∂p. Cµnc t\sc t]mbn InS∏papdn bpsS P\ eS®p.

"ChnsS \neØp h®m aXn.' Ahƒ ]d™p. AhnsS Hcp ]p¬∏mb hncn®Xn\p aosX Rm\m IpSwh®p. AXn∂p≈n¬\n∂v Hcp InepInepi_vZw ]pdØph∂p. \mWbßfpsS i_vZw t]mse. CµncAXns‚ aqSn ]cn tim[n°p IbmWv.

"Cu AS∏v Xncn®p sXmd ° ≠ Xm Wv.' Ahƒ ]d ™p. "Rms\m∂v ian ®p t\m °s´.'Ahƒ Xpd°m≥ ianbv °p I bmWv."AtΩ, Rm≥ sXmd °mw.' hµ\ ]d ™p."]‰n √, CXv Id ]nSn®v Dd®p t]m bn cn °p Wp. \tµ ≥Xs∂ sXmd°p.' Ahƒ InX ®p sIm≠v ]d

™p.

Rm\Xv ]nSn®v Bhp∂X i‡n D]tbmKn®v Xpd°m≥ ian ®p. BZysØ iaØn¬Øs∂ AXv Xpd∂ph∂p. Rm≥ ]tbm Kn® i‡n apgp h≥ D] tbm Kn °m sX Ø s∂. Cµn cbpw hµ \bpwHcm›cyi_vZap≠m°n At\ym\yw t\m°n, I≠ns√ F∂ ań¬. F\nbv°v bamWp≠mbXv. Hmtcm]mhiyw Xń≥]p dsØ Fgp Øp s]ń Xpd °m≥ Ign ™ t∏m gp ap ≠mb AtX bw.

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Cµnc IpSw Ah fpsS ASp tØbv°p \o°n h®v AS∏p am‰n AXv ]p¬∏m bn tebv°p sNcn ®p.AXn¬ \ndsb kz¿Æ \mWbßfmbncp∂p. \ndw Aev]w aßnbn´ps≠∂√msX Imcyamb \misam∂p ap≠m bn n √. Rßƒ B \mW b ßƒ Iøn se SpØp. _nńjv cmPm° ∑m cpsSbpw cm⁄nam cpsSbpw t]cn¬ Cd°nb ]h≥\mWbß fmWv Ah. BZyw IønseSpØXv tPm¿÷v A©mas‚ XetbmsS 1911¬ Cd °nb \mWbam Wv. AhbpsS Xnf°w A[nIw \jvS s∏ n n√.

Cµnc IpSw apgph\pw ]mbntebv°p IangvØn. H‰ t\m´Øn¬ FÆw Dulns®Sp°m≥ IgnbmØ

hn[w \nc h[n \mWb ßƒ, AXn\nSbn¬ XpWnbpsS sIm®psIm®p k©n Iƒ. Cµnc Hcp XpWn k©nsb SpØp Xpd ∂p. AXn¬ kz¿Æm cWß fmWv. ameIƒ, hf Iƒ, IS Iw, IΩ epIƒ, sImS °Sp °\p Iƒ.

"\ap°v BZyw Cu ]h s\ms° FÆn t\m °mw.' Cµnc D’m l tØmsS ]d ™p. ]d bp ∂ Xn\papºv Ahƒ \mWb ßƒ ]sØ ÆØns‚ Ań bmbn shbv°m≥ XpS ßn. AΩ bpsS AXyp’mlØn¬ Aev]w ckt°Sp ImWn®ncp∂ hµ\bpw ItaW AΩtbmSp tN¿∂p \mWbßƒ Ań bm°m≥ XpS ßn.

"CsXms° kz¿ÆmtWm A—m?'"AsX, CXmWv icn bv°p≈ _nńjv ]h≥. CsXms° 22 Imc‰v ip≤n≈ kz¿ÆmWv. Hmtcm cmPm

° ∑m cpsS ImeØv Ah cpsS NnXmWv Cu \mW b ß fn sems° ]Xn bv°m dv. I≠n s√, tPm¿÷v A©m a≥, FtUz¿Uv Ggm a≥, hnIvtSm dnb cm⁄n. F\nbv°p tXm∂ WXv CXn s\ms° Ct∏mƒ

kz¿ÆØns‚ hne b√ In´pI F∂m Wv. ImcWw CsXms° IeIvtSgvkv sF‰ amWnt∏mƒ. kz¿ÆØns‚ hne Inń bm¬Øs∂ CsX X ≠mhpw∂m hnNmcw? \mWb ßfpsS Ań Iƒ IqSn°qSn hcnIbmWv. F¥psImt≠m AXv FÆn Xn´s∏ SpØm≥ F\nbv°p bambn. H‰ t\m´ Øn¬ \qdn e[nIwAń I fp ≠v. C\nbpw Ań bm °m≥ ]mbn¬ _m°n InS °p I bm Wv. ssZhta F¥m Wn Xn s\ms°A¿∞w?

hµ \ bpsS Ccp ] sØ n\v Hcp kz¿Æ amebpw Ac ™mWpw D≠m °n °m≥ Imin √m sX, Cµn cbpsS Hcp hf sIm Sp ØmWv sNdn sbmcp ame hmßn ® Xv. k¿Æ Ac ™m¨ Hcp tamlw amX am bnAhtijn®p. B A—s‚bpw AΩbpsSbpw apºnemWv e£°W°n\v cq]bpsS kz¿Æw Ipan™pIq Sn bn´p ≈Xv! Ft¥m IY! F\n °nXp hnizkn°m≥ Ignbp ∂n √.

Rm≥ kabw t\m°n. ]Xn s\m ∂v. Ct∏mƒ Ipt´ ≥ Hmô kn em bn cn °pw. Rm≥ samss_¬t^msW SpØp Ub¬ sNøm≥ XpS ßn. Ipt´ ≥ t^msW Sp °n √. Ft∂mSv ]d ™n p ≈Xv Rm≥

shdpsX dnMv sNbvXm¬ aXnsb∂mWv. At±lw Ctßm´p Xncn®p hnfn°pw. Hcp an\p‰n\p≈n¬ t^mWSn®p."F¥m \µp hntijw?'"\ΩsS ]gb sNv t_m¿Uv Hm¿Ωt√y? \ap°v Xń≥s]mdØv∂v InóXv?'"]ns∂ Hm¿Ω √ym Xn cnt°ym? \Ωsf C´v Id°y km[ \s√? F¥m h√ Xpºpw Intým?'"Xpº √, km[\w Xs∂ Inń. sImtd _nńjv kz¿Æ\mWb ßfv, B` c W ßfv. FX≠mhpw∂ dn

bn√. s]ßfv Ccp∂v FÆn Xn´s∏ SpØvWv≠v.'"BcymWv A`n \ µn t° ≠Xv? Fs‚ acp a I sf Ø ∂ym bn cn°pw As√? \nßfv c≠p t]cpw ac a

≠\pw ac a≠nbpw BsW∂v F\n ° dn bmtem.'Rm≥ Nncn ®p."Fhn Sym bncp∂p Cńcm a ≥ Imc tWmcv AsXm fn ∏n®p h®Xv?'

"]qPm ap do ev. ioIr jvWs‚ ]XnasS ]n∂nev Hcp apdn ≠v. H∂c ASn hoXo ev. AXn em bn cp ∂p.icnbv°pw B ]XnasS ]n∂n¬Øs∂.'"AXv icn, As∏m \Ωfv ]m¿∞n®ncp∂Xv apgph\pw ]WØnt\mSmbncp∂p As√? ]ns∂ Fßn\ym

KpWw ]nSn°ym? _nńjv cmPm°∑mcvtSw cm⁄namcvtSw Xeh®v ]qPn® Bsc¶nepw \∂mbn´pt≠m?'Rm≥ Nncn ®p."]ns∂ Hcp Imcyw. CXnev ]IpXn Ipt´ \p ≈ Xm Wv. AX nhnsS FSp Øp sh bv°mw.'"Fs‚bSpØv∂v tI°≠.' Ipt´´s‚ i_vZw I\Øp. "]≠v Rm≥ \n\°v IW°v Syqjs\SpØn

cp ∂Xv Hm¿Ωt≠m?'"D≠v Ipt´´m......'"As∏m \o IW°p sX‰nbv°psºm Xebv°v In´mdv≈ Ingp °ns‚ kzmZv Hm¿Ωt≠m? AXn\ow

thtWm? t\m°v \n\°v B hoSp≠m°nbXns‚ t]cnev [mcmfw ISw≠v Ct√y? Fs‚ IW°nev c≠p

e£ Øn e[nIw hcpw. BZyw AsXms° ho´zm. ]ns∂ tamfsS hnZym`ymk Øn\v th≠ ]Ww FSpØp h bv°y. F∂n´pw _m°n bp s≠ ¶n¬ AX h fpsS Ieym Ws®e hn\v th≠n IcpXn hbv°ym.F∂n´v ]n∂ow h√Xpw _m°n hczmsW¶n¬ \nßƒ Xt¥w Xt≈w \∂mbn Ignøm. F\nbv°v th≠sXms° Ata cn °≥ kmbv]v XcvWv≠v. th≠ Xnepw A[nIw Fs‚ aZm Ωbpw a° fpw IqSn

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D≠m°vWv≠v. a\ n emtbm? C\n apX¬ Cßns\ h√Xpw ]d ™m¬ F¥m In´zm ∂dnbnt√?'Rm≥ Ic bp Ibmbn cp ∂p."F¥n\m IgptX Ic b WXv? Fs‚ acp a Iƒ°v sImSp°v t^m¨......'F√mw FSp Øp h®v Hgn™ sN∏p IpSw Aeam dn bn¬ Hfn ∏n ® tijw Rßƒ Dd ßm≥ InS ∂p.

Dd°w hcp sa∂ hnizmk an√mbn cp ∂p."\msf t\csØ Fgp t∂‰v ]qPm ap doev \Ωfv FSpØ CjvSn sIyms° B s]mØnevØs∂

X¬°mew h®v Ahn sSyms° H∂v hrØn bm ° Ww.'"AXv sNømw.' Cµnc ]d™p. "As√¶nepw Ipgs∏m∂pw√y. tZhn C\n aq∂p ZnhktØbv°v ]qPmapdoev t]mhn√y. Ahfv s]mdØmbncn°ymWv. \msf \tµ´≥ ]qdØp t]msºm sImd®v kna‚ v sIm≠cWw. aWev sIgs° sImf Øo∂v FSp °mw. \msf cmXn B Nphcv ]SpØv icym °mw. ]ns∂ Bapdn apgp h\pw H∂v sh≈ hen bv°Ww. AXpt]mse ImcvtWmcvsS apdnsS ASvØvfvf apdow H∂v icn bm ° Ww. AhnsS B Npacv amXw sh≈ hen®m aXn.'

"icn, C\n \o Dd ßm≥ t\m°v.'adph iØp≈ Ińen¬ InS∂v hµ\ Dd °ambncp ∂p."\tµ m, BbncØn Ccp \qdv kqh dn≥ F∂p h®m¬ FXymhpw?'"]hs‚ C∏ gsØ she t\m°zm sW ¶nev \s√mcp kwJym hpw.'"∂mepw ]dbp FXymhpw?'

"]sØgp]Xv e£Øne[nI≠mhpw.'"]ns∂ B` c W ß sfm s°t√y? AXv Xs∂ ≠mhpw ]Ø ™qdv ]h≥. AsXms° \msf tZhnt]mtb\v tijw FSpØv t\m° Ww. \Ωfv ]W °m cmbn As√?'

F\n°v Cµnc tbmSv B \nan jØn¬ A\pIº tXm∂n. IeymWw Ign™ DSs\ hoSp ]Wn Ign™n cp ∂p. ]Wn I gn™p F∂p amXw. ]s£ Hcp]mSp ISw _m°n bp ≠m bn cp ∂p. ]eXpw DSs\sImSpØp Xo¿t°≠Xv. iºfw Iøn¬ Inńbm¬ hoń¬ sIm≠phcms\m∂pw D≠mbncp∂n√. BIme Øp X s∂ bmWv Cµnc hµ \sb K¿`w [cn ® Xv. Ahƒ°v Hcp ]mSv BK l ßfpw sImXn bpap≠m bn cp ∂p. F\n °m sW ¶n¬ H∂pw hmßn s°m Sp °m\pw ]‰mØ ÿnXn. Ahƒ Hmtcm∂v Bhiys∏´v hmin ]nSn bv°p tºmƒ F\nbv°p tZjyw hcpw. kt¥m j tØmsS Ign tb≠ Hcp kabØv Ahƒ°v [mcmfw NnØ tIń p ≠v.

Rm≥ ]d ™p. "icnbmWv Cµn sc, Ah km\w \Ωfv ]W°m cm bn.'

Rm≥ Dd°ambn. DW¿∂t∏mƒ apdnbn¬ shfn®ap≠v. t¢m°n¬ t\m°nbt∏mƒ kabw aq∂paWn. Hcp]s£ hnf°ns‚ kzn®n´p sh®Xmbn cnbv°pw. Id‚ v h∂t∏mƒ Xms\ IØn bn p≠mhpw.Rm≥ Xncn™p InS∂p. hnf°p sISpØm≥ Fgpt∂‰v \s√mcpd°w \in∏nbv°≠. At∏mgmWv CµncInSbv° bn en s√∂p a\n embXv. Ahƒ FhnsSt∏mbn?

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Rm≥ Fgpt∂‰p t\m°n. IpfnapdnbpsS hmXn¬ Xpd∂p InS°bmWv. D≈n¬ shfn®an√. At∏mƒCµnc Fhn sSbm Wv. s]s´ ∂p≠mb tXm∂¬ Ah sf ßm\pw Xmtg bv°n dßn t]mtbm F∂m bncp∂p. F¥n\v? C\n Ahƒs° s¥¶nepw ]‰ntbm? Fs‚ a\ n¬ bw \pc™p s]mßp I bm Wv.

"\tµ ≥ HW¿t∂zm?'Rms\m∂v \nizkn®p. Cµnc \neØn´ ]p¬∏mbnencp∂v IpSØn¬ \n∂p Inńb B`cWßfpsS

k©nIƒ Agn bv°p Ibm Wv. ]pd tØ bvs° SpØh sb√mw sht∆ sdbmbn ]mbn¬ h®n p≠v.

"\osbm d ßot√y? CsXms° cmhnse sNømw ∂s√ ]d ™ncv∂Xv?'"F\nbv°v Hd°w h∂n√ \tµ m. As∏m tXm∂n F√mw s]md sØ SpØv t\m°mw ∂v. t\m°pFs¥ms° Xcw ]≠ ß fmWv∂v.'

Rm≥ Fgp t∂‰p sN∂p. icn bm Wv. ]eXpw Iem ] c ambn hfsc anI ® h bm Wv. AXp ≠m °nbkz¿Æ∏Wn°mcpsS IchncpXv Hmtcm B`cWØnepw icnbv°p ImWp∂p≠v. Hcp ImeØv P\ßƒc≠mwXcw sIm≠v kwXr ]vXcmbncp∂n√. G‰hpw anI®Xn\p amXsa AwKoImcw Inń bn cp∂p≈p.

Cµnc Hcp s\Ivekv Igp Øn eqsS C´v ImWn®p. \√ wKn bp≠v."Fßn s\≠v? F\nbv°v tNcp ∂pt≠m?'"\ns‚ Igp Ønev tNcmØ B` cWw GXm Wp ≈Xv?'"Hm, th≠m, th≠m.' Ahƒ Nncn ®p sIm≠p ]d ™p.apºn¬ ]c∂p InS °p∂ a™ tem l Øns‚ ]f ] f ∏n¬ Rm≥ Hcp \nanjw BIr jvS \m bn.

F\nbv°v hmßn s°m Sp °m≥ ]‰mØ Xcw B` c W ß fmWv Ipan™p Iq Sn bn cn bv°p ∂ Xv.AXn\nSbv°p I≠ sNdnb Iq´ßfn¬ HscÆw Rms\SpØp t\m°n. Iń Ipd™ c≠p hfIƒ HcptamXn cw, ]ns∂ Xmen tIm¿Ø, hÆw Ipd™ Hcp Xmen am e bpw.

F¥psImt≠m Rm≥ h√mXmbn. At∏mgmWv sIm®psIm®p k©nIfn¬ \nd®ph® Cu ]≠ßfpsS DZv` h sØ ∏‰n Rm≥ Btem Nn °p∂ Xv. B ]≠ ßƒ Imc W h cpsS Iøn¬ Fßns\ FØns∏´p? apsºmcn °¬ Cu XdhmSns\ ∏‰n IqSp X¬ Adn bm≥ \mWn ap Ø »nbpsS ASpØp t]mbXv Hm¿Ω h∂p. Ah¿ ]dbpIbp≠mbn, Cńcma≥ ImcWh¿°v ]Ww ]enibv°p sImSp°p∂ G¿∏mSp≠mbncp s∂∂v. Cu B`cWß sf√mw Aßns\bm bn cn °Ww Imc W hcpsS ssIhiw FØns∏´ Xv. ]Wbw h®Xv FSp°m≥ IgnbmsX \in®p t]mb FXtbm IpSpw _ ß fpsS s\Sp ho¿∏p IƒB ]≠ßfn¬ Hfn™ncnbv°p∂p≠v. sI´pXmenbS°w ]Wbw hbv°m≥ amXw IjvS∏mSp \nd™PohnXßƒ. Fs‚ Ihnfn¬ BcpsSsbms°tbm \nizmkßƒ h∂p ]Xnbv°p∂Xmbn F\nbv°p

tXm∂n. ]s≠m cn bv°¬ Xń≥]p dØp t]mb t∏m gmWv Aßn s\ sbmcp tXm∂ ep ≠m b Xv.Hcnbv°¬ AΩbpsS amebpw c≠p hfIfpambn kz¿Æ°Sbn¬ IbdnbXv Hm¿Ω h∂p. AΩbv°v s]s´∂v ]WØn\mhiyw h∂ t∏mƒ ]Wbw hbv°m≥ cmt[SvØn bpsS H∏w t]mbn, Xncn®p h∂Xv C\n Cßns\sbmcp ImcyØn\mbn Hcp ÿeØp t]mhns√∂v i]Yw sNbvXpsIm≠mWv. AXbv°[nIw Bflm n am\w kz¿ÆtØm sSm∏w B IS bn¬ ]W bs∏ Sp tØ≠n h∂p. As∂ \nbv°v hbp ]tØ Bbn cp ∂p≈p.

Ct∏mƒ Cu ]≠ ßƒ I≠ t∏mƒ AsX√mw ho≠pw Hm¿Øp. Cu \n[n i]n bv° s∏ XmWv.Rm\m Xmen am ebpw ssIøn se SpØv Ccn bv°p ∂Xv Cµnc I≠p. Ahƒ tNmZn ®p."F¥m \tµ´m?'"Cµn tc, \ap°v Cu \n[n ths≠∂p hbv°mw.'hnizkn°m≥ ]bmk amb t]mse Fs‚ apJØp t\m°n s°m≠v Ahfncp∂p. Rm≥ Xami ]d

bpIbmsW∂hƒ Hcp \nanjw IcpXn°mWpw. ]s£ Fs‚ apJ`mhw Hcp kwibØn\pw CSw sImSp°mØ hn[w Kuchhpw kv]jvShp ambn cp ∂p."F¥m \tµ ≥ ]td WXv?'"CXv ]m]w \nd ™XmWv. \osbm∂v BtemNn®p t\m°v, FX IpSpw _ßƒ \in®Xns‚ _m°n

bmWo ImW W Xv∂dntøm? Cu B`c W ßsfms°....... AsXms° Fßn\ymWv ImcWh¿°v InńbXv?'

"Bthm, F\n°do√y.'"Hcnbv°¬ Rm\pw Ipt´´\pw IqSn \mWnapØt»ymSv kwkmcn®Xv Hm¿Ωt≠m? \obt∏mƒ e£van

h√yΩsS H∏w ASp ° tf tebv°v t]mbn.'Cµnc Xebm n."As∏m apØ»n ]d ø ≠m bn´v≠v Cu Imc W h¿°v ]Ww ]en ibv°v sImSp°W G¿∏m Sp ≠m

bn cp∂q ∂v. Aßns\ h∂Xmbn cn°Ww Cu ]s≠m s°. ]mh ßƒ°v Xncns®Sp°m≥ ]‰mØ ]≠ßfm bn cn°pw CsX√mw. t\m°v Cu sI´pXm enbpw hfbpw Hs°. Bhiy≈ ]WØn\v ]≠ ßfv aXymhmsX h∂s∏m h®Xmbncn°pw sI´pXmen. ]s≠ms° kv XoIfv Hcn°epw Xmen Agn®p shbv°n√. sNes∏m ¿Ømhp acn®v KXn bn √m Xm bs∏m AXpw ]W bwh®Xmhm\pw hgn≠v. Aßns\ FX

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t\m h¬ A≤ymbw

IY I fv≠mhpw CXn s‚ sbms° ]n∂n ev. Hcp]s£ \Ω Sys∂ GsX ¶nepw Xmh go evt≈mcv AXymhiymbs∏m ImctWmcvsS ASvØv∂v ]Ww ]enibv°v hmßo´v≠mhpw. F¥n\mWv \ap°pw \ΩpsStam°pw Ah cvsSym° im]w? Cu ]Ww \ap°p th≠.'

Cµnc Ipd®p t\cw H∂pw an≠m sX bn cp ∂p."F¥m H∂pw an≠mXncn° WXv?'"\tµ´≥ ]tdW sXms° icymbn cn °mw. ]s£ \Ωfv FX A≤zm\n ®Xm CXns‚ tase? FX

tamln ®Xm CsXm s°. F∂n´v AXv Iønev Inń bs∏m Iføm∂v ]tdsºm Hcp shj aw.'"icnbmWv, Rm≥ Hcp Imcyw ]d bs´. Hcn °ev Rm\pw Ipt´´\pw IqSn ]Wn°cΩm hs‚ ASpØv Imc tWmcvsS PmXIpwsIm≠v t]mbn. A∂dnbn √ymbncp∂p AXv ImctWm cvSymWv∂v. ]Wn ° c Ωmh \mWXv ]d ™ Xv. aq∏cv thsdmcp Imcyw IqSn ]tdy≠m bn v≠v. F¥m Adntøm? Cu Imc tWmcv acn ®n´v ]Ø dp]Xp sIm√m bn, ]s£ AtßcsS P∑w C\ow Ign ™n n √m ∂v. Cu ]ms]m s°,ims]ms° t]dn \S °zmWv Imc tWmcv∂v tXm∂p Wp. AXmcvtS¶nepw a≠bv°n mse B P∑w Xocq∂mbncnbv°pw. AXmWv∂v tXm∂pWp ImctWmcv Fs‚ ]n∂mse \S∂ncp∂Xv. F¥n\m \Ωfmbn´v AXv G‰p hm ß WXv?'

"icn bmWv, ]s£......'Ahƒ ho≠pw Btem N \ bn te¿s∏ p. hµ\ DW¿∂v Fgp t∂ ‰p h∂p."F¥p ]‰o A—m?'

Cµnc au\ØnemWv. Rm≥ hµ\sb Fs‚ [¿Ωk¶Sw ]d™p a\nem°n. AXp apgph≥ tI´pI gn ™ t∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d™p."icnbm W—m, \ap °Xv th≠.'Ahsf kw_‘nt®StØmfw XymKw Ffp∏ambncp∂p. AhfpsS ]mbØnt‚Xmbncn°Ww. \nKq

Vamb B \n[n I≠p ]nSnbv°pI F∂ sh√phnfnbmWv Ahƒ°p ][m\w, B ]Ww Fßns\ sNehm °p∂p F∂ X √. As√ ¶n¬ Rßƒ IS ∂p h∂ hgn I fn eqsS Ahƒ°v k© cn t°≠Bhiyap≠mbnń√ F∂Xp sIm≠mbn cnbv°mw. Ahƒ°v Hm¿Ω h® apX¬ hoń¬ henb IjvS∏msSm∂pw D ≠m bn n √.

"\ap s°mcp Imcyw sNømw.' Cµnc ]d™p. "Cu kºØv apgp h≥ Imc tWmcv Cßns\ D≠m°nbXmhWw∂n√s√m. sImsdsbms° s\√pw tXtßw hn‰ ]Wmbncnbv °qtem. Bbncnbv °pw, ImcWwAX b [nIw Irjn ≠m bn cp∂qtem Xd hm n ev. hoSn\v Np‰pw≈ ]d º s∂ ≠m bn cp∂p FtÍ

ÿew∂s√ ]d™Xv? s\√pw tXtßw hn‰ ]WØns\¥m sImg∏w. AsXXymhpws∂m∂pw \ap°v th¿Xncn®p I≠p ]n Snbv°m≥ Igo√y. As∏m Hcp Imcyw sNømw. \ΩsS hoSp≠m°nbXns‚ ItSmw]en tiw, ]en tiΩev ]entiw Hs° °qSn FX≠mhpw?'

"Hcp c≠c e£w D≠m hpw.'"AtXw ]h≥ \ap°v CXo∂v FSp °mw. _m°n ≈Xv \tµ ≥ F¥p sNøm \mWv Dt±iyw?'"\ap°Xv aqt∂m \mtem A\mYmebßƒ°v Zm\w sImSp°mw. As∏m ims]m∂pw Gin√. \s√mcp

ImcyØn\s√?'"icn \ΩsS ISw hoSm≥ amXw FX ]h≥ am‰nh bvt°≠n hcpw?'"hfsc Ipd®v amXw. GI tZiw Fgp ]Ø ©v, F¨] sXÆw amXw.'"Aßs\ aXn A—m.' AXv hµ\bv°pw kzoImcy ambncp ∂p. "As∏m Ip´ Ωmsa hnfn®p ]dbs≠,

Cßn \ymWv sNøm≥ t]mWXv∂v?'

"]nt∂?'Rm≥ ho≠pw Ipt´ s‚ \º¿ Ub¬ sNbvXp.

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