ap«¯p hÀ¡n

(1917þ1989)
1917 G{]n 18þ\v N§\mtÈcn¡Sp¯pÅ sN¯n¸pgbn P\n¨p. ]nXmhv
hmkvXpinev]hnZKv²\pw ^nUnenÌpambncp¶ a¯mbn; amXmhv A¶½.
Fkv._n. tImfPn ]Tn¨v km¼¯nIimkv{X¯n _ncpZw t\Sn.
XpSÀ¶v Fkv._n. sslkvIqfnepw Fw.]n. t]mÄkv Syqt«mdnbenepw
A[ym]I\mbn {]hÀ¯n¨p. 1948þ Zo]nI ]{X¯nsâ kl]
{Xm[n]cmbn; 26 hÀjw B tPmenbn XpSÀ¶p. 69 t\mhepIÄ cNn¨p;
Ahbn 31 cN\IÄ Ne¨n{X§fmbn. IqSmsX ]¯v \mSI§fpw
]Xn¶mev sNdpIYm kamlmc§fpw c−v IhnXmkamlmc§fpw tUm.
jnhmtKm, AIv_À F¶nhcptSXS¡w ]{´−v
hnhÀ¯\IrXnIfpapÄs¸sS 43 {KÙ§Ä thsdbpw cNn¨p. tIcf
kmlnXy A¡mZan, tIcf IemaÞew F¶nhbpsS P\d Iu¬knÂ
AwKambncp¶p. kwkvIrXw, Xangv F¶o `mjIfn hypÂ]¯n
t\Snbncp¶p. 1989 sabv 28þ\v A´cn¨p.
ap«¯p hÀ¡nbpsS R§Ä {]kn²oIcn¨ IrXnIÄ
]mSm¯ ss]¦nfn
Hcp IpSbpw Ipªps]§fpw
CW{]mhpIÄ
abnemSpwIp¶v
]«pXqhme
cm{XnIfpsS cm{Xn
Bdmw {]amWw
GXmWo s]¬Ip«n
ImWm³t]mIp¶ ]qcw
]pXnb tImhnÂ
PKPnÃn
XymK`qan
^nUnÂ
adnb¡p«n
hgnsXänh¶ amemJ
ap«¯p hÀ¡n
CW{]mhpIÄ

BUn kn _pIvkv
Malayalam Language
Inapravukal
Literature/Novel
by Muttathu Varkey
 
Rights Reserved
First Published August 1953
First Ebook Edition August 2012
 
Cover Design
Dhanya Sreejith
 
Publishers
DC Books, Kottayam 686 001
Kerala State, India
website : www.dcbooks.com
ebook website: ebooks.dcbooks.com
customer support: ebooksupport@dcbooks.com
 
Although utmost care has been taken in the preparation of this book, neither the
publishers nor the editors/compilers can accept any liability for any consequence arising
from the information contained therein. e publisher will be grateful for any information,
which will assist them in keeping future editions up to date.
 
No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, without prior written permission of the publisher.
 
ISBN 978-81-264-3706-1
 
D C BOOKS- e First Indian Book Publishing House to get ISO Certi cation
{]km[I¡pdn¸v
hmb\bpsS ]pXptemIt¯¡v {]thin¡p¶hÀ¡pw hmb\bpsS
BkzmZyX A\p`hn¨dnªhÀ¡pambn Un kn _pIvkv AhXcn¸n¡p¶
]pkvXI]c¼cbmWnXv. hmb\bpsS kpJw aebmfnIsf
A\p`hn¸n¨hbmWv Cu IrXnIsfÃmw. amdnb PohnXkmlNcy¯nÂ
]pXnsbmcp hmb\bpsS km[yX Xpd¡pIbmWv R§fpsS e£yw.
]p\Àhmb\ Cu IrXnIÄ¡v ]pXnsbmcp AÀ°Xehpw P\IobapJhpw
\evIpsa¶v {]Xo£n¡p¶p.

chn Un kn
tIm«bw
BKÌv 1, 2012
H¶v

\Ã Hma\¯apsÅmcp ]d¦nam¼gw Bbncp¶p AXv. aªbpw sNa¸pw

H¶n¨enªptNÀ¶ \nd¯n A§s\ XpSpXpsS¡nS¡p¶p. AXp
I−t¸mÄ At´m\nbpsS sIm¨phmbn Dan\ocnfIn.
""C\n¨m ]mbwXmtb!'' Dan\ocnd¡ns¡m−v Ah³ bmNn¨p.
""CÃm.'' Xp©¯ncn¡p¶ XSnb³Idnbm Iev]n¨p; Hcp
cmPmhns\t¸mse.
""Idnbm Rm\m tNmbnt¨.'' At´m\n ho−pw Ahsâ A`yÀ°\sb
BhÀ¯n¨p.
""Xc¯nsÃSm.'' Idnbm I«mbw ]dªp.
t{Xkymbpw ]m¡c\pw dmtlepw ]mh¡nSm¯\pw B ImgvN I−p
t\m¡n\n¶tXbpÅq. At´m\n¡p sImSp¡m¯ ]gw aämÀ¡pw
In«pIbnsöv AhÀ¡p \nÝbap−v. ImcWw, At´m\nbpw Idnbmbpw
Hcn¡epw ]ncnbm¯ N§mXnamcmWv.
At´m\nbpsS a\ÊnSnªpt]mbn. c−pt]À¡p Ibdm\pw am{XapÅ
hen¸hpw kuIcyhpw B sIm¨p ac¯n\nÃ. Asæn IdnbmbpsS
]pdsI Ah\pw Ibdpambncp¶p.
I¿mebnd¼ptNÀ¶p thsdbpw ]d¦namhpIÄ \nev]p−v. ]t£, F´p
^ew! At´m\n¡p Ibdmhp¶Xmbn Hscmä actabpÅq. AXnt·emWv
XSnb³Idnbm Ibdnbncn¡p¶Xv. aäpÅ ac§sfÃmw hfsc s]m¡w
IqSnbhbmWv; t]mcmªv \odnsâ ieyhpap−v.
Ipsd¡qsS t\ct¯ h¶ncps¶¦nÂ! \mepaWn¡p
]Ån¡qS¯nÂ\n¶p h¶]mtS tÉäpw ]pkvXIhpw B Idp¯ncp−
Xn®bnte¡p hens¨dnªn«v Ah³ t\tc I]vemt©m«nte¡v
HmSpIbmWp sNbvXXv. `mKytZmjsat¶ ]dtb−q, Ah³
sNÃp¶Xn\pap¼pXs¶ Idnbm AhnsS F¯n¡gnªncp¶p.
Idnbm Nh¨pXp¸nbn« \me©p ]ninSpIÄ B act¨m«n InS¡p¶Xv
At´m\n I−p. B XSnbsâ aSn¡p¯v ]d¦nb−nIsfs¡m−p
\ndªncn¡p¶p.
Idnbm C§s\ ITn\lrZb\mbXn ]m¡c\pw ]mh¡nSm¯\pw
AXnibw tXm¶n. ]t£, At´m\n¡dnbmw AXnsâ ImcWsas´¶v.
h«ac¯nsâ s]m¯n \n¶v Ah³ ]nSn¨ amS¯¡pªns\ Idnbm
Bhiys¸«t¸mÄ, ""a\ÊnsÃSm'' F¶v At´m\n XoÀ¯p
]dªn«pÅXmWv. B sNmcp¡v IdnbmbpsS a\Ên InS¸p−mhpw.
F¦nepw aäp ]ntÅcpsS ap¼msI Ah³ \mWw sI«tÃm Fs¶mcp
hnNmcw. ASps¯mcp ]d¦namhp \nev]p−v. ]−n\mse AXn\p
iÀ¡tc¨n F¶p t]cp−mbXnsâ ImcWw FÃmhÀ¡pw Adnbmw.
AXnse ]gw iÀ¡ct]mse a[pcn¡pw. ]gw Xosc sNdpXmWv. AXnsâ
NnÃnIfn ]g§Ä InS¸p−v. Imä¯p hogp¶Xpw Im¡
sIm¯nbnSp¶Xpw `mKyapÅ Nne ]ntÅÀ¡p Nnet¸mÄ In«mdp−v.
IsÃSps¯dnªm hogpw. IsÃdnbmXncn¡p¶Xn\p {]tXyIImcWap−v.
B ]d¼nsâ DSaØ\mb am¯\§s¯bpsS hoSv AIsebÃ. B
Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS CSbneqsS t\m¡nbm A§s¯bpsS HmSn« hoSp
ImWmw. A§t¯¸ds¼¶v B henb ]pcbnS¯n\p t]cp−mbXpXs¶
am¯\§s¯bnÂ\n¶mWv. At§cp ]s−t§m Hcp tlUvU§s¯
Bbncp¶t{X. Ct¸mÄ s]³j³]än kzØambn Pohn¡pIbmWv.
At§cpsS aI\mWv Nm−n]mÀÆXymÀ. AhÀ¡v C{Xtbsd
apXep−mbsX§s\sb¶v BÀ¡pw Hcp \nÝbhpanÃ.
]d¦namhnÂ\n¶v ]ntÅÀ am¼gw ]dn¡p¶Xp aq¸nte¡p Xosc
CjvSapÅ ImcyaÃ. IsÃSps¯dnªm i_vZap−mIpw;
i_vZap−mbm A§s¯ Adnbpw. AhnsS c−p ISnb³]«nIfp−v.
AhäIsf ]nSn]nSn Iq«nbm ]ntÅcpsS IY IgnªXpXs¶.
IsÃdnbmXncn¡m³ thsdbpw ImcWap−v. B ac§fpsS
sXm«Sp¯pXs¶bmWv tNmX³ ]pebsâbpw NncpX¸pebnbpsSbpw amSw.
AhscbmWv X{¼m³ ]d¼p Imh Gev]n¨ncn¡p¶Xv. AhcpsS k
´Xnbmb ]mh¡nSm¯³ i{Xp]£¯p tNÀ¶ncn¡bmWv. Ahsâ
klmbansæn Hcp Ipªn\pw B ]d¼n Ibdm³ km²yaÃ.
tNmX³]peb\pw NncpX¸pebnbpw InSm¯s\ Xdbnem¡nbn«v
]peÀ¨bv¡p ]mS¯p ]Wnbm³t]mbm t\cw FcnªS§pt¼mtg
aS§n hcmdpÅq.
iÀ¡tc¨nbpsS Nph«nÂ\n¶psIm−v At´m\n taevt]m«p
t\m¡pIbmWv. Ah³ Xmdp]m¨p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ ]mh¡nSm¯³
hne¡n: ""sIm¨{¼m tId−m; ssIsb§m³ sXän aofpw.''
""BÀ¡mÀ¡pthWw Cu am¼gw,'' XSnb³Idnbm hnfn¨p ]dbpIbmWv;
]g¯nsâ sR«n ]nSn¨p Xmtgm«nSm³ `mhn¡pIbmWv.
""C\n¨v, C\n¨v.'' \me©p \mhpIÄ GIIme¯p Nen¨p. ]ntÅscÃmw,
At´m\n HgnsI, ac¯nsâ tNm«n IqSn. hcw e`n¡m\mbn
Im¯p\nev¡p¶ `IvXsct¸mse AhÀ taÂt]m«p t\m¡n
ssI¡p¼nfpIÄ DbÀ¯n.
""h¬þSqþCSm³t]mWp,'' Idnbm kqN\ \evIn. AXn\nSbv¡v Ah³
t{Xkymsb I®pImWn¨p. B sIm¨pIÅn Aev]w AI¶p\n¶p.
""{Xoþ''
dmtlensâ t\À¡mWv Ah³ am¼gw \o«nbXv; C«psImSp¯Xv
t{XkymbpsS ssIbnte¡pw. t{XkymbpsS ssIbn X«n AXp \ne¯p
hosW¦nepw AhÄ Dcp−p ]nc−v s]s«¶v AXp ssI¡em¡n,
h£tÊmSptNÀ¯p s]m¯n¸nSn¨p.
""XSnb³Idnbm!''
""FSm, XSnb³Idnbm!'' aäpÅhÀ Iq¡p hnfn¨p.
""`vÀÀÀþ'' Idnbm Hcp Imdbv¡m ]dn¨v i{XpkwLs¯ e£yam¡n
Bsªdnªp. AXv At´m\nbpsS tXmf¯mWp sIm−Xv. Ah\p
tIm]w D−mbn. Ah³ AsXSp¯p Xncns¨dnªp. ]t£, AXv Hcp
NnÃnbn X«n¯SbpIbm IdnbmbpsS tZl¯p sIm−nÃ.
Idnbm asämcp Imdbv¡m ]dn¨p. At´m\nbpw ]m¡c\pw Hmtcm sNdnb
IÃpIÄ IcØam¡n ho−psamcp kac¯n\p h«wIq«n.
AXn\nSbv¡p dmtl t{XkymbpsS ASp¯p ]än¡qSn.
""FSo t{Xkym! F\n¨p Xbmtam?''
""BMvm!''
""FSo, Rm\m ]tbs¶. F\n¨p ]mXn Xmtb.'' dmtl ho−pw At]
£n¨p.
""Xb¯nÃ.''
dmtl \mWn¨pt]mbn. AhfpsS sIm¨pI®nÂ\n¶v Ben¸gwt]mse
Hcp I®oÀ¯pÅn AScp¶Xv At´m\n I−p. Ah³ IÃpaqfn¨p
IdnbmbpsS t\tc Fdnªp. AXp XSnb³IdnbmbpsS Dcs¯
Dcp½ns¡m−p IS¶p t]mbn.
Idnbm ho−pw Imdbv¡mt_mw_p {]tbmKn¨p. ]mh¡nSm¯sâ
D¨nbn sIm−p.
""BscSm I¸emth Gdo¶Xv?'' AIse Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS
CSbnÂ\n¶v Hcp CSnapg¡w. B sIm¨p XkvIc kwL¯nsâ
lrZb§Ä sR«nhnd¨p. AXm A§s¯ Hcp hSnbpambn hcp¶p.
]d¦namhnsâ Ih«bnÂ\n¶v Idnbm GSps¯mcp Nm«w. "s]mt¯m'
Fs¶mcp hogvN. Ah³ hncs−Woäp. N´nbpw Xq¯psIm−p
I¿mebnÂ\n¶p sXm−nte¡p NmSn. ]q¨sb¡− FenIsft¸mse B
A{IankwLw \mep]mSpw NnXdn. ]m¡c\pw ]mh¡nSm¯\pw
sXm−n¡qSn HmSn Hcp IÃpsh«mwIpgnbn Hfn¨p. t{Xkym ]ns¶bpw
Hm«wXs¶. IdnbmbpsS s]mSnt]mepw Im×m\nÃ. dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p
]nSn¨psIm−v At´m\n sXm−n¡qSn C¸pds¯ ]d¼nÂ
henªpIbdn. sXm«mhmSnapÅpIfpsS CSbneqsS Npdps¡ HmSn. dmtlÂ
Hcp IÃn¯«n Dcp−phogpIbpw AhfpsS sIm¨pSp¸p IodpIbpw
AhfpsS Ipªn¡men Hcp apÅp XdªpIbdpIbpap−mbn. F¦nepw
AhÄ Iq«m¡nbnÃ. apS´napS´n AhÄ At´m\nbpsS ]pdsI F¯n.
A]IStaJe Ignªp F¶p t_m²yambt¸mÄ AhÀ ]pdtIm«p
Xncnªpt\m¡n. A§s¯ hSnbpw Id¡n tNmX³]pebsâ amS¯nsâ
kao]¯pIqsS \S¶padbp¶Xp I−p. At´m\nbpsSbpw dmtlensâbpw
izmkw t\tchoWp. AhfpsS ImÂNpfpNpsf¶p thZ\n¡p¶p−v.
AhÄ¡p \S¡m³ hs¿¶mbn.
""t\m¡s« dmtbte, Imen\v F´p]änsb¶v.''
""C¶ow Rm³ B t{Xkyms¸®nâqsS IqS¯nÃþIqS¯nÃ.'' dmtlensâ
sshcmKyw Pzen¡pIbmbncp¶p.
""Imte apÅmtW FSp¯pIfbmw dmtbte.''
""sXm«mhmSnbm.''
""ChvSncpt¶; Rms\Sp¯pIfbmw.''
B I¸¡membnse CShc¼n CeIÄ ]IpXnbpw sImgnªp
]n¨¡mcs\t¸mse Hcp ]mhs¸« Xphcs¨Sn \n¶ncp¶p. AXnsâ
kao]¯v AcnIpIÄ s]mfnªpt]mb sImgp¡«amXncn Hcp `oa³ IÃp
InS¶ncp¶p.
dmtl B Im«pIÃnsâ ]pd¯pIbdn Ccp¶p. ]d¦namhnsâ
Xe¸pIfn X¦s¸mSn Xqhns¡m−p ]Item³ ]Snªmsd
BImit¡mWn A´n¡p tNt¡dp¶Xv AhÀ¡p ImWmambncp¶p.
At´m\nbpsS Nq−phnc Hcp UmIvScpsS sshZKv²yt¯mSpIqSn
AhfpsS ImÂshÅsb ]cntim[n¨p. Hcp apÅnsâ A{K¯n Ahsâ
hnc XSªp. Ah³ AXp c−p \J§Ä tNÀ¯p ]Xps¡ hen¨qcn.
""s¿m! t¿m! t\mhp¶t´m\n.'' AhÄ¡p s\m¼cap−mbn. AXp
hmkvXh¯n Hcp sNdnb Ip«mcapÅmbncp¶p. B apÅp Ibdnbncp¶
]mSn cIvXw ]\n¨p. At´m\n Ahsâ Icb³tXmÀ¯pap−nsâ
A{KwsIm−v B cIvXw H¸n. Ahsâ ap−nsâ hnfp¼n sNa¶
Np«nbp−mbn.
""Ct§m«phm ]ipth!'' I¿mebcpIn IpänXd¨p sI«nbncp¶
Ipcmen¸iphns\ Agn¡pIbmbncp¶p adnbt¨S¯n. AhÀ At
´m\nsbbpw dmtlens\bpw I−p.
 ""F´n\m tamtf, AhnSncn¡ps¶?'' A½ hnfn¨ptNmZn¨p.
""Imte apÅpsIm−Xm½¨o.''
""\nt¶mSp Rm³ ]dªn«ntà At§ ]d¼n t]mIcpsX¶v.''
adnbt¨S¯nsb hen¨pwsIm−p Ipcmen apt¶m«p \o§pIbmWv.
""FSm At´m\ns¨dp¡m!''
""F¶m tNS¯o?''
""\osbmcp I¼ns§mSnt¨zm−zt¶. ChvsS \n¡p ]tiz, C¶m.''
At´m\n Xphc¡s¼mSns¨Sp¯psIm−p adnbt¨S¯nbpsS
ASp¡te¡v HmSn. Inf¨padn¨n«ncp¶ I¸¡membnse a®v Ahsâ
Imen¯«n CfIn. ]Snªmdp \n¶pÅ Imä¯v Ahsâ
Im¸m«nÂ\n¶p s]m§nb s]mSn Ingt¡m«p ]d¶p. F¦nepw Ahsâ
\o− \ng Ahsâ ]pdsIXs¶ k©cn¨ncp¶p.
adnbt¨S¯nbpsS ssIbnÂ\n¶p Ibdnsâ ]nSn hn«p. Ipcmen
\mepImepw ]dn¨v Iq¯mSn¸mbpIbmWv. Xphc¡¼pw
DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−p ]mhs¸« tNS¯n ]pdsIbpw. AhcpsS ImXnse
IpWp¡pIÄ kÔymshfn¨¯n Xnf§ns¡m−ncp¶p.
dmtlensâ Imense s\m¼cw an¡hmdpw ian¨ncp¶p. AhÄ ho«nte¡p
t]mhpIbmWv. At´m\nbpsS ZrjvSnsbÃmw Zqsc s]m¶Wnªp
\nev¡p¶ B ]d¦namhnte¡mbncp¶p. AXnsâ NnÃnIfn adªp c−p
tNmc¡pS§Ä InS¡p¶Xv Ah³ I−ph¨ncn¡pIbmWv. AXp
XSnb³Idnbm I−n«nÃ; ]m¡c\pw I−n«nÃ. C¶p cm{Xnbn AXp
hmheSn¨psIm−pt]mIptam? F¦nepw B t{Xkyms¸®v dmtlen\v B
]g¯nsâ Hcp iIesa¦nepw sImSp¯nÃtÃm. Ah³ B ac¯nte¡p
t\m¡n Ft´m ZrV\nÝbwsNbvXp.
Ah³ Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ dmtl Infa®p Nhp«ns¡m−p
t]mIp¶Xp I−p.
""dmtbte!'' Ah³ hnfn¨p.
""F´m?'' AhÄ Xncnªp\n¶p. kqcysâ Ahkm\s¯ IXncpIÄ
AhfpsS apJ¯nsâ Hcphi¯p ]XnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
At´m\n AhfpsS ASps¯¯n.
""Rm³ sNhnbn HcpIq«w ]dbmw.'' AhÄ incÊp sNcn¨p. Npcp−
XeapSn AhfpsS s\änbnte¡p ]Snªp hoWp.
""\msf Rm³ ]bw ]bn¨pXbmw; H¯nbn]bw, tIt«m.'' At´m\n
AhfpsS sNhnbn a{´n¨p.
dmtl Nncn¨p. ap³\ncbn H¶c¸Ãnsâ Ipdhp−mbncps¶¦nepw B
Nncn AgIpÅXmbncp¶p. AhÄ Nncn¨t¸mÄ IhnfpIfn \pW¨pgnIÄ
sXfnªp. B \pW¨pgnbpsS apIfnembn ]Xnªncp¶ I®oÀ¯pÅn
\ntÈjw hänbncp¶nÃ.
At´m\n Ahsâ ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ kÔyab§pIbmbncp¶p.
c−v

Xn®bnencp¶p shäs¸mXn icns¸Sp¯pIbmWv sIm¨m¸n. Ah\p

hÅ¡Shnte¡p t]mIphm³ kabambncp¶p. t]mbm C\n \memw]
¡ta Xncns¨¯pIbpÅq.
Aht\mSv Hcp]nSn Imcy§Ä ]dªbbv¡phm\p−mbncp¶p am½n¡v.
AhÄ H¶chbÊpÅ A½nWnsb Ffnbn tNÀ¯p]nSn¨psIm−p
hmXnensâ ]Snta Nmcn\n¶p.
""F\ns¡mcp s]mSh taSnt¨m−pt]mcWw.'' am½n Adnbn¨p. AhÄ
DSp¯ncn¡p¶XpIqSmsX asämcp ap−p IqsS AhÄ¡ps−¶pÅXp
hmkvXhamWv. ]t£, AXp \me©nS¯v Hm¸tdj³ Ignªp
hoªs¸«nbn hn{ian¡pIbmWv. Iodnb ap−pSp¯psIm−p ]Ånbnepw
aäpw t]mIp¶Xp t]m¡WwtIStÃ!
]t£, s]¼ndt¶mÀ¡p ap−phm§n¡p¶Xnepw KuchapÅ At\Iw
{]iv\§Ä B hÅaq¶pImcsâ Xebn Ccp¶p \odp¶p−mbncp¶p.
AhtâXmb Ccp]s¯m¶pskâp Øe¯nt·Â Øm]n¡s¸«ncn¡p¶
\qäntbgpcq]mbpsS _m²yX H¶pam{Xw aXn sIm¨m¸nsbt¸mepÅ
Hcphs\s¡m−p Xo Xoän¡p¶Xn\v.
""N{Iw sXIªn«ptht− s]mSthw InSthw hm§n¡m³.'' sIm¨m¸n
Ae£y\mbn ]dªp: ""\o ]ms¡ms−¦n C¨ncn Cs§Spt¯.''
""ChnsS ]m¡nÃ,'' am½n¡p \ncmibp−mbn: ""B sNdp¡s\hn«p
hm§n¡v. Ahs\´ntb? FSm tamt\!''
""F¶m½¨o.'' At´m\n hnfntI«p. Ah³ A¸s\t¸Sn¨v Cdb¯p
adªp \nev¡pIbmbncp¶p.
""\osbhvSmcps¶Sm, CtXhsc?'' sIm¨m¸n tNmZn¨p.
""C_sSm−mcp¶p A¨m¨m, F\ns¨mcpSp¸ptaSnt¨m−p t]mbmtam?''
""\o C¶v F{X I¸vemth tIdnsbSm?''
""Rm³ Ht¶epw tIboÃ.''
""\o ItSÂs¨¶v HcWbv¡p ]m¡ptaSnt¨m−v HmSnhm. Imip ]ns¶
sImSp¡msa¶p]d, tIt«m.''
""Abmfp ISw Xc¯nÃ.'' am½n ]dªp.
""]ns¶§v\m?''
""B!''
 ""tamt\, \o F¶m Ips©dnbmt¨«â§psN¶p c−p ]m¡p Xcm³
]d; Xcpw.''
""Hm! sXm«Xns\Ãmw At§m«p ]dªbt¨¨m aXnbtÃm?
\mWanÃm¯XmWXnibw!''
""\o t]mtb¨phm tamt\.''
At´m\n sN¶t¸mÄ adnbt¨S¯n AcIÃnsâ Nph«nencp¶p
Idn¡cbv¡pIbmbncp¶p. Ac¸n Cu¨tbm Fdpt¼m
IS¶pIqSmXncn¡p¶Xn\p dmtl Hcp \o− Hm«phnf¡p
he¯pssIbn ]nSn¨psIm−v A½bpsS ASp¯p \nev]p−v.
Ips©dnbmt¨«³ h−n¡mfIÄ¡p XhnSp
Ie¡ns¡mSp¡pIbmbncp¶p.
""F´m tamt\?'' Ips©dnbm tNmZn¨p.
""c−p ]m¡p Xbm³.''
""Bcp ]dªp?''
""¨m¨³.''
Ips©dnbm AIt¯¡p Ibdn c−p ]gp¡m¸m¡p sIm−ph¶v At
´m\n¡p sImSp¯p.
""X«nbpcp−p hogtà tamt\, ]Xps¡t¸m.'' adnb At´m\nsb
KpWtZmjn¨p.
dmtl hnf¡p Ncn¨p]nSn¨t¸mÄ AcIÃn H¶p c−pXpÅn as®®
hoWp.
""\osbhnsS t\m¡zmsc¶So? Fs´So?'' Ac¸p ]pc− adnbbpsS aq¶p
hncepIÄ dmtlensâ shfp¯ Ipcp¶ptXmf¯p ]Xnªp.
dmtl Icbp¶Xv At´m\n¡p tIÄ¡mambncp¶p.
sIm¨m¸n s]mbv¡gnªp. A½nWn Dd¡w]nSn¨p. A½bpw aI\pw
ap«nt·Â\n¶p kÔym\akvImcw sNmÃn.
""Fsâ IÀ¯mth! sNmÃptamt\.''
""Fsâ Ibv¯mth!''
""Fsâ A¨m¨\v.''
""Fsâ¨m¨\v.''
""Hcm]¯pw hcp¯tÃ.''
""Hcm]¯pw hbv¯tÃ.''
]mhs¸« sIm¨m¸n \S¶pt]mIp¶ DuSphgnIfn¡qSn am½nbpsS
lrZbw k©cn¨p. Imben¡qSn Ipäm¡päncp«¯pw agb¯pw Imä¯pw
CSnan¶epIfnepw IqSn GImInbmbn tIhphÅhpw
Du¶ns¡m−pt]mIp¶ B ]chisâ Nn{Xw AhfpsS a\Ênsâ NphcnÂ
H«n¡s¸«ncp¶p.
Hcp sIm¨p N{μs\bpw Ffnbn FSp¯psIm−p cm{Xn B
{Kma¯nte¡p h¶p. {KmaoW`h\§fpsS \ShmXnepIÄ¡Sp¯p
I¯ns¡m−ncp¶ F®hnf¡pIÄ Hmtcm¶mbn an¶ns¸menªp. ]Ie
´ntbmfw hnbÀ¸p Nn´nb IrjohecpsSbpw Iqenthe¡mcpsSbpw
XfÀ¶ icoc§sf Dd¡w A\p{Kln¨psIm−ncp¶p.
am½n AhfpsS A½nWn¡pªns\ ssIaS¡n HXp¡n¸nSn¨psIm−v
Hmcw sNcnªp InS¶p. Dd¡¯nepw AhfpsS Nn´IÄ hnZqcØamb
Imb¸c¸nte¡p ]d¶psIm−ncp¶p.
am½nbpsS Igp¯n CSt¯ ssI Nmbv¨psh¨psIm−v
ASp¯pInS¶pd§p¶ At´m\nbpsS a\Êns\ s]m³In\mhpIÄ
]d¦namhpIfpsS CSbneqsS sIm−p\S¶p.
B sIm¨p]pcbpsS apIfn Ing¡phis¯ hcn¡¸pfnbpsS \o−
\ngepIÄ ]XnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
a®psIm−p \nÀ½n¡s¸« B hoSn\v c−p apdnbpw Hcp Xn®bpw
]pdIn Hcp Nmbv]pamWpÅXv. apdnIfn H¶v ASp¡fbmbpw
D]tbmKs¸Sp¯p¶p. C¸pd¯mWv InS¡apdn. IbÀ hcnª B I«nenÂ
sIm¨m¸n am{Xta InS¡mdpÅq. sIm¨m¸nbpsSbpw am½nbpsSbpw
IeymWw hscbpÅ ]g¡ap−v B sIm¨phoSn\pw.
]Snªmdphi¯v Hcp Xo−maXn AIse ImWp¶XmWv h−n¡mc³
Ips©dnbmbpsS hoSv. Ips©dnbmbpsS hoSnsâ ¹m³ A\pkcn¨mWt{X
sIm¨m¸nbpw hoSp ]Wnbn¨n«pÅXv. Ips©dnbm `mKw ]ncnªv
A¡sc\n¶v C¡sc s]mdpXnbm¡nbn«v sImÃ§Ä ]¯p]{´−mbn.
sIm¨m¸nsb¡mÄ ct−m apt¶m hbÊn\p aq¸pIqSpw Ips©dnbmbv¡v.
c−p a¡fmWv Ips©dnbmbv¡pÅXvþXdXnbpw dmtlepw. XdXnsb
sI«n¨b¨n«p c−p sImÃambn; AhÄs¡mcp Ip«nbpap−v. dmtlensâ
CfbXv Hcm¬Ip«nbp−mbncp¶p; AXp acn¨pt]mbn. C\n adnb
{]khn¡bnsömWv AbÂ]¡s¯ s]®p§Ä ]dbp¶Xv, hbäm«n
Gent¨S¯nbpÄs¸sS.
sIm¨m¸nbpw Ips©dnbmbpw X½n Ct¶m C¶setbm XpS§nbXÃ
Cu Iq«v. KpW¯n\pw tZmj¯n\pw Ahscm¶n¨n«p−v.
AXpt]mseXs¶bmWv AhcpsS s]¼nfamcpw. adnbbpsS \ndw
a§nbXmWv; am½n shfp¯Xpw. Cusbmcp hyXymkta AhÀ X½nepÅq.
]t£, sIm¨m¸nbpsSbpw adnbbpsSbpw \nd§Ä kaambn
CW§nt¨À¶n«p−v At´m\ns¨dp¡\nÂ. dmtl AhfpsS Cfb
A½mbnbpsS OmbbnemWv; Hcnfw sNa¸p\ndw.
sIm¨m¸n hÃt¸mgpsa§m³ C¯ncn acshÅw tam´mdp−v.
AXpsIm−mbncn¡ptam Ahsâ IpSpw_w AcmPI¯n Ignbp¶Xv?
F¶ncp¶mepw AhÀ Hcn¡epw A¯mg¸«nWn InS¶n«nÃ.
sIm¨m¸nbpsSbpw Ips©dnbmbpsSbpw Ioä¸pcbnS§fpsS AXnÀ¯n
tcJs¸Sp¯ns¡m−p \nev¡p¶ ISemhW¡n³sNSnIfpsS
]¨ne¯e¸pIfn N{μnI ]Xnbp¶p.
B hoSpIfpsS sX¡phi¯p hfªpInS¡p¶ CShgnbneqsS IjvSn¨v
Hcp Imfh−n¡p IS¶pt]mImw. sX¡phi¯p hnimeamb
A§t¯¸pcbnS¯nsâ sXm«pIng¡p ]©]pÑaS¡n \nesImÅp¶
Iq\m¸pc BcptSsX¶tÃ? AXmWv Ió i¦csâ hoSvþAXmbXv
]m¡csâ hoSv. AXn\pa¸pd¯mWv XSnb³Idnbm F¶pt]cpÅ
sNdp¡\pw t{Xkym F¶ Ipip¼ns¸®pw Pohn¡p¶Xv. Idnbmbpw
t{Xkymbpw B§fbpsSbpw s]§fpsSbpw k´XnIfmWv.
Cu hoSpIÄs¡Ãmw Ing¡phi¯p ImWp¶ s\¸mSw
aIcs¡mbv¯p Ignªv DW§nhc−p InS¡p¶p. B ]mS¯nsâ
\Sp¡mbn ImWp¶ ssIt¯mSv IÀ¡SI¯nse ]pebs\t¸mse \t¶
timjn¨pt]mbn. Hcp \à ag IW¡n\p s]bvXm aXn, B tXmSp
IcIhnsªmgpIphm³. ]mS¯n\¸pds¯ sNdpIp¶nsâ AcnInÂ
CSnªp s]mfnª Hcp inht£{Xw ]gb Xmfntbme{KÙw t]mse
ØnXnsN¿p¶p. B Ip¶nsâ AcnIn hfcp¶ Rmds¨SnIfpsS
CSbv¡pIqSn InS¡p¶ HäbSn¸mX sN¶p sXmSp¶Xp ]Ån¡qS¯nsâ
]d¼nemWv. B ]Ån¡qS¯nemWv At´m\n, ]m¡c³, Idnbm, dmtlÂ
apXÂt]À ]Tn¡p¶Xv.
B ]Ån¡qS¯nsâ ap³hi¯pIqSn _tÊmSp¶ Hcp hgnbp−v. B
hgntb aq¶p ssa s\«mbw sXt¡m«p \S¶m [mcmfw BfpIfpw
ISIfpw kmam\§fpw N´bpw DÅ ]«W¯n F¯mw. At´m\n Hcp
{]mhiyw am½nbpsSIqsS B N´bn t]mbn«pÅXmWv.
Dd§n¡nS¡p¶ {KmaoWÀ AdnbmsXXs¶ BImi¯n Nne
the¯c§Ä \S¶psIm−ncp¶p. Ingt¡ am\¯nsâ tImWn Ignª
]Ien Hfn¨ncp¶ Idp¯ taL§Ä Bcpamcpw AdnbmsX N{μsâ
NpäpwIqSn. ]d¦namhpIfpsS NnÃnIsf Ipep¡ns¡m−p IS¶pt]mb
]nid³Imänsâ Dt±iyw ag¡mdpIsf £Wn¡pI F¶pÅXmbncp¶p.
\mhp hc−pInS¡p¶ ]mSt¯¡p Iq¯mSn¸mbm³ sImXn]q−p
\n¶ncp¶ taL§Ä¡v AsXmcp ]änb Ahkcambncp¶pXm\pw.
 acs¡m¼pIfnencp¶p Im¡¯¼pcm«nIÄ Nnebv¡p¶ X¡wt\m¡n
am\s¯ IcnwImdpIÄ `qanbnte¡v CSnªphoWp. sIm¨m¸nbpsS
]pcbpsS kqNnhmcnsb HSn¡bpw H¶pc−p Iat¯meIsf
]nSn¨ps]m¡pIbpw sNbvX Imäv iÀ¡tc¨nbpsS Xp©¯p InS¡p¶
]g§sf hnt«¡ptam?
Imänsâ ssIbv¡p]nSn¨psIm−ph¶ ag B sIm¨p ]pcbpsS apIfnÂ
Bªp Nhp«nbt¸mÄ am½n DWÀ¶p; At´m\n DWÀ¶p; A½nWnbpw
DWÀ¶p. At´m\nbpsS tXmf¯v HcpXpÅn shÅw hoWp. Ah³
A¨m¨sâ I«nÂIognte¡p ]n·mdn.
am½n hnNmcn¨p B ]pcbpw X«ns¡m−p Imäpt]mIpsa¶v.
]Snªmd³Imben HcmÄ sIm{]mhÅhpambn Ct¸mÄ
Du¶nt¸mIp¶p−mhpw. am½nbpsS lrZb¯n Hcp sImÅnbm³ an¶n.
""Fsâ IÀ¯mth! ]ntÅcpsS Nm¨\v H¶pw hcp¯tÃ!'' AhÀ
{]mÀ°n¨p.
AhÄ {]mÀ°n¨p {]mÀ°n¨p t\cw shfp¯p. t\cw
shfp¯pIgnªn«pw ]ns¶bpw IpsdkabwIqSn ag \o−p \n¶p.
ag ian¨t¸mÄ At´m\n sXs¡ I¿mebcnInte¡v HmSn. At¸mtg¡pw
]g§fpw Imdbv¡mIfpw FÃmw tiJcn¨v Hcp hÅns¡m«bnÂ
Npa¶psIm−p tNmX³ ]peb³ _w¥mhnte¡p t]mIp¶p. Ahsâ apt¼
\S¶pt]mIp¶ ]¿\mWv ]mÀÆXyImcpsS aI³ cmP³. cmP\pw At
´m\nbpw ka{]mb¡mcmWv. F¦nepw B ]¿³ At´m\n apXemb
]c«¸ntÅcpambn Hcn¡epw Iq«p IqSmdnÃ.
dmtlen\p ]d¦nam¼gw sImSp¡msa¶v At´m\n {]XnÚ
sNbvXn«pÅXmWv. B {]XnÚ Iev¡−wt]mse Aenªpt]mbXnÂ
At´m\n¡v IpWvTnXap−mbn. B cmPt\mSv Ah\p tIm]w tXm¶n.
""Hcp ]bw F\n¨p Xt¶¨p t]mtb!'' F¶p hnfn¨p tNmZn¡m³ At
´m\nbpsS A`nam\w A\phZn¨nÃ.
""Ft´y ]bw?'' F¶p dmtl tNmZn¨t¸mÄ At´m\nbpsS
N¦nSnªpt]mbn.
""Rmt\, ISemkpsIm−p hÅsam−m¡n¯cmw, dmtbte.''
""th−m, Rm³ IqS¯nÃ.'' dmtl sIdphn¨p.
""dmtbte Rm\m ]tbt¶, hmtb.''
""Mvlq.''
""It−m.''
sIdphn¨p\n¶ dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p ]nSn¨psIm−v At´m\n Ahsâ
ho«nte¡p sN¶p. Ah³ Ahsâ ]IÀ¯p_p¡nsâ ]pdwXmÄ hen¨p
Iodn hÅap−m¡n.
AhÀ ISemkv hÅhpwsIm−p ]mSs¯ ssIt¯mSnsâ hc¼nte¡v
HmSn.
hůn Hcp Is«dp¼ns\ ]nSn¨ph¨n«v AhÀ c−p t]cpw IqSnt¨À¶v
B hÅw tXm«nse Ie§nb shůnsâ apIfnte¡v Hgp¡n.
hÅ¡mc\mb Fdp¼ns\bpw hln¨psIm−v Hgp¡¯p ]mªpt]mIp¶
ISemkp hůnsâ H¸w Ahcpw HmSpIbmWv.
B ISemkv hůnsâ ]pd¯v FhnsS\ns¶¶dnªnà Hcp sIm¨p
IÃph¶p hoWp. hÅhpw hÅ¡mc\pw Ft¶¡pambn XmWp.
t\m¡nbt¸mÄ hc¼s¯ ssIXbpsS adhn A§t¯Xnse cmP³
\nev¡p¶p. At´m\n¡p tZjyap−mbn. Ah³ B sN¼³shÅw tImcn
cmPsâ tZlt¯¡p sXdn¸n¨p. cmPsâ shfp¯ DSp¸n sNa¶
]mSpIÄ D−mbn.
""hm dmtbte.'' dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p]nSn¨psIm−v At´m\n
{]mWc£mÀ°w HmSn.
""\o t\m¡nt¡mSm.'' cmP³ hnfn¨p]dbp¶Xv At´m\n¡p
tIÄ¡mambncp¶p.
aq¶v

Ie§nb shÅw sXfnbpIbpw sIm¨p]ntÅÀ hfcpIbpw sNbvXp.

XInSn¸pcbnS§fnepw ssIt¯m«nepw Rmd¡m«nepw
Ip¶n³sNcphpIfnepw sIm¨p Imäpt]mse Iq¯mSn Ifn¨ncp¶
Ipªp§fpsS Ipªn¡mepIfpsS AcnsIIqSn Ime§Ä
i_vZap−m¡msX HmSntbmSnt¸mbn. I¿mebnd¼nse ]d¦namhpIÄ
]¯p ]Xns\m¶p{]mhiyw ]q¯p, Imbn¨p, ]g§Ä sImgnªp. ]pXnb
Ip«nIÄ B ac§fpsS Nph«n Xn§n¡qSns¡m−ncp¶p.
CW¡§fpw ]nW¡§fpw CcpfpIfpw shfn¨§fpw s]m«n¨ncnIfpw
hn½n¡c¨nepIfpw CSIeÀ¶nSIeÀ¶v A§s\ IS¶pt]mb
Ime¯nsâ {]hml¯nÂs¸«v A§t¯Xnse am¯\§s¯ A
´À²m\w sNbvXp. hfsctbsd apX k¼mZn¨pIq«nb B hr²sâ
Nm¯¯n\v \qdp]d Acnh¨p km[p¡Ä¡p `£Ww \evIs¸«p.
A§s¯ acn¨t¸mÄ Nm−n¸mÀÆXyImÀ s]³j³ ]äpIbpw
IpSpw_`cWw GsäSp¡pIbpw sNbvXp. At§mcpsS aI³, cmP³ _n.F.
¢mÊnemWt{X ]Tn¡p¶Xv. Ah\p ]m«p]mSm\pw IhnXsbgpXm\pw \o
´m\pw ]´pIfn¡m\pw FÃmw hiap−v.
XSnb³Idnbm F¶p t]tcmSpIqSnb B IpkrXn¡mc³ C¶v H¶mwXcw
Hcp tPmen¡mc\mWv. Ah\v HtcÀ Imfbp−v kz´ambn«v. anSpanSp¡\mb
Hcp DghpImc³. t{Xkyms¸®ns\ sI«n¨b¨n«v A[nI\mÄ Bbn«nÃ.
]m¡c³ Ahsâ AÑsâIqsS SuWn I¸Wn¡p t]mIp¶p.
tNmX³]pebsâbpw NncpX¸pebnbpsSbpw Imcyw Aev]w
IjvS¯nemWv. ImcWw, ]mh¡nSm¯³ alm X¶njvS¡mc\pw
sX½mSnbpw Bbn \S¡p¶p F¶Xv. Ah³ Hcmfnsâ ]WnsbSp¡pw.
hey{¼ms\ Hcp IqkepanÃ. hey{¼m\pambn Ah³ ]et¸mgpw
iWvTIqSnbn«p−t{X. ]ns¶ cmP³sIm¨{¼m\v Ahs\
ImcyambXpsIm−v ]d¼nÂ\n¶v ASn¨nd¡nhnSp¶nà Ft¶bpÅq.
sIm¨m¸n¡v Ct¸mgpw hÅaq¶pXs¶. B sIm¨p IpSpw_w
Zmcn{Zy¯nsâ ]nSnbnÂ\n¶v H«pap¡mepw c£s¸«ncn¡pIbmWv.
am½n Ct¸mÄ A\yhoSpIfn s\ÃpIp¯m\pw aäpthebv¡pw H¶pw
t]mImdnÃ. A§t¯Xnse cmP\pw AhfpsS aI³ At´m\nbpw X½nÂ
iWvTIqSpIbpw ]mÀÆXyImcpsS s]¼nf am½nsb hg¡p ]dbpIbpw
sNbvXXn\ptijw am½n B ho«n Ibdnbn«nÃ. Cu ImeL«wsIm−v
AhÄ c−p {]khwIqSn \nÀÆln¡pIbpw sam¯w \mep k´XnIfpsS
A½bmbn¯ocpIbpw sNbvXncn¡p¶p. At´m\nbpsS t\tc CfbXmb
A½nWn¡v ]Xnaq¶phbÊmbn. AhÄ Cw¥njv tXÀUv t^mdwhsc
]Tn¨n«p ]Tn¯w \ndp¯n ho«n \nev¡pIbmWv. AhÄ Hcp sIm¨p
anSp¡nbmsW¶p ]dbmw.
At´m\n A©mw¢mÊpsIm−v Ahsâ hnZym`ymkw ]qÀ¯nbm¡n.
AbÂh¡s¯ Ips©dnbmbpsS Aknkvä³dmbn Ah\p Imfh−nbnÂ
tPmenIn«n. Ips©dnbmsb hmXtcmKw IqS¡qsS Ae«ns¡m−ncp¶Xp
\nan¯w an¡t¸mgpw Imfh−nbpwsIm−p t]mIp¶Xn\v AbmÄ¡p
Xcs¸SmsX h¶p. A¡mcW¯memWv At´m\nsb h−n¡mc\mbn
AbmÄ \nban¨Xv.
Cw¥njv ]Ån¡qS¯n H¶cs¡mÃw ]Tn¨p Ignªv dmtl ]Tn¯w
\ndp¯n. A½sb klmbn¡pI F¶XmWv AhfpsS apJyamb sXmgnÂ.
F¶ph¨m ]iphns\ kwc£n¡pI, ImfIÄ¡p ]pÃp]dn¨psImSp¡pI,
AXymhiy¯n\p N´bn t]mhpI, ]ns¶ ASp¡f¸Wnbpw.
dmtlen\p sI«p{]mbw Bsb¦nepw AhfpsS amXm]nXm¡·mÀ¡v
AtXs¨mÃn B[ntbm hym[ntbm D−mbnÃ. ImcWw AhÄs¡mcp
aWhmfs\ AhÀ t\ct¯ Xs¶ I−ph¨n«p−vþAt´m\n. AhÀ
aWhmf\pw aWhm«nbpw BIm³ ssZhw t\ct¯Xs¶
\nÝbn¨XmsW¶v AhÀ hnizkn¡p¶p.
IeymW¯n\pÅ Znhkw sIm¨m¸nbpw Ips©dnbmbpw IqsS
Xocpam\n¨mÂam{Xw aXn. AXn\p [rXnsbm¶pw CÃXm\pw. adnbbv¡v
B¬a¡fnÃ. AXpsIm−v At´m\nsb AhÄ kz´w
aI\mbn«pXs¶bmWv IcpXnt¸mcp¶Xv.
kv{Xo[\s¯ kw_Ôn¨v _p²nap«pItbm hnet]ipItbm sNt¿−
BhiyanÃ. ImcWw Ips©dnbmbv¡v B¬a¡fnÃ; AbmfpsS kz¯n\v
AhImin dmtlemWv. aq¯aIÄ¡v kv{Xo[\w sImSp¯XmWv. ]ns¶
AhÄ¡v ho«pkz¯nt·Â AhImis¸Sm³ \ymbanÃ. B Actb¡À
`qanbpw h−n¡mfbpw sIm¨p ]pcbpw dmtlen\pÅXmWv. AXmbXv
dmtlens\ IeymWwIgn¡m\pÅ At´m\n¡pÅXmsW¶p kmcw.
Npcp¡¯n Ips©dnbmbpw adnbbpw At´m\nsb AhcpsS
Z¯pacpaI³ F¶ \nebnemWv ImWp¶Xpw kvt\ln¡p¶Xpw.
`mhnbn Xsâ acpaIfmtI−p¶ dmtlens\ am½n AhfpsS kz´w
A½nWnsbt¸mseXs¶ IcpXp¶p.
A½nWnbpw dmtlepw Ct¸mįs¶ \m¯q\pw \m¯q\pw F¶
`mh¯nemWv Ignbp¶Xv.
 HcpZnhkw D¨Xncnª kabw dmtl sIm¨m¸nbpsS ho«n h¶p.
At´m\nbpsS Hcp thjvSnap−p IodnbXv am½n
Xbv¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p. A½nWn AhfpsS ap−pw N«bpw
Ae¡n ]Snªmdphis¯ sIm¨p I¸vemhnsâ Xe¸nÂ
hncn¨psIm−ncp¶p. At´m\n sIm¨p¶mfn Ipgn¨n« ]d¦nb−n
Infp¯p hfÀ¶v Ct¸mÄ HcmÄs¸m¡ambn«p−v. AXp IgnªsImÃw
]qs¯¦nepw ]q¡Ä sImgnªpt]mbn. Cs¡mÃhpw AXp ]q¯p
XpS§nbn«p−v. A§t¯Xnse cmPt\mSpÅ sshcmKy¯n\v Ah³
\«phfÀ¯nb ]d¦namhn³ssX!
""A½nWo, \o N´bv¡p hcpt¶m?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""hcp¶p, A½¨ntbmSp tNmZn¡s«.'' AhÄ AIt¯¡v HmSn.
""A½¨o, Rm³IqsS t]mt« N´bv¡v?''
""F´n\mSo,'' am½n kqNnap\bnÂ\n¶v ZrjvSnamämsX ]dªp.
""tX dmtl t]msWm−v. Rm³IqsS t]m«t½. tkm¸pw \otemw
hm§n¡Ww. ]ns¶ ao³ hm§n¡t−?''
""Ftâ N{IanÃ.''
""]ns¶§\m? A½¨nsbm¶pt\m¡nt¡t½.''
""Fsâ ssIbn HcpImipt]mepanà s]t®. \o N´bv¡p t]mI−m.''
""A½¨o, C¨m¨³ h−owsIm−p N´bv¡p t]mbns«m−v. C¨m¨t\mSp
N{Iw hm§n¡mw.''
""Ahs\ I−nsæntem?''
""]ns¶§\m dmtlte, dmtlensâ ssIbn N{Isamt−m?''
""F{X N{Iw thWw?''
""A½¨o F{X N{Iw thWat½?''
""Cu s]®ns\¶m kpJt¡Sm? dmtlte!''
""Ft´m!''
""tamsS ssIbn N{Isamt−Â, c−Wbv¡p ao\pw Hcp \oe¡qSpw Hcp
Xos¸«ow taSn¨v ChsS ssIbn sImSpt¯¡Ww. sNdp¡³ h¿n«p
hcp¼w N{Iw Xcmw. tIt«m.''
""F¶m hm A½nWo.''
""t]mtb¨p sImt«w FSpt¯m−zm. Rm\¸gt¯¡p ap−pw Nt«sams¡
amdmw. B N«sbmWt§ym¶p t\m¡nt¡.''
""Rm\n¸w hcmw, tIt«m A½nWo. N« HW§n.''
dmtl AhfpsS ho«nte¡v HmSn. At´m\nbpsS Nos¸Sp¯v A½nWn
XeNoIn. XIcwsIm−p ^vsdbnw C« I®mSnbn AhÄ t\m¡n.
AhÄ¡v Ahsf¯s¶ CjvSambn. AhfpsS s\änbnte¡p Npcp−
XeapSnIÄ hoWpInS¶ncp¶p.
dmtl Hcp sIm¨psIm«bpambn h¶p. shfns¨® Xq¯p]pc«n Ahfpw
AhfpsS XeapSn HXp¡ns¡«nbncp¶p. Ahsc c−pt]scbpw I−mÂ
tN«¯nbpw A\pP¯nbpw BsWt¶ tXm¶q.
AhÀ A§t¯¡mcpsS I¿mehfhpIgnªp \m«phgnbn F¯n.
t{Xkymbpw AhfpsS `À¯mhpwIqSn hcp¶XpI−p.
""Hm, CsXt§m«v, \m¯q\pw \m¯q\pwIqsS?'' t{Xkym tNmZn¨p. AhÄ
]−t¯Xnepw \¶mbn«p−v. ImXpIfnse ]n−n¡pWp¡pIfpw
tX¦¨¨«bpw aÂa¸pShbpw a{´tImSnbpw FÃmw AWnªv AhÄ
aWhmfsâ ho«n \n¶p hcpIbmWv. Hcp a[pct\cnbXp aS¡n tXmf¯p
jÀ«nsâ apIfn C«v A¸m¡v IpSbpw ]nSn¨v t{XkymbpsS am¸nf
apt¼ t]mIp¶p.
""kuJyamtWmSo t{Xkym?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""kuJyam; \n§sft§m«p t]mhm?''
""N´bv¡v.'' A½nWn ]dªp: ""am¸nfbvs¡´m DtZymKw?''
""Dt¯ymKw Imf]q«v. Hm, A½nWn A§p hfÀ¶p t]mbtÃm.''
""\o t]mSo Ipip¼n¯À¯ym; s]®ns\ I®phbv¡msX.''
""dmtlte!''
""Dw.''
""F¶m \n§sS IeymWw?''
""s\\¡p thsd sXmgnsem¶pantà s]t®? tX, \nsâ am¸nf
Xncnªpt\m¡p¶p. thKw sNÃv.''
""Hm, Rms\Ãmw AdnsªSo.''
""\o C\n F¶pt]mIpsaSo t{Xkym?''
""s\mbv¼v hoSot«sbmÅq.''
""\o ho«ntem«p hctW.''
""hcmw.''
""F¶ms¨Ãv. AtX, B ]mhw a\ptj³ \ns¶ t\m¡n \nev¡p¶p.''
t{Xkym t]mbn¡gnªt¸mÄ A½nWn ]dªp: ""AXnbms\¡−mÂ
Hcp sN½m{´anÃ; sImc§ns\t¸mencn¡p¶p.''
""FÃmcpw \nsâ C¨m¨s\t¸mse kpμc·mcmbncn¡ptamSo A½nWo?''
""sIm«t¯§mt]msebm AXnbmsâ Xebncn¡ps¶.''
""A½nWo, Btcw Ipäw]tdtÃ, \nsâ am¸nf
F§s\bpÅh\mbncn¡psa¶dnbmtam? ssZhs¯ ]co£n¡cpXv.''
""I−m sImÅcpXm¯h\msW¦n F\n¡p a\Ênsöp ]tdw.''
 ""\o t]mSo, Np½m htÃmw ]dbmsX. A¸\pat½w ]dªm ]ns¶
adn¨psN¿ms\m¡ptamSo?''
""dmtl Fsâ \m¯q\mIp¼w Rm³ \m¯q³t]mscSp¡pw
t\m¡nt¡m.''
""At¶cw A½nWnsb sI«m³hcp¶ sNdp¡t\mSp Rm³ ]dbpw Cu
s]®v acwtIdns¸®msW¶v.''
""At¶cw Rm³ C¨m¨t\mSp]dªv dmtlensâ ]pd¯n\n«v
CSn¸n¡patÃm.''
""At¶cw Rm³ sIdo¨v Fsâ ho«ntem«p t]mIpatÃm.''
""At¶cw Rm\pw C¨m¨\pwIqSnh¶v ]nSnt¨m−pt]mcpatÃm.''
AhÀ N´bn sN¶p. [mcmfw BfpIÄ N´bn D−mbncp¶p.
]ecpw B s]¬]ntÅsc kq£n¨p t\m¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
hgn¡p ap¨o«pIfn¡mcpsS Npäpw [mcmfwt]À IqSnbncn¡p¶Xv AhÀ
I−p. P\¡q«¯nsâ AcnIptNÀ¶v ]mh¸peb³ \nev¡p¶p.
""]mth, ]mth!'' dmtl hnfn¨p. ]mh sNhn h«w ]nSn¨psIm−p
Xncnªpt\m¡n.
""sIm¨n{¼m«namsct§m«m?''
""\osb¶m ChnsS \nev¡pt¶?''
""Np½m \n¡zm sIm¨n{¼mt«y!''
""\o A½nWosS C¨m¨s\¡t−m?''
""sImd¨papt¼ ASnb³ I−p, h−ow ASnt¨m−p t]mWXv. F´n\m
sIm¨n{¼m«o?''
""C¨m¨s\ I−ncps¶¦n sImsd N{Iw hm§n¡mcp¶p.''
A½nWnbmWp adp]Sn ]dªXv.
""ImWpImsW¦n ]dbWw R§fp ao³Nt´Â ImWpsa¶v, tIt«m.''
""Hm!''
]mh ho−pw ap¨o«pIfnbpsS elcnbn ebn¨p.
A½nWnbpw dmtlepw ao³N´bn hfsct\cw Xmakn¨p. ]t£, At
´m\nsb¡−nÃ.
AhÀ kmam\§Ä hm§ns¡m−p N´bnÂ\n¶p aS§nbt¸mÄ t\cw
kÔytbmSp kao]n¡pIbmbncp¶p. AhÀ thKw \S¶p.
AhcpsS ap¼n c−paq¶p ^ÀtemMv AIse Hcp Imfh−n
\o§p¶XpI−p.
""AXv C¨m¨sâ h−nbmcn¡pw; hm dmtlte, \ap¡v HmSmw.''
""Hm, hà a\ptjcpw I−mÂþ?''
""a\ptjcp I−m F´m?''
 AhÀ Npdps¡ \S¶p; BfpIf[nIanÃm¯ Øes¯¯pt¼mÄ AhÀ
HmSpw. A§s\ HmSnbpw \S¶pw AhÀ h−nsb kao]n¡mdmbn.
""C¨m¨m, ¨m¨m.'' A½nWn Dds¡ hnfn¨p. h−n \n¶nÃ.
""A½nWo, AXp thsd htÃmcptSw h−n Bbncn¡mw.'' dmtlÂ
]dªp.
""CsÃt¶, AtX, \n§fpsS hmepapdnb³Imf. C¨m¨m, AhnsS
\n¡m³.''
At´m\n B hnfntI«p. Ah³ h−n\ndp¯n. A½nWnbpw dmtlepw
HmSn h−nbpsS ASps¯¯n. AhÀ AWbv¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
""tlm! Cu... C¨m¨s\... F´p... hnfn... hnfn¨p.'' A½nWn ]cn`hn¨p.
At´m\n A½nWnbpsS ssIbv¡p]nSn¨p h−n¡pÅn Ibän.
""C¨m¨m, dmtlens\¡qsS tIäv.''
""Rm³ \St¶mfmw A½nWo.''
""km[ntIyem. hm, ssIbnt§m«p Xm.''
""Hm, Cu A½nWns¡¶m?''
dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p]nSn¨v A½nWn taevt]m«p hen¨pXpS§n.
""F⽨o F\n¡p h¿. C¨m¨m! dmtlens\¡qsS tIän¨m¨m.''
At´m\n dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p]nSn¨v Hcp ]qhpt]mse h−n¡pÅnÂ
Ibän. dmtlensâ I¬tImWn eÖbpw A[c§fn Hcp
Cfw]p©ncnbpw Hfn¨p\n¶ncp¶p.
B h−n¡pÅn GtXm ]mhs¸« Hcp IS¡mc\pth−nbpÅ Hcp
as®®¸m«bpw GXm\pw Imen¨m¡pIfpta D−mbncp¶pÅq.
h−n¨{Iw ho−pw CfIn. At´m\nbpsS sXm«p ]pdIn A½nWn
Ccp¶p. AhÄ dmtlens\ AhfpsS ASp¯ncp¯n.
A½nWn At´m\nbpsS aSn¡p¯p ]cntim[n¡pIbmbn. B aSnbnÂ
c−paq¶v Hmd©pIÄ D−mbncp¶p. bmsXmcp kt¦mNhpw IqSmsX AhÄ
B a[pc\mc§Isf IcØam¡n.
AhÄ AXp s]mfn¨p. Hmtcm AÃnIÄ AhÄ AhfpsS B§fbv¡pw
\m¯q\mtI−p¶ dmtlen\pw hoXn¨psImSp¯p.
""tIt«m ¨m¨m.'' At´m\nbpsS tXmf¯p]nSn¨p Ipep¡ns¡m−pw
Hmd©nsâ AÃn Nh¨psIm−pw A½nWn ]dªp.
""Dw.''
""Cu dmtlsem−tÃm.''
""Dw.''
""C¨m¨³ XÃnbm sIdo¨ps]mbv¡tfsa¶v.''
 ""At¿m! A½nWn Np½m ]tdhm. Cu A½nWnbm ]dªXv Ft¶mSp
\m¯q³t]mscSp¡psa¶v.''
""Rm³ \m¯q³t]mscSp¡ptam C¨m¨m?''
""\n\¡p \m¡S§nbncn¡¯ntÃ?''
""\m¯qs\ C¨m¨³ XïnÃtÃm.''
At´m\nbpw dmtlepw Nncn¨pt]mbn. dmtl A½nWnbpsS ssIbv¡v
Hcp \pÅpsImSp¯p.
""Rm³ C¨m¨t\mSp ]tdw, ]dtª¡mw.''
h−n Hcp hfhpXncnªp. \m«p¼pds¯ Hcp _kv kväm³Umbncp¶p
AXv. AhnsS A§t¯Xnse ]mÀÆXyImcpsS aI³ cmP³ \n¶ncp¶p.
""tl h−n¡mc³!'' Ah³ hnfn¨p.
""C¨m¨m AtX, Abmfv hnfn¡p¶p.'' A½nWn ]dªp.
At´m\n h−n \ndp¯n.
cmP³ ASp¯ph¶p ""At´m\nbmtWm?''
""cmPs\¶m ChnsS \nev¡ps¶?''
""tImfPS¨p. Fsâ Hcp {Ss¦m−v. AXp ho«nsems¶¯nt¨¡mtam? B
]mh¡nSm¯³ hcmsa¶p ]dªn«v CtXhsc I−nÃ.''
""Ft´y s]«n?''
""AtX Ccn¡p¶p. \oIqsSh¶m \ap¡p ]nSn¨p h−nbnte¡p
hbv¡mw.''
At´m\n Cd§n. cmP³ B {S¦nsâ Hcä¯p ]nSn¨p.
""Rm³Xs¶ FSpt¯mfmw.'' kmam\yw `mcapÅ Hcp s]«n Bbncp¶p
AXv. At´m\n B s]«n h−n¡pÅnte¡p \nc¡n.
""CXmcm Cu h−n¡I¯v?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p. ""AXp Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ
aIÄ dmtlÂ, aäXv Fsâ s]§Ä A½nWn.''
""ChschnsSt¸mbXm?''
""N´bv¡v.''
""s]«n ho«n sImSpt¯¡Ww tIt«m?'' cmP³ Hcp \meW¯p«v At
´m\nbpsS t\À¡p \o«n.
""Hm, Imsim¶pw th−m.'' At´m\n ]dªp: ""cmP³ hcpt¶m?''
""CÃ; F\n¡p iIew Xmaksam−v.'' At´m\n ho−pw h−nbpsS
Ccn¸nS¯n NmSn¡bdn.
B {S¦p hen¨p \o¡nbn«v dmtlepw A½nWnbpw AXnsâ ]pd¯pIbdn
Ccp¶p.
""CXn\Is¯¶Xm?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""]q¨¡pªp§fmbncn¡pw.''
 ""At¿m! F¶m Rm\nÃ.''
""AhnSncn¡p dmtlte.''
\m«phgnbnse Nc¡ÃpIfpsS aotXIqsS IcIcm i_vZt¯msS
h−n¨{I§Ä Id§ns¡m−ncp¶p. hgn¨mepIfn N{I§Ä
Ibdnbnd§pIbpw h−n At§m«pw Ct§m«pw DebpIbpw sNbvXp. Hcp
IÃnsâ apIfn h−n¨{Iw Ibdnbt¸mÄ {S¦nsâ apIfn Ccp¶
dmtl adnªv At´m\nbpsS ]pd¯phoWp. B hogens\ A½nWn
KqVambn klmbn¨p F¶v AhfpsS Nncn kqNn¸n¨p.
ac§fpsS A¸pd¯p sNa¶ kqcy³ N{Ihmf¯nsâ AcnInÂ
]IpXnbpw adªncp¶p.
""F¶n«v tIt«m C¨m¨m!''
""Dw?''
""Cu dmtl ]dbphm...''
""Dw.''
""C¨m¨³ Hcp ]m«p]mSm³.''
""s¿m! Cu A½nWn C§s\ IÅw]dbptam?''
""]mSn¨m¨m.''
""\o ]mSv.''
""C¨m¨³ ]mSv.''
""A¡c¡mWp¶
\oeaebpsS
XmsgsbmgpIp¶
]qt©mebnÂ.'' At´m\n ]mSn.
""sNmÃp dmtlte.'' A½nWn \nÀ_Ôn¨p.
""\o Np½mXncn A½nWo. hà a\ptjcpw tI«mÂþ''
""Hm, tI«msem¶panÃ. sNmÃp dmtlte.''
dmtl Gäp]mSn:
""A¡sc¡mWp¶...''
At´m\n XpSÀ¶p:
""\Ã\nemhpÅ
cm{XnIme§fnÂ
tIfnbmSpw h\þ
tZhXsb§pt]mbv.''
""h\tZhX ChnSncn¸p−n¨m¨m.'' A½nWn Nncn¨p.
dmtlepw A½nWnbpw Gäp]mSn.
""\Ã\nemhpÅ...''
 h−n¨m«bpsS koev¡mct¯msSbpÅ hoi Imf·mcpsS ]pd¯p
Xmfw]nSn¨p. B h−n¸m«nsâbpw aWnInep¡pwt]mepÅ
s]m«n¨ncnIfpsSbpw ItÃme§Ä kmbmlv\¯nse aªshbnenÂ
AenªptNÀ¶v {KmakoaIfn asämens¡m−p.
\mev

kÔym{]mÀ°\bv¡p tZhmeb¯n aWnbSn¨p. B aWn\mZw

hr£§fpsS apIfn¡qSn HgpIn Ip¶n³sNcphpIfn amsämens¡m−p.
tXmf¯p Xq¼mbpw t]dn IÀjIÀ \m«phgnsb At¸mgpw
s]mbvs¡m−ncp¶p. {KmaoW`h\§fn A´n¯ncnIÄ {]Imin¡pIbpw
IShmhepIÄ ]Snªmdp\n¶p Ingt¡m«v Häbpw s]«bpambn
]d¶pt]mhpIbpw sNbvXp.
A§t¯Xnse hoSnsâ ap¼n h−n\n¶p.
""A½nWo, Rm\o {S¦p sImSpt¯¨phcmw.''
""Ahsc htÃmtcw hnfn¨p sImSp¡n¨m¨m. C¨m¨\n¸w
sNma¡m³t]mWp.'' A½nWnbpsS A`nam\w Adnbn¨p.
""Ahcp {]mÀ°n¡bmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p.''
At´m\n ImfIsf ]nSn¨p\nÀ¯n: ""Rm³ sIms−s¡mSpt¯¨phcmw,
\n§sfmt¶tä.''
""s¿m, t\cw Hcp]mSmbn. A½¨n C¶p hgs¡m−m¡pw t\m¡nt¡m,''
dmtl ]dªp: ""F¶m R§fp s]mbvt¡mt«?''
""t]Snsbmt−m?''
""]ns¶, R§sf D½m¡n ]nSn¡pw! hm dmtlte \½¡p ]mw.''
dmtlensâbpw A½nWnbpsSbpw ssI]nSn¨v Ah³ Ahsc
h−nbnÂ\n¶v Cd¡n. AhÀ AhcpsS sIm¨p sIm«Ifpw FSp¯psIm−v
ho«nte¡p \S¶p. B Hcp hfhp Xncnªm AhcpsS hoSmbn.
\m«pshfn¨w D−mbncp¶p.
At´m\n B `mcapÅ {S¦v Xebn Npa¶psIm−p tKäpXpd¶v
AI¯p Ibdn. _w¥mhnsâ hmXn¡ Xq§p¶ icdm´ensâ shfn¨w
Ahsâ Imev¡Âhsc \o−ncp¶p.
""ho«pImtc, ]«n ISn¡tÃ.'' At´m\n hnfn¨dnbn¨p. ]−s¯
ISnb³]«nIÄ c−pw ImeKXn{]m]ns¨¦nepw Hcp ]pXnb sNhnXf
´³]«nsb Ah³ AhnsS I−n«p−v. acymZ¡mc\mb B
_qÀjzmip\I³ Bscbpw ISn¨n«pÅXmbn AdnhnÃ. F¦nepw ]«n
]«nX¶tÃ.
s]³j³ ]mÀÆXyImc\mb Nm−nkmdpw ho«pImcn sX¿m½bpw
{]mÀ°n¨psIm−ncn¡bmbncp¶p.
 ""Bcm AXv?'' sX¿m½ {]mÀ°\ \ndp¯n. Nm−nkmÀ ho−pw
{]mÀ°n¨psIm−ncp¶p.
""Rm\m, At´m\n. CXm cmPsâ s]«n.''
""cmPs\ FhnsSh¨pI−p tamt\?''
""_kvkväm³UnÂh¨v,'' At´m\n {S¦pw Npa¶psIm−v Xn®bnte¡p
Ibdn. sX¿m½bpsS klmbt¯mSpIqSn Ah³ AXp `{Zambn Xmsgh¨p.
""\o am½osS tam\tÃ?''
""AtX.''
""At´m\n?''
""AsX.''
""A¼Sm, \ob§p hfÀ¶pt]mbtÃm? am½nsb¡−n«v Hcp]mSp \mfmbn.
sIm¨m¸n¡nt¸mgpw hÅaq¶pXs¶btà tPmen?''
""AtX.''
""cmP³ ]pdsI hcp¶pt−m, Iptª?''
""]pdsI ht¶¡msa¶p ]dªp.'' At´m\n t]mIm³ `mhn¨p. ""h−n
hgn¡p \nev¡pIm. F¶m Rm³...''
""t]mIm³ ZndpXnbmtbm?''
""F´m?''
""Ipªv Cu {S¦v FSp¯v B cmPsâ apdotem«v H¶p h¨mÂ... B
]mh¡nSm¯s\¡t−m hgns¡§m³? t{Zmln! Ahs\ ChnsS¶v
ASn¨nd¡msX Hcp ct£anÃ. alm s]gsI« InSm¯³.''
""Ahs\ Rm³ Nt´Âh¨p I−p... F¶m CsXm¶p
s]m¡n¯¶mÂ...'' sX¿m½ Hcä¯p]nSn¨p {S¦ps]m¡n ho−pw At
´m\nbpsS XebnÂh¨p.
""FSo At¶, B hnf¡n§p sIm−pht¶.'' sX¿m½ the¡mcnsb
hnfn¨p. A¶ Hcp dm´Âhnf¡pambn h¶p.
""FSo, Ch\m cmPsâ apdnsbm¶p ImWn¨p sImSp¡v.''
A¶ dm´Âhnf¡pambn apt¼ \S¶p. At´m\n tKmhWn¸Sn Nhp«n
_w¥mhnsâ c−mw\nebnse¯n. AhnsSbmWv cmPsâ apdn. A¶ B
apdnbpsS IXIp Xpd¶p. A¶bpsS klmbt¯mSpIqSn Ah³ B {S¦v
apdnbpsS Hcp tImWn h¨p. hnimehpw kpμchpamb Hcp apdnbmbncp¶p
AXv. AXnsâ P\meIfn ]«p bh\nIIÄ Xq§n¡nS¡p¶p.
`n¯nIfn NnÃn« At\Iw ]S§Ä Xq¡s¸«ncn¡p¶p. Hceamcn \ndsb
]pkvXI§Ä ASp¡n sh¨ncn¸p−v. sImXpIphebn« Hcp I«nÂ, Hcp
sIm¨p tai¸pd¯v tdUntbms¸«n, ]ns¶ Hcp henb tai, \mep
ItkcIÄ.
 Ah³ B P\en¡qSn shfnbnse AÔImc¯nte¡p t\m¡n.
Im¸ns¨SnIfnepw A§Ise I¿mebnd¼n \nev¡p¶ ]gb
]d¦namhpIfnepw an¶man\p§pIÄ X¦¯cnIÄt]mse
an¶ns¡m−ncp¶p. Ahsâ ho«nse Cdb¯p an¶p¶ sNdnb
Hm«phnf¡nsâ ]mhs¸« civanIÄ Hmes¨äbpsS AcnInÂ
]Xnªncn¡p¶Xp I−p. dmtlensâ apä¯pIqSn Btcm Hcp
hnf¡pwsIm−p InWän³Icbnte¡p t]mIp¶p. AXm hnf¡p sI«p.
AÔImcw.
""am½nt¨S¯osS tam\tÃ?'' A¶ tNmZn¡bmWv. At´m\n
Xncnªpt\m¡n. Hcp s]¬Ip«n dm´Âhnf¡pambn Ahsâ ]pdInÂ
\nÝeambn \nev¡p¶p F¶v Ah\p t_m[ap−mbn.
""AtX, \osb{X\mfmbn ChnSmbn«v?''
""aq¶p sImÃambn. \n§fmcpsa´m Ct§ms«ms¡ hcmt¯?''
""Hm, F´n\m hcpt¶?''
A¶bpsS ]n¶mse At´m\n tKmhWn¸Snbnd§n Xmgs¯
\nebnse¯n.
""tNS¯o, Rmt¼mhm.'' At´m\n apät¯¡nd§n.
Nm−nkmÀ {]mÀ°\Ignªv hcm´bnse NmcpItkcbnÂ
Ccn¡pIbmbncp¶p. At±l¯nsâ XeapSn apgph³ \c¨ncp¶p. icocw
\t¶ £oWn¨ncp¶p.
""AhnsS \ns¡Sm Iptª,'' Nm−nkmÀ ]dªp. sX¿m½ Hcp
ISemkps]mXnbpambn F¯n.
""C¶m At´m\o, CXp ]ntÅÀ¡p sImSpt¯¡v''
""\o Ct§ms«ms¡ hcWw tIt«m.'' Nm−nkmÀ ]dªp.
""Hm.''
At´m\n B ISemkps]mXnbpambn \S¶p. B sNhn Xf´³]«n
AhsâIqsSsb¯n.
""ChnsS hmSm ssIktd,'' A¶ dm´epambn ]«nbpsS ]pdsI F¯n.
ssIkÀ At´m\nbpsS Im aW¸n¨n«p Xncnsb \S¶p.
At´m\nbpsS {]nbs¸« ImfIÄ A£acmbn
Im¯p\nev]p−mbncp¶p. Ah³ h−nbn NmSn¡bdn. h−n¨{I§Ä
Dcp−p.
At´m\n aqfn¸m«p ]mSn. A§t¯Xnse a\pjyÀþ sX¿m½bpw cmP\pw
Nm−nkmdpwþAhÀ No¯a\pjycÃ. B cmP\pw Ah\pw X½nÂ
sIm¨p¶mfn I¿mes¯m−n h¨p hg¡p−m¡nbXpw cmPsâ
Xebv¡v Ah³ IsÃSps¯dnªXpw AXn\pap¼v tXm«nse Ie¡shÅw
Ahsâ tZl¯p sXdn¸n¨Xpw B ho«pImcpw am½nbpw X½nÂ
]nW§nbXpw FÃmw Ah³ HmÀ¯p. ]cn`h§sfbpw ]nW¡§sfbpw
XpS¨pamäns¡m−v Imew IS¶pt]mbn. C¶p cmP³
acymZ¡mc\mbncn¡p¶p! AXpt]mseXs¶ sX¿m½bpw Nm−nkmdpw.
Ah³ At§m«p hÃt¸mgpsams¡ sNÃWsa¶v At±lw
Bhiys¸«ncn¡p¶p. F´n\mbncn¡mw? henb [\nIcmb AhcpsS
kvt\lw k¼mZn¡p¶Xp XoÀ¨bmbpw \ÃXpXs¶.
B the¡mcn A¶þAhÄ GXmtWm Bthm? Ahsf Ah³
aps¼hnsStbmh¨p I−n«p−v.
Ah³ B ISemkps]mXnsbSp¯p. hncÂsIm−v Ah³ B s]mXn
H¶p ]cntim[n¨p. AXv _nkvIäpIfmsW¶p a\Ênembn. Ah³ AXnÂ
Hsc®w FSp¯p Xn¶p. \Ã a[pcapÅ km[\w.
Ah³ Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ ho«nse¯n. ImfIsf Agn¨v Fcp¯nenÂ
sI«n. Ips©dnbmt¨«³ Xn®bv¡ncp¸p−mbncp¶p. adnbmt¨S¯n
kz`À¯mhnsâ Imen Ipg¼p ]pc«ns¡m−ncp¶p. B Ipg¼nsâ aWw
cm{Xnbnse hmbphnse§pw ]c¶ncp¶pþAklyamb Hcp aWw.
Ah³ aSn¡p¯nÂ\n¶v A©pcq]m F«W FSp¯p Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ
ssIbnte¡p \o«n. ImfIÄ¡p ]pÃpw ]n®m¡pw Ahsâ Im¸ns¨ehpw
Ignªv A¶p In«nb IqenbmWv B XpI. AXnÂ\n¶p c−pcq]m
AbmÄ Xncnsb At´m\n¡p sImSp¯p. AXhsâ Znhk¡qenbmWv.
""\msf B ]oSnI¡mc\v Nc¡nd¡Wsa¶p ]dtª¨p t]mbn.''
Ips©dnbmt¨«³ Adnbn¨p.
""cmhnse t]mWw, tIt«m.''
""t]mImw.''
""tamt\, Im¸nb\¯nbXp ImWpw. IpSn¨n«pt]m,'' adnbt¨S¯n
]dªp: ""B s]®p InWän³Icbnte¡p t]mbncnIzm. \o
AIt¯m«ptIdn Duän¡pSnt¨m.''
""Hm, F\n¡n¸w th− tNS¯o.''
At´m\n Ahsâ ho«nte¡p \S¶p.
dmtl IpfnbpwIgnªv Hcp a¬IpS¯n shÅhpambn
hcnIbmbncp¶p.
""F¶m, Ct{Xw Xmakns¨?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""{S¦p sIm−ps¡mSp¯p. B s]®p¼nÅbv¡v Fs¶ henb Imcyambn;
B kmdn\pw. ho«pImcy§sfms¡ tNmZn¨p. A§s\þ''
""C¶v A½¨n Fs¶ Fs´Ãmw ]dsªt¶m!''
""Dw?''
 ""Xmakn¨p h¶Xn\v.''
""A½nWn D−mbncp¶p IqsS, h−nbnemWp h¶Xv F¶p ]dªntÃ?''
""]dªp.''
""F¶n«v?''
""Imfh−ntbt¡dn cm{Xn ]m«pw]mSn hs¶¶pw a\ptjcp
t]m¡WwtISp ]tds¶¶pw Hs¡.''
""Hm, kmcanÃ.''
""Dw, kmcanÃ. ]ns¶, A½¨n ]m¯ph¨ncp¶ Hcp cq]m
Rms\Sps¯¶p thsdmcp tIkv! F¶pth− ]p¡mdp Xs¶.''
""F´n\m cq]msbSp¯Xv?''
""A½¨ntbmSp ]tdtÃ!''
""tI¡s«.''
""A½nWn¡p N´bv¡p t]mIm³ N{IanÃmcp¶p; AXn\vþ''
""Hcp cq]mbpsS tIktÃbpÅq?''
""]nt¶w GXms−ms¡ sImg¸w D−msb¶m tXm¶ps¶.
F\ns¡m¶pw Adnbmt½e.''
""\o Cu IpShpw Npa¶psIm−v C§s\ \n¶mtem! tXmfp
t\mh¯ntÃ?''
""t\mh¯nÃ; Rm³ t]mWp.''
Ingt¡ Ip¶nsâ Xp©¯v F¯nt\m¡nb ic¨{μsâ aªpt]mepÅ
a§nb shfn¨w I¸s¨SnIfpsS ]¨¯e¸pIfn {]Xn^en¨pXpS§n.
A§t¯Xnse ssIkÀ]«n Ipcbv¡p¶p. cmP³ h¶Xmbncn¡mw.
""ChnsS hmSm ssIktd!'' B t\cnb kzcw! AXv A¶bptSXmWv.
tNmX³]pebsâ Xdbn Btcm kwkmcn¡p¶p. sX½mSnbmb
]mh¡nSm¯sâ hchmbncn¡Ww B D¨¯nepÅ kwkmc¯n\p
ImcWw. Ah\n{X N«¼nbmIm³ ImcWw? taeq«pImsc I−m Ah³
Xes¡«v FSp¯pamäpIbnÃt{X. Nnesc Ah³ "sIm¨{¼m³' F¶p
hnfn¡mdnÃt{X. F´psImt−m cmP\v B ]pebbphmhnt\mSv
kvt\lamWv. Hcp]t£, AXpsIm−mbncn¡mw Ah³ X−pImc\mbXv.
A¼nfn¡e B inht£{X¯nsâ ap¼nte¡p \o§n \n¡pIbpw
hbÊpsN¶ ]d¦namhpIfpsS NnÃIÄ i_vZap−m¡msX Nncn¡pIbpw
sNbvXp. At´m\n¡pw D−v Hcp sIm¨p]d¦namhv. AXv Aht\¡mÄ
DbÀ¶n«p−v.
Ah³ B sIm¨pI¸Âamhnsâ Hcne Ae£yambn ]dn¨p
ISn¨p]nSn¨psIm−v apäs¯¯n. Ahsâ A½
CfbIpªns\þenÃnsbþIpfn¸n¡p¶p. Cdb¯v Hm«phnf¡nsâ
ASp¯ncp¶v Ahsâ GgphbÊpÅ A\pP³ ]m¸³, "Ad_nbpw Ahsâ
IpXncbpw' F¶ ]mTw hmbn¡p¶p.
A½nWn ASp¡fbn ASp¸n³Nph«nencp¶v XobqXpIbmWv. A¯mgw
C{X Xmakn¨pt]mhm³ ImcWw? Xo¨qSpsIm−v A½nWnbpsS apJw
\t¶ Nph¶ncp¶p. A½nWnsb sI«n¨bbv¡pI Fs¶mcp ]pXnb
{]iv\w B sIm¨pho«n IptdÈ IptdÈ sXfnªph¶ncp¶p. Xsâ
s]§sf, ZpcnXw Fs´¶dnbm¯ Hcp ho«n sI«n¨bbv¡Ww F¶Xv
At´m\nbpsS lrZb¯n `{Zambn kq£n¡s¸Sp¶ Hc`nemjamWv.
enÃnsb FSp¯v Cdb¯p sIm−ph¶p \nÀ¯nbtijw am½n Ahsf
H¶pIqSn XphÀ¯pIbmWv. A½bpsS sXm«Sp¯p sN¶p\n¶p At´m\n.
At´m\nbpsS kao]¯p\n¶t¸mÄ am½n Hcp sIm¨pIpªmsW¶p
tXm¶n. A{XI−p Infcw sh¨n«p−v At´m\n¡v.
ISsªSp¯Xpt]mepÅ ssIImepIfpw hncnª amÀÆnShpw AgIpÅ
B apJhpw Hm«phnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n am½n I−t¸mÄ AhfpsS
amXrlrZbw A`nam\wsIm−p XpSn¨p. B aIs\ ap³\nÀ¯ns¡m−p
temIs¯ apgph³ shÃphnfn¡msa¶v AhÄ¡ptXm¶n.
""C¶pw Iqensbm¶pw In«nbntÃ?''
""AsX´mt½, A§s\ tNmZn¡pt¶?''
A½bpsS kzc¯nse AÀ°sas´¶v Ah\v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«nbnÃ.
Ah³ enÃnsb hm§n AhfpsS ssIbn B _nkvIäps]mXn sImSp¯p.
Hcp I®mse ]m¸³ AXpI−p. Ah³ HmSnsb¯n. ""Ah\qsS sImSp¡q
tamtf.'' At´m\n enÃnsb Xn®bnencp¯n. ]m¸\pw enÃnbpw IqSn Hcp
sNdnb hSwhen \S¯n. a²yØbmbn A½nWnsb¯n.
""A§t¯Xnse sX¿m½t¨S¯n X¶Xm.'' At´m\n ]dªp.
""\osb´n\m AhnsSt¡dnsb?''
""B cmPsâ Hcp {S¦ps]«nbp−mbncp¶p. h−nbn X¶b¨Xm.
AXpsIm−psN¶p sImSp¯p.''
""F¶n«v?''
""AhÀs¡s¶ F´pImcyambncps¶t¶m?''
""F¶n«v?''
""A½nWo, A¯mgamtbmSo?''
""tNmdphmÀ¯p.''
""A½¨nsb¶mt½ A§s\ tNmZnt¨?''
""F§s\?''
""IqenInt«ym¶v?''
""]ns¶¸dbmw; \o t]mbn Ipfn¨n«phm.''
 At´m\n Ipfn¡m³ t]mbt¸mÄ A½nWn ]dªp: ""C¨m¨t\mSv AXp
]td−t½. F´n\m shdpsX... A½¨n¡p thtWmt½ _nkvIäv?''
""\obm ]m{X§sfÃmw H¶p IgpInt¡.''
A½nWn _nkvIäp Idpapsd Nh¨psIm−p ]nªmW§Ä IgpIn.
""SpwþInenw!'' Hcp IpSph³]nªmW¯nsâ acWaWn \mZambncp¶p
AXv.
""s]m«nt¨mSo, s]m«nt¨m! A½mbnbt½sS XÃp sImÅp¼tg \o ]Tn¡q.
s]m«nt¨m. ZnhkwtXmdpw ]nªmWw s]m«n¡m³, F¶Xnsâ Ipäam
s\tjZo!''
""Fsâ ssIbo¶p sX¶nt¸mbXmt½.''
""AtXSo, FSo Iqenthe¡mcsâ k´Xn AX\pkcn¨p thWw
Pohn¡m³. s\Kfw A[nIamIcpXp s]t®.''
""Rms\¶m s\Kfamt½ ImWn¨Xv? Cu A½¨n¡ns¶¶Xm?''
tNmdp−psIm−ncn¡pt¼mÄ At´m\n tNmZn¨p: ""]dtªt½,
tIÄ¡s«.''
""\o tPmen sNbvXn«tà Imip taSn¡p¶Xv? AtXm, \o AhcpsS
hmey¡mc\mtWm?''
""BcpsS?''
""\nsâ A½mbnb½bmIm³ sRfnªncn¡p¶ AhsS.''
""A½¨nsbm¶p Np½mXncn¡t½!'' enÃnsb tXmf¯n«v Dd¡p¶
A½nWn ]dªp. ]m¸³ Dd¡w]nSn¨pIgnªp. At´m\nbpsS ASp¯p
Ipc−n¸pd¯ncn¡pIbmWv am½n.
""AÃ, Rm³ Adnbmªp tNmZn¡hm; \osbmcmWtÃ? \n\¡p thsd
s]®pIn«ptIte?''
""At½, H¶p an−mXncn¡t½!'' A½nWn \ne¯p sXmgn¨p.
""Dw, F¶n«v?''
""FtâSm Rm\n¶v Hcp\mgn Acn¡v AhS§psN¶p. \msf
tdj³hm§n¡p¼w sImSp¡m¶pw ]dªp. "ChnScnbnÃ!' Ahsfsâ
samI¯pt\m¡n ]dªt¶. Hcp hoªs¸«n\nd¨v Acn Ccn¡p¶Xp
It−¨m Rm³ tNmZn¨Xv. AhsS Hcp `mthmw s]m®¡mtcymw! ]ns¶
Rm³ sN¶v B NncpX¸pe¡ÅntbmSv Ccp\mgn Acn hmbv] hm§n¨p.
Fsâ hn[n, AÃm−v F´p ]dbm\m! A¸\psam−v tam\psam−v
Dt¯ymK¯n\v. ho«n ]«nWn ant¨mw.''
At´m\n Ahsâ tNmdpw]nªmW¯nte¡pXs¶
t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. shfp¯ tNmdn\I¯p \n¶v Hcp Idp¯tNmdv
Ah³ Xnc¡n FSp¯p. AsXSp¡p¶Xn\v Ft´m henb BtemN\bpsS
Bhiyaps−¶p tXm¶pw Ahsâ Ccp¸pI−mÂ. ASp¯ncn¡p¶
XIchnf¡nsâ Xo\mfs¯bpw At´m\nbpsS s\änbnte¡v Dcp−phoW
Npcp− apSnsbbpw ]nSn¨v Ipep¡ns¡m−v B apdn¡pÅneqsS Hcp Imäp
IS¶pt]mbn.
A©v

F¦nepw adnbt¨S¯n A§s\ ]dªpIfªtÃm. At´m\n¡v

AsXmcp BÝcyambnt¯m¶n. am½n tNmZn¨m AhÀ
sImSp¡mXncp¶n«nÃ. A§s\sbmc\p`hw aps¼§pw D−mbn«nÃ. AhÀ
Ahs\ Hcp Iqen¡mc\mbn«mbncn¡ptam hnNmcn¡p¶Xv? AhcpsS
Iqen¡mc\mI¯¡hn[w Ah\{X A[x]Xn¨n«nÃ. "\n\¡p thsd
s]®pIn«¯ntà tamt\?' F¶ am½nbpsS tNmZyw Ahsâ lrZbs¯
Hcp I«pdp¼pt]mse thZ\n¸n¨p. temI¯n At\Iat\Iw
bphXnIfps−¶pÅXp hmkvXhw. D−mbns¡mÅs«. ]t£,
dmtlÂþAhÄ temI¯nepÅ FÃm s]¬Ip«nIsfbpwImÄ
hyXykvXbmWv. AhfpsS icocwt]mseXs¶ AgIpÅXmWv AhfpsS
lrZbhpw F¶v At´m\n¡dnbmw. Hcp]t£, At´m\n¡pam{Xta
AdnªpIqSpXm\pw. A½ Ahcpambn ]nWt§−mbncp¶p. F¦nepw
AXn A½ Ipä¡mcnbÃ. \mgn Acn hmbv] tNmZn¨n«v B adnbt¨S¯n
sImSp¯nÃtÃm! Fs´¦nepw Hcp ImcWap−m¡n X½nÂ
]nW§Wsa¶v AhÀ¡v Dt±iyap−mbncn¡mw. F´mbncn¡mw B
Dt±iyw? Hcp ]nSnbpw In«p¶nÃ. At´m\nbpsS lrZbw
]pIªpsIm−ncp¶p. Xm³ AhcpsS ASnabà F¶v Ahsc H¶p
t_m²ys¸Sp¯nbmtem? cmhnse ]oSnI¡mc\p Nc¡psIm−phcm³
t]mIWsa¶mWv Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ D¯chv. a\Ênsæntem? F¦nÂ
Ips©dnbmt¨«³Xs¶ ]gbXpt]mse h−nbpwsIm−pt]mbn
Nc¡nd¡pw. Znhkw c−pcq]m In«p¶Xv At´m\n¡p \jvSs¸Spw.
hnimeamb temI¯n Xs¶t¸mse BtcmKyhm\mb Hcp
sNdp¸¡mc\p tPmen In«m³ bmsXmcp hnjahpanÃ. A§t¯Xnse
Nm−n kmdnsâ ]pcbnS¯n F¶pw tPmenbp−v. sNehpIgnªp
c−pcq]m In«pw. ]ns¶´n\p \nμbpÅ ho«n t]mIp¶p?
F¶pw ]XnhpÅt\c¯v Ah³ DWÀs¶¦nepw FWo¡phm³ Ah\v
DÕmlw tXm¶nbnÃ. apä¯p {]Imiw hoWncp¶p. Ahsâ sIm¨p
]d¦namhnsâ sIm¼n Hcp cma³Im¡ h¶ncp¶p "{Im Jvdm' F¶n§s\
A£c§Ä DcphnSp¶p. enÃn Cgªpw \o´nbpw Ahsâ ASp¡se¯n.
AhÄ Ahsâ Npcp− XeapSn ]nSn¨p hen¡pIbmWv.
At´m\n FWoäp enÃnsb FSp¯p aSnbn h¨p. Ah³ AhfpsS
apJw XpS¨n«v B apJ¯p ]ehpcp Npw_n¨p.
 ""sIm¨n¼vdmt«y!''
""F¶m NncptX.'' am½n ASp¡fbnÂ\n¶p hnfntI«p. A½nWn
shÅwtImcm³ t]mbncn¡pIbmWv.
""C¨vcn Xo Xm.'' NncpX¸pebn Hcp tX§ms¯m−v ASp¡fbnte¡p
\o«n.
""C¶p thebv¡pt]mWntà NncptX?'' sXm−nte¡p Xo¡\epIÄ
tXm−nbn«psIm−v am½n tNmZn¨p. ASp¸nencn¡p¶ sIm¨pIe¯nse
I¸¸qfpIÄ Xnf¨ shůn CfInadnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
""ao«nse ]d¼nem C¶p tae.''
""F¶m the.''
""]bdnSoev. C¶se ]Snªmsdao«n Bcms−ms¡ a¶ncp¶p.
sIm¨n¼vcm«ydnªntÃ?''
""CÃ, Bcm?''
""dmtb sIm¨n¼vcm«n¡v Btcm IeymW¡mcm.''
""FhnSp¯pImcm?''
""F§m−¯pImcs\mcp kmdv.''
""F¶n«v?''
""F¶m Bsb¶v ASnb\dnªnÃ.''
NncpX¸pebn Xobpwhm§ns¡m−p t]mbn. At´m\n B kwkmcw
{ihn¨psIm−ncp¶p. dmtlen\v asät§m IeymWw ]dbps¶¶v!
Imcy§Ä A§s\bmWp h¶p Iemin¨ncn¡p¶Xv. At¸mÄ At
´m\nsb ]nW¡n Abbv¡Ww. AXn\pÅ Bcw`amhmw Acnbnsöp
adnbt¨S¯n ]dªXv. ]t£, ]mhw dmtl CsXm¶pw
AdnªpImWpIbnÃ. At´m\nsb¡mÄ tbmKyXbpw
]WhpapÅhscs¡m−p dmtlens\ sI«n¡Wsa¶mbncn¡mw AhcpsS
B{Klw. kv{Xo[\w IqSmsXXs¶ BcpwsI«ns¡m−p t]mIpw
dmtlens\. F¶m dmtl At´m\n¡pÅXmWv; At´m\n¡pam{Xw.
temI¯n bmsXmcp iIvXn¡pw Ahsf AIäns¡m−pt]mhm³
km²yaÃ. F{X IeymWBtemN\¡mÀ thWsa¦nepw h¶psImÅs«.
At´m\nsb hnfn¡m³ Ips©dnbmt¨«³ dmtlens\ ]dªb¨p.
apä¯p h¶p\n¶ dmtlens\ At´m\n I−p.
""F´m tamsf h¶Xv?'' am½n tNmZn¨p.
""A¸³ ]dªb¨p At´m\nsb hnfn¡m³. B ]oSy¡mc³
h¶p\nev¡p¶p. AbmÄ¡p cmhnse t]mbn Nc¡psIm−zcsW¶v.''
dmtl ]dªp.
 ""At´m\n¡v C¶p hcm³ H¡ptIse¶p ]d, tIt«m.''
I¸¸pgp¡n\pIq«m³ N½´n icns¸Sp¯pIbmbncp¶p am½n. A½nWn
]cys¯ hmgt¨m«n Ip¯nbncp¶psIm−v ]nªmW§Ä
ang¡pIbmbncp¶p. At´m\n enÃnsb FSp¯psIm−p
]Snªmdphis¯ sIm¨pI¸vemhnsâ ASp¡te¡p t]mbn. H¶pc−p
XfncneIÄ ]dn¨v Ah³ B Ipªnsâ ssIbn sImSp¯p.
dmtlensâ apJw ¾m\ambn. AhÄ At´m\nbpsS ASps¯¯n.
""F¶m C¶p hcp¶ntÃ?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""CÃ.''
""AsX´m?''
""F\n¡p thsdmcphgn¡p t]mIm\p−v.''
""FhnSm?''
""]ns¶¸dbmw.''
""C¸w ]dªmse¶m?''
""]dbm³ ]mSnÃ.''
""Ft¶mSp ]db¯ntÃ? Ft¶mSv...''
dmtl IcbpIbmWv. AhfpsS \oet\{X§fn \n¶p
ap¯paWnIÄt]mse I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ Dcp−v B shfp¯p sNa¶p
XpSp¯ ]q¦hnfpIfneqsS HgpIn h£Ên ]Xn¨p. B
I®oÀ¡WnIIsf XpSbv¡phm³ Ah³ AdnbmsXXs¶ Ahsâ ssI
\o−p.
""th−.'' AhÄ \S¶p. AhÄ Xncnªpt\m¡nbnÃ.
]pecnbpsS AcpWna a§pIbpw \ngepIfpsS \ofw IpdbpIbpw
sNbvXp.
""sIm¨¼vdm ]qssl.''
At´m\n Xncnªpt\m¡n. ]mh¡nSm¯\mbncp¶p.
""F¶mSm ]mth?''
""sIm¨n¼vdm\n¶v ht−y t]mWntÃ?''
""CÃ.''
""F¶m hm, ASnb³ the Xcmw.''
A½bpsS A\paXntbmSpIqSn A¶v At´m\n Xq¼mbpsaSp¯p
]Wn¡pt]mbn.
]pÃp]nSn¨pInS¶ncp¶ Xcnip`qan. c−cbSnhoXnbn s\Sp\of¯nÂ
hc¼pIÄ tImcpI. B hc¼pIfn AcbSn AIe¯n De¡sIm−p
Ip¯n sNdnb IpgnIÄ Ipgn¡pI. AXn Hcp\pÅp Nmchpw c−p sIm¨p
]bÀ hn¯pIfpw C«p aqSpI. AXmWv A¶s¯ the.
 At´m\nbpw ]mhbpw ]bdn\phmcsaSp¯p. NncpX¸pebn IpgnIfnÂ
Nmcan«p. the¡mcn A¶ ]bdn«p.
cmP³ B the¡mcpsS ASp¯ph¶p the t\m¡ns¡m−p\n¶p.
A¶bpsS ssIbnÂ\n¶p Ipsd ]bÀ hn¯pIÄ hm§n Ah\pw
IpgnIfn ]bÀhn¯v C«paqSn.
""sIm¨n¼vdm³ thepsIm−m Id¯pt]mIpw; ASnb³ ]dtª¡mw.''
Xq¼m¸mSpIfnte¡p t\m¡ns¡m−pXs¶ ]mh ]dªp.
""sIm¨n¼vdms\m¶p sIf¨m c−pt]cp thtWtÃm hoim³.''
""\ob{Xsbm¶pw Duinbm¡−m; Xq¼mbnt§m«pXcq. Rm³ ImWn¨p
Xcmw.''
cmP³ Xq¼m hm§n¨p Inf¨p XpS§n. Xq¼mbpsS {Iaw sXänbpÅ
]X\wI−v NncpX¸pebnt]mepw Nncn¨pt]mbn. D¨n¡p apIfn¯s¶
Xo¡\Â hnXdns¡m−p kqcy³ \n¶ncp¶p.
""sIm¨n¼vdm, B Nc«§qcn¡f. \sÃmcp Nct«Â
a®p]pc−mes¡m−v.''
hmkvXhw. cmP³ jÀ«qcn ASp¯ ]d¦namhnsâ XWen C«p.
kzÀ®\nd¯nepÅ Ahsâ icoc¯n hnbÀ¸pNmepIÄ HgpIn.
_\nb³ tZl¯v H«n¸nSn¨p. NoInh¨ncp¶ B XeapSn CfIn s\änsb
ad¨p. sNa¶ ]qgn Ahsâ tZls¯§pw ]pc−p. Ahsâ arZpe§fmb
ssI¸¯nIÄ sNa¶p Ipanf¨p. Ac aWn¡qÀ Inf¨t¸mtg¡pw cmP³
XfÀ¶pt]mbn. Ah³ Xq¼m Xnscy ]mh¡nSm¯s\ Gev]n¨n«p
]d¦nac¯nsâ XWen t]mbncp¶p. Ahsâ I®nÂ
Ccp«pIbdp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. \«p¨bv¡es¯ IpfnÀImänsâ Npw_\w
Ahs\ BlvfmZn¸n¨p. Imän\v C{XI−p am[pcyaps−¶v
Ah\dnªncp¶nÃ.
""Ct¸msg§v\ncn¡p¶p, sIm¨n¼vdm?'' ]mh Nncn¨p.
""Hm, kmcansÃSm.''
bmsXmcp Iqkepw £oWhpw IqSmsX, D{Kamb shbnens\
shÃphnfn¨psIm−v, Inf¨pInf¨p Ibdp¶ At´m\nsbbpw
]mh¡nSm¯s\bpw I−t¸mÄ cmP\v AkqbtXm¶n. ]pXpa®nsâ aWw
IeÀ¶ hmbp BtamZP\Iambncp¶p.
""C\n F¶m tImfPv Xpd¡ps¶, F´p cmPm?'' At´m\n tNmZn¨p.
""Fsâ ]Tn¯w Ignªp.'' cmP³ ]dªp.
""C¶ow ]Tn¡m³ t]mWntÃ?''
""C\n Irjn¡mcy§fnsems¡ GÀs¸Sm³ Xocpam\n¨ncn¡bmWv.
A¸\p hbÊmbn. Rm³ thWw FÃm¡mcyhpw C\n At\zjn¡m³.''
 ""C\ow Hcp IeymtWmw FÃmw Ign¨v Hcp sIm¨p sIm¨¼ncm«ntbw
sIm−ph¶v skmIambn«p Xmakn¡zm, Atà sIm¨n¼vdm.'' ]mh tNmZn¨p.
""Rm³ IeymWw Ign¡p¶nsÃSm.''
""AsX´m?''
""F´ns\Sm! adn¸p]nSn¨ GÀ¸mStà IeymWw F¶p ]dbp¶Xv.''
""AsXbsX, AtÃepw GXm−p s]®ns\ Is−zt¨¨m C¸td¶Xv.''
""FSm anSp¡m, \obsX§s\ Adnªp? FhnSmSm tIÄ¡s«.''
""\o Np½m htÃmw ]dbm−nscySm IvSm¯m.'' NncpX¸pebn
]bdn³IpgnIfn Nmcw \pÅnbn«psIm−v aIs\mcp Xm¡oXp \evIn.
sIm¨n¼vdmt\mSv A§s\sbm¶pw hÀ¯am\w ]dbm³ ]mSpÅXÃ.
""XmcowNpän Ip½mbhpw]qin aWnhm¨pwsI«n, _m¦pw Xq¡n¸nSnt¨m−p
\S¡p¶ GsX¦nepw.....''
""sbSm IvSm¯m Np½mbncns¡Sm.'' NncpXbv¡p ]cn{`aambn.
]mh¡nSm¯sâ kzX{´amb kwkmc¯n cmP\v bmsXmcp ]cn`hhpw
tXm¶nbnÃ. a\pjyÀ FÃmw ka·mcmsW¶pw Hcp Iq«À am{Xw
thesbSp¡msX kpJn¡m\pw, asämcpIq«À thesbSp¯mepw
ZpcnXs¸Sm\pw DÅhcsöpw Ah³ hnizkn¡p¶p. Xsâ A¸\pw
]nXmal\pw k¼mZn¨pIq«nbn«pÅ `oaamb kz¯p¡Ä
]mhs¸«hÀ¡pIqSn A\p`hs¸tS−hbmsW¶v Ah³ IcpXp¶p. B
X¯zw Xsâ A¸s\ t_m²ys¸Sp¯phm³ Ahsâ AdnhpIÄ apgph³
D]tbmKs¸Spt¯−n h¶p. ]p¯³ ambm¯ BZÀi§fpw
hnÚm\§fpambn Ah³ tImfPn \n¶p h¶ncn¡pIbmWv. Ahsâ
bpIvXnhmZ¯n\p hr²\mb A¸³ IogS§n. aIsâ B\μw Xsâbpw
B\μsa¶p IcpXnbncp¶ kmXznI\mb B s]³j³ DtZymKس
cmPsâ BibKXn¡p {]Xn_Ôambn \n¶nÃ. ""CjvSwt]mse
Bbnt¡mfq'' F¶v At±lw k½Xw aqfn.
kmcnbnepw ]uUdnepw s]mXnª Ir{Xnakuμcy¯n Ah³
hnizkn¨ncp¶nÃ. Ahsâ kvt\lw k¼mZn¡m³ ]mSps]«n«pÅ
bphXnIfpsS kwJy Ah\dnbmw. Ahsâ ITn\lrZbs¯ AhÀ ]gn¨p.
Ah³ Hcp kv{XohntZzjnsb¶p bphXotemIw ap{ZbSn¨p. Ah³
kv{XohntZzjn Bbncp¶nÃ. Ah³ {]IrXnbnse IhnXbnÂ
B\μw]q−p. Ah³ Ahsb CucSnIfn ]IÀ¯mdp−v. B
IhnXIfnse kwKoXw A´co£¯n AeXÃmdp−v. ]{XamknIIÄ
Ahsâ IhnXIÄ¡pth−n aÕcn¡mdp−v. Nqfac§fpsS CSbn¡qSn
NqfaSn¡p¶ CfwImäns\bpw ]¨hÅnIÄ¡nSbnencp¶p Nncn¡p¶
sNa¶ ]q¡sfbpw Ah³ IhnXbn sI«n\ndp¯mdp−v. Ahsâ
Km\§Ä IÀ®]obqj§fmWv. Xsâ aI³ D¶X\mb HcptZymKØt\m
Hcp]t£, Hcp a{´ntbm Bbn¯ocWsa¶v Ahsâ amXm]nXm¡Ä
A`nejn¨p.
]t£, Ah³ XeXncnª HcmZÀihmZnbmbn«mWp ImWs¸«Xv.
ASn¨hgntb t]mbnsæn t]mbhgntb ASn¡pI F¶ X¯zw AhÀ
kzoIcnt¡−nh¶p.
A¶p ]mh¡nSm¯\pw At´m\nbpw _w¥mhnÂ\n¶v D¨`£Ww
Ign¨p. kqcy³ D¨nbnÂ\n¶v Aev]w ]Snªmtdm«p amdnbt¸mÄ B
the¡mcpsS Xq¼mIÄ ho−pw DbcpIbpw XmgpIbpw sNbvXp.
D¨Xncnªt¸mÄ ]Snªmdp\n¶p Imäp Ingt¡m«p Iq¯mSpIbmbn.
]IÀs¯gp¯p_p¡nse hcnIÄt]mse sXfnªp sXfnªph¶
]bdn³hmc§Ä P¶en¡qSn t\m¡ns¡m−v cmP³ Ahsâ apdnbnÂ
Ccp¶p. hÅnIfpw ]pÅnIfpw ZoÀL§fpw CSIeÀ¶ A£c§ÄamXncn
B hc¼pIfn sIm¨p]bdpIÄ apfbn«p InfpÀ¯phfÀ¶p hÅnhoin
]q¡pw Imbn¡pw.
At´m\nbpsSbpw ]mhbpsSbpw NncpX¸pebnbpsSbpw A¶bpsSbpw
\ngepIÄ B a¬Iq\bpsS aosX Ingt¡m«p \o−ps]mbvs¡m−ncp¶p.
B Idp¯ \ndapÅ ]mhbpsSbpw shfp¯ \ndapÅ At´m\nbpsSbpw
\ngepIfpsS \ndw Idp¯XpXs¶ Bbncp¶p.
kqcys\ adbv¡p¶ taL§Ä B {Kma¯n \ngepw shfn¨hpw
CShn«p ]IÀ¯ns¡m−ncp¶p.
aqfn¸m«pw]mSns¡m−v cmP³ B ]d¼nsâ AXnÀ¯n¡¿me hgn\S¶v
]mSt¯¡v Cd§nt¸mIp¶Xv At´m\n I−p. Ahsâ ]pdsI B
sNhnXf´³ ssIkdpw D−mbncp¶p. inht£{X¯nsâ AcnInepÅ
Ip¶nte¡v Ah³ Ibdn. GI\mbn {]IrXnbpsS kmbmlv\kuμcyw
BkzZn¡phm³ B Ipt_cIpamc³ CjvSs¸«ncp¶p.
\ngepIÄ \ofpIbpw shbnen\p NqSpIpdbpIbpw Imän\p aq¨pIqSpIbpw
sNbvXp. ]mhbpsSbpw At´m\nbpsSbpw NpaepIfn hnbÀ¸p häpIbpw
D¸nsâ s]mcnIÄ ImWs¸SpIbpw sNbvXp.
B cwKw A¸pds¯ ]d¼nse ssXt¨m«nÂ\n¶v HcmÄ
ImWp¶p−mbncp¶pþdmtlÂ. At´m\nbpsS Imev¡Â Ip\nªp\n¶p
hmc¯n ]bÀ \pÅnbnSp¶ A¶sb AhÄ I−pþhnip²hn{Kl¯nsâ
Imev¡Â ImWn¡bÀ¸n¡p¶ `IvXsbt¸mse. A¶ XesNcn¨v At
´m\nbpsS apJt¯¡p t\m¡p¶sX´n\mWv? At´m\n F´mWv
AhtfmSv ]dbp¶Xv? HmSns¨¶v B A¶sb ]nSn¨pamänbn«v AhfpsS
ssIbnencn¡p¶ In®w hm§nbn«v, At´m\nbpsS ASp¯p\n¶p
]bdnSphm³ dmtlensâ ssI Xcn¨p. At´m\n¡p Zmln¡p¶p−mhpw.
Ah³ F´psIm−mWv Ct§¸d¼nte¡v H¶pt\m¡m¯Xpw Ahsf
ImWm¯Xpw? ""dmtlte! F\n¡p Zmln¡p¶p, C¨ncn shÅw,'' F¶v
Ah³ H¶p ]dªncps¶¦nÂ!
Ah³ Xncnªpt\m¡nbnÃ. A¶sbt´m ]dbp¶Xpw At´m\n
Nncn¡p¶Xpw AhÄ I−p.
dmtl s\SphoÀ¸n«p. BImi¯n taL§Ä IqSn¡qSn hcp¶Xv
AhÄ I−p. A´nbpw agbpwIqSn Bbncn¡pw hcp¶Xv. A¸³
h−nbpwsIm−v t]mbn«v C\nbpw h¶n«nÃ. ]mhw A¸³!
""kÔybv¡pap¼v t]mbn¡pfn¨n«p hm tamtf.'' apä¯v
HmesaSªpsIm−ncp¶ adnb hnfn¨p ]dªp.
hmkvXhamWv. AhÄ Xebn shfns¨® ]pc«n Xmfnbpw
]X¨psIm−p Ipf¡Shnte¡p t]mbn. B s\¸mS¯nsâ AcnInÂ
ssIXs¨SnIfpsS adhnepÅ sIm¨p Ipf¯nse sXfn\ocnÂ
ap§n¡pfn¡p¶Xv F{X B\μ{]ZamsWt¶m? BfpIÄ B hgn
k©cn¡mdnÃ; I−¯nsâ \SphneqsS hfªpInS¡p¶ tXm«phc¼mWv
BfpIfpsS \S¸mX.
ssIX¸q¡fpsS aWw hmbphn ]c¶ncp¶p. Hmteªmen¸£nIÄ
Hme¯p©mWnIfn ]än¸nSn¨ncp¶p i_vZap−m¡p¶p. ]mS¯nsâ
At§ AcnIn GXm\pw I¶pImenIsfbpw H¶pc−p
I¶pImen¸ntÅscbpw ImWmw. kzÀ®w Dcp¡nsbmgn¡p¶Xpt]mse
]Snªmdp\n¶p kqcycivanIÄ B ssIXs¨SnIfpsSta ]Xnbp¶p.
]¨hncn¨ Ings¡¡p¶nsâ AäwaXp taevt]m«p \oetaL§Ä
ImWs¸«p. B taL§fpsS aosX Hcp aghnÃp \n¶ncp¶p.
ssIXbpsS adhptNÀ¶p ap«äw shůnÂ\n¶p sIm−v tZl¯p
XmfntX¡p¶ dmtlensâ Nn´IÄ sIm¨p¶mfnte¡p \o´n\o
´ns¸mbvs¡m−ncp¶p. A¸pds¯ B ssIt¯mSv, B ag, Ie¡shÅw,
ISemkp t_m«v, At´m\nbpw dmtlepw, B ISemkphÅw ap§nbXv,
cmPsâ tZl¯v At´m\n Ie¡shÅw sXdn¸n¨Xv.
IpSpIpsS¨ncn¨psIm−v, AhÀ, At´m\nbpw dmtlepw HmSnt¸mbXv...
B ssIXs¨SnIfpsS AcnsI¡qSn Hcp ]«n HmSnt¸mbn; dmtl H¶p
sR«n, AXv A§t¯Xnse ssIkdmWv. Ah³ ISn¡pIbnÃ...
""ssIkÀ! ssIkÀ!''
Hcp ssIX¸qhp ]dns¨Sp¯psIm−v HcmÄ B ]«nbpsS
]pdsIsb¯nþcmP³.
 dmtl s]s«¶p shůnte¡p XmWpIfªp. Ah³ AhfpsS
icocw I−pthm? AhÄ¡p eÖbpw ]cn{`ahpap−mbn.
AhfpsS Idp¯p\o− XeapSn \oePe¯nse ItÃme§fpsS aosX
]c¶p. AhfpsS s]m¶pt]mepÅ apJ¯p ]pc−ncp¶ Pe_nμp¡sf
sNa¶ kÔymcivanIÄ Npw_n¨p.
Bdv

]Snªmsd apäs¯ sIm¨p ]d¦namhnsâ tNm«n AcnIpIÄ

Iodn¸dnª Hcp ]gb InS¡¸mbpsS ]pd¯v A½nWn ImÂ\o«n
Ccn¡p¶p. AhfpsS aSnbn Hcp sIm¨p apdap−v. AXnsâ Hcphi¯mbn
AhÄ N¡¡pcp Hcp¡nsbmcp¡n Iq«pIbmWv. A¯mg¯n\pÅ Idn¡v
t\ct¯ IcpXp¶Xtà DNnXw? apd¯nte¡pXs¶ apJwIp\n¨v Hcp
Idp¯ Idn¸n¨m¯nsIm−p N¡¡pcphnsâ ]pds¯ sXmenbpw
AIs¯ Nhdpw NoIn¡fªpsIm−ncn¡p¶ AhfpsS Nn´IÄ
`mhnbpsS aqSÂaªneqsS _lpZqcw k©cn¨psIm−ncp¶p. HcmÄ
AhfpsS ]pdIn ASp¯ph¶p \n¶Xv AhÄ AdnªnÃ. A½nWnbpsS
I®pIsf c−pssIIÄ ]n¶n¡qSn s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. A½nWn
sR«nt¸mbn.
""dmtlÂ!'' Xsâ I®ns\ aqSnbncn¡p¶ hncepIsf
sXm«pt\m¡ns¡m−v A½nWn ]dªp.
""Mvlqlq.'' ]pdInÂ\n¶pÅ adp]Sn.
""C¨n¨m¨m³.''
""Mvlqlpw.''
""F¶m ]d BcmsW¶v, Fsâ I®p t\mhp¶p.''
""\o ]d.''
""t{Xkym!''
t{Xkym AhfpsS ssIIsf ]n³hen¨p.
""A¼So Ipi¼n¯À¯ym, \osbhnSp¶p hs¶So?''
""Rm³ BImi¯q¶v!''
""\osb¶mehnSncn¡v; Fsâ XeISn¡p¶p t{Xkym, H¶p t\m¡nt¡.''
""Cutcmensbmt−mSo s]t®?''
""A§v Fd¼nencns¸m−v; CsªSpt¯m.''
""GsXd¼nÂ? t{Xkym ]Snªmsd Nmbv]nsâ Xmgs¯
Hme¸gpXnÂ\n¶v Cutcmen Is−Sp¯p: ""A¼So, Ahsf\ns¡mcp
tPmen \nt¨¨ncn¡ps¶!''
""Duw, s\\¡p ]ns¶t´m¶m tPmen?''
A½nWnbpsS ]pdInÂ, ImepIÄ Hcp hit¯¡p aS¡n t{Xkym
Bbmkambn Ccp¶p. A½nWnbpsS XeapSn sI«gnªp. B XeapSnbpsS
A{K§Ä A½nWnbpsS aSnbpw Ihnªp Xg¸mbnte¡v Cgªp.
 ""FSo s]t®, CtXs¡md¨p sh«n¡f; CXn\pwam{Xw XeapSnsb
´n\m?''
""s\\¡p \jvSsam¶panÃtÃmSo Ipip¼o.''
""am½nt¨S¯nsbhnsSt¸mbn?'' A½nWnbpsS XeapSnbngIsf
CutcmensIm−v hIÀ¶v t{Xkym "IvSn³ IvSn³' F¶p XÅhncensâ
\Jw AaÀ¯n t]\pIsfbpw CucpIsfbpw sImÃpIbmWv.
""A½¨n Ipªnt\wsIm−p IWnbmâ§p t]mbncn¡zm.''
""Dw, F´p]än Ipªn\v?''
""Ahs¡mcp sNma, sImd¨p\mfmbn.''
""At´m\ntbm?''
""C¨n¨m¨³ A§p ate ]Wnbm³ t]mbncn¡zm.
]mh¡nSm¯\psam−v.''
""BcpsS ateÂ?''
""A§t¯¡mcsS.''
""cmP\pw At´m\ow X½nsemÅ s]W¡sam¡ t]mtbm?''
""AsXm¡ F¼t− t]mbn; \osbsâ Xet\mhn¡msX.''
""cmP³ \Ãbmfm, Ctà A½nWo?''
""Bcn¡pw. AXn\p Rms\¶m thWw?''
""\o H¶pw th−m; dmtlensâ IeymW¡mcysams¡ Adntªm?''
""Rm\dnªnÃ.''
""Duw. t]mSo IÅo!''
""Rm\dnªnÃ, t{Xkym, tI¡s«.''
A½nWn N¡¡pcpshmcp¡p \ndp¯n. apdw \o¡nh¨p. AhÄ Xncnªp
t{XkymbpsS apJt¯¡p t\m¡n.
""FtâSo AXp ]dªm ckam.''
""H¶p ]dtªSo s]t®.''
""\n§fpX½n C¸w an−mt«mw Dcnbmt«mw H¶pantÃ?''
""Mvlqw.''
""FtâSo, F§m−¯pImc³ Hcp kmdvþ]mhwþ \½sS ]Ån¡qS¯nem
]Tn¸n¡ps¶.''
""B h®¡mc³ kmtdm?''
""AXpXs¶; F¶n«p tIt«m Fsâ A½nWo, Abmsfm−tÃm,
s]®pImWm³ sN¶p. CjvS³ sN¶¸w adnbt¨S¯n HmSns¨¶v Hcp
XSp¡p]mbv C«psImSp¯p Xnt®Â. Abmfv heyImcy¯n Xn®bnÂ
Ibdn Ccp¸pambn. Ips©dnbmt¨«³ AhnSnÃmcp¶p. h−ntbÂ
F§m−pt]mbncp¶p. dmtlse´p sNbvsXt¶m? A¸tg, dmtlen\v
t\ct¯ Adnbmambncp¶p B kmdv IeymW BtemN\bpambn
hcps¶¶v. AXn\pap¼v kmdv Bcms− Ab¨v Ips©dnbmt¨«t\mSpw
adnbt¨S¯ntbmSpw Hs¡ BtemNn¨v Hd¸n¨p h¨ncn¡bmbncp¶p.
IeymW¯nsâ XobXow Hs¡ H¶p Xocpam\n¡msa¶ph¨m aq¸³
h¶Xv. B kmdns\ dmtl A¶m sNmÆns\ ImWp¶Xv. Ahfv
]Åot¸mIpt¼msgms¡ B kmdv AhsS s]mdsI \S¡pamcps¶¶v
Ahfp ]n¶oSm AdnªXv.''
""dmtlensâ A¸³ C¸w hcpw. AhnSncn¡v' F¶p ]dªn«v
adnbt¨S¯n Im¸n Hcp¡m\pÅ [rXnbmbn. AbmÄ Aªqdp cq]mbpsS
B`ctWmw \qdpcq]mbpw s]®n\nt§m«p sImSp¡msa¶p ]dªt{X.
FtâSo, Cu Ime¯v C§\s¯ tIm´·mcp−sÃm.''
""Cu dmtl Bcm s]s®¶dnbmtam. Ahsf´p sNbvXp, t\tcsN¶v
B kmdnsâ ap¼n A§p\n¶p. FtâSo, AbmsS
samI¯pt\m¡ns¡m−v Ahfp ]tdhm: "tN«m, tN«sâ hosShnSm?'
Abmsfmc£cw an−WatÃm. "tN«s\´n\m ht¶, F´p tN«m?
IeymWw BtemNn¡m³ h¶XmtWm? X\n¡p \mWanÃtÃmtSm Fsâ
a\pjym, hbÊp ]¯¼XmbtÃm.' FtâSo Abmfv anjv¡kym¶v
A§ncp¶pt]mbn. ]mh¯ms\ apgphmew shbÀ¯v DjvtWmw
]cthtimambn. At¿m!...''
A½nWn¡p NncnbS¡m³ h¿mXmbn. t{XkymbpsSbpw
A½nWnbpsSbpw Nncn AIse amsämens¡m−p. ]Å c−pw
s]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−mWv A½nWn Nncn¡p¶Xv.
""F¶n«p tIÄ¡So A½nWo, adnbt¨S¯n CsXm¶pw AdnªtXbnÃ.
Ahcv heyImcy¯n Im¸ow A\¯n c−psamt«w hm«n c−p ap«¡m«³
G¯¸tgmw ]pg§n ht¨m−p dmtlens\ hnfn¨p: "tamtf, B In−oÂ
C¨ncn shÅw sIm−phmSo.' adnbt¨S¯n Im¸ow ]elmtcmw sIm−p
Xnt®tem«p h¶t¸mtg¡pw kmdp anä¯nd§n ]SnIS¶p
t]mIp¶XpI−p. adnbt¨S¯n A¿Sm¶mbn. "kmtd, Im¸nIpSn¨n«p
t]mtbm.' Ahcp hnfn¨p ]dªp. Mvtl, aq¸³ Xncnªpt\m¡WatÃm.
s\Sp¦¼n h¨Snt¨¡zm.''
""CuÀ¡nen¨qensâ sI«p apdp¡ns¡m−p dmtl hSt¡ apä¯v
Rms\m¶padnªntà cma\mcmbWm F¶ a«n \nev¡bmWv.
adnbt¨S¯n tNmZn¡zm: "F¶m tamtf B kmdv t]mbXv?''
""At¿m Abmfp s]mbv¡ftªm? Abm¡n¨ncnIms¸y¦nepw
sImSp¯zntS−Xmcp¶p. ]mhw hey¸³,' dmtl ]dbphm: "^q! t]mSo
Ipcp¯wsI«ztf,' F¶p adnbt¨S¯n.''
 ""F¶n«v Fâ½nWo, B kmdns\ ]ns¶ ajnbn«pt\m¡nbn«p I−n«nÃ.
aq¸cp Øewamdnt¸msb¶p ]ntÅcp ]td¶ tI«p. F´m
Xct¡sSmt−m?''
""IW¡mbnt¸mbn, B adnbt¨S¯n¡v A§s\Xs¶ hcWw,
A§s\Xs¶ hcWw,'' A½nWn¡p kt´mjambn. ""At¼m, AhcsS
s\Kfw H¶pw]td−. F¶n«nXmcm t{Xkym \nt¶mSp ]dªXv?''
""Bcm¨mcv.''
""Hm, H¶p ]dtª Fsâ Ipip¼o.''
""RmbdmgvN R§sfm¶n¨m ]Åot¸mbXv. D¨¡pdphm\bv¡v.... Rm\pw
dmtlepw... Fsâ s]mt¶, R§fp ]tdthw Nncnt¡zw. Nncn¨pNncn¨v
Fsâ hbän \ocph¨p t]mbn.''
""HÅXm, AXnsâ Adnbms\m−v.'' A½nWn Nncn¨p. t{Xkym AhfpsS
XmSn¡v Hcp \pÅpsImSp¯p.
""s¿m, Rmt¼mWp, t\cw H¯ncnbmbn. ho«nemcpanÃ. hcp¶ BgvtNÂ
Fs¶ sIm−pt]mIm³ hcpw.''
""]n¶nt§m«p sIm−phtct− BtLmjambn«v?''
""t]mSo A½nWo, Cu s]®ns\s´Ãmw AdnbWw. t¿m Rm³ t]mWp.''
t{Xkym FWoäp. AhÄ s]mbv¡gnªtijamWv sIm¨m¸n h¶Xv.
AbmÄ Hc§mSnh«nbn Ft´m sIm−ph¶p.
""A½¨nsbhnsSt¸mbn tamtf?''
""IWnbmâ§v. CsX¶Xm¨mbm Cu h«oev?''
""sImd¨p ao\m. F´n\m Ahfp IWnbmâ§p t]mbXv?''
""enÃnbpsS sNmabv¡p acp¶p taSn¡m³. CsX¶m ao\m?''
""hmf.''
A½nWn B A§mSnh«nbnse hmfao\pIsf apä¯p IpSªn«p.
Ahbn NneXp InS¶p ]nS¨p.
""CsXm¯ncnsbm−tÃm.''
""AtX H¶pcs−®w ]Snªmtd¡mÀ¡psImSp¡mw.''
sIm¨m¸nbpsS B A`n{]mb¯n\v A½nWn adp]Snsbm¶pw ]dªnÃ.
B ho«pImÀ X½nÂþ{]tXyIn¨p s]®p§Ä X½nÂþ]nW¡amsW¶p
sIm¨m¸n¡dnbmw. F¦nepw C{Xbpw ao³ In«nb ØnXn¡v Hcp iIew
Ips©dnbmbv¡p sImSp¡mXncn¡phm³ AbmÄ¡p a\Êp hcp¶nÃ.
""A½¨nbdnªm hgs¡m−m¡pw.'' HSphn A½nWn ]dªp.
""A½¨nbdntb−, \o cs−®w FSp¯v AhÀ¡p sImSpt¯¨v
HmSnt¸mcv.''
""F\n¡ph¿ AhcpsS ho«n t]mIm³, Ahcp htÃmw ]dsª¦nÂ....''
 ""F¶m HcpImcyw sN¿v.''
""Dw?''
""B NncptX hnfn¨v AhfpsS ssIbn sImSp¯bbv¡mw. \o sN¶p
t\m¡nt¡ AhfhnsS Ht−m¶v.''
A½nWn sN¶p NncpX¸pebnsb hnfn¨psIm−ph¶p.
Gähpw apgp¯Xpt\m¡n c−p hmfIsf hmg¡¨nbn s]mXnªv
sIm¨m¸n NncpX¸pebnsb Gev]n¨p: ""CXp ]SnªmtdXnÂ
sIm−psN¶psImSp¡Ww,'' AbmÄ NncpX¸pebn¡p Nne \nÀt±i§Ä
\evIn.
""CXv At§Xnse sX¿m½¯¼pcm«n X¶b¨XmsWt¶ ]dbmhq.
a\Ênemtbm?''
""Hm.'' NncpX¸pebn aqfn.
""ChnSp¶p X¶XmsW¶dnªm Ahcp sNe¸w hm§n¨nsæntem.
F¶m sIm−pt]mbn sImSp¡v. \n\¡p Rms\mcp hmf¡pªns\
ChnsS amänht¨¡mw.''
X¼vdm³ ]dª]Sn NncpX¸pebn B hmfIsf ]Snªmsd
ho«nÂsIm−psN¶p sImSp¯p. dmtlepw A½bpw IqSn Hcp ]qh³Ipe
sh«nsbSp¡pIbmbncp¶p. Ips©dnbm h−n¨{I¯nsâ A¨pX−nt·Â
Xmsd® ]pc«ns¡m−ncp¶p.
B hmfao\pIÄ! A§t¯¡mÀ BZyambmWv C§s\ Hcp kw`mh\
sN¿p¶Xv. "Im¡ aeÀ¶p ]d¡m³ t]mWp' adnb AXnibn¨p.
""B sIm¨³ cmP³, a\pjy¸äpÅ Hcp sNdp¡\m. AXmWn§s\
AhÀs¡mcp ]p¯n tXm¶nbXv.''
A§t¯¡mcpsS BIkvanIamb HuZmcy{]IS\w Ips©dnbmt¨«\v
HcXnibambn tXm¶n.
""CsX´ps]Wªp AhÀ¡n§s\ tXm¶m³? tamtf, Cu ao³ ]¨bm,
]n¨m¯nsbSpt¯m−ph¶v CsXm¶p sh«n¡gpInt¡.'' adnb ]dªp.
""\½sft´m¶m AhÀ¡p sImSp¡p¶Xv?'' Ips©dnbmbv¡v AsXmcp
Nn´mhnjbambn. Fs´¦nepw sImSp¡Ww.
""\½sf¶m sImSp¡m\m; Ahcp hey BfpIftÃ.'' adnb
A`n{]mbs¸«p.
""FSo, \½¡o ]qh³sIme A§p sImSp¯mtem?''
""sImSp¡v.''
""tamtf, \obXt§m«p sIm−psN¶p sImSpt¯¨phm.'' Ips©dnbm
dmtlens\ t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. dmtl hmfaÕy§sf
sh«n\pdp¡p¶Xn\p h«wIq«pIbmbncp¶p.
 ""AXp ]gp¯n«p sImSp¯mt¸mtc?''
""sÈ, AXp tamiw. sImSp¡ps¶¦n C¸w ]¨bv¡p sImSp¡Ww.''
F¶m A½¨n ao³sh«v; Rm³ t]mtb¨phcmw.''
Hcp I¿mes¡m«bn B sImgp¯ ]qh³Ipe hbv¡s¸«p.
AhÄ I¿me¸pgbnd§n A§t¯¡mcpsS ]d¼n Ibdn.
sIm¨p¶mfnse§m−v AhÄ B ]d¼n Ibdnbn«pÅXmWv;
]d¦nam¼g§Ä Imä¯v hogp¶Ime¯v Ahfpw At´m\nbpwIqSn.
B iÀ¡tc¨n C¶pw \nev]p−v, Hcp ]Sphr²sbt¸mse. ]−s¯
AXnsâ {]Xm]§Ä an¡hmdpw AkvXan¨ncn¡p¶p. AXnsâ NnÃIÄ
H«pap¡mepw DW§n saÃn¨ncp¶p. XSn¡v H¶pIqSn apcpapcp¸p−mbn.
acwsIm¯n¸£n Xpf¨p−m¡nb Hcp s]m¯nÂ\n¶v Hc®mÀ¡®³
Xe\o«n, cmPsIm«mc¯nsâ D¶X\nebnse PmeI¯neqsS
Xmtgm«pt\m¡p¶ cmPIpamcnsbt¸mse. XSnb³ Idnbmbpambn At´m\n
]nW§nb B cwKw þ B I¸Â amhv þ AXn¶p hfsc hfÀ¶p
{]uVbmb Hcp IpSpw_\mYsbt¸mse Imä¯p Xebm«n\nev¡p¶p.
Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS XWp¯ XWeneqsS AhÄ hmg¡pebpw
Npa¶psIm−p\S¶p. B ho«pImÀ C¶v F{X acymZ¡mcmbncn¡p¶p.
ZpjvS\mb B tlUvU§s¯bpsS aI³ C¶p henb Hcp `IvX\mWv.
B cmP\pw \Ã a\pjy\mWv, A´ÊnÃ, s]m®¡mcyanÃ.
ImipImc\msWs¶mcp `mhanÃ. ]mh§tfmSp IcpWbp−v. At
´m\ntbmSv cmP\v kvt\lamWv.
B _w¥mhnÂ\n¶p at\mlcamb Hcp kwKoXw HgpIp¶p. dmtlÂ
BZyambn«v B ho«n {]thin¡pIbmWv.
]pdIphi¯pÅ ASp¡fhmXn¡ AhÄ sN¶p \n¶p.
ASp¡fbn Nnch¸pd¯ncp¶p tX§mNpc−ns¡m−ncp¶ A¶
dmtlens\¡−p. sNch\m¡n¯s¶ tX§mapdn h¨n«v A¶
ASp¡fhmXnev¡te¡p h¶p.
""F´m?''
""tNS¯nbntà ChnsS?''
""F§m−pt]mbncn¡zm.''
""]n¶mcpantÃ?''
""cmPs\m−v. F´m?''
""ho«os¶mcp sIme X¶b¨p.''
""CXns\¶m shebm?''
""shebv¡Ã.''
""]ns¶?''
 ""ChnsS sImSpt¯¡m³ ]dªp X¶b¨Xm.''
""F¶m AhnsS \n¡v. Rm\n¸w hcmw.''
A¶ hcm´hgn \S¶v _w¥mhnsâ DÅnte¡v HmSnt¸mbn.
kwKoXw \ne¨p.
cmP³ h¶p.
Ah³ dmtlens\¡−p; hcm´bpsS AcnIptNÀ¶p s]s«¶p
InfpÀ¯p ]pjv]n¨ ]qs¨Snt]mse. AhfpsS Igp¯nÂ
B`cW§fnÃmbncp¶p. ImXpIfn \oe¡Ãp ]nSn¸n¨ sIm¨p
I½epIfp−v. tdmkm¸qhnsâ CXfpIÄ sIm−p \nÀ½n¡s¸«XmWv
AhfpsS ]mZ§Ät]mepw F¶p cmP\p tXm¶n. bphXocq]¯nÂ
Ahsâ ap³]n \n¡p¶ IhnXsb, kwKoXs¯, AgIns\,
A]vkcÊns\ cmP³ \nÀ¶ntaj\mbn t\m¡n \n¶pt]mbn. Ahsâ
lrZbw iIvXnbmbn XpSn¨p. \njvIf¦amb B kuμcy hn{Kl¯nsâ
ap¼n Ahsâ A´cmXvamhp kmjvSmwK {]WmawsN¿pIbmbncp¶p.
Ahsâ \mhp aqIambn.
""ho«o¶p X¶b¨Xm.'' cmPsâ apJt¯¡pt\m¡ns¡m−v dmtlÂ
]dªp. AhfpsS \o− \oe¡®pIfn kt¦mNw \ngen¨nÃ. AhfpsS
]p©ncnbpsS DÅn sIm¨cn¸ÃpIÄ ImWmambncp¶p. ]q¦hnfpIfnÂ
\pW¨pgnIfpw.
Ggv

cmPsâ Nn´IÄ ]pjv]n¨p; ambm¯ Hcp a[pckz]v\w Ahsâ Npäpw

\r¯w hbv¡p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. t{Smbnbnse slesâbpw
ImÀt¯Pnse ¢ntbm]m{SbpsSbpw IWzm{ia¯nse iIp´fbpsSbpw
Nn{X§sf Ah³ kvacn¨p. t\mhepIfnsebpw Imhy§fnsebpw
IYm\mbnIamÀ Ahsâ ap¼n \mWn¨p\mWn¨p \nev¡p¶Xpt]mse
tXm¶n.
hmg¡pe Xn®bn h¨n«v dmtl kÔybpsS a§nb shfn¨¯nÂ
shfp¯]q¡Ä \ndª Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS CSbneqsS aS§nt¸mIp¶Xv
Ah³ I−p. AhtfmSp ]e Imcy§fpw Ah\p ]dbWsa¶p−mbncp¶p.
AhfpsS ap¼n aqIambnt¸mb \mhns\ Ah³ ]gn¨p. AhfpsS s]scs
´¶pt]mepw tNmZn¡m³ IgnªnÃtÃm. Asæn AgInsâ
km¶n²y¯n t]cn\v F´p hnebmWpÅXv?
B {KmaoWtZhX Xsâ kz´amIp¶ Znhk¯nsâ s]m¶Wnª
kmbmlv\whsc Ahsâ Nn´IÄ sNs¶¯n. s]mSna®p]pc−p
adªpInS¡p¶ B cXv\¯nsâ hnebpt−m ]mhs¸« {KmaoWÀ
Adnbp¶p. Ipt_cIpamc\mb Xm³ tamln\nbmb B {KmaoW_menIsb
hnhmlw sN¿pw. A§s\ kmaqlycoXnbn Ahs\mcp hn¹hw hcp¯pw.
shÅn\mWb§fpsS taml\\nIzW§fpw ]¨t\m«pIfpsS i_fXbpw
s]m¶nsâ s]menabpw XdhmSnsâ alnabpw hnZym`ymk_ncpZ¯nsâ A
´Êpw \mKcnIXbpsS ]pdw]q¨pw ]mh\amb t{]a¯n\p
hgnamdns¡mSp¡Ww. Xm³ Ahsf kvt\ln¡p¶p F¶dnªm B
s]¬Ip«n¡p−mImhp¶ B\μ¯n\v AXnÀ¯nbp−mhnÃ.
A¶p cm{Xnbn cmPs\ kao]n¡m³ Dd¡¯n\p ss[cyw h¶nÃ.
Ahsâ A½ Dd¡w]nSn¨ncp¶p. Xmgs¯ apdnbn hnf¡p I¯p¶p−v.
B hnf¡nsâ t\cnb civanIÄ P\en¡qSn apä¯nsâ AcnIpIfnÂ
shfn¨whoip¶Xp cmP\p ImWmambncp¶p. A¸³ Dd§nbn«nÃ. At±lw
Dd§p¶sXt¸msg¶v BÀ¡pw AdnªpIqSm. ]pkvXIhmb\bpw {]mÀ°
\bpw ]ÅnbnÂt¸m¡pw sIm−v PohnX¯nsâ Ahkm\s¯ kÔysb
t\cnSm³ At±lw AWnsªmcp§pIbmWv. F¶m Ahsâ A½
temI¯nsâ at\mlmcnXbnÂ\n¶v Ct¸mgpw hnapIvXbmbn«nÃ.
i_vZap−m¡msX Ah³ tKmhWn¸Snbnd§n hcm´bnse¯n.
P\en¡qSn Ahsâ A¸sâ apdnbnte¡v Ah³ t\m¡n.
tai¸pd¯ncn¡p¶ hnf¡nsâ Xmsg NmcpItkcbn InS¶psIm−v
At±lw hmbn¡pIbmWv. hnip²·mcpsS PohNcn{Xw F¶
Hcnw¥njv{KÙamWv At±l¯nsâ ssIbnencn¡p¶Xv.
cmP³ i_vZap−m¡msX apdnbnte¡p Ibdns¨¶p. Nm−nkmÀ
hmbn¨psIm−ncp¶ t]Pv aS¡n ASbmfw h¨n«p ]pkvXIw AS¨p.
""F¶m tamt\, Dd¡w hcp¶ntÃ?'' aq¡nÂ\n¶p I®mSn
FSp¯psIm−p Nm−nkmÀ tNmZn¨p.
""tlm, Fs´mcpjvWw,'' taibv¡Sp¯pInS¶ kväqfnsâ ]pd¯p cmP³
Ccp¶p.
""cmPm, aebnse ]Wn F¯äambn? \o t]mbn It−m?''
""I−p. ]¯p the¡mÀ F¶pw tPmensN¿p¶p−v. Ipän¡mSpIfpw
Im«pIÃpIfpw FÃmw \o¡n. ]IpXntbmfw CS¡¿meIÄ ]nSn¨p.
IpänsXfn¨ `mKw Inf¨psIm−ncn¡p¶p. Ipsd`mK¯v Cs¡mÃw
s\ÃphnXbv¡mw. the¡mscs¡m−p the sN¿n¡m³ Rms\mcp hnZy
sNbvXp.''
""Dw?''
""AhÀ¡v F«W hoXw IqSpX IqensImSp¡p¶p−v.''
""AXpsImÅmw. ]t£, AXnsemcp Zqjyap−v. FÃmhcpw
\s½t¸msebÃ. NneÀ¡v B \nc¡n\p IqensImSp¡m³
km[n¨nsöphcpw.''
""AXp icnXs¶. ]t£, A[zm\n¡p¶hÀ IjvSs¸SpIbpw
A[zm\n¡m¯hÀ kpJn¡pIbpw sN¿p¶ coXn ssZh\oXn¡p
tNÀ¶XÃ. \ap¡msW¦n [mcmfw kz¯p−v. \mw A[zm\n¡msXXs¶
AXp hÀ²n¨phcpIbpw sN¿p¶p. thesbSp¡p¶h³ ]«nWn
InS¡pIbpw.''
""\o ]dªXp icnbmWv. ]t£, \mw hnNmcn¨mÂam{Xw B coXn
amdpIbnÃ. \½psS hkvXp¡sfÃmw ]mh§Ä¡mbn hoXn¨p
sImSp¡msa¶ncn¡s«. F´mbncn¡mw ^ew? \mapw Zcn{ZcmIpw. Ht¶m
ct−m hyIvXnIÄam{Xw hnNmcn¨m temI¯nsâ IjvSXIÄ \o¡pI
km[yaÃ. \qäm−pIfmbn \ne\nev¡p¶ HcpcoXn {ItaW amäs¸SpItb
XcapÅq. Fs¶ kw_Ôn¨msW¦n Rm³ euInI kpJ§sf
A`nejn¡p¶nÃ. AhsbÃmw £WnI§fmsW¶p Rm³ ]Tn¨pIgnªp.
temI¯n imizXambn«pÅXv H¶p am{XtabpÅq, Cuizc³! \o
sNdp¸amWv. \o kÀÆkwK]cnXymKnbmbn Pohn¡Wsa¶v Rm³
Bhiys¸Sp¶nÃ. FtâXmb kz¯p¡sfÃmw \n\¡pÅXmWv. \n\¡v
Ahsb btYjvSw ssIImcyw sN¿mw. \o hnZymk¼¶\mWv. \n\
¡dnhp−v. kIe Adnhnsâbpw tI{μw ssZhsa¶p hnizkn¡pI. \nsâ
kIe {]hr¯nIfpw ssZhs¯ km£n
\ndp¯ns¡m−pÅXmbncn¡Ww.''
cmP³ tai¸pd¯pInS¶ncp¶ Hcp amknIbpsS XmfpIsf Aekambn
adn¨psIm−ncp¶p. A¸sâ X¯z`mjWw Ahsâ lrZbs¯ kv]Àin¨p.
Ah³ Ipsdt\cw au\ambncp¶tijw ]dªp: ""Fsâ...''
""Dw, ]dtªmfq, H«pw aSnt¡−.''
""Fsâ hnhml¡mcys¯¸än A¸sâ A`n{]mbw...''
""A¡mcyw \oXs¶ aps¼mcn¡Â kqNn¸n¨tÃm. B aPnkvt{X«nsâ
aIÄ¡pth−n Rm³ \n\¡v IeymWw ]dªXtÃ? \o AXp
k½Xn¨nÃ. \n\¡v CjvSapÅ s]®ns\ sI«m³ A\phZn¡Wsa¶v
A¶v \o ]dªp. Rm³ \n\¡v Hcn¡epw XSÊambn \nev¡p¶Xsöp
Rm³ At¶ ]dªXmWtÃm.''
""Rm³ Hcp ]mhs¸« {KmaoWbphXnsb hnhmlw Ign¡m³ A¸³
k½Xn¡ptam?''
""XoÀ¨bmbpw. \o [\nIbmb Hcp s]¬Ip«nsb hnhmlw Ign¨n«v
A§s\ In«p¶ kv{Xo[\¯pI apX¡q«m³ Rm³ Bin¡p¶nÃ.
kv{Xo[\w sImSp¡m³ \nhr¯nbnÃm¯ Hcp s]¬Ipªns\ \o
hnhmlw Ign¡p¶Xp \ÃXmWv; AsXmcp ]tcm]Imcambncn¡bpw
sN¿pw; ]t£...''Nm−nkmÀ Aev]t\cw Nn´m{KkvX\mbn«p XpSÀ¶p:
""\mw kmaqlyPohnIfmWv; kmaqly§fmb BNmc§Ä Xosc
AhKWn¡¯¡XÃ; \mw hkv{Xw [cn¡p¶p; AsXmcmNmcamWv;
\ap¡njvSansæn¯s¶ B BNmcs¯ Dt]£n¡pI km²yaÃtÃm;
AXpsIm−v tIhew Hcp \mtSmSns¸®ns\ A§p hnhmlw Ignt¨¡pI,
AXv DNnXaÃ. BNmc§sf Aev]kzev]ambn ewLn¡mw; ]mtS
hÀÖn¡phm³ ]mSnÃXm\pw. kuμcyw am{Xambncn¡cpXv hnhml¯nsâ
am\ZÞw; kz`mhwIqSn t\m¡Ww. ImcWw, PohnXImesam«p¡v
\ne\nevt¡− H¶mWv hnhmlw. PohnXs¯ kzÀ¤am¡m\pw
\cIam¡m\pw hnhml¯n\p Ignbpw F¶pIqSn HmÀ¯psImÅpI. \o
Bscsb¦nepw kvt\ln¡p¶pt−m?''
""D−v.''
""BcmsW¶p tIÄ¡s«; Rm\dnbptam?''
""Adnbpw, ]dªm A¸³ FXnÀ¡cpXv.''
""\nsâ A`ojvS¯n\v Rm³ {]Xn_ÔamIbnà F¶p Rm³
]dªntÃ? Fsâ Cu hmÀ²IyIme¯v F\n¡v \obmWv B\μw.
]dbq.''
 ""B Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ aIÄ, \à Ip«nbmWv; F\n¡v \t¶
t_m[n¨p.''
""Ips©dnbmbpsS aItfm!'' Nm−nkmÀ Itkcbn \nhÀ¶ncp¶p.
At±lw cmPsâ apJt¯¡p Xpdn¨pt\m¡n.
""FSm, AXpIpsd IS¶pt]mbn; Ahsâ A¸³ ChnSs¯
ASnbms\t¸mse \S¶XmWv; Ah\n¶p Xmakn¡p¶ ØewXs¶ Fsâ
A¸³ Zm\w sNbvXXm; \n\¡dnbmtam? aäpÅhcpsS ZrjvSnbn \½Ä
A]lmkycmIcpXv. a\ptjycp tI«m F´p ]dbpw?''
""A¸³ t\cs¯ ]dªtÃm, F\n¡njvSapÅ s]®ns\ hnhmlw
Ign¡phm³ k½Xn¡msa¶v.''
""icnXs¶. AhÀ Xosc KXnsI«hcmbnt¸mbn; \mw A{Xam{Xw
A[x]Xn¨pIqStÃm.''
AhÀ¡p Ipsd ]WwsImSp¯v Ahscbpw kz¯pImcm¡nbmtem?''
""l lm!'' Nm−nkmÀ Nncn¨p. AsXmcp ]pXnb thZm´w Xs¶.
At±l¯nsâ apJw s]s«¶p Kuchw]q−p; B I®pIÄ
BtemN\bn \naá§fmbn. F´mWv A¸³ ]dbm³t]mIp¶Xv?
cmPsâ lrZbw XpSn¨p. Ah³ A¸sâ apJt¯¡v kq£n¨p
t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
an\näpIÄ!
""F´m A¸m H¶pw ]dbm¯Xv?''
Nm−nkmÀ ZoÀLamsbm¶p \nizkn¨p. At±lw FWoäv ]pdInÂ
ssIbpwsI«n IXIpXpd¶p hcm´bnte¡p \S¶p. At±lw
]Snªmdphis¯ AcaXnensâ ASp¯psN¶p\n¶p. cmP\pw FWoäp.
Ah³ A¸sâ ASps¯¯n. At±lw ]Snªmsd
N{Ihmf¯nte¡pXs¶ t\m¡ns¡m−p \n¶p. Hcphiw sNcnªp
N{μ¡e \n¶ncp¶p. Ing¡p\n¶Sn¡p¶ sIm¨p ]mXncm¡mäv sNSnIsf
XtemSns¡m−p IS¶pt]mbn.
""A¸m!'' cmP³ hnfn¨p.
Nm−nkmÀ Nn´bnÂ\n¶v DWÀ¶p. ASp¯p\nev¡p¶ aIsâ tXmf¯v
At±lw ssIbn«p. Ahs\ Xsâ saÃn¨ tZlt¯mSSp¸n¨p. ]nXmhnsâ
h£Ên XeNmbv¨psIm−p cmP³ \n¶p. Ahsâ Npcp− Xe apSnsb
XtemSns¡m−v B ]nXmhp ]dªp: ""Dw, icn, \nsâ CjvSwt]mse
\S¡s«; Rm\Xnsâ hcpwhcmbvIIsf¸än Nn´n¡pIbmbncp¶p. Cf\mbv
ISn AdnbnÃ, Cfw t]m¯p sh«dnbnÃ, F¶p ]dªptI«n«ntÃ, \o
sNdp¸amWv; `mhnbnte¡p IS¶mtemNn¡m³ \nsâ hnthIw hfÀ¶n«nÃ.
tImtfPnÂ\n¶p In«nb BZÀi§fpw buh\¯nsâ Dt·j¯Åepw
\nsâ `mhnsb If¦s¸Sp¯mXncp¶m aXn.''
A¸sâ ssIIsf Npw_n¨psIm−p cmP³ ]dªp: ""A¸³ Fs¶
A\p{Kln¡ptam?''
""\ns¶bÃmsX Rm³ aämscbmWv A\p{Kln¡pI?''
""B s]¬Ip«nsbbpw A\p{Kln¡ptam?''
""XoÀ¨bmbpw; F\n¡p s]¬a¡fnÃ; Ahsf Rms\sâ aIfmbn
kzoIcn¡pw.''
""A½¨n F´p ]dbpw?''
""XSÊw ]dbpw; AhÄ IpSpw_amlmXvay¯nepw [\{]uVnbnepw
hnizkn¡p¶hfmWv; F¦nepw BÄ ip²KXn¡mcnbmWv. BZyw
FXncp]dªmepw ]n¶oSv k½Xn¡pw. ImcWw, Hcp]t£, Fs¶¡mÄ
IqSpXembn AhfmWp \ns¶ kvt\ln¡p¶Xv. \ns¶ AhÄ
ZpxJn¸n¡pIbnÃ.''
""A½¨ntbmSp Rm³ ]dbt«?''
""DSs\ ]dtb−. Ipsd¡gnªn«p aXn.'' `n¯nbnse \mgnIaWn ""H¶v
''F¶Sn¨p.
B A¸\pw aI\pw AhcpsS apdnIfnte¡pt]mbn. kvt\l[\\mb B
]nXmhnt\mSpÅ IrXÚX Ahsâ lrZb¯n Xpfp¼n\n¶p.
temI¯nepÅ A¸·mscÃmw Ahsâ A¸s\t¸mse Bbncps¶¦nÂ!
{]`mXwhsc Ahsâ Dd¡¯n\p s]m³In\mhpIÄ tXmgva\n¶p. B
{Kmas¸®v, AhÄ \à Blmc§Ä Ign¡pIbpw \à ]«phkv{X§Ä
[cn¡pIbpw sN¿pt¼mÄ temssIIkpμcnIfmb
kn\namXmc§Ät]mepw Ahsf \tamhmIwsN¿pw. B Im\\]pjv]s¯
]dns¨Sp¡pw ap¼v AIse\n¶v AXnsâ kuμcyw I¬IpfnÀs¡
ImWWw. temI¯n aämcpw B taml\]pjv]s¯ kv]Àin¡pIbnÃ.
AXv AhtâXmWv; Ahsâ kz´w.
t\cw hfsc ]peÀ¶mWp cmP³ DWÀ¶Xv. Imfh−nbnÂ
Nc¡pwIbänt¸mIp¶ Ips©dnbmt¨«s\ cmP³ hgn¡ph¨p I−p.
Ips©dnbmt¨«³ h−nbnÂ\n¶nd§n. hgnbnd¼nse ac¯Wen cmP³
Abmsf ]nSn¨ncp¯n.
cmP³ B hnhcw Ips©dnbmsb Adnbn¨p. B ]mhs¸« h−n¡mc³
kvX_v[\mbn Ipsd \nanj§Ä Ccp¶pt]mbn.
""Ips©dnbmt¨«³ H¶pw hnNmcn¡−m. Rm³ IÅw ]dªXÃ.
A¸\pw k½Xn¨ncn¡bmWv.'' cmP³ B a\pjys\ kam[m\s¸Sp¯m³
{ian¨p.
 ""F¦nepw Fsâ Iptª a\ptjsc¶m ]tdw?''
""F\n¡p Indp¡msW¶p ]dbpw CtÃ. AXp kmcanÃ.''
""F¶mepw sX¿m½t¨S¯n k½Xn¡ptam?''
""A½¨n BZyw FXncp ]dbpw. ]ns¶ k½Xn¡pw. F⽨n
F⽨nbmWv.''
""F¶mepw...'' Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ InX¸v Ahkm\n¨nÃ.
""F¶m tN«s\m¶pw an−m¯Xv?''
""â CutimX¼vcms\, F\ns¡m¶pw Adnbmt½e. AtÃepw Ahsf
s]ät¸mtg IWnbm³ ]dªXm hey ho«nte Ahsf
sI«n¡s¯msÅm¶v. sI«n¡p¶ ho«n H¯ncn samXepw hmey¡mcpw
Hs¡ D−mbncn¡psa¶v. ]ns¶ kv{Xo[\w th−, ]Ww Ct§m«p
Xt¶mfmsa¶pw ]dªv F{X IeymW¡mcp hs¶t¶m Fsâ
dmtlen\v.''
dmtlÂ! AhfpsS t]cv!
""tN«³ Cu hnhcsam¶pw Ct¸mÄ BtcmSpw ]db−m;
clkyambncn¡Ww. IeymWw FÃmw \nÝbn¨p Ignªnt«
temIcdnbmhq. dmtlent\mSpw ]db−m. CsXmcÛpXambn«p tXm¶Ww.''
CW{]mhpIÄ ""ssZhXncp¨n¯wt]mse \S¡s«.''
Ips©dnbmt¨«³ ]n¶oSp h−nbn Ibdn Ccp¶t¸mÄ ]Xnhntesd
Dbc¯nemWp Xm³ Ccn¡p¶sX¶p tXm¶n. A§t¯¡mcpsS B
amfnIbpw ]pcbnS§fpw tXm«§fpw aeIfpw s\¸mS§fpw FÃmw Xsâ
aIÄ¡v A\p`hambn¯ocpI! slm, hW¡¸pkvXI§fnse ]pXpaIÄ
Ips©dnbm ]ehpcp tI«n«p−v. C{Xbpw AÛpXIcamb Hcp ]pXpa
AXnse§panÃ. Bcpw ]dªp tI«n«pt]mepanÃ. _n.F. ]mÊmb
sNdp¡³ A§s\ Indp¡p ]dbptam? ]pc \¶m¡n¸Wnbm\pw
I¨hS¯n\pw ]Ww Xcmsa¶tà cmP³ ]dªXv? cmPsâ
A½mb¸\mtI−p¶ Xm³ tami¡mc\mbncn¡cpXtÃm \mept]cp
I−mÂ.
B sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³ ]nW§nt¸mbXp \¶mbn. dmtl ]mhw!
F«pws]m«pw Xncnbm¯ s]®v. AhÄ B At´m\nbpsS hebnÂ
IpSp§nt¸mtbt\. ]t£, At´m\n Hcp No¯sNdp¡\Ã; \Ãh\mWv;
kvt\lapÅh\mWv; I−m AgIpÅh\mWv; DSps¯mcp§nbmÂ
Hcp]t£, cmPs\¡mÄ tbmKy\mbncn¡pw At´m\n. Imcyw icnXs¶.
Ahs\mcp Iqenthe¡mc\tÃ? A§s\sb¦n Ips©dnbm
Imfh−n¡mc\tÃ? A§s¯¡msct¸msebpÅ Ipt_cIpSpw_¯nÂ
Hcp s]®ns\s¡«n¡m³ B \m«n BÀs¡¦nepw Ignbptam?
 At´m\nbpw dmtlepw.
sIm¨p¶mfnteXs¶ AhcpsS Iq«p \ndpt¯−Xmbncp¶p. GXmbmepw
Ct¸msg¦nepw C§s\ Hcp ]nW¡ap−mbXp \¶mbn. adnbbv¡v A¶v
A§s\sbmcp _p²n tXm¶nbXp KpcpXzambn. Ahsf ssZhw
tXm¶n¨XmWv.
AhcpsS AXnÀ¯nbn thensI«Wsa¶v Ips©dnbm \nÝbn¨p.
s]®v Cf¸_p²n¡mcnbtÃ. thensI«n adbv¡Ww; AXymhiyamb
ImcyamWXv. AXp Ignªn«p aXn ]pchbv¡p¶ Imcyw.
F¦nepw B hgnbcnInÂh¨p Xm³ tI«Xv kz]v\ambncpt¶m? B cmP³
A§s\ ]dªpthm? Ips©dnbmbv¡p kwibambn.
]t£, ]ntäZnhkw AbmÄ cmPs\¡−p. AbmÄ AbmfpsS ImXpIsf
kwibn¨Xn tJZn¨p.
Ips©dnbmbpsSbpw sIm¨m¸nbpsSbpw Ioäp]pcbnS§fpsS \SphnÂ
ISemhW¡n³]¯epIÄsIm−v Hcp then DbÀ¶p. H¶mbncp¶ B
hoSpIÄ A§s\ c−mbn thÀXncn¡s¸«p. B hoSpIsf _Ôn¨ncp¶
kvt\l¯nsâ s]m¶p\q \ntÈjw tOZn¡s¸SpIbmtWm?
NncpX¸pebn aq¡¯p hncÂh¨v B thenbnte¡p t\m¡n \n¶pt]mbn.
Ct§ho«nÂ\n¶m At§ho«nse bmsXm¶pw C\n tIÄ¡pIbnÃ,
ImWpIbpanÃ.
""F´n\m A¸m CXp sI«nbSt¨?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""F¶pw C§s\ InS¶mÂaXntbm tamtf? \½psS hoSp
\¶m¡mt¼mhtÃ. At¶cw ]d¼n\pNpäpw I¿mtew theow sI«Ww.''
""C\ow Ingt¡ho«nte¡p t]mIp¶sXXnsebm?'' dmtlen\v AsXmcp
Nn´mhnjbambn.
""F´n\mWt§m«p t]mIpt¶? At§m«pw t]mI−m Ct§m«pw
t]mc−m.''
A¸\v C§s\ s]s«¶v Hcp ZpÀ_p²n tXm¶nbXn dmtlÂ
AXnibn¨p. bmsXmcmhiyhpapÅ GÀ¸mSà AXv. At´m\nbpsS
ho«pImcpambpÅ ]nW¡w hÀ²n¸n¡p¶Xn\v CXv CSbm¡n¯oÀ¡pw.
Ahcpambn ]nW§p¶Xv dmtlen\v CjvSanÃ.
F¦nepw AhfpsS CjvSt¡Sp ]pc]Wnbn ]cnlcn¡s¸«p.
a®psIm−p−m¡nb B sNä¸pcbpsS Øm\¯v aq¶papdnbpw hcm
´bpw ASp¡fbpapÅ Hcp HmSn« hoSv DbÀ¶ph¶t¸mÄ AhÄ
BlvfmZn¨p.
""A¸s\hnSp¶mt½ Cu ]WsaÃmw?'' F¶Xv dmtl AhfpsS
A½tbmSv BhÀ¯n¨p tNmZn¡mdpÅ Hcp tNmZyamWv.
 ""Nn«n]nSn¨Xm tamtf.''
""GXp Nn«n?''
""B! F§m−s¯ Nn«n. \n\¡sXm¶pw Adnbmt½e.''
hmkvXhambncn¡Ww. AhfpsS A¸³ Nn«nIqSp¶Xpw Nn«n ]nSn¡p¶Xpw
FÃmw AhÄ F§s\ Adnbpw. F¦nepw Nn«nIqSp¶Xv hfsc \Ã
GÀ¸mSmsW¶pam{Xw AhÄ¡p a\Ênem¡m³ Ignªp.
]pc]Wn Xocpwap¼pXs¶ Ips©dnbmt¨«³ hgnbnd¼n Hcp Pufn¡S
XpS§n. Imfh−n Idnbms¨dp¡\v hmSIbv¡p sImSp¯ncn¡bmWv.
Ips©dnbm¨\p \Ã Imeambnt¸mbn. BfpIÄ ]dªpXpS§n.
h−n¡mc³ Ips©dnb Ips©dnbm¨\mbn! adnb adnbm½bpw.
Ips©dnbm¨sâ `mcy H¶pIqSn sNdp¸amsb¶ptXm¶n. AhÀs¡mcp \Ã
\ndap−mbn«p−v.
HcpZnhkw RmbdmgvN ]ÅnbnÂh¨v A½nWn dmtlens\¡−p. AhÀ
ASp¯Sp¯mWp ap«pIp¯n\n¶Xv. dmtl ]pX¨ncp¶
Ikhpt\cnbXnte¡pXs¶ A½nWn hfsct\cw t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
XeaqSnbncn¡p¶ B t\cnbXnsâ t\À¯ Cgbpw hnfp¼s¯ hoXnbpÅ
Ikhpw! dmtlensâ km¶n²y¯n A½nWn hfsc
]mhs¸«hfmbnt¯m¶n. dmtlensâ Igp¯n Hcp kzÀ®ap¯pame
InS¡p¶Xp t\cnbXnsâ DÅn¡qSn AhÄ¡p ImWmambncp¶p.
A½nWnbpsS lrZb¯n thZ\bp−mbn. dmtl Xsâ
\m¯q\mbn¯ocpsa¶v A½nWn HcpIme¯v hnNmcn¨ncp¶p. C¶p
dmtl Hcp henbho«nse s]®mbn¯oÀ¶ncn¡p¶p. AhÀs¡§s\
In«n Cu apXseÃmw? ssZhw A\p{Kln¨XmWv.
dmtl A½nWnsb¡t−m F¶p kwibw. AhÄ {]mÀ°
\m]pkvXI¯nte¡pXs¶ t\m¡ns¡m−p ap«nt·Â \nev¡pIbmWv; Hcp
amemJsbt¸mse. A½nWn AhfpsS I®pIsf ]n´ncn¨p. AhÄ¡pw
sNdnb {]mÀ°\m ]pkvXIap−v. AhÄ¡pw ssZht¯mSp
{]mÀ°n¡Ww. ssZhw dmtlens\ A\p{Kln¨Xpt]mse A½nWnsbbpw
A\p{Kln¡mXncn¡ptam?
]t£, A½nWn¡p {]mÀ°\¸pkvXI¯nse A£c§Ä hmbn¡m³
IgnªnÃ. AhfpsS I®n I®p\oÀ Xpfp¼n\n¶ncp¶p. Xpd¶ {]mÀ°
\¸pkvXI¯nte¡v A½nWnbpsS I®nÂ\n¶v Hcp I®p\oÀ¯pÅn
hoWp. B I®oÀ¯pÅn _en]oT¯nÂ\n¶p {]kcn¨ Zo]{]Imi¯nÂ
Pzen¨p.
A½nWn¡v AS¡m³ h¿m¯ Ft´m hyk\w tXm¶n, lrZb¯nsâ
DÅnÂ. dmtlen\p Ikhpt\cnbXpw amebpw DÅXpsIm−mtWm
A½nWn¡p k¦Sw? Hcn¡epaÃ. ]ns¶´psIm−mWv AhÄ Icbp¶Xv?
AhÄ¡pXs¶ AdnªpIqSm. A½nWn G§eSn¡p¶Xp tI«v dmtlÂ
Xncnªpt\m¡n. dmtl XeNmbv¨v A½nWnbpsS sNhnbn a{´n¨p:
""A½nWo, F´n\m½m Itct¶?''
""H¶panÃ,'' A½nWn AhfpsS ]gb IhnWnbpsS Xp¼psIm−p I®oÀ
XpS¨p. {]mÀ°\¸pkvXI¯nse A£c§Ä¡v Hcp sXfnabp−mbn.
AhfpsS Np−pIÄ i_vZap−m¡msX B hcnIfpsSt\tc Nen¨p.
AįmcbnÂ\n¶p \nÀ¤fn¨ Km\§fpsS ItÃme§Ä B tZhmebm
´À`mK¯p\n¶pw shfnbnse {]`mXm´co£¯nte¡v
HgpIns¡m−ncp¶p.
F«v

"kÔymtZhX' F¶ IhnX FgpXns¡m−ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p cmP³.

ap−I¸mS¯nsâ AcnIptNÀ¶p ]qss¡XIfm ]cnthjw NmÀ¯nb
B sIm¨pIpfhpw kÔybpsS s]m³shfn¨¯n AXnse sXfn\ocnÂ
ap§n¡pfn¡p¶ I\Ihn{Klhpw B IhnbpsS XqenI¯p¼neqsS
CucSnIfmbn cq]m´cs¸«p. kmbwkÔybpsS caWobX apgph³
DSÂ]q− tZhX! B tZhXsb Ah³ lrZb¯nsâ {iotImhnenÂ
Ft¶¡pambn {]XnjvTn¡phm³ t]mIpIbmWv. {]XnjvTn¨v
Bcm[n¡phm³þt{]amRvPenIÄ kaÀ¸n¡phm³þB tZhXbpsS sNa¶
A[c§fn IpSnsImÅp¶ aμlmk¯nepw, \o− \oeangnIfpsS
arZphmb Ne\¯nepw, B\μ¯nsâ BsI¯pIIÄ IW¡m¡ns¡m−v
B XqenI k©cn¨psIm−ncp¶p.
amfnIbpsS Xmgs¯\nebnÂ\n¶p sX¿m½ hnfn¨t¸mgmWv cmP³
`mh\mtemI¯nÂ\n¶p aS§nbXv. Ah³ Xmgs¯ \nebnte¡p sN¶p.
AhnsS A¸\pw A½bpw X½n Ft´m KuchapÅ Imcys¯¸än
kwkmcn¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmWv.
""F´n\mt½ hnfn¨Xv?'' cmP³ A½bpsS Itkcbn ]nSn¨psIm−v
]pdInÂ\n¶p. Nm−nkmÀ NmcpItkcbn InS¡pIbmWv.
""FSm, \msf Ignªm hey]Ånbnse s]cp¶mfv, \nsâ t]À¡p
Rms\mcp t\À¨ t\À¶n«p−v. AXp sImSp¡Ww.'' sX¿m½ ]dªp.
""F¶m t\À¨bmt½? F¶ns«´m Ft¶mSp ]dbmXncp¶Xv?''
""t\À¨ ^en¨n«p ]dªm aXnbtÃm F¶ph¨p.''
""Fs´ms¡bmbncp¶p t\À¶Xv, tIÄ¡s«.''
""\o _n.F. Pbn¡p¶Xn\pw ]ns¶ s]®psI«m³ \n\¡p
a\ÊptXm¶n¡p¶Xn\pw.''
""_n.F. Pbn¨p; s]®psI«m³ a\ÊptXm¶ns¨¶v A½¨nsb§s\
Adnªp?''
""AsXms¡ Rm\dnsªSm.''
""A½¨n¡v CjvSamtbm?''
""dmtl \à s]¬Ip«nbm. F\n¡p \t¶ t_m[n¨p tamt\.
AXpXs¶bà hey ]Tn¯apÅ
irwKmcns¸®p§sfs¡«ns¡m−ph¶m Iªn¡cn In«¯nÃ.
CXmsW¦n \½psS sNmÃphnfnbn \nt¶mfpw. s\Kfn¡¯nÃ.''
 A¸³ B hnhcw FÃmw A½sb Adnbns¨¶v Ah\v a\Ênembn. A½
XSÊw ]dbpsa¶mbncp¶p Ahsâ Gähpw henb `bw. B `bw
\o§nbXn Ah³ BlvfmZn¨p. Ah³ A½sb sI«n¸nSn¨v AhcpsS
s\änbn Npw_n¨p.
""s]cp¶mÄ IqSm³ \ap¡p XoÀ¨bmbpw t]mIWw,'' cmP³ ]dªp:
""Rm³ Ctf½bpsS ImÀ GÀ¸mSpsN¿mw.''
""FtâSm, \o C{X ip²KXn¡mc\mWtÃm.'' sX¿m½ ]dªp:
""Ahtfmfw C{X s\tjZn. Imcyw Fsâ A\pP¯nbm. AhtfmSv C¶mfv
Rm³ tNmZn¨p: FSo Iptªeymt½! \n§sS Imdnt§m«v H¶v
Ab¨pXcWw; R§Ä¡p hey]Åose s]cp¶mfn\pt]mIm³. Ahfp
]dbphm, Imdv aämÀ¡pw sImSp¡cpsX¶v AhsS B{¼t¶m³
]dsª¶v. tlm! AhsS Hcp aq¨v. ssZhw klmbn¨v Rm³ hnNmcn¨mepw
Hcp Imdphm§n¡m³ km[nt¨¡psa¶v AhtfmSp ]dªp. C\n Rm³
AhfpsS ASn¨Xn\I¯p Ibd¯nÃ, t\m¡nt¡m.''
""\aps¡mcp Imdp hm§n¨pIfbmw, F´m¸m?''
""HcpIW¡n\v ImÀ HcmUw_camWv; Hc\mhiys¨ehpamWv.
F¦nepw...'' Nm−nkmÀ ]dªp: ""kmaqlyamb \½psS \nehmcw
IW¡m¡nbm ImÀ hm§p¶Xp \ÃXmWv. F\n¡p ImdnÂ
k©cn¡Wsa¶m{KlanÃ. ssZhw Im X¶ncn¡p¶Xv
\S¡p¶Xn\pth−nbmWv. ]t£, ]e Øe§fnembn InS¡p¶ \½psS
hkvXp¡Ä bYmImew sN¶pt\m¡n th−XpsN¿p¶Xn\v \aps¡mcp
ImÀ klmbambncn¡pw. cmPsâ CjvSwt]msebmImw.''
sX¿m½bv¡p Xr]vXnbmbn. A\pP¯nbpsS Alw`mh¯n\v Hcp ia\w
hcp¯phm\pÅ Bi \ndthdn. hne]nSn¨Xpw at\mlchpamb Hcp
_yq¡pImÀ cmP³ hm§n. ]«mf¯nÂt¸mbn ss{UhnMv ]Tn¨n«p
\m«nÂh¶ kpIphns\ AhÀ ss{Uhdmbn \nban¨p.
\m«p¼pds¯ hgnIfn¡qSn A§t¯Xnse sX¿m½ _yq¡pImdnÂ
khmcn sN¿p¶Xp \m«pImÀ I−p. "AhÀs¡t´m¶nsâ Ipäw. ssZhw
I®pXpd¶\p{Kln¨ Imew' F¶v BfpIÄ ]dªp.
hey]Ånbnse s]cp¶mfn\v sX¿m½bpw cmP\pw Imdn¯s¶bmWv
t]mbXv. ASp¯pÅ ]Ånbn Nm−n kmÀ cmhnse t]mbn. At±lw
taf§fnepw DÕh§fnepw hnizkn¨ncp¶nÃ.
Imdnsâ ]pdInes¯ koän Nmcnbncn¡p¶ sX¿m½bpsS Igp¯nepw
ssIIfnepw dm¯ÂIW¡n\p Xq¡apÅ B`cW§Ä Xnf§n. AhcpsS
s\än¡cnIn XeapSn \c¨pXpS§nbncps¶¦nepw apJ¯v A§n§p
NpfnIÄ hoWncps¶¦nepw cIvX{]kmZ¯n\p tem]w h¶n«nÃ. hmbnÂ
CS¯phi¯p Xmgs¯ \ncbn H¶pc−p ]ÃpIÄ
sImgnªpt]mbn«p−v. F¦nepw shäNh¨papdp¡n Nph¸n¨ B
hmbvsIm−pÅ Nncn¡v lrZyX D−mbncp¶p. Nm−nkmÀ
IriKm{X\msW¦n sX¿m½ ØqeicocnWnbmWv. AhcpsS hbdnsâ
]e `mK§fpw HSnªp tX¦¨¨«sb hnjan¸n¨p. ta¡mXpIfn c−p
IpWp¡pIÄ D−mbncp¶XmWv. cmP³ tImfPn ]Tn¡m³t]mb
Ime¯mWp IpWp¡pIÄ AhÀ Ducn¡fªXv.
B[p\nI]cnjvImc¯n\p IpWp¡pIÄ tNcpIbnÃt{X. ASn¡mXpIfnÂ
]¨cXv\¡Ãp ]nSn¸n¨ sIm¨pI½epIÄ an¶n. hneIqSnb a·Â¸pSh
AhÀ sRmdnªpSp¯ncp¶p. sX¿m½bpsS ]q¡pesRmdn¨nÂ
{]kn²amWv. ]−p sRmdn¨n IW¦mÂhsc \o«nbnSpambncp¶p.
Ct¸mgs¯ ^mj³ \nXw_s¯ BÑmZ\w sN¿m\pÅ sRmdn¨nÂ
aXnsb¶mWv. ]−p Pq_m amXncn ssI¸¯nhsc N«ss¡bv¡v
\ofap−mbncp¶p. AXp `wKntISmbXpsIm−mWv ssIh®IfpsS
a²y¯n h¨p N«ss¡IÄ Ahkm\n¡p¶Xv. ]mf¡cb³
t\cyXpIfpsS Imew F{Xtbm ]t− Ignªpt]mbn.
H¶cbn©nÂIqSpXÂ hoXnbnÃm¯ B IkhpIcItfmSpIqSnb Hcp
knev¡pIhWnbmWv sX¿m½ ]pX¨ncn¡p¶Xv. ]t£, AXp
UmhWnNpäpI F¶Xp sX¿m½bv¡v CjvSapÅ ImcyaÃ. ]gb
acymZb\pkcn¨p ]pXbv¡p¶XpXs¶ `wKn F¶mWv AhcpsS ZrVamb
A`n{]mbw.
ImÀ Iptªeym½bpsS ]Sn¡embt¸mÄ sX¿m½ ]dªp: ""kpIq,
Imdv ]Xps¡ hnSv.'' Iptªeym½bpsS hoSnsâ hSt¡ AcnInse
ImÀsjUvUn Hcp IÃpsh«pImcs\t¸mse B ]gb "sjhÀte'ImÀ
InS¸p−v. sX¿m½bpw cmP\pw Imdn k©cn¡p¶Xv B ho«nepÅhÀ
I®nabv¡msX t\m¡n\nev¡p¶Xv sX¿m½bv¡p ImWmambncp¶p.
lrZbw A`nam\wsIm−p XpSn¨p.
hey]ÅnbpsS AIhpw A¦W§fpw ]cnkc§fpw BfpIsfs¡m−p
\ndªncp¶p. ASp¯pÅ Hcp ]pcbnS¯nsâ AcnIn ImÀ \nÀ¯nbn«v
sX¿m½bpw cmP\pw P\¡q«¯nte¡p {]thin¨p. Ims¨®tX¨p Ipfn¨v
NoInan\p¡nbncp¶ sX¿m½bpsS XeapSnbn s]mSn ]pc−p. jÀ«nSmsX
tZl¯p hnbÀ¸pw Hen¸n¨psIm−p t]mIp¶ Imfs\bpw Iqfs\bpw
sX¿m½bpsS knev¡pt\cnbXv Dckn, A§n§mbn Nne Idp¯ ]mSpIÄ
B t\cyXn ]Xnªp. P\§fpsS iIvXnbmb Xn¡epIfnÂ\n¶p
cmP³ Ahsâ XSn¨ A½sb c£n¨p. A§s\ D´nbpw XÅnbpw AhÀ
apt¶m«p Ibdn.
 cq]¯nsâ ap¼n t\À¨hbv¡Ww. cmPt\mfw \of¯nepÅ
s]m¶p\qemWp t\À¨. cq]¯nsâ ap¼n sagpIpXncnIÄ
Bfn¡¯ns¡m−ncp¶p. Xmgs¯ henb t\À¨s¸«nbn \mWb§Ä
[mcapdnbmsX hoWpsIm−ncp¶p. ssIbpsS Aäwhsc \ofp¶ shÅ
jÀ«n«hcpw XeapSn ]säsh«n¨hcpamb c−paq¶p sNdp¸¡mÀ `IvX
P\§Ä¡p tX§ms¡m¯pIfpw hdp¯ Acnbpw \ÃapfIpw IqSn
IeÀ¯nb Hmtcm\pÅp {]kmZw \evIns¡m−ncp¶p.
hÅaq¶pImc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS s]¼nfbpw a¡fpw
t\À¨bn«pIgnªmWv sX¿m½bv¡pw cmP\pw t\À¨s¸«nbpsS ASp¯p
{]thi\w In«nbXv. AhÀ t\À¨s¸«nbpsS ap¼n ap«pIp¯n
Ipcniphc¨p {]mÀ°n¡pIbpw s]m¶p\q Xncpkzcq]¯nsâ ]mZ¯nÂ
sXmSphn¨v AhnsS ImWn¡hbv¡pIbpw sNbvXp.
t\À¨bnSo Ignªp sX¿m½ ]pdtIm«p amdnbt¸mÄ hnbÀ¸psIm−v
AhcpsS tX¦¨¨« \\ªncp¶p.
cmP\pw A½bpw ]Ånapä¯pÅ ]SÀ¸³¹mhnsâ XWet¯¡p
amdn\n¶p. Bbncambncw P\§Ä At§m«p ant§m«pw XÅnbpw D´nbpw
CfIns¡m−ncn¡p¶Xv AhÀ¡v `wKnbmbn ImWmambncp¶p.
A¸pd¯v sXm«nbm«¯nsâ IdpIdmi_vZw. Dgp¶mS¡¨hS¡mc³;
sXm«n\nd¨p tamcpwshÅw hnev]\; tkmUmea\oUv I¨hSw; Hcp\nc
apgph\pw sh´n§bpw Imipcq]§fpw sIm´Ifpw {]mÀ°
\¸pkvXI§fpw am{Xw. he¯phit¯ ]mdbpsS Ncnhn A[xIrXcpsS
{]tXyIhn`mKw; ]mbvIÄ; sIm«IÄ, Ccp¼pkmam\§Ä, Xq¼mss¡IÄ,
De¡IÄ, DcepIÄ, ]g¡peIÄ. CS¯phis¯ s]m¡¯nÂ
ImÂs¸«nIÄ, I«nepIÄ, AeamcnIÄ, ]S§Ä, IqÄ{Un¦pISIÄ,
sam¯¯n tXmcW§Ä, Bch§Ä, ]pXpaWhmf·mcpsSbpw
aWhm«nIfpsSbpw BZys¯ s]cp¶mÄIqSÂ, kw`mh\IÄ¡mbn
sIm¨ps]«nIfpw \o«ns¡m−v HcpIq«À. sIm¨p§fpsS
Igp¯n¡nS¡p¶ ameIÄ X«ns¡m−pt]mIphm\pw
t]m¡äSn¡phm\pw I¨sI«n \S¡p¶ HcpIq«À. ssIhn«pt]mb
Ipªns\ Xnc¡p¶ A½bpsS thhemXn. ]gb _Ôp¡fpw
]cnNb¡mcpw X½nepÅ B−ph«¯nse IqSn¡mgvNIÄ.
Bbncs¯m¶p Imcy§fpsS ]dªp XoÀ¡Â. sIm¨ps]®p§Ä
X½n¯½n kuμcy¯nsâ am\ZÞw Ipdn¡Â. Ipip¼nsâ
_lnÀkv^pcW§Ä. A§s\ a\pjya\Èmkv{X¯nsâ al¯mb
]co£Wime AhnsS ImWs¸«p. IhnXbpÅ cmPsâ lrZb¯n\v B
ImgvN {]tNmZ\w \evIn.
 Ah³ \nev¡p¶Xnsâ ]¯ncp]XSn AIse aXnensâ AcnIptNÀ¶v
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw aIÄ dmtlepw \n¶ncp¶p. ]gb
h−n¡mc³ Ips©dnb C¶v A´ÊpÅ Hcp [\nIsâ {]uVnbnemWv
ImWs¸Sp¶Xv. a·Âap−v aSn\o«n DSp¯ncn¡p¶p. Ae¡nb
]pfnbne¡cb³ t\cnbXp Igp¯n Npän Hcäw apt¼m«pw Hcäw
]pdtIm«pambn C«ncn¡p¶p. Xebn Ims¨® ]pc«nbmWp
Ipfn¨ncn¡p¶sX¶v I−mednbmw. adnbm½ ]−s¯ adnbbÃ.
Ahsf¡−m C¶v GtXm henb ho«nse kv{XobmsWt¶ tXm¶q.
adnbm½bpsS ASp¯p dmtl \nev¡p¶Xpw cmP³ I−p. Ah³
AhfpsS apJt¯¡p Xs¶ t\m¡ns¡m−p\n¶p. at\mlcamb B
]pjv]s¯ Zqsc\n¶psIm−p ImWWw. I®pw Icfpw IpfpÀs¡
ImWWw. F¶nt« kz´am¡mhq. AXpsIm−mWv Ah³ hnhml¯n\p
[rXnIq«m¯Xv.
dmtlensâ I®pIfmIs« P\§fpsSbnSbn¡qSn k©cn¨v Hcp
_nμphn tI{μoIcn¨ncn¡p¶p. A§Ise¡mWp¶ Im¸n¡S, AXnsâ
ap³his¯ _©n c−pt]À Ccp¶p Im¸n IpSn¡p¶p. HcmÄ
hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³ At´m\nbmWv. asäbmsf dmtlÂ
aps¼t§m I−n«pÅ HmÀ½bp−v. AtX, ae_mdnÂt¸mb Ip«nt¨«sâ
aI³ Ipcymt¡m. Ah³ s]cp¶mÄ IqSm³ ae_mdnÂ\n¶p
h¶Xmbncn¡pw. Ah³ At´m\nsb hnfn¨psIm−pt]mbn
kXvIcn¡pIbmhmw. AhÀ ]−p N§mXnIfmbncp¶p.
At´m\n Hcp shÅ _\nb³, ssIbpw tImfdpapÅ jÀ«nsâ
amXncnbpÅ Hcp _\nb³, C«ncn¡p¶p. DSp¯ncn¡p¶Xv \oe¡cIfpÅ
U_nÄthjvSnap−mWv. tXmf¯p sNa¶ IcbpÅ SÀ¡n¯qhme
InS¡p¶p.
DjvWwsIm−mbncn¡mw, AtXm s\©nsâ hncnhp sIm−mtWm,
_\nb\p _«³ Ip¯nbn«nÃ. shbnepsIm−n«pw \ndw a§m¯
CfwsNa¸pÅ BtcmKy]qÀ®amb B icocw ImgvNbv¡p
taml\ambncp¶p. Ahsâ hncnamdn IpcpIpsc¶p Idp¯ tcma§Ä
\ndªncp¶p. Ah³ Ahsâ Npcp− XeapSn C{X `wKnbmbn
NoInh¨pI−n«nÃ. B tImafsâ DÅn tImafXaamb Hcp lrZbw
XpSn¡p¶p−v. At´m\n Ct§ms«m¶p t\m¡pIbntÃ? Ahsâ dmtlÂ
C¶p \Ã hkv{X§fpw B`cW§fpw AWnªp \nev¡p¶Xp I−n«pw
F´psIm−mWv Ah³ Ahsf ImWm¯Xv? Ahsâ
""s]m¶pwsImSps¯mcp'' dmtlens\þ""Rmw _eyXmIp¼w sâ dmtlen\v
H¯ncn amtew _tfw Xcpsa¶v'' sIm¨p¶mfn Ah³ AhfpsS
sNhnbn a{´n¨n«pÅXtÃ? Ah\pth−n kpμcnbmbncn¡p¶
dmtlens\ Ah³ F´psIm−p t\m¡p¶nÃ?
cmP³ dmtlens\bpw dmtl At´m\nsbbpw At´m\n Ahsâ
ssIbnencn¡p¶ AephmbpsS IjW¯nte¡pw t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
cq]sagp¶Å¯nsâ kabambn, sN−Ifpw _mâpIfpw
IXn\mshSnIfpw apg§n. BfpIÄ CfIn. AhchÀ \n¶ncp¶ Øm\§Ä
sXän. cmP\pw sX¿m½bpw P\§fpsS XÅÂX«n apt¶m«p \o§n. AhÀ
adnbm½bpw dmtlepw Ips©dnbmbpw \n¶ Øes¯¯n.
""\n§fp t\À¨bn«ntÃ?'' sX¿m½ tNmZn¨p.
""C«p.'' dmtl ]dªp.
""F¶m s]cp¶mfmbn«p H¶pw hm§n¡mªXv?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""Cu Xn¡ns\§\m. \msf h¶p htÃmsams¡ hm§n¡Ww.'' adnb
]dªp. henb ho«nse s]®p§Ä s]cp¶mfnsâ ]ntäZnhkta
]ÅnbnÂ\n¶p km[\§Ä hm§n¡mdpÅq. ]mhs¸«hcpw
ZqctZi¯pImcpamWv D´pw XÅpw ]nSn¨p "I−ISnNymXn'sbms¡
hm§n¡pI.
""cmPs\m¶pw hm§n¡p¶ntÃ?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
dmtlensâ \mWanÃmbvaI−v adnbbpw sX¿m½bpw AXnibn¨pt]mbn.
cmP\pt]mepw ]cp§embn.
""dmtlen\p hÃXpw thtWm?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""F\ns¡m¶pw th−.'' dmtl ]dªp. AhÄ Nncn¨p. dmtlensâ
s]cpamäw ]ns¶bpw AÛpXIcambnt¯m¶n.
BfpIÄ ho−pw CfIn. AhÀ apt¶m«p \o§n. \Ã hkv{Xw[cn¨
a\pjyÀ¡v DÕh¯nsâ Xn¡Â almieyamWv. F¶mÂ
]mhs¸«hÀ¡pw CS¯c¡mÀ¡pw AsXmcp tafwXs¶.
At´m\nbpw Ahsâ Iq«pImc³ Ipcymt¡mbpw BfpIfpsS
Hgp¡nÂs¸«v B hgn h¶p. At´m\n IS¶p t]mb hgn dmtlensâ
CSt¯ Imensâ sIm¨phncen Ah³ Nhn«pIbp−mbn. Ah³
dmtlens\¡t−m F¶p kwibw. dmtl Xncnªpt\m¡n.
At¸mtg¡pw At´m\n BÄ¡q«¯n adªpIgnªncp¶p. AhfpsS
Im thZ\n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. F¦nepw a[pcapÅ thZ\bmbncp¶p AXv.
""\n§Ä t]mcpt¶m? Imsdm−v. t]mcps¶¦n t]mImw.'' sX¿m½
tNmZn¨p.
""t]mImt½.'' dmtl ]dªp: ""t]mIm¸m, Imtd ChcsSIqsS?''
""\n§fp thtWm¦n s]mbvt¡m.'' Ips©dnbm¨³ ]dªp:
""F\ns¡mcp Aeamcn t\m¡m\p−v.''
 ""F¶m \½¡p t]mImt½. A¸³ ]pdtI ht¶mfpw.''
""t]mImw.''
adnbm½bpw dmtlepw BZyambn«mWv Imdn Ibdp¶Xv. cmP³
ss{UhdpsS ASp¯pÅ koänepw s]®p§Ä ]pdInes¯ koänepw
Ccp¶p.
tlm¬ hnfn¨p hnfn¨p ss{UhÀ hnjan¨p. BfpIsfm¶p \o§t−
hgnbnÂ\n¶v.
BfpIfpsS Xnc¡p Ipdªt¸mÄ Imdn\p kv]oUp hÀ²n¨p.
tXmcW¡SemkpIÄ hen¨psI«nbamXncn ]Snªmtd kÔymImiw
ImWs¸«p. ss{UhdpsS Xebv¡papIfn Ccn¡p¶ I®mSnbn¡qSn
cmP³ Xsâ ]pdInes¯ koän \Sp¡mbn Ccn¡p¶
kzÀ®hn{Kl¯nte¡p t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
s]cp¶mÄ Ignªv BfpIÄ Ddp¼pIsft¸mse \ncbmbn \m«p¼pd¯
hgnIfnepw CShgnIfnepwIqSn t]mIp¶Xv B ImdpImÀ¡p
ImWmambncp¶p.
hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS s]¼nfbpw ]ntÅcpw tNmX³ ]peb\pw
NncpX¸pebnbpw H¶n¨mWp t]mIp¶Xv. AhÀ
Ab¡mcmbXpsIm−mWv Iq«w]ncnbmsX t]mIp¶Xv. NncpX¸pebn
c−p sImbv¯cphmfpw tNmX³ Hcp Xq¼mss¡bpw De¡bpw
hm§n¨n«p−v.
am½n Hcp ]m−n¡ew þ ap¶mgn Acnhbv¡mhp¶ ]m−n¡ew
hm§n¨ncn¡p¶p. AXnsâ apIfn ]p¯³XhnIfpsS IWIÄ
s]m§n\nev¡p¶p. _kvInbn« Hcp cq]hpw am½n hm§n¨ncn¡p¶p.
enÃnbpsS Igp¯n Hcp Dgp¶mSame InS¡p¶p. ]m¸sâ I£¯n Hcp
Icn¼p−v. AXp IqSmsX Ah³ Hcp d_À_eq¬ DuXn,
"½m½mthmþthm'F¶p Icbp¶ i_vZw ]pds¸Sphn¡p¶p. A½nWnbpsS
ssIbn Hcp Acn¸. Acn¸bv¡I¯v Hcp IpSph³]nªmWw, Cu´¸gw,
]ns¶ sIm¼psIm−pÅ Hcp No¸pw.
AhÀ Hcp hfhp XncnbpIbmbncp¶p. A§t¯¡mcpsS ImÀ
]pdInÂIqSn ]mªph¶p. BfpIÄ I¿mebnd¼nte¡p amdn\n¶p.
A½nWn s]s«¶p Xncnªpt\m¡nbXp henb A_²ambnt¸mbn.
AhfpsS tZl¯p ImÀ ap«mªXv GXmbmepw KpcpXzw. F¦nepw
AhfpsS ssIbnencp¶ Acn¸bpw ]nªmWhpw ImÀ ap«n sXdn¨pt]mbn.
Imdn\I¯p\n¶v cmP³ Xe\o«n ]pdtIm«p Xncnªp t\m¡n.
A½nWnbpsS ]nªmW¯nsâ AcnIp iIew s]m«nbn«p−v. Acn¸bv¡p
tISnÃ. H¶pc−p IjWw Cu´¸gw \jvSambn. AhÄ AsXÃmw
s]dp¡nsbSp¯psIm−v cmPsâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡n. A½nWnbpsS
I®pIfn I®p\oÀ \ndªp. I®p\oÀ ]pc− B hnSÀ¶
I®pIfnte¡p cmP³ kq£n¨pt\m¡n.
ImÀ apt¶m«p \o§n. hfhp Xncnbp¶Xphsc cmP³ ]pdtIm«p
t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
H¼Xv

ae_mdnÂt¸mb Ip«nt¨«sâ aI³ A¶v At´m\nbpsS ho«nÂ

Xmakn¨p. Ah³ ae_mdnse kpJPohnXs¯¸än hÀ®n¨p.
\m«nep−mbncp¶ Htc¡À Øew hnäpIn«nb ]Whpambn Ip«nt¨«³
ae_mdn\p t]mbXpw AhnsSs¨¶v Ccp]¯t©¡À Øew hm§n¨Xpw
IpcpapfIpw I¸bpw s\Ãpw AhnsS kar²nbmbn D−mIp¶Xpw FÃmw
Ipcymt¡m hnhcn¨p.
""Cubm−n¯s¶ R§fv Adp\qä¼Xp cq]mbpsS I¸ hnäp.
H¶c¡−n \ÃapfIp−mbncp¶p.''
""G! H¶c¡−n \ÃapftIm?'' At´m\n¡v BÝcyw tXm¶n.
""AtX, H¶c¡−n.''
""F¶m cq]m ]¯¿mbncw In«n¡mWpatÃm?''
""]n¶ntÃ.''
""F¶m Rm³IqSn t]mct« Ipcymt¡m?''
""hcmt\. cq]sbm¶pw th−. F{Xtb¡dpthWsa¦nepw ]m«¯n\p
In«pw. hnfshSp¡pt¼m ]m«w sImSp¯m aXn. \½psS \m«o¶v
F{Xt]cps−t¶m? FÃmhÀ¡pw Ipimem. ChnsS¡nS¶m Xq¼m sh«ow
]«nWnsIS¶pw NmImw; A{XXs¶. t]mcps¶¦nt¸msc, \o H¶pw
Adnb−m. FÃmw Rm³ GÀ¸mSpsNbvXpXcmw.''
At´m\n¡v AsXmcp ]pXnb {]tabambnt¯m¶n. Ah\n{Xbpw\mÄ
Xq¼msh«n. F¶n«p an¨w hÃXpapt−m? ]t£, Ahsâ A¸\pw A½bpw
ktlmZc§fpw! AXns\´v? A¸\p−v. Ipd¨p\mÄ hnjan¨mepw ]ns¶
kpJn¡cptXm? ae_mdn t]mbm [\nI\mImw. [\nI\mbmÂ
Ipt©dnbmt¨«\pw aäpw ]−s¯t¸mse Ahs\ kvt\ln¡pw. ]t£,
dmtlÂ; Ahsf Ah³ F¶pw ImWp¶p−v. X½n kwkmcn¡p¶nÃ
Ft¶bpÅq. Ahsf ]ncnªp hnZqcXbn t]mbn Xmakn¡pI; AXp
km[yaÃ. Ah³ AI¶pt]mbm AhÄ ZpxJn¡pw. AhÄ ZpxJn¡m³
]mSpÅXÃ þ Ah³ Pohn¨ncn¡p¶nSt¯mfw Imew.
At´m\n t]mIp¶nà F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. cmhnseXs¶ hSt¡m«pÅ
t_m«n\v Ipcymt¡m bm{Xbmbn.
s]cp¶mfnsâ ]ntä¶mfs¯ ]pecn Gähpw at\mlcambncp¶p.
{Kmahr£§fpsS apIfn¡qSn X¦s¸mSn hmcnhnXdns¡m−v
Fgp¶Ånb Cfb ]Iens\ FXntcäpsIm−v shÅ{]mhpIÄ k©cn¨p.
 BcpsSbpw klmbwIqSmsX ASp¸¯p Iªn Xnf¨psIm−ncp¶p.
]p¯³ ]m−n¡e¯n s]cpamdmdmbn«nÃ. AcnIp Iodnb Nn¡p]mbv
dn¸bÀ sNbvXpsIm−ncn¡pIbmWv am½n. AhÄ CSbv¡nSbv¡v
ASp¡fbnte¡p t\m¡p¶p−v. ASp¸nse Xo sISp¶pt−m, Iªn
Xnf¨pXqhp¶pt−m F¶t\zjn¡phm³. A½nWn apä¯nsâ Cd¼nÂ
\n¶psIm−p XeNoIpIbmWv, B ]p¯³ No¸psIm−v.
CSXphit¯¡p Xe Aev]w Ncn¨p kar²amb XeapSnsb CSt¯
ssIsIm−v Xm§n he¯pssIsIm−v AhÄ NoIpIbmWv.
Ingt¡m«pXncnªncn¡p¶ AhfpsS apJ¯v {]`mX¯nsâ sNa¶
{]Imiw XgpIns¡m−ncp¶p. Xn®bn ]IpXn \nhÀ¯n«ncp¶
Nn¡p]mbn enÃn¡p«n Ccp¶v Cu´¸g¯nsâ AÃnIÄ N¸p¶p.
]Snªmdphis¯ sIm¨p ]d¦namhnsâ Ihc¯n Xq¡nbn«ncp¶ ]
£n¡q«n hfÀ¯s¸« amS¯bv¡p ]m¸³ XoänsImSp¡pIbmWv.
sIm¨p¶mfn At´m\n¡v Hcp amS¯bp−mbncp¶p. AXv hÀ¯am\w
]dªp XpS§pwapt¼ ImeKXn {]m]n¨p. C¸gs¯ amS¯sb
A§t¯¡mcpsS aebnÂ\nev¡p¶ h«ac¯nsâ s]m¯nÂ\n¶v At
´m\n ]nSn¨psIm−ph¶n«pÅXmWv. AXnsâ hfÀ¯Â¨paXe ]m¸³
GsäSp¯ncn¡p¶p. AXnt¸mÄ "amSs¯ ]q¨! ]q¨!, At´m\o'
Fs¶ms¡ kwkmcn¡pw. ]¯pcq]mhsc AXn\p ssaXo³ dmhp¯cpsS
aI³ D½ÀIp«n hne ]dªn«pÅXmWv. F´p hnebmbmepw At´m\n
AXns\ hnev¡pIbnÃ.
""A¨m¨m, ]gw ]gp¯pXpS§n, ]dnt¨mt«?'' ]m¸³ tNmZn¨p. At
´m\nbpsS ]d¦namhv I¶nImbv¨p. AXn \me©p Imdbv¡mIÄ
]nSn¨n«p−v. AXp IptdsÈ ]gp¯p XpS§nbncn¡p¶p. AXp ]dn¡phm³
]m¸sâ ssI ]et¸mgpw IpcpIpcp¯n«p−v. "sXm«pt]mIcpXv' F¶pÅ
At´m\nbpsS D{Kimk\w B kmlk¯nÂ\n¶v Ahs\
{]Xn\nhÀ¯n¨p.
sIm¨pt]\m¡¯nsIm−v ]m¸sâ "dqfn's¸³knensâ ap\
IqÀ¼n¨psIm−v At´m\n ]dªp: ""]m¸m, ]gw Iptd¡qSn ]gp¡s«;
C¸w ]dn¡cpXv.'' At´m\n FWoäv B ]d¦namhnsâ AcnInte¡p
sN¶p. Ahsâ kz´amb B am¼g§Ä! Ah lrZb¯nsâ
BIrXnbn ASnhiw IptdtÈ Nph¶v A§s\ Xq§n¡nS¡p¶p. Ah
Imä¯p sImgnªpt]mImXncps¶¦nÂ! XkvIc{][m\nIfmb Im¡IÄ
Ahsb A]lcn¡mXncps¶¦nÂ!
`qXImekvacWIfnte¡v Ahsâ Nn´IÄ NndIp hncn¨p.
A§t¯Xnse the¡mcn Ahsâ ASps¯¯nbt¸mgmWv
Ah\dnªXv.
""F´m A¶mt½!'' At´m\n tNmZn¨p.
""Rm³ A¶m½bÃ,'' A¶½bpsS apJ¯v \mWw \ngen¨p. AhÄ
Imensâ XÅhncÂsIm−p apäs¯ s]mSn a®n ]Xps¡ Ft´m
hc¨psIm−p Iogvt]m«p t\m¡n. AhfpsS apJ¯p sNdnb aμlmkhpw
I¬tImWn hnImchpw Xnf§n.
""F¶mÂ, F´m sIm¨t½!''
""Hm, Ifnbm¡−m.'' sIm¨t½ F¶p hnfn¨Xv
A¶bv¡v H«pw CjvSambnÃ.
""F¶m Rm³ an−p¶nÃ.'' At´m\n ho−pw s]³knÂ
IqÀ¼n¡p¶Xn hym]rX\mbn.
A§t¯Xnse sX¿m½ Ahsf ]dªb¨ncn¡bmWv, sIm¨m¸nbpsS
aIsf At§ms«m¶p hnfn¨psIm−p sNÃphm³. F´n\msW¶p
tNmZn¨n«v AhÄ¡v AdnªpIqsS¶mWv adp]Sn.
A¶bpsSIqsS A½nWn A§t¯Xnte¡p sN¶p.
""tamtf! Imdpap«n tam¡p hÃXpw ]täym?'' sX¿m½ tNmZn¨p.
""Hm, H¶pw ]änbnÃ.'' A½nWn ]dªp.
""Fsâ Iptª, R§Ä¡p henb shjaambnt¸mbn. ]nªmWw
s]m«ntbm?''
""Hm, AXnsâ h¡v C¨ncn s]mt«y HÅq. kmcanÃ.''
cmP³ Hcp ]p¯³]nªmWhpw AXp \ndsb anTmbnIfpambn AhcpsS
ASps¯¯n.
""t]sc¶m?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""A½nWn.''
""C¶m CXp sIm−ps]mbvt¡m, C¶es¯ ]nªmW¯n\p ]Icw.''
A½nWn kt´mj]pcÊcw cmPsâ ssIbnÂ\n¶v B
anTmbn¸nªmWw hm§n.
""At´m\n t]mtbm?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""CÃ, t]mIm³ sXmS§zm.''
""Rm³ Ingt¡ tXm«¯nte¡p t]mIphm. H¶p c−mgvN Igntª
hc¯pÅq. B atese FS¡¿me FÃmw icns¸Sp¯Wsa¶p Rm³
]dsª¶v Aht\mSp ]tdWw. tIt«m?''
""]dbmw.''
A½nWn s]mbv¡gnªt¸mÄ cmP³ ]dªp:
""F´t½!''
""F¶mSm?''
 ""B dmtlensâ Imcyta?''
""Dw?''
""C\ow F´n\m Xmakn¸n¡pt¶?''
""B s]®v Cu hnhcw hÃXpw Adntªm?''
""Ado¡cpsX¶m ]dªncn¡ps¶.''
""\o Fkvtään t]mbn«phm. F¶n«p th−Xp sN¿mw. A¸t\mSp
]dtªm?''
""CÃ.''
""Rm³ ]dtªmfmw. Ips©dnbmsb hnfn¸n¨p sZhkw \nÝbn¨mÂ
aXnbtÃm.''
""aXn.''
ImÀsjUvUnÂ\n¶p _yq¡pImÀ koev¡mct¯msS apt¶m«p
\o§n\n¶p.
Ips©dnbmbpsS ]pXnb hoSnsâ Ingt¡ hcm´bpsS Aä¯v
`n¯ntbmSp tNÀ¶v dmtl \nev¡p¶Xv cmP³ I−p. dmtl Hcp
sNa¶ _vfukpw tdmkv \nd¯nepÅ kmcnbpw [cn¨ncn¡p¶p. AhfpsS
ssIbn Hcp ]pkvXIap−v. dmtl cmPs\ I−p. cmP³ Nncn¨p;
dmtlepw Nncn¨p.
Imdnsâ N{I§Ä CfIn. at\mlcamb B Idp¯ ImÀ tKäpIS¶p
{KmahoYnbneqsS ]d¶padbp¶Xv dmtlen\p ImWmambncp¶p. ]−v
A½nWnbpw Ahfpw At´m\nbpwIqsS N¡Smh−nbn khmcnsNbvX
B ]cp ]cp¯ hgntbXs¶.
dmtl Ct¸mÄ ]pkvXI§Ä hmbn¡mdp−v. Ahsf Cw¥njv
]Tn¸n¡p¶Xn\pw aäpambn Hcp A²ym]nI hcmdp−v. timim½«o¨À.
AhÀ dmtlen\p hmbn¡phm³ t\mhepIfpw aäp ]pkvXI§fpw
sIm−ph¶psImSp¡pw. ]pXnb ]pXnb AdnhpIÄ AhÄ¡p
]pkvXI§fnÂ\n¶p In«ns¡m−ncp¶p. kmcnNpäm\pw XeapSn
NoInhbv¡m\pw sNcn¸p[cn¡m\pw aäpw Ahsf ]Tn¸n¨Xv B
timim½«o¨dmWv.
At´m\n Xq¼mbpw tXmft¯´n B I¿mebcpIn¡qSn
]mh¡nSm¯s\bpw hnfn¨psIm−pt]mIp¶Xv AhÄ¡p
ImWmambncp¶p. hcm´bpsS B tImWn \n¶mte AhÄ¡v Ahs\
ImWm\mhq.
At´m\n aebn ]Wn¡pt]mIp¶Xpw aS§nhcp¶Xpamb kabw
AhÄ¡dnbmw. B kabwt\m¡n AhÄ B hcm´bpsS tImWnÂ
\nev¡pw. Ah\pambn AhÄ kwkmcn¨n«v At\I \mfpIfmbn. Ah³
Ahsf¸än Ct¸mÄ F´mWv hnNmcn¡p¶Xv? AhÄ IqSpX IqSpXÂ
AgIpÅhfmIp¶Xp I−v Ah³ kt´mjn¡pw. Nnet¸mÄ AhÄ¡p
tXm¶pw B thens¡«p hen¨p ]dn¨v Zqscsbdnªmtem F¶v. B
kmcnbpw ameIfpw hfIfpw FÃmw Ifªn«v ]−s¯ tI¼ncnap−pw
N«bpw [cn¨psIm−v aes©cnhnte¡v HmSnt¸mbmtem F¶v.
AhnsSs¨¶v At´m\nbpsS Imense s]mSna®p
I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄsIm−p IgpIn¡fªmtem F¶v. temI¯nsâ
\oXnimkv{Xw, kapZmbmNmc¯nsâ hmtdmeIÄ, k¼¯nsâ Xpcp¼n¨
apÅpthen, kvt\l\nÀ`ccmb amXm]nXm¡·mcpsS ssIIÄ þ
AhsbÃmw Ahsf XSªp \ndp¯nbncn¡p¶p. AhfpsS lrZb¯nsâ
tImWn Hcp sImSp¦mäv CfIp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. B Imänsâ ap¼nÂ
]mds¡«pIÄ IcnbneIÄt]mse ]d¶pt]mIpw F¶v AhÄ¡dnbmw. B
sImSp¦mäv A§s\Xs¶ AaÀ¶p t]mbncps¶¦nÂ!
aeapIfnse Fcnshbne¯p\n¶p Xq¼msh«p¶ At´m\nbpsS cq]w
AhfpsS Nn´Ifn sXfnªp\n¶p.
AhÄ¡v At´m\nsb ImWmw. HcpIme¯p arZphmbncp¶ Ahsâ
Hma\ss¡¸¯nbnse Xq¼m¯g¼pIsf AhÄ¡v H¶p kv]Àin¡Ww.
Ahsâ sIm¨cn¸ÃpIÄsIm−pÅ ]p©ncnbpsSap¼n AhÄ¡p
\nev¡Ww. Ahsâ izmk¯nsâ sNdpNqSv AhfpsS Ihnfn ]XnbWw.
AhfpsS Poh\p Poh³ \ÂIphm³ B hmbphnt\ km[n¡q!
\oen¨ BImi¯pIqSn HgpIp¶ CfwIdp¸pÅ taL§tf! \n§Ä B
aebpsS apIfn D¨kab¯v Aev]t\cw \nev¡tW! AXnsâ D¨nbnÂ
Hcp sXmgnemfn \n¶p hnbÀ¡p¶p−v.
Ips©dnbm¨³ ISbnte¡p t]mIm³ Xmt¡mepw aWnt¸gvkpw FSp¯p
aSnbn h¨t¸mtg¡pw AhcpsS ]d¼nsâ AcnInepÅ CShgnbn Hcp
¹jÀImÀ h¶p\n¶p. B ImdnÂ\n¶v c−pt]À Cd§n Ips©dnbm¨sâ
ho«nte¡p h¶p. kv{XoIfpsS ]S§fpw ]{X¡Semknse
A¨Snsbgp¯pIfpw ]Xnªn«pÅ XpWnsIm−p−m¡nb DSp¸mWv
Ahcn HcmÄ [cn¨ncn¡p¶Xv. Im¨«bpw sNcn¸pw hm¨pw Idp¯
I®mSnbpw aq¡nsâ Xmsg CuÀ¡nenbpsS hoXnbn Idp¯ aoibpw
D−v AbmÄ¡v. BÄ sNdp¸amWv. asäbmÄ ap−pw Acss¡b³ jÀ«pw
knev¡ptjmfpw [cn¨ Hcp a[yhbkvI³.
AhÀ hcm´bnse ItkcIfn Ccp¶p.
""FhnSp¶p hcp¶p? a\ÊnembnÃtÃm?'' Ips©dnbmt¨«³ tNmZn¨p.
AbmÄ ap³his¯ AcaXnen Ccp¶p. adnbm½ ASp¡fhmXnen\p
tNÀ¶p ]pXnb hncp¶pImsc IuXpIt¯msS t\m¡n. dmtl hcm
´bn \n¶p. AhÄ¡v Ahsc ImWmambncp¶p.
""Rm³ "hnizXmcI' kn\nam¡¼\nbpsS DSaØ\mWv. R§Ä ]e
kn\namIfpw \nÀ½n¨n«p−v. A½mbnA¨³, hey½bpsS A½, Afnb³,
\m¯q³, agtbm shbntemþ CsXÃmw R§Ä \nÀ½n¨
kn\nam¸S§fmWv. Cubncn¡p¶ BfmWv R§fpsS {][m\ \S³,
aghnÂIpamÀ. Ct±ls¯¸än \n§Ä tI«ncn¡pasÃm?''
""Ds−¶m tXm¶ps¶. Fsâ t]mt¶, F\n¡o Xn\nambpw ]tSmw H¶pw
ImWm³ CjvSanÃ. AXn\p katbmansöpIt−m.'' Ips©dnbm¨³
]dªp.
""R§Ä Hcp ]pXnb ]Sw ]nSn¡m³ Dt±in¡pIbmWv. AXn\v Hcp
]pXnb \Snsb thWw. tN«sâ aIfpsS t]sc´m?''
""dmtlÂ.''
""CXm t\m¡q,'' kn\nams{]mUyqkÀ Hcp ]pkvXIw \nhÀ¯pImWn¨p:
""Ct¸mÄ Bbnc¯ªqdp bphXnIfpsS At]£ In«nbn«p−v, AhcpsS
t^mt«mIfmWv CsXÃmw, F¶m I−mÂs¡mÅmhp¶Xp hfsc
Npcp¡amWv. \n§fpsS aIsf¸än H¶pc−pt]À R§tfmSp ]dªp.
C¶se ]Ånbnse s]cp¶mfn\v R§Ä h¶ncp¶p. s]¬Ip«nsb
I−p. dmtlens\t¸mepÅ Hcp bphXnsbbmWv R§Ä¡mhiyw.''
""Fsâ tamsf Xn\nabv¡pw Iq¯n\pw H¶pw hnSm³ ]äqÃ. \n§Ä
\n§fpsS ]mSpt\m¡p a\pt£tc,'' adnbm½ ASp¡fbnÂ\n¶p hcm
´bnte¡p \o§n\n¶psIm−p ]dªp.
""s]§tf, Rm³ ]dªp Xocpwapt¼ C§s\ IbÀ¯mtem? amkw
Aªqdpcq]m Xcmw, sNehp Ignªv. IqSnbm B−n ct−m aqt¶m
amks¯ BIvtS ImWq.''
""R§Ä¡p cq`mbpwth−m Io]mbpw th−m.'' adnbm½ sNmSn¨p:
""Xn\nambv¡pw \mSI¯n\pw t]mW s]¼ntÅscÃmw s]gs]«pt]mIpw.''
""tX CXm \n§fpsS sXän²mcW. tIt«m tN«m, tN«sâ t]sc´m?''
""Ips©dnbm¨³.''
""tIt«m Ips©dnbm¨³tN«m, s]§fp ]dªXp Ipsdsbms¡ icnbm.
]t£, R§fpsS I¼\nbn bmsXmcp hjf¯chpanÃ. AsXÃmhÀ¡pw
Adnbmhp¶ Imcyam. aIfpsS IqsS A¸t\m B§ftbm Bsc¦nepw
D−mbncn¡Ww. AhcpsS sNehpw I¼\n hln¡pw.''
""H¶mas¯¡mcyw AhÄ¡v Bt«mw ]m«pw H¶pw Adnbmt½e.''
""At¿m sImÅmw. Bt«mw th− ]m«pw th−, AsXms¡ R§Ä
]Tn¸n¨psImÅmw.''
 ""]ns¶...''
""F´m ]ns¶?''
""dmtlen\v Hcp IeymW¡mcyw FÃmw BtemNn¨p hcnIbm.''
""AXn\p hnjaanÃ. IeymWw \St¶ms«. `À¯mhnsâIqsS
kväpUntbmhnte¡p h¶mÂaXn. Ignbpsa¦n IeymWw Ipsd¡qSn
\o«nhbv¡p¶Xp sImÅmw. AXp ]ns¶ \n§fpsS CjvSwt]mse. F´m,
AUzm³kv thWsa¦n Ct¸mÄ Ipsdcq]m Xcmw.''
""th−m. Ct¸msgm¶pw XoÀ¨]dbm³ h¿. Hcp c−mgvN IqSn
Ignªn«msW¦nÂ... ...H¶pc−pt]tcmsSÃmw tNmZn¡m\p−v.''
""Hm, AXpaXn. c−mgvN. AtÃ?''
""AtX.''
s{]mUyqkÀ F®oäp: ""aIsf Ct§ms«m¶p hnfn¨mÂ...''
""dmtlte, Ct§m«p ht¶ tamtf!''
dmtl hcm´bnte¡p \o§n\n¶p.
""F´m, R§sf ]cnNbanÃ, CtÃ?'' a[yhbkvI³ tNmZn¨p.
sNdp¸¡mcsâ I®pIÄ dmtlensâ sa¿gIns\ {]Z£nWw
sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶p.
""CÃ.'' dmtl ]dªp.
""BIrXnt]mseXs¶ kzchpw \¶mbncn¡p¶p.''
sNdp¸¡mcsâ ssIbnencp¶ lm³Uv Iymadm c−p aq¶p {]mhiyw
"¢nIv ¢nIv' F¶p i_vZn¨p.
""F¶m R§Ä t]mbvhcs«? c−mgvN Ignªv...'' kn\nam¡mÀ bm{X
]dªp.
""A§s\bmIs«.''
AhÀ Xncnsb Imdn Ibdn.
Ips©dnbm¨sâbpw adnbm½bpsSbpw a\ÊpIÄ XpSn¨p.
{]Xnamkw Aªqdpcq]m! ]t£, cmP\p amkw Bbncw cq]m hchp−v.
th−, dmtlen\p kn\nam DtZymKw th−. F¦nepw cmPt\mSp hnhcw
]dbmw, cmP³ hcs«. C\n cmP³ Xsâ aIsf IeymWw
Ign¨nsæn¯s¶ Ips©dnbm¨\v Hcp Np¡pw hcm\nÃ. ]t£,
Aht\mSp hm¡p ]dªpt]mbn. hm¡p ewL\w sN¿p¶Xp
a\pjyXz¯n\p tNÀ¶XÃtÃm.
CsXms¡bmsW¦nepw A¶p Ips©dnbm¨³ ISbnte¡p t]mbt¸mÄ
HcSns¸m¡¯nemWv Xm³ \nev¡p¶sX¶v Hcp tXm¶Â!
""F´mt½, A¸³ AhtcmSp ]dªXv? dmtl tNmZn¨p.
Ips©dnbm¨³ t]mbn¡gnªv A½bpw aIfpw hcm´bnse
AcaXnen¡bdnbncp¶p.''
""c−mgvN Ignªp ]dbmsa¶v.''
""BtcmSp tNmZn¡m\m?''
""B, F\n¡dnbmt½e.''
""F\n¡p kn\nabv¡pt]mIm³ a\Ênsöp ]dªmÂt¸mtc. AXns\
´n\m c−mgvN?''
""A§s\ ]dªsIm−p tZmjansÃtÃmSo. Ahcv C\ow hcp¼w
]dtª¡Ww. At{XbpÅtÃm Imcyw.'' adnbm½ FWoäp.
""shdpsX Ahsc _p²nap«n¸nt¡− BhiyanÃmbncp¶p... At½.''
""Dw?''
""Rm\m A½nWnsb H¶p I−n«v H¯ncn\mfmbn. H¶p t]mtb¨p
hct«t½?''
""\n\¡p thsd sXmgnsem¶pantà s]t®? AhnsS tIdnt¸mbm \nsâ
Imepw ap«pw XÃn HSn¡psa¶m A¸³ ]dtª¡WXv.''
""AsX´n\mt½! Ahsc¶msNbvXn«m AhtcmSv A½¨n¡n{X
s]W¡w?''
""s]t®, \o hà s]m¯tImw t]mbn hmbn¡v. B timim½ C¸w
hcpw.'' adnbm½ apät¯¡p \S¶p.
dmtl ]pdsI F¯n: ""F¶mt½, Rms\m¶p t]mtb¨p hct«t½?''
""sÈSm CsXt´mcp IjvSam? FSo, t]mbn s]m¯Iw hmbn¡m\tÃ
]dsª.''
adnbm½ \S¶p ]d¼nte¡p t]mbn. adnbm½bpsS A½,
Ipªm¨nhey½ ]Ånbn t]mbn«v aS§nsb¯n. AhÀ aIfpsS ho«nÂ
h¶n«v aq¶c BgvNbmbn. C\n dmtlensâ IeymWw Ignªnt«
t]mIp¶pÅq F¶mWv ]dªncn¡p¶Xv. adnbm½ F{Xam{Xw
\nÀ_Ôn¨n«msWt¶m AhÀ h¶ncn¡p¶Xv.
F¦nepw aIÄ¡v \ÃImeap−mbXn B XÅ kt´mjn¨p. AhcpsS
{]mÀ°\bpsS ^eambn«mWt{X adnbs¸®nsâ IjvS¸mSp \o§nbXv.
hbÊv Fgp]Xmsb¦nepw Ipªm¨nhey½bv¡v C¶pw bmsXmcp
Ipg¸hpanà icoc¯n\v. hmbn ap³hi¯pam{Xw Ht¶m ct−m ]Ãp−v.
Cd¨n, I¸, ASbv¡m apXemb KpcpXzapÅ km[\§Ä Nhbv¡p¶Xn\v
C¯ncn _p²nap«p−v. I®n\v Aev]w a§eps−¦nepw sNhn¡p \Ã
Du\amWv. XeapSnsbÃmw shÅn¡¼nt]mse \c¨ncn¡p¶p. F¦nepw Hcp
`wKnbp−v B \cbv¡v. sXmen apgph\pw \pdp§n¨ncn¡bmWv. Hcp sNdnb
Iq\p−p \S¡pt¼mÄ. F¦nepw hSnbpsS klmbw th−m. sIm´bpw
sh´n§bpw Hcp Ukt\mfw Imipcq]§fpw Ft¸mgpw Igp¯nÂ
Xq§p¶p−mhpw. \ndw sNdp¸¯n shfp¯Xmbncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ H¶p
a§nbn«p−v.
hey½ ]cp]cmshfp¸n\v FWo¡pw. kIe {]mÀ°\Ifpw
sNmÃn¯ocpt¼mÄ apä¯p {]Imiw hogpw. apäaSn¡p¶Xn\pw
s\ÃpW¡p¶Xn\pw ao³ Idnhbv¡p¶Xn\pw Ipªm¨nhey½sb
Pbn¡m³ B Icbntem ASp¯ Icbntem Bcpansöp XoÀ¯p ]dbmw.
A½ h¶Xn\ptijw adnbm½ ASp¡f¸Wn¡v A[nIw
_p²nap«nbn«nÃ. dmtlens\ hey ImcyamWv hey½bv¡v. ""sâ tamsf,
ssXhwX¼ncm³ A\pt{I¨psaSo,'' F¶v B hey½¯Å F¶pw
dmtlens\ BioÀÆZn¡mdp−v.
hey½¯Åbpw dmtlepw Hcp apdnbnemWv InS¡p¶Xv.
amdtÃipsXm«pÅ ]Xn\mbncw IYIfdnbmw hey½bv¡v. B IYIsfÃmw
B hey½¯Å Xsâ t]c¡nSmhns\ ]dªp tIĸn¡mdp−v. A§s\
B hey½sb dmtl AXy[nIw kvt\ln¨p.
A¶pcmhnse Ing¡p aeapIfn ImWs¸« kqcy³ ]Xps¡¸Xps¡
k©cn¨v ]Snªmsd N{Ihmf¯nse¯n. tdmkv \nd¯nepÅ
kn¡pkmcn Npänb dmtlensâ h£Ên InS¡p¶ ap¯pamebpsS
A{K¯nse ]h³t]mse temetaL]mfnIfpsS CSbv¡v `mkpc`mkvIc
_nw_w Xnf§n.
dmtl thenbpsS AcnInte¡p \S¶p. Im«p]bdnsâ hÅnIÄ B
then¸¯epIfpsS apIfn Xe\o«n \n¶ncp¶p. thenbpsS hnShn¡qSn
AhÄ Ingt¡ ho«nte¡p t\m¡n. ]Wn Ignªp Xq¼mbpambn At´m\n
h¶p. Ah³ Xq¼m Nmbn¸nse Npacn Nmcnh¨n«p ]d¦namhnsâ
ASp¡te¡p hcp¶Xv AhÄ I−p. B sIm¨pac¯nsâ Xp©¯pÅ
]d¦n¸g§sf kÔymcivan Npw_n¡p¶p. Ah³ B ]g§sf
F®pIbmWv. H¶pw \jvSs¸«n«nÃ.
]d¦nam¼g§Ä.
kvacWIÄ!
ambm¯ s]m³In\mhpIÄ!
amS¯¡qSv!
Ah³ B amS¯¡qSv Xpd¶p. B ]£n NndIpIpSªp ]d¶v At
´m\nbpsS tXmf¯ncp¶p. AXm AXp ]d¡p¶p. AXp ]d¶ph¶v
thenbpsS apIfn Ccp¶p.
""amSt¯, hm.'' dmtl hnfn¨p.
""At´m\n,'' amS¯ adp]Sn ]dªp. AXp ]d¶ph¶v dmtlensâ
Xebn Ccp¸pd¸n¨p. AhÄ ]Xps¡ AXns\ ]nSn¨p. AhfpsS
apSnbnÂ\n¶v amS¯bpsS \J§sf hnSÀ¯phm³ dmtlen\v Ipsd
_p²nap«p−mbn.
""At´m\n.'' AXp ho−pw i_vZn¨p.
dmtl B Hma\¸£nsb amtdmSptNÀ¯p ]pWÀ¶p. AhfpsS
taml\amb amÀhnSw XpSn¨p.
""amSt¯,'' then¡¸pd¯p\n¶v At´m\n hnfn¨p.
B thenbpsS A¸pd¯pw C¸pd¯pw AhÀ \n¶p; At´m\nbpw
dmtlepw. At´m\nbpsS I®pIfn dmtlensâ apJw {]Xn_nw_n¨p.
AhfpsS A[c§Ä ]p©ncnbnte¡p hnSÀ¶p. F¦nepw I®pIfnÂ
_mjv]_nμp¡Ä Xpfp¼n\n¶p.
""At´m\n,'' dmtlensâ h£tÊmSp tNÀ¶ncn¡p¶ amS¯ ho−pw
i_vZn¨p.
""dmtlÂ! Fsâ Icsf!'' Gähpw {]nbwIcamb B kzcw dmtlensâ
ImXpIfn ]Xnªp; lrZb¯nsâ AKm[Xbnepw.
]¯v

Ips©dnbm¨sâ hoSnsâ apä¯p Nn¡p]mbn Idp¯n«ymc³s\Ãv

DW¡m\n«ncn¡p¶p. CuÀ¡nenbpsS A{K¯n Nph¶ häÂapfIp
tImÀ¯v B s\Ãp]mbpsS \mepaqebv¡pw \m«n\nÀ¯nbn«p−v, s\Ãn\p
Km«p\nev¡p¶ t]meokpImsct¸mse. Hcp ]gb IpS¯pWnbpsS
Awihpw Hcp Im«pI¼nt·Â AXn\Sp¯p Øm]n¡s¸«ncn¡p¶p. s\Ãp
sIm¯n¯n¶m³ hcp¶ ]dhIÄ¡v A]ISkqN\ \evIp¶
`oIc]XmIt]mse. CsXÃmambn«pw I¶w Xncnhp]nSn¨ tImgnIfpw
almXkvIccpw sX−nIfpamb Im¡Ifpw Ipªm¨nhey½sb
IW¡ntesd ieys¸Sp¯p¶p−v. AhÀ GXm\pw IÃn³IjW§fpambn
Xn®bn Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv.
Ings¡ BImi¯nsâ ]IpXnhgnbpw k©cn¨p Ignªncn¡p¶
]Items\ Dcp½n Dcp½nt¸mIp¶ shÅ taL§Ä IqS¡qsS B
s\Ãn³]mbn \ngepIÄ ]Xn¸n¡p¶p.
Im¡Isfbpw tImgnIsfbpw Fdnsªdnªp hey½bpsS apXpIn¨
ssIbpsS Dcw t\mhp¶p−v.
Ipªm¨nhey½ s\Ãn³]mbpsS DÅnte¡p Ibdn het¯ Imensâ
D¸qän s\ÂaWnbpsS apIfn Dd¸n¨psIm−v Hcph«w Id§n. D¸qänbpsS
ASnbnep−mbncp¶ s\ÃpIÄ sRcnªp. DanIÄ thÀs]«p. AhÀ Hcp
AcnaWnsbSp¯p sImdn¨pt\m¡n. Ipd¨v DW¡pIqSnbp−v. AhÀ
Ip\nªp\n¶p c−pssIIfpw \o«n B s\Ãv H¶pIqSn adn¨pNn¡n.
"AhfpamÀ¡p Np½m s]c¡m¯p amtX½ Naªv Ccp¶mÂt]mtc.'
Ipªm¨nhey½ X¶¯m³ ]ndp]ndp¯p. hmkvXh¯nÂ
\«p¨bv¡es¯ Fcnshbnen B apXp¡n¯Å Cu ]msSÃmw
s]Sp¶Xv I−n«pw a\Êenhp tXm¶m¯ B "XcIkym¯n'Isf
k½Xn¡Ww.
adnbm½bpw Ips©dnbm¨\pw DSps¯mcp§n Ft§m
bm{Xbvs¡mcp§pIbmWv. ""A½¨o, R§fp t]mtb¨p hc«t½!''
adnbm½ CfwXn®bnte¡v Cd§n\n¶psIm−v tNmZn¨p. Ips©dnbm¨\p
shäapdp¡m³ FSp¯p sImSp¡pIbmWv dmtlÂ.
""t]mtÆm htczm F´m¶psh¨ms¨¿v.'' Ipªm¨nb½
s\Ãpw]mbnÂ\n¶p \Sphp\nhÀ¯nbn«nÃ.
 dmtlensâ tNS¯nbmb XdXnsb hnfn¨psIm−p hcWw; dmtlensâ
IeymW¯n\pÅ kabw FÃmw ASp¯p; C\n Xmakn¸n¡m³ ]mSnÃ;
Fs¶Ãmw adnbm½ AhfpsS A½tbmSp t\ct¯ ]dªn«pÅXmWv.
IeymWho«n Fs´Ãmw Imcy§Ä At\zjn¡m\p−mhpw.
AXpsIm−mWp XdXnsb t\ct¯Xs¶ sIm−phcWsa¶p
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpwIqSn Xocpam\n¨Xv. XdXnsb hnfn¡m³
adnbm½tbm Ips©dnbm¨t\m Bsc¦nepw HcmÄ t]mbmÂ
aXnbmbncp¶p. ]t£, c−p t]cpwIqSn sN¶m¯s¶ XdXn hcptam
F¶ Imcyw kwibamWv. AXn\p X¡Xmb ImcWap−pXm\pw. Fs
´¶m s]cp¶mfnsâ A¶p XdXnbpw adnbm½bpw X½n H¶p
]nW§n. dmtlen\p hm§n¨psImSp¯ PmXnbnepÅ Hcp t\cnbXv
AhÄ¡pw thWsa¶p XdXn Bhiys¸«p. ""dmtlensâ H¸w \o
sRfnªm hà ]temw Ht−m s]t®?'' F¶p adnbm½ ]dªp.
adnbm½ C{Xbpw ]dªt¸mtg¡pw XdXnbpsS apJw Icphmfn¨p. ""FÃmw
dmtlen\pXs¶ sImSpt¯m, Fs¶ \n§fp s]äXÃtÃm? Rm³
shÅs¸m¡¯n\v HgpInh¶XtÃ? Fsâ IÀ¯mth! Cu \nμmhÀ¯m\w
tIÄ¡m³ CSbmbtÃm.'' AhÄ s\©¯p X¶¯m³ c−nSn. adnbm½
angn¨p\n¶pt]mbn. ""C\ow Cu _h\¯p Rm³ ImepIp¯ptIe,
t\m¡nt¡m? \n§fpw tamfpwIqsS Xs¶ s]mdpt¯m. s\Kfw
ssZhwX¼pcm³ HcpIme¯pw s]mdp¡¯nÃ.'' XdXn
Cd§ns¸mbv¡fªp. adnbm½bpw dmtlepw ]pdsIsN¶p kmlkw
]dªn«pw AhÄ Xncn¨ph¶nÃ. kwKXn C§s\bncn¡p¶XpsIm−mWv
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw IqsS XdXnsb hnfn¨psIm−phcphm³
t]mIp¶Xv. Ips©dnbm¨\p iIew t\cap−mbn«Ã. IeymWw h¶p
aq¡nsâ Aä¯mb ØnXn¡v Ahsf hnfn¨p hcp¯mXncn¡phm³
XchpanÃ. AXpXs¶bÃ, dmtl hà FSt§Spw D−m¡nbm Ahsf
]dªp hg¡p¶Xn\p XdXn¡p hiap−v. XdXnsb Xr]vXns¸Sp¯m³
H¶mwXcw Hcp t\cnbXpw I¨apdnbpw h«¯nepÅ HcpSn³ \ndsb
anTmbnbpwþ FÃmIqSn Hcp s]mXnbm¡n Ips©dnbm¨³
sIm−pt]mIp¶p−v.
XdXnsb hnf¨psIm−phcphm³ AhÀ t]mIp¶p F¶ÃmsX asäm¶pw
dmtlen\v AdnªpIqSm.
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw Cd§n¡gnªp.
thenbpsS AcnIphsc dmtl Ahsc A\pKan¨p.
""F¸w hcpat½?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
 ""tamtf, Hcp cm{Xnsb¦nepw AhsS ho«n Xmakn¨ntà Ahs¡¶m
tXm¶pw. H¶maXv AhÄ Ie¼n sIdo¨ncn¡zm. \msf D¨bv¡pap¼v.''
""Mpw. F\n¡p t]Snbm Häbv¡psIS¡m³.''
""\½fptIt«m Chfp ]tds¶?'' adnbm½ kz`À¯mhns\ Adnbn¨p.
""Dw.''
""Ch¡p cm{Xo Häbv¡p t]SnbmsW¶v.''
""hey½¨n H−tÃm tamtf.''
""Dw, hey½¨n Hd¡w]nSn¨m¸ns¶ XÃns¡m¶m Adnb¯nÃ.''
""\½psS ho«n ]nimNp¡sfm¶pw tId¯nà tamtf. tamfv At´m\okv
]pWyhmft\mSp {]mÀ°nt¨mWw. ]nimNp¡sf HmSn¡p¶ ]pWyhmf\m.''
adnbm½ KpWtZmjn¨p: ""F¶m tamfp s]mbvt¡m.''
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw CSs¯m−nend§n \S¶v
A{]Xy£cmbn. dmtl Xncn¨p ho«nse¯n.
D¨bv¡es¯ `£Ww Ignªv dmtl AhfpsS apdnbn t]mbncp¶p.
Ipªm¨nb½ AbÂ]¡s¯ \mWnsbbpw Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯nsbbpw
hnfn¨psIm−ph¶p, s\ÃpIp¯n¡phm³. ASp¡fbn \mWn
s\ÃpIp¯pIbpw Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n t]äpIbpw Ipªm¨nhey½
ASp¯p Ipc−n¸pd¯ncp¶p ]pcmW§Ä ]dbpIbpw sNbvXp.
apd¯nen«v Acnt]äp¶ "¸v¨o, ¸v¨o' i_vZhpw Dcen Xmfw sXämsX
De¡hogpt¼mgpÅ "Ivtim' "Ivtim' kzchpw apdnIfnseÃmw
{]Xn²z\n¨psIm−ncp¶p. AhbpsS CSbv¡p Ipªm¨nhey½bpsS
]ÃnÃm¯ hÀ¯am\w ebn¨p Xosc tIÄ¡m³ h¿msXbmbn. F¦nepw
dmtlensâ shfp¯ ]nS¨nt¡mgn \akvtX¶v ap«bnSphm³ t]mIp¶p
F¶p ho«pImscbpw \m«pImscbpw hnfn¨dnbn¨psIm−v X«n³]pd¯pw
I«nepIfnepw s]«n¸pd§fnepw FÃmw ssP{Xbm{X Bcw`n¨ncn¡bmWv.
dmtl AhfpsS sa¯ta InS¶p. shbnensâ NqSnÂIqSn \o´n\o
´n hk´]pjv]§fpsS kuc`ys¯ ssIbn ASp¡n¸nSn¨psIm−v Hcp
sIm¨pImäp P¶en¡qSn IS¶ph¶p dmtlensâ ]qt]mes¯ ta\nbnÂ
Npw_n¨p.
P¶ensâ AgnIfn¡qSn AhÄ A{i²ambn shfnbnte¡pt\m¡n.
thenbpsS apIfn ]bdn³hÅnIÄ A§s\ ]q¯p\nev¡p¶p. B
then¡¸pd¯v AhfpsS lrZtbizc³ ]ÅnsImÅp¶ {iotImhnemWv,
At´m\nbpsS hoSv. B hoSnsâ ]cy¯v A½nWn\n¶p XpWnbe¡p¶
i_vZatà B tIÄ¡p¶Xv. AhfpsS {]nbs¸« A½nWn! Ahsf I−n«v
F{X\mfmbn!
 dmtl FWoäp. ASp¡fbn hey½¨nbpw s\Ãp Ip¯pImcpw
"hÀ¯zm\'¯n ebn¨ncn¡pIbmWv.
Bcpamcpw ImWmsX hoSnsâ ]pdIphi¯pIqSn dmtl B
then¡cnInte¡p \S¶p. Hcp then¸¯Â sNXp¡n¨p \n¶ncp¶p. B
]¯Â dmtlensâ arZphmb Imensâ kv]Ài\¯n \new]sä hoWp.
AhÄ B thenbpsS hnShn¡qSn A¸pdt¯¡p \pgªpIS¶p. Hcp
]bdn³hÅn AhfpsS tXmf¯p]nSn¨p ]pdtIm«p hen¨p.
]bdn³hÅnbpw dmtlepw X½nep−mb bp²¯n dmtlensâ
s]m¶pt]mepÅ ssIh®bn t]mdep−mbn. Npa¶ ajnsIm−v GtXm
A²y]I³ hc¨ hc t]mse B ]mSv AhfpsS ssIbnÂ
sXfnªp\n¶p.
At\Iamk§fmbn AhÄ ]cnip²amb B a®n ImÂIp¯nbn«v.
AhÄ \nXyhpw At´m\ntbmSpIqSn HmSn¨mSn \S¶n«pÅ B a®v.
At´m\nbpsS hoSnsâ ]cy¯p\n¡p¶ sIm¨p ]d¦namhnse
tNmc¸g§Ä dmtlens\ t\m¡n Nncn¡p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
""At´m\n.'' amS¯ hnfn¨dnbn¨p. B i_vZw tI«t¸mÄ dmtlensâ
sa¿n IpfncptImcnbn«p. aebn thebv¡p t]mbncn¡pIbmWv At
´m\n; sIm¨m¸nt¨«³ hÅaq¶m\pw; ]ntÅÀ ]Ån¡qS¯nepw.
ap«äsa¯p¶ Ipdntbm−pS¯v, Iodnb N«bpw C«v A½nWn XpWn
Ae¡pIbmWv. tkm¸nsâ shfp¯ ]X AhfpsS s\änbnepw tXmf¯pw
]Xnªn«p−v.
dmtl ASp¯ph¶p.
A½nWn dmtlensâ apJt¯¡p £Wt\cw kq£n¨p t\m¡n.
temI¯nÂh¨v Gähpw ]cnip²amb Hcp ]p©ncn dmtlensâ sNa¶
A[c§fn ImWmbn. B kJnIfpsS angnIsf s]s«¶v A{ip_nμp¡Ä
aqSn. AWs¡«p s]m«n. AhÀ ]ckv]cw sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp.
A½nWnbpsS apJs¯ tkm¸pshůn I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ Iq«p
tNÀ¶p. B ]p¦hnfn dmtl Npw_n¡bpw ]Xdn¡nS¶ XeapSnsb
HXp¡nhbv¡pIbpw sNbvXp.
""A½nWn! \o Ft¶mSp sIdo¨mtWm?''
""F´n\v?''
""A½¨nsbt´y?''
""A½¨n N´bv¡pt]mbn. dmtl F¦nepw R§sfsbÃmw
ad¶pIfªtÃm!''
""ssZhw Adnbs«.'' dmtlensâ IWvTw CSdn. B Iq«pImcnIÄ ho−pw
Iq«pImcnIfmbn. s]®p§fpsS lrZb¯n\p I«nbnÃ; s]s«¶v
Aenªpt]mIpw.
AhÀ B ]d¦namhnsâ Nph«n Ccp¶p. kqcy³ ]Snªmtdm«p
NmbpIbmbncp¶p. AhÀ¡pX½n Bbncs¯m¶p Imcy§Ä
]dbm\p−mbncp¶p. AhÀ hfsct\cw B ac¨ph«n Ccp¶p
hÀ¯am\w ]dªp.
""dmtlte!'' hey½¨n \o«nhnfn¡p¶ i_vZw AhÀ tI«p.
dmtl FWoäp.
""A½nWn, Cu am¼g¯n H¶v F\n¡p Xc¯ntÃ?''
""Xcmw. A¨m¨³ hcp¼w ]dbmw; Xcpw.''
""A½nWn ad¶pt]mIpw.''
""CÃ.''
""A½nWn Ft¶mSp C\ow sIdo¡ptam?''
""CÃ.''
""Hcn¡epw?''
""Hcn¡epw!''
dmtl ho−pw thenbpsS ]gpXn¡qsS IS¶p sN¶t¸mÄ hey½¨n
sXt¡ I¿me¸pd¯p\n¶p dmtlens\ hnfn¡pIbmWv. ]mhw hey½¨n!
dmtlensâ lrZb¯nÂ\n¶v Ft´m Hcp `mcw \o§nbXpt]mse
tXm¶n.
AhÄ AhnsS h¶ncp¶p F¶ hnhcw At´m\nsb A½nWn
Adnbn¡mXncn¡nÃ. A¸\pw A½bpw A¶p cm{Xnbn ho«nÂ
ImWpIbnÃ. At´m\nsb sskzcambpw kzX{´ambpw H¶p ImWWw.
F{X \mfpIfmbn AhÀ X½n kwkmcn¨n«v. Ah³ hcptam?
i_vZ]qÀ®ambncp¶ ]I {]im´ambn cm{Xn¡p IogS§n. hey½¨n
dmtlens\ hnfn¨p. AhÀ A¯mgw Ign¨p. Ipªm¨nb½bv¡p \t¶
£oWap−mbncp¶p. ]mhw A¶p c−mfnsâ ]WnsbSp¯ncp¶p. B
hr²t\{X§Ä Dd¡¯n\p X¿mdmbncp¶p. F¦nepw kIe
]pWyhm·mcpsSbpw {]mÀ°\IÄ sNmÃn¡gnªmWv AhÀ InS¶Xv.
dmtlepw hey½bpsS ASp¯p ap«pIp¯n\n¶v FcnthmSpIqSn
{]mÀ°n¨p.
hey½ Fs´ms¡tbm ]ndp]ndp¯psIm−p InS¶p; AhÀ s]s«¶v
Dd¡w]nSn¨p. F¶m dmtlen\v Dd¡w h¶nÃ. AhÄ FWoäp.
i_vZap−m¡msX Ingt¡ hcm´bpsS aqebv¡v AhÄ sN¶p\n¶p.
shŸ«pt]mepÅ taL§fpsS \Sp¡p ]qÀ®N{μ³ \n¶ncp¶p. hk´
Imeambncp¶p. sNSnIfmb sNSnIsfÃmw ]q¯p\n¶ncp¶p. A
´co£¯nse§pw ]q¡fpsS amZIkuc`yw Xpfp¼p¶p−v. IpfpÀImänsâ
]cncw`Ww Ahsf tImÄ abnÀs¡mÅn¨p.
At´m\n hcptam?
AhÄ then¡¸pdt¯¡p It®mSn¨p. ]Xps¡¸Xps¡ I¿me¸pd¯v
Hcp \ngÂcq]w ImWmbn. AXv At´m\nbmbncn¡pw. dmtlensâ lrZbw
XpSn¨p.
thenbpsS hnShn¡qSn HcmÄ \pgªv C¸pdt¯¡p hcp¶Xv AhÄ
I−p. AXv At´m\nbmbncn¡pw. dmtlensâ lrZbw XpSn¨p.
Ah³ ASp¯ph¶p.
""dmtlÂ!'' Ah³ a{´n¨p.
dmtl apät¯¡nd§n.
ac§fpsS XWÂ]än AhÄ Ahsâ ASp¯p\n¶p.
""CsX´m ssIbnÂ?''
""am¼gw.''
""F\n¡tÃ?''
""F\n¡pw Fsâ dmtlen\pw.''
AhÀ hr£§fpsS \ngen¡qSn \S¶p. tX·mhns\
sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−p \n¶ncp¶ apÃhÅnbnse ]qsam«pIÄ FÃmw
hnSÀ¶p. AhÀ B amt©m«nse XWp¯ ]p¸pd¯v Ccp¶p.
hr£¨nÃnIfpsS CSbn¡qSn DuÀ¶nd§p¶ \dp¼mÂt]mes¯
]q\nemhv AhcpsS apJ§fn shŸpÅnIÄ NmÀ¯n.
""CsXsâ sIm¨p]d¦namhnse BZys¯ ]gamWv.'' At´m\n Ah³
sIm−ph¶ncp¶ tNmc¡pSwt]mes¯ ]d¦n¸gw c−mbn¸Ip¯p.
tX³t]mepÅ AXnsâ \oÀ¯pÅnIÄ \nes¯ ]pÂs¡mSnIfnÂ
]Xnªp.
""kmcntb hogcpXv; CXnsâ \ocn\p Idbp−v.'' At´m\n ]dªp.
""lrZb¯nsâ IdIsf CXnsâ \ocp IgpIn¡fbpw.''
""]−p am¼g¯n\pth−n \½Ä XSnb³IdnbmtbmSpw cmPt\mSpw
hg¡Sn¨Xv HmÀ¡p¶pt−m?''
""H−v.''
""A¡me§fn Rm³ Ipgn¨n« ]d¦nb−n InfpÀ¯p hfÀ¶p acambn,
]e{]mhiyw ]pjv]n¨p. F¦nepw B ]q¡sfÃmw s]mgnªpt]mbn.
Cs¡mÃw ]q¯ ]q¡fn NneXp Imbv¨p. Ahbn BZyt¯XmWnXv.''
am¼g¯nsâ ]IpXn Ah³ dmtlen\p sImSp¯p. AhÀ c−pt]cpw
am¼gw Xn¶p. B am¼g¯nsâ \ocn\p ]©marXt¯¡mÄ
am[pcyaps−¶v AhÀ¡p tXm¶n. AXnsâ a[pc\ocp dmtlensâ
lrZbs¯ IpfnÀ¸n¨p. AhfpsS A[c§Ä hnSÀ¶p. apÃhÅnIfnse
]q¡fpsS shfp¯ CXfpIÄ ]mXncm¡mä¯v ASÀ¶v AhcpsS tZl¯p
hoWp, ]q\nemhnsâ Awi§ÄamXncn.
tX\qdp¶ ]mXncm¸q¡Ä ]ns¶bpw ]ns¶bpw hnSÀ¶p. A§Ise
ap−I¸mS¯nsâ h£ÊnepsS "KpfpKpfp' i_vZt¯msS ssIt¯mSv
HgpIns¡m−ncp¶p. th\ensâ sImSpw shbn B {KmaoWItÃmen\nsb
hc«mXncps¶¦nÂ! sImSp¦mä¯v B apÃhÅn tX·mhnsâ ]nSnhn«v
\new]Xn¡mXncps¶¦nÂ!
""Fsâ dmtl F¶pw `mKyhXnbmbncn¡Ww.'' At´m\n ]dªp.
dmtlensâ taml\amb h£Ênsâ a²y¯n ]XnªpInS¡p¶
kzÀ®amebpsS ]X¡s¯ Bbmkambn ]cntim[n¨psIm−v Ah³
XpSÀ¶p: ""Rm³ shdpw Iqenthe¡mc\mWv. Fs¶s¨mÃn dmtlÂ
ZpxJn¡cpXv. dmtl [\nI\mb Hcmfnsâ `mcybmIps¶¦n Rm³
hyk\n¡bnÃ. Rm³ hnZqcXbnÂ\n¶v Fsâ dmtlens\ I−psImÅmw.
Fsâ acWwhsc Rm³ A§s\ Pohn¡pw...''
""C§s\ ITn\amb hm¡pIÄ ]dbcpXv.'' dmtlensâ I®pIÄ
\ndbp¶Xv \nemshfn¨¯n At´m\n¡p ImWmambncp¶p.
""Rm³ HcpIme¯pw asämcmfpsS `mcybmIbnÃ. F\ns¡mcp lrZbta
DÅq. AXv Fsâ At´m\n¡mbn Rm³ ImgvNh¨ncn¡pIbmWv. AXv
asämcmÄ¡pw AhImis¸Sm\pÅXÃ; Hcn¡epw Hcn¡epw.''
""]t£...''
""F¶m ]t£?''
""dmtlensâ A¸\pw A½bpw k½Xn¨nsæntem?''
""AhÀ k½Xn¡pw. Rm³ ZpxJn¡Wsa¶v AhÀ Bin¡bnÃ.''
""Ft´m!''
""H¶pw kwibn¡−.''
""F\n¡p kwibanÃ.''
""F¶m Fsâ I®pIfnte¡pt\m¡n H¶p Nncn¡q.''
""aXntbm?''
""t]mcm. sIm¨p¶mfnse¶t]mse AXm A§s\.''
teme§fmb taL¸«pIfnÂ\n¶I¶v ]uÀ®an¨{μ_nw_w
\oemImi¯n ]Snªmtdm«p amdn\n¶p. dmtlens\
]d¦nac¨nÃnIfnencp¶v Im¡¯¼pcm«nIÄ hnfn¨pWÀ¯n. A
´ybman\nbpsS \nÈ_vZXbn ]Snªmsd N{Ihmf¯nsâ aSnbnÂ
N{μ³ XfÀ¶pInS¶ncp¶p.
 Ipªm¨nhey½ F®oäp {]mÀ°\IÄ Bcw`n¨ncn¡p¶p. dmtlÂ
i_vZap−m¡msX ho«p\pÅnte¡p Ibdns¨¶p. AhÄ hey½bpsS
ASp¯p ap«pIp¯n {]mÀ°\bn ]¦psIm−p.
t\cw shfp¯nÃ. B aebnse inht£{X¯nsâ sNmÆn\p Ingt¡
BImi¯n s]cpao³ DZn¨ncp¶p. F¦nepw Ing¡p shÅ¡mÂ
hoio«nÃ.
hey½ FWoäp apäw Xq¡p¶Xn\mbn Bcw`n¨p.
""t\cw shfp¡s« hey½¨o.'' dmtl ]dªp.
""sh«w hoWp tamtf.''
""AXp \nemshfn¨am½¨o.''
""Bbnt¡ms«. \o thtW t]mbns¡St¶m.'' apä¯v
CuÀ¡nen¨qensâ "Itcm ]ptcm' i_vZw dmtlensâ sNhnIfnÂ
]XnªpsIm−ncp¶p. B i_vZw {ItaW \ne¨p. AhÄ Dd¡w]nSn¨p.
Poh\pÅ s]m³In\mhnsâ _m¡n AhfpsS kpJ\n{Zbv¡p
tXmgva\n¶ncp¶p.
t\cw \t¶ ]peÀ¶mWv dmtl FWoäXv. F¶n«pw Dd¡w AhfpsS
AgIpÅ I¬]oenIfn X§n\n¶ncp¶p.
AhÄ I®pXncp½n P¶en¡qSn Ingt¡m«pt\m¡n. C¶se
cm{Xnbnes¯ BImiw F{X at\mlcambncp¶p. Ct¶m? AXm,
Ings¡Ãmw ImÀtaLw aqSnbncn¡p¶p. B ImÀtaL§fpsS
DÅnse§m³ hà sImSp¦mäpw Hfn¨ncn¸pt−m?
]Xns\m¶v

ImÀtaL§ÄsIm−v ImteIq«n \oen¨ Ingt¡ N{Ihmf¯nte¡p c−p

XqshŸndmhpIÄ CWtNÀ¶p ]d¶pt]mIp¶p, \oekap{Z¸c¸neqsS
HgpIp¶ shfp¯ sImt¨mS§ÄamXncn. AhÄ I®nabv¡msX
hnZqcXbnte¡pXs¶ t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. ImÀapInepIÄ¡pÅnÂ
Hfn¨ncn¡p¶ CSnapg¡§Ä B {]mhpIsf t]Sn¸n¡mXncps¶¦nÂ!
Xosh«ns¡mÅ¡mcs\t¸mse aebpsS tNm«n ]Xp§nbncn¡p¶
sImSp¦mäp ]mªpsN¶v B CW{]mhpIsf thÀs]Sp¯mXncps¶¦nÂ!
dmtlensâ \o− \oeangnIfn Ft¸msg¦nepw \new ]Xn¡m³
X¿mdmbn t\{X_nμp¡Ä \n¶ncp¶p. Ahbn Hcp \oÀ¡Ww ASÀ¶v
]fp¦paWnt]mse AhfpsS sNa¶ ]q¦hnfn¡qSn Dcp−v at\mlcamb
h£Ênse ap¯pamebn ]Xn¨v Nn¶ns¸menªp. \nemhp]pc−
C¶es¯ cm{XnbpsS a[pckvacWIÄ D´n¯Ånhn«Xmhmw B
I®p\oÀ¯pÅnsb.
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw XdXnsb Iq«ns¡m−p hcpIXs¶
sNbvXp. D¨bv¡pap¼v AhÀ Xncns¨¯n. XdXnbpsS sIdphpIÄ FÃmw
\o§pIbpw apJw {]kmZn¡pIbpw sNbvXncp¶p. aq¶p Ip«nIfpÅXnÂ
apeIpSn¡p¶ Cfb Ipªns\ am{Xta AhÄ IqsS sIm−ph¶n«pÅq.
AhÄ AhfpsS am¸nfho«nÂ\n¶v Hcp `cWn ssXcpw \me©nS§gn
Ah¡¸bpw ]¯ncp]Xp ]gp¯ aqhm−³ am§bpw sIm−ph¶n«p−v.
hoXmwiw IW¡m¡nbm B aqhm−³am§bn Gdnb]¦pw
dmtlÂXs¶bmWv Xn¶Xv. am¼gt¯mSv C§s\ sImXnbpÅ
s]¼ntÅcpt−m? Ips©dnbm¨\v AXymhiyambn A§t¯¡mcpsS
hoSphsc H¶p t]mtI−nbncp¶p. adnbm½bmsW¦nÂ
Ipªm¨nhey½bnÂ\n¶v ASp¡f`cWw Gäphm§nsb¶pXs¶ ]dbmw.
GXmbmepw ]XnhnÂIqSpXembn B ImcyØ ASp¡f¡mcy§fnÂ
hym]rXbmbncn¡p¶p.
XdXn hcm´bpsS AcaXnen ImepIÄ Hcphit¯¡p
Ncn¨n«ncp¶psIm−v Ipªn\v apesImSp¡pIbmWv.
Xdbn Imepw \o«nbncp¶psIm−v Ipªm¨n¯Å aqhm−³am§bpsS
sXmensN¯p¶p. dmtl hey½bpsS AcnIptNÀ¶v AhcpsS tXmf¯v
CSt¯ ssIbpw C«psIm−v Ccn¡pIbmWv. am§m¸qfpIfnemWv B
sImXn¨nbpsS t\m«w apgph\pw.
 ""s]t®, am§m C§s\ Xns¶¶m hbän hà tXmt¡Spw
]nSn¡psaSo.'' Ipªm¨nb½ am§bpsS Hcp tImSmen¸qÄ dmtlen\p
sImSp¯p.
""hey½¨n Fsâ hey½¨nbmWtÃm.'' dmtl sIm©n. hey½¯Å
]ÃnÃm¯ hmbvsIm−v Nncn¡pIbpw apJ¯v F®anÃm¯ NpfnhpIÄ
{]Xy£s¸SpIbpw sNbvXp.
""Cu s]®n\v CtXhsc ]ntÅcpIfn amdo«nÃtÃm?'' XdXn sNmSn¨p.
""Hm, AXn\p tN¨ns¡´m \jvSw?''
""F¶n«p tIt«m hey½¨o, AhnSs¯ AhÀ¡p−tÃm ssIbnIn«p¶Xp
tamtS§p sIms−sImSp¡Wsat¶bpÅq.'' XdXn XpSÀ¶p:
""C¶mfpXs¶ AhnsSmcp Fcpta taSn¨p. F¶n«v Ahcv ]tdhm tamt\mSv,
F´n\mSm sNdp¡m C¸w CXns\ taSns¨, Cu IminÃm¯ Ime¯v?''
""lpw, AÃ, tI¡tW tIt«m, Hmtcm AhfpamcpsS Ip¶mbva.''
Ipªm¨n¯Å A`n{]mbs¸«p.
""Fsâ hey½¨o, AhcpsS Icn\m¡nsâ Duäw GXm\papt−m!
B\t]mencp¶ B Fcpa. tX \memw]¡w Fcp¯nenÂ
N¯psIS¡p¶p.''
""At¿m sImÅmw!''
""F¶m CsXms¡bmtWepw Rms\mc£cw an−m³ t]mI¯nÃ.''
""Hm Fcptaw Incptaw,'' dmtlen\p B kw`mjWw Xosc ]nSn¨nÃ:
""Fsâ tN¨o, shdpsXsb´n\m B ]mhs¸« XtÅ C§s\
Ipäw]td¶Xv?''
""tlm Hcp ]pWyhmf¯n,'' XdXn ]dªp: ""ASp¯ amk¯n \n\
¡psamc½mbnb½ H−mIpsaSo. At¶c adnbmw.''
""Cu tN¨n IWnbm«nbmsW¶m tXm¶ps¶. BtWm hey½¨o?''
""\o H¶maXv Fs¶ aÃnSmsX tamtf? thtW t]mbn Hcp am§mbqsS
FSpt¯m.''
""F\n¡p th−¸m Cu tNt¨ysS am§m.''
""FSm sNdp¡m, Fsâ same t\mhp¶p. At¼m.'' XdXn AhfpsS
IpªpaIs\ apeIpSnbnÂ\n¶p ]nSn¨p amän. sNdp¡³ "am¡v, am¡v'
F¶p \nehnfnbpambn.
""hm tams\, sIm¨½ FSpt¯mfmw.'' dmtl FWoäv B Ipªns\
hm§n.
dmtlensâ tXmft¯¡v CSnªphoW kmcn t\scbm¡ns¡m−v XdXn
tNmZn¨p: ""tamtf, thtZm]tZiw FÃmw ]Tnt¨m?''
""F´n\m tN¨o?''
 ""FSo, A¨³ tNmZn¡pt¼m angvIvkym¶p \n¡cpXv, Rm³ t\ct¯
]dtª¡mw.''
""A¨³ tNmZn¡p¼w Rm¼dbpw tN¨n¡v FÃmw Adnbmw, tN¨ntbmSv
tNmZn¨pt\m¡m³.'' dmtl ]dªp. Ipªm¨nhey½t]mepw
s]m«n¨ncn¨pt]mbn.
""Ft´m¶m s]¼ntÅsc \n§fn{X sImSªn«p Nncn¡ps¶?''
ASp¡fbnÂ\n¶v ImcyØn adnbm½ hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p.
""⽨o, Chfp ]tdW tIt«mt½,'' XdXn ]dªp: ""FSo, s]t®,
Ct§m«v t\m¡v, \nsâ IeymW...''
""F\ns¡m¶pw tI¡−. hmSm tamt\, ÀÀÀÀ tcmtcmtcm,'' dmtlÂ
Ipªns\bpwsIm−p apä¯nd§n \S¶p. AhfpsS tcmtcmtcm hnfnbnÂ
XdXnbpsS ]d¨n tIÄ¡mXmbn.
Ipªns\ tXmf¯p Ibänbncp¯ns¡m−v AhÄ ]d¼nsâ
AcnInte¡p \S¶p. C¶es¯ ]bdn³]q¡Ä an¡Xpw C¶p
sImgnªpt]mIpIbpw ]pXnb ]q¡Ä hÅnIfn F¯n t\m¡pIbpw
sNbvXp. Hcp h®m¯n¸pÅv ]pdthenta \njvImanbmb Hcp
ap\nsbt¸mse Ccp¸p−v.
AhÄ ]Xps¡ B then¡cnIn¡qsS \S¶p. sIm¨m¸nt¨«sâ
ho«n ]pcsI«mWv. At´m\nbpw ]mhbpw ]pc¸pd¯ncn¡p¶p.
sIm¨m¸nbpw am½nbpamWv Hme Nm−ns¡mSp¡p¶Xv. NncpX¸pebn
]gtbmeIÄ ASp¡nbSp¡n hbv¡p¶p. A½nWn apf¦¼pIÄ sN¯n
kqNnhmcn D−m¡pIbmWv.
am½nt¨S¯nbpsS HmeNm−Â I−n«mhmw At´m\nbpw ]mhbpw
s]m«n¨ncn¡p¶p. dmtlensâ apJ¯pw AhfdnbmsXXs¶ Hcp
sIm¨pNncn D−mbn.
A¸pd¯v A§t¯Xnse Nm−nkmdpw dmtlensâ A¸\pw Xn®bnÂ
Ccp¶psIm−v Ft´m kwkmcn¡p¶p. AhcpsS ASp¯p
hmXnen\ptNÀ¶v sX¿m½ \n¸p−v.
cmP³ Ahsâ ssIkÀ¸«nsbbpw Iq«ns¡m−p ]Snªmsd
I¿mebcpIn¡qSn \S¡p¶p.
dmtl Ipªns\bpwsIm−v \S¶p\S¶v B tX·mhnsâ
tNm«nse¯n. B ]pÃn³]pd¯p Nhp«nbt¸mÄ AhÄ¡p
tcmam©ap−mbn.
AhÀþAt´m\nbpw dmtlepwþC¶es¯ \nemhpÅ cm{Xnbn Ccp¶
B ]p¸pd¯v AhÄ Ccp¶p. ISemhW¡nsâ aªn¨ ImbvIÄsIm−v
A½m\amSn AhÄ Ipªns\ Ifn¸n¨p. AhÄ ]mSp¶ aqfn¸m«ptI«p
]pÂs¡mSnIÄ XeNmbv¨p\n¶p.
HcmÄ ASp¯ph¶p\n¶Xv AhfdnªnÃþcmP³. ""dmtlÂ!'' Ah³
hnfn¨p. AhÄ Xncnªpt\m¡n. cmP³ Nncn¨p, dmtlepw Nncn¨p. AhÄ
FWo¡m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ cmP³ ]dªp: ""FWo¡cpXv, A§s\
Ccpt¶mWw.'' Ah³ Ahsâ ssIbnencp¶ Iymadm AhfpsS t\À¡p
Xncn¨p. "¢nIv!'
""C\n FWo¡mtam?'' dmtl Ipªns\ FSp¯psIm−v FWoäp.
AhÄ kmcn AXnsâ IW¡n\p icns¸Sp¯nbn«p.
""At¼m t]Sn¨pt]mbtÃm.''
""CtXXm Cu Ipªv?''
""tN¨osS.''
""t]sc´m?''
""tam³.''
""tamt\m? AXpsImÅmw, \Ã t]cv.''
""F¶m, \Ã t]ctÃ?''
""\à t]cv, Fsâ ssIbn hcptam tam³!'' cmP³ ASp¯p h¶p. tam³
B ]pXnb a\pjys\ t\m¡nbn«v dmtlensâ Igp¯n sI«n¸nSn¨p.
""Hmtlm tams\t¶mSp s]W¡amtWm?'' cmP³ ]dªp: ""dmtlen\p
s]W¡anÃtÃm.''
""F\n¡mtcmSpw s]W¡anÃ.''
""F¶m Ft¶mSp kvt\lapt−m?''
""F\ns¡ÃmtcmSpw kvt\lap−v.''
""At¸mÄ dmtl Fs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶p; AXv Adnªm aXn; Rm³
`mKyhm\mbn. dmtlte, ]e\mfmbn Cu tNmZyw tNmZn¡Wsa¶p Rm³
Bin¨ncp¶p. kabamIs« F¶p hnNmcn¨p Im¯ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.''
""Rm³ ]dªtÃm F\ns¡ÃmtcmSpw kvt\lamsW¶v,'' dmtlÂ
]dªp; ""hm \ap¡v ho«nte¡p t]mImw.''
""hcmw dmtlÂ. C¸w th−m.''
""AsX´m?''
""Imcyambn«pXs¶ Rm³ Fsâ dmtlensâ ho«n h¶psImÅmw.''
Ah³ AhfpsS AgIpÅ apJt¯¡v BitbmSpIqSn t\m¡nbn«p \S¶p.
""ssIkÀ, ssIkÀ.'' ssIkÀ F§p\nt¶m Ahsâ ASps¯¯n. AhÀþ
cmP\pw ssIkdpw þ A¸pds¯ ]d¼n Ibdn tkmÃmkw \S¶p
adªp.
 dmtl B ]p¸pd¯v ho−pw Ccp¶p ISemhW¡n³ImbvsIm−v
A½m\amSn. ]t£, B Imbv Xmf¯n\p \n¶nÃ. AXv AhfpsS
ssIbnÂ\n¶p sXdn¨pt]mbn. AhfpsS Nn´IfpsSbpw _me³kv
sXäp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. cmP³ F´mWp ]dªn«p t]mbXv? Ah³
Ahsf kvt\ln¡p¶psht¶m? F´n\v? Imcyambn«pXs¶ AhfpsS
ho«nte¡p hcmsa¶v? F´n\v? AhÄ Ahsâ ho«n sN¶pIgnªn«v. F
´n\v? Ahsâ dmtltem? Ipcp¡phoWpInS¶ncp¶ NcSpIfpsS
A{K§Ä sXfnªp ImWmbnþAhfpsS A¸³ A§t¯Xnse Nm−n
kmdnsâ H¸w Ccp¶p hÀ¯am\w ]dbp¶Xpw A¸\pw A½bpw X½nÂ
AhÄ tIÄ¡msX IpipIpip¡p¶Xpw ho«nep−mb ]cnjvImc§fpw
tN¨nsb _²s¸«psN¶p hnfn¨psIm−ph¶Xpw aäpÅ
Hcp¡§fpsaÃmw. cmP³ Ahsf kvt\ln¡p¶psh¶v! F´n\v? B F
´n\v F¶ aq¶£cw N{IhmfwsXm«p N{Ihmfwhsc apg§p¶Xp t]mse
AhÄ¡ptXm¶n. AhÄ RSp§n.
AhÄ tams\bpw FSp¯psIm−p ho«nte¡p \S¶p. ]pdthentaÂ
Ccp¶ncp¶ h®m¯n¸pÅp ]d¶ps]mbv¡gnªp. Ingt¡ho«nse
]pcbpsS apIfn At´m\n Hcp IpXnc¸Sbmfnsbt¸mse ImÂc−pw
Ccphit¯¡pw C«psIm−v Ccn¡p¶p. Ahsâ ssIbn sNdnb Ip
´wt]msebpÅ Hcp kqNnhmcnbpap−v. am½nt¨S¯n F¯n¡p¯n\n¶p
]pcapIfnte¡p Nm−ns¡mSp¯ Hme c−mbn aS§n Imä¯p
]d¶pt]mbn. A½nWn ]m¸s\ D´n ]pc¸pdt¯¡p Ibäp¶p. AhfpsS
XeapSn sI«gnªp t]mIp¶p. ]m¸³ Hcp CS\ne¡mcs\t¸mse
]pc¸pd¯nsâ a[y¯nembn \nev¡p¶p. sIm¨m¸nbpw ]mhbpw IqSn Npgn
tImSn icns¸Sp¯p¶p.
dmtl s\SphoÀ¸n«p. ]mSs¯ ssIt¯mSnsâ Hgp¡nse t\cnb
KpfpKpfpi_vZw At¸mgpw tIÄ¡mambncp¶p.
A¶p cm{Xnbn Ips©dnbm¨sâ ho«n ASnbpw \nehnfnbpw
Iq«¡c¨nepw D−mbn. A§t¯¡mcpsS ho«n s\ÃpIp¯m³ t]mb
Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n þ ]m¡csâ A½ þ \t¶ Ccp«nbmWv ho«nte¡p
aS§nbXv. AhÀ Ccp«¯p Nq«p an¶n¨v Ffp¸¯n\v Ips©dnbm¨sâ
]d¼n¡qSn Ibdnhcpw hgn¡mWv Ic¨nepw _lfhpw tI«Xv.
]Wn¡¯n apät¯¡p Ibdns¨¶v, Nq«psISp¯n apä¯nsâ
aqebv¡ph¨n«v Xn®bpsS AcnInte¡p \o§n DÅnte¡p t\m¡n:
""At¿m CsX¶mIfnbm! ChnsS, an−mt«mhnà Dcnbmt«mhnÃ. adnbmt½!
adnbmt½!''
 i_vZanÃ. h«taibpsS ]pd¯v Hcp dm´Â {]Imin¡p¶p−v.
Xn®bv¡n«ncn¡p¶ I«nensâ aqebv¡p `n¯ntbmSptNÀ¶v
Ips©dnbm¨³ XmSn¡p ssIbpw sImSp¯v A\§msX Ccn¡p¶p.
Ips©dnbm¨sâ Xebv¡p apIfn `n¯nbn Xq¡nbn«ncn¡p¶ Ie−À
Imä¯v At§m«pant§m«pw BSp¶p−v. AIt¯¡pÅ hmXnensâ
]Snta adnbm½bpw an−msX A\§msX Ccn¡p¶p. Ipªm¨nhey½
AIt¯ apdnbn¡qSn Hcp XIchnf¡pw ssIbn ]nSn¨psIm−v
\S¡p¶p. P¶en¡qSnbpÅ shfn¨¯n ImWmw AIs¯ apdnbnÂ
dmtl Hcp sa¯ta Iangv¶p InS¶v G§eSn¡p¶Xv. XdXnsb
Im×mt\bnÃ.
""At¿m CsX¶m Bcpw H¶pw an−ms¯? F¶m]än?'' Ipªmfn¡p
]cn{`aambn.
""AXmcm?'' Ipªm¨n¯Å AI¯p\n¶p hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p.
""Rm\m, Ipªmfn.''
""F¶m Ipªmfo? F\n¡v I®p ImWmt½em.''
""Ipªm¨nb½ Ct§ms«m¶p ht¶; CsX¶m ]än?''
Ipªm¨nb½ XIchnf¡pwsIm−v Xn®bnte¡p h¶p. ""B,
F\ns¡m¶pw Adnbmt½em. hèmXow ChntS¶p Xtew hent¨m−p
t]mbmaXnbm˦p.''
""XÀ¯ym½ Ft´y?''
""Xd¯ymt½w Ind¯ymt½w!þ sIg¡phds¯ Ffw
Xnt®se§ms−m−v.''
""sâ _lhms\, CXp \ÃIfnbmWtÃm!''
Ipªmfn Ing¡phis¯ CfwXn®bnte¡p sN¶p. Ccp«¯v HcmÄ
Ccn¡p¶p.
""XÀ¯ymt½!''
""F¶m Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯o?''
""CsX¶m C§\ncn¡ps¶?''
""]ns¶¶m NmItWm?''
""CsX¶m]än?''
""B s]®n\p Indp¡v; AÃms−¶m.''
""¶Xm k¦Xn?''
""k¦Xn Ahsf sI«nt¡−m¶v.'' XdXn ]dªp. ""Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n
AhnSncn¡v.'' Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n apä¯pXs¶ Ccp¶p. CcphÀ¡pw
apJw ]ckv]cw ImWm³ ]äp¶nÃ, Ccp«mbXpsIm−v.
 ""tIt«m Fsâ ]Wn¡¯o, A§t¯Xnse cmP³ CtÃþ Fs´mcp
s]m¶pwsImSpt¯mcp sNdp¡\m.''
""]n¶sÃ.''
""Ah\v R§fpsS dmtlens\ sI«Wsa¶p ]dªncn¡zm; Ahcp hey
BfpIftÃ.''
""]n¶tÃ, sImÅmw!''
""F¶m C¡mcyw CcpsNhn AdnbmsX \S¯Wsa¶pw ]dªm
Ccn¡ps¶, AhcpsS Iq«scms¡ Adnªm t]m¡WwtIStÃ!
AXpsIm−m BtcmSpw ]dbmXncps¶.''
""HÆ.''
""F¶m tIt«m, Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n BtcmSpw ]dbcpXv.''
""XÀ¯ym½ F¶m A§s\ ]tds¶? Ipªmfn¡p hbÊv
A¼s¯«mbn. CtXhsc It−mscmsS s\mtWw Xp´pcow ]td¶
skm_mhw Cu Ipªmfn¡nÃ.''
""F¶n«v tIt«m, Cu s]tcw It¨mS¸oSntIw FÃmw B cmPsâ N{Iam,
Adymtam?''
""sâ ssZhta! sImÅmw, Dw.''
""F¶m C\ow Ct{Xsbms¡ Bbn; IeymWw F´n\m kmaXn¸n¡ps¶,
s]s«¶v \S¯n¡fbmsh¶v AhÀ \nÀ¸´w.''
""Ct¸m F¶m dmtle½bv¡p X½tXmtÃ?''
""]Wn¡¯n tI¡v; A¨mb\pw A½¨owIqsS h¶m Fs¶ Ct§m«p
sIm−phs¶. Rm³ hc¯nsöpw hnNmcn¨m Ccps¶. ]ns¶
c−pt]cpwIqsS h¶p hnfn¨XtÃ. ¶m, ¨mb\pw A½¨ow ]dªn«m
Rm\htfmSv C¡mcyw ]dªXv.''
""F¶n«v?''
""F¶ns«¶m, R§fv A¯mtgmw Dt−¨v Xamipw
hÀ¯mt\mw]dtªm−v Ccn¡tey sNbvXXv... Rm¼dtª, dmtlte,
\nsâ IeymWw FÃmw Hds¨So, A§t¯Xnse cmP\m sI«mt¼mWXv,
sâ tamfv `mtKymtÅmfm, s¶ms¡.''
""Dw.''
""A¸t¯−Sm Ahfp ]tdhm t¶¸w sI«ns¡−m¶v. F´m!''
""lpw tI¡tW tIt«m. t¿m! sImÅmw.''
""At¶cw Rm¼dªp sâ a−ns¸t®, IeymWw hcp¶ amk¯nem.
A¨mb\pw A½¨ow FÃmw X½Xn¨ncn¡zmWv.''
""Ahfp ]tdhmsâ samI¯pt\m¡n ¨mb\pw A½¨ow tIs¡zs¶mcp
A¨mÀt¨anÃmsX, F\n¡n¸w At¸À¡p X½Xansæntem¶v.''
 ""Rm³ ]dªp, AXnIw sRfnbmsX s]t®. \o X½XanÃm¶p
]dªmsem¶pw \S¸nem¶v. Ahfp tX−Sm s\©¯Sow s\mtemfow.
Ft´m¶m CXnsâsbms¡ tNjw ]tdt¶! Aà ]Wn¡¯nXs¶ H¶p
]dtª.''
""Xd¯ym½ Np½mbncn. AsXms¡ X½Xn¡psat¶. Ct¸mgs¯
s]¼ntÅÀs¡ms¡sbmÅXm Cu FS§Sv. Fsâ IpªpamXhsâ tamfv,
B ]m«p]Sn¡p¶ s]t®, CXpt]memcp¶p. ]ns¶ A§p X½Xns¨¶p
It−m. t{X HtÅm k¦Xn. F¶m Rmt¼ms«. Nqs«m¶p I¯n¨p
In«ocps¶¦n.''
""hey½¨o B shf¡nt§m«p ImWn¨psImSpt¯. Imäm,
Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n At§m«psN¶p I¯nt¨m.''
Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n Iä¨q«p I¯n¨psIm−p h¶hgnsb Xncn¨t¸mgpw
Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw B Ccp¶ Ccp¸n¯s¶ Ccn¡p¶p.
]mS¯n³Icbnse t]gpac¯nsâ sIm¼n Hcp aq§m
aqfns¡m−ncp¶p.
]{´−v

N´bpsS hSt¡ sXcphn h−nt¸«bv¡p kao]w sIm¦nWnbpsS

A§mSnacp¶pISbv¡pw, Ip©p hnsâ _mÀ_Àjm¸n\pw CSbv¡v,
amWn¡s¨dnb½ Ccp¶p tamcp hnev¡p¶ hmfw]pfnbpsS NphSn\pw
hgn¡pw sX¡v, IpªpssaXosâ ^mj³ X¿Â¡S ØnXnsN¿p¶p.
hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³ At´m\n B ISbn Ibdn
Ccn¡p¶Xv Hcp _\nb³ Xbv]n¡Wsa¶pÅ Dt±iy¯nemWv.
A§t¯¡mcpsS Ft´m Bhiy¯n\v Ah\pw
]mh¡nSm¯\pwIqSnbmWv N´bn h¶Xv. ]mh kmam\§Ä
hm§n¨psIm−pt]mbn«v A[nIt\cambn«nÃ.
X¿Âanjysâ cvcvcv i_vZt¯mSpIqSnb Ne\¯n H¶capgw
tI¼ncn¯pWn _\nb\mbn cq]wsImÅp¶Xv Ah³ IuXpI]qÀÆw
t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
""kmtd, thtWm?'' ssIbn Ipsd amknIIfpambn Hcp ]¿³ B
]Sn¡Â h¶p\n¶p.
""sIm−pht¶, t\m¡s«.''
""¶m, t\m¡n\n¡m³ kabanÃ; thW¦nseSpt¯m−p ImipXm.''
X¿Â¡mc³ IpªpssaXo³ B amknI Hsc®w hm§n¨p. AXnsâ
]pdwt]Pn "kn\namtemIw' F¶p henb A£c¯n FgpXnbn«p−v.
Hcp kpμcnbmb bphXnbpsS {XnhÀ®Nn{Xw B t]Pn¯s¶
sImSp¯ncn¡p¶p. AXnsâ ASnbn FgpXnbncn¡p¶p, "DZn¨pbcp¶ Hcp
X¦\£{Xw!' F¶v.
At´m\n B Nn{Xw kq£n¨pt\m¡n. ho−pw t\m¡n. Ahsâ
lrZb¯n Hcp an¶ep−mbn. AXv dmtlensâ ]SatÃ? AXv
dmtlensâ ]SwXs¶. AtX; at\mlc§fmb B I®pIfpw,
Hma\¯apÅ B aq¡pw, Hcn¡epw ]p©ncnambm¯ B Np−pIfpw,
\pW¨pgnIfpw, Npcp− XeapSnbpw, hSnshm¯ amÀhnShpw, HXp§nb
hbdpw, AgtIdnb Igp¯pw, B ap¯pamebpw, kmcnbpw FÃmw.
BImi¯nsâ AXnÀ¯nbnte¡p t\m¡nsIm−v Hcphiw Aev]w
sNcnªv AhÄ Ccn¡pIbmWv. dmtlÂ! At´m\nbpsS dmtlÂ! AhÄ
F§s\ Cu ]S¯nembn? AXnibwXs¶!
B amknI¡mc³]¿s\ Ah³ Xnc¡n¸nSn¡pIbpw, \meW apS¡n
Ah³ Hcp amknI hm§n¡pIbpw sNbvXp. Ahsâ tImSn_\nbsâ
DÅn Ah³ B amknI Hfn¨p; aämcpw ImWmXncn¡m³. ]t£, Ahsâ
lrZb¯nsâ DÅn AhfpsS ]p¯³ambm¯ Nn{X§Ä
thsdbp−mbncp¶p.
hgnbn BÄ_lfanÃm¯ Øes¯¯nbt¸mÄ Ahsâ h£tÊmSp
tNÀ¶ncn¡p¶ amknI Ah³ FSp¯p. B Nn{X¯nte¡v Ah³
Hcn¡Â¡qSn t\m¡n.
B incÊn ]pc− amds¯ hnbÀ¸pXpÅn Ah³ XpS¨p Ifªp.
Ah³ B Nn{Xw {]tXyIambn thÀs]Sp¯nsbSp¯v I®mSnbpw
^vdbnapw C«p. X¦cminIÄ \nd¨ sN¸pIpS§Ä `qX¯m·mÀ NneÀ¡p
sImSp¡psa¶v Ah³ tI«n«p−v. A§s\ Hcp \n[n In«nbXpt]mse At
´m\n¡p tXm¶n.
^vdbnan« B {XnhÀ®Nn{Xw Ah³ ho«nte¡p sIm−pt]mbn. Icnbpw
NmWIhpwsIm−p tX¨pIdp¸n¨Xpw, CSbv¡nSbv¡v BÝcyNnlv\§Ä
amXncn shäapdp¡pImcpsS Nq−phnc ]Xn¸n¨ Np®m¼nsâ shfp¯
ASbmf§tfmSpIqSnbXpamb a¬Nphcn Ah³ B Nn{Xw Xq¡nbn«p.
XIchnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n Ah³ B taml\ Nn{X¯nte¡p t\m¡n,
CjvStZhXmhn{Kls¯ I¬IpfpÀs¡ ImWp¶ XoÀ°mSIs\t¸mse.
s]m³In\mhnsâ ]«p\qepIfneqsS bma§Ä \nÈ_vZw IS¶pt]mbn.
cXv\m`cW§fWnª cmPIpamcnsbt¸mse {]`mXw Ahsâ apä¯p
h¶p\n¶p. Hmes¨äbpsS kpjnc§fn¡qSn Ah³ shfnbnte¡p
t\m¡n. Ahsâ sIm¨p ]d¦namhnsâ sNa¶ XfncpIfn \£{X§fpsS
XcnIÄ amXncn aªpXpÅnIÄ an¶p¶Xp I−p. ]Snªmsd thentaÂ
hnSÀ¶ tImfm¼n¸qhv kqcysâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡n eÖ \Sn¡pIbpw
kqcy³ \o«nb s]m¶n³Ics¯ Npw_n¡pIbpw sNbvXp. Ing¡v, B
CSnªp s]mfnª inht£{X¯nsâ A¸pds¯ ]¨aebpsS Xp©¯v
iniphmb ]I ]n¨¡m hbv¡p¶p.
Ah³ apä¯p\n¶p ]Snªmsd then¡¸pdt¯¡p t\m¡n. AhnsS
AhÄ B hcm´bpsS aqebv¡ptNÀ¶p ]pdIn ssIbpwsI«n
Nmcn\nev¡p¶p. Ah³ Nphcnse Nn{X¯nte¡pw t\m¡n. kuμcy¯nsâ
icn¸IÀ¸v! Ahsâ DÅnsâ DÅn dmtlensâ Nn{XtiJcw s]mSn
]pcfmsX hncn¡s¸«ncp¶p. ssIt¯m«nepw, XInSn¸pcbnS§fnepw,
Ifcn¸pcbnepw, ]d¦namt´m¸nepw FÃmw AhsâIqsS s]m«n¨ncn¨v
HmSn\S¶ncp¶ B a[pckz]v\w, ]ÃnÃm¯ sIm¨p¶mfnse
Hma\¨ncnIÄþ A§s\b§s\ B Nn{X]c¼c, B hk´bman\nbpsS
\nemhp ]pc− k¶n[nbn AhcpsS lrZbkv]μ\§Ä \oe hm\nse
XmctImSnIfn amsämens¡m−Xphsc, XpSÀ¶p.
 sXt¡¸d¼nse I¿mebcnIn \nev¡p¶ ]d¦nac§sfÃmw
taSamk¯ntâXmb ]pXnb XfncpItfmSpIqSn ho−pw ]p©ncn
]q−p\n¶p. AXnsâ sIm¼pIÄ Ahs\ amSnhnfn¡p¶Xpt]mse
tXm¶n. {]]©saÃmw Ahsâ dmtlensâ AgIns\
H¸nsbSp¡pIbmtWm?
""sIm¨½ hnfn¡p¶p At§ms«m¶p hcm³.'' A§t¯Xnse
A¶s¸®mWv Ahsâ ASp¯p\n¶p ]dªXv.
""F´n\m?''
""B! C\n¡dnbmt½em.''
""]ns¶ s\\s¡¶m Adnbmw?''
""Hm, t]m, Ifnbm¡msX.''
At´m\n Ahsâ tImSn_\nb³ [cn¨pwsIm−mWv A§t¯Xnte¡p
t]mbXv. Ah³ B I¿me A¡c C¡c NmSn. Ah\v Fs´¶nÃm¯
Hcpt·jw tXm¶p¶p−v. Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS CSbnÂIqSn Ah³ aqfn¸m«pw
]mSns¡m−v B _w¥mhnte¡p sN¶p.
Nm−nkmÀ Ft´m ]pkvXIhpw hmbn¨psIm−v hcm´bn Hcp
NmcpItkcta Imepw \o«nh¨psIm−p InS¡p¶p. ASp¡fbpsS
hmXn AS¨ncn¡p¶p. Ah³ tKmhWnIbdn _w¥mhnsâ c−mw
\nebnte¡p sN¶p.
P¶en¡qSn Ah³ cmPsâ apdnbnte¡pt\m¡n. cmP³ Hcp Nn{Xw
`n¯nbn Xq¡p¶p. B Nn{Xw Ah³ I−p. Ahsâ lrZbw XpSn¨p.
tX·mhnsâ Nph«n ]pev]pd¯v dmtl Hcphit¯¡p
Ncnªncn¡p¶p. AhfpsS ssIbn sNdnb ]´pt]mepÅ Ft´m Hcp
km[\ap−v. AXmWp Nn{Xw. kakvXtemIhpw dmtlens\s¡m−p
\ndªp \nev¡p¶Xmbn Ah\p tXm¶n. ]t£, cmPs\´n\v dmtlensâ
]Swh¨p ]qPn¡p¶p? `wKnbpÅ ]Sw I−m BcpXs¶
tamln¡pIbnÃ? B amknI¡mÀ dmtlensâ ]Sw A¨Sn¨ntÃ?
AXpt]mseXs¶ cmP\pw B ]Sw A§s\ Xq¡nbnSp¶p Ft¶bpÅq.
Ft¶bptÅm? FhnsStbm Hcp thZ\n¸n¡p¶ clkyw adªpInS¸ntÃ?
cmP³ Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ P¶ensâ A¸pd¯v At´m\n
\nev¡p¶XpI−p.
""lm! F¶m At´m\o!''
""tNS¯n hnfns¨¶p]dªp. F´n\mtWm?''
""A½¨n Xmsgbp−tÃm.''
""AhnsS I−nÃ.''
""At´m\n Cu ]Sw It−m?''
 ""Dw.''
""\¶mbncn¡p¶p, AtÃ?''
""Dw.''
""\o Adnbptam Cu Bfns\?''
""Dw.''
""At´m\nbpsS Hcp ]Sw FSp¡mw. ]n¶oSms«, tIt«m.''
""Dw.''
At´m\nbpsS t\{X§Ä B Nn{X¯n¯s¶ tI{μoIcn¨ncn¡p¶p.
t\m¡pt´mdpw B amt©m«nÂ\n¶v FWoäv HmSn Ahsâ ASp¡te¡p
hcm³ [ndpXn Iq«pIbmWv dmtl F¶v Ah\p tXm¶n.
""tamt\, B tely¯ns\¶mSm Hcp IaÀ¸psNmh?'' tKmhWn
Ibdnh¶psIm−v sX¿m½ tNmZn¨p.
""F´mt½?'' apdnbn Ccn¡p¶ cmP³ adp]Sn ]dªp.
""B tely¯nt\þ''
""Dw.''
""Hcp IaÀ¸psNmh.''
""Dw.''
""\o Fs´SpIzm AhnsS?'' sX¿m½ Ibdn apdnbnte¡p h¶p.
""AXmcm At´m\ntbm?''
""Hm!''
cmPt\mSmbn«v AhÀ ]dªp: ""thsd telyw sIm−phcm³ ]tdWw.
AXp almtamiw.''
`n¯nbnse Nn{X¯nte¡pXs¶ t\m¡nbncn¡p¶ cmP³ bm{´nIambn
aqfn.
""hmSm At´mt\y.'' sX¿m½ At´m\nsb hnfn¨psIm−p
Xmgt¯¡nd§n: ""\n\s¡mcp ]pXnb tPmen Xcmw. FSo A¶s¸t®!
FSo!''
""Ft´m!'' A¸pds¯ ASp¡fbnÂ\n¶p the¡mcn hnfntI«p.
""F¶m ]Wnbm?'' At´m\n tNmZn¨p.
""hm, ]dbmw. FSo s]t®, B tImSmen Cs§Spt¯m−zt¶.''
A¶s¸®p tImSmen sIm−ph¶v At´m\nbpsS ssIbn sImSp¯p.
AhÀ hSt¡ CuSnsâ Xn«bnte¡p sN¶p. Hcp I¸Âamhp sh«nbnSWw
hndIn\v. Iim¸pImcsâ ap¼n \nev¡p¶ B«n³Ip«nsbt¸mse B
iÀ¡tc¨nacw \n¶p. AXnsâ Ahkm\ aplqÀ¯w ASp¯p F¶v B
]mhs¸« acw Adnbp¶nÃ.
 km[phmb B ac¯nsâ ISbv¡Â tImSmenbpsS hmbv¯e ]Xn¨p;
AXp Icªp; I®oÀ¯pÅnIÄamXncn B apdn]mSnÂ\n¶p
\oscmgpInþtImSmenbpsS aqÀ¨bpÅ hmbv ho−pw B ac¯nsâ tNm«nÂ
]Xnªp; shfp¯ hndIpNofpIÄ sXdn¨p \mep]mSpw hoWp.
Hmtcm sh«psh«pt¼mgpw At´m\nbpsS lrZb¯n\p s\m¼cw
X«p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. \nc]cm[nsb Xq¡nenSp¶ Bcm¨msct¸mse
Ah³ Bªmªv B acw sh«n. NpcpfpIÄ \nhcpt¼mse Ahsâ
HmÀ½IÄ sXfnªp sXfnªph¶p.
Ahsâ {]nbs¸« iÀ¡tc¨n! tImaf¡p«n¡fn{]mb¯nÂ
dmtlepsam¶n¨v Ah³ AXnsâ tNm«nencp¶p Iªnbpw Idnbpwh¨p
Ifn¨Xpw, sIm¨pImä¯p "XpSnt\m' F¶v AhcpsS ASp¡te¡p
s]m¡¯nepÅ sIm¼pIÄ am¼g§Ä FdnªpsImSp¡p¶Xpw,
PohnX¯nsâ s]m¶pjÊn B\μ¯nsâ sIm«mcw ]WnXv B
]ntÅÀ¡p sImSp¯ B XWepIfpw Ahsâ a\Ên Cs¶¶t]mse
\nev¡p¶p. B iÀ¡tc¨n¸g¯nsâ cpNn C¶pw Ahsâ \mhnÂ
X§n\nev]p−v. AhcpsS s]m«n¨ncnIfpw Iq¡phnfnIfpw tI«p Xebm«nb
B iÀ¡tc¨n Ft¶¡pambn adbphm³ t]mIpIbmWv.
Ahsâ {]nbs¸« iÀ¡tc¨n! Xmg¯p dmtl t\m¡n\nevs¡
AXnsâ sIm¼pIfn Ibdn Ccp¶p IpXncIfn¡phm³ Ah\v C\n
Hcn¡epw km[n¡bnÃ; Hcn¡epw, Hcn¡epw! cmhnes¯ ]Itemsâ
civanItfmsSm¶n¨v B acs¡m¼pIfnÂ\n¶v CctXSn¸d¶pt]mb
Im¡¯¼pcm«nIÄ kÔybv¡p Xncns¨¯pt¼mÄ AhcpsS {]nbs¸«
iÀ¡tc¨nsb AhnsS§pw ImWpIbnÃ. \ne¯p hoWpInS¡p¶ B
acs¯þB A½sbþ t\m¡n AhÀ Icbpw. AhÀ F¶n«v ASp¯pÅ
acs¡m¼pIfn sN¶p tNt¡dpw. ]Xps¡ AhÀ B iÀ¡tc¨nsb
ad¡pw.
B acw \n¶ Øm\¯p ]pXnb sNSnIÄ InfpÀ¯v BÀ¯p Ibdpw.
]pXnb ]£nIÄ hcpw; ]pXnb Ip«nIÄ h¶v AhbpsS Nph«nÂ
Iªnbpw Idnbpw h¨p Ifn¡pw. F¦nepw \njvIf¦§fmb
lrZb¯pSn¸pIÄ B ]cnkc§fnse hmbphn Fs¶¶pw
amsämens¡mÅpw.
At´m\nbpsS tImSmen B ac¯nsâ ]IpXnbpw apdn¨p; tImSmen
sN¶psImÅp¶ Hmi Zqscsbt§m {]Xn[z\n¡p¶p−v.
""Cu shdIp sXtItam Cteym?'' ASp¯p kväqfnsâ ]pd¯ncn¡p¶
sX¿m½ ]dªp.
""F´n\m tNS¯o?''
 ""C¶ow Hcpamkw IjvSnt¨ HÅq; AXns\Sbv¡v Fs´Ãmw Hcp¡n
ASp¸n¡tWm; AXnbm\mtWÂ, s]m¯Iwhmbt\w ]Åot¸m¡pw
{]mÀ°t\wXs¶ Dt¯ymKw. ]ns¶ FÃm¯n\pw Fsâ Hcp¯osS ssI
sNÃWw Iptª.''
""Dw.''
""F¶m hey Btlmjambns«m¶pw th−m¶m Ah³ ]td¶Xv.''
""cmPsâ IeymW¯n\mtWm?''
""AtXt¶; \o AdnªntÃ?''
""CÃ.''
""BtcmSpw H¶pw ]dªnÃ. F´n\m ]tds¶, R§sS s\ebv¡pw
shebv¡pw tNcm¯ HscS]mSm.''
""AsX´m?''
""AsX´m¶p tNmXn¨m, Ahsâ Indp¡v, AÃms−¶m CXnsâsbms¡
tNgw ]tds¶.'' At´m\nbpsS adp]Sn¡mbn Im¯p\nev¡msX sX¿m½:
""s]¬Ip«n Xct¡SnÃ, tIt«m. F\n¡p hey CjvSam. B Ips©dnbmsS
tamtfþ Ah\v Ahsf aXn...''
""dmtltem?'' At´m\nbpsS ssI Abªp; Ah³ B tNS¯nbpsS
apJt¯¡p t\m¡n.
""AtXt¶, AXtà Btcw Ado¡−m¶p h¨Xv. F¶m F\n¡p Xosc
k½tXmÃmcp¶p tIt«m. Ah\p \nÀ_ÔamtWÂ ]ns¶ Rm³ F
´psN¿m\m; t]mcmªv Ct¸mgs¯ Imew. k½Xn¨ntÃÂ t]mbn
sI«nRm¶p Ns¯¦ntem? Ahsâ A¸\mtW GXn\pw k½Xam.
]ns¶ Rms\´n\m XSÊw \n¡ps¶; Ahsâ C«w t]mse \S¡s«¶p
h¨m...'' sX¿m½bpsS Imen¡qSn apIfnte¡p IS¶psN¶ Hcp\odv
AhcpsS Imensâ h®bv¡v Cdp¡pIbpw, AhÀ sR«nsbWoäv AXns\
sRcn¨p sImÃpIbpw sNbvXp. \odp Ns¯¦nepw AhcpsS ImÂ
NpfpNpsf¶p t\mhp¶p−mbncp¶p. AhÀ kväqfn Ccp¶p ho−pw
XpSÀ¶p: ""F¶n«p tIt«m Fsâ Iptª, B s]®ns\ Xn\nambv¡p
sIm−pt]mIm³ C¶mfpsImsd GamfnIÄ h¶ncp¶p.''
""Dw.''
""Ah·mcv B s]®nsâ t]mt«m FSps¯t¶m, ]{X¯nse§m−v
ASn¨phns«t¶m ]td¶tI«p. cmP³ ImcWam; Asæn Ah·mcv B
s]®ns\ X«ns¡m−p t]mtbs\. tÈm, Ft´mcp \odm CXv.''
sX¿m½bpsS Igp¯n\p asämcp \odv ISn¡pIbp−mbn. F{X
sRcSns¡m¶mepw \in¡m¯ hÀ¤amWv \odpIÄ!
 B acw hogmdmbn; AXm AXp Rc§n¡cbp¶p; AXnsâ
Ahkm\s¯ thZ\. Hcn¡epw thZ\n¨n«nÃm¯ B acw
\nehnfn¨psIm−p \new]Xn¨p. AXp adnªv At´m\nbpsS
]d¼nte¡p XeNmbv¨phoWp. AXnsâ sIm¼pIfnse XfncpIÄ hnd¨p.
AXn\n ]q¡pInÃ, Imbv¡nÃ, Imä¯p Xebm«nÃ; aª¨
sIm¨p]g§Ä `qanbnte¡v Fdnªp sImSp¡pIbpanÃ. AXnsâ i_vZw
\ne¨p.
Ahsâbpw dmtlensâbpw {]nbs¸« iÀ¡tc¨n! Ahsâbpw
dmtlensâbptam? dmtl BcptSXmWv? AhÄ [\nI\mb cmPsâ
`mcybmIphm³ t]mIpIbmWv. F¦nepw Fsâ dmtlte! \o... At
´m\nbpsS ssIbn \n¶v B tImSmen Xmsg hoWp; AXp \nÝeambn
InS¡p¶p. B tImSmen FWoäph¶v Ahs\ D]{Zhn¨nÃ.
""F´m Iptª tImSmen Xmsgbn«pIftª?'' sX¿m½ tNmZn¨p.
""s\©n\Is¯mcp s\m¼cw.''
AXp Iodn Fdn¡Wsat¶m? C\nbpw AXns\ D]{Zhn¡Wsat¶m?
AXnsâ shfp¯ hndIpIÄ IeymWbSp¸nÂs¸«p shs´cnªp
Nm¼emIpw. B Nm¼Â ho−pw `qanbn ebn¨p ]pXnb sNSnIÄ¡p
hfÀ¨\evIpw. B ASp¸nse Bhn taevt]m«pbÀ¶p ImÀtaLambn ag
s]¿n¨v B sNSnIsf IpfpÀ¸n¡pw.
""tamt\ AXqsS apdn¨n«pt]m.''
""F\n¡p h¿m.'' Ah³ \S¶p.
F¦nepw dmtlte...
AhÄ `mKyhXnbmbncp¶psImÅs«; Zcn{Z\mbn P\n¨ Ah³ F¶pw
Zcn{Z\mbn¯s¶ IgnbWw. Ictb−h³ IcbWw. AhÄ
kpJnt¡−hfmWv. ssZhta! AhÄ Hcn¡epw ZpxJn¡mXncn¡s«. AhÄ
A§s\ k½Xn¡ptam? AXp km[yaÃtÃm! k½Xn¨ncn¡mw.
\njvIf¦famb B lrZbw HSphn hg§ns¡mSp¯p F¶p hcmw. Hcp
sIm¨pIpªns\t¸mse If¦aähfmWv dmtlÂ. a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS
AhÄ k½Xn¨Xmbncn¡mw.
F¦nepw, F¦nepw dmtlte...
""Iptª, \o t]mhmtWm? At¿m! CsX¶m Ifnbm!'' sX¿m½bv¡v
Ahsâ \S¶pt]m¡v HcÛpXambn tXm¶n.
""Dw.'' A¸pds¯ I¿me Ibdn At´m\n aqfn.
Ahsf H¶p I−ncps¶¦nÂ! Ahs\s¨mÃn ZpxJn¡cpsX¶v AhtfmSp
]dbWw. AhÄ s\SphoÀ¸nSpw. dmtl Hcn¡epw ZpxJn¡cpXv.
ZpxJn¡phm³th−n P\n¨ Ah³ kt´mj]qÀÆw ZpxJn¨psImÅpw.
F¶n«v F´psIm−v Cu hnhcw CtXhsc AhÄ Aht\mSp ]dªnÃ?
A¶v, B \nemhv ]pc− \nioYn\nbpsS a[pcn¡p¶ koatbmfw,
amt©m«nse XWp¸pÅ ]pÃn³]pd¯v AhÀ Hcpan¨pIgnªn«pw
]dªnÃtÃm AhÄ B clkyw.
F¦nepw Fsâ dmtlte... At´m\nbpsS XeNpäp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
Ah³ hoSnsâ Xn®bnÂ\n¶p apdnbnte¡p Ibdn. `n¯nbnÂ
Xq¡nbn«ncn¡p¶ dmtlensâ Nn{Xw Ahs\t\m¡n
Ifnbm¡n¨ncn¡pwt]mse tXm¶n. Ahsâ icocw hnd¨p. Ah³ I®pIÄ
Xpdn¨v B Nn{X¯nte¡v H¶pIqSn t\m¡n. Ah³ B Nn{Xw
ssIbnseSp¯p. Ahsâ ssIhncepIfnÂs¸«p sRcp§n AXnsâ
I®mSn¨nÃnsâ tImWp ]nfÀ¶p. Ah³ AXv Bªp
\net¯s¡dnbm\mbn Hm§nbt¸mÄ A½nWn Ahsâ ssIbv¡p
IS¶p]nSn¨p.
""CsX¶m Indp¡m C¨m¨m? hnSv, hnSm\m ]dsª.'' A½nWn _ew
{]tbmKn¨v B ]Sw Ahsâ ssIbnÂ\n¶p hnSphn¨p.
""t\m¡nt¡, CXnsâ NnÃp s]m«nbtÃm! Cu A¨m¨\ns¶¶m.''
""At´m\o!'' bmsXm¶pw Adnbm¯ amS¯ hnfn¨p.
]Xn½q¶v

""sâ s]m¶ptamftÃ, FWotä. _m, FWo¡½m! tamtf!'' adnbm½

tIWt]£n¨p. dmtl AhfpsS I«nen Npcp−pIqSn InS¡pIbmWv.
AhfpsS ssIbv¡p]nSn¨p s]m¡phm³ {ian¨psIm−v adnbm½ XpSÀ¶p:
""FWotä. A½¨ym ]tds¶. sâ Ipªnsâ hbsdÃmw H«nt¸mbtÃm. sâ
IÀ¯mth! C¶se A¯mgwt]mepw Ign¨n«nÃ. _m, FWo¡ptamtf.
Im¸n IpSn¨n«p h¶psISt¶m.''
""F\n¡p th−½¨o,'' dmtl I«nen FWoäncp¶p. AhfpsS
XeapSn ]Xdn¡nS¶ncp¶p. IcªpIcªv AhfpsS I¬t]mfIÄ
hoÀ¯ncp¶p. I®p Ie§nbncp¶p. IhnfpIfnse sNa¸n\p a§Â
X«nbncp¶p. sNa¶ ]pÅnIfpÅ kn¡vkmcn Abªp {IawsXän
InS¶ncp¶p. _vfukv tImSnbpw amSnbpw ImWs¸«p. temeamb AhfpsS
hbdv \t¶ H«nbncp¶p. B hbän XShnbt¸mÄ adnbm½bpsS hbänÂ
Hcp Fcn¨nep−mbn.
""Fsâ ]p¶mctamftÃ; Cu A½¨ntbmSv C¨ncn kvt\tlms−¦nÂ
FWoäp hm.''
""F\n¡p shi¸nÃt½.''
""sâ ]mtdÂamXmth! sâ At´m\okp]pWyhmfm! CXns\mcp hgn
Im«tW.'' adnbm½ FcnthmSpIqSn {]mÀ°n¨p; dmtlent\mfw \of¯nÂ
s]m¶p\q ]Ånbn t\À¨ sImSpt¯¡msa¶p adnbm½ a\ÊpsIm−v
t\À¶p, dmtlen\p a\ÊptXm¶n¡m³. aIfn§s\ ]«nWnInS¶mÂ
acn¨pt]mIpIntÃ. At¿m! A§s\sbmcp Imcyw B XÅbv¡p Nn
´n¡m³t]mepw IgnªnÃ.
dmtl I«nen¶cnInepÅ ]mXnXpd¶ P\en¡qSn shfnbnte¡p
t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. AhÄ hÃXpw ImWp¶pt−m? shfp¯
]q¡Ä\ndª Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS CSbv¡p ]IpXnbpw adª
A§t¯Xnse _w¥mhnsâ apIfneqsS, A§p hnZqcXbnÂ
\oemImi¯nsâ AcnIp tNÀ¶p shfp¯ sIm¨ptaL§Ä
amemJamsct¸mse \o§ns¡m−ncp¶p. ]d¦namt´m¸n Ip«nIfpsS
Iq¡p hnfnIfpw s]m«n¨ncnIfpw apg§p¶p.
dmtlensâ Ccp¸pw ]cphhpw ImWpt´mdpw adnbm½bpsS a\Êp
Ie§ns¡m−ncp¶p. Ahsf F´n\n§s\ \nÀ_Ôn¡p¶p?
AhÄ¡njvSanÃm¯ sNdp¡s\s¡m−v Ahsf F´n\p IeymWw
Ign¸n¡p¶p? cmP³ [\nI\msW¶v, kpμc\msW¶v, \Ã
kz`mhapÅh\msW¶v. At´m\ntbm? At´m\n shdpw Iqenthe¡mc³.
temI¯n k¼¯pXs¶bÃtÃm Imcyw. Ah³ sIm¨p¶mÄ sXm«p
dmtlens\ kvt\ln¡p¶p. dmtl Ahs\bpw. AhÀ `mcybpw
`À¯mhpw BIphm³ ssZhw X¼pcm³ t\ct¯Xs¶
\nÝbn¨Xmbncn¡Ww. ]W¯nsâ t]cn ssZh\nÝbs¯ amäm³
{ian¡p¶Xv Alw`mhamWv; ]m]amWv. Zmcn{Zy¯nepw AhÀ kpJambn
Pohn¨psImÅpw. Ah³þ At´m\nþHcn¡epw dmtlens\
ZpxJn¸n¡pIbnÃ. AhcpsS PohnXw Gähpw B\μIcambncn¡pw.
AhcpsS B\μ¯n amemJamÀt]mepw kt´mjn¡pw. ]ns¶,
kuμcyw! At´m\nbpw DSps¯mcp§n XeapSn NoIn apdnaoibpwsh¨v
Cd§nbm XoÀ¨bmbpw cmPs\¡mÄ kpμc\mbncn¡pw. At´m\nbpsS
kz`mhw adnbm½bv¡dnbmw. Ahs\t¸mse \sÃmcp sIm¨³ temI¯nÂ
thsdbp−mIpI km[yaÃ. Ah³ Ahsf "tNS¯n' F¶p
hnfn¡p¶Xn¯s¶ F´v Acpa¯aps−t¶m. Ahsâ B hnfn
tIÄ¡pt¼msgÃmw adnbm½ hnNmcn¡pw, `mhnbn AXv "A½¨o' F¶p
amdpsa¶v. AhÄ Ahsâ A½mbnb½bmIp¶ `mhnsb HmÀ¯v AhÄ
A`nam\wsIm−n«p−v. A¶v am½nbpambn \mgn Acn¡pth−n
]nW§nbXp henb sXämbncp¶p. ZpjvS\mb ]nimNmbncn¡Ww
AhÄ¡v A¶§s\sbmcp ZpÀ_p²n tXm¶n¨Xv.
aqIambn AhÄ ho−pw dmtlensâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡n. B
XeapSnbpsS ]Xdn¡nS¸pI−n«v AhÄ¡v kln¡h¿. AhÄ dmtlens\
amtdmSp tNÀ¯p]nSn¨psIm−v B XeapSnsb HXp¡nh¨p. IhnfpIfnÂ
At¸mgpw X§n\n¶ncp¶ I®oÀ¡WnIIsf AhÄ ]pShbpsS
Xp¼psIm−p XpS¨p.
""hm, FWoäphm½mþFsâ tam¡v C«ansæn B IeymWw
th−mþRm\m ]dªXv....''
Ips©dnbm¨³ At§m«p Ibdnh¶p. AbmÄ \©pXn¶
Ipc§ns\t¸mse Xn®bn A§s\ aμn¨v Ccn¡pIbmbncp¶p.
Ips©dnbm¨³ Ibdnh¶t¸mÄ adnbm½bpw dmtlepw I«nenÂ\n¶p
Xmsg Cd§n.
""\osbt´m¶m AhtfmSp ]dªXv?'' Ips©dnbm¨³ Aev]w
]cpjkzc¯n `mcytbmSp tNmZn¨p.
""Dw, F´m?''
""\osb¶Xm AhtfmSp ]dsª¶v?''
""Fsâ s]®ns\ skm¯pImcs\s¡m−p sI«n¡p¶nsöv. F´m?''
 ""AXp \obmtWm \nt¨bv¡p¶Xv?''
""\n§sfm¶p Np½mbncnþs]®nsâþ]mtgw ]cpthmw I−ntÃþImins\
tamln¨v Fsâ s]®ns\s¡mÃm³þ F\n¡Xn\n¸w k½tXmÃ.''
""^q ]c¡go, t]mSo A¸pd¯v! \osbs¶ shdpw sNc¸ym\m¡n AtÃ;
Fs´So...'' Ips©dnbm¨³ adnbm½bpsS IcW¡pän¡p ssIh¨p.
shSns]m«p¶Xpt]mse tI«p B ASnbpsS i_vZw. dmtl AhfpsS
A¸s\ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p; Asæn adnbm½bpsS atä IcWhpw
Npht¶s\.
""Fsâ s]m¶¸¨m A½¨nsb XÃmsX, Fs¶ XÃnt¡m.''
""AÃ Ahfv... dmWn `cn¡m³ h¶ncn¡p¶p... shebpÅ
a\pjycpsSbSp¡Â Rm\m hm¡psImSp¯ncn¡p¶Xvþ t]m{Io.''
Ips©dnbm¨³ B]mZNqUw hndbv¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
""F¶m Cbmsfsâ Ipªns\s¡mÃv; sImÃvþslsâ
IÀ¯mhotimaninlmsb...'' adnbm½ X¶¯m³ s\©¯Sn¨p. XdXnbpw
Ipªm¨nhey½bpwIqSn Ahsf ASp¡fbnte¡p ]nSn¨psIm−pt]mbn.
""FSo s]t®!''
""A¸m,'' dmtl A¸s\ sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−p Zb\obambn B
I®pIfnte¡p t\m¡n.
""FSo Ft´m¶m Cu Im«mb¯nsâsbms¡ AÀ°w? \nsâ A¸\tÃ
Rm³... Rm³...''
""A¸mþ''
""FSo tamtf, dmtlet½, \nsâ Hcp¯nbpsS KpWs¯s¨mÃnbtÃ
Rm³ B IeymW¯n\p k½Xns¨. Mvtl, sâ tamfp,
skmIambncn¡Ww. Rm³ Iqen¡mc\mbn P\n¨p. hfÀ¶Xpw
A§s\Xs¶. C¶nt¸mÄ B cmP³sNdp¡sâ \ÃXpsIm−v
C§s\sbms¡ Bbn. Ah³ \Ãh\m tamtf! Fsâ tamsfm¶v
HmÀ¯pt\m¡nt¡, Ah\p thWsa¦n e£w cq]m kv{Xo[\w In«p¶
s]®ns\ sI«m³ taemªn«mtWm? \ns¶¡mÄ F{Xtbm
kpμc¯apÅ, skm¯pÅ, ]Tn¸pÅ s]¼ntÅscm−v. F¶n«pw
\ns¶s¡«m³ Ahs\ tXm¶n¡p¶Xv ssZhwX¼pcmsâ A\p{Klam, sâ
tamsfm¶v HmÀ¯pt\m¡nt¡. ssZhs¯ ]co£n¡cpXp tamtf! \o
sNdp¸ambXpsIm−m XeXncnª ]p¯n tXm¶ps¶. Fsâ tamfp,
]n¶oSv HmÀ¯p kt´mjn¡pw, Cu ]mhs¸« A¸³ Fsâ tam¡p
KpWam sNbvsX¶v. F\n¡m½¡fnsöv s\\¡dnbmatÃm. C\n \otb
HÅq R§Ä¡v. Fsâ tamfv Ht¶mÀ¯pt\m¡nt¡.
AXpsIm−v A¸³ ]td¶Xpt]mse tI¡v. Fsâ s]m¶p tamftÃþ''
 B kvt\l[\³ dmtlensâ kar²amb XeapSn HXp¡nhbv¡phm³
{ian¨p. Xsâ h£Ên XeNmbv¨p \nev¡p¶ B Ipªn\v \Ã_p²n
tXm¶n¡tW F¶v AbmÄ {]mÀ°n¨p. AbmfpsS I®pIfnÂ
I®p\ocnsâ thentbäap−mbn.
dmtl i_vZn¨nÃ.
""_m tamtf. Im¸nIpSn¡mw.''
B A¸sâ lrZbhpw t\mhp¶p−mbncp¶p; AhfpsS £oWn¨
apJt¯¡v A[nIt\cw t\m¡phm³ AbmÄ¡p IgnªnÃ.
C§s\sbmcp FSt§Sv D−mIpsa¶v B km[pa\pjy³ kz]vt\]n
hnNmcn¨ncp¶nÃ. sNdp¸¯n AbmÄ A§s\ {]tXyIn¨mscbpw
kvt\ln¨ncp¶nÃ. IeymWwIgn¨Xnsâ \memw]¡amWp adnbbpsS apJw
Ips©dnbm I−XpXs¶. Cu s]®n\v C§s\sbmcp ieyw
D−mbsX§s\sb¶v AbmÄ¡v BtemNn¨n«pw BtemNn¨n«pw
]nSnIn«p¶nÃ. C§s\ FÃmwIqSn H¯nW§nb Hcp IeymW¯n\v
GsXmcp s]¬Ip«nXs¶ k½Xn¡pIbnÃ. sNä¡pSnen P\n¨hÄ
cmPIpamcnsbt¸mse Pohn¡phm³t]mIp¶p. AhÄ¡o XdpXe
tXm¶m³ ImcWw? AhÄ¡v At´m\ntbmSv CjvSamWv. s]m«ns¸®n\v
F´dnbmw! hcpwhcmbvIIsf¸än AhÄ¡p hnNmcapt−m? ]ns¶
AhÄ¡v Xosc CjvSansæn F´mWpsNbvI? B hnhmlw ths−¶p
hbv¡m³ ]äptam? AsXmcn¡epw km²yaÃ, AXp XoÀ¨s¸«pt]mbn.
B A¸\pw aIfpwIqSnbncp¶p Im¸nIpSn¨p. Im¸n¡p sImgp¡«bpw
]qh³]ghpw sdm«nbpw D−mbncp¶p.
ASp¡fhmXnensâ ]Snbn Ccp¶ adnbm½bv¡v B Im¸nIpSn¡msc
ImWmambncp¶p. aIfpw A¸\pw, A¸\pw aIfpw. Ahsc amdn amdn
t\m¡ns¡m−v adnbm½ Ccp¶p. AhfpsS IcWs¯ thZ\
hnkvacn¡s¸«p. lrZb¯n A`nam\¯nsâ XpSn¸p−mbn. B A¸sâ
aq¡pw XmSnbpw ]IÀ¯nsbSp¯ncn¡pIbmWv ]p¶mc tamÄ. F¦nepw
B \o− \oe¡®pIfpw CfwsNa¸p \ndhpw adnbm½bptSXmWv.
sIm¨p¶mÄsXm«p shbnepw agbpw Iq«m¡msX ]WnsbSp¯p Pohn¨
adnbm½bpsS icocIm´n¡p Ipdhp ]änbn«p−v. ssIbn Xg¼nsâ
XSn¸p−v. adnbm½bpsS CSt¯ IcWw NpfpNpfp¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
Ips©dnbm¨sâ he¯pssIbnse \mephncepIfpw B apJ¯p
ap{Z]Xn¨n«p−mbncp¶p. Ccp]¯naq¶p sImïn\pÅnÂ
BZyambn«p−mb kw`hw. aps¼mcn¡epw Ips©dnbm¨³ adnbm½bpsS
icocw t\mhn¨n«nÃ. XÃm\mbncps¶¦n CXn\p ap¼v F{Xsb{X
kμÀ`§Ä D−mbn«p−v. adnbm½ C¶s¯t¸mse HmÀ¡p¶p:
CShamk¯nse Hcp shÅnbmgvNbpsS kÔybn Iªn¡v
AcnbnÃmsX ]ntÅscÃmw hni¶ncp¶ B L«¯n Ips©dnbm¨³
F§p\nt¶m Hcp Iqg¨¡sIm−p h¶Xv; Iªnhbv¡p¶nsænepw B
N¡ Hcp¡n ]pgp¡p−m¡n ]ntÅÀ¡p sImSp¡m³ AbmÄ
\nÀ_Ôn¨Xv; "F\n¡nt¸mÄ a\ÊnsÃ'¶p ]dªp adnbm½
sIdphn¨ncp¶Xv; Ips©dnbm¨\pw adnbm½bpw X½n hg¡p]dªXv;
A¶v atäsXmcp B¼vdt¶m\mbncp¶mepw Ahsf
XÃpambncp¶XvþA§s\ ]e kw`h§fpw D−mbn«p−v. As¶§pw
Ips©dnbm¨³ Ahsf XÃnbn«nÃ. C¶n§s\ kw`hn¨Xn AhÄ¡p
]cn`hanÃ. a\Ênse hnjaw A{Xbv¡p I«nbmbXpsIm−mWv
Ips©dnbm¨³ Ahsf ASn¨Xv.
B A¸\pw aIfpw!
adnbm½ FWoäv Hcp P¤n Ipsd Im¸n ]IÀ¶psIm−v AhcpsS
ASp¡te¡p sN¶p.
""Im¸n thtWm tamtf?'' ]pdInÂ\n¶v AhÄ tNmZn¨p.
Ips©dnbm¨³ Xncnªpt\m¡n. adnbm½bpsS apJt¯ hnc¸mSpIÄ
A§s\ XnWÀ¯v Icnhmfn¨p InS¡p¶p. AbmÄ¡v k¦SwtXm¶n. B
Ihnfn AbmÄ XtemSns¡m−p ]dªp:
""Hm, kmcanÃ.''
adnbm½ ssI ]nSn¨pamän: ""th−, th−.'' adnbm½bpsS apJ¯v Hcp
sNdnb ]p©ncn an¶ns¸menªp. AhÄ G§eSn¨v P¤v tai¸pd¯v
h¨n«v ASp¡fbnte¡p s]mbv¡fªp. DW¡sdm«n Im¸nbnÂap¡n
ISn¨psIm−v dmtl ]dªp:
""A¸m.''
""Dw.''
""A¸³ tZjys¸Sptam?''
""Dw.''
""Ipsd Ignªn«p aXnb¸m IeymWw.''
""ImcWw?''
""H¶panÃ.''
""]ns¶?''
dmtlen\v Fs´ms¡tbm ]dbWsa¶p−v. Hcp hmNIw AhfpsS
A[c§Ähsc h¶p\n¶p; i_vZap−mbnÃ.
Ips©dnbm¨sâ ssI ho−pw hnd¨p.
""Dw, F´m Imcysa¶p ]d. \n\¡v B hÅ¡mcsâ aIs\ aXnsb¶v,
AtÃ?''
 ""A¸mþ'' dmtl FWoäv A¸sâ ssI AhfpsS c−p
ssI¸¯n¡pÅnem¡n.
Ips©dnbm¨sâ apJ¯v Acni¯nsâ Imdpw tImfpw HmSn¡qSn. AbmÄ
dmtlens\ ]nSn¨v Hcp XÅpsImSp¯p. AhÄ Du¬taibpsS
A¸pdt¯¡p adnªphoWp. B tai¸pd¯p−mbncp¶
]nªmW§sfÃmw AbmÄ Fdnªps]m«n¨p. adnbm½bpw XdXnbpw
Ipªm¨nb½bpw HmSnh¶p.
""\mi¯nsâ kab¯p−mb k´Xn!''
an−m³ BÀ¡pw \mhp−mbncp¶nÃ. `b¦c \nÈ_vZX.
s]m«ns¯dn¡p¶ Hcán]ÀÆXwamXncn Ips©dnbm¨³ \n¶p.
""\in¡s«, \in¡s«, FÃmw \in¡s«.'' AbmÄ B apdnbnÂ\n¶v
AXnio{Lw \S¶p apä¯nd§n.
CSwhewt\m¡msX s\SpwI¼n \S¶pt]mIp¶ B
IpSpw_\mbIs\t\m¡n B ho«nse kv{XoIsfÃmw ]I¨p \n¶pt]mbn.
Imcy§Ä¡v Hcp \o¡pt]m¡pansöp I− Ipªm¨n¯Å I¨apdn
RpdnbmsX hmcnbpSp¯v Nhp− N«bpw FSp¯n«v shäs¸mXnbpw
ssIbn ]nSn¨psIm−v BtcmSpw H¶pw DcnbmSmsX
bm{XXncn¡pIbmbn.
""hey½¨o, AhnsS \n¡v, Rm\pw hcp¶p.'' XdXnbpw t]mIm³
XpS§p¶p. apäwIgnªpÅ \S¸mXtbmSp tNÀ¶p XfnÀ¯p \nev¡p¶
Icnth¸n³sNSnbpsS ASp¯v Ipªm¨nb½ Im¯p\n¶p.
tams\bpw FSp¯psIm−p apä¯nd§nb XdXnsb dmtl HmSns¨¶p
XSªp.
""tN¨n t]mIm³ hcs«.'' dmtl A`yÀ°n¨p.
""\o \nsâ ]m«n\pt]m s]t®. sImWhXnbmcw ]nSn¡m¯ Cu ho«nÂ
C\n Rm³ \n¡¯nÃ. hnSps]t® Fsâ I¿o¶v...''
""Rm³ hnS¯nÃ, tN¨n t]mI−m; Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨nbtÃ!''
""\nsâ s]m¶ptN¨n!''
""FSo sXdXns¸t®, CsX¶m IfnbmSo.'' adnbm½bpw apät¯¡p h¶p.
""\obmtcmSp sIdo¨m Cu XpÅn¨mSn Fd§ocn¡ps¶? t]m tIdn
AI¯v.'' adnbm½ tam³Ipªns\ _em¡mcambn hm§n¨p.
dmtl hey½¨nbpsS ASp¡te¡v HmSn.
""s]t®, Fs¶ ]nSn¡cpXv, Rm³ ]dtª¡mw.'' Ipªm¨n¯Å
IbÀ¯p. B ho«nse \S]SnIsfm¶pw AhÀ¡p Xosc CjvSambn«nÃ.
""hey½¨n t]mbm¸ns¶ F\n¡mcm? hey½¨n t]mItÃ, Fsâ
hey½¨nbtÃ, hm.'' dmtl B hey½¯Åsb sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp.
 Adp]Xn¸cw ag¡me§sf I−n«pÅ B XÅbpsS I®pIfnÂ\n¶p
ags]bvXp.
adnbm½bpw XdXnbpw dmtlepwIqSn B hey½sb kamizkn¸n¡phm³
{ian¨p.
""CsX¶m adnbmt½, \n§sfÃmw C§s\ \n¡ps¶?'' ]\n¡qÀ¡bne
Xnc¡n ]pds¸«ncn¡p¶ hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n I¿mes¯m−nÂ\n¶p
hnfn¨ptNmZn¨p.
""Ft§m«m Gent¨S¯o?'' XdXn adp]Snbmbn tNmZn¨p.
B tNmZy¯nsâ _e¯nt·Â Gent¨S¯n I¿me¸pg Ibdn AhcpsS
ASp¡se¯n. B \m«nse amXm¡fmb s]®p§fn H«pap¡mepw B
hbäm«nsb Adnbpw. AhÀ Ibdm¯ hoSpItfm, Adnbm¯ BfpItfm,
B {Kma¯nenÃ.
Imcy§fpsS Hcp ØqehnhcWw XdXn kzImcyambn B
Gent¨S¯nsb Adnbn¨p.
""Ahsf¶m, aS¯nt¨cm³ t]mhmtWm?'' Gent¨S¯nbpsS ku−v
t_mIvkv XdXn¡v CjvSambnÃ. ]Xps¡¸dbm³ XdXn I®psIm−v
BwKywImWn¨p.
hbäm«n DÄs¸sSbpÅ s]®p§sfÃmw ASp¡fbn IqSn.
Ips©dnbm¨³ Ie¼nt¸mbXp\nan¯w adnbm½bpsS a\Ên Hcp
kzØXbpanÃ.
dmtl shfnbnte¡p \S¶v B tX·mhnsâ tNm«nÂt¸mbn Ccp¶p.
A¸s\bpw A½sbbpw C§s\ ZpxJn¸n¡p¶sX´n\v? AhfpsS
kzmÀ°XbpsS ap¼n B ]mhs¸« amXm]nXm¡Ä Fcnªp
Nm¼emIpItbm? AhÄ¡v Aev]w XymKw kln¨pIqsS? At´m\nsb
AÃmsX asämcp ]pcpjs\¸än AhÄ Nn´n¨n«pt]mepanÃ. icn;
ssZhhn[n AhÄ hnNmcn¨Xpt]mse AÃmbncn¡pw. B ]mhs¸«
IpSpw_¯nsâ ]jvWnt¡Sp \o¡nb DZmcs\ shdp¡phm³ bmsXmcp
ImcWhpw ImWp¶nÃ. cmPs\t¸mse \Ãh\mbn asämcp
Ipt_cIpamcs\ ImWpI km²yaÃ. B hnhml¯n\p
k½Xn¡pIbmbncn¡pw \ÃXv. ]t£, ]mhs¸« At´m\n! B
IÀjIIpamcsâ cq]w AhfpsS lrZbs¯ ]qÀ®ambn
IogS¡nbncn¡p¶p. B c−p lrZb§Ä F{Xtbm ]t− H¶mbnt¨À¶p
t]mbn. Ahsb thÀs]Sp¯phm³ BÀ¡pIgnbpw? thÀs]Sp¯nbm B
lrZb§fpsS kv]μ\w \ne¨pt]mIpw. At´m\nsb¡qSm¯ {]]©w
iq\yambncn¡pw. sNä¡pSnens\ aWntaSbm¡m\pw, Iod¸msb
]«psa¯bm¡m\pw, IªnshÅs¯ {Zm£mckam¡phm\pw iIvXnbpÅ
B \njvIf¦t{]as¯ F´n\v AhÄ ]cnXyPn¡Ww!
Zcn{Z\mb B tImafsâIqsS Hfnt¨mSnt¸mbmtem? t]mbm temIw
Ahsf ]gn¡pw. Ahtfm? AhÄ Hcp]t£, \nXyZpcnX¯nsâ
Xmgvhcbnte¡v Fdnbs¸Spw. hnjaXIÄ AhsfþAhscþsRcp¡pw; B
AXnÀ¯n¡ÃphscþacWwhsc. acn¨m temIw Adnªn«nÃm¯,
temI¯n\v HcpIme¯pw Adnbm³ Ignbm¯ t{]aw hnPbn¡pwþAXv B
t£{X¯nsâbpw, ]d¦namt´m¸nsâbpw, ap−I¸mS¯nsâbpw,
IpXnchm¸pÃpIÄ \ndª XInSn¸pd¯nsâbpw apIfnepÅ
BImi¯nse \£{X§fn {]Xn_nw_n¨v Pzen¡pw, Fs¶t¶¡pambn.
temIcmb temIscÃmw Ahsf Ipäw ]dbpw, ]mhs¸« Hcp
Iqenthe¡mcsâ ]pdsI AhÄ Cd§nt¸msb¶v. A§t¯¡mcpsS
kÀÆkz¯ns\bpwImÄ hnebpÅ cXv\amWv ]mhs¸« At´m\nbpsS
lrZbw. B lrZbw Imä¯p sI«pt]mIm¯ s]m³hnf¡pt]mse
AhfpsS PohnX¯nsâ hgnIsfbpw DuSphgnIsfbpw sXfn¡pw. Ah³
AhfpsS {]`phmWv; Ah³ kqcy\pw AhÄ B kqcysât\À¡pam{Xw
Xncnbp¶ kqcyIm´n¸qhpw BWv. Ah³ AhfpsS A\izcamb
X¦¡n\mhnsâ \mbI\mWvþ hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³
Iqenthe¡mc\mb At´m\n.
hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n ASp¡fbnse tIm¬^d³kn\ptijw
dmtlensâ ASp¡te¡p h¶p. hoSnsâ P\mebn¡qSn aq¶p
s]®p§fpsS Bdp I®pIÄ Ahsc Däpt\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
""tamtf, Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZnt¨mt«?''
""F¶m tNS¯o?''
""\otb....''
""Dw,''
""\osbt´y FS§mSp Iq«ps¶?''
""Ft´m¶m?''
""Fsâ tamtf, \obX§p X½Xn¡v. GXpsIm−p t\m¡nbmepw Fsâ
tam¡Xp KpWam. samI¯p Ibdnb ame£vansb Xq¯pIfbcpXp
Iptª.''
""cmPs\ kzoIcn¡Wsa¶tÃ?''
""AtX tamtf.''
""AXp km[yaà tNS¯o.''
""AsX´m? Rms\m¶p tI¡s«.''
""F´n\m cmPs\ kzoIcn¡Wsa¶p ]dbp¶Xv?''
 ""\nsâ \·bv¡m tamtf, AÃms−´n\m?''
""\·sb¶ph¨m kz¯mtWm?''
hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n Ipgªp. AhÀ¡p adp]SnbnÃmXmbn.
""tNS¯o! kz¯p am{Xaà temI¯n Imcyw. kz¯p th−¶Ã Rm³
]dbp¶Xv. kz¯n\pth−n am{XapÅXÃ tNS¯o Cu PohnXw.''
""\nt¶mSmcm hÀ¯m\w ]tds¶?'' hbäm«n FWoäp: ""Rm³ tX
t]mWp.''
hbäm«nbpsS D]tZiw ^en¨nsöp adnbm½bv¡pw aäpw t_m²yambn.
AhcpsS a\Ên ho−pw Icn¦mdpIÄ Xn§n¡qSp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
C\n F´mWp kw`hn¡m³ t]mIp¶sX¶v BÀ¡pw Hcp Xn«hpanÃ.
Imcy§Ä H¶ns\m¶p sImSpw]ncnsImÅpIbmWv. ""FÃmw
t\scbm¡tW Fsâ IÀ¯mth, Fsâ AÂt^m³kmt½!''
Ipªm¨n¯Å IqS¡qsS s]mdps]mdp¯p. AhcpsS sIm´bpsS
aWnIÄ AXnio{Lw hncepIfpsS CSbn¡qSn adnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
kÔybv¡v Ips©dnbm¨³ Ibdnh¶t¸mÄ FÃmhcpsSbpw N¦pIÄ
iIvXnbmbn CSn¨p. Ft´m ZrV\nÝbwsIm−v B apJw Kw`ocambn
ImWs¸«p. B apJt¯¡p t\m¡phm³ XdXn¡pt]mepw ss[cyw h¶nÃ.
AbmÄ apdnbnte¡p Ibdn.
""dmtlte!'' B kzcw `b¦cambncp¶p; hoSp RSp§pamdpÅ B kzcw
tI«hÀ¡v DÄ¡nSnew D−mbn.
""F´m A¸m!'' dmtl A¸sâ ASp¡te¡p \S¶p. A¸sâ
apJ`mhwI−v AhÄ A¼c¶p. Hcn¡epw A¸sâ apJw A§s\
I−n«nÃ.
""ChnsS hm,'' AbmÄ FfnbnÂ\n¶v ITmcn Ducn DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨p; dm
´Âhnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n AXp an¶n¯nf§n.
""At¿m!'' dmtl `b¶p\nehnfn¨pt]mbn.
""\o CXp It−m? C\n Rm³ Pohn¡m³ Dt±in¡p¶nÃ.''
XdXnbpw adnbm½bpw Ipªm¨n¯Åbpw hmhn«p Icªp. ""Fs¶
sXm«pt]mIcpXv, t]m Zqsc.'' XSÊw]nSn¡m³ sN¶hsc AbmÄ XÅn
Zqscbn«p. Ipªm¨n¯Å Hcp hoªs¸«nbpsS ]pdt¯¡p hoWp.
""Ch\p {]m´m... apXp{]m´m. Chs\ Ba¯nenSm³ ChnSmcpantÃ?
At¿m! HmSnhcot\m, Fsâ At´m\okp]pWymf¨m!''
""dmtlte, CXm \nsâ A¸s\ Cu ITmcn
Ahkm\n¸n¡phm³t]mIp¶p. Hcp tNmZywIqsS tNmZn¡p¶p.
cmPs\s¡m−p \ns¶ IeymWw Ign¸n¡m³ \n\¡p k½XamtWm?
]dtªm, ]dtªm, thKamIs«.''
 dmtl A¸s\ sI«n¸nSn¨p: ""k½Xam, A¸m, k½Xam. B ITmcn
Zqsc¡f. Fâotimtb...'' dmtlensâ ssIIÄ Abªp. AhfpsS Xe
Npäp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. AhÄ {]Úbäp \new]Xn¨p. ITmcn
Zqscsbdnbs¸«p. FÃmhcpwIqSn dmtlens\ Xm§nsbSp¯p sa¯taÂ
InS¯n. apJ¯p shÅw Xfn¨p. Iq«\nehnfn apg§p¶Xn\nSbv¡p
dmtl ]Xps¡ I®pXpd¶p. AhfpsS apJw ]¨¡q¼mft]mse
hnfdnbncp¶p.
AbÂ]¡¯p\n¶p NncpX¸pebn HmSnh¶p; hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS
aIÄ A½nWnbpw F§s\tbm AhnsS b¯n.
""dmtlte, F¶m]än?'' A½nWn AhfpsS Iq«pImcnsb sI«n¸nSn¨p.
dmtlensâ hnfdnb A[c§fn Hcp ]p©ncn \ngen¨p.
""H¶panýnWo.'' dmtl AhfpsS ssI¸¯nbn apdpsI¸nSn¨p.
""At¿m, aeyw{]mt«y CsX´\ Ifym?''
""H¶panà NncptX, dmtlen\v Hcp t_m[t¡Spt]mse; kmcanÃ.'' XdXn
]dªp.
""F¶ ssXth, sIm¨n{¼m«n¡v H¶pwhcp¯tÃ. F¶ ]mtdamXmth!
F¶ sacq¨m¯mth! F¶ sImSp§Ãq¸ÆXo!'' NncpX¸pebn s\©¯p
ssIh¨psIm−p {]mÀ°n¨p.
]Xn¶mev

dmtl I«nen FWoäncp¶p. hfsc hyXykvXhpw A]cnNnXhpamb

Hcp temIw AhfpsS Npäpw \n¶v hndbv¡p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
ASp¯p\nev¡p¶ A½nWnbpsS I®pIfnte¡v AhÄ kq£n¨pt\m¡n.
B kq£n¨pt\m¡en HmÀ½IfpsS Bbncw XmfpIÄ adnªp. dmtlÂ
s]s«s¶Woäp. A½nWnbpsS Igp¯n sI«n¸nSn¨p hn½nhn½n¡cªp.
B kJnamcpsS hZ\§Ä X½n kv]Àin¨p. AhcpsS
izmtkmÑzmk§Ä¡pw N¦nSn¸pIÄ¡pw thKXIqSn. \mep
\oe¡®pIfnÂ\n¶pw DdshSp¯ NpSpI®oÀ¨mepIÄ
H¶n¨ptNÀs¶mgpIn. hnImc§Ä DcpInbpcpInbp−mb \oÀ¯pÅnIÄ!
B Ifnt¯mgnamcpsS lrZb§Ä kwkmcn¡pIbmbncp¶p; \mhpIÄ
aqI§fmbncp¶p.
hoÀ¸pap«n¡p¶ B Kw`oc\nÈ_vZXbn B ho«pImscÃmw
\nivtNjvScmbn \n¶pt]mbn.
c−p kuμcy§fpsS kwKaw.
""A½nWn C¶p t]mh−m.''
""t¿m t]mWw dmtlte; t]mbntàA½¨n hg¡p ]tdw. Rm³ t]ms«.
dmtlte, Fs¶ hnSv. Rm¼ns¶ hcmw.''
""Fs¶ hnt«¨pt]mhmtWm, A½nWo? F\n¡n\ow BcpanÃ.'' dmtlÂ
Icªp.
""t]mbn«p \msf hcmw dmtlte.''
""dmtl s\SphoÀ¸n«p. AhfpsS ssIIÄ Abªp.''
A½nWn¡pth−n NncpX¸pebn apä¯p Im¯p\nev¡pIbmbncp¶p.
""tNS¯o, Rm³ t]mWp.'' A½nWn adnbm½tbmSp bm{X tNmZn¨p.
s]mbvt¡m tamtf, Rm\t§m«p hcp¶p−v.'' adnbm½ ]dªp:
""sh«wthtWm?''
""Hm th−; \m«pshfn¨sam−v.''
""Fsâ ssXth!'' I¿me¸pg Cd§ns¡m−p NncpX¸pebn ]dªp.
""F´m NncpX¸pebo?''
""F´p ]dbm\s¡m−m F¶sIm¨n½vdm«o! Ic¨nepw Iqhepw tI«v
G³ HmSpIsà sNbvtX? G³ animcns¨ aà samt«m Ipt¯m
sIme]mXtIm H−mb¶tÃ. B aey{am«n ]dªt¸mtà F\¡v X¦Xn
Xncnsª. As§t¯Xnse cmb³sIm¨n{¼m³ sI«m³t]msW¶p
dmtl sIm¨n{amt«y. F¶ ]mh¡nSm¯³ ]dªn«v G³ ant¨mXn¨nÃ,
tIt«m sIm¨n{am«o?''
""AXns\´m NncpX¸pe¡Åo? dmtlen\v AXp \ÃXtÃ?''
""F´\ \ÃXv? F¶ At´m\ns¡m¨n{¼m³ sI«m\s¡m−ncp¶
s]®teym?''
""thKw hm NncpX¸pe¡tÅy; F´n\sXms¡¸td¶p.''
""F¶ sIm¨n{am«o, F\¡p im{Xo I®pImWmt½em. sIm¨n{am«n
D½nWn ]¿s\ \Sm. Bcm−p Nq«p sIm−p acp¶p.''
AhcpsS ]pdIn Hcp sh«w I−p. Btcm Nq«pw I¯n¨psIm−p
hcp¶p−mbncp¶p. Nq«pshfn¨¯n Bsf AhÀ¡p {ItaW
a\Ênembn. Imf¨´bn ZÃmÄ _nkn\ÊpÅ C¨ncnta¯³.
A¼t¯gp hbÊpÅ B XmSn¡mc³ta¯³ Imf¨´ ]ncnªp
hcnIbmWv.
""\osbhnsSt¸msbSo NncptX?'' C¨ncnta¯³ Nq«v DbÀ¯n.
A½nWnbpsS apJw B shfn¨¯n {]Imin¨p. ""CXmcm, sIm¨m¸osS
tamftÃ? \n§sfhvS¶m Cu cm{XoÂ?''
""R§fm Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ ho«n t]mbn.'' A½nWn ]dªp.
""AhnsS´m hntijw?''
""AhnSs¯ dmtlen\v Hcp t_m[t¡Sv.''
""CsX¶m ta¯c¨m C¯ncnIqsS A§m amdn\Sm.'' NncpX¸pebn Hcp
Xm¡oXp \ÂIn. \mWn¨pt]mbn C¨ncn ta¯³. AbmÄ apt¶m«pIbdn
Nq«phoin.
""B s]®nsâ IeymWw FÃmw Hds¨¶ptI«p; H¯XmtWm Iptª?''
AbmÄ A½nWntbmSp tNmZn¨p.
""Dw, A§t¯Xnse cmP\m sI«p¶Xv.''
""Hm, F¶ AXn\mcn¡pw Nm−nbt±yw ]dsª c−p ImfaqcnIsf
thsW¶v.'' C¨ncnta¯³ A½nWnbpsS apJt¯¡p t\m¡ns¡m−p
XpS˦p:
""A¸tg, Ipªn\p IeymWw F§pw Hd¨ntÃ?''
A½nWn H¶pw an−nbnÃ; A½nWn¡v B tNmZyw CjvSambnÃ. AhÄ
I¿me¸pg Nhp«n AhfpsS ]d¼nte¡p Ibdn.''
""sIm¨n{am«o, G³IqSactWm?''
""Hm, th− NncpX¸pe¡Åo.''
""ta¯c¨m, Nq«§m Im«ns¡mSv. sIm¨n{am«n s]mt¡ms«.''
A½nWn AhfpsS hoSnsâ apäs¯¯p¶Xphsc C¨ncnta¯³ Nq«v
DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−p \n¶p. apä¯v A½nWnsb¡m¯v At´m\n
\nev]p−mbncp¶p.
""tIt«m NncptX, B s]®nt\ kv{Xo[\anÃmsX Bcpw
sI«ns¡m−pt]mIpw. anSpanSp¡ns¸®v.'' C¨ncnta¯³ ]dªp.
""ta¯c¨³ F¶m, sIm¨n{am«y I®ph¡zmtWm?''
NncpX AhfpsS Xdbnte¡p Ibdn; C¨ncnta¯sâ ssIbnencp¶
Nq«nsâ shfn¨w Ccp«ns\ Xq¯pamäns¡m−v apt¶m«p \o§n. shfp¯
shfn¨¯nsâ hnShnte¡v Npäpw \n¶p Idp¯ Ccp«nsâ AeIÄ h¶p
aqSn.
Xn®bv¡es¯ IbäpI«nen sIm¨m¸n Hmcw sNcnªp InS¸p−v;
C¶se Cu kab¯v B ]chi³ Igp¡p¯nÃm¯ Imbensâ
apIĸc¸neqsS sI«phÅw Du¶pIbmbncp¶p.
A½nWn¡pth−n Im¯ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p am½n. Iodnb
InS¡¸mbvIÄ hncn¨ncp¶p. IpkrXnIfmb ]m¸\pw enÃn¡p«nbpw
t\ct¯ Dd¡w]nSn¨pIgnªp. am½nbpsS incÊns\ {]Xo£n¨v B
]mbpsS Aä¯v Hcp Idp¯ XebnW A\§msX InS¡p¶p.
Dd¡¯nse Xncn¨en\nSbv¡v B XebnW Nnet¸mÄ
A½nWnbptSXmImdp−v. D−mb hntij§Ä am½n CSªnSªp
tNmZn¨p. A½nWn hnhcn¨p.
]Snªmsd Nmbv]n At´m\n Ahsâ Nm¡pI«nen InS¡pIbmWv.
A½bpw s]§fpw ]dbp¶sXÃmw Ah\v tIÄ¡mambncp¶p. Ah³
tI«p. dmtlensâbpw cmPsâbpw IeymWw XoÀ¨s¸«p F¶p a\Ênembn.
Ahsâ lrZb¯n tNt¡dnbncp¶ kwibw NndIphnSÀ¯p ]d¶p
t]mbn. Ahsâ PohnXs¯ C{Xbpw\mÄ {]Imin¸n¨ncp¶ I\I\£{Xw
Ft¶¡pambn AkvXan¨p. Ah³ C\nbpw F´n\p Pohn¡p¶p? C\nbpw
Ahsâ PohnX¯n\v AÀ°anÃ. PohnXs¯ Ft¶¡pambn
Ahkm\n¸n¡pIbtà t`Zw? ac¯nsâ sIm¼pw Ibdpw; Bgtadnb \Zn;
£Wt\ct¯¡pÅ thZ\btà DÅq! ]n¶oSv Hcn¡epw Ahsâ lrZbw
\odpIbnÃ. ]t£, AXdnªm AhÄ ZpxJn¡pw; AhÄ ZpxJn¨mÂ
Ahs\´p tNXw? ]mSnÃ; AhÄ ZpxJn¡m³ ]mSnÃ.
At´m\nbpsS `mcn¨ Nn´Isf ieys¸Sp¯msX cm{Xn apt¶m«p
\o§ns¡m−ncp¶p.
At´m\n FWoäp Xos¸«nbpc¨p hnf¡p I¯n¨p. ]m¸sâ
]IÀ¯p_p¡nse FgpXm¯ H¶pc−p XmfpIÄ Ah³ hen¨p Iodn.
]m¸sâ ISemkpIq«n Hcp apdns¸³kn D−mbncp¶p.
]IÀ¯p_p¡nsâ apIfn ISemkph¨psIm−v Ah³ FgpXn:
""Fsâ dmtl Adnhm³,
 Fs´¶m F\n¡v Fgps¯gpXm³ hianÃ. Xq¼m ]nSn¨p Xg¼n¨
hncepIÄsIms−gpXp¶ Fgp¯nse A£c§Ä tImSnbpw amSnbpw
Ccn¡pw. A£cs¯äpIÄ D−mbncn¡pw. F´mWv FgptX−sX¶v
F\n¡v Hcp cq]hpanÃ. Rm³ FÃmw Adnªp dmtlte! ssZhw Fsâ
dmtlens\ A\p{Kln¡pw. Fs¶ HmÀ¯v \o ZpxJn¡cpXv. Fs¶
Ft¶¡pambn adt¶¡Ww. Rm³ Fsâ PohnXs¯
Ahkm\n¸n¡Wsa¶v Bin¨p. ]t£, A§s\ sNbvXm dmtlÂ
ZpxJns¨¦ntem? AXpsIm−v Rm³ AXn\p apXncp¶nÃ. PohnX¯nsâ
HäbSn¸mX Ahkm\n¡p¶nSwhsc Rm³ \S¡pw. GImInbmbn Rm³
Fsâ bm{Xsb Ahkm\n¸n¨psImÅmw. F\n¡p PohnX¯n\p Iq«mbn«p
sIm−pt]mIphm\pÅXv Bbncw HmÀ½IÄ am{XamWv. As¶mcn¡Â
\½Ä Ifcnbn ]Tn¡p¶Ime¯v Hcp \mepaWn¡v B inht£
{X¯nsâ A¸pds¯ Ip¶n Rmdbv¡m]dn¡phm³ \½Ä
ssIbv¡pssI ]nSn¨psIm−v Ibdnt¸mbXv HmÀ¡p¶pt−m? A¶p
Im«p]q¡Ä ]dn¨v hmg\mcn tImÀ¯p amebm¡n dmtlensâ Igp¯nÂ
Rm³ AWnbn¨Xpw, ap−I¸mS¯nsâ AcnIn ssIXs¨SnIfpsS
ASp¯v tNdpsIm−p \mw Hcp sIm¨p ]Ån h¨Xpw, \½Ä aWhmf\pw
aWhm«nbpambn B ]Ånbnte¡p t]mbXpw, aWepw ]¨neIfpwsIm−v
IeymWkZy Ign¨Xpw, Rm³ Hcn¡Â h−nbn InS¶pd§pt¼mÄ
dmtl ASp¯ph¶ncp¶v Fsâ XeapSn NoInh¨Xpw, FÃmw
HmÀ¡p¶pt−m?''
Fsâ {]nbs¸« HmÀ½IfmWv AsXÃmw. B HmÀ½Ifpambn Rm³
t]mhpIbmWv; hnZqctZit¯¡v þ ae_mdnte¡v. AhnsS Rm³
]WnsbSp¯p Pohn¡pw. Fsâ a\Ênsâ `mcwIpdbp¶ Ime¯v Rm³
Xncns¨¯pw. A¶p dmtl cmP\psam¶n¨v B amfnIapIfn Ccp¶p
ImäpsImÅpIbmbncn¡pw. dmtlensâ Hma\a¡Ä apä¯v
HmSn¡fn¡p¶p−mhpw. B Ipªp§sf Hmtcmcp¯scbmbn Rm³
amtdmSW¨p Npw_n¡pw. AhÀ Icbpw. Rm³ {`m´\msW¶v AhÀ
hnfn¨p]dtª¡pw; Fs¶ B«n HmSn¡cpXv. A§s\Ipsd¡mew Ignªv
Rm³ \½psS ]ÅnbpsS ASp¯pÅ knant¯cnbnse a®nÂ
Ft¶¡pambn adbpw. cmP³ A\phZn¡pIbmsW¦n hÃt¸mgpw
dmtl B ihIpSocw kμÀin¡Ww, Fsâ \odp¶ BXvamhns\
XWp¸n¡phm³.
dmtlens\ ImWphm³ km[n¡m¯XpsIm−mWv Rm³ Cu Fgp¯v
FgpXp¶Xv. I−mepw H¶pw kwkmcn¡phm³ F\n¡p hianÃmbncn¡pw.
AXpsIm−v Cu Fgp¯v Rm³ NncpX¸pebnhiw sImSp¯bbv¡p¶p.
Rm³ C¶pXs¶ ae_mdnte¡p t]mIpw. dmtlensâ IeymWZnhkw
Rm³ ae_mdn Bbncn¡pw. dmtlens\ ssZhw A\p{Kln¡pw.
IcpWbpÅh\mb ssZhw Fsâ dmtlens\ Hcn¡epw ZpxJn¸n¡pIbnÃ.
HcpImcywIqsS. Fsâ A½nWntbmSv Hcn¡epw ]nW§cpXv. Fs¶
ad¶mepw, A½nWnsb ad¡cpXv. CsXsâ Ahkm\s¯ At]£bmWv.
A½nWnsb ad¡cpXv... Fsâ ]mhs¸« s]§Ä A½nWn... Fsâ
IÀ¯mth!... I®p\oÀsIm−v Fsâ I®paqSp¶p. Rm³ Fgp¯p
\ndp¯p¶p.
At´m\n.''
B Fgp¯v Hcmhr¯n hmbn¡phm³ At´m\n¡p km[n¨nÃ.
hmkvXh¯n B apjnª ]p\eqÀ¡Semkv Ahsâ
I®oÀ¯pÅnIÄsIm−v \\ªp.
cm{Xn¡p lrZbap−mbncps¶¦n {]`mXw Ing¡p hi¯pIqSn C{X
s]s«¶p IbdnhcpIbnÃmbncp¶p. \£{X§Ä ]Xn¨ cm{XnbpsS IÀ«³
sXdp¯p amäs¸«p. Ahkm\s¯ Imh¡mcs\t¸mse {]`mX\£{Xw
B Ip¶nsâ aqÀ²mhn \n¶ncp¶p. Ing¡ns\ apgph\pw s]m¶nÂ
ap¡nbn«v B \£{Xhpw adªp. ]pecnbpsS timWna]q− ]q¦hnfns\
Npw_n¨psIm−p Ings¡ \oe ae \n¶ncp¶p.
sIm¨m¸n A©pshfp¸n\v FWoäv hÅ¡Shnte¡p t]mbn. am½nbpw
A½nWnbpw DWÀ¶p Zn\IrXy§fn GÀs¸«ncp¶p. ]m¸\pw
enÃn¡p«nbpw C\nbpw DWÀ¶n«nÃ. At´m\n AIt¯ apdnbnte¡p
sN¶p. Ft´m In\mhpIÄ I−v Dd§p¶ enÃn¡p«nbpsS apJ¯p
Ic¨nensâbpw NncnbpsSbpw \ngepIÄ amdnamdn ]XnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
Ah³ Ip\nªv enÃn¡p«nbpsS apJ¯p Npw_n¨p. AhÄ DWÀ¶p;
ho−pw Dd¡w ]nSn¨p. At´m\nbpsS I®pIÄ \\ªp.
Ah³ ho«nÂ\n¶nd§n. Ah³ H¶pIqSn Xncnªp t\m¡n. A½nWn
InWänÂ\n¶p shÅwtImcp¶p. am½n apä¯ncp¶v ]¨¡¸
Xp−wXp−ambn apdn¨v sXmens]mfn¡p¶p. AhtcmSp bm{X tNmZn¡msX
t]mbmtem? t]mIm³ AhÀ A\phZn¡pIbnÃ. AhÀ Icbpw. B
Ic¨n ImWphm³ Ah\p iIvXnbnÃ. ae_mdn sN¶n«v
Fgp¯bbv¡mw. AXpaXn. Ah³ NncpX¸pebnbpsS Xdbnte¡p sN¶p.
]mhbpw tNmX³]peb\pw cmhnse ]Wn¡pt]mbncp¶p.
DW¡¯gIÄsIm−v Hcp Nn¡p]mbv s]mÃpIbmWv NncpX¸pebn.
""F´m sIm¨n¼vdm?''
""NncpX¸pebo, Rm³ ae_mdn\p t]mhm. ho«nemtcmSpw ]dªnÃ.
]dªm k½Xn¡¯nÃ. H¶pc−pamkw Igntª hc¯pÅq. Rm³
t]mbn¡gnªv B hnhcw H¶p ho«n Adot¨¡Ww.''
""F¶ ssXth! sIm¨n¼vdms\´n\m C¸w ae_mdn\p t]mtW?''
""AhnsSs¨¶m tPmensbm−v. ChnSt¯¡mÄ IqSpX Iqen In«pw.
B Ip«nt¨«sâ aI³ Ipcymt¡m CtÃ?''
""]nt¶, G\dow.''
""Ah³ ]dªns«m−v sNÃm³. AhnsS Øew ]m«¯n\p In«pw. X\Xp
IrjnsN¿mw.'' At´m\n B sNä¸pcbpsS hmXn¡te¡p \o§n\n¶p.
""NncpX¸pebo, tX CXv dmtlensâ ssIbn sImSp¡Ww. Bcpw
ImWcpXv.'' Ah³ B Fgp¯v NncpX¸pebnsb Gev]n¨p.
""ad¶pt]mIcpXv tIt«m.''
""F¶ ssXth! CsX´\ IfnbmtWm!'' NncpX¸pebn
kvXw`n¨ncp¶pt]mbn.
At´m\n I¿mes¯m−phgn Ingt¡m«p \S¶p. iÀ¡tc¨nac¯nsâ
hndIp]qfpIÄ B I¿mes¯m−n A§n§mbn InS¶ncp¶p.
]dhIfpsS ]m«ptI«p taL§sf t\m¡n Xebm«n \n¶ncp¶ ]¨neIÄ
DW§n¡cnªv B CShgnbn InS¸p−v. AhbpsS ]pd¯p
Nhp«ns¡m−v Ah³ \S¶p; B ap−I¸mS¯nsâ \Sphnes¯
hc¼neqsS. Ah³ sN¼³shÅw sXdn¸n¨ B Øew; B
ISemkpt_m«v ap§nb tXmSv; B Rmdbv¡m¡p¶v; Ah³ \S¶p.
dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p ]nSn¨p tÉäpw ]pkvXIhpambn AhÀ
]Ån¡qS¯nte¡v H¶n¨p s]mbvs¡m−ncp¶ B HäbSn¸mX; Idp¯
Rmd¸g§fpw, shfp¯ ]q¨¡mIfpw, aªn¨ HmS¡mIfpw, sNa¶
]d¦n¸g§fpw, ]¨n¨ I®nam§Ifpw! At´m\n \S¡pIbmWv.
tam£¯nse \oenabnte¡p ]d¶pamªpt]mb amemJamÀ Dt]£n¨
shÅ¡p¸mb§Ä amXncn BImi¯nse sh¬taL§Ä Imä¯p
]d¶p\S¡p¶p. AhbpsS AcnIpIfn ]peÀIme¯ntâXmb
kzÀ®shbn ]pcfp¶p. ]q¡fpsS aWwIeÀ¶ XWp¯ Imäv At
´m\nbpsS XeapSnsb Cf¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. Nc¡ÃpIÄ \ndª B
hgn, B Imfh−n, B hmepapdnb³Imf, ]Iepw cm{Xnbnepw Ah³
Imfh−nbpwsIm−p t]mbn«pÅ B hfª hgnIÄ, h−nbpsS ]SnbnÂ
Nmcnbncp¶p sIm−v Ah³ GIm´Xbnte¡p ]mSnbn«pÅ ]m«pIÄ!
""A¡sc¡mWp¶
\oeaebpsS
XmsgsbmgpIp¶
]pt©mebnÂ.''
 A¶p h−n¡pÅn Xsâ tXmtfmSptNÀ¶ncp¶p sIm−v dmtlÂ
Gäp]mSnb B ]m«v!
""\Ã\nemhpÅ
cm{XnIme§fnÂ
tIfnbmSpw h\þ
tZhXsb§pt]mbv.''
""tZhX ChnSncn¸p−v C¨m¨m,'' F¶v A½nWn ]dªXv.
Hcn¡epw ad¡m¯ B Km\¯nsâ \nizmk§Ä hgnbcnInse
]¨ne¡mSpIfn C¶pw X§n\nev¡p¶p−mhpw.
At´m\n \S¶p; Ahsâ ImeSnIÄ¡p thKXIqSn.
A§§p Zqcs¯ hfhpXncnªpt]mIp¶Xv BcmWv?
knev¡psIm−pÅ Ikhpt\cyXpw ]pX¨v? AXp dmtletÃ? At´m\n
AXnio{Lw \S¶p; Ah³ HmSn; AtX, AXp dmtlÂXs¶; s]m¶nsâ
\ndapÅ B ]mZ§Ä I−mednbmw AXp dmtlemsW¶v. AhÄ H¶p
Xncnªp t\m¡pIbntÃ?
At´m\n HmSn. Ah³ ASps¯¯pwap¼v AhÄ ]Ånbnte¡p Ibdn.
B {KmaoWtZhmeb¯nsâ ]cnip²nbnte¡p {]thin¡phm³ Ah\p
ss[cyw tXm¶nbnÃ; ]Ånapät¯¡p \bn¡p¶ Iev]SnIfpsS Xmsg
Ah³ \n¶p; Ah³ tZhmeb¯nte¡p t\tc Xncnªp \n¶psIm−v
£Wt\cw {]mÀ°n¨p: ""ZpxJ§sf kt´mambn ]IÀ¯phm³ IgnhpÅ
IÀ¯mth! dmtlens\ A\p{Klnt¡Wta! ssZhta, Rm³ A§sb
ad¶mepw A§v Fs¶ ad¡cptX!'' {]mÀ°\IfpsS ap¼n kzÀ¤¯nsâ
hmXn Xpd¡s¸Spsa¶v Ah³ hnizkn¨p.
hgnbcnInte¡p amdn\nev¡pI. AhÄ ]ÅnbnÂ\n¶p aS§nhcpw;
hcpt¼mÄ ImWmw; Ahsf ImWmsX t]mIphm³ B ]mhs¸«hsâ
a\Êv A\phZn¡p¶nÃ. Ah³ ]pdtIm«p \S¶p. hgn¯ncnhn \nev¡p¶
apXp¡³ ]pfnbpsS Nph«n Ah³ \n¶p, Ahsf¡m¯v.
C¨ncnta¯³ c−p ImfaqcnIsfbpwsIm−v B hgnh¶p.
""F´mSm At´mt\y, \o ChnsS \n¡ps¶?''
""Hm Np½m, C¨ncnta¯³ Ft§m«m?''
""A§t¯¡mcpsS IeymW¯n\p sIm−pt]mhm Ch·msc.''
aqcnIsfbpwsIm−v C¨ncnta¯³ t]mbn.
XSnb³ Idnbm Imfh−nbpwsIm−v B hgnh¶p.
""Ft§m«m Idym?''
""N´bv¡v. \osb´n\m ChnSncn¡ps¶?''
""Hcmsf Im¯p\nev¡pIm.''
 At´m\nbpsS {]nbs¸« ImfIÄ þ B hmepapdnb³. AhäIÄ
Ct¸mÄ Ahs\ AdnbpIt]mepanÃ; ]pXnb bPam\sâ sNm¸SnbnÂ
B ]mh§Ä \o§p¶p, ASnaIsft¸mse.
hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n¡v hÀ¯am\w ]dbm³ kabanÃ.
""B t{Xkyms¸®n\v t\mhpsI«nsb¶p ]dªv Bfph¶p; Rm³
t]ms« Iptª; \n¡m³ t\canÃ.''
dmtlensâ Iq«pImcnbmb t{Xkyms¸®v; AhÄ c−maXpw
{]khn¡pIbmWv.
sN¦Ãnsâ \ndw]pc− ap−pw _\nb\pw [cn¨v, ssIbn apgt¡mepw
Npgän ]«W¯n ]Wn¡pt]mIp¶ ]m¡c\pw \nev¡m³
kabap−mbnÃ.
B ]pfnt©m«n At´m\n \nev¡p¶Xp ]mh¡nSm¯³ I−tXbnÃ;
Ah³ Id¼³]pebsâ aIÄ tXhn¡nSm¯nbpsam¶n¨v Ft´m
kzImcyw ]dªpsIm−v ]Wn¡pt]mhpIbmWv. s\ÃpIp¯m³ t]mIp¶
Ipªmfn¸Wn¡¯n At´m\nsb ImWmXncp¶Xv B apXp¡nbpsS
ImgvN¡pdhpsIm−p am{XamWv.
PohnX¯n\v AÀ°ap−v. At´m\n am{Xw B AÀ°¯nsâ
]cn[nbn DÄs¸Sp¶nÃ. hnNn{XwXs¶ temIKXn.
]Ån ]ncnªp.
dmtl Ahsâ ASps¯¯n. lrZb§Ä XpSn¨p. ZrjvSnIÄ Iq«nap«n,
dmtlensâ apJ¯v Hcp ]p©ncn an¶ns¸menªp; ]p©ncnbpsS Øm\¯v
Hcp timIÑhn Zriyambn. AhfpsS sIm¨cn¸ÃpIfpw \pW¨pgnIfpw At
´m\n¡v Hcn¡Â¡qSn ImWm³Ignªp. AhÄ ]Xps¡ At´m\nbpsS
kao]s¯¯n. Ahsâ ]p©ncn¡v ZpxJ¯nsâ taÂt¡mbva
D−mbncp¶p.
AhÄ Hcp amemJsbt¸mse Ahsâ ap³]n \n¶p. AhfpsS amÀÆnSw
s]m§pIbpw XmgpIbpw sNbvXp. AhÄ¡v H¶pw]dbm³ IgnªnÃ.
AhÄ At´m\nbpsS Xg¼n¨ hes¯ ssI¸¯n AhfpsS
ssI¡p¼nfnsemXp¡n. B ]cp]cp¯ ssIhÅbn dmtlensâ
\oe¡®pIfnÂ\n¶v H¶pc−p NqSpÅ I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ ]Xnªp.
""dmtlÂ... Rm³ ae_mdnte¡p t]mIp¶p.'' At´m\nbpsS \mhp
Nen¨p.
dmtl G§eSn¨p. AhfpsS A[c§Ä hnd¨p.
""F¶phcpw?''
""XmaknbmsXhcpw.''
""Rm³ IqsS t]mcp¶p.''
 ""th−m.''
At´m\n Ahsâ ssI ]n³hen¨p.
Imdnsâ tlm¬ apg§n.
cmPsâ _yq¡v ImÀ Idp¯ an¶Ât]mse B hgnsb ]mªph¶p.
dmtlepw At´m\nbpw sR«n¯ncnªp t\m¡n. Imdn Ccp¶psIm−v
cmP³ Xe\o«n; Ah³ Ahsc¡−p. ImÀ s]s«¶p \n¶p. dmtlÂ
t\cnbXpsIm−p incÊpaqSn. B t\cnbXnsâ X¦¡khv Cfw]Iensâ
aªshfn¨¯n Xnf§n.
]Xn\©v

ssIs]mÅp¶t]mse At´m\n¡p tXm¶n. dmtlensâ

temetaml\§fmb ssI¸¯nIÄ¡pÅn HXp¡s¸« B Xg¼n¨
ssI; B ss ]n³ hen¡s¸«n«pw AhfpsS lrZb¯pSn¸pIÄ AXnt·Â
{]Xn[z\n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. I®p\oÀ \ndª I¬angnIÄsIm−v AhÄ
\nÝew t\m¡n\nev¡th Ah³ \S¶I¶p. DjÊÔybpsS
tImaf{]Xna amXncn hgnbcnIn \nev¡p¶ dmtlensâ kao]t¯¡v
cmP³ ]Xps¡ \S¶p sN¶p.
""F´m C§s\ \nev¡p¶Xv?''
""Np½m.'' AhÄ t\cnbXpsIm−p ho−pw incÊns\ aqSn; AhÄ
\S¡m³ `mhn¨p. cmP³ AhfpsS ap¼n \n¶p.
""At´m\nbtà At¸mbXv?''
""Dw.''
""F´m dmtl Icbp¶Xv?''
dmtl an−nbnÃ.
""Ah³ hà A[nI{]kwKhpw ]dtªm?''
""CÃ.''
""F¶m hcq, Rm³ Imdn¡bän ho«nÂsIm−p sN¶m¡mw.''
""th−m, Rm³ \St¶mfmw.'' AhÄ \S¡pIbmbn.
AhfpsS I®n Xpfp¼n¯pfp¼n\nev¡p¶ I®oÀ XpS¨pIfbphm³
cmPsâ ssI ]ncp]ncp¯p. ]t£, F´p sImt−m Ah\p
ss[cyap−mbnÃ.
AhÄ Hcp hfhnse¯nbt¸mÄ ]pdtIm«p Xncnªp t\m¡n. At
´m\nbpsS cq]w A§p Zqsc¡mWmbn. AhfpsS lrZb¯nsâ {]`p
Ft¶¡pambn hn«p]ncnbpIbmWv.
B {]`p þ hÅ¡mc³sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³ At´m\n þ Ahkm\ambn
Ahsf t\m¡n. ssIsb¯m¯ Idp¯ BImi¯nse aghnÃpt]mse
AhÄ \nev¡p¶Xv Ah³ I−p.
B aghnÃp adªp, Ft¶¡pambn.
dmtlepw At´m\nbpw.
CW{]mhpIÄþ
thÀs]«p.
 AhÀ c−p N{Ihmf§fnte¡p ]d¶IepIbmWv. C\nbpw B
amS{]mhns\ Ah³ ImWptam; ImWptam?
In\mhpIÄ XIcp¶p.
ZoÀLamb Ahsâ bm{Xbn Iq«p]ncnbmsX B Nn´IÄ Ahsâ
ASp¯p \n¶ncp¶p. t_m«pw Xoh−nbpw _Êpw Ahs\ Ahsâ
{]nbs¸« \m«nÂ\n¶v ]ngpsXSp¯p sIm−pt]mbn.
bm{XbpsS ]ntäZnhkw kmbmlv\¯n Ah³ ae_mdnse
^e]pjvSn\ndª Hcp ]¨hben F¯n; B hbensâ AcnIn a®pw
apfIfpw ]\tbmebpwsIm−p \nÀ½n¡s¸« Hcp ho«nte¡mWv Ah³
Ibdns¨Ãp¶Xv.
Kw`oc§fmb Icn¼md¡pªp§sf Ffnbn tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨psIm−p
\nev¡p¶ ]¨aeIÄ; AhbpsS CSbn¡qSn ]fp¦p\oscmgp¡p¶
Im«cphn. ]¨hbepIfpsS ]q¦hnfn Npw_n¨psIm−v B Acphn
s]m«n¨ncn¡pIbmWv; ]mds¡«pIfn Ft§m Hfn¨ncn¡p¶ b£nbpsS
sIme¨ncn t]mse. hnhmlaÞ]¯n hcWameyw NmÀ¯m³ Xe
Ip\n¨p \nev¡p¶ aWhm«namsct¸mse hnfª s\¡XncpIÄsIm−p
\ndª s]m³hbepIÄ, Idp¯ncp−v IpXn¨pIbdp¶ ssXs¯§pIÄ,
Zmcn{Zyt¯mSp ]S sh«m³ X¿mdmbn AWn\nc¶ tbm²m¡sft¸mse
XtâSt¯mSpIqSn \nev¡p¶ G¯hmgIÄ, Idp¯ IÀjII\yIamcpsS
ssIhncepIÄt]mepÅ CeItfmSpIqSn I¸s¨Snt¯m«§Ä,
]¨¡SÂamXncn A§s\ hnkvXcn¨pInS¡p¶p.
sh«s¸SmsX \nev¡p¶ Im«pac§sf sI«n¸nSn¨p \mWw
IpWp§n\nev¡p¶ IpcpapfIpsImSnIfn acXI cXv\§Ä hnfbp¶p.
GXm\pwsImÃwap¼v BÀ¡pwth−msX ImSp]nSn¨p _o`Õambn
InS¶ncp¶ B I\ym`qanIÄ a²yXncphnXmwIqdnse ambmZmk·mcmb
IÀjIcpsS Ickv]Ài\¯m ]¨t\m«pIfpsS
tIZmc§fmbn¯oÀ¶ncn¡p¶p. Nmt¡mbpw sXm½\pw hÀ¡nbpw
ss]enbpw A¶bpw tdmXbpw Nm¨nbpw I{Xnbpw FÃmw sh«pI¯nbpw
tImSmenbpw ]mcbpw Xq¼mbpambn IÃnt\mSpw ImSnt\mSpw
sImXpInt\mSpw `qantbmSpw ]Ss]mcpXn¸Ss]mcpXn apt¶dnbncn¡p¶p.
IÀjIcpsS hnbÀ¸pXpÅnIÄsIm−p ]hn{XoIcn¡s¸« ]pXpa®nsâ
]cnafw kmbmlv\hmbphn IeÀ¶ncp¶p.
Ip«nt¨«sâ ho«papä¯v At´m\n ImepIp¯n. ]\tbmesIm−p
adbv¡s¸«ncp¶ B hoSnsâ ASp¡f hmXnen Hcp bphXnbpsS apJw
ImWmbn. AXv Ipcymt¡mbpsS s]§fmbncn¡Ww.
sIm¨p¶mfnse§m−p I−n«pÅ ]cnNbtabpÅq. ]Xnt\gp hbÊp
{]mbwtXm¶n¡pw. Cfw Idp¸p\ndamWv. XeapSn Npcp−XÃ. CSt¯
Ihnfn IcSpt]mse Hcp Idp¯ adpIp−v. BsI¸msS \à AgIpÅ
apJw. ImXn Nph¶ IÃpIÄsIm−pÅ I½epIÄ. Igp¯n Hcp
kzÀ®s¨bn³. sNbn\nsâ Aä¯v Hcp kzÀ®¡mipcq]w. ssIbnÂ
shÅnhfIÄ. A[nIw apjnbm¯ N«bpw ]pShbpw. AhfpsS
CSXphi¯mbn kÔymkqcysâ civanIÄ ]XnªpsIm−ncp¶p.
""Ip«nt¨«sâ hoStÃ?'' At´m\n tNmZn¨p.
""AtX,'' AhÄ ]dªp. ImXn\v C¼apÅ temeamb i_vZw. AhÄ
At´m\nbpsS apJt¯¡pXs¶ t\m¡pIbmWv.
""Ip«nt¨«s\t´y?''
""Itcm«v samfsh«m³ t]mbncn¡zm. C¸w hcpw. Ct§m«p tIdn
Ccn¡matÃm.''
At´m\n B Xn®bnte¡p Ibdn Nqc¡tkcta Ccp¶p.
""Ipcymt¡mbpsS s]§ftÃ?''
""Dw.''
""t]sc¶m?''
""Ipª½.''
""Ipcymt¡m FhnsSt¸mbn?''
""¨m¨\pw Itcm«m.'' Ipª½ Ipsd¡qSn Ahsâ ASp¡te¡p\o§n,
Xn®bpsS ac¯qWn ]nSn¨pwsIm−p\n¶p.
""At´m\o¶tà t]cv?''
""AtX, Ipª½ F§\dnªp?''
""¨m¨³ C¶mfp s]cp¶mfn\v \n§sS ho«n h¶ncp¶ntÃ? Fs
´ms¡sbm−p hntijw? s]§sf sI«nt¨m?''
""CÃ.'' At´m\n hnjmZaqI\mbn. Ahsâ Nn´IÄ ]nSªp. A½nWn,
Ahfnt¸mÄ AhfpsS "¨m¨s\' ImWmªv
G§eSn¨pIcbpIbmbncn¡pw.
""AhnSncn¡v. A¨mb\pw ¨m¨\pw C¸w hcpw.'' Ipª½
ASp¡fbnte¡p t]mbn. ASp¸¯v Iªn¡pÅ shÅw IpXpIpsX
Xnf¨psIm−ncp¶p. AhÄ Hcp ]nªmW¯n c−pXhn Xnf¨ shÅw
]IÀ¶p. Im¸ns¸mSnbpw ]©kmcbpw C«v Cf¡n asämcp ]m{X¯nÂ
]IÀ¶p. ]msemgn¨p. tX\pw sdm«nbpw G¯¸ghpw D−mbncp¶p.
c−pan\nän\pÅn At´m\nbpsS ap¼n Im¸nbpw ]elmc§fpw
\nc¶p. Ah\v AXnibwtXm¶n. Ah³ \nÈ_vZ\mbncp¶p Im¸n
Ign¡p¶Xv AhÄ kq£n¨pt\m¡ns¡m−p \n¶p. AhfpsS a\Ên F
´nsâtbm thentbäw D−mbn.
 A´nt¨m¸p amªpXpS§n. Im«p]£nIÄ tNt¡dn¯pS§n.
Ip«nt¨«\pw Ipcymt¡mbpw h¶p. AhcpsS tZl¯p a®pw hnbÀ¸pw
]pc−ncp¶p.
""B! CXmcm Fsâ sIm¨m¸osS tam\tÃ; \o F¸w hs¶Sm?''
Ip«nt¨«³ Xn®bnte¡p Ibdn.
""Ipd¨pt\cambn.''
""Ipªt½, \o Chs\¶m sImSps¯So? FSo, tamtf, CXp \½psS
sIm¨m¸osS tam\m.''
""Rm³ Im¸n IpSn¨p Ip«nt¨«m.''
Ipcymt¡m Ahsâ N§mXnsb¡−p; B N§mXnamÀ ]ckv]cw
Nncn¨p. \njvIf¦hpw kvt\l]qÀ®hpamb Nncn.
B IpSntbä¡mÀ¡v BlvfmZw \ndª Hcp cm{Xnbmbncp¶p A¶v. B
{]nbs¸« hncp¶pImc\pth−n Hcp XSn¨ ]qh³tImgnsb Ipª½bpw
Ipcymt¡mbpwIqSn ]mIs¸Sp¯n.
Ip«nt¨«\pw At´m\nbpw Ipcymt¡mbpwIqSn H¶n¨ncp¶v A¯mgw
Ign¨p. IpSn¡p¶Xn\pÅ Hcp {ZmhIw Ip«nt¨«³ IpSph³
]nªmW¯n ]IÀ¶p. Im«pac§fpsS sXmenIfpw ssIX¨¡bpw
Idphm¸«bpw Iq«n hmänsbSp¯ GtXm Hcp elcnkm[\w. Ip«nt¨«\v
AXp IqSntb Xocq. Hcp]t£, B aebpw ImSpw FÃmw sh«n¯IÀ¯Xv
B ]m\ob¯nsâ hocyw Bbncn¡mw, Ipcymt¡mbpw IpSn¡mdp−v.
ae¼\n¡v AXp ssIs¡m− Huj[amWt{X. AXn\v "dm¡v' F¶p
t]cp]dbp¶p.
Ip«nt¨«³ Hcp IpSph³]nªmWw \ndsb dm¡v AI¯m¡n.
""C¶m, C¯ncn IpSn¡p tamt\.'' AbmÄ Hcp Ac¸nªmWw dm¡v At
´m\nbpsS t\À¡p \o«n.
""F\n¡pth− Ip«nt¨«m.'' At´m\n ]dªp. Ah³ aZyw
D]tbmKn¨n«nÃ.
""Xebv¡p ]nSn¡¯nÃ, At´m\n C¨ncn IpSn¨pt\m¡nt¡.''
Ipcymt¡m \nÀ_Ôn¨p.
""F\n¡p th− Ipcymt¡m.''
""Xebv¡p ]nSn¡¯nÃ.'' ASp¡fhmXn¡ \n¶p Ipª½ ]dªp.
At´m\n a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS B IpSph³]nªmWw hm§n; hnjw
IpSn¡p¶Xpt]mse B IhÀ¸pÅ km[\w Ah³ IpSn¨p. Ah\v B
IpSn H«pw Xr]vXnbmbnÃ.
Ip«nt¨«³ ho−pw IpSn¨p. AbmfpsS I®pIÄ Nph¶p. Ipcymt¡mbpw
IpSn¨p.
 A¯mgw A§s\ \o−ps]mbvs¡m−ncp¶p.
""tIt«mSm tamt\,'' Ip«nt¨«³ CS¯pssIsIm−v At´m\nbpsS
tXmf¯pX«ns¡m−p ]dªp: ""\o Fsâ acpaI³. AXp Rm³ t\ct¯
\nÝbn¨Xm. Fsâ aIÄ, Ipª½. AhÄ cXv\am, cXv\w, \n\
¡dnbmtam? FSo Ipªt½, tamtf!''
""F¶m¸m.''
""\obn§phm.''
""Cub¸s\¶m?'' Ipª½ A¸sâ ASp¯ph¶p \n¶p.
""ChnSncns¡So tamtf.''
""Rm\nhnsS \nt¶mfma¸m.''
""Ccns¡So.''
Ip«nt¨«³ aIsf ]nSn¨v ASp¯ncp¯n.
""tamsf, Cu Ccn¡p¶ Bcm¶dnbmtam?''
""Adnbmw.''
""Fsâ sIm¨m¸osS aI\m. \n\¡dnbmtam? tamt\, At´m\n¨m,
ChfmWv Fsâ tamÄ, Ipª½. Hcpcpft¨mdv Ch¡p sImSp¡v.''
At´m\nbpsS XeNpäp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. GtXm Hcp
kz]v\temI¯n tkmÃmkw k©cn¡p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n. Xsâ
ap¼n Ccn¡p¶ s]¬Ip«nsb XIchnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n Ah³
I−p.
""dmtlte!...'' Ah³ a{´n¨p.
""Ipª½.'' Ip«nt¨«³ Xncp¯n.
""Ipª½, Ipª½.'' At´m\n bm{´nIambn ]dªp.
""Hcpcpft¨mdv Ch¡p sImSp¡p tamt\.'' At´m\n tNmdpcp«n,
tImgn¨mdn ap¡n, Ipª½bpsS t\À¡p\o«n; Ipª½ aSn¨p.
""\os«So, ssIbv.''
""Cu A¨mbsâ Hcp...'' AhÄ ssI \o«n.
""CsXsâ dmtlen\v...''
""Fsâ t]cp dmtlse¶Ã; Ipªt½¶v.'' Ipª½ Dcpfhm§n
`£n¨p.
""Ipª½!'' At´m\n ]dªp. Ahsâ Xe BSn¯pS§n.
""FSm Ipcymt¡m, tamt\.''
""F¶m¸m.''
""Ct¶¡p ]Xn\©p Znhkn¡Iw... Ft´m¶m?''
""B!''
""IeymWw, a\Ênemtbm?''
 ""Bbn.''
""BscsS IeymWw?''
""Ipªt½tSw At´m\otSw.''
""A§s\ ]tdSm.''
Ipª½bv¡p eÖbp−mbn. AhÄ FWo¡m³ `mhn¨p.
""Ccns¡So.'' Ip«nt¨«³ hne¡n.
""Ahfp s]mbvt¡m«¸m.'' Ipcymt¡m ]dªp.
""F¶m s]mbvt¡m.''
Ipª½ FWoäp; AhfpsS ImepwssIbpw hndbv¡p¶Xpt]mse
tXm¶n.
A¯mgw Ignªv AhÀ FWoäp. Ipª½ AhcpsS ssIbv¡p shÅw
Hgn¨psImSp¯p. At´m\n apät¯¡p hogm³ XpS§n. Ipcymt¡m
Ahs\ Xm§n¸nSn¨p.
""B t]m{In þ Fsâ Ipªns\ sImÃpsa¶p ]dªp.'' Ip«nt¨«³
IcbpIbmWv. ""B t]m{In hdoXv Fsâ Ipªns\.''
""GXp t]m{In?'' At´m\n¡Xv AdnbWw.
""Ah³ þ B hdoXv Fsâ Ipªns\ sImÃm\ncn¡zm.
F\ns¡mcp aIt\sbmÅq.'' Ip«nt¨«³ Ipcymt¡msb sI«n¸nSn¨p
IcbpIbmWv: kwKXn F´msW¶v At´m\n¡v Hcp cq]hpw In«nbnÃ.
""Ahs\ icns¸Sp¯n¡fbmw Ip«nt¨«m.'' At´m\n ]dªp. Ahsâ
Xe At¸mgpw BSp¶p−mbncp¶p: ""Ah\mcmSm Ipcymt¡mtb?''
""ChnSps¯ Hcp ImipImc\m.'' Ipcymt¡m ]dªp: ""Ah\n¶mfp
ho«nÂtIdnh¶v Ipªt½sS ssIbv¡p Ibdn¸nSn¨p. Rms\mcp
ASnh¨psImSp¯p. IcW¡pän¡v. Ahs\s¶ sImÃm\ncn¡zm.''
""B t]m{In þ Fsâ Ipªns\.'' Ip«nt¨«³ Dcphn«p.
""F¶m Ahs\ H¶p ImWWatÃm, hmSm, Ipcymt¡m.'' At´m\n
apät¯¡nd§m³ `mhn¨p.
""C¸w th−¨m¨m. C§p]nSnt¨m; t¿m þ CsX¶m Ifnbm?''
""H¡ptIe, Ahs\ X«ot« ImcysamÅq.''
""hcs«, C¸wth−.'' At´m\nsb Ipcymt¡mbpw Ipª½bpwIqSn
]nSn¨p ]pcbv¡I¯psIm−psN¶m¡n. Ipª½ Ah\v InS¡
icns¸Sp¯ns¡mSp¯p; At´m\nbpsS t_m[w \ntÈjw adªncp¶p.
B ]mbnte¡p hoWp, £Wt\cwsIm−v Dd¡w]nSn¨p.
Ip«nt¨«sâ IqÀ¡whnfnbpw Im«cphnbpsS Cc¼epw am{Xta B
cm{XnbpsS aqIX `RvPn¡p¶pÅq; Ipcymt¡mbpw Dd¡w]nSn¨p.
Ipª½bv¡pam{Xw Dd¡w hcp¶nÃ.
At´m\nbpsS apdnbn {]Imin¨ncp¶ hnf¡psI«p.
]Xn\mdv

""dmtlte! Cu \n¡p¶ amXyp F¶p hnfn¡s¸Sp¶ cmPs\ hnhmlw

Ign¡m³ \n\¡p k½XamtWm?'' ]ptcmlnX³ tNmZn¨p.
XeIp\n¨p \n¶ncp¶ dmtl H¶pw an−nbnÃ.
]ptcmlnX³ ho−pw tNmZn¨p.
dmtl D¯cw ]dªnÃ.
HSphn ]pdInÂ\n¶ncp¶ XdXn dmtlen\p th−n aqfn; A§s\ B
H¯pIeymWw \S¶p. C\n "c−p hnfn¨p sNmÃÂ'. hcp¶Xnsâ ]n¶s¯
Xn¦fmgvN IeymWw; sI«n¡bäw cmPsâ ho«nÂh¨v F¶p
Xocpam\n¡s¸«p. C\n c−mgvNtb DÅq. AXn\pÅn Fs´Ãmw
Imcy§Ä \S¡Ww!
cmPsâbpw dmtlensâbpw Iq«nt¨mZy¯nsâ A¶v Ipªm¨n¯Å Hcp
]Xn\mdphbÊpImcnsbt¸mse NpWbpÅhfmbn ImWs¸«p. h¶
hncp¶pImcmb hncp¶pImÀs¡Ãmw h¨phnf¼ns¡mSp¡p¶Xn\v
adnbm½bpw XdXnbpw Ipªm¨n¯Åbpw Däp {ian¨p. Xn®bnÂ
sa¯¸mbvIfnt·Â Ccn¡p¶ BfpIÄ¡p shäapdp¡m³
sImSp¡p¶Xnepw, hÀ¯am\w ]dbp¶Xnepw Ips©dnbm¨³
Znhk¯nsâ apgph³ ]¦pw D]tbmKn¨p F¶pXs¶ ]dbmw.
hncp¶pImscÃmw ]ncnªp. F¦nepw Ips©dnbm¨sâ _²¸mSn\p
Ipdhp−mbnÃ. BscsbÃmw IeymW¯n\p hnfn¡Ww, F{Xt]À¡p
kZy Hcp¡Ww, kZybv¡p th−p¶ N«h«§Ä Fs´Ãmw.
Ips©dnbmt¨«sâbpw adnbt¨S¯nbpsSbpw _Ô¯nÂs¸«hcpw,
AbÂ]¡¯pÅhcpamb Xe\c¨hÀ Ips©dnbmbv¡p th−p¶
\nÀt±i§fpw D]tZi§fpw \ÂIns¡m−ncp¶p.
aªfpw D¸pwsXm«p ]m\nbpw CebpwhscbpÅ C\§sfÃmw
NÀ¨sN¿s¸SpIbpw, AhbpsS Afhpw Xq¡hpw F®hpw
¢n]vXs¸Sp¯pIbpw sNbvXp. dmtlen\v a{´tImSnhm§n¡p¶ Imcyw
cmP\pXs¶ hn«psImSp¯p. B`cW§Ä A[nIw th−m F¶mWv
cmPsâ A`n{]mbw. Ahsâ CjvSamWtÃm Imcyambn t\m¡m\pÅXv.
sX¿m½bv¡v AXn Aev]w A`n{]mbhyXymkap−mbn. F¦nepw
""cmPsâ CjvSwt]mse,'' F¶v B A½ a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS HSphnÂ
k½Xn¨p. kZy s]mSn]qcambn \S¯Wsa¶pÅ Nm−nÊmdnsâbpw
sX¿m½bpsSbpw A`n{]mb¯n\v cmP\v hg§ns¡mSpt¡−nh¶p.
 kv{Xo[\ambn Hcp ss]t]mepw cmP³ hm§nbnÃ. cmPsâ hnebv¡pw
\nebv¡pw tNcp¶ coXnbn kv{Xo[\w sImSp¡phm³
Ips©dnbmt¨«s\¶Ã, B \m«n Bscs¡m−pw km[yaÃ.
kv{XobmWp [\w; AXn¡hnªv [\anà F¶mWv cmPsâ thZm´w.
awKfIcamb B almIÀ½¯n \m«pImscsbÃmw
{]kmZn¸n¡Wsa¶v cmP³ \nÝbn¨p. A`qX]qÀÆamb Hcp IrXyw
Ah³ sNbvXp. B {Kma¯nse ]mhs¸«hscsbÃmw Ah³ t\ct¯
hnfn¨phcp¯n. InS¸mSanÃm¯hÀ¡mbn Ah³ \mev]t¯tg¡À `qan
hoXn¨psImSp¯pþ Hcp IpSpw_¯n\v Actb¡À hoXw. At´m\nbpsS
IpSpw_¯n\v Ah³ ct−¡À `qanbmWp sImSp¯Xv. A§t¯¡mcpsS
^e]pjvSnbpÅ aes©cphv A§s\ At\Iw ]mh§fpsS
kz¯mbn¯oÀ¶p. \m«pImÀ cmPs\ ]pIgv¯n. ]mh§tfmSp
IcpWbpÅh\mb ssZhs¯ AhÀ kvXpXn¨p. ""cmP\pw dmtlepw
\oWmÄ hmgs«!'' F¶v AhÀ Biwkn¨p. B {Kma{]tZiw apgph\pw
HcpÕh cwKambn amdn.
BbnSbv¡v Hcp Znhkw cmP³ hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS ho«nte¡p
sN¶p. sIm¨m¸n ]Snªmdp hÅaq¶m³ t]mbncn¡pIbmWv.
CtXmSpIqSn AbmÄ hÅaq¶p \nÀ¯m³ t]mIpIbmWv. ct−¡À
`qanbp−v Ah\nt¸mÄ tZlÞn¡m³. am½nbpw A½nWnbpw AhnsS
D−mbncp¶p. ]m¸³ ]Ån¡qS¯n t]mbn«ph¶n«nÃ. enÃn¡p«n
Dd¡amWv. D¨Xncnª kabw. ]Snªmtd BImi¯nsâ a²y¯nÂ
Idp¯ taL]mfnIfpsS CSbv¡v shÅn¯fnIt]mse kqcy³
\n¶ncp¶p.
""At´m\nbntà ChnsS?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""Ah³ aehmdn\pt]mbn.'' am½n D¯cw ]dªp. cmP³ AhcpsS
apä¯ph¶p\n¶Xn AhÀ¡v AXnibwtXm¶n.
""F¶m?''
""As©«p Znhkambn.''
""AhnsS¶m ]Wn?''
""F¶mtWm Fsâ Iptª. R§tfmSmtcmSpw H¶pw ]dbmsXbm
t]mbXv.''
""Ahs\ hcp¯WatÃm.''
""Fsâ Iptª, F¶m heyImcyambn. Rm³ AXn¸ns¶ sNmÆn\v
Hd§o«nÃ.'' am½n IcbpIbmWv.
B Ic¨n I−t¸mÄ cmP\pw k¦Sap−mbn.
""Ah³ t]mb Øew Adnbmtam?''
 ""Adnbmw.''
""F¶m sIm¨m¸nt¨«t\mSp ]d, Ahs\s¨¶v HSs\ sIm−phcm³,
tIt«m. bm{Xbv¡pÅ ]Ww Rm³ Xcmw.''
""C\ow F¶p hcpsa¶dnbmt½em.''
""Bcm, sIm¨m¸nt¨«t\m?''
""Dw.''
""F¶m Hscgp¯bbv¡v. ChnS¶b¨maXn. tIt«m? tam¡v
Fgp¯dnbmt½te?''
""Adnbmw.''
""t]sc¶m?''
""A½nWn.
""F¶m A½nWn C¶pXs¶ Fgp¯bbv¡Ww tIt«m?''
""Abbv¡mw.'' A½nWn k½Xn¨p. cmPsâ s\änbn \n¶v
hnbÀ¸pXpÅnIÄ Cänäp hoWpsIm−ncp¶p.
""C{X ]¨shÅw Xcmtam, hÃm¯ Zmlw.''
""Xcmw.'' am½n ]dªp. ]mhs¸«hcpsS shÅw Ah³ IpSn¡ptam?
F¶m Ipªv Ct§m«ptIdn Ccp¶ms«; ChnsS Ccn¡m³ H¶panÃ;
]g©³I«nte HÅp.''
""Hm th− tNS¯o, Rm\nhnsS \nt¶mfmw. A¸tg sIm¨m¸nt¨«³
hcp¼w ho«nte¡p hcm³ ]tdWw tIt«m. tNS¯ow A½nWow FÃmw
hcWw. hcpt¶sâ ]n¶s¯ Xn¦fmgvNbm IeymWw. AXn\v Rm³Xs¶
h¶p hnfn¨ncn¡p¶p tIt«m.''
""Hm.''
am½nbpsS ap−pw N«bpw Xosc apjnªXmbncp¶Xp sIm−v
A½nWnbpsS ssIbnemWv shÅw sImSp¯b¨Xv.
shÅw Xpf¼p¶ IpSph³]nªmWw AhÄ cmPsâ t\À¡p\o«n.
Ah³ B ]nªmWw hm§n AXnse shÅw apgph³ BÀ¯ntbmsS
IpSn¨p. B ]nªmW¯nte¡v Ah³ kq£n¨pt\m¡n. AXnsâ
h¡ps]m«nbXmbncp¶p.
A½nWn¡v Dudnb Nncnbp−mbn.
AhÄ B ]nªmW¯nte¡p t\m¡ns¡m−v Ft´m
HmÀ½n¡pIbmbncp¶p.
""s]cp¶mfnsâ A¶p Imdpap«nbXm...'' A½nWn HmÀ½n¸n¨p.
cmPsâ apJ¯v Hcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶p. ""Hm, Rm\n¸w HmÀ¡p¶p;
F¶n«nXv Ct¸mgpw kq£n¨ph¨ncn¡p¶tÃm. BÄ anSp¡¯nXs¶.''
cmP³ ]dªp.
 ""F¶m Rm³ t]mWp; Fgp¯nsâ Imcyw ad¡cpXv.
IeymW¯n\pap¼v Ah³ ChnsS hc¯¡h®w FgpXWw tIt«m. At
´m\nsb¡qSmsX IeymWmtLmjw ]qÀ¯nbmI¯nÃ. R§Ä A§s\
kvt\ln¨phfÀ¶hcmWv. tNS¯o, \n§sfÃmhcpw IeymW¯n\p
hctW.''
""hcmw.'' am½n ]dªp.
cmPsâ JZÀjÀ«v hnbÀ¸psIm−p \\ªncp¶p. Ah³ t]mIp¶Xv B
A½bpw aIfpw t\m¡ns¡m−p \n¶p. ]W¡mc\mbn«pw Ah\p
bmsXmc´ÊpanÃ, s]m®¡mcyhpanÃ. A§t¯Xnse cmP³ h¶p
£Wn¡phm³ X¡tbmKyXbpt−m hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸nbpsS
IpSpw_¯n\v? CÃ; F¶n«pw Ah³ Hcp km[mcW¡mcs\t¸mse
AhcpsS apä¯ph¶p; shÅw tNmZn¨phm§n¡pSn¨p.
""]ns¶§\mt½?'' A½nWn tNmZn¨p.
""Dw?''
""Fgp¯bbv¡t− ¨m¨\v.''
""FgpXn Abbv¡p tamtf.''
""A¨mbt\mSp tNmZn¡msXtbm?''
""A¨mbt\mSp Rm³ ]dtªmfmw; \o FgpXv.''
A½nWn ISemskSps¯gpXn:
""Fsâ F{Xbpw {]nbs¸« A¨m¨³ Adnhm³,
Fs´¶mÂ, Cu Fgp¯pIn«nbmepS³ A¨m¨³ hcWw. A½¨n
IcªpIcªv Hcp ]Xambn. A½¨nsb ImWWsa¦n DSs\ hcWw.
enÃn¡p«nbmsW¦n "â¨m¨s\t´y'' F¶p ]dªp Icbp¶p.
]dbmsXt]mbXn R§Äs¡Ãmw hey k¦Sap−v. A¨m¨t\mSp
R§Ä F¶m sNbvXn«m R§sf Dt]£nt¨¨p t]mbXv? AXpsIm−v
H«pw Xmakn¡msX DSs\ hcWw. A¨mb³
At§m«phcWsa¶pw]dªncn¡bmWv. IminÃm¯ kab¯v F´n\mWv
A¨mbs\ _p²n ap«n¡p¶Xv?
cmP³ ChnsSh¶v A¨m¨s\ At\zjn¨p. cmP³ \½¡p ct−¡À
Øew FgpXn¯¶ncn¡p¶p. AXpsIm−v A¨m¨³ AhnsS¡nS¶p
_p²nap«−m. hcpt¶sâ ]n¶s¯ Xn¦fmgvNbm IeymWw. cmPsâbpw
dmtlensâbpw a\ÊptNmZysams¡¡gnªp. A§t¯XnÂh¨mWp
sI«nt¡äw. thsd hntijsam¶panÃ. Fgp¯pIn«nbmepSs\ hcWw.
F¶v kz´w s]§Ä, A½nWn.''
Fgp¯v am½nsb hmbn¨ptIĸn¨p. shÅ¡SemkpsIm−pXs¶
A½nWn Hcp IqSp−m¡n. ]−v At´m\n¡v Ipcymt¡m Ab¨ncp¶
Fgp¯n ae_mdnse taÂhnemkap−v. AXpt\m¡n AhÄ
taÂhnemksagpXn.
kväm¼pw X]m¡hdpw CÃmªXn\m Iqensbgp¯mbn«mWv
Abbv¡p¶Xv. Iqensbgp¯b¨m ta.hn.bpsS ssIbn¯s¶
Fgp¯pIn«psa¶v A½nWn tI«n«p−v.
""BctSemt½ CsXm¶p sImSp¯bbv¡ps¶?''
""FhnSm aehmdnt\m?''
""tiym, Cu A½¨n¡v H¶pw Adnbmt½em. X]mensâ s]«oÂ.''
""AsXhnSm tamtf?''
""Ipcnip½qSntÃ, AhnsSmcp s]«n h¨ns«m−v; AXnen«m aXn.''
""F¶m ]m¸³ hcs«.''
""At¶cw kabwt]mhpw; aq¶caWn¡pap¼nSWw.''
""]ns¶§\m, F¶m \o sIms− Ct«¨zm.''
""Fsâ ap−pw Nt«w Nhn−pt]mbtÃmt½.''
""kmcanÃ. \ns¶ AhnSmcpw sI«m\ncn¸nÃ.''
enÃn¡p«n sR«nbpWÀ¶p: ""¨m¨³ Ft´y ½v¨o?'' AhÄ
Dd¡¸nt¨msS tNmZn¡bmWv. A½nWn ap−pcnªv Rpdn¨nen«p
hr¯nbmbn DSp¯v, XeapSn NoIn HXp¡n, Fgp¯psIm−p ]pds¸«p.
AhÄ A§t¯¡mcpsS sXm−p Ignªt¸mÄ NncpX¸pebnsb¡−p.
NncpX¸pebn HcpsI«p ]pÃpambn t]mhpIbmWv. Hcp \mgnI AIsebpÅ
Ipcnipwaq«n IÅpjm¸nsâ hS¡phis¯ hgnbcpInÂ
]pebns¸®p§Ä F¶pw kÔymkab¯v Hcp ]pÃpN´ IqSmdp−v.
Ipcnipwaq«nte¡mWv NncpX¸pebn t]mIp¶sX¶v A½nWn¡dnbmw.
""NncpX¸petby, Ft§m«m?'' A½nWn hnfn¨ptNmZn¨p.
NncpX ]pÃpwNpaSpwsIm−p Xncnªpt\m¡n.
""F¶ sIm¨n{amt«y?''
""C¶m Cu Fgp¯v Ipcnipwaq«n B X]mÂIpänbn H¶nt«¡mtam?''
""F¶m sIm¨n{am«o, F\n¡dnbmt½e, Ipäows]«ow H¶pw.''
""AhnSmtcmsS¦nepw tNmZn¨m ]dªpXcpw. Rm³ \St¡−tÃm.''
""F¶m C§m Xm sIm¨n{am«o.'' NncpX¸pebn B Iqensbgp¯p hm§n
aSnbn XncpIn.
A½nWn¡p kt´mjambn. apjnª hkv{Xhpambn t]mIp¶XnÂ
AhÄ¡p eÖbp−v. IpcnipwaqSp`mK¯v Hcp]mSp sNdp¸¡mÀ IqSmdp−v;
AXpsIm−mWv AhÄ¡v B `mKt¯¡p t]mIm³ aSn.
A½nWn Xncn¨p\S¡pt¼mÄ AbÂ]¡s¯ ho«n Hcp
sIm¨pIpªnsâ Ic¨n tI«p. Ipip¼nt{Xkym {]khns¨¶pÅ IY
At¸mgmWv AhtfmÀ¯Xv. C{XSw h¶ ØnXn¡v AhnsSm¶p IbdmsX
t]mIp¶Xv DNnXaÃtÃm.
A½nWn sN¶t¸mÄ t{Xkym I«nen InS¡p¶p. AhfpsS
CSXphiwtNÀ¶p tNmc¡«t]mse Hcp sIm¨p Ipªv InS¸p−v.
""CXmtWm s]t®m?'' A½nWn tNmZn¨p.
""tlm! Ct¸msg¦nepw At\zjn¡m³ h¶tÃm.''
""Rm\dnªnÃ. F{X Znhkambn?''
""Ct¶gm.''
""F¶m amt½mZokm?''
""\msf¡gnªv. \o AhnSncns¡So s]t®.'' Hcp _©nsâ ]pd¯v
A½nWn Ccp¶p. hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n Hcp ]cp]cp¯ ]oeoknÂ
It¨mew Dcbv¡p¶p. A¸pds¯ apdnbn t{XkymbpsS am¸nf Ccp¶p
Im¸nIpSn¡p¶p. ASt¨mänt]mse c−v Hm«Sbpw Hcp ]nªmW¯nÂ
Ahsâ ap¼n Ccp¸p−v. s]ä ho«nÂ\n¶v BWp§Ä H¶pw
Ign¡pIbnsömWp tI«n«pÅXv. B N«sams¡ amdntbm Ft´m.
dmtlensâ IeymW¡mcys¯¸än t{Xkymbpw A½nWnbpw X½nÂ
kwkmcn¨p. IeymW¯n\v A½nWn t]mIp¶pt−m F¶p t{Xkym
tNmZn¨p. H¶pw Xocpam\n¨nà F¶pw, cmP³ h¶p IeymW¯n\p
£Wns¨¶pw A½nWn ]dªp.
""t]mIcpsX¶m Rm³ ]td¶Xv.'' I«nen InS¶p sIm−v t{Xkym
]dªp. AhfpsS I®n as¿gpXnbncp¶p. {]khn¨ kv{XoIfpsS
I®n Icn]pc«pI Fs¶mcp NS§p−t{X. ""ImcWw, B dmtlte,
Ahfp ]W¯nsâ ]pdsI s]mbv¡fªtÃm; Ahfn§s\
adnªpt]mIpsa¶v htÃmcpw hnNmcn¨XmtWm?''
""AXn dmtlens\ Ipäw ]dbm\nÃ; Ah¡p Xosc k½XanÃmcp¶p,
Ips©dnbmt¨«³ Xs¶¯m³ NmIm³ XpS§nbXtÃ! A§\m Ahfp
k½Xns¨.'' A½nWn ]dªp.
""GXmbmepw sImÅmw.'' A½nWnbpsS hniZoIcWw t{Xkymbv¡v
A{X Xr]vXnIcambnt¯m¶nbnÃ.
Ipªn\p It¨mew Dc¨Xp sImSp¡m\mbn hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n B
apdnbnte¡p Ibdn h¶t¸mÄ A½nWn FWoäp.
A½nWn Xncn¨p ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ AhnsS Btcm ]pXnb BfpIÄ
h¶ncn¡p¶Xmbn a\Ênembnþ]SnªmtdXnse adnbt¨S¯n.
am½nbpw adnbbpw X½n sI«n¸nSn¨p Icbp¶Xmbn«mWv A½nWn
I−Xv. adnb ]dbpIbmWv: ""At´m\nsb hnfn¡m³ dmtlensâ ¨m¨³
t]mIWsa¶pw ]dªn¡zmþFsâ am½o, GXmbmepw
C§s\sbm¡bmbn. F\n¡p \Ã a\Êmbn«Ãmþs]®n\v Ct¸mgpw Xosc
CjvSanÃ. s\Ãpw ]Whpw, \ÃImehpsams¡ ssZhwX¼pcm³
Xcpt¼mgtà D−mIqþAhfpsS A¸\v AXpXs¶ thWsa¶p \nÀ¸
´wþ]ns¶ Rms\´p sN¿m\m?þF\ns¡sâ At´m\n¨s\
s]W¡nbXn C§s\bnsÃmcp k¦Sw. Fsâ c−p a¡fmtW kXyw.
Ahs\ HmÀ¯p Rm³ Icbm¯ cm{XnbnÃ.''
""C\ow C¸w AsXms¡¸dªns«¶m ^ew? FÃmw ssZhwX¼pcmsâ
Xncpa\Êpt]mse \S¡s«. adntb, ssZhw \nsâ dmtlen\v Hcp tZmjhpw
hcp¯¯nÃ.'' am½n ]dªp: ""A{Xbv¡p amS{]mhm Ahfv.''
""F¶m Rm³ t]mt« am½o? tamtf, A½nWo, ho«ntem«p hctW.''
adnbm½ t]mIm³ `mhn¨p.
""hcmw tNS¯o.'' A½nWn ]dªp.
""Fgp¯nt«m tamtf?'' am½n tNmZn¨p.
""At´m\n¡mtWm tamtf?'' adnb tNmZn¨p.
""AtX.''
""Fsâ amXmth Fsâ Ipªp hcptam? Ahs\ ImWm³ Fsâ
I®psImXn¡p¶p.'' adnb ]dªp. AhfpsS I®pIÄ \ndªp.
tXmfs¯ Ipdnbap−psIm−v AhÄ I®p XpS¨p.
""dmtl F¶m FSp¡zm tNS¯o.'' A½nWn tNmZn¨p.
""Fsâ tamtf, a\XptNmZyw Igntª¸ns¶ Fsâ Ipªp
]mXnbmbnt¸mbnþsamIs¯ \ndwXs¶ t]mbn.
an−mt«manÃ, Dcnbmt«manÃ. F¶m tamtf¶v tNmZn¨m "H¶qÃ' CXm
]d¨nÂ. t\c¯n\pw Ime¯n\pw H¶pw Ign¡¯nÃ. F´p \nÀ¸
´n¨mem H¶p Ipfn¡p¶XpXs¶. F¶pw cmhnse ]Åot¸mIpwþcm{XoÂ
Fsâ IqSm sIS¡ps¶. Hd¡¯n ]n¨pwt]bpw ]tdthw G§eSnt¡zw
Hs¡sN¿p¶p. Fsâ am½o, F\n¡v a\Ên\v Hcp kamZmt\manÃ.
AXn\n¸w XdXn ]tds¶, \me©p Znhkt¯¡v ChnS¶v H¶p
amän¯makn¸n¡msa¶m. AhsS ho«nte¡p sIm−pt]mIm³ t]mIm
\msf. F¶n«p IeymW¯n\v Ht¶m ct−m sZhkw apt¼ Ct§m«p
sIm−pt]mcmsa¶vþCXphtÃmw hnPmcnt¨m−mtWm Fsâ
am½oþssZhXncp¨n¯w F§\m¶m A§s\ \S¡s«.''
""B cmP\nXphtÃmw Adntªm?'' am½n tNmZn¨p.
""H¶pw AdnªpImW¯nÃ; C¶ow htÃmcpw sN¶p ]dtªm¶v
Adnbmt½em. Ahs\ F´n\m ]tds¶, \sÃmcp sNdp¡³.''
""AtXt¶, CXnen¸w Btcw Btcw Ipäw ]dbm\nÃ; C§s\m¡bmbn;
C\ow ]ns¶ ht¶sâ tijw.''
 ""Dw!'' adnb s\SphoÀ¸n«p. FÃmw A\nÝnXambpw, AhyIvXambpw
AhÄ¡ptXm¶n. CcpfSªXpw Imäpw ]nidpw \ndªXpamb Hcp `mhn
AhfpsS ap¼n \o−p \nhÀ¶p \nev¡pIbmWv.
IeymW¯n\p ImteIq«n am½nbpw A½nWnbpw sIm¨m¸nt¨«\pw
sN¶psImÅmsa¶pÅ Dd¸nt·emWp adnb Xnscyt¸mbXv. At´m\n¡v
Fgp¯b¨n«p−v; Ah\pw hcpw. NncpX¸pebn B Fgp¯nt«m? CsænÂ
dmtlens\s¡m−v Hscgp¯b¸n¡Ww. dmtl FgpXnbm Ah³
XoÀ¨bmbpw hcmXncn¡bnÃ. h¶nsæn dmtlensâ A¨m¨s\¯s¶
ae_mdnte¡p ]dªb¨v Ahs\ Iq«ns¡m−phcWw. ImcWw, Ahs\
kz´w aI\mbn«mWv adnb IcpXp¶Xv, IcpXnbn«pÅXpw. IeymWw
amänh¨mepw Xct¡SnÃ, Ahs\¡qSmsX dmtlensâ IeymWw
\S¡−m.
NncpX¸pebn B I¿mes¯m−phgn hcp¶pt−m F¶v adnb IqS¡qsS
sX¡phit¯¡p t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. NncptX¡−nÃ, t\cw
kÔybmbn«pw.
]pÃpN´bn A¶p [mcmfw ]pÃpsI«pIÄ h¶ncp¶p; Bhiy¡mÀ
Ipdhpw; AXpsIm−mWv ]pÃp hnev¡phm³ NncpXbv¡p Xmakw t\cn«Xv.
]mh¡nSm¯³ ap−psImSp¡m³ \nÝbn¨ncn¡p¶ tXhn¡nSm¯nsb
ip]mÀi sNbvXmWv Ipcnipwaq«nse Fgp¯pIpänbn AhÄ B
Fgp¯n«Xv.
At´m\ns¡m¨n{¼m³ Gev]n¨ B Fgp¯v CtXhsc dmtlÂ
sIm¨n{¼m«n¡p sImSp¡m³ NncpX¸pe¡Ån¡v Xcs¸«nÃ. AhÄ
H¶pc−pZnhkw cmhnse B ho«n sN¶ncp¶p. At¶csaÃmw dmtlÂ
]Ånbn t]mbncp¶Xp sIm−v Fgp¯v sImSp¡msX NncpX
Xncn¨pt]mcpIbmWp−mbXv. aämcpsSbpw ssIbn Fgps¯m«p
sImSp¡m\pw ]mSnÃ. AXpsIm−v NncpX B Fgp¯v AhfpsS "sa¨
a«oÂ' `{Zambn kq£n¨ph¨p. At´m\nsb Dt]£n¨n«v AhÄ
cmPs\s¡«m³ t]mIp¶p F¶ hnhcw NncpX¸pebn¡v Xosc
Xr]vXnIcambncp¶nÃ. A§s\ "t]m¡Ww tISv' ImWn¨ dmtlen\v
AhfpsS s]m¶pwsImSps¯mcp "sIm¨n{¼msâ' Fgp¯p
sImSp¯nsæn¯s¶ F´v? sImSp¯nsæn B sIm¨n{¼m³
tIm]ns¨¦ntem?
]ntä¶p cmhnsebpw NncpX¸pebn Fgp¯pambn ]SnªmtdXn sN¶p.
dmtl AhnSnsöpw XdXnbpsS ho«nte¡p t]msb¶pw,
A©mdpZnhkw Igntª Xncn¨p hc¯pÅq F¶pw Ipªm¨n¯Å
]dªp.
 NncpX¸pebn At´m\nbpsS Fgp¯pambn Xdbnte¡p aS§n.
I¸¸pcbnS§fnepw s\ev]mS§fnepw ]pÃp sN¯m³ t]mIp¶Xn\pap¼v
NncpX¸pebn B Fgp¯p amS¯nsâ Cd¼nse Hme¨pgnbn aämcpw
ImWm¯ hn[¯n `{Zambn Hfn¨ph¨p.
]Xnt\gv

ip²KXn¡mc\mb Ip«nt¨«³ \qdpiXam\w hnizkn¨ncn¡pIbmWv, At

´m\nsbs¡m−p Ipª½sb sI«n¡msa¶v. Ggctb¡À H¶mw¢mÊv
`qanbmWv Ah\p kv{Xo[\ambn sImSp¡m³ t]mIp¶Xv. At´m\nbpsS
k½Xw C¡mcy¯n BhiyamsW¶pt]mepw AbmÄ Nn´n¨nÃ.
Ipª½bpw At´m\nsb Xsâ `mhn aWhmf\mbn«p hnNmcn¨pXpS§n.
hmkvXhambpw AhÄ Ahs\ kvt\ln¨p. AhcpsS hnhml¯nsâ
Znhk¯n\mbn AhÄ Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv. s]m³In\mhpIÄsIm−v
ametImÀ¯v AhÄ ]Iepwcm{Xnbpw Ign¨pIq«p¶p. At´m\nsb Xsâ
{]nbs¸« Afnb\mbnt« Ipcymt¡mbv¡p ImWm³ IgnªpÅq. ]ns¶
Ipcymt¡mbpsS DÅnsâ DÅn Hc`nemjw Ah³ Hfn¨ph¨ncp¸p−v. At
´m\nbpsS s]§Ä A½nWnbpsS Imcyw. A¶p s]cp¶mÄIqSm³ Ah³
\m«nÂt¸mbt¸mÄ At´m\nbpsS ho«nemWtÃm Xmakn¨Xv. A¶v Ah³
A½nWnsb¡−p; ss]¦nfnt]mes¯ B s]¬Ip«n! Ahsft¸msemcp
kpμcnsb Ah³ kz]v\¯nÂt¸mepw I−n«nÃ.
A¡mcyw Ah³ Ip«nt¨«t\mSv Hcn¡Â ]Xps¡ H¶p
kqNn¸n¡pIbp−mbn. Ip«nt¨«³ ]Xps¡ H¶p aqfpIbpw sNbvXn«p−v.
B A½nWns¸®ns\ Ip«nt¨«³ icn¡v HmÀ¡p¶nÃ. GXmbmepw
AbmÄ \m«nte¡v H¶p t]mIWsa¶p hnNmcn¨ncn¡pIbmWv.
]äpsa¦n HcpshSn¡v c−p]£n.
]t£, Ip«nt¨«sâ Bibs¯ At´m\n Xosc A\pIqen¡p¶nÃ.
F¶mÂ, "F\n¡p a\ÊnÃ,' F¶v Ah³ ]dªn«panÃ. Ahsc
]nW¡msX F§s\sb¦nepw AhnsS Ipsd\mÄ
Ign¨pIq«Wsat¶bpÅq. Iqen¡qSpXens\tbm asäs´¦nepw
KpWs¯tbm Dt±in¨Ã Ah³ Cu Im«mf·mcpsS \m«nte¡p h¶Xv.
Ah\dnbpw, ]«nWnbpw Zmcn{ZyhpamsW¦nepw, Ahsâ kz´w
amXm]nXm¡·mcpsSbpw IqS¸nd¸pIfpsSbpwIqsS Pohn¡p¶XmWv
\ÃsX¶v. enÃn¡p«nbpsS sIm©epw, ]p©ncnbpw, A½nWnbpsS ¨m¨m
F¶ hnfnbpw; A½bpsS hmÕeyw\ndª tNmdphnf¼epw,
kvt\l[\\mb A¸sâ H«nb hbdpw, ]m¸sâ ]pkvXIwhmb\bpw,
FÃmw hnZqcXbnÂ\n¶v Ahs\ amSnhnfn¡p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
Ah³ Ipcymt¡mbpsSIqsS Xq¼mbpw sh«pI¯nbpambn ImSnt\mSpw
aetbmSpw ]Ssh«n; Hcp b{´wt]mse ]Iepw cm{Xnbpw
adnªpsIm−ncp¶p. Ah³ Nnet¸mÄ GI\mbn ]md¸pd¯pIbdn
A\§msXbncn¡pw; ]e\nd¯nepÅ taL§tfmSpIqSnb kÔymImiw
Ahsâ ap¼nÂh¶p\nev¡pw; ]«pkmcnbWnªv Ahsâ dmtlÂ
BImi¯neqsS Ahs\ Xnc¡n hcpIbmsW¶p tXm¶pw. \oehm\nÂ
h«anSp¶ N¡n¸cp´v Ahsâ \m«nÂ\n¶p hcp¶Xmbncn¡mw.
Xmgvhcbn¡qSn HgpIp¶ Im«cphnbpsS aÀ½c¯n dmtlensâ
AgtIdnb kzcatà {]Xn²z\n¡p¶Xv?
hÃhn[¯nepw \mSp]änbmÂaXn. F´pImcWw ]dªmWv
Xnscyt¸mIpI? At´m\n hnjan¨p. A¸pd¯p\n¶p NpÅns]dp¡pIbpw
Ahs\ IS¡®psIm−p t\m¡pIbpw sN¿p¶ Ipª½tbmSv Ah\v
A\pI¼tXm¶n. Imcyw t\tc Xpd¶p]dªmtem? ]dªm ]mhw
s]¬Ip«n \ncmisIm−p \odnt¸mIpw.
dm¡v IpSn¡p¶Xv At´m\n¡p Xosc CjvSanÃmbncp¶p. ]t£,
Ip«nt¨«sâbpw Ipcymt¡mbpsSbpw \nÀ_Ô¯n\v Ah³ Nnet¸msgÃmw
hg§msX KXy´cansömbn. A§s\ IpSn¨ Hcp cm{XnbnemWv
duUnhdoXv B hgn h¶v Ipcymt¡msb No¯ ]dªXpw
shÃphnfn¨Xpw. ]W¡mc³ N«¼nbmbm Abev¡mcpsS am\atÃ
shůnemIp¶Xv.
""F¶m Ahs\ H¶p I−nt«bpÅq.'' At´m\n
NmSnbnd§n¡gnªp... Ipcymt¡mbpw Ipª½bpw Ip«nt¨«\pw t]Sn¨p
hnd¨pt]mbn.
Hcp hogvNbpsS i_vZw.
At¿m F¶ \nehnfn.
Ipcymt¡mbpw Ip«nt¨«\pw ]pdsI HmSnsb¯n.
""At¿m Fâ¨mt¨m!'' F¶p Ipª½ s\©¯Sn¨p \nehnfn¨p.
""Ipªt½m, dm´ephnf¡ns§Spt¯m−phm. HmSnhm.''
Ccp«s¯´mWp kw`hn¨sX¶v BÀ¡pw Hcp cq]hpanÃ.
""Fs¶ sImÃcpXv! ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v!....'' BcpsStbm BÀ¯\mZw.
Ipª½ dm´Âhnf¡pwsIm−ph¶p.
duUnhdoXns\ At´m\n tImXpImen«p \ne¯p hogv¯nbncn¡p¶p.
ASns]«pInS¡p¶ hdoXnsâ sXm®bv¡v At´m\n ssI apdp¡p¶p;
hdoXnsâ aq¡v Hcp hit¯¡v tImSnbn«p−v; hmbnÂ\n¶p IpapIpsa
cIvXw HgpIp¶p. Ipª½ I®ps]m¯n; AhfpsS Xe Npäp¶Xpt]mse
tXm¶n; AhÄ \ne¯p adnªphoWpt]mbn.
""taem Cuhgn h¶pt]mIcpXv. dmkvIÂ, Rm³ \ns¶ sImÃp¶nÃ,
s]mbvt¡m. t]m{In, \m«n s]¼ntÅÀ¡p Pohn¡m³ ]mSnsÃt¶m?
sX½mSo!'' At´m\n iIvXnbmbn AWbv¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
Ip«nt¨«\pw Ipcymt¡mbpwIqSn hdoXns\ Xm§nsbWo¸n¨p.
""Fsâ s]m¶p Ip«nt¨«m, Fs¶ Aham\n¡cpXv. Rm³
s]mbvs¡mÅmw.'' hdoXv At]£n¨p.
""\n\¡v FhnSmSm am\w Ccn¡ps¶?'' Ipcymt¡m tNmZn¨p.
taem Bhgn \S¡pItbm No¯]dbpItbm sN¿pIbnsöp i]Yw
sN¿n¨Xn\ptijamWv AhÀ duUn hdoXns\ hn«b¨Xv.
At´m\nbpsS s\änbnse apdnhv kmcanÃmbncp¶p. A§s\ `b¦c\mb
Hcp i{XphnÂ\n¶p X§sf c£n¨ At´m\nsb B IpSntbä¡mÀ
AhcpsS c£nXmhns\t¸mse BZcn¨p.
Icnbpw NmWIhpwsIm−p sagpInb Nphcpt]mse Ingt¡ BImiw
ImWs¸«p. BImi¨phcn {]Xy£s¸« aghnÃv ""hcp¶p, ag¡mew''
F¶ t\m«okpt]mse tXm¶n.
ags]bvXm Ip«nt¨«sâ ]pc tNmcpw. ]pcsI«m\pÅ kabw
Ignªncn¡p¶p. ]\tbme hm§Ww. ]¯ncp]Xp \mgnI
AIses¨s¶¦nte ]\tbme In«q. Ip«nt¨«³ cq]mbpw sImSp¯p
Ipcymt¡msb Ab¨p. Ah³ Hme sIm−phcpwap¼v ag s]
¿mXncps¶¦nÂ!
A¶p cm{Xnbn FÃmhcpw \à Dd¡w ]nSn¨t¸mÄ ags]¿pIXs¶
sNbvXp. Idp¯ BImi¯n an¶epIÄ HmSn\S¶p. Imäv
AXniIvXnbmbn hoins¡m−ncp¶p. F¶n«pw Ip«nt¨«³ IqÀ¡w hen¨p
InS¶pd¡amWv. BImiw CSnªphoWmepw Abmsf Dd¡¯nÂ\n¶v
DWÀ¯pI hnjaw. Ipcymt¡m ASp¯Znhkw Hcpkabt¯
Xncns¨¯pIbpÅq. At´m\nbpsS apdn s]s«¶p Xpd¡s¸«p.
apdnbnte¡p shůpÅnIÄ ]mªpIbdn. Imämbncn¡mw. At´m\n
DWÀ¶p. IXIv ASbv¡s¸«p. IXsI§s\bmWv Xms\ ASªXv?
sImÅnbm³ an¶n. B apdnbn Btcm {]thin¨n«p−v. ]nimNp¡fpÅ
\mSmtWm AXv?
""BcmWXv?''
""Rm\m. Ipª½.''
""F´m.''
""At¿m F\n¡p t]Snbm. AhnsSÃmw tNmcptIw sN¿p¶p.''
""Ip«nt¨«m.''
""th−. A¨mbs\ hnfn¡−.'' Ipª½ At´m\nbpsS hmbv s]m¯n.
""AsX¶m?''
""th−m.''
 ""F¶m Ipª½ ChnsS¡nSt¶m.'' At´m\n ]dªp. Ah³
IXIpXpd¡m³ `mhn¨p. Ipª½ Ahsâ ssIbv¡p Ibdn ]nSn¨p.
""F\n¡p t]Snbm.'' AhÄ Ahsâ sNhnbn a{´n¨p.
At´m\n AhfpsS ssI IpXdn. Ah³ _emev¡mcambn IXIp Xpd¶v
]pdt¯¡p \S¶p. Ipª½ hn½nhn½n¡cbp¶Xv Imänsâ
Cc¼en\nSbv¡v Ah\p tIÄ¡mambncp¶p.
ASp¯ I¶pImen¡qSnte¡v Ah³ Ibdns¨¶p. Ah³ cm{Xnbn B
I¶pImen¡q«n Ign¨pIq«n. Ahsâ tZlsaÃmw \\ªp Ipfn¨ncp¶p.
t\cw shfp¡p¶Xphsc Ah³ ag\\bpIbpw Dd¡nfbv¡pIbpw sNbvXp.
Ah\p s\©ps\m¼chpw XethZ\bpw D−mbn. Ahsâ icocw
Xot]mse s]mÅp¶p. ae¼\nbmsW¶v Ip«nt¨«³ hn[n¨p.
sImbv\mKpfnIbpw NqSpÅ Im¸nbpw Ahsâ ]\nsb ian¸n¨nÃ.
]ntäZnhkw Hcp Imfh−nbn Ipcymt¡m ]\tbmebpw sIm−ph¶p.
At´m\n¡p ]\n]nSns¨¶dnªt¸mÄ Ipcymt¡mbv¡p k¦Sap−mbn.
Ah³ sshZysâ ]¡Â \n¶p acp¶p hm§ns¡m−ph¶p. acp¶p
IpSn¨n«pw At´m\n¡p bmsXmcp Ipdhpw I−nÃ.
A¶p¨Xncnªv ho«nÂ\n¶v A½nWnbpsS Fgp¯p h¶p. At´m\n
Fgp¯p hmbn¨p.
""F\n¡p ho«n t]mWw.'' At´m\n tcmKi¿bn \ns¶Woäncp¶p.
""kpIt¡Spt]mbn«p t]mbm aXn.'' Ip«nt¨«³ ]dªp.
""t]mIWw. t]mbn«Xymhiyap−v. kpJt¡Sp kmcanÃ. t]mbn
Ipsd¡gnªp hcmw.'' At´m\n FWoäp Ignªp.
Ip«nt¨«³ At´m\nbpsS s\änbn ssIh¨p t\m¡n. ]\n t]mbn«nÃ.
""H¶pc−psZhknIqsS Ignbs« tamt\. ]\nbmbn«p bm{XsNbvXmtem?''
""t]mIWw.''
""t]mtWm¶p \nÀ¸´amtW t]m. AÃm−n¸w Rms\¶m ]dbm\m.''
Ip«nt¨«³ ]dªp.
""F¶m FSm Ipcymt¡m \obqsS t]m. At´m\n Häbv¡p t]mI−m.''
]pX¸pw ]pX¨v Imfh−nbnte¡p Ipcymt¡mbpsS ssIbv¡p]nSn¨p
Ibdp¶ At´m\nsb XpSn¡p¶ lrZb¯msS Ipª½
t\m¡ns¡m−p\n¶p. sIm¨p IeymW¸´enÂ\n¶v At´m\nsb
Ahsâ Afnb³ aWhdbnte¡p ]nSn¨pIbäp¶ B kpZn\s¯bmWv
Ipª½ C{Xbpw Imew In\mhpI−ncp¶Xv. h−nbnte¡pÅ
]nSn¨pIbäens\bÃ, tlm! B In\mhnsâ XIÀ¨!
Imfh−nbpsS N{I§Ä Dcp−p. NqSp]nSn¨ Ahsâ a\Êv B−pIfpsS
DuSphgnbn¡qsS ]pdtIm«pt]mbn. Ah³ BZyambn Imfh−nbnÂ
Ibdnb B Znhkw. Ah³ h−n¡mc\mbXv. h−nbpwsIm−v
aS§nsb¯pt¼mÄ dmtl I¿mebnd¼n Ahs\ Im¯p\n¶Xv...
A¡me§Ä!
]ntä¶p hfsc Ccp«nbmWv At´m\nbpw Ipcymt¡mbpw t_m«pIShnÂ
F¯nbXv. ]«WhoYn an¡hmdpw iq\yambncp¶p. At´m\n¡v
HcSnt]mepw \S¡m³ h¿mXmbn. Ah\p IqS¡qsS ab¡hpw
t_m[t¡Spw D−mIp¶p. hÃhnt[\bpw ho«n F¯nbncps¶¦nÂ!
]mhw Ipcymt¡mbpw hnjan¨p.
At´m\nsb t_m«pP«nbnse apdnbn Ccp¯nbn«p Ipcymt¡m
shfnbnte¡p \S¶p. dn£m¡mscÃmw s]mbv¡gnªncn¡p¶p; Hcp
Imfh−n InS¸p−v. AXn\pÅn \me©v Acn¨m¡pw Ccn¡p¶p;
h−n¡mcs\ ImWp¶nÃ. Ipcyt¡mbv¡pw k¦Sap−mbn; At´m\nsb
F§s\ ho«nse¯n¡pw.
Ipcymt¡m Xncnsb \S¶t¸mÄ h−n¡mc³ h¶p.
""Cu h−n Ft§m«m?'' Ipcymt¡m tNmZn¨p.
""Dw F¶m?''
""Hcmsf¡qsS sIm−pt]mImtam¶v.''
""Bcm?''
""hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸n F¶p]td¶ Bfnsâ tam³ At´m\n.''
""At´m\ntbm? FhnsS?'' XSnb³IdnbmbpsS IÅnsâ elcn
]¼IS¶ncp¶p.
Ah³ Ipcymt¡mbpsS IqsS \S¶p.
""Fsâ At´m\o \n\s¡¶m ]änsbSm!'' Idnbm Ahsâ ]gb
Iq«pImcs\ sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp. ]−p ]d¦namhnsâ Xp©¯ncp¶v At
´m\nsb Imdbv¡msIm−v Fdnª B IdnbmXs¶.
Idnbmbpw Ipcymt¡mbpwIqSn At´m\nsb Xm§nsbSp¯p
sIm−ph¶p h−nbnem¡n.
At´m\n¡p kwkmcn¡m³ hnjaambncp¶p, hnhc§sfÃmw
XSnb³Idnbmsb Ipcymt¡m Adnbn¨p.
h−n \o§n; At´m\nsb Xm§n¸nSn¨psIm−p h−n¡pÅnÂ
Ipcymt¡m Ccp¶p.
""B ssae¡mfbmtWm Idnbm AXv?'' At´m\n tNmZn¨p. Ahsâ
kzcw £oWn¨ncp¶p.
""AtX; \o hÀ¯am\w ]td−, A\§mXncpt¶m.'' Idnbm Xm¡oXp
\ÂIn. Ipep¡w X«m¯amXncn ]Xps¡¸Xps¡bmWv Idnbm h−nhn«Xv.
 t\cw ]mXncm{Xn Ignªncp¶p; hgnbn A§n§p sN¼³shÅw
X§n¡nS¶ncp¶p; ag s]bvXp]d¶tXbpÅq; ac§fnse ]¨neIfnÂ
]pc−ncp¶ Pe_nμp¡fn N{μcivanIÄ X«nbt¸mÄ shÅnt]mse
Xnf§n.
h−n sIm¨m¸nt¨«sâ ho«nse¯n. AbmÄ tNmX³ ]pebsâIqsS
ssIt¯m«n Du¯]nSn¡m³ t]mbncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.
At´m\n Xncn¨ph¶p!
""â¨m¨m!'' enÃn¡p«n hnfn¨p. At´m\nbpsS £oWn¨ apJ¯v Hcp
]p©ncn an¶ns¸menªp.
]ntä¶p cmhnseXs¶ Ipcymt¡m ae_mdnte¡p Xncn¨pt]mbn.
At´m\nbpsS kpJt¡Sp hÀ²n¨tXbpÅq. sshZy³ KpfnI sImSp¯p.
tUmIvSÀ h¶p IpgÂh¨pt\m¡n; Ip¯n h¨p; A´yIqZmiIÄ
\ÂIs¸«p. Ic¨nepIfpw s\SphoÀ¸pIfpw D−mbn.
sIm¨m¸nbpsS a¬Nphcn Hcp I®mSn¨nÃn« ]Sap−mbncp¶p; B ]Sw
At´m\nbpsS i¿bn D−mbncp¶p Ah³ acn¨ kab¯v.
A¶p kmbmlv\w At´m\nbpsS arXtZlw tZhmeb¯nse
skant¯cnbnte¡p sIm−pt]mIs¸«p. CSs¯m−n¡qSn B iha©w
hln¡s¸«p. sh«s¸« iÀ¡tc¨nbpsS Ipänbn Hcp Xfncp
s]mSn¨ncp¶p; acn¨ ac¯nsâ BXvamhpt]mse B Xfncp sIm¨pImä¯p
hnd¨p. kzÀ®\nd¯nepÅ shfn¨w Ingt¡ms«mgp¡ns¡m−p sNa¶
taL§fpsS CSbv¡p ]Item³ \n¶ncp¶p.
A§t¯¡mcpsS ]d¼nse Im¸ns¨SnIfpsS Nph«n Ccp¶p
the¡mc¯n A¶s¸®v G§eSn¨pIcªp.
cmP\pw Ips©dnbmt¨«\pw, At´m\nbpsS iha©w
Npa¶hcpsSIq«¯n DÄs¸«p. Nm−n¸mÀhXyImÀ hSnbpw Ip¯n¡p¯n
]pdsI \S¶ncp¶p.
Rmdbv¡m¡p¶nsâ AcnIptNÀ¶p t]mIp¶ ]mXbneqsS B
tLmjbm{X \o§n.
IpSn¸Ån¡qS¯nsâ ap¼nepÅ NcÂ\ndª hgnsb B tLmjbm{X
\o§n.
dmtl AhfpsS tNS¯nbpsS ho«nÂ\n¶p aS§n hcpIbmbncp¶p.
Ahfpw AhfpsS tNS¯nbpw D−mbncp¶p ImdnÂ. ImÀ h¶t¸mÄ
tLmjbm{X¡mÀ hgnbpsS AcnIptNÀ¶p apt¶m«p \o§n. ""BcmWv
acn¨Xv?'' dmtl B iha©w I−p. AXnsâ apIfn h¨ncn¡p¶
]q¡sfs¡m−pÅ X«w I−p; apJw I−nÃ. B ]q¡fpsS apIfn A
´nkqcysâ sNa¶ civanIÄ ]Xnbp¶p−mbncp¶p. AhfpsS
lrZb¯nsâ {]`phmWv B iha©¯n \nÝe\mbn¡nS¡p¶sX¶v
AhÄ AdnªnÃ; AhÄ¡p th−nam{Xw XpSn¨ncp¶ lrZb¯nsâ
kv]μ\§Ä Ft¶¡pambn \ne¨p F¶v AhÄ AdnªnÃ.
AhfpsS At´m\n ae_mdn\p t]mbncn¡pIbmWv. Ahs\
Fgp¯b¨p hcp¯Ww. AhÄ Fgp¯b¨m Ah³ hcmXncn¡bnÃ.
Ahs\ ASp¯pImWm³ temIw A\phZn¨nsæn Zqsc
\S¶pt]mIp¶Xp ImWmatÃm. Ahs\¸än Nn´n¡phm\pw, Ahs\
hÃt¸mgpsa§m³ ImWm\pw DÅ kzmX{´ysa¦nepw temIta, \o
\ntj[n¡cptX.
Btcm HcmÄ acn¨p. ]¨neIÄ ]gp¯p sR«äphogpw. hS¡³Imänsâ
izmktaäp ]q¡Ä sImgnbpw. \£{X§Ä AkvXan¡pw. bmsXm¶p
P\n¡p¶p, AXp acn¡pw. `qan acW¯nsâbpw kzÀ¤w Pohsâbpw
\mSpIftÃ.
dmtlensâ ImÀ B tLmjbm{X ]n¶n«psIm−v apt¶m«p \o§n.
AhÄ ho«nse¯n. B \msSÃmw Dd§n¡nS¡p¶Xpt]mse ImWs¸«p.
]pdthenta Ccp¶v Hcp h®m¯n¸pÅp Nnebv¡p¶p−v. A§t¯Xnse
ssIkÀ]«n e£yanÃmsX Ipcbv¡p¶Xp tIÄ¡mw. CSbv¡nSbv¡p
tNmX³]pebsâ XdbnÂ\n¶v ""âv s]m¶psIm¨n¼vdm!'' F¶ \nehnfn
tIÄ¡p¶p−v.
adnbm½ XmSn¡p ssIbpwsImSp¯v Xn®bn Ccn¡p¶p. Imdnsâ
i_vZw tI«n«pw "A½¨n' F´psIm−v FWoäpt\m¡nbnÃ? dmtlens\
¡−n«pw F´psIm−v HmSnhcp¶nÃ?
"At½, A½t¨y!'' dmtl hnfn¨p.
]Xns\«v

Hcp ]mhs¸«hsâ acWw\nan¯w BImiw CSnªp hoWnÃ; B

{Kma¯n\p bmsXmcp hyXymkhpw I−nÃ; ]tg]Sn I¿mebnd¼pIfnÂ
tImfm¼n¸q¡Ä hnScpIbpw, I¸Âamhnsâ NnÃIfn Ccp¶p
Im¡¯¼pcm«nIÄ ]m«p ]mSpIbpwsNbvXp. NmWIhpw IcnbpwsIm−p
sagpInb NphcpIfpÅ Ht¶m ct−m sNä¡pSnepIfn s\SphoÀ¸pIfpw
G§n¡c¨nepIfpw XpSÀ¶psIm−ncp¶p. ]mh§fpsS I®pIfnÂ\n¶v
DXncp¶ I®oÀ¡WnIIÄ \ne¯p hogpt¼mÄ shÅnSnIfpsS i_vZw
D−mImdnÃ. hfsc hfsc \nÈ_vZambn B I®oÀ¯pÅnIÄ Xdbnse
a®n ebn¨psImÅpw.
F¶n«pw dmtl Pohn¨p. Icbphm³ AhÄ¡p I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ
_m¡nbp−mbncp¶nÃ. AhfpsS lrZbs¯ tamjvSn¨psIm−pt]mb
BÄ aS§nh¶nÃ; C\n aS§nhcpIbpanÃ.
F¦nepw dmtl Pohn¨p; AhÄ `£n¡pIbpw Dd§pIbpw,
]pkvXIwhmbn¡pIbpw kwkmcn¡pIbpw sNbvXp.
Ips©dnbmt¨«sâ apä¯v Ae¦cn¡s¸« ]´en Xg¸mbIÄ
\nc¯s¸«ncp¶p. Ab¡mcpw _ÔpP\§fpw h¶pXpS§n. sI«n¡bäw
cmPsâ ho«nÂh¨mIbm At¶Znhkw s]®nsâ ho«n kZybnÃ.
AXpsIm−mWv RmbdmgvN sshIn«p kZybm¡nbXv.
Ab¡mcpw _ÔpP\§fpw IqSnbncp¶p. kÔybv¡p s]®ns\
Ipfn¸n¡p¶ NS§p \S¶p; s]®p§Ä ]m«p]mSn:
""apÅpIÄ at[y hfcp¶ tdmkm
shŸqt]msebn¶o...''
F¶n§s\ B Km\¯nsâ CuW§Ä kÔybpsS A´co£¯nÂ
amsämens¡m−p. A½amcpw I\yIamcpamb s]®p§fpsS kwKoX]mShw
C§s\ A]qÀÆL«§fnte {]ISn¸n¡s¸SmdpÅq.
]´en\Sp¯v apä¯v henb ASp¸nse hmÀ¸n Acn IpXpIpsX
Xnfbv¡p¶p. ASp¸nÂ\n¶p \mep]mSpw hmÀ¸ns\ Npw_n¡p¶
XoÖzmeIfpsS IXncpIÄ \mS³ s]®p§fpsS Rpdn¨pepIsf
kv]Àin¨psIm−ncp¶p. tXmgnamÀ F®bpw Xmfnbpw tX¨p aWhm«nsb
Ipfn¸n¨p; hkv{X§Ä AWnbn¨p; AhÀ B I\yIsb ]´ente¡v
B\bn¨p. AhnsS shÅbpw Icn¼ShpwsIm−p aqSnb Ipc−n¸pd¯v
AhÄ Ccp¯s¸«p. dmtl IeymW¸´ensâ a²y¯nÂ
XeIp\n¨ncp¶p. s\änbnÂ\n¶v DuÀ¶p InS¡p¶ Ikhpt\cnbXnsâ
hnfp¼v apJ¯nsâ ]IpXn hscbpw ad¨ncp¶p.
""\pÅn¯n¶m³ hbv¡t«?'' F¶v XdXnbpsS `À¯mhmb BKkvXn
kZÊnt\mSp tNmZn¨p.
""a[pcwhbv¡t« F¶p ]dsbtSm.'' ]´enÂ\n¶v Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³
hnfn¨p]dªp. ""]tgcoXn aXn,'' Fs¶mcp hbʳ IbÀ¯p.
""CXp ]pXnb Imeam aq¸ot¶,'' asämcp sNdp¸¡mc³ sNmSn¨p.
""aq¸os¶¶v \nsâ Xt´t¸mbn hnfns¡Sm.'' Inghsâ aI³
NmSnsbWoäp. Ah³ C¯ncn acshÅw Ign¨n«mWp h¶ncn¡p¶sX¶p
XoÀ¨bmWv. Ahsâ I®pIÄ Nph¶ncp¶p. H¶pc−pt]ÀIqSn Ahs\
]nSn¨ncp¯n.
""\n§fp _Kfw Iq«msX. Imcyw \S¡s«.'' Xe\c¨ Hcp ]m{XnbÀ¡okv
A`n{]mbs¸«p.
BKkvXn \n¶p hnbÀ¡pIbmWv.
""H¶qsS tNmZnt¨¡p tamt\.''
""a[pcw hbv¡t«¶p tNmZn¡p¶p.''
""\pÅn¯n¶m³...'' Ingh³ hnfn¨p]dbphm³ XpS§n. AbmÄ
DS¡p−m¡m³Xs¶ h¶ncn¡bmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p. HcmÄ Inghsâ
hmbv s]m¯n¸nSn¨p.
""tI«nÃ,'' ]´ensâ aqebnÂ\n¶v Hcp a²yhbkvI³ hnfn¨p]dªp.
""a[pcw hbv¡t« F¶p tNmZn¡p¶p.''
""F´m, ]n¶§s\btÃ?'' H¶pc−pt]À k½Xn¨p. kZÊv
\nÈ_vZambn.
XdXn Hcp ]nªmW¯n Ipsd ]©kmcbpw c−p ]ghpw
sIm−ph¶v dmtlensâ ap¼nÂh¨p. dmtl s\änbn Ipcnip hc¨p.
aq¶p XhWbmbn aq¶p \pÅp ]©kmc AhÄ `£n¨p. aq¶p XpÅn
I®p\oÀ B ]m{X¯n hoWp. \nehnf¡nsâ Zo]vXnbn B
I®oÀ¡WnIIÄ Xnf§n.
""F¨n¸msSSp¡t«¶p tNmZn¡p¶p.'' XdXnbpsS am¸nf ho−pw tNmZn¨p.
""F´m ]n¶§s\btÃ.'' kZÊv A\phZn¨p.
dmtlensâ ssIbv¡p]nSn¨p XdXn FWo¸n¨v Ahsf AIt¯¡p
Iq«ns¡m−pt]mbn.
]´en Ccp¶hÀs¡Ãmw shä]m¡p \evIs¸«p. kZybv¡p kabambn.
AIs¯mcp \nehnfntI«p. AfpIÄ At§mt«mSn. am½nsb sI«n¸nSn¨v
adnb IcbpIbmbncp¶p. Ahsc ]nSn¨pamäm³ BÀ¡pw ss[cyap−mbnÃ.
""Ahc§s\ kvt\ln¨p Pohn¨hcm.'' hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n ]dªp.
 ""lpw, a\pjysc sa\s¡Sp¯p¶ FS]mSv.'' Hcp hbʳ ]ndp]ndp¯p.
BfpIÄ ho−pw ]´ente¡p aS§n.
CeIÄ \nc¯s¸«p. kZy Bcw`n¨p. sIm¨m¸n¡pw Ips©dnbmbv¡pw
{]tXyIw c−neIÄ hcm´bn hbv¡s¸«p. B N§mXnamÀ H¶n¨ncp¶v
DuWpIgn¨p. ]mhs¸«hcmbn P\n¨v ]mhs¸«hcmbn hfÀ¶ B
Iq«pImsc ]Ww Ipsd¡met¯¡v AIänsbt¶bpÅq. ]t£, B
AI¨bv¡v A[nI\mft¯¡p \ofphm³ km²yaÃ. AhÀ ho−pw
H¶n¨p. C\n Hcn¡epw AhÀ AIepIbnÃ, Hcn¡epw.
am½nbpsS IqsSbncp¶p tNmdp−t¸mtg adnbbpsS a\Êp sXfnªpÅq.
A½nWnbpw dmtlepwIqSn Hscmä CebnÂ\n¶mWv D−Xv.
ASp¯Sp¯pÅ sImfp¯nh¨ncn¡p¶ c−p Zo]§Ä amXncn Ahcncp¶v
D®p¶ DuWpI−v aäp sNdnb s]®p§Ä¡v AkqbtXm¶n.
Akqbs¸«m AgIp−mIptam? hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n¡v A§s\bpÅ
Akqb CÃ. ]Xnt\gpsImÃw ap¼v Hcp s]m¶pwNn§amk¯nse
ap¶ncp«pÅ Hcp cm{Xnbn Ips©dnbm HmSn¡nX¨ph¶v Gent¨S¯nsb
hnfn¨psIm−p t]mbXpw, A¶v HmSnb Hm«¯n AhÀ tXm«p hc¼¯v
Im sX¶nhoWXpw, bmsXmcÃepwIqSmsX adnbbpsS {]khw
FSp¯Xpw, "s]m¶pwsImSpt¯mcp' Ipªns\ ]mfbnÂ
InS¯n¡pfn¸n¨Xpw, Gent¨S¯n tNmdp®p¶Xn\nSbv¡v
HmÀ¡pIbp−mbn. B IpªmWv \msf Ipt_c]Xv\nbmhm³t]mIp¶
dmtlÂ. C\n Ipsd¡mew Ignªv dmtl {]khn¡pw. A¶p henb
tUmIvSÀamcmbncn¡pw hcp¶Xv. ]mhs¸«hcpsS am{Xw hbäm«nbmWv
Gent¨S¯n. F¦nepw A¶v Gent¨S¯nbpw t]mIpw. {]khapdnbnte¡v
Ahsc IS¯nhnSptam? AXp t]mIs«. H¶pc−psImÃwIqsS
Gent¨S¯n Pohn¨ncn¡psa¶v Dd¸pt−m?
""C¶ow A½nWosS IeymWwIqsS IqSn«p N¯m aXnbmÀ¶p,''
Gent¨S¯n ]dªp.
""FhnsS IeymtWmw {]Xthmw h¶mepw Gent¨S¯n¡p tImfm.''
dt_¡psIm«pImc³ sXm½nt¨«sâ s]¼nf Htdm½ ]dªp. Htdm½bpsS
Ggp {]khw FSp¯ BfmWv Gent¨S¯n. Htdm½bv¡p hbÊp
\mev]¯mdmbn. Ct¸mÄ A©pamkw hbänep−pXm\pw.
""dmtle½sb¶m H¶pw an−m¯Xv?'' shSns¡«pImc³
Ipªmss¼enbpsS aIÄ A¶ ]dªp.
""\mWamcn¡pw.'' Id¼nt{Xkym ]dªp.
""Dw, ]nt¶, C¸gs¯ s]¼ntÅÀ¡m \mWw!'' I¿me Ip¯pImc³
Ahdmsâ A½ Ipsªf¨nt¨S¯n A`n{]mbs¸«p.
 Cu Ahkc¯n ]mepImc³ hdoXnsâ s]¼nf, sImt¨en,
sXm−bv¡p ao³apÅp sIm−ptIdnbXp \nan¯w IjvSs¸Sp¶Xmbn
ImWs¸«p.
""sImWwh¶ sImXn¨o; D½nWns¨ hmcn¯«m³ h¿mcpt¶m?'' t{Xkym
Hcpcpft¨mdpambn ASps¯¯n. ""C¶m CXp Nhbv¡msX angp§nt¡m.''
sImt¨enbpsS I®cp«pw sh{]mfhpw I−v s]®p§sfÃmw Nncn¨pt]mbn.
dmtlen\pw A½nWn¡pw Nncnbp−mbn.
kZyIgnªp. shSn]d¨nepw s]m«n¨ncn¡epw apdp¡n¯p¸epw FÃmw
Hs«m¶p ian¨p. BfpIsfÃmw ]ncnbpw ap¼v \mfs¯ IeymW¯n\v
sNdp¡sâ ho«nte¡p t]mtI−hcpsS t]cpIÄ \nÀt±in¡s¸«p.
A¡q«¯n Id¼nt{Xkymbpw, XSnb³ Idnbmbpw, A½nWnbpw,
sIm¨m¸nt¨«\pw DÄs¸Sp¶p. am½n IeymW¯n\p t]mIp¶nsöp
XoÀ¯p ]dªp. s]¬Iq«cpsS KW¯n HSphn hbäm«n
Gent¨S¯nsb¡qSn tIm Hm]väv sNbvXtijw BfpIÄ ]ncnªp. \msf
Xn¦fmgvN cmhnse FÃmhcpw Ips©dnbmbpsS ho«n IqSn Im¸nbpw
Ignªp ]Ånbnte¡p ]pds¸SWsa¶mWp t{]m{Kmw.
dmtlen\p tXmgva¡mcnbmbn A½nWnsb XncsªSp¯p.
sIm¨m¸nt¨«sâbpw adnbm½bpsSbpw _Ôp¡mcmbn AIse\n¶ph¶
hncp¶pImscmgn¨p aäpÅhscÃmw ]ncnªp.
]cys¯ hmg¨ph«n HcmÄam{Xw Im¯p\n¶ncp¶p. dmtl hcm
´nbnte¡p sN¶t¸mÄ apä¯p NncpX¸pebn \nev¡p¶XpI−p.
""F¶m NncpX¸pebo?'' dmtl tNmZn¨p.
""sIm¨n{am«n C§m at¶.'' dmtl apät¯¡nd§n.
""F´n\m tamtf apä¯nd§ps¶?'' Ipªm¨n¯Å tNmZn¨p.
""Rms\§pw t]mWnÃ, hey½¨o.'' s]®pw sNdp¡\pw,
IeymWZnhk§fn ]pdt¯s¡§pw Häbv¡p t]mImcpsX¶mWv
\nbaw. ]t£, apät¯¡nd§p¶XpsIm−v henb tZmjw H¶pw hcm\nÃ.
""NncpX¸pe¡Ån tNmdpt−m?''
ASnb³ Xtds¨¶p Ignt¨mfmw.'' NncpX¸pebn ]dªp: ""sIm¨n{am«n
C§m ASp¯p at¶; Bcpw ImW−m.''
dmtl ASp¯p sN¶p. NncpX¸pebn aSnbnÂ\n¶v Hscgps¯Sp¯p
dmtlensâ ssIbn sImSp¯p.
""CsXhnSp¶m?''
NncpX IcbpIbmWv. ""At´m\ns¡m¨n{¼m³ C¶mfv aehmdn\p
t]mb¸w ASnbtâ X¶Xm. ASnb³ Xcm³ sIm−pacp¼w
sIm¨n{ams«y ImW¯nÃ.''
 dmtl B Fgp¯pw ssIbn ]nSn¨psIm−p \nivtNjvSbmbn
\n¶pt]mbn; B Fgp¯p ]nSn¡p¶ ssI hndbv¡p¶p−mbncp¶p.
""ASnb³ t]mhm.'' NncpX¸pebn t]mbn. dmtlen\v H¶pw an−m³
IgnªnÃ.
]mXncm{Xn Ignªv FÃmhcpw Dd¡w]nSn¨p. ]´ensâ tImWn Hcp
dm´Âhnf¡p a§n a§n I¯p¶p−v. ]pds¯ ASp¸nse Xo¡\epIÄ
apgph³ FcnªS§nbn«nÃ.
dmtlensâ apdnbn A½nWn InS¶pd§p¶p. At´m\nbpsS apJÑmb
B tImafhn{Kl¯n \ngen¡p¶Xmbn ImWs¸«p. B XmSnbpw B
aq¡pw FÃmw.
tai¸pd¯ncn¡p¶ a§nb hnf¡nsâ Xncn Ipsd¡qSn \o«s¸«p. B
apdnbnse Ccp«v A{]Xy£ambn.
dmtl B Fgp¯v \nhÀ¯v Hcn¡Â¡qSn hmbn¨p.
AhÄ Fgp¯p aS¡n. _vfuknsâ ASnbnepÅ t_mUoknsâ CSbnÂ
lrZb¯nsâ `mK¯mbn B Fgp¯p kq£n¨p.
Hcphiw Aev]w sNcnªv Dd§n¡nS¡p¶ A½nWnbpsS
Hma\apJt¯¡v AhÄ kq£n¨pt\m¡n; AhÄ Ip\nªp; B apJ¯v
AhÄ Npw_n¨p. A½nWn adphit¯¡p XncnªpInS¶p; AhÄ
DWÀ¶nÃ. dmtlensâ lrZbw At´m\nbpsS cq]wsIm−p
\ndªncp¶p.
AhÄ hnf¡W¨p. B apdnbn ho−pw CcpÄ \ndªp. AhÄ
]Xps¡ IXIpXpd¶p.
""Bcm AXv?'' Ipªm¨n¯Å tNmZn¨p.
dmtl D¯cw ]dªnÃ. AhÄ B hmXn¡ \nÈ_vZw \n¶p;
Ipªm¨n¯Å ho−pw IqÀ¡w hen¡p¶Xp tI«p. AhÄ
shfnbnte¡pt\m¡n; ]Snªmsd BImi¯n Hcp N{μ¡esb
taL§Ä s]mXnªncn¡p¶Xp I−p. B taL§fpsS AcnIn Hcp
shÅn\£{Xw GImInbmbn \nev¡p¶p. ""At´m\n!'' AhÄ a{´n¨p.
AhÄ I®S¨pIfªp. AhÄ I®pXpd¶p ho−pw t\m¡n. B \£{Xw
Ahsf¯s¶ kq£n¨pt\m¡ns¡m−p \nev¡p¶p.
AhÄ hcm´bnte¡nd§n. IXIp ]Xps¡ AS¨p. kmcn¯p¼psIm−v
AhÄ Xe aqSn.
AhÄ Ft§m«pt]mhpIbmWv? s]®psI«m³ t]mIp¶ sNdp¡\pw
s]®pw Häbv¡p ]pdt¯s¡§pw t]mIcpXv. icn, BcmWv AhfpsS
aWhmf³? \nba§fp−m¡p¶ temIw AXn\v D¯cw ]dbWw. dmtlÂ
temI¯nsâ apJt¯¡v A[nImct¯mSpIqSn t\m¡n. BcmWv AhfpsS
aWhmf³?
D¯canÃ.
temIw CXpt]mse Hcn¡epw \nÈ_vZambncp¶n«nÃ. temI¯n\v
D¯cwap«n¡p¶ tNmZyw. BcmWv AhfpsS aWhmf³?
ac§fpsS ]¨neIfn t\cnb N{μcivanIÄ ]Xnbp¶p. Ccp−
\ngepIÄsIm−v B \m«pw]pdsaÃmw \ndªncp¶p.
GImIn\nbmbn AhÄ Ft§m«p t]mhpIbmWv? dmtlen\p {`m
´pt−m! AhÄ¡p ]cnNbapÅ hgnIfpw CShgnIfpwXs¶. B
Rmdbv¡m¡p¶pw inht£{Xhpw hÅn¡mSpIfpw ap−I¸mShpw
]d¦namhpIfpw Im¡¯¼pcm«nIfpw Ahsf Adnbpw. AhÄs¡mcp
Iq«pImc\p−mbncp¶p; {]nbs¸« Iq«pImc³. Ahfpw Ah\pwþ AhÀ B
\m«nse kvt\l¯nsâ cmPmhpw dmWnbpw Bbncp¶p. hÅ¡mc³
sIm¨m¸nbpsS aI³ At´m\nbpw, h−n¡mc³ Ips©dnbmbpsS aIÄ
dmtlepw.
\msf dmtlensâ IeymWamWv. bman\nbpsS Gähpw \nÈ_vZamb Cu
thfbn AhÄ Ft§m«p t]mIp¶p F¶tÃ?
AhÄs¡mcp Iq«pImc\p−mbncp¶p. temI¯ntâXmb
[\X¯zimkv{Xw Ahsc t]Às]Sp¯n¡fªp. F¦nepw Ipsd¡qSn
iIvXnbp−v kvt\limkv{X¯n\v.
""cmP³ A\phZn¡pIbmsW¦n hÃt¸mgpw dmtl B ihIpSocs¯
kμÀin¡Ww. Fsâ \odp¶ BXvamhns\ XWp¸n¡m³...''
Fgp¯nse hmNIw N{Ihmf§fn apg§ns¡m−ncp¶p;
henb]Ånbnse aWn\mZwt]mse.
""cmP³ A\phZn¡pIbmsW¦nÂ...'' cmPt\m, Ahsf
A\phZn¡m³þAhfptSXmb At´m\nbpsS ihIpSocw
kμÀin¡p¶Xn\v BcpsS A\phmZamWp th−Xv?
]mXncm¸q¡Ä hnSÀ¶v B {Kma¯nse§pw kpKÔw ]c¯n.
iinIebpsS hgn¯mcbnÂ\n¶p taL§Ä amdn \n¶p. CeIfmb
CeIsfÃmw \nemhpsIm−pÅ shÅnbep¡¯pIÄ AWnªp
\n¶ncp¶p. hnSÀ¶ apøq¡Ät]mse BImi¯nse§pw \£{X§Ä
hnXds¸«ncp¶p. cmPIpamcn Fgps¶Åp¶p F¶v Adnbn¨psIm−v A
´ybman\nbnse XWp¯ Ipªn¡mäpIÄ hgnbnepw ]pgbnepw FÃmw
i_vZap−m¡msX k©cn¨ncp¶p.
dmtl knant¯cnbnte¡p {]thin¨p. ssZh¯nsâ Ipªp§Ä
Dd§n¡nS¡p¶ ]nÅs¯m«n. sXm«nbm«p¶ B ssIIÄ ]IÂ
kqcys\bpw cm{Xnbn N{μs\bpw {]Imin¸n¡p¶p. Dd§n¡nS¡p¶ B
Ipªp§Ä DWcpt¼mÄ amemJamÀ Ahsc FSp¯psIm−v
BImi¯nte¡p ]d¶pt]mIpw. a\pjyPohnX¯nsâ \m«phgn
sN¶hkm\n¡p¶ B Actb¡À`qan. AhnsS BdSn a®nsâ XcnIfnÂ
a\pjysâ BiIfpw \ncmiIfpw kpJ§fpw ZpxJ§fpw
\oXnimkv{X§fpw FÃmw Ft¶¡pambn adªpt]mIp¶p.
BdSn\of¯nepÅ ]pXpa®nsâ Iq\ AhÄ Xnc¡n I−p]nSn¨p.
AhnsSmcp ]pjv]w hnS˦p. A{Xbpw at\mlcamb ]pjv]w
temINcn{X¯n Ct¶mfw bmsXmcp ihIpSoc¯nepw ImWs¸«n«nÃ.
dmtl Icªp. BImiw Icªp. I®p\ocpw aªpXpÅnIfpw
CSIeÀ¶p. Ah At´m\nbpsS ihIpSocs¯ \\¨p.
BImi¯p shÅ¡m hoipwap¼v BfpIÄ Xnc¡nbnd§n.
]mh¡nSm¯\pw sIm¨m¸nt¨«\pw bmZrÑnIambn«mWv B
knant¯cnbnte¡v F¯nt\m¡nbXv.
At´m\nbpsS ihIpSoc¯n\pkao]w t_m[anÃmsX InS¶ncp¶
dmtlens\ AhÀ Xm§nsbSp¯p sIm−pt]mbn.
]s¯m¼Xv

FÃmhcpw \Ãhkv{X§Ä AWnªv IeymW¯n\p t]mIm³ X¿mdmbn

h¶p. hbäm«n Gent¨S¯n Hcp ]p¯³ I¨apdnbpw, Ae¡nt¯¨
N«bpw Np«nbpÅ IhWnbpw [cn¨ncn¡p¶p.
Gähpw \Ã kmcnbpw _vfukpw B`cW§fpw AWnªn«pw
dmtlensâ apJ¯v Hcp a§Â Zriyambncp¶p. ]Ånbnte¡p
t]mbt¸mÄ dmtlen\p IpS ]nSn¨Xv A½nWn Bbncp¶p. t\À½bpÅ
Hcp shfp¯ Pq_mbmWv cmP³ [cn¨ncp¶Xv.
tZhmeba²y¯n AhÀ \n¶p. ]ptcmlnX³ ssZhhmIy§Ä D¨cn¨p.
\qen tImÀ¯ Hcp an¶v dmtlensâ Igp¯n cmP³ sI«n. A§s\
AhÀ aWhmf\pw aWhm«nbpw Bbn.
dmtlen\v Hcp t_m[t¡Spt]mse tXm¶n; AhÄ ]nS¨p
\ne¯phogm³ `mhn¨p; A½nWn Ahsf Xm§n¸nSn¨p.
""F´p]än?'' BfpIÄ tNmZn¨p.
""H¶panÃ.''
""t_m[t¡SmtWm?''
""kmcanÃ.''
""tUmIvSsd hnfn¡Ww.''
""hoiv, hoiv.''
""tkmUm sIm−phm.''
""Fsâ IÀ¯mth!''
""\n§Ä IcbmsX s]®p§tf.''
""Fât¿mþFsâ IÀ¯mth!''
""sÈ, AhÄs¡m¶pansÃt¶.''
""BfpIÄ Xn§n¡qSmsXþAhÄ C¨nsc Imäp sImÅs«.''
""At½m, Fsâ amXmth.''
""sÈ; CsXs´mcp IjvSam. AhÄs¡m¶pansÃt¶.''
""Fsâ sIm¨pt{Xkym¸pWymf¯o, Fsâ AÂt^m³kmt½!''
""s]®p§sfsbÃmw ]Ån¡p shfnbnend¡v. t]mþ sNhnXe
tIÄ¡t«.''
""A½nWo, CsX¶m Iptª?''
""H¶panÃ; dmtlen\v Hcp XeNpäÂt]mse.''
""Ct¸msg§s\bncn¡p¶p?''
 ""t_m[w sXfnªp.''
""F¶m ]dsª, t_mXw sXfnsªt¶m?''
""Hm.''
""IÀ¯mhn\p kvXpXnbmbncn¡s«.''
dmtlensâ apJw \t¶ hnfdnbncp¶p; AhÄ¡p kwkmcn¡m³Xs¶
iIvXnbnÃmXmbn. Cu kw`hw cmPs\ hnjan¸n¨p. ]Ån¡À½§Ä
Ignbp¶Xphsc dmtlens\ A½nWn Xm§n¸nSn¨psIm−ncp¶p.
IeymW¯n\pth−n Ae¦cn¡s¸«ncp¶ Imdn aWhmf\pw
aWhm«nbpw Ibdn; aWhm«nbpsS tXmgnbmbn A½nWn
ASp¯pXs¶bncp¶p.
""dmtlte!'' cmP³ hnfn¨p.
""Ft´m!'' dmtl a{´n¨p.
""Ct¸mÄ AkpJw hÃXpw tXm¶p¶pt−m?''
""CÃ.''
dmtlensâ apJt¯¡p cmP³ t\m¡n; Hcp amemJbmWv Xsâ
ASp¯ncn¡p¶sX¶v Ah\p tXm¶n.
Imdnsâ DÅnte¡v {]`mX¯nsâ civanIÄ Hfn¨p t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
]−p dmtlepw A½nWnbpwIqSn At´m\nbpsS N¡nSmh−nbn Ibdn
]m«pw]mSn Nncn¨psIm−p bm{XsNbvX B hgnsbXs¶ IeymWhml\w
HmSp¶p. HcmÄ am{Xta amdnbn«pÅq. Iqenthe¡mc\mb At
´m\n¡p]Icw {]`pIpamc\mb cmP³!
]ns¶´psIm−mWv dmtlen\v C{Xhenb hnjmZw? AsXmcp
ISwIYbmWv.
Ggp\nebnepÅ IeymW¸´en shÅnhnf¡pIÄ Xq¡s¸«ncp¶p.
inev]IebpsS kuμcyhpw {]uVnbpsaÃmw B ]´en\pth−n
sNehm¡s¸«Xpt]mse tXm¶n. AXv A{XI−p at\mlcambncp¶p.
Bbnc¯n¸cw am\ymXnYnIÄ B IeymW¸´ense Ccn¸nS§fnÂ
Bk\Øcmbn.
]´en kÖam¡s¸«ncp¶ at\mlc]oT§fn aWhmf\pw
aWhm«nbpw D]hnjvScmbn. awKf]{X§fpw Biwkmktμi§fpw
]mcmbWw sN¿s¸«p. {ipXna[pc§fmb Km\§Ä Be]n¡s¸«p.
hne]nSn¸pÅ ]mcntXmjnI§fpsS Hcp tLmjbm{X D−mbn.
dmtlen\v ho−pw t_m[t¡Sp−mbn. A½nWn Ahsf Xm§n¸nSn¨p.
BfpIÄ A¼c¶p.
""NS§pIÄ \nÀ¯mw'' F¶v kZÊnÂ\n¶v Btcm hnfn¨p]dªp.
 ]´en\p shfnbn \n¶ncp¶ C¨ncnta¯³ ASp¯p \n¶htcmSp
]dªp: ""F¶m B sIm¨m¸osS tamsf Ipsdt\ct¯¡v AhnsS
]nSn¨ncp¯v.''
""t]mSm Akw_Ôw ]dbmsX.'' XSnb³ Idnbm hne¡n.
t_m[clnXbmbn¯oÀ¶ aWhm«nsb GXm\pw s]®p§ÄtNÀ¶v
FSp¯psIm−v AIt¯¡pt]mbn.
""F¶m \ap¡v t]mImsaSm Iqth.'' HcmÄ ]dªp.
""GXmbmepw kZyIgnªnt« Rms\mÅq.''
Gähpw awKfIcamb B NS§n A§s\ Hcp timIÑmb IeÀ¶XnÂ
Nm−nkmdn\pw sX¿m½bv¡pw F¶pth− FÃmhÀ¡pw
IpWvTnXap−mbn.
hÅ¡mc³ sIm¨m¸n ]´ensâ Hcp tImWn Ccp¶p s]m«n¡cªp.
AbmÄ Aev]w IpSn¨n«p−mbncp¶p. F´n\mWv IcªsX¶v BÀ¡pw
Hcp cq]hpanÃ.
kZyIgnªp; BfpIÄ ]ncnªp. Bbncw ]mh§Ä¡v Acnbpw ]Whpw
\evIs¸«p.
aWhm«nsb ImWm³ P¶epIÄ¡p kao]w AbÂ]¡s¯ s]®p§Ä
Xn§n¡qSn. Ahi\nebn Hcp tkm^mbn InS¡pIbmWv dmtlÂ.
tUmIvSÀamÀ h¶p, tcmKnsb ]cntim[n¨p. tcmKsa´msW¶v BÀ¡pw
Hcp cq]hpanÃ.
""kmcanÃ; H¶pc−pZnhkw Ignªp amdns¡mÅpw.'' Hcp tUmIvSÀ
cmPs\ kam[m\s¸Sp¯n. AhÀ Nne acp¶pIÄ¡p Ipdn¨p.
dmtl bmsXm¶pw Ign¡p¶nÃ. A½nWn BhXpw {ian¨p; ^en¨nÃ.
""Hmat\! \osbs¶ ZpxJn¸n¡pIbmtWm? C¶m CXp IpSn¡v.'' cmP³
B I«nen¶cnIn Ccp¶p.
""th−m, F\n¡p hni¸nÃ.'' dmtl ]dªp. AhfpsS kzcw \t¶
£oWn¨ncp¶p.
A¶p kÔybv¡v A½nWn ]dªp: ""dmtlte, Rm³ ho«nte¡p
t]mhm. \msfhcmw.''
""th−m, A½nWn t]mhcpXv.'' dmtl hne¡n.
""F¶m t]mbn«v DSs\hcmw.''
A½nWn ASp¯phcm³ dmtl BwKywImWn¨p. A½nWnbpsS
sNhnbn AhÄ Ft´m a{´n¨p. A½nWn t]mbn.
sX¿m½bpw Nm−nkmdpw B apdnbn¯s¶ Ccp¶p.
""tamtf!'' Nm−nkmÀ hnfn¨p.
""Ft´m.''
 ""\n\s¡´p]än?''
dmtl H¶pw an−nbnÃ; AhÄ Hcp hit¯¡p XesNcn¨p. AhÄ
IcbpIbmsW¶p cmP\p a\Ênembn. sX¿m½bv¡pw Ic¨nÂ
h¶pt]mbn. cmP³ Nn´maqI\mbn shfnbnte¡p t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p.
A¶p cm{Xnbn¯s¶ A½nWn Xncn¨ph¶p. AhÄ Ft´m Hcp
km[\w dmtlens\ Gev]n¨p. AsXmscgp¯mbncp¶p. B Fgp¯v
AhÄ XebnWbpsS ASnbn `{Zambnh¨p.
adnbm½bpw Ips©dnbm¨\pw FÃmw A¶v AhnsS¯s¶ Ign¨pIq«n.
]ntäZnhkw cmhnse dmtl FWoäncp¶p; F¦nepw AhÄ¡p \S¡m³
iIvXnbp−mbncp¶nÃ. tUmIvSÀamÀ ho−pw, acp¶pIÄ Ip¯nh¨p.
dmtlen\v kpJt¡SmsW¶p tI«v am½nt¨S¯n h¶p. dmtlens\ B
XÅ sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp.
""Fsâ A½¨n IcbmsX. F\ns¡m¶panÃ.'' dmtl ]dªp.
""\o Fs¶ A½¨o¶p hnfn¡m³ F\n¡p tbmKap−mbnÃtÃm tamtf!''
am½n s\SphoÀ¸n«p.
c−mas¯ cm{Xnbn dmtlen\v tcmKw Ieiembn. tUmIvSÀ ho−pw
h¶p; ]pXnb acp¶pIÄ Ip¯nh¨p.
A¶p shfp¸mbt¸mÄ FÃmhcpw AhnShnsS Ccp¶v Dd§nt¸mbn.
cmP³am{Xw AhfpsS I«nen\cnIn Dd¡nf¨ncp¶p.
""t]mbv¡nS¶v Dd§nt¡m. F\n¡p kpJap−v.'' dmtl cmPt\mSp
]dªp.
""F\n¡pd¡w hcp¶nÃ.'' cmP³ ]dªp. Ah³ AhfpsS s\änbnÂ
ssIh¨pt\m¡n. ]\n¡p Ipdhp−v. B apdnbn¯s¶ \ne¯p
]mbvhncn¨v A½nWn InS¶pd§p¶p. Ahfpw Dd¡nf¨p \t¶
£oWn¨ncp¶p.
shfp¸mbt¸mÄ dmtl Dd§n. ASp¯ ]Ien dmtlen\p Ipsd¡qSn
kuJyaps−¶ptXm¶n.
A¶pcm{Xn FÃmhcpw t\ct¯ Dd§nt¸mbn. cmP³ A¶pw Dd§nbnÃ.
ab§p¶ dmtlensâ apJt¯¡pXs¶ t\m¡n cmP³ Nn´mhnjvS\mbn
Ccp¶p.
]mXncm{Xn Ignªncp¶p. F¶s¯bpwt]mse A¶pw BImi¯n \
£{X§Ä an¶ns¡m−ncp¶p. dmtl DWÀ¶p. AhÄ Npäpw
It®mSn¨p. AhÄ Fgpt¶ev¡phm³ `mhn¨p; ]t£, ho−pw
InS¡bnte¡p Xs¶ hoWpt]mbn. cmP³ Ahsf Xm§n¸nSn¨p InS¯n.
XebnWIÄ icn¡p h¨p.
""Hmat\!''
 ""Ft´m!'' dmtl BwKyw ImWn¨p. cmP³ Ipsd¡qSn ASp¯ncp¶p.
""A§sb ZpxJn¸n¡p¶Xn F\n¡p k¦Sap−v. Ft¶mSp
£an¡Ww.'' AhÄ B Fgp¯v cmPsâ ssIbnte¡p \o«n.
cmP³ hndbv¡p¶ ssItbmSpw XpSn¡p¶ lrZbt¯mSpw IqSn B
Fgp¯p hmbn¨p. Ah³ dmtlensâ apJt¯¡p Zb\obambn
kq£n¨pt\m¡n.
""AhÄ ]mhamWv; A½nWn. Fs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶Xpt]mse A§v
Ahsfbpw kvt\ln¡Ww. CsXsâ Ahkm\s¯ At]£bmWv.
F\n¡p am¸vþXþcWw.''
""Fsâ I¬þaWo, \o F´mWo¸dbp¶Xv?''
""A§vþH¶pþNncn¡WwþFþ\nþ¡mþNncnþ Hþ¶pþ ImWWw.''
cmPsâ lrZbw s]m«pIbmbncp¶p. F¦nepw Ah³ Nncn¡m³ {ian¨p.
""A½nWo!'' dmtl a{´n¨p.
""AhÄ Dd§pIbmWv. hnfn¡tWm?''
dmtlen\v i_vZn¡m³ h¿mXmbn. AhfpsS izmtkmÑzmk¯n\p
thKXIqSn. AhfpsS Np−pIÄ A\§p¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n.
""Aþ½nþWo!'' AhÄ ]Xps¡ a{´n¨p. AhÄ bmN\mcq]¯n Hcp
sXäpImcnsbt¸mse cmPsâ I®pIfnte¡p t\m¡n. B I®pIfnÂ
I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ \ndªp \n¶ncp¶p. kÔybv¡p Iq¼p¶
Xmac¸q¡Ät]mse dmtlensâ I®pIÄ ASªp, Ft¶¡pambn.
arXamb B apJ¯v cmP³ Npw_n¨p, BZyambpw Ahkm\ambpw.
ivaim\`qanbn amÀ_nÄsIm−pÅ Hcp ihIpSocw ImWmw. B
ihIpSoc¯n\pÅn c−v AØn]RvPc§Ä ibn¡p¶p. A\izcamb
t{]awsIm−p Pzen¨ncp¶ c−p lrZb§Ä B AØn¡qSpIÄ¡pÅnÂ
HcpIme¯p XpSn¨ncp¶p. ]mhs¸« c−p {KmaoWÀ. At´m\nbpw
dmtlepw!
hnetbdnb ]¨amÀ_nÄsIm−v B t{]aIpSoc¯n cmP³ C§s\
tcJs¸Sp¯n:
""CW{]mhpIÄ.''
`qan kqcy\pNpäpw Id§ns¡mt−bncp¶p. B Id¡¯n aq¶p hk
´Imew B {Kmas¯ kμÀin¡pIbpw sNSnIsfbpw ac§sfbpw
]q¡ÄsIm−v Ae¦cn¡pIbpw sNbvXp. th\ev¡p sImgnªpt]mb
CeIfpsS Øm\¯p ]pXnb XfncpIÄ Xe \o«n. A¶s¯ ]dhIfpsS
]m«n\pw aghnÃn\pw, C¶pw bmsXmcp hyXymkhpw h¶n«nÃ.
iÀ¡tc¨nbpsS IpänbnÂ\n¶v Hcp sIm¨p ]d¦namhv \oemImi¯nsâ
t\tc hfÀ¶phcp¶p. At´m\nbpsS sIm¨pI¸Âamhv \ndsb
]q¯n«p−v.
dmtlensâ apJwt]mse sNa¸pw X¦\ndhpw IeÀ¶
kÔymImi¯nsâ s\dpIbn D½h¨psIm−v ]d¦n am´fncnsâ
hÀ®¯nepÅ HcpsIm¨p taL]mfn \nev¡p¶p. ivaim\`qanbpsS
kao]¯pÅ hoYnbpsS AcnIp tNÀ¶v Hcp ¹jÀImÀ InS¸p−v.
AXn\pÅn Bscbpw Im×m\nÃ. ]t£, sh×tbdnb amÀ_nÄsIm−p
\nÀ½n¡s¸«Xpw ]¨en]nIfn "CW{]mhpIÄ' F¶v FgpXs¸«Xpamb
ihIpSoc¯nsâ ap¼n AhÀ \n¸p−v; cmP\pw A½nWnbpw. cmPsâ
ssIbnencn¡p¶ Hma\iniphns\t¸mse \ndapÅ tdmkm¸q¡ÄsIm−p
\nÀ½n¡s¸« B kpKÔameyw Hcp kvamcIIpSocs¯ Ae¦cn¡p¶p.
A½nWnbpsS Igp¯nse kzÀ®m`cW§sfbpw, apJs¯
tImafnasbbpw I®nabv¡msX t\m¡ns¡m−v AkvXa\kqcy³
BImi¯nsâ ]Snªmtd AXnÀhc¼n \n¶ncp¶p.
AhÀ Xncn¨pt]mhpIbmWv.
""Ipªns\ C§p Xt¶¡q, Rms\Spt¯mfmw.'' A½nWn
kz`À¯mhnsâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp.
""th−. Ah³ alm IpkrXnbm, \ns¶t¸mse.'' cmP³ B Ipªn\v
Hcp½ \ÂIn.
""hm tamt\.'' A½nWn ASp¯psN¶p ssI\o«n. cmPsâ CS¯pssI
A½nWnbpsS Igp¯ns\ hebw sNbvXp. Ah³ apJwIp\n¨v AhfpsS
A[c§fn Npw_n¨p.
""htÃmcpw Is−¦nÂ!''
""CsXhnsSt¸mbn sIm¨n{amt«y?''
A½nWn s]s«¶p Xncnªpt\m¡n. AXv NncpX¸pebn Bbncp¶p.
A½nWn¡p \mWw tXm¶n.
""NncpX¸pe¡Ån FhnsSt¸mbXm?'' cmP³ tNmZn¨p.
""ASnb³ N´bv¡pt]mbn sIm¨n{¼m.''
""F¶m hm. Imtd tIdnt¡m. Xtd sIm−psN¶m¡mw.'' A½nWn
]dªp.
""tNym! G\m ImtþtIdsWþ'' NncpX¸pe¡Ån¡p Nncnh¶p.
A§§p Rmdbv¡m¡p¶nsâ AcnInepÅ \m«p hgnsb C¨ncnta¯³
DghpImfIsfbpwsIm−p t]mIp¶Xp ImWmw.
s]m¡wIqSnb hr£§fpsS ]¨ne¯e¸pIfn Xqhs¸«
kmbmlv\¯nsâ I\Is¸mSnIÄ amªpt]mbn«nÃ. \m«n³]pd¯nsâ
AgIns\ hn«Iem³ a\ÊnÃmsX N{Ihmfkoabn ]Ieh³ At¸mgpw
aSn¨paSn¨p \n¶ncp¶p.

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