mh-ep-iƒ · 2019-12-01 · c. lcn-ip-amdns‚ t\mh-ep-iƒ adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°v

$: mh-ep-Iƒ · 2019-12-01 · C. lcn-Ip-amdns‚ t\mh-ep-Iƒ Adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°v$
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C. lcn-Ip-amdns‚ t\mh-ep-Iƒ

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Adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°vt\mh¬

C. lcn-Ip-am¿

3


IY XpS-ßp-∂Xv 1975¬

˛ -˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛

cmbncp tat\m≥

(\µs‚ AΩΩbpsSbpw

Ah-cpsS sNdn-bΩbpsS aIƒ

\mWn apØ-»n-bp-sSbpw AΩm-h≥)

(P\\w 1840 ˛ 1915 ac-Ww)

C´n-cm-a-ta-t\m≥ ˛ cmbncp tat\ms‚ A\p-P≥

(P\\w 1850 ˛ 1918 ac-Ww)

Ip´s‚ A—Ω ˛ \µs‚ AΩΩ

(P-\\w 1900 ˛ a-cWw?)

Ip´s‚ A—≥

(P-\\w 1918 ˛ a-cWw?)

Ip´s‚ AΩ

(P-\\w 1938 a-cWw?)

\µs‚ AΩ kp`Z

(P\\w 1938 ˛ a-cWw?)

tPym’y≥ am[-h∏Wn-°¿

(P-\-\w 1902)

Ip´≥

(P-\\w 1957)

Cµnc (Ip-´s‚ s]ßƒ, \µs‚ `mcy)

(P-\\w 1964)

\µ≥ (Ip-´s‚ A—s‚ acp-a-I≥)

(P-\\w 1959 ˛ hnhmlw 1990 ˛ 2006¬ 45 hb v)

cm[ (\-µs‚ tPy-jvT-Øn)

(P-\\w 1956)

hµ\ (\-µ-s‚bpw Cµn-c-bp-sSbpw aIƒ)

(P-\-\w 1991 2006¬ 15 hb v)

`m¿§-hn-bΩ ˛ Ab¬°m-cnbpw

\mep-sI-´ns‚ kq£n-∏p-Im-cnbpw

(P-\\w 1948)

tZhn ˛ `m¿§-hn-b-Ω-bpsS aIƒ

(P-\\w 1967)

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A≤ymbw H∂v

Hmtcm ]Xn-\©p h¿jw IqSp-tºmgpw Fs‚ Pohn-X-Øn¬ \n¿Æm-b-

I-tam AZv p-X-I-ctam Bb Fs¥-¶nepw kw -hn-°p-∂p-≠v. Hcp \Zn-bpsS

im¥-amb Hgp-°ns\ s]s´∂p hogp∂ I\Ø ag- F∂t]mse AsXs‚

Pohn-X--Øns‚ XmfsØ NSp-ehpw Akz-ÿ-hp-am-°p-∂p. CXv aq∂m-asØ

]Xn-\-©m-Wv. BZysØ KUp D≠m-bXv Fs‚ ]Xn-\©mw hb n-em-Wv,

icn°pw ]nd-∂mƒ Znhkw Xs∂. ]n∂tØXv ap∏Xmw hb- n¬ ]nd-∂m-

fn-∂-SpØ Znh-kw. bmZr-›n-I-am-hmw. ]s£ Fs‚ Pohn-Xw-Xs∂ bmZr-

›n-I-X-I-fpsS Hcp Nß-e-bm-bn-cp∂p. AZv`p-X-s∏-Sm-\n-√. hfsc km[m-

c-W-sa∂p tXm∂n-°p∂ Hcp Pohn-Xw, ]s£ AXns‚ Dƒ∏n-cn-hp-I-fn-

tebv°v FØn-t\m-°p-tºm-gmWv ImWp-∂Xv bmZr-›n-I-X-IƒIqSn Ah

bmZr-›n-I-X-I-fm-sW∂p ]d-bm≥ Ign-bm-Ø-hn[w hfsc Nn´-s∏-Sp-Øn-

bn-cn-°-bm-Wv. Btcm AZr-iy-ambn Fs‚ Imcy-Øn¬ ]tXyI Xmev]-

cy-sa-Sp-°p-∂-t]m-se. B tXm∂-ep-≠m-hp-tºmƒ Bizmkw e`n-°p-∂p.

Hmô-knse sXmgp-Øn¬°p-tØm, Xn¶-fmgvN sshZyqXn _n√-S-°p-I-

bmtWm th≠Xv ASp-°-f-bn¬ Xo¿∂p XpS-ßnb -km-[-\-ßƒ hmßp-

I-bmtWm th≠Xv F∂ Nn¥tbm Fs∂ _m[n-°p-∂n-√. th\-en¬

s]s´∂p \sΩ AZv`p-X-s∏-Sp-Øn-s°m≠v hcp∂ XWpØ Im‰p- t]m-se-

bm-W-Xv. B Im‰ns‚ DZv`hw \mw i≤n-°p-∂n-√. AXp hoip-thmfw

AXns‚ Ipfn¿Ω Bkz-Zn-°m≥ ian-°p-I-bmWv sNøp-I. AXp t]mse

Hcp tXm∂-emWv C∂v Hmô-kn-en-cn-°p-tºm-gp-≠m-b-Xv. Ft¥m \√Xp

kw`-hn-°m≥ t]mIp-∂p-sh∂ tXm∂¬. F¥m-bn-cn-°p-sa∂v I≠p-]n-Sn-

bv°m≥ Rm≥ ian-°p-∂n-√. AsXs‚ Ign-hn-\p-ap-]-cn-bm-Wv. Rm\Xv

Bkz-Zn-°p-I-am-X-amWv sNøp-∂-Xv.

Hm^n-kn¬\n∂v hoń-se-Øn-b-t∏m-gmWv Hcp Imcyw a\- n-em-bXv;

Fs‚ aq∂masØ KUphpw Fs¥m-s°tbm kw`-hn-®p-sImt≠ IS∂p

t]mIp. BZysØ KUp Rm≥ Ipsd ian-®n´pw C∂pw a\- n-em-°m≥

Ign-bm-Xn-cp∂ HcZv p-Xam-bn-cp-s∂-¶n¬ c≠m-asØ KUp Ft∂mfw ]mb-

ap≈ ]c-ky-am-bn-cp-∂p. Fs‚ hnhm-lw. Rm≥ P\n® A∂p Xs∂ AΩm-

h≥ Xs‚ ]nd-°m≥ t]mIp∂ s]Ïp-ńbv°v hc-\mbn Fs∂ hmgn-®n-

cp-∂p. AXp-sIm≠v ap∏Xmw hb- n¬ Cµnc-bp-am-bp≈ hnhmlw Hcp

kw`-hta A√msX t]mbn. Ct∏mƒ CXm Fs‚ \mev]-Ø©mw hb-

n¬ Ft¥m kw`-hn-°m≥ t]mIp∂p F∂ Adn-thmsS Rm≥ Ccn-°p-

∂p.

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Hmô-kn¬\n∂p hoń-seØn j¿´pw ]m‚pw Ducn-sb-dn™v ap≠p-

SpØv Ipfn-ap-dn-bn¬ IS-∂p. ]Øp an\p-‰p-sIm≠v ta¬ IgpIn ]pdØp

h∂t∏m-tgbv°v Cµnc- Nmbbp≠m°n h®n-cp-∂p. Du¨-ta-i-bv°p apºn-

en-cp∂v Nmbbpw anIvkv-Ndpw AI-Øm-°p-tºmƒ Rm≥ Np‰pw t\m°n.

tamƒ FhnsS? km[m-cW A—≥ Hmô-kn¬\n∂v h∂p-sh-∂-dn-™m¬

Ahƒ kz¥w Z¥-tKm-]p-c-Øn¬ \n-∂n-dßn hcm-dp-≠v. apI-fn-ep≈ H‰

apdn,- Fs‚ ]gb 64 Fw.-_n. dmw, s]‚nbw 3 Iºyq-´-d-S°w Ipd®p Ime-

ambn hµ-\- Iø-S-°n-bn-cn-°-bm-Wv. hmXn-en-t∑¬ AhƒXs∂ Fgp-Xn-h-

®n-´p-≠v. "Z¥-tKm-]pcw'. cmXn ]s£ Dd-ßm≥ ss[cy-imen XmgØv

Rß-fpsS apdn-tbmSp sXm´p≈ sNdnb apdn-bn-te-bv°p-Xs∂ hcp-∂p.

Rm≥ Cµnc-tbmSv tNmZn-®p.

"hµ\sbhn-sS?'

Cµnc Npa¬ Ipep°n Np≠p tImń. "Ahfv kvIqfo∂v h∂v Nmb

IpSn®v Ib-doXm apdo-ev. Ft¥m sNøm-Wv, AΩ _p≤n-ap-ń-°cvXv∂v ]d-

™n-´v≠v.'

aI-fpsS Pohn-X-Øn¬ X\nbv°v ]thiw \ntj-[n-°p-∂-Xn¬ Cµnc

bv°p AXr-]vXn-bp-≠v. "A—\pw tamfpw H∂m-hpw.....' F∂ ]kvXm-h-\-

bn¬ Ahƒ AXp ]I-Sn-∏n-°m-dp-≠v.

"Ahƒ Fs¥-¶nepw t]mPIvSv Xøm-dm-°zm-bn-cn-°pw.'

"Cu \µp-th-´≥ X∂ymWv tamsf Cßs\ sIm©n®v \mim-

°vWXv......'

CXpw Cµnc-bpsS Hcp ÿncw ]tbm-K-am-Wv. \mi-am-°p-I-bmtWm?

F\n-°-dn-bn-√. Rm\-hƒ°v [mcmfw kvt\lw sImSp-°p-∂p-≠v. BWpw

s]Æp-ambn H∂p-≈-Xm-Wv. Ahƒ F¥m-h-iy-s∏´mepw At∏mƒØs∂

hmßn-s°m-Sp-°pw. Ahƒ ]d-bp-∂Xp apgph≥ i≤-tbmsS tIƒ°pw.

sIm©n-°pw. CXp-sIm-s≠m∂pw Ahƒ tISp-h-cp-sa∂v F\nbv°p

tXm∂n-bn- n-√. Cµnc Ct∏mgpw tkzOm-[n-]-Xn-bmbncp∂ A—s‚ \ng-en-

emWv Pohn-°p-∂-Xv. B a\p-jy≥ acn-®n´v h¿j-ß-tf-sd-bm-bn´pw B

\ng¬ Ahsf hn´p- ]ncn-bm≥ aSn-®p-\n¬°p-∂p.

B \mep-sI-ń¬ a\p-jy¿ i_vZ-an-√mØ \ng-ep-Iƒ am-X-am-bn-cp-∂p.

AhnsS AΩm-hs‚ i_vZw amXw apg-ßn-t°- p. AXv \mep-sI- ns‚ \Sp-

ap-‰-Øpw CS-\m-gn-I-fnepw Dbcw Ipd™ Xń´ apdn-I-fnepw Ae-b-Sn®p

sIm≠n-cp-∂p. apdn-I-fn¬ Dd-ßn-°n-S∂ \ng-ep-Iƒ B i_vZw tI v sRń.

Np‰p-ap≈ hoSp-Iƒ Ime-Øn-s\mØv amdp-Ibpw ]cn-jvI-cn-°p-Ibpw

sNbvX-t∏mgpw B Xd-hm-Sp-amXw ]mc-º-cy-ßsf apdp-sI-∏n-Sn®v H‰-s∏-

´p-\n-∂p. ]dbpw sImtºm-d-hpw kzoI-c-W-ap-dn-bnse Ae-¶m-c-h-kvXp-°fpw

Ieym-W-∏-¥-en¬ \nd-]-d-bv°p≈ D]-I-c-W-ß-fpw amX-ambn amdn-b-

t∏mgpw B \mep-sI- n¬ AsX√mw \ntXym-]-tbm-K-h-kvXp-°-fm-bn-cp-∂p.

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C. lcn-Ip-amdns‚ t\mh-ep-Iƒ Adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°v

Ct∏mƒ AΩm-h-\n-√, AΩm-bn-bp-an-√. Cµnc-bpsS tPyjvT≥ Hcp

Ata-cn-°-°m-cnsb hnhmlw sNbvXv Ata-cn-°-bn-emWv. Rm\n-hnsS Fd-

Wm-Ip-f-Øpw. \mńse \mep-sI´pw Np‰p-ap≈ \mte-°¿ ]dºpw i≤n-

°-s∏-SmsX ImSp-]n-Sn®p InS-°p-∂p. Ipt´-´≥ amk-Øn-sem-cn-°¬ km≥

^m≥kn-kvtIm-hn¬\n∂v t^m¨ sNøpw. "B hoSpw ]dºpw Cµnc-bp-

sS-bm-Wv, F\n-s°m∂pw th≠. AXv Fs¥-¶nepw sNøp. Hcp ap‡ym¿

Ab-®pX∂m¬ aXn. AXv H∏n v Xncn-®-b-°mw. B ÿew A\ym-[o-\-s∏-

SmsX t\m°p.'

icn-bm-Wv, Fs¥-¶nepw sNø-Ww. ]s£ B hoSv t]mIp-∂-Xn¬ hnj-

a-ap≠p Xm\pw. ]g-a-tbm-Sp≈ Xmev]cyw amX-a√. ]¥≠mw hb- n¬,

H∂pw icn-bm-hn-s√∂p Icp-Xn-bn-cn-°p-tºmƒ F\nbv°v A`bw X∂ hoSm-

W-Xv. BZy-ambn Hcp s]Ïpńsb DΩ h®Xv B \mep-sI-ńs‚

XfØn¬ h®m-Wv. amX-a√ a‰v GtXm Adn-b-s∏-SmØ hgn-I-fn¬°qSn

B hoSp-ambn _‘-s∏-ń-´p-s≠∂ tXm∂¬ Ie-i-em-bn-´p-ap≠v. AXp

hn´p-sIm-Sp-°-cp-sX∂v a\ v Hmtcm \nan-jhpw ]d-bp-∂p. Hcp Btdgp

sIm√-Øn-\p-≈n¬ tamfpsS IeymWw Ign-™m¬ Cµnc-bp-ambn AhnsS

Xma-kam-°Wsa-∂p-≠v. \S-°ptam Bthm. Ct∏mƒ Iº-\nbn¬ hnbm-

sd p≠v. Ggp sIm√w Ignbp-tºmgpw B hyh-ÿ-bp-≠m-bm¬ aXn-bm-

bn-cp-∂p. AhnsS ]®-°dnbp≠m°n sXßn\v ipiq-jbpw sNbvXv Ign-

bmw. `mKy-ap-s≠-¶n¬ h√ Ipdn-°-º-\n-bn¬ sNdnb tPmenbpw In´pw.

AsXm s° aXn.

hµ\ tImWn-bn-dßn hcp-∂p. Ahƒ bq\nt^mw am‰n ta¬°-gpIn

Nqcn-Zm-dn-tebv°p IS-∂n- p-≠v. Cfw ]® \nd-Øn-ep≈ Nqcn-Zm¿ Ah-fpsS

hońse thj-am-Wv. Ign™ c≠p sIm√-ambn Ahƒ Htc DSp-∏p-Xs∂

hoń-en-Sp-∂p. Ch-fmtWm sIm©n®p hj-fm-hp-∂Xv? Ahƒ°v hkvX-ß-

fn-epw B`-c-W-ß-fn-epsam∂pw à-an-√. Ahƒ hmßm≥ Bh-iy-s∏-Sp-

∂Xv ]pkvX-I-ß-tfm, Iºyq-´¿ sKbntam a‰p tkm^v‰vshbtdm BWv.

AX-h-fpsS am\-knI hf¿®bv°v Bh-iy-am-Wv. Ahƒ Hcn-°epw tISp-

h-cn-√.

"A—s‚ tamƒ Fhn-Sym-bn-cp∂p?'

Ahƒ Fs‚ ASpØp h∂n-cp-∂p.

"AtΩ F\nbv°v Nmb-bnt√?'

"\ob-Xn\v tamfo∂v Fd-ßn-h-∂n v ths≠?' Cµnc ASp-°-f-bn-tebv°p

t]mbn Hcp sπbv‰n¬ anIvkvNdpw _nkv°‰pw Hcp •mkn¬ Nmb-bp-ambn

Xncn®ph∂p. hµ\ Fs‚ sπbv‰n¬\n∂v anIvkvN-sd-SpØp Xn∂m≥ XpS-

ßn-bn-cp-∂p.

"A—\v C∂v Iºyq-´-dm-h-iyt≠m?'

F\nbv°v Iºyq-´¿ sIm≠v henb Bh-iy-sam-∂p-an-√. cmhnse

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sabn¬ t\m°m-\pw, H∏w bmlp-hn¬ Xmev]-cy-ap≈ h√ \yqkv tÃmdn

I≠m¬ hmbn-°m\pw amXsa AXp-]-tbm-Kn-°m-dp-≈p. A]q¿∆w CjvS-

s∏´ ]pkvX-I-ßƒ h√Xpw I≠m¬ AXv Uu¨ temUv sNøpw. \√

]pkvX-I-ßƒ hµ-\sb hmbn-∏n-°m≥ ian-bv°pw. am¿Iv sSzbv\ns‚

"l°vƒs_dn n∂pw' "tSmw tkmbdpw' Ahƒ°n-jvS-s∏´ ]pkvX-I-ß-

fm-Wv.

"F¥m tamƒ°v Bh-iyt≠m?'

Ahƒ Xe-bm-ń.

"C√ tamfp-]-tbm-Kn-t®m-fp. A—\v cmhnse amtX th≠p.'

"]ns∂ Hcp Imcyw....' Ahƒ XpS¿∂p. "Rm≥ h¿°v sNøptºm Bcpw

tamfnev hccvXv.'

"AsXt¥?'

"Hcp kzIm-cym-Wv. k¿ss]-kv. Rm≥ \msf ImWn-®p-X-cmw.'

]Xn-\©mw hb nepw IpńØw hnń-ń-√mØ Ah-fpsS apJØp

t\m°n-b-t∏mƒ Rm≥ Btem-Nn-®p. Chƒ°p- th-≠n-bmWv Rm≥ Pohn-

°p-∂-Xv. Chƒ°mbn amXw. Cµnc ]d-bm-dp-≠v. Aßn-s\-bm-bm¬ icn-

bm-hn-√. \tµ´\pw Hcp Pohn-Xw-≠v. B PohnXw Hmtcm-cp-Ø¿°pw Pohn-

°m\p-≈-Xm-Wv. AXv kz¥w a°ƒ°p th≠n-bm-sW-¶nepw XyPn-°p-∂-

Xn¬ henb A¿∞-sam-∂p-an-√. sNdn-sbmcp DZm-l-c-W-ambn Ahƒ ]d-

bp-∂Xv Sn.-hn. ]cn-]m-Sn-I-fm-Wv. aIƒ°v ]co-£-b-SpØp F∂p sh®v A—-

\-Ω-am¿ \nXyw ImWp∂ ]cn-]m-Sn-Iƒ Dt]-£n-°p-∂-Xn¬ henb A¿∞-

sam-∂p-an-√. Ah¿ thsd apdn-bn¬ t]mbn ]Tn-°-s´. AXp-t]m-se......

Rm≥ ]d-bpw. Ahƒ P\n°Whsc \Ωƒ AsX√mw Bkz-Zn-®n-s√.

\ns‚ P\\w sXm v F∂p-Xs∂ ]dbmw \Ωƒ H∏-am-bn-cp-∂p. C\n Ah-

fpsS IeymWw Ign-™m¬ \ap°v \n¿Øn-sh-t®-S-Øp-\n∂v ho≠pw XpS-

ßmw, a[p-hn[p sXm´v. t]msc? HcmÏp-ń-bm-Wp-≠m-bn-cp-∂-sX-¶n¬

Cµnc-bpsS A`n-]mbw amdp-am-bn-cp∂p Fs∂-\nbv°v tXm∂p-∂p. A—-

\Ω-am¿°v a°-fpsS Imcy-Øn¬ hyXym-kap-s≠∂v Fs∂-\nbv°p

tXm∂m-dp-≠v. A—\v aI-tfmSpw AΩbv°v aI-t\m-Spw ]tXyI aaX.

Rm≥ hµ-\-tbmSv tNmZn-®p. "F¥mWv CX kzIm-cy-am-bn-´p-≈Xv?'

"\msf ImWp-∂Xp hsc Hcp kkvs]≥kv Bbn \n¬°s´.'

"icn.'

Aßns\ cmhnse hsc ImØn-cp∂p Xpd-°m-\p≈ AZv`p-X-s∏-ńbpw

X∂v hµ\ apI-fn-te-bv°p-Xs∂ t]mbn. Ahƒ Iºyq-´-dn¬ Ft¥m

D≠m-°p-∂p-≠v. AXp apgp-an® tijw amXw Fs∂ ImWn-°m-\m-Wv.

Ac-∏Wn Bim-t\bpw Im´-cp-sX-∂m-W-s√m.

CXpw Rm≥ Hmô-kn¬\n-∂-\p-`-hn® kpJm-\p`q-Xn-bpsS XpS¿®

amX-am-bn-cn°pw Fs∂-\nbv°p tXm∂n.

8


cmXn hµ\ Cdßn hcm≥ sshIn-b-Xp-sIm≠v DuWp Ign-°m≥

]Øp aWn-bm-bn. Hmtcm ]mhiyw Rmt\m Cµnctbm apI-fn¬ Ibdn

hmXn¬°¬ ap´n-bmepw Ahƒ hmXn¬ s]mfn Aev]w amXw Xpd∂v

]dbpw "Ipd®p IqSn tPmen-≠v, AXpIgn-™n´v hcmw.'

DuWp Ign-°p-tºmƒ Ahƒ tNmZn-®p. "AtΩ, \msf F¥mWv

]mbkw?'

"\msf F¥mWv ]tXy-IX?' Rm≥ tNm-Zn-®p.

"AXpw-IqSn Ado√y Cu A—\v.' hµ\ Nncn-®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p.

"\mfymWv A—s‚ _¿XvtU.'

"\Ωfv ae-bmfw ]nd-∂mƒ Znh-kmWv t\m°zm.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"AXn\v C\ow Hcm-gvN-≠v.'

"AXv ]nd-∂m-fv, CXv _¿XvtU. c≠p Znhkpw BtLm-jn-°-Ww.'

\msf cmhn-se-Øs∂ t]mbn ASp-°-f-bn-te-bv°p≈ km[-\-ßƒ

hmtß-≠n-h-cp-sa∂v F\nbv°p a\- n-em-bn. t^m¨ _n√v ImØp-\n¬°-

s´.

Dd-ßm≥ InS-°p-tºmgpw \∑-bpsS, Imcp-Wy-Øns‚ A\p-`qXn

Ft∂m-sSm-∏-ap-≠m-bn-cp∂p. hn[n F\n-bv°p-th≠n Ft¥m Hcp-°p-∂p-

s≠∂ tXm∂¬.

9


A≤ymbw c≠v

Ipd®p Ime-ambn kz]v\-ß-fn-√mØ Dd°w A]q¿∆-am-bn-cp-∂p.

Hc¿∞-hp-an-√mØ kz]v\-ßƒ. AXn-\n-Sbv°v sR´n-bp-W-cp-∂p. Ipfn-ap-

dn-bn¬ t]mbn h∂v Hcp •mkv sh≈w IpSn-®v InS-∂m¬ AXp-hsc

I≠ncp∂ kz]v\w a\- n¬ IS∂phcp-∂p. ]ns∂ Dd-°-Øn-tebv°v

hgpXn hoWmepw B kz]v\-Øns‚ XpS¿®-bmhpw ImWp-I. AXp-sIm≠v

ho≠pw Dd-ßp-I-bm-bn-cpt∂m AtXm kz]v\-sØ-°p-dn®v Btem-Nn®p

InS-°p-I-bm-bn-cpt∂m F∂p ]d-bm≥ ]‰mØ Hc-h-ÿ-bn-em-bn-cn-°pw.

C∂se cmXn ]s£ kz]v\-ß-fn-√mØ temI-Øm-bn-cp-∂psh∂v

cmhnse Bdp aWnbv°v DW¿s∂-gp-t∂‰t∏msg a\- n-em-bp≈p. Cµnc

sIm≠p-h∂ Nmb IpSn-°p-tºmƒ Rm≥ Btem-Nn-®p. C∂sØ \SØw

D≠m-bn-√. km[m-cW A©p aWnbv°v Fgp-t∂‰v Hcp aWn-°q¿ \S-°m-

dp-≠v. kmc-an-√. hµ\ Ipfn®v \√ DSp-∏n´v apºn¬ h∂p-\n-∂p.

"Fs‚ tamƒ kpµ-cn-bm-bn-´p-≠-t√m.'

"C∂v A—s‚ ]nd-∂m-fs√? Rm\pw AtΩw IqSn Aº-e-Øn¬

t]m∆m-Wv.'

Cµncbpw t\csØ Ipfn-®-Xns‚ Imcyw AXm-Wv. As√-¶n¬ tPmen-

sb√mw Ign-™-ti-jta Ipfn-°m-dp-≈q. Ah¿ Fs‚ Cw•ojv, ae-bmfw

]nd-∂m-fp-Iƒ c≠pw BtLm-jn-°m≥Xs∂ Xo¿®-bm-°n-bn-cn-°p-∂p.

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

Ah¿ ]Sn-bn-d-ßnb DSs\ Rm≥ Ipfn-®p. Ah¿ Xncn-®p-h-cm≥

C\nbpw ka-b-ap-≠v. Cµnc Aßn-s\-bm-Wv. Aº-e-Øn-\p-≈n¬ IS-∂m¬

AX Ffp-∏-sam∂pw ]pdØp IS-°n-√. AXp-sIm≠v Fs‚ Aº-e-bmX

an°-hmdpw H‰-bv°m-Wv. Hmtcm \S-bv°epw Ahƒ \n∂p sXmgpXp

]m¿∞n-°p-∂Xp ImWmw. F\n-bv°X £a-sbm-∂p-an-√. Rm≥ ]d-bm-

dp≠v.

"\ns‚ ]m¿∞-\-bpsS \ofhpw NqSpw kln-°msX ssZh-ßƒ io

tIm-hn¬ hn´v Ftßm-s´-¶nepw t]mbn-´p-≠m-hpw.'

Cµnc-bpsS apJØv Nncn-bp-≠m-hn-√. Ahƒ°v CsX√mw ssZh-\n-µ-

bm-Wv. Ahƒ Rm≥ ImWmsX kz¥w Ihn-fp-I-fn¬ ASn®v ]ngsbmSp°p-

∂p-≠m-hpw.

Rm≥ apI-fn-tebv°p t]mbn Iºyq-´¿ HmWm-°n. Ahn-sS-bn-cp-∂m¬

F\nbv°v Bsc-¶nepw ]Sn-I-S∂v hcp-∂p-s≠-¶n¬ ImWmw. tamWn-‰-dn¬

Hcp ]pXnb tjm¿SvI v Rm≥ i≤n-®p. AXn\p Xmsg Fgp-Xn-bn-cn-°p-∂p.

"lm∏n _¿XvtU Sp UmUn'. h√ sshd- p-am-bn-cn-°ptam F∂v BZyw

10


t]Sn-®p. ]ns∂ a\- n-em-bn. hµ\ C∂se sshIp-t∂cw D≠m-°nb

Ft¥m km[-\-am-Wv. cmXn ]Øp aWn-hsc Ccp-∂p-≠m-°n-b- ]nd-∂mƒ

Biw-k-Iƒ. Rm\m tjm¿SvI-ń¬ Aa¿Øn.

AsXmcp Pn^v A\n-ta-j-\m-Wv. Nen-°p∂ NnX-ßƒ tamWn-‰-dns‚

\Sp- mKw kPo-h-am-°p-I-bm-Wv. AXn-s\m-Sp-hn¬ lm∏n _¿XvtU UmUn

F∂ hm°p-Iƒ Hmtcm-t∂m-tcm-∂mbn DXn¿∂p hogp-∂p. ho≠pw BZyw

apX¬ AXm-h¿Øn-°p-I-bm-Wv. s]s´∂v Rm≥ NnX-ß-fpsS ]›m-

Øew i≤n-®p. Fs‚ ssZhta! A\-ßm≥ hømsX Rm≥ Iºyq-´-dn\p

apºn¬ Ccn°p-I-bm-Wv. B NnXw! AsXmcp NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bm-Wv.

\ndsb Icp-°-fp≈ B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Fhn-sS-bm-bn-cp-∂p. \S-∂p-sIm-

≠n-cn-°p-∂, ]Ip-Xn-h®v \n¿Ønb Hcp NXp-cw-K-°fn-bpsS NnXw Iń-

bp≈ sNºp-X-In-Sn¬ F®nMv sNbvXp-≠m-°nb B ]eI F\nbv°v Ccp-

]-Xn-tesd h¿j-ambn \jvS-s∏- ncnbv°bm-bn-cp-∂p. icnbv°p ]d-™m¬

]Xn-s\´m-asØ hb- n¬ Rm≥ tImgn-t°m´v tImf-Pn¬ tNcm-\mbn

t]mb A∂p apX¬. Ccp-]-Øn-tbgp sIm√-ambn \-jvS-s∏- n-cp∂ B NXp-

cw-K-∏-eI hµ-\bv°v Fßns\ Inń?

h√m-sØmcp am\-kn-Im-h-ÿ-bn-se-Ønb Rm≥ hµ\ h∂v ]n∂n¬

\n∂Xv Adn-™n-√.

"Fß-s\≠v A—m?'

Rm≥ sRń Xncn-™p- t\m-°n. Ahƒ Iøn-ep≈ Ce-®o-fn¬\n∂v

Nµ\w FSpØv Fs‚ s\‰n-bn¬ Ipdn-bn- p. Fs‚ apJ- mhw At∏m-gm-bn-

cn-°Ww Ahƒ i≤n-®n-´p-≠m-hpI. Ahƒ tNmZn-®p.

"F¥m A—m, \∂m-bn-ńt√?'

"\∂m-bn´v≠v tamsf. tamfv Cßn-s\yms° D≠m-t°zm∂v Btem-Nn-

°ym-bn-cp∂p A—≥.'

Ahƒ k¥p-jvS-bmbn Hcp Itke hen-®n´v Fs‚ ASp-Øn-cp-∂p.

Ahƒ°v C\nbpw Ah-fp-≠m°nb A\n-ta-j-s\-∏‰n Rm≥ ]d-bp-∂Xv

tIƒ°-Ww. ]s£ AXn-s\-∏-‰n-sbm∂pw ]d-bmsX Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Cu NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I! AsX-hn-Sp∂p Inń \n\°v?'

"AtXm, AXp kzIm-cymWv.'

Ahƒ Aev]-sam∂v sIm©m-\mWv Xo¿®-bm-°n-bn-cn-°p-∂-Xv. Fs‚

Ct∏m-gsØ am\-kn-Im-h-ÿtbm XnSp-°tam AXp \in-∏n-bv°-≠.

Ahsf A\p-\-bn-°m-\mbn Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"A—s‚ tamf-s√, ]d-bp, CsX-hn-Sp-∂mWv InóXv?'

A\p-\-b-Øn\pw a[p-c-hm-°p-Iƒ°pw CS-bn¬ Ahƒ Fs‚ XnSp-

°hpw BImw-£bpw I≠p-]n-Sn-®p-sh∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Ahƒ Icp-X-

temsS tNmZn-®p.

"A—\v icn°pw Adot√y?'

11


"C√ tamsf, kXyw.'

"Fs‚ Iøn-e-Sn®p kXyw sNøp.' Ahƒ ssI\o-ń.

\ońb Iøn-e-Sn-°msX Rm\-h-fpsS Xe-bn¬ ssIh-®p. "Fs‚

tamfmWv kXyw A—-\-dn-bn-√.'

"F\n-bv°Xv AsΩsS s]ó∂v InóXm.' hµ-\-bpsS apJw hmSn-bn-cp-

∂p. A—-\-dn-bmsX AΩ Cßn-s\-sbmcp clkyw kq£n-°p-∂p-sh∂pw

AXv Ahƒ ImcWw ]pd-Ømbn F∂pw Ahƒ Hm¿Øp ImWpw. F√m-

‰n-\p-ap-]cn B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibv°v Ft¥m ]m[m-\y-ap-≠v AX-hƒ Adn-

™n- n-√ F∂Xpw Ahsf hnj-an∏n®n´p≠m-h-Ww. Rm≥ ho≠pw apºn¬

Nen-®p-sIm-≠n-cn-°p∂ ]nd-∂mƒ Biwk t\m°n. c≠p an\p‰p Ign™p

ImWpw. hµ-\sb ho≠pw A`n-\-µn-°m-\mbn Ah-fpsS apJØp t\m°n-

b-t∏m-gmWv I≠-Xv, Ah-fpsS apJw Ccp-≠n-cp-∂p. IÆpIƒ \nd™v Hgp-

Im≥ ]mI-Øn¬ \n¬°p-∂p.

"F¥p ]‰o tamsf?'

Ahƒ Ic-bm≥ XpS-ßn. AXn-\n-S-bn¬ ]d-™p. "A—\tΩymSv ]td-

≠.'

"AXn-\mtWm A—s‚ a≠n tamfv Itc-WXv?' Ah-fpsS IÆp-Iƒ XpS-

®p-sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d-™p. "AΩ-tbmSp ]d-™m-se¥m? Cu t_m¿Uv

A—s‚ Ipń-°m-e-Øv≠m-bn-cv∂-Xm-Wv. A—≥ tImf-Pn¬ ]Tn-°m≥

t]mbs∏m ImWm≥√ym-Xm-bn. AΩ-bv°Xv Fhn-Sv-s∂-¶nepw Inń FSp

Øp sh®-Xm-hpw. \ap°v AtΩymSv tNmZn-°mw. hcp.' Rm≥ Fgp-t∂‰p

Ah-fpsS Npaen¬ ssIøn´v Xmtgbv°v sIm≠p-t]m-bn.

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

"Fs‚ ASp-sØm∂pw C√. A—\pw tamfpw IqSo-´s√ NXp-cwKw Ifn-

°m-dv. \nß-fvXs∂ AsX-hn-sS-sb-¶nepw sh®n-´p-≠m-hpw. Ah-fvsS Ae-

am-doev t\m°ntbm?'

Ahƒ Rm≥ ]d-bp-∂Xv apgp-h≥ i≤n-°p-∂p-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. At\z-

jn-°p-∂Xv Rßƒ Ifn-°m-\mbn km[m-cW D]-tbm-Kn-°m-dp≈ ac-

Øns‚ sN v t_m¿Um-sW-∂mWv Ahƒ Icp-Xn -bXv. B sk‰v

Rms\mcp ]nd-∂m-fn\v hµ-\bv°p kΩm-\-ambn sImSp-Ø-Xm-Wv.

AXns‚ Icp-°ƒ Nµ-\w -sIm-≠p-≠m-°n-b-Xm-Wv.

"AX-√, \ΩsS ASvØv ]≠p-≠m-bn-cp-∂ns√ sNºp-X-In-Sn¬ F®v

sNbvX Hcp NXp-cw-K-∏-eI? Hm¿Ωt√y?'

Cµnc s]s´∂v \n»-_vZ-bm-bn. N´p-Ihpw ]nSn-®p-sIm≠v Ahƒ

GtXm ]gb Ime-tØbv°p t]mbn. ASp-∏Øv tZmi InS∂p samcn-bp-

∂p. hµ\ AΩ-bpsS Iøn¬\n∂v N´pIw hmßn tZmi hmßn- sh®p.

"\ΩsS tamfv AXns‚ NnXw sIm≠v \s√mcp "lm∏n _¿Xv tU'

A\n-ta-j-\p-≠m-°n-bn-´v≠v.'

12


"tamsfm? Ahƒs°-hn-Sv∂mWv AXp InóXv?'

AΩ-bpsS apJ- m-h-Ønse am‰w Ahsf t]Sn-∏n-®p-sh∂p tXm∂p-∂p,

hµ-\-bpsS apJw ho≠pw Ccp-≠p. B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bn¬ Fs¥m-

s°tbm cl-kym-fl-I-X-bp-s≠∂pw AXp a\- n-em-hp-∂n√ F-∂Xp amX-

a√ Xm≥ AXn-s‚-sbm∂pw mK-a√ F∂Xpw Ahsf hnjan-∏n-°p-∂p-≠v.

ap∂mw hb- n¬ A—-s‚bpw AΩ-bp-sSbpw \Sp-hn¬ c≠p t]cp-sSbpw

ta¬ Ip™nss° sh®p-sIm≠v InS-∂p-d-ßnb Akq-bm-ep-hmWv Ahƒ

Ct∏m-gpw. hµ\ Fs∂ t\m°n. Rm≥ kmc-an-s√∂ A¿∞-Øn¬ Ah-

sf t\m°n Nncn-®p.

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

ØXv?'

"AXn-cn-°-s´, Ign™ Ccp-]-tØgp sIm√m-bn´v CsX-hn-Sym-bn-cp∂p?'

BZyw \o Cu Imcyßƒ hni-Zo-I-cn®p Xm F∂ ań¬ Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"tZmibv°v Nmbtbm AtXm Imt∏ym th≠Xv?' Ahƒ°v hnjbw

am‰-W-sa-∂p-≠v. X¬°mew AXmWv \√-sX∂v F\nbv°pw tXm∂n. C∂v

D® hsc -am-Xsa Hmô-kp≈p. t\cw sshIn-bm¬ icn-bm-hn-√. Cµnc-bp-

ambn kwkm-cn-°m≥ \n∂m¬ kabw t]mIp-∂-X-dn-bn-√. ]ns∂ AX-

Xs∂ kpJ-ap≈ kwkm-c-am-bn-cn-°n√ F∂pw F\n-bv°p tXm∂n. ]nd-

∂mƒ Znh-k-a√ AXn\p ]‰nb ka-bw. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"F\nbv°v Im∏n aXn.' tZmi-bpsS H∏w Im∏n IpSn-°m-\mWv hµ-\-

bv°n-jvSw. F\n-°njvSw Nmb-bm-sW-¶nepw aIƒ°p th≠n Rm≥ Im∏n-

bm-°n.

Fs‚ Akz-ÿ -Zn-\-ßƒ ho≠pw hcn-I-bm-sW∂v F\nbv°p a\- n-

em-bn. ap∏Xp sIm√w apºv- Fs‚ Dd°w A]-l-cn-®v a\- ns‚ kzmÿyw

\jvS-s∏-Sp-Ønb Hcp Imcyw ho≠pw Fs∂-tØSn FØnbncn-°p-∂p.

Fw.-Pn. tdmUnse Hmôkv sIń-S-Øns‚ \memw \ne-bnse Hmô-kn-

te-bv°p≈ en v‰n¬ Ib-dp-tºmƒ Rm≥ Hm¿Ω-Isf a\- ns‚ I®-d-s∏-

ńbn-tebv°v X´p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. C∂v F¥m-bmepw ka-b-Øn\p Xs∂

Hmô-kn¬\n-∂n-d-ß-Ww. i\n-bmgvN H∂-c-a-Wn-h-sc-bmWv ka-b-sa-

¶nepw A°u-≠vkn-ep-≈-h¿°v A°u-≠‚n\v ]tXy-In®pw A©p aWn-

bm-hmsX ]pd-Øn-d-ßm≥ ]-‰m-dn-√. B hIp-∏n-ep-≈-h-cpsS hn[nbm-W-

sX∂p tXm∂p-∂p. A—s‚ ]nd-∂m-fn\v H∏-an-cp-∂p-Æm≥ hµ\ ImØp-

\n¬°pw. AXp amX-a√ Imc-W-sa∂v a\ p ]d-bp∂ps≠¶nepw Rm≥

Fs∂-Øs∂ I_-fn-∏n-°m-\p≈ ia-Øn-em-Wv. B iaw ên-°p-∂n-

s√∂v Rm≥ a\- n-em-°p-∂p. F\n-°n∂v Iptd Imcy-ßƒ sNøm-\p-≠v.

Hm¿Ω-Iƒ dossk-°nƒ _n∂n-tebv°p t]mbn-ń-s√∂p Rm≥ a\- n-em-

°p-∂p. AXv [mcmfw ÿew FSp-Øp-sIm≠v Fs‚ lm¿Uv UnkvIn¬

NS-™p-Iq-Sn-bn-cn-°-bm-Wv.

13


A≤ymbw aq∂v

]Xo-£n-®-Xp -t]m-se-Øs∂ Bcpw DuWp Ign-®n-´p-≠m-bn-cp-∂n√.

kabw ct≠-ap-°m¬. Rm≥ thKw Ipfn-ap-dn-bn¬ t]mbn Iøpw Imepw

apJhpw IgpIn, Cµnc Iń-en-t∑¬ FSp-Øp-h® Ae-°nb Ik-hp-ap-≠p-

SpØp ]pdØp IS-∂p.

"tamsf-hnsS?'

"Ahfv tamfn-ev≠v.'

"F¥m sNø-WXv?'

"B¿°-dnbmw?'

s]s´-s∂-\nbv°v Imcy-ß-fpsS InS∏v ]nSn-In-ń. "\o Ahsf NoØ

]d™p As√?'

F\n°v Cµnc-bpsS adp-]Sn Bh-iy-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. Rm≥ apI-fn-

tebv°p Ib-dn. hµ\ Iń-en¬ apJw Xncn®v InS-°p-I-bm-Wv.

"tamsf \osb-¥mWv sIS-°vWXv?'

Ahƒ apJw Xncn-®p. Ahƒ Ic-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-s∂-s∂-\nbv°p a\- n-

em-bn.

"hcq, DuWp Ign-°ym.'

"F\nbv°p shi-∏n√ A—m.'

"\√ Imcym-bn. s]d-∂m-fvIm-c≥, tamfsS H∏-√msX DuWp Ign

bvt°ym? FWobv°v.'

Ahƒ ho≠pw Ic-bm≥ XpS-ßn. Rm≥ Ah-fpsS ASp-Øn-ep∂v ]pdw

Xtem-Sn.

"\o F¥p sXm´m-hm-Sn-bmWv. AΩ Aßn-s\-sbms° ]d-bpw. AXp

tI´v \o Ic-ømtWm?'

Cµnc F¥mWv ]d-™-sX-s∂-\n-bv°-dn-bn-√. B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bn¬

Ft¥m A]-ISw ]Xn-bn-cn-°p-∂p-s≠∂v Ahƒ hnizkn-®p. AXv Fs‚

Iøn¬ s]Sm≥ ]mSn-s√-∂-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-°Ww Ahƒ CXbpw Imew

AsXm-fn-∏n®p sh®Xv.

"FWobv°v.'

Rm≥ Ip\n™v Ah-fpsS s\‰n -ta¬ DΩ h®p. Ahƒ Fgp -

t∂‰ncp∂psIm≠v tNmZn-®p.

"F¥m—m B sN vt_m¿Un\v Ipg∏w?'

"Ipg-∏tam? H∂pw√y tamsf, AtΩsS Hmtcm tXm∂-evI-fm-Wv.'

"Ft¥m-≠v. F\n°v AtΩsS kwkm-c-Øo∂v a\- n-em-bn. As√-¶n¬

AΩ Fs∂ CX NoØ ]d-bn-√y.'

14


"C√ tamsf, A—-\s√ ]d-bvW-Xv. A—s‚ Ipń-°m-eØv Xń≥]p-

dØv∂v Inó-Xm-Wv. A—≥ GXp-t\cqw AtXm≠v Ifn-°ym-bn-cp-∂p. Ah-

km\w ]co-t£ev tXm¬°pw∂v≈ s\eym-bs∏m \ns‚ apØ-—≥ AXv

hmßn-sh-®-Xm. ]ns∂ Rm≥ AXp I≠n-ń-√.'

"]s£ A—m AXnev Ifn-°m≥ ]‰n-√yt√m? AXnev s\dsb Icp-°fv

hc-®n-ń-cn-°ys√?''

"NXp-cwKw Ifn-°y-√. GXp t\cpw AXpw Iønev ]nSn-t®m≠v \S-°z-

s∂. As∏m ]Tn-sØm∂pw \S-°n-√. AXp icn-bmhn-√m∂v apØ-—\v

tXm∂n, ImcWw aq∏cv A—s\ tImgn-t°mSv tImf-Pn¬ tN¿°m-≥ Xøm-

sd-Sp-Øn-cn-°ym-bn-cp-∂p. AXy≈p.'

"AXpw ]nSn®p \S-∂m-se¥m ]Tn-®qsS? F¥m h√ kvs]√pw t≠m

B t_m¿Un\v?'

"C√ tamsf. AXn\v kvs]s√m-∂pw-√y.' B XInSv a¥-\n-_-≤-am-sW-

∂mWv hµ\ Icp-Xn-b-Xv. "A—≥ kzXth Hscmg-∏-\m-bn-cp-∂p. In´W

ka-sbms° ]d-ºn¬ h√ ac-Øn-Ωepw tIdpw. sImf-Øn¬ NmSn \o¥pw.

Aßn-s\ym-°ym-bm¬ ]TnØw \S-t°zm. ]s£ tamfsS apØ-—≥ hnNm-

cn-®Xv B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-IymWv Imc-Ww-∂m.'

hµ\ Xr]vX-bm-sb∂p tXm∂p-∂p.

"tamfv hm kabw FXym-bo∂m hnNm-cw. A—s‚ shi∏v sI´p-sXm-

S-ßn.'

Ahƒ Fgpt∂‰v Fs‚ H∏w Xmsg-bn-d-ßn- h-∂p.

"Hm Ic-øm-bn-cpt∂m? Rm\-hfv Iºyq-´-dnev Ft¥m sNøm∂m hnNm-

cn-®Xv.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"I≠n-s√,' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "AX Kuc-th≈p AtΩsS NoØ ]d-®n-

en\v.'

"NoØ ]dtø?' Cµnc ]d-™p. "Cßs\ sIm©n®v NoØ-bm-°n-t°m-

fp. Ahsf sI´m≥ hcW ]ø-\mWv IjvS-s∏-SpI. sXm´mhm-Sn.'

"Ipd®p IjvS-s∏-S-s´, Rm≥ s\s∂-s°m≠v IjvS-s∏- -t]m-se.' Rm≥

]d-™p. ]ns∂ Xncn™v Fs‚ ASp-Øp-Xs∂ Ce-bv°p-ap-ºn¬ Ccn-

°p∂ hµ-\sb t\m°n ]d-™p. "As√, A—s‚ sXm´m-hm-Sn°pó? CXv

A—s‚ ap≈n-√mØ sXm´m-hmSn aI-fm-Wv.'

hµ-\-bpsS ]nW°w Xo¿∂n-cp-∂p. ]nd-∂mƒ Znhkw \neØv ]p√p-

]m-b-bn´v AXn-emWv aq∂p t]cpw Ccn-°m-dv. he-Xp-h-i-Ømbn Hcp \ne-

hn-f-°n\p apºn¬ C´ Ce-bn¬ KW-]-Xnbv°v kZy hnf-ºn-bn-cp-∂p.

i\n-bmgvv-N- Znhkw Rm≥ D®bv°v apI-fnse apdn-bn-emWv Dd-ßm≥

InS-°mdv. hµ\ AΩsb ASp-°-f-bn¬ ]mX-ßƒ tamdm≥ klm-bn-°pw.

Xm-gsØ \ne-bn¬ AXns‚ _lfambn-cn-°pw. apI-fn-em-hp-tºmƒ iey-

ß-sfm-∂p-an-√msX c≠p aWn-°q¿ InS-°mw. Hcm-gvNsØ Hmôkv

Adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°v

15


£oWw Xo¿°p-∂Xv B c≠p aWn-°q-dm-Wv. C∂p ]s£ F\n-°p-d-

ßm≥ Ign-™n-√. Rm≥ Fgp-t∂‰v Iºyq-´¿ tai-bpsS hen-∏n¬

sNºn¬ Bte-J\w sNbvX B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibv°p th≠n X∏n. AX-

hn-sS-bp-≠m-Ip-sa∂ tXm∂¬ icn-bm-bn. Fń©v NXp-c-Øn-ep≈ B ]e-

I-bn¬ Hcp Ifn ]Ip-Xn-bn¬ \n¿Ønsh®Xns‚ NnXw. AsXmcp ]gb

h¿Ø-am-\-°-S-em-kn¬ s]mXn-™p-h-®n-cn-°-bmWv. angn-hp≈ Icp-

°fpsS Idp∏p \nd-Øn-ep≈ tcJm-NnXw sNºns‚ \nd-Øn¬ DZn-®p-Im-

Wp-∂p. hµ\ B XInSv \∂mbn Igp-In-bn- p-≠m-I-Ww, ImcWw AXnse

cq]-ßƒ s°m∂pw henb lm\n hcm-sX-Øs∂ sNºns‚ ]›m-Ø-e-

Øn\v \√ DZn∏p h∂n-cn-°p-∂p. he-Øp-h-iØp Xmsg-bmbn Ipd®p

`mKØp≈ F®nMv Id-h∂v aqSn-bXv ]≠pw Aßn-s\-bm-bn-cp-∂p-sh∂v

Rmt\m¿Øp. AXp ]s£ Ifnsb _m[n-°p-∂n-√. AhnsS Imemƒ∏-

S-bm-Wv. AsXX apt∂m´p t]mbn- p-s≠∂p amXw Adn-bm≥ ]‰n-√. c≠p

sIm√-°mew Rm≥ sIm≠p \S∂v s]s´∂v A]-Xy-£-amb B sNºp

NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Rm≥ ssIsIm≠v Xtem-Sn. Icp-°-fpsS `mK-sØ√mw

Aev]w s]m¥n-\n¬°p-∂-t]mse tXm∂p-∂p. tXm∂-em-bn-cn-°pw,

ImcWw ]eI apgp-h≥ \∂mbn an\p-k-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-cp-∂p. Rm\m ]eI

tai-h-en-∏n¬Øs∂ Xncn-®p-h®p Iºyq-´¿ Xpd-∂p.

C\n hµ-\-bp-≠m-°nb amÃ¿]okv Hcn-°¬°qSn ImW-s´. sUkvIv

tSm-∏nse tjm¿SvI-ń¬ Aa¿Øn-b-t∏mƒ A\n-ta-j≥ XpS-ßn. BZyw

]›m-Ø-e-Øn¬ hcp-∂Xv \n¿Øn-sh® Hcp NXp-cw-K-°-fn-bpsS NnX-

amWv. B \n›-e-Nn-X-Øn-tebv°v Hmtcm hm°p-I-fmbn "lm∏n' ASpØ

hcn-bn¬ "_¿XvtU' ho≠pw ASpØ c≠p hcn-I-fn-embn "Sp' "UmUn'

Fs∂-gp-Xn-h-cp-∂p. F√m hm°p-Ifpw h∂p-I-gn-™m¬ "lm∏n _¿XvtU

Sp UmUn' F∂v \me©p h´w an∂n-sØ-fn-™-tijw ho≠pw BZyw

apX¬ XpS-ßp-∂p. F\n-°-Zv pXw tXm∂n. c≠mgvN apºv amX-amWv Rm\-

hƒ°v Pn^v A\n-ta-‰-dns‚ _o‰m tIm∏n Uu¨temUv sNbvXp sImSp-

Ø-Xv. CX-thKw AX-hƒ ]Tn-°p-Ibpw Cßn-s\-sbmcp A\n-ta-j≥

D≠m-°p-Ibpw sNbvXns√?

A\n-ta-j≥ \n¿Øn-sh®v Rm≥ "Un' ssUhn¬ A\n-ta-j≥ D≠m-

°n-sh® t^mƒU¿ Xpd∂v NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS NnX-sa-Sp-Øp t\m°n.

NnXw kvIo≥ \nd-™p-\n-∂p. \√ angn-hp≈ NnXw. Ahƒ ssl sdk-

eq-j-\n¬ kvIm≥ sNbvsX-Sp-Ø-Xm-W-Xv. 300 ]nIvk-se-¶nepw D≠m-hpw.

A\n-ta-j-\p-th≠n Ahƒ NnX-Øns‚ sskkv Npcp-°n-bn-´p-≠m-h-Ww.

ImcWw B sdk-eq-j-\n¬ Pn^v A\n-ta-‰-dn¬ A\n-ta-j-∂p-≠m-°m≥

]‰n-√. B s_≥ Iyp Gk¿ kvIm\¿ Ign™ ]mhiyw Ipt´-´≥ Ata-

cn-°-bn¬ \n∂p h∂-t∏mƒ acp-a-Iƒ°v hmßn-s°m-Sp-Ø-hbm-Wv. Hmtcm

]mh-iyhpw \mń-tebv°p h∂m¬ Ipt´-´≥ hµ-\bv°p th≠n Fs¥-

16


¶nepw hmßm-Xn-cn-bv°n-√. C]mh-iyhpw Abmƒ hµ-\-tbmSp tNmZn-®p.

"tamƒ°v F¥mWv th≠Xv?' Ahƒ°v kwi-b-sam-∂p-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√.

FSp-Ø -]-Snbv°v Ahƒ ]d-™p. "Hcp If¿ kvIm\¿.'

"\o sNdp-sX-s¥-¶nepw ]td tamsf.' Rm\-hsf KpW-tZm-jn-®p. Hcp

kvIm\-dn\v Npcp-ßn-bXv aq∆m-bn-c-Ø-™qdp cq]-sb-¶n-ep-am-hp-sa-s∂-\n-

bv°-dn-bmw.

"\o an≠m-Xn-cn.' Ipt´´≥ Fs∂ imkn®p. Ahƒ°m-h-iy-ap-≈-Xs√

Ahƒ Bh-iy-s∏-SpI?'

DS-s\-Øs∂ At±lw hµ-\-sbbpw Iqń ]pd-Øn-d-ßn. Hcp aWn-°q¿

Ign™v Xncn-®p-h-∂Xv Cu kvIm\-dp-am-bn-´m-Wv. AXns‚ hnebdn-™-

t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"C\n Ip´-Ωma _enbn-Sm-s\-∂√ Hcp Imcy-Øn\pw Ct¥yev \ns∂

t]Sn-®v Imep-Ip-Øn-√.'

kvt\l-ap≈ a\p-jy-\m-Wv. Fs‚ AΩm-h\v Fßns\ Cßn-s\-

sbmcp k¥-Xn-bp-≠mbn?

kvIo\n¬ \nd-™p-\n∂ NnXw t\m°n-s°m-≠n-cns° Rm≥ AsX

√mw Hm¿Øp. Ipń-°m-ew, AXns‚ Krlm-Xp-c-X. NnX-ßƒ hfsc angn-

hp-≈-Xm-bn-cp-∂p. amk-Øn-sem-cn-°-se-¶nepw \mń¬ t]mIp-∂-Xp-sIm≠v

B \mep-sI-ńs‚ NnXw a\- n¬ hfsc kPo-h-am-bn-cp-∂p.

kvIo\n¬ \nd-™p-\n∂ NnXØn¬ t\m°nb-t∏m-gmWv Rm≥ Hcp

Imcyw i≤n-®-Xv. NnX-Øns‚ he-Øp-h-i-Ømbn Xmsg Ft¥m Fgp-Xn-

bn-cn-°p-∂p. Aßn-s\-sbm∂v Rm\n-Xphsc i≤n-®n-´p-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√.

Rm≥ B mKw hep-Xm-°n-t\m-°n. Fgp-Øp-X-s∂-bm-Wv. hmbn-°m≥ ]‰p-

∂-Xn¬ ]c-am-h[n hep-Xm-°n. AsXmcp \me-°-kw-Jy-bm-Wv. H∂p-IqSn

hep-Xm-°n-b-t∏m-gmWv a\- n-em-bXv AXv 1131 Fs∂-gp-Xn-b-XmWv. 1131?

Rm≥ ho≠pw t\m°n. AsX 1131 Xs∂. AXv Rm≥ P\n® sIm√-am-bn-

cp-∂p. ae-bm-f -h¿jw. F®n-ßns‚ ka-bØv A_-≤-Øn¬ h∂p-s]´

Hcp Ic-Sm-sW∂p Icp-Xn-bn-cp-∂Xv Rm≥ P\n® h¿j-w Ipdn-®p- h-®Xm-

bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ P\n-°p-∂-Xn\pw FXtbm apºv GtXm Imc-W-h-cmWv

B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI D≠m-°n-h-®-Xv. B Imc-W-h¿ a-cn-®Xv Bbn-cØn

F¨]Ø©ntem at‰m BWv. AXn\pw apºv Ft∂m D≠m-°n-h® Hcp

]e-I-bn¬ Fs‚ P\\ h¿jw Fgp-Xn-h-®Xv bmZr-›n-I-amtWm? GsXm-

s°tbm A⁄m-X-amb hgnI-fn-eqsS hn[n F\n°p th≠n Ft¥m Icp-

Xn-sh-®n-cnbv°-bmWv. F\n-bv°p-th≠n amXw, ImcWw AtX-hsc

Hcmfpw B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Kuc-h-ambn FSp-Øn-ń-√. AΩm-h≥ Hcn-°¬

]d-™Xv AXp-≠m-°n-bXv At±-l-Øns‚ c≠m-asØ AΩm-h-\m-sW-

∂m-Wv. At±-l-Øn\v Xebv°v Aev]w Akp-J-am-sW∂pw ]d-™p.

Xebv°v h´p≈ Hcmƒ sNøp-∂Xv Kuc-h-ambn FSp-t°-≠-Xn-√-s√m. AX-

17


dn-™ -ti-jhpw Rm\Xp Kuc-h-ambn FSp-°p-Ibpw AXns‚ A¿∞-sa-

¥m-sW∂v At\z-jn-°p-Ibpw Fs‚ c≠p h¿jw ]mgm-°p-Ibpw sNbvX-

t∏mtgm? AsX-\nbv°p amX-ap≈ Ft¥m ktµ-i-am-Wv. AsX-Sp-°m\pw

a\- n-em-°m\pw ]s£ F\n-°m-hp-∂n-√.

hµ\ ]n∂n¬ h∂p \n∂Xv Rm\-dn-™n-√.

"Fßn-s\≠v A—m?' Rm≥ Xncn-™p-t\m-°n-b-t∏mƒ Ahƒ tNmZn-

®p.

"\∂m-bn-´v≠v.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "\obnXv ssl sdk-eq-j-\n-ev sNbvX

tXm≠v \√ sXfn-a-≠v.'

"A—m F\nbv°v Xo˛Un A\n-ta-j≥ ]Tn-®m¬ aXn.'

"AtXym? ]s£ tamsf- A-\n-ta-j-\nev Nm≥kp-Ifv hfsc Ipd-hs√

D≈q? t\sc adn®v Hcp tkm v‰vshb¿ F©n-\o-b-dm-sW-¶n¬ C∂p-Xs∂

tPmen-In-´pw. \√ iw_-fhpw BWv. tkm^v‰vshb¿ F©n-\o-b¿am¿

Bbn-c-°-W-°n\v th≠n-h-cp-tºmƒ A\n-ta-t‰gvkv hfsc Ipd-®s√

th≠q? sh_v ssk-‰p-I-fn-sems° Ct∏mƒ vfmjn-emWv A\n-ta-j≥.

XoUn A\n-ta-j-\m-sW-¶n¬ Im¿´q- NnXØnepw h√-t∏mgpw B¿°n-

sS-IvN-dnepw amtX th≠n-h-cq. \o Ahtcw At\z-jn®v \S-°≠n hcpw.'

"AXp kmcey A—m.' Ahƒ Ipd-®p-t\cw \n»-_vZ-bm-bn, ]ns∂ ASp-

Øn´ Itk-e-bn¬ Ccp-∂p-sIm≠v tNmZn-®p. "A—m, Rms\mcp Imcyw

tNmZn-®m¬ AXn\v icn-°p≈ adp-]Sn Xtczm?'

"\o ]td.' Ahƒ F¥mWv tNmZn-°m-\p-t±-in-°p-∂-sX∂v F\n°p a\-

n-em-bn-cn-°p-∂p.

"t]mankv?'

"t]man-kv.' Ah-fpsS \o´nb D≈w-I-øn¬ ASn-®p-sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d-

™p.

"F¥mWv Cu sN vt_m¿Uns‚ ]tXy-IX? F¥n-\mWv AΩ

AsXm-fn-∏n®p sh®Xv?'

hµ-\-tbmSv \pW ]d-bm≥ F\n-°n-jvS-an-√m-bn-cp-∂p. F¶nepw Ah-

fpsS `mhnsb t\m°n-sb-¶nepw AXns‚ clkyw Ahƒ Adn-b-cp-Xv.

Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"AXn-sem-∂pw-√ys‚ tamsf. AsXmcp shdpw NXp-cw-K-∏-eI amXm-

Wv. GtXm h´≥ Imc-W-hcv kabw If-bm≥ th≠n D≠m-°n-bn- -Xm-Wv.'

"A√, A—≥ \pW ]d-øm-Wv.' Ah-fpsS kzcØn¬ ]cn-`-hw.

"A—≥ Hcp Imcyw ]d-bs´ tamsf? Cu t_m¿Uv A—s‚ c≠p

sIm√w If™ km[-\m-Wv. tamfv AsXm∂pw Adn-b-≠m. Adn-bm≥

amsXm-∂pw-√y. \ns‚ ]co-£bv°v C\n \mep amtk-≈q. AXn-s\-Sbv°v

th≠m-Ø-Xn-sem∂pw FS-s]´v a\ v Nn∂n-t∏m-≠. tamfv t]mbn ]Tn-

bv°v.'

18


"C√, Rm≥ ]Tn-°n-√. CsX-¥m-∂-dn-™mse Rm≥ ]Tn-bv°p.'

hµ-\-bpsS IuXp-I-ap≈ apJØp t\m°n-b-t∏mƒ Ahƒ Ip´n-bm-bn-

cn-°p-tºm-gp-≠mb Hcp Imcyw Hm¿Øp. aq∂p hb p ]mb-ap-≈-t∏m-gm-

Wv. Fs¥-¶nepw hmin km[n-∏n®p sImSp-Øn-s√-¶n¬ Ahƒ oj-Wn-s∏-

Sp-Øm-dp-≠v.

"Rm≥ XpWn-√ymsX ap‰Øv t]mbn \n¬°pw.'

DSp-∏n-SmsX \S-°-cp-Xv, ]tXy-In®pw ]pdØv F∂v Cµnc ]d-bm-dp-≠v.

Hcn-°¬ Ft∂mSpw ojWn apg-°n-b-t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"\nt∂m, A—\v Ipg-s∏m∂pw√y. h√ Imt°w ]d-∂p-t]m-hp-tºmƒ

s\s∂ I≠m¬ tXmeq-s]m-fn® ]qhw-]-gmWv∂v IcpXn sImØns°m≠p

t]mIpw. AXz-s∂.'

Hcn-°¬ Ah-fpsS Iøn¬\n∂v Hcp Im° ]e-lmcw sImØn-s°m-≠p-

t]m-b-Xn¬∏ns∂ Ahƒ°p Im°-Isf t]Sn-bm-bn-cp-∂p. AXn\p tijw

Ahƒ B ojWn apg-°n-bn-´n-√.

"F¥m A—≥ Nncn-°-WXv?'

"H∂pw√y tamsf.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "s\\°v \n¿∫-‘m-sW-¶n¬ Rm≥

]d-™p-X-cmw. C∂pw \msf-bpw th≠n-hcpw AXp apgp-h≥ Xocm≥. Hcp

hmKvZm\w Xc-Ww. Cu IY tI´p Ign-™m¬ Xncn®v \ns‚ ]Tn-Ø-Øn¬

i≤n-°-Ww. CXpXs∂ Btem-Nn®v Ccn-°-cvXv.'

"kΩ-Xn®p, ]d-bq.'

19


A≤ymbw \mev

c≠m-bn-cØnBdn¬ Pohn-°p∂ Hcp ]Xn\mep hb- p-Im-cnbv°v

sXm≈m-bn-c-Øn-F-gp-]-Xp-I-fnse Imcy-ßƒ ]d-™p-sIm-Sp-°p-∂Xv Hcp

saKm-kn-‰n-bn¬\n∂v Ahsf t\sc Imńs‚ D≈n-se-hn-sS-sb-¶nepw hnSp-

∂-Xp t]m-sebm-Wv. Hcp ImSv Ahƒ°v ]nt∂bpw a\- n-em-sb∂p hcpw.

Imew AX-b-[nIw amdn-bn-cn-°p-∂p. Rßƒ amk-Øn-sem-cn-°-se-¶nepw

\mń¬ t]mbn Xma-kn-°p-∂-Xp-sIm≠v ÿe-ß-sf-∏‰n Ahƒ°v GI-

tZiw cq]-ap-≠v. AXp-sIm≠v H∂pw Bbn-√. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"A—≥ Ipd-®p-t\cw InS-°-s´, AXp Ign™v Fgp-t∂‰tijw ]d-

bmw. tamfv Ct∏m s]mbvs°m.'

"icn.' Ahƒ Fgp-t∂-‰p.

Rm≥ Iºyq-´¿ Hm^m-°n, Iń-en-t∑¬ h∂p InS∂p. Dd-ßWw.

]s£ Fs‚ Dd°w \mń≥]p-dsØ \mep-sI-ń-se-hn-sStbm \jvS-s∏-ń-

cn-°-bm-Wv. Cµnc B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Hfn-∏n-®p-sh-®-Xns‚ ImcWw F\n

bv°nt∏mƒ a\- n-em-bn. ]s£ AsX-t∏m-gmWv Ah-fpsS ssIhiw

FØn-s∏-´-sX-∂p a\- n-em-bn-√. AΩm-hs‚ ac-W-Øn\p tij-am-bn-cn-

°-Ww.

AΩm-hs‚ hoń¬ ]Xnaq∂mw hb- n-¬ Xma-kn-°m-s\-Øn-b-Xns‚

hfsc t\cnb Hm¿Ω-Isf F\nbv°p≈q. Rm≥ AΩ-bpsS ]n∂mse B

henb ]Sn-∏pc IS-∂p- sN-∂Xv Hcp ]pXnb Pohn-X-Øn-te-bv°m-bn-cp-∂p.

]™-Øn-s‚bpw ]ń-Wn-bp-sSbpw \mfp-Iƒ kar≤n-bpsSbpw kwXr-]vXn-

bp-sSbpw \mfp-I-fmbn amdn. AΩbpw G -Ønbpw H∏w h∂n-cp-∂p. Ah¿

]nt‰-∂p-Xs∂ Xncn-®p-t]m-bn. Ah¿ Xncn®pt]mbXv Zmcn-Zy-Øn-tebv°pw

]ń-Wn-bn-te-bv°p-am-sW-∂Xv Fs∂ AX-Xs∂ hnj-an-∏n-®n-√. B ]mb-

Øn¬ Ah-\-hs‚ hb¿ amXta Hcp Ipń i≤n-°p, ]tXy-In®pw hni-

∂n-cp∂ Hcp Ipń. B \mep-sI´v Hcp henb b¥w- t]mse F\nbv°p

tXm∂n-bn-cp-∂p. AXn-th-K-Øn¬ Id-ßp∂ NI-ß-fp≈ Hcp b¥w. Xnc-

°p -am-Xw. cmhnse F´p-a-Wn-bm-bm¬ b¥w ]-h¿Øn-bv°m≥ Xp-S-ßp-

∂p. ]d-ºn¬ I≠w If-bv°p-Itbm h√Xpw \Sp-Itbm Ce-IvSnIv ]ºp-

]-tbm-Kn®v sXßn\pw hmgbv°pw ]®-°-dn-Iƒ°pw \\-bv°pItbm

sNøp∂ tPmen-°m¿, NmWIw sagp-Inb ap‰Øv s\√pI‰ ASn®v s\∑-

Wn-Iƒ th¿Xn-cn -°pIbpw DXn¿∂ aWn-Iƒ Im‰-Øn´v ]Xncpw

ssht°m¬Ø-cn-Ifpw If™v hrØn-bm-°pIbpw sNøp∂ kvXoIƒ,

Dc¬∏pcbn¬ Dc-ens‚ Xmf-Øn-s\m∏w Db¿∂p tIƒ°p∂ iv, iv

i_vZhpw Ip∏n-h-f-I-fpsS Inep-°-hpw. Fs‚ hońse ]im-¥-X-bn¬

20


\n∂v Cu _l-f-Øn-tebv°p s]s´∂p h∂Xv Fs∂ A‘m-fn-∏n-®p.

apºv h√-t∏mgpw B hoń¬ h∂p Xma-kn®n´p-≠v. As∂√mw Ht∂m

ct≠m Znhkw Ign-™m¬ Xncn®p t]mIp-sa∂ Bizm-k-ap-≠v. C\n AXn-

√. CXm-sWs‚ ÿnc-hm-kw. Fs‚ `mhn Chn-sS-bm-Wv, Hcp-]s£ ac-

Ww- h-sc.

AΩbpw cmt[-SvØnbpw ]nt‰∂p cmhn-se- Xncn®p t]mbXn-\p- tijw

Rm≥ icnbv°pw H‰-s∏-´p. Ft∂-°mƒ c≠p hb p IqSp-X-ep≈ Ipt´-

´≥ CSvbv°p Rm\n-cn-°p-∂n-SØp h∂p t\m°pw. H∂pw ]d-bmsX Xncn-

®p- t]m-Ipw. Ftßm-´mWv t]mIp-∂-sX-∂-dn-bn-√. B ]Sp-Iq-‰≥ hoń¬

Hcm-bncw t]¿°v Hfn-®n-cn-°m≥ CS-ap-s≠∂p tXm∂n-bn-cp-∂p. F´p hb-

p≈ Cµnc CSbv°p h∂v Rm\n-cn-°p∂ Ccp-Øn-bpsS ASp-Øp-IqsS

t]mIpw. AXn-\n-S-bn¬ \s√mcp \p≈pw kΩm-\n-bv°pw. \√ thZ-\-bp-≠m-

Ipw. Rm\-hsf Xpdn®p t\m°p-tºmƒ Ahƒ sIm™\w IpØn-s°m≠v

HmSn-t∏m-Ipw. HmtS≠ Bh-iy-sam-∂p-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. Ah-fpsS ]n∂mse

HmSn-s®∂v in£n-°m-s\∂p amX-a-√, \msh-SpØp "thZ-\n-bv°p-∂p≠v'

F∂p ]d-bm≥ t]mepw Ai-‡-\mIpw hn[w Rm≥ tamiw \ne-bn-em-bn-

cp-∂p.

AΩm-hs‚ a°ƒ c≠p-t]¿°pw Rm\-hnsS Xma-kn-°m≥ h∂Xv

CjvS-am-bn√ F∂¿∞w. AsXs∂ thZ-\n-∏n-®p. F\nbv°p kzbw Hcp

`n£-°mc\mbn tXm∂n. ]s£ cmXn-bm-b-tXmsS Imcy-ßƒ Iptds»

A\p-Iq-e-ambn h∂p. Xf-Øn¬ \ne-Øn-cp∂v Rßƒ aq∂p Ipń-Ifpw

DuWp Ign®p. ssI IgpIn j¿ńs‚ Iøn¬ apJw XpS®v Xncn™p

t\m°n-bXv Ipt´-´s‚ apJ-Øm-Wv. ap∏¿ Kuc-h-ambn ]d-™p. "Fs‚

]n∂mse hm.'

Rm≥ Abm-fpsS ]n∂-mse \S-∂p. tImWn Ibdn apI-fn¬ kz¥w

apdn-bn-se-Øn-b-t∏mƒ hmXn-e-S-®p-sIm≠v Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "Ccnbv°v.'

Rm≥ taibv°p apºn-en´ c≠p Itk-e-I-fn-sem-∂n¬ Ccp-∂p.

"AΩ s\s∂ Fs‚ H∏w sIS-Øm≥ ]d-™n-´v≠v. \o Nne \n_-‘-

\-Iƒ kΩ-Xn-®m¬ amsX Rm\Xp kΩ-Xn-bv°q. a\- n-emtbm?'

Rm≥ Xe-bm-ń, F¥mWv B \n_-‘-\-Iƒ F∂p-IqSn tNmZn-®n-√.

B tNmZy-Ønepw Rßsf Nqgv∂p \n¬°p∂ kµ¿`-Ønepw Hcp \mS-

Io-bXbp-≠m-bn-cp∂p. \mep t]¿°p InS-°m≥ amXw hep-∏-ap≈ B

InS-bv°-bn¬ InS-°m≥ kΩ-Xn-®m¬ Rm≥ F¥p \n_-‘-\bv°pw hg-

ßp-am-bn-cp-∂p.

"H∂v Rm≥ AΩ-tbmSv \pW ]d-bp-tºmƒ \o FS-t¶m-en-S-cp-Xv. AXm-

bXv AXn-s\-Xnsc H∂pw ]d-b-cp-Xv. AΩ-bpsS H∏w Pohn®p t]mIm≥

Aev]-kzev]w \pW ]d-tb≠nhcpw. \n\-°Xv hgnsb a\- n-em-hpw.'

"c≠m-a-Xv, Rm≥ \nt∂mSp ]d-bp-∂-sXm∂pw CµntcymSv ]d-b-cp-Xv.


21


Ah-sfm-c-]-I-S-Im-cn-bm-Wv.' Fs‚ apJØp I≠ kwi-b-`mhw i≤n-®p-

sh∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Ipt´-´≥ XpS¿∂p. "Ahƒ \sΩ H‰n-s°m-Sp-°pw.

Ahƒ ImcWw F\nbv°v A—s‚ Iøn¬\n∂v [mcmfw kΩm\w Inó-

´v≠v. F√m s]Ïp-ń-Ifpw Aßn-s\-Ø-s∂-bm-Wv. Hscm‰ H∂n-t\w

hniz-kn-°-cp-Xv. \n\°v A—s‚ Iøo∂v ASn Inó´vt≠m?'

Rm≥ Cs√∂p Xe-bm-ń. Fs‚ A—≥ F\nbv°v c≠p hb- p-≈-

t∏msg acn-®p-t]m-bn-cp-∂p.

"\ns‚ A—s‚ Imcy√ ]d-b-WXv? Fs‚ A—-s‚, \ns‚ AΩm-h-s‚.

In´m≥ hgo-√y. C\n In´m-\p≈ FS- sIm-Sp-°-≠. \√ NqSv≠v. AXm

Rm≥ ]d-b-WXv Cµntcs\ kq£n-°-Ww-∂v. a\- n-emtbm?'

AXm-bn-cp∂p Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw IqSn-bp-≠mb kulr-Z-Øns‚ XpS-

°w. Ct∏mƒ AºXp Intem-ao-‰dpw ap∏-Ømdv h¿jhpw krjvSn® AI-

e-Øn¬\n∂v t\m°p-tºmƒ Rm≥ Btem-Nn®p AsXmcp \√ _‘-am-

bn-cp-∂p. Hcn-°epw De-bmØ kvt\l-_-‘w. Rßƒs°mcp s]mXp

iXp-hp-≠m-b-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-°Ww AXv. AXn-\p-tijw F\n°m

hoń¬ A\y-\mbn tXm∂n-bn-ń-√.

Cµnc-bpsS ]oV\-Øns‚ Imcyw ]d-™-t∏mƒ Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p.

AXv \ap°v \n¿Ømw. C\n ]n®m≥ hcp-tºmƒ ]d™m aXn, Rm≥

\ns∂ sI´m≥ t]m∆m-Wv∂v. ]ns∂ Ahƒ ASpØp hcn-√. ASpØ Xh-

W-Xs∂ AXp Rm≥ ]co-£n-®p. Ahƒ D]-Z-hn-°m≥ h-cn-I-bm-sW∂v

F\nbv°p a\- n-em-bn. Rm≥ ap≥Iq-dmbn ]d-™p.

"]n®n-t°m, ]s£ Rm≥ \ns∂ sI´m≥ t]m∆m-Wv.'

"sI´mt\m?'

"AsX, IeymWw Ign-°m≥.'

"th≠......'

"AXp \ob-√t√m Xo¿®-bm-°m≥, Rm\s√?'

Ahƒ Ic-™p-sIm≠v AΩ-bpsS ASp-tØ-bvt°m-Sn. Rm≥ ]n∂m-se-

bp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Imcyw a\- n-em-b-t∏mƒ AΩmbn ]d-™p.

"AXn-s\-¥m, Ah≥ s\s‚ apd-s®-°-\s√?'

"F\n°v Cu G´s\ th≠m.....' Ahƒ Ic-bp-I -X-s∂-bm-Wv. AΩmbn

Nncn-®p-sIm-≠n-cp-∂p.

AΩm-h≥ B hgnbv°p hcp-tºm-tgbv°pw Ah-fpsS Ic-®n¬ \n¿Øp-

I-bmWv \√-Xv. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"icn, \ns∂ IeymWw Ign-°n-Wn-√. ]s£ C\n Fs∂ ]n®-cp-Xv.'

Ahƒ Ic-®n¬ \n¿Øn, Xe-bm-ń.

"]ns∂ thsdmcp Imcyw. hep-Xm-bm¬ Fs∂ sI´-Ww∂v ]d™v

]n∂mse hcpw A-cvXv. a\- n-emtbm?'

"icn.'

22


]nd-tIm´p t]mbn, Aev]w NcnXw. BZysØ B¨]-Pbv°p tijw

A©p h¿jw Ign™v AΩm-h\v Hcp s]Ïpń P\n-®-t∏mƒ AΩm-h≥

BZyw sNbvXXv Bsf ]d-™-b®v s]ßsf hcp-Øp-I-bm-Wv. c≠p

hb p ]mb-amb Fs∂bpw A©p hb p ]mb-am-b -cm-t[-SvØn-sbbpw

s]dp-°n-sb-SpØv AΩ G´s‚ ASp-tØbv°v ]pXh[p-hns\ ImWm-≥

bmX-bm-bn. Rßƒ°v hfsc \√ kzoI-c-W-amWv A∂p e`n-®-sX∂v

AΩ ]d-bp-I-bp-≠m-bn-´p-≠v. Imcy-ÿs\ ]d-™-b®v cmL-hs‚ IS-

bn¬\n∂v Hcp Ip™n sjÕnbpw Ft∂-°mƒ hep-∏-ap≈ Hcp I≈n-

j¿´pw hmßn-®p. Rm≥ BZy-ambn [cn® ]pcp-j-thjw AXm-bn-cp-∂-sX.

AXp-hsc cmt[-SvØnbpsS ]gb DSp-∏p-I-fmWv Fs∂ CSo-®n-cp-∂-Xv. Hcp

Kwò-c -k-Zybpw Hcp-°n-bn-cp-∂p. c≠mw hb- n¬ \S∂ B Imcy-ß-

sfm∂pw F\nbv°v Hm¿Ω-bp-≠m-hm≥ hø. \∂mbn; Hm¿Ω-bp-≠m-bn-cp-

s∂-¶n¬ AXn-s‚-sbms° A¿∞-iq-\y-X-tbm¿Øv F\nbv°p hnjaam-

tb-s\. Xd-hm-´p-kzØv ]pd-Øp-t]m-Im-Xn-cn-°m≥ \mb¿ X-d-hm-Sp-Iƒ

]n≥Xp-S¿∂n-cp∂ Cu kº-Zm-b-Øn¬ BÏp-ńbvt°m s]Ïp-

ńbvt°m hnhm-l-Øns‚ Imcy-Øn¬ kzbw \n¿Æ-bm-h-Imiw \¬In-bn-

cp-∂n-√. F√mw F√m-h¿°pw kzoIm-cy-am-sW∂v s]mXpsh [cn-®p-sh-®p-

F∂p amXw. ]Øn-cp-]-Xp sIm√w H∏w Xma-kn-°p-tºm-gp-≠m-Ip∂ aaX

kzoIm-cy-X-bm-sW∂p Icp-Xn-bn-cn-°-Ww.

F\nbv°v Cµnc-tbm-Sp-≠m-bn-cp∂ at\m-`mhw F¥m-bn-cp∂p? kXyw

]d-bs´, F\n-bv°n∂pw Adn-bn-√. AXn-s\-∏‰n Btem-Nn-°m-\p≈ ka-

bhpw In´mØ hn[w Imew Fs∂ adn-I-S∂p t]mbn. C∂v, NXp-cw-K-°-

cp-°ƒ NnXWw sNbvX sπbv‰v t\m°n -\n-∂- hµ\sb I≠t∏mƒ

Rm≥ Hm¿ØXv c≠p ]Xn-‰m≠p apºv CtX NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibpw t\m°n

\n∂n-cp∂ Cµnc-sb-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Rßƒ Hfn-∏n-®p-sh® B t_m¿Uv

Ahƒ I≠p-]n-Sn® Znh-k-am-bn-cp∂p AXv. ]d-ºn¬ _m‰van‚≥ Ifn®v

Xncn®p apI-fn¬ Rß-fpsS apdn-bn-tebv°p h∂-t∏m-ƒ I≠-Xv Cµnc B

F®nßpw ]nSn®v Xncn®pw adn®pw t\m°n \n¬°p-∂XmWv. Rßsf

I≠-t∏mƒ Ahƒ AXv ]n∂n¬ Hfn-∏n-®p-h-®p.

Cµnc AXpw-sIm≠v HmSp-I-bm-Wv. mKy-Øn\v Ahƒ tImWn-bn-d-ßp-

∂-Xn\p apºv Rßƒ°-hsf ]nSn-Iq-Sm≥ ]‰n. B t_m¿Un¬ Fs¥m-

s°tbm clkyw Hfn-™n-cn-°p-∂p-s≠∂v Rßƒ°p tXm∂n-bn-cp-∂p.

AXv AΩm-a\pw AΩm-bnbpw I≠m¬ Ipg-∏-am-Wv. Ah-fpsS Iøn¬\n∂v

sNºv XInSv Xń-∏-dn®p hmßn.

"Rm≥ A—-t\mSv ]d-™p- sIm-Sp-°pw.' Cµnc òj-Wn-s∏-Sp-Øn-

s°m≠v t]mIp-I-bm-Wv.

Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "\o AhnsS \n°v, \ap°v kwkm-cn-°mw.'

23


v

ssI°q-en-bpsS hmKvZm\w hcp-∂p-s≠∂v A\p-`-h-Øn¬\n∂v

Ahƒ°-dn-bmw. AsXX sNdp-Xp-am-I-s´. shdpwssItømsS Xmg-Øn-d-

ßn-t∏m-I-≠-s√m. km[m-cW AXv If¿s]≥kn¬ sXm´v hmb aqtS≠

kwK-Xn-bpsS Kuc-h-a-\p-k-cn®v F¥p hne ]nSn-®-Xp-am-Imw.

Ahƒ I´n-en¬ Im¬`m-KsØ Agn-Iƒ Nmcn-bn-cp-∂p.

"C\n ]td, \n\°v F¥mWv th≠Xv?' Ipt´-´≥ IqSn-bm-tem-N\ XpS-

ßn-h-®p.

F¥mWv Bh-iy-s∏-tS-≠-sX-∂-Xn-s\-∏‰n Cµncbv°v \√ cq]-ap-≠m-

bn-cp-∂p. Ahƒ ]d-™p. "Fs∂ \nßsS H∏w NXp-cwKw Ifn-°m≥ Iq -

Ww.'

"AXv..........' Ipt´-´≥ kwi-bn-®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p. "H∂m-aXv NXp-cwKw

_p≤n-bp-≈-h-cpsS Ifn-bm-Wv. AXv \osb-ßn-s\-bmWv Ifn-°pI?'

"F\n°v _p≤n-bn-√m-∂s√ ]d-b-WXv? F∂m¬ Fs∂ tN¿°-≠,

Rm≥ t]mWp.' Ahƒ Fgp-t∂-‰p.

Ah-fp-sS- kz-c-Ønse ]I-S-amb ojWn icn°pw Dƒs°m-≠p-sIm≠v

24


Ipt´-´≥ NmSn-sb-gp-t∂‰p. Cµncsb ]nSn-®n-cp-Øn aq∏¿ ]d™p.

"Aßns\ ]nW-ßn-t∏m-h-s√. Hcp Imcyw sNøv; Hcp amkw \o

Rßƒ Ifn-°-WXv t\m°n-∏-Tn-°v. F∂n´v RßsS H∏w Ifn-°mw.

F¥m?'

Cµnc Xe-bm-´n. Ipt´-´≥ tai-h-en∏p Xpd∂v sN v t_m¿sU-SpØv

Ahƒ°p apºn¬ \ncØn Icp-°-fpsS t]cpw Ah-bpsS \o°-ßfpw hni-

Zo-I-cn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. Hcp hn[Øn¬ AXp \∂m-bn. ASpØ sIm√w Ipt -

´≥ tImgn-t°mSv tImf-Pn¬ ]Tn-°m≥ t]mb-t∏mƒ F\nbv°v Ifn-°m≥

Hcp Iq´m-bn. AsX-X-Xs∂ tami-am-bm-epw.


25


A≤ymbw A©v

sNºp-X-In-Sp-sIm-≠p-≠m-°nb NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Hc-Zv`p-X-am-bn-cp-∂p.

Xń≥]p-d-Øp-\n∂v Inń-b-s]mSn-]n-Sn®p InS-°p∂ B XInSv Ipf-Øn¬

sIm≠p-t]mbn Igp-In-b-t∏m-gmWv AXn¬ hc-®n´ I≈n-Ifpw Icp-°fpw

hy‡-amb-Xv. Aev]w Id Ahn-S-hn-sS-bmbn \n¬°p-∂p-s≠-¶nepw XInSv

Hcp-am-Xncn hrØn-bm-bn-cp-∂p. AZv`pX-I-c-ambn tXm∂n-bXv AXn¬

sImØn-h® Icp-°-fm-Wv. \S-∂n-cp-∂ Hcp Ifn s]s´∂v \n∂-t]m-se-bm-

bn-cp∂p Icp-°-fpsS hn\ym-kw. -GtXm k∂n-Kv≤m-h-ÿ-bn¬ Hcp Ifn

ac-hn®v Dd-™p-t]m-b -t]m-se. Imew s]s´∂v \ne-® -t]m-se. FX Ime-

ambn B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Xń≥]pdØv InS-°p∂p F∂v ]d-bm≥ ]‰n-√.

Igp-Inb sh≈w h‰n-b-t∏mƒ ]eI Iptd-°qSn sXfn-™p. sNºns‚

Nph-∏p-\n-d-Øn¬ Icp-°-fpsS Idp-∏p-\ndw DZn-®p-h-∂p. Ipt´-´≥ kq£n-

®p-t\m-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. aq∏-¿ s\‰n Npfn®n-cn-°-bm-Wv. Ft¥m A]n-b-

amb Imcyw AXn¬ Is≠∂p tXm∂p-∂p. F\n-s°m∂pw a\- n-em-bn-√.

Ipd-®p-t\-csØ A\n-›n-X-Xz-Øn\p tijw Abmƒ apJ-ap-b¿Øn Fs∂

t\m°n.

"\n\-°n-Xn¬ Fs¥-¶nepw Ipg∏w ImWm-\pt≠m?'

Rm≥ kq£n®p t\m°n. C√, H∂pw ImWp-∂n-√. Rm≥ Ipt´-´s\

tNmZy-]q¿∆w t\m°n.

"Cßns\ Hcp Ifn-bp-≠m-hm≥ hø. CXp sX‰m-Wv. t\m°v?'

Rm≥ kq£n-®p- t\m-°n-b-t∏m-gmWv Hcp Imcyw a\- n-em-b-Xv. Ifn-

bn¬ Imcy-amb Hcp sX‰p≠v. shfpØ tZh\v aq∂p `mK-Øp-\n∂v Ac-

ip -sIm-Sp-Øn-cn-°-bm-Wv. tXcp-sIm≠v Hcp sh®-c-iv, IpXn-c-sb-s°m≠v

Hcp CjvS-c-iv, B\-sb-s°m≠v Hcp t]m´-c-iv. Cßns\ aq∂p Icp-°-sf-

s°m≠v Htc ka-bØv Ac-ip -sIm-Sp-°m≥ Hcp hgnbpw ImWp-∂n-√.

CsXmcp sX‰mb Ifn-bm-Wv.

"icn-bmWv.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "Cßn-s\-sbmcp Ifn-bp-≠m-hm≥ hø.'

"AsX-¥mWv ImWn-°-WXv?' Ipt - ≥ tNmZn-®p. Ipt - s‚ kwkmcw

Hcp- kvIqƒ amÃ-sdt∏mse-bm-Wv. Ipń-Isf ]Tn-∏n-°p-tºmƒ D]-tbm-Kn-

°p∂ ssien. Fs‚ adp-]Snsbm∂pw In´m-Xn-cp-∂-t∏mƒ AbmƒXs∂

]d-™p. "AXp ImWn-°p-∂Xv CXv shdp-samcp Ifn-b-√m-∂m-Wv. CXv as‰-

¥n-t‚ym kqN-\-bm-Wv......... F¥n‚ymWv∂v \av°v I≠p-]n-Sn-°-Ww. hm

\ap°v Xń≥s]m-dØv H∂p-IqSn tIdmw. AhnsS thsd Fs¥-¶nepw

kqN-\-I-fv≠m-hpw.'

26


Ipt´-´≥ Hcp \√ hmb-\-°m-c-\m-bn-cp-∂p. C\n hmbn-°mØ Un‰-

IvSohv t\mh-ep-I-fn-√. icn°p ]d-™m¬ Un‰-IvSohv t\mh-ep-Ifpw \n[n

tXSp∂ IY-Ifpw amXta aq∏cv hmbn-°q. Xń≥]pdw AZv`p-X-ß-ƒ \nd-

™Xm-Wv. hfsc ]mNo-\-amb cl-ky-ßƒ AhnsS Hfn-®n-cn-°p-∂p≠v.

\mep-sI- ns‚ ta¬`mKw apgp-h≥ ]c∂p InS-°p-∂-XmWv B Xń≥]p-dw.

Dbcw Ipd-hm-sW∂p amX-a√ ssIsIm≠v ]nSn®m¬ FØmØX hÆ-

ap≈ DØ-c-ßfpw Xpem-ßfpw \ndsb IpdpsI InS-∂n-cp-∂p. Rßƒ

Ipń-Iƒ°p- IqSn AXn-\p -Xm-sg-°qSn Ip\n™p \S-t°-≠n-h-∂p.

BZysØ ]mhiyw AXn\p apIfn¬ t]mb-t∏m-gp-≠mb A\p-`hw

sh®p-t\m-°p-tºmƒ C\n-sbm-cn-°¬ AhnsS t]mhm≥ ian-°n-√. Fs‚

]Xn-\©mw ]nd-∂mƒ Znh-kamW-Xv. D-®bv°v DuWp Ign™ ka-b-

ØmWv Rßƒ H∂mw \ne-bnse hcm¥bn¬ sh®, Zhn-®p- Xp-S-ßnb

ac-t°mWn Ibdn shfn®w Ipd™ Xń≥]p-dØp t]mb-Xv. AhnSw apgp-

h≥ ]gb ac- m-am-\-ßƒ NnX-dn-°n-S-∂n-cp-∂p. Hcp Im¬ \jvS-s∏´ tai,

Iptd Itk-e-Iƒ F√mw AwK-`wKw h∂-h-bm-Wv, H∂p-In¬ ssItøm

Imtem \jvS-s∏-´-h, As√-¶n¬ Nqc¬ saS-™Xv hn´-h, Hcp \√ Iń¬

˛ AsX-¥n-\mWv Dt]-£n-®Xv F∂p a\- n-em-bn√, Iptd D]-tbm-K-iq-

\y-amb No\-`-c-Wn-Ifpw ]mX-ß-fpw. Ah-sb√mw ]e Ime-ß-fn-embn

Dt]-£n-bv°-s∏- -h-bmh-Ww. D≈n-tebv°p \S-°ptXmdpw F\nbv°p b-

am-bn-Øp-S-ßn-. shfn®w Ipd-hm-b-Xn-\m¬ Nne aqe-Ifn¬ Fs¥m-s°-

bmWp≈-sX∂v hy‡-a√. Aßns\ \S-°p-tºm-gmWv B Fgp-Øp-s]ń

I≠-Xv. Hcn-cp≠ aqe-bntebv°v Nq≠n-s°m≠v Ipt´-´-\mWv ]d-™-Xv.

"t\m°v, Hcp s]ń.'

\ne-Øn-cp∂v Fgp-Xm-\p≈ Db-c-Øn¬ \mep Ipdnb Imep-I-fn¬ B

s]ń \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv. Ipt´-´≥ Np‰pw t\m°n. Cd-bpsS `mK-Øp-\n∂v

t\cnb shfn®w h∂n-cp∂ ÿeØv CjvSn-I-Iƒ sh®v AS-®n-cp-∂p.

shfn®w CX Ipd-bm≥ ImcWw AXm-Wv. Hcp-]s£ Icp-Xn-°qń sNbvX-

Xm-hmw, A√msX CXbpw henb Hcp Xń≥]p-dØv Cusbmcp ÿe-Øp-

amXw shfn-®-Øns‚ hgn F¥n\p ]msS ad-®p-sh®p? B s]ńsb kw_-

‘n-°p∂ cl-ky- kz`mhw Ahn-Sw- ap-X¬ XpS-ßp-∂p. CjvSn-I-Iƒ am‰n-

b-t∏mƒ s]ń-bn-cn°p∂ ÿew Hcp-am-Xncn hy‡-ambn ImWm≥ ]‰n.

\√ s]ń. aqe-I-fn-ep≈ ]n®-f-bpsS Ae-¶m-c-NnX-ßƒ°v Id ]nSn-®n-

´p-s≠-∂-√msX a‰p tISp-]m-Sp-I-sfm∂pw ]‰n-bn-ń-√. Ipt´-´≥ AXn\p

apºn-en-cp∂v aqSn Xpd-°m≥ t\m°n. AXv ]qń-bn-cn-°p∂p. A\-ßp-∂n-

√. Abmƒ Xmt°m-en\p th≠n s]ń-bpsS Np‰pw X∏p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Fgp-

Øp-s]-ń-bpsS apI-fnepw AS-∏ns‚ hi-ß-fnepw Ipt´-´s‚ ssI Xńb

ÿe-sØ√mw s]mSn \oßn hnc¬∏m-Sp-Iƒ sXfn-™p-h-∂p.

"CXns‚ Xmt°men\v C\n FhnsS t]mWw?' \ndsb s]mSn-]n-Sn®v


27


Agp-°mb ssI hnj-Æ-\mbn t\m°n-s°m≠v Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p.

"sXmd-°m≥ ]t‰zm∂v Rm≥ t\m°s´?'

AXp-sIm≠v Imcy-an-√, F¶nepw thW-sa-¶n¬ iant®m F∂ ań¬

Ipt´-´≥ Xe-bm-ń. Rm≥ B s]ńbv°p apºn-en-cp∂v Bhp-∂X i‡n

D]-tbm-Kn®v AXns‚ aqSn Xpd-°m≥ t\m°n. aqSn Xpd-°m≥ AXbpw

i‡n Bh-iy-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. F\n-bv°p-th≠n AXp Xpd∂p InS-°p-

I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. i‡n-bn¬ Rm≥ B s]ń-bn-tebv°v aq°p-IpØn hoWp.

Fs‚ aq°v \∂mbn thZ-\n-®p. Rm≥ \nh¿∂n-cp-∂-t∏mƒ Ipt´-´≥ ]d-

™p.

"\ns‚ aq°n¬\n∂v tNmc hcp-Wp.'

"kmcey.'

Hcp tISp-an-√mØ s]ń-bm-bn-cp∂p AXv. D≈n¬ \ndsb sIm®p

sIm®p I≈n-Iƒ. Hcp \o≠ I≈n-bn¬ Hcp Xmfn-tbm-e-s°-´p≠v AXp

amXw.

"CXv acn-®p-t]mb GtXm Imc-W-h-cvsS PmXIm-Wv.' Ipt´-´≥ \ncm-i-

tbmsS ]d-™p. B s]ń-bn¬ Fs¥-¶nepw AZv`p-X-I-c-amb Imcy-ß-fp-

≠m-Ip-sa∂ ]Xo£ XI¿∂ hnjmZw Abm-fpsS i_vZ-Øn-ep-≠v. B

I≈n-Iƒ°p-aSnbn¬ Ipd®v Hgn™ ÿe-ap-≠v. A-hnsS shdpsX Iøn-

´p- X∏n t\m-°nbt∏m-gmWv sNºns‚ XIn-Sn¬ Xń-b-Xv. Rm\Xp ]pd-tØ-

bvs°-Sp-Øp. kmam\yw hep-∏-ap≈ B XInSv sNcn®v ]nSn-®mse FSp-

°m≥ ]‰p.

"AsX-¥m-Wv, t\m°s´.' Ipt - ≥ ssI\oń hmßn AXp shfn®Øp

]nSn-®p. "NXp-cw-K-Øns‚ ]e-Iym-Wv.'

Ipt´-´s‚ _p≤n-i‡n A]m-cw- X-s∂-sb∂p ]d-bm≥ tXm∂n. F´p

I≈n-Iƒ Hmtcm hi-Ømbn Idp∏pw shfp∏pw CS-I-e¿∂v sImØn-bn-cn-

°p-∂p. t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v B\-sb-bpw, IpXn-c-sbbpw a¥n-sbbpw tZh-

s\bpw Imemƒ∏-S-sbbpw AXn¬ hc-®p- sh-®n-´pap-≠v.

"CXp NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bmWv∂v a\- n-em-°m≥ henb _p≤n-sbm∂pw

th≠m-∂m-bn-cn°pw \o hnNm-cn-°-W-Xv.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. ]s£ CsX-

¥mWv Cßns\ Hcp t_m¿Uv? CXnevt≠m Ifn-°m≥ ]‰pWq?'

"\ap°v t]m∆m?' Rm≥ ]d-™p. Fgp-Øp-s]ń ]qń Rßƒ Xncn®v

tImWn-bp-≈n-S-tØbv°v \S-∂p. Ipt´-´≥ Ipd-®p- t\cw \n»-_vZ-\m-bn-cp-

∂p. tImWn-sb-Øn-b-t∏mƒ Cd-ßmsX Ipt´-´≥ Xncn™p \n∂p.

"\o Hcp Imcyw i≤nt®m?'

Rm≥ Fs¥∂v IÆp-Iƒ Db¿Øn tNmZn-®p.

"B s]ń-bns√? AXv \o Xpd-°m≥ ian-®-t∏mƒ s]s´∂v Xpd-∂p.

F\nbv°Xv Xe-IpØn adn™n´pw Xpd-°m≥ ]‰n-bn-√.'

icn-bm-Wv. AXp Xpd-°m≥ H´pw i‡n Bh-iy-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√

28


F∂Xv Fs∂-Øs∂ AZv`p-X-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-cp-∂p.

"F¥m-W-Xns‚ A¿∞w?' Ipt´-´≥ F∂ kvIqƒ amÃ¿ tNmZn-®p.

Rm≥ Adn-bn-s√∂ A¿∞-Øn¬ Npa¬ Ipep-°n.

"AXns‚ A¿∞w, CXv Btcm \n\-°mbn Hcp-°n-h-®-Xm-sW-∂m-Wv.'

s]s´∂v Fs∂ bw- K-kn-®p. Fßn-s\-sb-¶nepw Ahn-sS-\n∂v Xmsg-

bn-d-ßn-t∏m-bm¬ aXn-sb-∂m-bn.

"\ap°v Hcp Imcyw sNømw.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "\obXv AS-®nt√?

Rm\Xv Hcn-°¬°qSn sXmd-°m≥ t]m∆m-Wv. t\m°m-tem.'

Xncn®p Xń≥]p-d-Øns‚ \nKq-V-X-I-fn-te-bv°p-Xs∂ Dufn-bn-Sm≥

Xmev]-cy-an-√msX aSn-®p-\n∂ Fs∂ ]nSn-®p- h-en-®p-sIm≠v Ipt´-´≥ \S-

∂p. s]ń-bpsS apºn-en-cp-∂-t∏mƒ Ipt´-´≥ Ipd®p ]X-dn-b -t]mse

tXm∂n. aq∏¿ s]ń-bpsS aqSn BZyw sas√bpw ]ns∂ i‡n ]tbm-

Kn®pw Xpd-°m≥ t\m°n. s]ń \oßp-I-b-√msX AXv Xpd-°p-I-bp-≠m-

bn-√. F\n°v h√mØ `bw A\p-`-h-s∏-´p. Rm≥ ]d-™p. "\ap°v

t]mhmw.'

"C\n \o H∂p-IqSn sXmd-°m≥ t\m°v.' Ipt´-´≥ Fgp-t∂-‰p-sIm≠v

]d-™p.

Rm≥ Xncn™v Hcp amXncn Hm-Sp-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. tImWn-bn-dßn Xmsg-

hcm-¥-bnse-Øn-b-t∏m-gmWv izmkw hoW-Xv.

Ipt´-´≥ hcm≥ Ipd®p Xma-k-ap-≠m-bn. Hcp-]s£ aq∏¿ AXns‚

AS∏v Xpd-°m≥ ian-°p-I-bm-bn-cn-°pw. As√-¶n¬?.... Ipt´-´\v h√Xpw

]‰n-bn-cn-°ptam F∂ Nn¥ h∂-t∏mƒ Rm≥ Xncn®p tImWn Ib-dm≥

XpS-ßn. At∏m-gmWv I≠-Xv. Ipt´-´≥ B XInSpw ]nSn®v apI-fn¬\n∂v

tImWn-bn-tebv°p Im¬ shbv°p-I-bm-Wv.

"\√ Bsf-bmWv Rm≥ H∏w sIm≠p-t]m-bXv!' Ipt´-´≥ Nncn-®p-

sIm≠v ]d-™p. "F¥mX t]Sn-bv°m-\v≈Xv? hm \ap-°nXv sImfØo

sImt≠mbn Igp-In-sb-Sp-°mw.'

CX-bp-amb ÿnXnbv°v Ipf-Øn¬\n∂v "C\n AXns‚ apI-fn-te-

bv°p-Xs∂ t]mIm'-sa∂p Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™-t∏mƒ Rm≥ Xo¿®-bm-°n.

C\n Rm\n√ Xń≥]p-dtØ-bv°v.

Ffp∏w Hcp Imcyhpw tXm‰p sImSp-°p∂ Bf√ Ipt´-´≥. kwkm-cn-

°m≥ _lp-an-Sp-°≥.

"\o H∂pw sNtø-≠. Fs‚ IqsS htcz th≠p. F¥mX t]Sn-°m-

\v≈-Xv. Rm\nt√? s\\°v \√ ss[cy≠v∂m Rm≥ Icp-Xo-cv∂-Xv........'

F¥m-bmepw ]Øp an\p-‰n-\p-≈n¬ Rm≥ Abm-fpsS ]n∂mse

Xń≥]p-d-tØ-bv°p≈ tImWn Ib-dm≥ XpS-ßn. Xncn-t®mSm-\p≈ hgn-

I-sf√mw Hgn-™p -In-S-°p-I-bs√ F∂v Rm≥ CS-bv°n-Sbv°v Xncn™p

t\m°p-∂p-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Ipt - ≥ B s]ńbv°p apºn¬ Ccp∂v AXp Xpd-

29


°m≥ ian-®p. FX i‡n-bp-]-tbm-Kn-®n´pw Xpd-°p-∂n-s√∂p I≠-t∏mƒ

aq∏¿ Fgp-t∂-‰p-sIm≠v ]d-™p. "\o Xs∂ Xpd-°v.'

F\n-bv°Xv Xpd-°m≥ ]‰p-sa-∂Xv Hcp bmYm¿∞y-ambn Ipt´-´≥

AwKo-I-cn-®n-cn-°p-∂p. Rm≥ \ne-Øn-cp∂v hnd-°p∂ ssII-tfmsS B

s]ń-bpsS aqSn Xpd-°m≥ t\m°n. H´pw A≤zm\w IqSm-sX-Øs∂ AXv

Xpd-∂p-h-∂p. Rm≥ s]s´∂v Fgp-t∂-‰p. Ipt´-´≥ icn°pw Aº-c-∂n-cp-

∂p. AXn¬\n∂pW¿∂ tijw aq∏¿ ]d-™p. "\o amdv, Rms\m∂v

t\m°-s´. thsd h√Xpwt≠m-∂v.'

s]ń-bpsS apºn-en-cp∂v Ipt´-´≥ X∏p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Hmtcm I≈n-I-

fnepw Ah-bpsS ASn-bn-ep≈ Ad-bnepw ssIøn´v X∏n-t\m-°n. H∂p-an-

√. BsI-bp-≈Xv B Xmfn-tbm-e-s°-´p-am-Xw.

AXp ]pd-tØ-bvs°-SpØv s]ń-b-S®v aq∏¿ Fgp-t∂-‰p.

"CXm-cp-sS-sb-¶nepw PmX-I-°p-dn-∏m-bn-cn°pw. ∂mepw \av°v sImt≠m-

hmw. Hcp-]s£ B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI≠m°y BfvSym-bn-cn-°m≥ hgo-≠v.'

Rm≥ Xe-bm-ń. F\n°v Aev]w ss[cyw Inń-bn-cp∂p. Rßƒ

Xncn™p \S-∂p. BZysØ DØ-c-Øns‚ ASn-bn¬°qSn \qgp-tºm-gm-

WXp tI´-Xv. Hcp ¢nIv i_vZw. ]q´v Xncn-bp-tºm-gp-≠m-Ip∂Xp t]mse

hfsc hy‡-ambn Hcp i_vZw. Rm≥ Ipt´-´s‚ apJØp t\m°n.

Abmfpw AXp tIń-cp-∂p. aq∏-cpsS ss[cyhpw tNm¿∂p- t]m-bn-cp-∂p.

Rßƒ Xncn-™p -t\m-°msX [rXn-bn¬ \S-∂p.

30


A≤ymbw Bdv

hµ-\-bpsS IÆp-I-fn¬ AZv`p-Xhpw Aev]w `bhpw I≠p. h¿j-

ßƒ°p-apºv Cµnc-bpsS IÆp-I-fn¬ I≠ AtX mhw. Xń≥]p-dsØ

Fgp-Øp-s]- n-bpsS Imcyw ]d-™p -sImSp-Ø-t∏mƒ Cµnc-bpw CtX Ccn-

∏n¬ Dd®p t]mIp-I-bm-Wp-≠m-b-Xv. AXns‚ CS-bn-se-hn-tStbm Ahƒ

DW¿∂p tNmZn-®p.

"AsX-¥mWv Aßns\? \tµ-´≥ ian®t∏mƒ amXw B s]ń Xpd-

∂Xv?'

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

tNmZn-bv°p-∂p.

"F¥mW—m Aßns\?'

Ah-fpsS ssII-fnse \\pØ tcma-ßƒ Fgp-t∂‰p \n¬°p-∂p.

F¥mWv adp-]Sn ]d-tb-≠Xv? IjvSn®v c≠p -sIm-√-°mew B NXp-cw-

K-∏e-I-bpsS clkyw a\- n-em-°m≥ ian®p ]cm-P-b-a-S™ Rm≥

F¥mWv ]d-tb-≠Xv?

"Cu ]]-©-Øn¬ \ap°v a\- n-em-hmØ ]e-Xp-ap≠v tamsf.' Ah-

km\w Rm≥ ]d-™p. "F√m-a-dn-b-W-sa∂v F¥mWv \n¿∫‘w?'

hµ\ \n»-_vZ-bm-bn. ]s£ Rm\-h-fpsS kzmÿyw \in-∏n-®pthm

F∂ `b-ap-≠mbn F\n-bv°v. Ah-fpsS ]co£ ASpØp hcn-I-bm-Wv.

Ahƒ°v henb BK-l-ß-fm-Wp-≈-Xv. Iºyq-´¿ F©n-\o-b-dnMv ]Tn®v

tkm^v‰vshb¿ s]m^-j-\-em-h-Ww. F∂n´v Ipt´-´s‚ a°-sf-t∏mse

Ata-cn-°-bn¬ knen-t°m¨hmen-bn-se-Øn-s∏-S-Ww. cmPnbpw \oXphpw

km≥ slmsk-bn-em-Wv. aqØ-hƒ F®v.-]n.-bnepw c≠m-a-Ø-hƒ C˛t_bn-

epw. AXp-sIm≠v ]Tn-Ø-Øn¬\n∂v Ah-fpsS i≤ hyXn-N-en-°m≥

km≤y-X-bn-√. ]s£ Cu NXp-cw-K-∏-e-IbpsS Imcy-Øn¬ H∂pw ]d-

bm≥ ]‰mØ Ah-ÿ-bm-Wv. Adn-bm-Ø- h-gn-I-fn¬ AXv \sΩ kzm[o-

\n-bv°p-∂p.

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

∂p.

Rm≥ Btem-Nn-®p. Ib-dn, ]s£ AsX-t∏m-gmWv?

"\n[n-Iƒ Hfn-∏n-®p-sh® Bfp-Iƒ Ft∏mgpw Fs¥-¶nepw kqN\

_m°n-sh-bv°m-Xn-cn--°n-√.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "AXv Ft∏mgpw s]s´∂v

a\- n -em -hmØ `mj-bn -em -bn -cn -°pw. ]eXnepw Hcp ta∏v H∏w

shbv°ymWv ]Xn-hv. Aßn-\sØ \n[n Is≠-Sp-°m≥ Ffp-∏m-Wv. ]s£

31


CXn¬ ta∏pw-ey, H∂pw Cey. BsI-≈Xv Hcp NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Iym-Wv.

\Ωfv IqSp-X¬- A-≤zm-\n-°-Ww-∂¿∞w.'

Aßn-s\-bmWv Rßƒ tPym’ys\ ImWm≥ Xocp-am-\n-®-Xv. Npcp-

ßn-bXv CXp-≠m-°nb a\p-jy-s\-∏‰n Fs¥-¶nepw a\- n-em-hp-a-s√m.

am[-h-∏-Wn-°¿ hońs‚ DΩ-d-Øp-Xs∂ Hcp Nmcp-I-tk-e-bn¬ Ccn-°-bm-

bn-cp-∂p. \c® XeapSn ]s‰ shńbncnbv-°-bm-Wv. Rßsf I≠-t∏mƒ

\nh¿∂n-cp-∂p.

"F¥m Ip´m, hnti-sjm-∂pw-eys√m?'

"H∂pwey.'

"]ns∂ F¥nt\ h∂Xv? ]co-t£ev Pbn-t°ym-∂-dn-bm-\m-bn-cn°pw

As√?'

"Duw, Mpw.' Ipt´-´≥ H∂p ]cp-ßn-s°m≠v ]d-™p. "Hcp PmXIw

t\m°m-\m-bn-cp-∂p.'

"Fhn-sS, t\m°s´?'

Ipt - ≥ Hcp k©n-bv°p-≈n¬ IS-em- n¬ s]mXn™ sI v ]pd-sØ-

SpØp ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h\v sImSp-Øp. At±lw B Xmfn-tbm-e-s°´v Nc-S-

gn®v Xpd-∂p. At±-l-Øns‚ apJ-Øp-≠mb mh-∏-I¿® Rm≥ i≤n-®p.

"Ctßsc H∂v ImWm≥ ]t‰zm?'

B tNmZy-Øn\p apºn¬ Ipt - ≥ H∂p ]X-dn. ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ XpS¿

∂p. "A√ \q‰nbn-cp]Xv hb- mb Hcmsf Rm≥ CXp-hsc I≠n-ń-√.

Bs´ CsX-hnSv∂m IntýXv?'

"Xń≥s]m-dØv Hcp s]ó-∂m.' Ipt´-´≥ kXyw ]d-™p.'

"\nßfv Iptýmfv CsXm∂pw FSpØv Ifn-°m≥ ]mSn -√. CXv

]Ødp]Xv sIm√w apºv acn-®p-t]mb Hcm-fsS PmX-Im-Wv. \nßsS Xd-

hm-ńse Hcp Imc-W-h-cm-Wv. icnbv°p ]d-™m¬ Ip´s‚ A—-ΩsS

AΩm-h-\m-Wv. Fs‚ sNdp-∏Im-eØv tI´ Hm¿Ω X-t∂y≈q.'

"Cu Imc-tWmcv Fß-s\≈ BfmWv?' Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p. "\√

]Ww≈ Bfm-bn-cpt∂m?'

"F¥n-\mt∏m AsXms° Ado-WXv?'

"shdp-sX.'

"Bsf-∏‰n AX \√ A`n-]m-sbm∂pw A√ \m´vImcv ]d-bm-dv. AXv

]ns∂ ]≠sØ kº∂ Xdhm- nse Imc-tWm-Ωmsc∏-‰nsbms° Aßn-

t\y ]dbq. [mcmfw kº-Øv≠m-bn-cp-∂q∂v tIń-´v≠v.'

AXm-bn-cp∂p Ipt´-´\v Adn-tb-≠-Xv.

"\nßfv CsXm∂pw FSpØv Ifn-°-cvXv. Cs∏m-Øs∂ CXv Inńb

ÿeØp sImt≠mbn hbv°-Ww. s]mtg-sem-gp-°zmWv th≠Xv. AXn\v

]s£ sNe I¿Ω-ß-sfm -s°- sNøm\v≠v. AsXm∂pw \nßfv

Iptýmƒ°v ]‰n√. Cu hI km[-\-ß-sfm∂pw FSpØv taem¬ Ifn-°-

32


cp-Xv.'

Ipt´-´≥ Xe Ipep-°n. ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ hońse HcwKw amXn-cn-bm-

Wv. Rßsf imkn-°m-\p≈ A[n-Im-c-ap-≠v. t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v AΩm-h-s\-

ßm\pw CX-dn-™m¬ ]iv\m-Wv. ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h-t\mSv AXp ]d-b-W-

sa∂p Icp-Xn-bn-cn-°p-tºm-gmWv At±lw Ctßm´p ]d-™-Xv.

"Rm\nXv A—-t\mSv ]d-bvWn-ey. ]d-™m¬ c≠p-t]¿°pw Np´ s]S

In´pw. s]mbvt°m-fp.'

PmX-Iw s]mXn™v k©n-bn-en´ tijw t]mIm-\mbn Fgp-t∂-‰t∏mƒ

Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p.

"]Wn-°-cm-Ωmhm Rm≥ ]co-t£ev Pbnt°ym?'

"F¥m h√ kwi-bpwt≠m?'

"C√, ∂mepw.'

"Ip´s‚ \mfv DX´m-Xn-b-s√. t]Sn-bv°m-s\m-∂pw-ey.'

Aev]w Bizmkw Inńb Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p.

"]Wn-°-c-Ωm-ta, Cømtfm?'

"t]cv \µ≥∂s√? Xs‚ \msf¥m?'

"\mfv Bbn-eym-Wv.'

"Bbneyw?' ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ s\‰n Npfn-®p. "B PmXIw H∂p Xcq.'

Ipt´-´≥ k©n-bn¬\n∂v PmXIw ]pd-sØ-SpØp tPym’y\v sImSp-

Øp. F\n-s°mcp Dƒ -b-ap-≠m-bn. F¥n-\mWv Fs‚ \mƒ tI -t∏mƒ B

PmX-I-s°´v ho≠pw t\m°nbXv? ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ Xmfn-tbm-e-s°´v

Xpd∂v hmbn-°p-I-bm-Wv. CSbv°v Hcp IS-em-kn¬ Fs¥m-s°tbm Ipdn-

°p-∂p-ap-≠v. IW-°p-I-fm-Wv. H∂pw a\- n-em-hp-∂n-√. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰p

t\csØ IW-°p-Iq-´¬ Ign-™-tijw At±lw PmXIw Nc-Sp-sIm≠v

sIń XncnsI Ipt´-´\p sImSp-Øp.

"CXv C∏-Øs∂ Inń-bn-SØv sIm≠p t]mbn hbv°p. H´pw sshIn-

°-cp-Xv.'

PmX-I-s°´p Iøn¬ hmßn-s°m≠v Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p. "F¥m ]Wn-

°-c-Ωmhm Fs¥-¶nepw Ipg-∏-wt≠m?'

"Gbv H∂pw-ey. Cømfv \nßsS Xmh-gnevsØ Hcp Imc-W-h-cmWv.

Ip´s‚ A—-ΩsS AΩm-h≥. Bfv Ipd®v Ipg-∏-°m-c-\m-bn-cp-∂p. AXym-

hiyw B`n-Nmtcmw a¥-hmtZmw Hs° Iøn-ev≠m-bn-cp-∂q∂v tIń-´v≠v.

PmX-I-]-Imcw CtßcvsS P∑w Ign-™n-ń-√.'

"AsX-ßn-\ymWv ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-hm, aq∏cv acn-®n´v ]Ø-dp]Xv sIm√m-

bo-∂s√ ]td-WXv? As∏m Fßn\ym P∑w Ign-bm-Xn-cn°ym?'

"Cu temIØv \Ω-f-dn-bm-ØXpw \Ω°v a\- n-em-hm-Ø-Xzm-bn´v

Fs¥ms° sIS-°p-Wp. AXn-sem-∂mWv CXv∂v IcpXym aXn. \nßfv

s]mbvt°m-fq.'

33


Rßƒ Xncn®p \S-∂p. Fs‚ ]co-£m-^-e-sØ-∏‰n tPym’y≥

H∂pw ]d-™n-s√-∂Xv Rm≥ ]tXyIw i≤n-®p. Ipt´-´\pw B Imcyw

ad-∂-Xp-t]mse tXm∂n.

"Hcp Imcyw \o i≤nt®zm? \ns‚ \mfv ]d-™s∏m ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥

FX [rXn-bn-emWv PmXIw Fs‚ ssIøn¬\n∂v Xń-∏-d®v hmßn

t\m°oXv?'

"F¥m ImcWw?'

"B¿°-dn-bmw. F¥m-bmepw CXn-sems° Ft¥m Ifn-bp-≠v. B NXp-

cw-K-∏-eI Hcp \n[n sIS-°W ÿe-Øns‚ kqN\ X∂ym-Wv. ]s£

AsX-ßn-\ymWv I≠p-]n-Sn-°ym∂v F\n-°-dn-bn-√. \ap°v t\m°mw.

F¥m B Imc-tWmcvsS t]cv∂m ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ ]d-™Xv?'

"Cń-cm-a-ta-t\m≥.'

"h√m-sØmcp t]cv!'

PmXIw Xń≥]p-dØp s]ń-bn¬ CSm-\mbn Rßƒ t]mbn. bmX

hnjaw ]nSn-®-Xm-bn-cp-∂p. F¥p-sImt≠m ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h-\p-am-bp-≠mb

IqSn-°mgvN Rßsf `b-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-cp-∂p. C\n Xń≥]p-dØp Ib-dn-

s√∂v i]Yw sNbvX-ncp∂ F\nbv°v Ipt - s‚ H∏w ho≠pw t]mtI≠n

h∂p. H∂m-a-Xmbn ss[cy-im-en-bmb Ipt - \pw t]Sn ]nSn-®n-cp-∂p. ]ns∂

s]ń Xpd-°-W-sa-¶n¬ Fs‚ klmbw thWw Xm\pw.

Xń≥ap-I-fn¬ Ccp´p Ib-dn-Øp-S-ßn. Ahn-S-hn-sS-bmbn Ań-bn´ km[-

\-ß-fpsS \ng¬ òI-c-P-¥p-°-sf-t∏mse ]Xn-bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"\ap-°nXv X¬°mew Chn-sS-sb-hn-sS-sb-¶nepw sh®m-tem. \msf

cmhnse h∂n´v s]ń-bn-en-Smw.'

"AXp ]‰n-√, ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ ]d-™Xv CXp-Ss\ Inń-bn-SØp Xs∂

sIm≠p-t]mbn hbv°m-\m-Wv. Hcp Imcy-hpw-eymsX ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h-\Xp

]d-bn-√. \o hm......'

Ah-km\w s]ń-bn-cn-°p-∂n-S-sØ-Øn. Ipt - ≥ s]ń-bpsS hi-Ømbn

Ccp∂v Ft∂mSp ]d-™p. "h∂v CXp Xpd-°v.'

Rm\-Xns‚ apºn¬ h∂n-cp-∂p. AXn-\n-Sbv°v Ipt´-´≥ Rm\-dn-™n-

ń-s√∂ hnNm-c-Øn¬ s]ń Xpd-°m≥- Hcp iaw \S-ØnbXv Rm≥ I≠n-

s√∂p \Sn®p. Rm≥ aqSn s]m¥n-®-t∏mƒ s]ń A\m-bm-tk\ Xpd-∂p.

Ipt´-´s‚ Iøn¬\n∂v PmXIw hmßn s]ń-bn-en´v Hcp tNmZy-tØmsS

Rm≥ Abmsf t\m°n.

"ASt®m.'

Rm≥ s]ń-b-S®v Fgp-t∂-‰p. Rßƒ Ahn-sS-\n∂v Xncn-™n√ At∏m-

tgbv°v Hcp ¢nIv i_vZw, A∂p tI´-t]m-ep≈ i_vZw tI´p. Rßƒ

[rXn-bn¬ \S-∂p. Ipt´-´≥ Nn¥m-a-·-\mbn-cp-∂p. Abm-fpsS apJØv

t]Sn-tb-°m-tfsd Bi-b-°p-g-∏-am-bn-cp-∂p.

34


AΩmbn ASp-°-f-bn-em-bn-cp-∂p. Rßsf I≠Xpw ÿncw tNmZy-ap-

b¿∂p. "Duw?....'

"H∂pwey.'

"∂m¬ t]mbn Imepw aptJmw IgpIn \maw sN√v. A—≥ hc≠ ka-

bm-bn-cn-°p-Wp.'

"AtΩ,....' Ipt - ≥ kwi-bn-®p-sIm≠v XpS¿∂p. "BcmWo C´n-cm-a-ta-

t\m≥?'

"C´n-cm-a-ta-t\mt\m?' AΩ apJw Npfn-®p. B t]cp-Xs∂ AΩbv°v

CjvS-am-bn-s√∂p tXm∂p-∂p. "F\n-bv°-ßns\ Btcw Adn-bn-√. F¥m

Imcyw?'

"aq∏cv A—ΩsS AΩm-h-\m-Wv.'

"Hm..... F\nbv°v A—-tΩs\-Øs∂ icnbv°-dn-bn-√. ∂v´mtWm

AhcvsS AΩm-h≥? F¥m Imcyw ]d?'

"AΩ Hcp Imcyw sNtøm? A—\v Adn-bvWv≠m-hpw. H∂v tNmZn®v a\-

n-emt°zm?'

"F¥m Imcyw∂v ]d-™n√ \o?'

AΩ AXp ]d-™-t∏m-tgbv°v AΩm-hs‚ Npa ]Sn-∏p-c-bn¬\n∂v

tI´p.

"A—≥!' Ipt´-´\pw Rm\pw- IqSn ssIIm-ep-Iƒ Igp-Im-\mbn ]n≥ap-

‰-Øp-IqsS Ipf-Øn-te-bvt°m-Sn. Hcp sk°‚n-\Iw Rßƒ ]Sn-™m-‰-

bn-en-cp∂v D—-Øn¬ \maw sN√m≥ XpS-ßn.

Cµnc DΩ-dØv A—-s\bpw ImØn-cn-°-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

]nt‰∂v cmhnse AΩm-h≥ Irjn t\m°m≥ ]pd-Øn-d-ßn-b-t∏mƒ

Rßƒ ASp-°-f-bn¬ Ib-dn-∏-‰n. tPmen-°mcn amfp-h-Ω-, Igp-Inb ]mX-

ßƒ hS-t°m-d-Øp-\n∂v ASp-°-f-bn-tebv°p sIm≠p-h-cn-I-bm-Wv. ]mX-

ß-sf√mw AXmXp ÿm\Øp h®-tijw Ah¿ Xncp-ºm-\p≈ hkvX-

ßƒ c≠p _°-‰p-I-fn¬ \nd®p tkm∏p _mdpw aosX h®p Ipf-Øn-

tebv°p bmX-bm-bn.

"F¥m h∂n-cn-°-WXv?' AΩmbn tNmZn-®p. "shi°vWvt≠m?

"C√-tΩ....' Ipt´-´≥ Dcp≠p Ifn-®p.

"]ns∂¥m ASp-°-tfev ]cvß-WXv?'

"A—-t\mSv tNmZnt®m B Imc-tWm-sc-∏‰n?'

I¬®- n-bn¬ Iq´m≥ Cf-°n-bn-cp∂ ac°øn¬ am‰n-h®v AΩ Rßsf

\√-hÆw t\m°n.

"A—≥ tNmZn-IymWv \nß-sf-ßn\ym B Imc-tWm-sc-∏‰n tI´-Xv∂v.

Rmº-d™p kvIqfot∂m at‰m tI´-Xm-hpw-∂v. Aßs\ hcm≥ Rmb-

eym∂v ]d-™p. B Imc-tWmcv acn-®n-´s∂ ]Ø-dp-]Xp sIm√m-bo-sX.

A—-s‚ heyΩm-h-\m-bn-cp-∂p. A—\pw tI´-dn-th-≈q. Hcp Iqc-\m-bn-cp-

35


∂q-sX. [mcmfw ]Ww-≠m-°o∂v ]td Wv≠v. AsXms° Fhn-SymWv∂v

B¿°pw Adnbn-√msX!'

"Atßcv Cu hoń-emtWm Xma-kn-®n-cp-∂Xv?'

"Bbn-cn-°pw, AtßcvsS Hcp NnXw Xf-Ønev sImsd-°mew Xqßo-

cp-∂p-sX. ]ns∂ Ft∏mtgm AsX-SpØp am‰o-Xm-Wv. ]tdsºm F\n°pw

t\cnb Htcm¿Ω hcvWv≠v. ]qap-JsØ sNma-cn-∑ev≈ Imń-s°m-ºn-s√,

AXns‚ hS-°p-h-i-Øm-bn-´v. A—Ω acn-®s∏m A—-sΩsS t^mt´m

shbv°m≥th≠n B Imc-tWmcvsS NnXw am‰oXm tXm∂p-Wp.'

"B NnXw Fhn-SymWv?'

"B.... B¿°-dn-bmw. AXm Xń≥s]m-dtØm at‰m hen-s®-dn-™n- v≠m-

hpw.'

aI-s‚bpw acp-a-I-s‚bpw ]cm-I-a-ß-sf-∏‰n A⁄-bmb B AΩsb

AhnsS hn´p-sIm-≠v Rßƒ ASp-°-f-bn¬\n∂p ]pd-Øp- I-S-∂p.

C\n?

36


A≤ymbw Ggv

C\n? F∂ tNmZyw Fs‚ a\- n¬ amXta D≠m-bn-cp -∂p-≈.

F¥mWv sNtø-≠-sX∂v Ipt - ≥ At∏mƒØs∂ Xo¿®-bm-°n-bn-cp-∂p.

AXn\v Fs∂ Inń-s√∂v Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"F-¥m-W-—≥ Aßns\ ]d-™Xv?' hµ\ tNmZn-°p-∂p.

"C\n-bp-sam-cn-°¬ Xń≥]p-dØp Ib-dm≥ A—-s\-s°m≠v km[n-

°n√ AXp-sIm-≠p- X-s∂.'

"A—\v CX t]Sn-bmtWm?'

"icn-bmWv tamsf A—\v t]Sn -X-∂ym-Wv. F\n-bv°∂v ]Xn-\©p hb

t Bbn-´p-≈p. t]Sn-t°≠ Ft¥m B Xń≥s]m-dØv D≠v. F¥m-W-

sX-∂-dn-bn-√. AZr-iy-amb Ft¥m H∂v \ΩpsS ]n∂n¬ \n¬°p-∂p-

s≠∂ tXm∂¬. ]ns∂ Fgp-Øp-s]ń ]qń Rßƒ Xncn®p hcp-tºmƒ

Ft∏mgpw tIƒ°m-dp≈ ¢nIv i_vZw. AsXs‚ amXw mh-\-b-√, Ipt´-

´\pw tIƒ°m-dp-≠v. amX-√, s]ń Rm≥ Xpd-°ptºm amsX Xpd∂p hcp.

]ns∂ Fs‚ \mfv Bbn-eym-Wv∂-dn-™t∏m ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ B

PmXIw H∂p-IqSn hmßn t\m°o-Xv. AXn-sems° Ft¥m sIS°vWv≠v,

\ap°v a\- n-em-hmØ Ft¥m.'

hµ\ \n»-_vZ-bm-bn. Ahƒ Hc-h-tem-I\w \S-Øp-I-bm-sW∂p

tXm∂p-∂p. FXtbm ]mhiyw Ah-sfbpw Iqń Rßƒ B \mep-sI-

ń-tebv°p t]mbn- p-≠v. ]s£ Hcn-°¬t∏mepw Rm\-hsf B Xń≥]pdw

ImWn-®p- sIm-Sp-Øn-ń-√, F∂p amX-a√ Aßns\ Hcp ÿew B ]Sp-

Iq-‰≥ sIń-S-Øn¬ Ds≠-∂p-Xs∂ ]d™nń√. AXp-sIm≠v AXn-\p- ap-

I-fnse A¥-co-£-sa-ßns\-bm-bn-cn-°psa∂v Ahƒ°v a\- n-em-hp-∂n-

√. Rßƒ h√-t∏mgpw Xma-kn-°m≥ t]mIp-tºmƒ ct≠m aqt∂m apdn-

Iƒ amXw Xpd∂v hrØn-bm-°pw. XmgsØ c≠p apdn-I-fpw, H∂mw \ne-

bnse InS-∏p-ap-dn-bpw. AXv Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw InS-∂n-cp∂ apdn-bm-bn-cp-

∂p. m¿§-hnb-Ω-bpsS aIƒ tZhn h∂v klm-bn-°pw. Ah-fpsS ¿Ømhv

Kƒ^n-em-Wv. \√ tPmen. "Ah¿°n-t∏mƒ \Ω-sf-°mfpw \√ \ne-bm-Wv.'

Cµnc ]d-bm-dp-≠v. Ahsf shdp-samcp the-°m-cn-bmbn ImW-cp-sX∂v

Adn-bn-°m-\m-bn-cp∂p AXv. Hcp ]gb Iqdns‚ t]cn¬ Ahƒ Cµnc

hnfn-®m¬ hcp-∂p. apdn-Iƒ hrØn-bm-°m\pw £Ww ]mIw sNøm\pw

klm-bn-°p-∂p. F\nbv°v Fd-Wm-Ip-fØp t]mtI-≠n- h-∂m¬ cmXn

Cµncbv°pw tamƒ°pw Iqń-\mbn tZhn h∂p InS-°p-∂p. Cµn-cbpw hµ-

\bpw henb Iń-en-t∑¬ InS-°p-tºmƒ Ahƒ apdn-bpsS adp-`m-K-Øn´

37


Iń-en¬ InS-°pw. AXv hµ-\-bpsS Iń-em-Wv.

]d™p hcp-∂Xv Xd-hm-ń¬ t]mbm¬ Rß-fpsS Ne-\-ßƒ Cu

aq∂p apdn-I-fnepw \Span‰Øpw ]qap-J-Øp-ambn ]cn-an-X-s∏-Sp-I-bm-Wv.

AXn-\-∏p-dØpw C∏p-d-Øp-ap≈ ]qń-bn´ apdn-Iƒ Xpd∂p ImWmt\m ]cn-

tim-[n-°mt\m D≈ bmsXmcp Xmev]-cyhpw hµ\ ImWn-°m-dn-√. Hcp

]s£ Ah-sfm-cmÏp-ń-bm-bn-cp-s∂-¶n¬ kwKXn hyXy-kvX-am-tb-t\.

hµ-\bv°v BsI Xmev]-cy-ap-≈Xv B henb ]dºpw AXnse ac-ßfpw

cmhnse F´p aWnbv°v AΩbp samØv Bº¬°pf-Ønse Ipfn-bp-am-

Wv.

Ct∏mƒ NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS Imcyw Adn-™-t∏mƒ Ahƒ°v B

ÿe-sa√mw ImW-W-sa∂p tXm∂n-bn-´p-≠m-I-Ww. Ahƒ tNmZn-®p.

"∂v´v? A—≥ t]mbnt√?'

"\√ Bfs√ \ns‚ AΩm-h≥! Hcp Imcyw sNø-Ww∂v Xo¿®-bm-

°ym¬ AXp sNbvtX AS-ßq. Ah-km\w F\nbv°v t]m≠n-h-∂p.'

"∂v´v?'

F∂n´v? Rm≥ Btem-Nn-°p-I-bm-Wv. F¥m-Wp-≠m-bXv? Rm≥

F¥n¬\n∂v HmSn-t∏m-Im≥ BK-ln-°p-∂pthm AXn-tebv°v Fs∂

GtXm Hcp i‡n hen-®n-g-°p-I-bm-Wv. Ipt´-´≥ AXn-semcp Icp- am-X-

am-sW∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Rmb-dm-gvN. AΩm-h\v Rmb-dm-gvN-bn-√, tPmen -

Zn-\-ßƒ amXw. s\¬s®-Sn-Iƒ°v Ah-[n-Zn-\-ß-fn-s√-∂mWv At±lw ]d-

bp-I. AΩm-h≥ ]pd-tØ-bv°n-d-ßp-tºmƒ ap∂n¬ sN∂p s]Sm-Xn-cn-

°m≥ Rßƒ c≠p -t]cpw ian-°m-dp-≠v. I≠m¬ Fs¥-¶nepw tPmen

G¬∏nt® t]mIp. apI-fnse hcm-¥-bn¬\n∂v AΩm-h≥ ]-Sn-I-S∂v hc-

ºn-eqsS \S-°p-∂Xv I≠p. Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "hm'.

Ftßm-´m-sW∂v tNmZn-t°≠ Imcy-an-√. Rm≥ ab-°p-a-cp∂p Ign®

Bsf-t∏mse Abm-fpsS ]n∂mse Hc-Sn-a-bmbn \S-∂p.

"B NnXw Inń-bn´v \ap-s°-¥mWv Imcyw?' Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"\n\-°-dn-bm-™n-´m. Cu a\p-jy-\n-s√. ap∏cv hfsc _p≤n-am-\m-Wv.

sNes∏m Cu NnX-Øns‚ s^bvan-em-bn-cn°pw Hcp Ipdn∏v Hfn-∏n®p h®n-

´p-≠m-hp-I. B Ipdn∏v Inń-bm¬ \ap°v B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-tIsS clkyw

a\- nem-°m≥ ]‰pw.'

Xnc-®n¬ ZpjvI-c-am-bn-cp-∂p. FX DØ-c-ß-fpsS Xmtg-°qSn \q∂p

t]mtI-≠n-h∂p F∂-dn-bn-√. Fgp-Øp-s]ń Ccp∂ ÿe-sØ-Øn-b-

t∏mƒ Rm≥ Hfn-I-Æn´v t\m°n. -F¥p-sImt≠m AX-]-Xy-£-am-bn-´p-

≠m-Ip-sa∂ tXm∂en\p hn]-co-X-ambn AX-hn-sS-Ø-s∂- D≠m-bn-cp-∂p.

Ipt´-´≥ AsXm∂pw i≤n-°p-∂n-√. Abm-fpsS a\- n¬ s^bvan´ Hcp

t^mt´m amX-ta-bp-≈p. AXns‚ hep-∏-sa-¥m-sWt∂m H∂pw Adn-bn-√.

s]s -∂Xv Fhn-sS-sb-¶nepw Nmcn-h® t]mse ImW-s∏-Sp-sa∂ hnizm-k-

38


Øn-em-sW∂p tXm∂p∂p aq∏¿. Xń≥]p-d-Øns‚ ]c∏v A∂mWv

F\nbv°p a\- n-em-b-Xv. Hcp Ku≠p t]mse Xpd-∂X√ AXv. \ndsb

DuSp-h-gn-Iƒ \nd-™-Xv. Ipd®p \S-∂-t∏mƒ Fs‚ Znim-t_m[w \in-®p.

Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Ipt´-´m, Fßn-\ym C\n Xncn-®p -t]m-∆m?'

Ipt - ≥ s]s´∂v \n∂v Xncn-™p- t\m-°n. AXn-s\-∏‰n aq∏¿ Btem-

Nn-®n-ń-√. Abmƒ Ipd-®p -Zqcw Xncn®p \S-∂p. Ipd®p Ign-™-t∏m-gmWv

a\- n-em-hp-∂Xv h∂ hgn-b√ AsX-∂v. Ipt - s‚ apJØpw Aev]w b-

ap-≈-Xp-t]mse tXm∂n. A\-¥-am-sbmcp Kpl-bn-se-Øn-s∏´ t]mse, hgn-

Iƒ Fhn-sSbpw FØp-∂n-√. Hmtcm hgnbpw apºp k©-cn® t]mse-b-

√.

"CX-b-[nIw Dt]-£n-°-s∏´ km[-\-ßƒ Fßns\ h∂p.'

F\nbv°Zv`p-Xm-bn.

"Cu hoń\v AX ]g-°w-≠v. ]Øncp-\qdp sIm√m-bn´v FX Xe-apd

Xma-kn-®n-´p-≠m-hp-w-∂v- Adn-tøm. Ah-sc√mw Dt]-£n®- km[-\-ß-fp-

≠mhpw Chn-sS.'

Fs‚ AX s]m°-ap≈ D∏p-amß c-Wn-Iƒ. AXn-s\m∂pw tISp-]m-

Sp-Iƒ ImWm-\n-√. ]ns∂ F¥n-\m-Wh Dt]-£n-®Xv? \S-∂p- \-S∂v Ah-

km\w Rßƒ FØn-t®¿∂Xv Xmtg-bv°p≈ Hcp tImWn-bpsS apºn-em-

bn-cp-∂p.

"CtX-XmWv tImWn?'

Rßƒ B ac-t°mWnbnd-ßn. \√ Iń-bp≈ acwsIm≠v D-≠m-°nb

tImWn. Hcp hiØv sh≈-h-en® Npa-cmWv, as‰ hiØv sImØp-]-Wn-

I-fp≈ ssIh-cnbpw. CtXXp tImWn-bm-Wv. Rßƒ Xń≥]p-d-tØbv°p

Ib-dn-h-∂XmIs´ hfsc Iń-Ip-d™ t]cn-\p-amXw _e-ap≈ Hcp

Xmev°m-enI tImWn-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

tImWn-bpsS Xmg-Øn-d-ßn-b-t∏m-gmWv a\- n-em-bXv AhnsS ]qń-bn´

Hcp hmXn-em-Wv. Cßns\ Hcp hmXn¬ Rßƒ Xmg-sØ-hn-sSbpw I≠n-

ń-√. GXp apdn-bn-te-bv°m-Wmthm Cu hmXn¬ Xpd-°p-∂-Xv. AXp Xpd-

°m-\m-hmØ hn[w `Z-ambn AS-®n-cn-°-bm-Wv. Rßƒ Xncn®p Ib-dn,

ho≠pw Kpl-bn-eqsS bmX XpS-ßn. F¥mWv At\z-jn-°p-∂Xv F∂

Imcyw c≠p-t]cpw ad-s∂∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Rms\-¥m-bmepw ad-∂n-cn-°-

bm-Wv. GsXms° hgn-I-fn-eqsS ho≠pw k©-cn-®p-sh-∂-dn-bn-√, s]s´∂v

Rß-fpsS apºn¬ Hcp Im¬ \-jvS-s∏´ taibv°p aosX s^bnw

sNbvX aq∂p henb t^m´m-Iƒ IangvØn h®n-cn-°p-∂p. Ipt - s‚ apJw

hnI-kn-®p.

"CXm t^mt´m-Ifv!'

apI-fnse t^mt´m h√msX s]mSn- ]n-Sn-®n-cp-∂p. AXv Hcp hr≤-bpsS

39


t^mt´m BWv. ta¬ap-≠n-√msX kar-≤-amb AΩn-™bpw ]Z¿in∏n®v

ssIøp≈ Itk-e-bn¬ Ccn-°p-∂p. Ah-cpsS apJw Npfn-™n-cn-°p-∂p.

ASpØ t^mt´m Hcp Imc-W-h-cp-tS-Xm-Wv. I\Ø ]pcn-Ihpw Xo£vW-

amb IÆp-I-fp-ap≈ Hcmƒ. Hcp thjvSn-bmWv thjw. s\‰n-ta¬ Nµ-\-

°pdn ]I-S-ambn ImWp-∂p. Itk-e-bn¬ hm°nMv ÃnIv Nmcn-h-®n-´p-≠v.

Itke BZysØ t^mt´m-hn¬ D≈-Xp- X-s∂-bm-Wv. aq∂m-asØ

t^mt´m-hns‚ s^bnw Zhn®p XpS-ßn-bn-cp-∂p. Nn√n-\p-≈n¬ shfpØ

]q∏¬ h∂v DW-ßn-b-t]mse ]mSp-≠v. apJw Hcp-am-Xncn hy‡-am-Wv.

A[nIw Db-c-an-√mØ Hcmƒ.

"CXm-bn-cn°pw t^mt´m.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d™p. "CXmWv G‰hpw ]tg-

Xmbn tXm∂-W-Xv.'

"C\n \a°v s]mdØv IS-°s≠?' Rm≥ ]d-™p. Rßƒ h∂ hgn-

bn-te-bv°p -Xs∂ Xncn-™p. Rß-fpsS AZv p-X-Øn\v AXn-cn-√m-bn-cp-∂p.

sXm´ apºn¬ Rßƒ km[m-cW Ib-dn- h-cm-dp≈ tImWnXs∂ InS-°p-

∂p, bmsXmcp XS- -hp-an-√msX! At∏mƒ GXp hgn-bv°mWv Rßƒ

CX Zqcw Ae-™p h∂Xv?- Fßn-s\-bmWv ]pd-s∏´ ÿeØv Xs∂

Ct∏mƒ FØn-bXv?

Xmsg Rß-fpsS apdn-bn¬ FØn-b-Xn\p tij-amWv Ipt - ≥ kwkm-

cn-®-Xv.

"\n\-s°¥p tXm∂p∂p?' t^mt´m Hcp \\™ XpWn-sIm≠v hrØn-

bm-°p-∂-Xn-\n-S-bn¬ Ipt - ≥ tNmZn-®p. Rms\m∂pw ]d-™n-√. apI-fnse

Kpl-I-fpsS A\n-›n-XØn-eq-sS-bp≈ bmX Fs∂ h√msX Xf¿Øn-bn-

cp-∂p.

hrØn-bm-°n-b-Xp-sIm≠v henb KpW-sam-∂p-ap-≠m-bn-ń-√. Nn√ns‚

Dƒh-i-ØmWv ]q∏-ens‚ ]mSp-Iƒ. FXtbm h¿jßfnse ag-°m-

esØ Cu¿∏w Nn√n-\p-≈n¬ Iń-bp≈ Hcm-h-cWw Xs∂ Xo¿Øn-cp-∂p.

"\av°v GXm-bmepw Cu s^bnw Cf-°n-sb-Sp-°-Ww. AXns‚ D≈nev

h√ kqN-\ow-t≠m∂v t\m°-Ww.' Ipt´-´≥ s^bnw IangvØn sh®v ]cn-

tim-[n-®p. ]pdØp ]Xn® lm¿Uvt_m¿Uv Zhn®p XpS-ßn-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp

IØn-sb-SpØv B t_m¿Uv Cf-°n-sb-Sp-°m≥ ian-®-t∏mƒ AXv s]mń-

s∏mń h∂p. AXv tISp- h-cp-ØmsX FSp-°m≥ ]‰n-s√∂p I≠-t∏mƒ

Ipt´-´≥ AXv IjvWw IjvW-ambn s]mń-s®-Sp-Øp. Ac aWn-°q¿

t\csØ A≤zm-\-Øn\p tijw B t^mt´m ]pd-sØ-Sp-Øp. AsXmcp

t^mt´m Bbn-cp-∂n-√. hc-®p-≠m-°nb Hcp OmbmNnXw amXw.

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

®v≠mIzmWv sNøm. hc-bv°W BfsS apºnev \Ωfv sImsd t\cw Ccp-

∂p -sIm-Sp-°-Ww. sNes∏m c≠pw aq∂pw sZhkw Ccp∂p sImSp-t°≠n

hcpw.'

40


Ipt - -∂-dn-bmØ Imcy-ßƒ Ipd-hm-bn-cp-∂p. ]c-∏n-ep≈ hmb-\-bpsS

ê-am-Wv. Rm≥ _lp-am-\-tØmsS Abmsf t\m°n.

NnXw tISp- Iq-SmsX \√ sXfn-a-tbmsS DZn-®p- \n-∂p. Nn√n-t∑¬ I≠

]q∏¬ NnXsØ _m[n-®n-ń-√.

"CsXm-c-Zv`p-Xm-Wv.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "s\\°v tXm∂vWvtey?'

Rm≥ Xe-bm-ń. Fs∂ kw_-‘n-t®-S-tØmfw AZv`p-X-Øn-s‚bpw

kzm`m-hn-I-X-bp-sSbpw then s]mfn-™n v Ipd®p t\c-am-bn. Rm≥ Btem-

Nn-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. CXbpw Zqcw k©-cn-®Xv icn-°p-≠m-b-XmtWm

AtXm Hcp shdpw amb-°m-gvN-bm-bn-cp-t∂m. Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Ipt´´m \Ωfv tamfnev sImtd Zqcw \S∂ amXncn tXm∂p-Wp. AXv

icn-bmtWm? Cu Xń≥]p-dØv CX hgn-I-sfm-s°t≠m?'

Ipt´-´≥ \n»-_vZ-\m-bn, Ft¥m Btem-Nn-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Abmƒ

Ct∏mtg AXn-s\-∏‰n Nn¥n-®p≈q F∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Abmƒ ]d-™p.

"icym-W-s√. AXp-t]mse \Ωfv Hcp tImWn I≠n-s√. AXv XmgØv

GXv apdo-te-bv°mWv t]mWXv? \ΩsS s\teev Aßs\ Fd-ßn-h-cW

Hcp tImWo-√y, ]qó´ tImWn-hm-Xnepw-√y. CsXms° icn-°v≠m-b-X-

\ymtWm?'

"\n°-dn-bn-√y.'

Ipt - ≥ NnXw ]cn-tim-[n-°m≥ XpSßn. s^bn-an-\p-≈n¬ tcJ-I-sfm-

∂p-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-s√-∂Xv Abmsf h√msX \ncm-i-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-cp-∂p.

"kmc-√y. Cu Imc-W-hcv \√ kqX-°m-c-\mWv∂v tXm∂p-Wp. sNe

s∏m Cu NnXw hc-®-Xns‚ ASo-se-hn-sS-sb-¶nepw _jp-sIm≠v h√

Ipdn∏pw Fgp-Xn-h-®n-´p-≠m-hpw.'

Ipt - ≥ B Ombm-NnXw P\-en-∂-SpØp sIm≠p-t]mbn kq£va-ambn

]cn-tim-[n-°p-I-bm-Wv. F\n-°-Xn¬ hnizmkw \in®p XpS-ßn. AsXmcp

shdpw NnX-am-sW∂pw Rß-fpsS C∂sØ A≤zm-\-sa√mw ]mgm-bn-

sb∂pw F\nbv°p tXm∂n-Øp-S-ßn. IdpØ ]nSn-bp≈ Hcp `qX-°-Æm-

Sn-bn-eqsS Ipt´-´≥ NnXw ]cn-tim-[n-°p-∂Xv Rm≥ Ipd®v kl-Xm-

]tØmsS t\m°n-bn-cp-∂p. ]Øp-an-\p‰v t\csØ ]cn-tim-[-\-bv°p-

tijw NnXw tai-∏p-dØp sIm≠p-h®v £oWn®v Iń-ens‚ Xe-`m-KØv

Nmcn-bn-cp∂ Ipt´-´s‚ apJw A\p-Iºm¿l-am-bn-cp-∂p.

Rm≥ NnX-sa-SpØp t\m°n. shdpw NnXw amXw, AXn-\-∏p-d-sØm-

∂p-an-√. NnX-Øn\p Xmsg he-Øp- m-K-Ømbn NnX-Im-cs‚ t]cm-sW∂p

tXm∂p∂p lnµn-bntem kwkvIr-X-Øntem Fgp-Xn-h-®n-´p-≠v. IrjvW-

cm-b¿ Ft∂m at‰m BW-Xv.


41


A≤ymbw F v

]co-£-bv°n\n c≠p amk-ta-bp-≈q. Dt≠m F∂p-Xs∂ C\nbpw

Xo¿®-bn-√mØ Cu \n[n-bpsS ]n∂mse \S-∂m¬ Cu ¢m n¬Ø-s∂-

bn-cn-t°≠n hcpw. Ipt´-´-\m-sW-¶n¬ CXv Fkv.-F-kv.F¬.-kn.-bm-Wv.

GsX-¶nepw tImf-Pn¬ AUvan-j≥ In -W-sa-¶n¬ \√ am¿°p-Xs∂ In -

Ww.

Rm≥ s]s´∂v h¿Ø-am-\-Øn-tebv°p Xncn-s®-Øn. apºn¬ hµ\

Hcp am¥n-I-h-e-b-Øn¬ s]´-t]mse Ccn-°p-I-bm-Wv. Ah-fpsS ]co-

£bpw ASp-Øn-cn-bv°-bm-Wv. ap∏Xp sIm√w apºv Fs‚ ]co£ \in-

∏n-®-Xp-t]mse Ah-fpsS ]co-£bpw \in-∏n-°m-\mtWm Cu NXp-cw-K-∏-

eI Cu ka-bØv ]Xy-£-s∏-´Xv? F\nbv°p _e-amb kwi-b-ap-≠m-

bn. Ahƒ°pw ]Xn-\©p hb- p XnIbm≥ c≠p amkw IqSntb D≈p.

"F∂n´v A—m, F¥p-≠mbn?' hµ\ DW¿∂p.

"tamsf, \ns‚ ][m-\-s∏-´ ]-co-£-bmWv hc-W-Xv. tamfv C\n ]Tn-

bv°m≥ t\m°v. _m°n-sb√mw ]co£ Ign-™n´v ]d-bmw.'

"AXp ]‰n-√, apgp-h≥ tI°msX F\nbv°v ]Tn-bv°m≥ ]‰n-√.'

"]ns∂ H∂pw-≠m-bn-√. F¥p-≠m-hm-\m. AXns‚ ]n∂mse \S∂v

A—≥ ]co-t£ev tXm‰p, Ipt´-´≥ IjvSn®v c£-s∏-´p. AΩm-hs‚

ASpØv∂v c≠p t]¿°pw \√-hÆw Inń, AXy-s∂.'

"F∂n´v Ip´-Ωm-abv°v Fßn\ym tImf-Pnev AUvan-j≥ InóXv?'

"As∂m∂pw CX sXc-°p-≠m-bn -c v∂n√ tImf-Pn -ev . Assπ

sNbvXm¬ an°-hmdpw In´pw.'

"A—≥ _m°ow IqSn ]d-b-Ww, Rm\ns∏m ]Tn-°m≥ t]m∆m-Wv.'

hµ-\bv°p t]Sn ]nSn-s®∂p tXm∂p-∂p.

"C\n H∂pw-≠m-bn-ń√ tamsf, hniz-kn-bv°v. Fs‚ ]co-s£sS

dnkƒ´v h∂-t∏mƒ AΩm-hs‚ hI hnNmc-W-bp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. BZyw

km£n ]d-™Xv \ns‚ AΩ Xs∂-bm-Wv. Rßfv GXp t\chpw, Ifn-

°m≥ ]‰mØ Hcp NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibpw sh®n-cn-bv°ym-sW∂pw Xń≥]p-

dØv∂v Hcp ]tg t^mt´m FSpØv sIm≠∂v tISp hcp-Øo-s∂ms°

Ahƒ Pqdn ka£w t_m[n-∏n-®p.'

"AXv icn, AΩbv°v CsXm-s°-bm-bn-cp∂p ]Wn As√? A—\ow

Ip´-Ωm-a\ow X√p sIm≈n-°ev?'

"AXp Rm≥ BtZy ]d-bmdns√?'

"icn F∂n´v?' Ahƒ°v _m°n mKw tIƒ°m≥ [rXn-bm-bn.

42


"F∂n-s´¥m AΩma RßsS apdn ]cn-tim-[n-®p. Rß-fm-sW-¶n¬

Cßn-s\-sbm∂v ]Xo-£n-®-Xp-an-√-s√m, F√mw tai-∏p-dØv h®n-cn-°-bm-

bn-cp-∂p. AΩma AsX√mw FSpØv Ftßmt´m hen-s®-dn-™p. t^mt´m

Xncn®v Xń≥]p-d-Øp-Xs∂ sIm≠p-t]mbn C´p. A∂v Inńb AX ASn

Pohn-X-Øn-sem-cn-°epw Inń-bn-ń-√.'

"F∂n´pw A—≥ AtΩs\ IeymWw Ign®q? ]mhw A—≥!'

Rm≥ H∂pw ]d-™n-√. AsXmcp henb Ncn-X-am-Wv. C\n AXn-s\-

∏‰n h√Xpw ]d-™m¬ ]ns∂ hµ\ AXp apgp-h≥ tIƒ°msX Fgp-

t∂¬°n-√. Fßn-s\-sb-¶nepw Ahƒ CsX√mw ad∂v ]Tn-Ø-Øn¬

i≤ sImSp-Øm¬ aXn-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

"aXn. C\n tamfv t]mbn ]Tn-bv°q.' IY-bpsS ]cn-Wmaw Ahsf

Xr]vXn-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-s√∂v F\nbv°p a\- n-embn. Rm\-hsf Hcp-hn[w ]d-

™-b-®p. H‰-bv°m-b-t∏mƒ ho≠pw a\ v sX∂n-sØ∂n t]mhp-I-bm-Wv.

]co-£-bn¬ tXm‰-Xn-t\-°mƒ hnj-a-am-bXv AΩm-as‚ ASp-Øp-\n∂v

ASn Inń-b-t∏m-gm-bn-cp-∂p. B thZ\ Znh-k-ß-tfmfw Xßn-\n-∂p.

Hcp Znhkw Ipt - \pw t]mbn. Ipt - ≥ AΩm-hs‚ IqsSbmWv tImgn-

t°m´p Kpcp-hm-bq-c-∏≥ tImf-Pn¬ tNcm≥ t]mb-Xv. apºn¬ AΩm-h\pw

]n∂n¬ Hcp sNdnb k©n ]nSn-®p-sIm≠v Ipt´-´\pw AXn\pw ]n∂n¬

InS-bv°bpw Ccp-ºp-s]-ń-bpw Xe-bn-te‰n NmØ-∏\pw hb-ens‚ A∏p-

dØv CS-h-gn-I-fn¬ \jvS-s∏- -t∏mƒ Rm≥ hc-ºn¬ \n∂v Xncn®p \S∂p,

]Sn-∏p-c-bpsS A‰-°-Smb NmSn-°-S∂v ap‰-sØ-Øn. AΩmbn ap≠ns‚

tIm¥-e-sIm≠v IÆp- XpS-®n- m-sW∂p tXm∂p∂p ap‰-Øp-IqsS ASp-°-

f-bn-tebv°p \S-°p-I-bm-Wv. ]qap-JØv XnÆ-bn¬ Cµnc Hcp Djm-dn-

√msX Ccn-°p-∂p. Rm≥ Ahsf hI-sh-bv°msX AIØp Xf-Øn-

tebv°p IS∂p, tImWn Ibdn apI-fn-tebv°p t]mbn. AΩm-hs‚ ASp-

Øp-\n∂v ASn Inń-b-tijw Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw Ahsf Xg™ t]mse-

bm-Wv. GI-tZiw Hcp amkw Igns-™-¶nepw a\- nse thZ\ XnI®pw

hn´p- am-dp-∂n-√. AXns‚ Imc-W-°mcn Cµn-c-bm-sW-∂-Xp-sIm≠v Ah-

tfmSv ASp-°m≥ tXm∂p-∂n-√. Ahƒ hm Xpd-∂-Xp- sIm-≠mWv AΩm-

h\v Rß-fpsS apdn ]cn-tim-[n-°m\pw Rßsf in£n-°m\pw tXm∂n-

b-Xv. As√-¶n¬ Hcc aWn-°q¿ t\csØ i-Im-c-Øn¬ HXp-ßn-tbs\

in£.

apdn Hgn™p InS-∂p. Iń¬ Hgn™p InS-∂p. Db¿∂p-h∂ Hcp

tXß¬ a\- n-sem-Xp°n Rm≥ Iń-en¬ ae¿∂p InS-∂p. Ipt´-´-\p-am-

bp-≠mb BZysØ ]cn-N-b-s∏-S¬ ho≠pw Hm¿Øp. A∂v ]I-ep-≠mb

GIm-¥X ho≠pw \men-c-ń-bmbn A\p-`-h-s∏-´p. C\n H‰-bv°mWv F∂

t_m[w h∂-t∏mƒ AΩ-sbbpw cmt[-SvØn-sbbpw Hm¿Ω h∂p. ASpØ

i\n-bmgvN hoń¬ t]m-Ww. AΩ G´s\ ImWm≥ hcm-sd-bn-√. hfsc

43


]g-sbmcp IpSn-∏-I-bpsS _m°n-]-X-am-Wv. `¿Øm-hns‚ H∏w `mKhpw

hmßn t]mIp-tºmƒ C\n Cu aÆn¬ Imep IpØn-s√∂v i]Yw sNbvX-

Xm-Wv. hn[n AΩ-bpsS `mK-Øm-bn-cp-∂n-√. `¿Ømhv s]s´∂p acn-®p.

c≠p ]n©p Ip™p-ßsf H‰bv°p t]m‰m-\p-≠mb IjvS-∏m-Sn¬ AΩ-

bpsS Xocp-am-\-ßfpw ab-s∏-´p. s]¨-Ip-ń-bpsS P\-\-tØmsS AΩm-

h\pw ]gb Imcy-ß-sf√mw ad-∂p, s]ßsf ImWm≥ t]mbn. acp-a-I-\n¬

aI-fpsS `mhnhcs\ I≠v Ahsc klm-bn-°m≥ XpSßn. acp-a-I≥

sslkvIq-fn-em-b-t∏mƒ Ahs\ Xd-hm-ń-tebv°p sIm≠p h∂p.

CX-sbm-s°-bm-bn´pw AΩ ]gb Id h®p-sIm-≠n-cp-∂p. h√-t∏mgpw

AΩm-h≥ Hmtcm Nm°v IpØ-cnbpw Xd-hm´p hf-∏n-ep-≠mb ]®-°-dn-

Ifpw sImSp-Ø-b-°p-tºmƒ "AsXm∂pw F\n-bv°-dn-bn√' F∂ `mh-

Øn¬ AΩ Xe Xncn-°pw. AsX-hn-sS-bmWv Cd-°n -sh-bvt°-≠Xv F∂v

cmt[SvØn Npa-´p-Im¿°v ]d-™p- sIm-Sp-°pw. Ah-sc-s°m-≠p -Xs∂

AXv Ie-h-d-bn¬ sIm≠p-t]mbn sh∏n-bv°pw. Ahsc hnfn®v ASp-°-f-

®m-bv∏n¬ CcpØn Nmbbpw ]e-lm-c-ßfpw sImSp-Øv AΩm-bn-bpsS hnh-

c-ßƒ tNmZn-®-dn-bpw. AΩ-bp-sS s]cp-am‰w Hcp-Xcw Im]-Sy-am-sW∂v

\µ\v tXm∂m-dp-≠v. As√-¶n¬ bmYm¿∞ysØ AwKo-I-cn-bv°m

Xncn°m≥ a\- n¬ kzbw \n¿Ωn® Hcp sI´m-bn-cn-°Ww AXv. ac-Ww-

hsc Ah¿ B sI´v Agnbv°-ep-≠m-bn-ń-√.

ho≠pw Ipt´-´s‚ Imcyw Hm¿Ω h∂p. cmt[-SvØnbv°v ]I-c-am-bn-cp-

∂n√ Ipt´-´≥. AXn-ep-a-∏p-dØv Ft¥m. kvIqfnepw ]pdØpw Xs∂

kwc-£n-®p- sIm-≠n-cp∂p, Xt∂-°mƒ c≠p hb- p-amXw ]mb-ap≈

Ipt´-´≥. Ct∏mƒ Rm≥ GI-\mWv. Fs‚ ]iv\-ßƒ BtcmSpw ]d-bm-

\n-√, Bcn¬\n∂pw km¥z\w ]Xo-£n°m-\p-an-√.

"\tµ-´-s\¥m Ic-ømtWm?'

Rm≥ IÆp Xpd∂p t\m°n. Cµnc Iń-ens‚ ASpØv h∂v t\m°n

\n¬°p-I-bm-Wv. icn-bmWv Rm≥ Ic-bp-I-bm-Wv. Rm\-dn-bm-sX- IÆo¿

hm¿s∂m-gpIn Xe-bnW \\-bv°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ IÆp XpS®v Fgp-

t∂-‰n-cp-∂p. F¥p-sImt≠m Cµn-c-tbm-Sp≈ iXpX B \nan-j-Øn¬

Rm≥ ad∂pt]mbn-. Rm\-hsf t\m°n. Ahƒ°v h√msX am‰w h∂n-cp-

∂p. s]s´-∂-hƒ hen-sbmcp Ipń-bm-b -t]m-se. Ign™ Hcp amk-ambn

Rm\-h-fpsS apJtØ t\m°n-bn-cp-∂n-√. Ct∏mƒ Ahƒ apºn¬ \n¬°p-

IbmWv, Fs∂ ]n®n D]-Z-hn-®n-cp∂ Ime-Øp- \n∂v hfsc hf¿∂v

]IzX h∂ t]mse.

"Ipt´-´≥ t]mb-Xnev k¶-Swt≠m?' Ahƒ ho≠pw tNmZn-°p-I-bm-Wv.

"\n\°v k¶-Swtey?'

"Dw, Iptd-s». AtΩsSw \tµ-´‚ow AsXym-∂pw-ey.'

Rm≥ Ahsf Hcp tNmZy-tØmsS t\m°n.

44


"F¥m-∂-do-ey. F\nbv°v k¶Sqw kt¥mjpw Hs° sImdsh hcm-

dp-≈p. \tµ-´\v H‰bv°v sIS-°m≥ t]Snt≠m?'

"sImtds».' Rm≥ ]IpXn kXyw ]d-™p. icn-bv°p ]d-™m¬

H‰bv°p InS-°p-∂-Xn-s\-∏‰n Rm≥ Nn¥n-®nt´ D≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. Ct∏m-

gmWv Hm¿Ø-Xv. apI-fnse \ne-bn¬ Rm≥ H‰-bv°m-hpw. AXn\pw apI-

fn-emWv B i]n-bv°-s∏´ Xń≥]p-dw. F\nbv°v \√ t]Sn-bp-≠v.

"Rm≥ hctWm Iq´p- In-S-°m≥?'

Hm! Hcp ss[cy-imen! F∂ ań¬ Rm\-hsf t\m°n.

"icn°pw ]d-øm-Wv. Cu `mKØv Hcp Iń-en´p Xcm≥ ]d™m aXn.

∂m AsΩsS ASvØv∂pw c£-s∏-Sm-tem. ss[cy-im-eym-bn- -√, F\nbv°v

k¶Spw kt¥mjpw amXncn t]Sow sImdhm. '

AXp icn-bm-Wv. ImcWw t\cw Ccp-ń-bmepw Ahƒ H‰bv°v ]d-ºn-

ep≈ Imhn¬ hnf°p shbv°m≥ t]mIm-dp-≠v. kXyw ]d-™m¬

F\nbv°v H‰bv°v B Imhns‚ ASp-Øv ]I¬ t\cØp IqSn t]mhm≥

t]Sn-bm-Wv.

"thW-¶n¬ ]d-t™m-fp. Rm≥- A-tΩymSv tNmZn-®n v ChnsS InS-°mw.'

"th≠ Xm≥ AtΩsS H∏w -Xs∂ InS∂m aXn.' ss[cy-Øn-\p-th≠n

Iq´p-In-S-°m≥ hcp-∂Xv Ft∂-°mƒ \mep hb p Xmsg-bp≈ Hcp

s]Ïp-ń. CXn-t\-°mƒ \mW-t°-sS-¥m-Wp≈Xv?

Xmsg- tImWn-®p-hń¬ \n∂v AΩmbn hnfn-®p. Cµnc hnfn tI´p.

"F¥m AtΩ?'

"\nß°v Nmb IpSn-bv°-s≠. \tµ-´-t\mSpw hcm≥ ]td.'

Xmsg Xf-Øn-en-cp∂v Ce-bS Xn∂p-tºmƒ Cµnc ]d-™p.

"AtΩ \tµ-´≥ Ic-bym-bn-cp-∂p.'

"F¥n\v?'

"Ipt´-´≥ t]mb k¶-Sw-sIm-≠v.'

AΩmbn \n»-_vZ-bm-bn. Rm≥ Xe-bp-b¿ØmsX AS -Xn-∂p- Xo¿Øp.

F¥m-bmepw AXn\p tijw Cµnc Ft∂mSv hfsc \∂m-bnt´ s]cp-

am-dn-bn-´p-≈p. A—s‚ ASpØv GjWn Iq´p∂ kz`mhw Xosc hn´p.

kmh-[m-\-Øn¬ Ah-tfmSv cl-ky-ßƒIqSn ]d-bm-sa-∂mbn. Ah-sfbpw

GIm-¥X D]-Z-hn-°m≥ XpS-ßn-bn-´p-≠m-hpw, Ah-f-dn-bm-sX-Ø-s∂.

Ft¥m `mKy-Øn\v AΩm-h≥ hen-s®-dn-bp-∂-Xn\p apºp- Xs∂

Rm\m NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS Hcp ]I¿∏v IS-em- n-se-SpØp sh®n-cp-∂p.

Ct∏mƒ AsX-SpØp t\m°p-tºmƒ Cµnc h∂mepw Hfn-∏n-®p -sh-bv°m-

dn-√. Ahƒ AsXs‚ Iøn¬\n∂v hmßn t\m°pw. Xncn®v tai-h-en-∏n-

en-´p-sIm≠v ]d-bpw.

"\av°v NXp-cwKw Ifn°ym?'

BZy-sams° \nc-¥cw Xm°oXv sImSp-t°≠n h∂n-cp∂p Ah-sf.

45


As√-¶n¬ Ah-fpsS tXtcm B\tbm IpXn-ctbm Hs° \jvS-s∏-Spw.

]n∂oSv Ahƒ i≤n®p Ifn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. Rm≥ IpXn-csb apt∂m´p

sIm≠p -h-cp-tºmƒ AXns‚ ]n∂o-Sp-≠m-tb-°m-hp∂ c≠p Ne-\-

ßƒIqSn Ahƒ IW-°n-se-Sp-°pw. Fs‚ Dt±-iyw AX-Xs∂ ]mh-\-

a-s√∂pw Ac-ip -X-cp-tºmƒ Ah-fpsS tXcn-s\bpw Iqń-t°m¿Øv AXp

Xń-sb-Sp-°m-\s√ F∂pw tNmZn-bv°pw.

Bbn-S-bv°mWv Xń≥]p-dØv Hcn-°¬°qSn t]mIm-\p≈ BKlw

F\n-bv°p-≠m-b-Xv. Hcp tXm∂-em-bn-cp∂p AXv. Ft¥m Fs∂ ]nSn®p

hen-°p-∂-t]m-se. Hmtcm Znhkw IqSpwtXmdpw B tXm∂¬ i‡-ambn

h∂p. F\n-bv°m-sW-¶n¬ H‰bv°p t]mIm\pw \√ t]Sn-≠v. icnbv°p

]d-™m¬ AXn-s\-∏‰n Btem-Nn-°m≥ t]mepw hømØ Ah-ÿ.

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

"\tµ-´-t\mSv Hcp Imcyw tNmZn-®m¬ kXyw ]dtøm?'

"F¥m ]d-bmsX?'

"\nßƒ°v B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Fhn-Sv∂m- InóXv?' Ah-fpsS tNmZyw

s]s´-∂m-bn-cp-∂p.

C\n Ahƒ AΩm-hs‚ ASpØv CsXm∂pw sImfp-Øm≥ t]mIp-∂n-

s√∂v F\n-bv°-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-∂p. amX-a√ Cu cl-kyw, Rm\pw Ipt - \pw

amX-a-dn-bp∂ cl-kyw, Ipt´-´-\n-√mØ Ah-ÿ-bn¬ a‰m-tcm-sS-¶nepw

]¶p-sh-bv°-W-sa∂pw F\n-bv°p-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"tamfnev Xń≥s]m-dØv Hcp s]ó-∂v.'

Ahƒ°-Xns‚ IY apgp-h≥ Adn-b-Ww. ]d-bm≥ Rm\pw AXoh

Xev]-c-\m-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp aWn-°q¿ t\csØ IYm-I-Y-\-Øn-\p- tijw

Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"icn°pw AZv-`p-Xm-bn-cn-°pWp As√?'

"A√msX?' Rm≥ Cµn-csb Ifn-bm-°n-s°m≠v ]d-™p. AXnse

Xami a\- n-em-°m-\p≈ Hcp am\-kn-Im-h-ÿbn-em-bn-cp-∂n√ Ah-f-

t∏mƒ. Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"\ap°v Xń≥s]m-dØv t]mbn -t\m°zm?'

"F¥v???'

"\ap-t°bv Xń≥s]mdØv t]mbn t\m°mw. F\nbv°-sXms° ImW-

Ww. B s]ów, ]ns∂ \nßfv Ae-™p- Xn-cn-™q∂v ]d-™nt√ B

hgow Hs°. ]‰p-sh-¶nev B tImWow.'

Rm\-hsf AZv`p-X-tØm-sS, BZ-c-thmsS t\m°p-I-bm-Wv.

"]ns∂ B s]ń F\nbv°v sXmd-°m≥ ]t‰zm∂pw t\m°-Ww.'

CXv G´s‚ A\n-bØn Xs∂. Ipt´-´-t\-°mƒ ss[cy-ap-s≠∂p

tXm∂p∂p Cu s]Æn-\v. Rm≥ ]d-™p. "t\m°mw.'

Ct∏mƒ ap∏Xp h¿j-ßƒ°pw ]Xn-\mdn-tesd ]g-°-ap≈ Iq´p-Po-hn-

46


X-Øn\pw tijw Rm≥ Cµn-c-tbmSv tNmZn-°p-I-bmWv B NXp-cw-K-∏-e-

I-sb-∏-‰n. tamƒ ASpØ apdn-bn¬ InS-∂p-d-ßp-I-bm-Wv. Ahƒ H‰bv°p

InS-°m≥ XpS-ßnb tijw Rßƒ Dd-ßp-tºmƒ apdn AS-bv°m-dn-√.

Ahfpw AΩ-sb-t∏mse ss[cy-im-en-bm-Wv. hep-Xm-b-t∏mƒ, AΩbv°pw

ANOv\pw Aev]w kzIm-cyX Bh-iy-ap-≠m-Ip-sa-∂v Ahƒ°p tXm∂n-

°m-WWw. Ahƒ ]d-bpw, "\nßfv apdn AS-t®m-fp, F\nbv°v t]sSym-

∂pw-√y.' F¶nepw Rßƒ apdn AS-bv°m-dn-√. "F¥n\m apdn AS-

bv°WXv? s\\-s°-s¥-¶nepw FSp°ms≠-¶nev Rßsf HW¿Øm-sX-

Øs∂ h∂qsS?'

Rm≥ Cµn-c-tbmSp tNmZn-®p. "Fßn-s\-bmWv B sN vt_m¿Uv

\ns‚ Iøn¬ s]´Xv?'

"AsXmcp hey IYymWv?' Cµnc ]d-™p. "icnbv°p ]d-™m≥ Hcp

a\wam‰-Øns‚ IY Xs∂.'

"∂v sh®m?'

"A—≥ \nßsf c≠v t]tcw X√WXv I≠s∏m F\nbv°v h√msX

hnj-a-m-bn.'

"Aßns\ym∂pw ≠mhm-dn√-s√m. Ft¥ Aßn-s\yms° tXm∂m≥?'

"F¥m-∂-do-√y. apsºms° \nßsf ASn-°-WXv ImWptºm A—s‚

]n∂nev \n∂v \∂m-bn-´p≠v∂v BwKyw ImWn-°m-dns√?'

"D≠m-bn-cp∂p Rm\-sXm∂pw ad-∂n-ń-√, ZpjvS!'

Cµnc Nncn-®p. "]s£ B ]mh-iysØ ASn Ipd®p IqSp-X-em-bn.

F\n°v h√m-sØmcp Ip‰-t_m[w tXm∂n, \nßsf H‰n-s°m-Sp-Ø-Xn\v.

AtXmsS Rm≥ A—s‚ `mKw hn´v \nßfvsS `mKØp tN¿∂p. ]s£

AXv \nßsf Ado-bv°m≥ Hcp hgow-√ym. Rm≥ ASvØv hcp-tºm-tgbv°v

\nßfv c≠mfpw Hgn™p t]mhpw. F\nbv°v hey k¶-Sm-bn. Hcokw

Rm\n-cp∂v Ic-™p.'

Rm≥ AZv`p-X-tØmsS Ahsf t\m°n. Cµnc Ic-bpI! kXy-ambpw

Rm\Xp hniz-kn-®n-√. ]s£ Ah-fpsS apJsØ mhw. F¥p-sImt≠m

AXv hniz-k\ob-am-bn-cp-∂p.

"Hcp Znhkw A—≥ Cu sN vt_m¿Upw sIm≠v ]d-ºn-tebv°p \S-

°-WXv I≠p. ]d-ºnev Nhdv Iqºm-cmbn Iqń-bn-ń-´v≠m-bn-cp-∂p, IØn-

®p I-f-bm≥. ]d-ºnev sXßns‚ IS-bv°ev IØn-°m-dns√? Rm≥ A—-

\-dn-bmsX Hfn-™p-\n∂p t\m°n, F¥mWv aq∏cvsS Dt±-iw∂v. A®-\Xv

Hcp Nhdv Iqºm-c-Øn-tebv°v hen-s®-dn™v AXn\v Xobn-´p.'

"∂v v?'

"F\nbv°v hs√y k¶-Sm-bn. F\n-°-dnbmw \nßƒ°m-h-iy≈ Hcp

km[-\m-W-Xv∂v. Xo IØm≥ sXmStßys∏m A—≥ t]mbn. Rm≥ thKw

t]mbn´v B Xobns‚ FtS∂v B t_m¿Uv X∏n-sb-Sp-Øp. Fs‚ ssI

47


s]m≈n. ∂mepw th≠n-√, \nßsf klm-bn-°m≥ Fs¥-¶nepw sNø-

Ww∂v≠m-bn-cp∂p F\n-bv°v. Hcp Imcy-Ønev F\nbv°v AZv`pXw

tXm∂n. B sN vt_m¿Uv \√ NqSp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Fs‚ Iøv s]m≈n-

°m≥ amXw. Rm\Xv sImf-Ønev sIm≠p-t]mbn Igp-In. t\mt°ys∏m

AXn\v H∂pw ]‰o-´n-√y. Fs‚ Iøpw s]m≈o-ey. AsXmc-Zv`p-Xs√?'

Rm≥ im¥-\mbn aqfn. "F∂n´v \obXv FhnsS Hfn-∏n-®p-h®p?'

"Rm\Xv ]e ÿe-Ømbn Hfn-∏n®p h°ym-bn-cp-∂p.'

"Ft¥ \obXv Rßƒ°v Xcm-Xn-cp-∂Xv?'

"AtXm? AXv \nßsS ]TnØw sImg-∏m°vWv≠v∂v a\- n-em-bn.

AtXm≠m Xcm-Xn-cp-∂-Xv. ]ns∂ \av°v hb- m-hptºm thsd ]Wn-sbm-

∂pw-≠m-hn-√-s√m. As∏m c≠p-t]¿°pw- IqSn AXv t\m°mw ∂pw Icp-

Xn.'

"anSp-°n. As∏m \obv A∂vX-s∂ Xo¿®ym-°n-°-gn™p, Rm≥ s\s∂

sI´pw-∂v. As√?'

"A√msX? CXnepw \√ s]Æns\ At\z-jn®v \tµ-´≥ FhnsS

t]mhm\m?'

"]nt∂-bv.......'

48


A≤ymbw HºXv

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

"Cs∂¥m \n\°v Hd-°t√y?'

km[m-cW AΩ-bp-asX tamfp-a-sX, InS∂ DSs\ Dd-ßp-w. hµ\ apI-

fn¬ Imcy-ambn Ccp∂v ]Tn-°p-I-bm-Wv. C\n ]Xn-s\m∂p aWnbv°v Xmsg

Cd-ßn-h-∂v Ah-fpsS apdn-bn-tebv°v IS-°pw.

"DwMpw. Hm¿Ωt√y?' Cµnc ho≠pw tNmZn-bv°p-∂p.

"Hm¿Ω-≠v.'

"C\ow t]m∆m≥ tXm∂vWvt√y?'

"C√.' Rm≥ kXyw ]d-™p.

"\n°v t]m∆m≥ tXm∂vWv≠v. \ap°v ASpØ ]mhiyw t]mhptºm

F¥m-bmepw tamfnev t]mbn -t\m-°-Ww.'

"\ap°v Btem-Nn-°mw. \o Cs∏m sIS-s∂m-d-ßm≥ t\m°v.'

Ahƒ ]n∂o-sSm∂pw kwkm-cn-®n-√. F¥n-\mWv kwkm-cn-°p-∂-Xv.

Ahƒ Hscm‰ tNmZyw-sIm≠v Fs‚ a\- n¬ Hcp ae CSn-®n-ń-cn-bv°-

bmWv. Cµn-c-bpsS H∏w Xń≥]p-dØp Hmtcm ]mhiyw t]mbXpw

F\nbv°v \√-t]mse Hm¿Ω-bp-≠v. BZyw Ib-dn-bXv Hcp Rmb-dmgvN

D®bv°m-Wv. Rßƒ apI-fn¬ NXp-cwKw Ifn-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Xmsg \ne-

bn¬ Hmtcmtcm i_vZ-ß-fmbn Ipd-™p-h∂v HSp-hn¬ Xosc \n»-_vZ-am-

bn. Xmsg t]mbm¬ AΩm-hs‚ Iq¿°w-hen tIƒ°mw. AΩmbn tImWn-

®p-h-ń¬ \n∂v Cµn-csb hnfn-®p.

"tamsf HdßvWnt√y?'

Cµnc tImWn-bp-sS -A-Sp-tØbv°p sN∂v ]d-bpw.

"C√tΩ, Rm≥ \µp-th-´s‚ H∏w NXp-cwKw Ifn-°ymWv.'

"Rm≥ -H-d-ßm≥ t]mWp.' AΩmbn \S-∂p- t]m-bn. Ah¿ Xf-Øn¬

kna‚n´ \ne-ØmWv InS-°p-I. AhnsS \√ XWp-∏m-Wv.

AΩmbn t]mbn-°-gn-™-t∏mƒ Cµnc Xncn-®p- h-∂p. t\sc h∂v

\neØv P\-en-\-cnsI h® NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS apºn-en-cn-°msX Ahƒ

Fs∂ hnfn-°pI-bm-Wv.

"hcq, tamfnev t]m∆m.'

F\nbv°v am\-kn-I-ambn Hcp Xøm-sd-Sp-∏n\pw Ah-kcw Xcm-sX-bm-

W-hƒ AXp ]d-™-Xv. Rm≥ aSn®p \n∂-t∏mƒ Ahƒ Fs‚ ssI

]nSn-®p- h-en-°-bm-Wv. ssZh-ta, Cu Xń≥]p-dØv HSp-ßm-\p-≈-XmtWm

Fs‚ PohnXw? G´≥ t]mb-t∏mƒ A\p-P-Øn- XpS-ßn-bn-cnbv°bmWvv!

Rm≥ Fgp-t∂-‰p. Fgp-t∂¬°m¬ \n¿∫-‘n-X-\mbn F∂p ]d-bp-∂-

49


Xmhpw kXyw.

Xń≥]p-d-tØ-bv°p≈ Hmtcm bmXbpw Hmtcm ]pXnb A\p-`-h-am-bn-

cp-∂p. Hmtcm Im¬ sh∏pw Fs‚ ss[cy-Øn-\p≈ ]co-£-bpw. ]n∂n¬

\S-∂n-cp∂ Cµn-cbv°v bmsXmcp sS≥j-\p-an-√. Ahƒ AS-°n-∏n-Sn®

i_vZ-Øn¬ kwkm-cn-°p-I-bm-Wv. i_vZw XmgvØp-∂Xv t]Sn-®n- √ adn®v

Xmsg InS-∂p-d-ßp∂ A—≥ DW-cptam F∂v `b-∂n-´m-Wv. Xń≥]pdw

Ign™ ]mhiyw Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw t]mbn-°≠ AtX ań¬Ø-s∂-

bm-Wv. As√-¶n¬ a\p-jy-∑m¿ Ib-dmØ B ÿ-eØv F¥p am‰-amWv

Rm≥ ]Xo-£n-°p-∂Xv? tImWn Ib-dnb DSs\ InS∂ aq∂-c-°m-ep≈

tai-ta¬ B ]gb NnX-ßƒ InS-∂n-cp-∂p. Ah HXp-°n-h® ań-e-√,

Ahn-S-hn-sS-bmbn Ai-≤-tbmsS hmcn-h-en-®n-ń-cn-bv°-bm-Wv. Rm≥

aptºm´p \S-∂p. Fßn-s\-sb-¶nepw B Fgp-Øp-s]ń Cµn-cbv°p ImWn-

®p-sIm-SpØv thKw ÿew hnS-W-sat∂ F\n-bv°p-≈q.

Fgp-Øp-s]ńbpsS `mK-sØ-Øn-b-t∏mƒ Rm\-h-fpsS apJØp

t\m°n. Fs‚ apJsØ `mhw I≠n-´m-sW∂p tXm∂p∂p Ahƒ

ssIsIm≠v BwKyw ImWn-®p, F¥m F∂ ań¬. Rm\-hƒ°m s]ń

Nq≠n-°m- n. Ahƒ thKw \S∂v B s]ń-bpsS apºn¬ sN∂n-cp-∂p. Ah-

fXp Xpd-°m≥ ian-°p-I-bm-Wv. ]s£ Ign-bp-∂n-√.

"CXp- Xp-d-°m≥ IgnbvWn√y.' Ahƒ \ncm-i-tbmsS ]d-™p.

F\nbv°p hnj-a-am-bn. F¥p-sImt≠m AXp Xpd-°m≥ ]‰p-sa∂

[mc-W-bn-emWv Ahƒ AXn\p apºn-en-cp-∂-Xv. ]‰p-sa∂ [mcW F\n-

bv°p-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Rm\-h-fpsS ASpØp sN∂n-cp∂v Ah-tfmSp ]d-

™p. "H∂p-IqSn t\m°v, ]‰pw.'

Ahƒ Xpd-°m≥ ian-°p-tºmƒ Rm≥ Ah-f-dn-bmsX s]ń-bpsS

hiØv, Aa¿Øn-∏n-Sn-bv°m-s\∂ ań¬ ssIsh®v AS∏v Xn°n. s]ń

Xpd-∂p.

"sXmd∂p!' Ahƒ AZv`p-X-tØmsS ]d-™p. Ah-f-dn-bmsX Rm≥

ssI hen-®n-cp-∂p. Ahƒ°p sNøm≥ ]‰p-sa∂ [mc-W-bn¬ -C-cn-°s´.

Ahƒ D≈n¬ Iøn´v ]c-Xp-I-bm-Wv. BsI Inń-bXv B PmXIw amXw.

AXp ]pdtØ-bvs°-Sp-Ø-t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d-™p. "AXv Xncn®v shbv°v.'

"Ft¥?' AsX-Sp-Øv Xn-cn®pw adn®p t\m°n-s°m≠v Cµnc tNmZn-®p.

"AXv GtXm Imc-W-hcvsS PmX-Im-Wv. acn®p t]mtbmcvsS PmXIw

FSp-°m≥ ]mSn-√ym∂v ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h≥ ]d-™n-´v≠v.'

"F¥m ImcWw?'

"Imc-sWm∂pw F\n-bv°-dn-bn-√.' Rm\Xv [rXn-bn¬ Ah-fpsS

Iøn¬\n∂v hmßn s]ń-bn¬ \n-t£-]n-®p. Ahƒ kmh-[m-\-Øn¬ D≈n-

se√mw \∂mbn t\m°n-s°m≠v s]ń AS-®p.

"\av°v Xncn®p t]m∆m?' Rm≥ ]d-™p.

50


"As∏m \av°v Xń≥s]m-sdms° ImWs≠?'

"th≠ \av°v t]m∆mw.'

"\tµ-´≥ s]mbvt°m-fp. Rm≥ Chn-sSyms° \S∂v t\m°ot´ hcp.

F\nbv°v \nßfv I≠ B tImWn ImW-Ww.'

s]m√m-∏m-bn. Ahƒ Ahn-sS-sbms° Np‰n \S-∂nt´ hcq F∂v F\n-

bv°-dn-bmw. Ahsf AhnsS H‰-bv°n´v t]mIm\pw `bw. Ah-km\w ]d-

tb≠n h∂p.

"F∂m¬ hm. thKw \S∂v I≠n´v t]mWw.'

ho≠pw DuSp-h-gn-I-fn-eqsS bmX. C]m-hiyw apºv t]mbn-ń-√m-Ø -h-

gn-I-fn-eq-sS-bmWv bmX. B Xń≥]p-dØv CX-b-[nIw hgn-I-sf-ßns\

h∂p F∂Xv Fs‚ bp‡n-°p tNcmØ Imcy-am-bn-cp∂p. Ccp-h-iØpw

]gb hkvXp-°ƒ X-s∂-bm-Wv. No\-`-c-Wn-Iƒ, ho´pkmam-\-ßƒ.

s]mńbXpw s]m´m-Ø-Xp-amb HmSp-Iƒ. Cµn-c-bv°m-sW-¶n¬ Hmtcm∂pw

hni-Z-ambn ]cn-tim-[n-°pIbpw thWw. ]e km[-\-ßfpw D]-tbm-Kn-

°m≥ ]‰nb \ne-bn-em-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp-]s£ B \mep-sI- n¬ Xma-kn® ]e

Xmh-gnI-fpsS km[-\-ßƒ A∏-t∏m-gmbn Dt]-£n-®-Xm-bn-cn-bv°pw. Ah-

bpsS ]n∂n-se√mw Hmtcm IY-I-fp-≠m-hpw. XI¿∂p-t]m-b -Xm-h-gn-Iƒ,

]e Zpc-¥-ßƒ. Xe-ap-d-I-fpsS Xe-t®mdn¬\n∂v \jvS-s∏- p-t]mb Hm¿Ω-

Iƒ. CS-bv°n-Sbv°v Cµnc Hmtcm km[-\-hp-ambn Fs‚ ASpØv hcpw.

"\ap°v CXv sIm≠p t]m∆m?'

AsXm∂pw sIm≠p-t]m-∆m≥ ]mSn-s√-∂pw, sIm≠p-t]m-bm¬ Ah-

fpsS A—≥ c≠p-t]-cp-sSbpw N¥n-bpsS tXmse-Sp-°p-sa∂pw ]d-™-

t∏mƒ amXta Ahƒ AS-ßn-bp-≈p. Ahƒ ]n∂n¬ \n∂v kwkm-cn®p

sIm≠n-cp-∂p. kwkmcw Ipd®p Zqc-Øp- \n-∂m-hp-tºmƒ Rm≥ Xn-cn-™p-

t\m°n Ahsf hnfn-bv°pw. Fs¥-¶nepw kq£va-ambn ]cntim-[n-°p∂

Ahƒ B km[\w AhnsS C´v HmSn hcpw. Aßns\ \S-∂p-sIm-≠n-

cnbvs° Rm≥ Ft‚-Xmb Hcp temI-sØ-Øn. F¥mWv Btem-Nn-®n-cp-

∂-sX-∂-dn-bn-√. ]n∂n¬ Cµn-c-bpsS kwkmcw Zqsc-bmbn h∂p. Rm\-

X-dn-bp-∂p-≠v. ]s£ AXp Imcy-am-°msX \S∂p \oßp-I-bm-Wv.

s]s´∂v Cµn-c-bpsS hnfn tI´p. hf-sc-b-Sp-Øp-\n-∂m-bn-cp∂p AXv.

"\tµ-´m, Cß´p hcq.'

Ft¥m ImWn-°m-\m-Wv. Rm≥ Xncn-™p-t\m-°n. Ahƒ Ahn-sS-sb-

ßp-an-√. Rm≥ Ipd®p Zqcw Xncn™p \S-∂p. Ah-fpsS hnfn Hcn-°¬°qSn

tI´p, ]ns∂ \n»-_vZw. F\nbv°p `b-am-bn. Rm\-h-fpsS t]cp hnfn-®p-

sIm≠v thK-Øn¬ \-S-∂p. HmSp-I-bm-bn-cp-s∂∂p ]d-bmw. Hgn™p InS-

°p∂ AkwJyw CS-h-gn-Iƒ amXw. Fhn-sS-bpw Cµn-c-bpsS \ng¬ t]m-

ep-an√. Ahƒ Xncn®p t]mbn- p-≠m-Iptam? AtXm Ahƒ°p h√Xpw ]‰n-

bn-´p-≠m-Iptam? Pohn-X-Øn¬ CX-b-[nIw sS≥j-\-\p-`-hn® Hc-h-kcw


51


]n∂o-Sp-≠m-bn- n-s√-∂p-Xs∂ ]d-bmw. F\n-°n-t∏mƒ Fßn-s\-sb-¶nepw

B Xń≥]p-d-Øp-\n∂v c£-s∏-´m¬ aXn-sb-∂m-bn. Cµnc Xmtg-bv°n-d-

ßn-t∏m-bn-´p-≠m-Ip-sa∂ Zp¿∫e hnizm-k-Øn¬ Rm≥ c£-bv°p≈

am¿§-ßƒ- B-cm-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. AXn-\n-Sbv°v Bcp-sStbm Hs° \nizm-

k-ßƒ sXm-´-SpØp tIƒ°p-∂-t]mse tXm∂n. Xe-ap-d-I-fn-eqsS, Ime-

Øn-s‚ Akz-ÿamb hoYn-bn-eqsS Rm≥ ]nt∂m°w bmX sNøp-I-bm-

Wv. Fs¥mcp oXn-Zamb tXm∂-em-bn-cp∂p AXv!

Ah-km\w Rßƒ Ib-dn-h∂ tImWn I≠Xpw Rm≥ NSp-]n-Sp-∂s\

Xmtg-bv°n-d-ßn. ho≠pw Xmtg-bv°p≈ tImWn NmSn-bn-dßn ASp-

°fØf-Øn-tebv°v HmSn. AhnsS AΩmbn InS-°p-∂p-≠m-hpsa∂pw

Ah-tcmSv Cµn-c-sb-∏‰n tNmZn-°m-sa∂pw Icp-Xn. ASp-°-f-Øfw iq\y-

am-bn-cp-∂p. ASp-°-f-bn¬\n∂v AΩm-bn-bpsS i_vZw tI´-t]mse

tXm∂n. Rm≥ hnfn-®p. "Cµn-tc.....'

Cµnc ASp-°-f-bn¬\n∂v h∂p. "Zm AtΩ \tµ-´≥ h∂p-, Nmb -sIm-

Sp-tØm-fp.'

Rm≥ HmSn-s®∂v Cµn-csb sIń-∏n-Sn®v Ihn-fn¬ DΩ- h-®p. Rm≥ InX-

bv°p-∂p-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Cµnc Ipd-®p- t\cw ]I-®p- \n-∂p. ]ns∂ Hcp Nncn-

tbmsS tNmZn-®p. "F¥m \tµ-´\v ]‰oXv? h√msX InXbv°vWv≠t√m.'

"MpwMpw, Rm≥ Xń≥s]m-dØv∂v s\s∂ ImWmsX HmSn -h-∂-Xm.'

"As∏m \tµ-´≥- CtXw kabw Xń≥s]md-Øm-bn-cpt∂m?' Ahƒ

i_vZw XmgvØn tNmZn-®p. Rm≥ X-e-bm- n. At∏m-gmWv Rm≥ Xf-Ønse

t¢m°n¬ t\m°p-∂-Xv. kabw Bdp-a-Wn-bm-hp-∂p. At∏mƒ c≠p aWn

apX¬ Bdp-a-Wn-hsc, GI-tZiw \mep aWn-°q¿ Rm≥ Xń≥]p-dØv

Ae-bp-I-bm-bn-cp∂p!

"≠mt°y Nmb XWvØv IpSn-°m≥ sIm≈m-Xm-bn-cn-°p-Wp. \osb-hn-

Sym-bn-cp-∂p? Rm≥ thsd≠m°n-Ø-cmw.' AΩmbn ASp-°-f-bn¬\n∂v

hnfn®p ]d-™p. "tamsf A∏-fbv°v \tµ-´\v B AS FSpØv sImSv°v.'

Cµnc sπbv‰n¬ sIm≠p-h-∂p- h® AS-bpsS Ce am‰p-∂-Xn-\n-S-bn¬

Rm≥ Btem-Nn-®p. F¥mWv kw`-hn-®Xv? Cµnc F¥mWv Fs∂

Iq´msX Xmtgbv°v h∂Xv? C\n thsd h√ hgn-bn¬°q-Sn-bm-bn-cn-°ptam

Ahƒ Cd-ßn-bXv? Ct∏mƒ H∂pw tNmZn-bv°m≥ ]‰mØ ka-b-am-Wv.

Fs‚ IÆp-I-fn¬ Xßn- \n¬°p∂ tNmZy-ßƒ Ahƒ i≤n-®p-sh∂p

tXm∂p-∂p. Ahƒ ]p-cnIw Db¿Øn Imcy-sa-s¥∂v At\zjn-®p. ]d-bm-

sa∂v Rm≥ BwKyw ImWn-®p. AΩmbn Nmb sIm≠p-h∂v tai-∏p-dØp

h®p.

"\o Fhn-Sym-bn-cp∂p?'

"AΩm-bo, Rm≥ hnt\m-Zns‚ hoń¬ t]mbn-cn-°ym-bn-cp-∂p. Ipd®v

t\ms´-gp-Xn-sb-Sp-°m-\p-≠m-bn-cp-∂p.' \pW s]mfn-b-cptX F∂v ]m¿∞n-

52


®p-sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d-™p. AΩmbn Xr]vX-bm-bn.

k‘ybv°v hnf°p sImfpØn \maw sNm√¬ Ign-™m¬ AΩsb

klm-bn-°m≥ t]mIp-∂-Xn\p apºv Cµnc Ipd®p t\cw Fs¥-¶nepw

kwkm-cn-®p-sIm≠v Fs‚ ]n∂mse \S-°m-dp-≠v. Rm≥ t]mIp-∂n-S-

sØms° kwkm-c-Øns‚ IÆn apdn-bmsX Ahfpap-≠m-Ipw. AΩm-h≥

]pdØp t]mbn-cn-b-v°bm-hpw. AΩmbn ASp-°-f-bn¬Ø-s∂-bm-bn-cn-°pw.

AΩm-bn-bpsS ]IpXn Pohn-Xhpw ASp-°-f-bn-em-Wv. _m°n ]IpXn

PohnXw Dd-°-Øn-epw. ap‰Øv Ac≠ shfn-®-w amXw. ]d-ºn¬ \ng¬

hoWp-I-gn-™n-cp∂p. ]e-Xcw ]£n-I-fpsS i_vZw ap‰sØ aqhm-≠≥

amhns\ At\z-jn®p hcp-∂p-≠v. ASp-°-f-bn¬\n∂v tNmZn-°m≥ Ign-bm-

Xn-cp∂ Imcyw Rm≥ At∏mƒ Cµn-c-tbmSv tNmZn-®p.

"\o Fßn-\ymWv Xń≥s]m-dØv∂v Xmg-Øn-d-ßn-bXv?'

"Rmt\m, Rm≥ \tµ-´s\ hnfn-®p. As∏m \tµ-´≥ apºnev \S-°zm-

bn-cp -∂p. As∏m Rm≥ Xncn®p \S-∂p. Rm≥ hnNm-cn®p G´\pw

hcvWv≠mhpw-∂v.'

"\o hnfn® HSs\ Rm≥ Xncn™v t\m°n. s\s∂ I≠n-√-s√m. Rm≥

sImtd t\cw s\t∂w sXc™v Xń-≥s]m-dØv \S-∂p. s\\-s°-s¥-

¶nepw ]‰o-´vt≠m∂v hnNm-cn-®n-´v F\nbv°v t]Sn-bm-bn.'

"CXow t\cw Ft∂w sXc™v \S-°zm-bn-cpt∂m?'

"AsX.'

"]mhw- m, Rm≥ hnNm-cn®p \tµ- ≥ Adn-™n- v≠mhpw Rm≥ tImWn-

bn-dßn h∂Xv∂v ....... Hcp an\v‰v....... tImWn-bn-d-ßo v? Rmt\Xp tImWn-

bmWv Cd-ßoXv? A√m Rms\d-ßo-Xv, \-tµ-´≥ ]d-™nt√ Hcp tImWn-

sb-∏‰n? B tImWym-Wv.' Ahƒ Ipd-®p-t\cw Btem-N-\-bn-em-bn. "Hcp

tImWn....... \√ `wKn≈ tImWn. Hcp `mKØv IS™ Agn-Ifv h®

tImWn. AXns‚ G‰hpw XmgsØ Agn s]mń Xqßn-s°-S-°zm-Wv. B

tImWn Fd-ßoXv F\n-t°m¿Ω-≠v. XmgØv Hcp hmXn-ev≠m-bn-cp-∂p.

AS-®n´ hmXn-ev. AXv IS-∂v.......... Rms\-ßn-\ymWv Xmsg Xf-Øn-se-Øo-

Xv. Rm≥ AΩsS H∏w Hd-ßoXv amtX Hm¿Ω-≈p.'

Cµnc BsI Bi-b-°p-g-∏-Øn-em-bn. Fs‚ Bi-b-°p-g∏w amdn- h-

cn-I-bm-Wv. Ahƒ B tImWn-sb-∏‰n `mh-\-bn¬ \n-s∂-SpØp ]d-bp-I-

b-√. B tImWn-Ø-≠ns‚ G‰hpw Xmsg-bp≈ Agn ASn-bn¬ \n∂v

s]mń IqSp-X-ep≈ apIƒ`mKw Xqßn-°n-S-°p-∂Xv I≠-Xmbn F\n-°n-

t∏mƒ Hm¿Ω h∂p. At∏mƒ? At∏mƒ Xń≥]p-d-Øp- \n∂v Aßns\

Hcp tImWn icn°pw Cd-ßn- h-cp-∂p-≠v. As√-¶n¬ GsX-¶nepw Ime-

Øv Aßn-s\-sbm∂v Cd-ßn- h-∂n-cp-∂p. Rm≥ Fs∂-Øs∂ Xncp-Øn.

]s£ AXn-t∏mƒ s]m¥n-h-cm≥ ImcWw?


53


A≤ymbw ]Øv

"\tµ´m, \av°v Hcp Imcyw t\m°-Ww.' Cµnc ]d-™p. "\av°v tamfn

ev≈ F√m apdow sXmd∂v t\m°mw.

"AXv \S-°W Imcyw -X∂ym?'

"Ft¥?'

"Rmb-dmgvtN ]‰q. A∂v AΩm-a-\p-≠m-hpw. tamfnev ]Øp ]Xn-\©v

hmXnev sXmd-°m-\v≠v. Hmtcm∂pw sXmd-°psºm CSn- sh- W t]mesØ

i_vZm-Wv. AXp tI´mev s\s‚ A—≥ HW¿∂v hcpw. ]ns∂ \√ tImfm-

bn.'

"\av°v hmXn-ens‚ sImtgev FÆ C´p sImSp-Øm¬ t]msc?'

"Fs‚ tamsf, c≠v \mgn FÆ AXn-\s∂ th≠n hcpw. t\m°s´

thsd hgn-t≠m-∂v.'

"F¥n\m Cu apsdyms° Cßs\ AS-®n-ń-cn-°-WXv?'

"AtX-bv, Cu \mep-sI-ńev ]≠v sImtd Xmh-gn-Ifv Xma-kn-®n-cv∂-X-

s√. sNe Xmh-gn-I-sfms° \in-®p- t]m-bn. sNe-scms° ]t≠bv°p

]t≠ `mKw hmßn-t∏m-bn. G‰hpw Ah-km\w `mKw hmßn-t∏m-bXv

Fs‚ AΩym-Wv. AΩ-bv°-tXm≠v KpsWm-∂pw-≠m-bn-√y. Ft¥m Hcp

hmiym-bn-cp-∂p. Fs¥-¶nepw Bh-s´. Hmtcm-cp-Øcv t]mº Ahcv Xma-

kn-®n-cp∂ apdn-Ifv ]qń-bn-Spw. AsXms° sXmd-∂n- mev s]mSn- ]n-Sn-bv°pw.

]ns∂ sXmS-bv°m≥ \n°-Ww. AXm-bn-cn°pw Imc-Ww.'

"Btem-Nn-°ptºm AZv`p-Xmbn tXm∂zmWv.' Cµnc ]d-™p. "A√m,

Rm\n∂v Fd-ßn-h∂ B tImWn GXv apdo-te-bv°mWv FØ-WXv∂v

t\m°-Ww.'

"Imcy-√y, ImcWw Aßn-s\-sbmcp tImWn Hcp apdo-tebv°pw

FØvWv√y. Rm\pw Ipt´-´-\pw-IqSn ]e-∏-gm-bn´v F√m apdow sXmd∂v

t\m°o-´v≠v. Hcp apdoepw Aßn-s\-sbmcp tImWn C√. ]qń-bn´ hmXn-

ep-an-√. Xń≥s]m-dØv BsI≈ tImWn \Ωfv tIdn-t∏mb B tImWym-

Wv. H∂mw s\te∂v XmgsØ s\teev°v BsI≈ tImWn \Ωfv tIdn-

t∏m-W-Xpw.'

"As∏m Rm\n∂v Fd-ßn-h∂tXm?'

"AXv \av°v Hcn-°epw a\- n-em-bo∂v hcn-√. \o AXn-s\-∏‰n Btem-

Nn®v Xe ]pÆm-°-≠.'

sh≈n-bmgvN cmXn Ipt´-´≥ h∂p. AΩmbn DuWn-\p≈ h´w Iq´p-

I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Cµnc AΩsb klm-bn-®p-sIm≠v ASp-°-f-bnepw Xf-Øn-

ep-ambn \S-°p-∂p. Rm\m-Is´ hni∏p kln-®p-sIm≠v Xf-Øn¬ DuWp

54


thKw In´m-\p≈ am¿§-ß-f-t\z-jn®p \S-°p-I-bpw. At∏m-gmWv DΩ-d-Øp-

\n∂v Ipt´-´s‚ i_vZw tI´-Xv.

"\µq.'

"AΩm-bo, Ipt´-´≥ h∂q.' AXpw hnfn®p ]d-™p-sIm≠v Rm≥ DΩ-

d-tØbv°v HmSn. Ipt´-´≥ Xf-Øn-tebv°p h∂p.

"AtΩ, Ipt´-´≥ XSn-®n-´p-≠v.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"tlmÃ¬ £-Ww.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "AtΩ DuWp Xcp, hni-∂n´v

hø.'

"Ipfn-®n´v hm.'

"DuWp Ign-™n v Ipfn°mw AtΩ, AhnsS Rß-sfms° Aßn\ym

sNøm.'

AΩm-a≥ FØn-bn-ń-√m-Ø-Xp-sIm≠v Abmƒ c£-s∏-´p.

cmXn InS-°p-tºmƒ F\n°v Ign™ aq∂m-gvN-bnse dnt∏m¿ v sImSp-

t°≠n h∂p.

"icnbv°pw AZv`pXw tXm∂p-Wp.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. "B ]o°ncn

s]Æn\v CX ss[tcym? F\n-bv°vXs∂ sNes∏m t]Sn-bm-hm-dv≠v

AXns‚ tamfnev.'

"F¥mWv Xń≥s]m-dØv kw`-hn-°-WXv∂v a\- n-em-°m≥ F¥m

hgn?' Rm≥ tNmZn®p.

Ipt´-´s‚ A]-k¿∏-I-_p≤n DW¿∂p ]h¿Øn-bv°m≥ Xp-S-ßn.

"icn-bm-Wv, Ft¥m Hcp ]iv\≠v tamfn-ev. AsX-ßns\ I≠p-]n-Sn-

bv°pw.'

Abmƒ Btem-N-\-bn-em-bn. GXm\pw \nan-j-ßƒ amXw. AXns‚

A¥y-Øn¬ Abmƒ ]d-™p.

"A—s‚ Hcp h√y-Ω-≠v. hb v CØn-cn-bm-bn-cn-°p-Wp. F\nbv°p

tXm∂-WXv Hcp sXmÆq-‰©n\pw \qdn-\p-an-S-bn¬ Bbn- v≠m-hpw. C∏gpw

Xe-t®mdv \√ jm¿∏m-Wv. temImcw-`w -sXm´v≈ kIe Imcy-ßfpw \√

Hm¿Ωym-Wv. Cu Xd-hm-Sn-s\-∏-‰ow, \mep-sI-ń-s\-∏‰ow \∂m-bn-´-dn-bpw.

Ahcv `mKw hmßn-t∏m-W-hsc Chn-sS-Ø-∂ymWv Xma-kn-®n-cp-∂-Xv.

kwkm-cn-°m≥ h√y CjvSm. \av°-hsc \msf t]mbn ImWmw. F¥m?'

Rm≥ Xøm-dm-bn-cp-∂p. Fßn-s\-sb-¶nepw Cu ISw-IY Fs‚ Xe-

bn¬\n∂v Hgn-hm-°Ww F∂p-≠v. As√-¶n¬ C\n hcm≥ t]mIp∂ ]co-

£bpw t]m°m-bn-cn-°pw. NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Iøn¬ \n∂v t]mb-tXmsS \n[n

Is≠-Sp-°p∂ Imcyw Rm≥ Hcp-am-Xncn hn´p- I-f-™n-cp-∂p. t]mcm-Ø-

Xn\v AXv Fs‚ Ign-hn-\p-a-∏p-d-Øm-sW∂ t_m[hpw hf¿∂p h∂n-cp-

∂p. GtXm Hcp h´≥ Imc-W-hcv sNbvXp-h® Imcy-ambn Rm\Xp X≈n-

°f™p. ]s£ apI-fnse Imcyw Aßns\ Dt]-£n-®p- X-≈m-\m-hp-∂n-

√. ]tXy-In®v Cµn-c-bp-samØv AhnsS t]mb-t∏m-gp-≠mb A\p- -h-Øn\p

55


ti-jw. B A\p- -hw, ]tXy-In®v Cµn-c-bv°p-≠m-bXv Fs‚ bp‡n-bv°-

Xo-X-am-bn-cp-∂p.

cmhnse Ipt - ≥ t\csØ Fgp-t∂-‰p. AsX-\n-bv°-Zv p-X-am-bn. Fs‚

hnNmcw tImf-Pn¬ tN¿∂m¬ cmhnse sshIn Fgp-t∂¬°pw cmXn

sshIn Ddßpw Fs∂m-s°-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Ipt´-´-t\mSv Rm\Xp ]d-™p.

"AXp icn-bm-Wv. ]s£ Ipfn thWw-∂v≈-hcv t\csØ FWo‰v Ipfn-

bv°pw. As√-¶n¬ Ipfn-ap-dn-IfvsS apºnev \o≠ s\cym-bn-cn-°pw. sNe-

t∏mƒ Ipfn -°m≥ ]‰o-√ym∂pw hcpw. AtXm≠v Rm≥ t\csØ

FWo°m-dp-≠v. C∏ Aßns\ ioem-bn. \ap°v Ipf-Øn¬ t]m∆m.'

\jvS-s∏´ Ft¥m hne]nSn-®- km-[\w Xncn-®p- In-ńb t]mse-bmWv

Ipt´-´≥ Ipf-Øn¬ s]cp-am-dn-b-Xv. Abmƒ F√mw ad∂v \o¥n-Øp-Sn®v

Ifn-bv°p-I-bm-Wv. Hcp aWn-°q¿ Ifn-®-t∏mƒ hni-∂n-´m-sW∂p tXm∂p-

∂p, Ipfn \n¿Øn Ib-dn. F\nbv°pw hni-∂n-cp-∂p.

Ipfn Ign™v Cud≥ tXm¿Øp-ap-SpØv Rßƒ saXn-bv°m-\n´ I‰-

I-fpsS Iqºm-c-ßƒ°n-S-bn-eqsS DΩ-d-tØbv°p \S-∂p. AΩm-a≥ cmhn-

esØ \S-Ø-Øn-\p≈ Xøm-sd-Sp-∏n-em-bn-cp-∂p. a™ns\ sNdp-°m-\mbn

Xe-bn¬ ^vfm\¬ Np‰nbn´p≠v. Ipt´-´s\ I≠-t∏mƒ AΩm-h≥

tNmZn®p.

"F¥m \ns‚ ]cn-]mSn? C∂v Fß-t´-¶nepw t]mWvt≠m?'

"C√-—m. H∂pw Xo¿®-bm-°n-bn-ń-√.'

apØ-»n-bpsS hoń¬ t]mIm-\p≈ Dt±iyw AΩm-a-\-dn-b-cp-sX-∂p-≠m-

bn-cp∂p Rßƒ°v. Adn-™m¬ Fs¥-¶nepw Imcyw ]d™v AXv apS-

°n-sb∂p hcpw. ]tXyI Imc-W-sam∂pw th≠, Rßƒ D≠m-°nb ]cn-

]m-Sn-bm-sW-∂Xp amXw aXn G‰hpw \√ Hcp Imcyhpw apS-°m≥.

Ct∏mƒ thsdmcp Imcyhpw Rß-tfmSv sNøm≥ Bh-iy-s∏-S-cptX F∂

]m¿∞-\-tbmsS \n¬°p-tºmƒ AΩm-h≥ ]d-™p.

"F∂m¬ Hcp Imcyw sNøv. \mWn-ap-Ø-»osS hoń-sem∂v sN√v.

sImsd-°m-em-bns√ AhnsS t]mbn-´v. hb- mbn Ccn-°ys√. D®ym-hp-º-

gbv°v Xncn-s®-Ø-Ww. Rm≥ Nµ-t\mSv h√ s]mg a’yhpw Int´zm∂v

t\m°m≥ ]d-™n-´v≠v.'

"icn A—m.'

AΩm-h≥ t]mIm-\mbn Xncn-™-t∏mƒ Rßƒ At\ym\yw t\m°n

Nncn-®p. tImWn NmSn-°-bdn apdn-bn-seØn Hcp \nanjw sIm≠v j¿´pw

ap≠pw [cn®v Xmtg-bv°n-dßn h∂p. CS-\m-gn-I-bn-eqsS ASp-°-f-bn-te-

bv°p≈ bmX-bv°n-S-bn¬ Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p.

"BcmWv apI-fn-en-cp∂v NcSv hen-°p-∂Xv?'

Rm≥ ]d™p. "Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-h-cv.'

"\o ]Tn-°m≥ a¥-\m-sW-¶nepw _p≤n≠v.' Ipt´-´s‚ ]iw-k.

56


DuWp Ign-®n-cp-∂Xv \ne-Øn-cp-∂n- m-sW-¶nepw ]mX-epw sshIo- p≈

Nmbbpw Ign-®n-cp-∂Xv tai-∏p-d-Øm-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp s_©n-t\-°mƒ hoXn-

bp≈ tai Xf-Øn-sem-c-cp-In-en-´-Xn\p Np‰pw A©mdv Ãqfp-Iƒ Cń-cp-

∂p. AXn-sem-∂n-en-cp∂v ]n´pw IS-ebpw AI-Øm-°n-bn-cp∂ Cµnc

hnfn®p ]d-™p.

"AtΩ, Ipt´-´\pw \tµ-´\pw FØo-´v≠v.'

AΩmbn ASp -°-f-bn¬ `m¿§-hnbΩbv°v Ft¥m ASp-∏Øp

shbv°p∂ Imcyw ]d-™p-sIm-SpØv Ce-®o-fp-I-fp-ambn h∂p. ]n∂mse

`m¿§hnbΩ Hcp ]mX-Øn¬ Bhn s]mßp∂ ]n v tai-∏p-dØp sIm≠p-

h∂p sh®p.

"Ip´≥ \t√mWw XSn-®n-´v≠-s√m.'

"\o Ahs\ IÆn-S≠ m¿§hn.'

AΩmbn t]mbn Nmb-bv°p≈ •m p-I-ƒ FSp-Øp sIm-≠p-h-∂p.

"AtΩ Rß-tfmSv A—≥ ]d™p \mWnapØ-»os\ H∂v t]mbn

ImWm≥. F¥m A—\v \mWn-h-√y-tΩymSv s]s´∂v Hcp Xmev]-cyw-≠m-

hm≥?'

"C∂-se-sØm´v ]d-bm≥ sXmS-ßoXm H∂v ImW-Ww∂v. hb- m-bn-

cn-°y-s√.'

"Rm\pw≠v \mWn-ap-Ø-»osS hoń-tebv°v.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"sXme-™p. Rm\-√msX hmb sXmdt°zm?'

"F¥m F\nbv°v \mWn-ap-Ø-»osS hońev hcm≥ ]mSnt√y?'

"Ahfow H∂v sImt≠m-bvt°m. apØ-»nbv°v ImW-Ww-∂v≠m-hpw.'

AΩmbn ]d-™p.

"B Ipń-bv°pw-≠m-hnt√ G´Ωm-cvsS H∏w H∂v she-k-Ww-∂v.' m¿§-

hn-bΩbpsS hI Aßn-s\.

Ipt´-´≥ Ipd-®p- t\cw Btem-Nn® tijw ]d-™p.

"\o Hcp Imcyw sNøv. ]mXev Ign™ DSs\ RßfvsS Hmô-kn¬

hm. \ap°o Imcyw IqSnbmtem-Nn-°mw.'

Ahƒ Xe-bm-ń. Rß-fpsS H∏w CX Zqcw sX≠m≥ Hmô-kn-te-

bvs°-∂√ GXp sNIp-Øms‚ tIm -bn-tebv°pw hcm≥ Xøm-dm-bn-cp∂p

Ahƒ.

Rß-fpsS Hmôkv F∂Xv InS-∏-d-bn¬ Npa-cn-∂-cp-In-en´ taibpw

AXn\p Np‰pap≈ c≠p Itke-Ifpw Hcp Ãqfp-am-bn-cp-∂p. hfsc IWn-

i-ambn AXn¿Øn-Iƒ \n¿Æ-bn-°-s∏´ B Hmô-kn¬ Rßƒ aq∂p

t]cpw Ccp-∂p.

"F¥m s\\°v t]mWw∂v X \n¿∫‘w?' Ipt´-´≥ tNm-Zn-®p.

"\n°pw \nßsS H∏w hc-Ww.'

AsXmcp adp-]-Sn-bm-bn-cp-∂n-√. Ah-fpsS BKlw amXw. Ipt - ≥ ]d-


57


™p.

"c≠p Imcyw \o kΩ-Xn-b-°-Ww, F¶nte Rßƒ \ns∂ sIm≠p-

t]m-Iq.'

"F¥m Imcy-ßfv?'

"H∂v AhnsS Rßfpw apØ-»n-bp-am-bp-≠m-hm≥ t]mIp∂ kw`m-j-

W-ß-sfm∂pw ]pdsa tNm¿Øn-s°m-Sp-°-cp-Xv. \ns‚ Adnhv ]Z¿in-∏n-

bv°m≥ Aßn-s\-sbms° sNøm≥ \o ]tem-`n-X-bm-Ipw. F∂mepw

sNø-cp-Xv. c≠m-a-tØXv, Rßfv c≠p an\n-‰n-\Iw ]pd-s∏-Spw. ]ns∂bpw

Hcp an\n-‰n-e-[nIw Rßƒ ImØp- \n¬°n-√. s]Ïp-ń-Ifv ]pd-s∏-Sm≥

sImtd kabw thWw. temI-N-cn-X-sa-SpØp t\m°n-bm¬ Hcp Imcyw a\-

n-em-hpw. am\hhwi-Øns‚ ]ptcm-KXn Hmtcm L´-Ønepw XS-™p-

\n¿Øn-bn-´p-≈Xv kvXoI-fpsS amµyam-sW-∂v. a\- n-emtbm?'

Cµnc Fgp-t∂-‰p-sIm≠v Xe-bm-ń. Ipt´-´≥ Fs‚ t\sc Xncn™

X°w t\m°n Ahƒ Abmsf t\m°n tIm°ncn Imń.

"Cu Iń≈ hm°p-I-fv........ AsXms° FhnSv∂m Ipt´-´\v InóXv?'

Cµnc t]mb-t∏mƒ Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Hs° Fs‚ sSIvÃp _p°n-ep-≠v. \Ωƒ hmbn-°W ]pkvX-I-ß-

fnse hm°p-Ifv \ΩpsS kuI-cy-Øn\v D]-tbm-Kn-°m\pw a‰p-≈-hsc àn-

∏n-°m\pw ]Tn-°-Ww. AXn\v henb A¿∞w-≠m-hWw Fs∂m-∂p-w√y.

AXmWv hnP-b-Øn-te-bv°p≈ BZy-]-Sn.'

Rßƒ ]pd-s∏-Sm≥ XpS-ßn. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰p Ign™p ImWpw.

s]s´∂v tImWn NSp-]n-Sp-∂s\ Ib-dn-s°m≠v Cµnc FØn. Rßƒ

c≠p-t]cpw ap≠p-Sp-°m≥ t]mIp-t∂-bp-≈p.

Ahƒ CXbpw ka-bØn\p-≈n¬ AΩ-sb-s°m≠v Xe-apSn saS™v

Hcp tdmkv∏qhpw NqSn-bn-cp-∂p. kn¬°ns‚ ªukpw IW-¶m-ephsc

\o≠ ]mhm-S-bp-amWv thjw. s\‰n-ta¬ IdpØ Nm¥p-s]m-´v.

Cu s]Æv Rßsf tXm¬∏n-°m\mbn Cd-ßn-Øn-cn-®-Xm-Wv.

58


A≤ymbw ]Xn-s\m∂v

Rm≥ Hm¿Ω-I-fn¬\n∂v Fs‚ InS-∏-d-bn-tebv°p Xncn®p h∂p. Cµnc

Dd-°-am-bn-cp-∂p. Ahƒ°v Fs‚ Dd°w If-b-W-sa∂p amX-ta-bp-≠m-

bn-cp-∂p-≈p-sh∂p tXm∂p-∂p. AXn-\n-S-bvs°-t∏mtgm hµ\ h∂v Ah-

fpsS apdn-bn¬ Dd-ßm≥ InS-∂p. Rms\s‚ Hm¿ΩI-fpsS temI-tØbv°v

Xncn®p t]mhp-I-bmWv. \mWn-ap-Ø-»n-bpsS ASp-tØ-bv°v, Hcp apØ-»n-

°Y tIƒ°m≥. Dd-ßm-\-√, Dd°w If-bm≥.

Fs‚ F´mw hb- ntem as‰m I≠-Xn-\p - tijw apØ-»nsb

ImWp∂Xv hfsc Ime-Øn\p tijw At∏mgm-bn-cp-∂p. Ah¿ Ipt - s\

I≠ DSs\ tNmZn-®p.

"F¥m Ip´m hntijw?'

"H∂pw√y apØ-»n. apØ-»os\ H∂v ImWm≥ h∂-Xm.' Ipt - ≥ Ah-

cpsS sNhn-bn¬ Dds° ]d-™p. Ah-cpsS ImgvN \-s∂-¶nepw tIƒhn

hfsc tamim-bn-cp∂p.

"AtΩymSv AX Hds° ]td-W-Xn-t\-°mƒ \√Xv sImd®v ]Xps°

]d-ømWv. As∏m hy‡mbn a\- nemhpw.'

h√yΩ ]d-™p. apØ-»n-bpsS ]Øp a°-fn¬ e£vanh√yΩ amXta

Pohn-®n-cn-°p-∂p-≈p.

h√yΩ ]d-™Xv apgp-h≥ t_m[ym-hm-Ø-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-°Ww Ipt -

´≥ Dd-s°-Ø-s∂-bmWv ]ns∂bpw h¿Ø-am\w ]d-™-Xv.

"apØ»n ]dbq CXm-sc-bmWv Rm≥ sIm≠-∂n-cn-°-WXv?'

apØ»n Fs∂-sbm∂p t\m°n. Ah-cn-cp∂ s_©n-t∑¬ h∂n-cn-

°m≥ BwKyw ImWn-®p. ASpØp sN∂n-cp∂ Fs‚ apJØv Ipd-®p-t\cw

t\m°n-b -tijw Ah¿ ]d-™p.

"CXv kp`-ZsS tam\m-Wv. F¥m s\s‚ t]cv?'

Rm≥ ]d-™ns√ F∂ mh-Øn¬ Ipt´-´≥ Fs∂ t\m°n.

Rm≥ t]cv ]d-™p. hfsc Xmgv∂ kzc-Øn¬Ø-s∂. h√yΩ ]d-

™Xp icn-bm-Wv. _lfw Iq´msX ]Xps° ]d-bp-tºmƒ apØ-»nbv°v

a\- n-em-hp-∂p-≠v.

"\obv Cµn-cym-Wv.' Ah-fpsS ssI ]nSn-®p-sIm≠v apØ»n ]d-™p.

"hs√y Ip´ymbn.'

"hm.' h√yΩ Cµn-cbpsS ssI ]n-Sn-®p-sIm≠v AI-tØbv°p t]mbn.

"\ns‚ hnti-j-ß-sfms° tIƒ°s´.' Ipd-®p-t\cw AΩsb t\m°m≥

Hcmsf In´n-bs√m F∂p- h-®n-´mhpw Ah¿ ÿew hn´-Xv.

Xm≥ kwkm-cn-°p-tºmƒ CS-bn¬ I-bdn H∂pw kwkm-cn-°-cp-sX∂v

59


Ipt´-´≥ Fs∂ ]tXyIw hne-°n-bn-cp-∂p. ImcWw Hcn-°¬ kwkmcw

ImSp- I-b-dn-bm¬ ]ns∂ \Ω-fp-t±-in® hnh-scm∂pw Inń-√. Ipt´-´≥

kwkm-cn-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

icn-bmWv, B Xd-hm-ń-s\-∏-‰n, \mep-sI-ń-s\-∏‰n Ah¿°-dn-bmØ

Imcy-ß-fn-√.

"Rm\-hnsS Xma-kn-°p-ºgm F´p-sI´v s]mfn-®-Xv.'

"Hm As∏m AsXmcp F´p-sI-´m-bn-cpt∂m?' Aßns\ hcs´ F∂

ań¬ Ipt´-´≥ Xe-bm-ń.

"]n∂y√msX? FX hep-Xm-bn-cp∂p? Hc-‰Øv∂v as‰ A‰w hsc

FØm≥ Zqcw sImsd \S-°-Ww. AXv s]mfn-®n´v \mevsI-´m-°n. Hs°

sNbvXXv Fs‚ AΩm-a-\m. DK-]-Xm-]ym-bn-cp-∂p.' ]ns∂ kzcw XmgvØn-

s°m≠p ]d-™p. "Fs¥mt°ym G¿∏m-Sp-≠m-bn-cp-∂psX, ]Ww ]en-

ibv°v sImSvt°, Aßs\ Fs¥mt°ym.'

"F¥m t]cv?'

"Cń-cm-atat\m≥. Hbcw sImd-™n-´m-bn-cp-∂p. ]s£ Bƒ°m¿

s°ms° hsey `bm-bn-cp∂p Atß-sc. Rß-sfm∂pw apºn¬ t]mhm-

dn-√.'

"F¥n\m F´p-sI´v s]mfn-®Xv?'

"sImtd Xmh-gn-Ifv mKw hmßn-t∏m-bn. ]ns∂ thtdw sImsd ]iv\-

ß-sfm-s°-≠m-bn. G´\pw A\n-b-\pw-IqSn hg-°m-bn.'

"Bcm G´\pw A\n-b\pw?'

"Cń-cm-a-Ωm-a\pw G´≥ cmbncp-Ωma\pw. htey hg-°m-bo∂v tI v v-≠v.

Rms\ms° A∂v Ipým-bn-cv∂n-s√. \mep-sI´v Btb\v tijm Rm≥

sXc-≠Xv.'

"F¥m AXn-\¿∞w?' Rm≥ hnZ-KvZ-t\mSp tNmZn-®p.

"Ct∏mƒ AXn-t\-°mƒ henb Imcy-ßƒ i≤n-°m-\p-≠v.' Abmƒ

]d-™p. aq∏¿°pw "sXc≠Xv' F∂-Xns‚ A¿∞w Adn-bn-s√∂v

kv]jvSw.

"t\m°v \ap°v ImX-em-bn-´p≈ ]e hnh-c-ßfpw Inń-°-gn-™p.

C\nbpw In´m-\p-t≠m∂v t\m°mw.'

"F∂v v B F´p-sI- nse km[-\-ß-sfms°t≠m C∏-gsØ \mep-sI-

ńev HXp-ßp-Wp. sImsdyms° hn‰p. sImsdyms° Hmtcm apdoev

sImt≠mbn h®p. _m°n-≈-sXm-s°-°qSn Xń≥s]m-dØv Xó-cy-°ym-

Wv.'

"AXmWv Xń≥]p-dØv \√ km[-\-ß-sfms° ImWm≥ Imc-Ww.'

Ipt´-´≥ Ft∂mSp ]d-™p.

"F∂nt´m apØ-»o.....'

apØ»n, G´\pw A\n-b-\pw- Iq-Sn-bp≠mb IpSpw-_-h-g-°ns‚ Imcyw

60


]d-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. AXp apØp-h-∂-Xn-s\-∏-‰n. B \mep-sI- n¬ Xma-kn-

°p∂ _‘p-°ƒ°p-≠mb iey-sØ-∏-‰n. Ah-km\w Hcp kzImcyw

]d-bp-∂-Xp-t]mse ]d-™p.

"Hcokw cmXn Hd-°-Ønem cmbncp-Ωm-a≥ acn-®-Xv.... Cń-cm-a-Ωm-a≥

IqtSmXw sNbvXn-´m∂m ]d™v tIń-´v≈-Xv...... a¥-hmZpw B`n-Nmcpw

Hs°-≠m¿∂p ap∏cvsS Iøn-ev.'

"Cń-cm-a-Ωm-a\v Iptým-sfm-∂pw-≠m-bn-cv∂ns√?'

"C√. Fßn-s\-≠m-hm-\m. ap∏cv IeymWw Ign-®n v ths≠? ∂vs´¥m

acn-®s∏m kzsØms° acp-a-°ƒ°pw G´s‚ a°ƒ°pw Inń. aq∏-cvSym-

bn´v H∂pw _m°n- h-®n-√.'

_m°n- h-®ns√? B Imcyw apØ-»n-tb-°mƒ Adn-bp-∂Xv Rßƒ°m-

Wv. ]s£ Fs¥ms° _m°n -h-®p, h® Imcy-ßƒ FX-tØmfw Ipg∏w

]nSn-®-XmWv F∂-Xp- am-X-amWv Adn-tb-≠-Xv. AXn\v apØ»n klm-bn-

°n-√. Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p.

"apØ-»o, h√yΩ hnfn°vWv≠v.' h∂n-ń-√mØ hnfn i≤n-°p-I-bm-

sW∂v \Sn®v Ipt´-´≥ Dds° ]d-™p. Ft¥m ]d-bm≥ t]mb apØ»n

AXp \n¿Øn ]d-™p.

"t]mbn t\m°v, Fs¥-¶nepw Xn∂m≥ In´pw.'

ASp-°-f-bn-tebv°p \S-°p-tºmƒ Ipt - ≥ ]d-™p. "\ap°v Int´≠

hnh-c-ß-sfms° Inń. C\n ChnsS Ccp-∂m¬ apØ»n \Ωsf kwkm-

cn®v sIm√pw. thKw apß-Ww.'

ASp-°-f-bn¬ Cµnc ]cn-∏p-hS Xn∂p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. e£van h√yΩ

Ahsf Xo‰n®v Xd-hm-ńse hnh-c-ßƒ tiJ-cn-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

"Ccn-b-v°v.' h√yΩ c≠p sπbv‰p-Iƒ Rß-fpsS apºn¬ h®p-sIm≠v

]d-™p.

"Rßƒ°v Xnc-°p-≠v.' Ipt´-´≥ ]d-™p. At∏m-gmWv Cµnc Xn∂p-

∂Xv ]cn-∏p-hSbm-sW∂v a\- n-em-b-Xv. "A√, AX hsey Xnc-s°m-∂pw-

eym........'

Xncn®p hoń-tebv°p \S-°p-tºm-gmWv Cµn-c-bpsS Ignhv Rßƒ°v

icnbv°pw a\- n-em-b-Xv. Ahƒ ]d-bp-I-bm-Wv.

"F\nbv°v \nß°v Intý-Xn-t\-°mƒ hnh-c-ßfv Inó´v≠v h√y-ΩsS

ASvØv∂v.'

"F¥v?' Ahƒ ]d-™Xv apgp-h≥ ]nSn In´msX Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw

Hmtc -k-abw tNmZn-®p.

"\nß-t°bv apØ-»nsS ASvØv∂v Intý-Xn-t\-°mƒ IqSp-X¬ hnhc-

ßfv \ΩsS Xd-hm-Sn\ow hoSn\ow ]‰n Inó-∂v.'

Rßƒ hgn-tbm-cØv A¥w hn´v \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv. At∏mƒ Rß-fp-

tSXv Hc-]-k¿∏I ZuXy-am-bn-cp-∂p-sh∂v s]Æv Duln-®n-cn-°p∂p! F¥m-

61


bmepw Ahsf ]co-£n-°-W-a-s√m. Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p.

"F¥n-s\-∏-‰ymWv \o ]td-WXv?'

"B ]tg Imc-tWm-sc-∏-‰n. F¥m t]cv?...... Cń-cm-atat\m≥∂v. ht√y

a¥-hm-Zn-bm-bn-cp-∂-sX. \mń-se-√m¿°pw Atßsc t]Sym-bn-cp-∂-sX.

ap∏cv kz¥w G´s\ IqtSmXw sNbvXv sIm∂q-sX. \ΩsS hoSv BZyw

Hcp F´p-sI-´m-bn-cp-∂q-. AXp s]mfn®v \mep-sI-´m-°oXv Atß-cm-Wv.

AXn\v G´≥ kΩ-Xn-°m-Ø-Xns‚ tZjym-sX............'

Cµn-c-bpsS "sX, sX' \nd-™p-\n∂ kwkmcw tI´p-sIm≠v Rßƒ

hgn-h-°n¬Øs∂ A\-ßm≥ hømsX \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv.

"F¥m F√m Xmh-gn-°mcpw mKw hmßn B \mep-sI v hn v t]m∆m≥

Imc-Ww∂m? AhnsS Cu c≠p Imc-tWm-∑mcvsS t]Xw-≠vsX. h√mØ

ieym-bn-cp-∂qsX Ah-sc-s°m-≠v. A—\v amsX AhnsS Xma-kn-°m≥

ss[cy-≠m-bp-≈p. A—≥ Im´p-am-S-Øo∂v Xncp-ta-\n-sb-s°m-≠p-h∂v Cu

c≠v t]X-Øo\ow FhntSym AS-°o∂v.....'

"AXns‚ Bh-iy-≠m-bn-cpt∂m?' Ipt´-´≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Ft¥?'

"\ns‚ A—s\ I≠-t∏mƒ t]X-ßfv HmSn-t∏m-bn-´v≠m-hns√?'

Cµnc tImIn Imń.

Rß-fpsS mhn ]cn-]m-Sn-bnepw IqSn-bm-tem-N-\-I-fnepw Ahsf ]s¶-

Sp-∏n-°m≥ B \nanjw Rßƒ Xocp-am-\n-®p.

Cµnc kwkm-cn-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. e£vanh√yΩ-bpsS ASp-Øp-\n∂v

tNm¿Øn-sb-SpØ Imcy-ßƒ. ]mhw h√y-Ω. Rßƒ hnNm-cn-®Xv h√yΩ

Chƒ°v Xn∂m≥ sImSpØv kt¥m-jn -∏n®v hońse Imcy-ßƒ

tNm¿ØnsbSp°p-I-bmWv- F-∂mbn-cp-∂p. adn-®m-Wp-≠m-bXv. Ahƒ

Rß-tf-°mƒ hnhcw kºm-Zn-®n-cn-°p-∂p.

hoń¬ Xncn-s®-Øn-b-t∏mƒ Rßƒ IqSn-bm-tem-N-\-bv°mbn "Hmô-

kn'¬ Ib-dn. Cµn-csb £Wn-®p. Hcp aWn-°q¿ t\csØ kwkm-c-

Øn¬\n∂v Dcp-Øn-cn™ Imcy-ßƒ Xmsg sImSp-°p-∂p.

1. ]≠v B ]d-ºn-ep-≠m-bn-cp∂ F´p-sI- n\v Ct∏mgpw \ne-\n¬]p-≠v,

at‰tXm Ime-X-e-Øn¬. F∂p-sh-®m¬, Ipt´-´≥ hnh-cn-bv°p-I-bm-Wv,

\Ωfv Xń≥]p-dØv t]mº Ft¥m Hcp ]iv\w ImcWw Aßns\ kw`-

hn-°p∂p.

(Ip-t´-´≥ Hcp imkvX-⁄-\m-hp-sa∂v At∂ F\nbv°p tXm∂n-bn-

cp-∂p. B tXm∂¬ Ct∏mƒ icn-bm-bn-cn-bv°-bm-Wv. At±lw Imen-

t^m¿Wnb bqWn-th-gvkn-‰n-bn¬ _tbm-sI-anÃn ]Tn-∏n-bv°pI-bm-Wv.)

2. \Ωƒ aq∂p-t]cpw I≠ B tImWnbv°v Cu Xe-Ønte \ne-

\n¬∏p-≈p. Cµnc AXn¬°qSn Cdßn Xmg-Øv, G‰hpw XmgØv, Xf-Øn-

se-Øn-sb∂p ]d-bp-∂Xv icn-bm-bn-cn-bv°mw. ]s£ AXv hfsc A]-ISw

62


]nSn® Hcp Imcym-Wv. Ft¥m `mKyw-sIm-≠mWv Ahƒ AXn¬\n∂v

c£-s∏-´-Xv. C\n B tImWn I≠mepw AXn-eqsS Cd-ßm≥ ian-bv°-

cp-Xv. CXv B Imc-W-hcv D≠m-°n-h® Hcp sIWn-bm-Wv.

3. \n[n B ]d-ºn-se-hn-sStbm D≠m-h-Ww. ]s£ AXns‚ ka-b-am-

bm¬, AXv B¿°p th≠n-bmtWm Dt±-in-®Xv Abmƒ°p amXta ImWn-

®p-sIm-Sp-°q. (-AXpw ]d™v Ipt - ≥ Fs∂ t\m°n, Rm\mWv B Ah-

Imin F∂ ań¬. Xń≥]p-dsØ Fgp-Øp-s]ń Xpd-°m≥ ]-‰m-Xn-cp-∂Xv

Abmfn¬ Hcp tImwπIvkv D≠m-°n-bn-cp-∂p.) AXp-sIm≠v \Ω-fn-t∏mƒ

h√msX IjvS-s∏- n´p Imcy-an-√. ka-b-am-hp-tºmƒ AXp Xms\ shfn-hm-

Ipw.

4. Ct∏mƒ kabw ]mgm-°msX ]Tn-°m≥ ian-bv°p-I, ]tXy-In®v

\µp-hn-s\-t∏m-ep≈ ac-a-≠-∑mcpw Cµn-c-sb-t∏m-ep≈ ac-a-≠n-I-fpw.

AXpw ]d™v Ipt´-´≥ sN v t_m¿sU-SpØv Icp-°ƒ \nc-Øm≥

XpS-ßn.

"Rm≥ \nßƒ°v Cw•ojv sN v ]Tn-∏n-®p- X-cmw.'

BZyw Ipd®p hnj-a-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Icp-°-fpsS t]cp-Iƒ°v amX-a-

√, \o°-ßƒ°pw hfsc hyXym-k-ap -≠v. tXcv Cw•ojv sN n¬

Im ntem dqt°m BWv. B\ _nj-∏pw, a¥n cm⁄n-bpw, IpXnc

ss\‰pw Hs°bmWv. NXp-cw-K-Øn¬ B\ aq∂v I≈n-Iƒ amXw NmSp-

tºmƒ Cw•ojv sN n¬ AtX Icp-hmb _nj-∏n\v A\n-b-¥n-X-amb

kzmX-¥y-ap-≠v. tImWmb I≈n-Iƒ Hgn-™p-In-S-°-W-sa∂p amXw.

cm⁄n-bm-Is´ Hcp \mW-hp-an-√msX F√m-bn-SØpw `b-¶-c-th-K-Øn¬

HmSn-\S°p-∂p. BZy-ambn Cw•ojv sN v Ipt´-´s‚ H∏w Ifn-®-t∏mƒ

tXm‰p Xp∂w-]m-Sn, ImcWw A]-Xo-£n-X-amb ÿe-Øp-\n-∂m-bn-cn°pw

aq∏-cpsS Icp-°ƒ ]Xy-£-s∏-Sp-I, ]tXy-In®v cm⁄n-bΩ. ]cn-N-b-am-

b-t∏mƒ ]ns∂ ck-am-bn-cp-∂p.

Ct∏mƒ ap∏Xp sIm√-Øn-\p-tijw AsX-√m-tam¿Øv Rm≥ Nncn-®p.

kabw c≠p aWn-sb-¶nepw Bbn- p-≠m-hpw. F¥mWv Dd°w hcm-ØXv?

CXn-s\√mw XpS-°-an-´Xv Xń≥]p-dØv t]mbXv Hm¿Ω-bpt≠m F∂

Cµn-c-bpsS tNmZy-am-Wv. AXpw tNmZn®v I£n \√ Dd-°-am-bn-cn-bv°p-∂p.

Rm\n-hnsS Hmtcm-∂m-tem-Nn®v Dd-°-an-√msX InS-°p-I-bpw.

s]s -∂m-W-Xp-≠m-b-Xv. Hcp AW-s°´p s]mń sh≈w IpØn-sbm-en-

bv°p-∂-t]mse AXp hcn-I-bm-Wv. Fs‚ a\- ns‚ GtXm sI´v s]mń-

®n-X-dn, B Adnhv shfn-]mSv -t]mse F∂n-tebv°v Hen-®n-d-ßp-I-bm-Wv.

Hgp-°n¬ ]nSn-®p-\n¬°m≥ hnj-a-ambn Rm≥ \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv.

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

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


63


A≤ymbw ]¥≠v

Btem-Nn-°p-tºmƒ tXm∂p-∂p, icn-bmWv ]ØpsXm-Æqdp h¿jw

apºp acn® Hcp hy‡n F\n-bv°mbn Icp-Xnb ktµiw F\nbv°p In´p-

Ibm-Wv. F¥mWv CXn-s\ms° A¿∞w? F¥mWv B a\p-jy≥ Dt±-

in-°p-∂Xv? C∂se cmXn Nn¥-Iƒs°m-Sp-hn¬ c≠p c≠c aWn-tbmsS

Rm≥ Dd°am-bn-cp-∂p. Dd-ßn-sb∂v a\- n-em-bXv sRń-bp-W¿∂-t∏m-

gm-bn-cp-∂p. AsXmcp kz]v\w amX-am-bn-cn°pw F∂p Icp-Xm-\mWv Rm≥

-B-K-ln-®-Xv.

hµ\ kvIqfn¬ t]mb-t∏mƒ Cµnc ho≠pw cmXn-bnse Imcyw FSp-

Øn-´p.

"Rm≥ t]Sn-®p....... Ft¥ h√ kz]v\pw It≠zm?'

kz]v\w Xs∂, ]s£ F¥p kz]v\w!

"Rm≥ Xń≥]p-d-Øm-bn-cp-∂p. Ipń-°m-eØv \Ωƒ Ae-™ns√ AXp-

t]mse \S-°zm-Wv. Fs‚ H∏w Btcm≠v. BcmWv∂v Rm≥ t\m°vWv√y.

Abm-fmWv Fs∂ sIm≠p-t]m-W-Xv. Ah-km\w FØn-bXv B tImWn

s√y AXns‚ apºn-ev. Rßfv tImWn-bn-dßn Hcp apdo-se-Øn. B apdn

GXmWv∂v a\- n-em-bn-√y. Xd-hm- nev Hcp-am-Xncn F√m apdn-Ifpw Hcp-t]m-

eym-W-s√m. B apdosS Hcp hitØbv°v Nq≠n-°mń H∏w h∂ Bƒ ]d-

™p. "Ahn-sS-≠v.'

"s]s´∂v Rm\-bmfvsS apJ-tØbv°p t\m°n. sRń-t∏m-bn. h√m-

sØmcp òI-c-amb apJw. Rm≥ sRń-bp-W¿∂p. B apJw \Ωfv I≠

B t^mt´m Cs√, Cń-cm-a-°m-c-W-h-cv, AtßcvsS Ombbm-bn-cp-∂p.

AbmfvsS icn-bv°p≈ apJmWv F\nbv°v ImWn®p X∂Xv∂v tXm∂p-

Wp. NnX-Øn¬ AXp wKn-bm-°n-b-Xm-bn-cn-°pw. F√mw Fs‚ tXm∂-ep-

I-fmbncnbv°pw. F¥m-bmepw AXn-\p -tijw Hd-ßm≥ ]‰o-√y.'

"F¥m∏ CXn-s\ms° A¿∞w?' Cµnc tNmZn-®p.

"AXn-s\-∏‰n Btem-Nn®pt\m°ptºm hey A¿∞-ß-sfm∂pw Rm≥

ImWvWn√. H∂p-In¬ Imc-W-hcv°v £a \in®p XpS-ßo-´v≠m-hpw.......'

"F¥n\v?'

"Rm≥ B \n[n I≠p]nSn-bv°m-Ø-Xn-\v. Atßcv ]n∂osSt∏mtgm

hcm≥ t]mW Xe-ap-tdev≈ Hcp-Ø-\p-th≠n Hcp \n[n Xøm-dm°n Hfn-

∏n-®p -sh-bv°ym, ∂v´v AXv I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°m\v≈ kqN-\-Ifv sImSp-°zm.

F∂n´pw Abmfv AsX-Sp-°m-\p≈ Hcp iapw \SØvWv√y. £a sISm-

≠n-cnt°ym? c≠m-a-Xv, Atßcv ImWn-®p- X∂ tImWn Cs∏m s\e-hn-

en-√- Xm-\pw. AXp-s≠-¶n¬ Imcyw Ffp-∏m-bn-cp-∂p. AXn-d-ßn-t∏mbn

64


\n[n Ipgn-s®Sp°m-bn-cp-∂p. t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v Hc¿∞hpw C√ymØ B

NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibv°v CXn-sems° F¥p Imcyw? Hcp Imcyw Atßcv°v

s]ghp ]‰n.'

"Dw, F¥m?'

"\n[n B¿°p th≠n-bmtWm FSp-Øp- sh-®-Xv, B a\p-jy≥ CX aµ-

_p-≤n-bm-hp-sa-∂Xv IW-°m-°m≥. Atßcv°v Imcy-ßfv sImd-®p-IqSn

Ffp-∏m-°n-Ø-cm-bn-cp-∂p.'

"icn-bm-Wv.' Cµnc Nncn®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p. "Fs‚ AtXw a\- n-em-

°m≥ B ImctWmcv°v ]‰o-√y-∂¿∞w.'

"Hcp Imcyw sNø-Ww. hµ-\sS ]co£ Ign-b-W-hsc \Ωfv Cu

Imcyw kwkm-cn-°-cvXv. Ahfo ISº NmSn-°-S-°-s´. AXv Ign-™n´v

sht°-j-\nev \ap°v HcmgvN AhnsS t]mbn Xma-kn-°mw. F∂n´v Hcp

iapw-IqSn \S-Øn-t\m-°mw. F¥m?'

Xd-hm- n¬ t]mbm¬ Npcp-ßn-bXv Hcm-gvN-sb-¶nepw Xma-kn-°-W-sa∂v

Cµnc Ft∏mgpw ]d-bm-dp-≠v. ImcWw ASp-°f Hcp-am-Xncn Hcp-°m≥

Xs∂ thWw H∂p c≠p Znh-kw. At∏m-tgbv°v Xncn®p hcn-I-bm-bn.

sht°-j≥ ka-bØv eosh-SpØv t]mbn H∂-√, ct≠m aqt∂m BgvN

Xma-kn-°p-∂-Xn¬ Ahƒ°v kt¥m-j-ta-bp-≈p.

Ipd®p Znh-k-ß-tfmfw B kz]v\hpw AXns‚ hni-I-e-\- Nn-¥Ifpw

Hm^o-knepw Fs∂ iey-s∏-Sp-Øn. ]ns∂ as‰√m iey-ß-sf-bpw- t]mse

Rm\-Xn\pw kzÿ-am-bn-cn-°m≥ a\- n¬ HcnSw sImSp-Øp.

amk-Øn-semt∂m ct≠m hmcm¥y-Øn¬ Ipt´-´s‚ t^m¨ hcp-∂p.

Ggp ISepw IS∂v AXn-hnsS FØm≥ Rmb-dmgvN cmhnse F´c aWn-

bm-hp-∂p. ka-b -hy-Xymkw ]Øc aWn-°q-dm-Wv. At∏mƒ Ipt - ≥ hnfn-

°p-∂Xv i\n-bmgvN sshIp-t∂cw Ggp aWn-bv°m-hpw. c≠p- t]¿°pw

tISn-√mØ hn[-Øn-em-bn-t°ms´ F∂p Icp-Xn-bmWv Cßns\ Hcp

kabw sh®n-cn-°p-∂-Xv.

"ChnsS Cs∏m s^_p-hcn amkm-Wv.' Ipt - ≥ ]d-bp-∂p. "Ahn-sSbpw

Aßn-s\-Ø-s∂-sb∂p hniz-kn-°p-∂p.'

`qJ-WvU-Øns‚ adp-h-i-Øp-\n∂v cmhnse Fgp-t∂‰v ]d-bm≥ I≠

Imcyw!

"amskms° s^_p-hcn Xs∂. C∂n-hnsS Ccp-]-Øm-dm-¥n-bm-Wv.

\nßƒ°v Ccp-]-Ø-©t√ Bbn-´p≈p?' Rm≥ ]d-bpw. "F∂p sh®m¬

Znhkw H∂p Ign-™n-cn-°p-∂p. As√-¶n¬ \nß-sfms° dn∏v hm≥ hn¶n-

fns‚ \m´p-Im-cs√?'

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

"\nt∂mSv kwkm-cn-®m¬ icn-bm-hn-√. Fs‚ acp-a-Ifv AhnsS Cs√,

Ahƒ°p sImSp-°v.'

65


]ns∂ Ah-tfmSv Hcp ]Xn-\©p an\p‰v kwkm-cn-®m¬ t^m¨

a°ƒ°p ssIamdp-∂p. Ah¿ Htcm-cp-Øcpw Npcp-ßn-bXv ]Xn-\©p an\p-

‰p hoXsa-¶nepw hµ-\-bp-ambn kwkm-cn-°pw. Hcp Ata-cn-°-°m-cn-bpsS

a°-fm-sW-¶n¬°qSn Ah¿ Chn-SpsØ s]Ïp- n-I-tf-°mƒ \∂m-bn- ae-

bmfw ]d-bp-∂p. ChnsS C¥y-bn-en-cp∂v t^m¨ _n√ns‚ Xq°w IqSp-

∂Xp t\m°n amXw tem°¬ Imfp-Iƒ IqSn hnfn-°p∂ F\nbv°v

km≥^m≥kn-kvtImhn¬\n∂v Hcp aWn-°q-dn¬°q-Sp-X¬ \o≠p t]m-

Ip∂ t^m¨hnfnIƒ AZv`p-X-ambn tXm∂p-∂p.

\jvS-s∏-´p-t]mb NXp-cw-K-∏-eI Xncn®p Inń-bXv Rm≥ Ipt´-´-t\mSv

]d-™n-ń-√. C\n hµ\ ]d-™n-´pt≠m F∂-dn-bn-√. Ahƒ Ip´-Ωm-h-

t\mSv ]d-bmØ Imcy-ß-fn-√. Nne-t∏mƒ AΩ-tbmsSm∏w hg-°n-´-Xns‚

`mK-ambn ]d-™n-´p-≠m-hpw. Ipt´-´-s\-¥mWv ]d-™n-´p-≠m-hpI? Nne-

t∏mƒ ]d-bpw. "\n\-°-dn-bm-™n-´m, Rm\pw \ns‚ A—\pw FX hg-°n-

ń-´v≠v-∂-dntøm AΩ-tbmSv?'

Rmb-dmgvN s]mXpth F√mw Ipd®p aµ-K-Xn-bn-em-Wv. ]mX¬ Ign-

bv°m≥ Xs∂ ]Øc aWn-bm-hp-∂p.

"Rms\¥m sNøm?' Cµnc ]d-bpw. "A—\pw tamfpw t^mWnev

kwkm-cs√? F√mw Xøm-dm-bn´v ka-sb-Xymbn?'

"AΩbv°v Akq-bm-Wv.' hµ\ ]d-bpw. "Ip´-Ωma AtΩymSv kwkm-

cn-bv°m-™n-´v.'

"th≠, th≠... \nßfv kwkm-cn-bv°-WXv ImWp-tºm-Øs∂ izmkw

ap´zm-Wv. F¥m CsXyms° kwkm-cn-bv°m-\v≈Xv?'

icn-bm-Wv. Rm≥ Btem-Nn-bv°pw. F¥mWv CX-sbms° kwkm-cn-

bv°m-\p-≈Xv?

"AΩ-bv°-dn-bm-™n- m. imcn-t®-®nbpw aRvPpf-tN-®nbpw F s¥ms°

]d-™q-∂-dntøm?'

Cµn-c-bv°-X-dn-b-W-sa-∂p-≠v. ]s£ ]d-bn√. BsI ]d-bp-∂Xv CXp

amXw. "Hm, tI°-≠.'

Aßn-s\-bn-cn-bv°p-tºmƒ ]co-£-sb-Øp∂p. hfsc ]Xo-£nX-ambn

Cu aq∂p t]cp-sSbpw t^m¨ D≠m-hp-∂p. hµ-\bv°v "KpUv e°v' Biw-

kn-bv°m≥ aq∂p t]cpw aq∂p ÿe-Øp-\n-∂m-bn-cnbv°pw hnfn-bv°p-I.

Ah¿ Rmb-dmgvN amXta HØp-Iq-Sm-dp-≈p.

"tN®namcvtSyw Ip´-Ωm-at‚w t^m¨ Inýmse Ahƒ°v ]cot£ev

Hcp ss[cyw hcq.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"]nt∂.......' temIsØ F√m s]Ïp-ń-Ifpw Cßns\ Htcm tN®n-

amcvsS t^m¨ hn-fn-bv°mbn ImØn-cn-°ys√.' F\nbv°v Cµnc ]d-bp-

∂Xv CjvS-am-hp-∂n-√. "CsX√mw Htcm ssa‚ v sk-‰m-Wv. AUn-£≥.

A√m-sXm∂pw A√. \o ]co-£-sb-gp-Xn-bn-cp-∂s∏m BcvsS Biw-kymWv

66


Inó-cv∂Xv?'

"F¥m-bmepw CsXm∂pw hµ-t\ymSv ]d-b-≠.' Cµnc ]d-™p.

"Ahƒ°v CsXms° hey Imcym-Wv. Ipt´-´\pw AsX, s]Ïp-ń-I-

sfbmWv BÏp-tým-sf-°mƒ IqSp-X¬ CjvSw. c≠pw s]Ïp-ń-bm-

bt∏m F¥p kt¥m-jm-bn-cp-∂p. aZm-Ωbv°pw AtX∂v tXm∂p-Wp. '

"kz¥w G´-Øn-b-Ω-sb-bmWv aZm-Ωm∂v ]td-WXv.'

"Ahcv aZm-Ωy-∂s√?'

ISep IS-∂p- h∂ Biw-k-IfpsS A\p-K-l-Øn¬ ]co£ \∂mbn

Ign-™p. Ah-km-\sØ t]∏dpw FgpXn FØnb DSs\ hµ\ tNmZn-

®Xv F∂mWv Xd-hm-ń-tebv°p t]mIp-∂-sX-∂m-bn-cp-∂p.

"\ns‚ ]co£ Fßn-s\-≠m-bn-cp-∂q∂v ]d.'

"Cu......-kn.'

"AXn-\¿∞w IjvSn®v ]m m-hpw∂v As√?'

"A√-—m, t]∏-sdm° Cukym-bn-cp-∂p. UnÃn-Mvj≥ In´pw.'

A∂p cmXn Dd-ßp-∂-Xn-\p- apºv t]mIm-\p≈ hkvX-ß-sf√mw

Ahƒ s]ń-bn-em-°n. kmam\yw henb s]ń. \os≠mcp Xma-k-w X-s∂-

bmWv Ahƒ Dt±-in-°p-∂-Xv. F\n-bv°m-sW-¶n¬ Hcm-gvN-sb-¶nepw Ign-

™mse eosh-Sp-°m≥ ]‰p. Ah-km\w Ah-sfbpw AΩ-sbbpw \mń¬

sIm≠p-t]mbm°n Xncn-®p- h-cm-sa∂v ]d-™-t∏msg Ahƒ kΩ-Xn-®≈p.

AhnsS Rß-fn-√m-Ø-t∏mƒ B hoSpw ]dºpw t\m°p∂ Hcp IpSpw-_-

ap≠v Ab¬]-°-Øv. m¿§-hnb-Ωbpw aIƒ tZhnbpw. Rm\n-√m-Ø- Znh-

k-ß-fn¬ tZhn-bmWv Ah¿°p Iqń\p InS-°m≥ hcn-I.

Rßƒ ASp-Øp- Xs∂ hcp-sa∂v A-dn-bm-hp∂-Xp-sIm≠v Ah¿ ap‰-

sa√mw ]p√p-sNØn hrØn-bm-°n-®n-cp-∂p. DΩ-dhpw Xfhpw ASp-°-fbpw

amdme Xń XpS-®p. a‰p apdn-Iƒ ]qń-bn-´Xp ImcWw Ah¿ ASn-®p-hm-cn-

Øp-S-bv°m-dn-√. Xmsg H∂p c≠p apdn-Ifpw apI-fn¬ Rßƒ InS-°m-dp≈

apdnbpw XpS-∏n-®p. D®-`-£Ww hoń¬\n-∂p -Xs∂ D≠m-°n-s°m-≠p-h-

∂Xp Im-cWw NqSm°n Ign-°p-Itb th≠n-h-∂q-≈p. DuWp- I-gn™v

Rm≥ apI-fn¬ t]mbn InS-∂p. Ipd-®p- I-gn-™-t∏mƒ Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw

Ib-dn- h-∂p. tZhnsb ]d-™-b®v Ah¿ ]pd-tØ-bv°p≈ hmXn-e-S-®n-´p-

≠m-hpw. CsXm-s°-bmWv ChnsS h∂m-ep≈ ]cn-]m-Sn-Iƒ. Hcp am‰-hp-

an-√msX CXv Htcm Hgnhp Znh-k-ß-fn¬ Xd-hm- n¬ hcp-tºmgpw Bh¿Øn-

°p-∂p. F\nbv°v sshIp-t∂cw Xs∂ Xncn-®p -t]m-I-Ww. \msf cmhnse

Hmô-kn-se-tØ-≠-Xm-Wv. Rmb-dm-gvN-bm-b-Xp-sIm≠v ASp-°-f-bn-

tebv°p th≠ ]e-hy-RvP-\-ßƒ hmßm≥ ]‰n-√. kmc-an-√. AΩbpw

tamfpw IqSn \msf AsX√mw hmßn-t°m-fpw. tZhn-tbbpw H∏w Iq´pw.

sshIp-t∂cw Xncn®p t]mIp-∂-Xn\p apºv Rm≥ ]d-ºn-se√mw \S∂p

t\m°n. Hcp am‰-hp-an-√. ac-ß-fpsS sImºp-Ifpw Nn√-I-fpw-IqSn am‰-sam-

67


∂p-an-√msX \n¬°p-∂p. B ac-ß-fn-emWv Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw Hcp

ImeØv Ib-dn-°-fn-®n-cp-∂-Xv. F√mw hfsc km[m-c-W-a- n¬Ø-s∂. bw

Fs‚ a\- n¬ amX-ta-bp≈q F∂v F\nbv°p tXm∂n. Hcp-]s£ Aßn-

s\-sbm-∂p-ap-≠m-hn-√. F√mw Fs‚ tXm∂-ep-I-fm-bn-cn-°pw.

F¥m-bmepw B bmX F\nbv°v Aev]w Bizm-k-ap-≠m-°n. Cµn-

c-tbbpw hµ-\-tbbpw AhnsS hn´p hcp-∂Xv F\n-bvs°mcp hnj-a-ap-≠m-

bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ ho≠pw IW-°p-I-fpsS temI-tØbv°p Xncn-®p-t]m-bn.

D®bv°v Hmô-kn-∂-Sp-Øp≈ dtÃm-d-≠n¬ \n∂v kky- -£-Ww. sshIp-

t∂cw hoń¬ sN∂m¬ tNmdpw Iq´m-\p-ap-≠m-°pw. BZysØ c≠p

Znhkw ^n÷n¬ D≠m-bn-cp∂ £Ww NqSm°n Ign-°pItb th≠n-bn-

cp-∂p-≈p. AXn-\n-Sbv°v c≠p Znhkw Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw cmhnse hnfn-

®n-cp-∂p. Aº-e-Øn¬ t]mIp∂ Znh-k-am-W-Xv. Aº-e-Øn-\-SpØv Hcp

_qØp-≠v.

"It≠m, CXm Rm≥ A—-t\mSv ]d-bmdv Hcp samss_¬ t^m¨

hmßn-Ø-cm≥. Cs∏m a\- n-em-bnt√?'

"Cßn-s\-sbms° Aßv t]ms´ tamsf.' Rm≥ ]d-bpw. F¥p-

sImt≠m Ahƒ tamss_¬ t^mWpw-sIm≠v \S-°p-∂Xv Rm\n

jvSs∏ń-√.

"i\n-bmgvN t\¿sØ FØ-Ww.' Ahƒ ]d-bpw.

"cmXn F´p aWn-bv°v.'

Fs‚ IW-°p- Iq-´¬ icn-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ IrXyw F´p aWn-bv°p-

Xs∂ hoń-se-Øn. Ipf-Øn¬ t]mbn Ipfn-®p. FX eosh-SpØp F∂

tNmZy-Øn\v Rm≥ AΩ-tbmSpw aI-tfmSpw icn-bv°p≈ adp-]Sn ]d-™n-

√. c≠mgvN F∂p ]d-™m¬ AXn-\p-apºv t]mhm≥ Ah¿ kΩ-Xn-bv°n-

√. cmXn DuWp- I-gn-®p. Hcm-gvNbv°p tijw \√ £Ww Ign-°p-I-bm-

Wv. AXns‚ Xf¿®-bn¬ \√-hÆw Dd-ßn. kz]v\-ß-fn-√mØ Dd-

°Øns‚ Ah-km-\-Øn¬ Fgp-t∂-‰-t∏mƒ t\cw ]pe¿∂n-cn-bv°p-∂p.

Xmsg-bv°n-d-ßn-h∂p. Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw Aº-e-Øn¬ t]msb∂v a\-

n-embn. ASp-°-f-bn¬ t]mbn -t\m-°nbt∏mƒ ImWp-∂Xv tZhn Nmb-

bp-≠m-°p-∂Xm-Wv. ASp-Øp≈ ASp-∏n¬ apf-¶p-‰n-bn¬ ]n´p sh®-

Xn¬\n∂v Bhn s]m¥p-∂p.

"\tµ´≥ DW¿∂q∂v Rm\-dn-™p. As∏m Nmb-≠m-°zm-Wv.'

Rm≥ Xf-Øn¬ h∂n-cp-∂p. tZhn Nmb-bp-ambn h∂p.

"Ahcv Cs∏m hcpw. sImtd t\cmbn t]mbn-´v.'

"ssZh-k-∂n-[n-bn¬ t]mbm¬ Cµnc AX Ffp-s∏m∂pw hcn-√.

F\nbv°v shi°vWv≠v. Ahcv h∂m DSs\ Ign-°mtem?'

"Mpw, IS-e-°dn≠m°n-°-gn-™p. tN®n AXv A©p-a-Wnbv°v Xs∂

ASp-∏-Øm-°n-bn-cp-∂p.'

68


`m¿§-hnb-Ω-bpsS hnti-j-ßƒ tNmZn-®p. Aßn-s\-sb-s¥-¶nepw

tNmZn-bv°m-\n-cn-bv°p-∂-t]mse Ahƒ kwkmcw XpS-ßn. hnh-c-ß-fpsS

IpsØm-gp°p Xs∂. Ah-fpsS a°-fpsS Imcy-ßƒ, Np‰p-h-´-Øp-ap≈

hnti-j-ßƒ. Ac aWn-°q¿ \o≠p-\n∂ Ah-fpsS kwkmcw tI´p Ign-

™-t∏m-tgbv°v F\nbv°v Ign™ H∂c amkw \jvS-s∏- -sXms° Xncn-

®p- In- n. C\n ]pd-Øn-d-ßptºmƒ Bsc-¶nepw hgnbv°p XS-™p -\n¿Øn

kwkmcw XpS-ßn-bm¬ AXns‚ Nc-Sp- ]n-Sn®v XpS-cm≥ hnj-a-ap-≠m-hn-√.

Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw h∂p.

"Mm, Ipfn-®n-ńs√?' Cµnc tNmZn-®p. "Rm≥ hnNm-cn®p Ipsfyms°

Ign™v Ccn-°ym-hpw-∂v. thKw Ipfn®p hcp. F∂n´v aXn ]n´v Ign-bv°-

ev.'

Ahƒ ASp-°-f-bn-tebv°p t]mbn. hµ\ h∂v F\n-bvs°-Xn-cmbn

Ccp-∂p.

"Rm≥ t]ms´ tN®n.' tZhn ]d-™p. "AhnsS a°fv ImØn-cn

bv°vWv≠mhpw.'

"]mhw A—≥. AtΩ A—\v ]n´p sImSp-°q. shi°vWv≠v∂v tXm∂p-

Wp.'

hµ-\-bpsS ip]m¿ibv°v Rm≥ Cµnc Adn-bmsX \µn ]d-™p.

"A—m. Nmb-IpSn Ign-™m¬ Rm\-—\v Hcp km[\w ImWn®p

Xcmw.?'

"F¥p km[\w?'

"Hcp AS-®n´ apdo∂v Inó-Xm.'

"AS-®n´ apdot∂m?'

"B,-t∂-bv.' Cµnc ASp-°-f-bn¬ \n∂p hnfn®p ]d-™p. "Ahƒ°v

Ign™ Hcm-gvNym-bn´v AXp- X-∂ym-bn-cp∂p ]Wn. Cu hońse AS-®n´

F√m apdow ]cn-tim-[n-bv°ym. AtXm≠v B apsdyms° hrØn-bm-°m≥

]‰n.'

"ssZhta!'


69


A≤ymbw ]Xnaq∂v

Hcn-°¬ Ahsf kkvs]≥kn¬ \n¿Øn-b-Xn-\v hµ\ ]Icw ho´p-I-

bm-sW∂p tXm∂p-∂p. F¥mWv Inńb AZv`p-XhkvXp F∂p ]d-bp-∂n-

√. ]d-bmw, F¥m [rXn F∂mWv tNmZn-bv°p-∂-Xv. Hcn-°¬ Cµn-csb

H‰bv°p Inń-b-t∏mƒ Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"F¥mWv tamƒ°v Inńb km[\w?'

"F\n-°-dn-bn-√.' Ahƒ ssI ae¿Øn. "Fs¥mt°ym IS-em- mWv∂v

tXm∂p-Wp. Rm≥ ]d-™q∂v ]d-b-t√.'

icnbv°pw Ahƒ°-dn-bn√ F∂p tXm∂p-∂p. ImØn-cnbv° Xs∂.

Hcp hn[-Øn¬ ]mX¬ Ign-®p. s]s´∂v hµ\ A]-Xy-£-bm-bn.

kw`hw icnbv°pw kkvs]≥kv \nd-™-Xp-X-s∂. Hcp ]Øp an\p‰v

Ign™p ImWpw hµ-\-bpsS hnfn tI´p.

"A—m hcp.'

Fhn-sS-\n-∂m-sW∂p a\- n-em-hp-∂n-√. Rm≥ hnfn®p tNmZn-®p.

"\o Fhn-SymWv?'

"Rm≥ Chn-sS-≠v, A—\v a\- n-emhvWvt√y?'

"C√ tamsf \osbm∂v h∂n´v Fs∂ Iqń-s°m-≠p-t]m.'

\nXy-ap-]-tbm-Kn-°p∂ apdn-I-fn-sem-∂n-ep-a√ Ah-fp-≈-sX∂v a\- n-

em-bt∏mƒ bw tXm∂n. Ahƒ ]Xy-£-s∏-Sm≥ Iptd ka-b-sa-Sp-Øp.

"hcq, AXv Fhn-SymWv∂v ImWn®p Xcmw.'

Rm≥ Ah-fpsS ]n∂mse t]mbn. CS-\m-gn-I-bn-eqsS \S∂v Ahƒ Hcp

Xpd-∂n´ apdn-bp-sS- ap-ºn-seØn \n∂p. "hcq, CXn-\p-≈n-em-Wv.'

apdn-bpsS hmXn-en\p apI-fn¬ Hcp Iam-\-ap-≠v. B \mep-sI-ń¬

aqt∂m \mtem apdn-I-fpsS hmXn-epIƒ°p amXta Iam-\-ß-fp-≈q. ]gb

ssien-bm-Wv. Hcp ImeØv F√m apdn-Ifpw Aßn-s\-bm-bn-cp∂p F∂v

tIń-´p-≠v. GtXm Imc-W-h-cmWv AsXms° am‰n-b-Xv. A∂v D]-tbm-Kn-

°msX AS-®n-ń-cp∂ Ipd®p apdn-Iƒ amXta am‰m-Ø-Xp-≈p. ssZhta

CXv Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-h-cpsS apdntbm as‰m BtWm?

Iam-\-ap≈ sNdnb P\-en-eq-sS -h-cp∂ shfn-®-Øn¬ apdn-bpsS

Dƒ`mKw t]Sn-s∏-Sp-Øp-∂-Xm-bn-cp-∂p. F¥n-\mWv Cu s]Æv Cu hI

kml-k-Øn-s\ms° \n¬°p-∂Xv?

apdn-bn¬ Hcp ]pcm-X-\-amb Iń¬ InS-°p-∂p-≠v. Cc- -sb∂p ]d-bm≥

hø, F∂m¬ Hcp-am-Xncn hoXn-bp≠p Xm\pw. FXn¿h-iØv ac-Øns‚

Ae-am-dn. AXev]w Xpd-∂n-ń-cp-∂p. hµ\ Ah-fpsS ]c-X-en-\mbn Xpd-

∂n-´-Xm-bn-cn-bv°pw. Hcp aqe-bn-en´ tai-∏p-dØv Hcp \ne-hn-f-°p-≠v.

70


"CXn-\p-≈n¬ IÆp- ImWvWn√.'

"AXn\v Rm≥ hgn I≠n-´v≠v.' hµ\ tai-∏p-d-Øp-\n∂v Hcp Xos∏-

ń-sb-SpØv \ne-hn-f°v sImfpØn.

"t]msc A—\v shfn®w?'

"Cu s\e-sh-f°v Chn-sS-≠m-bn-cp-∂-XmtWm?'

"A√-—m, Rm≥ sIm≠-∂-Xm. Chn-sS-≠m-bn-cp∂ shf°v CXm-bn-cp-

∂p.'

Ahƒ \ne-Øp-\n∂v Hcp dm¥¬ FSp-Øp-b¿Øn. s]s´∂m dm¥¬

Ah-fpsS Iøn¬\n∂v Iºn s]mń hoWp Nn√p XI¿∂p, Hcp `b-¶c

i_vZ-tØm-sS. hµ-\bpw H∂v sRń. Iøn-ep-≠m-bn-cp∂ Xq°pIºn-

t\m°n-s°m≠v Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"A—m AXp s]mń- ho-W-Xm-Wv.'

"kmc-√y.' Rm\m Iºn Ah-fpsS Iøn¬ \n∂v hmßn t\m°n. AXp

apgp-h≥ Xpcpºp ]nSn-®n-cn-bv°-bm-Wv.

"tamfv t]mbn Hcp Nqev FSp-Øp-sIm-≠p-hm. Cu Nn√v C∏-Øs∂ ASn-

®p-hmcn Hcp aqteev CSmw.'

Nqev CS-\m-gn-bn-se-hn-tSsbm D≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Ahƒ, D≈ shfn--®-Øn¬,

Nn√pw Xpcp-ºp-]nSn® I-jvW-ßfpw taibv°p Xmtgbv°v ASn-®p-Iq-ń.

"C\n ]d F¥mWv \o I≠p ]nSn® km[-\-ß-fv. \ap°v thKw

t]mWw Chn-Sv∂v. F\n°o ÿew CjvSm-bn√y.'

Ahƒ Ae-amdn Xpd∂v GXm\pw IS-em- p -sI-´p-Iƒ FSp-Øp- sIm-

≠p-h∂v tai-ta¬ h®p. B[mcw t]mep≈ sI´p-Iƒ. sXmSp-tºm-tgbv°v

s]mSn-™p- t]m-Ip∂ t]Pp-Iƒ kq£nt® ssIImcyw sNøm≥ ]‰p.

Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"\ap°v CXp ]pdØp sIm≠p-t]mbn ]cn-tim-[n-°mw. Cu \ne-hn-f-

°ns‚ shfn-®-Øn¬ A—\v H∂pw ImWvWn√y. \o apºnev \S-°v.'

hµ\ \ne-hn-f°p sISpØn ]pdØp IS-∂p. Rm\-h-fpsS ]n∂mse

B IS-em p sI´p-I-fp-ambn ]pdØp IS-∂p. s]s -∂mWv Hm¿ØXv P\-

e-S-®n- n√ F∂ Imcyw. Rm≥ sI´p-Iƒ hµ-\-bpsS Iøn-te¬∏n®p AI-

tØ-bv°p-Xs∂ t]mbn. P\epw hmXnepw AS-®n-cp-∂-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-

°Ww apdn-bn¬ Xńs‚ hf-bn¬ Xqßn-\n¬-°p∂ \cn-®o-dp-Iƒ hcm-Ø-

Xv. F\nbv°m Pohn-Isf hfsc t]Sn-bm-Wv. Ahcpw acn-®p- t]m-b-hcpw

XΩn¬ _‘-ap-s≠-s∂ms° Ipń-°m-eØv IY-Iƒ tI´-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-

cn-°-Ww. ]mhw Pohn-Iƒ. P\-e-S®v Xncn-®p-h∂v hmXn-e-S-°p-tºm-gmWv

Rm\Xp I≠-Xv. \ng¬ t]mse apdn-bn-tebv°v Hcp tImWn-bn-d-ßn- h-

cp-∂p. Rm≥ AS-bv°m≥ t]mb hmXn¬ Hcn-bv°¬-°qSn Xpd∂p t\m°n.

AX-]-Xy-£-am-bn-cn-°p-∂p. Fs‚ tXm∂-em-bn-cn-°-Ww.

"F¥m A—m?' hµ\ tNmZn-®p.

71


"Gbv H∂pw√y.'

ho≠pw CS-\m-gn-Iƒ.

"\ap°v tamfnev t]mhmw.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "A—s‚ Hmôkv apdn-bn-

tebv°v?'

"Hmôkv apdntbm?'

"AsX.' A—-s‚bpw Ip´-Ωm-a-bp-sSbpw Ipń-°m-esØ Hmôkv apdn

GXm-sW∂v Rm\-hƒ°p ImWn®p sImSp-Øp. A—\pw Ip´-Ωm-abpw

Hcp ImeØv InS∂n-cp∂ apdn-bmWv Rßƒ Ct∏mƒ InS-∏-d-bmbn D]-

tbm-Kn-°p-∂-sX-∂Xv Ahsf kw_-‘n-t®-S-tØmfw Aev]w Xn√p-≠m-

°p∂ ]pXnb Adn-hm-bn-cp-∂p. Aßn-\sØ Imcy-ß-sfm∂pw Cµnc Ah-

tfmSv ]d-™n-cp-∂n-√.

BZyw Xpd∂ sI´v Hcp B[mcw Xs∂-bm-bn-cp-∂p. AXv hmbn-°-W-

sa-¶n¬ ]gb ae-bmfw Adn-bp-I-Xs∂ thWw. h√m-sØmcp `mj. ae-

bm-f-`m-jbv°v Cßn-s\-sbmcp ssien-bp-≠m-bn-cpt∂m? Ãmºv t]∏-dn¬

Fgp-Xnb B[mcw Cu \mep-sI-ń-s‚bpw AXn\p Np‰p-ap≈ ]d-ºn-

s‚bpw BWv. AsX-ßns\ a\- n-embn Fs∂m∂pw tNmZn-°-cp-Xv. Hcp

]Øp iX-am\w a\- n-em-b-Xn¬\n-∂mWv ]d-bp-∂-Xv.

"A—m Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZn-bv°s´?'

"]d-bq.'

"A—-s\-¥mWv B apdosS hmXn¬ Nmcm≥ t\m-°o´v ]n∂ow sXmd-

∂p- t\m-°yXv?'

"Gbv shdpsX?'

"F¥n-\m—m s\mW ]td-W-Xv. Rm≥ ]d-bs´? A—-\-Xn-\p-≈nev

Ft¥m I≠p As√?'

"Gbv F¥p ImWm\m? F¥m s\W°v Aßns\yms° tXm∂m≥

ImcWw?'

"Rm≥ ]d-bs´ A—≥ F¥m I≠-Xv∂v. A—≥ AhnsS Hcp tImWn

I≠p As√? ]ns∂ t\m°ys∏m AXp t]mhpw sNbvXp.'

Rm≥ H∂pw ]d-™n-√. ]d-™n´v Imcy-an-√. hµ\ Aßn-s\-bm-Wv.

Imcy-ßƒ Xpd∂p ]d-bpw, AXpw s]s´-∂v. \ap°v Xøm-sd-Sp-∏n-\p≈

kabw Xcn-√. Ign™ Hcm-gvN-bv°p-≈n¬ Ahfpw AXp I≠n- p-≠m-hpw.

F¥m-sW∂p t\m°m≥ ho≠pw t\m°n-b-t∏m-fXv A]-Xy-£-am-bn- p-≠m-

hpw. CsX√mw F¥ns‚ \nan-Ø-ß-fmWv? F√mw \n¿Øn-h®v Xncn®p

t]mhWsa∂mtWm CXn-s‚-sbms° A¿∞w. F\n°m Imc-W-hsc

icnbv°pw b-am-bn-Øp-S-ßn-bn-cn-°p-∂p. F¥p-t±-iy-am-bmepw AXv Ipd-

®p-IqSn hy‡-am-°n-Ø-∂p-IqsS?

"F¥m-W—m AXv?'

"F\n-°-dn-bn√ tamsf. AXv h√ \ng-ep-am-bn-cn°pw?'

72


"F¥ns‚ \ng¬? AhnsS shfn®w hcm≥ bmsXmcp hgnbpw C√y-

s√m.'

Rm≥ ho≠pw apºn-en-cn-°p∂ B[m-c-s°´p ]cn-tim-[n-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

shdpw hrYm-hym-bm-aw. s]s -∂mWv Hcp t]Pv Fs‚ IÆn¬ s] -Xv. Hcp

kvsI®m-W-Xv. Hcp sIń-S-Øns‚ πm≥. kz¥w sIń-S-Øns‚ πm≥ hc-

®Xp t\m°n -t\m°n Rms\mcp hnZ-KvZ-\mbn amdn-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp _n. B¿Iv

UnKn-sbm∂pw Inń-s√-¶nepw Hcp πm≥ I-≠m¬ AsX-¥n-t‚-Xm-sW∂p

a\- n-em-°m≥ amXw sshZKvZyw e`n-®n-´p-s≠-∂¿∞w. sIńs‚ FI-

tZiw \Sphn-embn ÿnXn sNbvX-Xp-sIm≠v B t]Pn\v A[nIw tISp-

]m-Sp-Iƒ ]‰n-bn- n-√. Rm\Xp ]pd-sØ-Sp-Øp. Hcp aWn-°q¿ t\csØ ]T-

\-Øn\p tijw Hcp Imcyw a\- n-em-bn. AsXmcp F´p-sI-ńs‚ πm\m-

Wv. AXm-bXv Ct∏m-gp≈ \mep-sI-ńs‚ ]gb cq]w. Hcp ]mIr-X-amb

cq]-tc-J-bm-Wv. Hcp s]m^-j-\¬ Xøm-dm-°n-b-X-s√∂v s]s´∂v a\- n-

em°mw. Hcp ]s£ B[m-c-sa-gp-Xp-∂-h¿ hc-®p-≠m-°n-b-Xm-bn-cn-°pw.

As√-¶n¬ k¿t∆ Un∏m¿´psa‚n¬ As∂ms° Aßn-\sØ kvsI®p-

I-fm-bn-cn°pw D]-tbm-Kn-°p-∂Xv. kwKXn F¥p-X-s∂-bm-bmepw B

kvsI®v hfsc hy‡-am-bn-cp-∂p. apdn-Iƒ, CS-\m-gn-I-Iƒ, \Sp-an-‰-ßƒ,

]Øm-b-∏pc, c≠p InW¿, CXbpw Imcy-ßƒ hfsc hy‡-am-Wv. ]pd-

Øp≈ Af-hp-I-f-√msX D≈n-ep≈ Af-hp-I-sfm∂pw tN¿Øn-ń-√. B

Af-hp-Iƒ Xs∂ tImen¬ Bbn-cn-bv°pw. Hcp tIm¬ F∂p ]d-™m¬

FX ASn-bm-sW∂v GsX-¶nepw ac-∏-Wn-°m-tcmSp tNmZn-°-Ww. c≠-

Snbm-sW∂p tXm∂p-∂p. B kvsI®v t\m°ns°m-≠n-cnbvs° Hcp Imcyw

Fs‚ i≤-bn¬ s]´p. Cu sIńSw Hcp \mep-sI- -√, F´p-sI- p-a-√, AXn-

\p-c-≠n-\p-an-S-bn¬ InS-°p∂ H∂m-Wv. F´p-sI´p s]mfn-®p- am-‰n-b-t∏mƒ

c≠mw \Sp-an-‰-Øns‚ `mK-Øp-\n-∂v A-∏p-d-tØbvt° s]mfn-®p am-‰n-bn-

´p-≈p. AXmWv Cu hoSv CX oI-c-am-bn-cn-°p-∂-Xv. c≠p-a-√mØ Hcp oI-

c-Po-hn.

hµ\ thsdmcp sIs´-SpØv Xpd∂p t\m°p-I-bmbncp-∂p. AXn-\n-S-

bv°mWv Fs‚ Iøn¬ Cu kvsI®v I≠-Xv. Ahƒ°v Xmev]-cy-am-bn.

"F¥m A—m AXv?'

"CXv tamsf \ΩsS hoSns‚ A ¬, F∂p-h-®m¬ Hdn-Pn-\¬ πm\m-

Wv. ]≠n-sXmcp F´p-sI- m-bn-cp-∂p. \mep-sI- ns‚ Ccń hep-∏-ap≈ Hcp

sIń-Sw. ]n∂o-SXv Hcp Imc-W-h-cp-sS- Im-eØv s]mfn®v \mep-sI-´m-°n-

Øo¿Øp. ]s£ Ct∏m-gmWv A—\v a\- n-em-h-WXv CXv \mep-sI-´m-

°n-bn-ń-√m-∂v. F´p-sI-ńs‚ sNdn-sbmcp `mtK s]mfn®p am‰o-´p-≈p.

AXmWv CX-b-[nIw apdn-Ifv Cu hoń¬ ImW-W-Xv. A—\pw Btem-

Nn-°m-dv≠v........'

hoSns‚ hmkvXp-hn-Zy-sb-∏-‰n-bp≈ Adnhv Fs∂ Fhn-sSbpw FØn-

73


°p-∂n-√. NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS A¿∞-sa-¥m-sW-t∂m, Rm\pw Ipt - \pw

Dt±-in-°p∂ Xc-Øn-ep≈ Hcp \n[n Ahn-sS-bpt≠m F∂p-a-dn-bm≥

C\nbpw Ipsd-tbsd A≤zm-\n-°-Ww. ssZhta Rms\-hn-sS-bmWv At\z-

jn®p t]mtI-≠Xv?

Ahƒ I≠p-]n-Sn® hkvXp-°ƒ Imcy-amb Ne-\-ß-sfm∂pw F∂n¬

D≠m-°n-bn√ F∂-dn-™-t∏mƒ hµ-\bv°v \ncm-i-bm-bn.

"Rm≥ hnNm-cn-®p.......'

Ahƒ hnNm-cn-®-sX-s¥∂v F\n-bv°-dn-bmw. Rm≥ sI´p-I-sf√mw tai-

bpsS Hc-‰-tØbv°v \o°n-h®p ]d-™p.

"\ap°v sN v Ifn°ym?'

D®-bp-d°w Ign-™-t∏mƒ Cµnc X∂ ISp-∏-ap≈ Nmb IpSn-®p. H∂v

]pd-Øn-d-ßn-bm¬ \∂m-bn-cn-°pw. eohv d±m°n \msf-Øs∂ Hm^o-kn¬

t]mbn tPmen XpS-ßn-bmtem? Cu At\z-jWw Fhn-sSbpw FØp-∂n-

√. FØm\pw t]mIp-∂n-√. \ncmi amXw _m°n. GXp `mK-tØbv°p

\S-°-W-sa∂v Btem-Nn®v ]qap-J-Øn-cn-°-bmWv Rm≥. Cµn-cbpw hµ-

\bpw Ah-cpsS Znh-tk-\-bp≈ Aº-e -k-µ¿i-\-Øn\v Cd-ßm≥ Xøm-

dmbn h∂p.

"hcpt∂m Aº-e-Øn-tebv°v?'

"A—m hcp, ckm-Wv.'

"C√ \nßfv t]mbn Cuiz-cm-\p-Klw hmßn hcq.'

"Fß-t -¶nepw t]m∆m-sW-¶nev tZhn-tbmSv ]d-™n´p t]mWw.' Cµnc

]d-™p. "Ahƒ hmXn-e-S®v Ip‰n-bn-t´m-fpw. Ahfv ASv°-tf-ev≠v.'

"icn.'

Rm≥ AI-tØbv°p t]mbn ap≠pw j¿´pw am‰n-h-∂p. H∂v \S-°-Ww,

Xo¿®. Ftßm´p t]mW-sa-∂Xv ]Sn-∏pc IS-∂m¬ X\nsb Xo¿®-bm-hpw.

]Sn-∏p-c-bn¬\n∂v Rm≥ Xncn-™p-t\m-°n. Hcp Iq‰≥ hoSv. Ipt´-´≥ ]d-

™ -t]mse AXv Fs¥-¶nepw sNø-Ww, \mi-am-hp-∂-Xn-\p-ap-ºv. C\n-

bp≈ ImeØv F¥n-\mWv CX henb hoSp-Iƒ? h√ \K-c-]m-¥-ß-fn-

em-sW-¶n¬ B¿s°-¶nepw CsXmcp tlm´-em°n am‰m≥ Ign-bp-am-bn-cp-

∂p. Chn-sS, Cu Im´p-ap-°n¬ B¿°mWv CXm-hiyw? s]mfn®p hn‰m¬

In´p∂ ac-Øns‚ hne-sIm≠v Ah¿°v, sImSpØ ]Ww apX-em-hpw.

AX-X-s∂.

Rm≥ ]mS-sØ-Øn-bn-cp-∂p. hoXnbp≈ hc-ºn-eqsS \S-°p-tºmƒ

Btem-Nn-®p. Hcp ImeØv Cu hb-ep-I-sf√mw Rß-fp-sS-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

AΩm-as‚ Ah-km\ Ime-Øp-Xs∂ an°-hmdpw F√mw hn‰-gn-®p.

F\nbv°pw Ipt´-´\pw AXns‚ hoXw In´n.

"Fß-´m-Wmthm?'

FXntc \S-∂p-h-∂n-cp∂ hb- s\ Rm≥ i≤n-®n-cp-∂n-√.

74


"aq-Øm-im-cys√?'

"AsX-ºm.'

"Fs¥m-°ymWv hntijw?'

"Cßn-s\yms° Igo-Wp.'

s]s´∂v tXSnb h≈n Imen¬ XS-™p-sh∂v Fs‚ a\- p ]d-bp-I-

bm-Wv. GtXm Hcp i‡n B h≈n Fs‚ Imen¬ sIm≠p-h-∂n-´-Xm-Wv.

AXv Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-h-¿Xs∂bm-hs´ F∂p Rm≥ ]m¿∞n-®p.

"A—\v hnti-sjm-∂pw-√y-s√m.'

"C√-ºm. Ft∂-°mƒ Btcm-Ky-≠v. Aßs\ s]md-sØm∂pw Fd-

ßm-dn-√.'

B Xºm≥ hnfn tIƒ°p-tºmƒ hnjaw tXm∂p-I-bm-Wv. aqØm-im-

cn-bpsS aI≥ A\n¬ Fs‚ kl-]m-Tn-bm-Wv. Abmƒ _n. B¿Iv Ign™v

Zq_m-bn¬- \√ tPmenbnem-Wv. ChnsS Ah-cpsS ]gb sIm®p hoSv

s]mfn®v Hcp henb Ccp-\ne hoSp-≠m-°n-bn-´p-≠v. ]W-°m¿ F∂p ]d-

bmw. F∂mepw aqØm-imcn Ct∏mgpw ]d-bp-∂Xv "ASn-b≥' F∂pw,

kz¥w hoSns\ "IpSn-'sb∂p-am-Wv. Hcp ImeØv kh¿Æ¿ sNbvXp-h®

tZmlw!

"F\nbv°v A—-s\-sbm∂v ImW-Ww-∂v≠v. sImtd Imembn I≠n-´v.'

"t]m∆mtem.'

henb aqØm-imcnbv°v Fs∂ ]cn-N-b-s∏-Sp-tØ≠n h∂p. At±-l-

Øn\v Npcp-ßn-bXv sXmÆqdv hb- m-bn-´p-≠m-hpw. GI-tZiw Ccp-]Xp

sIm√-am-bn´v At±lw ]Wn-bvs°m∂pw t]mhm-dn-√. AXn\p apºv B

tZisØ amX-a-√, ASpØ tZi-ß-fnse ][m-\-s∏´ hoSp-]Wn apgp-h≥

henb aqØm-im-cn-bpsS ta¬t\m-´-Øn-em-bn-cp-∂p. F¥m-bmepw tNmZn-

®p -t\m-°mw.

"A√m-sX¥m? AsXms° sNbvXXv Rm¥-∂ym. \nß-tSmsS≠m

bncv∂ F´p-sI v apgp-h≥ s]mfn-®n- n-√. s]mfn-bv°m≥ sXmS-ßy-∏gm Cń-

cm-a-Ø-ºm≥ ]d-™Xv apgp-h≥ s]mfn-°-≠m-∂v. Aß-\y-ß vv \n¿Øm≥

]t‰zm? Rmº-d-™p, CXn\v sNe s\b-a-ß-sfms° Ct√y. CtXev

\n¿Øym Xma-kn-°-tWm¿°v \∂-√m-∂v. ap∏cv h√mØ Bfm-bn-cv∂p.

\∂-s√¶o \∂√, CX aXn. CtXw s]mfn®m aXo-∂v. F∂n´m Xncp-ta-

\os\ sIm≠∂v ]iv\w sh®p t\m°o-Xv. Xncp-ta\n ]d-™p. CtX

s]mfn®m asXy¶o AtXw aXn. ]s£ s]mfn® ÿeØv `K-h-Xos\

]Xn-jvTn-°-Ww-∂v. As√¶o sIń-S-Øns‚ Xq°w icn-bm-hn-√m-∂v. ]ns∂

At±w-Xs∂ ]iv\w h®p-t\m-°n. A∏fm a\- n-em-bXv AhnsS Aºew

]mSn-√m-∂v. Aº-e-Øns‚ ÿm\w sX°p mK-ØmWv∂v. As∏m Cń-cm-

a≥ Xºm≥ ]d-™p. Aß-\ym-sW¶o Aß-s\. F¥m cmam X\nbv°v

Aº-ew-≠m-°m≥ Adntøm? ASn-b≥ ]d-™p, ASn-b-\-dn-bn-s√-¶o-∏ns∂


75


ChnsS B¿°pw Adnbqe. ∂m HSs\ ]Wn sXmS-ßnt°m cmam∂v

]d™v Xºm≥. ASn-b-\∂v hb v Ccp-]Ø©v.'

Zp_m-bn¬ \n∂p sIm≠p-h∂ ]Xp-]-XpØ Ipjy-\p≈ tkm -bn-en-

cp∂v Rm\m IY-Iƒ tI´p. At∏mƒ- Fs‚ Dulw- i-cn-X-s∂-bm-Wv. F´p-

sI v apgp-h≥ s]mfn-®p-am-‰n-bn- n-√. km[m-cW F´p-sI- p-I-fnepw \mep-sI-

´p-I-fnepw ]Øm-b-∏pc sXm´-Sp-Øp-Xs∂ ImWm-dp-≠v. B ]d-ºn-se-

¥mWv Aßn-s\-sbmcp ]pc D≠m-hm-™Xv? Rm≥ Fs‚ kwibw

aqØm-im-cn-tbmSv tNmZn®p.

"\nßsS ]Øm-b-s∏-tc-emWv C∏ i¶-c≥ \mbcvsS IpSpw_w Xma-

kn-°-WXv? ]Øm-b-s∏c sImd®v hnń-´m-bn-cp-∂p. ]tØI ]d-ºm-bn-

cp∂p AXv∂v tI´v´v-≠v. Hmtcm Imc-W-h-∑m-cm-bn´v apdn®v hn‰-Xm.- CtXw

hey ]dºv t\m°n-≠m-°ev Ffp∏mtWm?'

"Bcm i¶-c≥ \mbcv?'

"Mm, AX-dot√y? \nßsS sXt° ]d-ºnev Xma-kn-°W m¿§-hn-bΩ

Cs√? AhcvsS `¿Øm-hv. \nßsS Xd-hm-Snev Imcy-ÿ-\m-bn-cp-∂p.

t\csØ acn-®p.'

AsX-\nbv°v ]pXnb Adn-hm-bn-cp-∂p. At∏mƒ B F´p-sI v F∂Xv

Hcp oI-c-hkvXp Xs∂-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

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

"Atøm AsXms° ASys‚ A—s‚ Ime-Øv≠m-°y-Xm-Wv. PmX-th-

Z≥ Xncp-ta-\n-bmWv AXns‚ IW-s°ms° sImSp-Ø-Xv. A—-s\-t∏m-

esØ F´v aqØmim-cn-am-cv≠m-bn-cp-∂p. t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v sNdnb Bim-cn-

amcv thdow. AsXms° tI´-d-nth-≈q.'

"Hcp Imcyw tNmZn-°s´? F´p-sI´v icnbv°v ]IpXn s]mfn-°m-Ø-

tXm≠v Fs¥-¶nepw sImg-∏w-≠mtøm?'

"F¥m-≠m-hm-sX. Xºms‚ G´≥ aq∂m-asØ sIm√w acn-®p-t]m-

bnt√y. aq∂p sIm√w Ign-™t∏m Cń-cm-a-Ø-ºm\pw acn-®p. sImtd-

°mew sIS-∂n´m acn-®Xv?'

"F¥m-bn-cp∂p AkpJw?'

"AsXm∂pw B¿°pw Ado-√ym. As∂ms° B Xd-hm-ńev \S-°W

Imcy-ßfv AX Ffp-s∏m∂pw s]mdØv tI°n-√. Hmtcm∂v ]d™v

tI°pw. AsXms° icym-h-Ww∂v√y.'

76


A≤ymbw ]Xn\mev

Fs‚ Dulw icn-bmbn h∂p. F´p-sI v s]mfn-bv°p-tºmƒ B mKw

apgp-h≥ s]mfn-®p-am-‰n-bn-ń-√. F\nbv°p tXm∂p-∂Xv hfsc Ipd®p

amXta am‰n-bn-´p≈p F∂m-Wv. AXmWv Cu sIń-S-Øn\v Hcp \mep-sI-

ń\p tbmPn-°mØ hep∏w. C\n F\nbv°p sNtø-≠Xv B[m-c-Øn-t\m-

sSm∏w Inńb πm≥ h®v AXn¬ s]mfn-®p -I-f™ apdn-I-sf√mw Hgn-hm°n

]pXp-Xmbn Hcp kvsI®v hc-°p-I-bm-Wv. F∂n´v? F∂n´v F¥m-hp∂p

F∂p t\m°mw. Xń≥]p-d-Øp-\n∂v Inńb sNºns‚ NXp-cw-K-∏-eI

tUmb-dn¬ \ns∂-SpØv t\m°n. hµ\ AXp ad-°msX FSp-Øp- sIm-

≠p-h-∂n-´p-≠v.

henb aqØm-im-cnsb I≠ Imcyw ]d-™-t∏mƒ hµ\ ]d-™p.

"icn-bmWv A—m. \ap-s°mcp ]pXnb kvsI®p-≠m-°mw. \ap°m

Iºyq-´¿ sIm≠p-h-cm-bn-cp∂p. AXn¬ Ffp∏w sNøm-hW Imcym-WXv.'

"Iºyq-´¿ Rm≥ \msf-Øs∂ sIm≠-Ø-cmw.' Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"cmhnse t]mbm¬ F\nbv°v sshIp-t∂cw Xncn-®p-h-cmw. bp.-]n.-F-

s m∂pw sIm≠cm≥ ]‰n-√. \√ I\w≠v AXv.'

"kmc-√y. Aø©p an\p‰v IqSptºm tkhv sNbvXm¬ t]msc? kvsI®p-

≠m-°n-bn´v F¥p sNøm-\m-W—m?'

"kXyw ]d-bs´ tamsf, A—\v henb cqs]m-∂pw-√y. A—≥ s]s -∂p-

≠m-hW Hcp t]c-tW-emWv CsXms° sNø-W-Xv. CsXm s° Fhn-sSy-

¶nepw FØpw∂v≈ tXm∂-ev. Cu tXm∂ev Ipń-°m-ew -sXms´ D≠v.

AΩ ]dbpw ssZh-am-sW-∂v, Rm≥ ]dbpw hn[n-bm-sW-∂v. AXp c≠p-

a√, C\n thsd-sb-s¥-¶nepw BtWm∂pw A—-\-dn-bn-√.'

hµ\ Ipd-®p-t\cw Btem-Nn-®p-sIm-≠n-cp-∂p. AXn-\p- tijw

Ft∂mSv Imcy-ambn tNmZn-®p.

"Rm≥ Hcp Imcyw tNmZn-®m¬ A—≥ kXyw ]dtøm?'

"F¥m tamsf?'

"Xń≥s]m-dØv≈ B s]ń Ct√y, Hcn-°ev A—s‚ H∏w t]mbt∏m

AXv sXmd-°m≥ ]‰o∂v ]d™p AΩ. AΩ icnbv°pw B s]ń

sXmdt∂zm?'

"F¥m tNmZn-bv°m≥ ImcWw?'

"A—≥ ]d-bq.'

"AtΩsS hnNmcw AΩ-bv°Xp sXmd-°m≥ ]‰o-∂m-Wv.' Rm≥ ]d-

™p. "F∂m¬ AΩ-bv°Xv icnbv°pw sXmd-°m≥ ]‰o-ń√y.'

D≠mb Imcy-ßƒ hnh-cn -®p -sIm-Sp -Ø-t∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d-™p.

77


"F\nbv°pw AXp sXmd-°m≥ ]‰o√y.'

"As∏m \o Xń≥s]m-dØv t]mtbm? BcvsS H∏w?'

"Rm\o _p[-\mgvN t]mbn, H‰-bv°v.'

Rm≥ Xcn-®ncp∂p. Rm≥ G‰-hp-a-[nIw `b-s∏-Sp∂ Hcp ÿe-ambn

B Xń≥]pdw amdn-bn-cp-∂p. Ahn-tS-bv°mWv Cu ]Xn-\©p hb- p-Imcn

H‰bv°v Ib-dn-bn-cn-bv°p-∂Xv! Rm≥ H∂pw ]d-bm-Xn-cn-°p-∂Xp I≠-

t∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"A—-s\-t∂mSv tZjymtbm?'

"tZjy√ tamsf. F¥p-sImt≠m, t]mhm≥ ]‰nb ÿe-√m AXv

F∂v≈ tXm∂ev≠v A—-\v. Rm\o hoSv hn¬°m≥ Xo¿®ym-°n-bn-cn-°p-

Wp. AXn-\p apºvv Hc-h-km\ iaw- IqSn \S-Ømw∂v Icp-Xn-bn-cn-bv°ym-

Wv. CXpw icn-bm-bn-s√-¶n¬ AXp t]mt´∂v hnNm-cn-bv°pw.'

hµ\ \n»-_vZ-bm-bn.

"kmc√y tamsf. C\n H‰bv°v tamfnev t]mh-cvXv. Bsc-¶nepw H∏w-s≠-

¶n¬ Fs¥-¶nepw klm-b-Øn\v hnfn®p ]d-sb¶nepw sNøm-tem.'

Ahƒ Xe-bm-ń.

"Rm\n-t∏mƒ t]mbn Cu kvsI®ns‚ Hcp t^mt´m-tIm∏n FSpØp

sIm≠p-h-cmw. s]mfn®p If-™q∂v tXm∂W `mK-ßfv Xev°mew

AXo∂v shń-°-f™m aXo-tem. AXp \ap°v Xmsg sIm≠p-t]mbn icn-

bv°p≈ apdn-I-fp-am-bn v HØp t\m°mw. AXn-\p-tijw \n\-°Xp Iºyq-

´-dn-em-°m-tem.'

"A—≥ Hcp Imcyw IqSn sNø-Ww. \msf Iºyq-´-sd-Sp-°m≥ t]mº

Cu kvsI®v kvIm≥ sNbvXp sIm≠-c-Ww. F∂m¬ kvIm\dpw G‰-≠-

s√m. kvIm≥ sNbvXm¬ Fs‚ ]Wn sImd-®p-IqSn Ffp-∏m-hpw.'

"icn. \√ sFUnb.'

kvsI®p t^mt´m-tIm-∏n-sb-Sp-Ø-t∏mƒ IqSp-X¬ hy‡-am-bn. Ipd®p

hep-Xm°n tIm∏n-sb-Sp-Ø-Xn-\m¬ CS-\m-gn-I-Ifpw Ah-bv°n-S-bn-ep≈

sNdnb apdn-Ifpw tImWn-ap-dn-bpw IqSp-X¬ hy‡-am-bn- p-≠v. Iºyq- -dn¬

kvIm≥ sNbvXm¬ IqSp-X¬ hy‡-am-°m≥ ]‰pw. Bh-iy-ap-≈n-SØv

FX thW-sa-¶nepw hep-Xm-°m-a-s√m, Hcp qX-°-ÆmSn h®p t\m°p-∂-

t]m-se.

cmhn-esØ _ n-\p-Xs∂ Rm≥ ]pd-s∏-´p. _ n-en-cn-°p-tºmƒ

Rm≥ Btem-Nn-®p. F\n°v F¥ns‚ tISm-Wv. acym-Zbv°v Hcp tPmen-

bp-≈Xpw h®v Hcp IpSpw_w t\m°n hoń-en-cp-∂m¬ aXn. AXn-\n-Sbv°v

Cßns\ Hmtcm `m¥ns‚ ]n∂mse t]mIp-∂p. GtXm Hcp `m¥≥

D≠m-°n-h® Hcp NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bpsS t]cnemWv Rm\n-sXms° sNøp-

∂-Xv. B ]e-I-bv°m-sW-¶ntem H¿∞hpw Rm≥ ImWp-∂p-an-√. AXpw

]d™v B Imcyw X≈n-°-fbm≥ t\m°p-tºm-gmWv a‰p ]e kw`-h-hn-

78


Im-k-ßfpw DS-se-Sp-°p-∂-Xv. shdpw `m-s¥∂p ]d™v X≈n-°-f-bm≥

]‰m-Ø-h. F\n-bv°v hn-i-Zo-I-cn-bv°m≥ ]‰mØ kw`-h-ßƒ. Bsc-

¶nepw AsXms° hni-Zo-I-cn-bv°-s´, Rm≥ CsX√mw \n¿Øn-h®v IpSpw-

_-sØbpw s]dp°n hoń-tebv°p aS-ßmw. \mep-sI´pw F´p-sI-´p-a-

√mØ B Xd-hmSv Inńb hnebv°p sImSpØv kzÿ-ambn Ign-bmw.

]s£ B kw`-h-ß-sf√mwXs∂ hni-Zo-I-c-W-an-√m-Ø-h-bm-Wv. H∂n-e-

[nIw t]¿°v kw`-hn-°p-∂-Xm-b-Xp-sIm≠v Fs‚ a\- n¬ DSseSp°p-

∂ hn-I-e- Nn-¥-I-fm-sW-∂p ]d-bm≥ Ign-bm-Ø-h-bm-Wv. At∏mƒ

Ft¥m H∂v Fs∂-s°m≠v CsXms° sNøn-bv°p-I-bm-Wv. \n¿∫-‘-

am-bn, Fs‚ KpW-Øn-\m-bn?

Xd-hm-ń¬ Xncn-s®-Øn-b-t∏mƒ cmXn F´p aWn-bm-bn-cp-∂p. `mKy-

Øn\v sshZyp-Xn-bp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Cu \mń≥]pdØv Id‚ v Ft∏mƒ thW-

sa-¶nepw t]mhmw. Hcn-°¬ t]mbm¬ ]ns∂ cmXn apgp-h≥ h∂n-s√∂p

hcmw. ]Øp- sIm√w apºv hb¿ sNbvX-t∏mƒ apI-fn¬ Cu Hcp apdn-bn¬

amXta sNbvXp-≈p. AXp-t]mse XmgØv AXym-hiyw D]-tbm-Kn-°p∂

apdn-Ifpw ASp-°-f-bpw. shdpsX AS-®n´ apdn-Iƒ hb¿ sNbvXn´v F¥p

Imcyw?

bp.-]n.-Fkv C√m-Ø-Xp-sIm≠v Iºyq-´¿ Hcp kvss]Iv Ad-Ã¿ hgn

IWIvSv sNbvXp. _q´p sNbvX-t∏mƒ tamWn-‰¿ \√ Ipń-sb-t∏mse

IÆp Xpd∂p Nncn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. hµ\ Bizm-k-tØmsS Zo¿L-izm-k-

an-´p. Ahƒ°v BsI sS≥j-\p≈ Imcyw Ah-fpsS Iºyq-´¿ Fs∂-

¶nepw NØp-t]m-Iptam F∂Xp amX-am-Wv. _m°∏v FSp-Øp- sh-bv°p∂

ioe-ta-bn-√. lm¿Uv UnkvIv t]mbm¬ Ahƒ Ipsd-°m-e-ambn A≤zm-

\n-®p-≠m-°n-b-sX√mw t]mbn-°n-´pw. Hcp-]s£ Aº-e-Øn¬ t]m-bm¬

BZyw ]m¿∞n-bv°p-∂Xv Ah-fpsS Iºyq- -dns‚ Btcm-Ky-Øn-\p- th-≠n-

bm-bn-cn-°p-sa∂p tXm∂p-∂p.

cmhnse ]mX-en\v \q¬∏n-´m-bn-cp∂p. AXns‚ A]q¿∆X sIm≠p-

Xs∂ F\nbv°m £Ww CjvS-am-bn-cp-∂p. AXp shdpsX ]men¬ ]©-

km-c-bn-´-Xns‚ H∏w X∂mepw Rm≥ kzmtZmsS Ign-bv°pw. C∂v \mfn-

tI-c-∏m-sem-gn® ap -°-dn-bm-bn-cp-∂p. £Ww Ign™ tijw Rm\pw hµ-

\bpw kvsI®p-saSpØv ]cy-th-jWw XpS-ßn. AS-®n´ apdn-Iƒ Htcm-t∂m-

tcm-∂mbn Xpd-∂v Af-hp-I-sf-Sp-Øp. AXv Bh-iy-am-Wv, ImcWw apdn-

Iƒ°nS-bn¬ ImWm-a-d-bØv Hfn-®n-cn-bv°p∂ apdn-Itfm CSß-tfm

Dt≠m F∂p t\m°m≥ Af-hp-I-fp-s≠-¶nte ]‰q. F\nbv°v thsdmcp

Dt±-iy-hp-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Cu hoSv hn¬°p-tºmƒ hmßm≥ hcp-∂-h¿°v

kvsI®p ImWn-®p-sIm-Sp-Øm¬ kuI-cy-am-bn. AXp-sIm≠v hoSns‚ apgp-

h≥ Af-hp-I-fp≈ Hcp kvsI®pw D≠m-°m≥ hµ-\-tbmSv ]d-b-Ww.

Xev°mew Cu tPmen Ign-b-s´.

79


apdn-Iƒ ]eXpw shfn®w IS-°msX Ccp-≠n-cp-∂p. tSm¿®ns‚ shfn-

®-Øn-emWv D≈n-sems° ]cXn Af-sh-Sp-°p-∂-Xv. ]e apdn-I-fnepw ho´p

kmam-\-ß-fp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Iń¬, tai Itk-e-Iƒ, hkvXw Xq°n-bn-Sp∂

lmß¿, Npa-cn¬ NnX-ßƒ. Nne apdn-I-fn¬ \neØv s\∑-Wn-Iƒ NnX-

dn-°n-S-°p-∂Xp I≠p. Hcp ImeØv s\√p kq£n-°m≥ D]-tbm-Kn-®n-cp∂

apdn-I-fm-bn-cn-°-Ww. F√m apdn-bnepw ]g-a-bpsS hmk\ Xßn-\n-∂p.

D®bv°v DuWp Ign-°m≥ sNe-hm-°nb Hcp aWn-°q¿ kab samgnsI

_m°n-sb√mw ta∏n-ßn\p sNe-h-gn-®p. sshIp-t∂-c-am-b-t∏m-tgbv°v

Rßƒ°v Int´≠ hnh-c-ß-sf√mw Inń. C\n \msf AsX√mw A]-K-

Yn®v icn-bv°p≈ NnX-ap-≠m-°-Ww. cmXn DuWp- I-gn-°p-tºmƒ hµ-\-

bpsS £oWn® apJw I≠v Cµnc aq°n¬ ssIh®p ]d-™p.

"Hc-—‚ow tamfSow ]m¥p It≠m?'

AZv`p-X-am-bn-cn-°p-∂p. CX-b-[nIw Xmev]cyw ImWn-®n-cp∂ Cµnc

Ct∏mƒ Xncn™p t\m°p-∂n-√. Hcp-]s£ Ahfpw Cu `m¥n¬ apgp-In-

bm¬ aq∂p- t]cpw ]ńWn InS-t°-≠n-h-cpw F-∂-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-°-Ww.

Rßƒ At∏mgpw C∂sØ ]cy-th-j-W-sØ-∏‰n kwkm-cn-bv°-bm-bn-

cp-∂p. tIƒ°p-tºmƒ Cµn-cbv°v Xmev]cyw ImWp-∂p-≠v. icn-bmWv

`£-W-ap-≠m-°m≥ Hcm-sf-¶nepw Hgn-hm-hs≠?

]nt‰∂v Rßƒ sNb-XXv hoSns‚ ]pdw mKw Af-sh-Sp-°-em-bn-cp-∂p.

F√m-bn-SØpw Htc t]mse-b√ ]pdw `mKw. Nne-bn-SØv D≈n-tebv°p

X≈n-s°m-≠m-Wv. F√mw Af-sh-SpØp t^mt´m-tIm-∏n-bn¬ AS-bm-f-s∏-

Sp-Øn. ]iv\-ß-sfm∂pw ImWp-∂n-√. C\n icn-bv°p≈ Af-hp-I-tfmsS

kvsI®p hc-°p-tºm-gmWv Fs¥-¶nepw ]iv\-ap-s≠-¶n¬ a\- n-em-hp-I.

hoSns‚ πm≥ kvIm≥ sNbvXXv ImcWw hµ\ hfsc thK-Øn¬ Hcp

kvsI®p hc-®p-≠m-°n. Hmtcm apdn-bmbn B sIń-S-Øns‚ XmgsØ \ne

apgp-h≥ Iºyq-´¿ kvIo\n¬ DS-se-Sp-°p-I-bm-Wv. KqKvƒ kvsI®∏v

tkm^v‰vshb¿ sIm≠v Ahƒ AZv`p-X-ß-fp-≠m-°p-I-bm-Wv. \mep apdn-

Iƒ hc-®p- I-gn-™m¬ AX-hƒ Xncn®pw adn®pw ImWn-bv°pw. XoUn

A\n-ta-js‚ km[y-X-Iƒ I≠v Rm≥ AZv`p-X-s∏-Sp-tºmƒ Ahƒ

Iqfmbn Ccp∂v AXns‚ XpS¿® hc-®p-≠m-°pw. Ahƒ ImWn-°p-∂Xv

I≠v A—≥ A¥w hnń-cn-°p-I-bm-sW∂v Ahƒ°-dn-bmw, ]s£ Ahƒ

AX-dn-™-Xmbn \Sn-bv°n-√. AX-h-fpsS Ipń-Ø-Øns‚ mK-am-Wv.

Aßns\ hc-®p-sIm-≠n-cp-∂-t∏mƒ Hcp ]iv\w h∂p. Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"A—m F¥mWv Cu `mKw icn-bm-hm-ØXv?'

"F¥m ]iv\w tamsf?'

"Cu c≠p apdn-Ifpw XΩn¬ ASp-∏n-bv°m≥ Igo-Wv√y. I≠n-s√,

c≠n‚ow FtSev Km∏v hcp-∂p. F¥m Aßns\ hcm≥, \Ωfv Af-sh-Sp-

ØXv icys√?'

80


Fs‚ a\- n¬ Fs¥m-s°tbm Xnf-®p -s]m-ßn. Fs‚ Dulw icn-

bmbn h∂-Xm-bn-cn-°ptam? Fs‚ AXym-thiw ]pd-Øp- Im-Wn-bv°msX

Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"hcq, \ap-s°m-∂p-IqSn Af-sh-Sp-Øp- t\m-°mw. Af-sh-SpØ apdo-sS-

sbms° hmXn-en-Ωev \º-dn-ń-´v≠v. B \º-d-\ymWv kvsI®nepw sImSp-

Øn- p-≈-Xv. As∏m t\m°m≥ Ffp-∏m-Wv. GsXms° apdosS FtSemWv

Km∏v h∂n-cn-°-WXv? F´pw HºXpw As√?'

5 ft

12½ ft 12½ ft

2½ft 2½ft

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

hmXn¬sXm´v hmXn¬hscNpa-cns‚ Iń-b-S°w BsI\ o f w ] X n - s \ m - ∂S n

ASpØ apdn Hfn™pInS∂ apdn-

Rßƒ°v Cu apdn-bn¬\n-∂mWv B[m-chpw kvsI®pw Inń-b-Xv

Rßƒ tS∏p-sa-SpØv Xmtg-bv°n-d-ßn- h-∂p. HºXmw apdn B[m-c-s°-

´p-Iƒ Inńb apdn-bm-sW∂v AhnsS sN∂-t∏m-gmWv a\- n-em-b-Xv. At\z-

jn-°p-∂Xv ASp-Ø-Sp-sØ-Øp-tºmƒ Fs‚ a\ v Xnf®p s]mßp-I- X-

s∂-bm-Wv. apdn Xpd∂v Af-sh-Sp-Øp. apdn-bpsS hoXn ]¥-≠c ASn.

BZyw FSpØ Af-hp-Iƒ X-s∂. C\n ]Ømw \º¿ apdn-bpsS Af-sh-

SpØp t\m°mw. AXpw ]¥-≠c ASn Xs∂. Af-hp-Iƒ icn-bmWv.

]s£ apdn-bpsS ap≥h-iØv ]pdØv Af-sh-Sp-°p-tºmƒ Cu Af-hp-Iƒ

icn-bm-hp-∂n-√. IqSp-X¬ ImWp-∂p. AXn-\¿∞w Cu c≠p apdn-Iƒ°p-

an-S-bn¬ Hcp hnS-hp-s≠-∂m-Wv. GI-tZiw Bd-Sn-bpsS hnS-hv. AXn¬ Npa-

cns‚ Iń-Ip-d-®m¬ In´p-∂Xv A©-Sn. c≠p apdn-bp-sSbpw hmXn-ens‚

Ińf sXm´v Nph¿h-sc-bp≈ \ofw t\m°n. AtX Iń-f-Iƒ XΩn-ep≈

Zqcw apdn-Iƒ°p ]pdØpw t\m°n. icn-bm-Wv. A©Sn hoXn-bn¬ AhnsS

Hcp apdn-bp≠v! s] -∂mWv F\nbv°p qtXm-Z-b-ap-≠m-b-Xv. AXns‚ mK-

Øp-X-s∂-bmWv Rm≥ tImWn-bn-d-ßn- h-cp-∂Xv I≠-Xv. AsXmcp

tImWnapdn-bm-bn-cn°Ww. ]s£ F¥n-\m-WXnX tKm]y-ambn AS-®Xv?

Ct∏mƒ hµ-\bv°pw Bthiw h∂n-cn-°p-∂p. Ahƒ B Npa-cns‚

ta¬ tSm¿®-Sn®v ]cn-ti-[n-°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p. Fhn-sS-sb-¶nepw AXv

AS®Xmbn ImWp-∂pt≠m? AsXmcp tImWn-ap-dn-bm-bn-cp-s∂-¶n¬

81


AXn≥\n∂v CS-\m-gn-I-bn-tebv°v hmXn¬ ImWpw. B hmXn¬ ]n∂o-S-

S-®-Xm-sW-¶n¬ AS® `mKw Fßn-s\-bm-bmepw a\- n-em-hm-Xn-cn-bv°n-

√. tX®Xv F√m-bn-SØpw Htc-am-Xn-cn-bm-h-W-sa-∂n-√-s√m.

Aßn-s\-sbm∂pw ImWm\n-√. F√m-bn-SØpw Htc-Xcw D]-cn-X-ew.

Zpcq-lX h¿≤n-°p-I-bm-Wv. C\n F¥mWv th≠Xv?

C\n sNøm\p≈ Htcsbmcp Imcyw B Hfn-™p- In-S-°p∂ apdn Xpd-

∂p-t\m-°pI amX-am-Wv. AXv cmXn aXn-sb∂v Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw kΩ-

Xn-®p. Cßn-s\-sbmcp kvsI®p hc®p ImWn-®-t∏msg Hfn™p InS-°p∂

apdn-sb-∏‰n Cµn-cbv°v t_m[y-am-bp-≈p. CXn-sems° Fs¥m-s°tbm

Imcy-ap≠v F∂v Ahfpw kΩ-Xn-®Xv At∏m-gm-Wv.

"\ap°v \n[n ]¶p-sh-bv°m≥ Hcmƒ Iq-Sn-bmbn F∂¿∞w.' Rm≥ Ifn-

bmbn hµ-\-tbmSp ]d-™p.

"C\n-bm-sc-¶nepw ]n∂mse IqSptam Bthm?'

"F\nbv°v \nßsS \n[n-sbm∂pw th≠.' Cµnc Xami \o´n-s°m≠p

t]mIm-\mbn ]d-™p. "Fs‚ hnZKvZklmbw thW-¶n¬ ]d-t™m-fp.'

"iey-s∏-Sp-Øm-™m¬ aXn.'

"tZhn tNmZn-°ym-Wv, F¥m Cu A—\pw tamfpw IqSn sNø-WXv? Af-

sh-Sp-°-sWm-s°-≠-s√m-∂v. Rmº-d™p Ah-scmcp \n[nsS ]n∂m-se-

bm-sW∂v.'

"\o icnbv°pw ]dt™zm? icn-bm-bn. C\n \m´nev apgp-h≥ AXp ]m´m-

hpw.'

"F\nbv°p `m¥pt≠m? Rm≥ Xami ]d-™-X-s√. Rmº-d™p

Ahcv Ft¥m hc-®v≠m-°zm-Wv∂v. B adp-]-Sn-sIm≠v Xr]vXymtbm

Fs∂m∂pw Ado-ey. hnNm-cn°vWv≠mhpw F¥n-\ms∏m hc-®v≠m-°-

WXv∂v? AsXm∂pw kmc-eym-t∂-bv.'

cmXn B apdn-bn-tebv°v \o≠ hbdpw π§pw FSpØv Hcp Xmev°m-

enI shfn®w D≠m-°n. ]n°mIvkpw ssIt°m´pw sIm≠p-h∂v tPmen

XpS-ßn. t¢i-I-c-am-bn-cp∂p tPmen. H∂m-a-Xmbn ]cn-N-b-an-√mØ tPmen.

]ns∂ F¥mWv ImWm≥ t]mIp-∂Xv F∂ kkvs]≥kpw. IjvSn®v

Hcmƒ°v Ipºn v IS-°m-\p≈ ]gp-Xp-≠m-°n-b-t∏mƒ Rm≥ D≈n-tebv°p

tSm¿®-Sn®p t\m°n. Ahn-sS-sbm-∂p-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. Rm\mZyw AXn-\p-

≈n¬ IS-∂p. ]n∂mse hµ-\-bpw. AsXmcp km[m-cW apdn- am-X-am-bn-

cp-∂p. hfsc sNdnb apdn. Xmsg a‰p≈ apdn-I-sf-t∏mse kna‚n´v Imhn

tX®n-cn-°p-I-bm-Wv. apI-fn¬ ac-Øns‚ X´p-X-s∂. Hcp ImeØv tImWn

sh®n-cpt∂m F∂-dn-bm≥ Rm≥ X´v ]cn-tim-[n-®p. sh® tImWn

FSpØp If-™-Xm-sW-¶n¬ X´v tbmPn-∏n-®Xv Fßn-s\-bm-sW-¶nepw

a\- n-em-hpw. C√, Aßns\ bmsXm-c-S-bm-fhpw ImWm-\n-√. C\n, B apdn-

bnse X´v apgp-h≥ am‰n-b-XmtWm? H∂pw ]d-bm≥ Ign-bn-√.

82


"A—m, s\e-sØ-hn-sS-¶nepw Ipgn-®n-´-Xm-bn-cnbvt°ym?'

"t\m°mw.' ssIt°m-ńs‚ Xmb-sIm≠v \neØp apń-t\m-°m≥ XpS-

ßn. F√m-bn-SØpw Htc i_vZw. D≈n¬ Ad-I-fp-≈-t]mse tXm∂p-∂n-

√.

"\nßfv s]mdØp hcp. aXn t\m°oXv.' Cµnc ]pd-Øp-\n∂v D≈n-

tebv°p Xe-bn´v ]d-™p.

"icnbm tamsf, \av°v s]mdØv IS-°mw.'

hmbp-k-©m-c-an-√mØ Cu IpSp papdn-bn¬ F\nbv°p izmkw apń-

Øp-S-ßn-bn-cp-∂p. Cu apdn Hcp ]pXnb ka-ky-sb-∂-Xn-\-∏pdw H∂p-am-bn-

√. Imc-W-h¿ Fs∂ ]co-£n-°m≥Xs∂ Xo¿®-bm-°n-bn-cn-°-bm-Wv.


83


A≤ymbw ]Xn\©v

Dd-ßm≥ t\cw sshIn-b-Xp-sIm≠v cmhnse aq∂p -t]cpw sshIn-bmWv

Fgp-t∂-‰-Xv. DW¿∂-t∏m-gmWv DW¿∂Xns‚ ImcWw a\- n-em-b-Xv.

Btcm ASp-°-f-bpsS ]pdw-hm-Xn-en¬ Dds° X´p-I-bm-Wv.

Rßƒ Xmtg-bv°n-d-ßn-h-∂p.

"Rm≥ FX t\cmbn hmXn-enev ap´p-Wp.' tZhn ]d-™p.

"AtX-bv, C∂se cmXn shdpsX sImtd t\cw kwkm-cn-®ncp∂p.'

Cµnc ]d-™p. "\o thKw Nmbbv°v sh≈w shbv°v. \tµ- \v Nmb IpSn-

bv°m≥ [rXym-bn-´v≠m-hpw.'

Xf-Øn¬ tai-°n-cp-h-iØpw Ccp-∂v Rm\pw hµ-\bpw AΩ `wKn-

bmbn \pW ]d-bp-∂-Xp- tI´v Nncn-®p.

"AΩ Hcp hmNIw "AtXbv' ∂v ]d-t™m≠v sXmSßym DSs\ a\-

n-em-°Ww AXv s\mWym-Wv∂v.' Rm≥ i_vZw XmgvØn ]d-™p. hµ\

Nncn-®p-sIm≠v Xe-bm-ń. Nmb IpSn®p Ign™v Rßƒ A∂sØ ]cn-

]mSn Bkq-XWw sNbvXp. ]dºp apgp-h≥ \S∂p t\m°-W-sa∂v Xo¿-

®-bm-°n. Fs¥-¶nepw kqN-\-Iƒ Inń-bmtem?

"A—m F\n°v Iºyq-´-dn¬ B kvsI®v apgp-an-°m-\p-≠v.'

"AXv s_bvIv^mÃv Ign-™n´p aXn.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "cmhn-esØ

ka-bmWv ]d-ºn-sems° \S-°m≥ ]-‰o-Xv. shbn-ev≠m-hn-√. \√ HmP-

p≈ A¥-co-£m-bn-cn-bv°pw. ]ns∂ t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v \ΩsS Xe-t®mdv

G‰hpw Imcy-£-am-bn-´v≈Xv B ka-b-Øm-Wv. \av°v sNe Imcy-ßfv

I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°-m\v≠v.'

C∂p cmhn-esØ ]cy-th-jWw hfsc ][m-\-s∏- -Xm-bn-cn-bv°p-sa∂v

a\ v ]d-bp-∂p. Rm\n-Xp-hsc i≤n-®n-ń-√mØ Hcp tZi-tØ-bv°mWv

Cd-ßn-Øn-cn-bv°p-∂-Xv. Ipń-°m-eØv ]Xn-aq∂p hb p apX¬ UnKn-sb-

SpØv Ccp-]-Øn-aq∂mw hb- n¬ Hcp tPmen In´p-∂-Xp-h-sc, ]ns∂ AΩm-

h≥ acn® tijw AΩmbn H‰-bv°m-b-t∏mƒ Ipd-®p-Imew Cµn-c-sbbpw

hµ-\-sbbpw \mń¬ hn´p h∂t∏mƒ CS-bv°n-Sbv°v klm-b-Øn-\mbn

t]mbn-cp-∂t∏mƒ. AΩm-bn-bp-sSbpw ac-W-tijw Ipt´-´≥ Ata-cn-bv°-

bn-tebv°p t]mb-t∏mƒ an°-hmdpw F√m Rmb-dm-gvNbpw Rm≥ Xd-hm-

ńseØnbn-cp-∂p, H∂p-In¬ sXßp Ib-‰n-bv°mt\m As√-¶n¬ ]dºp

Inf-∏n-bv°mt\m Bbn. CX-sbm-s°-bm-bn´pw B ]d-ºns‚ Hcp cq]-

tcJ ImWmsX hc-bv°m≥ ]d-™m¬ F\nbv°p Ign-bn-√. AXn-se-

s¥ms° ac-ß-fm-Wp-≈-Xv, Ipt´-´-t\m-sSm∏w Ft∏mgpw Ib-dn-°-fn-®n-

cp∂ ac-ßƒXs∂ FtXXp I≈nI-fn-em-Wp-≈Xv Fs∂m∂pw F\n-

84


t°m¿Ω-bp-≠m-hn-√. Xmev]-cy-an-√m-Ø-Xp-sIm-≠m-bn-cn-bv°mw.

km[m-cW B[m-c-ß-fpsS H∏w B ]d-ºns‚ BsI-bp≈ kvsI®p-

ap-≠m-hm-dp-≠v. ]c-Xn-t\m-°n-b-t∏mƒ Aßn-s\-sbmcp kvsI®v IS-em- p-

Iƒ°n-S-bn¬\n∂v Inń. B kvsI®ns‚ ]I¿s∏-Sp-°m≥ hµ-\-tbmSv ]d-

™p. Ahƒ [rXn-bn-sem-scÆw hc-®p-≠m-°n. AXpw Hcp t\m´p-]p-kvX-

Ihpw s]∂p-ambn ]pd-tØ-bv°n-d-ßn. BZyw t]mbXv K-hXnbpsS Aº-

e-Øn-te-bv°m-Wv. F´p-sI´p Ipd-®p- amXw s]mfn®t∏mƒ Xq°w icn-bm-

hm≥ ]n∂oSv ]Wn-X-Xm-Wv B A-ºesa∂v aqØm-im-cn-bpsS A—≥ ]d-

™Xv Hm¿Ω h∂p. AXp tI´-t∏mƒ hµ-\-bpsS IÆp-Iƒ hnS¿∂p.

"F¥m—m Xq°w icn-bm-°zm∂v ]d-™mev?'

"AsXms° hmkvXp-im-kvX-Ønev≈ Hmtcm Imcy-ßfm tamsf. AXn-

sem∂pw henb Imcyw-√y. adn®v X®p-imkvXw F©n-\o-b-dn-ßm-Wv. AXv

IW-°m-Wv. AtXm-≠s√ GI-tZiw c≠p \q‰m-≠p-apºv D≠m-°o´v≈

Cu sIńSw C∏gpw Hcp tISpw C√msX \ne-\n¬°-W-Xv. Cu Xq°w icn-

bm-°-Ww-s∂ms° ]d-b-WXv hmkvXp-hn-ep-≈-Xm-Wv. AXnev henb Ig-

ºp-s≠∂v A—\v tXm∂vWn-ey. Hcp sIńSw \n¬°W ÿe-Øns‚ adp-

Xq-°-am-bn-cn-°Ww Ahcv Dt±-in-°-W-Xv. F∂p-sh-®m¬ efn-X-ambn ]d-

™m¬ BZyw D≠m-bn-cp∂ F´p-sI-ńs‚ ]IpXn s]mfn-®p- I-f-™m¬

]ns∂bp≈Xv \mep-sI´p amXm-Wv. AXn-\m-Is´ H‰bv°v \n°m≥

XmWn-bp-≠m-hp-Ibpw sNøpw. adn®v AXn-t\mSv F´p-sI-ńs‚ Hcp mKw-

IqSn hczm, Hcp F´p-sI-ńs‚ AkvXn-hm-chpw Xmßpw C√m-Xn-cn-°pI,

Aßn-s\-sbmcp \ne h∂m¬ sIń-S-Øn\v tZmj-am-Wv. Hcp tXmWn-bn¬

t]mIp-tºmƒ \Sp-∏p-g-bn¬\n∂v AXns‚ Hcp mK-Øp-≠m-bn-cp∂ kmam-

\-ß-sf√mw If-bp-I-bm-sW∂p hnNm-cn-bv°p. At∏m-sg-¥m-Wp-≠m-hpI?'

"tXmWn Hcp mK-tØbv°v Xmgpw.'

"AXp-X-s∂-bm-bn-cn-°Ww Chn-sSbpw ]n≥kn-]vƒ. AXp-sIm≠v kw -

hn-°p-sa∂v A-h¿ ]d-bp∂ ê-ßƒ ]e-t∏mgpw icn-bm-h-W-sa-∂n-√.

Ahn-sS-bmWv A—\pw hmkvXp-hp-ambn ]nW-ßp-∂-Xv.'

"As∏m Aºew B ]tg Imc-tWmcv D≠m-°n-®-Xm-Ws√?'

"AsX.'

"A—m, F\nbv°p tXm∂-WXv \n[n AXns‚ D≈n-em-bn-cn-°pw-∂v.

A—\v tXm∂vWvt≠m?'

Rm≥ Nncn-®p.

"AXv, tamsf, hfsc Ffp∏w In´W Hcp-Ø-cs√? CX Ffp-∏-w In´m-

hp∂ XcØn¬ Hcp henb \n[n-sbms° Bsc-¶nepw Hfn-∏n-®p- sh-

bv°ptam? AX hep-X√ \n[n-sb-¶n¬ \Ωƒ AXn-\p-th≠n Hcp Znhkw

sa\-s°-´m¬ B Znhkw \jvS-am-Wv.'

"\ap°v B Aº-e-Ønev \t√mWw t\m°mw. AXns‚ icn-bv°p≈

85


kvsI®p-≠mt°w sNømw.'

Zqsc hn´p-\n∂v t\m°p-tºm-gmWv B s]cp-¥-—s‚ Ignhv a\- n-em-

hp-∂-Xv. B \mep-sI´pw AXn\p hiØp≈ Aº-e-hpw-IqSn Hcp henb

inev]-Øns‚ ]Xo-Xn-bp-≠m-°n. c≠pw thdn´ hkvXp-°-fm-sWt∂

tXm∂m-Ø-hn[w CgtN¿∂n-cn-bv°p-∂p.

sNdnb \S-∏mX AºeØn-tebv°p \bn-°p-∂p. \S-∏mX Ah-km-\n-

bv°p-∂Xv Icn-¶¬∏-S-hp-I-fn¬. aq∂m-asØ ]S-hn¬\n∂v Aº-e-Øns‚

D≈ntebv°p ]th-in-°mw. K-h-Xn-bmWv ]Xn-jvT. Aº-e-Øns‚ Np‰p-

ap≈ ]Z-£n-W-h-gn°v Ccp-h-i-Øp-ambn thdn´ c≠p sNdnb Xd-I-fp-≠v.

AXn\v Dcp≠v hÆw -Ip-d™ \mev Imep-IƒsIm≠v Xmßn-\n¿Ønb

ta¬∏p-cbpw. CS-Xp-h-isØ Xd-bn¬ KW-]-Xn-bmWv ]-Xn-jvT. hen-

sbmcp KW-]-Xn. adp-h-i-Øp≈ Xd Hgn-™p-In-S-°p-I-bm-Wv. AXn¬ Imc-

W-h-∑m-sc-bmWv IpSn-bn-cp-Øn-bn-cn-°p-∂-sX-∂mWv k¶-ev]w. Imc-W-h-

∑m¿°v KW-]-Xn-bv°p≈ AtX Ãm‰kv sImSp-Øn-cn-°p-∂p. F\nbv°p

tXm∂n-bXv B Xd Aº-e-Øns‚ Ccp-h-ihpw s]mcp-Ø-s∏-Sm≥

shdpsX \n¿Ωn-®-Xm-sW-∂m-Wv. Hcp-am-Xncn hep-∏-ap≈ Hcp kzIm-

cyIpSpw-_-Ønt‚-sX∂p ImWp-tºmƒ CXv kmam\yw henb Aº-e-am-

Wv. CXn-\p-≈n¬ IS-∂mWv hµ\ Znh-khpw k‘y°v Xncn shbv°p-∂-

Xv. F\nbv°v Ipd-s®mcp t]Sn tXm∂n. Aºew HmSm-º-en-Sp-Itb sNøm-

dp-≈p. At∏mƒ B¿s°-¶nepw AXn-\p-≈n¬ Ibdn Hfn®ncn-bv°m≥

]‰pw. Rm\n-Xp-hsc AXn-s\-∏‰n Btem-Nn-®n-ń-√ F∂Xv AZv`p-X-am-bn-

cn-°p-∂p.

Aº-e-Øns‚ kvsIs®-Sp-Ø-tijw Rßƒ ho≠pw \S-∂p. Xncn-

™p- t\m-°n-b-t∏mƒ Aº-e-Øns‚ hmXn-e-S-®n-ń-s√∂p I≠p. Rm≥

Xncn-®p-t]mbn hmXn-e-S-®p. IÆp-Iƒ ho≠pw KW-]-Xn-bpsS ]Xn-jvT-bn¬

sN∂p-\n-∂p. wKn-bp≈ KW-]-Xn. Xpºnss° hfsc ]I-S-ambn ImWp-

∂p-≠v. AΩm-bn-sb-bmWv Hm¿Ω h∂-Xv. I\Ø ag-bp≈ Znh-k-ß-fn¬

Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw Cµn-cbpw AΩm-bnbv°p Np‰pw Ccn-bv°m-dp-≠v. IY-

Iƒ tIƒ°m≥. Aßn-s\-bp≈ Hcp Znh-k-amWv AΩmbn KW-]-Xn-bpsS

DZv`-h-sØ-∏‰n ]d-™-Xv. Cu IY A[n-Ir-X-]m-T-Øn¬\n∂v hn`n-∂-am-

sW-¶nepw tIƒ°m≥ ck-ap-≠v. Hcn-°¬ io]m¿∆Xn ]c-a-in-h-\p-ambn

kwkm-cn-®n-cn-bv°p-tºmƒ shdpsX tZlØp≈ sNfn-bp-cpń Hcp a\p-jy-

cq-]-ap-≠m-°n-b-sX. ]c-ta-iz-c-t\mSv Bh-iy-s∏´t∏mƒ AXn\v Poh≥

h®p-sIm-Sp-°p-Ibpw sNbvXp. ]m¿∆Xn AXns\ kz¥w ]pX-\mbn

hf¿Øn. Ah≥ hoc\pw iqc-\p-am-bn-cp-∂p. Hcp bp≤-Øn¬ B Ipń-

bpsS Xe t]mbn. ]m¿∆Xn timIm-Ip-e-bmbn Ahs\ FSp-Øp, ASp-Øp-

Xs∂ I≠ Hcp Xe-bp-ambn tbmPn-∏n-®p. AsXmcp B\-bpsS Xe-bm-

bn-cp-∂p. cmXn-bm-b-Xp-sIm≠v AXp a\- n-em-bn-√. Aßn-s\-bm-WsX

86


KW-]-Xnbv°v B\-bpsS Xebp≠mb-Xv. CXv Rm≥ thsd-sb-hn-sSbpw

hmbn-®n-ń-√. Cu IY Rm≥ hµ-\-tbmSp ]d™t∏mƒ Ahƒ Dds°

Nncn-bv-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

NncnbpsS A¥y-Øn¬ Ahƒ hb¿ Aa¿Øn-∏n-Sn-®p.

"A—m F\n°v hni-°p-Wp. \ap°v t]m∆m.' Ah-fpsS hni∏v Aßn-

s\-bm-Wv. s]s´-s∂mcp \nan-j-Øn¬ FSp-Øp- Nm-Sp∂p. Ipń-°m-eØv

F\nbv°pw Aß-s\-Ø-s∂-bm-bn-cp-∂p. A∂v Ipt´-´s‚ H∏w Ie-h-d-

bnepw ASp-°-f-bnepw I´p-Xn-∂m≥ \S-°pw. ]ns∂ hep-Xm-b-t∏mƒ AXn-

t\-°mƒ henb ]iv\-ßƒ hni-∏ns\ ]n∂n-tebv°p Xf-fn.

Rßƒ Xncn-®p -t]m-bn. ]mX¬ Xøm-dmbn- h-cp-∂p. tZhn Hcp ]mX-

Øn¬ Ft¥m Iq´m≥ sIm≠p-h∂p sh®p. Xpd-∂p- t\m-°n-b-t∏mƒ \√

IS-e-°-dn. At∏mƒ C\n hcp-∂Xv ]n´m-bn-cn-°pw. F√mw tai-∏p-d-sØ-

Øn-b-t∏mƒ Cµnc ]d-™p.

"\nßƒ Ign-t®m-fp. F\n-bv°m-bn- n-√. F\nbv°v Ipsfyms° thWw.

Rm\pw tZhow- IqSn ]ns∂ Ign-°mw.'

Aßns\ Rßƒ°v Af-h‰ Ip‰-t_m-[hpw Dfhm°n Ahƒ Itk-

e-bn-en-cp-∂p. tZhn tai-bv°-cnsI h∂p-\n-∂p, hnf-ºm-s\∂ ań¬. Ah-

fpsS Dt±iyw AsXm-∂p-am-bn-cp-∂n√ F∂v DSs\ a\- n-em-bn.

"F¥m c≠o-km-bt√m A—\pw tamfpw IqSn hc-bv°m≥ sXmS-ßo-´v.

Ign-™ns√?'

Ahƒ Dt±-in-°p-∂Xv F\nbv°p a\- n-em-bn. Cµn-c-tbmSv tNmZn-®m¬

sk≥k¿ sNbvX adp-]-Sntb In´p F∂-hƒ°-dn-bmw. At∏mƒ t\cn´v

tNmZn-bv°p-I-bm-Wv. Fs¥-¶nepw ]d-™n-s√-¶n¬ CXn-se√mw Fs¥m-

s°tbm cl-ky-ap-s≠∂v Ahƒ°p tXm∂pw. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"kXyw ]d-b-s´, ]pdsa BtcmSpw ]d-b-cp-Xv.' Rm≥ ]d-bm≥ XpS-ßn-

b-t∏mƒ Cµnc Fs‚ t\sc t\m°n IÆp-cp-ń. Ahƒ hnNm-cn-®Xv \n[n-

sb-∏-‰n-bmWv Rm≥ ]d-bm≥ t]mIp-∂-sX-∂m-Wv. tZhnsb BIm-i-hm-

Wn-sb-∂mWv Ahƒ hnfn-°m-dv. Cµn-c-bpsS t\m´w Ah-K-Wn-®p-sIm≠v

Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"Rß°v Cu hoSpw ]dºpw hn¬°-W-w-∂v≠v. Ipt´-´≥ sImtd-°m-

embn ]d-bm≥ sXmS-ßo-´v. s]s´-s∂m∂pw A√. Hcp ct≠m aqt∂m

sIm√-Øn-\p-≈n-ev. CtXw henb apXev hn¬°m≥ C°m-eØv Z√m-f-

∑mtcw H∂pw Gev]n-°n-√. Cu Xd-hm-Sns‚ t]cnev Hcp sh_vssk‰v

D≠m-°pw. F∂p-sh-®m¬ Iºyq-´-dnev C‚¿s\‰v hgn Cu sIń-S-Øn‚ow

]d-ºn‚ow F√m hnhcpw temIØv GXp aqteev ≈ Iºyq-´dnepw In´-

Ø° hn[-Øn¬ Hcp kwhn-[m-\w. Cs∏m ]ga CjvS-s∏SvW [mcmfw

Bƒ°m-cv C¥ybv°v s]mdsa≠v. Ahcv \av°v C˛-sa-bn-e-b-°pw. AXm-

bXv Iºyq-´-dn-tebv°v IØ-b-bv°pw. As∏m \Ω-sfmcp she ]d-øm,

87


Ahcv sNes∏m s]i-Ipw. As√-¶nev \Ωfv ]d™ she X∂v hmßqw

sNøpw. C\n AsXm∂pw As√-¶nev Cu hI hkvXp-°fv teeØn\v

shbv°W sh_vssk-‰p-I-fv≠v. C˛t_ Fs∂ms° t]cn-ev. Ahsc -G-

ev∏n-®m¬ aXn. \√ she In´pw.

"As∏m \s√mcp sh_vssk-‰p-≠m-°-sW-¶nev CXn-s‚yms° NnX-

ßfpw, hc-®p-≠m-°nb kvsI®p-Ifpw AXnev tN¿°-Ww. Ah¿°n-Xns‚

hep∏w Adn-bm≥. a\- n-emhvWvt≠m?'

"F\nbv°v CsXm∂pw a\- n-em-hn-√. Icp-tW´\v a\- n-em-hpw. aq∏cv

Iºyq-´-sdms° ]Tn-®n´m Kƒôt∏mb-Xv. Hcp Imcyw F\nbv°v a\- n-

embn Cs∏m hkvXp hn¬°m\pw Iºyq-´-dnev ]ptXy ]ptXy G¿∏m-Sp-I-

fp-≠v. tamfvsS Iºyq-´-dnepw AsXms° ]t‰zm?'

"F¥m ]‰msX?'

tZhn t]mb-t∏mƒ Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"Ct∏mƒ Hcp Imcyw a\- n-em-bn.'

"F¥v?' Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw Htc-t]mse tNmZn-®p.

"tamfn-en-cn-°W Iºyq-´-dnev F\n-s°m-c-h-Im-ihpw C√ym-∂v.'

"Ft¥?' Cµn-c-bmWv tNmZn-®-Xv. hµ\ Nncn-bv°p-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

"A√m, tZhn ]d-™Xv tIńs√, "tamfvsS' Iºyq-´-dnepw CsXm s°

]t‰zm∂v? tamfsS Iºyq-´-dm-Wv.'

"kmc-ey,' hµ\ Biz-kn-∏n-®p. "A—\v th≠s∏m Iºyq-´dv D]-tbm-

Kn-t®m-fp, hmSI X∂m¬ aXn.'

"AtX-bv....' Cµnc Fs∂ kam-[m-\n-∏n-°m≥ ]d-bm≥ XpS-ßn.

Ahƒ°v AX s]s´∂v Xami a\- n-em-hn-√. "tZhn C∂se s\ew

sXmS-bv°m≥ t]mbs∏m tamfv Iºyq-´-dnev kvsI®p-≠m-°-WXv I≠p.

As∏m Ahfv hnNm-cn-®n-´p-≠mhpw AXv hµ\Sym-Wv∂v......'

Rm\pw hµ-\bpw Nncn-bv-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

hµ-\sb apI-fn¬ kvsI®p hc-bv°m≥ Gev]n®v Rm≥ ho≠pw ]d-

ºn¬ \S-°m-\n-d-ßn. Fs¥-¶nepw kqN\ Fs‚ apºn¬ s]s´∂v ]Xy-

£-s∏-Sp-sa∂ ań-emWv Fs‚ \S-Øw. Rm≥ \n[n-tbm-S-Sp-°p-I-bmtWm?

Nne-t∏m-ƒ tXm∂pw A√, F\nbv°pw Ipt´-´\pw apI-fnse Fgp-Øp-ta-

i-bn¬\n∂v NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibpw Imc-W-h-cpsS PmX-Ihpw Inńb AtX

\ne-bn¬Ø-s∂-bm-Wn-t∏m-gpw F∂v. AXn¬°q-Sp-X-embn F¥-dn-hm-Wp-

≠m-bn- p-≈Xv? Iptd b-s∏-Sp-Øp∂ A\p- -h-ßƒ D≠mbn F∂p amXw.

AXm-Is´ Rm≥ \n[n-tbm-S-Sp-°p∂p F∂-Xn∂v Hcp kqN-\bpw Xcp-∂p-

an-√. Hmtcm kqN-\bpw Hcn-S-\m-gn-I-bpsS A‰Øp t]mbn apń-\n¬°p∂

t]mse. Ahn-Sp-∂-tßm´v hmXn-en-√, t]mIm≥ hgn-bpan-√.

Rm≥ ap°p-IpØn hotg-≠-Xm-bn-cp-∂p. Fs¥m-s°tbm Btem-Nn®v

\S∂v apºn-ep-≠m-bn-cp∂ sh´p-I-√n¬ Im¬ XS-™p. Ft¥m mKy-Øn\v

88


hogmsX c£-s∏-´p. B sh´p-I√v ]≠-hn-sS-bp-≠m-bn-cp∂ Hcp I¬Øq-

Wns‚ Ah-in-jvS-am-bn-cp-∂p. Ipń-°m-eØv HmSn-°-fn-bv°p-tºmƒ

Ft∏mgpw ImWm-dp-≈-Xm-W-Xv. A∂-Xn\v Iptd IqSn Db-c-ap-≠m-bn-cp-∂p.

C∂Xv Hcp amXncn \ne-tØmSp tN¿∂ \ne-bn-emWv InS-°p-∂-Xv. ]≠-

hnsS Hcp XqWpw AXn-t∑¬ Hcp IpXn-c-bpsS ]Xn-a-bp-ap-≠m-bn-cp∂p

F∂v tIń- p-≠v. GtXm Imc-W-h-cpsS hf¿Øp arK-am-bn-cp∂p B IpXn-

c. AXp NØ-t∏mƒ AXns‚ Hm¿Ω-bv°mbn D≠m-°n-h®-Xmbncp-∂p.

]n∂o-sS-t∏mtgm AXp XI¿∂p- ho-sW∂p tXm∂p-∂p. XI¿∂p hoW

IpXn-c-bpsS IjvW-ßƒ AΩm-hs‚ Ipń-°m-eØv I≠n-cp-∂sX.

AΩmbn IeymWw Ign™v Cu Xd-hm-ń¬ h∂-t∏m-tgbv°v B IjvW-

ßfpw A]-Xy-£-am-bn-cp-∂p. s]mfn™p XpS-ßn-b I¬ØqWv amXw

Ah-ti-jn®p. Ct∏mƒ F¥m-bmepw B XqWns‚ ASn-Ø-d-bpsS Awi-

ßƒ amXta ImWm-\p-≈p. Fs∂-t∏m-esØ kz]v\-Po-hn-Isf Imen´v

hogvØm≥.

X≈-hn-c-en¬\n∂v tNmc In\n-™p- Xp-S-ßn. hoń¬ t]mbn IgpIn h√

acp-∂p-an-S-Ww, Cµnc Adn-bm-sX. Ah-f-dn-™m¬ CsXmcp henb kw`-

h-ambn amdpw. IgpIn acp-∂p-sh-®-t∏m-gmWv hµ\bpsS hnfn- tI -Xv. Rm≥

apI-fn¬ Ib-dn.

Ahƒ kvsI®p t\m°n-bn-cn-°p-I-bm-Wv.

"A—m, CsX-¥mWv Hcp XqWp-t]mse Ft¥m H∂v. Xmsg Ft¥m

Fgp-Xo-´pw-≠v.'

Rm≥ t\m°n. icn-bm-Wv. ]gb ae-bm-f-Øn¬ ]mIr-X-ambn "IpXnc'

Fs∂gp-Xn-bncp-∂p. IpXnc F∂m-bn-cn-°p-sa∂v Rm≥ A\p-am-\n-°p∂p.

A-Xn\p Xmsg ae-bmf en]n-bn¬Øs∂ A°hpw Fgp-Xn-bn-´p-≠v.

ae-bm-f-en-]n-bn¬ A°-ßƒ I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°m≥ AΩm-bn-bpsS cmam-

b-W-amWv Fs‚ klm-b-Øns\Øm-dv. AXns‚ t]Pv \º¿ t\m°n

Rm≥ ae-bmf A°-ßƒ a\- n-em-°pw. Ht∂m ct≠m Znh-k-ßƒ°p-

≈n¬ ad-∂p-t]m-Im-\mbn amXw. Rm≥ Xmsg ]qPm-ap-dn-bn¬ t]mbn cmam-

bWw X∏n-sb-Sp-Øp. Xmsg Fgp-Xn-bXv 1021. IpXn-c-bpsS kvamc-I-ap-≠m-

°n-bXv 1021¬ Bbncn-°pw. Ie-≠¿ t\m°n GI-tZiw Cw•ojv h¿jw

I≠p ]nSn-®p. 1846. 160 sIm√w apºp-≠m-°nb ]Xn-a-bm-W-Xv.

"F¥m A—s‚ Im¬sh-c-eo∂v tNmc hc-WXv?'

"AtXm.' Rm≥ Nncn-®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p. "Rms\mcp IpXn-c-∏p-d-Øp-

\n∂v hoWp.'

"IpXn-c-s∏m-dØv∂v hotgz?' hµ\ tNmZn-®p. "F¥m icnbv°v ]‰oXv?'

"Cu ]d-ºn¬ Hcp IpXn-csS ]Xn-a-≠m-bn-cp-∂p, Hcp XqWn-∑-ev. sImsd-

°mew apºsØ IYym-Wv. Cs∏m AhnsS H∂pw-√y. H∂pw-√ym∂v ]d-

bm≥ ]‰n-√y. B XqWns‚ AkvXnhmcØns‚ Hcp IjvWw _m°n

89


\n°vWv≠v. B XqWm-bn-cnbv°pw Cu kvsI®n¬ sImSp-Øn-´p-≈-Xv.'

Rm≥ ap°p-IpØn hogm≥ t]mbXv hnh-cn-®-t∏mƒ Ahƒ Nncn-°m≥

XpS-ßn.

"\∂m-bn-´v≠v. C√mØ IpXn-c-s∏m-d-Øv∂v hogzm As√?'

s]s -∂mWv F\n-bvs°mcp tXm∂ep-≠m-b-Xv. Rm≥ Ipd-®p-Im-e-ambn

CS-]-gIp-∂Xp apgp-h≥ C-t∏mƒ \ne-hn-en-√mØ km[-\-ßfpambm-Wv.

X´n≥]p-dsØ CS-\m-gn-I-Iƒ, AhnsS \n∂v Cd-ßn-hcp∂ tImWn, C´n-

cm-a≥ Imc-W-h-cpsS apdn-bn-tebv°v Cd-ßn-h-cp∂Xmbn ImWp∂ tImWn,

XqWn-t∑-ep≈ IpXn-c. CsX√mw F¥n-s\sbms°tbm kqNn-∏n -

bv°p∂ns√? C\n C√mØ Hcp \n[n-bpsS ]n∂mse-bmbn-cn-°ptam Rm≥

HmSp∂Xv?

90


A≤ymbw ]Xn\mdv

C√mØ Imcy-ß-fp-ambn \Ωƒ CS-]-g-Ip∂p F∂p ]d-™Xv hµ-

\-bv°n-jvS-am-bn. AX-hƒ°v Nn¥n-bv°m≥ Hch-kcw sImSp-Øp. Ahƒ

Kuc-h-ambn ]d-™p.

"C√mØ km[-\-ß-fm-bn-cnbv°mw A—m, ]s£ AXns‚ A\p-`hw

bYm¿∞-s√?'

"F∂p-h-®m¬?'

"Rm\p-t±-in-°-W-Xv, Cu Imcy-ß-sfms° C√m-Ø-h-bm-sW-¶nepw

AXp-≠m-°W ê-wt√y, C^-IvSv, AXp hfsc bYm¿∞m-W-s√m.

A—s‚ Im¬shcev apdn-™-t]mse. Rm\o kvsI®n¬ XqWv I≠p-]n-

Sn® AtX ka-b-ØmWv A—≥ AXns‚ I√n-∑ev Imep-IpØn hogm≥

t]mb-Xv. ]≠v AΩsb Xf-Øn-se-Øn®Xv B C√m-t°m-Wn-bm-sW∂p

]d-™q-tem. As∏m CsXms° kocn-b- mbn ImW-Ww-∂m F\nbv°p

tXm∂-W-Xv. CsX√mw Imc-W-hcv A—\v XcW kqN-\ym-bn-cn-°pw. Imc-

W-hcv A—-t\mSv kwkm-cn-°m≥ ian°vWv≠v. \ap-°Xv Unssk-^¿

sNbvsX-Sp-°m≥ Ign-b-Ww∂v amXw. A—≥ Btem-Nn-®p-t\m-°p.'

Aßns\ t\m°p-tºmƒ AXp icn-bm-sW∂p tXm∂p-∂p. Cu A\p-

`-h-ßƒ amX-a-√. a‰p \nc-h[n A\p-`-h-ßƒ B Imc-W-h¿ Ft∂mSp

kwkm-cn-°m≥ ian-°p-I-bm-sW-∂-Xn\p sXfn-hm-Wv. Xń≥]p-dsØ Fgp-

Øp-s]-ń. AsX-\nbv°p amXw Xpd-°m≥ Ign-bp-∂-Xn¬ Ft¥m Imcy-

ans√? hµ\ ]d-ºns‚ kvsI®v FSpØp t\m°p-I-bm-Wv. Rm\Xv Ah-

fpsS Iøn¬\n∂v taSn-®p. AXn¬ Aº-e-ap≈-Xp-sIm≠v, kvsI®pw AXn-

t\m-sSm-∏-ap≈ B[m-chpw Cń-cm-a≥ ImcW-hcv ]n∂o-Sp-≠m-°n-®-Xm-sW-

∂-Xns‚ sXfn-hmWv. hµ\ NXp-cw-K-∏-eI FSpØv i≤-tbmsS t\m°p-

I-bm-Wv. s]s´∂v c≠p t]cpw t\m°p∂ hkvXp-°-ƒ H∂p-X-s∂-bm-

sW∂ t_m[-sa-\n-bv°p-≠m-bn. Ft¥m Hcp BI-kvan-IXbmhmw. Fs‚

Xe-t®mdv DW¿∂p ]h¿Øn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"tamsf, Hcp Imcyw \n\°v tXm∂vWvt≠m?'

"F¥—m?'

"Cu NXp-cw-K-∏-eI \ΩpsS ]d-ºns‚ NnXmWv∂v?'

hµ-\-bpsS IÆp-Iƒ hnS¿∂p. Aß-s\-sbmcp km[y-X-sb-∏‰n

Ahƒ Btem-Nn-®n-ń-√. Ahƒ Bth-i-tØmsS Fs‚ Iøn¬\n∂v ]d-

ºn-s‚- kvsI®p Xń-∏-dn®p c≠pw ASp-Ø-SpØp sh®p t\m°m≥ Xp-S-

ßn.

"F\n-bvs°m∂pw a\- n-em-hvWn√y A—m.'

91


"Rm≥ ]d™p Xcmw. CXn¬ s]s´∂v i≤n-t°≠ \mev Icp-°-fp-

≠v, GsXm-s°-bm-WXv?'

hµ\ t_m¿Un-tebv°p t\m°n AXo-h-i-≤-tbmsS Ccn-bv°-bm-Wv.

"cmPm-hn\v Aciv sImSp-Øn-cn-bv°ym-Wv. AXm-bXv sN°v. AsXmcp

sX‰mb \o°mWv F∂p-h-®mepw B Icp-°-fmWv Ct∏m IW-°m-t°-

≠Xv. H∂v cmPm-hv, As√-¶n¬ NXp-cw-K-Øn¬ Rßƒ ]d-bm-dp≈

tZh≥. c≠v tXcv, aq∂v _nj-∏v, As√-¶n¬ A—≥ ]d-bmdv≈ B\, \me-

a-tØXv IpXn-c.'

"AXn-s‚-sbms° \ne-sbm∂v t\m°v. As∏m a\- n-em-hpw. CXv B

Aº-ehpw AXn\v Np‰pw≈ B\bpw IpXn-cbpw BWv∂v k¶-ev]n-°p.

AXm-bXv KW-]-Xnbpw XqWn-t∑ev≈ IpXnc-bpw. Hcp cmPysØ \n[n

Fhn-SymWv km[m-c-W-≠m∆m?'

"sIm´m-c-Øn-ev.'

"F∂p-h-®m¬ cmPm-hns‚ ASp-Øv. ChnsS c≠p cmPm-°∑mcp-≠-s√m.

GXp cmPm-hns‚ Iøn-emWv AXp-≠m-hp-I.'

"c≠p cmPm-°-∑m-cpsS ASp-Øpw-≠m-hns√?'

"Chn-SymWv Ipg-°W ]iv\w-≈-Xv. AXm-Wn\n I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°-≠-Xv.'

"A—s‚ `mh\ ImSp-I-b-do∂v amtX A¿∞-≈p.' hµ\ Nncn-®p-

sIm≠v ]d-™p.

Hc¿∞-Øn¬ hµ\ ]d-™Xp icn-bm-Wv. Fs‚ `mh\ ImSp-I-b-dn-

bn-cn-bv°-bm-Wv. ]s£ Cu Hcp Imcy-Øn¬ Fs∂ \nb-¥n-°p-∂Xp apgp-

h≥ Fs‚ A¥¿⁄m-\-am-Wv. C≥Syq-j≥. a‰p kqN-\-I-sf√mw AXn\v

AI-ºSn tkhn-°p-∂psht∂-bp-≈p. Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-hsc kz]v\-Øn¬

I≠-Xns‚ Hm¿Ω-bn-emWv Rm≥ hµ-\-tbmSp ]d-™Xv, \n[n Aº-e-Øn-

em-hm≥ hsø-∂v. Imc-W-h¿ Fs∂ sIm≠p-t]m-bXv Xd-hm- nse \nc-h[n

apdn-I-fn-sem-∂n-em-Wv. apI-fn-emtWm Nph-ń-emtWm F∂p-t]mepw Adn-

bn-√. AXp I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°m-\p≈ hgn-I-fmWv C\n tXtS-≠-Xv. Rm\m

kvsI®pw NXp-cw-K-∏-e-Ibpw apºn¬h®v [ym\n-®p. At∏m-gmWv Hcp

Imcyw a\- n-em-°n-b-Xv. Cu ]dºv icnbv°pw NXp-c-\m-Wv. B

sN vt_m¿Up t]m-se. F¥p-sIm-≠mWv Cu Imcyw apsº Xe-bn¬

Ib-dm-™Xv? sN vt_m¿Un¬ \n∂v sIń-S-Øns‚ ÿm\w I≠p-]n-Sn-

bv°m≥ hnj-a-am-Wv. AXv kzbw A≤zm-\n®p I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°-Ww.

Ipń-°m-eØv F\n-bv°p-≠m-bn-cp∂ Hcp tKmjvTn-bmWv XrtIm-W-

ßƒ hc-bv°p-I-sb-∂-Xv. IS-em- n-sem-∂p-a-√. a\- n¬, As√-¶n¬ IÆp-

IƒsIm≠v Htcm hkvXp-°-fn¬ AZr-iy-amb XrtIm-W-ßƒ hc-bv°p-

I. Hcp Iq´w hkvXp-°-fn¬\n∂v F\nbv°v \nc-h[n XrtIm-W-ß-fp-≠m-

°m≥ Ign-bpw. F\nbv°v ss[cy-°p-d-hp-≈-t∏m-tgm, Fs¥-¶nepw Imcy-

Øn¬ Xo¿∏p-≠m-°m≥ Ign-bm-Xn-cn-°p-tºmtgm BWv Rm\o tImam-

92


fnØw Im´m-dv. ]n∂oSv AZriy tcJ-Iƒ hc-bv°p-∂-Xn-t\m-sSm∏w Fs‚

ssIhn-c-ep-Ifpw Nen-∏n-bv°m-dp-≠v. AXp-sIm-s≠m-s°-bm-bn-cn-bv°Ww

]n°m-t m-hns‚ NnX-ßƒ I≠-t∏mƒ F\nbv°p s]s´-∂n-jvS-am-b-Xv.

CXm thsdmcp tImamfn F∂p hnNm-cn-®n-cn-bv°-Ww.

F¥m-bmepw B kz`mhw Ct∏mƒ Bh-iy-ambn h∂p. Rm≥ NXp-cw-

K-∏-e-I-bn¬ I≠p ]nSn® c≠p Icp-°-fmb B\bpw IpXn-cbpw tN¿Øv

XrtIm-W-ß-fp-≠m-°m≥ XpS-ßn. B c≠p Icp-°sf amX-sa-Sp-°m≥

thsdbpw Imc-W-ß-fp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. tZh-s\, As√-¶n¬ cmPm-hns\

sN°vsabv‰v sNbvX aq∂p Icp-°-fn¬ B\bpw IpXn-cbpw icnbpw tXcv

sX‰p-am-Wv. F∂p-sh-®m¬ IpXn-csb B\-bpsS apºn¬\n∂v am‰n Hcp

Hm∏≥ sN°p sImSp-Øp, AtXm-sSm∏w IpXn-c-sb-s°m≠pw sN°ph-®p.

AXv kw`m-hy-am-Wv. adn®v tXcn\v, As√-¶n¬ Iymkn-en\v AhnsS hcm≥

bmsXmcp \ymb-hp-an-√. AXp-sIm≠v AXv _qfn-b≥ temPn°n¬ ]d-

™m¬ "^mƒkp'w a‰p c≠pw "Sq'hp-am-Wv. At∏mƒ icn-bm-bn-´p≈Xp

amX-sa-Sp-°p-I. c≠p Zni-bn-tebvt° Ahbn¬ \n∂v XrtIm-W-ß-fp-≠m-

hp. H∂v sIń-S-Øns‚ Zni-bn-te-bv°v. ]ns∂ adp-h-i-tØ-bv°pw. adp-h-

i-tØ-bv°p-≈Xv Xosc Dt]-£n-°mw, ImcWw AhnsS shdpw sXßp-

Ifpw a‰p ac-ßfpw \nd™ ]d-ºm-Wv. sIń-S-Øns‚ mK-tØbv°p hc®

`pP-ßƒ Hcp t\¿h-c-bn-emWv Ipń-ap-´p-∂-Xv.

B t\¿h-c-I-fn-se-hn-sS-sb-¶nepw BhWw Rßƒ At\z-jn-°p-∂

\n[n-bp-≈Xv. an°-hmdpw GsX-¶nepw apdn-I-fn¬. Ahn-tS-bv°mWv C -ncm-

a-°m-c-W-h¿ kz]v\-Øn¬ Fs∂ sIm≠p-t]m-b-Xv. CXbpw hni-Zo-I-cn-

®p-sIm-Sp-Ø-t∏mƒ hµ-\-bpsS kn\n-knkw s]s´∂v A]-Xy-£-am-bn.

Iºyq-´-dn¬ sNbvXp-sIm-≠n-cp-∂Xv tkhv sNbvXv Ahƒ tNmZn-®p.

"As∏m C\n I≠p-]n-Sn-bvt°-≠Xv GXp apdym-sW-∂p amXm-Wv,

As√?'

"AsX. AXn\v \ap°v th≠Xv Hcp Iºyq-´¿ tamU-em-Wv. \o Ct∏m

D≠m-°W kvsI®n-s√, AXp Ign-™m¬ ]d-bq. Rm≥ AXn-\p-apºv

KW-]-Xn-bp-sSbpw IpXn-c-bp-sSbpw CS-bn-ep≈ Zqcw IW-°m-°mw. AXp-

t]mse Ahn-sS-\n∂v hoń-te-bv°pw. CXbpw Bbm¬ \ap°v ]Wn XpS-

ßmw.'

hµ-\bv°v D’m-l-am-bn. kvsI®ns‚ Ah-km\ ]Wn-I-fn-emWv

Ahƒ. C\n Af-hp-Iƒ FSpØp tN¿°p-Itb th≠p. Ahsf B ]Wn

XpS-cm≥ Gev]n®v Rm≥ Fs‚ Af-hp-\m-S-bp-ambn ]pd-tØ-bv°n-d-ßn.

icnbv°p ]d-™m¬ KW-]-Xnbpw Aº-ehpw IpXn-cbpw FI-tZiw Htc

\nc-bn-em-Wp-≈-Xv. KW-]-Xnbpw IpXn-cbpw Aev]w apºn-tebv°p

\n¬°p-∂p-s≠∂p amXw. NXp-cw-K-∏-e-I-bnepw Aßn-s\-Ø-s∂-bmWv

Icp-°-fpsS \ne.

93


sshIp-t∂cw BZysØ Z√m-f≥ h∂p.

"Cu \mep-sI´pw ]dºpw hn¬°m-\p≠v∂v tI´-s√m.'

Rm≥ a\- n¬ ]d-™p. tZhn-tbmSv \n[n-bpsS Imcy-am-bn-cp∂p ]d-

tb-≠n-bn-cp-∂-Xv. Hcp Imcyhpw Ch-cp-sS-sbm∂pw a\- n¬ \nev°n-√.

Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"ASpØ ho´p-Im-sc-bmWv Gev]n-®n-cn-°-W-Xv. Rßfv c≠p Znhkw

Ign-™m¬ t]m∆m-Wv.'

"Bsc, `m¿§-hn-b-Ω-sS ho´p-Im-sctbm?'

"AsX, AhnsS tNmZn-®m¬ aXn.'

"CXvs∏m FX G°dv ImWpw?'

"F√mw Ah¿°-dn-bmw, AhnsS At\z-jn®m aXn.'

cmXn-bm-b-t∏m-tgbv°v hµ\ kvsI®p hc®p Ign-™p. at\m-l-c-am-

bn-cn-°p-∂p. Af-sh-SpØp hc-®-Xp-sIm≠v F√mw hfsc hy‡-am-bn-cp-∂p.

]gb F´p-sI-´ns‚ ÿm\w Ahƒ Duln®v hc®p tN¿Øn-cp-∂p. AXp-

t]mse \mep-sI´p amX-am-bn \n¿Øn-bn-cps∂-¶n¬ Fhn-Sw-h-sc-bp-≠m-

hp-sa∂pw Ahƒ ]tXyIw AS-bm-f-s∏-Sp-Øn-bn-´p-≠v. ]d-ºn¬ c≠p

Ipf-am-Wp-≈-Xv. H∂v sh´p-I-s√-SpØ Ipgn-t]mse tXm∂n-bv°p∂ Ipfw.

Hcp mKØv ]S-hp-Ifpw Ipf-∏p-c-bp-ap-s≠-¶nepw a‰p aq∂p hiØv s]s´-

∂p≈ XmgvNbm-Wv. I≠m¬ `bw tXm∂pw. Rßƒ Ipfn-®n-cp-∂Xv

94


sX°p-In-g°p `mK-Øp≈ hnim-e-amb Ipf-Øn-em-bn-cp-∂p. AXn¬

\ndsb Bº¬ ]q°ƒ GXp-Im-eØpw hncn-™p-\n¬°m-dp-≠v. sh´p-I-

√p-Ipfhpw Ipf-∏p-cbpw Hcp ImeØv F´p-sI-ńs‚ `mK-am-bn-cn-bv°-W-

sa∂v Rm≥ Dulw ]d-™n-cp-∂p. AX-\p-k-cn-®m-W-hƒ F´p-sI-ńs‚

s]mfn-®p-I-f™ `mKhpw kvsI®n¬ tN¿Ø-Xv. Rm≥ ]d™-X-\p-k-

cn®v Aº-e-Øn-s‚bpw IpXn-c-bp-sSbpw CS-bn¬ Hcp km¶-ev]nI tcJ-

bp-≠m°n AXn¬\n∂v sIń-S-Øns‚ hS-°p-`m-K-sØ-Øp-∂-Xp-hsc

XrtIm-W-ßƒ D≠m-°n-h-®p. Ct∏mƒ Imcy-ßƒ hfsc hy‡-am-Wv. B

XrtIm-W-ßƒ h∂p ap´p∂ GsX-¶nepw Hcp apdn-bn-em-hWw \n[n Hfn-

∏n-®p-h-®n-cn-bv°p-∂-Xv.

]I-esØ A≤zm\w Imc-W-am-bn-cn-°Ww Rm≥ cmXn \∂mbn Dd-

ßn. cmhnse Xmg-sØ-Øn-b-t∏mƒ tZhn-bmWv Nmb sIm≠p-h∂p X∂-

Xv. ]s£ apJ-sØmcp ]km-Z-an-√. Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"Ft¥?'

"H∂pw-√y.'

"Ft¥m-≠v.'

"\tµ-´-s\-¥n\m B s]mcp-Øp-Im-cs\ Rß-S-Sp-tØbv°v hn´Xv?'

"AtX-≈p. Rms\mcp tNmZyw Aß´v tNmZn-bv°s´. F¥n-\mWv

Rßƒ°o hoSv hn¬°m-\p-t±-iy≠v∂v s]mdsa ]d-™Xv? Rm≥

]tXyIw ]d-™-Xs√ thsd BtcmSpw ]d-b-cpXv∂v? Cs∏m F¥p ieym-

bn∂v t\m°v. H∂m-a-Xmbn aq∂p sIm√-Øn-\p-≈n¬ hnev°mt\ Dt±-i-

≈p. ]ns∂ s]mcp-Øp-Imcv aptJ\ hn¬°m≥ Xosc Dt±-i-√y. AsXm

s° ]d-™-X-s√.'

"Rm\-sXym∂pw Btem-Nn-®n-√.'

"As∏m C\n hcW s]mcp-Øp-Im-tcm-sSms° ]d-øm, Cu hoSpw

]dºpw hnev°m≥ t]mWn√y, Chn-SsØ Iqćv dn´-bdv sNbvXp Ign-

™m¬ h∂p Xma-kn-°ym-Wv∂v. As√-¶nev \n\-°p-X-s∂-bmWv ieyw.

Rßfv aq∂p Znhkw Ign-™m¬ t]mhpw.'

"icn.'

Ahƒ ASp-°-f-bn-tebv°p t]mb-t∏mƒ F\nbv°p hnj-a-am-bn.

Rßƒ Ipń-I-fm-bn-cn-bvs° ]d-ºn-sems° HmSn-°-fn-®n-cp-∂-t∏mƒ Hcp

hmembn Ahfpw D≠m-bn-cp-∂p. Cµn-c-tb-°mƒ \mep hb p Xmsg-bm-

Wv. Ct∏mƒ Ahfpw AΩbpw Cu hoSpw ]dºpw t\m°m-\p-s≠∂

ss[cy-Øn-emWv Rß-f-hnsS Ign-bp-∂-Xv.

C∂v \n¿Æm-bI Znh-k-am-Wv. Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw Aº-e-Øn¬\n∂p

h∂-t∏mƒ G√m-hcpw H∂n®v ]mX¬ Ign-®p. tZhn-tbmSv Ipd®p ab-

Øn¬ kwkm-cn-®t∏mƒ Ah-fpsS ]nW°w amdn. ]mhw, AXtb D≈p.

Rßƒ kvsI®n¬ AS-bm-f-s∏-Sp-Ønb apdn-Iƒ Hmtcm∂mbn ]cn-tim-

95


[n-°m≥ XpS-ßn. s]s -s∂-\nbv°v t\csØ I≠ kz]v\w Hm¿Ω h∂p.

Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-h¿ Fs‚ ssI ]nSn®v Hcp tImWn-bn-d-ßn-h-cp∂

kz]v\w. Rm≥ hµ-\-tbmSp ]d-™p.

"F\nbv°p tXm∂-WXv tImWn-bp≈ Hcp apdn-bm-bn-cnbv°pw AsX-

∂m-Wv. ]s£ \ΩsS sXc-®n-en¬ tImWn-sbm∂pw I≠n-ń-√. AXn-

\¿∞w Hcp ImeØv D≠m-bn-cp∂ tImWn Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-W-h-cpsS Ime-

Øn-\p-tijw FSpØp am‰n F∂m-Wv. F¥m A`n-]mbw?'

Rßƒ kvsI®n¬ AS-bm-f-s∏-Sp-Ønb \º-d-\p-k-cn®v t\m°m ≥

XpS-ßn. H∂mw \º-dn¬ H∂p-an-√. AXp Imc-W-h-cpsS apdn-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

AXn\p sXm´-SpØv Hfn-™p-In-S∂ apdn- t\csØ t\m°n-bn-cp-∂s√m.

c≠mw \º-dn-se-Øn-b-t∏mƒ s]s´∂v hnf-°-W-™p. Id‚ v t]mb-Xm-Wv.

Iøn¬ ]nSn® hnf°v Xmsg h®p Rßƒ hb¿ XS-bmsX apdnbv°p

]pdØp IS-∂p. C\n Ft∏m-gmWv sshZypXn hcp-I-sb-∂-dn-bn-√. \mń≥]p-

d-sØms° Aßn-s\-bm-Wv. AXbpw kabw ]mgm-°msX kvsI®p ]Tn-

°m≥ Rßƒ Xocp-am-\n-®p.

"Aß\ow Hcp km[y-X-≠v. A—≥ ]d-™n-cp -∂n-s√, tImWn

FSpØp am‰n-bm¬ Xńs‚ B `mKw hyXym-k-s∏-ń-cn-°pw∂v? As∏m

\ap-°Xp t\m°mw. GXm-bmepw aq∂p apdntb \Ωfv AS-bm-f-s∏-Sp-Øo-

´p-≈p.'

96


"t\m°mw.'

"Hcp Imcyw \o i≤nt®m?' Rm≥ tNmZn-®p. "\Sp-hnse apdn-bpw

AXn\p Np‰p-ap≈ CS-\m-gn-I-Ifpw \Sp-ap‰w \nIØn ]Wn-XXmbn-cn-

°Ww.'

"icym-W-s√.' kvsI®p t\m°n-s°m≠v hµ\ ]d-™p. F´p-sI-ńs‚

c≠m-asØ \Sp-ap-‰-mWv AXv As√? Rm\-tXm¿Øn-√. At∏mƒ B \Sp-

ap-‰-Øm-bn-cnbv°pw Imc-tWmcv \n[n Ipgn-®n- -Xv. AtXm-≠m-bn-cn°pw F´p-

sI´v apgp-h≥ s]mfn-°m≥ kΩ-Xn-bv°m-Xn-cp-∂-Xv, As√?'

"Bbn-cn-°pw. Cu \in® Id‚ v C\n Ft∏m-gmWmthm hczm. B apdo-

sems° ]cn-tim-[n-°-sW-¶nev \√ shfn®w thWw. \Ωfv t\m°m≥

t]mW apdoev H´pw shfn®w C√. s]md-tØbv°v P\-en-√mØ apdn-bm-Wv.

BsI≈Xv Hcp kqtXm-ýmWv. hmXnev IS-°W CS-\m-gnI AXn-tesd

Ccp´p ]nSn-®-Xpw.'

"F¥m—m kqtXm´?'

"X®pimkvX-]-Imcw Nne Npa-cn¬ P\¬ ]mSn-s√-∂p-≠v. ]s£

Aßn-s\-bp≈ ÿeØv shdpw Hcp Hm -bp-≠m-°pw. GI-tZiw c≠n©p

hymk-Øn¬. AXn-\mWv kqtXm´ F∂p ]d-b-W-Xv. Hcp ]s£ Xq

sh‚n-te-j\p th≠n-bm-bn-cn-°pw.'

"AXp icn.'

"Cu \mń≥]p-dØv Cßn-s\-sbmcp ieyw amtX-≈q. Id‚ v, AXp

t]mbm¬ Hcp t]m°m-Wv. \n\°v Iºyq-´-dn¬ H∂pw sNøm\pw ]‰n-√.'

"£an°p A—m.'


97


A≤ymbw ]Xnt\gv

Id‚ v h∂Xv cmXn Ggp aWn-bv°m-Wv. Rßƒ apdn ]cn-tim-[n-°m≥

HmSp-∂Xp I≠ Cµnc ]d-™p.

"C\n DuWp Ign-™n´p t]msc. A—\pw tamƒ°pw Xosc £a-√y.'

"Hcp Imcypw IqSn t\m°m-\v≠v. AXv Ign-™n´p hcmw. A∏-gbv°v \o

DuWp icn-bm-°p.'

Rßƒ HmSp-I-X-s∂-bm-bn-cp-∂p. hnf°v IØn- \n-∂n-cp-∂Xv FSpØp

Xńs‚ tatebv°p ]nSn®p Hmtcm `mK-ambn ]cn-tim-[n-bv°m≥ XpS-ßn.

s]s´∂v Fs‚ lrZbw ]pdØp NmSn-bn√m Fs∂-bp-≈p. Hcp aqe-bn-

embn Hcn-°¬ tImWn ]n-Sn-∏n-®n-cp∂ mKw I≠p. Hcp IqSv, AXv ]n∂oSv

AS-®-Xm-Wv. AS® mKw Hcp s^bn-ambn ImWp-∂p.

"CXmWv Rm≥ ]d-™-Xv, t\m°v ChnsS Hcp tImWn-≠m-bn-cp-∂p.'

hµ-\bv°v Xr]vXn-bm-bn.

"CXm-bn-cn-°Ww B apdn. F¥m-bm-epw- Cs∏m t\m°m-s\m∂pw ]‰n-

√. DuWp Ign™v kmh-[m-\-Øn¬ t\m°mw. AXn-s\-Sbv°v tamfn

evsØ s\teev t]mbn AhnSow H∂v ]cn-tim-[n-bv°mw.'

Rßƒ CS-\m-gn-I-I-fpsS hf-hp-Iƒ IS∂v ]pd-tØbv°p IS-∂p. \Sp-

ap-‰-Øns‚ hi-Øp-IqSn \S∂v tImWn Ib-dn. \o≠ hb¿ π§n¬ \ns∂-

Sp-ØXv H∏w sIm≠pt]mbn. Ahn-sS \√ Ccp-´p-Xs∂. ]pdØv ambm≥

aSn-®p-\n∂ t\cnb shfn®w B apdn-bn¬ H´pw FØp-∂n-√. ASp-°-f-bpsS

hmXn-en-eqsS `¿Øm-hn-s‚bpw aI-fp-sSbpw ]cm-I-a-ßƒ ho£n-°p-∂

Cµnc Xe-bm-ń.

apI-fnse apdn I≠p-]n-Sn-bv°pI Ffp-∏-am-bn-cp-∂p, ImcWw AXv

G‰hpw A‰sØ apdn-bm-Wv. apI-fnse hcm-¥-bn¬°qSn CS-\m-gn-I-bn-

tebv°p IS-°mw. Rßƒ InS-∏-d-bn¬\n∂v π§pph-gn-sb-SpØ hnf°v

IØn®p \S-∂p. B apdn-bnepw Hcp kqtXm´ amX-sa-bp-≈p. P\-ep-I-fn-

√. AsXmcp km[m-cW apdn amXw. ho´p-km-am-\-ß-sf√mw am‰n-bn-cp-∂p.

]cn-tim-[n-®-t∏mƒ Hcp Imcyw a\- n-em-bn. B apdn-bpsS Xń¬\n∂pw

Xń≥]p-d-tØbv°v tImWn-h-®-Xns‚ sXfn-hp-≠v. a\- n-em-hmØ Imcyw

H∂m-a-Xmbn Cu apdn-bn¬\n∂v Xń≥]p-d-tØbv°v F¥n-\mWv tImWn

h®-Xv. c≠m-aXv, F¥n-\mWv B tImWn FSpØp am‰n-bXv? Imc-W-h¿

sNbvX-sX¥pw Zpcq-l-Xbp-≈Xm-bn-cp-∂p. B apdn-bn-sem∂pw Hcp \n[n

Hfn∏n®p shbv°m-\p≈ ÿew I≠n-√. Rßƒ Xmtgbv°p Xncn®p

t]mbn. tai-∏p-dØv DuWp Xøm-dmbn Cµnc ImØp-\n¬°p-I-bm-Wv.

98


"Inńtbm?' Ahƒ tNmZn®p?

"F¥v?'

"\nßf-t\z-jn-°W \n[n?'

"Ifn-∏n-t®ms´ As√ tamsf?'

"A√, AXp Inń-bn´v \nßsf¥m sNøm≥ t]mWXv?'

"Rß-fXv Inń-bn´v BZyw ]pXp-Xmbn \s√m-c-Ωsb sIm≠p-h-cpw,

As√ tamsf?'

"A√m-sX? Hcp _m‚ v \yp AΩsb.'

"CsXm-s°-bmWv A—‚ow tamfSow a\- n-en-cn∏v As√? ]d-™Xv

\∂m-bn. Cs∏m F¥m-bmepw £Ww Xøm-dm-bn- p-≠v. AXp Ign-t®m-fp.

\msf apX¬ hµ-\sS _m‚ v \yq AΩ-bp-≠m-°n-Ø-cpw.'

"\Ω-fXv ]d-™Xv Ipd®p t\c-sØ-bmbn As√?' hµ\ ]d-™p.

ssI IgpIn Du¨ta-ibv°p apºn-en-cn-°p-tºmƒ Rm≥ ]d-™p.

"KpW-]m-Tw, as‰m∂p Inń-bnt´ Iøn-ep≈ Infnsb hnSm-hq.'

"Bs´, icnbv°p ]d-bq, \n[n Inń-bm¬ F¥mWv sNøm≥ t]mWXv?'

"t\¿ ]IpXn Ipt - \p sImSp-°pw. aq∏¿°p-IqSn Ah-Im-i-s∏- -XmWv

Cu ÿew, AtXm-≠vXs∂ Cu \n[ow. _m°n ]IpXnsIm≠v \ΩsS

IsSms° ho´pw. \ΩsS hoSp sh®-Xns‚ ISw C\ow _m°n-≠-s√m.

AXpw a‰p Nne A√-d-Nn-√d ItSmw Hs°-°q-So´v Xo¿°pw. _m°n h√-

Xpws≠-¶n¬ AXv \ΩsS tamfsS Ieym-W-Øn\v FSp-Øp-sh-bv°pw.

t]msc?'

"aXn-a-Xn, A√, tNmZn-®-Xm. F∂n´v thWs√m t]mbn´v Fs‚

kq´vtIkv t]°v sNøm≥.'

Aßns\ Imcy-ßƒ cay-ambn ]cn-l-cn®v Rßƒ aq∂p- t]cpw `£-

W-Øn-\n-cp-∂p.

DuWp Ign-™-t∏mƒ kpJ-ambn InS-∂p-d-ßm-\mWv tXm∂p∂Xv.

XWpØ Im‰p hoip-∂p-≠v. Fhn-sStbm ag s]øp-∂p-≠v F∂¿ ∞w.

C\n ag-bpsS Bchw tIƒ°mw. Zqsc-\n∂v XpSßn kmh-[m-\-Øn¬ ASp-

tØbv°p- h∂v AXv Hmń≥]p-dØv i‡n-tbmsS ]Xn-bv°p-w. AXns‚

Bkp-c-i-_vZ-Øn¬ Dd°w Fhn-sS- \nt∂m Cc-®p-h-cp-w. ]ns∂ ]nSn-®m¬

In´msX IÆp-Iƒ AS-™p-t]m-Ip-∂p. C∂v c≠m-sem-∂-dnbpwhn[w Xnc-

®n¬ Ah-km-\n-∏n-bv°-Ww. Ds≠¶nepw Cs√-¶nepw F√mw Ah-km-\n-

∏n®v Xncn-®p- t]m-Ww. FX Ime-ambn Cu `m¥p XpS-ßn-bn´v?

"tZhn ]d-øm-Wv,' Cµnc kw`m-jWw XpS-ßn. "F¥m \nßfv h√

\n[ow At\z-jn-°ym-tWm-∂v.'

"F¥m Ahƒ°-ßns\ tXm∂m≥?'

"A—‚ow tamfSow sh]mfw I≠mev GXv ac-a-≠\pw a\- n-emhpw

Ft¥m At\z-jn-°ym-Wv∂v. ]Øncp-\qdp sIm√w ]g-°≈ Xd-hm-Ss√?

99


ChnsS thsd F¥v At\z-jn-°m\m?'

icn-bm-sW∂v F\n-bv°n-t∏mƒ tXm∂p-∂p.

"ssZh-ta, C\n Ahfv AXpw ]m´mt°zm?'

"B¿°-dn-bmw?'

Hcp Imcyw Xo¿®-bm-bn. h√Xpw t\m°m-\p-s≠-¶n¬ AXp thKw

t\m°n ÿew hnSp-I. DuWp Ign-°¬ Hcp NSßv amX-ambn amdn-bn-cp-

∂p. Ign-°p-tºmgpw kwkm-cn-®n-cp-∂Xv Htc-sbmcp hnj-b-sØ-∏-‰n-bm-bn-

cp-∂p. Fßn-s\-sbm-s°tbm £Ww Ign-®p-sh∂p hcpØn Rm\pw hµ-

\bpw apI-fn-se-Øn kvsI®p ]Tn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. DuWp Ign™ DSs\

tPmen-sb-Sp-°m≥ hø. t]mcm-Ø-Xn\v Ab¬°m-scms° Dd-°-am-hs´

F∂pw Dt±-i-ap-≠v.

Cµnc ASp-°f ]qń apI-fn-tebv°p h∂p.

"Fhn-sS-sbØn \nßsS At\z-jWw?'

Rm≥ H∂pw ]d-bmsX Iºyq-´-dns‚ tamWn-‰¿ Ah-fpsS t\sc

Xncn®p ]nSn®p. Rß-fpsS kwkm-c-Øn¬\n∂pw A∏-t∏m-gmbn Rßƒ

Iºyq- -dn¬ tPmen-sb-Sp-°p-∂Xp t\m°n-bn-cp-∂-Xn¬\n∂pw Cµnc ]iv\-

Øns‚ ImX-se-¥m-sW∂v a\- n-em-°n-bn-cp-∂p.

"Ct∏mƒ \nß-f-t\z-jn-°-WXv Cu apdn-bn-emWv As√?' kqtXm-´-

bp≈ hSs° A‰sØ apdn Nq≠n-°mń Ahƒ tNmZn-®p.

"AsX?'

"F¥m Aßn-s\-sbmcp Dulw \nß°v Inń-bXv?'

"AtXm, \ΩsS NXp-cpw-K-∏-eI Cu ]d-ºns‚ amXn-cymWv∂v ]d-™q-

tem. At∏m KW-]-Xnbv°v ]Icw B\-bmWv kqN-\. IpXn-cbv°v ]Icw

]≠p-≠m-bn-cp∂ IpXn-c-]-Xn-a. AXn\v \Sp-hn¬ tZh-≥ As√-¶n¬

cmPmhv. AXm-bXv Aº-ew. KW-]-Xnbv°pw IpXn-cbv°pw FtSev Hcp hc

hc-®qtem? c≠n\ow LSn-∏n-®p-sIm≠v? AXns‚ HØ \Sp-hn∂v Xmtgm´v

Hcp hc hc-®m¬ AXv Cu aq∂p apdo-°q-SymWv IS∂p t]m∆m. Cßns\

Hcp Bibw InóXv XntImWw hc-°W Fs‚ kz`m-hw≠vsem,

AXv∂m. As∏m B XntIm-W-ßfv Iqń-t®¿°m-s\mcp t\¿tcJ hc-®-

Xm.'

Cµnc Ipd-®p-t\cw tamWn-‰-dn¬ t\m°n-bn-cp-∂-tijw Ft¥m ]nSn-

In-ń-b-t]mse Rßsf t\m°n. ]ns∂ ssI \oń-s°m≠v ]d-™p.

"FhnsS B NXp-cw-K-∏-eI? t\m°-s´.'

Hcp an\p‰v B ]eI t\m°n-b-tijw Ahƒ Nncn°m≥ XpS-ßn.

"\nß-sf-¥n-\mWv Cßns\ Iqń-s°m-g-°-WXv? B\Sow IpXn-cSow

\Sp-hn -ev≈Xv shfpØ tZh-\m-Wv, As√? Atß¿°s√ sN°p

sImSpØn-cn-bv°-WXv?'

"AsX.'

100


`K-h-Xo-\ymWv shfpØ tZh\mbn´v ImWn-®n-cn-°-WXv. at‰ tZh≥,

IdpØ tZh≥ shfpØ tZh\v t\sc FXn-¿hiØm-Wv. F∂p-h-®m¬

]qPm-ap-doevsØ tZh≥. AXm-cmWv? \ΩsS iyma IrjvW≥ Xs∂.

As∏m Cu c≠p cmPm-°-∑mcow Iqń-t®¿Øv Hcp hc hc-bv°ys√

th≠p? AXm-sW-¶ntem Hcp t\¿h-cbpw BWv. \nßfv t\m°-≠Xv

]qPm-ap-do-emWv.'

hµ\ AΩsb Bcm-[-\-tbmsS t\m°n.

"icym-Ws√ A—m, Aßn\ow Hcp km[y-X-≠s√?'

Rm≥ Cµn-c-bpsS _p≤n-bn¬ AZv`p-X-s∏´v Ccn-bv°-bm-Wv.

"\o Pohn-X-Øn¬ c≠masØ ]mh-iymWv _p≤n ImWn-°-W-Xv.'

Rm≥ Cµn-c-tbmSv ]d-™p.

"AsX¥m?'

"BZysØ ]mhiyw Fs∂ IeymWw Ig-n®-t∏m.'

"Mm....AtX≈q?'

hµ\ A\z-ehpw hoń-\p-≈nse ]qPm-ap-dnbpw Iqń-t®¿Øp-sIm≠v

Hcp tcJ hc-®p. icnbv°pw Hcp t\¿tc-J. Hcp tZhs‚ ASp-Øp-\n∂v as‰

tZh-\n-te-bv°v Hcp cmP-]m-X.

"\ap°v t]mbn t\m°mw.' Rm≥ ]d-™p. "t\m°p-∂-Xn¬ sXs‰m-∂p-

an-√-s√m.'

Rm≥ Iºyq-´-dnse kvsI®v Hcn-°¬°qSn ]Tn-®p. ]qPm-apdn 15 ASn-

101


\ofhpw BdSn hoXnbpap≈ sNdnb apdn-bm-Wv. Rßƒ Fgp-t∂-‰p.

tImWn-bpsS ASp-sØ-Øn-b-t∏mƒ hµ\ ]d-™p.

"A—m Rm\m Afhp tS∏v FSp-°-s´. Fs¥-¶nepw Bhiyw

h∂mtem?'

Ahƒ tS∏v FSp-Øp -sIm-≠p-h-cp-∂-Xp-hsc Rßƒ tImWn-®p-h- n¬

ImØp-\n-∂p. Rm≥ tNmZn-®p.

"tamsf \o AfshSp-Ø-sXms° icn -X-∂ys√?'

F¥m-W-ßns\ tNmZn-°m≥ Fs∂-s°m≠v tXm∂n-∏n-®Xv F∂-dn-bn-

√. ]s£ AXp \∂m-bn, ImcWw Ahƒ°n-t∏mƒ kwi-b-am-bn.

"AtX∂m tXm∂vW-Xv.' Ahƒ kwi-bn-®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p. "\ap°v

F¥m-bmepw Hcn-°¬°qSn Af-sh-Sp-°mw.'

BZyw t]mbXv ]qPm-ap-dn -bn-te-bv°p- X-s∂-bm-bn-cp-∂p. hoXn

icnbv°pw BdSn Xs∂. \ofw ]s£ ]Xn-\-©n\p ]I-cw 13 ASn amX-

ta-bp-≈p. At∏mƒ? Imc-W-h-cpsS apdnbv°pw ASpØ apdn-bv°p-an-S-bn¬

Hfn-™p-In-S-°p-∂-t]se Hcd ]qPm-ap-dn-bnepw D≠v! B apdn-tb-°mƒ kqc-

£n-X-amWv ]qPm-apdn F∂v C´n-cma°mc-W-h¿ Icp-Xn-bn-´p-≠m-hpw.

Rßƒ aq∂p-t]cpw apJ-tØm-Sp-apJw t\m°n \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv.

"A∏ Ft¥ Aßns\ kw`-hn-bv°m≥?' Aev]w Ip‰-t_m-[-tØm-Sp-

IqSn \n¬°p∂ hµ-\sb t\m°n Cµnc tNmZn-®p.

"Rm≥ ]d-™p-X-cmw.' hµ-\sb Hcp hnj-a-k-‘n-bn¬ \n∂v c£n-®p-

sIm≠v Rm≥ ]d-™p. "hcq.....'

Rm≥ ]qPm-ap-dnbv°v FXn-sc-bp≈ apdn-bn-tebv°v Ahsc sIm≠p-

t]m-bn. AsXmcp Ie-h-d-bm-Wv. ]qPm-ap-dn-bpsS sXm´-Sp-Øm-b-Xp-sIm≠v

ASp-°-f-km-[-\-ß-sfm∂pw AXn¬ sh®n-cp-∂n-√. ]qPm kma-Kn-Iƒ ˛

AXp-X-s∂-bp≠v [mcm-fw. ]e hep-∏-Øn-ep≈ Hm´p-hn-f-°p-Iƒ, ]n®-f-

Øm-e-ßƒ, sNdnb sN-ºp-]m-X-ßƒ, FÆ-∏m-X-ßƒ Aßns\ ]e-Xpw.

]ns∂ kZy-bv°p-]-tbm-Kn-®n-cp∂ Nc-°p-Ifpw Dcp-fn-Ifpw henb N´p-I-

ßfpw Hs° Bbn-cp∂p B apdn-bn¬.

Rm≥ hµ\-bpsS Iøn¬\n∂v tS∏p hmßn Af-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

AXns‚ hoXn 9 ASn. kvsI®n¬ ASbmf-s∏-Sp-Øn-b -t]m-se-Ø-s∂.

\ofw 15 ASn-bpw. Ahƒ°p ]‰nb A_≤w c≠p apdn-Ifpw ]pd-sa-\n∂v

t\m°ptºmƒ Htc \of-ap-≈-Xp-sIm≠v Hcp apdn-bpsS hoXn-sb-Sp-Øp-I-

gn-™-t∏mƒ AtX Afhv as‰ apdn-bv°pw, AXm-bXv ]qPm-ap-dn-bv°pw,

icnbv°v Af-sh-Sp-°msX sImSpØp F∂-Xm-Wv. Imc-W-h-cpsS apdn-bn¬

Af-hp-]n-iIp I≠-t∏m-sg-¶nepw Rßƒ Af-hp-Iƒ Hcn-°¬°qSn ]cn-

tim-[n-t°-≠-Xm-bn-cp-∂p.

Rßƒ ]qPm-ap-dn-bn-tebv°p t]mbn. apdnbv°v \jvS-s∏´ \ofw ]Xn-

jvTbv°p ]n∂n-em-Wv InS-°p-∂Xv F∂p a\- n-em-bn. B Npa-cmWv

102


s]mfn-bvt°-≠-Xv.

s]s´∂v ag s]øm≥ XpSßn. Hm´n≥]p-dØv I\Ø Xp≈n-Iƒ i‡n-

tbmsS hogp∂ i_vZw. Im‰ns‚ Nqfw-hn-fn. ]s£ F\n°v Dd°w hcp-

∂n-√. Rm≥ Cµn-c-tbmSv ]d-™p.

"\ap°v s]mfn-bvt°-≠Xv Cu _nw_-Øn\p ]n∂nse Npa-cm-Wv.'

"AXn-s\¥m?' Ahƒ hfsc im¥-bmbn ]d-™p. "\ap°v s]mfn-

bv°mw. ]n°mIvsk-Sp-°p.'

F\nbv°v AZv`pXw tXm∂n. Ft∂-°mƒ `‡n-bp≈ Iq´-Øn-emWv

Ahƒ. F∂pw Aº-e-Øn¬ t]mIpw, ]m¿∞n-bv°pw. ChnsS Xma-kn-°p-

∂n-S-tØmfw Znh-k-ßƒ apS-°m-sX- ]q-Pm-ap-dn-bn¬ hnf°p sImfp-Øpw.

\maw P]n-bv°pw. AXym-hiyw GIm-Z-inbpw a‰pw t\m¬°pw. CsXm∂pw

sNømØ I£n-bmWv Rms\¶nepw B _nw_w A-hn-sS-\n∂v am‰pI

F∂mtem-Nn-°p-tºmƒ t]Sn- tXm∂p-∂p. hµ\ H∂pw ]d-bmsX \n¬°p-

I-bm-Wv. AΩ Imcy-ßƒ Gs‰-Sp-ØXv Hs´mcmizm-k-tØm-sS-bm-Wv A-

hƒ t\m°p-∂-Xv.

"As∏m Cu _nw_w Ahn-S∂v am‰s≠?'

"AXn-s\¥m \tµ´m? Rm\Xv FS-s°-Sbv°v am‰n Ahn-sSyms°

hrØn-bm-°m-dv≠v. t]mbn s]mfn-°m\v≈ Bbp-[-ß-sfms° FSpØp

sIm≠p-h-cp. Rm-\n∏ Cu aq∏sc am‰n-Ø-cmw.'

Ahƒ Ip\n-™n-cp∂v ]Xna Iøn-se-Sp-Øp.

"DÆn-°r-jvWm, sImd®p t\cw H∂v amdn-bn-cn-bv°-Ww-t´zm. H∂pw

hnNm-cn-bv°-cvXv. Rß°v Hcp Imcyw t\m°m-\m-Wv............'

Rm≥ Bbp-[-ß-sf-Sp-°m≥ t]mbn.


103


A≤ymbw ]Xns\ v

Rm≥ Xncn®p h∂-t∏m-tgbv°v Cµnc ioIr-jvWs\ amX-a√

At±lw HmS-°p-g¬ hnfn®v \n∂n-cp∂ ]oTw IqSn am‰n-h®v AhnsS XpS-

bv°p-I-bm-Wv.

"Ct∏mƒ XpS-t°-≠n-bn-cp-∂n-√. F¥m-bmepw aÆpw s]mSow Bhpw.'

"AXp kmc-√y. tPmen XpS-ßpsºm hrØn≈ ÿe-Øn-cn-°m-tem.

C]m-hiyw Rm\o ]oT-Øns‚ ASo-sem∂pw sXmS-®n-´v≠m-bn-cv∂n-√.'

]oTw c≠Sn \ofhpw IjvSn®v Ac-bSn Db-c-hp-ap≈ Hcp ta-i-bm-Wv.

IS™ Imep-Ifpw hi-ß-fn¬ NnX-∏-Wn-I-fp-ap≈ Cuń-bn¬ Xo¿Ø

Hcp tai. Npa-cn¬ tai-bn- n-cp∂ ÿm\Øv Hcp Ccp≠ ]mSp h∂n-cp-∂p.

Ahn-sS-Øs∂ s]mfn-°m≥ XpS-ßmw. Rm≥ ]n°m-Ivsk-Sp-Øp.

B Npa-cp-≠m-°n-bXv CjvSn-I-sIm-≠mb-Xn\m¬ s]mfn-°p-∂Xv Ipd-

®p-IqSn Ffp-∏-am-bn-cp-∂p. a‰p Npa-cp-I-sf√mw henb sh´p-I-√p-sIm-≠p-

≠m-°n-b-Xm-Wv. Imc-W-h-cpsS apdn-bnse AS™ apdn-bpsS Nphcp

t]mepw sh´p-I-√p-sIm≠p Xo¿Ø-Xm-bXpsIm≠v s]mfn-°m≥ \s∂

]mSp-s]-´p.

\mev CjvSn-I-bpsS hep-∏-Øn¬ πmÃ¿ FSp-Øp-am-‰n. BZysØ

CjvSnI FSp-°m≥ ]‰p-sa-∂m-b-t∏m-tgbv°v Id‚p t]mbn. Iqcm-°q-cn-cp-

´v. ]pdØv Im‰ns‚bpw ag-Øp-≈n-Iƒ Hmń≥]p-dØv h∂-Sn-°p-∂-Xn-

s‚bpw oI-c-i-_vZw. Rm≥ s]s´∂p ]I-®p- \n-∂p-t]m-bn.

"Rm\n-t∏mƒ tSm¿®v FSp-Øp- sIm-≠p-h-cmw.' hµ\ ]d-™p.

"th≠ tamsf.' Rm\-hsf hne-°n. "\o H‰bv°v Cs∏m t]m≠. t]mcm-

Ø-Xn\v tSm¿®p-sIm≠v Imcyw \S-°n-√. Id‚ v hc-s´.'

Cµnc ]oT-Øn¬ h® Xos∏ń Dc®v \ne-hn-f°p sImfp-Øn.

"C\n C∏-sgm∂pw Id‚ v hcpw∂v tXm∂vWn-√y.' Cµnc ]d-™p. "Cu

Im‰pw atgw-≈s∏mt≠m Ahcv sse≥ dn∏-b¿ sNøpWq? h√ atcmw

hoWv Iºn s]mó-Xm-bn-cn-bv°pw.'

"Id‚ v hcpsºm hc-s´. As√-¶n¬ \ap°v \msf ]Iev sNømw.'

Rm≥ ]d-™p. "Cu Npacv s]mfn®m F¥m ImWzm∂v ssZh-Øn\p

amtX Adn-bq.'

"AXp aXn AtΩ.' hµ-\bpw ]d-™p. AΩ-bpsS Ah-km-\-\n-an-j-

Ønse [rXn ImWp-tºmƒ Ahƒ°p `b-am-hp-∂p-s≠∂p tXm∂n.

"A—≥ ]d-™Xm Imcyw. AXn-\p-≈n-se-¥m-bn-cn-bv°pw∂v \ap-°-dn-bn-

√. \√ shfn-®-≈s∏m t\m°ym¬ aXn.'

104


"Rms\mcp ]m\okv IØn®p sIm≠p-h-cmw. AXns‚ shfn-s®ms°

aXn. CXv sXmS-ßnb ÿnXnbv°v C∂s∂ Xo¿°mw. F¥m A—\pw

tam°pw CX t]Sn?'

Cµnc ]m\o-sk-Sp-°m≥ t]mbn-°-gn-™p. \nan-j-ßƒ°Iw Ahƒ

dm¥¬ sImfp-Øn-s°m≠p h∂p. hnf°v \neØv sh® tijw Ahƒ

ssI \o´n.

"]n°mIvkv Xcq, Rm≥ s]mfn-°mw.'

"th≠, Rm≥ sNbvtXm-fmw.' Rm≥ Npacv s]mfn-°m≥ XpS-ßn. c≠p

CjvSnI FSpØp am‰n-b-t∏m-gmWv hµ\ hnfn®p ]d-™-Xv.

"A—m, t\m°q, AXn-\-IØv Ft¥m≠v!'

Rm≥ sR´n ]n≥am-dn. Cµnc AI-tØbv°p t\m°n-s°m≠p ]d-

™p.

"AsXmcp sN∏p-Ip-Sw amXn-cn≠v.'

icn-bm-Wv. kmam\yw ¢mhp ]nSn®v aßn-b hensbmcp sN∏p-Ip-S-

Øns‚ mKw ImWm-\p-≠v.

Ah-km\w! CXn-\mWv Rm≥ CX Imew Ae-™-Xv.

"aqt∂m \mtem hcn CjvSnI FSp-°-≠n-h-cpw∂m tXm∂-W-Xv.' Cµnc

]d-™p. "F∂m¬ IpSw sNcn®ph®v FSp-°mw.'

Ign-bp-∂X Ipd®v CjvSn-I-Iƒ FSp-°p-I-bm-sW-¶n¬ B `mKw

ho≠pw ]SpØv tX°m≥ Ffp-∏-am-Wv. Rm≥ s]mfn-°p∂Xv XpS¿∂p.

sN∏p-IpSw \√ I\-ap-≠v. Rm\pw Cµn-c-bpw-IqSn AXp ]pd-sØ-Sp-Øp.

AXns‚ aqSn Hcp sNºp-X-In-Sp-sIm≠v D-d-∏n-®n-cn-bv°-bm-Wv. Hcp XpWn-

sIm≠v IpSw XpS®p hrØn-bm°nbt∏mƒ aqSn-h® XIn-Sn¬ XntIm-W-

ß-sf-s°m≠p \nd™ Hcp cq]w sXfn-™p-h∂p. \nc-h[n XntIm-Wß-

fp-≈-Xn-se√mw Hmtcm A£-c-ß-fp-ap-≠v. AsX¥p amc-Wam-Wmthm?

"C\n Cu IpSw Fßns\ Xpd°pw?'

"AsXms° Rm≥ Xpd-∂p-X-cmw. \tµ-´≥ AXv tamfn-tebv°v FSp-

°p.'

Cµnc dm¥-ep-ambn apºn¬ \S-∂p-I-gn-™p. mc-ap≈ sN∏pIp-S--hpambn

tImWn Ib-dpI Ffp-∏-am-bn-cp-∂n-√. apI-fn-se-Øn-b-t∏mƒ Rm≥ In-X-

®n-cp-∂p. mcw amX-a-√, Ign™ GXm\pw \nan-j-ß-fn-ep-≠mb Cf-In-a-

dn-®n¬ F\nbv°p kln-°m≥ Ign-bp-∂-Xnepw A[n-I-am-bn-cp-∂p. Cµnc

t\sc t]mbn InS-∏p-ap-dn-bpsS P\-e-S-®p.

"ChnsS \neØp h®m aXn.' Ahƒ ]d-™p. AhnsS Hcp ]p¬∏mb

hncn-®-Xn\p aosX Rm\m IpSw h®p. AXn-∂p-≈n¬\n∂v Hcp Inep-In-ep-

i_vZw ]pd-Øp-h-∂p. \mW-b-ß-fpsS i_vZw t]mse. Cµnc AXns‚

aqSn ]cn-tim-[n-°p-I-bm-Wv.

"Cu AS∏v Xncn®p sXmd-°-≠-Xm-Wv.' Ahƒ ]d-™p. "Rms\m∂v

105


ian-®p-t\m-°s´.'

Ahƒ Xpd-°m≥ ianbv-°p-I-bm-Wv.

"AtΩ, Rm≥ sXmd-°mw.' hµ\ ]d-™p.

"]‰n-√, CXv Id ]nSn®v Dd-®p-t]m-bn-cn-°p-Wp. \tµ- ≥Xs∂ sXmd--°p.'

Ahƒ InX-®p-sIm≠v ]d-™p.

Rm\Xv ]nSn®v Bhp-∂X i‡n D]-tbm-Kn®v Xpd-°m≥ ian-®p.

BZysØ ia-Øn¬-Øs∂ AXv Xpd∂ph∂p. Rm≥ ]tbm-Kn® i‡n

apgp-h≥ D]-tbm-Kn-°m-sX-Ø-s∂. Cµn-cbpw hµ-\bpw Hcm›cyi_vZ-ap-

≠m°n At\ym\yw t\m°n, I≠ns√ F∂ ań¬. F\nbv°v `b-am-Wp-

≠m-b-Xv. Hmtcm ]mhiyw Xń≥]p-dsØ Fgp-Øp-s]ń Xpd-°m≥ Ign-

™-t∏m-gp-ap-≠mb AtX bw.

Cµnc IpSw Ah-fpsS ASp-tØbv°p \o°n-h®v AS∏p am‰n AXv

]p¬∏m-bn-tebv°p sNcn-®p. AXn¬ \ndsb kz¿Æ \mW-b-ß-fm-bn-cp-

∂p. \ndw Aev]w aßn-bn-´p-s≠-∂-√msX Imcy-amb \mi-sam-∂p-ap-≠m-

bn-ń-√. Rßƒ B \mW-b-ßƒ Iøn-se-Sp-Øp. _nńjv cmPm-°-∑m-cp-

sSbpw cm⁄n-am-cp-sSbpw t]cn¬ Cd-°nb ]h≥\m-W-b-ß-fm-Wv Ah.

BZyw Iøn-se-Sp-ØXv tPm¿÷v A©m-as‚ Xe-tbmsS 1911¬ Cd-°nb

\mW-b-am-Wv. Ah-bpsS Xnf°w A[nIw \jvS-s∏-ń-ń-√.

Cµn-c IpSw apgp-h\pw ]mbn-tebv°p Ian-gvØn. H‰ t\m -Øn¬ FÆw

Duln-s®-Sp-°m≥ I-gn-bmØ hn[w \nc-h[n \mW-b-ßƒ, AXn-\n-S-bn¬

XpWn-bpsS sIm®p-sIm®p k©n-Iƒ. Cµnc Hcp XpWn-k-©n-sb-SpØp

Xpd-∂p. AXn¬ kz¿Æm- -c-W-ß-fm-Wv. ame-Iƒ, hf-Iƒ, IS-Iw, IΩ-ep-

Iƒ, sImS-°-Sp-°\p-Iƒ.

"\ap°v BZyw Cu ]h-s\ms° FÆn-t\m-°mw.' Cµnc D’m-l-

tØmsS ]d-™p. ]d-bp-∂-Xn\p apºv Ahƒ \mW-b-ßƒ ]sØ-Æ-

Øns‚ Ań-bmbn shbv°m≥ XpS-ßn. AΩ-bpsS AXyp-’m-l-Øn¬

Aev]w ck-t°Sp ImWn-®n-cp∂ hµ-\bpw ItaW AΩ-tbmSp tN¿∂p

\mW-b-ßƒ Ań-bm-°m≥ XpS-ßn.

"CsXms° kz¿ÆmtWm A—m?'

"AsX, CXmWv icn-bv°p≈ _nńjv ]h≥. CsXms° 22 Imc‰v

ip≤n≈ kz¿Æm-Wv. Hmtcm cmPm-°-∑m-cpsS ImeØv Ah-cpsS NnXmWv

Cu \mW-b-ß-fn-sems° ]Xn-bv°m-dv. I≠n-s√, tPm¿÷v A©m-a≥,

FtUz¿Uv Ggm-a≥, hnIvtSm-dnb cm⁄n. F\nbv°p tXm∂-WXv CXn-

s\ms° Ct∏mƒ kz¿Æ-Øns‚ hne-b√ In´pI F∂m-Wv. ImcWw

CsXms° Ie-IvtSgvkv sF‰-am-Wn-t∏mƒ. kz¿Æ-Øns‚ hne Inń-

bm¬Øs∂ CsX-X-≠m-hpw∂m hnNmcw? \mW-b-ß-fpsS Ań-Iƒ IqSn-

°q-Sn- h-cn-I-bm-Wv. F¥p-sImt≠m AXv FÆn Xn -s∏-Sp-Øm≥ F\nbv°p

`b-am-bn. H‰ t\m -Øn¬ \qdn-e-[nIw Ań-I-fp-≠v. C\nbpw Ań-bm-°m≥

106


]mbn¬ _m°n InS-°p-I-bm-Wv. ssZhta F¥m-Wn-Xn-s\ms° A¿∞w?

hµ-\-bpsS Ccp-]-sØ-ń\v Hcp kz¿Æ-am-ebpw Ac-™mWpw D≠m-

°n-°m≥ Imin-√m-sX, Cµn-c-bpsS Hcp hf-sIm-Sp-ØmWv sNdn-sbmcp

ame hmßn-®-Xv. k¿Æ Ac-™m¨ Hcp tamlw amX-am-bn Ah-ti-jn-

®p. B A—-s‚bpw AΩ-bp-sSbpw apºn-emWv e£-°-W-°n\v cq]-bpsS

kz¿Æw Ipan-™p-Iq-Sn-bn- p-≈Xv! Ft¥m IY! F\n-°nXp hniz-kn-°m≥

Ign-bp-∂n-√.

Rm≥ kabw t\m°n. ]Xn-s\m-∂v. Ct∏mƒ Ipt´-´≥ Hmô-kn-em-bn-

cn-°pw. Rm≥ samss_¬ t^msW-SpØp Ub¬ sNøm≥ XpS-ßn. Ipt -

´≥ t^msW-Sp-°n-√. Ft∂mSv ]d-™n-´p-≈Xv Rm≥ shdpsX dnMv

sNbvXm¬ aXn-sb-∂m-Wv. At±lw Ctßm´p Xncn®p hnfn-°pw. Hcp an\p-

‰n-\p-≈n¬ t^mW-Sn-®p.

"F¥m \µp hntijw?'

"\ΩsS ]gb sN v t_m¿Uv Hm¿Ωt√y? \ap°v Xń≥s]m-dØv∂v

InóXv?'

"]ns∂ Hm¿Ω-√ym-Xn-cnt°ym? \Ωsf C´v Id°y km[-\s√? F¥m

h√ Xpºpw Intým?'

"Xpº-√, km[-\w-Xs∂ Inń. sImtd _nńjv kz¿Æ-\m-W-b-ß-fv,

B`-c-W-ß-fv. FX-≠m-hpw-∂-dn-bn-√. s]ßfv Ccp∂v FÆn Xn´-s∏-

SpØvWv≠v.'

"BcymWv A`n-\-µn-t°-≠Xv? Fs‚ acp-a-I-sf-Ø-∂ym-bn-cn°pw

As√? \nßfv c≠p-t]cpw ac-a-≠\pw ac-a-≠nbpw BsW∂v F\n-°-dn-

bmtem.'

Rm≥ Nncn-®p.

"Fhn-Sym-bn-cp∂p Cń-cm-a-≥ Imc-tWmcv AsXm-fn-∏n-®p- h-®Xv?'

"]qPm-ap-do-ev. ioIr-jvWs‚ ]Xn-asS ]n∂nev Hcp apdn-≠v. H∂c ASn

hoXo-ev. AXn-em-bn-cp-∂p. icnbv°pw B ]Xn-asS ]n∂n¬Ø-s∂.'

"AXv icn, As∏m \Ωfv ]m¿∞n-®n-cp-∂Xv apgp-h\pw ]W-Øn-t\m-

Sm-bn-cp∂p As√? ]ns∂ Fßn\ym KpWw ]nSn°ym? _nńjv cmPm-°-

∑m-cvtSw cm⁄n-amcvtSw Xe-h®v ]qPn® Bsc-¶nepw \∂m-bn-´pt≠m?'

Rm≥ Nncn-®p.

"]ns∂ Hcp Imcyw. CXnev ]IpXn Ipt - -\p-≈-Xm-Wv. AX-nhnsS FSp-

Øp-sh-bv°mw.'

"Fs‚-b-SpØv∂v tI°-≠.' Ipt´-´s‚ i_vZw I\Øp. "]≠v Rm≥

\n\°v IW°v Syqj-s\-Sp-Øn-cp-∂Xv Hm¿Ωt≠m?'

"D≠v Ipt´-´m......'

"As∏m \o IW°p sX‰n-bv°psºm Xebv°v In´mdv≈ Ingp-°ns‚

kzmZv Hm¿Ωt≠m? AXn\ow thtWm? t\m°v \n\°v B hoSp-≠m-°n-

107


b-Xns‚ t]cnev [mcmfw ISw≠v Ct√y? Fs‚ IW-°nev c≠p e£-Øn-

e-[nIw hcpw. BZyw AsXms° ho´zm. ]ns∂ tamfsS hnZym- ym-k-Øn\v

th≠ -]Ww FSp-Øp- h-bv°y. F∂n´pw _m°n-bp-s≠-¶n¬ AX-h-fpsS

Ieym-Ws®e-hn\v th≠n IcpXn hbv°ym. F∂n´v ]n∂ow h√Xpw

_m°n hczmsW-¶n¬ \nßƒ Xt¥w Xt≈w \∂mbn Ign-øm. F\nbv°v

th≠-sXms° Ata-cn-°≥ kmbv]v XcvWv≠v. th≠-Xnepw A[nIw

Fs‚ aZm-Ωbpw a°-fpw-IqSn D≠m°vWv≠v. a\- n-emtbm? C\n apX¬

Cßns\ h√Xpw ]d-™m¬ F¥m In´zm-∂-dn-bnt√?'

Rm≥ Ic-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-∂p.

"F¥n\m IgptX Ic-b-WXv? Fs‚ acp-a-Iƒ°v sImSp°v t^m¨......'

F√mw FSp-Øp-h®v Hgn™ sN∏p-IpSw Ae-am-dn-bn¬ Hfn-∏n-®- tijw

Rßƒ Dd-ßm≥ InS-∂p. Dd°w hcp-sa∂ hnizm-k-an-√m-bn-cp-∂p.

"\msf t\csØ Fgp-t∂‰v ]qPm-ap-doev \Ωfv FSpØ CjvSn-sIyms°

B s]mØnevØs∂ X¬°mew h®v Ahn-sSyms° H∂v hrØn-bm-°-

Ww.'

"AXv sNømw.' Cµnc ]d-™p. "As√-¶nepw Ipg-s∏m-∂pw-√y. tZhn

C\n aq∂p Znh-k-tØbv°v ]qPm-ap-doev t]mhn-√y. Ahfv s]md-Øm-bn-cn-

°ym-Wv. \msf \tµ-´≥ ]qdØp t]m-sºm- sIm-d®v kna‚ v sIm≠-c-Ww.

aWev sIgs° sImf-Øo∂v FSp-°mw. \msf cmXn B Nphcv ]SpØv

icym-°mw. ]ns∂ B apdn apgp-h\pw H∂v sh≈ hen-bv°-Ww. AXp-

t]mse ImcvtWmcvsS apdnsS ASvØvfvf apdow H∂v i-cn-bm-°-Ww. AhnsS

B Npacv amXw sh≈ hen®m aXn.'

"icn, C\n \o Dd-ßm≥ t\m°v.'

adp-h-i-Øp≈ Iń-en¬ InS∂v hµ\ Dd-°ambn-cp-∂p.

"\tµ-´m, Bbn-cØn Ccp-\qdv kqh-dn≥ F∂p-h-®m¬ FXymhpw?'

"]hs‚ C∏-gsØ she t\m°zm-sW-¶nev \s√mcp kwJym-hpw.'

"∂mepw ]dbp FXymhpw?'

"]sØ-gp-]Xv e£-Øn-e-[n-I-≠m-hpw.'

"]ns∂ B`-c-W-ß-sfm-s°t√y? AXv Xs∂-≠mhpw ]Ø-™qdv

]h≥. AsXms° \msf tZhn t]mtb\v tijw FSpØv t\m°-Ww.

\Ωfv ]W-°m-cmbn As√?'

F\n°v Cµn-c-tbmSv B \nan-j-Øn¬ A\p-Iº tXm∂n. IeymWw

Ign™ DSs\ hoSp-]Wn Ign-™n-cp-∂p. ]Wn- I-gn™p F∂p amXw.

]s£ Hcp-]mSp ISw _m°n-bp-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. ]eXpw DSs\ sImSp-Øp-

Xo¿t°-≠-Xv. iºfw Iøn¬ Inń-bm¬ hoń¬ sIm≠p-h-cm-s\m∂pw

D≠m-bn-cp-∂n-√. B Ime-Øp- X-s∂-bmWv Cµnc hµ-\sb K¿`w [cn-®-

Xv. Ahƒ°v Hcp-]mSv BK-l-ßfpw sImXn-bpap-≠m-bn-cp-∂p. F\n-°m-

sW-¶n¬ H∂pw hmßn-s°m-Sp-°m\pw ]‰mØ ÿnXn. Ahƒ Hmtcm∂v

108


Bhiys∏´v hmin ]nSn-bv°p-tºmƒ F\nbv°p tZjyw hcpw. kt¥m-j-

tØmsS Ign-tb≠ Hcp ka-bØv Ahƒ°v [mcmfw NnØ tI´n-´p-≠v.

Rm≥ ]d-™p. "icn-bmWv Cµn-sc, Ah-km\w \Ωfv ]W-°m-cm-bn.'

Rm≥ Dd-°-am-bn. DW¿∂-t∏mƒ apdn-bn¬ shfn-®-ap-≠v. t¢m°n¬

t\m°n-b-t∏mƒ kabw aq∂p aWn. Hcp-]s£ hnf-°ns‚ kzn®n´p sh®-

Xm-bn-cn-bv°pw. Id‚ v h∂-t∏mƒ Xms\ IØn-bn-´p-≠m-hpw. Rm≥ Xncn-

™p- In-S-∂p. hnf°p sISp-Øm≥ Fgp-t∂‰v \s√m-cp-d°w \in-∏n-bv°-

≠. At∏m-gmWv Cµnc InS-bv°-bn-en-s√∂p a\- n-em-b-Xv. Ahƒ Fhn-

sS-t∏mbn?


109


A≤ymbw ]sØmºXv

Rm≥ Fgp-t∂‰p t\m°n. Ipfn-ap-dn-bpsS hmXn¬ Xpd∂p InS-°-bm-

Wv. D≈n¬ shfn-®-an-√. At∏mƒ Cµnc Fhn-sS-bm-Wv. s]s´-∂p-≠mb

tXm∂¬ Ah-sf-ßm\pw Xmtg-bv°n-dßn t]mtbm F∂m-bn-cp-∂p.

F¥n\v? C\n Ahƒs°-s¥-¶nepw ]‰ntbm? Fs‚ a\- n¬ `bw

\pc™p s]mßp-I-bm-Wv.

"\tµ-´≥ HW¿t∂zm?'

Rms\m∂v \niz-kn-®p. Cµnc \ne-Øn´ ]p¬∏m-bn-en-cp∂v IpS-Øn¬

\n∂p Inńb B`-c-W-ß-fpsS k©n-Iƒ Agn-bv°p-I-bm-Wv. ]pd-tØ-

bvs°-Sp-Ø-h-sb√mw sht∆-sd-bmbn ]mbn¬ h®n-´p≠v.

"\osbm-d-ßot√y? CsXms° cmhnse sNømw-∂s√ ]d-™ncv∂Xv?'

"F\nbv°v Hd°w h∂n√ \tµ-´m. As∏m tXm∂n F√mw s]md-sØ-

SpØv t\m°mw-∂v. t\m°p Fs¥ms° Xcw ]≠-ß-fmWv∂v.'

Rm≥ Fgp-t∂‰p sN∂p. icn-bm-Wv. ]eXpw Iem-]-c-ambn hfsc anI-

®-h-bm-Wv. AXp-≠m-°nb kz¿Æ-∏-Wn-°m-cpsS Ic-hn-cpXv Hmtcm B`-c-

W-Ønepw icnbv°p ImWp-∂p-≠v. Hcp ImeØv P\-ßƒ c≠mw-Xcw

sIm≠v kwXr-]vX-cm-bn-cp-∂n-√. G‰hpw anI-®-Xn\p amXsa AwKo-Imcw

Inń-bn-cp-∂p-≈p.

Cµnc Hcp s\Ivekv Igp-Øn-eqsS C´v ImWn-®p. \√ wKn-bp-≠v.

"Fßn-s\≠v? F\nbv°v tNcp-∂pt≠m?'

"\ns‚ Igp-Ønev tNcmØ B`-cWw GXm-Wp-≈Xv?'

"Hm, th≠m, th≠m.' Ahƒ Nncn-®p-sIm≠p ]d-™p.

apºn¬ ]c∂p InS-°p∂ a™-tem-l-Øns‚ ]f-]-f-∏n¬ Rm≥ Hcp

\nanjw BIr-jvS-\m-bn. F\nbv°v hmßn-s°m-Sp-°m≥ ]‰mØ Xcw B -

c-W-ß-fmWv Ipan™p-Iq-Sn-bn-cn-bv°p-∂-Xv. AXn\nSbv°p I≠ sNdnb

Iq -ß-fn¬ HscÆw Rms\-SpØp t\m°n. Iń Ipd™ c≠p hf-Iƒ Hcp

tamXn-cw, ]ns∂ Xmen tIm¿Ø, hÆw Ipd™ Hcp Xmen-am-e-bpw.

F¥p-sImt≠m Rm≥ h√m-Xm-bn. At∏m-gmWv sIm®p-sIm®p k©n-

I-fn¬ \nd-®p-h® Cu ]≠-ß-fpsS DZv -h-sØ-∏‰n Rm≥ Btem-Nn-°p∂-

Xv. B ]≠-ßƒ Imc-W-h-cpsS Iøn¬ Fßns\ FØn-s∏´p? apsºm-cn-

°¬ Cu Xd-hm-Sn-s\-∏‰n IqSp-X¬ Adn-bm≥ \mWn-ap-Ø-»n-bpsS

ASpØp t]mbXv Hm¿Ω h∂p. Ah¿ ]d-bp-I-bp-≠mbn, Cń-cm-a≥ Imc-

W-h¿°v ]Ww ]en-ibv°p sImSp-°p∂ G¿∏m-Sp-≠m-bn-cp-s∂-∂v. Cu

B`-c-W-ß-sf√mw Aßn-s\-bm-bn-cn-°Ww Imc-W-h-cpsS ssIhiw

110


FØn-s∏-´-Xv. ]Wbw h®Xv FSp-°m≥ Ign-bmsX \in®p t]mb

FXtbm IpSpw-_-ß-fpsS s\Sp-ho¿∏p-Iƒ B ]≠-ß-fn¬ Hfn-™n-cn-

bv°p-∂p-≠v. sI´pXmen-b-S°w ]W-bw -h-bv°m≥ amXw IjvS-∏mSp

\nd™ Pohn-X-ßƒ. Fs‚ Ihn-fn¬ Bcp-sSsbms°tbm \nizmkßƒ

h∂p ]Xnbv°p-∂-Xmbn F\nbv°p tXm∂n. ]s≠m-cn-bv°¬ Xń≥]p-

dØp t]mb-t∏m-gmWv Aßn-s\-sbmcp tXm∂-ep-≠m-b-Xv.

Hcn-bv°¬ AΩ-bpsS amebpw c≠p hf-I-fp-ambn kz¿Æ-°-S-bn¬ Ib-

dn-bXv Hm¿Ω h∂p. AΩbv°v s]s´∂v ]WØn\m-hiyw h∂-t∏mƒ

]Wbw hbv°m≥ cmt[-SvØn-bpsS H∏w t]mbn, Xncn®p h∂Xv C\n

Cßn-s\-sbmcp Imcy-Øn-\mbn Hcp ÿeØp t]mhn-s√∂v i]Yw

sNbvXpsIm≠m-Wv. AX-bv°-[nIw Bflm-`n-am\w kz¿Æ-tØm-sSm∏w

B IS-bn¬ ]W-b-s∏-Sp-tØ≠n h∂p. As∂-\nbv°v hb- p ]tØ

Bbn-cp-∂p≈p.

Ct∏mƒ Cu ]≠-ßƒ I≠-t∏mƒ AsX√mw ho≠pw Hm¿Øp. Cu

\n[n i]n-bv°-s∏-´-XmWv.

Rm\m Xmen-am-ebpw ssIøn-se-SpØv Ccn-bv°p-∂Xv Cµnc I≠p.

Ahƒ tNmZn-®p.

"F¥m \tµ´m?'

"Cµn-tc, \ap°v Cu \n[n ths≠∂p hbv°mw.'

hniz-kn-°m≥ ]bm-k-am-b -t]mse Fs‚ apJØp t\m°n-s°m≠v

Ahfncp-∂p. Rm≥ Xami ]d-bp-I-bm-sW-∂-hƒ Hcp \nanjw Icp-Xn-°m-

Wpw. ]s£ Fs‚ apJ-`mhw Hcp- kwi-b-Øn\pw CSw sImSp-°mØ

hn[w Kuc-hhpw kv]jvShp-am-bn-cp-∂p.

"F¥m \tµ-´≥ ]td-WXv?'

"CXv ]m]w \nd-™-Xm-Wv. \osbm∂v Btem-Nn®p t\m°v, FX -Ip-

Spw-_-ßƒ \in-®-Xns‚ _m°n-bmWo ImW-W-Xv∂-dntøm? Cu B -c-W-

ß-sfm-s°....... AsXms° Fßn-\ymWv Imc-W-h¿°v Inń-bXv?'

"Bthm, F\n°do√y.'

"Hcn-bv°¬ Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw IqSn \mWn-ap-Ø-t»ymSv kwkm-cn-®Xv

Hm¿Ωt≠m? \ob-t∏mƒ e£van h√y-ΩsS H∏w ASp-°-tf-tebv°v

t]mbn.'

Cµnc Xe-bm-ń.

"As∏m apØ»n ]d-ø-≠m-bn v≠v Cu Imc-W-h¿°v ]Ww ]en-ibv°v

sImSp-°W G¿∏m-Sp-≠m-bn-cp-∂q-∂v. Aßns\ h∂-Xm-bn-cn-°Ww Cu

]s≠m-s°. ]mh-ßƒ°v Xncns®Sp-°m≥ ]‰mØ ]≠-ß-fm-bn-cn°pw

CsX√mw. t\m°v Cu sI´p-Xm-enbpw hfbpw Hs°. Bh-iy≈ ]W-

Øn\v ]≠-ßfv aXym-hmsX h∂s∏m h®-Xm-bn-cn°pw sI´p-Xm-en.

]s≠ms° kvXoIfv Hcn-°epw Xmen Agn®p shbv°n-√. sNes∏m

111


`¿Ømhp acn®v KXn-bn-√m-Xm-bs∏m AXpw ]W-bw-h-®-Xm-hm\pw hgn≠v.

Aßns\ FX IY-I-fv≠mhpw CXn-s‚-sbms° ]n∂n-ev. Hcp-]s£

\Ω-Sys∂ GsX-¶nepw Xmh-go-evt≈mcv AXym-h-iym-bs∏m Imc-

tWmcvsS ASvØv∂v ]Ww ]en-ibv°v hmßo-´v≠m-hpw. F¥n-\mWv

\ap°pw \ΩpsS tam°pw Ah-cvsSym° im]w? Cu ]Ww \ap°p

th≠.'

Cµnc Ipd-®p-t\cw H∂pw an≠m-sX-bn-cp-∂p.

"F¥m H∂pw an≠m-Xn-cn-°-WXv?'

"\tµ-´≥ ]td-W-sXms° icym-bn-cn-°mw. ]s£ \Ωfv FX A≤zm-

\n-®Xm CXns‚ tase? FX tamln-®Xm CsXm-s°. F∂n v AXv Iønev

Inń-bs∏m If-øm∂v ]tdsºm Hcp shj-aw.'

"icn-bm-Wv, Rm≥ Hcp Imcyw ]d-bs´. Hcn-°ev Rm\pw Ipt´-´\pw

IqSn ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-hs‚ ASpØv Imc-tWmcvsS PmX-Ipw-sIm≠v t]mbn.

A∂-dn-bn-√ym-bn-cp∂p AXv Imc-tWm-cvSym-Wv∂v. ]Wn-°-c-Ωm-h-\mWXv

]d-™-Xv. aq∏cv thsdmcp Imcyw- IqSn ]tdy-≠m-bn- v≠v. F¥m Adntøm?

Cu Imc-tWmcv acn-®n´v ]Ø-dp]Xp sIm√m-bn, ]s£ AtßcsS P∑w

C\ow Ign-™n- n-√m-∂v. Cu ]ms]m-s°, ims]ms° t]dn \S-°zmWv Imc-

tWmcv∂v tXm∂p-Wp. AXm-cvtS-¶nepw a≠bv-°n- mse B P∑w Xocq-∂m-

bn-cn-bv°pw. AXmWv∂v tXm∂pWp Imc-tWmcv Fs‚ ]n∂mse \S-∂n-

cp-∂-Xv. F¥n\m \Ω-fm-bn´v AXv G‰p-hm-ß-WXv?'

"icn-bm-Wv, ]s£......'

Ahƒ ho≠pw Btem-N-\-bn-te¿s∏-´p. hµ\ DW¿∂v Fgp-t∂-‰p

h∂p.

"F¥p ]‰o A—m?'

Cµnc au\-Øn-em-Wv. Rm≥ hµ-\sb Fs‚ [¿Ω-k-¶Sw ]d™p

a\- n-em-°n. AXp apgp-h≥ tI´p-I-gn-™-t∏mƒ Ahƒ ]d-™p.

"icn-bm-W-—m, \ap-°Xv th≠.'

Ahsf kw_-‘n-t®-S-tØmfw XymKw Ffp-∏-am-bn-cp-∂p. Ah-fpsS

]mb-Øn-t‚-Xm-bn-cn-°-Ww. \nKq-V-amb B \n[n I≠p ]nSn-bv°pI F∂

sh√p-hn-fnbmWv Ahƒ°p ][m-\w, B ]Ww Fßns\ sNe-hm-°p∂p

F∂-X-√. As√-¶n¬ Rßƒ IS-∂p-h∂ hgn-I-fn-eqsS Ahƒ°v k©-

cn-t°≠ Bhiyap≠m-bnń√ F∂Xp sIm≠m-bn-cnbv°mw. Ahƒ°v

Hm¿Ω h® apX¬ hoń¬ henb IjvS-∏msSm-∂p-w D-≠m-bn-ń-√.

"\ap-s°mcp Imcyw sNømw.' Cµnc ]d-™p. "Cu kºØv apgp-h≥

Imc-tWmcv Cßns\ D≠m-°n-b-Xm-h-Ww-∂n-√-s√m. sImsd-sbms°

s\√pw tXtßw hn‰ ]Wm-bn-cn-bv°q-tem. Bbn-cn-bv°pw, ImcWw AX-

b-[nIw Irjn-≠m-bn-cp∂qtem Xd-hm- n-ev. hoSn\v Np‰pw≈ ]d-º-s∂-≠m-

bn-cp∂p FtÍ ÿew∂s√ ]d-™Xv? s\√pw tXtßw hn‰ ]W-Øn-

112


s\¥m sImg-∏w. AsX-Xym-hpw-s∂m∂pw \ap°v th¿Xn-cn®p I≠p-]n-

Sn-bv°m≥ I-go-√y. As∏m Hcp Imcyw sNømw. \ΩsS hoSp-≠m-°n-b-

Xns‚ ItSmw ]en-tiw, ]en-ti-Ωev ]entiw Hs°-°qSn FX-≠mhpw?'

"Hcp c≠c e£w D≠m-hpw.'

"AtXw ]h≥ \ap°v CXo∂v FSp-°mw. _m°n-≈Xv \tµ- ≥ F¥p

sNøm-\mWv Dt±iyw?'

"\ap-°Xv aqt∂m \mtem A\m-Yme-b-ßƒ°v Zm\w sImSp-°mw.

As∏m ims]m∂pw Gin-√. \s√mcp Imcy-Øn-\s√?'

"icn \ΩsS ISw hoSm≥ amXw FX ]h≥ am‰nh-bvt°≠n hcpw?'

"hfsc Ipd®v amXw. GI-tZiw Fgp-]Ø-©v, F¨]-sXÆw amXw.'

"Aßs\ aXn A—m.' AXv hµ-\bv°pw kzoIm-cy-am-bn-cp-∂p. "As∏m

Ip´-Ωm-sa hnfn®p ]d-bs≠, Cßn-\ymWv sNøm≥ t]mW Xv∂v?'

"]nt∂?'

Rm≥ ho≠pw Ipt´-´s‚ \º¿ Ub¬ sNbvXp.


mh-ep-iƒ · 2019-12-01 · c. lcn-ip-amdns‚ t\mh-ep-iƒ adn-bm-Ø-e-ß-fn-tebv°v

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