Ayanangal

1
Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002
Ayanangal Ab\-
(novel in Malayalam) Author: E. Harikumar
Electronic version published in 2013 This book is meant for distribution among research organisations absolutely free of cost.
Copyright C 2013 by E. Harikumar
C. lcnIpam 1943 Pqsse 13 \v s]mm-\n-bn P\-\w. A alm-Ihn CS-tcn tKmhn- \mb. A CSn Pm\In A. I--bn hv _n.-F. ]mm-bn. 1972 efn-Xsb hnhmlw sNbvXp. aI AP-bv hnhm-ln-X\ - mWv. `mcy: ip`. I-, Znn, t_mws_ Fo \K-c - f - n tPmen-sb-Sp-p. 1983- tIc-f - n-tebvv Xncn-p-h - p. 1962 sXmv sNdp-IY - I - s - f-gp-Xn-p-S - n. BZys IYm-ka - m-lmcw "Iqd-I' 72 {]kn-s - -Sp-n. 15 IYm-k-am-lm-c-fpw 9 t\mh-ep-Ifpw Hcp A\p-`-h-p-dn-p-w {]kn--s-Sp-n-bn-pv. ]pc-kvIm-c-: 1988 se tIcf kmlnXy Am-Zan ]pc-kvImcw "Znt\m-k-dns Ipn' F IYm-kam-lm-c-n-\v. 1997 se ]--cm-P ]pc-kvImcw "]--ns\ ]nSn-m' F IY-bvv. 1998 se \me-m-S ]pc-kvImcw "kqn-p-h abnoen' F IYm-ka - m-lm-c - n\v. 2006 se IYm-]oTw ]pc-kvImcw "A\n-X-bpsS hoSv' F IYm-k-am-lm-c-n-\v. 2012 se Ghpw anI IY-bvp tIcf tv Ne-n{X Am-Zan AhmUv "{io]m-Xn-bpsS ]mZw' F IY-bvv. BUntbm Imkv dnmUn-Mv, sh_v Unssk-\n-Mv, anaoUnb s{]mU-, ]pkvXI {]kn-o-I-cWw Fn-h-bn-tes-n-p-v. 1998 apX 2004 hsc tIcf kmlnXy Am-Zan Aw-K-am-bncp-p. IrXn-I: sNdp-I-Ym-k-am-lm-c-: Iqd-I, hrj-`-ns Iv, Ippaw hnX-dnb hgn-I, Znt\m-k-dns Ipn, Im\U- b n \nsmcp cmP- I p- a mcn, {io]m- X n- b psS ]mZw, kqn- p- h abnoen, ]--ns\ ]nSn-m, Zqsc Hcp \K-c-n, Idp X{mn, A\n-X-bpsS hoSv, Cf-sh-bnens kmz\w (I-Y-I 1966-1996), \K-c-hm-knbmb Hcp Ipn, Fs kv{XoI (kv{Xo-]-- I-Y-I), shn-n-c-bn-se-t]mse. t\mh-ep-I: Dd-p k- + im]-ine, Bk-n-bpsS An-\m-f-, Hcp IpSpw_]pcmWw, Fnss{U-hsd kvt\ln s]Ipn, Ab-\-, XSm-I-Xocv, sIm-{mn, {]W-b-n-s\mcp tkm^vvshb, Adn-bm--e-fntebvv. Hm-I, A\p-`-h-p-dn-p-I, teJ-\-: \o Fhn-sS-bm-sW-nepw. Cu Hm-I acn-m-Xn-cn--s.
hnemkw: 5-_n, Ah\yp s{Iv A]mSvsa vkv Ah\yp tdmUv, app-]mew Ipcn-b-nd (]n.-H.) Xrq 680 006 t^m: 091-0487-2251779 C-sa-bn: harikumar_e@yahoo.com, e.harikumar.novelist@gmail.com website: www.e-harikumar.com
Fgp]XpIfpsS XpSw. t_mws_ \Kcn Ghpw IqSpX

\So\Smcpw kn\nabpambn _shcpw Xmaknp Pplp hnt ]msf kv I ow. cmhnse shdpsX \ncpIfneqsS \S m\ndnbm ImWpI dn^vftgvkv ]nSnv \np ssev t_mbv k v BWv . \So \Sm, Imad, P\td hm, KmU IpSognencnp Ubd...... sXcphn hv ImWptm At\ym\yw D]Nmchmmbn ]dbpXv "FhnsSbmWv Cv jqnv' FmWv. kmtXnIhnZy Iem]cXsb hmsX B{I anm XpSnbnnm Imew. \bpsS Awi Atmgpw hnp t]mIm B AconemWv Rm t\mhense IYm ]m{Xsf IpappXv . AhcpsS Hmbv mbn Rm Cu t\mh kanpp.
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IpXncIsftSnbp bm{Xbn FpXv _onemWv. AhnsS Ftmgpw IpXnc Ifpmhpw. cp hmXnep a \ndw Ibdnb sh slcmUn \nv kp\n ]pdndn. hmXn ]qm sa\sSmsX Abm _ontebvp \Sp. _ontebvndpXn\p apv Abm Hcp knwlmhtemI\n\p thn \np. BdSn Hcnv Dbcap AbmfpsS tZlw tlmfntU C tlmens ]mizn Hsp \npXv _on IpXncIfpsS ISnmWpw ]nSnp \np ]mcpsS In s]p. kp\nen\v AXp a\nembn. "^nenan tkp hp'shv IpXncm Xn ]dbppsv AXp tInsnepw Abmv a\nembn. Abm _ontebvv Cdn \Sp. thenbndambXpsImv \pcbpmp IS AIemWv. IpXncIfpw HIfpw \npXn\pw Apdv cp ]m IksSppIbmWv. _mkp Zns KmmWsXv Abmv a\nembn. Hcp {Sukam{Xw [cnv, Dcppt]mse icocap _mkp Zv tat\mw hlnncpp. kp\n ASp sptmtgbvv IpXncmscmw AbmfpsS Nppw hfp. Abm apJw NpfnpsImv IpXncIsf t\mn. Hcp sh IpXncbpw an\p Xhnp \ndap IpXncbpsamgnm _mnsbmw Nmhmfn pXncIfmWv. Hcp Ia thiymebn {]thin DSs\ AhchcpsS Ahbhsf apgpnv ImWnv hioIcnp thiyIsftmse ]m AhchcpsS IpXncIsf kp\nens apn \ncn. B ]mcpsS timjnp Icphmfn apJ t\mnbtm IpXncI NmhmfnIfmIpXn FmWZv`pX apsXv Abm Btem Nnp. Abm tNmZnp. "evaWs IpXncsbhnsS?' _on Ghpw Dbcap, `wKnbp IpXnc evaWtXmbncpp. ]m apJtmSpapJw t\mn. AXn Ghpw apXnh ]dp. "eva PbnenemWv.' "Duw?' "Zmcp ]osI PKUmInbm, tkv.' Ip IpSnv elfbpm evaWs ncw ]cn]mSnbmWv. "Cv Fm IpXncIfpw thWw' kp\n ]dp. ]mcpsS IpI hnIknp. "icn tkv, Fgm thXv?' "Ctms t]mWw.' cp ]m DSs\ IpXncpdv NmSnbncpp. Abm ]dp. "Cdv. \Snsmp t]mbm aXn. Asnte NmhmfnpXncIfmWv. C\n Ahs HmSnp sImp t]mbm AhnsSsbptmtgbvv oWnp \miamhpw.' _mkp Zv Dds hnfnp tNmZnp. "kp\n Cp jqnptm?' "Dv' kp\n ssIhoinmWnp.' _mkp Zv HcnqSn ssIhoin, Xncnv Hcp ]s\ XeIpn adnbm klmbnp. "jqnMvv FhnsSbmWv tkv?' IpXncm tNmZnp. "sSv tdmUn, [otc{bpsS _vfmhn\p apn.' Abm \SpsImv ]dp. "]Xps \Sn smp t]mbm aXn.' Abm HcnqSn XmoXp sImSpp. Abm Im mmn ImSnbnqSn t\mnbtm IpXncI Hcp hcnbmbn \Sp hcppv. saenpWnb IpXncm ISnmWptan AhchcpsS IpXncIsmw \Spp. sSv tdmUn [otc{bpsS _vfmhn\p apn Hcp XpSnbncpp. dn^vfdpIfpw P\td hm\pw ImadIfpw Fmw Fnbncpp. Ubddpw Imadmam\pw IqSn ]mesn NbmWv. aghnns \ndap henb IpSbvpXmsg CncnpXv Ubdp ItkebmWv. tdmUns adphiv thsdmcp IpSbvp Iogn ]pcmX\amb Xs tSv sdtmUdpw apnhv CcnpXv Achnv ss] BWv. Ubd hnt\mZv apJapbn tNmZy]qw kp\nens\ t\mn. IpXncIsfnbmWv. kp\n Xebmn. Atms sSv tdmUns Xncnhn \nv IpXncIsf Hmtcmtmtcmmbn \Sn IpXncm \Sp hcpXp Ip. ]nI. kp\n hnNmcnp. Xs Im ImgvNbn \np ad tm Ah IpXncpdpIbdn HmSnphXmsWp hyw. tdmUns Xncnhn\p Ipdpapt Ah IpXncpdp \nndn \ IpnIfmbn hcnIbmWv. hn Pbdmw `v Itkebnencpv _ob Ipnbn\nv t\cnv IpSnpIbmWv. Nppw AbmfpsS Kmpw. "F{Xmas IpnbmWv Pbdmw?' kp\n At\zjnp. "\memas.'
`ns aq{Xmibns hepw F{XbpmIpsav Abm AZv`pXsp. jqnn\nSbn Abm aq{XsamgnpXv Intbn. Ahkm\w FnbXv IpXncIfmsWp tXmpp. ImcWw IpXncI Fnbtmtgbvpw cwKw kPohambn. Ubd HmSn\Sv Iev]npp. Imadmam, Imadbvp ]nn Hcp qfnt Ibdn\np. P\tdhm {]hnnp. dn^vftgvkpambn ssevt_mbv Xmdmbn \np. Achnv ss] tS]v sdtm Udn\p ]nn ]Snncpp. shpXnc apnepw ap IpXncI ]nnepambn \nn IpXncm Ibdnbncpp. Imadam ]dp. "ssdv.' IpXncm aptmp IpXnp, Imadbvp apnsen \np. IpXncm IpXncpdp\nndmsX IpXncIsf ]ntmw \bnp. Ubd hopw \nti sImSpp. Imadmam s{^bvw icnbmn. IpXncm hopw IpXncbpambn aptmp IpXnptm Achnv ss] sdtmU HmWmn. HclmktmsS XpSp ]mv apgn. Ubd sskUv Imadmam\v \nti sImSppIbmbncpp. Abm Achnv ss]bvp t\sc ssIImWnv ]mp \nm\mhiy sp. IpXncIfpsS \ow {inpIbmbncp ss] Ubd BhiysXv tIn. Ubd Alknp. "Achnv tmv bph eukn ayqknv.' Achnv ss] sdtmU \nn ssIsImv kv]q ]ntmw Xncnp. IpXncm IpXncIsf hopw XpSnb ep sImphp \nn. Pbdmw `v shpXncbpsS apIfn Ibdn Xe bpbn Ccpp. AbmfpsS Kmneph ap IpXncIp tase Bk\cmbn. Hcm Pbdman\p apn mSnp ]namdn. kwKoXw XpSnbncpp. jqnMv ]ptcmKanpsImncnt {ItaW kp\nen\v kzbw A\yXzw A\p`hsp. Xm CXnssbmpw `mKaspw Xs kmnyw Hcp ImSnta hncp Cusbtmse A\mhiyamsWpw Abmp tXmn. shbn \hw aqncpp. Abm kqcy\p Xmsg kzw {]hnIfn apgpInbncnp Bmsc t\mn. {itbmsS dn^vftgvkv ]nSnp ssev t_mbvkv, Imadbvp ]nn hnbp \np Imadmam, Ubd BwKyw ImWnptm tSv sdtmUdns kv]q ssIsImv Xncnp Achnv ss], IpXncpdv tXmpI ssInten tPXmsftmse \np hn\pw Kmpw, aghn\ndap IpSbvp Iogn Itkebnencpv Bm]np Ubd. jqnMv ImWm s\nbh..... Abm Imdn Ibdn mmn. GXm\pw Zqcw t]mbtm hfhn\p apv Hcp s]Ipn Xhnc s]mnmWnp. Ah Pokpw SojpamWv [cnncpXv. jn\p apn amdn Ccp hipambn icta cp lrZb. Abm Im \nnbn, ImcWw Abm s{]mUyqkdpsS hontebvmWv t]mbncpXv. AXmIs cp \ncpIpdmWv. Abm Im \npnsp Itm Ah cp ssIIfpw Dbn At]mkzcn hnfnp]dp. "okv.......' s]sbm Hmp. Hcp]t lnv sslnmbncnn AhfpsS Bhiyw. lnv sslnv BhiysSp s]IpnIfpsS apJs Kpw, Rm \nv Hcp HuZmcyw sNbvXp XcnIbmsW `mhhpw AhfpsS apJpmbncpn. AhnsS At]bmbncpp. AXn XnSpapmbncpp. Abm t{_bvnp, Im dnthgvskSpv Ah \nevpnStbvp hp. Im \nnbXp Iv HmSnhcm Ahfpw Xmdmbncpp. Abm hmXn XpdmsX ]dp. "Rm A[nIZqcsampw t]mIpn.' "t]mIp{X sImps]mbvqsS.' Ah izmkw hnSmsX tNmZnp. Abm Hpw ]dbmsX Imdns hmXn XpdpsImSpp. Ah Ibdnbncpv hmXneSp. mmptm Abm tNmZnp. "\osbp s]^yqamWv D]tbmKnpXv? \ns Xnm kzmZp tNmtfp amXncn hmk\npp.' Ah ]dp. "aZmw tdmjm.' Abm hetmv Im Xncnp. Ah ]dp. "Fs t] A] FmWv. Rm kp\nkm_ns\ Ign HcmgvNbmbn t^m sNm {ian pp.' A]! Abm s]sv sSent^mWn\Spp satPv _pn Cu t] Znhkhpw lknw FgpXnhncpXv Hmp. s]sbmfpsS Bdmw C{nbw DWp {]hnm XpSn. Xm Hcp ^nenw mdmsWpw X\nv Cu ASpncnp s]Ipnbn aXnpmWw Fpw Abm Hmp. Abm ocntbm HmWmn. "cmhnse \nXn sSent^m sNbvXncpp, ImWWw Fp ]dp. Ctm Rm\tmp t]mhpI bmWv.' kp\n ]dp. "BcmWv \nXn?' Ah tNmZnp. Abm Xncnv Ahsf AZv`pXtmsS t\mn. "s{]mUyqk \nXn ssN\m\n.' "Hm! AbmfpsS ^vs\bnw \nXn FmsWv F\ndnbn.' A]bpsS IpIfn AZv`pXw. "AhntSbvmtWm t]mWXv?'
A]bn aXnpmm ]nsbv t_m[yambtm Abm ]dp. "\o Fn\mWv Fs t^m sNbvXncpXv? hntcm[ansn \apv k G v kmn t]mbncpv kwkmcnmw.' Abm Nncnp. "Hmhsd Itm^v tIm^n. Abmw mhnMv.' "sF tUmv ssa v.' Abm Fbvv tdmUntebvp XncnbpXn\p ]Icw t\cnv t]mbn hetmv Xncnp. hopw hetmv Xncnv k G v kmntebvp IpXnp. Ah t^mbdneqsS \Sp \optm dnk]vj\nep s]Ipn kp\nens\ t\mn Indpn. "lmbv.' "lmbv' kp\n ssIpbn. Ah \Sv ]pdtbvp hmXn ISv kznnMv]qfnSpsn. ]qfn\Spv XWen taincphihpambn Ah Ccpp. \ Impmbncpp. thentbw XpSn sbw. C\n Hcp aWnqdnpn IS IptdqSn ASpspw. A] kp\nens\ ]TnpIbmbncpp. Ah ]dp. "bp epIv sseIv mIv tK_v.' Abm Nncnp. "AsXs aoi ImcWamWv.' Ah AbmfpsS hoXnbp aoi {inp. icnbmWv. apIfnes cp _WpIfnSm jneqsS ImWp hncn amdn \ndsb CSXq tcma. Icpp ssII. ]ucpjw AbmfpsS Hmtcm AWp hnepw {]kcnp \np. X\np X {]iwkbvp ]Icw Fsnepw sImSppXns\n Abm BtemNnpIbmbncpp. AhfpsS NppI t\cnbXmWv. `wKnbp \o aqv. XeapSn \mep `mKp\npw apIfntebvp Ibn s\dpIbn sInh ImcWw shfp \ndap \o Igpv apgph ImWm\pv. Igpn\p ]nnep t\cnb sNn tcma ImnenfIpp. At lrZbp ]nn SojnSnbnse A km[mcWamb apgpapgpv Zinp sImv Abm ]dp. "bphm shcn s{]n.' "Xmvbp.' Znknkv Z ssStm^v tK h hpUv ehv Sp lmhv C lnkv s_Uvdqw Aveov t^msd ss\v, _v It\mv At^mUv. kp\n BtemNnpIbmbncpp, ]ehn[ km[yXIsfn. \nXn ssN\m\n ImWm ]dXv Fn \msWv Abmdnbmw. IpXncI Xs. s]IpXncI. ssN\m\n AbmfpsS kzXknamb \b sshZKvZytmsS ]dncpp. "kp\n Rms\mcp ]pXnb \mbnIsb At\zjnpIbmWv. Fs ]pXnb anany s{]mUIvj\p thn. h ]pXnb s]IpnIsfbpw Adnbpsan sImphcq. s{^jmbmepw Ipgan. hnt\mZv th{X ]cnioe\w sImSpp sImpw.' AXn\w {]mUyqk Ctm sImp\Sp, tkm^nbm temds\tmse henb apeIfp s]n s\ Dt]npIbmsWmWv. HpIn Abmv Ahsf aSpnpmhpw, Asn adnpamhmw. Fmbmepw apn Ctm ISmn Igpn\p ]nnse \\p tcmacmPnI ]dnpsImv Ccn p Dbcap s]Ipn Hcp kz J\nXsbmsWv Abm a\nemn. "KpUv tamWnMv an. atlm{X.' phmUv hv XeIp\nv sa\p ImUv cpt]cpsSbpw apn hp. "KpUv tamWnMvv.' Xncnp t]mIm \n phmUns\ Abm hnfnp. "Ctms ]dbmw.' Xncnv AhtfmSv tNmZnp. "hmv hn bp lmhv?' "tIm^n.' "tIm^n.' Abm ]dp. "F\np Ipdv Fv km vhnv sImphcq. A] Hpw Ignpnsv Xo?' Ah Npa Ipepn. Fn\mWv Xs t^m sNbvXncpsXv kp\n tNmZnn. Abm dnbmhp ImcyamWXv. t^m sNp Fm s]IpnIpw HpXsbmWmhiyw. Abm kznMvv ]qfn \op Hcp bqtdm]y kv{Xosb {inp. shn\Snbn \oe ]men AhcpsS \ndw DZnpIp. Ah aep InSv \opIbmWv. Abm apnencnp s]Ipnsb Hcp _nIv\nbn kev ] np. AhfpsS Ahbhv \ BIrXnbpv . Ah Xobmbpw Cu aZmtbm `wKnbpapv . \ndhpw B kv { XobpsS ip{`\ndt BIjWobamWv . Ch kn\nabn Hcp hhnPbambncnpsav Abmp tXmn. kp\n tNmZnp. "Fs \ Fns\bmWv InnbXv?' Ah Nncnp. "Rm Ipdp dntkv \Sn. Hp cv ^nenw amKkn\pIfpsS HmôkpI Ibdn bndn.' henb kn\namXmcsf A\pIcnv kp\n atlm{Xbpw AbmfpsS t] sSent^m Ubddnbn DsSpnbncpn. "kp\nkm_n\v ssN\m\nbpambn hfsc ASp _apsv tIXv icnbmtWm?'
"Im an kp\n.... \o FmWv DtinpXv?' "Am, Rm\ptinpXv.....' Ah hmpI InmsX hnjanptm kp\n Ahsf klmbnp. "\ns ]cnNbsSpn, Atlns ^nenan Hchkcw taSnpXcm am{Xw ]cnNbapstm?' Ah Hpw ]dn. Abm km vhnv cp ssI sImpw ]nSnv ISnp Xnp. "jmsse taIv tIm^n t^m bp?' Ah tNmZnp. "okv....' A] cp IpIfn Imn IqpXbm t\mn. "]kmc Hcp Iyq_pIqSn CSs?' "sbkv okv.' "ssN\m\nbpsS bq\nv jqnn\p htm apX Rm Imp\npIbmbncpp. \nfhnsS hcpsav Rm\qlnp. Ans\bmWv Cp ImWm ]nbXv.' AhfpsS apJv [ockmlknIXbpmbncpp. "Rm ssN\m\nsb ]cnNbsSpncmw. \msf hontebvp hcq. Ctm Abmsf ImWm thnsbmWv Rm t]mIpXv. \ns Imcyw Rm kqNnnmw. \msf F\nv t^m sNbvX tijw hcq. Fs A{Uv Adnbnt?' "Mm, Adnbmw. Xmvbp shcnav.' ]qfncnIn \nhnbn IupIfn InSv k_msSpp aZmamv kSm\p]Icw kt_ BWv InpI Fbm Hmp. shdpw Icnhmfnp am{Xw. "A] FhnsSbmWv XmaknpXv?' "kmm{Iqkn.' "Rm t{Ump sNmw.' "th, \n Rm SmIvkn ]nSnp s]mbvtmfmw.'
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A] Fgptv XeapSn sInb kvIm^v Agnp t]mbXv hopw sIn _mWnbntebvv \Sp. _mWnbpsS sdbnenn Nmcn\npsImv Ah apn InSp NXpp \nefntebvp t\mn. hnakv bq\nthgvknnbpsS \nmWw Ahncmaambn \SpsImncnpp. apIfn `bc itmSp IqSn t_mbnMv 707 ]dp. AXns N{I hnam\ns Dntebvv henpIbdn hmXneSbpXv Ah t\mn. ISen \np hcp Imn\v XWppmbncpp. AXhfpsS t\cnb ss\npn ISpsNv IpfncWn bnp. cmhnse InSbn \nsgpt B \nanj fnte Cns\ _mWnbn t]mbn \nm Ah v ss[cyw hcq. Atm Ahv tav th, Bscnepw Xs ImWpsa `bhpan. shbn aqptXmSp IqSn Cu Bss[cyn\v Cfw Xpp. Ah ImSnbpsS apntebvv HmSpp, ImWp {]XnOmb hfsc at\mlcamsWnepw X\nv AwKo Imcn\p th B kv Cs F `bw. ImSnbn t\mnsmv Ah arZpeamb IhnfpIfn XtemSn. Cp ssN\m\nbpambn Chyq Dsn Hcp t^jyepw slbUphpw thWsah Xobmn. t\cnb ss\nbnqSn ImWp cq]w Ah ImSnbn Zinp. ss\n amdn\pXmsg Ipdp henp]nSnv Ah Hcphiw Xncnp\np. ImSnbn I cq]w Bimhlambncpp. X\nsmcp ]o ]m\ns Bhiyansv Ah AlmctmsS Hmp. tcWp Nmbt{Sbpambn hp. Nmb Iqptm Ah ]dp. "t{_bvv ^mn\v tkns\ Imtsp ]dp.' "Duw?' "Pplphn t]mbncnbmWv.' "Cu An!' Ah Xebn ssIhp ]dp. t{_bvv ^mpIqSn IgnmsX ltcIrjvWbn Fm\mbncpp [rXn. "Av F{X aWnmWv t]mbXv?' "Ggc aWnv.' "Ggc aWn? Atm kabsa{Xbmbn Ctm?' "Fcbmbn ZoZn...' tcWp NncnpsImv ]dp. "Hm, Rm\np hfsc t\cw Ddn As?' Ah kp\n atlm{Xsb Hmp. Abm ssN\m\nbpambn kwkmcnnpmIpw Fpw Cp Xs Chyq Xcampsapw Ah Binp. Ah ]dp. "Rm Xmgp t]mbn Hp t^m sNbvXp hcmw.' Ah ss\n Agnpshv amIvkn FSpnp. Nphn annv ]msbmWv hmXn XpdXv.. "Bn Hv t^m sNWw.' "BmWv C{X cmhnses?'
"Hcp {^n\mWv Bn.' Ah Ub sNbvXp. Apdv sSent^m FSpXv lknw Bbncpp. "km_v sl?' "km_v DdpIbmWv. tIms\?' "A].'Ah ]dp. "kp\n C\nbpw FWons?' "C.' "Hp hnfnmtam?' "{ianp t\ms.' "icn.' Ah sSent^m sNhnbnean Imp \nptm annv ]mt ASpphp. "t_o, Cv t{_bvv^mn\v \mfntIcnWn Acnptm?' "Adnbn Bo.' kp\n t^mWn hcptmtgbvv Bnsb AhnsS\nv HgnhmWsah BtemNnp. Ah ]dp. "Acnpsn tcWphns In sImSpbmw.' "adcpXv sItm.' t^mWn kp\nens iw tIp. "KpUv tamWnMv. A] lnb.' "tamWnMv Fsms ]dbmam{Xw t\cw ]petm?' "tkmdn, DdpIbmbncpp As?' Apdp\nv DdShp hnSm iw. "Cse \nXns hon ]mnbpmbncpp. Imcyw ]dbq.' AhfpsS Bthiw s]sp XWpp. Atm kp\n Xs Imcyw ssN\m\ntbmSv ]dbm adsp tXmpp. Xs Imcyw Xs ads amWv. Ah \ncptjbmbn ]dp. "ssN\m\nbpambn kwkmcnm ]nbn At?' "Xobmbpw. Cp sshIptcw sNmsap ]dnpv. Bdp aWnv. \n\v Ac aWnv Fs hon hcmtam?' "hcmw. Xmvbp shcn av kp\n. ss_...' Ah t^m hv annv ]mstbmSv \nIqSn ]bdm \nmsX ]pdp ISv tImWnSnI NmSnbdn s_Snp. tcWp hmXn Xpdp. "tcWp F\nv t{_bvv ^mv thKw thWw.' "sImphcmw.' A] hmjv t _kn\Sppt]mbn ]p tXp hp. X\nv hfsc Ipdp kabn\pn Iptdb[nIw Imcy sNm\psv t{_bvv^mv Ignptm Ah BtemNnp. km[mcW apdpadpp am{Xw Ignp s{_UvtSmpw _psskbpw Ch hfsc kzmtZmSpIqSn Ignp. ssN\okv _yqn]medn Ahnanm \mapmbncpp. Hcp XSn kv{XobpsS ]pcnIw BIrXn sSppIbmbncp hbmb ssN\mcn Ahsf t\mn NncnpsImv tNmZnp. "ltm, hmSv Upbp hmv?' "t^jy, slbUq, ]ns ]pcnIhpw....' "Hcp an\pv.... Xncpsn apIfn s]mbvtmfq, AhnsS kmhvdn Dv.' A]bvv AhcpsS AknpIsfsbmpw Cambncpn. sam\n ^vtfmdnemWv Ah. \Sptm Xe appIbpw sNpw. AXpsImv ssN\mcn B kv{XobpsS ]pcnIw BIrXnsSpn IgnbpXphsc Ah Hcp amknIbpw InseSpv Imncpp. kzw XeapSn sNbvXpsImncns Ahv ssN\mcnbpsS tNmZyv Dcw ]dtbnhp. Ah kwkmc{]nbbmbncpp. "bp tKmv ehven slb..... Cv ]mnbptm?' "Duw...Xmv bp.' Ah {]iwk sNmcnbpXn Hpw ]nipp ImWnncpn. "FhnsSbmWv ]mn?' Fsms AdnbWw Chv? Ah adp]Sn ]dp. "inhPn ]mn Hcp shnMv ]mnbmWv.' Fmw Ignv Xncnp hon htm kabw Hcp aWnbmbnt Dq. C\n `Ww Ignv Hcp kucy \n{Zp kabw IqSnbpv. Ah aqp aWnv ]pdsSm XpSn. tcWp Hcp tImWndmXp ImcWw A]bv v hkv{Xsn A`n{]mbhpw Xocpam\hpw kzw FSptnhp. Ap aWnbmbtmtgbvpw Hcp hn[w Hcpngnp. ImSnbn t\mnbtm kzw kucysn Xocpam\saSpm Ignn. Ah ]pdndptm Av tNmZnp. "FtmmWv?'
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"Cv s{]mUyqkdpsS ASpv Chyq Dv Av.' "\ns {]mv.' Abm Nncnp. SmIvknbn Ibdn Ah Pplphntebvp IpXnp. kp\nens sh slcmUv hon\papn \npp. Ahv Bizmkambn. Ccp]smmw \ ^vfmv Ggmw \nebnemWv. en^vn\np ]pdp ISv s_Snp Ah Imp\np. hmXn XpdXv Hcp Ccp]Xp hbpImc\mbncpp. lknw Bbncnpsah Dulnp. "kp\n sl?' Ah hmXn aes Xpdp. Xe IpnpsImv Fb Cym almcmPmhns ssIsImp BwKyw ImWnp sImv ]dp. "BbntbPo.... Bbntb, Xivco^v cJntb.' Ah AIp ISncpp. apdnp \Sphn C Imv `wKnbpmbncpp. Un tX Nphcn {]IrXnZriyw ImWnp henb Nn{Xw. apdnbn cp aqebn henb kv]odpI. \Sphn h tjmtIkn\p aosX ocntbm Bwnss^, tS]v sUv, sdtmUv sb apXembh. kp\n hp. Abm Hcp Sojpw PokpamWv CncpXv. Ahsf I DSs\ Abm \np. Hcp Ah temI\n\ptijw Abm ]dp. "\nXn Xobmm A[nIw kabsampw FSppsav tXmpn.' Fn\s BfmWv \nXn?' Ah tNmZnp. kp\n AhfpsS apns Hcp Xncnbp qfn eapdnncpp. "FmWv \o DtinpXv?' "sF ao......sF ao shY lobokv shcn ôUnbkv.' kp\n Indpn. "\nXn sNdpmcnIfmb kpcnIsf CsSpp. \ns Hcp \mbnIbmbn sXcsSppsaXn Hcp kwibhpan F\nv.' Ahm kwkmcw Csp. s{]mUyqkamscn Ah tInpv. Hcp \SnbmhWsan Fsm s klnWsav Ah tIdnnpv. ssN\m\nv kpcnIsf CamsW hnhcw Ahdn bmXpa. ]s AsX{X am{Xw Xs hnPbn\v klmbnpw Fv Ahv kp\n ]dtm t_m[yambn. AhfpsS sNdpsn, kucysn, ]pcpjmcn Bknbpmm\p Ignhns\ n Ahv \ t_m[apmbncpp. AhfpsS AhbhfpsS Hmtcm Ne\hpw AXp emmnbm bncpp. Hcp ssIbn t{S _mekp sNbvXpsImv lknw hp. Ahs Ne\fn tImamfnapm bncpp. kp\n Nmb IqpIbmWv. A] tNmZnp. "ssN\m\n Fs FSppsav tXmpptm?' "lu av jpK?' "h kv]q, Xmvbp.' "\o FmWv tNmZnXv?' "\nXns\n. ssN\m\n F\nsmcp Nmkp Xcpsav tXmpptm?' kp\n \nhncpp. Nmb IpSnpsImv Abm ]dp. bphm Z ssdv tK t^m \nXn. \ns tmse Hcp s]Ipnsb t\mnbncnbmWv AbmfpsS ]pXnb Nn{Xn\p thn.' AhfpsS IpI hnSp. ssN\m\nbpsS Hmtcm Nn{Xhpw Hmtcm kw`hamWv . AXnsemn \mbnIbmbn Ahkcw Innbm ]ns ap s{]mUyqkam AhfpsS ]Sn Imh InSpw. "\apv t]mImw.' en^vn hv Ah kwkmcnn. Xmsg Fnbtm Hcp AZv`pXw Ahsf {]Xonp \npp. lknw slcmUp Imdpambn Xmdmbn \npIbmWv. Ah FtmgmWv ss]Pma amn bq\nt^man ISsXtm, AhfpsS Ipshnv FtmgmWv Xmgndn hsXtm Ah Adnn. AhfpsS AZv`pXw Itm kp\n ]dp. "CXv lkoans thsdmcp SmemWv. Ahs\ IqSpX AdnbpwtXmdpw Ahs hnhn[ apJ Xms\ a\nembntmfpw.' lknw sh bq\nt^man sh sXmnbpambn Imdns hmXn Xpdp]nSnv \npIbmWv. Ah Hcp hnZKvZ ss{Uhdmbncpp. Hcp slcmUn\p ]Icw Ah HmSntnbncpXv Hcp sdt\mtm, sagvknUntkm Bbncpsv Ahp tXmn. ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkns sKbvv Xpdsp. Hcp ]SpIq sInSw. Zhm kp\nens\ t\mn kemw shp. kp\n Ahsf t\mn, X\nnhnsSsbmw kzX{amb {]thi\apv Flcnp an. A]sb kw_ntStmfw AXp hfsc Bizmk{]Zambncpp. Xs hnPbw, kp\n, ssN\m\n bpsS F{XbSpmsWXns\ B{ibnpp Fhp tXmn. apmhn Im \nnbtm thsdmcp Zhm hv kemw hv Imdns hmXn Xpdp ]nSnp. kp\n epw A]bpw ]pdndn. kp\n AItbvp ISp. FhnsSbpw Abmp apn hmXnepI Xpdsp. NpasXmv Npahsc ImspI. NpacpIfn henb ImhmkpI. aqeIfn \kv{XoI
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fpsS temlinev]. anb CS\mgnI Ahkm\npnSv kp\n \np. hmXnent ]nfsImp knwle. CSphis ImSnapdnbn Ccnp kpcn kp\nens\ t\mn Nncnp. "KpUv tamWnMvv.' "KpUv tamWnMvv UmenMv. t]mImasm?' "s]mbvtmfq, ssN\m\n km_v Imncnpp.' kp\n Ahsf t\mn Indpn. ]ns hmXnent ]Xps cp XhW apn. GXm\pw skpIpn AIp\nsmcp iw tIp. Ian, FmbncnWw AXv. ImcWw kp\n AIp ISv Ahp thn hmXn Xpdp ]nSnp. A] AIp ISp. Ccp CS\mgnIbneqsSbp \Sw ImcWw AhfpsS IpI apdnbnse anb shfnhpambn ]gIm Xmakw thnhn. hnimeamb apdnbpsS adp `mKv C henb taibvp ]nnse dnthmhnMv sNbdn \nv XeapSn \c Hcp a\pjy FgptpXh Ip. Abm tai Npn hv AhfpsS ssI ]nSnp Ipepn. "A].' kp\n ]cnNbsSpn. "an \nXn ssN\m\n.' "ss\kv aonMv bp.' hopw HcnqSn AhfpsS ssI ]nSnp Ipepnb tijw Abm taip apnep aqp ItkeIfn \SphnetXv \on AhtfmSv Ccnm Bhiysp. ssN\m\n Xncnv taibvp ]nn C cmPIobamb dnthmhnMv sNbdn Ccpp. "IpSnm FmWv thXv? So, tIm^n, Hm F\nXnMv tImUv?' "XWpsXsnepw aXn.' Ah ]dp. "hms_uv bp.' ssN\m\n kp\nent\mSv tNmZnp. "F\npw AXp aXn.' ssN\m\n CtImans _ Aan. C tImans ]m\en Nphp shfnw. "IpSnms\snepw XWpXv sImphcq.' A] ssN\m\nsb ]TnpIbmbncpp. \c XeapSn. sNhnp apnep sskUv t_ Inbn epv. AXpw apgph \cXmWv. Xnfp IpI AXns DSas _pnin ImWnp. AbmfpsS t\mw hfsc arZphmbncpp. Xpfp Ibdp t\man. acymZtbmSp IqSnb s]cpamw. Ctlw Hcp kv{Xo eS\msWv tXmpItb C. ]{X {]Ncnnp tKmnpIfn HmbncnWw AXv. hfsc IqSpX acymZmc BhpXnepw X\nv Ahkc InpI ssN\m\nv Fsnepw Zuey fpsnembncnpw Fh Hmp. kn\namtemIs Nne bmYmytfmSv s]mcpsSm A] kzw a\ns\ Hcpnbncpp. AdNnd kuP\y, hnphogvNI. CsXmw kn\nam temIv Fphm\pw AhnsS ]nSnp \nm\pw BhiyamsWh a\nemnbncpp. ]{X amknI I sImSpp tKmnv tImf Ahsf Cu Imcyn hfsc klmbnncpp. "kn\nabn hcpXns\n \hw BtemNnnptm?' ssN\m\n tNmZnp. Dsv Ah Xebmn. "kn\na FXv HcZv`pXtemIamWv.' ssN\m\n XpSp. "AXntebvv ISphcnI Ffpa. ISp hXpsImp am{Xambn. DbphcnIbpw thWw. AXn\v hfscb[nIw A[zm\w BhiyamWv. hfscb[nIw XymKw klnWw. ac_pntm Albvtm ChnsS m\an. Ahkm\w Fmh pw Ahch Alnp m\w Inpw. a thWw. Hcp ZnhkwsImv Hcp \mbnIsb Dmm ]n. t_mUdp ]knpkmcnbpw ukpw [cn Hcp s]Ipn s{Sbpambn AIp hv t{m C mpI AhcpsS apn hp. \ `wKnbp s]Ipnbmbncpp Ah. shfp \ndw. knp t]mes CfwsNn apSn ] \ndnep knv kvIm^v sImv adncnpp. "Cu Imcnbdn\v cp hifpv. Rm ]dbmw.' ssN\m\n XpSp. "No hiw CXmWv. \apv ]eXpw klntn hcpw. Hmtcm aqhnIfn Hmtcm \mbImcpsS ssIhebn {]XystS \mbnIbvv Nmcn{XipnbpsS CtasPmpw AhImisSm ]n. ]noSv hnhmlmtemN\ hcptm AsXms {]iv\amsbp hcpw. AsXmw \ Fns\ t\mpp FXns\ B{ibnncnpw. ]ns hfsc, hfscb[nIw Azm\ntn hcpw. cmhp]Ienm tPmen. cm{Xn ]paWnv Im jov InpIbm sWn Atm F\npdt kabamWv, ]nsp ]dbm Ignbn. CsXmcp Sow hmWv. AXn "Rm' "\o' F hmpIfn. "\' Fp am{Xw. ]nsbpXv t]cns {]iv\amWv. \ t]cp Inm km[yXbpv Cu Imcnbdn. adnpamhmw. t] sNfnpnsensbpw hcmw. ]etmgpw \ t]cns ]nn \ndsb sNfnbmbncnm\pw km[yXbpv.' "C\n \ hiw. [mcmfw ]Wapmmw. \ _vfmhpI hnesSpmw. t^mdn ImdpI hmmw. hfsc BVw_cap Hcp PohnXw \bnmw. Hcp ]psImw tPmensbSpm \mep Xeapdbvv Ignbm\p ]Wapmmw. \n _pn]qw ]Ww Cshv sNWsap am{Xw.' ssN\m\n \nhncpp. taita\nv ]gmdns msSpv t{mhnqSn henp IpSnm XpSn, Hw AhtcmSpw IpSnm BwKyw ImWnp.
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A] msSpv IpSnm XpSn. tImIvsSbn PyqkmWv. Ah ssN\m\n ]dXns\n BtemNnpIbmbncpp. ^nenw Imcnbdns\n C{Xbpw hyambn hfsc Ipdp hmpIfn Abm ]dXv Ahsf AZv`pXsSpn. AhfpsS a\nepmbncp Nn{Xn\v Abm angnhp Iqnsbt bpq. CsXmw Ahv AdnbmhpXmWv. CXns\mw XmdmbnmWv Ah hXv. C\n BtemNn ms\mpan. CXns\mw ]pdsa ssN\m\n ]dnnm Hcp Imcyw IqSnbpv. AXv IWp IqepI fmWv. Ghpw apIfntebvsm\p GWnSnIfpsS IWpIqepI. AXv ]ngmXncpm aXn. Ah hophnNmcaphfmbncpp. Cusbmcp Ahkcn\pthn Ah Hcp sImw Bkq{XWw sNbvXXmWv. ssN\m\n kp\n atlm{Xbpambn kwkmcw XpSn. ]pXnb Nn{Xns Nn{XoIcWsnbmWv. skpmp Hcp tIm{SmsdnbmWv ssN\m\n ]dncpXv. tIpns anencps nepw A] AhcpsS kw`mjWw {inpIbmbncpp. In \inm\p Hcp sImmcns tamv Dmp tIm{Sm ssN\m\nsb I_fnnXmWv hnjbw. "Abmv {]mcmfpmhpw. AXmbncnWw Abm ]WhpwsImv t]mbXv.' ssN\m\n ]dp. "Abm FhnsSbmsWs\ndnbmw. F\np thWsan Abmsf ]nSnmw, t]meokntenmw, ImcWw Rm sImSp AXns tcJI Dv Fs In. AXpasn F\nbmsf \innmw. ]t AXpsImv Fp Imcyw. Hcp a\pjys\ \innm Ffpw Ignbpw. Abmsf Abmfmm Fp ]mSps]SWw? Cu Nn{Xn\v Fs Hcp Znhks IeIvj Dmbnsp am{Xw IcpXnbm aXn. Cu AXn\mbnca Fs hnjannpXv. Fs kabw. Hcp amkw \ambn. AsX\nv XncnpInn. Abm hnUvVnw ImnbXmWv. Hcp ens tIm{SmmWv. AXn Rm IWmnbnStmfw apXv AbmfpsS emàmWv. AXpsImv kwXr]vXnbStbXmWbm. Ctm Int Hcp Is\ tmse Hfnp\Stn hcpp. Rm\ntmgpw hnizknpp, Abmssnepw {]iv\fpmhpw ]mhw. A]bpsS a\n ssN\m\nsbnbp aXnv IqSnqSn hcnIbmbncpp. shdpw Hcp acymZmc am{Xa Abm. DZmc a\kvI\pamWv. ]{Xm Ctlsn ]dbpsXmw ip Akw_amWv. ssN\m\n A]bpsS t\sc Xncnp. "Atm AXmWv Rm ]dXv. tPmentbmSv BmX ]pem\pw, ap ]eXpw klnm\pw Xmdpsn \nv tPmensbSpmw. XpSn hcpam\sn A[nIw BtemNncpXv. Rm amkw cmbncw hoXw ifw Xcmw. CsXmcp Aehkmbn IWmnbm aXn. \ tjm_nkn\ nemWv. AXpsImv \mw aphcn\nv hyXyambn PohnWw, hyXyambn hkv{X[mcWw sNWw. a\nemtbm. kXamsWn tZhnt\mSv kv{Io sSsSpm ]dbmw.' "Rm sdUnbmWv.' a\nep BmZn IgnhXpw ]pdp ImWmXncnm ]WnspsImm Wv A] AXp ]dXv. ]d DSs\ AXp ]dtbnbncpnm Fp tXmn. BtemNnp ]dbm satm atm ]dbmambncpp. Xs XnSpw ssN\m\n a\nemntbm Bthm? "KpUv' ]Xps ]dpsImv ssN\m\n Fgptp. kp\nepw Fgptp. A] Fgptp kmcn t\scbmn. ssN\m\n tai Npnhv hmXn Xpdp ]nSnp. A]bpsS ssI]nSnp Ipepn Ipdp Ip\npsImv ]dp. "B Z s_v.' kp\nen\pw AXpt]mse ssIsImSpp. Ah ]pdp IStm hmXn ]Xps ASp. hopw arZphmb ]chXm\nI hncn CS\mgnIIfneqsS ]pdtbvp \Sptm Ah hnNmcnp. Fsmcp \ a\pjy!
3
Hmtcm AWphnepw ssN\m\n Hcp am\y\mbncpp. AbmfpsS s]cpamhpw {]hnIfpw IpahbmWv. hfscb[nIw an\pshbmWv. Ghpw Xmgv tPmenmtcmSpIqSn Abm \n Ft ]dbmdpp. B]v Fp am{Xw. "Xq', Asn "Xpw' F hmpI ssN\m\nbpsS \nLphnen. AXpt]mse Ghpw \nIramb Hcp Imcyw sNpIbmsWntmepw AXp hfsc absSpntbm, Asn XnIpw BIkvanIamb Hmntbm BWv sNpI. X\nnXn bmsXmcp ]pans an. Ap sIms ]cnNbwsImv kp\bv v AXdnbmambncpp. AXp sImv Ah ssN\m\ntbmSv AtXan am\yambn s]cpamdn. A{X am\yam \nanj ]nSptm AXv Xm\pw ssN\m\nbpa, thsd cpt]cmsWh kev]n p. Ap sImn\pn ]p kq aqhnbpsS \mbnIbmbn Ah. Fmw ssN\m\n ^nenwkns _m\dneph. ap s{]mUyqkamcpsS Hm^dpI Ah Imn ]dn. ssN\m\n sImSpp {]Xnêw sImSpphm asmcp s{]mUyqkpw Ignbn. AXmbncpp ssN\m\nbpsS hnPbclkyw. Hcmsf tPmenp hbv ptm Abmv asmcnSpw Inm km[yXbnm henb ifw sImSppI ImcWw Fm XpdIfnepw Ghpw sshZKvZyap BfpIsf ssN\m\np Inn. Ghpw \ kwhn[mbI, Ghpw \ \So\Sm, Fhpw \ Imadmam. ap I\nIfn\nv SmepI ssN\m\nbntebvv HgpIn. ap s{]mUyqkamcpsS \w ssN\m\nbpsS
13
t\ambncpp. CsXmw kp\bvdnbmw. AXpsImpXs Ghpw A[nIw {]Xnêw Inp \Sn F Kps nepw, ssN\m\nbpsS ASpv Ah hfsc acymZmcnbmbn. ]cnXnXnI s]sv amdntbmsav Ahdnbmw. cmhnse {UnMv tS_vfnse \oemSnbn t\mptm Ahp a\nemhppv, Ap sImw apv kn\nabn ISptmgpmbncp tZla Ctm. IqSpX amwkfambncnpp. bphXzw tXmnp tZlns BImchSnhns\ ]pXpXmbn Xmakw XpSnb AanX`mcw òjWnsSp npSnbncnpp. Xs aqhnI hm BfpI Ctmgpw lmfn Ccp Ibdpp. ssN\m\nbpsS JP\mhn \mWy InepInse hogpp. AsXmw icn. C\n F{X Imew X\nv ]nSnp\nm ]pw. t]mcmXn\v cmhnse t^mWn Innb hmbpw Xosc kpJapXmbncpn. ssN\m\n Hcp ]pXnb s]Ipnsb \nbannpv. CmWv kv{Io sSv. ssN\m\nbpsS Dtiyw ]pXnb s{]mUIvj\n CSm\msWv Ahdnbmw. AXns tPmen \Sp sImncnpp. B hnNmcw hfsc AkzmyP\IamWv. anmd aqhnIfnepw X\nv angnhp tdmfp I Xv Xs DbnmpItb ssN\m\n sNbvXnpp. ]t Ahbnsemw ap \mbnIam ncw cmw Xcw, Asn HmwXcw Xs ]Sfne`n\bnp \mbnIamcmWv. ]t Cu s]Ipn ssN\m\nbpsSXs Ip]nSpamWv. AXpsImv kqnWw. t^m inp. "ltm...' "kp\bt?' ssN\m\nbpsS iw. "AtX \nXnPn.' "Ctm pUntbmhntebvp hcm ]ptam? hcm kuIcyamsWn Rm AcaWnqdn\pn Im sImSpbmw.' ssN\m\n Ftmgpw Ans\bmWv. kuIcysan Hv hcmtam. A{Xam{Xw. Hcp \nhpw ImWn n. A[nImcns kzcan. ]t ssN\m\nbpsS Hmtcm hmpIfpw am\nsp. Hcp Bt]mse. "th \nXnPn Rm Fs Imdn hpsImmw.' "icn Xmvkv.' pUntbmhn ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkv {][m\ sInSn Hmw \nebnembncpp. Xs Nmc\ndn ep sdt\mv Im kp\ t]mn \nn. bq\nt^man hmvam hv hmXn Xpdp. Ah lm v _mKpsaSpv ]pdndn. hmvam Imdnbdn Im mmn ]mnMv temntebvp sImpt]mbn. Xpdp]nSn hmXneneqsS kp\ AIs XWpntebvp ISp. Nhpnbm ]XpntmIp ]chXm\nI Hmw \nebn en^vn\p apn\np XpSpp. dnk]vj\nsenbtm Cfw ] kmcn bpSp dnk]vj\nv Fgptp \np. "\akvsX kp\mPn. ssN\m\n km_v Imncnppv.' "\akvsX.' kp\ \nmsX \Sp\on. sImp]WnIfp hmXnen Ah ]Xps apn. "Ian.' hmXn Xpdtm ssN\m\n tai Npn hv AhfpsS ssI]nSnp Ipepn, Itke \on AhtfmSv Ccnm ]d tijw Xncnv taibvp ]nn Itkebn Ccpp. apdn XmcXtay\ Ccpnmbncpp. Hpcp sImp kvt]mSvssepIfmsX ap hnfpIsfmpw sImfpnbnpmbncpn. ]pdtbvp P\emIs IsImv adnpapv. ssN\m\n hfsc sXfn shfnw Csncpn. XovWambsXmpw Atlw Csn. kwKoXw t]mepw Atlw BkzZnncpXv hfsc Xmgv inembncpp. apdnbnencpv Ipdp Ignmte kwKoXapsv a\nemhpI Xsbpq. Hcn a\nembn AXp \psS a\n\v Hcp Xmfw sImSppIgnm AXp hfsc B\{]ZamWv. ocntbmhns adph kv]odpIfnqSn tIpXv Hcp C{psaemWv. hbentbpw sNtmhnsbpw iw {inp sImv kp\ tNmZnp. "sldn amko\n?' "ssdv sKv.' ssN\m\n NncnpsImv ]dp. Dulw icnbmbXn\v Hcp ]qsv.' "Hcp DulwIqSn ]dbmw. Ctm t sNpXv tUm jnhmtKmhnse Xow ayqknmWv. kwth ssa ehv.' "bp B s{Kbvv.' sN\m\n AZv`pXtmsS Ahsf t\mn. Abm Fgptv CSp hiph tjmtIknse ]qspIfn \sXmscw sXcsSpv kp\bvp sImSpp. "tdmkmq.' hmk\npsImv kp\ ]dp. "Xmvbp \nXnPn, F{X `wKnbp ]q.' "shw.' "]pXnb s{]mUIvjs tPmen GXp hscbmbn?' ssN\m\n Nmcnbncpp dnthmhnMvv sNb ]Xps Bnsmv ]dp. "HcpsIp ISemn\pn Hcp henb IY, A{X am{Xw.' taita HccpIn h ISemp sIv Abm Nqnmn. "hfsctbsd IYm]m{X, hfsc _rlmb IY, Iq sknpI thWw. CXns
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HsqSn hne Hcp tImSnbne[nIw. FhnsS\nmWv Rm C{Xbpw ]Ww DmtXv? Rm A{X ]Wmcs\mpa.' "lu kmUv.' kp\ NncnpsImv ]dp. "`mKyn\v Hcp \mbnItb Dq. aqv \mbImcpw.' a\v {]pamIpXv kp\ Adnp. Hcp \mbnItb Dq. s]sv Ahv Bhnizmkw \inXpt]mse tXmn. Hcp km[mcWmcnsb s]sv Hcp Znhkw \mbnIbmm\p sSIv\nIv ssN\m\nbpsSbpw AbmfpsS s]v Ubd hnt\mZv Nm\nbpsSbpw ssInepv. ]pXpXmbn h s]Ipn X\nsmcp òjWnbmWv Ftmtm Ah s]sv Xfp. "FmWv IpSnpXv?' "\nXnPn ]dm aXn.' "ss{Uamn\nbmbmtem?' "icn.' Abm apdnbpsS aqebn {]XnjvTn _mdntebvp \Sp. cp mpIfn Pn ]Ip, GXm\pw Xpn shtamv Hgnp. mns hn Hcp \mc hn sNnbXv tImphv sImphp. _mdn tImIvsSbnepI IqpXv ssN\m\n Csp. Xms\mcp _mam BthXmbncpsv Abm ]dbmdpv. kp\ \nbmbn BtemNnpIbmbncpp. Xs _pn D]tbmKnt Hcp k`w hptNncn pp. ssN\m\nbpsS a\n FmsWdnbn. GsXnepw tPmenm AbmfpsS A{]oXnbvp ]m{Xambm Abmsf Xm hfsc \ho\amb amfmWv ssN\m\n kzoIcnmdv. HpIn B DtZymK \v tPmen \ntbmKnpXv Hcp Znhkw \npw. tPmensbmw AbmfpsS IogptZymKmp t\cnp sImSppw. B DtZymK tPmenbnmsX AbmfpsS henb Im_n\n shdpsXbncnpw. ]Xps ]Xps AbmfpsS Hmtcm kuIcy A{]XyamIpw. Im_n\nse sj^pI, Aeamd, ^bepI. HSpw Abmfpw taibpw ItkeIfpw am{XamIpw. hcp kiIscsbmw kzoIcnpI Xmgv DtZymKmtcm, Asn AXn\mbn \nban thsd hhcpw BIpw. Ahkm\ambn t]mIpXv Fb IojWdmWv. ^m\nm apdnbn Abm Ipdp Imew IqSn A]am\hpw hnbpw klnv Xqnbn cnpw. ifw am{Xw \nn. Ans\bncns Hcp {]`mXn Abm Hmôkn hchp \npw. A{Xbpw {Iqcam thsdmcp amhpapv ssN\m\nv. Hcp DZymK AbmfpsS In Nobm bm AbmfpsS t^bsh ]mnsb t]cn Hcp ]mn Hcppw. Kwòc ]mn. AXn hv B DtZymK thsd \ tPmen Inn t]mIpXn X\np ktmjsnbpw C{Xbpw \ HcptZymK \sSpXn X\np tJZsnbpw ssN\m\n {]kwKnpw. ]mhw B DZymK\p am{Xta Nnetm kXymh Adnbq. am\ambn HgnhmhWsan hmb XpdmXncnpIbpw thWw. Xsbpw Ans\ BNmc]qw \mbnI m\p \nv Hgnhmm\p {iaamtWm? ssN\m\n mv Dbnmn. "Notbgvkv.' ssN\m\n taibpsS henpXpdv GXm\pw t^mtm{Km^pI FSpv kp\bpsS apntebvnp sImv ]dp. "Fns\bpsp ]dbq.' Im_n\v sskknep Nn{X. Atm Uhev sNbvXntbppshp tXmpp. Ah hndp ssI sImv AhsbSpp t\mn. Hcp kpcnbmb s]IpnbpsS hnhn[ t]mkpIfnep t^mtmI. kp\ tNmZytmsS ssN\m\nsb t\mn. "CXmsWs ]pXnb dn{Iqv. A].' Atm CXmWs X\nv òjWnbmbn h _yqn Izo. Ah mn \nv Hcp henb Ihn IpSnp hopw B t^mtmI t\mn. apJv Akzmytam Bitbm \ngenp ImWmXncnm Ah {]tXyIw {inp. ssN\m\nbpsS IpI AhfpsS apJmsWdnbmw. Bhp{X ss[cyw kw`cnv apJapbnsmv Ah ]dp. "\ Ipn.' Ah hopw msSpv Hcp Ihn IpSnp, ]ns mv ssIhnSm aSnpsImv ssIn s hp. "Fmw Ahv F{Xtmfw A`n\bnm IgnbpsaXns\ B{ibnpw. kucyw ]IpXn am{Xta BIppp, _mn ]IpXn IgnhmWv.' "Cu Ipnbvv ]pXnb s{]mU\n Ahkcw sImSppptm?'Xs in Aev]w hndbep mtbm? "sImSptWm?' ssN\m\n adptNmZyw tNmZnbmWv.
4
kp\n A]sb hopw hnpw AZv`pXsSpn. ssN\m\nbpsS pUntbmhn kv{IosSn\p t]mbtm kp\n hfsc D]Icnp. pUntbmhn Fmhtcbpw kp\nen\v ]cnNbamWv. AXpw {]XonXmWv. FmhcpsSbpw tXmfn ssInp kwkmcnpp. n t^mtm{Km^ tZhv pUntbm
15
hn Fnbtm Abm ]cnNbsSpn. "CXmWv A]. ssN\m\n ]pXpXmbn FSp IpnbmWv. Hcp]t ASp Nn{Xnse \mbnIbm hm\pw aXn. \ Hcp sSsSpp.' Abm Indpnmn. AXn Zpcptiysampan. shdpw kulmw am{Xw. Ahsf klmbn m\p Dmlhpw. AXv A]p a\nembn. "CXv tZth{ `Nmcy. ssN\m\nbpsS t^hdnv t_mbv. Hcp ]t CybnseXs Ghpw henb Imadmam. ]mcokn Hcp C\mj\ AhmsUmw Innbnpv.' "hcq.' tZhv Ahsf pUntbmhntebvp \bnp. AbmfpsS s]cpamw hfsc ]XapXmbncpp. kvt\lhpw am\yXbpapXmbncpp. A[nIw DbcanmsX saen Hcp a\pjy\mbncpp tZhv. Hcp s{^vXmSn AbmfpsS apJn\p \ofwIqn. "F{X kabw FSppw?' "GItZiw Hcp aWnq.' tZhv ]dp. "Rms\mv Npn hcmw. Ipdv AXymhiyImcy. A]m, sF hn ]nIvbp A]v Av Szv.' "HmsI, Xmvkv.' Ah Xebmn. kp\n hmXn ISv t]mbn. AhtfmSv hnhn[ t]mkpIfn \nm ]dtijw tZhv Imadbvp ]nn t]mbn. hnfpI sXfnp. ImadbpsS nIv iw ^vfmjpI. tZhv CSbvp hv AhfpsS t]mkpIfn amw hcpn. hfsc hnIesav tXmp t]mkpI. AbmfpsS s]cpamw hfsc am\yambn cpp. A\mhiyambn Hcp kv]iw t]mepapmbn. AXymhiyw t]mkpI amptm Abm AhfpsS ssIIfn hfsc arZphmbn sXmSpI am{Xw sNbvXp. AbmfpsS IpI Ahsf Hcp IemhkvXpshtmse Bcm[\m`mhtmsS t\mn. Hcp]t Xm kn\namtemIsn tIsXmw sXmbncnmw. A] hnNmcnp. CXphsc ]cnNb shscmw hfsc acymZmXs. kp\n, ssN\m\n, tZhv. Bcpw Ahsf acymZbnmsX t\mpI t]mepw sNbvXnn. Hcp ]t X\nv acymZtbmSpw am\tmSpw IqSn kn\namtemIn ISpIqSm\pw tPmensbSpm\pw Igntpw. s]sv tZhv Imad \nn. taitaep kznpIfan ^vfUv ssepI sISpn. apdn NqSmbncpp. "C\n \apv _nIv\nbn Ipdp t^mtmI FSpWw.' tZhv ]dp Abm taihenn\nv Hcp mnIv knsbSpv Ahp sImSpp. hep hip Npacnse hmXnentebvp Nqnmn ]dp. "AXv {UnMvdqamWv. hnjaamhnsn Cu _nIv\nbntebvv amdn hcq.' A] kn Xpdp t\mn. AXnsemcp ]pXnb Sq]okv _nIv\nbpmbncpp. Ah aSnmsX s{UnMvd v qantebvp \Sp. {UnMv dqans hepw Ahsf AZv`pXsSpn. ]Sntbmfw \ofhpw A{XXs hoXnbpapmhpw. \nev ]chXm\n. AXnse Nn{Xw pUntbmhnse ]chXm\nbn \nv hyXyamWv. \new sXmv apIfn ^mkvkoenMv hsc hne]nSn ImSn. Idp mpIfmWv. ^mkv koenn \np hcp shfnw apdnsb AXn Zo]vXamnbncpp. ssN\m\n sNpXnsemw Hcp mpsv Ahp kXntn hp. Ah tSmns lppIfgnm XpSn. ImSnbn AhfpsS cq]w t\scbpw FXncmbpw \ncp InSpp. Hcp henb Aense {iotImhnentebvp \S t]mse AXv A\ambn \op InSpI bmWv. Ah hkv{X Hmtcmtmtcmmbn Agnp amn. Hcp Iw A\pjvTnp t]mse, kmh[m\ n, Agnp Ifbp ta\n`mKs \X kzbw BkzZnp sImv. s]sh Hmp. Xm \np apdn F{Xtmfw kzImcyamWv? Bsnepw ImSnbneqsS ImWm Ignbptam? Cmbncnmw, Dmbncnmw. Ah s]sv _nIv\nsbSppSpp. _nIv\n hfsc hoXn IpdXmbncpp. ]t Ah Iqknbn. nse kznnMvv ]qfn _nIv\n [cnv Ah \omdpv. AXp ]t h]okv _nIv\nbmWv AhfpsS ap`mKw apgph\pw ]n`mKw apmepw adbvmdpv. Ctm CncnpXv icnpw sNdpXp XsbmWv. AhfpsS amdnSw Akm[mcW hepw tXmnp. ImSnbn Ah hfsc skIvknbmbn tXmn. \Xv. F{Xtmfw skIvknbmhppthm A{Xbpw kn\nabn ISp IqSm\p Ahkchpw IqSnhcpp. Ah ]pdpISp. tZhv taita Nmcn\nv knKcv henpIbmWv. Fb Ioj sNbvX pUntbmhn knKcns aWw Nqgvp\np. Abm PokmWv CncnpsXv Ah Atmsg {inpq. JZdns Hcp Ipbpw. A]sb Itm Abm knKcv IpnsSpn. ^vfUv ssepI In. Iymad t^mkv sNbvXp. hopw t]mkpI. ssII Dbp. AsX Ans\, ImepI aSn, Aev]w Ipnv........ tZhv bm{nIambn ]dp sImncpp. AbmfpsS apJw \nnImcambncpp. AXhsf AZv`pXsSpn. Xs tZlns \`mK Abmfn bmsXmcp hnImchpw DWpnsXv BizmkP\Ihpw AtX kabw \ncmimhlhpambncpp. Ctm Abm Hcp aqhn Imadbn AhfpsS Ne\ ]IpIbmbncpp. s]sbm \nn.
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Imad amn hv Abm Ahsf t\mn. Ah Fgptp\np, tNmZy]qw Abmsf t\mn. "\nfpsS apJp\nv Nncn Xosc amp t]mbncnpp.' Xs apJp Ipdpt\cambn ]Sph \ockhpw sSj\pw Ah AtmgmWv a\nempXv. Ah Nncnp. tZhv Hcp knKcv sImfpn. "Rms\mcp ]cat_md\mWt?' Abm tNmZnp. Ahv Ipt_m[w tXmn. "AX....' Ah am]WtmsS ]dp. "Rm s]sv FntebvpXs Xncnp t]mbn.' "Han Pm\o.' F\ndnbmw. tZhv ]dp. "\psS Dnse sshcpyfntebvv Hcp Xobm{X, As? Rm\pw sNmdpXv. PohnXw Hcp henb {]iv\w XsbmWt? A]mPn BtemNnpsXmWv Fs\ndnbmw. sSns êspdnv. AXp Ignm kn\nabn Hcp \ tdm InpXns\ pdnv. BZys aqhn lnmhpXns\n, ]cmPbòXn. CsXmw `bmiI DmpXmWv.' A] Hpw ]dn. FmWv ]dbm\pXv? tZhnt\mSv IpdpIqSn kvt\l]qw s]cpamdmambn cpp. Cwojn\p ]Icw _wKmfnbn kwkmcnmambncpp. Ftm, AbmfpsS \nnImcX AhfpsS a\ns\ _m[npIbmWv DmbXv. Abm Xs kucyw BZcthmsS t\mnbncpsn Cu \nnImcX Dmhnmbncpp. Abm ImatmsS, Aev]w Aoeamsbnepw Xs t\mnbncps n t]mepw Xm {]iwknsSpambncpp. Ctm X\npmbXv XnckvImcns Nphbmbncpp shv Ah a\nemn. ]t AbmfXv Dtinnnsp hyw. "Bhiyap{X tjmpI Innbnpv \apv \nmw. FmWv IpSnm thXv?' tZhv tNmZnp. "F\nv XWpsXsnepw aXn.' "icn Rm HmU sNmw. A]mPn {Up sNbvXp sImq.' Ah {UnMvdqantebvp \Sp. hmXnens ]nSnbn ssI hp Xncnp \np. "Fs A]mPnsbsmpw hnfnt.' Abm Nncnp. AhfpsS apJs \ockw Atmgpw t]mbnnsv {UnMv dqanse ImSn t\mnbtmgmWv Ah p a\nembXv. Ah ImSn t\mn Nncnm {ianp. Nncnm\p {iaw C\n asmchkcnemImw. Ah Kuchap apJtmsS kzbw ]dp. Ah _nIv\n Agnpamn. Xncnp ]pdp IStm tZhv A{]Xy\mbncpp. Ah Hcp Nqc Itkebnencpp. hmXn Xpdv knIv kmcnbpSp Hcp s]Ipn t{Sbn Xvkv sImphp. Ah mpIfn Hgnv Hcp mv A]bvp sImSp tijw as mv t{StbmSp IqSn taita hp.. "tZhv km_ns mv ChnsS hnpv.' Xvkns IpnIfpambn B s]Ipn t]mbn. hmXneSp. A] BtemNnp. ] knp kmcnbpw ukpw Xebn knv kvIm^pw ssN\m\nbpsS tPmenmcnIfpsS bq\nt^mw BWv. mnse t{m FSppIfv t\cnv IpSnp sImncns tZhv {]Xysp. Abm AhsXnsc bp Nqc Itkebn hncpp msSpv samn Xncnphp, Hcp knKcsSpv sImfpn. "Aev]w anmsan nkns {]npI ImWmw.' tZhv ]dp. "kp\n ]{n\p hcmsat ]dncnpXv?' "AsX'. ]ns UbtemsKmpan. Ah XWp ]m\obw IpSnp sImncns Abm knKcp henp ]pI hnp. s]sbm knKcnse Nmcw ]IpXn IpSnph mn\p apIfntebvp sImpt]mIpXv Ah Ipdsmcp ]cn{àtmsS t\mn \np. AhfpsS t\mw ItmgmWv Abmfpw {inXv. ]t Atmtgbvv sshInbncpp. knKcns Nmcw mn hoWp. "Hm! Abmw tkmdn. Rm Ipdv A{i\mbn.' Nmcw mn\Snbn hoWpInSpXh t\mn. AXnt IpanfI I\p IqSpp. "Rm\ntm hcmw...' tZhv Hcp hip hmXn ISv AIpt]mbn. AIv Nph shfn apmbncpp. tZhv hmXneSp. A] taita NnXndnSp ^nenw amKkn\pI HmtcmsSpv hmbnp XpSn. kabw IptdbmbnpmIpw. tZhv hmXn Xpdnp. Abm Hcp shfp s{Sbn\nv shanphogp Nn{X Hcp NcSn XqnbnSpXv ]IpXn Xpd hmXneneqsS Ah Ip. Abm apdnbn ssenv Ahsf hnfnp. hnhn[ t]mkpIfnep Nn{X hfsc sXfnatbmsS Im_n\v sskkn hepXmn FSpncn pp. \nch[n Nn{X. Xm hfsc Aiq\ysap IcpXnbncp ]e t]mkpIfpw hfsc angnhpXmbn hncnpp. "\n csp, \n t^mtmsP\nmWv.' tZhv ]dp. "C\n Hpw t]Snm\n.' hmXn Hcp sNdnb apv. hmXn Xpdv kp\n atlm{X AIp ISp. "tZhv, Fns\bpv A]bpsS Nn{X?"
17
"AXnKwòcw.' tZhv ]dp. Abm Atmgpw _mn t^mtmI XqnbnSp Xncnembncpp. kp\n ASpp hv Nn{X t\mn. "dnben FIvke v.' kp\n A`n{]mbsp. "A]m bphm sslUv. Rm Ctms `mh\ bn ImWpp, \ns Nn{Xw shnncbn \ndp \npXv. bp hn_n F t{Kbvv lnv Hm Z _nKv kv{Io.' A] AXpXsbmbncpp `mh\bn IncpXv. \mbIs amdn Xe Nmbvv hnImcmthi tmsS Ip ]mXnbSv \np \mbnI. kp\n CtImsaSpv _\pI Aan. "ssN\m\nkm_v {ôbmtWm Fp t\mmtam?' "_nknbmtWm? icn UmenMvv. ]ns \o ]d Imcyw Fs a\nepv. Rm At\zjnpsImncn pp. \o Dtin \ndw Inm\mWv hnjaw.... t\m t\m, \n\p thn AXpw AXnepdhpw Rm sNnt UmenMv...' kp\n CtImans dnkoh Xmsg shp. "FmWv tawkm_n\v thXv?' tZhv tNmZnp. ""tawkm_n\v thXv Hcp kvIm^mWv. knIv kvIm^v. AXns \ndw aghnnqSnbnmXmWv. Hcp kmv ]okpw sImv Rm \SpIbmWv.' "\nXns ]n.F. BWv.' kp\n A]tbmSp ]dp. "F ss\kv tK.' Im ]mp sNbvXnStbvv shbn hncpp. ZnWmb\amWv. A] a\n IcpXn. ]{c aWnbmbnpw kpcycivanI sNcnmWv hoWncp Xv. ChnsS t_mws_bn C{Xtb hcq. Ibn C\nbpw \ofp \ngepI lnamebkm\pfn \nv XWpv sImphcpp. \pbvpw shbnen\v NqSpmhn. XWppImew. Ah KrlmXpctbmsS Hmp.
apn NnXdnnSp t^mtmI HcnqSn kp\ t\mn. ]pXnb s]IpnbpsS icocw hSnshmXmbncpp. _nIv\nbnep Nn{X AXv hnfnp]dp. Xs tZltm sasXmWv B Cfw icocsav Ah Ip. Xs amdnSw IptdqSn I\XmWv. ]t tZls ap `mKfpw A\p]mXw sXn hepXmbncnpp. tbmKmk\pw av IkpIpw B hfsb sNdpp \nm Bhpn. s]IpnbpsS apJhpw sjdq_nIv Fp ]dbp Xcn \njvIfamWv. Hcp \mbnIbvv AXymhiyw th KpWw. ssN\m\n X\nv Hcp òjWn ImWnpXcnIbmtWm? Xs hne Ipdbvm thn? Xs kmh[m\ n XakvIcnpsav XtXmb coXnbn ssN\m\n AdnbnpIbmtWm? ssN\m\n Xs ]nn hp \nXv Ah Adnn. AXpsImv Abm Npaen ssIhtm Ah sRn. "\o FmWv sRnbXv?' ssN\m\n tNmZn p. Ah Hpw ]dbmsX Npa IpeppI am{Xw sNbvXp. AhfpsS mv Hgnncpp. "Rm Ipdp kvtImv FSps?' Ah Xebmn. X\nXv BhiyamWv. Ctm {]tXyInpw. Pn Ahv Hcp Abhpw sImSpn. hnkvIn FSps F tNmZyn\p ]nnse Dtiyw Ahv hyambncpp. Ftmgpw Ans\bmWv. kp\bpsS Zueyw ssN\m\ndnbmw. Xs C{]Imcw Ahsf InWsan cp s]v hnkvIn sImSppIbmWv \sXv Abm a\nemnbncpp. hnkvIn Ignm\p AhfpsS Ignhv Abmsf AZv`pXsSpnbnpv. abnt\mSSp Hcp elcn kp\sb kp\bmXmpp. ]ns ssN\m\n F t_mv C, ]Icw X\nsmw \np Hcp ]mfn am{Xw. AbmfpsS Cm\n am{Xw {inv InS ]nSp sNdpmcn. Hgn mpIsfSpv ssN\m\n _mdntebvp \Sp. mpI amnhv sj^n \nv ]pXnbh FSpp. dmn \nv slbvKns ]pXnb Ipn Xpdv cp mpIfn Hgnp. {^nn \nv sFkv Iyq_pI FSpnp. "tkmU?' "sbkv okv, ^n Z mv.' Hm Z tdmv Xn IpS Icnm kp\sb Inn. [mcmfw tkmU tNv Asn shw tNp am{Xw. AXpw hfsc kmh[m\n, Hmtcm Cdnepw elcnbpsS BtcmlWkv]\ A\p`hn dnv. ssN\m\n Ans\b. tkmUbn, shdpw sFkvIyq_pI am{Xw. Ah kmh[m\n AenpmIp {ZhoIcWw am{Xw. AXn\pdsmcp ambw tN Atln\v Ca. "Notbgvkv.' "Notbgvkv.' Ah mpsaSpv ssN\m\nbpsS hn{iaapdnbntebvp ISp. hn{iaapdnbntebvp hmXn Xncndnbm ]m hn[amWv DmnbncnpXv. \nch[n Iam\fnsemv hmXnemWv. hmXn
18
XpdSm AXp hopw Hcp Iam\w am{XamIpp. ssN\m\n Ccnp apdnbpsS hmXnen\p ]pdv Nphp shfnw In\npnStmfw Bpw {]thinm ]n. CsXmw kp\bvdnbmw. AXpsImv Ahv bmsXmcp hn[nep Bibpan, {]tXyInv AIs hn{iaapdnbntebvp ISm. ]t AhfpsS a\v {]pambncpp. hnimeamb apdnbn Hcp sNdnb kzw krnncn bmWv ssN\m\n. Ijvaocn \np hcpnb ]chXm\n \amb Im]mZsf Hcp t]matd\nbs sImp\mhpt]mse \pp. hne]nSn s]^yqans hmk\ Acon. \Sphnen Inen ]Xp]Xp InS. Nphcn Hcphiv apgph \new sXmSp I. ap NphcpIfn henb ImhmpIfn HdnPn\ s]bv npI. at apdnbnepmbncp kwKoXw Cu apdnbnepapmbncpp. Ipdpt\cambn Ah AXp {inncpn. Ah Hscm hmbbvv ]IpXn mpw IpSnp Xop. ssN\m\n Ahsf AZv`pXtmsS t\mpIbmbncpp. "Cv \n\sp ]o?' Ahv Dds IcbWsap tXmn. Hcp]t Xm IcpXpt]mse Hpambncnn Imcy. ssN\m\nbvv Xs Hgnhmm\p Dtiysampapmhn. ]t Ahv Hcpdv thWw. AXmIs ssN\m\nbn\nv hcppan. ssN\m\n Ans\bmWv s]ssmpw DcpIpIbn. Abm AhfpsS AcsneqsS ]nSnv ASpnp. "Cv \n\v Ftm ]nbnpv.' Ah hopw IpSnpIbmWv. mv Xocmdmbn. Ah Hcp henv mv Imenbmn Hcp Sot]mbnta hv ssN\m\nbpsS tXmfneqsS cp ssIpanp. Xm sNpXns Aiq\yX Hcp \nanjw Ahsf {Kknp. Xs GsXnepw Hcp kn\nabnse cwKamWsXh IcpXn. Ubd Iv ]dbp \nanjw Ah Imncpp. ^vfUv ssepIfn, Imadbn, ]nn Iv ]dbm Ubddpan. Ah Hbvv. Nppw XWppdbp GImX am{Xw. ssN\m\n Ahsf InSbvbntebvp \bnp.
6
Ab\sfnsbmWv Ubd hnt\mZv Nm\nbpw ]dncpXv. Abm Imdn Ibdn CSp hi s tUm A]bvp Ibdm XpdpsImSpp. ]ns Im mmn sKbvp ISptm ]dp. "A] kqcys Ab\ {innptm? amk amdpXn\\p kcnv hgnamdn \Sp kqcys ]Yw?' ZnWmb\amWntm. Ftm adp h t]msebmWv kqcy.' A] hnt\mZns\ {inp. C{X bpw \mbn kwkmcnp Hcmsf \SmsSbmWh ImWpXv. hnt\mZv Hcp IhnbmthXmbncpp. Hcp]t Abm A{`n IhnX cNnpIbmbncnpw. kqcys KXnhyXymk Ah {inmdpv, {]tXyInpw Ibnembncptm. Ibn EXpt`Z hfsc {]ISambncpp. Hmtcm EXppw AXntXmb Kfpmbncpp, \ndfpmbncpp. ChnsS t_mws_bn Ans\sbmpan. hnt\mZns Hw \Sm Ah CsXpw AbmfpsS kwkmcw ImcWambncpp. Xm ssN\m\nbpsS tPmenbnemWv. ]t FmWv Xs tPmensbv AhnXphsc a\nembnn. ]pXnb ^nenans jqnMv FmWv XpSpIsbv Bpw Adnbn. kp\nen\p t]mepw. ]t Fmhcpw AXns\n XsbmWv kwkmcnpXv. am[ya kvIqpI FgpXnbpmpp. AXnse \mb Imscn, \mbnIbmcmsWXns\n. Hcp amkw app hsc \mbnI BcmbncnpsaXns\n kwibtabpmbncpn. kp\ Hcp kzoIcns bmYmyambncpp. ]t Cv ]{X A] bpsS t] IqSn Hw tNpp. Ahfpambn Chyq \Spp. Nnetm Ahp tXmmdpv Xs s]ssmcp Znhkw \mbnIbmm ssN\m\n XmsdSppIbmsWv. ]{Xfnep hmIfpw A`napJfpw Fmw Atlw ]Ww sNehmn sNnpXmsWv. Hcp Znhkw sImv Hcp \mbnIsb krnm Ignhp BfmWv \nXn ssN\m\n. "\apv Fsnepw Ignmtem?' hnt\mZv tNmZnp. "icn'. Ah ]dp. Ahp icnpw hnippmbncpp. jqnMv kabp apgph Ah Abmsf Imp\npIbmbncpp. kp\ Dmbncpn. kp\bpsS jqnMv \msfbmWv. Pplp _on. Fmbmepw t]mIWw. Ahcpambn Hcp t\cnS CXphsc Dmbnn. Zqsc\np ImWpw. Ah hfsc Xncp ]nSn \SnbmWv. t]mcmXn\v kp\, Xs Hgnhmm {ianbmsWv Ahp tXmpIbpw sNbvXncpp. ]{XfmWv DchmZnI. Xsbpw kp\bpsSbpw t]cpI tNv kvIqpmph. ssN\m\nbpsS ]pXnb s]Ipnsb ]Zhn AhcmWv X\np \InbXv. hnt\mZv Im \nn. env tdmUnse sdtmdn Xncp Ipdhmbncpp. sNo ISvepw Imnbpw HmU sNbvXv hnt\mZv Nmncpp. "Hcp Xncpan.' Abm ]dp. "F\no eanamhm ImcWaXmWv. Hcp s]Ipnsb sImp hcm ]nb ew.' "icnbmWv.' Ah ]dp. ]t Ah BtemNnpIbmbncpp. Hcp km[mcWmc\v ]t _nv sImSpWsan s]Ipnsb AhnsS hntnhcpw. Igpdp ew.
19
"Rms\mv tNmZns?' tNmZnpsImq F an hnt\mZv Ccpp. Abm knKcv hennsXv BizmkIcambn tXmn Ahv. t^mtm{Km^dpsS Hw pUntbmhn Hcp aWnq sNehmnbXn\v Ah HcmgvN I sncpp. sXm thZ\bpw ]\nbpw. kp\n htmgpta knKcp henmdpq. "ssN\m\nbpsS ]pXnb s{]mUIvj\n F{X \mbnIamcpv?' "\mbnIamtcm? \nXn FtmSv ]pXnb s{]mUIvjs Imcyw Unkvv sNbvXntbn.' \pW. A] a\n IcpXn. hnt\mZnt\mSv kwkmcnmsX ssN\m\n kn\nabpambn _s Hcp Imcyhpw sNn. Cm Hcp InbmWv. Fsnepw Imcy Abmfn\nv InWsan Ipdzm\n Ww. "Atm ]{X FgpXnqptXm? FhnSpmWv Ahv Cu hnhc InpXv?' "]{Xv FsmsbmWv FgpXm hmXv?' icnbmWv. ]{X FgpXpsXms icnbmsWn kn\nam temIw ImIpm sImm HcnSam IWw. Ans\b FmWhfpsS CXphscbp A\p`hw. sNo ISvev \mbncpp. \ km[\v \ hnebpw sImSpWw. Ah IcpXn. ]t KpW tabpw hnebpambn Ahiyw th A\p]mXam Cu dtmdn. Imn IpSnp sImncns hnt\mZv tNmZnp. "B bp {ô Znkv hos v?' "Cu i\nbmgvNtbm?' "AsX......' "Av Fsnepw m sNbvXnptm Fdnbn. Dsns AXp ammw. Av hfsc ^vsfIvkn_v BWv.... Ft?' "\apv SmPn Undn\p t]mImw.' "SmPn?' s]shfpsS iw DbXv Ahsfs hnjannp. AXh {]XonX. kn\nam temIv AZv`pXsfmpanspw AXpsImv FpXs Imepw tImepw AZv`pXw \SncpsXpw Ah a\nemnbncpp. Hcp]t Xs inse DtP\w hnt\mZv a\nemnbncnWw. Abm ]dp. "AsX, SmPns.' "F\nsmv BtemNnWw.' Ah ]dp. "icn ]p skp Xncnpp.' hnt\mZv hmp t\mnsmv ]dp. Abm [cnncnpXv Hcp dmtUm hmmbncpp. "bp lmsh dmtUm Hm bph dnv.' hnt\mZv Nncnp. Abm FpIbmbncpp. "\mev, aqv, cv...' Ah NncnpsImv ]dp. "icn, kXnp.' "Rm \ns hon\nv GgpaWnv ]np sNmw.' Abm ssIpbn shbvsd hnfnpsImv ]dp. "sNIv....' Abm Hcp \qdns t\mv _nns Hw shpsImv Fgptp. "Io]v Z tNbvv.'
7
ssN\m\nsb ImWWsa ktiw Innbtm A] ]cn{ànp. Atlw t\cnv hnfnpIb sNbvXXv. Atlns ]n.F. BWv hnfnXv. "ssN\m\n km_ns\ \msf cmhnse ImWWsap ]dp. IrXyw ]p aWnv.' Xs tPmenp \nbantijw BZyambmWv ssN\m\n hnfnpXv. Ah cpXhW Hmôkn t]msbnepw Atls ImWm ]nbn. ]pXnb s{]mUIvjs tPmen XpSnbm hnfnmsapw, AXpSs\s Dmhpsapw ]dp. AXn\nSbvv jqnMv \SpnSv t]mbn Hcp ]cnNbapmp hm\pw \ntiw Xp. Ans\bmWv Ubd hnt\mZns\ ]cnNbsSpXv. ]cnNbsSpnbXv kp\nXsbmbncpp. AXp \msbv Ah Hmp. Ctm jqnns {]iv\sfsm amsWv Ahdnbmw. Hchkcw Inptm hnjaanmsX XpSpIbpw sNmw. SmIvkn ss{UhtdmSv Imp\nm ]dv A] Hmôkntebvp \Sp. AhfpsS lrZbw hmsX anSnppmbncpp. ssN\m\nbpsS apdnbpsS hmXnens CSp hip Nnn apdnbn Atlns ]n.F. Ccnppmbncpp. Ipdp hbmbnpmIpsanepw kpcnbmWv Ah. \mev]Xv \m]p hbp {]mbambnpmhpw. ssN\m\nbpsS kzImcy PohnXns kqnpImcn bmsWmWv Ahscn ]dbmsdv kp\n kqNnnncpp. A]sb Itm Ah Fgptp. "A]mPo, Hcp an\nv Ccnp, Rm \nXn km_ns\ Adnbnmw.' FXnhin tkm^bn A] Ccpp. dnk]vjv\nv CtIman ssN\m\nbpambn kwkmcn pIbmWv. t^m hv Ah A]tbmSv ]dp. "A]mPn, \nXn km_v Imncnppv.'
20
A] Fgptp ]pdp ISp, t\sc t]mbn ssN\m\nbpsS hmXnent apn. "Ian.' apdnbpsS hmXnens Dcp ]nSnbn Aap ssI hndbvppXh Adnp. ssN\m\n Fgptp hp Ahv ssIsImSpp, Ccnm\p Itke \onbnp. "Ccnq.' Ah Ccpv AhfpsS lm_mKv ASp Itkebn hp. "kn\nasbSppXns\n Hcp GItZicq]w Inntbm?' "Rm jqnn\v t]mImdpv. Cokv shcn CdnMvv.' "Rm Hcp Imcyw ]dbm\mWv hnfnXv. kn\nabn AXv hfsc {][m\amWv. \ns Imcnbdns\ kw_npXmWv . \n\v kn\namtemIv Dbsmcp m\amWv IntsXn AXv s]spmpIbmWv thXv. mv hnsY _nKv _mMvv. AXn\p Imcy Rm t\mppv. ]ns \o \mep kn\nam amknIIv Chyq sImSpXmbn Adnbpp. AXp th. Chyqhns Imcysf mw t\mm F\nsmcp ]nIv dntejkv Hmôk Dv. aZ knv.' ssN\m\n CtImw Aan. "BkvIv aZ Sp aov an.' "sbt...' CtIman dnk]vj\nns ]Xn iw tIp. Cu Imcyn aZ \ns klmbnpw. Abm ]dbp dntmampam{Xw Chyq sImSpm aXn. kwkmcnt Imcyfpw aZ ]dpXcpw. Hcp Imcyw \o a\nemWw, CsXmw ]nknnbpsS `mKamWv. \o Fp ]dbpp, Fp sNpp FsXmw hfsc {][m\sXmWv. Hcp Xmcs DmnsbSppIbmWv. AXns `mKamWv CsXmw. hmXn apv. "Ian.' Hcp a[yhbkvI AIp ISp. Ah Hcp kZmdns\bmWv {]XonXv. XmSnbnmXpsImv Abm bp.]n.mc\mbncnpsah IcpXn. "tamWnMv \nXnPn.' "tamWnMvv aZ. Ccnp. CXv A]. ]pXnb \SnbmWv. \psS ]pXnb saKms{]mUIvj\ntebvv FSpXmWv. ]nknnbpsS Imcyw t\mWw. \mev kvIqpI hp Ignp. C\n kqnWw. ]cnNbanm IpnbmWv.' "sbt.' "ChtfmSv hnt\mZnt\msSmw \nv Imcy ]Tnphm Bhiysnpv. ]pXnb s{]mUIvjs hv XpSm Ipdp IqSn Xmakapsdnbmasm.' "icn k.' "icn, s]mbvtmfq.' aZ knv Fgptp t]mbn. "A]bvv ss{UhnMvv Adnbmtam?' ssN\m\n tNmZnp. "Adnbmw k.' "Rm Hcp ^nbmv Im GmSmmw. kzw Im hmmdmIphsc AXp]tbmKnmw. Chyqhn eqsSbpw kn\nabneqsSbpam FIvkvt]mj IgnbpXpw IpdpI. \n Hcp tNmk h BsW {]XoXnbpmWw. a\nemtbm.' "a\nembn.' "icn, s]mbvtmfp.' Xncnv SmIvknbn aSptm SmIvknmc ]dp. "ssN\m\n km_ns ]pXnb ]Sw hcppv. cp tImSnbmWs{X sNehv. aqp lotdmhpw. ssN\m\n km_ns ]Sw lnmhpw.' t\mntm. A] hnNmcnp. ]Sw ]pdndptm aqv \mbImcpsS Hw \mbnIbmbn A`n\bn pXv Hcp Znhkw \ns SmIvknbn kmm{Iqkn\nv hns ]mse Fbvv tdmUntebvv bm{X sNbvX A]sb s]Ipnbmbncnpw. Atm Abm Hmptam Bthm.
8
ssN\m\ntbmSv kwkmcnmXs kp\ Xobmn. am[yafnse IYI hfsc hopapnp XmWv . A]am\IcamWv . HpIn Abm Imcyw hyamWw, Asn am[yafn th Xncpep I sImSpWw. Ah ssN\m\nbpsS t\cnp \ Ub sNbvXp. kp\bSw hfsc Ipdpt]cpsS Inte Cu \dpq. "\nXnPn, CXp Rm\mWv kp\.' "F\np a\nembn C{X a[pcamb iw thsd BmWpXv?'
21
"Xmvkv t^m Z tImwnsa vkv. F\nsmp ImWWsapmbncpp.' "icnbmWv.' ssN\m\n ]dp. "\ Inv Ctm HcmgvN Ignp. Ign i\nbmgvNbt \o hXv. icnpw HcmgvN. ImtWXv Ftbpw BhiyamWv. Ctm hcq.' "XncnemtWm?' "kp\bvpthn amnhbvm ]m Xncv FmWpXv?' "\nsfs {]iwksImv izmkw apnpp.' "{]iwk am{Xw. _mnbp Imcy t\cn.' Cu a\pjy Ftm henb IfnbnemWv. t^m Xmsg hp sImv kp\ hnNmcnp. A`n\\fpw {]iwkbpw ]XnhmWv. ]t Cu \nebn ]XnhnmXmWv. Atm Fsnepw ImWpw. Ah ]pds Sm XpSn. dnk]vj\nv kp\sb Itm Fgptv, NncnpsImv ]dp. "ssN\m\n km_v kp\mPnsb Imncnpp.' "Xmvkv, cRvPn\n.' ssN\m\n km[mcWantem AXne[nItam XtmSv kvt\l]qw s]cpamdpp. hmXn IS DSs\ Itkebn \nv Fgptp hv ssN\m\n Ahsf AcsneqsS ]nSnSpnv Npw_np. Atln\v Npw_\ns Ahbn FWsan km[mcW \nebns cp s]snepw AIp sNWw. Atls hnkvInbpsS aWapmbncpn. "Fp ]o Cv?' kp\ ActmsS At\zjnp. "Cp Rm kp\sb AZv`pXsSpphm t]mIpp. F en _ntm^v kkvskv.' Itkebn Ccpp Igntm kp\ Xs ssIkn Xpdv GXm\pw t] InpI ]pds Spv ssN\m\nbvp \on. "CXns\pdnsms FmW`n{]mbw?' ssN\m\n B InpI hmn HtmSnp t\mn Ah AhfpsS apntebvpXs Cp. "{Smjv.' "Fphm...?' "Ah shdpw {SmjmsWpXs. ]pXpXmbn \nban Hcp s]Ipnb I\nbpsS t]mfnknIfpw mkpw \nbnpXv. ]{Xmv Ahsfsmv Fpw ]dbnmw.' "CXns\mcdpXn thWsav \nXnPnv tXmpns?' "Dv, DmhpIbpw sNpw. A]tbmSp ]dnpv, C\n apX ]{Xmv Chyq sImSpcp sXv. sImSppIbmsWns AXv aZ ]dbp dntmp am{Xw. Rm aZt\mSpw ]dnpv. Rm\nXv t\cs ]dtbXmbncpp. ]t Ah C{X s]sv CXns\ms t]mIpsav Dulnn. AhfpsS Dmlw ImcWamhmw, Asn ]{XmcpsS hKdmbnp hgnIfptm kvIqpIfpm m. AXmhmw.' "NnesXmw F\nv hfsc UmtaPnMv BWv.' "F\ndnbmw, sF Bw tkmdn Unb. \o FmWv IpSnpXv. Asn \apv en\v ]pdp t]mhmw. Rm Cv \n\p thn {ôbmWv.' "icn.' "\apv Hmtcm _nb AImn ]pdndmw.' "HmsI.' ssN\m\n CtImans _ Aan. "cRvPn\n, cp _ob sImphcm ]dbq.' "icn, k.' Ap an\pn\pn Hcp s{Sbn cp _obdpw cp apw Hcp sbvn hdp Iiphnbpambn bq\nt^man s]Ipn Fn. _ob apIfn Hgnv AhcpsS apn hv Ah `hyXtbmsS apdn hnp. "Notbgvkv.....' "Notbgvkv.' _ob IpSnpsImncnt ]pXnb s{]mUIv j s Imcy ssN\m\n ]dpXpSn. Hcp amkn\Iw jqnMv XpSWw. hfsc henb skpI. \qtdmfw IYm]m{Xfpv. "Nnetm Rm BtemNnpw, Fn\mWv C{X henb Imhmkv sXcsSpp sXv.' ssN\m\n XpSp. "]t CXp ampw sNm IgnbmXmWv. Hcp \ntbmKamWv. Rm Xs sNWw.' _ob Igntm ssN\m\n ]dp. "hcq.' ssN\m\nbpsS kzImcy apdnbn hopw kp\bpsS `bmiI Cm Xmbn. ]t \qdp iXam\hpw CmXm p {]IrXmc\pa ssN\m\n. Hcp ]p iXam\w Abm hne t]ien\p thn, Npp]mSpI X\n\pIqeampXn\p thn amnhbvmdpv. ]t hfscmen\ptijw Ah Xs hgnv, X\nv thp hn[w ssN\m\nbpambp ssewKnI_w t\SnsbSpp. InSbn At\ym\yw Ichebn InSptm ssN\m\n ]dp.
22
"kp\ hon t]mbn ]dsSp. ]{p aWnv Rm hv ]nv sNmw. \apv sjd\n ev. bp jpUv s{Uv Sp In.' sjd\p apn Imdn\nndn ssN\m\nbpsS ssIneqsS Xs ssI tImv \Sptm s]sv ^vfmjpI ann. \ndsb ImadI. ssN\m\n ssIhoin, kp\bpw. Atm AXn\mWs sImm\mbn hkv{Xw [cnWsap ]dXv. ssN\m\n CsXmw m sNbvXncnpp. Xmgs \nebnse dtmdn FnbtmgmWv ssN\m\nbpsS m\nns Kuchw icnpw a\nembXv. dtmdn Fmhcpw Fgptv ssISnv Ahsc kzoIcnp. ^v f mjpI annsmncpp. hoUntbm{Kmâm Imadbpambn HmSpp. Hcp {]v tIm^dkmbncpp AXv . aZknv dntmamsc A`nkwt_m[\ sNbvXpsImv kwkmcnp. ]ns ssN\m\n kp\bpsS AcsneqsS ssInv ASp Nn{Xns {]Jym]\w \Sn. aqp \mbImcp Hcp saKmaqhnbn \mbnIbmbn kp\ A`n\bnpp. ssISnI, ^vfmjpI. ssN\m\n Ip\nv kp\bpsS Ihnfn Npw_np.
9
"Av, Cs\nv Hcp Undpv.' A] ]dp. Xcp _m\Pnv A`n{]mbsampw Dmbncpn. Xs A`n{]mb{]Imca acpaI \SpsXv Abmdnbmw. Ahsf Xstmse Hcp NmtUv AumWw Fmbncpp Atlnm {Klw. AXnmbn Ahsf _ntImw tImgvkn\v tNp. ]t Ahsmcp Xmev]cyhpapmbncpn. A Ahsf shdn]nSnnp. Fns\sbnepw Hcp Un{KnsbSpv ]Tnw Ahkm\nnWsamWv Ahv. Afnb acntm A]bvv Xs Hw Xmaknv ]Tnmsav _m\Pn XsbmWv s]tfmSv ]dXv. Ctm AXp thnbncpnm Fmbncnpp. ]Ww AbpsImSpv I bns ]Tnnm aXnbmbncpp. ]{Xfn hcp dntmpIfn acpaI \ndp \npXv Atln A`nam\apmnbn. \ndsb NXnpgnIfp taJebmWv kn\na. ssZhw Ims. "FhnsSbmWv Un?' "sImfm_bnsehntStbm BWv. F\ndnbn. hnt\mZv sImp t]mIpw.' SmPv tlmense dmhqhn BsWp ]dbm Ah aSnp. Av At\zjnp hcnmbncnmw. Fnepw.... "Rm sshInbm At\zjnv CdpIsbmpw th sItm.' Ah ]dp. "hmsX sshInbm Rm Fs {^ns hon t]mImw.' "GXv {^v?' "sImfm_bn sUbvkn Xmaknppv.' "icn.' Ah apIq PmaysaSpXmWv. AYhm Ahp Xncnp hcm ]nbnsn..... hnt\mZv Bdp aWnpXs Fn. AbmfpsS t^mIvkv hmK hcpXh _mWnbn\np Xs Incpp. Ah ssI hoinmWnp. [rXnbn tImWnSnI NmSnbndn. "t_mws_sb kw_ntStmfw Rm CsSp Imcyw FmsWtm?' hnt\mZv ]dp. Ah _m{ tImkvthbneqsS t]mIpIbmbncpp. CSXphiv hoXn IqSnb I\m, adphiv I\m ISentebvp bm{XbmIpp. Zqsc IS Hcp Cw{]j\nv s]bnnMv t]mse ImWmw. "ISens \nccamb CSs]S. IS \ntfmsSmaps tXmepmpp. AXv Pplphnem bmepw icn, _m{bnembmepw icn, inhPn ]mnembmepw, ado ss{Uhnembmepw icn. Hcpa kvt\lnXs\tmse AXv \ntfmsSmw hcpp.' A]bv pw AXp ]etmgpw tXmnbnpXmWv . ]t C{Xbpw `wKnbmbn AXp ]dbm Ignnnsp am{Xw. Ibn Cu ImgvN Hcnepan. IS hfscbIsebmWv. ]nsbpXv lpn\ZnbmW.v ludmmew Ignm {m v tdmUnep tKmUuWpI \Znsb \n\nv adbvpp. ]ns hfsc Npcpamtb \ZnXs ImWq. SmPnse dq^vtSm]v sdtmdn Xncp XpSptbpp. "\ t\csbmWv.' hnt\mZv ]dp. "Hcp Fp aWn IgnmemWv ChnsS Xncp XpSpI.' P\en\Spp tai sXcsSpv Ah Ccpp. "KpUv Cuh\nMv k.' Inbp sa\yq]pkvXIw cp t]cpsSbpw apn hpsImv kqn phmUv ]dp. "KpUv Cuh\nMv.' hnt\mZv ]dp. phmUv t]mbn. "Cv \ns ZnhkamWv. hnip]pkvXIneqsS kcnmepw, \n\naph HmU sNbvXmepw. tNmZyan, \nb{Wsfmpan.' Ah NncnpsImv sa\yp Xpdp. Hmtcm hn`hpw FXnscsbgpXnb hneI Itm AhfpsS Nncn s]sp amp. ]t s]spXs Ah kzbw hosSpp. CsXmw Xs kw_ntStmfw hfsc km[mcWamWv F an Ah hmbnm XpSn. Xs Anfn\v Hcntmepw Xs Cn\s dtmdn sImpt]mIm Ignbnsv Ahp a\nembn.
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Atlw Hcp sNdnb kzImcyI\nbn Aumbn tPmen t\mpIbmWv. "\n FmWv IgnpXv?' Ah tNmZnp. "F\nv FtXmbn Nne t^hdnv hn`hfpv. Ah HmU sNmw. \o \ns skeIvj\pw. Atm cp t]pw cp t]cpsS tSbvns\n Adnbmasm. Rm HmU sNpXv Nn kqv hnYv Akv]mcKkv, \o Fp kqmWv IgnpXv?' "F\npw AXp aXn.' "Hms, \mw Xn sshImcnI sFIyapv. C\n? ssN\okv Hm tImns\ Hm apmbv. \apv Fmw ss{S sNmw As? t\ms.....t]mws{^v ^nse hnYv atbm\okv. Hms, C\n?........' hnt\mZpXs Fmw HmU sNpIbmsWv BizmktmsS Ah a\nemn. HpIn AhfpsS hnjaw Abm a\nemnbnpmhpw. Asn X\nnap hn`h Ahsfsmv IgnnWsap shnmbncnmw. Fmbmepw \mbn. sa\yp Ahsf kw_ntStmfw {Kombn cpp. kqv IpSnpsImncns Ah ]dp. "Ctm HmU sNbvXsXmw shdpsX Hv tSbvv t\mnbms aXn Rm cp Intem IqSm. CWn\p t]mbm Bdp amkw sImv Rm kp\mPnbpsS Ccnbmhpw.' "kp\mPn ASp Imembn XSn shnpv.' hnt\mZv ]dp."Rm Cv Ahsc Incpp.' "Cv AhcpsS jqnpmbncptm?' "C, \msfbmWv jqnMv. Cv sjc\n ]mnbpmbncpp.' "Fp ]mn?' hnt\mZv Hpw ]dn. hnjbw amm\mbn Abm tNmZnp. "kqv Fns\bpv?' "\mbnpv.' Ah ]dp. BZys kv]q ]t AhfpsS \mhp s]mn Imcyw Ah ]dn. "Atm C\n hcp hn`hfpw \n\v Camhpw.' dtmdn Xncp hnp XpSn. A[nIhpw Hmôkv FIv knIyqohpIfmWv. Nne hntZinIfpsS Hw hp. icnbmWv. hnt\mZns sXcsSpv Ahnambn. hnt\mZp Xs sUpw HmU sNbvXp. AXpIqSn Ignm AhfpsS hbn eapmbncpn. "\apv t]mImw.' hnt\mZv ]dp. "kabsa{Xbmbn?' Ah tNmZnp. "HXv.' hnt\mZv ]dp. "\n\nv hon t]mIWsav \naptm?' Ah Hpw ]dn. Anfnt\mSv t\cw sshInbm tUbvknbpsS hon t]mIpsav ]d tXmp. tUbvknbpsS hoSv ASppXsbmWv. sImfm_bn. thWsan t]mImw. "\nansn Fs hon t]mImw.' "hnt\mZv FhnsSbmWv XmaknpXv?' "Rm ae_m lnn. AhnsS Fmw \nebn Hcp ^vfmn.' "Bscmsbpv?' "Rm\pw Fs GImXbpw am{Xw.' "Rm hm \nfpsS dqwtabvv Hgnpt]mhns?' "dqwtabvtm?' "AsX, anv tkmfnyqUv?' hnt\mZv s]mnncnp. Ah Fgptp. en^vnhv Ahp hophnNmcapmbn. Xm FmWv sNpXv? ]nsv ]dbmXncp nXnbvv hnt\mZns Hw t]mhm XmdmsWp kXnpIbt sNbvXXv. AXp icnbmtbm? Hcp lmUv Sp sKv sKbnwIqSnbnmsX! Xmsg ]mnMv temnsenbtm A] ]dp. "Fs FhnsSsbnepw t{Um]v sNbvXm aXn. Rm SmIvkn ]nSnp t]mbvtmfmw.' "C\n AXpmbXpXs.' Im mmptm hnt\mZv NncnpsImv ]dp. "Hcn Cu Imdn Ibdnbm Ahkm\npXv Fs ^vfmn, Fs InSdbn.' A] \nbmbn. CsXmw Ah apIqn AdnXp XsbmWv. Xs bm{XI A{X Ffp ambncnnsv Ah apIqn AdnncpXs. ssN\m\nsbbmWv Ahp t]SnbpmbncpXv. ]t Atlw CXphsc Ans\sbmcp aptn\v Hcpsnn. AXpt]mses kp\nepw. kp\nen\v F{Xtbm Ahkcfpmbncpp. Abmfpw A\mhiyambn Xs Hv sXmnpt]mepan. F s]s^v sPnam. Ctm hnt\mZmWv BZyambn hne sImSpm ]dbpXv. thWsan CXn \nv HgnhmbntmImw. ]t AsX{Xtmfw BimkyamWv. Hcp Smepanm s]Ipnsbtmepw Hcp ZnhkwsImv kqmdmm\p hnt\mZns Ignhns\n Ahv t_m[yamWv. Xm\mIs ssN\m\nbpsS Ghpw ]pXnb saKmaqhnbnse \mbnIbmbn Ahtcm[nsncnpIbpamWv. hnt\mZv Hcp
24
hmv ssN\m\nbpsS ASpv ]dm aXn. Xs `mhn t_mws_bnse KdpIfnembncnpw. Fmn\p ap]cnbmbn Ahv hnt\mZns\ Cambncpp. hnt\mZns Dnse Ihnsb. ae_m lnntebvp IbamWv. Ccphipap Aw_c Npw_nIsft\mn Hcp kz]v\nse t]mse Ah kon Nmcnbncpp.
10
cmhnse honsenbtm 8 aWnbmbn. hnt\mZv A]sb t{Um]vsNbvXncpp. sInSn\p apn Hcp ^nbmv ImdncnsI sh bq\nt^man Hcp sNdpmc \nncpp. A]sb Itm Abm ASptbvp hp. "tawkm_,v Imdp sImphnpv.' Abm Xmtm \on. A]bpsS apJw hnIknp. ssN\m\n, ]dXpt]mse sNbvXnpv. "koknMv Ign tijw sImphcmsap IcpXnbmWv Cse sImphcmXncpXv. B.kn. _pv CXm. SmIvkv Cu Izmhsc ASnpv. Fsnepw Bhiyapsn Hmôkn ]dm aXn.' "Xmvbp....' Xmtmepw B.kn. _ppw hmnsmv Ah ]dp. "Rm t]ms tawkm_v?' "icn.' AhfpsS ImepI \new sXmncpn. Ah apIfntebvv, AhfpsS cmw \nebnse ^vfmntebvv HgpIpIbmWv. Av taicnsI CcppsImv {]mX Ignpp. Ah ]nneqsS sNv Atls sInnSnp. "Io tlmtem In.....Fs tamv Cv Fp ]n?' Ah Imdns Xmtmepw B.kn. _ppw Anfns apn DbnmWnp. "Rm ]dnt F\np Imdv Inpsav?' "\ns `mKyw, AmsXp ]dbm\mWv?' apXp sImambn tPmensbSpp a\pjy\mWv. C\nbpw Hcp kvIqIqSn kzamm Ignnn. ChnsSbnXm acpaI cmgvNsImv ^nbmv Imdpambn \Spp. Ahp \Xp hcs. ImdpwsImv FhnsSsbms t]mIWsav ]cn]mSnbnSpIbmbncpp A]. sUbvknbpsS hon t]mIWw. Cv RmbdmgvNbmbXpsImv Ah honepmhpw. ap kvt\lnXIfpsS ASpv Imdpw sImv [mSn ImWnm t]mIm Ahp tXmnbn. Ahscmw Ahsfm Xmgv nXnbnep hcmWv. Xm sNpXv icnb. am{Xa ssN\m\nbpsS tPmen Innbtijw A] Ahscsbmw HgnhmpIbpw sNbvXncpp. Hcp Xcw mkv tImjkv Bbncnpp Ah. ssN\m\nbpw kqNnnXv AXpXsbmbncpp. sUbvknbpsS hon \nv jqnMv \SpnSp t]mIWw. Cv Pplp_on sbmWv jqnMv. Iptd v ko\pIfmsWv hnt\mZv ]dncpp. AsXn AXv. ssN\m\nbpsS Soapambn ASp _apsp ImWnpXv X\np \XpXsbmWv. Xs CtaPns\ A\pIqeambn _m[npXmWXv. Ah t^m sNm\mbn Xmtgbvp t]mbn. sUbvkn honen. AhfpsS AbmWv t^msWSpXv. tam Hcp IymWn ]psImm\mbn t]mbncnbmWv. C\n sshIot Xncnsq. Xs BZys ]cn]mSn \Sn. Ahv Aev]w \ncmiX tXmn. Imdpw sImv BZyambn t]mIm ]nb eambn cpp. t]ms kmcan. C\n Pplp _ontebvp t]mImw. Ah hnt\mZns \ Idn. Hcp]t Xs t{Um]v sNbvXtijw hnt\mZv t]mbXv jqnn\mbncnpw. Ans\ Ftm ]d Htcm. hnt\mZv FmWv ]dsXv {inm ]nb Hcp am\knImhbnembncpn A]. Xtep cm{Xnbn Dmb kw`h AhfpsS a\ns\ asmpw Nnnm\mhmhn[w IogvsSpnbncpp. hnt\mZv \smcp ImapI\mbncpp. A]bpsS BZys ImapI. sNdnsbmcp A]mSvsa v. Hcp knnMvdqw, AXn Hcp {Xo]okv tkm^. HccpIn Dbcw \s Ipd Znhm. Znhm\pw tkm^bvpanSbn ISpw Nphn abpw ]bpw s\bvXp ]nSnn `wKnbp ]chXm\n. knnMv dqw Ahkm\npXv sNdnsbmcp ASpfbn. knnMv dqan\pw ASpfbvpanSbn aqSn s]map Hcp Xn am{Xw. asmcp hmXn \bnpXv InSdbntebvmWv. InSdbnse NphcpIfn anp Nn{XhnfpI, AhbvnSbn sXfnabp henb {]npI. Ahbn AMv s {KbpsS Snjv _mpv , sd\phdpsS _m Dv , _ujdpsS Ahv t]cdnbm \Nn{Xapv. Hm. a^nbmtWm? \ A`ncpNnbp a\pjy. Aev]w \X CsSppshp am{Xw. ]t InSdbn Aev]w \Xbmbms FmWv Ipgw? hnt\mZv Hcp [rXnbpw ImWnn. sN DSs\ Abm Xs ocntbm HmWmn. ssN\m\nsbtmse hnt\mZpw sNdnb in kwKoXw BkzZnpXnsp. A]bvdnbm ]mpIfmbncpp Ah. A] ]mmXyKm\ A[nIw tIncpn. C\n tIp XpSWsav Ah Xocpam\np. Xm kapZmbns tantebvv IpXnp IbdpIbmWv. Atm AXn\\pkcnv Xs A`ncpNnIfnepw amapmhWw.
25
"IpSnm?.....' Abm tNmZnp. Hpw thsv Ah Xebmn. ]t Ap an\nn\pn hnt\mZv cp mpambn hp. Ah Aev]w IpSnp t\mn. t\cnb a[pcapv. "ssh?' "A PntSmWnv.' hnt\mZv ]dp. "\XmWv IpSnp t\mp. Notbgvkv.' Ah mv NptmSSpnp. hnt\mZv kwkmcnpIbmWv. ]nsns Abm AhfpsS ssI]nSnp kwkmcnm XpSn. hfsc kmh[m\n Abm ]ptcmKanp. FpsImtm Xs AXnYnbmbn h s]Ipn Xosc A\p`h kbsv Abmv tXmnbncpp. kzw ]cnNbtSv Abmfn \nv adp shbvm\p AhfpsS {iafpw Abm a\nemnbncpp. AXpsImv Abm ]camh[n Zbm]qw AhtfmSv s]cpamdn Abm \smcp ImapI\mbncpp. A] Hcpdw Ignv Fgpttmgpw lmfn kwKoXapmbncpp. "kwXnokv lms\nMv Sp an......' hnt\mZv sXmSppXs InSpIbmWv. Xs hkv{X FhnsStmbn Fv Ah AZv`pXsp. Ftm, Fns\bmWh \sXv? hnt\mZpw Hpw saam Ahbnembncpp. Hmbn A] Nncnp. hnt\mZns\ t^m sNbvXnv Imcyansv Ah Xobmn. t\cnv t]mhmw. _on tlm slmssdks apnemWv jqnMv FmWv ]dXv. Ah hon t]mbn Imdns XmtmseSpv Xmtgbvndn. Im \ Inj\nembncpp. A[nIw ]gan. Gdnbm cp hjw. Fgp]smtm Fgp]n ctm tamUemWv. Ah Pplphntebvp Xncnp. Pplp _osnbtms Ah Zqsc Xncp Ip. Ah \nnbn. slmssdk\n Imdv ]mv sNbvXv tlmeneqsS _ontebvndmw. jqnMv icnpw slmssdks ]nns Bbncpp. Ah kznnMv]qfn\cpIneqsS \Sv ]SnI Cdn _onse aWeneqsS \Sp. Hcp slentm]vS apIfn Idppv. hnt\mZv \SpsImv slentm]vS t\mn Ftm BwKyw ImWnpp. Hcp tamtm t_mv Icbn\nv AXnthKn ]mbm XpSn. ]nmse Imadbpambn asmcp t_mpw. apn t]mb t_mn Hcp kwL\w \SpIbmWv . A] hcpXv hnt\mZv Ip. Abm ssIhoin, DSs\ Xncnv \nti sImSpp tPmenbntesSpIbpw sNbvXp. apIfn Idnbncp slentm]vS Ctm hfsc XmsgbmWv. AXn\nv Hcm Xmtgbvp NmSm\mbn Hcppp. t_mv GItZiw ASpsnbncpp. s]smWXpmbXv. Ftm ImcWw sImv slentm]vS s]mpIbpw GItZiw AXSn Dbcn senbtm NmSm\ptin B ]nSpw hnv hogpIbpw sNbvXp. Abm Ips\ Xmtgbvv hogpIXsbmWv . kn\nabn Dtin amXncnb kw`hw \SsXv kv ] w. hnt\mZv Xebn ssIshbvpXv A] Ip. Icbn\nh Hmbn BpIbmbncpp. t_mpI s]sv Xncnv Abm hoW etbvp IpXnp. FmWv kw`hnpsXp hya. hnt\mZv tm`npIbmbncpp. Abm tPmenbn th{X {inmsX A]ISapmnbXn. Abm ImcWw jqnMv \ntn hXn. "Hcp RmbdmgvNs hn{iaw IfmWv Rm hXv. AXns\ \innm\mWv.......' t_mv Ctm AbmsfbpsaSpv Icsnbncpp. Bm Iqw IqSpIbmWv. Abmv t_m[apmbncpn. BscmstbmIqSn Abmsf s]mnsbSpv Icbntebvp sImp t]mIpIbmWv. hnt\mZv A\pn. A] AbmfpsS ASpp sNp. Abm Atmgpw im]hN\ s]mgnpI bmWv. Ah Abmsf t\mnsmp \np. FpsImtm AhnsS \nv t]mIm\mWv A]bvv tXmnbXv. Im mmnbtm Ftmp t]mIWsav Ahp [mcWbpmbncpn. Ahv Hcev]w Bizmkw InWw. Xs Iapnhv Hcp henb A]ISapmbncnpp. \nlmb\mb Hcp a\pjy Ctm acWtmSv anSpIbmWv. Ah s]sv kp\nens\ Hmp. Abm ASpp XsbmWv XmaknpXv. Ah Im CStmv Xncnp. kp\n atlm{X honsbpmbncpp. A]sb Itm s]sv AbmfpsS apJv ]cn{àambn. Abm hmXn ]nSnpsImv \npIbmWv. "ta sF Ian?' "Hm jph.......' kp\n NncnpsImv ]dp. Rm thsd Ftm BtemNnpIbmbncpp. "Fsm sbmWv hntij?' Ipdp t\csbpmb A]ISsn Ah kp\nent\mSv ]dp. Abm s]sv Fgptp sImv ]dp. "hcq \apv t]mImw.' "FhntSbvmWbmsf sImpt]mbsXdnbn.' "\m\mhXnbntembncnpw. hcq.' Ah Xmgndn.
26
"CXmWv \ns hn, As?' "AsX.' Imdns hmXn XpdpsImv Ah ]dp. "\nXn FtmSv ]dncpp.' hmXn Xpdv apn Ibdnbncnptm kp\n ]dp. Ahv kp\nens `mcw Adnbppmbncpp. hnt\mZv ASpncnptm AdnbpItb C. Abm 58 Dbcw, Ihnm 60 Intem Dmhpw. kp\n AbmfpsS BdSn Hcnv Dbcn\\pkcnp XSn t\mnbm 90 Intemsbnepw ImWpw. \m\mhXnbnse Imjznbn Hcp s{dn AbmfpsS ihicocw InSnbncpp. kp\n Abmsf aqSnb XpWn amnt\mn. DSs\ aqSpIbpw sNbvXp. "]mhw.' Ipdpdmbn acn \Ss _p hnnsmn smv \nppmbncpp. NpacncnIn Hcp saen kv{Xo InSncpp. kp\n AhcpsS ASptbvv sNp. "hyk\apv. Fm sNzm. Cns\sbmpw hcpsav Bcpw IcpXontm. km_nt\mSv ]dv thsXmw sNmw.' Abm t]mn \nv ctm aqtm \qdns t\mpI FSpv AXnsemcmp sImSpp. "Ctm thsXmw sNq.' Xncnv Imdn Ibdnbtm kp\n ]dp. "FmWv sNpI, ]mhw. Hcp IpSpw_w hgnbm[mcambn.' A] hnt\mZns\ Hmp. AbmfpsS at\m`mhsn kp\nent\mSv ]dmtem Fv Hmp. ]t kp\nen\v \hw AdnbpXpXsbmbncnWw AXv. Ah Hpw ]dn. A] honsenbtm ]{p aWn Ignp. Ah Xfncpp. cmhnsebpmb kw`hw a\n\nv FSpp amm tXmpn. Cu A`ymknIsfmw UyqpIfmbn A`n\bnphcmWv. \mbI\pw ap {][m\s \Smpw thn kmlknIamb Imcy sNpI. AhcpsS apJtam, t]tcm shnncbn hcpn. Ahsc Bcpw Adnbppan. Ahp InpXv ZnhkqenbmWv, Asn Hcp Icm XpI. AXp Ignm Ignp. Ah Ipfnv DuWpIgnm\ncpp. Hpw Ignm tXmpn. Av Hmtcmv tNmZnppm bncpp. Ah A]ISsn ]dp. "kmcan tamsf, Ans\sbmsbpmhpw. \o thhemXnsnv Fp Imcyw?' Ah DuWp Ignsp hcpn t]mbn InSp. Ddsagpttm \mep aWn. Av ltcIrjvW t{Xntebvp t]mbncpp. Nmb IpSnp sImv Ah As ham\]{Xw t\mn. Av ]{Xw Intbn. cmas t]Pv XpdXpw Ah hm s]mfnpsImv Ccppt]mbn. apIfn sImSp Nn{Xn\p Xmsg sImSp dntmp hmbnpsImncnt AhfpsS apJs tNmctbmw \nXmbn tXmn. XebpsS ]nn\nv ssiXyw Ibdn apJtbvp ]Scpt]mse. Ah hopw Nn{Xw t\mn. ]{Xw hensdnv Ah taita Xeshv Icbm XpSn.
11
tcWp ]pdtbvp t]mbXmbncpp. Ah htmtgbvpw A] HcpamXncn a\kzmyw hosSpp. hensdn ]{Xw hopsaSpv Nn{Xw HcnqSn kqvaambn t\mn. ssN\m\nbpsS ssII kp\bpsS AcsnemWv. sXmSpv \npXv Ubd hnt\mZv Nm\n, AXn\papdv kp\n atlm{X. ssN\m\nbpsS CSp himbn ]n.B.Hm aZ knv, ]nnembn ssN\m\nbpsS t]gvk\ Akn v cRvPn\n. Xmsg henb Acn FgpXnbncnpp. ssN\m\nbpsS anmd saKaqhnbn \mbnI kp\ Xs. Atm......Atm hnt\mZv Cses Adnncnpp. Xs Hw Un Ignptmgpw, ]ns AbmfpsS ^vfmn hv Xs Hw InSptmgpw Hs hnt\mZns ssIn Cu Adnhv, Xs XnckvI cn hnhcw Dmbncpp. FpsImbm AXv XtmSv ]dn. AXpt]mse kp\nepw AsX, cmhnse Itm XtmSv Hpw ]dn. CXv Xs F{Xtmfw _m[np ImcyamsWv Bscmfpw \mbn Adnbp BfmWv kp\n atlm{X. Hcp]t cmhnsebpmb A]ISw ImcWw Abm kwkmcnm\p Ahbnembncpn. kp\nens\ Ipmc\mm Ahv tXmpn. adnmWv hnt\mZns nXn. Abmv ]dbmambncpp. AXpt]mse ssN\m\npw Xs hnfnv kwkmcnmambncpp. Fsnepw ImcWw ]dv, AXp sImv Xm kp\sbs \mbnIbmpIbmsWv ]dm aXnbmbncpp. Ans\bmbncp sn X\nv Ctmgs A{X hnjaapmhnmbncpp. Ctm Xm icnpw Xgbst]mse tXmpIbmWv. Ah ]pdtbvndn. t^m sNWw. annv ]mtbpsS hon \nv CuhI Imcy kwkmcnm h. GsXnepw _qns t]mIWw. Av _pp sNbvX t^m FtmgmWm thm Inm t]mIpXv.
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hnt\mZv honepmbncpp. A]bpsS {]iv\ Abmv a\nemhpn. Abmsf _m[np nsp ]dbpIbmhpw `wKn. Ah tNmZnp. "FpsImXv Xtep ]dn?' "Fn\v \smcp kmbmw \innWw.' Abm adp]Sn ]dp. A] \nbmbn. ]pXnb kn\nabn \mbnIbmhpsasms Xm ]dXv tIp XeIpepnbtmsgmw Abmv Adnbmambncpp Av DbvpXs Cu s]ns hn[n \nbnsp Fv. Abm Dns Dn Nncnnpmhpw. A] AajtmsS hnNmcnp. "C\n FtmgmWv ImWpXv? \msf _onsbmWv jqnMv. hcptm?' "C.' Ah t^m shp. Ah kp\nens \ Idn. `mKyn\v Abm honepmbncpp. "CXp Rm\mWv A].' "A]m, Fp hntijw, ]dbq.' "Fp hntijw. \nsfmsqSn Fs Xgp As?.' kp\n \n\mbn. Ah XpSn. XpSnsbp ]dbpXv hfsc kuayamb hmmbncpp. HcpXcw t_mw_m{IaWambncpp AXv. kp\n Fmw tIncpp. Hccw DcnbmSepmbn. Iptd t\cw ]dp Igntm Xs Bbp[sfmw Xosv A]bvp a\nembn. Ah \nn. "Fmw ]dp Igntm.' kp\n im\mbn tNmZnp. A] Hpw ]dbmsX dnkoh ]nSnpsImv \np. AhfpsS IhnfnqSn Io HgpIppmbncpp. "Hcp Imcyw A] a\nemWw. F\nv \ns CamWv. Cu hI iImcsfmpw B kvt\ls _m[nn. Rm\nse cp hw \ns hnfnm {ianp. \o Undn\p t]mbXmsWp ]dp. ]ns Cp cmhnsebpw hnfnp. Atmgpw \o Dmbncpn. ]ns \o Adnnpmhpsav IcpXn. ImcWw Cs t]dn, HcpamXncn Fm t]dnepw Cu hm hfsc hepXmbn hncpp. \o Fs hon htm _onse A]ISamsX asmcp hnjahpw \ns apJv In. Atm \o kwKXnIfpambn s]mcpsnpmhpsav Rm IcpXn.' A] Hpw ]dbmsX t^m ]nSnp sImv \npI XsbmWv. kp\n XpSp. "C\n \o ]dbq, Fs sXsmsWv.' Hcp ZoL\nizmkn\ptijw Ah kwkmcnp. "FmWv Cns\sbms hcm?' "B ihw Ct, kp\, AXns ]WnbmWv. Zmv _nv....' "sFbmw tkmdn kp\n.' s\h ssa v Unb. Fmw hgntb icnbmhpw. \o Hcp kq mdmIpw......' Ipdp t\cs au\n\p tijw Abm XpSp. "\ns Rms\mcp kqmdmpw.' "Rms\mv ssN\m\n km_ns\ Imtem?' "\nXns\ CSbvnSv ImWpXv \XmWv. \nXn\v AXnamWv.' "Rm Hbvp t]mbm aXntbm?' s]shv ss[cybapmbn. Csehsc Xm temIns apIfnemsWhp tXmnbncpp. Cv s]sv hogvN kw`hnncnbmWv. B Adnhpambn Ahv s]mcpsSm Ignbpn. "aXn.' kp\n ]dp.
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ssN\m\n XncnembXpsImv A]bvv Imp \ntn hp. cmhnse ]p aWn Ignv sNm\mWv ssN\m\nbpsS ]n.F.bmb cRvPn\n t^mWn ]dncpXv. ]t Ctm ]t]mbncn pp. "XncnemWv, Ccnq.' Ahncnm\mbn apdnbnen tkm^ Nqnmn cRvPn\n ]dp. Hcp ]p an\pv Ans\ CcptmgmWv A]bv v ssN\m\nbpsS ]n.F. BhpIsbXns hym]v X n a\nembXv. Hcp sk v Ahv shdpsXbncnm ]pn. HpIn hcp t^m kti, Asn Ah t^m Idnsmncnpw. kwkmcnpXp apgph ssN\m\nbpsS ]cn]mSnIsf n. AXn\nSbvv Xncnncpv Ce{nIv ssS]v ssddn ssSp sNpp. Asn sSen{]ndn kti Abbv pp, kzoIcnpp. CSbv v Bscnepw hm Hcp NncntbmsS Ahsc A`napJoIcnpp. hfsc hn\bap s]cpamw. A]bvv _lpam\w tXmn. ssN\m\nbpsS hmXn Xpdv kp\ ]pdp hp. s]sv A]bpsS apJtbvv tNmcbncp Ibdn. XebpsS ]nn \nv ssiXyw apJtbvv bm{X XpSpp. kp\ t\sc t]mIpsamWv Ah IcpXnbXv. ]t Ah hetmp Xncnv ]n.F.bpsS apdnbntebvv ISp. cRvPn\n Fgptp \np. "\akvsX kp\mPo, Iym lm sl?' "k_v ToIv sl.'
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"Xivco^v cJntb....' apnep Itke Nqnmn cRvPn\n ]dp. s]sv CtImw ASnp. ssN\m\nbpsS iw ]Xnp tIp. Ah Ftm adp]Sn ]dp. ]ns Xncnv A]tbmSv ]dp. "ssN\m\n km_v hnfnpp.' AtmgmWv tkm^bn Ccnp s]Ipnsb kp\ ImWpXv. Ah ]dp. "ltm, CXs \psS ]pXnb lotdmbn?' A] Ftm adp]Sn sImSpm\mbn Hmn. ]ns Hmp. th, Ctm icnbmhn. Ah Fgp tp ssN\m\nbpsS apdnbpsS hmXn apn. kp\bpsS IpI Xs ]nXpScppsv Ah dnbmambncpp. ssN\m\n km[mcWt]mse kvt\ln Xsbmbncpp. taiNpnhv Ahv ssI sImSpv Ccnm\p Itke \onbnp. "hmv lmsUv.... \o Hcp t{]Xs It]mse Dtm.' t{]Xsb sNIpms\bmWv IsXv ]dbWsap hnNmcnp. Ah shdpsX Nncnp. "FmWv \ns {]iv\w?' "k......' Ah hmpIp thn ]cXpIbmbncpp. "]dbq.' "k, ]pXnb kn\nabn F\nv Nmkv Xcpsas ]dXv. Fs AXn\mbnt FSpXpw. ]t Cs t]dn.......' "Rm \ns ]pXnb t{]mPn FSpnssmpw FgpXnbnntm.' "Ans\b.' "]ns?' Ah Hpw ]dn. Fns\bmWv AXp ]dbpI. \mbnIbmbn FSppsambncpp Fs {]Xo, Fmhcpw ]dncpXpw AXpXsbmbncpp, Fsms Fns\bmWv ]dbpI. ssN\m\n Hcnepw AXp ]dnn. am[yafn hXp Ipw aph ]dbpXp tIpw Fns\bmWv Cu a\pjys\ A[nt]npI. ssN\m\n CtImans _\an. "A]bvv Fsnepw XWpXv sImSpbq. Hcp an\pv.....' Atlw A]bvp t\sc tNmZytmsS t\mn. Ah Xebmn. ssN\m\n XpSp. "icn, XWpsXsnepw.' "\n\v Im Innbnt?' "Inn, Xmvkv km.' "AXv \n\v BhiyamIpwhsc D]tbmKnmw. Fsnepw {]iv\apsn Hmôknednbnm aXn. s]t{Smfn\p Iq Hmôkn\nv \n\snpXcpw. lmsh ss\kv ssSw.' A]bpsS \mhv NenmsXbmbn. Imdp Innb DSs\ ssN\m\nsb hnfnv \n ]dtb acymZIqSn Xm ImWnn. Ahn\n Hpw ]dbm\n. ssN\m\n Nmncpv Ahsf ]TnpIbmbncpp. GItZiw cp an\pv \op\n AhtemI\n\p tijw Atlw kwkmcnm XpSn. "Fs ]pXnb s{]mUIvjs Nnehv Fp hcpsav Adnbmtam?' Adnbnsv Ah Xebmn. \o mn ]gmdv sImphp. AXp IpSnm BwKyw Imnsmv ssN\m\n XpSp. "Hc tImSn. aqv \mbImcmWv DXv. BscmsbmsWv \n\dnbmas. AXn [otc{bvv aphcpsS Hw A`n\bnWsan Ctm sImSpXns Ccn sImSpWw. Atlns tdv clkya. jqnn\p thWw Fp amkw. C{Xbpw henb Hcp kn\nasbSpv AXn\v apXendnb XpI InWsans t_mws_bnse \mv kn\nam lmfpI aqp amkw XpSbmbn lukv^p mbn Cu kn\na ImWnWw. Fnte th{X IeIvj\pmhq. Ans\sbmcp t{]mPn hnPbnp sav Ddp Hcmsf \mbnIbmtWm, AtXm Hcp ]pXpapJshv ss{S sNtWm? F\nv \sSm\p Xv FmsWdnbnt?' A]bvv hmpI \sncnpp. \apmhnspw adnv emàpmhpsapw ssN\m\nv DdpsImSpm X\nmIptam. Ans\ Ddp sImSppIbmsWns efpsSbpw tImSn IfpsSbpw IfnInSbn shdpsamcp ]pXpapJamb Xs hmpIv h {]knbpaptm. "bp hn _n shcnav C Z \yq sh. A{XXs A{][m\am Hcp tdmfn. \n\v anIhv Imm ]nb Hcp tdm. bp tI tjm bph sav. Cokv A]v Sp bp.' Ah ]pdp IStmgpw kp\ cRvPn\nbpsS apdnbnepmbncpp. Ah cRvPn\nbvp ssIhoin \Sp\on. kp\ Xncnp t\mppmbncpp. Im mmn sKbv v ISptm A] BtemNnp. X\nv Ifnm\n\n Icpsfmpw _mnbn. ]t ASnbdhp ]dbm AhfpsS A`nam\w kXnpn.
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13
BtcmSmWv Hv DpXpdv kwkmcnpI. BcpsS apnemWv X\nsmv s]mncbm km[npI. Hcp Imcyw Xobmbncnpp. ]pXnb aqhn Xstmse \qdpIWn\v s]IpnIsf hngpm hep apXmWv. Ans\bp kn\naIfn \mbnI Ignm ]nsbp m\w hfsc Nphnembncnpw. kp\sb Ahv Ctm apgph a\nembncnpp. Xm Dbp hcm Ah kXnn. Xm Hcp òjWnbmsWv Ah a\nemngnp. Ahv ssN\m\nbpsS taep ]nSn Imcy Ffp ampIbpw sNpw. ssN\m\n I\nv HcpamXncn \ tdm X\np XcnIbmsWns AXp Xn\nv Xndnv atsXnepw \Snv sImSppshp hcpw. cmw \ncbn \SnIv ]samp an. Cns\sbmcp saKmaqhnbn Hmw Xcw \SnIXs cmwXcw tdm FSpm Xmdmhpw. ImcWw Ahv Hcp km[mcW aqhnbn \mbnIbmbn A`n\bnm InpXnt\m {]Xnêw CXn\nv Inpw. Xm FmWv sNtXv? Cns\sbmcp \nlmbX PohnXnepmbnn. {]iv\ Dmhp tmsgmw Bscnepw Bizknnm hncpp. Ctm Xm Ahcn\nsmw AIncnbmWv. Cu {]iv\hpw sImv AhcpsSbmcpsS ASppw sNm Ah Xmdpa. Xs {]Xnmb hfsc {][m\amWv. Cu {]iv\w ]cnlcnmepw X\nsmcp `mhnbpv. Av Ahcmcpw ]dbcpXv. "Int.....' Hcp amXncn hnP\amb sXcphpIfneqsS Ah ImtdmSnp sImv t]mbn. CSbv nSv apn hps]Sp IS Ahsf Bizknnn. ISens\n hnt\mZv Nm\n ]dXv Ah Hmp. Ah FpsImtm hnt\mZns\ shdpp. Xs klmbnm, Xm hoWp InSptm Fgptnm Abmfpmhnsv Ahv Ddmbn. Abm Xs D]tbmKnpI am{XamWv sNbvXXv. kn\nabn ISp IqSm\p Xs hy{KXsb hrnsI \nebn NqjWw sNpI. AXpIgnv Xs Hw \npIbmsWn icn. Ans\b kw`hnpXv. Ac aWnq ss{Uhv sNbvX tijw Ah FnbXv kp\n Xmaknp Fp\ne sInSns ]mnMv temnemsWXv Ahsf AZv`pXsSp nbn. AhfpsS a\nsehntStbm Hc`btI{ambn B sInShpw Ggmw \nebnse ^vfmpapmbncpp. lknw BWv hmXn XpdXv. Abm km[mcWan AXn`hyXtbmsS Ahsf koIcWapdnbntebvv B\bnp. "Bbntb A]mPo..... Nm ]otbKm, \m Ipv Sm....' "Hpw th.' kp\n ]pdphp. Abm DdpIbmbncpp. Asn shdpsX InSpIam{Xw. AbmfpsS apJw Xosc {]ka. A]bncnp tkm^bpsS as Av hncpv Abm Ahsf t\mn. "\ns Rm Ctm {]Xonn.' kp\n ]dp. "FmWv t^m sNmXncpXv?' "Rm ssN\m\nsb Incpp....' A] ]dp. "\nXn Fp ]dp?' Ah ]dbm XpSn. kp\sb ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkn hv IXp sXmv Ah ]dp. Hpw tNmp t]mImsX, hmpIfn Hpw tm`w {]ISamImsX {ianp sImv Ah ]dpsImncpp. AXn\nSbvv lknw cp mpIfn XWp shw sImp hv shp. "km_v Rm amn t]mIzmWv. ImsdSps?' kp\n Xebmn. lknw tjmtIknt h XmtmseSpv ]pdtbvp t]mbn. hmXneStm kp\n tNmZnp. "Fnv?.....' A] mnse shsaSpv IpSnp. AhfpsS sXm hnImctm`waqew hcp t]mbncpp. "Rm\n\n FmWv sNtXv?' Ah tNmZnp. "Xmew Hpw sNt. Imcy Fns\ \oppshv t\mmw.' kp\n ]dp. "ssN\m\n ]pXnb aqhnbn \n\v Nmkv XcpsaXv DdmWv. ssN\m\n AdnbmsX kp\sb ssIImcyw sNt sXns\bmsWv \papv t\mmw. Fmbmepw C\nsXmv \o ]{Xsmpw Chyq sImSp. BtcmSpw CXns\n kwkmcnpIbpw th. kam[m\ambn t]mIq.' Ah Fgptp. kp\n Fgptv hv AhfpsS ssII {KlnpsImv hopw ]dp. "kam[m\ambn t]mIq.'
14
knIvkvv tdmUns Xncnhn hmWv Hcp Aw_mU Im AhsXncmbn hXv. Ah s]sv shnXp sImv A]ISw Hgnhmbn. Ah t{_bvnp \nn. Aw_mU Imdpw \nn AXn \nv cp sNdpm Cdnhp. "Mm CXv A]mPnbt?' Ahcnsemcm ]dp. "tkm tkmdn.' "R A]mPnsb At\zjnp hcnIbmbncpp.' asbm ]dp. "Fn\v?' "ssN\m\n km_v ImWWsap ]dp. R hon t]mbn. AhnsSbnsp ItmgmWv Ctmp hXv.'
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"Rm s]mbvtmfmw.' A] ]dp. "A]mPnbvv pUntbm FhnsSbmsWdnbmtam?' "Adnbmw, Hmôkns ASp sKbvs?' "AhnsSb. km_ns Hm]s\b pUntbm Dv Atcnbn.' "F\ndnbn.' "RfpsS ]nmse hm aXn.' "icn.' Ah Imdn Ibdn HmSnm XpSn. Hcp shfp Aw_mkU. Ah AXns \ lrZnamn. AYhm s]sv ImdpInSbn \spt]mbmtem. FmWv ssN\m\n s]sv Xs hnfnnm ImcWsambncpp Ah BtemNnp sImncpXv. Atln\v a\wamapmtbm. Fmw Ignv X\npXs \mbnIm\w Xcphm Xobmntbm? apnse Imdn bm{XsNphsc Ah CXphsc Inn. AYhm jqnns kabv Inpsns {innn. ]t Ahv Xs ]cnNbamsWp htm. A]bvv pUntbmhnsem [rXnbmbn. apntmIp Imdns\ am{Xw {inv Ah ImtdmSnp. apnse Im Hcp CS \ncntebvv Xncnp ]nmse Ahfpw. Hcp ^mdnbptSsXp tXmnp sInSns apn Ah Im \nn. Ahfpw Im \nn Xe ]pdtbvnv Ahsc t\mn. Ah Imdn \nndn AhfpsS ASptbvp hp. "A]mPn, Cu sKbvn qSn t]mbm FfpamWv. aXv hfsc NpWw. Hcp cp an\pv \Sw am{Xw.' Ahv s]sv Ftm hnizmktSv tXmn. Hcp sNdnb sKbvv. CXp ssN\m\nbpsS pUn tbmhntebvp hgnbmhm h. Ffphgnsbt ]dXv. Fmbmepw t]mbn t\mmw. Ah ]pdp ISv Imdns hmXneSv temv sNbvXp Ahcp sS Hw \Sp. Ah sKbvp ISptm asmcp Im AhfpsS Imdns ]nn \npXh Ip. AXnepw cpt]cpmbncpp. Ahcpw pUntbmhntebvv Ffphgnv hXmbncnWw. Ah thKw \Sp. sInSns apnsenbtmgmWv AhcpsS kz`mhw amdnbXv. Ah AhfpsS hfsc ASpphv ]dp. "hcq \apItbvp t]mImw.' "CXmtWm pUntbm?' D]tbmKnmsX Dt]nn Hcp ^mdn sInSw. \ndsb s]mSn, appw hcm bnepw Nppap acfpsS CeI ASnpIqSnbncnpp. ""AsX CXpXs.' AhfpsS ssI]nSnpsImv AXnsemcp ]dp. Ah IpXdn csSm t\mn. ]t cpt]cpw IqSn Ahsf apdpsI ]nSnncpp. Hcp AhfpsS hm s]mpIbpw sNbvXp. ]nnep Imdnse cpt]cpw ASpsnbncpp. \mept] IqSn Ahsf XmnsbSpv Hcp hip apdnbntebvv s]mnsmp t]mbn.
15
t_m[w htm Ah Hcmip]{Xn apdnbnembncpp. FmWpmbsXv a\nemhm Ahv GXm\pw \nanj FSpp. s]sh `bp \nehnfnm XpSn. Hcp \gvkv AItbvp hp. Ah A]bpsS s\n XtemSn. "kmcan. Ctm Bcpan. kam[m\ambn InSp.....' "Rms\hnsSbmWv?' "Hcp \gvknMvtlmamWv. \nfpsS Bmsc hnhcadnbnnn. t^m \ Xm hnfnp]dbmw. Asn \npXs kwkmcnmw.' "BcmsWs Ctmp sImphXv?' "Hcp hmvam\mWv. \nfpsS \nehnfn tIv HmSnsXmWv. bphm Bssdv \u.' Hcp Imnpmbmc HmSnhcpXp Incpp. AtXmsS \mept]cpw ew hnSpIbpw sNbvXp. Atmtgbvpw Ah At_m[mhbnsenbncpp. "F\nsmcp t^m Xcmtam. Rm hnfnmw.' "icn.' \gvkv ]pdtbvpt]mbn, DSs\s Hcp t^mWpambn Xncnphp. v Npacnse tkmn Ipnbtijw Ah t^m A]bvp sImSpp. Bsc hnfnpw. Avfns\ hnfnm h. ]ns BcmWpXv. Bcpan. Bscbpw Adnbnt. Cu \mWtSv Xns HSps. ]t \gvknMvtlman \np ]pdp ISWsan AhcpsS _n sImSptnhcpw. X\nv Bscsbnepw AdnbnmsX \nhrnbn. Ah Ub sNm XpSn. t^mWns adphip\nv kp\nens iw tIp. A]bvv kwkmcnm Ignn. Ah tXntncbpIbmWv. "Fp]n tamsf, FmWpmbXv? h A]IShpapmtbm? \osbhnsSbmWv.......' "Rm\nhnsS Hcp \gvknMvtlmanemWv. Hv hcq, DSs\.....t]tcm? Hcp an\nv.' Ah \gvknt\mSv tNmZn
31
tijw XpSp. "tNm{]m \gvknMvv tlmw. AtcnbnemWv. Hv thKw hcq. Fs klmbnq.' "\osbmv ]cn{ànmXncnq. F\ndnbmw. tUm. Acp tNm{]bpsSXmWv. Rm ASpdnbp BfmWv. Rm\ntms AhnsS Fmw.' kp\n hXv tUm. tNm{]bpsS HamWv. Abm ASpv hv AhfpsS XeapSn XShn. "kmcan tamsf. kv ToIv tlmPm sbKm.' Xncnv tUmtdmSv Abm ]dp. "Rm Hbvv ChtfmSv kwkmcns.' "jobokv n C t{Sma.' tUm ]dp. "_o tI^p.' tUm t]mbn. kp\n \gvkns\ t\mn. Ahcpw t]mbn. Abm InenSpn Itkebn Ccpp. A]bpsS Iv \ndsmgpIpIbmbncpp. kp\n AhfpsS ssI]nSnv hmeytmsS XShn. "Itam A], \n\v CXne[nIw ss[cyapv. kmh[m\n, hfsc kmh[m\n Abm FmWv \SsXv A]tbmSv tNmZnp a\n emn. Aw_mknU Imdns \ Ahv Hmbpmbncpp. Ahsf D]{Zhn \mep t]cpsS apJOmbbpw. kp\nens apJw òIcamIpXv A] Ip. "tZ hn t] t^mdnv.' Abm ]p ISnpsImv ]dp. "\apv \msf t]mImw." kp\n ]dp. "\mtfbvt \o t\maemhq FmWv tUm ]dbpXv. ]ns Hcp Imcyw \ CsXmpw ]pdmpn. Ftm `mKyn\mWv \ns ChnsSs sImphXv. \ns D]{ZhnhcpsS Imcyw Rm t\mnsmmw.' Abm Fgptp, IpnpsImv AhfpsS s\nta Npw_np. "Rm \msf hcmw.' Abm t]mbn. Anfnt\mSv FmWv ]dbpIsbv Ah BtemNnp. cp Znhkw appam{Xw Hcp cm{Xn hon \nv hnp\np. Ctm CXm hopw. Ans\sbmcp Iogvhgapmnbncpsn Ipganmbncpp. AXpsImv cm{Xnpns Ahv hon XncnsWsapv. Ah kp\nens\ Xncnphnfnp. "Rm Cp sshIptcwXs hon t]ms? \msf hcmw.' kp\n Hcp \nanjw BtemNnp. "icn, Rm tUmtdmSv tNmZns. ]ns Imdns Xmtm Xcq. Rm\Xv \gvknM v tlmantebvp sImphcmw.' kp\n taipdncnp lm v_mKv Xpdp XmtmseSpp ]pdpt]mbn. Ap an\npIgnv Xncnp hv Abm ]dp. "icn. \apv sshIptcw t]mImw. Rm Hcp Bdp aWnv hcmw.' Ah Bizknp. kp\nent\mSv Fns\bmWv \n ]dtbsXv Ahdnbnmbncpp. B a\pjy Fn\mWv X\np thn IsSpXv. tUm Ddm\p acpv Xnpsp tXmpp. Ah abnembn. hmvam sKbvncnsI \nppmbncpp. kp\n Xs slcmUv A]bpsS Imdn\p ]nn \nn, Abmp t\sc \Sp. hmvam Ipdp ]cn{ànXmbn tXmn. "km_v?...' "\nfmtWm B s]Ipnsb cnXv?' "AtX km_v....'Abm kwibnpsImv ]dp. "\ ImcyamWv sNbvXXv. Ah Fs IpnbmWv. Ah ]noSv hpthm?' "C km_v. Ah hcpsav tXmpn.' "icn, Fmbmepw CXncns.' kp\n Ioibn\nv \qdns cp t\mpI FSpv AbmfpsS ssIbn hp sImSpp. "asmcp Imcyw. Cns\sbmcp kw`hw ChnsS \Snn. a\nemtbm?' "icn km_v.' "\nv ss{UhnMv Adnbmtam?' "Adnbmw km_v.' "Fn Cu Imdv \gvknMvtlmans ]mnMv temn sImp t]mbn CSWw. Rm Hw hcmw.' Abm Imdns Xmtm hmvam\v sImSpp. ^vfmnsenb DSs\ kp\n sNbvXXv lkoans\ _ob hmm\mbn ]dbpIbmbncpp. ]ns t^msWSpp Idn. Hv IpfnWw. cp Ipn _ob IpSnv `Ww Ignv \mbn DdWw. AXp Ignv sshIptcw A]sb Iqm Atcnv t]mIWw. "ltem..... CXv kp\nemWv. AsX, \ns Hv ImWWw..... AsX AXymhiyamWv. Hcp Imcyw ]dbm \mWv........ F\nv hfsc ths Hcp Ipnsb \mept] IqSn \innp. BscmsbmsWp a\n emtbm........ AsX Ah Xs. Rm\tmv hcmw. Asn thsd FhnsSsbnepw hv..... FhnsS?...... ssa KpUvs\v, AhnsStbm? Rms\mcp SmIvknbn hcmw....... ImsdSppn......cm{Xn Fn\v....' kp\n t^m hv Ipfnm\mbn _mvdqan Ibdn.
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16
cp Znhkn\pn FsmsbmWv kw`hnXv? A] BtemNnp. Hcp \qncp]Xp Intemao thKn ImtdmSnp t]mse. CXv {`mp ]nSnnp thKamWv. FhnsSsbms t]mbn CSnp sadnbn. cmhnsebpmbXv AXns Hcp aptmSn am{XamsWhp tXmn. C\n {SmIznssek Hpw Xtcsv Ah tUmtdmSv ]dp. sshIptcamIptmtgbvv km[mcW anemhWw. apJv ]nb t]md Fsnepw ]dv Anfns\ t_m[ysSpmw. s]sv t{_bvntSnhp shsm atm. a\nep t]mdent\m. AXpw hgntb amdnsmpw. kp\nens apJp I ISp `mhw Ahsf `bsSpnbncpp. Abm Fsnepw sNpsa `bw. sNbvXnsmWv. cmhnsebpmb kw`h Hmptms Ahp `bw tXmpp. a\pjy C{X \oNambn s]cpamdptam. Fmw \ kpcm. IeymWw Ignptam Fp tNmZnm cmasXmv BtemNnmsX aqfm ]p{X `wKnbph. ]t AhcpsS a\n CsXmsbs. Xs {`mmWv CXns\ms ImcWw. ssN\m\n X\nbvv Ahkcw Xcpsa tamlnemWv AhcpsS ]nmse t]mbXv. km[mcW \nebnemsWn Ah Hv BtemNnts\. hgnbn hv I cpt] ssN\m\n ImWm BhiysSppsp ]dbptm AXv hnizknpambncpn. hnizknm s FhnsSsbnepw Ibdn t^m sNbvXv \nPnXn a\nemntbs\. Ah kn\namtemIhpambn hfsc ASp _aphcmbncnWw. Fmbmepw C\n Xm {ishbvpw. kp\n Bdp aWnbvv Fn. Ah IgnbpXpw km[mcW anemsWp ImWnm {iaw \Sn. "\o Ctm t\maembncnpphtm.' kp\n ]dp. "sbkv, jobokv, s]s^ven Bssdv.' tUm ]dp. "jn Iym tKm tlmw. \msf {Unv thWw. Hv hp s]mbv t ms. cmgv N Ignv sSpIv hcWsap am{Xw. AXp \namWv . hcmXncncpXv.' Atlw Xncnv \gvkn\v \nti sImSpp. ]pdv kp\nens Imdp In. Ah tNmZytmsS kp\nens\ t\mn. "Rm SmIvknbnemWv hXv. \n\v ImtdmSnm am{Xw in Inntbm Fdnbntm.' Abm XmtmseSpv AhfpsS In hpsImSpp, ]ns adphipt]mbn, A] hmXn XpdpXpw Imp\np. Im mmn \onbtm Ah tNmZnp. "ChnsS _n F{X hp? Rm Xcmw.' "\o AsXmpw Adnb Bhiyan.' Ah `wKnbmbn ImtdmSnpXp Itm kp\n ]dp. "\n\v {]iv\sampantm.' Ah tNmZy]qw Abmsf t\mn. "Fs ]msf tj\n hnm aXn. F\nsmcnSp t]mIm\pv. \o Hbvp s]mbvsmpsav Ddt.' "sbkv tk.' kabw GgpaWnbmbntbpp. Fp aWnbvt ss_Jebn Ftp. [mcmfw kabapv. ]ns SmIvknbn t]mIpsXmw Hmtcm sXfnhpIfmbncnpw. PmIvks\ ImWm t]mIptm Ans\ Nne apIcpXepI BhiyamWv. "Fs ChnsS hnm aXn. \o t\sc s]mbvtm.' Abm ]dp. A] Im \nn. kp\n AhfpsS ssI]nSnan. "Fmw icnbmhpw, Fmw.' Abm Imdn\nndn. ]msf tj\ntebvp \Sptm Abm BtemNnp. Xm hnNmcnXnepw t\cs A] hosSpncnpp. AhfpsS CminsbbmWXv ImWnpXv. Abm hns ]msfbn \nv s{Sbn\n _m{bnsen. AhnsS\nv lm_ sse\ntebvv amdn. lm_ s{Sbv t]mIm Xmdmbn \nppmbncpp. hoXn IqSnb \ncn\nv hoXn Ipd \ncntebvv, hopw hoXn Ipd \ncv. hopw CShgnI, Hcp kvIqdn\p t]mepw t]mIm ]m hgnI. Hcp ASpphp sImv tNmZnp. "km_v, Am am sl.' Fp am? am Fp ]dm FpamImw. ]mcmbw, Imhv, s]mSn, AXpasn thiyI. Abm ]dp. "Rm thsdmcp Imcyn\v hXmWv. ip{Inbm.' \n ]dp sImv HgnhmhpIbmWv \Xv. ew alm ]niImWv. Hv Dcv ]dm aXn ]ns InsImp Ifnbmhpw. Ahs B mcmbncnpw Npphhpw. hmsmcp ew. PmIvk tPmbnsbpmbncpp. kp\nens\ Itm Abm IpSn \nn apdnp ]pdtbv p hp. Pokpw \oe sU\nwXpWnbpsS Pmpw thjw. apIfnse cp _ XpdnXneqsS AbmfpsS tcma\n_nVamb amdpw Igpn XqnnSp kzamebpw ImWm\pv. "sS an, hmSvkv bph t{]mw?' Abm Hcp tKmh\mbncpp. PmIv k Unkqk. app hbp {]mbw tXmpw. In aoi, {^pXmSn.
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"\apsmcp Imcyw sNmw PmIv k .' kp\n ]dp. "GsXnepw sdtmdn t]mbncpv kwkmcnmw, Asn _mdn.' "Ntem.....sdtmdv ta PmsbKm.' sdtmdn taincphipancpv Ah kwkmcnp. "\n\v a\nemtbm BcmWv Insbv?' "a\nemsbtm? Ahs t]cv ChnsS ]dp t]mhcpXv. Ign {]mhiyw Ahs\ shdpsX hnXv \n ]dnmWv. Hmpptm.' "Hmppv PmIvk. Fs sXmWv. AtmXs sImSptXmbncpp.' Hcp ]mhs admn IpSpw_ns Xmmbncpp Ah. PmIvk\mWv kp\nent\mSv Ahv Fsnepw tPmen sImSpm ]dXv. kn\nabn Hcp FIv{bmpIbpw sNbvXp. henb Ipg anmsX s]mbvsmncptmgmWv Ah.......... Av PmIvks\ XWpnm hfsc ]mSps]p. C\nbpw CXp XpScm A\phZnpIqSm. "Rm FmWv sNtXv. Imnfbs? IXw IZqw?' "cpt]sc Imntm. ap cpt]sc C\n AXp sNm ]nm hn[nemntm.' PmIvk Hcp hgpXn\ \pdppt]mse BwKyw Imn. "CtXm?' "AsX. C\nbh asmcp s]Ipnsb \inncpXv.' kp\n ]dp. "Bs F{X sNehp hcpw?' "kp\n km_v....' kp\nens ssIn AannSnp sImv PmIvk ]dp. "Ahs\ Xm F\nv ]Ww th. ]t Fs ]nmv Fsnepw sImSpWw. AhcpsS _nkn\mWnXv. Hcp ]v IcpXntm. Fmw Ignnp sImSpm aXn.' "Rm\n\n cwKn.' kp\n ]dp. "th, t]mbvtm. Rm _n sImSpv s]mbvtmfmw.' kp\n Fgptp.
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cmhnse Fgpttm A]bvv DWp tXmn. ImepInSbnse thZ\ Atmgpapm bncpp. cmhnse \gvknMv tlman t]mIWsav AXhsf Hmnnp. Cv jqnn\p t]mIm tXmnbn. _on aqmw Znhkhpw jqnpmhpsav Ahdnbmw. s]sv Ah B slen tm]vS A]ISw Hmp. ]{Xn AXns hniZ hnhc Dmbncpp. t_mv ASpsptm NmSm\mbn XmsdSpp \n \S\v slentm]vS s]sv s]mnbXp ImcWw ]nSpw hnSpIbmWp mbXv . Abm apdpsI ]nSnm {ianp. AXv IqSpX Ipgapmn. Atms ]nSn hnncpsn A[nIw DbcanmnSp \np Xs hotWs\. AX{X A]ISapmnmbncpp, ImcWw ASpsnb t_mnse Bmv Abmsf cnm ]pambncpp. km[p a\pjy. Zb\obambnpXv AbmfpsS IpSpw_amWv . s{dn `mhns arXtZlnsXnscbp NphcncnIn AbmfpsS `mcy hoWpInSncpp. B ]mhw kv{Xo IcpXfv InSpIbmbncpp. Fsmcp PohnXw! kn\namtemItbvp {]thinpXns\n A]bvp BZyambn hop hnNmcapmbn. AXn\p am{Xsamsbptm shnncbnse PohnXw? Ah ]{XsaSpv BZywsXmv Ahkm\whsc hmbnp. X\np ]nb A]ISsn Fns\sb nepw hm ]pdp hnptm Fdnbm. C, Hpw hnn. Ftm `mKyn\v Ahsf B \gvknMv tlman Bn. Fsmstbm \I Cu Iepjmhbnepw X\n\pIqeambn hnppv. AXn HmatXmWv kp\n atlm{X. "t^mWpv..... A]bvv t^mWpv.' Nphnse \nebn \nv annv ]mt hnfnp ]dp. kp\nembncpp. "Fns\bpv A]m Ctm?' "Ipgan.' "Cv \gvknMvtlman t]mIWw. Rm HXp aWnv AhnsS hcmw.' "Rm Hbvv t]mbmtmsc?' "Fm Rm hcpXpsImv h Ipghpaptm?' "Am, Rm kp\nens\ Iptd _pnapnppv.' "s]s Xami ]dbmsX Xmdmbn \ntm. IrXyw HXp aWnv Rm AhnsS Fpw. tlmWSnm s\mpw CSbm.' "icn k.' Ah t]mIm\mbn hmXnhsc Fnbtm annv ]mt HmSn hp. "A]m, BPv \mcntbm NnWn _\mbm?' "Adnbn Bn. Dsn tcWphns ssIbn sImSpbmw.' tImWn Ibdptm Ah BtemNnp, Xm sNp t^mWpIfpsS NmPv Ah CuSmpXv \mfntIcnWn tNmZnp hmnbnmsWv tXmpp. Ah Ipfnp ]pdsSm XpSn.
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slcmUn bm{X sNpXv Hcp hnNn{Xm\p`hamWv. \n Hcp ss_nemWv t]mIpsX {]XoXnbpmhpw. CSbvv h Ipgnbnepw NmSn Xe apIfneSnptmgmWv ImdnemsWp a\nemhpI. A] ]dp. "kp\nen\v Hcp \ Im hmnqsS?' Abm Ahsf t\mn Nncnp. "\n\smcp Imcyw Adnbmtam?' "Mpw?' "F\nv sNmambncp Imcy Fsmsbpmbncpp. AsXmpw sNbvXn. F\np hbv apncmbn. IeymWw Ignn. Rm\mcp \S\mWv. ]t CXphsc Hcp kn\nabn \mbIs thj aWnnn. Fs InqSn e ISp t]mbnpv. hns ]msfbn Hcp _vfmhv hmp Xns\n Rm BtemNnnn. \sSpnb AhkcfpsS Hcp B_amWv Fs PohnXw. Asn CXnsems Fncnpp.' "\n HcZv`pXa\pjy\mWv.' A] ]dp. Ah \gvknMvtlmansenbncpp. tUmdpmbncpn. \gvkv Ahsf Dntebvp Iqnsmp t]mbn. Abm t]mn \nv Hcp knKcsSpv Npnhp, ]ns AXp thsp Xocpam\nv Xncnpv Iqnsbnp. \gvkv hv AbmtfmSp ]dp. "cmgvN Ignv hcWw. Hpcv sSpI \SWw. AXv Ctm \SnbXp sImv Imcyan.' "Fp sSv?' "Cns\bp tIkpIfn AXmhiyamWv.' kp\nen\p a\nembn. Bdp amkw apv Abmv Hc\p`hapmbnpv. B admn IpnbpsS Imcy n. ]t sSpI \Stn hn. AXn\papv Ah Fstbvpambn bm{Xbmbn. tamdn bn AhfpsS ihicocw InSpXv Hm htm Abm ]ndpn. Imdn Ibdptm Abm tNmZnp."FmWv \ns ]cn]mSn?' "Ctm?' "AsX. thsd ]cn]mSnsbmpw Cnnsn \apv en\p t]mImw. \n\v Ipdsmcp dnemIvtkj Inpw.' "AXv FhntSbvv Wnpp FXns\ B{ibnncnpw.' "FmWv thXv? ssN\okv Hm tImSns\.' "ssN\okv aXn.' "Fn \apv ^vtfmdbn t]mImw.' Ah ^vtfmdbn t]mbnpmbncpn. Ah ]dp. "icn.' ^vtfmd hfnbnembncpp. Abm Im mmn.
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\Kcn sIme]mXI IqSnbnpsXv Anfns ncw BhemXnbmWv. cmhnse BZys NmbbpsS Hw Atlw ]{Xw hmbnpp. Hcp s{Sbn NmbIqm\p sInepw, ]mepw ]kmcbpap ]m{Xfpw Hcp Ipw tkmkdpambn tcWp _mWnbn sImpt]mbn hbvpp. Av kzw Cn\\pkcnv NmbIqn IpSnpp. Hcp aqp Iv Nmb AImptmtgbvv ]{Xw apgph hmbnp XonpmIpw. "A]m..." Atlw hnfnp. Ahv DdShp amdnbncpn. NmbIpSn \nn Ah _mWnbntebvv t]mbn. "FmWv Av?' km[mcW Ans\ hnfnmdpv. AtmgmWv AhfpsS As ]cn]mSnsbpdnsms Atlw tNmZnmdpXv. "\ns s{]mUyqk Hcp knnbt?' Ah Xebmnbtm Atlw XpSp. "ssN\m\n?' Ah hopw Xebmn. "AbmfpsS aI acnp.' "Fns\?' Ah t] Xndnp. Hmas t]Pns henb Acn hm sImSpncnpp. ^nenw s{]mUyqk ssN\m\nbpsS aI\pw kvt\lnX\pw shSntbv acnp. Ah Acmn sRntmbncpp. ssN\m\nbvv cp afpmbncppshdnbmw. aqh cp hjw apv acnpshpw. Ah hmbnm XpSn. ssN\m\nbpsS aI cmtIjpw kvt\lnX atljpw A{IanIfpsS shSntbv acnp. Jmdnse env tdmUn hmWv kw`hw. Imdn hcnIbmbncp cp t]tcbpw FXn hip\np Imdn
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h cpt] Im \nn \ndsbmgnpIbmbncpp. cpt]cpw DSs\ acnp. A{IanI h Imdn s csp Xmsg sImSp Nn{Xn Hcp sh Aw_mkU Imdn\pn Xe Ip\n an cpt]cpsS ihicocw. A]bpsS ImepIv _ebw t]mse tXmn. Ah BZyw BtemNnXv AhfpsS hn[nsbnbmbncpp. X\nv sNdnbsXn sNdnb Hcp Nmkv kn\nabn Inpsambtm Cs\bpw Hcp Ipgw. C\n ssN\m\n Atlns m\pI amptamsbv Bcp Iq. AhfpsS IpI AtmgmWv B cp t^mtmIfntebv p ]XnXv . ASp tImfn acn cp sNdpmcpsS t^mtmI sImSpncpp. s]sv Ahv Xe IdpXmbn tXmn. Hcp \nanjn \pn Ah t_m[w sIv \nep hoWp. t_m[w htm Ah Inen InSpIbmbncpp. Av ASppXs Ccnppv. "Io tlmtem Io?' Atlw tNmZnp. FmWpmbXv? Ahv hopw t_m[bw hcp t]mse tXmn. Av hopw Ipdv sh saSpv AhfpsS apJw XpSp. "On, On, Hcp hm Iv Cns\bmbmtem? CsXms Cu \Kcn Fpw kw`hnWXs? \n\v C{Xbpw ss[cyanmXmtbm.' Nn{Xn I cpt] Aw_mkU Imdn hv Ahsf D]{Zhnhcmbncpp. Abm ssN\m\n bpsS aIt\m? Ahsc B Fns\......... "Ipgan Av. Ctm icnbmbn.' "F\nv a\nembn tamsf.' Abm ]dp. "kmcwy. Fgptp.' Anfn\v Hpw a\nembnnsv Ah Hmp. Fp sImtm Ahv Hm hXv kp\nens hmpIfmWv. "tZ hn t] t^mdnv.' Ah hne sImSpp Ignp. ]t Fp hne! BcmWXp sNbvXnp mhpI? Ahv kp\nepambn kwkmcnWsav tXmn. ssN\m\ntbmSpw kwkmcnWw. Ah Ipfnv ]pdpt]mIm XmsdSpp. km[mcW hnfnmdp _qn \np hnfnmsX Aev]w AIsebp _qn \nmWv Ah hnfnXv. "ssN\m\n ^nenwkv.' cRvPn\nbpsS iw tIp. "ssN\m\n km_ptm.' "C, BcmWv kwkmcnpXv. Cv km_pmhn.' "CXv Rm\mWv A].' "Hm, A]mPn hnhcadnnt.' "Adnp.' ]p aWnv htmfp. ItUmekv ]pkvXIw ChnsS hnpv. Hnpt]mImw.' "ssN\m\n km_ns\ ImWm ]nt?' "Cp ]n.' "icn.' Ah kp\nens \ hnfnp. Abm AhnsSbpmIpsa {]Xobpmbncpn. ]t cmas dnns kp\n t^msWSpp. "ltem, kp\n lnb.' "CXv Rm\mWv A].' "t_mtem A], Iym lm sl.' Ah Hcp an\pv \nbmbn. ]ns tNmZnp. "\n {]hmNI\mtWm?' "\o ssN\m\nsb hnfntm.' "hnfnp, Innbn. ]p aWnv sNm ItUmekv _pn HnSmsav ]dp cRvPn\n.' "Rm \nXns honembncpp cm{Xn apgph. Ctm Xncnsnbnt Dq. lobosk tSm sdv. BZys aI cp sImw apmWv t]mbXv. AsXmcp BIvknUmbncpp. CtmgnXm cmatXpw.' "kp\nen\p a\nemtbm Bcmbncpp Fs........' Ah apgph ]dp. "F\ndnbmw. _nKv {_Z t\mkv FhncnXnMvv. \o Ctmp hcq. \apsmw ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkn t]mImw.' "icn Rm ]p aWnbvv hcmw.' "Rm Atmtgbvpw Hv Ipfnp Xmdmhmw.' Xncnv hontebvp \Sptm Ah BtemNnp. kw`h hfsc thKnemWv \SpXv. X\nXpsmm Ignbpn. Hcp kw`hw Xs Dn Hcp BLmXapmn AXn\nv FgptpXn\p appXs asmpmhpp. Cns\ t]mbm FhnsS Fpw? CXmtWm Xm Dtin PohnXw? PohnXsn Ah BZyambn Nnnm XpSn. AXns \ncIXsbn. FmWv kw`hnpI. X\nv ssN\m\n Hcp Nmkp Xp. ASp kn\nabn \mbnIm\w Xs Xpshncns. Xm Hcp lnmhpp. IqSpX s{]mUyqkam Xs At\zjnp hcpp. tIm
36
{SmpI HnSpp. Im jopI. Hn\pw kabanmsX Hcp skn\nv thsdmcp skntebvv Hmw. ]Ww hmcpp. AXn\nSbvv X\nv cp Znhkw apv kw`hnXpt]mse A]IS. Zpcqlamb Cu XncYbn PohnXsa IYm]m{Xn\v FhnsS m\w. ]mInMv temn hmvam Nqnmnb ev Im ]mv sNbvXp A] Cdn. Im ]qnbnn t Fv ]cntim[nv Ah \Sp. ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkntebvv bm{X kp\nens ImdnembncnWw. en^vn kwKoXapmbncpp. Ahv Atm AXv Ipdv A\hkcnepXmbn tXmn. Ggmw \nebn en^vv \np. Ah ]pdndn. kabw, kn\nabn tmtamj\n ImWnpw t]mse \ofpXmbn Ahp tXmn. en^vn\nv kp\nens hmXnsem C{Xb[nIw kabtam? s_Sntm hmXn XpdXv kp\n Xsbmbncpp. Abm AItbvp t\mn lkoant\mSv Ftm hnfnp ]dv AhfpsS Hw en^vntebvpXs \Sp. ssN\m\nbpsS Hmôkn\p apnse Xncv Ah {]Xonnmbncpp. \ndsb Bm, Hmôkv tImunIpw ]pdpw. AIpw ]pdpw \ndsb ImdpI. ImadbpsS ^vfmjpI. Ah AItbvp Ibdn. ^vfmjpI ann. kzoIcWapdnbns cmtIjns Hcp henb t^mtmbvp aosX ]pjv]lmcw. Hcp henb Xmen ]q \ndncpp. hcphscmw AXn\nv ]psfSpv t^mtmhn\p Xmsg Anp. kp\nepw Hcp IpS ]qsfSpv t^mtmhntebvv Cv ssIIqn. ^vfmjp I anppmbncpp. A] Ip\nv ]qsfSpp t^mtmhntebvp t\mn. Cu a\pjy\mWv cp Znhkw apv Xs sImm {ianXv. \mept]cpsSbpw Dugw Igntm AbmfmWv ]dXv. "IXw ItZm; \mtXm Kpam tlmPmbKm.' ]noSpmtbmhp IpepamepI Hgnhmm Ahsf sImm. DSs\ asmcp AhfpsS Igp n ]nSnpIbpw sNbvXp. Ah Dn Aedppmbncpp. `mKyn\mWv hmvam hXpw Ah \mept]cpw HmSn csXpw. Ah kp\nens t\sc t\mn. Abm Hpw ]dbmsX Ahsf {inp t\mpIbmWv. ^vfmjpI anppmbncpp. Ah ]q t^mtmhn\p apn Cv Xncn p \Sp. Ah Atms aSn. "hmsmcp tbmKamWv FtXv.' A] ]dp. kp\n Ahsf Hcp tNmZytmsS t\mn. Ah Fbvv tdmUn\nv sabn tdmUntebvp ISpIbmWv. "Fs _emkwKw sNbvXtijw sImphm\p HmUdpw sImSp Hcp a\pjys t^mtmhn\p apn ]pjv]anpI. temIv Hcp s]Ipnbvpw Cu KXntISv Dmbnpmhn.' "icnbmWv.' kp\n ]dp. "Rm Hcp Imcyw tNmZns. cmtIjns acWhpw tZ hn t] t^mdnv F kp\nens {]hN\hp ambn h _hpaptm?' "\n\smWv tXmpXv?' "Rm\msI BibpgnemWv. F\nv Fsmstbm kw`hnpsImncnbmWv. Nppw \Sp sXmw icnpXmtWm AtXm kz]v\w ImWpXmtWm FpIqSn kwibamIpw hn[w Rm Bib pgnemWv.' "Rms\mcp ssZhhnizmknbmWv.' kp\n ]dp. "Rm Aefn t]mIpw ]nIfn t]mIpw, KpcpZzmcIfn t]mIpw. {]mnpw. A\oXnI F\nv klnm IgnbpXnepw ApdmWv. A\oXnIsXncmbn \S]SnsbSpm Rm ssZhn\v H ]e Ahkchpw sImSppw. Hpw \Spnsp Im \oXnbvmbn Rm av ssZhsf B{ibnpp. Ah Fs Hcnepw \ncmisSpnbnn.' "GXmWm ssZh.' kp\n sKbvp ISp. Abm ]dp. "Cdntmfq.' Ah Cdn. "]ns.....' kp\n AhtfmSp ]dp. 'Cs t]dn Amas t]Pn asmcp \yqkpv. AXp IqSn hmbnWw.' Abm Im, ]mInMv temntebvsSpp. A] Hcp \nanjw AhnsS \np. kp\n hp AhfpsS ssI ]nSnp Ipepn. "icn C\n ImWmw. Rm t]ms, Ipdp Xncpv.' "icn.'
19
honsenb DSs\ Ah t\mnbXv As ]{Xambncpp. Amw t]Pn Ah ]cXn. sNdnb sNdnb hmInSbn Ah AXp Ip ]nSnp. cp sNdpm knKv Z mhbn Bip]{Xnbn. _on cp sNdpmsc tNmc hm \nebn Isn. AhcpsS kzImcy Ahbh tOZn anembncpp. Ahbh hopInnbnn. Ah Ctmgpw knKvZmhbn XpScpp. AXnPohnm\p km[yX Ipdhv. A] Xfp. cp t]PpIfn shtsd InSp kw`h Xnep _w Ahp a\nembnpSnbncpp. kzw AXnPoh\wXs Hcp {]iv\ambn Ahp tXmn. Fn\mWv
37
CsXms? FmWv CXpsImsms t\SpXv? Ah cm{Xn DdpXn\papv Avfns acpps]n ]cXn Hcp DdpKpfnI tamnp. Cv Ddw hcWsan AXpam{Xta icWapq. Ah cm{Xn kpJambn Ddn. cmhnse Fgpttm Ah BtemNnXv CXmWv. Cv FmWv sNpI. Hpw sNm\nm HchbmWv. Iptd Znhktbvv jqnMv DmIpsav tXmpn. hnt\mZns ASpp t]mIm Ahv bmsXmcp Xmev]cyhpapmbncpn. kp\nemIs Cses Ahsf Hgnhmp anemWv kwkmcnXv. km[mcW Abm Ahsf hontebvp Wnmdpv. Cse AXpmbn. Hcp]t Abm Xncnembncnpw. Asn kwkmcnm\p aqUnembncnn. Ah aphv kwib ns B\pIqeyw sImSpp. HXp aWnmWv annv ]mt hnfnp ]dXv. "A]m, t^m.....' Ah Xmtgbvp t]mbn. kp\nembncpp. "Hcp No hm Xcm\mWv hnfnXv.' Ctm \S Imcysfm Nobmbn FmWpmhpI? Ah tNmZnp. "Ft?' "ssN\m\n ]pXnb aqhn t{Ump sNbvXncnpp. AXn\p thn sImSp tIm{SmpIsfmw Imk sNpIbmWv.' A] Hpw ]dbm\mImsX t^mWpw ]nSnp \np. hnizknm {]bmkw. Xm kz]v\w ImWpI bmtWm? CXp ]IemtWm, AtXm cm{Xntbm. "]ns ImWmw. Rm CXp ]dbm hnfnXmWv.' "icn' Ah t^m shp. Ah Hcp abnset]mse apIfntebvp t]mbn. Av Hmôkntebvp t]mbncpp. tcWp ]dn hmm t]mhpIbmWv. hmXneSv Ipnbnv Ah InSbn t]mbn hoWp. Fm kz]v\fpw XIpshv Ahp a\nembn. Xm Ign GXm\pw amkfmbn \p hfnb kz]v\w thcp ]nSnpXn\p appXs hmSncnncnpp. C\n A] F \mbnI C. shnncbn \ndp\n Xs kz]v\amWv Hcp \nanjw sImv CmXmbncnpXv. C\n Pohnncpnsp Imcyw. Ah Fgptv Avfns apdnbntebvp t]mbn. acpps]n ]pdpXsbpmbncpp. Ah AXp Xpdp. cp {nv DdpKpfnII. Cse ]pXpXmbn hmnbXmbncnWw. Ah AXpsaSpv ASpfbntebvp \Sp. Ftmtgm hmXn app iw tIncpp. ]ns Nppw AXnthKw hfp h XtamKn B iw CmXmbn. Ah Hcp Bgap Ipgnbntebvv XeIpn hogpIbmWv. Icbm\p Hcp {iaw XpSnte ]cmPbsp.
20
aqpt] Xs AannSnncnbmWv. Ah IpXdpp. \memah Xs hkv{X Agnp ampIbmWv. Ah Dds iapmm {ianp. ]t iw sXmbnsehntStbm DSn \npp. Ah hopw IpXdm {ianp. s]sh Ip Xpdp. DWtm BZyw IXv Anfns\bmbn cpp. ]nn kp\nepw tcWphpw. Bip]{XnbnemWv. ImcyfpsS nXn a\nemm Ahv Ipdp kabsaSpp. AhfpsS IhnfnqSn Ioscmenndn. "Fn\m tamfv Cns\sbms sNbvXXv?' Av tNmZnp. "Ftm `mKyn\v tcWp ]WsaSpm adp. Ah Xncnp htm hmXn XpdvWnymp Itm annv ]mtbpsS ASpp t]mbn _lfapmn. AXpsImv Fs tamfv csp. "Ctm Fns\bpv?' kp\n tNmZnp. Abm AhfpsS XeapSnbn XtemSn. "Cns\sbmpw sNm ]mSn tamsf. CsXms Hcp kn\namXmcambn hnPbnv hj Ignv sNt ImcyamWv. XpSpXn\p appXs thX. Imcysms AXntXmb Hcp {Iaans. AXp sXnm ]mSn.' kp\nens apJv Nncnsbmpan. FpsImtm Xm Pohnncnpp FXn Ahv Bizm kw tXmn. Ah AbmfpsS ssI ]nSnan.
21
k G v kmnse kznnMv]qfns Icbnen shfp taiIfnsemn Ah A`napJambn Ccpp. ISen \np Imv hfsc kpJIcambncpp. kznnMv]qfn BfpI IpdhmWv. Hcp kmbvhpw aZmbpw am{Xw. Ah `mcym`mmtcm ImapItcm BWv. Hmtcm hw \ongnmepw Ah tImWnta Xqn\nv Npw_npIbpw hopw \om XpSpIbpw sNpw. hopw Xncnphv IWniambn...... kp\nen\v tZjyw ]nSnp. "KpUv tamWnMvv an atlm{X.' Hcp phmUv ASpp hp. "tamWnMv taw.' "KpUv tamWnMvv.'
38
Abm cv sa\yp ImUpI AhcpsS apn hv Xncnp t]mbn. "\o FmWv IgnpXv?' "t\ms.' Ah sa\p Xpdp. "\o Im Xncnp sImSpXv \mbn.' kp\n ]dp. "C\n \nXn\v Fsnepw m\pIfpsn Abm \ns hnfnpw. AXphsc tlmfntU.' Abm sa\p Xpdv HtmSnpt\mnb tijw ASp hp. Abm A]sb t\mn. Ah Kuchambn sa\p ]TnpIbmWv. s]sv AbmfpsS Dv kvt\lw sImv \ndp. Abm ]dp. "t\mv A], AXn\nSbvv \appw NnesXmw m sNmw. FpsImv \apv kzambn Hcp kn\na FSppIqSm.' "\aptm, kzamtbm?' Ah AZv`pXtmsS kp\nens\ t\mn. "ssh t\mv? henb _Pv kn\naIsfmpw ]n. Fs Hcp kvt\lnXs In Hcp kv{In]vpv. henb sNehnmsX Dmm ]p Hscw. henb sknpIsfmpan.' "An\s kn\naIfmWv \Xv.' A] ]dp. "Ignbp{X HuSvtUm jqnMv aXn. pUntbmhn hmhptm hmSIbpw apw sImSpv apSnbpw.' kp\n Ahsf BZcthmsS t\mn. "\o Ctms Hcp hnZKv Z bmbnptm. \ns Xebnsempans mWv Rm IcpXnbXv.' "Hpcv AhmUpI Xcamm F\nmhpw.' kp\n XpSp. "AXns sNehv Ignbpw. HpIn Rm lotdm. AXp icnbmhnsp tXmzmsWn \apv amscsbnepw hnfnmw. {]Xnên\v hmsX Bnbnm Hpcp t]sc F\ndnbmw. \o \mbnI.' phmUv HmUsdSpm hp. "Ipdp Ignbs, Xobmnbnn.' "icn k.' Abm t]mbn. "lotdm Bbn amcpw th. kp\nens\mWv Ipdhv?' "]Sw HmSpIbpw thWw. ImcWw RmXsbmWv ]WandpXv.' "HmSmsXmWv? Ipdsms akme tNWw.' "Aev]w skIvkpw pw At?' "AsX.' ISen \nv hcp Imn\v XWpv. Hcp tmns IWnitmsS Npw_np ZXnam kznMv ]qfn\nv A{]Xycmbncnpp. thsd aqpt] BWv Ctm. cp kv{XoIfpw Hcp ]pcpj\pw. Abm hopw shdpsX sa\ypImUv Xpdp adnp sImncpp. A] sa\yp ASp shp. "kp\n, Rms\mcp Imcyw ]dbs?' Abm tNmZytmsS apJapbn. "\n mIv tK_nfns\tmsebpv.' "AsXs........' Abm \nn, Ahsf t\mn Nncnp. AhfpsS NppI t\cnbXmWv. `wKnbp \o aqv. XeapSn \mep `mKp\npw apIfntebvp Ibn s\dpIbn sInhImcWw shfp \ndap \o Igpv apgph ImWm\pv. Igpn\p ]nnep t\cnb sNn tcma Imnenf Ipp. Abm ]dp. "\n\dnbmtam, \o AXnkpcnbmWv.'

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Fgp]XpIfpsS XpSw. t_mws_ \Kcn Ghpw IqSpX

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Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

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Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

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Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

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Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

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Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

Zo]nI hmjn-I--Xnv 2002

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