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anSp-¡-\m-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw
Dg-¸\pw Ipcp-¯w-sI«h\p-am-bn-cp¶p s̸m³ BcmWp ap³]p hmXn XÅn-¯p-d¶p Ib-dn-h-¶-sX¶v Imh¡m-c-t\mSv
kvIqfnÂ. Dg¸pw {]mb-¡p-d-hp-sam-s¡-bm-bn«pw tamkvtIm-bnse Hcp kp{]- tNmZn-¨p-sIm−p \n¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ ho−pw Ib-dn-h-cp-¶p. hncnª
[m\ Kh¬saâv t_mÀUnsâ {]kn-Uâmbn AbmÄ. ktlm-Z-cn-bmb tXmfp-Ifpw Npcp-f³Xm-Sn-bp-apÅ HcmÄ.
A¶-bpsS `À¯mhv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Itc-\n³ `c-W-Iq-S- sÌbÀsI-bvknsâ Gähpw apI-fn \n¶v AbmÄ BK-Xs\ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.
¯nse D¶-X-\m-b-Xp-sIm-−mWv C¯-c-samcp ]Zhn AbmÄ¡p In«n-b-Xv. “lmbv sehn³… HSp¡w \obn-s§-¯ntbm? Cu amf-¯n \o Fs¶
]t£ Afn-b³ CXp kwL-Sn-¸n-¨p sImSp-¯n-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n s̸m³ F§s\ I−p-]n-Sn-¨p?” lkvX-Zm\w aXn-bm-hmªv AbmÄ Npw_-\w-sIm-
atäsX¦nepw _Ôpthm kplrt¯m hgn Ahn-sS F¯n-tb-s\. tamkvtIm- −mWv kplr-¯ns\ FXn-tc-ä-Xv. “\o h¶n«p Iptd t\c-amtbm?”
bnsebpw ]otäg-gvkv-_-ÀKn-sebpw ]Ip-Xn-t¸-sc-¦nepw Abm-fpsS
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“Rm\nt¸m h¶tXbpÅq. \ns¶ AXym-h-iy-ambn ImW-W-sa¶p tXm¶n. hn«p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “\n\-s¡-´p−v hntijw? Ft¸m-
kl-P-amb eÖbpw F¶m AÂ]w tIm]hpw IeÀ¶v AbmÄ Akz- gmsW¯nbXv?”
Ø-X-tbmsS Npäpw-t\m-¡n. Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS c−p kplr-¯p-¡-sfbpw amdn-amdn t\m¡n \ni-
“hm, \ap¡v Fsâ apdn-bn-te¡p t]mImw.” kplr-¯nsâ \mWw-IpWp§n- _vZ\mbn-cp-¶-tXbpÅq sehn³. Ht»m³kvIn Ahsc ]c-kv]cw ]cn-N-b-
¯cw \¶mbn And-bm-hp¶ s̸m³ A]-I-S-§Ä¡n-S-bn-eqsS \bn-¡p-¶- s¸-Sp-¯n.
Xp-t]mse Abmsf ssI]n-Sn¨v \S¯ns¡m−p-t]m-bn. “CXv Fsâ kl-{]hÀ¯IÀ: ^nen¸v sFhm-\n¨v \nIn-Xn³, anlm-bnÂ
]cn-N-b-s¸-«-h-tcm-sSÃmw ASp-¸-ta-dnb HcpXcw Ô-am-bn-cp¶p AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn- Ìm\n-Ém-hn¨v {Kns\-hn-¨v.” sehn\p t\sc Xncnªv: “Ct±lw Hcp PnÃm
¨n-\v. hb-km-b-hcpw sNdp-¸-¡m-cpw, A`n-t\-Xm-¡fpw a{´n-amcpw D¶-tXm- Iu¬kn-e-dm-Wv, B[p-\n-I-Nn-´-I-fpÅ Iu¬kn-eÀ, Hä-ss¡-sIm−v 13
tZym-K-Ø-cp-saÃmw AbmÄ¡p hnfn-t¸cp hnfn-¡m-hp¶ Ifn-t¯m-g³am-cm- tÌm¬ `mc-ap-bÀ¯p¶ Pnw\m-Ìv, kz´-ambn Hcp I¶p-Imen ^mw D−v,
bn. kaq-l-¯nsâ hnhn[ {[ph-§-fn-epÅ ChÀ Ht»m³kvIn hgn _Ôn- Imbn-I-Xm-c-am-Wv, Fsâ kplr¯v tIm¬Ìmân³ Zvan{Xn-tb-hn¨v sehn³,
¡-s¸-«p. skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v tImkv\n-tj-hnsâ ktlm-Z-c³.
Xmtg-¡n-S-bn-ep-ÅhÀ¡p t]mepw Hm^n-kn-se-¯n-bm IogvPo-h-\¡mÀ¡p “]cn-N-b-s¸-«-Xn kt´m-jw. \n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-
ap¶n AkzØX tXm¶m¯ hn[w ssIImcyw sN¿m\pw s̸m\v Hcp ¨ns\ F\n-¡-dn-bmw.” \o− \J-§-fpÅ saenª ssI \o«n-s¡m−v
{]tXyI Ign-hp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. {Kns\-hn¨v ]d-ªp.
sehn³ Xmtg¡n-S-bn-ep-Å-bm-sfm-¶p-asænepw Abmtfm-SpÅ {]tXyI XWp-¸³ a«n ssIsIm-Sp¯v, sehn³ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS t\sc Xncn-
ASp¸w kphn-Zn-X-amIpw hn[-am-bn-cp¶p B\-bn-¡Â. ªp. djy apgp-h³ And-b-s¸-Sp¶ Fgp-¯p-Im-c-\mb Xsâ AÀ[-k-tlm-Z-c-
Ah-cn-cp-hcpw GXm−v Htc {]mb-¡m-cm-bn-cp-¶p. sNdp¸w apX-te-bpÅ t\mSv Gsd BZ-c-hp−mbncp-s¶-¦nepw tIm¬Ìmân³ sehn³ F¶-ÃmsX
Iq«p-Im-cmWv AhÀ. A`n-cp-Nn-I-fnse sshhn-[y-§Ä¡v AXo-X-amb Hc-Sp-¸- {]kn-²-\mb tImkv\n-tj-hnsâ ktlm-Z-c³ F¶p ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶Xv
ap-−m-bn-cp¶p AhÀ X½nÂ. F¦nepw c−p sXmgn-ep-IÄ Xnc-sª-Sp¯ AbmÄ¡n-jvS-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p.
GXp ]pcp-j³amÀ¡p-ap−m-Ip-¶-Xp-t]mse Ah-cn-cp-hcpw X§-fpsS sXmgn- “Rm\nt¸mÄ PnÃm Iu¬kn-e-sdm-¶p-a-Ã. Ah-tcm-sSÃmw hg-¡n-«p-]n-
emWp anI-¨-sX¶p Icp-Xn. sehns\ I−Xp apX Ht»m³kvIn¡v Hcp cnªp; Ct¸mÄ tbmK-§Äs¡m¶pw t]mIm-dn-Ã. “ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS
]cnlmk-¨ncn XnI-«n-h-cp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. t\sc Xncnªv sehn³ ]d-ªp.
{Kma-¯nse Abm-fpsS tPmen¡nSbn \n¶v (A-sX´p tPmen-bm-sW¶v “C{X XnSp-¡-¯ntem! F´n\v? F§s\?”
AbmÄ¡{X ]nSn-bn-Ã, Adn-bm³ henb XmÂ]cyw tXm¶n-bp-an-Ã) sehn³ “AsXmcp henb IY-bm-Wv. ]ns¶-t¸m-sg-¦nepw ]d-bmw.” A§s\ ]d-sª-
CS-bv¡nsS tamkvtImbn-se-¯pw. Xnc¡pw Akz-Ø-Xbpw Hmtcm hc-hnepw ¦nepw AbmÄ ]d-ªp-Xp-S§n: “Npcp-¡n-¸-d-ªm PnÃm Iu¬kn-ep-IÄ
Abm-fpsS IqsS-¯-s¶-bp-−m-Ipw. Imcy-§-sf-sbÃmw hnNn-{X-amb Hcp Fs´-¦nepw sN¿p¶p-s−¶v F\n¡p tXm¶n-bn-«n-Ã. AhÀ¡p sN¿m³
ImgvN-¸m-Sn-em-W-bmÄ ImWp-¶-Xv. s̸m\v AXn \à IuXpIw tXm¶n- Ign-bp-sa¶pw tXm¶p-¶n-Ã.” Btcm Xs¶ A]-am-\n-¨p-hn-«-tXÅpsh¶
bn-cp-¶p. a«nemWp XpS-¡w.
sehn-\m-Is« Xsâ kplr-¯nsâ Pohn-X-¯nse \mKcnI coXnIsf “Hcp hi¯v Hcp Ifn-¸m«w t]mse-bm-W-h-c-Xns\ ImWp-¶-Xv. ]mÀe-saâv
]pÑt¯msS-bmWv I−n-cp-¶-Xv. Ifn-¡p-I-bm-W-Hà. F\n-¡m-sW¦n Ifn-¸m-«-§-fn IuXpIw tXm¶p-
F¦nepw Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS ]cn-lmkw -\n-µ-bn-Ãm-¯Xpw ip²-a-\-kvI-hp-am- ¶{X Cfw-{]m-btam {]mb-¡qSp-Xtem CÃ Xm\pw. adp-h-i¯v (A-bmÄ
bn-cp-¶p; sehnsâ ]cn-lmkw ]e-t¸mgpw tIm]-hpw \nµbpw IeÀ¶Xp hn¡n) shdpsX Imip-−m-¡m\pÅ Hcp D]m-b-am-W-Xv. ap³]v \nb-a-t¡m-S-
Xs¶-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Xn-I-fpw hmÀUn-jn-¸p-I-fpam-bn-cp-¶p, Ct¸m-gXv PnÃm Iu¬kn-em-Wv.
“R§Ä Gsd-¡m-e-ambn \ns¶ Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.” apdn-bn-te¡p ssI¡q-en-b-Ã, ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡msX In«p¶ i¼-fw.” Ahn-sSbncn¡p¶-h-
IS-¶-t¸mÄ A]-I-S-ta-Je Ignªpp-sh¶ a«n sehnsâ ssIbnse ]nSn cmtcm Xs¶ FXnÀ¡p-¶p-s−¶p tXm¶pw Abm-fpsS hodp I−mÂ.
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“Blm!, Xm¦Ä ho−pw ]pXn-sbmcp L«-¯n-te¡p IS-¶-tÃm. \ap-t¡-Xm- Hcp sk{I-«dn Ipd¨p IS-em-kp-I-fp-ambn h¶v Ft´m kzImcyw ]d-ªp.
bmepw AsXms¡ ]n¶oSp kwkm-cn-¡mw.” GtXm Imcy-¯nse hntbm-Pn-¸-dn-bn-¡m³ h¶-Xm-Wv. ]d-ªn-cp-¶Xp
“AtX, AsXms¡ ]n¶o-Sv. F\n¡p \n§sf ImtW-−-Xp-−m-bn-cp-¶p.” t]mse Xs¶ sNbvXm aXn-sb¶p ]d-ªv, AXn\v Dt]m-Zv_-e-I-ambn
{Knt\-hn-¨nsâ ssII-I-fn-te¡p shdp-t¸msS t\m¡n-s¡m−v sehn³ ]d- Xsâ ImgvN-¸m-Sp-IÄ hni-Zo-I-cn¨v, hm¡p-I-fpsS ImTn\yw Hcp ]p©n-cn-
ªp. sIm−p ab-s¸-Sp¯n s̸m³ Abmsf aS¡nb-b-¨p.
s̸m³ apJ-s¯mcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶p. Cu CS-th-f-bn sehn³ km[m-c-W-\ne hos−-Sp-¯n-cp-¶p.
“C\n taem bqtdm-]y³ hkv{Xw [cn-¡n-sötà Xm¦Ä ]d-ªn-cp-¶Xv?” “F\n-¡n-sXm¶pw a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã, F´m-WnXv?”
{^©v Xp¶-epÅ kyq«n-te¡p t\m¡n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “Blm! “F´mWp a\-kn-em-Im-¯Xv?” kZm IqsS-bpÅ {]k-¶-X-tbmsS Xs¶
]pXb L«w Xs¶.” s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p.
sehnsâ apJw s]s«¶p Nph-¶p. {]mb]qÀ¯nbmb-h-sc-t¸m-se-b-Ã, “\n§-sf-´mWo sN¿p¶sX¶v a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã.” Npa Ipep-¡n-s¡m−v
kz´w Ipd-hp-Ifpw \mWt¡Sp-tamÀ¯v sIm¨p-Ip-«n-I-fpsS apJw sehn³ ]d-ªp. “CsXms¡ C{X Kuc-h-t¯msS sN¿p¶sX§-s\-bmWv?”
Nph¡pwt]mse, Abm-fpsS I®ocnsâ ht¡m-fw. ]ucp-j-amÀ¶ Hcp “F´p-sIm−v ]änÃ?”
apJ¯v Cu _meniamb ZpchØ ImWp-¶Xp ZpjvI-c-am-bn-t¯m¶n “CXn-sem¶pw H¶p-an-Ã. AXp-sIm-−p-X-s¶.”
Ht»m³kvIn ZrjvSn amän-. “\n§-f-§s\ hnNm-cn-¡p-¶p. ]t£ R§Ä¡p ]Wn-sIm−v Ccn-¡-s¸m-dp-
“\½-sf-hnsS h¨mWv kzIm-cy-ambn H¶p ImWp-¶-Xv. F\n¡p \n§-tfmSv Xn-bn-Ã.”
Hcp-]mSp Imcy-§Ä ]d-bm-\p-−v.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. “IS-em-kn-etÃ. F´m-bmepw A¡m-cy-¯n \n§Ä¡v Akm-am\y Ign-hp-
“icn, \ap¡v Kpcnsâ tlm«-en `£Ww Ign-¡mw. aq¶p aWn-hsc Rm³ X-s¶.”
kzX-{´-\m-Wv.” “F¶p-h-¨mÂ, F\n¡p Imcy-amb F´n-sâtbm Ipd-hp-s−¶v AtÃ?”
“AXp-th-−,” Hcp \nanjw Nn´n-¨n«v sehn³ ]d-ªp. F\n¡p thsdm-cn- “A§-s\-bm-bn-cn-¡mw.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. ]t£ C{X hen-sbmcp a\p-jy³
S¯p t]mIm-\p-−v.” Fsâ kplr-¯m-bn-cn-¡p-¶-Xn F\n-¡-`n-am-\-ap-−v. ]t£ Fsâ tNmZy-
“F¦n \ap¡v A¯m-g-¯n\v Hcp-an-¡mw.” ¯n\v \n§Ä adp-]Sn X¶n-Ã.”
“A¯m-g-¯nt\m? F\n-¡{X hnti-jn-s¨m¶pw ]d-bm-\n-Ã. H¶p-c−p “AXp ]d-bmw. CXp ]d-ªp-Xo-c-s«. Imcm-kn³kvIn-bn Bdm-bncw G¡-
NnÃd¡mcy-§Ä. ]ns¶-sbmcp Imcyw tNmZn-¡m-\p-ap-−v. kw`m-jWw dpw, icocw \ndsb Dd¨ akn-ep-Ifpw ]{´-−p-h-b-kp-Im-cn-bpsS Dt·-jhpw
\ap¡p ]n¶o-Sm-¡mw.” D−m-bn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw Hcp Znhkw \n§fpw R§-fn-sem-cp-¯-\m-Ipw.
“icn, F¦n B NnÃ-d-¡m-cy-§Ä thKw ]d-bq. sIm¨phÀ¯am\-§Ä ]ns¶, \n§-fpsS tNmZy¯n\pÅ D¯cw: amä-sam-¶p-an-Ã, ]t£ C{X
A¯mgw Ignªp ]d-bmw.” \mÄ Xs¶ ImWm-Xn-cp-¶Xp IjvSambn-t¸mbn.”
“sNdn-sbmcp Imcy-am-Wv.” eÖ ad-bv¡m-\pÅ {iaw Abm-fpsS apJ-¯n\p “DtÆm! F´p-]än?” sehn³ BIp-e-\m-bn.
tIm]-¯nsâ ]cn-thjw \ÂIn. „H¶p-an-Ã, \ap-¡Xp ]n¶oSp kwkm-cn-¡mw. ]«-W¯nte¡p hcm-s\´m
“sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n-se-´p−v hnt-ijw? FÃmw ]Xnhp t]mse hnti-j-sa¶p ]d-bq.”
Xs¶tbm?” “F¶m-eXpw ]n¶oSp ]d-bmw.” Ihn-fp-IÄ sNhn-tbmfw Nph¶v sehn³ ]d-
Xsâ `mcy-bpsS A\p-P¯n Inän-bp-ambn sehn³ {]W-b-¯n-em-sW¶v Adn- ªp.
bm-am-bn-cp¶ s̸msâ I®p-I-fn Hcp ]p©ncn Xnf-§n. Rm³ \n§sf ho«n-te¡p hnfn-t¨-t\. ]t£ `mcy \à aqUn-eà - . ]t£
“\n§-fpsS NnÃd hm¡p-IÄ ]d-ªp-I-gn-ªp, ]t£ F\n-¡{X NnÃd kpthm-f-Pn-¡Â KmÀU-\n-te¡p t]mbm Ahsc ImWmw. \mep apXÂ
hm¡p-I-fn adp-]Sn ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-Ã, ImcWw… Hcp \nan-jw… A©p hsc Ah-c-hn-sSbp-−m-Ipw. Inän kvtIäv sN¿m³ hcp-¶p-−v. \o
CsXm¶v… Ah-tcm-sSm¸w IqSn-t¡m. Rm³ IqSn F¯n-bn«v \ap-s¡m-cp-an¨v A¯mgw
Ign-¡mw.”
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“icn, F¦n ]ns¶ ImWmw.” At¸m-tg¡v \Xm-enb \b-X{´ DtZym-K-Ø-\mb epthm-hnsâ kz´-am-bn-
“CsXm-s¡-b§p ad-¶n«v t\tc {Kma-¯n-te¡p aS§ntb-¡-cptX. X\n-kz- ¡-gn-ªp. Inän At¸mgpw sIm¨p-Ip«n am{X-am-Wv, sehnsâ bqWn-th-gvknän
`mhw ImWn-¡-cpXv!” ]T\w Ign-ªp. Iq«p-Im-c³ sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p \mhn-I-tk-\-bnÂ
“Gbv, CÃnÃ!” tNÀ¶p, _mÄ«nIv kap-{Z-¯n Hc-]-I-S-¯n acn-¨p. H-t»m³kvIn-bp-ambn
]pd-¯p-I-S-¶-t¸m-gmWv Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS kl-{]hÀ¯I-tcmSv bm{X ]d- kulr-Z-ap-−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw B kw`-h-t¯msS sjÀ-_mävkvIn IpSpw-_-
ªnÃtÃm F¶v sehn³ HmÀ¯-Xv. hp-am-bpÅ ASp-¸-¯nsâ Bgw Ipd-ªp. F¦nepw Hcp hÀjs¯
“DuÀPz-kz-e-\mb a\p-jy³ AtÃ?” sehn³ s]mbv¡-gn-ª-t¸Mä {Kns\- \m«n³]p-d-hmkw Ignªv C¡-gnª XWp-¸p-Im-e¯v tamkvtIm-bn h¶v
hn¨v ]d-ªp. sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_¯n t]mbt¸mÄ sehn³ Xncn-¨-dnªp ktlm-Z-
“Dw. `mKy-hm³. Imcm-kn³kvIn-bn Bdm-bncw G¡À; th−-sXÃmw cn-am-cn BcmWv bYmÀY¯nÂ- X\n-¡p-Å-sX¶v.
ap³]n-ep−v; buh-\hpw Dt·-jhpw! \½-fn Nne-sc-t¸m-se-b-Ã.” \à IpSpw-_-¯Â ]nd-¶-h³, k¼-¶³, ap¸-¯n-c−p hbkv sjÀ_m-
“\n§Ä¡msW¦n ]cn-tZ-h\§Ä Hcp-]m-Sp−v Atà s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z- ävkvIb {]`zp-tbmSv hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯m³ CXnepw tbmKy-\mbn aäm-cp-
tb-hn¨v?” ap-−m-hn-sÃt¶ Bcpw Icp-Xq. ]t£ sehn³ {]W-b-¯n-em-W-tÃm.
“Dw. icn-bm-Wv. Rm³ Hcp Xc-¯n Zcn-{Z\mWv, Zb-\o-b-amw-hn-[w.” Hcp At¸m¸ns¶ Inän FÃmw XnI-ª-hfpw euIn-I-amb F´n-s\-¡mfpw Db-
s\Sp-hoÀt¸msS s̸m³ ]d-ªp. sc-bp-Å-h-fpw; Xmt\m F{Xtbm Xmgv¶-h³, km[m-c-W-¡m-c³. aäp-Å-htcm
AhÄ Xs¶tbm CsXmcp \à _Ô-ambn ImWnà F¶mbn Nn´.
“Rm³ \nsâ `mcy-bpsS A\p-P-¯n-tbmSp hnhm-l-k-½Xw tNmZn-¡m³ Inänsb ImWm³ th−n am{Xw c−p amk-t¯mfw tamkvtIm-bn X§n.
h¶-XmWv” F¶p ]d-bm³ ]än-Ã-tÃm. ]«-W-¯n-te¡p h¶-sX´n\m-sW¶v CXp \S-¡m³ t]mIp-¶nà F¶p kzbw Xocp-am-\n¨v HSp¡w {Kma-¯n-
Ht»m³kvIn tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ sehn³ eÖn-X-\m-bXpw ]n¶oSp Xsâ te¡p aS§n.
eÖsbs¨mÃn kzbw tIm]n-¨-Xp-sams¡ AXp-sIm-−m-Wv. Xsâ H¸ap−m-bn-cp-¶-h-scms¡ tIWÂ, {]^-kÀ, m¦v Ub-d-IvSÀ,
sehn³ IpSpw-_hpw sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_hpw tamkvtIm-bnse ]g-¡- Ht»m³kvIn-sb-t¸mse t_mÀUv {]kn-Uâv XpS-§nb D¶X XkvXn-I-I-
apÅ {]`p-Ip-Spw-_-§-fm-Wv. AhÀ X½n \à ASp-¸-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p. tUmfn- fn F¯n-¡-gn-ªn-cn¡p-¶p. I¶p-Im-ensb hfÀ¯nbpw \mbm-«n\p
bp-sSbpw Inän-bp-sSbpw ktlm-Z-csâsbm-¸-amWv sehn³ bqWn-th-gvkn-än- t]mbpw If-¸p-c-IÄ sI«nbpw Ign-bp¶ Xm³ AXn-kp-µ-cn-bmb Inän¡p
bn ]Tn-¨-Xv. sehn\v A½sb HmÀ½-X-s¶-bn-Ã, ktlm-Z-cn- Abm-sf-¡mÄ tbmPn-¡n-söp Xs¶tb Ah-fpsS ho«p-ImÀ IcpXq F¶v AbmÄ XoÀ¨-
Gsd aq¯-Xm-Wv. A¸\pw acn-¨p-t]m-bn-cp-¶p. AXn-\m sjÀ_mävkvIn bm-¡n.
IpSpw-_-¯n-emWv sehn³ DujvafX Adn-ªXpw Ipeo-\-{]-`p-Ip-Spw-_-§- GXm-bmepw c−p amkw \m«n³]p-d¯p Ign-¨p-Iq-«n-b-t¸mÄ Ip«n-¡m-e-s¯-
fnse Nn«-h-«-§Ä a\-kn-em-¡n-b-Xpw. t¸m-semcp shdpw tXm¶-eà Cu kvt\lw F¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn.
{^©v, Cw¥o-jv, kmln-Xyw, \r¯w, kwKo-Xw, Nn{X-I-e, BIÀj-I-amb Hcp thf t]mepw a\-kn\p hn{iaw sImSp-¡p-¶n-Ã. Xsâ \ncm-i-I-sfÃmw
hkv{X-[m-c-Ww, kmbm-Ó-k-hm-cn-IÄ, Ch-tbm-sSÃmw H¸-apÅ BUw-_-c- a\-knsâ krjvSn-I-fm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶p a\-kn-em¡n Ah-tfm-Sp-Xs¶ t\cn«p
§Ä, Ch-sb- FÃmw Nqgv¶p-\n-¶n-cp¶ Kw`o-c-amb Hcp KqVX Hs¡ ]dªv k½-X-sa-¦n hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ h¶-Xm-W-bmÄ. k½-X-
sehn\p hnkva-b-am-bn-cp-¶p. AXn ]eXpw AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-¡m-\m-bn- asænÂ… Asæn F´msW¶v AbmÄs¡m-sc-¯pw-]n-Snbpw In«n-bn-
Ã. F¦nepw AhnsS sN¿p¶-sXÃmw \ÃXp am{X-am-sW¶ Imcy-¯n Ã.
AbmÄ¡p kwi-b-ta-Xp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p.
hnZymÀYn-bm-bn-cns¡ AbmÄ aq¯-h-fmb tUmfn-bp-ambn t{]a-¯n-em-bn-cp- tamkvtIm-bn-se-¯nb sehn³ t\sc t]mbXv Xsâ AÀ[-k-tlm-Z-c³
¶p, ]t£ AhÄ Ht»m³kvIn-bp-tSXmbn. ]n¶oSv \Xm-en-b-bp-ambn tImkv\n-sj-hnsâ ho«n-te-¡m-Wv. AbmÄ lmÀt¡m-hn \ns¶-¯nb Hcp
kvt\l-¯n-em-bn. B ktlm-Z-cn-am-cn-em-sc-sb-¦nepw kvt\lnt¨ ]äq F¶ ^ntem-k^n {]^-k-dp-ambn NÀ¨-bn-em-bn-cp-¶p. `uXn-I-hm-Zn-IÄs¡-Xn-sc-
a«m-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v. B kvt\l-km-{am-Py-¯n Xe ImWn-¨-tXbpÅq, bpÅ Ipcn-ip-bp-²-¯n-emWv {]^-kÀ. SkÀPnbpw A§-s\-X-s¶. {]^-k-
21 22
dpsS Gähpw ]pXnb teJ-\-hp-am-bpÅ Nne hntbm-Pn-¸p-I-fmWv NÀ¨m-hn-j- bw-`-cWw F{X tami-am-bmWv djy-¡mÀ ssIImcyw sN¿p¶¶Xns\-¸-än-
bw: a\p-jy-sâ imco-cn-Iam\-knI hym]m-c-§Ä X½n AXncpIÄ hc- bmbn {]`m-j-Ww.
bvt¡− Bh-iy-apt−m? ]ns¶ skÀPn sehnsâ tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fmbv Xncn-s¨-¯nb Imcyw ]d-
FÃm-h-tcmSpw ]Xn-hpÅ Hcp ]p©ncn sehn\pw k½m-\n¨v skÀPn NÀ¨ ªp. In«n-b-sXÃmw Xpe¨v ktlm-Z-c-·m-tcmSv hg-¡n«v XmWXc-¡m-cpsS
XpSÀ¶p. IqsS A¯-c-¯n-emWv AbmÄ Pohn-Xw.
NÀ¨ Xocm³ Im¯n-cp¶ sehn\v ]Xps¡ AXn XmÂ]cyw hÀ[n¨p. sehn³ sR«nsbgp-t¶-äp.
NÀ¨-bv¡m-[m-c-amb teJ-\-§Ä AbmÄ hmbn-¨n-cp-¶p. \m¨p-d kb³kv “Rm³ \nt¶m-SnXp ]d-tb-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Rm\-h³ Xma-kn-¡p¶ Øew
hnZymÀYn-bm-bn-cns¡ ]Tn¨ Imcy-§-fpsS XpSÀ¨-IÄ AbmÄ {i²n-¡m-dp- tXSn-¡-−p-]n-Sn¨v Ipd¨p ]Ww Ab¨p sImSp-¯p. CXm-bn-cp¶p F\n¡p
−v. Pohn-Xhpw ac-W-hp-sam-s¡-bmbn Ahsb _Ôn-¸n¨p Nn´n-¡m-dp-ap- In«nb adp-]Sn. skÀPn Hcp IS-emkv \o«n-¡m-Wn-¨p.
−v. hnNn-{X-amb A£-c-§-fn Hcp Ipdn¸v: "Fs¶-sbm¶p kam-[m-\-¯nÂ
NÀ¨ ssPh-im-kv{X¯nsâbpw kmaq-ly-im-kv{X-¯n-sâbpw taJ-e-I- hn«m aXn. AXp am{Xta Rms\sâ ktlm-Z-c-·m-cmSp tNmZn-¡p-¶p-Åq...
fnÂ\n¶v Bßo-b-X-bn-te¡pw {]th-in-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. ImX-embn Imcy- \nt¡m-fmbv sehn³.”
sa¶p sehn³ \n\-bv¡p-¶n-S-sa-¯p-t¼m-tg¡v AhÀ ho−pw Xncn-¨p-t]m- skÀPn-bn \n¶p hnemkw hm§n Abm-sf-t¸mbn ImW-sa¶p sehn³
Ipw. D²-c-Wn-Ifpw BNm-cy³am-cpsS A`n-{]m-b-§-fp-sam-s¡-bmbn Ipg-a-dn- Icp-Xn. hne-¡n-bnsænepw ImWp-¶-Xp-sIm−p henb {]tbm-P-\-sam¶pw
bpw. D−m-In-söv skÀPn ap¶-dn-bn¸pw \ÂIn.
Iptd-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ A¯-c-samcp Xncn-¨p-t]m-¡nsâ h¡-¯p-h¨v sehn³ ImWm³ t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n-bn-d-§nb tij-amWv sehn³ ]ns¶ a\-kp-am-än-
{]^-k-tdm-Smbn tNmZn¨p: b-Xv. F´m-bmepw h¶ Imcyw Xocp-am-\-am-¡-bn«p aXn _m¡n-sbm-s¡.
“A§-s\-bm-sW¦nÂ, Fsâ C{µn-b-§Ä \nÀamÀP\w sN¿s¸«mÂ, Fsâ A§s\ AbmÄ s̸msâ Hm^n-kn-se-¯n, hnh-c-§-f-dnªv Ct¸mÄ
icocw acn-¨mÂ, F\n¡v Hc-kvXn-Xz-hp-an-sömtWm?” Inänsb ImWm³ Ign-bp¶nSt¯¡v h−n-tbm-Sn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-¶p.
Cu CS-s]-SÂ CjvS-s¸-Sm¯ {]^-kÀ Hcp ap«m-fsâ t\m«-sa-dn-ªp. {]^-
k-dpsS XmXzn-I-X-tbmSpw Ct¸m-gs¯ tNmZy-¯nsâ kzm`m-hnI emfn-Xy- anSn-¡p¶ lrZ-b-hp-am-bmWv sehn³ kqthm-f-Pn-¡Â KmÀU\p ap¶nÂ
t¯mSpw Hcp-t]mse \¶mbn {]Xn-I-cn-¡m³ tijn-bp-−m-bn-cp¶ skÀPn h−n-bn-d-§n-b-Xv. Ah-cpsS h−n AhnsS I−-Xp-sIm−v Inän D−m-Ip-
sFh-t\m-hn¨v ]p©n-cn-tbmsS ]dªp: sa¶pw Dd-¸m-bn. AbmÄ kvtIänMv {Ku-−n-te¡p \S-¶p.
“AXn\p adp-]Sn ]d-bm³ am{Xw Ct¸mÄ \½Ä Bbn-«n-Ã.” sXfnª Znh-kw. \ndsb Bfp-IÄ. “sh{]m-f-s¸tS−” \S-¡p-¶-Xn-\nsS
“AXn\p th−{X {]mY-anIhnh-c-§Ä \ap¡p In«n-bn-«nÔ F¶p ]d-ªn«v sehn³ kzbw DZvt_m[n-¸n-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. im´-\m-bn-cn-¡m³ F{X-b-
{]^-kÀ kwhm-Z-¯n-te¡p aS§n. [nIw {iant¨m A{X-b-[nIw izmkw Ign-¡m³ _p²n-ap-«p-¶-Xp-t]mse
sehn³ AXp {i²n-¡p-¶Xp \nÀ¯n, AbmÄ t]mIm-\mbn Im¯n-cp-¶p. tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. Hcp ]cn-N-b-¡m-c³ t]cp-sNmÃn hnfn-¨n«v sehn³
Abmsf Xncn-¨-dn-ª-Xp-t]m-ep-an-Ã.
{]^kÀ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ skÀPn sehnsâ ASp-s¯-¯n. Irjn-Im- sX¶ph-−n-IÄ aªn-eqsS DuÀ¶p-t]m-Ip-¶-Xn-sâbpw hen¨p Ib-äp-¶-Xn-
cy-§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ tNmZy-§Ä D]-Nmcw am{X-am-sW¶dn-bp¶ sehn³ Npcp- sâbpw H¨- tIÄ¡mw. GXm\pw Nph-Sp-IÄ IqSn \S-¶t¸mÄ kvtIänMv
§nb hm¡p-I-fn AXn\p adp-]Sn \ÂIn. {Ku−v ImWm-dm-bn. BÄ¡q-«-¯n-\n-S-bn Hä t\m«-¯n Xs¶ Abm-f-
Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶Xp kw_-Ôn¨v ktlm-Z-csâ A`n-{]mbw hsf Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.
tXSWsa¶v Dd-¸n-¨n-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. ]t£ Ct¸m AXp ]d-bm³ tXm¶p-¶n-Ã. AhnsSt¸mbn Ah-sf-¡m-Wmtam? AhÄ \n¡p¶nSw ]cn-ip-²hpw
Abm-fpsS ImgvN-¸mSv asäm-¶m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-s¶mcp tXm¶Â. A{]m-]y-hp-am-sW¶v sehn\p tXm¶n. FÃm-¯-c-¯nepw s]« \nc-h[n t]À
skÀPn¡v PnÃm Iu¬kn-ensâ Imcy-§-fn henb XmÂ]-cy-am-Wv. Abm- Npän-\-S-¡p¶ AhnsS X\n¡pw t]mIm-sa¶p kzbw hniz-kn-¸n-¡m³ Gsd
f-tX¸än tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ ]nW§n¸n-cnª Imcyw ]d-ªp. ]ns¶ Xt±-i-kz-
23 24
IjvS-s¸-tS−n-h-¶p. Xmtg¡p \S-¡p-t¼mgpw Ah-fpsS t\sc t\m¡m³ “Dw.- th-K-¶m-h-s«.” Abm-fpsS apJ¯v kt´mjw Hmfw sh«n.
AbmÄ ss[cy-s¸-«n-Ã. “CXmWp Pohn-Xw, CXmWv B\-µw. Hcp-an¨p kvtIäv sN¿pI. ]t£ AXm-
hb-km-b-hcpw sNdp-¸-¡mcpw {]K-Ûcpw ]Tn-¨p-Xp-S-§p-¶-h-cp-sams¡ Wn-t¸m-gs¯ t]Sn-bpw. Ct¸m-gmWv {]Xo-£-bpsS kt´m-jw…. C\n…
Ip¯n-a-dnªp Ifn-¡p¶ kvtIänMv {Ku−n Xm³ GI-\m-sW¶p F´m-bmepw Rm³ ]d-b-Ww. ZuÀ_-ey-§tf hnS!”
sehn\p tXm¶n. sehn³ Fgp-t¶äv IpSn-en-\-Sps¯ ]cp-¡³ sFkn IqSn thKw IS¶v
Inän-bpsS _Ôp \nt¡m-fmbv sjÀ-_mävkvIn AhnsS Ccn¸p−m-bn-cp-¶p. an\p-k-ap-Ån-S-s¯¯n Bbm-k-ta-Xp-an-ÃmsX thKw Iq«nbpw Ipd¨pw hf-
sehn-s\-¡−v Ah³ hnfn-¨p-Iqhn: “lmbv, djy-bnse BZys¯ kvtIäÀ! ªp-Xn-cnªp DÅn AÂ]w eÖtbmsS Ah-fp-sSbSps¯-¯n. Ah-
h¶n«p Iptd t\c-amtbm? H¶mw Xcw sFkp-−v. kvtIäp-I-f-Wnªv thKw fpsS ]p©ncn sehnsâ eÖbIän ss[cyw \ÂIn.
hm.” AhÄ Abm-fpsS ssII-fn ]nSn-¨p. Ah-cn-cp-hcpw H¸w sX¶n\o-§n.
“Rm³ kvtIäp-I-sf-Sp-¯n-«nÔ, sehn³ ]d-ªp. Ah-fpsS km¶n-[y-a-dn- thKw IqSpw-tXmdpw Ah-fpsS ]nSn-bpsS apdp-¡hpw IqSn.
ªn«pw C{X kpµ-c-ambn kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-ª-Xn AbmÄ¡v AÛpXw “\n§-tfm-sSm-¸-am-sW¦n Rm³ thKw ]Tn-¡p-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶p; F\n-
tXm¶n. s¡t´m Bß-hn-izmkw IqSn-b-Xp-t]m-se.”
AhÄ kvtIäv sN¿p¶-Xn\nsS sehns\ I−-t¸mÄ aµ-l-kn-¨p. Hcp “\o Fs¶ Nmcn- \n¡pt¼mÄ Fsâbpw Bß-hn-izmkw sXfn-bp-¶p.”
hfhp Xncn-ªp-In-«n-b-t¸mÄ AÂ]w ss[cy-ambn. C¯ncn thKw Iq«n ]d-ªp-XoÀ¶-bp-S³ `bw Bfn-¡-¯n, Abm-fpsS apJw Nph-¶p. kqcy³
t\sc sjÀ_m-ävkvIn-bpsS ASp-s¯¯n Ahsâ ssIbn ]nSn¨p \n¶p, taL-§Ä¡p ]n¶n ad-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse Ah-fpsS apJ-s¯bpw kulrZw
sehn\p t\sc Xe-bm«n ]p©n-cn-¨p. sehn³ Icp-Xn-bn-cp-¶-Xnepw kpµ-cn-bm- amªp, Nn´-bpsS emRvO\ apJ-¯v, an\p¯ s\än-bn-semcp Npfn-hv.
bn-cp¶p AhÄ. “\n\-s¡-s´-¦nepw Akz-Ø-X-bpt−m? A§-s\-sbms¡ tNmZn-¡m³
h¶n«p Ipsd t\c-amtbm? sehn\v ssIsIm-Sp-¯psIm−v AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. F\n-¡-h-Im-i-an-sænepw…” AbmÄ Xnc-¡n«p ]d-ªp.
Xmsg hoWv XqhmesbSp¯v AbmÄ Ah-fpsS ssIbn sImSp-¯p. “F´m A§s\ tNmZn¡m³…. hnti-jn-s¨m-¶p-an-Ã-tÃm.” XWp-¸³a-
“Rm³? Rm³ A[n-Iw… C¶-se… AÃ, C¶v… Rm³ h¶-Xv…” sehn\v «nembn-cp¶p adp-]-Sn. “\n§Ä ent\m-Wns\ I−nÃtÃm?”
tNmZyw a\-kn-em-Im³ Xs¶ AÂ]w ka-b-sa-Sp-¯p. “Rm³ \ns¶ h¶p “CÔ
ImWm-\n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p,” AsX-´n-\m-sWt¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ Abm-epsS “AhÀ¡p \n§sf henb CjvS-am-Wv. t]mbn Ah-tcmSÂ]w kwkm-cn-¡q.”
apJw BsI Nph-¶p. “ssZh-ta, Rm\-hsf tZjyw ]nSn-¸nt¨m?”
“\o C{X \¶mbn kvtIäv sN¿psa¶v Rm\-dn-ªn-cp-¶n-Ã.” sehn³ thK-¯n {^©p-Imcn Bb-bpsS ASp-s¯-¯n.
F´mWn{X thh-emXn F¶- a«n AhÄ Abm-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n. ]gb kplr-¯n-s\-t¸me AhÀ Abmsf FXn-tc-äp.
“{]iw-kbv¡p \µn. GXm-bmepw \n§-fmWv F¡m-e-s¯bpw anI¨ “\½Ä hf-cp-I-bm-Wv. Ipªp-I-cSn Ct¸mÄ hfÀ¶n-cn-¡p-¶p.” ]¯p
kvtIäÀ F¶mWv ChnsS Ct¸mgpw FÃm-hcpw ]d-bp-¶-Xv.” hÀjw ap³]v aq¶p s]¬Ip-«n-Isf Cw¥ojv IY-bnse aq¶p Ipªn-¡-c-Sn-
“Dw… kvtIänMv Hcp Ime¯v F\n¡p henb Bth-i-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]qÀWX I-tfmSv AbmÄ D]-an-¨-Xnsâ Xami Bkz-Zn-¡p-I-bmWv AhÀ Ct¸m-gpw.
t\S-W-sa-¶m-bn-cp¶p Fsâ tamlw.” “\n§Ä t]mbn kvtIäv sNbvXp-sIm-Åq. \½psS Inän \¶mbn kvtIäv
“\n§Ä F´p Imcyhpw Bth-i-]qÀh-amWv sN¿p¶Xv.” ]p©n-cn-tbmsS sN¿m³ ]Tn¨p AtÃ?”
AhÄ ]d-ªp. “\n§fpsS kvtIänMv F\n-s¡m¶p ImW-W-sa-¶p-−v. sehn³ XncnsI Inän-bpsS ASp-¡-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJ¯p ]gb
kvtIäp-I-f-Wnªp hcq. \ap-s¡m-cp-an¨p t]mImw.” kulr-Zhpw BßmÀY-Xbpw Xs¶. F¦nepw AbmÄ¡v Bi¦ tXm¶n.
“Hcp-an¨p kvtIäv sN¿m³!” AbmÄ¡p hniz-kn-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. Bb-sb-¸än Ipd-s¨Ãmw ]d-ªp-I-gnªv AhÄ Abm-fpsS hnti-j-§Ä
kvtIäp-I-sf-Sp-¡m³ sN¶t¸mÄ Aä³UÀ ASp-¯p-IqSn: “Ct§m«p Xnc-¡n.
I−n«p Iptd \mfm-btÃm kÀ. H¶mw-InS kvtIäÀam-cn aämcpw Ct¸m-gn- “XWp-¸p-Im-e¯v \m«n³]p-d¯v hÃmsX aSp-¡ntÃ?”
t§m«p hcm-dn-Ã. C§s\ h¨m aXntbm?” “aSp-s¸m-¶p-an-Ã. Rms\-t¸mgpw Xnc-¡n-em-bn-cn-¡pw.”
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“]«-W-¯n Iptd Znh-k-t¯-¡p-−m-hptam?” sehn\pw Ht»m³kvInbpw IqSn dtÌm-dân-\p-Ån-te¡p t]mbn. FÃm-
“Adn-bnÔ hÀ¡pw kp]-cn-Nn-X-\mbn FÃm-h-tcmSpw Xam-i-IÄ ]dªv Ht»m³kvIn.
“AsX´m?” ]cn-Nm-c-IÀ At±-l-¯n\pw At±-l-¯nsâ hncp-¶p-Im-c\pw \nÀtem`w
“AXp \ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶Xv”. ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p _lp-am-\hpw D]-Nm-c-§fpw ]cn-N-c-Whpw \ÂIp-¶p.
ho−pw t]Sn tXm¶n. Cu H¨bpw _l-f-hp-saÃmw IqSn Akz-ØX ]q−v sehn³. hn`-h-§-
AhÄ c−p XhW hogm-s\m-cp-§p-¶-Xp-t]m-se-bmbn; AI-te¡v sX¶nam- sfÃmw AbmÄ Ht»m³kvIn-bpsS XmÂ]-cy-§Ä¡p hn«p-sIm-Sp-¯p.
dn-t¸m-bn. Bb-bpsS ASp-¯p t]mbn Ft´m ]d-ªp, Ah-cn-cp-hcpw IqSn Bßmhp \ndsb Inän-sb-¡p-dn¨pÅ a[p-c-kva-c-W-IÄ am{Xw.
]hn-en-b-\n t]mbn kvtIäp-IÄ Agn-¨p-h-¨p. “I¡-bn-d¨n \n§Ä¡n-jvS-an-söpt−m? AtXm Xm³ BsI Akz-Ø-
DÅp \ndsb {]mÀY\ItfmsS sehn³ IqSp-XÂ Xo{h-X-tbmsS ]e coXn- \mtWm?”
bn kvtIäv sNbvXp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. sehn³ {]k-¶-\m-bn-¡m-Wm³ B{K-ln¨v s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p.
dtÌm-dân AbmÄ BsI Akz-Ø-\m-bn-cp-¶p. kv{XoIfpw ]pcp-
ssIIÄ Øm\w amäpI t]mepw sN¿msX ]pXn-sbmcp \¼À Im«nb Hcp j³amcpw H¶n¨v kzImcy apdn-I-Ä, H¨bpw _l-f-hpw, apJ-¡-®m-Sn-IÄ,
sNdp-¸-¡m-cs\ A\p-I-cn¨v Abmfpw `wKn-bmbn kvtIäv sNbvXp-. ]cn-Nm-c-IÀ FÃmw AbmÄ¡v Atcm-N-I-ambn tXm¶n.
“F´p ck-am-W-Xv, At±lw F{X \Ã-h-\p-am-Wv.” Hcp ktlm-Z-c-s\-sb¶
t]mse kvt\lw \ndªv Abmsf t\m¡n Inän Nn´n¨p: “Fsâ sXäm- “Dw. AsX. ]t£ AXn-s\-¡m-sfms¡ Cu _l-f-§Ä Fs¶ Akz-Ø-\m-
Iptam? Rms\-s´-¦nepw sXämbn sNbvXn-«p-−m-Iptam? At±-ls¯bà ¡p-¶p. Fs¶-t¸mse Hcp \m«n³]p-d-¯p-Im-c\v CsXms¡ F{X hnNn-{X-am-
Rm³ kvt\ln-¡p-¶-Xv. F¦nepw At±lw H¸-ap-Åt¸mÄ Rm³ hfsc bn-cn-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln-¡mt\ Ign-bn-Ã. \n§-fpsS Hm^n-kn I−
k´p-jvS-bm-Wv. At±lw \à ckn-I-\p-am-Wv. ]t£, F´n-\mIpw At±lw Abm-fpsS \o− \J-§Ä t]mse…”
A§s\ ]d-ªXv? …” “Fsâ Øm\¯p \n¶v H¶p Nn´n-¨p-t\m-¡q. ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡m³ Gähpw
Inän A½-tbm-sSm¸w t]mIp-¶Xp I−v sehn³ kvtIänMv \nÀ¯n HmSn klm-b-I-c-amb \ne-bn ssIIÄ kq£n-¡m-\mWv R§Ä \m«n³]p-d-
Ihm-S-¯n-¦Â Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-sa-¯n. ¯p-ImÀ t\m¡p-I. AXp-sIm−v R§Ä \Jw sh«n¡f-bpw. ChnsS
“I−-Xn kt´m-jw, hymgm-gvN-I-fn R§Ä ho«n Xs¶bp-−m-Ipw.” BfpIÄ Ah \o«n-h-fÀ¯pw, F¶n« tamXn-c-am-sW¶ a«n sNdnb
sjÀ_mävkvIb {]`zn ]d-ªp. tkmk-dp-IÄ ]nSn-¸n-¨p-h-bv¡pw, Hcp ]Wnbpw sN¿m³ h¿m-¯-t]m-se.”
“F¦n C¶p sshIn«v?” s̸m³ Nncn¨p
“hcq, kt´m-j-ta-bqÅq” “Hm icn, AbmÄ¡v ssIsIm−v I«n-¸-Wn-IÄ t¿− Bh-iy-an-söXnsâ
A½-bpsS i_vZ¯nse ImTn-\y-¯n\p ]cn-lmcw sN¿m³ Inän Xe-Xn-cn¨v AS-bm-f-am-W-Xv. AbmÄ a\-kp-sIm-−mWv ]Wn-sb-Sp-¡p-¶-Xv…”
]p©n-cn-tbmsS bm{X ]d-ªp. “Bbn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw F\n-¡Xp hnNn-{X-am-Wv. Ct¸mÄ `£-W-¯nsâ
At¸m-tg¡v s̸m³ F¯n. A½m-bn-b½ tUmfn-bpsS hnti-j-§Ä Imcy-¯n tXm¶p-¶-Xp-t]m-se: R§Ä \m«n³]p-d-¯p-ImÀ F{Xbpw
tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ ]Xnª adp-]Sn \ÂIn, ]ns¶ Dt·jw hos−-Sp¯v thKw `£Ww Ign-¨p-XoÀ¡m³ t\m¡pw, s]s«¶p ]Wn-I-fn-te¡p IS-
sehnsâ ssI tImÀ¯p-]n-Sn¨v AbmÄ \S-¶p. ¡m³; ChnsS \½Ä `£Ww F{X t\cw \o«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Im-sa¶p
Ah-cn-cp-hcpw IqSn Hcp dtÌm-dân-te¡p t]mbn. hgn-\osf s̸m³ Ign- t\m¡p¶p; AXn-\mbn I¡-bn-d¨n Xn¶p-¶p…”
t¡− hn`-h-§Ä IW-¡m-¡n-s¡m-−n-cp-¶p. sehn³ bm{X ]d-bp¶p Inän- “icn-bm-Wv. ]t£ AXm-WtÃm kwkvIm-c-¯nsâ e£yw Xs¶. FÃm
bpsS ]p©n-cn-bn \n¶v ss[cyw DÄs¡m−pw CS-bv¡nsS A[o-c-\mbpw {]hr-¯nbpw B\-µ-I-c-am-¡p-I.”
ImW-s¸-«p.
“Hm, icn! AXmWv e£y-sa¦n Rms\mcp Im«mf\m-bn-¯s¶ Ign-tªm-
fmw.”
27 28
“\o Hcp Im«mf³ Xs¶. sehn³ IpSpw-_-¡m-scÃmw A§-s\-X-s¶.” “km[y-am-sW ¶p Xs¶ F\n¡p tXm¶p-¶p. F´p-sIm−v km[y-aÃ?”
sehn³ \niz-kn-¨p. s]s«¶v tPyjvT³ \nt¡m-fm-bnsb HmÀa h¶p, “icn¡pw AXp \S-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡v A`n-{]m-b-apt−m? F´m
eÖbpw Akz-Ø-Xbpw tXm¶n. s]s«¶v Ht»m³kvIn AbmÄ¡p \n§Ä¡p tXm¶p-¶-sX¶v Ft¶mSv Xpd-¶p-]-d-bq. AYhm \nc-kn-¡p-I-bm-
XmÂ]-cy-apÅ hnj-b-¯n-te¡p {i² Xncn-¨p. sW¦nÂ…F\n¡v GXm-−p-d-¸m-Wv…”
“Gbv, C¶p cm{Xn \n§Ä \½psS BÄ¡m-cp-sSbSp¯p t]mIp-¶pt−m? “F´n-\mWv A§s\ Nn´n-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶?”Abm-fpsS BImw£ I−v
sjÀ_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n” Nncn-¨p-sIm−v AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]d-ªp.
“XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. {]`zn-bpsS £W-¯n henb Dujva-f-X-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp- “Nne-t¸mÄ F\n¡v A§s\ tXm¶pw. A§s\ kw`-hn-¨m AXv
¶p. F¦nepw Rm³ t]mIp-¶p-−v.” F\n¡pw AhÄ¡pw `b-¦-c-am-bn-cn-¡pw.”
“F´-kw-_-Ô-amWv ]d-bp-¶-Xv, Ah-c-§-s\-bm-Wv. hb-k-¯n-btà … “F´m-bmepw Hcp s]¬Ip-«n¡v AXn `b-¦-c-am-bn-s«m¶pw D−m-In-Ã.
Rm\pw hcp-¶p−v. ]t£ F\n¡v asäm-cn-S¯p t]mIm-\p-−v. F¶nt« hcq. hnhm-l-hm-KvZm\w FÃm s]®n\pw A`n-am-\-Icw Xs¶-bm-Wv.”
Gbv, \osbmcp Im«m-f-\msW¶Xp icn-X-s¶-btÃ? tamkvtIm-bn \n¶v “icn-bm-Wv, FÃm s]®p-§Ä¡pw. ]t£ AhÄ¡v A§-s\-bÃ.”
s\mSn-bn-S-sIm−v A{]-Xy-£-\m-bsX§s\sb¶v H¶p hni-Zo-I-cn-¡q. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]p©n-cn-¨p. temI-¯nse s]®p-§Ä apgp-h³
sjÀ_m-ävkvIn¡mÀ Ft¶mSp tNmZn-¨p-sIm-t−-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p sehnsâ I®p-I-fn c−p hn`m-K-¡m-cm-sW¶v AbmÄ¡-dn-bmw. H¶m-
\osb-hnsS F¶v. \ns¶-¡p-dn¨v F\n¡v BsI-b-dn-bm-hp¶ Hcp Imcyw as¯ hn`mKw: Ah-sfm-gnsI asäÃm s]®p-§-fpw, am\p-jn-I-amb ZuÀ_-
aämcpw sN¿m¯ Imcy-§-fmWv \o Ft¸mgpw sN¿pI F¶Xp am{X-am-Wv.” ey-§-sf-Ãm-ap-Å, km[m-c-W-¡m-cmb s]®p-§Ä. c−m-as¯ hn`mKw:
“Dw. Rm³ Im«m-f³ Xs¶. ]t£ t]mb-X-Ã, Ct¸mÄ h¶-XmWv Im«m-f- AhÄ am{Xw, ZuÀ_-ey-§-sfm-¶p-an-Ãm-¯, a\p-jy-Ip-e-s¯-¡m-sfÃmw
¯cw F¶p am{Xw…” DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶-Xv.
“\osbmcp `mKy-hm³” sehn³ hnSm³ `mh-anÃ. “F\n-¡n-sXms¡ ]d-bm³ thdm-cp-an-Ã. ImgvN-¸m-
“F´m?” Sp-I-fnepw A`n-cp-Nn-I-fnepw \½Ä Xptemw hyXy-kvX-cm-bncn-¡mw. F¦nepw
“I®p-I-fn t{]aw I¯p-¶-hs\ F\n¡p I−m-e-dnbmw. \nsâ ap³]n \n§Ä¡v Ft¶mSv Icp-X D−v. AXp-sIm-−mWv \n§-tfmSv F\n-¡n{X
FÃm-a-§s\ InS-¡p-I-btÃ!” CjvSw. ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v C¡m-cy-¯n Ft¶mSv kXyta ]d-bm-hq.”
“F´m, \n§Ä¡v FÃm-¯n-sâbpw Imew Igntªm?” “Rm³ DÅXp ]dbmw: Fsâ `mcy C¡m-cy-¯n anSp-¡n-bm-Wv.” Hcp-thf
“F¶-Ã, F¦nepw hcpw-\m-fp-IÄ \ntâ-Xm-Wv, hÀ¯am-\-Imew Ftâ-Xpw. AbmÄ ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-ap-XnÀ¯p. “AhÄ¡v C¡m-cy-§Ä ap³Iq-«n-¡m-
F¦nepw FÃmw th−-t]m-se-sbm-¶p-a-Ã.” Wm³ Ign-hp-−v. AhÄ¡p \ns¶ CjvS-hp-am-Wv. AhÄ ]d-bp¶p \n\¡p
“F´p-]än?” Inänsb `mcy-bmbn In«p-sa-¶v.”
“Imcy-§-sfms¡ sXämb hgn¡p t]mIp-¶p. FÃmw Ct¸mÄ ]d-bm³ ]än- AXp tI«t¸mÄ sehnsâ apJw {]Im-i-am-\-am-bn. apJ¯p hncnª
b-h-b-Ã. \o C¯hW tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶-sX´ns\¶p ]d-ªn-ÃtÃm” ]p©ncn I®o-tcm-f-sa-¯n.
“Duln-¨p-t\m¡q” Cu hm¡p-IÄ F¶n FÃmw ad-¡p¶ kt´mjw \nd-bv¡p-¶p. ]t£
“F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p−v. ]t£ Rm\-ÃtÃm AXn-s\-¸än BZyw ]d-tb- hnhm-ln-X-\mb \n§Ä¡p s]s«¶p a\-kn-em-Ipw... ]m]-§-fpsS Hcp
−-Xv. Fsâ Dulw icntbm sXtäm F¶v Ct¸mÄ a\-kn-em-bntÃ.” `qXImew DÅ \½Ä \nÀ½ebpw \njvI-f-¦-bp-amb HcphfpsS ASp-¡Â;
“icn, AtX-¸än \n§Äs¡´m ]d-bm-\p-ÅXv?” Bß-\nµ tXm¶pw.”
sehnsâ apJ¯p \n¶p Is®-Sp-¡msX s̸m³ ¥mkv Imen-bm-¡n. “AXn\p \ap-s¡´p sN¿m\mhpw? temIw krjvSn-¨n-cn-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶
A{X-ta \Ã-Xmbn Rm³ Icp-Xp¶ asäm-¶n-Ã-X-s¶. asäm-¶pw.” A§-s\-bm-Wv.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v ]d-ªp.
“\n§Ä¡p sXän-²m-c-W-sbm-¶p-an-ÃtÃm AtÃ? F´n-s\-¸-än-bm-sW¶ Bizmkw Ft¸mgpw {]nb-¦-c-amb B {]mÀY\ am{X-am-Wv: ‘Fsâ ]m]-
t_m[y-t¯msS Xs¶-btà Cu ]d-bp-¶Xv? A¡mcyw km[y-am-sW¶p ¯nsâ hep-¸-a-\p-k-cn-¨Ã; At§ Icp-W-bpsS Bgw-sIm−v Ft¶mSp
tXm¶p-¶pt−m?” £an-¡-Wta.’ A¯c-¯n am{Xta AhÄs¡-t¶mSp £an-¡m³ Ign-bq.
29 30
“]t£ F\n-¡Xp a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã. Cu A¯m-g-ap-s−-gp-t¶äbpS³
ASp¯ t_¡-dn-bn t]mbn Hcp sdm«n tamjvSn-¡m³ ]äp-
sehn³ ¥mkv Imen-bm-¡n. AhÀ Hcp \nanjw \ni-_vZcmbncp-¶p. ¶sX§s\sb¶p a\-kn-emIm-¯-Xp-t]mse Xs¶.”
“\n§Ä¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb Adn-bmtam?” s̸m³ tNmZn-¨p. s̸msâ I®p-IÄ ]Xn-hn-ep-tasd Xnf-§n.
“CÃ-tÃm, F´m?” “Dw. Nnet¸m Hcp sdm«n-¡-jWw hÃmsX sImXn-¸n-¨p-I-fbpw” CXp ]d-
Hcp Ip¸n-IqSn HmÀUÀ sNbvXn«v AhÀ kwkmcw XpSÀ¶p. ªn«v s̸m³ c−p hcn IhnX sNmÃn, F¶n«v aµ-l-kn¨p. sehn\pw
“\n§-fpsS Hcp {][m\ i{Xp-hm-W-bmÄ”. Nncn-b-S-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã.
“Bcm-W-bmÄ?” sehnsâ apJs¯ Ip«n¯w \ndª {]k-¶X tIm]- “Xami AhnsS \n¡s«. B kv{Xo am[pcyw Xpfp-¼p-¶-h-fmWv; km[p,
¯n\p hgn-am-dn. GI-bpw. FÃmw XyPn-¨-hÄ. Ahsf A{X \nkm-c-ambn Fdnªp If-bm³
“Incn sFh-t\m-hn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS aI-\m-W-bmÄ. AXo-h-k-¼-¶³, km[n-¡ptam? C\n IpSpw-_-s¯-tbmÀ¯v Ahsf Dt]-£n-¡m³ Xocp-am-\n-
kpµ-c³, D¶X_Ô-§Ä, \à {]Ir-X-¡m-c-\pw. ]cn-jvIr-X\pw AXo--h_p- ¨mepw lrZ-b-¯n BÀ{ZX tXm¶m-Xn-cn-¡ptam? AÂ]w Icp-W, kz´w
²n-im-en-bp-am-W-bmÄ. Inän-tbmSv AbmÄ¡v ISp¯ {]W-b-hp-am-Wv. Imen \n¡ms\mcp ssI klm-bw?
sehnsâ apJw a§n. \nt¡m-fm-bnsb ad-¶-Xn AbmÄ¡p kzbw \nµ “£an-¡-Ww. Fs¶ kw_-Ôn¨v kv{XoIsf c−mbn Xncn-¡mw… Ipdª
tXm¶n. ]£w… AÃ… DÅXp ]d-ªm kv{XoIfpw ]ns¶… ]ng-¨-h-scÃmw
“F¦nepw km[y-X-IÄ \n§Ä¡-\p-Iq-e-am-sW¶mWv F\n¡p tXm¶p-¶- F\n-s¡m-cp-t]m-se-bm-Wv… ]pgp-¡Ä”
Xv.” sehnsâ ssII-fn arZp-hmbn kv]Àin-¨p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “At¸mÄ aKvZ-te-\-bnse adn-btam?
sehn³ Itk-c-bn ]nt¶m«p Nmªp. “AXp If. C{Xbpw Zpcp-]-tbm-Kn-¡-s¸-Sp-sa-¶-dn-ªn-cp-s¶¦n {InkvXp
“F¦nepw F{Xbpw thKw CsXmcp XoÀ¸n-se-¯n-¡p-¶-XmWv \Ã-Xv.” ¥mkv Hcp-]t£ B hm¡p-IÄ ]d-bp-Itb CÃm-bn-cp-¶p. kphn-ti-j-§Ä apgp-h-
\nd-¨p-sIm−v Ht»m³kvIn ]d-ªp. \p-−m-bn«pw FÃm-hcpw HmÀ¯n-cn-¡p-¶Xv B c−p hcn-I-fm-Wv. Rms\sâ
“C\n-sb-\n¡p th−. Rm³ ^näm-bn-t¸m-Ipw.” tXm¶Â ]d-sª¶p am{Xw. icn-bm-bn-s¡m-Å-W-sa-¶n-Ã. \n§Ä¡v F«p-
“Hcp hm¡p-Iq-Sn. Ct¶-Xm-bmepw \obn-¡mcyw kwkm-cn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-I- Im-en-Isf t]Sn-bmWv; F\n¡v Cu ]pgp-¡-sf-bpw. F«p-Im-en-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v
bmhpw \Ã-Xv. \msf cmhnse AhnSw hsc t]mbn FÃmw AXnsâ \n§Ä Bg-¯n ]Tn-¨n-s«m-¶p-ap-−m-In-Ã, Ch-ä-I-sf-¡p-dn¨p Rm\pw.”
apdbv¡p Xs¶ A§p sN¿p¶-Xm-bn-cn¡pw \Ã-Xv. “hkvXp-X-Isf \ntj-[n-¨n«p Imcy-an-Ã. Ct¸m-sg´m sN¿m³ ]äpI F¶p
Fsâ Øe¯v \mbm-«n\p hcm\pÅ ]qXn Ct¸m-gp-apt−m? F¦n ]d-bq. `mcy¡p hb-km-bn, \n§Ä¡m-sW¦n \ndbuh-\hpw Dt·-j-hpw.
ASp¯ hk-´-¯n A§p t]msc.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. F{X {ian-¨mepw Ahsf \n§Ä¡v DÅw Xpd¶p kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-
s̸m\p-ambn Cu hnjbw kwkm-cn-¡m³ tXm¶n-b-Xn Abm-Ä¡p ZpJw Ã, F{X aXn¸pw _lp-am-\hpw Ds−-¦n¡qSn. s]s«¶v
tXm¶n. Hcp {]W-b-i-{Xp-hn-s\-¡p-dn¨pÅ ]cm-aÀihpw s̸msâ D]- FhnsS\n¶nÃmsX kvt\lw Dd-h s]m-«p-¶p. AXp \n§-fpsS A´y-am-Ip-
TtZi§fpw Abmsf Akz-Ø-\m-¡n. ¶p…” s̸m³ a\kp XIÀ¶p ]d-ªp.
sehnsâ Nn´-IÄ s̸m\v ]nSn-In-«n. sehnsâ Np−n t\cnb ]p©ncn hncn-ªp.
“Rms\-´m-bmepw Hcn-¡Â hcp-¶p−v.... s]®p-§-fmWv FÃm-¯n-sâbpw “F´p sN-¿m³ ]äpw?”
tI{µ_n-µp. Fsâ Imcyw Ct¸mÄ henb IjvS-¯n-em-Wv. AXpw s]®p- “sdm«n-¡-j-W-§Ä I¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-I.”
§Ä aqew.” Hcp ssI ¥mkn h¨p adp-ssI-sIm−v Hcp knK-cäv hen-s¨-Sp- s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v s]m«n-¨n-cn-¨p.
¯p-sIm−v s̸m³ ]d-ªp. “\o F\n-s¡mcp D]-tZiw Xcq.” “tl, [À½-{]-hm-NIm! c−p kv{XoIÄ. Hcp-hÄ kvt\lw Ah-Im-i-ambn
“Dw F´m? F´p-]än? “ tNmZn-¡p-¶hÄ, ]t£ AXp \ÂIm³ \n§Ä¡p Ign-bp-I-bnÃ; aä-hÄ
“\o hnhm-ln-X-\m-sW¶p hnNm-cn-¡q, \n\¡p `mcysb henb CjvS-hp-am- \n§Ä¡mbn FÃmw XyPn-¡p-¶p. H¶pw Bh-iy-s¸-Sp-¶p-an-Ã. \n§-sf-
Wv. ]t£ thsdmcp s]®n-t\mSv `b-¦c BIÀjWw tXm¶ps¶¶pw...” §s\ s]cp-am-d-Ww. `oXn-Z-amb Hcp Zpc-´-ap-−-XnÂ.”
31 32
“AXn-semcp Zpc-´-hp-an-Ã. Fs¶ kw_-Ôn-¨n-S-t¯mfw kvt\lw, t¹täm Ã. F¶m {]`zn¡v Abmsf A{X ]nSn-¨n-cp¶n-Ã. AbmÄ s]s«¶v A{]-
]dª c−n-teXp Xc-am-bm-epw, a\p-jysâ Af-hp-tIm-em-Wv. Nne a\p- Xy-£-\m-b-t¸mÄ AhÀ¡p kt´m-j-am-bn. hvtdm¬kvInsb Is−-¯p-I-
jyÀ¡v BZy-t¯Xp am{Xta Adnbq, aäp NneÀ¡v c−m-a-t¯Xp am{X-hpw. IqSn sNbvX-tXmsS AhÀ AXym-Ëm-Z-¯n-em-bn.
t¹täm-WnIv AÃmsX kvt\ln-¡p-¶hÀ¡v Zpc-´-s¯-¡p-dn¨p ]d-tb− hvtdm¬kvIn s]mXp-th-Zn-I-fn ]c-ky-am-bn-¯s¶ Inän-bp-ambn ]p¶mcw
Imcy-an-Ã, ImcWw AhnsS Zpc-´-§Ä CÃ-tÃm. ‘FÃm D]-Im-c-§Ä¡pw ]d-ªp.
\µn’ A{X-X-s¶. t¹täm-WnIv kvt\l-¯n Zpc-´-ta-bn-Ã, ImcWw ap¸Xp hÀjw ap³]v Xsâ hnhmlw F{X Ffp-¸-¯n-emWv Ign-ª-sX¶v
AhnsS FÃmw ]cn-ip-²-am-Wv, \nÀ½eam-Wv, Imc-Ww…” {]`zn HmÀ¯p. aq¯ c−p s]¬a-¡-sfbpw hnhmlw Ign-¨-b-bv¡m³ t\c-
A{X-bp-sa-¯n-b-t¸m-tg¡v sehn³ kz´w ]m]-§Ä HmÀ¯p. ¯mWv Imcy-§Ä F{X _p²n-ap«msW¶v AhÀ Xncn-¨-dn-ª-Xv. Imew amdn-
“Hcp ]t£ \n§Ä ]d-bp-¶Xp icn-bm-bn-cn-¡mw. F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã, F\n-¡-dn- t¸m-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Inän-bpsS Imcy-am-b-t¸m-tg¡v amä-§Ä IqSp-X ITn-\-am-
bn-Ã.” Wv.
“CXmWv \n§-fpsS iànbpw ZuÀ_-ey-hpw. \n§Ä¡v Nne hnizm-k-§fpw amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä FÃmw Xocp-am-\n¨p IeymWw \S-¯p¶ {^©v coXn¡v
t_m[y-§-fp-am-Wv. PohnXw apgp-h\pw A§-s\-bm-I-W-sa¶v \n§Ä B{K- Ct¸mÄ A{X AwKo-Im-c-an-Ã. FÃmw Ip«n-I-fpsS CjvS-¯n\v hn«p-sIm-Sp-
ln-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw. AXp km[y-a-Ã-tÃm. Pohn-X-¯nsâ kuµ-cyw, sshhn- ¡p¶ Cw¥ojv coXnbpw A{X \S-¸m-bn-«nÃ. CS-¡mcpsS CS-s]-SÂ hgn
[yw, amkva-cn-IX... CsXÃmw D−m-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xv \ngepw shfn-¨hpw IqSn- h[q-h-c³amsc Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p¶ djy³ coXntbmSv Bfp-IÄ¡n-t¸mÄ ]cn-
t¨À¶m-Wv. „ lm-k-amWv; {]`zn¡pw AXv H«pw CjvS-a-Ã.
Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izmkw am{X-am-bn-cp¶p sehnsâ adp-]-Sn. AbmÄ kz´w A`n-{]mbw tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ FÃm-hcpw CXmWv ]d-bp-¶-Xv: ‘Ct¸mÄ ]g-b-Xp-
Imcy-§Ä HmÀ¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ht»m³kvIn ]d-ªXp tI«tXbn-Ã. t]m-sem-¶p-a-Ã; s]¬Ip-«n-IÄ Xs¶bmWv Bsc IeymWw Ign-¡-W-sa-
C{X ASp¯ kplr-¯p-¡-fm-bn-«pw, C{X kabw Hcpan¨p sNe-h-gn-¨n«pw s¶ms¡ Xocp-am-\n-¡p-¶Xv’. s]¬a-¡-fn-Ãm-¯hÀ¡v AsXms¡ ]d-bmw.
Ah-\-hsâ Imcyw am{X-ambncp¶p a\-kn-se¶v Ccp-hcpw Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. hvtdm¬kvIn Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶Xp kz]v\w I−v kzØ-ambn
_nÃp-sIm−ph-cm³ hnfn-¨p-]-dªv ASp¯ apdn-bnse ]cn-Nb - -¡m-c-sâ-b- Ign-bp-t¼m-gmWv sehnsâ Xncn-¨p-h-c-hv. AhÀ Akz-Ø-bm-bn.
Sp¯v kwkm-c-¯n apgp-In-bt¸mÄ s̸m\v Bizmkw tXm¶n. sehn-\p- sehn-t\mSv Inän¡p ap³]p-−m-bn-cp¶ XmÂ]cyw ho−pw DW-cp-tam, CsÃ-
am-bpÅ kw`m-jWw Abmsf am\-kn-Ihpw Bßo-b-hp-ambn hÃmsX ¦n t]mepw acym-Z-bpsS t]cn AhÄ Abmsf aXn-sb¶p hbv¡ptam
sRcp-¡n-bn-cp¶p. Fs¶ms¡ {]`zn `b-s¸-«p.
Xsâ hoXw _nÃp sImSp¯v sehn³ Xnc-¡n«v ho«n-te¡p t]mbn. C\n “C{X \mÄ AbmÄ ChnsS Fs´-Sp-¡p-I-bmWv?”AhÀ aItfmSp tNmZn¨p.
Hcp§n sjÀ-_mävkvIn `h-\-¯n-te-¡v. Imcy-§sfms¡ Cs¶mcp Xocp-am-\- “At±lw C¶p h¶-tXbpÅq At½.”
¯n-se-¯n-¡-Ww. “F\n-s¡mcp Imcyw ]d-bm-\p-−v…” A½-bpsS kzc-Kmw-`o-cy¯n \n¶p
Xs¶ Inän¡p Imcyw ]nSn-In-«n.
Inän sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]`zn¡p hbkv ]Xn-s\-«m-Wv. ]pdw-tem-I¯v Ah-Ä apJ-amsI Nph¶v A½bv¡p t\sc Xncnªv AhÄ ]dªp: “At½
c−p ktlm-Z-cn-am-sc-¡mfpw tim`n-¨p, A½ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xn-ep-ta-sd. H¶pw ]d-tb-−, th−, th− F\n-¡-sXÃmw And-bmw.”
tamkvtIm-bnse \r¯w Ign-ª-t¸mÄ Ahn-sSbp−mbn-cp¶ sNdp-¸-¡m- A½-bpsS CjvS§Ä Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÄ¡pw; ]t£ A½sb
scÃmw Ahsf tamln-¨p-I-gn-ªn-cp-¶p. c−p-t]À Kuc-h-ambn¯s¶ AXn\p t{]cn-¸n¨ Imcy-§Ä Ahsf thZ-\n-¸n-¨p.
Ahsf hnhmlw Ign-¡m³ apt¶m-«p-h-¶p: sehn\pw AbmÄ t]mb DS³ “shdpsX {]Xo-£-IÄ…”
Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p-hpw. “At½, Zb-hmbn A¡m-cy-sam¶pw ]d-tb-−. AXp hey IjvS-am-Wv.”
Gsd-¡me¯n\p tijw sehns\ tamkvtIm-bn I−Xp apX Inän-bpsS aIfpsS I®p-Ifn \oÀa-Wn-IÄ I−v AhÀ \nÀ¯n: “icn, Rms\m¶pw
amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä Ah-fpsS `mhn-b-¸än NÀ¨ XpS-§n-bn-cp-¶p. {]`p-hn\v ]d-bp-¶n-Ã; ]t£ F¶n \n¶v H¶pw ad-¨p-h-bv¡nsöp \o ]d-ªXp
sehns\¡pdn-¨-ÃmsX asäm-cmsf Inän¡p th−n Nn´n-¡m³ Xs¶ Ign-bn- ad-¡-cp-Xv.”
33 34
Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fnse sXfn-a- I−v, B I®p-IÄ sIm−v AhÄ¡p sehn³ Ah-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n. Ah-fmsI Nqfn-t¸m-bn.
Xt¶mSv IÅw ]d-bm³ Ign-bn-söpd¨v Ah-À Biz-kn-¨p. “Rm³ ChnsS F{X Ime-ap-−m-Ip-sa¶v Adn-bnà F¶p ]d-ªn-
tÃ…FÃmw \ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶Xv F¶v...”
A¯mgw Ign-ª-t¸mÄ apXÂ Inän-bpsS a\kv bp²-¯n-s\m-cp-§p¶ F´p adp-]Sn ]d-b-W-sa-¶-dn-bmsX Ah-fpsS inckp ho−pw ho−pw
tbm²m-hn-tâ-Xp-t]m-se-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ip\n-ªp.
sehn-\p-am-bpÅ Ignª Ime-_-Ô-§-fpsS HmÀa Ah-fpsS a\-kn “\ns¶ B{i-bn-¨m-Wn-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v... Fsâ `mcy-bm-Imtam F¶v!”
BÀ{ZX \nd-¨p. acn-¨p-t]mb ktlm-Z-c-\p-am-bpÅ Abm-fpsS kulrZw F´mWp ]d-bp-¶-sX¶dn-bm-sXbmsW¦nepw AXp ]dªp ]qÀ¯nbm-¡n-
Ah-cpsS _Ô-¯n\pw Hcp Imhy-Nm-cpX \ÂIp-¶-Xp-t]mse AhÄ¡p b-t¸mÄ `oIcamb `mKw Ign-ªp-In-«nb Bizm-k-t¯msS AbmÄ \nÀ¯n,
tXm¶n. sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨p Nn´n-¡p-¶Xp Xs¶ AhÄ¡p kt´mjw Ahsf t\m¡n...
\ÂIn. Ah-fpsS izmkw Xo{h-K-Xn-bn-em-bn; Bßmhn B\µw Xpfp-¼n. ]t£
F¶m hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸-än-bpÅ Nn´-IÄ Ah-fpsS a\-kn Ft´m AXv Hcp \nan-jta \o−p-Åq. AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb HmÀ¯p. I®p-I-fp-
Nne A\u-Nn-Xy-§-fmWv \nd-¨Xv. Ft´m Nne A]m-I-X-IÄ DÅ-Xp-t]m- bÀ¯n thK¯n ]d-ªp-XoÀ¯p. “Ft¶mSp £an¡q, AXp \S-¡n-Ã.”
se... At±-l-¯n-\-Ã, At±lw XnIª am\y-\mWv; kz´w A]m-I-X-I- Hcp \nanjw ap³]p hsc Abm-fpsS Pohn-X-¯n\v F{X ASp-¯m-bn-cp¶p
fmWh. ]t£ sehn-t\m-sSm-¸-am-Ipt¼mÄ FÃmw efn-Xhpw ip²-hp-am-Ip- AhÄ, F{X {][m-\-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ F{Xtbm AI-se-bmWv!
¶p. “AXmbn-cp¶p hn[n” Ahsf t\m¡msX C{Xbpw ]d-ªn«v t]mIm-s\m-cp-
F¶m hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm-¸-apÅ `mhn-Imew Btem-Nn-¡p-t¼mÄ sXfn- §p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ.
abpw kt´m-j-hp-amWv ImWp-¶Xv; sehn-t\m-sSm¸w `mhn aªp-aq-Sn-b-Xp-
t]mse ImW-s¸-«p. s]s«¶v {]`zn Ahn-tS¡p IS-¶p-h-¶p. Ccp-h-scbpw Hcp-an¨p I−v, apJ-
Gg-c-bm-Ip-¶-tXbpÅq. AhÄ kzoI-c-W-ap-dn-bn-en-cn-¡pt¼mÄ sehn³ §-fnse Akz-ØX I−v, Ah-cpsS apJ¯v Hcp `oXn ]c-¶p.
h¶-Xmbn the-¡m-c³ Adn-bn-¨p. {]`phpw {]`znbpw Xmtg-s¡-¯n-bn-«n-Ã. Hcp \nan-jw. “ssZhta \µn, AhÄ Ah-t\mSv ]än-söp ]d-ª-tÃm.”
Ah-fmsI hnf-dn-t¸m-bn. càw apgph³ lrZ-b-¯n-te-¡n-c¨p Ib-dp-¶-Xp- shfn-]mSv t]mse Ah-cpsS DÅw ]d-ªp. apJ¯v hymgmgvN hncp-¶p-
t]mse. Xs¶ Häbv¡p I−v hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \S-¯m³ h¶n-cn-¡p-I-bmWv Imsc kzoI-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ ]Xn-hpÅ ]p©ncn ]SÀ¶p.
sehn³ F¶v AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn. At¸m-gmWv BZy-ambn AhÄ Imcy- {]`znbpw H¸-an-cp¶v sehn-t\mSv hnti-j-§-sfms¡ tNmZn-¨p.
§sf Hcp ]pXnb shfn-¨-¯n ImWp-¶-Xv. AXn-Yn-IÄ Hmtcm-cp-¯p-cmbn h¶p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p. AXn-sem-cmsf
Bsc-bmWv CjvSw, BcpsS IqsS-bpÅ Pohn-X-amWv kt´mjw XcpI XpS- I−t¸mÄ AXp hvtdm¬kvIn-bm-sW¶v sehn\p tXm¶n. Inän-bpsS I®p-
§nb tNmZy-§Ä Xs¶ am{Xaà _m[n-¡p-¶sX¶v Ah-Ä At¸m-fm- I-fnse Xnf¡w I−-t¸mÄ ‘CXmWv Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶-bmÄ’ F¶p ]d-
tWmÀ¯-Xv. AhÄ CjvS-s¸-Sp¶ Hcmsf thZ-\n-¸n-t¡-−n-h-cp¶ \nanjw bp-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n.
h¶-W-bp-¶p. AXpw Ahsf kvt\ln-¨-Xnsâ t]cnÂ. ]t£ aäp amÀK-an- sehn³ Abm-sf-¯s¶ {i²n-¨p-sIm-−p-\n-¶p. Xs¶ ]cm-P-b-s¸-Sp-¯nb
Ã. {]Xn-tbm-Kn-bpsS Xn·-IÄ am{Xw NnI-sª-Sp-¡m³ {ian-¡p¶ Nne-cp-−v.
“ssZh-ta, Rms\-´mWv ]d-tb-−Xv? At±-ls¯ CjvS-an-SãansÃt¶m? Xsâ ta hnPbw hcn-¡m³ {]Xn-tbm-Knsb {]m]vX\m¡nb \·-IÄ
AXp IÅ-atÃ? ]ns¶, asäm-cmsf kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-sht¶m? AXpw ]än-Ã. F´mWv F¶p Xnc-bp¶ c−m-a-s¯-¡q-«-cpsS KW-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p sehn³.
Rm³ Fhn-tSbvs¡¦nepw t]mIp-I-bm-Wv…” Hä t\m«¯n Xs¶ BIÀj-I-\m-bn-cp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn.
hmXn¡-temfw F¯n-b-t¸mÄ sehnsâ Ime-Sn-i_vZw tI«p. anX-amb Db-cw, Ccp− \ndw, im´-hpw ZrV-amb apJw. Abm-fpsS cq]hpw
“AsÃ-¦n-se-´n-\mWp `b-¡p-¶-Xv. hcm-\p-ÅXv ht¶ Xocq. Rm³ kXyw `mhhpw BsI-¸msS efn-X-sa-¦nepw AXyp{Kw F¶p ]d-bm-hp¶ Xc-¯n-em-
]d-bpw.” bn-cp-¶p.
“A½ Ct¸m hcpw. Ah-cn-¶se hÃmsX £oWn-¨n-cp¶p…” Inän ]d-ªp.
35 36
IS-¶p-h¶ h\n-X-Ibv¡p hgn-sIm-Sp-¯n«v AbmÄ {]`zn-sbbpw ]n¶oSv Inän- Inänsb sehn³ hnhmlw Ign-¡p-¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p {]`p-hn\v CjvSw.
sbbpw sN¶p hW§n. hvtdm¬kvInsb hncp-¶n\p £Wn-¨-Xn\pw Abm-fp-ambn Inän-bpsS _Ô-
FÃm-h-tcmSpw D]-Nm-c-§Ä ]dªv AbmÄ Ccp-¶p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ {]`zn ¯n\p hgn-h-¨-Xn\pw At±lw `mcysb A[n-t£-]n-¨p.
sehn-s\bpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw ]c-kv]cw ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n. “CXp \½Ä Inän¡p Zpc´w hnfn-¨p-h-cp-¯p-I-bmWv.” {]`p ]d-ªp.
hvtdm¬kvIn Fgp-t¶äv sehn\p ssI sImSp-¯p. “F´m-Wnt¸m A§s\ tXm¶m³ ImcWw?”
{Kma-Po-hn-X-¯nsâ ck-ssh-c-ky-§fpw `qXt{]-Xm-Zn-I-fpt−m CÃtbm “tXm¶-e-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bmw. A¯cw Imcy-§Ä ImWm³ R§Ä¡p I®p-
F¶p-Å-Xp-sams¡ Ah-cpsS kwkm-c-¯n\p hnj-b-am-bn. sehn-\p-ambn −v, s]®p-§Ä¡n-sænepw. Kuc-h-t¯msS kvt\ln-¡p-¶-h-s\bpw t\c-
Ft¸mgpw iWvT IqSp¶ t\mÀUv̬ {]`zn-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp¶p AhnsS. t¼m-¡n\p \S-¡p-¶-h-s\bpw I−m-se-\n-¡-dn-bmw.”
sehn³ ]e-t¸mgpw ]cn-lm-ky-\m-bn. hvtdm¬kvIn im´-Kw-`o-c-\mbn “\n§-fpsS Xe-bn Hmtcm¶p tXm¶n-¯p-S-§n-bm ]ns¶…”
bpàn-k-l-ambn {]k-¶-\mbn FÃm-h-tcmSpw CS-s]-«p. “\o Fsâ hm¡p-IÄ HmÀan-¡pw, ]t£ At¸m-tg¡p sshIn-t¸m-bn-cn-¡pw,
Inän-bpsS I®p-I-fn sehn-t\m-SpÅ kvt\lhpw kl-Xm-]-hp-ap-−m-bn-cp- tUmfn-bpsS Imcy-¯n ]än-b-Xp-t]m-se.”
¶p. “Ign-bp-sa-¦n Ft¶mSp £an-¡q. GXm-bmepw Rm\nt¸mÄ k´p-jvS- “th−, AsXm¶pw ]d-tb−”, \nÀ`mKy-h-Xn-bmb B aI-sf-tbmÀ¯v {]`zn
bm-Wv.” F¶p ]d-bp¶ amXn-cn-bm-bn-cp¶p Ah-fpsS I®p-IÄ kwkmcw \nÀ¯n, AhÀ ]c-kv]cw Npw_\w sIm−p ip`-cm{Xn t\À¶v
“F\n-¡h-sc-sbÃmw shdp-¸m-Wv, \ns¶-bpw, Fs¶-¯-s¶bpw”, Abm-fpsS InS-¡m³ t]mbn. ]t£ At¸mgpw kz´w \ne-]m-SmWv icn-sb¶v Ccp-
I®p-IÄ {]Xn-h-Nn-¨p. hcpw Icp-Xn.
aäp-Å-h-scÃmwIqSn Hcp Ifn¡p h«w-Iq-«p-t¼mÄ sehn³ AhnsS-\n¶v c£- hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸-än-bpÅ \Ã Nn´-IÄ {]`zn-bpsS a\-kn\v kzØX
s]-Sm³ Cd-§n. \ÂIn-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mÄ `À¯m-hnsâ hm¡p-IÄ Ah-cn Akz-ØX \nd-
At¸m-gp−v {]`p IS-¶p-h-cp-¶p. At±lw sehns\ Benw-K\w sNbvXv ¨p. `mhn-sb-¸-än-bpsS Bi-¦-I-tfmsS Ahcpw Inän-sb-t¸mse {]mÀYn-¨p-
hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn-¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSv At±-l-¯nsâ s]cp-amäw XWp- sIm-−mWv Dd-§m³ InS-¶Xv: “IÀ¯mth I\n-b-W-ta, IÀ¯mth I\n-b-
¸-\m-bn-cp-¶p. Inän¡v Akz-ØX tXm¶n. W-ta, IÀ¯mth I\n-b-W-ta…”
hvtdm¬kvIn Xncnªv t\mÀUv̬ {]`zn-tbmSv ASp-¯-bm-gvNs¯ \r¯-
]-cn-]m-Sn-sb-¡p-dn¨p ]d-ªp. F¶n«v Inän-tbmSv A¶p \nÝb-ambpw hcp- hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp \Ã IpSpw-_-Po-hnXw D−m-bn-«n-Ã. hnhm-l-Im-e¯pw
atÃm Atà F¶m-cm-ªp. At¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ ]p©n-cn-bm-bn-cp¶p ]n¶oSpw Ip{]-kn-²-amb At\Iw {]W-b-_-Ô-§Ä D−m-bn-cp¶
aS§pt¼mÄ sehnsâ a\kp \nd-sb. skmsskän teUn-bm-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS A½. A¸s\ AbmÄ¡v HmÀa-
tb-bn-Ã.
A¶p cm{Xn Dd-§m³ InS-¡pt¼mÄ Inän-bpsS a\kv sehns\ HmÀ¯v hfsc sNdp-¸-¯nte ]«m-f-¯n DbÀ¶ DtZymKw In«n AbmÄ
Akz-Ø-am-bn-. ]ns¶ AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb HmÀ¯p; Akz-Ø-X-I-f- ]otägvkv_Àknse k¼-¶-cmb ]«m-f-¡m-cpsS hr¯-¯n F¯n-s¸-«p.
S§n a\kn kt´mjw \nd-ªp. Ahn-Sps¯ ]cp-¡³ Pohn-X-¯n\p tijw tamkvtIm-bn-se-¯n-b-t¸m-gmWv
sehnsâ kvt\lw A\p-`-hn-¨-Xn-\mtWm AtXm Abmsf \nc-kn-¨-Xn- Xsâ Xs¶ \ne-hm-c-¯n-epÅ \njvI-f-¦-bmb Hcp a[p-c-¸-Xn-s\-«p-Im-cn-
\mtWm Ct¸mÄ Ipä-t_m-[-sa¶v AhÄ¡p \nÝbanÃ. Ah-fpsS kt´m- bpsS kvt\l-¯nsâ DujvafX AbmÄ A\p-`-hn-¡p-¶-Xv.
j-¯nsâ ASn-bn Bi-¦-I-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. “ssZhta R§-fpsS ta \r¯-]-cn-]m-Sn-I-fn AbmÄ Ft¸mgpw Ah-tfm-sSm¸w \r¯-am-Sn. Ah-
Icp-W-bp-−m-I-W-ta, ssZhta R§-fpsS ta Icp-W-bp-−m-I-Wta” fpsS ho«n CS-bv¡nsS t]mbn. aäm-tcmSpw ]d-bm-hp¶ Imcy-§tf
F¶p sNmÃn-s¡m-−mWv AhÄ Dd-§n-b-Xv. AbmÄ Ah-tfmSpw ]d-ªp-Åq, F¦nepw X§Ä¡n-Sn-bnse _Ôw hf-cp-
Cu kabw {]`phpw {]`znbpw X½n aIsfs¨mÃn D{K³ iWvT \S-¡p-I- ¶Xv Abm-f-dn-ªp. AX-bmÄ IqSp-X IqSp-X CjvS-s¸-«p.
bm-bn-cp-¶p. F¶m Inän-bpsS amXm-]n-Xm-¡Ä ]dª Imcy-§tfm Ah-fpsS DÅn-en-
cnt¸m Adn-ªm AbmÄ AÛpX]cX{´\m-bn-t¸m-tb-s\. AhÀ Xs¶
37 38
]d-ªmepw AbmÄ AXp hniz-kn-¡n-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. hnhm-l-sa¶ Hcp Nn´ KmÀUn-s\m¸w h−n-bpsSbSpt¯¡p \S¶ hvtdm¬kvIn ]pd-t¯-¡n-d-
t]mepw Abm-fpsS a\-kn IS-¶n-cp-¶n-Ã. IpSpw-_-Po-hnXw AbmÄ¡n-jvS- §p¶ Hcp kv{Xo¡p hgn-am-dn-s¡m-Sp-¯p. Hä-t\m-«-¯n Xs¶ AhÄ
an-söp am{X-a-Ã, IpSpw-_hpw `À¯mhpØm\-hp-sams¡ Abm-fpÄs¸- Ipeo-\-bmsW¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. Ah-cpsS I®p-I-fn-S-ªp.
Sp¶ Ahn-hm-ln-X-cpsS hrµw A]-lm-ky-am-bmWv Icp-Xn-bn-cp-¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS Xnf-§p¶ I®p-I-fpsSbpw Np−nsâ tImWn ]Xp-§n-bn-cp¶
F¦nepw X§Ä¡n-S-bn hf-cp¶ Bßo-bmw-i-apÅ _Ôw Abm-f-dn-bp- ]p©n-cn-bp-sSbpw a[y-¯n AS-¡n-h¨ PnÚmk AbmÄ hmbn-s¨-Sp-
¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Fs´-¦nepw sNbvtX ]äq. ]t£ AsX-´m-sW¶v ¯p. AS¡n-h-bv¡m-\pÅ Ah-fpsS t_m[-]qÀh-amb {ia-§sf adn-I-S¶v
AbmÄ¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. AX-bmÄ¡p shfn-s¸-«p.
cm{Xn C\n-sb´p t\c-t¼m-¡mWp th−sX¶mtem-Nn-¨v, sjÀ_väv-kvI-b- “\nsâ ktlm-Z-cs\ It−m Ip«o?” hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn Hcp kv{XotbmSv
bn \n¶p In«nb \nÀhr-Xn¡p ta C\n-sbm¶pw ths−-¶p-d-¸n¨v tNmZn-¨p. AbmÄ ap³]p I− kv{Xo Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p AXv. AhÄ -
AbmÄ tlm«Â apdn-bn-se¯n `£Ww Ign-¨p, Xe-bn-W-bn apJ-a- s̸msâ ktlm-Zcn A¶-bm-sW¶v hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.
aÀ¯nbtX HmÀa-bp-Åq, Dd-§n-t¸mbn. “\n§-fpsS ktlm-Z-c³ Chn-sSbp−mbn-cp-¶p. F\n¡p \n§sf s]s«¶p
]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. hfsc t\cnb ]cn-N-b-atà \½Ä X½n-epÅq. Fs¶ HmÀan-
]ntä¶v cmhnse ]Xn-s\m-¶m-b-t¸m-tg¡v hvtdm¬kvIn A½sb Iq«m³ ¡p-¶n-ÃtÃm AtÃ?
dbnÂth tÌj-\n-te¡p t]mbn. AtX s{Sbn-\n hcp¶ ktlm-Z-cnsb “Rm\pw Xm¦-fpsS A½bpw hgn \osf Xm¦-sf-¸-än-¯-s¶-bm-bn-cp¶p
Iq«m-s\-¯nb Ht»m³kvInsbbmWv tÌj-\n BZyta I−-Xv. kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶-Xv.”
A¶-sb-¡q-«m-\mWv Xm³ h¶-sX¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ Ahsf Xm\dn-bp- hvtdm¬kvIn ¹mävt^m-an-en-d-§n-\n¶v Ht»m³kvInsb \o«n-hn-fn-¨p. ktlm-
sa¶p tXm¶p-s¶-¶p ]dªp hvtdm¬kvIn. Ah-fpsS `À¯mhv AeIvkn Z-c³ hcp-¶-Xp-I−v A¶ HmSn-s¨¶v Igp-¯n-eqsS CSw-ssI-bn«v sI«n¸n-Sn¨v
Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨s\ \¶mbn Adn-bpw. AbmÄ {]i-kvX-\m-Wv. Npw_n-¨p.
“At±lw _p²n-am-\m-Wv, ]Tn-¸p-Å-h-\m-Wv, hnizm-kn-bm-Wv… ]t£ hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn aIt\mSv A¶sb kvXpXn-¨p-]-d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p.
Ft´m... AsXm-¶p-aà Fsâ-sbmcp sse³.” Ah-tcmSv bm{X ]d-bm-\mbn aZmw Itc-\n\ h−n-¡p-Ån Ib-dn.
“bmYm-Øn-X-I-\msW¦nepw Fsâ Afn-b³ hfsc \Ã-h\pw anSp-¡-\p-am- “\n§Ä¡p aIs\ In«n; F\n¡p tkml-Z-c-s\bpw. Fsâ hnSp-hm-¡p-I-
Wv.” sfÃmw ]d-ªp-Xo-cp-Ibpw sNbvXp.”
“Cu temIw apgp-h³ Npän-k-©-cn-¨mepw \o IqsS-bp-s−-¦n F\n-s¡mcp
]ns¶- AhÀ sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-¨p; Abm-fpsS s]cp-am-ä¯nse aSp¸pw tXm¶n-Ã. aIs\ ]ncn-ª-tXmÀ¯v hnj-an-¡msX ss[cy-ambn
A]m-I-X-IÄ, AXnsâ ]n¶nse Imc-W-§Ä ..sehn\v Inän-tbm-SpÅ A`n- sNÃv”.
\n-thiw AbmÄ shfn-s¸-Sp-¯n.. Hs¡ ]d-bp-t¼mÄ Xte¶p X\n¡v I®p-I-fn \nd-Nn-cn-bp-ambn A¶ \n¶p. {]`zn aI\p hni-Zo-I-cn-¨p-sIm-
sehn-t\mSv tXm¶nb A\p-`mhw Ct¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-Sm-sW¶v Sp¯p: “A¶bv¡v F«p hb-kpÅ Hcp aI\p−v. BZy-am-bmWv Ahs\
tXm¶n s̸m\v. ]ncnªp \n¡p¶-Xv.”
hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Abm-f-dn-bm-sXXs¶ Hcp tPXm-hnsâ `mhw h¶p. “s{Sbn-\n Rm\pw Xm¦-fpsS A½bpw \nÀ¯msX hÀ¯am\w ]d-bp-I-bm-
“hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zn B Iw]mÀSvsaân-ep−v”, KmÀUv Abmsf Adn-bn-¨p. bn-cp-¶p. AhÀ Ah-cpsS aIs\¡p-dn¨pw Rm³ Fsâ aIs\¡p-dn-¨pw.”
AbmÄ¡v Ah-tcmSv kvt\l-sam¶pw D−m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. kaq-l-¯nsâ CÑ- ]cn-em-f-\-bpsS kpJ-apÅ Hcp ]p©ncn AbmÄ¡mbn hncn-ªp.
IÄ¡p tNÀ¶ hn[w amXr-`-ànbpw hnt[-b-Xzhpw Hs¡ {]I-Sn-¸n¨ncp- “\n§Ä t_md-Sn¨p kln-sI«n«p-−m-Ipw,” Ah-sf-dnª irwKm-
s¶¶p am{Xw. c¯ns\m¯v Abmfpw {]Xn-I-cn-¨p. GXm-bmepw AXp XpS-cmsX AhÄ
{]`zn-tbmSv bm{X ]d-ªp.
39 40
“t]mbv hcq aItf, Rm³ \n\-s¡mcp Npw_\w Xc-s«. Cu {]mb-¯n “\n§-fn-Xn-\n-Sbv¡v AXp sImSpt¯m?” Ht»m³kvIn AXn-i-bw-sIm-−p.
DÅXv AtX-]Sn ]d-bp-¶-XmWv Fsâ coXn: \o Fsâ lrZbw IhÀ¶p-I-f- ktlm-Z-cn-bpsS ssII-fn AaÀ¯n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]dªp: “\¶m-bn,
ªp.” Abm-sfmcp Kw`oc a\p-jy³ Xs¶ AtÃ?”
tXªp]-g-Inb {]tbm-K-am-bn«pw B kvXpXn AhÄ¡n-jvS-s¸-«p. AhÄ h−n-bn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ AhfpsS Np−p-IÄ hnd-bv¡p-¶Xv s̸m³ I−p.
Ip\nªv Ihn-fp-Ifn Ah-cpsS Npw_\w Gäp-hm-§n. F¶n«v I®p- “F´p-]än A¶m?”
IÄ¡pw Np−p-IÄ¡p-an-S-bn AtX ]p©n-cn-tbmsS hvtdm¬kvIn¡p “CsXmcp ZpÀ\n-an-¯-am-Wv.”
ssIsIm-Sp-¯p. B sIm¨p-ssI-I-fn AbmÄ AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn¨p; Xsâ “Akw-_Ôw ]d-bm-sX. \nsâ hc-hn {]Xo£bÀ¸n¨mWv Rm\n-cn-¡p-¶-
ssIIÄ _e-ambn ]nSn¨p Ipep-¡nb AhfpsS kzmX-{´yhpw Dt·-j-hpw Xv. \o h¶XpXs¶ ip`-e-£-W-am-Wv.”
AbmÄs¡mcp {]tXyI kt´mjw \ÂIn. “\n§Ä¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb Gsd \mfmbn Adn-bmtam?”
AhÄ \S-¶p-t]m-bt¸mÄ {]`zn ]dªp: “Fs´m-cmIÀj-IXzw” aI\pw “Dw... AbmÄ Inänsb hnhmlw Ign-¡m-\p-Å-bm-fm-Wv.”
AXp-Xs¶ Nn´n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-tfm-Sn-s¨¶v ktlm-Z-csâ ssII- “C\n \n§-fpsS {]iv\-§Ä ]d-bp. I¯p In«nb DS³ t]m¶-XmWv Rm³.”
fn tImÀ¯p]nSn¨v sNhn-bn Ft´m a{´n-¡p-¶Xv P\-en-eqsS AbmÄ “\n¶n-emWv Fsâ {]Xo£ apgp-h³.”
I−p. AXp Xs¶-¡p-dn-¨m-h-\n-S-bn-ÃtÃm Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ AbmÄ Akz- Ahsf Xmsg-bn-d-§m³ klm-bn-¨n«v AbmÄ Hcp \nizm-k-t¯msS ssII-
Ø-\m-bn. fn AaÀ¯n. F¶n«v Hm^n-kn-te¡p t]mbn.
AhÀ ]pd¯p IS-¶-t¸m-tg¡v Bfp-IÄ thZ\ \ndª apJ-hp-ambn
Ft§mt«m HmSp-¶p. tÌj³am-Ì-dpw. \n§-fpsS ktlm-Zcn h¶m-ep-ansænepw F\n-s¡m-¶p-anà Fs¶ms¡
kv{XoIÄ c−p-t]cpw h−n-¡p-Ån-te¡p aS§n; hvtdm¬kvInbpw Xte¶p s̸mt\mSv ]d-ªn-cp-s¶-¦nepw tUmfn FÃm-sam-cp¡n A¶sb
s̸m\pw F´mWp kw`-hn-¨-sX¶dn-bm³ BÄ¡q-«-t¯m-sSm¸w IqSn. Im¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. kvt\l-t¯m-sS Xs¶.
H¶p-In aZy-]n-¨n-«v, AsÃ-¦n I\¯ aªp-aq-e-am-Imw, Hcp KmÀUv h−n- "-CsXm¶pw A¶-bpsS Ipg-¸-a-Ã-tÃm. AsÃ-¦nepw Ah-sf-t¸mgpw Ft¶mSv
h-cp-¶-X-dn-ªn-Ã. AbmÄ h−n-¡-Sn-bn s]«p acn-¨p. kvt\lhpw hmÂk-ey-hpta Im«n-bn-«pÅq." ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse Ah-cpsS
c−p t]cpw PUw Is−-¦nepw Ht»m³kvInbmWv hÃmsX Akz-Ø-\m-b- hoSpw A´-co-£hpw tUmfn¡v Xosc CjvS-s¸-«n-cp-¶n-Ã, FÃm-¯nepw
Xv. hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJ¯v Kuc-h-ap-−v, F¦nepw At±lw im´-\m-bn- Ft´m Ir{X-aXzw \nd-ªp-\n¡p¶p. F¦nepw ChnsS Ahsf \à \ne-
cp-¶p. bn Xs¶ kzoI-cn-¡-Ww. Ah-sfs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¡m-Xn-cp-
“Abm-fpsS `mcy PU-¯n hoWp s]m«n-¡-c-bp-¶p. hen-sbmcp IpSpw-_- ¶m am{Xw aXn.
¯n\v AbmÄ am{X-am-bn-cp¶p B{i-b-sa¶v Btcm ]d-bp-¶Xp tI«p.” kz´w ZpJ-s¯-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ AhÄ CjvS-s¸-«nÃ; B ZpJw
“AhÄ¡p th−n Fs´-¦nepw sN¿mam-bn-cp-¶p.” A¶ Akz-Ø-bmbn DÅnepÅt¸mÄ asäm-¶n-s\-¡p-dn¨pw kwkm-cn-¡m³ AhÄ¡m-hp-I-bp-an-Ã.
]ndp-]n-dp-¯p. F¶mepw F§-s\-sb-¦nepw A¶-tbmSv FÃmw ]d-b-W-sa¶v AhÄ Dd-¸n-
hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf H¶p t\m¡n, h−n-bn \n¶p Xncn-¨n-d-§n, “Ct¸m ¨p. FÃmw Xpd¶p ]d-bm³ ]äp-a-tÃm-sb-t¶mÀ¯pÅ kt´m-jhpw,
hcmw” F¶p ]dªv \S-¶p-t]mbn. GXm\pw \nanjw Ignªv AbmÄ kz´w \mWt¡Sp-IÄ hnfn-¨p-]-d-ªn«v Bizm-kn¸n-¡-en-sâbpw
h¶-t¸m-tg¡v s̸m³ {]`zn-bp-ambn kwkmcw XpS-§n-bn-cp-¶p. D]tZi§fp-sSbpw sdUn-sabvUv hmN-I-§Ä tIÄt¡n-h-cp-a-tÃm-sb-
“\ap¡p t]mImw.” hvtdm¬kvInbpw A½bpw ap¶nepw A¶ ktlm-Z-c- t¶mÀ¯v tZjyhpw amdn-amdn DZn-¨p-sIm-n-cp-¶p.
s\m¸w ]n¶n-ep-ambn AhÀ \S¶p \o§p-t¼mÄ tÌj³am-ÌÀ HmSn-sb- A¶sb AhÄ Benw-K\w sNbvXv FXn-tc-äp. "Cs§-¯ntbm!" -F¶v
¯n hvtdm¬kvIn-tbmSp tNmZn¨p: AÛp-X-s¸-«p-sIm−-v.
“\n§Ä sImSp-t¯Â]n¨ Ccp-\qdp dq_nÄ BÀ¡m-sW¶p ]d-ªn-Ãt- Ãm.” A¶ FÃmw Adn-ªn-«p-tm-sb¶v Ah-fpsS apJ¯p \n¶p hmbn-s¨-Sp-¡m³
“B hn[-hbv¡v.” {ian¨p tUmfn.
41 42
{Knj Ahn-sSbpmbn-cp¶p; Xm\ybpw DS-s\-¯n. Ahsc Xtem-Snbpw D½- Ign-bp-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. A§-s\-bn-cns¡ `oIchpw \nµy-hp-am-b-sXÃmw IqSn
h¨p emfn-¨n«v A¶ asä-Ãm-h-cp-sSbpw hnti-j-§Ä Xnc-¡n. t]cp ]dªv s]s«-¶v…’ tX§eS¡ns¡mv AhÄ ]d-ªp, "Hcp I¯v,… Abm-fpsS
At\z-jn-¡pI am{X-aÃ; Hmtcm-cp-¯-cp-sSbpw B−pw amkhpw \mfpw {]Ir- Imap-In-¡v, Fsâ ]cn-Nm-cn-Ibv¡v, Hc-_-²-am-sW¦n F\n¡p a\-kn-em-
Xhpw hnIr-Xn-Ifpw tcmK-§-fp-sams¡ HmÀ¯v At\z-jn-¨p. tUmfn¡v BZ- ¡mw. CXv… Adn-ªp-sIm−v NXn-¡p-I… Htc kabw Ah-fp-sSbpw
chp tXm¶n. Fsâbpw `À¯m-hm-bn-cn-¡p-I…
Ip«n-I-sf-sbms¡ I− tijw Ah-cn-cp-hcpw X\nsb kzoI-cW - -ap-dn-bn "F\n-¡-Xp a\kn-emIpw tUmfo" A¶ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn kvt\l-
Im¸n-bp-ambn Ccp-¶p. t¯msS AaÀ¯n.
"tUmfo, At±lw Ft¶mSv ]d-ªp.’ "Fsâ thZ-\-bpsS Bgw At±lw a\-kn-em¡-p-s¶¶p \n\¡p tXm¶p-
tUmfn Ahsf ac-hn-t¸msS t\m¡n. kl-Xm-]-sam-gp-¡p¶ ]c-¼-cm-KX ¶pt−m A¶m?, H«p-anÃ; At±lw Ft¸mgpw k´p-jvS-\mbn kz´w Imcyw
hmN-I-§Ä¡mbn Im¯n-cp-¶p. t\m¡n \S-¡-¶p.
"tUmfo, A-t±-l-¯n\p th−n \nt¶mSp hmZn-¡mt\m \ns¶ Biz-kn-¸n- "icn¡pw A§-s\-sb-¶p-aà Ip«o, A¶ ]d-ªp. "Ipä-t_m[w sIm−p ]c-
¡mt\m Rm³ {ian-¡p-¶n-Ã; AXn-sem¶pw AÀY-an-sÃs¶\n¡-dn-bmw. h-i\mWv At±-lw. \ap¡p cp-t]À¡pw kvänhmsb And-bm-hp-¶-XtÃ?
\nsâ Imcy-¯n F\n¡v icn-¡pw k¦-S-ap-−v.’ Ah-fpsS I\¯ At±-lw ]mh-am-Wv. Fs¶ Gähpw kv]Àin-¨-Xv, (tUm-fnsb Bg-¯nÂ
I¬t]m-f-IÄ¡p Xmsg I®o-cnsâ Xnf-¡w. A¶ \m¯qsâ ASp-t¯¡p kv]Àin-¡p-¶Xv F´mWv A¶ a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-c-¶p) At±-l-¯nsâ B
\o§n-bn-cp¶v Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ kz´w ssII-fn-se-Sp-¯p. tUmfn ssI thZ-\-bm-Wv. c−p Imcy-§-fmWv At±-ls¯ Gä-hp-a-[nIw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶-
hen-¨nÃ; ]t£ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ ac-hn-¸n\p amä-sam-¶p-ap-m-bn-Ã. Xv. H¶v Ip«n-I-fpsS Imcyw, c−v \nt¶m-SpÅ AKm-[-amb kvt\lw… Cu
"Fs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡p km[y-a-Ã. Cu kw`-h-§-tfmsS FÃmw Ah-km- temI-¯n asä-´n-s\-¡mfpw kvt\l-amWv Bt±-l-¯n\p \nt¶m-Sv.
\n¨p!" tUmfn Ft´m ]d-bm-s\m-cp-§n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ¡v CS sImSp-¡msX A¶
CXp ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª-t¸m-tg¡v Ah-fpsS apJ-sam-¶-b-ªp. tUmfn-bpsS XpSÀ¶p.
t\À¯ ssIIÄ DbÀ¯n Npw_n-¨n«v A¶ ]dªp: "B \ns¶-bmWv At±lw thZ-\n-¸n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv, lrZ-b-¯sâ Bg-§-fn-
"]t£ tUmfo F´m sNbvI? \ap-s¡´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw? C¯-c-samcp emWv \ns¶ apdn-thÂ]n-¨-Xv.. "CÃ, AhÄ¡v Ft¶mSv £a-¡m-\m-hnÃ'
hnj-a-k-Ôn-bn F§s\ s]cp-am-dp-I-bmWv Gä-hp-ap-NnXw… AXp-thWw F¶p ]d-ªp-sIm-t-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv.’
\½Ä Nn´n-¡m³.’ At±-l-¯nsâ ØnXn-F-\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ipw. sXäp sN¿m-¯-hsc¡mÄ
"FÃmw Ign-ªp, C\n H¶pw _m¡n-bn-Ã. Abmsf Dt]-£n-¡m\pw h¿, IjvS-amWv sNbvX-h-cp-tS-Xv. ]t£ F\n-s¡-§s\ At±-l-t¯mSv £an-
Ip«n-Isf HmÀ¡-t−, AXmtWähpw henb Zpcn-Xw. Rm³ _Ô-\-Ø-bm- ¡m³ Ignbpw? ho−pw F§-s\-bmWv `mcy-bmbn amdpI? R§-fpsS ]gb
Wv. Abm-fpsS-sbm¸w Pohn-¡m\pw h¿, Abmsf ImWp-¶tX F\n¡p kvt\l-tamÀ¡p-t¼mÄ Fsâ thZ\ Ak-ly-am-Ip-I-bm-Wv.’
]oUbmWv. Ah-fpsS hm¡p-IÄ G§-e-Sn-I-fn ap§nt¸mbn.
tUmfo, tamtf, Ft¶mSv At±lw Imcy-§-sfms¡ ]d-ªn-cp-¶p. F¦nepw "Fsâ sNdp-¸hpw Fsâ kuµ-cy-hp-saÃmw \ÂIn-bXv AbmÄ¡pw
\nsâ hmbnÂ\n¶v F\n-¡Xp tIÄ¡Ww. ]d-bq.’ a¡Ä¡pw thn-bm-Wv. F¶n-«n-t¸mÄ …’
tUmfn Ahsf tNmZy-`m-h-¯n t\m¡n. Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fn shdp¸p angn-ªp-\n-¶p.
"icn, Rms\Ãmw BZyw apXÂ ]d-bmw. Fsâ Ieym-W-sa-§-s\-bm-bn-cp- "Rm\nXm Ct¸mÄ {Knjsb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bm-bn-c-¶p. Hcn-¡Â F\n-¡-sX{X
s¶¶v \n\-¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm. A½ F\n¡p \ÂInb hnZym-`ymkw sIm−v CjvS-am-bn-c-s¶t¶m! Ct¸m-g-sXmcp ]oU-\-am-sW-\n-¡v. F´n-\p-th-n-bmWv
Rm³ \njvI-f-¦-bm-bn-cp-¶p, Hcp s]m«n-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp-]t£ \o hniz-kn- Rm³ IjvS-s¸-Sp-¶Xv? F´mWv F\n¡p {]Xo-£n-¡m-\p-ÅXv?”
t¨-¡n-Ã, ]t£ Ct¸mÄ hsc Rm³ hniz-kn-¨n-cp-¶Xv Ìnhm-bpsS" AhÄ cp \nan-j-t¯¡v cp-t]cpw au\-am-bn-c-¶p. tUmfn Ipd¨p im-´-bm-bn.
Xncp-¯n, "s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨nsâ Pohn-X-¯nse Htc-sbmcp kv{Xo "Rms\´m sN¿pI? \o Btem-Nn-¨n«p ]d-bq, A¶. Rms\mcp-]mSv Nn´n-
Rm\m-sW¶mWv. Ahn-iz-kvX-X, A§-s\-sbm¶v F\n¡p Nn´n-¡mt\ ¨p-t\m-¡n. Hcp hgnbpw ImWp-¶n-Ã.’
43 44
A¶bv¡pw {]tXy-In¨p ]cn-lm-c-sam-¶p-ap-m-bn-c-¶n-Ã. ]t£ \m¯qsâ Ht»m³kvIn DuWn-s\-¯n.. tUmfn Abmsf ]g-bXp t]mse “Ìnhm”
Hmtcm hm¡n-t\mSpw Ah-fpsS Hmtcm `mh-t`-Z-t¯mSpw Ah-fpsS lrZbw F¶v hnfn-¨mWv kwkm-cn-¨-sXm-s¡. FÃm-ta-äp-]-dªv _Ô-ap-d-¸n-¡m-hp¶
\¶mbn {]Xn-I-cn-¨p. a«m-bn-«p-s¶v AbmÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn.
""At±-l-¯nsâ hm¡p-IÄ tI«-t¸mÄ F\n¡p hfsc kl-Xm]w tXm¶n- DuWp Ign-ª-t¸m-tg¡v Inän-sb-¯n. A¶sb AhÄ¡p t\cnb ]cn-N-
bn-cp-¶p. Ahsâ hnj-ahpw IpSpw-_-¯nsâ ØnXn-bp-am-bn-c¶p Fsâ a\- bta Dm-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKnse D¶-X-k-aq-l-¯n hncm-Pn-¡p¶
knÂ. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ \nt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¨p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Hcp kv{Xosb¶ ]cn-jvIm-cnbmb A¶sb AÂ]w D¡-WvT-tbm-sS-bmWv AhÄ I−-Xv.
\nebv¡v F\ns¡Ãw a\-kn-em-I-¶p. \nsâ thZ-\, ]oU-IÄ… Ht¶ F\n- F¶m ]cn-N-b-s¸«v AÂ]-k-a-b-¯n-\p-Ån Xs¶ A¶ Ah-fpsS
¡-dn-bm-¯-Xp-Åq. \nsâ a\-kn Ah-t\mSv F{X kvt\lw _m¡n-bp-s- lrZbw Iog-S-¡n. ]cn-jvIm-cn-bm-sWt¶m F«p-h-b-kpÅ Ip«n-bpsS A½-
¶v… Ah\pw am¸p \ÂIm³ am{Xw Bgw _m¡n-bp-tm-sb-¶v. Ds-¦n bm-sWt¶m Ahsf I−m ]d-bn-Ã. Ne-\-§-fnepw hm-¡p-I-fn-ep-saÃmw
FÃmw £an-¡q Ip«o.” emfn-Xyw, NmXp-cyw, DuÀP-kz-e-X. I®p-I-fnse B Kuc-hhpw Nne-t\-cs¯
""CÃ…” timI-`m-hhpw CÃm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Hcp Ccp-]-Xp-Im-cnbm-sWt¶ ]d-bq.
]t£ tUmfnsb ]d-bm-\-\p-h-Zn-¡msX A¶ Ah-fpsS ssIIÄ IhÀ¶p H¶pw ad-¨p-h-bv¡m¯ emfnXyw. F¶m X\n¡v A{]m-]y-amb,
Npw_n-¨n«p XpSÀ¶p. k¦oÀWhpw Imhym-ß-I-hp-amb Hcp Xew A¶-bv¡p-s−¶v AhÄ¡p
""Ah³ Fsâ-b-Sp-¡Â \ns¶-¸än ]d-ªp-I-cª \mfp-IÄ Rmt\mÀ¡p- tXm¶n.
¶p. A¶-hsâ a\knepw Nn´-I-fnepw \ndsb Ihn-X-bm-bn-c-¶p. "tUmfn DuWp Ignªv tUmfn Ah-fpsS apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. Hcp knK-cäv I¯n-
F{X anSp-¡-bmWv’ F¶v CS-bv¡nsS ]d-b-¶-Xn\v R§Ä F{X XhW ¨p-sIm-n-cp¶ s̸msâ ASp-¡-se¯n A¶ ]dªp: ""At§m«v sNÃq,
Ahs\ Ifn-bm-¡n-bn-cn-¡-¶p. Ah\v \o F¶pw Hcp tZh-X-bm-bn-c-¶p.. ssZhw IqsS-bp−-m-bn-cn-¡-s«.""
C¶pw AXn\p amä-sa¶pw h¶n«n-Ã. CXp lrZ-b-¯sâ Ahn-izkvX-X-bmbn kn-K-cäv Zqsc-sb-dnªv AbmÄ hmXn IS¶p t]mbn.
\o ImtW−- Imcy-an-Ã…"" A¶ tkm^-bn sN¶n-cp-¶p. Ip«n-IÄ Ahsf s]mXn-ªp.
""]t£ C\nbpw BhÀ¯n-¨mtem?"" A¶ Inän-tbm-Smbn tNmZn¨p: ""F¶mWv ASp¯ \r¯w.?""
""Dw.. ]t£.. \n\-¡mbn-cp¶p CXp h¶-sX-¦n s]mdp-¡m³ -I-gn-bp-am-bn- ""ASp-¯-bm-gvN, Hcp \nanjw hnSmsX Bkz-Zn-¡m³ ]änb H¶v.""
cpt¶m?’’ ""F\n-¡n-t¸mÄ A§s\ ]qÀW-ambn Bkz-Zn-¡m³ ]än-bXv H¶p-an-Ã.
""F\n-¡-dn-bn--Ã...’’ Hcp-\n-anjw Nn´n-¨n«v A¶ ]d-ªp. ""Ign-bpw.. FÃmw NneXn\p hnc-kX AÂ]w Ipd-ªn-cn-¡p-sa¶p am{Xw. ""Ah-fpsS I®p-I-
]g-b-t]m-se-b-Im³ ]än-Ã, F¦nepw F\n¡p £an-¡m³ Ign-bpw, A§-s\- fn X\n¡v A{]m-]y-amb B cl-ky-temIw Inän I−p.
sb¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-t«-b-sö a«nÂ...’ ""Hcp \r¯-th-Zn-bnepw \n§Ä apjn-¨n-ep−-m-¡n-Ã.""
""i-cn-bm-Wv.’’ H¶n-te-d-¯-hW Btem-Nn-¨n-«pÅ Imcyw H¶p-IqSn HmÀ¯p- ""F´p-sIm−v CÃ? ""AXn-\pÅ adp-]-Snbpw A¶bv¡v Adn-bm-sa¶v
t\m-¡n-bn«v tUmfn ]d-ªp, ""AsÃ-¦n AXp £an-¡-em-hn-Ã. £an-¡p- Inän¡p tXm¶n.
s¶-¦n AXp apgp-h-\m-bn-¯s¶ thWw. ]qÀW-ambpw... A§-s\tb ]äq. ""\n§Ä FÃm-bvt]mgpw aäm-sc-¡mfpw at\m-l-cn-bm-b-Xp-sIm−-v.”
hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw. Rm³ \ns¶ apdn-bn-te¡p sIm−p-t]m-Imw. \o A¶bv¡p \mWn-¡m-\-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-fpsS apJw Nph-¶p.
h¶-sX{X \¶m-bn.’’ ""H¶m-a-Xv, A§-s\-sbm-¶p-aÃ; c−m-aXv, AYhm A§-s\-bm-sW-
¦n¯s¶ Fsâ aSp-¸n\v AXp-sIm−v Ipd-shm¶pw hcn-Ã-tÃm.”
A¶p apgp-h³ A¶ ho«n¯-s¶-bn-cp-¶-tX-bp-Åq,. AhÄ h¶-X-dnªv ""Cu \r¯-¯n\p hcpt¶m?”
Npäp-]m-Sp-apÅ Hcp-]m-Sp-t]À ImWm-s\-¯n-sb-¦nepw AhÄ Ip«n-I-fp-sSbpw ""hcm-Xn-cn-¡m³ ]äp-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶n-Ã.”
tUmfn-bp-sS-bp-sam¸w apgp-h³ ka-bhpw ]¦n-«p. ktlm-Z-c\v D®m³ ho«n- ""h¶m F\n¡p henb kt´m-j-am-bn-cp-¶p. \n§-fpsS \r¯w ImWm³
se-¯-W-sa¶p ImWn¨v Hcp Ipdn¸p sImSp-¯-b-¨-Xp-am-{X-amWv AÃmsX F\n¡p sImXn-bp−v”
sNbvX Imcyw. ""ssZhw Icp-Wm-a-b-\m-Wv, hcnI’’ A{X-am-{Xw.
45 46
""t]mtI−-n-h-¶m AXp \nsâ kt´m-j-¯n\p th−n-bm-sW¶v Rm³ apXnÀ¶-hÀ¡p Nmb IpSn-¡m-dm-bn. tUmfn apdn-bn \n¶p ]pd-¯p-h-¶p.
kam-[m-\n-¨p-sIm-Åmw."" Ab-ªp-In-S-¡p¶ tamXn-c-¯n ]nSn-¨p-h-en-¨p- AÂ]w Ignªv s̸m-\pw.
sIm-−n-cp¶ Xm\y¡v AXv Ducn-s¡m-Sp-¯p-sImv AhÄ ]d-ªp. Ah-À X½n kÔn-bm-sb¶v apJhpw kwkm-chpw sIm−v Inän¡pw
""{Knjm, Fsâ apSn-bn ]nSn¨p hen-¡m-sX, AÃm-sX-Xs¶ AXv BsI A¶bv¡pw a\-kn-em-bn.
Ae-t¦m-e-am-bn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv."" tUmfn A¶bv¡p InS-¡m³ apdn-sbm-cp¡msa¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ AXp Xm³
""sseemIv hkv{X-§-f-Wnªv \n§Ä \r¯-am-Sp-¶Xv Rm³ a\-kn sN¿m-sa-¶mbn s̸m³.
ImWp-¶p."" "sN¿m³ ]äm¯ Hmtcm Imcyw amävhnsb GÂ]n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¯n«p Øew
""HmSn-s¨Ãv Ip«n-I-tf, anknkv lqÄ Nmb IpSn-¡m³ hnfn-¡p-¶p. \r¯- hnSpw, Abm-f-sXÃmw Ipf-am-¡p-Ibpw sN¿pw' F¶p ]dªv tUmfn
¯n\p hcm³ \o \nÀ_-Ôn-¡p-¶-sX-´n-\m-sW¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. {][m\ `À¯m-hns\ Ifn-bm-¡n. s̸m\pw BsI {]k-¶-\m-bn-cp-¶p.
Nne Imcy-§Ä kw`-hn-¡m-\n-cn-¡p-¶p. FÃm-hcpw AXp ImW-W-sa¶v \o cm{Xn H³]-X-c. FÃm-hcpw hÀ¯-am\w ]d-ªn-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. A¶ aIs\
B{K-ln-¡p-¶p, AXtà Imcyw?” InS-¯n-bp-d-¡p¶ ka-b-amWv ]¯p-a-Wn. B t\c-am-bm Fs´-¦nepw
""F§-\-dnªp? icn-bm-Wv.” ]dªv sktcym-j-bpsS t^mt«m ImWm\pw Ah-s\-¡p-dn¨p kwkm-cn-
""Iuamcw IS-s¶-¯p¶ B Imew, F§pw kt´mjw am{Xw. \r¯-im-e- ¡m\pw AhÄ ]gpXp I−p-]n-Sn-¡pw. BÂ_-sa-Sp-¯p-sIm-p-h-cm-sa¶p
bn IS-¡p-¶-Xp-Xs¶ Fs´m-cm-\-µ-am-Wv... AXp IS-¶p-h-cm-¯-hÀ Bcm- ]dªv AhÄ apI-fn-te¡p t]mbn. ]Sn Ib-dn-t¸m-Ip-t¼mÄ Xmsg-
Wp-ÅXv? ” hvtdm¬kvIn \n¡p-¶Xv I−p. AhÄ¡v kt´m-jhpw Ft´m Hcp
Inän ]p©n-cn-¡pI am{Xw sNbvXp. A¶-sb-§-\-sb#mWv AXn-eq-sS- t]Snbpw tXm¶n. DÅn-te¡p hcm³ s̸m³ £Wn-¡p-¶Xpw ]Xnª,
sbms¡ IS-¶p-t]m-b-sX-¶-dn-bm³, Ah-fpsS {]W-b-c-l-ky-§Ä apgp-h³ im´-amb kzc-¯n hvtdm¬kvIn \nc-kn-¡p-¶Xpw AhÄ tI«p.
Adn-bm³ Inän¡p sImXn tXm¶n. H«pw ImÂ]-\n-I-`m-h-an-Ãm¯ AeIvkn A¶ Xncn-¨p-h-¶-t¸m-tg¡v AbmÄ t]mbn-¡-gn-ªn-cp-¶p. ASp¯ Znh-
Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨v BWtÃm Ah-cpsS `À¯mhv F¶p-IqSn Ah- ks¯ Hcp hncp-¶n-s\-¸än tNmZn-¡m³ h¶-Xm-sW¶v s̸m³ ]d-ªp.
tfmÀ¯p. F{X £Wn-¨n«pw AbmÄ Ib-dn-h-cm³ Iq«m-¡n-bnà F¶pw.
""Ình Ft¶mSp Nne-sXms¡ ]d-ªn-«p-v. F\n-¡-bmsf Cj#v-S-am-bn. Inän-bpsS apJw Nph-¶p-Xp-Sp-¯p. B hc-hnsâ clkyw X\nt¡ Adnbq
dbnÂth tÌj-\n h¨p Rm³ hvtdm¬kvInsb In-cp-¶p. F¶v AhÄ hnNm-cn-¨p: "ho«n-se-¯n-b-t¸m-gmIpw At±-l-a-dn-ªXv Xm³
""Hm, At±lw Ahn-sS-bp-m-bn-cpt¶m? Ìnhm F´mWv ]d-ªXv? ” Chn-sS-bm-sW-¶v. t\sc Ct§m«p t]m¶p. Chn-sS-sb-¯n-b-t¸mÄ t\cw
""FÃmw ]d-ªp. Rm³ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS A½bpsS IqsS-bmWv s{Sbn- sshIn-b-Xp-sImpw A¶ Chn-sS-bp-s¶p I-Xp-sImpw Ib-dmsX t]mbn."
\n h¶-Xv. AhÀ aI-s\-¸än \nÀ¯msX kwkm-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p.” ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n, IqSp-X-sem¶pw an−msX AhÀ A¶ sIm−p-h¶
""A½ F´mWv ]ªXv? ” BÂ_w ImWm³ XpS-§n.
""Hcp-]mSv ]d-ªp. kz¯p-ap-gp-h³ ktlm-Z-c\v sImSp-¡m³ Xp\n-ª-Xn-s\-
¸-änbpw Ip«n-bm-bn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Hcp kv{Xosb shÅ-¯nÂ\n¶p c£n-¨Xpw Inänbpw A½bpw F¯p-t¼mÄ \r¯w XpS-§p-¶tX D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq.
Hs¡.... Hcp [oc-\m-b-I-\mWv BÄ.” dbnÂth tÌj-\nÂh¨v Ccp-\qdp Gsd Icp-X-temsS Hcp-§n-bmWv Ah-sf-¯n-b-sX-¦nepw hfsc efn-Xhpw
dq_nÄ sImSp¯ Imcyw HmÀ¯-t¸mÄ A¶-bpsS apJ¯v Hcp Nncn kzm`m-hn-I-hp-am-sW¶ a«n-em-bn-cp¶p FSp¸pw \S-¸p-sam-s¡. Na-sªm-cp-
hnSÀ¶p. ]t£ AhÄ A¡mcyw Inän-tbmSp ]d-ªn-Ã. AsX-¸än Nn´n- §nb h\n-X-IÄ \r¯-¯n-\p £Wn-¡-s¸-Sm³ Im¯p-\n¡p-¶p-m-bn-cp-
¡p-¶-Xp-Xs¶ Ft´m Ipd-¨n-em-sW¶v AhÄ¡p-tXm-¶n. Xs¶ kw_- ¶p. F¶m Inän IS-¶p-h-¶-]msS Gähpw BIÀj-Wo-b-\mb ]¦mfn
Ôn¨v AXn Ft´m {]tXy-IX DÅ-Xp-t]m-se. ""Cuizcm \µn, Ìnhm Xs¶ HmSn-sb¯n Ahsf Ac-s¡-«n Npän-¸n-Sn¨v \r¯w XpS-§n. Atcm-K-
tUmfn-bpsS apdn-bn Gsd t\c-am-btÃm! ” hnjbw amän A¶-sb-gp-t¶-äp. Zr-V-Km-{X\pw kpµ-c-\pw, {]i-kvX- \r¯ kwhn-[m-b-I-\p-amb sbtKm-
AhÀ¡n-jvS-s¸-Sm-¯-sXt´m kw`-hn-¨n«m-tWmsb¶v Inän kw-i-bn-¨p. cpjvI sImÀkq¬kvIn.
47 48
\r¯-im-e-bpsS CSt¯ aqe-bn IqSn-\n-¶n-cp-¶-h-cpsS IqsS A¶-sbbpw Xm³ kzbw A\p-`-hn-¨n-«pÅ Bß-{]-lÀjw AhÄ A¶-bn I−p.
sehn-s\bpw Inän I−p. hnhm-lm-`yÀY\ \nc-kn-¨-Xn\p tijw AhÄ Bcm-[\ Ahsf a¯p-]n-Sn-¸n-¨n-cp-¶p. AXn\p ]n¶n Ahn-sS-¡q-Sn-bn-cp-
BZy-am-bmWv sehns\ ImWp-¶-Xv. ¶-h-cpsS apgp-h³ Bcm-[-\-bmtWm AtXm Hcp-h-tâXp am{Xtam Ft¶
Hcp-h«w Ign-ª-t¸mÄ Xs¶ A¶-bpsS ASp-¡Â hn«m aXn-sb¶v Inän kwi-b-ap-m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. AXn-\pÅ adp-]Sn hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS apJ-¯p−-m-
sImÀkq¬kvIn-tbmSp ]d-ªp. Ah-fpsS ssI]n-Sn¨v Xmf-¯n Nph-Sp- bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS apJ¯p ]Xn-hm-bn-cp¶ ZmÀVyhpw im´-Xbpw
h¨v AbmÄ A¶ \n¡p-¶n-S-s¯-¯n-¨p. Inän ImWm³ sImXn¨ Ft§m t]mbva-d-ªn-cn-¡p¶p; ]Icw Iog-S-§-ensâ `mhw.
sseemIv hkv{X-am-bn-cp-¶nà A¶ [cn-¨n-cp-¶Xv, Idp¯ shÂshäv Ku¬ FÃmw Xsâ tXm¶-emhpw F¶m-iz-kn-¡m³ {ian¨p Inän akqÀ¡ XpS-§p-
Bbn-cp-¶p. A¶-bpsS bYmÀY kuµcyw Xm³ CXp-h-scbpw In-cp-¶n- ¶-Xn\p ap³]pÅ kabw AhÄ HcnS-¯p amdn Xsâ I¯p¶ apJw hni-
söv AhÄ¡v a\-kn-em-bn. dn-sIm−p hoin-s¡m−n-cp-¶p.
sImÀkq¬kvIn A¶sb \r¯-amSm³ £Wn-¨p. t\mÀUv̳ {]`zn Ah-fpsS ASp¯v HmSn-sb¯n "\osb´m akqÀ¡
""Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]äp-sa-¦n Rm³ \r¯w sN¿m-dn-Ã."" A¶ ]d-ªp. \r¯w sN¿p-¶ntÃ' F¶p tNmZn-¨p.
""]t£ C¶v Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]än-ÃtÃm."" Cà F¶ adp-]-Sn- I®o-cn IpXnÀ¶n-cp-¶p.
s]s«¶v hvtdm¬kvIn IS-¶p-h-¶p. ""Fsâ ap³]n h¨mWv AbmÄ Ahsf akqÀ¡bv¡p £Wn-¨-Xv. F´m
""Hgn-hm-¡m³ ]än-sÃ-¦n icn, \r¯w sN¿mw"" F¶p ]dªv A¶ sjÀ-_m-ävkvI-tbm-sSm¸w \r¯w sN¿p-¶n-tÃ-sb¶v AhÄ tNmZn-¡p-Ibpw
s]s«¶v sImÀkq¬kvIn-bpsS tXmfn ssIh-¨p, hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS sNbvXp.''
hµ\w AhÄ I−n-söp \Sn-¨p. "AXn-s\-\n-s¡´m?' F¶p adp-]Sn ]d-ªn«v Xsâ KXn-tISv aämÀ¡p-a-dn-bn-
A¶ hvtdm¬kvInsb Hgn-hm-¡n-b-Xm-sW¶v Inän¡p a\-kn-embn; ]t£ ÃtÃm F¶v Ah-tfmÀ¯p. Hcp-]t£ Xm³ kvt\ln-¡pI t]mepw sNbvXn-
AsX-´n-\m-sW¶v AhÄ¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã. cp¶bmsf \nc-kn-¨Xv Cu a\p-jy-\n hnizm-k-aÀ¸n-¨n-«m-Wv.
hvtdm¬kvIn Inän-bpsS ASp-¡Â F¯n, kwkm-cn-¨p--sIm-n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ t\mÀUvkvdv-d³ {]`zn-bmWv sImÀkq¬kvIn-tbm-sSm¯v aÀkq¡bv¡p
Inän A¶-bpsS \r¯w Bcm-[-\-tbmsS t\m¡n-\n-¶p. hvtdm¬kvIn \r¯- NphSp hbvt¡-n-bn-cp-¶-Xv. Inänsb £Wn-¡m³ AhÀ Abm-tfm-Sm-h-iy-s¸-
¯n\p hnfn-¡m-¯-Xn AhÄ¡p IpWvTnXw tXm¶n; AXp a\-kn-em-b- «p. `mKy-h-im AbmÄ \r¯-ime apgp-h³ \nb-{´n-¡p-¶-Xn hym]r-X-
t¸mÄ AbmÄ \r¯w XpS-§n. ]t£ At¸m-tg¡v ]m«p \ne-¨p. Ah-cpsS \m-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m Inän¡v A[nIw kwkm-cn-t¡-n-h-¶p-an-Ã.
apJ-§Ä hfsc ASp-¯m-bn-cp-¶p. Xsâ I®p-I-fnse kvt\lw Xncn-¨p-In-«p- ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-te-¡pÅ aS-¡-bm-{X-bm-b-Xn-\m hn{i-an-¡-W-sa¶p
¶n-söv Xncn-¨-dnªv AhÄ eÖ-sIm−v Nqfn-t¸m-bn. ]dªv A¯m-g-¯n\p \n¡msX A¶ t]mbn. \msf-¯s¶ aS-§m³ Dd-
23 ¸n-t¨m-sb¶v hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn-¨Xv hnNn-{X-am-bn-t¯m-¶n-sb-¦nepw
Inänbpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw tNÀ¶v \nc-h[n XhW hmÄSvkv \r¯w AhÄ¡p kt´m-jhpw tXm¶n.
sNbvXp. ]ns¶ Izm{UnÂ. At¸m-sgm¶pw Imcy-am-sbm¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-Ã.
sehn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Ft´m tNmZn-¨-sXm-gn-¨m Imcy-ambn H¶pw kwkm-cn-¨p- “BÄ¡msc AIäp¶ Ft´m H¶v F¶nep−v.” sjÀ_mävkvIb
an-Ã. akqÀ¡ \r¯-¯nsâ ka-b¯v FÃmw Xocp-am-\n-¡m-sa¶v AhÄ `h\¯n \n¶p aS§pt¼mÄ sehn³ hnNmcn¨p. “aäpÅhcpambn \Ã
\nÝ-bn-¨p. Izm{Un BSp-t¼mÄ Hcp-an¨p akqÀ¡ sN¿p-¶-Xn-s\-¸än _Ôw Øm]n¡m³ F\n¡p ]ämdnÃ. klrZb\pw k´pjvS\pw
AbmÄ H¶pw ]d-ªn-sÃ-¦nepw ap³s]-¶-s¯-bpw-t]mse Ah-cn-cp-hcpw _p²nam\pamb hvtdm¬kvIn F{X X·bXzt¯msSbmWv B kmbmÓw
Hcp-an¨p Xs¶ BSp-sa-¶p-d-¸n¨v AhÄ A©p t]cpsS £Ww \nc-kn-¨p. ssIImcyw sNbvXXv F¶v AbmtfmÀ¯p. Inän Abmsf
Hgn-hm-¡m³ km[n-¡m-sX-h¶ Hcp t_mdsâ IqsS Ah-km-\s¯ CjvSs¸Sp¶Xn ]dbms\m¶panÃ. Asænepw AhÄ PohnXw F\n¡p
Izm{Un Nph-Sp-h-bv¡p-t¼m-gmWv AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn-sbbpw A¶- kaÀ¸n¡psa¶p Nn´n¡p¶Xn F´p \ymbamWpÅXv?”
sbbpw Hcp-an¨p ImWp-¶-Xv. sehn³ s]s«¶ tPyjvT³ \nt¡mfmbnsb HmÀ½n¨p. tPyjvTs\ Xncªp
t]mtI− t\c¯mWtÃm kZybpap−v Inänsb ImWm\pw t]mbsX¶v
49 50
Ipät_m[w tXm¶n. At±ls¯ a\knem¡p¶Xn X§sfms¡ F{X H¸ap−mbncp¶p. Ahcncphcpw kzImcyambn Ft´m ]dbm³
]cmPbs¸«psh¶v HmÀ¯p. bqWnthgvknänbnembncp¶ Imehpw AXn\p amdnbt¸mÄ sehn³ tPyjvT¯ntbmSp tNmZn¨p:
tijw GXm−v Hcp hÀjt¯mfhpw F{X \njvTtbmsSbmWv At±lw “\n§Ä At±l¯ns\m¸ambn«v Gsd¡meamtbm?”
kplr¯p¡fpsS ]cnlmk§sf t]mepw XrWhÂKWn¨v aXmNmc§fpw “Hcp hÀj¯ntesdbmbn. \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨nsâ BtcmKyw
t\mb¼pIfpw {]mÀ°\Ifpsams¡bmbn kÀhkpJ§fpw, hÃmsX £bn¨ncn¡p¶p. \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v Hcp]mSv aZy]n¡pw.”
kv{XokpJapÄs¸sS, shSnªv EjnXpey\mbn Pohn¨sX¶v HmÀ¯p. “F¶ph¨mÂ... F§s\bmWv IpSn?”
]ns¶ s]s«¶v AsXÃmw Dt]£n¨v sX½mSnIfpsSbpw “Hcp]mSv thmUvI IpSn¡pw. AXv At±l¯nsâ BtcmKy¯n\v
B`mk·mcpsSbpw IqsS IqSnbXv HmÀ¯p. AXnsâsbms¡ t]cn tZmjamWv.”
Bt£]n¡p¶hsc¡msfms¡ \· \ndªh\mWv DÅnsâbpÅn “Hcp]mSv?”
At±lw F¶v HmÀ¯p. “Dw.” AhÀ hÃmbvatbmsS hmXn¡te¡p t\m¡n.
Cu HmÀaIfn \S¶p\S¶mWv tPyjvTsâ XmakØes¯¯nbXv. “F´m \n§Ä kwkmcn¡p¶Xv?” AbmÄ Ccphscbpw amdnamdn t\m¡n.
aq¶p hÀjw ap³]p Ahkm\ambn ImWpt¼mgt¯Xns\¡mÄ “Gbv, H¶panÃ.” sehn³ ]dªp.
saenªn«p−v At±lw. “]dbm³ hs¿¦n th−. ]t£ \o AhtfmSp kwkmcn¡p¶Xv A{X
“\n\¡pw skÀPn sFht\mhn¨n\pw Rms\gpXnbncp¶tÃm, \n§sf \¶mhnÃ. Ahsfmcp No¯ kv{XobmWv, \osbmcp am\y\pw.’’ \nt¡mfmbv
c−msfbpw F\n¡dnbnÃ, ImWpIbpw th− F¶v. \n\¡nt¸m F´m ]nSen sh«n¨p. “\o FÃmw t\m¡n¡−p a\knem¡nbnÃ, F´n\m
th−Xv?” klXm]t¯msS t\m¡p¶Xv?’’
sehn³ hgn\S¶t¸mgs¯ HmÀaIfn \ndª Bfmbncp¶nà t\cn “\nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v, \nt¡mfmbv Znan{Xntbhn¨v’’ acnb
ImWpt¼mÄ tPyjvT³. Abmfpambn Fs´¦nepw _Ôw \n¡etbhv\ AbmfpsS ASp¯p sN¶v sNhn sasà a{´n¨p.
Akm[yam¡p¶ B sNmdnbp¶ kz`mhw A\pPsâ Nn´Ifnsem¶pw “Hmlv, icn icn. \nsâ hntij§Ä ]dbq. \obnt¸m F´m sN¿p¶Xv?’’
IS¶ph¶ncp¶nÃ. Ct¸mÄ B apJw t\cn ImWpt¼mÄ “]gbXpt]mse Xs¶ Häbv¡p Ignbp¶p, \m«n Irjn t\m¡n
hÀ¯am\¯ns\m¸apÅ B ]nSensh«n¡Â ImWpt¼mÄ AsXÃmw a\w \S¯p¶p.” F{X BÀ¯ntbmsSbmWv tPyjvT³ Xn¶pIbpw
aSp¸n¡p¶ bmYmÀ°yambn ap¶n \n¶p. IpSn¡pIbpw sN¿p¶sX¶p t\m¡n, F¶m ImWm¯ `mh¯nÂ
“H¶n\pw th−nbÃ. shdpsX ImWm³ th−n am{Xw h¶XmWv.” sehn³ ]dªp.
“Cu kv{Xo Fsâ PohnX]¦mfnbmWv, acnb \n¡etbhv\. Ahsf “\osb´m hnhmlw Ign¡m¯Xv?’’
Rms\mcp No¯ `h\¯n \n¶p IqsS Iq«nbXmWv” AbmÄ ]nSen “H¶pw icnbmbnÃ. A{X Xs¶.” apJw Nph¶v sehn³ ]dªp.
sh«n¨p. “]t£ F\n¡hsf kvt\lhpw _lpam\hpamWv. Ft¶mSv “F´m BIm¯Xv? Fs¶ kw_Ôn¨nSt¯mfw... FÃmw GItZiw
CSs]SWsa¶v B{Kln¡p¶hscÃmw Ahsfbpw am\n¡Wsa¶v Rm³ Ignbmdmbn. Fsâ PohnXamsI Rm³ Xpe¨p. ]t£ Rm³ ap³]p
B{Kln¡p¶p. AhÄ F\n¡p `mcysbt¸msebmWv, `mcy Xs¶bmWv. ]dªXp Xs¶ BhÀ¯n¡p¶p, F\n¡v Bhiys¸« t\c¯v Fsâ
BtcmsSms¡bmWv CSs]tS−sX¶p a\knembtÃm. AXp \n\¡v hoXw X¶ncps¶¦n Fsâ PohnXw asäm¶mIpambncp¶p.”
A[x]X\ambn tXm¶p¶ps−¦nÂ, CXmWv hmXnÂ. tIm¬Ìmân³ sehn³ s]s«¶p hnjbw amän.
“CXnse´mWn{X A[x]X\w? F\ns¡m¶pw a\knemIp¶nÃ.” “\nsâ Ipªp hm\y Ct¸mÄ Fsâ IqsS s]mt{ImhvkvtImbnep−v.”
“F¦n aq¶p t]À¡v `£Ww sIm−phcm³ ]dbq, amjm.” \nt¡mfmbv ]nSen sh«n¨v Nn´bnem−p.
“Dw. s]mt{ImhvkvtImbnse hntij§Ä ]dbq. hoSv ]gbXpt]mse
A[ØnXsc apXemfnhÀKw NqjWw sN¿p¶Xns\Xnsc X§Ä Xs¶bpt−m? _nÀ¨v ac§fpw kvIqfpw Hs¡? tXm«¡mc³ ^nen¸v
\S¯p¶ hÀ¤kac¯nsâ ]pXnb apJs¯¡pdns¨ms¡ tPyjvT³ Ct¸mgpapt−m? B sIm¨pImhpw AhnSps¯ Ccn¸nShpsams¡ Rm³
A\pPt\mSp kwkmcn¨p. {InävkvIn Fs¶mcp _p²nPohnbpw Ct¸mgptamÀ¡p¶p. AsXm¶pw amän¡fbmsX t\m¡Ww. s]s«¶p
51 52
IeymWw Ign¡v. At¸m Rm³ \nsâbSpt¯¡p hcmw, \nsâ `mcy “\o ChnsS h¶v hensbmcp ImcyamWv sNbvXXv.’’ tUmfn ]dªp
\ÃhfmsW¦nÂ.’’ I®oÀ \ndª I®pIÄ sIm−v A¶ Ahsf t\m¡n.
“Ct¸mÄ hcq, \ap¡v FÃm¡mcy§fpw `wKnbmbn Hcp¡mw.’’ “A§s\sbm¶pw ]dtb− tUmfo. Rm³ hntijns¨m¶pw sNbvXn«nÃ,
“hcmw. skÀPn sFht\mhn¨ns\ \o At§m«p Ibänsöpd¸p sN¿m³ Fs¶s¡m−p sImÅpIbpanÃ. FÃmw £an¡m³ X¡ henb
Xcmsa¦nÂ...’’ kvt\lw \nsâ lrZb¯nep−mbncp¶p. AXmWv.”
\nt¡mfmbv hÀ¯am\¯n\nsS IpSn¨p IpSn¨v kwkmcn¡m³ h¿mXmbn. “\obnÃmbncps¶¦n F´mtbs\sb¶p ssZh¯nt\ Adnbq. \osb{X
Hcphn[w Abmsf I«nen ]nSn¨p InS¯nbn«v t]mIm\nd§pt¼mÄ k´pjvSbmWv A¶m! \nsâ lrZb¯n FÃmw sXfnªpw \·
amjtbmSv Bhiy§sfs´¦nepaps−¦n FgpXWsa¶p ]dªp. \ndªpancn¡p¶p.”
FgpXmsa¶v, A\pPsâ IqsS sN¶p Xmakn¡m³ \nt¡mfmbnsb “FÃm lrZb¯n\pw Hcp AØnIqSap−v tUmfo, Cw¥ojpImÀ
t{]cn¸n¡msa¶v AhÀ k½Xn¨p. ]dbp¶Xpt]mse.” Hcp Itkcbntebv¡ncp¶v tUmfnbpsS apJt¯¡v
ssZ\yXtbmsS t\m¡ns¡m−v A¶ ]dªp. “Rm³ C¶p Xs¶
XncnsI ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ sehn\v Hcp]mSv Bizmkw tXm¶n. A¸\pw t]mIp¶Xv F´psIm−msW¶p \n\¡dnbmtam? FsâbpÅn I\¯
A½bpw Pohn¨p acn¨ temIw. sehnsâ Nn´Ifnse `mcambn AXp \n¡p¶p. \nt¶mSv Rm\Xp Ip¼kmcn¡pIbmWv.
amXrImPohnXambncp¶p AhcptSXv. Xsâ `mcytbmsSm¯v AbmÄ Inänsb´m A¯mg¯n\p hcm¯sX¶p \n\¡dnbmtam?
Pohn¡m\m{Kln¨ PohnXw. AhÄs¡t¶mSp tZjyamWv. Rm\msWÃmw \in¸n¨Xv. B \r¯w
sehn\v A½sb t\cnb HmÀ½tbbpÅq, ]t£ AXv AbmÄ¡v AhÄ¡v B\µ{]lÀjw \ÂIp¶Xn\p ]Icw
hnip²amb Hcp k¦Â]ambncp¶p. Xsâ `mcy B hnip² amXrIbpsS timI]qÀWambn¯oÀ¶Xv Rm³ ImcWamWv. ]t£... kXyambpw...
k¼qÀ® A\pIcWamIWsa¶v Abmfm{Kln¨p. kmaqlyPohnX¯nse kXyambpw AXv Fsâ sXäÃ. BsW¦n¯s¶ AÂ]w am{Xw.”
]e LSI§fnsem¶p am{Xambn hnhmls¯ I− ka{]mb¡mcn “tlm, Ìnhm ]dbp¶Xpt]msebmWtÃm \o ]dªXv.”
\n¶p Xptemw hyXykvX\mbncp¶p sehn³. PohnX¯nse FÃm A¶bv¡v AXp apdnhmbn.
kt´mj§fpsSbpw BWn¡Ãmb, kÀh{][m\amb kwKXnbmbmWv “tlbv AÃÃ, Rm³ ÌnhmbÃ. AXpsIm−mWv Rm\nXp \nt¶mSp
AbmÄ hnhmls¯bpw IpSpw_PohnXs¯bpw I−Xv. AXmWv Ct¸mÄ ]dbp¶Xv. F\n¡v Fs¶¯¶ kwibn¨v Hcp \nanjw t]mepw apt¶m«p
ths−¶p hbvt¡−n h¶ncn¡p¶Xv. t]mIm³ h¿.” AhÄ ]pcnIw Npfn¨p. Xm³ ]dbp¶Xv apgph³
F{X {ian¨n«pw DÅnepdª hnjmZw aqSnhbv¡m³ sehn\p IgnªnÃ. kXyasöv AhÄ¡p Xs¶ tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvInsb¸än
AbmÄ kÀhiàntbmSpw IqsS IrjnImcy§fn a\kns\ Nn´n¡pt¼mÄ Xs¶ XsâbpÅn DÂkml¯ncbpbcp¶Xv
hym]rXam¡n. Ahfdnªp.
“\o AbmtfmsSm¸w akqÀ¡ \r¯amSnsb¶v Ình Ft¶mSp ]dªp.
\r¯w IgnªXnsâ ]ntä¶v cmhnse Xs¶ A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ AbmÄ... AhÀs¡Ãmw AXp tXm¶n.”
tamkvtImbnte¡p hcpIbmsW¶v `À¯mhn\v sSen{Kmw Ab¨p. “]t£ AXbmÄ Kuchambns«Sp¯n«ps−¦n Rm\msI ZpxJnXbmWv.
tUmfnbpsS \nÀ_Ô§sf AhÄ sNbvXpXoÀ¡m\pÅ Imcy§fpsS Inän¡v Ft¶mSpÅ shdp¸v thKw amdpsa¶p Rm³ {]Xo£n¡p¶p.”
_mlpeyw sIm−v JWvUn¨p. “A¶m, DÅXp ]dbmatÃm. Inän¡v Cu hnhmlw \S¡Wsa¶v F\n¡p
s̸m³ ho«nenÃmbncp¶p. Inän XethZ\bmsW¶p ]dªv `£Ww henb XmÂ]cysam¶panÃ. Hä ZnhkwsIm−v AbmÄ¡p \nt¶mSp
Ign¡m³ h¶panÃ. A¶bpw tUmfnbpw X\n¨ncp¶mWv `£Ww Ign¨Xv. t{]aamsb¦n AXp \S¡mXncn¡pIbmWv \ÃXpw.”
“\n\¡ns¶´p ]än? hÃmXncn¡p¶tÃm?’’ tUmfn tNmZn¨p.
“Nnet¸m F\n¡§s\bmWv. shdpsX IcbWsa¶p tXm¶pw. FÃmw IgnªtÃm, kam[m\w F¶mWv bm{Xbm¡m³ h¶ s̸mt\mSv
shdpsXbmWv. Ipd¨p Ignbpt¼mÄ amdpw.’’ bm{X ]dªv h−nbn Ibdpt¼mÄ A¶bv¡p tXm¶nbXv.
53 54
CSbvs¡mcp tÌj\n h−n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ C¯ncn “\¶mbncp¶p.” AhÄ ]dªp. F¶n«v `À¯mhn\v Abmsf
ImäpsImÅm³ tamln¨v ¹mävt^manend§n. Bįnc¡n\nSbn ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n.
]«mft¡m«Wnª Hcph³ Ahsf hW§n. AXp hvtdm¬kvInbmsW¶v “R§Ä X½n ]cnNbs¸«n«ps−¶p tXm¶p¶p.” AeIvkn
Ac t\m«wsIm−p Xs¶ AhÄ¡p a\knembn. AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v henb XmÂ]cyanÃm¯ a«n ]dªp. “\o
\n§sf´n\mWp h¶Xv F¶p tNmZn¡msX Xs¶ A½bpsS IqsS t]mbn, aIsâ IqsS Xncn¨ph¶p AtÃ?” Hcp HuZmcyw
D¯cadnbmambncps¶¦nepw AhÄ shdpsX tNmZn¨p. t]mse C{XIqSn ]dªp AbmÄ. F¶n«p `mcybpsS t\sc Xncnªp
“Rm³ F´n\m h¶Xv?” \n\¡p Xs¶ AdnbmatÃm \o Ifnbm¡pwt]mse tNmZn¨p: “tamkvtImbnse hnS]db thfbnÂ
Bbncn¡p¶nS¯v Bbncn¡m³ th−nbmsW¶v. F\n¡p aäp amÀ¤anÃ.” Hcp]mSv I®oscmgpIntbm?”
F{X {]Xntcm[n¨n«pw XSp¯p\nÀ¯m\mhm¯ B\µw tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. “Hcp Znhkw \n§sf kµÀin¡m\pÅ `mKyap−mIpsa¶p IcpXmtam?”
]otägvk_ÀKn h−nbnd§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ BZyw Xs¶ I−Xv hvtdm¬kvIn A¶sb hnSm³ `mhanÃ.
`À¯mhns\bmWv. “XoÀ¨bmbpw. Xn¦fmgvNIfn R§Ä ho«nep−mhpw.” AeIvkn
“arZpelrZb\mb \nsâ `À¯mhv hnhmltijapÅ AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v apjn¨ntemsS t\m¡nbn«v ]dªp. F¶n«v Abmsf
BZy\mfpIfnset¸mse Xs¶ \n\¡pth−n Pzen¡p¶ lrZbhpambn.” XoÀ¯pw AhKWn¨v A¶bpsS t\À¡p ]dªp: “Ac aWn¡qÀ Hcpan¨p
A¯c¯n kvt\lw hnfn¨p ]dbp¶htcmSpÅ ]cnlmkw t]mse sNehgn¨v \nt¶mSpÅ Fsâ kvt\l¯nsâ Bgw t_m[ys¸Sp¯m³
AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v ]dªp. C¶tXbmepw `mKyap−mbn.” AtX ]cnlmk¨ph At¸mgpap−mbncp¶p.
“skcntbmj kpJambncn¡pt¶m?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. “kvt\l¯nsâ Bgs¯¡pdn¨v \n§Ä Hcp]mSp kwkmcn¡p¶p; AXn\v
“CXmtWm Fsâ IjvS¸mSn\pw Im¯ncn¸n\papÅ {]Xn^ew? Ah\p Fs´¦nepw hne sImSp¡m³ Ignbm¯nSt¯mfw.” AtX
kpJw Xs¶.” ]cnlmkt¯msS AhÄ {]XnhNn¨p.
F¶n«v skcntbmjsb¡pdn¨p tNmZn¨p.
hvtdm¬kvIn h−nbn h¨v Dd§m³ {ian¨tXbnÃ. F¶n«pw AhfpsS Akm¶n[y¯n aIs\¡mÄ AkzØ\mbncp¶Xv
]otägvk_ÀKn h−nbnd§pt¼mÄ AbmÄ Dt·jhm³ Bbncp¶p. `À¯mhmsW¶v AbmÄ ]dªp.
AhÄ Cd§p¶Xpw Im¯v AbmÄ kz´w I¼mÀ«vsaânsâ hmXn¡ “F´mbmepw \ns¶¡mWm³ \½psS ktamhdn\p hfsc kt´mjamIpw.
\n¶p. AhfpsS B \S¯w, B apJw H¶pIqSn ImWWw, AhÄ (Gsd kmaqly_Ô§fpÅ enUnb sFht\mhv\ {]`znsbbmWv AbmÄ
Xncnªv Ft¶msSs´¦nepw ]dbpw. ktamhÀ F¶p hnfn¨ncp¶Xv, Ft¸mgpw F´ns\¡pdn¨pw Bthiw
]t£ Ahsf ImWp¶Xn\p ap³]v AbmÄ I−Xv Xnc¡n\nSbneqsS sIm−ncp¶XpsIm−v). Ft¸mgpw \ns¶ At\zjn¡pambncp¶p. \o
tÌj³ amÌÀ B\bn¨psIm−phcp¶ AhfpsS `À¯mhns\bmWv. C¶pXs¶ Ahsct¸mbn ImWp¶Xp \¶mbncn¡psa¶mWv Fsâ
AhÄs¡mcp `À¯mhps−¶pw AXv AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v A`n{]mbw. FÃmw kz´w Imcyw t]mse IW¡m¡p¶XmWv AhcpsS
BsW¶pw Adnbmambncps¶¦nepw Ct¸mgmWv aÖbpw amwkhpapÅ {]IrXw. Ct¸m¯s¶ Ht»m³kvIn IpSpw_w `n¶X ad¶v H¶ptNcm³
Hcp bmYmÀYyamWv AhfpsS `À¯mhv F¶v AbmÄ¡v HmÀa h¶Xv. Ahsc{X sImXn¡p¶ps−t¶m!
Zmln¨p heª Hcph³ Hcp IpfnccphnbpsS ]¡Â HmSnsb¯pt¼mÄ A¶ ]otägvkv_ÀKnse D¶Xhrµ§fn _豈 \ne\nÀ¯nbncp¶Xv
AXv ]«ntbm ]¶ntbm Ie¡nbncn¡p¶Xmbn ImWp¶t]msebmWv `À¯mhnsâ Cu kplr¯p hgnbmbnbcp¶p.
hvtdm¬kvIn¡v At¸mÄ tXm¶nbXv.
“cm{Xn \¶mbn Dd§ntbm?” A¶ ASps¯¯nbXp I−v hvtdm¬kvIn A¶ ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ FXntc¡m³ BZysa¯nbXv
tNmZn¨p. F¶n«v AhfpsSbpw `À¯mhnsâbpw t\À¡p hW§n. AbmÄ skcntbmjbmbncp¶p. BbbpsS hne¡pIÄ hIhbv¡msX Ah³
AXp kzoIcn¡pItbm {]Xy`nhmZyw sN¿pItbm sN¿mXncn¡pItbm þ At½ At½ F¶p hnfn¨psIm−v Xmtg¡v HmSn.
DNnXw t]mse sN¿s« F¶ a«nÂ.
55 56
“Rm³ ]dªntà AXv A½bmsW¶v, F\n¡dnbmambncp¶p.” Ah³ hvtdm¬kvIn tamkvtImbnte¡p t]mIpt¼mÄ AbmfpsS apdnIÄ
Xncnªv BbtbmSp hnfn¨p]dªp. kplr¯v s]{SnävkvIn¡p hn«psImSp¯ncp¶p. XncnsIsb¯pt¼mÄ
A¶ Im¸nt]mepw IpSn¡p¶Xn\p ap³]p Xs¶ enUnb sFht\mhv\ apdnbn AbmtfmsSm¸w jn«¬ {]`znbpw ImsatdmhvkvInbpw D−v.
F¯n. Xq§nb apJhpw Nn´maáamb Idp¯ I®pIfpapÅ Hcp AbmÄ¡pÅ Im¸n IqSn ASp¸¯p h¨n«v jn«¬ {]`zn tNmZn¨p:
ZoÀLImbbmbncp¶p enUnb sFht\mhv\. A¶bv¡v Ahsc “`mcysb sIm−ph¶n«pt−m? \n§Ä t]mbt¸mÄ apX R§fnhnsS
CjvShpambncp¶p. ]t£ C¶mZyambn Ahsc FÃm IpdhpItfmSpw IqSn \n§fpsS hnhmlw \S¯pIbmbncp¶p.”
AhÄ I−p. “CÃ {]`zo. FtâsXmcp s_mloanb³ P·amWv, acn¡pwhsc A§s\
“\o HenhpNnà hoin XncnsIt¸m¶p AtÃ?” AhÀ tNmZn¨p. Xs¶bmbncn¡pw.”
“Hm, FÃmw Ignªp. ]t£ \½Ä hnNmcn¨ncp¶nSt¯mfw Hcp]mSv sIm¨phÀ¯am\§Ä¡pw ]cZqjW§Ä¡pw tijw
Ipg¸sam¶panÃmbncp¶p.” hvtdm¬kvIn bqWnt^maWnªv lmPcmIm³ ]pds¸«p. F¶n«p thWw
H¶pw apgph³ tIÄ¡m³ £abnÃm¯ enUnb sFht\mhv\ aäp ktlmZcsâbpw s_ävknbpsSbpw aäp ]ecpsSbpw ASp¡Â t]mIm³.
Imcy§fpambn CSbv¡p Ibdn. kw`mjWw Ignªv AhÀ t]mbt¸mÄ A§s\ thWw ]otägvkv_ÀKv kaql¯n aZmw Itc\n\
A¶ Xte¶s¯ AkpJIcamb Nn´ItfmÀ¯p. AsXÃmw F¯ns¸Sm\nSbpÅ thZnIfnsems¡ F¯m³. ]Xnhpt]mse cm{Xn
t]mbvadªv AhÄ ]gbXpt]mse ZrVNn¯bpw im´bpambn sshIn am{Xta F¯q F¶pd¸n¨v AbmÄ ]pd¯nd§n.
ImWs¸«p.
hvtdm¬kvIn Ft´m NnÃd XamiIÄ ]dªp. th− Xc¯nÂ
adp]SnsImSp¯v \nÀt¯−nS¯p \nÀ¯pIbpw sNbvXp. AXnÂ
`À¯mhnt\mSv ]db¯¡Xmbn {]tXyIns¨m¶pansöpw AhÄ¡p
tXm¶n.
\nt¡m-fmbv Ip¼-km-cn-¨p, hnip² IpÀ_m\ kzoI-cn-¨p. imkv{X-¯nsâ s_ävknbpw s̸m\pw ]dªv AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n\v a\-kn-
hf-cp¶ bpàn-I-fpsS kzm[o-\-¯n aX\ntj-[n-bmb tPyjvT³ Ct¸mÄ embn C\n A¶sb Ah-fpsS hgn¡p hnSpI Xs¶-bmWv \Ã-sX¶v.
aXs¯ Benw-K\w sN¿p¶Xv AXnsâ hn]-co-X-Zn-i-bn-epÅ {]bm-W-¯n- F´mWp sNt¿−sX¶v AbmÄ¡v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã.
eqsS BßmÀ°-am-b-Ã, Inän-bpsS t{]c-W-IÄ¡p hg-§n, AXp Xs¶ AhÄ Ahn-iz-kvXX Xpd¶p]dª A¶p apXÂ Xs¶ hn«p-t]m-bn-cp-s¶-
Pohn-X-¯n-te¡p aS¡ns¡m-−p-h-cp-sa-¶pÅ hymtam-l-¯n-em-sW¶v ¦n thZ-\-bp-−m-Ip-am-bn-cp-s¶-t¶-bp-ffq, Ct¸m-g-t¯-Xp-t]mse {]Xo£
sehn³ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. \in¨ ØnXn D−m-Ip-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. AhÄ¡p am¸p sImSp-¯X - n-\v, tcmKn-
\K-c-¯n-se¯n ]¯mw \mÄ Inän¡p kpJ-an-Ãm-Xm-bn. Xe-th-Z-\bpw bmbn I−-t¸mÄ Im«nb Imcp-Wy-¯n\v, kvt\l-¯n-\v, Imap-I-\nÂ
£oW-hpw. hn{i-a-an-Ãm-¯-Xp-sIm-−m-sW¶v tUmIvSÀ Is−-¯n, hn{iaw AhÄ¡p-−mb Ip«n-tbmSp Im«nb hmÂk-ey-¯n\v {]Xn-^-e-ambn In«n-bXv
hn[n-¨p. A¶pw `£Ww Ignªv AhÄ ]Xn-hp-t]mse \nt¡m-fm-bn-bpsS Cu \mWt¡Sm-Wv, BÀ¡pw th−m-sX, FÃm-h-cmepw ]pÑn-¡-s¸-«v…
ASp-s¯-¯n. A¶ s]mbv¡-gnªv c−p Znh-k-t¯¡v AbmÄ km[m-c-W-t]mse Xs¶
“F§-s\-bp−v?’’ s]cp-am-dn.þ I½n-än-I-fnepw hncp-¶p-I-fnepw ]s¦-Sp-¡p-Ibpw At]-£-Ifpw
“IqSp-X tamiw. BsI thZ\’’ AbmÄ IjvS-s¸«p ]d-ªp. ]cm-Xn-Ifpw kzoI-cn-¡p-Ibpw A¶-bpsS kzImcyhkvXp-¡Ä F´p
“Fhn-sSbmWp thZ\?’’ sN¿Wsa¶ tNmZy-§Ä¡p adp-]Sn ]d-bp-Ibpw Hs¡… ]t£ c−mw
“Bk-Iew’’ \mÄ A¶-bpsS Nne _nÃp-I-fp-ambn h¶ Hcm-fpsS ap¶n HmÀa-IÄ I\w
“C¶-t¯msS FÃmw Xocpw.’’ acnb \n¡-tehv\ ]Xps¡-¸-d-ªp. sehn³ hbv¸n¨ Xe ssII-fn Xm§n Ccp-¶p-t]m-bn. kwkm-cn-¡m-\m-hmsX
tNmZn-¨-t¸mÄ Cu \nK-a\-¯n\p Xs¶ t{]cn-¸n¨ e£-W-§Ä AhÄ ]d- kvXw`n¨ncn-¡p¶ bP-am\s\ c£n-¨Xv tImÀWn BWv. _nÃp-ambn h¶-bm-
ªp-sIm-Sp-¯p. Ah-fpsS {]h-N\w icn-bmbn `hn-¨p. A¶p cm{Xn \nt¡m- fns\ asämcp Znhkw hcm³ ]dªv AbmÄ ]d-ªp-hn-«p.
fmbv¡v ssI DbÀ¯m³ t]mepw hs¿-¶m-bn; ZrjvSn-b-\-¡m\pw h¿. Inän
173 174
X\n-¡mbn Im¯p-\n¡p¶ h−n ]d-ª-b-t¨-¡m\pw kµÀi-Isc ¡m-hp¶ klm-b-§Ä sN¿m³ h¶-Xm-Wv. C¯cw sIm¨p-sIm¨p Imcy-
Bscbpw A\p-h-Zn-t¡-s−¶pw ]dªv AeIvkn AevI-km³t{Um-hn¨v §Ä \n§-fpsS Npa-en \n¶v Gsä-Sp-¡m³ F\n-¡m-hpw. Hcp kv{XobpsS
AI-t¯¡p t]mbn. `£Ww Ign-¡m\pw Xmtg¡p h¶n-Ã. taÂt\m-«hpw hm¡p-Ifpw Bh-iy-am-sWs¶\n¡-dn-bmw. AsX-\n¡p hn«p-
Xsâ thZ\ ]¦p hbv¡m³ ]änb kulr-Z-§-sfm¶pw At±-l-¯n-\p-−m- X-t¶-¡q.’’
bn-cp-¶n-Ã. aäp-Å-h-cpsS Imcy-§Ä ]cn-l-cn-¡m³ F{X t]cpsS klmbw \ni-_vZ-ambn, \µn-tbmsS AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Ah-cpsS ssII-
thW-sa-¦nepw AbmÄ tNmZn-¨m In«p-am-bn-cp-¶p. ]t£ kz´w ZpJ-§Ä fn apdp-sI¸nSn¨p.
]d-bm³ am{Xw ASp-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶Xv No^v sk{I-«dn ÉqUn-t\mSpw kz´w “skcn-tbm-jbpsS Imcyw \ap¡v c−p t]À¡pw IqSn icn-bm-¡mw.
tUmIvS-tdmSpw am{X-am-bn-cp-¶p. BZy-s¯-bmÄ HutZym-Kn-I-X-bpsS t]cnepw {]mtbm-Kn-I-Im-cy-§-fn Rm\{X anSp-¡n-sbm-¶p-a-Ã, ]t£ Rm³ Hs¡
c−m-a-s¯-bmÄ Xnc-¡p-aq-ehpw AXn\p ]än-b-h-cm-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. ]ns¶ c−p icn-bm-¡mw.’’
kplr-¯p-¡-fp-Å-Xn HcmÄ hntZ-i-Im-cy-h-Ip-¸n A\y-cm-Py¯pw asä- “\µn ]d-bm-Xn-cn-¡m³ F\n¡p ]äp-¶n-Ã.’’
bmÄ hnZym-`ymk hIp-¸n DÄ\m-S³ djy-bpsS hnZq-c-X-bn-ep-am-Wv. “kplr-t¯, Xm¦Ä ]dª B hnIm-c-¯n\p hgn sImSp-¡-cpXv þ- Hcp
kv{Xo kplr-¯p-¡Ä, Gähpw {][m-\-ambn enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\, Abm- ss{IkvX-hsâ Gähpw al-Xz-I-c-amb kwK-Xn-sb-¡p-dn¨v A]-am\w tXm¶p-
fpsS Nn´-bnte IS-¶p-h-¶n-Ã. kv{XoI-fm-sW¶XpsIm−p Xs¶ AXv ¶Xv F´n-\mWv: “kzbw Xmgv¯p-¶-h³ DbÀ¯-s¸-Spw.’ \µn ]d-tb-−Xv
A\-`n-a-Xhpw `oXn-P-\-I-hp-am-bn-cp-¶p. F\n-¡-Ã, Ahn-Sp-t¯-¡m-Wv. B{ibw tXSn {]mÀ°nt¡−Xpw Ahn-Sp-
t¯mSp Xs¶. Ahn-Sp-¶n-emWv \mw kam-[m-\hpw Bizm-khpw c£bpw
]t£ enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ Abmsf ad-¶n-Ã. Gähpw henb ZpJ-¯nsâ kvt\lhpw Is−-¯p-¶-Xv.’’ kzÀK-¯n-te¡p I®p-I-fp-bÀ¯n AhÀ
thf-bn £Wn-¡-s¸-SmsX Xs¶ AhÄ Abm-fpsS ASp-¡-se-¯n. A\p- {]mÀ°n¡m³ XpS-§n.
hm-Z-¯n\p Im¯p-\n¡msX t\tc apdn-bn-te¡p sN¶p. “hfsc \µn-bp−v þ \n§-fpsS hm¡p-I-fpsS t]cnepw sNbvXn-I-fpsS
“{]nb kplr-t¯, \n§Ä ZpJ-¯n\p Iog-S-§-cp-Xv. Xm¦-fpsS ZpJw hep- t]cnepw.’’ {]mÀ°\ Ign-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ ]d-ªp.
Xm-Wv, ]t£ AXn\v Bizmkw Is−-¯ntb Xocq.’’ Abm-fpsS c−p ssIIfpw Iq«n AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn¨v hnizm-k-ap-d-¸n-¨n«v AhÀ
“Rm³ XIÀ¶p-t]m-bn, Cãmbva sN¿s¸«n-cn-¡p-¶p, Rms\mcp ]pcp-j-\- skcn-tbm-j-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p t]mbn. `b¶pt]mb Ip«n-bpsS Ihn-fp-I-
Ãm-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. kzbw Xm§m-\pÅ tijn F\n¡p \jvS-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶p.’’ fn I®oÀ hogv¯n Ahsâ Aѳ hnip-²-\m-sW¶pw A½ acn-¨p-t]m-
“Xm§v e`n-¡pw. AXp tXtS-−Xv F¶n-eÃ; Fsâ kulr-Z-¯nsâ FÃm sb¶pw ]d-ªp.
iànbpw Rm³ hmKvZm\w sN¿p¶psh¦n-epw.’’ AhÄ Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izm- enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\bpw tImÀWnbpw IqSn Krl-`-cWw henb Ipg-¸w-Iq-
k-t¯msS ]d-ªp. “\½psS B{ibw kvt\l-¯n-em-Wv, Ahn-Sp¶p SmsX \S-¯n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. AXnep]-cn, AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-
hmKvZm\w sNbvXn-cn-¡p¶ kvt\l-¯n-Â. Ahn-Sps¯ `mcw eLp-hm-Wv.’’ ¨n\p th− am\-knI ]n´pW sImSp-¡p-¶-Xnepw Hcp XWp-¸³ hnizm-k-
“Hcp-hsâ tijn-IÄ¡p ]cn-[n-bp−v {]`zo. Fsâ ]cn[n ChnsS Ah-km- ¯n \n¶v Icp-¯pw Bg-hp-apÅ ss{IkvXh hnizm-k-¯n-te¡v At±-
\n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p.’’ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ZpÀ_-e-amb i_vZ¯n ls¯ \bn-¡p-¶-Xnepw AhÀ \nÀWm-bI ]¦p hln-¨p.
]d-ªp. “]I apgp-h³ F\n¡v-ho-«p-Im-cy-§Ä {i²n-¡-W-am-bn-cp-¶p.
the-¡mÀ, Bb, IW-¡p-IÄ... apÅp-IÄ¡n-S-bn s]«-Xp-t]m-se-bmWv enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ {]`zn D¶-X-Øm-\o-b\pw k¼-¶-\p-amb Hcm-sf-
Rm³. Fsâ aIsâ t\m«w F\n¡p Xm§m-\m-hp-¶n-Ã. CXn-sâ-sbÃmw bmWv hnhmlw Ign-¨-Xv. c−p amkw Ign-ª-t¸mÄ AbmÄ Ahsf Dt]-
AÀ°w F´mWv F¶v Ah³ Ft¶mSp tNmZn-¨nÃ; ]t£ Ah\p tNmZn- £n-¨p. {]`p-hnsâ lrZ-b-¯nsâ \· ASp-¯-dn-bm-hp-¶-hÀ¡v {]-`zn-bpsS
¡-W-sa-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p, Fsâ t\sc t\m¡m³ Ah\p `b-am-bn-cp-¶p. Xc-f-amb s]cp-am-ä-¯nepw sXäp-I-sfm¶pw ImWm³ Ign-bmªXn-\mÂ
AXp-sIm−pw XoÀ¶nÃ...’’ F´mWv Cu thÀ]n-cn-b-en\p ]n¶n F¶p ]nSn-In-«n-bn-Ã.
“F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p, {]nb kplrt¯’’ enUnb sFh-t\m-h\v ]d- `À¯m-hnsâ kvt\lw \jvS-s¸-«-Xp-ap-X AhÀ Bsc-sb-¦n-ep-sams¡
ªp. Bibpw B{i-bhpw F¶n \n¶Ã htc-−-Xv, ]t£ Rm³ F\n- \nc-´cw kvt\ln-¨p-sIm-−n-cp¶p. Htc kabw AhÀ Hcp-]mSp t]sc
175 176
kvt\ln¨p þ kv{XoI-sfbpw ]pcp-j³am-sc-bpw. ]t£ Itc-\nsâ Zpc-´- “Ah-fpsS Bhiyw \nc-kn-¡m-\pÅ Ah-Imiw F\n-¡p-s−¶p tXm¶p-
¯n\p tijw AhÄ aäm-sc-bpw-ImÄ Abmsf kvt\ln-¨p. AbmÄ¡p ¶n-Ã.’’ sasà I®p-I-fp-bÀ¯ns¡m−p ]d-ªp.
th−n asäÃmw kvt\lhpw ths−¶p h¨p. “{]nb kplr-t¯, \n§Ä Bcnepw Xn· ImWp-¶nÃ’’
Abmsf {]Xn AhÀ hkv{X-[m-c-W-¯n IqSp-X {i²n-¨p, Znhm-kz-]v\- “t\tc adn-¨m-Wv. FÃmw Xn·-bm-sW¶p Rm³ ImWp-¶p. ]t£ \oXn-bp-
§Ä I−p, At±lw apdn-bn-te¡p h¶-t¸m-sgms¡ Ah-cpsS apJw XpSp- sS…
¯p, At±-l-sa-s´-¦nepw \ÃXp ]d-ª-t¸m-sgms¡ Ah-cpsS B\-µm-Xn- “AÃÃ, FÃm-¯n\p Hcp ]cn-[n-bp-−v. hgn-]n-g-bv¡p-¶Xp a\-kn-em-¡mw;
tcIw ]p©n-cn-bmbn hncn-ªp. ]t£ {Iqc-Xtbm? AXpw \n§-tfm-Sv. IqSp-XÂ Pohn¡pw tXmdpw IqSp-XÂ
A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw XncnsI ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn F¯n-bn-«p-s−-¶- Imcy-§Ä a\-kn-em-Ipw. \n§-fpsS al-Xzhpw Ah-fpsS \oN-Xzhpw
dnªv enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Fhn- Rm\nt¸mÄ IqSp-XÂ hyà-ambn a\-kn-em-¡p-¶p.’’
sSsb¦nepw h¨v Ahsc ImWp-¶Xv Hgn-hm-¡m³ ap³I-cp-X-ep-I-sf-Sp-¯p. “IsÃ-dn-bm³ BÀ¡mWv Ah-Imiw? Rm³ FÃmw £an-¨p-I-gn-ª-XmWv.
Hcp Znhkw A¶-bpsS I¯p h¶p: ]ns¶-bnt¸m Ah-fpsS kvt\l¯nsâ þ Ah-fpsS aIt\mSpÅ kvt\lw þ
Bh-iy-w Rms\-´n\p \nc-kn-¡Ww?
“aS§nt¸mIp-¶-Xn\p ap³]v skcn-tbm-jsb H¶p ImW-Ww. “AXp kvt\l-amtWm kplrt¯! AXv BßmÀ°-amtWm? \n§Ä £an-
Imcp-Wy-hm-\mb AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ Fsâ HmÀa- ¨p-I-gnªp F¶-Xp-sIm−v B Ipªp-am-em-J-bpsS a\kns\ apdn-s¸-Sp-
IÄ sIm−p thZ-\n-¸n-¡m-Xn-cn-¡m-\mWv Cu hnhcw \n§Äs¡- ¯m³ \ap¡v Ah-Im-i-apt−m? AhÄ acn-¨p-t]mbn F¶mWv Ah³
gp-Xp-¶-Xv. Ahs\ Ft¸m-gmWv Fsâ-b-Sp-¡-te¡v Ab-bv¡pI? hniz-kn-¡p-¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS ]m]-§Ä¡p ta Icp-W-b-−m-IW - ta F¶v
AsÃ-¦n F\n¡v AhnsS h¶v Ahs\ ImWm³ kabw A\p- ssZh-t¯mSv {]mÀ°n¡pIbpw sN¿p¶p. AX-§-s\-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶-XmWv
h-Zn-¡p-Itbm Ft¸mÄ Fhn-sS-h¨v R§Ä¡p X½n \Ã-Xv. C\n Ahsf I−m Ah³ F´p Nn´n¡pw?’’
ImWmsa¶v Adn-bn¡p-Itbm sN¿patÃm. AXn-\pÅ A[n-Im-c- “Rm\-tXmÀ¯n-Ã.’’ Ah-tfmSp tbmPn-¨p-sIm−v AeIvkn Ae-
ap-Å-hsâ lrZ-b-hn-im-eX Adn-bm-hp-¶-Xp-sIm−v Cu Bhiyw Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]d-ªp.
\nc-kn-¡-s¸-Sp-sa¶p Icp-Xp-¶n-Ã. Ahs\ ImWm³ Rms\{X enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ {]`zn ssIIÄ sIm−p apJw ad¨v \ni-_vZ-bmbn
sImXn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln-¡m-\m-hnÃ; A{X Xs¶ Ccp-¶p. AhÀ {]mÀ°n¡pI-bmbn-cp-¶p. {]mÀ°\ Ignªv ssIIÄ amän-
hep-Xm-bn-cn¡pw Cu Ah-k-c-sam-cp-¡n-¯-cp-¶-Xn\v \n§-tfm- bn«v AhÀ ]dªp: “Ahs\ ImWm³ A\p-h-Zn-¡-cp-sX¶mWv Fsâ A`n-
SpÅ Fsâ \µn-bpw. {]m-bw. AÂ]-sa-¦nepw a\p-jyXzw Ah-ti-jn-¨n-«p-−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Ah-
A¶.’’ fnXv Bh-iy-s¸-Sn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. \n§Ä Fs¶ GÂ]n-¡p-I-bm-sW¦nÂ
Rm³ AhÄs¡-gp-Xmw.’’
adp-]Snsbm¶p-an-södn-bn-¨n«v AhÀ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Hcp AbmÄ k½Xn¨p. AhÀ Fgp-Xn. {^©n-em-bn-cp¶p I¯v.
Is¯-gp-Xn-þ Hcp aWn¡v ImW-W-sa-¶m-h-iy-s¸-«v. Znh-khpw AhÀ Ae- “\n§-sf-¸-än-bpÅ HmÀa-IÄ, Ahsâ a\kn ]cn-ip-²-am-bn-cn-t¡−
Ivkn¡v c−p-aq¶p I¯p-IÄ Fgp-Xpw. t\cn«p kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼m-gn-Ãm¯ ]eXns\bpw ]än No¯ shfn-¨-¯n-e-ÃmsX D¯cw \ÂIm³ ]äm¯ Hcp-
Hcp KqV-Xbpw kuI-cyhpw AXn-\p-−v. ]mSv tNmZy-§Ä¡p hgn-hbv¡pw F¶-Xn-\m \n§-fpsS `À¯mhv Cu
Bhiyw \nc-kn-¡p-¶Xv ss{IkvX-h-kvt\-l-¯nsâ ssNX-\y-¯n ImW-
enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\-bpsS ho«n AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v F¯n. W-sa¶v At]-£n-¡p-¶p. \nt¶mSp Imcp-Wy-ap-−m-bn-cn-¡m³ Rm³ kÀh-
AÂ]w Bap-J-¯n\p tijw AhÀ A¶-bpsS I¯v At±-l-¯n\p i-à-\mb ssZh-t¯mSv At]-£n-¡p-¶p.
ssIam-dn. enUnb {]`zn.’’
I¯p hmbn-¨n«v At±lw Gsd t\cw \ni-_vZ\mbn Ccp-¶p. A¶bv¡p \sÃmcp Ip¯p sImSp-¡pI F¶ KpV-e-£yhpw Cu I¯v
`wKn-bmbn km[n-¨p.
177 178
Imw£n¨v tPmen sN¿m³, ]Tn-¡m³ t]mbm AXp hfsc ITn-\-ambn
hymI-cWw A[ym-]-Isâ ¢mkn\p tijw AÑ-\mWv ]Tn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xv. tai- tXm¶pw. sN¿p¶ tPmensb kvt\ln-¡p-I, AXnÂ\n¶p Xs¶ AXn-\pÅ
bv¡-cn-In Im¯n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ skcn-tbmj kz]v\-¯n-te¡p hgp-Xn-ho- {]Xn-^ew In«pw.’’
Wp. \S-¡p-t¼m-sgms¡ A½sb Xnc-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p Ahsâ {]nb-hn-t\m-Z- kt´mjw sIm−p Xnf-§n-bn-cp¶ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS I®p-IÄ Abm-fpsS
§-fn-sem¶v. ac-W-¯n Ah³ hniz-kn-¨n-cp-¶nÃ; A½-bpsS ac-W-¯n t\m«-¯n\p ap¶n XmWp. IYm-¸p-kvX-I-§-fn am{Xw ImWp¶ k¦Â]-
{]tXy-In-¨pw. AXp-sIm-−mWv enUnb sFh-t\mhv\ ]d-bp-Ibpw Aѳ _m-e³am-tcm-sS¶ t]mse-bmWv At±lw Xt¶mSp kwkm-cn-¡p-¶-sX¶v
Dd¸p \ÂIp-Ibpw sNbvXn«pw Ah³ A½-bv¡mbn Xnc-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶- Ah\p tXm¶n. A§s\ Ah³ Ft¸mgpw AÑsâ ap³]n IYm-¸p-kvX-
Xv. kuµ-cyhpw sFiz-cy-hp-apÅ GsXmcp kv{Xobpw Ahsâ A½-bm-bn-cp- I-¯nse Ip«n-bm-Im³ {ian-¨p.
¶p. A§-s\-bpÅ Bsc-¡-−mepw Ah\p izmkw \nebv¡pw, I®p-I- kvt\l-¯nsâ Xmt¡m-en-Ãm-¯-h-sc-sbm¶pw Ah³ Xsâ-bp-Ån IS-
fn I®oÀ \nd-bpw, B kv{Xo HmSn-h¶v apJw ad-bv¡p¶ X«-ap-bÀ¯n ¡m³ A\p-h-Zn-¨n-Ã. Ah-s\m¶pw ]Tn-¡p-¶n-söv A[ym-]IÀ ]cm-Xn-s¸-
Xs¶ t\m¡n, ]p©n-cn¨p sI«n¸nSn-¡p-¶Xpw Ah-cpsS kpKÔw izkn¨v, «p. F¶m Ah-sâ-bpÅw Adnhn-\mbn Zmln-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Im-¸n-täm-\n-
shfp¯ ssII-fpsS amÀZhw kv]Àin¨p t\m¡p-¶Xpw Ahsâ a\-kn- ¨n \n¶v, Bb-bn \n¶v, \mZn-¦-bn \n¶v, hmknen eq¡n-¨n \n¶v
eqsS Nn{X-§-fmbn \o§pw. As¶mcp \mÄ A½-bpsS aSn-bn InS-¶- Hs¡ Ah³ ]Tn¨p; A[ym-]-I-cn \n¶v H¶pw ]Tn-¨p-an-Ã.
t¸mÄ Ah-f-hs\ C¡nfn Iq«n-b-Xp-t]m-se, Ah³ tamXn-c-a-Wnª Ah- ]Tn-¡m-¯-Xn\p in£-bmbn \mZn-¦sb ImWm³ t]mtI-s−¶v AeIvkn
fpsS shfp¯ ssII-fn ISn-¨-Xp-t]m-se. Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v Ahs\ hne-¡n. AXp ]t£ A\p-{K-l-ambn þ
]n¶oSp bmZr-Ýn-I-ambn hb-kmb Bb-bpsS hmbnÂ\n¶v AhÄ acn¨n«n- hmknen eq¡n¨v Ahs\ hn³Uvan D−m-¡m³ ]Tn-¸n-¨p. kmbmÓw
sö hnh-c-a-dn-ªn«pw Ah-sfmcp ZpjvSvkv{Xobm-b-Xn-\m (A-h-\-hsf A½-sb-¡p-dn-¨pÅ HmÀa-I-fn-ÃmsX IS-¶p-t]m-bn. ]t£ cm{Xn InS-¡p-
henb CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶-XpsIm−v C¸-d-ªXv Ah³ hniz-kn-¨-tX-bnÃ) t¼mÄ ]ntä¶p Xsâ ]nd-¶m-fn\v A½ Hfnhp hn«p Xsâ-b-Sp¯p hc-Tw-
Ahs\ kw_-Ôn-¨n-S-t¯mfw AhÄ acn-¨pIgn-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v sb¶v Ah³ {]mÀ°n¨p.
AÑ\pw enUn-bbpw ]d-ªn«pw Ah³ \S-¡p-t¶-S-s¯Ãmw Ahsf Xnc- “hmknen eq¡n-¨v, C¶p Rms\-´mWv ]Xn-hn IqSp-X-embn
ªp-sIm-t−-bn-cp-¶p. {]mÀ°n¨sX¶p ]d-bmtam?’’
A¶p ]mÀ¡n t]mb-t¸mÄ I− HcphÄ Xsâ A½-bm-sW¶p Xs¶ “]mT§Ä \¶mbn a\-kn-em-I-tW-sb¶v.’’
Ah³ hniz-kn-¨p. \S-h-gn-bn-eqsS Ahsâ t\À¡p \S-¶p-h-¶ AhÀ “AÃ.’’
]t£ Fhn-sStbm h¨v ac-§Ä¡n-S-bn ad-ªp. Aѳ hcm³ Im¯n-cn- “Ifn-¸m-«-§Ä’’
¡sh hÀ[nXkvt\-l-t¯msS Ah-sf-¡p-dn-t¨mÀ¯ncp¶v Ah³ tai- “AÃ, AXq-ln-¡m³ \n§Ä¡p Ign-bn-Ã. Imcyw \S-¶p-I-gn-bp-t¼mÄ
bpsS AcnsIÃmw I¯n-sIm−p apdn-¨p-h-¨p. Rm³ ]d-bmw.’’
“kmbm-Ó-\-S¯w ck-am-bn-cpt¶m?’’ ss__n-fnsâ ]g-b-\n-b-a-]p-kvXIw “F\n-s¡mcp ]nSn-bp-an-Ã. \o Xs¶ ]d-ªm aXn. h¶p InS-¡q, sagp-Xncn
X¶n-te¡p hen-¨-Sp-¸n-¨p-h¨p Xpd-¶p-sIm−v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um- AW-bv¡-s«.’’
hn¨v tNmZn-¨p. “sagp-Xncnshfn¨w AW-ªm {]mÀ°\bn tNmZn¨ Imcyw F\n¡p
“hfsc ck-am-bn-cp¶p ]m¸m.’’ hi-t¯¡p Imen-«n-cp¶ Itkc B«n- Ipd-¨p-IqSn hyà-ambn ImWmw. AXm! Rm\nt¸m B clkyw ]d-ªp-t]m-
s¡m−v Ah³ ]d-ªp. A§s\ sN¿cpsX¶v Ah-t\mSp ]d-ªn-«p-Å- tb-s\.’’ BËm-Z-t¯msS Nncn-¨p-sIm−v skcn-tbmj ]d-ªp.
Xm-Wv. “Rm³ \mZn¦sb I−n-cp-¶p. (en-Unb sFh-t\m-hv\-tbm-sSm¸w sagp-Ip-Xncn sIm−p-t]m-b-t¸mÄ Ah³ A½sb IqSp-XÂ hyà-ambn
Xma-kn-¡p¶ acp-a-I-fmWv AhÄ) AÑ\v Hcp \£{Xw IqSn In«n-sb¶v I−p. AhÄ ASp¯p \n¶v hmÂkeyw \ndª I®p-IÄ sIm−v
AhÄ ]d-ªp. hfsc kt´mjapt−m?’’ Ahs\ emfn-¡p-¶p. At¸m-tg¡v hn³UvanÃpw I¯nbpw FÃmw IS-¶p-
“H¶m-a-Xm-bn, Itkc B«m-Xn-cn-¡q.’’ AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v ]d- h¶p; FÃmw IqSn IqSn-¡p-g-ªp, Ah³ Dd-§n-t¸m-bn.
ªp. “c−m-a-Xv, {]Xn-^-e-a-Ã, tPmen Xs¶-bmWv hepXv. {]Xn-^ew
179 180
]otä-gvkv_ÀKn \sÃmcp tlm«-en-emWv hvtdm¬kvInbpw A¶bpw “hnhm-l-tam-N\w F¶-t¯-¡m-sW¶v \n§-fn-Xp-hsc ]d-ªn-Ã. Rm\-Xn-
X§n-b-Xv. h¶ A¶p Xs¶ AbmÄ ktlm-Z-csâ ho«n t]mbn. A½- s\mcp hnebpw I¸n-¡p-¶n-Ã-¦n Xs¶bpw icn-bmb hnhmlw Ign-bp-¶-
bpw tPyjvT¯n hmcybpw Ahn-sSbp−m-bn-cp-¶p. Abm-fpsS hnti-j- Xp-hsc aäp-Å-hÀ \n§sf Ah-K-Wn-¡pI Xs¶tb sN¿q… shÅn-bm-gvN-
§fpw hntZ-i-§-fnse ]cn-N-b-¡m-cpsS hnti-j-§-fp-saÃmw AhÀ tNmZn- btà \n§Ä t]mIp-¶Xv? At¸mÄ \½-fn\n DS³ X½n ImWn-Ã.’’
¨p. A¶-bpsS Imcyw am{Xw H¶pw tNmZn-¨n-Ã. ]ntä¶p cmhnse tPyjvT- temI-¯n \n¶v F´p {]Xo-£n-¡m-\m-hp-sa¶v IrXy-ambn shfn-s¸-Sp-¯p-
s\-¯n. AbmÄ A¶-bpsS hnti-j-§fpw tNmZn-¨p. A¶-bp-am-bpÅ ¶-Xm-bn-cp¶p s_ävkn-bpsS kwkm-cw. F¦nepw IpSpw-_-¯n Hcp ssI
_Ôw hnhmlw t]mse Xs¶-bmWv Icp-Xp-¶-sX¶v AeIvkn tPyjvT- t\m¡m³ Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn Xocp-am-\n-¨p. BZys¯ I−p-ap-«-enÂ
t\mSp ]dªp; hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\S-Ww, AXn\p tijw hnhm-lw. ]t£ A¶sb A{X-tbsd CjvS-s¸« A½bv¡v aIsâ Icn-bÀ \in-¸n¨v Ah-
AXp-h-scbpw Ahsf `mcy-bpsS Øm\¯p Xs¶-bmWv ImWp-¶-Xv. A½- tfmSv Ct¸mÄ Hcp Icp-W-bp-ap-−m-In-söv AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p.
tbmSpw tPyjvT-¯n-tbmSpw C¡mcyw ]d-b-W-sa¶pw AbmÄ A`yÀ°n¨p. ]t£ tPyjvT-¯n-bpsS, hmcy-bpsS, Imcy-¯n AbmÄ {]Xo£
“temIw F´p Icp-Xn-bmepw F\n-s¡m-¶p-anÃ.’’ AbmÄ ]d-ªp. “]t£ ]peÀ¯n. AhÀ t\sc t]mbn A¶sb ImWp-sa¶pw Ahsf ho«n-te¡p
Fsâ _Ôp-¡Ä Rm\p-am-bpÅ _ÔpX \ne-\nÀ¯Wsa-¦n Fs¶ Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Ip-sa¶pw AbmÄ {]Xo-£n-¨p.
IW-¡m-¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse Xs¶ Ah-sfbpw IW-¡m-¡-Ww.’’ FÃmw tI«pIgn-ª-t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp: “Ahsf Ipäw-hn-[n-¡p-I-bm-
A\p-Psâ Xocp-am-\-§sf am\n-¨n-cp¶ tPyjvT³ C¡m-cy-¯n temIw sW¶p Icp-X-cp-Xv, Hcn-¡-ep-aÃ; Hcp-]t£ Ah-fpsS Øm\-¯m-bn-cp-s¶-
hn[n-sb-gp-Xpw-hsc icn-sX-äpIÄ hn[n-¡m³ Xbm-dm-bn-cp-¶nÃ; ]t£ ¦n Rm\pw CsXm-s¡-¯-s¶-bmhpw sN¿pI. AXn-te-s¡m¶pw F\n¡p
kz´w Imcy-¯n AbmÄ¡v Hcp Bi-¦bpw D−m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã; Ae-Ivkn- IS-¡m-\m-hn-Ã.’’ Abm-fpsS XIÀ¶ apJ-t¯¡p aSn-¨p-a-Sn¨p t\m¡n-
tbm-sSm¸w AbmÄ A¶sb kµÀin-¨p. s¡m−v AhÄ ]d-ªp: “]t£ DÅXv DÅ-Xp-t]mse ]d-ªtà ]äq.
temIw X§Ä¡p t\sc hmXn-e-S-¨n-cn-¡p-I-bm-sW¶v Adn-bm-am-bn-cp-s¶- Ahsf t]mbn-¡m-W-Ww, Chn-tS¡p hnfn-¨p-sIm-−p-h-c-Ww, kaq-l-Po-hn-X-
¦nepw kaq-l-¯nse X§-fpsS kzoIm-cyX ]co-£n-¨-dn-bm³ Xs¶ AbmÄ ¯n-te¡p aS¡ns¡m−p-h-cWw Fs¶ms¡ \o ]d-bp-¶p. AsXm¶pw
Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Fenbpw ]q¨bpw Ifn-bn-te-Xp-t]mse X\n¡p th−n Db- F\n¡p km[n-¡n-söp Zb-hmbn a\-kn-em-¡p-I. F\n¡pw hfÀ¶p-h-cp¶
cp¶ ssIIÄ Xs¶ A¶-bpsS hgn-ap-S¡n Xmgp-¶Xv AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn- s]¬Ip-«n-I-fp−v; Cu temI-¯n `À¯m-hn\p th−n Pohn-t¡-−-h-fmWv
ªp. Rm\pw. Ft¶mSp tZjy-sam¶pw tXm¶-cp-Xv.’’
]otä-gvkv_ÀKn AbmÄ Bzyw I− kv{XoIfn-sem-cmÄ _Ôp-hmb “tZjy-sam-¶p-an-Ã. ]t£ \½psS kulrZw ChnsS apdn-bp-¶p, Ipdª
s_ävknbm-bn-cp-¶p. ]£w AXnsâ Bgw Ipd-bp-I-sb-¦nepw sN¿p¶p F¶Xp a\-kn-em-
“lm, F´p kt´m-j-am-sbt¶m? \n§-sf-hn-sSbmWp X§p-¶Xv? A¶-sb- ¡pI.’’ AbmÄ Ahn-Sp¶p aS§n.
hnsS? BtLm-j-amb bm{X-IÄs¡m-Sp-hn ]mhw ]otä-gvkv_ÀKv Hcp Zpcn- AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨n-s\tbm Abm-sf-¸-än-bpÅ ]cm-aÀi-§tfm
X-`q-an-bmbn tXm¶p-¶p-−-Ip-atÃ? \n§-fpsS tdmanse a[p-hn-[p-shms¡ Hgn-hm¡n ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn Hcn-S¯pw t]mIm-\m-hn-söXpw Abmsf Cu
Rm³ a\-kn ImWp-¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯nsâ Imcy-sa- Zn\-§-fn IqSp-X Akz-Ø-\m-¡n. CXp-hsc I−n-«n-Ãm¯ Hcp `mhw
´mbn? FÃmw Igntªm?’’ A¶-bn hf-cp-¶Xpw AbmÄ {i²n-¨p. Nne-t¸mÄ AhÄ kvt\lw-
hnhm-l-tam-N\w Ign-ªn-«n-södnª-t¸mÄ s_ävkn-bpsS Bthiw XWp- sIm−p aqSpw; AÃm-¯-t¸mÄ Hcp-Xcw ac-hn¸pw tZjyhpw shdp-¸pw.
¯Xv hvtdm¬kvIn {i²n-¨p. Ahsf Ft´m Akz-ØX _m[n-¨n-«p-−v, Ah-sft´m ad-¨p-h-bv¡p-¶p-−v,
“Bfp-IÄ Fs¶ IsÃ-dn-bp-am-bn-cn-¡pw. F¶mepw Rm³ A¶sb h¶p Xsâ Pohn-Xs¯ Zpk-l-am-¡p¶ \mWw-sI-Sp¯-ep-I-sfm¶pw AhÄ
ImWpw. \n§-fn-hnsS A[n-I-Imew D−m-hn-ÃtÃm AtÃ?’’ ImWp-¶n-Ã.
]d-ª-Xp-t]mse AhÀ A¶p Xs¶ A¶sb kµÀin-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp.
]t£ ]g-b-Xp-t]mse A{X Dujva-f-am-bn-cp-¶nà kzc-`m-h-§Ä. A¶ djy-bn-te¡p aS§nbXp Xs¶ aIs\ ImWpI F¶ Dt±-iy-hp-am-
bm-Wv. \nc-kn-¡-s¸-Sm-\pÅ t\cnb km[y-Xbpw Hgn-hm-¡m-\mWv FÃmw
181 182
AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨nsâ DZm-c-X-sb B{i-bn-¨mWncn-¡p-¶Xv “F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p, F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p.’’ Xsâ apSn-bn Xtem-
F¶p I¯n {]tXy-I-ambn Fgp-Xn-b-Xv. ]t£ enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\- Sp¶ ssIIÄ ASÀ¯n-sb-Sp¯v apJ-t¯mSp tNÀ¯v Ah³ D½-h-¨p.
bpsS adp-]Sn Ahsf BsI XIÀ¯p-I-f-ªp.
aIs\ ImWp-¶Xv hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS a\-kn Xosc \nkm-c-Im-cy-am-sW¶v ]gb bP-am\¯n h¶n-«p-s−¶pw Im¸n-täm-\n¨v AhÀ¡p hmXn Xpd-¶p-
AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. A¯-c-¯n-epÅ F´p ]cm-aÀihpw Xsâ-bp- sIm-Sp-¯p-sh¶pw Ah-cn-t¸mgpw skcn-tbm-j-tbm-sSm-¸-ap-s−¶pw ]Xn-hp-
Ån Abm-tfmSp shdp-¸p-−m-¡p-sa¶pw AhÄ¡-dn-bmw. Cu temI-¯n t]mse H³]Xp aWn¡v AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v At§m-s«-¯p-
Ah-fn-t¸mÄ Gähpw IqSp-X `b-s¸-Sp-¶Xpw AXm-Wv. AXp-sIm−v Xsâ sa¶padnªv the-¡mÀ¡nSbn {]I-¼-\-§-fp-−m-bn.
aIs\ kw_-Ôn-¡p¶ FÃm Imcyhpw AhÄ Abm-fn \n¶p ad-¨p-h-¨p. Im¸n-täm-Wn¨v BWv A¶sb IS-¯n-hn-«-sX¶dnªv Imcy-س tImÀWn
ASp¯ Znhkw þ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS ]nd-¶mÄ þ F´p-h-¶mepw, the- Abm-tfmSp tZjy-s¸-«p. \ni-_vZ\mbn \n¶v FÃmw tI« hb-k³ HSp¡w
¡msc ]änt¨m kzm[o-\nt¨m F§-s\-sb-¦nepw Ah-s\-¡m-W-W-sa¶v Abm-tfmSp IbÀ¯p: “\n§-fm-sW¦n IS-¯n-hn-Sn-Ãm-bn-cp¶p! ]¯p
AhÄ \nÝ-bn¨p. hÀjs¯ tkh-\-¯n-\nsS Icp-W-tbmSpw Icp-X-tem-Sp-a-ÃmsX Hcn-¡epw
]ntä¶p cmhnse F«p aWn-bm-b-t¸mÄ A¶ ap³]v Ah-fp-tS-XpIq-Sn-bm-bn- kwkm-cn-¨n-«n-Ãm¯ Ah-tcmSv ‘Zqsc-t¸m, IS-¶p-t]mIq’ F¶p ]d-bp-am-bn-
cp¶ hoSnsâ ap³]n aWn-b-Sn-¨p Im¯p-\n-¶p. Imh¡m-c³ Im¸n-täm- cpt¶m.
Wn-¨nsâ klm-bn-bmb ]¿³ þ A¶ t]mbn-¡-gnªp tPmen-bn At¸m-gmWv Bb þ acnb F^n-tamhv\ þ IS-¶p-h-¶-Xv. AeIvkn Ae-
tNÀ¶h\m-Wv-þþ h¶p hmXn Xpd-¶p. Ahsâ ssIbn aq¶p dq_n- Ivkm³t{Um-hn-¨ns\ AÂ]-t\cw F§-s\-sb-¦nepw hgn-am-än-\nÀ¯m³
fnsâ Hcp t\m«v h¨p-sIm-Sp-¯n«v AhÄ t\sc AI-t¯¡p ]mªp. Ah- tImÀWnsb Npa-X-e-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn«v AhÀ \gvk-dn-bn-te¡p \S-¶p, A¶sb
fpsS A¦-em¸p I−p IS-¶p-h¶ Im¸n-täm-Wn¨v Bsf Xncn-¨-dn-ª-t¸mÄ Ahn-sS\n¶p ]d-ª-b-bv¡m-³.
hW§nbn«v FXnÀs¸m¶pw IqSmsX IS-¯n-hn-Sp-I-bmWv D−m-b-Xv. AhÀ IS-¶p-sN-Ãpt¼mÄ skcn-tbmj A½-tbmSv Ah³ \mZn-¦-tbm-sSm¸w
skcn-tbmj DWÀ¶p-h-cp-¶tX D−m-bn-cp-¶p-Åq. aªn sX¶nhoWXp hÀWn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ Ahsâ i_vZw
“skcn-tbm-jm’’, AhÄ Ahsâ sNhn-bn sasà hnfn-¨p. tIÄ¡p¶p−v, apJs¯ `mh-§Ä {i²n-¡p-¶p-−v, ]t£ ]d-bp-¶-
ssIap«p Ip¯n FWo-än-cp¶v Xe-sN-cn¨v At§m-«p-an-t§m«pw t\m¡nb sXm¶pw Ah-fpsS a\-kn IS-¶nÃ; Ahs\ hn«p-t]m-I-W-atÃm F¶
Ah³ Xsâ ap¶n \nÝ-ebmbn \n¡p¶ A½sb I−v Ah-fpsS Nn´-bm-bn-cp¶p a\kp \nd-sb.
ssII-fn-te¡v Dcp-−p-I-b-dn. A¶-bpsS ssII-fnepw Npa-enepw Npw_n-¨p-sIm−v Bb ]dªp: \½psS
“skcn-tbm-jm, s]m¶p-tamt\!’’ Ahsâ Ipªp-tZlw sI«n¸nSn¨v AhÄ Ip«n¡v Ahsâ ]nd-¶m-fn ssZhw henb k½m\w \ÂIn-bn-cn-¡p-¶p.
InX-¨p. “At½’’ F¶p hnfn-¨p-sIm−v Ah³ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn ]pf- \n§Ä¡v Hcp Xcn-t]mepw amä-an-Ã-tÃm!’’ I®n \ndsb I®o-tcmsS
ªp-a-Zn-¨p. Xsâ tZl-¯nsâ Hmtcm Xcn-bnepw Ah-fpsS Ic-kv]Ài- AhÀ sXcp-sXsc A¶sb Npw_n¨p. Ah\p {]nb-s¸« c−p t]À X½n-
ta¡m³ sImXn-¨n-s«-¶-t]m-se. Ah-fpsS apJ¯pw Igp-¯nepw Npa-ep-I- epÅ B kvt\l-{]-I-S\w skcn-tbm-jsb Gsd kt´m-jn-¸n-¨p.
fnepw apJ-ap-cp-½n. Bb A½-bpsS sNhn-bn Ft´m a{´n-¡p-¶Xpw A½-bpsS apJw
“Fsâ s]m¶-t½, N¡tc’’ F¶p hnfn-¨p-sIm−v Ah³ Ah-fpsS `bhpw \mWt¡Spw sIm−p Nqfp-¶Xpw Ah³ I−p.
taemsI NmSna-dnªp, sI«n¸nSn-¨p. “At¿, CXp th−m’’ F¶p ]d-ªp- “F¶pw H³]Xp aWn¡v’’ F¶o hm¡p-IÄ Ahsâ sNhn ]nSn-s¨-Sp-¯n-
sIm−v Ah-fpsS sXm¸n Ducn-am-än. sXm¸n-bn-ÃmsX Ahsf I−-t¸mÄ cp-¶p. AÑ-s\-¡p-dn-¨m-WXp ]d-ª-sX¶pw Ah\p a\-kn-em-bn. A½
]pXp-a-tbmsS ho−pw sXcp-sXsc D½-h-¨p. Abmsf `b-¡p-¶p-sh¶pw F´n-s\tbm sNmÃn eÖn-¡p-¶p-sh¶pw
“A½bv¡v F´p-]-än-sb-¶mWp tam³ Icp-Xn-bXv? A½ acns¨¶p hnNm- Ah\p a\-kn-em-bn. F´n-\m-sW¶p tNmZn-¡m-\m-sª-¦nepw Ah-fpsS
cnt¨m?’’ thZ\ I−v H¶p-IqSn tNÀ¶p \n¶p a{´n¨p: “Ct¸mÄ t]mI-tÃ…
“Rm\Xp hniz-kn-t¨-bn-Ã.’’ At±lw hcm-dm-bn-«n-Ã.’’
“Fsâ s]m¶p-tamt\!’’
183 184
At±-l-s¯-¸än Xm³ F´mWp a\-kn-em-t¡-−Xv F¶v Ahsâ apJw I−p. hcp-t¼mÄ bmjvhns\¡qSn sIm−p-h-ct« F¶ tNmZy-hp-am-bmWv
tNmZn-¡p-¶-Xmbn AhÄ¡p tXm¶n.. ktµ-i-hm-l-Is\ hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-¨-b-¨-Xv.
“skcn-tbm-jm, s]m¶p-tam-t\, \o At±-ls¯ \¶mbn kvt\ln-¡-Ww. C¶se A¯m-g-¯n\p tijw X½n I−n-t«-bn-Ã. F¶n-«n-t¸mÄ asäm-cm-
At±lw A½-sb-¡mÄ \Ã-h\pw kvt\l-k-¼-¶-\p-am-Wv. A½ sXäp sfbpw Iq«n-bmWp hcp-¶-Xv. F\n-s¡m¶p kzØ-ambn kwkm-cn-¡m³
sNbvXv At±-l-s¯ thZ-\n-¸n-¨n-cn-¡p-¶p. hep-Xm-Ip-t¼mÄ \n\¡p a\-kn- IqSn In«n-Ã. Ah-tfmÀ¯p. At±-l-¯n\p Xt¶mSpÅ kvt\lw Ah-km-
em-Ipw.’’ \nt¨m F¶v AhÄ kwi-bn-¨p.
“A½-sb-¡mÄ \Ã-Xm-bn«v Bcp-an-Ã.’’ Ah³ Ahsf tXmfn¸n-Sn¨p IqSp-X Btem-Nn-¨-t¸mÄ AXp icn-bm-sW¶p tXm¶n. ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn-se-
Xt¶mSp tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. AXnsâ Bbm-k-¯n Ahsâ ssIIÄ hnd-¨p. ¯n-b-t¸mÄ shtÆsd apdn thW-sa¶p iTn¨p; C¶se A¯m-g-¯n\p
“At±lw hcp-¶p−’’ Bb sasà ]d-ªp. t]mepw Hcp-an-¨p-−m-bn-Ã. Ct¸mÄ… apJm-apJw ImWm-\pÅ Ah-k-c-§Ä
skcn-tbmj InS-¡-bn-te-¡-aÀ¶v ssII-fn apJ-a-aÀ¯n tX§ns¡m−n-cp- t_m[-]qÀhw Hgn-hm-¡p-I-bm-Wv.
¶p. ssIIÄ hen-s¨-Sp¯v Ahsâ IpXnÀ¶ apJ¯v Hcn-¡Â¡qSn D½ “A§-s\-bm-sW¦n AXv Ft¶mSp ]d-b-Ww. ]ns¶ F´m th−-sX¶v
h¨n«v A¶ [rXn-bn hmXn¡-tebv¡p \S-¶p. AI-t¯¡p h¶ F\n-¡-dn-bmw.’’
AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn¨v A¶sb I−v s]s«¶p \n¶p, Xe bmjvhnt\mSv XnI¨pw acym-Z-tbm-sS-bmWv A¶ s]cp-am-dn-b-Xv. Ignª
Ip\n¨p hµn-¨p. hÀjw IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯n\p I−Xv A\p-kva-cn-¡p-Ibpw hnti-j-§-sfms¡
‘Xs¶-¡mÄ \Ã-h\pw kvt\l-k-¼-¶\pw’ F¶p aIt\mSp ]d-sª-¦nepw tNmZn-¡p-Ibpw `£Ww Ign-¡m³ £Wn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp.
At±-ls¯ I−-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p shdp¸pw aIs\tbmÀ¯v Akq-b-bp- Xm³ DS³ H¸-sa-¯m-sa¶p ]dªv hvtdm¬kvIn bmjvhns\ bm{X-bm-¡n.
amWv tXm¶n-b-Xv. [rXn-bn X«w-sIm−p apJw ad¨v AhÄ Ahn-sS \n¶v “AeIvko, \n§Äs¡-t¶m-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶p-an-ÃtÃm
HmSn-a-d-ªp. AtÃ?’’ hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS ssII-fn apdp-sI¸nSn¨p-sIm−v A¶
Xte¶v Gsd {i²-tbmSpw kvt\l-t¯mSpw k¦-S-t¯mSpw IqSn Xncªp ]dªp: “Ae-Ivko, Rm\n-hnsS hÃmsX _p²n-ap-«p-I-bm-Wv. \½-sf-¶mWv
hm§nb Ifn-¸m-«-§Ä Agn-¡m³ t\cw In«m-ª-Xn-\m AhÄ XncnsI Chn-sS \n¶p t]mIp-¶pXv?’’
sIm−p-t]m-bn. “s]s«-¶v, s]s«¶p Xs¶.. Chn-Sps¯ PohnXw F\n¡pw F{X-am{Xw Zpcn-
X-]qÀW-amsWt¶m!’’ AbmÄ s]s«¶p ssI hen-s¨-Sp-¯p.
skcn-tbm-jsb ImWm³ Gsd Hcp-¡-t¯m-sSbmWp t]mb-sX¦nepw “icn! t]m, t]m!’’ apdn-th-ä-h-sf-t¸mse A¶ ]d-ªp.
AXv Xs¶ C{X-ta XfÀ¯n-¡-f-bp-sa¶v AhÄ Icp-Xn-b-tX-bnÃ.
Bb-tbm-sSm¸w ]pd¯p t]mbn-cp¶ aIÄ Xncn-sI-sb¯n. Ah-fpsS hvtdm¬kvIn Xncn-s¨-¯p-t¼mÄ A¶ Ahn-sS-bnÃ. Hcp kv{XobpsS
sIm©-ep-IÄ ImWp-t¼mÄ Ahsf emfn-¡p-t¼mÄ skcn-tbm-jsb AXn- IqsS ]pd-¯p-t]mbn F¶mWv Adn-bm³ Ign-ª-Xv. Ft§m-«m-sW¶p ]d-
ep-sa-{X-tbsd kvt\ln-¡p-¶p-sh¶v A¶ HmÀ¯p; Ahs\ ]ncn-bp-¶Xv bmsX t]mb-Xv, CXp-hsc XncnsI hcm-¯-Xv, A¶p cmhnse apXÂ
Xs¶ F{X-am{Xw thZ-\n-¸n-¡p-¶p-sh-¶pw. aIsf Bbbv¡p Xncn-sI Xt¶mSv Hcp hm¡p-t]mepw ]d-bmsX AhÄ Fhn-sS-sbms¡tbm Npän-\-S-
sImSp-¯n«v AhÄ skcn-tbm-j-bpsS BÂ_-sa-Sp¯p and-¨p. AXn-\pÅn ¶-Xv, cmhnse Ah-fpsS apJ-¯p-−m-bn-cp¶ Bth-iw, bmjvhnsâ ap¶nÂ
tdmanÂh-s¨-Sp¯ t^mt«m I−-t¸m-gmWv A¶v BZy-ambn AhÄ h¨v Ah-fpsS aIsâ t^mt«m BÂ_w X«n-¸-dn¨p hm§n-b-t¸m-gs¯
hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¸än Nn´n-¨Xv. i{Xp-Xm-`mhw FÃmw IqSn AbmÄ¡v Kuc-h-`mhw \ÂIn. Ah-tfmSv hni-Z-
FÃmw Abm-tfmSp Xpd-¶p-]-d-b-W-sa¶v AhÄ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. “]t£ ambn kwkm-cn-¡-W-sa-¶p-d¨v hvtdm¬kvIn t{UmbnMv dqan Xs¶ Ccp-
AXn\v At±-l-sa-hnsS?’’ Fsâ ZpJ-§-fn Fs¶ X\n-¨m¡n Fhn-sS ¶p. ]t£ A¶ h¶Xv Hä-bv¡m-bn-cp-¶n-Ã; Ah-fpsS Ahn-hm-ln-X-bmb
t]mbn-cn-¡p¶p?’’ A½mbn Ht»m³kvIb {]`znbpw H¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p.
At±-l-t¯mSv thKw hcm³ ]d-bm³ Hcmsf Ab-¨p. F¶n«v ]d-bm-\pÅ hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm¸w bmjvhn\pw D−v. \mep t]À¡pw `£Ww hnf-¼n.
hmIy-§Ä ]cn-io-en¨p; At±lw Xs¶ Biz-kn-¸n-¡p¶Xp a\-kn At¸m-tg¡v s_ävkn-bpsS ktµ-i-hp-ambn SjvtI-hn¨v F¯n. Bd-cbv¡pw
185 186
H³]-Xn-\p-an-S-bn Ahsc ho«nÂs¨¶p ImW-W-sa-¶m-bn-cp¶p Bh-iyw. hvtdm¬kvIn kz´w apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. AhnsS bmjvhn\pambn kwkm-
A¶ tJZw {]I-Sn-¸n-¨p. A¶ SjvtI-hn-¨n-s\bpw `£-W-¯n\p £Wn-¨p. cn-¨n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ A¶ Xob-ä-dn-te¡p t]mb Imcyw Adnbn¨v ktµ-i-hm-l-
AbmÄ kuI-cy-sam-cp-¡m-sa¶p ]d-ª-t¸mÄ AhÄ Hm¸-dbv¡p I-s\-¯n.
t]mIm³ XmÂ]-cyhpw {]I-Sn-¸n-¨p. Hcp ¥mkv IqSn \nd-¨v, tIm«v FSp-¯-Wnªv bmjvhn³ FWo-äp. “hcq,
CsXms¡ F´n-\m-sW¶p hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«n-bn-Ã. `£-W- \ap¡p t]mImw.” aoi-bv¡n-S-bn-eq-sS-bpÅ Abm-fp-sS Nncn FÃmw shfn-hm-
th-f-bn A¶ SjvtI-hn-¨n-t\mSpw bmjvhnt\mSpw skmd-]-dªv DÃ-kn-¨p. ¡n: hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS hnjm-Z-¯nsâ ImcWw X\n-¡-dn-bmw, ]t£ Xm³
SjvtI-hn¨v Hm¸-dbv¡p Sn¡äv hm§m³ t]mbn. A¶ ]mco-kn Xbv]n¨ AXp Xosc Ku\n-¡p-¶n-Ã.
Igp-¯n-d¡n sh«nb Ku¬ [cn¨v AXn-kp-µ-cn-bmbn ImW-s¸-«p. “Rm³ hcp-¶n-Ã.” hvtdm¬kvIn Xosc DÂkm-l-an-ÃmsX ]d-ªp.
“\o Xob-ä-dn-te¡p t]mIm³ Xs¶-bmtWm?’’ Ahsf t\m¡msX AbmÄ “F\n¡p t]mtb ]äq. Rm³ hm¡p sImSp-¯-XmWv.”
tNmZn-¨p. ‘`mcy Hcp _m[yX Xs¶-bm-Wv, icn¡pw `mcy-b-Ãm-¯-t¸mÄ AXp IqSp-
“F´n\mWp tNmZy-¯n-en{X DXvIWvT?’’ AbmÄ Xs¶ t\m¡m-¯- X Zpcn-X-am-Wv.’ tlm«-en \n¶n-d§n \S-¡p-t¼mÄ bmjvhn³ HmÀ¯p.
XpsIm−p IqSp-X apdn-thäv AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. “F´n\mWp t]mIm-Xn-cn- a\-t£m-`-t¯msS ]e-Xp-tamÀ¯v A§p-an§pw \S¶ hvtdm¬kvIn
¡p-¶Xv?’’ Ip¸nbpw ¥mkp-saÃmw X«n-a-dn-¨n«p; tai-bn \n¶v Ah amän-h-bv¡m-Xn-cp-
“A¶m, ssZh-s¯-tbmÀ¯v! \n\-s¡´m ]än-bXv?’’ ]−v Ah-fpsS ¶-Xn\v the-¡m-c-t\mSv tZjy-s¸«p; \new hr¯n-bm-¡m³ XpS-§nb Abm-
`À¯mhv tNmZn¨ AtX `mh-¯n AbmÄ tNmZn-¨p. tfmSv AXp shbväÀ sNbvXp-sIm-Åp-sa¶v ho−pw- Acn-iwsIm-−p.
“\n§-sf´m tNmZn-¡p-¶-sX¶v F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶n-Ã.’’ F«-c-bm-b-t¸mÄ AbmÄ Xob-ä-dn-te¡p Xs¶ t]mbn. A¶ Ccn-¡p¶
“\n\-¡-dn-bn-tÃ…’’ AbmÄ ]d-ªp-Xp-S-§n. `mKt¯¡p t\m¡m-Xn-cn-¡m³ ]c-am-h[n {i²n-s¨-¦nepw hncnª tXmfnÂ
“Rm\Xp IW-¡m-¡p-t¶-bn-Ã. sNbvX-Xn-s\-¸-än- hÃXpw Rm³ ]Ým-¯-]n- DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶ apJw Ncn¨p bmjvhnt\mSp hÀ¯am\w ]d-bp¶ Ah-
¡m-dpt−m? CÃ, CÃn-Ã. BZn-ap-XÂ H¶p-IqSn sNbvXmepw A{X Xs¶tb fpsS AS-¡n-¸n-Sn¨ Bth-ihpw I®p-I-fnse Xnf-¡hpw ImWm-Xn-cn-¡m³
DÅq. \ap-¡v, F\n¡pw \n§Ä¡pw, Hcp Imcy-¯nt\ {]m[m-\y-ap-Åq þ Ign-ªn-Ã. tamkvtIm-bnse \r¯-im-e-bn A¶p I− apJ-amWv
\½Ä ]c-kv]cw kvt\ln-¡p-¶pt−m F¶-Xn-\v. aäp-Å-hsc \½Ä IW- hvtdm¬kvIn¡v HmÀa h¶-Xv. Ah-fpsS kuµcyw Abmsf lcw-sIm-Ån-
¡m-t¡-−-Xn-Ã. ChnsS \½-sf-´n\m c−n-S¯p Xma-kn-¡p-Ibpw ]c-kv]cw ¡p-I-b-Ã, apdn-s¸-Sp-¯p-I-bmWv sNbvX-sX¶p am{Xw.
ImWm-Xn-cn-¡p-Ibpw sN¿p¶Xv? Rm³ t]mbm-se´m Ipg¸w? \n§Äs¡- CS-Xp-h-i-¯mbn ImÀ«-tkmhv Z¼-Xn-IÄ Ccp-¶n-cp-¶p. saenªp Ipdnb
t¶m-SpÅ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶p-an-sæn t\tc t\m¡m-¯-sX´m?’’ aZmw ImÀ«-tkmh FWo-äp\n¶v D¨-¯n Fs´m-s¡tbm hnfn-¨p-]-d-bp-
AbmÄ Ahsf t\m¡n. F¶pw Abmsf tamln-¸n-¨n-cp¶ Ah-fpsS kuµ- ¶p. XSn¨ Ij-−n-¡m-c³ ImÀ«-tkmhv `mcysb kam-[m-\n-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¡p-
cyhpw hiy-Xbpw F¶-s¯-bpw-t]mse I¯n-\n¡p¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Ibpw CS-bv¡nsS A¶sb Xncnªp t\m¡p-Ibpw sN¿p¶p. `mcy ]pd-
AXv AbmÄ¡v Atcm-N-I-am-bn-t¯m-¶n. ¯n-d-§n-¡-gnªpw AÂ]-t\cw Ahn-sS\n¶ AbmÄ A¶-bpsS {i²
Iog-S-§-ensâ `mh-¯n AbmÄ ]dªp: “Fsâ kvt\l-¯n\p Ipd-shm- £Wn-¡m³ {ian¨p. A¶-bm-Is« Abmsf t\m¡m-Xn-cn-¡m³ {i²n-¨v,
¶p-an-Ã, ]t£ Fsâ At]-£…” Xsâ t\À¡p Xe Ip\n-¨n-cn-¡p¶ bmjvhnt\mSp kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p.
“t]mbm-se´m Ipg-¸-sa¶p hni-Zo-I-cn-¡-W-sa-¶mWv Fsâ At]-£.” A½sb Iq«p-Imcn skmtdm-¡n\ {]`znbpsS ASp¯p hn«v hmcy A\p-Psâ
ASp-t¯¡p sN¶p.
hvtdm¬kvIn¡v BZy-ambn A¶-tbmSv tZjyw tXm¶n. B thj-¯n “aZmw ImÀ«-tkm-hbv¡v AXp sNt¿− Hcp Imcy-hp-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. \mWw-
I−-t¸mÄ Ah-fpsS kuµ-cy-¯n-epÅ aXn¸v H¶p-IqSn hÀ[n¨p. ]t£ sI« ]Wn-bm-bn-t¸m-bn. aZmw Itc-\n-\...“
s]cp-amäw Ah-tfm-SpÅ BZcw Ipd-¨p-I-f-ªp. “F´m kw`-hw. Rms\m-¶p-a-dn-ªn-Ã.“
“H¶pw? aZmw ImÀ«-tkm-h-sb-t¸m-semcp ZpjvS¯n thsd-bn-Ã.”
“]t£ Ah-sc´m sNbvXXv?”
187 188
“Fsâ `À¯m-hmWv Ft¶mSp ]d-ª-Xv... AhÄ A¶sb A]-am-\n-¨p-sh-
¶v. Ah-cpsS `À¯mhv Xncnªv A¶-tbm-sSt´m ]dªp; At¸m-tg¡v `mKw Bdv
AhÀ £p`n-X-bmbn NmSn-sb-Woäv Fs´m-s¡tbm Bt{Im-in-¨p, No¯-hn-
fn-¨n«v ]pd-t¯¡p t]mbn.“ B th\¡mew apgp-h³ Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ s]mt{Im-hvkvtIm-
hvtdm¬kvInsb A½ hnfn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v skmtdm-¡n\ {]`zn Adn-bn-¨p. bn Inän sehnsâ H¸-amWv Ign-ª-Xv. Ah-fpsS kz´w FtÌ-änse hoSv
“F{X t\c-ambn \ns¶ Rm³ Im¯n-cn-¡p-¶p. \ns¶ ImWm-t\-bn-ÃtÃm!“ BsI XIÀ¶p InS-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. Inänbpw sehn\pw hÃmsX
hvtdm¬kvIn {]`zn-bpsS Np−nse ]p©n-cn-bnsemfn¸n¨ ]cn-lmkw aI³ \nÀ_Ôn¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨n\v Cu GÀ¸mSv
{i²n-¨p. A¶-sb-¸än AhÀ {^©n Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-ªp. \¶mbn CjvS-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXp. tPmen¯nc¡p ImcWw Ah-cpsS IqsS
“CtX-¸än Ft¶m-sSm¶pw ]d-b-cp-sX¶p Rm³ A½-tbmSv At]-£n-¨n-«p-Å- h¶p Xma-kn-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã-tÃm-sb¶ hnj-a-am-bn-cp¶p AbmÄ¡v. CS-
XtÃ?” hvtdm¬kvIn tZjy-s¸-«p. bv¡n-Sbv¡v Ht¶m ct−m Znh-k-t¯¡v Ah-tcm-sSm¸w IqSm³ tamkvtIm-
“Rm³ ]d-bp-¶-X-Ã. FÃm-hcpw ]d-bp-¶Xv Rm³ ]d-sª-t¶-bp-Åq.“ bn \n¶v AbmÄ HmSn-sb-¯p-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ht»m³kvIn Z¼-Xn-Ifpw
“hnUvVn-s¸-¼-d-t¶m-¯n.” hmXn¡ h¨p I−-t¸mÄ tPyjvT³ ]d- Ah-cpsS a¡fpw Bbbpw FÃmw tNÀ¶v sehnsâ ho«n \à _l-f-am-
ªp; AXp tI«nsöp \Sn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn \S-¶p. A¶ Ccn-¡p-¶n-S¯p bn-cp-¶p.
sN¶v Ahsf I−p. H¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-«n-Ãm¯ a«n AhÄ {]k-¶-h-Xn- aI-fpsS ‘hntijw’ Adnªv, Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡p Xsâ taÂt\m«w Bh-
bmbn kwkm-cn-¨p. ]t£ ASp¯ cwKw XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ koän-en- iy-am-sW¶p I−v {]`znbpw Ahn-sS- F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. hntZ-i-¯p-h¨v
söp I−v hvtdm¬kvIn ho«n-te¡p aS§n. Inän¡p In«nb Iq«p-Imcn hmsd¦ hm¡p ]men¨v F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. Ch-sc-Ãm-
A¶ t\ct¯ F¯n-bn-«p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Xob-ä-dn \n¶p h¶ AtX thj- hcpw sehnsâ `mcy-bpsS _Ôp-¡tfm kplr-¯p-¡tfm Bbn-cp-¶p. Ah-
¯n Hcp Nmcp-I-tk-c-bn-en-cn-¡p-I-bmWv AhÄ. sc-sbÃmw henb CjvS-am-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw ‘sjÀ-_mävkvIn LSIw’ sehn³
“A¶m!” km{amPyw Iog-S-¡n-¡-f-ªXv AbmÄ¡v Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. sehnsâ
“\n§Ä, \n§-fm-sW-Ãm¯n\pw ImcWw.” I®ocpw \ncm-ibpw \ndª _Ôp-¡-fn skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v am{Xta Ah-tcm-sSm-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p-
kzc-¯n AhÄ Ae-dn. Åq. Abm-fmsW¦n tImkv\n-tjhv {]Ir-X-amWv; A§s\ BsI
“t]mI-cpsX¶p Rm³ F{X tIWp-]-d-ª-XmWv? F\n-¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp¶p sehn³ temIw Xa-kvI-cn-¡-s¸-«p-t]m-bn.
Aip-`-I-c-am-b…” Gsd-¡m-e-ambn GIm´X A\p-`-hn¨p InS¶ sehnsâ hoSv i_vZ-apJ-cn-X-
“Aip`Icw! `oI-cw!” AhÄ Ic-ªp. “Poh-\pÅ Ime-t¯mfw ad-¡m-\m- am-bn. FÃm apdn-I-fnepw Bfp-IÄ. FÃm Znh-khpw {]`zn Ah-sc-sbÃmw
hn-Ã. Fsâ-b-Sp-¯n-cn-¡p-¶Xv AhÄ¡p \mWt¡SmsW¶v.” F®n-t\m-¡p-Ibpw ]Xn-aq-¶m-a-s¯tbm ]Xn-\m-em-a-s¯ sNdp-a-I-s\tbm
AbmÄ¡v Ah-tfmSp kl-Xm]w tXm¶n, ]t£ tZjy¯n\p Ipd-shm-¶p- sNdp-a-I-sftbm asämcp tai-bv¡n-cn-In-te¡p amän-bn-cp-¯p-Ibpw ]Xn-hm-bn-
ap−mbn-Ã. Ahsf Biz-kn-¸n-¡m-\pÅ GI-amÀ¤-sa¶ \nebv¡v AbmÄ cp-¶p. hncp-¶p-Im-cpsS Xr]vXn-s¡m¯v tImgn-I-sfbpw ]m¯-I-sfbpw
Xsâ kvt\lw BhÀ¯n¨p {]Jym-]n-¨p. hm¡p-IÄ sIm−v Ahsf SÀ¡n-I-sf-bp-sams¡ icn-s¸-Sp-¯n-sb-Sp-¡m³ Inän icn¡p IjvS-s¸-
imkn-¨n-sænepw lrZ-b-¯n AbmÄ Ahsf imkn-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. tS−nh¶p.
D¨-cn-¡m³ t]mepw eÖ tXm¶pw-hn[w ]cn-lm-ky-sa¶v AbmÄ Icp-Xnb FÃm-hcpw `£Ww Ign-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv. tUmfn-bpsS Ip«n-Ifpw
kvt\l-{]-Jym-]-\-§Ä Bthmfw ]m\w sNbvXv AhÄ kam-[m\w ssIh- Bbbpw hmsd-¦bpw IqSn IqWp-IÄ ]dn-¡m³ t]mIp-¶-Xn-\pÅ Btem-N-
cn-¨p. ASp¯ Znhkw ]cn-]qÀW cay-X-bn AhÀ \m«n³]p-dt- ¯¡p ]pd- \-bn-em-Wv. ]mWvUn-Xyhpw _p²n-IqÀ½-X-bpw-sIm−v FÃm-h-cp-sSbpw _lp-
s¸-«p. am\w t\Snb skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ka-kvX-scbpw sR«n¨psIm−v Hcp
{]Jym-]\w \S¯n:
“Rm\pw hcp¶p IqWp ]dn-¡m³. \Ã ck-apÅ ]Wn-bm-WXv’’
189 190
Abm-fpsS t\m«w hmsd-¦-bpsS t\À¡m-bn-cp-¶p. “Hm, R§Ä¡Xp henb apJ-amsI Np«p-]-gp-¯v, apSn De-ªp-]-dn-ªv, DSp-¸nsâ ssI ap«p-hsc sXdp-
kt´m-j-am-Wv.’’ AÂ]w XpSp¯v hmsd¦ {]Xn-h-Nn-¨p. ¯-pI-bän Pmw Cf-¡p-I-bmWv AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\. dmkv]vs_-dn-IÄ
Inänbpw tUmfnbpw AÀ°-]qÀW-ambn ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n. Cu IqWp-]-dn- \¶mbn thhn-söpw ]m{X-¯nsâ Nph-«n Icn-ªp-]n-Sn-¡p-sa¶pw
¡Â ]²Xn Inän-bpsS Nne kn²m-´-§Ä¡p _ew ]I-cp-¶-Xm-bn-cp-¶p. shdpsX tamln¨v AhÄ AXns\ cq£-ambn t\m¡n. Ah-fpsS tIm]-
IqWp ]dn-¡m³ t]mIm-\n-d-§n-b-t¸mÄ hmsd-¦-sb-¡−v Inän AXn-i-bn-¨p. ¯nsâ apJy-]m{Xw Xm\m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-¶-dn-bm-hp¶ Inän-bpsS A½ aäp
Ah-sf{X kpµ-cn-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. Imcy-§-fn hym]r-X-bmbn; F¶m CS-bv¡nsS ASp-¸nsâ t\À¡v Hfn-
“G..-bv... hmsd-¦m... \ob-hnsS \n¡v. R§Ä At§m«p hcmw.’’ AhÄ ªp-t\m-¡n.
hnfn¨p ]d-ªp. “the-¡m-cn-IÄ¡pÅ hkv{X-§Ä Rm³ Xs¶-bm-Wv hm§m-dv, hne
“\o \nsâ Ct¸m-gs¯ ØnXn ad-¡p-¶p. A{Xbv¡v H¨-sb-Sp-¡p-Ibpw Ipdª \à XpWn-IÄ.” \nÀ¯nh¨n-S-¯p-\n¶v AhÀ XpSÀ¶p. F¶n«v
aäpw sN¿cpXv.’’ s]s«¶p hmXn¡-tebv¡p h¶v {]`zn Inänsb imkn-¨p. AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bpsS t\À¡v Xncnªp: “AXp hSn-s¨-Sp-¡m-dm-
Inän-bpsS i_vZhpw A½-bpsS imk-\bpw tI« hmsd¦ Ah-fp-sS-bSp- bntÃ?” ]ns¶ “AXp \o sNt¿−, `b-¦c NqSm-Wv.” F¶p Inänb hne-
t¯¡v QSnXn-bn \S-s¶-¯n. Ah-fpsS Ne-\-§-fpsS thK-Xbpw ¡n.
apJs¯ XpSp-Xp-Sp¸pw A{X kzm`m-hn-I-a-Ãm¯ F´n-s\tbm aqSn-h-bv¡m- “Rm³ hSn¡mw” F¶p ]dªv tUmfn NmSn-sb-gp-t¶-äp. ‘]ntÅÀ¡nXp
\pÅ hy{KX shfn-hm-¡n. Inän¡v AXp a\-kn-em-bn-cp-¶p. A¶v D¨-`-£-W- \¶mbn CjvS-s¸-Spw.’ temI-¯nse Gähpw cpNn-bpÅ hkvXp apXnÀ¶-
¯n\p tijw Im«n\p-Ån \S-¡m-\n-S-bpÅ B kp{]-[m\ kw`-h-¯n\v hÀs¡´m CjvS-an-Ãm-¯Xv F¶v AÛpXw Iqdn-bn-cp¶ _mey-Imew Ab-
A\p-{K-l-§-tf-Im³ AhÄ hmsd-¦sb ASp¯phnfn-¨p. hn-d-¡n-s¡m−v AhÄ ]X hSn-s¨-Sp¯v aª-¸-Xbpw cà-hÀ®¨mdpw
“hmsd-¦m, C¶p Nne {]tXyI Imcy§Ä kw`-hn-¨m Rm³ hfsc k´p- ]¦n-s«-Sp¯ ]m{X-¯n ]IÀ¯n.
jvS-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.’’ “Cu Infn-IÄ, \miw” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Ien-Xp-Ån.
“R§-tfm-sSm¸w hcpt¶m?’’ Inän ]d-ªXp tI«nsö a«n AhÄ “lu, F{X kpµ-cn… AXns\ t]Sn-¸n-¨p-I-f-ª-tÃm.” ]Sn-bn h¶n-cp¶
hnjbw amän sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p. Ipcp-hnsb t\m¡n Inän ]d-ªp.
“hcp-¶p-−v, ]t£ saXn-¡fw hsctb DÅq.” sehn³ ]d-ªp. “Dw… \obm ASp-¸n-sâ-b-Sp-¯p-\n¶v Ct§m«v amdv.” A½ Inänsb imkn-
“Ahn-sS-sb´m?” Inän tNmZn-¨p. ¨p.
“H¶p-c−p NnÃ-d-¡m-cy-§Ä ]cn-tim-[n-¡m-\p−v. \osb-hn-sS¡mWpw?” “C¶p hmsd-¦-bpsS Imcyw Xocp-am-\-am-Ipw.” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ a\-kn-
“sSd-kn” em-¡-cp-sX¶p IcpXn AhÀ kwkmcw {^©n-em-¡n. “Rm³ ]d-ªXv
A½bv¡p ]nSn-In-«n-bntÃ? AsX-§-s\-bn-cn¡pw?”
sSd-kn\p apI-fn kv{XoI-sfÃmw IqSn-bn-cn-¡p-¶p. D¨`£Ww Ign- “F§-s\-bn-cn-¡m³? AbmÄ F¶pw djy-bnse GsXmcp kv{Xo¡pw A\p-
ªm AhnsS H¯p-Iq-SpI Ah-cpsS ]Xn-hm-Wv. Ip«n-I-fpsS DSp-¸p-IÄ tbm-Py-\m-bn-cp-¶n-t«-bp-Åq. Ct¸mÄ ]t£ A{X sNdp-¸-¡m-c-s\m-¶p-a-Ã-
Xp¶p-¶-Xn\p ]pdta Pmw D−m-¡pI F¶ tPmen IqSn D−v C¶v. shÅw tÃm. F¦nepw AbmfptS-Xm-Im³ sImXn-¡p¶ F{Xtbm t]sc F\n-¡-dn-
tNÀ¡msX F§-s\-bmWv Pmw D−m-¡p-¶Xv F¶v AKm^nb anl-tem- bmw…. AhÄ \Ã Ip«n Xs¶-bm-Wv, F¦n-epw…”
hv\sb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bmWv AhÀ. sehnsâ ho«n F¶pw Pmw D−m-¡n-bn- “AÃt½, F´p-sIm-−m-sW¶pIqSn a\-kn-em-¡v. At±-l-¯n\pw
cp-¶Xv AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\-bm-bn-cp-¶p. kvt{Sms_-dn-I-fpsS IqsS AhÄ¡pw CXnepw \sÃmcp tPmSn Btem-Nn-¡mt\ Ign-bn-Ã. H¶m-aXv
shÅhpw tNÀ¡p¶Xp ]Xn-hm-¡n-bn-cp-¶-Xn-\m shÅ-sam-gn-¡msX Pmw AhÄ hfsc kpµ-cn-bm-Wv.” Inän H¶m-as¯ hnc aS¡n.
D−m-¡m³ Ign-bp-Itb Csö [mc-W-bm-bn-cp¶p AhÀ¡v. ]pXnb coXn “Ah-fpsS kuµcyw AbmÄ¡p hfsc CjvS-am-bn-«p-−v.” tUmfn k½-
Inän-bpsS hI-bmWv. Ah-fpsS ho«n ]−p apXte A§-s\-bmWv Pmw Xn¨p.
D−m-¡p-¶-Xv. “]ns¶ `mcy¡v k¼t¯m D¶-X-Øm-\tam thW-sa¶v iTn-t¡− Bh-
iy-an-Ãm¯ hn[w am\y-amb Øm\w At±-l-¯n\p kaq-l-¯n-ep-−v. At±-
191 192
l-¯n\p th−Xv kpµ-cnbpw kpio-e-bp-amb Hcp-h-sf-bm-Wv. \Ã Hcp “hmsd-¦-bpsS ]gb {]W-b-I-Y… skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-¨n-t\mSv Rm³
s]®v.” NneXp ]d-b-W-am-bn-cp-¶p. Abmsf Hcp-¡m³… Ah-scÃmw ]pcp-j³am-c-
“Ah-f-§s\ Xs¶-bm-bn-cn-¡pw.” tUmfn k½-Xn-¨p. tÃ… \½psS `qX-Imew kw_-Ôn¨v AhÀ¡v hÃm¯ Akq-b-bm-bn-cn-
“aq¶m-a-Xv, Ah-f-bmsf kvt\ln-¡-Ww. AXp kw`-hn¨p Ign-ªn-cn-¡p-¶p. ¡pw.”
AhÀ XncnsI hcp-t¼mÄ B I®p-I-fn \n¶p Xs¶ Rm\Xp hmbn-s¨-Sp- “FÃm-hÀ¡panÃ. \o \nsâ `À¯m-hns\ ap³\nÀ¯n Nn´n-¡p-¶-Xp-sIm-
¡pw.” −m-Wv. Ah\v Ct¸mgpw hvtdm¬kvIn-sb-¡p-dn¨v HmÀ¡m-\m-hn-Ã. icn-
“]t£ \obn-§s\ Bth-iw sImtÅ-−. Ct¸m \n\-s¡m«pw ]än-b-XÃ btÃ?” tUmfn ]d-ªp.
AXv” A½ ]d-ªp. “AtX” Inän-bpsS apJ¯v Nn´m-a-á-amb Hcp ]p©ncn hnSÀ¶p.
“Bth-i-sam-¶p-an-Ã-t½. At±lw C¶v Ah-tfmSv {]W-bm-`yÀ°\ \S-¯p- “A¶ IS-¶p-h-¶Xv Inän-s¡{X \¶m-bn. AhÄ¡p IjvS-Im-ehpw.” tUmfn
sa¶v F\n-¡§p tXm¶n, A{X-am-{Xw.” ]d-ªp. “A¶v A¶bv¡p henb kt´m-j-am-bn-cp¶p; Inän BsI ZpJn-X-
“Ft¸m-gm-Wv, F§-s\-bmWv Hcp-h³ Hcp s]¬Ip-«n-tbmSv {]W-bm-`yÀ°\ bpw. C¶nt¸m t\tc adn-¨m-bn. Rm³ CSbv¡v Ahsf HmÀ¡m-dp-−v.’’
\S-¯pI! F{X hnNn-{X-am-WXv. Ft´m Hcp henb XS-kw… Hä-b-Sn¡v “HmÀ¡m³ ]änb HcmÄ! `oI-cw! ZpjvSkv{Xo! lrZ-b-an-Ãm-¯-hÄ.’’ A½
AXn-Ãm-Xm-hp-¶p.” s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-¨n-s\m¸w Xsâ `qX-Imew HmÀan- ]d-ªp.
¨p-sIm−v tUmfn ]d-ªp. “\n§-fn-t¸m-sg-´n\m AsXms¡ FSp-¯n-Sp-¶Xv? F\n-¡-sXm¶pw
“At½, ]m¸m F§-s\-bmWv A½-tbmSv A`yÀ°\ \S-¯n-bXv?” HmÀ¡m³ Xs¶ CjvS-an-Ã.’’ Nnc-]-cn-N-bw-sIm−v ]pd¯v `À¯m-hnsâ
“{]tXy-In-s¨m-¶p-an-Ã. km[m-c-W-t]mse Xs¶.” A§s\ ]d-sª-¦nepw Ime-Sn-i_vZw Xncn-¨-dnªv Inän ]d-ªp.
B HmÀa-bn Ah-cpsS apJ¯v Hcp Xnf¡w an¶n. “F´n-s\-¸-än-bmWv Nn´n-¡m³ CjvS-an-Ãm-¯Xv?’’ sSd-kn-te¡p IS-¶p-h-
“F¶m-epw.. F§-s\-bm-bn-cp-s¶¶v H¶p ]d-tª.. X½n kwkm-cn-¡p-¶- ¶p-sIm−v sehn³ tNmZn-¨p.
Xn\p ap³]p Xs¶ A½ At±-ls¯ CjvS-s¸-«n-cpt¶m?” Bcpw adp-]Sn ]d-ªn-Ã, AbmÄ tNmZyw BhÀ¯n-¨-Xp-an-Ã.
Hcp kv{XobpsS Pohn-X-¯nse A{Xbpw {][m-\-s¸« kwK-Xn-I-sf-¡p-dn¨v “h\nXm kt½-f-\-¯n CSn-¨p-I-b-dn-b-Xn tJZn-¡p-¶p.’’ Hcp \nanjw
Xpey-X-tbmsS A½-tbmSp kwkm-cn-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶-Xn Inän¡v hÃm- AKm^nb anl-tem-hv\-sb-t¸mse Xs¶ Xs¶bpw sjÀ_m-ävknIn LSIw
s¯mcp kt´mjw tXm¶n. Atem-k-c-s¸-Sp-¯p-¶Xp sehn³ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp.
“XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. At±lw AXn\p ap³]p Xs¶ R§-tfm-sSm¸w \m«n³]p- “\n\-s¡-§-s\-bp−v?’’ Inän-bpsS ASp¯p sN¶v sehn³ Ah-tfmSp
d¯p Xma-kn-¡m³ h¶n-cp-¶p.” tNmZn-¨p.
“F¶mepw… \n§Ä X½n F§-s\-bmWv CXp XoÀ¸m-¡n-b-sX¶p ]d.” “\à kpJ-ap−v.’’ Inän ]p©n-cn-¨p. “t]mb Imcy-§-sf-´mbn?’’
“\o Ft´m ]pXnb Imcyw I−p-]n-Sn-s¨¶p tXm¶p-¶p-−tÃ? ]t£ “]gb h−n-I-fpsS aq¶n-c«n sImÅpw ]pXnb hmK-Wp-I-fnÂ. \ap¡p Ip«n-
F¡m-ehpw AXv H¶p Xs¶-bm-Wv. t\m«-§fpw ]p©n-cn-I-fpw…” Isf Iq«m³ t]mIt−? Rm³ h−n-bn IpXn-c-Isf ]q«m³ ]d-ªn-
“hu, Cu A½ F{X `wKn-bmbn AXp ]d-ªp-I-fªp.” tUmfn ]d-ªp. «p−v.’’
“]t£ At±lw F´mWv A½-tbmSp ]d-ªXv?” “Dwwww.... Inänsb h−n-bn Ibän sIm−p-t]m-Imt\m?’’ Ah-fpsS A½
“tImÌy \nt¶mSv F´mWp ]d-ªXv?” imk-\m-kz-c-¯n ]d-ªp.
“At±lw tNm¡v sIm−v Fgp-Xp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. F´p ck-am-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp- “AtX, \S-¶p-t]m-Ip-¶{X thK-¯n am{Xw, {]`zo’’
]mSp Imew ap³]p kw`-hn-¨-Xp-t]m-se… ” km[m-cW BWp§Ä A½m-bn-b-½-amsc hnfn-¡m-dp-Å-Xp-t]mse At½-
aq¶p t]cpw Ah-c-h-cpsS Pohn-X-¯nse A¡me¯nte¡v Dufn-bn-«p. Inän- sb¶v sehn³ hnfn-¨n-Ã, {]`n¡v AXn A\n-jvS-ap-−m-bn-cp¶p Xm\pw.
bmWv au\w `RvPn-¨-Xv. hnhm-l-¯n\p sXm«p ap³]n-es¯ ioX-Im-ehpw sehn\v Ahsc hfsc CjvShpw _lp-am-\hpambn-cp-s¶-¦nepw A§s\
hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-SpÅ Xsâ {]W-bhpw AhÄ HmÀan-¨p. hnfn-¡p-¶Xv Xsâ acn-¨p-t]mb A½-tbm-SpÅ kvt\l-s¯ Zpjn-¡p-¶-
Xn\p Xpey-am-sW¶v AbmÄ Icp-Xn.
193 194
“R§-fpsS IqsS hm At½” Inän hnfn-¨p. hmÀhc \n¶ncp-¶-Xn\v ]¯Sn AI-se-sb-¯p-t¼m-tg¡v skÀPn sFh-t\m-
“F\n¡p h¿ C¯cw [n¡mcw ImWm³.” hn¨v X¶-¯m³ C§s\ ]d-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ ap«p-Ip¯n \n¶v Hcp
“F¦n Rm³ \S-t¶m-fmw. F\n¡p h¿m-gvI-sbm-¶p-an-Ã.’’ Iq«w Ipªn-¡q-Wp-IÄ {Knj ImWmsX ssIIÄsIm−p ad-¨p-]n-Sn¨v
“h¿m-gvI-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cn-¡mw. F¦nepw FÃm-¯n\pw Hcp anXXzw \Ã-Xm- amjsb hnfn-¡p-I-bm-Wv.
Wv. skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v hcp-¶Xp Is−-¦nepw AhÄ Fgp-t¶-än-Ã. ]t£
“AKm-^nb anl-tem-hv\m, Pmw icn-bmtbm? ]pXnb coXn F§-s\-bp−v?” Ah-fpsS apJw kt´mjw hnfn-¨-dn-bn-¨p. Abm-fpsS t\sc t\m¡n ]p©n-
Ahsc kt´m-jn-¸n-¡m³ {ian-¨p-sIm−v ]p©n-cn-tbmsS sehn³ tNmZn-¨p. cn-¨p-sIm−v AhÄ tNmZn-¨p:
“\¶m-bn-«p-s−¶p tXm¶p-¶p. \½psS IW-¡n\v Ipsd IqSp-XÂ t\cw “Fs´-¦nepw In«ntbm?”
Xnf-¸n-¨p.” “Hscm-ä-sb®w I−n-Ã.”
“A{X-bpw-IqSn \Ã-Xm-Wv. H«pw ]q¸Â ]nSn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡pw.” `À¯m-hnsâ amj h¶v Iq¬ ]dn-¡m³ XpS-§n-b-t¸mÄ hmsd¦ sasÃ-sb-gp-t¶-äp.
Dt±iyw a\-kn-em-¡nb Inän Iq«n-t¨À¯p: “\n§-fp−m¡p¶ A¨mdn\p “Ip«n-¡mew Xncn-sI¡n«nb-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n.” Ah-scm-cp-an¨v GXm\pw
Kw`oc cpNn-bm-Wv. A{X \ÃXv CXp-hsc Iq«n-bn-t«-bn-sömWv A½ ]d-bp- Nph-Sp-IÄ \S-¶p. At±-l-¯n\v Xt¶mSv Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-bm-\p-s−¶v
¶-Xv.” AhÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p; AsX-´m-sW¶pw. kt´m-jhpw `bhpw ImcWw
AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Inänsb tZjy-t¯msS t\m¡n. “Fs¶ kam-[m-\n- XfÀ¶p-t]m-Ip-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. aämÀ¡pw tIÄ¡m\mIm¯
¸n-¡m³ IjvS-s¸-tS−. At±-l-t¯m-sSm¸w \n§Ä \n¡p¶Xp AI-e-s¯-¯n-bn«pw AbmÄ H¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. \nÈ_vZbm-bn-cn-¡p-¶Xp
I−m¯s¶ F\n¡p kt´m-j-am-Wv.” ‘At±-l-t¯m-sSm¸w’ F¶-Xnse Xs¶-bmWv \Ã-sX¶v hmsd¦ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. IqWp-I-sf-¸-än-bpÅ kwkm-c-
B ]cp-¡³ ASp¸w Inänsb kv]Àin-¨p. ¯n \n¶v Ah-cm-{K-ln-¡p¶ hnj-b-¯n-te¡p hcp-¶-Xn-ep-sa-fp¸w
“R§-fpsS IqsS IqWp ]dn-¡m³ hcq. Ah IqSp-X-epÅ Øe-§Ä \nÈ_vZX-bn \n¶p XpS-§p-¶-Xm-bn-cn-¡pw. F¶n«pw kz´w Xocp-am-\-
\n§Ä¡p \à ]cn-N-b-ap-−m-Ip-atÃm” AKm-^nb anl-temhv\ Nncn-¨p- ¯n\p hncp-²-ambn AhÄ ]d-ªp-t]mbn:
sIm−p Xe-Ip-ep-¡n, ‘\nt¶mSpw \à tZjyw Im«-W-sa-s¶-\n-¡p-−v, “H¶pw In«n-bn-sötà ]d-ª-Xv. AsÃ-¦nepw ImSn\p \Sp-hn Ah D−m-
]t£ F\n-¡-Xn\p Ign-bnÃ’ F¶p ]d-bpw-a-«nÂ. Im-\pÅ km[yX hfsc Ipd-hm-Wv.”
H¶p \niz-kn-¨-X-ÃmsX skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v H¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. AhÄ
hmsd¦ Ip«n-I-tfm-sSm¸w IqWp-IÄ X¸n Im«n \S-¶p. skÀPn sFh- IqWp-I-sf-¸än kwkm-cn-¨-Xn AbmÄ Akz-Ø-\m-bn-cp-¶p. AhÄ BZyw
t\m-hn¨v Hcn-S¯p amdn-\n¶v Hcp knK-cäv I¯n¨v Btem-N-\-bn apgp-In. ]dª Ip«n-¡m-e-¯nte¡v Ahsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-Im³ AbmÄ B{K-
Pohn-X-¯n-en-t¶mfw I−p-ap-«n-bn-«pÅ s]¬Ip-«n-Isf Hmtcm-cp-¯-sc-bmbn ln-¨p. F¶n«pw AÂ]-t\-cs¯ CS-th-fbv¡p tijw Xsâ Xs¶
Nn´-bpsS {Xmkn-en«p Xq¡n, hmsd¦ F´p-sIm−v Ah-sc-¡m-sfÃmw CÑbv¡p hncp-²-ambn AhÄ Ah-km\w ]d-ª-Xn\p adp-]-Sn-sb-t¶mWw
X\n¡p tbmPn-¨-h-fm-sW¶p hne-bn-cp-¯n. ]dªp:
a\-tk-Xm−v Dd-¸n¨p Ign-ª-t¸m-tg¡v hmsd¦ AbmÄ \n¶n-cp-¶-Xn-\-Sp- “shfp¯p `£y-tbm-Ky-amb IqWp-IÄ ImSnsâ Acn-Ip-I-fn-emWv ImW-s¸-
s¯-¯n. knK-cäv hen-s¨-dnªv skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v Ah-fpsS Sp-¶Xv F¶mWv ]d-ªp-tI«n«p-Å-Xv.”
ASpt¯¡p \S-¶p. GXm\pw \nan-j-§Ä IqSn IS-¶p-t]m-bn. AhÀ Ip«n-I-fn \n¶v Ipd-¨p-
“hmÀhc B³{Uo-hv\, Rm³ hfsc sNdp-¸-am-bn-cp-¶-t¸mÄ Xs¶ F\n-¡n- IqSn AI-se-sb-¯n. kz´w lrZbw anSn-¡p-¶Xv hmsd-¦bv¡p
jvS-s¸-Sp-¶, Fsâ `mcy-bm-bn-cn-¡m³ Ign-bp¶ kv{Xosb¸än hyà-amb tIÄ¡mambn-cp-¶p.
k¦Â]-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. Rm³ kmam\yw \o− PohnXw Pohn-¨n-cn-¡p- tImkv\n-tj-hn-s\-t¸mse Hcm-fpsS `mcy-bm-bn-cn-¡pI AhÄ¡p k¦Â]n-
¶p; Rm\-t\z-jn¨p \S-¶Xv Ct¸mÄ BZy-ambn Is−-¯n-bn-cn-¡p¶p þ ¡m-hp-¶-Xnse Gähpw henb kt´m-j-am-Wv. AXp Xocp-am-\n-¡-s¸-Sp¶
\n¶nÂ. Rm³ \ns¶ CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶p, Fsâ Ic-§Ä kzoI-cn-¨m-epw.” \nan-j-§-fmWv C\n. AhÄ¡p t]Sn tXm¶n. AbmÄ kwkm-cn¨p XpS-§p-
¶Xpw kwkm-cn-¡m-Xn-cn-¡p-¶Xpw AhÄ Hcp-t]mse `b-s¸-«p.
195 196
Ct¸m-gmWXn\pÅ ka-bw, Ct¸m-g-sæn ]ns¶ Hcn-¡-ep-anà þ skÀPn “C¶p s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v hcp-atÃ? \n§Ä¡p In«n-b-Xp-t]mse
sFh-t\m-hn¨pw Nn´n-¨p. Ah-fpsS apJs¯ BImw£ AbmÄ¡p a\-kn- C{X hn`n-¶-cmb c−p acp-a-I³amsc thsd-hn-sSbpw k¦Â]n-¡m³ IqSn
em-Ip-Ibpw sNbvXp. Ct¸mÄ Fs´-¦nepw ]d-bm-Xn-cn-¡p-¶Xv Ahsf A[n- Ign-bn-Ã.” skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v ]d-ªp. Hcp-h³ XnIª kaq-l-Po-hn,
t£-]n-¡p-¶-Xn\p Xpey-am-Ip-sa¶v AbmÄ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. Xsâ Xocp-am-\- shÅ-¯n aos\¶ t]mse kaq-l-a-[y-¯n am{Xw Pohn-¡p-¶-h³; A]-
§Ä¡v Dt]m-Zv_-e-I-amb hmZ-§Ä Hcn-¡Â¡qSn a\-kn BhÀ¯n-¨p. c³ \½psS tImÌy, Ft¸mgpw kPo-hw, NSp-ew, Pm{K-X-bp-Å-h³; ]t£
Ah-tfmSp ]d-bm-\pÅ hm¡p-IÄ a\-kn BhÀ¯n-¨p-d-¸n-¨p. F¶n«pw BÄ¡q-«-¯n\p \Sp-hn s]«m Icbv¡p ]nSn-¨n« ao\n-s\-t¸m-se….’’
]d-ª-t¸mÄ ]pd-¯p-h¶ hm¡p-IÄ Ch-bm-bn-cp¶p: AhÀ kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ h−n h¶p \n¡p¶ i_vZw
“_nÀ¨v IqWp-Ifpw shÅ-¡q-Wp-Ifpw X½n-epÅ hyXym-k-sa-´mWv?’’ tI«p. {Knjsb ]Tn-¸n-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶ sehn³ tUmfn t]mepw Fgp-t¶äv
“IpS-bn Imcy-amb hyXym-k-sam-¶p-anÃ; X−n-emWv hyXym-kw.’’ X§Ä F¯p-¶-Xn\p ap³t] NmSn-bn-d§n Ah-s\bpw Iq«n ]pd-s¯-¯n. “Ìnhm
]d-bm-\m-{K-ln¨ Imcyw C\n ]d-b-ep-−m-hnà F¶v CXp ]d-ªp-I-gn-ª- F¯n. lm… ]m¸mbpw D−-tÃm. Inäo, Ip¯-s\-bpÅ ]Sn-I-fn-d-t§-−,
t¸mÄ Ccp-hÀ¡pw a\-kn-embn. AXp-hsc A\p-\n-anjw hfÀ¶p-sIm-−n- Npän h¶m aXn.”
cp¶ Ah-cpsS kvt\lm-thiw sasÃ-sasà XWp-¡p-¶Xpw Ah-c-dn-ªp. ]t£ sehn³ Icp-Xn-bXp amXncn {]`p-hm-bn-cp-¶nà s̸msâ H¸-ap-−m-bn-
AhÄ {]Xo-£n-¨-Xp-t]msesbm¶pw kw`-hn-¨n-söv Ah-cpsS I®p-I-fn cp-¶-Xv. dn_-Wp-IÄ ]n¶n \o«n-s¡-«nb Hcp kpµ-c³ sNdp-¸-¡m-c³.
\n¶v Inän¡p a\-kn-em-bn. sjÀ_mävkvIn IpSpw-_-¯nse AI¶ _Ôp-hmb hmsʦ
hokvtemhvkvIn ]otägvkv_ÀKn-sebpw tamkvtIm-bn-sebpw kaq-l-¯nÂ
A¶p s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨v hcp¶ Znh-k-am-Wv. sjÀ_mävkvIn Adnbs¸-Sp-¶-h-\m-bn-cp-¶p. s̸m³ ]cn-N-b-s¸-Sp-¯n-b-Xp-t]mse ‘\sÃmcp
{]`phpw hcp-sa¶v Fgp-Xn-bn-cp-¶p. Imbn-I-Xm-cw, Hcp ASn-s]mfn I£n’.
“Ae-Ivkm-−À hcn-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bmw. sNdp-¸-¡msc Ah-cpsS hgn¡v {]`p-hnsâ Øm\¯p h¶n-d§nbXp aqe-ap-−m¡nb \ncm-i-sbm¶pw
kzØ-ambn hnS-W-sa¶v At±lw Ft¸mgpw ]d-bm-dp-Å-Xm-Wv.’’ {]`zn ]d- sXÃpw GimsX hokvtemhvkvIn BËm-Z-t¯msS sehn\v \a-kvImcw ]d-
ªp. ªp, t\cs¯ ]cn-N-b-aps−¶pw ]d-ªp; {Knjsb NmSn-sb-Sp¯v h−n-
]t£ ]m¸m \½sf X\n¨p hn«n-cn-¡p-I-btÃ! I−n«v F{X \mfm-bn. AXp- bn-en-cp-¯n.
aà R§fnt¸m sNdp-¸-¡m-scm-¶p-a-Ã-tÃm, hnhmlw Ign¨ apXnÀ¶-h-ctÃ?” sehn³ h−n-bn Ib-dmsX ]n¶mse \S-¶-tX-bpÅq. Hmtcm ImgvN-bnepw
“At±lw hcp-¶n-sæn Rm\pw t]mIp-I-bmWv Ip«n-Itf” {]`zn hnjm-Z- IqSp-X IqSp-X CjvS-s¸-«p-t]m¶ {]`p hcm-Xn-cp-¶Xv sehns\ Akz-Ø-
t¯msS ]dªp. \m-¡n-bn-cp¶p; kulr-Z-`mhw tXm¶m¯ s]m§-¨-¡m-c-\mb Cu
“Fs´mcp IjvS-amWv A½m…” a¡Ä c−p t]cpw IqSn Hcp-an¨p NmSn-ho- hokvtemhvkvInbpsS hchpw Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. Ip«n-Ifpw hen-b-h-cp-a-
Wp. S¡w FÃm-hcpw henb BImw-£-tbmsS IqSn-\n-¶n-cp¶ ]Sn-I-fn h¨v
“At±-l-ant¸m F§s\ Ign-bp-I-bm-bn-cn-¡p-sa¶v \n§Ä¡p hà hnNm-c- henb hotcm-Nn-X-`m-h-¯n Inän-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¡pI IqSn
hp-apt−m? Ct¸m…” Ah-cpsS i_vZ¯n\p s]s«¶v hnd-b _m[n-¨p. sNbvX-t¸mÄ IqSp-X Atcm-N-IXzw tXm¶n.
s]¬a-¡-fn-cp-hcpw ]c-kv]cw t\m¡n. ‘AsÃ-¦nepw A½ Ft¸mgpw k¦-S- “Xm¦-fpsS `mcybpw Rm\pw _Ôp-¡fpw ]gb kplr-¯p-¡-fp-amWv” Hcn-
s¸-Sm³ Fs´-¦nepw I−p-]n-Sn¡pw’ F¶ a«nÂ. aI-fpsS ho«n kt´m- ¡Â¡qSn sehnsâ ssIIÄ apdps¡ Ipep-¡n-s¡m−v AbmÄ ]d-ªp.
j-h-Xn-bmbn ImW-s¸-s«-¦nepw {]`zn-bpsS DÅn Ft¸mgpw Aán-]Àh-X- “F§-s\... [mcmfw ]£n-I-fpt−m? FÃm-hcpw ]c-kv]cw A`n-hmZyw
sa-cn-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p-sh¶ Imcyw a¡Ä Hcn-¡epw a\-kn-em-¡n-bn-cp-¶n-Ã. sNbvXp Xocpw ap³t] s̸m³ sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p. “XnIª Im«m-
Ah-km-\s¯ aI-sfbpw hnhmlw Ign-¨-b¨v `h\w A\m-Y-am-bn-¡-gn-ª- f¯w Im«m-\mWv R§Ä h¶n-cn-¡p-¶-Xv. AÃ-t½, Ch-cn-Xp-hsc
t¸mÄ apX AhÀ Xs¶-¯-s¶bpw `À¯m-hn-s\bpw IcpXn BIp-e-s¸«p tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p h¶n-ÃtÃm! Xm\ym, \n\-s¡´m sIm−p-h-¶n-cn-¡p-¶-
Ign-bp-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p. sX¶p t\m¡v.” AbmÄ \m\m-Zn-¡n-te¡pw kw`m-j-W-i-I-e-§-sf-dn-bp-I-
197 198
bm-Wv. “tUmfo, \osb{X anSp-¡n-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p” F¶p ]dªv `mcy-bpsS “hokvtemhvkvIn A¶-bpsS ASp-¡Â t]mbn-cp-s¶-¶v. C\nbpw t]mIp-¶p-
ssII-fn Npw_n-¨p. −-s{X. A¼Xp ssa Zqc-ta-bp-sŶv. Rm\pw H¶p t]mIp-¶p-−v.
Hcp \nanjw ap³]p hsc hfsc k´p-jvS-\m-bn-cp¶ sehn³ Ct¸mÄ FÃm- hokvtemhvkvIo C§p hcq.”
h-scbpw FÃm-¯n-s\bpw Ak-´p-jvSn-tbmsS t\m¡n. hmsʦ At§m«p IS¶v Inän-bpsS kao]w Ccp-¶p.
“C¶se Cu Np−p-IÄ Bsc-bmWv Npw_n-¨n-«p-−m-hp-I-sb¶v BÀ¡- “B ]d-bq, \n§Ä Ah-cp-sS-bSp¯p X§ntbm? AhÄ¡v F§-s\-bp−v?
dnbmw?” s̸msâ kvt\l-{]-I-S-\-§Ä I−v AbmÄ Nn´n-¨p. sehn³ kpJ-amtWm?” Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ tNmZn-¨p.
tUmfnsb t\m¡n; Ah-tfmSpw AbmÄ¡v tZjyw tXm¶n. tai-bpsS At§-¯-e-bv¡Â {]`znbpw hmsd-¦-bp-ambn \nÀ¯msX kwkm-
“Abm-fpsS kvt\l-¯n AhÀ¡v H«pw hnizm-k-anÃ; ]ns¶-sb-´n-\m- cn-¡p-¶-Xn-\n-S-bnepw Ct§-b-ä¯v hokvtemhvkvInbpw s̸m\pw
Wmthm Cu BËm-Z-{]-I-S\w? \mWt¡Sv.” tUmfnbpw Inänbpw IqSn-bpÅ CS-ap-dn-bm¯ kw`m-jWw sehn³ {i²n-¡p-
Hcp \nanjw ap³]v Gsd {]nb-¦-cn-bm-bn-cp¶ {]`zn hmsÊ-¦sb kz´w ¶p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ hmsÊ-¦-bpsS kpµ-c-ap-J¯p I®p \«n-cn-¡p¶
ho«n-se¶ t]mse kzmKXw sNbvXXpw AbmÄ¡p ]nSn-¨n-Ã. Inän-bpsS apJw \ndsb hnIm-c-§Ä hmbn-s¨-Sp-¯p.
skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v s̸mt\mSp Im«nb Dujva-f-Xbpw AbmÄ¡p “Ah-cpsS hoSv F´p ck-am-sWt¶m! hn[n ]d-bm³ Rm\m-fÔ
Xosc ]nSn-¨nÃ; Xsâ ktlm-Z-c\v Ht»m³kvIn-tbmSv H«pw aXnt¸m hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw A¶-bp-sSbpw hoSn-s\-¡p-dn¨v Bth-i-t¯msS ]d-
kvt\ltam Csöv Adn-bmam-bn-cp-¶n-«p-Iq-Sn. bp-I-bmWv hokvtemhvkvIn. “F¦nepw Hcp `h-\-¯nsâ k¼qÀWX Ahn-
hmsd-¦-tbmSpw sehn\p tZjyw tXm¶n. sSbp-−v.”
Gä-hp-a-[nIw tZjyw Inän-tbm-Sm-bn-cp-¶p. Ah-[n-¡mew Bkz-Zn-¡m³ h¶- “F´m Ah-cpsS ]²Xn?”
Xp-t]m-se-bpÅ B a\p-jysâ kt´m-j-¯n ]¦p tNÀ¶Xn\v, Abm- “tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p t]mIp-I-bm-sW¶p tXm¶p-¶p.”
fpsS arZp-hmb ]p©ncn AtX-]Sn Xncn-¨p-\ÂIn-b-Xn-\v. “\½-sf-Ãm-hcpw IqSn At§m«p sN¶m F´p ck-am-bn-cn¡pw? \n§-
Nd-]dm kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm−v FÃm-hcpw AIt¯¡p t]mbn. FÃm-hcpw Ccp- fn\nsb¶m t]mIp-¶Xv?” s̸m³ hokvtemhvkvIn-tbmSp tNmZn-¨p.
¶p-I-gn-ª-t¸mÄ sehn³ ]pd-¯n-d-§n-t¸m-bn. “Pqsse-bn Rm³ Ahn-sSbmbncn-¡pw.”
`À¯m-hn\v Ft´m Ae-«-ep-s−-¶-dnªv Inän Abmsf X\n-¨p-In-«m³ {ian- “\o hcp-¶p-t−m?” s̸m³ `mcy-tbmSp tNmZn-¨p.
¨p. F¶m Ahsf Hgn-hm¡n sehn³ Ft´m AXym-hiyw ]dªp “Rm³ Hcp-]mSp \mfmbn t]mI-Wsa¶p hnNm-cn-¡p-¶p. Ah-fpsS Imcyw
Øew hn«p. IjvS-am-Wv, F\n-¡-hsf \¶mbn Adn-bmw. icn¡pw \Ã-h-fm-W-hÄ.”
tUmfn ]d-ªp. “Rms\-´m-bmepw t]mIp-¶p-−v. \n§Ä Xncn¨p t]mbn-¡-
A¯m-g-¯n\p hnfn-¨-t¸mÄ am{Xta sehn³ Xncn-s¨-¯n-bp-Åq. gnªv Rm³ Häbv¡p s]mbvt¡m-fmw.”
s̸m\pw sehn\pw hokvtemhvkvInbpw A¯m-g-ta-ibv¡p Npäp-an-cp¶v “icn, \otbm Inäo?”
Dd-¡-sam-gn¨v th«bv¡p t]mIp¶ Imcy-§Ä NÀ¨ sNbvXp. “Rmt\m, Rms\-´n\m t]mIp-¶Xv?” InänbpsS apJamsI XpSp¯p. AhÄ
“Dd-¡-an-f-bv¡m-\pÅ \n§-fpsS Ignhv FÃm-hÀ¡padn-bmw; aäp-Å-h-cpsS Xncnªv `À¯m-hns\ t\m¡n.
Dd¡w If-bm\pw’’ `À¯m-hn-t\mSp kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Cubn-Ss-bmbn ]Xn- “At¸m \n\¡v A¶ AÀ¡-tZy-hv\sb Adn-bmtam? Gsd IuXp-I-§-fpÅ
hpÅ ZzbmÀ°-{]-tbm-K-t¯msS tUmfn ]d-ªp. “]t£ Rm³ InS-¶p-d- Hcp kv{Xobm-W-hÀ” hokvtemhvkvIn ]d-ªp.
§m³ t]mIp-I-bm-Wv. F\n¡v A¯mgw th−’’ “Adnbpw” F¶p ]d-ª-t¸m-tg¡v AhÄ ho−pw IqSp-XÂ Nph-¶p.
“C¯ncn t\cw-IqSn \n¡v. F\n¡p \nt¶mSv C\nbpw Hcp-]mSv Imcy-§Ä AhÄ s]s«-s¶-gp-t¶äv `À¯m-hnsâ Acn-In-te¡p t]mbn.
]d-bm-\p−v.” “\msf \n§Ä \mbm-«n\p t]mIp-¶pt−m?” AhÄ sehn-t\mSp tNmZn-¨p.
“H¶p-ap-−m-hnÔ Ign-ªp-t]mb \nan-j-§-fnÂ, {]tXy-In¨v hokvtemhvkvIn-bp-am-bpÅ
kw`m-j-W-¯n-\nsS Ah-fpsS apJw XpSp-¡p-¶Xp I−-t¸mÄ, Abm-fpsS
a\kv hÃmsX Akq-bm-ep-hm-bn-cp-¶p. Ct¸mgo tNmZy-¯n\v sehn³ kz´w
199 200
AÀ°-§Ä Is−-¯n; kpt_m[w ho−p-In-«nb thf-I-fn ho−pw C§-s\-sbmcp _Ôw hf-cm-\-\p-h-Zn-¨-Xn\v sehnsâ a\kv Ahsf Ipä-s¸-
HmÀ¯p-t\m-¡n-b-t¸mÄ AbmÄ¡p Xs¶ hnNn-{X-ambn tXm¶nb AÀ°- Sp-¯n. AXnt\m-SpÅ A\njvSw C{X Atcm-N-I-amb coXn-bn {]I-Sn-¸n-¨-
§Ä. AhÄ kvt\l-¯n-em-bn-cn-¡p¶ hokvtemhvkvIn¡v Cu B\µw Xn\v AXn-tesd Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯n.
]IÀ¶p-sIm-Sp-¡m³ Xm³ Xbm-dm-Iptam F¶mWv Ct¸m-gs¯ tNmZy-w. ]n¶oSp Xsâ InS-¸-d-bnse Nmcp-I-tk-c-bn iq\y-X-bn-te¡p t\m«-a-b¨v
“Dw... Rm³ t]mIp-¶p−v.’’ X\n¡p Xs¶ ]nSn-¡m¯ Akzm-`m-hnI Ccn-¡p¶ sehn-t\mSv Inän F´p-]än F¶p tNmZn-¨p. \nÈ_vZX-bmbn-cp-¶p
i_vZ¯n sehn³ ]d-ªp. adp-]-Sn. Gsd t\cs¯ Hcp-¡-¯n\p tijw aSn-¨p-a-Sn¨v AhÄ A]-I-S-I-c-
“th−, \msf Hcp Znhkw ChnsS sNe-h-gn-¨n«v aä-¶mÄ t]mImw. AsÃ- amb B tNmZyw tNmZn¨p: “C\n, hokvtemhvkvInsb kw_-Ôn-¡p¶
¦n tUmfn¡v Ah-fpsS `À¯m-hns\ C¯n-cn t\cw t]mepw H¶p In«p-I- Fs´-¦nepw \n§Ä¡v CjvS-s¸-SmsX ht¶m?”
bn-Ã.’’ AtXmsS FÃmw s]m«n-¯p-d-¶p-h-¶p. AbmÄ FÃmw ]d-ªp. ]d-bp¶
B hm¡p-IÄ sehn³ C§s\ hymJym-\n-¨p: “At±l¯n \n¶v Fs¶ Imcy-§-tfmÀ¯v AbmÄ¡p Xs¶ eÖ tXm¶n; AX-bmsf IqSp-XÂ
thÀs]-Sp-¯-cp-tX. \n§Ä t]mIp-¶-Xn F\n-s¡m-¶p-an-Ã; ]t£ Rm³ hnj-an-¸n-¨p.
B\-µ-Zm-b-I-\mb Cu bphm-hnsâ km¶n[yw Bkz-Zn-¡-s«.’’ Abm-fpsS apJ-`m-hs¯ {Iqcw F¶p thW-sa-¦n hnfn-¡m-am-bn-cp¶p;
“Hm, \o A§s\ B{K-ln-¡p-s¶-¦n \mfs¯ Znhkw R§Ä F¶m AtXmsSm-¸-ap-−m-bn-cp¶ kl-\-`mhw Ahsf Iogvs¸-Sp-¯n-¡-f-
ChnsS¯s¶ sNe-h-gn-¡mw.” Akzm-`m-hn-I-amb hmÂk-ye-t¯msS ªp.
sehn³ ]d-ªp. “\o Fs¶ a\-kn-em-¡-Ww. CXv Akq-b-b-Ã. Rm³ apdn-th-ä-h-\m-Wv.”
AtX ka-bw, Xm³ aqe-ap-−m-Ip¶ s\m¼-c-§-sfm-¶p-a-dn-bmsX hmsʦ temI-¯nse sNdnb ck-§Ä t]mepw X\n¡p \ntj-[n-¡-s¸-Sp-¶-Xn Hcp
Inän Fgp-t¶-ä-bp-S³ Ahsf A\p-K-an-¨p. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fn ]p©n- \nanjw AhÄ¡v hÃmsX tZjyw h¶n-cp-¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ sNdn-bh
cnbpw Bcm-[-\-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. F¶-Ã, F´p XyPn-¡m³ AhÄ Xbm-dm-Wv. Abm-fpsS kt´m-j-¯n\p
sehn³ B t\m«w I−p. AbmÄ BsI hnf-dn-sh-fp-¯p, izmkw \ne-¨p. th−n, kam-[m-\-¯n\p th−n.
‘Fsâ `mcysb C§s\ t\m¡m³ Ch-s\-§s\ ss[cyw h¶p’ F¶ a«n- “Fsâ Ah-Ø-bpsS `oI-cXbpw A]-lm-ky-Xbpw \osbm¶p a\-kn-em-
em-bn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS Nn´. ¡Ww.” AbmÄ Akz-Ø-X-tbmsS ]ndp-]n-dp-¯p-sIm-−n-cp-¶p.
“F¦n ]ns¶, \msf, \ap¡p t]Mi-tW...’’ Hcp Itk-c-bn-en-cp¶ Abm-fpsS kvt\l-¯nsâ Bg-tamÀ¯v Inän¡p kt´mjw tXm¶n; Abm-
hmsʦ ioew sIm−v Imen³ta Im Ib-än-h-¨p. fpsS thZ-\-tbmÀ¯v k¦-S-hpw.
ISp¯ tZjyw H¶p-IqSn hfÀs¶-¦nepw sehn³ hmsÊ-¦-tbmSv XnIª “CsXÃmw Fhn-sSbmWv XpS-§n-b-sX¶v F\n¡p a\-kn-em-Ip-¶p.”
BXn-Yy-a-cym-Z-tbmsS hnti-j-§Ä tNmZn¨p: Abm-fpsS tXm¡v, _qSvkv, “F´m? Fhn-sSbm?”
\mbm-«-\p-`-h-§Ä Hs¡. ]ntä¶v \mbm-«n\p t]mIm-sa¶p k½-Xn-¡p-Ibpw “A¯m-g-k-a-b¯v R§Ä kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ \n§Ä {i²n-¡p-¶Xv
sNbvXp. Rm³ I−n-cp-¶p.”
GXm-bmepw sehnsâ s\m¼-c-§Ä¡v AdpXn hcp-¯n-s¡m−v {]`zn Inän- X§-sf-´mWv kwkm-cn-¨-sX¶v AhÄ ]d-ªp. AXp ]d-bp-t¼mÄ
tbmSv t]mbn Dd-§m³ \nÀt±in¨p. F¶n«pw sehns\ IS-¶p-t]m-ImsX AhÄ¡p izmkw \ne-bv¡p-¶-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n. C¯ncn t\cw
Hcp thZ\ Im¯p-\n-¶p. ip`m-cm{Xn ]dªp ]ncn-bp¶ t\cw hmsʦ \nÈ_vZ\mbn Ccp¶ sehn³ Ah-fpsS hnf-dnb apJw {i²n-¨p. F¶n«v
ho−pw Inän-bpsS ssII-fn Npw_n-¡ms\mcp§n; At¸mÄ AhÄ BsI- Xsâ Xe ssII-fn Xm§n.
¨p-h¶v ssIIÄ ]n³h-en¨p; \njvI-f-¦-X-bpsS hnh-c-t¡-tSmsS ]dª “ImXym, Rm³ \ns¶ hÃmsX hnj-an-¸n-¨p. UmÀen-Mv, Ft¶mSp £an-¡q.
hm¡p-IÄ¡v ]n¶oSv {]`zn-bn \n¶p iImcw tIÄ¡pIbpw sNbvXp: Fsâ-sbmcp h«v. AXp I−v \osb-´n\m hnj-an-¡p-¶Xv?”
“R§Ä¡v Cu coXn CjvS-a-Ã.’’ “\n§-sf-tbmÀ¯v F\n¡p k¦Sw h¶p.”
201 202
“Fs¶-tbmÀt¯m? Rms\-s´mcp {`m´-\mWv?... \osb-´n\m hnj-an-¡p- “kXy-¯n F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã. e£-¡-W-¡n\p Ip«n-IÄ tamkvtImbv¡p
¶Xv? A\y-s\m-cmÄ¡p \½psS kt´m-js¯ sISp-¯m³ Ign-bp-sa¶p ]pd¯pw P\n-¡p-¶p-s−¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw. tUmIvSÀam-cpw… F´n-\m-
hcp-¶Xv F´p IjvS-amWv?” Wv…”
“hÃm¯ \mW¡t¡Spw.’’ AhÄ ]d-ªp. “A§-s\-bm-sW¦nÂ…”
“Cu th\¡mew apgp-h³ Rm\-bmsf ChnsS Xma-kn-¸n-¡pw. BXn-Yy-a- “th−. Inän-bpsS CjvSw t]mse”
cym-Z-sIm−v s]mdp-Xn-ap-«n-¡pw.” sehn³ Ah-fpsS ssII-fn D½-h-¨p. “\o “CsXm¶pw Inän-tbmSp ]d-bm³ ]än-Ã. Ahsf Ct¸mÄ ]dªp t]Sn-¸n-
t\m¡n-t¡m, \msf R§Ä Hcp t]m¡p−v.’’ ¡m³ ]änb ka-b-amtWm? C¡-gnª hk-´-¯n \Xm-enb tKmen-
ävko\ acn-¨Xv tUmIvS-dpsS hnh-c-t¡-Sp-sIm-−m-Wv.’’
sehn\pw s̸m\pw hokvtemhvkvInbpw tNÀ¶v c−p Znhkw Kw`o-c-am- “\n§Ä ]d-bp-¶-Xp-t]mse sN¿mw.’’ sehn³ ¾m\-h-Z-\-\mbn ]d-ªp.
¡n. [mcmfw ]£n-Isf In«n. Im«nepw If-¸p-c-bnepw Irjo-h-e-·m-cpsS {]`zn Abm-tfmSv ]ns¶bpw Fs´m-s¡tbm ]d-ªp-sIm-−n-cp-¶p, ]t£
hoSp-I-fnepw Hs¡-bmbn B Znh-k-§Ä Ahn-kva-c-Wo-b-am-bn. sehn³ AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ. Ah-cpsS kw`m-jWw Abmsf Atem-kc - -s¸-
Xncn-s¨-¯n-b-Xn\p ]ntä¶v cmhnse hokvtemhvkvIn sehnsâsbm¸w Sp-¯n-bn-cp-s¶-¦nepw Ct¸mgs¯ ¾m\-X-bpsS ImcWw AXm-bn-cp-¶nÃ;
\S¶v ]qt´m-«hpw IpXn-c-¸-´nbpw Hs¡ I−p; ]mc-e _mdn AÂ]w ktam-h-dn-\-cn-Inse ImgvN-bm-bn-cp-¶p.
hymbm-ahpw sNbvXp. XncnsI ho«n-\p-Ån t{UmbnMv dqan-te¡v sehn³ “Gbv, A§-s\-sbm-¶p-ap-−m-In-Ã.” hiy-amb B ]p©n-cn-tbmsS Inän-bpsS
Abmsf Iq«n-s¡m-−p-t]m-bn. t\À¡p Nmªp-\n¶v kwkm-cn-¡p¶ hmsÊ-¦-tbbpw apJ-amsI XpSp¯v
“\mbm«v Kw`o-c-am-bn-cp-¶p. R§Ä \¶mbn Bkz-Zn-¨p.’’ hokvtemhvkvIn Akz-Ø-bm-Ip¶ Inän-tbbpw AbmÄ amdn-amdn t\m¡n.
ktam-h-dn-\-cn-In-en-cn-¡p¶ Inän-tbmSp ]d-ªp. “kv{XoIÄ¡v C¯cw hmsÊ-¦-bpsS Nncn-bnepw I®p-I-fnepw am\y-a-Ãm¯ Ft´m H¶v D−m-bn-
kt´m-j-§Ä hne-¡-s¸-«n-cn-¡p-¶Xv F{X IjvS-am-Wv.” cp-¶p. Inän-bpsS t\m«-¯nepw `mh-¯nepw sehn³ am\y-a-Ãm¯ Fs´m-
“Dw. Ah³ Krl-\m-Y-tbmSv Fs´-¦nepw hnti-j-§Ä ]d-b-W-a-tÃm.” s¡tbm ZÀin¨p. Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnse Xnf¡w ad-ªp. B\-µ-¯n-
sehn³ kzbw ]d-ªp. Inän-bpsS t\À¡v Abm-fpsS ]p©n-cn-bn hniz-hn- sâbpw A`n-am-\-¯n-sâbpw kam-[m-\-¯n-sâbpw D¯pw-K-irw-K-§-fnÂ
P-bn-bptSXmb B `mh-¯n Fs´m-s¡tbm Ds−¶v sehn\v ]ns¶bpw \n¶v \ncm-i-bp-sSbpw t{Im[-¯n-sâbpw A]-am-\-¯n-sâbpw AKm[KÀ¯-
tXm¶n. ¯n-te¡p \n]-Xn-¨-Xp-t]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. s\mSn-bn-S-sIm−v
s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨pw KÀ`-ip-{iq-j-bvs¡-¯nb acnb hvfmtky-hv\-bp- kÀhXpw kÀhcpw shdp-¡-s¸-«-Xm-bn.
ambn kwkm-cn-¨p-sIm−v tai-bpsS atä Aä-¯n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p {]`zn. “Gähpw DNnXw F¶p \n§sfms¡ Icp-Xp-¶-Xp-t]mse sNbvXp-sImÅq
AhÀ sehns\ ASp¯p hnfn¨v Inänsb hn{i-a-¯n\pw {]k-h-¯n-\p-ambn {]`zo.’’
tamkvtIm-bn-te¡p sIm−p-t]m-Ip¶ Imcyhpw aäpw ]d-ªp-Xp-S-§n. Ieym- “tamtWm-am-¡nsâ IncoSw F{Xtbm `mc-ta-dn-b-Xm-Ip¶p!” {]`zn-bpsS
W-¯n-s\-¶-t]mse Xs¶ {]k-h-¯n\pw C¯-c-¯n-epÅ Hcp-¡-§fpw kwkm-c¯n\p-a-¸pdw sehnsâ Bß-]o-U-\-§-fpsS bYmÀ° ImcWw
BÀ`m-S-§fpw A\m-h-iy-amsW¶v AbmÄ¡v tXm¶nbncp-¶p. Xs¶ a\-kn-em-¡nb s̸m³ Ifn ]d-ªp.
AbmfpsS Nn´m-K-Xn-IÄ a\-kn-em-¡m³ Ign-bm-Xn-cp¶ {]`zn C¡mcyw Inän-tbm-SpÅ hmsÊ-¦-bpsS kwkmcw Xte-¶-t¯-Xnsâ XpSÀ¨ Xs¶-bm-
kwkm-cn-¡m-\pÅ hnap-J-Xsb A{i-²bpw A\-h-[m-\-X-bp-ambn Icp-Xn. bn-cp-¶p. A¶-sb-¡p-dn¨pw kvt\l-amtWm euIn-I-]-cn-K-W-\-I-fmtWm
AXp-sIm-−p-Xs¶ AhÀ AbmÄ¡v Hcp kam-[m-\hpw sImSp-¯n-Ã. hep-sX¶pw aäpw. Inän¡v AXv H«pw CjvS-am-bn-Ã. B hnj-bhpw kwkm-c-
“F\n¡v AsXm¶pw Adn-bnà {]`zo. \n§Ä¡p bpà-sa¶p tXm¶p-¶-Xp- co-Xnbpw am{X-a-Ã, AXp Xsâ `À¯m-hns\ F§s\ hnj-an-¸n-¡p-sa-¶Xpw
t]mse sNbvXp-sIm-Åq.” AhÄ¡v Akz-Ø-X-bp-−m-¡n. ]t£ CjvS-an-sænepw AXv F§s\
“\n§-sf-t¸m-gmWv hcp-¶-sX¶v \n§Ä Xs¶ Xocp-am-\n-¡-Ww.’’ Ah-km-\n-¸n-¡-W-sa¶v AhÄ¡v Hcp ]nSn-bp-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶nÃ.
“C¶p IqWp ]dn-¡m³ t]mIp-¶pt−m?’’ tUmfn tNmZn-¨p.
“XoÀ¨-bm-bpw. Rm\pw hcp-¶p-−v.’’ Inän BsI XpSp-¯p.
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hmsÊ-¦-sb¡qSn acym-Z-bpsS t]cn £Wn-¡-W-sa¶v tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw Ahsc Bcpw ]n´p-SÀ¶v HmSn-¨-X-Ã, t]Sn-t¨m-Sm³ Imc-W-sam¶pw I−p-an-
AhÄ hnfn-¨n-Ã. “tImÌym, Ft§m-«mWv?’’ Dd¨ Nph-Sp-I-fp-ambn Xs¶-¡- Ã, tXm«-¯nse B Itk-c-bn hnti-j-s¸« k½m-\-§-sfm¶pw CÃm-bn-
S-¶p-t]m-Ip¶ `À¯m-hn-t\mSv AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. At¸mÄ Ah-fpsS apJ¯v cp¶p Xm\pw. F-¶n«pw Ct§m«p hcp-t¼m-gn-Ãm¯ Bizm-khpw kt´m-
Ft´m sXäp sNbvX-h-fpsS `mh-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AXv Abm-fpsS kwi-b- jhpw Ah-cpsS apJ¯p I−v tXm«-¡m-c\v AÛpXw tXm¶n.
§sf ZrV-s¸-Sp-¯p-Ibpw sNbvXp.
“Rm³ ]pd-¯m-bn-cp-¶-t¸m-gmWv sa¡m-\nIv h¶-Xv. CXp-hsc Abmsf sehn³ t\tc tUmfn-bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. Abm-fpsS apJs¯ Akz-
I−n-Ã.’’ Ah-fpsS t\À¡p t\m¡msX ]dªn«v AbmÄ Xmtg¡v Cd-§n- ØX AhÄ¡p a\-kn-em-bn.
t¸m-bn. Ah-fpsS ]cn-Nn-X-amb Ime-Sn-i_vZw hne-¡-s¸« thK-¯n Xs¶ “F´p ]än?’’
]n´p-S-cp-¶Xv Abm-f-dn-ªp. “Rm³ Inän-tbm-sSm¸w tXm«-¯n-em-bn-cp-¶p. c−mw Xh-W-bmWv R§Ä
“F´m th−Xv? R§Ä Xnc-¡n-em-Wv.” AbmÄ ]d-ªp. hg-¡n-Sp-¶-Xv... Ình h¶-Xn\p tijw.’’
“H¶p £an-¡-tW, F\n¡v Ct±-l-t¯mSv AXym-h-iy-ambn C¯ncn kwkm- Fs´m-s¡tbm ]nSn-In-«n-b-Xp-t]mse tUmfn Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnÂ
cn-¡m-\p−v” PÀa³Im-c-\mb sa¡m-\n-¡n-t\mSv Inän ]d-ªp. t\m¡n.
AbmÄ apdn-hn«p t]mIm-s\m-cp-§n. sehn³ ]dªp: “\n§Ä ]Wn apS- “H¶p ]d-tª, Abm-fpsS... Inän-bp-tS-XÃ... Abm-fpsS s]cp-am-ä-¯nÂ
t¡−.’’ Akzm-Øy-P-\-I-amb… Akz-Ø-X-bÃ, `oI-cam-b, Hcp `À¯m-hn\v {]tIm-
“aq¶p aWn-¡tà s{Sbn³? sshIn-bm icn-bm-hn-Ã.” ]-\-]-c-amb Fs´-¦nepw D−m-bn-cpt¶m?”
Abm-tfmSp adp-]Sn ]d-bmsX sehn³ `mcy-sbbpw Iq«n ]pd-t¯¡p \S- “Rm³ am{X-a-Ã, Ìnhmbpw AXp {i²n-¨n-cp-¶p. Im¸n-IpSn Ign-ª-t¸mÄ
¶p. At±lw ]d-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp.”
“t\m¡q, F´mWp \n\¡v Ft¶mSp ]d-bm-\p-ÅXv?” AbmÄ {^©n “F\n-¡Xp aXn. Rm\-bmsf Ct¸mÄ Xs¶ ]d-ªp-hn-Sp-I-bm-Wv.”
Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¨p. “Gbv tImÌym, F´p hnUvVn-¯-am-WnXv? Rm³ Ìnhm-tbmSp ]d-bmw.
Abm-f-h-fpsS apJ¯p t\m¡n-bn-Ã, Ah-fpsS At¸m-gs¯ ØnXntbm \n§Ä¡p kµÀi-I-cp-s−t¶m atäm ]dªv At±lw Hgn-hm-¡n-t¡m-fpw.
apJs¯ ssZ\y-Xtbm H¶pw IW-¡n-se-Sp-¯n-Ã. \½psS hoSn\p ]änb coXn-I-fà Abm-fp-tS-Xv.”
“C§s\ \ap¡p apt¶m«p t]mIm-\m-hn-Ã, CXp hÃm¯ IjvS-am-Wv.’’ “th−, Rm³ Xs¶ sNbvtXm-fmw.”
AhnsS A¸p-d-hp-an-¸p-dhpw tPmen-¡m-cp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ASp¯ apdn-bn “Abm-tfmSp hg-¡p-−m-¡-cpXv.”
Xm\y-bpsS ¢mkv \S-¡p-¶p. tXm«-¯n-se-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Ahn-sSbpw tPmen- “H«p-an-Ã.”
¡m-c³. F´n-s\tbm `b¶v HmSn c£-s]-Sp-¶-Xp-t]mse thK-¯n AhÀ h−n Xbm-dm¡n \nÀ¯m³ \nÀt±in¨n«v sehn³ hokvtemhvkvInbpsS
]mªp. HSp¡w tXm«-¯nse Hcp aqe-bn Hgnª `mK¯v F¯n-b-t¸mÄ apdn-bn-te¡p t]mbn. hmsÊ-¦-bpsS apJs¯ eÖnX`mhw I−-t¸mÄ
AhÄ B hm¡p-IÄ BhÀ¯n-¨p. sehn\v Ipä-t_m-[hpw \mWt¡Spw tXm¶n. F´p ]d-b-W-sa¶v
“C§s\ \ap¡p apt¶m«p t]mIm-\m-hn-Ã.” AbmÄ¡v ]nSn In«n-bn-Ã. A¶p cmhnse iàn ]co-£n¨v Ah-cn-cp-hcpw
“F¦nepw \o Xs¶ Ft¶mSp ]dbq: Abm-fpsS i_vZ¯n Akzm-`m-hn-I- tNÀ¶v HSn-s¨-Sp¯ Hcp I¼v tai-bn InS-¸p-−m-bn-cp-¶p. AsX-Sp¯v
am-b, Akm-[m-c-W-am-b, eÖm-I-c-amw-hn[w `oI-camb Ft´m D−m-bn- Hcäw InÅn-s¸m-fn-¨p-sIm−v AbmÄ \n¶p.
cpt¶m?” Npcp-«nb apjvSn-IÄ s\©n tNÀ¯v B cm{Xn-bn- “Rm³…” H¶p aSn-s¨-¦nepw s]s«¶v Inän-sbbpw A¶s¯ kw`-h-§fpw
teXpt]msebmbn-cp¶p Abm-fpsS \n¸v. HmÀa h¶-t¸mÄ apJ¯p \nÝ-bZmÀVyw hcp¯n sehn³ ]d-ªp. “IpXn-
“D−m-bn-cp-¶p.” CS-dnb i_vZ¯n AhÄ ]d-ªp. “]t£ tImÌym, c-I-sf-¸q«n h−n Hcp-¡n-\nÀ¯m³ ]d-ªn-«p−v. \n§Ä¡p th−n.”
Rms\´p sN¿m\mWv? cmhnse apXÂ Rm³ Rm\-bmsf … ]t£ Cu “Fhn-sSt¸mIm³?”
a\p-jyÀ… Abm-sf-´n\m h¶Xv? \½-sf{X kt´m-j-¯n Ign-bp-I-bm- “tÌj-\n-te-¡v.” sehnsâ apJ¯p ¾m\X ]c-¶p.
bn-cp¶p?” izmkw ap«n-¡p¶ G§-e-Sn-IÄ¡nsS AhÄ ]d-ªp.
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“Fs´-¦nepw Ipg¸w kw`-hnt¨m? AtXm \n§Ä Fhn-sSsb-¦nepw t]mIp- F{X hne-s¸-«-Xm-sW¶ t_m[yhpw CXn\p \nan-¯-am-bn. Ah-cpsS {]iv\-
I-bmtWm?“’’ §Ä kz´w {]iv\-§-fm-bn-¯-s¶-bmWv sehn³ I−n-cp-¶-Xv.
“F\n¡p Nne hncp-¶p-Im-cp−v.’’ sehn³ hSn InÅn-s¸m-fn-¡p-¶-Xnsâ aWn-¡q-dp-IÄ \o− B bm{X-bn Ah-fpsS a\-kn-eqsS Hcm-bncw Nn´-
thKw IqSn. “AÃ, hncp-¶p-Im-scm-¶p-an-Ã. {]tXy-In-s¨m¶pw kw`-hn-¨p-an-Ã, IÄ Hgp-In-\o-§n. a¡Ä, Ah-cpsS hnZym-`ym-kw, `mhn, {]k-h-§fpw Ip«n-
\n§Ä t]mI-Wsa¶v Rm\m-{K-ln-¡p-¶p. AXp \n§Ä F§s\ thW-sa- Isf hfÀ¯-ep-ambn XoÀ¶p-t]m-Ip¶ kz´w Pohn-Xw, KÀ`-¯n-sâbpw
¦nepw hymJym-\n-t¨m-fq.’’ {]k-h-¯nsâbpw thZ-\-IÄ... bm{X-bv¡nsS k{X-¯n h¨p I− B
sehnsâ hnc¯p-¼nepw hnd-bv¡p¶ Np−p-I-fnepw ]Xnª sNdp-¸-¡m-cn- kz´w Ipªp acn-¨p-t]m-b-Xn-s\-¡p-dn¨p ]dª hm¡p-IÄ:
i_vZ¯nepw Xnf-§p¶ I®p-I-fnepw th−p-thmfw hymJym-\-§-fp-−m-bn- “F´n\m ZpxJn¡p-¶Xv? hb-k\v thsdbpw sIm¨p-a-¡Ä hsc-bp-−v.
cp¶p; hm¡p-IÄ¡p ]d-bm-hp-¶-Xn-te-sd. Npa-en-f-¡n, Nndn tIm«n hmsʦ AsXmcp ieyw am{X-am-bn-cp-¶p. tPmen sN¿m\pw ]än-Ã, H¶pw ]änÃ. Hcp
D]-Nmcw ]d-ªp. _Ô-\w.’’ At¸mÄ shdp¸p tXm¶n-sb-¦nepw AXn-eS§nb kXy-¯nsâ
“F\n¡v Ht»m³kvInsb ImWp-¶-Xn\p XS-k-an-ÃtÃm AtÃ?“ IWnI Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡p ap³]n sXfn-ªp-h-¶p.
Abm-fpsS Npa-en-f-¡hpw Nndn-tIm-«-ep-sam¶pw sehns\ H«pw {]tIm-]n-¸n- ]Xn-\-©p hÀjs¯ hnhm-l-Po-hn-X-¯n-te¡v AhÄ ho−pw Xncn-ªp-
¨n-Ã. t\m-¡n. KÀ`w, tcmKw, am\-kn-I-¯-fÀ¨IÄ, kÀh-Xn-t\mSpw hnc-àn,
“Rm³ Ct§m-«-b-bv¡mw.’’ \jvS-ku-µcyw þ sNdp-¸hpw kuµ-cyhpw th−p-thm-f-apÅ Inän t]mepw
CsXÃmw tI«v s̸m\v tZjyw h¶p. “CsX´p h«mWv?’’ Ct¸mÄ F{Xtbm hne-£-W-bm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p, {]k-hw, AXnsâ `oI-camb
“hni-Zmw-i-§-fn-te¡p IS-¡-−. \n§-tfmSpw At±-l-t¯mSpw s]cp-am-dnb thZ-\-IÄ, ape-bq-«Â, Dd-¡-an-Ãm¯ cm{Xn-IÄ... Hmtcm Ip«n-bp-−m-b-
coXn-bn F\n¡p tJZ-ap−v. ]t£ Abm-fpsS km¶n[yw F\n¡pw t¸mgpw ape-sR«pIÄ ]gp¯v A\p-`-hn¨ thZ\ Hcp sR«embn DWÀ¶p-
Fsâ `mcybv¡pw Atcm-N-I-am-bn-cp-¶p.” h-¶p.
“]t£ AXv Abmsf A]-am-\n-¡pw-hn-[-am-bn-t¸m-bn.’’ ]ns¶ Ip«n-Isf hfÀ¯Â, Ah-cpsS tcmK-§Ä, ]T-\w þ emän-s\ms¡
“F\n¡v A]-am-\hpw thZ-\-bp-am-bn-cp¶p ^ew. Hcp sXäpw sN¿msX ]Tn-¸n-¡m³ Bsc-s¡m−p ]äpw, FÃm-änepw IjvSw Ah-cpsS ac-W-hpw.
Xs¶.’’ acn-¨p-t]mb Ah-km-\s¯ Ipªnsâ HmÀa-IÄ XnI-«n-h-¶p: Ahsâ
Cu kw`-h-ap-−m-¡nb Atem-kcw s]s«¶p Xs¶ sI«S§n. {]`zn¡p kwkvIm-c-¨-S-§v, ]n¦v \nd-apÅ ih-a-©-¯n-\p Npäpw \n¡p¶ apJ-§-
am{Xw AXp ad-¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. _m¡n-sb-Ãm-hcpw sshIp-t¶-c-am-b-t¸m- fnse \nÀhn-Im-c-X, lrZbw Iodn-ap-dnª thZ-\, Ipcnip Xp¶n-t¨À¯ ]n¦v
tg¡p Xs¶ ]s−t§m Ignª Hcp Imcyw t]mse-bmWv AXn-s\-¡p-dn¨v \nd-apÅ aqSn-sIm−v ASbv¡pt¼mÄ ih-s¸-«n-¡p-Ån AXv`pXw-sIm−p
Nn´n-¨-Xv. ss]Xr-I-am-bn-¡n-«nb \Àat_m[w h¨v tUmfn sa\ª IY-IÄ s]mfn-ªn-cn-¡p¶ Ipªp hmb...
hmsd-¦sb Nncn-sIm−v Ah-i-bm-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. F´n-\m-Wn-sXm-s¡? Hcp \nanjw t]mepw kam-[m-\-an-Ãm¯ Pohn-Xw.
kzbw `mc-am-bn, aäp-Å-hÀ¡v Atem-k-c-am-bn, `À¯m-hn\p t]mepw XmÂ]-
tUmfn A¶sb ImWm³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. hvtdm¬kvInbpambn _Ô-s¸« cy-an-Ãm-sX, hnZym-`ym-k-an-Ãm-sX, ssIbn ]¯p ss]k-bn-Ãm-sX... sehn-
Hcn-S-]mSpw ths−¶ Inän-bp-sSbpw sehn-sâbpw Xocp-am\w icn-bm-sW¶p sâbpw Inän-bp-sSbpw IqsS-b-Ãm-bn-cp-s¶-¦n Cu th\¡mew F§s\
tXm¶n-b-Xn-\m Ahsc Akz-Ø-cm-t¡−Xn-söpw Dd-¸n-¨p. bm{Xbv¡p Ign-bp-am-bn-cp¶p F¶p-t]mepw Adn-bn-Ã. ]t£ CXp imiz-X-a-Ã,
th− IpXn-c-Isf hmS-I-bvs¡-Sp-¡m³ Bsf-b-b-¨p. CX-dnª sehn³ AhÀ¡pw Ip«n-I-fp-−m-Ipw, kz´w _m[y-X-Ifpw Xnc-¡p-I-fp-am-Ipw.
Xsâ h−n Ab-bv¡m-sa¶p ]d-ªp, AXn-¯s¶ t]mI-Wsa¶p kz´w Imcyw t\m¡m³ t]mepw hI-bnÃm¯ ]m¸m-bpsS ssIbn \n¶v
\nÀ_Ôn¨p, Ah-cpsS A½bv¡pw InänbpsS KÀ`-ip-{iq-j-Ibv¡pw h−n Fs´-¦nepw In«n-bn«p Pohn-¡m-sa-¶mtWm? F¶nt«m? Cu ]msSms¡
th−n-h-cp-sa-¶-dn-ªn«pw Gähpw \à IpXn-c-I-sf-¯s¶ tUmfn¡p hn«p- F´n-\mWv? Gähpw \ÃXp am{Xw kw`-hn-¨m Cu Ip«n-IÄ am\y-·m-cmbn
sIm-Sp-¡p-Ibpw sNbvXp. BXn-Yy-a-cym-Z-am-{X-a-Ã, Ccp-]Xp dq_nÄ tUmfn¡v hfÀ¶p-h-cpw... A-Xn-\mbn Hcm-bpkp apgp-h³... k{X¯nse B sNdp-¸-
207 208
¡mcn ]d-ªXv Hcn-¡Â¡qSn Ah-tfmÀ¯p, AXn-eS§nb {Iqc-amb A¶-bp-sSbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw BËmZw ]d-ª-dn-bn-¡m³ ]äm-¯-
kXyw \ntj-[n-¡m³ AhÄ¡m-bn-Ã. Xm-bn-cp-¶p.
hgn-bn I− apJ-§-sfÃmw Hmtcm \nan-jhpw Pohn-¡p-I-bm-sW¶v
AhÄ¡p tXm¶n. AhÄ am{Xw Pohn-¡m³ Hcp \nanjw Xnc-bp-¶p. Ah- tUmfn-tbm-sSm¸w h−n-bn-en-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Ah-fpsS apJs¯ `mhw hmbn-
sc-Ãm-hcpw Pohn-¡p-¶p. sXmgn-em-fn-s¸-®p-§fpw hmsd-¦bpw Fsâ ktlm- ¨-dnª A¶ tNmZn¨p: “Rms\§s\ C{X k´p-jvS-bm-bn-cn-¡p-s¶t¶m?
Zcn \Xm-en-bbpw A¶-bpw... FÃm-h-cpw. Rm³ am{Xw.... am{´n-I-am-b-sXt´m kw`-hn-¨n-cn-¡p¶p. Zpkz-]v\-¯n \n¶v DWÀs¶-Wo-
F¶n-«mWv FÃm-hcpw A¶sb B{I-an-¡p-¶-Xv. Rms\´m sa¨-amtWm? ä-Xp-t]m-se. Zpcn-X-§Ä, thZ-\-IÄ FÃmw Rm³ Pohn-¨p-XoÀ¯n-cn-¡p-¶p.
H¶p-a-sænepw Rm³ CjvS-s¸-Sp¶ þ Rm\m-{K-ln-¡p-¶-Xp-t]msesbm¶p-a- Rm³ DWÀs¶-Wo-äp, `b-s¸-Sp-¯n-bn-cp-¶-sXÃmw CÃm-Xm-bn-cn-¡p-¶p.
sænepw þ Hcp `À¯m-sh-¦nepw F\n-¡p-−v. AhÄ¡m-Is« Hcn- Ct¸mÄ Iptd-¡m-e-ambn, hnti-jn¨pw Chn-sS-sb¯n-b-Xn¸ns¶, Rm³
¡Ât¸mepw kz´w `À¯m-hns\ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-ªn-«n-Ã. Ahfpw hfsc k´p-jvS-bm-Wv.”
Pohn-¡m³ sImXn-¡p-¶p. AXp ssZhw \½psS lrZ-b-§-fn \nt£-]n-¨n- “lmhq, kt´m-j-am-bn, \osbt´ F\n-s¡-gp-Xn-bnÃ?”
«p-Å-Xm-Wv. Ah-fpsS Øm\¯v Rm\pw an¡-hmdpw CXp Xs¶-bmIpw “ss[cy-an-Ãm-ªn-«m-Wv. \n\-s¡sâ ØnXn And-bm-am-bn-cp-¶ntÃ?”
sNbvXn-«p-−m-Ip-I. A¶v AhÄ tamkvtIm-bn h¶p cay-X-s¸-Sp-¯nb “ss[cy-an-Ãm-ªnt«m? Fsâ-b-Sp-¡tem? Rms\-§-s\-bmWv \ns¶ ImWp-
Znhkw sNbvXXp ]qÀW-ambpw icn-bm-sW¶v CXp-h-scbpw F\n¡p ¶…”
tXm¶n-bn-«n-Ã. A¶-bmsf Dt]-£n¨p ]pXnb PohnXw XpS§Wam-bn-cp-¶p. bm{X-bn tXm¶n-b-sXms¡ ]d-bm-\mª AhÄ ]ns¶ AXp ths−¶p
F¦n Rm³ Hcp-]t£ icn¡p kvt\ln-¡p-Ibpw kvt\ln-¡-s¸-Sp-Ibpw h¨v hnjbw amäm-\mbn asät´m ]d-ªp. ]t£ A¶ tNmZn-¨Xv AXp
sNbvtX-s\. Ct¸m-sg´m? Abmsf F\n¡v Bh-iy-amWv. shdpsX s]mcp- Xs¶-bm-bn-cp¶p:
¯-s¸-«p-t]m-Ip-¶p. A-{X-am-{Xw. A¶m-sW¦n F\n¡p kuµ-c-sa-¦nepw “Fsâ Imcyw \osb-´mWp Icp-Xp-¶Xv? Fsâ Pohn-X-s¯-¸än?”
_m¡n-bp-−m-bn-cp-¶p. ssIbn Icp-Xnb I®m-Sn-sb-Sp¯v apJw t\m¡-W- h−n-bn h¨v AtX-¸än ZoÀL-kw-`m-jWw ths−¶p h¨v tUmfn C{X-
sa¶p tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. ]t£ h−n-¡m-c\pw sehn³ Iq«n-\-b¨ am{Xw ]dªp:
¢mÀ¡pw ImWp-a-tÃm-sb-t¶mÀ¯p ths−-¶p-h-¨p. “Rm³ AtX-¸än hnti-jn-s¨m¶pw Icp-Xp-¶n-Ã. F\n-s¡¶pw \ns¶ CjvS-
I®m-Sn-bn t\m¡msX Xs¶ C\nbpw sshIn-bn-«nsöv AhÄ¡p a\-kn- am-bn-cp-¶p. Hcmsf CjvS-s¸-Sp-¶Xv ]qÀW-ambn-«-tÃ, AhÀ Bbn-cn-¡p-¶-Xp-
em-bn. Xsâ Imcy-§Ä Ft¸mgpw {i²n-¡p¶ skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn-¨ns\ t]mse; AÃmsX \½Ä B{K-ln-¡p-¶-Xp-t]msebmbn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ am{X-a-Ã-
Ah-tfmÀ¯p. Ip«n-IÄ¡p NqSp-]\n amdp-thmfw Iq«mbn \n¶ Ìnhm-bpsS tÃm...”
Iq«p-Im-c³ Sptdm-hvSvkns\ HmÀ¯p. c−p ktlm-Z-cn-am-sc-¡mfpw kpµcn “\n\-s¡-s´-¦nepw ]m]-§Ä D−m-bn-cp-s¶-¦n AsXÃmw Cu kµÀi-\-
Xm\m-sW¶p ]dª sNdp-¸-¡m-cs\ þ Hcp Xam-i-sbt¶m-WamWv Ình ¯n-sâbpw Cu hm¡p-I-fp-sSbpw t]cn \nt¶mSp £an-¡-s¸-Spw.” A¶-
AXp ]d-ªXv þ HmÀ¯p. AXn-Xo-{h-amb {]W-b-hn-Im-c-§fm Ah-fpsS bpsS I®p-IÄ Cud-\-Wn-bp-¶Xp I−v tUmfn \nÈ_vZw Ah-fpsS ssII-
a\-kv ]pf-In-X-ambn. A-¶-bp-tS-Xn\p kam-´-c-amb hgn-I-fn Xsâ kz]v\- fn AaÀ¯n-¸n-Sn-¨p.
§-fnse amXr-Im-]p-cp-j-s\ AhÄ {]W-bn-¨p, A¶-sb-t¸mse Xs¶ Xsâ
_Ôw `À¯m-hn-t\mSv Gäp-]-d-ªp, AXp tI« s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn-
¨nsâ hn{`m-´n-IÄ a\-kn I−v AhÄ ]p©n-cn-¨p. Cw¥ojv t\mh-ep-I-fn hmbn¨p am{X-a-dn-ªn-«pÅ B[p-\nI bqtdm-]y³
BÀ`m-S-§-fm-Wv A¶-bp-sSbpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-sSbpw ho«n tUmfn I−-
A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvInbpw hmsʦ hokvtemhvkvInbpw Hcp tPm¡nbpw Xv. djy-bn-se§pw CXp-hsc I−n-«n-Ãm¯ Xcw.
IpXn-c-¸p-d-¯v, kznbm-jvkvInbpw hmÀhc {]`znbpw Hcp h−n-bn þ Ah-cpsS sIm¨p-kp-µ-cnsb ImWm³ t]mb-t¸mÄ Ahn-Sps¯ Ifn-¸m-«-
A§s\ hcp-t¼mÄ hgn¡p h¨v tUmfnbpw kwLhpw Ahsc I−p-ap-«n. §fpw Gähpw B[p-\n-Ihpw ta¯-c-hpw. Gsdbpw Cw¥-−n \n¶v
sIm−p-h-¶-h.
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]t£ a\p-jy-sc Adnbm-\pÅ A¶-bpsS Ignhp h¨p t\m¡p-t¼mÄ
aIÄ¡v Cu Bb-amsc Ah-sf-§s\ Xnc-sª-Sp¯p F¶v tUmfn¡p tUmfn InS-¡m-s\m-cp-§p-t¼m-gmWv A¶ h¶-Xv. ‘Ah-tfmSv FÃmw ]d-
BÝcyw tXm¶n. ]ns¶ Ah-fpsS IpSpw-_-]-Ým-¯ew ImcWw IqSp-X bWw’ Fs¶ms¡ ]d-sª-¦nepw AhÀ X\n-¨m-b-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡v FhnsS
anI-¨-hsc In«m-¯-Xm-Ip-sa¶p Icp-Xn. A¶bpw Bb-amcpw Ip«nbpw XpS-§-W-sa-¶-dn-bn-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. FÃmw ]ªp-I-gn-ª-Xm-sW¶v AhÄ¡p
X½n A{X henb ASp-¸-sam-¶p-an-söXv ASp¯ BÝ-cy-am-bn. Ip«n- tXm¶n.
s¡{X ]Ãp h¶p-sh-¶v A¶bv¡p \nÝ-ban-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. ]pXp-Xmbn h¶ “Inän-bpsS hntijw F´p−v?” Hcp ZoÀL-\n-izm-k-t¯msS Ipä-t_m-[-
c−p ]Ãp-IÄ Ah-fpsS {i²-bn s]«n-cp-¶-tX-bnÃ. t¯m-sS-bmWv A¶ tNmZn-¨-Xv. “AhÄ¡v Ft¶mSv tZjy-am-bn-cn¡pw
“ChnsS C§-s\-sbm-s¡-bm-bn-t¸m-Ip-¶-Xn F\n¡p ZpxJw tXm¶m-dp-−v. AtÃ?”
Fsâ aIsâ Imcy-¯n C§-s\-sbm-¶p-am-bn-cp-¶n-Ã.” “tZjytam? tlbv, CÃ.” tUmfn a-µ-l-kn-¨p.
“adn-¨m-bn-cn-¡p-sa-¶mWv Rm³ Icp-Xn-b-Xv.” “AhÄs¡-t¶mSv shdp-¸m-bn-cn-¡pw.“
“\n\-¡-dn-bm-tam, Rm³ CubnsS skcn-tbm-jsb I−n-cp-¶p. AsXms¡ “Gbv, AsXm-¶p-an-Ã. ]t£ FÃmw A{X s]s«¶p ad-¡m-s\m¶pw
]ns¶-¸-d-bmw. `n£-¡m-cn-bpsS ap³]n hn`-h-k-ar-²-amb kZy hnf-¼n-h-¨- AhÄ¡p Ign-bn-Ã-tÃm.“
Xp-t]m-se-bmWv F\n¡p \ns¶ I−-t¸mÄ. FÃmw \nt¶mSp ]d-b-Ww. “AhÄ k´p-jvS-bmtWm? AbmÄ \Ã-h-\m-sW¶mWtÃm FÃm-hcpw ]d-
Fhn-sS¯pS§Wsa-¶-dn-bn-Ã.” bp-¶-Xv.”
“\Ã-h-s\-¶-Ã, A{Xbpw \Ã asäm-cmsf F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã.”
AhÀ \mep t]cpw IqSn \S-¡m-\n-d§n. tPmSn Xncn-ªm-bn-cp¶p \S¸v þ “kam-[m-\-am-bn. Hm, kt´m-j-am-bn.“
A¶bpw kznbm-jvkvInbpw, hvtdm¬kvInbpw tUmfnbpw. A-¶b - psS “C\n \nsâ Imcy-§Ä ]d-bq. \ap¡v Hcp-]mSp Imcy-§Ä ]d-bm-\p-−v.
tIÄhn-¸p-d-¯p-\n-¶-Iän hvtdm¬kvIn tUmfn-tbmSv Xsâ ZpxJ§Ä ]d- Rm³... kwkm-cn-¨n-cp-¶p...“
ªp. Abmsf {]`p Ft¶m AeIvkn Incn-tem-hn¨v Ft¶m hnfn-¡m³
‘\nb-a-¡p-cp-¡p-IÄ {]Imcw Abm-fpsS aIÄ Itc-\n³ IpSpw-_-¯n-te- AhÄ¡p tXm¶n-bn-Ã.
Xmbn hf-cp-¶p. C\n a¡-fp-−m-bm Ahcpw A§s\ Xs¶-bm-Ipw. Ah- “Ae-Ivkn-bp-am-bn. \n§-sf´m kwkm-cn-¨n-«p-−m-IpI F¶v F\n-¡-dn-bmw.
Im-in-bn-Ãm-¯-h-\mbn kz´w a¡-fpsS ]nXr-Xz-¯n\v Ah-Im-i-an-Ãm-¯-h- \o Fs¶-¡p-dn-¨v, Fsâ Pohn-X-s¯-¡p-dn¨v F´p Nn´n-¡p¶p F¶mWv
\mbn Ign-tb−nhcp-¶-Xnsâ thZ-\. ]nXrXzw Øm]n¨p In«-W-sa-¦n F\n-¡-dn-tb-−-Xv.’’
Itc-\n\pw A¶-bp-am-bpÅ hnhm-l-tam-N\w \S-¡-Ww. Ah-f-Xm-{K-ln-¡p- “Rms\-´m-Wnt¸m ]d-bpI? kXy-¯n F\n-¡-dn-bn-Ã.”
s¶-¦n km[n-¨p-sIm-Sp-¡m-sa¶v Itc-\n³ ap³t] ]d-ªn-«p−v; tUmfn- “F´m-bmepw \o ]d-b-Ww. Ct¸m th\-en hncp-¶p-Im-tcm-sSm-¸-amWv \o
bpsS `À¯mhv Xs¶-bmWv AXn\p a[y-ØX hln-¨-Xpw. ]t£ A¶ R§sf ImWp-¶-Xv. hk-´-¯n ChnsS hcp-t¼mÄ R§Ä am{X-am-bn-cp-
Xs¶ FgpXn Bh-iy-s¸-S-Wsa¶mWv Abm-fpsS \nÀ_Ôw. A¶-bv¡m- ¶p. C\nbpw A§s\ Xs¶-bm-Ipw. AXn¡q-Sp-X-sem¶pw Rm\m-{K-ln-
sW¦n C¯cw Kuc-h-apÅ Imcy-§Ä NÀ¨ sN¿p¶Xp Xs¶ CjvS-a-Ã. ¡p-¶nà Xm\pw. ]t£, At±-l-an-ÃmsX Rm³ X\n¨p Pohn-¡p-¶Xv
C¡m-cy-¯n A¶-bpsS a\kp amän-¡m\pw AeIvkn Ae-Ivkm³t{Um-hn- \osbm¶v HmÀ¯p-t\m-¡q-. CXp-h-sc-bp-Å-sXms¡ h¨v t\m¡p-t¼mÄ AXv
¨n\p Is¯-gpXn hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\Sn-sb-Sp-¡m\pw tUmfn-bpsS klmbw Hcp-]mSv th−n-h-cpw. ]IpXn ka-bhpw At±lw ]pd-¯p-X-s¶-bm-Ipw.”
thWw. CXm-bn-cp¶p Ah-tfmSp ]dª kzIm-cy-§-fpsS DÅ-S-¡w. tUmfn-bpsS ASp-t¯¡p \o§n-bn-cp-¶p-sIm−v AhÄ ]d-ªp. adp-]Sn
]d-bm-s\m-cp-§p-t¼m-tg¡v A¶ XpSÀ¶p: “F´m-bmepw Rm³
hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS s]mXp-{]-hÀ¯\w kw_-Ôn¨pw aäp-apÅ kw`m-j- \nÀ_Ôn¨v ho«n-en-cp-¯p-I-sbm-¶p-an-Ã. IpXn-c-¸-´-b-¯nsâ Ime-amWv
W-§-fn A¶-bpsS apJ¯p \nd-bp¶ CuÀjybpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS hcp-¶-Xv. At±-l-¯nsâ IpXn-c-IÄ aÂk-cn-¡p-¶p-−v. an¡-hmdpw C\n
apJs¯ IÀ¡-i-Xbpw hmÀhc {]`zn s]s«¶p hnjbw amän kwLÀj-§- Rm³ X\n-¨m-Ipw. AsXm-s¡-¸-d-ªn-s«´m Imcyw? At±-l-sa-´mWv
sfm-gn-hm-¡p-¶Xpw Hs¡ tUmfn-bpsS {i²-bn ]Xn-ªp. \nt¶mSp ]d-ªXv?”
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“Rm³ ]d-bm-\p-t±-in¨ Imcy-§Ä Xs¶-bmWv At±lw ]d-ª-Xv. AXp- “F´m Ipg¸w? c−n-sem¶p Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-W-sa¶p h¶m F´m
sIm−v At±-l-¯nsâ h¡o-em-Im³ F\n¡v Ffp-¸-am-bn-cn-¡pw… \nsâ sNbvI? H¶p-In sshI-ey-apÅ Ip«n-bpsS A½-bm-Ip-I, AsÃ-¦nÂ
Ct¸m-gs¯ \ne sa¨-s¸-Sp-¯m³… (A-h-sfm¶p i¦n-¨p) t\tc-bm-¡m- `À¯m-hn\v \sÃmcp Iq«m-fn-bm-Ip-I. \n\t¡m aäp-Å-hÀt¡m c−m-a-
\pÅ km[y-X-I-sf-¸-än-bm-Wv. Rms\-§-s\-bmWv AXp ImWp-¶-sX¶v \n\- sXm¶p Nn´n-¡m-\p-−m-Ipw. F\nt¡m? F\n-¡-t±lw `À¯m-h-Ã. kvt\l-
¡-dn-bm-a-tÃm. F¦nepw ]äp-sa-¦n \o hnhm-ln-X-bm-I-W-sa¶p Xs¶-bmWv ap-Ån-S-t¯mfw Imew kvt\l-ap-−m-Ipw. Rms\-§-s\-bmWv At±-l-¯nsâ
F\n¡p ]d-bm-\p-Å-Xv.” kvt\lw \ne-\nÀ¯pI? C§-s\tbm?” AhÄ shfp¯ ssI¸Sw hf¨v
“hnhm-l-tam-N-\-amtWm \o Dt±-in-¡p-¶Xv? ]otägvkv_ÀKn Fs¶-¡m- Ac-s¡-«n\p aotX AÀ[-hr-¯m-Ir-Xn-bn Nen-¸n-¨p.
Wm³ h¶ Htc-sbmcp kv{Xo s_ävkn tSzÀkvIb BWv. `À¯m-hns\ tUmfn HmÀ¯p: Ìnhm-bpsS ap³]n BIÀj-I-bm-bn-cn-¡m³ Rm³ {i²n-
AXn-\o-N-ambn NXn¨v SjvtI-hn-¨p-ambn Ahn-ln-X-_Ôw ]peÀ¯n-bn-cp¶ ¨n-Ã. At±lw Fs¶ hn«v aäp-Å-h-cpsS ]n¶mse t]mbn. Ah-cn BZy-
AhÀ ]d-bp-I-bmWv R§-fpsS _Ôw \nb-am-\p-kr-X-am-Im-¯n-S-t¯mfw ¯-hÄ¡pw kuµ-cyhpw BIÀj-I-Xzhpw Im¯p-kq-£n¨v Abmsf ]nSn-
Imew kulr-Z-¯n-\n-söv. Xmc-X-ay-s¸-Sp-¯n-b-sXm-¶p-a-Ã, \ns¶ F\n-¡- ¨p-\nÀ¯m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. A¶bv¡p hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p-hns\ ]nSn-¨p-
dn-bm-a-tÃm; shdpsX HmÀ¯p-t]m-sb¶p am{Xw. At±-l-sa´m ]d-ªXv?” \nÀ¯m³ Ign-bptam? AbmfpsS t\m«hpw Fsâ `À¯m-hn-s\-t¸m-se-bm-
“\ns¶-¡p-dn¨pw kz´w Imcy-¯nepw ZpxJnX-\m-sW¶v. Xsâ aI-fpsS sW¦n IqSp-X \nd-apÅ thj-§fpw apJ§fpw Abmfpw Is−-¯pw.
taepw `À¯m-sh¶ \ne-bn \nsâ taepw \nb-a-]-c-am-bn-¯s¶ Ah- AhÄ adp-]-Sn-sbm¶pw ]d-ªn-Ã. Hcp s\Sp-hoÀ¸p am{Xw. B hntbm-P-\-
Imiw Øm]n¨p In«-W-sa-¶v. \o thZ-\n-¡-cp-sX¶XmWv At±-l-¯nsâ ¡p-dn¸v A¶ Xncn-¨-dn-ªp. ]t£ Ah-fpsS ]¡Â A\n-tj-[y-amb aäp
{][m\ B{K-lw.” Imc-W-§-fp-−m-bn-cp-¶p.
“AXn\n Akm-[y-amb Imcy-am-Wv.” “A\ysâ t]cpw t]dn \S-t¡-−n-h-cp¶ \nÀ`mKyP-·-§Ä. P·w-sIm-−-Xn-
“Xsâ a¡Ä¡v kz´w t]cp-−m-I-W-sa-¶-XmWv At±-l-¯nsâ \ymb-amb s\-¸-än, AÑ-s\-¸än, A½-sb-¸än Hs¡ \mWw-sI-tS−nhcp¶ Ipsd Ip«n-
B{K-lw.” Isf Rms\-´n\p P\n-¸n-¡Ww?”
“F´p Ip«n-IÄ?” tUmfnsb t\m¡msX I®p-IÄ ]mXn-b-S¨v A¶ tNmZn- “AXp-sIm-−mWv hnhm-l-tam-N\w t\Sm³ ]d-bp-¶-Xv.”
¨p. tUmfn ]d-ªXv A¶ tI«nÃ. kzbw BhÀ¯n¨p hniz-kn-¸n-¨n-cp¶ aäp
“B\nbpw C\n hcm-\p-Å-h-cpw.” Imc-W-§-fn-te¡v AhÄ A\ÀKfw {]h-ln-¨p.
“AtXmÀ¯v C\n At±lw hnj-an-t¡-−. Rm\n\n A½-bm-In-Ã.” “Ak-´p-jvS-P-·-§sf Cu `qan-bn-te¡p sIm−p-h-cp-¶Xv Hgn-hm-¡m-\-
“AXp \osb-§n-s\-bmWv ]d-bp-I?” sæn ]ns¶ F´n-\mWv F\n¡v bpànbpw Xncn-¨-dnhpw \ÂI-s¸-«n-cn-
“F\n-¡-Xn-jvS-a-Ã, AXp-sIm-−v.” FÃm hnIm-c-t£m-`-§Ä¡n-S-bnepw A¶ ¡p-¶Xv? B ]mhw Ip«n-I-fpsS s\m¼-c-§-fpsS apgp-h³ D¯-c-hm-Zn-¯hpw
]p©n-cn-¨p. tUmfn-bpsS apJ¯v Bi-¦bpw AÛp-Xhpw `oXn-bp-saÃmw F\n-¡m-bn-cn-¡pw.”
hncn-bp-¶Xv AhÄ I−p. “AÃ, A§-s\b-Ã, F\n-¡-dn-bnÔ Fs¶ms¡ Np½m ]d-ª-X-ÃmsX
“Fsâ tcmK-Imew Ign-ª-t¸mÄ tUmIvSÀ ]d-ªp…” tUmfn¡v IrXy-amb adp-]-Sn-sbm-¶p-an-Ãm-bn-cp-¶p. A¶-bn \n¶v X¶n-te-
“Akm-[yw…” I®p-IÄ Xpdn¨v tUmfn ]d-ªp. ¡pÅ Zqcw hfsc hep-Xm-sW¶v s]s«¶v Ah-f-dn-ªp. henb {]Xn-_-Ô-
Ht¶m ct−m Ip«n-IÄ am{X-apÅ IpSpw-_-§-sf-¡p-dn¨v AhÄ¡p §Ä, tbmPn-¡m³ Ign-bm¯ \nc-h[n {]iv\-§Ä X§sf X½n-e-I-äp-¶-
]nSnIn«m-Xn-cp¶ Imcy-§-fpsS shfn-]m-Smbn AXv. Ahn-iz-k-\o-b-X-tbmsS Xmbn AhÄ a\-kn-em-¡n.
AhÄ A¶sb Xpdn-¨p-t\m-¡n-bn-cp-¶p. Gsd-¡p-gª Hcp {]iv\-¯n\v
AXo-h-\n-km-c-amb Hcp-¯-c-am-bn-t¯m¶n AhÄ¡-Xv. “Ign-bp-sa-¦n \n§-fpsS _Ô-¯n\p \nb-a-km-[pX \ÂtI-−-Xnsâ
“[Àa¯n\p \nc-¡p-¶-XmtWm AXv?” Ipd-¨p-t\-cs¯ \ni-_vZ-Xbv¡p Bh-iy-IXbmWv CXp shfn-hm-¡p-¶Xv.”
tijw AhÄ tNmZn-¨p. “AsX, Ign-bp-sa-¦nÂ.”
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“hnhm-l-tam-N\w Akm-[y-am-sW¶mtWm \o ]d-ªp-h-cp-¶Xv? \nsâ `mh-¯n Ah-fpsS apJ-t¯¡v Hfn-ªp-t\m¡n ssII-fn apdp-sI ]nSn-
`À¯mhv AXn\p k½-Xn-¨n-«p-s−-¶m-WtÃm Fsâ Adnhv.” ¨p.
“tUmfo, AtX-¸än kwkm-cn-¡m³ F\n-¡n-jvS-an-Ã.” “\osb´m Nn´n-¡p-¶Xv? Fs¶-¡p-dn-s¨´m Nn´n-¡p-¶Xv? Fs¶ shdp-
“F¦n th−, \ap-¡Xp hnSmw. ]t£ \obn-§s\ FÃm-¯n-s\bpw ¾m\- ¡-cp-Xv. Rm\msI Ak-´p-jvS-bm-Wv. Ak-´p-jvS-bmbn Bsc-¦n-ep-ap-s−-
X-tbmsS ImW-cp-Xv.” ¦n AXp Rm\m-Wv.” apJw Xncn¨v A¶ s]m«n-¡-c-ªp-.
“Rms\-Ãm-¯n-s\bpw ¾m\-X-tbmsS ImWp-¶p-sh¶p \o ]d-bp-¶p. \n\- A¶ t]mbn-¡-gn-ª-t¸mÄ Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ {]mÀ°\IÄ
¡Xp a\-kn-em-In-Ã, F´p `oI-cam-sWt¶m? H¶n-s\bpw ImWpI Xs¶ sNmÃn InS-¶p. A¶-tbmSp kwkm-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ apgp-h³ AhÄ¡p th−n
sN¿mXncn-¡m-\mWv Rm³ {ian¡p-¶-Xv.” XpSn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p tUmfn-bpsS lrZ-bw. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Ah-fpsS a\-
“AXp ]mSn-Ã. \o t\m¡n-¡m-WpI Xs¶ thW-sa-¶mWv Fsâ ]£w.” kn A¶-bnÃ; kz´w hoSpw Ip«n-Ifpw am{Xw. FÃmw ]pXn-sbmcp tXP-
“Rms\´p sN¿m\mWv? Ae-Ivknsb hnhmlw Ign-¡-Ww, Rm\-Xn-s\-¸-än- tkmsS, BIÀj-I-Xz-t¯msS Ah-fpsS ap³]n \nc¶p. kz´w temI-
sbm¶pw Nn´n-¡p-¶nà Fs¶ms¡ \o ]d-bp-¶p. Rm\-Xn-s\-¸än Nn´n- ¯n\v Cc«n am[p-cyhpw aqeyhpw ssIh-¶-Xp-t]m-se, AhnSw hn«v C\n-
¡msX Hcp \nanjw t]mepw IS-¶p-t]m-Ip-¶n-Ã. B Nn´-IÄ Fs¶ {`m´p sbmcp Znhkw IqSn \n¡nsöv Ah-fp-d-¸n-¨p. \msf-¯s¶ Xncn-
]nSn-¸n-¡pw. ]ns¶ F\n¡p tamÀ^o-\n-ÃmsX Dd-§m³ Xs¶ ]än-Ã. hnhm- sIt¸mIWw.
l-tam-N\w t\Sm³ FÃm-hcpw D]-tZ-in¡p-¶p. H¶m-a-Xmbn AbmÄ A¶ Xncn-sIs¨¶v Hcp ssh³ ¥msk-Sp¯v AXn tamÀ^o³ IeÀ¶
AXn\p k½-Xn-¡n-Ã. enUnb sFh-t\m-hv\-bpsS kzm[o-\-¯n-em-W-bmÄ Ft´m {Zmh-I-sam-gn¨v apgp-h³ IpSn-¨p. AÂ]-k-abw Hcn-S-¯n-cp¶ tijw
Ct¸mÄ.” apdn-bn-e-t§m-«p-an-t§m«pw \S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p A¶. InS-¸-d-bn-te¡p t]mIp-t¼mÄ AhÄ im´Xbpw {]k-¶-X-bp-apÅ apJw
“F¦nepw \o {ian-¡pI Xs¶ thWw.” ssIh-cn-¨n-cp-¶p.
“{ian-¡p-¶p-sh¶p Xs¶-bn-cn-¡-s«. Rms\´m sNt¿−Xv? shdp-¡p- AhÄ IS-¶p-sN¶t¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn BImw-£-tbmsS t\m¡n. tUmfn-
t¼mÄ Xs¶ Abm-fpsS alm-a-\-kvI-Xsb \an-¨v, \mWw sI«v AbmÄ¡p bp-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-¯nsâ {]Xn-^-e-\-§-sf-s´-¦n-ep-ap-t−m-sb-¶-dn-
Rms\-gp-X-Ww. C\n Fgp-Xn-bmÂ, H¶p-In Fs¶ \mWw sISp¯n bm³. ]t£ ]Iz-Xbpw Kmw`o-cyhpw \nd-¨p-h¨ B apJ-¯p-\n¶v H¶pw
AbmÄ \nc-kn-¡pw, AsÃ-¦n k½-Xn-¡pw. k½Xw In«n-sb¶p Xs¶-bn- hmbn-s¨-Sp-¡m³ AbmÄ¡p Ign-ªn-Ã, Hmtcm Xh-W ImWp-t¼mgpw ]pXp-
cn-¡-s«…Fsâ aIs\ Ah-sc-´m-bmepw F\n¡p hn«p-X-cn-Ã. Ah³ a-tbmsS {`ms´-Sp-¸n¨ Ah-fpsS kuµ-cy-sam-gn-sI. Ah-sc´m kwkm-cn-¨n-
Fs¶ shdp¯v AÑ-sâ-sbm¸w hf-cpw. Cu temI-¯n Rmt\äw cp-¶-sX¶v Ah-tfmSp tNmZn-¡m³ Abm-fn-jvS-s¸-«n-Ã, ]t£ Ah-sf-s´-
kvt\ln-¡p¶ c−p-t]À… Fs¶-¡mfpw IqSp-X-em-bn… skcn-tbm-jbpw ¦nepw ]d-bp-sa¶p tamln-¨p. AhÄ ]d-ªXv C{X-am-{X-am-bn-cp¶p:
Ae-Ivkn-bp-am-Wv.” “\n§Ä¡v tUmfnsb CjvS-am-sW¶Xv F\n¡p kt´mjw \ÂIp¶p.”
shÅ-bp-Sp-¸n ]Xn-hn-ep-tasd kpµ-cn-bm-bn-cp¶ A¶ s\©n\p IpdpsI “F{Xtbm Ime-am-bn«v F\n-¡-hsc Adnbmw. \à Hcp a\-kn\v DS-a-bm-W-
ssIIÄ Cdp-sI¸nW¨p \n¶v BsI ]c-h-i-bmb tUmfnsb t\m¡n. hÀ. AhÀ h¶-Xn F\n¡p hfsc kt´m-j-ap-−v.” A¶-bpsS ssII-sf-
Rm³ kvt\ln-¡p¶Xv Cu c−p Pohn-Isf am{X-am-Wv. Ah-cm-sW¦n ]c- Sp-¯p-]n-Sn¨v hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-fpsS I®p-I-fn t\m¡n. AXnsâ AÀ°w
kv]cw DÄs¡m-Åm³ ]äm-¯- temI-hpw. Cu c−p t]scbw Hcp-an¨p sXän-[-cn¨v AhÄ aµ-l-kn-¨p.
In«pI þ AXp am{X-amWv F\n¡p th−-Xv. asäm-¶n-s\-¸-änbpw Rm\n- ]ntä¶p cmhnse BXn-tY-bcpsS ià-amb FXnÀ¸p-Isf Ah-K-Wn¨v Zmcy
t¸mÄ Nn´n-¡p-t¶-bn-Ã. Hcp hn[-¯n-e-sæn asämcp hn[-¯n FÃm- Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ]pd-s¸-Sm-s\m-cp-§n. A¶bv¡p k¦-S-am-bn. tUmfn
a§v Ah-km-\n-¡pw. AXns\¸-än-sbm¶pw Rm³ Nn´n-¡m-dn-Ã, kwkm-cn- s]mbv¡-gn-ªm ]ns¶ C¶-es¯ X§-fpsS kw`m-j-W-th-f-bn-epbÀ¶-
¡m\pw CjvS-an-Ã. Fs¶ Ipä-s¸-Sp-¯-cp-Xv. F\n-s¡-Xn-cmbn hn[n-¡-cp-Xv. Xp-t]m-epÅ hnIm-c-§Ä Xsâ lrZ-b-¯n -D-WÀ¯n-hn-Sm³ Bcp-ap-−m-
\ntâ-Xp-t]mse Hcp ip²-lr-Z-b-¯n\v Fsâ ]oU-IÄ ]qÀW-ambn a\-kn- hnà F¶v Ah-tfmÀ¯p. A¯cw hnIm-c-§Ä {hWs¸Sp¯p-¶-h-bmWv,
em-¡m³ Ign-bn-Ã.” A¶ tUmfn-bpsS ASp-¡Â sN¶ncp¶v A]-cm-[n-bpsS ]t£ Xsâ Bßm-hnsâ Gähpw \Ã Awi§fmW-h. Ct¸m-gs¯ amXn-cn-
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bpÅ Pohn-X-¯n AIm-eN-caw {]m]n-¡m³ t]mIp¶ B Awi-§sf t]mIm-sa-t¶-än-cp-¶-Xnsâ Xte¶v A¶bpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bpw Cu bm{X-
Dt¯-Pn-¸n-¡m³ -C-¯cw km¶n-[y-§Ä¡p am{Xta Ign-bq. sb-s¨mÃn hg-¡nsâ ht¡m-f-sa-¯n-bn-cp-¶p. AXp-sIm−v Hcp bp²-¯n-
s\m-cp-§n-¯s¶ XWp-¯p-dª apJ¯p ap³]n-Ãm-¯-hn[w ZmÀVyw \nd-
th\¡m-ehpw ioX-Im-e-¯nsâ Hcp `mKhpw A¶bpw ¨mWv hvtdm¬kvIn Ah-tfmSv bm{X ]d-bm-s\-¯n-b-Xv. ]t£ A¶-bpsS
hvtdm¬kvInbpw Ahn-Ss¯s¶ Ign-ªp, hnhm-l-tam-N-\-¯n-\pÅ Hcp {]Xn-I-cWw XnI¨pw im´-am-bn-cp-¶p. Ft¸mÄ Xncn-s¨¯pw F¶p am{Xw
\o¡hpw A¡m-ew-hsc \S-¯n-bp-an-Ã. tNmZn-¨p. Cu im´-X-bpsS Imc-W-a-dn-bmsX AbmÄ Ahsf kq£n-¨p-t\m-
{]Xy-£-¯n A{X k´p-jvS-amb Pohn-X-ap-−m-Im³ Xc-an-Ã. FÃm-¯n- ¡n. B t\m«-¯n\v Hcp ]p©n-cn-sIm−v AhÄ adp-]Sn ]d-ªp. kzbw
sâbpw \nd-[m-cm-fn-¯w, kz´w Ip«n, c−p t]À¡pw apgp-Im³ th−p- DÄh-en-bp¶ Ah-fpsS Cu {]IrXw AbmÄ¡-dn-bm-am-bn-cp-¶p. AbmÄ¡p
thmfw Imcy-§-fpw. hncp¶pIm-cn-Ãm-¯-t¸m-sgÃmw A¶ kz´w kuµ-cy- ap³]n shfn-s¸-Sp-¯m¯ kzbw Xocp-am-\n-¨p-d-¸n¨ ]²-Xn-I-fp-Å-t¸m-
¯n {i²n-¨p. [mcmfw hmbn-¨p, t\mh-ep-Ifpw A¸-t¸mÄ {]m[m-\y-apÅ gmWv Ah-fn-§-s\-bm-Ip-¶-Xv. AXv AbmÄ `b-s¸-Sp-Ibpw sNbvXn-cp-¶p.
aäp Imcy-§-fpw. hntZ-i{]-kn-²o-I-c-W-§-fn ]pI-gv¯s¸-Sp¶ ]pkvX-I-§- F¦nepw hg¡v Hgn-¡m³th−n AXp ImWm-¯-Xmbn `mhn-¡p-I-bmWv
sfÃmw AhÄ hcp¯n hmbn-¨p. CXn-s\m-s¡-¸p-dta hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ]Xn-hv. ]ns¶ ]mXn a\-tkmsS Ah-fpsS bpàn-`-{Z-X-bnepw {]mtbm-Kn-I-_p-
XmÂ]-cy-apÅ FÃm hnj-b-§-sf-¸-änbpw ]pkvX-I-§-fn-eqsS Adnhp ²n-bnepw hnizm-k-aÀ¸n¡pIbpw sNbvXp.
t\Sm\pw AhÄ {i²n-¨p þ Irjn, hmkvXp-im-kv{Xw, IpXn-c]cn-]m-e-\w, “\o hÃmsX t_md-Sn-¡p-I-bn-ÃtÃm AtÃ?’’
Imbn-I-hn-t\m-Z-§Ä. hvtdm¬kvIn kw-i-b-\n-hm-c-W-¯n-\mbn ]e-t¸mgpw “CÃ, tKm¯n-tb-bn \n¶v Rm\n-¶se Iptd ]pkvX-I-§Ä hcp-¯n-bn-«p-
A¶-bpsS klmbw tXSn. AhfpsS Adn-hnsâ AKm-[Xbpw HmÀa-i- −v.“
ànbpw AXns\¡msfm-s¡-tbsd X\n¡v AhÄ \ÂIp¶ {]m[m-\yhpw Ah-fn \n¶v IqSp-X kXy-k-Ô-amb Hcp hni-Zo-I-c-W-¯n\p {ian-
kaÀ¸-Whpw Abmsf AÛp-Xs¸-Sp-¯n. ¡msX AbmÄ ]pd-s¸-«p. kvt\l-_Ôw XpS-§n-b-Xn\p tijw BZy-
AtXkabw kvt\l-¯nsâ Cu Ipcp-¡p-I-fn Xsâ kzmX{´yw \jvS-am- ambmWv ]qÀW-ambn Ah-fpsS a\-k-dn-bmsX AbmÄ t]mIp-¶-Xv. AX-
Ip-¶-Xn AbmÄ Akz-Ø-\p-am-bn-cp-¶p. hoSp-hn«v Fhn-sS-sb¦nepw bmsf Akz-Ø-\m-¡n-sb-¦nepw Hcp Xc-¯n AXp \¶m-sb¶pw tXm¶n.
t]mtI-−n-h-cp-t¼m-sgÃmw hmKzm-Z-§Ä¡p hgn-h-bv¡p¶ Cu kvt\l-¡p- ]Xp-s¡-¸-Xps¡ AXp ioe-am-bn-t¡m-fpw. “AhÄ¡p th−n F´pw XyPn-
cp¡v HgnsI FÃmw-sIm−pw kwXr-]vXhpw k´p-jvS-hp-am-bn-cp¶p ¡mw, ]pcp-j-k-l-P-amb kzmX-{´y-sam-gn-sI.’’ AbmÄ a\-kn ]d-ªp.
hvtdm¬kvIn¡v FtÌ-änse Pohn-Xw. djy³ BVy-k-aq-l-¯nse kap-¶-X-
amb Cu PohnXw AbmÄ¡p hfsc CjvS-am-bn-cp-¶p. sXmgn-em-fn-IÄ¡p Inän-bpsS {]k-h-ip-{iq-j-bv¡mbn sehn\pw IqSn sk]väw-_-dnÂ
th−n-bpÅ Bip-]-{Xn, ImÀjn-tIm-]-I-c-W-§Ä, kznävkÀem³Un \n¶p tamkvtIm-bn F¯n-bn-cp-¶p. Hcp amkw AhnsS H¶pw sN¿m\nÃmsX
sIm−p-h¶ ]ip-¡Ä XpS-§n-b-hbv¡p th−n-sbms¡ apS-¡nb ]Ww Ign-¨p-Iq-«n. At¸m-gmWv skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨v Imjn³kvIn-bn-te¡p
FtÌ-änsâ apX¡q-«m-bn-¯-s¶-bmWv AbmÄ I−-Xv. XSn, tKmX-¼v, t]mIm³ hnfn-¨-Xv. AbmÄ¡v AhnsS hkvXp-hp-−v. kz´w `qan-bpsSbpw
I¼nfn apX-em-bh hn¡p-¶-Xnepw FtÌäv \S-¯n-¸nse aäp Imcy-§- ktlm-Z-cn-bpsS kz¯n-sâbpw Imcy-§-fp-ambn _Ô-s¸«v sehn\pw
fnepw AXp-ey]mS-hamWv AbmÄ¡p-−m-bn-cp-¶-Xv. AhnsS t]mtI− AXym-h-iy-ap-−m-bn-cp-¶p.
Imjn³kvIn {]hn-iy-bnse Xnc-sª-Sp-¸mWv HIvtSm-_-dnÂ. hvtdm¬kvIn, F¶n«pw Abm-sfm¶p aSn-¨p. tamkvtIm-bn AbmÄ hÃmsX t_md-Sn-¡p-
kznbm-jvkvIn, tImkv\n-tj-hv, Ht»m³kvIn F¶n-h-cpsS FtÌ-äp-IÄ ¶p-s−¶p Xncn-¨-dnª Inän-bmWv t]mIm³ \nÀ_Ôn¨-Xv. Xnc-sª-Sp¸p
DÄs¡m-Åp¶ {]hn-iy-bm-Wv. sehnsâ `q-an-bpsS Hcp `mKhpw Ahn-sSbp- Xnc-¡p-IÄ¡n-S-bn Imcy-§Ä km[n-¨p-In-«p-¶Xv _²-¸m-Sm-bn-cp-¶p.
−v. aÂk-cn-¡p-¶-h-cpsS {]m[m-\yhpw aäv Hcp-]mSp Imc-W-§fpw sIm−v F¦nepw hnhm-l-¯n\p tijw Gsd amdn-¡-gn-ªn-cp¶ sehn\v AsXÃmw
A-Xoh-{]m-[m\yw t\Snb Xnc-sª-Sp-¸m-bn-cp¶p A-Xv. tamkvtImbn DÄs¡m-Åm-\m-bn.
\n¶pw ]otä-gvkv_ÀKn \n¶pw hntZ-i¯p\n¶p-sams¡ CXp-hsc h¶n-«n-
Ãm-¯-hÀ t]mepw F¯p-¶p. Ahsc ImWm³ kznbmjv-kvIns¡m¸w
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A©mw Znhkw PnÃm amÀjÂamsc Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p¶ Zn\am-bn-cp-¶p. sks- Xs¶ t\cn«p hc-W-sa¶p Icp-Xn-b-Xm-Wv, ]ns¶ \n§Ä¡-Xn-jvS-a-ÃtÃm
e-kvs\hvkvIn PnÃ-bpsS amÀj-embn FXn-cn-ÃmsX Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-s¸« Ft¶mÀ¯v ths−¶p h¨-Xm-Wv. Fs´-¦nepw adp-]Sn Ab-bv¡p-I,
kznbmjvkvIn Hcp Kw`oc hncp¶pw \ÂIn. F´mWp sNt¿−sX¶v Xocp-am-\n-¡m-a-tÃm.”
Ip«n¡p h¿m-Xn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ AhÄ Xs¶ hcm³ hnNm-cn-s¨-¶v. kz´w
Bdmw Zn\w {]hn-iy-bpsS amÀj-ens\ Xnc-sª-Sp-¡p-¶- Znh-kw. bmYm- Ip«n¡p h¿m-Xn-cn-¡p-t¼mÄ Cu amXn-cn-sbmcp I¯v.
Øn-Xn-Icpw ]ptcm-K-a-\-hm-Zn-Ifpw X½n NqSp-]n-Sn¨ hmKzm-Z-§fpw XÀ¡- Xnc-sª-Sp-¸nsâ BtLm-j-§Ä Hcp-h-i-¯v, aS§nsb¯p¶ ¾m\-am-b,
§fpw \S-¡p-¶p. Ccp-`m-K-¯p-ap-Å-hÀ X§-fpsS hmZ-K-Xn-IÄ sIm−v ]c- ZpÀh-l-amb kvt\lw asäm-cn-S-¯v. hÃm-s¯mcp hntcm-[m-`m-k-am-Wn-sX¶p
am-h[n Bfp-Isf kzm[o-\n-¡m³ {ian-¡p-¶p. BsI _l-f-a-bw. hvtdm¬kvIn hnNm-cn-¨p. F¦nepw t]mtb ]äq. A¶p cm{Xn BZys¯
kznbmjvkvIn sehns\ Xsâ kplr-¯p-¡-fp-sSbn-S-bn-te¡p Iq«n-s¡m-−p- s{Sbn-\n\p Xs¶ AbmÄ ]pd-s¸-«p.
t]m-bn. ]e XhW Hgn-ªp-am-dnb hvtdm¬kvIn-bpsS kmao-]y-¯n \n¶p
c£-s]-Sm³ C¯-hW sehn\p Ign-ªn-Ã. s̸m³ AÀ¡-Z-tb-hn¨n- Hmtcm XhW ]pd¯p t]mIp-t¼mgpw D−m-Ip¶ hg-¡p-IÄ
sâbpw skÀPn sFh-t\m-hn¨nsâbpw H¸w \n¡pIbm-bn-cp¶ AbmÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb Xt¶mSp IqSp-X ASp-¸n-¡p-I-b-Ã, AI-äp-I-bmWv
sehn-sâ-b-Sp-s¯-¯n. sN¿p¶Xv F¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n-¯p-S-§n-bn-cp-¶p. Xnc-sª-Sp-¸n\p ]pd-
“I−-Xn kt´m-jw. sjÀ_m-ävkvIb {]-`zn-bpsS ASp-¡Â h¨v \½Ä s¸Spt¼mÄ im´-X-tbmsS bm{X-b-b-bv¡-W-sa¶v Xocp-am-\n-¡p-Ibpw
X½n I−n-«p-−v.’’ sNbvX-Xm-Wv. ]t£ bm{X ]d-bm-s\-¯n-b-t¸mÄ Abm-fpsS I®p-I-fnse
“Hm, HmÀa-bp-−v.’’ F¶p ]d-ªn«v sehn³ Xncnªv ktlm-Z-c-t\mSp Xo£vWX Ah-sf apdn-s¸-Sp-¯n. ka-\ne sXän-¨p, kam-[m\w sISp-¯n.
kwkm-cn-¡m³ XpS-§n. B t\m«w Ahsf IqSp-XÂ A]-am-\n-X-bm-¡n. “Ft¸mgpw Fhn-sSbpw
s\shy-tZmhvkvIn ]pXnb amÀj-embn Xnc-sª-Sp-¡-s¸-«p. amÀjepw hnP- t]mIm-\pÅ kzmX-{´y-{]-Jym-]-\-am-bn-cp¶p B t\m«w. Fhn-sSbpw t]mIm-
bn¨ I£n-bnse asäm-cp-]m-Sp-t]cpw A¶v hvtdm¬kvIn-tbm-sSm-¸w hncp-¶n- sa-¶-Ã, Fs¶ Dt]-£n¨p t]mImw. AbmÄ¡v FÃm Ah-Im-i-§-fp-ap-−v,
\n-cp-¶p. hncp¶p Ign-ª-t¸mÄ s̸m³ tUmfn¡v sSen{Kmw Ab¨p: F\n¡v H¶p-an-Ã. B t\m«-¯n Hcp-]mSv AÀ°-§-fp-−v. Ah-K-W-\-bpsS
“s\shy-tZmhvkvIn C-cp-]Xp thm«n\p Pbn-¨p. Bfp-I-tfmSv ]d-bp-I. XpS-¡-am-W-Xv.’’
Ahcpw \½psS kt´mjw ]¦p-h-bv¡-s«.’’ X§Ä¡n-S-bn IS-¶p-h-cp¶ ac-hn¸v Adn-sª-¦nepw FÃmw ]g-b-Xp-
Zmcy Ae-Ivkm³t{Umhv\ ktµiw In«n-b-t¸mÄ s\Sp-hoÀ¸n-«p, Xpe-¨p-I- t]mse Bbn-cn-¡m³ B{K-ln-¡mt\ AhÄ¡p Ign-ªp-Åq. kvt\lhpw
fª dq_n-fp-Isf {]Xn. kuµ-cyhpw sIm−p am{Xta At±-ls¯ IqsS \nÀ¯m³ Ign-bq. ]IÂ
hncp-¶p-ta-i-bn \n¶v FWo¡pw ap³]v hvtdm¬kvIn¡v ktµ-i-hp- apgp-h³ Xnc-¡v, cm{Xn tamÀ^o³; A§s\ am{Xta `b-s¸-Sp-¯p¶ Nn´-
ambn Hcm-sf-¯n. Isf AI-än-\nÀ¯m³ Ign-bq. hnhm-l-tam-N-\hpw hvtdm¬kvIn-bp-am-bpÅ
A¶-bpsS I¯m-Wv. hmbn¡pw ap³]p Xs¶ hvtdm¬kvIn¡v AXnsâ hnhm-lhpw Axym-h-iy-am-Wv. At±-ltam kvänhmtbm A¡mcyw ]d-ªmÂ
DÅ-S¡w apgp-h³ ]nSn-In-«n. Xnc-sª-Sp¸v A©p Znh-kw-sIm−p Xocp- At¸mįs¶ k½-Xn-¡-Ww.
sa¶p IcpXn shÅn-bmgvN F¯m-sa¶p ]d-ªn-cp-¶-Xm-Wv. Ct¸mÄ i\n- Cu Nn´-I-fn AhÄ A©p Znh-k-§Ä XÅn-\o-¡n. \S-¯-§Ä, hmb-\,
bm-gvN-bm-bn. F¯m-¯Xn-\pÅ imk-\-I-fm-Wv. Xte¶v Xm\-b¨ I¯v hmÀh-c-bp-am-bpÅ kw`m-j-W-§Ä, Bip-]-{Xn-k-µÀi-\-§Ä Hs¡bmbn
AhÄ¡v In«n-bn-«p-−m-In-Ã. F´n-se-¦nepw Ft¸mgpw apgp-In-bn-cn-¡m³ {ian-¨p. Bdmw Znh-khpw h−n-
Xpd¶p hmbn-¨-t¸mÄ {]Xo-£n¨ Imcy-§Ä Xs¶. ]t£, {]Xo-£n-¡m¯ ¡m-c³ At±-l-s¯-¡q-SmsX Xncn-¨p-h-¶-t¸mÄ AhÄ¡v AS-§n-bn-cn-
`mj-bnÂ, H«pw kln-¡m-\m-hm¯ `mj-bnÂ: “B\n¡p Xosc kpJ-an-Ã. ¡m³ Ign-ªn-Ã. AXp-aà aIÄ kpJ-an-Ãm-Xm-IpI IqSn sNbvXp. ]t£
Häbv¡v Fsâ Xe s]cp-¡p-¶p. hmÀhc {]`zn-sb-s¡m−v Hcp]Im-c-hp-an-Ã, aI-fpsS AkpJw Ah-fpsS Nn´-Isf ian-¸n-¡m³ am{Xw Kpcp-X-c-a-Ãm-bn-cp-
iey-ta-bp-Åq. \n§Ä an\n-bm¶p hcp-sa¶p Icp-Xn, C¶-sebpw Im¯p. ¶p. F{X {ian-¨n«pw AhÄ¡v Cu Ipªns\ kvt\ln-¡m³ Ign-bp-¶n-Ã.
Fhn-sSbm-Wv, Fs´-Sp-¡p-I-bmWv F¶-dn-bm-\mWv Ct¸mgo I¯v. Rm³ sshIp-t¶-c-am-b-t¸m-tg¡v Xosc \nb-{´Ww hn«n-«mWv At\z-jn-¨p-t]m-
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bmtem F¶v Atem-Nn-¨-Xv. ]ns¶ I¯-bbv¡m³ Xocp-am-\n-¨p. Fgp-Xn- \ÂIns¡m−v. ho«phntij§fn AbmÄ¡njvSs¸Sm\nSbpÅsXÃmw
¯oÀ¯v, H¶p-IqSn hmbn-¨p-t\m-¡m³ sa\-s¡-SmsX sImSp-¯-b-bv¡p- Ahfpw ]dªp. B\µIcambncp¶p B kmbmÓw.
Ibpw sNbvXp. ]ntä¶v cmhnse At±-l-¯nsâ I¯p In«n. Xsâ I¯v kÔy Ignªt¸mÄ Ahcncphcpw X\n¨mbn. At±lw XnI¨pw Xsâ
A§s\ th−n-bn-cp-¶n-söp tXm¶p-Ibpw sNbvXp. hcpXnbnembn¡gnªncn¡p¶psh¶v Dd¸mbt¸mÄ
t]mIp-t¼m-gp-−m-bn-cp¶ B Xo£vWt\m«w BhÀ¯n-¡p-sa¶v AhÄ `b- h¶pIbdnbt¸mgs¯ thZ\n¸n¡p¶ B t\m«w ambv¨pIfbm³
s¸-«p. Ip«n-bpsS AkpJw A{X ITn-\-am-bn-cp-¶n-söv Adn-bp-t¼mÄ hnti- Ahsfmcp {iaw \S¯n:
jn-¨pw. A-bmÄ¡p Xms\mcp `mc-am-bn-cn-¡p-¶p-sh¶v A¶ kzbw k½-Xn- “Fsâ I¯v \n§sf hÃmsX hnjan¸n¨p AtÃ?”
¨p. F¦nepw At±lw aS§nsb¯p-¶p-htÃm Ft¶mÀ¯v kt´m-jn-¨p. tNmZn¨pXoÀ¶t¸mtg¡v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n, F{Xam{Xw kvt\l]qÀWamWv
‘Fs¶ aSp-t¯m-s«, F¶mepw At±lw Fsâ-b-Sp-¯p-−m-Ip-a-tÃm.’ s]cpamäsa¦nepw AXp ]qÀWambn £an¡m³ At±l¯n\p
hvtdm¬kvIn hs¶-¯n-b-Xdnªt¸mÄ AhfpsS Ignªn«nsöv.
{hWnXm`nam\Nn´IsfÃmw s]mbvt¸mbncp¶p. At±lw F§s\bmIpw “Dw. icn¡pw. A{Xbv¡p hntcm[m`mkambncp¶p B I¯nÂ. B\n¡p
A{]oXn {]ISn¸n¡pI F¶ `oXn am{Xw _m¡nbmbn. c−p Znhkambn þ kpJansöp ]dbp¶p, F¶n«v \o Xs¶ hcm³ BtemNn¨psh¶pw’’
Xm³ I¯b¨pIgnª B \nanjw apXÂþ Ipªn\p bmsXmcp “kXyambncp¶p AXv.”
AkpJhpw CsöXpw AhtfmÀ½n¨p; AXn AhtfmSv AÂ]w tZjyw “Rm³ Ahnizkn¨ns«m¶panÃ.”
tXm¶pIbpw sNbvXp. ]ns¶ AhÄ At±ls¯¡pdnt¨mÀ¯p, At±lw “D−v, \n§Ä¡p kwibap−v. \n§fmsI AkzØ\mWv.”
h¶ncn¡p¶psh¶v, At±l¯nsâ ssIIfpw ImepIfpw apJhpw, “H«panÃ. Hgnhm¡m\mhm¯ NpaXeIsf DÄs¡mÅm³ \n\¡p
At±l¯nsâ i_vZw, AhÄ B\µmXntcIt¯msS Bthit¯msS Ignbm¯Xp am{XamsWsâ AkzØX.”
At±ls¯ FXntc¡phm³ HmSns¨¶p. “It¨cnIÄ¡pw taf§Ä¡pw t]mIp¶ NpaXeIÄ…”
“B\ns¡§ns\bp−v?” “th−, AXp \ap¡p kwkmcn¡−.”
“kpJap−v” “F´n\m kwkmcn¡mXncn¡p¶Xv?”
“\n\t¡m?” “Hgnhm¡m\mhm¯ Bhiy§Ä ht¶¡mw F¶p am{Xta Rm³
hvtdm¬kvIn Hcp Itkcbnencn¡pIbmWv. klmbn tIm«v Dt±in¨pÅq. Zm, Ct¸m¯s¶, F\n¡v hoSnsâ Imcy§Ä icnbm¡m³
Ducns¡mSp¡p¶p. A¶ AbmfpsS ssIIÄ Xsâ c−p ssIIfnepw tamkvtImbv¡p t]mtI−nhcpw… A¶m, \osb´m C§s\
hmcnsbSp¯v Acs¡t«mSp tNÀ¯p. AhfpsS I®pIÄ AbmfpsS shdp¸n¡p¶ Xc¯nÂ? \ns¶¡qSmsX F\n¡p Pohn¡m\mhnsöv
apJ¯p Xs¶ Xdªp\n¶p. \n\¡dnbntÃ?”
“F\n¡p kt´mjambn. \n\¡p kpJamtWm?” “A§s\bmsW¦n” A¶bpsS kzcw amdn. “Cu PohnXw \n§Ä¡p
AhÄ `bs¸« B Xdªpt\m«ap−mbncp¶p AbmfpsS I®pIfnÂ. aSp¯psh¶mWv. Hcp Znhkt¯¡v HmSnhcpw… F¶n«v s]s«¶p t]mIpw,
“kmcanÃ, At±lw ChnsSbp−tÃm. ChnsSbmbncn¡pt¼mÄ Fs¶ BWp§Ä…”
kvt\ln¡p¶Xn \n¶v hncan¡m³ At±l¯n\mhnÃ.” AhtfmÀ¯p. “A¶m, CXp Ipsd {IqcamWv. Fsâ PohnXw apgph³
kmbmÓw apgph³ kt´mj]qÀhIambncp¶p. hmÀhc ths−¶phbv¡m³ XbmdmWv Rm³.”
hvtdm¬kvIntbmSv A¶ tamÀ^o³ Ign¡p¶Xns\¸än ]cmXn ]dªp. AhÄ AsXm¶pw tI«nÃ.
“Rms\´p sN¿m\m? F\n¡pd§m³ Ignbp¶nÃ… Nn´IÄ Fs¶ “\n§Ä tamkvtImbv¡p t]mIpIbmsW¦n Rm\pw hcpw. Rm³ X\n¨v
Ae«p¶p. At±lanhnsSbpÅt¸mÄ Rm\Xp Ign¡mtdbnÃtÃm.” ChnsS \n¡nÃ. H¶pIn ]ncnbWw, Asæn \msa¶pw Hcpan¨p
AbmfhtfmSv XncsªSp¸p hntij§Ä apgph³ ]dªp. hnZKv[amb Pohn¡Ww.”
tNmZy§fneqsS AhÄ AbmÄ¡v {]nb¦camb coXnbn kw`mjWs¯ “F´m kwibw, AXmsWsâ Htcsbmcp B{Klw. ]t£ AXn\v…”
\bn¨p þ kz´w hnPbs¯¡pdn¨v Gsd kwkmcn¡m³ Ahkcw
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“hnhmltamN\w t\SWw. Rms\gpXmw AbmÄ¡v. CXn§s\ XpScm³
F\n¡mhnÃ… ]t£ \n§tfmsSm¸w tamkvtImbnte¡p Rm\pw hcpw.” `mKw Ggv
“`ojWns¸Sp¯pwt]msebmWtÃm \nsâ kwkmcw. Hcn¡epw \ns¶
]ncnbmXncn¡pI F¶Xnepw henb Hcm{Klhpw F\n¡nÃ.” hvtdm¬kvIn sehn\pw Inänbpw tamkvtImbn F¯nbn«p amkw aq¶mbn.
]p©ncn¨p. ]t£ Hcp achn¸p am{XaÃ, ]oU\§tfäp {Iqc\mbn¯oÀ¶ IW¡pIÄ {]Imcw Inänsb {]kh¯n\p {]thin¸nt¡− Imeambn.
Hcphsâ {]XnImchpw D−mbncp¶p AXp ]dbpt¼mÄ AbmfpsS tUmIvSdpw \gvkpw tUmfnbpw A½bpw FÃmhsc¡mÄ¡qSpXembn
I®pIfnÂ. sehn\pw AkzØcpw A£acpambn. Inän am{Xw im´bpw
AhÄ B t\m«w {i²n¨p; icnbmbn¯s¶ AXnsâ AÀ°w k´pjvSbpambncp¶p. P\n¡m³ t]mIp¶ Ipªnsâ amXrXzw Ft¶
hmbns¨Sp¡pIbpw sNbvXp. “A§s\bmsW¦n AsXmcp kz´am¡n¡gnª AhÄ B kpJm\p`qXn BkzZn¡pIbmbncp¶p.
h³Zpc´ambncn¡pw” B t\m«w AhtfmSp ]dªp. Hcp am{XsIm−p AhÄ kvt\ln¡p¶, Ahsf kvt\ln¡p¶ FÃmhcpw H¸w Xs¶bp−v,
adª B `mhw, AhÄ¡v Hcmbpkp sIm−v ad¡m³ FÃmhcpw Ahsf {i²n¡p¶p, ]cnNcn¡p¶p. AXv Gsd¡met¯¡v
Ignbm¯Xmbncp¶p. D−mInsö Xncn¨dnhv CÃmbncps¶¦n CXns\¡mtfsd
A¶ hnhmltamN\w A`yÀ°n¨v `À¯mhns\gpXn. \hw_À HSphn kpJIcamsbmcp PohnXw Nn´n¡m³ Xs¶ Ignbpambncp¶nÃ, A{X
hmÀhc ]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡pw A¶ hvtdm¬kvIns¡m¸w \ÃImeambncp¶p Inän¡v. AhÄ B{Kln¨Xpt]mse, \m«n³]pd¯v
tamkvtImbnte¡pw t]mbn. AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ At±lw Bbncp¶Xpt]mse A\mbmkambncp¶nà sehnsâ ChnSps¯
adp]Sn¡¯pw sXm«p]n¶mse hnhmltamN\hpw {]Xo£n¨v AhÀ PohnXw F¶Xp am{XamWv B B\µ¯n\v AÂ]sa¦nepw
`mcym`À¯m¡·mcmbn AhnsS \mfpIÄ Ign¨p. a§te¸n¨Xv.
\m«n³]pdw sehn\v Hmtcm ap¡pw aqebpw Hmtcm Ne\§fpw
ASp¯dnbmhp¶ kz´w X«IamWv, AhnsS Ft¸mgpw Fs´¦nepw
sN¿m\p−mbncp¶p. \Kc¯nse¯nbt¸mÄ H¶pw sN¿m\nÃ; F¶mÂ
Hcp]mSp Imcy§Ä sN¿m\pÅXpt]mse sh{]mfs¸«p \S¶p.
Fs´Ãmtam \jvSambXpt]mse Hcp A¦em¸nembncp¶p AbmÄ.
AhÄ¡v `À¯mhnt\mSv klXm]w tXm¶n. F¶m aäpÅhÀ¡v
klXm]aÀln¡p¶ Hcmfmbn Abmsf tXm¶pItbbnÃ. Xm³
kvt\ln¡p¶ Hc]cnNnXs\ aäpÅhÀ F§s\ ImWp¶p F¶dnbm³
amdn\n¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Akqb IeÀ¶ `bw tXm¶pwhn[w
BIÀjI\mbncp¶p AbmÄþ]cnjvIrXamb coXnIÄ, kv{XoItfmSpÅ
s]cpamä¯nse am\yX, Icp¯pä icocw, ZrVamb apJw A§s\ FÃmw.
F¶m AhÄ ]pdta \n¶Ã, AbmfpsS DÅnÂ\n¶mWv t\m¡n¡−Xv.
kzXzw \jvSs¸«hs\t¸msebmbncp¶p AbmfnhnsS.
PohnXcoXnIÄ amdnbXpsImt−m AtXm ]pXnb kmlNcy¯nÂ
Ccphcpw IqSpXÂ IcpXÂ FSp¯XpsImt−m F´mbmepw
\m«n³]pd¯ph¨v D−mImdpÅXpt]mse ChnsS h¨v AhÀ X½nÂ
hg¡pItfm kuµcy¸nW¡§tfm D−mbtXbnÃ. ]m¸mbvs¡m¸w
]pds¯mcnS¯p t]mbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb I−pap«nbXpw Hcp
\nanjt¯¡v AkvX{]Úbmbnt¸mbXpw ]ns¶ Ahsf¯s¶
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AÛpXs¸Sp¯pwhn[w kaNn¯XtbmsS s]cpamdnbXpw Inän XeØm\\Kc§fnembncp¶p PohnX¯nsâ Gdnb Imehpw. Ignª
sehnt\mSp ]dªp. At¸mÄ sehn\v AkzØXtbm Ipipt¼m AÃ hÀjw AbmÄ \bX{´Imcymeb¯nse tPmen hn«v tamkvtImbnse
tXm¶nbXv, XncsªSp¸n\nsS hvtdm¬kvInsb I−pap«nbt¸mÄ sIm«mc¯nte¡p Øew amdn h¶XmWv. {]tXyIn¨v Fs´¦nepw
s]cpamä¯nep−mb A\uNnXy¯n\v ASp¯ XhW ImWpt¼mÄ CjvSt¡SpsIm−mbncp¶nà AbmÄ tPmen amdnbXv; A§s\
]cnlmcw sN¿Wsas¶mcp {]tNmZ\ambncp¶p. H¶nt\mSpw BtcmSpw AbmÄ¡v Hcn¡epw Hc\njvShpw tXm¶nbnt«bnÃ.
Xsâ c−v B¬Ip«nIÄ¡pw Gähpw anI¨ hnZym`ymkw \ÂIpI F¶
\KcPohnX¯n th−nhcp¶ sNehpIÄ BZysam¶pw sehn\v Xosc e£yw am{Xambncp¶p Cu amä¯n\p ]n¶nÂ.
Zln¨nÃ. ]cnNmcIÀ¡p bqWnt^mw, _ÔpP\§Ä¡p k¡mc§Ä, kz`mh¯nepw ImgvN¸mSpIfnepw {]mb¯nepapÅ henb
CSbv¡p IpXncIsftbm h−ntbm hmSIbv¡p hnfnt¡−nhcp¶Xv Hs¡ A´c§Ä¡p]cnbmb Dujvaf _Ôambncp¶p sehn\pw epthmhpw
\m«n³]pd¯v ]Xn³aS§p {]Xn^ew In«p¶ Imcy§Ä¡p X½nÂ. sehn³ IS¶psNÃpt¼mÄ epthmhv Hcp ]pkvXIw
sNehmt¡− ]WamsW¶v AbmfpsS a\kv tX§n. ]Xps¡¸Xps¡ hmbn¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.
]Ww sNehm¡p¶Xnse a\{]bmkw \o§n¯pS§n. F§s\sb¦nepw “Kw`ocambn. Rm³ \ns¶ hnfn¡m³ Bsf hnSm\ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.
_m¦n ]Wap−mIWsat¶ D−mbncp¶pÅq. AXn\pw ap«p hcpsa¶ Inäns¡´m hntijw?”
ØnXnbmbt¸mgmWv AÃdNnÃd AkzØX tXm¶nbXv. ]t£ Ccn¡ms\mcp B«pItkc \o¡nbn«psImSp¯p epthmhv. AhÀ AÂ]w
tKmX¼nsâbpw anÃnsâbpsams¡ ]Ww ap³IqÀ hm§m³ cmjv{Sobhpw ]ns¶ sat{SmhpambpÅ kw`mjWhpw Hs¡ NÀ¨ sNbvXp.
GÀ¸mSm¡nbtXmsS AXn\pw ]cnlmcambn. ]WvUnXhr¯§fn _Ôw \ne\nÀ¯p¶Xn sehns\ ]pIgv¯nb
tUmfnbpsS Imcyw IqSpX ]cnXm]IcambXv Inän CSbv¡p epthmhv ]ns¶ Ip«nIsf ]Tn¸n¡p¶Xnsâ _²¸mSpIÄ ]dªp.
kqNn¸n¨ncp¶p. \mep]mSpw ISw am{Xw. ]m¸mbpw Ahfpw C¡mcyw AhnSps¯ Ip«nIfmWv Xsâ ImgvN¸mSn Gähpw anI¨hsc¶pw
BÀsk\nbpambn (AhfpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `À¯mhv epthmhv) epthmhmWv Gähpw \¶mbn Ip«nIsf hfÀ¯p¶sX¶pw
kwkmcn¨n«p−v, sehn³ AbmfpsS ASp¯p sNÃpt¼mÄ AhÀ NÀ¨ hnÚm\¯nsâ Afhns\¡mÄ kz`mhcq]oIcWamWv
sNbvXv Fs´¦nepw ]cnlmcw ImWWw F¶p \nÀt±in¡pIbpw sNbvXp. {][m\sa¶psams¡ sehn³ A`n{]mbs¸«p.
“kz`mhcq]h¡cWw! AsX{X ZpjvIcamsWt¶m. Hcp Zpkz`mhw
\KcPohnX¯nsâ t_mdSnIfn \n¶p tamN\ambn sehn³ ]gb F§s\sb¦nepw ]cnlcn¨v \à ioew ]Tn¸n¨psIm−phcpt¼mtg¡v
kl]mTnbpw Adnbs¸Sp¶ imkv{XÚ\pamb Iämhtkmhns\ ASp¯ Zpjn¸v Xes]m¡pw, ho−pw bp²w XpS§pIbmbn. aXsa¶
kµÀin¡m³ t]mbn. Iämhtkmhnsâ A¢njvShpw hyàhpamb B{ibanÃmsX þ AtX¸än Ignª XhW \½Ä kwkmcn¨ncp¶pþ Hcp
kwkmcw sehn\v hfsc CjvSambncp¶p; sehnsâ \mS³ a\kn \n¶v ]nXmhn\pw a¡sf kz´w anSp¡psIm−p am{Xw \¶mbn hfÀ¯m³
A\À¤fw HgpIp¶ ]p¯³ Nn´IÄ Iämhtkmhn\pw CjvSambncp¶p. IgnbnÃ.”
ImÀjnIs¯mgn kw_Ôn¨v sehns\gpXp¶ ]pkvXIs¯¸än AXp sehn\pw XmÂ]cyapÅ hnjbambncp¶p. ]t£ B kw`mjWw
Iämhtkmhnt\mSv NneXp ]dªn«p−mbncp¶p. B hnjb¯n AhnsSh¨p apdn¨psIm−v kpµcnbmb \Xmenb AeIvkm³t{Umhv\
{]KÛ\pw sehn\v CjvSs¸« Hcp {]_Ô¯nsâ IÀ¯mhpamb IS¶ph¶p.
sat{Smhpambn IqSn¡mgvNbv¡v At±lw Ahkcsamcp¡n. A§s\ Nne “\o h¶ Imcyw Rm³ AdnªtXbnÃ.” Hcp kw`mjW¯n\nSbv¡p
_u²nIhymbma§Ä¡p tijw sat{Smhnsâ £Ww hn\b]qÀhw Ibdp¶Xnsâ AkzØXbÃ, tI«p tI«p aSp¯ Hcp hnjbw
\nckn¨v sehn³ epthmhnsâ ASp¡te¡p t]mbn. Ahkm\n¸n¡p¶Xnsâ kt´mjambncp¶p AhcpsS apJ¯v. “B,
Inän¡v F§s\bp−v? C¶v A¯mg¯n\v Rm³ AhnsSbmWv.
InänbpsS ktlmZcn \XmenbbpsS `À¯mhv epthmhv hnZym`ymkhpw Bgvsk\o, h−n \n§Ä sIm−ps]mbvs¡mÅq.”
\bX{´Imcymeb¯nse tPmenbpsams¡bmbn hntZis¯
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]ns¶ `mcybpw `À¯mhpw AhcpsS A¶s¯ ]cn]mSnIÄ NÀ¨ It¨cn Ignªv \Xmenbsb tbmKØe¯p hn«v sehn³ Inän
sNbvXp. sehn\pw Ahcnsemcmfmbn Bkq{XW¯n ]¦psIm−p. ]dªncp¶Xpt]mse t_me {]`znsb kµÀin¡m³ t]mbn. ]ns¶
epthmhn\v HutZymKnImhiy¯n\v Hcmsf ImWm\p−v. \Xmenbbv¡v XncnsI tbmKØes¯¯n tPyjvT¯nsb Iq«n ho«nte¡p aS§n. Inän
It¨cn¡p t]mIWw, ]ns¶ Hcp I½nän tbmK¯n\pw. sehn\pw H¸w BtcmKyhXnbpw k´pjvSbpambn Ccn¡p¶p F¶p I− tijw
t]mIm³ Xocpam\ambn. TbmKØe¯p\n¶v `À¯mhn\v h−n ¢ºnte¡p t]mbn.
Ab¨psImSp¡pw. HutZymKnI Xnc¡pIÄ Ignªv At±lw `mcysb
InänbpsS ASp¡te¡p sIm−pt]mIpw; AYhm `À¯mhnsâ ¢ºn FÃmhcpw Imh¡mcsâ apdnbn X§fpsS sXm¸nbpsS H¸w
tPmen¯nc¡v Ahkm\n¨nsæn sehn³ tPyjvT¯nsb Iq«n Cu temI¯nse kIe D¯chmZn¯§fpw `mc§fpw Cd¡nh¨n«mWv
ho«nte¡p t]mIpw. A§s\ Xocpam\ambn. kpJtemep]XIÄ \pIcm³ DÅnte¡p IS¡p¶Xv. kznbmjvkvIn,
“Cbmsfs¶ ]pIgv¯n \miam¡pIbmWv.” epthmhv `mcytbmSp ]dªp. sjÀ_mävkvIn, s\shytZmhvkvIn, InänbpsS ]m¸m, hvtdm¬kvIn, skÀPn
“\½psS Ip«nIÄ _lpanSp¡cmsW¶mWv CbmÄ ]dbp¶Xv. Ahcn sFht\mhn¨v FÃmhcpap−mbncp¶p AhnsS.
F{Xtbm IpdhpIfps−¶v F\n¡p Xs¶ Adnbmw.” “Inän¡v F§ns\bp−v?” hbk³ {]`p tNmZn¨p.
“BÀsk\o, \n§sfmcp Xo{hhmZnbmsW¶v Rms\t¸mgpw ]dbmdntÃ? “kpJw. AhÀ aq¶p t]cpap−v A¯mg¯n\v.”
]cn]qÀWXbv¡p th−n {ian¨m Hcn¡epw Xr]vXnbp−mInÃ. ]m¸m sehn³ SptdmhvSvknsâ ASp¡se¯n. At¸mtg¡v Ht»m³kvIn h¶p.
Ft¸mgpw ]dbmdpÅXpt]mseþ \½sfms¡ hfÀ¶ph¶ Ime¯v AbmtfmsSm¸w \m\mhn[w ]m\ob§Ä h¨ncn¡p¶ taibpsS
Ip«nIsfms¡ \nehdbnembncp¶p, apXnÀ¶hÀ Gähpw \à apdnIfnepw. AcnInte¡p \o§n. c−p Uk\ntesd ]m\ob§fnsems¶¦nepw
Ct¸mgXp t\tc adn¨mWv: apXnÀ¶hÀ Ae¡p]pcbnepw Ip«nIÄ FÃmhÀ¡pw CjvSs¸SmXncn¡m³ Xcansöp tXm¶nsb¦nepw s̸m³
kpJ§Ä¡p \Sphnepw. C¶s¯ c£nXm¡Ä¡p \¶mbn AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v hntijs¸« asät´m Bhiys¸«p. bqWnt^maWnª
Pohn¡p¶Xns\¸än Nn´n¡mt\ AÀlXbnsö a«nemWv; AhÀ ]cnNmcI³ Ft´m sIm−ph¶p sImSp¯p. AXp IpSn¨n«v AhÀ
a¡Ä¡p th−n Pohn¨pXoÀ¡pIbmWv.” SptdmhvSvknsâ ASp¡Â `£Wtaibnte¡p aS§n.
“AhÀ¡XmWv CjvSsa¦ntem?” kpµcamb B Nncn Nncn¨v AhfpsS Xami¡YIfpw s]m«n¨ncnIfpambn AhÀ `£Ww XpSÀ¶p. ]ns¶
ssIIfn kv]Àin¨psIm−v epthmhv tNmZn¨p. “\ns¶ kwkmcw IpXncIÄ, ]´b§Ä, A¶s¯ kw`h§Ä,
ASp¯dnbm¯hÀ \nsâ ]cphwI−m c−m\½bmsWt¶ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Aävekv H¶mw Øm\w t\SnbXv Hs¡bmbn.
hnNmcn¡q.” “Zm, Ahsc¯nbtÃm!” s̸m³ Itkcbv¡p ]n¶neqsS ssI ]pdtIm«n«v
“Hcp Imcyhpw ]cn[n hnSp¶Xp \ÃXÃ.” im´bmbn \Xmenb ]dªp. hvtdm¬kvIn¡p ssI sImSp¯psIm−p ]dªp. ¢ºnÂ
kwkmc¯n\nsS sehn³ Inän G¸n¨ncp¶ ZuXyw Xs¶ adp¶pt]mbn. BsIbp−mbncp¶ kt´mjw hvtdm¬kvInbpsS apJ¯pap−mbncp¶p.
]pdt¯¡p t]mIm\nd§pt¼mgmWv A¡mcyw HmÀ¯Xv. AbmÄ s̸msâ tXmfn ssIap«q¶n Ip\nªv Ft´m a{´n¨p. AtX
“\n§tfmSv Ht»m³kvInbpsS Imcyw kwkmcn¡Wsa¶v Inän {]k¶XtbmsS sehn\p ssI sImSp¯p.
]dªncp¶p.” \Xmenbsbbpw sehns\bpw bm{Xbbbv¡m³ ]SnIÄ¡p “I−pap«nbXn hfsc kt´mjw. XncsªSp¸p Øe¯v Rm³ Xm¦sf
apIfn \n¡pIbmbncp¶ epthmhnt\mSv sehn³ ]dªp. t\m¡nbncp¶p. t\cs¯ t]msb¶dnªp.”
“Dw… \½Ä Ahs\ B{Ian¡Wsa¶mWv A½ ]dbp¶Xv. ]t£… “Rm³ A¶p Xs¶ t]m¶p. R§fnt¸mÄ Xm¦fpsS IpXncbpsS Imcyw
F´n\m Rm³…?” apJw XpSp¯v epthmhv ]dªp. kwkmcn¡pIbmbncp¶p. A`n\µ\§Ä.”
AhcpsS kwkmcw Xocp¶Xphsc Im¯p\n¶ aZmw epthmh (\Xmenb) “Hm, \n§Ä¡pw ]´b¡pXncIfp−tÃm AtÃ?”
Hcp ]p©ncntbmsS ]dªp: “F¦n icn Rm³ B{Ian¡mw Abmsf... “CÃ, AÑ\v D−mbncp¶p.”
hcq, \ap¡p t]mImw.” ¢ºnse A´co£¯nsâ kzm[o\¯ntem AtXm IpSn¨ aZy¯nsâ
anSpt¡m F´mbmepw sehn³ hvtdm¬kvInbpambn [mcmfw kwkmcn¨p.
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Xcn¼pw Akqbtbm hntcm[tam CÃmsX kwkmcn¡m³ Ignbp¶Xn ImWm³ t]mIp¶Xv icnbmtWm, Inän¡v CjvSs¸Sptam Fs¶ms¡.
kzbw A`nam\hpw kt´mjhpw tXm¶pIbpw sNbvXp. acnb AXp ]nSnIn«nb s̸m³ Nn´n¡m³ kabw sImSp¡msX AbmfpsS
t_mdntkmhv\bpsS ho«n h¨v hvtdm¬kvInsb I− Imcyw Inän Bi¦Isf NnXdn¨pIfªp.
]dªXpt]mepw sehn³ A\pkvacn¨p. acnb t_mdntkmhv\sb¸än “\n§Ä A¶sb ImWm³ hcp¶Xn Rms\{X k´pjvS\msWt¶m!
s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v ]dª IY AhnsS Iq«¨ncnbpbÀ¯n. tUmfnbpw Gsd \mfmbn B{Kln¡p¶XmWXv. epthmhv CSbv¡nsS
Ahsf ImWm³ hcmdp−v. Fsâ ktlmZcnbmbXpsIm−p ]dbpIbÃ,
_neymÀUvkv apdnbn s̸m³ hvtdm¬kvInbpambn A¶ hfsc \ÃhfmWv. ]t£ AhfpsS ØnXn IjvSamWv, Ct¸mÄ
kwkmcn¨psIm−ncns¡ ho−pw sehns\ ]nSnIqSn. hntijn¨v.”
“CXm Fsâsbmcp bYmÀ° kplr¯v, Hcp]t£ Fsâ Gähpw \Ã “Ct¸mÄ {]tXyIns¨´mWv?”
kplr¯v.” AbmÄ hvtdm¬kvIntbmSp ]dªp. “\n§Ä F\n¡p “AhfpsS `À¯mhpambn R§Ä hnhmltamN\¯n\v {ian¡pIbmWv.
IqSpX {]nbs¸«h\mbncn¡p¶p. \n§fncphcpw \à AbmÄ k½Xn¨n«p−v. ]t£ aIsâ Imcy¯n {]iv\§Ä
kplr¯p¡fmbncnt¡−hcmWv, c−pt]cpw A{X \ÃhcmWv.” _m¡nbmWv. ]t− Xotc− ImcyamWv, aq¶p amkambn \o−p\o−p
“sImÅmw, Npw_n¡pI, \Ã Iq«mfnIfmIpI, A{Xtb C\n t]mIp¶p. hnhmltamN\w In«nbmepS³ A¶ hvtdm¬kvInsb hnhmlw
_m¡nbpÅq.” DÃmkt¯msS hvtdm¬kvIn ssIIÄ \o«n. sehn³ Ign¡pw. Cu a−³ BNmc§Ä. ]g©³ ]cn]mSnIÄ. a\pjys\
Dujvafambn B ssIIÄ kz´w ssIIfn AaÀ¯n. kzØambn Pohn¡m³ hnSnÃ.”
“\n§Ä¡dnbmtam, CbmfnXphsc A¶sb I−n«nÃ.” s̸m³ “Ct¸msg´mWp {]iv\w?”
hvtdm¬kvIntbmSp ]dªp. “H¶maXmbn Cbmsf AhfpsS “AsXmcp \o− IYbmWv. BsI¸msS Ipgªpadnªp InS¡p¶p. aq¶p
ASp¡te¡p Iq«ns¡m−pt]mIWw. hcq sehn³.” amkambn AhÄ tamkvtImbnep−v. hnhmltamN\w
“AsXtbm, Rm³ Ct¸m¯s¶ ho«nte¡p t]mIp¶p−v. ]t£ AXn\p Im¯pIm¯ncn¡p¶p. FÃmhÀ¡pw Ahsf Adnbmw. tUmfnsb AÃmsX
ap³]v F\n¡p bmjvhns\ {i²n¡Ww.” Bscbpw ImWm³ AhÄ Iq«m¡mdnÃ. B aµ_p²n hmÀhc {]`zn
“F´m At±lw tXm¡pIbmtWm?” t]mepw Ahsf Dt]£n¨pt]mbn. aämsc¦nepambncps¶¦n C{X
“At±lw tXmäpsImt−bncn¡pw. Rm³ ]dªm am{Xta Fs´¦nepw ]nSn¨p\n¡nÃmbncp¶p.”
tIÄ¡pIbpÅq.” “AhÄ¡v Hcp Ip«nbntÃ? Ahsf t\m¡p¶ Xnc¡p−mIpatÃm.”
hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Npäpw kplr¯p¡Ä h¶pw t]mbpancp¶p. sehn³ ]dªp.
CSbv¡nsS AbmÄ bmjvhnsâ ASp¡Â t]mbnh¶p. sehn\v “\n§Ä FÃm kv{XoIsfbpw shdpw kv{Xo Bbn am{Xw ImWp¶p.
BsI¸msS hensbmcp im´X tXm¶n. hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ i{XpX Fs´¦nepw sN¿ps¶¦n AXp a¡Ä¡pth−n am{Xw. A¶ aIsf
Ahkm\n¨Xn {]tXyIn¨p kt´mjw tXm¶n. \¶mbn hfÀ¯p¶p−v. ]t£ Ahfnt¸mÄ Fgp¯nsâ Xnc¡nemWv.
Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ s̸m³ h¶p hnfn¨p. “\ap¡v A¶bpsS \n§fpsS ]cnlmk¨ncn F\n¡p a\knemIp¶p−v, AhsfgpXp¶Xv
ASp¡tebv¡p t]mImw. \n§sf sIm−psNÃmsa¶v hfsc \mfpIfmbn Ip«nIÄ¡pÅ ]pkvXIamWv. AtX¸änsbm¶pw BtcmSpw ]dbmdnÃ.
Rm³ ]dbp¶XmWv. sshIpt¶cw FhnsSsb¦nepw Fs¶ hmbn¨ptIĸn¨p, Rm\Xv thmÀ¡qhn\v ssIamdn. B {]km[I³,
t]mIm\p−mbncpt¶m?” \n§fdnbntÃ; AbmÄ Fgp¯pImc\pamWv. C¯cw Imcy§fnsems¡
“kznbmjvkvIntbmSv ImÀjnI skmsskänbn sNÃmsa¶p ]dªncp¶p. \à {Kmlyap−v. CXp Kw`oc³ ]pkvXIamsW¶v AbmÄ
AXp kmcanÃ, \ap¡p t]mImw.” km£ys¸Sp¯p¶p. F¶ph¨v Ahsfmcp Fgp¯pImcnsbm¶paà tIt«m.
lrZbapÅ Hcp s]®v, A{Xam{Xw. I−pIgnbpt¼mÄ a\knemIpw.
h−nbn GXm\pw hmc \o§pwhsctb ¢_v A´co£¯nsâ Ahfnt¸msgmcp Cw¥ojpImcn s]¬Ip«nsb hfÀ¯p¶p−v, Hcp
kzm[o\w X§n\n¶pÅq. At¸mtg¡v sehn\v Bi¦bmbn: A¶sb IpSpw_s¯ apgph³ ]cn]men¡p¶p−v.”
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“a\pjykvt\l{]hr¯nIÄ.” t\m«¯n \n¶v AbmÄ a\knem¡n. hfsc s]s«¶p Xs¶ AbmÄ
“\n§Ä FÃm¯ns\bpw C§s\ No¯¡®nte ImWq. AhnShpambn CW§n. sNdp¸w apXte Ahsf ]cnNbapÅXpt]mse.
a\pjykvt\lkn²m´sam¶paÃ. lrZb¯n \n¶p hcp¶Xp sN¿p¶p. A¶ Cw¥ojpImcns¸¬Ip«nsb Nmb sIm−phcm³ Ab¨p. AhfpsS
A{Xam{Xw. hvtdm¬kvIn¡v Hcp Cw¥ojpImc³ ]T\sa§s\bps−¶v s̸m³ Aht\zjn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp:
IpXnc]cnioe\I\p−mbncp¶p. H¶m´cw ]cnioeI³, ]t£ “anSp¡n Ip«nbmWv. \Ã {]IrXhpw.”
apgp¡pSnb³. AhÄ¡v B IpSpw_t¯mSv klXm]w tXm¶n, kvt\lw “C§s\ t]mbm \o \nsâ Ip«nsb¡mÄ Ahsf kvt\ln¡m³
tXm¶n, klmbn¡m³ XpS§n. F¶ph¨v klXm]wsIm−p Iptd ]Ww XpS§pw.”
sImSp¡pIbÃ, AhÄ Xs¶ B¬Ip«nIsf djy³ sslkvIqfn\p “AXm ]pcpjsâ i_vZw. kvt\l¯n IqSpXepw Ipdhpw H¶panÃ.
th−n Hcp¡p¶p. s]¬Ip«nsb AhÄ IqsS Xmakn¸n¨ncn¡pIbmWv. Fsâ aItfmSv F\n¡v Hcp kvt\lw. ChtfmSv asäm¶v.”
\n§Ä Ahsf ]cnNbs¸«p Ignbpt¼mgdnbmw.” “Cu s]¬Ip«n¡p th−n sNehm¡p¶ DuÀÖ¯nsâ \qdnsem¶v
h−n apäs¯¯n. s̸m³ t\tc AIt¯¡p Ibdnt¸mbn. sehn³ djybnse Ip«nIfpsS hnZym`ymk¯n\p th−n sNehgn¨m henb
]n¶mse sN¶p. DÅn ]mXnshfn¨¯n I− OmbmNn{X¯n ImcyamIpsa¶v Rm³ A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\tbmSp ]dbpIbmbncp¶p.”
sehnsâ I®pIfpS¡n. Cäenbn h¨v anssltemhv hc¨ A¶bpsS thmÀ¡qhv ]dªp.
Nn{Xambncp¶p AXv. sehn\v AXnÂ\n¶p I®p ]dn¡m\mbnÃ. “icnbmWv, ]t£ F\n¡Xn\p Ignbt−? AeIvkn Incntemhn¨v {]`p
Xms\hnsSbmsW¶p Xs¶ ad¶v, i_vZ§sfm¶pw tIÄ¡m\mhmsX Fs¶ Hcp]mSv \nÀ_Ôn¨XmWv {Kma¯nse Hcp kvIqÄ GsäSp¡m³.
AbmÄ \n¶p. Abmsf Ipg¡n¡fª Hcp t\m«hpambn Rm³ ]e XhW AhnSw kµÀin¡pIbpw sNbvXp. \à Ip«nIfmWv.
hnPbnsbt¸mse AhÄ \n¶p. ]t£ F\n¡v AXnt\mSv Hcp XmÂ]cyw tXm¶t−! \n§Ä
“icn¡pw kt´mjap−v.” B i_vZw Xt¶mSp Xs¶bmsW¶v Hcp DuÀP¯nsâ Imcyw ]dªntÃ? AXv kvt\l¯n \n¶p hcp¶XmWv,
shfn]mSpt]mse AbmÄ Xncn¨dnªp. Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ AXp kzbw hcWw, \nÀ_Ôn¨p sIm−phcmhp¶XÃ. Cu Ip«ntbmSv
Nn{X¯nse kv{Xo. thjhpw cq]hpw `mhhpw thsdbmsW¶p am{Xw, F\n¡v F´psImt−m A§s\ tXm¶n, ImcWsam¶pw F\n¡dnbnÃ.”
]t£ B kuµcyhpw BIÀjIXzhpw Nn{XImc³ H¸nsbSp¯Xpt]mse A¶ sehns\ t\m¡n. X§Ä¡p ]ckv]cw a\knemIpsa¶ a«nÂ, Xm³
Xs¶. ]dªsXÃmw AbmtfmSmsW¶ a«nÂ.
“F\n¡p a\knemIpw. kvIqfpIsftbm A¯cw Øm]\§sftbm H¶pw
A¶bpsS Ipªp ssIIÄ \o«nbpÅ lkvXZm\¯nÂ, thmÀ¡qhns\ A§s\ Ffp¸¯n kvt\ln¡m³ IgnbnÃ. AXpsIm−mWtÃm
]cnNbs¸Sp¯nbXnÂ, sN¼³ apSnbpÅ kpµcns¸¬Ip«nsb Xsâ am\htkh DZvtLmjn¡p¶ Øm]\§fpsS ^e§Ä A{X
hnZymÀ°nsb¶p ]dªp ]cnNbs¸Sp¯nbXn Hs¡ sehn³ DZm¯amIm¯Xv.”
]cnjvIrXtemI¯nse Hcp {]KÛaXnbpsS km¶n[yw Xncn¨dnªp. AÂ]t\cs¯ \ni_vZXbv¡p tijw AhÄ ]p©ncn¨p: “AtXbtX,
“F\n¡p kt´mjambn” F¶v AhÄ CSbv¡nsS ]dbp¶p−mbncp¶p. F\ns¡mcn¡epw IgnbnÃ. kzbw apgpIm³ Fs´¦nepsam¶v
AhfpsS Np−pIfn \n¶p hcpt¼mÄ B hm¡pIÄ¡v Ft´m {]tXyI Fs´¦nepsam¶v AXymhiyambn«pw F\n¡Xn\p Ignbp¶nÃ.” kz´w
AÀ°apÅXpt]mse tXm¶n AbmÄ¡v. “F\n¡v hfsc¡meambn Imcyw Hcp]mSp ]dªpthm F¶ Ipät_m[t¯msS ]ns¶ AhÄ
\n§sf ]cnNbap−v. ÌnhmbpambpÅ \n§fpsS kulrZw hgnbpw, hnjbw amän: “\n§Ä s]mXp{]hÀ¯\§fn A{X
\n§fpsS `mcy hgnbpw. Ahsf F\n¡v AÂ]t\cs¯ ]cnNbap−v. hnizkn¡p¶bmfsöv F\n¡dnbmw. F¶m Ignbp¶ hn[¯nsems¡
arZpebmb Hcp Ipªp]qhv. Ahsfmcp A½bmIm³ t]mIp¶p AtÃ?” \n§sf Rm³ ]n´pW¨n«pap−v.”
A\mbmkefnXambncp¶p AhfpsS kwkmcw. sehns\bpw Ìnhmsbbpw “F§s\sbms¡.”
amdnamdn t\m¡p¶p−v. Xsâ s]cpamäw hfsc \¶mbncn¡p¶psh¶v B “\n§fpsS taepÅ hnaÀi\¯nsâ kz`mha\pkcn¨v. C\n AÂ]w Nmb
IpSn¨mtem?”
231 232
A¶bpsS IYIsf¸än sehnt\mSv ]dªn«ps−¶v s̸m³ kqNn¸n¨p.
“AXp th−nbncp¶nÃ. Pbnen \n¶ enk saÀSvktemh F\n¡p “F{X am[pcyapsÅmcp kv{Xo; A{X Xs¶ ZpxJnXbpw.” sehn³
hnäncp¶ sIm«Ifpw sIm¯p]WnIfpw t]msetb DÅq Ah.” A¶ s̸mt\msSm¸w ]pd¯nd§pt¼mÄ Nn´n¨p.
sehnsâ t\tc Xncnªp: “AhnsS Pbn hIp¸nsâ NpaXe “Rm³ ]dªntÃ?” s̸m³ tNmZn¨p.
AhÄ¡mbncp¶p.” “AhfpsS kuµcytam _p²ntbm AÃ, lrZb¯nsâ DujvafXbmWv.”
sehns\bpw thmÀ¡qhns\bpw t{UmbnMv dqan \nÀ¯n A¶ “C\nta a\pjycpsS ta {Iqcamb hn[nhmNI§Ä
ktlmZct\mSv X\n¨v Fs´ms¡tbm kwkmcn¨p. AsX´msW¶p D¨cn¡mXncn¡pI.” h−nbpsS hmXn Xpd¶psImSp¯psIm−v s̸m³
tIÄ¡m\pÅ PnÚmksIm−v sehn³ ]cnkcw ad¶p. A¶bpsS ]dªp. “\½Ä C\n c−p hgn¡mWv.”
IYIfpsS alXzw kw_Ôn¨v thmÀ¡qhv ]dªsXm¶pw AbmÄ A¶sb¡pdn¨p Xs¶ Nn´n¨psIm−v, X§fpsS kw`mjW¯nse
tI«nÃ. sNdpsNdp hmNI§Ä t]mepw HmÀan¨psIm−v, AhfpsS t\cnb
]n¶oSv Nmbkab¯pw AhÀ CSapdnbm¯ kw`mjW¯nteÀs¸«p. `mht`Z§Ä t]mepw a\kn I−v, AhfpsS ØnXn AhfpsS DÅnÂ
FÃmhcpw BkzZn¨ \nanj§fmbncp¶p AXv. kuµcyhpw sFizcyhpw Ibdn \n¶v Adnbm³ {ian¨psIm−v, AhtfmSv IqSpXÂ IqSpXÂ
kw`mjWNmXpcyhpw am{Xaà XnIª kXykÔXbpw A¶bneps−¶v klX]n¨psIm−v BWv sehn³ ho«nse¯nbXv.
sehn³ a\knem¡n. Xsâ Ct¸mgs¯ ØnXn ad¨phbv¡m³ A¶ H«pw Inän¡p kpJamsW¶pw AhfpsS ktlmZcnamÀ c−p t]cpw
{ian¨nÃ. s\SphoÀ¸pIfpw apJs¯ achn¸pw Nn{XImc³ H¸nsbSp¯ s]mbv¡gnsª¶pw Iukva Adnbn¨p. c−p I¯pIfpw sImSp¯p.
BËmZ`mh¯n \n¶p XnI¨pw hyXykvXambncps¶¦nepw B ]n¶oSv Ah ad¶pt]mtb¡psa¶p IcpXn sehn³ At¸mÄ Xs¶ Ah
`mh¯nepw AhfpsS BIÀjIXz¯n\v Hcp Ipdhpw h¶nÃ. AXp s]m«n¨p hmbn¨p. tKmX¼n\v A©c dq_ntf hne In«q F¶mWv
asämcp Xc¯nembncps¶¶p am{Xw. ImcyØsâ I¯v. c−mat¯Xv ktlmZcnbptSXmWv. AhcpsS `qan
kwkmcn¡pt¼mgpw tI«ncn¡pt¼mgpsaÃmw sehn³ AhfpsS kw_Ôn¨ CS]mSv C\nbpw icnbm¡m¯Xn\pÅ iImcw. A©cbv¡p
B´cnIPohnXs¯¡pdn¨p Nn´n¡pIbmbncp¶p. BZyw Ahsf Xs¶ [m\yw hn¡mw. tN¨nbpsS ØeanS]mSv ASp¯ Znhkw Xs¶
hÃmsX Ipäs¸Sp¯n Nn´n¨Xn AbmÄ¡p hnjaw tXm¶n. AhfpsS icnbm¡Ww. sehn³ InänbpsS ASpt¯¡p sN¶p.
\nesbbpw \ne]mSpIsfbpw \ymboIcn¨pw AhtfmSp klX]n¨pw AhÄ hnjmZn¨ncn¡pIbmWv. A¯mgw hsc aq¶p ktlmZcnamcpw IqSn
hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw Ahsf ]qÀWambn a\knem¡m³ Ignbp¶nsöp henb kt´mj¯nembncp¶p. ]ns¶ Abmsf Im¯ncp¶v aqhcpw
]cnX]n¨pw kz´w a\kv t]mepw Abmsf AXnibn¸n¨p. ]Xns\m¶p apjnªp, tN¨namÀ t]mbn, AhÄ X\n¨mIpIbpw sNbvXp.
aWn¡v s̸m³ t]mIms\gpt¶ät¸mÄ sehn\v Xm\nt¸mÄ “Fs´Sp¡pIbmbncp¶p cm{Xn apgph³?” FÃmw Xpd¶p]dbp¶Xn\p
h¶tXbpsŶp tXm¶n. a\knÃma\tkmsS Abmfpw Fgpt¶äp. hnLmXamIcpsX¶p IcpXn AhÄ I®pIfnse Xo{hX AÂ]w Ipd¨p.
bm{X ]dbpt¼mÄ A¶ sehnsâ ssIIfn ]nSn¨v apJt¯¡v kmbmÓs¨bvXnIsf¸än AbmfpsS hnhcWw BkzZn¨p tI«p.
Dujvafambn t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ssIIfn \n¶p ]nSnhn«v I®pIÄ “hvtdm¬kvInsb I−Xn Rms\{X k´pjvS\msWt¶m. XnI¨pw
]mXnbS¨p: kzm`mhnIambn s]cpamdm³ F\n¡p Ignªp. C\nbpw Abmsf
“\n§fpsS `mcytbmSv Rm\hsf ap³s]¶s¯bpwt]mse ImWmXncn¡m³ Rm³ {i²n¡mw, ]t£ AkpJIcamb
kvt\ln¡p¶psh¶p ]dbq. Fsâ Cu \ne AhÄ¡p I−pap«epIfpsS Imew IgnªXn henb Bizmkw tXm¶p¶p.”
s]mdp¡mhp¶Xsæn AhÄ £ant¡s−¶p Xs¶bmWv Fsâ CÑ. Abmsf ImWmXncn¡m³ {ian¡psa¶p ]dªn«v t\tc A¶bpsS
CXp £an¡Wsa¦n Fs¶t¸mse CXneqsS IS¶pt]mtI−nhcpw. ASp¡tebv¡mWp t]mbsXt¶mÀ¯v sehnsâ apJw Nph¶p. “R§Ä
AhÄ¡v A§s\sbm¶pw hcmsX ssZhw Im¡s«.” sXmgnemfnIfpsS aZy]m\s¯¡pdn¨p kwkmcn¨p. BcmWv þ
“XoÀ¨bmbpw, Rm³ ]dbmw.” AXp ]dbpt¼mtg¡v sehn³ Nph¶p sXmgnemfnIfmtWm AtXm \½psS hÀ¤amtWmþ IqSpX IpSn¡pI
XpSp¯ncp¶p. F¶v F\n¡dnbnÃ. AhÀ Ah[nZnhk§fnÂ...”
233 234
aZy]m\ioew NÀ¨ sN¿p¶n Inän¡v Hcp XmÂ]cyhpw tXm¶nbnÃ. asämcp Imcyw Gäp]dªp: tamkvtImbnse PohX¯n Xoäbpw IpSnbpw
`À¯mhnsâ apJw XpSp¯Xv AhÄ {i²n¨ncp¶p. AsX´n\msW¶v hÀ¯am\w ]d¨nepw am{Xambn Xm³ A[x]Xn¨psIm−ncn¡pIbmWv
AdnbWw. F¶v. aq¶p aWnhsc kwkmcn¨ncp¶n«mWv AhÀ Dd§m³ am{Xw im´X
“]ns¶ FhnsSsbms¡ t]mbn?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. ssIhcn¨Xv.
“A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\sb ImWm³ Ìnhm hÃmsX \nÀ_Ôn¨p.’’ sehnsâ
apJw IqSpX XpSp¯p. A¶sb ImWm³ t]mIp¶Xp icnbmtWm F¶ A¶bv¡p sehns\ \¶mbn CjvSs¸«p. hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ ISp¯
kwib¯n\v ]qÀWamb D¯cw In«n. t]mIcpXmbncp¶p. A´c§Ä¡pa¸pdw CcphÀ¡pw s]mXphmbn ]e Imcy§fpaps−¶v
A¶bpsS t]cp tI« \nanjw InänbpsS I®pIÄ hnNn{Xamb Hcp AhÄ I−p. AXmWv Inän c−p t]scbpw Xo{hambn kvt\ln¡m³
coXnbn CaNn½n. ]t£ AhÄ hnZKv[XtbmsS Xsâ hnImc§Ä ImcWambXv. F´mbmepw sehn³ apdnbn \n¶p ]pd¯nd§nbtX
`À¯mhn \n¶v Hfn¸n¨ph¨p. “Hm!’’ Fs¶mcp i_vZw am{XamWv Abmsf¸änbpÅ Nn´ AhfpsS a\kn \n¶p t]mbn. Hä Nn´
]pd¯p h¶Xv. am{XamWv AhfpsS a\kns\ `cn¨Xv. aäpÅhcpsS taÂ, `mcysbbpw
“t]mbXn\v \osbt¶mSv tZjys¸SnÃtÃm. Ìnhm hÃmsX \nÀ_Ôn¨p. IpSpw_s¯bpw C{Xta kvt\ln¡p¶ B a\pjysâ ta C{XtaÂ
tUmfn¡pw B{Klap−mbncp¶p.’’ kzm[o\w sNep¯m³ F\n¡p Ign¶psh¦n ]ns¶ F´psIm−mWv
“Gbv, CÃ.’’ ]t£ AhfpsS I®pIfn AkpJIcambsXt´m AbmÄ At±l¯n\p am{Xw F´mWv Ft¶mSn{X achn¸v? achn¸Ã,
Xncn¨dnªp. At±l¯n\v Fs¶ kvt\lamsW¶v F\n¡dnbmw. ]t£ Ft´m H¶v
“hfsc henb ZpxJ§fpÅ \sÃmcp kv{XobmWv AhÀ.’’ sehn³ R§sf X½neIäp¶p. tamkvtImbnse Cu PohnX¯nÂ
A¶bpsS CSs]Sepw CS]mSpIfpw AhtfmSp ]dbmt\¸n¨Xpw FÃmw Rm\\p`hn¡p¶ Ibv]v At±lw Adntb−XtÃ? CXp PohnXamtWm?
]dªp. amdnamdnt¸mIp¶ H¶n\mbpÅ Im¯ncn¸v. D¯cw Ft¸mgpw
“Dw, icnbmWv. AhÀ icn¡pw klXm]aÀln¡p¶p−v.’’ `À¯mhv AI¶pt]mIp¶p. C\n AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nt\mSv tNmZn¡m³
]dªp\nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp. “BcptSXmbncp¶p I¯v?’’ hs¿¶v Ìnhmbpw ]dbp¶p. C\nsbgpXm³ F\n¡pw h¿. F\n¡v H¶pw
I¯nse hntij§fpw AbmÄ ]dªp. AhfpsS kzc¯nse im´Xsb sN¿m³ h¿, H¶pw XpS§m³ h¿, H¶pw amäm\pw Ignbp¶nÃ.
hnizkn¨v sehn³ hkv{Xw amdm³ t]mbn. aS§nhcpt¼mgpw Inän B kabwsImÃm³ Hmtcmtcm hgnIÄ þ Cw¥ojv IpSpw_¯nsâ kwc£Ww,
NmcpItkcbn Xs¶ D−v. ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ Abmsf kq£n¨p ]pkvXIsagp¯v þ Is−¯n Rm\n§s\ Im¯pIm¯ncn¡p¶p.
t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ hn§ns¸m«m³ XpS§n. FÃmsamcp A`n\bw am{Xw. asämcp Xcw tamÀ^o³. At±lw Fs¶
“F´m? F´p]än?” ]änbsX´msW¶dnbmambncp¶n«pw AbmÄ a\knemt¡−XtÃ.
shdpsX tNmZn¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn F¯nbXdnªv AhÄ s]s«¶v I®oÀ XpS¨p, im´X
“\n§fm hr¯nsI« kv{Xobpambn kvt\l¯nemtWm? AhÄ \n§sf ssIhcp¯n, Hcp ]pkvXIw Xpd¶ph¨v Ccp¶p. sshInsb¯nbXnepÅ
ab¡n¡fªp AtÃ! \n§fpsS I®pIfn Rm\Xp hmbn¨p. CsXÃmw Ak´pjvSn Adnbn¡Ww, ]t£ AXv klXm]¯nt\m hg¡nt\m
FhnsSs¨¶hkm\n¡pw? ¢ºn t]mbn aZy]n¡pI, No«pIfn¡pI... hgnhbv¡cpXv.
F¶n«v thdmcpaÃ, AhfpsSbSpt¯¡v... \ap¡nhnsS\n¶p t]mImw. “\o hÃmsX apjnªnÃtÃm?” AhfpsS ASpt¯¡p sN¶psIm−v
Rm³ \msf t]mIpIbmWv.” hvtdm¬kvIn tNmZn¨p. “Fs´mcp {`m´mWo NqXpIfn.”
Hcp]mSv kabsaSp¯n«mWv Ahsfsbm¶v Bizkn¸n¡m³ sehn\p “CÃ, Rm³ apjnªnÃ. apjn¨nenÃmXncn¡m³ Rm³ ioen¨tÃm.
IgnªXv. HSp¡w AbmÄ Ign¨ aZy¯nsâ Afhns\m¯v tXm¶nb Ìnhmbpw sehn\pw h¶ncp¶p.”
klXm]¯n A¶bpsS IpSnehiyXbn ab§nt¸msb¶v “Dw. hcpsa¶v ]dªncp¶p. sehn³ F§ns\bp−v BÄ? CjvSs¸t«m?”
Gäp]dbpIbpw C\nta Ahsf ImWpIbnsöv Dd¸psImSp¡pIbpw AbmÄ AhfpsS ASp¯ncp¶p.
sNbvXn«mWv im´X Xncn¨pIn«nbXv. IqSpXÂ kXykÔXtbmsS AbmÄ
235 236
“\¶mbn CjvSs¸«p. AhÀ t]mbn«v A[nIambnÃ. bmjvhn³ “Dw. icn. AXp am{Xambncps¶¦n”
Fs´Sp¡pIbmbncp¶p?” “icn, \o ]d. \n\¡p kt´mjw In«p¶ F´p Rm³ sN¿mw. \nsâ
“Pbn¡pIbmbncp¶p. ]Xnt\gmbncw t\Sn. Rm\mbmsf hnfn¨psIm−p thZ\bIäp¶ F´p ImcyamWv Rm³ sN¿m³ aSn¨n«pÅXv?”
t]m¶XmWv. ho«nte¡pÅ hgnbn \n¶v ho−pw Xncn¨pt]mbn. Ct¸mÄ “H¶panÃ, H¶panÃ. GIm´sIm−mbncn¡pw, Fsâ at\m\ne... th−,
tXmäpsIm−ncn¡p¶p.” \ap¡v AsX¸än kwkmcn¡−. IpXnc¸´b¯nsâ Imcysam¶pw
“]ns¶sb´n\m \n§fhnsS \n¶Xv?” I®pIÄ AbmÄ¡p t\tc ]dªnÃtÃm.” Xsâ hnPb¯nepÅ BËmZw ad¨ph¨psIm−v AhÄ
DbÀ¯n AhÄ tNmZn¨p. AhfpsS apJw {Ip²ambncp¶p. “bmjvhns\ tNmZn¨p.
hnfn¨psIm−p t]mcm\mWv AhnsS \n¡p¶sX¶tà \n§Ä A¯mgw Ign¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ AhtfmSv ]´bhntij§Ä ]¦ph¨p.
ÌnhmtbmSp ]dªXv? F¶n«v Abmsf AhnsS hn«p t]m¶ncn¡p¶p.” ]t£ AbmfpsS kzc¯n t\m«¯n Hs¡ IqSpXÂ
bp²kÖamb achn¸v AtX coXnbn AbmfpsS apJ¯pw achn¸p−mbncp¶p. IogS§enepÅ AkwXr]vXnbp−mbncp¶p. hnPbw
{]Xy£s¸«p. k½m\n¨ hm¡pIÄ AhtfmÀan¨p: ‘hn\mi¯nsâ h¡nÂ
“H¶maXmbn, \nt¶mSv H¶pw ]dbm³ Rm\hs\ ]dtªÂ¸n¨ncp¶nÃ. \n¡pt¼mÄ Cu \nanjw Rms\s¶¯s¶ F{Xam{Xw `b¡p¶psh¶v’
c−maXv, Rm³ IÅw ]dbmdnÃ. AXnsems¡ {][m\ambn«v Ht¶bpÅq: C\nsbmcn¡Â¡qSn D]tbmKn¡cpXm¯ hn[w A]ISw ]nSn¨
F\n¡p \n¡Wsa¶p tXm¶n, Rm³ \n¶p.” AbmÄ cq£ambn hm¡pIfmWXv. X§Ä¡nSbnse KmVkvt\l¯n\pap]cnbmbn
t\m¡n. “F´n\mWp \½fn§s\ shdpsX, A¶m...” Hcp \nanjs¯ bp²shdnbpsS Zpcmßmhv ]pd¯m¡m³ h¿m¯ hn[w Icpt¯msS
\nÈ_vZXbv¡p tijw AbmÄ AhÄ¡p t\tc Ip\nªv, ssIIÄ c−pt]cnepw _m[IqSnbncn¡p¶psh¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n.
\nhÀ¯n, AhÄ Xsâ ssIIfn ssI tNÀ¡psa¶p {]Xo£n¨p \n¶p.
Cu BÀ{ZX Ahsf kt´mjn¸n¨p. ]t£ GtXm ZpjvSiàn Ahsf Ipät_m[§Ä þ IpSn¨p e¡psI«Xn\v, `mcybv¡v A]am\¯n\p
cayXs¸Sp¶Xn \n¶p ]n´ncn¸n¨p; IogS§en\p hg§m¯ ImcWamb Hcph\pambn kulrZw ]¦ph¨Xn\v, hgn]ng¨ Hcphsf
bp²shdnt]mse. kµÀin¨v AhtfmSv klX]n¨v `mcy¡v a\{]bmkw hcp¯nh¨Xn\v þ
“\n§Ä¡p \n¡Wsa¶p tXm¶n, \n§Ä \n¶p. \n§Ä¡p Ae«nbn«pw sehn\v A¶v \à kpJambn Dd§n. DÅnÂs¨¶ aZy¯nsâ
th−sXms¡ \n§Ä sN¿p¶p. AsX´n\m ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp Afhpw AXn\v Hcp ImcWambncp¶p. ]peÀs¨ DWcpt¼mÄ AcnInÂ
hnfn¨p]dbp¶Xv? \n§fpsS AhImi§Ä Bsc¦nepw tNmZyw InänbnÃ. F®oät¸mÄ A¸pd¯p\n¶v sagpXncnshfn¨hpambn AhÄ
sNbvtXm?” hcp¶p.
AbmÄ ssIIÄ ]n³hen¨p, ]n´ncnªp, apJ¯v IqSpX ITn\amb t]äpt\mhmtWm F¶v AbmÄ BIpes¸s«¦nepw “H¶panÃ, kmcanÔ
Hcp `mhw \ndªp. F¶p ]dªv AhÄ ho−pw I«nen Ibdn InS¶p. £oWw ImcWw
“\n§Ä¡v shdpsX ]nSnhminbmWv. Fsâ ta taÂt¡mbva AbmÄ ho−pw Dd§nt¸mbn. a\knÃma\tkmsS AhÄ
sXfnbn¡Ww. A{Xam{Xw... Fsâ thZ\ IqSn \n§fdnbWw. Ct¸mfo hnfn¨pWÀ¯nbt¸mgmWv ]ns¶ DWÀ¶Xv.
\nanjw, \n§fpsS i{XpX IqSn Gäphm§pt¼mÄ, hn\mi¯nsâ h¡n “kmcanÃ, t]Sn¡ms\m¶panÃ, F\n¡p \à ss[cyap−v” Fs¶ms¡
\n¡pt¼mÄ Cu \nanjw Rms\s¶¯s¶ F{Xam{Xw AhÄ ]dsª¦nepw AbmÄ sh{]mfs¸«p. enkmshä s]t{Smhv\bv¡v
`b¡p¶psh¶v...!” hnXp¼eS¡n AhÄ apJw Xncn¨p. Bfb¨p, tUmIvSsd hnfn¡m³ sehn³ Xs¶ ]pds¸«p. A½sbbpw
“\o Fs´ms¡bmWv ]dbp¶Xv?” AhfpsS hm¡pIfnse \ncmibpsS tUmfnsbbpw hnhcadnbn¨p. acp¶pISbn \n¶v Idp¸p hm§n.
Bgw a\knem¡n AbmÄ AhfpsS ssIIsfSp¯v Npw_n¨p. “F´n\m hnfn¡m³ sN¶t¸mÄ tUmIvSÀ \Ã Dd¡w. FWoän«pw HcpXcw
C§s\? Rm³ hoSphn«v Fs´¦nepw hnt\mZ§Ä¡p ]n¶mse sasÃt¸m¡v. Nmb thtWm F¶v tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Xs¶
t]mIp¶pt−m? kv{XoIfpambpÅ kwkÀKw Xs¶ Rm³ ]cnlkn¡pIbmsW¶mWv sehn\p tXm¶nbXv. AbmÄ sh{]mfw Iq«n.
Hgnhm¡nbn«ntÃ?” CsX{X I−XmWv F¶ `mhambncp¶p tUmIvSÀ¡v.
237 238
InänbpsS AkzØXbpsS Bgw I−v \ncoizchmZnbmb sehn³ Hscmä hyànbn Is−¯m³ Ignbm¯hn[w sshhn[yamÀ¶
“IÀ¯mth I\nbWta” F¶v AdnbmsX Dcphn«pt]mbn. Asænepw IgnhpIfpw tbmKyXIfpw th− XkvXnIbmWXv. FÃm IgnhpIfpw
\nÊlmbmhØbn GsXmcph\pw ssZh¯n¦Â AÃmsX asähnsS H¯ptNÀ¶bmsf Is−¯pI Akm[yambXn\m kÀh{][m\ambn
B{ibw tXSm³. AbmÄ kXykÔ\mIWsa¶XnemWv \njvIÀj. s̸m³
Ccp]¯nc−p aWn¡qÀ sh{]mf§Ä¡p tijambncp¶p AXv. AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v B hm¡nsâ kmam\y AÀ°¯n am{Xaà tamkvtIm
AeuInIamb HceÀ¨. tUmIvSdpambn kwkmcn¨ncn¡pIbmbncp¶ kaql¯n AXn\p e`n¡p¶ hntijmÀ°¯n Xs¶
sehn\v FWo¡m³ t]mepw IgnªnÃ. F´msW¶p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ kXykÔ\mbncp¶p. kXykÔ\mb cmjv{Sob¡mc³, Fgp¯pIm³,
tUmIvSÀ ]dªp: “FÃmw Ignªp.” kXykÔamb Zn\¸{Xw, Øm]\w Fs¶ms¡ ]dbpwt]mse; Bhiyw
Inän acn¨p F¶mWv sehn³ IcpXnbXv. AhÄs¡m¸w Xm\pw acn¨v Xsâ h¶m A[nImcnIÄ¡p hncp²ambpw kzX{´amb \ne]mSv FSp¡m³
a¡Ä amemJamcmbn kzÀK¯n F¯nsb¶p ]dªm t]mepw IgnhpÅhsc hntijn¸n¡p¶hn[w.
hnizkn¡m³ C{X {]bmkanÃmbncp¶p AbmÄ¡v. anSp¡\mb Hcp C¯cw {]tbmK§Ä km[mcWamb hrµ§fnembncp¶p s̸m³
B¬Ip«nbpsS Ic¨n AhnsS AebSn¨p. Inän Poht\msSbncn¡p¶p, AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ PohnXw. AhnsSsbms¡ AbmÄ kXykÔ\mbn
AhfpsS thZ\bpsS \nanj§Ä Ahkm\n¨p. AbmÄ¡v hntijn¸n¡s¸SpIbpw sNbvXp. AXpsIm−v ta XkvXnIbv¡v
Fs´¶nÃm¯ B\µw tXm¶n. aämsc¡mfpw tbmKy\mbncp¶p AbmÄ.
{]XnhÀjw Ggmbncw apXÂ ]Xn\mbncw hsc In«mhp¶ B tPmen
s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ Imcy§Ä BsI AhXmf¯nembncp¶p. Ct¸mgs¯ kÀ¡mÀ tPmen ssIshSnbmsX Xs¶ \ndthäpIbpw
XSnhnäXnsâ ]Ww aq¶n c−pw sNehgn¨pIgnªp. Ahtijn¨ sN¿mw. c−p a{´namÀ, Hcp h\nX, c−p PqX³amÀ F¶nhcmWv
aq¶nsem¶nsâ an¡hmdpw ]¦v ]¯p iXam\w Cfhn I¨hS¡mc\n C¡mcy¯n Xocpam\saSpt¡−hÀ. Icp¡sfÃmw \¶mbn
\n¶v aq³Iqdmbn hm§pIbpw sNbvXp. AXnsâ ckoXn Zmcy \o¡nbn«ps−¦nepw Ahsc t\cn¡mWWw. Itc\ns\ I−v
AeIvkm³t{Umhv\ H¸n«psImSp¡m³ hnk½Xn¨Xn\m IqSpX ]Ww hnhmltamN\¡mcy¯n k½À±w sNep¯msa¶v A¶bv¡p hm¡p
\ÂIm³ AbmÄ hnk½Xn¡pIbmWv. i¼fw apgph³ ho«mhiy§Ä¡p sImSp¯n«pap−v. CXns\ms¡ th−nbmWv tUmfntbmSv Cc¶phm§nb
Hgnhm¡m³ h¿m¯ NnÃd¡S§Ä ho«m\pw sNehmIpw. ]ns¶ Hcp A³]Xp dq_nfpambn ]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡p ]pds¸«Xv.
ss]k t]mepw \o¡nbncn¸nÃ. djybpsS AkwXr]vXamb km¼¯nI\ne kw_Ôn¨v Itc\nsâ
Imcy§fn§s\ hn«m ]änsöv AbmÄ¡p tXm¶n. X\n¡p i¼fw dnt¸mÀ«v hmbn¨ptI«psIm−v AbmfpsS hmb\apdnbnencn¡pIbmWv
IpdhmbXmWv CXns\ms¡ ImcWw. s̸m³. dnt¸mÀ«v hmb\ XoÀ¶n«p thWw kz´w tPmen¡mcyhpw
_m¦v UbdIvSÀ s]t{Smhn\v ]´ocmbncw In«pw, Hcp I¼\nbpsS A¶bpsS hnhmltamN\¯nsâ Imcyhpw kwkmcn¡m³.
UbdIvSdmb skzânävkvIn¡v ]Xnt\gmbncw D−v, Hcp _m¦nsâ hmb\ IgnªXpw s̸m³ Z£nWdbnÂthbpsSbpw _m¦nMv
Øm]I\mb anXn\v A³]Xn\mbncamWv In«p¶Xv. I¼\nIfpsSbpw kwbpà kanXnbpsS sk{I«dn XkvXnIbn X\n¡p
A©p hÀjw ap³]v AbmfpsS Øm\hpw i¼fhpw anI¨Xmbncp¶p. XmÂ]cyapÅ Imcyw s]mtamÀkvInsb ImWpt¼mÄ kqNn¸n¡Wsa¶v
]t£ Ct¸mg§s\bÃ. “Rms\m¶p ab§nt¸mbn; Ahscs¶ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nt\mSv Bhiys¸«p.
XgbpIbpw sNbvXp.” s̸m³ HmÀ¯p. AbmÄ I®pw ImXpw Cu ]pXnb kanXnbpsS {]hÀ¯\§Ä Fs´ms¡bmsW¶v AbmÄ
Xpd¶ph¨p. \sÃmcp Ahkcw I®nÂs¸SpIbpw sNbvXp. s̸mt\mSv tNmZn¨p. Xsâ km¼¯nIho£W§Ä¡v
A¦nfpamscbpw Bânamscbpw Iq«pImscbpsaÃmw Adnbn¨v \¶mbn A\ptbmPyambncn¡ptam AsX¶v Itc\n³ Nn´maá\mbn.
NphSph¨p; Imcy§tfXm−p ]ptcmKan¨pIgnªt¸mÄ “XoÀ¨bmbpw Rm\Xv At±lt¯mSp ]dbmw. \n§Ä¡v C¡mcy¯nepÅ
]otägvkv_ÀKnte¡p t]mbn. Z£nWdbnÂthbpsSbpw Nne _m¦nMv {]tXyI XmÂ]cysa´mWv?”
I¼\nIfpsSbpw kwbpà kanXnbpsS sk{I«dn Øm\amWv kwKXn. “\Ã i¼fap−v, GXm−v H³]Xn\mbnct¯mfw. Fsâ Imcy§...”
239 240
“H³]Xn\mbncw!” AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v BhÀ¯n¨p. C{Xbpw F¶p IcpXn A§s\bmWv ]dªXv) DÅ Xocpam\w. AhtfmSv
DbÀ¶ i¼fw km¼¯nIanXXzw DZvtLmjn¡p¶ Xsâ ]cnjvIcW klm\p`qXn Im«Ww.”
]²XnIÄ¡p hncp²amsW¶v s]s«¶v AbmÄ Xncn¨dnªp. “IrXyambn ]dªm GXp hn[¯nÂ?”
“C{Xbpw DbÀ¶ i¼fw \½psS A]Izamb km¼¯nI hn\nab¯n\p “AhtfmSv Zbhp Im«pI. AhfpsS Imcyw BsI IjvS¯nemWv.’’
sXfnhmbn«mWv Rm³ IcpXp¶Xv.” “A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ PohnX¯n B{Kln¨sXÃmw
“]t£ AXns\´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw? Hcp _m¦v UbdIvSÀ¡v ]Xn\mbncw t\Sn¡gnªncn¡psa¶mWtÃm Rm³ IcpXnbXv.’’ AeIvkn
In«p¶p. AbmfXn\p tbmKy\msW¶p hbv¡mw. F³Pn\obÀ¡v AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ i_vZw Xo£vWambn.
Ccp]Xn\mbncw In«p¶p. CXp IqSns¡m−ncn¡pIbpw sN¿patÃm!” “\ap¡v Ipäs¸Sp¯epIÄ \nÀ¯mw. IgnªsXms¡ Ignsª¶p
i¼f¡mcy¯nse AkaXz§fpw km¼¯nI A¨S¡hpw kw_Ôn¨v IcpXmw. Ahsf´mWv B{Kln¡p¶sX¶v, F´n\pth−nbmWv
Itc\n³ Hcp {]`mjW¯nte¡p IS¶p. s̸m³ Afnbsâ Im¯ncn¡p¶sX¶v \n§Ä¡dnbmw þ hnhmltamN\w.”
hmZKXnIsf JWvUn¨psIm−v CSs]«p. “Fsâ aIs\ F\n¡p thWsa¶ hyhØbn hnhmltamN\w
“GXmbmepw hfsc ^e{]Zamb \nebn hfcm\pÅ Hcp ]pXnb ths−¶mWtÃm A¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\ ]dªXv. AtXmsS B hnjbw
{]Øm\¯n\mWv ChnsS XpS¡anSp¶Xv. AXv kXykÔambn Ahkm\n¨Xmbn Rm³ IcpXn.”
sIm−pt]mIpI F¶Xn\mWv AhÀ kÀthm]cn {]m[m\yw “ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v tZjys¸SmXncn¡q.” s̸m³ hncÂsIm−v
I¸n¡p¶Xv.” AbmfpsS ImÂap«pIfn sXm«p. “AhfpsS ØnXn kln¡m³ ]äm¯{X
“C¡mcy¯n s]mtamÀkvInsb¡mÄ A[nImcapÅXv Zb\obamWv. AX§s\ XpScp¶XpsIm−v BÀ¡pw Hcp {]tbmP\hpanÃ
shmÄKmcnt\mhn\msW¶v F\n¡p tXm¶p¶p.” Xm\pw. AhfXÀln¡p¶p−v F¶mIpw \n§Ä¡p ]dbm\p−mIpI.
“shmÄKmcnt\mhv ]qÀWk½Xw ]dªn«p−v.” s̸m³ Ahfpw AXp k½Xn¡p¶p; AXpsIm−p Xs¶ AhÄ H¶pw
AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ apJw Nph¶p. cmhnse B PqXs\¡mWm³ Bhiys¸Sp¶panÃ. \n§tfmSv H¶pw tNmZn¡m³ ss[cyansömWv
sN¶t¸mgp−mb Zpc\p`h§fpsS HmÀabmWv AbmfpsS apJw AhÄ ]dbp¶Xv. ]t£ Rm³, R§Ä _Ôp¡sfÃmhcpw tNÀ¶v,
Nph¸n¨Xv. c−p aWn¡qÀ aäp ]cmXn¡mcqsS IqsS \n§tfmSv At]£n¡pIbmWv, bmNn¡pIbmWv. AhÄ hÃmsX ]oU
Im¯p\nÀ¯nbn«mWv AbmÄ ImWm³ Ahkcw \ÂInbXv. F¶n«v kln¡p¶p. AXpsIm−v BÀs¡´p {]tbmP\amWv?”
Im¯p\nÀ¯n \mWwsISp¯nbXnsâ BËmZhpw s]mÅbmb, “Rm\mWv Ipä¡mcs\¶ a«nemWtÃm \n§fpsS kw`mjWw?”
G¨psI«nb hn\bhpambn FXntcäp. Bhiyw ]dªt¸mÄ GXm−v “AÃÃÃÃÃ.... A§s\sbm¶pw Nn´n¡cptX.” s̸m³ sasÃ
\nckn¡p¶ a«nembncp¶p adp]Snbpw. s̸m³ AsXÃmw ad¡m³ AbmfpsS ssIIfn kv]Àin¨p, AXv Abmsf XWp¸n¡psa¶
{ian¨p. {]Xo£tbmsS. “Rm³ C{Xtb ]dªpÅq: AhÄ hÃmsX thZ\
A\p`hn¡p¶p−v. AXp eLqIcn¡m³ \n§Ät¡ Ignbq. AXpsIm−v
“C\n A¶sb¸än NneXp kwkmcn¡m\p−v.” \n§Ä¡v H¶pw \jvSs¸SpIbnà Xm\pw. Imcy§sfÃmw A¯c¯nÂ
A¶bpsS t]cp tI« am{Xbn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ apJw Rm³ {IaoIcn¨psImÅmw. ap³]p \n§fXp k½Xn¨ncp¶XmWv.”
Poh³ \jvSs¸«Xpt]msebmbn. “B k½Xw hfsc ap³]mbncp¶p. aIsâ Imcyw AXns\mcp
“Rm³ F´p thWsa¶mWv \n§Ä B{Kln¡p¶Xv?” Ahkm\hm¡mbn F¶p Rm³ IcpXpIbpw sNbvXp. A¶
“C¡mcy¯n Hcp A´naXocpam\w. Hcp cmjv{SX{´Ú³ F¶ AÀ¡tZyhv\bv¡v A{Xsb¦nepw alma\kvIX...” Np−pIÄ
\nebneÃ, Hcp km[mcW a\pjys\¶ \nebnÂ, lrZbmephmb Hcp henªpapdpIn apJw hnfdnshfp¯v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v AXp
ss{IkvXhs\¶ \nebn (‘apdnthä `À¯msh¶ \nebneÃ’ F¶p apgpan¸n¡m³ hnjan¨p.
]dbm\mWv s̸m³ Hcp§nbsX¦nepw kam[m\{iaw XIÀ¯pIftb− “AhÄ FÃmw \n§fpsS alma\kvIXbv¡p hn«ncn¡pIbmWv. Cu
KXntISn \n¶p c£n¡Wsa¶p am{Xta At]£n¡p¶pÅq. aIs\
241 242
AhÄ Bhiys¸Sp¶nÃ. \n§Ä F{Xtbm \à a\pjy\mWv AeIvkn s̸m³ t]mIms\mcp§pt¼mÄ “skÀPn AeIvkntbhn¨v’’ F¶p
AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v. AhfpsS Øm\¯v kzbw k¦Â]n¨p t\m¡q. ]dªv tImÀWn Abmsf hnfn¨p \nÀ¯n. C¯ncn BtemNn¨n«mWv AXp
\n§Ä Dd¸p \ÂInbncp¶XmWv, AhÄ \n§Äs¡gpXpIbpw sNbvXp, skcntbmjbpsS t]cmsW¶v AbmÄ¡v HmÀ½ h¶Xv.
F¶n«mWv tamkvtImbntebv¡p \o§nbXv. Ct¸mÄ Bdp amkambn. t]mcm³ t\cw A¶ Zb\obambn ]dªXv AbmtfmÀ¯p: “F´mbmepw
I−pap«p¶hscÃmw AhfpsS lrZbs¯ apdns¸Sp¯p¶p. Hmtcm Ahs\ ImWWw. Ahs\hnsSbmWv, BcmWhs\ t\m¡p¶Xv
Znhkhpw AhÄ Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv. in£ hn[n¡s¸«hs\ Igp¯n Fs¶ms¡ AdnªphcWw. ]ns¶ Ìnhm... km[n¡psa¦nÂ... AXp
IbÀ Ipcp¡n Bdp amkt¯¡v C«ncn¡p¶Xpt]mse; Nnet¸mÄ acWw, km[n¡ptam?’’ F´mWv AhfpsS a\kn F¶v AbmÄ¡p a\knembn.
Asæn IcpW. AhtfmSn¯ncn Zbhp ImWn¡q, \n§sf km[n¡psa¦n aIs\¡qSn X\n¡p In«pwhn[w hnhmltamN\¯n\p
thZ\n¸n¡m¯ hn[¯n FÃm¡mcy§fpw Rm³ \S¯nt¡mfmw.” k½Xw hm§ns¨Sp¡Ww. C\nbnt¸m AXp kz]v\w ImWm³ IqSn
“AsXm¶paà Rm\nt¸mÄ ]dbp¶Xv. F\n¡v ]dbm³ A[nImcanÃm¯ ]äm¯ ImcyamsW¶v s̸m\p a\knembn. F¦nepw acpaIs\
ImcyamWv Rm³ Dd¸p X¶sX¶p tXm¶p¶p.” I−t¸mÄ kt´mjw tXm¶n.
“At¸m \n§Ä hm¡n \n¶p ]n³amdpIbmtWm?” A½sb¸än Aht\mSv Bcpw H¶pw kwkmcn¡mdnÃ, AXp sXän¡cpXv
“]äp¶sXÃmw sN¿m³ Rm³ Hcn¡se¦nepw hnk½Xn¨n«nÃ. ]t£ F¶v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v s̸mt\mSp ]dªp.
hmKvZm\w sNbvXXn F{Xt¯mfw sN¿m³ Ignbpsa¶v BtemNn¨p “A½bpambpÅ A{]Xo£nXamb B IqSn¡mgvNbv¡p tijw Ah³
Xocpam\n¡m³ F\n¡Â]w kabw thWw. hnizmknsb¶ \nebn hÃmsX tcmKnbmbnt¸mbn. Poht\msS Xncn¨pIn«ptam F¶p t]mepw
C{Xbpw KuchapÅ Hcp Imcy¯n ss{IkvXh hnizmk§Äs¡Xncmb R§Ä `b¶p. ]ns¶ NnInÂkbpw th\enÂ
Hcp \S]Snbpw ssIs¡mÅm³ F\n¡p IgnbnÃ.” ISÂkv\m\hpsams¡bmbn ]Xp¡¸Xps¡bmWv BtcmKyw
“ss{IkvXhkaql§fnepw \½psSbnSbnepw Fsâ Adnhn Xncn¨p]nSn¨Xv. tUmIvSdpsS \nÀt±i{]Imcw Ct¸mÄ Rm\hs\ kvIqfnÂ
s]«nSt¯mfw hnhmltamN\w A\phZn¡s¸«n«pÅXmWv.” hnSm³ XpS§nbn«p−v. kvIqfnse kulrZ§Ä Ahsâ ta \Ã
“A\phZ\obamWv, ]t£ AXnsâ AÀ°w...” kzm[o\w sNep¯p¶p−v. Ah\nt¸mÄ \Ã ]ptcmKXnbp−v.’’
“\n§Ä \n§fÃmXmbncn¡p¶p AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v. \n§Ä “Ch\§p anSp¡\mbnt¸mbtÃm. shdpw skcntbmjbÃ, skÀPn
Xs¶btà FÃmw £an¨v ss{IkvXhkvt\l¯nsâ t]cn am{Xw F´p AeIvkobn¨v Xs¶.’’ \oe tIm«pw ]mâvkpaWnªv hncnª tXmfpIfpw
XymK¯n\pw k¶²\msW¶p ]dªXv? ta¡p¸mbsaSp¡p¶h\v Bßhnizmkw kv^pcn¡p¶ I®pIfpambn IS¶ph¶ kpµcs\ t\m¡n
DSp¸pIqSn sImSp¡Wsas¶ms¡ ]dªn«v Ct¸mÄ...” s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v ]p©ncn¨p.
apJw hnfdn, sNmSnIÄ henªpapdpIn NmSnsbgpt¶ä AeIvkn Ip«n BtcmKyhm\pw kpapJ\pambncp¶p. Hcp A]cnNnXs\sb¶ t]mse
AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v Aedn: “CsXm¶v... CXv... CsXm¶p \nÀ¯mtam! A½mhs\ hW§nb Ah³ Bsf a\knembt¸mÄ s]s«¶v apJw
Rm³ At]£n¡pIbmWv.” Xncn¨pIfªp, Ft´m CjvSs¸Sm¯Xpt]mse. Ah³
“th− th−, Rm³ \n§sf thZ\n¸ns¨¦n Ft¶mSp £an¡q. Rm³ AÑsâbSp¯psN¶ kvIqfn In«nb amÀ¡pIÄ kw_Ôn¨ Ft´m
Fs¶ GÂ]n¨ ZuXyw \n§Ä¡p ap³]n \ndthänsb¶p am{Xw.” ISemkv sImSp¯p.
A¼ct¸msS ssIIÄ hnSÀ¯p]nSn¨v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v “sImÅmw, \¶mbn«p−v.’’ At±lw ]dªp.
AbmÄ¡p ap¶n \n¶p. “\n\s¡s¶ HmÀabpt−m?’’ s̸m³ tNmZn¨p.
AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v AbmÄ¡p ssI sImSp¯v, AÂ]w “D−v A¦nÄ” Ah³ AÑ\p t\À¡pw ]ns¶ \net¯¡pw t\m¡n.
BtemNn¨ tijw ]dªp: “F\ns¡m¶v BtemNn¡pIbpw D]tZiw s̸m³ Ahs\ ASp¯p hnfn¨v Ahsâ ssIIfn ]nSn¨p. “\nsâ
tXSpIbpw Hs¡ thWw. aä¶mÄ Rm³ A´na Xocpam\w ]dbmw.” Imcy§sfms¡ F§s\bp−v?’’ Fs´¦nepw
kwkmcn¡Wsa¶m{Kln¨v, F´mWp ]dtb−sX¶dnbmsX AbmÄ
tNmZn¨p.
243 244
Ah³ \mWn¨v D¯csam¶pw ]dbmsX sasà ssI ]n³hen¨p. “F´p ]än? FhnsSsb¦nepw hoWp thZ\nt¨m? AsXmcp A]ISw ]nSn¨
s̸msâ ssIIÄ ]nSnhn«t¸mÄ kwibt¯msS AÑs\ t\m¡nbn«v IfnbmsW¶p Rm³ ]dªn«ntÃ? C\n UbdIvStdmSp ]dbmw.”
IqSpXpd¶phn« Infnsbt¸mse apdnhn«v HmSnt¸mbn. “Rm³ Xs¶ hoWp thZ\n¨XmsW¦n AXmcpw AdnbpItb
skcntbmj Ahkm\ambn A½sb I−n«v Hcp hÀjw Ignªp. AXn\p CÃmbncp¶p. AsX\n¡pd¸mWv.”
tijw Ah³ Ahsf¸än H¶pw tI«n«pIqSnbnÃ. kvIqfn t]mIm³ “]ns¶ F´p]än?”
XpS§n, AhnsS [mcmfw Iq«pImcmbn. A½sb I−Xn\p tijw Ahs\ “Fs¶ shdpsX hnt«¡v. Rm³ HmÀ¯mepw HmÀ¡mXncp¶mepw
AkpJ¯nemgv¯nb HmÀaIfpw kz]v\§fpsam¶pw Ct¸mÄ Ah³ AbmÄs¡´m? F´n\m Rm³ HmÀan¡p¶Xv? H¶p kam[m\¯nÂ
ImWmdnÃ. Ah XncnsI hcms\mcp§nbt¸msgÃmw Ah\hsb shdpsX hn«m aXn...” Ahsâ adp]Sn A[ym]It\mSmbncp¶nÃ, temIw
B«nbIän. Ft´m hg¡nsâ t]cn AÑ\pw A½bpw X½n apgpht\mSpambn«mbncp¶p.
]ncnªncn¡pIbmsW¶pw AÑsâ IqsSbmWv Xm³ \nÂt¡−sX¶pw
Ah³ a\knem¡n, AXpambn s]mcp¯s¸Sm³ ioen¨p. HutZymKnIImhiy§fpw A¶bpsS Imcy§fpw ]pXnb tPmen¡mbpÅ
A½bpambn Hcp]mSv kmZriy§fpÅ A½mhs\bpw Ah³ shdp¯p. NcSphenIfpsams¡ \S¯p¶Xnsâ IqsS ]otägvkv_ÀKn PohnXw
hmXn¸mfn¡p ]n¶n \n¶v AÑ\pw A½mh\pambpÅ \¶mbn BkzZn¡m\pw s̸m³ kabw Is−¯n.
kw`mjW¯nsâ iIe§Ä HfnªptIÄ¡pI IqSn sNbvXt¸mÄ B Fs´Ãmw kuIcy§Ä Ds−¦nepw tamkvtImbnse PohnXw hÃmsX
shdp¸v iàambn. AÑs\ apdns¸Sp¯mXncn¡m\pw arZpehnImc§Ä¡p aSp¸n¡p¶XmWv. Ipsd \mÄ ASp¸n¨v AhnsS \n¶mÂ, hntijn¨pw
his¸SmXncn¡m\pambn Ah³ A½mhsâ t\À¡pÅ t\m«w IpSpw_t¯msSm¸w IqSpX kabw sNehgn¨m a\kns\ hnjmZw
Hgnhm¡pIbmbncp¶p. aqSn¯pS§pw. F¶m ]otägvkv_ÀKn F¯nbm FÃmw amdpw.
F¶m ]n¶msesb¯nb s̸m³ kvIqfnse Ifnkab¯v AhnsSbmWv BfpIÄ Pohn¡p¶Xv þ icn¡pw PohnXw.
Fs´ms¡bmsW¶p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Ah³ IqSpX XpdhntbmsS, tamkvtImbn PohnXw a¡Ä¡p th−n Pohn¨pXoÀ¡pIbmWv.
AÑsâ Akm¶n[yw \ÂInb kzmX{´yt¯msS adp]Sn ]dªp: ]otägvkv_ÀKn Ah\h\p th−n Pohn¡m\pÅ AhImiw IqSn,
“Ct¸mÄ R§Äs¡mcp Xoh−nbp−v.” s_©n Ccn¡p¶ bm{X¡mcpw A§s\ Pohnt¡− BhiyIX IqSn am\n¡s¸Sp¶p.
\n¡p¶ I−IvSdpw Hs¡t¨À¶v Xoh−n Ifn¡p¶sX§s\sb¶v tamkvtImbn HutZymKnI PohnXw aSp¸n¡p¶XmWv; ChnsS AXnepw
Ah³ hniZoIcn¨p. Hmtcmtcm tNmZy§fneqsS s̸m³ Ahs\ Hcp cksams¡bp−v. Hcp ]p©ncn, C¯ncn t\ct¼m¡v,
t{]mÂkmln¸n¨psIm−ncp¶p. At§m«pant§m«pw klmbw Hs¡.
“AXn\p \à ss[cyw thWw, \à _p²nbpw thWw. {]tXyIn¨pw h−n km¼¯nIImcy§fn ]otägvkv_ÀKv s̸m\v hensbmcp
s]s«¶p \nÀ¯pt¼mÄ, Asæn hoWpt]mIpw.” Bizmkambncp¶p. _mÀSv\ym³kvIntbmSv ]pXnb tPmen¡v ip]mÀi
“AXp hfsc {][m\s¸« kwKXnbmWv.” A½bptSXpt]mse Xnf§p¶ Bhiys¸«t¸mÄ AbmÄ F´mWXnsâ Bhiysa¶p Xnc¡n.
B I®pIfn s̸m³ hnjmZw IeÀ¶ DÂkmlt¯msS t\m¡n. ]W¯n\pÅ AXymhiyhpw Ccp]Xn\mbncw dq_nÄ IS¯nsâ
F¶n«v AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨n\p sImSp¯ hm¡p ad¶v hep¸hpw ]dªt¸mÄ Abmfp−v Nncn¡p¶p. AbmÄ¡v
Aht\mSv tNmZn¨p: Zie£§fmWs{X _m[yX, F¶n«pw BÀ`mS¯n\v Hcp IpdhpanÃmsX
“\n\¡v \nsâ A½sb HmÀabpt−m?” Xs¶ Pohn¡p¶p. jnhmtlmhn\p−v aq¶p e£¯nsâ _m[yX,
“CÃ.” Ahsâ apJw Nph¶p, ]ns¶ BsI aqSns¡«n Ccp−p. PohnX¯n Hcp IpdhpanÃ. {InhvtÌmhv {]`p FÃmhcpw FgpXn¯Ånb
IqSpXsem¶pw Ahs\s¡m−p kwkmcn¸n¡m³ AbmÄ¡p IgnªnÃ. HchXmcamWv; ]t£ c−v Nn¶hoSpIÄ ]peÀ¯n kpJambmWv AbmÄ
]SnIfnencn¡p¶ Ip«n tZjys¸«ncn¡pIbmtWm IcbpIbmtWmsb¶v Ignbp¶Xv. A³]Xp e£w ISapÅ s]t{SmhvkvIn XnIª
Ac aWn¡qÀ Ignªv Ahs\ I− A[ym]I\p ]nSnIn«nbnÃ. BÀ`mS¯n Xs¶ Pohn¡p¶p, [\ImcyhIp¸n Ccp]Xn\mbncw
dq_nÄ i¼fapÅ tPmenbpap−v. CXns\ms¡¸pdta imcocnIambn Xs¶
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]otägvkv_ÀKv s̸m\v Dt·jw \ÂIpw. AhnsSsb¯nbm ]¯p ImWms\¯nb AbmÄ Dd§nt¸mbn. Dd¡¯n tcmKnIÄs¡Ãmw
hbkv Ipdªpt]mse tXm¶pw AbmÄ¡v. \nÀt±i§Ä sImSp¯p. AXpw \à Ak \nÀt±i§Ä. ]ns¶ bqdn
Itc\n\pambpÅ kw`mjW¯nsâ ]ntä¶v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v saseUn³kvInbpsS þ B Ahi³ þ `mcy Abmsf `À¯mhnsâ
s_ävkn sSzÀkvIb {]`znbpsS ASp¡Â t]mbn. AhÀ ASp¡Â sIm−ph¶p. Abmsf em³tUm kpJs¸Sp¯nsb¶p
kwkmcn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ abmIy {]`zn AhnsSsb¯n. ]dbp¶p, ]t£ Rm\bmÄ¡p hyXymksam¶pw I−n«nÃ. F´mbmepw
“Blv, \n§fnhnsS Dt−m? ]mhw, \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS F´p AhÀ¡bmsf henb hnizmkambn«p djybnte¡p Iq«ns¡m−ph¶p.
hntijamWpÅXv? Fs¶ A§s\ t\m¡−. FÃmhcpw IqSn ChnsS AbmfpsS ASp¡Â henb BÄ¡q«amWv. s_kpt_mh {]`znsb
AhÄs¡Xncmbn XncnªXn¸ns¶ þ FÃmw Ahsf¡mÄ Hcmbncw AbmÄ kpJs¸Sp¯n. AhÀ¡v Abmsf s]cp¯njvSambn«v
aSs§¦nepw Zpjn¨hÀ þ AhÄ sNbvXXp \¶mbn F¶ Zs¯Sp¡pIbpw sNbvXp.’’
A`n{]mb¡mcnbmWv Rm³. ]otägvkv_ÀKn h¶t¸mÄ Fs¶ “Zs¯Sp¡pItbm?’’
Adnbn¡mªXn\v hvtdm¬kvIntbmSv F\n¡p \Ã tZjyap−v. Rm³ “Dw. aI\mbn«v. Abmfnt¸mÄ shdpw em³tUm AÃ, s_kpt_mhv
Ahsf ImWms\¯ntbs\, AhfpsS IqsS FÃmbnShpw {]`phmWv. enUnb þ F\n¡hsf henb CjvSamWv, ]t£ AhÄ¡v
Npän¡d§pIbpw sNbvtXs\. AhtfmSv Fsâ At\zjWw ]dbWw. FhnsStbm Hcp ]ncn CfInbn«p−v þ Ct¸mÄ AbmfpsS henb
AhfpsS hntij§Ä ]dbq.” Bcm[nIbmWv. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsStbm AeIvkn
“AhfmsI IjvS¯nemWv...” AbmÄ ]dªpXpS§nbt¸mtg¡v AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâtbm ho«n AbmfpsS D]tZiw IqSmsX Hcp
]Xnhpt]mse abmIy CSbv¡pIbdn. Imcyhpw Xocpam\n¡s¸SpIbnÃ. AXpsIm−v s_kpt_mhv {]`p F¶
“FÃmhcpw, Rms\mgnsI, sN¿p¶Xp Xs¶tb Ahfpw sNbvXn«pÅqþ em³tUmhnsâ Ic§fnemWv \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `mhn.’’
_m¡nsbÃmhcpw AsXms¡ ad¨phbv¡psa¶p am{Xw. AhÄ
Bßh©\ sN¿nÃ, AhÄ sNbvXXp \¶mbn. \n§fpsS B {`m´³ ]dª kab¯nepw AÂ]w sshIn s̸m³ enUnb
Afnbs\ ths−¶p h¨Xp Xs¶ AhÄ sNbvX \à Imcyw. AbmÄ sFht\mhv\bpsS ho«nse¯n. DÅn Bscms¡bps−¶p
`b¦c _p²nimenbmsW¶mbncp¶p FÃmhcpw ]dbp¶Xv, Abmsfmcp Imh¡mct\mSp tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v
shdpw hnUvVnbmsW¶p Rm³ am{Xta ]dªncp¶pÅq. Ct¸m enUnb Itc\n\pw s_kpt_mhv {]`phpw F¶p adp]Sn In«n. abmIy FÃmw
sFht\mhv\tbmSpw em³tUmhnt\mSpapÅ ASp¸w I−t¸mÄ ap³Iq«n¡−tÃm F¶v AbmÄ¡v AÛpXw tXm¶n.
FÃmhcpw ]dbp¶p AbmÄ¡p {`m´msW¶v. FÃmhcpsSbpw “hnNn{Xambncn¡p¶p. F´mbmepw AhtcmSv \à kulrZ¯nÂ
A`n{]mbs¯ FXnÀ¡m\mWv F\ns¡t¸mgpw CjvSw; ]t£ Xs¶bncn¡mw. henb kzm[o\amWhÀ¡v. Hcp hm¡v s]mtamÀkvIntbmSp
C¡mcy¯n AXp \S¸nÃ.” ]dªm Fsâ Imcy¯ns\mcp Xocpam\ap−mIpw.’’ AbmÄ Nn´n¨p.
“H¶pIqSn hniZam¡q. C¶se Rm³ A¶bv¡p th−n At±ls¯
I−ncp¶p. At§À Hcp A´naXocpam\w ]dbp¶nÃ. C¶v CXm AhÀ aq¶p t]cpw kwkmcn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ em³tUmhpw AhtcmsSm¸w
adp]Sn¡p ]Icw enUnb sFht\mhv\bpsS ho«nte¡p IqSn. Ipsd Ignªt¸mÄ Abmfpd§n, AYhm Dd§p¶Xmbn \Sn¨p. B
£Wn¨ncn¡p¶p.” Dd¡¯n {^©n NneXp ]pe¼n.
“B... AXp Xs¶, AXp Xs¶... Abmsf´p ]dbWsa¶v AhÀ s̸m³ AhnsS\n¶nd§n t]ymXvÀ Ht»m³kvInbpsS ho«nte¡p aS§n.
em³tUmhnt\mSv tNmZn¡m³ t]mIpIbmWv.”
“em³tUmhnt\mSv tNmZn¡mt\m? BcmWv AYhm F´mWv em³tUm?’’ ]ntä¶v A¶bv¡p hnhmltamN\w \nckn¨psIm−v AeIvkn
“tM... bqÄ em³tUmhns\ AdnbntÃ? {]ikvX `mhn^e {]hmNI³. AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâ adp]Sn In«n. Dd¡¯n AYhm
Abmfpsamcp {`m´\mWv. ]t£ \n§fpsS ktlmZcnbpsS `mhn Dd¡\mSy¯n B {^©pImc³ hnfn¨p]dª Imcy§sf
AbmfpsS hm¡pIfnemWv. Hcp ]mcokpImc³. tUmIvSsd ASnØm\am¡nbmWv AsX¶v s̸m\p a\knembn.
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“FÃmw Fsâ IpäamWv. Rm³ s]s«¶p NqSmIp¶p. At±lhpambn
Hcp IpSpw_¯n Fs´¦nepw Imcyw \S¡Wsa¦n `mcybpw cayXs¸SWw. F¶n«p thKw \m«n³]pdt¯¡p t]mImw; AhnsS F\n¡p
`À¯mhpw X½n ]cn]qÀW [mcW thWw; Asæn ]qÀWamb Ipd¨pIqSn kam[m\w In«ntb¡pw.”
`n¶n¸v. BSnbpeªpsIm−ncn¡p¶ _Ô§fn H¶pw sN¿m³ “kzm`mhnIaÔ t]mepw. Xs¶ Gähpw apdns¸Sp¯nb hm¡v AhÄ
km[n¡nÃ. hk´w Ignªv th\ hs¶¯nbt¸mÄ tamkvtImbnse ho−pw HmÀan¨p, hm¡ns\¡mtfsd AXpsIm−v Xs¶
NqSpw s]mSnbptaäpÅ PohnXw A¶bv¡pw hvtdm¬kvIn¡pw apdns¸Sp¯Wsa¶ t_m[]qÀhamb Dt±iyambncp¶p IqSpXÂ ZpÊlw.
Aklyambn¯oÀ¶p. ]t£ F¶n«pw AhÀ¡v AhnSw hn«v F´mWt±lw Dt±in¨sX¶v F\n¡dnbmw. Fsâ aIsf kvt\ln¡msX
thmkvUznsj³kvtImbnte¡p t]mIm\mbnÃ. asämcmfpsS Ip«nsb kvt\ln¡p¶Xv Akzm`mhnIamsW¶v,
kÔy Ignªp. Hcp hncp¶n\p t]mb hvtdm¬kvIn aS§nhcp¶Xpw Ir{XnaXzamsW¶v. Ip«nItfmSpÅ kvt\ls¯¸än, At±ls¯ {]Xn
Im¯ncn¡pIbmWv A¶. Xte¶s¯ hg¡ns\¡pdn¨v AhtfmÀ¯p. Rm³ Dt]£n¨ skcntbmjtbmSpÅ kvt\ls¯¸än, At±l¯n\v
XnI¨pw \ncp]{ZhIcamb sIm¨phÀ¯am\¯n \n¶mbncp¶p AXp F´dnbmw? F¶mepw Fs¶ thZ\n¸n¡m\pÅ B B{Klw!
XpS§nbsX¶v tJZt¯msS AhtfmÀ¯p. XoÀ¨bmbpw At±l¯n\p atäsX¦nepw kv{XotbmSv A`n\nthiw
s]¬Ip«nIÄ¡pÅ sslkvIqfpIÄ A\mhiyamsW¶p tXm¶nbn«p−v.
hmZn¡pIbmbncp¶p hvtdm¬kvIn; Ah \ÃXmsW¶v A¶bpw. kam[m\w ssIhcn¡m\pÅ {ia¯n ho−pw Akam[m\¯nsâ
kv{XoIfpsS hnZym`ymks¯¸än¯s¶ AbmÄ ]cnlkn¡m³ XpS§n. hgntbbmWv k©mcsa¶v AhÄ a\knem¡n. “H¶pw th−. At±lw
A¶ t\m¡nhfÀ¯p¶ Cw¥ojpImcns¸¬Ip«n l¶ ^nknIvkv IÅanÃm¯h\mWv. At±l¯n\v Fs¶ hfsc kvt\lamWv, F\n¡v
]Tnt¡− Hcp Imcyhpansöp ]dªp. CXv A¶sb apdns¸Sp¯n. Xm³ At±ls¯bpw. Gsd sshImsX hnhmltamN\w In«pw, R§Ä¡p
sN¿p¶Xns\sbÃmw ]cnlkn¡pIbmWv. Cu apdnhn\p X¡ thZ\ hnhmlnXcmImw. AXn¡qSpXse´mWp th−Xv. a\kam[m\w am{Xw
Xncn¨psImSp¡m³ ]änb hm¡pIÄ Xncªp AhÄ. “kvt\lapÅhÀ aXn F\n¡v. FÃm sXäpw FtâXmsW¶v At±lw hcpt¼mÄ Rm³
a\knem¡p¶Xpt]mse Fsâ hnImc§fpw Fs¶bpw \n§Ä Gäp]dbpw, kXy¯n A§s\bsænepw. F¶n«v \msf R§Ä
a\knem¡psa¶v Rm³ {]Xo£n¡p¶nÃ, ]t£ kmam\yacymZ ChnsS\n¶p t]mIpw.
{]Xo£n¨ncp¶p.” IqSpXÂ Nn´Ifpw AkzØXIfpw Hgnhm¡m\mbn AhÄ Bsf hnfn¨v
s]s«¶p−mb \mWt¡Sn Abmsfs´ms¡tbm ]dªp. s]«nIÄ Hcp¡nhbv¡m³ ]dªp. ]¯p aWnbmbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvIn
AsX´msWt¶mÀabnÃ; AhfpsS adp]Snbpw. ]ns¶ Ahsf h¶p.
apdns¸Sp¯Wsa¶ t_m[]qÀhamb Dt±iyt¯msS AbmÄ ]dªp:
“B s]¬Ip«ntbmSpÅ \nsâ {`a¯n F\ns¡mcp XmÂ]cyhpw “AXpsImÅmw, \¶mbn«p−v.’’ CS\mgnbn ASp¡ph¨ncn¡p¶
tXm¶nbn«nÃ, kXyw. ImcWw AXv H«pw kzm`mhnIaÃ. A{X Xs¶.” s]«nIÄ t\m¡n hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªp.
ZpÊlambn¯oÀ¶ PohnXw apt¶m«p sIm−pt]mIm\pÅ {ia¯nsâ “Dw, \ap¡p t]mImw. Rm\ns¶m¶p shdpsX ]pd¯pt]mbn.
`mKambn Xm³ IjvSs¸«p sI«ns¸m¡nb temIw X¨pXIÀ¯Xnse B \m«n³]pds¯¯m³ sImXn tXm¶n. \n§Ä¡p XSksam¶panÃtÃm
{IqcX, Xsâ ta \mSyhpw Ir{XnaXzhpw Btcm]n¨Xnse A\oXn AtÃ?”
Ahsf tZjyw ]nSn¸n¨p. “Rm\pw AXp Xs¶bmWv sImXn¡p¶Xv. tIm«v amdnbn«p Rm\nt¸m
“{]mIrXhpw euInIX \ndªXpamb Imcy§Ä am{Xta \n§sf hcmw. \ap¡v hniZambn ¹m³ sN¿mw.’’
BIÀjn¡p¶pÅpsh¶Xn F\n¡p klXm]w tXm¶p¶p” F¶p “AXpsImÅmw \¶mbn«p−v’’ F¶v AbmÄ ]dªXn \nµyambn
]dªn«v A¶ Cd§nt¸mbn. Ft´m Ds−¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n. Ipcp¯t¡Sp \nÀ¯nb Ip«nIsf
A`n\µn¡p¶Xpt]mse. AXntesd \nµyambncp¶p AhfpsS `mh¯nse
]Ým¯m]hpw AbmfpsS KÀhpw. XsâbpÅn bp²shdn apfs]m«p¶Xv
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Ahfdnªp. AXns\ t_m[]qÀhw AS¡n\nÀ¯n {]k¶XtbmsSXs¶ “A§s\bmsW¦n \½Ä t]mIp¶nÃ.”
Abmsf FXntcäp. “F´p]än?”
“Hcp t_mt[mZbw t]msebmWv B tXm¶Â F¶nte¡p IS¶ph¶Xv. “]ns¶sbmcp Znhkw Rm\nÃ. Xn¦fmgvNtbm AXn\p tijtam.”
hnhmltamN\¯n\mbn F´n\mWv ChnsS Im¯pInS¡p¶Xv? “AsX´m? CXnen{X hntijn¨v F´m DÅXv?”
\m«n³]pd¯mbmepw ^ew H¶pXs¶btÃ! F\n¡n\nbpw Im¯ncn¡m³ “\n§Ä¡nXnsem¶pw hntijn¨v H¶panÃ, ImcWw \n§Ä Fs¶¸än
h¿, C\n F\n¡v AXns\¸än H¶pw tIÄt¡−. AXn\n\n Fsâ ta Nn´n¡p¶nÃtÃm. Fsâ PohnXw a\knem¡m³ \n§Ä {ian¡p¶nÃ.
Hcp kzm[o\hpw D−mInsöv Rm³ Xocpam\n¨pIgnªp. F´p ChnsS F\n¡p {][m\s¸« Hcp kwKXn l¶ Bbncp¶p. AXv
]dbp¶p?’’ \mSyamsW¶v \n§Ä ]dbp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ aIsf kvt\ln¡p¶nsöv,
“A§s\ Xs¶.’’ AbmÄ ¾m\XtbmsS Ahsf t\m¡n. Cu Cw¥ojpImcnsb kvt\ln¡ps¶¶v, AXp kzm`mhnIasöv C¶se
“Bscms¡bp−mbncp¶p?’’ \n§Ä ]dªp. kzm`mhnIamb F´p PohnXamWv F\n¡p km[yamIpI
hvtdm¬kvIn hncp¶ns\¯nbhcpsS t]cpIÄ ]dªp. “kZy F¶v ]dªpXcmtam?”
H¶m´cambncp¶p, hÅwIfnbpw H¶m´cw, BsI \à Xms\´mWv sNbvXpIq«p¶sX¶v Hcp \nanjt\ct¯¡v AhÄ¡p
ckap−mbncp¶p. ]t£ tamkvtImbn Fs´¦nepsamcp shfn]mSp−mbn, Xsâ \nÝbZmÀVyw XIcp¶Xdnªv AhÄ sR«n.
tImamfn¯canÃms¯ H¶pw Ahkm\n¡nÃtÃm. HSp¡w Hcp kv{Xo kz´w \miamsW¶p Xncn¨dnªn«pw AXns\ {]Xntcm[n¡m³, Abmsf
IS¶ph¶p, kzoU\nse cmPvRnbpsS \o´Â ]cnioeI, AhcpsS sXäp t_m[ys¸Sp¯ns¡mSp¡p¶Xn \n¶p ]n´ncnbm³,
A`ymk{]IS\§Ä R§Ä¡p Im«n¯¶p.” hgnamdns¡mSp¡m³ AhÄ¡p IgnªnÃ.
“tM...! AhÄ \o´ntbm?” “A§s\sbm¶pw Rm³ ]dªn«nÃ. s]s«¶p−mb B kvt\l¯nÂ
“Hcp hr¯nsI« Nph¶ thj¯nÂ. AhÀ Hcp hr¯nsI« F\n¡p henb XmÂ]cyansÃt¶ Rm³ ]dªpÅq. \nsâbpÅnse
hbk¯nbmbncp¶p. \½sft¸mgmWv t]mIp¶Xv?” _lpam\w...”
“Fs´Ãmw tIm{]mb§Ä! AhÄ hntijs¸« A`ymk§sfs´¦nepw “_lpam\w... kvt\lw Ccnt¡−nSs¯ iq\yX aqSnhbv¡m\pÅXmWXv.
ImWnt¨m?” \n§Äs¡s¶ kvt\ln¡m³ Ignbp¶nsæn AXp t\tc
“H¶pap−mbnÃ. Hcp IYbpanÃm¯ ImcyamsW¶p Rm³ ]dªntÃ? ]dbp¶XmWv \ÃXv.”
Ft¸mÄ t]mImsa¶mWv \o IcpXp¶Xv?’’ “CXp kln¡mhp¶Xn\pa¸pdamWv.” Itkcnbn \n¶p NmSnsbWoäv
AkpJIcambsX´ns\tbm B«nbIäp¶Xpt]mse AhÄ Xe sh«n¨p. hvtdm¬kvIn Aedn. Ahsf t\m¡n ISn¨p]nSn¨ hm¡pIfn tNmZn¨p:
“F{Xbpw thKw. \msf F´mbmepw \½Ä Hcp§n¯ocnÃ. aä¶mÄ “F´n\mWp \o Fsâ £a C§s\ ]co£n¡p¶Xv?” C\nbpw Hcp]mSp
t]mImw.’’ ]dbm\p−v, ]t£ ths−¶phbv¡pIbmWv F¶ a«n AbmÄ \nÀ¯n.
“icn... Hm... Hcp \nanjw. aä¶mÄ RmbdmgvNbtÃ? F\n¡v A½bpsS “FÃm¯n\pw Hcp ]cn[nbp−v.”
ASp¯p t]mIWw.” A½bpsS Imcyw ]dªt¸mtg¡v AhfpsS “F¶ph¨m \n§sf´m Dt±in¡p¶Xv?’’ AbmfpsS apJ¯p Xpfp¼n
kwibw \ndª I®pIsf¡pdnt¨mÀ¯v AbmÄ ]chi\mbn. B \n¡p¶ shdp¸nte¡v, B I®pIfnse {Iqcamb `ojWnbnte¡v
]chiX AhfpsS kwibw H¶pIqSn Dd¸n¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS Däpt\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ tNmZn¨p.
a\kn kzoU\nse cmÚnbpsS \o´Â ]cnioeIbÃ, bphkpµcn “Rm³...” ]dbms\mcp§nbXp hngp§nbn«v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p: “Rm³
skmtdm¡n\ {]`znbmWpÅXv. tamkvtImbv¡p kao]w Hcp {Kma¯n F´p thWsa¶mWv \o ]dbp¶Xv?”
hvtdm¬kvIb {]`zntbmsSm¸amWv AhÀ Xmakw.” “F\ns¡´m th−Xv? \n§sfs¶ hn«pt]mIcpXv,
“\n§Ä¡p \msf s]mbv¡qtS?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. Ct¸mgpt±in¡p¶Xpt]mse, AXp am{Xta F\n¡p th−q.” AbmÄ
“Dw... AXpsIm−p ImcyanÃ. AhnSps¯ CS]mSpIÄ¡p th− ]Whpw ]dbmsX hn«Xpw a\knem¡nsb¶ t]mse AhÄ ]dªp. “AÃ, AXÃ.
B[mc§fpsam¶pw \msf¯s¶ In«nÃ.”
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AXp c−matX hcp¶pÅq. F\n¡p kvt\lw thWw. AXp In«m\nÃ. skcntbmjbpsSbpw Fsâ AKm[amb \mWt¡Spw þ FÃmw acWw hgn
AtXmsS FÃmw XoÀ¶p.” ]cnlcn¡s¸Spw. acn¡Ww. At¸mÄ At±l¯n\v Ipät_m[w tXm¶pw,
A¶ hmXn¡te¡p Xncnªp. klXm]w tXm¶pw, Ft¶mSp kvt\lw tXm¶pw. Fs¶ {]Xn Ipd¨p
“\n¡q...” AhfpsS ssIIfn ]nSn¨psIm−mWv hvtdm¬kvIn AXp thZ\ A\p`hn¡s«.” CSXp ssI hncen tamXncw CSpIbpw DucpIbpw
]dªsX¦nepw apJ`mh¯n\p amäsam¶panÃmbncp¶p. sNbvXpsIm−v Xâ acWw Abmfn hcp¯m\nSbpÅ amä§Ä
“F´ns\s¨mÃnbmWo _lfsaÃmw? bm{X aq¶p Znhkt¯¡p k¦Â]n¨psIm−v Ahfncp¶p.
amänhbv¡Wsa¶p Rm³ ]dªp. AXnsâ t]cn Rm³ \pWb\mWv, ASp¯phcp¶ NphSpIÄ Adnsª¦nepw Adnbm¯a«n Ahfncp¶p.
am\yXbnÃm¯h\mWv Fs¶ms¡ \o ]dbp¶p.” AbmÄ ASp¯p sN¶v AhfpsS ssIIÄ hmcnsbSp¯v ]dªp:
“AtX! F\n¡p th−n FÃmw _enIgn¨psh¶v Fs¶ Ipäs¸Sp¯p¶ “A¶m, \ap¡v aä¶mÄ Xs¶ t]mImw. \nsâ B{Klw AXmsW¦nÂ.’’
AtX a\pjy³” ]gsbmcp hg¡nse hm¡pIÄ HmÀs¯Sp¯v Ahsfm¶pw ]dªnÃ.
BhÀ¯n¨psIm−v AhÄ ]dªp “am\yXbnÃm¯hs\¶p am{XaÃ, “F´m? F´p ]än?’’
lrZbanÃm¯h\pamsW¶v Rm³ ho−pw ]dbp¶p.” “\n§Ä¡dnbmatÃm?’’ ]dªpXoÀ¶Xpw AhÄ tX§nt¸mbn.
“tlm, kln¡p¶Xn\pw Hcp ]cn[nsbms¡bp−v.” AbmÄ AhfpsS “Fs¶ Iftª¡q.’’ G§eSnIÄ¡nSbn AhÄ ]dªp. “Rm³
ssIbn \n¶p ]nSnhn«p. \msf s]mbvs¡mÅmw... AXneptasd Rm³ sN¿mw. Rm\mcmWv?
“Abmsfs¶ shdp¡p¶p, AXpd¸mWv.” AhÄ Xncnªpt\m¡msX, A[x]Xn¨ Hcp kv{Xo. \n§fpsS Igp¯n sI«nb XncnIÃv. \n§sf
\nÈ_vZbmbn, CSdp¶ NphSpItfmsS ]pdt¯¡p \S¶p. AbmÄ ZpcnX¯nem¡m³ Rm\m{Kln¡p¶nÃ. \n§sf Rm³
asämcphsf kvt\ln¡p¶p, AXpw Dd¸mWv. F\n¡p kvt\lw thWw. kzX{´\m¡ntb¡mw. \n§sfs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶nÃtÃm! \n§Ä
AXp In«m\nÃ. AtXmsS FÃmw XoÀ¶p.” AhÄ B hm¡pIÄ aämsctbm kvt\ln¡p¶p.’’
BhÀ¯n¨p. “FÃmw Ahkm\n¸n¡Ww. ]t£ F§s\?” AhÄ hvtdm¬kvIn AhtfmSv a\kp im´am¡m³ At]£n¨p, Ahsf
\ne¡®mSnbpsS ap³]nse Dbcw Ipdª Itkcbn Ccp¶p. Ae«p¶ Akqbbv¡p bmsXmcp ASnØm\hpansöv, AbmÄ¡v
FhnsSt¸mIWw, Xs¶ hfÀ¯nb A½mbnbpsS ASpt¯t¡m, AtXm AhtfmSpÅ kvt\lw Hcn¡epw Ipdªn«nsöv, C\n Hcn¡epw
tUmfnbpsS ASpt¯t¡m AtXm Häbv¡p hntZit¯bvt¡m; At±lw Ipdbnsöv, Xm³ Ct¸mÄ Ahsf F¶s¯bpwImÄ Gsd
Ct¸mÄ AI¯v hmb\apdnbn Fs´Sp¡pIbmhpw; CXv FÃm¯n\pw kvt\ln¡p¶psh¶v ]dªp.
Ahkm\w Ipdn¡p¶ hg¡mtWm, C\nbpw cayXs¸SÂ km[yamtWm; “A¶m, shdpsXsb´n\mWv \o hnjan¡p¶Xv? Fs¶
]otägvkv_ÀKnse ]gb Iq«pImÀ Xs¶¸än F´mhpw Nn´n¡pI, hnjan¸n¡p¶Xv?” AbmfhfpsS ssIIfn Npw_n¨p. AbmfpsS apJ¯v
AevIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨v CXns\ F§s\bmIpw ImWpI; Cu BÀ{ZXbp−mbncp¶p, B i_vZ¯n I®ocps−¶v AhÄ¡p tXm¶n,
ASn¨p]ncnben\p tijw F´mhpw kw`hn¡pI þ A§s\ Hcmbncw Xsâ ssIIfn AXnsâ \\hdnªp. Ahfnse AkqbbpsS ]mcayw
Nn´IÄ AhfpsS a\kn BÀ¯ph¶p. lrZb¯nsâ Bg¯n Hä \nanj¯n BÀ{ZXbpsS ]mcayambn amdn. hvtdm¬kvInbpsS
Ahsf BIÀjn¡p¶ Ft´m H¶v DZbwsIm−n«p−v, ]t£ hyàambn tXmfn Npän¸nSn¨v A¶ AbmfpsS inckpw Igp¯pw ssIIfpw
ImWm³ Ignbp¶nÃ. Hcn¡Â¡qSn AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨ns\ Npw_\§Ä sIm−p aqSn.
HmÀan¨t¸mÄ Xsâ tcmKImehpw HmÀabn h¶p. A¶v Ft¸mgpw
AhfpsS a\kn \ndªp\n¶ tNmZyhpw: Rm³ acn¡m¯sX´m? B A¶ A\pjvIbpsS klmbt¯msS km[\§sfÃmw hmcns¡«n
tNmZyhpw B tXm¶epw Ahfnte¡p XncnsI h¶p. Xsâ lrZb¯nsâ ASp¡pIbmWv. hvtdm¬kvIn A½bpsS ASpt¯¡p
Bg¯n sXfnªphcp¶Xv Fs´¶v AhÄ hyàambn I−p. AsX, t]mIms\mcp§p¶p. Hcp ]cnNmcI³ h¶ sSen{Kmansâ ckoXv
FÃm¯n\pw ]cnlmcw H¶p Xs¶. acWw. “AsX, acn¡Ww... FÃm Bhiys¸«p. hvtdm¬kvIn¡p sSen{Kw hcp¶Xn A]mIXsbm¶panÃ,
\mWt¡Spwþ AeIvkn AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨nsâbpw ]t£ AXv ad¨ph¨sX´ns\¶v A¶ Nn´n¨p.
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“BcptSXmWv sSen{Kmw?” “AXp Xs¶bmWv \½Ä kwkmcn¡p¶Xv. lrZbanÃm¯ Hcp kv{Xo,
“Ìnhm Ab¨XmWv.” AhÀ hbknbmsW¦nepw Asænepw, \n§fpsS A½bmsW¦nepw
“F¶ns«´m Fs¶ ImWn¡mXncp¶Xv? Ìnhmbv¡pw F\n¡panSbn thsdbmsc¦nepamsW¦nepw, F\n¡hsc Adnbm³ XmÂ]cyanÃ.’’
F´p clkyamWpÅXv?” “A¶m, Fsâ A½sb¡pdn¨p No¯ ]dbcpsX¶v Rm\t]£n¡p¶p.’’
“sSen{Kmabbv¡p¶Xv AbmÄs¡mcp ioeamWv. {]tXyIn¨v H¶pw “aIsâ kt´mjhpw am\yXbpw FhnsSbmsW¶dnbm¯ Hcp kv{Xo
kw`hn¨n«nsæn ]ns¶ F´n\mWv AXbbv¡p¶Xv?” lrZbapÅhfÃ.” Xte¶s¯ H¯ptNcens\¡pdn¨v AhtfmÀ¯p.
“hnhmltamN\s¯¡pdn¨mtWm?” “A¯cw emf\IÄ AbmÄ aäp ]ecpsS taepw sNmcnªn«p−mIpw,
“AsX. ]t£ Xocpam\sam¶pap−m¡m³ Ignªn«nsömWv. H¶pc−p sNmcnbp¶p−mIpw, C\nbpw emfn¡m³ sImXn¡p¶pap−mIpw.”
Znhk¯n\pÅn Fs´¦nepsamcp Xocpam\w Adnbn¡msa¶v. CXm “\n§Ä A½sb kvt\ln¡ps¶m¶panÃ. FÃmw shdpw hÀ¯am\w
hmbnt¨mfq.” am{Xw, hÀ¯am\w.”
hvtdm¬kvIn ]dªsXms¡ Xs¶bmbncp¶p AXnÂ. HSp¡w C{X IqSn “A§s\bmsW¦n¯s¶ \o...”
D−mbncp¶p: “{]Xo£bv¡p hIbnÃ; F´mbmepw Rm³ “Xocpam\n¡Ww... Xocpam\n¨n«p−v...” At¸mtgbv¡p bmjvhn³
km[yambsXÃmw, km[yaÃm¯Xp hscbpw, sN¿mw.” IS¶ph¶p.
“hnhmltamN\w In«nbmepw Csænepw F\ns¡m¶pansöv Rm³ lrZb¯n sImSp¦mänc¼p¶ thfIfnseÃmw, PohnX¯nse
C¶se ]dªXtÃ? CsX¶n \n¶p ad¨phbvt¡− hgn¯ncnhpIfpsS ]SnhmXnen \n¡pt¼msgÃmw aq¶masXmcmÄ¡p
HcmhiyhpanÃmbncp¶p.” apJw Nph¶v AhÄ ]dªp. “At¸m aäp ap¶n \mSy§fpambn \nÂt¡−n hcp¶Xv AhÄ¡v BZys¯
kv{XoIfpambpÅ I¯nS]mSpIfpw F¶n \n¶p A\p`haÃ. AhÄ \à BXntYbbmbn bmjvhns\ kzoIcn¨ncp¯n
ad¨phbv¡p¶p−mIpw, D−v.” AhÄ Nn´n¨p. hÀ¯am\w ]dªp.
“F´n\mWnXv F¶n \n¶p ad¨ph¨Xv? Rm\Xn\v Hcp hnebpw IpXncsb hm§p¶ thmbvtämhv h¶t¸mÄ A¶ Fgpt¶äv ]pdt¯¡p
IÂ]n¡p¶nsöp ]dªXtÃ? AXn\p \n§fpw Rm³ IÂ]n¡p¶{X t]mbn.
{]m[m\yw sImSp¯m aXn.” hvtdm¬kvIn ]pd¯pt]mbn XncnsI h¶Xv sshInbmWv. A¶
“Imcy§Äs¡mcp XoÀ¸pÅXmWv F\n¡njvSw. AXpsIm−mWv AÀ¡tZyhv\ XethZ\bmbn«p InS¡pIbmWv, AhfpsS ASp¡tebv¡p
Rm\Xn\p {]m[m\yw IÂ]n¡p¶Xv.” sNtÃs−¶p ]dªn«ps−¶v ]cnNmcnI Adnbn¨p.
“XoÀ¸p−mtI−Xv _mlyambn«Ã, kvt\l¯nemWv. F´n\mWv
\n§fXn\n{X _ew ]nSn¡p¶Xv?” BZyambmWv Hcp Znhkw apgph³ hg¡pIqSn Ignbp¶Xv. CXp
“ssZhta, ]ns¶bpw kvt\ls¯¡pdn¨p Xs¶!” HmÀ¯t¸mÄ AbmfpsS hg¡mbncp¶nÃ, achn¸v. achn¸p am{XaÃ, AbmÄ Xs¶ shdp¡pI IqSn
apJw Npfnªp. sN¿p¶p, asämcphsf kvt\ln¡p¶p, AXpd¸mWv.
“F´n\msWt¶m? \nsâbpw \½psS a¡fpsSbpw \Ã `mhn¡v.’’ ]pd¯p t]mbnh¶ c−p aWn¡qsdmgnsI A¶p apgph³ A¶
“`mhnbn C\n Ip«nIfp−mInÃ.’’ kwib§fpsS IqSmc¯nembncp¶p. AbmÄ ]dª iImc§Ä¡p
“AXp henb IjvSamWv.’’ ]pdta ]dtª¡mambncp¶ hm¡pIÄ AhÄ kzbw Is−¯n. “\n\¡p
“\n§fpsS A½ F´p IcpXps¶t¶m, \n§Ä¡v F§s\bpÅ hnhmltamN\w th−tÃ? ths−¦n th−, \o AbmfpsS
hnhmlamWv AhÀ IcpXnh¨ncn¡p¶sXt¶m H¶pw F\n¡v ASp¡te¡p Xs¶ XncnsI s]mbvt¡m. ]W¯n\v Bhiyaps−¦nÂ
Adntb−.’’ Rm³ Xcmw. F{X dq_nÄ thWw?” A§s\ ]eXpw. AsXm¶pw
“AXÃtÃm \½psS hnjbw’’ AbmtfmSp £an¡m³ AhÄ¡p IgnªnÃ, bYmÀ°¯n AbmÄ
AsXms¡ ]dªXmsW¶ t]mse.
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“]t£ Fs¶ Hcp]mSv CjvSamsW¶v C¶sebtà At±lw Ft¶mSp `oIcamb Hcp Zpkz]v\w I−v sR«nbmWv AhÄ DWÀ¶Xv.
]dªXv? Hcp ImcyhpanÃmsX ap³]pw Rm³ shdpsX hnjan¨n«ntÃ?” hvtdm¬kvInbpambpÅ _Ôw XpS§p¶Xn\pw ap³t] ]eXhW
]n¶oSv AhÄ kzbw Bizkn¸n¨p. BhÀ¯n¨n«pÅ H¶v. PSsI«nb XmSnbpÅ Hcp Ipªphr²³ Ft´m
]I apgph³ AbmÄ aS§nhcp¶Xv Im¯ncp¶p. cm{Xn InS¡m³ Ccp¼n\p ta Ip\nªp\n¶v Ft´m sN¿p¶p, {^©nÂ
t]mIpt¼mÄ XethZ\bmsW¶ ktµiw ]dtªÂ¸n¨n«v AhÄ Fs´ms¡tbm ]pe¼p¶p. B Zpkz]v\¯n Ft¸mgpw
hnNmcn¨p: “AXp tI«n«pw At±lw FsâbSp¡Â hcps¶¦n tXm¶mdpÅXpt]mse AbmÄ Xs¶ {i²n¡pt¶bnsöv AhÄ¡p
kvt\lap−v. hcp¶nsæn FÃmw Ignsª¶p IcpXmw. F¦n _m¡n tXm¶n.
Imcyw Xocpam\n¡mw.” sR«nsbWoä AhfpsS a\kn Xte¶s¯ kw`h§Ä HmSnsb¯n.
cm{Xn h−n h¶p \n¡p¶Xpw AbmÄ \S¶phcp¶Xpw F´mbmepw \msf¯s¶ t]mIWw. AhÄ hvtdm¬kvInsb ImWm\mbn
the¡mcntbmSp kwkmcn¡p¶Xpw A¶ tI«p. ]dtªÂ¸n¨ ktµiw AbmfpsS apdnbnte¡p \S¡ms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ ]pd¯p h−n h¶p
hnizkn¨v, AXns\¸än IqSpXsem¶pw Nn´n¡msX AbmÄ kz´w \n¡p¶ i_vZw. aWnbSn¡p¶Xpw hvtdm¬kvIn
apdnbnte¡p t]mbn. A§s\ FÃmw ]qÀ¯nbmbn. HmSnbnd§nt¸mIp¶Xpw sseemIv hkv{X§fWnª Hcp kpµcn Ft´m
AbmfpsS a\kn kvt\lw XncnsIs¡m−phcp¶Xn\pÅ, AbmfpsS ssIamdp¶Xpw AhÄ I−p. aµlmkt¯msS hvtdm¬kvIn
ta hnPbw hcn¡p¶Xn\pÅ Ahkm\amÀKambn acWw AhfpsS AhtfmsSt´m ]dªp, h−n XncnsIt¸mbn, AbmÄ XncnsI ]SnIÄ
ap³]n ho−pw sXfnªph¶p. HmSn¡bdn.
C\n H¶pw Hcp {]iv\aÃ. thmkvUznsj³kvtImbnte¡p t]mIpItbm AhfpsS a\kns\ BhcWw sNbvXp \n¶ aªn³ad apgph\mbn
t]mImXncn¡pItbm, `À¯mhn \n¶p hnhmltamN\w In«pItbm \o§nbncn¡p¶p. Xte¶s¯ s\m¼c§Ä AhfpsS lrZb¯n ]pXnb
In«mXncn¡pItbm F´pamIs«. Abmsf in£n¡Ww. ]XnhpÅ Idp¸v Icpt¯msS ]Xn¨p. AbmtfmsSm¸w AbmfpsS ho«n Hcp ]IÂIqSn
kzbw ]IÀs¶Sp¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ BtemNn¨p, Ip¸nbnepÅXv H¶msI Ign¨v F§s\bmWv IqSpX A[x]Xn¡p¶Xv Ft¶mÀ¯v AhÄ
AI¯m¡pItb th−q, F{X Ffp¸amWXv! Abmsf{Xam{Xw AbmfpsS apdnbntet¡mSn.
thZ\n¡pw, F´pam{Xw ]Ým¯]n¡pw, Xsâ kvacWIsf F{Xam{Xw “aZmw skmtdm¡n\bpw aIfpambncp¶p. A½ sImSp¯b¨ ]Whpw
kvt\ln¡pw Fs¶ms¡ AhÄ InS¡bn InS¶psIm−v BtemNn¨p. B[mc§fpw Xcm³ h¶XmWv. C¶se Ahsc ImWm³ IgnªnÃ.
apdnbn shfn¨w ]IÀ¶psIm−ncp¶ sagpIpXncn FcnªpXoÀ¶p. \nsâ XethZ\ F§s\bp−v? Ipdhpt−m?” AhfpsS apJs¯
F§pw AÔImcw. “acWw.” AhtfmÀ¯p. Xms\hnsSbmsW¶v ¾m\Xbpw cu{Zhpw ImWmXncn¡m³ {ian¨psIm−v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p.
HmÀs¯Sp¡m³, Xos¸«n I−p]nSn¨v ]pXnsbmcp Xncn sImfp¯m³ Abmsf cq£ambn t\m¡ns¡m−v \nÈ_vZbmbn AhÄ apdnbpsS
AhÄ Gsd t\csaSp¯p. “CÃ, F´mbmepw Pohn¡Ww! At±lw \Sphn \n¶p. ]ns¶ H¶pw ]dbmsX apdnhn«p t]mbn.
Fs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶p−v! Rm³ At±ls¯ kvt\ln¡p¶p−v! “B, ]ns¶, \½Ä \msf¯s¶ t]mIpIbmWtÃm AtÃ?” AhÄ
CsXms¡ ap³]pw kw`hn¨n«pÅXmWv, FÃmw IS¶pt]mIpw.” AhfpsS hmXn¡temfw F¯nbt¸mÄ AbmÄ hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p.
IhnfpIfneqsS B\µ¯nsâ I®oÀ HgpInbnd§n. A¶ “\n§Ä. Rm\nÃ.” Xncnªpt\m¡msX AhÄ ]dªp.
hvtdm¬kvInbpsS apdnbnte¡v ]mªpsN¶p. “A¶m, \½fn§s\ apt¶m«p t]mIm\mhnÃ.”
AbmÄ \à Dd¡ambncp¶p. apJ¯n\p tate shfn¨w ]nSn¨v Gsd t\cw “\n§Ä. Rm³ CÃ.” AhÄ BhÀ¯n¨p.
AhÄ \nÀ¶ntajbmbn \n¶p. Dd¡¯n Abmsf AhÄ AKm[ambn “CXp kln¡m³ ]ämXmbn«p−v.”
kvt\ln¨p; F¶m DWÀs¶Woäm B I®pIfn achn¨ t\m«w “\n§Ä... \n§fnXnsâ t]cn ZpxJn¡pw.” ]dªn«v AhÄ ]pdt¯¡p
Xncn¨phcpsa¶v AhÄ `b¶p. Abmsf DWÀ¯msX AhÄ t]mbn.
Xncn¨pt]mbn c−masXmcp tUmkv Idp¸p IqSn IpSn¨v InS¶p, AhfpsS hm¡pIfnse \ncmibdnªv AbmÄ `oXntbmsS ]ns©Ãm³
]pecmdmbt¸mtg¡v Dd§nt¸mbn. t\cnb Dd¡w. Hcp§n; ]ns¶ ths−¶ph¨v XncnsIbncp¶p ]ÃpIÄ sRcn¨p
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iq\yXbnte¡p ISp¸n¨p t\m¡n. “FÃm hgnbpw ]co£n¨p, C\n “Zmcy AeIvkm³t{Umhv\tbm? B... Rm³ t]mIpIbmWv.”
{i²n¡msX hnSpItb c£bpÅq.’’ AbmÄ ]«W¯nte¡pw “]Xn\©p an\näv At§m«v, ]Xn\ªv Ct§m«pw. At±lw Ct¸msg¯pw.”
AhnsS\n¶v B[mc§fn H¸phm§m³ A½bpsS ASp¡tebv¡pw AhÄ hms¨Sp¯p t\m¡n. “F¶mepw At±l¯n\v Fs¶ Cu
t]mIms\mcp§n. ØnXnbn hn«n«v F§s\ t]mIm³ tXm¶n? Ft¶mSp ]nW¡w
AbmÄ ]pdt¯¡p t]mIp¶ i_vZw AhÄ tI«p. amämsX?”
i_vZw tI«p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS h−n.
“At±lw t]mbn. FÃmw Ignªp.’’ Xte¶v sagpInXncn ktµihmlI\mWv XncnsIsb¯nbXv. AhÄ AbmfpsS ASp¡te¡p
AWªt¸mgs¯ Iqcncp«pw ]peÀs¨ I− Zpkz]v\hpw IqSn sN¶p.
AenªptNÀ¶ `oXn Ahsfs¸mXnªp. Häbv¡mbncn¡m³ hÃmsX “{]`phns\ ImWm³ IgnªnÃ. At±lw s]mbv¡gnªncp¶p.”
`bs¸«v AhÄ aWnbSn¨p; ]cnNmcI³ hcm³ Im¯ncn¡msX AbmfpsS “At¸mÄ At±l¯n\v Fsâ I¯p In«nbnÃ? Cu I¯pambn DS³
ASpt¯¡v Cd§ns¨¶p. hvtdm¬kvIb {]`znbpsS ho«n sNÃpI, F¶n«v DS³ Xs¶ Hcp adp]Sn
hvtdm¬kvIn IpXnc¸´nbnte¡mWp t]mbsX¶dnªv sIm−phcWw.”
ASnb´camsW¶p ]dªv Ipdn¸p sImSp¯b¨p: “F\n¡p sXänt¸mbn. Hcp sSen{Kmw IqSn FgpXn Ab¨n«v AhÄ tUmfnbpsS ASp¡te¡p
ho«nte¡p XncnsI hcWw. F\n¡p kwkmcn¡Ww! ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v t]mbn.
XncnsI hcWw. F\n¡p t]SnbmIp¶p.”
Häbv¡mbncn¡m³ `b¶v AhÄ ]cnNmcIsâ ]n¶mse \gvkdnbnte¡p h−nbnencn¡pt¼mÄ A¶ Ignª kw`h§sf ]pXnsbmcp
\S¶p. shfn¨¯n I−p. Ct¸mÄ acWw A{X `oIcambn tXm¶nbnÃ. A{X
“At¿m! CXv Ah\ÃtÃm! Ahsâ \oe¡®pIfpw \mWn¨ B Nncnbpw A\nhmcyhpambncp¶nÃ. kzbw Xmgv¶psImSp¯p hcp¯nh¨
FhnsS?” Ccp−pNpcp− apSnbngIfpÅ Nph¶ Ipªpkpµcnsb \mWs¡Sns\s¨mÃn AhÄ kzbw Ipäs¸Sp¯n. F\ns¡´m
I−t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªXv A§s\bmWv. Ipgadnª AhfpsS a\kv Abmsf¡qSmsX Pohn¡m\mhntÃ? B tNmZyw D¯cw XncbmsX
skcntbmjsbbmWv AhnsS {]Xo£n¨Xv. aIfpsS D¨¯nepÅ Nncnbpw hn«psIm−v AhÄ ISIfpsS t_mÀUpIÄ hmbn¡p¶Xnte¡p Xncnªp.
]pcnI§fpsS Ne\hpw hvtdm¬kvInsb A\pkvacn¸n¨p. A¶ “FÃmw tUmfntbmSp ]dbWw. AhÄ¡p hvtdm¬kvInsb CjvSaÃ.
AhnsS\ns¶gpt¶äv, tX§eS¡n, ]pdt¯¡p t]mbn. F\n¡p hÃm¯ \mWt¡SmIpw, F¶mepw FÃmw AhtfmSp ]dbWw.
AhÄ hm¨n t\m¡n. Ccp]Xp an\näv Ignªp. Ct¸msgsâ I¯p AhÄs¡s¶ CjvSamWv, AhÄ ]dbpwt]mse sN¿mw. AbmfpsS
hmbn¨n«v At±lw XncnsI hcnIbmbncn¡pw. Hcp ]¯p an\näp IqSn tXm¶ymk§Äs¡m¯p XpÅm³ ]änÃ.”
Ignªm Cs§¯pw. C\n AYhm hcp¶nsæntem? CÃ, hcmXncn¡nÃ. “`qXImes¯ thtcmsS ]ngpXpIfbm³ ]änÃ. ]t£ AXns\¡pdn¨pÅ
AhÄ I®oÀ XpS¨p, XeapSn NoInbn«ntÃsb¶v HmÀ¯pt\m¡n, HmÀaIÄ aqSnhbv¡mw. Rm³ AXpXs¶ sN¿pw.” AhÄ AeIvkn
Dd¸phcp¯m\mbn ssIsIm−v XShnt\m¡n, F¶n«pw kam[m\amImsX AeIvkm³t{Umhn¨psam¯pÅ Imew, AXnsâ HmÀaIÄ F§s\
I®mSnbn t\m¡n. I®mSnbn \n¶v t]Sn¨c−v Xs¶ t\m¡p¶ ambv¨pIfªpsh¶v HmÀ¯pt]mbn. “Rm³ c−mas¯ `À¯mhns\bpw
NoÀ¯ apJhpw Xnf§p¶ I®pIfpw BcptSXmsW¶hÄ BtemNn¨p. XgbpIbmsW¶v tUmfn hnNmcnt¨¡pw.”
“Hmlv, AXp Rm³ Xs¶bmWtÃm!” Xncnªpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ AbmfpsS A¶ sNÃpt¼mÄ tUmfntbmsSm¸w Inänbpap−v. AhÄ hntijns¨m¶pw
Npw_\§Ä HmÀ¯v AhÄ hnd¨p. kz´w ssIIÄ ]dbmsX, bm{X ]dªv XncnsIt¸m¶p. F¶mWp XncnsIt¸mIp¶sX¶
A[c§fnte¡pbÀ¯v AhÄ Ahbn Npw_n¨p. tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw ]dbmsX AhÄ Hgnªpamdn.
“F´mWnXv, F´p ]än? Fsâ ka\ne sXäntbm?” AhÄ kz´w A¶bmWp h¶sX¶dnª Inän Ahsc ImWmsX amdn \ns¶¦nepw
InS¸dbnte¡p t]mbn, A\pjvI AhnSw hr¯nbm¡pIbmbncp¶p. ]n¶oSv tUmfnbpsS k½À±¯n\p hg§n. t\cn«p I−t¸mÄ AhfpsS
“Zmcy AeIvkm³t{Umhv\sb ImWm³ t]mIp¶ntÃ?” AhÄ tNmZn¨p. tZjyhpw shdp¸psaÃmw AenªpXoÀ¶p. klXm]w am{Xw _m¡nbmbn.
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H¶pansömIpt¼mÄ, ImWp¶sXÃmw AtemkcamIpt¼mÄ shfn¨w
A¶ ho«n XncnsIsb¯nbt¸mÄ hvtdm¬kvInbpsS sSen{Kw sISp¯n¡fbp¶Xn F´mWp Ipg¸w?”
h¶n«p−v: “]¯paWn¡p ap³]v F¯m³ \nÀhmlanÃ.” s{Sbn³ tÌj\n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ ]pd¯nd§n IpjvTtcmKnIfnÂ
ZqXpambn t]mb ]cnNmcI³ h¶ntÃsb¶v AhÄ Xnc¡n. \ns¶¶t]mse asäÃm bm{X¡mcn \n¶pw AI¶v HcnS¯p \n¶p.
h¶n«nsömbncp¶p adp]Sn. Xms\´n\mWv h¶Xv, Ft§m«mWv t]mIp¶Xv Fs¶Ãmw HmÀ¯p. ]ns¶
AÔamb t{Im[hpw {]XnImchmRvObpw DÅnepWÀ¶v AhÄ ]dªp: Hcp Npa«pImct\mSv hvtdm¬kvIn {]`phnsâ I¯pambn Xsâ
“Rm³ Xs¶ AbmfpsS ASp¡Â t]mImw. Fs¶t¶bv¡pambn h−n¡mc³ ChnsShnsSsb¦nepapt−m F¶p tNmZn¨p.
bm{XbmIp¶Xn\p ap³]v AbmtfmSv FÃmw ]dbWw. Abmsf “hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p? Ahcnt¸mÄ Bsf hn«nt«bp−mbncp¶pÅq.
shdp¡p¶Xpt]mse Hcmsfbpw Rm³ CXphsc shdp¯n«nÃ.” skmtdm¡n\ {]`znsbbpw aIsfbpw Iq«ns¡m−p t]mIm³. h−n¡mc³
s{Sbn³ kabw Adnbm³ AhÄ ]{Xw t\m¡n. “dbnÂth tÌj\n I−mse§s\bncn¡pw?”
Csæn A§p t]mbn Abmsf ImWWw.” h−n Hcp¡n\nÀ¯m³ AhÀ kwkmcn¨psIm−ncn¡pt¼mÄ A¶bpsS h−n¡mc³ ansslÂ
]dªn«v AhÄ c−paq¶p Znhkt¯bv¡pÅ km[\§Ä hmcns¡«n. HmSnsb¯n Hcp I¯v AhÄ¡p ssIamdn. AXp Xpd¶p
C\n Xncn¨nt§m«nsöv AhÄ¡dnbmambncp¶p. hmbn¡pt¼mtg¡v AhfpsS lrZbw hÃmsX thZ\n¨p.
dbnÂth tÌj\n Asæn {]`znbpsS hkXnbn kw`hnt¨¡mhp¶ “\nsâ I¯v In«pw ap³]v t]mcm\nSbmbXn Rm³ ZpxJn¡p¶p. Rm³
Imcy§Ä¡p tijw \njv\n tdmUnepÅ BZys¯ ]«Ww hsc t]mbn ]¯paWnbmIpt¼mtg¡v F¯mw...” hvtdm¬kvIn Aekambn
Cd§msa¶mbncp¶p AhfpsS a\knse Ahyàamb ]²XnIfn Ipdn¨ncn¡p¶p.
tcJs¸Sp¯nbncp¶Xv. ansslens\ ]dªb¨n«v AhÄ ]dªp: “Fs¶ C\nbpw
ZpcnX¯nem¡m³ \ns¶ Rm\\phZn¡nÃ.’’ AbmtfmSÃ, Xt¶mSp
bm{XbnepS\ofhpw \njnsKmtdmZv dbnÂth tÌj\nse Xnc¡neqsS Xs¶bpaÃ, Xsâ thZ\IÄs¡Ãmw ImcWamb B iàntbmSv. AhÄ
^Ìv ¢mkv shbvänMv dqante¡p \o§pt¼mgpw t]SnsIm−p ]nSbp¶ ¹mävt^maneqsS \S¶p.
AhfpsS lrZbs¯ {]Xo£bpw \ncmibpw amdnamdn Hcp etKPv s{Sbn³ h¶p, BfpIÄ Cc¼n, ¹mävt^mw Deªp, ho−pw
]oUn¸n¨psIm−ncp¶p. s{Sbn\nsâ DÅnse¯nbXpt]mse tXm¶n AhÄ¡v. s]s«¶v AhÄ
s{Sbn\n Ibdnbt¸mÄ Bscbpw ImWmXncn¡m\mbn AhÄ Hgnª hvtdm¬kvInsb BZyambn I− \mÄ h−n¡Snbn s]«p acn¨
Hcp `mK¯p P\mebv¡encp¶p. BsI sNfn]pc−, PSsI«nb apSn a\pjys\ HmÀan¨p. Ft´m ]nSnIn«nbXpt]mse A\mbmkambn
sXm¸n¡Snbn \n¶p \mep]mSpw sXdn¨p\n¡p¶ Hcp Irjohe³ NphSph¨v AhÄ AXnio{Lw ]mf¯n\Spt¯¡p \S¶p. ASp¯phcp¶
N{I§fpsS t\À¡p Ip\nªpt\m¡ns¡m−v B P\mebv¡eqsS h−nbpsS BZys¯ t_mKn t\m¡n AhÄ \n¶p. ap³]nes¯bpw
\S¶pt]mbn. “AbmfpsS t]Sn¸n¡p¶ B cq]¯n ]cnNnXambn ]n³]nes¯bpw N{I§Ä X½nepÅ AIew a\knef¶p, a[y`mKw
Ft´m H¶p−tÃm?” AhtfmÀ¯pt\m¡n. BhÀ¯n¡mdpÅ B Xsâ t\À¡p hcp¶ kabw IW¡pIq«n. “Abmsf Rm³ in£n¡pw.
kz]v\w HmÀah¶t¸mÄ `b¶v AhÄ FXnÀhis¯ hmXn¡tebv¡p FÃmhcn \n¶pw F¶n \n¶p Xs¶bpw Rm³ c£s]Spw.” AhÄ
amdn Ccp¶p. Nn´n¨p.
Hcp `mcybpw `À¯mhpw X½n \nÀ¯msX kwkmcn¡pIbmWv. H¶mas¯ t_mKnbpsS N{I§Ä¡Snbnte¡p kzbw kaÀ¸n¡m³
“AXn\mWv a\pjy\v _p²n \ÂInbncn¡p¶Xv, Xs¶ Ae«p¶ AhÄ {ian¨p. ]t£, ssIbnencp¶ Nph¶ _mKv hens¨dnªt¸mtg¡v
Imcy§fn \n¶p c£s]Sm³.” B kv{Xo {^©n ]dªp. AXp IS¶pt]mbn. ASp¯Xn\mbv AhÄ Im¯p\n¶p.
Xsâ Nn´IÄ¡pÅ adp]SnbmWv AsX¶v A¶bv¡p tXm¶n. ap§n¡pfn¡m\pÅ BZys¯ Nm«¯n\p sXm«pap³]pÅXpt]mse Hcp
“AsX, Rm\msI AkzØbmWv. AsX, AXn\mWv F\n¡p _p²n tXm¶Â AhÄ¡p−mbn, AhÄ Ipcnip hc¨p. _meyIuamc§fnse
\ÂInbncn¡p¶Xv, AkzØXIfn \n¶p c£s]Sm³. ImWm³ Hcp]mSv HmÀaIÄ a\kn HmSnsb¯n, kÀhXns\bpw aqSn\n¶ncp¶
261 262
CcpÄ IodnbI¶p, IS¶pt]m¶ hgnIfnse kÀhkt´mj§tfmSpw IqSn
PohnXw Hcp \nanjt¯¡v AhfpsS ap³]n {]ImitKm]pcambn `mKw F«v
DbÀ¶ph¶p. F¦nepw AhÄ h−nbn \n¶p Is®Sp¯nÃ. ap³]n³
N{I§fpsS a[y`mKw X\n¡p t\scsb¯nbt¸mÄ ssIIÄ Ip¯n skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v Bdp hÀjs¯ IT\n]cn{ia§Ä¡pw
h−n¡Snbnte¡p hoWp. ImÂap«pIfpw Ip¯n. s]s«¶v, F´mWo KthjW§Ä¡psamSphn FgpXnb {KÙw Hcp Ne\§fpw
sNbvXsXt¶mÀ¯v AhÄ sR«nhnd¨p, NmSnsbWo¡m³, ]nt¶m«p D−m¡nbnsöÃ, A[nIamcpw {i²n¡pI Xs¶ sNbvXnÃ. CXp hÃmsX
amdm³ AhÄ {ian¨p. ImcpWyteianÃm¯ I\¯ Hcp `mcw AhfpsS Ae«nsb¦nepw skÀ_nb³ bp²w kw_Ôn¨v
inckns\ ASn¨phogv¯v Ahsf Dcp«nadn¨p. “IÀ¯mth, Ft¶mSv P\m`n{]mbkzcq]W¯n apgpIn At±lw ]pkvXI¯nsâ Imcyw Xs¶
£ant¡Wta” s]mcpXm³ t]mepamhmsX AhÄ At]£n¨p. apjnªp GXm−p hnkvacn¨p. Pqsse Bbt¸mÄ Iämhtkmhns\bpw Iq«n
PSsI«nb HcmÄ Ft´m ]pe¼ns¡m−v AhÄ¡p aotX Ccp¼n³ta sehnsâ ASp¡Â hn{iaPohnX¯n\mbn ]pds¸«p.
Ft´m sN¿p¶p−mbncp¶p. thZ\IfpsSbpw Iůc§fpsSbpw tÌj\n AhÀ bp²ap¶Wnbnte¡p t]mIp¶ k¶²`S·msc
AhnizkvXXIfpsSbpw Xn·IfpsSbpw s\m¼c§fpsSbpw B ]pkvXIw I−pap«n. \mep h−nbnembn F¯nb Ahsc bm{Xbm¡m³ ]q¡fpw
hmbn¡m³ AhÄ¡p Iq«mbncp¶ shfn¨w s]s«¶v iàambn Pzen¨p, sN−pIfpambn hensbmcp kwLw kv{XoIfpw F¯nbn«p−v.
Ccpfnembncp¶h IqSn AhÄ hyàambn I−p, ]ns¶ AXp a§n, AXnsemcp kv{Xo skÀPn sFht\mhn¨nt\mSp tNmZn¨p: “\n§fpw
Fs¶s¶bv¡pambn AWªp. Ahsc bm{Xbm¡m³ h¶XmtWm?”
“AÃ {]`zo, Rms\sâ A\pPsâ ASp¡te¡v HgnhpImew
sNehgn¡m³ t]mIpIbmWv. \n§Ä Ft¸mgpw Chsc bm{Xbm¡m³
hcmdpt−m?”
“Hm, AXv Akm[yatÃ? \½Ä CXphsc F®qdp t]sc Ab¨p F¶Xv
icnbmtWm? Rm³ ]dªn«v amÂhn³kvIn hnizkn¡p¶nÃ.’’
“F®qdn IqSpXep−v. tamkvtImbn \n¶v t\cn«ÃmsX
Ab¨hsc¡qSn Iq«nbm Bbnc¯n\p taÂ.’’
“C¶s¯ sSen{Kmanse´m hntijw? XpÀ¡nIsf ho−pw tXmÂ]nt¨m?”
aq¶p Znhkambn XpSÀ¨bmbn XpÀ¡nIÄ tXmtämSpIbmWv, \msf
Imcyambn Fs´¦nepw kw`hn¡pw. AÂ]w ap³]v X§Ä
kwkmcn¨psIm−ncp¶ Imcyw skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v Adnbn¨p.
“\n§fdntªm, hvtdm¬kvIn {]`p, B Ip{]kn²³... Cu h−nbnÂ
t]mIp¶p−v.’’
“AbmÄ t]mIp¶psh¶v Rm³ Adnªncp¶p. ]t£
F¶msW¶dnbnÃmbncp¶p. Cu h−nbn Dt−m?’’
“Rm³ I−p. bm{Xbm¡m³ A½ am{XtabpÅq. GXmbmepw AbmÄ¡p
sN¿mhp¶ Hcp \Ã ImcyamWXv.’’
At¸mÄ IS¶ph¶ s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨v skÀPn sFht\mhn¨nt\mSv
tUmfnsb t]mbn¡mWsa¶v ]dªp. I½nänbpsS sk{I«dn Øm\w
X\n¡p In«nsb¶v Adnbn¡Wsa¶pw.
263 264
hvtdm¬kvIn t]mIp¶ hnhcw ]dªptI«t¸mÄ AbmÄ Ahsâ h−n¡mc³ FÃmw I−p\n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. Rm³ Ahsâ
Ahniz\obXtbmsS t\m¡n, apJ¯p ZpxJw \ndªp. Hcp \nanj¯n\p apdnbn HmSnsb¯pt¼mtgbv¡v AbmÄ AhsâbSp¯p−v. Ahs\
tijw aoi XShns¡m−v hvtdm¬kvIn Ccn¡p¶ apdnbnte¡p t\m¡m³ Xs¶ t]SnbmIpambncp¶p. Hcp hm¡pw ]dbmsX Ah³
\S¡pt¼mÄ AbmÄ ktlmZcnbpsS PU¯n\p tate sNmcnª IpXnc¸pd¯p Ibdnt¸mbn, acW¯nsâ h¡nemWv
tX§epIÄ ad¶pIgnªncp¶p. ]gb kplr¯pw hoctbm²mhpw Bbn XncnsIs¡m−phcp¶Xv. I−n«v F\n¡pIqSn a\knembnÃ. GXm−p
am{Xta hvtdm¬kvInsb At¸mgbmÄ I−pÅq. {`m´nsâ ht¡mfsa¯nbncp¶p. Hm, F´n\sXms¡ ]dbp¶p. \n§Ä
“F\n¡bmsf H«pw CjvSaÃmbncp¶p. F´mbmepw CXv \sÃmcp F´p ]dªmepw Ahsfmcp No¯ kv{Xobmbncp¶p. kzbw
{]mbÝn¯amWv. AbmÄ t]mIpI am{XaÃ, kz´w sNehn Hcp \mi¯nte¡p \o§n, c−p \à a\pjyscbpw þ AhfpsS
kvIzm{U¬ apgph³ sIm−pt]mIp¶pap−v.” s̸m³ `À¯mhns\bpw Fsâ aIs\bpw þ \in¸n¨p.”
\S¶pIgnªt¸mgmWv {]`zn AXp ]dªXv. “AhfpsS `À¯mhv F´p sNbvXp?”
“AbmÄ AhfpsS aIsf¡qSn sIm−pt]mbn. AeIvkn BZyw F´n\pw
h−n Hcp tÌj\n \nÀ¯nbt¸mÄ skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v ¹mävt^man k½Xn¡p¶ AhØbnembncp¶p. Xsâ aIsf asämcmÄ¡p
Cd§n \S¶p. hvtdm¬kvInbpsS Iw]mÀSvsaâv IÀ«\n«p aqSnbncp¶p. sImSp¯phn«Xn Ct¸mÄ Ah³ ZpxJnX\mWv. ]t£ hm¡p amdm³
XncnsI \S¡pt¼mÄ IÀ«³ amänbn«p−v. {]`zn am{Xta DÅnepÅq. AhÀ ]änÃtÃm. Itc\n³ ihkwkvImc¯n\p h¶ncp¶p. AbmÄ AeIvknsb
skÀPn sFht\mhn¨ns\ hnfn¨p. ImWmXncn¡m³ R§Ä ]camh[n {ian¨p. AbmÄ¡v A{X
“Rm³ IpÀkvIv hsc Ahsâ IqsS t]mIpIbmWv.” _p²nap«p−mbnÃ, Ahfbmsf kzX{´\m¡nbncp¶tÃm. ]t£ Fsâ
“Rm³ tI«p. F{X Ipeo\amb ImcyamWv At±lw sN¿p¶Xv.” aI\v FÃmw Ahfmbncp¶p. Ah³ kÀhXpw AhÄ¡p th−n
“Ah\p h¶ A\p`h§Ä¡p tijw thsd´p sN¿m\mWv?” XyPn¨ncp¶p þ tPmenbpw Fs¶t¸mepw. F¶n«pw Ahfht\mSp IcpW
“Fs´mcp IjvSambncp¶p AXv?” skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v ]dªp. ImWn¨nÃ. \n§sf´p thWsa¦n IcpXnt¡m, F¶mepw AhfpsS
“Ibdnhcq.” AhÀ Abmsf AIt¯¡p hnfn¨p. “R§Ä AXp XcWw acWw Hcp ZpjvSkv{XobpsS, aXhnizmkanÃm¯hfpsS acWambncp¶p.
sNbvXsX§s\sb¶v \n§Ä¡v Duln¡m³ t]mepw IgnbnÃ. Bdv Fsâ aIsâ ZpcnXw ImWpt¼mÄ AhfpsS HmÀaIsft¸mepw
BgvNt¯bv¡v Ah³ H¶pw an−nbnÃ. Rm³ shdp¡mXncn¡m³ F\n¡mhp¶nÃ, ssZhw Ft¶mSp s]mdp¡s«.”
Icªp\nÀ_Ôn¨meÃmsX H¶pw Ign¡nÃmbncp¶p. Hcp \nanjsa¦nepw “Ct¸mgt±l¯n\v F§s\bp−v?”
Ahs\ Häbv¡p hnSmsX R§Ä t\m¡n. AhÄ¡p th−n Hcn¡Â “ssZhw R§Ä¡p X¶ A\p{KlamWv Cu skÀ_nb³ bp²w.
kzbw \ndsbmgn¨XmWh³. A¯csamcp kv{Xo¡p tNÀ¶ F\n¡Xnsâ sXäpw icnbpw H¶pw AdnbnÃ. ]t£ ssZhw R§Ä¡p
acWhpambncp¶p AhfptSXv. F{X A[aamb hgnbmWv acn¡m³ X¶ A\p{KlamWv Cu bp²w. AXv Ahs\ c£ns¨Sp¯n«p−v.
t]mepw AhÄ sXcsªSp¯Xv.” Ahsâsbmcp kplr¯v bmjvhn³ NqXpIfn¨v kÀhXpw \jvSs¸Sp¯n,
“Bscbpw hn[n¡m³ \½Ä BfÃtÃm {]`zo, \n§fpsS thZ\ F\n¡p F¶n«p skÀ_nbbnte¡p t]mIpIbmWv. AbmÄ h¶v \nÀ_Ôn¨n«mWv
a\knem¡m\mhpw.” Ah\pw t]mIm³ k½Xn¨Xv. Ct¸mÄ Ah\Xp henb
“AsXm¶pw ]db−. Rm³ A¶v FtÌänembncp¶p, Ah³ Fs¶ XmÂ]cyambncn¡pIbmWv. \n§Ä Aht\mSÂ]w kwkmcn¡q.
ImWm³ h¶ncp¶p. Ah\v Hcp Ipdn¸p sIm−ph¶p. Ft´m Ah\msI hnjmZ¯nemWv. \n§sf ImWpt¼mÄ Ipd¨p kt´mjamIpw.
adp]SnsbgpXn sImSp¯phnSpIbpw sNbvXp. AhÄ A{XbSp¯v Ah³ A¸pd¯v shdpsX \S¡p¶p−v.”
tÌj\neps−¶v R§fdnªnÃ. sshIpt¶cw Rm³ apdnbnte¡p
sNÃpt¼mgmWv tacn ]dªXv Hcp kv{Xo s{Sbn\n\p Xe h¨psh¶v. AXv hvtdm¬kvIn Xs¶ I−n«pw ImWm¯ a«n \S¯w XpScpIbmsW¶v
Ahfmbncn¡psa¶v Ft´m F\n¡p tXm¶n. Ahs\ Adnbnt¡− skÀPn sFht\mhn¨n\p tXm¶n. ]t£ AbmÄ¡p tZjysam¶pw
F¶mWv Rm³ BZyta ]dªXv, ]t£ AhÀ Adnbn¨pIgnªncp¶p.
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tXm¶nbnÃ. ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ Bsf Xncn¨dnª hvtdm¬kvIn skÀPn sFht\mhn¨pw Iämhtkmhpw s]mSnsIm−p aqSn
Dujvafambn Xs¶ lkvXZm\w sNbvXp. \ot{KmIsft¸msebmWv sehnsâ ho«n F¯nbXv. At¸mÄ AbmÄ
“\n§Äs¡s´¦nepw D]Imcw In«psa¦n Rm³ dnÌojn\pw anem\pw tXm«¯nte¡p t]mbncn¡pIbmWv. Inän Ahsc FXntcäp. AhÀ¡p
I¯p Xcmw.” Ipfn¡m\pw `£W¯n\psams¡bpÅ kuIcy§Ä sNbvXn«v AhÄ
“acWs¯ t\cnSm³ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯ensâsbm¶pw BhiyanÃ.” aIs\ ]m IpSn¸n¡m³ t]mbn.
AbmfpsS Np−pIÄ Nncn¨p, I®n At¸mgpw A\´amb kl\hpw
t{Im[hpambncp¶p. ]meq«ns¡m−ncns¡ aIsâ apJw I−v AhÄ sehns\ HmÀ¯p.
“\n§fpsS Cu bm{X al¯camWv. ktlmZc§fpsS tamN\w F¶Xv tamkvtImbn AbmÄ A\p`hn¨ AkzØXIÄ, AbmfpsS
s]mcpXn Pohn¡m\pw acn¡m\pw DZm¯amb e£yamWv. \n§Ä asämcp BIpeXIÄs¡Ãmw ImcWsa¶v AhÄ IcpXnb aX\ncmkw, ChnSps¯
a\pjy\mbn Xncn¨phcpsa¶v Rm³ {]hNn¡p¶p. ssZhw \n§Ä¡v Xnc¡pIfn Abmf\p`hn¡p¶ kzÑX, ChnsS _u²nIhnjb§Ä
_mlybp²¯n hnPbhpw B´cnIambn kam[m\hpw \ÂIs«.” kwkmcn¡m³ BcpanÃm¯XpsIm−pÅ hnja§Ä, Ct¸msg¯nb
skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v Ic§Ä \o«n, hvtdm¬kvIn DujvafXtbmsS Ah kplr¯p¡tfmSv _u²nINÀ¨Ifn GÀs¸Spt¼mÄ In«ntb¡mhp¶
Xsâ Ic§fnsemXp¡n. kt´mjw...
“Hcp Bbp[w F¶ \nebn Rm³ hnes¸«Xmbncn¡pw, Hcp aXhnizmknbsænepw Xsâ `À¯mhnsâ DÅn \pcbp¶ \·bpsS
a\pjys\¶ \nebn Rms\mcp NhdpIq¼mcamWv.” AKm[X Ahsf B\µn¸n¨p. ASp¯nsbSp−mb Hcp kw`hw
hvtdm¬kvInbpsS I®pIÄ ]mf§fnepw h−n¨{I§fnepw ]Xnªp. AhtfmÀ¯p.
AbmÄ Ahsf HmÀ¯p. BsI¯IÀ¶h\mbn dbnÂth t¢m¡v dqan c−mgvN ap³]v tUmfn¡v s̸m³ AÀ¡Ztbhn¨nsâ Zb\obamb Hcp
HmSnsb¯pt¼mÄ AhfptSXmbn Ahtijn¨ncp¶ amwk¡q¼mcw, I¯p−mbncp¶p. AhfpsS FtÌäv hnäv IS§Ä ho«n Xsâ am\w
GXm\pw \nanjw ap³]p hsc Poh\p−mbncp¶ icocw, c£n¡Wsa¶v AbmÄ At]£n¨psIm−v. tUmfn BsI \ncmibpw
]cpt¡Xpta¡m¯ inckv apSnbpsS `mcw sIm−p ]nt¶m«p adnªXv, klXm]hpw aSp¸pw Hs¡bmbncp¶p. AhÄ Abmfn \n¶p ]ncnbm³
s\änbn hoWpInS¶ apSn¨pcpfpIÄ, ]mXn Xpd¶ncp¶ hmbbpw Xocpam\n¨p, hn¡m³ k½Xn¡pIbnsöpd¸n¨p, HSp¡w Ipd¨p`mKw
`ojWambn Xpd¶ncp¶ I®pIfpw hg¡pIfpsSsbÃmw A´y¯n hn¡m³ k½Xn¨p. B hnjbs¯¡pdn¨p kwkmcn¨p XpS§m³ Xs¶
Xs¶ `bs¸Sp¯n AhÄ ]dªncp¶ B hmNIw HmÀan¸n¨p: “\n§Ä F{Xam{Xw \mWt¡Spw AkzØXbpambncp¶p sehn\v F¶v
CXn\p ]Ým¯]nt¡−nhcpw.” BtemNn¨t¸mÄ, tUmfnbpsS A`nam\w apdns¸Sp¯msX AhÄ¡v
hvtdm¬kvIn Ahsf BZyambn I−Xv HmÀan¡m³ {ian¨p, AXpw Hcp Bizmkw ]Icm³ kz¯n Xsâ `mKw ths−¶p hbv¡m³ InäntbmSp
dbnÂth tÌj\n Xs¶. \nKqVX s]mXnªp \n¡p¶ \nÀtZin¨Xv HmÀ¯t¸mÄ þ X\n¡p Xs¶ A{Xbpw t\cw A§s\sbmcp
BIÀjIXzw, kvt\lw \ndª t\m¡pw hm¡pw, FhnsSbpw kt´mjw tXm¶ep−mbnà þ AhfpsS Np−n Hcp Nncn ]c¶p.
\ÂIpIbpw t\SpIbpw sN¿p¶hÄ; Cu Ahkm\\nanjt¯Xpt]mse AhnizmknbmsW¦nse´m! B lrZbw, Bscsb¦nepw,
{Iqcamb {]XnImchmRvO CÃmbncp¶p B apJ¯v. AhtfmsSm¸apÅ sIm¨pIp«nbmsW¦nÂt¸mepw, apdns¸Spt¯−nhcptamsb¶ B
\à \nanj§Ä HmÀs¯Sp¡m³ {ian¨p AbmÄ; ]t£ AhsbÃmw IcpXÂ. FÃmw aäpÅhÀ¡p th−n, Ah\h\p am{Xambn H¶ptabnÃ.
hnjen]vX§fmbncp¶p. AbmfpsS apJw hnXp¼epIfn hndsIm−p. skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v tImÌysb kz´w ImcyØm\mbmWv ImWp¶Xv.
c−ph«w At§m«pant§m«pw \S¶pXoÀ¯t¸mtg¡v AbmÄ kzØX tN¨nbpw A§s\ Xs¶. Ct¸mgnXm tUmfnbpw a¡fpw At±l¯nsâ
ssIhcn¨p. ]pXnsb sSen{Kmw hÃXpapt−msb¶v skÀPn kwc£WbnÂ. Hmtcm Znhkhpw At±l¯nsâ ASp¡Â HmSnsb¯p¶
sFht\mhn¨nt\mSp tNmZn¨v, anem³ cmPmhnsâ {]Jym]\w kw_Ôn¨v Irjohe·mcpw At±ls¯ X§fpsS kwc£I\mbmWv ImWp¶Xv.
AÂ]t\cw kwkmcn¨n«v AhÀ XncnsI h−nbn Ibdn.
267 268
“aIt\, \nsâ AÑs\t¸mse Xs¶ BIWw, At±ls¯t¸me Xs¶ Xs¶ Ae«p¶ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw tXSp¶nÃ. AhÀ IqSpXÂ
Bbm aXn.” AhÄ anXybpsS Ihnfn Np−p tNÀ¯v, Ahs\ `uXnI{]iv\§Ä AhXcn¸n¡pIbpw Ahbv¡v D¯cw tXSpIbpamWv.
BbbpsS ssIIfn G¸n¨p. asäm¶v, InänbpsS KÀ`Ime¯v, Ahnizmknbmb Xm³ {]mÀ°n¡m³
XpS§nbncp¶p, {]mÀ°\bneqsS hnizkn¡m\pw. ]t£ B \nanj§Ä
tPyjvTsâ acW¡nS¡bv¡cnIn \n¶v Xsâ ]pXnb t_m[y§fpsS þ IS¶pt]mbncn¡p¶p, Ahsb A¸Sn XpSÀPohnX¯nte¡p
Ccp]Xp hbkp apX ap¸¯n\mep hbkp hscbpÅ ImeL«¯n sIm−phcm³ IgnbnÃ. B \nanj§fnteXmWv kXyw, Ct¸mgt¯Xp
sNdp¸¯nse hnizmk§sf XpS¨p\o¡n ]Icw CSw]nSn¨ Ahsb sXämWv F¶v AwKoIcn¡m³ IgnbnÃ. At¸mgs¯ tXm¶epIÄ
A§s\bmWv AbmÄ hntijn¸n¨Xv þ shfn¨¯n acWs¯bpw sXämbncp¶p F¶pw ]dbm³ IgnbnÃ, ImcWw B \nanj¯nsâ
PohnXs¯bpw Ipdn¨p Nn´n¨p XpS§nbt¸mÄ apXÂ sehn³ Bßob\nÀhrXnIsf AbmÄ Aaqeyambn¡cpXn, Ahsb
kw`oX\mbncp¶p, acW¯¡pdn¨v F¶Xns\¡mÄ PohnXs¯¡pdn¨v. If¦s¸Sp¯m³ AbmÄ Hcp¡ambncp¶nÃ. A§s\ sehnsâ
`uXnILS\, AXnsâ {ZhoIcWw, DuÀPkwc£W kn²m´w, _u²nIPohnXw kzbw`n¶n¸pIfpsS \qemameIfnembncp¶p.
{Zhy¯nsâ A\´X, ]cnWmkn²m´w apXemb B hm¡pIfpw
A\p_Ô kn²m´§fpw _u²nIhymbma§Ä¡v D¯aamWv. ]t£ t¹täm, kv]nt\mk, Imâv, sjÃnMv, slKÂ, tjm¸t\mhÀþ
PohÂkw_Ônbmb Imcy§fnte¡p IS¡pt¼mÄ Cu amäw PohnXs¯¸än `uXnIhmZ]caÃm¯ hniZoIcW§Ä \ÂInb
tcma¡p¸mbw amän akven³ DSp¯v aªnte¡nd§nbhtâXp t]mse Nn´Iscbpw AbmÄ [mcmfambn hmbn¨pIq«n. tlmanbt¡mhnsâ
BWv. hnhkv{XXbpsS ImTn\yw bpànsIm−Ã, A\p`h¯nsâ Xo{hX ssZhimkv{X{KÙ§Ä hmbn¡m³ skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v D]tZin¨p.
sIm−p Xs¶ Ah\dnbpw. BZyw Atemkchpw ]ns¶ BIÀjIXzhpw hniz\obXbpw
hnhml¯nsâbpw ]pXnb PohnX¯nsâbpw IrjnbpsSbpw Xnc¡pIfn tXm¶nsb¦nepw HSp¡w aäp XXzNn´IcpsS No«psIm«mc§Ä t]mse
adªpInS¶ncp¶ C¯cw tNmZy§Ä InänbpsS KÀ`Ime¯v Xs¶ tlmanbt¡mhpw XIÀ¶phoWp.
tamkvtImbnse t_mdSn¡nSbnemWv ho−pw Xes]m¡nbXv. “Rm³ BcmsW¶pw ChnsS Bbncn¡p¶Xv F´n\msW¶pw AdnbmsX
“PohnX¯nsâ {]iv\§Ä¡v {InkvXpaXw \ÂIp¶ D¯c§Ä PohnXw Akm[yamWv. A¡mcy§Ä F\n¡v Adnbm³ IgnbnÃ,
\nckn¡p¶psh¦n ]Icw F´mWv Rm³ kzoIcn¡pI?” ]pXnb AXn\m Pohn¡m\pw IgnbnÃ.’’ sehn³ kzbw ]dªp. “A\´amb
t_m[y§Ä¡nSbn AXn\p adp]Sn Xncª AbmÄ¡v Ifn¸m«¡Sbn kab¯nÂ, {Zhy¯nÂ, A\´amb Øe¯n Hcp Ipanf, GXm\pw
`£Ww Xncbp¶h\mWv Xm³ F¶p tXm¶n. \nanjs¯ Bbpkn\p tijw s]m«nt¸mIp¶ Ipanf, B IpanfbmWv
Xsâ {]mb¯nepw Iq«¯nepw s]« an¡hcpw ]gb hnizmk§sf ]pXnb Rm³.’’
t_m[y§fpambn h¨pamdnbhcmWv. Ahcmcpw ZpxJn¡p¶Xmbn I−n«nÃ. bpK§fmbpÅ a\pjyNn´IfpsSsbÃmw A´na^ew CXmWv.
Hcp]t£ AhÀ¡v Xs¶¡mÄ IqSpXembn Fs´¦nepw C{Xam{XamWv Adnbm³ Ignbp¶Xv. CXv Hcp henb \pW am{XaÃ, GtXm
a\knembn«p−mIptam? AtXm AkwXr]vXnIÄ ad¨ph¨v Cc«¯m¸v ZpjvSiànbpsS iàamb ]cnlmkamWv. AXn\p IogS§cpXv.
Ifn¡p¶XmtWm? tamN\¯n\pÅ hgn Hmtcm a\pjysâ ssIbnepap−v þ acWw.
HmÀ¯pt\m¡nbt¸mÄ X\n¡v ASp¸apÅ \à a\pjyscÃmw þ k´pjvS\mb `À¯mhpw AÑ\pw, ]cn]qÀW BtcmKyhm\pamb sehn³
sjÀ_mävkvIn {]`p, skÀPn sFht\mhn¨v, epthmhv, InänbS¡w A§s\ ]eXhW BßlXybpsS h¡nse¯n. Xq§n¨mIm\pÅ
kv{XoIsfÃmw þ hnizmknIfmWv. _mey¯n Xm³ hnizkn¨ncp¶{X {]tem`\samgnhm¡m³ AbmÄ IbdpIsfÃmw Hfn¨ph¨p; kzbw
Xo{hXtbmsS Ct¸mgpw hnizkn¡p¶hcmWv AhscÃmw. djy³ shSnht¨¡ptamsbt¶mÀ¯v tXm¡pambn ]pd¯nd§m³ `b¶p.
P\Xbn sXm®qänsbm³]Xp iXam\hpw. ]t£ sehn³ Xq§n¨¯nÃ, kzbw shSnh¨panÃ. AbmÄ k´pjvS
At\Iw imkv{X]pkvXI§Ä hmbn¨pt\m¡nbt¸mÄ sehn³ IpSpw_Ø\mbn Pohn¨p.
Is−¯nb asämcp Imcyw, Xsâ t_m[y§Ä ]¦nSp¶hcmcpw Xs¶
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tXm«hpw IrjnImcy§fpw I¶pImenIsfbpw t\m¡n IpSpw_w imkn¨Xv sehn³ HmÀan¨p. AhÄ sehn³ IqSn \n¡pt¼mgmWv
]cn]men¨v sehn³ PohnXw XpSÀ¶p. Ip«nIsf imkn¨Xv. I¸v s]m«n¨pIfªm ]ns¶ Nmb IpSn¡m³
Gähpw Ipdª Iqen¡v tPmen¡msc Xcs¸Sp¯Ww, ]t£ ]m{Xap−mInÃ, ]m \in¸n¨pIfªm Xn¶m\pw IpSn¡m\pw
\m«p\S¸nepw Ipdª Iqen¡v IcmÀ h¨v Ahsc NqjWw sN¿p¶Xv H¶pap−mhnÃ, hni¶p NmIpw Fs¶ms¡.
sXämWv; XSnsh«p¶Xv ITn\ambn in£n¡Ww, ]t£ Xsâ tXm«¯n Ip«nIfpsS apJs¯ Ae£yamb Atemkcw sehns\ AÛpXs¸Sp¯n.
tabm³ Agn¨phnSp¶ I¶pImenIsf ]nSn¨phbv¡p¶Xv \oXnbÃ. ckw ]nSn¨ Ifn apS¡nbXnsâ tZjyambncp¶p AhÀ¡v, AhÄ
sImŸeni¡mc\v amkw ]¯p iXam\w ]eni sImSp¡p¶ ]dªXn Hcp hm¡pt]mepw AhÀ hnizkn¨panÃ.
t]ym¯dn\v Ipd¨p ]Ww sImSp¯v kam[m\n¸n¡Ww; F¶p h¨v hmSI a\pjyPohnX¯nsâ AÀ°hpw {]]© iànIfpsS {]m[m\yhpsams¡
apS¡p¶ Irjnhe³amcpsS t\À¡p I®Sbv¡m\mhnÃ. Aѳ acn¡m³ a\knem¡m³ {ian¨t¸mÄ Rm\pw AXp Xs¶btà sNbvXXv?
InS¶n«msW¦nepw ]Wn¯nct¡dnb amk§fn \m«n t]mb XXzimkv{X Nn´Iscms¡ AXp Xs¶btà sN¿p¶Xv?
]Wn¡mcsâ i¼fw sh«n¡pdt¨ ]äq, AbmtfmSv F{X Ip«nIsf H¶p X\nsb hn«pt\m¡s«, ]ip¡sf Id¶pw `£Ww
klXm]aps−¦nepw; ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Hcp]Imchpw D−m¡n¯n¶pw Pohn¡s«. Ahcn{Xbpw Ipcp¯t¡SpIÄ Im«ptam?
CÃm¯hcmsW¦nepw hr²cmb tPmen¡mÀ¡v FÃm amkhpw tdj³ hni¶pNmIpw, A{X Xs¶. ssZhs¯¸än, {kjvSmhns\¸än H¶pw
\ÂImXncn¡m³ ]änÃ. ]dbmsX \½sf H¶p shdpsX hn«pt\m¡s«.
aq¶p aWn¡qdmbn Im¯ncn¡p¶ Irjohe·mÀ¡v Ipd¨pt\cw IqSn “Cu Bib§sfm¶panÃmsX Fs´¦nepsam¶v kz´ambn
Im¡mw; ho«nse¯nbm BZyta t]mtI−Xv kpJanÃmXncn¡p¶ ]WnXpbÀ¯m³ t\m¡s«.
`mcybpsS ASp¡te¡mWv. “Bßob[mcmfn¯apÅXpsIm−mWv, th−Xne[nIw In«p¶Xp
sN¿p¶sXÃmw icnbmtWm sXämtWmsb¶ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw tXSm³ sIm−mWv \½Ä AsXms¡ XIÀ¡m³ t\m¡p¶Xv, Ip«nIsft¸mse.
Abmfnt¸mÄ {ian¡mdnÃ. bpànsIm−v Nn´n¡p¶Xv kwib§Ä “ssZhs¯¸änbpÅ {]t_m[\§fn Du¶n, {InkvXym\nbmbn,
Iq«pItbbpÅq. A[nIw Nn´n¡msX sN¿m\pÅhbn apgpIpt¼mÄ {InkvXpaX¯nsâ FÃm A\p{Kl§fpw ]än hfÀ¶ph¶ Rm³
sXäp]äm¯ Hcp hn[nIÀ¯mhv Bßmhnencp¶v Xs¶ \nb{´n¡p¶Xv Ahsbm¶pw a\knem¡m³ IgnbmsX Ahsb XIÀ¡m³ {ian¡p¶p.
Abmfdnªp. F¶n«v B Ip«nIsft¸mse hni¸pw XWp¸pw Ae«pt¼mÄ B
Xm³ BcmsWt¶m F´n\mWv Pohn¡p¶sXt¶m AdnbmsX, ssZh¯nte¡p Xs¶ Xncnbp¶p.’’
Adnbm\pÅ t\cnb km[yX t]mepw ap¶n¡mWmsX, Cu “AsX, Rms\s´¦nepw Adnbps¶¦n AXv Fsâ anSp¡psIm−Ã,
AdnhnÃmbvabpsS t]cn BßlXy¡p t]mepapÅ km[yX `b¶v, F\n¡p \ÂIs¸«ncn¡p¶Xp sIm−mWv. k`bpsS
F¶m kz´w IÀa]Y§Ä ZmÀVyt¯msS sh«ns¯fn¨v AbmÄ {]t_m[\§ÄsIm−mWv.’’
PohnXw XpSÀ¶p. ]t£ k` ]dbp¶sXÃmw A¸msS hnizkn¡m³ ]äptam? Hcp]mSp
Nn´n¨t¸mÄ k`bpsS Hcp {]amWhpw BXy´nIamb, ]ca{][m\amb
Rms\sâ tNmZy¯n\v D¯cw Xncªp \S¶p. B D¯cw \ÂIm³ kXys¯ þ ssZh¯nepÅ hnizmks¯, \·bnepÅ hnizmks¯
Nn´bv¡p IgnªpanÃ. PohnXamWv F\n¡m D¯cw \ÂInbXv, \ntj[n¡p¶nsöv sehn\p a\knembn.
icnsbbpw sXäns\bpw Ipdn¨pÅ AdnhneqsS. B Adnhv Rm³ aeÀ¶pInS¶v AbmÄ BImi¯nte¡p t\m¡n. sXfnª BImiw.
t\SnsbSp¯XÃ, FÃm a\pjyscbpw t]mse F\n¡pw AXv “AXv hfª Hcp IpS t]msebÃ, A\´amb ØeamWv F¶v F\n¡v
\ÂIs¸«XmWv. AXv t\SnsbSp¡mhp¶XÃ. CSbvs¡t¸mtgm AdnªpIqtS? ]t£ Fsâ I®pIsf F{X Bbmks¸Sp¯nbmepw
AbmtfmÀ¯p. AXns\ IpS t]msebÃmsX A\´Xbnte¡p ImWm³ F\n¡p IgnbnÃ.
sagpIpXncn¡p apIfn ]nSn¨v dmkv]vs_dn thhn¡pIbpw kndn©n AXv A\´amb ØeamWv F¶dnbpt¼mÄ Xs¶ Rm³ ImWp¶ B
\n¶p hmbnte¡p ]m Noän¡pIbpw sN¿p¶ Ip«nIsf tUmfn \oe XmgnI¡pShpw kXyamWv.
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sehn³ Nn´IÄ¡p hncmaan«v XsâbpÅn Ie¼Â Iq«p¶ “Rm³ ]gbXpt]mse Xs¶ h−n¡mc³ sFhmt\mSv tZjys¸Spw,
KqVi_vZ§Ä¡p sNhn sImSp¯p. NqSp]nSn¨ hmKzmZ§Ä \S¯pw, A]cnjvIrXambn, AhnZKv[ambn Fsâ
“CXp hnizmkamtWm?’’ Xsâ B\µ¯nsâ Bgw hnizkn¡m\mhmsX A`n{]mb§Ä \nc¯pw. Fsâ lrZb¯nsâ AXnhnip²amb DÅdbpw
AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. “ssZhta, Rm³ At§bv¡p \µn ]dbp¶p.’’ aäp a\pjycpambn, `mcybpambnt¸mepw Hcp `n¯nbpsS AIeap−mIpw.
tX§epIfS¡n AbmÄ I®pIÄ XpS¨p. Fsâ sXäpIÄ¡v Rm³ Ahsf hg¡p ]dbpw, F¶n«v ]n¶oSp
]Ým¯]n¡pw; F´n\mWv {]mÀ°n¡p¶sX¶v Nn´n¨v D¯cw In«msX
tXm«¯n tX\o¨s¸«nIÄ¡cnsI shÅcn¡ tX³ ]pc«n Ip«nIÄ¡p hebpw, F¦nepw {]mÀ°n¨psImt−bncn¡pw. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ Fsâ
sImSp¡p¶Xn\nSbnemWv hvtdm¬kvIn skÀ_nbbnte¡p t]mb Imcyw PohnXw ap³]t¯Xpt]mse AÀ°iq\yaÃ, \·\ndª AÀ°§Ä
tUmfn sehnt\mSp ]dªXv. AXp \¶mbn F¶p ]dª sehn³ \ndªXmWv.’’
Ct¸mgpw bp²w \S¡p¶pt−msb¶v AÛpXw Iqdn.
Ahkm\n¨p
BtcmSmWo k¶²`S·mÀ bp²w sN¿p¶sX¶v {]`p tNmZn¨p.
“kXyhnizmknIfmb skÀ_nb³ ktlmZc³amsc lmKmdnsâ
Ahnip²k´XnIfpsS \pI¯n³ Iogn \n¶p tamNn¸n¡m³’’
XpÀ¡nIfpambmWv bp²sa¶ adp]Sn NqSp]nSn¨ hmKzmZ¯n\p hgnh¨p.
kÀ¡mÀ {]Jym]n¡m¯ bp²¯n\p t]mIm³ hyànIÄ¡v
AhImiansöpw, ]oUn¸n¡s¸Sp¶hÀ¡v klmbsa¯n¡pI am{Xta
sN¿p¶psŶpw, klmbsa¯n¡p¶Xpw Pohs\Sp¡p¶Xpw
c−msW¶pw, djy³ P\XbpsS apgph³ ]n´pW bp²¯n\ps−¶pw,
sXän²cn¸n¡s¸Sp¶hcpsS A`n{]mbs¯ Hcp P\XbpsS apgph³
A`n{]mbsa¶p hnfn¡cpsX¶pw Hs¡ hmZ§fp−mbn.
am\w aqSn I\¯ ag h¶t¸mÄ AhÀ Xnc¡n«p aS§n.
sImSnb agbpw an¶epw CSnapg¡hpambncp¶p. ac§Ä HSnªphoWp.
Ip«nsbbpwsIm−v tXm«¯nse ]mÀ¡n t]mbncp¶ Inänbpw Bbbpw
\\ªpIpfn¨v \n¡p¶Xp I−v sehn³ AhtfmSv tZjys¸«p. anXy
At¸mgpw im´\mbn Dd§pIbmbncp¶p. ag amdn XncnsI \S¡pt¼mÄ
sehn³ tZjys¸«Xn\p ]cnlmcsat¶mWw Bb ImWmsX InänbpsS
ssIIfn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p.
XncnsI ho«nse¯n Nmb IpSn¡pt¼mgpw, Ip«nsb Ipfn¸n¡p¶ InänbpsS
ASp¯p \n¡pt¼mgpw ]n¶oSv aäp ]e Ahkc§fnepw Xsâ ]pXnb
hnizmkw AhtfmSp ]dªmtemsb¶v AbmÄ BtemNn¨p. ]ns¶
ths−¶p h¨p. AXv Fsâ Hcp kzImcyamWv. \n[n t]mse hnes¸«Xv.
“Cu ]pXnb hnImcw Rm³ IcpXnbXpt]mse Fs¶ amänadn¨ns«m¶panÃ.
Fsâ anXy P\n¨t¸msg¶t]mse Xs¶, CXnepw
AÛpXs¸Sms\m¶panÃ. hnizmkw BtWm, asäs´¦nepamtWmþ
F\n¡dnbnÃþ F´mbmepw Cu hnImchpw AXohKqVXtbmsS
Xo{hm\p`h§fneqsSbmWv Fsâ Bßmhn thcpd¸n¨Xv.