HmÀaIÄ- - 1

(Font ML-ttKarthika)

 

Fsâ sNdp¸¯nse A\p`h§vsf ASnkvYm\am¡nbpÅ IYbmbXpsIm­v ]ecpw Dt±in¡p¶ Xc¯nepÅ Fcnhpw ]pfnbpw CXn \n¶pw In«p¶nsæn Iq«pImÀ Zbhmbn £an¡pI.

 

Rm³ Fsâ ]q{dzImew, AXmbXp _meyImew HmÀ½n¡pIbmWp. H«p an¡ BfpIfpsSbpw a\Ên ]pd¯p ]dbm³ ]Ám¯ Ipd¨p clky§Ä D­mIpw. kz´w `mcy t]mepw AXp tI«m \s½ kwibn¡pw. AXp sIm­v Bcpw AXp shfns¸Sp¯pIbnÃ. A§s\ DÅ Ipsd A\p`h§Ä Rm³ ChnsS Xpd¡p¶p

 

skIvkv F¶pw F\n¡p Hcp `mKyw Bbncp¶p. Ip«n¡mew apXÂs¡. ]s£, FÃmw Hcn¡epw ]qÀ®Xbn F¯m¯h. Hcp ]s£, AXp 100% ]qcv¯oIcn¨ncps¶¦nÂ, C¶p AXn\p H«pw a[pcw ImWpI Cà F¶p XoÀ¨bmWp. Cu skIvkv A\p`h§Ä F¶pw Rm³ HmÀ½n¡pw. Ct¸mgpw Rm³ Ah HmÀ½n¡p¶p, clkyambn B\µn¡p¶p. F¶m AXv Fsâ IpSpw_ PohnXs¯ H«pw _m[n¨n«nÃ, ImcWw, IpSpw_w thsd, HmÀ½IÄ thsd.

 

Fsâ hfsc sNdp¸¯n Xs¶ F\n¡p Nq­ C«p ao³ ]nSn¡p¶ kz`mhw D­mbncp¶p. Fsâ hoSn\p Xmg¯p Aåw Zqsc Bbn Hcp tXmSv D­mbncp¶p. \à sXfnª shÅhpw H¯ncn ao\pw D­mbncp¶ Hcp tXmSv. Abes¯ an¡ s]®pMfpw D¨ Ignbp¶ t\c¯p Ipfn¡m³ Cd§p¶ Hcp IShnsâ apIfn Hcp 40 ASn AIse BWp Fsâ Nq­¡Shv. ]t­ Xs¶ Rm³ AhnsS Nq­ CSp¶Xp sIm­pw, Fs¶ AhÀ¡p Adnbmw F¶Xp sIm­pw, Fsâ km¶n[yw AhÀ¡p Hcp {]iv\w Bbncp¶nÃ. F¶m Nne, ]pXp aWhm«namÀ¡v Fsâ Ccp¸v A{X ]nSn¡p¶nÃmbncp¶p. Hcn¡Â Hcp¯n Fs¶ hnfn¨p ]dªp.

"" FSm sN¡m, \o F¶m ImWm\m ChnsS Ccn¡ps¶ ?""

"" Rm³ Nq­ CSphm "" Rm³ ao³ tImÀ¼Â s]m¡n ImWn¨p.

At¸mÄ Fs¶ Adnbp¶ iymaf tN¨n ]dªp. "AXp tates¯ \½psS hnPb³ BWp. Ah³ ]mhw BWp, sIm¨³, \aps¡´p tNXw?

"" lpw, ]mhw !! Ahsâ t\m«w s]®p§fpsS th­m¯ `mKt¯íp Xs¶bm "".

"" t]ms«, \ap¡p Ipfn¨n«p t]mbm s]msc. Ah³ AhnsS Ccpt¶ms«t¶ "".

 

icn Bbncp¶p. BZyamZyw Rm³ {i[v[n¡p¶nÃmbncp¶p. ]s£, Rm³ hfcpIbmbncp¶p. Ipcp¶p aoi apfím³ XpS§n, iЯn\p amÁw, enwK¯n\p \ofhpw h®hpw h¨p. Fsâ icoc¯n\p {]mb¯n Ihnª s]m¡w D­mbncp¶p. Fsâ enwKw A¶p Hcp 5 C©v F¦nepw ImWpw s]m§n \n¡pt¼mÄ. (C¶p AXn\p Bdp Bdc C©p F¦nepw \ofw ImWpw, Fsâ `mcy ]dbpw, "" CXp B\bpsS km[\w BWp, Fs¶ sImÃm³ th­n “Zbnhw tN«\p sImSp¯XmWp "". ]s£ AhÄ F¶pw AXp sIm­p kzÀ¤w ImWpt¼mÄ, AXns\ D½IÄ sIm­p s]mXnbpt¼mÄ AhÄ ]dbpw, "" CXp Fs¶ sImÃm³ AÃ, F\n¡p Xn¶m³ DÅXmWp "") IqSmsX AÀ[v[ \áIfmb Ipfn¡p¶ s]®p§sf ImWpt¼mÄ, Fsâ Ip® ]Xps¡ DWÀ¶p s]m§m³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Rm³ Ibv]nSn¯hpw (hmWaSn) XpS§n. Fsâ XpSIÄ¡nSbn Rm³ Fsâ Ip«s\ HXp¡n AaÀ¯n, F¶n«p s]®p§fpsS icoc hSnhp clkyambn t\m¡n AkzZn¡pI Bbncp¶p. FÃm Xc¯nepw kbnknepw DÅ apeIÄ R³ kpe`ambn I­mkzZn¨p. XSn¨Xpw, Xq§nbXpw, sam«n«Xpw, t\sc \nhÀ¶p \n¡p¶Xpw Bb FÃmw. icocw Idp¯Xp BsW¦n t]mepw an¡ s]®nsâbpw apeIÄ shfp¯Xmbncp¶p. 40 ASn AIse Bbncp¶Xp sIm­v A{X hniZambn IWm³ ]Á¯nÃ, F¦nepw, \à XpSp¯ sR«pIÄ, Idp¯ ape¡®pIÄ FÃmw Rm³ BkzZn¨p. kln¡m³ IgnbmsX hcpt¼mÄ ho«n t]mbn Ibv ]nSn¡pw. H¶p c­p {]mhiyw, IShn sh¨p Xs¶ Xncp½n Xncp½n AdnbmsX F\n¡p kvJe\w D­mbn«p­v. AXp ep¦n sIm­p XpSípw.

 

AXp IqSmsX H«p an¡hcptSbpw ]qdpIfpw Rm³ I­n«p­v. Nne s]®p§Ä, Fsâ Abe¯pÅhÀ, Fsâ t\sc Xncnªp \n¶p XpWn amdpw, Hcp \mWhpw IqSmsX, Fs¶ ImWním³ th­n Bbncpt¶m F¶p C¶p Rm³ kwibn¡p¶p. ]s£ H¶pw \à hyàw AÃmbncp¶p. Hcp Idp¸p ImWmw. ImcWw, an¡Xn\pw \à ]qS Xn§n \ndªp D­mbncp¶p. NnecpsS CS `mKw Nne Znhkw Ipd¨p ¢nbÀ Bbncn¡pw. (F\n¡p Ct¸mÄ tXm¶p¶p AhÀ hÃt¸mgpw tcmaw apdn¨p Ifbp¶p­mIWw). an¡hcpsSbpw Hcp sNdnb hc hsc hyàambn I­n«p­v. ]ns¶ tXmÀ¯p amÁn Hcp Im IÃnt·Â IbÁn h¨p Imensâ CSbn tkm¸v tX¡pt¼mÄ, tkm¸nsâ ]Xbpw ]qSbpw IqÁn IeÀ¶ Hcp ImgvN, AXp Fsâ kncIsf Pzen¸n¡pambncp¶p. Abes¯ iymaf tN¨n, (aq¶p henb Ip«nIfpsS XÅ) an\n«pItfmfw Fsâ t\sc Xncnªp \n¶p tkm¸v ]X¨p icn¡pw IhínSbn Ibv C«p an\n«pItfmfw tX¨p ImWn¡pambncp¶p. CSínSíp  \Sphnc DÅnte¡n«v tXs¨Sp¡p¶Xpw ImWmw. aÁp H¶p c­p t]À¡pw henb IqkenÃmbncp¶p. `m\p tN¨n tXmÀ¯v Hcp kbnUnte¡p amÁn Im AI¯n \n¶p, ]qdp thsd tXmÀ¯p sIm­p tXmcr¯n hniZambn ImWn¡pambncp¶p. aÁp s]®p§Â A{Xbpw Hm¸¬ Bbncp¶nÃ. `m\ptN¨nbpsS ]qSbpsS I«nbpw Idp¸pw C¶pw Fsâ a\Ên \n¶pw s]mbn«nÃ. ImcWw AhcpsS IhínS hfsc hepXmbncp¶p. henb XSn Asænepw \à apgp¯ Ip­nIfpw AhÀ¡p­mbncp¶p. XncnRp \n¶p Nµn tXípt¼mÄ F\n¡p kln sISpambncp¶p. ]pXnb s]®p§fn NnecpsS ]qdnsâ hc I­n«ps­¦nepw, AXp an¶mbw t]ms{e am{Xambncp¶p. AhÀ tXmÀ¯p amdn ap­v DSp¡pt¼mÄ Hcp \nanjw am{Xta ImWm³ ]Ánbn«pÅp. FÃmhcpsSbpw apeIÄ \¶mbn I­n«p­v. apeIfpsS ASnbnepw I£¯nepw Hs¡ k{ap²ambn tkm¸v tXípIbpw tXmÀ¯pIbpw Hs¡ sN¿pt¼mÄ. FÃmw Rm³ AkzZn¡pIbpw Fsâ Ip«s\ I¿n FSp¯v Xncp½pIbpw sNbvXncp¶p. iymaftN¨nbpsS ]qdp Rm³ \¶mbn I­n«p­v F¶p Xs¶ ]dbmw. Nnet¸mÄ tN¨n ImepIÄ AI¯n tXmÀ¯pt¼mÄ, Idp¯ ]qdnsâ ]qSbpsS CSíp Nph¶ \ndw Hcp an¶mbw s]mse Rm³ I­n«p­v. A{X¡p kmam\¯nsâ Np­p hen¨mWp AhÀ ]qdp XpS¨ncp¶Xv. Fs¶ {`m´p ]nSn¸n¡m³ th­nbmsWm, AtXm AhÀ¡p Hcp ckw Bbncpt¶m F¶p F\n¡p C¶pw AdnbnÃ.

 

Ipfn Ignªp t]mIpt¼mÄ iymaftN¨nbpw `m\p tN¨nbpw Fsâ ASp¯p hcpw. F ¶n«p Hcp tNmZyw D­v.

"C¶p hÃXpw Ht¯mSm hnPbm ?"". Rm³ Xe B«pw. ImcWw, F\n¡p hm¡pIÄ In«¯nÃ. \\ª ap­pw H«nb »ukpw C«p, shfnbn ImWmhp¶, XÅn \n¡p¶ ape¡®pIfpw Im«n Ip\nªp \n¶p iymaftN¨n tNmZn¡pt¼mÄ, Fsâ t\m«w AhcpsS apJ¯Ã, Fsâ apIfnteíp hogm³ Im¯p Nmªp InS¡p¶ B henb apeIfn Bbncn¡pw. `m\ptN¨n Xncnªp Im¯p \nÂIpIbmbncn¡pw. XpWn H«n¸nSn¨ AhcpsS N´nbn t\m¡n Rm³ shÅw Cd¡pw. F{X {]mhiyw Cu iymaf tN¨nbpsS apeIfpw, tkm¸v ]Xªp \nÂIp¶ IhínSbpw, tXmÀ¯n tXmÀ¯n DW¡p¶ AhcpsS Icp¯ tcma¡mSpw HmÀ¯p Fsâ Ip«s\ Ibn]nSn¨p Ipep¡n Ifªn«p­v. ]pXp s]®p§fpsS Ahyàamb ]qdnsâ hcIÄ HmÀ¯p F{X {]mhiyw Ibn]nSn¨n«p­v. AhcpsS hogm¯ sNdp apeIÄ F¶nse Imas¯ hogmsX Pzen¸n¨p \nÀ¯nbncp¶p.

 

a[y th\ Ah[n Bbm Rm³ Xdhm«p ho«n t]mIpw. hey½mhsâ Xmsg aq¶v s]®p§Ä, ]ns¶ sNdnb½mh³. henb½mhsâ ho«n Ah[n¡p FÃm A½mbnamcpsSbpw a¡Ä h¶p t]mIpw. AXp ImcWw \à ckamWp. Rm³ am{Xw Ah[n Xocp¶Xp hsc \n¡pw, ImcWw, Fsâ GÁhpw hÃnb BIÀjWw hey½mhsâ aIÄ Dj BWp. Dj hfsc skIvkn Bbncp¶p, kpµcnbpw. \à H¯ apeIÄ, Bhiy¯n\p an¨w apgp¸pÅ N´nIfpw  `wKnbpÅ apJhpsaÃmw FÃmw. Ahsf Ft¸mgpw Rm³ Hfnªp \n¶p t\m¡pw. hnbÀ¯p \\ª AhfpsS I£w Rm³ Ft¸mgpw t\m¡n \n¡pw. AdnbmsX AhÄ IbvIÄ s]m¡pt¼mÄ B hnbÀ¸nsâ aWw Fsâ aq¡n Rm³ A\p`hn¡pw. B apeIfnÂ, N´nbn H¶p sXmSm³ Rm³ B{KlnNn«p­v. AhÄ XpWn amdpt¼mÄ P\ensâ CSíp IqSn Hfnªp t\m¡pw. AhepsS {_mbn« apeIfpw, sP«nbn« XpSIfpw N´nbpw am{Xta ImWm³ ]Ánbn«pÅp. ImcWw, Ft¸mgpw AhÄ P\en\p Xncnªp \n¶p am{Xta XpWn amd¯pÅp. Hcp {]mhiyw AhÄ Fs¶ I­p ]nSn¨p. Fsâ sNhnbn Xncp½n, tNmZn¨p.

"" F´n\mSm Hfnªp t\m¡nbXv ""?

Rm³ ]dªp. "\o Fsâ apds¸®sà ? ]ns¶ t\m¡nbm F´m?"

AhÄ s]m«ns]m«n Nncn¨p. A¶n«p ]pOt¯msS ]dªp.

"samt«¶p hncnªnÃ. F«mw ¢mÊn F¯nbtX DÅp. Ah\p Rm³ apds¸®v. At½, Fsâ apds¨dp¡s\ It­m "".

AhÄ A½mbnsb hnfn¨p ]dªp. Rm³ \mWw sI«p t]mbn. AhÄ Un{Kn ¢mÊnÂ,  Rm³ F«nte¡v IbdnbXpw. A½mbnbpw aÁpà FÃmhcpw BÀ¯p Nncn¨p. Rm³ sXmSnbnteíp t]mbn Ipd¨p t\cw amhn Fdnªp Fsâ Acniw XoÀ¯p.

 

B hÀjw Ipª½mhsâ IeymWw Ignªp, AhÀ thsd Hcp {Kma¯nte¡p amdn, SuWn\p ASp¯p. Ipª½mhsâ XpWn ]oSnI SuWn BWp. (C¶p AXp henb Hcp {]kvYm\w BWp). F\n¡p ]\n Bbncp¶Xn\m IeymW¯n\p t]mIm³ ]ÁnbnÃ. Hcp RmbdmgvN Ipª½mh\pw `mcybpw (Fsâ Ipª½mbn) Fsâ ho«n hncp¶p h¶p. A¶p Rm³ Ahsc I­nÃ. kvIqÄ {Ku­n A¶p ^pSvt_mÄ am¨v Bbncp¶p.  F\n¡p Ahsc ImWm³ henb Xmåcyhpw tXm¶nbnÃ. IeymW t^mt«m I­p. A{X Xs¶.

 

ASp¯ Ah[n¡pw ]Xnhp s]mse Rm³ hey½mhsâ ho«n t]mbn. Dj¡v F¶pw kvs]jy ¢mÊv BWp. Fsâ Hfnªp t\m«w I­p]nSn¨Xp sIm­p ]ns¶ Rm³ Ahsf Hfnªp t\m¡nbnÃ. F¶m F\n¡p thsc Hcp ckw Dà ]Wn D­v. A½mbn ASp¡fbn  BsW¦n Rm³ ]Xps¡ DjbpsS apdnbn Ibdpw. F¶n«p AhÄ  amdnbn« apjnª XpWnIfn ]cXn s\m¡pw. AXn \n¶pw AhfpsS D]tbmKn¨ »ukpw {_mbpw sP«nbpw FSp¡pw. Hmtcm¶pw FSp¯p aW¡pw. DjbpsS hnbÀ¸nsâ Xo£vW KÔw AhepsS »uknsâ I£¯n D­mIpw, Rm³ Fsâ Bßmhn hsc B KÔw hen¨v IbÁpw. AhfpsZ {_mbpsS I¸nsâ h¡pIfn Aåw apjnhp ImWpw. ]s£ {_mbpsS I¸pIfn apeIÄ AaÀ¶p Ccn¡p¶Xp Rm³ k¦ån¡pw. AhfpsS hnbÀ¸nsâ, AhfpsZ ta\nbpsS KÔw Rm³ B apjnª ASnhkv{X§fneqsS BkzZnÑp. As¸mÄ Fsâ Ip® \à _ew BIpw. ]Xps¡ Rm³ Ibv]nSp¯w XpS§pw. AhfpsS sP«nbpsS ap³`mK¯v AXmbXv, tbm\o`mK¯v Hcp hyXymkw D­mIpw.  Hcp Xo£vW KÔhpw. hnbÀ¸nsâbpw tbm\o{kh¯nsâbpw aq{X¯nsâbpw Hcp k½n{i KÔw, AXp Rm³ Fsâ aq¡nteíp hen¨p IbÁpw. As¸mÄ Hcp Ibv Fsâ D²cn¨p \n¡p¶ Ip®bn XtemSpw. Nne Znhkw Hcp {]tXyI KÔw D­mIpw. AXp Fs¶ a¯p ]nSn¸n¡pw. sP«nbpsS ap³`mKw Rm³ Fsâ s]m§n\n¡p¶ Ip®bn DcÊpw. Nnet¸mÄ AhnsSsh¨p Xs¶ Ibv ]nSn¨p AhfpsS ]mhmSbnepw »uknepw Hs¡ Hgn¨p hípw. A§s\ Djsb Rm³ a\Êp sIm­pw ASnhkv{X§fneqsSbpw ]®n ckn¨p.   AhÄ F¶pw sP«n amdpambncp¶p. AXn\m F\n¡p F¶pw tImfmbncp¶p. Nne Znhk§fnse sP«nbpsS ap³`mK¯p Fs´m ]Án]nSn¨ncn¡pw. AXp Rm³ \¡n t\m¡pw. D¸p ckw IeÀ¶ Ft´m Bbncn¡pw. AhfpsS Acpa ]qdn \n¶pw hcp¶ B shůnsâ cpNn Fsâ \mhn h¨p sIm­v Rm³ Ibv ]nSn¨p (hmWaSn¨v) Ifbpambncp¶p. A½mbn ASp¡f ]Wn Ignbpt¼mÄ XpWnIÄ FÃmw FSp¯v IgpIm³ sIm­p t]mIpw. Rm³ Fsâ AhnSs¯ Iq«pImcpsS ASpt¯ípw.

 

B XhW Rm³ sN¶p c­mgv¨ Ignªp. ]Xnhp t]mse Dj kvs]jy Syqj\p t]mbn. Ipd¨p Ignªv Rm³ ]Xnhp t]mse AhfpsS apdnbn Ibdn. XpWnIÄ X¸n »ukv aW¯p, {_m aW¯p, sP«n aW¯p. AsXÃmw hSn t]mse s]m§n \n¡p¶ Fsâ Ip®bn ap«n¨p ckn¨p. ]ns¶bpw amdn amdn aW¯p BkzZn¨p sIm­ncp¶p. Fsâ ap­n\pÅn Fsâ Ip«³ DWÀ¶p  \nÂIp¶p. Hcp Ibv Fsâ sNdp¡s\ XShns¡m­p Rm³ sP«nbpsZ ]qdp `mKw aW¯p. A§s\ ckw aq¯p GXm­p Rm³ s]m«ns¯dn¡mdmbn. At¸m Zm, hmXn¡ Dj \n¡p¶p (Rm³ a­³, AhÄ¡v A¶p ¢mÊnÃmbncp¶p, thsd FhnsStbm t]mbn«p s]s«¶p aS§n h¶Xmbncp¶p). Rm³ sP«n Xmsg C«p. Ibv ap­nsâ ASnbn \n¶pw  FSp¯p, ]s£ ap­nsâ ap³`mKw s]m§n¯s¶ \n¶p. AhÄ AXp {i²n¡p¶Xp Rm³ I­p. AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

"" FSm, \o F´m sN¿p¶Xp ChnsS Fsâ apdnbn ?

"" Rm³ m..Rm³m.. ]gb XpWn t\m¡pIbmbncp¶p "".

"" ]gb XpWnsbm ? lpw ........"" AhÄ sP«n FSp¯p ImWn¨n«p tNmZn¨p.

"" CXmtWm \o I­ ]gb XpWn ? thtd H¶pw Cu ho«n CÃmbncpt¶m ?""

"" AXv...... AXv ..... "" Rm³ \n¶p hn¡n.

"" F¶n«p \o AsX´n\m aW¯p t\m¡nbXv? aq¡ntem«p hen¨p IbÁp¶Xp I­tÃm "" FSm? \o Bfp tamiw AÃtÃmSm "". Fsâ s]m§n \nÂIp¶ ap³`mK¯p t\m¡nbmWp AhÄ AXp ]dªXv. "" Cu sN¡³ hÃmsX No¯bmbncn¡p¶p "".

Rm³ \n¶p hnbÀ¯p. F\n¡v D¯cw CÃmbncp¶p. `qan XmWp s]msb¦n F¶p hsc Rm³ Bin¨p t]mbn.

"" taem Fsâ apdnbn tIdntb¡cpXv. \n\¡p thsd AkpJw BWp. F\n¡dnbmw \ns¶. apeIpSn amdnbnÃ, AXn\p apt¼ s]®p§fpsS aWw Ah\p thWw. C¶p Rm³ A½tbmSp ]dbpw. t\m¡nt¡m "". AhÄ t\sc ASp¡fbnte¡p  s]mbn.

 

Rm³ Icªp t]mbn F¶p ]dbmw. Dj A½tbmSv ]dªm DÅ `hnjy¯v HmÀ¯t¸m F\n¡p {`m´p ]nSn¨Xp t]mse Bbn. AhÄ ASp¡fbn A½mbnbpambn Ft´m kwkmcn¡p¶Xpw Rm³ tI«p. F\n¡p a\Ênembn AhÄ A½mbntbmSp ]dbpIbmWp.

]ns¶ Rm³ AhnsS \n¶nÃ. _mKn Fsâ XpWnIÄ \nd¨p. t\sc hcm´bn sN¶p. G¶n«p hnfn¨p. "" A½mbo, "

Rm³ hnfn¨p. A½mbn Cd§n h¶p. apJ¯p s\m¡msX Rm³ ]dªp.

 

"" Rm³ Fsâ ho«n t]mIphm. F\ns¡sâ A½tb ImWWw Ct¸mÄ Xs¶ ""

A½mbn¡p AÂ`pXw.

"" F´p ]ÁnsbSm samt\, \o s]s«¶p t]mIm³ ?. GXmbmepw Hcp Bgv¨ IqSn Ignªp t]mbm aXn "".

"" CÃ, F\n¡p Ct¸m¯s¶ t]mWw "". Rm³ Dd¸n¨p ]dªp.

As¸mtgípw Djbpw h¶p. A½mbn ]dªp.

"" FSo, hnPb\p Ct¸mÄ Xs¶ ho«n t]mIW¶v. Chs\´p ]Án ?""

Dj tNmZn¨p. "Wo F´n\mSm Ct¸m ho«n s]mIp¶Xv ? \n\¡p h«pt­m ?" F¶n«p Fs¶ t\m¡n KqUambn Nncn¨p.

"" A{X \nÀ_ÔamsW¦n s]ms« At½ "".

At¸mÄ BWp Rm³ Nn´n¨Xv, ho«n sN¶m A½tbmsS´p ]dbpw. Rm³ ]dªp.

"" Rm³ Ipª½mhsâ ho«nte¡m t]mIp¶Xv. CtX hsc AhnsS t]mbn«nÃ. ]pXnb A½mbnsb I­n«nÃ. C\n Ah[n Ignbp¶Xp hsc AhnsS \níWw"

Dj ]dªp. "" A§s\ BsW¦n Ah³ s]ms« As½. GXmbmepw tNmdp­n«p t]mImsaSm "".

Rm³ ]dªp "" th­. C\n \n¶m t\cw hbnIpw, _kv In«nà "".

Rm³ Cd§nbt¸mÄ Dj ]pdtI h¶p. F¶n«p ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

"" AhnsS sN¶n«p \nsâ Cu {`m´p ImWnt¨¡cpXp tIt«m. Bsc¦nepw I­m \mWt¡SmIpw. s]Snt¡­, Rm³ BtcmSpw C¶s¯ Imcyw ]db¯nÃ. Ct¸mÄ s]mtímfp. Ipd¨p Znhkw Ignbp¼w Ct§m«p Xs¶ Xncn¨p t]mcWw "".

"" A§s\bms« ""

Rm³ Fsâ \à Poh\pw sIm­p kvYew hn«p. t\sc Ipª½mhsâ ho«nte¡v.

 

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Rm³ t\sc Iqª½mhbqsS ho«nte¡p h¶p. s]s«¶p Fs¶ I­t¸mÄ A½mbn¡p Fs¶ a\ÊnembnÃ.. G\n¡pw A½mbnbpsS cq]w A{X ]nSn In«nbnÃ. IeymW t^mt«mbn  ImWqt¼mÄ B`cW§fn s]mXnªp Hcp henb s]®p amXncn tXm¶n¨p. ]s£, t\cn I­t¸mÄ AÂ`pXw tXm¶n. A½mbn C{X sNdp¸tam ?

 

AhÀ kwibt¯msS tNmZn¨p.

" hnPb³ ?"

"AsX".

"At¿m !!, Rm³ H«pw {]Xo£n¨nà sIt«m"

 

"CsX hsc hcm³ ]ÁnbnÃ. hÃy½mhbpsS ho«n Xs¶ \n¶m Ipª½mh³ F´p hnNmcn¡pw. AXp sIm­p t]m¶Xm. \msf Xs¶ t]mIWw".

 

"AXp \ap¡p ]Xps¡ Xocpam\n¡mw. tN«³ hcs«. Ibdn Ccn¡p. G¶n«mIw _m¡n"

 

Rm³ Ibdn Ccp¶p. NpÁpw t\m¡n. hoSp \à shSn¸pw {hn¯nbpw Bbn kq£n¨n«p­v. HÁ t\m«¯n A½mbnsb F\n¡p hfsc Cãs¸«p. kuµcyw AÃ, asÁs´m Hcp {]tXyIX B I®pIÄ¡p D­p. \à hSnhp H¯ icocw. Djsb¡mÄ FÃmw IqSpX D­p. AhÀ Fsâ ASp¯p IqSn \S¶p t]mbt¸mÄ Hcp {]tXyI kpKÔw F\n¡p A\p`hs¸«p.

 

]¯p an\nÁn\pÅn A½mbn Nmbbpw CÍenbpw sIm­p sh¨p

 

"cmhnes¯ CÍenbmWp. Aåw I«n ImWpw"

 

"kmcanÃ" G\n¡p \Ã hni¸p D­mbncp¶p. Im¸n IpSn Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp Bizmkw tXm¶n.

 

hnPb\p Ipfn¡tWm?. bm{X Ignªp hcp¶Xp Asà ? hcq apdnbnte¡p t]mIw".

A½mbn Fsâ _mKv FSp¯p sIm­p ap¼n \S¶p. R³ ]pdsI B \S¸pw Ip­nIfpsS Xmf¯n Dà Ne\hpw ckn¨p \S¶p. a\Ên tXm¶n, ChnsSbpw Fsâ I¼nIÄ s]m«ptam `Khms\

 

c­p InS¸p apdnIÂ, kzoIcW apdn, DuWp apdn, ASp¡f, Xpd¶ hÀ¡p Gcnb, InWÀ, \à apÁw, FÃmw sIm­pw \à kuIcyw DÅ hoSp.  sabn³ tdmUn \n¶pw Aåw AIse BbXn\mÂ, \«p¼pd¯nsâ hnP\Xbpw D­p. Abå¡s¯ hoSp Aåw amdnbmWp. G¦nepw Dds¡ hnfn¨m hnfn tIÄ¡mw

 

G\n¡p heXp his¯ s_{Uqw BWp X¶Xp. A½mbn ]dªp.

"Ipfnapdnbn tXmÀ¯pw tkm¸pw FÃmw D­p. ss]¸q shÅw Cãw Asæn InWÁn \n¶pw  tImcn¯cmw"

 

"Rm³ ]dªp, "th­, Ipfnapdnbn BImw" Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn IS¶p hmXn AS¨p. ¢o³ Bb Ipfnapdn. NpÁpw t\m¡n. \ofw DÅ lmsMcn Hcp tXmÀ¯p, IqSmsX c­p aq¶p sP«nbpw D­mbncp¶p. Rm³ H¶p kt´mjn¨p. HmSn sN¶p t\m¡n. Hsc®w sPâvkv, H¶p teSokv ]mân. F¶m c­pw Ae¡n DW¡m³ C«ncn¡pI Bbncp¶p. Rm³ teSokv ]mâokv ]cntim[n¨p. Fsâ enwKw A\§m³ XpS§n. F¶m AXp ]pXnbXp amXncn tXm¶n¨p. Ae¡nbXp sIm­p ap³ `mK¯p bsXmcp hyXmkhpw CÃ, IqSmsX tkm¸nsâ aWhpw. Fsâ s]m§m³ XpS§nb sNdp¡³ s]s«¶p XmWp t]mbn. kabw IfbmsX \à Hcp Ipfn ]mÊm¡n, R³ shfnbn h¶p.

 

AhÀ ASp¡fbn Bbncp¶p. Rm³ At§m«p sN¶p.

"A½mbn, A½mh³ Ft¸mÄ hcpw?

"Hmlv, cm{Xn F«p H¼Xp aWnbmIpw"

"A½mbn¡p t]Sn Csà X\n¨p kÔy¡p Ccn¡m³?

 

"F´p t]Sn¡m\m, ChnSs¯ BfpIÄ hfsc \ÃhcmWp. Zm, Ab塯pÅ \mWnb½ Ft¸mÄ hnfn¨mepw HmSn F¯pw".

Rm³ AhnsS ASp¡f Xdbn Hcp sImc­n FSp¯p Ccp¶p. Hcp s_©pw sNdnb Hcp sUkvIpw Ds­¦nepw, Rm³ Xmsg Ccn¡³

Cãs¸«p. ImcWw Xmsg \n¶p t\m¡nbm A½mbnbpsS NmcpX apgph\pw ImWmw, BkzZn¡mw.

"tams\, F´n\m Xmsg Ccn¡ps¶" s_©n Ccpt¶mfp. Xdbn sNfn ImWpw"

"kmcanÃ. F\n¡p CXm kpJw A½mbn"

 

"]nt¶bv, tam³ Fs¶ A½mbn F¶p hnfnt¡­m, tN¨n F¶p hnfn¨m aXn sIt«m. A½mbn F¶p tIÄ¡pt¼mÄ {]mbw sN¶ Hcp {]XoXnbmWp tXm¶pI".

"icn A½mbn.. AÃ, tN¨n". tN¨n At¸mÄ H¶p Nncn¨p, Hcp Xami tI«Xp t]mse. Nncn¨t¸mÄ kar²amb B amdnSw kmcn¯p¼nsâ ASnbn InS¶p H¶p Xpfp¼ntbm F¶p kwibw. Fsâ DÅn Hcp sNdnb InSnew, B\µ¯nsâ.

R§Ä H¯ncn kwkmcn¨p, R³ DÅnbpw ]¨¡dnbpw Acnªp tN¨nsb klmbn¨p. ho«p ImcyMÄ hÃy½mhbpsS ho«nse hntj§Ä FÃmw. A½mbn¡p Fs¶ Cjv«w Bbn F¶p tXm¶n. AhÀ AXp ]dbpIbpw sNbvXp.

 

 

"hnPbs\ F\n¡p Cjv«mbn. C\n kv¡qÄ Xpd¶n«p tam³ t]mbm aXn. G\n¡p an­m\pw ]dbm\pw Hcp Bfpw BbsÃm".

"lm.., t\m¡mw" F¶p Rm³ ]dsª¦nepw DÅn kt´mjw Bbncp¶p. thWsa¦n ]Tn¯w Ct§m«q amÁnbmepw aXn F¶p hsc tXm¶n

 

hnhmlw Ignªp \mep amkw IgnªsX DÅp. tN¨n¡p h¶ amÁw. t^ms«mbn I­ BfÃ. \à XpSp¯ apJw, Xo DuXnbt¸mÄ H¶p IqSn XpSp¯p. CS¡p hiw Xncnªp \n¡pt¼mÄ sskUn IqSn ImWp¶ cq]sam¯ apeIÄ Aåw Nmªp InS¡p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. A½mh³ ]nSn¨p Xq§nbXmbncn¡pw. Ip\nªp \n¡pt¼mÄ ImWp¶ BIrXn H¯ apgp¯ N´nIÄ Fsâ ap­nsâ CSbn Ne\w D­m¡n. apIfnse X«n \n¶pw ssIIÄ s]m¡n k[\§Ä FSp¡pt¼mÄ hnbÀ¯ I£w F\n¡p elcn Bbn. FSp¡m³ Aåw _p²nap«nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p klmbn¨p. At¸mgpw Hcp ssI apIfn Bbncp¶Xp sIm­p, B hnbÀ¸nsâ amZI KÔw F\n¡p Aåw In«n. s]s«¶p Xs¶ Rm³ Xmsg h¶p sImc­nbn Ccp¶p. C{X sNdp¸¯nse R³ C§s\ Hcp hnImc¯n\p ASna Bbns]mbtÃm Fs¶mcp tXm¶Â F\n¡p At¸mÄ D­mbn. DjbpsS ho«n kw`hn¨Xp t]mse ChnsS Hcn¡epw D­mIcpXp, Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p.

 

H¼Xp aWn Bbt¸mÄ A½mh³ h¶p. A½mh\p hfsc kt´mjhpw AÂ`pXhpw tXm¶n. `£Ww Ign¡p¶Xn\p CSbn Imcy§Ä Hs¡ tNmZn¨p. sseÁv AW¨p AhÀ Dd§m³ InS¶p. ]s£ F\n¡p Dd¡w h¶nÃ. Rm³ a\Ên I­p, Ct¸mÄ A½mh³ F´p sN¿pIbmbncn¡pw, A½mbnbpsS »ukv Agn¡pI Bbncn¡pw, F¶n«v B henb apeIÄ ]nSn¡pw, ]ns¶ A½mbnbpsS kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw s]m¡pw, sP«n hen¨p amÁpw, ]ns¶ ]ns¶, F´p Bbncn¡pw A½mbnbpsS Ih¡nSbnse ]qSbn A½mh³ F´p sN¿pw. l...m Fsâ Ip«³ hSn t]mse Bbn, H¶p ssIbn ]nSn¡Ww F¶p tXm¶n, ]s£ th­ F¶p sh¨p. ]Xps¡ Fgpt¶Áp, knÁnMv dqanse¡pÅ hmXn Xpd¶p, AXn\p ]pdIn BWp AhcpsS s_{Uqw. F¶n«p sNhntbmÀ¯p. Rm³ {]Xo£n¨ t]mse D½bpsS iÐw, NncnbpsS Inep¡w, I«nensâ A\¡w, H¶pw tI«nÃ. A½mhsâ Bbncn¡pw IqÀ¡w hen tIÄ¡mw. Fsâ s]m§n\n¶ I®³ Xmsg hoWp. R³ Xncn¨p I«nen s]mbn Dd§n.

 

]nsÁ Znhkw cmhnse R³ Fgpt¶Át¸mÄ A½mh³ t]mbn¡gnªncp¶p. A½mbn AÃm tN¨n cmhnse Ipfn¨p Hcp§n Fs¶ h¶p hnfn¨p. I®p Xpd¶p Rm³ ImWp¶Xp Hcp A]vkckns\ BtWm F¶p tXm¶nt¸mbn.

 

"Gs´mcp Dd¡amWp tams\ Hcp t_m[hpw CÃmsX. Rm³ BbXp sIm­p Ipg¸anÃ. shsd Bsc¦nepw I­m F´p tamiw"  tN¨n CXp ]dªp \¶mbn H¶p Nncn¨p. Rm³ H¶pw an­msX Fgpt¶Áp ]d¼nte¡p \S¶p, hSnt]mse DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶ Ip«s\ H¶p XtemSn, aq{Xw Hgn¨p. ]ns¶bmWp Ah³ Xmgv¶Xp. icn Bbncn¡mw. cmhnse k[mcW ap­p kvYm\¯p ImW¯nÃ. Xs¶bpw AÃ, shfp¸n\p

IrjvW³ hSn t]mse \n¡pw, Fgpt¶Áp aq{Xw Hgn¡p¶Xp hsc. `Khms\, tN¨n Fsâ D²cn¨ km[\w I­p ImWptam Bthm. \mWt¡Sp kmcanÃ, Fsâ sNdp¡s\ tN¨n¡pw Cãs]Spw F¶p XoÀ¨bmWp. A{Xbpw kpµc³ BWp Ah³. \à Xe FSp¸pw h®hpw km[mcWbn Ihnª \ofhpw, GXp s]®pw Cãs]Spw F¶p F\n¡p Adnbmw.

 

c­p aq¶p Znhkw sIm­p Rm³ tN¨nbpsS icoc imkv{Xw apgph³ ] Tn¨p. Fsâ  a\Êpw icochpw Znhkw tXmdpw IqSpX IqSpX NqSmIpI Bbncp¶p. Hcp BgvN Ignªt¸mÄ a\Ênembn i\nbmgv¨ BWp AhcpsS DÂkh Znhkw. A¶p A½mh³ Aåw aZy]n¡pw. `b¦c kt´mjw BWp. cm{Xn AhcpsS s_{Uqan \n¶pw Nncnbpw _lfhpw Hs¡ tI«p. Hfn¨p \n¶p sI«mtem F¶p tXm¶n. th­, AhÀ Adnªm ]ns¶ Pohn¨p Ccp¶n«p Imcyw CÃ. k¬sU A½mh³ ISbn t]mIpI CÃ. A¶p tlmfntU, ho«p ]WnIÄ ]d¼p t\m«w FÃmw c­p t]cpw IqSn sN¿pw. Rm³ F¶ Hcp BÄ DÅXmbn t]mepw AhÀ Adnbp¶nÃmbncp¶p. A§s\ Ipd¨p Znhkw Ignªp. CS¡p Hcp Znhkw Dj ho«n h¶p. Rm³ apdn¡p ]pd¯p Cd§nbnÃ. tN¨n tNmZn¨p, F\n¡p DjtbmSp ]nW¡amtWm F¶p. Rm³ D¯cw ]dªnÃ. AhÀ c­p t]cpw IqSn Fs´ms¡sbm clky§Ä ]dbp¶p­mbncp¶p. Dj FÃmw tN¨ntbmSp ]dªp ImWpw. alm \mWt¡Sp Bbn t]mbn. C\n F§ns\ Rm³ tN¨nsb t\cnSpw. ]s£ Dj t]mbn Ignªn«pw tN¨n¡p Hcp amÁhpw CÃmbncp¶p. ]gb ]Sn Xs¶. k¬sU Hgn¨p DÅ Znhk§fn tN¨n¡p Ft¶mSp henb Cãw Bbncp¶p.

 

\mWnb½ Fsâ i{Xp Bbn. Rm³ ASp¡fbn h¶m Fsâ t\m«w tN¨nbpsS apeIfnepw Ip­nbnepw Bbncn¡pw. AXp \mWnb½ I­p ]nSn¨p. IqSmsX Hcp Znhkw AhÀ ao³ sh«nsIm­ncn¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p. ASp¡fbpsS ]pdIn shfnbn Ccp¶p ao³ sh«pt¼mÄ Rm³ sN¶p AhcpsS ap¼n Ccp¶p.. F¶n«p ao\nsâ t]cpw hntij§fpw tNmZn¡³ XpS§n. AhÀ ap«n\p apIfn ap­p IbÁnsh¨mbncp¶p Ccp¶Xp. Rm³ sN¶t¸mÄ AhÀ ap­p Aåw HXp¡n sh¨p. ]s£ Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AdnbmsX Xs¶ ap­p ]gbXp t]mse Xs¶ Xpd¶p h¶p. \à kqcy {]Imiw D­mbncp¶Xp sIm­p AhcpsS Icnao³ hyàambn IWmambncp¶p. ]s£ AhcpsS kam\¯nsâ apIÄ `mKw am{Xsa ImWm³ ]ÁnbpÅp. apgph³ Idp¯ ]qS Bbncp¶p. AhcpsS apeIÄ ImÂap«psIm­p »uknsâ apIfnte¡p shfnbn XÅn \n¶ncp¶p. Rm³ AXpw t\m¡n, ]qSbpw t\m¡n ckn¨ncp¶p. Fsâ ap­nsâ AI¯p \n¶pw Ip«³ Fgpt¶Áp. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ \mWnb½ Fs¶ {i²n¨p, Fsâ t\m«w AhcpsS kmam\¯n Bbncp¶p F¶p AhÀ¡p a\Ênembn. AhÀ ]dªp.

"sIms¨, \o Fgpt¶Áp t]mbn hÃXpw hmbn¡p. Rm³ ao³

sh«nt¡mfmw. s]m, s]m"

F¶n«p tN¨nsb hnfn¨p.

"h\sP, Cu sNdp¡s\ A§p hnfn¨p hÃXpw Xn¶m³ sImSp¡p, Asæn Ah³ Fs¶ Xn¶pw"

F¶n«p AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp ap­p t\sc B¡n. Rm³ BsI hfn¨p t]mbn.

XncnsI ASp¡fbn h¶t¸mÄ AhÀ tN¨ntbmSp ]dbp¶Xp tI«p.

"B sNdp¡³ A{X icn AÃ. Ahsâ t\m«w s]®p§fpsS sh­m¯ `mK§fnte¡mWp. tamÄ Aåw IqSn kq£nt¨mWw. kmcn Hs¡ s\sc NpÁnsb Ahsâ ap¼n sNÃmhp".

tN¨n Nncn¨p sIm­p ]dªp.

"Ah³ sIm¨sÃ. ]ns¶, Rm³ kq£nt¨mfmw".

A¶p apX \mWnb½ Ds­¦n Rm³ Ins¨Wn s]mI¯nÃ. ]s£ tN¨nbpsS s]cpamÁ¯n Hcp amÁw I­p. ]gbXnepw Aekambn kmcn NpÁ Hs¡. tN¨n Fs¶ ]co£n¡pIbmsWm F¶p F\n¡p tXm¶n. Rm³ a\]qÀdzw tN¨nbpsS apeIfn t\m¡msX {i²n¨p. ]s£ tN¨n Fsâ ap¼n h¶p Ip\nªp \n¶p apdn ASn¨p hmcpw, aÁp ]WnIÄ sN¿pw. Abª »uknsâbpw {_mbpsSbpw AI¯p \n¶pw B henb Dcp­ apeIÄ ]pdt¯¡p Xq§n hcpw. Fsâ ap¼n h¶p ]pdw Xncnªp \n¡pw. B N´nbpsS apgp¸pw XpSn¸pw Hs¡ hyàambn ImWn¡p¶Xp t]mse \n¡pw. Fsâ Ip«³ s]m§m³ XpS§pw. AhÀ H¶pw Adnbm¯ t]mse N´nbpw Ipep¡n \S¡pw. \nhr¯n CÃmsX hcpt¼mÄ Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn t]mbn Hcp hmWw ASn¨p kam[m\n¡pw.

 

 

Rm³ sN¶ ASp¯ i\nbmgvN A½mh³ s\cs¯ h¶p, Ipfn Ignªp ¥mÊn {_m­nbpw Bbn knÁnMv dqan h¶p. Rm³ At¸mÄ Ánhnbn NeNn{X Km\ ]cn]mSn ImWpIbmbncp¶p. A½mh³ ]Xps¡ ASp¡fbnte¡p t]mbn. Aåw Ignªp Rm³ ASp¡f hmXn¡ sN¶p F¯n t\m¡n. At¸mÄ I­ Imgv¨ Fs¶ hÃsX De¨p. A½mh³ tN¨nbpsS ]pdIn tN¨nbpsS N´ntbmSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p I£¯n IqSn I¿n«p AhcpsS apeIfn ]nSn¡p¶p. ASp¸n ao³ hd¡m³ C«ncn¡p¶p.

 

"sNsN,  Ct¸mÄ sh­m, ChnsS hnPb³ D­p. Ah³ F§m\pw I­m tamiamWp".

 

A½mh³ \à aqSn Bbncp¶p. {_m­n Xe¡p ]nSn¨ncp¶p.

 

"Cà tamsf, Ah³ Ánhnbn ebn¨ncn¡pIbmWp. AYhm I­m Xs¶ F´m, Ah³ t]mbn Hcp hmWw ASn¡pw. ]ntÅÀ AsÃ. ]­p Rm\pw A§s\ Bbncp¶p. \nsâ amXncn DÅ Nc¡pIÄ Ip­nbpw apebpw Ipep¡n \S¡p¶Xp I­n«p, Ahsc HmÀ¯p Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn

ssIbn ]nSn¨p shÅw Ifbpambncp¶p".

 

"Cu tN«³ Hcp hÃm¯ BÄ Xs¶". CXp ]dbpt¼mÄ tN¨nbpsS ssI A½mhsâ ap­nsâ ASnbnte¡p \ofp¶Xp I­p. c­p t]cpw F\n¡p ]pdw Xncnªp ASp¸nte¡p t\m¡n \n¶Xp sIm­p Fs¶ AhÀ ImWp¶nÃmbncp¶p.

 

A½mh³ ]Xps¡ ]pdIn IqSn Xs¶, tN¨nbpsS kmcnbpsS ap³ hi¯p ssIbn«p, hbdn\pw XpWn¡pw CSbneqsS B ssIIÄ Xtgm«nd§n, tN¨nbpsS XpSn¡p¶ I´nepw ]qdnepw XtemSn, AaÀ¯n. ]qÀ Zf§fpsS hnShn hnc IbÁn ImWWw. tN¨n Igp¯p ]pdtIm«p hen¨p A½mhsâ apJ¯p Hcp ap¯w sImSp¯p.

 

"tN«m, F\n¡p hÃmsX hcp¶p".

 

A½mhsâ ssI tN¨nbpsS kmam\¯n Acnbm«p \S¯pIbmsW¶p tXm¶n. I´n A½mhsâ hnc sIm­p sRcSn ImWpw. ImcWw tN¨n H¶p sR«n, ]ns¶ ]pfbm\pw XpS§n.

 

A½mh³ ]dªp. "hÃmsX \\ªsÃm tamsf, apÃsam«n ]nSn¡ms\ ]Áp¶nà AhÄ sX¶n amdp¶sÃm". CXp tI«p tN¨n Nncn¨p. Hcp ssI sIm­p N«pIw FSp¯p F¯n henªp ao³ adn¨n«p.

 

"AXp A§s\bmWp, sXmtS­ ssI sXm«m AhnsS {]fbw Bbncn¡pw. Rm³ Ipfn¨n«nÃ, Nnet¸mÄ ssI aW¡pw. aq{X¯nsâ \mÁhpw ImWpw".

 

"\nsâ ]qdnsâ aWw AXp am{Xw aXn Fsâ Ip«³ s]m§m³. \nsâ Ipfn¡m¯ kmam\w BWp Fsâ kpJw. Rm³ H¶p aW¯p t\m¡s«"

 

A½mh³ ssI kmcn¡nSbn \n¶pw FSp¯p. F¶n«p AXp tN¨nbpsS aq¡n\p t\sc ImWn¨p.

 

"As¿m \Ã \mÁw D­p". tN¨n apJw Npfn¨p sIm­p Xsâ aZ\]qhnse sImgp¯ tX³ sIm­p \\ª B hncepIÄ aW¯p.

 

A½mh³ AXp {i²n¡msX B ssI Xsâ aq¡n sh¨p DÅnte¡p tN¨nbpsS IgpIm¯ ]qdnsâ aWw hens¨Sp¯p. At¸mÄ tN¨n Xncnªp \n¶p, Rm³ IXInsâ sskUnte¡p amdn \n¶p F¯n t\m¡n. tN¨n A½mhsâ Ip«s\ I¿n ]nSn¨p satem«pw Iotgm«pw sX¶n¨p.

sskUn IqSn A½mhsâ Ip«s\ Rm³ I­p. \ofw 6 C©p ImWpw, ]s£ \à h®w BWp. hSn s]mse \n¡p¶ B henb km[\w tN¨nbpsS hncepIfn HXp§nbnÃ. A½mh³ ]Xps¡ Xmsg Ip´n¨p Ccp¶p, tN¨nbpsS kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw s]m¡n. ]s£ ]qdnsâ A{Xbpw s]m¡nbnÃ. XpSIfpsS ]IpXn hsc am{Xsa s]m¡nbpÅp. G\n¡p AXp ImcWw tN¨nbpsS ]qdp ImWm³ IgnªnÃ. F¦nepw B XpSIfpsS Hma\Xzw Fsâ Ip«s\ Ccp¼p amXncn B¡n. ]­p  Ipfn¡Shn sh¨p s]®p§fpsS XpSIÄ I­n«ps­¦nepw C{Xbpw ASp¯p BZyambn«mWp Hcp shÅ XpS Rm³ ImWp¶Xp. B amÀ_nÄ XpSIfn H¶p sXmS³ Fsâ hncepw a\Êpw Zmln¨p. A½mh³ ]mhmS s]m¡n Xe AIt¯¡n«p, F¶n«p tN¨nbpsS ]qdn apJw ap«n¨p. tN¨n \n¶p ]pfªp. A½mh³ Bªp izmkw hen¨p. tN¨n kmcnbpw ]mhSbpw IqSn sXcp¯p Acbn XncpIn sh¨p.

 

"Blm. Fsâ tamfpsS ]qdnsâ aWw ... Rm³ C§s\ Xs¶ Cu tX³ hcn¡ N¡ ISn¨p Xn¶m³ s]mIphm." XpWn A[nIw s]m¡m¯Xp sIm­p, AhnsS X§n \n¡p¶ aWw apgph\pw A½mh\p In«n¡mWpw. Rm³ B aWw H¶p k¦ån¨p t\m¡n. hÃt¸mgpw hnbÀ¯ tN¨n ASp¯phcpt¼mÄ In«p¶ B aWhpw, hnbÀ¯ ]qdnsâ Ahnª aWhpw, AXn \n¶pw HgpInbnd§nb Ima tX\nsâ hmk\bpw,  aq{X¯nsâ aWhpw IeÀ¶ B aWw F{X Bbepw ]pcpj\p lcw Bbncn¡pw. AXp sIm­sà arK§Ä  t]mepw BZyw s]®nsâ ]pdIn sN¶p IqXn aW¸n¡p¶Xp

 

"Fsâ tN«m. sh­s¶ .... hÃm¯ aWw ImWpw, sImXnb³, CXp Rm³ H¶p IgpIn sIm­phcmw".

 

"th­, IgpInbm ]qdnsâ AÊ KÔw \ãs]Spw." CXpw ]dªp A½mh³ B aWapÅ ]qdn H¶p \¡nsb¶p tXm¶p¶p. tN¨n AdnbmsX Xs¶ ImepIÄ AI¯nsImSp¯p. A½mh³ XpWnbpsS ASnbn Xebn«p \¡nbpw ISn¨pw tN¨nsb kpJn¸n¡p¶Xp I­t¸mÄ Fsâ Ip«³ I¼n t]mse Bbn. Rm³ Fsâ Ip«s\ I¿n ]nSn¨p ]Xps¡ apt¶m«pw ]pdtIm«pw XShm³ XpS§n. IqSpX kabw IgnªnÃ, tN¨n ]pfbm³ XpS§n. AhÀ ssI \o«n Kmkv \nÀ¯n Xo AW¨p.

 

"GXmbepw XpS§n ... icn¡p \¡q Fsâ s]ms¶, AhnsS ... AhnsS Xs¶ .. I´n Xs¶.. tN«sâ apà sam«n Xs¶ \¡q tN«mm  ... tN«sâ Hma\ ]qdsà ... AaÀ¯msX ...  tN«sâ \m¡nsâ Acw IqSpXemWp  ..Blv ... BAlv .. Fsâ tN«m F\n¡p hcpw ... Ct¸mÄ hcpw .. BAlv .. .Blv".

 

tN¨n kzÀKw ImWp¶p F¶p a\Ênem¡nb A½mh³ Adnªp \¡n. Xe apIfnte¡pw Xmtg¡pw B¡n \¡n. Ahkm\w tN¨n A½mhsâ Xe Hcp ssIsIm­p ]nSn¨p XpWn klnXw AhcpsS ]qdnte¡p AaÀ¯n. Hcp ssI sIm­p kz´w apeIfn amdn amdn sR¡n, Ii¡n. »uknsâ apIfn IqSn apesª«pIÄ amdn amdn sRcn¨p. tN¨n¡p cXn aqÀN Bbn F¶p tXm¶n.

 

"\nÀ¯sà tN«mmm .... A§s\ .... A§s\ ...... Blv ...  Alv...  Fsâ tN«mmm ... F\n¡p ... h¶q  ... Fsâ tN«mmmmm ..."

 

tN¨nbpsS aZ\ s]mbvIbn DcpÄ s]m«n. B sN¼c¯n]qhnse CXfpI hnSÀ¶p kt¦mNn¨p, hnImctX³ NoÁn F¶p F\n¡p a\Ênembn.

 

A½mh\pw ckw aq¯p \¡Â XpSÀ¶p F¦nepw tN¨n _eambn A½mhsâ Xe ]nSn¨p amÁn. tN¨nbpsS apJs¯ hnbÀ¸p XpÅnIÄ

Syq_nsâ shfn¨¯n Xnf§n.cXnkpJ¯nsâ sXfn¨w AhcpsS I®pIfn Hmfw XpÅn.

 

"aXn.. aXn.. C\n F\n¡p C¡nfn BIpw ... t\mhpw, tN«m". A½mhsâ XeapSnbn ]nSn¨p tN¨n kmcnbpsS CSbn \n¶pw s]m¡n amÁn.

 

A½mh³ Fgpt¶Áp. A½mhsâ Np­nepw apJ¯pw tN¨nbpsS ]qdnse \à sImgp¯ aZ\ckw XpÅn XpÅnbmbn Hen¡p¶p­mbncp¶p A½mh³ A§ns\ Xs¶ B apJw tN¨nbpsS apJt¯¡p ASp¸n¨p. F¶n«p tN¨nbpsS Np­n KmUamb Hcp D½ sImSp¯p.

 

"tamfpsS Hma\ ]qdn \n¶pw Rm³ FSp¯ iÀ¡c ]m\nbmWp. cpNn¨p t\m¡q. tN¨n A½mhsâ Np­pIÄ hmípÅn B¡n \pWªp. apJ¯p \¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

 

"aq{X¯nsâ aWhpw, Fsâ AhnSs¯ ]pfnckhpw Ds­¦nepw Fsâ kmam\¯nse iÀ¡c sImgp¸n\p \à cpNnbmWp tN«m". tN¨n Hcp ZoÀL Npw_\w A½mh\p \ÂIn, Hcp \µn F¶ t]mse. AhcpsS ssI A½mhsâ ]dt¡men At¸mÄ apdpsI ]nSn¨ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.

 

"GXmbmepw Fs¶ kpJn¸n¨p.. C\n Fsâ tN«s\ Rm³ H¶p kpJn¸n¡s«." F¶n«p ]Xps¡ Xmsg Ccp¶p. A½mh³ ap­p sskUnte¡p \o¡n, B h®w DÅ Ip® tN¨n c­p ssI sIm­pw sR¡n, Xncp½n. Ah³ ]mew t]mse \n¶p hnd¨p. AXp At¸mgpw Ccp¼p ]mc t]mse \n¶p Ddªp XpÅpIbmbncp¶p.

 

tN¨n Ahs\ apJt¯mSp ASp¸n¨p aW¸n¨p, D½ sh¨p, Ahsâ aIpS¯n Npt­mSn¨p. Ah³ \r¯w sN¿p¶Xp t]mse \n¶p XpÅn. Ahsâ AÁ¯p \n¶pw c­p aq¶p sImgp¯ \oÀ XpÅnIÄ Ducn h¶p.

 

 " t\m¡p tN«m, Ių CXm hm«p¶p." tN¨n Ahsâ DSen H¶p ]Xps¡ sR¡n. At¸mÄ c­p XpÅn IoSn shfnbn h¶p. tN¨n AXp hnc sIm­p hSn¨p \m¡n sh¨p.

 

"\Ã cpNnbpw elcnbpw D­tÃm tN«m  Chsâ I®p \ocn\p"

 

"I®p \ocv AÃ tamsf, AXp Ip® \ocmWp. {_m­n IqSn Bbt¸mÄ \Ã elcn ImWpw. Fsâ s]m¶p tamfp Cãw t]mse IpSnt¨mfq".

 

 "Fsâ tamfpsS Ip«³ AsÃ. a\Êp t]mse Xnt¶m". A½mh³ Ip«sâ Xe FSp¯p tN¨nbpsS Np­n sh¨p Dc¨p, XÃn. tN¨n Np­p ]nfÀ¯n ]Xps¡ Ahsâ apgp¯ Xe hmbn B¡n. A½mhsâ Ip®bpsS Xe tN¨nbpsS hmbn \ndªp \n¶p. tN¨nbpsS hmípÅn Ahsâ aIpSw Xn§n \n¶p. tN¨n apc­p sIm­p AXn Ddp©m³ XpS§n. CS¡p Ahs\ s]m¡n ]nSn¨p, D­Ifnepw XtemSn. A½mh³ I®p AS¨p ]nSn¨p AXp BkzZn¨p. tN¨n Ahsâ DSen ]nSn¨p apt¶m«pw ]pdtIm«pw ssIbn ]nSn¡m³ XpS§n. CS¡p Hcp ssI Xsâ kmcn¡Snbn IS¯n ]nfÀ¶p shÅhpw Hen¸n¨p Ccn¡p¶ Xsâ Hma\]qdnsâ Zf§Ä¡pÅn XShn. AhnsS \n¶pw I¿n ]Ánb sImgp¯ tbm\n¸m A½mhsâ Ip®bn tX¨p. At¸mÄ Ip®¡p \à hgp¡Â Bbn.. A½mh\p AXp hfsc ckn¨p. A½mh³ tN¨nbpsS XeapSnbn ]nSn¨p apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw XÃn. XÃn\p kv]oSp IqSn, A½mbnbpsS hmbn B F¯¸gw Xn§n \ndªp Ibdm³ XpS§n. A½mh³ Rc§m³ XpS§n.

 

"Fsâ tamsf ..  Bªp hens¡So ... A§s\ Xs¶ B.Blm tamsf hcmdmbo ... BAlvm.ZmA. .h¶pDDDm"

 

A½mh³ \n¶ \nebn H¶p sh«n. tN¨nbpsS hmbnte¡p BZys¯ ]mensâ [mc NoÁns¯dn¨p. tN¨n Ip® hmbn \n¶pw FSp¯p ssI sIm­p hmWw ASn¡m³ XpS§n. A½mhsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]m ho­pw ho­pw NoÁn. tN¨nbpsS apJ¯pw kmcnbnepw »uknepw Hs¡ sXdn¨p hoWp. hmbn In«nb BZys¯ ]m tN¨n IpSn¨nd¡n. Hcp BgvNbmbn sI«n \n¶ncp¶ ]mensâ Ahkm\ XpÅn hsc tN¨n Id¶p FSp¯p. tN«³ \nÀdzrXnbn ebn¨p \n¶p. Ahkm\w tN¨n Ahsâ Xe \¡n tXmÀ¯n, \pWªnd¡n. tN¨n F\n¡p Hcp AÂ`pXw Bbn amdn. Rm³ BZyw I­ tN¨n Aà Ct¸mÄ.

 

"Cu  kab¯p AdnbmsX hmWw ASn¨psIm­ncp¶ Fsâ Ip®bpw ]m NoÁn. BZys¯ XpÅnIÄ F\n¡p It{­mÄ sN¿m³ ]ÁnbnÃ. AXp Xmsgbpw IXInepw Hs¡ sXdn¨p hoWp. _m¡n Rm³ ap­p sIm­p XSp¯p ]nSn¨p. ]s£ Rm³ AdnbmsX Fsâ sXm­bn \n¶pw Hcp Rc¡w shfnbn h¶p. tN¨n AXp tI«p F¶p tXm¶n. AhÀ sR«n apJw Xncn¨p Ct§m«p t\m¡n. A½mh³ shÅw t]mb kpJ¯nepw {_m­nbpsS elcnbnepw I®pw AS¨p \n¡pIbmWp. tN¨n kmcn Xp¼p DbÀ¯n apJw XpS¡p¶Xp I­p Rm³ HmSn XncnsI h¶p skm^bn Ccp¶p.

 

c­p t]cpw knÁnMv dqante¡p h¶p. A½mh³ tNmZn¨p.

 

 

"]m«p XoÀt¶mSm ?"

 

Rm³ ]dªp "lvlm Ignªp".

 

tN¨n hmXn¡ h¶p \ne¯pw IXInepw kq£n¨p t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ CSw I®n«p I­p. AhÀ IXIn \n¶pw Ft´m tXm­n FSp¯p aW¡p¶Xp I­p. F\n¡p XoÀ¨bmbn tN¨n¡p ip¢¯nsâ KÔw Adnbmw, AhÀ I­p ]nSn¨p F¶p.

Fs¶ t\m¡msX AhÀ AhcpsS _m{Xqante¡p t]mbn. AI¯p Ibdn FÃmw {hn¯nbm¡pIbmbncn¡pw. _m{Xqan Ih¨p Ccp¶p shÅw NoÁn Xpd¶ Xsâ ]qdn hnc IS¯n IgpIp¶ tN¨nsb a\Ên Rm³ I­p

. B Hma\ ]qÀ Rm\mWp IgpIn sImSp¡p¶Xp F¶p k¦ån¨p. Fsâ Ip«sâ hmbn \n¶pw At¸mgpw ip¢w Hen¨p Cd§n Fsâ ap­p \\¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. Aåw Ignªp tN¨n Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p tNmZn¨p.

 

"\n\¡p hnit¶mSm hnPbm.? \o ASp¡fbn h¶mbncpt¶m ?"

 

Rm³ ]dªp. "F\n¡p hni¶p .. ]s£ tN¨n ao³ hd¯n«p hnfn¡pw F¶p IcpXn Rm³ FhnsS Ccp¶p ]m«p tI«p".

 

"F¶m Rm³ H¶p Ipfn¨n«p hcmw, F¶n«p `£Ww Ign¡mw

 

"tN¨n Ipfnapdnbnte¡p t]mbn. Rm³ AhcpsS s_{Uqan sN¶p t\m¡n. A½mh³ ASp¯ s]Kv Hgn¡pIbmbncp¶p. C\n cm{Xnbnse DÂkh¯n\p Hcp§pI Bbncn¡pw F¶p Rm³ HmÀ¯p.

Aåw Ignªp tN¨n Ipfn¨p hkv{X§Ä amdn h¶p. Rm³ apJ¯p

t\m¡msX `£Ww Ign¨p.

 

]mXn kmcn s]m¡n Ih¨p \n¶p kpJn¡p¶ tN¨nbpsS apJhpw, ]hmS¡Snbn Xe IS¯n \¡p¶ A½mhsâ \m¡n Aenªp tNcp¶ tN¨nbpsS hnSÀ¶ tbm\n ]pjv¸¯nsâ BIrXnbpw a\Ên k¦ån¨p, Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p Rm\pw Dd§n.

 

 

XpScpwHmÀ½IÄ - -3   \mWnb½ DWÀ¶t¸mÄ

 

]nsÁ Znhkw shfp¸n\p Rm³ Ac ab¡¯n InS¡pt¼mÄ Hcp iÐw tI«v I®v Xpd¶p t\m¡n. Ipfn IgnRp tN¨n A¼e¯n t]mIm\mbn Fsâ apdnbnse Aeamcnbn \n¶pw GtXm s{UÊpIÄ FSp¡pIbmbncp¶p. XteZnhkw I­ tN¨nbpsSbpw tN«sâbpw cXnhn\ymk§Ä HmÀ¯v InS¶XpsIm­p Fsâ Ip«³ shfp¸n\p hSn t]mse \n¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ kz]v\¯n kn\nam \Sn koabpsS hmbnte¡p Fsâ Ip«s\ h¨v BªSn¡pIbmbncp¶p. XpWn Xncbp¶vXnsâ CSbnepw tN¨n GdpI®n«p Fsâ Ip®bnte¡p t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ I­p. Rm³ Adnbm¯ a«n InS¶p. hmXn IS¶n«pw tN¨n H¶p IqSn XncnRp t\m¡nbn«mWp t]mbXv. Ggpt¶Áp ap{Xw Hgn¨n«p hn­pw Rm³ InS¶pd§n.

 

A¶p RmbdmgvN BbXn\m AhÀ¡p FhnsStbm cmhnse t]mIm\p­mbncp¶p. A¼e¯n t]mbn h¶ tN¨n hfsc [rXnbn Xs¶ Imcy§Ä FÃmw \S¯n. Im¸nbpw ]elmc§fpw D­m¡n. X«pw ap«pw tI«p Rm³ DWÀ¶p, {]`mX{IpXy§Ä Ignªp ]{X¯nse kn\nam ]cky§Ä t\m¡nbncp¶p. CSíp A½mh³ tN¨ntb hnfn¨p tNmZn¡p¶Xp tI«p.

 

"" FSo, \o AhnsS F´p sN¿pIbmWp. iabw Hcp ]mSmbn. t]mbn«p t\cs¯ htc­XmsW ""

 

"" Zm, Ct¸m IgnRp. apSn H¶p sI«nbm aXn ""

 

Ipd¨v IgnRt¸m tN¨n Hcp§n ]pd¯p h¶p. lmhq........tN¨nsb Ct¸mÄ ImWm³ Fs´mcp `wKn !!! ajnsbgpXnb I®pIÄ, Aåw ]uUdn« XpSp¯ IhnfpIÄ, aeÀ¶p Aåw hnSÀ¶ Cfw Npa¸mÀ¶ Np­pIÄ....tX¨p an\p¡nb kmcn¡Snbn CdpIn InS¡p¶ »uknsâ DÅn {_mbpsS heb¯n AaÀ¶p Ignbp¶ cq]sam¯ henb apeIÄ B hnSÀ¶ s\©n XesbSpt¸msS \n¶ncp¶p. kztX Xs¶ kpµcnbmb tN¨n Hcp§n h¶t¸mÄ cXntZhXtbt¸mse tXm¶n¨p. kmcn¡p¯n\pw »ukn\pw CSíp e£vWsam¯ B ]p¡nÄIpgn, Xmgv¯n Ip¯nb kmcn H¶p Aåw hen¨p Xmgv¯nbm AhcpsS aZ\ s]mbvIbpsS Icbn F¯mw F¶p tXm¶nt¸mIpw. Al¦mct¯msS ]pdtIm«p XÅn \n¡p¶ B henb e£vWsam¯ Ip­n¡p¶pIÄ I­m Bcpw AhbpsS ]pdIn \n¶pw amdpInÃ. A{X¡p `wKnbmWp Ahíp. kXy¯n F\n¡p Ahsc H¶p sI«n¸nSn¨p Hcp D½ hím³ DÅ sImXn D­mbn. Rm³ Fsâ a\Êns\bpw Ip«s\bpw AS¡n.Ah³ ap­nsâ ASnbn InS¶p sR«pIbmbncp¶p.

 

A½mh³ {[pXn shípIbmbncp¶p. tN¨n ASp¯ ho«nte¡p hnfn¨p ]dªp.

 

"" \mWnbt½, R§Ä Cd§pIbmWp. FÃmw H¶p sNbvtX¡sW "". F¶n«p Ft¶mSp ]dªp.

 

"" FSm, Im¸nbpw Hs¡ FSp¯p IpSnt¨mWw. \mWnb½ h¶p XpWn Ae¡n ]m{X§Ä IgpIn s]mtímfpw. \o ChnsS Xs¶ ImWWw. R§Ä D¨bmIpt¼mÄ hcpw R§Ä Xmakn¨m \o tNmdp hnf¼n Dt­mWw... tIt«m.. ""

 

AhÀ c­p t]cpw hgn IS¶p adªp Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ HmSn sN¶p _m¯pdqan Ibdn t\m¡n. Zm, AhnsS sXm«nbn InS¡p¶p F\n¡p th­Xv. tN¨n Ct¸mÄ amdnbn«v t]mb jÍn. Rm³ AXns\ A\¡msX I¿n FSp¯p. Fsâ aq¡nt\mSv ASp¸n¨p. tN¨nbpsS Hma\km[\w sXm«ncp¶ B sNdnb `mKw, AhnsS Ct¸mgpw tN¨nbpsS Hma\ ]qdnsâ \\hp D­v. AhnsS Rm³ Bªp D½ h¨p. Fsâ Bßmhnte¡p B aZKÔw Rm³ hens¨Sp¯p. B aZ\]qhn \n¶pw Dudp¶ tX\nsâ elcnbpw, hnbÀ¸nsâ Xo{hXbpw, tN¨nbpsZ aq{X¯nsâ ]pfn¸pw B kpKÔ¯n\p­mbncp¶p. AXv Fsâ Hmtcm Rc¼nte¡pw Dufnbn«nd§n. AhnsS Rm³ \¡n. AXv Rm³ \pWªnd¡n. Fsâ Ip«³ I¼n t]mse Bbn. jÍn Rm³ Ahs\ ap«n¨p. At¸mÄ F\n¡p tXm¶n, Fsâ Ip«³ tN¨nbpsS aZ\ IhmS¯n Ahsâ Xe ap«n hnfn¡pIbmsW¶p. F\n¡p H¶p hmWaSn¡msX XcanÃ. Rm³ B jÍn FSp¯p [cn¨p. AXn\p tijw sXm«nbn \n¶pw {_m X¸nsbSp¯p. tN¨nbpsS s]mt¶ma\¡pS§Ä InS¶ B I¸pIfn Rm³ AaÀ¯n AaÀ¯n Npw_n¨p.

 

hÃy½mhsâ aIÄ DjbpsS jÍntb¡mÄ amZIXzw Cu jÍnbpsS aW¯n\p­mbncp¶p. Dj ]qÁnepw apeIfnepw Hs¡ ]uUÀ CSpambncn¡Ww. ImcWw Ft¸mÄ aW¯mepw AhfpsS jÍn¡p ]uUdnsâ aWw D­mbncp¶p. AXnt\¡mÄ F{Xtbm aS§v {Xkn¸n¡p¶ KÔamWp tN¨nbpsS ASnhkv{X§Ä¡p DÅXv.

 

Ct¸mÄ Rm³ icn¡pw tN¨ntbbmWp D½ híp¶Xp. Fsâ Ip«s\ I¿n FSp¯v Xmtg¡pw apIfnte¡pw ]Xps¡ A\¡m³ XpS§n. Ct¸mÄ Ah³ tN¨nbpsS Hma\]qdnsâ Zf§Ä¡nSbnte¡p IbdpIbpw Cd§pIbpw sN¿pIbmWp F¶p Rm³ k¦ån¨p. Mv..lm....Fs´mcp kpJw. {_mbpsS I¸pIfn Rm³ amdn amdn D½ h¨p. lmhp...... tN¨nsb HmÀXp hmWaSn¡pt¼mÄ C{Xbpw ckamsW¦n H¶p Ifn¨m .....Hm...AtXmÀ¡m³ IqSn h¿... F\n¡v hcmdmbn F¶p tXm¶n. I¿psS kv]oUv Iq«n. Zm..hcp¶p  ip¢¡S CfIn hcp¶p F¶p tXm¶n.

 

"" hnPbm, FSm hnPbm... IXIp Xpd¡v... CXp Rm\m... "

 

\miw...\mWnb½bmWp h¶p IXIn ap«nbXp. F´n\mWn{X t\cs¯ Chsc sI«nsbSp¯Xp. \à ckw ]nSn¨p h¶Xmbncp¶p. Hcp hn[¯n De¡ t]mse \n¶ Ip®sbSp¯p jvÍn¡pÅnem¡n {_m I¿n Npcp«n HXp¡n ]nSn¨p.. sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p.  At¸mgpw Ah³ jÍn s]mfn¡m³ {ian¡pIbmbncp¶p.

 

"" Blm.. \mWnt¨¨ntbm ?...."" 

 

B kab¯p Ahsc I­t¸mÄ F\n¡p Ahsc ]®nbmbmepw shÅw Ifªm aXn F¶p tXm¶n. AhÀ At¸mÄ kpµcn BsW¶p F\n¡p tXm¶n. cmhnse Ipfn¨p A¼e¯n t]mbn h¶ e£Ww D­v. \à shfp¯ ap­pw \ndapÅ »ukpw Hs¡ BWp [cn¨ncn¡p¶Xv. BI¸msS Hcp N´w. Rm³ hmXn XSªp \n¶p sIm­p ]dªp.

 

"" tN¨n C¶p \Ã kpµcn Bbn«mWsÃm Cd§nbncn¡p¶Xv ""

 

AhcpsS apJw H¶p XpSpt¯m F¶v F\n¡p kwibw. AhÀ ]dªp.

 

"" \o t]mSm sN¡m, amdns¡, F\n¡p thsd ]Wnsbm­v "". AhÀ apt¶m«p \o§n.

 

]s£ Rm³ AhnsS Xs¶ \n¶p. AhÀ Fsâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡nbn«p Hcp \mWt¯msS ]dªp.

 

""  C¶v Fsâ ]nd¶mfm, AXm C¶n§s\......""

 

"" Hcp sIm¨p kpµcn Bbn Cd§nbncn¡ps¶...Atà ? ""

 

Rm³ ]qcn¸n¨p. F¶n«p hmXn¡ \n¶pw amdns¡mSp¯p. Hcp IpWp¡t¯msS AhÀ AIt¯¡p IS¶p, Ip­nbpw Ipep¡n s_Uv dqante¡p \S¶p. XpWnIsfÃmw FSp¯p, ]ns¶ Fs¶ Xncnªp t\m¡n H¶p ]p©ncn¨p. Ipfnapdnbnte¡p sN¶p XpWnInS¶ sXm«nbpw FSp¯p ]pdt¯¡p \S¶p. hoSnsâ sX¡phi¯mbn«mWp R§fpsS InWdpw Ae¡pIÃpw. Rmt\mÀ¯p, kpµcnsb¶p {]iwkn¨m GXp Al¦mcns¸®pw hogpw.

 

Rm³ At¸mÄ BWp HmÀ¯vXp jÍnbpsS Imcyw. {_m Rm³ I¿n Npcp«n ]nSn¨ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p. jÍn Ducn {_mbpw I¿n ]nSn¨p Rm³ ]pdt¯¡p sN¶p. c­pw AhcpsS ap¼nte¡n«p. ""Zm, CXp IqSn""

 

""CXp \n\¡p FhnsS \n¶p In«n ?""

 

"" AhnsS Xmsg InS¸p­mbncp¶sÃm. tN¨n I­nÃmbncpt¶m ""

 

"" Rm³ AhnsS FÃmw t\m¡nbmcp¶p"". Fs¶ Hcp IŨncntbmsS t\m¡n, jÍn ]Xps¡ H¶p aW¯p, Fsâ ap­nsâ ap¼nte¡pw t\m¡n,  F¶n«p ]dªp.

 

"" \nt¶t¸mse DÅ F{X F®¯nt\ Rm³ I­Xm.....Fsâ tamt\....Mpw......

 

F\n¡p a\Ênembn \mWnb½ hoWp F¶p. C\n ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ Ahsc ASp¸n¡Ww. \à Imes¯ AhcpsS KpWw ImcWw AhcpsS `À¯mhp Ahsc Dt]£n¨p t]mbn. F«p ]¯p sImÃambn AhÀ hn[htbt¸mse Pohn¡pIbmbncp¶p. a¡Ä HcmWpw c­p s]®pw. aq¯ aIfpsS IeymWw Ignªp, `À¯mhp Ing¡p FhnsStbm Hcp tXm«¯n ]WnbmWp. ct­m aqt¶m amkw IqSpt¼mÄ Ah³ F¯pw. c­p aq¶p Znhkw Ignªp Xncn¨p t]mIpw. AhÄ¡p ISn Cf¡nbn«p Ah³ t]mIpw. AhÄ ]ns¶ ]ns¶ Aåkzåw adpI­w NmSm³ XpS§n. BZyw ck¯n\mbncp¶p. ]ns¶ Imip In«m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ AXp _nkn\kv B¡n. ]t£ ]cn]mSn ]pd¯p am{Xw. Hms«m hcpw, sIm­p t]mIpw, Xncn¨p sIm­p hnSpw. kpJw ]cn]mSn. AXp ho«nte¡p Hcp hcpam\w IqSnbmbn. CfbhÄ GtXm Hcp ho«n theíp \n¡p¶p. AXpw an¡hmdpw t]m¡mIm\mWp km[yX.

 

Rm³ AhcpsS ap¼nembn Aåw amdn shÅw sXdn¡m¯ `mK¯p Hcp IÃnt·Â Ip¯nbncp¶p. aS¡n¡p¯nb ap­nsâ ap³ hiw Xpd¶nSm\pw s]m§n \n¡p¶ Fsâ sNdp¡s\ t\sc hím\pw  Rm³ {]tXyIw {i[v[n¨p. AhÀ Ip\nªp \n¶p XpWnIfn tkm¸p tX¨p. At¸m Ip\nªp \n¡p¶ AhcpsS »uknsâ DÅn \n¶pw shfnbn NmSm³ sh¼n \n¡p¶ B henb apeIÄ tkm¸p tX¡p¶Xn\\pkcn¨p apt¼m«pw ]pdtIm«pw BSns¡m­ncp¶p. B CfInbmSp¶ apeIÄ Fsâ a\Ên Hcp thentbÁw D­m¡n.  Fsâ a\Ên AhÀ Hcp amZIdmWnbmbn hfÀ¶p. Rm³ AdnbmsX ]dªp t]mbn.

 

"" F\n¡p \mWnt¨¨nsb hey Cãvam... Rm³ FhnsS Ccp¶p tN¨n Ae¡p¶Xp I­p Ccpt¶mt« " ""

 

"" Ccpt¶m...Ccpt¶m... ]t£ F\n¡p \nsâ coXn A{X ]nSn¡p¶nÃ. \o F´n\m FhnsS Ccn¡ps¶ ? t]mbn hà sSenhnj³ ]Shpw I­ncn¡m³ tate ? ""

 

"" AXnt\¡mÄ F\n¡nãw tN¨ntb t\m¡nbncn¡p¶XmWp ""

 

AhÀ BZyw H¶p ]I¨p. ]ns¶ tNmZy cq]¯n Fs¶ t\m¡n. apJ¯p Hcp Nncn hnSÀ¶p. t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhcpsS I®pIÄ AI¶ncn¡p¶ Fsâ ImepIÄ¡nSbnte¡p hoWp. Hcp \nanjw AhcpsS I®pIÄ Fsâ s]m§n \n¶p hnd¡p¶ Ip®bn X§n \n¶p. ]ns¶ AhÀ t\sc \n¶p. F¶n«p AhÀv ]dªp.

 

"" hnPbm, \o t]m....F\n¡p hÃmsX hcp¶p. ""

 

"" Rm³ t]mIp¶nÃ.  tN¨ntb ImWpt¼mÄ F\n¡pw hÃmsX hcpw, Fs¸mgpw. Rm³ ChnsS Ccpt¶mfmw. tN¨nbpsS ]Wn \St¶mt« ""

 

jÍn Xncp½ns¡m­ncp¶t¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

 

"" tN¨n jÍnbmtWm CSp¶Xp AtXm Np½m sXmd¶nSpImtWm sN¿pt¶ ?""

 

"" F´m, \n\¡p ImWtWm.... He¡¸dnbpw \o«n ht¨m­p Ccn¡phm a\pjys\ NqSm¡m³.....Rm³ F´n«mepw \n\s¡´m ?""

 

"" AÃm, shdptX H¶p tNmZns¨t¶ DÅp, tN¨nbpsS Ip­osS CSbnepw Ft´m apg¨p \n¡p¶p­v ""

 

"" Ipcp¯w sI«ht\, \o Fsâ Ip­nbpw t\m¡n \S¡pImcpt¶m, \o shfª hn¯mWtÃmSm

 

"" kXyambn«pw ]dbpIm tN¨nbpsS Ip­nIÄ¡p \à `wKnbm, \S¡p¼w sIS¶p Ipep§p¶Xp Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶n«p­v. h\Pt¨¨nsb¡mfpw tN¨nbpsS A½nªIÄ¡mWp IqSpX tiep tXm¶ps¶ "". Rm³ Nq­bn«p.

 

"" Fsâ \à Ime¯p \o Fs¶ I­ncps¶¦n \o C¸dbp¶Xn\p ]Icw \n¶p hmWaSnt¨t\ ""

 

"" AXp Rm³ Cs¸mgpw sN¿p¶p­v, tN¨n ChnsS h¶p apÁw Xq¡ps¼mgpw Ae¡ps¼mgpw Hs¡. ImcWw tN¨nsb ImWp¼w F\n¡p hÃmsX s]cp¯p tIdpw. At¸m Rm³ ]ns¶´p sN¿pw. tZ, Cs¸mÄ Xs¶ tN¨n ImWp¶nsÃ...."

 

Rm³ ap­v icn¡pw AI¯n, Fsâ He¡ t]mse \n¶p XpÅp¶ km[\w AhÀ¡p icn¡p ImWm³ ]mI¯n Ccp¶p. ]I shfn¨¯n Aht\ AhÀ¡p icn¡pw ImWmambncp¶p. Aåt\cw AhÀ AXp t\m¡n. CS¡p Hcp I¿p AhcpsS ap³ hi¯p sIm­p t]mbn H¶p AaÀ¯n, Ft´m Imen¶nSbn XncpIn híp¶ t]mse. CfIn hcp¶ Imaw HXp¡m³ AhÀ ]mSps]SpIbmsW¶p F\n¡p a\Ênembn. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp, ASp¯p sN¶p, AhcpsS NpÁpw H¶p \S¶p, ]ns¶ ]pdIn sN¶p \n¶p. F\n¡p At¸mÄ `b¦c XtâSw tXm¶n. Ip\nªp \n¶p XpWn Deíp¶ AhcpsS Ip­nIfn ]nSn¨p sR¡n. henb Ip­nIÄ BsW¦nepw \à abambncp¶p,  {]mbw Aåw IqSnbXp sIm­mImw. Ip­nIÄ¡nSbn AhcpsS H¶c (Xmdp ap­v) XÅn \n¶ncp¶p.

 

AXv AhÀ¡p icn¡pw Cãs¸«p. hndíp¶ kzc¯n AhÀ ]dªp

 

"" th­ hnPbm, hÃhcpw I­m tamiamWp tamt\ ""

 

]s£ AhÀ Ip\nªp Xs¶ \n¶p XpWn Xncp½ns¡m­ncp¶p. Aåt\cw Fsâ IchncpXv BkzZn¨p. ]ns¶ \nhÀ¶p \n¶p. Fsâ I¿pIÄ ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«p ]dªp.

 

"" FÃm¯n\pw hgnbp­m¡msaSm s]m¶p Ip«m, C¸w \o AhnsS t]mbncn¡v, Rm³ Fsâ ]Wn XoÀ¡s« ""

 

]ns¶ AhÀ icn¡pw tPmen sNbvXp. Rm\pw icn¡p Xs¶ Ahsc Fsâ sNdp¡s\ Xpd¶p ImWn¨p. Ah³ A£a\mbn ap­n\p shfnbn Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p, \mWnt¨¨n¡p ImWm\mbn. tN¨n¡p hÃmsX lcw ]nSn¨p. Aes¡ms¡ s]s«¶p XoÀ¯p. XpWnIÄ DW¡m³ CSm³ Rm\pw klmbn¨p. AXn\nsS ]e {]mhiyw Fsâ Ip«³ AhcpsS icoc¯p sIm­p. At¸msgms¡ AhÀ sR«p¶Xp I­p. tN¨n Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p.

 

" \o cmhnte hÃXpw Ignt¨m.. tamt\..."

 

"" I«³ Im¸n IpSn¨p.... C\n, \mWnt¨¨n thWw hÃXpw Ign¡m³ Xcm³..""

 

"" F¶m hm, Rm³ Xs¶ FSp¯p Xcmw ""

 

AhÀ Xs¶ ASp¡fbn Ibdn Im¸nbpw ]elmc§fpw FSp¯p sh¨p. Ip® hSn t]mse \n¡p¶p­mbncp¶Xp sIm­v hni¸v Imcyambn tXm¶nbnÃ. kabw 11.30 aWn Bbn.  Rm³ Ign¨p sIm­ncp¶t¸mÄ AhÀ Fsâ ASp¯p h¶ncp¶p.

 

"" tam³ Ign¡v... tN¨n FSp¯p Xcmw... F\n¡p tamt\mSp ]nW¡sam¶pw CÃ. F¶mepw \o C{X anSp¡\msW¶p Rm³ hnNmcn¨nÃ. ""

 

Ign¨p F¶p hcp¯n Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. F\n¡v hni¸p Ima¯nsâ Bbncp¶p. IqSpX ]nSn¨p \n¡m³ F\n¡mbnÃ

 

]m{Xw IgpIns¡m­ncp¶ Ahsc Rm³ ]n¶n \n¶pw sI«n¸nSn¨p. B hnbÀ¯ Igp¯n Npw_n¨p. I£¯nsâ CSbn¡qSn I¿pIÄ c­pan«p, »uknsâ ]pd¯p IqSn B c­p h³ apeIfn ]vSn¨aÀ¯n. Fsâ hn{Pw`n¨p \n¶ Ip® AhcpsS Ip­nIfn CSn¨pcp½n. ISn CfIm³ XpS§nb AhÀ Xncnªp \n¶p. Fs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p Hcp {`m´ntbt¸mse Fsâ apJ¯p apgph³ D½IÄ sIm­v s]mXnªp. Rm³ »uknsâ ASnbn¡qSn c­v I¿pw AIt¯¡n«p. AhÀ »uknsâ ASnbnes¯ c­p ]n¶pIÄ Ducn¯¶p. AhcpsS c­p apeIfnepw Rm³ ]nSp¯an«p. BZyambn Hcp kv{XobpsS apeIÄ t\cn«p ]nSn¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ kzÀ¤w t\Snb kpJ¯nembncp¶p. ]nSn¡m³ kuIcy¯n\p sh­n AhÀ »ukpw ape¡¨bpw apIfnte¡p DbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ B tX³ IpS§Ä F\n¡p apgph\mbn Xpd¶p shfnbn In«n. Aåw Xq§nbXmsW¦nepw B XSn¨p sImgp¯ henb apeIÄ¡p \à `wKn tXm¶n.

 

Ahbn Rm³ amdn amdn Npw_n¨p. AhÀ kpJw sIm­p Rc§n.

 

"" IpSn¡p tamt\ tN¨osS c­p A½ntªw Ddp©n Ddp©n IpSns¡Sm Ip«m.......

 

B shfp¯ henb ape¡pS§fpsS \Sphnse Idp¯ henb {hp¯§Ä Xnf§n. B {hp¯§fpsSbpw \Sphn XebpbÀ¯n \n¶ncp¶ ap´ncn¸g§Ä t]msebpÅ sR«pIfn Rm³ Np­aÀ¯n. c­p apeIfpw Rm³ amdn amdn IpSn¡pIbpw ]nSn¨aÀ¯pIbpw sNbvXp.  AhÀ kpJ¯nsâ temI¯n ]d¡m³ XpS§n F¶p a\Ênbmbn. Fsâ Ip® AhcpsS ap³ hi¯p CSn¡pIbmbncp¶p. AhÀ Ahs\ I¿nseSp¯p, c­p I¿pIÄ sIm­pw XtemSns¡m­ncp¶p. AhÀ AhcpsS ap­v c­p hit¯¡pw hIªp amÁn, F¶n«p Ahs\ AhcpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbnte¡p IbÁn. B NqSp XpSIÄ¡nSbn Fsâ tam³ kpJn¨ncp¶p hn§n. AhÀ Ahs\ c­p XpSIÄ sIm­pw AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p.

 

F\n¡p NqSp tIdn. Rm³ Hcp I¿p AhcpsS AhcpsS IhínSbnte¡n«p. apdp¡ns¡«nbncp¶ AhcpsS Xmdpap­nsâ apIfnepw AcnInepw Fsâ hncepIÄ Ft´m At\zjn¨p ]cXn \S¶p.

 

"" tN¨osS c­½ntªw hen¨p IpSns¡Sm s]m¶p tamt\...... c­pw AaÀ¯n sR¡n¯mSm Ip«m ...."

 

AhÀ I®pIÄ ]q«nbS¨p \n¶p kpJn¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ I¿p XpS¡nSbn \n¶pw FSp¯p, AhcpsS apeIfn {]tbmKn¡m³ XpS§n.

 

"" FSm tamt\... \nÀ¯msX IpSns¡Sm..... Fsâ  Cuizcm...... At¿m...... F\n¡p hcps¶Sm.....

 

AhÀ Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw Hcp Is¿Sp¯v AhcpsS hbdn\p apIfn IqSn ap­n¶nSbnte¡nd¡n. AhÀ AhcpsS ]qdn I¿nSpIbmsW¶p F\n¡p a\Ênembn. AhÀ AhnsS AaÀ¯n Xncp½n. B Xncp½epw Fsâ ape{]tbmKhpw IqSn Bbt¸mÄ AhcpsS Aan«p s]m«n.

 

"" F\n¡p Zm h¶p......lbv......Fs´mcp kpJw......ISn¨p hen¨p IpSns¡Sm ""

 

AhÀ Fs¶ kIe iànbpsaSp¯p Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ apJ¯p AhcpsS apJw BkIew Dcp½n. F\n¡p izmkw ap«n. Hcp an\nt«mfw AhÀ B ]cm{Iaw XpSÀ¶p. AXp Ignªt¸mÄ AhcpsS ]nSn Abªp. ]pdtIm«p amdn. AhcpsS apJ¯p IqSn hnbÀ¸p NmepIÄ HgpIn. »ukv BsI \\ªp. hÀj§fmbn  AaÀ¶p InS¶ AhcpsS Imaw DbÀs¯gps¶Áv s]m«ns¯dn¨t¸mÄ AhÀ¡v Bizmkambn. »ukpw ape¡¨bpw Agn¨p Fsâ ap¶n \n¶p Hcp aSnbpw IqSmsX. F¶n«p Xq§n¡nS¶ncp¶ henb apeIÄ c­pw ape¡¨bpsS AI¯m¡n. _p[v[nap«p¶Xp I­t¸mÄ Rm\pw IqSn klmbn¨v  c­ns\bpw AI¯m¡n. CS¡p Rm³ AXnsem¶p sR¡nbt¸mÄ AhÀ \mWn¨ amXncn ]dªp.

 

"" Ct¸mÄ F\n¡nXp aXn. C¡nfnbmIp¶p "".

 

F¶n«p Fsâ I¿pIÄ amÁn, »ukS¨p.

 

F¶n«p AhÀ Fs¶ \nÀ¶ntajbmbn Aåt\cw t\m¡n \n¶p. Ifn Ignª, ]cakpJw A\p`hn¨ Hcp s]®nsâ \µn Rm³ B apJ¯p I­p. C{X Ffp¸¯n Hcp kv{Xosb kpJn¸n¨v XfÀ¯m³ IgnªXn F\n¡v Hcp A`nam\w tXm¶n. Fs¶ ho­pw sI«n¸nSn¨p Np­nsemcp½ X¶p. C\nsb´v F¶ `mh¯n Rm³ Ahsc t\m¡n.

 

"" \osbs¶ icn¡pw kpJn¸n¨p. C\n \n\¡p kpJn¡t­......""

 

s]m§n \n¶ Fsâ enwK¯n ]nSn¨p AhÀ ]Xps¡ XShn.

 

""tamt\...tam³ Cu tai¸pd¯p Ibdn H¶ncpt¶""

 

ASp¡fbn Hcp sNdnb taibpw s_©pw D­mbncp¶p. Rm³ tai¸pd¯p Ibdn Ccp¶p. AhÀ s_©n Fsâ ap¼n Ccp¶p. Fsâ ImepIÄ AI¯n.... ap­p amÁn.... Fsâ a\Ên Imaw I¯n \n¶ncp¶p. AhÀ Fsâ XpWn amÁnbt¸mÄ Xs¶ Fsâ Ip® ho­pw Ccp¼p I¼n amXncnbmbnp. AhÀ B 6 C©p km[\w ]Xps¡ I¿nseSp¯p. AhcpsS hnc kv]Ài\taÁt¸m Xs¶ Ah³ \n¶p hnd¡m³ XpS§n. C¶v  BZyambn«mWp Hcp s]®v Fsâ kmam\w I¿n FSp¡p¶Xv. AhcpsS I¿p hnd¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. B Np­pIfpw. AhÀ Ahs\ ]Xps¡ XtemSn. Hcp Aaqey \n[n s]mse Xmtemen¨p.  F¶n«p ]dªp.

 

"" F{X Imeambn CXpt]mse Hcp Ifnt¡m I¿n FSp¯n«v..... C{Xbpw sNdnb Ip«nbmb \n\¡p FhnSp¶p In«n C{Xbpw henb Ip®t¡m ? Chs\ Rm³ icn¡pw A\p`hn¨nt« \ns¶ Rm³ ChnsS \n¶pw hnSs¯mÅp. A{Xíp Chs\ F\n¡p Cãs¸«p. ""

 

Rm³ AhcpsS sImXn ]d¨n tI«p BkzZn¨ncp¶p. AhÀ ]Xps¡ apJw Xmgv¯n, hoÀ¯p \n¶ncp¶ Ahsâ aIpS¯n AaÀ¯n Npw_n¨p. Fsâ taemkIew tImcn¯cn¨p. C{Xbpw Bbt¸mÄ Fsâ I¿pw Xcn¡m³ XpS§n. Rm³ AhcpsS »uknsâ apIfn \n¶pw AIt¯¡p I¿n«p. c­p I¿p sIm­pw Hcp ape apIfnte¡p s]m¡n, AXn ]nSn¨p sR¡m³ XpS§n. Hcp I¿p sIm­p H¶ns\ Xm§n, atÁ I¿p sIm­p ASp¯ apebpw s]m¡nsbSp¯p. AhcpsS XebpsS c­p hi¯p IqSn B c­p apeIsfbpw sRcn¡m³ {ian¨p.

 

At¸mtg¡pw AhÀ Fsâ Ip®bpsS Xe AhcpsS hmbn B¡nbncp¶p. Hcp  {`m´ntbt¸mse AhÀ AXns\ hngp§m³ XpS§n. apc­v sIm­p AhÀ Fsâ Ip«s\ hmbn C«p Cu¼m³ XpS§n. Ahsâ Igp¯nse aÀ½kvYm\¯p AhÀ \m¡p sIm­v hfªp \¡n. AtXmsSm¸w Ahsâ  \Sp`mKw ]nSn¨p Xmtgm«pw tatem«pw XShn. C¡nfnbpw ckhpw sIm­p Rm³ ]pfªp. Rm³ kpJ¯nsâ ]mcay¯n Bbn. F\n¡p F´p sN¿Ww F¶p AdnbmsX Bbn. BZyambn Fsâ Ip® Du¼ensâ kpJw, hZ\kpcX¯nsâ kpJw A\p`hn¡p¶p.

 

F\n¡p Imaw aq¯p. Fsâ icoc¯nsâ  Hmtcm AWphnepw Imaw I¯n Pzen¨p. AhcpsS apeIfn \n¶pw Rm³ IbvIÄ FSp¯p, AhcpsS XeapSnbn ]nSn¨p Xmtgm«pw tatem«pw s]m¡pIbpw Xmgv¯pIbpw sNbvXp. Fsâ Acs¡«n Aán Pzen¡m³ XpS§n.

 

"tN¨v¨v¨o.....F\n¡p hcp¶v¶p......lm.....hp......"" Rm³ Aedn.

 

tN¨n apc­p sIm­v Du¼Â kv]oUnemB¡n.

 

Hcp \nanjw... Fsâ BZys¯ hZ\kpcX kpJw Rm³ A\p`hn¨p. Fsâ hoÀ¯ Ip® \mWntN¨nbpsS hmípÅnencp¶p AhcpsS A®m¡nte¡p NqSp tX³ NoÁns¡mSp¯p. Ah³ AhcpsS hmbnencp¶p sR«ns¯dn¨psIm­ncp¶p an\n«pItfmfw. AXn\\pkcn¨p tN¨n hen¨p IpSn¡pIbpw sNbvXp.

 

FÃmw Ignªt¸m tN¨n¡pw kam[m\ambn. AhÀ ]Xps¡ Fsâ Ip®sb kzX{´am¡n. Ip«nIÄ sNm«nb _eq¬ hmbn \n¶pw FSp¡p¶ t]mse Fsâ Ipgª Ip«³ tN¨nbpsZ hmbn \n¶pw shfnbn h¶p. AhcpsZ Np­n Fsâ ip¢w XpÅn XpÅnbmbn Ccp¶Xp AhÀ \¡n IpSn¨p ckn¨p.

 

"" C{Xbpw NqSp ]m hfsc¡mew IqSnbmWp Rm³ IpSn¡p¶Xp. \à I«nbpÅ ]memWp \nsâ Cu Acpa¡p®bn ""

 

"" \mWnt¨¨n¡nãs¸t«m Fsâ Ip«\pw Ahsâ NqSp ]mepw ""?

 

"" tN¨n¡p hÃmsX Cãambn......tam³ kpJnt¨m ?"" AhÀ tNmZn¨p.

 

"" Rm³ \¶mbn kpJn¨p. tN¨nbpsS ]nd¶mfn\p Fsâ hIbmbn NqSp ]mbkw In«n AtÃ, tN¨n¡p  C\nbpw kpJn¡tWm... ??

 

"" thWw, ]s£ C\n Ct¸m t\cansÃSm Ip«m.... AhÀ Xncn¨p hcmdmbn. \o C¶p D¨ Ignªp ho«nte¡p hm. Fsâ Imen Ipg¼p ]pc«n XcWw. hfc¡meambn H¶p tX¨p Ipfn¨n«p""

 

"" Rm³ hcmw. Fsâ ]p¶mc tN¨nbsÃ."" Rm³ sI«n¸nSn¨p AhcpsS Np­n Hcp D½ sImSp¯p. B Np­pIfn Fsâ NqSp ip¢¯nsâ cpNn D­mbncp¶p.

 

HmÀ½IÄ - -4  Act§Áw                                          Font: TT-Karthika

 

D¨hsc Rm³ hfsc _p²nap«nbmWp IgnªXv. AhnSs¯ Iq«pImÀ h¶p hnfn¨p \mS³ ]´p Ifn¡m³ t]mIm³. th\¡me¯p hÁn¡nS¡p¶ ]mS¯v \mS³ ]´p Ifn AhnSs¯ ]ntÅcpsS Hcp {][m\ hnt\mZambncp¶p. ]ecpw h¶p hnfn¨n«pw Rm³ t]mbnÃ. kpJanà F¶p ]dsªmgnªp.

 

D¨ Ignªp c­p aWntbmsS A½mh\pw Ipª½mbnbpw (tN¨n) Xncn¨p h¶p. h¶ ]msS Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p.

 

"" hnPbm, R§Ä tlm«en \n¶pw Ign¨p. \o sNmdpt­mSm ""

Rm³ ]dªp "" Rm³ D­p ""

"" F¶m R§Ä H¶p InS¡s«. hÃm¯ bm{Xm£oWw ""

 

Ahcpd§m³ Rm³ Im¯p \n¶p. F¶s¯bpw t]msebÃ, Cs¶mcp IpÁt_m[w. sXÁp sN¿pIbmtWm Fs¶mcp kwibw. CXn\p ap¼p ]e {]mhiyw \mWnb½bpsS ho«n t]mbn«p­v. Znhkw Hcp {]mhiysa¦nepw AhnsS t]mImdpÅXmWp. ImcWw AhnsSbpw Hcp Nc¡p­v, \mWnbt½sS aq¯ aIÄ kckp. Aåw sImSp¸msW¶p tI«n«p­v. shSnbmsW¦nepw Dcp¸Sn sXÁnÃ. ]eÀ¡pw th­n DSpXpWn Agn¡p¶p F¶dnªt¸mÄ BZyw tXm¶nb {]Xn]¯n Ipdªp. F¦nepw shdpsX Ccn¡p¼w ]©mcbSn¡m\pw sIm¨phÀ¯am\w ]dbm\pw DÅ Hcp]m[n, {]tXyIn¨p RmbdmgvNIfnepw, A½mbn Dd§ps¼mgpw Hs¡.  GXmbmepw Ac aWn¡qÀ Im¯p \n¶p, F¶n«p Abet¯s¡mtcm«w.

 

AhnsS sN¶t¸mÄ \mWnt¨¨n am{XtabpÅp. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

"" kctk¨n FhnsS ? ""

"" lvMm, AhÄ amÁn\ns¡¶pw ]dªp SuWnte¡p t]mbn ""

 

G\n¡p a\Ênembn, kctk¨nbpsS amÁn\n, GsX¦nepw \à tImsfm¯p ImWpw. Rm³ hcm´bn \n¶pw AIt¯¡p Ibdn.

\mWntN¨n s]s«¶p IXSI¨n«p apdnbnte¡p t]mbn. Rm\pw ]pdtI sN¶p. Hcp sNdnb ]c¶ Sn³ Fsâ I¿n FSp¯p X¶n«p ]dªp.

"" Cu Ipg¼p s]c«nbm aXn, FÃm thZ\bpw amdpw.""

Rm³ AXp aW¯p t\m¡n. AXn\p km[mcW Ipg¼nsâ bsXmcp aWhpw CÃmbncp¶p. (]n¶osS\n¡p a\Ênembn, AXp \nhnbm Bbncp¶p. kctk¨n¡p Btcm Hcp IÌaÀ sImSp¯Xmbncp¶p).

AhÀ Hcp HÁ ap­pw »ukpw Bbncp¶p [cn¨ncp¶Xv. »ukn\pÅn H¶pw [cn¨ e£WanÃ. ImcWw, apesR«pIfpsS ]pdt¯¡pÅ XÅ »ukn\p shfnbn hyàambn ImWmw.

" tN¨n Ipfn¡m³ t]mIphmtWm ?"

" Mv lm......Imsems¡ Xncp½nbn«v

" tN¨n¡v FhnsSbm Igíps¶ ?"

" F\n¡n¸w taemkIew Igíp¶p­v....BZyw Imte sXmS§mw "

" icn, F¶m Iment§m«p Im«v.."

tN¨n ]Xps¡ I«nen Ccp¶p, ImepIÄ Xmtg¡n«v, ap­p s]m¡n ap«n\p apIfn Npcp«n h¨p. \à shfp¯ ImepIÄ, ap«p hsc \\p\\p¯ Ipd¨p tcma§Ä ASp¯p t\m¡nbm ImWmw. tN¨nbpsS {]mbw icoc¯n Adnbm\nÃ. sXmen H«pw sRmdnªn«nÃ. Chsc t\cs¯ hft¡­Xmbncp¶p, Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, kmcanÃ, Ct¸mÄ Fsâ I¿nemWsÃm. {]mbw apJ¯p Aåw tXm¶pw, _p²nap«p sIm­mbncn¡pw. F\n¡t¸mÄ AhtcmSp kvt\lw tXm¶n¯pS§n. Imensâ shfp¸p Xs¶bmtWm AhcpsS IhínSbnepw F¶p Nn´n¨t¸mÄ Fsâ IhínSbnepw Ne\ XpS§n. AhÀ ]dªp.

"" Ipg¼v Aåw ]pc«nbmÂ, aXn ""

Rm³ \ne¯p Ip¯nbncp¶p, Aåw Ipg¼p sXm­nsbSp¯p, AXv Hcp Imen ]pc«n, Ipds¨Sp¯v ASp¯ Imenepw ]pc«n. ]Xps¡ XShm³ XpS§n. Rm³ ap«p hsc am{Xta t]mbpÅp.

"" Aåw IqSn apIfnte¡mhmw "". tN¨n Bhiys¸«p.

Rm³ ap«n\p apIfn Aåw FSp¯p tX¨p. kuIcy¯n\p th­n ap­v Aåw IqSn AhÀ DbÀ¯n X¶p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ XShm³ XpS§n. tN¨n ]dªp.

"" Ipd¨p IqSn apIfnte¡mhmw "" F¶p ]dªv ap­v XpSIfpsS AÁw hsc sXdp¯p h¨p.

"" AhÀ ImepIÄ ASp¸n¨p h¨ncn¡bmbncp¶p. AIhi¯v F\n¡p I¿n«p XShm³ {]bmkambncp¶p. Rm³ ]dªp.

"" tN¨n Imsem¶I¯n¯cmtam ""

"" C{Xbpw aXntbm tamt\ "" F¶p ]dªv AhÀ ImepIÄ sXm®qdp Un{Knbn AI¯n h¨p.

]I shfn¨¯n Ct¸mÄ F\ns¡Ãmw hyàambn ImWmw. shfp¯ AhcpsS XpSIfpsS kwKa kvYm\¯p Idp¯ Hcp Ipfhn¡qSp amXncn Rm³ I­p, IdpIdp¯ Hcp ]qS¡mSv. Rm³ ap­v Ipd¨p IqSn tatem«p sXdp¯p h¨p.

" tN¨n Cs¸m F´m XmdpSp¡mtª "

" AtX... XmdpSp¯m icn¡p Xncp½m³ ]Á¯nà ".

" Mv.lm, AXp icnbm" Rm\pw k½Xn¨p.

Rm³ ap«pIp¯n \n¶p. Ipd¨pt\cw Rm³ AhcpsS c­p XpSIfpw XgpIn. \à an\pkapÅ XpSIÄ. shbnepw agbpta¡m¯ s]®p§fpsS ta\n`mK§Ä¡p \à `wKnbp­mIpw. XpSIfpsS AIhiw XgpIpt¼mÄ AhÀ¡p C¡nfnbp­mIp¶Xp Rm³ I­p. AhÀ c­v I¿pw ]ndInte¡p Ip¯n ]pdtIm«p Nmªncp¶p. Acs¡«v apt¼m«p XÅn. Ct¸mÄ AhcpsS kmam\w Fsâ ap¼nte¡p Ipd¨p IqSn ASp¯p. "tN¨n¡p Bizmkw tXm¶p¶pt­m" Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

"IptdtÈ tXm¶p¶p­v. \o H¶psS tatem«p tIÁn XShnt¡ "" AhÀ Xe ]pdtIm«n«v I®S¨ncp¶p. Rm³ c­p I¿pw AhcpsS XpSIfpsS kwKakvYm\t¯¡m¡n. Fsâ IbvIÄ Aåw hnd¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. PohnX¯nemZyambn Hcp ]qdn sXmSpIbmWp. Zqsc \n¶p I­v sImXn¨XÃmsX ASp¯v ImWm³ CtXhsc ]Ánbn«nÃ.

" F´mSm \n\s¡mcp ]cn{`aw t]mse ".

" ]qtSw ]qdpw Zqtc¶p I­nt«bpÅp, Ipfn¡Shn h¨v. tN¨n Rm³ Cu ]qtStem¶p sXmt«mt« "

" tam³ sXmSpsIm Xn¶psIm F´p thtWepw sNbvtXm. tN¨n AXn\sà tamt\ C¸w  Imepw Ih¨p sXmd¶p sh¨ncn¡ps¶.."

AhÀ I«nente¡p InS¶p, ImepIÄ Xmtg¡m¡n. ap­nsâ Ip¯gn¨v N´n s]m¡n ap­v hen¨p amÁn Xmtg¡n«p. Blv...Ct¸mÄ AhcpsS XSn¨ kmam\w IhínSbn ]qStbmSp IqSn ImSp]nSn¨ Hcp Zzo]p t]mse s]m§n \n¶p. XSn¨ Ip­nIÄ BÁnbn AaÀ¶p ]c¶p InS¶p. Npcp§n¡qSnbncn¡p¶ Idp¯ IqXn hyàambn. Ac apX IqXns¸m«n\p NpÁpw hsc B tcma¡mSv hym]n¨p InS¶p. Rm³ c­p Ibv sIm­pw XpSbcnIn \n¶pw B ]qSípÅnte¡p hnc tImÀ¯p s]m¡n. `b¦c ImSv. Npcp­ tcma§Ä \nhÀ¶t¸mÄ Hcp \mens©¦nepw \ofw ImWpw. hmk\ tkm¸nsâ aWw AhnsS \n¶pw Fsâ aq¡neSn¨p. F\n¡p th­n AhÀ Ih \¶mbn tkm¸n«p {hp¯nbm¡nbncp¶p.

" tN¨osS km[\w ]qS ImcWw ImWmt\ ]Áp¶nà ""

" ]qS amÁn t\m¡Sm tamt\, \nsâ ]qÀ AhnsS¯s¶ Ds­Sm Ip«m "

Rm³ \o­ B tcma¡mSv c­p hit¯¡pw hIªp amÁn. CXn\nSíp Ft¶¡mÄ aps¼ F\n¡p ImWWw F¶p hmin ]nSn¨psIm­v HcmÄ Fsâ ap­n\pÅn tZjys¸«p \n¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. Rm³ Ahs\ Hcp Ibv sIm­p ]nSn¨p XtemSn. aIpS¯n \n¶pw sXmen amÁn Igp¯n\p NpÁpw H¶p XShn F¶n«p H¶p ]Xps¡ sR¡n. AXh\p hfsc ]nSn¨p , Ah\p _ew IqSn. ]qdp ImWm\pÅ sImXn sIm­v Ahsâ ]n©phmbn \n¶pw shÅw XpÅn XpÅnbmbn hcp¶p­mbncp¶p.

 

Hcp Icn¼qdp, \mWnbt½sS, BZyambn Rm³ ASp¯p I­p. AhcpsS ISnXew hfsc hnkvXmcapÅXmbncp¶p. icocw shfp¯XmsW¦nepw A½¨n¸qdn\p \oe IeÀ¶ Idp¸mbncp¶p. apIÄ`mK¯p Ft´m \of¯n Ipd¨p Xmsg hsc s]m´n ImWmw. AXn\p Xmsg Ipd¨p \of¯n sN¼c¯n sam«p t]mse Fs´ms¡tbm Npcp­p IqSnbncn¡p¶Xp ImWmw. AXn\p Xmtgm«v Idp¯ IqXnbpsS sXm«p apIÄ hsc Hcp Iod I­p. Rm³ Aå \nanjw AsXÃmw t\m¡nbncp¶p. B Ccp­ ]qÀ¨men Rm³ Xmtgípw apIfnteípw hnctemSn¨p. {apZphmbn XtemSpt¼mÄ Fs´ms¡sbm hncepIfn XSbp¶p. sImfw_kv Atacn¡ I­p]nSn¨ t]mse " Rm³ ]qdp It­...."  F¶p hnfn¨p Iqhm³ F\n¡p tXm¶n.

" \osbs´Sp¡phmSm, sImtXmw ]qdpw I­n«v A´n¨p t]mtbm? BZyambn«p ImWpImcn¡pw Atà ?"

" AsX. Rm³ C\n tN¨nsb ]®t«? Fsâ Kpem³ tZ \à _e¯n s]m§n \n¡phm"

" BZyambn«p ]qdp ImWp¶ \n\¡p ]®m\dnbmthmSm ?"

" Adnbmw, BgvN]Xn¸nepw, sIm¨p]pkvXI¯nepw Hs¡ F§s\bm ]®pt¶¶v FgpXnbXv Rm³ hmbn¨ns«m­v "

" F¶m \o ]d, tIÄ¡s«"

" Kpems\ sXmen¨v ]nSn¨p sXmtfep h¨n«p apt¼m«pw ]pdtIm«pw XÅnbSn¡Ww. Ipd¨p t\cw ASn¡p¼w c­p t]À¡pw kvJe\w D­mIpw, F\n¡p ip¢w hcpw, tN¨n¡p tX\pw hcpw""

AhÀ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. Nncn¨t¸mÄ Fsâ Iíogn Ccp¶ AhcpsS N¡¸qdp _eq¬ amXncn tatem«v XÅnbXv Rm\dnªp. \à NqSp­mbncp¶p AhcpsS kmam\¯n\t¸mÄ.

" \o Ip«nbmSm tams\, tN¨n \ns¶ FÃmw ]Tn¸n¨p Xcmw "

AhÀ »uknsâ ]n¶pIÄ Ducn, B s]cpapeIsf kzX{´am¡n. »ukn\pÅn AhÀ H¶pw [cn¨pcp¶nÃ. \à shfp¯ henb apeIÄ. aeÀ¶p InS¶ncp¶Xp sIm­v Aåw ]c¶ncp¶p. FhnsS¯pS§Ww F¶dnbmsX Rm³ hnjan¨p. F\ns¡Ãmw H¶n¨p Xn¶Ww F¶p tXm¶n. AhcpsS XpSIÄ H¶p IqSn AI¯nh¨p. Ip\nªv A Icphmfn¨ ]qdn AaÀ¯n Hcp½ h¨p. tcma§Ä apJ¯pcknsb¦nepw, A ]qÀ¨men Rms\sâ Npt­mSn¨p. {lpZyamb Hcp aWw B ]qdn\t¸mÄ D­mbncp¶p. AhÀ InS¶p ]pfbm³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ Rm³ B Idp¯ IqXnbn Hcp hnc sXm«p. AhnsS \n¶pw apIfnte¡p hnctemSn¨p. Iodense¯nbt¸mÄ AdnbmsX hnc DÅnte¡p Ibdnt¸mbn. Rm³ hnc apgph\mbn XÅpIbpw FSp¡pIbpw sNbvXp. \à hgphgp¸p­mbncp¶p AhnsS. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨n¡p shÅw ht¶m ?"

" shÅw AsÃSm Ip«m, AXp ]qdn\p kt´mjw hcpt¼m Dudnhcp¶ ISn\ocm, Ip® Ffp¸¯n XÅnt¡Ám³ th­n "

" A¸w CXm tN¨osS IhíntSse sXmf, Atà ""

" AtXSm tamt\""

AhÀ CXn\nsS c­p Ibv sIm­pw kz´w apeIsf XtemSm\pw sR¡m\pw XpS§n. Rm³ hnc DucnsbSp¯p. hnc apgph³ ]qÁnse sImgp¯ shÅambncp¶p. AXp Rms\m¶p \¡n t\m¡n. sNdnb D¸pckhpw \à sImgp¸pw. ]ns¶ AsXsâ ap­n XpS¨p. kmam\¯nsâ \Sphn Npcp­p InS¶ sN¼c¯n sam«n ]nSn¨p hen¨p s]m¡n. NpcpfpIÄ \nhÀ¶p h¶p, c­p B\s¨hn t]mse AXp hepXmbn, Fs´mcp hnkvXmcapÅ \of³ sNhnIÄ.

" AXmWp tams\ tN¨osS ]qÀ¨p­pIÄ "

" CsX´m C§s\ Icphmfn¨ncn¡ps¶ ? sameípw sXmSípw Hs¡ Fs´mcp s\dam...."

" AXv.. \ntâXp amXncnbpÅ B\¡p®Ifp tIdnsbd§nbn«m "

" Rm³ CXp H¶p N¸n t\m¡t«, tN¨n¡nãmIpthm "

" tamsâ Cãw t]mse N¸nt¡m "

Rm³ Ip\nªp B sNhnIÄ Fsâ Np­p sIm­p hen¨p hmbnem¡n N¸n. dºÀ joÁv N¸p¶ t]msebp­mbncp¶p. AhÀ sRfn]ncn sImÅm³ XpS§n. CS¡p Rm³ I­p Aåw ]nfÀ¶ncp¶ ]qÀ¨mensâ Xmg¯p \n¶pw Ddh t]mse tX³ HgpIp¶Xp. AXv B hnShnÂIqSn Hen¨p AhcpsS IqXnbnte¡pw ]ns¶ s_Ínte¡pw HgpIn hoWp.

" N¸nbXp aXn... .. .. C\n It´ ]nSns¡Sm tams\, .. .. \o CXp It­mSm, CXmWp s]®nsâ \n[n, I´v ". CXpw ]dªv AhÀ ]qÀ¨mensâ taeÁ¯p­mbncp¶ XÅn\n¶ sNdnb sam«n sXm«p.

Rm³ AXn \¡m\mbn Ip\nªt¸mÄ AhÀ ]dªp.

" \nÃv,  CXp I´v Hfn¨ncn¡p¶ IqSmcam. tZ ChfmWp I´pdmWn " F¶n«hÀ c­p I¿psSbpw Nq­phncepw \Sphncepw sIm­v ]qÀNp­pIÄ c­v hit¯¡pw hen¨p ]nSn¨p ]ns¶ XÅhncepIÄ sIm­v B IqSmcw apIfnte¡p sX¶n¨p hen¨p amÁn. AhnsS Rm³ I­p, ]Xp§n¡nS¡p¶, Ac C©n Xmsg \ofw hcp¶, Cfw tdmkv \ndapÅ I´v F¶ \n[n. henb Hcp ]bÀaWn t]mse. hmhensâ NndIpIÄ t]mse c­v hit¯¡pw tbm\oZf§Ä henªp \n¶t¸mÄ \mWnbt½sS Icn¼qdnsâ AIw \à Nph¶ sdmkm¸qhp amXncn tXm¶n¨p.

Rm³ B I´p]bdn H¶p sXm«p. AhÀ H¶p sR«n. AhÀ apc­psIm­p ]dªp.

"tams\, Hma\¡t´Â \¡Sm, \nsâ Cu tN¨nsb H¶p \¡n kpJn¸ns¡sâ I®m...."

]ns¶ Rm³ aSn¨nÃ. AhcpsS I¿p amÁn, ]qdp Rm³ Xs¶ hen¨I¯n ]nSn¨p, I´n \mhn«p \¡m³ XpS§n. CSíp Xmgv`mKt¯¡pw \¡m³ ad¶nÃ. F\n¡pw Ig¸v aq¯p XpS§nbncp¶p. ]qdnsâ DÅnte¡pw \mhn«p \¡n. \à sh® s\bv¸m{X¯n \m¡nSp¶Xp t]mse D­mbncp¶p. Fs´mcp {apZpXzw. tatem«pw Iotgm«pw \¡n, I´p Np­p sIm­v hen¨o¼n. \à kpJambncp¶p AXp Cu¼m³. \¡pt´mdpw I´n\p hen¸hpw abhpw hcm³ XpS§n, \ndw shím\pw. ]ns¶ Ibv hn«p apJw sIm­v ]qdp hnSÀ¯n ]nSn¨p. sN¼c¯n¸q t]mse hnSÀ¶v hm ]nfÀ¶ncp¶ AhcpsS aZ\s]mbvIbnÂ, hgphgp¯ Imat¯³ DdhbmsbmgpIn ]I shfn¨¯n ]qdn¶Iw I®mSnt]mse Xnf§n. Rm³ Hcp Ibv apIfnte¡pbÀ¯n, apeIfn ]nSn¨p sR¡n. Idp¯ ape¡®pIÄ I«nbmbn. ape sR«pIÄ IÃp t]msebmbn. AhÀ Acs¡«p s]m¡n Fsâ apJt¯¡pbÀ¯n, Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v ]qdnte¡aÀ¯n ]nSn¨p.

" Fsâ s]m¶p tams\, \¡Sm, \¡n IpSns¡Sm, ....Fsâ Cuizcm....F{X ....\mfmbn... Fsâ Ip«m Rm³ CXpw sht¨m­ncn¡p¶p..... F\n¡p ht¿....Mlm.....Fsâ N¡c¡p«m.. tN¨osS Hma\¡´p ISn¨p Xns¶Sm... \nÀ¯msX \¡v.....hen¨p IpSns¡Sm......

AhÀ¡p Imaw sIm­p {`m´nfInb t]mse tXm¶n. Imep c­psaSp¯v s]m¡n AhÀ Fs¶ hcnªp apdp¡n. F\n¡p izmkw ap«n. F¦nepw Rm³ \nÀ¯nbnÃ. F\n¡pw \à ckambncp¶p. Fsâ ]dnbpw Ig¸p sIm­v henbpIbmbncp¶p. Ipd¨p t\cw Rm³ Cu ]Wn XpSÀ¶p. AhcmsI CfIn.

"F\n¡n¸w..... hcpw..... Fsâ... Ip«m....hnPbm......tN¨n¡p hcps¶Sm.......Mlm.....hq........ lt½......lmmm...booooo.... .....!!!

AhÀ H¶p henªp apdpIn, Fsâ Xe AaÀ¯n A\¡msX ]nSn¨p. Acs¡s«m¶p s]m¡n sh«n¨p, ]ns¶ Xmgv¶p. A NqSp ]qÁn\IXncp¶ Fsâ apJt¯¡pw \mhnse¡pw Np­nte¡pw AhcpsS NqSp tX³ NoÁn. hn«p hn«v AhÀ Fsâ apJw AaÀ¯n. {ItaW AhcpsS Cdp¡ensâ iIXn Ipdªp, ImepIÄ Abªp, Fsâ Xebnse ]nSn hn«p. c­p I¿pw I«nente¡n«, k{dz iànbpw tNmÀ¶p t]mb t]mse InS¶p. hn¡n hn¡n AhÀ ]dªp.

" Fsâ...... BbpÊn Ct{Xw.........Ct{Xw.....\à ......kpJw.......henbIf¯nte........ Nm­n¡pªp .......amt{X.... X¶n«pÅp........At§cp ......Fsâ It´Â .......IsÅmgn¨p \¡n....¡pSn¨t¸m....am{Xta.....Ct{Xw .....kpJn¨n«pÅp. ......C¶p ...\osbs¶ .......kpJw sIm­p .....sIms¶Sm.....Ip«m........."

Rm³ AhcpsS kmam\¯n \n¶pw apJapbÀ¯n. tNmÀs¶men¡p¶ B ]qdp ]nfÀ¯n t\m¡n. AXnsâ AIhi§Ä At¸mgpw CSínSíp XpSn¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. kmam\amsI sImgp¯ ]m sIm­p \ndªncp¶p. AhcpsS ISn AS§pIbmbncp¶p F¶v F\n¡p a\Ênembn. ]qdnsâ hnÅensâ AcnInepÅ ]qS H«n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. Fsâ apJ¯pw AhcpsS aZ\Pew ]Ánbncp¶p. AhcpsS tbm\nbn \n¶pw Ipd¨p ]m hncepsIm­p tXm­nsbSp¯v Fsâ Ip®bn tX¨p XShn. Ip® I¿nseSp¯p ImWn¨v Rm³ ]dªp.

" tN¨n, C\n F\ns¡m¶p ]®Ww "

" Fsâ ]p¶mctam³ F{X thtWepw ]®ns¡m.... \nsâ tN¨nbpsS Ba¸qdp tZs­....]n¶mÀ¡mSm... .. ..

AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp s_Ínte¡p Ibdn InS¶p. ImepIÄ AI¯n h¨n«p c­p I¿pw \o«n ]dªp.

" hm tamt\, Fsâ tZlt¯m«p sIS¡v......"

Rm³ I«nente¡p Ibdn. AhcpsS Imen¶nSíp ap«pIp¯n apt¼m«v Nmªv IbvIÄ c­pw apeIÄ¡ncphi¯pw Ip¯n \mepImen \n¶p. Fsâ Kpemsâ AÁw AhcpsS kmam\¯n ap«n. Rm³ AhcpsS apesR«pIfn Npt­mSn¨p.

" " tam\p A½nª IpSn¡tWm... IpSnt¨m... "

Hcp apesbSp¯v Fsâ hmbn h¨p X¶p. Rm³ ape hen¨p IpSn¡m³ XpS§n. CSíp Fsâ ]Ãp sIm­Xp sIm­mImw AhÀ ]dªp.

" tÈm...ISn¡msX......""

F¶n«hÀ Xmtg¡p Is¿¯n¨v  Ipe¨p Xq§n InS¡p¶ Fsâ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. Ahs\ H¶p XtemSn, sR¡n t\m¡n.

"Mqw.....De¡ amXncnbmbtÃm..... .CsXsâ kmam\w Iodpsa¶m tXm¶ps¶.......F´mbmepw AIt¯íp tIÁv...."

Rm³ XÅn. ]t£ Ah³ e£y kvYm\w In«msX hgphgp¸mbn InS¡p¶ N¡bpsS apIfn At§m«pant§m«pw sX¶n. c­v aq¶p {]mhiyambt¸mÄ AhÀ Xs¶ Hcp Ibv sIm­v Ahsâ Xe]nSn¨p, atÁ I¿p sIm­p ]qdp s]mfn¨p ]nSn¨p IhmS¯nte¡p ap«n¨p h¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" BZyambXp sIm­m, Ah\p amfw Adnbm¯Xv...C\n XÅv......"

Rm³ Xmtgíp XÅn. lm...Fs´mcp A\p`qXn. ]dªdnbn¡m³ h¿m¯ Hcn¡nfn Fsâ Kpem\nÂIqSn Acs¡«p hgn Fsâ taemkIew Acn¨p Ibdn. \\ªpIpXnÀ¶p InS¶ tbm\oZzmc¯nte¡p Ah³ sX¶n¡bdn. sNdpNqSpÅ sh®íI¯p Ibdnb {]XoXn. AhÀ ImepIfSp¸n¨p, tbm\oaknepIÄ Aåw Cdp¡n. kvt]m©p sIm­aÀ¯p¶ t]msebpÅ kpJw. Rm³ Xmtgm«p ho­pw XÅn. Fsâ ]dn IS hsc B NqSp ]qdn\pÅnembn. Ah³ AhnsSbncp¶p sR«m³ XpS§n. F\n¡\§m³ ]Áp¶nÃ. A{Xíp hÃm¯ kpJw. Bekytam ]mchiytam, Fsâ Ip® apgph\pw B ]qdp sIm­p s]mXnªncn¡p¶tÃm Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ Fsâ kpJw iXKpWo`hn¨p. Rm³ AhcpsS apeIÄ¡nSbn Fsâ apJw ]qgv¯nh¨v ]dnbn«\¡m³ XpS§n. AhÀ Fsâ Xe ]nSn¨p s]m¡n, Fsâ apJ¯p Npw_n¨psIm­p ]dªp.

" DucnbSn¡p Ip«m......"

Rm³ Ibv Ip¯n\n¶p Ip® Ducn, ho­pw XÅn, Fs´mcp kpJw...c­p aq¶p ASn Ignªt¸mÄ Fsâ Rc¼pIÄ henªp apdpIm³ XpS§n. F\n¡p ]nSnn¨p \nÂIm³ ]Áp¶nÃ, Fsâ AW s]m«pw F¶p a\Ênembn. " tN¨o....F\n¡n¸vw hcpw......tZ hcp¶q......At¿m.. tN¨o...."

" sXcpsXsc ASns¡Sm...As§m«p hcs«...Fsâ Ip«\p......."

AhÀ Acs¡«p s]m¡nbSp¸n¨p X¶p. hfsc hnjan¨p Rm³ H¶p IqSn DucnbSn¨p. At¸mÄ Rm\dnbmsX Fsâ AW s]m«n. AXn \n¶pw ip¢[mc AhcpsS Icn¼qdnsâ AKm[Xbnte¡p BsªmgpIn. AhÀ Fs¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n]nSn¨v D½ h¨psIm­ncp¶p. AXnt\msSm¸w tbm\n sIm­p Fsâ Kpems\ Cdp¡n¸nSn¡pIbpw Acs¡«p tatem«p XÅn¯cnIbpw sNbvXp. shÅw t]mIp¶X\pkcn¨p, Rm³ Ip® A\¡ns¡m­ncp¶p. B t\cs¯ kpJw,  Fsâ BZys¯ ]®en \n¶pÅ kpJw, ]n¶oSp H¯ncn ]®nsb¦nepw, C¶pw Rmt\mÀ½n¡p¶p.

Hcp an\nÁn IqSpX Fsâ emhm {]hmlw \o­p \n¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ AhcpsS apIfnte¡p hoWp. AhnsS InS¶p InX¨p. AhÀ Fsâ ]pd¯p XtemSn.

" s]s«¶p h¶p tN¨n...ASn¡m³ ]ÁnbnÃ..."

" kmcanÃ, BZyambn«v ]qÁn\I¯p híp¼w NneÀ¡v  A§ns\bm....s]s«¶p t]mIpw.. ]ns¶ ]ns¶  AhÀ ]®ensâ Bim·mcmIpw....ISnbpÅ s]®p§Ä AhÀ¡p th­n Im¯p\n¡pw.."

Aåw Ignªp Rm³ Ip® ]qÁnÂ\n¶pw hen¨qcn. hmSnb tN¼n³ X­p t]mse Ah³ Ducnt¸m¶p. DÅn \n¶pw Ahsâ Xe shfnbn NmSnbt¸mÄ ""¥Iv"" Fs¶mcp iÐw tI«p. Rm³ t\m¡nbt¸mÄ AhcpsS ]qdp Nph¶ hmbpw s]mfn¨p Xpd¶ncn¡pIbmWp. AXn \n¶pw Fsâ ip¢w IptdtÈ Hen¨p AhcpsS IqXnbnepw s_Ínepw hoWp..

" tN¨o, tZs­ kmam\¯o¶p shÅw Hen¨p s_tÍ hogp¶p....."

" kmcanà " AhÀ ImeSp¸n¨t¸mÄ Xpd¶ncp¶ ]qdnsâ hmbSªp.

AhÀ ap­v X¸nsbSp¯p, kmam\w XpS¨p.

" enÁdp IW¡ns\mgn¨tÃmSm,,,, sXmS¨n«pw sXmS¨n«pw ]nt¶w HgpIn hcpImWtÃm "

CXpw ]dªp ap­pSp¯p. »uknsâ ]n¶pIÄ Ip¯n. Rm\pw Fsâ ep¦n sIm­v Fsâ ]dnbpw NpÁp]mSpw XpS¨p.

" tN¨o, tZs­ kmam\¯o¶p shÅw Hen¨p s_tÍ hogp¶p....."

" kmcanà AhÀ ap­v X¸nsbSp¯p kmam\w XpS¨p. F¶n«v ap­pSp¯p. »uknsâ ]n¶pIÄ Ip¯n. Rm\pw Fsâ ep¦n sIm­v Fsâ ]dnbpw NpÁp]mSpw XpS¨p. \ndw a§nb s_Ínsâ AcnInepw \Sp`mK¯pw R§fpsS Ifn¡d hoWn«p­mbncp¶p.

" Rms\m¶p Ipfn¨n«p hcmw...F¶n«p Im¸n A\¯n¯cmw....Act§Áw IgnªXtà tam\hnsS Ccn¡v...."

Abbn InS¶ tXmÀ¯psaSp¯v AhÀ Ipfn¸pcbnte¡p t]mbn.

Rm³, aphis¯ IXIp Xpd¶n«p. F¶n«p hcm´bn Cd§nbncp¶v AhnsS InS¶ hmcnIsbSp¯v adn¨p t\m¡nsIm­ncp¶p. apJNn{X¯nse kpµcns]®ns\ t\m¡n. F¶mWp Cu ]S¯nse amXncn Hcp kpµcnsb Ifn¡m³ ]ÁpI. a\Ên Fsâ BZys¯ ]®ensâ kpJhpw Ipfncpambncp¶p. cmhnes¯ hZ\kpcXhpw Ct¸mgs¯ I¶n ]®epw PohnX¯nse BZym\p`h§fmbncp¶p.

 

Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ kctk¨n h¶p. tdmkv kezmdpw I½okpamWp thjw. Zp¸« Ae£yambn tXmfnen«n«p­v. AXp ImcWw XesbSp¯p \nÂIp¶ apeIÄ shÃphnfn¨p \n¡p¶p. Bcp I­mepw H¶p t\m¡pw. Rm³ a\ÊntemÀ¯p. \à Dcp¸Sn Xs¶, A\p`hn¡p¶h³ `mKyhm³. AÃ, A½bpw tamiaÃm¶p a\ÊnembtÃm. ]ns¶ tamÄ F§s\ tamiamIpw.

 

""Blm...hnPbt\m...\osb¸gmSm hs¶..... At½..... .At½.... Cu A½sbhnsS t¸mbns¡S¡phm...?"

 AhfIt¯¡p IS¶p.

" A½ Ipfn¡phm...kctk¨n " Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp.

" Mv.tl, CXmcm Fsâ {Iow FSp¯nhnsS ht¨....A½bmtWm.....?" Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ kckp Fs¶ hnfn¨p.

" hnPbm, \o C§p ht¶...." Rm³ AIt¯¡p sN¶p. AhÄ Fsâ apJt¯¡pw s_Ínte¡pw amdn amdn t\m¡n. F¶ns«t¶mSp tNmZn¨p.

" \osb¸gmSm hs¶...."

" C¨nsc t\cambn..."

" C¨ntc¶p ]dªmÂ....Hcp aWn¡qdmtbm...?"

" B...Bbn¡mWpw..."

" F¶n«p \o ChnsS Fs´Sp¡phmcp¶p. ..?"

"\mtWy¨n¡p Imep Igíp¶p F¶p ]dªp. Cu {Ioan«p Imep Xncp½n¯cmthm¶p tNmZn¨p. Rm³ C¨nsc t\cw Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. Ipfn¨n«p h¶ns«\n¡p Im¸n Xcmsa¶p ]dªp. AtXm­p Rm\nhnsS Ccps¶t¶bpÅp "

" F¶n«v At½sS Ig¸p amdntbm " hÃm¯ Hcp t\m«t¯msS AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

" AXhtcmSp tNmZn¡v. kctk¨nsbs¶ F´m hnkvXcn¡phmt¶m...? F\n¡p ipwTn h¶p.

]ns¶bpw AhÄ s_Ínte¡p t\m¡n.

F¶n«v Fsâ ASpt¯¡p h¶p.

" hnPbm, kXyw ]d, ChnsS \o Fs´Sp¡phmcp¶p. ?"

" l !..]dªnsÃ, shdptX Ccn¡phmcps¶¶v.."

" AÃ, \o shfªh\msW¶p BZyw I­t¸msg F\n¡dnbmw. t\cp ]dtªm.. AtÃÂ \nsâ c­p sNhnbpw Rm³ s]m¶m¡pw " CXpw ]dªv AhÄ Fsâ c­p sNhnbnepw ]nSn¨p Xncp½m³ XpS§n. F\n¡htfmfw s]m¡ap­p, Hcn©p IqSpXse¦nte DÅp. F\n¡p thZ\n¡m³ XpS§n. Rm³ ]dªp.

"kctk¨o, F\n¡p hÃmsX t\mhp¶p. sNhntb¶p hnSv.."

" kXyw ]dbmsX Rm³ hnS¯nÃ". AhÄ ]nSn IqSpX apdp¡n. F\n¡p `b¦cambn«p thZ\n¨p. D¯cw ap«n¡p¶ tNmZyhpw. F\n¡p Ien h¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ H¶pw t\m¡nbnÃ. c­p I¿pw sIm­p, IqÀ¯p s]m§n \n¡p¶ apeIfn ]nSp¯an«p. \à abapÅ apeIfmbncp¶p. I¿n HXp§nbnsænepw apdp¡n ]nSn¨Xp sIm­p ]nSn In«n. ]nSn¨p sR¡n sRcn¨p.

" BMv lm...A{Xímtbm...hjf³...Is¿Sps¡Sm...."

" Fsâ It¿¶p hnSv..F¶mseSp¡mw"

" hnPbm, \nt¶mSp Is¿Sp¡m\m ]dsª "

" Fsâ sNhntb¶p hnSmsX Rm³ Is¿Sp¡¯nÃm...."

AhÄ¡pw thZ\n¨p ImWpw. Fsâ sNhntbepÅ ]nSn Abªp. Rm³ apeIfnepÅ ]nSn Ab¨p. ]t£ Is¿Sp¯nÃ. s]s«¶p AhÄ ho­pw ]nSn apdp¡n. Rm\pw apeIfn _eambn sR¡n.

" At¿m.. Cu t]m{In..CXp sR¡n s]m«n¡pw..hnsSSm..."

Rm³ hn«nÃ. ]ns¶ _eambn«p B kvt]m©p apeIfn tlmWSn¡m³ XpS§n.

 

" F´m ChnsS Hcp _lfw " \mWnb½ shfnbn \n¶pw hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. R§Ä c­pw ]nSn hn«p. AhÀ apdnbnte¡p Ibdn.

" G´mSo... F´m Imcyw.?"

" Ch³ ChnsS Fs´Sp¡pImcp¶p F¶p tNmZn¨Xm."

" Ah³ ChnsS Fsâ Imsem¶p Xncp½n¯¶p. \osb´m C¶p t\cs¯"

" Hm, ]Sw ckanÃmbncp¶p, Hcp doep Ignªt¸m Rm\n§p t]m¶p "

" Mqw..." Ahscm¶p aqfn. (AsXmcp tImUp `mjbmbncp¶p) ]ns¶ ]dªp. "\o Im¸nbnSv."

" F\n¡p Im¸n th­ "

Rm³ ]pds¯¡nd§n \S¶p. kckp ]pdtI h¶p. apÁ¯nsâ \Ssb¯nbt¸mÄ ]Xps¡ tNmZn¨p.

" hnPbm, C\ow Rm³ sNhn¡p ]nSn¨m \o Fsâ ape¡p ]nSn¡psam ""

" XoÀ¨bmbpw ]nSn¡pw "

" A§s\bmsW¦n.. \nsâ sNhn¡p Rm³ icns¡m¶p ]nSn¡p¶p­v "

 CXpw ]dªv Hcp NncntbmsS AhÄ Xncnªp \S¶p. F\ns¡m¶pw a\ÊnembnÃ.

 

Rm³ ho«n sN¶t¸mÄ h\tP¨n hcm´bn Xs¶ D­v. Fs¶ I­ ]msS tNmZn¨p.

" CXp hsc \o A{]¯mbncp¶p AtÃ... ? Fs´Sp¡phmcp¶p CXp hsc ?"

" \mWnb½¡p Imep Ig¡p¶p F¶p ]dªp. C¨nsc Ipg¼n«p Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p "

"IqSpX At§m«Sp¡­. AXn\p ]Ánb Iq«§fà t]cp No¯bmIpw. .]dtª¡mw. hm,  h¶p Im¸n IpSn¡v."

tN¨n Dcp­ N´nIfpw Ipep¡n ASp¡fbnte¡p \S¶p. AXp t\m¡n shÅand¡ns¡m­v Rm\pw ]pdsI \S¶p.

HmÀ½IÄ - -5

]ntÁ Znhkhpw cmhnte h\tP¨n (A½mbn) shfp¸n\p A¼e¯n t]mIm³ th­n Fsâ apdnbn h¶p XpWn X¸n. Aeamcnbn t\m¡pt¼mgpw tN¨nbpsS Hcp I®v Fsâ s]m§n \n¡p¶ Kpem\nembncp¶p. Xe hgn aqSn¸pX¨ ep¦n¡pÅn¡qSn F\n¡p ImWmambncp¶p tN¨nbpsS ]cm{Ia§Ä. Rm³ Fsâ Ip® icn¡pw DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p, ]t£ ep¦n¡I¯mbncp¶p F¶p am{Xw. IqSmcaSn¨p \n¡p¶ Fsâ ap³`mKt¯¡p Xs¶ t\m¡n tN¨n H¶p c­p {]mhiyw At§m«pant§m«pw \S¶p. Ahkm\w IXIn\p adªp \n¶p Aå \nanjw t\m¡p¶Xpw I­p. tN¨n A¼e¯nte¡p Xncn¨ DSs\ Rm³ {]`mX{IpXy§seÃmw \S¯n, H¶p IqSn ab§n. ab¡¯n Rm³ Fsâ sN¡s\ tN¨nbpsS a¯§m¨´nbn Dcíp¶Xpw AhÀ AXp ]nSn¨p Xmtemen¡p¶Xpw Hs¡ Rm³ kz]v\w I­p. ISbn t]mIm³ Xbmdmbn \n¡p¶ A½mhsâ iÐw tI«mWp Rm³ DWÀ¶Xv.

 

" GSo hnPb³ CtXhsc HWÀ¶ntÃ..... C¶se Ahsâ At½w A\nb¯nbpw ItS h¶mbncp¶p. Ch³ tN«âhnSmsW¶m Ahcp IcpXnbncp¶Xv. ]ns¶ Rm³ ]dªt¸mgm Ahcdnbps¶, Ah³ ChnSmsW¶v. s]§Ä ]dªp,  Aht\ At§m«p hnSm³.... icn F¶p Rm\pw ]dªp. F´m Ah³ t]ms«, Asà "".

Fsâ DÅn Hcp sR«Â. tN¨n ]dªm Fsâ kpJhmkw tKm]n.

"" Hm.., Ah³ h¶n«p ]¯p Znhkatà BbpÅp. F\n¡p Ah³ ChnsS Ds­¦n an­m\pw ]dbm\pw Hcp Iq«m. kvIqÄ sXmd¡p\ hsc \n¡t« ""

Aåt\cs¯ \niÐXíp tijw A½mh³ ]dbp¶Xp tI«p.

"" Mm..., F¶m \nt¶ms« "".  F¶p ]dªp A½mh³ Cd§n.

Rm³ NmSn Fgpt¶Áp, tN¨ntb sI«n¸nSn¨v Hcp½ sImSp¡m³ tXm¶n. t\sc ASp¡fbn sN¶p. tN¨n ap­pw t\cyXpw amdn kmcn DSp¯p h¶p.  ]me¸hpw ISebpambncp¶p  A¶p. ]me¸w I­bpSs\ F\ns¡mcp Ip{kpXn tXm¶n. A¸¯nsâ \Sp `mKw \¶mbn s]m§nbmWncn¡p¶Xv. cs­®amIpt¼mÄ \à Dbcw. Rm³ AXnsâ a[y`mK¯p Hcp {XntImWw hc¨p, \Sp¡p Hcp Iodepw, F¶n«p aq¶p hi¯p \n¶pw \n¶pw _m¡n `mKw apdn¨p Xn¶p. AXnsâ \Sp¡p I´v hcp¶ `mK¯v Hcp henb ISe FSp¯p h¨p. I­m \à tjhp sNbvXshŸqdp amXncn tXm¶pw. B Ioden IqSn H¶p hnctemSn¨p. tN¨n CsXÃmw {i²n¡p¶p­mbncp¶p.

" F´mSm, \o AXpw ht¨m­ncn¡ps¶, cpNn tXm¶p¶ntÃ, F¶m, Hcp ]gw IqSn Xnt¶m.."

"" ]gw th­v tN¨n. F\n¡nXp aXn "

"" \o H¶pw Ign¨nÃtÃm, C¶m, Rm³ sXmen¨p Xcmw. ".

AhÀ B ]gw sXmen¨p, Aek `mh¯n Fsâ t¹Ánencp¶ A¸¯nsâ Iodnb `mKt¯¡p h¨p. Ct¸mÄ I­m ]nfÀ¶ Hcp shŸqdnsâ apIfn Hcp shÅ¡p® InS¡pIbmsWt¶ tXm¶q. Rm³ t¹Ánte¡pw ]ns¶ AhcpsS apJt¯¡pw t\m¡n. B apJ¯v Hcp ]p©ncn Hfn¨pIfn¡p¶ntà Fs¶\n¡p tXm¶n. Rm\pw hn«nÃ. Aåw ISe¨mdp FSp¯v A¸¯nsâ Iodensemgn¨p. F¶n«p H¶padnbm¯ `mh¯n ]gw FSp¯v B hnShnse Nmdn ap¡n  ]gw H¶p \¡n, F¶n«p hfsc AcpasbmsS ]gw hmbnte¡p XÅn ISn¡msX Aåmåambn \pWªv \pWªnd¡n. Fsâ IqsS s_©n Ccp¶ AhÀ CSXp Ibv sIm­v kmcn HXp¡n AhcpsS Imen¶nSbnte¡p XncpIp¶Xp Rm³ {i²n¨p. XncpIp¶Xn\nSbn Adnbm¯ a«n AhÀ Ih¡nSbn H¶aÀ¯n sNmdnªp. AXdnª Fsâ Ih¡nSbn Hcp¯³ ep¦n s]m¡m³ XpS§n. Rm³ heXp Ibv sIm­v A¸w FSp¯p \Sp¡ncp¶ ISe Iq«n Hcp ISn ISn¨p, A¡q«¯n CSXp Ibv sIm­v s]m§n h¶ Fsâ ]gs¯ AaÀ¯n Imen¶nSbnte¡p XncpIn sh¨p. F¶n«v H¶padnbm¯ t]mse ]dªp.

 

"" tN¨n Rm\n\n Xncn¨p t]mbmtem F¶p Nn´n¡phm..."

" AsX´mSm, \n\¡o tN¨ntb ]nSn¡p¶ntà "

" AXÃm, Ipd¨p ZnhkmbntÃ, A½tb Hs¡ H¶p I­n«v "

" A¸w \o Ignª Hgnhn\p hÃy½mtasS ho«n t]mbn«v kvIqÄ sXmd¡p¶ ZnhkmWsÃm t]mbXv . Cu {]mhiyw \o AhnS¶p NmSn t]mcptIw sNbvXp. F´m ImcWw ? "

" AtX, AhnsS ]tg t]mse A{X ckanà tN¨n " Rm³ XSn X¸m\pÅ hgn t\m¡n.

" GXmbmepw t]mImdmIp¼w Rm³ ]dbmw,. AXp hsc acymZ¡nhnsS \nt¶mWw. No¯bmbm Rm³ alm No¯bm ". AXnset´m Hcp [z\n D­sÃm. ]dbpt¼mÄ tN¨n H¶p ]p©ncn¡ptIw sNbvXp. Mm.. Ft´m BIs«, hcp¶nS¯p h¨p ImWmw.

 

]¯p aWnbmbt¸mÄ \mWnt¨¨n h¶p.

"\mWyt½, XpWn IgpIo«p C¨nsc hndIp H¶p sIm¯n Xcmthm, \à HW§nb aSem, F\n¡p ioeanÃm¯ sIm­p Ibv Nnet¸m s]m«pw, C¶t¯¡pÅXv aXn"

" AXns\´m tamtf, Xcmtem " \mWy½ XpWnbpsaSp¯p ]pdt¯¡p \S¶p. Rm\pw ]pdsI sN¶p. AhÀ XpWn shůnen«t¸mÄ Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p tNmZn¨p.

" C\n F¶m Ig¼p tX¡m³ htc­Xv "

" tam\p thtWm¦n, C¶pw tXímtem "

" kctk¨n Fs¶ H¯ncn hg¡p ]dªp."

" \o Fs´¦nepw AhtfmSp ]dªp sImSpt¯m ? `b¦c km[\am Ahfp,  C¨nsc Akqtbw ImWpw. AhsS sIt«ym³ XSnamS³ hà Xang¯nIfptSw s]mdsI \S¡p¼w Rm³ ho«nencp¶p kpJn¡phm¶m AhsS hnNmcw "

Rm³ Ip\nªp \n¡p¶ AhcpsS apeIfpsS AfshSp¡pt¼mÄ Zm hcp¶p tN¨n.

" \o F¶m In¶mcw ]dtªm­p \n¡phm, ASp¡sf h¶n«m C©n H¶p Acnªp Xs¶, A¨mdp C¶p Xs¶ C«nsæn \mc§m hmSn t]mIpw, hm..." Rm³ a\ÊntemÀ¯p, aÁpÅht\s¡m­p XoÁptIanÃ, Xn¶ms\m«p XcntIanÃ. CXp shdpw Akqb Xs¶. Cu hey \mc§ F¶m C\n F\ns¡m¶p sXmSm³ In«pI.

 

]ntÁ Znhkw cmhnte A½mh³ ISbn s]mbnÃ. Rm³ tNmZn¨p F´v ]Án, hà AkpJhpamtWm. t\m¡nbt¸mÄ ]pÅn sdUnbmbn«p sN¨nsb Im¯p \n¡pIbmWp.

" AtX tams\, Fs¶ H¯ncn klmbn¨ Hcp IrjvW]nÅ H­mcp¶p, tZ At§cp acns¨¶p ]{X¯nsem­v, _Ôp an{XmZnIÄ CsXmcdnbn¸mbn IW¡m¡Ww F¶v. k©b\w ]Xns\m¶p aWn¡m. ItS H¶p tIdo«v Hcp SmIvknsbSp¯v t]mbm IrXy kab¯v AhnsS F¯mw. h\tP, \o H¶p thKw sdUnbmbnt¡ "

" Rm³ Zm h¶q "

tN¨n Hcp§n ]pdt¯¡p h¶p.

acn¨ ho«nte¡pÅ bm{XbmbXp sIm­v AekambmWp Hcp§nbXv. AXv AXnepw hn\bmbn. hmcn hen¨pÅ s{UÊnepw tN¨n ]qdzm[nIw aZmek Xs¶. A½mh³ H¶p t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp.

" Ct¸m \ns¶ I­m B ho«nepÅ Poh\pÅ BWp§fpw hSnbmIpw. t]mbn \otfmw Fdt¡mw HÅ »ukns«m­v hm Fsâ h\sP." Rm³ ASp¯p \nÂIp¶ Imcyw A½mh³ ad¶p t]mbn.

" sÈm, Cu tN«³.... " icnbmbncp¶p. [rXnbn X¸nsbSp¯v C«XmImw, apIfn t]mÀapeIÄ c­pw ]IpXn shfnbnÂ, hbdpw ]p¡nfpw apgph³ Xpd¶Xv, Aekamb apSn B aZmek kpµcn¡p IqSpX amZIXztaIn. Nnet¸mÄ N¯p InS¡p¶ IrjvW]nÅ t]mepw B InS¸n InS¶p hmWaSn¨p t]mIpw.

tN¨n ho­pw AI¯p t]mbn »ukv amdn h¶p.

Cd§nbt¸mÄ Aebt¯¡p t\m¡n hnfn¨p ]dªp.

"\mWyt½ R§Ä Cd§pIm "

" Mm.. sicn..." hnfn tI«Xp kckp Bbncp¶p.

tN¨n Fs¶ hnfn¨p amÁn \nÀ¯n ]dªp, C¶mfs¯ t]mse AhnsS t]mbn hmbn t\m¡nbncp¶m hcp¼w Rm³..... "

" CÃ Rm³ ChnsS¯s¶ ImWpw "

AhÀ [rXn ]nSn¨p t]mbn. Rm³ IW¡p Iq«n, AhÀ Xncn¨p hcpt¼mÄ Hcp aWnsb¦nepw BIpw. AXp hsc \mWnb½ Xs¶ icWw. Rm³ ASp¡fbn Ibdn Hcp G¯¸gw FSp¯p Xn¶p, Im¸n IpSns¨m­ncn¡pt¼mÄ tIÄ¡mw. ASp¡f hi¯p \n¶mbncp¶p.

" hnPbm,  \o Cu IXsIm¶p Xpds¶,"

kckphnsâ iÐw. CsX´p ]Án, Ct§mt«gps¶Åm³.

ieyw, Cs¶´n\mtWm ]pd¸mSv. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" kctk¨n CsX´m Ct§m«v. A½mh³ t]mbtÃm. C\n ImWtWÂ ItSÂ sNÃWw. "

AhÄ Fs¶ Xd¸ns¨m¶p t\m¡n.

" Rm³ \nsâ Ip®mhs\ ImWm³ h¶XÃ. At½sS Ibv h¿, C¶se aSep Iodnb¸w Ft´m Xdªp tIdn. Ft¶mSv ChnSs¯ XpWnsbm¶p IgpIns¡mSp¡m³ ]dªp. AXn\p h¶Xm. ... amdn \nÃv. " Fs¶ XÅn amÁn Ip­ow sh«n¨v t\sc Ipfnapdnbnte¡p tIdn.  C«ncn¡p¶Xp \bnÁn BsW¦nepw sN¸pIpSw amXncnbpÅ N´nIÄ Xmfw shíp¶Xp \¶bn Adnbmw. \à IS¯\mS³ Ip­nIÄ, X¡mew AXnsem¶p sR¡nbmepw Xcn¸ns\mcp kpJw In«pw  "H¶p ]nSn¨p sR¡Sm" F¶p Fsâ ap­n¶Snbn InS¶p Hcp¯³ hnfn¨p ]dbp¶p­mbncp¶p. B Xmf¯ns\m¯p Rm\pw ]pdtI \S¶p, IpfnapdnbpsS hmXn¡ sN¶p \n¶p.

cmhnse NqSmWsÃm. Nnet¸mÄ XtÅw tamfpw ]WnbpsS Imcyw ]dªv DS¡n¡mWpw. kckphn\p hÃh\pw th­n XpWnbgn¡mt\ Ct¸mÄ Xm¸cyw ImW¯pÅp. ho«p ]Wn H¶pw AhÄ sN¿¯nà F¶p \mWnb½ ]dªv tI«n«p­v. Cs¸m ho«pNnehp \S¡p¶Xv AhfpsS Acs¡«nsâ _ew sIm­mbXpsIm­v AhÀ H¶pw ]dbmdnÃ. kckp XpWn XpWn IgpIm³ Bcw`n¨p. Ip\nªpw \nhÀ¶pw \n¶p tPmen sN¿pt¼mÄ \bnÁn¡pÅn Ipep§pIbpw Xq§pIbpw sN¿p¶ Ip¼f§ apeIÄ t\m¡n ckn¨psIm­v Rm\pw IpfnapdnbpsS hmXnen Nmcn \n¶p. CS¡nSíp Fsâ I¿pIÄ Fsâ ap­n¶Snbn t]mImXncp¶nÃ. Aåmåw Fsâ ap³ hi¯v sNdnb Hcp IqSmcw s]m§n hcm³ XpS§n. AhÄ AXv Is­¦nepw I­ `mhw \Sn¨nÃ. CSínSív Xncnªp \n¶p Rm³ ImWmsX ap³`mKw tXm­p¶Xpw sNmdnbp¶Xpw Rm³ a\Ênem¡n. cmhnte Ipfn¨p ImW¯nÃmbncn¡pw. ]qdp sNmdnbp¶p­mIpw, ]ns¶ Fsâ IqSmchpw Hcp ImcWamImw. "kctk¨n ISnsbmt­Â ]qdp Rm³ sNmdnªp Xcmw" F¶p hnfn¨p]dªmtem F¶p tXm¶n. th­, hSn sImSp¯Sn hmt§­m F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. Aåkabw Ignªp. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" XpWnsb´m shfnbnen«e¡mt¯ ?

" Hm, Fs¶s¡m­p shbnep sImÅm³ ]Á¯nà HÅ s\dw t]mbm ]ns¶ Hcp¯\pw Xncnªp t\m¡¯nà ".

" AsX´n\m A§s\ Xncnªp t\m¡pt¶ ?"

" \o sIm¨m, ]ns¶ ]ns¶ a\Ênembnt¡mfpw ".

XpWn IgpIÂ \S¶p sIm­ncp¶p. CSíp Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" A½ínt¸m F§s\, kptJmt­m ?"

\nhÀ¶p \n¶v Fs¶ H¶p Xd¸n¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" kpJs¡mdhp ImWpw....................... F´m, t]mbn H¶p XShns¡mSp¯p kpJmam¡mthm"

]dªp Xocpt¼mÄ B apJ¯p Hcp ]p©ncn an¶nbntà F¶p kwibw. Rm³ H¶pw an­nbnÃ. Ignª Znhkt¯ XShensâ HmÀ½ a\Ênse¯nbt¸mÄ AXnte {][m\  \S³ anÌÀ Kpem³ th­pw Dbcm³ XpS§n. IqSmc¯n\p Aåw IqSn s]m¡w sh¨p. AhÄ F\n¡v ]pdw Xncnªp Ip\nªp\n¶p XpWn Hmtcm¶mbn De¨p ]ngnbm³ XpS§n. Ct¸mÄ B sN¸pIpS§Ä icn¡pw ImWmw jÍnbpsS bmsXmcp ASbmfhpw ImWp¶nÃ. h\tP¨n Ip\nªp \n¶m t]mepw Ip­nbpsS ]pd¯p jÍnbpsS XSn¸pw ASbmfhpw ImWmw.. At¸mÄ, ]iphnsâ amXncn \n¡p¶ B sImX¯n¶nSbn XpWn klnXw Hcp hnc tIÁnbmtem F¶p Nn´n¨p t]mbn. Fs¶ H¶p Xd¸n¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" kpJs¡mdhp ImWpw.......................F´m, t]mbn H¶p XShns¡mSp¯p kpJmam¡mthm"

]dªp Xocpt¼mÄ B apJ¯p Hcp ]p©ncn an¶nbntà F¶p kwibw. Rm³ H¶pw an­nbnÃ. Ignª Znhkt¯ XShensâ HmÀ½ a\Ênse¯nbt¸mÄ AXnte {][m\  \S³ anÌÀ Kpem³ th­pw Dbcm³ XpS§n. IqSmc¯n\p Aåw IqSn s]m¡w sh¨p.

AhÄ F\n¡v ]pdw Xncnªp Ip\nªp\n¶p XpWn Hmtcm¶mbn De¨p ]ngnbm³ XpS§n. Ct¸mÄ B sN¸pIpS§Ä icn¡pw ImWmw. At¸mÄ, HmSns¨¶p \bnÁn H¶p s]m¡n t\m¡nbm B CÍenbpsS Hcp `mKw ]pdIn \n¶p ImWmambncn¡pasÃm. \mWyt½sS amXncn CSíp sN¼c¯n sam«p t]mse Xp­pIÄ CSíp sRcp§n bncp¸p­mIpw. ]qS ImWptam...tlbv,,A{Xbpw ImW¯nÃ. HmSns¨¶v B hnShnsem¶p XncpIm³ Fsâ hncepIÄ Xcn¨p. N¦pd¸nÃm. Xmsg IqSmcw apgph\mbn s]m´n. ap­n\nSbn I¿n«p sRcn]ncnsIm­p \nÂIp¶ Ip«s\ ]Xps¡ XtemSn. kckp ]ngnª XpWnIÄ Ibv¯­nen«p Xncnbp¶Xp I­t¸mÄ ap­n\nSbn \n¶pw Rm³ Ibv ]n³ hen¨p.

AhÄ hmXnÂIte¡p h¶p. Ipe¨p \n¡p¶ Fsâ Acs¡«nte¡pw Fsâ apJt¯¡pw t\m¡n.

" hnPbm, hmXnÂt¡¶p amdnt¡, F\n¡p XpWn hncn¨nSWw, t]ms«".

amdmsX H¶p hfªp \n¶n«p Rm³ ]dªp.

"" tN¨n s]mtímfp, CS [mcmfap­sÃm "

H¶d¨p \n¶n«p Ah hmXn IS¶p.

IS¶t¸mÄ Rm³ t\sc \n¶p, At¸mÄ Fsâ Ip® AhfpsS Ip­nbpsS kbnUn \¶mbn Dckn. Ahfpw B kab¯v Ct§m«p H¶p XÅn DcknbmWp IS¶p t]mbXv. At¸mÄ B apJ¯p AS¡n¸nSn¨ Hcp Nncn D­mbncp¶p. kckphn\p tZjyw t]mbn, kpJn¨p Fs¶\n¡p a\Ênembn. AhÄ hmXn IS¶p Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ Fsâ Ip® apIfnte¡p ]nSn¨p ap­nsâ Ip¯n XncpIn, AhfpsS ]pdtI ]pdt¯¡p sN¶p. Ct¸mÄ I­m Ip® Fs¶mcp km[\w Fsâ Imen¶nSbn D­v F¶p t]mepw tXm¶¯nÃ. XpWnIÄ DW¡m\nSp¶Xn\nSíp ]e {]mhiyw kckp Fsâ ap³`mKt¯¡p kwibt¯msS t\m¡p¶Xp I­p. XpWn hncn¨n«p ho­pw R§Ä Ipfnapdnbn h¶p. Rm³ ho­pw Fsâ Ip® ap­nsâ Ip¯n \n¶pw FSp¯v t\tc \nÀ¯n hmXn¡ \n¶p. H¶p c­v XpWn IqSn ]ngnsªSp¯v kckp hmXn¡te¡p h¶p.

" hnPbm, \obm then¸¯ep hgos¶m¶p amÁn¯cWw, shdptX a\pjyt\ _p²nap«n¡msX"

" amÁnbnsæn F´p sN¿pw "

" \nsâ sNhn Rm³ s]m¶m¡pw "

" Mpw... ]nt¶... sNmWsbmt­Â H¶p sNhntb ]nSnt¨.." Rm³ hmin tIÁn.

" Rm³ ]nSn¡pth "

Rm³ H¶p IqSn hmXn XSªp \n¶p AhÄ apt¶m«p h¶p, XpWnIÄ Xmsgbn«p.

" amsdSm..."

" amd¯nÃmmmmm......... .Rm³ Dd¸n¨p ]dªp.

s]s«¶p AhÄ Fsâ CSXp sNhntb ]nSp¯an«p. Rm\pw hn«nÃ, heXpIbv sIm­v AhfpsS CSt¯ apebn NmSn]nSn¨p, ]t£ c­p t]cptSbpw ]nSp¯¯n\p henb iànbnÃmbncp¶p. AhÄ atÁI¿nep­mbncp¶ XpWn Xmsgbn«n«v Fsâ s]m§n \n¶ Ip®bpsS a²y¯n ]nSp¯an«p. AXp Rm³ H«pw {]Xo£n¨XÃ. Rm\pw hn«nÃ, Fsâ atÁI¿p sIm­p AhfpsS ]qtd hmcn¸nSn¨p. F\n¡p _p²napt«­n h¶nÃ. \à CÍen t]mse s]m§n\n¶ ISn{]tZiambncp¶Xp sIm­v F\n¡p ]nSp¯w In«n. Ahsfsâ sNhnbn ]nSn¨p ]Xps¡ B«n. Rm³ apebn ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ sR¡m\pw XpS§n. Ahsfsâ Ip® ]nSn¨p ]Xps¡ sRcn¨p. Rm³ Hcp Ibv sIm­v AhfpsS kmam\t¯Â ]nSn¨tXmsSm¸w s]cphnc sIm­v \bnÁn¡p apIfn IqSn Ih¡nSbnte, hnShnte¡p Ip¯m³ XpS§n. I®n¡®n t\m¡n R§Ä Aåt\cw Cu ]Wn BhÀ¯n¨p. kckphnsâ Np­n Hcp Nncn hnSÀ¶p. B Nncn {ItaW hnImc¯nsâ ASbmfambn amdn. AhfpsS Np­pIÄ hnd¨I¶p, I®pIÄ Iq¼n. sNhnbn ]nSn¨ncp¶ Ibv tXmft¯¡p hoWp. B Ibv sIm­v Fs¶ AhÄ hen¨v amtdmSSp¸n¨p. apebn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯v Rm\pw Ahsf sI«n¸nSn¨p. AhfpsS Hcp Ibv At¸mgpw Fsâ Kpems\ sam¯w DgnbpIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ asÁmcp temIt¯¡p ]d¡m³ XpS§n. Rm³ ]qdn\p apIfnte ]nSp¯w hn«v kckphnsâ Ih¡nSbnte¡p hnc XÅnt¡Án Dc¨p. \bnÁn¡Snbn Bbncp¶p«p IqSn Fsâ hnc hnShnend§n, Xmtg¡pw tate¡pw A IodenÂ. Dc¨p. AhÄ ImepIf¯n \n¶p. R§fpsS Np­pIÄ X½n tImÀ¯p. AhfpsS \m¡v Fsâ Np­n\nSbnte¡nd§n. Rm³ hm Xpd¶p. R§fpsS \m¡pIÄ X½nepckn. Dan\oÀ ]¦ph¨p. R§Ä Aåt\cw Cu ]Wn BhÀ¯n¨p. NpSp\nizmk§fpw Rc¡§fpw sIm­v apdn \ndªp.  AhfpsS Ic§Ä¡p iàn IqSnbt¸mÄ F\n¡p izmkw ap«n, Rm³ imk¯n\p th­n apJw AI¯n. Ahsfsâ I®nte¡p t\m¡n. R§fpsS Acs¡«pIfnte IbvIÄ Abªp. Rm³ Is¿Sp¯p. Ipe¨p \n¡p¶ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p Fs¶ AhÄ hmXn¡Â \n¶pw amÁn \nÀ¯n. Ibv hn«v, Fsâ ap­v c­phit¯¡pw amÁn Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p XgpIns¡m­p ]dªp.

" A¼ew sNdpXmsW¦nepw {]XnjvT inhenwKw Xs¶. C{X sNdp¸¯nte Xs¶ C{Xbpw hepXmbt¸mÄ ... hfcpt¼mÄ CsX´mbncn¡pw shdptXbà Fsâ A½ htc hoWXv ".

Rm³ AhfpsS tXmfn I¿n«p . Fsâ ]dn I¿nseSp¯p sIm­p Xs¶ R§Ä Fsâ apdnbnte¡p \S¶p. I«nen t]mbn Ccp¶p.

" A½ F§s\ hosW¶m ]dªXv...?" B XpSp¯, tKmX¼p \ndapÅ Ihnfn Hcp D½ sImSp¯p sIm­p Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" FSm tams\ ...R§Ä A½ípw tamÄ¡pw X½n clkysam¶pansÃSm. F\n¡t¶ a\ÊnembXm................. CXp t]mepÅ De¡ I­m Fâ½ Hcp t\ct¯¡pÅ s\Ãp Ip¯msX hnS¯nÃ. "

" tN¨o, Rms\m¶pw sNbvXnÃ."

" Adnbmw. A½ Xs¶ FÃmw sNbvXp ImWpw. B kz`mhw sIm­m AO³ Ct«¨p t]mbXv. ....AXp t]ms«. \o Fs¶ C¶nf¡n¡fªp. \ns¶ Rm³ hnS¯nÃ. \o A¶v At½sS Ig¸p amÁnbntÃ, C¶v Fsâ Ig¸pw amÁn¯cWw. "

" tN¨osS Ig¸p amÁm³ thsd BÄ¡msc F¶pw In«p¶ntÃ."

CXpw ]dªv Rm³ \bnÁn ]Xps¡ s]m¡n. kckp AXp Xe¡p apIfn IqSn Ducn I«nenen«p. F¶n«p s_Ínte¡p InS¶p. Ct¸mÄ I«nIpdª ASn¸mhmSbpw lq¡v Ducnb {_mbpw. {_m Agn¨n«ncp¶Xp sIm­mbncp¶p Ae¡ns¡m­ncp¶t¸mÄ B apeIfpsS Nm©m«w F¶n¡p \¶mbn BkzZn¡m³ IgnªXv. {_mbpsS I¸pIfn ape¡®pIfpw sR«pw adªncp¶p. FhnsS XpS§Ww F¶dnbmsX Rm³ Ipg§n. I«n Ipdª ]mhmSbpsS ap³ hiw Aåw \\ªncp¶p.

" Fsâ tams\, Ahscm¶pw Fs¶ kpJn¸n¡m³ hcp¶XÃ. IÅpw IpSn¨v kÀ¡kp ImWn¡m³ hcp¶Xm....\nsâ Cu \n¡p¶ sIm¨phnPbsâ hmte sI«m³ sImůnÃ. sIS¶p ]®m³ ]Ám¯ sIm­p Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n sImtd t\cw Nm¼pw, Ahkm\w hmbn Xcpw. shÅhpw Iftª¨v AhcpsS ]m«n\p t]mIpw."

]mhmS¡nSbn IqSn I¿n«p sIm­v Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" GÃmcpw IpSnt¨¨msWm hcpt¶ ? "

" IpSn¡mt¯mÀ¡p an¡hÀ¡pw A[nIw \of¯nÃ. F\n¡p ISn sXmS§ps¼mtg¡pw AhÀ¡p XfÀ¶ncn¡pw. Imipw taSn¨p Rm³ kvYew hnSpw."

" ]mhmtSsS ap¼n tZs­ \\ªncn¡p¶p "

" ]ns¶ \o Ip´w t]mse s]m¡n¸nSn¨p \n¶m F§s\ \\bmXncn¡pw ?"

" AXn\p Rm³ tN¨nsb sXm«p t]mepanÃsÃm "

" F´n\m \o sXmSps¶, A½ ]dªp \ntâXp B\s¡m¼msWsW¶p AtXmÀ¯¸w AhnsS Cft¡mw \\hpw sXmS§n."

" Mm.......Rm³ I­mcp¶p tN¨n FS¡nS¡v Ibv ImensâtSÂ sIm­p t]mWXpw Aap¡n sNmdnbp¶Xpw Hs¡."

" A¸w \o FÃmw I­p...."

Rm³ ]mhmS tasem«p s]m¡n h¨p. AhÄ ]mhmSbpsS sI«gn¨p. F¶n«v Xmgt¯¡p N´n s]m¡n Im hgn Ducn, Rm\sXSp¯v Xmtg¡n«p. lmbv... Fs´mcp ImgvN. BZyambn Hcp bphXnbpsS kmam\w Rm³ ImWpIbmWp. Rm³ I«nen AhfpsS AcnIn Imen¶nSbnembn ap«n Nmªncp¶p. an\pkapÅ B ]qdn ]Xps¡ XShn. ASnbn ]mâokpw \n¡dpw H¶panÃmbncp¶p. \à hmg¸n­n t]mes¯ XpSIÄ. sagpIpXncn t]mse an\pÊw. XpSIfpsS kwKa kvXm\¯p bmsXmcp Irjnbpw  sN¿m¯ Xcnip `qan t]mse hnkvXmctadnb ]qdp,  an\pkambn sNc¨Xv. henb ktamk amXncn. hbdnt\¡mÄ Aåw IqSpX \ndw B ]oT`qan¡p­mbncp¶p. F¶m hnShnsâ AcnIpIfpw hnShn\pÅnse ]pdt¯¡p ImWmhp¶ NndIpIfpsS AÁhpw Idp¯ncp¶p. NndInsâ AÁ¯p ]nSn¨p hen¨t¸mÄ Aåw ]pdt¯¡p h¶p. CXfpIÄ sNdpXmsW¶p tXm¶n. kckp ImepIÄ Ih¨p InS¶p X¶p.  Npcp­ncp¶ s]m«p t]mes¯ IqXnbpw AXn\p sXm«p apIÄ hsc F¯nb hnShpw Idp¯ncp¶p. apIÄ `mK¯p _Zmw ]cn¸p  t]mse XSn¨ I´pw, IeymWnbt½tSXnt\¡mÄ hepXv, AXnsâ Xmgs¯ AÁ¯p sXmen amdnbncp¶p. sXmenamdnb `mK¯p Rm³ H¶p sXm«p. At¸mÄ AhfpsS Acs¡s«m¶p sh«n.

" tN¨osS I´v s]m§nbtÃm "

" C\nbpw AhÄ s]m§pw \o Ahsf Xmtemen¨mÂ, .............Ahsf Ht¶ma\ns¡Sm Ip«m....."

\mWnb½ sNbvXXp t]mse Rm³ I´nsâ sXmen tatem«p sX¶n¨p.  F¶n«p ho­pw sXm«p. Iment©mfw \ofapÅ I´p]cn¸v. Hcp H«Â AXn\p­mbncp¶p. kckp H¶p ]pfªp. Ih¨p InS¶n«pw H«nt¨À¶ncp¶ B hnShp Rms\m¶I¯n t\m¡n. CfwNph¸p \nd¯n ]£n¡pªp hm s]mfn¨ amXncn. Ibv hn«t¸mÄ "^Ä" F¶ Hcp iÐt¯msS AXSªp ho­pw ]qÀNmensâ a²y`mKw Rm³ c­v I¿p sIm­pw \¶msbm¶I¯n t\m¡n, Xmsg AI¯p `mK¯p Ipsd amwk Xp­pIÄ Cfw Nph¸p \nd¯n Npcp­ncp¶p. AXv Ip®¡p tIdm\pÅ XpfbmsW¶p a\Ênembn. AI¯nbt¸mÄ AXn\pÅn \n¶pw tX³ ]pdt¯¡v HgpIm³ XpS§n. AXv Ioden IqSn Xmtg¡p Hen¨p IqXn hgn InS¡bn XpÅnbmbn hoWp. Rm³ Xpfbn Hcp hncen«p. AXn \n¶pw IqSpX tX³ HgpIm³ XpS§n, Fsâ hncen ]ÁnbXv Rm³ cpNn¨p.

" aXnsbSm, ]qdp t\m¡n ckn¨Xp, Fs´¦nepw H¶p sN¿Sm I®m..."

" tN¨n¡v F´m th­Xv ?"

" \obhtf H¶p \¡n¡pSn¡v. s]®nsâ sXmsfse tX³ IpSn¨m Ip®¡p h®w sh¡psa¶m ]sdt¶"

" h®w IqSnbm ]qdp s]mfnbpsa¶v ]dbp¶tXm.."

" CsÃSm Ip«m, B\¡p® tIdnbmepw Hcp s]®nsâw Ih Iod¯nà BZyw Hcp hn½n«w ImWpw ]ns¶ AXp `b¦c kpJamcn¡pw "

" At¸m sNdnb ]dnbmsW¦ntem "

" FSm a­m, AXpw apdp¡n kpJn¸n¡p¶ Xc¯nem s]®nsâ Ih¡nS ^nÁp sNbvXncn¡ps¶ \o AtXmÀ¯v hnjan¡­. F\n¡p sNmdnbp¶p......\osbm¶p ..sXmSs§Sm abntc .....In¶cn¡msX "

kckp Ih¡nS ImepIÄ sIm­v Dckm³ XpS§n. C\n Rm³ XpS§nbnsæn AhÄ Fs¶ sIm¶p Ifbpw Fs¶\n¡p tXm¶n.

Rm³ Ip\nRp B shSn¸qdn H¶p½ h¨p, IgpIm¯ ]¨¸qdnsâ aZKÔw Fsâ aq¡nte¡Sn¨p Ibdn. B {XntImW¯nsâ FÃm `mK¯pw Fsâ Np­pIÄ Npw_\ hÀjw sNmcnªp. AaÀ¶ncp¶ aS¡pIfnepw DbÀ¶p \n¶ I´v sam«nepw Fsâ Np­pIÄ AaÀ¶p. AIwXpSIfnepw D½ h¨p. kckp hnImcw sIm­p ]pfªp. Rc§epw aqfepIfpw A]kzc§fpw ]pds¸Sphn¡m³ XpS§n. B cXn]pjv]¯nsâ aS¡pIfn aq¡n«p Rm\pc¨p IqXn¡pw ]qdn\panSbnepÅ `mK¯p Hcp {]tXyI aWambncp¶p. AXnsâ a¯p]nSn¸nIp¶ KÔw Fsâ Ip®sb Ccp¼p I¼n t]mem¡n. Aåw XSn¨v B XpSIÄ Rm³ Ipd¨pIqSn AI¯n, Fsâ apJw B kpµcn¸qdn Rm\aÀ¯n. IbvIÄ sIm­p Rm\Xp \¶mbn hnSÀ¯n, B aZ\ ]pjv]¯nte¡p Fsâ Np­pIÄ {]thin¨p. AXnsâ ASnapX I´p hsc Rm³ AaÀ¯n \¡n. I´t¸mÄ Aåw IqSn hepXmbn \n¶p Xnf§n, Aåw hnjan¨msW¦nepw I´v Rm³ Np­nem¡n \pWªp, Du¼n.

" A§s\ \¡Sm tams\..... Rms\m¶p  kpJn¡t«. .....I´v N¸Sm Ip«m...."

AXp IqSn tI«t¸mÄ Rm³ I´pw NndIpIfpw FÃmw IqSn hmbnte¡p hen¨p N¸m\pw \pWbm\pw XpS§n.

" F\n¡pw IqSn H¶p \pWbm³ XmSm... Ahs\ C§p XmSm...abntc..."

Aåt\cw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp.

" aXn samt\ C\n F\n¡p hcpw...F\n¡I¯p híWw..... \nÀ¯v....aXn..."

Fâ Xe AhÄ _eambn ]nSn¨p amÁn.

kckp Fs¶ hen¨p AhfpsS tase InS¯n. Fsâ ap­p ]dn¨p Xmtgs¡dnªp. Fsâ apJw ASp¸n¨p Np­pIfn sasà ISn¨p. B I®pIÄ ]mXn ASªncp¶p. {_m Rm³ Ducm³ XpS§n. kckp Ibv c­p DbÀ¯n AXqcn. IbvIÄ DbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ hnbÀ¡m³ XpS§nb, IdpIdp¯ sNdnb tcma§Ä \ndª I£w Fs¶ BIÀjn¨p. Rm³ I£§Ä amdn amdn aW¯p. s]®p§fpsS jÍnbpw {_mbpw aW¯p ioen¨ F\n¡p B I£§fnse amZI KÔw BthitaIn. Fsâ Ip«³ kckphnsâ XpSIÄ¡nSbv InS¶p hoÀ¯p _ehm\mbn. Cfw Nph¸mÀ¶ B A[c§Ä Rm³ Fsâ Np­pIfnem¡n, \pWªp. XpSp¯ IhnfpIfn Rm³ arZphmbn ISn¨p, AhÄ ko¡mc iÐ§Ä ]pds¸Sphn¡m³ XpS§n. AhÄ c­v t]mÀapeIÄ c­v I¿p sIm­pw Xm§n Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p.

" C\n tam³ tN¨osS A½nªm IpSn¡v....Asæn Ahcv s]W§pw."

" tN¨osS apeIÄ¡p \Ã `wKnbm, Rm³ BZyw H¶p ImWs« "

" Cãw t]mse Is­m Fsâ Ip«m " Fsâ Np­pIÄ Xmtg¡nd§n. Nnc«b¸§Ä t]mse \nhÀ¶p \n¶ B sIm¦ZzbMfn Fsâ Np­pIÄ HmSn\S¶p. shfp¯ B apeIÄ¡v Xhn«p\nd¯nepÅ ape¡®pIÄ `wKntbIn. AXn\p \Sphn sNdpXmsW¦nepw I«n]nSn¨p \n¶ncp¶ apesR«pIÄ. B ape¡®pIfn Rm³ \¡n, apesR«pIÄ hmbnem¡n Ddp©n. Hcp Ibv Ip¯n \n¶p atÁ¡bv sIm­v B apeIÄ amdn amdn sR¡n. kckphpw kz´w apeIfn amdn amdn XtemSm³ XpS§n. AhÄ Hcp Ibv Xmtg¡n«p AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbn AaÀ¶ncp¶ Ip®sbSp¯v R§fpsS hbdpIÄ¡nSbn h¨p. AsXmcp kpJapÅ Ccp¸mbncp¶p.

" IpSns¡Sm Ip«m, ....tN¨osS A½nª hen¨p IpSns¡Sm...."

 Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp.

" C\n \nsâ tams\ F\n¡p X¶n«p Fsâ samtf \osbSpt¯m "

Rm³ ]Xps¡ Fgpt¶Áp, kckphnsâ apeIÄ¡ncphihpw ap«pIp¯n, F¶n«v Fsâ Ccp¼p Ip®sbSp¯v AhfpsS tNÀ¶ncn¡p\ apeIfpsS CSbn h¨p. kckp Xsâ IbvIÄ sIm­v c­p apeIfpw tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p, Rm³ Fsâ Ip«s\ apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw XÅn.

apeIÄ¡nSbnte ]®Â hfsc ckn¨p. apt¶m«p XÅpt¼mÄ Ahsâ Xe AhfpsS XmSnbn sN¶p ap«n. AhÄ Xe Ipd¨p Ip\n¨p. At¸mÄ Ip®¯e AhfpsS Np­n ap«³ XpS§n. AhÄ Ahsâ Ipªp Zzmc¯n \¡n. F\n¡n¡nfnbpw kpJhpw Hcpt]msebp­mbn.

" B\µ¡®ocv hcp¶p­tÃmSm.........\nsâ shůns\´p cpNnbmSm......"

AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bpsS \Sphn\p H¶p sR¡n, At¸mÄ ho­pw c­paq¶p henb XpÅn Ip®t¯³ shfnbn h¶p. kckp BÀ¯ntbmsS AXp \¡nsbSp¯p.

" aXn, C\n Xncnªncp¶v Fsâ tamtf H¶p t\ms¡sâ tamt\,  "

apeIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS Rm³ Ip«s\ FSp¯p.

F¶n«p apIfn Xncnªv ap«pIp¯n \n¶p. F¶n«v Ip\nªp B Xma¸qdnte¡p t\m¡n. At¼... AXp IhnsªmgpIpIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨n¡p ht¶m ? ....H¯ncn shÅw h¶tÃm "

" CsÃSm, AXp \nsâ Cu aknepIp«s\s¡m­v ASn¨p Xs¶ thWw."

Rm³ Ip\nªp HgpInhcp¶ aZPew \¡n IpSn¡m³ XpS§n. Ct¸mÄ kmam\¯n\p thsdmcp aWw BWp. elcnbpÅ aWw. Fs¶ AXp IqSpXÂ a¯p ]nSn¸n¨p.  \¡nbn«pw \¡nbn«pw AXp Xocp¶nÃ. AhnSamsI Rm³ apJan«pcp½n. Fsâ apJw apgph\pw tX³ sIm­`ntjIambn.

" \o anSp¡\mSm Ip«m, sN¿v sN¿v....tlm....F\n¡p h¿Sm tams\..."

" CX§v HgpIpImWsÃm tN¨o " Rm³ ]dªp.

" Ahf§s\bm, Cãs¸«hcp \¡nbm Ahfp hÃmsX sNmc¯pw.."

CXn\nSbn Rm³ Fsâ sh«nbmSp¶ Ip® kckphnsâ Npt­mSSp¸n¨p. AhÄ Aht\ I¿nseSp¯v D½ h¨p. apJ¯n«p Dckn. D­Itf XShn Xmtemen¨p. ]Xps¡ sR¡n. sXm¸nbpsS AcnIpIfn H¶p \¡n. F¶m hmbn FSp¯nÃ. Igp¯n\pw Dc¯n\pw CS¡p t^m¬ sh¡p¶Xpt]mse ^nÁp sNbvXp, AaÀ¯n. F¶n«p Fsâ Imen¶nSbneqsS I¿pIfn«p c­p apeIfpw sRcn¡m³ XpS§n. apesR«pIÄ hncepIÄ¡nSen«p Xncp½n. ImepIÄ s]m¡n XpSIÄ sIm­v Fsâ apJw AaÀ¯n]nSn¨p. R³ ]Xps¡ Acs¡«p s]m¡m\pw Xmgv¯m\pw XpS§n. kckphnsâ ]nSenbnencp¶ Fsâ Kpem³ A\§m³ XpS§n. Ahs\ ho­pw Rm³ hens¨Sp¯v AhfpsS hmbnem¡m³ t\m¡n. AhÄ Ahsâ aIpSw \¡pI am{Xta sNbvXpÅp.

" C\n hm, Chs\ AI¯p shímw "

" \¡nbXp aXntbm  tN¨n¡v "

" aXn, thKw hm....."

Rm³ Xncnªp AhfpsS apIfn InS¶p. AhfpsS hbdn Ip¯n \n¶ Ip®sbSp¯v ]qdnsâ hmXnen h¨p. Ibv sIm­v ]qÀNp­v Aåw AI¯n, Ahsâ Xe `mKan«p hnShn\I¯p tatem«pw Xmtgm«pw H¶pc­p {]mhiyw Dc¨p, ho­pw XpfbpsS apIfn sh¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" C\n XÅnt¡m...."

hfsc Ffp¸¯n Ah³ apgph\mbn AI¯p tIdn. R§fpsS Acs¡«pIÄ X½nsem«n. AhÄ Fsâ Ip­nbn ]nSn¨aÀ¯n.

" kptJmt­mSm samt\..."

" \Ã kpJw tN¨n...C¨nsc t\cw AhnsS Ccn¡s« "

R§Ä Hcp \nanjw sI«n¸nSn¨p InS¶p. B apeIÄ CSbnencp¶p sRcp§n. Fsâ Ip«³ NqSp sh®bnencp¶p hn§n. CSínSíp AhÄ tbm\o aknepIÄ sIm­v AI¯ncn¡p¶ Ip®tams\ Cdp¡pIbpw AbípIbpw sNbvXp. \à kpJambncp¶p AXv. Aåw Ignªv kckp ]dªp.

" C\n ]Xps¡ ASnt¨m....[rXn shímsX ASn¡Ww sIt«m Ip«m...."

Rm³ ]Xps¡ ASn XpS§n. A[nIw s]m§msX AhÄ ]dbp¶X\pkcn¨v. kv]oUp IqSpt¼mÄ AhÄ ]Xps¡ F¶p ]dbpw. CS¡p AhÄ AcsI«n«p Id¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. Aåmåambn ]qdn\p apdp¡w h¶p XpS§n. Hcp {]tXyI Ne\¯n hfªp ]pfªv AhÄ Acs¡«\¡n. Nnet¸mÄ Fsâ Ip­nbn ]nSn¨v AaÀ¯pw.

"Fsâ........hnPbm....F\ns¡fIp¶ps­Sm.....BªSnt¨m.......Mqwww.........sXcpsXsc....... ....... ASns¡Sm........"

Fsâ ASn¡\pkcn¨v Ahfpw Acs¡«v s]m¡n¯cm³ XpS§n. Du¡nsâ thKw IqSnbt¸mÄ ]qÁn\pÅn Ip®bnepÅ apdp¡hpw IqSn. As¸mtg¡pw F\n¡p hdm³ XpS§n F¶p a\Ênembn. Rm³ ]dªp.

 

tN¨ooooo........... F\n¡p.......hcpw......C¸w  ......hcpw.... At¿m .....t]mbo.........Fsâ tN¨o................"

" hcs«Sm....... ASn¨p ...tN¨osS ]qdp s]mfns¡Sm abntc........"

kckp Ahsâ Np­p hmbnem¡n AaÀ¯n ISn¨p.

" Mv..lmmmmm.........boooooo......... hs¶Sm....... "

"Rm³ \nÀ¯msX BªSn¨p. »vIv...»Iv..»Iv...iÐw .... R§fpsS Acs¡«pIÄ Iq«nbSn¡p¶ iÐw, apdnbn apg§n. Fsâ I®n \ndapÅ \£{X§Ä an¶n. Acs¡«n Aán]dzXw s]m«n, emh NoÁn sXdn¨p. kckphnsâ shSn¸qÁnte¡v Fsâ Ip®]oc¦nbn \n¶pw ip¢Kp­pIÄ {]hln¨p. F\n¡Sn¡m³ h¿mXmbn. ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ Rm³ ]dn ]qdnsâ AKm[Xbnen«\¡n. c­p t]cpw kzmkw In«³ hnjan¨p. Rm³ kckphnsâ tate¡p Ipgªp hoWp. Fâ Ip«sâ AÁw AhfpsS KÀ`]m{X¯n ap«n¡mWpw. AhfpsS apJw Hcp hit¯¡p sNcnªp. izmkw FSp¯p. c­p IbvIfpw Fsâ ]pd¯n«hÄ sI«n]nSn¨p. hn«p hn«p AhfpsS tbm\nbpsS ]nSp¯w Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw Abbp¶Xp Rm\dnªp. c­p t]cpw hnbÀ¸n Ipfn¨p. Aå\nanjw R§f§ns\ InS¶p. Rm³ Ip«s\ s]m¡nsbSp¯p. Ah³ Npcp­p hmXnen F¯nbncp¶p. Fsâ XfÀ¶ Kpem³ ]qÁn \n¶pw hn«t¸mÄ ¥Iv Fs¶mcp sNdnb iÐw tI«p. Ah³ sam¯¯n sNfnbn ]q­ncp¶ t]msebmbncp¶p. Rm³ AXp aps­Sp¯p XpS¨p. t\m¡nbt¸mÄ kckphnsâ kmam\w hms]mfn¨ ]Sn Ccn¡p¶p, hmbn \n¶pw ]m Dudn hcp¶p­v. Rm³ hm tNÀ¯S¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«pw Hens¨m­ncn¡bmWp.

" tN¨n, tZ Ihs¡S apgph³ ]membn. Xq¯p If. hbÁnsem­mbmtem "

" C\n Xq¯n«pw ImcyansÃSm, Hgn¡m\pÅXp \o AIs¯mgn¨p Ignªp. B hcp¶Xp an¨samÅXm. ]ns¶....hbÁnsem­mbmepw \nsâ hn¯tÃ, AXns\ Rm³ hf¯nt¡mfmw. "

Ipd¨p Ignªp Bthiw H¶p sI«S§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨nsb´m, Fsâ samt\ hmbn sh¨p Du¼mtª?"

" \n\¡p shjaamtbm, A½ Ft¶mSp ]dªncp¶p, \o sIm¨\m ]Tn¨p hcps¶bpÅp F¶v, Rm³ hmbn sh¨p aq©nbncps¶¦n At¸msg Fsâ Ip«sâ shSn XoÀt¶s\.  C¸w \o Hcp ]®mim\mbnsà "

" Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨n " Rm³ B Ihnfn Hcp½ sh¨p.

" \ns¶ sI«p¶ s]®p `mKyaptÅmfm...Ah¡p ISn XoÀ¡m³ \m«pImtc tXSn t¸mtI­n hcnà " kckp Hcp s\SphoÀ¸n«p.

Kw`ocamb kpcXmeky¯nsâ B InS¸n R§Ä ab§nt¸mbn.

Hcp Imdnsâ Cc¼Â tI«mWp R§Ä DWÀ¶Xv, AXv R§fpsS sKbnÁn\p ap¼n \n¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. Rm³ NmSn Fgpt¶Áp P\ensâ apIfn IqSn ]pdt¯¡p t\m¡n.

" At¿m...kctk¨o... Ahcv h¶q...."

" Fâoizcm........" tN¨n NmSnsbgpt¶Áp, In«nb XpWnIfpw hmcn HmSn _m¯pdqan tIdn IXIS¨p. F\ns¡´p sN¿Ww F¶p tXm¶nbnÃ. At¸mÄ tZ InS¡p¶p, I«nensâ aqebn kckphnsâ {_m. FSp¯p XebnW Iognte¡p XncpIn.

As¸mtg¡pw AhÀ ap³ hmXnen F¯nbncp¶p. s_Ãnsâ iÐw tI«p. Hcp \nanjw Ignªt¸mÄ ho­pw s_ÃSn¨p. Dd¡¯n \ns¶WoÁ t]mse Rm³ sN¶p hmXn Xpd¶p.

" \osbhnSmcp¶p ? Hm, Hd§pImcpt¶m ?...."

tN¨n AIt¯¡p Ibdn. ImÀ Xncn¨p t]mIp¶ iÐw tI«p. tN¨n t\sc _m¯p dqante¡mWp t]mbXv. AXp AI¯p \n¶pw IpÁnbn«ncn¡p¶p. tN¨n IXIn X«n. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ kckp hmXn Xpd¶p. Aåw \\ª thjw.

" \osb´p sN¿pIm ChnsS "

" A½íp h¿m¯Xp sIm­p XpWn IgpIphmcp¶p "

" AXn\p hmXn IpÁnbn«sX´n\m ?"

kckp H¶pw ]dbmsX Fs¶ H¶p t\m¡n.

" Hm, AXp sicn, Ae¡n Igntªm "

" Ignªp, CXqsS hncn¨n«m aXn "

tN¨n apdnbnte¡p Ibdn. s\©¯p I¿pw h¨p kctk¨n ]pdt¯¡nd§n. XpWn hncn¨n«n«p hnfn¨p ]dªp

Rm³ t]mIpIm tN¨n"

"Mm, sicn " AI¯p \n¶pw h\tP¨n aqfnt¡«p.

t]mIp¶ hgn¡p, Fsâ ASp¯p h¶n«p ]dªp.

" FSm Fsâ {_m \nsâ I«nteem, Hs¶Sp¯p Xm".

" tN¨n s]mtím, Rm³ ]ns¶ sIms­ Xcmw."

h\tP¨n s_{Uqan \n¶pw shfnbn h¶n«p ]dªp.

" hnPbm, `b¦c XethZ\, shbn sIm­Xp sIm­mIpw, \obm Ihte sN¶p c­v aq¶v A\mkn³ hm§nt¨m­p hm ". sN¨n ImsiSp¯p X¶p. Rm\nd§n.

( ASp¯Xp Ncn{Xw, ]n¶oSp tN¨n hnhcn¨Xv )

Rm³ s]mbn ¡gnªt¸mÄ tN¨n Fsâ apdnbnte¡p H¶p It®mSn¨p. s_Ípw joÁpw FÃmw Aet¦mew.

" Cu sNdp¡³ F¶msWm CsXms¡ t\sc sNmthz CSm³ ]Tn¡ps¶ "

]ndp]ndp¯p sIm­p h\P joÁp IpSªp aS¡n. hncn¨Xp t\tc hen¨n«p. XebnW FSps¯m¶p IpSªp. Xncn¨p shím³ t\m¡nbt¸mÄ..........................

 

HmÀ½IÄ - -6                                                                                 Font-Karthika

 

 

A\mkn\pw hm§n s]s«¶p Rm³ Xncn¨p h¶p. tN¨n tkm^bnencp¶v Ft´m KmVambn Nn´n¡pIbmbncp¶p. KpfnI tN¨nbpsS I¿n sImSp¯n«v apdnbnte¡p sN¶v XebnW s]m¡n t\m¡n. Mv tl.....AXhnsS ImWp¶nÃ. F\n¡p \à HmÀ½bp­mbncp¶p, Rm³ AXv AhnsS XncpIn sh¨ Imcyw. ]pX¸p s]m¡n t\m¡n. s_Ínsâ AcnIn I¿n«p t\m¡n. Cà HcnS¯panÃ. ]ns¶ AsXhnsSt¸mbn ?

At¸mÄ Zm hcp¶p A´co£¯n IqSn ]d¶p B {_m Fsâ ap¶n I«nen hoWp. sR«n¯ncnªp t\m¡nb Rm³ I­Xv tZjys¸«v Fs¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡n \n¡p¶ tN¨nsbbmWp.

" CXtà \o AhnsS X¸p¶Xv ? Rm³ an­msX Xe Ip\n¨p \n¶p.

" CsX§ns\ \nsâ XebnW¡osg h¶p ?.....

`qan Xmgv¶p s]mb amXncn R³ \n¶p.

" ]dsbSm...." tN¨nbpsS iÐw DbÀ¶p.

" AXv.....Rm³......]d¼nÂ..... InS¶p ......In«n. "

" ]nt¶....\n\¡p th­n s]®p§sS {_m \nc¶p sIS¡phtÃ.....kXyw ]d..\obpw Ahfpw IqSn.......ChnsS th­mXo\w H¸n¡phmcp¶p....CsÃ...?

" AXp Rm\Ã.....]ns¶.....kctk¨n........Fs¶.......sI«n¸nSn¨¸w....Rm³ ......."

" At¶cw \o A§p sIS¶p sImSp¯p. ......aoi samf¨nÃ.....AXn\p apt¼ ....Ah³ I­ sXdn¨ s]®p§sSsbms¡ XpWn Agn¡m³ sXmS§n...t\m¡nt¡m, CXp Rm³ \nsâ A½tbmSp ]dbpw."

Rm³ kXy¯n sR«n. A½tbmsS§m\pw ]dªm ]ns¶ Rm³ Pohn¨ncp¶n«p ImcyanÃ. F\n¡p Ic¨n h¶p. Fsâ k]vX\mUnIfpw XfÀ¶p. Rm³ Zb\obambn ]dªp.

" Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨n, A½tbmSp ]dbsÃ...."

" CÃ. CX§s\ hn«m ]Á¯nÃ. AXpw B tXhnSnÈnIfpambn«p. B At½w tamfpw IW¡m. AhfpamÀ¡p Bcmbmepw aXn. sIm¨p ]nÅmsct¸mepw shdptX hnS¯nÃ. B \mWnb½ C§p hcs«..."

tN¨n Ien XpÅns¡m­p A¸pdt¯¡p t]mbn.

Rm³ BtemNn¨p. C\n ChnsS \n¶n«p ImcyanÃ. KvYew hnSpI Xs¶. tN¨nbpsS apJ¯p t\m¡m³ IqSn h¿. DS³ Xs¶ FbÀ _msKSp¯p Fsâ XpWnIsfÃmw AXnem¡n. kckphnsâ {_mbpw DÅnem¡n. ap­pw jÀ«pw amdn. knÁnMv cqante¡p sN¶p. tN¨n tkm^mbnencn¸p­v. tZjy¯nemWp Ccn¸p. apJ¯p t\m¡msX Rm³ ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

" Rm³ ho«n t]mIphm......."

" ChnSs¯ Irjn aXnbm¡ntbm.?.."

" tN¨o......A½tbmSp ]dtb­. Rm\n\n taem A§s\ H¶pw sN¿¯nÃ. " tN¨n Zqtc¡p t\m¡n Ccp¶p. Rm³ apÁt¯¡nd§n \S¶p cmPyw t]mb cmPmhnt\t¸mse. tKÁv hsc F¯n.

" Sm, AhnsS \nsÃSm........" . Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p. F\n¡p Ic¨n hcp¶p­mbncp¶p, a\Ênse t]Sn sIm­v. tN¨n HmSn Fsâ ASps¯¯n.

" th­m¯ sIm{kms¡mÅn Hs¡ H¸n¨n«v.. kvYew hnSpIm, AtÃ...." AhÀ Fsâ apJt¯¡p t\m¡n. Fsâ I®n \n¶pw I®oscmIp¶p­mbncp¶p.  

" GXmbmepw \o C¸w t]mI­ "

" CÃ Rm³ s]mtímfmw tN¨n..."

" ths­¶p ]dªnsÃ......" AhÀ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p, _mKv Fsâ tXmf¯p \n¶pw hm§n. Fs¶bpw ]nSn¨p sIm­It¯¡p tIdn tkm^mbnencp¯n, tN¨nbpw ASp¯ncp¶p. Rm³ \niÐambn Icbp¶p­mbncp¶p.

" tO...Icbpt¶m....Rms\sâ At¸mgs¯ tZjyw sIm­p ]dªXtÃ....."

F\n¡p Ic¨n \nÀ¯m\mbnÃ. Ahscs¶ AhcpsS tXmfnte¡p Nmbn¨p. kmcn¯ps¼Sp¯v Fsâ I®oÀ XpS¨p. F§eSn¡p¶ Fs¶ amtdmSSp¸n¨p BtÇjn¨p. Hcp sIm¨p Ipªnt\ F¶ t]mse Fsâ apJw AhcpsS amdnsemXp¡n. B kmcn¯p¼v Xmsg hoWp t]mbncp¶p. Fsâ apJw B XÅn \n¶ncp¶ apeIfn AaÀ¶ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p. Fsâ I®oÀ AhcpsS »ukn \\ª ]mSpIfp­m¡n AhÀ Fsâ apJapĸsS apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw B«ns¡m­ncp¶p , Fs¶ Dd¡mt\m Bizkn¸n¡mt\m F¶ t]mse. Aåt\cw AhÀ Ft´m BtemNn¨p sIm­ncp¶p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ I®p Xpd¶p. At¸mgmWp Hcp Imcyw Fsâ {i²bn s]«Xv. _eambn XÅn \n¶ncp¶ AhcpsS Igp¯nd¡n sh«nb »uknsâ CSbn IqSn F\n¡p AhcpsS shfp¯ apeIfpsS apIÄ `mKhpw CSbpw ImWmambncp¶p. Fsâ Imen¶nSbn HcpWÀdzp­mbn. Rm³ AhcpsS I£¯n IqSn I¿n«v H¶p IqSn _eambn Ahsc sI«n¸nSn¨p, B apeIfn apJw AaÀ¯n. ]ªn¯ebnW t]mse arZphmb A amÀ¯S§fn BZyambn apJw AaÀ¯nbncp¶t¸mÄ F\n¡p hÃm¯ kpJw tXm¶n. sImXn¨ncp¶ Hcp Ahkcw. Fsâ Np­pIÄ Cfw \oe \nd¯nepÅ B XpWn¡p apIfn IqSn B apeItf Npw_n¨p sIm­ncp¶p. tN¨nbpsS ta\oKÔw Fs¶ Dt¯PnX\m¡n. Fsâ Ic¨neS§n. ]Icw Fsâ Kpem³ Imen¶nSbn hn§m³ XpS§n. Hcp BßKXsa¶ t]mse AhÀ ]dªp.

" \ns¶ F\n¡p H¯ncn Cãam.......\o \à Ip«nbm.....\o No¯bmIp¶Xv F\n¡nãaÃ..... \ns¶ ImWpt¼m...F\n¡p Fsâ ]gb tImsfPp Imew HmÀ½ hcpw. .........Rm³ ]gb h\PbmIpw." Aåt\cw AhÀ an­mXncp¶p.Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" AsX´m tN¨o A§s\ ?" Rm³ tNmZn¨p. ]s£ F\n¡p¯cw In«nbnÃ.

" tN¨o.............."

" Mqw.....F´mSm....?

" tImsfPn ]Tn¡pt¼m..................tN¨n Btcsb¦nepw t{]an¨n«pt­m...?

s]s«¶hÀ apeIfn kkpJw AaÀ¶ncp¶ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n.

" A§s\bpÅ Imcy§Ä \nt¶mSp ]dbm³ F\n¡p ]Á¯nÃ. \o Ip«nbmWp. "

" Rm³ Ip«nsbm¶paÃ. sImsdsbms¡ F\n¡pw Adnbmw.....Ip«nbmcps¶¦n C¶p  ]ÁnbXp s]mse............" Rm³ CSíp \nÀ¯n.

H¶p Nn´n¨n«v tN¨n ]dªp, Hcp ]p©ncntbmsS.

" \o A{X Ip«nbsöp F\n¡dnbmw. Rm³ t\cn«p I­ns«mÅXtÃ."

" F´v ?"

" {]mb¯n Ihnª hfÀ¨bm \nsâ icoc¯n\p. AXnsâbm \o C¡m«p¶sXms¡ "

Fsâ Imen¶nSbn Imcyamb Hcp Ne\ap­mbn. tN¨n Dt±in¡p¶sX´msW¶p F\n¡p a\Ênembn. Rm³ Adnbm¯ a«n Is¿Sp¯v Ahs\ XpS¡nSbnte¡p XncpIn. Cu NÀ¨ F\n¡p hfsc ckIcambn tXm¶n. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨n F´p Is­¶m ]dtª...."

" cmhnte \nsâ apdnbn hcpt¼mÄ.......bmsXmcp {i²bpanÃm¯ \nsâ B InS¸v......Fsâ tKm]s\ At¸mÄ F\nt¡mÀ½ hcpw......"

" tKm]t\m....AXmcm tN¨n..." tN¨nbpsS apJ¯v AÊm[mcWamb Hcp amÁ¯nsâ {]Imiw R³ I­p. Fsâ c­p tXmfnepw ]nSn¨p sIm­hÀ tNmZn¨p.

" Fsâ tam³ BtcmSpw ]dbnsöp kXyw sNbvXm tN¨n ]dbmw.....Rm³ ]dbm³ ]mSnÃm¯XmWp. Ct¸mÄ \n\s¡Ãmw Adnbmw 

kXyw sN¿v."

Rm³ ]dªp

" Fsâ tN¨nbmsW, Ic¯m\w tZhnbmsW, R³ BtcmSpw ]db¯nÃ. kXyw. "

" tam³ Ft¶mSp t\cp ]d...A¶p Rm\pw tN«\pw ASp¡fbn h¨p Im«nbsXms¡ \o I­ntà ?"

" .........Mqw......I­p.."

" F¶n«v \o AhnsS \n¶v X¶¯m³ ........IXtI Rm³ AXnsâ ASbmfw I­p. icnbtÃ? "

" AsX\n¡p ........Hcp Xc¯nepw kln¡m³ ]ÁmsX sNbvXp t]mbXm "

" R§Ä kq£nt¡­Xmbncp¶p. ]Ánt¸mbn. " Aåw t\cw an­mXncp¶n«p ho­pw tNmZn¨p.

" tam³ IeymWnb½tb........? AhÀ tNmZy cq]¯n Fs¶ t\m¡n. Xe Ip\n¨v Rm³ aqfn.

 " Mvw....."

" \n§Ä Fs´ms¡ sNbvXp ?"

" AXp ]ns¶....BZyw...cmhnse......tN¨nbpw A½mh\pw ASp¡sf h¨p sNbvXXp t]mse........ "

" At¿...\o AhcpsS aq{X¡pgo \¡ot¶m ?

"AXp.....]ns¶........Fsâ apÅp¶ km[\.... Ahcv.....hmbo sh¨t¸m......Xncn¨v.... Rm\pw......."

" At¿.....hr¯nsI«h³......sO....."

" At¸m...A½mh³ ....tN¨osS..........AXv ....hmbo sh¨ntÃ.....AXp hr¯n tISmsWm...?"

" t]mSm....R§Ä IeymWw Ign¨XtÃ.."

" F¶p h¨p hr¯ntISp amdpthm...?

" At¿m...\ns¶s¡m­p Rm³ tXmÁp "

AhÀ Is¿Sp¯v Imen¶nSbn H¶p sNmdnªp. tN¨n¡p ]qÁn ISn XpS§ntbm Fs¶\ns¡mcp kwibw. AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ F\n¡p lcw tIdn.  ho­pw tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" AXncn¡t«, ]ns¶ Fs´¦nepw sNbvtXm ?..."

]ns¶...D¨ Ignªv AhcpsS ho«n t]mb¸w R§Ä Hcpan¨p sIS¶p......"

" sIS¶tXsbmtÅm..? "

" sIS¶p........aqcn¡mf ]iqs\ sN¿p¶ t]mse.........." F\n¡p \mWw h¶Xp t]mse. Fsâ Kpem³ XpS¡nSbn AaÀ¶p InS¶p kacw sN¿p¶p. tN¨n¡p ckw tIdnb amXncn. aq¡¯p hnc h¨hÀ tNmZn¨p.

" FSm hocm, \o Ahc Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n s]mdIo¶p.......?."

" Hm..Cu tN¨n......"

" ]dtªm...FÃmw....C\n Hfnt¡­m....."

" AÃ, sISt¶m­v Rm³ AhcpsS s]md¯p tIdn sNbvXp. "

" \o BZyamtWm s]®p§tf....sN¿pt¶ ?

" kXyambn«pw BZyam... AXp ImcWw s]s«¶p t]mbn. " AhÀ sNdpXmbn Nncn¨p. Hcp {]tXyI hnImc¯n AhÀ tNmZn¨p.

" ]ns¶ kckpthm...."

" kctk¨n R§Ä sNbvX Imcyw Adnªp. Fsâ sNhn¡p ]nSn¨p. Rm³ tIdn tN¨osS same¡pw ]p¡ncoepw ]nSn¨p..."

" ]p¡nco F´mSm.."?

" tN¨n¡p a\ÊnembntÃ...s]®p§sS apÅpt¶Sw..."

" At¿m, \o AhnsS ]nSns¨m...\obmfp sImÅatÃmSm."

" sNhn s\m´¸w In«ntbS¯p tIdn ]nSn¨Xm..."

" ]ns¶§s\ \o C¶p kckqs\ H¸n¨p.."

" Fsâ ]nSp¯w A¶v kctk¨n¡nãmbn. C¶p h¶t¸m Ahsfs¶ tIdn ]nSn¨p. F\n¡pw ckamcp¶p. ....."

" kckphns\bpw \o FÃmw sNbvtXm... "

"sNbvXp. t\cp ]dªm....kctk¨nbm ...FÃmw sNbvtX......"

" Ahfp \ns¶ \¶mbn kpJn¸nt¨m...?

" ]nt¶.......\Ã ckamcp¶p..."

" Mqw....F\n¡dnbmw Ahtf.....tNmtcw \ocpsamÅ BWp§tf...Ahfp hnS¯nÃ....B XÅbpw tIanbmcp¶p "

" icnbm....." Rm³ k½Xn¨p.

" At¸mÄ \o Hcp ]pcpj\mbn. C§s\ t]mbm....\o Ft¶bpw .........."

Rm³ an­nbnÃ. ]Icw B apJt¯¡p t\m¡n. Fs¶ AhÀ DÁp t\m¡pIbmbncp¶p. Fsâ apJw AhÀ ]nSn¨p t\tc \nÀ¯n, I®nte¡p t\m¡n s]s«¶p ]dªp.

" tamt\........\osbsâ tKm]\m......"

" tM...Rms\§\m tKm]\mIp¶Xv...F\n¡p ]nSn In«p¶nà tN¨n..." Rm³ hm s]mfn¨p tI«ncp¶p.

" Fsâ tKm]sâ B {]tXyIX \n\¡p­v....." Fsâ Imen¶nSbn t\m¡ns¡m­mWp tN¨n AXp ]dªXv. At¸mÄ Rm³ Fsâ ap­v t\sc ]nSn¨n«p. F¶n«pw ap¼nte IqSmcw hyàambn ImWmw.

" AXp sIm­v..C\n \o asÁmcp s]®ns\bpw sXmScpXv. AsX\n¡p kln¡qÃ. sXmSptam...]d \o sXmSptam...?

" AXp.....F\n¡p ]nt¶...."

" \n\¡p Rm\p­v...\osbsâ tKm]\mSm....." Hcp ImapInbpsS kvt\l hnImcw Rm\m I®pIfn I­p.

" Rms\mcp ...kXyw ]dªm...tN¨n Ft¶mSp tZjys¸Sptam..?"

" CÃ. \o ]d."

" tN¨nsb I­ A¶p apX tN¨ntbmSp F\n¡pw Hcp ....Hcp.......CXv.....Bbncp¶p. tN¨nsb HmÀ¯p Rm³.. X¶¯m³ H¯ncn {]mhiyw ....sNbvXns«m­v..."

" AsX\n¡p \nsâ s_UvjoÁpw ep¦nbpw Ae¡m\nSp¼w a\Ênembn«p­p. kmcanÃ. sNdp¸¡mÀ¡p AXnÃmsX ]ÁnÃm¶v F\n¡dnbmw. "

" At¿m, tN¨n FÃmw Adnbp¶p­mbncpt¶m..."

" C\n Fsâ tKm]³ shjant¡­m. C\n apXÂ tN¨n¡pÅsXms¡ \n\¡p Xcmw."

" A§s\bmsW¦nÂ...........tZ tN¨osS »uskms¡ \\ªp.........Rm³ ...ChnsSm¶p ]nSnt¨mt«......." kmcn amdn¡nS¶ AhcpsS amdnte¡p Nq­nbm\p Rm\Xp ]dªXv.

" ]ÁptIe. BZyw \o Ipfn¨p ip²mbn«p hm. B tXhnÈnbpsS  hnbÀ¸p Fâ tKm]sâ tZl¯p F\n¡p kln¡ptIe."

tN¨n Fs¶ Ibv ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. Fsâ _msKSp¯v Fsâ apdnbntes¡dnªp. Fs¶ Ipfnapdnbnte¡p sIm­p t]mbn. Fsâ jÀ«pw ap­pw Ducn amÁn.

F¶n«p ]dªp.

" Fsâ tKm]s\ Rm³ Ipfn¸n¡mw."

tN¨n thsd GtXm temI¯mWp Fs¶\n¡p tXm¶n, AhcpsS {]hr¯nIÄ A§s\bmbncp¶p. Fsâ P«nbpsS ap³`mKw hÃmsX apg¨p \n¶ncp¶p. AhÀ B P«n Xmtgm«p hen¨p. hfsc _p²nap«n AXp hen¨p amÁnbt¸mÄ Fsâ Kpem³ Bizmkt¯msS \nhÀ¶p \n¶p Xebm«n, tN¨n AXp t\m¡n ckn¨p. \n¶p. shÅw tImcn BZyw Fsâ tZls¯mgn¨p. ]ns¶ s]m§n \n¶ Ipt®semgn¨p.

" CXmsWsâ tKm]sâ ASbmfw.."

. AhÀ \\ªn«pw I¼nbmbn \nÂIp¶ Ahs\ I¿nseSp¯p. tkm¸p tXím³ XpS§n.

Rms\¶pw HmÀ¯p hmWaSn¨ncp¶ tN¨nbpsS IbvIÄ Ahs\ sXm«t¸mÄ F\n¡p taemkIew tcmam©ap­mbn.

" tKm]sâ enwK¯n\pw Ct{Xw hen¸w D­mbncp¶p. CtX sXm¸n, CtX h®w, CtX \ofw. CXv C¨nsc IqSpXse¦nte DÅp. tKm]m...AÃ..hnPbm...\o Ign¡p¶sXms¡ Ch\mtWmSm hngp§ps¶...? " AhÀ hnImchXnbmbncp¶p.

" \o tZlw tkm¸p tX¨p IgpIv. Chsâ Imcyw Rm³ t\m¡nt¡mfmw."

tN¨nbpsS I¿nencp¶p Ah³ hoÀ¡m³ XpS§n. F\n¡p sa¿msI s]cp¯p tIdp¶p. Ahsâ Xe apX IS htc tkm¸p tX¨p, tatem«pw Xmtgm«pw Ibv ]nSn¡pIbmWp tN¨n. F\n¡p Fs´¶nÃm¯ kpJw. Rm³ kzÀ¤w ImWm³ XpS§n.

" tN¨n Rm³ B samte H¶p ]nSnt¨ms«..."

" C\n ]nSns¨m, ip²mbsÃm. "

Fsâ Ip«s\ Xncp½ns¡m­p Xs¶ tN¨n \nhÀ¶p F\n¡p t\sc \n¶p. Rm³ hnd¨p hnd¨v B c­v apeIfnepw ]nSn¨p XgpIm³ XpS§n. F´p \à BIrXnsbm¯ henb apeIÄ. »ukn\pw {_mípanSbn t]mepw Fs´mcp an\pkw. Hsc®w apgph\mbn ]nSn¡m³ Fsâ c­p I¿pw thWw.

" Fsâ tKm]m......"

tN¨n¡p kpJw tIdn¯pS§n. AhÀ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v Fsâ tXmfn ]nSn¨p Fsâ Npt­mSp Np­Sp¸n¨p. At¸mÄ AhcpsS I®pIÄ Iq¼nbncp¶p. Np­pIÄ hnd¡p¶p­mbncp¶p.

Fsâ Np­pIÄ AhÀ sasà hmbnem¡n. hen¨p IpSn¡m³ XpS§n. tN¨nbpsS \mhp Fsâ \mhns\ Xncbp¶Xp Rm\dnbp¶p­mbncp¶p. R§fpsS \mhpIÄ IqSn ap«nDckn. tN¨nbpsS DOzmk hmbphn\p Hcp {]tXyI KÔhpw NqSpw D­mbncp¶p. apJ¯p s]mSnªv hnbÀ¸p XpÅnIÄ¡p, AhcpsS jÍnbpsS aWhpambn kmayap­mbncp¶p.  tN¨nbpsS Ibv hncepIÄ Fsâ ]pd¯p ]cXn \S¶p. Fsâ IbvIÄ B ape¡p¶pItf sR¡pIbpw Xgp¡pIbpw sN¿pIbmbncp¶p.

" Fsâ tKm]n¡p«\p Chsc sXmd¶p thtWm..?  AhÀ arZphmbn Fsâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p.

" thWw...H¶p thKw sXmd¶p Xm tN¨n..."

Fsâ ]pd¯p \n¶pw Ip®bn \n¶pw tN¨n Is¿Sp¯p. Rm³ Fsâ Ibv sIm­p Ip«s\ Xmtemen¡m³ XpS§n. AhÀ »uknsâ ]n¶pIÄ thK¯n Xpd¶p. {_mípÅn InS¶p hoÀ¸p ap«p¶ B h·peItf Rm³ I¬ IpfpÀs¡ I­p. IbvIÄ ]pdtIm«p sIm­pt]mbn {_mbpsS lq¡qcnbt¸mÄ Rm\hcpsS I£§Ä I­p. \à IdpIdp¯ Ipd¨p tcma§Ä, \ofapÅh. B ImgvNbpw AhcpsS I£¯nte ]pXp hnbÀ¸nsâ aZKÔhpw Fsâ Ip®íp IqSpX hocytaIn. Fsâ I¿n InS¶h³ sh«n hnd¡m³ XpS§n. {_mbpw Xmtg¡n«p tN¨n Ft¶mSSp¯p. Rm³ Ip\nªp B apeIfn Hmscm ap¯w sImSp¯p. \ofw Ipdª Ip¼f§m ]Ip¯p Iagv¯n sh¨Xp t]mse c­p hnImc tKmf§Ä. shfp¯ apebn Idp¯ ape¡®pIÄ lcw ]Icp¶ ImgvNbmWp. AXnsâ \Sphn Hcp Nph¶ ap´ncn IqsSbmbmtem....AXp hen¨p InSn¨o¼phm³ Bthiw tXm¶pw. F\n¡pw AXp Xs¶ AhkvY. Acíp apIfn \ábmb tN¨nbpsS Igp¯n AÁ¯p Xmen DÅ Hcp ame am{Xw, Fsâ Np­pIÄ B apeIsf Hmtcm¶mbn D½shím³ XpS§n. Fs´mcp amÀ±hw. I¿n Xm§nbm `mcw tXm¶p¶ apeIÄ Rm³ amdn amdn Ii¡n.

" IpSn¡p tKm]n¡p«m......hmbn h¨p IpSn¡v.." AhÀ Hcp apesbSp¯p sR«p hmbnte¡p h¨p X¶p. F¶n«p Fsâ Ip«s\ I¿nseSp¯v ho­pw XgpIm\pw hmWaSn¡m\pw XpS§n. Rm³ B apeIÄ s\m«n \pWªp. ape¡®pIsf ISn¨t¸mÄ B Idp¯ ape¡®pIfn sNdnb Ipcp amXncn s]m§n h¶p. sR«pIÄ¡p I«n IqSn [rVambn.. tN¨n Rc§n.

" Fsâ tKm]o...." 

Fs¶ AhÀ KmVambn sI«n¸pWÀ¶p. Fsâ Ip®sbSp¯v apIfnse¡p Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n Dcp«m³ XpS§n. F\n¡p \n¡¡ÅnbnÃmsXbmbn. CSíp AhÀ Fsâ Ip­nbn AÅn¸nSn¨p sR¡n. Rm\pw {ian¨p. ]s£ B henb N´nIÄ Fsâ I¿n HXp§nbnÃ. t]mcmªn«v kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw ]ns¶ jÍnbpw ImWpw. Rm\hcpsS \áamb hbdnepw ]p¡nfnepw D½ h¨p, XtemSn. Fsâ Ibv AhcpsS kmcn¡p¯nte¡p sN¶p. ]t£ AXhÀ ]nSn¨p amÁn.

" Fs¶ H¶p ImWn¡p tN¨n.....F\n¡p tN¨osS AhnSw ImWWw.."

" C¶p th­... "

.AhÀ ]Xps¡ ]dªp

" ]ns¶ C\n F¶m..." F\n¡p Aåw \ncmi tXm¶n.

" aq¶mep Znhkw Ignbs«....tN¨n FÃmw Fsâ tam\p Xcmw.."

" C¶p X¶mse´m...Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨nbtÃ...." Rm³ AhcpsS Np­v hmíI¯m¡ns¡m­p Xs¶ ho­pw Ibv kmcn¡p¯nte¡p sIm­p t]mbn. ho­pw tN¨n Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁns¡m­p ]dªp.

" C¶hnsS Fsâ tam³ sXmS­. AhnSw hr¯ntISm. tN¨n C¸w s]md¯m...."

" Rms\m¶p t\m¡t«.." CXpw ]dªp Rm³ N´nbn \n¶pw kmcn hen¨p s]m¡n, ]mhmSbpw s]m¡n, F¶n«p Ibv ap³ hi¯p IqSn XpS¡nSbnte¡p C«p X½n IqSnt¨À¶ncn¡p¶ an\pktadnb XpS¡m¼pIÄ tN¨n ASp¸n¨p Xs¶ ]nSn¨p. _eambn Rm³ CS¡p I¿n«p ap³ hiw X¸n t\m¡n. icnbmbncp¶p. ]qdnsâ `mK¯p ap\zi¯p jÍn¡pÅn Ft´m XSn¨p \n¶ncp¶p. jÍn¡msW¦n \à apdp¡hpw. Rm³ jÍnbpsS apIfn ]nSn¨p Xmtg¡p hen¡m³ {ian¨p. tN¨n k½Xn¨nÃ.

" H¶p £ans¡sâ Ip«m..... Ibv No¯bm¡­....."

Fsâ Ibv FSp¯hÀ apeIfn ]nSn¸n¨p.

" tam³ Chtc H¶p kt´mjn¸nt¨...Rm³ tamsâ....^bephm³ kmbn¸ns\ H¶p tN¨nsbm¶p kpJn¸n¡s«........"

Rm³ a\ÊnÃm a\tÊmsS B IpNIpw`§fnte¡p Xncnªp.

" Ch\§p henbh\mbns¸mbtÃm. Fs´mcp km[\amSm.. CXp...Hcp \nhr¯nbpanÃmªn«m, Asæn Rm³ Chs\ Fsâ Xmac¡pf¯n Ipfn¸nt¨t\....."

" tN¨o, Rm³ F¶m tN¨osS tXmSs¡tSÂ ht¨mt«....."

" th­Sm tamt\....Cht\ tN¨n C¶p Xnt¶mfmw......"

CXpw ]dªv tN¨n Fsâ ap¼n ap«pIp¯n \n¶p. Igpt¡m FSp¯v híp¶Xp t]mse Fsâ Ip®sbSp¯p tXmfn h¨p, Igp¯n ap«n¨p. F¶n«p, Fsâ Hmd©­nIÄ I¿nseSp¯p XtemSn

`mcw t\m¡p¶ t]mse I¿nseSp¯½m\amSn. Hcp Ibv sIm­p At¸mgpw Fsâ Ip® tb ASnapSn Dgnbp¶p­mbncp¶p. Rm³ kzÀ¤¯p ]d¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«p apt¼m«p XÅn¸nSn¨p.

" F´m tamt\....hcmdmtbm...?

" F¶p tXm¶p¶p tN¨o....."

" Chsâ apJw Nph¶tÃmSm......Ch³ AWíp¶tÃmSm...tamt\....[rXn th­Sm Ip«m...."

AhÀ Ahsâ Xebn H¶p Npw_n¨p. Np­p sIm­p Dgnªp. Ahsâ sXm¸n¡p NpÁpw \¡n. F¶n«p, Xe hmbnem¡n \mhp sIm­p sXm¸nbpsS ASnhit¯ aÀ½ kvYm\¯p NpÁpw Dgnªp. Ahsâ X­n c­p I¿pw sIm­pÅ Ne\¯n\p thKX IqSn. hnZKv[ambn tN¨n Fsâ Ip® Id¶v FSp¡pIbmbncp¶p. tN¨nbpsS NqSpÅ hmípÅn Ah³ DcpIm³ XpS§n. Fsâ Acs¡«nte Rc¼pIÄ s]m«p¶ t]mse tXm¶n.

" tN¨ntb...F\n¡p hcp¶p.....Fsâ tN¨o......lm........"

Fsâ I®n an¶man\p§pIÄ  ]d¶p. Fsâ shSn s]m«n. tXm¡p KÀPn¨p sIm­v ]mÂKp­pIÄ ]mbn¨p. BZyt¯ XpÅnIÄ tN¨nbpsS A®m¡n sXdns¨¯n¡mWpw. s]s«¶p tN¨n Ahs\ hmbn \n¶pw FSp¯v apeIfnte¡hsâ Xe ImWn¨p ]nSn¨p. F¶n«p sXcp sXsc hmWaSn¨p. ]m¯pÅnIÄ tN¨nbpsS apeIfnepw apJ¯pw FÃmw sXdn¨p hoWp.

Ahkm\¯pÅn Xocp¶Xp htc tN¨n, Fsâ Ip® Ipep¡n hmWaSn¨p sIm­ncp¶p. F¶n«p ]ngnªp Ahsâ Xe apebn XpS¨p. FÃmw Ignªp tN¨n Ahsâ Xe FSp¯p hmbn sh¨p Ddp©n. F\n¡p C¡nfn Bbn. Ahsâ HÁ¡®n tN¨n \m¡pcp½n. Rm³ s]s«¶p. Ip® tN¨osS hmbn \n¶pw hens¨Sp¯p. Hcmthit¯msS apebn ]Án Xmtgs¡mgpIm³ XpS§nb ip¢ XpÅnIÄ tN¨n apebnemsI ]pc«n ckn¨p.

" Fsâ tKm]sâ ]mem CXp...CXn F\n¡p Ipfn¡Ww....." tN¨n ape apIfnte¡p DbÀ¯n sR«n ]Ánbncp¶ ]m sR«p hmbn h¨p \¡nIpSn¨p. F\n¡Â`pXambn. Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" Rms\´m tN¨o sN¿t­. ....."

" tams\m¶pw sN¿­....shdptX Ip«s\ I¿nseSp¯v XShv...Rm³ ImWs«..."

AhÀ Hcp Im s]m¡n XpWn Xncp½m³ D­m¡nbncp¶ knaâv X«n h¨p. Hcp Ibv sIm­v Hcp apesbSp¯p hmbn h¨p sR«n \¡n. atÁI¿v Ih¡nSbnte¡n«p Xncp½m³ XpS§n. Rm³ AhcpsS ap¼n \n¶p Fsâ XfÀ¶p InS¶ Ip®sbSp¯v hmWaSn¡m³ XpS§n. AhÀ AXp t\m¡n Ih¡nS Xncp½m\pw ape sR«p IpSn¡m\pw XpS§n. Fsâ Ip«³ ho­pw hepXmbn I¼n t]msebmbn.

" Fsâ tKm]o.....Fsâ tamt\....tN¨n¡pw Bbn hcps¶Sm. \o sXcp sXsc ]nSn¡v..."

Rm³ apt¶m«p sN¶p atÁ apebn ]nSn¨v sR¡ns¡mSp¯p. c­p an\n«p t\cw tN¨n iànbmbn Imen¶nSbn Xncp½n. XpWn Iq«n ]qdnsâ `mKw DcípIbmbncp¶p. s]s«¶p Dcíensâ iànbpw thKXbpw IqSn.. tN¨n Xe H¶p sh«n¨p. I®S¨p ]nSn¨p. IogvNp­p ISn¨p ]nSn¨p. H¶p ap¡n, iànbmbn Rc§n. H¶p IqSn Acs¡«p sh«n¨p. Ih¡nSbn Ibv AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p. ImseSp¯p t\sc h¨p. ImepIÄ tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. Igps¯m¶p Id¡n.

" lmbo..........Fsâ tKm]o...."

FÃmw Ignªp. Xncp½ensâ iàn Ipdªp. Ahkm\w hnd¨p sIm­p AaÀ¯n aqfn H¶p IqSn iànbmbn ]qdn kmcn Iq«n Dc¨p. ]ns¶ FÃmw im´ambn. Hcp \o­ izmkt¯msS Nphcnte¡p Nmcn \n¶p InX¨p sasà AhÀ I®p Xpd¶p. Ibv Imen¶nSbn \n¶pw FSp¯p. apeIfn \n¶pw R§Ä c­p t]cpw ]nSnhn«p.

s]m§n \n¶ Ip®bpw ]nSn¨p Rm³ hm s]mfn¨p \n¶p. s]®p§Ä kzbwt`mKw sN¿p¶Xp Rm³ BZyw ImWpIbmWp. Rm³ t\m¡n \nÂs¡ AhÀ ImeI¯n ho­pw H¶p IqSn sNmdnbp¶ amXncn Hcp {]mhiyw IqSn Dc¨p. F¶ns«sâ t\sc Xncnªp.

" F´mSm angn¨p \n¡ps¶....thKw Ipfn¡p...F¶n«p thWw F\n¡p Ipfn¡m³. "

" tN¨n¡n¸w shÅw h¶mcpt¶m ?

" Dw.. hcmXncn¡ptamSm..... \nsâ Cu km[\w I­psIm­v GXp s]®n\m AS§n \nÂIm³ ]ÁpI. C¸w C{Xsb sN¿m³ ]Áq bpÅtÃm Fs¶mcp hnjaw D­v....F´p sN¿mw....BsI Aip²mbncn¡btÃ....".

AhnsS¡nS¶ tXmÀs¯Sp¯v tN¨n apeIfn ]Ánbncp¶ ip¢w XpS¨p Ifªp. Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p H¶p B«n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" Fs¶ _p²nap«n¡m³ th­n Igpthdn ]nt¶w Xebpw s]m¡n \n¡phm....... B...C¶nXp aXn. \o C¶p c­p {]mhiyw icn¡p Ifn¨p kpJn¨ntÃ...... C\n thsW¦n \nsâ atÁ AhfpamcpsS ASpt¯¡p sNÃv..... "

" th­....C\n Rm³ BcpsS ASp¯pw t]mI¯nÃ.....F\n¡n¸w tN¨nsbm­sÃm....."

" F¶m tam³ Chtc H¶p IqSn ]nSnt¨m, Asæn H¶p½ sht¨m..."

tN¨n B h·peIÄ c­pw IbvIfn Xm§n ]nSn¨p  s]m¡n Fsâ apJt¯¡p ap«n¨p. Rm\hbn Acpabmbn Hmtcm D½ h¨p. AXn Fsâ ip¢w ]Ánbncp¶Xnsâ aWw D­mbncp¶p. H¸w AhcpsS I£¯nte hnbÀ¸nsâ aWhpw. Fsâ Ip® s]m§n \n¶p.  tN¨n Ahs\ c­v I¿pw Iq«n ]nSn¨p FÃmbnS¯pw kvt\l]qdzw H¶p XgpIn, \o­p Xq§n¡nS¶ k©nIÄ Ibv shÅbnseSp¯p sasà Xncp½n t\m¡n. F\n¡p Ipfncp tImcn. H¶p IqSn tN¨n hmWaSn¨p Xs¶¦n F¶p Rm³ Bin¨p. ]t£ AhÀ AtX¶p Ibv hn«p. F¶n«v shÅw tImcn Fsâ Xebnsemgn¨p. XWp¯ shÅw Xebn hoWt¸mÄ Fsâ Kpem³ ]s¿ ]s¿ XmWp. tN¨n Fsâ ]pd¯p tkm¸p tX¨p IgpIn¯¶p. Rm³ s]s«¶p Ipfn¨p. shfnbnend§m³ t\cw Xnf§nbmSp¶ apeIÄ H¶p IqSn IbvIfnseSp¯v D½ h¨p. tN¨n FXnÀ¯nÃ. ]s£, Rm³ sR«pIÄ hmbnem¡m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Nncn¨p sIm­p Fsâ apJw amÁn. Rm³ shfnbnend§n. tN¨n IpfnapdnbpsS IXIS¨p.

apdnbnencp¶p Rm³ Nn´n¨p. Cu tN¨nbpsS DÅn Fs´ms¡tbm clky§Ä D­v. hnNmcn¨ A{X ]mhw AÃ. Acniw, ]ns¶ km´z\w, ]ns¶ Hcp tKm]³, ]ns¶ Hcp kzbw t`mKw, CSíp Xo­mcnbmbXnsâ Aip²w. FÃmw IqSn Hcp Ipg¨nÂ. B, F´pamIs«, tN¨nbpsS hmbneSn¨sà hcp¯nbXp. AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ s]m§nb Ip® Imen¶nSbn XncpIn. I«nente¡p Nmªp, ab§n.

 

 

XpScpwHmÀ½IÄ - -7                                                                       Font-Karthika

 

 

ASp¯ c­p Znhkw \à ASns]mfnbmbncp¶p. tN¨n FhnsS t]mbmepw Ccp¶mepw Rm³ ASp¯p­mhpw. Xcw In«nbm ape¡p ]nSn¡pw. ASp¯p In«nbm s]m§n \n¡p¶ Ip®sbSp¯p Ip­ntb ap«n¡pw. tN¨n¡pw AsXmcp ckambn amdn. cm{Xnbn Hcp c£bpanÃ. A½mh³ h¶p Ignªm ]ns¶ tN¨n Fs¶ I­ `mhw \Sn¡nÃ. Fs´mcp ip²mßmhv ! ImWpt¼mÄ Nncn hcpw. ]I apgph³ Fsâ Ip®bnepw ]nSn¨p D½bpw X¶p, ckn¨p Ignbp¶ BÄ hbnIpt¶camIpt¼mÄ ]msS amdn. c­p Znhkhpw Ipfnapdnbn IqsS Ibdm³ t\m¡n. \S¶nÃ.

]nsÁXnsâ ]ntÁ Znhkw \mWnb½ ]Wn¡p h¶p. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p `qI¼w D­mIpsa¶v. H¶pw D­mbnÃ. Xs¶bpaÃ. Rm³ AhcpsS ASp¯ncp¶m tN¨n At§m«p t\m¡pItb CÃ.

Rm³ \mWnb½tbmSp FÃmw ]dªp. AhcpsS D¯cw CXmbncp¶p.

" Bcpw AdnbmsX \o R§Äs¡mcp D]Imcam sN¿p¶Xv "

F\n¡p apgph³ a\Ênembnsænepw, H¶p hyàambn. AhcpsS ISn¡p sNmdnbm³ Fsâ s]cpwIp® C\nbpw thWw. ]t£ tN¨n¡p hm¡p sImSp¯p t]mbn, Rm³ BsI sh«nepambn. C\n tN¨n Xs¶ icWw.

Hcn¡Â Rm³ tN¨ntbmSp ]dªp.

" Fsâ tN¨n, CXn§s\ Fs¸mgpw hSn t]mse \n¡phm. H¶pIn tN¨n Fs´¦nepw sN¿v. Asæn Rm³ C¸w hmWw ASn¡pw "

" A§s\ \nÂIs«. F\n¡p Chs\ apgph³ hocyt¯msS In«Ww. AhfpamcpsS ASp¯p t]mbot¶m hmWaSn¨qt¶m Rm³ Adnªm ]ns¶ \n\s¡sâ ]qS t]mepw ImWm³ In«¯nÃ. ]dtª¡mw."

Rm³ ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

" CsXmcp abnscS]mSbnt¸mbsÃm. ]qsdm«p XcptIanÃ, shÅw Ifbm³ k½Xnt¡anÃ."

" F´mSm \o {]mIpt¶. F´p thsWepw sNbvtXm. ]ns¶ Fsâ ASpt¯¡p t]mc­."

" Ctà CÃ. tN¨n¸qdp Xs¶ icWw..."

Rm³ ap¶nte XpWn amÁn A§s\ Ccn¡pw. AXp I­v Nncn¨p sIm­v tN¨n tPmenIÄ sN¿pw.

CS¡p Rm³ \mWnb½ ]pdIp his¯ apÁw ASn¨p sIm­ncp¶t¸mÄ H¶p hmbn sImSp¡m³ t\m¡n. AhÀ hmbn hípIbpw sNbvXp. Du¼m³ XpS§nbt¸mtg¡pw hnfn Ipfnapdo¶v.

" hnPbm, \o FhnsS t]mbns¡S¡phmSm..."

Rm³ \mWnbt½tS hmbo¶p Ducns¡mt­mSn.

Ipfnapdnbn sN¶t¸mÄ tN¨n Ip\nªp \n¶p XpWn IgpIpIbmbncp¶p.

" tN¨n XpWn \mWnb½ IgpIptIte.....F´n\m hnfnt¨ ?"

" F\n¡dnbmw, \o AhcpsS XpWn s]m¡m³ t]mbncn¡pw F¶p. AXp sIm­m hnfn¨Xv. AhÀ¡p C¶p Rm³ thsd ]Wn sImSp¯ns«m­v...."

" tlbv...R³ AhcpsS ASps¯m¶pw t]mbnÃ."

" t]mS Rm³ BWp§sf Cs¶m¶paà ImWps¶..\nsâ XpWnsbm¶p amÁnt¡...Rm³ t\m¡s«..." CXpw ]dªv AhÀ Fsâ ep¦n amÁn t\m¡n. I¼n Bbn \mWnbt½sS Xp¸epw sXm«p \nÂIp¶ Fsâ Ip®¸mc ]nSn¨p t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp.

" \o AhcpsS hmbneSn¡phmcp¶p AtÃ... \n\¡p Rm³ h¨ns«m­v. "

" CÃ tN¨n kXyambn«pw CÃ. C¸w tN¨n Ip\nªp \nÂIp¶Xp I­¸w Ch³ s]m§nbXm. tN¨o.... ... tN¨o...........Rm³ B sXmSs¡tSÂ H¶p ht¨mt« ?...."

" A{X \nÀ_ÔamtW ht¨m, ]t£... hcp¯m³ ]Á¯nÃ. "

" C§s\ t]mbm F\n¡p h«p ]nSn¡pw.."

" ]nSn¡t« sImtd kpJn¨XsÃ... Ahfpamcpambn«v..."

Rm³ ]Xps¡ kmcn s]m¡n, \à shfp¯ hmg¸n­n t]met¯ XSn¨ B XpSIÄ¡nSbnte¡p Fsâ Kpems\ XncpIn. tIdm³ Aåw {]bmkw tXm¶nbt¸mÄ AhÀ XpSIÄ H¶I¯n \n¶p. AhÀ AhcpsS ap¼neqsS I¿n«v Ahsâ Xe hen¨p s]m¡n t\sc h¨p XpSIÄ c­pw ASp¸n¨p \n¶p. Rm³ Ip\nªp. AhcpsS I£¯n IqsS I¿n«p apeIfn ]nSn¨p sR¡ns¡m­v ASn¡m³ t\m¡n. Aåw _p²nap«mbncp¶p. AXp sIm­p apeIÄ Rm³ hn«p, kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw  \¶mbn s]m¡n apIfnte¡p h¨p. F¶n«p Ip­nbn ]nSn¨p sR¡m³ XpS§n. A[nIw hgp¡Â CÃmXncp¶Xp sIm­p ASn henb {]bmkambncp¶p. F¦nepw Ip® sXmenbpIbpw ASbpIbpw sNbvXncp¶Xp sIm­v Hcp ]®ensâ {]XoXn D­mbn. XpWn Xncp½p¶Xn¶nSbn Fsâ XÅ sIm­v apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw BSns¡m­v tN¨n ]dªp. AhÀ ]dªp.

" sNdp¡\p `b¦c Ig¸mWtÃm... Ct§mSp sIm­phmSm...Ip®¨mtc.."

tN¨n Xncnªp t\tc \n¶p. Ip® XpS¡nSbn \n¶pw Ducnt¸m¶p. XpWn Xmsgbn«n«p AhÀ Fsâ `oa³ KZ I¿nseSp¯p. Hcp I¿n Aåw tkms¸Sp¯p ]pc«n ]X¸n¨v ]dntb ]pc«n. F¶n«p hmWaSn¡m³ XpS§n. F\n¡p kpJw tIdn. c­p Ibv sIm­pw Rm³ B h³ apeIfn ]nSn¨p sR¡n ckn¨p. Ip®bn tkm¸p ]Xªp, \à hgphgp¡embn. "¥p...¥p..." Fs¶mcp sNdnb iÐw tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n. Ahsâ Nph«nte¡p sXmen amÁn Dd¸n¨p ]nSn¨n«p aIpS¯n AhÀ Dgnbm³ XpS§n. AsXmcp hÃm¯ ]nSp¯ambncp¶p. kpJw sIm­p Rm³ ]pfªp t]mbn.

Fsâ Acs¡«n sh«Â XpS§n, F\n¡p D·mZw h¶p XpS§n. c­p Znhkambn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶ hnImcw AWs]m«mdmbn. tN¨nbmIs« Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨p sIm­p hmWaSn¨p XIÀ¡pIbmWp. Rm³ ]dªp.

" F\n¡p Hcp½ Xm tN¨o....."

tN¨n AhcpsS apJw ASp¸n¨p Fsâ Np­pIfn ISn¨p. Rm³ B Np­pIÄ hmbnem¡n Ddp©n.

Rm³ kpJw sIm­p Rc§n¯pS§n. Fsâ ImepIÄ Rm\dnbmsX s]m§n. Acs¡«p apt¶m«p XÅn. AhÀ Fsâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p.

" hcmdmtbmSm...?"

" Bbn....tN¨n sXcpsXsc ]nSn¡v....." AhÀ hmW¯nsâ kv]oUp Iq«n.

" ...F\n¡p hcp¶p ....tN¨o...........h.....¶q......lm.........hq........."

Fsâ Ip® _ew ]nSn¨p. ]m¯pÅnIÄ anÊbnepIÄ t]mse sXdn¨p. tN¨nbpsS I¿nepw kmcnbnepw Xdbn ip¢w NnXdn. tN¨n Ibv Nen¸n¨p sImt­bncp¶p. Fsâ _ew Ipdªt¸mÄ tNmZn¨p.

" aXntbm....."

" aXn..." Rm³ H¶p c­p {]mhiyw IqSn sR«n¡gnªt¸mÄ tN¨n Ip®bn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. tkm¸pw ip¢hpw IeÀ¶ncp¶ I¿n t\m¡ns¡m­p ]dªp.

" shdptX Ifªp. kmcanÃ...\n\¡p kam[m\ambsÃm. C\n CXpw s]m¡ns¡m­v AhcpsS ]pdsI \S¡cpXv tIt«m.."

" sImd¨p kam[m\ambn. F¶mepw tN¨nbpsS Ip­n ImWp¼w C\nbpw s]m§pw..."

" C\n s]m§nbm Rm³ N«pIw ]gp¸n¨p hípw ...]dtª¡mw..."

H¶pw an­msX Rm³ AhnsS \ne¯p Ip¯nbncp¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªp, Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨n......Bcm Cu tKm]³ ...

" ]ns¶ ....DuWp Ignbp¼w ]dbmw. C¸w ASp¡tftem«p sNÃs«....\o Cu XpWn H¶p hncn¨nSv...AtXm shÅw t]mbs¸m £oWapt­m....? "

"Gbv...Hcp £otWmanÃ...Rm³ hncn¨nt«mfmw......Rm³ XpWnIÄ FSp¯p. Hcp jÍn FSp¯p t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp.

" `Khmt\...Cu jÍnbmbn«p P\n¨mepw aXnbmbncp¶p...FXnsâ Hcp tbmKw..."

" sicnbm, amksamd hcp¼w \mÁhpw ]nSn¨p sIS¡mhtÃm..."

" F¶mepw B \mÁw Hcp kpJam tN¨n...{]tXyIn¨p tN¨nbpsS..."

" F¶mepw DtjsS At{Xw kpJw hcptamSm........"

" AXv Rms\§s\ Adnbm\m......tN¨n shdptX AXpanXpw ]dbmsX...."

" Mqw....F\n¡dnbmw FÃmw Dj Ft¶mSp FÃmw ]dªp. \o AhfpsS jÍow {_mbpw FSp¯p \¡nbXpw aW¸n¨Xpw FÃmw..."

" Hm.. AX§s\ Hcp Znhkw......As{XbpÅp..."

" F¶mepw C{X sNdp¸¯nte C{Xbpw Ig¸v....\n\s¡§s\ D­msbSm...."

" tN¨n....t]mbn Fsâ AOt\mSp tNmZn¨p t\m¡v.....là ]ns¶......"

F\n¡p tZjyw h¶p. H¸w A]am\ t_m[hpw. B t]m¡ncns¸®p FÃmw ChnsS hnf¼nbncn¡p¶p. Ahkcw hct«, Ahsf Rm³ shdptX hnS¯nÃ. Rm³ Dd¸n¨p, ]ns¶ XpWn hncn¡m³ t]mbn.

D¨bqWp Ignªv tN¨n ab§m³ tIdnbt¸mÄ Rm\pw IqsS apdnbn tIdn InS¶p.

" Mqw.....F´n\m \nsâ `mhw......"

" Np½m.....tN¨osS IqsSs¡S¡m³......]ns¶ tKm]³...."

" Hm, IY tI¡m\m.....AtÃ......sicn....]dbmw......clkyam....shfnbn hn«m ]ns¶ Rm³ Pohn¨ncn¡nÃ....HmÀt¯m..."

" CsÃsâ s]m¶p tN¨o.....]d."

tN¨n XebnW FSp¯v `n¯nbnte¡v Nmcnh¨p. F¶n«v Nmcn¡nS¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv tN¨nbpsS IqsS H¸w B XebnWbpsS AÁ¯p tN¨ntb sXm«p Nmcn InS¶p. tN¨nbpsS tZl¯p sXm«t¸mÄ Xs¶ Ip® s]m§m³ XpS§n. ap­n\pÅn IqSmcambn. AhÀ AXp I­p.

" IY tI¡m³ Zm Hcp¯\pw IqsS Fgpt¶Áp hcp¶p. C§s\bpt­m Hcp ]dn. C¨nsc ap¼v Hcp sImSw ]mep Rm³ Id¶p IfªtX DÅp. ]nt¶w tZ s]m§n hcp¶p.."

tN¨n Is¿¯n¨p, ep¦n amÁn Fsâ Ip®tb ]nSn¨p. I¿nsemXp§m¯ B I¼n¸mcbpw ]nSn¨v B«ns¡m­v IY ]dbm³ XpS§n. Rm³ Aåw sNcnªp InS¶n«p tN¨nbpsS Hcp apebn XShm\pw XpS§n.

" Fsâ s]m¶p samt\...Fs¶ \o C¸w NqSm¡tÃSm. tZmi¡Ãp apgph³ hr¯ntISm...\o Is¿Sp¡v..."

]t£ Rm³ Is¿Sp¯nÃ. Rm³ c­p apeIfpw amdn amdn XShpIbpw ]Xps¡ sR¡pIbpw sNbvXp sIm­ncp¶p. F§s\ sN¿mXncn¡pw. tN¨nbpsS I¿n InS¶p Fsâ Kpem³ hn§n sh«pIbtÃ. B an\p¯ Ihnf¯v Hcp NqSp D½ IqSn Rm³ sImSp¯p. F\n¡htcmSv At¸mÄ `b¦c Cãw tXm¶n.

Hcp kz]v\¯nset¶mWw AhÀ ]dªp XpS§n.

" Rm\pw tKm]\pw sNdp¸¯nte Xs¶ Iq«pImcmbncp¶p. hepXmIpt¼mÄ IeymWw Ign¨v Hcpan¨p Pohn¡m\pw B{Kln¨Xm. ]t£ ho«n Cãambncp¶nÃ.."

" AsX´m..."

" R§Ä c­p PmXnbn s]«hcmbXp sIm­v....]Wap­mbncps¶¦nepw tKm]³ PmXnbn XmW \mbcmbncp¶p."

" tN¨ntb tKm]³ tN«³ D½ h¨ns«mt­m...."

" H¯ncn H¯ncn.....{]oUn{Kn¡p R§Ä c­v t]cpw knÁnbnte tImtfPnepw tlmÌenepw Bbncp¶p. F¶pw R§Ä ImWpw..]mÀ¡n t]mIpw. BfpIÄ tIdm¯ Hcp ]mÀ¡p­mbncp¶p, apgph³ ImSp ]nSn¨p sIS¶Xv. R§sft¸mse Nne ]mÀ«nIÄ Imcyw ImWm³ hcp¶XÃmsX AhnsS Bcpw hcmdnÃmbncp¶p. ]mÀ¡nte hbʳ hm¨À¡p CS¡nSíp tKm]³ Aåw Imip sImSp¯ncp¶p. Hgnª tImWn Ccp¶p kz]v\w ImWpw, sI«n¸nSn¨p D½ hípw. Fsâ apeIsf Ct{Xw hfÀ¯nbXv Fsâ tKm]sâ IbvIfm...."

" tN¨n Xncn¨v H¶pw sNbvXn«ntÃ..."

" ]nt¶........Rm\pw sN¿pambncp¶p.. Zm CXpt]mse Xs¶....\nsâ Cu ]dnbpw tKm]sâ ]dnbpw Htct]msebm...h®¯nepw \of¯nepw FÃmw.....tKm]sâ........ sIm¨ptKm]sâ Hmtcm Rc¼pIfpw F\n¡dnbmw ....B I¼nt]mes¯ Ahsâ aknepw...B Xebpw.. ]«p¡pS \nhÀ¯ t]msebmcp¶p Ahsâ Xe, Fs´mcp hen¸w.....Fsâ I¿n sIS¶p F{X {]mhiyw hcmep s]S¡p¶ t]mse sIS¶p s]S¨Xm. ]mânsâ knºp amÁn Ahs\ ]nSn¡m³ F\n¡p hfsc Ffp¸ambncp¶p. \à ioa t]cím amXncnbmbncp¶p tKm]sâ D­IÄ, Hmtcm¶pw Hcp Ibv \ndsb. B A­n¡ngnIÄ I¿n FSp¯p Rm³ tNmZn¨n«p­v CXn\Is¯´mWp C§s\ ab¯n \nd¨p h¨ncn¡p¶Xv F¶p. A¸w tKm]³ ]dbpw Fsâ h\ptamfpsS Ih¡nSbn Hfn¨p InS¡p¶ Hcp tZhnbnsÃ, tbm\otZhn, AhÄ¡p A`ntjI¯ns\mÅ ]memsW¶p..... Rm\n§s\ Znhkhpw Ibv ]nSn¨p AXp XoÀ¯p Ifªmtem....CsÃsâ a­ns¸t® AXp Ddh t]msebm....]nt¶w D­mIpw.. tKm]sâ IhínS apgph³ \à I«nbpÅ Idp¯ tcmaambncp¶p. hnctemSn¡m³ \à ckambncp¶p. kÂhmdnsâbpw jÍnbpsSbpw apIfn IqSn Fsâ kmam\¯n sXmSm³ ]mhw tKm]\p henb _p²nap«mbncp¶p. tKm]sâ km[\w \à ho¸¡pÁn t]se s]m§n \n¡pw, ]s£ Fsâ ]qdnsâ Imcyw Iãambncp¶p......"

" ]mhw tN¨osS ]qdnsâ Imcyw...." Rm³ klX]n¨p.

" sI«n¸nSn¨pw Fs¶s¡m­p hmWaSn¸n¨pw, same¡pw ]nSn¨pw XpWosS tamfn¡qSn Fsâ IhínSbn Xncp½nbpw Hs¡ R§Ä c­p t]cpw H¯ncn {]mhiyw kpJn¨n«p­v. A¶p R§Ä¡p c­n\pw \à Ig¸pw ISnbpambncp¶p. Fs¶¡­m tKm]\p I¼nbmIpw, tKm]³ H¶p sXm«m Fsâ IhíntS¶p ]¼bmdp amXncn HgpIm³ XpS§pw. ]ns¶ F§s\sb¦nepw Ig¸p XoÀ¡Ww. Nnet¸mÄ ]mÀ¡nse s_©nepw tKm]sâ ]m Hgn¨n«p­v. aÁmsc¦nepw AXnsâ apIfn h¶ncn¡p¶ Imcyw HmÀ¯p R§Ä H¯ncn Nncn¨n«p­v. Fsâ jÍn \\ªp IpXncm¯ Znhk§fnÃ. Nne¸w Fsâ Zp¸«bnte¡p tKm]sâ sImgp¯ Ip®¸m Rm³ Ibv]nSns¨mgn¡pw. F´p am{Xw ]memcp¶p h¶Xv.. cm{Xn hSn t]mse DW§nb Zp¸«bpw sI«n¸n¨p Rm\pd§pw."

" At¸m.....tN¨osS ]qtd CtX htc tKmt]«³ sXm«n«nà AsÃ....\n§Ä¡p hà temUvPntem atÁm s]míqSmcpt¶m...kpJambn«p Ifns¡w sN¿mw ISow Ig¸pw XocptIw sN¿pw.." Rm³ Fsâ ip²amb a\Êp Im«nb D]mbw ]dªp.

" t]mSm a­m.....Rm³...AXn\p hgn I­p ]nSn¨p."

tN¨n CXpw ]dªv »uknsâ lq¡pIÄ Agn¨p hnSÀ¯nbn«p. \nhÀ¶n«p ]pdIn I¿n«p {_mbpw Ab¨p. F¶n«p {_m apeIÄ¡p apIfnte¡p s]m¡n h¨p. ape sR«pIÄ c­pw Nph¶p hoÀ¯ncp¶p. ape¡®pIÄ Idp¯p XpSp¯ncp¶p. tN¨n¡p ISn CfInsbs¶\n¡p a\Ênembn.

" Fsâ tam³ CXp c­pw H¶p hen¨p IpSnt¨. .....]nSn¨pw XShnbpw \osbs¶ Cf¡n....Rm\n\nsb§s\ H¶p XoÀ¡pw Fsâ tKm]m....tamt\..."

" tN¨n¡p Rm³ Ifn¨p Xcmw... Asæn \¡n¯cmw...... tN¨osS ]qsdm¶p  sXmd¶p Xm......"

" th­Sm....Hcp Znhkw IqSn £an¡v...."

" tN¨osS Cãw....C¨ncqsS kv]oUn ]nSn¡mthm tN¨n..... F\n¡p \à ckw hcp¶q...."

" A¼S...\n\¡p aq¯p CtÃ... ]nSn¡mw....C\ow hcp¯nbm...s\\¡p £oWamIpw...."

" H¶pamI¯nÃ... tN¨sS Cu samsew ]p¡nfpw Ip­osams¡ HmÀ¯v Znhkw c­pw aq¶pw hmWaSn¨ns«mÅXm....]ns¶bm...C¸w.. ....... tN¨n Bsªm¶p ]nSnt¨......."

tN¨n ]nSp¯¯nsâ kv]oUp Iq«n. Ipt®sS Xebn ]nSn¨p sR¡nbn«p ]dªp.

" tZs­Sm tamt\ Ah³ Icbp¶p...." tN¨n Fsâ Ip®bpsS AÁ¯p \n¶qdnb tX³ XpÅnIÄ hnc sIm­v tXm­nsbSp¯p kz´w \mhn h¨p cpNn¨p.

" \à D¸p...t\m¡nt¡...." hnc Fsâ hmbnen«p sIm­p tNmZn¨p.

" \mWnbt½sS ]qÁnte tX\n\p D¸mcpt¶m...AtXm... ]pfnbmcpt¶m...."

" F´mtWepw tN¨ns¡´m tNXw.... tN¨n IY ]d. F´p hgnbm tN¨n I­p ]nSn¨Xv....?" F\n¡p AX{X ]nSn¨nÃ.

Rm³ ho­pw B apeIfnte¡p Xncnªp. tN¨n Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v apebnte¡p tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨psIm­p Fsâ Kpemt\epÅ hmWaSn XpSÀ¶p. Rm³ B sR«pw ape¡®pw tNÀ¯p N¸m³ XpS§n, CS¡p sR«nt·Â Hcp ISnbpw.

" Mm...]Xps¡...t\mshm¡msX IpSns¡Sm......tams\........Mm....F¶n«p.................... kln sI«p Hcp Znhkw Rm³ Fsâ kÂhmdnsâ Ih¡nSbn Hcp aq¶n©p \of¯n X¿Â FSp¯p Ifªp. tlmÌente Fsâ dqw taÁv CXp I­p tNmZn¨p, F´n\m CXp hnSphn¡p¶Xv F¶p. Rm³ ]dªp, `b¦c NqSp ImcWw sNmdnbp¶p. t]mcmªn«v F¸gpw \\ªncn¡p¶ kvYeatÃ........ Aåw ImÁp IS¡m³ th­nbmsW¶p."

Rm³ apebn \n¶pw Np­p amÁn ]dªp.

" tN¨osS _p²n A]mcw Xs¶..."

" \o IpSn \nÀ¯msX Fsâ tamt\...."

ho­pw tN¨n Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p atÁ apetbmSp tNÀ¯p ]dªp.

" C\n Chtf IpSn¡v...Ahtf ]nSn¡v....c­p t]tcbpw Hcp t]mse t\m¡Ww ...Csæn HcmÄ ]nW§pw...." Rm³ ]dª t]mse sN¿m³ XpS§n.

" A¶p R§Ä ]mÀ¡n Ccp¶t¸mÄ tKm]sâ Ibv ]nSn¨p kÂhmdnsâ hnShp ImWn¨p sImSp¯p. tKm]sâ I®p XÅnt¸mbn. Fs´mcp kt´mjambncp¶p B apJ¯v. tKm]³ B hnShn IqSn AIt¯¡p I¿n«p, \\ªp IpXnÀ¶ncp¶ jÍnbpsS hit¯¡p amÁn Fsâ ]qÁn BZyambp I¿n«p, At¸mÄ Rm³ A\p`hn¨ kpJw.....slm....C¶pw AtXmÀ¡p¼w Fsâ ]qdp Npc¯pw. AhnsS sam¯w Ibv sIm­p X¸n,  XShn tKm]³ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p, h\q, \nsâ IfnkvYew apgph\pw A¸nSn ]pÃp tIdn hfÀ¶tÃmSn, CXn\I¯p \n¶p Rm³ F§s\ Fsâ I´p tamsf I­p ]nSn¡pw F¶p. Fsâ icocw tcmam©w sIm­p hndípIIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ ]dªp BhiyaptÅmcp I­p ]nSnt¨mWw F¶p. Ahkm\w ]qS¡nSbn X¸n X¸n Fsâ I´p tKm]³ I­p ]nSn¨p. A¶p tKm]³ Fsâ It´Â hncepIÄ sIm­p ]nSn¨p hen¨p. sRcSn, Rm³ kpJ¯nsâ Cutcgp ]Xn¶mep temIhpw I­p. Fsâ ]qdnsâ hnShn\p apIfn IqSn hnctemSn¨¸w Fsâ tZlw apgph\pw IdâSn¡p¶ t]membncp¶p. c­v hncepIÄ AIt¯¡n«p tKm]³ Fsâ ]qhnXfpIÄ hen¨p ]pdt¯s¡Sps¯Sm.. F¶n«p ]dªp \à hb\mS³ shÁne t]mse hnkvXmcsamÅ CebmWtÃm tamsf, F\n¡p Cu ]qhnXfpIÄ H¶p aW¡WatÃm Fsâ h\q. Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp, Cãw t]mse aWt¯m, Fsâ tKm]sâ kz´w s]®nsâ Imens¶tSse {hpµmh\¯nse ]qhtÃ. tKm]³ Ip\nªv Fsâ Imen¶nSbnte¡p apJw C«p, Rm³ Fsâ Jaoknsâ AÁw sIm­p tKm]sâ Xe aqSn¸nSn¨p. F¶n«p ImepIÄ Ih¨p. s_©n Aåw Nmªncp¶p. tKm]³ Fsâ ap³ hit¯ Iod H¶p IqSn hen¨p Iodn hepXm¡n, Fsâ jÍn hit¯¡p amÁn, \m¡It¯¡n«p Fsâ ...Fsâ ...tXs\mgp¶ ]qÁn tatem«pw Iotgm«pw \¡n, aq¡n«pc¨p, aW¯p, Fsâ hncnª ]qhnsâ aWw aq¡nte¡p Bªp hen¨p tIÁn. AI¯p hncen«p, Fsâ ]qdn \n¶pw sicn¡pw shÅw HgpIn tKm]sâ I¿pw Np­pw aq¡pw apgph³ \\¨p. Rm³ tKm]sâ Xe ]nSn¨aÀ¯n, ImcWw F\n¡p hcm³ XpS§nbncp¶p. kvYeIme t`ZadnbmsX Rm³ hnImchpw kpJhpw sIm­p ap{Ibn«p, Rc§n., ]ns¶ Rm³ hnd¨p F\n¡p `mcanÃmsXbmbn Fsâ I®pIÄ Iq¼nt¸mbn. F\n¡p shÅw h¶p. Ig¸p XoÀ¶¸w Rm³ Fsâ IhínSbn \n¶pw tKm]sâ apJw hens¨Sp¯p, ImcWw F\n¡v C¡nfn BIm³ XpS§nbncp¶p.

Hcp \nanjw Ignªp Rm³ I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ I­ ImgN Btcbpw Nncn¸n¡p¶Xmbncp¶p. ImSn¡e¯n Xebn« ]iphnsâ tam´ amXncn Fsâ tKm]sâ apJw. Fsâ ]qÁnse sImgp¯ ImSnbn Ipfn¨ tKm]sâ apJw I­v Rm³ Nncn¨p. kpJw A\p`hn¨ Hcp s]®nsâ a\Ênsâ Nncn. B apJw ]nSn¨p Rm³ Fsâ Npt­mSp tNÀ¯p. Fsâ tbm\nt¯\n\p A¶p F\n¡p IqSpX cpNn tXm¶n. tKm]³ ]dbpIm \nsâ kmam\¯o¶v Dcpfp s]m«nb amXncnbm tXs\mgpIp¶Xv. AXp tI«t¸mÄ Fsâ Ih¡nSbn \n¶pw ho­pw HgpIp¶Xp Rm\dnªp. A¶p Rm³ BZyambn tKm]sâ Ip® Du¼n Xn¶p. hmbn sImÅm³ ]mSmbncps¶¦nepw Xe Hcp hn[¯n AI¯m¡n \mhp sIm­p \¡n \¡n Hcp hn[¯n Rm³ tKm]s\ kzÀ¤w ImWn¨p. A¶p Rm³ ip¢¯nsâ cpNn Adnªp.............. "

" tN¨n C\n ]Xps¡ ]nSn¨m aXn ...Csæn Fsâ Ip® iÀ±n¡pw..... F\n¡p hcm³ t]mIphm tN¨n..........."tN¨nbpsS hnhcWw tI« F\n¡p GXm­p h¶Xp t]msebmbn.

" ]ns¶ R§Ä an¡hmdpw Znhk§fn At\ym\yw kpJn¸n¡pambncp¶p. R§Ä ]et¸mgpw ¢mÊn IbdmsX ]mÀ¡n NpÁn \S¶p BfnÃm¯ kvYew X¸n Hfn¨ncp¶p kpJn¨p. ]®msa¶p ]et¸mgpw tKm]³ ]dªp, ]t£ B]¯p t]Sn¨p Rm³ k½Xn¨nÃ. Fsâ ]Tn¯w Dg¸n. Hcp Znhkw AO³ tImtfPn h¶t¸mÄ IY sbÃmw Adnªp, R§fpsS t{]aw tImsfPn ]m«mbncp¶p. A¶p sIm­p Fsâ ]Tn¯w \nÀ¯n, AO³ \nsâ A½mh\p Fs¶ ]nSn¨p sImSp¯p. ]s£, tKm]³ Fs¶ kpJn¸n¨ B kpJw Hcp Ime¯pw Fsâ a\Ên \n¶pw t]mI¯nÃ....Fsâ tKm]s\ HmÀ¯m \nsâ A½mhsâ ]®en Rm³ kpJn¡p¶Xv.. ...................  C\n \o Hs¶gpt¶tÁ..."

Rm³ AhcpsS s\©n \n¶pw Xe s]m¡n. apeIsf kzX{´ambn hn«p. Ah s\Rn InS¶p Xpfp¼ns¡m­ncp¶p. Hcp Ibv Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn apdp¡nt¡m­p Xs¶, asÁ Ibv kmcn¡nSbnte¡p \o§n. AhÀ IhínSbnte¡p Ibv sIm­p t]mbn. F¶n«p FhnsStbm, I´n Bbncn¡mw, Xncp½m\pw aqfm\pw XpS§n. Rm³ ho­pw Ip\nªp apeIÄ N¸m\pw ]nSn¡m\pw XpS§n. tN¨nbpsS kmcn¡Snbnte Xncp½ensâ thKw IqSm³ XpS§n.

" Fsâ tKm]m.....tams\...hen¨p IpSns¡Sm...... sR¡n s]m«ns¡Sm.... F\n¡p...hcps¶Sm...tamt\.... lmbo........"

AhÀ ImepIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½m³ XpS§n. Rm³ tN¨nbpsS kmcn¡Snbnte¡v Hcp Ibv IS¯m³ t\m¡n.

" th­m....\o....Is¿Sp¡v......F\n¡p hcp¯m³ F\n¡dnbmw..........Fsâ tKm]m...."

tN¨n Imen«Sn¨p.  Fsâ Ip®bnte ]nSp¯w hÃmsX apdpIn tN¨n hmWaSn ad¶p.. Hcp Ibv sIm­p Rm³ tN¨nbpsS Ibv klnXw Fsâ Ip®bn hmWaSn¨p.

Rc§ns¡m­p tN¨n IhínSbn thKw thKw Xncp½m³ XpS§n.

" Mqw.....Mqw....F\n¡p tKm]sâ Ip® thWw... Fsâ kmam\w I¯ps¶Sm...... lbo....F\n¡p hcps¶Sm........samte AaÀ¯n ]nSn s¡Sm.......lbo... F\n¡p kln¡p¶ntÃ........."

På\§Ä¡nSbn tN¨nbpsS Act¡«p tasems«m¶p s]m§n _eambn c­p sk¡âp \n¶p. ]ns¶ Xmtgm«p hoWp. F\n¡p a\Ênembn tN¨nbpsS Dcpfp s]m«n, Acs¡«nse tbm\n¡pf¯n \n¶pw tX\nsâ Ips¯mgp¡p XpS§n F¶p. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ apJw B HgpIp¶ kmam\¯nemsW¶p Rm³ k¦ån¨p. B sImgp sImgp¯ I´p Fsâ hmbnemsW¶p Rm³ hnNmcn¨p. Hcp \nanjw..... Fsâ Ip®bpw iÀ±n¨p. Rm³ tN¨nbpsS Ibv amÁn Fsâ Ibv sIm­p hmWaSn¨p. Aan«p s]m«p¶ t]mse ip¢w hmbphn IqSn sXdn¨v kmcnbnepw IbvIfnepw hoWp NnXdn. c­p t]cpw ISn AS§p¶Xp hsc Xncp½epw ]nSp¯hpw XpSÀ¶p sIm­ncp¶p.

Aåw Ignªp tN¨nbpsS hnImcs¡«gnªt¸mÄ tN¨n kmcn¡Snbn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. Rm³ Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSn hn«p. Ah³ Fsâ ep¦nbnepw tN¨nbpsS kmcnbnepw FÃmw A{apXm`ntjIw \S¯nbncp¶p. Aå t\cw R§Ä AXp t]mse InS¶p. tN¨n Fsâ s\Ánbn Hcp½ X¶p. AhÀ Hcp Ibv FSp¯v Fsâ Ip®tb X¸n t\m¡n. Ah³ Xmgm³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Rm³ kmcn¡Snbnencp¶ tN¨nbpsS Ibv FSp¯v t\m¡n, hncepIfn sImgp¯ aZ\ckw ]Ánbncp¶p. Rm\m B hnc H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. Hcp hÃm¯ aWw. ]qdnsâ am{XaÃ, atÁtXm Hcp \mÁw IqSn F\n¡p A\p`hs¸«p.. hnImcw AS§nbXp sIm­mhmw F\n¡Xp A{X Cãs¸«nÃ.

tN¨n ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp _m¯pdqante¡p t]mbn, Aåw Ignªp Xncn¨p h¶p h¶t¸mÄ XpWnsbms¡ t\scbmbncp¶p. B IpfnÀapeIÄ »ukn\pÅn InS¶p kt´mjw sIm­p Ipep§n Nncn¡p¶p­mbncp¶v..

" \nsâ ep¦n A¸nSn hr¯ntISmbn, t]mbn amdn DSp¡v. "

Rm³ Fgps¶Át¸mÄ tN¨n InS¡bnte¡p Nmªp. Rm³ ep¦n ]dn¨p Ifªn«p tN¨nbpsS IqsS tIdn InS¶p. Hcp Im tN¨nbpsS Acs¡«nte¡p IbÁn h¨p. sNcnªp InS¶p Hcp Ibv DbÀ¶p \n¶ apeIfn sh¨p. tN¨n Hcp Ibv sIm­p Fsâ XfÀ¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p ]nSn¨p.

Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" tKm]ntN«³ Ct¸mÄ FhnsSbm..."

]Tn¯w Dg¸n, tXmÁp t]mbn. ]ns¶ Fsâ IeymWw Bbt¸mÄ \mSp hn«p. ]mhw Fsâ tKm]³ ......C¸w .........."   Aåw Ignªv Rm³ ho­pw tNmZn¨p.

" tN¨o... At¸m......tN¨n¡p A½mhs\ CãantÃ....\n§fp c­p t]cpw Ifn¡p¶ntÃ..."

" Cãam...Ifnbpsam­v....s]®p§tf kpJn¸n¡m³ \nsâ A½mh\p \Ã hncpXm. A¶p \o ASp¡tf sh¨p I­ntÃ...."

"At¿m...A¶t¯ ]cn]mSn kq¸À...I­p \n¶ F\n¡p....Rm\dnbmsXbm F\n¡p shÅw t]mbXv.."

" A§\s¯ H¯ncn ]WnIÄ D­v G«sâ I¿nÂ...]t£......"

" F´m tN¨o Hcp ]t£....?

" H¶panÃ...\o an­msX InS¡v, F\n¡pd¡w hcp¶p,  H¶p ab§s«."

]ns¶ Rm³ an­nbnÃ. H¶p IqSn apdps¡ sI«n]nSn¨p InS¶p.

Aå \nanj§Ä¡pÅn c­p t]cpw Dd§nt¸mbn.

 

BcptSsbm kwkmcw tI«mWp R§Ä DWÀ¶Xv. DWÀ¶ ]mtS Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv Xmsg InS¶ ep¦nbpsaSp¯v Fsâ apdnbntetímSn. Hcp ep¦n FSp¯pSp¯p. tN¨n XeapSnbpw hmcn¨pÁn tIm«p hmbn«p sIm­p ]Xps¡ Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ I®pw Xncp½n sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p.

AXv henb½mbnbpw Djbpw Bbncp¶p. c­p t]cpw NqSn hnbÀ¯p Ipfn¨ncp¶p. A½mbn kmcnbpsS AÁw sIm­v hoin apdnbnte¡p Ibdn. At¸mtg¡pw tN¨nbpw Fgpt¶Áp h¶ncp¶p.

" CXmcv tN«¯ntbm... ]XnhnÃmsX...FSm \obm ^ms\m¶nt«... Dtj Ccns¡So..."

tN¨n Ahsc kzoIcn¨ncp¯n. Rm³ ^m³ HmWm¡n, Hcp \nanjw Djtb t\m¡n. Ahfpw hnbÀ¯ncp¶p. I£w apX apehtc »ukv \\sªm«nbncp¶p. AXp ImWm³ F\n¡p Hcp IuXpIw tXm¶n. ]t£ Rm³ AhfpsS apJ¯p t\m¡nbnÃ. ZmhWn sIm­v AhÄ apJw H¸n. Rm³ ]Xps¡ Fsâ apdnbnte¡p henªp.

" Mm... ]XnhnÃmsXbm...c­p t]cpw \Ã Dd¡ambncp¶p AtÃ.."

" AsX tN«¯n....DuWp Ignªv H¶p ab§n...As{XbpÅp.  hnPbm...FSm C§p ht¶.." tZ.. Cu _msKSp¯p \nsâ apdotem«p ht¨..."

Rm³ sN¶p AhcpsS _mKpsaSp¯v Fsâ apdnbnte¡p t]m¶p. AhÀ hÀ¯am\w XpS§n.

" ]ns¶ Fs´ms¡ D­v hntij§Ä tN«¯o.......At§m«p hcWw F¶p hnNmcn¡m³ XpS§nbn«p sImsd Znhk§fmbn..CtX hsc H¯nÃ.."

"R§fpw Ct§m«p hcWsa¶p hnNmcn¡pw.. ]t£ ChÄ¡p ¢mÊp­mbncp¶Xp sIm­v CtX hsc ]ÁnbnÃ. "

" ]ns¶ Dtj...]dsbSo....tN«¯n Chf§p £oWn¨p t]mbtÃm. ..."

" Hm.. AXp h\P¡p tXm¶p¶Xm...AhÄ \¶mbXm Ct¸mÄ..."

" tN¨n CfbO³ F¸gm hcpt¶..." Dj tNmZn¨p.

" G«³ hcpt¼m H¼Xp aWnbmIpw. "

" AXp htc tN¨n HÁímtWm...."

" Gbv... C¸w hnPb\pw D­tÃm...Ahs\mÅXv shenb Hcp klmbam F\n¡v....."

" Aht\mSv At§m«p hcWsa¶p ]dªm A¶v hn«Xv....C¸w Ah\p \ns¶ A§p ]nSn¨ a«mWtÃm. R§Ä Xncn¨p t]mIpt¼mÄ Ah\pw t]mt¶mt«....Atà tamtf...."

AXp tI« Rm³ Fsâ apdnbn \n¶pw hnfn¨p ]dªp.

" Rm\n¸w hcp¶nÃ..F\n¡nhnsS \n¶m aXn..."

At¸mÄ Dj hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p.

" \nsâ apds¸®nsâ ho«n hcm³ \n\¡nãantÃSm..." F¶n«hÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p.

" \o F¸gpw Ahs\ Ifnbm¡msXsâ Dtj....Ah³ sIm¨tÃ....."

" Mqw...sIm¨m....F¶mepw Ah\p apds¨dp¡sâ AhImiw ]dbm\dnbmw....."

Dj Fs¶ hnSp¶ a«nÃ. F\n¡p tZjyw Cc¨p tIdn. H¶pw h¿m¯ AhkvY. F´n\m Chtf Ct¸mÄ Ct§m«p sI«nsbSp¯Xv.

" t]ms« Dtj....Aht\ hnt«cv...\o Aht\ H¯ncn Ifnbm¡p¶p­v......hm \ap¡p Im¸n H­m¡mw. ...\n§fo hnbÀ¯ XpWnsbms¡ H¶p amdn hm...thtW H¶p Ipfnt¨m....."

tN¨n CSs]«p hnjbw amÁn. km[\¯ns\ ]nSn¨p IcWs¯m¶p s]m«n¡m³ tXm¶n. C¶sæn ]ns¶ Ft¸msg¦nepw. Xcw In«nbm cs­®w sImSp¡pw F´p {]iv\w D­mbmepw icn. Rm³ a\Ênepd¨p.

Dj Fsâ apdnbnte¡p h¶p.

" GXmbmepw Fsâ apds¨dp¡s\m¶p ]pdt¯¡p Cd§nt¡. Rm³ XpWnsbm¶p amds«."

Rm³ H¶pw an­msX shfnbnte¡nd§n. Cd§pt¼mÄ AhÄ ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

" Hfn¨p \n¶p t\m¡ntb¡cpXp tIt«m...\nsâ hnIrXn Adnbmhp¶Xp sIm­p ]dªXm. " ]ns¶ Aåw IqSn iÐw Xmgv¯n tNmZn¨p.

" ]ns¶ \nsâ ]gb aW¸n¡Â Irjn Ct¸mgpw Dt­m......Ipª½ ]mham ...AXp sIm­p \n\¡p Ffp¸ambncn¡pw....." ho­pw AhÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. F\n¡p Ien tIdn. F¦nepw H¶pw an­nbnÃ. Xo ]mdp¶ Hcp t\m«w t\m¡n, Rm³ ]pdt¯¡nd§n.

" Fsâ `mhn hc³ Fs¶ t\m¡n t]Sn¸n¡phm" F¶p ]dªp AhÄ IXIS¨p.

Rm³ ASp¡fbnte¡p sN¶p. tN¨n Acn s¸mSn FSp¯p ]elmcw D­m¡m³ Hcp§p¶p. Rm³ s_©nencp¶p.

" \osb´m hnPbm ]ns¶ At§m«p hcmXncps¶......."

" Hm, Ah\n¸w ChnSw ]nSn¨p tN«¯n. hà ItS t]mIm\pw ]ns¶  sNdnb sNdnb tPmen¡pw Hs¡ hnPb³ F\n¡p shenb klmbam......" CXpw ]dªv tN¨n Fs¶ H¶p t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨p. IÅnt¨¨n, ISn tIdp¼w C¸w Rm³ henb klmbw Xs¶bm F¶p a\ÊntemÀ¯p.

" h\tP \ap¡p \½sS A¼ms« ]mdpA¡s\ H¶p ImWm³ t]mIWw. AhÀ¡n¸w Xosc h¿. C\n Xmakn¨m sNe¸w ImWm³ ]Ánsb¶p hcnÃ. ChnsS ASp¯tÃ. \nt¶bpw Iq«n t]mImsa¶p h¨m R§Ä Cd§nbXv "

" AXns\´m...\msf cmhnse t]mImw...hnPbm \o t]mcpt¶m....."

" Hm....Rm\nà tN¨n...F\n¡mscbpw Adnb¯nÃ.....Rm³ ChnsS Ccpt¶mfmw......."

At¸mtg¡pw Dj XpWn amdn Xncns¨¯n. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp t]mIm³ XpS§n.

" AhnsS Ccns¡sâ `mhn `À¯mth.....Im¸n IpSn¨n«p s]mtím..." Dj Fsâ tXmfn ]nSn¨v s_©n Ccp¯n. Rm³ Xo¡\ense¶ t]mse Ccp¶p.

" \osbm¶p an­mXncn¡p Dtj..Aht\ ip­nsbSp¸n¡msX..." henb½mbn ]dªp.

]ns¶ Dj H¶pw ]dªnÃ. s]®p§Ä hÀ¯am\w XpSÀ¶p.

 

cm{Xn Djbpw A½bpw Fsâ apdnbnse I«nen InS¶p. Rm³ sSenhnj\n Hcp ZqcZÀi³ lnµn ]Sw I­p sIm­ncp¶p. AhÀ Dd§nbn«p apdnbn tIdmsa¶p hnNmcn¨p. ]Sw H¶pw a\ÊnembnÃ. XoÀ¶t¸mÄ ]mXncm Bbn.

Rm³ Fsâ apdnbnte¡p sN¶p ebnÁn«p. A½mbn sNcnªp InS¶p IqÀ¡w hen¨v Dd§p¶p­v. c­p t]cpw \à Dd¡amWp. Dj t\sc aeÀ¶mWp InS¡p¶Xv. AhÄ Hcp Im A½mbnbpsS Ac¡p apIfn tIÁnbmWp h¨ncn¡p¶Xv. AXp sIm­v ]mhmS B Imensâ ap«n\p apIfnteíp tIdnbmWp InS¡p¶Xv. shfp¯, Ipªp tcma§fpÅ amwkfamb an\pkapÅ XpSIÄ ]IpXnbn IqSpX ImWmw. Hmd©p apeIÄ »ukn\pÅn henªp apdpIn s]m§n \n¡p¶p. DbÀ¶p Xmgp¶ B ape¡p¶pIÄ Fs¶ amSn hnfn¡bmsW¶p tXm¶n. ]nSn¨p sRcn¨pSím³ Fsâ IbvIÄ Xcn¨p. ]p¡nÄ NpgnbpsS `wKn H¶p thsd Xs¶bmWp. s\Án¡p apIfn c­p aq¶p NpcpÄ apSnIÄ ImÁn ]mdn¡fn¡p¶p. `wKnbpÅ apJw, HXp§nb hbdpw hnSÀ¶ Acs¡«pw. \à hnkvXmcapÅ ]qdmbncn¡pw F¶p XoÀ¨. XpSIfn tcmaapÅ kvYnXn¡v ]qÁnepw tcma§Ä ImWpw. sam¯¯n Ahsfmcp Nc¡p Xs¶. Chsf IeymWw Ign¡p¶hsâ tbmKw. F\n¡p t\m¡n hmWaSn¡m\pw ASn¯pWnIÄ aW¡m\pw am{Xw hn[n. Aåw hnSÀ¶ Np­pIÄ, Hcp sNdp ]p©ncn Dt­m F¶p kwibw. tImtfPnse GsX¦nepw \mdnbpambn irwKcn¡p¶ kz]v\w ImWpIbmbncn¡pw. Acnihpw hnImchpw sIm­p Rm³ hnd¨p. F¦nepw Rm³ Fs¶ \nb{´n¨p. C\n H¶p IqSn \mWw tISm³ h¿. kln¡pI Xs¶.

^m\ps­¦nepw NqSp sIm­mbncn¡mw s]®p Ih¨mWp InS¡p¶Xp. ]mhmS henªp \n¡p¶Xp I­t¸mÄ F\ns¡mcp AbnUnbm tXm¶n. I«nensâ Im `mK¯p sN¶p Ccp¶p Ip\nªp ]mhmS¡pÅnte¡p t\m¡n. Aåw Ih¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn IqSn GXm­p shfp¯ ]q¡fpÅ jÍn Acn¨nd§p¶ shfn¨¯n ImWmw. \à _®p amXncn XSn¨p´nb ]qdmWp. XpS¡nSbn jÍn XÅnbmWp \n¡p¶Xv. jÍnbpsS \Sphnte Npfp¡w ]qdnsâ hnShmsW¶p a\Ênembn. I¿ns«m¶p ]nSn¡m³ a\Êp sh¼n. ]mhmS Aåw IqSn s]m¡nbmsem F¶p kwibn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ, Ahsfm¶\§n. Ibv Xmtg¡p sIm­p h¶p ]mhmS Iq«n ]qsdm¶p sNmdnªp. F¶n«p ]mhmS H¶p Xmtgm«p hen¨n«p. AXv s]®p§Ä Fs¸mgpw AdnbmsX sN¿p¶ Hcp ]WnbmsW¶p F\n¡dnbmw, ]mhmSbpw »ukpw kmcnbpsams¡ AhÀ Fs¸mgpw hen¨n«p sIm­ncn¡pw. ]t£ Dj Ct¸mÄ ]nSn¨n«t¸mÄ H¶pw kw`hn¨nÃ. sNmdnªXp ImcWw ]hmS Aåw IqSn DbÀ¶p F¶p am{Xw, F\n¡p ap³`mKw Ipd¨p IqSn hyàambn ImWmw. Rm\dnbmsX Fsâ Ibv Fsâ Ip®bnse¯n. Ah³ A\§m³ XpS§n. H¶p c­p Xmtemen¨t¸mtg¡pw Ah³ I¼nbmbn \n¶p. DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶ tbm\oXehpw CSbnse sh«pw ]qSbpw FÃmw Rm³ jÍn¡p apIfn IqSn a\Ên I­p. AXpw t\m¡n Ip® Xncp½pt¼mÄ, A½mbn H¶\§n. DjbpsS Im AhÀ FSp¯p Xmsg h¨p AhÀ t\sc InS¶p. Dj sNcnªp InS¶n«p atÁIm AhcpsS apIfn h¨p  F¶n«p XpSbn \n¶pw amdnt¸mb ]mhmS ap«n\p Xmtg¡p hen¨n«p. A½tbbpw sI«n]nSn¨p Dd¡w XpSÀ¶p. Fsâ Zriyw amªp. Ip® XmWp. Aåw IqSn AhnsS Ccp¶n«p Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. Aeamcn Xpd¶p Hcp josÁSp¯p. ebnÁv Hm^m¡n. tkm^bn s]mbn¡nS¶pd§n.

HmÀ½IÄ - -8                                                                       Font-Karthika

 

 

]ntÁ Znhkw A½mbnamÀ c­p t]cpw IqSn A¡s\ ImWm³ t]mIms\mcp§n. Fs¶  tN¨n ho­pw hnfn¨p. Rm³ hcp¶nà F¶p XoÀ¯p ]dªp, AXpw B Dj]nimNnsâ Iq«¯nÂ, AhnsS sN¶mepw AhÄ Fs¶ hnS¯nÃ. shey½mbn Djtb Iq«p hnfn¨p. AhÄ ]dªp.

" AhnsS A¸nSn Ipg¼ntâbpw G®bptSbpw aWambncn¡pw. Fâs½, Rm³ ChnsS InS¶p kpJambns«m¶p Dd§s«." At¸mÄ Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, B \miw t]mIp¶nsæn Rm³ t]mImw F¶p.

" tN¨n Rm\pw hcmw."

" ths­Sm, ChÄ ChnsS HÁísÃ. R§Ä Xmakn¡msX hcmw. DuWn\p ap¼p Xncns¨¯pw. \mWnb½ hcpImsW¦n ]m{X§fpw XpWnbpw IgpInbnSm³ ]d. "

" \n§Ä¡p Iq«mbn«v Rm\pw hcp¶Xp \ÃXtÃ" Rm³ H¶p IqSn tNmZn¨p.

" A§s\ C¸w t]mI­. Fsâ apds¨dp¡³ Fs¶bpw t\m¡n ChnsS Ccp¶m aXn." Dj FSp¯p NmSn¸dªp.

" Dtj, AXpanXpw ]dªp c­pw IqSn hg¡mIcpXp tIt«m." shey½mbn Djsb t\m¡n ]dªp.

" ]nt¶....... Ch³ Ft¶mSp hg¡Sn¡mt\m...? H¶panà \n§Ä thKw t]mbn hm...."

Fsâ tZjyw Rm\S¡n. cmhnse Xs¶ Ip«n¸nimNv Fsâ t\tc Cd§nbncn¡bmWp. slm, Chscm¶p t]mbn¡n«nbm aXnbmcp¶p. Rm³ a\w s\m´p {]mÀYn¨p.

AhÀ ]pds¸« DS³ Xs¶ Dj ]dªp.

" FSm Rm³ hnkvXcns¨m¶p Ipfn¡m³ t]mIphm. "

" Ft´m¶p hnkvXcn¨p...AI¯p tIdn hncen«p ckn¡m\mbncn¡pw..." Rm³ a\Ên ]dªp. Ahsfmcp aqfn¸m«pw ]mSn Ipfn¡m³ tIdn.

Rm³ Ipd¨p t\cw Np½mXncp¶p Nn´n¨p. C\n ChÀ t]mImsX Hcp ckhpanÃ. Mm, kab tZmjw.

F¶m ]ns¶ Rm\pw H¶p Ipfn¨mtem. Ahfnd§s«. B t\c¯n\p Aåw F® tX¨ncn¡mw. Xes¡mcp kpJhpw In«pw. t\sc ASp¡fbn tIdn, shfns¨® X¸nsbSp¯p. F® I¿n Hgn¨t¸mÄ Hcp _p²n. ]Xps¡ ep¦n amÁn, Ip«s\ I¿nseSp¯p, Ahsâ tZlamkIew F® tX¸n¨p. Ibv sIm­p H¶p c­p s]cpamdnbt¸mÄ Ah³ ]S \mbIs\ t]mse sXm¸nbpw h¨v Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p. sXm¸n F®bn Xnf§n, It¿mSn¨t¸mÄ \à kpJw. a\ÊntemÀ¯p, tbmKapÅh\m,  Znhk§Ä¡pÅnetà A½sbbpw tamsfbpw ]®nbXv, kz´w A½mbnbpsS hmbn InS¶p hneknbntÃ. hey½mbnbpw Djbpw h¶nÃmbncps¶¦nÂ, C¶nh³ Ipª½mbnbpsS sh¦e]qdn ip¢m`ntjIw \S¯ntbt\. Mm, £an¡v, HcpZnhkw IqSn.......

Nn´n¨ncp¶p Ip® XShn kpJn¨ncn¡pt¼mÄ ASp¡f hmXn¡ tZ \mWnb½. XpWn t\scbn«p, F¦nepw AhÀ kwKXn a\Ênem¡n.

Rm³ ]dªp. " Ahcv t]mbn....]ns¶ Dj Ipfn¡m\pw tIdn....At¸m ]ns¶... Np½m Hcp ckw... \mWnt¨¨n, ]mt{Xmw XpWow IgpInbnSm³ tN¨n ]dªp. "

" F\n¡dnbmsasâ hnPbm, \obm aps­m¶p amÁnt¡, Rms\m¶p ImWs«. A¶t¯Xn ]ns¶, F\n¡p Hd§m³ ]Ánbn«nÃ. C\nsb¶m \ns¶ H¶p In«pI F¶p hnNmcn¨ncn¡p¼gm h\P  t]mIp¶ Imcyw ]dªXv. Rm³ HmSn t]mcpImcp¶p, kabw IfbmsX. "

Rm³ XpWn AcnInte¡p amÁn. Bhiy¡mcn h¶p F¶dnªt¸mÄ Fsâ Ip® {]Xm]t¯msS Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p keyq«Sn¡m³ XpS§n. Rm³ Ahs\ ]Xps¡ XShn ImWn¨p sImSp¯p.

" Hcp £oWhpanÃ, \Ã anSp¡\mbn«ncn¡p¶p "

F¶pw ]dªp AhÀ ASp¯p h¶p Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p. BsI sam¯w H¶p Xncp½n.

" I¼n t]mebsÃm...F´p sN¿m\mbncp¶p tamsâ Dt±iw, ]nSn¨pIfbmt\m......Rm\ntà A¸pd¯p, h\tP sh«n¨p h¶m t]mtc.."

" AXn¸w C¨nsc _p²nap«m, tN¨n Fs¸mgpw Fsâ ]ndsIbp­v. "

" t]mSm, \obmcn¡pw AhfpsS sImXhpw aW¸n¨p \S¡p¶Xv....h\tP¡­m GXp BWp§fpw H¶p t\m¡n sImXn¡pw...A{X¡p \à Nc¡m \nsâ A½mbn....kXyw ]d \obhsf Ifnt¨m ?..."

" \mWntN¨o, tZ...]dªp ]dªp Fsâ tN¨osS Ihs¡tSÂ hncenSsÃ...... thtWÂ Ct¸mÄ Chs\ H¶p Du¼nt¡m......" Rm³ Kpems\ s]m¡n¡mWn¨v Hcp Xami ]dªp.

" C¶p Du¼ms\m¶pw kabanÃ, Chsâ Imcyw HmÀ¯¸tg Fsâ Ihs¡sS Ips¯mgp¡p XpS§nbXm...tams\ms¶gpt¶tÁ..."

Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p. \mWnb½ ap¼n \n¶pw XpWn hit¯¡p amÁn, HÁ ap­p am{Xta DÅp. Rm³ tNmZn¨p,

" tN¨n C¶p XmdpSp¯n«ntÃ....."

" C¶p Xmdp ]dns¨dnªn«p ]qdpw hncns¨m­m Rm³ h¶ncn¡ps¶...."

AhÀ Fs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p Fsâ Np­n D½ sh¨p, Np­p hmbnem¡n Ddp©n IpSn¡m³ XpS§n. F\n¡p NqSmbn. Rm³ AhcpsS apeIÄ I¿nseSp¯p sR¡m³ XpS§n. AhÀ Fsâ Hcp Is¿Sp¯p AhcpsS Imen¶nSbnte¡p sIm­pt]mbn, AhcpsS kmam\¯n\p apIfn sh¸n¨p. Rm³ X¸n t\m¡n kar²amb ]qS hncepIÄ sIm­v AcnInte¡p hIªp amÁn. hnShnte¡p Hcp hnc IbÁn. At¼...AXn\I¯p \n¶p ]i HgpIn XpSIÄ¡nSbnte¡p HgpIm³ XpS§nbncp¶p.

" Fsâ tN¨o, ag s]¿p¶Xn\p ap¼p Xs¶ Ipfw \ndsªmgpIp¶tÃm.."

" CSnan¶ep t]mse \n¶p sh«p¶ Cu ]mc¡p® I­m agbnÃmsXbpw s]®pMsS ]qdp sImfamIpw tamt\...."

Rm³ c­v hncepIÄ AIt¯¡n«p. AhÀ Rm³ Ccp¶ncp¶ s_©nsâ apIfn Hcp ImseSp¯p h¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhcpsS ]qdp \à Xpd¶ ]pkvXIw t]msebmbn, CXfpIÄ hnSÀ¶p tX\n IpXnÀ¶v.  \ofapÅ Icn¼qS NIncn {_jv t]mse Fgpt¶Áp hnSÀ¶p \n¶p. Rm³ hncepIÄ AIt¯¡p IbÁn. AhÀ kpJw sIm­v elcnbmb t]mse \n¶mSn. Fsâ Np­pIÄ¡nSbneqsS ]dªp.

" Fsâ tams\.......slm.....\o anSp¡\msWSm Ip«m........."

AhÀ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p hncepIÄ AI¯p \n¶pw hens¨Sp¯p. F¶n«p, Imep s]m¡nbXp sIm­p shfnbnte¡p XÅn h¶ AhcpsS N¡¡pcp It´Â ]nSn¸n¨p. F¶n«p ]ndp]ndp¯p.

" ]nSn¡v.....]nSn¨v sRcSv......tN¨n H¶p kpJn¡s«.....F{X Znhkambn.....Rm³ Xs¶ Xncp½p¶p......."

Rm³ I´n ]nSn¡m³ t\m¡n. AXp I¿n \n¶pw sX¶n sX¶n t]mIp¶p. ]nSn Xcp¶nà Fsâ hnc AhcpsS tX\n Ipfn¨ncn¡bmWp. CXn\nsS AhÀ »uknsâ ASnbnes¯ ]n¶p ]dn¨p Ifªp, F¶n«p _eambn »ukv apIfnte¡p s]m¡n,

kv{]n§v NmSn hcp¶ t]mse c­p Ip¼f§m apeIÄ shfn NmSn InS¶p Xpfp¼n. Fâoizcm, AhÀ ASnbnsem¶pw C«n«nÃÃmcp¶p, Hcp§nXs¶bmWp h¶ncn¡p¶Xv. Rm³  ap´ncn§m amXncn Fgpt¶Áp \n¶ Hcp ape sR«p hmbnem¡n hen¨p IpSn¨p. CXn\nsS I´pw Fsâ hncepIfpambn«v aÂkcw \S¡pIbmWp. Hcp Xc¯nepw ]nSn Xcp¶nÃ, Xs¶bpaà \nanjw tXmdpw ]qdn \n¶pw sImgp¯ tX³ IqSpX ]pdt¯¡v HgpIpIbmWp. Rm³ apebn \n¶pw Nps­Sp¯n«p ]dªp.

" tN¨n Chtf ]nSn¡m³ ]Áp¶nÃ"

" kmcansÃSm..... Xncp½nbmepw  aXnsbSm.....Xncp½v.........AaÀ¯n Xncp½v.......AhsS sImXn Xocs«......." AhÀ Rc§m³ XpS§n.

AhcpsS AhÀ Hcp Ibv sIm­v AhcpsS kmam\¯nsâ apIį«n  _eambn CSn¨p \n¶ Fsâ Ip®cmPsâ XesbSp¯n«p AhcpsS ]qdn Xmtgm«pw apIfntem«pw Dcím³ XpS§n. \\ªp IpXnÀ¶ ]qdnsâ apIfn IqSn Ah³ sX¶n sX¶n \nc§m³ XpS§n. F\n¡pw \à kpJhpw C¡nfnbpw, ImcWw Nnet¸mÄ Ahsâ HÁ¡®p AhcpsS ]qSbnepcp½pw.

" \à ckamb ]cn]mSnbm......" CXp ]dªXpw AhÀ Ahsâ Xe ]nSn¨p ]qdn\It¯¡p IbÁnbXpw Hcpan¨mbncp¶p. hmbpw s]mfn¨p Xnf¨p \nÂIp¶ B Icn¼qdn\It¯¡p Fsâ Ip®¯e Ibdnbt¸mÄ Fsâ icocamsI s]cp¯p Ibdn.

" ASn¡p tams\....ASn¡p......" Rm³ ASn¡m³ XpS§n. Aåw Ip\nªp \nÂt¡­n hs¶¦nepw Rm³ Imf ]®p¶Xp t]mse ASn¡m³ {ian¨p. ASn¡pt¼mÄ AhÀ AhcpsS IípÅn IqSn Ahs\ ]qÁnte¡p IbÁpw. FSp¡pt¼mÄ Aht\ s]m¡n I´nsâ taepcípw. Fs´mcp Ie¡³ Ifn. ]t£ AhÀ s]s«¶v ]cn]mSn \nÀ¯n.

" F´p ]Án.. tN¨n....ht¶m...."

" CsÃSm....CXp icnbmInÃ.....\o Cu s_©nte¡p InSt¶......"

Rm³ s_©nte¡p  InS¶p. Fsâ Ip® \à inhenwKw t]mse \à sÌUnbmbn apIfnte¡p t\m¡n tbm\n¸mbk¯n Ipfn¨v Xnf§n \n¶p. \mWnb½ ap­p Acíp tase hsc s]m¡n ]nSn¨p F¶n«p Ih¨p Fsâ Acíp apIfn Fsâ Ip®bpsS aotX \n¶p. hndíp¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. s]mfnªp \nÂIp¶ ]qdnsâ hmXn¡ h¨p. HÁ Ccp¸v. "s¥m....bmsXmcp DckepanÃmsX ]mbk¸m{X¯n kv]q¬ hogp¶ amXncn Fsâ s]cpwIp® AhcpsS aZ\Xpc¦¯nsâ DÅn CSn¨p tIdn \n¶p. Hcp \njw AhÀ B Ccp¸v Ccp¶p. Fsâ ]dnbpsS ASn¯«n AhcpsS ]qdnsâ ]pdt¯ CXfpIÄ c­p hit¯¡pw hncnªp InS¡p¶Xp ImWmambncp¶p. Nfp§nb aq¡nsâ AÁw amXncn AhcpsS hoÀ¯ N¡¡pcp I´v sNcnªncn¡p¶Xv Rm³ I­p. Rm³ Fsâ Is¿¯n¨p, aq¯ hcn¡ N¡ XSnbn ]Án]nSn¨Xp t]mse InS¶ Hcp ape sR«p klnXw ]nSn¨p I¿nem¡n XShn sR¡m³ XpS§n. AhÀ c­p ap«nepw I¿q¶n s]m§m\pw Xmgm\pw XpS§n. B Iq«¯n Rm³ Hcp Ibv sIm­p I´n Dcp½ns¡mSp¯p. \nanj t\cw sIm­p ASnbpsS kv]oUp IqSn. AhÀ AXpanXpw ]pe¼m\pw koÂImc iÐw ]pds¸Sphn¡m\pw XpS§n.

" Fs´mcp km[\amSm CXp....Fsâ hmbnse¯patÃmSm.... Fsâ ]qdp s]mfnªp s]mIpw.....lhq......It´Â AaÀ¯n Xncps½Sm......\nÀ¯tÃ....F\n¡p hcm³ t]msWSm........Fsâ tamt\......samte Aa¡n ]nSn¡v.......t¿m.........Mq½v.....Mqw........."

AhcpsS XSn¨ Ip­n Fsâ Acs¡«n h¶nSn¡pt¼mgp­mIp¶ ¥v_v....¥_v.....¥_v....Fs¶ iÐw sXcp sXsc tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n. ASn¡\pkcn¨v B h·peIÄ tatem«pw Xmtgm«pw XpÅn¨mSm\pw XpS§n. ImWm\pw kpJn¡m\pw \à tNepÅ tX§m s]mXn¡Â. AhcpsSbpw Fsâbpw ]iIÄ IqSn¡eÀ¶v Fsâ Acs¡«n ]XsªmgpIm³ XpS§n. ]qdp s]m§pt¼mÄ B ]i \qep t]mse henªp \n¡p¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckambncp¶p. Rm³ I´n AaÀ¯n Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p.

"Fsâ tams\......F\n¡p hcps¶Sm...... A... A...A... .A..§t\........A §t\....... lmbn.... .h¶q.........."

AhÀ Fsâ ]pdt¯¡p hoWp InX¨p. izmkw hens¨Sp¯p. Rm³ Ibv c­pw hens¨Sp¯v Ahtc sI«n]nSn¨p. AhÀ Fsâ apJhpw IhnfnIfpw D½IÄ sIm­p s]mXnªp. AhcpsS N¡ apeIÄ Fsâ amd¯p InS¶a§n hi§fnte¡p XÅn¨mSn InS¶p.. Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«p ]Xps¡ A\¡ns¡m­ncp¶p. F\n¡p ISn CfIn hcm³ XpS§nbtX DÅp. AXn\p ap¼v AhcpsS AW s]m«n. AhcpsS ]qdp Fsâ Ip®sb s]mXnªncp¶p hn«p hn«p hn§n. B hn§epIfpsS F®w {ItaW Ipdªp h¶p. AhÀ Fsâ apJs¯íp Xe Nmbv¨p InS¶p.

" tN¨n¡p aXnbmtbm....."

" aXnbmsbSm N¡c¡p«m.....Fsâ ]p¶mc Ip®¸³.....tam\p C¸w tN¨n kpJn¸n¨p Xcmw...tIt«m....."

AhÀ Xe s]m¡n Fs¶ ho­pw iànbmbn D½ h¨p. F¶n«p ]Xpt¡ Fgpt¶Áp. Hcp Im s_©nsâ apIfn h¨p AhÀ ap­nsâ AÁw I¿nseSp¯p. tdmkm¸q t]mse hnSÀ¶p hmbpw s]mfn¨p \nÂIp¶ tbm\nbpsS NpÁpw shfp¯ ]Xbp­mbncp¶p. tX³ As¸mgpw HgpIn AhcpsS XpSbnSp¡nte¡p Hen¡p¶p­mbncp¶p. NpÁpapÅ tcma¡mSv ]Xsªm«n¸nSn¨ncp¶p.

" \nÃp tN¨o ....\nÃp...."

Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. s_©nencp¶p. knwl¯nsâ hm amXncn s]mfnªncp¶ ]qdn\pÅnte¡p t\m¡n. Fsâ Ibv AIt¯¡n«p t\m¡n.

" th­ tams\....I¿¸nSn No¯bmIpw...." Rm³ Is¿Sp¯p. F¶n«p Ip\nªp B Xpd¶ncp¶ hnShn aq¡p ap«n¨p aW¯p t\m¡n. Hcp ]pXnb aWw As¶\n¡p In«n. HgpIns¡m­ncp¶ aZPe¯nsâ Ddhbn \n¶pÅ aWw. I´v At¸mgpw hoÀ¯p \n¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ I´n H¶p \¡n. \à D¸p ckw.

" C\n C¸w \¡­....F\n¡p hÃmsX hcp¶p. Fsâ Ifn IgnªXp sIm­m."

AhÀ Fsâ apJw amÁn, ap­nsâ AÁw sIm­p. ]qdp \¶mbn XpS¨p. XpS¨n«v ap­p aÁnbt¸m F´Â`pXw !  ]qdp \¶mbn H«nbncn¡p¶p. Rm³ AtX It¿mSn¨p t\m¡n. hm \¶mbn ASªv tNÀ¶ncn¡p¶p.

" C§s\ t\m¡nbncp¶m aXntbm....tam\p kpJn¡t­.....AÁ¯p h¶ shÅw Ifªnsæn.....]dn¡p tISm..... Ct§m«p Ih¨ncn¡v."

Rm³ s_©n ImepIÄ Ccphit¯¡pan«p Ih¨ncp¶p. Ahcpw F\n¡`napJambn Ih¨ncp¶p. Ipfn¨n«p tXmÀ¯m³ ad¶p t]mb Ip«nbpsS  amXncn Fsâ Ip® BsI \\sªm«nbncp¶p. AhÀ Fsâ Ip«s\ BZcthmsS I¿nseSp¯p. Rm³ AhcpsS At¸mgpw Xpd¶p InS¶ apeIfn Ibv h¨p, AhcpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n.

" ]nSnt¨m Cãw t]mse Fsâ tam³ ]nSnt¨m.... Fsâ Ip®bn AhÀ XShm³ XpS§n. Rm³ I®paS¨ncp¶p kpJn¡m³ XpS§n. ASn apX apSn hsc kuayambn AhÀ Ip® XShm³ XpS§n. F\n¡p s_©n Ccn¡m\pw \n¡m\pw h¿m¯ amXncn Acs¡«p XÅnt¸mIm³ XpS§n.

" F§s\bp­p tams\...... Cãamtbm..... C§s\ aXntbm AtXm....s]s«¶p thtWm....."

" C§s\ aXn.....tN¨n tN¨otS ap­p ap¼o¶p amÁn Ct«.....C¸w F\n¡p ]qdp t\m¡nbncn¡Ww.......\Ã ckw......." Rm³ aqfnt¡m­v kpJn¨ncp¶p.

s]s«¶p Ipfn apdnbpsS IXIp Xpd¶Sbp¶ iÐw tI«p. c­p t]À¡pw kvYe Ime t_m[ap­mbn.

" At¿m...tN¨o....Dj Ipfn Ignªp ]pd¯nd§n..."

R§Ä NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. Rm³ s_©n s\scbncp¶p. ep¦n t\scbn«p. F¦nepw Fsâ Kpem³ Xmgm³ Iq«m¡nbnÃ. \mWnb½ HmSn, hmjvt_knsâ ASp¯p sN¶p, apeIÄ XÅn DÅnem¡n, c­p ]m{X§Ä At§m«pw Ct§m«pw Dcp«n iÐap­m¡n.

Dj Xe tXmÀ¯ns¡m­p ASp¡f hmXn¡ h¶p t\m¡n.

" Mm...\mWnb½tbm.....Fs¸m h¶p.....kpJmtWm..? kckp Fs´Sp¡p¶p........"

HÁ izmk¯n Iptd tNmZy§Ä tNmZn¨p.

" Rm\ns¸m ht¶bpÅp tamsf.... " \mWnb½bpsS kzc¯n Hcp hndbep­mbncpt¶m F¶p kwibw.

" Blm...Fsâ apds¨dp¡³ ChnsS Ccn¡pImtWm...."

" Dtj¨n s]mbn kz´w tPmen t\m¡v.....Fs¶ hnSv......" F\n¡p Fs´¶nÃm¯ tZjyap­mbn.

" FSm...\ns¶ F\n¡§s\ \ns¶ hnSm³ ]Ápthm.....hm \ap¡p hà hÀ¯mt\mw ]dªncn¡mw....hmSm......." CXpw ]dªv AhÄ Xncnªp \S¶p.

" sNÃv tams\ sNÃv...." \mWnb½ ]dªp. F¶n«p I®p ImWn¨p s]m«nb »ukv ImWn¨p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv AhfpsS ]pdsI sN¶p. R§Ä Fsâ apdnbnte¡p Ibdn.

AhÄ F\n¡p ]pdw Xncnªp \n¶p ImXn I½Â XncpIn IbÁpIbmbncp¶p. Hcp shfp¯ Ac¡¿³ jÀ«pw apt«mfw F¯p¶ anUnbpambncp¶p thjw. c­pw ]ebnS¯pw \\ªncp¶Xp sIm­p \¶mbn tXmÀ¯nbnà F¶p tXm¶n. \ofapÅ XeapSnbn \n¶pw shÅw CÁnÁp hoWncp¶p. AXp AhfpsS jÀ«nsâ ]pdw \\¨ncp¶p. C¡W¡n\p AhÄ Ih¡nSbpw ]qdpw tXmÀ¯n¡mW¯nÃtÃm F¶p Rmt\mÀ¯p. AhnsS \n¶pw shůpÅnIÄ CÁp hogp¶p­mbncn¡pw. s]s«¶p AhÄ Fsâ ASp¯p h¶n«p kzImcy¯n ]dªp.

" Fsâ jÍn Rm³ Ducn AhnsS C«n«p­v. C¶se apX C«Xm. \à aWw ImWpw. thtW s]msbSp¯v aWt¯m.." CXpw ]dªv AhÄ s]m«n s]m«n Nncn¨p. Fsâ ASn apX s]cp¯p Ibdn. tZjyw sIm­p Rm³ hnd¨p. AhÄ ho­pw Nncn¨p sIm­p tai¡cnIn t]mbn \n¶p I½Â CSm³ XpS§n.

" sNdp¡sâ Hcp h«v.....Mm...FÃm sNdp¡·mcpw C§s\bmtWm....tlbv....AÃ...CXp \nsâ am{Xw h«m...." AhÄ ho­pw Nncn¨p.

" lbv...CsXt§m«p hoWp ?....AhÄ Ip\nªv Ft´m Xmsg X¸p¶Xp I­p.

" FSm..Fsâ I½ensâ Hcp sImS Xmsg s]mbn...H¶p t\ms¡Sm....."

" thtW t\m¡nsbSv....F\n¡p a\ÊnÃ........"

"GSm...Fsâ `mhn `À¯msh¶p ]dªp \S¶m t]mc.....CXns\ms¡ `mhn `mcysb klmbn¡Ww....sImih³......"

AhÄ ho­pw Xmsg Ccp¶p X¸m³ XpS§n. knaâp XdbmbXp sIm­v sXdn¨v t]mbn¡mWpw. Rm³ t\m¡m³ t]mbnÃ.

Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ap«pIp¯n AhnSp­mbncp¶ taibpsS ASnbnte¡p Xe \o«n Ibdn, AhnsSsbms¡ X¸n.

" \miw...CsXhnsSt¸mbn....]cXp¶Xn\nSíp AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p.

s]s«¶p Fsâ sNIp¯m³ _p²n {]hÀ¯n¨p. F\n¡p Imen Hcp hndb Ibdn. iÐap­m¡msX AhfpsS ]pdIn sN¶p ap«p Ip¯n. AhÄ tai¡Snbn \mepImen ap«n \nÂIpIbmbncp¶p. Hcp hi¯p Aeamcn, adphi¯p taibpsS t{UmbdpIÄ. A\§m\pw Xncnbm\pw kvYeanÃ.

H«pw aSn¨nÃ. anUn apIfnte¡p s]m¡n Ip­n¡p apIfn h¨p. t\m¡nbt¸m jÍn C«n«nÃ. ]Xps¡ CSmsa¶p hnNmcn¨p ImWpw. ]iphnsâ amXncn \nÂIp¶ Ip­n¡nSbn XÅn\n¡p¶ ]qd¸¯nsâ AcnIpIÄ Rm³ I­p. F\n¡p lcw tIdn. Xe§pw hne§pw Nmªp InS¡p¶ tcma§fpÅ Ccp­ ]qdnsâ hnShp hyàw. AXn\p apIfn Npcp§n \n¡p¶ Idp¯ IqXn sam«v.

\Ã sNdnb ^pSv_mÄ t]mes¯ an\pkapÅ N´nIÄ.

s]s«¶p N´nbn \n¶pw DSp¸p s]m§nbt¸mÄ Ahsfm¶p sR«n.

" lmcmSm...hnPb\mtWmSm....F´mSm \o ImWn¡ps¶.....\ns¶ Rm³...."

AhÄ ]ndtIm«p \nc§n \o§m³ {ian¨p. AhÄ Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«p sIm­p h¶p. Rm³ AXn HcSn sImSp¯t¸mÄ AhÄ Ibv apt¶ms«Sp¯p. Rm³ c­p IbvIÄ sIm­pw AhfpsS Ip­nIfn XÅn¸nSn¨p. AtXmsS Ip­nIÄ \¶mbn hnSÀ¶p. \Sphn ]qdp Ipd¨pIqSn hnSÀ¶p. hnShp IqSpXembn. Nmen\pÅnte Nph¸pw Fs´m Hcp CebpsS AÁhpw Zriyambn.

"GSm...hr¯nsI«ht\ ....F´mSm \o Cu ImWn¡pt¶....amsdSm...Rm\nd§s«...."

AhÄ tZjyw sIm­edn. s]mdtIm«p XÅm³ XpS§n. Hcp Im sIm­v Fs¶ Nhn«n. Rm³ B AIw XpSbn AaÀ¯n Hcp \pÅp sImSp¯p. " lm..." thZ\ sIm­hÄ hnfn¨p t]mbn. Hcp Ibv sIm­p Ip­nbn XÅn]nSn¨n«p heXp I¿psS Nq­p hnc Rm³ B ]qdn\pÅnte¡p IbÁn.

"lm...At½.....As¿m....F´p t]m{In¯camSm....\mdo \obn¡mWn¡pt¶....F\n¡p izmkw ap«ps¶Sm......FSm...Is¿Sps¡Sm........At¿m F\n¡p t\mhp¶p..... FSm amdm³ "

CXpw ]dªp sIm­v AhÄ ]pdtIm«p XÅn. At¸mÄ _eambn DÅnte¡p XÅn¸nSn¨ncp¶ Fsâ hnc Ipd¨p IqSn AhfpsS I¶n¸qdnsâ DÅnembn.

{]mb¯n Ft¶¡mÄ AhÄ aq¯Xmbncn¡mw, ]s£ icoc hen¸¯nepw iànbnepw Rm³ Xs¶ aq¯Xv. F\n¡p \njv{]bmkw Ahsf Iogvs¸Sp¯m³ km[n¨p.

" Rm³ amd¯nÃ....FSo \n\¡p Al¦mcw Ipd¨p IqSpXem....\ns¶ C¶p Rm³ t\scbm¡pw....Fsâ Xe t]mbmepw icn......" Rm³ ]pe¼n.

" FSm....\osb´m sN¿ps¶ F¶p \n\¡dnbmthmSm..... Fsâ Cuizcm...Chs\s¶ _emÂkwKw sN¿pImtW.....FSm...amsdSm......" AhÄ Bt{Imin¨p.

]nSnhenbnbn AhfpsS Xe tai¡men sN¶nSn¨p.

" As¿m...As½.... \ns¶ Rm³ ImWn¨p XcmsaSm..." AhÄ ]ns¶bpw ]pdtIm«p XÅn t\m¡n. C¯hW hnc apgph³ DÅnembn. tbm\oaknepIÄ sIm­v Cdp¡n¸nSn¨ncp¶ AhfpsS sN¼c¯n¸qhnsâ NqSv Fsâ hncen IqSn Rm\dnªp. Fsâ Rc¼pIfpw NqSmbn Rm³ hnc AI¯ns«m¶p Id¡n.

" At¿m...F\n¡p t\mIps¶Sm....." AhfpsS tbm\n aknepIÄ AhÄ _et¯msS ]nSn¨ncp¶Xp sIm­p F\n¡p \Ã ckw tXm¶n. shÅw t]mImsX izmkw ap«n InS¶ Fsâ Ip® s]m§n \n¶p.

]qÁn Ibdn \n¶ hnc XÅn]nSn¨p sIm­p Xs¶ Rm³ AhfpsS IqXnbn CSXp Ibv hnc XÅn. XncpIn IbÁm³ t\m¡n. ]t£ IbdnbnÃ. IqXn \à _eambn ASªncn¡bmbncp¶p. AhÄ¡p s\m´p ImWpw.

"" slSm...\osb´p sN¿pImSm... FSm F\n¡p apÅm\pw Xqdm\pw ]Á¯nsÃSm.... "

" FSo Dtj... abntc..... \nt¶ Rm³ _emÂkwKw sN¿m³ s]mIpIm.... Rm³ samds¨dp¡³ Xs¶bmSo...."

Rm³ IqXnbn \n¶p hncseSp¯p. F¶n«p B hncepw IqSn ]qÁnte¡p IS¯n. AhÄ hmhn«p Icªp.

" Fsâ s]m¶p hnPb\sÃ....FSm...F¶ H¶pw sN¿tÃSm....Rm³ ]mhamSm........ Rm³ \nsâ tN¨nbtÃSm......Fs¶ hnsSSm...."

H¶pw Fsâ sNhnbn IbdnbnÃ. Rm³ sXm®qdp Un{Knbn \n¶ Fsâ Ip® AhfpsS hnSÀ¶p \n¶ Nph¸p ]qhnsâ hmXnen sIm­p sh¨p. At¸mgpw AhÄ AdnbmsX ]pdtIm«p XÅns¡m­ncn¡pIbmbncp¶p.

c­p I¿pw Iq«n ]qdp Rm³ AI¯n]nSn¨p, F¶n«p Fsâ Ip®bpsS Xe hmXnen\It¯¡p IbÁn. HÁ XÅv. shfns¨®bpsS sagp¡p­mbncp¶Xp sIm­mImw ]IpXntbmfw AI¯p Ibdn.

" slât½...." AhÄ \nehnfn¨p. ]s£ iÐw A[nIw ]pd¯p h¶nÃ.

" H¨bp­m¡Ãp ]qdn tamtf....\nsâ Cu IS¸qdp Rm³ Iodn¡fbpw.."

Rm³ `ojWns¸Sp¯n. ]ns¶ AhÄ iÐap­m¡nbnÃ. Icªp sIm­ncp¶p. Fsâ Ip® IpsdsÈ apt¼m«v B«n XÅns¡m­p Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" C\n Fs¶ Ifnbm¡pthm..."

" CÃ....."

" CXmtcmsS¦nepw ]dbpthm"

" CÃ....F\n¡p t\mIps¶ât½...."

" AXp amdnt¡mfpw....."

" C\nsbs¶ hns«scSm...Rm³ H¶pw ]db¯nÃ......"

At¸msgípw Fsâ Ip® ap¡mepw AhfpsS ]qÁn \ndªp Ignªncp¶p. Ibdp sIm­p hcnªp sI«nb amXncn Fsâ I¼n¡p®tb AhfpsS tbm\n Cdp¡n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ XÅnbnÃ. F\n¡p shÅw hcptam F¶p kwibw tXm¶n. Rm³ ho­pw tNmZn¨p.

" F\n¡p \ns¶ H¶p Ifn¡m³ Xcpsam...?..."

" F¶m Ifnbm...."

" FSo Cu...Ifn Xs¶...\ns¶ ]®m³ Xcpthm¶p.....]dsbSo Igpthdn tamtf....."

" At¿m...Xcmw......kXyambn«pw Xcmw..... Fs¶ hnSv...Fsâ hnPbm......"

" C\n Fs¶ D]{Zhn¨m Fsâ kz`mhw a\ÊnembtÃm....."

" Mqw....a\Ênembn...."

Rm³ ]pdtIm«p amdn. Hcp "]vÊv"  iÐt¯msS Ip® AhfpsS ]qÁn \n¶pw Ducnt¸m¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp amdn ]pdtIm«p Xncnªp. Rm³ H¶p sR«n. AhnsS hmXn¡ \mWnb½ \nåp­mbncp¶p. Fsâ kIe `mh§fpw amdn. Rm³ ]gb hnPb\mbn. Fsâ Ip® Xms\ XmWp. \mWnb½ Fs¶ H¶ncp¯n t\m¡nbn«p ASp¡fbnte¡p henªp.

Dj Icªp sIm­v ]pdtIm«p \nc§n \o§n, AhnsS \ne¯p Xs¶ Ccp¶p. Ipd¨p t\cw AhnsSbncp¶p Icªp. Rm³ AXp t\m¡n \n¶p. F\n¡v H¶pw sN¿m\mbnÃ. F\n¡pw DÅn hfsc thZ\ D­mbn. Rms\´n\nXp sNbvXp. AhfpsS Ic¨n I­t¸mÄ F\n¡p kln¡m\mbnÃ. Ipd¨p t\cw Icªn«p AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. Fgpt¶Át¸mÄ AhÄ hogm³ t]msb¦nepw AhÄ \nhÀ¶p \n¶p. \S¡m³ XpS§n. Imen¶nSbn thZ\bps­¶p apJ`mh¯nepw \S¸nepw \n¶pw a\Ênembn. Rm³ Xm§m\mbn Ibv \o«n. iànbmbn Ahfm Ibv X«n¡fªp. F¶n«p th¨p th¨v I«nen t]mbn InS¶v G§eSn¨p Icbm³ XpS§n. Rm³ hmXn¡ t\m¡n \n¶p. Aåw Ignªv Rm³ ASp¡fbnte¡p sN¶p. \mWnb½ Fsâ t\sc t\m¡nbnÃ.

" \mWnt¨¨n...." Rm³ hnfn¨p.

" Ft¶mSp an­­m............\ns¶ C§s\bà Rm³ hnNmcn¨Xp. "

" tN¨n Rm³ tZjyw aq¯t¸mÄ.....AdnbmsX......."

" FSm....arK§Ä t]mepw CãanÃmX Hcp s]®nsâ s]md¯p tId¯nÃ.....\o AXns\¡mÄ tamiambns¸mbtÃm tamt\....."

" tN¨o.....Rm³ Adnªp sIm­Ã...... ]Ánt¸mbn...."

F\n¡p Ic¨n h¶p. Rm³ hn§ns¸m«nt¸mbn....taibn Nmcn¡nS¶v Rm³ Icªp.

\mWnb½ hs¶sâ ASp¯ncp¶p.

Fsâ Ic¨n Xocp¶Xp hsc AhÀ H¶pw an­nbnÃ. a\Ênsâ `mcw Ipdªt¸mÄ. Rm³ Xe s]m¡n. Fsâ ]pd¯p XtemSn AhÀ ]dªp.

" kmcanÃ. C\n AtXmÀ¯p hnjans¡­. BtcmSpw ]dbptIw th­. ad¶p If. ...B sIm¨nt\mSp t]mbn am¸p ]d."

"  AhÄs¡s¶ ]t­ shdp¸mbncp¶p. CXpw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ....C\n Ahsfs¶ t\m¡pI t]mepanÃ.......t]ms«....Ahsf´p sN¿pIm¶p t\m¡s«....."

Rm³ apdnbnte¡p sN¶p. a¨nte¡p I®pw \«p InS¡pIbm\p. I®p\oÀ As¸mgpw HgpIp¶p­v. Fs¶ AhÄ t\m¡nbnÃ.

" Dtj¨o..." Rm³ hnfn¨p. AhÄ an­nbnÃ. Rm³ I«nen¶cnIn ap«pIp¯nbncp¶p.

"tN¨o....Rm³....tZjyhpw Acntimw IqSnb¸w .....Fsâ tN¨n.... Ft¶mSp s]mdp¡v.. .Rms\¶m thtWepw sN¿mw......"

AhÄ a¨nte¡p t\m¡n HÁ¡nS¸mWp. I®oÀ HgpIp¶p­v. F\n¡p hfsc hnjaambn.

Rm³ AhfpsS Hcp Ibv ]nSn¨n«p ]dªp.

" F\n¡v At¶cw Hcp t_mt[manÃmcp¶p tN¨o.......Fs¶ XÃptIm sImÃptIm sNbvtXm...F¶mepw Ft¶mSp H¶p an­v tN¨o..."

Rm³ ]Xps¡ Im¡te¡p \nc§n. F¶n«p B Imen sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp. Fsâ DÅn DjtbmSp C{Xbpw kvt\lap­mbncps¶¶p A¶p F\n¡p a\Ênembn. Ip«n¡me¯v H¯ncn Ifn¡ptIw XÃp IqSptIw sNbvXn«pÅXbncp¶p. apXnÀ¶t¸mÄ AhÄ amdnt¸mbXp AhfpsS IpÁaÃtÃm.

Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Im hens¨Sp¯p. F¶n«p hn§n hn§n ]dªp.

" \nt¶mSp F\ns¡{X Cãamcp¶p F¶p \n\¡dnbmsam...B Ft¶mSm \o I®nt¨mcbnÃmsX CXv sNbvXXv.... Zpã\m \o...."

" F\n¡pw tN¨ntb hÃnãamcp¶p....]s£ tN¨n Fs¶ H¯ncn Ifnbm¡nb¸w.... F\n¡p Acniambnt¸mbn...."

" Mv lm.... Hcp IW¡n\p Rm\m sXÁpImcn....\ns¶ H¯ncn.....Rm³ D]{Zhn¨p......"

" Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨o...Fs¶ F´p thtWepw C\n ]dtªm....... Ft¶mSp s]mdp¯p Fs¶m¶p ]d......Csæn Rm³ ChnsSInS¶p NmIpw....kXyam ]dtª....." F\n¡p Ic¨n \n¡p¶nÃ. a\Ênte CuÀjy FÃmw I®ocmbn Hen¨p t]mIs«.

" B... F\n¡p \nt¶mSp H«pw tZjyanÃ......... FÃmw Fsâ hn[n......" C{Xbpw tI«tXmsS F\n¡mizmkambn,  Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nSn¨p.

"At{Xw tI«m aXn... hm Fgpt¶Áp apJw IgpIv....I½Â Rm³ X¸nsbSp¯p Xcmw..."

 " \o ChnSncn¡v....."

Rm³ ho­pw \ne¯p ap«p Ip¯nbncp¶p.

" C\n \osbs¶ tN¨n F¶p hnfnt¡­ BhiyanÃ.....t]cp hnfn¨m aXn...thWsa¦n FSo¶pw hnfn¡mw......"

" As¿m, AsX§s\bm...Rm³ tN¨osS CfbXsÃ..."

" CfbXm....]t£ C¶p apX \obm..Fsâ `À¯mhm......"

" At¿m ...tN¨n¡p F´p ]Án..... C§s\sbms¡ ]dbm³.." F\n¡p ]cn{`aambn.

" F\n¡p ]ÁnbXv \n\¡dnbtWm.....Zm...t\m¡v...." AhÄ anUn hen¨p apIfnte¡p amÁn, F¶n«p ImepIÄ Aåw AI¯n. Rm³ AhfpsS Imen¶nSbnte¡p t\m¡n. Ccp\nd¯nepÅ AhfpsS Hma\]qdp ]c¶p InS¸p­v. AhnsS H«n]nSn¨ncn¡p¶ tbm\nZf§fpw \\p¯v Ccp­ \nd¯nepÅ tcma§fpw. ]ns¶ tcma§Ä hfÀ¶ XSn¨p´nb tbm\o Xehpw Rm³ I­p. H«nt¨À¶ncn¡p¶ \o­ hnShnsâ taÂ`mK¯mbn Dd§n¡nS¡p¶ I´pw I­p. hnShn¶cnIn Xe§pw hne§pw sNdnb tcma§Ä ]nWªp InS¡p¶p. C¶se cm{Xn jÍn¡Snbn I­ A ImgvN Ct¸mÄ Rm³ icn¡p Xpd¶p ImWp¶p. ]t£ F\n¡p hnImcap­mbnÃ.

" ChnsS.....{]tXyIn¨v H¶panÃtÃm tN¨o.........]ns¶ tcmaw hÃXpw ]dnªp t]mbn¡mWpw....AXm thZ\n¡p¶Xv......."

" Asænepw \osbm¶pw ImW¯nÃ...... Rm³ ImWn¨p Xcmw...\nt¶mSv C\nbpw F\ns¡m¶pw Hfn¨p shím\nÃtÃm...FÃmw hen¨p ]dn¨p sXmd¶p I­XtÃ. tZ...t\m¡v....I®p sXmd¶p t\ms¡Sm....."

AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«p Ip¯n Nmªncp¶p. F¶n«p atÁ Ibv sIm­v ]qdnsâ Zf§Ä Aåw AI¯n. At¸mÄ B hnShn \n¶pw c­p aq¶p cà XpÅnIÄ HgpIn shfnbnte¡nd§n. Hcp hnc sIm­v Rm³ AXp tXm­nsbSp¯p t\m¡n. Rm³ t]Sn¨p t]mbn.

"  At¿m...CXv tNmcbsÃ......" Rm³ hÃmXmbn.

" AsX....tNmc Xs¶.....\o C¶p Fsâ I\yImXzw \in¸n¨p. ....Adntbm \n\¡p. Fsâ `À¯mhnsâ AhImiamcp¶p. AXv.... AXp sIm­m ]dªXv..\o Fsâ `À¯mhmsW¶p... " AhÄ ho­pw Icbm³ XpS§n. " C\nsb\ns¡m¶panÃ. FÃmw \in¨p. FÃmw ...\o ImcWw..."

F\n¡pw hnjaambn. Fsâ iÐw hnd¨p. Rm³ ]dªp.

" IcbmsX tN¨n.... Ft¶mSp £an¡v.....th­n h¶m Rm³ tN¨ntb sI«pw...F¶mepw tN¨n hnjan¡msX... Fs¶s¡m­v C\n bmsXmcp ieyhpw D­mI¯nÃ. Rm³ C¸w Fsâ ho«n s]msímfmw..."

Rm³ AhfpsS ]mhmS t\scbn«p. F\n«p Ahtf Ibv ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. tXmfn Xm§n, Ipfnapdnbn sIm­p t]mbn. Xm§n ]nSn¨p.

AhÄ aq¡p NoÁn, apJw IgpIn, s{^jv Bbn shfnbn h¶p, apJw XpSím³ Rm³ tXmÀs¯Sp¯p sImSp¯p. Xm§m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ ths­¶p ]dªp.

AhÄ I«nen sN¶ncp¶p. Rm\pw ASp¯ncp¶p. hndíp¶ Is¿Sp¯p AhfpsS Xebn XShn. Fsâ I®pIÄ \ndªncp¶p. AhÄ At¸mgpw aq¡p NoÁn, anUnbn XpS¨p. Fsâ t\sc t\m¡n. ag¡nSbn shbnse¶ t]mse Hcp ]p©ncnbpsS an¶em«w Rm³ B apJ¯p I­p. Hcp I®p\oÀ¯pÅn ho­pw I®n s]mSnbp¶p. Rm³ AXp Fsâ hnc sIm­v XpS¨p Ifªp. F¶n«p B apJw ]Xps¡ F¶nte¡p Nmbv¨p. bmsXmscXnÀ¸pw CÃmsX AhÄ Fsâ tXmft¯íp Nmªp.

" tN¨n H¶p InSt¶mfp......." Fgps¶Áp ^m\nsâ kv]oUp Iq«n, Rm³ Ahsf Hcp ]qhns\sb¶ t]mse Xm§n InS¡bnte¡p InS¯n. InS¶p sIm­hsfs¶ t\m¡n. Rm³ Ip\nªv B s\Ánbn Hcp½ sh¨p. F¶n«p ]Xps¡ a{´n¨p.

" Fsâ ]mhw s]m¶pj tN¨n "

" Mqlpw.....tN¨nbÃ.....s]m¶pj F¶p ]d......" Rm³ an­nbnÃ.

AhÄ Fsâ apJw s\ÁntbmSaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p ]dªp.

" ]d....s]m¶pj......"

" Mqw......s]m¶pj...." Rm³ t\scbncp¶p. I®nÂI®n t\m¡n, Ahfpd§n.

Rm³ IXIp Nmcn ASp¡fbnte¡p sN¶p.

 

(XpSHmÀ½IÄ - -9                                                                                        Font-Karthika

 

 

ASp¡fbn \mWnb½ Ft´m hd¡pItbm s]mcn¡pItbm Hs¡ sN¿p¶p. Rm³ sN¶p s_©n Ccp¶p.

" Djsbt´y hnPbm ?.."

" tN¨n Hd§n" Rm³ ]dªp.

" thZt\w £otWmw ImWpw. Hd§nt¡mt«." AhÀ ]dªp.

" \mWnt¨¨o... tN¨n CXdnbcpXv tIt«m..... ]ns¶ Rm³ ....F\n¡v......"

" CsÃsâ tamt\......Rm\nsX{X I­Xm.... hnPb\nX§p ad¶p If.....D®mdmtbm...tNmdp hnf¼mw.."

" th­......Ahcv hcpthm¶p t\m¡t«..."

Hcp aWnbmbt¸mtg¡pw A½mbnamÀ Xncn¨p h¶p. `b¦c NqSmbncp¶p. Ipd¨p \S¶pw ImWpw.

At¸mtg¡pw \mWnb½ `£Ww X¿md¡nbncp¶p.

" F¶men\n DuWp Ignªn«p aXn,  Ipfnbpw _m¡nsbmt¡.." shenb½mbn Xocpam\n¨p. FÃmhcpw DuWp Ign¡m\ncp¶p.

" DjsbhnsS..." h\tP¨n tNmZn¨p.

" Dtj¨n Hd§pIm...." Rm³ ]dªp.

" CsX´m ]XnhnÃm¯ Hd¡w..." sheyb½mbn Fgpt¶Áp apdnbnte¡p t]mbn. Aåw Ignªp Xncn¨p h¶p.

" Ah¡p \Ã Hd¡w...tNmdp th­t{X...."

" sIS¡s«......\n§Ä t]mbn¡gnªv ChnsS \à tafambncp¶p." \mWnb½ XpS§n. Rm³ I®pw angn¨ncp¶p. Cuizcm, Chsc´n\m `mhw.

" c­pw IqsS `b¦c _ltfmw , Hm«hpw XÃpw.......Ahkm\w DjtamÄ Imep FhnsStbm X«n hoWp. ]ns¶ Rm³ sN¶p Xncp½n....C¸w \S¡m³ C¨nsc shjaw. Rm³ ]dªv sISt¶mfm³. HWcp¼w sicnbmIpw."

" F\n¡p tXm¶nbXm, c­nt\w IqSn hnt«¨p t]mbm Fs´¦nepw H­mIpsa¶p. C§s\ Hcp hmbmSns¸®v. tams\ hnPbm, \n\¡§p £an¨p IqsS...." shenb½mbn tamsf IpÁs¸Sp¯n.

Rm³ H¶pw an­msX `£Ww sXmSmsX Fgpt¶Áp. s]®p§Ä I®n I®n t\m¡n angn¨ncp¶p.

t\sc apdnbnse¯n. Djtb hnfn¨p. AhÄ I®p Xpd¶p.

" Dtj¨n....hm... h¶p tNmdp®v."

" F\n¡p shi¸nÃ...\n§Ä Ignt¨mfp..."

" F¶p ]dªm ]ÁnÃ. ht¶ ]Áq....hm..." Rm³ Ahtf ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p.

" F\n¡p ths­¶p ]dªntÃ..." Dj tZjyt¯msS ]dªp. Fsâ `mhw amdn.

" " Fgpt¶Âs¡So...." Rm³ iÐsamXp¡n Bt{Imin¨p. AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡n, F¶n«p ]Xps¡ Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ Ahtf \S¡m³ klmbn¨p. Ipfnapdnbn tIdn AhÄ hmXneS¨p. Aåw Ignªp AhÄ shfnbn h¶p. apJsams¡ IgpIn, s{^jmbn«v. Rm³ Xm§m³ Ibv \o«n. AhÄ th­m F¶p BwKyw ImWn¨p. R§Ä DuWp apdnbnte¡p sN¶p.

" Blm...Ch³ hnfn¨t¸m AhÄ h¶qtem....At¸m c­pw IqSn ASp¯p F¶p kmcw..."

shenb½mbnbpsS Iaâv.  DSs\ h\tP¨nbpsS hI.

" Fsâ G«¯o, ]nÅmcsÃ, C§s\ Hs¡bm..."

" tamfp hoW¸tg Rm³ ]nSn¨p s]m¡n Xncp½n, AtàImWmcp¶p Imte Ct{Xw henb \ocv...C¸w Imensâ thZ\ Ds­m tamtf...? \mWnb½ tNmZn¨p. Dj BZyw H¶p AÔmfn¨p. \mWnb½bpsS apJ¯p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Ft´m a\Ênembn. ]ns¶ ]dªp.

" thZ\ Ct¸m hfsc Ipdhp­v.....\S¡m³ C¨nsc shjaw..."

" AXp kmcanÃ. shbnemdp¼w amdnt¡mfpw."

Ibv IgpIns¡m­ncp¶t¸mÄ Dj HXp¡¯n Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p.

" FÃmw \mWnb½tbmSp hnf¼n AtÃ.."?

" AÃ, Ahcv FÃmw I­p....."

 Dj H¶p sR«n.

" Cuizcm...\mWt¡SmbsÃm..... Fsâ Hcp \m¡nsâ KpWw... hn[n Xs¶......" AhÄ Icbpsa¶ a«mbn.

" Ctèo, Ahcv ]mham...BtcmSpw ]dbnsöp Ft¶mSp kXyw sNbvXns«m­v..."

" B......BÀ¡dnbmw..." Dj s\SphoÀ¸n«p.

 

DuWp Ignªt¸mÄ shenb½mbn t]mIms\mcp§n.

Dj Hcp§nbnÃ, AhÄ A½tbmSp ]dªp.

" At½,...Rm³ c­p Znhkw ChnsS \n¶n«p hcmw..."

" \n\s¡m¯ncn ]Tn¡m\ntà tamtf..."

" kmcanÃ...AXp Rm³ amt\Pv sNbvtXmfmw..." Ipªt½sS IqsS Rm³ c­p Znhkw \nt¶mt«..."

" ChnsS \n¡t« G«¯o...." h\tP¨nbpw ]n´m§n. ]ns¶ henb½mbn H¶pw ]dªnÃ.

t]mIm³ t\c¯p AhÀ Djsbbpw Ft¶bpw hnfn¨p \nÀ¯n ]dªp.

" tamtf...\nsâ hmbmSn¯w ]dªp...Chs\ shjan¸n¡cpXv.... AXp t]mse...tam\pw H¶pw Imcyam¡­ tIt«m.... Chsfmcp shInfns¸®m...hgs¡m¶pw D­m¡Ãp..... c­p t]À¡pw Hmtcm D½ X¶p AhÀ bm{Xbmbn.

 

cm{Xn sIS¡m³ t\cw tN¨n ]dªp.

" Dj¡p h¿m¯XsÃ....AhÄ \nsâ I«nse sISt¶mt«.... hg¡p ]nSn¡­. \o C¶p Cu tkm^mbn InS¶m aXn."

DjtbmSp ]dªp.

" \o IXIS¨p sISt¶m...Ch³ tZjyw ]nSn¨ncn¡ym.. tZjyw h¶m F´n\pw aSn¡mt¯m\m...." 

AhÄ H¶pw ]dªnÃ. apdnbn tIdn IXIS¨p, ebnÁW¨p. Rm³ knÁn§v dqanse tkm^mbn Ccp¶p Ánhn Hm¬ sNbvXp, ZqcZÀi\n Ft´m Hcp lnµn ]cn]mSn. Rm³ AXpw t\m¡nbncp¶p. Fsâ a\Êp asÁhnsS Hs¡tbm k©cn¡bmbncp¶p. Rm³ Hcp Zpã\mbn amdpIbmtWm.. Fsâ a\Êp IÃmbn amdpt¶m. Ct¸mÄ F\n¡p s]®nsâ hnNmcw am{Xta DÅq. AhcpsS apeIfpw Acs¡«pw Fsâ ZuÀ_eyw Bbn amdns¡m­ncn¡p¶p. F´mWp ImcWw...Fsâ Akm[mcW hen¸apÅ Fsâ enwKamtWm...AtXm Rm³ Hcp ]pcpj³ Btbm....Fsâ Nn´IÄ ImSp IbdnsIm­ncp¶p. H¸w Snhnbnse iÐhpw... kabw t]mbXv Rm\dnªnÃ.

Fsâ c­p tXmfnepw Hcp XtemS h¶t¸mÄ Rm³ Nn´bn \n¶pw sR«nbpWÀ¶p ]pdtIm«p t\m¡n. Fsâ ]pdIn Dj. ]mhmSbpw »ukpw, apSn Agn¨v hnXnÀ¯n«ncn¡p¶p. apJ¯p {]k¶ `mhw.

" Dtj¨n Dd§nbntÃ...?" Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" iv iv iv......... ]Xps¡.." A½mhsâ InS¡ apdnbpsS hmXn Nq­n AhÄ Nq­p hnc Np­n h¨p BwKyw ImWn¨p. F¶n«p Fsâ IqsS tkm^bn h¶ncp¶p.

" Dtj¨n CXp htc Dd§nbntÃ...?"

" Dd¡w h¶nÃ..."

" F´p ]Án..."

" F\n¡dnbnÃ...Dd¡w h¶nÃ....." AhÄ Fsâ tXmfnse¡p Xe Nmbn¨p.

" Djt¨¨ns¡t¶mSp tZjyapt­m..."

" CÃ. \nt¶mSv F\n¡p Hcn¡epw tZjys¸Sm³ km[n¡ptIe.."

" F¦n tN¨n Fsâ aSnbn InS¶pd§nt¡m..."

" th­....Rm³ C¶v Dd§p¶nÃ..."

" ]ns¶ tN¨n Cu cm{Xn X]Êncn¡m³ t]mIphm...?..."

" Fs¶ tN¨n F¶p hnfn¡cpsX¶p Rm³ ]dªXtÃ.."

" ]ns¶ Rm³ F´p hnfn¡pw.."

" `mcytb hnfn¡p¶Xp t]mse hnfnt¨m..."

" hnfn¡mw...FSo Dtj....\o F´n\m Dd¡anf¡ps¶..?.."

" Fsâ `À¯mhp hcq...Rm³ ]dbmw..."

AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp Fsâ Ibv ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. Fsâ apdnbnte¡p sIm­pt]mbn. I«nen Fs¶ ]nSn¨ncp¯n, hmXn AS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ebnÁn«p. Fsâ H¸w I«nen h¶ncp¶p, Fsâ Hcp Ibv ]nSn¨p XShn.s¡m­ncp¶p, H¶pw an­msX.... F\ns¡mcp hndbÂ.... Hcp kvYePe{`aw. Rm³ t]Sn¨p t]mbn, ]Iet¯Xnsâ {]XnImcw sN¿m\mtWm `mhw. hà I¯ntbm atÁm InS¡¡Snbn Hfn¨p sh¨n«mtWm Cu {]IS\w. Aåw Ignªp...Hcp HmÀ½bn \ns¶¶ t]mse AhÄ ]dªp.

" F\ns¡sâ `À¯mhn\p sImSp¯ hm¡p ]men¡Ww.."

" hmt¡m... F\nt¡m ?..."

" C{X s]s«¶p adt¶m.. ?."

" B....F\n¡{X ....HmÀ½.....hcp¶nÃ...."

Fsâ tXmfnte¡p Nmcn sNhnbn AhÄ ]dªp.

" Fs¶ Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n..... kq{Xw sIm­v tai¡Snbn Xd¨p \nÀ¯n kXyw sN¿n¨Xp adt¶m...?..."

" tM...AtXm..... AXn\p..............Rm\pw ]ns¶ hg¡n\p h¶nÃtÃm.." Rm³ Hcp kam[m\ kvYm]I\mbn.

" At¿m...AXÃ...."

" ]ns¶ ?...."

AhÄ Fsâ Ibv hn«p. c­p Ibv sIm­pw Fsâ apJw Xmgv¯n Fsâ Ihnfn apJapcp½n, AhfpsS NqSp izmkw Fsâ IhnfneSn¨p, H¸w AhfpsS apJ¯nsâ KÔw Fsâ aq¡nepw. AhÄ sNhnbnte¡p ]dªp.

" Ft´m Ifn¡m³ Xcmsa¶p Fs¶s¡m­p kXyw sN¿n¨tX..... C¸w AXp Xcm³ Rm³ sdUnbm...."

" AXv...Rm³....Acniw h¶t¸m.....Fs´ms¡tbm ]dªp.... F\n¡p Dtj t{Zmln¡Wsa¶p Hcp tXm¶epw CÃmbncp¶p. ...A§s\ ]Ánt¸mbn.....F\n¡p Ct¸m DjtbmSp H«pw ]nW¡anÃ...Cãta DÅp..."

" Cãw am{Xta DÅp....?...]ns¶ Fs¶ sI«msa¶p ]dªtXm...."

" AXv...th­n h¶m ............Ft¶bpÅp.... Ct¸m Djíp sImg¸w H¶panÃtÃm...."

" H­v....F\n¡n¸w sImg¸sam­v....sImg¸w am{Xta DÅp...."

" CXp sImg¸w AÃ....Ig¸m...\n\¡p...."

" AtX, Igs¸¦n Ig¸p Xs¶....." CXpw ]dªv Ahsft¶ I«nente¡p adn¨n«p, Fsâ s\©nse¡p InS¶n«p Fsâ s\Ánbnepw Ihnf¯pw D½ h¨p, F¶n«p ]dªp.

" F¶mte....  Fs¶ \o sI«nbm aXn..."

" F´n\m Dtj... \½fp....Rm³...\ns¶¡mfpw sNdpXtÃ....{]mb¯nepw ]Tn¸nepw FÃmw..."

Ahsfsâ s\©nte¡p apeIÄ ap«n¡m³ XpS§n. Fsâ t\tc apIfnte¡p tIdn¡nS¶p. Fsâbpw AhfpsSbpw IhnfpIÄ H«nbmWp InS¡p¶Xv. Fsâ Kpem³ s]m§n¯pS§n. AXp AhfpsS ]mhmS¡p apIfn XpSIfn ap«p¶Xp Rm\dnªp.

" ]t£ hnPb³ Ft¶¡mfpw Bfp F{Xtbm hepXm.....Fs¶¡­m Rm³ \ns¶¡mÄ aq¯XmsW¶p Bsc¦nepw ]dbptam..."

Fsâ s\©n AhfpsS apeIÄ IqSpX AaÀ¶p XpS§n. apSn¨pcpfpIÄ ImÁn Fsâ apJt¯¡pw ]d¡m³ XpS§n.

" F\n¡p \ns¶ aXn..... " AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p, F¶n«v Fsâ Np­pIÄ hmbnem¡n. Fs¶ H¶pw ]dbm³ A\phZn¨nÃ. Fsâ IbvIÄ Rm\dnbmsX Ahsf sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ ap­n¶Snbn Ip® _ew ]nSn¨p, ]t£ AhfpsS ]mhmS¡Snbn Ah\p kzmX{´yanÃmbncp¶p.

izmkw ap«nbt¸mÄ R§fpsS Np­pIÄ AI¶p. AhÄ Ibvap«pIÄ s_Ín Ip¯n \nhÀ¶p, F¶n«p ]dªp.

" \nsâ Cu _ew F\ns¡¸gpw Cãambncp¶p. ]t£ Rm³ AXp ]pd¯v ImWn¨n«nÃ. Rm³ aq¯XtÃ. BÄ¡mÀ F´p ]dbpw.... \ns¶ Rm³ AXp sIm­m F¸gpw ip¬Tn ]nSn¸n¨Xp.....Fsâ Cãw sIm­p am{Xw...." Rm³ an­nbnÃ, F´p adp]Sn ]dbpw. AhÄ ho­pw Ip\nªv Fs¶ Np­n D½ h¨p.

" F´mSm s]m«m.....\o H¶pw an­ms¯..... Fs¶ Cãasænepw C¶p Rm³ \ns¶ _emÂkwKw sN¿pw. Fs¶ \o D¨íp sNbvX t]mse...."

" F\n¡p Dtj ]t­ Cãm....\nsâ aWw htc..... \o DSp¯ XpWn htc...Rm³ ......."

" F\n¡dnbmw Fsâ sIm¨p IÅm.... "

AhÄ ho­pw Fsâ apJt¯¡p hoWp, Fsâ apJ¯p sXcp sXsc D½ shím³ XpS§n. AhfpsS izmktaÁt¸mÄ F\n¡pw elcn tIdn. Rm³ Ahtf adn¨n«p apIfn tIdn, AhfpsS c­p hi¯pw ImepIfn«p ap«p Ip¯nbncp¶p. AhÄ C\nsb´v F¶ `mh¯n Fs¶ t\m¡n.

" Fs¶ _emÂkwKw sN¿m³ s]mIphmtWm...? AhÄ Hcp hÃm¯ `mh¯n tNmZn¨p.

" AtXSo... `mtcy...."

" F¶m H¶p thKw sN¿Sm..... ap«mfm  "

Rm³ Ip\nªp AhfpsS s\Án apX Xmtgm«v D½ shím³ XpS§n. Ahsfs¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. I®S¨p InS¶p Fsâ Npw_\§Ä GÁp hm§n. ]mXn aeÀ¶ B ]hng Np­pIÄ hnd¨ncp¶p.

" Fsâ hnPbm....Fsâ Ip«m...." AhÄ IpdpIn.

Rm³ Ipd¨p IqSn Xmtgm«ncp¶p Fsâ Np­pIÄ AhfpsS Igp¯nepw sNhn¡nSbnepw HmSn \S¶p. AhÄ ]nSenbn«pcp«n, Fsâ D½IÄ¡p th­n. Fsâ Np­pIÄ Xmtgm«nd§n amd¯p F¯n, »ukn\p apIfn IqSn Rm\m Ip¯s\ DbÀ¶p \n¶ \ndIpS§fpsS apIfn arZphmbn ISn¨p.

" iv iv iv....Mqw.....Mqw....."

hnImcw sIm­hÄ ioÂImc iÐap­m¡n. ImepIÄ Iq«nXncp½n. ]mhmS AhÄ apIfnte¡p hen¨p. Xg¨p \n¶ Fsâ sIm¨phnPb³ AhfpsS ap«pIÄ¡nSbnembn. AhÄ Aht\ ImepIÄ sIm­p sRcn¨p. AhÄ Xs¶¯m³ AhfpsS apeIfn Xncp½m³ XpS§n. AhÄ Xnfím³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Rm³ AhfpsS »uknsâ lp¡pIÄ Ducm³ {ian¨p. AhÄ AsXÃmw s]s«¶p Ducn X¶p. Rm³ »ukv c­p hit¯¡pw Xpd¶p. Ahft¸mÄ {_m [cn¨ncp¶nÃ. apdn¡I¯p Hcp {]tXyI {]Imiw ]c¯ns¡m­v B sh×peIÄ Fsâ ap¶n Xnf§n. Rm³ »ukv apIfnte¡p hen¨p. AhÄ XebpbÀ¯n IbvIÄ s]m¡nX¶p. Rm³ AXqcn amÁn. Fs´mcp Imgv¨. \mfpIfmbn Rm³ k¦å¯n I­p sIm­ncp¶ B I£§Ä, Idp¯ tcma§Ä \ndª, Fsâ k¦å¯n am{Xw I­ncp¶, KÔ¯n IqSn am{Xw Adnªncp¶ I£§Ä. B Imgv¨ Fs¶ IqSpXÄ D·¯\m¡n. Hfn¨p t\m¡n F¶pw sImXn¨ncp¶, Fs¶ F¶pw {`m´p ]nSn¸n¨ncp¶ s\©nte B amXf¸g§Ä Fsâ ap¼n F\n¡mbn am{Xw Ct¸mÄ...Rm³ Hcp an\p«v AhbpsS `wKn BkzZn¨p. shfp¯ tX§mapdnIÄ Iagv¯n sh¨t]mse. Ct¸mgpw hfÀ¶p sIm­ncn¡p¶ kbnskm¯ apeIÄ. »ukn\pÅn C{Xbpw hen¸w tXm¶nbncp¶nÃ. Xhn«p \nd¯n Xnf§p¶ ape¡®pIÄ \Sphn DW¡ap´ncn amXncn Idp¯ sNdnb sR«pIÄ. Acíp apIfn \ábmbn shfp¯p IqÀ¯ apeIfpw Im«n aeÀ¶p InS¡p¶ Ahtf ImWm³ \à `wKnbmbncp¶p. A\¡sam¶pw ImWmXncp¶Xn\m Bhmw AhÄ I®p Xpd¶p tNmZn¨p.

" F´m \nÀ¯n Iftª...?..."

" Rm³ \nsâ Cu N¡c apeIÄ H¶p ImWphmcp¶p..."

" I­m am{Xw aXntbm..."

" t]mcm...F\n¡nXv c­pw ISn¨p Xn¶Ww...."

" Xnt¶m...Cãw t]mse Xnt¶m...AXn\tà sXmd¶p X¶Xv.... thKw Xns¶Sm...... s]m¶p Ip«m...."

Ahsfsâ XeapSnbn ]nSn¨v Fsâ apJw Xmgv¯n apeIfn sh¨aÀ¯n. Rm³ apeIfpsS \Sphn \mhaÀ¯n t\m¡n. s]mSnªp \n¶ AhfpsS hnbÀ¸p XpÅnIÄ¡p Fs´mcp cpNn. B hnbÀ¸nsâ amZIKÔ¯n AhfpsS {_mbpsS aWw F\nt¡mÀ½ h¶p. C\nsb´n\p {_m. CSt¯ apebn ]nSn¨p sIm­v AhfpsS het¯ I¿pbÀ¯n I£¯nte¡p Fsâ aq¡p tNÀ¯p. B amZI KÔw Fsâ Xet¨mdnse aÀ½§Ä Cf¡n. hnImcw sIm­p \\ªp hnbÀ¯ B Idp¯ tcma§fn Rm³ \¡n. Fs´mcp¸v. Fs´mcp elcn. CXmbncp¶p Rm³ Hfn¨pw ]m¯pw aW¯ncp¶ elcn. B I£§fn Rm³ \¡nbt¸mÄ AhÄ¡n¡nfnbmbn.

" F´m Cu ImWn¡ps¶....AsXsâ I£am..... hnbÀ¯Xm....aW¡pw..."

" aW¡s«So...Cu aWam F\n¡p th­Xv.... \nsâ Cu apSnª aWw Fs¶ h«p ]nSn¸n¨Xm...\n\¡dnbmatÃm..."

" F\n¡dnbmw...Fsâ {_mbpw jÍnbpw aW¯p \S¶ t]m¡ncn¸¿³... \¡nt¡m... Cãw t]mse..."

AhÄ hoÀ¸p ap«ns¡m­p InS¶p X¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸m AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

" \n\¡p I£w am{Xw aXntbmSm...IÅ¡®m...? "

" t]mcm... F¶mepw Fsâ sImXn XoÀ¶n«nÃ..... "

Rm³ ]Xps¡ AhfpsS amdt¯¡p ho­pw apJw Nmbv¨p. B IpfnÀ apeIÄ amdn amdn I¿nsemXp¡n AaÀ¯n. AhÄ¡p AXnãs¸«p. AhÄ kpJw sIm­p Rc§m³ XpS§n. Rm³ AhbpsS ta\nIfn Fsâ IhnfpIÄ Dc¨p. Fs´mcp an\pkw, Fs´mcp amÀ±hw. AhÄ AhfpsS IbvIÄ sIm­p B apesR«pIÄ Xncp½n hen¨p \o«nbn«p ]dªp.

" Fsâ ape IpSn¡mthm... s]m¶p Ip«m.... "

Ahfm sR«pIÄ Fsâ hmbnte¡p sh¨p X¶p. sNdnb sR«pIfmbncp¶Xp sIm­v hmbn In«nbnÃ. Rm³ ape¡®pIfpĸsS hmbn h¨p hen¨o¼n. AhÄ apeIfpsS NpÁpw Ibv sIm­p XÅn Fsâ hmbnte¡p IqSpX h¨p X¶n«p ]dªp.

" slm...Fs´mcp kpJw.... hnSmsX IpSns¡Sm... lqw....." F¶n«p apJapbÀ¯n Fsâ apSnbn D½ sh¨p sIm­ncp¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp.

" F\n¡nXp t]mcm....Fs¶ Fs´¦nepw sN¿Sm... Csæn Rm\n¸w...."

AhÄ InS¶p sRfn]ncn sIm­p.

s]®v Ig¸nsâ aqÀ[\y¯nse¯n Fs¶\n¡p a\Ênembn. C\n Imcyambns«s´¦nepw sNbvXnsæn AhÄ Fs¶ sImÃpw. Rm³ Xe Xmtgm«p hen¨p. ]p¡n ¡pgnbn \m¡aÀ¯n. Fsâ \m¡v ]p¡nfn \n¶pw hbdp hgn Xmtgm«ngªp. AhÄ InS¶p ]pfªp. ]mhmS Fsâ \mhns\ XSªp. Rm³ ]mhmSbpsS sI«gn¡m³ t\m¡n. AXdnª AhÄ Is¿¯n¨v sI«gn¨p. Rm³ AXv ImepIfn IqSn Xmtg¡p hen¨p amÁn.

Bene hbdn\p Xmtg, asÁmcp BenebpsS BIrXnbn {XntImW¯n apdn¨p h¨ In®¯¸w t]mse AhfpsS Hma\]qdp Rm³ I­p. XSn¨p s]m§n \n¶ B ]oT`qanbn Idp¯ tcma§Ä Npcp­v Aa§n InS¶ncp¶p. BZyambn  Hcp sIm¨p s]®ns\ Rm³ \ábmbn t\cn ImWpIbmWp. hnImc]chibmbn A£atbmsS Fsâ IbvIfpsS IpkrXnIÄ¡p th­n I®S¨p InS¡p¶ cXotZhn. Hcp \nanjw Rm³ t\m¡nbncp¶p t]mbn. BIrXnsbm¯ A sh¬ apeIÄ B icoc¯n\p IqSpX AgtIIn. XSn¨p´nb tbm\o Xe¯nsâ \Sphn \n¶pw XpS§n B sh®¯pSIfpsS kwKa kvYm\t¯¡p t]mbn tNcp¶, Xoc§Ä Dcp­ncp¶, sNdptcma§Ä IeÀ¶, AhfpsS ]qÀ¨m B I\yIbpsS \áta\nbpsS amZIXzw ]Xn·S§m¡n. \mWnb½bpsStbm, kckphnsâtbm t]mse Iodensâ \Sphn H¶pw XÅn \n¶ncp¶nÃ. Bcpw sXmSm¯ I¶n¸qdtÃ. Fsâ Ip® D¨íp H¶p sXm«Xp am{Xw. FhnsS XpS§Ww F¶dnbmsX Rm³ ]I¨ncp¶p. ChÄ, Cu cXn tZhXtb F\n¡p am{Xambn thWw, Rm³ a\Ênepd¨p.

A\¡sam¶pw ImWmsX I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡nb Dj I­Xp I®naímsX AhfpsS ]qdnteíp t\m¡n ]cnkcw ad¶p \n¡p¶ Fs¶bmWp. kv{XoklPamb eÖ sIm­mImw Hcp Ibv FSp¯p AhÄ ]qdp s]m¯n ]nSn¨p. atÁ Ibv sIm­v I®pw s]m¯n InS¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ Xmakn¨nÃ. Fsâ ap­p ]dn¨p Ifªp. I¿nsemXp§m¯ Fsâ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p Rm³ hnfn¨p.

" Dtj... Ct§m«p t\m¡nt¡......\n\¡nXp thtWm......"

AhÄ I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡n. Xpem¡¸bpsS \Sp¡ng§p amXncn \n¡p¶ Fsâ Ip® I­hÄ AÔmfn¨p.

" Fâoizcm...CsX´m Cu¡mWtW.... CsX´p sN¿m\m...?

" I®p XÅ­....FSo CXv C¶v D¨íp \nsâ sImX¯n tIdnb AtX km[\w Xs¶bm..."

Rm³ AhfpsS ]qdp s]m¯nbncp¶ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁn.

" At¿m....hnPbm...F\n¡p t]SnbmIp¶p. Fsâ hncep Xs¶ Iãn¨m tIdps¶....]ns¶ CsX§s\...?

" A¸w \o hncenSpw CsÃ......"

".....AXv.....hÃt¸mgpw \ns¶....HmÀ¡p¼w... Iq«pImcnIÄ \o Fsâ apds¨dp¡s\¶p ]dbp¼w...]ns¶ \o Fsâ XpWn aW¡p¶tXmÀ¡p¼w.... F\n¡hnsS sNmdn¨nep t]mse tXm¶pw ...At¶cw... "

" Gs¶tbmÀ¯p \o hncenSpw AtÃSn....IÅnIpdn¨o....."

Rm³ AhfpsS Acs¡«nte¡p apJw Ip\n¨p. s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶ Ibv hen¨p amÁn. AhnSamsI D½ shím³ XpS§n. hbdnepw ]qÀXS¯nepw tcma§fnepw Hs¡. AhfpsS tbm\nbpsS ]pXp aWw Fs¶ D·¯\m¡n. ]Ãp sIm­v B tbm\n¨mensâ Xoc§Ä Iq«n ISn¨p. \mhn«p \¡n. kpJw sIm­hÄ ImepIÄ Iq«n¡i¡n. Rm\m ImepIÄ AI¯n. F¶n«p t\sc ap¼nencp¶v ASªp  tNÀ¶ncp¶ ]qÀ¨mensâ ASn apX tatem«p \¡m³ XpS§n. At¸mfm hnShp IpsdsÈ Xpd¶p h¶p. AXn \n¶pw AhfpsS amZI tX³ XpÅnIÄ HgpIn Cd§m³ XpS§n. B tX³ IW§Ä Rm³ \¡nsbSp¯p IpSn¨p. AhfpsS IqXn s]m«pw Rm³ hn«nÃ. H«pw NpfnhnÃm¯ IqXn s]m«v. AhnsS \¡nbt¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ apJw XÅnamÁm³ {ian¨p sIm­p ]dªp.

" At¿... AXp Xqdp¶nSam....AhnsS hr¯ntISm....\¡­m.... hnPbm....."

" A¸w apÅp¶nS¯p \¡mw CtÃ.......C¸w CsXms¡ F\n¡p \Ã hr¯nbm....\o A\§msX InS¡So s]t®........."

Xpd¶p h¶ ]qdn \n¶pw tX³ XpÅnIÄ s]m«nsbmgpIn. Rm³ AXp \¡n¡pSn¨p sImt­bncp¶p. \m¡It¯¡p XÅnbt¸mÄ B s]m³ ]qdnsâ Zf§Ä Fgpt¶Áp h¶p. Rm\hbn ISn¨p tatåm«p hen¨p. AhÄ kpJw sIm­p XpÅn¨mSn. Rm³ ho­pw apIfnte¡p \¡p XpSÀ¶p. I´nse¯nbt¸mtg¡pw AhfpsS ]qdnsâ {]tZiw apgph³ tX³ sIm­v \\ªp IpXnÀ¶p Ignªncp¶p. I´n Rm³ aq¡pw \m¡pan«pckn. IbvIÄ sIm­p ]qdp \¶mbn hnSÀ¯n ]nSn¨p. F¶n«p Rm\m Nph¶ hnSÀ¶ tdmkm¸qdn s]m§nb Nph¶ I´v Np­pIÄ sIm­p ISns¨Sp¯p hmbnem¡n sRm«n \pWªp..

" Fsâ hnPbm....Fs¶ kpJw sIm­p sImsÃsâ Ip«m..... AtXÂ H¯ncn \¡v....At¿m...\Ã kpJw....Fsâ At½..... F\n¡p sh¡Ww ....\nsâ kq{Xw FSp¯It¯m«p tIÁv....."

" \n\¡p t\mIpw tamtf......D¨íp \nsâ km[\w Iodnbncn¡phm..... \ap¡p ]ns¶ shímw......"

" \osbSp¯p sh¨nsæn....Rm³ ]nSn¨I¯p shípw.... FSp¯p shíSm...... F\n¡p Ih¡ntS AXpt]mse Ig¡ps¶Sm....."

" shímw [rXn ]nSn¡msX...C\ow ]Wn sIS¡ps¶sbmsÅSo abntc.....h¨p Xcmw...... ..."

AhÄ¡p ISn kln¡m³ h¿mXmbn Fs¶\n¡p a\Ênembn. Ahsfsâ Xe]nSn¨v ]qÁnte¡aÀ¯n. tatem«pw Iotgm«pw Dc¨p. ImepIÄ sIms­s¶ hcnªp. Rm³ Hcp Ibv F¯n¨p apeIfn amdn amdn XShn. sR«pIÄ sRcSn. atÁ I¿psS \Sphnc ]Xps¡ ]qdnte¡p XÅn¡bÁn. hgphgp¯ tX³ HgpIp¶p­mbncps¶¦nepw ]qdn\t¸mgpw \à Cdp¡ambncp¶p. kmam\yw h®apÅ Fsâ hnc Rm\m I¶n ]qdn IbÁnbnd¡n. AsXmcp sNdnb Ip®bpsS ^ew sN¿pw Fs¶\n¡dnbmambncp¶p. F¶n«pw AhÄ ]dªp.

" hncseSp¯n«p...\nsâ kq{Xw tIsÁSm.....AXmÀ¡p sh¨ncn¡bmSm.... Igpthdo... "

]qÀtX³ \¡nIpSn¡p¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ]dsªm¸n¨p.

" AXp \n\¡p Xs¶bmSo....abntc...... ]ns¶ Xcmw AS§v...."

" F¶m Hcp hncep IqSn tIÁSm......" Rm³ Nq­p hnc IqSn AIt¯¡p XÅn.

" As¿m....th­....\odp¶p..... " Rm³ Nq­p hnc ]pds¯Sp¯p. F¶n«p \Sp hnc sIm­p thKw thKw ]®m³ XpS§n. I´n AaÀ¯n \¡m\pw XpS§n. apeIÄ amdn amdn sRcn¨p.

 

" Fsâ hnPbm.....\nÀ¯tÃSm....At¿m...F\ns¡s´ms¡tbm....Fsâ At½....lmhq...."

AhÄ Acs¡«p sh«n¡m³ XpS§n. Fsâ hncen AhfpsS tbm\nbpsS apdp¡w IqSp¶Xp Rm\dnªp.

" Fsâ s]m¶p....hnPbm.....F\n¡p AXn\I¯p hÃmsX ISn¡ps¶Sm....sXcp sXsc...B¡Sm.... "

AhfpsS ImepIÄ Fsâ ]nSenbn AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨ncp¶p. AhÄ Acs¡«p tatem«p s]m¡m³ XpS§n. I´nse Fsâ {]tbmK¯n\p Rm³ iàn Iq«n. Fsâ apJw apgph³ AhfpsS tbm\nt¯³ sIm­p \ndªp. hmbn ap«bpsS shfp¯ D®n \ndª t]msebmbn. a[pchpw D¸pw DÅ, Fsâ s]®nsâ Hma\]qÁn \ns¶mgpInb, a[pc tX³ Rm³ IpSn¨nd¡nsIm­ncp¶p.

" F\n¡p hÃmsX hcps¶Sm.... At¿m... F\n¡p hcps¶..... Fsâ At½....lmbo.... ...At¿m......Ignªq.... lmmmm ............"

AhÄ Acs¡«p s]m¡n tatem«p hfªp Ip¯n Hcp \nanjw \n¶n«v Xmtgm«p hoWp. F¶ns«sâ Xe AaÀ¯n Imen¶nSbn ]nSn¨p. Fsâ hnc AhfpsS kvJen¡p¶ ]qdn hcnªp apdpIn. I®pIÄ Iq¼n. AhfpsS {Xkn¡p¶ tbm\n¡pÅn \n¶pw Fsâ apJt¯¡pw I¿nte¡pw B kvJe\tX³ NoÁn sXdn¨p. aq¶p \mep {]mhiyw AhfpsS Acs¡«p Fsâ apJw klnXw sR«nsXdn¨p.

Hcp \nanj¯n\p tijw FÃmw Abªp. ImepIÄ Abªp Xmtg¡p hoWp. Fsâ apJw AhÄ ]Xps¡ XÅn amÁn. apeIfn \n¶pw Fsâ Ibv hen¨p amÁn. IbvIÄ hncn¨p ImepIÄ AI¯n. Ne\aÁp InS¶p, ZoÀL izmkw hen¨p. ^m\p­mbn«pw, B apJ¯p hnbÀ¸p NmepIfmbn HgpIn. Rms\Ãmw t\m¡nbncp¶p. Fsâ Ip® At¸mgpw hn{Ppw`n¨p \n¶p sh«pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ I«nen \n¶pw Xmsg Cd§n \n¶p. Fsâ s]®p AhfpsS BZy kpcX¯nsâ B\µmeky¯n InS¡p¶Xp I­mkzZn¨p. Hcp s]®ns\ Ggmw kzÀK¯n IbÁnbnd¡nb kw{Xp]vXn, AXp ]pcpjsâ Hcp kwt`mK¯n\p Xpeyamb kmbqPyamWp. AXp Rm³ A\p`hn¨p.

Aåt\cw IgnªhÄ sasÃI®p Xpd¶p. B I®pIfn \mWtam, \µntbm, \n{dzpXntbm, Fs´ms¡tbm amdn amdn I­p. AhÄ Fsâ t\tc IbvIÄ \o«n. Rm³ Ip\nªp. Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p Xmgv¯n AhÄ KmVambn D½ sh¨p.

" Fsâ s]m¶p Ip«³. ...Fsâ sI«ntbm³ Xs¶...."  Rm\pw B Ihnfn D½ h¨p.

" \o Xs¶ Fsâ sI«ntbmÄ...."

Rm³ t\tc \n¶p. AhfpsS Ih¡nSbnte¡p t\m¡n. Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡nb AhÄ Xsâ Ibv Ih¡nSbnens«m¶p X¸n. Ibv apgph³ sImgp¯ tbm\nt¯³.

" At¿...CXmsI {hp¯ntISmbtÃm.... Ct{Xbpw CXp \\ªsX§ns\bm...?..."

" F´p {hp¯ntISv....\o hncenSp¼w shÅw hcp¶sXm¶pw I­n«ntÃ..."

" Hm...AX§s\ t\m¡nbns«m¶panÃ... ]mhmS  sIms­m tXmÀ¯p sIms­m XpS¨p Ifbpw....]s£ C{Xbpw \\sªmen¡p¶Xv CXmZyam..."

" FSo.. AXmWp ...\nsâ `À¯mhnsâ Ignhv........"

"F¶n«p Fsâ `À¯mhnsâ kq{Xw tIÁnbnÃtÃm.... FÃm ...`À¯m¡·mcpw... C§s\...hncep tIÁnbmsWm kwt`mKw sN¿pt¶...?

" C¶p CXp tIÁnbm \nsâ s]mfnª ]qdp ]ns¶bpw s]mfnbpw ...ChnsS BsI tNmc{]fbamtbs\.... \msf BIpt¼msg¡pw FÃmw t\scbmIpw... F¶n«p \ns¶ Ip®bpsS kpJw ImWn¨p Xcmw..."

AhÄ I«nen Fgpt¶Áp, ImepIÄ Xmtg¡n«ncp¶p. I×p¼n Ipe¨p \n¶ Fsâ Fsâ Ip® ]nSn¨p NpÁpw XgpIn, hnc sIm­p h®w t\m¡n, \ofw Af¶p t\m¡n. Ihnfn H¶p Dckn t\m¡n. IpSp¡IÄ t]mse InS¶ D­Ifn ]nSn¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«p tNmZn¨p.

" Fs´mcp hen¸am...CXp....Imhnte sIm¼\m\ h¶t¸m, AXnsâ Imens¶tSÂ CXp t]mse Xq§n¡nS¡p¶ I­Xm.. A¶p hSt¡se A½nWn ]dªp. shey BWp§sSw Imens¶tSÂ CXp t]mes¯ km[\w Hs­¶p.... s]®p§sS apÅps¶S¯p tIÁm\msW¶p.. ....A¶p Rm³ hnizkn¨nÃ....."

" C¸w hnizmkambtÃm...AXp aXn..."

" CsX´m hnPbm CXv C¸gpw s]m§n \n¡pt¶..?.. Xmg¯ntà ...."

: CXn\Is¯mÅ shÅw s]md¯p t]mbnÃ...AXp sIm­m....."

" At¿m...A¸w hnPb\p shÅw h¶ntÃ....C\nsb§\m....Fsâ kmam\¯n shítWm....."

" thWsa¶nÃ....hmWaSn¨mepw aXn....ASn¨p Xcmtam...?

" F§s\bmsW¶p ]dªm ASn¨p Xcmw...."

Rm³ H¶p c­p {]mhiyw hmWaSn¨p ImWn¨p sImSp¯p. AhfpsS Hcp I¿n Fsâ Kpemsâ h®w HXp§pIbnÃ, AXp sIm­v Fsâ Ip® c­p Ibv sIm­pw ]nSn¨p hmWaSn¨p XpS§n.

AhfpsS {apZpeamb IípÅn Ah³ Ccp¶t¸mÄ Fsâ kpJw Cc«n¨p. CSíp AhfpsS Ih¡nSbn I¿n«p Aåw sImgp¯ tX³ FSp¯p ]pc«n¡mWn¨p. At¸mÄ \à hgphgp¡Â, AhÄ¡p ]nSn¡m\pw \à Ffp¸w. ]ns¶ AhÄ Xs¶ CSínS¡v ImeI¯n]qÁn I¿n«p tXs\Sp¯v ]pc«n ]nSn¡m³ XpS§n.

" hmWaSn¨p sImSp¡m\pw ]Tn¨tÃm....." AhÄ aµlkn¨p sIm­p Ip®bpsS Xebn D½ h¨p.

" Cht\ Rm³ \msf C§s\ _p²n ap«n¡ptIe. C\n Ch³ Fsâ kmam\¯o¶p shfnbnend§p¶Xp F\ns¡m¶p ImWWw..."

" hÀ¯am\w \nÀ¯n kv]oUn ASn¡v....CS¡p Dt­epw H¶p ]nSn¡v. " F\n¡p Cf¡w XpS§nbncp¶p. AhÄ kv]oUp Iq«n. Ipep§nbmSnbncp¶ D­Ifn XgpIn. sXdn¨p \n¶ AhfpsS apeIÄ Rm³ IbvIfnseSp¯v XgpIn. F\n¡p hcmdmbn.

" F\n¡p hcps¶So....\nÀ¯msX ]nSn¡v..... Zm hcps¶So..... Mqw.....tZ h¶q........"

Fsâ Acs¡«p sh«n. Ip® ]oc¦nbn \n¶pw ]mep­IÄ s]m«ns¯dn¨p. BZyt¯Xp hoWXp AhfpsS s\Ánbn Xs¶...]ns¶ AhfpsS apJhpw Igp¯pw apeIfpw FÃmw Ip®¸men Ipfn¨p. AhÄ sR«ns¯dn¨psIm­ncp¶ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSnhnSmsX hmWaSn¨p sImt­bncp¶p.

" Fâoizcm...CsX¸gm Xocps¶....]ns¶w ]ns¶w ]mep hcpImWtÃm....."

" C¸vw Xocpw.....aXn....."

AhfpsS Ibv apgph\pw Fsâ Ip® apgph\pw shfp¯ sImgp¯ ip¢w sIm­v Ipgªncp¶p. apJ¯p hoW XpÅnIÄ Hen¨p AhfpsS Np­nte¡nd§n. H¶p c­p XpÅnIÄ AhÄ \¡nsbSp¯p cpNn¨p t\m¡n.

" F§s\bp­p....sImÅmthm....." Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" Mqw....D¸m...]ns¶ \Ã sImgp¯ ]mem...."

Rm³ AhfpsS apJw sI«n]nSn¨p Fsâ Acs¡«nt\mSp tNÀ¯p. AhfpsS apJ¯p Ipgbm³ XpS§nb Fsâ Ip®sbSp¯v Dckn. AhÄ Fsâ Ip­nbn sI«n]nSn¨p Ahs\ apJap«pckns¡m­ncp¶p. ]s¿ ]s¿ Ah³ XmWp.

" kpJamtbm Fsâ sI«ntbm\p...? AhÄ ]Xps¡ tNmZn¨p.

" \à kpJw......" Rm\pw I«nencp¶p, ip¢¯n Ipfn¨p \n¶ B apJw Fsâ apJt¯mSp tNÀ¯p. ip¢¸ibn R§fpsS IhnfpIÄ H¶mbn. XmWp InS¶ Fsâ Ip®sbSp¯p t\m¡nbn«p AhÄ ]dªp.

" tZ, CtXÂ tNmcbmsW¶m tXm¶pt¶...."

Rm³ t\m¡n ]dntb Nph¶ ]mSpIÄ ]Ánbncn¡p¶p.... AhfpsS ]qdn \n¶pw hmWaSn¡m¬ tXs\Sp¯t¸mÄ ]ÁnbXmbncn¡pw.

" C¸gpw Iodnbncn¡phm.....F¶n«pw AhÄ¡v A©mdp shcep tIÁWw, Asæn Ip® tIÁWw ....tIÁncps¶¦n C¸w ImWmambncp¶p......"

" Hm, H¶p Np½mbncn Fsâ a\pjym...At¶cw F´p In«nbmepw XÅnt¡Ántbt\...."

" ]ns¶sb´m, ASp¯ hncen«¸w sIS¶p IcªXv..... Hcp shey tIÁpImcn....."

" AXp Rm³ \msf ImWn¨p Xcmw.....tIt«mSm......ap«\mtS..."

I¿nencp¶pd§p¶ Ip®¡pªnt\ t\m¡n AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

" ]ntÅcpd§n......C\n \½Ä¡pw Dd§mw AtÃ?..."

AhfpsS shfp¯ apebpsS apIfn ]Án¸nSn¨p InS¶ncp¶ ]m XpÅnIÄ apeIfn tX¨psIm­p Rm³ ]dªp.

" C\n \ap¡pd§ms½So... Fsâ s]m¶p Nct¡..."

Fgpt¶Áp \n¶ AhfpsS ]qtd Ibv Ht¶mSn¨p t\m¡n Rm³ ]dªp.

" C¸gpw Hgp¡p \n¶n«nÃtÅmSo.......AI¯p sh¨Sn¨mtem...."

" Rm³ sdUn....." AhÄ ho­pw I«nente¡p aeÀ¶p hoWp, ImepIÄ Ih¨p sh¨p.

" th­ C¶nXp aXn....F\n¡p \nsâ km[\w \msfbpw th­Xm....Fgps¶Â¡v..."

AhÄ Ibv sIm­p ]qdp hen¨p Xpd¶n«p sImª\w Im«n., Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ ]ns¶ At§m«p t\m¡nbnÃ.

tXmÀs¯Sp¯v R§Ä icocw XpS¨p. AhÄ ]mhmSbpw »ukpan«p. Rm³ ep¦nbpSp¯p, Hcp josÁSp¯p shfnbnend§ms\mcp§n. AhÄ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨n«p tNmZn¨p.

" \aps¡mcpan¨v ChnsS sIS¶mtem.....?..."

" s]®n\p ]qXn tIdn...... C¸w HÁíp sIS¶m aXn...... cm{Xnbn Ahcmsc¦nepw DWÀ¶p t\m¡nbmÂ...]ns¶ AdnbmhtÃm. "

"  Mqw....."  AhÄ Fs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v Hcp½ IqSn X¶p. F¶n«v a\ÊnÃm a\tÊmsS I«nente¡ncp¶p.

Rm³ hmXn Nmcn, knÁnMv dqante¡nd§n. shdptX Hm¬ BbnInS¶ Snhn \nÀ¯n.

tkm^bn t]mbn InS¶p. FÃmw ad¶pd§nt¸mbn.

 

HmÀ½IÄ - -11                                                                                             Font-Karthika

 

 

" Xmakn¨p sIS¶ sIm­mbncn¡pw Dd¡w hcp¶nÃ. Np½m ]pd¯nd§n, H¶p apÅntb¨p sIS¡msa¶p IcpXn. t\m¡nb¸w hnPbt\ tkm^bn ImWp¶nÃ...." tN¨n Hcp {]tXyI kzcXn ]dªp.

" sNe¸w  _m¯p dqanÂ...... " Dj \n¶p hn¡n.

" Cà AXn\I¯nÃ. C\n Cu ]mXncmív Ah³ shfnbn t]mtbm¶p kwibw..."

Fs¶ \¶mbn hndíp¶p­mbncp¶p. I«nen\p Iosg Hcp kuIcyhpanà Xm\pw. henb icocapÅ F\n¡p AhnSw H«pw t]mcmbncp¶p. ]nSn¡s¸Sp¶XnepÅ t]SnbÃ, adn¨p tN¨ntbmSp hnizmkh©\ sNbvXXnsâ t]cn F\n¡p tN¨n \ãs¸SpasÃm F¶ hnjaambncp¶p ap¶nÂ. aÁmcpambpw _Ôs¸ScpsX¶pÅ tN¨nbpsS ap¶dnbn¸p B  hm¡nsâ NqSmdpw ap¼v ewLn¨p. C\n tN¨nbpsS icoc¯nsâ NqSp kz]v\w ImWmt\ ]Áq. AhcpsS aZ\sN¸p I¬IpfnÀs¡ H¶p ImWm³ ]ÁnbnÃtÃm F¶pÅ hnjaw. Mm..t]ms«....Djsbm­sÃm, t]msc¦n kckphpw, ]ns¶ A{X ]«nWnbmsW¦n \mWnb½bpw. " ap«p¼w ap¯nbpw sImÅw" F¶p kvIqfn h¨p hmÂkymb\ Kpcp ]dbp¶Xp tI«n«p­p. tN¨n ]ns¶bpw Ccn¡pIbmWp.

" C\n Ah³ ChnsSsb§m\pw h¶p ap«ntbmSn Dtj.." tN¨n AS¡n¸nSn¨v tNmZn¡p¶p.

" Aht\m...CÃ....." Dj ho­pw hn¡n. At¸mgmWp Fsâ ep¦nbpsS AÁw I«nens\ AÁ¯v Xmsg tN¨n I­Xv.

" CXv C¶h³ DSp¯ ep¦nbmWtÃm..."

DjbpsS apJw hnfdn. IãIme¯n\p F\n¡p Xp½m\pw ap«n. I«nen\p Xmsg Ccp¶ s]«nbpw km[\§fpw apgph\pw s]mSnbmbncp¶p. aq¡p s]m¯n¸nSn¨ Fsâ Xp½Â Hcp Aadembn ]pd¯p h¶p.

" hnPb³ AhnsS¯s¶ Ccp¶m aXn. Rm³ ]dªn«p ]pd¯p h¶m aXn tIt«m."

AS¡n¸nSn¨v tN¨n ]dªp. Fs¶ hnbÀ¯p. IÅn ]nSn¡s¸«p Ignªp.

" Dtj, tamfo I«nentems«m¶p sISt¶....."

" F´n\m Ipªt½...? Dj Icbp¶ kzc¯n tNmZn¨p.

" l, tamsfm¶p sISt¶....." Dj I«nen sIS¶p.

tN¨n DjbpsS ]mhmS s]m¡m³ Xp\nªp. Dj Ibv sIm­Xp XSbm³ {ian¨p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ I«nensâ Iosg \n¶pw Xe ]pdt¯¡n«p t\m¡n.

" \o Is¿Sp¡v tamsf...Rm\psamcp s]®tÃ...."

" AÃ Ipªt½......F´n\m...C¸w......."

" an­msX sIS¡So AhnsS...." tN¨n tZjys¸«p.

]ns¶ Dj XSªnÃ. tN¨n AhfpsS ]mhmS Acíp tase hsc s]m¡n h¨p. Dj IbvIÄ sIm­v IhínS s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. ImepIÄ ASp¸n¨p ]nSn¨p sIS¶p. tN¨n AhfpsS Ibv _eambn ]nSn¨p amÁn. sNdpXmsW¦nepw \ndªncp­ ]qSIÄ shfn¨¯n Xnf§n. tN¨n CÍen t]mse t]mse XSn¨ {XntImW¯n B ]qS\ncIfpsS tase H¶p It¿mSn¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" s]®n\p {]mbambn, taÂaoibpw ASn]qSbpw At\ym\y ]qcI§Ä F¶mWp {]amWw. aoi h¶ BWpw ]qS h¶ s]®pw AS§ptIe¶m ]ga¡mcp ]td¶Xv...... tamfp Imsem¶I¯nt¡...."

" Ipª½ F¶Xm Cu ImWn¡pt¶...? Djíp Acniw h¶p.

" an­msX sISt¶mWw..... Fs¶ \n\¡dnb¯nÃ..... Mv lm...."

tN¨n _eambn DjbpsS ImepIfI¯n. IhínSbn \n¶p At¸mgpw H¶p c­p ip¢¯pÅnIÄ Hen¨nd§p­mbncp¶p. Imen¶nSbnte ]qSIÄ ip¢¸ibn H«n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. AhÀ AhfpsS H«n¸nSn¨ tbm\oZf§Ä  hncepIÄ sIm­I¯n t\m¡n. At¸mÄ AXn \n¶pw AW s]m«nbXp t]mse XpÅnIÄ HgpIm³ XpS§n. F¶n«v AXn \n¶pw Hcp XpÅn tXm­nsbSp¯v aW¯p kwib \nhr¯n hcp¯n. hnc DjbpsS ]mhmSbn XpS¨p. Dj ImeI¯n A\§msX InS¶tXbpÅp. B XpÅnIfn Aåw Nph¶ \ndw IqSn IeÀ¶ncp¶p.

" \obn¸w s]md¯mtWmSo...."

" Mqw Mqw....AÃ......" Dj ]dªp.

" Mqw, AXp sicn, At¸m Ah³ CSn¨p s]mfn¨mtWepw AIt¯íp Xs¶ \nt£]n¨p AtÃSo, \obXp Imepw Ih¨p A§p taSn¡ptIw sNbvXp..."  tN¨n Hcp ]cnlmk¯n ]dªp.

" Ipªt½.... hnPb³..... Fs¶....AI¯v...h¶t¸m...."

" th­..\nsâ ]pfp H¶pw F\n¡p tI¡­. Hcp hbÊn\p am{Xw Ff¸w, IeymW¯n\p {]iv\anÃ, Fs¶ms¡ ]dsª¦nepw \o C{X s]s«¶p Ahsâ shÅw AI¯p hen¨p  tIÁpsa¶p Rm³ IcpXnbnÃ.... FSo... \o C{Xs¡mcp s]m«ns¸®mbnt¸mbtÃmSo. Fs´¦nepw ]Ánt¸mbm ]ns¶, \nsâsbms¡ Xt´w XsÅw Pohn¨ncn¡pthmSo, AXp \o Hcp \nanjw Nn´nt¨m.... F´n\m...., Fs¶¸dªm aXn. t]mI­m¶p ]dªp ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯nbXp, AXpw Fh³, Cu sImÁ\mSv ChnsS DŸw.....""

tN¨n ]Xps¡bmWp ]dªsX¦nepw A«lmkambmWp R§Ä¡p tXm¶nbXv, AXpw kXy§Ä.

" Ipªt½.... ]Áns¸mbn.... " Dj Icbm³ XpS§n. tN¨n AhfpsS ]mhmS hen¨p t\scbn«p.

" {]nb `À¯msh.. Ct§m«nd§nt¸mcv....." tN¨n Ft¶mSp ]dªp.

" F\n¡p ......ap­nÃ..... "

" tZs­...FSp¯pSp¡v.... "

tN¨n aps­Sp¯v I«nensâ Iosgs¡dnªp. Rm\Xp sIm­v ap³ hiw ad¨v  ]nSn¨v shfnbn h¶p. F¶n«p icn¡pSp¯p. Dj At¸mgpw sNcnªp InS¶p G§eSn¡pIbmbncp¶p.

" C\n F¶m ImWm³ \n¡phmSm...... Imcyw km[n¨ntÃ... C\n t]mbn sISs¶md§p.... kt´mjambtÃm." Fsâ  ImepIÄ ]Xps¡ apdn¡p ]pdt¯¡ngªp. tN¨n DjtbmSv tNmZn¡p¶p

" F¶mSo \obn\n Ipfn¡p¶Xp..? "

" c­p aq¶p Znhkw IqSn Ignªm...."

" slm, kam[m\ambn, AXns\tS ]nSn¡tà Fsâ `KhXo..... GXmbmepw CXmcpw Adnb­. h¶Xp h¶p. C\nsb¦nepw \o, AXmbXp s]®p§Ä kq£n¡Ww. BWp§fp h¶p tIdn taªn«p G¯¡mbpw Xq¡n ASp¯hfpsS ASpt¯íp t]mIpw. \½fm ]ns¶ ASnhbdpw Xm§n \St¡­Xv... Adnbmthm....."

" F¶mepw \o ]Án¨p IfªtÃmSo...." tN¨n ]ns¶bpw aq¡¯p hnc sh¨p ]dªp.

" Ipªt½...." Dj ]Xps¡ hnfn¨p.

" Mqw... F´m..."

" CXv BtcmSpw ]dbttÃ..." AOt\m A½tbm Adnªm ]ns¶.......Rm³ N¯p Itfw.."

Dj aq¡p NoÁn.

" CÃ... Rm³ ]db¯nÃ..... F¶n«mcpw NmI­.... sISs¶md§nt¡m.. AXn\p ap¼v t]mbn AI¯p I¿n«v \¶mbn«p shÅsamgns¨m¶p IgpIntbcv.... IenImeam.... "

Djtb tN¨n ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p.

Xncnªp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Rm³ hmXn¡ Xs¶ D­v.

" C\nsb¶m ImWm\mSm hmbpw s]mfn¨p \n¡ps¶.... Imcyw km[n¨ntÃ..... t]mSm....." Rm³ s]s«¶p shfnbn IS¶p tkm^bn t]mbn Ccp¶p.

tN¨nbpw Djbpw IqSn _m¯p dqan tIdn hmXn Nmcn. shÅw tImcn Hgn¡p¶ iÐw tI«p. Rm³ sasà hmXnen\Sp¯p t]mbn \n¶p sNhntbmÀ¯p.

" At¿m Ipªt½, ]Xps¡,...\odp¶p... " DjbpsS iÐw.

" CSn¨p tIÁnb¸w HmÀ¡Wamcp¶p CXp apÅm\pw IqSn DÅXmsW¶v.... C¨nsc \odnbmepw kmcanÃ, AIw {hp¯nbmIs«.... "

" ]Xps¡ I¿nSv Ipªt½......AtÃÂ Rm³ I¿n«p IgpInt¡mfmw...."

" F¶m IgpIv.... XWp¯ shÅambn«m \odps¶.... F¦nepw B Bt\sS A©mw Imep F§s\ \o AI¯m¡n Fsâ s]t®......AXpw I¶nbmbn«p ..... AtXm t\ct¯ Xs¶ hÃhcpambn«p NpÁn¡fn hÃXpw ?...."

tN¨n¡Â`pXw. At¸mÄ DjbpsS tNmZyw.

" A§s\sbm¶pw F\n¡nÃ... ]ns¶ CXv.. Aht\mSv.... she¡m³ tXm¶nbnÃ... Rms\mcp a­nbmbnt¸mbn....."

" C\nsb¦nepw kq£n¡tW Fsâ tamtf.... \½Ä s]®p§Ä¡m KÀ`]m{Xw In«nbncn¡pt¶..."

." Ipª½ Acnis¸ScpXv.. Hcp Imcyw tNmZn¨m....hnPbtâXv..... A©mw ImemsW¶p ...... Ipª½s¡§s\ Adnbmw... I­ns«mt­m...." tN¨n H¶p Nncn¨p.

" ]nt¶...F{X {]mhiyw... shfp¸m³ Ime¯p A¼e¯n t]mbn H¶p sXmgmsa¶p hnNmcn¨p Fgpt¶Áp t\m¡pw¼w... IWn ImWp¶Xp ap«³ inhenwKw...ChnsS..... XpWoanÃ...tImWm\panÃmsX Atà sIS¡pt¶... A¼e¯nte inhenwKw tXmÁp t]mIpw. F§s\ In«n C{X sNdp¸¯nte Ch\o hntijs¸« km[\w F¶m a\ÊnemImt¯....."  Djíp Nncn h¶p.

" InWn¡­... ]nSn¨I¯p tIÁn Ihbpw Iodnbn«p Nncn¡p¶p....  t]mbn¡nS¶pd§v... C\n A_²sam¶pw ImWnt¨¡tà Fsâ Ip«o...."  tN¨n Bizkn¸n¡p¶p. Rm³ t]mbn tkm^bnencp¶p. tN¨n Ahsf I¿n ]nSn¨p sIm­pt]mbn apdn¡I¯m¡n. IXIp ]pd¯p \n¶pw AS¨p. F¶n«v Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p Fsâ sNhnbn ]dªp.

" C\n ht¶íp FâSpt¯íp s]m®¸dow s]m¡nt¡m­v.... Xcmw \n\¡p..... C\o CXp I­m Rm³ I­n¨p Zqscsbdnbpw... " AhÀ AI¯p Ibdn IXIS¨p. Rm³ A­n t]mb A®mt\t¸mse AhnsS Ccp¶p.

 

F\n¡pd¡w h¶nÃ. shfp¸m³ Imes¯t¸msgm H¶p ab§n. henb Hcp \ãt_m[w. A½mh³ ISbnte¡p t]mIm\nd§pt¼mgm\p I®p Xpd¶Xv. ]XnhnÃmsX A½mh³ ]pdt¯ípÅ IXIp ]pd¯p \n¶pw ]q«nbn«p t]mIp¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp t\m¡n, tN¨n DWÀ¶ a«nÃ, IXIp Nmcnbn«p­v. DjbpsS IXIv XÅn t\m¡n AI¯p \n¶pw IpÁn C«ncn¡p¶p. AhÄ¡pw {]bmkw ImWpw. Dd§s«. F¶mepw F\n¡p \ãsam¶panÃ, DjbpsS koep s]m«n¡ms\m¯tÃm. kam[m\n¨p. ASp¡fbn t\m¡n, A½mh³ Im¸n C«n«p­v. s]s«¶p {]`mXIrXy§sfÃmw Ignªv Hcp I«³ Im¸n IpSn¨p. tkm^bnencp¶p, Snhn I­mtem, th­m Dd§p¶hÀ Dd§s«....]Xps¡, ap­n\Snbn \n¶pw Ip«s\ shfnbn FSp¯p. shdptX InS¡pt¼mÄ Xs¶bp­v A©n©p. ]Xps¡ Ahs\ ]nSn¨p s]m¡n, Dd§mXncp¶p icocw NqSmbXp sIm­v Ah³ s]s«¶p s]m§n F´n\pw sdUnbmbn \n¶p. _m¯p dqan h¨p IgpInbt¸mÄ Hcp sNdnb \oÁ tXm¶nbncp¶p. t\m¡nbt¸mÄ sXm¸n¡p Xmtg sXmen sNdpXmbn s]m«nbn«p­v. DjbpsS I¶n¸qdn InS¶p henªXpsIm­mbncn¡pw. F¶mepw Hcp Xr]vXn tXm¶n. Al¦mcnbmbncp¶ apds¸®ns\ IpªmSm¡n amÁnb am{´nIhSn. sicn¡pw B\¡p® Xs¶, A`nam\w tXm¶n. Ahs\ kvt\l]qdzw Xmtemen¨p sIm­ncp¶p, Ggn©p \of¯n dqįSn t]mse Ah³ \n¶p InX¨p, B\µ I®oscmgp¡n. kmcansÃSm Ip«m, \n\¡n\n DjbpsS ]pXp amfw kz´amsWSm, tN¨nbpsS N¡¸qdp t]ms« tIdm³ tbmKansöp kam[m\ns¡Sm. F¶mepw AsXmcp kzÀ® J\nbmbncp¶p, sImXn¨p sImXn¨p \S¶n«p Bsªm¶p ]®m³ ]ÁnbnÃtÃm F¶p a\Êp hne]n¨p. t]mt« _m¡nsbÃmw sNbvXntÃ, \¡nt¯mÀ¯n, ISn¨p Xn¶ntÃ, KÀ`]m{Xw htc hncen«ntÃ. aXn.

Iptd t\cw Ignªn«pw Bcpw DWcp¶nÃ. F¶m tN¨ntb¯s¶ hnfn¨p t\m¡mw. tZjyambncn¡pw, A§s\bmsW¦n Djtbbpw Iq«n AhfpsS ho«nteíp t]mImw C\n GXm­p ]¯p ]{´­p ZnhktabpÅp, Ah[n Xocm³. ]Xps¡ tN¨nbpsS apdnbpsS IXIp XÅn t\m¡n. IpÁnbn«n«nÃ, ]Xps¡ Xpd¶p. AeamcbpsS adhpÅXp ImcWw AcnIn IqSn tN¨nbpsS ImepIÄ am{Xw ImWmw \à Dd¡ambncn¡pw. AIt¯íp tIdn iÐw tIĸn¡msX hmXn Nmcn I«nen¶Spt¯íp \S¶p. B Imgv¨ Fs¶ BsI XInSw adn¨p Ifªp.

At¼, Fs´mcp InS¸v, I®p XÅnt¸mbn. Agnª {_mbpw hen¨p tIÁnb ]mhmSbpw am{Xw. B h·peIÄ c­pw shfnbn Xs¶. Hcp Ibv Xe¡p apIfnte¡p h¨ncp¶p. I£¯nte Idp¯ tcma§Ä I­t¸mÄ Xs¶ s]m§n \n¶ Ip«³ \n¶p sR«m³ XpS§n. sNdpXmbn IqÀ¡w hen¡p¶ amXncn iÐap­v. amdn ]me¡mS³ Icps¸«n Iagv¯nb amXncnbpÅ h·peIÄ Aåw ]c¶p InS¡p¶p. Hsc®w Hcp hit¯íp Aåw Nmªn«p­v. izmk¯nsâ Xmf¯ns\m¸n¨p B XmgnI¡pS§Ä DbcpIbpw XmgpIbpw sN¿p¶p. Idp¯ncp­ ape¡®pIÄ {]`mX shfn¨¯n Xnf§n. ]nSn¨pSímtWm ISn¨p hen¡tWm, AtXm t\m¡n\n¶p Hcp hmWaSns¨mgn¨mtem. ]cnkcw ad¶pd§m³ F´p ]Án.. Hm, C¶es¯ Dd¡anf¸p sIm­mbncn¡pw.

]mXn hnSÀ¶ B Np­pIfn Hcp ]p©ncn Ctà F¶p kwibw, AXp I­ns«\n¡p B aeÀNp­pIÄ ISn¨o¼m³ Bthiw.  AXp Rm³ ]Wns¸«S¡n. XnSp¡w IqSnbm Cu Akpe` ImgvN \ãs¸s«¦ntem. B IpfnÀapeIÄ¡pw, sh®¯pSIÄ¡p anSbnembn kmcn¸mhmS Npcp­p tIdn InS¡p¶p. XpSIÄ¡p apIfn Hcp SÀ¡n tXmÀ¯p InS¸p­v. ImepIÄ \¶mbn Ih¨p {^obmbn«mWp InS¸v. XpSIÄ ]IpXnbpw IW¦mepIfpw \áw. IW¦mense \\p¯ tcma§Ä Hcp t\cnb Idp¸p Omb krãn¡p¶p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ Fsâ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. hmWaSn XpS§n, ]ns¶ \nÀ¯n, hfsc kmh[m\¯n tZl¯v Dckm¯ hn[¯n B SÀ¡n Shz FSp¯p amÁn. tlm, Cs¸mgmWp B kzÀ¤ hmXn {ZpiyambXv. Idp¯ I«n¸qSIÄ \ndª tN¨nbpsS cXnkzÀ¤w BZyambmWp I¬IpfpÀs¡ ImWp¶Xp. Gt¦mWn¨p InS¡p¶ ]mhmSbpsS AcnIpIÄ ImcWw B ImSnsâbpw Nmensâbpw ]IpXntb ImWm³ ]Áp¶pÅp. Rm³ ]Xps¡ ]mhmS hfsc kq£n¨v apIfnteíp amÁn. lmbv, ImWm³ sImXn¨ncp¶ A Imgv¨ CXm ]I shfn¨¯nÂ, GsXmcp tbmKnbpw I®S¨p \n¶p hmWaSn¡m³ t]mcp¶ ImgvN. Xg¨p hfcp¶ tcma¡mSv, A½mhsâ {]nbs¸« Ifn¡fw, Cu ASp¯ Imes¯§pw hSn¨ e£WanÃ, A{Xíp Xg¨p hfcp¶ tcma¡mSp, A{Xbpw Ih¨p aeÀ¶p InS¶n«pw ]qÀ¨m HÁ t\m«¯n ]nSnIn«pIbnÃ. apIfn  hnShp XpS§p¶nS¯p Icn amXncn ]qS Xn§n I«n]nSn¨p InS¡p¶p, B Icn¼md¡nSbn Ft´m Hcp XÅÂ, AsX tN¨nbpsS ]dn¡´p Xs¶ ]pdt¯íp Ccp \nd¯n XÅn \n¡p¶p, henb Hcp H¨p Iagv¶p InS¡p¶ t]mse.. H«n¸nSn¨ncn¡p¶ ]qÀ¨p­pIÄ¡nSbn F´ntâ Hs¡tbm AÁ§Ä ]pds¯íp ImWmw. ]ns¶ Xmtgm«p hcpt´mdpw tcma§Ä Ipdªp hcp¶p. XpSIÄ XSn¨XmbXp sIm­v hnShnsâ AÁhpw IqXnbpw ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃ. Hcp Imcyw XoÀ¨bmbn, ]qdnsâ \ndw Ccp­XmWp, AXmbXp km£m Icn¼qdp Xs¶. Cu shfp¯ \ndapÅ tN¨nbpsS Imen¶nSbn Icn¼qtdm?  {_]vamhnsâ Ifn A]mcw Xs¶. hnimeamb Ccp­ ]©h³ ImSnsâ \Sphn C{Xbpw \ofapÅ ]qdcphn, CXmbncn¡pw, kvIqfnse Kpcp ]dªXv Nne s]®p§Ä¡v Ac \ndsb ]qdmsW¶v. Cu Im«n\I¯p \n¶p CXnsâ Xpf I­p ]nSn¨p Ip® tIÁn ]®p¶ A½mhs\ k½Xn¡Ww.

Rm³ ]Xps¡ Ip\nªv Fsâ apJw B Ih¡nSbnte¡Sp¸n¨p. H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n, hnbÀ¸nsâbpw Ip®¸mensâbpw Ahnª aWw, AsXsâ Xet¨mdnt\ a¯p]nSn¸n¨p. F¶pw ]qdnsâ aWw F\ns¡mcp lcambncp¶tÃm. kq£n¨p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ ImWmw ]qÀ¨mensâ Xmgs¯ Iptd ]qSIÄ ]i ]nSn¨ amXncn H«nbncn¡p¶p. AXp sicn, \à Hcp ]®Â Ignªn«p A[nI t\cambn«nÃ. AXnsâ kpJmeky¯n XfÀ¶pd§pIbmWp shfp¸m³ Imet¯ kz]v\¯n Btcm a\Ênep­v, AXmWm sNdp ]p©ncnbpsS AÀ°w. an¡hmdpw tKm]³ Ct¸mÄ kÂhmdnsâ CSbneqsS I´n ]nSn¨p hen¨p kpJn¸n¡bmbncn¡pw. H«n¸nSn¨ncn¡p¶ ]qÀNp­pIÄ hnSÀ¯n t\m¡m³ Fsâ hncepIÄ sh¼n. C{Xbpw \à Imgv¨ I­n«p hmWaSn¡msX F§s\ \n¡m³ ]Ápw, ]nSn¨v B Ih¡nSbnte¡p B ]qSh\¯nteíp Xs¶ Hgn¡mw, Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p.

As¸mgmsWsâ _p²n icn¡pWÀ¶Xv, C\n CXp t]mse Hchkcw In«¯nÃ, Djtb ]®nbXp ImcWw tN¨nbpsS Cu ]q¦mh\w C\n F\n¡p IWn ImWm³ In«psa¶p tXm¶p¶nÃ. CXn\I¯v Fsâ Ip® H¶p XÅnt¡ÁpIsb¦nepw thWw. hcp¯nbnsænepw th­. Rm³ hfsc ]Xps¡ kq£n¨v sa¯bnteíp Ibv Ip¯n, Ih¨p tN¨nbpsS Acs¡«n\ncphi¯pambn ap«pIp¯n \n¶p. B hnSÀ¶ Acs¡«n sXmSmsX \n¡m³ ]mSps]«p. Fsâ Kpems\ ]nSn¨v B Icn¼qdnsâ hnShn\p t\sc \nÀ¯n, Ip®bpsS AÁw B hnShn ap«n¨p. F¶n«p Ip\nªv ]Xps¡ B sNhnbnseíp a{´n¨p.

" h\q, CXv Rm\m... \nsâ tKm]³....Fsâ h\q..."

" Mqw...." tN¨nbpsS Np­pIÄ Ahyàambn ]ndp]ndp¯p. "Fsâ tKm]m" F¶mbncn¡Ww.

Rm\m I£¯n H¶p aq¡p ap«n¨p, B KÔw \pIÀ¶t¸m Fsâ a\Êpw Phm\pw Djmdmbn. ]ns¶ DbÀ¶p \n¶ CSt¯ apesR«p ISn¨p ]nSn¨p.  Ibv Ip¯n B ta\nbnte¡p Nmªp. Hcp Ibv Ip¯n \n¶n«v B hnShnteíp Ip® ]nSn¨p s]s«s¶m¶pc¨p, At¸mÄ hnSshm¶p Xpd¶p In«n. Bsªm¶p XÅn. Hcp {]bmkhpw IqSmsX ]qÀZf§fpsS H«epw Xpd¶p Ah³ A½mh³ hgp¡nbn«n«p t]mb B aZ\s¡m«mc¯nsâ `n¯nIÄ¡nSbn IqSn hgpXn AIt¯íp CSn¨p Ibdn. B sh®s\bv]qdn\pÅn Fs´mcp NqSpw kpJhpw, Ahscm¶\§n I®pIÄ hen¨p Xpd¶p. Rm³ Hcp Ibv sIm­v AhcpsS XeíSnbn IqSn I¿n«p apJw FtâXnt\mSSp¸n¨p.

" lmcmXv... " AhÀ iÐapbÀ¯n.  Rm³ B Np­pIÄ hmbnem¡n. AhÀ apc­p.

" Rm\m h\q, \nsâ tKm]³..." Npt­mSSp¸n¨v Rm³ ]ndp]ndp¯p. s]®nsâ icoc¯nse GÁhpw sk³knÁohv Bb Ahbh¯n\pÅn A\yamb Ft´m Hcp km[\¯nsâ IS¶p tIÁ¯n AhÀ sR«nbpWÀ¶p. At¸mtgípw AhÀ¡mfp a\Ênembn. IbvIÄ s]m¡n Fs¶ XÅn amÁm³ {ian¨p.

" \otbm..?..F´mSm \mdo.. \obn ImWn¡ps¶. Fgpt¶Áp amsdSm ]«o....." AhÀ Bt{Imin¨p.

Rm³ Xebnse ]nSn apdp¡n, Ip® H¶p IqSn iànbmbn ]qÁnte¡aÀ¯n, asÁIbv sIm­v heXp apebn ]nSn¨aÀ¯n. Fsâ s\Án sIm­hcpsS s\Án AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨n«p ]dªp.

" A\§msX sIS¶m ]®n kpJn¸n¨p Xcmw... sImXn¸n¨pw sImXn¨pw.... Fs¶...tN¨n sImtd Ifn¸n¨p..."

" Fsâ ]qS t]mepw s\\¡p Xc¯nsÃSm.... \o I­ AhfpamcpsS FÃmw sImX¯n tIdn s\c§ntb¨p C¸w Ft¶ thWw...tM....amsdSm..." AhÀ ho­pw Fs¶ XÅn amÁm³ {ian¨p.

" H¨sbm­m¡tà tN¨o, Rm³ H¶p Ifnt¨mt«...Hcp {]mhiyw..... am{Xw.... " Rm³ H¶qcnbSn¨p. ip¢w \ndªp InS¶ B ]qdnsâ ASn¯«n Fsâ Ip®bpsS AÁw CSn¨p \n¶p.  tN¨n Im ap«p aS¡m³ t\m¡n. Rm\m ImepIÄ¡nSbn Fsâ Acs¡«v iànbmbn AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p.

" Rm³ k½Xn¡¯nÃ... N¯mepw \n\¡p Rm³ sIS¶p Xc¯nÃ..."

" Cu ]qÁn B tKm]\p I¿ns«f¡msa¦n Rms\m¶p Ifn¨m CsX¶m tXªp t]mIpthm.." Rm³ sXcp sXsc c­Sn DucnbSn¨p.

" AsXsâ CãamSm.... \o t]mbn I¿n ]nSn¨p s\dptIsemgn¡v.... CXp s\\¡p In«¯nsÃSm... " Fsâ £a sI«p. Fsâ kzcw amdn.

" Cu Icn¼qdnsâ tamfn sIS¶p N¯mepw sicn, C¶p \ns¶ Ifn¡msX hnS¯nsÃSo ]qdntamtf, A\§msX sIS¶ntàsIm¶p Ifbpw..." Rm\m Igp¯nte ]nSn apdp¡n, H¸w apebn iànbmbn AÅn¸nSn¨p. F¶nte sNIp¯m³ DWÀ¶ncp¶p.

Fsâ iЯn h¶ amÁhpw ]nSp¯hpw IqSn Bbt¸mÄ tN¨n¡p izmkw ap«n¡mWpw. AhcS§n, Rm\pw Fsâ ]nSn Ab¨p, At¸mÄ  AhÀ H¶p Npa¨p hn¡n izmksaSp¯p, F¶n«\§msX InS¶p. Npa¨t¸mÄ B ]qdnsâ ASn¯«n \n¶pw tatem«v h¶ XÅ Fsâ ]dnbn X«n. Rm³ Hcp \nanjw A\§msX InS¶p. apebnsebpw Igp¯nsebpw IbvIsfSp¯p InS¡bn Ip¯n \n¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" A\§msX sIS¶m Rms\m¶p ]®ntb¨p s]msímfmw... AsænÂ....."

tN¨n Fsâ I®ntesím¶p kq£n¨p t\m¡n.

]ns¶ apJw Hcp hit¯íp sNcn¨p ]nSn¨p I®pw Xpd¶p Zqtcíp t\m¡n A\§msX InS¶p. Rm³ t\sc \mepImen \n¶p, Ibv ]nSn¨p B NqSp ]qdn\I¯p ]dnbns«m¶nf¡n, ASn XpS§n. CSíp c­p aq¶p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ  Rm\mhiys¸«p.

" Fs¶ D½ shív... F¶n«p Im C¨nsc IqsS AI¯n¯m...."

AhÀ apJw Xncn¨p Fsâ Np­n Np­p ap«n¨p. F¶n«p ImeI¯n. Ct¸mÄ \à kpJw, Hcp _p²nap«pw IqSmsX \à ¥p ¥p H¨bpambn Fsâ Ip® AhcpsS ]qÁn Ibdnbnd§n. ASn aq¯t¸mÄ ho­pw Rm³ ]dªp.

" ImeSp¸n¨p ]nSnív... F¶ns«s¶ sI«n¸nSn¡v.." AhÀ ImeSp¸n¨p ]nSn¨p, Fsâ ]pd¯p IqSn IbvIfn«p sI«n¸nSn¨p.

Rm³ ASn thKX ]Xps¡bm¡n. Np­p]tbmKn¨v AhcpsS hmbv _eambn Xpd¶p \m¡n \m¡p ap«n¨p. At¸mfhcpsS Fs¶ sI«n]nSn¨pcp¶ IbvIÄs¡mcp amÁw h¶ s]mse F\n¡p tXm¶n. \m¡pIÄ IY ]dbpt´mdpw AhcpsS IbvIÄ _eamIm³ XpS§n. Acs¡«p ]Xps¡ A\§m³ XpS§n. Rm³ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v het¯ apebpsS sR«p ]nSn¨p \pÅm³ XpS§n. H¸w ]Xps¡ ape¡®n \Jan«pc¨p, kuayambn apebn sR¡n. Fs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ tN¨nbpsS CSt¯ Ibv CSt¯ apebnte¡p amdn, AXn sXcp¸nSn¡m³ XpS§n. F\n¡p a\Ênembn, tN¨n CfIn XpS§nsb¶v. C\n \¶mbns«m¶nfInbm CsXmcp ]®Â BIpw. Rm³ H¶p sNcnªp F¶n«p Xe Ip\n¨p Hcp apesR«p hmbn B¡n. sNcnª hi¯p Ibv ap«p Ip¯n, Fsâ Hcp Im sIm­v AhcpsS Im Aåw AI¯n, hbdn¶nSbn IqSn Fsâ atÁIbv Xmtg¡n«p. AhcpsS tcmaw \ndª a·Y apÁ¯p IqSn Fsâ Ibv AhcpsS I´nse¯n. AXp \\ªncp¶p. Fsâ Ip®bpsS IqsS Rm³ Ibv AIt¯¡n«p t\m¡n, \¶mbn \\ªn«p­v, AhnsS Rm³ Fsâ c­p hncepIÄ tX¨p, Fsâ Ip®bn Fsâ hncepIÄ ap«n. tX¨ hncepIÄ I´n sIm­p h¶p, B sX¶temSp IqSn Rm³ I´n Dcím³ XpS§n, HÁ¡bv ap«n Ip¯n \n¶p sIm­v ]®Â Rm³ DuÀPnXam¡n. ASnsbmsSm¸w AhcpsS Ipgª I´n Xmf¯neaÀ¯n Xncp½m\pw XpS§n. Acs¡«n\nSbn Ibv AaÀ¶ncp¶Xp sIm­v B \nebn I´n ]nSn¡m³ km[n¨nÃ. Xncp½epw ASnbpw aq¯t¸mÄ tN¨nbn \n¶pw Rc¡§Ä Dbcm³ XpS§n. AhÀ Xe s]m¡n, Fsâ s\©nte¡p ASp¡m³ {ian¨p. I®pIÄ Iq¼n. ap¡n aqfn AhÀ ]dªp.

" \osbs´mcp sNIp¯m\mSm.... tlm.... Fsâ As½....\o....Fs¶.... F´n\mSm C§s\ kpJn¸n¨p sImÃps¶..."

" Fsâ s]m¶ns\ Rm³ kpJn¸n¨p sImÃpw....C¸w ctkmt­m..? kpJsamt­m..."

" " Mqw H­v....\Ã.... kpJw......H­v.. .\o \nÀ¯Ãp....ASn...Hcíp.... samtew IqsS IpSnsíSm...."

hnjan¨msW¦nepw Rm³ apJw Ip\n¨p AhcpsS Hcp ape hmbnem¡n.

" Fsâ tamt\....IpSn¡v... thKw ....thKw ...ASn¡p   tamt\....It´¶p ...hnSmsX Xncp½p .tlm....Fs´mcp kpJw....."

" Mqw..." apebn \n¶pw hmsbSp¡msX Rm³ aqfn.

" F\n¡p hcpw....... ASn¡v..... Mv...Mv...Mv......" AhÀ hn¡n, Fsâ ASnsím¸w, Acs¡«p s]m¡n¯cm³ XpS§n. A©p an\n«p t\cw \à Xmf¯n Rm³ DucnbSn¨p ]®n. Htcm ASnípw I´nepw Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. tN¨n Ibv ImepIfn«pc¨p. CSíp ImepIÄ s]m¡n Fsâ hcnªp ]nSn¡m³ t\m¡n, \S¶nÃ. Fs¶¡mÄ thK¯n AhÀ Acs¡«p s]m¡n Xncn¨Sn¡m³ XpS§n.

" At¿m... F\n¡p hcps¶Sm..... Mv Mv Mv Mv Mv Du....." lbo.... h¶q.....Fât½m...."

AhÀ tatem«p _eambn s]m§n. AhcpsS tbm\n CdpIn, AsXsâ Ip®sb Cdp¡n]nSn¨p. Rm³ BªSn XpSÀ¶p. D]tbmKn¨p Ipgª XpfbmbXp sIm­mbncn¡w apdp¡pwtXmdpw ASn¡m³ \à kpJw. HSphn AhÀ InS¡bnte¡aÀ¶p. ]ns¶bpw A©mdSn Ignªt¸mÄ F\n¡pw shÅw h¶p.

" F\n¡pw .....hs¶sâ .....tN¨o... Mqw Mqw....tlm......"

 sR«n sR«n Rm³ ASn¨p, sR¡n sR¡n AhcpsS tbm\n Fsâ Hmtcm ASnbpw ]mepw GÁp hm§n. ¥p ¥p iÐw IqSn. F¶n«pw Rm³ I´n Xncp½Â XpSÀ¶p. AhnSamsI BhWs¡® Hgn¨ amXncn \\ªp Ipgªp. 

" C\n aXn....Is¿Sp¡v.... " AhÀ I´nencp¶ Fsâ Is¿Sp¯p amÁn. Rm³ B Is¿m¶p aW¯n«p AhcpsS Np­n ap«n¨p. AhcXp ]nSp¨p Fsâ Np­nteíp sh¨p. ITn\amb tPmen Ignª amXncn AhÀ InS¶p InX¨p.

" \¡n IpSnt¨m....cmhnet¯ \nthZyam...." Hcp ]p©ncn B Np­nÂ. F¶ns«t¶ Cdp¡n sI«n]nSn¨p, Ihnfs¯mcp½ X¶p, Ihnfn Ihnfp tNÀ¯p h¨p, Aå t\cw. ]ns¶ XfÀ¶ iЯn tNmZn¨p.

" \o FhnS¶p ]Tns¨Sm Cu hnZysbms¡... C{Xbpw Imeambn«v CXp t]msemcp kpJw BZyam...."

" s]mkvXI¯o¶p hmbn¨Xm....."

" \o thsd BÀ¡ns«ms¡ CXp {]tbmKn¨p...? "

" kXyambn«pw Fsâ tN¨nsbmSv am{Xw.... \Ã ckaÃmcpt¶m.... AtÃ..."

AXnsâ adp]Sn Ihnf¯v AaÀ¯n Hcp Npw_\ambncp¶p. R§Ä A©p an\n«p A§s\ InS¶p. Fsâ Kpem³ AI¯ncp¶p Npcp§ns¡m­ncp¶p.

" ]pdt¯símen¡m³ sXmS§ns«m­v... InS¡ apgph\pw BIpw....\o Fgpt¶tÁ..."

Rm³ Ibv Ip¯n Fgpt¶Áp. AhcpsS AcsI«n H¶ncp¶p. ]qS¡mSnsâ Xmgt¯ ]IpXn ]men ]Xªv H«nbncp¶p.  Rm³ Fsâ Ip«s\ B ]m¡pgnbn \n¶pw DucnsbSp¯p., Hcp sNdnb ¥ iÐt¯msS Ah³ XfÀ¶p ]pd¯p h¶p. Rm\m ]qÁnteíp t\m¡n. AXp hm Xpd¶ncp¶p. hmbn \n¶pw sImgp¯p ]Xª ]m XpSbnSp¡nte¡p HgpIns¡m­ncp¶p. Rm³ SÀ¡n ShzseSp¯p AhnsS s]m¯n ]nSn¨p sImSp¯p. AhÀ s]m¯n ]nSn¨p sIm­v Fgpt¶Áp Ip­n amÁn t\m¡n.

" Fâoizcm...InS¡ apgph\pw ]Án. ...F{X enÁdmSm \nsâ k©o¶p HgpInbXv...? "

" Rms\¶m sNbvXn«m.... tN¨osS kmam\w sXmd¶p t]mbn«tÃ.... C¸gpw AXp hm s]mfn¨mcn¡pw Ccn¡ps¶..."

" s]mtímWw .... Hgn¨p ht¨¨pw..." AhÀ atÁ Ibv Fsâ t\tc Hm§n. Rm\m Ibv ]nSn¨p Fsâ Ip®bn ap«n¨p.

" lt¿...CsX¶mSm Ip½mbw tX¨ t]mse...]Xªncn¡pt¶...?

" Htc kab¯v c­p t]cpsSbpw IqSnbmbt¸m ... ]m ASn¨p ]XªXm... F¶mepw A½mh³ Cu shfp¸n\p..."

" B...F\n¡dnb¯nÃ...shfp¸m³ Ime¯v At§À¡p ]XnhnÃm¯ Hcp ]qXn. AXpw \à Hd¡w hcp¶ t\c¯p, iIew t]mepw Hd¡nbn«nÃ. AXp Ignª¸w \nsâ hI... Dcp­p tIÁhpw.... F\ns¡sâ kIeam\hpw sNmdnªp h¶Xm....sImÃm\pÅ tZjysam­mcp¶p \nt¶mSv.... "

tN¨n XpWn DSp¯p sIm­v ]dªp. Ih¡nSbn Shz Npcp«n h¨p, ]mhmS DSp¯p, At¸mgpw Rm\m apeIfn t\m¡n \n¶p. Fs´mcp `wKn. AhÀ »ukn«p kmcnsbSp¯pSp¯p. Rm³ Fsâ ep¦n I«nen \n¶pw FSp¯pSp¯p. ]dn tN¨nbpsS kmcnbn XpS¨p.

" ]ns¶´m sImÃmXncp¶Xv....Fs¶ Fs´Ãmw ]dsªt¶mÀ½sbmt­m...?..."

" AtX... F{X Acniw h¶mepw s]®p§fpsS aÀ½¯v Nne BWp§Ä sXm«m CfInt¸mIpw. AXm s]®v. "

Rm³ Ahsc sI«n¸nSn¨p. B I®pIfnteíp DÁp t\m¡n, F¶n«p tNmZn¨p.

" kXyw ]d... tN¨ns¡t¶mSp hntcm[w Dt­m...?..."

" tZjyw H­v.... F¶mepw \ns¶ shdp¡m³ F\n¡p H«pw ]Áp¶nÃ..."

" Rm\pw tZjyw h¶t¸m...At¶cw tN¨ntb Fs´ms¡tbm sXdn hnfn¨p.... Ft¶mSp H¶pw tXm¶Ãv...At¶cw F\n¡p Indp¡mbncp¶p"

" CsÃSm...Ip«m..." Fsâ apJw tNÀ¯p sIm­p ]dªp.

" R§Ä C¶p Nnet¸m DtjsS ho«ntem«p t]mIpw... F\n¡p t]mIm³ a\ÊnÃ.... F¦nepw.."

" \o HscS¯pw t]mIp¶nÃ... kvIqfp sXmd¶nt« t]mIps¶mÅp... At¿m ]dª t]mse Dj Ft´y... "

" Fgpt¶Án«nÃ... IXIp IpÁn C«p sIS¡phm.... tN¨n Ahsf C¶se H¯ncn hg¡p ]dªp. "

" ]ns¶ Rm³ Ahsf ]pIgv¯tWm... Fs´¦nepw ]Ánbm... \o D¯cw ]dbptam..."

" F\n¡htf Cãm...Hc_²¯n A§s\..."

R§Ä apdníp ]pd¯nd§n. DjbpsS apdn hmXn Xpd¶p InS¶ncp¶p. R§Ä ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. ASp¸nÂ, ]m{X¯n shÅw Xnfíp¶p.

]pd¯nd§n t\m¡nbt¸mÄ ASp¡f hit¯ Xbns¯§nsâ Nph«n \n¶p Dj ]Ãp tXípIbmbncp¶p.

tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" \o F¸gm HWÀt¶..?.... IXIpw ]q«n Hd§pImcps¶¶p hnPb³ ]dªp..."

" C¸w Fgpt¶ÁtX HÅp...."

Rm\pw tN¨nbpw I®n I®n t\m¡n. Dj Zqscíp t\m¡n ]Ãp tXí XpSÀ¶p.

HmÀ½IÄ - -12                                                                                             Font-Karthika

 

 

 

 

tN¨n AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Rm³ Xq¡nbn«ncp¶ IpSp¡bn \n¶pw Aåw Dan¡cnsbSp¯p DjbpsS ASp¯p sN¶p ]Ãp tXím³ XpS§n. CSíp tNmZn¨p.

" Dj C¸w DWÀ¶tX HtÅm..?..."

" Mqw.."

" Rm³ hnfn¡m³ h¶Xm. At¶cw IXIv IpÁnbn«ncn¡phmcp¶p.  ]ns¶ hnfns¡­m¶p IcpXn..."

" Mqw"

" \½fn¶p ho«n t]msWmt­m..?"

" Mqw"

Dj InWdn\Sp¯p sN¶p sXm«nbnencp¶ shÅsaSp¯v apJw IgpIn AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Ft´m Hcp henb `mhw. Rm³ ]Ãp tX¨p. ]ns¶ apdnbn h¶p ]{X¯nse ]S§sfms¡ I­p. Ic¯m\w t£{X¯n F«mw DÂkhw. A¶p Um³kv ]cn]mSn. DjtbmSpw tN¨ntbmSpw ]dbmw. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Fs¶ Im¸nIpSn¡m³ tN¨n hnfn¨p. ASp¡fbn sN¶p t\m¡n. tZmibpw kvs]jy ap«¡dnbpw XbmÀ. tN¨n F\n¡pw Djípw hnf¼n. Dj Ip\nªp Ccp¶p Ign¡p¶p,

" tN¨n C¶p F«mw DÂkham. \ap¡p t]mImw Um³skm­v... "

" t]mImw.. IeymWw Igntª¸ns¶ DÂkh¯n\pw Bdm«n\psam¶pw t]mbn«nÃ. tN«³ hcpt¼m kÔybmIpw, ]ns¶ ...aSnbm..."

" Dj \msf t]mbm aXn... F´m..." Rm³ Djtb t\m¡n. AhÄ H¶pw an­p¶nÃ. Ip\nªncp¶p a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS \pÅn Xn¶pIbmWp. c­masXmcp ap« IqSn tN¨n Fsâ ]m{X¯n h¨p. F¶n«p DjtbmSp tNmZn¨p.

" Hcp ap« IqSn hít«...?.."

" F\n¡p th­...AXymhiyaptÅmÀ¡p sImSv...."

" AXmcm C¸w ChnsS A§s\..?

" Ah\p sImSp¡v..."

" It­mSm ..\nt¶mSp AhÄ¡pÅ kvt\lw...IeymWw Ignªnà A¸w Ct{Xw Cãw ...A¸w IeymWw Ignªmtem..." tN¨n Djsb t\m¡n.

Dj Fs¶bpw tN¨ntbbpw H¶p t\m¡n F¶n«p ]dªp.

" lpw...Cht\sbm...Rmt\m... \S¡pw..."

" AsX´m C¸w \nsâ a\Êp amdntbm...?.. C¶se \o ]dªXv..."

 " Cht\ F\n¡p th­... Ipª½íp thtWÂ...... GSpt¯m...." Dj Kuch¯nemWXp ]dªXv.

" \o F´mSo C¸td¶Xv....." tN¨n H¶p hnc­p.

" Ch\p ap«\mSnsâ kz`mham..... Xcw In«nbm At½sS s]md¯pw NmSnt¡dn¡fbpw...?

" Dtj ...\osb´m  .. C§s\..? tN¨nbpw Djbpw Fgpt¶Áp. AhfpsS I®n Xos¸mcn.

" s]mdta  A½bpw aI\pw.... aÁptÅmcpsS I®p sXÁnbm ]ns¶.....  Rms\m¶pw ]td¶nÃ...."

AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. Ibv IgpIn.

" Rm³ Fsâ ho«nt¸mIphm..." C\n F\n¡nhnsS \n¡­..." AhfpsS I®p \ndªp.

" Dtj tamtf...." tN¨nbpsS iÐw ]Xdn.

" C¶se Fs¶ Ipª½ Fs´Ãmw ]dªp. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, ]ntÅsc \¶m¡m\m ]dbp¶sX¶v. B \n§fp C¶p cmhnte Xs¶....Ch\pambn«p....... F¶n«v IeymWw Ignt¨mfm³.... F\n¡§s\ ]qXnsbm¶panÃ.... htÃmcptSw F¨nep Xn¶m³....."

tN¨n CSnsht«Á t]mse \n¶p t]mbn. Rm³ Ip\nªncp¶p ]m{X¯n X¸ns¡m­ncp¶p.

AhÄ apdnbnte¡p Ibdn. _msKSp¯p, XpWnsbms¡ aS¡n AI¯m¡n. tN¨n thKw Ibv IgpIn. apdnbnse¯n. Rm\pw ]pdsI sN¶p. tN¨n AI¯p Ibdn, IXIS¨p. Rm³ hmXn¡Â i¦n¨p \n¶p. AI¯p hfsc ]Xps¡ IpipIpip¡p¶Xp tIÄ¡mw, H¶pw Xncnbp¶nÃ. c­pw Iån¨p hmXn XÅn¯pd¶p. tN¨n Xncnªp tZjy¯n Aedn.

" hmXneSsíSm....."

Rm³ t]Sn¨p hmXneS¨p. AI¯p ]XnsbbpÅ kwkmchpw, CSíp tN¨nbpsS Ic¨nepw tI«p. Acap¡m aWn¡qÀ Ignªp hmXn Xpd¶p c­mfpw shfnbn h¶p. c­mfpsSbpw I®pIÄ Icªp Ie§nbncp¶p. F\ns¡m¶pw a\ÊnembnÃ. Rm³ ]Xps¡ tNmZn¨p.

" F´p ]Án tN¨n..?.."

" H¶pw ]ÁnbnÃ..."

" ]ns¶´n\m \n§fp IcªXv..."

" R§¡p a\sÊm­mbn«p...\o \nsâ ]Wn t\m¡v hnPbm..." ]ns¶ Rms\m¶pw tNmZn¨nÃ. Fsâ apdnbn s]mbn InS¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªp Dd§nt¸mbn.

 

Btcm Fsâ tXmfn X«n hnfn¨n«mWp Rm³ I®p Xpd¶Xv. Dj Fsâ I«nen Ccn¡p¶p. apJ¯p {]k¶ `mhw. cmhnse I­ b£ntb AÃ.

" hm.. tNmdp®mw.." AhÄ hnfn¨p.

" Rm³ ]ns¶ Dt­mfmw.." Rm³ Xncnªp InS¶p.

" Ipªt½, hnPb\p tNmdp th­m¶p.." Dj hnfn¨p ]dªp.

" Blm....th­mt¶m...AXh\ÃtÃm Xocpam\n¡p¶Xv... " tN¨n apdnbnte¡p h¶p.

Fgpt¶¡Sm....]«nWn sIS¶n«p At§m«p sN¶m \m¯q³ Fs¶bm IpÁs¸Sp¯pI..." tN¨n Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p hen¨p.

" Rm³ ]ns¶ Dt­mfmw... F\n¡pd¡w hcp¶p.."

" Ign¨ns«md§nbm aXn..." tN¨n Fsâ I£¯n I¿n«p C¡nfnbn«p. Rm³ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. Dj \n¶p Nncn¡p¶p.

" c­p t]À¡pw Ft¶mSp Fs´mcp tZjyamcp¶p... an­m\pw IqSn h¿... F¶n«p D®m³..."

" R§fp tZjys¸Spw Nncn¡pw, Icbpw, AsXm¶pw \obdnb­... h¶p Xnt¶m­v t]m..."

tN¨n Fs¶ Ibv ]nSn¨p hen¨p. Dj Fs¶ ]pdIo¶p XÅn.

D­psIm­ncp¶t¸mÄ Fs´mcp Nncnbpw hÀ¯am\hpw. cmhnse I­ s]®p§tf AÃ. Rm³ s]m«s\ t]mse t\m¡nbncp¶p.

Nncnbpw hÀ¯am\hpw DÂkh¯n\p t]mIm\pÅ BtemN\ ]cn]mSnbpambn DuWp Ignªp, AhÀ c­p t]cpw tN¨nbpsS apdnbnte¡p t]mbn. Rm³ tkm^bnencp¶p sabvamkNqSp kln¡p¶nÃ. ]¨¸pÅ {KmaambXp sIm­v NqSv IqSpX Adnbp¶nà F¶p am{Xw.

" hmSm hnPbm, Ct§m«p hm..." Dj hnfn¨p. Rm³ At§m«p sN¶p.

" \½¡p hà hÀ¯mt\mw ]dªncn¡mw, Hcp Znhkw IqSnbsà DÅp..." Dj Fs¶ t\m¡n.

" Hm F\n¡p Dd¡ £oWw... Ipfn¨n«v H¶p ab§Ww. " tN¨n tIm«phmbn«p.

" Fsâ s]m¶p Ipª½btÃ... cm{Xn Dd§msat¶..."

Dj tN¨nbpsS apSn t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp.

" Ipªt½sS apSnsbms¡ sNS ]nSn¨p, \Ã apSnbm, kq£n¨ntÃÂ s]mgnªp t]mIpw.."

Dj tN¨nbpsS ]pdIn I«nen Ccp¶p apSn tImXm³ XpS§n.

" F¶m \o C¨nsc F® ]pc«n H¶p tImXn Xm, FSm, \obm BgvN¸Xn¸ns§Spt¯. Rm³ awKfw hmcnI FSp¯p sImSp¯p.

" hnPbm, \o B F®¡p¸n Cs§Spt¯...." Dj ]dªp, F¶n«v AhÄ tN¨n ImWmsX apdnbnte¡p I®p ImWn¨p. Rm³ apdnbnte¡p Xncnªt¸mÄ tN¨n ]dªp.

" FSm, F®¡p¸n Ipfnapdnbnem..."

" AhnsS...AÃ... Ipªt½..AXv... C¶se ..cm{Xo......R§sfSp¯mcp¶p.."

" FSo `b¦co..... sImÅmasÃm c­pw..." tN¨n ]pdtIm«p Ibv Xncn¨p DjbpsS Dc¯n HcSn sImSp¯p. Dj Ipep§n¨ncn¨p.

Dj F® I¿nseSp¯v apSn tImXm³ XpS§n. tN¨n BgvN¸Xn¸n I®pw \«ncp¶p. Rm³ \ne¯p N{aw ]Snªncp¶p, F¶n«p tN¨nbpsS ]mZsaSp¯p Fsâ aSnbn h¨p XShm³ XpS§n.

" A§s\ Fsâ tam³ \à Imcyw hÃXpw sN¿v. \à kpJw. .." tN¨n ]dªp sIm­p ImseSp¯v Fsâ aSnbn h¨p. Nhn«nbXp Fsâ Kpemsâ apIfnÂ. B ]mZ kv]ÀitaÁXpw Fsâ Kpem³ s]m§m³ XpS§n. tN¨n¡Xp a\Ênembn. AhÀ s]cphnc sIm­v Ahs\ Xncp½m³ XpS§n. Rm³ Djsb t\m¡n, AhÄ H¶padnbmsX Fs´ms¡tbm Nne¨psIm­v apSn tImXp¶p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ ep¦n s]m¡n tN¨nbpsS Im XpWn¡I¯v Fsâ Kpemsâ t\sc ap«n¨p h¨p. tN¨n ]Xps¡ XShm³ XpS§n. tN¨nbpsS s]cphnc Ahs\ Nhn«n ASnapSn XShm³ XpS§n. tN¨nbpsS IW¦ment·Â DÅ Fsâ Xncp½Â F\n¡p kpJw aq¡p¶X\pkcn¨p iànbmIm³ XpS§n.

" kpJw D­v.. Ctà tN¨o... Rm³ tNmZn¨p."

" H­p...]t£ C{Xbpw Aa¡msX... t\mhp¶p. ..."

At¸mgmWp Dj R§tf t\m¡p¶Xp. AhÄ¡p Ft´m a\Ênembn.

" aXn \nsâ Im Xncp½Â...C\n Rm³ Xncp½ns¡mSp¡mw..." AhÄ I«nen \n¶pw Xmtg¡nd§n. F¶n«p Fsâ XpWn¡I¯p \n¶pw Im hens¨Sp¯p. Iq«¯n Fsâ Ipe¨p \n¶ Ip®bn H¶p sR¡m\pw ad¶nÃ.

" CXn\ntX ]WnsbmtÅm..." Dj Xs¶¯m³ tNmZn¨p. Rm³ an­nbnÃ.

" GXn\mSo..?.." tN¨n H¶padnbm¯t]mse tNmZn¨p.

" \½sS B\ív... XSn hen¡mt\..""

tN¨n Hcp IÅNncntbmsS awKf¯n t\m¡nbncp¶p.

" F¶m Rm³ apSn tImXmw..."

F¶p ]dªp Rm³ I«nen Ibdn tN¨nbpsS ]pd¯p Nmcn ap«n \n¶p. apSn I¿nseSp¯p. tN¨nbpsS ]pdt¯íp Fsâ hSnbmb Ip®sbSp¯p ap«n¨pcím³ XpS§n. tN¨n AX\pkcn¨v ]pdtIm«p BSnbmSn ]pdw XÅn¯¶p sIm­pancp¶p. \à kpJsamÅ ]Wn. CSíp tXmfnÂIqSn I¿n«p s]s«¶p »ukn\It¯íp I¿n«v apebnsem¶p ]nSn¡pw, tN¨n H¶pw Adnbm¯ a«n kpJn¨ncp¶p.

" C§s\ apSn tImXp¶Xv tN¨n¡nãamtWm...." Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" \n§fmsW¦n Cãam..."

CXn\nSíp Dj tN¨nbpsS ]mZw AhfpsS ]mhmSípÅnem¡nbncp¶p.  Rm³ tN¨nbpsS Ihnfn D½ h¨psIm­v Xmtgíp t\m¡n. tN¨n Fsâ Kpems\ sNbvX t]mse DjbpsS IhínSbnepw Xncp½n sImSp¡p¶p. AhÄ kpJw aq¯t¸mÄ e£yanÃmsX kmcn¡Snbn IqSn tN¨nbpsS Imenepw ap«nepw FÃmw Xncp½p¶p.

" At¿m, Ipªt½sS ImseÃmw s]mcn©p ]nSn¨ncn¡p¶p. F®abanÃmªn«m, sXmen hcªp t]mIpw... B F®bn§p Xt¶ hnPbm, Rm³ Aåw ]pc«ns¡mSp¡mw. .."

DjbpsS klm\p`qXn tI«n«p F\n¡pÅn Nncn h¶p. Rm³ F®¡p¸n FSp¯p sImSp¯p. AhÄ kmcn s]m¡n ap«n h¨p F¶n«v Aåw F®sbSp¯p I¿n ]pc«n ImepIfn XShm³ XpS§n. Rm³ Fsâ Ip® apIfntem«p s]m¡n h¨p tN¨nbpsS ]pd¯pcp½n ckn¨p. sam¯¯n Hcp cmktIfockw.

Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ Hcp t`ZKXn sNbvXp. Ip®sbSp¯p tN¨nbpsS CSXp I£¯n kmcn¯p¼nsâ ASnbnte¡p sh¨p sImSp¯p. tN¨n AXp hSn Cdp¡p¶Xp t]mse Cdp¡n ]nSn¨p B«w XpS§n, ]pd¯p Dcíp¶Xnepw ckw CXmWp. Hcp hi¯p »ukmbXpsIm­v t]mc.

Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Dj tNmZn¨p.

" tatem«pw ]pc«tWm Ipªt½..."

" \nsâ Ibv Igíp¶nsæn ]pc«nt¡m..."

" F\n¡p aÁptÅmcpsS At{Xw Igíp¶nÃ...." CXpw ]dªp AhÄ henªp \n¶v kmcn¯p¼p HÁ hen.

Fsâ Ip®¯e tN¨nbpsS I£¯n Ccp¶p AhfpsS t\tc HÁ¡®p angn¨p t\m¡n.

" Rms\m¶pw I­nsöm hnNmcw. Ipª½bmbXp sIm­v Rm³ H¶pw ]dªnsÃt¶bpÅp.."

AhÄ I¿n«p Kpemsâ Xebn ]nSn¨p apt¶m«p hen¨p. I¿n F®bmbXpsIm­v ]nSn In«nbnÃ. Rm³ Aht\ I£¯n \n¶pw hens¨Sp¯p.

" th­... \S¯nt¡m...."

AhÄ kmcnsbSp¯v tN¨nbpsS tXmfnte¡n«p.

AhÄ ap«pIp¯n \n¶p, tN¨nbptS kmcn Ac htc s]m¡n h¨p. AhÄ tN¨nbpsS XpSbnSp¡nte¡p t\m¡n Hcp \nanjw \n¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" Xebnte¡mfpw apSnbmWsÃm _m¡nsbmtÅS¯p.. t]³ ]nSn¡pw Ipªt½... CXp sh«n¡f.."

" AXnsâ HtS¡mc\p sh«p¶XnãaÃ... ]ns¶ t]³ c­v hÀjw ap¼v ]nSn¨p t]mbXm..."

" Ipªt½.. Rm³ CXp sh«n¯cmw..."

" F¶m hnPbm t]mbn \nsâ apdo t]mbns¡St¶m... R§fn¨nsc ]Wn sN¿s«.."

" F´n\m Ipªt½... Ah³ tIdn saXn¨XtÃ... Ah\pw Ccpt¶ms«..."

" At¿...F¶mepw..." tN¨n¡p ]XnhnÃm¯ Hcp \mWw.

" Hm, Ipªt½sS Hcp \mWw.... FSm \o t]mbn A½mhsâ tjhnMv sksÁSps¯m­p hm... aoi sh«p¶ I{XntIw.."

" At¸m \n\¡nsXms¡ \à ]cnNbam...? " tN¨n AÂ`pXs¸«p.

" Ignª hÀjw t]³ tIdnb¸w sXm«p Rm³ c­mgvN IqSp¼w sN¿pw... C¸w \Ã kpJam.. sNmdn¨nepw CÃ. {hp¯nbmIptIw sN¿pw.."

" FSo \o hey ]cnjvImcnbmbtÃmSo...."

F\n¡p DjbpsS Xpd¶Sn¨pÅ kwkmcw tI«n«p AÂ`pXw. AhÄ ]t­ A§s\bmWp. sh«n¯pd¶p ]dbpw Hcp \mWhpanÃ. Ft¶bpw Iptd \mWw sISp¯nbXmWtÃm.

" t]mbn FSpt¯m­v hmSm hmbpw s]mfn¨p \n¡msX..." Dj ]dªp.

Rm³ t]mbn tjhnMv skÁpw I{XnIbpw sIm­p h¶p.

" Ipª½ At§m«p sISt¶...." tN¨n aeÀ¶p sIS¶p. Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶p.

" C\n ImeI¯n shív..." tN¨n A\pkcn¨p.

Ct¸mÄ tN¨nbpsS ]qÀ \à hnSÀ¶ncn¡p¶p. Idp¯ncp­v, H«nbmsW¦nepw ImWm³ \à ckw, Fsâ Ip® sXm®qdp Un{Knbn \n¶p XpÅn. H¶p aW¡m³ F\n¡p sImXn h¶p.

" t\m¡n \n¶p shÅand¡msX Hcp t]¸sdSpt¯m­p hmSm..."

Rm³ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p sIm­p Xs¶ HF \yqkvt]¸À sIm­p h¶p.

" C\n tN¨n B Ip­nsbm¶p s]m¡nt¡.. FSm \obm t]¸dp Iotgm«p ht¨...Csæn InS¡ apgph\pw apSn hogpw..."

At¼, Fs´mcp _p²n Cu s]®nsâ, Rmt\mÀ¯p.

Rm³ t]¸À B h³Ip­nIfpsS Iotg h¨p sImSp¯p. AIhi¯p Hcp \oe Omb Hgn¨m Hcp ]mtSm adptIm CÃm¯ `wKnbpÅ Ip­nIÄ. Ct¸mÄ tN¨nbpsS aZ\sN¸p apgph\pw \¶mbn ImWmw. Idp¯ncn¡p¶p. \à \ofapÅ ]qdnsâ Ioden\p Xmsg shdptX Hcp hc, IqXn htc ImWmw, AhnsS Hcp \\hnsâ, hnbÀ¸nsâbmhpw, Xnf¡hpw.  F\n¡p kln¨nÃ, Rm³ apJw Ip\n¨p B Idp¯p hncnª ]pjv]¯n Hcp D½ h¨p, F¶n«mªv aq¡nsem«p hen¨p tIÁn. Fs´mcp KÔw... F\n¡p apJw FSp¡m³ tXm¶nbnÃ. ckw sImt­m C¡nfn sImt­m, tN¨n AdnbmsX At¸mÄ ImepIÄ ASp¸n¨p aS¡n. Dj Fsâ Xeíns«mcSn X¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" \o C§s\ s]®p§sS sImXw aW¯p NmIt¯sbmÅp. Xe amsÁSm, Csæn Rm³ shfosed¡n hmXneSípw. "

F\níp Cu Akpe`mhkcw Ieªp Ipfn¡m³ CãanÃmbncp¶p. AXpsIm­v Rm³ apJw amÁn.

" kmcanà tamtf Ah³ sNdp¸atÃ... F{X In«nbmepw sImXn amd¯nÃ... thtW H¶qtS aWt¯mt«. "

" Rms\m¶p sXmt«mt«..? " Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

" C¸w AMs\ sXmS­... Ipª½ ImeI¯v.." Dj hne¡n.

 tN¨n A\pkcn¨p. Rm³ Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p sIm­cnIn Ccp¶p.

" tamtf tjhp sN¿­... \ofw sImd¨m aXn... AtÃÂ A½mh\nãs¸S¯nÃ.."

" Hm C\ow A½mhsâ Ctãmw t\m¡n Ip\nªncpt¶m..." Dj Acnit¯msS ]dªp.

ChÄs¡´n\m A½mht\mScniw ? F\n¡p ]nSnIn«nbnÃ.

" Fsâ hnPbm, \obm A©mwImte¶p Is¿Sp¡v.. F¸gpw s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m­ncp¶m AXn\p hà G\t¡Spw ]nSn¡pw.." Dj ]dªp.

" ]ns¶ CXp I­m BÀ¡m s]m§mt¯...\n§fmbXp sIm­m Csæn C¸w...Rm³.." Rm³ hmWaSn¡m³ sXmS§n.

" AXn\p hgnsbm­m¡mw. \o C¸w H¶p klmbn¡v.... Cu CuÁ¡mSv HÁíp sXfn¡m³ ]mSm.... \o t]mbn Hcp No¸p IqsS FSpt¯m­p hm.." Rms\sâ Nos¸Sp¯p sImSp¯p.

Dj BZyw No¸p sIm­v tcma§sfms¡ \¶mbn NoIn, c­p aq¶n©p \ofapÅ Npcp­p sI«p ]nWª tcma§Ä henªt¸mÄ tN¨n BZysams¡ lm, lq, Fs¶ms¡ iÐw sh¨p. ]ns¶ awKfsaSp¯p hmb\ XpS§n. Rm³ CSíp B tcma \ncIfn It¿mSn¨p ckn¨p. Hcp {]mhiyw H«nbncp¶ Zf§Ä AI¯n t\m¡n, At¸mÄ Dj Fsâ Ibv hen¨p amÁn. Hcp \à £pcIsâ hncptXmtS AhÄ IptdtÈ tcma§Ä hen¨p s]m¡n sh«nsbSp¯p t]¸dnen«p. NnesXms¡ Rm³ FSp¯p aW¯p t\m¡n, tcma¯n\p aWanÃ. tN¨nbpsS Ccp­ aZ\¸q¦mh\w IptdtÈ sXfnªp h¶p. apIÄ `mK¯p IpgnbpsS Dugambt¸mÄ Dj ]dªp.

" \o  ChnSw H¶I¯n ]nSnt¨"

Rm³ c­p Ibv sIm­pw AhnSw AI¯ns¡mSp¯p. Fsâ At½, AhnsS Ccp­v Idp¯p CuÁ¡mSp t]mse Xg¨ ]qS. AXpw I´nsâ sXm«p apIfnÂ.  Rm³ ]dªp.

Dtj hfsc kq£n¨v..."

" \o t]mSm.. Ct{Xw heyXsænepw Fsâ IhsítSepw CXp t]mse Hsc®w H«n¨p sh¨ns«ms­Sm... \o I­XtÃ...."

" AXÃ... Cu I´p  hepXmbXp sIm­v sNe¸w I{XnI ap«pw... t\m¡n thWw... sN¿m³..."

AhnSt¯ sh«p Ignª DSt\, Rm³ B I´nsâ sXmenbn hnc sh¨p tatem«p s]m¡n t\m¡n. hnfdnb \nd¯n tN¨nbpsS h³]bÀ I´p Xnf§n. Rm³ AXn hncsem¶p sXm«p. H«p¶p, F¶n«p aW¯p t\m¡n. Hcp hÃm¯ a¯p ]nSn¸n¡p¶ aWw... kln¡m³ ]Áp¶nÃ, ISn¨p Xn¶m\pÅ Bthiw. ]qS amdn¡gnªt¸mÄ hnShn¶nSbn ]pdt¯íp Xe \o­ncp¶ CXfpIfpsS ]e ]e AÁ§Ä hyàambn.

" C\n Xmsg AI¯n¸nSn¡v.. Ipªt½ Hgp¡p sXmS§n...s]s«¶p XoÀ¯nsæn ChnsS {]fbw D­mIpw... ]ns¶ ]Wn \S¡¯nÃ..."

" F\n¡p.... ]nSn¨n«p \n¡p¶nsÃSo... c­pw IqsS Fs´ms¡bm sN¿pt¶..." tN¨n hmb\¡nSbn ]ndp]ndp¯p.

Rm³ H«n¸nSn¨ ]qÀ¨p­pIÄ AI¯ns¡mSp¯p. tN¨n At¸mtgípw ImepIÄ ASp¸n¡m\pw AI¯m\pw XpS§nbncp¶p. IptdsÈ \\hpw. AI¯nbt¸mÄ \qep amXncn ]i henªp h¶p.

" tN¨n ImeSp¸n¡msX sIS¡v..." Dj ]dªp.

" AXn\It¯m«p htÃmw XÅntIÁn hív, A¸w ASp¡ptIe... AÃmsXs¶s¡m­v h¿..."

" CXn\I¯p \ndªp ]ÁWa¦n Chsâ hndIpap«n Xt¶ thWw..." Dj Fs¶ t\m¡n H¶p ]p©ncn¨p.

CSbnteíp Nmªp InS¶ Npcp­ ]qSIÄ Dj hncen«p hens¨Sp¯v sh«n. AXp Ignªv ho­pw Xmtgm«v... Hcp Ibv sIm­I¯n ]nSn¨n«v, AXn\pÅn sRmdnªv Npcp­p IqSnbncp¶ CXfpIÄ Rm³ hen¨p ckn¨p.

" hens¨f¡msX Fsâ hnPbm... \\ªm ]ns¶ \½sS ]Wn \S¡¯nÃ..." Dj ]dªp.

" hent¨ms«So, Ahsâ B{KlatÃ..." tN¨n Fs¶ ]n´m§n.

" Hm, Ahsâ B{Klsam¶paÃ... Ipª½íp \¶mbn«p kpJn¡p¶p­v... IÅn...t\m¡s«..."

AhfXpw ]dªv tN¨nbpsS ]nfÀ¶ hnShnteíp Hcp hnc XÅn. AXp ]¯n htc sX¶nbnd§nt¸mbn. hens¨Sp¯t¸mÄ AXp tbm\nt¯\n Ipgªncp¶p.

"At¿m.... tZ It­m....Hgp¡p sXmS§n... HSs\ Dcpfp s]m«pw thKw \½psS ]Wn XoÀ¡msaSm.."

Dj [rXn Iq«n. Ahfm hnc ]mhmSbn XpSíp¶Xv sImXntbmsS Rm³ t\m¡nbncp¶p.

]qdnsâ Iodep XoÀ¶t¸mÄ IqXnbn sXm«psIm­v Dj ]dªp.

" ChnsS A©msd®tabpÅp Ipªt½.. AXhnsS \nt¶ms« sh«nbm sNe¸w sNmdnbpw.." CSíp Rm³ Npcp§nbncp¶ Idp¯ IqXnbn hncsem¶p XÅn. Dj Iíns«mcSn X¶n«p ]dªp.

" {hp¯nbnÃm¯ ihw... Xqdps¶tSmw aq{X¡pgow Hcpt]mse \¡pw aW¡pw.. tlm.. "

Rm³ Ibv hen¨p aW¯p t\m¡n, F\n¡nãs¸«p, B aWw.

" \nsâ Cãw.... At¸m Igntªm...? tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" Hcp an\n«v...."

Dj Nos¸Sp¯v sam¯w ]qdnsâ apIfn NoIn, XpS¡nSbnepw ]qdnsâ ]pd¯pw NnXdn¡nS¶ sh«nb apSnsbms¡ amÁn, ISemkn C«p. Ct¸mÄ tN¨nbpsS ]qtd Rmdp \« amXncn IpÁn tcma§Ä t\sc \n¶p. Iodensâ AcnIpIÄ \à \oe \ndw, _m¡n`mK¯n\p Ccp\ndw. X\n Icn¼qdÃ. ImSp sh«nbt¸mÄ tN¨nbpsS aZ\h\w {XntImWmIrXnbn \n¶p Xnf§n, AÊ \ndw h¶p.. Dj N´n¡osg \n¶pw t]¸À hen¨p. tN¨n N´nIÄ s]m¡n sImSp¯p At¸mÄ B ]qdp In®¯¸w t]mse s]m§n \n¶p. AXntem«p hoWp \¡m\pw D½ shím\pw Fsâ a\Êp sh¼n.

" CsXÃmw FSp¯p XncnsI shsíSm.. " Dj ]dªp.

" \o sIm­p shív... Rm\nsXm¶p sicn¡p ImWs«..."

" ISn¨p Xn¶Ãv... Ipª½íp apÅm\pw IqSn DÅXm Cu km[\w.." CXpw ]dªn«p Dj t]¸dpw km[\§fpw FSpt¯m­p t]mbn.

" tN¨n Rm\nXp ISn¨p Xnt¶mt«...F\n¡p AÃmsX C\n ]Á¯nÃ..."

" Fsâ tam³ Xnt¶m... Cãw t]mse Xnt¶m..." tIÄ¡m¯ Xmakw. Rm\m Imen¶nSbnte¡ncp¶p Xe Xmgv¯n AhnSsaÃmw H¶pcp½n, c­v Ibv sIm­pw ]qdI¯n hen¨p ]nSn¨n«v I´p hmbnte¡p hens¨Sp¯v Cu¼n¡pSn¡m³ XpS§n. Acbn©p \ofapÅ I´p N¸n¡pSn¡pw tXmdpw tN¨nbn \n¶pw Rc¡§Ä DbÀ¶p. Acs¡«\¡m\pw XpS§n. Ipsd t\cw R§Ä c­p t]cpw IbvImcyw sNbvXXp sIm­mImw, tN¨n s]s«¶p sRfn]ncn sImÅm³ XpS§n. hmcnI Xmsgbn«p c­p Ibv sIm­pw apeIÄ kzbw sRcn¡m³ XpS§n.

" thKw \¡n XoÀs¡Sm... F\n¡p kln¡p¶nÃ... F\n¡n¸w .....hcpw.. hen¨p IpSn¡v..." HcpIbv sIm­v tN¨n Fsâ Xe AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p.

" lXp sImÅw, ChnsS sXmS§ntbm...  \S¡t«..." Dj CXpw ]dªp t\m¡n \n¶p ]mhmS s]m¡n. Ih¡nSbn Xncp½m³ XpS§n.

" Dtj... Fsâ tamfn§p ht¶.... Dj ASp¯p sN¶p. tN¨n AhfpsS apJw ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨n«p B Np­pIfn D½ shím³ XpS§n. Dj I«nenencp¶v Ip\nªp sImSp¯p.

" Mqw.. hcp¶ps­Sm....... sXcp sXsc ... sN¿v... AaÀ¯n \¡v........ lm... Ignªq......" tN¨n Acs¡«p sh«n¨p \nÀ¯n. InS¶p InX¨p.

" ls¿m... s]s«¶p Ignªp....  aXn tams\...." tN¨n Fsâ Xe ]nSn¨p amÁn. Rm³ Xe s]m¡n. t\m¡nbt¸mÄ DjbpsS I¿v ]mhmS¡SnbnÂ. Rm³ NmSn Xmsgbnd§n, ep¦n ]dns¨dnªp, DjbpsS Ibv ]mhmS s]m¡namÁn, AhfpsS sIm¨p ]qdn \¡m³ XpS§n. Dj FXnÀ¯nÃ, R§fpsS ]cn]mSn I­v AhÄ¡p ISn CfIn¡mWpw. Rm³ AhfpsS Hcp Im s]m¡n Fsâ tXmf¯p sh¨p F¶n«p Ih¨v Xpd¶ncp¶ B hnShn \¡m³ XpS§n. hmNIaSns¨¦nepw AhfpsS aq{X¡pgnbpw \\ªp IpXnÀ¶ncp¶p. apIfn I´nteíp Fsâ ]cn]mSn Rm³ \o«n. AhÄ I®paS¨p kpJn¨p \n¶p. an\n«p th­n h¶nà AhfpsS tbm\n apdpIp¶Xp Rm\dnªp. ]IpXn Fsâ tXmfn Ccp¶p sIm­v Dj AhfpsS ]qdp Fsâ apJt¯¡aÀ¯n. Rm³ CSíp tN¨ntb t\m¡n AhÀ R§fpsS ]Wn t\m¡n aeÀ¶p InS¶p ImepIfpw Ih¨p \\ª ]qdpw Xpd¶p ]nSn¨p. At¸mÄ Dj a{´n¡p¶p.

" F\n¡v Bbn hnPbm..... thKw....Mqw....Mqw.....aXn.. aXn...." AhÄ Fsâ Xe Aar¯n ]nSn¨p. ]ns¶ `n¯nbnteíp Nmªp.  Im Fsâ tXmfn \ns¶Sp¯p. c­p NphSp ]Xps¡ \S¶p, I«nenteíp adnªp. tN¨ntbmSp sXm«p InS¶p, IhnfpIÄ ap«n¨p AhÀ InS¶p. c­p ]qdnsâ aWhpw kpJhpw \¡epw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ Fsâ Rc¼pIfpw s]m«mdmbncp¶p. Rm³ I«nenteíp Ibdn  tN¨nbpsS Imen¶nSbn ap«n \n¶p. hmWaSn¡m³ XpS§n.

" Dtj ]mhmSsbm¶p s]m¡v...." Rm³ ]dªp.

tN¨n Is¿¯n¨p DjbpsS ]mhmS Ac¡p tate hen¨p sh¨p. lmbv.. Fs´mcp Imgv¨. Hcp sIm¨p ]qdpw Hcp henb ]qdpw c­pw \\ªp IpgªXp, AXpw Rm³ \¡nbXp. c­pw Aåw hmbv Xpd¶ncn¡p¶Xp, F\n¡p ]cakpJw hcm³ XpS§n. Fsâ A­n¡pS§Ä Xnf¨p. AXn \n¶pw NpSp emh Ip®hgn {]hln¡p¶Xp Rm\dnªp.

" AI¯p hísWmSm... samt\..." tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" th­m ... F\n¡p ... h¶p...." Rm³ ]Ãp ISn¨p I®S¨p ]nSn¨p sIm­p ]dªXpw BZys¯ ]m Kp­v sXdn¨p. ]ns¶ Ah³ hn«p hn«p NoÁn Xocp¶Xp htc Rm³ Ibv ]nSn¨p sIm­ncp¶p. Rc¼pIÄ Abªt¸mÄ Rm³ I®p Xpd¶p. c­p t]cpsSbpw hbdnepw ]qdnepw XpSIfnepw, F´n\p,  tN¨nbpsS apebn »ukn\p ]pd¯v htc XpÅnIÄ sXdn¨p hoWncp¶p. c­p t]cpw ]p©ncn¨p sIm­v Fsâ {]IS\w ImWp¶p.

" " Igntªm...? aXntbm..?" tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" Mqw... aXn...Ct¸mfnXp aXn...." 

" tM.... As¸m ...C\ow thWsa¶mtWm... " Dj hm s]mfn¨p.

Mqw.. thWw.. ]ns¶...."

Rm³ I«nen InS¶ ep¦nsbSp¯p Ip® XpS¨p Acbn NpÁn InS¡bnte¡p hoWp.

At¸mÄ s]®p§Ä Fgpt¶Áp.

" Dj ]mhmsSw »ukpw amÁv.... Rm³ kmcn amds«... F´p am{Xw ]mem NoÁn sXdn¸n¨Xp......tlm..." tN¨n Nncn¨p sIm­p ]dªp.

AhÀ XpWn amdn h¶t¸msgípw Rm³ ab¡w ]nSn¨ncp¶p. AhÀ h¶p Fsâ Ccphi¯pw InS¶p Fs¶ sI«n]nSn¨p. R§Ä Ft¸mtgm Dd§nt¸mbn.

 

Rm\pWÀ¶t¸mÄ A©p aWnbmbn. AhÀ InS¡bn CÃmbncp¶p. Rm³ I®pw Xncp½n ASp¡fbnte¡p sN¶p. AhnsS \mWnb½bpw tN¨nbpw Djbpw IqSn henb hÀ¯am\w.

" hnPb³ C¶p t]mIphm¶p Dj C¶se ]dªncp¶p. H¶p ImWmsa¶p IcpXn h¶Xm.." \mWnb½ ]dªp.

" kckp F´ntb.."  tN¨n tNmZn¨p.

" AhÄ amÁn\n¡p t]mbn. henb kn\nam {`m´nbm.. Hcp kn\na Xs¶ A©pw Bdpw {]mhiyw ImWpw... sI«ntbm³ tXm«¯o¶p Imip Ab¨p sImSp¡pw AXp apgph³ Ahfn§s\ XoÀ¡pw..."

" C¶se kÔy¡p \mWnbt½w kn\naíp t]mbncpt¶m..." tN¨n Im¸n Fsâ t\sc \o«ns¡m­p tNmZn¨p.

" B t]mbn, ]pcmWam¶p ]dªm t]mtb... sN¶¸w \à ]p¯³ ]Sw, ]t£ F\n¡p ]nSn¨nÃ. c­p doep Ignª¸w Rms\md§nt¸mbn. Ahfp apgph\m¡n F¶p ]dªp...."

tN¨níp Nncn s]m«p¶p. AhcXS¡m³ ]mSp s]«p.

" A¸w \mWnb½, Ht¶m ct­m doep ImWpw, _m¡nsbms¡ kckphpw ImWpw... \Ã tbmPns¸mÅ At½w tamfpw.. " Dj Nncn¨p sIm­p ]dªp.

" AÃ \mWnbt½,... \n§fp sNÃp¼w H¯ncn Bfp ImWpthm.... ]cnNb¡mcpw \m«pImcpw H­mIpthm..."

" sNe¸w ...." \mWnb½ ]ns¶ H¶pw ]dªnÃ. Im¸n IpSn¨p.

" C\nsb¶m hnPb³...Ct§mt«ms¡... Ah[n In«p¼w C§p t]mcv.. h\Píp \ns¶ shÃnãam... F¶m Rm³ t]ms«... kckp sXc¡pw..." \mWnb½ Cd§n.

R§Ä A¯mgw Hcp¡m³ XpS§n. ImcWw C¶p DÂkh¯n\p t]mIm³ BWp ]²Xn... F\n¡pw DÂkmlambn. At\ym\yw D´nbpw XÅnbpw CSn¨pw sR¡nbpw ]nSn¨pw R§Ä tPmen sNbvXp. ASp¡fbnepw \à DÂkh tafw. DjbpsSbpw tN¨nbpsSbpw Ip­nbpw apebpw Rm³ amdn amdn s]cpamdn. s]®p§Ä¡p \à lcw tIdn.

CXn\nsS tN¨n DjtbmSp tNmZn¨p.

" Djtamtf.. \o F§\mSo Cu _mÀ_À tPmen C{X \¶mbn sN¿m³ ]Tn¨Xv..?"

" AXp Hcp ko{I«m... "

" F¶mepw CXp Rm\tÃ.. ]dsbSo... \½fp X½n ct­m aqt¶m hbÊp hyXymkatà HÅp. ]ns¶´p ko{I«v..?"

" bphPt\mÂkhw h¶¸w aq¶mep Znhkw Rm³ tlmÌen \n¶mcp¶p. A¶p, tlmÌense Hcp Iq«pImcn AhfpsS dqw taÁn\p sNbvXp sImSp¶Xp Fs¶ ImWn¨Xm. "

." F¶n«p \n\¡hcv sNbvXp X¶ntÃ....?.."

" F\n¡p A¶p Ct{Xw CÃmbncp¶p. ]ns¶ AXp§¡p Hcp \mtWmw CÃmbncp¶p. Fs¶ ImWn¡m³ th­n am{Xw Ahcp sNbvXXmcp¶p..."

" Cuizcm... F´p hnizkn¨m.. Cu ]nÅmtc tlmÌen \nÀ¯ps¶..."

" AXp FÃmcpw CÃ Ipªt½... Ht¶m ct­m h«p ]nSn¨Xp ImWpw, tZ, Cht\t¸mse..." AhÄ Fs¶ t\m¡n ]dªp.

" h«p \nsâ....Mm..... " F\n¡p tZjyw h¶p.

" B h«sÃSm s]m«m..."  AhÄ Fs¶ sImª\w Im«n. tN¨n \n¶p Nncn¨p.

 

ASp¡ftPmen s]s«¶p XoÀ¶p. ]Wn Ignªt¸mÄ AhÀ Ipfn¡m³ tIdn. At¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp.

" \aps¡mcpan¨p Ipfn¨mtem..."

" A§s\ C¸w Ipfn¨p kpJn¡­.... " Dj ]dªp.

" AtÃepw C\n Cs¶\n¡pw h¿.... \msf Ipfn¨m aXn. IqSpXep Ipfn¨mse tamt\ ]bn¸p tISmIpw shtÅmw XoÀ¶p t]mIpw.." tN¨n Djtb t\m¡n Nncn¨p sIm­p ]dªp.

" AXn\p \½fp shÅw tImcn Asà Ipfn¡p¶Xp.."

" t]mSm s]m«m.." tN¨n Fs¶ HmSn¨p.

 

A¶p Ggp aWn Ignªt¸mÄ, t\ct¯ Xs¶, A½mh³ h¶p. IqsS Hcmfpw D­mbncp¶p. aÁmcpaÃ, Fsâ AO³.... ! !

 

HmÀ½IÄ - -14                                                                                             Font-Karthika

 

 

tN¨n ImepIÄ A\¡nbn«mhmw Rm\pWÀ¶Xv. sseÁp­mbncp¶p. I®p Xpd¶ Rm³ t\m¡nbXv At¸mgpw t_m[anÃmsX InS¶pd§p¶ tN¨nbpsS Xpd¶ Ih¡nSbnte¡mbncp¶p. H«n¸nSn¨ B Icn¼qdnsâ taembncp¶p Rm³ Np­aÀ¯n InS¶ncp¶Xv. B InS¸v Bsc¦nepw I­ncps¶¦ntem. kz`mhw sIm­mbncn¡mw AsXm¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. AXn\p Imcyamb bmsXmcp KÔhpanÃmbncp¶p. ^m\nsâ Ipfncp sIm­mImw, DjbpsS Ip­n¡p apIfn Hcp joÁhÄ hen¨n«n«p­mbncp¶p. sNcnªp InS¶ AhfpsS apIfnet¯ shfp¯ ape Xmgt¯Xnt\mSp tNÀ¶p InS¡p¶Xv \à tNepÅ ImgvNbmbncp¶p. tN¨nbpsS Hma\ ape¡pS§Ä Xpemt¨\IÄ amXncn Aåw ]c¶p InS¶ncp¶p. t\ct¯ A\p`hn¨ AanXamb cXnkpJw sIm­mbncn¡mw c­p t]cpw t_m[w hn«pd§p¶Xv. B kpJw tN¨n Ct¸mgpw kz]v\¯n Abhnd¡p¶ps­¶p AhcpsS ]p©ncn¡p¶ Np­pIÄ I­mednbmw. s]s«¶v F\n¡v kvYeIme t_m[ap­mbn. tai¸pd¯ncp¶ ssSw]okn t\m¡n. aWn \mteImÂ.

Rm³ Xmsg¡nS¶ncp¶ Fsâ aps­Sp¯pSp¯p. F¶n«p c­p t]scbpw hnfn¨p. bmsXmcp c£bpanÃ. tXmfn Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. A\¡anÃ. Dj Xncnªp t\sc ImepIf¯n InS¶p. CSíp ]qtdsem¶p sNmdnªp. F¶n«p Rw Rw F¶p Ft´m ]ndp]ndp¯p sIm­v ho­pw Dd¡ambn. c­nt\bpw DWÀ¯n XpWn DSp¸n¨p InS¯nbnsænÂ, A½mh\pw AO\pw F¯pt¼mÄ F´mIpw KXn. ho­pw Rm³ tN¨ntb apeIfn Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. AdnbmsX Fsâ Ibv X«n amÁnbXÃmsX bmsXmcp. amÁhpanÃ. c­pw Iån¨v Rm\m ]qdn¶nSbnte¡p hncen«p. F¶n« I´n H¶aÀ¯n sR¡n. tN¨n sR«nbpWÀ¶p. I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Rm³.

" Fs¶s¡m­p C¸w hs¿Sm. sISs¶md§v.."

 AhÀ ho­pw sNcnªpInS¶p I®S¨p. Rm\htc Dcp«n aeÀ¯n InS¯nbn«p ]dªp.

" At¿m. tN¨n, F\n¡p ]®m\Ã, Fgpt¶Áp XpWnbpSp¯v InS¡v, Ahcn¸w hcpw.."

" tM..,  "

 tN¨n NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. NpÁpw t\m¡n, kz´w tZlt¯íp t\m¡n. Hcp PmfyX t]mse. I«nen InS¶ ]mhmSsbSp¯v AhÀ Acs¡«p ad¨p. F\n¡p a\Ên Nncn s]m«n, Hcp \mWw shfp¸m³ Ime¯v. Hcpd¡¯n\p ap¼v Fs´mcp aZ\Xm¬Uhambncp¶p c­pt]cpw IqSn Cu apdnbn Act§dnbXv.

]ns¶ tN¨n Djtb X«n hnfn¨p.

" Dtj... FSo..tamtf Fgpt¶tÁ.... FSo Fgpt¶Â¡m³...."

Dj ]Xps¡ Fgpt¶Áp, Hcp tIm«phmbn«p, F¶n«p I®S¨ncp¶p. F\n¡cniw h¶p. Rm\m apebn ]nSns¨mcp sR¡p sImSp¯p. AhÄ sR«n¡®p Xpd¶n«p tNmZn¨p.

" F¶XmbnXp Ipªt½...."

s]s«¶mWp AhÄ¡p t_m[ap­mbXp, Xm³ ]qÀ® \ábmsW¶p. AhÄ Imen InS¶ josÁSp¯v amdpw IqSn ad¨v Fs¶bpw tN¨ntbbpw Xpdn¨p t\m¡n.

" FSo... \nsâ XpWnsbSp¯pSp¡v.. Ahcp hcmdmbn..."

c­p s]cpw thKw Fgpt¶Áp Xmsgbnd§n. Aeamcn Xpd¶p Fsâms¡tbm hen¨p Xmsgbn«p. ]ns¶ tN¨n I«nen¡nS¶ {_msbSp¯p [cn¨p. AhÀ XpWn amdpt¼mÄ Rm³ InS¡ hncnbnteíp t\m¡n, AXn ]ebnS¯pw GjybpsSbpw B{^n¡bpsSbpw `q]S§Ä hyàambn ]Xnªn«p­mbncp¶p, R§Ä C¶se tbm\nt¯\pw Ip®¸mepw sIm­p hc¨ ]S§Ä. Rm³ tN¨ntb tXm­n B ]S§Ä Nq­n ImWn¨p. DSs\ tN¨n, AXp amÁn Aeamcnbn \n¶pw thsd josÁSp¯v hncn¨p.

" \o t]mbn tkm^bn InSs¶m, Ahcp hcps¼m apdnbn sIS¡s«, GXp tIme¯nem hcpt¶¶v BÀ¡dnbmw. ap­n shSn Ignbps¼m sImtd £oWw ImWpw..." ]ns¶bpw tN¨n Fs´ms¡tbm ]ndp]ndp¯p. sseÁp sISp¯n, c­p t]cpw I«nenteíp hoWp, Rm³ tkm^bnteípw.

 

A½mh\pw AO\pw h¶t¸mÄ F«p aWn Ignªncp¶p. AXn\p apt¼ R§Ä DWÀ¶ncp¶p. h¶ ]msS AO³ Fsâ apdnbnepw A½mh³ AhcpsS apdnbnepw tIdn InS¶p IqÀ¡w hen XpS§n. Im¸n IpSn Ignª DSt\ tN¨n DuWn\pÅ Hcp¡§Ä XpS§n. CSíp \mWnb½bpw h¶p.

Dj tNmZn¨p.

" Ipªt½, R§Ä H¶p tXm«cnIn htc s]mtímt«..?"

" F¶m ImWm\mSo, tXm«n shÅw hÁn. C¸w apgph³ ImSm.."

" Hm Np½m, sImtd¡meambntà ChnSsams¡ I­n«v...."

" t]mtb¨p s]s«¶p hcWw... a\pjyhmkanÃm¯ kvYeam... kq£n¡Ww...."

" Mm sicn, hmSm hnPbm, H¶p Id§nbn«p hcmw...."

R§Ä ]e ]d¼pIfpw ]n¶n«p tXm«p h¡t¯íp \S¶p. Iptd t\ct¯ív Dj H¶pw an­nbnÃ.

]ns¶, AhÄ tNmZn¨p.

" FSm hnPbm, \½fo sN¿p¶Xp sicnbmtWm..?"

" GXv..?

" \½Ä c­p t]cpw Ipª½bpambn«pÅ Cu FS]mSv..?.."

" B, AsXm¶pw F\n¡dnb¯nÃ... Hs¶\n¡dnbmw, \n§sf F\ns¡t¸mgpw sN¿Ww.. A{X Xs¶.."

" F¶p ]dªm \o Hcp arKambn amdn F¶p AtÃ.."

" A¸w \otbm, ... ? ]­p \n\s¡s¶ ImWp¶Xv NXpÀ°nbmcp¶tÃm..., C¸w Fs¶ apgpht\msS FSp¯v DÅnteíp tIÁp¶tXm.. A¼Sn.."

" sicnbmcn¡pw, Rm\pw sXÁpImcn Xs¶.... ]s£ Cu Ipª½ F§s\ \½sS amXncnbmbn F¶p \o Hcn¡se¦nepw Nn´n¨n«pt­m.."

" AXn¸w... sNe¸w..  Ipªt½sS icoc{]IrXn sIm­mcn¡pw, kvIqfnse Fsâ Kpcp ]dªns«m­v, shey Is´mÅ s]®p§Ä¡p ISn IqSpsa¶v.."

" t]mSm..... t]mg¯cw ]dbmsX...AXp \nsâ amXncnsbmÅ ImtfsS Hs¡  Nn´bm..."

" ]ns¶ \n\s¡´m C¸w C§s\ Hcp tXm¶Â ? C¶et¯ \n§fpsS ]Wn I­m temIw C¶hkm\n¡p¶ a«mbncp¶tÃm..."

" AXp ]ns¶... \osbm¶p amdn \nt¶... F\ns¡m¶p apÅWw... "

Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p. AhÄ Hcp ac¯n\p adªncp¶p aq{Xsamgn¨n«p h¶p.

" apÅp¼w AhnsS BsI Hcp IS¨nem... C¶te \nsâsbmcp Ip¯nadn¨nep ImcWw...."

" At¶cw IW¡n\p kpJn¨ntÃ...."

" t]mSm........ \½Ä sN¿p¶Xp sXÁmsW¶p Fsâ a\Êp C¸w ]dbp¶p. F´p sIm­v Ipª½ CXn\p Iq«p \n¡p¶p F¶p \n\¡dnb¯nÃ.."

" B Rm³ Nn´n¨n«nÃ, C¸w F\n¡v tN¨ntb¡mWp¼w.... ]ns¶ ISn¨p Xn¶Wsa¶p tXm¶pw. GXm­v Hcp h«p ]nSn¨ amXncn. "

" A¸w Rm³ \ns¶ IeymWw Ign¡p¶ Imcyw Nn´nt¡­, AtÃ..."

" B, F\n¡dnb¯nà F\n¡p \nt¶w hÃnãam... IeymWw Ign¡m\pw..."

" AXp ]ns¶ t\m¡mw.... C¸w Rm³ \nt¶mSp Hcp Imcyw ]dªm AXp aÁmcpw AdnbcpXv... F¦n ]dbmw..."

" A{X clkyamsW¦n F´n\m ]tdt¶...?"

" FSm t]mt¯... AXp \o IqSn AdnbWw.."

" F¶m ]d... Rm\mtcmSpw ]dbmt¼mWnÃ.."

At¸msgípw R§Ä tXm«p h¡s¯¯nbncp¶p, tXmSnsâ Ccphi¯pw henb ac§Ä hfÀ¶p ]´en¨p tXm«nteípw Icbnte¡pw \n¶ncp¶p. R§Ä Hcp \à kvYew X¸n \S¶p. HSphnÂ, tXm«n ]p¯InSnbpÅ Hcp Xp­v R§Ä Is­¯n. NpÁpw ac§Ä, shbnep t]mepw hc¯nÃ. I­m ]I t]mepw t]Sn tXm¶pw. a\pjy hmkanÃm¯ kvYew Xt¶. Ipd¨¸pd¯p DW§n¡nS¡p¶ hbÂ. th\ensâ NqSp H«pw Adnbm¯ Hcp kvYew. R§Ä AhnsS Ccp¶p. Dj ]dªp XpS§n.

" \½psS sNdnb½mh³ CtÃ... At§cv Hcp {hp¯nsI« a\pjy\m.. Bsfm«pw sicnbÃ..."

" Np½mbncn... h«p ]dbmsX...AXp Djíp tXm¶p¶Xm... F´m.. A½mh³ \ns¶ tIdn ]nSnt¨m...?.."

" AXnÃ. A½mhsâ Iq«v BcmsW¶dnbmtam.. \½psS A¼e¯n\Sp¯v Hcp shey \mbÀ hoSp­v... AhnSs¯ Hcp Xe sXdn¨h\m... H¯ncn kzs¯m­v.. s]®p sI«nbn«nÃ.. Xmakw HÁív... \m«nse tXhnSnÈnIfm AhnSt¯ kvYnchmkw... BÄ¡mcv... "

" ]ns¶ ]ns¶.. shdpsX hà Akqb¡mcpw ]dbp¶Xmcn¡pw..."

" AsÃSm \½psS Ipª½bm Ft¶mSp ]dtª..."

" tN¨ntbm, hà Ime¯pw ]pd¯nd§p¶ tN¨n F§s\bm CsXms¡ Adnbps¶...?

" AbmsfmÁím AhnsS, Iq«n\p AI¶ _Ô¯nsemÅ Hcp XÅsbm­p, sh¨p shf¼ns¡mSp¡m³, BcpanÃm¯Xm... Ahcv Hcp Znhkw A¼e¯n sh¨p Ipª½tb I­¸w ]dªp, Iptª \nsâ \mbtc H¶p kq£n¨m \ÃXmsW¶p, ]ns¶ _m¡n IYIfpw.. ]ns¶ ]ns¶bmbn«v \nsâ tN¨n F¶pw A¼e¯n t]mIp¶Xv Ahtc¡mWm\m."

" F\n¡p tXm¶Wnà Ipª½mh³ C§s\sbmcp...."

" sicnbmSm, Ipªt½w BZyw hnizkn¨nÃ. B XÅ sXfnhp klnXw Im«ns¡mSp¯p. Hcn¡Â A½mh³ ap­nshSns¡¶pw ]dªp t]mbXnsâ ]ntÁ Znhkw shfp¸ns\ Ipª½tb A¼e¯o¶p Ahcv Cu hoSnsâ hmXnÂs¡ sIm­p t]mbn. AhnS¶p BZyw B tXhnSnÈntb BZyw Imdn tIÁn hn«p ]ns¶, A½mhs\ Abmfp Ibv sImSp¯p ]dªp hn«p. A¶v A½mh³ Ipª½tbmSp ]dªp, A¼e¡½nÁn Ignªp shSn¡p t]mbnà kzåw IÅSn¨p, ]ns¶ No«p Ifn¨p  t\cw t]mbXdnªnà Fs¶ms¡. AXnte {][m\ I£n BcmsW¶dnbmthm..? \½sS kckp..

" At¿m.. kctk¨ntbm...?.."

" AtXt¶.....Ahfm A½mhsâ FÃmw Ct¸m. H¶pw h¿m¯Xp sIm­v tN¨n A\§p¶nÃ. tN¨n CXdnªq¶v ChfpamÀ¡dnb¯nÃ, AXpsIm­m \mWnb½ C¸gpw Hcp Dfp¸pw CÃmsX tIdn hcp¶Xv. "

" At¿m, F¶m ]ns¶ tN¨níp CX§p t\cn«p tNmZn¨p IqsS.. F´n\m aSn¡ps¶...."

" B, Hcn¡Â tN¨n tNmZn¨s{X... A¶p A½mh³ tN¨nbpsS ]gb tImtfPp Ncn{Xw ]dªp t]Sn¸n¨p. thWsa¦n _Ôw Hgntªmfm\pw ]dªp. ..\mWt¡Sp t]Sn¨v tN¨n ]ns¶ H¶n\pw s]mbnÃ, FÃmw kln¡p¶p..."

" F¶mepw.... F\n¡p hnizkn¡m³ IgnbWnÃ... Fsâ Dtj Rm³ Fsâ I®p sIm­v I­Xm Hcp kw`hw....."

Rm³ ]ns¶ A¶p ASp¡fbn h¨v ]cnkcw ad¶p AhÀ c­p t]cpw IqSn \S¯nb hZ\kpcX¯nsâ Iybpw, AsXmfn¨p t\m¡n \n¶p hmWaSn¨v IXIn sXdn¸n¨ Fsâ Imcyhpw, AXp tN¨n h¶p hncepsIm­v tXm­n aW¯v sXm­n klnXw Fs¶ a\Ênem¡nbXpw, AhtfmSp hnhcn¨p sImSp¯p. AXp tI«p sIm­ncp¶ AhÄ CS¡nsS ]mhmSíp apIfn IqSn Ih¡nSbn XShp¶Xpw Rm³ I­p.

" AXnsâ ImcWw F\n¡p tXm¶p¶Xv...... Rm³ ]dbmw... " Ahsfm¶p \nÀ¯n.

" BZyw Rm³ H¶p apÅnt¡ms«... C¶p cmhnse samXep aq{Xw sicn¡p t]mbn«nÃ. C¶es¯ \nsâ HSp¡s¯ sN¿ep ImcWw AhnSsams¡ achn¨p t]msb¶m tXm¶pt¶... F¶m, c­p aq¶p {]mhiyw hbdnfIptIw sNbvXp. jm¸nse Idn Iq«nbXp sIm­mbncn¡pw.."

AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp Aåw Zqsc amdnbncp¶p aq{Xsamgn¨p. ]mhmS sIm­v ap³hiw AaÀ¯n XpS¨p sIm­v ho­pw Fsâ ASp¯p h¶ncp¶p.

" AtXbv... \n\¡p s]®ns\ Adnb¯nà CXp htc... F\n¡p \ns¶ Cãambncp¶Xp sIm­pw, ]ns¶ Fs¶ \o Ip¯nbnf¡nbXp sIm­pw Rm³ hoWp t]mbn. AXp s]®nsâ KXntISv. Ipª½bpsS KXnbpw AXp Xt¶. \o tNmZn¨ AtX tNmZyw Rm\pw Ipª½tbmSp tNmZn¨Xm.. Ahcv ]dªXp..... H¶p,..... c­p IpSpw_¯nsâbpw \mWt¡Sv... IqSmsX....]ns¶..."

AhfhnsS \nÀ¯n, Fsâ I®n t\m¡n.

" ]ns¶sb´mSo... ]dtª..."

Ahsfm¶p \mWn¨n«p ]dªp.

" \½psS A½mh\p s]®p§tf kpJn¸n¡m\pÅ ]Xns\«ShpIfpw Adnbmw... AXp Ipª½bpsS Hcp ZuÀ_eyw. ]ns¶ \ns¶ In«nb¸w Hcp {]XnImc _p²ntbmsS \nt¶mSSp¯p.... \nsâ I¿nepw D­tÃm, th­Xne[nIw hent¸mw _temw DÅsXms¡.... Ipªt½sS GtXm Iq«pImcsâ AtX km[\w ..."

AhÄ s]m«n Nncn¨p. Rm³ Ahtf H¶p sI«n¸nSn¨p, F¶n«p AhfpsS Ihnf¯p sasà HcSn sImSp¯n«p ]dªp.

" A¼So tIanItf, A¸w Fsâ Imens¶tS Xq§n¡oS¡p¶Xn\p shesbm­v..."

" Hs­Sm... C¸w F\n¡pw Fs´ms¡tbm tXm¶p¶pap­v... AhcpsS ASp¡f ]pcmWw tI«¸w samXep.... ]t£ F\n¡p h¿.... hm, \ap¡p t]mImw... Ipª½ At\zjn¡pw. ]ns¶ F\ns¡m¶p I¡qkn t]mIptIw thWw..."

" ChnsSsb§m\pw km[ns¡sâ Dtj..."

" ChnsS shÅanÃSm... GXmbmepw.. \o hm Xncn¨v t]mImw..."

" F¶m \o s]msím.... F\n¡v BsI Hcp sImg¨nÂ.... Rm\nhnsS C¨nsc t\cw Ccp¶n«p ht¶mfmw..."

 

Dj t]mbn¡gnªv Rm³ AhnsS \o­p \nhÀ¶p InS¶p, Hmtcm¶mtemNn¨p sIm­p I®S¨p InS¶p. Fsâ a\Ên IqSn H¯ncn Nn{X§Ä IS¶p t]mbn. Hcp sNdnb Ah[n¡mew. AXn\nsS Fs´Ãmw Imcy§Ä, kw`h§Ä, Rm³ Hcp ImamÀ¯\mbn amdpI. sNdnb s]®msW¦nepw A½bpsS kvYm\apÅ Hcp kv{Xobpambn Ima¡q¯pIÄ, kz´w apds¸®ns\ _emÂkwKw sN¿pI, F¶n«v c­p t]cpambn Htc InS¡bn Ima tIfnIfmSpI. F\n¡p Fs¶¯s¶ ]nSnIn«p¶nÃ. Fsâ a\Êp Ibvhn«p t]mtbm. t\mhepIfn hmbn¨ t]mse Rms\mcp kv{Xoe¼S\mtWm. Fsâ icoc¯nsâ, Fsâ enwK¯nsâ {]tXyIXbmsWm CXns\ms¡ ImcWw. Hsc¯pw ]nSnbpw In«p¶nÃ. F´mbmepw Fsâ t]m¡p sicnbsöp a\Ên \n¶mtcm ]dbp¶p. H¶mizkn¡mw, C¶p sIm­v Cu Ifn Ahkm\n¡pw F¶p XoÀ¨. C\n apX Hcp ]pXnb BfmIWw, Csæn F\ns¡s¶¯s¶ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯m³ ]ÁpIbnÃ.

F¦nepw tN¨n¡n§s\ Hcp KXn h¶tÃm... Mm.. sNdp¸¯n tKm]\pambn \S¶t¸mÄ HmÀ¯nÃ, C§s\ Hcp in£ hcpsa¶p, AhcpsS hn[n. F¦nepw AhÀ FÃmw ad¶Xmbncp¶p, ]pXnsbmcp PohnX¯nsâ Bibpambn IpSpw_ PohnXXnteíp IS¶n«pw, AhnsSbpw AhÀ¡p in£ Xs¶ _m¡n. `À¯mhnsâ Io¸msW¶dnªn«pw kckphnt\bpw aÁpw klnt¡­nhcp¶ tN¨ntbmsS\n¡p klXm]w tXm¶n. F¶mepw kckp A½mhs\¯s¶ hogn¨p IfªtÃm. Hm, AhÄs¡´m \ãw, ]Ww thWw. kckphnt\ Rm³ i]n¨p. \mWw sI« tXhnSnÈn. A½mht\msS\n¡p ]pOhpw tZjyhpw tXm¶n.

 

Hcp ImsåcpamÁw tI«mWp I®p Xpd¶Xv. t\m¡pt¼mÄ ap¼n kckp. Ibnenap­pw »ukpw thjw, amds¯ FSp¯m s]m§m¯ apeIÄ XesbSp¯p \n¡p¶p. Ibnen¡pw »ukn\panSíp Actb¡À kvYew shdptX InS¡p¶p. XSmIw t]mes¯ ]p¡nÄ Npgn. HÁ aS¡pÅ XpWn¡p¯nsâ aosX XÅn¡nS¡p¶ Bene hbÀ. Aekambn¡nS¡p¶ apSn. Bcp I­mepw sI«n]nSn¨v hen¨p IpSn¡m³ tXm¶p¶ aeÀ¶ Np­pIÄ. I®n Aåw Dd¡¨Shp DÅXp t]mse. AXp AhÄ¡p IqSpX hiyXtbIp¶p. aZmekbmsW¦nepw Chsfmcp thiybmsW¶p Bcpw ]dbpIbnÃ. F¦nepw F\n¡htfmSp shdp¸mWp tXm¶nbXv. Fsâ tN¨nbpsS PohnXw C«p ]´mSp¶hÄ.

Rm³ ho­pw I®S¨p InS¶p.

" Dd¡amtWm... c­mfpw IqSn Ct§m«p t]mcp¶Xp I­t¸m hnNmcn¨p, t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Hcn¡Â IqSn H¶p IpXncIfn¡m\msW¶p. h¶p t\m¡nbt¸mgsà c­pw IqSn skmÅpIbmcps¶¶p a\ÊnembXv... F´n\m shdptX kabw sa\s¡Sp¯ntb.. DÅ t\c¯n\p AhfpsS Ihs¡S H¶p IqSn X¸m³ taemcpt¶m.. "

AhÄ Ipep§n¨ncn¨p.

" F\n¡p \n§tf ImW­, \n§tf CãaÃ.."

" Hm, Bfp shey tZjy¯nemWtÃm.... Is®m¶p sXmdt¶... "

AhÄ Fsâ s\Ánbn aS¡n sh¨ncp¶ Is¿Sp¯p amÁn. F¶n«p Ip\nªp \n¶p ho­pw tNmZn¨p.

" F´m C{X shey Cãt¡Sv.. Fs¶ shey Cãamcp¶tÃm BZyw, Hm C¸w apds¸®p­tÃm sNdp¡\p IqsS¡nS¡m³... koep s]m«n¨p hi¯m¡nbntÃ...... anSp¡³ Ip«n..."

Ip\nªp \n¶t¸mÄ Cfw Nph¸p \ndapÅ »ukn\pÅn \n¶pw B h³ apeIÄ shfnbnteíp NmSn. 

" \n§sf´n\m Fsâ A½mhs\ hi¯m¡ntb..?.." Rm³ tZjy¯n tNmZn¨p.

AhÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p sIm­p ]dªp

" Fsâ a­³ sNdp¡m, ChnsSbmcpw Hcp¯tcw hf¨p sh¨n«nÃ. Ahcv Fsâ ]pdtI Imipambn hcpt¼mÄ X«n¡fbm³ Rm\nÃ, AXpw Ibv\ndtb Imiv Xcp¼w..."

" Imip X¶m \n§fmcpsS IqsSbpw t]mIptam.."

" ]ns¶´m ]t£ kckphn\p tXm¶Ww, A{XtbDÅp... AXncn¡s« \o F¸gm t]mIp¶Xv... \ns¶ thsd FhnsStbm shey kvIqfn tNÀ¡m³ t]mIphm¶p tI«tÃm..?"

Rm³ an­nbnÃ. FXnÀhit¯íp t\m¡n¡nS¶p. AhÄ Fsâ AcnInencp¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" kckp Bscbpw a\Êp sIm­nãs¸«n«nÃ. Rm³ HmÀ¡p¶ Npcp¡w Nnecn HcmfmWp \o..." AhÄ Fsâ s\©n Ibv h¨p.

" Imcysa´msWs¶m... Fsâ Cu kmam\¯n BZyambn«p \ndªp tIdnbXp \nsâ Ip®bm... \ns¶ t]mse Xs¶ \nsâ AO\pw... CXnsâ U_nÄ sskkp tXm¡m At§cpsS..."

" tM.... AOt\m...? "

" AtXSm, C¶se Fsâ Cu Ct{Xw sXmd¶ Ih¡nS C¶te s]mfnªp t]msb¶m Rm³ hnNmcnt¨. slm...C¡W¡n\p \nsâ At½sS Imcyw...."

" tZ... Fât½ hnt«cv....Fsâ AO³ \n§sS ASp¯p hs¶t¶m...?..."

" hs¶Sm... \nsâ AO³ h¶Xv {]amWn¨v Fs¶bpw Fsâ A½tbbpw kvs]jyembn«p hnfn¨Xm, B \mbcpsS ho«ntem«v....... R§fp t]mIp¼w \n§sfmd§nbn«nÃ, sseÁv H­mbncp¶p. \nsâ A½mh\p s]®p§tf IbvImcyw sN¿m³ \à hiam... F\n¡p ]pÅntb Cãam.... C\nbpw \o tIt«mfq... Fsâ XÅbnÃmcpt¶Â \nsâ AO³ Fs¶ sImt¶s\... IÅpw IpSnt¨¨p tIdn saXn¡pIÃmcpt¶m. B\¸dnsb¶p tI«ns«bpÅp. C¶se Fsâ XÅ t]mepw shÅw IpSn¨p t]mbn."

Rm³ Xcn¨p t]mbn. Fsâ AO\pw ap­n shSn¡mc³. AXpw A½bpw aIfpambn. sO... Rm³ AOsâ X\n aI\msW¶p sXfnªp, Rm\pw ChnsS A½mbnbpw s]§fpambn. ...........

" asÁm¶p sIm­paà Rm³ ]dbp¶Xv.. \o C¶p t]mIphm..  hà hgt¡m hnhmltamN\tam.. \S¶q¶p tI«m \o sR«­m F¶p IcpXnbm.. F´p \S¶mepw kckphns\m¶panÃ. IpSpw_w t\mt¡­Xv sI«nbh·mcm. Fsâ sI«ntbm³ hà Xang¯nIfpsSbpw ]pdtI \S¡p¶p. ]ns¶ Rms\´n\m CXpw s]mXnªp sI«n \S¶p Fsâ PohnXw Xpeípt¶. FÃm BWp§fpw IW¡m.. F\n¡pw Pohn¡t­.... F\n¡pw kpJn¡t­.... AtXm Ch·mcp am{Xw Imf Ifn¨p \S¶p kpJn¨m aXntbm.... s]®p§fp sXmtfw sI«nbS¨ncp¶m aXntbm... ?.."

Rm³ hmbpw s]mfn¨p InS¶p tI«psIm­ncp¶p.

" FSm \o ]d, F\n¡pw \nsâ A½ípw A½mbn¡pw F´nsâ Ipdhp­mbn«m R§sS sI«nsbm½mcp thsd s]®p§sS s]mdtI t]mIps¶..  Atà Xs¶ \n\s¡¶m Xsetem«p tIdm\m.. {]mbambn \o sI«p¼w a\ÊnemIpw"..."

Ipd¨p t\cw AhÄ an­mXncp¶p. F\ns¡msc¯pw ]nSnbpw In«p¶nÃ. BZyw kckp IpÁ¡mcnsb¶p tXm¶n. ]ns¶ A½mbn ]ng¨p F¶p tXm¶n. Bscbm ]gn¡pI. FÃmhÀ¡pw AhchcpsS \ymb§Ä. AO\p s]®Sp¯nÃm¯ Ipg¸amcn¡pw. A½mh\p A½mbnbpsS ]gbImeambncn¡pw ImcWw, F\nt¡m. F´p sIm­p s]®ns\ ImWp¼w Igs¸fIp¶Xv. B, Fs´¦nepamIs«.

Ipd¨p Ignªp tcmjw H¶S§nbt¸mÄ kckp Ip\nªv Fsâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p

" hnPbm, \n\¡p t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Fs¶ H¶p Ifn¡tWm...?...."

Rm³ au\w ]men¨p. Rm³ ho­pw DcpIm³ XpS§p¶p.

" Asæn th­, t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v F\n¡p \ns¶ H¶p Ifn¡Ww Fs¶mcm{Klw. Cãs¸« BWp tZl¯p sXmSp¶Xp t]mepw s]®n\p lcam.. F\n¡p \ns¶ F´p sImt­m shÃnãam.. Hs¯¦n F\n¡p \nsâ Hcp sIm¨ns\ thWw.."

A¸dªXv Fsâ DÅn X«n. A½mbnbpsS KÀ`]m{X¯n Fsâ shÅw H¯ncn hoWn«p­v, AsX§m\pw tIdn ]nSn¡ptam... `Khmt\. DjbpsS Imcyw kmcanÃ. H¶p c­p Znhk¯n\Iw FÃmw ¢nbdmIpsa¶v AhÄ ]dªn«p­v. A½mbntbm ? Hm, H¶pw kw`hn¡m\nÃ. F¶pw IqsS¡nS¡p¶ A½mh\p­tÃm.

Rm³ ]ns¶bpw AhfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n an­msX InS¶p. AhÄ Ip\nªv Fsâ s\Ánbn D½ sh¨p. Rm\\§nbnÃ. AhÄ Fsâ tZl¯p IqSn Xmsgíp It¿mSn¨p. aeÀ¶p InS¡p¶ Fsâ Imen¶nSbn I¿n«p. Fsâ Kpems\ shfnbnseSp¯p. henb A\¡sam¶panÃ. Aht\ AhnsS hn«p Ahsfgpt¶Áp. F¶ns«sâ s\©n\p apIfn Ih¨p \n¶p,  NpÁpw t\m¡n. ap­v Acíp tate s]m¡n ]nSn¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" FSm Ct§m«p t\m¡v. \nsâ AO\pw A½mh\pw C¶se Iagv¶p InS¶v \¡n \¡n Xn¶ km[\am CXv. \n\¡p thWsa¦n Xn¶v. kckp CXp htcbpw Hcp abncsâbpw ap¼n CXp htc ]®m³ sI©nbn«nÃ... t]mIps¶\p ap¼v H¶p I®p sXmd¶p It­m..."

AhÄ ap­p s]m¡n ]nSn¨p Ih¨p \n¶p. AsXmcp hÃm¯ Imgv¨bmbncp¶p. t\sc Xeíp apIfn hnimeamsbmcp IpÁnabncpIÄ \ndª Idp¯ I«¸qdp Np­p ]nfÀ¯n \n¡p¶p. ]®m³ £Wn¨p sIm­v. Idp¯ncp­ XmfpIÄ \ndª, AI¯p Nph¶ Nn{X§Ä \ndª XSn¨ Hcp ]pkvXIw Xpd¶p sh¨ t]mse. Fsâ Kpem³ sasà A\§m³ XpS§n.

Rm³ AhnsS¯t¶ t\m¡nbXp sIm­mImw AhÄ AXp t]mse Xs¶ Iotgm«ncp¶p. B hnShp AhÄ Fsâ aq¡n sIm­p ap«n¨p. hnSÀ¶ncp¶ B Ioden Fsâ aq¡nsâ AÁw Cd§n. Ih¨ncp¶t¸mÄ B IS¸qdp H¶p IqSn hnSÀ¶ncp¶p. ]qdnsâ aWw F¶pw Fsâ _elo\XbmWtÃm. Ih¨ncp¶t¸mÄ thÀs]«p \n¶ B tbm\o Zf§fn Fsâ Np­pIÄ ap«n, \n{hp¯nbnÃmsX Rm³ Ah Ddp©n¡pSn¡m³ XpS§n. H«pw aq{X¯nsâ aWanÃm¯ ]qdp. B ssaXm\t¯ IpÁn¸qS Fsâ apJ¯pcªp. AhÄ ap­p Xmgv¯n Fsâ apJw ad¨p. s]s«¶v At¸mÄ Fsâ a\Ên Hcp cwKw sXfnªp. Rm³ H¶d¨p, \nÀ¯n, apJw ]n³hen¨p.. F¶n«p ]mhmSípÅn \n¶p Xs¶ tNmZn¨p.

" At¿... AO\pw A½mh\p... atÁ Bfpw FÃmhcpw C¶se Hgn¨Xmcn¡pw... \½¡p thtd Fs´¦nepw..."

AhÄ CSíp NmSn ]dªp.

" \o ss[cyambn«p hen¨p IpSnt¨m.. \nâO\pw A½mh\pw HÁ XpÅn t]mepw AhnsS hogn¨n«nÃ. AhÀ¡p Fsâ hmbnepw tZl¯pw Hgn¨p Ifn¡m\mcp¶p IqSpX ckw. ]ns¶ Ahcpw H¯ncn \¡n Xns¶Sm, t]Snt¡­, \à hr¯nbmbn IgpInbXm... A§s\ Xs¶ Xnt¶m... "

" At¸m¸ns¶ AhschnSym shípI..?

Rm³ XpWn s]m¡n Fsâ \ymbamb kwibw tNmZn¨p.

" FSm.. tamt\... Ahscms¡ ]qÁneSn¨p aSp¯hcm... AhÀ¡n¸w Fsâ hmbpw sImtXmw It£mw aXn.. ]ns¶ H¶p ]dbmsÃm.. \nâO³ Hcp aÁh\m.. At§Às¡sâ sXmS hÃmX§p ]nSn¨pt]mbn....]ns¶ Fât½sS B\¸qdpw.....]pcmWw ]ns¶ ]dbmw... \o Fs´¦nepw sN¿v... thKw... ISn aq¡p¼gm In¶mcw..."

AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v ho­pw {XntImW¯nte¡aÀ¯n Ipd¨p IqSn ImepIf¯n. kckp AXpanXpw, C¶se AhÀ sNbvXXpw ]dªp sImt­bncp¶p. Rm³ B\s¨hn t]mse \o­p InS¶ DÄZf§Ä \¡n hen¨p IpSn¨p sIm­ncp¶p. AhÄ Acs¡«v Fsâ apJ¯pc¨p Id¡n. IpÁn tcma§Ä sIm­v thZ\n¨t¸mÄ Rm³ N´nbn ]nSn¨p tatem«p s]m¡n. F¶n«p I´n ]nSp¯an«p. AXp s]m§n h¶ncp¶p. F\n¡p Np­p sIm­v ISn¨p hen¡m³ am{Xw \ofapÅ I´v. Cd¨n IjW§Ä¡nSbn s\bvIjWw t]mse \à ab¯n AXp hfÀ¶p hepXmbn. Rm³ AXv \¡n, ISn¨p hen¨p. kckphnsâ Dĸqdp Npc¯nb tX\pdh Fsâ apJ¯p HgpIn hoWp \\ªp.

" Fsâ hnPbm... \ns¶ F\n¡p F¶pw In«phmcps¶¦n Rm³ Hcp \mdotSw IqsSs¡S¡¯nÃmcps¶Sm. hen¨p IpSn¡v.. \¡n Xn¶v..."

AhÄ I´v Fsâ apJ¯aÀ¯n, F\níp izmkw ap«m³ XpS§n. Actb¡À hnkvYmcapÅ Hcp ]qÀtZiw Fsâ apJ¯p \ndªaÀ¶ncnIp¶p. AhÄ ]pdtIm«p I¿n«p Fsâ Acbn X¸n t\m¡n. Fsâ Ip® ]qÀ®tcmKyhm\mbn IpXn¨p tIdm³ Xbmdmbn \n¶p hndíp¶p. Rm³ N´nbn ]nSn¨p s]m¡n. At¸mfhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. Xncnªncp¶p. Fsâ ]dnbn XtemSn, A­n¡pS§fn sR¡n, Fsâ Acs¡«nteíp Nmªp, F¶ns«sâ Kpemsâ aIpS¯n\p NpÁpw \mt¡mSn¨p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

" hmbn shív..."

" [rXn shímsX... C¸w \o ]®ensâ Bim\msWs¶\n¡dnbmw..."

Rm\hfpsS ap­p s]m¡n. ap«n Ip\nªp \n¡p¶ AhfpsS N´n¡p tase tIÁn h¨p. ]pdtIm«p XÅn\n¶ B ]ip¸qdn ho­pw Rm³ \m¡aÀ¯n, AhnSsaÃmw \\ªp HgpInbncp¶p. ho­pw ]p¯\pdh s]m«nsbmgpIns¡m­ncp¶p. kckp CXnsS Fsâ Ip® hmbnseSp¯p Ignªncp¶p. hfsc {i²tbmsS Ahfhsâ XSnbn ]IpXnbpw AI¯p IbÁn. \m¡n«p NpgÁns¡m­ncp¶p. F\n¡p lcw tIdn. Rm³ B a¯§m¡p­nIÄ Ibv sIm­I¯n, ]qdn\pw IqXn¡panSípÅ Ccp­p Icphmfn¨ sNdpIcbn ISn¨p. 

" Mqw... Mqw...." AhÄ aqfn apc­p. sImXan«p Id¡n.

Rm³ Npcp­ B IqXnbn \m¡n«pckn, hnImcw I¯n \n¶Xp sIm­v, B sImX¯nte hnbÀ¸p Ipgª aWw F\n¡v, Fsâ kncIÄ¡v elcntbIn. Hcp Ibv Imen¶nSbnen«p I´n AaÀ¯n Xncp½n. AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯n\p apIfn ]qdaÀ¯n InS¶p ]pfªp. knÔn¸ip Npc¯p¶Xp t]mse tbm\nt¯s\mgpIn. Fsâ I¿pw apJhpw FÃmw B tX\n Ipfn¨p. Ipd¨p t\cw I´n Xncp½n¡gnªt¸mÄ, AhÄ Ibv ]pdtIm«p sIm­p h¶v Fsâ Ibv FSp¯p amÁn.

" F´p ]Án....?" Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÄ Fsâ Ip® hmbn \n¶pw amÁn izmksaSp¯n«p ]dªp.

" C\n AhnsS tX¨m F\n¡p sNe¸w h¶p t]mIpw. F\n¡p AI¯p shíWw. \nsâ ]meIs¯mgn¡Ww....."

AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp ap­p hIªp amÁn, \net¯íp aeÀ¶p ImepIfI¯n InS¶p.  Imen¶nS apgph³ ]i tX¨t]msebncp¶p. sN¼c¯n¸q t]mse hnSÀ¶ B kmam\¯nsâ apIfn Cfw Nph¸mÀ¶ I´p hn§ns¸m§n \n¶p.

" hm, thKw AI¯p shív...."

AhÄ c­p I¿pw s]m¡n Fs¶ amSnhnfn¨p. Rm³ Fsâ ap­p sskUnte¡p amÁn, B ImepIÄ¡nSbn ap«pIp¯n, Hcp sNdnb ]md¡Ãv ap«n\Snbn Ipcp§n, Aåw thZ\n¨p, Rm\sXSp¯p amÁn. ]ns¶ Ip\nªv  B tZlt¯íp Nmªp. Fsâ Ip® hnSÀ¶ncp¶ B aZ\¸qhnsâ hmXnen h¨p. AhÄ c­p I¿pw sIm­p Zf§Ä hi§fnteíp AI¯n ]nSn¨p.

" C\n XÅv.... "

" Rm³ XÅn. bmsXmcp hnjahpw IqSmsX Fsâ Ime³ Ip® IS htc DÅnembn.

" lm... C\n ASnív..."

" Rm³ IbvIp¯n s]m§n. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" »uskm¶p sXmdt¶..."

" At¿m....  AXp ad¶p.... F\n¡hnSw hn§pImcp¶p.."

AXpw ]dªp »uknsâ c­p aq¶p lp¡pIsfSp¯p. {_m s]m¡n hen¨v c­pw IqsS apeIÄ¡p apIfnteíp tIÁn h¨p. B Ip¼f§m apeIÄ ]pd¯p NmSn B s\©¯p Xpfp¼n InS¶p. Rm³ Ip\nªp Hcp ape sR«p hmbnseSp¯p, hen¨p IpSn¡m³ XpS§n. atÁ ape kckp Xs¶ I¿nSp¯p. Aåw Ignªp AhÄ Xebn«v Dcp«n XpS§n. hbdn¶nSbn IqSn Hcp Ibv sIm­p AhfpsS kmam\t¯Â Xncp½m³ XpS§n. Fsâ Ip«³ AhfpsS NqSp ]qdnencp¶p hn§n.

" Fsâ tamt\... \o... F´n\mSm C¸w t]mIpt¶.... \ns¶ Rm³ t]mÁnt¡mfmsaSm....." apJapbÀ¯n Ahsfsâ Xebn D½ sh¨psIm­ncp¶p.

" thKw Ifn¨p XoÀ¡v... F\n¡p C¸w thWw.... tam\Sns¡Sm..."

Rm³ Ibv Ip¯n \n¶Sn XpS§n. F\n¡p NqSmbn hcp¶tXbpÅp. cm{Xnbn c­p Dinc³ ]®Â IgnªXpsIm­v Ip®¨mÀs¡mcp Ka t]mse. F\n¡p h¶ntÃepw th­nÃ, kckphnsâ sImXn XoÀt¯ímw.

" ASníp tamt\... hen¨Sn...F\n¡v C¸w ....s]s«¶p Ignbpw... \nÀ¯msX  thKw....thKw....."

 ASnbpsS Ipep¡¯n tX§ns¡m­p AhÄ ]dªp. Rm³ ASnbpsS kv]oUpw iànbpw Iq«n. At¸msf\n¡p C¶es¯ Imcyw HmÀ½ h¶p. Rm³ Ibvap«p Hcp hit¯íp Ip¯n, Hcp ape hmbnseSp¯p. ]ns¶ hbdn¶nSbnte¡p I¿n«p, AhfpsS Ibv amÁn, Fsâ Ibv sIm­p I´n Xncp½m³ XpS§n.

" tlm.. Fs´mcp ]WnbmSm CXv..... \o anSp¡\mSm.... FÃmw IqsS .....Fs´mcp kpJw... "

Rm³ B tZlt¯íp Iagv¶p InS¶p sIm­mªSn¨p. Xncp½epw apeIpSnbpw IqSn Bbt¸mÄ AhfpsS ]qdnsâ `n¯nIÄ apdpIm³ XpS§n.

" Fsâ Ip«m... F\n¡p hcps¶Sm.. tamt\... ASnív.... ASníp.... thKw... \nÀ¯Ãv...... At¿m... h.....¶q....h¶q....ASn... s]md¯p IfbÃv.. apgph³.... AI¯v.... Hgn¡v...."

kckphnsâ ImepIÄ s]m¡n Fsâ Acs¡«n ]q«n«p ]nSn¨p. Rm³ F¶n«pw ASn XpSÀ¶p.

" Mv...Mv...Mv.... lmbv... aXn.... F\n¡p aXn..... At¿m....It´¶p hntSm..... "

Fsâ apJw AhÄ apebn \n¶pw ]nSn¨p s]m¡m³ {ian¨p. Rm³ ISn¨p ]nSn¨p. AhfpsS ImepIÄ ]s¿ Abªp.

" kctk¨n F\n¡p h¶nÃ.... Rms\m¶Sn¨p hcp¯s«... " CXpw ]dªp. Rm³ ASn XpSÀ¶p. Abª B ]qdn \n¶pw tX\n Ipgª ]®ensâ \mZw DbÀ¶p.

" ASn¨p hcp¯nt¡m... FSm...Fsâ It´¶p Is¿Sp¡v.... "

" Is¿Sp¯m F\n¡p hc¯nÃ...."

" F¶m Rm³ hmbn sh¨p hcp¯n¯cmw... \nÀ¯v..."

" A¸w AIs¯mgn¡t­...?".."

" thWw.... F¶m thKw ASn¨p hcps¯Sm Imem.... .."

 AhÄ I®S¨p ]ÃpIÄ ISn¨p ]nSn¨p InS¶p ]pfªp. B ]pfb I­t¸mÄ F\n¡p Cf¡w h¶p XpS§n.

" thKw hcps¯Sm.... F\n¡n¡nfn..... t\mhp¶p...."

" tZ C¸w hcpw.... "  Rm³ DucnbSn¨p ]®n.

" At¿m... F\n¡v... C¡nfn..... hcp¶p.....Hm....Hm....l..l.."

AhÄ ]pfªp C¡nfn sIm­p s]m«n Nncn¡m³ XpS§n. AhfpsS tbm\o `n¯nIÄ ho­pw apdpIn. AsXsâ Ip®bn _eambndp¡n. Fs¶bpw sIm­hfpsS Acs¡«p hnÃp t]mse s]m§n. ]ns¶ F\n¡p ]nSn¨p \n¡m³ ]ÁnbnÃ. Fsâ Acs¡«nepw t_mw_p s]m«n. kvt^mS\¯n\p tijw Ht¶m ct­m ASn am{Xta \S¶pÅp. Rm\dnbmsX Fsâ Ibv I´n \n¶pw amdn, \ne¯p Ip¯n \n¶p. R§sfmcpan¨p Xmtg¡aÀ¶p. AhfpsS tbm\nbpsS ASn¯«n Rm³ Fsâ Ip«t\ AaÀ¯n tNÀ¯p sh¨p. CSínSíp Ah\p ]m NoÁm\mbn am{Xw Acs¡«p sh«n¨p. NqSp ]m sIm­v B tbm\n Rm³ \nd¨p.

" Fs´mcp NqSmSm.. \nsâ ]men\n¶v..."

Ahsfs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ AhfpsS apJs¯íp hoWp InS¶p InX¨p. InX¸S§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯nbn«p tNmZn¨p.

" F´mSm.. samt\ .. sNIp¯m³ ]®p¶ t]msebmcp¶tÃm \nsâ Ifn... CsXhnS¶p ]Tn¨p...?..."

" AIs¯mgn¡Wsa¶v F´n\m ]dtª... hcp¯msX  Hgn¡m³ ]Ápthm..."

" F¶mepw \o Fs¶ shÅw IpSn¸n¨p IfªtÃmSm......F\n¡p c­p {]mhiyw h¶p. tlm.. Ifn¡m³ \o ]Tn¨p..."

AhÄ Fs¶ ho­pw D½ h¨p. R§Ä hnbÀ¯p Ipfn¨ncp¶p.

" Rm³ Ducn FSpt¯ms«..."

" C¨ntc t\cw AhnsS InSs¡Sm... "

Ipd¨p \nanjw R§Ä I®S¨p sI«n¸nSn¨p InS¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ hnfn¨p.

" kcsk¨o...?

" Mqw..."

" C¶te A½mh\pw AO\pw IqsS Ifn¨n«pw tN¨n¡p Cs¶´m s]s«¶p h¶Xp..."

" FSm... tamt\...." Ahsfm¶p \nÀ¯n.

" Mqw ....]d... F´p sIm­m...

" AhÀ¡p Rm³ shdpw tXhnSnÈnbmSm... Pohn¡m³ th­n.. thjw sI«nbhÄ... AhÀ¡p Fsâ kpJw {]iv\asÃSm... Hcp¯\pw.. Fsâ kpJw t\m¡nbn«nÃ.. Fsâ sXmfIÄ aXn AhÀ¡v..."

" F¶m ]ns¶ CX§p \nÀ¯n¡qsS.."

" \nÀ¯Ww... \n\s¡s¶ IqsS sIm­v t]mImthm... Asæn F\n¡p c£s]Sm³ ]Á¯nÃ. Rm³ Ah·mcpsS ASnabmbnt¸mbn. C\n F\n¡p c£bnÃ....... AXp  t]ms« Fsâ hn[n¡p hnt«cv.."  AhÄ InS¶p sIm­p I®p XpS¨p.

" Mm... C\n DucnsbSpt¯m.."

AhÄ ImeSp¸n¨p ]nSn¨p. ImÁp t]mb _eq¬ t]mse Fsâ Ip® B Imen¶nSbn \n¶qcn t]m¶p. Ipgªp ]Ánbncp¶ ip¢w Rm³ ap­n XpS¨p. hnSÀ¶ncp¶ B IS¸qdp Rm³ Ahkm\ambn H¶p IqSn t\m¡n¡­p. AhÄ ap­p t\scbn«p ap³ hiw sIm­v ]qdp XpS¨p.. »ukpw {_mbpw hen¨p Xmgv¯n. lp¡pIfn«p. Rm³ t\m¡n \n¡p¶Xp I­t¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp.

" \o s]mtím, Rm\nhnsS C¨nsc t\cw  InS¶n«p s]mtímfmw... Ahfn¸w \ns¶ sXc¡p¶p­mIpw... \o C§p ht¶..."

Rm³ ASp¯ncp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ Np­n AaÀ¯n D½ sh¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" Fs¶ ad¡cpXv... \ns¶ Rm³ Hcn¡epw ad¡¯nÃ. \n\¡p \ÃXp hcpw... Hs¯¦nÂ... \nsâ sIm¨ns\ Rm³ s]dpw.."

]ns¶ AhÄ apJw Xncn¨p InS¶p.

t]mcp¶ hgn Rm³ HmÀ¯p. thiybpw lrZbapÅ a\ÊpÅ a\pjy kv{Xo Xs¶. s]dm\pw t]mÁm\pw B{Kln¡p\hÄ, ]t£ {]khn¸n¡m³ NpaXes¸«hÀ Xncnªp t\m¡p¶nÃ. At¸m¸ns¶ hgnbn In«p¶hsâ sIm¨ns\ In«nbmepw aXn... Fs´mcp hntcm[m`mkw. \à sXm­n¸gw t]met¯ s]®p§Ä, AXpw XpWnbgn¨m ]qS t]mepw Ifbm\nÃm¯{X cknI³ Nc¡pIÄ ho«nepÅt¸mÄ Cu BWp§sf´n\m ]mhs¸«hsâ sNÁ s]m¡m\pw, I­ ]m­n¨nIfptSbpw tXhnSnÈnIfpsSbpw ]pdsIbpw t]mIp¶Xv. F\n¡p a\ÊnemIp¶nÃ.

ho­pw BtemNn¨t¸mÄ F\n¡p Xs¶¯m³ Nncn h¶p. Rm\mscbm IpÁw ]dbp¶Xv ? Ifn¡m³ I¿n¡n«nbmepw s]®nsâ hnbÀ¯ It£mw Ihbpw Imens¶Sbpw  aW¡p¶Xtà F\n¡p IqSpX Cãw. ]ns¶ Btc IpÁw ]dbm³ ?

 

Rm³ ho«n sNÃpt¼mÄ tN¨nbpw \mWnb½bpw ASp¡fbnÂ.  Djsb shfnbn I­nÃ. AO\pw A½mh\pw Ihebnteíp t]mbs{X.

" \o Fs´Sp¡phmcps¶Sm AhnsS..?..  tN¨n At\zjn¨p.

" Hm, B ]pÃp¼pd¯v sIS¶¸w \à kpJw... C¨nsc Hd§nt¸mbn.... Dj F´ntb..?.."

" Ahfp sIS¡phm.. hbdp thZ\.... "

" C¶es¯ jm¸pIdn ]nSn¨nÃmcn¡pw......" Rm³ ]dªp.

" sicnbm, F\n¡pw ]nSn¨nÃ..."  \mWnb½bpw k½Xn¨p.

tN¨n \mWnb½tb kq£n¨p t\m¡n. AhÀ Ft´m A_²w ]dª a«n Zqtcíp t\m¡n. tN¨n I¿nencp¶ Xhn Xmsgbn«n«p apdnbnteíp t]mbn. \mWnb½ H¶pw an­msX Idn Cf¡ns¡m­ncp¶p. Rm³ apdnbnteíp sN¶p. AhnsS XmSn¡p I¿pw sImSp¯v I«nen tN¨n, Dj InS¡p¶p. Fs¶ I­bpSs\ AhÀ kwkmcw \nÀ¯n.

" hbdp thZ\ F§s\bp­p .. Ipdhpt­m...? Rm³ tNmZn¨p.

Dj H¶p aqfn. Rm³ shfnbn h¶p Snhn sh¨p AXn t\m¡nbncp¶p.

D¨ shbnensâ ImTn\yw Ipdªt¸mÄ R§Ä ]pds¸Sms\mcp§n. AO³ _mKpIsfms¡ Xbmdm¡n. tN¨n Fsâbpw DjbpsSbpw XpWnIÄ _mKnem¡n Gån¨p. At¸mtgípw A½mh³ Hcp Imdpamsb¯n. Djsb tN¨n Xm§n]nSn¨v Imdnencp¯nbn«v AIt¯íp t]mbn. A½mh\pw AO\pw Imdn Ibdms\mcp§n. At¸mÄ tN¨n apdnbn \n¶pw Fs¶ hnfn¨p. Rm³ AIt¯íp sN¶p. AhÀ Fs¶ sI«n]nSn¨p, KmVambn Fs¶ BenwK\w sNbvXp, Fsâ Np­nepw apJ¯pw Hcp {`m´ntbs¸mse D½ sh¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp.

" \o C\n F¶m hcnI Fs¶\n¡dnb¯nÃ, Nnet¸mÄ Rm³ ChnsS ImW¯nÃmbncn¡p, Fs¶ ad¡cpXv...."

AhcpsS iÐw CSdnbncp¶p. hnjaw tXm¶nsb¦nepw Rm³ an­nbnÃ, {]iv\§Ä A{Xt¯mfw t]mIcptX `Khmt\ F¶p a\Ên B{Kln¨p. AhÀ Hcp s]mXn Fsâ I¿n G¸n¨p.

" CsX´m tN¨o..."

" Ipd¨p cq]bm... \n\¡p tlmÌen kz´w Bhiyw hcpt¼mÄ FSp¡mtÃm..."

" F\n¡p ss]kbà th­Xv... tN¨ntb HmÀ¡m³ Hcp Imcyw am{Xw.."

AhÀ Fs¶ tNmZycq]¯n t\m¡n. Rm³ AhcpsS kmcn s]m¡n, Ip¯nbncp¶v B Imen¶nSbnte¡p apJw tNÀ¯p, AhÀ ImeI¯n X¶p. Rm\hnSt¯ hnbÀ¸nsâ KÔw kmh[m\w aq¡nteíp hen¨p. F¶n«hnsS AaÀ¯n Hcp½bpw sImSp¯p. AhÀ Fs¶ ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. Fsâ Kpemsâ apIfn Ibv sh¨n«p I®p \ocn IpXnÀ¶ Hcp IpkrXn¨ncntbmsS ]dªp.

" tam³ H¯ncn kq£n¡Ww, Cht\ \nb{´n¡Ww, Csæn `mhnbn B]¯m...."

" FSm hnPbm..."

]pd¯p \n¶pw AOsâ hnfn. tN¨n Fs¶ H¶p IqSn D½ sh¨p, F¶n«p hmXn Xpd¶p.

 

Rm³ Imdn tIdn, kckphnsâ hoSnsâ hmXn¡ \mWnb½bpw kckphpw \nåp­mbncp¶p. Rm³ AhtcmSv I¿pbÀ¯n ÁmÁm ]dªp. kckp Nncn¨p sIm­v Ibv hoin.

" F´mcps¶Sm AhnsS..? \nâ½mbn¡p hnjaw Ht­m..." AO³ tNmZn¨p.

" H­v... .. ]ns¶ A½mbn Ipd¨p cq] X¶p..." Rm³ s]mXn AOt\ Gån¨p.

" th­, \o Xs¶ sht¨m...  AXymhiy¯n\p sNehm¡mw...." AO³ AXp Xncn¨p X¶p. Rm³ Xncnªv Djtb t\m¡n, AhÄ \nÀhnImcbmbn Ccn¡p¶p.

 

shfnbnte¡p Xebn«p Rm³ ]pdtIm«p t\m¡n. Ignª Iptd Znhk§fnembn F\n¡v Hcp ]pXnb amkvactemIw ImWn¨p X¶ B hoSpIfpw {Kmahpw s]mSn]Se§fn Ahyàambn AI¶p t]mbn. Rmt\mÀ¯p, C\nsb¶mWn§s\sbmcp Ah[n¡mew ho­pw D­mhpI.....?