A\p`h§tf \μn A`ncman " At½, tZ AO³ h¶q...." R§sf¡−bpS³ Cdb¯ncp¶p ]pkvXIw hmbn¨psIm−ncp¶ Ac¸mhmS¡mcn hnfn¨p]dªp sIm−v AIt¯tímSnt¸mbn. cmta«³ I¿nencp¶ IpS Cdb¯p−mbncp¶ Hcp I¼n Abbn Xq¡nbn«p. ]ns¶ Fsâ I¿nencp¶ k©n hm§n¨n«p apÁ¯p Xt¶ aSn¨p \n¶ Ft¶mSp ]dªp. " hm, tIdnhm.....At§m«ncn.... A½nWntb... FSo A½nWntb...." Xn®bn InS¶ XSn¡tkcbn Ccps¶m¶p hoins¡m−v AIt¯íp t\m¡n cmta«³ hnfn¨p. Ft¶ ASp¯p I− Itkc Nq−n¡mWn¨p. Rm³ sNdnb Xn®bn AcnInteíp amdn \n¶tX DÅp. BsI Hcp kt¦mNw, Hc¼c¸v. I¿nencp¶ FbÀ_mKp Xmsg sh¨p. " Ftf½ shÅw sIm−cm³ t]mbXm AOm... " AI¯p \n¶pw thsdmcp Aåw IqSn aq¯Xv, Infn\mZw tI«p. " tamfn§p ht¶... CXIt¯m«p sIm−p shív...." " Zm...hcp¶Om...." ho−pw Infn\mZw. ]pdtI AXnsâ DSabpw hmXn¡ XeImWn¨p. cmta«sâ I¿n \n¶pw k©n hm§pt¼mgmbncp¶p Xn®bcnIn \n¶ Ft¶ I−Xv. I− ]msS AhfpsS apJs¯mc¼c¸pw AhnizmkyXbpw. Np−n Fsâ t]cp¨cníp¶Xnsâ ASbmfhpw "cm..Pm...a...Wn.....". Fsâbpw a\Ên hnkvabw. Hcp \nanjw Ft¶¯t¶ t\m¡n\n¶ B apJw Ip\nªp. asÁs´ms¡tbm hnImc§Ä B apJ¯p {]Xn^en¨p. " \osb´mSo angn¨p t\m¡pt¶... CXv \½sS cmPp Xs¶bm tamtf...." " F\nídnbmw... ap¼p h¶¸w Rm³ I−XmWtÃm....." AhfpsS ]ndIn \n¶ IetamÄ ]dªp. " Mqw... F\nídnbmw...." apJapbÀ¯msX Xt¶ AhÄ, A`ncman adp]Sn ]dªp. " F¦n.. ... tamfp sN¶v Im¸n FSpt¯m−p hm... cmPphn\pw sImSp¡v.... Ch³ C\n ]co£ Ignbp¶Xp htc ChntSbm \ním³ t]mWXv...." A`ncman AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. IetamÄ Fs¶ t\m¡n ]dªp. " cmPpA¦nÄ C¶mft¯Xnepw XSn sh¨p... A¦nfnsâ aoiípw \à I«nbm...." Ahsfs¶ AwK{]XywKw hnebncp¯p¶Xp t]mse t\m¡n. " Mqw.... C³kvs]ÎdmIm³ t\m¡p¶ BftÃ... shey aoi thWw.... F¶m.... Rm\o thjsams¡ H¶p amds«... \o tIdn CcnsíSm tamt\... FSm...CXv \nsâ hoSmsW¶p Xt¶ hnNmcnt¨mWw ..tIt«m......." ]dªn«v cmta«³ AIt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ Xn®bn Itkcbn Ibdn Ccp¶p. H¶chÀjw ap¼p I− BtX hoSpw NpÁp]mSpIfpw Hcp amÁhpanÃ. Asæn Xs¶ kÀ¡mcm¸oknte Hcp KpakvX\v s]s«s¶´p amÁw hcp¯m³ ]Ápw. A¶p Rm³ h¶t¸mgpw A`ncmantb I−n«nÃ. ]t£ \mephÀjw ap¼p I− A`ncmanbà Chfnt¸mÄ. kn\nam\Sn tPymXnIbpsS icoc]pãn, AsXmÁ t\m«¯n Xt¶ a\Ênemhp¶{X XpÅn¯pfp¼p¶ buh\w. XSn¨p hnSÀ¶ Np−pIÄ¡v Cs¶mcp bphXnbpsS amZIXzw ssIh¶ncníp¶p. FSp¯p Ip¯nb kmcníp Xmsg I− shfp¯ IW¦mepIÄ AhfpsS ta\nbpsS \nd¯nsâ Hcp km¼nÄ am{Xw. Aekambn sI«nsh¨ncníp¶ apSn. Chsf´p am{Xw amdn. ]t£ Ft¶mSpÅ kao]\w F´mbncnípw. AtXm ]gbXnsâ _m¡nbmIptam, F¦n ChnsS Ignªp IqSp¶Xv Hcp hoÀ¸pap«embncnípw. " A¦ntf, Im¸n... ]mep XoÀ¶p t]mbn... AO³ C{X t\cs¯ hcq¶dnªnÃ...." Ie I«³Im¸n ¥mkv Fsâ t\tc \o«ns¡m−p ]dªp. AXp hm§n sam¯n¡pSníp¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " IetamÄ GXp ¢mÊnem ]Tníp¶Xv...? " knIvkn¯nÂ.... " " tN¨ntbm....?

" tN¨n ]Tn¯w \nÀ¯n... C¸w I¼yq«dp ]Tním³ t]mIphm..." " FhnsSbm...? " SuWnÂ....F¶pw CÃ... Bgvt¨ aq¶p Znhkw.... A¦nsf´n\m ChnsS \ním³ t]mtW...?.." At§m«p IS¶p h¶ AO\mWXn\p¯cw ]dªXv. " AtX... Cu A¦nfnt\.... AhcsS \m«o¶v tImtfPn h¶p t]mIm³ kuIcyw sImdhm... c−p _kp amdnt¡dp¼w.. ]Tním³ t\canÃ.... ]co£sím¯ncn ]Tníms\mÅXtÃ... " Hgnª ¥mkpambn IetamÄ AIt¯íp t]mbn. " \obm... _msKSp¯v X¡mew B Nmbv¸n shív... kuIcyw Hs¡ ]ns¶ D−m¡mw.... A`o.... tamtf A`o...." " F´mÑm...?" AI¯p \n¶pw A`ncman hnfntI«p. " tamfm.. Nmbvs¸m¶p hr¯nbm¡ntí... B Nm¡psIs«ms¡ thtd FhnsSsb¦nepw FSp¯p shív....." " sicnbOm...." " At¿m... th−... AsXm¶pw amÁ−.... Rm³ Xt¶ hr¯nbm¡ntímfmw... " Rm³ hne¡n. " Mm.... HÅ kuIcy¯ns\ms¡ Ignªp IqSv.... Mm...NqS¯v bm{X IgnªXtÃ..... thtW tXm«n t]mbn Ipfnt¨m.... tXm«ph¡t¯ InWÁnte C¸w shÅapÅq.... th\etÃ... tXm«n C¸w thtW H¶p ap§mw...sImtd Ignªm.. AXpw HW§pw...." cmta«³ ]pdt¯índ§n. Rm³ CSXphit¯ Nmbv¸nteíp tIdn _mKv Hcp aqebn sh¨p. sNdnb Hcp Nmbv¸v. ]pdw Xn®bn \n¶pw Bbncp¶p AXnsâ hmXnÂ. H¶p c−p Nm¡psI«pIÄ AhnsS Ccp¶Xv HccpInteív Rm³ HXp¡n sh¨p. At¸mtgípw Hcp Nqepambn A`n h¶p. Ft¶¡−v H¶p i¦n¨p \n¶p, Fsâ apJt¯íhÄ t\m¡nbnÃ. Rm³ sasà HccnInteíp amdn\n¶p. AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡msX Xt¶ Nphcnepw NpÁnepw DÅ amdme X«n¡fbm³ XpS§n. " B Nqen§p Xt¶íq.... Rm³ Xt¶ sNbvtXmfmw....." Rm³ ]dªp. H¶p Nn´n¨n«v AhÄ Nq AhnsS Nmcnsh¨p. ]ns¶ ]pdt¯íp t]mIpIbpw sNbvXp. Rm³ kabw IfbmsX s]mSnsbms¡ Xq¯p hmcn¡fªp. Hcp sNdnb I«n D−mbncp¶Xnsâ ¹mÌn¡p sI«nbXv ]ebnS¯pw s]m«nt¸mbncp¶p. D]tbmKnímsX InS¶ apdnbmbncp¶p AXv Fs¶\níp a\Ênembn. _mKp Xpd¶v tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. tXm«nteípÅ hgn F\nídnbmambncp¶p. tXm«nteíp \S¡p¶ hgn Rm³ BtemNn¨p. Fsâsbmcp KXntISv. Asæn hÃhtcbpw B{ibntí−n hcpambncpt¶m. hn[n A]IS¯nsâ cq]¯n Fsâ AOt\ X«nsbSp¯nÃmbncps¶¦nÂ, Fsâ A½ív Bkvambpw henhpw h¶nÃmbncps¶¦nÂ. IrjvW³Ip«n F¶ t]meokpImcsâ Cu aI\v, tIihs\¶ ao³XcIsâ sIm¨ptam\v, Ahsâ AOsâ Bibmbncp¶ C³kvs]ÎÀ F¶ ]Zhn _p²nap«nÃmsX t\SnsbSp¡mambncp¶p. IS¸pdt¯ ]W¡mc\mb ao³XcIsâ tamfmb KuXanív kvt\ln¨ ]pcpjsâ IqsS Pohním³ Cd§n¯ncn¨p F¶ IpÁ¯n\v \mSp hntS−n hcpambncpt¶m. ]W¡mscÃmhcpw {Iqc·mcpw IqSnbmsWs¶\níp tXm¶p¶p. `mcybpsS AOsâ I¬sh«¯p \n¶pw HmSnt¸m¶ Xsâ AO\v Cu cmta«³ A¶v tPmensNbvX kvYe¯v hmSsímcp Iq\m¨n Xcs¸Sp¯nbXv shdpw kvt\l_Ôhpw ]ns¶ AXymhiyw Ipd¨p IS¸mSnsâbpw t]cnembncp¶p. C¸gn¸gmbn B klmb¯nsâ t]cn hn[hbmb A½ív cmta«sâ t]cptNÀ¯v A]am\w klntí−n hcp¶p. buh\w hn«pt]mIm¯ kvt\lnXsâ hn[htb klmbníp¶Xv km[phmb cmta«sâ sNdp¸¡mcnbmb c−mw `mcyív klnímhp¶Xnepw A¸pdambncp¶p. hà \nhr¯nbpap−mbncps¶¦n A½ ao³Ip« Npa¶v Xt¶ tlmÌen Abípambncp¶p. ]mhw Fsâ A½, Hcp KXnbpanÃmsX h¶t¸mÄ cmta«t\mSv H¶p kqNn¸n¨tX DÅp. acp¶p hm§m³ klmbníp¶Xp IqSmsX, aI\p ]co£ív ]Tns¨gpXm³ Hcp kuIcyw FhnsSsb¦nepw tImtfPn\Sp¯v sNbvXp sImSp¡Wsa¶v A½ kt¦mNt¯msS ]dªp. Xsâ ho«nembnt¡ms« F¶p cmta«³ \nÊwkbw ]dªt¸mÄ A½ tNmZn¨p.

" imcZínãmIptam Bthm...?..." " AXp t\m¡nbn«v ImcyanÃ... Ah\p Ignhps−¦n Ahtf F§s\sb¦nepw hi¯m¡n Imcyw ImWWw... aqt¶m \mtem amkt¯ Imcytà DÅp...." AXp tI« Rm³ ]dªp. " th−t½... Rm³ ChnsS \n¶pw t]mbn h¶p ]Tnt¨mfmw...." " Fsâ tamt\... \à amÀ¡p In«nbnsænÂ..... \nâѳ Bin¨ tPmenív At]£ t]mepw sImSp¡m³ ]Á¯nsÃSm... \o klnív... imcZ... ]mhm... hÃXpw ]dªmepw \ob§p tI«nÃm¶p ht¨cv..." " C\nsbm¶pw t\m¡m\nÃ... shÅnbmgv¨ D¨Igo¼w Rm³ hcmw... cmPq...\o ... Hcp§n \nt¶mWw..." A§s\ Rm³ Fsâ Hcp i{Xphnsâ ho«n A`bw tXSnbncníp¶p. imcZm½ív Cãs¸SnÃ. ]ns¶ A`ncmanbpsS Imcyw. AhfpsS a\Ênencps¸´mtWm Bthm. \mep hÀjw ap¼mbncp¶p, AOsâ A]ISap−mIp¶Xns\mcp amkw ap¼v, R§Ä IpSpw_ktaXw cmta«sâ ho«nse¯nbXv. F{X kt´mjIcamb Hcp Znhkambncp¶p. AO\pw cmta«\pw IqSn Hcp {_m−n¡p¸nbpsS AS¸p Xpd¡m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm\pw A`ncmanbpw sXmSnbnteínd§n. IetamÄ A½bpsS kmcn¯p¼n Xq§n F´nt\m \S¡p¶p. I®nam§m FdnªnSm³ th−nbmWp ]d¼nteínd§nbXv, F¶n«v D¸pw Iq«n Xn¶m³ FÃmw IcpXnbmWnd§nbXv. ]mhmSbpw »ukpaWnª, Iuamc¯nsâ amZIsam«pIÄ amd¯v »uknt\ Ip¯n¯pfím³ XpS§nb, Hcp Inep¡mw s]«nbmbncp¶p A¶v A`ncman.. aoi apf¨v, iÐw I\¯p XpS§nb, AXymhiyw hmWaSn XpS§nb, DÁIq«pImc³ N{μ\psam¯v Aåkzåw Ipcp¯t¡SpIÄ ImWním³ XpS§nb, Fsâ a\Ên AhtfmsSmcp {]tXyI IuXpIw ]t− Xt¶ DSseSp¯ncp¶p. IhnfpIÄ¡p XpSp¸p XpS§n, N´nIÄ¡p Ipep¡w XpS§n. \o−p ]n¶nb apSn I¿nseSp¯v A½m\amSns¡m−v hmtXmcmsX AhÄ ]dªp sIm−ncp¶Xv tIÄ¡mt\ At¸mÄ F\níp ]Ápambncp¶pÅp. A§s\ InepInse Nne¨psIm−v Fs¶bpw Iq«n amhn³ Nph«nteíp t]mIpt¼mgmWhÄ I−Xv, ]d¼nsâ AcnIn \n¡p¶ Cep¼n¸pfnbpsS apIÄ`mK¯v apgp¯ aq¶mep ]pfn¡peIÄ. " t\mt¡y... cmPq... ap«³ ]pfn... CXv s]s«¶p hepXmbtÃm..." AhfpsS \mhn shÅaqdn. " thtWm....?...F¶m Rm³ tIdn ]dn¨p Xcmw..." " Hm.... CXns\\nímcptSw klmbw th−..... CXv ]dním³ Rm³ [mcmfw... cmPq am§m Fdnªn«m aXn.... " " At¿....s]®p§fp act¯ tIdpthm..?.." " F´m s]®p§fp tIdnbmev..?.. F\nínsXms¡ Hcp ckm..." " F¦n tIdn ]dnt¨mfq..." AhÄ s]s«¶v ASp¯p InS¶ sh«nbn« Hcp sX§n³ aSseSp¯v ]pfnac¯n Nmcnsh¨p. ]ns¶ emLht¯msS ]pfnbn ]nSn¨p Ibdn. " At¿m... \o Hcp acwtIdns¸®mWtÃm Fsâ A`o.... t¿m...tIdp¶ I−ntà ...A®m³ tIdp¶ t]mse...." " Mm... Ignªmgvt¨w Rm\m CtX¶p tIdn¸dnt¨... AXv apgph\pw Ftf½ A¨mdnSptIw sNbvXp...." ho¼nf¡ns¡m−v AhÄ Hcp Ipe ]dn¨p XmtgínSm³ Hcp§nbn«v ]ns¶ th−m¶p sh¨p. " Xmtgínt«mfq... " Nph«n \n¶p apIfnteíp t\m¡n Rm³ ]dªp. " th−....sheyXm...NXªp t]mIpw.... Hcp Imcyw sN¿mw... cmPp Nph«o¶v C¨ntc amdn \nt¶....." " F´n\m...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp ]dbmw... amdntí...." Rm³ A\pkcn¨p Aåw Zqsc amdn\n¶p. hÃm¯ s]®v. Rm³ amdn¡gnªt¸mÄ AhÄ \ndapÅ henb ]mhmS ap«phtc s]m¡n aS¡n ]ns¶ ASn¸mhmS aS¡n Acbn Ip¯n BWp§Ä ap−p aS¡n¡p¯p¶Xp t]mse. A¼Sn IÅo, kq{X¡mcn Xt¶. ASnbn H¶pw DSp¯p ImW¯nÃ. Rm³ t\tc Iotg \n¶p tatem«p t\m¡nbm AhfpsS ImWm¡pf§sc apgph\pw ImWpatÃm. AXn\mbncnípw Ft¶mSp amdn \n¡m³ ]dªXv. sÈ, \à Hcp Nm³kmbncp¶p.

Xebpw apebpw hfcm³ XpS§nb s]®nsâ clky`mK§Ä H¶v ImWm³ ]Ántbt\. Hcp Znhkt¯ hmWaSnípÅ hI Btbt\. {]tXyIn¨v ChfptS sam«nSp¶ buh\w Hcpt\m¡p ImWm³ ]Ánsb¦n AXp a\Ên k¦ån¨psIm−mhp¼w IqSpX ckamtbt\. Mm, t]ms«, X¡mew tbmKanÃm¶p hnNmcnímw. ]dn¨ Ipe AhÄ ASn¸mhmSbpsS aS¡nteín«p. " A`nív _p²nsbmt−... k½Xn¨ncníp¶p.... " Rm³ k½Xn¨p. " Mm...A§s\ k½Xnív... ]pfnsbm«p NXb¯panÃ... \à ]mhmtS Id ]ÁptIanÃ..." Rm³ Nq−n¡mWn¨p sImSp¯ IpeIfpĸsS AhÄ ]dn¨v shfp¯ ASn¸mhmSbpsS aS¡nen«p. " aXn.... C\n Fd§nt¸mcv.... " Rm³ ]dªp. F\nív Cep¼n¸pfn A{X CãaÃ. am§m Fdnªp Xn¶Ww. " Mm...C\nsbmÅXv hepXmhs«....At¶cw ]dnímw...." BßKXt¯msS AhÄ Aåw Xmtgínd§n. " ]Xps¡ Gd§tW... CtàXpWn Ncnªv ]pfn Xmsg t]mIpw.... Rm³ ]nSnímw... " " th− th−... tIdm\dnbmsa¦n....Fd§m\padnbmw.....tIt«m kmtd..." Fsâ klmbhmKvZm\w AhÄ \nckn¨p. Xmtgínd§n, Hcp A©Sntbmfw s]m¡¯nembn. " tZ t\m¡ntím....h¬...Áq...{Xo....." ]dbpIbpw AhÄ Xmtgíp NmSpIbpw Hcpan¨mbncp¶p. " At¿m.... ât½... " AhÄ Xmsg h¶p \n¶Xv Hcp \nehnfntbmsSbmbncp¶p. IqSmsX Hcp hÃm¯ \nebnepw. AhfpsS B \nebnepÅ cq]w acn¨mepw Fsâ a\Ên \n¶pw ambpIbnÃ. Xmtgíp NmSp¶ hgn, Aåw IpS t]mse hnSÀ¶ ]mhmSIÄ c−pw ]pfnac¯nsâ HSnªpW§n apIfnteív AÁw \o−p\n¶ Hcp sNdnb I¼n DS¡n. ""]ÀÀÀÀÀ"" F¶ iÐt¯msS ]mhmS Iodnsb¦nepw henb ]mhmSbpsS Xbn¨ ASn`mKw IodmsX I¼n DS¡n apIfnteíp henªp \n¶p. ]pfn apgph³ Xmsg hoWp NnXdn. Fsâ I¿nencp¶ D¸nsâbpw apfInsâbpw ISemkps]mXnbpw Rm\dnbmsX Xmsg t]mbn. A`ncman At¸mÄ \n¶tXm, ]mhmS c−pw apgph\pw s]m§n hbdp htc \ábmbn«pw. H¶p ]I¨ AhÄ¡v ka\ne In«m³ Hcp \nanjsaSp¯p. AXn\pÅn B kpμcZriyw Fsâ a\Ênsâ Iymadm kvYncambn ]IÀ¯n. \à XpSpXpSp¯ c−p sh®¯pSIÄ Aåw AI¶v Hcp Im apt¼m«pw H¶p ]pdtIm«pw. tKmX¼nsâ \nd¯n AhfpsS Ipdn¨n ImepIÄ¡nSbn XpSn¨pbÀ¶p \n¶p. ImeI¯n \n¶XpsIm−v AXnsâ hnÅ \à `wKnbmbn ImWmambncp¶p. Aåw AI¶p t]mb B hnShnsâ taÂ`mK¯v Hcp sam«nsâ AÁw ImWmambncp¶p. Ct¸msg\nídnbmw, AXhfpsS Ipªn¡´nsâ A{Kambncp¶p. Rmdp hnXdnb t]mse apIÄ`mK¯p \n¶pw NmªpInS¡p¶ Idp¯ XebpbÀ¯n¯pS§nb Kplytcma§Ä Ip\pIp\m InS¡p¶p. AXnsâ Idp¸pOmb XpSIfpsS CShtc hym]n¨ncp¶p. B XfnÀIpdn¨nbpsS {XntImW¯n\åw apIfnembn Hcp shÅnbcªmWw, AXnsâ Bene¯men CSwXpSbn ]Án¡nS¶mSp¶p. B XmenbpsS AtX BIrXnXt¶ AhfpsS XpSbnSp¡n\pw B In®¯¸w t]msebpÅ \Sp Iodnb kmam\¯n\pw.. BenebpsS BIrXn. Acs¡«n Xmtgsímcp Iodeps−¦n Xmenbn Hcp hcbp−mbncp¶p. HXp§nb hbdn\p Xmsg hnSÀ¶ shfp¯ hoXnbpÅ Acs¡«v. B Imgv¨ I− Fsâ a\Ên kpμcamb Hcp sR«Â. Hcp an¶ånWÀ Fsâ Xet¨mdn \n¶pw Acs¡«nteíp ]mªp. sk¡âpItfmfw Rm³ A`nbpsS B at\mlcamb \áamb hnScp¶ aZ\mcmaw, Hcp {KmaoWs¸¬Ipcp¶nsâ hnScp¶ Kply`mK§fpsS at\mlcaamb lcw ]Icp¶ Imgv¨, t\m¡n \n¶p t]mbn. " At¿m... Fsâ cmPq... Ct§m«p t\m¡tÃ.... Xncnªp \n¡qt¶....Ct¿m... F\níp h¿... Fât½..."..." A`nbpsS Ic¨n Fsâ a\Ênt\ X«nbpWÀ¯n. s]s«¶hÄ c−p IbvsIm−pw AhfpsS Ih¡nS s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶ XesNcn¨v tXmf¯psh¨v I®S¨v Icbm³ XpS§n. Rm³ AhfpsS apJ¯p t\m¡ns¡m−v apt¼m«Sp¯p. Ahtf act¯mSp tNÀ¯p \nÀ¯n ]mhmS apdn¡¼n \n¶pw s]m¡nsbSp¡m³ t\m¡n. CSív Rm³ Xe ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨v B at\mlcamb N´nIfpsS ]Sw Fsâ a\Ên ]Xn¸ním³ ad¶nÃ. F{X an\pkamb BIrXnsbm¯ Ip−nIÄ H¶p ]nSn¨p sR¡m³ a\Êpw

IbvIfpw Xcn¨p. ]mhmS DuÀ¶p t]m¶nÃ, ]ÁnbnÃ, AXp henªp Xt¶ \n¶p. ]mhmS hen¨pIodn ]dním³ F\nít¸mÄ _p²n tXm¶nbnÃ. Rm³ Ahtf CSXpIbv sIm−v Fsâ s\t©mSp tNÀ¯v sI«n¸nSn¨v apIfnteíp s]m¡n. AXn\pÅ BtcmKyw A¶pw F\níp−mbncp¶p. At¸mgpw AhÄ IhínS s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. AhfpsS \Sphn Ibv tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsS icocw Fsâ IípÅn \n¶pw DuÀ¶p t]mbn. B hnScm³ XpS§p¶ amdnte amXfsam«pIÄ Fsâ amdnepckn. sh{]mf¯n\nSbnepw Fsâ s\©n Hcp Ipfnc\p`qXnbp−mbn. B A\p`qXn thdn« Hcp kpJambn Fsâ a\Ên C¶pw D−v. ho−pw Aåw Xmtgíncp¶n«v AhfpsS \áamb Ip−nIÄ Iq«n c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw Rm³ Ahtf s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. B Ip−nIfpsS NqSpw abhpw Fsâ tZl¯p tcmam©ap−m¡n. " ]mhmtSsS HSs¡Sp¡v..." Rm³ ]dªp. kmam\w s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v AhÄ DSs¡Sp¡m³ t\m¡n. ]cn{`aw sIm−v H¶pw \S¡p¶nÃ. " At¿m AXp hcp¶nÃm...." AhÄ IcªpsIm−v ]dªp. " c−p Ibv sIm−pw FSp¡v...." AhÄ atÁ I¿pw ap³hi¯p \n¶pw FSp¯p. sNcnªp \n¶v AhÄ c−p IbvsIm−pw ]mhmSbpsS AÁw apIfnteíp hen¨v hnSphn¨p. A{Xbpw kabw AhfpsS Ih¡nSbpsS NqSpw an\pkhpw jÀ«nsâ apIfn IqSnbmsW¦nepw Rms\sâ hbdn Adnªp, BkzZn¨p. " I«n¸mhmSbmbXpsIm−m... AtàIodnt¸mt¶t\..." AhfpsS Acs¡«nte RmdphnX¨ aZ\¸mSw Fsâ tZl¯pc¨v Ahtf Xmsg \nÀ¯p¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ]dªXhÄ {i²n¨nÃ. Xmsg \nÀ¯m¯ Xmakw AhÄ Icªp sImt−mSn. Rm³ ]pdtI HmSns¡m−v hnfn¨p ]dªp. " IcbmsX t]m... htÃmcpw ImWpw...." AXp tI« AhÄ apÁ¯nsâ AcnIn \n¶psIm−v ]mhmS s]m¡n apJw XpS¨p. ]ns¶ AIt¯íp HmSn¡bdnt¸mbn. R§Ä t]mIm\nd§p¶Xp htc ]ns¶ AhÄ Fsâ ap¼n h¶nÃ. Cd§pt¼mÄ AO³ hnfn¨p. " A`ntamsft´y... " " B... Ahfm ..AcIÃnsâ tNm«n Ip¯nbncníp¶p...." Cfb½ ]dªp. " At¿m tam¡p s]W¡mtWm... F¦n R§fp t]mIp¶nÃ.... Atà \obpw IqsS At§m«p t]mcv...." AO³ hnNmcn¨Xv R§Ä t]mIp¶ hnjawsIm−v AhÄ amdn CcnípIbmsW¶mbncp¶p. FÃmhcpw Cd§n apÁ¯cnIn sN¶t¸mgpw Rm³ ]pdtIm«p henªp \n¶v t\m¡n, Ahsf Hcp t\m¡p ImWm³. Ahft¸mÄ Zm, ]pdInes¯ hmXn IS¶p hcp¶p. " A`o... R§fp t]mIphm.... " Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. s]s«¶hÄ HmSn Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. ]ns¶ CS\mgnbn \n¶pw Xe]pdt¯ín«v NpÁpw t\m¡n. F¶n«p KZvKZt¯msS ]dªp. " cmPp.... BtcmSpw ]dbtÃ.... H¶pw Is−¶mtcmSpw ]dbtÃ...." AhÄ hnXp¼m³ XpS§n. " CÃ`o...Rm³ ]db¯nÃ...." " kXymbn«pw ]dbtÃ.... Fsâ s]m¶p cmPphtÃ..." At¸mtgípw AhÄ Icªp t]mbn. " CsÃt¶... IcbmsX... Ftft½w Hs¡ ImWpw..." " Mqw..." AhÄ I®p XpS¨p. " aXnsbSm... bm{X ]dªXv.... Ah¡ht\ shey Imcym..." AO³ ]dªpsIm−v cmta«sâ tXmf¯p X«n. Ftf½bpw A¶p Nncn¨p. apÁ¯nsâ ]Snbnd§pt¼mÄ A¶v hmXnåSn Nmcn t\m¡n \n¡p¶ B hnjmZcq]w I−pt]mbXn ]ns¶ C¶mWp Rm³ A`ncmantb ImWp¶Xv. AhÄ¡nt¸mÄ AXp hÃXpw HmÀ½bp−mIptam. AtXm Ft¶mSp tZjyambncníptam.

\\ª tXmÀ¯psIm−v Xe H¶p IqSn XphÀ¯n apÁt¯íp tIdpt¼mÄ AI¯p \n¶pw hmZ{]XnhmZw. Xn®bn IetamÄ am{Xw. " F¶mepw \n§sft´m hnNmcnt¨m−m a\ptjt\... ChnsS {]mbw XnIª c−p s]¼ntÅscms−¶§p adt¶m... Ah\msW¦n ... Hscm¯ BWpw..." " FSo... Ah³ \Ãh\m..." cmta«sâ kzcw. " Mqw..Mqw... Cã¡mcosS ]p¶mc tam\tÃ... F´n\m sImdípt¶... tamtf ]nSn¨§p sImSp¡v... Hcp ]tcm]Imcn..." " th−n h¶m Rm\Xpw sN¿pw.... \o an−msX Rm³ ]td¶Xp tI«m aXn... B sNdp¡\n¸w hcpw.. Ah³ tI¡−..." " tI«m... F\níp ..tZ...atÁXm.... F´m¶m sN¿v... Ahkm\w... tamfp t]cptZmjw tI¸n¨m... " Ftf½bpsS kzcw. " At½ A¦nfp Ipfnt¨¨p h¶p...." Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. AtXmsS AI¯p \n¶pÅ kwkmcw \n¶p. Fsâ a\Êp hÃmsX Iepjambn. AhÀ ]dbp¶Xpw icnbtÃ. Rms\mscm¯ ]pcpj³. Fsâ icocw I−m GXp s]®pw sImXn¨pt]mIpw. AOsâ B{Kl{]Imcw, t]meokn tNÀ¡m³ Fsâ A½ Iãs¸«p ]pãns¸Sp¯nb icocw. ao³Ip« Npa¶pw, tImgnItf hfÀ¯nbpw, ]Xn\©pskâpÅ hmSI¸pcbnS¯n ]iphnt\ hfÀ¯nbpw, ]¨¡dnIÄ IrjnsNbvXpw, F´n\v, AbÂ]¡t¯ ]d¼n ]m«¯n\p ac¨o\n Irjn sNbvXpw A½ F\níp th−n Iãs¸«p. ]mepw ap«bpw Xns¶sâ icocw sImgp¯p. ]d¼n Inf¨pw IrjnsNbvXpw Fsâ aknepIÄ _es¸«p. Nnet¸msgms¡ A½ ]dbpambncp¶p. " \nâ³Osâ s]³j³ D−mbncps¶¦n Rm\nt{Xw Iãs¸S¯nÃmbncp¶p. DÅXpsIm−v Iªnsh¨v c−p t]cpw IqSn HXp§ntbt\. C¸w Fsâ tam³ anSp¡\mbn..... \o ]Tn¯w Hcníepw Dg¸cpXv.... A½tb k¦Ss¸Sp¯cpXv... AOsâ Bßmhnt\bpw...." C¶p htc Rm\\pkcn¨p. AOsâ A]ISacW¯nsâ ZpcqlX aqew s]³j³ XSªp sh¨ncnípIbmWv. tIknsâ ]pdtI t]mIm³ A½íp t\canÃ, Ct¸mÄ h¿. Hcp h¡oens\ G¸n¨n«p−v, hcp¼w hcs«, F¶p hnNmcn¨v Pohníp¶p. Rm³ t\tc Nmbn¸nteíp t]mbn. apSn NoIn, Hcp _\nb\pan«v ]pkvXIhpsaSp¯v t\tc ]d¼nteíp \S\p. kzkvXambns«mcnS¯ncp¶m Ipds¨¦nepw ]Tnímw. B«pw Xp¸pw t\cnSm³ Xbmdmbn Xs¶bmWp h¶Xv. ]t£ A`ncmanbpsS AhKW\ Xt¶ hnjan¸níp¶p. Ct§m«p hdm³ ]pds¸«t¸mÄ a\Ênsâ DÅn A`ncmansb¶ kpμcnbpsS kmao]yw In«patÃm F¶ Hcmizmkw D−mbncp¶p. Fsâ ]pdtI Iebpw Cd§n h¶p. " A¦nsfhnsSt¸mIphm..?..." IebpsS tNmZyw. " ]d¼nsehnsSsb¦nepw t]mbncp¶p hmbním³ t]mIphm tamtf...." " apdoencp¶p ]Tn¨qtS...?..." " ]Tnímw... F¶mepw CXm kpJw..." " F¦n Rm\pw hcmw... " " th−, tamfp apdoencp¶p ]Tnt¨m..." " CÃ, Rm\pw hcpIm... AhnSncp¶m.. AO\pw At½w IqsS F¸gpw H¨ sht¨m−ncnípw..." R§Ä apÁ¯p \n¶pw sXmSnbnteínd§n. At¸mgmsW\ntímÀ½ h¶Xv. Cep¼n¸pfnacw. Rm³ t\tc At§m«p \S¶p. acw Ipd¨pIqSn hepXmbn. ]t£ inJc§Ä apdn¨p Ifªncníp¶p. Ipd¨ps]m¡¯n sh¨p apdn¨pIfª Xmbv¯Snbn \n¶pw apf¨n«pÅ inJc§fn \ndtb Nph¶ ]q¡fpw ]¨\nd¯n XpSp¯ ImbvIfpw. Rm³ t\m¡n \n¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ Ie tNmZn¨p. " A¦nÄ Cep¼n¸pfn Xn¶pthm... thW¦n XÃnbnSmw.. tZ AhnsS tXm«nbncns¸m−v..." " th−.... C¸w CXmcm ]dníp¶Xv...?..." " ]s−ms¡ tN¨n tIdn¸dníphmcp¶p.... Hcntí.. tIdntb¨nd§nb¸w... ]mhmSsbmS¡n hoWp... AXn¸ns¶ tN¨n tIdptIe.... R§fp XÃnbnSpw..." ac¨o\n \«ncp¶ B ]d¼nsâ AcnIn \n¡p¶ Hcp sX§n³ Nph«n ]pÃn³ ]pd¯v Rm³ Nmcnbncp¶p ]pkvXIw Xpd¶p. an\n Aåt\cw AhnsSbpanhnsS

t\m¡nbn«v Fsâ AcnIn Xs¶ sX§n Nmcnbncp¶p. R§Ä an−msX hmb\ XpS§n. ]t£ Ieív Ccn¸pdíp¶nÃ. Rm\t¸mgmWhtf {i²n¨Xv. ]mhmSbpw »ukpan« ]gb A`nbpsS ]pXnb XSn¨ ]Xn¸v. A`ntb¡mÄ XpSp¯ apJw. \à XSn, Xpfp¼p¶ apeIfmsW¦nepw XSnbpÅXn\m thdn«p ImWníp¶nÃ. Ie F¶mWp t]sc¦nepw amdnsâbpw icoc¯nsâbpw sskkv amIvkn Xt¶. ]pÃn³]pd¯v \o«nsh¨ncp¶ Hcp Im aS¡nbn«v AhÄ Ac¸mhmS amÁn H¶p sNmdnªp. Ddpt¼m atÁm Bhmw. At¸mgmsWsâ I®pIÄ AhfpsS XSn¨ XpSIfn ]XnªXv. ap«pbÀ¯n sh¨t¸mÄ \oe¸mhmSbpw AXn\Snbnte s]Ánt¡m«pw Achtc DuÀ¶p InS¶p. Ct¸mÄ t\tc AhfpsS ap¼n sN¶p \n¶m AhfpsS jÍnbpw XpSbnSp¡pw ImWmw. Rms\m¶p k¦åním³ t\m¡n. XSn¨p tNÀ¶ XpSIfpsS CSbn aqe aS§nNpfp§n InS¡p¶ jÍn. tcma§Ä hfcm³ XpS§n¡mWWw, ImcWw, Imensâ ap«n\p Xmsg \oe¨ tcma§Ä kar²nbmbn«p−v. sX§n Nmcnbncp¶t¸mÄ Aåw Npfp§nbI¶ Abª »uknsâ CSbneqsS s]Ánt¡m«nsâ shfp¸pw apeIfpsS DbÀ¨bpw ImWmw. ieyw, H¶pw hmbn¡m³ ]Áp¶nÃ. Cu s]s¦ms¨´n\msWsâ ]pdtI \S¡p¶Xv. ASn`mK¯nsâ k¦åhpw, apIÄ`mK¯nsâ Zriyhpw IqSn, Fsâ Acs¡«nteípÅ càtbm«w Iq«n. " Ddps¼ms−¶p tXm¶p¶p..." Ie XpSIÄ sNmdnªpsIm−p ]dªp. " F¦n...tamfp ho«n t]mbncp¶p hmbnt¨m..." " kmcanÃ... ]ns¶..... A¦ntf... AO³ A¦nfnt\¸Án ]dbp¶Xv Rm³ tI«ns«m−v.... " " F´p tI«nt«m−v...?.." " ]Tn¡m³ anSp¡\m... \à amÀs¡m−mcp¶p... \à skm`mhm... t]meokmIm\m ]Tnípt¶... \memfnsâ ]Wn ]Wnbpw Fs¶ms¡..." " A¸w... tamÄs¡s¶ \¶mbdnbmw AtÃ..." " Mqw... ]s£¦n...A½í{X Csãm¶paÃ... Rm³ ]dsª¶p ]dbtÃ.... " " A½sb´m ]dbpt¶...." " A¦nfnsâ A½ AOsâ Iq«pImcnbm...]ns¶....AXpw CXpw Hs¡ ]tdw... F\nív `b¦c shdp¸m AXp tI¡p¼w..." " ]dbs« tamtf... Bt«... tN¨n F´p ]dbpw CsXms¡ tI¡p¼w...." " H¶pw an−¯nÃ... c−m\½bmbXpsIm−mcnípw... an−nbnsænepw hg¡p ]tdw... F\nídnb¯nÃ... Cu At½sS Hcp kz`mhw....AO\mbXpsIm−m... A½mhsâ skm`mhamcps¶¦n ]t− A½ AOsâ XÃp sImt−t\...." At¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS kzcw tI«p. " Ite....... FSo.. Ite......." " Rm\nhnsSm−t½... " Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. " FhnsSbmSo... ?..." " ChnsS sXmSoem...R§fp ]Tníphm...." " tM... sXmSotem... Cu kÔytím..." Ftf½ NmSnbnd§n h¶p. t\tc h¶v R§tf amdn amdn t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ImepIfn amdn¡nS¡p¶ IebpsS ImepIfn t\m¡n. AhfpsS ssIíp ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. " Fgpt¶Áp hmSo... thsd HsctSmw I−nà sXmd¶p sht¨m−ncním³... h¶p tIdoÃ... AXn\p ap¼p Xt¶... ]ntÅtc.... AsX§\m... s\\¡pw Xt´sS skm`mhw AtÃ... hmSo ChnsS... ho«nencp¶p ]Tn¨m aXn..." XpÅn¸dªpsIm−v Ftf½ Ietbbpw ]nSn¨psIm−p t]mbn. t]mIp¶ hgnív AhÄ Ft¶ Xncnsªm¶p t\m¡n c−p I®pw AS¨p ImWn¨p. "H¶panÃ" F¶ AÀ°¯nÂ. Gtf½bpsS XpÅ I−t¸mÄ H¶n\pw Xr]vXn hcm¯ Hcp kv{Xo F¶msW\níp tXm¶nbXv. BtcmsSms¡tbm tZjyw. Hs¶sâ A½tbmSmbncnímw. ]ns¶ A`ntbbpw A{X Cãw ImW¯nÃ. Xm³ {]khn¨ aItf¡mÄ `À¯mhnsâ BZy`mcybnepÅ aIÄ IqSpX kpμcn F¶ bmYmÀ°yw Ahtc Ae«p¶p−mhpw. ]ns¶bpw Fs´ms¡tbm {]iv\§Ä Ahtc Ae«p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. B, \aps¡´p ]mSv. h¶ Imcyw t\Sn Xncn¨p t]mIpI, A{X Xs¶. Ccp«n A£c§Ä H«pw hyàamIp¶nà F¶mbt¸mÄ Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp apÁt¯íp tIdn. ]Xnª kzc¯n \nehnf¡n¶p ap¼nencp¶v A`nbpw Iebpw \maw P]níp¶p.

Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ Ie sNmà\nÀ¯n. A`n Ft¶ {i²nímsX XpSÀ¶p. ]ns¶ IebpsS Npaen X«n. At¸mÄ AhÄ \maw sNmàXpSÀ¶p. \nehnf¡nsâ Nph¶ Zo]\mf¯n A`nbpsS kuμcyw Cc«nbmbn Pzen¨p \n¡p¶Xp t]mse. Ipfn¨p hnXnÀ¯nbn«ncníp¶ apSn, Aekambp tXmf¯n«ncníp¶ lm^vkmcn, AXnsâ AcnIn IqSn ImWp¶ amdnte amXf¡pS§fpsS hi§Ä. Nph¶p XpSp¯ apJw, ImXnte sNdnb I½ensâ IÃpIÄ hnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n an¶p¶p. N{¼w ]Snªncníp¶ A`ncman tIcfob h\nXbpsS D¯a kuμcyw. kXy¯n F\níp sImXn tXm¶n. DÅn kvt\lhpw. ]t£ Rm\mcv. th−, IqSpX kz]v\w ImW−. F¦nepw t\m¡m\pÅ sImXnsIm−v Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p \nehnf¡n sXm«p sXmgpXp, ]ns¶ F®bn hnc ap¡n Xebn H¶p XpS¨p. At¸mÄ Fsâ a\Ênteív AOsâ cq]w IS¶p h¶p ]dbp¶Xp t]mse. " tamt\.. {]mb¯nsâ FSp¯p Nm«w ]mSnÃ.. a\Ênt\ \nb{´níq... e£yw t\Sq..." Rm³ t\tc NmhSnbnbnteíp Ibdn. sseÁn«p. a§nb shfn¨w. iànIpdª _Ä_v. ]pkvXIw I¿nseSps¯¦nepw A`nbpsS \maP]w ImXnteív Acn¨cn¨p tIdp¶p. GIm{KX In«p¶nÃ. C\n AhcpsS {]mÀ°\ Ignªn«v hmbnímw. Ftf½ ASp¡fbnembncnípw. cmta«t\ I−nÃ. Rm³ I«nen InS¶p. hmbn¨XpsIm−mImw Hcp £oWw t]mse. ab§nt¸mbn. " A¦ntf.... tNmdp®m³ hm...." IebpsS iÐw Ft¶ ab¡¯n \n¶pWÀ¯n. " tM..." " t\cw cm{Xnbmbn.... tNmdp®m³ hnfníp¶p... hm..." " Cs¶\nsím¶pw th−... \n§fp Ignt¨m...." Rm³ ]dªp. " AOm... Cu A¦nfns\m¶pw th−¶v....." Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Mm... tamfp hm.... " cmta«sâ kzcw. kXyambncp¶p. t]mcp¶ hgníp Ign¨ G¯ímt_mfnbpw ]cn¸phSbpw C¶t¯íp hbdn\p [mcmfambncp¶p. Rm³ Hcp ]pkvXIsaSp¯p hmbn¨psIm−p InS¶p. Hcp sNdnb tai In«nbncps¶¦n F¶min¨p t]mbn. Hcp XSn¡tkcbp−v. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ cmta«³ Ibv XpS¨psIm−v At§m«p tIdn h¶p. Rms\gpt\Áp. " Ccnív... ]ns¶... \osb´m .. D®m³ hcmXncpt¶...?..." " F\níp hni¸nÃ... AXpsIm−m...." " cmPptamt\... Ahfp Np½m hfmhfm ]dbt¯ DÅp... ]mhm... a\Ênsem¶panÃ... s]¼ntÅscmÅXpsIms−mÅ t]Sow ImWpw... F\níp \ns¶ Adnbmhp¶XpsIm−tà Ct§m«p sIm−p ht¶... \obXn\v A¯mg¸«nWn sISt¡− Imcysam¶panÃ... " " IgnhXpw... Btcbpw _p²nap«nímsX t\m¡Ws¶m−v cmta«m..... F¶mepw C¶v... kXymbn«pw shi¡p¶nÃm¯Xp sIm−m.... " " F¦n... \nânãw... ]Tním³ ad¡−... \nâ½ {]tXyIw ]dªns«m−v F¸gpw HmÀ½n¸níW¶v..." cmta«³ shfnbnteínd§n. AXphtc hmXn¡ \n¶ A`n Hcp Npcp«nb ]mbpw XebnWbpw apdnbnteín«p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " Zm... ]mbv.... sIS¡sbm−v... ]s£¦n..... hÃm−p apjnªXm..." AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡msX Xs¶ Xncnªp \S¶p. " Xm¦vkv.... F\nío ]mb Xt¶ [mcmfw......]nt¶...." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. " hntcm[Ãy¦nÂ......IqPtbm ]mt{Xm H−mcps¶¦n.... sImd¨p shÅw FSp¯p shímamcp¶p....." kt¦mNt¯msSbmWp Rm\Xp ]dªXv. HmÀ¯ncps¶¦n AsXms¡ ho«n \n¶pw sIm−p hcmambncp¶p. H¶pw an−msX A`n \S¶I¶p. Cãs¸«p ImW¯nÃmbncnípw. hÃh\pw th−n hnSpXnthe sN¿m³ aSn ImWpw. Mm, Aåw Ignªn«v \nemhpZnípw At¸mÄ thWsa¦n InWÁpIsc t]mImhp¶tX DÅp. IgnhXpw Btcbpw _p²nap«nímsX t\m¡Ww. Ct¸mÄ Cu ho«n Ft¶mSp ImcpWyapÅXv cmta«\pw Ieípw am{Xw. Mm, c−p t]sc¦nepap−tÃm, Bizmkw. ]t£ Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp IqPbpw Xm§n¸nSn¨v Ie Nmbv]nteíp h¶p.

" At¿m... \osb´n\m tamtf... CXpw s]m¡ns¡m−p h¶Xv... Rm³ FSpt¯m−p hcpamcp¶tÃm..." Rm³ IqP hm§n Itkc¸pd¯p sh¨p Hcp _ps¡Sp¯p aqSn sh¨p. " Rms\Sp¯XÃ.. tN¨n X¶b¨Xm... A¯mgw Igním−v... shÅw IpSn¨v hbdp s\dím\mcnípw.. sIm−p sImSv... IpSn¨v hoÀ¸nís«¶p ]dªp...." " A§s\ ]dtªm... F¦n A§s\ Xs¶ hnNmcnt¨ms«..." Rm³ Nncn¨p. " F¦n KpUvss\Áv.. A¦nÄ.." " KpUvss\Áv..." Rm³ hmXn Nmcn. ]mbv IpSªp hncn¨p. \ndw a§nbsX¦nepw Ae¡nb Ddbn« XebnW. ]ªnsbms¡ I«n ]nSn¨p. ho«n A½ shíp¶ XebnW t]msebp−v. F\nípÅ XebnW \à arZphmbXmWv. GXmbmepw ChÀ C{Xsb¦nepw X¶tÃm. sa¯tb¡mÄ kpJw XWp¯ ]mb Xt¶. NqSns\mcmizmkw In«patÃm. Dd§msX InS¡pt¼mÄ AdnbmsX HmÀ¯pt]mbn. A½ Ct¸mÄ F´p sN¿pIbmbncnípw. C¶v F\níp th−n NqSp Im¸n Xnf¸ní−tÃm. ]pkvXI¯nteíp Xe Ip¼n«v ab§p¶ Ft¶ X«nbpWÀt¯−tÃm. ]mhw Fsâ A½. F¦nepw B A½tb Hcp Znhkw t{Zmln¨tXmÀ¡pt¼mÄ F¶t¯t¸mse Ct¸mgpw a\Ên s\m¼cw Ipanªp IqSp¶p. Xt¶mSp Xt¶ ]pOw tXm¶p¶p. hÃm¯ Hcp IpÁt_m[hpw. F¦nepw A½ FÃmw ad¶p Ignªncníp¶p. GItZiw H¶c hÀj§Ä¡p ap¼mbncp¶p. Hcp shÅnbmgv¨ cm{Xn. ]Xnhp t]mse Rm³ A½bpsS amdn ]Án¸nSn¨p InS¡p¶p. F¶pw InS¡m³ t\cw A½ ]dbpw. " sIm¼³aoi h¶ sN¡³... C¸gpw At½sS Iosgtb sISs¶md§pshmÅp...." " Np½m an−msX Xncnªp sIS¡v...." tI«]msS A½ X\níp ]pdw Xncnªp InS¡pw. ]I apgph³ A²zm\n¨ A½ Xm\pd§nbXn\p tijta Dd§pIbpÅp. A½ Xncnªp InS¡pt¼mÄ A½bpsS Acs¡«nteíp Hcp Im IbÁn sh¨v B kpμcicocw sI«n¸nSn¨v Xm³ InS¡pw. ]mXnab¡¯n A½ t\sc Xncnªp InS¶v Ft¶ sI«n¸nSnípw. Rm³ IpSn¨p hfÀ¶ B arZpapeIfpsS NqSn apJwNmbv¨v Rm³ kpJambpd§pw. A½bpsS apeIÄ hepXmsW¦nepw \à amÀ±hapÅXmbncp¶p. bphXzw hn«pamdm¯ kpμcnbmb hn[h. F¦nepw A½ F\nsí¶pw ssZhambncp¶p, tZhnbmbncp¶p. Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn tImtfPn sh¨p I− s]®p§tf HmÀ¯p hmWaSn¨mepw A½bpsS icoct¯ ]pWÀ¶p InS¡pt¼mÄ bmsXmcp AÇoehnNmchpw Xt¶ Xo−mdnÃmbncp¶p. Nnet¸msgms¡ A½bpsS \áamb XpÅn¯pfp¼p¶ apeIÄ apgph\mbpw I−n«p−v. C¶pd§pt¼mÄ AXp hen¨p IpSníWw F¶ Hcp IpkrXnbÃmsX asÁm¶pw tXm¶nbn«nÃ. c−p apdn am{XapÅ sIm¨p ho«n A½ Rm³ ImWmsX Xncnªp \n¶p XpWn amdpt¼mÄ A{]Xo£nXambn Nnet¸mÄ A½bpsS Idp¯ tcma§Ä \ndª Acs¡«pw I−n«p−v. At¸msgms¡ At§m«p t\m¡nt¸mbtÃm F¶ IpÁt_m[w am{Xta a\Ên D−mbn«pÅp. A½tbbpw sI«n¸nSn¨v A§s\ InS¡pt¼mÄ sXmgp¯n \n¶pw ]iphnsâ Aad tIÄ¡mw, XpSÀ¨bmbn AXv Aadp¶p. " tO... Cu ]iphns\md¡antÃ... ieyw..." Rm³ AklyXtbmsS ]dªp. " hmhtÃ... ]iphnt\ Nhp«nímdmbn.... \msf sIm−p t]mbm \¶mbncp¶p..." " F¦n sIm¨mdmWt\ hnfnímw... Ah³ sIm−ps]mtímfpw..." " Aht\ c−p sZhkmbn ImWWey... kpIphnt\mSp ]dªm Ah³ sIm−p t]mIpw... A¼sX¦nepw Ah³ tNmZnípw..." " At¿m... A¼tXm... At½ Rm³ sIm−p s]mtímfmw... \msf ¢mÊnÃtÃm... hmWnb³ cmasâ hoSv ASp¯tÃ... " " AXp th−... tam³ ]iqt\w sI«n hent¨m−p t]mI−..." A½ hne¡n. " Np½msX th−... Ccp]¯s©\níp X¶m aXn... \mep Znhkw Iâo\o¶p D®mtÃm..." Rm³ ]dªp. " t]mSm... AXym{Klo.... tI«m tXm¶pw... \o F¶pw Iâo\o\p ]¨shÅam IpSníp¶sX¶v..." " Hd§v... \msf t\ct¯ hnfn¨m aXn...." Rm³ A½bpsS NqSpamdpIfn apJw Hfn¸n¨psIm−v Imepw A½bpsS Acs¡«nteíp tIÁnsh¨p InS¶pd§n.

cmhnte hmWnb³ cmasâ ho«n BZyw ]iphnt\bpw sIm−v sN¶Xv Rm\mbncp¶p. B \m«p¼pd¯v ]ip¡fpsS Ir{Xna KÀt`måmZ\¯n\p Hcp hgnbpw CÃmbncp¶p. arK tUmÎÀ Hcp tI«p tIÄhn am{Xw. ]ns¶ ]ip¡tf Nhn«ním³ BsI DÅ Hcp amÀ¤w cmasâ hn¯pImf am{Xw. cmasâ ho«n F®bm«p¶ N¡p−v. cmhnse ISnbnfInb ]ip¡tf t`mKn¨p kpJníp¶ hn¯pImfbpsS BsIbpÅ tPmen D¨Ignªv B N¡pw hen¨p h«w Id§pI F¶Xp am{Xambncp\p. B«n In«p¶ ]n®m¡nsâ knwl`mKhpw cma³ HXp¡¯n amÁpw Xsâ Imfíp th−n. A§s\ cma\pw IpSpw_hpw B ImfbpsS A−nbpsS _e¯n Pohn¨p t]m¶p. Hcp tPmen¡mc\p−v, Xang³ ap¯p. Ah\mWp ImfbpsS taÂt\m«w. Rm³ sN¶bpS³ ap¯p ]iphnt\ Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw hm§n CSp¡pIqSn\pÅn IbÁn sI«n. ]ns¶ ]iphnsâ hmeps]m¡n t\m¡n. Rm\pw t\m¡n. AXnsâ aq{Xw hcp¶ Iq¼nb `mK¯p \n¶pw sImgp¯ sXfnª c−p XpÅn Hen¨p hcp¶p. Ft¶ t\m¡n ap¯p tNmZn¨p. " cm{Xn \Ãm Aadnbm..." " Mqw... Hd¡nbn«nà R§tf..." " am«p ]pt− aqcosS kqNn tIdWw... A¸w Aadep \nípw...." F\nsím¶pw a\ÊnembnÃ. F¦nepw H¶p a\Ênembn, ]iphnsâ tbm\nbn \n¶pw aZPew HgpIp¶p. sIm¨p]pkvXIw hmbn¨pÅ Adnhn \n¶pw Duln¨Xmbncp¶p. ap¯p sN¶v Imftb Agn¨p sIm−p h¶p ]iphnsâ ]pdIn \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ hnfn¨p. " A¿m...sdUnbmbn... hmt¦m... " cma³ Hcp _oUnbpw hen¨p sIm−v ]pcípÅn \n¶pw Cd§n h¶p. " Blm..tam\mtWm.. sIm−p ht¶... tam³ A{]t¯íp amdn B Itktcencpt¶m.... Igo¼w hnfnímw...." " ]dhm Cÿm... aoih´ ]¿\tÃ... \nít«... ]m¡«pw..." ap¯p Nncn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " th−... Ahscms¡ ]Tníp¶ ]ntÅcm... sNÃv... tam³ sNÃv... X¦q... cmlpe\v Hcp I«³ sImSv..." " Zm hcp¶¸m..." ]pcbpsS hS¡phi¯p Ip\nªp \n¶v ]m{Xw tX¨pIgpIp¶ cmasâ aIÄ hnfntI«p. Rm³ At§m«p amdn Xn®bn InS¶ Itkcbnencp¶p. " cmPp.. R§sf Hs¡ C¸gpw Adnbptam...?.." Im¸n Fsâ I¿n X¶psIm−v X¦p tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... AdnbmsX ]ns¶..." D¯cw ]dªpsIm−v Rm³ X¦phnt\ {i²n¨p. Hcp Nc¡p Xs¶. Cfw Idp¸p \ndw, sI«p {]mbw Ignªp \n¡p¶ X¦phnsâ \ndamdpIÄ cmasâ ImfbpsS Npa t]mse DbÀ¶p \n¡p¶p. AhbpsS ]IpXn »ukn\p apIfn IqSn shfnbntesí¯n t\m¡p¶p. Cd¡w Ipdª »ukn\pw Cd¡nbpSp¯ ssIenap−n\panSbn A¼e¡pfw t]mse hnkvXrXamb ]p¡nfn\p NpÁpw ]c¶p InS¡p¶ XfnÀhbÀ. H¶p XgpIm³ tXm¶n. BWnt\ Cf¡p¶ t\m«hpw, XSn¨ Np−pIfn \n¶pbcp¶ ]p©ncnbpw. cma³ aItf AXymhiyw NneÀ¡p IqSnb hneíp hmSIíp sImSp¡mdps−s¶mcp {ipXnbpw tIÄ¡mdp−v. Fsâ t\m«w I− AhÄ H¶p \mWn¨p. " tZ... cmPqsâ t\m«w... A{X icnbÃ....tIt«m... ]nt¶, ]Tn¯w Hs¡ F§s\...?.." AhfpsS Iaâv Ft¶ H¶p ]Xdn¨p. Im¸n ¥mkv sImSp¯n«v Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. " cmPp ChnsS Ccp¶m aXnsbt¶... AsXm¶pw ImWm³ t]mI−.... ]ntÅcn¸w...." AhÄ \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ Ft¶ t\m¡n hiyambn H¶p Nncn¨p. Rm³ ho−pw Itkcbn Ccp¶p. " tiym... cmhnte Xn® Xq¯nÃ..." ]dªpsIm−v AhÄ Ip\nªv Fsâ ap¼n InS¶ H¶pc−p ISemkp s]m«pIÄ s]dp¡nsbSp¯p. At¸mÄ B »uknsâ DÅn \n¶pw ap¡mepw ]pdt¯íp XÅnb B ape¡pS§Ä Fsâbpw I®pIÄ XÅn¨p. Ip®bpsS HÁ¡®pw XÅn. Ip\nªp \n¶v s]dp¡ns¡m−hÄ tNmZn¨p. " ]Tn¯w C\n F{X sImÃw IqSnsbm−v..." " c−p...sImÃw..." apeIfpsS cq]am[pcyw BkzZníp¶Xn\nSbn Fsâ iÐw ]Xdn. apJapbÀ¯n t\m¡nb AhÄ s]s«¶v »uknsâ Xpd¶ `mKw s]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v t\tc \n¶p. " A½síms¡ kpJmtWm......?.." B I®pItf t\cnSm\mhmsX Rm³ Ipg§n.

" Mm... kpJw Xt¶..." ]dªn«v Rm³ ]pdt¯índ§n. At¸mÄ Hcp sIm¨p s]¬Ip«n Hcp sIm«bpw Npa¶psIm−v apÁs¯¯n. " Xt¦¨n... CXn¸w B«n¯cm³ A½ ]dªp......" " Mm...kqkns¡mt¨m...?... F´m.... C{X cmhnte Xt¶ F®ímhiyw.... ?..." X¦p tNmZn¨psIm−v Ip« Cd¡n shím³ klmbn¨p. " Ft´m.... HSt\ sImd¨p km[\§fpsS HmÀUsdms−¶v A½ ]dªp.... H¶m«n¯m... sN¶n«v X¿Â ¢mÊn\p t]mIm\pÅXm... " " C¯ncn \nÃv.....C¸w sXmS§mw.... ap¯q..." X¦p hnfn¨p. " F¶ X¦½m...?.." ap¯p hnfntI«p. " thKw XoÀ¡v... sImd¨v B«ms\m−v..." " tZm hcp¶p... C¸w apSnbpw...." ap¯p ]dªp. Rm³ CSp¡pIqSnsâ ASpt¯íp sN¶p. Imf ]iphnsâ IqXnbn aW¸n¨psIm−v \n¡p¶p. At¸mgmWp Rm³ I−Xv, ImfbpsS IpSw t]mse Xq§n¡nS¡p\ hrjW¯nsâ ap¼n \n¶pw Nph¶ henb sagpIpXncn t]mse Ahsâ Ip® Cd§n hcp¶p. AXp IptdtÈ ]pdt¯íp hcpt¶ DÅp. cma³ sasà ImfbpsS ]pdIn X«n Aht\ t{]mÂkmln¸níp¶p. H¶p c−p {]mhiyw IqSn ]iphnsâ IqXn aW¯t¸mtgípw ImfbpsS enwKw GXm−v HcSntbmfw \ofw sh¨p. AÁw IqÀ¯v AÁ¯v Hcp sNdnb apgbpÅ Xnf§p¶ Imf¡p®. AXnsâ AÁ¯p \n¶pw sImgp¯ shÅw XpÅnbmbn Heníp¶p. cma³ H¶p IqSn Ahsâ ]pd¯p X«n. Hcp sNdnb ap{ItbmsS Imf s]s«¶v ap³ImepIÄ s]m¡n, ]n³ImepIfn apt¶m«mªp. sagpIpXncn¡p® ]iphnsâ IqXníp t\tcbmbt¸mÄ cma³ ]iphnsâ hm HccnInteíp hen¨p ]nSn¨p. Imf ap³ImepIÄ Aåw aS¡n ]iphnsâ apXpIn sh¨p, ]ns¶ apt¶m«mªp. Imft¡mensâ AÁw ]iphnsâ IqXnbn \n¶pw AcnInteív sX¶nt¸mbn. s]s«¶v cma³ B Ip®bn ]nSn¨v AÁw t\tc ]iphnsâ iwJp t]msebncp¶ tbm\níp t\tc ap«n¨psImSp¯p. Imf HÁ¯Åv. GXm−v apgph\pw sX¶n AI¯p tIdnbt¸mÄ ]ip Aåw H¶p hfªp. ]t£ hbdnsâ ASnbn IqSn\p IpdpsI Hcp I¼p sh¨ncp¶XpsIm−v hoWnÃ. \n¶ \n¸n c−Sn, ]ns¶ sR«p¶Xp t]mse HcSn IqSn. AXp I− Fsâ Acs¡«nepw Rm\dnbmsX Hcp sR«Â, I−Xv Hcp kwt`mKcwKatÃ. ]t£ AXp Rm³ Hfn¨p ]nSn¨p. c−p sk¡âp AI¯p sh¨p sNdpXmbn \n¶p sR«nbXn\p tijw Imf Xmsgbnd§n. Ahsâ XpSníp¶ enwK¯n \n¶pw sImgp¯ ]m¯pÅn HgpIp¶Xp I−p. cma³ H¶p IqSn ImfbpsS ]pd¯p X«n. ]t£ Ah\p henb Xmåcyw I−nà Ah³ Xncnªp \n¶p. ]iphnsâ hmen \n¶pw ]nSnhn«n«v cma³ ]dªp. " ]iqt\ amÁntbcv...." " sicn A¿m..." Imf \S¶v Iq«nteíp Ibdn. cma³ ]pdtI sN¶v AXns\t´m Xn¶m³ sImSp¯p. " B«m³ tX¦m h¶p... A¿m..." " C¸w th−... C¸w N¡v \o XÅnbm aXn...." cma³ I¸n¨psIm−v AIt¯íp tIdm³ XpS§n. Rm³ A½ G¸n¨ ]Ww cmasâ I¿n sImSp¯p. " Mm... C¸w sIm−p t]mI−... D¨tbmsS sIm−pt]mImw.. B sXt§tem«p sI«ntbcv... sshIpt¶cw htc shÅw sImSp¡−.... " " sicn... " Rm³ k½Xn¨p. ]iphnt\ Agn¨v ap¯p Xt¶ ASp¡fhi¯pÅ sX§n sI«n. ]ns¶ sXmgp¯n t]mbn Ipd¨v htím FSp¯v ap¼nen«p sImSp¯p. ]ip AXp t\m¡nbnÃ. Rm³ B an−m{]mWnbpsS ]pdIn t\m¡n. H¶pw ImWm³ ]ÁnbnÃ. AXnsâ apÅp¶nSw hmepsIm−p aqSnbncp¶p. At¸mÄ X¦phnsâ iÐw. " F´m t\m¡pt¶... AsXms¡ Ignªp.... C¸w \S¯nbm sNe¸w Ie§nbn§p t]mcpw .... C¨nsc Ignbs«... " " Ft´m¶m Ie§pt¶...KÀ`amtWm...?... " Rm³ shdptX tNmZn¨p. " `q... " AhÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " AXn\n\n amk§fp ]nSnípw... Imf AIs¯mgn¨Xp Ie§psa¶m ]dªXv... a−³...H¶pw Adnb¯nÃ... shdptX.... Imftb¡mfpw hfÀ¶p...." kXyw ]dªm AhfpsS hm¡p tI« F\níp \mWw h¶p. ]t£ AhÄs¡mcp IqkepanÃ. " sicnbm... F¶m Rm³ t]mbn«v ]ns¶ hcmw..."

" \nímsh¦n... \à NqSp ]n®m¡p Xn¶mw...\à ckhm... tZ R§fp tX§m B«m³ t]mIphm...." ]dªn«v AhÄ Ip«sbSp¯v N¡pIpÁnbpsS AcnInse¯n. aqSnbncp¶ ¹mÌns¡Sp¯p amÁn, ]ns¶ NqepsIm−v AIsam¶p XpS¨p. Ip«bnte tX§m IpSªn«p. ]ns¶ Hcp ]m«sbSp¯Xnsâ Hmhn\p Iotg sh¨p. " ap¯q... hm... XÅv...." Fsâ a\Ên At¸mÄ thsdmcp Nn{Xambncp¶p. Ip\nªp \n¶v tX§m IpSªnSp¶ X¦phnsâ ]pdIn Rm³, AhÄ¡p XpWnbnÃ. ]iphnsâbpw ImfbptSbpw kvYm\¯v X¦phpw Rm\pw. X¦phnsâ henb Ip−n hncn¨p ]nSn¨m Fsâ Ip® AhfpsS kmam\¯nse¯pw. A¸w IqSn Ip\nªp \n¶m AXp hncnbpw, F\nímªSn¨p tIÁmw. AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ Fsâ jÍníSnbn Hc\¡w. Ahfp \n¶p Xcpthm. At¸mÄ Fsâ a\Ên Hcmi. Ahtf Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n ]®Ww. ]t£ F§s\ ? N¡nsâ IndpIndp iÐw tI«mWp Rm³ Fsâ `mh\bn \n¶pw DWÀ¶Xv. N¡p Id§m³ XpS§nbncp¶p. AXnsâ ]me¯n AhÄ Ibdn N{¼w ]Snªncníp¶p. " cmPq... hm... N¡pw]met¯encnímw... \à ckm.... hÀ¯mt\mw ]dbmw.. C¨nsc Ignbp¼w ]n®m¡mIpw...." Rm³ N¡n\Sp¯p sN¶p. N¡p XÅp¶ ap¯phnsâ Idp¯ aknepIÄ XpSn¨p \n¡p¶p. Ahsâ apJw A{X {]k¶aÃ. ]me¯n `mcaps−¦nte F® s]s«¶v ]ngnªp In«pIbpÅp. Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶t¸mÄ AhÄ ]me¯nsâ AÁ¯ncp¶ henb Hcp Icn¦Ãv XÅn XmsgbnSm³ t\m¡n. ap¯p klmbn¨p. IÃp Xmsg hoWp Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Ft¶ £Wn¨p. X¦phn\`napJambn Rm\pw N{¼w ]Snªncp¶p. " C¨nsc thK¯n XÅSm... " AhÄ ap¯phnt\mSp ]dªp. " kqkns¡mt¨.... B tX§m Hs¶f¡ntí...." X¦p Ip«ntbmSp ]dªp. B Ip«nínXp ]cnNbaps−\p tXm¶p¶p. ]XnhpImctÃ. apJt¯mSp apJw t\m¡nbncníp¶ R§fpsS I®pIÄ ]ckv]cw Iq«nap«n. ap¯p \S¡p¶ h«w Hcp \meSntbmfw Zqc¯nembncp¶p. Ahs\sâ apJta ImWp¶pÅp. sXm«p ap¼nencníp¶ AhfpsS ta¨p−n s]mSnª hnbÀ¸pXpÅnIÄ Ct¸mÄ F\níp hyàw. AXntâXpĸsS AhfpsS ta\nbpsS Hcp {]tXyI KÔw F\ní\p`hs¸«p. ]IpXn shfnbn XÅnb ape¡p¶pIÄ Fsâ I®n\Sp¯v. c−ntâbpw CSbnepÅ hnShnteív Igp¯nte sNdnb amebpsS AÁw Cd§n¡nS¡p¶p. N{¼w ]Snªv Ip\nªncníp¶ hbdn\nt¸mÄ Hcp aS¡p hoWp. AXn\p apIfn hit¯íp henªp \n¡p¶ henb ]p¡n¨pgn. AXn \n¶pw t\À¯ tcma[mc IbnenípÅnteínd§nt¸mIp¶p. AXp sN¶p tNcp¶ kvYet¯¡pdnt¨mÀ¯t¸mÄ, XpSIÄ Ih¨ncníp¶ B hnImckvYm\w Ct¸mÄ hncnªv DÅnepÅsXms¡ ]pdt¯íp XÅnbncníp¶tÃm Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ Fsâ Ip®íp Poh³ sh¨p. jÍnípÅn Ah³ _ew {]tbmKníp¶p. Rm³ sasà ap−p ]nSn¨v t\tcbn«p. F\nímsI Hc¦em¸v. AhfpsS apeIÄ t\m¡n shÅand¡p¶ Fsâ Ih¡nSbn DbÀ¶p hcp¶ ap³`mKt¯ív Hcp IÅt\m«w t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ apJw Fsâ t\À¡Sp¸n¨n«v AhÄ tNmZn¨p " F´m C§s\ t\m¡pt¶....?... " AhfpsS tNmZyw. " H¶qÃy..." Rm³ Rc§n. " Mqw IÅ\m... F\nídnbmw... th−mXo\¯nteím t\m«w sNÃpt¶.....Mqw... Ft¶ A§p ]nSn¨p...AtÃ..?..." Nncn¨psIm−hÄ tNmZn¨p. " X¦qt\... FÃmÀ¡pw Cãs¸Spw..." " A{Xíp kpμcnbmtWm Rm³...?..." Aåw IqSn apJaSp¸n¨v AhÄ HXp§nb iЯn tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsS ta\nbpsS KÔw Fsâ aq¡nteíngªp tIdn. F\nímsI Hcp A¼c¸pw kpJhpw. Hcn©p IqSn ASp¯m AhfpsS Np−pIÄ FtâXpambn Dckpw. AXn\p a\Êv Bªpsh¦nepw icocw hg§nbnÃ. " Mqw... " Rm³ aqfn. " F\nípw cmPqt\ shey Cãm... R§tfmsSms¡ tImtfPp ]ntÅcp an−¯p t]mepanÃ... " " F\ní§s\sbm¶panÃ...."

" Bt«... cmPq... hymbmaw sN¿ps¶mt−m... Cu aknsems¡... ap¯qtâXp t]mse...Mqw... \à Ccp¼p t]msem−v...." Fsâ `pP§fn Ibv sh¨aÀ¯n t\m¡n. Fsâ tZlamsI Ipfncp tImcn. BZyambmsWmcp s]s®s¶ C§s¶ IbvImcyw sN¿p¶Xv. AhfpsS KÔhpw Ccp¸nsâ N´hpw, sNdnb eÖbn IpXnÀ¶ NncnbpsS hiyXbpw, Xpfíp¶ t\m«hpw Fsâ BsI a\Ên thentbÁap−m¡n. Ahtf At¸msfm¶p sI«n¸nSním³ F\nsímcp sImXn. " X¦½m... tX¦m.. Ff¡Ww..." ap¯phnsâ iÐw R§tf c−p t]scbpw DWÀ¯n. At¸mÄ ap¯p R§tf {i²nípIbmbncp¶p Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. Nnet¸mÄ AhÄ ap¯phn\pw IhínS AI¯ns¡mSp¡p¶p−mhpw, Aåw Cf¡apÅ s]®msW\p tXm¶p¶p. t]mcmªn«v Znhkhpw ImWp¶Xv Imf ]ip¡tf t`mKníp¶XtÃ. IeymW{]mbw Ignªp \n¡p¶hÄ. " Mm .... cmPp C¯ncn IqSn AÁt¯íncnív....Rm³ Fd§n ]n®ms¡Spt¯m−p hcmw..." `mcw AUvPÌv sN¿m³ th−n Rm³ amdnbncp¶p. " C¶m " AhÄ ]n®ms¡Sp¯v Fsâ I¿nteín«p. s]mÅp¶ NqSv. Rm³ Aåw Xn¶p t\m¡n. \à cpNn. " CXm cpNn ]cphw... Ipd¨p sIm−p s]mtím... A½ípw sImSp¡v... Rm³ X¶XmsW¶p ]d..." AhÄ AI¯p t]mbn Hcp ISemskSp¯psIm−p h¶p. Ipds¨Sp¯v s]mXnªv Fsâ I¿n X¶p. Rms\gpt¶Át¸mÄ AhÄ X¦phnsâ t\tc ap¼n sN¶ncp¶p. N¡ph«¯n \n¶pw \S¶p amdnbn«v Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡n. AhÀ X½n Ft´m s]mdps]mdp¡p¶p. ap¯p Ft´m ]dªXn\p adp]Snbmbn AhÄ Ahsâ tXmfn CSníp¶p. ]ns¶ Rm\hnsS \n¶nÃ. A¶p apgph\pw Fsâ a\Ên Imfbpw X¦phpambncp¶p. ]iphnsâ apXpIn Imf Ibdnbt¸mÄ Ah³ A\p`hn¨ kpJw X¦phns\ Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n ]pdIn \n¶pw Ahtf Rm³ ]®nbm F\níp In«pw. A§s\ Ahsf H¶p ]®m³ In«nbncps¶¦nÂ. hÃms¯mcp KÔambncp¶p AhfpsS ta\nív. AXp Xet¨mdn \n¶pw t]mIp¶nÃ. Dd§m³ InS¡pt¼mÄ Fsâ Ip®ív ]XnhnÃm¯ DWÀhp−mbncp¶p. AXv A½ AdnbmXncním³ th−n A¶v Rm³ Im A½bpsS Acs¡«n IbÁnsh¨nÃ. shdptX A½bpsS hbdn sI«n¸nSn¨p InS¶p. Fsâ I¿ncníp¶Xv X¦phnsâ XpSníp¶ hbdnemsWs¶\níp tXm¶n. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ A½ F\níp t\sc Xncnªp InSs¶s¶ I«n]nSn¨p. DWÀ¶p \n¡p¶ ]dn A½bpsS tZl¯p ap«mXncním³ th−n Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«v ]pdtIm«p hf¨p ]nSn¨p. Fgpt¶Áp Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn t]mbn Hcp hmWaSn¨mtem F¶p tXm¶n. ]t£ At¸mtgípw A½ Fsâ s\Ánbn XgpIn, Hcp½ X¶p. ]ns¶ Dd¡w ]nSn¨p. ]t£ Fsâ a\Ên X¦phnsâ hnbÀ¸p X§n \n¶ ta¨p−pIfpw, »ukn\pÅn \n¶pw XÅnbpbÀ¶p \n¶ shfp¯p XSn¨ apeIfpambncp¶p. N¡p]me¯n Ibdn Fsâ ap¼n Ih¨ncp¶ AhfpsS hnSÀ¶ kmam\¯n Hcp hncen«p tXm−n H¶p aWs¯¦nepw t\m¡mambncp¶p. ]qdnsâ aWw F´msW¶dnbmambncp¶p. sÈ, In«nb Nm³kp Ifªp. AhÄ FXnÀ¡nà F¶pd¸v. Mm, t]ms«. hnSÀ¶ncp¶ B N¡f¯n¸qdpw k¦Â¸n¨v Rm³ Dd¡¯nteíp hgpXn hoWp. cm{Xnbn Ft¸mtgm Rm³ DWÀ¶p. Fsâ Ip® \à _e¯n I¼nbmbn \n¶p hndíp¶p. F\nít¸mÄ Hcp Bthiambncp¶p. A½ AdnbmsX Rm³ sasà IXIp Xpd¶p shfnbnend§n. Ac− shfn¨¯n Rm³ X¦phnsâ hoSp e£yam¡n \S¶p. ]mXn Ccp«¯v N¡p]me¯n X¦p Fs¶p Im¯ncn¸p−mbncp¶p. " F\nídnbmambncp¶p.... cmPp hcpsa¶v..... AXp t]memcp¶p IÅsâ t\m«w...." AhÄ tamln¸níp¶ kzc¯n a{´n¨p. " X¦p... F\níp \ns¶ H¶p ]®Ww....Fsâ s]m¶p X¦q...." Rm³ Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p. Ihnfn sXcpsXsc D½ sh¨p. ]me¯n AhfpsS IqsSbncp¶ Fsâ ap−hÄ IbvsIm−p hIªp amÁnbn«v Fsâ Ip® AhÄ I¿nseSp¯p.

" R§sS Imtf¡mfpw hepXmWtÃm...cmPq... CXv tIdnbm... Fsâ kmam\w Iodnt¸mIqtÃm..." AhÄ Fsâ Ip® ASnapSn XgpIns¡m−p ]dªp. " F¦n.. Ip\nªp \nÃv... Rm³ Imf tIÁp¶t]mse s]mdIo¶p tIÁnbSnímw..." Rm³ AhfpsS ap−p ]dns¨dnªp. »ukn\p apIfn IqSn B \ndamdpIÄ ]nSn¨p sRcn¨pS¨p. AhÄ s]«s¶sâ IbvIÄ X«n amÁn. " t\mhps¶mt−m...." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Mqw..." AhÄ aqfn. Ac− shfn¨¯n AhfpsS ]qdp ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃ. Rm\m Ih¡nSbnteíp I¿n«p. hfÀ¶p \nc¶pInS¶ tcma§Ä¡nSbn \n¶pw Rm³ AhfpsS ]qdnSp¡p X¸n¸nSn¨p. AXn\p \à amÀ±hw, NqSv, \à amwkfX. B hnImc¡q¼nteív Rms\sâ hncepIÄ Xmgv¯n. DÅn \à NqSpw hgphgp¸pw.]t£ AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁn. " \nÃv cmPq...\nÃv... [rXn shímsX... Rm\pw H¶p sdUnbmIs«..." AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¯p. AhfpsS ]qÁn ]nSn¨ Ibv aW¯mkzZn¨psIm−v Rm³ [rXn Iq«n. " ]ÁptIe X¦p... F\nín¸w IfníWw.. Ip\nªp \nÃv... " Rm³ Ahtf _eambn«v Xncn¨p Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n. XSn¨ Ip−nIÄ hnSÀ¯n ]nSn¨n«v Ipe¨p \n¶p hndíp¶ Ip® B ]qÁn\pÅnteíp XÅn. `b¦c apdp¡w. " Fsâ X¦q... Fsâ s]m¶p X¦q... " sasà hnfn¨psIm−v Rm³ Ahtf Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n BªSn¨p ]®n. N¡p]me¯n IbvIp¯n AhÄ \n¶p X¶p. c−Sn¨p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ImepIfI¯n \n¶p. At¸mÄ Ip® Ffp¸¯n B NqSp kmam\¯n Ibdnbnd§n. Imf ]®nbXp t]mse Xt¶, \me©Sn Ignªt¸mÄ Fsâ icocw hnd¨p Ipep§n. Ig¸n s]mXnª Hcp kpJw, Fsâ Acs¡«n \n¶pw Ip®bnteíp hym]n¨p. t_mw_p s]m«p¶Xp t]mse Rm³ AhfpsS ]qÁnteív Fsâ kvJe\t{kmXÊv NoÁn¨psImSp¯p. Fs´mcp kpJw. s]s«¶p Rm\pWÀ¶p. tM...Rm³..Rm³.. Fsâ ho«n Fsâ A½bpsS IqsS I«nen InS¡p¶p. Fsâ I¼n¡p® Fsâ A½bpsS \áamb XpSIÄ¡nSbn AaÀ¶ncp¶v ip¢w NoÁp¶p. A½ Acíp Xmsg \ábmbncp¶p. Rm³ A½bpsS Ip−nbn _eambn ]nSn¨v Ft¶mSSp¸n¨v ]nSn¨ncp¶p. AsXsâ A½bpsS XpSIfmsW¶p a\Ênembt¸mÄ Fsâ Ne\w \ne¨p, F¦nepw hnPrw`n¨p \n¶ Ip® A\nb{´nXambn ho−pw ]m NoÁns¡m−ncp¶p. ]ns¶ AsXms¶mXp§n. Acs¡«nsâ sh«Â \n¶p. Fsâ Ibv Abªp. AsXsâ A½bpsS Ip−nbnÂ\p¶pw Cgªv AhcpsS kmam\¯nte ]qSIfnepcªv R§Ä¡nSbnteíp hoWp. Rm³ sasà aeÀ¶p InS¶p. A½bpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw Ip® shfnbn NmSn. At¸mgmWp Rm³ I−Xv C{Xbpw t\cw A½bpsS IbvIÄ Fsâ apXpIn XShpIbmbncps¶¶v. sicnípw DWÀ¶tXmsS F\níp IpÁt_m[hpw `bhpw tXm¶n. A½ F´p hnNmcnípw F´p sN¿pw F¶ `bambncp¶p. GXmbmepw At¸mÄ Dd¡w \Sním\msW\níp tXm¶nbXv. F´mW½bpsS `mhw F¶dnbm³ Fsâ a\Êp XpSn¨p. ]t£ H¶pw kw`hn¨nÃ. Fs¶ XgpIns¡m−ncp¶ I¿psS Ne\w sasà \ne¨p. A©p an\n«p t\cw A½ A\§msX InS¶p. ]ns¶ sasà iÐw tIĸnímsX Fgpt¶Áp sseÁn«p. N¦nSníp¶ps−¦nepw AXp \nb{´ním³ {ian¨psIm−v Rm³ A\§msX InS¶p. A½ Fs¶ t\m¡pIbmsWs¶\níp tXm¶n. sseÁnsâ sh«w I®n ASnímXncním³ AdnbmsXsbt¶mWw Rm³ Fsâ IbvXew s\Ánbn I®n\p apIfnteíp sh¨p InS¶p. A½ Xncnªp \n¡p¶ ImsåcpamÁw tI«t¸mÄ Rm³ sasà Hcp I®p Nn½n t\m¡n. F\níp ]pdw Xncnªp \n¶v A½ Hcp tXmÀ¯psIm−v XpSIÄ XpSíp¶p. »ukp am{Xw, Acíp Xmsg \áw. A½ cm{Xnbn Hcp ap−pw »ukpw am{Xta [cníq F¶dnbmw. Aåw Ip\nªp \n¶v Hmtcm Imepw Ih¨p ]nSn¨v AIw XpSIÄ XpSípt¼mÄ Rm³ Fsâ A½bpsS Ccp− ]qS]nSn¨ ]ip¸qÀ I−p. BZyambn Rm³ Fsâ A½bpsS Kply`mK¯v B{Klt¯msS t\m¡n. NnXdn¡nS¡p¶ Idp¯ tcma§fn \n¶pw AXnsâ Iod Xncn¨p ImWm³ {ian¨p. sIm¨p]pkvXI§fn hmbn¨t]mse AXn\pÅn \n¶pw Fs´¦nepw ]pdt¯íp Xe\o«n¡nS¸pt−m F¶p t\m¡n. BZyambn Rm³ Fsâ A½bpsS tbm\nbpsS hnShpw Ccpfnabpw I−mkzZn¨p. ]mXn XfÀ¶ Ip® ho−pw s]m§n _ew shím³ XpS§n. s]s«¶v F\níp IpÁt_m[w tXm¶n. sO, Rm³ ]nd¶nd§nb tbm\o\mfw

ImamkàntbmsS t\m¡n sImXnshÅand¡p¶ Ft¶msS\níp ]pOw tXm¶n. At¸mtgípw A½ Xncnªp \n¶p. Hcp \nanjw Ft¶ t\m¡n s\SphoÀ¸n« A½bpsS Idp¯ ]pÃp \ndª XSn¨p s]m´nb IhbnSp¡v ho−pw Rm³ I−p. A½ ]ns¶ I«nen InS¶ aps−Sp¯pSp¯p. BsI Ht¶m ct−m ]mhmStb A½ípÅp, AXp ]pd¯p t]mIpt¼mgpw ]Iepw am{Xta A½ DSp¡mdpÅp F¶p Rmt\mÀ½n¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ XpSbn ]Án¡nS¶v shÅsamen¸níp¶ Fsâ Ip®bn A½ t\m¡n. Xmsg¡nS¶ tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. apt¶m«p Ip\nª A½ H¶p i¦n¨p. ImcWw AXp ho−pw s]m§n \n¶p sh«pIbmbncp¶p. Is¿Sp¯v Aht\ ]nSn¨v XpSbnSp¡n AaÀ¯nshím\pw \nhr¯nbnÃ. ImcWw Rm³ Dd§pIbtÃ. HSphn ]dnªp amdn¡nS¶ Fsâ aps−Sp¯v Fsâ Acíp tasebn«p. ]ns¶ Ipfnapdnbnteíp t]mbn. A½ t]mbt¸mÄ Rm³ IqSmcw t]mse \n¶ ap−p t\scbm¡n AXpsIm−p Ip® XpS¨p, ]gbXpt]mse Xeíp I¿pw sh¨p InS¶p. At¸mgmWp Rmt\mÀ¯Xv, kz]v\¯n Rm³ X¦phnsâ ]qÁn I¿n« Imcyw. AdnbmsX Xs¶ Fsâ Ibv aq¡n\Spt¯íp Rm\Sp¸n¨p aW¯p t\m¡n. AXp htc AdnbmXncp¶ Hcp hÃm¯ KÔw, tM... At¸mÄ CXv A½bpsS tbm\nbpsS aWamWtÃm. At¸mÄ CXmtWm kv{XobpsS aq{XZzmc¯nsâ aWw. F¦nepw Rm³ A½bpsS kmam\¯nepw I¿n«tÃm.. Fsâ ssZhta... a\Ên IpÁt_m[aps−¦nepw Rm³ IbvaW¯v B KÔw ho−pw ho−pw BkzZn¨p t]mbn. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ A½ Xncnsb h¶p. `n¯nbn Xq¡nbncp¶ AOsâ ]S¯n\p ap¼n t]mbn Ibv Iq¸n \n¶p. ]ns¶ I«nensâ Iosg Npcp«n sh¨ncp¶ Hcp ]msbSp¯p, A½bpsS XebnWsbSp¯p. Xmsg InS¶p. As¶\nímZyambn F\nsít¶mSp Xs¶ Acniw tXm¶n. F\níp P·w X¶ A½tb, F\níp th−n kz´w PohnXw Xpe¨ Fsâ ]mhw A½tb, Rm³ h−n sI«nbncníp¶p, {]IrXnhncp²w sNbvXncníp¶p.. Rm\nd§n h¶ B clkykvYm\¯p Rm³ I¿n«nf¡n, AhnSt¯ KÔw BkzZn¨p. C\n F§s\ Rm³ A½bpsS apJ¯p t\m¡pw. th−, t\cw shfp¯mepS³ \mSp hnSWw. A½bpsS H¶p c−p s\SphoÀ¸pIÄ Rm³ tI«p. ]ns¶ Nn´n¨p Nn´n¨v Ft¸mtgm Rms\m¶p ab§n. Rm\pWÀ¶t¸mtgípw A½ shfnbn t]mbn¡gnªncp¶p. F\nípÅ `£Ww X¿mdm¡n sh¨n«p−mbncp¶p. t]cn\p am{Xw Ign¨n«v Rm³ shfnbnteínd§n. N{μsâ ho«nse¯n, Ah\psam¯v shdptX AhnsSbpanhnsSbpw Id§n \S¶p. kÔy Ignªt¸mÄ ho«nse¯n. \nehnf¡nsâ ASp¯v A½ Ft¶bpw Im¯ncn¸p−mbncp¶p. Rm³ tImembnteíp Ibdn Ccp¶p. " \o CXp htc FhnsSbmbncp¶p...? D¨sít´ D®mXncp¶Xv...?.." Rm³ an−nbnÃ, Fsâ \m¡p s]m´nbnÃ. a\Ên hnjahpw COm`wKhpambncp¶p. " \nt¶mSm tNmZn¨Xv.... \o hÃXpw ]Tnt¨m... C¶v...?..." an−msX Rm³ \Jw ISn¨psIm−ncp¶p. " hm... h¶p hÃXpw Ign¨n«v sISs¶md§v....cmhnte tImtfPn t]mI−Xm..." A½ Fgpt¶Áp t]mbn. Ipd¨p Ignªp A½ hnfn¨p. Rm³ hnfn tI«nÃ. A\§mXncp¶p. A½ tImembnteíp h¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ H¸w Ccp¶p. F¶n«v ]Xps¡ hnfn¨p. " aWn¡p«m...." A½íp k¦Sw tXm¶pt¼mtgm a\Ên Ft¶mSp kvt\lw IqSpt¼mtgm am{Xta Fs¶ aWn¡p«m F¶p hnfnímdpÅp. " slsâ ...At½..." Rm³ Icªp t]mbn. a\Ên Xn§n\n¶ IpÁt_m[hpw k¦Shpw I®ocmbn ]pdt¯símgpIn. A½ Fs¶ AhcpsS Npaenteíp Nmbn¨p InS¯n. H¶pw an−msX Fsâ apXpIn XtemSn Ft¶ Icbm³ A\phZn¨p. HSphn a\sÊm¶p XWp¯t¸mÄ Fsâ Ic¨nsemXp§n. B Npaen Rm³ InS¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " t]ms«Sm... kmcansÃSm... F\nsísâ aWn¡p«\pw s\\¡p Rm\patà DÅp.... A½síÃmw AdnbmsaSm...." " sl¶mepw... Fât½... Rm³...." ]ns¶bpw F\níp hnjaw. " t]ms«¶p ]dªntÃ.... aXn IcªXv..." " A½sít¶mSv.... shdps¸mt−m...?.." Rm³ hn¡n hn¡n tNmZn¨p. " Ft¶mS§s\ tNmZnímsXsâ aWn¡p«m.... AXn\pw am{Xw \osbm¶pw sNbvXnÃtÃm... A½tbmSv...."

" C¶se.... cm{XoÂ... Rm³..." Rm³ \nÀ¯n. " kmcanÃ... AXp \nsâ IpÁasöo A½ídnbmSm.... tamsâ {]mb¯nsâbm... t]ms« AsXms¡ ad¶p If.... tamsâ F´p shjtamw Cu A½tbmStà ]dbm³ ]Áq... F\nsísâ tams\ Adnbmw...\o shjanímsX hm... h¶v tNmdp®v..." A½ Ft¶ Ibv ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨v I¿pw apJhpw IgpIn¨v tNmdn\p ap¼n sIm−ncp¯n Idnsbmgn¨p X¶p. Rm³ aSn¨t¸mÄ ]dªp. " Igns¡Sm... a−¨mtc... " A½ Fsâ Ihnfn X«n. Rm³ DuWp XpS§n. A½ AXp t\m¡nbncp¶p. CSív Fsâ I®n \n¶pw I®oÀ \niÐambn HgpIn. " A¶¯n I®ocp hognímsX Ignív... " A½ ]dªp. DuWp Xocmdmbt¸mtgípw F\nsímcp hn[w kaNn¯X h¶p Ignªncp¶p. " Bcm tamt\ Cu X¦p...?..." A½ tNmZn¨p. " tM..." Rms\m¶p sR«n. " hmWnb³ cmasâ tamftÃ... B sXdn¨hfv... ]iqt\w sIm−v \ns¶ Ab¨¸w Rm\tXmÀ¯nÃ... " " Mqw..." " Ahfp tamt\msSs´ms¡ ]dªp...?... irwKcn¨p ImWpw... tNmtcw \ocpw HÅ B¼ntÅsc¡mWp¼w Ah¡n¯ncn Ff¡w HÅXm...." " Ft¶ H¶pw sNbvXnÃ..." " A½tbmSp s\mW ]dbtà aWn¡p«m... B.. kmcanÃ... \o AOt\¡mfpw hepXmbn hfÀ¶ Imcyw Rmt\mÀ¯nÃ....." " sImd¨v... hÀ¯m\w ....]dªtXsbmÅp....." Rm³ ]dªp. " AhsS thtjmw B FSp¯p]nSns¨mÅ \n¸pw Hs¡ BWp§tf Ff¡pw.... Fsâ tam\n§s\sbmÅsXm¶pw Imcyam¡Ãv..." A½ ]m{X§fpsaSp¯v ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. I«nenencp¶v Rmt\mÀ¯p. kvIqfn t]mIpt¼mgpw Ft¶ sshIn«v Ipfn¸níp¶Xv A½bmbncp¶p. FÃmbnShpw tkm¸p tX¨pIgnbpt¼mtgípw Fsâ Ip®¡p«³ \à hSnbmbn sXm®qdp Un{Knbn \n¡pambncp¶p. bmsXmcp `mht`ZhpanÃmsX A½ Aht\bpw Ipfn¸n¨p tXmÀ¯n Ip«¸\m¡pambncp¶p. F\nísXmcp kpJambncp\p Xm\pw. Hcp Znhkw Ft¶ A½ Ipfn¸n¨psIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ InWÁpIcbnteív AO³ h¶p. " FSo... C\n Ch³ Xt¶ Ipfn¨m aXn... AXpw tXmÀ¯pSp¯v...." AO³ ]dªp. " th−, Ft¶ A½ Ipfn¸n¨m aXn..." Rm³ FXnÀ¯p. " Ah³ sIm¨tà Fsâ s]mt¶... " A½ F\níp th−n hmZn¨p. " lpw ...sIm¨v... \nsâ I®nset´m¶m... ]gamtWmSo... I−ntÃ... \níp¶Xv... Ft¶¡mfpw hepXmbn«v... " At¸mgmW½ Fsâ Acbnteíp t\m¡nbXv. BZyambn«p ImWp¶Xp t]mse A½ Fsâ I¼n¡p®bnteíp t\m¡n. At¸mtgípw Ft¶ tXmÀ¯n¡gnªncp¶p. " tam³ sN¶v \n¡dpw _\nb\pw CSv... A½ Zm... hcp¶p...." Rm³ \S¶p. ]pdIn Hcp s]m«n¨ncn tI«p Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡n. AO³ A½bpsS sNhnbn Ft´m kzImcyw ]dbp¶p. A½ \mWw sIm−v H¶p Nqfn. ]ns¶ sIm©ns¡m−p ]dªp. " Hm...]nt¶... Rm\pw BZyw AXp I−¸w A§s\bm hnNmcnt¨... CsX§s\ sImÅnípsa¶v... F¶n«n¸w F´mbn... Hcp s\sÃS hnSmsX AI¯m¡p¶ntÃ... Ah\pw A§s\ Xt¶ sNbvtXmfpw... tN«³ shjaní−..." " F¶mepw AXsÃSo... Fsâ {]mbamIp¼w Ch³ Ft¶w IS¯n sh«psa¶m F\níp tXm¶p¶Xv...." AO³ ]dªp. " tZ... tZ.. Fsâ tamt\ I®p hítÃ... At¶cw Rm³ AXpt]msemÅ Hcp s]®nt\ X¸n¸nSnt¨mfmw... C¸w kmdt§m«p \St¶... kvs]jy Uyq«o¶p ]dªp t]mbn«v sZhkw aq¶mbn... ChnsS... Hmtcmcp¯cp shi¶p Icªp Iqhn Ccníphm... C¶v thKw A¯mgw IgníWw...." A½ sIm©ns¡m−p ]dbp¶p. " FSo sIm¨p§fp Icbp¼w.... AXymhiy¯n\p Hcp shcep hmbntem«p XÅns¡mSp¯mepw AXpw aq©ns¡m−p sISt¶mfpw...."

" ]ns¶ ]ns¶.... shcenSm\ÃtÃm.... Rm\o t]meokpImcsâ em¯n It−ms−d§n h¶Xv.... " " F¶m¸ns¶ ... C¸¯t¶ Hcp em¯n{]tbmKw At§m«p \S¯nbmtem..." " tams\md§msXtbm... AXp th−... Rm³ ]dbp¼w...em¯n shfoseSp¯m aXn... tIt«m.... kmdp sNÃv... Rmt\... Fsâ Ipªnt\ H¶p \¶mbn Ipfn¸ns¨mcp§n hcmw..... shbÀ¯p \mdocníphm...." " F¦n Ipfn¸ní−.... A¶v BZycm{Xoes¯ hmk\ C¸gpw aq¡n X§n \níphm...." " H¶p t]mtWmt−m....AXp ]ns¶ IeymW¯nsâ H¸nSoepw k¡mtcmw Hs¡ Ignª¸w.... shbÀ¯Xp sIm−tÃ.... C¶n¸w hr¯nbmbns«ms¡ aXn...." A½bpsS apJ¯v ho−pw \mWw. AXv ImWp¶ AOsâ hnSÀ¶ apJw. " F¦n \nsâ Cãw... Ipªv \nsâ Atcetà Ccníp¶Xv... Ipªnsâ tZlw Ff¡msX Ipfn¸nítW.... ]ns¶.. sIm¨nsâ hmbpw \m¡psams¡... \¶mbns«m¶p IgpIntbcv.... F\nípw shi¡pth..." " Mqw....Mqw... \mWanÃm¯ Hcp XoÁ {`m´³..... FÃmcpw tNmdm Xn¶p¶Xv... ChnsS HcmÄ¡v....." A½ Nncn¨psIm−v InWÁpIcbnte ad¸pcbnteíp Ibdn. As¶\nív H¶pw a\ÊnembnÃ. Rm³ IqSmsX thsdmcp Iptªm. Rm³ Xncn¨v HmSn A½bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. " At½... Atcencníp¶ Ipªns\ Ft¶w IqsS ImWnímthm..." BZyw A½ hm s]mfn¨p, ]ns¶ s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−p hnfn¨p ]dªp. " tZ... ]nt¶... Cht\w IqsS hnfnt¨m−p t]m... Chs\sâ Atcencníp¶ Ipªnt\ ImWW¶v...." AO³ ad¸pcbnteíp h¶p. Ft¶ FSp¯n«p ]dªp. " Ipªn¯ncn IqsS hepXmIp¼w tams\ ImWnímw... C¸w.... Ahfp hfsc hfsc sIm¨m.... tam\p ImWm\pw am{Xw hen¸w CÃ..." " Ft¶ ImWníWw.... ad¡tÃ...." Rm³ AOt\mSp ]dªp. C¶v AO\nsænepw Adnªp sIm−v Rm\m Ipªnt\ I−p. AO³ emfnípIbpw \¡n¯pSípIbpw Hma\nípIbpw sNbvX A½bpsS Ac¡q«nte aWn¡pªv. £anítW AOm, Rm\dnbmsX AOsâ kz´w kz¯n Ibv sh¨p t]mbn. C\n D−mhnÃ. Rm³ a\Ên AOt\mSp am¸p tNmZn¨p. F¶m C¶v FÃmw Adnbmw. F¶n«v A½ DuWp Ignªv apdnbnteíp h¶p. ]msbSp¯v Xmsg hncn¨p. " A½ XmsgbmtWm...sIS¡p¶Xv.." F\níp hnjaw tXm¶n. " C\n tams\sâ IqsS sIS¡−... \o hepXmbn... AOt\¡mfpw.... " " F¶mepw... At½w sI«n¸nSn¨p sIS¡m³...." " th−... C¶v s\\¡v Ft¶¡mfpw BtcmKysam−v.... C¶se... \nsâ shjaw I−¸w... X¦q X¦q¶pw ]dªv... Fs´ms¡bm... Ft¶ sNbvXsX¶dnbmthm.... " " Rms\´m sNbvtX...? F\ntímÀ½bnÃ...." Rm³ Adnbm¯ `mhw \Sn¨p. " HmÀ½níptIe... kz]v\¯netÃ.... Rm\n¯ncn Abªp X¶nÃmcpt¶... \osbt¶ _eambn«v \nsâ sI«ntbmfm¡ntbt\...." A½ AOsâ t^mt«mbn t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " tZ, \n§fnXp htÃmw Adnbps¶mt−m... Ct«¨p t]mbntÃ... Rms\s´Ãmw klníWw...?.." " At½... " " F´mSm... ?.." " A½sít¶mSp tZjysamt−m...." " CsÃsâ aWn¡p«m.... tam³ ZpãhnNmc§sfms¡ Ifªn«v ... ]TníWw.... AOsâ Bi s\dthÁWw... C¸w cma\maw P]n¨v sIS¡v...." A½ Fsâ s\Ánbn Hcp½ X¶p. ]ns¶ ]pXs¸Sps¯t¶ ]pX¸n¨p. I®S¨p InS¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ Nn´n¨p. C¶se X¦psh¶p hnNmcn¨v Rm³ A½bpsS apeíp ]nSn¨pImWpw, kmam\¯n I¿n«p ImWpw. A½ XpSIfI¯n X¶nÃmbncps¶¦n Rm³ A½tb Dd¡¯n _emÂkwKw sNbvtXt\, Fsâ _oPw _eambn Rm³ Nnet¸mÄ A½bpsS tbm\o \mf¯n \nt£]nt¨t\. HmÀ¯t¸mÄ t]Sn tXm¶n.

A¶p apX F¶pw InS¡m³ t\cw Fsâ s\Ánbn A½ Hcp½Xcpw. Cs¶\nív B D½ In«nbnÃtÃm. Mm, F¶pw Hcpt]mse FÃmw \S¡pIbnÃtÃm. A¸pd¯v ASp¡fbn ]m{X§Ä Iq«nap«p¶ iÐw, cmta«sâ tIm«phmbpsS iÐw. AIse GtXm Hcp \mbpsS Ipc tI«p. P\en IqSn Ac− \nemshfn¨w IS¶p h¶p. C\n \msf ]Tnímw. ]ntÁ¶p shfp¸n\p Xt¶ Rm\pWÀ¶p. apJsam¶p IgpIm³ th−n ASp¡f¸pdt¯íp sN¶p. ASp¡fbn sseÁp−v. F\níp apt¼ Xt¶ s]®p§Ä DWÀ¶ncníp¶p. ASp¡fapÁ¯v Hcp a¬Iew Ccn¸p−v, AXn t\m¡n. Iãn¨v Ipd¨p shÅw ImWpw. ASp¯p Xt¶ Hcp Idp¯ SmÀho¸ Ccníp¶p AXnsâ XSnbS¸p s]m¡n t\m¡n. AXnepw ASnbn Aåw shÅta DÅp. t]Ìv tX¨v {_sjSp¯v Acbn XncpIn. ASp¡f¯n®bn Hcp Aepan\nbpw Iehpw sN¸pIpShpw Ccníp¶p. AXp c−psaSp¯v InWÁpIcbnteíp \S¶p. tXm«ph¡n IpÁn¡m«nsâ klmbt¯msS IÀ½§Ä \S¯n. ho«n sN¿p¶ ]Xnhphymbma§fpw sNbvXp. FÃmw Ignªv IpS§fn shÅw \nd¨p. At¸mtgípw Ab ]¡s¯bmhpw H¶pc−p s]®p§Ä shÅw tImcms\¯n. Rm³ ]m{X§Ä tXmfnseSp¯v ho«nteíp \S¶p. ho¸bn shÅsamgn¨p. aq¶p\mep {]mhiyw sIm−v ho¸ GXm−p \ndbmdmbn. F¦n ]ns¶ \ndt¨ímw, F\nsímcp hymbmahpambsÃm. ASp¯ {Sn¸p Ignªp hcpt¼mÄ ASp¡fhit¯ hmXn¡ Ft¶¯t¶ t\m¡n \n¡p¶ Ftf½. apÁ¯cnIn ]Ãp tX¨psIm−p \n¡p¶ cmta«³. Xn®bnencníp¶ IetamÄ. A`nsb I−nÃ. ASp¡fbnemhpw. FÃmhcptSbpw apJ¯v A¼c¸nsâ `mhw. " F´n\m cmPp... cmhnte \obo shÅw FÃmw tImcp¶Xv... ChnsS´m.. IeymWtam atÁm Dt−m...." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " t\m¡nb¸w ]m{X¯n H«pw CÃmcp¶p... shÅw FÃmhÀ¡pw tht−...." Rm³ `hyXtbmsS ]dªp. " ChnsS s]®p§fp sIm−p ht¶mfpatÃm... \nsâ A½sb§\padnªm... " " Hm... CsX\nsímcp hymbmam cmta«m.... Asænepw ho«n Rm\pw tPmensbms¡ sN¿p¶Xm... " " Mqw ... aXn.. sNmat¶m−p \nímsX sIms−mgnív..." " sshIpt¶cw ... hymbma¯n\p ]Icw.... shdsImt− sh«n¯cmw... F\nínãs¸« ]Wnbm...." " \osb´m... ChnsS shÅw tImcm\pw shdIp sh«m\pamtWm h¶Xv... t]mbncp¶p ]Tním³ t\m¡v...." " kmcanà cmta«m... Ft¶s¡m−v... BImhp¶ klmbw... At{XsbmÅp...." Rm³ Nmbv]nteíp Ibdn. {]mXen\p sImÅn ]pgp§nbXpw Im´mcn apfIp N½´nbpambncp¶p. Fsâ {]nbs¸« hn`h§Ä. cmta«\p Iªn, ImcWw sImÅn Ign¨m ]pÅn¡mc\p Kymkp−mIpas{X. Rm\pw Iebpw cmta«\pw Igním\ncp¶p. Ftf½ `n¯n Nmcn shdptX \n¶p. A`ntb At¸mgpw I−nÃ. CSív Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " AÃm.....cmPmaWn..... sXt§ tIdpthm...?..." " tM....? F´mSo ...\o Chs\ sXt§epw tIÁm³ t]mIphmtWm..." cmta«³ tZjys¸«p. " ho«papÁ¯v A½ \«phfÀ¯nb c−p sXs§m−v... A[nIw s]m¡anÃ.... AtXsems¡ tIdpw.... sIm¶s¯t§Â tIdo«nÃ..." Rm³ ]dªp. " sNe¸w ChnsS Acím³ t\cw tX§m ImW¯nÃ.... A§s\ hcp¼w B s]®v tXm«ntb Acnhmfp sh¨v ]dnípw... Ignª Znhkw `mKy¯n\p tX§m Xte hoWnsÃt¶ DÅp.... Cu \m«nemsW¦n tIdm\mfpanÃ....Fs´mcp ]«n¡mSm CXv..." Ftf½ ]dªp. " F¶p IcpXn Cu ]mh¯ns\ \o.... tamt\ \o th−m¯ ]Wnsím¶pw t]mI− tIt«m...." cmta«³ IªnIpSn¨ns«gpt¶Áp. Ftf½ ]m{XsaSp¯psIm−v ASp¡fbnteíp t]mIms\mcp§n.

" AsXmcp {]iv\asÃt¶...ho«nemsW¦n... A½ cmhnte ao³ sImt«ambns«d§nbm ]ns¶ hcp¼w \à £oWw ImWpw... At¶cw...._m¡n FÃm ]WnIfpw Rm\tà sNbvtXm−ncpt¶....." " AXmcnípw A¦nfnsâ ASp¯p hcp¼w ao\nsâ Hcp Dfp¼p aWw...." ]dªn«v Ie s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " Ietamtf...." s]s«¶v ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Xm¡oXnsâ kzc¯n Hcp hnfn tI«p. A`ncmanbmbncp¶p AXv. IebpsS apJw hnhÀ®ambn. " tkmdn A¦nÄ... Rms\mcp tPm¡p ]dªXm tIt«m..." " tamsf´pw ]dtªm... A¦nfnsâ Cu XSn... Fât½sS hnbÀ¸pw ao\pfp¼pw sIm−m Ct{Xamtb... AtXm−v kXyw ]dªp Ifnbm¡nbm... A¦nfn\p kt´mtj HÅp...." " F¶mepw tkmdn..." " Mm.. AXp hnSv....AÃm Ietamtf....ChnsSmcp acw tIdn s]s®m−mcp¶tÃm.... ]−v Cep¼n¸pfnact¯sems¡ NmSn tIdns¡m−ncp¶ Hcp km[\w...AXnt\mSp ]dªm sXt§ tIdn C«p XcptIte...?.." Rm³ iÐw Aåsams¶mXp¡n IetamtfmSp tNmZn¨p. " tN¨osS ImcymtWm A¦nfp ]tdt¶...." " B... AXp Xt¶...." " ChnsS acwtIdn s]®p§sfm¶panÃ...." s]s«¶v ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Hcp ]cn`hw \ndª iÐw, A`ncmanbpsS. Rmt\mÀ¯p A`n ChnSt¯ kw`mjWw ImXpIqÀ¸n¨p tI«psIm−ncnípIbmWtÃm. A¼Sn tIan. At¸mÄ Ftf½ IS¶p h¶n«p ]dªp. " A`ncman ]s−ms¡ B ]pfntb tIdphmcp¶p. Hcokw hosWt¶m ]mhmS Iodos¶m Hs¡ ]td¶ tI«p. ]ns¶ Ahfm `mKt¯íp t]mbn«nÃ. C¸w Xmsg \n¶v In«p¶Xp ]dn¨m hà A¨msdms¡ CSpt¶..." " imctZ...." cmta«sâ hnfn tI«p. " Zm hcpt¶...." Ftf½ ]pdt¯índ§n. Rm³ Cfn`yXtbmsS Ietb t\m¡n. AhÄ hms]m¯n Nncn¨p. \à cpNnbpÅ N½´n. ]t£ ]m{Xw Imen. " \à Ie¡³ apfIp N½´nbmcp¶p.... XoÀ¶pt]mbtÃm.... " Rm³ hfsc iÐw Ipd¨v IetbmSp ]dªp. " A¦nfp hmcn hmcn ASníphÃmcpt¶m... Fs´msccnhm... N¦p shÅhmIpthte...." Ie ]dªp. " C¸w sIm−cmw...Fgpt¶Áp t]mItÃ..." ASp¡fbn \n¶pw A`ncman hnfn¨p ]dªp. c−p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ A`nbpsS iÐw tI«p. " Ietamtf... CsXSpt¯m−p t]m...." " Ct§m«p sIms− Xm tN¨o.... R§fp IgníphtÃ..." Ie tNmZn¨p. " \o CsXSpt¯m−p t]msWmt−m s]t®...." A`nbpsS tZjyw \ndª iÐw. " Ct§m«p sIms−¯¶m.. hfbqcnt¸mIphmcnípw... s\Kfnbm... Cu tN¨n...." s]mdps]mdp¯psIm−v Ie Fgpt¶Áv ASp¡fbnteíp tIdn. DSt\ tIÄ¡mw IebpsS \nehnfn. " tlm... hnSv tN¨o... F\níp t\mIp¶p...." Hcp IbvsIm−v Dcss¡ Xncp½n atÁ I¿n N½´n¸m{Xhpambn Ie IS¶p h¶p. " km[\w... ]dªm H¶pw ]nSníptIe... ]ns¶ sNhntbepw It¿epw Hs¡ ]n¨pw... slm....\odp¶p... " Ie tZjyt¯msS ]ndp]ndp¯p. AI¯p \n¶pw AS¡nb Hcp NncnbpsS aWnInep¡w tI«p. Rm³ sImÅnsbSp¯p N½´nbn ap¡n Ign¨p. ]gbXnepw cpNn. " lmbv sImÅmw tamtf... " " AXt§m«p ]dtªm−m aXn aXn....Fsâ Ibv \odp¶p.... Cu tN¨níp sNe¸w... `b¦c Kabm..." " t\tcm.... AsX´m...?..." " Rm³ ]ns¶¸dbmw... Atà C\ow Ft¶ ]n¨pw.... hmXp¡Â Xt¶ sNhow \o«n \níps¶m−v....." A`ntb Hcp t\m¡p ImWm³ Fsâ a\Êp sh¼n. GXmbmepw AhÄ Ft¶ {i²níp¶ps−¶Xv Fsâ a\Ên¶p ]pXnsbmcpt·jw \ÂIn. F¶mepw F§s\ C{X X{´]qÀhw AhÄ Fsâ I¬sh«¯p hcmsX adªp \n¡p¶p. \mWamtWm, B F´pamIs«. Rm³ ho−pw `£W¯nteíp Xncnªp.

Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ cmta«\pw Ftf½bpw GtXm Hcp IeymW¯ns\¶pw ]dªp ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ Nmbv]n ]pkvXIhpambn aÃSním³ XpS§n. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ Ie Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. " tIt«m A¦ntf... Cu A`nt¨¨níp A¦nfnt\mSp Hcp sNdnb Xmåcyw Ht−m¶p kwibw..." " Mqw ?...AsX´m...?..." " cmhnte... A¦nfp shÅw sNmat¶m−ncp¶¸w... tN¨n ASp¡tfsS P\en¡qsS t\m¡n \níphmcp¶p.... Rm³ tNmZn¨p... F´n\m Hfnªp t\m¡pt¶¶v... At¶cw tZjymbn... Rm³ Hfnªp t\m¡pshm¶pasÃSo.... \o t]mSos¶t¶msSmcp Nm«w... ]ns¶ s]mdps]mdp¡phm....F¶mepw F´n\m Ct{Xw Iãs¸Spt¶... ChnsS sNdnb sImSw H−mcp¶tÃm... AXpw, cs−®w F´n\m sNma¡pt¶.. Hmtcm¶mbn«p sNma¶mepw shÅw Cs§¯ptIte¶v.... A¸w Rm³ H¶p sNmdnªpsImSp¯p... AXn\p tN¨nsí´m C{X Z®w¶v... HSt\ Fsâ t\tc ]nt¶w NmSn... \o \nsâ ]mSp t\m¡p s]t®... shfp¸n\p t]mbncp¶p hmbns¡So¶v... " Fsâ DÅn Hcp Ipfncp tImcn. Ft¶mShÄ¡p tZjyanÃ. ]ns¶ kvt\ltam. AdnbnÃ. F¦nepw AXp th−. IpSníp¶ shůn IqXn IgpIcpXtÃm. F\níp]Imcw sN¿p¶htc t{Zmlním³ ]mSnÃ. CXp t]mse sNdpa[pchpambn A§p t]mbm aXn. " AtX \nsâ tN¨osS a\Êp \ÃXm AXpsIm−p ]dªXm....." " Gbv AsXm¶pasöm F\níp tXm¶pt¶... ]ns¶ A½tbmSpw tZjys¸Sp¶Xp I−p...." " AsX´n\mcp¶p....?.." " ASp¡tf sh¨v A½ ]dbphmcp¶p... ao³ sNma¶mtWepw Ahfp aIt\ \¶mbn«p ]pãns¸Sp¯ps¶m−v.... It−mSo A`o... Ahsâ icotcmw aknepsamt¡¶v... HSt\ tN¨n ]tdIm.... tiym...Fsft½ I®p shímsX... cmPq\p hà kqt¡Spw hcq¶v.... A¸w AXnsâ AÀ°w F´m A¦ntf...." " AtXm... AXv... AXv... \nsâ A`nt¨¨osS a\Ên Cu ]mhs¸t«mt\mSv C¯ncn Zbbps−¶v...a\Ênemtbm..." " At¿m... Cu A¦nfp shdpw s]m«\m.... Xtesem¶panÃ...." " AtX tamtf.... A¦nfp s]m«\m... AtXm−v hà s]mkvXtImw hmbn¨v H¶p ]Tnís«... tamfpw t]mbncp¶p ]Tnív...." " Hm... F\níp aSp¯p... hmbn¨n«p Xtet¡dp¶nÃ... Hdt¡mw hcp¶p...." Ie Xebpw sNmdnªv AIt¯íp t]mbn. Znhk§Ä A§s\ IS¶p t]mbn. cmta«³ Rmbdmgv¨ Xt¶ tPmenkvYet¯íp t]mbn. B ho«nepÅhcpsS Cãw k¼mZním³ Rm³ InWªp ]cn{ian¨p. tImtfPn \n¶pw h¶p Ignªm Ftf½ F\nív Fs´¦nepw tPmen I−p sh¨ncnípw. Ftf½ ]dª tPmensbms¡ sNbvXpsImSp¯p. Hcní tX§m ]dn¨p sImSp¯p. shÅw tImc Fsâ Zn\Ncybmbn. hÃt¸mgpw Zqsc \n¶p am{Xw A`ncmantb Rm³ I−p. Ft¶ I−p Ignªm ]ns¶ AhÄ NmSn ASp¡fbn Ibdpw. Hcp hm¡p an−m³ ]Ánbn«nÃ. F¦nepw Rm³ ASp¡fhit¯íp Xncnªp IbdnbnÃ. Nmbv]nepw AXnsâ hi§fnepw Ignªp IqSn. ]t£ Htcsbmcp Ipg¸w Ietamfmbncp¶p. {]mbhpw hfÀ¨bpw hIshímsX AhÄ Ft¶mSngpInt¨cm³ XpS§n. ao³ sh«p¶Xnsâ ASp¯v ]q¨ XgpIn¯gpIn Id§p¶ t]mse Ahsft¶ NpÁn¯gpIm³ XpS§n. InÅepw skmÅepw In¶mchpw. A`ntb¸Án AhÄ H¶p c−p {]mhiyw kqNn¸n¨t¸msgms¡ Rm³ hnjbw amÁn. Rm³ AhnSt¯ s]®p§tf ]©mcbSníp¶psh¶v Hcp¯À¡pw tXm¶cpXtÃm. Xebpw apebpw hfÀs¶¦nepw Ie sIm¨tà Fs¶mcp tXm¶ep−mbncp¶p. ]t£ AhfpsS ASp¸w Ft¶ Ipgím³ XpS§n. Rm³ hmbn¨p sIm−ncnípt¼mÄ Fsâ ]pd¯v Nmcn\n¶p Ipiew ]dbpI AhfpsS kz`mhambn. At¸mÄ B Infp´p apeIÄ Fsâ ]pd¯p sh¨aÀ¯nbmbncnípw AhÄ \n¡pI. Hcp sNdnb tImcn¯cnt¸msS Fsâ Phm³ Aedns¡ms−gpt¶Â¡p¶Xv XSbm\pw AhÄ ImWmXncníphm\pw F\níp ]Wns¸tS−n h¶p. Fsâ I«nen Hcp Imepw s]m¡n B h®¯pSIfpw Im«n AhÄ InS¡pt¼mÄ Fsâ I¿pw tZlhpw F´nt\m th−n Xcnípw. Ahsft¶

hogníphm³ {ianíp¶Xp t]mse. s]¬Ip«nItf GÁhpw kq£ntí− {]mbamWnsX¶v A½ Hcní ]dbp¶Xp Rm³ tI«n«p−v. Rm³ Hcp sNdp¸¡mc\tÃ. a\ÊnfIp¶ t]mse. F¦nepw Fsâ t]Sn CsX§m\pw A`n I−m AhÄ F´p hnNmcnípw F¶Xmbncp¶p. Hcp Znhkw F\níp In«nb tPmen hndIpIodembncp¶p. ASp¡fhi¯v Ae¡p IÃn\Sp¯p InS¶ Hcp sX§n³IpÁn ImWn¨p X¶n«v Ftf½ Ipfním³ t]mbn. Rm³ AXp Iodm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Ie ASp¯p h¶p t\m¡n \n¸mbn. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ AhÄ Ae¡pIÃn tIdn Ip¯nbncp\p. hndIp Iodp¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ AhfpsS Ccp¸v AdnbmsX H¶p t\m¡nt¸mbn. Ft¶ t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨psIm−v AhÄ Ccníp¶p. Ac¸mhmSbpsS CSbn IqSn XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn XÅn\n¡p¶ Acs¡«pw ap³`mKhpw. AXv shÅbn sNdnb ]pÅnIfpÅ jÍnípÅn XÅn XpSn¨p \n¡p¶p. t\cn ImWp¶Xnt\¡mÄ Imtam±o]Iambncnípw jÍnípÅn sXdn¨p \n¡p¶ s]®nsâ ap³hiw ImWp¶Xv. Rm³ hÃmXmbn. XpSsc¯pSsc Fsâ t\m«w XÅn \n¡p¶ B Cfwkmam\¯nteímbn. t\m¡pt´mdpw AXnsâ hniZmwi§Ä ]nSnIn«n¯pS§n. apIÄ`mKw CÍen t]mse s]m§nbncps¶¦nepw XpSIÄ¡nSbn tNcp¶nS¯v B ]nfÀ¸p ImcWw jÍn Npfp§nbXv Fsâ at\mapIpc¯n ]nfÀ¶p XÅn \n¡p¶ tbm\nbpsS Nn{Xw hc¨p. Fsâ tImSmenbpsS e£yw sXÁnt¸mbn. "În³" F¶ iÐt¯msS tImSmen sXdn¨p. s]s«¶v ASp¡fípÅn \n¶pw A`nbpsS hnfntI«p. " Ietamtf..." " F´m tN¨o... " apJw XncnímsX Ie hnfn tI«p. " Ct§ms«gpt¶Áp hmSo s]t®... " kzc¯n tZjyw. " Cu tN¨n... HscS¯p kzkvYambns«m¶ncním³ k½XníptIe..." ]ndp]ndp¯psIm−v Ie Fgpt¶Áp t]mbn. A`n Ahtf Fs´ms¡tbm imkníp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. tXm«n t]mbn Ipfn Ignªv Rm³ h¶p ]Tním\ncp¶p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ I¿nsemcp ]pkvXIhpambn Ie Nmbv]nteíp IS¶p h¶p. Fsâ ItkcbpsS ]pdIn h¶p \n¶p. ]ns¶ Ft¶mSSp¯p. AhfpsS sNdpapeIÄ Fsâ ]pd¯aÀ¶p. F\níp hÃmXmbn. " A¦ntf....." " Mqw...F´m....?..." " A¦nfns\§s\bm Ct{Xw aknep h¶Xv... shdIp sh«nb¸w \n¶p samgíp¶Xp ImWms\´p ckw... s\©s¯ms¡.... KpkvXn¡mcptSXp t]mse...." " AXv... \¶mbn«p `£Ww IgníWw.....hymbmaw sN¿Ww...." " Rm\pw \¶mbn Igníps¶m−v... kvIqfn aníhmdpw Znhkw {UnÃpw Hs¡ D−v... F¶n«pw F\níp aknep hcp¶nÃtÃm...." F\nít¸msgmcp IpkrXn tXm¶n. Rm³ ]dªp. " AXv...... tamtf s]®p§Ä¡pw s\©¯p aknsem−mIpw.... IetamÄ¡pw H−v..." " FhnsS...?... " AhÄ amdn Fsâ ap¼n h¶p \n¶p. ]pkvXIw I«nenteín«p. B ImepIÄ Fsâ ImepIfn ap«n¨p sh¨psIm−v AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " tZ... I−ntÃ.... samg¨p \níp¶Xv..." Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfnteíp Nq−n¡mWn¨psIm−v ]dªp. " At¿ \mWanÃtÃm... C§s\ ]dbm³... AXp s{_ÌtÃ.... Rm³ ]dªXv.... tZ... A¦nfnsâ ChnSt¯ t]mse \à I«nsbmÅ aknensâ Imcym.... " AhÄ Fsâ s\©nse aknen ]nSn¨p sR¡nbn«v ]dªp. " H−p tamtf... AXpw aknep Xs¶bm... \à I«nsbm−mIpw...." Rm³ ]dªp. " At¿m.. H«pw I«nbnÃ... Atà tZ A¦nsfmWp sXm«p t\m¡v.... " AhÄ s\©pw XÅn Ft¶mSSp¯p. h®w ImcWw FSp¯p ImWním¯ sNdpapeIÄ s\©p apt¼m«p XÅn\n¶t¸mÄ IqSpX hepXmbn XÅn \n¶p. Fsâ DsÅm¶p ]nS¨p. " t\m¡− Bhiysam¶panà tamtf.... I«nsbm−v...." " CsÃt¶...tZ sXm«p t\m¡v... " AhÄ Fsâ IbvIÄ ]nSn¨v AhfptS s\©nteíp hen¨p. F\níp a\Ên Hcp kwibw, Cu s]®v AdnªpsIm−v s]m«n IfnípIbmtWm. Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw ]pkvXIw Xmsgt¸mbn. AdnbmsX Rm³ apg¨p \n¶ B apeIfpsS apIfn sXm«p. sasà H¶aÀ¯nbt¸mÄ Ahsfm¶p Npfnªp.

Fsâ kwibw amdn. ]Icw a\Ên sNIp¯m³ tIdn. Rm³ sasà c−p apeIfpsS apIÄ`mK¯pw tlmWSníp¶Xp t]mse sR¡n t\m¡n. " H«pw aknenÃ... ]nSníp¼w F\ntíXm−p t]mse Hcn¡nfow... F\nín¯cw aknep Cãey....." Npfnªp ]pfªpsIm−v AhÄ Fsâ apeIfn ]nSn¨p sRcním³ XpS§n. Ahsfsâ Hcp Im AhfpsS c−p ImepIfpsS CSbn Cdp¡n¸nSn¨p. " C¨nsc Nph«n sN¶m aknsem−v... " DSp¸n\p apIfn IqSn apeIÄ apgph\mbn ]nSns¨mXp¡ns¡m−v Rm³ CSdp¶ kzc¯n ]dªp. Fsâ Kpem³ s]m§n sXdn¨p jÍn henªp. " A¦nfn\p hà C¡nfow tXm¶ps¶mt−m......?..." " CÃ.... tamÄt¡m....?...." " \à cksam−v.... A¦nfp ]nSníp¼w... \¶mbn«p ]nSnt¨... " AhÄ iànbmbn Fsâ apeIfpw s\©pw sRcn¨p. Rm³ AhfpsS apeIÄ sasà XgpIn¡i¡n. Fsâ ssIípÅn apgph\mbn \ndbm³ am{Xw hen¸w Bbn«nÃ. \à amÀ±hhpw NqSpw. AhÄ XeIp\n¨v s\Án Fsâ s\ÁntbmSp ap«n¨p. AhfpsS \nizmkw Fsâ apJ¯Sn¨p. s]®n\p ckw tIdnb t]mse AhÄ I®S¨p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. Fsâ s\©nSn¸p IqSn. Hcp an\nt«mfw R§Ä At\ym\yw apeíp ]nSn¨p kpJn¨p ImWpw. At¸mtgípw AhÄ Fsâ Hcp XpSbnteíp ImepIÄ Ih¨ncp¶p. AhfpsS Ih¡nSbnte NqSv Fsâ XpSbn IqSn Fsâ icoc¯n Rc¼pIfn {]I¼\§Ä krãn¨p. AhfpsS XSn¨ Ipjy³]qsdsâ Imenencp¶p hn§n. F\níp Ip® kvJenípsa¶p tXm¶n. AhÄ Fsâ s\©n \n¶pw ]nSn hn«p Fsâ c−p tXmfnepw IbvIÄ sh¨p Fsâ tZlt¯íp apJw Nmbv¨p. F¶ns«sâ sNhnbnteíp tNmZn¨p. " Ct{Xw ]nSn¨p t\m¡o«pw I«nbntà A¦ntf... F¦n.... sImd¨qsS ]nSnt¨m... \à tiem.... A¦nfn§s\ s{_t̸nSn¨p sR¡p¼w.... \à ctkm−v.....A¿S... iviviviv ...Mqw...Mqw..." AhÄ kpJw sIm−p aqfns¡m−ncp¶p. Rm³ ]cnkcw ad¶p t]mbn. Fsâ tZlt¯íp Nmª Ahtf Hcp IbvsIm−v sI«n¸nSn¨p. Hcp IbvsIm−v kvt]m©papeIfn amdn amdn aÀ±\w XpSÀ¶p. " Ite... FSo Ite.... " apÁ¯cnIn \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS hnfn tI«p. R§Ä c−p t]cpw sR«n. AhÄ Fsâ XpSbn \n¶pw NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. ]pkvXIw I¿nseSp¯n«p hnfn tI«p. " Rm\n\nhnsSm−t½...." AhÄ shfnbnteínd§n. " t\cw kÔybmImdmbn.... \o AhnsS Fs´Sp¡phm....thKw Cu XpWn hncn¨nSv.... F¶n«v shf¡p I¯nív.... aÁhsft´y....?.." " B,... Rm³ I−nÃ... sNe¸w Ipfníphmcnípw..." Ie ]dbp¶Xp tI«p. Rms\m¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. HmÀ¯t¸mÄ sR«nt¸mbn. Cuizcm, Bsc¦nepw I−ncps¶¦nÂ. Hcp \nanjt¯ív Fsâ ]nSnhn«p t]mbn. C\n Hcníepw BhÀ¯nínÃ. Rm³ Nn´n¨psIm−v Ahfncp¶ XpSbn AdnbmsX H¶p XShn. tM, AhnsSsbmcp sNdnb \\hv. Mqw.. sIm¨p]pkvXI¯n hmbn¨Xpw N{μ³ ]dªXpw sicnbmWv. s]®p§Ä¡v kpJw CfIpt¼mÄ AhcpsS tbm\nbn \n¶pw Ipgª shÅw hcpsa¶v. Rm\sXm¶p XpS¨p aW¯p t\m¡n. {]tXyIns¨m¶pw tXm¶nbnÃ. Hcní N{μsâ IqsS Ifn ]Tním³ t]mbt¸mÄ ]co£ním\hkcw In«nbXmbncp¶p. A¶Xp ]ÁnbnÃ. C¶n¸w AXp a\Ênem¡m³ IetamÄ klmbn¨p. kXy¯n IetamfpsS Dt±iw F´mbncp¶p. Xcw In«pt¼mÄ AXp tNmZn¨p a\Ênem¡Ww. s]®v Ft¶ hfs¨Sp¯p Ifªp. hfbm³ Rm\pw, tÈ, tamiw. \nb{´Ww hn«pt]mbn. ]mSnÃmbncp¶p. CXv Nnet¸mÄ hn\bmIm\pw km²yXbp−v. hmbn¨n«v GIm{KX In«p¶nÃ. ]pd¯nd§n ]d¼nte Cep¼n¸pfnbpsS Nph«nteíp \S¶p. PohnX¯nemZyambn Hcp Cfwtbm\nbpsS ZÀi\w In«nbXv CXnsâ Nph«n h¨mbncp¶p. AXnsâ DSabpsS apJw H¶p t\tc sNmthz ImWm³ Ignªn«nÃ. \maw sNmÃpt¼mÄ ASp¯p sNÃm³ A¶t¯t¸mse Ct¸mÄ ss[cyw In«p¶nÃ. Hcp ImcWanÃmsX F§s\bm ASp¯p sNÃpI. XpWn hncn¨n«n«v IetamÄ Fsâ ASpt¯íp hcp¶p. tNmZníWw Ct¸mÄ Xs¶. AhfSp¯p h¶p. \mWt¯msS Fs¶ t\m¡n H¶p Nncn¨n«v Hcp ]pÃnsâ AÁw ]dns¨Sp¯v ISním³ XpS§n.

" Ite... tamsf´n\m... Ft¶s¡m−v A§s\ \nÀ_Ôn¨n«v....tM... Bsc¦nepw I−mcps¶¦n F´mIpambncp¶p. Ft¶ hf¨v..." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. " A¦ntf... Ft¶mSp tZjys¸SptIse¦n ]dbmw....." " F¶m ]d...." " A¦nfnt\ F\nínãm... AO³ ]dªns«m−v A¦nfp \Ãh\m NXníptIe Fs¶ms¡..." " AXn\v...?..." " Fsâ Iq«pImcnIÄs¡ms¡ \à s{_sÌm−v..... B¼ntÅcmcpw Ft¶ t\m¡¯nÃ.... XSn ImcWw HÅXv ImWm\pw CÃ... A`ntN¨osS s{_Ìp ImWp¼w F\níkqtbw k¦tSmw hcpw.... kmhn{Xn ]dªp.... \à anSp¡½mcv BWp§fp ]nSn¨m s{_Ìp hepXmIpw... \à `wKow H−mIpw Fs¶ms¡.... hnizkn¨v ]nSn¸ním³ C¸fm F\nív Hcmfnt\ In«nbXv... " " F¶mepw Fsâ Ite... a−ns¸t®... \nt¶mSnXv ]dªhtc XÃWw.. CsXm¶pw icnbÃ...." " AÃ... F\nídnbmw... kmhn{Xnív AhfpsS samds¨dp¡³ H−v... AhfpsS s{_Ìp c−pw ImWm³ F´p tiemsWt¶m... " " tamtf... AXp shdpw..." " H¶pw an−−... Bgvt¨semcníep aXo¶m Ahfp ]dªXv.... Rm³ t]mWp... A½ sXc¡pw..." AhÄ s]s«¶v HmSn s]mífªp. Rm³ Xcn¨p \n¶p t]mbn. Cu s]m«ns¸®nt\ F§s\ IbvImcyw sN¿ptam. ]Sn IS¶mtcm hcp¶Xp I−p. Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³. Rm³ apÁt¯íp sN¶p. At¸mÄ Ftf½ Abmfpambn kwkmcnípIbmbncp¶p. Hcp ¥mÊv Im¸nbpw Ftf½ sImSp¡p¶Xp I−p. IpSn¨n«v Nncn¨p Ipgªv AbmÄ t]mIp¶Xpw I−p. Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ " t]mt« ?" F¶p tNmZn¨n«v \S¶I¶p. tNmZy cq]¯nepÅ Fsâ t\m«w I−t¸mÄ Ftf½ ]dªp. " sambvXphm.... th¸pwXtdte cmcn¨³ samXemfosS ho«nte s]mdw ]Wn¡mc\m... Ac s]m«\m.... ]mhw... høgpw ChnsS hcpw kmdn\p kpJamtWm¶p tNmZnípw... Hcp ¥mkp Im¸ow IpSnt¨m−p t]mIptIw sN¿pw...." " Mm...AXp sicn...." Rm³ sicn sh¨p. \m«n³ ]pdatÃ. C¯cw ip²KXn¡mÀ [mcmfw ImWpambncnípw. B \aps¡´p ]mSv. Rm³ Nmbn¸nteíp Ibdm³ XpS§pt¼mÄ \nehnf¡pambn A`ncman Xn®bnÂ. Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡nbn«v hnf¡p Xmsg h¨p. F¶n«It¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ hnf¡n sXm«p sXmgpXp. ]ns¶ Fsâ apdnbnteíp t]mbn. lm^vkmcn [cn¨ A`n, \nehnf¡nsâ Zo]{]`bn Pzen¨p \n¶ AhfpsS Hma\apJw. Agn¨n«ncp¶ NnIpc`mcw B kpμcns¸®nsâ Hcp \nanjt¯ ZÀi\kpJw HmÀ¯psIm−v A¶p Cep¼n¸pfnbpsS Nph«n sh¨p I− AhfpsS ap³`mK¯n\nt¸mÄ ht¶¡mhp¶ cq]amÁ§Ä HmÀ¯psIm−v Rm³ shdptX I«nen InS¶p. A¶p B XpSbnSp¡nte {XntImW¯n I− NnXdn¡nS¶ sNdptcma§Ä Ct¸mÄ hfÀ¶v AhnSamsI hym]n¨p ImWpw. sam«p t]mse \n¶ IpNZzb§Ä Ct¸mÄ cq]`wKnsbm¯ sImgp¯pcp− ape¡pS§fmbn hfÀ¶p Ignªp. t\m¡pt´mdpw ho−pw ho−pw t\m¡n\n¡m³ sImXn tXm¶p¶ apeIÄ. B apJ¯n\h c−pw \¶mbn tNcpw. Btctbm Npw_ním³ £Wníp¶Xp t]mse XcfnX`mht¯msSbpÅ Np−pIÄ. Cu {Kma¯nsâ AgIpw hiyXbpamWhÄ. B t]ehm[c§fnÂ\n¶pw Hcp Npw_\w F\nsís¶¦nepw In«ptam. Hm, Rms\´n\Xn\miníWw. s]m«³, a\Êm£n ]dªp. AhcpsS ZbsIm−v Fsâ PohnXw Icp¸nSním³ h¶ncníp¶ Ft¶ AhÄ IW¡m¡ptam. Ahtf \à ImipÅ, Asæn KÄ^nepÅ ]¿·mcmsc¦nepw sIm¯ns¡m−p ]d¡pw. \o AhfpsS atÁShpw HmÀ¯v hmWw hn«v \S¡t¯bpÅp. k½Xn¨p. Fsâ s]mt¶ F\níhtf kz]v\w ImWmatÃm. AXn\mcpw FXncp ]dbpIbnÃtÃm. AXp Xs¶bmhpw F\níp _m¡n. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Cdb¯p \n¶pw \maP]w tI«p. H¶nd§n t\m¡m³ Xp\nªp. At¸mÄ tIÄ¡mw Ftf½bpsS kzchpw A¡q«¯nÂ. Xncn¨v I«nencp¶v A§Ise

Ccp¶v F\nív th−n \maw sNmÃp¶ A½tb [ym\n¨p. At½, ]co£W§fn \n¶pw Ft¶ c£nítW. ]mXncm htc Ccp¶p hmbn¨n«pw GIm{KX In«p¶nÃ. IebpsS s]cpamÁhpw AhfpsS apeIfpsS amÀ±hhpw A`ncmanbpsS apJhpsams¡ amdn amdn Fsâ a\Ên\pÅn tIdnbnd§n. IebpsS sIm¨papeIfn DSp¸n\p apIfn IqSn ]nSn¡m³ C{X ckamsW¦n A`nbpsS B henb Hmd©pIfn XgpIm³, Ah¿n apJw tNÀ¯p InS¡m³, F´p ckambncnípw. c£bnÃ, a\Êp ImSp tIdp¶p. F¦n C\n ]Tn¯w \msfbm¡mw. sseÁp \nÀ¯n InS¶p. Iptd¡gnªs¸mÄ aq{XsamgníWsa¶p tXm¶n. Fgpt¶Áp. a§nb \nemshfn¨w P\en¡qSn Acn¨cn¨v apdnbnteíp hogp¶p−mbncp¶p. sseÁnSmsX Xs¶ IXIp Xpd¶p shfnbnend§n. apÁ¯cnIn \n¶p ]d¼nteíp \o«n¸nSn¨p. taL¯p−pIÄ¡nSbneqsS Hfn¨pIfníp¶ tX§m¸qfp t]met¯ N{μ³. Ccp«pw shfn¨hpw CSIeÀ¶ ]mXncmhv. aq{Xsamgn¨p Xncn¨p Xn®bn Ibdnbn«v shdpsX H¶p Xncnªp t\m¡n. At¸mÄ ImWmw ]Sn IS¶p hcp¶ Hcp tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w. Cu ]mXncmív Bcmbncnímw. cmta«\mtWm, km²yXbnÃ. HXp¡n Im¨ph«n Xs¶ ASn¨psIm−v sasà hcp¶ shfn¨w. Cu apÁ¯p IqsS \S¸p hgnbnÃ. Rm³ IXIp Nmcn. F¶n«p apÁ¯nd§n. apÁ¯cnIn \n¶pw I¿n In«nb Hcp Is¼Sp¯p. ]ns¶ Hcp ]qs¨SnbpsS adhnencp¶p \nco£n¨p. IÅnap−pw Idp¯ ÁojÀ«pw. ap³hit¯íp IbdmsX BÄ ASp¡fhit¯íp \S¶p. F\nít¸mÄ sambvXphnt\ HmÀ½ h¶p. cmta«³ Dt−m F¶dnbm\pÅ hchmbncp¶p ]Iet¯ kμÀi\w. A¼S IÅm. F¦n \o `mhnbnte k_vC³kvs]ÎÀ cmPmaWnbpsS IbvsIm−p hm§nbXp Xt¶. Ah³ ASp¡fhi¯p adª DS³ Rm³ iÐap−m¡msX AhnsSsb¯n. AhnsSsb¯nbt¸mÄ BÄ Xncnªv hoSnsâ ]pdIphit¯íp t]mIp¶p. Rm³ sasà ]pdInte aqebnse¯n ]pdIphit¯íp t\m¡n. tM, BÄ A{]Xy£\mbncníp¶p. adphis¯¯m\pÅ kabambn«nÃ. F¦nepw t\m¡mw Rm³ Xncnªp ]pdtIm«p \S¶p. t\À¡pt\À I−m ASní¯ coXnbn Xbmdmbn¯s¶ \S¶p. ]t£ hoSnsâ ]pdInse¯nbn«pw Bfnsâ s]mSn t]mepw ImWp¶nÃ. ]t£ At¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS apdnbnet¯ sseÁp sXfnªp. At¿m, Ah³ AhnsSbmtWm tIdnbXv. Rm³ ]Xp§n ]pdInet¯ hmXnÂIse¯n. AXp `{Zambn AS¨ncníp¶p. ]ns¶ Rm³ Xpd¶pInS¶ Ftf½bpsS P\ecnIn h¶p. At¸mÄ tIÄ¡mw ]Xnª Hcp ]pcpjiÐw. " \obm P\eSív..." ]pcpjiÐw. " NqsSSp¡ptIte..." Ftf½bpsS iÐw " kmcanÃ.... \o P\eSív... " ]pcpj³ BhÀ¯níp¶p. P\eSím³ th−n \ofp¶ I¿psS \ng I−tXmsS Rm³ `n¯nbcnInteíp tNÀ¶p \n¶p. Fsâ lrZbw ]S]Sm CSn¨p. cmta«\o cm{Xnbn kz´w ho«n Hfn¨p hcnIbnÃ. ]ns¶, sambvXphmtWm. Ah³ s]m«\msW¶tà Ftf½ ]dªXv. " Hm... Cu Ip´¯nsâ Hcp ]mfn tNc¯nÃ.... IpXnÀ¶p s]mfnªncníphm...." Ftf½ ]dªpsIm−v P\ ]mfnIÄ AS¨p. Hcp ]mfn tNÀ¶Sªp. atÁ ]mfn tNÀ¶nÃ. Iãn¨v Hcn©p hnShp−v. Rm³ P\en\Spt¯íSp¯p. " \nsâ kmamt\mw C¸w A¸cphmbn¡mWpw...." ]pcpjsâ Nncn. " Bsbmt¶m... sImtd sZhkmbn«v H¶p In«pItà C¸w.... hms]mfn¨v hngp§m³ t\m¡nbncníphm.... FhSmcp¶p Ct{Xw sZhkw...? " Ftf½bpsS ]cn`hw. " Hm^okn t]mIt−... Fs´Ãmw tPmen¯nc¡m...." At¸mÄ cmta«³ Hm^okpw Ifªp h¶ncnípIbmtWm. iÐw AaÀ¯nbpÅ kwkmcambXpsIm−v kzcw ]nSnIn«p¶nÃ. " sshIpt¶cw knáep In«nb¸gm kam[m\mtb... At¶cw samXep I®nse®sbmgn¨p Im¯ncníphmcp¶p.... CsXms¡ Ducn¡fbt¶...." " \o I®nemtWm F®sbmgn¨Xv... AtXm... thtd hÃS¯phmtWm...?....." Iq«¯n D½ shíp¶ kzchpw. " AhsS F® F´n\m.... Hgnípt¶... At¶cw samXep Hent¨m−ncníphtÃ.... " D½bpsS iÐw. Ct¸mÄ kzcw Dbcm³ XpS§n. cmta«\Ã.

Rm³ P\ensâ hnShn IqSn AIt¯íp Hcp I®psIm−v t\m¡n. I«nensâ ]IpXn am{Xta ImWp¶pÅp. AhÀ I«nen h¶v Ccp¶m am{Xta F\níp ImWm³ ]ÁpIbpÅp. thmÄt«Pp Ipdª _Ä_mbXpsIm−v. hnShn IqSn t\m¡nbmepw Fs¶ ImWm³ _p²nap«mbncnípw F¶p Rm³ A\pam\n¨p. ]mfn H¶p hen¨I¯m³ t\m¡n. AXp tNÀ¶ndpInt¸mbn. _eambn hen¨m iÐw tI«mtem. th− £anímw, GXmbmepw ss¢amIvkv I«nen Bbncnípw F¶p hnNmcnímw. " Fsâ s]m¶p imcn¡p«o... tXm«¯o¶v D¨bmb¸w h¶Xm.... td¨ensâ I®p sh«nít−... \nsâ `mKy¯n\m Ahfn¶p ho«nt¸mIm¶p sh¨Xv.... Ahsfd§nb¸tg Rm³ knáeb¨p...." " F¶n«v D¨ív NqtSmsS td¨ensâ hmbn sIm−p XÅntbm... AtXm... ?..." " Hm ...AhÄ¡nsXm¶pw A{X Imcysam¶paÃ... ss]km... IW¡v... AhS¸sâ Ka...... Iq«pImcv... AXns\Sív Fhsâ Imcyw t\m¡m³ t\csamt−m... AXn\p \o Xt¶ thWw...." " Mqw AXm... C¸w Ah\n¸w C{X Ka... I−ntÃ... Fs´mcp iucyw.... sZhkw sNÃpt´mdpw _ew IqSpIm....Mqw...Mqw... " " Fsâ imcn¡p«osS Imcyw HmÀ¡p¼tg...Ah\o \nåm.... ]Xps¡... BÀ¯nIqSn ]Ãp sImÅÃv... Ahsâ Xesb§m\pw apdnªm..." " CsÃsâ s]mt¶... Fht\ ...Fsâ Cu s]m¶ptamt\ Rm³.....Mqw...Mqw...Mqw..." Ftf½ \n¶ \n¸n AbmfpsS Ip® hmbnem¡nb e£Wap−v. B cwKw H¶p ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃtÃm. " C\n \o CsXms¡ H¶qcntí...." ]pcpj³ Bhiys¸Sp¶p. Hcp \nanjw \niÐw. " tZs−..... Ducn...." " BMvlm..... AIs¯m¶pw C«n«ntÃ... A¸w \o sdUnbmbn«ncníphmcpt¶m....tlm... Fsâ imcn¡p«o...Mqw....Mqw... s]d¶ ]Sn \ns¶ ImWm³ F´p tiemsWt¶m.... " D½bptSbpw Np−pIÄ hen¨pIpSníp¶Xntâbpw iÐw sIm−v apdn \ndªp. " At¿m ]p¡ntf Ip¯ns¡mÅp¶p..... AhSw Ah\nSn¨p s]mfnípsh¶m... tXm¶pt¶..." " s]mfnípw ...Ah\pw shi¶ncníphmcps¶So... " " A¸w... tXm«¯o¶v Btcw H¸n¨ntÃ....?...." Ftf½sb¶ s]®nsâ Ipim{K_p²n. " \o ChnsS CsXms¡ kq£n¨p sht¨m−ncníp¼w ..Rm³ thtd BcsS ASp¯p t]mIm\m....?.. FÃmw Rms\m¶p \¶mbn«p ImWs«..." " It−m ... Fsâ s]m¶p It−m... Cãw t]mse..." " \nsâ Cu X¦s¡mS§fp sZhkw sNÃpt´mdpw kpμcnIfmbn«p hcpImWtÃmSo... Mqw...Mqw...Mqw..." Ftf½bpsS apeItfbmbncnípw AbmÄ ]pIgv¯p¶Xv. " At¿m ]Ãp sImÅnímsX IpSnív.... Chfpamco I¿nencníp¼w Fsâ tZlw tImcn¯cníphm....IpSn...IpSn...hen¨pIpSnsbsâ s]mt¶....C¶m... c−p t]cpw XpÅp¶ It−m... AhcpsS Bfnt\ In«nb¸w....." " Mqw...Mqw... " ]pcpjsâ apdp½Â. H¸w Ftf½bpsS io¡mchpw.. iÐtcJ tI«t¸mÄ Fsâ Ip®bpw ]Xps¡ Dbcm³ XpS§n. Rm\ht\ I¿n FSp¯p sXmen¨p Xmtemen¨p. PmckwkÀ¤amWp \S¡p¶sX¦nepw apSnªp t]mIm³ ChÀ¡v Cu I«nen h¶ncp¶p sNbvXpIqtS. H¶p ImWpIsb¦nepw sN¿mcp¶p. PohnX¯n hÃt¸mgpw hoWpIn«p¶ Ahkcw. " Hcmgv¨bmbt¸mtgípw aoisbms¡ s]m§m³ sXmS§nbtÃmSo... \o C¨ncqsS Ih¨p \nt¶.... Cu Imsesâ tXmtftem«p sht¨m...." " C¶m.... At¿m... Imet{Xw s]m¡msX Iodnt¸mIpw....\¡n¯n¶v...." Hcp Im s]m¡n AbmfpsS tXmfn shípt¼mÄ hnSÀ¶v XmfpIÄ AI¯nbncníp¶ Ftf½bpsS imcn¸qdnsâ k¦åNn{Xw Fsâ Ip®tb ]qÀhm[nIw I¼nbm¡n. " IpÁn sImÅps¶m−v.... F¶mepw Fs´mcp aWmSo... \nsâ imcn¸qdn\v...?... \o ]dªXv....t\cmWtÃmSo... HgpIpImWtÃm... NqsS®... D¸p Ie¡nbXp t]msem−v cpNn.... A{X shi¸mcps¶¦n... B ]mh¯nt\s¡ms−m¶p tIÁn¯Åním³ taemcpt¶m...." " GXp ]mhw...?..." " l... \nsâ sIt«ym³.. cma³ kmdv.... sImtd¡mew Abmfp XÅnt¡ÁnbXtÃ..... "

" Hm XÅn¨p.... hSn¨ kmam\w I−¸¯t¶.... At§csS ]IpXn Poh³ t]mbn. ]ns¶....Rm³ FfIpt¶\p ap¼v... At§cv.... C¨nsc Xp¸nsbmgnt¨¨p ae¶p sISs¶md§n... ]ns¶ Rm³ s]« ]mSv.... ]mXncmív XWp¯ hgpX\§m Ip¯nt¡Áo«pw c£bnÃmcp¶p.... ]ns¶ N¡¡pcpth c−p IbvsIm−pw sImtd sNc−n Hcp IW¡n\p Imcyw I−q¶p ]dªm aXnsbsâ s]mt¶...." " Mqw...Mqw.... ]mhw... A¸w Cu N¡¡pcqt\ \o Hcp ]cpham¡n. AXm.. C¶mft¯Xn\pw CXn\p \otfmw apgp¸pw.... hms\dªv N¸m\pw am{Xw Bbn....Mqw....Mqw....." " AsXm¶phÃ... Cu I¿pw \m¡pw sNÃp¼tf...... Ah¡p apgph³ Poh³ shíp¶XpsIm−m... N¸n¡pSnív.... F\ní§p shdªp Xcníphm AhSw... iviviviv " Ftf½bpsS kpJw sIm−pÅ io¡mcw. ]ns¶ Iptd t\ct¯ív aqfepw Rc§epw am{Xw. " tkm¸nsâ aWw t]mbn«nÃtÃm tamtf....\nsâ ]qdnsâ B AÊep aWw In«nbmte ctkmÅp...." " sImXnb³ HmSn hcp¼w ... shbÀ¸p \mÁw th−m¶p IcpXnbtÃ.... " " ]qSbnÃm¯Xp sIm−v... C\n sImtd¡met¯ív... tkm¸p th−.... F´n\m hSnt¨¶v.... \nsâ sI«ntbm³ tNmZn¨ntÃSo..." " tNmZn¨p.... NqSmbsIm−m¶p ]dªp.... hSn¨Xv Cãs¸«p... ]ns¶ At§cp sImtdt\cw XShn ckn¨p... AtXmsSbm Rm\pw NqSmtb.... ]t£ F´p Imcyw...." Ftf½bpsS \ncmi. " tÈym... A¶p Xt¶ F\nsím¶p XShm³ ]ÁoÃtÃm... \à amÀ_nfp t]mse Ccpt¶t\..." " Hm... Hcp sImXnb³... thtW C¸w hSn¨p Xcmw... Fsâ Ip«\p thtWm...?...." " C\n C¶p th−... C\n sImd¨p \mfp Duim´mSn¸qdmbn«p \nís«... AXp Ignªv... amÀ_nfm¡mw..." " FÃmw... Fsâ s]m¶nsâ Cãw.... Fât½m Fs´mcp kpJw... Xn¶v.... I´p apgpht\msS Xn¶v...." AbmfpsS ]qdp \¡epw Ftf½bpsS ckníepw ImcWw Cu kwkmcw apgph\pw apdnªmWp \S¶psIm−ncp¶Xv. CSínSíp am§m−n N¸p¶Xp t]msebpÅ iÐhpw tIÄ¡mw. Ftf½bpsS hnSÀ¶ ]qdnt¸mÄ AbmÄ \¡nt¯mÀ¯pIbmbncnípw. B s]cpwI´v N¸n henípIbmbncnípw. HmÀ¯t¸mtgípw Ip®¡p«sâ hmbn sImXnshÅaqdn. Rm³ sasà hmWaSn XpSÀ¶p. " Ct¿m...Ct¿m.... aXn.... C\n \¡nbm F\níp sNe¸w \n¶\n¸n hcpw.... BtLmjmbn«p cs−®w Igní−Xm... hm... \a¡n\n I«nteencnímw...." Ftf½bpsS £Ww Fsâ DÅn Hcp kam[m\w X¶p. Hm, C\n t\cn ImWpIbpw sN¿matÃm. BZyw h¶ncp¶Xp ]pcpj\mbncp¶p. Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³ kpapJ³, s\©p \ndtb tcmaw, \à BtcmKyw. Igp¯n Hcp henb kzÀ®ame. AbmÄ ImepIÄ Ih¨v I«nen Ccp¶Xn\p ]pdtI Ftf½bpw h¶p AbmfpsS ImepIÄ¡nSbn \ne¯p Ip¯nbncp¶p. F«n©p \ofapÅ Idp¯p XSn¨ ]q«pIpÁn amXncnbpÅ Ip® Nph¶ aIpSt¯msS AbmfpsS Acbn \n¶p sh«nbmSp¶p. Ftf½ Ccp¶]msS XeapSn Aekambn sI«n sh¨p. B Ip® I¿nseSp¯v IStIm Xncníp¶Xp t]mse c−pI¿nepw C«p Xncn¨p. ]ns¶ AXnt\ ASnapSn XgpIm³ XpS§n. IbvIÄ ]pdtIm«p Ip¯n I®S¨v AbmÄ kpJním\pw XpS§n. At¸mgmWp Rm³ ImWp¶Xv Ftf½bpsS CSt¯ ape. ]I ImWpt¼mÄ s]®p§fpsS s\©t¯ív A[nIw kq£n¨p t\m¡m³ ]ÁnÃtÃm. XpWnípÅn ImWp¶ t]msebÃ. \à apgp¸pÅ ape. ]mXn hoÀ¯ _eq¬ t]mse apt¶m«åw XÅnb ape¡®v. \o−p XSn¨ apesR«v. `mcwsIm−v Xebåw Nmªn«ps−¶sXmgn¨m \à H¶m´cw ape. Ftf½ hfsc sNdp¸amsWs¶\níp tXm¶n. AhcpsS \à shfp¯ an\pkamb ta\n. Igp¯n sNdnb Hcp ame shfp¯ ta\nív Ae¦mcw. hoXntbdnb Acs¡«v. Ip¯nbncp¶t¸mÄ B h³Ip−nIÄ hnSÀ¶p \n¶p. cmta«t\s¡m−v Chtc t]mÁm³ ]ÁpIbnÃ. ChÀ¡v ISn amÁm³ \à Imf¡qÁ³ Xt¶ thWw, Rm³ A\pam\n¨p. GtXm Hcp Imf¡qÁt\ Ct¸mÄ I¿n In«nbncníp¶p.

Ftf½ s]cpwIqWp t]met¯ B Ip® I¿nen«v A½m\amSn ckn¸nípt¼mÄ AbmÄ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v AhcpsS apeIÄ c−pw amdn amdn XgpIp¶p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½ Ip\nªv B Ip® hmbnem¡n. AtXmsS AbmÄ sR«ns¡m−v Acs¡«v Ftf½bpsS ap¼nteíp XÅn¸nSn¨p. H¸w Rm\pw H¶p sR«n. F\níp tXm¶n AhcpsS hmbnencníp¶Xv Fsâ Ip®bmsW¶v. Iptd aq©nbn«v AhÀ Ip® hmbn \ns¶Sp¯n«p tNmZn¨p. " kptJmt−m... ?... AtXm... ]cn]mSn amÁtWm....." " \o F´p sNbvXmepw Rm³ kzÀ¤¯n tIdpsaSo... AXm \nsâsbmcp IbvKpWw... Cãw t]mse sN¿v... " " F¦n.... thtW Rm³ sIS¡mw.... sXmS§ntím... AtàFh³ sNe¸w NoÁpw.... Du¼n NoÁnítWm..." " A§s\ ... NoÁn¨m ]ns¶ \nsâ Imcyw...?..." " Ft¶¸Án shjaní−.... BZyw... Fht\ NoÁnímw...." Ftf½ D¯c¯n\p Im¯p \n¡msX Ip® ho−pw hmbnem¡n. AbmÄ sRfnªncp¶p ]pfªp kpJním\pw XpS§n. AbmfpsS aqfepw Rc§epw D¨¯nembn. shÅw hcmdmsb¶p tXm¶p¶p. Fsâ Ip®bnte Ibv{]tbmK¯nsâ thKXbpw IqSn. s]s«¶v Ftf½ Ip® hmbn \ns¶Sp¯p. " At¿mSo tamtf... hcm³ t]mbXmcp¶p...." AbmÄ \ncmitbmsS ]cªp. Ftf½ Xe \nhÀ¯n, ]ns¶ F¯n¡p¯n AbmfpsS Np−nsemcp½ sImSp¯p. " A§s\ C¸w s]s«¶p hcp¯−... BZyt¯Xp shSns¡«mcníWw... " " Fsâ imcn¡p«osS Cãw....." AbmÄ Xncn¨pw D½ sh¨p. Ftf½ t\tc ap«n \n¶v Abmtf sI«n¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶ kvt\l¯n Hcp tNmZyw. " Rm³ ]dª Imcyw F´mbn..... ?... tN«³........ an\nbm¶pw h¶ncp¶p.... henb {]iv\amsW¶m ]dtª..." " Fsâ s]mt¶ s\\s¡t¶ hnizmkantÃ... th¸pwXtdte cmcn¨³ hm¡p ]dªm hm¡m.... Cubmgv¨t¯ temUo¶p \nsâ Imip Rm³ amÁn shípw... td¨ensâ IW¡o¶p c£s]St−...." " Hm.. Hcp td¨ev... C{Xíp t]SnbmtWm...`mtcy...?..." " t]Snít−So... Xdhm«pImctÃ...R§fv.... AXncnís«.... Rm³ tNmZn¨ Imcyw F´mbn...?..." AbmÄ Xncn¨p tNmZn¨p. AXp sicn, CXmWp th¸pwXdbn cmcn¨³. At¸mÄ ]I h¶Xv CbmfpsS ZqX\mbncp¶p, sambvXp. kná sImSp¯p, C¶p cm{Xn hcpsa¶v. Ct¸mÄ Imcy§fpsS InS¸p ]nSnIn«n. AhcpsS ImatIfn CâÀshÃn«t¸mÄ Fsâ Ip®bpsS sh«epw Ipdªp. Ah³ Ipd¨p sImXnshÅw Xp¸nbXv sR¡nsbSp¯v Ibnenap−n XpS¨p. ASp¯v Imgv¨ímbn HÁ¡®p sIm−v Rm³ t\m¡nbncp¶p. " Rms\m¸n¨p Xcmw... ]t£ s]®p k½Xn¨n«v \S¡ptIe... kmlNcyw Rms\m¸nímw... ]ns¶ Fsâ s]m¶p Xt¶ IbvImcyw sNbvtXmWw...." Ftf½ B B\¡p® I¿nseSp¯v Ii¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " F§s\bm \o ¹m\nSp¶Xv.... sImtd \mfmbns«mÅ Fsâ Bibm..." AhcpsS Ihnfnepw apeIfnepw amdn amSn XShns¡m−v AbmÄ tNmZníp¶p. " AsXms¡ ]dbmw... ]ns¶, Imcyw I−p Ignbp¼w... Cu ]mh¯nt\ sXmgns¨dnbpthm... Imep amdcpXv.... AUzm³kpw XcWw..." Ftf½ AbmfpsS D−IÄ I¿nseSp¯v sasà sR¡p¶p. " ]Xps¡... sR¡v....s\dpIw Xte tIdpw.... sicn...s\\s¡s¶ hnizmkansæn.... C¶m... AUzm³kv....." AbmÄ Igp¯n InS¶ henb kzÀ®ame Ducn Ftf½bpsS Igp¯n C«p. " At¿m... Rm³ shdptX ]dªXtà s]mt¶... F\nísXm¶pw th−... Ahtf sNbvXpIgo¼w.. ]ns¶ Ft¶ ad¡pthm¶p t]Sn¨p ]dªp t]mbXm.... C¶m... " Ftf½ ame Ducm³ `mhn¨p. " ths−sâ tamtf... cmcn¨³ X¶m X¶Xm.... C\n ]d... F´m ]²Xn...."

" shdpw \nÊmcw... \msf Ah¡p I¼yq«À ¢mÊnÃ... Ietamfp kvIqfn t]mbm HSt\ Rm³ t\tc B§tfsS ho«nsem«p t]mIphm¶p ]dªp t]mIpw.... ]ns¶ t\tc AI¯p tIdpI... Imcyw IgnípI.... CsXms¡ ]cnNtbmÅ BftÃ....." " F¸gm kabw...?..." " cmhnte Ietamfp t]mbn¡go¼w Ahs¡mcp Ipfn ]Xnhm... ASp¡f hmXnen IqSn AI¯p tIdn Im¯ncp¶m aXn... Ipfoapdo¶d§p¼w... `KhXo... alm]m]m Rm\o sN¿pt¶... s]mdp¡tW..." " Hm... F´p alm]m]w..... Ibv \ndsb Imip hcp¼w sImtd `KhXnípw sImSpt¯cv.... " cmcn¨³ Ftf½tb Bizkn¸n¨psIm−v sI«n¸nSn¨p½ sh¨p. AhÀ Xncn¨pw. Ftf½bpsS Igp¯n InS¶v cmcn¨³ sImSp¯ henb amebpw sNdnb Xmenamebpw InS¶v Xnf§n. alm]m]n, At¸mÄ ChÀ A`ncmantb clkyambn cmcn¨\p hn¡m\pÅ ]²XnbmWtÃ. \S¡nà Ftft½, Cu aWn¡p«³ ChnsSbpÅt¸mÄ AXp \S¡nÃ. Rm\pd¸n¨p ]dªp Nn´n¨p \n¡pt¼mÄ ho−pw Ftf½bpsS kzcw. " C¶n\n F\nío AUzm³kp t]mc....." AhÀ NnWp§n. " ]ns¶ Fsâ imcn¡p«nsí{X thWw..." AtX CuW¯n cmcn¨³ tNmZn¨p. " F\níp Imià tht−..." " ]ns¶..." " cmcn¡p«³ `£Ww apgph\pw Ign¨nÃ... C\n Ipimembns«m¶p Xnt¶... A©mdp sZhkmbns«mÅ shi¸m.... AXp XoÀ¶p Igo¼w... ]ns¶ Fsâ Ip«sâ Cãw...." " IÅns¸t®..... \nsâsbmcp apSnª sImXn.... A©p {KmsamÅ ]bdpkm[\w aq©n aq©n AcIntembmbn... C\n Fsâ hmbn sImÅpthm¶m..." " H¶p t]msbsâ aqcn¡p«m.... H¶p thKw sXmS§n¯m... AhSw Ig¨n«p h¿......" Ftf½ cmcn¨sâ Ip®bn H¶p IqSn D½ sh¨n«v ap«n \ns¶gpt¶Áp. _Ä_nsâ shfn¨¯n Ftf½bpsS sN¸pIpS¡p−nIÄ Xnf§n. Fs´mcp henb Ip−nIÄ. \à an\pkhpw BIrXnbpw Fs´mcp hnkvXrXamb Acs¡«v. At¸mÄ ap³hiw GXms−mcp ssaXm\ambncnípw. Ahscm¶p Xncnªp \n¶pIn«m³, B Ip¶papeIfpw CSp§nb hbcpw, Acs¡«pw, AXnsâ XmsgbpÅ sNc¨p an\p¡nb, IpÁn¸qS Infp¡p¶ aZ\]q¦mh\hpw ImWm³ Fsâ I®pIÄ sImXn¨p. cmcn¨³ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp. c−p t]cpw At\ym\yw H¶p sI«n¸nSn¨p. Ftf½ CSbnÂIqSn I¿n«v cmcn¨sâ Kpem³ I¿nseSp¯v H¶p c−p hmWaSn¨p. At¸mÄ càw tIdn hoÀ¯ AXnsâ Nph¶ aIpSw shfn¨¯n Xnf§n. B \nån AhÀ H¶p Id§n. Ct¸mÄ cmcn¨sâ Idp¯ Ip−n Fsâ I×p¶nÂ. Ftf½bpsS Hcp Ibv AbmfpsS apXpI¯v, atÁ Ibv AbmfpsS Ih¡nSbnte Kpemt\ ]nSp¯an«ncníp¶p. Ahscm¶p hn«p amdn \ns¶¦nÂ. sI«n¸nSp¯w hnSmsX Xt¶ cmcn¨³ CSbn IqSn Hcp I¿n«v Ftf½bpsS c−p hmg¡pS¸³ apeIfpw tatem«p s]m´n¨p. ImWpt´mdpw AhbpsS `wKn Cc«níp¶p. \à shfp¯ ZrVamb apeIÄ Bhiy¯n\p an¨w hen¸w. sNdp¸¡mcnIfpsS apeItf¡mÄ `wKn. Aåw Nmª B apeIÄ I−m AhÀ H¶p {]khn¨XmsW¶mcpw ]dbpIbnÃ. Iq¼n \n¡p¶ Ccp− \ndapÅ henb ape¡®pIÄ.Idp¯p IÃn¨ sR«pIÄ. B apeIÄ I−n«v H¶p XgpIms\\níp sImXn tXm¶n. Hmtcm¶pw Hmtcm hmW¯n\pÅ hIbp−v. AXp c−pw Xsâ amdt¯ín«n«v cmcn¨³ Ahtc Cdp¡n sI«n¸nSn¨p. c−p t]cptSbpw amdpIÄ¡nSbn¡nS¶v B ]mhw apeIÄ sR§n sRcp§n. F\níp Ip® ]qÀhm[nIw s]m§n. " Fsâ s]mt¶ ...]Xps¡...s]m«nt¸mIpw...." Ftf½ IpdpIn. " s]m«nbmepw th−nsÃSo... \nsâ Cu A½s¦mS§sS NqSpw kptJmw H¶p thsdbmSo...... F¶mepw Ct{Xambn«pw CXp§s¡mscmS¨nepw CÃtÃmSo..." " Ft{Xambn«m...?.. H¶p s]Áq¶ÃmsX... Fsâ Ietamfp t]mepw CXp sicníp IpSn¨n«nÃ... ]nt¶w Cu hmbnem.. IqSpXepw CXp§sS sR«v sIS¶p sheknbXv...." " IpSn¨mepw IpSn¨mepw aXnbmI¯nÃm¯ sameIfv..... Mqw... s]m«s«..." cmcn¨³ Ftf½tb KmVambn BtÇjn¨p.

" slm.... A¸w td¨en\nsXm¶pw CtÃ... C¶mfp ]ÅotS hmXp¡ sh¨p I−¸w... Hcp sIm«sbm−mcp¶tÃm...." Ftf½ FÃmw \nco£níp¶p−v. " Hm... AsXsâ imco... {_m Agn¨n«m hbÁ¯m sR«v... sXdp¯p aS¡n sIm−p hcp¼tgípw s]m§nb Ip® Hd§pw... AhfmsW¦n... \à aq¸nesæn... sXmSoí¯p t]mepanÃ... ^nKdp t]mIpsa¶v... _m¡nsbmtÅm³ H¶p sR¡m\pw IpSním\pw sNÃp¼gm AhsS Hcp ^nKdv.... AXp sh¨p t\m¡nbm... \nsâ Cu kzÀ®s¡mS§tf sXmSm³ tXm¶pthm..." cmcn¨³ ]nSn Aåw Ab¨n«v Ip\nªp. F¶n«v Gtf½bpsS c−p apeIÄ¡nSbnteípw apJw ]qgv¯n. Ftf½ I®pIfS¨v Hcp \nÀdzrXnbnem−p. " sNbvtXm... F´p thtWepw Fsâ s]m¶ptam³ sNbvtXm... sR¡tWm... s]m«nítWm... IpSnítWm.. sNs¿sâ s]m¶p tamt\...." Ftf½ kvt\l]qÀhw cmcn¨sâ apSnbn tImXn. " Mqw... Rms\m¶p IpSnís«...." cmcn¨³ \n¶ \n¸n Hcp apesRs«Sp¯v hmbn sh¨p IpSním³ XpS§n. Ftf½ cmcn¨sâ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v atÁ apebn sh¨p. AbmÄ AXnsâ sR«nepw D]cnXe¯pw BIam\w XgpIm³ XpS§n. Ftf½ Aåw AI¶p. F¦nepw \ng ImcWw AhcpsS IhínS ImWm³ ]Á¶nÃ. F\níXp ImWm³ [rXnbmbn. Fsâ I¿n Ccp¶v hmWaSnsIm−p ckníp¶ Ip®tam³ C\n ]nSn¨p\n¡m³ ]Ánà F¶ a«n H¶p c−p XhW sR«n. Ftf½bpsS ]qsdm¶p I−n«v shÅw t]mbm aXn F¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. sasà I¿b¨p. F¦nepw cmcn¨sâ apeIpSnbpw Ftf½bpsS kpJw A\p`hníp¶ apJhpw \nÀdzrXnbpw I−t¸mÄ hmWaSn AdnbmsX XpSÀ¶pt]mbn. " aXn tamt\... C\ow IpSním\pw \¡m\pw thsd hn`h§sfms−Sm.... hm... F\nív klníp¶nÃ... F{X Znhkw Im¯ncp¶Xm...." Ftf½bpsS ]cntZh\w tI« cmcn¨³ ape¡pS§tf kzX{´am¡n. hmbn \n¶pw XmsgíqÀ¶phoW het¯ ape kt´mjw sIm−mbncnípw InSs¶m¶p Xpfp¼n. cmcn¨³ H¶I¶p. At¸mgmWp Rm³ Ftf½bpsS apeIÄ I−Xv. AbmÄ ]dªXv A£cw {]Xn sicnbmbncp¶p. Abª »uknepw \bnÁnbnepw am{Xw ImWpt¼mÄ B apeIÄ¡n{Xbpw hen¸hpw `wKnbpw tXm¶nbncp¶nÃ. Rm³ AXnibn¨pt]mbn. sR«Â¸w Nmª B cXntKmf§Ä¡v \à `mcapÅXpt]mse tXm¶n. Rm³ sImXn¨p, F\níXnsem¶p am{Xw In«nbm aXnbmbncp¶p. Ftf½ ]pdtIm«p amdnbt¸mgmWp I−Xv, shfn¨¯n AhcpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbnte {XntImW kwKakvYm\w. AgsIm¯ BgapÅ ]p¡nÄ¡pgn. aS¡nÃm¯ hbdv. AhcpsS ISnXSw I−t¸mÄ R§fpsS hoSn\Sp¯pÅ shÅsamgpIp¶ hnimeamb Imªnc¯pw]md F¶ ]mdbmbncp¶p Rmt\mÀ¯Xv. hnimeamb Ncnªv Hcp sNdnb hfthmSpIqSn Xmtgínd§p¶ ISnXSw. XpSIfpsS kwKakvYm\¯n\p apIfn AXp XpSp¯pbÀ¶p \n¡p¶p. ]qSIfnÃ. IpÁn¸qSbpt−m F¶p hyàaÃ. GÁhpw at\mlcw aq¶n©p \of¯n XpSbnSp¡nteí A{]Xy£amIp¶ B ]qdnsâ Iodembncp¶p. At¸mÄ ChcpsS Ih¡nS \ndtb ]qdp \o−p InS¡pIbmtWm. hnShns\s´mcp \ofw. F\níp tXm¶n, XpWnbpcnªt¸mÄ A`ncmantb¡mÄ amZI kpμcnbmWo Ftf½. icnbmbncnímw, ap¸Xn\p tate am{Xta {]mbw ImWpIbpÅp. sI«nb IWh³ t]mepw sicnípw D]tbmKním¯ kv{Xobuh\w. shfp¯ apeIÄ¡nSbnte c−p ameIfpsS Xnf¡w AhcpsS amZIXz¯n\p amÁp Iq«n. Ftf½ sasà I«nensâ AcnInteíncp¶p. ]ns¶ ]pdtIm«p Nmªv Hcp XebnWsbSp¯v AXn Xesh¨p InS¶p. F¶n«v c−p I¿pw DbÀ¯n cmcn¨t\ amSn hnfn¨p. AbmÄ Hcp IbvsIm−v AhcpsS XpSbnSp¡nteíp t\m¡n Ip®bn hmWaSn¨p aq¸nípIbmbncp¶p. " hm...h¶n¨nsc IpSnt¨... Hcp¯n tZs− Im¯ncníphm...." Ftf½bpsS kzcw Fsâ Ip®íp ImakwKoXw. Bcpw I¼nbmIp¶ XcfnXkzcw. " F\nípw shi¡ps¶ms−So...... tXm«¯nencníp¼w ... F¶m CsXm¶p Xn¶pImt¶mÀ¯v shjaníphmcp¶p Rm\pw..." cmcn¨³ icnípw Hcp ImapI\mbn amdpIbmbncp¶p. AbmÄ Xmtgíp ap«pIp¯n I«nen\cnInencp¶p. ]ns¶ sasà Ftf½bpsS ImepIfI¯n. B an\pkapÅ

AIwXpSIfn AbmÄ sasà IhnfpIfpcp½n t\sc B Ih¡q«nteíp apJapSp¸n¨p. AXn\nSív Rm³ I−p, B Akpe`Zriyw. Ftf½bpsS aZ\s¨¸v. sIm¨phůnsâ \Sphn ]qs¨−pIÄ sh¨ t]mse Fs´ms¡tbm AXn\pÅn \n¶pw s]m§n \n¶p Xnf§nbncp¶p. N¡¡pcp t]mse \o−pInS¶ AXnsâ apIfÁw I−t¸mÄ a\Ênembn sIm¨p]pkvXI¯n I− I´v F¶ km[\amsW¶v. F¦nepw I´n\n{Xbpw hen¸tam. AXpw Nq«pIÁ ASp¡nb t]mse AXnsâ Xmsg \n¶pw Fs´ms¡tbm XÅn hoÀ¯p \n¡p¶p. shfn¨¯n AXnsâ \\ª D]cnXew Xnf§p¶p. " Mqw...Mqw... Fs´mcp aWw..." cmcn¨³ B ]qd¸w hnSÀ¯n AXn\It¯íp aq¡Sp¸n¨p hen¨psIm−p ]dªp. " AhfpsS Bfp hcp¶q¶dnª¸w samXev AhÄ¡n¯ncn aWw IqSpXep hcps¶m−mcp¶p....." cmcn¨³ apg¨p\n¶ B I´n XÅhnc sIm−aÀ¯n H¶p XShn. ]ns¶ sIm¨pIp«nIÄ Ifníp¶Xp t]mse B hnShn\nSbn InS¶ c−nXfpIfpw ]nSn¨v hen¨I¯n. \à Ccp− tNmc\nd¯n AXnsâ AIhiw am\¯p ]d¡p¶ ]cp´nt\t¸mse hncnªp \n¶p. " imco... CXos¶mgphmWtÃmSn.... C¡W¡n\p \nsâ \à kabamIp¼w Rm³ shÅw IpSn¨p N¯p t]mIphtÃmSo..." Xsâ Hma\¸qdnt\¸ÁnbpÅ cmcn¨sâ ]pIgv¯Â tI«t¸mÄ B s]cp¼qdnsâ D]cnXe¯v Hcp sR«nhenbÂ. " In¶mcw ]dbmsX sXmS§v... F\níp h¿... hm..." Ftf½ HcpIbv \o«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " Rms\m¶p ImWs«So... ]qS Ifª¸gtà FhfpsS `wKn ImWp¶Xv..... " AbmÄ B N¡¡pcpI´n ]nSn¨v tatems«m¶p hen¨p hn«p. Ftf½bpsS I¬T¯n \n¶pw "l.." Fs¶mcp iÐw ]pds¸«p. " Hm ]nt¶... hSn¨ ]qdmZyw ImWpImsW¶p tXm¶p¶p.... Np½m s]m¡msX... Xn¶m³ sXmS§v..." " kXymbn«pw... tXm«¯nsemÅXnsâ FÃm¯nsâ Ihs¡S Xn§n ]qSbm... sNe¸w Hcp apip¡p atWmw... Ip® saW¨p \nípw AX{X Imcyam¡¯nÃmcp¶p...." AbmÄ B I´nsâ taÂs¯men ]gw sXmeníp¶Xp t]mse tatems«m¶p sX¶n¨p. At¸mÄ Rm³ I−p s]®nsâ Imen¶nSbnbnte AaqeycXv\w. ]pkvXI§fn ImWp¶ ]S§fn tXc« t]mse \o−p InS¡p¶ I´nsâ ]Sw I−n«ps−¦nepw AXn\It¯ ]bdpaWn BZyw ImWpIbmbncp¶p. shfpshfm shfp¯ B hnImc¡pcp¶n AbmÄ sasà XÅhncsem¶p h«w NpÁn¨p. a\ÊpsIm−v Rm³ AXnsem¶p \¡n. At¸mÄ Fsâ Ip®sbm¶p sh«n. Ahsâ B\μ¡®oscsâ hncepIfn ]Án. " A¸w td¨ensâ hSn¨XtÃ... Ft¶mSv tam³ ]e¸gpw ]dªns«m−tÃm..." cmcn¨sâ hnc {]tbmK¯n C¡nfnsIm−v \Sp§nb Acs¡«p sh«n¨psIm−v Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " Np½mXmSo.. tamtf... \nsâ Cu hoÀ¯v XpSp¯ kmam\¯nsâ ASp¯v...AhÄsS sRmdnª kmam\w H¶pasÃSo... CX§s\ \n¶v hoÀ¡pItÃ.... Cu abncp I´mtW¦n... shÅw s\d¨ _eq¬ t]msebmbn.... tlm... \nsâsbmcp apSnª ]qdpXs¶bmSo...." " aXn sImXn ]dªXv....Cu ]p¶mc¡p«³ hoÀ¸níp¶XpsIm−m....." " hSn¨¸w.... \nsâ Cu Xmgt¯ Ihtew sImtXmw IqsS hSnímcp¶ntÃ... AhsS... tZs− C\ow \níp¶p...." Ftf½bpsS ]qÀ¨mensâ Xmgt¯ Idp¯ncp− CSp¡n \n¶pw IqXníp NpÁpw \n¶pw A©mdp ]qSIÄ hen¨p \o«ns¡m−v cmcn¨³ tNmZn¨p. " ]ns¶ ]ns¶.... At§m«p Is¿¯t−.... Ct{Xw IfªXp Xt¶ F´pam{Xw ]mSps]«n«m.... ]tg t»Umcp¶XpsIm−v A[nIw apdnªnÃ... A¸gm sImXw... Hcp Imcyw sN¿v... thtW Xs¶¯m\§p sNbvtXm... At§csS tdkdp tZ, AhnSncns¸m−v...." " Rm³ Np½m ]dªXtÃSo... A©msd®w Cu kmam\t¯epw Ihs¡tSepw C§s\ \níp¶Xp ImWm³ \à tiem... "

kwkmchpw Ibv{]tbmK§fpw sIm−v Aåw ASp¯p t]mb Ftf½bpsS XpSIÄ AbmÄ ho−pw ]nSn¨I¯n. sNSnIÄ \« Nmept]mse InS¶ ]qsdm¶pIqSn F\níp hnimeambn Zriyambn. Fsâ hmW{]tbmK¯nsâ thKX IqSn. Dcp−Sp¯v hbdpapX XpShtc Xmtgm«p \o−p hfªp Iodn¡nS¶ B XpSp¯ ]qdnsâ AcnIpIÄ AbmÄ c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw AI¯n. At¸mÄ AXnsâ IogÁ¯p \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS hnImct¯³ Hen¨nd§p¶Xv shfn¨¯n Xnf§n. ]ns¶ AbmÄ B c−neIfnepw ]nSn¨v hen¨I¯n AXn\nSbnteíp apJw ]qgv¯nbaÀ¯n. apJw AXn iànbmbn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v AbmÄ Hcp apcftemsS Xesbm¶p hnd¸n¨p. " iviviviviv ...... Mqw... Xn¶v... hen¨p IpSn... iviviviviv ....tlm....." kpJw sIm−v sR«n¸pfª Gtf½ ioÂImcw ]pds¸Sphn¨p. cmcn¨sâ Xebn ]nSn¨v Ftf½ Xsâ Ih¡nSbn AaÀ¯n ]nSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhcpsS Ih¡nSbn cmcn¨sâ apJw Pmambnt¸mbt]mse. F\nsím¶pw ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃ. F¦nepw ]qÁn ]qgv¶ncníp¶ apJ¯nsâ Ne\w sIm−v F\níp a\Ênembn AbmÄ AhcpsS hnImctI{μw \¡n¯pSípIbmsW¶v. Ftf½ I®pIfndp¡n hÃm¯ Hcp apJ`mht¯msS XebnWbn Xebpcp«n. cmcn¨sâ apSnIfn AhcpsS hncepIÄ apdpIn. Hcp IbvsIm−v AhÀ Xsâ _eq¬ ape¡®pIfn amdn amdn XShn sRcSn. CSínSív B Ih¡nSbn \n¶pw ]«n shÅw IpSníp¶Xp t]msebpÅ iÐw. Hcp an\nt«mfw AhcpsS ]qdp \¡nbn«v AbmÄ apJw DbÀ¯n. At¸mÄ AbmfpsS ]ÃpIÄ¡nSbn AhcpsS ]qdnXfpIÄ ISn¨p hen¨ncp¶p. AXp aq¶nt©mfw \of¯n dºÀ t]mse henªp \n¶p. " tiym... ]Ãv... ISnímsX hen¨p IpSnív... At¿m....B I´qsS Xns¶t¶.... " Ftf½ Rc§ns¡m−p ]dªp. AXp tI« cmcn¨³ dºÀ t]mse henªp \n¶ ]qdneIfn \n¶pw ISnhn«p. ]ns¶ kmam\¯nsâ apIÄ`mKw AI¯n¸nSn¨n«v Np−pIÄ I´nteíSp¸n¨p. XŸip InSmhnt\ \¡nt¯mÀ¯p¶Xp t]mse AbmÄ B I´pw AXnsâ NpÁp]mSpw Bthit¯msS \¡nt¯mÀ¯n. AXnsâ sXmen tatem«p sX¶n¨p amÁnbn«v AIt¯ ]bdpaWnbn AbmÄ AaÀ¯n \¡n. Ct¸mgt¯ B I´nsâ hen¸w Ft¶ AÂ`pXs¸Sp¯n. Hcp I´nt{Xw hoÀ¡ptam... icnbmbncnímw Np½m InS¡pt¼mÄ c−c C©p \ofw hcp¶ Fsâ Ip®bnt¸mÄ Bdn©n IqSpXembncníp¶p. F\níp Ip®bpw AhÀ¡p I´pw. AXv I− F\níp tXm¶n Rm\mWXnent¸mÄ \¡p¶sX¶v. D¸mtWm ]pfnbmtWm. AXn\v. D¸mbncnípw. " AsXm¶p hmbnseSp¯p aqs©sâ tamt\... Ft¶bn§s\ sImÃmsX....." Gtf½ ]ÃpIÄ ISn¨p]nSn¨p sRfn]ncnsIm−p ]dªp. cmcn¨³ A¸msS A\pkcn¨p. I´nteíp Np−pIfSp¸n¨p. ]ns¶ AXp hmbnseSp¯p hen¨p aq©m³ XpS§n. " tlm... tlm... tlmt¿m.. Fsâ tamt\... lt¿m... F\nsís´mcp kpJw... AIt¯ms«mcp shceqsS.... AXn\It¯Xm−p t]mse... lt¿m... Mqw" Ftf½bpsS kpJtcmZ\§fpw Acs¡«p tatem«p XÅn¸nSníepw AbmfpsS I´p XoÁbpw I−t¸mÄ F\níp tXm¶n F\nípw Ip®¸m DSs\ hcpsa¶v. a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS Rm³ Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw Ibv amÁn. D−IÄ XtemSm³ XpS§n. AXp c−pw Npcp−p _ew ]q−ncp¶p. " F¦n \ap¡v... AI¯p tIÁn ]®mSo.... F´n\m shcenSpt¶... " " sl¶mepw.... cmcn¨sâ I´pXoÁ hÃm¯ kpJw Xs¶bm.... thKw Ct§m«p tIdnbms«... " AXp tI« cmcn¨³ s]s«s¶gpt¶Áp. Ftf½bpsS c−p ImepIfnepw ]nSn¨p s]m¡n I«nenteín«v Ahtc t\tc InS¯n. Ftf½. InS¶ InS¸n apIfnteíp \nc§n \o§n InS¶p. F¶n«v ImepIÄ hncn¨p ]nSn¨p. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ sIm−v kz´w kmam\¯n XShm³ XpS§n. cmcn¨³ AhcpsS ImepIÄ¡nSbn ap«pIp¯nbncp¶p. ]ns¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯v H¶p XShn. Ct¸mÄ AXns\s´mcp h®w. AXp aníhmdpw Ftf½bpsS ]qdp s]mfn¨Xp Xt¶ Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. " hm...hmSm tamt\... thKw... CtàRm\n¸w shcenSpw....lboooooo... " Ftf½ ]qÁn AaÀ¯n XShns¡m−p ]dªp. " tZs−So.. ISn¸qdntamtf... C¶m... " cmcn¨³ Xsâ I¼n¡p® I¿nseSp¯v ImWn¨p. " thKw At§m«p tIsÁsâ tamt\... "

Ftf½ ImepIÄ A\¡n. cmcn¨³ Ftf½bpsS hi§fn IbvIÄ Ip¯n AhcpsS apIfnteíp Nmªp \mepImen \n¶p. \qÁnap¸Xp Un{Knbn Xsâ ]qdnsâ hnShnteív HÁ¡®psIm−p t\m¡n sh«nsh«n sImXnhnSp¶ Ip® IbvsIm−p ]nSns¨m¶p Xncp½n. " slât½... Cu s]mebmSntam\p tXm«¯o¶p \Ãt]mse Xn¶m³ In«os«m−v... XSn H¯ncn IqSn.... Mqw... tIÁntím... C¶m... Ahtf Ahs\m¶p½ sht¨ms«...." Ftf½bpsS ]p¶mc hÀ¯am\w. cmcn¨³ Acs¡«p Xmgv¯n. Ftf½ A `oIc¡p®bpsS XebÁw Xsâ hoÀ¯p sX¶nb I´n\p apIfn C«p c−p aq¶p {]mhiyw Dc¨p. ]ns¶ Aåw Xmg¯mbn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " iviviviviv.... l¿S....C\n XÅntím... ASn¨p tIÁv.... Hmmmmmhq..." ]dªXpw cmcn¨³ XÅnbXpw Hcpan¨mbncp¶p. " H¶I¯n¸nSns¡So....\nsâ B\s¨dsIÃmw IqsS ]dosS IqsS AIt¯m«p tIdnsbSo..." Ip® XÅn¸nSn¨psIm−v cmcn¨³ ]dªp. Ftf½ CSív IbvIfn«v ]qdp hncn¨p ]nSníp¶Xp I−p. " tZs−...s]mfn¨p ]nSn¨p...C\n thKw XÅntím... " cmcn¨m³ Iotgm«aÀ¶p. ]ns¶ sasà DucnbSním³ XpS§n. lmbv, BZyambn«v \à Hcp ]®Â ImWpIbmbncp¶p. AbmfpsS ASní\pkcn¨v AhÀ Acs¡«p apIfnteíp XÅns¡mSp¯psIm−ncp¶p. \nanj¯n\Iw ]®ensâ thKX IqSn. AXn\\pkcn¨v Ftf½bpsS kpJck¯nsâ A]iЧfpw IqSn h¶p. Acs¡«n«nf¡nbpw Xebn«pcp«nbpw AhÀ ImapIsâ ]®Â BkzZn¨p. " F´p....apdp..¡mSo... \nsâ... abncp ]qdn\v.... sZhkw sNÃp....t´mdpw... \nsâ abncp...sXmf.......CdpIn ...hcpImW..tÃm...So......" ASnbpsS Xmf¯n cmcn¨sâ \mhn \n¶pw hm¡pIÄ apdnªp hoWp. " Mv.... Mv... Mv..... lsÃSm.. abntc.... Ah... \n¸w... Mv.. . Mv..... B\.... ¡p®... t]mse...h®w... Mv ...Mv... IqSpIm... Mv... Mv.... Mv... Fsâ.... Ihs¡S.... Mv.... Mv...s\dªv.... Mv...Mv...s]mfnbq¶m....tXm¶tW.... F¶mepw....th−p...tIe.... \o ASn... ASn¨p IodSm...." kpJw aq¯t¸mÄ Ftf½ ]cnkct_m[anÃmsX hnfn¨p Iqhn. A¸pdt¯ apdnbn tIÄ¡ptam Bthm. " \nsâ Cu....Infn....¸qdp....Rm\n¶p.....]®n....¸®n....s]mfnb¨p.... XcmSo... abntc... " cmcn¨³ Ip® apgph\pw Ducn sXcpsXsc BªSním³ XpS§n. I«nensâ IncpIncp¸ns\m¸w IpgªnfInb ]qÁn \n¶pw kwt`mK¯nsâ "CuÇp...CuÇp.....CuÇp....CuÇp" F¶ kpcXKoX¯nsâ Xmfw DbÀ¶p. H¸w AhcpsS Rc¡§fpw IqSn. " sl\nín¸w hcpw... C¨ncqsS tIÁnbSnsísâ s]mt¶... Hm... Fs´mcp ckwww...Mqw... tam\p hcpthmSm....Mv...Mv..Mv.." Ftf½ tNmZníp¶p. " CsÃSo... F\nív...Xmakníq¶m... tXm¶pt¶... Fs´mcp kpJmSo... Igpthdn...tamtf..... \ns¶ ]®m³...." cmcn¨³ ASnsím¸w ImapInbptS ]qdnt\ ]pIgv¯n. " sl\níp hcpw... C¸w... C¸w... hcmw t]mIphm... thKw...thKw... XÅv... sImdítÃ... slsâ At½... lq..... lq.... lSn...lSn...l...." Ftf½bpsS Acs¡«v apIfnteíp hnÃp t]mse Dbcp¶XpI−p. kz´w I´nepw apeIfnepw Xncp½ns¡m−ncp¶ IbvIsfSp¯v ]®ns¡m−ncníp¶ cmcn¨sâ Igp¯n sI«n¸nSn¨v AhÀ apIfnteípbÀ¶p. cmcn¨³ ]d¶Sn¨p. " Mv...Mv..Mv..Mv...sl\nív.....h¶qqqqqqq....lqqqqqqqqqq..." Iqhns¡m−v Ftf½ ImepIÄ s]m¡n cmcn¨sâ \Sphn\p tImÀ¯p. cXnaqÀObpsS kpJ¯nsâ ]mcay¯n Acs¡«nte Rc¼pIÄ henªp apdpIn DStemsS kpJ¯nsâ kzÀ¤¯nteíhÀ ]d¶p tIdn. kvJe\¯nsâ ]mcay¯n AhÀ cmcn¨t\ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v AbmfpsS IqsS hmbphnepbÀ¶p \n¶p. ]ns¶ ASnbpsS BwKy§Ä am{Xw. \ofw Ipdª ASnIÄ. Acan\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½ ]dbp¶p. " sl\níp aXn... lt¿m...aXntb.... \nÀ¯v... tlm...tlm...slmslmslmslmslm... " D·mZn\ntbt¸mse C¡nfn]q− AhÀ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " F\nípw IqsS hcpthm¶p....t\m¡s«...\o... Imsem¶b¨p Xt¶......."

" lt¿m...th...−...\nÀ¯v... F\nív... kmam\w s]mÅpImsWt¶..... hÃmsX hcp¶q.... lplplplplplp...." Ftf½ ho−pw C¡nfnsIm−v A«lkn¨p. cmcn¨³ ASn \nÀ¯n Ahtcbpw sIm−v I«nenteíaÀ¶p. " slât½... ...Mqw... Mqw.... Mqw... sls´mcp.... Ifnbmcp¶p.... Fsâ... ]qdp....s]mfnsª¶m....tXm¶tW.... " InS¶p InX¨psIm−v Ftf½ cmcn¨sâ Ihnfn XgpIn. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ hi§fnteíp XfÀ¯nbn«p. " CsÃSo... \nsâ Ccp¼p ]qdp s]mfnbmt\m... \à Imcymbn..... Mqw..Mqw...lm....Ahfn¸w Aht\... ISn¨p Xnt¶m−ncníphm... \à kpJw...AhsS ISn... lbv...lbv..." cmcn¨³ DÅneaÀ¶ncp¶ Ip®b\¡n kpJn¨p. " AhfdnbmsX ISn¨p t]mIp¶Xm... kpJw sIm−m...Mqw...Mqw..." InX¸n\nSbn Ftf½. " Fs´mcp NqSmSo.. \nsâ ]qÁn\I¯v..... " ]qdnsâ hn«phn«pÅ ISnbpsS kpJ¯n Ip® AXnsâ ASn¯«nteív XÅn¸nSn¨psIm−v cmcn¨³ tNmZn¨p. " lXv... lXv... lXnsâ AI¯v... C¸w...I¯phm... \à NqSp ImWpw... t]m.. AhnS¶v... lt¿m... tam\p hcp¯t−... F\níp ]nSn¨p \ním³ taemcp¶p.....tam³ I´p... Xn¶XpsIm−m... F\nív... s]s«¶v ...ht¶..." Ftf½bpsS kzc¯n \mWw. " \o sIS¶p kpJnív... F\nínXpw Hcp kpJm...Fsâ Ipt®.... \o Cdp¡ns¡mÃpsh¶m tXm¶pt¶....." cmcn¨³ Acs¡«nf¡n. " Ah³ s]m§n hoÀ¯ncníp¶ sIm−p tXm¶p¶Xm... Fgpt¶¡v... Cu NqSn¯t¶.. hcp¯ntím....Rm³ Ip\nªp \nímw... IqXoeSnt¨m...." Rm³ hms]mfn¨p t]mbn. Chscmcp thiy Xt¶. Hcpfp¸panÃmsX IqXoeSním³ ]dbp¶p. F¦n AXpIqSn I−n«p shÅw Ifªm aXnsb¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. " Hm.. F¶m sIm−p hmSo \nsâ s]m¶pwsImXw... " cmcn¨³ Acs¡«p s]m¡n. »Iv Fs¶mcp sNdnb kzct¯msS ]qÁn \n¶pw Ducnt¸m¶ Ip® Ftf½bpsS tbm\nt¯\n Ipfn¨p \n¶p Xnf§n. Ftf½ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. I«nen \n¶nd§n, AXnsâ Im¡te ]eIbn ]nSn¨p Ip\nªp \n¶p. At¸mÄ AhcpsS Ip−nIÄ c−p sN¸pIpS§Ä tNÀ¯p sh¨Xpt]mse \n¶p. \à BIrXn. Rm³ ho−pw Fsâ hmWaSn iànbnem¡n. B Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn Idp¯ IqXns¸m«v. cmcn¨³ ]dªXpt]mse A©mdp tcma§Ä. AhcpsS Xhn«p \ndamÀ¶ ]qdv AXnsâ hncnª CeIfpw Xq¡n B IqXníp Xmsg hnSÀ¶p \n¶p. AXnsâ hm Aåw s]mfnªn«p−mbncp¶p. cmcn¨³ Ip®bpw XShn AhcpsS ]pdInse¯n. " \nÃv ...\nÃv... tais¸md¯v shfns¨® sh¨ns«m−v... FSp¯v Fsâ IqXnen¨nsc s]mc«v... F\níp h¶XpsIm−v AhSw Npcp§n¡mWpw... sIm¨pcmcn¨sâ s]Sentbse sXmensb§m\pw s]m«nbmtem.. F\níht\ C\ow th−Xm...." Ip\nªp \n¶v Ftf½ Ip−nIfm«n. cmcn¨³ B tNÀ¶p \n¶ Ip−nIfn ]nSn¨I¯n, AhÀ ImepIf¯n sh¨psImSp¯p. At¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS XpSn¨ ]ip¸qÀ AhcpsS XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn¡qSn F\níp ImWm³ In«n. Im«ptN¼nsâ Ce¯mfpIÄ t]mse Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn Xq§n¡nS¶ XSn¨pcp− ]qdneIÄ cmcn¨³ hncepIÄ¡nSbn tNÀ¯p ]nSns¨m¶p hen¨phn«p, ]iphnt\ Id¡p¶Xp t]mse, At¸mfh Xmtgm«p IqSpX Xq§n. ]ns¶ AbmÄ Xq§nb CeIÄ c−pw hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨p Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn apJw tNÀ¯v AXn\nSbn \m¡ns«m¶p \¡n. " lhq... C¡nfnbmIp¶qt¶.... AXn\n ]ns¶ Xn¶mw... C¸w ASn¨p hcp¯v... t]mbn F®sbSp¡v...." AXp tI« cmcn¨³ H¶p IqSn B ]qdp hnSÀ¯n hen¨n«v hn«p, AtXm sagpsagp¸mÀ¶XpsIm−v I¿n \n¶pw sX¶nbXmtWm. cmcn¨³ ]pdtIm«p amdnbt¸mÄ B ]ip¸qsds¶ t\m¡n Nncn¨p. XSn¨ Hcnebn IqSn Hcp sImgp¯ tX³ XpÅn t]mse kwt`mKm´y¯n {ihns¨mgpInb AhcpsS tbm\oan{inXw Ct¸mÄ hogpw F¶ a«n Dudn¡qSp¶p. AXp I− F\níp C\n ]nSn¨p \n¡m³ hs¿¶mbn. Ip®bn Bªp c−p ]nSn IqSn ]nSn¨p. Hcp \nanjt¯ív F\níp `mcanÃmXmbn. Fsâ ip¢¯nsâ BZy¯pÅnbpsS NpsSsâ hncen F¯n. hnSÀ¶p \n¶ Ftf½bpsS ]qÁn t\m¡n Rm³ _m¡n IqSn hmWaSn¨v `n¯nbntesímgn¨p.

At¸mtgípw cmcn¨³ Hcp I¿n F®bpamsb¯n. F\níp ImWm\nt¸mÄ IuXpIw am{Xw. Fsâ Ig¸p ian¨ncp¶p. hncen F® tXm−nsbSp¯v AbmÄ Ftf½bpsS IqXníp NpÁpw tX¨p. ]ns¶ Hcp hnc B IqXn¯pfbn IS¯n. At¸mÄ Ftf½ AdnbmsX H¶p ]pfªp. " shcep ]Xps¡ tIÁv... IqXn apdpInbncníphm..." AhÀ ]dªp. ho−pw hnc F®bn ap¡n AbmÄ IqXnbnteíp XncpInt¡Án. C¯hW Npcp§nbncp\ IqXn¯pf Aåw AbªXp t]mse. hnc AIt¯íp sX¶nbnd§n. _m¡nbp−mbncp¶ F® AbmÄ sh«n \n¡p¶ kz´w Ip®bn tX¨p. Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. Ip\nªp \n¶v Ip−nIÄ hnd¸n¨mSp¶ Ftf½bpsS ]qÁn\p apIfnepw IqXns¸m«nepw Ahsâ X¡mfn¯e Dc¨p. ]ns¶ Ahsâ \\ª aIpSw Ftf½bpsS ]qÁnteív XÅnt¡Án. A\mbmkw AXp Igp¯phtc tIdnt¸mbn. ]pd¯p NmSn¡nS¶ CeIsfÃmw Ip®bpsS IqsS henªv DÅnembn. ]t£ ASp¯ c−Snbmbt¸mtgípw CeIÄ shfnbn Xs¶ InS¶p. henb Ipgen sNdphncen« t]mse apgph\mbpw B Ip® Ftf½bpsS s]mfnªpXpd¶ ]qÁn KpfpKpfm Abªv tIdnbnd§n. " l... C\n AXn\I¯v sh¨m ... eqkmcnípw.... BsI sImgªp sIS¡phm... IqXn apdpIpt¶\p ap¼v... ASn¨p hcps¯sâ cmcn¨m...." Ftf½ ]dªp. " kmcansÃSo.. \nsâ Cu s\bv¸qdnI¯v H¶qsS tIdn Ahs\m¶p NqSmIs«t¶...Abª¸w \nsâ ]qÁneSním³ \à ckw......" AbmÄ ]ns¶bpw ASn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Ipgª KpfpKpfm iÐhpw Xpd¶ ]qÁn hmbp tIdnbnd§p¶ iÐhpw B ]qdn \n¶pw DbÀ¶p. " Fsâ cmcn¨m... AXn\I¯n\n t\cw shfp¡p¶ htc ASn¨mepw ]mep hc¯nÃ.. shdptX F´n\m \Sphp Ifbp¶Xv... Cs¶´p ]Án... Fsâ sImXw hey ]Yyamcp¶tÃm...t\ct¯..." " Np½m... Hcp ckw... F¶m th−... tZs−... kq£n¨p \nt¶m... Ah\§p tIdpImtW...." cmcn¨³ Ip® ]qÁn \n¶pw hen¨qcn. ho−pw hnc IqXnbnsem¶p tIÁn NpÁn¨p.. ]ns¶ Ftf½bpsS Npcp§nb IqXns¸m«nsâ c−p hi¯pw ]nSn¨v hen¨I¯nbn«v Ip®¯e XpfhmXn¡ sh¨v H¶p XÅn. Ftf½ apt¶ms«m¶p IpXn¨pt]mbn. " \o hogtÃ...._ew ]nSnímsX... sImXw H¶b¨p Xm...... C¶v \nsâ IqXn `b¦c SbnÁmWtÃmSo... " cmcn¨³ ]dªn«v Bsªm¶p XÅn. Ip®bnepw IqXnbnepw F®bp−mbncp¶XpsIm−v C¯hW Xe sImX¯n\pÅnembn. " AdnbmXmSm abntc... IqXnbtÃ..... Ipdn¨nbÃtÃm...... slm.. c£s]«p.... C\n XÅntím.... C¶p \nsâ Ip®sís´mcp apgp¸mSm ?... Fsâ sImXw s]mfnbq¶m tXm¶tW... s]mfnªmepw th−nÃ... tIÁn ASnt¨m..." Pmct\ kpJn¸ním³ Gtf½bpsS kvt\l¯n s]mXnª hnem]w. Ftf½ ImepIÄ H¶p IqSn Ih¨p \n¶p sImSp¯p. cmcn¨³ sasà Ducn¯Ån.. c−p aq¶SntbmsS Ip® apgph\pw DÅnembn. " tamtf.. imcn¡p«o... Rm³ \nsâ sImX¯n ]®m³ t]mIphmSo..." cmcn¨³ \Sphv Aåw Ip\nªv \n¶v DucnbSním³ XpS§n.. ]ns¶ Hcp IpXnc¸®embncp¶p AhnsS \S¶Xv. I«nÂ]eIbn Cdp¡n]nSn¨p Ip\nªp \n¡p¶ Ftf½bpsS amdn Xq§n¡nS¶ B«n³ apeIÄ apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw sXdn¨mSn¡fníp¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckw. shÅw t]mb Fsâ Ip®íp ]ns¶bpw Poh³ sh¨p. Aht\ Rm³ I¿nent«ma\n¨p. Ftf½bpsS Igp¯nte sNdnb Xmename H¸w InS¶mSn. cmcn¨³ k½m\n¨ henb amebpw Ipcnipw DuªmemSp¶ t]mse InS¶mSn. Ftf½bpsS apSns¡«gnªp. Hcp IbvsIm−v apSn FSp¯hÄ hit¯ín«p. cmcn¨sâ Acs¡«pw Ftf½bpsS Hma\s¡mXhpw Iq«nbSníp¶ [fIv [ÄIv iÐw tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n. I®S¨v apJw apIfnteípbÀ¯n c−pIbvIÄ sIm−v Ftf½bpsS \m`nbpsS hi§fn AÅn¸nSn¨v cmcn¨³ kÀhiànbpsaSp¯v sImX¯neSn XpSÀ¶p. thKX Nnet¸mÄ IqSpIbpw IpdbpIbpw sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶p. CSínSív Ip\nªp Ih¨p \n¶Snípt¼mÄ AbmfpsS D−IÄ Ftf½bpsS tN¼n³ ]qdneIfn Bªp XÃp¶Xpw I−p. ASnbpw B«hpw tNÀ¶v \à tafw. I−p \n¡m³ \Ã

ckw. IqXn¯pf Abªt¸mÄ Ip®bpsS Ibdn Cd§Â Ffp¸amIp¶X\pkcn¨v t`mK¯nsâ kwKoXhpw amdn. " hcmcmtbmSm... tamt\... " kvt\lt¯mtS ]®en\\pkcn¨v apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw BSns¡m−v Ftf½ tNmZníp¶p. " Mqw... Ct{Xw Cdpt¡mÅ.. \nsâ sImX¯neSn¨m... GXm\ípw hcpsaSo... C¨nsc Ab¨p XmSo.. Fsâ Ip® apdnªp t]mIpshSo abntc..." I®S¨p \n¶v Bªp]®p¶ cmcn¨³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " CsÃSm.. tamt\... \nsâ Cu s]cp¦p®sím¶pw ]Á¯nsÃSm.... \o ASn¨p hcp¯v.. kpJnív.... " AhÀ Xsâ IŸ®pImct\ hm¡pIÄ sIm−pw kpJn¸n¨p. ASnbpsS thKX Ahkm\ L«¯nteíSp¯p F¶p I−t¸mÄ Ftf½ AXn\\pkcn¨v ]pdtIm«p Ip−nIÄ XÅns¡mSp¯p. Hs¶\níp a\Ênembn sXdn ]dªpsIm−v ]®nbm c−p t]À¡pw kpJw IqSpsa¶v. AXmbXv Xd¸®en\p kpJw IqSpw F¶À°w. " slSo.... A\¡w shs¨So.... Mqw... FfIps¶ms−So......C¨nsc Ab¨p XmSo... Rm\Snís«So...Mqw...Mqw...." cmcn¨³ cXnaqÀOtb kao]nípIbmsW¶p a\Ênembn. Ftf½ H¶p hfªn«v ]pdtIm«p Ibv \o«n. AhcpsS Ibv cmcn¨sâ D−Itf XShp¶Xv AbmfpsS Imen¶nSbn IqSn Rm³ I−p. " kptJmt−mSm... tamt\...." " Hs−So... ]Xps¡ ....sR¡msX XShnbm ....aXnsbSo.... sl\nív hcp¶q... hcp¶q... tZ h¶qqqqq...." cmcn¨³ Rc§ns¡m−v hfªp\n¶p Acs¡«p sh«n¨v ]®n. " ASnsíSm... At§m«p hcs«Sm... s]m¶p]qdntamt\...Fs´mcp NqSmSm.. \nsâ ]men\v..." Ftf½bpsS t{]mÂkml\w. cmcn¨sâ ASn H¶p \n¶p. Acs¡«v H¶p c−p {]mhiyw sh«n. ]ns¶ iànbmb sNdnb ASnIÄ. F«p ]¯SnIÄ Ignªt¸mÄ FÃmw im´w. Ip® Ftf½bpsS sImX¯n AaÀ¯n sh¨n«v. AhcpsS Ip−nbnteív hbdpw sh¨ AbmÄ XfÀ¶p I®S¨p \n¶p. " Igntªm...tamt\...?.." " IgnsªSo.... " " C\ow ]ngnbtWm...." " \o C¨nsc Abt¨... Ctà ]mep shfo hc¯nÃSo.....lhq... " AbmÄ H¶p c−p IqSn sh«nbSn¨p. " Igntªm.... " " Mqw... s\\¡p \Sphp Igíp¶nÃtÃm..." " AXp kmcanÃ... Fsâ cmcn¨sâ Ig¸p amdntbm¶p ]d...." " tlm... amdnsbSo... " " Hcp hÃm¯ ASnbmcps¶sâ s]mt¶... Fsâ hbdp s\td ]msemgns¨¶m tXm¶tW.... sImSep s]mÅp¶p...." " F¶m Ducntb¡mw..." " kmcey... CtãmtÅm¸w Ducnbm aXot¶....AXhnsSbncníp¶sX\nípw Cãm...." " aXn... XoÀ¶p.... " AbmÄ Ip® DucnsbSp¯p. F¶n«v I«nen Ccp¶p. ]mXn XfÀ¶ B B\¡p® NmªpInS¶p Xnf§n. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ Ftf½bpsS sImXw Ip®bpsS h«¯n Xpd¶ncníp¶p. tM... AXn\nt{Xw hen¸tam. AIw Ccp− Kpl t]mse. Ftf½ \n¶ \n¸n Xt¶ I«nensâ AcnIn InS¶ Hcp tXmÀs¯Sp¯p ]ns¶ AXnsâ AÁw Xsâ Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn Xm§n¸nSn¨psIm−v \nhÀ¶p \n¶p. At¸mÄ B IqXnbn \n¶pw KÀÀÀÀÀÀ Fs¶mcp iÐw tI«p. tXmÀ¯nsâ AÁw Ih¡nSbn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨n«v InXíp¶ cmcn¨sâ ap¼n \ne¯p ap«pIp¯n \n¶p. ]ns¶ atÁ AÁw sIm−v cmcn¨sâ XfÀ¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯v \¶mbn XpS¨p sImSp¯p. kabsaSp¯p XpS¨t¸mÄ AXnsâ XfÀ¨ amdn. AXn\p ]Xps¡ Poh³ shím³ XpS§n. Ftf½ apJw Ip\n¨v B Ip®¯ebn Hcp½ sh¨p. " cmcn¨m... tZ... t\m¡v ... Ch³ ]nt¶w sdUnbmbn... C\ow H¶qsS thtWm..?...." ap«n \n¶v F¯n¡p¯n cmcn¨sâ Ihnfnepw Hcp½ ]mkm¡nbn«mWhÀ tNmZn¨Xv.

" AXhsâ tPmenbtÃSo... GXmbmepw C¶n\n th−.... \msf...Ch\n¨ncn `mcn¨ ]WnsbmÅXtÃ...." " Mm AXp Rm\§p ad¶p....Fsâ s]mt¶... t\m¡ow I−pw thtW sN¿m³... F\nín«nSníp¶ t]mse AXn\n«nSn¨m... sIm¨p s]®m... N¯p t]mIpw... B ]mt]mw IqsS F\nímcnípw..." Ftf½ apSn hmcns¡«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " CsÃSo... Hcp s]®pw ]®epsIm−v N¯n«nsÃSo.... ]ns¶ koep s]m«p¼w Hcp IncpIncp¸v.. AXp Igo¼w Ahfo Ip® hnS¯nsÃSo... \nsâ Imcyw I−ntÃ....." " F¶mepw htÃmw h¶pt]mbm....." " CsÃsâ imcn¡p«o.....Ip−nsb{X sImfw I−Xm... AsXms¡ Rm³ kq£nt¨mfmw...." " GXmbmepw \msf knáep hnS−..." " AsX´m..." " Ahfp kwibnípw... t]mcm¯Xn\p Rm\pw ImW¯nÃtÃm.... " " F¶mepw hnhcw Adnªn«tà hcm³ ]Ás¯mÅq... AÃm...ChnsS Hcp hmep h¶q¶p tI«p... AXmcm...? " Hm.. AXv.. AXnbmsâ ]gb Iq«pImcsâ aI\m... Abmfp N¯p t]mbn... Hcp KXoanÃ... XtÅw tam\pw ao³ hnÁm Igot¶... F¶n«pw aIt\ t]meokm¡m\m ]qXn... ]co£ ASp¯Xp sIm−v tImtfPn\Sp¯v sIm−p Xmakn¸n¨ncníphm..." " Ah³ \ap¡p ]mcbmIpthmSo..." " CsÃt¶... BZyw Rm\pw H¶p kwibn¨p.... ]mham... GXmbmepw \à BtcmKyam.. F\nínhnsS Hcp klmbambn.. amSp t]mse ]WnsbSpt¯mfpw..." " \n\s¡Ãm klmtbmw sN¿ps¶mt−mSo... CubnsS \o sImd¨qsS sNdp¸ambn.... AXpsIm−p tNmZn¨Xm.... Ah³ \nsâ th−mXo\t¯ htÃmw...." cmcn¨³ Nncn¨psIm−v sXdn¨p \n¡p¶ Hcp apeín«p X«n. Ftf½ B Ibv X«n amÁn. " l..t]m... I¶¯cw ]dbmsX... Ah³ sIm¨\tÃ... Ah³ sam¯Xn tZ... Fhsâ At{Xw hc¯nÃ.... cmhnte tImtfPn t]mIpw....." cmcn¨sâ IhínSbn NqSmbn \n¶ Ip®tb XtemSns¡m−mWhÀ AXp ]dªXv. " Mqw..... A¸w \msf... Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«...\S¶m \nsâ \ÃImew sXmS§o¶p hnNmcnt¨m......." " \S¡msXhnsS t]mIm\m... ]nt¶ tZ... Cu amtese Ipcnis§Spt¯m... ChnsS Bsc¦nepw I−m... kwibnípw.. ame...... hm§nsbs¶¦nepw ]dbmtÃm..." " Hm... Rm³ X¶Xv Xncn¨p hm§p¶nÃ...... \o thtW BcpadnbmsX hnÁp Imim¡ntím... AXn\p \o anSp¡nbtÃ... tZ C¸w AbmsS tamtf htc...." " CXm ]tdt¶ ... ImipImÀ¡v D]Imcw sN¿cpsX¶v... C¸w Rm³ \mdnbmbn...." AbmfpsS Ip®bnepw ]nSns¨m¶aÀ¯n AhÀ ]nW¡w A`n\bn¨p. " slSo......AXp ]nSns¨mSnímsX...t\mIp¶p... Rm³ Hcp Xami ]dªXtÃ...." " CXmtWm Xami....." Ftf½ Fgpt¶Áp. ]pdtI Idnbm¨\pw. Idnbm¨³ At¸mÄ Fsâ I®n \n¶pw adªp. hkv{X§Ä [cnípIbmbncnípw. Ftf½ AbmfpsS t\tc Xncnªp \n¶p. ]ns¶ ImepIÄ Ih¨p. Hcp Im Aåw AI¯n s]m¡n]nSn¨p. IqXnbnencp¶ tXmÀ¯n Xm§n¸nSn¨psIm−v AhÀ H¶p izmkw ]nSn¨p ap¡n. "InÀÀÀÀiviviviviviv..." Fs¶mcp \o− iÐw AhcpsS Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw tI«p. ]ns¶ Ih¨p \n¶v tXmÀ¯psIm−v IqXnbpw ]qdpw Hs¡ \¶mbn XpS¨p. ImeI¯n XpS¨t¸mÄ AhcpsS I®mSn¸qdnsâ \à Hcp Zriyw ho−pw F\níp In«n. XpSí Ignªv AhÀ IqXnbn IbvsIm−p X¸nt\m¡p¶Xp I−p. " slm.....Hcp sImSw ]mem sImX¯ntems«mgn¨Xv... F{X ap¡n¯qÁo«pw Xocp¶nÃ.... C{]mhiyw tXm«¯o¶v Btcw In«otÃ...." " Hm th\emtb¸ns¶ tXm«¯nsemÅXnsâsbm¶pw ASpt¯m«Sp¡m³ ]Áp¶nÃ... shbÀ¸p\mtÁmw aqt{Xmw sIm−v aq¡p sNInSníp¶p. Ip® s]m§¯nÃ.... ]ns¶.... h¶msemSt\ td¨en\n¯ncn sImSp¡p¶Xmcp¶p ]Xnhv... C¶v Ahfpw sIS¶p X¶nÃ.. AXpsIm−m Ct{Xw tÌm¡p h¶Xv... " Gtf½ ho−pw Imep s]m¡nbI¯n ap¡n sNdnb iÐw tI«p. AhÀ ]ns¶bpw IqXn tXmÀ¯n. tXmÀ¯p aqebntesídnªp. hkv{X§Ä [cním³ XpS§n. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ cmcn¨³ sdUn. tSmÀ¨p I¿nÂ. XpWnbpSp¯v B c−p IÅ¡anXm¡Ä

bm{XmNpw_\w Ibvamdp¶Xp I−bpSt\ Rm³ AhnS¶p henªp. ]ns¶ Nmbn¸n tIdn P\en IqSn t\m¡n. cmcn¨sâ tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w AI¶I¶p t]mbn. Hs¶\níp a\Ênembn, cmcn¨³ kpJn¸níp¶Xnsâ sNdnb Hcwiw t]mepw Ftf½sb¶ amZIkpμcntb kpJn¸ním³ C\n Cu {]mb¯n cmta«t\s¡m−v ]ÁpIbnÃ. AhcpsS Acs¡«n\pÅn Ima¯nsâ Xnfíp¶ Hcp Aán]ÀhXw Hfnªncp¸p−v. cmta«t\s¡m−v AXnsâ emhm{]hmlw XSªp \nÀ¯m³ C\n Hcníepw km[nínÃ. AXn\p cmcn¨t\t¸msebpÅ sNdp¸¡cmb aZbm\IÄ Xt¶ thWw. Ftf½tb IpÁw ]dªn«pw ImcyanÃ. Ht¶ F\níp t]Sn tXm¶nbpÅp. ChcpsS Cu _lf_pw Ima¡q¯pIfpw HcnS\mgnbpsS Zqc¯n sXm«¸pdt¯ apdnbn InS¶pd§p¶ AhcpsS a¡Ä tIÄ¡p¶p−mhptam. bphXz¯nsâ Xnf¸n \n¡p¶ A`ncman, Btcm ]dªptI« anYyIfn hnizkn¨v H¶pw t\m¡msX NmSn¯pÅp¶ Iuamc¡mcnbmb IetamÄ. AXpw Cu A½bpsS hn¯tÃ, cà¯n XÅbpsS AtX Afhn Ima¯nsâ ISn D−mbncnípw. AXpsIm−mWtÃm In«p¶hsâ tateíp sa¡n«p tIdm³ aSnbnÃm¯Xv. kq£n¨nsæn AhÄ Ft¶bpw Ipgnbn NmSnípw. CSív a\Êp ]dªp, Hm, H¶p sXm«pw ]nSn¨pw hmWaSnípÅ hIsbms¡ BImsatS. ]Tn¯t¯ AsXm¶pw _m[nícpsXt¶bpsÅtS. _p²n Ipdª C\ambXpsIm−v AhfsXms¡ aÁp hÃhtcmSpw ]dªm {]iv\amIpsat\bpÅp. t\m¡ow I−pw \n¶m Hcp cksams¡ In«pw. s]s«¶v A`ncmanbpsS apJw I\Ênteíp IS¶p h¶p. ChnsS h¶n«v Ct¶htc AhÄ Ft¶mSv bmsXmcp B`napJyhpw ImWn¨nsænepw F\nív A`ncmantb¸Án am{Xta hymIpeXbpÅp. AhÄs¡m¶pw ]ÁcptX F¶p a\Êm{Klníp¶p. CXv Nnet¸mÄ t{]a¯nsâ Hcp kqN\bmbncnímw. F\níp Nncn h¶p. t{]aw, AXnt\¸Án ]dbm³ F´ÀlXbmsW\nípÅXv. ]−s¯ kplrXv_Ôhpw N§m¯hpw a\ÊntemÀ¯psIm−v Rm³ \S¡p¶p. Hcní Ahtf hnhkv{Xbmbn¡− HmÀ½IÄ C¶v a\Ên a[pcw hnXdp¶p. AhtfmSv AsXm¶p kqNn¸ním³ kuIcyw In«p¶nÃ. AXp tIÄ¡pt¼mÄ B apJ¯v Dcp−p IqSp¶ \mW¯nsâ at\mlmcnXbpw kz]v\w I−v Rm³ Dd¡¯nteív hgpXn hoWp. ]ntÁZnhkw cmhnte Im¸nIpSním\ncp¶t¸mÄ Ftf½tb Rm³ kq£n¨p t\m¡n. Fs´mcpÂkmlw. Abª DSp¸n\pÅn XÅn \n¡p¶ apeIfÃmsX H¶pw ImWm\nÃ. s]s«¶p Xt¶ F\níp Im¸n X¶p. " thKw IpSnt¨¨p tImtfPn t]m.... Xmakní−..." " AsX´m tN¨n hsÃS¯pw t]mIphmtWm..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " tM.. AsX´m.. C¸w s]s«¶v tN¨os¶mcp hnfn....?.." " tN¨nív Hmtcm cm{Xow Igo¼w {]mbw sImdªp hcp¶t]mem F\níp tXm¶p¶Xv... AtXm−v Ftft½¶v hnfním³ tXm¶p¶nÃ.... Rm³ hnfnt¨mt«..." tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Rm³ B apeIfntesímcp t\m«sadnªXv AhÀ I−p. s]s«¶hÀ AhnsS DSps¸m¶p IqSn hen¨n«p t\scbm¡n. ASp¡fbn GtXm Hcp ]m{Xw \ne¯p hogp¶ iÐw tI«p. " Mm...F¶m thtWepw hnfnt¨m.... \osb´mSo sht¨m−p sImdnípt¶... thKw Xnt¶¨p t]mIm³ t\m¡v...." AhÀ F\nsíXntc Ccp¶ IetamfpsS ap¼nteíp ]m{Xw XÅnsh¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " At¿m tN¨o...ASp¡tf Ft´m ]m{Xw..." " \miw... B s\Kfns¸®v FÃmw \in¸nípw..." AhÀ XpÅn¨mSns¡m−v ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. " A¦nfns\´m...C¶v A½tbmsSmcp tkm¸v.... " " tkms¸m¶panà tamtf... Np½m... _lpam\w sIm−m..." AhÄ s]s«¶v Fsâ ap¼nteív Xe\o«ns¡m−p ]Xps¡ tNmZn¨p. " tkm¸Snt¨¨v Ft§m«m t\m¡ntb... Rm\nhnsS Ccníp¶Xp I−ntÃ... F\níp ImWms\m¶pantÃ... " " \o t]mSo s]t®... " Rm³ s]s«s¶gpt¶Áp. " A¦ntf... Ignt¨¨p t]m..." AhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. Rm³ IbvIgpIn. Nmbv¸nse¯n. IXIS¨p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ Iebpw A½bpw IqSn Cd§p¶Xp I−p. Ftf½ Nmbn¸nsâ t\À¡p Xncnªp t\m¡nbn«v IetbmsSt´m

tNmZn¨p. AhÄ IbvaeÀ¯p¶Xpw I−p. Rm³ P\en IqSn shfnbn ]Sníteíp t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ ImWmw NpÁpw t\m¡ns¡m−v knáÂsambvXp hcp¶p. Rm³ hmXnensâ Hcp ]mfn Aåw Xpd¶p CSbn IqsS Hfnªp t\m¡n. " ChnSmcpantÃ...." AbmÄ apÁ¯p \n¶p Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. Hcp \nanjw Ignªv tNmZyw H¶p IqSn BhÀ¯n¨t¸mÄ A`ncman Xn®bnteínd§n h¶p. bmsXmcp AWnsªmcp§epanÃmsX Aekambn apSnbpw hmcns¡«n apjnª hkv{X§fpambn \n¶ AhÄ¡v ]Xn·S§p kuμcyw tXm¶n¨p. shfp¯ IW¦mepItf A\mhrXam¡ns¡m−v Ffníp tIÁn¡p¯nbncp¶ ]mhmSbpsS Xp¼v XmtgsíSp¯n«p. B IW¦mepIfnse \oe¨ tcma§fpsS Nmª \nc Hcp \nanjw Fsâ I®pIfnepS¡n. ImWmsX ImWp¶ s]®nsâ icoc`mK§Ä¡v IqSpX IuXpIw tXm¶pw. ImXnte sNdnb I½epIÄ Xnf§n. Ab¨p sI«nbncníp¶ ape¡¨IÄ¡pÅn³ Dcp− amdnS§Ä H¶p Xpfp¼n. Hfnªp t\m¡m³ sImXn tXm¶nt¸mbn. lm^vkmcnbpsS Xp¼¯v Ibv XpS¨psIm−hÄ tNmZn¨p. " Duw...?.. F´m ...C{X cmhnte... ChnSmcpanÃ..." AhfpsS kzc¯n tZjyw IeÀ¶ncp¶p. " ln....ln...ln... A¸w .....tN¨ow CtÃ...?..." Hcp shSe¨ncntbmsS sambvXp tNmZn¨p. " ChnsSmcp tN¨ow Iq¨ow CÃ...... sambvXp C¸w t]m...." AhÄ AIt¯íp Xncnªp tIdm³ `mhn¨p. " kmsd¶m hcpt¶...?..." " \msf hcphmcnípw...." " h¶m ...Rm³...At\zjn¨q¶p ]dbWw....." " Hm... ]dtª¡mw..." " ln...ln...ln...Rmt¼mIphm...." ho−pw hnÍn¨ncn Nncn¨psIm−v sambvXp ]Snbnd§n t]mbn. " Fsâ `Khmt\.... Fs´mcp hn[nbm CXv...." Bsctbm ]gn¨psIm−v A`ncman AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Rm³ ho−pw IXIp Nmcn Imhencp¶p. Aåw Ignªv ASp¡fhmXn¡ sN¶p t\m¡n. AXp Nmcnbn«ncp¶p. Rm³ AI¯p Ibdn IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ AIt¯ apdnbn tIdn ap³hit¯ hmXneS¨p IpÁnbn«p. Nmbn¸nsâ hmXneS¨n«v ASp¡fhit¯ sXmSnbnend§n Hcp ac¯n\p adªp \n¶p. ]Xn\©p an\n«p Ignªp ImWpw, ]Sn¸pc hmXn IS¶v cmcn¨³ hcp¶p. Hcp SojÀ«pw s\bv¯p ap−pw thjw. apÁ¯p Ibdnb DSt\ Xncnªv ASp¡f hmXn¡se¯n NpÁpw t\m¡nb tijw hmXnen sasà XÅn t\m¡n. Xpd¡mXncp¶t¸mÄ iànbmbn XÅn t\m¡n. At¸mtgípw Rm³ Fsâ HfnkvYe¯p \n¶pw ASp¡f apÁs¯¯n. " Bcm... a\ÊnembnÃtÃm....?." Fsâ tNmZyw tI« cmcn¨³ ASp¡f¯n®bn \n¶pw apÁt¯índ§n. " Rm³.....Rm³...ASp¯ hmÀUnsemÅXm... Hcp hoSt\zjns¨d§nbXm... Nn«n¸Ww In«ms\m−mcp¶p.... ap³hi¯mtcw I−nÃ... ASp¡tfemIp¼w Bsc¦nepw ImWpatÃm... tM... tXhÅote hoSv CXp Xs¶btÃ......?..." " AÃtÃm...CXv ]qtheníte hoSm.... kmdn\p sXÁnt¸mbn...." Abmsfm¶p N½n. " A¸w tXhÅote...hoSv.... GXp `mK¯m...?...." " Zm ... A¸dt¯ ho«n tNmZn¨mednbmw... Rm³ ChnsS ]pXnb Bfm..." " Hm.. AXp sicn... A\nb³ _ÔphmtWm... ChcptS...." " A§t\w ]dbmw..... " " F¶m sicn... Rm³ AhtcmSp tNmZnt¨mfmw....." cmcn¨³ Xncnªp \S¶p. " kmtd...Hcp Imcyw ]dªm sXÁn²cnítÃ....." " Mqw...F´m...?.." " A¸dt¯ ho«n sNÃp¼w... ap³hmXnente ap«mhq... ASp¡fhiw C¯ncn his¸isImÅ hoSm¶m tI«ncnípt¶...." AXp tI«t¸mÄ AbmfpsS apJt¯ hfn¸p ImWm³ \à ckw. " Mm...sicn...sicn....." AbmÄ s]s«¶p ]Sn IS¶p. ]ns¶ h¶ hgníp Xncnªp.

" kmtd... tXhÅn... At§m«Ã...." Rm³ D¨¯n hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Mm... Adnbmw... Rm³ ]ns¶ s]mtímfmw... " cmcn¨³ \S¶p adªp. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp tamt«mÀssk¡nfnsâ iÐw AI¶p t]mIp¶Xpw tI«p. " Ahât½sS.... Ffp¸¯ne§p Imcyw ImWmsa¶m hnNmcn¨Xv... Cu cmPmaWn ChnsSmÅ Imew \o kz]v\w ImWt¯bpÅp..." Rm³ a\Ên hnNmcn¨psIm−v ]pkvX§Ä ASp¡n sh¨p, Hcp§m³ XpS§n. tImtfPn t]mtb¡mw... c−p ]ocnbUp t]mIpw F¦nepw A`ncmanbpsS ]ocnbUp \n¡mXncnípatÃm. Cfb½ Ct¸mÄ `mhnbn X\níp In«mhp¶ `mKy§tfmÀ¯p In\mhpImWpIbmbncnípw. cm£kn, AhÀ Xncn¨p hcpt¼mÄ Rm\nhnsS D−mbncp¶p F¶dnªm F´mbncnípw AhcpsS {]XnIcWw. Nnet¸mÄ Rm³ A`ntb ]nSním³ th−n X§nbXmsW¶p htc ]dªpIfbpw. kq£níWw. Fs´mcp s]mÃm¸v. ]Tním³ h¶ F\nív Ct¸mÄ AXn\p t\canÃ. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ hmXnen ap«p tI«p. " Xpdt¶mfq..? Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. A`ncman hmXnåSnbn Hcp tXmÀ¯psIm−v apSn¯p¼p ]ngnªpsIm−v \n¡p¶p. Aekambn C«ncníp¶ ]pXnb lm^vkmcn. AXp amdt¯ B c−p at\mlc tKmf§fpsS CSbn Npcp−p IqSn¡nS¡p¶p. apSn¯p¼nte shÅw hoWXpsIm−mbncnípw AXn Hsc®¯nsâ apIfn »ukv \\sªm«n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. ]mhmSípw »ukn\panSbn shfp¯ Xfnhbdn\pw Hma\Xzw tXm¶p¶ ]p¡nÄ¡pgnbpw Fsâ t\m«w AhnsSsbms¡ ]mdn\S¶t¸mÄ AhÄ lm^vkmcn hnXnÀ¯n FÃmbnShpw ad¨p. " cmPmaWn... Ct¸m BtcmSmcp¶p hÀ¯m\w ]dªXv...?..." " B.... GtXm Hcp¯³... tXhÅote hoSp X¸n ASp¡f hmXnen h¶n«v CSníp¶p..." " tM... Hcp Aåw XSnbpÅ... Hcp Npcp− apSn¡mc³... I−mÂ...." AhÄ H¶mtemNn¨p. " \à kpapJ³... sNdp¸¡mc³... ImipÅnSt¯bmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p... F´m... A`nív Abmtf Adnbmthm...?..." " Hcp {]mhiyw ChnsS h¶p I−ns«m−v... AbmfmsW¦nÂ...sNe¸w AOt\ At\zjn¨mcnípw...." " Mqw... Aà ]ns¶... A`n BtcmtSm... sImd¨papt¼... hÀ¯m\w ]td¶ tI«tÃm...." " AsXmcp s]m«³... sambvXp... Np½m \S¡pIm...AOt\ At\zjním³ h¶Xm.... " AhfpsS hm¡pIfn tZjyw. " AÃ.... H¶p tNmZn¨m... A`níp tZjyw tXm¶Ãv.... an\nbm¶pw B s]m«³ ChnsS hcp¶Xp I−p.....ChnsS cmta«\nÃm¶dnªn«pw Cu. BfpIsfms¡... F´n\m At\zjn¨p hcpt¶....?..." " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ... AhtcmSp tNmZn¨mednbmw....." Ft¶ Xpdns¨m¶p t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ Xncnªp \S¡ms\mcp§n. ]t£ ho−pw Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " cmPmaWnsb´m C¶p tImtfPn t]mImXncp¶Xv...?...." " cmhnte Fgpt¶Á¸w samXep `b¦c XethZ\... C¶se sIS¶¸w ]mXncmbpw Ignsªm¯ncnbmbmcp¶p.... AtXm−mcnípw..." Rm³ s\Áníp Ibv sh¨p. " ]Tníphmcpt¶m... F¶n«v cm{Xo Nmbn¸n sseÁp I−nÃtÃm.....?..." AhfpsS tNmZyw. " At¸m...A`ow....?.." " Mm...cm{Xoev Zmln¨¸w shÅw FSp¡m³ Rm³ ASp¡tf t]mbmcp¶p.... HscS¯pw sseÁnÃmcp¶p..." " Gbv... cmta«sâ apdo sseÁp I−Xp t]mse F\níp tXm¶n.... Ftft½w Hd§n¡mW¯nÃ... A¸w C¶se ChnsS FÃmÀ¡pw inhcm{Xnbmcp¶p...AtÃ...." Rm³ Nncn¨p. " B.. F\nídnb¯nÃ...." \ockt¯msS ]dªn«v AhÄ s]s«¶p Xncnªp \S¶p. Rm³ AhnsSbncp¶p Nn´n¨p. Fs´ms¡tbm XncnadnIÄ ChnsSbp−v. C\n A½bpw aIfpw sImSp¸pImcmtWm. FÃmw IqsS H¯pIfnbmtWm. Gbv AÃ, F¦n ]ns¶ A`nsb In«m³ th−n cmcn¨³ Ftf½ív ssI¡qen sImSp¡ptam. GXmbmepw tImtfPn t]mtb¡mw. \ap¡p \½psS Imcyw. At¸mÄ hmXn¡ A`ncman. AhÄ Hcp ¥mkn shÅhpw c−p KpfnIIfpw \o«n.

" Duw...?... CsXt´m¶m...?" Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " XethZ\símÅ KpfnIbm... Ign¨n«v tImtfPn t]mIm³ t\m¡v... CtàAO³ Ft¶mSmbncnípw tZjys¸SpI...." " Hm... AO³ tZjys¸Sm³... cmta«t\mSv ]dbmXncp¶mt¸mtc..." Rm³ KpfnIbpw shÅhpw hm§n Itkcbn sh¨p. AhÄ t]mIm³ Xncnªp. Rm³ hnfn¨p. " A`o...." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p tNmZy`mh¯n Ft¶ t\m¡n. " A`nív... Ft¶mSv F´m C{X tZjyw.....Rm³ h¶Xv Cãs¸«nsæn Rm³ Xncnsb t]mtb¡mw.... ChnsS \n¶p ]Tním³ cmta«³ \nÀ_Ôn¨t¸m... Rms\m¯ncn kt´mjn¨p.... Ftf½ Acnis¸«m.... a\Ênem¡mw.... \½fp c−p t]cpw ImWm³ sXmS§nbXv C¶sebpw Cs¶m¶paÃtÃm... A`n H−tÃm ]gb Ifn¡q«pImcnbmWtÃm Ft¶mÀ¯¸w F\nínhnsS \n¡m³ Xmåcyw tXm¶nt¸mbn.... t]Sn¡−... t{]asam¶paÃ.... ImcWw..... ao³ImcosS tam\v.... KkÁUptZymKkvYsâ tamtfmSv t{]aw F¶msc¦nepw tI«m F\níp h«msWt¶ ]dbq... \½fp t\ct¯ Iq«pImcmbncp¶p F¶p am{Xw HmÀ¯m aXn..... " ]dªp \nÀ¯nbn«v Rm³ AhfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. AhÄ shdptX hmXn¸Snbn t\m¡n \n¡p¶p. Rm³ XpSÀ¶p. " A¶t¯ IpkrXnIÄ hÃXpw A`n C¸w HmÀ¡p¶pt−m... Ahkm\w Rm³ ChnsS h¶¸w.... A`n Cep¼n¸pfn ]dním³ tIdnbXpw... NmSnb¸w ]mhmS HS¡nbXpw.... A`n \n¶ B \n¸pw... F¶n«v A`n Ft¶mSp Icªp ]dªp.... I−sXm¶pw BtcmSpw ]dbtöv.... HmÀ¡ps¶mt−m....?..." " cmPmaWn ]td¶Xv... A¶v Fsâ... C¨o¨n Is−¶tÃ..." AhÄ Fs¶ t\m¡msX tNmZn¨p. " AtX... AXp Xt¶.... Rm³ AXv C¶se I− t]msebm C¸fpw Fsâ a\Ênev.....A`ntím...?..." AhfpsS apJw Nph¡p¶Xpw \mWw sIm−v apJw Ip\nbp¶Xpw Nncn¨psImt−mSnt¸mIp¶Xpw Hs¡ {]Xo£n¨psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. ]t£ AhfpsS adp]Sn Fsâ FÃm {]Xo£Ifpw XIÀ¯pIfªp. " Hm... Rm\Xt¶ ad¶p.... Rm³ P\n¨¸fpw aes¡S¸p sIS¶¸fpw Hs¡ F{X t]scsâ C¨o¨n I−p ImWpw... AsXms¡ Rms\´n\m HmÀ¡pt¶....AXp temI¯n ]XnshmÅXtÃ... cmPmaWn kabw IfbmsX t]mIm³ t\m¡v... F\nív ASp¡tf ]Wnsbm−v... Csæn Ftf½ hcp¼w No¯ In«pw...." AhÄ Xncnªp \S¶p. Fsâ FÃm Kabpw t]mbn. A−nbÃ, D−Ifp htc Ifª A®ms\ t]mse Rm³ Xcn¨ncp¶p t]mbn. t{]aansænepw Hcp ]©mc¸cn]mSnsb¦nepw \S¡psa¶p {]Xo£n¨ Ft¶ At¼ a−\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ sRfnªp \S¶pIfªp. sO, th−mcp¶p. h¶ Imcyw t\m¡nbn«v t]mbm aXnbmcp¶p. C\n Rms\§s\ AhfpsS apJ¯p t\m¡pw. aXn ChnSs¯ s]mdpXn. C{Xbpw sIm¨mbns¡m−v AhfpsS ap¼n C\n Cu ho«nse\níp Ignbm³ ]Á¯nÃ. \msf cmta«³ hcpt¼mÄ ]dªn«v ho«nteíp Xncn¨p t]mtb¡mw. ]pkvXI§fpsaSp¯v Rm³ kvYew hn«p. A`ncmantb t\cnSm\pÅ N½Â ImcWw Xmakn¨mWp Xncn¨p h¶Xv. h¶]msS c−p IpS§fpsaSp¯psIm−v InWÁpIcbnteíp t]mbn. Ccp«p¶Xphtc shÅw tImcn. s]®p§Ä c−p t]cpw \maw P]ním³ hcp¶Xn\pap¼p Xt¶ Rm³ Nmbn¸n tIdn. AOsâ t^mt«msbSp¯p \akvIcn¨p. A½tb HmÀ¯p. ]ns¶ ]pkvXIsaSp¯p \nhÀ¯p. s]s«¶v Ftf½ Nmbn¸nteíp tIdn h¶p. Rm³ _lpam\t¯msS Fgpt¶Áp. AhcpsS apJw IS¶Â Ip¯nbXp t]mse tZjys¸«ncp¶p. Rm\Xp {]Xo£n¨Xmbncp¶p. F¦nepw Rm³ t]Sn A`n\bn¨p. AhÀ kwba\w ]men¨ns«¶ h®w tNmZn¨p. " cmPp C¶v tImtfPn t]mbntÃ...?.." " t]mbn... ]t£...Xmakn¨m t]mbXv... cmhnte samXep `b¦c XethZ\bmcp¶p. .. ]ns¶ A`ncman c−p KpfnI X¶p... AXp Ign¨¸w C¯ncn Bizmkw tXm¶n... AtXm−p t]mbn..... ]ns¶ XethZ\ h¶nÃ... " Rm³ sIm¨pIp«ntbt¸mse Dcphn«p.

" A§s\ Fs´¦nepw Hs−¦n... Ft¶mSp ]dbWw... ChnsS Ahfp X\n¨tà H−mcps¶mÅp... htÃmcpw AsX§m\pw Adnªm... A`ntamÄ¡mtW sImd¨nev... " " At¿m Rm³ t\m¡o«v tN¨ntb I−nÃmcp¶p.... ]ns¶ Rm³ sIS¡phmcp¶p.... Xosc h¿mcp¶p...." " Mm.. kmcanÃ... Fs´¦nepw AkpJw Ht− Ft¶mSp ]dbWw... F\nípw cmPqsâ t]cn D¯chmZnXzantÃ.... " " At¿m tN¨o.. Ft¶... sXÁn²cníÃv.. Rms\mcp ]mham.... Btcw D]{Zhní¯nÃ.... F\nív s]§½mcnsÃt¶sbmÅp...." Rm³ kzc¯n Aåw KZvKZw hcp¯n. " Mqw... kmcanÃ... H¶p ]dsªt¶sbmÅp....." Hcp ZoÀL\nizmkt¯msS AhÀ kvYew hn«p. ]mhw Ftf½, C\n ImapIt\msS´p kam[m\w ]dbpw. FÃmw H¸n¨n«v Ahkm\w ]²Xn XIÀ¶ kvYnXnív `mhnbnte \ÃImew ho−pw AIepIbmWtÃm F¶ hnjaw. F´p sN¿m³ ]Ápw. AhÀ Ft¶ Xe XÃn i]níbmhpw. D½d¯v \maP]w XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ebnÁp sISp¯n, hmXn Aåw Xpd¶n«p. \nehnf¡nsâ shfn¨¯n Pzeníp¶ apJhpw ap¶n«p \n¡p¶ amdnS§fpambn N{aw ]Snªncp¶p \maw P]níp¶ A`ncmantb Hfnªp t\m¡n ckn¨p. CSív Hcp ckNn´ Fsâ a\Ên HmSnsb¯n. N{aw ]Snªncnípt¼mÄ AI¶ncníp¶ XpSIfpsS CSbn A`nbpsS aZ\¯mhf¯nsâ Ct¸mgt¯ Ccns¸§s\bmhpw. CXfpIsfms¡ hnSÀ¶v Ftf½bpsSb{X hepXsænepw shfp¯ B I´v HÁív B CXfpIÄ¡nSbn thÀs]«p \n¡pIbmhpw. Ftf½bptSXpt]mse \o− CeIÄ Bbncníptam AXn\nSbnÂ, AÃmbncnípw. AhcpsS aIfÃtÃm. Ct¸mgmsW¦n B I´psam«n c−p hncepIÄ sIm−v ]nSn¨p hením³ Ffp¸ambncnípw. Xmtgm«p t]mIp¶ Iodepw Aåw AI¶mbncnípw Ccn¡pI. ]mhmSínSbnÂIqSn hà Ddp¼pw tIdn¡Sn¨mtem. Gbv, AXp−mhnà jÍn ImWpw. ImWptam, ho«nembXpsIm−v Nne¸w ImWm³ km²yXbnÃ. t]mcmªn«v NqSpImehpw. Ct¸mÄ Ipfn¨XpsIm−v hnbÀ¸paWw ImW¯nÃmbncnípw. ]ns¶ Hcp \\hp ImWpw. C¶se Ftf½bpsS \\hp I−XmWtÃm. tcmaw kar²ambn«p ImWpw. ImcWw \à Xg¨ apSnbmWv A`ncmanív. At¿, Rms\´p hr¯ntISmWp Nn´níp¶Xv. AhcpsS Zbhn ChnsS IqSnbn«v AhcpsS aItf¸Án ZpjvNn´Itfm. Hm, AXns\´m, BWp§f§s\sbms¡ Nn´nípw. t]mcmªn«v AhÄ¡v Fs¶ ]pÃphnebmsW¶v C¶p a\Ênembn. ]ns¶ In«p¶ kuIcyw D]tbmKnípI. CXpt]mse PohnX¯n Hchkcw H¯psh¶p hcnÃ. PohnX¯n BZyambn In«p¶ kuIcyw. A`nsb¦n A`n, XÅbmsW¦n XÅ, IebpsS Imcyw ]dtb− ImcyanÃ, AhÄ Xsâ I¿nemWtÃm. ]ns¶ XSn tISmImsX t\m¡Ww. a\Ênsâ DÅnencp¶v Btcm ]dbp¶p. F¦nepw cmPmaWo, IpSníp¶ shůn Xs¶ IqXn IgpItWmSm tamt\ ? cm{Xnbn A¯mgw Igním³ Fs¶ hnfn¨t¸mÄ hni¸nà F¶v ]dªv Rm³ Hgnªp amdn. hni¸n\¸pdw, A`ncmanbpsS XnckvImcambncp¶p Fsâ DÅnÂ. \mWw sI«Xpt]mse. cmta«s\m¶p h¶pIn«nbncps¶¦n ]dªn«p t]mImambncp¶p. Ftf½ Ahtf hn¡pItbm XpeípItbm F´p thWsa¦nepw sN¿s« F¶p tXm¶nsb¦nepw DÅnsâ DÅn Hcp sNdnb apÅv DS¡nbXpt]mse. Nn´n¨v InS¡pt¼mÄ Btcm h¶p ssseÁn«p. I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡pt¼mÄ tNmdpw ]m{Xhpambn IetamÄ apdnbnÂ. " A¦nfn\p XethZ\bmbn«p sIS¡pIm... AtXm−v sIm−p sImSp¡m³ ]dªp...." IetamÄ t¹Áv Itkcbn sh¨p. " Bcv...?..." " tN¨n...." " A`ncmantbm....?..." " ]n¶ÃmsX F\nínhnsS ]¯p tN¨namscmt−m... \à tNmZyw... thKw Ign¨n«v ]m{Xw Xm...." " CXv sIm−phcp¶Xv tamÄsS A½ I−ntÃ...." " Csöm tXm¶pt¶.... A½ Ipfnapdoem...."

" F¦n tamfp sN¶p tN¨ntbmSp ]d... A¦nfn\p C¶p hni¸nÃm¶v... sNÃv... CXpw FSpt¯m... A¦nÄ Hd§m³ t]mIphm...." Rm³ t¹sÁSp¯v IebpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. " ]«nWn InS¶m XethZ\ IqSt¯bpÅp... Cu KpfntIw IqSn sImSp¡v Ietamtf... CXpw hngp§n htÃmw Ign¨n«v sIS¡m³ ]d...." At¸mÄ Xn®bn hmXnen\Sp¯p \n¶pw A`nbpsS iÐw. AXp sicn AhfnhnsS \n¸p−mbncp¶p AtÃ. Ie t¹Áp sh¨n«v hmXn¡ \n¶ A`nbpsS I¿n \n¶pw KpfnI hm§n Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¸n¨p. " Ietamtf.... F\níp th−n Bcpw t\À¨ Igntís−¶p ]d... Rms\m¶pw cmta«t\mSp ]db¯nsöpw ]d... " " Mm.... ]dbmw...." Ie GÁp]dªp. " \½sS ho«n h¶ Hcmfp ]«nWn sIS¶m AXnsâ \mWt¡Sp Cu hoSn\msW¶p ]d Ietamtf...." A`n ]dbp¶p. Ie Ft¶ t\m¡n H¶pw a\ÊnemImsX \n¡p¶p. " Cu A¦nfn\p ]«nWow hni¸pw ]p¯cnbsöp ]d tamtf... IS¯nt®Â hni¶p sIS¡p¶ amXncntb tXm¶ps¶mÅq¶p ]d tamtf...." Aåt\cw \niÐX. Ie ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n F¶n«p Ft¶mSp BwKyw ImWn¨p t]mbo¶v. Rm³ t¹sÁSp¯v IebpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. " A¦nsf´m Igním¯Xv....?... \n§fp X½n s]W¡mtWm... AtXm hgs¡m−m¡ntbm...." Ie tNmZn¨p. " Cà tamtf... Cu A¦nfn\mtcmSpw hg¡nÃ.... shi¡p¼w Rm³ ASp¡tf h¶v tNmZn¨p hm§n Xn¶pw... AXm A¦nfv.... tamfn¸w s]mtím...." " A¦ntf F¶mepw F\níp k¦Sam... A¦nfp ]«nWn sIS¡p¼w.... Ignt¨mt¶.... " " tamtf.... \n\s¡t¶mSnt{Xw Ctãm−tÃm... AXp aXn... C\n s]mtím... A¦nfn\n¯ncn ]Tníms\m−v... KpUv\bnÁv..." Rm³ Ahtf D´n¯Ån ]dªp hn«p. ]ntÁ¶v cmta«³ h¶t¸mÄ Rm³ sXmSnbn \n¶v InfípIbmbncp¶p. Aåw hnbÀ¯m \ÃXmWtÃm F¶p IcpXn. ]ns¶ Ipd¨p ]¨¡dnIÄ Fs´¦nepw \«m ho«pImÀ¡v AsXmcp D]ImcamIpatÃm F¶pw IcpXn. thWsa¦n AhÀ _m¡n shÅsamgnípItbm hfÀ¯pItbm Fs´¦nepw sN¿s«. C{Xbpw Znhkw F\nív kvYehpw `£Whpw X¶XtÃ. t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Hcp]Imcw. s]s«¶v IetamÄ HmSn Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. " A¦ntf.... tN¨n AOsâ ASp¯v A¦nfnt\¸Án Fs´ms¡tbm ]dªp sImSp¡p¶p....." tM.. Fsâ DsÅm¶p Imfn. C¶se Rm³ ]dªXp hÃXpamtWm AhÄ ]dªpsImSp¡p¶Xv. F¦n kIeXpw sImfamIpw. DÅn Fs´ms¡tbm Ipcp¯t¡SpIÄ Ds−¶ÃmsX Fsâ ]pdtabpÅ CtaPv Rm³ tamiam¡msX t\m¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. AXo Ipcp¯w sI«hÄ \in¸níptam. Rm³ Infí aXnbm¡n. IetamfpsS H¸w iÐap−m¡msX Xn®bnteíp Ibdn. tIt«mfq F¶ AÀ°¯n Ie Ft¶mSmwKyw ImWn¨p. cmta«³ Im¸nIpSnípIbmWv. kwkmcw Rm³ {i²n¨p. " AÃOm... \ap¡mcptSbpw Hmimcw th−... B sN¡³ F´n\m... CsXms¡ sN¿pt¶.... HSphn IS¸mSp ]dbm\mtWm....?.." A`nbptS iÐw. " tamtf... Rm³ ]dªntÃ... AXhsâ ioeam... ]ns¶ Ah³ hymbmaw sNbvtXms«... Bcpw ]dªp sN¿n¸níp¶XÃtÃm... aSp¡p¼w Xmt\ \nt¶mfpw..." " F¶mepw tZs−...C¸w tZ ]d¼ns¡S¶p sIf¡pIm... Ietamfm ]dªXv ...]¨¡dn \Sm\msW¶v... F´n\m... HSphn \ap¡mIpw IpÁw....ChntS C¸w shÅw tImcm\pw shdIp sh«m\psams¡ HÅ BtcmKyw R§s¡m−v...." " \o A§s\ ]dbpImsW¦n....Rm³ ]dªp t\m¡mw... " cmta«³ a\ÊnÃma\tÊmtS k½Xníp¶p. " \n§¡p thtd ]Wnsbm¶pantà a\pjym... B sN¡³ Fs´¦nepw sN¿p¶XpsIm−v... _m¡nsbmtÅmcsS \Sphn\p sImd¨p Ig¸p sImdshm−v..." Ftf½bpsS tZjy¯nepÅ kwkmcw. " Gtf½ CXnenSs]S−... ChnsS \mtWmw amt\mw HÅ a\ptjcpsam−v..... " A`nbpsS adp]Sn.

" lÃ... Ah\n¯ncn tPmen sN¿p¶Xn\p s\\s¡´n\mSo C{X sZ®w.... \nsâ \mbscm¶paÃtÃm...C{X DcpIm³....." Ftf½ hn«psImSp¡p¶nÃ. " Fsâ \mbcmcpt¶Â Rm³ an−¯nÃmcp¶p... CXv... hsÃS¯q¶pw h¶ Bfv.... ]−t¯ ]cnNbw sht¨m−v Xmakním³ k½Xn¨q¶p IcpXn... B sN¡t\s¡m−v amSp t]mse ]WnsbSp¸ním³ Ftf½íp \mWantÃ... HSphn AhImtimw ]dtªm−p hcp¼w Adnbmw...." A`nbpsS iЯn amÁw. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, F¦nepw ChÄ Fs¶ F{X A\y\mbn«mWp IW¡m¡p¶Xv. Mm, kÀ¡mcptZymKkvYsâ aIftÃ, B lp¦p ImWpw. " tamtf... \o Aht\ sN¡m¶p ]dbcpXv... Aht\.. Hscm¯ BWm.... t]sc¦nepw ]d.... " cmta«³ aIsf D]tZiníp¶p. " tZ... Fhfp ]td¶Xpw tIt«m−v B sN¡t\ H¶pw ]dbm³ \ní− tIt«m... AsXmcp ]mham.... " cmta«t\mSv Ftf½bptS Xm¡oXv. Rms\m¶pd¨p. C\n ChntS \n¶n«v ImcyanÃ. IqSpX \n¶m Nnet¸mÄ AhÄ C¶et¯ Imcysa§m\pw ]dªp Ifbpw. Rm³ H¶p apcS\¡n. Im Xn®bn H¶p Bªp Nhn«n. AIt¯ kwkmcw \n¶p. Rm³ hmXn¡ \n¶v AIt¯ív F¯nt\m¡n. " Mm... cmPp... AÃm....\o ChnsS ]Tníp¶Xn\p ]Icw ]d¼n¸WnbmsW¶p tI«tÃm...." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " Hm.. Np½m... hmbn¨p aSp¯¸w... C¨nsc hnbÀ¡m¶p IcpXn..... ]ns¶.....]ns¶.... F\nív cmta«t\msSmcp Imcyw ]dbms\m−mcp¶p....." " hm... Ct§m«p tIdnhm... F´p Imcym..?... ]dtªm..." " AÃm...AXÃm... cmta«t\mSp am{Xw ]dbms\mÅXm....." Rm³ \n¶p ]cp§n. Ftf½bpw A`ncmanbpw ASp¡fbnteíp henªp. " \o Ccnív... Im¸n IpSnt¨m...?... FSo imctZ.... " " th−... Rm³ IpSnt¨mfmw... ]ns¶...]ns¶....]dbp¼w cmta«³ sXÁn²cnícpXv..... cmta«³ F\nív AOt\t¸msebm... [n¡mcamsW¶pw tXm¶cpXv...." Rm³ \n¶p ]cp§n. " Ft¶msSmcp Imcyw ]dbms\´n\mSm Ct{Xw apJhpc... ?... At{Xw shey ImcymtWm...?..." " A{X shey Imcysam¶paÃ..... ]ns¶... ]ns¶... Rm³ ChnS¶p amdnbmtem¶p hnNmcnípIm...." iÐw Xmgv¯n Rm³ ]dsªm¸n¨p. tI«p \n¶ Ie s]s«¶v Fsâ I¿n Ibdn ]nSn¨p. Rm³ B Ibv sasà hnSphn¨p. " amdmt\m...?... AXn\n¸w F´p−mbn ChnsS...?.. F¶ns«t§m«p t]mIm³.... s\\s¡s´¦nepw shjaw Ht−m ChnsS... Bsc¦nepw \nt¶ Fs´¦nepw ]dtªm...?..." " CÃm... H¶pw ]dªnÃm... F¶mepw.... ChnsS NneÀ¡v... Ft¶ Hcp t]Snsbms−¶p tXm¶p¶p...... Rms\mcp XSnamS³..... C¯n¡®n t]mse Xn¶pw IpSn¨pw C§s\.... ]ns¶.... {]mbamb c−p s]¼ntÅcpw... AXpw s]®p§fp am{Xw..... sImd¨p _p²nap«nbmepw HÅ kuIcy¯n ho«o¶v t]mbn hcmsa¶p hnNmcnípIm......." " AXn\mÀ¡m \nt¶ ChnsS t]Sn...?.." cmta«³ iÐw DbÀ¶p. " cmta«m...]Xps¡.... s]®p§fp tI¡−.... ¹okv..." Rm³ cmta«sâ I¿n Ibdn ]nSn¨p. " Bsc¦nepw \nt¶msSs´¦nepw ]dtªm... ]d.... " " At¿m... CÃ.... Nn´n¨¸w... F\níp \mtWmw amt\mw CÃmXmbXp t]mse tXm¶n. AXpsIm−m ]dªpt]mbXv..... cmta«³ s]mdp¡Ww... " " A`ncmao... imctZ...ChnsS hm...." cmta«³ hnfn¨p. Ftf½ apdnbnteíp Ibdn h¶p. A`ncman hmXn¡Â \n¶tXbpÅp. " At¿m...cmta«m...¹okv... th−m.... Ahtc hnfní−m..." F\níp t]Sn A`ncman Fs´¦nepw ]dbptam F¶Xmbncp¶p. " FSo.....kXyw ]dbWw... Ch³ ...\n§fmtcmsS¦nepw A]acymZbmbn ]dbpItbm {]hÀ¯nípItbm sNbvXns«mt−m... sXmd¶p ]dbWw... Hs−¦nÂ...Cu \nanjw Rm\nht\ ChnS¶v ASns¨d¡pw... XÃm\pw sImÃm\pw htc A[nImcw X¶m Fhsâ XÅ Fht\ Fsâ IqsS hn«Xv...]dtªm..." cmta«sâ apJ¯v Kuchw Cc¨p Ibdn.

" CÃ....cmta«m.... H¶panÃ... Fsâ.... a\Ên tXm¶nbXpsIm−p ]dªp t]mbXm... Fsâ...Hcp tImws¹Ivkv....F¶p sh¨m aXn..." " Rms\s´¦nepw cmPqt\mSp ]dªns«ms−m...F¸sg¦nepw...?..]ns¶´n\m C§s\ms¡ shdptX...]td¶Xv.... \o htÃmw ]dtªmSo A`o...?..." Ftf½ A`ncmantbmSp tNmZn¨p. AhÄ apJapbÀ¯n Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. Rm³ NmSn ]dªp. " Fsâ cmta«m... Bcpw H¶pw ]dªn«Ã..... t]ms«... sNe¸w... shdpw Hcp ao³ImcosS aI\mbXpsIms−mÅ tImws¹Ivkmcnípw.... AtàFsâ Zpc`nam\w sIm−mcnípw A§s\ tXm¶nbXv.... s]m¶p tN¨o...t N¨nsím¶pw tXm¶cpXv... Rm³ Btc¸Áow ]cmXn H¶pw ]dªnÃ.... Fsâ KXntISp amt{X ]dsªmÅp...." Fsâ Xe XmWp. ]dªXv A_²ambnt¸mbn F¶p tXm¶n. shdptX ho«pImÀ¡p ]gnbmbn. cmta«³ Hcp \nanjw an−mXncp¶p. ]ns¶ apdníI¯p Ibdn Hcp sNdnb ISemkp s]mXn sIm−p h¶v Fsâ I¿n X¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " \n\¡p t]mIW¦n t]mImw... ]t£ \o At§m«p sN¶m.... B ]mh¯n\p Xt¶bmcnípw Iã¸mSv... C¸w Ihte Ccp¶m I¨hSw.. ao³ sIm« sNma¡p¼w ... henhp hcpw.... ]ns¶... CXv \nt¶ G¸ním³ X¶ Imim.... Hsc³sIzbdníp t]mb¸w AXnte H¶p tIdnbmcp¶p. " Rm³ B Imip bm{´nIambn hm§n. Fsâ I®pIÄ \ndªp t]mbn. aIt\ e£y¯nse¯ním³ ]mSps]Sp¶ Fsâ A½. Fsâ I®p\oÀ cmta«³ I−p. " \o F´n\mSm Icbp¶Xv... AhÄ¡n¸w shey sImg¸sam¶panÃ... ]tgt]mse tPmen sN¿m³ hs¿t¶sbmÅp..... ]ns¶ CXpw tIt«m−p \o At§mt«mSn sNÃ−m¶pw ]dªp.... \nsâ ]co£sbms¡ Ignªv sN¶m aXnsb¶m Ahfp ]dªXv...." IcbmsX Fsâ I®n \n¶pw I®oÀXpÅnIÄ HgpIn. XpSím³ A`nam\w A\phZníp¶nÃ. I−p \n¶ Ftf½bpw A`ncmanbpw ASp¡fbnteíp tIdnt¸mbn. Ie Ft¶ ssZ\yXtbmsS t\m¡n. " F¶mepw Fsâ A½...." Rm³ hnXp¼nt¸mbn. " l... \o HcmWtÃSm... ]ns¶.. A`nam\samÅ BWp§Ät¡ C§s\sbms¡ tXm¶s¯mÅp.... \nsâ AOsâ AtX A`nam\m s\\¡pw.... Hcp ss]k ssI¡qen hm§¯nÃmcp¶p Ah³..... Ahsâ B kXykÔtXw... A`namt\mw Hs¡bm... Ah\p hn\bmbXpw... Mm AsXms¡ ]gb IY..... \o t]mbn htÃmw ]Tním³ t\m¡v...." Rm³ I®p XpS¨psIm−v Xncnªp \S¶p. " Mm... ]ns¶tb... s\\¡p ]Tním³ Rm³ Hcp tai GÀ¸mSm¡os«m−v...._me³ ]ntÅtS Nmb¡tSsebm... AbmÄsS IS ]q«nt¸mbXpsIm−v... FÃmw {Zhn¨p t]mIpIm... Nmbn¸nsemsc®w thWatÃm....AXpsIm−v NnÃd sImSp¯v Rm\X§p hm§n.... B thembp[³ ]nSnh−ntb sIm−phcp¼w H¶p Xm§n Fd¡ntb¡Ww.... At½...\mcmbWm...." cmta«³ AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Rm³ Nmbn¸n sN¶ncp¶p. Iptd Icªp, Fsâ A½bpsS Iã¸mSpIÄ HmÀ¯v. C§s\ Rms\´n\p t]meokmIWw. hà Iqentheípw t]mbm aXnbmbncp¶p. IetamÄ am{Xw hmXn¡ \n¶v Fsâ \niÐamb Ic¨n I−p \n¶p. AhÄ hnNmcn¨p ImWpw C{Xbpw hfÀ¶ Rm³ shdpw Hcp aWp¡qkmsW¶v. A¶p kÔy¡v tai F¯n. c−p hen¸pIfpÅ Hcp ]gb tai. AtXmsS F\níp ]pkvXI§Ä shím\pw Ccp¶p ]Tníphm\pw Aåw kuIcyw In«n. t\ct¯ Gtf½bptSbpw cmcn¨sâbpw ImatIfnIÄ I− F\nív Ftf½ cmta«t\ F§s\ IbvImcyw sN¿p¶p F¶p ImWWsa¶v Hcp tamlap−mbncp¶p. ]t£ C¶t¯ aqUn\Xv ths−¶p sh¨p HcpÂkmlhpw tXm¶nbnÃ. Xt¶bpaà Ccp«nbt¸mÄ cmta«³ ]pdt¯íp t]mIpIbpw sNbvXp. Infnsbmgnª IqSpt]msebpÅ a\Êpambn Rm³ shdptX InS¶p. IetamÄ h¶v `£Ww Igním³ hnfn¨t¸mÄ sN¶ncp¶p Ign¨p F¶p am{Xw. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ I«nen h¶ncp¶p. " A¦ntf ... R§tfmSp hntcm[samt−m... A¦nfn\v...." " Cà tamtf.... "

" ]ns¶´m ChnS¶p t]mIW¶p ]dªXv...?..." " AXv... AXv... A§s\ F\níp tXm¶nbXp sIm−m..." " Rm³ A¦nfnt\ D]{Zhnt¨m...?..." " CÃtÃm..." " F\nív A¦nfnt\ H¯ncn Cãmam.... F\nív IeymW {]mbambncps¶¦n Rm³ A¦nfnt\ IeymWw Ignt¨t\...." " FSo.. s]m«ns¸t®... IeymW¯nsâ AÀ°w F´msW¶v s\\¡dntbm...?...A©mw ¢msÊm¶p Pbn¨n«p t]mtc... Cu IeymW¡fnsbms¡...." " Fsâ A¦ntf.... \ap¡§s\sbm¶pantÃ... \½tf Cãs¸Sp¶ Hcp ]pcpj³ thWw... \ap¡t{XsbmÅp... " " \osbmcp hÃm¯ km[\w Xt¶.... s\\s¡md§t−...." " Hm... \msf kvIqfn t]mI−tÃm... A½ Hd§n... AO³ sNe¸w C¨nsc Nmcmbw hoinbn«mcnípw hcpt¶... " " \nsâ tN¨nsb´ntb.... " " B.. ASp¡tf sIS¶v Fs´ms¡tbm hens¨dnbps¶m−v.... `b¦c tZjym...." " AsX´n\m...?.." " B.... BÀ¡dnbmw... Aà A¦ntf... Rms\m¶p tNmZnt¨mt«... A¦nfpw tN¨ow X½n ]−p Cãmcpt¶m...?..." " Cãw.... F¶p sh¨m.... Mm... A§s\bm¶p sht¨m....." " C¸tgm.... ? " C¸w ...C¸w... F\níp tXm¶pt¶... \nsâ tN¨nív... Ft¶mSp tZjymsW¶m...." " F¦n.... A¦nÄ Fs¶ A§p t{]ant¨m.... F\nípw shÃnãam... A¦nfnt\ t{]aním³...." " FSo sImt¨... \o Ft¶ sImeíp sImSpt¯ AS§s¯mÅp AtÃ..." " At¿m.. t{]aníp¶Xns\´m... Fsâ ¢mÊn R§fp Iq«pImcnIfv Hmtcmcp¯cpsS t]cpw ]dªm \S¡pt¶...." " h«p s]t® t]mbns¡Ss¶md§v...." Rm³ Ahtf I«nen \n¶pw Fgpt¶Â¸n¨p. " Hcp Imcyw F\nínãmbn... tN¨ow A¦nfpw X½n s]W¡m... C¶se htc... A¦nfnsâ Imcyw ]dbmt\ tN¨níp t\c−mbncps¶mÅp.... C¸w AOt\mSp ]dªv A¦nfnt\ ChnS¶p ]dªp hnSp¶ ]cph¯nembn..." AhÄ aq¡¯p hnc sh¨psIm−p ]dªp. " F´p ]cphw...?.." " A¦nfnt\s¡m−p shÅw tImcní−... shdIp sh«ní−m... tPmen H¶pw sN¿ní−... ]ns¶ A¦nsf§m\pw AhImtimw ]dªp h¶mte... tN¨n IpSp§pw AtXm−m... Ipcp«p_p²nbm.. tN¨osS.... " " t]mbns¡Ss¶md§p s]t®... F\nín¯ncn hmbníWw..." Rm³ AhtfmSp X«n¡bdn. " Rm³ t]mIphm..." hmXn¡se¯nbn«hÄ Xncn¨ph¶p ]ns¶ iÐw Ipd¨p ]dªp. " ]ns¶tb... tN¨ntb kz]v\w ImWp¶Xp shdpsXbm.... thtWm¦n Ft¶ HmÀ¯p sISt¶m... AXmcnípw \ÃXv...." " t^mSo... AhnSp¶v...." Rm³ Ahtf HmSn¨p hn«p. Xn®bn IqSn \S¶v AhÄ AI¯p Ibdp¶Xp I−n«v Rm³ Xncn¨p h¶v IXISípt¼mÄ A`ncman Xn®bnÂ. ]pdt¯íp \n¡p¶ _Ä_nsâ shfn¨¯nsâ \ngen AhfpsS apJ`mhw hyàaÃ. H¶p t\m¡nbn«v Rm³ IXISím³ `mhn¨p. " H¶p \nt¶.... " AhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. ]ns¶ hmXn¡ h¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " R§sf´p sNbvXn«m.... cmPmaWn.....AOs\s¡m−p R§tf No¯ ]dbn¸nt¨....?..." " Rm³ t]mIW¶p ]dªp... AXn\p Rm³ \n§tf IpÁw ]dªnÃtÃm.... " " F¦nepw AOs\´p hnNmcnípsa¶p cmPmaWn Nn´nt¨m...?..." " Hc\y\mbn«v.... Ft¶s¡m−v... tPmensbm¶pw sN¿nís−¶v A`ncman AOt\mSv ]dªntÃ... ]ns¶ F\nío ho«n F´p shebm HÅXv..... Ct§m«v h¶¸w F\nív shey kt´mjmcp¶p.... Ft´m... A`ncmaosS hmbo¶v A\y³ F¶p tI«t¸m...." " AXn\p Rm\§s\ ]dªnÃtÃm..." AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨p. " F´n\m A`o.....s\mW ]dbp¶Xv... Fsâ ImXp sIm−p tI« Imcym... Itew tI«Xm.... Mm t]ms«.... FÃmw hn«pIf... cmta«t\mSv F\níp adp¯p ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃ....

AtXm−v.... F\níp \nt¶ ]Áq...]ns¶ Rm\pw Hcp KXnbnÃm¯h\mbnt¸mbntÃ.... " Rm³ BßKXw t]mse ]dªp \nÀ¯n. " F´n\m... cmPmaWo.. C§s\ F¸gpw ]dbp¶Xv.... Ct{Xw XSo−tÃm.... a\pjy\mbm... sImds¨ms¡ \s«ÃqsS thWw......" AhÄ Nndn tIm«n. " Mpw... ChnsS \s«Ãp ImWn¨ns«´p Imcyw.... ]ns¶... ImWntí−S¯p cmPp AXp ImWn¨ncnípw... ImtW−hcp I−ntÃepw.... KpUv\bnÁv...." AhfpsS {]XnIcW¯n\p Im¯p \n¡msX Rm³ AI¯p tIdn IXIS¨p. cmhnte Rm³ tPmenIfpw Ipfnbpw Ignªp hcpt¼mÄ Ie AI¯ncp¶p ]mT§Ä hmbníp¶Xp tI«p. sXÁmbn AhÄ D¨cníp¶ Cw¥ojv hm¡pIÄ At¸mgt¸mgmbn cmta«³ Xncp¯ns¡mSp¡p¶p. Hcp hm¡p t]mepw icnbmbn D¨cním\dnbnÃ. NneXp tI«t¸mÄ F\níp Nncnbpw h¶p. Im¸n hnf¼nbt¸mÄ F\nípÅXv Hcp ]m{X¯nseSp¯v Rm³ Nmbn¸nteíp sIm−p t]m¶p. Hcp ]pkvXIw Xpd¶p sh¨v `£Whpw hmb\bpw Hcpan¨p XpS§n. Im¸nIpSn Ignª cmta«³ Nmbn¸nsâ hmXn¡se¯n. " FSm.. cmPq... s\\¡p ]ÁpthmSm Ch¡p \me£cw ]dªp sImSp¡m³.... Hcp hI Adnb¯nÃ... At½sS tamfp Xt¶...." cmta«³ AXp ]dbpt¼mÄ ]nW¡`mh¯n AOsâ ]ndIn \n¶v sImª\w ImWnípIbmbncp¶p Ie. " F\nídnbmhp¶Xpt]mse Hs¡ ]dªpsImSp¡mw..." Rm³ GsÁSp¯p. " Hcp ¢mkn c−pw aq¶pw hÀjw hoXw ]Tn¨v Chsf¶v ]¯p Pbnípthm ... Cuizc\dnbmw..... IW¡n\p In«nb amÀ¡p ImWp¼w... ]cot£w ASp¯p..." " At¿m... IW¡n\p Rm\pw A{X t]mc... F¦nepw t\m¡mw..." " AXp kmcanÃ... \ns¶s¡m−p ]ÁptIse¦n hà Syqj\pw GÀ¸mSp sN¿mw... ]s¯¦nepw IS¶nsæn C¡me¯v Fs´¦nepw shesbmt−m... " cmta«³ ]dªpsIm−v Xncnªp \S¶p. " F¦n Rm³ s]mkvXtImw FSpt¯m−p hct« A¦ntf....?..." Ie tNmZn¨p. " C¸w th−... D¨ív Dt−¨ncnímw...." " lt¿m... AXp th−... C¶m C¨nsc Hd§m³ ]Ápt¶.... At¶cw ]Tn¯thm...?.." AhÄ \n¶p NnWp§n. " Mm AXp aXn.... Dt−¨n\n \o Hd§nbm... No¡t¸m¯p t]msebmIpw.... sNÃv... t]mbn _m¡n tlmw hÀ¡v XoÀ¡v..." " Cu A¦nfpw Hcp samiS\m...." AhÄ XpÅns¡m−v AIt¯íp \S¶p. hcm´bn \n¶pw Nmbn¸nteípÅ hmXn¡emWp Rm³ taibpw Itkcbpw C«ncp¶Xv. AhnsSbncp¶m thWsa¦n hcm´bnteípw apÁt¯ípw, ]ns¶ P\enÂIqSn ]pdt¯ípw t\m¡mw. B hoSnsâ ap³hi¯v F´p \S¶mepw ImWmw. IXIS¨n«m Bcpw Fs¶ ImWpIbpanÃ. Dt±iw asÁm¶paÃ. CSínSív A`ncman hcm´bn \n¶pw apÁt¯ív NmSnbnd§pw. At¸mÄ Dcp− B ape¡pS§Ä InSs¶m¶p sXdnípw AXp ImWm³ \à tiembncp¶p. ]ns¶ cmta«sâ ASp¯v \n¶p clkyambn kwkmcníp¶Xp ImWmw. At¸mÄ B apJ¯v hnhn[ `mh§Ä an¶n adbp¶Xpw \ncsbm¯ ]ÃpIÄ Im«n lrZyambn Nncníp¶Xpw ImWmw. sambvXphnsâ amXncnbpÅ knáepIÄ h¶mepw Adnbmw. Rm³ AXpw {]Xo£níp¶p−v. BZyt¯ _emÂkwK ]cn]mSn NoÁnt¸mbXpsIm−v GXp kabhpw sambvXp tIdn hcmw, ]t£ cmta«³ DÅXpsIm−v C¶p hc¯nÃ. Rm³ Im¸nIpSn Ignªv ]m{Xw IgpIn XncnsI tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«p ]Tním\ncp¶p. XteZnhkt¯ kw`h§Ä a\Ên \n¶pw ambm³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Ht¶bpÅp C\nbt¯ B{Klw, ImWpI BkzZnípI. A\ysâ tXm«¯nte ]pjv]w, AXmhiys¸Sm\pÅ tbmKyX F\nínÃ. Rm³ Fs¶¯t¶ hnizkn¸n¨p. D¨ív DuWpIgnªt¸mÄ Rms\m¶p InS¶p. IXIp Nmcnbnt« DÅp. \nanj§Ä IgnªnÃ, IXIp XÅn¯pd¶v Ie DÅnÂ. " Blm... Ft¶mSv HWÀ¶ncp¶p ]Tním³ ]dªn«v Syqj³ kmdp sISs¶md§pImtWm...?...." " Rm³ \ns¶ Im¯ncníphmcps¶So... Hd§nsbm¶panÃ....." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp Itkcbn h¶ncp¶p.

" FÃmcpw Hd§p¶ kab¯v F\níp ]Tn¯w.. Cu apSnª kvIqfnt¸m¡v th−mcp¶p..." Ie ]dªp. " _m¡n FÃmcpw sISt¶m...?..." Rm³ sXc¡n. " Mqlpw... AO³ sIS¶p... At½w tN¨ow IqsS tXm«nÂt¸mbn... Ae¡m³...." " Cu NqSt¯m... ?..." " \à ImÁtÃ... A¦nfp s]mdt¯ms«ms¶d§n t\m¡ntí..." " Mm... \o s]mkvXsIsaSp¡v..." Ie ]mTw Xpd¶p. Rm³ Itkcbnencp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ AcnIn CSXp hi¯mbn Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p hmbním³ XpS§n. BZyt¯ Hcp J¬UnI Rm³ hmbn¨p sImSp¯p. ]ns¶ AhtfmSp hmbním³ ]dªp. Cukpw hmkpw Hgn¨v _m¡nsbÃmw D¨cníp¶Xv sXÁp Xs¶. ho−pw Rm³ Hcp hmNIw am{Xw hmbn¨p sImSp¯p. AXpw B a−ns¸®nsâ Xebn tIdp¶nÃ. " s\\¡v XÃnsâ sImdhm... AXp In«p¼w {i² H−mIpw..." Rm³ AhfpsS XpSbn ]Xps¡ H¶Sn¨p. " F\níp s\m´nÃtÃm..." AhÄ Nncn¨p. " InWnímsX hmbnív s]t®..." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. AhÄ hmb\ XpSÀ¶p. ]ns¶bpw sXÁpIÄ. " C\n Hcp sXÁn\v... Hcp \pÅp sh¨p Xcpw Rm³...." Fsâbpw £a sI«p. ASp¯ hm¡p sXÁnbt¸mÄ sicnbmbXp ]dªp sImSp¡p¶Xnsâ IqsS AhfpsS Ac¸mhmS s]m¡n AIw XpSbn Rm³ Hcp \pÅp sImSp¯p. " iviviviv...lm..." AhÄ thZ\sIm−v ioÂImcw ]pds¸Sphn¨p. " At¿m...tkmdn tamtf... s\mt´m...?.." " ]ns¶ t\mImsX.... sXmen t]mbo¶m tXm¶tW..." " F¦n... {i²n¨v hmbn¡v..." ]dªpsIm−v Rm³ \pÅnb `mK¯v AIw XpSbn Fsâ It¿mSn¨p. \à an\pkapÅ XpSIÄ Rm³ sasà It¿mSníp¶X\pkcn¨v AhÄ XpSIÄ AI¯n \n¶p X¶p. Fsâ IbvIfn IqSn B XSn¨ XpSIfnte Hcp Xcn¸v Fsâ icoc¯nteíp Ibdn. AXp htc Rm³ hnNmcnímXncp¶ Hcp Xcn¸v. AXnsâ AeIÄ Fsâ Acs¡«nepw F¯n. Fsâ Kpem³ ]Xps¡ Poh³ shím³ XpS§n. ]ns¶¸ns¶ AhÄ sXÁnípt¼mÄ Rm³ B XSn¨ XpSIfn \pÅp¶Xn\p ]Icw hncepIÄ sIm−v AaÀ¯m³ XpS§n. sXÁpIÄ Rm³ {i²nímXmbn. Fsâ Ibv sasà sasà taÂt¸m«p Ibdm³ XpS§n. AXn\\pkcn¨v AhÄ ImÂap«pIÄ amdn amdn aS¡m\pw \nhÀ¡m\pw XpS§n. AhfpsS D¨mcW§Ä¡nSbn Nne ap¡epIfpw aqfepIfpw hcm³ XpS§n. AsXm¶pw Fsâ sNhnbn F¯nbnÃ. {ItaW AhfpsS iÐw Ipdªp t\À¯p h¶p.. AhÄ Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p. Fs´ms¡tbm ]dbp¶p. ]pkvXIw tai¸pd¯p \nhÀ¶ncp¶p. XSn¨p tNÀ¶ncp¶ XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp Fsâ Ibv tIdm³ _p²nap«nbt¸mÄ AhÄ Ipd¨p IqSn ImepIfI¯n \n¶p. Rm³ B an\pk¯pSIfn BIam\w It¿mSn¨p XgpIn. F¦nepw R§Ä At\ym\yw t\m¡nbnÃ. AhÄ hmbn¨p, Rm\pw hmbn¨p. ]t£ a\ÊpIÄ thsd Id§pIbmbncp¶p. AhfpsS XSn¨pcp− Ip−nIfn Rm³ XtemSn. Fs´mcp an\pkw. Ahbn Rm³ amdn amdn AaÀ¯n. I«nIpdª jÍn¡nSbnÂIqSn Rm³ ]pdIn IqSn Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS Ipdn¨nbpsS `mKt¯íp \o¡n. XSn¨p Xn§nb Ip−nIfpsS `mK¯p IqSn XpSIÄ¡nSbn I¿nd§m³ Aåw _ew {]tbmKntí−n h¶p. ImcWw A{Xív Ah ASp¯p Xn§nbncp¶p. At§m«p Ibv ASp¡pt´mdpw Fsâ Ip® I¼nbmbn Fgpt¶Áp\n¶p. AhÄ AXp ImWmXncním³ Rm³ ap−v Fsâ XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp XncpIn shs¨¦nepw AhÄ AXv GdpI®n«p t\m¡n ImWp¶p−mbncp¶p. s]s«¶p Fsâ Ibv I«nbpÅ F´ntem X«n. AXhfpsS XpSbnSp¡Ã. Rm³ sasà AhfpsS sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " CsX´m tamtf... ChnsS C{X I«n....?.." Ahsfm¶p Nncn¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " At¿m....AXp ]mUm..." " ]mtUm...?..."

" Cu A¦nsfmcp s]m«\m... c−p aq¶p sZhkw R§fnXp shípw.... FtâXp IgnªXm... F¶mepw Np½m sh¨Xm.... Mm...A¦nfncn....Rm\n¸w hcmth..." AhÄ Fsâ Is¿Sp¯p amÁnbn«v shfnbnteínd§n, AIt¯ apdnbnteíp tIdnt¸mbn. Rm\mtemNn¨p. s]®p§Ä D]tbmKníp¶ Cu km[\w ISIfn ]míÁn Ccníp¶XÃmsX Rm³ sicnípw t\cn I−n«nÃ. B Ft´m BIs«. Rm³ ap−n\Snbn I¿n«v s]m§nb Ip®bn ]Xps¡ Xmtemen¨psIm−ncp¶p. Ah³ B\μ¡®oÀ Hgp¡m³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Rm\Xp Ibnenbn XpS¨n«v Im¯ncp¶p. c−p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ Ie XncnsIsb¯n, ]gb kvYm\¯v Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p. C¯hW AhÄ heXpIbvap«v Fsâ tXmfn sh¨mWp \n¶Xv. Rm³ ]gb]Sn ]mhmSínSbn IqSn XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp I¿n«p. AhÄ ImepIÄ \à h®w AI¯n Ft¶mSp Nmªp \n¶p. AhfpsS IhnÄ Fsâ Ihnfn ap«n. Rm³ AdnbmsX B Ihnfn H¶p½ sh¨p t]mbn. AhÄ Xncn¨pw. Rm³ Xn®bnteípw apÁt¯ípw H¶p It®mSn¨p. D¨shbneÃmsX asÁm¶pw B {]tZis¯§panÃ. XpSIÄ¡nSbn XgpInb Fâ I¿n \\h\p`hs¸«p. Rm³ sasà tNmZn¨p. " CsX´m tamtf \\ªncnípt¶...?..." " IgpInbXm....]mUp Zqsc¡fªp....." AXp ]dªn«v AhÄ ]mhmS Iq«n XpSínSIÄ H¶p XpS¨p. " jÍnsb´ntb..." Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " Ducn Ae¡m\n«p...." Ahsfsâ sNhnbn a{´n¨p. Fsâ Ibv sasà tatåm«ngªp. XpSIfpsS kwKakvYm\s¯¯n. H«nbaÀ¶ncp¶ Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn Rm³ I¿n«p. Aåw NqSpw H«epw DÅ Hcp kvYe¯v Fsâ hncepIsf¯n. AhÄ C¡nfn FSp¯ t]mse H¶p Npfnªp. F¶n«p ]dªp. " AhSw hr¯ntISm...?.." " CXv tamsS IqXnbm...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " tÈym...AhnS¶p Is¿Sp¡qt¶....?..." AhÄ \mWn¨psIm−v Fsâ Ihnfnt\mSv Ihnsfm«n¨p sh¨p. Fsâ Ibv apt¼m«p ho−pangªp. AhÄ CSXpIm s]cphncen F¯n¡p¯n s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ B IhbnSp¡v Aåw IqSn hnSÀ¶p. Fsâ Ibv hnd¨p. sNdpNqSpÅ Aåw H«epÅ GtXm Hcp arZpeXbn Fsâ hncepIsf¯n. Fsâ icoc¯n Hcp sR«Â A\p`hs¸«p. Ahfpw H¶p sR«n. Hcp Iodensâ apIfnemsWsâ I¿ncníp¶Xv. c−p tZmi¡jW§Ä ASp¡nbncníp¶Xp t]msebpÅ Hcp `mKw. Rm\m Iod hncepIÄsIm−v sasà hnSÀ¯n. s]cphnc sasà Aåw AIt¯ín«p. \à NqSv. H¸w \à hgphgp¡epw. BZyambn Hcp s]®nsâ kmam\¯n sXmSpIbmbncp¶p. F\níp tZlamkIew hnd¨p. Fsâ Ip®bpw Acs¡«pw H¶p sR«ns¯dn¨p. shÅw NoÁpsa¶p tXm¶nt¸mbn. Rm³ hnc AåwIqSn B hnShn\pÅnteíp tIÁn. hgphgp¸n IqSn AXåw DÅnteíp Ibdn. ]t£ GtXm Hcp apdpInb hfb¯n AXp sN¶p X«n \n¶p. Rm³ B hfb¯n\pÅnteív _ew {]tbmKn¨v hnc IS¯ms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ a{´n¨p. " th−¦ntf... t\mIp¶p..... Np½m XShntím... AXm F\nínãw..." " Mqw... CXmtWm tamsS Ipdn¨n...?..." " Mqw lpw... C\ow tamfntems«m−v...." ]dbpt¼mÄ Ahtf Aåmåw hndíp¶p−mbncp¶p. " tamfp hmbnt¨mfq..." Rm³ hndíp¶ kzc¯n ]dªp. F¶n«v AhfpsS NqSp IhbnSp¡nte tbm\ohnShnsâ tate IqSn Fsâ hncepIÄ apIfnteíp \bn¨p ]cXn. AhnSw Rms\sâ a\¡®n I−p. AXnsâ XSn¨ c−cnIpIfnepw D−mbncp¶ \\p¯ tcma§fn Rm³ hncepIÄ sIm−v ]nSním³ {ian¨p. ]t£ In«nbnÃ. ho−pw Fsâ s]cphnc B hnShn IqSn tateíngªp. Cw¥ojp hm¡pIÄ hmbníp¶ IebpsS \mhn \n¶pw atÁtXm `mjbpsS AhyàiÐ§Ä ]pd¯p h¶p. sIm¨p]pkvXI¯n I− s]®nsâ tbm\nbnte Aaqey k¼¯mb I´p tXSn Fsâ hncepIÄ Cgªp \S¶p. I´n\pw tbm\oZzmc¯n\pw CSív kv{XoIfpsS aq{XZzmcw

Ds−¶v Hcp amknIbnte ]S¯n I−ncp¶p. AXp X¸n AhfpsS aZ\¯p−pIÄ¡nSbn hncepIÄ HmSn¨ Fsâ hncepIfn XfncneIfpsS {apZpeXbpÅ Fs´ms¡tbm XSªp. AsXms¡ GtXm sImgp¯ {ZmhI¯n Ipfn¨v sX¶pIbmbncp¶p. CXmbncníptam, s]®nsâ aZPew. CsXms¡bmtWm s]®nsâ clky`mK¯pÅ tbm\oZf§Ä. AhfpsS sIm¨p ]qdn\I¯p \n¶pw sImgp¯ tX³ kar²ambn Heníp¶p−mbncp¶p. Rm\XhnsSsbÃmw tX¨p ]nSn¸n¨p. \à sX¶en Fsâ Ibv AhnsSsbÃmw HmSn\S¶p. HSphn CXm Rm³ Is−¯n IebpsS Is´¶ \n[n. AXp Xs¶ I´v, ImcWw tXc« t]mse Dcp−p XSn¨v B km[\w B hnShp \ndªp \n¶ncp¶p. s]cphnc sIm−v Rm\Xp CSt¯ípw het¯ípw sX¶n¨p. " iv...iv...iv...iv.. lm..." IebpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw Hcp kzcw. " CXmtWm tamsS I´v...." Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " AÃ.. AXp R§sS ]o¸nbm.... AtX sXmSp¼w \à ckm... ]nSnt¨..." AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. Rm³ AXn ]nSn¨p hen¨p. ]t£ hgphgp¡ep−mbncp¶XpsIm−v ]nSnípt¼msgms¡ AXp sX¶n sXdn¨p t]mIp¶p. GXmWp H¶c c−n¨p \of¯n AXp B Ioden\pÅn \o−p InS¡p¶Xmbn tXm¶n. AXnsâ apIfÁs¯¯nbt¸mÄ Iod XoÀ¶p. B AÁ¯v hnShn\pÅnepw IqSpX tcma§Ä hncen XSªp. Rm³ Aåw Ip\nªv Ibv ap¼nteíp IbÁn. henb HcnÍen t]mse apg¨p s]m´n \n¡p¶ IebpsS hnimeamb tbm\oXS¯nsâ apIfn Fsâ Ibv¸¯n F¯n.. Iptd tcma§Ä Fsâ hncen XSªp. " Ibv Xmtgm«p sIm−p hm Fsâ A¦ntf... ]o¸ntb ]nSnív..." AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbn tIWp. " tamsS Ipdn¨n ap«\mWtÃm..." " Mqw.... F\nídnb¯nÃ..... A¦nfp]nSnív...." AhÄ ImepIÄ _eambn ASp¸n¨p. Fsâ Ibv A\¡m³ ]ÁmXmbn. " tamfp ImeI¯ntí.... F¶mte It´ sXmSm³ ]Ás¯mÅp..." " R§sS ]o¸nív Is´¶mtWm \n§fv...?..." AhÄ Ahyàambn Rc§ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. " CXtÃ.... tamsS ]o¸n...?... " Rm³ I´n c−p hncepIÄ sIm−v _eambn \pÅn¸nSn¨n«v tNmZn¨p. " t¿m...\pÅmsX... t\mIps¶t¶.... ]Xps¡ ]nSn¨m aXn...." AhÄ ho−pw a{´n¨p. " tkmdn...tamtf...." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯n«v I´n arZphmbn hnc sX¶ním\mcw`n¨p. AhÄ ImepIÄ ho−pw AI¯nbt¸mÄ Rm³ AhfpsS tbm\n apgph\pambn Fsâ ssIípÅnseSps¯m¶p sR¡n¸ngnªp. ]ns¶ AhfpsS ]o¸nbn ]nSn¨v sX¶ním³ XpS§n. Ie Fsâ Ihnfnteíp ]qÀ®ambn Nmªp I®S¨p. aZ\t¯s\mgpIn \ndª B Nmen IqSn Rm³ tatem«pw, Iotgm«pw hnctemSn¨p. AhÄ I¿n«v Fsâ Igp¯n sI«n¸nSn¨p. CSív Rm³ AhfpsS tbm\oZzmc¯n hncenSm³ Xp\nªt¸msgms¡ AhÄ Rc§n. Ct¸mÄ IebpsS tbm\nbpsS `qanimkv{Xw F\nív GXm−p ]nSnIn«n. hgphgp¡Â sIm−v sX¶n¡nS¶ B ]qdnsâ apIfnepw I´nepw Rm³ AaÀ¯n hncepItfmSn¨p Fsâ XgpI aq¯t¸mÄ IebpsS CS¯p Ibv AhfdnbmsX AhfpsS apeIfnteíp amdn. AhÄ kz´w apeIfn amdn amdn sR¡m³ XpS§n. H¸w AhÄ sasà ]ndp]ndp¯p. " Fsâ A¦ntf... t¿m... F´p tiem.... Xncp½v... sXcp sXsc Xncp½¦ntf...Mqw...Mqw..."... AhfpsS ImepIÄ _eambn ASp¯p XpS§n. Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS Ih¡q«n InS¶ndpIn. F¦nepw Rm³ AhfpsS ]o¸nbn hncen«p sX¶n¨psIm−ncp¶p. AXn\\pkcn¨v AhfpsS hnShn\pÅn \n¶pw NqSpÅ sImgp¸p emh IqSpXembn HgpInbnd§n. " A¦ntf Fsâ ]o¸n....hnStÃ...F\nív.. FXm−v....slsâ..A¦ntf... lt¿m... ckw hcp¶q... Fsâ Xe Id§pIm.....hnStÃ.... lqw...." AhÄ I®S¨v ]ÃpISn¨psIm−v Rc§n. H¸w Fsâ Igp¯nt\ hebw sNbvXncp¶ heXp Ibv apdpIn. AhÄ ImepIÄ _eambn Cdp¡n. ]t£ Fsâ hncepIÄ Rm³ A\¡n hnShnepw I´nepw XgpIp¶p−mbncp¶p.

" aXn...aXn...aXnb¦ntf.... ]o¸ntb¶v hnSv.... Xcníp¶p. " AhÄ apeIfn \n¶p Is¿Sp¯n«v Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS ap³hi¯v ]mhmSIq«n Cdp¡n¸nSn¨v Hcp \nanjw \n¶p. AhÄ I®pIÄ Cdp¡nbS¨ncp¶p. Fsâ IhnfnteíhÄ icocw XfÀ¶ t]mse apgph\mbn Nmªp. Fsâ het¯ Ibv IbnenípÅn sh«n\n¶ncp¶ Kpemt\ hmWaSnípIbmbncp¶p. IebpsS `mcw Fsâ tXmfn hoWt¸mÄ hmWaSn \n¶p t]mbn. Hcp \nanj¯n\p tijw Rm³ AhfpsS Ip−n¡nSbn \n¶pw Ibv hens¨Sp¯p. ]ns¶ Ahtf ]nSn¨v t\tc \nÀ¯n. ]mXn Dd§nb t]mse AhÄ \n¶p. " F´p ]Án Ie tamtf...." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AXp tI« AhÄ ab¡¯n \n¶pw DWÀ¶ t]mse I®p angn¨p. ]ns¶ Xe sNcns¨s¶ t\m¡n. AhfpsS apJ¯v \mWw Cc¨p Ibdn. " H¶p t]m... A¦ntf... Rm³ t]mIphm... F\nív hÃm−v Hd¡w hcp¶p..." AhÄ ]pkvXIw I¿nseSp¯p. " tamtf..." " Mqw... F´phm...?..." " C§p ht¶.... " Rm³ AhfpsS sNhn ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨n«p clkyambn tNmZn¨p. " tamsS Ipdn¨n C¸w A¦nfnt\ H¶p ImWnímthm...." " Mq lpw...C¸w F\níp \mWhm... ]ns¶..... ImWnímw...." " Ct{Xw t\cw ]iqt\ sNmdo¶ t]mse \nt¶¨v C¸w... \nsâ \mWw... tZ...A¦nfn\p... shenb B{Klm.... H¶p ImWnt¨.... " " sl¶mepw A¦ntf.... Ct{Xsams¡....sXm«Xpw ]nSn¨Xpw t]mtc.... " " AXpsIm−Ã... tamsS sIm¨p Ipdn¨ntbev... apSn Ft´mcw Hs−s¶m¶p t\m¡m\m...." Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nSn¨p hen¨p. " A§s\bn¸w ImW−..... AtÃepw Cu... A¦nfp alm shfªXm..." " A¸w \otbm....?..." H¶pw ]dbmsX AhÄ Ibv IpXdn amdn \n¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ ap−nsâ ap³hit¯íp Nq−n¡mWn¨p. AhnSw apg¨p \n¶ncp¶p. Rm³ sasà XpWn H¶p amÁn, Nph¶p XpSp¯ X¡mfn¯ebpambn DbÀ¶p\n¶p sh«nhndíp¶ Aht\ AhÄ It−ms« F¶p Xs¶ IcpXn. AhÄ Ht¶ t\m¡nbpÅp. ]ns¶ apJw s]m¯n HÁ Hm«w. s]m§nb Ip® I¿n ]nSn¨psIm−v Rms\gpt¶Áp \n¶p. apdnbn Ibdm³ t\cw AhÄ ho−pw Xncnªp t\m¡n. At¸mÄ Rm³ Ip® H¶pbÀ¯n¡mWn¨p. \mW¯n s]mXnª Nncnbpambn AhÄ AIt¯íp Ibdn. IXIp tNÀ¯Síp¶ iÐw tI«p. Rm³ hmXneS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ I«nen Ibdn¡nS¶p. IetamfpsS IhínSbnepw tbm\nbnepw ]o¸nbnepw ]cXn\S¶ CSXp Ibv aW¯p t\m¡n. At¸mgpw DW§m¯ AhfpsS aZ\¸qhnse tX\nsâ aq{Xw IeÀ¶ amZI KÔw aq¡nteíp hen¨p tIÁn. AtXmsS ]qÀ® hnPrw`nX\mb \n¶ Ip®bn \me©p hmWaSn¨p. IebpsS ]qdnsâ aWw C{Xbpw Bthihpw kpJhpw Xcpsa¦n ]qÀ®hfÀ¨sb¯nb A`ncmanbpsS aZ\¸qhns\s´mcp kpKÔambncnípw Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ Ip®bn \n¶pw Aan«p t]mse apIfnteív ]m NoÁn. I®S¨v \nÀhymPw Rm³ hmWaSn¨v Ip® ]ngnªp. Ibnen sIm−v FÃmw XpS¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Zm, I«nen \n¶pw HcSn Dbc¯n shÅ tX¨ Npacn IqSn c−p XpÅn sImgp¯ ]m sasà HgpInbnd§p¶p. Ietb kpJn¸n¨Xnsâ HmÀ½ímbn AXhnsS Ccnís« F¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. BZyambn Hcp bphXnbpsS tbm\nbpsS clky§fn Dufnbn«nd§nbXnsâ kpJIcamb HmÀ½Ifn Fsâ I®pItf ab¡w IogS¡n. sshIpt¶cw Ipfním\mbn Rm³ tXmÀ¯pw IpS§fpsaSp¯v InWÁn³ Icbnteíp t]mIms\mcp§pt¼mÄ Ie sXm«p ]pdInÂ. AhÄ ASp¡f hmXn¡Â \n¶pw Cd§n hcnIbmbncp¶p. " A¦ntf Rm\pw hcp¶p....\nÃv...." " \osbhntSím... Cu kÔym t\c¯v...?..." " Rm\pw Ipfním³ hcpIm.... tXm«n F\nípw H¶p ap§Ww..." " C¸w th−... Itcte BWp§sfÃmw ImWpw...AhnsS..." " AXns\\nsí´m.... Fsâ IqsS A¦nfntÃ...."

" FSo s]t®... \nsâ Xte tId¯ntÃ.... s\\¡v \mWamhntÃ... AhcsSsbms¡ ap¼n \n¶v Ipfním³..." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. s]s«¶v ASp¡f hmXnen \n¶pw A`ncman ]pdt¯índ§n. AXdnbmsX Ie Fsâ t\tc X«nt¡dn. " C\n Ft´m¶p \mWním³... hm... Ccp«pt¶\p ap¼v.. Ipfn¨p hcmw...." " Ite..." A`ncmanbpsS Acniw IeÀ¶ hnfn. Rm\pw hÃmXmbn. IebpsS kwkmcw tI«m Ct¸mÄ AhÄ¡v F¶n Ft´m A[nImcw DÅ amXncn tXm¶pw. Ie Xncnªp \n¶p. " Mqw F´m..?.." " \nt¶mSv A¦nfp ]dªntÃ... hc−m¶v... s\\¡nhnsS Ipfn¨m t]mtc..?.." " tN¨n thtW ChnsS Ipfnt¨m... Rm³ A¦nfnsâ IqsS t]mIpIm..." AhÄ¡p sXÃpw IqkenÃ. Rmt\mÀ¯p D¨ív ImWn¨ Hcp A_²¯nsâ {]XnIcWw. AXpw C{X s]s«¶v. " s\tj[n... C{Xív Al¦mcw ]mSnÃ... hmSo ChnsS...." A`n Ietb ]nSn¨v ]pdtIm«p XÅn. " tZ... A¦ntf... A¦nfp ]d... Rm³ hctWm th−tbm F¶v.... Cu tN¨n Bcm tNmZním³..." Rm³ hÃmXmbn. Cuizcm, Cu s]m«ns¸®v hÃXpw hnfn¨p Iqhptam. Fsâ Xebn H¶pw tXm¶nbnÃ. A`ncman tZjyw sIm−v \n¶p hndíp¶p. F´m ]dbpI ? " C¶t¯ív.... am{Xw..thtWm¦nÂt]mt¶ms«....CtÃ...?... " Rm³ A`ncmanbpsS apJt¯ív t\m¡n. B I®pIfn I− tZjyw Fsâ hm¡pItf DS³ Xt¶ amÁn adn¨p. " \n§fp hg¡Sní−... Rm\n¶p tXm«n t]mWnÃ... ChnsS§m\pw \n¶p Ipfnt¨mfmw... {]iv\w XoÀ¶tÃm..." Rm³ IpS§Ä AhnsS sh¨p. ]ns¶ Nmbn¸nteíp Ibdnt¸mbn. aÁmfpIfnsænÂ, tXm«pIShn sh¨v Aåw IpkrXnsbms¡ BImambncp¶p, BkzZnímambncp¶p. AXo apSnª km[\w ImcWw t]mbn¡n«n. Xn¶m³ Xc¯panÃ, F¶m Xn¶p¶h³ In«p¶Xv Xnt¶mt« F¶p hnNmcní¯panÃ. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Ie Ipfn Ignªv XeapSnbpw hnXpÀ¯n Nmbv]nteíp h¶p. " A¦nfp tXm«n t]mbn Ipfnt¨m... Rm\mbn«mtctSw Ipfn samS¡WnÃy...." " F¶mepw Ite... F´n\m C{X hmin.... \o C¸w sIm¨pIp«nsbm¶paÃ... tN¨n ]dªX\pkcn¨p IqtS... Ft¶t¸msemcp shey BWnsâ IqsS \obpw IpfnípIm¶p sh¨mÂ...?.." " " thdmcpaÃtÃm.. A¦nfnt\ F\nínãm.... F¶pIcpXn...Ft¶ Bcpw D]tZiní−... " AhÄ sIdphn Xs¶. " F¶p ]dªm ]Ápthm... \o sXÁp ImWn¨m... AXp ]dªp Xct−..." Rm³ Ahtf A\p\bn¸ním³ t\m¡n. " AXn\p Rm³ sXsÁm¶pw ImWn¨nÃtÃm... tZ A¦ntf Hcp Imcyw ]dtª¡mw... Ft¶mSv IqSpXsem¶pw th− tIt«m... A[nIw aq¯m... Rm³ FÃmw tN¨ntbmSpw At½mSpw ]tdw.." " F´mSo C{X ]dbm³....?.. ]d...tI¡t«..." sXm«p ]n¶n A`ncmanbpsS iÐw. Fsâ ASnhbÁn \n¶pw Hcp ImfÂ. Cuizcm NXnt¨m. Chfn\n htÃmw hnfn¨p Iqhptam. h¶v BgvNIÄ Ignbp¶Xn\p ap¼v N½n\mdn Xncn¨p t]mtI−n hcptam. " ChnsSmcp Ipt´manÃ... tN¨níp tIÄ¡m³.... sÈSm.. a\pjytcmsSm¶p an−m\pw IqSn k½Xní¯nÃ..." AhÄ tZjyt¯mSp IqSn Xncnªp \S¶p. A`n Ft¶ \ninXambn H¶p t\m¡nbn«v IebptS ]pdtI t]mbn. slm, kam[m\ambn. ]ns¶ c−p t]cpw D¨¯n kwkmcníp¶Xp tI«p. ]pdtI Ftf½bpsS iImchpw. AtXmsS kwkmcw \ne¨p. Rm³ tXmÀ¯pw IpShpw FSp¯v shfnbnteínd§n. t\cw Ccp«n¯pS§nbncp¶p. Xncn¨p hcpt¼mÄ Cdb¯v \nehnf¡nsâ ap¼n \maP]w XpS§nbncp¶p. sshIn«t¯ IªnIpSnbpw Ignªv FÃmhcpw InS¶t¸mgpw Rm³ apÁ¯p IqSn Dem¯pIbmbncp¶p. sNdnb ImÁpÅXpsIm−v Hcp kpJw. cmta«³ ]pd¯p t]mbn«p

h¶n«nÃ. Fsâ DÅnte ]nimNpWÀ¶p. clky§Ä Adnbm\pÅ A`nhm©. AXn\n BcpsS InS¸papdnbn Hfnªp t\m¡nbn«mbmepw th−nÃ. aÁpÅhsâ Dd¡dbnte cXntIfnIÄ Hfnªp \n¶p ImWp¶sXmcp lcw Xt¶. F\níXnsâ cpNn ]nSn¨p Ignªp. C\n AXnsâ IqSpX km²yXIÄ t\m¡m³ Fsâ a\Êp sh¼p¶p. Ftf½ Dd¡w ]nSn¨p ImWptam. ASp¡fbnepw DuWpapdnbnepw Ct¸mgpw shfn¨w D−v. A`n FÃmw ASp¡n shípIbmbncnípw. cmta«³ h¶p Igntª AhÄ Dd§mdpÅp. A[nIw XmaknbmsX cmta«³ h¶p tIdn. Fs¶ I−]msS tNmZn¨p. " Blm... \o sIS¶ntÃ... ?.." " CÃ... C¸w s]md¯p \S¡m³ \à kpJw... sImd¨p Ignªp ]Tním¶p sh¨p.... " " XWp¯v ImÁv... Xpemt¡msfms−¶p tXm¶p¶p. sNe¸w CSow an¶epw H−mIpw...\o Ignt¨m..?.." " Ign¨p...." " F¶m sicn... " cmta«sâ `£Ww Ignªt¸mÄ ASp¡fbnte sseÁWªp. DuWpapdnbnte sseÁns\m¸w hcm´bnteXpw AWªp. s]s«¶p hcm´bnteXp ho−pw sXfnªp. " Xnt®Â sseÁp thtWm..?.." A`nbpsS tNmZyw. " th−m... AWt¨mfq...." Rm³ ]dªp. AXpw AWªp. Ct¸mÄ A`nbptS apdnbn sseÁp h¶p. A©v an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AXpw AWªp. Rm³ sasà Nmbn¸n tIdn. Iptd t\cw Ccp«n Nn´n¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ shfnbnend§n IXIp Nmcn, ]pdIphis¯¯n. A©p an\n«p Im¯p. ]mZ]X\w tIĸnímsX s]¬Ip«nIfpsS apdnbpw IS¶v cmta«sâ InS¸papdnbpsS P\en\Sps¯¯n. ]mXn Xpd¶ P\en IqSn tS_nÄem¼nsâ shfn¨w ]pdt¯íSníp¶p. Rm³ `n¯ntbmSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p. "G" cwK§sfm¶pw Cu apdnbn \n¶pw {]Xo£níp¶nÃ. ImcWw sNdp¸¡mc\pw BtcmKyhm\pamb Pmc\pambn aní cm{XnIfnepw kpJ¯nsâ ]mcay¯n tIdnbnd§p¶ sNdp¸hpw tNmc¯nf¸pw Xnf¨padnbp¶ Ftf½ív, cmta«sâ Cu tImªm« t]mepÅ icochpw hbÊpsN¶ enwKhpw ]pOamImt\ hgnbpÅp. ]t£ AXv cmta«s\¶ ip²a\kvI³ F§s\ klníp¶p F¶v H¶dnbWw. At±l¯n\v AhcptS ]ng¨ _Ôt¯¸Án hà Adnthm Dultam Dt−m, Asæn AXv AhcpsS InS¸papdnbn {]Xn^eníp¶pt−m AXmWv F\nídntb−Xv. F´n\msW¶p tNmZn¨mÂ, B, shdpw Hcp PnPvRmk. " \n§fp sseÁp sISp¯n sIS¡m³ t\ms¡sâ a\ptjt\.... Imet¯ t]mI−XtÃ..." Ftf½bpsS Dd¡¯n s]mXnª hm¡pIÄ. AXp tI«¸tg tXm¶n Fsâ Dulw sicnbmsW¶v. shdptX Rm³ Dd¡anfípIbmsW¶p tXm¶n. " Cu dnt¸mÀ«v C¸w XoÀ¯ntÃÂ... ]ns¶ Hm^oknencps¶gpXnbm sicnbmI¯nÃ.... Ignªp... Hcp \nanjw IqSn aXn... \o Hd§tÃ..." " Hm.. Hd§Ãv.. hcpt¶ hm... \à Hscmd¡w \n§fp h¶¸w Ifªp..." Ftf½bpsS \ockw IeÀ¶ iÐw. " F¶m sISt¶¡mw....._m¡n \msf Hm^okns¶gpXmw... " tS_nÄ em¼Wªp. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS iÐw. " C¶pw Ign¨p CtÃ...." " B... sIm¨q«s\ I−¸w.... Ah\p \nÀ_Ôw.... ]ns¶ Hsc®w... At{XsbmÅp..... " " F´n\m tN«m... Cu shjw IpSn¨v HÅ BtcmKyw Ifbpt¶... s]s®m¶p sI«nímdmbn.... tN«\m P\sem¶St¨cv... B I−¼q¨ NmSnt¡dpw ]mXncmív...." cmta«sâ Ibv ]pdt¯íp hcp¶Xpw P\åmfn ASbp¶Xpw hyàambn I−p. " AsXÃmw \S¡pthSo imctZ.... CXSbp¶nÃtÃmSo..." " AXn¸w H«pw tNc¯nÃ.. Btcsb¦nepw hnfn¨v H¶p sN¯nt¨À¸nív...." " B.... C\n ASp¯mgvNbms«..." Aåt\ct¯íp iÐsam¶pw tI«nÃ. c−pw Hd§ntbm C{X s]s«¶v. F\nív AhcpsS ImatIfn ImWWsa¶nÃmbncp¶p. Ftf½ cmta«t\ F§s\ IbvImcyw sN¿p¶p Fs¶m¶dnªm aXnbmbncp¶p. Iptdbmbn«pw A\¡anÃ. iÐanÃ. Xncn¨p \S¡ms\mcp§pt¼mÄ Ftf½bpsS iÐw.

" [rXn ]nSnímsX ... Ducn¯cmw..." " F¶m¸ns¶... B ]mhmtSw ap−pw IqsS Agnt¨cv..." cmta«³. s]s«¶p Rm³ Xncnªp \n\p P\ent\mSp sNhn tNÀ¯p. " \n§fmWp§¡v ]dbm³ \à Ffp¸am... Imcyw Igntª¨v \n§fp ap−pSp¯§v hogpw... s]®p§fp ]nt¶w FÃmw hen¨psI«n... tZs−.. Agn¨p...." " \o CsXm¶p I¿ntem«p ]nSnt¨...." tM, ]pÅn Ccp«¯v F´p km[\am `mcyív sImSp¡p¶Xv. " CsX¶m C§s\ XfpXfm¶v....... FÃmcpw ]td¶Xv IÅpIpSn¨m.. BWp§¡v \à Dincm¶mWtÃm.... F¶n«pw CsX´m.. hmSns¡S¡p¶Xv..." Ftf½bpsS ]cmXn. Hm, AXp sicn. cmta«³ `mcy¡v sImSp¡p¶Xv Ip®bmWtÃ. Rms\mcp s]m«³. ]ns¶ cm{Xnbn `À¯mhp `mcyív lephbmtWm sImSp¡p¶Xv. Ftf½bpsS Iaâv tI«n«v AXn\p lephbpsS _ew t]mepansöp tXm¶p¶p. " Ah\n¸w s]m§pshSo... F¶mepw \nsâ Cu c−p km[\§¡pw HscmShpw CÃ... AsXsâ `mKyw..." " sImXnt¨m.... F¶pw ]dªv XShnsím−ncp¶m t]mcm... CXp hÃt¸mgpw IpSníptIsams¡ sN¿Ww...." " F¶m C§p sIm−m..." " tZs−...." Blm, c−pw sImÅmatÃm. ChnsS Fs´¦nepw \S¡p¶ e£Wap−tÃm. Rm\dnbmsX Fsâ Ibv ap−n\Snbnteíp sN¶p. CSív Ft´m Ddn©p¶Xpt]msebpÅ iÐw. cmta«³ Bªp hen¨p IpSníp¶p−mhpw. anSp¡³ Xt¶. Cu {]mb¯nepw hn«psImSp¡p\nÃtÃm. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ ho−pw tIÄ¡mw. " C¸w ]msem«pw CÃtÃmSo..." " F¶m, Cu ]mXncmíp Rms\m¶p s]dmw... At¶cw ]msem−mIpw...." " s]dm¯sIm−v \o C¸gpw ]Xnt\gn \n¡p¶p..." " Hm... F´p Imcyw... \n§fp adptZi¯p sIS¶n«v.. Fsâ sNdp¸w sIms−¶m ImWním\m....shdptX s\SphoÀ¸nSmw...." " \o FSív hgpX\§mtbm...htÃmw XncpIps¶mt−mSo..." " ]nt¶... Rm³ \n§sS Iq«v FfIn \S¡phtÃ... am\w acymZbmbn«p Pohníp¶hfm Rm³..." " Mqw.. AXdnbmta...... " " AsX´m... B Adnbmans\mcp Du¶ev.....?...ItesS Imcyw sIm−mtWm... AX¶v A§s\ Hc_²w ]Áo¶p sh¨n«v..... IeymWw Ignª A¶p Xt¶ Rm³ ]dªXtÃ... CãanÃmcps¶¦n.... A¶p Xt¶ A§pt]£nímcp¶ntÃ...." " AsX\níp t\ct¯ a\ÊnembXpsIm−mWtÃm.. Ct{Xw {]mbsamÅ Rm³ Infp´p t]msemÅ \nt¶ sI«oXv...." " C§s\ hfhfm ]dtªm−ncp¶m aXntbm... IpSnsíms¶mt−m... AtXm..." " IpSníp¶Xnepw ckw ]nSníp¶Xm.... \à s]mXn¨ tX§m t]metà c−pw C¸gpw..." " " At¿m... At{Xw _e¯n ]nSnímsX... HSªp t]mIpw... t\mIpthw sN¿pw.....]s¿ ]nSníp¶Xm ckw... F´m tN«m Ct{Xw t\cw Xncp½o«pw ..CXt§m«p _ew shíp¶nÃtÃm... " Ftf½bpsS ]cmXn. " _esams¡ shípw... \osbm¶nht\.... " _m¡n tI«nÃ. sNhnbn ]dªp ImWpw. " Hm.. AXns\´m.... sIS¡p¶Xp tN«sâ ImensâtSemsW¦nepw AhImin Rm\tÃ.... Ct§m sIm−m... IgpInbXmtWm... ?..." " C¸w IgpInbXtà HÅp... ]Ãp sImÅmtX t\m¡tWSo...." " ]nt¶..... BZymbn«ÃtÃm... Rm\nXq¼n¯cp¶Xv..... C¨nsc _ew sh¨qt«m... C\nsbm¶p aq¯p In«nbm aXn.... " " AXp \o hmbnenSp¼w aqt¯mfpw..." A¿Sm, Ftf½ Bfp tamiaÃtÃm. Igeq¯p sXmS§m³ t]mIphmtWm. Mqw Bfp anSp¡n Xt¶. Htc kabw c−p Ip® hmbnseSp¡m³ anSp¡n. " F¦n Xncnªp sIS¶n«v \n§fp Fsâ Xmgt¯ Imcyw IqsS H¶p t\m¡v...." " \nsâ ]qS Infpt¯mSo....?.. Mqw... C¸gpw IpÁnbmWtÃmSo..." " AsXms¡ ]Xps¡ Infpt¯mfpw... Fsâsbmcp KXntb... \à IpSpw_¯n s]d¶ F\nío Ip® Xn¶m\mWtÃm hn[n...."

" A¸w Rm³ \nsâ Cu aq{X¡pgo \¡p¶tXm... \o sIS¶p kpJníp¶tXm..?.. \½fp X½ne§s\ thÀXncnhp htÃmsamt−mSo..." " Hm.. Rm³ ]dsªt¶sbmÅp...." " \o Imen¨ncqsS H¶I¯ntí..." " shÅw sXm«n¨ntc t\cmbXpsIm−v... sNe¸w Hcp aWw ImWpw ...tIt«m... sNmcp¡p tXm¶tà s]mt¶...." " AXn¸w sXmd¶ HSt\bmbXpsIm−mSo... C¨nsc Ignbp¼w.... AXp himbnt¡mfpw..... Atït¶... CXv IgpImsX \o Ft¶ Ft´mcw XoÁn¨XmSo....." ]ns¶ Iptd \nanjt¯ív N¸entâbpw hen¨p IpSníp¶Xntâbpw A]iЧfmbncp¶p. Mpw. Ftf½ Bfp anSp¡n Xt¶. c−p hůn Hcp t]mse Imep Nhn«n \n¡m³ _lpanSp¡n. CsXms¡ tI«m GXp `À¯mhn\mWp kwibw tXm¶pI. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ I¿n Fsâ Ip® NmSn¡bdn anSp¡\mbn \n¡p¶p. Rm³ ]Xps¡ hmWaSn XpS§n. Bcmbmepw kwKXn Hcp InS¡d ko\nsâ iÐtcJbtÃ. At¸mÄ ho−pw Ftf½bpsS iÐw. " hbÊmsb¦nepw D¸p\ocns\mcp sImdhpanÃ... hmbn sh¨¸w sXm«v HgpIm³ sXmS§nbXm...." " \obpw tamiÃ... ChnSw A¼es¡mfw amXncnbmbn... IpÁn aotisS iteymw... D¸psImg¼pw....." cmta«sâ adp]Sn. " C¸w Ch³ \à Djmdmbn tIt«m... thtW AI¯p shímw...." Ftf½. " C¨nsc Ignbs«... \nsâ hmbnencníp¼w \à ckm... F¶mepw \osb§s\ CsXms¡ ]Tns¨So... " cmta«³ c−mw `mcytb {]iwkníp¶p. " A¸w Xn¶m t]mtc.. Ipgnsb®tWm.. hÃt¸mgpw Bgv¨¸Xns¸ms¡ hmbn¡Ww....." " F¶m Ah\n\ow Xmgpt¶\p ap¼v... sImd¨qsS Xn¶v...." " Xn¶psIms¡ sN¿mw... C¶mft¯t¸mse Fsâ hmbntems«Ãmw IqsS Hgnt¨¡cpXv.... hcp¼w ]tdtW..." " F¶m... c−p henIqsS hen¨n«v AI¯p shímw..." " \n§tfXmbmepw hm sa\s¡Sp¯nbXtÃ... C¨ncqsS Xn¶v... B It´sems¡ C¨ncqsS H¶p \s¡t¶... \n§fp hcp¼gtà F\nípw hà kptJmw In«s¯mÅq..." ]ns¶ kwkmcw \n¶p. ho−pw aq©p¶Xntâbpw \¡p¶Xntâbpsams¡ A]iЧÄ, apcfepIÄ. Ipd¨p t\cw Ignªv Ftf½bptS kzcw. " Ft´m Bb as«m−tÃm... Ch³ s]s«¶v ]mct]membtÃm...." " Mqw... FSp¯Xv \¶mbn.... Ctà sNe¸w....." cmta«sâ PmfyX. " F\níp tXm¶n... AXm FSp¯Xv.....F¶m aXn Xn¶Xv... hm...AI¯p shímw... " I«n Debp¶ iÐw. " \nsâ kmam\¯n\p \à aWw.... s\\¡v In«ps¶mt−m.... \obsXm¶p ]nSn¨p hmXn¡tem«p ht¨..." " F¶mepw IÅnsâ hmStb¡mÄ t`Zam... H¶qtÃepw Fsâ kz´w tZl¯nsâbtÃ... tZ... sh¨p.... C\n XÅntím...." " l... \o sXmf AS¨p ]nSnímsX... C¨ntc ImeI¯ntí...." " sX¶nt¸mbXmt¶... tN«\hnSw A¼es¡mfam¡ocníphtÃ.... hmXp¡ens«mcím³ \à ckw....." " \o B sNhnsbms¡ hen¨p s]md¯nSv.... FÃmw IqsS AI¯p tIdnbm kpJw In«¯nÃ...." " Rms\¶m sN¿m\m... C¯ncn \ofw IqSnsb¶p sh¨v sN¯n¡fbm³ ]Ápthm... F¶m C\n ASnt¨m...." " sN¯n¡fb−... AsXmÅXpsIm−v... aq©m³ htÃmw In«pw...." sNdnb KgvKgvKgvKgv iÐw tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n. H¸w AXnsâ Xmf¯nepÅ kwkmchpw. " A¸w tN«\pw C¶t¯ ]Wn Cãs¸«p......C¨ncqsS..... Ducn..... \o«nbSn..." Ftf½bpsS Unamâv. H¸w Fsâbpw Ip®bnepÅ hmWaSn apdpIn. " kwKXn sImÅmsaSo... FSo....FSo....F\níp hcpIm¶p tXm¶p¶p....." " C{X s]s«¶p ht¶m... C¨nsc ]nSn¨p \nív... Rm\pw IqsS H¶p hcs«..." " c£bnsÃSo....h¶p...t]mbo....Mpw..Mpw..Mpw..Mpw...." cmta«sâ aqf AaÀ¶p. " kmcanÃ... ASn¨p XoÀt¯m....Mv...Mv...Mv....Mv..." Ftf½bpsS apdp½en\p \à hmin. " lhp... Ignªp.... " cmta«sâ izmkw ]nSn¨v AaÀ¯nb hm¡pIÄ.

" Igntªm.... F¦n... Fsâ tamfntem«p sISt¶m..." Hcp an\n«p t\ct¯ív \niÐw. cmta«sâ InXípt¶m Fs¶mcp kwibw. ]ns¶ cmta«sâ tNmZyw. " s\\¡v....hcp¯t−...." " kmcanÃ.. tN«\p hcp¯p¶Xm... F\níp kpJw..." " F¶mepw.... \o Ct{Xw F¯ntb¨v..." " kmcansÃt¶... F\nípw At¶cw sNdpXmbns«m\p h¶mcp¶pp....AXp aXn..." " F¶m Rm³ atÁXp Xncp½n¯cmw... " " tN«\{X \nÀ_ÔmsW¦n.... Cãw t]mse..." " ]n¶ÃmsX... s\\¡p thdmcm... Rm\ÃmsX CsXms¡ sNbvXp Xcm³.... \obm ]mhmS ASotems«m¶p sht¨cv... Ducp¼w sNe¸w sISt¡sems¡ hogpw..." " F\ní§s\m¶panÃ.... tN«³ kpJn¨m... F\níp kpJníp¶ amXncnbm...... Fâs½.. CXv sImtdsbm−tÃm... sISt¡epw hosW¶m tXm¶p¶Xv... tN«\n¯ncn s]m§ntí Rm³ N´nsbm¶p s]m¡s«.... t¿m.. Ducnt¸mbn... sÈ... s]mdt¯m«p sImtd t]mbn.....Np½m temUvPn sIS¡p¼w H¶p Ibv]nSn¨p IfªqsS..." " tXm¶¯nsÃSo... aptgzm\pw \nsâ ]m{X¯ns¡ms− Hgním³ th−n... kq£n¨p shípItÃ..." " ...tiym.. Fsâ tN«³.... C¨ncqsS tamfntem«v... It´ev... Mm...AhsS¯t¶... Ct{Xw Imembn«pw Is´hnSm¶dnb¯nsöp sh¨m....Mqw...Mqw.. A[nIw AaÀ¯msX... t\mhpw..." " Ct{Xw aXntbm.... shcenStWm..." " Ht¶m cs−m Ct«cv... Ibv tkm¸n«p IgpInbXmWtÃm... sNe¸w samfInsâ \oÁev..." " IgpIoXmSo... C¸w F§s\m−v...." " Mqw ASp¯p hcps¶m−v.... AI¯v InÅtÃ... t\mIpw......Np½m tIÁptIw FSp¡ptIw sNbvXm aXn...." " AI¯pw \à sX¶emWtÃmSo... " " GXmbmepw tN«³ sa\s¡SpItÃ.... Cu samtew IqsS H¶p IpSnímthm..." " ]dbt−... C§p Xm...." CSínSív ape hen¨p IpSnípt¼m hmbp Iecp¶ InÀÀÀÀjv iÐw. " C\n \nÀ¯tÃ...... tN«m... C¨ncqsS thK¯nsemcív... Mqw... Mqw...Mqw...hcps¶m−v... hcps¶m−v... shceIt¯m«p XÅn shbv... Abv..Abv.. Mqw.... Mqw.... Mqw.... aXn... aXnsbt¶..." Ftf½bpsS ]qdn cXnbpsS Iemitafw Act§dnbt¸mÄ AXp a\Ên I−psIm−p hmWw ASn¨ Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw hmWw NoÁn `n¯nbnepw \ne¯pw hoWp. " icnípw ht¶mSo..." " Mqw... h¶q... h¶q... aXn...aXn... C\n Hcí− t\mIpw... Is¿Spt¯m....." Ftf½ Bhiys¸«p. H¸w AhcpsS ZoÀL\nizmkhpw. " shcseSp¡tWm...AtXm..." " C\n FSpt¯m... FÃmw IgnªtÃm..." " s\\¡v ctkm−mcpt¶mSo... F\níp s]s«¶§p h¶p t]mbn... ASp¯ {]mhiyms«... ASn¨p Xs¶ XoÀ¡pw.." cmta«³ `mcyív Dd¸p sImSp¡p¶p. " AXt¶ct¯ kuIcyw t]mse sN¿mt¶... C§p h¶m aXn....I®nset®samgn¨v F{X sZhkt¯ Im¯ncp¸m... C¶m, Ibv ]mhmtStem«p Xqt¯m... AhsSsbms¡ C«fn¨XtÃ... sNe¸w \à aWw H−mIpw..." " C¨nsc H−mbmepw Fsâ `mtcysSbtÃ...thdmcptSaÃtÃm..." " tN«³ s]³j³ ]Ámdmbo¶mcm ]dtª...?.. Ahsct¶mSv tNmZnís«.... Rm³ ]dbmw kam[m\w.. " " F¶mepw ]tgt]mse At§m«v Djmdmhp¶nÃtÃm.... c−p \Sbmbn«tÃ.. \o XoÀ¡pt¶s¶mcp shjaw....." " AsXt¶msSmÅ Cãw sIm−tÃ....F¶mepw Cu tN«sâ kvt\lw ImWp¼w.... tN«t\mSp Rm³ ImWn¨Xv.... F\ntímÀ¡p¼w klníp¶nà sNe¸w...." tM, Ftf½ k¦Ss¸Spt¶m. F´p NXnbmWnhÀ cmta«t\mSp ImWn¨Xv.

" t]ms« AsXms¡ Ignª Imcy§ftÃ... Ie C¸w \½sS tamftÃ... AhtfmSp Rms\s´¦nepw thÀXncnhp ImWníps¶mt−m... ]ns¶´m...?..." cmta«³ `mcytb km´z\s¸Sp¯p¶p. " AXp ImWp¼gm... F\níp shjaw IqSpt¶...." Ftf½bpsS kzc¯n KZvKZw. " t]mt« imctZ... \o Hd§v... " " tN«³ Hd§ntím... Rm³ Cu XpWnsbms¡ H¶p hen¨p tIÁs«.... Ctà ]ntÅsc§m\pw t\ct¯ HWÀ¶p I−m..." I«n H¶peªp. tS_nÄ em¼p sXfnªp. Rm³ AcnIntesímXp§n HÁ¡®p sIm−v t\m¡n. Ftf½ ]cn]qÀ® \ábmbn Ip¼f§m apeIfm«ns¡m−v apdnbpsS \Sphn hs¶m¶p Xncnªp. ]ns¶ InS¡bnteíp t\m¡ns¡m−v Ih¡nSbn XncpInbncp¶ Idp¯ ]mhmS sIm−v. FÃmbnShpw AaÀ¯n XpS¨p. ]ns¶ Imsem¶p hf¨v Aåw ap«p aS¡n, ]mhmSbpsS thsdmcÁw sIm−v Ih¡nS ho−pw XpS¨p ]ns¶ ]mhmS ]cntim[n¨p. ]ns¶bpw XpS¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " Hcmgv¨sIm−v Hcp sImShm sIm−v h¶ncnípt¶.... Xq¯v Xq¯v ]mhmS IpXnÀ¶p....." " Mqw.... C¸w \nsâ \n¸p I−n«v H¶qsS sNbvXmtem¶p tXm¶pIm...." cmta«sâ iÐw. " Rm³ Xbmdm... t\cw shfp¡p¶ htc... sNbvtXm... sXmSím\nãw t]mse XpWnsbm−nhnsS... F´m... t\m¡pt¶m..." " C¶sebmcps¶¦n.... katbm−mcp¶p..... \o hm... sISs¶md§v... shfp¸nt\ HWc−XtÃ...." ]mhmS I«nensâ Iotgív C«n«v Ftf½ Is¿m¶p aW¯p ]ns¶ aps−Sp¯v Ibv AXnsem¶p XpS¨p. ap−pSp¯p. FhnsS \nt¶m Hcp {_m FSp¯p [cn¨p. I«nensâ Xeí InS¶ »uskSp¯p [cn¨p, XeapSn H¶gn¨p sI«n. ASp¯Xmbn sseÁWªt¸mÄ Rm³ ho−pw amÀÖmc ]mZ§tfmsS \Ss¶sâ apdnbn Ibdn. shÅsameníp¶ Ip® Ibnenbn AaÀ¯n sh¨p InS¡pt¼mÄ hnhn[ hnNmc§Ä Fsâ a\Ên IqSn IS¶p t]mbn. Ftf½sb¶ IYm]m{Xt¯ F\níp hfsc Cãs¸«p. \m¡psIm−v `À¯mhnt\ IogS¡n sh¨ncníp¶p. IhínSsIm−v ImipImc\mb ImapIsâ I¿n \n¶pw ]Whpw kpJhpw H¸níp¶p. Ct¸mÄ F\níp kwibw bYmÀ°¯n AhÀ¡p cXnaqÀO h¶p ImWptam, AtXm cmta«t\ kt´mjn¸ním³ h¶p F¶p shdptX ]dªXmtWm. ]mhw cmta«³. At¸mÄ IetamÄ cmta«sâ hn¯Ã, Cu ISnaq¯ imcZ F¶ c−mw `mcy kz´ambn k¼mZn¨XmWv. shdptXbÃ, A½bpsS AtX ISn Xt¶ tamÄ¡pw. IeymWw Ignípt¼mÄ aníhmdpw Ie hbÁn ImWWw. Asæn A½ ]dsª¦nepw Rm³ Adntªt\. A½íp t]mepw Adnbm¯ clkyw, C¶v Rm³ Adnªncníp¶p. A`nídnbmtam. Adnbmambncnípw. A`nív FÃm clky§fpw Adnbmsas¶mcp tXm¶Â. c−m\½bpsS apdnbn cmcn¨³ F¶ apXemfn ]®Âtaf \S¯p¶ cm{XnIÄ AhÄ¡dnbmw. AhÄ H¶pw Adnbp¶nsöp \Sníp¶p. At¸mÄ AhÄ Rm³ Dt±in¨{X \ÃhfÃ. B tXm¶Â Fsâ a\Êp hnjan¸n¨p. A§s\ A§p hnizkním³ Rm³ aSn¨p. A§s\bmItà `Khmt\. H¶p XoÀ¨bmWv. Xsâ c−m\½, Xs¶ kz´w IÅshSn¡mc\p hn¡m³ t]mepw X¿mdmWv F¶ t_m[w A`ncmanínÃ. B \neí AhÄ ]mhamWv. F§s\sb¦nepw cmcn¨t\ HXp¡Ww. F´msWmcp hgn. hnc«nbmtem, \S¡nÃ. hc¯\mb Rm³ Nnet¸mÄ shfnbnemIpw. t]meokmIm³ \S¡p¶ Fsâ Xebn AXn\pÅ hgnIÄ D−mtb ]Áq. Asæn F\níp t]meokmIm³ F´p tbmKyX. GXmbmepw Ftf½bpsS ASp¯ \o¡w AdnbWw. _emÂkwK]²Xn s]mfnª \neív ASp¯ hgn AhÀ a\Ên I−n«p−mIWw. ImapIsâ hg¡v AhÀs¡mcp {]iv\amhnÃ, F{X _lfap−m¡nbmepw AhcpsS Bene¸qdnsâ aWw ASnípt¼mÄ cmcn¨³ Xmt\ AS§pw. F¶mepw Ftf½sbmcp In®³ km[\w Xt¶. Xcw In«nbm F\nípw H¶mbmse´m. cmcn¨t\¡mÄ D{K³ km[\w Ct¸mÄ Fsâ Imen¶nSbn D−v. Ftf½ I−m AXp NmSn¸nSnípsa¶Xv aq¶c¯cw. AXhtc F§s\sb¦nepw H¶p ImWn¨mtem. F§t\ ? ]t£ Ct¸mÄ AXn\p bmsXmcp km²yXbpw CÃ. ]ns¶ aIfp−tÃm. hnc sRmSn¨m B ISn¨ns¸®p ImeI¯n Xcpw. AXp Xt¶

kam[m\w. ]ns¶, AXnsâ hbÁnse§m\pw apfs]m«nbm BßlXybmbncnípw GI amÀ¤w Fs¶mcp Ipg¸ta DÅp. AÃm, h¶ph¶v Rm³ F´mWp Nn´níp¶Xv. ]Tním³ h¶ Xm³ AXpambn _ÔanÃm¯ s]mÃm¸pIfmWp Nn´níp¶Xv. Hm, \aps¡´v, Im«nte XSn tXhcpsS B\, H¯p In«p¶Xp ]nSnípI. Rm³ Dd§m\pÅ hgn t\m¡n. ASp¯ sNmhzmgv¨ s]mXp Ah[nbmbncp¶p. tImtfPn t]mImsX Rm³ ]d¼nsems¡ t\m«pIfpw ]pkvXI§fpambn NpÁn¡d§n \S¶p. Ftf½tbbpw Ietbbpw ho«n I−nÃ. A`n ]XnhpÅ Ipfn Ignªv D¨hn`h§Ä Hcp¡p¶Xv Rm³ Hs¶¯n t\m¡n I−ncp¶p. shbnensâ NqSp IqSnbt¸mÄ Rm³ Xncnsb ho«n Ibdn. ASp¡fbpsS `mK¯p sN¶s¸mÄ AhÄ tX§m Nnc−p¶p. ASp¸pIfn Fs´ms¡tbm sh´psIm−ncníp¶p. Aekamb thjw. lm^vkmcn Npcp−v B amXf¡pS§Ä¡p \Sphn IqSn tXmfnen«ncníp¶p. Nnc−pt¼mÄ Hcp I¿psS apIÄ`mKw apebpsS AcnIn Dckp¶Xpw At¸mÄ B ape H¶p Npfp§p¶Xpw ImWm³ \à ckw. ]mdn¸d¶ AfI§Ä B apJIm´níp amÁp Iq«n. Ft¶ I−bpS³ Nnch¸pd¯ncp¶ A`ncman amdn InS¶ lm^vkmcn hnXnÀ¯n amdpIÄ c−pw ad¨p. kwib`mh¯n Ahsft¶ t\m¡n. " F´m cmPmaWn... shÅw thWmcnípw... ?..." tNmZy¯n Hcp Ifnbm¡Â kqN\bp−mbncp¶p. Xms\mÁív ho«nepÅt¸mÄ irwKcním\ÃmsX F´n\p Rm³ ASp¡fbn IbdWw F¶mbncnípw AhÄ Nn´níp¶Xv. " th−tÃm.... C¶v Ftft½w Itew I−nÃtÃm.....?.." " B.. Ftf½ SuWn t]mIphm¶p ]dªv t]mbXm. Ie AhÄsS Iq«pImcntb ImWm³ t]mbn. F´m... c−pt]tcw I−n«v C{X AXymhiyw...?.." " A§mSn \nehmcw H¶dnbm\mcp¶p.... " Rm³ Hcp Xami s]m«n¨p. " Hm..Cu A§mSoÂ... t]meokpImÀ¡v At\zjním\pw am{XsamÅ s\ehmcw H¶pantÃ......." " AX`osS hnNmcw... ]s£¦n.......Cu t]meokpImc³ t\m¡p¼w... Cu A§mSn sam¯¯n Aåw {]iv\samÅ Gcnbm Bbn«m tXm¶p¶Xv...." " F´m C{X {]iv\w kmdp I−Xv... ?.." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áv Nnch AcnInteíp Nmcnsh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " km[mcW t]meokpImcp sN¿p¶ t]mse.... sNbvXm AXdnbmcp¶p... B sambvXphnt\ ]nSn¨v H¶p tNmZyw sNbvXmtem¶p hnNmcníphm... F\nsímcp s{Sbn\n§pamIpatÃm..." At¸mÄ AhfpsS apJw H¶ncp−p. Ahsfm¶p t\tc \n¶p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " ]Tním³ h¶hÀ¡p ]Tn¨m t]mtc... ?.. aÁptÅmcsS Imcyw At\zjn¨v sImg¸§sfm−m¡tWm...?..." " FÃm IŽmcpw tNmZníp¶ tNmZym CXv... t]meokpImÀ¡p i¼tfmw hm§n Ccp¶m t]mtc.. F´n\m R§sS Imcy¯n FSs]Spt¶¶v.... " " A¸w ChnsS Rm\pw IÅnbmsW¶mtWm C³kvs]ÎÀ kmdp hnNmcnípt¶...?.." AhÄ ASp¸¯ncp¶ F´nsâtbm D¸p t\m¡ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " hnNmcnítWmtÃm.. sambvXqt\ tNmZyw sNbvXm sImg¸amsW¶v.. Cu IÅn F´n\m ]dªXv...?..." Rm³ Hcp Im hnd¸n¨p hnPbntb t]mse \n¶p. AhÄ D¯cw H¶pw ]dªnÃ. Rm³ XncnsI t]mcm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ AhfpsS tNmZyw. " cm{Xn H¯ncn Hd¡anfímsX ]I CXpt]mse kabw In«p¼w ]Tn¨qtS... hmNIaSnímsX....?..." " ]I \à NqSv... cm{Xn C¨nsc XWps¸mt−... AXpsIms−mcåw hmbn¡m³ ]Ápw.... GXmbmepw tNmZn¨XtÃ... Hcp ¥mkp Xt¶... shÅw Rm³ a¬sImS¯os¶Sp¯p IpSnt¨mfmw..." " F´n\m... ¥mkp am{Xam¡pt¶... shtÅmw IqsS Xt¶ímw.. sImtd Nn´n¨XtÃ..." AhfpsS kzc¯n ]pOw CtÃ. AhÄ \o«nb ¥mkp I¿n hm§n¨n«p Rm³ ]dªp. " sa\n Xm¦vkv....."

" AsXms¡ kmdnsâ I¿nencpt¶ms«... ¥mkn§p X¶m aXn...." " apgph\pw IpSn¨p Ignªn«v Xt¶ímw...." " Mqw... " ¥mkpw shÅhpambn Rm³ Xncnªp \S¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ H¶p aqfn. B aqfen\p thsdmcÀ°w t]mse. D¨bqWp Ignªt¸mÄ ]Xnhp t]mse A`ncman tXm«n XpWn Ae¡m³ t]mbn. Rm³ Fsâ apdnbnte P\en IqSn B t]m¡p t\m¡nbncp¶p. I¿n Hcp sI«p XpWnbpambn s]mcn shbne¯v [Sn³ InSn³ F¶p sXdníp¶ sam´Ip−nIfpw Ipep¡n AhfpsS t]m¡v. F´n\o \à icocw C§s\ Iãs¸Sp¯n Ifbp¶p. A`ncman ]Snbnd§pt¼mÄ Ie Ibdn hcp¶p. IqsS thsdmcp s]¬Ip«nbpap−v. Ahtc I− A`n IetbmsSt´m ]dbp¶p. atÁ s]¬Ip«ntbmSv Fs´ms¡tbm Ipiew tNmZn¨n«v A`n \S¶I¶p adªp. Ie t\tc h¶p Nmbn¸nteíp tIdn. atÁ s]¬Ip«n hmXn¡ i¦n¨p \n¶p. " FhnSmcp¶p Ite CXp htc... C¯ncn kabw In«nbt¸mÄ Ccp¶p ]Tn¨p IqtS...." Rm³ D]tZiw hnf¼n. " AXn\tà C¸¯t¶ Rm³ Xncn¨p h¶... A¦nfnsâ DuWp Ignsª¦n... C¨nsc Cw¥ojp ]Tnímcp¶p...." Ie AIt¯íp Ibdn Fsâ I«nen Ccp¶p. " \à _p²n tXm¶ns¯mS§n... F¶m s]mkvXIw FSpt¯m−v hm.... Aà Cu Ip«nbmcm...?.." " C§p tIdn hmSo... A¦nfp \½sS Bfm... A¦ntf CXmWp kmhn{Xn... Rm³ ]dªn«ntÃ....ChnsS ASp¯m...." AhÄ kmhn{Xntb F\níp ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. " Hm... a\Ênembn... a\Ênembn... IetamÄsS Kpcp... \½tS {]Imisâ ...samds¸®v.. AtÃ..?.." Rm³ AIt¯íp tIdn h¶ kmhn{Xntb CSwI®ns«m¶p t\m¡n. AhfpsS apJs¯mcp hÃmbvI. AhÄ Ietb t\m¡n. F¶n«v aSn¨p aSn¨v apdnbnteíp Ibdn. Rm³ kmhn{Xntb H¶p hnebncp¯n. \à HXp§nb icocw. Ietb¡mÄ s]m¡w ImWpw. \à apJw. Ccp\ndamsW¦nepw sam¯¯n Hcp N´sams¡bp−v. shbne¯p tIdn h¶XpsImWmhmw apJw \à Nph¶p XpSp¯ncníp¶p. icoc¯n\p tNcm¯ apeIÄ. CXp samds¨dp¡³ {]Imi³ ]nSn¨p s]cp¸n¨Xp Xt¶. ]t£ IebpsS amdpIÄ t]msebÃ. Aåw CSnbm³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. s]®nt\ ]dªp ]Án¨v {]Imi³ ]nSn¨p Xq§p¶p−mhpw. AXpI−v sImXn aq¯ Ie AhfpsS amdpIÄ hepXm¡m³ Fsâ klmbw tXSnbncníp¶p. Fsâ tbmKw. ]t£ Ietb hnizkním³ ]Á¯nÃ. XtâSnbmWhÄ. A½bpsS tamÄ Xt¶. " F´m A¦ntf... C§s\ s]®p§tf ImWm¯ amXncn t\m¡pt¶..."Rm³ Ahtf t\m¡p¶Xp I− Ie tNmZn¨p. " AÃ... IetamÄsS Iq«pImcntb H¶p a\Ênem¡phmcp¶p... F¶m]ns¶ \o t]mbn htÃmw Ign¨n«p hm... Áyqj³ sXmS§mw... XoÀ¯n«v F\nsím¶p ab§ptIw thWw...." " R§fp D−Xm... ]ns¶... kmhn{Xnípw Syqj³ thWw.. Ahfpw Cw¥ojn\p ]pdtIm«m...." Ie ]dªp. " CÃ... amtj.... F\níp IW¡m shjaw....." kmhn{Xn ]Xnª iЯn ]dªp. " At¿m... a¡tf... F\níp IW¡åw shjam... Hcp Imcyw sN¿v.... cmta«³ Ieív IW¡pamjnt\ shíp¼w kmhn{Xow IqsS IqSntím... " " AÃ... F\nípw Cw¥ojp C¯ncn IqSn ]Tn¨m sImÅms¶m−v..." kmhn{Xn sasà samgnªp. Rm³ a\Ên IW¡p Iq«n. ]Xn\s©¦nepw Ignªn«p−v c−n\pw. Xnfíp¶ Iuamcw. H¯pIn«nbm h−nsIs«¦nepw \S¡pw. ]t£ ImapI\pÅXpsIm−v kmhn{Xn hg§ptam Fs¶mcp kwibw. Ie ASp¯p h¶v Fsâ sNhnbn ]dªp. " Rm³ C¶et¯ Syqjsâ Imcyw ]dª¸w sXm«v Ah¡pw A¦nfnsâ Syqj³ thWsa¶pw ]dªp h¶Xm... " ]ns¶ AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbnteív clkyambn ]dªp. " Hcp Imcyw... \½fp X½nsemÅ t]mse AhtfmSp Im«nbm Fsâ hn[w amdpw... Rm³ FÃmtcmSpw sXmd¶p ]dbpw... ]dtª¡mw..._ps¡Spt¯m−v hcs«...." F¶n«hÄ ]pkvXIsaSp¡m³ t]mbn.

A¼Sn tIao. Asænepw kz´w ]pcpjsâ Imcyw hcpt¼mÄ s]®v \mbpsS amXncnbm. H¶ns\m¶ns\ X½n I−p IqSm. Akqb Xs¶. " kmhn{Xn C¸w sXmS§pt¶m.. AtXm.. ]ns¶ aXntbm...?.." " C¸w Xt¶ sXmS§mw amtj... ]co£ ASp¯ntÃ..." Ie HmSnsb¯n¡gnªp. F¶n«hÄ ]gb kvYe¯v Fsâ AcnIn \nebpd¸n¨p. " F¦n ItesS s]mkvXIw t\m¡n Hcp ]mc{Kms^m¶p hmbnt¨.... Hcp Imcyw sN¿v... kmhn{Xn Cu hi¯p \nt¶m... " Ahtf Rm³ adphi¯p \nÀ¯n. Ie Ft¶mSp sXm«pXt¶ \n¶p Ft´m AhImiw DÅ amXncn. kmhn{Xn Aåw amdn \n¶p hmbním³ XpS§n. Ipd¨p hmbn¨t¸mÄ a\Ênembn. Cw¥ojv hmbn¡m³ kmhn{Xníp Syqjsâ BhiyanÃ. " kmhn{Xn \¶mbn«p hmbníps¶m−tÃm.... ]ns¶´n\m Syqj³...?.." " F¶mepw thWw amtj.... F\nív H¶ntâw AÀ°w ]nSnbnÃ...." kmhn{Xn ]dªp. " A¦nfns\´m \ãw... Fsâ Iq«pImcnín¯ncn AÀ°w ]dªpsImSp¡ms\´m C{X {]bmkw....?..." " Hcp Imcyw sN¿v... kmhn{Xn B I«nteencp¶v .... Adnbm³ h¿m¯ hm¡pIsfms¡ H¶p t\m«p sN¿v.... A¸gt¯ív Rm³ Ietb H¶p hmbn¸nís«..." Ie ap¡nbpw aqfnbpw Hcp hn[w hmbním³ XpS§n. sXÁp h¶n«pw Rm³ A\§nbnÃ. Xncp¯ns¡mSp¯p. ]nt¶bpw AhÄ sXÁníp¶p. " C¶p \pÅp¶ntÃ.... ?.." AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. Ie Fsâ sNhnbn a{´níp¶Xv kmhn{Xn {i²n¨Xv Rm³ I−p. AXpsIm−v Rm\Xp tI« `mhw \Sn¨nÃ. ]ns¶ AhÄ H¶pw tNmZnímsX hmb\ XpSÀ¶p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ hbdn Ibvh¨p Xncp½p¶p. " F´p ]Án Ietamtf.....?.." AhÄ H¶pw an−nbnÃ. ]ns¶bpw \n¶p ]cp§p¶p. " F´m.. hs¿¦n t]mbn sISt¶mfq... \msfbmImw..." " Rms\mSt\ hcmw... " AhÄ ]pkvXIw aS¡n sh¨n«v Cd§nt¸mbn. " F¶m kmhn{Xn hm... FÃmw FgpXntbm....." " Mqw...." AhÄ aqfns¡m−v Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p \n¶p. " GsXms¡ hm¡m Adnbm¯Xv...]d..." " t]mcp¶ hgntí Ahfp ]dªmcp¶p.... hbdp t\mhps¶¶v.. ... Hcp Idn Ah¡p ]nSn¨nÃ..." " Mqw.. kmcanÃ.. hmbnív.." AhÄ c−p hm¡pIÄ ]dªp. AXnsâ AÀ°hpw Rm³ ]dªp sImSp¯p. CSíhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Ie.... amtjmsS´m t\ct¯ clkyw ]dªXv..." kmhn{XnbpsS s]s«¶pÅ tNmZyw. " AsXms¡ clkyatÃ... C¸w Rm³ {]Imit\¡pdn¨p tNmZn¨m kmhn{Xn ]dbpthm.. AXp t]mem..." Rms\mcp Nq− Fdnªp. " AsXms¡ Ie amtjmSp ]dsªs¶\nídnbmw... R§fp X½n clskym¶qÃ... " kmhn{Xn Ct¸mÄ Ft¶mSp IqSpX ASp¯ t]mse. " GXmbmepw {]Imi³ _p²nap«nb sIm−mcnípw.... kmhn{Xntb¡mWm³ C¸w \à tiem...Ite¡mfpw...." s]m§n \n¶ B amdpIfn t\m¡ns¡m−v Rm\htf H¶p s]m¡n. Fsâ t\m«w I−n«v AhÄs¡mcp \mWw. AtXm A`n\bnípt¶m. " F\nídnbmw Ie FÃmw amtjmSp ]dªns«ms−¶v..." AhÄ Ft¶mSp IqSpX ASp¯p. Rm³ sasà hndíp¶ IbvsIm−v AhfpsS Ip−nIfn ]nSn¨v Ft¶mSp tNÀ¯p \nÀ¯n. AhÄ A\pkcWtbmsS tNÀ¶p \n¶p. CSív hcm´bnteíp t\m¡p¶pap−v. At¸mÄ Ietb Chfpw t]Sníp¶p−v. " Ie F´m ]dªXv... ?..." " Syqjsâ FSsímÅ \pÅpw ]n¨pw Hs¡... amtj¡mWm\pw \à tiem... Ie ]dª t]mse \à aknem... " " aknep ImWm\mtWm h¶Xv..." " H¶qÃ... Np½m... Ahsf¸gpw ]tdw... amjnsâ Imcyw... C{X... shey BfmsW¦n H¶p ImWW¶p tXm¶n..." " A¸w Syqj³..."

" F\níp IW¡pw ^nknIvkpam {]iv\w... AXn\ѳ Hcp amtj hím¶p ]dªns«m−v..." At¿m NXnt¨m, hoWpIn«nb At¸mÄ Cu Áyqj³ F\níp DSt\ \ãs¸Spw. AXn\p ap¼v Fs´¦nepw H¯m tbmKw. s]s«¶v Rm³ IebpsS DSp¸nteíp amdt¯íp Ibv Nq−n. " sÈym .. \tÃmcpSp¸v... AtXse§\m Cu Id h¶Xv...?..." AhÄ Ip\nªv DSp¸nteíp t\m¡n. " CtXsem¶panÃtÃm... FhnSm..?.." " tZ ChnsS ASoev...kmhn{Xníp ImWtWm¦n DSp¸qcWw..." Rm³ AhfpsS Hcp apebpsS ASnbn H¶p Xm§n tatems«Sp¯p. \à abw. Fsâ I¿psS XÅ IqSnbXp sIm−mtWm Ft´m AhÄ H¶p ]pdtIm«p henªp. Fsâ Kuchw I−n«mbncnípw kmhn{Xn AhfpsS CSt¯ apebpsS ASnbn \n¶pw DSp¸p iànbmbn apIfnteíp Xq¯n«p Is¿Sp¯p. B CfwtKmfw H¶p tatem«p s]m§nbn«v Xmtgm«p ]Xnsªm¶p Xpfp¼n. AXp I− Fsâ ap−n\Snbn Ft´m H¶p \Sp§n. AhfptS amd¯v s]Ánt¡m«p am{Xta ASnbn DÅp F¶p tXm¶n. " sicnípw ]Án¸nSn¨ns«m−tÃm... Np¡nenbm¶m tXm¶tW... " Rm³ ho−pw AXnsâ ASnbn H¶p IqSn iànbmbn Xq¯p hn«p. C¯hW Fsâ XÅhnc IqSn Rm³ H¶p {]tbmKn¨p. Hcp sNdnb aÀ±\w. \à abapÅ ape. Ah³, B {]Imi³ sicnípw s]cpamdnb e£Wap−v. Fsâ ]nSp¯¯n C¡nfn D−mbXpsIm−mImw AhÄ Hcp sk¡âv ]pdtIms«m¶p Npcp−p. " DSps¸ms¡ Np½m sIms− Atb Xq¡nbnSpw AtÃ... AXm Np¡nen.... " Rm³ sNmZn¨p. " Mqw..." Rm³ Fsâ Is¿m¶p Iq«n¯ncp½n. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶n«p tNmZn¨p. " Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZn¨m Ip«n kXyw ]dbpthm... Ip«otS KpW¯n\m¶p Iq«ntím...." AhÄ Ft¶ tNmZy cq]¯n t\m¡n. " AÃm... Ip«otS samds¨¡\v F´p {]mbsam−v..." " AXv...AXv.." " H¶pw Hfní−m...Ie FÃmw Ft¶mSp ]dªns«m−v..." " {]oUn{Kním ]Tnípt¶..." " Hm, AXp sicn...Bt«.. ]pÅn... F¶pw Ip«ntb ImWmsdmt−m.. AtXm...?.." " si\nbmgv¨ cmhnte ho«n hcpw.. hoSv....ASp¯m... ]ns¶ sNe¸w Bgvt¨ c−p Znhkw... " " A¸w... hcp¼sgms¡... Ah³ CtX ct−epw ]nSn¨p Xq§pw... Ip«níp kpJw.. tZ... t\m¡v....C¸w AXpc−pw A½q½amcsS t]mse Xq§n... " " At¿... Cu amjv... " " kmhn{Xo... Rm\n¸w AdnbmsX H¶p sXm«XpsIm−v F\níXp a\Ênembn.... ]t£ C¡\¡n\msW¦n....Ip«ntb IeymWw Igníp¶h³ A¶p cm{Xn Ip«ntb Dt]£nípw..." " Ft¶ {]Imi\m IeymWw Ignípt¶..." AhÄ sIdphn¨p \ns¶¦nepw B apJs¯mcp A¦em¸p Rm³ I−p. AXmWp Rm³ {]Xo£n¨ncp¶Xpw. " ]mhw kmhn{Xn... C{X sNdp¸¯nte... Ah³ ]dª a−¯c§tfms¡ hnizkn¨p. Fsâ Ip«o... Ah³ t]mbn«v..... Cu s\te ....Rm³ t]mepw Ip«ntb Cãs¸S¯nÃ... B ]cph¯nembntà FÃmw... CsXm¶pw Bcpw... AOt\m A½tbm ]dªpXc¯nÃ... ImcWw... CsXms¡... AÇoeatÃ... F¶n«v... hÃhcpw ]dbp¶Xp tI«v... tXm¶p¶ t]mse sN¿pI..." AhfpsS apJt¯ A¼c¸v Is−¦nepw AXp ImWm¯ a«n Rm³ XpSÀ¶p. " tZ... C¸¯t¶... B s]m«ns¸®v Ie... Fsâ s]mdtI \S¡phm... \à BWp§fp Ibvsh¨m AhÄsS A½nª hepXmIpw F¶pw ]dªv... AXp Ip«ntbmSp {]Imi³ ]dªXmsWs¶\nídnbmw..." " Rms\m¶pw BtcmSpw ]dªn«nÃ..." AhÄ ho−pw sIdphp kzc¯n ]dªp. " B.. B ]mh¯nsâ B{KlatÃ... Bbntímt«¶p IcpXn... Rm³ klmbníps¶m−v... ]t£ AXv... F\níp kpJním\Ã... hn[n{]Imcw... Bgvt¨Â c−p {]mhiyw am{Xw....

Ip«n ImWps¶m−tÃm... AhÄtSXp Xq§ntbm... CÃm... ImcWw.. F\nídnbmw.... Cu Hcp km[\w am{Xw ... Xq§nbm ]ns¶... Xq§nbXp Xs¶... A½q½amcsS Iq«v.... " AhfpsS apJ¯v hnjaw ]Scp¶p. Ft¶ {i²n¨p t\m¡p¶p. " CXn§s\ sIS¶m... sImtd ]nSn¨p cknt¨¨v Ah³ \à ]p¯³ s]®nt\ sI«pw... AXpsIm−v Ip«n kq£n¨m Ip«nív sImÅmw... F¶m hm...htÃmw ]Tnímw..." Rm³ Itkcbn Ccním³ `mhn¨p. " amtj...." " F´m Ip«o..." " amjp ]dªXv sicnbm... {]Imi³ h¶m ]ns¶... t]mIp¶htc.. tXm¶p¼sgms¡... CtX ]nSnímt\ t\csamÅp... C\n hcs«....Rm³ k½Xní¯nÃ...." ao³ Nq−bn sIm¯p¶p Fs¶\níp a\Ênembn. " Ct{X HtÅm. AtXm... thtd hÃXpw ... Ah³ ...?..." AhÄ \mWn¨p apJw Ip\n¨p. " kmcanÃ... Rm³ Np½m tNmZn¨Xm... hm ... h¶ncn... Ite ImWp¶nÃtÃm.. F´p ]Án...?.." " amtj..." " Mqw...?.. F´m ]Tnsít−...." " AXÃ.... " " ]ns¶...?.. ]dtªmfq...aSní−...." " ho«n htey¨n A\p¡p«\p ]mepsImSp¡p¼w.... Rm³ I−ns«m−v... alm hr¯ntISm... htey¨osS ImWm³... H¯ncn Xq§n... " " AXn\p Ip«nsí´m...?.." " AÃ.. CXn\n\n...acp¶p htÃmw In«pthm...." " l..l..l... kmhn{Xn t]Sn¨p t]mtbm... C\n kq£n¨m aXn... ]ns¶...Agn¨mtcw ImWnímXncp\m aXn... kmcansÃt¶..." " AÃ.. F\níp shjahm... F\nípw sNe¸w tXm¶os«m−v... Ipfníp¼w.. CX§p Xmtgm«v... CSnªv... ItesS Rm³ I−ns«m−v... Hcp sImgt¸mw...CÃ..." AhÄ Icbp¶ a«n ]dªp. " AXn\p acps¶m¶pw CÃ.... ]ns¶... F®bn«v.. Hcp {]tXyI coXnbn H¶p XShWw... Xs¶¯m³ sN¿mhp¶tX HÅp. Ip«ntbmSp sXmd¶p ]dbmthm¶dnb¯nÃ.. Ip«n sIm¨m..." " Rm\{X sIms¨m¶phÃ... {]Imi\pw sIms¨m¶phÃ... ]dtªm.. FÃmw F\nídnbmw..." AhÄ XtâSt¯mSp IqSn ]dªp. Rm\Xn¨p t]mbn, Fâoizcm, CXn Bcv Bsc s]g¸níp¶p ? Ie Chtftbm. AtXm ChÄ Ietbtbm. s]¬Ip«nItf t\cmw h®w t\m¡n \S¯n hfÀ¯nbnsæn hncpX·mÀ B¬]ntÅÀ Imcyw ImWpw. " \à \nb{´Ww HÅ Xncp½pImcv sNbvXm ^enípw... ImcWw... CXv Cu sRt«epw Hs¡ HÅ Hcp {InbbmtW... a\ÊnemIps¶mt−m..." " Mqw..." " Rm\nXv a\Ênem¡nbtX... Fsâ ¢mÊn Hcp sshZyintcmaWn \¼qcosS aI³ ]Tn¡ps¶m−v... Hcp ]pkvXI¸pgp... Fsâ Iq«pImc\m..." " F¶m AbmtfmsSm¶p ]dªmtem..." AhÄ s]s«¶p tNmZn¨p. Fsâ I®p XÅn. sÈSm. N¡n\p sh¨Xp sIm¡nt\m. " At¿.... A§s\ \mSp apgph³ ]dªp \S¶m Ip«níp am\t¡SmhntÃ.... thtWm¦n Rm³ Ip«nív ]dªp Xcmw.. Xs¶¯m³ {]tbmKn¨m aXn.... " " Rm³ sNbvXm ^enípthm... " AhÄ¡p kwibw. " F´m kwibw... Ip«n C§p amdn \nt¶.... Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«... " Ahsfm¶p aSn¨p. AXp kzm`mhnIw. Rm\htf Iíp ]nSn¨p hen¨v Fsâ ap¶nteíp ]pdw Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ hcm´bnteíp t\m¡n. GXp kabhpw Ie IS¶p hcmw. Fsâ Nmbn¸n \n¶pw apdnbnteíp Ibdm\pÅ IXIv AS¨n«v c−phi¯p \n¶pw IpÁnbn«ncnípIbmWv. AXnte IqSn Bcpw Fsâ Nmbn¸n IbdpIbnÃ. Ahtf Rm³ Ft¶mSp tNÀ¯v Fsâ s\©n AhfpsS apXpIp Nmcn \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ AhfpsS I£§fn IqsS I¿n«v AhÄ [cn¨ncp¶ tSm¸n\Snbn c−p hi¯p \n¶pw IbvIÄ IS¯n. hnbÀ¸n \\ª B I£§fn Fsâ Ibv¯−IÄ

ap«nbt¸mÄ Xt¶ B tImcn¯cn¸n Ip®¡®³ Ipgeq¯p XpS§nbncp¶p. Ah³ AhfpsS N´nbn ap«n. Ahtf t]Sn¸nímXncníphm³ th−n Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«p Aåw ]pdtIm«p hfªp \n¶p. " amsj´p sN¿m³ t]mIphm..." AhfpsS \ymbamb tNmZyw. " Ip«n F§s\ sN¿W¶p ImWn¨p XcWsa¦n C§\tà ]Áq..." " Mqw..." AhÄ aqfn. Fsâ IbvIÄ c−pw tSm¸n\Snbn IqSn AhfpsS apeIfn F¯n. B sIm¨p tKmf§fn Fsâ IbvIÄ sXm«tXmsS AhÄ H¶\§n. s]Ánt¡m«n\p apIfn IqSn Rm³ B ape¡pS§fnÄ IbvIfaÀ¯n. Fsâ I¿n HXp§m\pÅ hen¸tabpÅp. \à Dcp− apeIÄ. Ahbn \à NqSpw. At¸mÄ AhfpsS tSm¸v apIfnteípbÀ¶p \n¶ncp¶p. " kam[m\mbn... Rm³ hnNmcn¨ At{X... hoWn«nÃ..." Rm³ Ahtf kt´mjn¸ním³ th−n ]dªp. " A¸w... C\n...?.. AhÄ A£abmIp¶p. " Hcp \nanjw... CXp§ÄsS apdp¡w Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«.... " Rm³ Fsâ Ibv \ndªp \n¶ncp¶ B sIm¨pIma¡pS§fn arZphmbn sR¡n t\m¡n. s]Ánt¡m«nsâ XpWnípÅn I«n]nSn¨p \n¶ B sR«pIfn Nq−p hncepIÄ sIm−v sasà X«n t\m¡n. " ImWn¨p Xm... F\nív ...C¡nfnsbSp¡p¶p..." " \nÃv Ip«o... Rms\m¶p a\Ênem¡s«... " Rm³ sasà XmfmÂaIambn B apeIfn iàn sNep¯msX XShm³ XpS§n. ASnbn \n¶pw CS¡nSív sR¡ns¡mSp¯p. B Hmd©pIfpsS ASn`mKw hnbÀ¯v s]Ánt¡m«v Aåw \\ªncp¶p. hnbÀ¸nsâ sNdnb Hcp KÔhpw B I£§fn \n¶pw Dbcp¶p−mbncp¶p. Iuamc¡mcnbpsS amZIta\nbpsS a¯p ]nSn¸níp¶ aZKÔw. Fsâ icocw NqSmbn¡gnªp. " tZ... C§s\ XShp¼w... Cu `mK¯v... càHm«w IqSpw ... At¶cw... \½fo ASn`mK¯v... C§s\ XÅn¸nSn¨psImSp¡Ww..." " Mqw..." AhfpsS aqfen\p Hcp ab¡¯nsâ kzcw. s]s«¶hÄ DWÀ¶ t]mse ]dªp. " Fsâ s]md¯v Ft´m sImÅps¶m−v... amtj..." AhÄ ]pdtIm«p I¿n«p. apeíp ]nSp¯w Xmf¯nem¡nbt¸mÄ, Rm³ AdnbmsX Fsâ Acs¡«v \nhÀ¶p \n¶pt]mbncp¶p. Fsâ HmS¡pg Fsâ ]nSnhn«pt]mbn At¸mÄ Ah³ AhfpsS Ip−nIfpsS ]pd¯v amccmK§Ä Be]n¨p. " At¿m... tkmdn Ip«o... Rm\pw HcmWtÃ... {]Imi\mWnXp sN¿p¶sX¶p hnNmcn¨v AXp I¿n FSpt¯mfq... ]ns¶ H«pw hnjaap−mhnÃ..... " tIÄ¡m¯ Xmakw. AhÄ Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«n«v Fsâ Ip® I¿n FSp¯p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " amjnsâ aknep t]mse Xs¶bm CXpw... {]ImitâXv CXnsâ ]IpXn t]mepw CÃ...." AhfpsS DÅw I¿n Fsâ I¼nIp® Ccp¶p hn§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ sasà hmWaSním³ XpS§n, {]Imi³ ]Tn¸n¨Xmbncnípw. Blm \à ckw, R§Ä¡p c−p t]À¡pw. Rm³ apeIÄ \à ]cph¯n XShns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn k]vXkzc§Ä Be]níp¶p. Fsâ Igpt¯mfta DÅp F¦nepw B sIm¨p Np−pIfn H¶p D½ shím³ ]Ánbncps¶¦n F¶p Rm³ Zmln¨p. ]t£ ]pdw Xncnªp \n¡p¶XpsIm−v AXv Akm²yw. " amjnsâ XShep ckm... F¶mepw ]d... C\n F´m sN¿t−..." F´mWp sNt¿−sX¶v F\nípw Adnb¯nÃmbncp¶p. Ahtf hfípI am{Xambncp¶p e£yw. AXp \S¶p. C\n F´mWSp¯ \S]Sn. F¶mtemNn¨v apeíp ]nSn¨v kpJnípt¼mÄ AI¯v _m¯v dqansâ IXIp Xpd¡p¶ iÐw. " AXv ]ns¶¸dªp Xcmw... Ie C¸w hcpw....Ip«n B I«ntet¸mbn Ccnív..." Rm³ Ahtf amÁn \nÀ¯n, ]ns¶ Itkcbn Ccp¶n«v ap−n\pÅn s]m§n\n¶ Bbp[w XpSIÄ¡nSbn AaÀ¯n sh¨p. \à ckapÅ Hcp ]cn]mSnbmbncp¶p. aq¯p h¶ncps¶¦n asÁs´¦nepw \St¶t\. DÅn Rm³ kt´mjn¨p. kmhn{Xn hoWtÃm. C\n Ahkcw H¯p hcpt¼mÄ apXseSp¯m aXn. Im«nte XSn, tXhcpsS B\.

hbdpw s]m¯n¸nSn¨v Ie tIdn h¶p. AhfpsS apJ¯v Ft´m _p²nap«p t]mse. " kmhn{Xo... \o C¸w s]mtím... F\nív h¿... \msf kvIqfo¶p h¶n«mImw Syqj³..." Rm\pSt\ NmSn hoWp. " IetamÄ¡v hs¿¦n t]mbns¡St¶m.... kmhn{Xn Ccp¶p ]Tnt¨ms«...." " AXp th− A¦ntf... \aps¡mcpan¨v \msf ]Tnímw.. Atà kmhn{Xo...?.. " Mqw...." kmhn{Xn a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS aqfn. Ie Fs¶ H¶p t\m¡n. "A¼S IÅm... the a\Ênencnís«... Ft¶ sIS¯o«v kmhn{Xntb ]©mcbSn¨v hfím\tÃ...." B t\m«¯nsâ AÀ°w AXmbncp¶p Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. Zb\obXtbmsS kmhn{Xn Ft¶ t\m¡nbn«v \S¶p t]mIp¶Xv AXnepw Zb\obXtbmsS Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶p. " F¦n \msf hcmw amtj...." Akqb ]nSn¨ s]®v. hs¿¦n t]mbn sIS¶m t]mcmcpt¶m. A−n s]m§nb A®m\mbn Rm³ B t]m¡p t\m¡n \n¶p. sshIpt¶cambt¸mtgípw Ftf½bpw h¶p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw A`nbptSbpw Ftf½bptSbpw iÐw DbÀ¶p tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n sNdnb Hcp hmKzmZw t]mse. Rm³ ap³hit¯ hmXn¡ t]mbn \n¶p sNhntbmÀ¯p. " tZ... s]t®... Fsâ hmbo¶p tI¡s−¦n an−msX \nsâ tPmen t\m¡v... Rm³ F\nínãapsÅS¯p t]mIpw hcpw... " " F¶mepw Ftft½.. Ct{Xw ]ckymbn«v... Btfmfdnªm F´p hnNmcnípw...." A`nbpsS Zb\ob kzcw. " GXmfpIfv...?." " Ae¡m³ tXm«n t]mb¸w... Ipªps]®m ]dªXv... Ftf½ th¸pwXtdte hmXps¡ \níp¶ Is−¶v..." " AXns\´m... F\nív Hcp ho«nepw s]míqsS...?... Hcp Ipªp s]®v....." " Ftf½ Cu ho«nsemtÅmcsS Acnsb¯nbmepw H¶pw \nÀ¯m³ `mhanà AtÃ..?.." " \o IqSpXep `cním³ hc−... \nsâ sIfh³ X´tbmSp ]dªm ....Rm³ ]dªtXmÀ½sbm−tÃm... " " Fâoizcm... H¶p N¯p In«nbmcps¶¦nÂ.. Fs´mcp \mWt¡Sv...." A`nbpsS Ic¨nÂ. " sIS¶p tam§−... A¸pd¯v Hcp¯³ H−v... C\n Aht\¡qsS Adnbní−..." ]ns¶ H¶pw tI«nÃ. Rm³ Xncn¨p Nmbn¸nse¯n. sXm«p ]pdtI A`ncman hmXnÂIse¯n Nmbn¸ntesí¯n t\m¡n. ]pkvXIhpw I¿n ]nSn¨ncníp¶ Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ B apJ¯v Hcmizmkw t]mse. cm{Xnbn InS¶n«v F\nípd¡w h¶nÃ. Fs´ms¡tbm clky§Ä ChÀ X½n D−v. A`nbpw IqSn H¯pÅ Ifn t]mse. Ftf½ ImapIt\ ImWm³ t]mbXv apS§nb Ahkc¯n\p th−n £a tNmZním\mbncnípw. ImapI³ Nnet¸mÄ ]nW§n¡mWpw. F¶mepw Fs´mcp XtâShpw sXmen¡«nbpw. C\n F¶mWp kná hcnI F\p Im¯ncn¡Ww. knáepw ChcpsS kamKahpw FÃmw A`nídnbmw F¶p XoÀ¨bmbn. AXv \n¶pIn«m³ AhÄ B{Klníp¶p F¶p tXm¶p¶p. A§s\sb¦n cmcn¨t\ AIÁm³ F\nsí´p sN¿m³ Ignbpw. ]Whpw Kp−mbnkhpw I¿nepÅ dºÀapXemfntbmSv t\cns«mc¦w km²yaÃ. _p²nbpw NXnbpw thWw. Rm³ Iptd BtemNn¨p. HSphn Hcp kmlknI]²Xníp cq]tcJbn«p. H¶p {ian¨p t\m¡mw. H¶pansænepw `mhn t]meoktÃ. ]ntÁZnhkw cmhnte ImWmw, kvIqfn t]mIms\mcp§nb Ietb hg¡p ]dªpsIm−v Ftf½ AhfpsS ]pdtI HmSp¶p. Rm³ {i²n¨p. A`ncman FÃmw t\m¡ns¡m−v hmXn¡ \n¡p¶p. HmSnh¶ Ie Nmbn¸n Ibdn. apSn NoIns¡m−p \n¶ Fsâ ]pdIn Hfn¨p. Ftf½ s]s«¶p \n¶p ]ns¶ Fsâ ap¼n IqSn Ietb ]nSním³ adªpw Xncnªpw {ian¨p. B {ia¯n AhcpsS s\©pw icochpw Fsâ tZl¯pcªXv AhÀ AdnªnÃ, hIsh¨nÃ. Ie Hgnªp amdns¡m−ncp¶p. " FSo AXnt§m«qcn¯cm\m ]dªXv......" Gtf½ tZjyw sIm−v hndíp¶p.

" Rm³ Xc¯nÃ... kvIqfn t]mbn Fsâ Iq«pImcnItf Hs¡ H¶p ImWn¨n«p Xt¶¡mw..." " \o A§s\ Hcp¯ntbw ImWní−..." " Rm\nsXm¶n«m F´m sImg¸w.... Rm\t½sS tamftÃ...." Ie hmZníp¶p. " F´m tN¨o...{]iv\w..?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Hm.. {]ivs\m¶qÃ... FSo... ChnsS hcm³... AXn§p Xcm\m ]dªXv... \o Fsâ I¿o¶p taSnípw..." " A¦ntf \à H¶m´cw Ipcnipame.... Rms\mcp sZhkw C«m.....F´m sImg¸w....?..." Ie Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. Rm³ A`nbpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. B apJ¯v AXp tI«t¸mÄ Hcp Ahnizk\obXbpsS `mhw. " kmcanà tN¨o.. tamsfm¶nt«ms«t¶... AhÄsS B{KltÃ...?.." Rm³ Ietb ]n´m§n. " \o \nsâ Imcyw t\m¡nbm aXn... Ct§m«p hmSo...?..." AhÀ Ft¶mSp IbÀ¯p. " Ietamtf..." A`n hnfn¨p. F¶n«v Nmbn¸nteíp tIdn h¶p. AhÄ h¶t¸mÄ Rm³ HXp§n. A`n Ietb sasà ]nSn¨v ap¼nteív amÁn \nÀ¯n. F¶n«v ]dªp. " tamtf.... A½ ]td¶Xp tI¡v.. kvIqfn Ct{Xw hey amebnt«m−mcpw t]mI¯nÃ... DÂkh¯nt\m kn\namtím t]mIp¼w CSmw... tamfXqcntí... " Ie FXnÀ¯nÃ. A`ncman ame Ducn H¶p t\m¡n. AXnsâ AÁt¯ Ipcniv I¿nseSp¯n«v Ftf½tb ho−pw H¶p t\m¡n. AhÀ H¶pw ]dbm\mImsX apJw Xncn¨p. " Mqw... C\nsb¦nepw.... B`ctWms¡ ]ntÅscSp¡msX ]q«n sh¨qsS...?.." A`n H¶ncp¯n aqfnbn«v ame Npcp«n Ftf½bpsS I¿nteíp sh¨p sImSp¯p. AhÀ AXpw hm§n s]s«¶p kvYew hn«p. Fsâ apJt¯sím¶p t\m¡nbn«v A`n IebpsS I¿n ]nSn¨v Nmbn¸n\p ]pdt¯índ§n. At¸mÄ Rm³ BtcmsS¶nÃmsX ]dªp. " F{X \à BfpIfm... lnμp¡fmsW¦nepw Ipcnipame CSms\mcp aSoanÃ...." A`ncman Xncnªp \n¶p. H¶p ]cp§n. ]ns¶ AIteíp t\m¡n ]dªp. " Hm.. CXv CSm³ hm§nbsXm¶paÃ... Ftf½bpsS I¿n Btcm ]Wbw sh¨Xm.... Ipcnipame CSm³ ChnSmÀ¡pw sImXnsbm¶panÃ... hmSo...." AhÄ Ietbbpw ]nSn¨psIm−p t]mbn. Rm³ s]s«s¶mcp§n. kvIqfn t]mIm\nd§nb IebpsS IqsS Cd§n. A`ncman AXp t\m¡n\n¶p. AhÄ IetbmsSt´m ]dbm³ `mhn¨p. Ft¶¡−v an−msX Xncnªv Xn®bnteíp Ibdn. hoSnsâ ap³hiw Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´mcp¶p tamtf {]iv\w...?... " " DSp¸p X¸nb¸w... Aeamco¶p In«nbXm... \à tisemÅ ame....Rm\§n«p....A½ k½XníptIe..." " Hm AXmtWm Imcyw...?... AtX \½fp IpcnsimÅ amebn«m... Ab¡msc´p hnNmcnípw..?.." " Hm... Hcp sZhkw H¶n«m.. F´p hnNmcním\m.... A¦ntf ÁmÁm... " AhÄ kvIqfnsâ hgníp Xncnªp. ]mhw Ftf½. A`nbpsS ap¼n XoÀ¨bmbpw N½n¡mWp. ImcWw A`níp a\Ênembn¡mWpw Ipcnipame FhnS¶p h¶p F¶v. Ft¸mÄ In«nsb¶p AdnªpImW¯nÃ. aníhmdpw C¶se cmcn¨sâ ho«n \n¶p In«nbXmIpw Ft¶ AhÄ hnNmcní¯pÅp. AXpsIm−mWhÄ Ietb sacp¡n {]iv\w XoÀ¯Xv. ]ns¶ AhÄ Ftf½tb t\m¡nb t\m«w. H¶p XoÀ¨bmbn. cmcn¨sâ CS]mSn\p A`nbpw Iq«p \n¡p¶p, Asæn AhÄ¡pw Adnbmw. F¶m AXhÄ¡nãs¸Sp¶nÃ. Ft´m coXnbn Ftf½ Ahtf HXp¡nbncníp¶p. tImtfPnte Fsâ GÁhpw ASp¯ kplr¯mWp Pm³kv. R§Ä X½n clkysam¶panÃ. Ahs\t¶mSv Hcp tkm^vÁvtImÀWdp−v. Fsâ Imcy§Ä FÃmw Ah\dnbmw. AXymhiyw Nne ss]k adnhn\p ^okns\m atÁm Hs¡ Ah³ F\níp Xcmdp−v. Ahsâ A¸\pw A½bpw KÄ^nÂ. tPmentbm _nkn\tÊm Fs´ms¡tbm D−v. Hcmgv¨ Ah[n In«nbm Ah³ amXm]nXm¡tf ImWm³ t]mIpw. Hcp s]§Ä

DÅXv thsdmcp tImtfPn tlmÌen \n¶p ]Tníp¶p. Pm³kpw c−p Iq«pImcpw Hcp hosSSp¯v ASns]mfnbmbn Pohníp¶p. ]co£bSp¯t¸mÄ Ft¶mSpw B ho«n kuP\yambn«p IqsS IqSntímfm³ ]dªXmbncp¶p. Pm³kv \Ãh\msW¦nepw Ahsâ c−p Iq«pImÀ kz`mh¯n A{X \ÃhcÃ. AXpsIm−mWp Rm³ B £Ww \nckn¨v cmta«sâ ho«n Xmakníp¶Xv. Ct¸mÄ tXm¶p¶p AhcpsS IqsS Xmakníp¶Xnt\¡mÄ IqSpX Fsâ kz`mhw tamiambncníp¶p. Fs¶ Ipd¨p \nb{´n¨nsæn am\t¡Sp−m¡n Hfn¨p t]mtI−n hcpw. A¶p tImtfPnÂsh¨p Rm³ Aht\mSv Hcp klmbw tNmZn¨p. thsdm¶paÃ, Ahsâ hoUntbm Iymad. GÁhpw ]pXnb tamU Ahsâ I¿nep−v. Rm\Xp tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Ah\Â`pXw. Ah³ \à Hcp ]mâvkv]okp sh¨p \o«nbmepw kzoIcním¯ Rm³ hoUntbm Iymsadm tNmZníp¶p. Ah³ tNmZn¨p. " kXyw ]dªm Xcmw... BcpsS Ipfnko\m... \o FSp¡m³ t]mIp¶Xv...? thsW¦n Rm³ \à `wKnbmbn«v FSp¯p Xcmw...." " AsXm¶paÃ... sImd¨p ko\dn...]ns¶ Hcp sNdnb Ipfnko\pw.. ]t£ \o hcptIw FSp¡ptIw H¶pw th−... sNe¸w sImfamIpw...." " t]meokn\n¨nsc Hfn]cn]mSnsbms¡ \ÃXm... Bcpw ImWmsX ]Wn ]ÁníWw...]ns¶ Hcp I−oj³... Ipfnko\nsâ Hcp tIm¸n F\nípw thWw...." Rm³ k½Xn¨p. tImtfPn \n¶p Xncn¨p t]mcpt¼mÄ Imadmbpw dntam«v ssat{Imt^mWpw c−p tS¸pw X¶n«v, AXnsâ {]hÀ¯\hpw ]dªp X¶p ]Tn¸n¨p. Ahsâ XÃns¸mfn Iq«pImÀ¡v clkyw Adntª Xocq. Hcp hn[¯n AhnsS \n¶pw Rm³ Xebqcn. Bcpw ImWmsX Rm³ Imadm ho«nse¯n¨p. ho«n h¶v AXnsâ hniZmwi§Ä a\Ênem¡n. AXn Xt¶ Hcp sNdnb kv{Io\p−v. AXpsIm−v ImWm³ thtd SohobpsS BhiyanÃ. Ipfním³ t]mbt¸mÄ Ae¡m\pÅ XpWnípÅn Hfn¸n¨v Rm\Xp sIm−p t]mbn. ]mShpw ]d¼psams¡ jq«p sNbvXp ]Tn¨p. Iptd FSp¡pIbpw ImWpIbpw sNbvXt¸mÄ I¿psS hndb Ipdªp In«n. IpfnIgnªp hcpt¼mÄ D½d¯v \maP]w \S¶psIm−ncníp¶p. thenbcnIn adªp \n¶psIm−v Rm³ Iymsadm icnbm¡n. \nehnf¡nsâ Zo]{]`bn Pzen¨p \n¡p¶ A`nbpsS kpμccq]w Rm³ Iymsadmbn ]Ir¯n. kqw sNbvXt¸mÄ asÁmcníepw ImWm³ ]Ám¯ hn[¯n AhfpsS kuμcyhpw apgp¸pw XpSp¸pw F\níp ImWm³ ]Án. \\hmÀ¶ B Nph¶ Np−pIfpsS hndbÂ, `ànbpsS B \njvIf¦cq]w Iptd t\cw Rm³ t\m¡n BkzZn¨p. AcnInencp¶v Xe sNmdnªpw CfInbpw AkzkvXbmbncp¶p \maw P]níp¶ IebpsS I®pIÄ Ft¸mgpw ]SnhmXn¡teímbncp¶p. F\níp a\Ênembn AhÄ Rm³ hcp¶pt−m F¶p t\m¡pIbmbncnípw. hfsc HXp§n Rm³ Nmbv]nteíp tIdn Imadm Hfn¨psh¨p. A[nIw XmaknbmsX Ie apdnbnse¯n. " A¦ntf... £oWnt¨m...?" " AsX´m tamtf \ob§s\ tNmZnt¨......?.." " AÃm... C¶p sImtSmw shtÅmw H¶pw I−nÃm..." " cmhnte tImcm¶p sh¨p...AXp t]ms«... C\nsb¶m... \n§¡p Syqj³...?..." " C\n si\nbmgv¨ aXot¶.... Hcp ]Tnt¯mw... Syqj\pw... aSp¯p... H¶p sI«n¨p hn«mcps¶¦nÂ...." " F¦nÂ... \osb´p sNbvtXt\...?..." " Rms\´p sN¿m\m... Xn¶pw... sISs¶md§pw... \à kpJmcnípw... ]Tnt¯mw th−... H¶pw th−...." " A¸w sIm¨p§sfm−mIp¼tgm...?..." AhfpsS a\Êdnbm³ th−n tNmZn¨Xmbncp¶p. " AsXms¡ At¶ct¯ kuIcyw t]mse sN¿pw... AtÃepw F\níp sIm¨p§fp th−... Xo«w tImcWw... Ipfn¸níWw... samesImSp¡Ww.... s]mÃm¸m..." " s]mÃm¸Ã tamtf... same sImSp¡p¶Xp \à kptJmÅ GÀ¸mSm..." Rm³ Hcp Xami ]dªp. " AsX§\m A¦nfdntª..?." " AsXm¡bdnbmw... Asæn tamsfm¶p sImSp¯p t\m¡nt¡..." " BÀ¡v...?.." " AXn¸w... AXn¸w... Hcp Imcyw sN¿v... Rm\m sIms¨¶p hnNmcnt¨m..."

" A¿S.. \à Hcp sIm¨v... N¡m¯n same IpSním³ \S¡phm..." " F¶m th−..." AhÄ Hcp \nanjw Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ ASpt¯íp h¶p sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " A¦nfn\p.... same IpSnítWm...?.." " IpSnítWm¶p sh¨m...... \o Xcpthm...?..." " A¦nfn\mbXpsIm−p Xcmw... ebnÁp sISp¯v...." " tN¨ow... A`ow...?." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " A`nt¨¨n Ft´m hmbním³ tIdn.... A½ ASp¡tf hd¡ptIw s]mcntíyam..." AhÄ clkyambn ]dªp. " F´m... C¶p \maP]w s]s«¶p \n¶Xv.......?.." " tN¨n s]md¯mbn... C¸w \SpthZ\sbm−v... AXpsIm−m......." " s]mdt¯m...?..." " Cu A¦nsfmcp s]m«³ X\ym... tN¨nív... ]ocoUmbo¶v....." " F\nídnb¯nÃmcp¶p...." " C¸w thtWm.. AtXm... Imtcymw ]dªncp¶m aXntbm..." " thWw..." " F¶m ebnÁp thKw sISp¯v...." Rm³ ebnÁp sISp¯n. hmXn Xpd¶n«p. Xn®bnte _Ä_nsâ {]Imiw Nmbn¸nteípw In«p¶p−v. shfn¨w t]mbtXmsS AhÄ Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. Rm³ I«nen CcnípIbmbncp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ ImepIÄ¡nSbn \n¶p. Rm\htf sI«n¸nSn¨p. " DSp¸p s]m¡v... thKw IpSnív..." AhÄ [rXn Iq«n. Rm³ AhfpsS tSm¸v apIfnteíp s]m¡n. Hcp {_m D−mbncps¶¦nepw AXnsâ lp¡v C«n«nÃmbncp¶p. {_mbpw Rm³ s]m¡n. AhÄ Aåw Ip\nªp \n¶p X¶p. Ac− shfn¨¯n Rm\hfpsS apeIÄ I−p. apdn¨ sNdnb Hmd©nsâ hen¸w. B sIm¨papeIÄ BZyambn t\cn I−t¸mÄ icoc¯n Hcp Xcn¸v. B Xcn¸v Fsâ Acs¡«nte tbm²mhnt\ X«nbpWÀ¯n. sNdnb sR«pIÄ Iq¼nb B apeIfpsS \Sphnte Cfw Idp¸p h«§Ä¡p \Sphn XpSn¨p \n¡p¶p. Bcpw IpSn¨p t]mIp¶ IpShmg¨p−pIÄ. \à BIrXn. Rm³ AXnsem¶nteíp IhnÄ ap«n¨p. sR«pIÄ sNdpXmsW¦nepw I«n]nSn¨p F¶p tXm¶n. AhÄ Fsâ apJw B Hmd©pIÄ¡nSbn sh¨aÀ¯n. " IpSnt¨m.. Fsâ A¦ntf... Ignªmgv¨ F\níp ]nSn¨p X¶nÃ....AtXm−p AXqsS Iq«n ]nSnív..." Rm³ F¯nhenªv hcm´bn t\m¡n. BcpanÃ. AhfpsS amdn\p \à NqSv. an\pkapÅ B apeIfnsemsc®w Rm³ hmbnem¡n. Fsâ icocw tImcn¯cn¨p. Fsâ A½bpsS apeIfn Nne cm{XnIfn AdnbmsX sXm«sXmgn¨m ho−pw Hcp s]®nsâ apebpsS NqSdnbp¶Xv Ct¸mgmWv. Aåwt\cw Rm³ B ape hen¨pIpSn¨p. AhÄ sasà apdp½m³ XpS§n. F{X hen¨p IpSn¨n«pw H¶pw In«nbnÃ. ]t£ Fsâ icocw sam¯w, {]tXyIn¨v Fsâ Ip«nIrjvW³ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p C¦nem_p hnfn¨p kpJnípIbmbncp¶p. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«p ]dªp. " CXqsS..." AhÄ Fsâ apJw atÁ apebnteíp XÅn sh¨p. Rm\Xnsâ sNdnb sR«p hmbnem¡n Ddp©m³ XpS§n. AhÄ Ft¶mSp Nmcn \n¶p ZoÀLizmkw hnSm³ XpS§n. AhfpsS Ip−nIfn NpÁn¸nSn¨ncp¶ Hcp Ibv Rms\Sp¯v AhfpsS ]mhmS s]m¡n. XpSínSbnteív IS¯n. bm{´nIambn AhÄ XpSIfI¯n X¶p. Fsâ IbvhncepIsf¯nbXv AhfpsS IhbnSp¡nte Iodensâ Xmg¯p hi¯mbncp¶p. sIm¨p]qSIfn Fsâ hncepIÄ kv]Àin¨p. Fsâ \Sphnc B Infp´p]qdnsâ hnShnteínd§n. AXnsâ H«ens\m¸w, NqSpÅ Ipgª tX³ Fsâ I¿n ]pc−p. " Fsâ ...A¦ntf..." AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯psIms−s¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ ASnbn \n¶pw AhfpsS \of³ Ipdn¨nbptS Ioden hnctemSn¨p. CSív B tbm\n¯pfbn hncsem¶p XncpIn. " AXp th−¦ntf t\mIpw... ]o¸ntb ]nSnív... F\nív... shÃnãm... \Ã....kpJam..."

AXp tIÄ¡m¯ Xmakw Fsâ hncepIÄ B Ipªn¡´nt\ XtemSm³ XpS§n. AhfpsS Cfw]qdn \n¶pw aZPew HgpIm³ XpS§n. hnShn\pÅnte H«Â amdn sX¶n¯pS§n. IhínSbn {i² tI{μoIcn¨t¸mÄ apIfn apeIpSnbpsS km{μX Ipdªp. " hen¨p IpSnív.... A¿Sm... Cu A¦nsf{X \ÃXm... Mqw... \à ckw...." Ahsfsâ s\Ánbn apJw AaÀ¯n \n¶psIm−p ]ndp]ndp¯p. AhfpsS IpXnÀ¶ Ih¡nSbn Fsâ IbvIÄ cXnXmfaSn¨p. H¸w amdn Hcp apebn IpSnbpw atÁXn sR¡epw. Ie \¶mbn kpJníp¶p F¶v AhfpsS icocw BSp¶Xp I−mednbmw. " Fsâ A¦ntf... ]o¸ntb¶p hnStÃ... F\níp Xe s]cp¡phm.... \Ã...Mqw..." s]s¦m¨n\p shÅw hcmdmbn Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. AhÄ XpSIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½pIbpw AI¯pIbpw sN¿m³ XpS§n. Hcp Ibv H¶p hn«pIn«nbncps¶¦n Fsâ Ip®bn H¶p XtemSnbm F\nípw shÅw hcpsa¶ ]cphambn. " Ite... FSo.. Ite....." s]s«¶v ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS hnfn. AtXmsS R§fpsS {i² sXÁn. Ie sR«n Ft¶ hn«pamdn hmXn¡teíp \o§n. " FSo.. Ite... Cu km[\w FhsSt¸mbns¡S¡phm... A`o.. Ahsf´ntb¶p t\m¡ntí..." Ftf½ A`ntb hnfníp¶p. " Rm\nhnsSm−t½...." Ie hmXn¡ \n¶p hnfn tI«p. Rm³ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp Itkcbn sN¶ncp¶p. I¼nbmb Ip®sbSp¯v XpSínSbn XncpIn AaÀ¯n sh¨p. Ie tSm¸p ]nSn¨p t\scbnSpt¼mtgípw A`ncman F¯n¡gnªncp¶p. " \o ChnsS Fs´Sp¡mSo.. Ftf½ sIS¶p hnfn¡p¶Xp tI«ntÃ.. At§m«p sNÃSo..." " R§fn¯nsc hÀ¯m\w ]dbphmcp¶p...." Ie ]dªp. " Cu Ccp«¯ncp¶v F´p hÀ¯m\m..?.." A`ncman DÅnteíp Xe \o«n t\m¡n. " AÃ.... shdptX Ccníp¼w F´n\m Idâp sNehm¡pt¶¶p hnNmcn¨p... CStWm¦n CSmw...." Rm³ Adnbn¨p. " Hm.. th−... FSo.. ASp¡tftem«p sNÃm³... AhsS Hcp In¶mcw..." Ie sasà henªp. AhÄ apdnípÅn tIdn¡gnªt¸mÄ A`n Ft¶ H¶ncp¯n t\m¡nbn«v t]mIm³ Xncnªp. At¸mÄ Rm³ sasà tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m A`o.. B sIm¨nt\ Ct«mSn¡pt¶... ASp¡tf klmbním\msW¦n.... A`níp sNbvXp IqtS..." AhÄ C¶v ASp¡fbn IbdpIbnà F¶dnªXpsIm−p Xs\bmWp Rm³ A§s\ ]dªXv. AhÄ Xncnsªt¶ H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " Hm... A{X k¦Ss¸SpsIm¶pw th−... Ahfp sIm¨mtWm hepXmtWm¶p R§¡dnbmw... cmPmaWn ASp¡tftem«p XebnS−..." " Rm³ shdptX....Np½m..." " Mqw..." AhÄ H¶p aqfnbn«p sh«n¯ncnªv apdnbnteíp t]mbn. Rm³ Itkcbnencp¶v ]Xps¡ Xmgm³ XpS§nb D®n¡p«t\ I¿nseSp¯p. ]ns¶ IebpsS ]qÁn X¸nb hncepIÄ aW¯p. lhq, Ahnª aq{X¯nsâbpw ]ns¶ AhfpsS AIw]qdntâbpw DÅp sNmSn¸níp¶ KÔw. Cu s]®n\p kmam\w IgpIm³ henb Xmåcyw ImWp¶nÃtÃm. \¶mbn, AXpsIm−v F\nín¸w ]qdnsâ X\Xp KÔw BkzZnímatÃm. Ibv aW¯psIm−p Xt¶ D®n¡p«t\ ]Xps¡ hmWaSním³ XpS§n. s]s«¶mtWmÀ¯Xv Ccp«¯v ]m NoÁnbm FhnsSms¡ hogpsa¶dnb¯nÃ. hà ]mtSm ASbmftam atÁm \msf apdn Xq¯p hmcm³ hcp¶ A`n I−mÂ, AhÄ a\Ênem¡ptam. Asæn th−. C¶p ]nSn¨p Ifb−. Rm³ Ip®¡p«t\ hn«p. IebpsS sIm¨p]qdnsâ cq]w DÅn k¦ån¨psIm−v B \mÁ¡bv aW¯psIm−ncp¶p. H¸w kvJením³ hg¡Sn¨p \n¡p¶ Ip®tamt\ sasà XgpIn Bizkn¸n¨p. ]ntÁ Znhkw tImtfPn sN¶t¸mÄ Pm³kv tNmZn¨p. " Ipfnko³ ]nSnt¨m..?..." " l.. AX§p s]s«¶p ]Ápthm... H¯p In«t−... ]nSnímw... ImWnímw..."

" \o H¶p thKw H¸nív... \à \mS³ Ipfn I−ns«{X Imeambn..... \à Nc¡pIsfms¡ Ht−mSm...?.." " A{X \ÃXp htÃmw s]md¯v tXm«n Ipfním³ hcpthm... CXv... A[:IrXscms¡bm..." Rm³ ]dªp. a\Êp amÁps¶¦n amÁs« F¶p IcpXn. " Mm... AhcsSbm ImW−Xv... sIm¨mcp¶¸w... ]mS¯v Rmdp \Sm\pw Hs¡ hcp¶ s]me¡ÅnItf¡mWp¼w... AhcmSm.. Nc¡pIfv... Cu sagpIpXncn t]mtew N¡t¸m¯p t]mtew HÅXnsâ Hs¡ ImWp¶Xnepw ckw AXm... Fsâ tam³... thKw H¶p sIm−p hm..." " Mqw.. t\m¡mw... " Rm³ Dd¸p \ÂIn. " FSm....Rm³ B _mÁdn NmÀPdp Xcm³ ad¶p t]mbn.... c−p tS¸pw IqsS Xcmw... ÌUneohp sXmS§p¼w Rm³ c−mgv¨t¯íp ]d¡pw.. Rm³ hcp¶ htc... Cãw t]mse s\td FSp¯p ht¨¡Ww.. sImtdtÈ ImWmtÃm..." Pm³kv C¸tg at\mcmPyw ImWm³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. B BgvNbn sambvXphnsâ kná I−nÃ. AYhm Rm³ ImWmsX h¶ncpt¶m F¶pw Adnb¯nÃ. ]mXncmí¸pdw Rm³ Dd¡anf¨p t\m¡n. Iq«¯n Ccp«¯v Iymadm ]co£n¨p t\m¡n. IqSmsX Pm³kn\p th−n Ipfnko³ H¸níp¶Xpw Hcp {]iv\ambn. hÃt¸mgpw Ae¡m\ps−¦n AXn\pth−n am{Xw Ipfníms\¯p¶ H¶p c−p Idp¼ns¸®p§fp−v. AhÀ Rm³ InWÁn \n\pw shÅw tImcpt¼mÄ AcnIn IqSn Ft¶ t\m¡n IpipIpip¯psIm−v IShnteíp t]mIp¶Xp I−n«p−v. AXp§fp hcp¶ t\c¯v Rm³ ImWWsa¶nÃtÃm. GXmbmepw A`níp ¢mkpÅ Hcp Znhkw Rm³ ¢mkp I«p sN¿msa¶p Xocpam\n¨p. AXpw IrXyXbnÃm¯ ssSwtS_nÄ BWhfpsS ¢mkpIÄ¡v. Asæn AhfpsS tNmZy§Ä¡v D¯cw sImSpt¡−n hcpw. AhÄ¡nt¸mÄ Fs¶ Ft´m Hcp kwibw t]mse. CXn\nSbn Bcpw AdnbmsX Rm³ Nne Ipcp¡pIsfm¸n¨p. cmta«sâ apdnbpsS P\Â]mfnbpsS hnPmKncn Rm³ Cf¡n hÃmXm¡n. Ct¸mÄ AXv ImÂ`mKta ASbpIbpÅp. AXpI−p Rm³ kt´mjns¨¦nepw aq¶mw Znhkw Ftf½ AhnsS Hcp NcSp hen¨v Hcp XpWn AXn IÀ«³ t]mse hen¨n«p. sÈ, apSnbm³ t\ct¯ Hcp _p²n. B ]mfn Cf¡mXncps¶¦n sNdnb Hcp hnSsh¦nepw In«ntbt\. t]mb _p²n t]mbn. C\n ASp¯XmtemNnímw. GXmbmepw B hmcm´yw cmta«³ h¶t¸mÄ AXv sicnbm¡p¶ Imcyw HmÀ¯nsöp tXm¶p¶p. CSsímcp Znhkw sshIpt¶cw s]s¦m¨p§Ä¡p c−n\pw ¢mskSp¯p. IebpsS IgpI³ I®pIÄ Fsâ IbvIfnembncp¶p. kmhn{Xnbpw IqSpX A\§nbnÃ, Ietb t]Sn¨n«mbncnípw. t]mcmªn«v, A`ncman AhÀs¡t´m IpSním\pambn CSíp tIdn hcnIbpw sNbvXp. hnckamb Áyqj³. shÅw tImcm³ t]mbt¸msgms¡ tXm«cnInte sNSnIfpw ac§fpw Rm³ {i²n¨p. Hfnªncp¶p ]Sw ]nSním³ DÅ kuIcyw tXSn. Ahkm\w, IpfnIShn\p Aåw apIfnteíp amdn thensIm−p ad¨ Hcp ]mhím tXm«w Rm³ Dd¸n¨p. AXnsâ aqebn thenbn Ft´m hÅnIÄ tIdnbncníp¶ Ipd¨p adhp−v. BZyt¯ Znhkw AhnsS Iymadbpambn Im¯ncp¶Xp an¨w. Hcp hbʳ F´nt\m th−n IShn Cd§nt¸mIp¶Xp I−p. Ipd¨p s]®p§tfbpÅp B NpÁph«¯nÂ, F¦nepw CXp§Ä¡p Ipfnbpw \\bpw H¶pw CtÃ, Rm³ Nn´n¨p t]mbn. c−mw Znhkw tImtfPn \n¶pw h¶bpSt\ Rm³ ]mhímtXm«¯nse¯n. DÅn t]Snbpap−v. hnfª Imbv ]dním³ DSakvY³ F¯nbm Rm³ ]mhímIÅ\mIpw. apIfn FhnsStbm DdhbpÅXpsIm−mImw B s]mcnth\enepw tXm«n \à Hgp¡pÅ Hcp Nm D−mbncp¶p. Ipfníp¶nS¯v ap«p htc sXfn\ocpw. Cu {Kmaw `mKys¸«XmIp¶p, Rmt\mÀ¯p. ]mStiJc¯nsâ \Sphn \n¶pw Ncnªp hcp¶ tXmSv ChnsS ]d¼nt\ Dcp½n. ho−pw Hcp sNdnb Xp−p ]mS¯nsâ \SphneqsS XmtgsímgpIn BÁn sN¶p tNcp¶p. B Xp−p ]mSw Irjnbnd¡p¶Xsöp tXm¶p¶p. ImcWw tXmSnsâ At§¡cbn IpÁns¨SnIÄ tXm«nteíp Nmªv kar²ambn hfcp¶p−mbncp¶p. AXn\nSbn tIdnbncp¶m C¡sc IShn s]®p§fpsS hniZmwi§Ä ImWm³ bmsXmcp ]ªhpanÃmbncp¶p. ]nSnís¸«mtem F¶ t]SnsIm−v AXnt\¸Án IqSpX Rm³ BtemNn¨nÃ. Fsâ kz]v\amb A`ncmanbpsS ap¼n sh¨v Ahtlfnís¸Sp¶Xnepw t`Zw acWambncnípw.

Im¯ncp¸p shdpsXbmbnÃ. A[nIw Ignbp¶Xn\p ap¼v Hcp¯n h¶p. Rm³ Iymadm kqw sNbvXp. Hcp Ipg¸w. tXm«n Cd§n ap§p¶Xp ImWm³ ]ÁpIbnÃ. AhÀ \n¶m Iãn¨v Acíp tatem«p ImWmw. Asæn AhÀ Xmgt¯ Xn«bn Ibdn \n¡Ww. ImcWw Rm\ncníp¶nS¯p \n¶pw t\m¡nbm ImWp¶ tXmSnsâ Ic DbÀ¶Xmbncp¶p. C\n FÃmw Pm³knsâ `mKyw t]mse F¶p Rm³ kam[m\n¨p. h¶hÄ Hcp km[mcmW s]®v F¶Xn Ihnsªm¶pw CÃ. hà sXmgnemfnbpambncnípw. ssIenap−pw »ukpw thjw. AhÄ Xn«bn Ibdn \n¶p. F\nív Iãn¨v Acíp Xmsg htc Iymadmbn In«pw. Rm³ kqw sNbvXp ]nSn¨p. AhÄ XpWn amdptam. F¦n Pm³tk, \nsâ tbmKw. AhÄ F\níp hiw Xncnªp\n¶v ssIenbpsS Ip¯gn¨p. ]ns¶ ASnbnepÅ ]mhmSbpsS sI«gn¨p Xmtgíp hen¨qÀ¯n amÁn Xmtgín«p. ]ns¶ IbnenbptS Ip¯n ]nSn¨p \n¶psIm−v ho−pw ASnbn \n¶pw Ft´m ]dn¨p. jÍnbmhmw, Rm\qln¨p. tM, AXp thsdmcp XpWn. AhfXp I¿n Xq¡n¸nSns¨m¶p Id¡n t\m¡n. Ft´m Hcp Xhn«p \ndw AXnÂ. At¿, BZys¯ Ipfnko³ Xo−mcns¸®nsâ. Ibv\o«w Xt¶ hr¯ntISv, Hm, F\níÃtÃm, Ah\p th−nbtÃ. Rm³ Iymadm IgnhXpw A\¡msX ]nSn¨p. Ahfm XpWn IÃnteímbncníWw hens¨dnªp. ]ns¶ Ibnen Acbnteíp tIÁn¡p¯n. shůnteínd§n. shůn Ip¯nbncps¶t´m sN¿p¶p. F\níhfpsS Iãn¨p Igp¯p htc ImWmw. Hm, Nnet¸mÄ HmhpNm Hgp¡pshůn hncn¨p]nSn¨v IgpIpIbmbncnípw. ]ns¶ AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. IÃn\Spt¯íp h¶p. »ukqcn IÃn C«p. Ip\nªp \n¶p XpWnIÄ IgpIm³ XpS§n. Bbncnípw, F\nív IÃp ImW¯nÃ. Fgpt¶Áp \n¡m³ t]Sn. Fsâ Xe thenbpsS apIfn ImWpw Bsc¦nepw I−mtem. Rm³ thenbnte CeIÄ AI¯n t\m¡n. Mqw, Ipg¸anÃ. apeIÄ Hcp hn[w ASp¯p ImWmw. {_m apdp¡ns¡«nbncníp¶p. kmam\yw henb apeIÄ Ip\nbpt¼mÄ `mcw sIm−mbncníWw Xq§n¡nS¡p¶p. IeymWhpw {]khhpw Ignª a«p−v. Pm³tk, \n\¡nXp aXn tamt\. B apeIfpsS In«mhp¶ `mKw sdt¡mÀUp sNbvXn«v Rm³ t\m¡nbncp¶p. \à NqSv. C\n AhÄ {_m Agníp¶Xp htc t\m¡nbncníWw. ]¯p an\n«p Ignªt¸mtgípw Hcp a²yhbkvIbpw Hcp sIm¨ps]¬Ip«nbpw Iq«¯n Hcp sNdp¸¡mcnbpw IqSn Hcpan¨p h¶p. sNdp¸¡mcn s]®nsâ I¿n Hcp sNdnb sI«p XpWnbp−v. XÅbpsS I¿n tXmÀ¯pIÄ am{XtabpÅp. AÃ, B XÅbpsS apJw F\níp ]cnNbapÅXp t]mse. H¶pc−p {]mhiyw tImtfPn t]mIp¶ hgnív I−n«p−v. tM, AhÀ¡{X {]mbsam¶pw At¸mÄ tXm¶nbnÃtÃm. AÃ, Hcp§n \n¶m aní s]®p§Ä kpμcnIfmWtÃm. Pm³tk, \nsâ `mKyw. XÅ h¶ ]msS Icíp\n¶p Xt¶ »ukqcn. {_mípÅn \ndªp Xpfp¼p¶ henb apeIÄ hoÀ¯psI«n \n¡p¶p. AhÀ Ip«nbpsS HÁbpSp¸qcn, AXnt\ XÅn tXm«nteínd¡n hn«p. At¸mtgípw sNdp¸¡mcn BZyw h¶ s]®ns\msSt´m tNmZn¨p. ]ns¶ AhÀ X½n hÀ¯am\ambn. XÅ DSp¯ncp¶ shÅap−p amdn Hcp tXmÀs¯Sp¯pSp¯p. ]ns¶ {_mbpsS lps¡Sp¯p. At¸mÄ Icíp \n¶pw tXm«nteíp NmSp¶ XSnb³ ]ntÅtct¸mse B c−p henb apeIÄ kzX{´ambn ap¼nteíp NmSn. sXmgnemfns¸®v t\tc\n¶v B apeIÄ t\m¡n sImXnhnSp¶ t]mse tXm¶n. AXpI− sNdp¸¡mcnbpw t\m¡n. F¶n«v Nncn¨psIm−v XÅtbmsSt´m ]dªp. At¸mÄ XÅ Fsâ t\tc Xncnªp \n¶p. sImÅmatÃm, \à H¶m´cw apeIÄ Aåw CSnsªt¶bpÅp. Rm\Xv kv{Io³ \ndsb hepXm¡n. ]ns¶ AhcpsS apJapĸsS FSp¯p. Ftf½bptS A{Xbpw kpμcn Asænepw Nc¡p Xt¶. Rm³ ho−pw kv{Io³ hepXm¡n. atÁ s]®p§Ä Ahtc t\m¡n \n¡p¶p. XÅbpsS hbd¸w NmSnbXpsIm−v ]p¡nÄ ]mXmft¯mfw Xmgv¶p InS¡p¶p. DSp¯ncp¶ tXmÀ¯n\nSbn IqSn XÅ IbvIÄ IS¯n hbsdm¶p Xncp½n. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ apIfnteíp sIm−ph¶v apeIÄ c−pw ]nSn¨p s]m¡n, AXnsâ ASnbn H¶pc−p {]mhiyw XgpIn. ]ns¶ c−pI¿nepw B `mcn¨ apeIÄ s]m¡nsbSp¯v sam¯w H¶p ]cntim[n¨p. sR«pIfn H¶p X«nt\m¡m\pw ad¶nÃ. ]ns¶ Xe ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨v, apeIÄ hnSmsX Xt¶ aÁhtcmSv Ft´m ]dªp. ]ns¶ apeIÄ s]mt¯m¶p Xmtgín«p. Ah c−pw B hogvNbpsS BLmX¯n InS¶p XpÅn¯pfp¼n. B Imgv¨ F\nív hfscb[nIw Cãs¸«p. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ s]m¡n sI«n sh¨ncp¶ apSn Agn¨n«p. At¸mÄ B I£§fnte Idp¯ ]qSIÄs¡mcp Xnf¡w.

P\n¨n«p Ct¶htc hSním¯ \mS³ I£§Ä. Ct¸mÄ Fs´mcp aWambncnípw AhnsS. BtemNn¨t¸mÄ Iymadm H¶\§n, jÍnípÅn Fsâ Ip«ntam\pw. AhÀ apSn c−p hihpw H¶p tImXn. ]ns¶ AhcpsS tXmÀ¯pSp¯ `mcn¨ Ip−nIÄ A{]Xy£ambn, ]ns¶ B hnimeamb apXpIpw. apeIfptS AcnIpw apJhpw. AhÀ tXm«n Ccp¶p ImWpw. Rm³ aÁhcpsS t\tc Iymadm Xncn¨p. lmbv, sXmgnemfns¸®p {_mbpsS lp¡qcnbn«ncníp¶p. Ae¡pt¼mÄ amdnbpw adnªpw ImWp¶ shfp¯ apeIÄ. atÁs¸®nsâ Xe am{Xta ImWp¶pÅp. AhÄ Ip¯nbncp¶v Ft´m sN¿p¶p. XpWn Xncp½pIbmbncnípw. AhfpsS IÃv Aåw apIfnembncp¶XpsIm−v AhfpsS amdp htc ImWmw. AhÄ »ukgn¨ncp¶nÃ. kmam\yw N´apÅ apJw. IpÁw ]db¯nÃ. Mm, aXn, DÅXmIs«. Ae¡pt¼mÄ XpSn¨p hndíp¶ sXmgnemfns¸®nsâ Ió apeIÄ Rm³ hepXm¡n I−p. Rm\mZyw hnNmcn¨Xp t]mse CSnªns«m¶panÃ. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ \nhÀ¶p \n¶p. {_m Ducnbn«v Hcp XpWnsbSp¯n«v amdp ad¨p. \miw. C\nsb´p ImWpw. A§s\ amdn amdn Hmtcmcp¯tc t\m¡pt¼mÄ kv{Io\nteíp XÅbpsS \\ª Xe hcp¶p. Rm³ kqw ]pdtIm«m¡n. Hm, AhÀ tkm¸p tXím³ h¶Xmbncp¶p. shůn \n¶psIm−v AhÀ B apeIfn kar²ambn tkm¸p tX¨p]nSn¸n¨p. \ndtb tcmaapÅXpsIm−mbncnípw, I£sams¡ \¶mbn ]Xbp¶p. tkm¸p tXípt¼mÄ izmkw ap«p¶Xp t]mse B apeIÄ AhcpsS IbvIfn \n¶pw sX¶ns¯dn¨p Ifníp¶p. ]ns¶ AhÀ Ip\nbp¶Xp I−p. tÈm, Imen¶nSbn tkm¸ptXím\mbncnípw. apSnª Hcp a¬Xn«. Hcp an\n«p Ignªv AhÀ \nhÀ¶p \n¶p apJ¯p tkm¸p tX¨psIm−v tXm«nteíp adnªp. ]pdtI sXmgnemfns¸®pw. Rm³ ho−pw atÁ s]®nsâ t\tc Xncnªp. B apJ¯v Aåw kuμcyw Is−¯m³ {ianípt¼mÄ kv{Io\n _mÁdn an¶p¶p. Hm, \miw, _mÁdn Xocmdmbncníp¶p. Rm³ sdt¡mÀUn§p \nÀ¯n. C\n tXmÀ¯p¶Xpw XpWn amdp¯Xpw Hs¡ D−tÃm. AXpw Im¯v Rm\ncp¶p hnbÀ¯p. A§s\ t\m¡nbncnípt¼mÄ XÅ Icbnteíp Ibdp¶p. IqsS s]¬Ip«nbpap−v. s]¬Ip«n Xe tXmÀ¯nbn«v tXmÀ¯v A½íp sImSp¯p. AhÀ AsXm¶p ]ngnªp. Aåw Ip\nªp \n¶p ]ngnªt¸mÄ B apeIÄ B«n³ apeIÄ t]mse Xq§nbmSn. AhÀ Ip«ntbmsSt´m ]dªp. ]ns¶ tZlw \¶mbn tXmÀ¯m³ XpS§n. apeIÄ DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨v AhbpsS ASn`mKw tXmÀ¯nbt¸mÄ B apesR«pIÄ AhcpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n Nncníp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. ]ns¶ AhÀ hbdp tXmÀ¯n, ]p¡nfn tXmÀ¯v NpÁn¨t¸mÄ Rm³ Iymadm IhbnSp¡n t^m¡kp sNbvXp. DSp¯ tXmÀ¯v AcnInteíp hIªp amÁnbn«v amÁnbn«v AhÀ I¿nencp¶XpsIm−v IhínS tXmÀ¯n. ImepIÄ Aåw Ihs¨¦nepw aS§nb hbdnsâ ASnbn \n¶pw XpS§p¶ Idp¯ tcma¸mfnIfpsS Awiw ImWm³ In«n. XSn¨p´nb ]qdmbXpsIm−v AXnsâ th−s¸« `mK§Ä XpSIÄ¡nSbnembncp¶p. \n_nUamb ]qSh\aÃmsX {]Xo£n¨ Iodepw Nmepw H¶pw I−nÃ. Hcp ]t£ \à ]cnNbapÅ Hcp £pcI³ hnNmcn¨m AhnSw Aåw H¶p sh«ns¯fním³ km[nt¨ípw. AhÀ tXmÀ¯v Ip«nbpsS I¿nteíp sImSp¯p, aps−Sp¯v ]pdIn sh¨p. c−Áhpw I¿n ]nSn¨psIm−v AhÀ tXmÀ¯gn¨p. AXp Xmtg hoWt¸mÄ B Idp¯ {XntImWw H¶p IqSn Fsâ Iymadmbn ]Xnªp. ]ns¶ AhÀ {_m FSp¡m\mbn Xncnªp. AtXmsS Rm³ aÁhtc t\m¡n. Hcp¯n Ct¸mgpw XpWnXncp½p Xt¶. sXmgnemfns¸®p IÃn ImÂIp¯n \n¶p amd¯p tkm¸p tXíp¶p. tkm¸p ]XIÄ¡nSbn IqSn I− Hcp ape¡®p Rm³ tI{μoIcnípt¼mtgípw Hcp iÐw. _ow.._ow.._ow... Imadm \n¶p. _mÁdn XoÀ¶p. Rm³ kv{Io³ AS¨p. t\tc Ip\nªpXt¶ ]mhím tXm«¯nsâ ]pdInet¯ aqebn IqSn cmta«sâ ]d¼nteíp NmSn. apÁ¯p tIdpt¼mÄ ASp¡f apÁ¯nsâ aqebn A`ncman. ]d¼n \n¶pw tIdn hcp¶ Ft¶ I− A`nbpsS apJ¯v Hcp tNmZy`mhw. " Cu NqS¯v...sIfíphmcpt¶m...?.." " Mqw... " Rm³ aqfn. " F¶n«v Xq¼sbhnsS sh¨p...? ]d¼nen«m ....hÃh\pw FSpt¯m−p t]mIpw..." AhÄ sasà Ft¶mSSp¯psIm−p tNmZn¨p. tXmÀ¯n\nSbn Hfn¨p sh¨ncníp¶ Iymadm AhÄ {i²níptam F¶mbncp¶p Fsâ t]Sn.

" C¸w FSpt¯m−p hcmw... C¯ncn shÅw IpSním³ tIdnbXm..." Rm³ ]dsªm¸n¨p. " FSp¯p XctWm...?..." " Mqw...?.." AhÄ shÅw FSp¡m³ Xncnª t\c¯n\p Rm³ NmSn Nmbn¸n tIdn Iymadm sh¨n«v apÁ¯nd§n \n¶p. " C¶m... shÅw... " AhÄ Hcp ÌoÂNcphw Fsâ t\tc \o«n. " Xm¦vkv..." Rm³ ]dªp. " F´m Hcp sh{]mfw... ?.. sIfípImcpt¶m... AtXm... hà tamjW¯n\pw t\m¡phmcpt¶m.... " " A`n... shÅw X¶¸w.. Hcp...Hcp... sh{]mfw..." " Hm.. s]®p§sS I¿o¶p BZymcnípw shÅw IpSníp¶Xv.... Hcp t]meokv... " AhÄ apJw tIm«ns¡m−v AIt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ HmSn ]pdIphi¯p sN¶p. AhnsS `n¯nbn Nmcn Ccp¶ Xq¼m FSp¯v ASp¡fhmXnen h¶p. " tZ... ]ns¶tb... " " Mqw... F´m...?..." A`n AI¯p \n¶pw hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " Xq¼m Xncn¨p shíphmtW..." " Hm.. AtXte as®ms¡ H¶p Iftª¡tW... Xpcp¼p ]nSnípw..." " Ifªp... C¸w ..\à ¢o\m..." Rm³ Xq¼m Xncn¨v Ccp¶nS¯p sIm−psh¨p. ]ns¶ Hcp ZoÀLimkw hn«p. Xncn¨p apdnbn tIdms\mcp§pt¼mÄ Ie. " A¦ntf....?..." " F´m Ietamtf.....?.." " Rms\Ãmw I−p... F´m.. Hcp Hfn¨pIfn.... FhnsSbm sIf¨Xv...?.." AhfpsS tNmZy¯n Ifnbm¡Â. " \nsâ atÁSv...Aà XteÂ... F´n\m Adot¶..." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. " Mqw... s\mW ]dsª¦nepw tN¨n shÅw X¶¸w Hcp kam[m\w.. AtÃ..?..." " F´p s\mW.. \o t]mbncp¶v ]Tnív s]t®..." " Mqw... Hcp sZhkw... Rm³ I−p ]nSnípw... C¶se F´n\m... IShn t]mbXv... " " C¶setbm..?.." " Rm³ I−mcp¶p... Ipfn¨n«nÃ... t]mcp¶ hgnív...shÅw sImt−m¶nÃ... A¸w.. s]®p§sS Ipfn ImWm³ t]mbXmcp¶p...AtÃ...?..." " AtX... AXn\p s\\s¡´m....?..." " Rm³ tN¨ntbmsSm¶p ]dtª¡mw... " " \nsâ tN¨n Ipfníp¶sX\níp ImW−......" " AXn\p tN¨n C¸w tXm«n Ipfní¯nÃtÃm... A¦nfp shÅw sIm−phcp¶XpsIm−v kpJmbn«v... Ipfnapdoetà Ipfn...." " \o t]mbncp¶p ]Tnív... Ctà Cs¡mtÃmw tXmÁm... cmta«³ ]nSn¨p sI«n¨p hnSpw..." " tlm... F¦n...c£s]«p.... apSnª ]Tn¯w H¶p \n¶p In«phtÃm..." " \memw ¢mkpw ]mkmbn A§p sNÃv... t\m¡nbncníphm IfÎdvv..." " F\ní§s\ henb Bisbm¶pw CtÃ... A¦nfnt\t¸mse Hcp a−\mtWepw aXntb..." " \ns¶ Rm³... t]mSo... t]mbncp¶p hmbns¡So...." Rm³ shdptX It¿m§n. " A§s\ ]dªp sImSv... ht¶¸nt¶... Hc£cw hmbn¨n«nà ...Ak¯v...." At§m«p IS¶p h¶ Ftf½ apSnsI«n Hcp tIm«phmbn«psIm−p ]dªp. AhÀ Dd§pIbmbncp¶p F¶p tXm¶n. »uknsâ Xmgt¯ c−p sImfp¯p hn«pInS¡p¶p. shÅap−p hmcnhen¨pSp¯ncníp¶p. »ukn\pÅn InS¶p hn§p¶ \ndamdpIÄ I−t¸mÄ F\nív IpfnIShn sh¨p I− XÅbpsS Icn¡n³apeIÄ HmÀ½ h¶p. IbvIfpbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ Nph¶ »uknsâ I£w Aåw hnbÀ¯v Ccp−ncp¶p. Rm³ AhcpsS amd¯p kq£n¨p t\m¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ AhÀ »ukp ]nSn¨p hen¨nSm³ t\m¡n. At¸mgmWhÀ hn«pInS¶ lp¡p I−p ]nSn¨Xv. AhÀ Fsâ apJt¯sím¶p t\m¡nbn«v Xncnªp \n¶v sImfp¯pIfn«p. ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " cmPp Im¸n IpSnt¨m... ?.."

A¶p ImapIsâ _emÂkwK ]cn]mSn s]mfnªXn ]ns¶ AhÀ¡v Ft¶mSp Aåw ASp¸w IqSnbXp t]mse. " th−...shÅw IpSn¨p..." " A`n ]dªp ]d¼nse§m−p sIfíphmcps¶¶v....F´n\m C{X _p²nap«pt¶....?.." " Np½mXm...At½.... thsd Ft´m..." Ie CSíp NmSn¸dªp. " \o an−mXncn..." Ftf½ Ahtf iImcn¨p. AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n " ImWn¨p Xcmw" F¶ AÀ°¯n tKmãn ImWn¨n«p tIdnt¸mbn. A¶p Ipfním³ InWÁpIcbn t]mbt¸mÄ Rm³ tXm«pIShnsem¶p t]mbnt\m¡n. \niÐamsbmgpIp¶ \nivOePew. IShn c−p aq¶p IÃpIÄ AhnShnsSbmbn InS¸p−v. henb ]c¶ IÃv shůnemWp InS¡p¶Xv. Iãn¨p ap§m\pw am{Xw shÅap−v. H¶p ap§nbmtem, ]t£ A§p apIfn \n¶pw C¶p ]I I−Xp t]mse F{X s]®p§fpsS Xo−mcnXpWn IgpInb shÅamWnXv. th−, \ap¡p InWÁnte XWp¯ shÅw aXntb. NpÁpw t\m¡nbn«pw ]mhímtXm«aÃmsX C¡sc Hfn¨ncním³ ]Ánb kvYesam¶panÃ. Rm³ adpIcbnteíp t\m¡n. IShnsâ t\tc Xt¶ tXm«nteíåw Cd§n \à Ce¡qdpÅ Hcp henb IpÁns¨Sn \n¸p−v. ]t£ CSXqÀ¶ I¼pIfpw CeIfpw DÅXpsIm−v AXn\nSív Hfn¨ncním³ hnjaw. AXpw Ft¸mÄ, F{X t\cw Ccp¶memWv Hcp Cc hs¶¯pI. Hm, X¡mew Pm³knt\ kam[m\n¸ním³ CXp aXn. s]s«¶v Fsâ Xea−bn _p²nbpsS Hcp an¶Â. B IpÁns¨SnbpsS DÅn km[\w Hfn¸n¨p sh¨mtem. ]t£ Cu NqSn AXp tISmbmtem. Hcp aWn¡qdn IqSpX tS¸v \o−p \n¡pIbnÃ. AXn\nSí Cc hoWm `mKyw. ]ns¶ F´p KpWw. AÃ, F¦n A`ncmanbpsS Aes¡m¶p ]nSn¨mtem. Fs¶¦nepw Hcní Ahtf H¶v AÂ`pXs¸Sp¯mw. HSphnÂ, Hfnªp \n¶p ]Sw ]nSn¨Xn\p sXmgn thtd In«ptam. GXmbmepw {ianímw. H¶pansænepw `mhnbn AhfpsS hykvYkvX cq]§Ä ImWpI F¦nepw sN¿matÃm. t\cw ab§m³ XpS§p¶p. Rm³ tXmSnsâ adpIsc t]mbn \n¶p t\m¡n. icnbmbn kvYm\¯v Hfn¸n¨p sh¨m IÃpw IShpw FÃmw \à `wKnbmbn ]nSns¨Sp¡mw. IShn \n¡p¶ BÄ At§m«p kq£n¨p t\m¡mXncp¶m aXn. H¶p {ianímw \msf¯s¶. A`nív ¢mknsæn D¨bqWp IgnªmepS³ AhÄ tXm«n Ae¡ms\¯pw. ]t£ Fsâ ¢mÊpw apS§pw. Ct¸mÄ dnhnj\pw sdt¡mÀUpw ¢ºpIfpsS hmÀjnIhpsams¡bmsW¦nepw lmPdn\p th−n t]mtb ]Áq. Csæn lmÄSn¡Áp In«¯nÃ. F¶mepw c−p aq¶p Znhksams¡ apS¡mw. Rm³ Ipfnbpw Ignªv shÅhpw tImcn Xncn¨p t]m¶p. tai¸pd¯p sh¨ncp¶ `£WsaSp¡m³ sN¶t¸mÄ Ie Ft¶¡s−¦nepw ]nW¡w `mhn¨p \n¶p. \¶mbn F¶p Rm³ hnNmcn¨p. A¯mgw Ignªv IXIS¨v Rm³ As¶Sp¯ tS¸p ho−pw C«p I−p. sImÅmw Rm³ Dt±in¨Xnepw \¶mbn«p−v. ]t£ Ft¸mgpw A\§ns¡m−ncníp¶p Fs¶mcp Ipg¸w. Ibv sÌUnbmbn«nsöp kmcw. {]tXyIn¨v B kv{Xo XpWn amdnbt¸mÄ AhcpsS Idp¸p {XntImWw hÃmsX H¶p sh«n. F¶mepw Pm³kn\nXp \n[nbmbncnípw. ChnsS AXnÂIqSpX I−pw A\p`hn¨pw sIm−ncníp¶ F\nív AXn henb ckw tXm¶nbnÃ. _mÁdn NmÀPÀ Ip¯nbn«v Rm³ ]Tním\ncp¶p. hmXn¡ ImeSn iÐw. IXIn ap«p Rm³ {]Xo£n¨p. tIÄ¡p¶nÃ. " Bcm...?.." " Rm\m A¦ntf..." IebpsS iÐw. Rm³ _mÁdn NmÀPÀ Ducn amÁn Hfn¸n¨p, IXIp Xpd¶p. " F´m tamtf...?.." " A¦nfn\n¸w Ft¶mSnãanÃ.... " AhÄ sIdphv A`n\bníp¶p. " AXn\n¸w F´p−mbo...?..."

" A¦nfn¸w... tN¨osS s]mdsIbm... shÅw thtW Rms\Sp¯p XcptIte.... ]d¼n sIfím³ t]mb¸w Ft¶ hnfn¨nÃtÃm... F´p Iãs¸«m... C¶se Rm³ B hn¯ns\ms¡ shÅw tImcnbXv...?.." " Hm AXmtWm... \msfbms«... ]Snªmdp hi¯v... \ap¡v Fs´¦nepw \Smw.... t]mtc.." " Ft¶ hnfníWw..." " hnfnímw...Hd¸v.. ]ns¶ Ietamtf..?.." " Mqw...?." " \nsâ tN¨nív C\nsb¶m ¢mkv...?.." " \msf H−v... aÁ¶mfp Xpep¡½mcsS HgnhtÃ.... AXnsâ ]ntÁ sZhtkmw Csöm tXm¶tW...AÃ... F´n\m Adot¶..." " Np½m..... Aѳ \msf hcpthm....?.." " Adnb¯nÃ...." " F¶m tamfp s]mtím....." " ]nt¶ tN¨ntb ]©mcbSníp¶Xp shdpsXbm... AsXmcp IÃm.... Hcp kvt\tlmanà DÅnÂ....." " AsX´m tamtf... A`n thtd htÃmtcw....?..." " Gb,v Fsâ knsFUo¸WnsIm−v Rm³ t\m¡ps¶m−v... Bcpw CÃ... F¶m... A¦nfp h¶¸w \à DÂkmtlmw kt´mtjmamcp¶p...." " F¶n«mtWm... C¶mfp Fsâ t\tc sa¡n«p tIdnbXv...?..." " Hm Fsâ A¦ntf AsXmcp km[\am.... F´m H¶p ap«n t\m¡pt¶m...?..." " lt¿m... ths−sâ tamtf... A¦nsfmcp shdpw sX−nbtÃ... hbÁp¸ng¸p ap«pw..." " ]ns¶´n\m InÅn¡nÅn tNmZnt¨...?... Mqw.. GXmbmepw....KpUv\bnÁv...." AhÄ XpÅn¨mSn t]mbn. ]ntÁ Znhkw tImtfPn t]mIm\nd§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ASp¡f `mKs¯m¶p NpÁn¡d§n. Ipfnapdnbn H¶p tIdn t\m¡n. ]XnhnÃmsX Rm³ apdnbn tIdp¶Xp I−n«mhmw, A`ncman Fsâ ]pdtI h¶p. " cmPmaWn F´m... Ipfnapdo t\m¡ntb... htÃmw ImWmsX t]mtbm..?.." " H¶qÃ... Bhiy¯n\p shÅw Ht−m¶p t\m¡phmcp¶p.... FÃmÀ¡pw.... Ipfnímt\...." Rm³ ]cp§n. " C¶n¸w F´m A§s\ tXm¶m³......?..." " AÃm... A`n tXm«nte Ipfn \nÀ¯n... C¸w ChnSmsW¶p Ie ]dªp... AtXm−v t\m¡nbXm..." " Hm... Imcymt\zjWw.... Bhiy¯n\p shÅw C¸w H−tÃm... thtWm¦n Rm³ tImcntímfmw..." " AÃm... Rm\nhnsSmŸw... \n§fp _p²nap«−m¶p ....." " lpw... \mep Znhkw Igo¼w.... ]Tnt¯mw s]mdp¸pw Ignªv Cbmf§p t]mIpw.. ]nt¶w R§fp tht− _p²nap«m³...?.." " t\cm...]nt¶...." Rm³ apÁ¯nd§n. hoSnsâ AIt¯sím¶p t\m¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp. " \n§¡nãmsW¦n... NmIp¶ htc.... shÅw tImcm\pw BfpIfp ImWpw...Ft¶mÀ¯m aXn...." Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡msX \S¶p. " cmPmaWn...?.." A`nbpsS hnfn Rm³ tI«p. _m¡n tIÄ¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v Rm³ ]SnIS¶p. ]Sn IS¶ Rm³ then¡nSbn¡qSn ho«ntesím¶p t\m¡n. XqWn Nmcn Hcp hnc ISn¨v atÁ Ibv Ffnbn Du¶n Rm³ t]mb hgntb \nÀ¶ntajbmbn A`ncman t\m¡n \n¡p¶p. F\nípÅn kt´mjw tXm¶n. Ft´m H¶p ]dbm³ ]ÁnbtÃm. C\n AXnsâ {]XnIcWw XncnsI hcpt¼mgdnbmw. GXmbmepw Rm³ hr¯ntIsSm¶pw ]dªnÃtÃm. ]ns¶´p {]XnIcWw ? Xncn¨p h¶ Rm³ hoSn\p ]pdInse¯n. ASp¯ jq«n§n\p XbmsdSp¡Ww. cmcn¨³ F¶mWp hcnIsb¶v Hcp ]nSnbpanÃ. Nnet¸mÄ `mcy td¨Â ho«nep−mbncnípw Asæn AbmÄ tXm«¯nembncnípw. GXp Znhkhpw IÅ¡p®bpw s]m¡ns¡m−v hcmw. B IÀ«³ XpWn InS¡p¶XpsIm−v C\n hà ac¯nepw tIdnbncp¶mte hÃXpw ImWm³ ]Áq.

Ietb Ftf½ ]Tním³ \nÀ_Ôn¨v Ccp¯nbncn¡p¶p. Ct¸mtg Hcp \nco£Ww ]Á¯pÅp. AhÄ I−m Ip¯n¡p¯n tNmZnípw. t\m¡pt¼mÄ]pdInet¯ sNdnb apÁ¯cnIn Hcp sNdnb amhp \n¡p¶p. hoSn\p apIfnteíp Nmªp \n¶ sIm¼pIÄ sh«n¡fªncníp¶p. F¦nepw aÁpÅ H¶p c−p sIm¼pIfn \ndsb I®nam§m¡peIÄ D−v. Imím¯ sIm¼pIfpsS CeIfn \nindp (\odp) IqSp Ip¯nbncníp¶p. A[nIw h®anÃm¯ IpÁn¯Sn. Xmsg apX I¼pW§nb IpÁnapgIÄ. HcmÄ s]m¡¯n Hcp _eapÅ inJcap−v. AXn tIdn Ccp¶m Nnet¸mÄ IÀ«\p apIfn IqSn ImWm³ ]Ántb¡pw. Xs¶¯m³ hen¨p sh¨ h¿mthen. B P\ A§s\ Xt¶ Ccp¶m aXnbmbncp¶p. Rm³ amhn\p NpÁpw \S¶p t\m¡n. " G´m cmPp... am§m ]dním\mtWm.... " Ftf½bpsS iÐw. AhÀ ASp¡fapÁt¯ aqebn InS¶ aSen \n¶pw Nq«v DcnsªSp¡pIbmbncp¶p. " Hm.. Np½m... I®n am§m I−¸w Hcp sImXn tXm¶n....." " F¶m... tZ... tXm«nsbSp¯v Hcp I¼qsS sh¨psI«nbm... tamfnse¯pw ... ]dn¨p X¶m.. N½´nbcímw... ]¨íp Xn¶m³ ]mSm... `b¦c ]pfnbm..." " Mm, \à ]pfn thWw... D¸pw Iq«n Xn¶m³ AXm tN¨o... ckw... tIdn¸dnímw..." " Fsâ tamt\.. AXp s\td \odm... ISn¨p sImWw hcp¯pw..." " A¦ntf Nmgns¸mSn Ccps¸m−v... AXp shXdnbm... \odp amdn \nt¶mfpw..." Ie sXm«p ap¼nÂ. " l... \nt¶mSp ]Tním³ ]dªn«v... " Ftf½ I¿nencp¶ Nq«pw Hm§ns¡m−v AhfpsS t\tc h¶p. AhÄ Fsâ ]pdIn Hfn¨p. " t]ms« tN¨o... kvIqfo¶p h¶XtÃsbmÅp... am§m ]dn¨n«v... Ahfp ]Tnt¨mfpw.." " Mqw.. ]Tnt¨mfpw..... hn¯pKpWw ]¯p KpWw...." ]dªp Ignªv Ft´m A_²w ]dª a«n Ftf½ Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. " Mqw.. tN¨nbpsS _p²nbm tamÄ¡v AtÃ...?.." " F¶mepw Rm\nXnt\¡msfms¡ F{Xtbm t`Zmcps¶sâ tamt\....." Fsâ Iaâv Ahtc c£s]Sp¯nb kt´mjw B hm¡pIfnepw Nncnbnepw D−mbncp¶p. ImcWw Ie cmta«sâ hn¯msW¦n _lp anSp¡nbmbncpt¶t\. At¸mÄ CtXtXm aca−sâ, F¶m s]¬hnjb¯n anSp¡sâ, hn¯p Xt¶. Ietb H¶p tZjy¯n t\m¡nbn«v Ftf½ ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. Ie t]mbn Hcp ¹mÌn¡v ]míÁp sIm−p h¶p. Nmgns¸mSn. AXn \n¶pw Iptd hmcn Rm³ Imenepw I¿nepw tX¨p. " At¿m A¦ntf AXp shjm..." AXp I− Ie ]dªp. " A¦nfn\o shtjm¶pw G¡ptIe tamtf..." Rm³ ssIen XmdpSp¯p. ]ns¶ amhnteíp ]Xps¡ Ibdn. Xmgt¯ Hcp Ihcsím¸w \n¶p t\m¡n. B XpWnbnÃmbncps¶¦n A¶p Rm³ I−Xnepw hyàambn«v FÃmw ImWmambncp¶p. F´p sN¿mw ]Ánt¸mbntÃ. Ipd¨p IqsS apIfnteíp Ibdn. apdníIt¯íp t\m¡n. Ipg¸anÃ. I«n ImWm³ ]Á¯nÃ. AhcpsS CWtNc ]nSníWsa¦n XpWn amdntb ]Áq. Mm, DÅXp ]nSnímw. XpWnbpSp¡m¯ \nebn c−ntâbpw apJw In«nbm Fsâ Dt±iw km[nípw. ]mXncmív amhn henªp tIdWw, AtXbpÅp {]iv\w. " sImd¨qsS tamfntem«p tId¦ntf.... AhsS \n¶p Id§os«´m Imcyw...." Xmsg\n¶pw Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Rms\m¶p t\m¡phmcp¶p.... I¼ns\ms¡ _temt−m¶v... A¦nfn\p \à `mtcmÅXtÃ..." " At¿m.. I¼pw HSnt¨m−p Xmtgm«p t]m¶m \à ckmcnípw ImWm³... th−.. C¶m tXm«n Xcmw.... XÃnbn«m aXn...." Ie Hcp tXm«n¡s¼Sp¯p \o«n Rm\Xpw hm§n Aåw IqSn apIfnteíp Ibdn. " F¦n¸ns¶ _m¡nsbmtÅmÀ¡mcnípw ]gn.... amth XÅnt¡Án Xmsg hogns¨¶v..." A`ncmanbpsS iÐw. amhnsâ Iotg \n¶pw Aåw amdn ]mhmS FSp¯p Ip¯n apIfnteíp t\m¡n AhÄ \n¡p¶p. sÈSm, Cu `{ZImfn Ft¸msg¯n ? " AÃm... Ct±lw F¸w h¶q...?... I¼yq«dn¶p t\ct¯ tISmtbm...?..." Rm³ Ifnbm¡n tNmZn¨p.

" B... tISmbn.... \o F´n\mSo F¸gpw... Cu ]cklmb¯nsâ s]mdtI \S¡pt¶....." A`n AhtfmSp X«nt¡dn. " AXn\p tN¨nsí´m... Rm\tà \S¡pt¶.... tN¨níp \S¡t− \S¡−..." Ie hn«psImSp¯nÃ. " XdpXe ]dbpt¶m.. Akt¯ ...\nt¶ Rm³.... " A`n It¿m§ns¡m−v IebpsS t\sc h¶p. " A¦ntf... Cu tN¨n.....shdptX hg¡n\p hcphm..." " klmbn¡m³ a\Êpsh¨m AXp th−... F¶m... kzoIcnípt¶mÀs¡¦nepw AXp In«ntímt«¶p shípI... AXpanÃ... Xn¶ptIanà ...XoÁníptIanÃ... Fs´mcp kz`mhamtWm CXv... `Khmt\... " ]dbp¶Xns\m¸w Rm³ Hcp Ipe am§ XÃn Xmsgbn«p. " Bcpw Bhiys¸«nÃtÃm... shÅw tImcm\pw... shdIp sh«m\pw... acw tIdm\psam¶pw...." AhÄ amhnsâ Iotg h¶p. Nph«n \n¶pw Hcp I®nam§sbSp¯p ISn¨p. Ie HmSn\S¶v am§IÄ s]dp¡p¶p. " Cãs¸t«mÀ¡p th−n tNmZnímsX _p²nap«p¶Xm kpJw... AXp a\Ên IsÃmtÅmÀ¡p a\ÊnemI¯nÃ... Ietamtf ...sNm\ ImWpw... Ibv s]mÅpth..." Rm³ Nq− t]mse Hcp hms¡dnªn«v Aåw iànbmbn Hcp Ipeín«p XÃn. t\tc Iotg \n¶ A`ntb t\m¡nbXpsIm−mbncnípw, e£yw sXÁn AsXmcp \odpwIq«n sN¶psIm−p. B IqSv A§s\ Xs¶ Xmtgíp hoWp. Rm³ ASp¯ XÃn\v BZyw D¶w sh¨ Ipe Xmsgbn«p. " At¿m... Fât½... \odv..." A`ncmanbpsS `b¶\nehnfn. Rm³ Xmtgm«p t\m¡n. \odn³ IqSp hoWXv Iosg \n¶ A`ncmanbpsS tXmfnÂ. \odpIÄ ]c¡w ]mªp. AhÄ iànbmbn apJ¯p XpSíp¶p. »uknsâ ]pdw \ndtb \odpIÄ. AXp I− Rm³ tXm«n Zqtcíp hens¨dnªn«n«v amhn Ipd¨nd§nbn«v Xmtgíp NmSn. A`n \odns\ Xq¯pIfbm³ {ianípt´mdpw XpWnbpsS apIfn \n¶pw IqSpX IqSpX ISn¨p Ibdp¶p. BsI Hcp _lfw. Rm³ HmSn ASp¯psN¶p. AhfpsS Ihnfn ISn¨ncp¶ Hsc®¯nt\ ]dn¨pIfªp. ]ns¶ H¶pw BtemNnímtX AhfpsS ]pd¯v »ukn \n¶pw HmSn \S¶htb Xq¯p Ifªp. ]mh¯nsâ tXmfn H¶p cs−®w ISn¨p InS¶ncp¶p. AXpw Rm³ Xqs¯dnªp. »uknepw lm^vkmcnbnepw ISn¨p InS¶htb AhÄ ]dn¨p Ifªp. AhÄ lm^vkmcn tXmfn \ns¶Sp¯p IpSªp. ImepIÄ X½n Dc¨p. AXp I− Rm³ ]dªp. " Ct§m«p amdn\nÃv... AhsS \n¶m C\ow Imtet¡dpw....." " \miw... amcWw... " AhÄ amdns¡m−p ]dªp. AhfpsS Xebn \odnsâ Iptd ap«IÄ. " At¿m... Xe s\td...\odpwsam« ..." Rm\Xp XeapSnbn \n¶pw X«nbpw s]dp¡nbpw Ifªp. AdnbmsXbmtWm Ft´m, AhÄ Xe Ip\n¨p X¶p. At¸mÄ Fsâ HÅn Hcp Ipfncv. AhÄ lm^vkmcnbn \n¶pw \odnt\ ]dn¨p Ifbpt¼mÄ B s\Ánbnteíp Ibdnb H¶ns\ Rm³ Xq¯p Ifªp. lm^vkmcn tXmft¯ínSm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ XSªp.. " \nÃv....\nÃv.. " AhÄ tNmZy`mh¯n Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡pt¼mtgípw AhfpsS »ukn Dcp− het¯ apebn IqSn ]nSn¨p Ibdp¶ Hsc®¯ns\ Rm³ Aåw iànbmbn Xq¯p Ifªp. Hcp \nanjw, B amdnS¯nsâ amÀ±h{]Xe¯n Fsâ Ibv ]Xp§nbt¸mÄ Fsâ a\Êpw tZlhpw AdnbmsX GtXm Hcp kpJhnImc¯m sR«nt¸mbn. A`nbpw sR«nt¸mbn " l.... F´mbnXv...?..." AhÄ AklyXtbmsS ]pdtIm«p amdn. " \odv..." AhfpsS amd¯p \n¶pw FSp¯ \odv Fsâ I¿n tIdnbXv IpSªpsIm−p Rm³ ]dªp. " \odpw IqSp XÃn tZl¯n«Xpw t]mcmªn«v acymZtISpw ImWnípt¶m..." AhÄ I®pXpdn¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... \odp ISníphtÃmt¶mÀ¯¸w AdnbmsX .... tkmdn... Bbncw tkmdn.... " " Hcp tkmdn... " AhÄ kmcnbpsS AÁw FSp¯p Ip¯ns¡m−v Xncnªp \S¶p.

" A`o... XWp¯ shÅw sIm−v IgpIv... CtàISns¨Sw sImaf¨p s]m§pw....." " Hm... AXp Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw... Hcp tUmÎdv...." AhÄ Xncnªp t\m¡msX ]dªp. Rm³ hÃmXmbn. hnj®\mbn \n¡p¶ Fsâ ASpt¯íp Ie h¶p. Ip−nbpw Ipep¡n t]mIp¶ A`ntb t\m¡nbn«v ]dªp. " _m¡nsbmtÅmcv... \o«n¸nSn¨p \n¶mepw sXmSm³ shjaw... thsd GXnsâbmbmepw th−nÃ...... \à km[\¯nsâ s\©¯m Ibv sh¨Xv... C¸w In«otÃ...." " At¿m... Rm\dntªm−à tamtf... tN¨ntb \odp ISníphtÃmt¶mÀ¯¸w... X«nt¸mbn..." " Hm.. Hcp Zb... Fs´mcp kvt\lw... tZ.. Fsâ Imte apgph³ ISn¨p.... H¶p Xq¯p Iftª..." AhÄ ]mhmS Aåw s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. " Xs¶b§p Xq¯m aXn..... " Rm³ ASp¡fhit¯tímSn. " Mqw... t]mIphm...\mWanÃmsX B«psImÅm³... " s]mdps]mdp¯psIm−v AhÄ am§m s]dp¡m³ XpS§n. ]pd¯p sh¨ncp¶ Ie¯nÂ\n¶pw shÅw FSp¯v apJw IgpIp¶ A`nbpsS ASp¯v Rm³ sN¶p. " A`o... kXymbn«pw AdnbmsXbm.... Rm³ G¯anSmw... sXÁn²cníÃv...." " lpw... " AhÄ tZjyt¯mtS apJw Xncn¨p. " A`o.. ¹okv... Rm³.... At¿m... tZs−... »uknsâ s]md¯v Hsc®w...." AhÄ Xe Xncn¨p ]pdtIm«p t\m¡n, ]ns¶ ]pd¯v Ibv sIm−p Xq¯p. " AXv tZs− apSntb tIdn.... FSp¯p Ifbt«..." AhfpsS D¯c¯n\p Im¯p \n¡msX Rm³ AXns\ ]dns¨Sp¯p At¸mÄ H¶pc−p apSn Aåw H¶p henªp. " iv...lm...Fsâ apSn..." " F´mSo AhsSmcp lmbpw lqbpsams¡... tM..." ASp¡fbn \n¶pw ]pd¯p h¶ Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " AXv tN¨o... am§m XÃnb¸w.. Hcp \odpw IqSv Xmsg hoWp.... A`n Xmsg hmbpw s]mfn¨v \ns¸m−mcp¶p.... Fsâ IãIme¯n\v... Cu tZlt¯m«m AXv hoWXv... " " AhfX§p s]dp¡n¡fªm t]mtc.. AXns\´n\m... cmPp s]mdtI \S¡p¶Xv...?..." " HÁív s]dp¡o«p Xocp¶nÃ... Rm\tà AXp XÃnbn«Xv....Hcp ]cnlmcmbn«v... H¶p klmbním¶p sh¨p..... At¶cw.... k½Xní¯nÃ..." " C§\t¯ klmbsam¶pw th−... Hcp klmb¡mc³....samJw apgph³ \odp¶p...." A`n apJ¯p shÅsamgn¨p. " cmPp cmPqsâ ]Wn t\m¡v... AXhcp X«n¡ftªmfpw..." Ftf½ AIt¯íp Ibdn. " Cu shfn¨¸mSnt\ klmbním³ A¦nfÃmsX thtd GsX¦nepw s]m«·mcp sNÃpthm... FhnsS¦nepw tIdn ISnís«t¶... hm... Rm³ D¸pw samfIpw sIm−cmw... " Ibv \ndtb am§bpambn At§m«p h¶ Ie ]dªp. AhÄ ASp¡fbnteíp Ibdn. ]pdtI A`nbpw. Rm³ C¯hW am§m s]mb A®ms\t¸mse \n¶p. ]ntÁZnhkw henb kw`h§sfm¶panÃmsX Ignªp. A`n Ft¶¡mWpt¼mÄ apJw hoÀ¸n¨p \S¶p. tImtfPn sN¶t¸mÄ Rm³ Pm³kn\p Ipfnko\nsâ tS¸p sImSp¯p. Ahsâ I¿n ]gb Iymadm DÅXn C«p It−mfmw F¶p ]dªp. ASp¯ Znhkw tS¸p XncnsI¯cmsa¶p ]dªp. ]ntÁZnhkw Ah[nbmbXpsIm−v DuWpIgnªv kmhn{XntbmSv Syqj\p hcm³ Ie ]dªn«ps−¶hÄ ]dªp. F\níp henb Xmåcyw tXm¶nbnÃ. c−p t]cpw Ds−¦n XamiIsfm¶pw \S¡¯nÃ. H¶n\p atÁXnt\ t]Sn. GXmbmepw hcs«. Hcp ]tcm]Imcw. A¶pw tImtfPn \n¶pw h¶ DSt\ Ipfním³ t]mbn. Rm³ ho−pw IShntesím¶p t]mbn t\m¡n. A¶t¯ s]®v Ae¡m³ h¶n«p−v. Ft¶¡−bpS³ AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. Rm³ DSt\ Xncn¨p t]m¶p. Ipfn¨v shÅhpw tImcn sNÃpt¼mÄ A`n F¯nbn«p−v. ASp¡fbn \n¶pw kwkmcw tI«p. " F¶n«v Ah\p htÃmw In«ntbm...?.." Ftf½ At\zjníp¶p. Rm³ {i²n¨p. " H¶pw sIm−pt]mbnÃm... ]ns¶... AhcsS IXInsâ ]q«p XÃn¸dn¨p.... C¨nsc kzÀ®w ...ImWp¶nÃm¶p ]dªp... C\n AXv thsd FhnsSsb¦nepw ImWpamcníq¶m ]dªXv..."

" AsX´m... AhsS BWp§mcpw CÃmcpt¶m...?..." Ftf½bpsS tNmZyw. " AhÄsS tN«\pw Iq«pImc\pw IqsS sk¡âvtjmíp t]mbncníphmcp¶p... AXns\Sím... tIdnbXv...." " Fâoizcm... C¡W¡ns\§s\ sISs¶md§pw... ]s−ms¡ shfp¸m³ Ime¯mcp¶p tamjWw... C¸w Hd¡w ]nSnípt¶\p apt¼..." tai¸pd¯v F\nípÅ ISpwIm¸n aqSn sh¨ncp¶p. AXpsaSp¯v Rm³ sasà ASp¡f hmXn¡ sN¶p. GtXm tamjWamWp kwkmchnjbsas¶\níp a\Ênembn. A`n ¢mÊn \n¶pw h¶ thj¯n Xs¶. I¿n NqSp ISpwIm¸n. " F´m tN¨o... FhnSm tamjWw..?.." " FhsS IqsS ]Tníp¶ s]s¦m¨nsâ ho«n C¶se Ių tIdnsb¶v...." Ftf½ N¡¡pcp Nnc−ns¡m−p ]dªp. " sNmWsbmÅ t]meokpImcm \m«n ImW¯nÃ... AXpsIm−m..." " Mm.... C\n cmPp t]meokmbn«p thWw B \m«o¶v IŽmtc ]nSním³...." Ftf½ Hcp ^enXw ]dªp. " Hhz... Ccp«pt¶\pap¼v... aqSns¸mX¨p sIS¡p¶ t]meoktÃ... IŽmcnt§m«p hcpw.... Ft¶ ]nSnt¨m t]meotk¶pw ]dªv..." A`n ]pdwXncnªp \n¶psIm−p ]dªp. " Mm.... AX¸w ImWmw... F¶n«v... htÃmw It«m.. AtXm..?.." " B.. C¨nsc kzÀ®w t]mbn¡mWpw... CtÃSo...?..." " Mqw... AtX ]dsªmÅp..." A`ncman ]dªp. " tN¨o... F\níobnsSbmbn«v C¯ncn kwibw..." Rm³ hmXnen Nmcn \n¶psIm−p XpS§n.. " Ft´m¶m...?.... tamãním³ t]mbmtem¶mtWm....." Ftf½bpsS ]cnlmkw. " AÃt¶.... \½sS Cu s]mcbnS¯nepw IŽmcp t\m«an«ns«mt−m¶v.... " " AsX´m A§s\ tXm¶m³...?..." " Ignªmgv¨bmtWm... AXn\p ap¼t¯bmgv¨bmtWm... Hcp ]mXncm Ignª¸w.... \½sS ASp¡fhi¯v Btcm \S¡p¶ t]mse tXm¶n. Rms\md¡w ]nSním³ sXmS§ntb HÅmcp¶p...." " F¶n«v...?... " Ftf½bpsS apJ¯v Hcp Bi¦ t]mse. " s]s«¶v AXp \n¶p...]ns¶ tI«nÃ..." " t]meokns\ms¶d§n t\m¡m³ taemcpt¶m.... ?..." A`nbptS tNmZyw. " C¸tg Xt¶ thtWm... Ah½mcsS I¿n... I¯nbmtWm... hSnhmfmtWm... tXm¡mtWm¶mÀ¡dnbmw... GXmbmepw t]meokn Hct]£sb¦nepw sImSp¯nt«... Rm³ s]mÃm¸ns\mÅp..... " Rm³ ]dªp. " \à ss[cysamÅ t]meokv...." A`n ]dªn«p Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. " Mm... C¸w F\n¡n{Xtb ss[cysamÅp.... IqSpXsemtÅmscms−¦n... Fd§nt¸mbn ]nSnív..." Rm³ sNmSn¨p. A`ncman ho−pw Nncníp¶p. ]mhw, Fsâ ]²Xntb¡pdn¨v ChÄs¡´dnbmw. s]m«ns¸®v. Nncnís« Nncnís«. Rm³ DÅn Nncn¨p. " AXp aXn cmPq... shdptX AhcsS ap¼ns¨¶p NmS−... htÃmw ]Ánbm... \nâ½ímcm ]ns¶ Hcp sXmW..." Ftf½bpsS apJ¯v Bizmk`mhw. " AtXmÀ¯n«m tN¨o.....Rm\pw A\§msX sIS¶Xv... AÃmsX sNe a−nIfp hnNmcníp¶Xp t]mse ss[cyanÃmªns«m¶paÃ....." " Hm..Hm.. a\Ênemtb... IqSpXep hmNIaSní−...." A`n ]dªn«v ho−pw Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. aWnInep¡w t]mepÅ B Nncn Fsâ ImXn\p Hcp kwKoX¯nsâ kpJtaIn. F\níp tXm¶n, Ahtf C§s\ Nncn¸ním³ th−n C\nbpw Bbncw XhW IqSn `ocphmbn A`n\bn¨mtem F¶v. " ChnS¶v F´p In«m\m Ah½mÀ¡v... BsI H−mcp¶sXmcp s]m« sSenhnj\mcp¶p.... AXmsW¦n \¶m¡ms\¶pw ]dªp sImt−mbn«v Bdp amkw Ignªp...." Ftf½ am§sbSp¯p. " AXphtÃmw t\m¡nbmtWm Fsâ tN¨o... Cu IŽmcp tIdpt¶..." Rm³ Fsâ A`n{]mbw ]dªp. A`n. apdnbnteíp tIdm\mbn Fsâ ASpt¯íp h¶p. Rm³ Hs¶mXp§ns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ hmXn IS¡pt¼mtgípw Rm³ sasà ]dªp.

" kzÀ®t¯¡mfpw shesbmÅXo ho«nsem−tÃm..." A`n Xncnªv Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. DSt\ Rm³ Zqtcíp t\m¡n ]dªp. " AÃ... AsXsâ A`n{]mbmtW..." " Mqw..." H¶p \o«n aqfnbn«v AhÄ \S¶p apdnbnteíp tIdn hmXneS¨p. " cmPp F´m ]dtª...?.." Ftf½. " AÃm... shesbmÅ kzÀ®w Cu ho«nsem−tÃm¶p ]dbpImcp¶p... Ipcnipamtew Hs¡tb..." " GXmbmepw HÅ kzÀ®w... _m¦nse§m\pw sIms− ht¨¡mw... Atà Fsâ B§tfsS ho«n hímw... AhSmIp¼w Hcp IÅ\pw tId¯nÃ....." AS¨n« A`nbpsS apdnhmXn¡ sN¶n«v Rm³ ]Xnsb ]dªp. " IŽmcpsS cmPmhnsâ ho«n GXp IÅ\m tIdm³ ss[cyw..." s]s«¶v IXIv H¶p IqSn tNÀ¶Sªp. AI¯p \n¶pw A`n XÅnbSs¨¶p tXm¶n. Rm³ Nmbn¸n sN¶v I«nen InS¡pt¼mtgípw IXIp XÅn¯pd¶v Ie tIdn h¶p. F¶n«hÄ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. " Hm, ht¶m... Cu Im´mcosS sImdshm−mcp¶p. F´n\m IXISt¨.... sXmd¶nSv... Ahsc§m\pw I−m..." Rm³ I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. " t]Sní−... atÁ Im´mcn Ipfním³ tIdn... A½ ASp¡tf ]Wnbm..." " F´n\m C¸w Ct§m«p NmSnsXdn¨p h¶Xv..." " Fsâ A¦ntf F\nín¶p shey kt´mjw... \msf kvIqfnÃ...." Ahsfsâ H¸w Ccps¶t¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ `pP¯n AhfptS sNdpape Ccp¶p sR§n. F\nsímcp t]Sn. Cus¸s®´p `mhn¨m C§s\. " Fsâ tamsf Ft¶...hn«n«v... \o B IXIp sXmd¶nSv...." " Hm sXmd¶n«p...... C¨nsc Ignbs«.... Ft¶ H¶p sI«n¸nSnív... C¸w B Imfnbmcps¶¦n... NmSn sI«n¸nSnt¨t\tÃm..." " FSo \o sIm¨Ã... Adnbmthm... Ft¶ shdptX Ff¡Ãv... Rm³ sIdn htÃmw sNbvXp Itfw... Fgpt¶tÁ...." " Hm... Rm³ tI«p B ImfntbmSp ]dªXv... Ah¡p kzÀ®t¯¡mÄ shebm¶v... sIm¨Ãm¯ sIm−v F\nísXms¡ a\ÊnemIpw...Rm³ At¶cw apdosem−mcp¶p...." AhÄ sIdphn¨p. " F¶n«Xm Imfn tI«ns«´mcp¶p `mhw.....?..." " Imfn {]kmZn¨ e£Wam... Hcp Nncnsbms¡ h¶p....]ns¶ kÂhmdpw Ducn I¿n ]nSnt¨m−p at\mcmPyw ImWm³ XpS§nb¸w Rm³ ]dªp. XpWn DSpt¯m−p kz]v\w ImWm³..." " Mv... t\tcm....? Fsâ Ie¡p«o.... Dwwwwww½...." Rm³ AdnbmsX Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨pt]mbn. AhfpsS Ihnfn AaÀ¯n D½sh¨p. " hnSv... Ft¶ hnSv... Hcp½... B `{ZImfn {]kmZn¨Xn\mtWm Cu D½... AXh¡p sIms−s¡mSv.... Rm³ t]mIphm...." AhÄ _ew {]tbmKn¨v Fsâ Ibv hnSphn¨p. " s]W§msX tamtf.... hm... A¦nfp A½nª ]nSn¨v hepXm¡n¯cmw... hm..." Rm³ Ahtf A\p\bn¸ním³ t\m¡n. AhfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨v Fsâ aSnbnencp¯m³ t\m¡n. " th−... B ImfotSXp t]mbn ]nSnív... Ft¶ sXmS−....." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv IpXdm³ t\m¡n. Rm³ Ahtf _eambn Fsâ aSnbn ]nSn¨ncp¯n. sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfn sasà XgpIm³ XpS§n. AhfpsS FXnÀ¸nsâ I«n {ItaW Ipdªp. B apeIfn Fsâ IbvIÄ AaÀ¯m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Fsâ jÍn¡Snbn Ip«nIrjvW³ _ew sh¨p. Ah³ AhfpsS Ip−nbn _eambn XesIm−v XÅn. AhÄ ]pdtIm«p I¿n«v Aht\ jÍnIq«n]nSn¨p. F\níp \n¡¡ÅnbnÃmXmbn. s]s«¶p Rm³ NqSmb t]mse. At¸mgpw Fsâ a\Ên kÂhmdpw ]nSn¨v at\mcmPyw ImWp¶ A`ncmanbpsS Nn{Xambncp¶p. Ie Fsâ DWÀ¶ Ip®bn shdptX sR¡m³ XpS§n. B kpJ¯n Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfn ]qÀhm[nIw `wKnbmbn ]nSn¨p XgpIm³ XpS§n. AhÄ aqfm³ ]ncnbm\pw XpS§n. ]ns¶ ]pdtIm«p Igp¯p hf¨v IbvIÄ s]m¡n Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p Xmgv¯n. Fsâ Ihnfn AhfpsS IhnÄ ap«n¨v Dcp½m³ XpS§n.

" A¦ntf.... A¦nfn\p tN¨ntb Cãw... {]Imi\p kmhn{Xntb Cãw.... Ft¶ F´m Bcpw Cãs¸Smt¯... ?...." " tamfp sIm¨tÃ... AXn\p {]mbambnÃtÃm..." " t\ct¯ ]dªp Rm³ sIm¨söv...C¸w ]td¶p sIm¨m¶v.... A¦nfn\p Indp¡m¶m tXm¶pt¶.... " AhfpsS NpSp\nizmkw Fsâ apJ¯Sn¨p. " Bcp ]dªp... F\níp tamtf shÃnãm... Asæn... C§s\ms¡ sN¿pthm... tamfmtcmSpw ]dbtÃ....t{]maokv....?.." " Mqw..... t{]maokv...." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn D½sh¨p. B Np−pIfn Np−p ap«n¨p. Hcp IbvsIm−v AhfpsS ]mhmS s]m¡n Ibv AIt¯ín«v XpSIfn XgpIn¯pS§n AhÄ XpSIfI¯n Fsâ IbvIÄ AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbnte sIm¨p]q¦mh\¯nsâ ap¡hebn F¯n. ]mân¡p apIfn IqSn Rm\m XSn¨ sIm¨¸¯n XgpIn. F\níp IqSpX NqSp tIdn. Rm³ Ibv apIfnteíp tIÁn ]mânkv Xmtgíp hen¨p. AhÄ Hcphiw Ip−n s]m¡n¯¶p. Rm³ B hi¯v ]mâokv Xmtgíp hen¨p. DSt\ AhÄ atÁhiw s]m¡n. Rm³ B hihpw hen¨p Xmgv¯n. AhÄ XSn¨ XpSIfSp¸n¨v ]mânkv Xmtgíp hen¨qcn Xmsgbn«p. ]ns¶ XpSIfI¯n. Ip−n Fsâ Ip®bnteíp ap«n¨aÀ¯n Ccp¶p. Rm³ apeIÄ hn«p. Ih¨ncp¶ B XpSIÄ¡nSbnteív IbvIÄ sIm−psN¶p. ]mhmSíSnbn IqSn c−pIbvIfpw sIm−v B sIm¨p]qdnsâ AcnIpIfn XShn. AhÄ apJw Xncnªv Fsâ XmSnbnepw Ihnfnepw sasà ISním³ XpS§n. AhÄ I®S¨ncp¶p. Rm\m hnImcs¨¸v c−pIbvIÄ sIm−pw Xpd¶p. \\p\\p¯ ]qSIÄ sIm−mhrXamb B ]qdn\pÅn \n¶pw NqSp]mbkw HgpIn¯pS§nbncp¶p. AXn B Ioden BIam\w Rm³ Xncp½n. AhfpsS ]o¸nbn Rm³ Xncp½n. B \o− Cfwtbm\n Ipgs¼mgn¨p tX¨ t]mse Ipgªp. NpÁpapÅ Ipcp¶p tcma§Ä \\ªp IpXnÀ¶p. AhÄ Ibv ]pdtIm«n«v Fsâ Kpemt\ _eambn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " tamÄ¡v A¦nfns\ C¸w Cãamtbm...?.." " Mqw..." AhÄ XfÀ¶ kzc¯n aqfn. " A¦ntf... {]Imi³ sN¿p¶ t]mse sN¿mthm.... F\ní§s\ sN¿Ww..." " AsX§s\bm....?..." D¯cw ]dbmsX AhÄ sRmSnbnSbn Fsâ aSnbn \ns¶gpt¶Áv ]mhmS apIfnteív Npcp«n¸nSn¨p. F¶n«v ImepIÄ Ih¨v F\ní`napJambn Fsâ aSnbnteíp Ibdn ImepIÄ c−p hit¯ípan«v Ih¨ncp¶p. Rm³ Ahtf H¶I¯n B Ipªn¸qdp icnsím¶p ImWm³ {ian¨p. AhÄ AI¶nÃ. AXpsIm−v AsXm¶p ImWm\pw ]ÁnbnÃ. " C\n A¦nfnsâ t]\m FSp¡v...." " t]\mtbm..?..." " Hm... Cu A¦nfp s]m«\m.... CXv.... GSp¡v..." AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn sXm«psIm−p ]dªp. Ip® shfnbn FSp¡Wsa¦n Fsâ jÍn DucWw. AXn\nSsí§m\pw s]®n\p t_m[w hoWm Cu Xami \n¶p t]mIpw. Rm³ jÍnbpsS hi¯p IqSn Ip® hens¨Sp¯p. ]pdt¯íp hens¨Sp¯t¸mÄ sXmenªp t]mb Xebpambn Ah³ \n¶p hnd¨p. AhÄ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. atÁIbv sIms−t¶ sI«n¸nSn¨n«v hmbpw Xpd¶ncp¶ AhfpsS \\ª Ipdn¨nbn Ahsâ Xebn«pcím³ XpS§n. Rm³ ]pdInteíp I¿n«v AhfpsS an\pk¡p−nIfn sR¡n¯ncp½n. " Fsâ A¦ntf... CsXsâ.... I¿nsemXp§p¶nÃtÃm.. {]Imisâ Fc«nsb¦nepw ImWpw....CXv..." " A¸w Ahsâ t]\m tamfp I−ns«mt−m... ?..." " CÃ... kmhn{Xn ]dªXm...\mens©ms−¶v..." AhÄ ]o¸nbn Ip®¯e AaÀ¯n Dc¨psIm−p ]dªp. " Cu ]Wn.... s\\s¡§s\ AdnbmsaSo.... tamtf..." kpJw sIm−v Xe s]cp¡p¶Xn\nSbnepw Rm³ tNmZn¨p t]mbn. " {]Imi\pw kmhn{Xow sN¿pw....... kmhn{Xn... ImWn¨p.... X¶Xm... C§s\... sNbvXm..... Hcp.... sImgt¸mansöv..."

AhfpsS ]o¸nbn Fsâ Ip«nIrjvWsâ an\pk¯e Dcbp¶ kpJ¯n Dan\ocnd¡n hn¡n hn¡n AhÄ ]dªp. F\níp kpJw aq¯p. H¸w Ip«nIrjsâ HÁ¡®v AhfpsS ]qSIfn CSípcbpt¼mgp−mIp¶ C¡nfnbpw. C¡nfn hcpt¼mÄ Rm³ AdnbmsX AsXmgnhm¡m³ sNcnbpw. kpJw s]m«ns¯dnípsa¶mbt¸mÄ Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«p apt¶m«p XÅn¸nSn¨p. At¸mÄ Ah³ AhfpsS Ipdn¨nbpsS NqSn hnShn\nSbn Ipcp§n \n¶p. " XÅmsX... F\níp t\mIp¶p..." " At¿m... tkmdn... tamfv.... ]nSns¨mct¨m..." HcpIbv sIms−t¶ sI«n¸nSn¨n«v AhÄ ho−pw Dcí XpS§n. Ac an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¯p. " F\níp ckw hcp¶¦ntf... Mqw... A¿S.... {]Imi\p.... ]mep hcpw... A¦nfn\p hcpthm...?.." " Mqw... hcpw... tamtfmcív... kv]oUnsemcív...." AhÄ Dckensâ thKX Iq«n. B sX¶p¶ Ipdn¨n¡oden Fsâ Ip®tam³ sX¶n\S¶p ckn¨p. " Ct¿m... \à ckw... Mqw... aXn... ckw h¶p.... aXn.... Mqw... F\níp.... aXn ....." AhÄ AhfpsS ]o¸nbnteíht\ XÅn¸nSn¨n«v c−pIbvIÄ sIm−pw Ft¶ Cdp¡n sI«n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ R§fpsS Acs¡«n\nSbn IqSn IbvIS¯n AhfpsS I¿nencp¶v hn§ns¸m«p¶ IrjvWIpamct\ I¿nseSp¯p. hmWaSn XpS§n. Ibv c−pt]cptSbpw Acs¡«n\nSbnembXp sIm−v sNdnb hmWaSntb ]ÁnbpÅp. AXpImcWw Fsâ Acs¡«ncp¶p hn§n. AhÄ AXdnª at«bnÃ. Fsâ s\©nteíp Nmcn I®S¨ncnípIbmbncp¶p. CSív Ip−nsbm¶\¡pw. Rm³ AhfpsS Acs¡«v Fsâ XpSIfn Ipd¨p ]pdtIm«p \nc¡n. F¶n«v Ip®¯e AhfpsS ]qÁnteíp ap«n¨p sh¨p. F¶n«v B NqS\p`hn¨psIm−v Ahsâ XSnbn hmWaSn XpS§n. AhfpsS hnShneaÀ¶ncp¶ kpJw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ Fsâ Acs¡«n Atd_y³ ISenfIn. s]s«¶p Rmt\mÀ¯p Ahsâ hm Ccníp¶Xv A]ISw ]nSn¨v kvYe¯mWtÃm F¶v. Rm³ DSt\ Ahsâ Xe FSp¯p s]m¡n tatem«m¡n sh¨p. " F´m AhnS¶p amÁntb..." AhÄ I®S¨p Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... Mqw... F\nípw ckw hs¶So tamtf.... " AaÀ¯n ]dªpsIm−v Rm³ Ahkm\t¯ ]nSn ]nSn¨p. Acs¡«nt\ XIÀ¯psIm−v NqSp ip¢w A¼pIÄ t]mse Nodn. " At¿.. Fsâ tZlt¯m«mtWm apÅp¶Xv.....\à NqSv...." AhÄ s]s«¶v Ft¶ hn«v ]pdtIm«p henªp. hbdp hf¨ncp¶ AhfpsS hbÁt¯ív Rm³ I®S¨p ]nSn¨psIm−v Iptd XpÅnIÄ IqSn sXdn¸n¨p sImSp¯p. Ip® Imenbmbt¸mÄ Hcp ZoÀLmizmkw hn«p. ]ns¶ I®p Xpd¶p t\m¡nb Rm³ I−Xv AhfpsS hbdn IqSn ]p¡nfnteípw ]ns¶ Xmsg AhfpsS sNdp]qSIfnteípw Fsâ ]m¯pÅnIÄ HgpIp¶XmWv. Iptd AhfpsS Npcp«n sh¨ncp¶ ]mhmSbnepw sXdn¨p ]Án¸nSn¨ncp¶p. " tamtf AXv aq{XÃ... A¦nfnsâ ]mem.... AXp tamsS ]o¸ntb ]ÁtÃ... AXp XpSív thKw..." AXp tI« AhÄ Hcp Ibv sIm−v AhfpsS Ipdn¨níp apIfn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨v Fgpt¶Áp. " At¿... CsXm«p¶p....A¦nfnsâ ]mep `b¦c I«n.... " AhÄ hbÁ¯p \n¶pw ssIsIm−v B XpÅnIÄ hncen tImcn H¶p t\m¡n. " C¶m sXmSt¨m..." Rm³ I«nensâ AÁ¯p InS¶ tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. AXn\p ap¼v AhÄ Ibv ]mhmSbn XpS¨pIgnªncp¶p. " tiym.. BsI \mimbn..... CXp samt«tS shÅ hm«nbXp t]msem−v...." AhÄ tXmÀ¯p hm§n ]mhmS s]m¡nhbdp \¶mbn XpS¨p. " At¿m B tXmÀ¯psIm−v tamsS apÅp¶Sw sXmSítÃ... sNe¸w sImg¸mIpw....." " F´p sImg¸w...?.." " KÀ`w..." " At¿m..." AhÄ s]s«¶v tXmÀ¯p hens¨dnªp. ]ns¶ ]mhmSsIm−v ho−pw sXmS¨p.

" C¸w F\nív tamtf H¯ncn Cãm...tIt«m... anSp¡n... BtcmSpw ]dbtÃ..." Rm³ tXmÀs¯Sp¯v Fsâ Ip® XpS¨v jÍnípÅnteíp XncpIn. AhfXp t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp. " At¿... A¦nfnsâ ip®n ]nt¶w sNdpXmbn....." " C\ow tamfp sXm«m AXp hepXmIpw... tamÄ¡o ]Wn Cãmtbm....?..." " Ctãms¡bmbo..... F¶mepw..... C¸w GXm−p t]mse... sÈ ..th−mcp¶p... tZls¯Ãmw A¦nfnsâ ]mepw ]Án.... " " A¸w sImd¨p apt¼... tamfp ip®n ]o¸ntbens«mc¨tXm.....?.." " At¶cw kmhn{Xn ]dª t]mse Xt¶..... \à ckmcp¶p.... ]nt¶...... .A¦nfp ]dªt]mse... KÀ`w... " " Ite... Ietamtf..." hcm´bn \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS hnfn. " At¿m...A½....." AhÄ ]cn{`m´bmbn Ft¶ t\m¡n. " I«nensâ Iotg tIdntím... thKw...." " At¿m... t\m¡nbm ImWpw....." AhÄ `n¯nbcnIn sXdp¯p Npcp«n Nmcn sh¨ncp¶ ]mbpsS adhnteíp amdn Hfn¨p \n¶p. I«nensâ Xmsg InS¶ AhfpsS ]mâokv Rm³ ImepsIm−v I«nen\Snbnteíp X«n \o¡n. DS³ IXIn ap«ptI«p. Rm³ Dd¡¯n \ns¶¶ t]mse tNmZn¨p. " Bcm..." " Rm\m... tN¨n...." " Rm³ Dd¡¨SthmsS sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. \o«n Hcp tIm«phmbn«p. " Ft´ tN¨o...?. Rms\ms¶md§nt¸mbn..." " Ite I−mcpt¶m.....?.." " CÃ... Ahtf t]Sn¨m Rm³ IXIn\p IpÁnbn«p sISs¶md§nbXv... CtàAhsfmd¡¯nÃ... sNet¨m−p hcpw.... t]mI¯nÃ...." " F¦n.. cmPp Hd§ntím... " " sNe¸w....B ]d¼nse§m\pw ImWpw....." IXIp Nmcp¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ]dªp. ]ns¶ ]mXnbSª IXIn\nSbn IqSn t\m¡n. Ftf½ apÁ¯nd§n tXm«nd¼nteíp t]mIp¶p. ]Sn IS¶t¸mÄ Rm³ Ietb hnfn¨p. " hm.... s]mtím... ]mhmS HSt\ IgpIWw tIt«m... " " Mqw..." AhÄ t\tc ASp¡fhit¯tímSn. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ ]mhmSbpsS AÁw ]ngnªp sIm−v AhÄ apÁt¯íp h¶p. At¸mÄ A`ncman XeapSnbpw tXmÀ¯ns¡m−v Xn®bnteínd§n h¶p. A`ntb I−t¸mÄ Ietb Aåw hndíp¶pt−m Fs¶\nsímcp kwibw. " \o FhnSmcp¶p... A½ C¸w \nt¶ At\zjn¨tÃm..." " Rm³ Np½m.... ]d¼nsem¶p \S¶p....." " Cu NqSt¯m.... F¶m¸ns¶ t]mIp¼w ]dtª¨p s]míqtS...." Rm³ CSíp tIdn tNmZn¨p. " \nsâ ]mhmSsb´n\m \\t¨...?." A`nbpsS tNmZyw. " Imep X«n H¶p hoW¸w C¨nsc a®p ]Án.... AXp IgpInbXm..." " F¶m¸ns¶ AXe¡m\nt«¨v thsd FSp¯pSp¡v... " " Mqw...Ct«ímw..." Ie Xebm«ns¡m−p ]dªp. A`n Ft¶ t\m¡n. Rm³ Hcp tIm«phmbn«psIm−v H¶padnbm¯ t]mse IXIp tNÀ¯S¨p. slm, A§s\ Hcp amam¦w Ignªp In«n. XpS§nb¸w AdnªnÃ. sÈ, th−mcp¶p. shdptX B s]s¦m¨nt\ s]g¸nípIbmWp Rm³. AXpw Hcp s]m«ns¸®v. C\n AhÄ h¶m HmSn¨p hnSWw. Fs¶¦nepw A`n FtâXmIpIbmsW¦nÂ, H¶pasænepw Ftâbpw IqsS A\nb¯nbtà AhÄ. Hcp kXyw Rm³ a\Ênem¡n. Hfn¨pÅ XamiIÄ¡p ckap−v. GXmbmepw \nÀ¯n, IebpambpÅ XamiIÄ \nÀ¯n. C¶p Xt¶, AhÄ hne¡nbnÃmbncps¶¦n Rm³ AhfpsS sIm¨pXpfbn CSn¨p tIÁntbt\. Cuizcm... A_²w ]Ántbt\. Xt¶bpaÃ, B kab¯v A`nsb§m\pw Cd§n h¶ncps¶¦nÂ, Ftf½tb

I_fn¸n¨Xpt]mse Ahtf ]Áním³ km[níbnÃ. HmÀ¯t¸mÄ DÅn Hcp ImfÂ. CÃ, C\nbnÃ, Rm\pd¨p. At¸mgmtWmÀ¯Xv I«nenensâ Iotg InS¡p¶ ]mânbpsS Imcyw. Rm³ AsXSp¯p. Aåw aª \ndap−mbncp¶ AXnsâ aÀ½`mKw H¶p aW¯p. DW§nb aq{X¯nsâ aWhpw ]ns¶t´m Hcp a¡paWhpw. Rm³ AXp aS¡n Hcp ISemkn s]mXnªv s]«nbn sh¨p. ]ns¶ sImSp¡mw. Rms\sâ IbvIÄ aW¯p. aq{Xw IeÀ¶ ]qdnsâ aWw, F¶n«pw Hcp hÃmbvI. shÅw h¶p t]mbXpsIm−mbncnípw. C\n Ipd¨p Ignªp IgpImw. Iptd¡gnbpt¼mÄ Cu aW¯n\p kzmZp tXm¶mw. Hcp ab¡w t]mse. Rm³ I«nenteíp Nmªp. ]ntÁ¶p cmhnte Dd¡w DWÀ¶Xp Xt¶ Hcp _lfw tI«psIm−mbncp¶p. " Ietamtf....FSo H¶p thKw Hcp§v..." Ftf½ H¨ shíp¶p " Rm³ hcp¶nÃ....A½ t]mbn«p h¶m aXot¶..." IetamÄ NnWp§p¶ iÐw. " Aà tamtf A½ Xt¶ F§\m t]mhpI...? tamfqsS Iq«pt]m... kÔyíp apt¼ Xncn¨p hcmtÃm..." AXv A`nbpsS ]n´m§Â. " F\nív A½mhsâ ho«n t]mI−... c−p t]cpw IqsS....Np½m IÅpw IpSnt¨m−ncnípw... Hcp Iq«p t]mepw CÃ... ChnSmtW tN¨nsbm−v... A¦nsfm−v... F´n\m... A½ Xs¶ t]mbn«v hcs«..." Ie. tamfv ....A½símcp Iq«mbn«p t]mIp¶XtÃ.....A½ív.. tN«t\ ImWm\tÃ...." A`n A\p\bn¸níp¶p. " Aà tN¨o...... A½í½mht\ ImWtWm¦n... A§p t]mbm t]mtc....?.. F´n\m Ft¶w hnfnítW...?.." " tamfqsS sNÃv..... A½ X\ns¨§\m At{Xw Zqcw bm{X sN¿tW... s]m¶p tamftÃ.... A½ ]td¶Xv tI¡v...." A`n X©¯n Ahtf k½Xn¸n¨ e£Ww. " C¶qsS am{Xw t]mImw. C\n Ft¶mSv hcm³ ]dbÃv... tIt«m.... \nÃv... Rm³ A¦nfnt\msSmcp Imcyw ]dbs«...." AhÄ hmXnen h¶p ap«n hnfn¨p. Rm³ H¶p IqSn Dd¡w \Sn¨p InS¶p. " A¦ntf...A¦ntf...." Ie hmXn XÅn¯pd¶I¯p h¶p hnfn¨p. Rm³ Dd¡w \Sn¨p InS¶p. H¶p c−p hnfníp tijw AhÄ Fsâ XpSbn iànbmbn HcSn. " tM..." Rm³ sR«nsbgpt¶Áp. " F´m Ite... a\pjyt\ Hd§m\pw k½XníptIte....." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. " t\cw D¨bmb¸gm Hscmd¡w....Fgpt¶tÁ..." " F´m...?..." Rms\gpt¶Áncps¶mcp tIm«phm hn«p. " ]ns¶tb... C¶v kmhn{Xn h¶m ]dªp hnt«cv... Syqj³ th−..." " AsX´m...?..." " Rm³ A½mhsâ ho«nt]mIphm...A½íp Iq«mbn«v..." " Ahfp hcpImtW hcs«... ]Tním\tÃ..." " A§s\bn¸w sIm©−... F\nío A¦nfnt\ C¸w C¨nsc hnizmks¡mdhm.. Ahfpw A{X tamiÃ... hà ]Sw hcíepw \S¯nbmtem..." " ]Sw hcítem..." " Mm...." AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbnteíp ]dªp. "C¶se \½fp \S¯nbntÃ... AXm ]Sw hcíev...." " sImÅmtemSo... \n§fp s]¼ntÅcv... C\n thsd Fs´¦nepw Ht−m...?.. " " {]Imi\m CXv ]dªXv... Rm\Ã..." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfs¯m¶p Ip¯n. " tamtf.... F¶n«v \o C¶se B Nmtbmw Hs¡....\nsâ AhS¶p IgpIns¯mS¨p IfªtÃm... CtÃ..?" clkyambn tNmZn¨psIm−v Rm³ ]mhmS Iq«n AhfpsS A¸¯nsem¶p sasà Ip¯n. AhÄ H¶p Ip\nªp hfªn«p tNmZn¨p. " sIS¡¸mtbs¶gpt¶Áp Indp¡p ]dbpImtWm...?...... F´p Nmbam... ?." " FSo... IgpXs¡mt¨.... Fsâ ]mev...?.." " Hm... AtXm.. AXt¶cw Xt¶ IgpIn¡fªp... AÃ... AXhnSncp¶mse´m... Np½mXXÃtÃm.. ]Sw hc¨n«tÃ....?.." " H¶p ]Xps¡ ]d... htÃmcpw tI¡pw...\o Fsâ... I«s]mI It− AS§pshmÅq AtÃ...?.." Rm³ AhfpsS hm s]m¯n. AhÄ iÐw Ipd¨p ]dªp.

" KÀ`w t]Sn¨mtWm...?.... Cu A¦nsfmcp t]Sns¯m−\m.... shdí−... B `{ZImfn ImWmsX Hcp hn[¯nÂ... Rm\sXm¸n¨p.... " " Bcv.. A`ntbm...?.." " Mqw... At¶cw ....Fsâ ]mhmtStem«p t\m¡nb¸w Rm³ H¶p t]Sn¨mcp¶p... IqSpXep htÃmw tNmZnípthm¶v... `b¦c Ipcp«p_p²n¡mcnbm km[\w..." At¸mtgípw Ftf½ hmXn¡se¯n. " FSo... \o ChnsS Fs´Spt¯m−p \níphmSo... ]ns¶ cmPq... R§fp Fsâ B§tfsS ho«nhtc H¶p t]mIphm... cmPp ChnsS ImWptIte... A`n X\n¨mtW..." " Rms\§pw t]mIp¶nÃ... tN¨n IÅt\ t]Sn¨mtWm...t]mIp¶Xv... ChnsS Hcp IÅ\pw hc¯nÃ... Rms\mÅSt¯mfw Imew..." Ahscm¶p ]cp§n. " tlbv...AsXm¶phÃ... C¶h[nbtÃ... tN«t\ I−n«v sImtdbmbn..." Fsâ a\Ên tXm¶n. "F¶m¸ns¶ B§f¡nhnSw htc hcmcp¶tÃm" F¶v. ]t£ tNmZn¨nÃ. " Itew t]mIphmtWm.. Ah¡p Syqjs\mÅXmcp¶p...." " AtXt¶... Cu A½.. ]Tním\pw k½XníptIe...... " Ie InWp§n. " Hm.. Cs¶mcp sZhkw Zqjn¨ntÃepw sImg¸anÃ... AtÃepw \o H¯ncn ]Tnípt¶mftÃ... hm... C¸w t]mbm.. Ccp«pt¶\p ap¼v Xncn¨phcmw...." {]`mXIrXy§Ä Ignªv Rm³ ]pkvXIw Xpd¶p sh¨p. At¸mÄ hmXn¡ A`ncman F¯n. " ]ns¶tb... t]meokp kmtd....Im¸n FSp¯p sh¨ns«m−v.... Rm³ tXm«nsem¶p t]mIphm... " " Ipfním\m...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AÃ... XpWn IgpIm\m..." AhÄ ]mhmSbn Ibv XpS¨psIm−p ]dªp. " AÃm... D¨Ignªtà Ae¡pt¶..." Fsâ a\Ênte kq{X[mc³ DWÀ¶p. " D¨ Ignªv F\nsímcnS¯p t]mIms\m−v...." " Ftf½.. A`ntb Ft¶ G¸nt¨¨m t]mbXv..." Rms\mcp Xami ]dªp. " Hm.. F\nínhnsS t]meokp Imhensâ Bhiysam¶qÃ... AÃm... C¶se Ft´m¶mcp¶p... Fsâ sNhotems«mcp Hcp sIf¯p hÀ¯am\w..." AhÄ Ffníp IbvIp¯ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " sIft¯m...?.. F¸w....?..." " Hm.. ]mhw.. ip²³... H¶pw HmÀ¡p¶nÃ... skmÀ®t¯¡mÄ shesbms−¶v... F\nío ]p¶mscm¶pw ]nSníptIe tIt«m... Rm\mfp thsdbm.... ]dªnÃm¶p th−...." " Rms\mcp kXytà ]dªXv... Fsâ a\ÊnsemÅXp ]dªp t]mbn...£anív... C\n an−¯nÃ..." " H¶maXv Cu ho«nen¸w a\:kam[m\sa¶p ]td¶sXm¶nÃ... AXn\p s]mdtIbm... Hmtcmcp¯cpsS... sam\ shs¨mÅ hÀ¯am\w..." lm^vkmcnbpsS AÁsaSp¯v AhÄ IhnÄ XpS¨p. " ChnsS a\:kam[m\ansæn....Fsâ ho«ntem«p t]mcv.... sNdnb IqcbmsW¦nepw kam[m\w In«pw..." Rm³ Np½msX Hcp Xami t]mse A§p ]dªp. " \à Iqc.... F¶n«p thWw ao³sIm« FSps¯sâ Xtetem«p sh¨p Xcm³... ]qXn a\Ênencnís«....._m¡nsbmtÅmtc IqSn Dfp¼p \mÁnímªn«v Ccns¸mdíp¶nà AtÃ..." AsX\nsímcSnbmbncp¶p. Rm\Xp {]Xo£n¨nÃ. Fsâ Xe XmWp. A£cmÀ°¯n F\níp Ic¨n h¶p. F¦nepw Rm\Xp ]Wns¸s«mXp¡n. Fsâ au\w I−t¸mÄ AhÄ¡pw Hcp hnjaw t]mse. hnjan¨p Rms\mcp ]p©ncn hcp¯n F¶n«p ]dªp. " tkmdn... \n§sfms¡ kÀ¡mcptZymKkvXcmsW¶p Rm³ ad¶p t]mbn tIt«m.... Mm... shdptX... cmhnte... hSnsImSp¯Sn taSn¨p.... ao³ I¨hS¡mcmtWepw ImintÃepw a\:kam[m\w Hs−t¶ ]dsªmÅp... tkmdn...." Fsâ iÐw XWp¯ncp¶p. " At¿m....cmPmaWn shjaní−.... H¶pw a\Ênsh¨p ]dªXÃ... kwkmcn¨p h¶¸w... A§v....Mm.....t]ms«....h¶p Im¸n IpSnív..." AhÄ ]n´ncnªp.

" A`o... H¶p shbnÁp sN¿mtam... Rms\m¶p tXm«n ap§n hcmw... Rm³ XncnsI h¶n«v....]ns¶ A`n s]mtím..." " Mqw...?.. Cs¶´m ]XnhnÃmsX...tXm«nsemcp ap§ev...? sIWÁpIscbmcp¶tÃm {]nbw...?.." AhÄ apJw tIm«n tNmZn¨p. " cmhnte XebmsI s]cp¡p¶p...H¶p ap§n¡pfn¨m... H¶p XWpt¯t\... " " cmhnte th−mXo\w ]dbp¼w HmÀ¡Ww... Xe s]cp¡psa¶v... t]mbn¡pfnt¨m..... F\nív Ae¡nbm aXn..... Ipfníp¶Xv Rm\nhnsSbm...." " F¶mepw....A`n AhsS \n¶e¡p¼w Rm³ AtX IShnÂ...... Ipfníp¶Xv icnbÃtÃm..." Rm³ acymZcma\mbn. " Hm...At{X¦nepw hnhtcm−tÃm... kam[m\w... F¶m thKw H¶p \ocmSnbn«p hcpthm...." " Zm, C¸w t]mIphm..." Rm³ tXmÀs¯Sp¡m\mbn Xncnªp. AhÄ AIt¯íp t]mb DSt\ Rm³ Iymadmbpw \q¡¼nbpw ¹mÌn¡pw Hs¡ GSp¯p tXmÀ¯n Hfn¸n¨psIm−v tXm«nteíp \S¶p. IShnse¯nb Rm³ NpÁp]mSpw H¶p \nco£n¨p. Bsc¦nepw Zqsc\n¶pw hcp¶pt−m F¶v. ]ns¶ A¡sc IS¶p. IpÁns¨SnbpsS CSív Iymad ^nÁpsNbvXp. \qÂI¼nsIm−v sNSnbpambn H¶p _Ôn¨p. I¼pIfpw CeIfpw hf¨v se³knsâ ap³hiw Hgn¨v _m¡nsbÃmw ad¨p. AsXm¶p IShn\p t\tc t^m¡kp sNbvXp shím³ Iptd ]mSps]«p. B IÃpIfpw NpÁp]mSpw am{Xw. ]ns¶ IShn h¶v IpÁns¨Sntb H¶p t\m¡n. Rm³ AXhnsS kvYm]n¨ BfmbXpsIm−pam{Xw Ft´m AhnsSbps−¶p a\Ênembn. Fsâ Ignhn F\níp Xt¶ A`nam\w tXm¶n. t]meokn tNcpt¼mÄ knsFUn Bbn«msW¦nepw C¯cw Kpepamep theIÄ H¸ním³ Cu ]cn]mSn ]cnioe\amIpw. Rm³ Xncn¨v ho«nse¯pt¼mÄ A£abmbn XpWns¡«pambn A`ncman apÁ¯p Xs¶ \n¡p¶p. Ft¶ IS¶p t]mIpt¼mÄ AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¡p¶Xp tI«p. " Fs´¦nepw AXymhiyt\c¯p ht¶mfpw.... samS¡m\mbn«v...." Rms\m¶pw an−nbnÃ. shdptX F´ns\mcp DS¡p−m¡Ww. AtXm CXhÄ `mhníp¶XmtWm. Ie ]dªXv C¶se Fsâ Iaâv AhÄ¡nãs¸s«¶mWsÃm. GXmbmepw ]gbXnepw IqSpX Ft¶mSv AhÄ kwkmcníp¶p−v. AXp Xs¶ \à Imcyw, DS¡msW¦nepw. H¶pansænepw ImWm³ sImÅmhp¶ s]®nt\mSv skmÅm³ BcmWnãs¸Sm¯Xv. Ipd¨p t\cambn«pw Ae¡m³ t]mb A`ntb¡mWp¶nÃ. kabw H¨nsâ thKXbn \o§p¶Xp t]mse. AhÄ h¶n«p thWw Imadm t]mbn FSp¡m³ AXp shbnepsIm−v \in¨m AXnsâ Hcp hÅnt]mepw hm§m³ F\níp IgnhnÃ. Cu kab¯v GsX¦nepw Cc h¶v IpfnípIbmsW¦n AsXmcp em`w Hcp shSnív c−v ko\pIÄ. Cãs¸« s]®nsâ Ae¡p ko\pw ]ns¶ thsdmcp Ipfnko³ {^obpw. Ccp¸pdímXmbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]mhÂtXm«¯nteív ]d¼nsâ adphi¯p IqsS Ibdn. ]ns¶ ]gb kvYe¯v t]mbncp¶p. sasà F¯n t\m¡n. AhÄ Ct¸mÄ Ip\nªp \n¶p Ft´m sN¿p¶p. Ae¡p IgnªntÃ. Hm, Ignªp. Ibv¯−bn Xq¡nbn« XpWnIfpambn AhÄ Xn«bnteíp Ibdn hcp¶p. Rm³ thKw tXm«¯nsâ \Sphnteív \S¶p. shdptX ]mhensâ NphSpIfn ]cXn. " Gbv kmtd....... cmPmaWn...." A`n Ft¶ hnfn¨p. Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p. " BMvlm... CXphtc Ae¡p IgnªnÃmcpt¶m.... " Rm³ H¶padnbm¯ t]mse tNmZn¨p. " ]nt¶tb... CXp hÃhtâw Irjnbm.... ]d¼p amt{X R§sSsbmÅq... Ahkm\w ]mhím tamãn¨q¶p t]cmIcpXv...]dtª¡mw... \mWt¡Sp R§¡qsSbm....." " AÃ`o... \½¡pw CXp t]mse Hcp tXm«w H−m¡nbmtem...?...CXp I− A¶p samXep Rm³ Nn´níphm..." " AÃ... Ct±lw ChnsS h¶Xv... Irjn sN¿mt\m AtXm ]Tn¡mt\m...." " ]Tn¨p apjnbp¼w Hcp t\ct¼m¡mIphtÃm......" " t\ct¼m¡v sImÅmw.....Ct{Xw ]mhím BÀ¡p th−nbm....Bcp Xn¶m\m....." " Xn¶m\Ã.... Nt´s¡m−p hnÁm... \à Imip In«pw..." " CXpw sIm−mcm N´síms¡ t]mWXv....?.. sa\t¡Sv....."

" Hm... Rmt\mÀ¯nÃ.... R§s¡ms¡.. CXv c−p Intem Hs−¦n Hcp Intem Acn taSnímw... DtZymKsamtÅmÀ¡Xnsâ BhiyanÃtÃm..." " Hm.... sXmS§n... Rm³ t]mIphm...." AhÄ ho«nteíp \S¶p. Rm³ tXm«¯n\p shfnbnend§n. \\ª ]mhmS hnShn\pÅnteív tIdn H«n¸nSn¨ Ip−nIfpw Ipep¡n t]mIp¶ B \S¸p Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶p. s]s«¶hÄ H¶p Xncnªp t\m¡n. Ahtf Xt¶ t\m¡n \n¡p¶ Ft¶ I−t¸mÄ \S¸p \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ Ip−nbnsem«nb \\ª ]mhmS hen¨p t\scbn«n«v sasà \S¶p t]mbn. At¸mÄ AhÄ¡p a\Ênembn Rm³ B Ip−nIÄ t\m¡n\n¶v shÅand¡pIbmbncps¶¶v. At¿, th−mcp¶p. Ahsf´p hnNmcn¨p ImWpw. Hm, ]pÃv, Fsâ ImapInsbm¶paÃtÃm, Ft¶ AhÄ t{]anípsa¶pw tXm¶p¶nÃ. ao\pfp¼v aW¡patÃm. At¸mÄ ]ns¶, In«pt¶S¯v ]Xp§n \n¶v aÁmcpw ImWmsX BkzZnípI. AhÄ I®n \n¶pw adªt¸mÄ NpÁpw t\m¡nbn«v Rm³ tXm«ntetímSnbnd§n. \q¡¼nbgn¨v Iymadm I¿nseSp¯p. CeIÄ¡nSbnembncp¶XpsIm−v A[nIw NqSmbn«nÃ. tS¸v Xocmdmsb¦nepw At¸mgpw HmSns¡m−ncp¶p. AXv \nÀ¯n tXmÀ¯nsemXp¡nbn«v Rm³ ]mhÂt¯m«¯n tIdn. \¶mbn ]gp¯ Hcp apgp¯ Imbv ]dn¨p B Iq«¯n tXmÀ¯nem¡n. apÁs¯¯pt¼mÄ Rm³ {]Xo£n¨Xp t]mse Xt¶ A`n Ft¶ t\m¡n \n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. XpWn Ibdn hncn¨nSp¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ Fsâ I¿ntesím¶p kq£n¨p t\m¡n. " Gbv... t]meokp kmsd... B tXmÀ¯nsâ ASose´m Hfn¨p]nSn¨ncnípt¶...." AhÄ Hcp IÅs\ I−p]nSn¨ hnPbnbpsS `mh¯n tNmZn¨p. " AXv...H¶panÃ...Np½m...." " AXÃ... Ft´m H−v.... Ft¶mSp ]dbp¶XpsIm−v sImg¸anÃ... Rm³ HÁns¡mSp¡¯nÃ......" " AXv... AXv... tZ CXm..." Rm³ tXmÀ¯v Aåw amÁn ]mhímbpsS AÁw Ahtf ImWn¨p. " Fâoizcm.... tXm«¯n tIdn\n¶¸tg Rms\md¨Xm... t]meokp tamãním³ tIdnbXmsW¶v... C\n CXnsâ sImg¸w IqSntb HÅp... F¶mepw Fs´mcp XtâSw.. Hcpfp¸panÃmsX.... " AhÄ aq¡n hnc sh¨p. " an−mXncn... CsXm¶pw tamjWaÃ... CXv Xn¶m\Ã... hn¯n\m... CXnsâ Imbv aq¡p¼w ]s¯®w \n§sSbm Irjn¡mc\p Np½msX sImSpt¯ímw..." " Abmfp R§sS ]d¼n ]m«w Xt¶¨m Irjn Fd¡ocníp¶Xv... AO\dnb−..." AhÄ ]dªXp IW¡m¡msX Rm³ AIt¯íp tIdn Iymadm HXp¡nsh¨n«v Cd§n h¶p. " \½¡pw Irjn sN¿t−.... B ImbvIfp I−¸w sImXn tXm¶n. .... \à C\am.... CXv ]dn¨ntàFsâ sImXn ]Án AbmÄsS Irjn \in¨p t]mIpw.. AtXm−p ]dn¨Xm...." Rm³ Fsâ \ne]mSp km[qIcn¨p. " tamãns¨mÅ Irjnsbm¶pw R¡Ä¡p th−... Iůcw....R§¡ntãmanÃ...." " Nt¦ Ibv sht¨m−p ]dbWw... C§s\sbmÅ Imcy§fv... {]tXyIn¨v XXzw ]dbp¼w....." Rm³ Ahtf kq£n¨p t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " GXp Imcy§fv...?..." AhÄ tPmen \nÀ¯n. Ft¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡n. " Iůc§fnÃms¶ms¡....." AhÄ Aå t\cw au\w ]q−p. ]ns¶ XpWn hncn¨nSm³ XpS§n. sasà ]dªp. " BÀ¡m... C¨nscsbms¡ ItÅmw s\mtWsams¡ CÃmt¯....?.a\pjyctÃ....?.." B apJw At¸mÄ Ip\nªncp¶p. " F¦n ]ns¶... thZm´w ]dbcpXv... ]ns¶ FÃmcpw s]m«½mcpw AÃ... F¶qtSmÀ¯m sImÅmw... " AhÄ Ft¶ GdpI®n«p t\m¡p¶Xp I−psIm−v Rm³ AIt¯íp tIdnt¸mbn. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Nmbn¸nsâ hmXn¡ h¶n«p ]dªp. " Im¸nbncp¶p XWp¯p...." " kmcanÃ, F\níXp aXn... CsX¦nepw.....F¶pw X¶m aXn..."

AhÄ¡p Rm³ ]dªXp a\Ênembnà F¶p tXm¶p¶p. H¶pw an−msX AhÄ XncnsIt¸mbn. Rm³ ]pdtI AIt¯íp Ibdn. I¸bpw apfIpN½´nbpw Ign¨p XWp¯ Im¸nbpw IpSn¨p s]s«¶nd§n t]m¶p. CSíhÄ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw F¯nt\m¡p¶Xp I−p. Rm³ XncnsI Fsâ apdnbnse¯n. tS¸p dossh³Up sNbvXp. IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. tS¸p ImWm³ XpS§n. \maP]sams¡ kv]oUn apt¶m«p hn«n«v IShp apX ImWm³ XpS§n. Ipg¸anà Fsâ t^m¡kn§v, ]Tn¨pt]mbn. ImÁpsIm−mtWm Ft´m Zriyw ]Xps¡ A\§p¶p−v. im´amsbmgpIp¶ Pew. Xn«bn \n¡p¶ IpÁn¸pÃpIÄ hsc B sNdnb kv{Io\n hyàambn ImWmw. imkv{X¯nsâ Hcp t]mt¡, Rm\Â`pXs¸«p. Ipdt¨mSn¡gnªt¸mÄ ImWmw ]mhmSbpw ImepIfpw. ]ns¶ A`ncman kv{Io\nteíp h¶p. AhÄ Xn«bn Ibdn \n¶m apJ¯nsâ ]IpXntb ImWpIbpÅp. Aåw IqSn tXmSv Hgnhm¡nbncps¶¦n apgph³ In«ntbt\. t]ms«, C{Xbpw aXnsb¶p sh¨p. Rm³ N¦nSnt¸msS t\m¡nbncp¶p. AhÄ I¿nencp¶ XpWnIÄ IShn¶cnIn InS¶ Hcp Hcp sNdnb IÃnteín«p. ]ns¶ shůnend§n. Is¿m¶p IgpIn Ipd¨p shÅw hmbnsemgn¨p ]sÃm¶p tX¨p, Ipeps¡mgnªp Xp¸n. ho−pw Xn«bnteíp Ibdn. Chsf´m BÀ«p ^nenw IfníphmtWm, Rm³ Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ NpÁpw t\m¡n. UmhWnbpsS Ips¯Sp¯p, AXgn¨v IÃnteín«p. ]mhmS Aåw s]m¡n Ip\nªp \n¶v DÅnteíp I¿n«p, Acs¡«n \n¶pw Ft´m Xmtgíp hen¨p. ImepIfnÂIqSn DucnsbSp¯p. Hm, jÍn shÅbn \oe ]q¡fpÅ I\w Ipdª ]mâokv. AhÄ AXv Xncn¨pw adn¨pw H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ AXnsâ ap¼nse hoXnIpdª `mKw, AhfpsS aZ\kt¦Xt¯ ad¨ncp¶ `mKw, H¶p hnSÀ¯n t\m¡n. Akm[mcWambsXt´m I−Xp t]mse apJw H¶p Npfnªp. kq£n¨p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ AhnSw H¶p aW¯p. apJw h{In¨psIm−v AXpw B XpWnIfpsS Iq«¯nteín«p. At¿m, XpWnbgn¨mbncpt¶m Ae¡v. F¦n t\ct¯ t\mt¡−Xmbncp¶p. apSnªhtf AXp aW¡m³ Ft¶ G¸n¨p IqSmcpt¶m. Rm\Xe¡n Xncn¨p Xcpambncp¶ntÃ. ]ns¶ ]mhmS s]m¡n¸nSn¨v shůnend§n. A{]Xo£nXambn Acíp apIfnteíXp s]m´n¨p ]nSn¨t¸mÄ \à shfp¯pcp− Ip−nIfptS Zriyw Fsâ ap−n\pÅn A\¡w krãn¨p. F\nít¸mÄ B shfp¯p hnSÀ¶ Acs¡«nsâ Hcp hita ImWm³ ]Áp¶pÅp. AhnsS AcªmW¸mSnsâ H¸w Hcp Xhn«p \nd¯nepÅ adptIm? Mpw, ImWmadbt¯ adpIv, `mKyapÅ s]®v. GtXm `mKyapÅh³ AXn Hcní XtemSpw. F\nín{Xsb¦nepw ImWm³ ]ÁnbtÃm Fsâ ImatZhm, Ahkcw X¶Xn\p s]cp¯p \μnbpt−. NpÁpw H¶p IqSn t\m¡nbn«p ]mhmS \\ímsX AhÄ shůnteíp Ip´n¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ IhínSbnteíp I¿n«p IgpIm³ XpS§n. Fsâ s]t®, \obXn§s\ sXmd¶p ]nSnímsX, hà sNdpao\pw h¶v sIm¯pw Asæn AXn\It¯íp Xebn«p tIdpw. shůn\Snbn F´mWp \S¡p¶sX¶p ImW¯nÃ. H¶pd¸mWv. \à hr¯nbpÅ s]¬Ip«nbmWnhÄ. Xsâ clky`mKw AhÄ \¶mbn«v hniZambn IgpIp¶p−v, AXm I¿psS Ne\w I−mednbmw. ]¯p sk¡âv, AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. ap−n\pÅn Fsâ cmhW\pw Fgpt¶Áp. s]s«¶v Rm\ht\mSp ]dªp. tamt\, Rm³ t{]aníp¶ s]®mWnhÄ. Chtf I−n«v \n\¡p ZpãhnNmc§Ä D−mIm³ ]mSnÃ. AXpsIm−v \obS§v, \ap¡p c−pt]À¡pw IqSn CXp C\nsbmcní Cãw t]mse I−p cknímw AXp aXn tIt«m. Ah³ ]dªp. Fsâ Bimt\, CXv hÃh\pw hn[nís¸« Nc¡m, AXpsIm−v hnÍo, C¸w apXem¡msa¦n apXem¡ntím, Rm³ Xmg¯nÃ. ]ns¶ Rm³ Aht\ \nÀ_Ôn¨nÃ. AhnsS \n¡s« F¶p IcpXn. IhínS IgpI Ignªv AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. s]m¡n¸nSn¨ ]mhmS Xmtgív shůnteín«p. ]ns¶ henb IÃnsâ ASp¯pÅ sNdnb IÃnteíncp¶p. ImepIÄ Hcphi¯p IqSn shůnteín«p. IbvIÄ s]m¡n ]pdInteín«v »ukn\p ]pd¯p IqSn {_mbpsS lp¡gn¨n«p. Hm, Bizmk¯n\p th−n. ]ns¶ Hmtcm XpWnbpsaSp¯v shůn ap¡n tkm¸p tX¨p amÁn sh¨p. Rm³ tS¸p Aåw ]pdtIms«Sp¯p. AhÄ Ibv s]m¡nb `mKw H¶pIqSn {i²n¨p. At\zjn¨Xp In«n. AtX, AhfpsS I£¯nsâ Hcp hit¯ hnbÀ¸nsâ \\hv. Ct¸mÄ Cu sNdnb Imcyw hfsc BkzmZyIcw. ]ns¶bpw Rm³ apt¼m«p t]mbn. \bnÁnIÄ, IebpsS bqWnt^mw,

]mhmS, Ftf½bpsS »ukv, Hcp apdn¡¿³ jÀ«v, Ibnen, AhfpsS c−p »ukpIÄ, Hcp ]mhmS, c−p aq¶p ape¡¨IÄ, c−p ]mânIÄ. Chsf´m Cu ho«nte Ae¡pImcnbmtWm. B, F´pamIs«. At¸mtgípw ]¯p an\ns«¦nepw Bbn¡mWpw. F\níåw hnckX t]mse, sNdnb Hcp hnckX. Rm³ tS¸p \nÀ¯n. ]pd¯ns¡m¶nd§n. ASp¡fbnsem¶p tIdn. Hfn¨p ImWp¶Xn\nSbn Fsâ s]®nt\ t\cn ImWp¶Xpw Hcp ckw. DÅn ]dbmatÃm, FSo \ob{X sRfnbs−So, \ns¶ Rm³ a\Êp Xpd¶p ]©mcbSn¨psIm−ncnípIbmsWSo. Rm³ ASp¡f hmXn¡ sNÃpt¼mÄ A`n [rXnbn Fs´ms¡tbm ]mNIw sN¿pIbmbncp¶p. Aåt\cw AhÄ [rXnbn At§m«pant§m«pw HmSp¶Xpw t\m¡n \n¶p. [rXnbn \S¡pt¼mÄ sXdníp¶ AhfpsS buhz\¯nsâ XpSn¸pIÄ ImWm³ \à ckw. XeapSn sI«nsh¨v ]mhmS tIÁn¡p¯n ape¡pS§Ä¡nSbn t\À¯pt]mb UmhWn CSínS¡v hnXnÀ¯n amdpIÄ ad¨psIm−v NpdpNpdpt¡msS tPmensN¿p¶ Ahtf¡−t¸mÄ sI«n¸nSns¨mcp ap¯w sImSp¡m³ a\Êp sh¼n. Rm³ an−msX \n¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ tNmZy`mh¯n Hcp t\m«w. " Mqw... F´m... C¶n\ow hà sIf¯epw Fgps¶Åním\mtWm...?.. AtXm shi¡ps¶mt−m...?.." " AsXm¶panÃ... sImtd t\cw Ccp¶p ]Tn¨¸w Hcp apjnhv.." " AXp sicn... apjnhp amÁm\mtWm ASp¡tftem«p tIdnt¸m¶Xv..." AhfpsS tNmZyw. AtX F¶p a\Ên ]dsª¦nepw thtd hmNIamWp a\Ên h¶Xv. " At¿m...tkmdn... H¶p an−msa¶p IcpXn tIdnbXm... ]penatStem«m XebnSpt¶¶p Rmt\mÀ¯nÃ...Rm³ tZ, t]mIphmtW....." " htÃm shtÅm atÁm thtWm...? NqSpIme¯p [mcmfw shÅw IpSn¨m tZl¯n\p \ÃXm... Xe XWp¡ptIw sN¿pw... s]cp¸pw sImdbpw...." AhÄ Ft¶ Ifnbm¡n. " Fsâ s]ms¶mSbtX... F\nsím¶pw th−mtb..." Rm³ NmSn shfnbnend§n. " kmsdm¶p \nt¶... shi¡ps¶m−mIpw... C¸w sdUnbmIpw tIt«m.... " " Hm...." Rm³ Xn®bn \n¶pw aqfn. t\cw D¨bmbn¡gnªncp¶p. F\níp hni¸nÃmbncp¶p. ]Icw Bßmhn Zmlambncp¶p. Rm³ ho−pw IXIS¨v tS¸v ImWm³ XpS§n. XpWnIfn tkm¸p tX¨psh¨Xn\p tijw AhÄ shůnteínd§n. ]mhmStbmSp IqSn shůnencp¶p. Ipd¨p shÅw tImcn apXpIntesímgn¨p. Hm, NqSp−mIpw, B\ Xp¼nss¡bn shÅw tImcn NoÁn¨v apXpIp XWp¸níp¶Xp t]mse. At¸mgmWp Rm³ {i²n¨Xv Dcp− ape¡pS§Ä¡p apIfn {_mbpw »ukpw \\sªm«nbncníp¶p. {_m Agn¨n«n«pw Ahíp c−n\pw bmsXmcp kvYm\Ne\hpanÃ. At¿, Idp¯ {_m, kIe ckhpw Ifªp. F¦nepw, Cu A\m{LmX sam«pItf H¶p sXmSm³ km[n¨ncps¶¦nÂ. Rm³ kv{Io\n B apeIÄ¡p apIfn sasà IbvIÄ sIm−p XShn, B cXnapIpf§fn t\cn«p It¿mSníp¶Xp t]msebpÅ Hc\p`qXn Rm³ A\p`hn¨p.. lmbv, CsXmcp Imgv¨ Xt¶. AhÄ Ip\nªp \n¶v Hcp Im apt¶m«p sh¨p. ]ns¶ henb Ae¡pIÃn Ipd¨p shÅw tImcnsbmgn¨p. ]ns¶ Hmtcm XpWnbpw FSp¯v IÃnen«v Ae¡m³ XpS§n. apt«mfw shůn ]mhmS Hgp¡n InS¶pebp¶p. Cfw aªbn henb ]q¡fpsSbpw CeIfptSbpw Unssk\pIfpÅ ]mhmS B Dcp− Ip−nIfn H«n¸nSn¨p. Ae¡p¶ Ne\a\pkcn¨v B Ip−nIÄ sNdpXmbn Hmfw sh«p¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckw. ImcWw kv{Io\nsâ a²y¯n B c−p Ip−nIfpw t\tc ImWmw. Dcp−p an\p¯§s\ \n¡pIbtÃ. \\ª ]mhmS B hnShnteíp Ibdn H«n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. \à shfp¯ Ip−nIÄ¡p ]mhmSbpsS aª\ndhpw \\hpw Hcp Nph¸p Omb \ÂIn. Rm\Xp t\m¡nbncp¶p. sNdnb XpWnIÄ FÃmw sXcpsXsc ASn¨e¡n shůn De¨p]ngnªv thsdmcp IÃnteíSp¡n sh¨p. ]ns¶ hepsXms¡ Hmtcm¶mbn ASn¨e¡m³ XpS§n. AXn\p ap¼hÄ H¶p IqSn shůn Ccp¶p. ImcWw shbnen ]mhmS DW§nbncp¶p. XWp¸p \ãs¸«p ImWpw. Aåw shÅw ho−pw apXpIn Hgn¨p. H¸w H¶p Ipeps¡mgnbpIbpw sNbvXp. IuXpIt¯msS Rm\sXÃmw t\m¡nbncp¶p. Fsâ s]®v, Rm\nãs¸Sp¶ s]®nsâ Ne\§Ä Hfn¨p t\m¡n ckníp¶Xv F¶n Hcp ]pXnb A\p`qXn Dfhm¡n.

Aes¡¦n Ae¡v. In«p¶Xp Imcyw. CXn\nSív AhÄ Ae¡nb Hcp XpWnsbSp¯v Xebn C«p. henb XpWnIÄ Ae¡pt¼mÄ apt¶m«mbp¶ B N´nIfpsS aknepIÄ X½n henbp¶Xpw Debp¶Xpw t\m¡n shÅand¡n Rm\ncp¶p. AXnSbn hncnªp \n¡p¶ B aZ\¸qhnt\¡pdn¨v At¸mÄ Rm³ Nn´ním\nãs¸«nÃ. AhfpsS Ne§Ä Hfn¨p ImWpI A{Xbpta F\níp−mbncp¶pÅp. AhÄ XpWnIsfÃmw H¶p IqSn De¨p ]ngnªv IÃn sh¨n«v Ft´m H¶p Nn´n¨p \n¶p. ]ns¶ apIfn Xn«bnteíp Ibdn. Hcp \nanjt¯ív AhÄ kv{Io\n \n¶pw adªp. ho−pw AhÄ kv{Io\nÂ. C¯hW shÅXn InS¶ Ae¡pIÃn tIdn \n¶p. ]ns¶ tXm«n Xmtgípw tateípw t\m¡n. FXnÀhit¯íp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Rms\m¶p sR«n. B I®pIÄ IymadmbpsS t\tc Xt¶. ASp¯ {]hÀ¯n Ft¶ BsI A¼c¸n¨p. ]mhmS s]m¡n¸nSn¨n«v AhÄ B IÃnteív Ip´¡menencp¶p. Fsâ Cuizcm, Rms\´mWo ImWp¶Xv. Fsâ s]®nsâ, Rms\¶pw k¦å¯n I−psIm−ncp¶ {]mtWizcnbpsS, F\nsí¶pw A{]m]ybmb B kpμcnbpsS ImepIÄ¡nSbnte, XpSIfpsS kwKakvYm\t¯, aZ\¸qhnXm Fsâ ap¼n hncnªp \n¡p¶p. AtX Fsâ A`ncmanbpsS Ihs¡Sbnte ]c¶ kmam\w, hncnªp Iodnb ]qdv. Fsâ izmkw \ne¨p. Iymad ÌnÃn \nÀ¯nbn«v Rms\m¶p ZoÀLizmkw hn«p. Fsâ sIm¨ptam³ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. F´mWnhfpsS `mhw. Rm³ BsI H¶p ]cntim[n¨p. B cXn]pjv]¯n\p \à shÅ\ndw. sXm«papIfn \à Idp¯ tcma§Ä. sNdnb kv{Io\mbXpsIm−v A{X sXfnªp ImW¯nsænepw ]pkvXI¯mfp t]mse hnSÀ¶ncníp¶ AhfpsS aZ\mcma¯nsâ XpSp¸pw Iodepw Hs¡ hyàw Xt¶.. XpSp¯ shůpSIÄ Xn§nbncníp¶p. AÃm¯t¸mÄ I−m AhfpsS Acs¡«n{Xbpw hnkvXmcw tXm¶pIbnÃ. hoÀ¸n¨ sIm¨p \of³_eqWpIÄ tNÀ¯p sh¨Xpt]msebpÅ B ]qÀ¨p−pIÄ Ih¨ncníp¶Xp sIm−mhpw Aåw AI¶n«p−v. Acbn Ft´m sI«nbn«p−v. ImcWw Ccp¶t¸mÄ Acbpw hbdpw X½n aS§nt¸mbn. sNdnb {XntImWw \ndtb tcma§Ä. Ccp]XSnbn IqSpX Zqcanà Iymadbpw Ahfpw X½nÂ. AXnsâ DÅn AaÀ¶ncníp¶ sNdnb XmfpIÄ. apIfn Hme¸S¡w Ip¯n sh¨ncníp¶Xp t]mse IqÀ¯p \n¡p¶ AhfpsS tdmkv \nd¯nepÅ ]o]o AYhm I´v. ImWpt´mdpw Fsâ tZlw hndíp¶p. DÅn \n¶pw Ft´m shfnbnteíp NmSm³ sh¼Â sImÅp¶p. F\nsísâ I®pItf hnizkním³ Ignbp¶nÃ. Hcp Ime¯pw ImWm³ ]ÁpIbnsöp XoÀ¨s¸Sp¯nb ImgvN. F\níp izmkw ap«p¶Xp t]mse. Fsâ DÅw XcfnXambn. {]nb Iq«pImcm, Pm³tk, \nt¶mSp Rms\§s\ CXn\p \μn ]dbpw. DÅnte A¼cs¸m¶S§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ho−pw tSt¸mSn¨p. BZyw Ccp¶ Ccp¸n \n¶pw AhÄ H¶p \nhÀ¶p ap«pIÄ Aåw Xmgv¯n. ]mhmS ap«pIfnteíp hen¨p. Ct¸mgt¯ Imgv¨ t\ct¯Xp t]mse hnimeaÃ. F¦nepw FÃmw ImWmw. ASp¯ \nanjw B shfp¯ XmfpIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw Hcp Pe[mc ]pdt¯íp apfs]m«n sXdn¨p. Aåw NnXdnb B Pe[mc sNdnb Hcp hfthmSp IqSn tXm«nte HgpIp¶ shůnteíp Iq¸pIp¯n h«¯n sXdn¨p. CSíhÄ Acs¡s«m¶\¡n. At¸mÄ B aq{X[mc shůn Hcp hr¯w hc¨p. CsX´m AhÄ sIm¨pIp«nItft¸mse aq{Xsamgn¨p Ifn¨p cknípt¶m. BWp§Ä A−n ]nSn¨m«n aq{Xsamgníp¶Xp t]mse. A¼Sn cknI¯n, \o Hcp IpkrXn¡pSp¡ IqSnbmWtÃ. shbnen B [mc Xnf§n. IqSpXsem¶panÃ. Hc©p sk¡âp t\ct¯ív Xnf§p¶ AXp B Ipfn¡Shnt\ tcmam©aWnbn¨p. Ct¸mÄ Ft¶bpw. ]ns¶ s]s«¶§p Npcp§n. \ofhpw _ehpw Ipdªp. AXnsâ Ahkm\¯pÅnIÄ Ae¡pIÃnt\ BtÇjn¨p. A`ncmansb¶ I\yIbpsS Ih¡q«nte ]qSbm Ae¦cnís¸« {XntImWmIrXnbpÅ hninãt]SI¯n \n¶pÂ`hn¨ B kphÀW Pe[mc ]Xn¨t¸mÄ B Ae¡pIÃn\p tam£w In«n¡mWpw. ]mhw, IÃn\p tImcn¯cním³ \nhr¯nbnÃtÃm. ]t£ F\níp tam£w In«nb hminbmbn. CSíp Imadm H¶mSn. F\níp tXm¶n, B ImgvNv I−t¸mÄ \nÀhrXnsIm−mSnt¸mbXmImw. XpÅnIfnÁp hogp¶ hmbpw Xpd¶p Nncn¨psIm−v B kpμcn¸qdt¸mÄ ]mSn¡mWpw

"CXpIt−mSmtS− Iymadmtb, CXns\mcp ImapI³ thsdbpt−". F\níp tXm¶p¶p B Infn¸qdp ImWms\¯nb GtXm Infn h¶ncp¶t¸mÄ IpÁns¨Sn CfInbXmhmw. aq¶mep XpÅnItfmsS Pe[mc kam]vXw. A`ncman Ccp¶nS¯p \ns¶m¶p s]m§nbn«v B Ip−nbn«v c−p {]mhiyw Ipep¡n. Hm, ]qÀNp−n ]Án¸nSn¨ XpÅnIÄ Ipep¡n¡fªXmWv. ]ns¶ IÃn \n¶nd§n. t\tc ImepIÄ Ih¨p shůnteíncp¶p. h¶t¸mÄ BZyw sNbvXXp t]mse I¿n«p ]qdpw Ih¡nSbpw \¶mbn IgpIn. ]ns¶ ]mhmS Xmtgín«p shůnencp¶v Achtc sam¯w H¶p \\¨p. apXpInepw B\ Hgníp¶Xp t]mse Ipd¨v shÅsamgn¨p. Fgpt¶Át¸mÄ Xsâ hninãaq{Xw sIm−v A\p{KloXamb B IÃnteípw IbvsIm−v Ipd¨p shÅw tXInsbmgn¨p. (Asæn ASp¯p hcp¶ Bfn\p aq{Xw aW¡pw, s]®n\p hnhcap−v). apJ¯p Ipd¨p shÅsamgn¨p. XpWnIfpsaSp¯v Icíp Ibdn. A`ncman kv{Io\n \n¶pw A{]Xy£bmbn. Hcp an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ IymadmbpsS t\tc \S¶Sp¡p¶p. Rm³ B aq{Xsamgní NS§v ho−pw ho−pw ]pdtIm«n«p I−p. AXnse Hmtcm Imgv¨bpw Rm³ lrZnkvXam¡n. B In¶cn]qdnsâ Hmtcm AWphpw Fsâ DÅn ]Xn¸n¨p sh¨p, B kn¡ptcma§fpsS F®w htc. HmÀ¡pt´mdpw AXp a\Ên ]pXnb hÀ®¯n sXfnªp hcp¶p. ImcWw, AhÄ A`ncman, Rm³ lrZb¯n sh¨mcm[níp¶ Fsâ s]®mIp¶p. Rms\m¶p Nn´n¨p. C{Xbpw NqSpw hnbÀ¸pap−mbn«pw AhÄ¡p apÅm³ ap«nbsX´psIm−v. shÅw [mcmfw IpSníp¶p−mIpw ^nKdp \ne\nÀ¯m³. Hm, Fs¶bpw Ct¸mÄ D]tZin¨XtÃbpÅp, shÅw IpSním³. Rm³ X¡met¯¡p GÃmw AS¨p sh¨p. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp. F\níp hnfn¨p IqhWsa¶p tXm¶n. Rm³ It−, Rm³ It− F¶v. " Cuuuuu¿... Xn´n\m¡Sn Xn´n\m¡Sn... Xn´n\m¡Sn Xn´n\m¡Sn... " Rm³ ]mSns¡m−v Nmbn¸n \r¯w sh¨p. tai¸pd¯v D¨¯n XmfaSn¨p. IXIn ap«ptI«p. Rm³ ]mSnbmSns¡m−p Xt¶ IXIp Xpd¶p. A`ncman FhnsStbm t]mIm³ Xbmdmbn \n¡p¶p. " F´m... `b¦c kt´mj¯nemWtÃm... hà tem«doaSnt¨m...?..." " ASn¨q... I−q..I−q...I−nÃ...I−q...I−q..I−nÃ..." Rm³ Ahsf t\m¡n¯t¶ aqfn. " Hmtlm.. F´p tem«dnbm.... tImSnbmtWm...?...." " AXnt\¡msfms¡ shey XpIsímÅXm.... thtWm... Hcp sjbdp Xcmw... {^o... Imip Xc−.... " Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÄ¡p Nncn s]m«n. " cmhnte Xe s]cp¡p¶q¶p ]dª¸w... AXo s\tese¯q¶p IcpXoÃ....B sIWÁo¶p sImd¨p XWp¯ shÅw tImcnsbmgn¡v... AÃmsX XWp¡ptIe..." " AÃmsX Xs¶ XWp¯tÃm... Ft§m«mtWm A`ncmao...?..." Rm³ ]m«nsâ CuW¯n tNmZn¨p. " CXv aq¯Xp Xt¶... ]ns¶... Rm\o XpWnsbm¶p ssXím³ sImSp¡m³ t]mIphm... sNe¸w C¨nsc Xmaknípw..... tNmdpw Idow Imem¡n sh¨ns«m−v...... ]«nWnbncp¶v AkpJw IqS−..." AhÄ apÁt¯índ§n. " ]«nWnbncp¶mepw kmcanÃ.... sImtd \mft¯ shi¸p Xocms\mÅ hI In«ot«m−v...." " GXmbmepw AO³ H¶p ht¶mt«..... F´p hnizkn¨m {`m´½mtc ...ho«n Xmakn¸nípI...." \S¡p¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ ]dªp. " {`m´p \nsâ..." Rm³ \nÀ¯n. " tM... F´m ]dtª..." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. " AÃ... Ccp«pt¶\p ap¼ns§¯tW¶p ]dbpImcp¶p..." " Hm.. t]SnbmtW IXIS¨ncpt¶m....." lpw, t]Sn. Bscbm, Aåsa¦nepw t]Snbp−mbncp¶Xv \ns¶bmbncp¶p. C¶s¯ Hcp kn\nam\nÀ½mWt¯mSp IqSn AXpw t]mbn. \o shdpsamcp \mS³ s]®v. Ft¶ hnc«m\pÅ s]mSnss¡IfÃmsX \nsâ I¿nsem¶panÃ. AsX\níp a\ÊnemsbSo, \mtSmSnkpμcn. \m«phgntbmc¯v Ip¯nbncp¶ s]Sp¡m\pÅ \nsâ B ]gb IpkrXn, ]−v Ft¶ Xncn¨p \nÀ¯nbn«v sX§nsâ aq«nepw sNSnív adhnepw Ip¯nbncp¶v \o sNbvXncp¶ B IpkrXn, AXp \nsâ a\Ên \n¶pw C¶p htc t]mbn«nÃ. ]mhw,

C¡W¡n\p \o ChnsSbpw Cu hoSnsâ FhnsSsb¦nepw AXp km[níp¶p−mIWatÃm. AXpw I−p ]nSníWatÃm. F¶pw \nsâ hnSÀ¶ aZ\mcmaw Hcp Xpd¶ ]pkvXIw t]mse t\m¡n¡−p ckníp¶ B `mKyw sNbvX sXt§m actam AtXXmbmepw Rm³ I−p ]nSnípw. AhÄ t]mb DSt\ Rm³ AhfpsS apdnbnsem¶p tIdn. F§pw sXmSmsX H¶p ]cntim[n¨p. KpWapÅsXm¶pw I−nÃ. AXnsâ IXIp icnív ASbpIbnÃ. Hmtcm IpÁn apIfnepw CSípw D−v. IXIp tNcm¯Xn\m Ah sIm−v bmsXmcp {]tbmP\hpanÃ. B Ime³ cm{Xnsb§\pw CSn¨p XÅn¯pd¶m Cu ]mh¯ns\mcp c£bpap−mhnÃ. Cu cmta«³ shdpw ]mhw. I®paS¨v c−mw `mcytb hnizkn¨ncníp¶p. NpÁn\pw t\m¡nbn«v apjnª Hcp XpWn t]mepw I−nÃ. cmhnte Ahfn«ncp¶ »uskhnsSt¸mbn. AhfpsS Fs´¦nepw H¶p In«m\pÅ Hcp A´À±mlw. CXv h«p Xs¶bmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p. ssewKnIssh{IX§tf¡pdn¨v amknIIfn hmbn¨n«p−v. AsXgpXnbh\v CsXms¡ sshIrXambncn¡pw. ImcWw Ah\n§s\ Hcp AhkvYbnse¯nbn«p−mhnÃ. Fsâ s]®nsâ aWw In«nbmepw aXn F\níp kmbqPyaSbm³. B hnImcapt−m AXp ]dª B hnÍnídnbq. Rm³ I«nensâ ASnbn t\m¡n. Hcp sNdnb _bâp s]«n I−p. AXp hens¨Sp¯p Xpd¶p t\m¡n. Blm, tZ InS¡p¶p At\zjn¨ km[\§Ä. cmhnte DSp¯ ]mhmS, {_m, »ukv, ]ns¶ Hcp tXmÀ¯v. ]mhmSbpsS \\hp hn«ncp¶nÃ. \mft¯ínXp Icn¼\SnípIbntà ? Hm, AsX´n\p Rm\t\zjníWw. {_m FSp¯p t\m¡n. \à hen¸apÅ I¸pIÄ. Mqw, At¸mÄ s\©¯p s]mXnªpsI«ns¡m−p \S¡p¶Xv bYmÀ°¯n \à hen¸apÅh Xt¶. AsXm¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. Hcp aWhpanÃ. ]ns¶ »uskSp¯p. I£`mKw aq¡nsem¶p ap«n¨p. lmbv, AXns\mcp hnbÀ¸p hmSbp−v. At¸mÄ CXmWhfpsS KÔw. aXn. Ct¸mÄ CXmbmepw aXn. H¶p \¶mbn hens¨Sps¯n«v, FÃmw XncnsI sh¨p. Rm³ shfnbnend§n. ]ns¶ Rm³ Cfb½bpsS apdnbn Ibdn. Ft´m Hcp aWw B apdnbn X§n \n¡p¶p. F\níXp ]nSn¨nÃ. Rm³ P\ensem¶p t\m¡n. c−p sNdnb BWn Xd¨n«v, ]gb Hcp kmcn¸mhmS apdn¨v AXnsâ NcSpsIm−v IÀ«³ amXncn hen¨psI«nbncníp¶p. P\ensâ Rm³ \in¸n¨ ]mfn H«pw ASbpIbnÃ. B hit¯ IÀ«sâ BWn Rm³ Cf¡n sh¨p. ]pd¯p \n¶pw H¶p sXm«m AXnfIn Xmsg hogWatÃm. Rm³ Fsâ apdnbn Xncns¨¯n. At¸mgmtWmÀ¯Xv kmhn{Xn Nnet¸mÄ Syqj\p hcpatÃm F¶ Imcyw. GXmbmepw Xncn¨bíp¶ {]iv\anÃ. AhfpsS ]pXnb Syqj³ kmdp hcp¶Xn\p ap¼v ]Áp¶ Xami BkzZníWw. sIm¨p s]®msW¦nepw Hcp Nc¡mWhÄ. {]Imi³ Ahtf aq¸n¨p apÄap\bn \nÀ¯nbncnípIbmWv. H¶p hf¨p t\m¡mw. ChnS¶p t]mbm Fsâ {Kma¯n F\níp hfbp¶ Hcp s]®p t]mepanÃ. ao³Imcn KuXanbpsS tam\p ]pÃphnebmWhnsS. ]ns¶ t{]an¨p sI«nbXmbXpsIm−v, Cu Imfíp hmeps]m¡m\pw ]Á¯nÃ. A½ív DSt\ a\Ênemhpw. A¶v AdnbmsX hmWnb¯n X¦phnsâ ASp¯p ]dªp hn«Xmbncp¶p. GXmbmepw Rm³ kmhn{Xníp th−n Im¯ncp¶p. jÍn Ducn, shdpw Ibnenbpw _\nb\pw am{Xw [cn¨p. tSs¸m¶p IqSn HmSn¨p t\m¡nbmtem. th−. ]ns¶bmIt«. A[nIw Imt¡−n h¶nÃ. kmhn{Xn¡p«nsb¯n. ]Sn IS¶p hcp¶p. Zqsc \n¶pw ImWpt¼mÄ \à N´w. [\w F¶ kn\nabnte NmÀ½nfbpsS A¶t¯ apeIÄ t]mse h®anÃm¯ icoc¯n\p tNcm¯ apeIÄ \S¡pt¼mÄ t]mepw InS¶nfIp¶p. sRmdnhpÅ ]mhmSbn Acs¡«n\p IqSpX hnkvXmcw tXm¶n¨p. Chtf sI«p¶h³ `mKyhm³. I¿n H¶p c−p ]pkvXI§Ä. P\en IqSn AhÄ \S¶Sp¡p¶Xp Rm³ {i²n¨p. AhÄ t\tc hoSn\It¯íp Ibdn. F¶n«p hnfn¨p. " Ite... Ite..." " Blm.... kmhn{Xn¡p«ntbm... hcq... " Rm³ Ahtf kzmKXw sNbvXp. " Ie ChnSnà tamtf... A½mhsâ ho«n t]mbncníphm...." " At¿m... F¦n... Rm³ ]ns¶ hcmw..." " A¸w...C¶p Syqj³ tht−...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " IebnÃmsX....... A`nt¨¨ow Bâow F´ntb... ?.." " Ahcpw shfot¸mbncníphm... A`nt¨¨n C¸w hcpw... "

" F¶m Rm³ t]mIphm..." AhÄ ]pdt¯índ§n. " A¸w... kmhn{Xnív Cu amjnt\ t]Snbm AtÃ... AtXm hnizmks¡mdthm...?..." " t]sSym¶qÃ.. ]ns¶... \½fp c−pt]cpw am{Xw.. F\nsímcp...Hcp... htÃmcpw I−m...." AhÄ AÀt²mànbn \nÀ¯n. " I−mse´m... Ip«n ]Tním³ h¶XtÃ.... ]ns¶ IXIpw sXmd¶p sIS¡p¶p.... C\n kmhn{XosS Cãw..." Rm³ Nmbn¸nsâ hmXnen Nmcn \n¶p. " sÈ... \msfbmsW¦nÂ... ¢mkp sSsÌmÅXpam.... C¨nsc kwibw XoÀ¡ms\m−mcp¶p..... F\nsb´m sNbvI...?.." AhÄ [À½k¦S¯nembn. " F¦n... Hcp Imcyw sN¿v... Syqj³ th−... kwibw F´m¶m tNmZnív... AXp XoÀ¯n«v tamfp s]mtím.... \mft¯ sSÌn\p tXm¡−....." Rm³ \nÀt±in¨p. ]ns¶bpw AhÄ kwibn¨p \n¡p¶p. " AÃ... tamÄs¡s¶ hnizmkantàs]mtím... Rms\m¶n\pw \nÀ_Ôníp¶nÃ....." Rm\Xp ]dªn«pw AhÄ t]mImsX \n¶p ]cp§n. Rm³ ]ns¶ Nmbn¸nteíp Ibdn. Itkcbn h¶ncp¶p. Fsâ Hcp ]pkvXIsaSp¯p Xpd¶p ]nSn¨p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Nmbn¸nsâ hmXn¡ h¶p. " F¦n....amtj... H¶p c−p kwib§fp am{Xw....." AhÄ aSn¨p aSn¨v AIt¯íp Ibdn. Rm³ Itkcbn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áp. " kmhn{Xn ChnSncpt¶m...." " th− Rm³ \nt¶mfmw... amjncpt¶m..." " AÃ.....Ccps¶gpXp¶Xm \ÃXv...." Rm³ Ahtf tXmfn ]nSn¨v Itkcbnencp¯n. " ]d... F´m...kwibw...?..." " {Kmadm..." AhÄ I¿nencp¶ t\m«p_p¡p Xpd¶p. Rm³ FIvkÀsskkpIsfms¡ H¶p hmbn¨p t\m¡n. FÃmw F\níp \nÊmcw. Hcp t]Pp \ndsb Cw¥ojv hymIcW tNmZy§Ä. AhÄ Itkcbnencp¶p. Rm³ Hmtcm¶mbn ]dªp sImSp¡m³ XpS§n. aq¶mat¯Xnsâ kvs]Ãn§p sXÁn¨t¸mÄ Rm³ sasà AhfpsS sNhnbnsem¶p \pÅn. AhÄ "lm..." Fs¶m¶p iÐw sh¨p. ASp¯ hm¡p ]dªp sImSp¯n«v, Rm³ AhfpsS Agn¨p hnXnÀ¯nbn«ncp¶ apSn sasà tImXm³ XpS§n. H¶p c−p apSnIfpsS DSs¡Sp¯p sImSp¯p. AhÄ FgpXns¡m−ncp¶p. " kmhn{Xnsí´p \à apSnbm....." Rm³ H¶p ]pIgv¯n. " At¿m... amtj.. {]Imi\p Cu apSn CãanÃ... IqSpXem¶m ]dbpt¶... t{Im¸p sN¿W¶v.... " " AcknI³... kmhn{Xnío apSn \¶mbn tNcpw... kmhn{Xnídntbm... s]®p§Ät¡Áhpw AXymhiyambn th−p¶ c−p Imcy§fv...?.." " Fs´ms¶ms¡bm...?..." AhÄ apJw ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨p tNmZn¨p. " FgpXv....FgpXv.... In¶mcw ]dtªm−ncp¶ ]Tn¯w \S¡¯nÃ.... \msf sSÌm..." Rm³ apSnbn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. ]dªpsImSp¯ hms¡gpXnbn«v AhÄ ho−pw tNmZn¨p. " Fs´ms¡bm¶p ]dªnÃtÃm..." " Hm. AXp th−..... H¶p apSnbm... ]n¶t¯Xp ]dªm...sNe¸w kmhn{Xnínãs¸S¯nÃ...." " F¶mepw ]dtªm... amjp ]dªm F\nsímcp sImgt¸mw tXm¶¯nÃ...." " kmhnín¸w Ft¶ t]Sntbm kwitbm Fs´¦nepsamt−m...." " CÃ....." " F¶m thKw FgpXv...F¶n«p ]dbmw.... " AhÄ FgpXn¡gnªn«v ]dªp. " F\nídnbmw... F´msW¶v... A....½n.... AtÃ..." " IÅn.... AX§qlns¨Sp¯p.... anSp¡n Xt¶..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn H¶p \pÅn. AhÄ \mWw sIms−m¶p Npcp§n. ]ns¶ Nncn¨p. " CXp c−pw kmhn{Xnív s\ds¨m−v... " AhÄ Nncn¨p. Fsâ ]pIgv¯Â AhÄ¡p ]nSn¨ a«p−v.

" ]t£¦n.....C¡\¡n\mtW.... B {]Imi³ c−pw \in¸nípw..." Rm³ Nq−bnSm³ XpS§n. " AsX§s\bm...?..." " Mm... CXnsâ Hm¸knÁv Adnb¯ntÃ... ?... " " Adnbmw..." AhÄ FgpXn. " Blm... F¶n«mtWm... H¶pw Adnb¯nsöp ]dªXv.... " ASp¯Xnsâ D¯cw Rm³ ]dªpsImSp¯p. AhsfgpXn. " F§s\bm¶p ]dm...." Rm³ AhfpsS ]pdIn h¶p \n¶p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS tXmfn Ibvsh¨p sasà XShns¡mSp¯p. " apSn sNdpXm¡W¶p {]Imi³ ]dªntÃ... ]ns¶ Cu \à sameIfp c−pw ]nSn¨p ]nSn¨p hepXm¡ptIw sNbvXp....." " C¶p cmhntew h¶mcp¶p... Ah[nbtÃ... X«ow ap«osams¡ ASp¯p... Rm³ sXmSo¸n¨nÃ... D¨¡papt¼ s]W§nt¸mbn..." " AXp kmcanÃ... ]nt¶w Ah³ hcpsat¶... Bt«... Rm³ ]dªpX¶ FIvkÀsskkv sN¿ps¶mt−m..." " sZhtkmw sN¿ps¶m−v....." " shdptXbÃ... C¸w... kmhn{XosS ap³hiw ImWm³ Hcp tisem−v.... \S¶p hcp¶Xp I−¸tg Hcp hyXymkw tXm¶n... c−pw H¶pcp−p..." AXp tI« AhÄ c−p apeIfnteípw t\m«ab¨p. F¶ns«m¶p \nizkn¨p. Rm³ sasà DSp¸nsâ ap³hi¯p IqSn, B ape¡pS§tf c−nt\bpw H¶p arZphmbn XgpInt\m¡n. AhÄ A\§nbnÃ. FgpXm\pÅ ASp¯ hm¡pw Rm³ ]dªp sImSp¯p. Igp¯nepw XmSnbnepw H¶p XgpIn. ]ns¶bpw FXnÀ¸nÃ. Igp¯n\p Xmsg s\©n H¶p XShn t\m¡n. ]ip ckníp¶Xp t]mse AhÄ BkzZníp¶p. FXnÀ¡pt¶bnÃ. ]ns¶ aSn¨nÃ, sasà DSp¸nsâ Igp¯n IqSn AIt¯íp I¿n«p. apIfn \n¶mbXpsIm−v Ibvc−pw {_míIt¯íp t\tc Ibdn apeIfpsS apIfn IqSn B sR«pIfn Xt¶ sXm«p. At¸mtgípw B c−p sR«pIfpw I«n]nSn¨v Ièncp¶p. AhÄ t]\m Xmsg sh¨n«v, Itkcbn t\tc \nhÀ¶ncp¶p. AhfpsS I«nbpÅ ape¡®pIfn Fsâ hncepIÄ sXm«\nanjw hnÃn \n¶pw NmSnb A¼p t]mse Fsâ Ip® Ibneníp shfnbn NmSn ew_ambn \n¶p. Rm³ A¶p ]dªp sImSp¯Xp t]mse B c−p Hmd©ptKmf§fptSbpw ASnbn \n¶pw sasà kuayambn apIfnteíp XShn, sR«pIÄ c−p hncepIÄ¡nSbn knKdÁp ]nSníp¶Xp t]mse ]nSn¨v sasà H¶p sR¡n. B apeIfpsS ASnbn hnbÀ¸nsâ \\hp−mbncp¶p. AhÄ Hcp ZoÀL\nizmkw hn«p. Rm³ B apeIÄ h«¯n sasà XgpIm³ XpS§n. amÀ±htadnb B henb kvt]m©papeIfn XgpIm³ AXp apgph\pw I¿nsemXp¡n¸nSn¨v AXnsâ NqSp \pIcm³ Fs´mcp ckw. AXnsâ ckw AhÄ¡pw In«p¶p−mhWw. Asæn AhÄ FXnÀt¯t\. " cmhnte Xt¶... Rm³ Hcp {]mhiyw sNbvXXmcp¶p...." AhÄ hn¡n hn¡n ]dªp. " kmcanÃ.... Hcp t\cw CX¸w IqSnbmepw sImg¸anÃ.... ]nSn¨p sR¡mXncp¶m aXn....." Rm³ Dd¸p sImSp¯p. CXn\nSív. ItkcbpsS ]pdInse AgnIÄ¡nSbneqsS Rm³ Fsâ I¼nbmb Ip® ap¼nteíp \o«n. AXv AhfpsS ]pd¯p sN¶p ap«n Ip¯m³ XpS§n. AhÄ heXp Ibv sasà ]pdtIm«n«v Aht\ ]nSp¯an«p. B {apZpeamb Ibv Fsâ hoct\ sXm«t¸mÄ Rm³ kpJw sIms−m¶p sR«n. " CsX¶Xm amtj...Cu Ip¯ns¡mÅp¶Xv...?." AhÄ Hcp \mWt¯msS tNmZn¨p. " tkmdn tamtf... AdnbmsX... ]Ánt¸mbXm...." Rm³ Ip® ]pdtIm«p hen¨p. AhÄ At¸mÄ AXp I¿n apdpsI¸nSn¨p. " AhnSncpt¶ms« amtj... FSp¡−..." AhÄ ]Xps¡ s]mdps]mdp¯p. ]ns¶ sasà sNdpXmbn sR¡n sR¡n, hmWaSn XpS§n. " Blm...kmhn{XnínsXms¡ Adnbmthm...." " Mqw... {]Imi³ h¶m¸ns¶... Xcw In«p¼sgms¡... s]m¡n¸nSn¨v Fsâ tZl¯p ap«nípw... ]ns¶ \nÀ_Ônípw I¿nseSp¡m³..."

" A¸w kmhn{Xn AtX ]nSnípthm...?..." " Mqw... Ct{Xw heyXÃ..... AXp I¿nsemXp§pw..." " Ip«nív. ..CXnteXm.... ]nSním³ IqSpXep ckw.....{]ImisâbmtWm.. FsâbmtWm...?" AhfpsS hmWaSnsím¯p Acs¡«p apt¼m«pw ]pdtIm«pw XÅns¡m−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp ... AXo....amjnsâ Xs¶bm.... " " A¸w ...ho«nÂ.....AO\pw A½bpw Hs¡...?...." Fsâ kwibw. " Fsâ samds¨dp¡\msW¶v FÃmÀ¡pw Adnbmw... AtXm−v R§fp {^obm....Bcpw she¡o«nÃ.... ]ns¶... Hfn¨tà sN¿pt¶...." " {]Imisâ tbmKw...." Rm³ ]ÃpISn¨p kpJn¨p. H¸w AhfpsS apeIfnencp¶ Fsâ IbvIÄ Ipd¨v Abbm³ XpS§n. " C¶t¯ív... C¯ncn IqsS Aa¡ntímt¶.... Xq§¯nà amtj.... " " IÅo... kpJsam−v AtÃ....?.." " {]Imi³ ]nSn¨m Hcp ctkmanÃ.... sR¡ns¸m«nípw... Cu amjs¡Ãmw tiembn«p sN¿m\dnbmw...." AhÄ¡p kpJw IqSnsb¶p a\Ênembn. Ct¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bpsS Xe I£¯n sh¨p sR¡ns¡m−ncníp¶p. \à kpJapÅ sR¡Â. s]®ns\s´ms¡tbm theIÄ Adnbmw. Bim³ {]Imi\mWtÃm. Xncn¨v AhfpsS Hmaím t]mepÅ apeIfn XgpIn kpJn¸n¨psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \n§fp c−p t]cpw IqsS ]Sw hcípw CtÃ..." " Gbv... {]Imi\m AXn\p \à Ignhv... ko\dow... BfpItfw Hs¡ \¶mbn hcípw..." " B ]Sw hc¸Ã.... kmhn{Xow {]Imi\pw IqsS... kmhn{XosS ]o¸ow... {]Imisâ t]t\w IqsS Hc¨v...." " At¿m... Cu..amsjÃmw Adnªp AtÃ... B Ite Rm³ sImÃpw... FÃmw.. Ahfp ]dªp \S¡pIm...." AhfpsS \mW¯n IpXnÀ¶ tZjyw Fsâ Ip®bn Hcp _etadnb ]nSp¯ambn Rm\\p`hn¨p. {Kmadpw NqSpw ad¶v R§Ä B Xami XpSÀ¶p. s]®n\p \¶mbn kpJw tIdnsb¶p tXm¶nbt¸mÄ Rm³ hnfn¨p. " kmhn{Xo... " " Mqw...?..." " Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZn¨m.... kmhn{Xn k½Xnípthm...." " CÃ... ]Sw hcím³ Rm³ k½Xní¯nÃ... Rm³ t]mIphm... " AhÄ s]mSp¶s\ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSnhn«p. Itkcbn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Â¡ms\mcp§n. Rm³ apeIfn _eambn AaÀ¯n Ahtf AhnsSbncp¯n XgpI XpSÀ¶p. " At¿m... AXn\Ã... tZl¯p sXms«mÅ Hcp Ifnípw Rm\nÃ... AsX\níp `b¦c t]Snbm...." AXp ]dªn«v Rm³ AhfpsS ap¼n h¶p. ]ns¶ Xpd¶pInS¶ hmXnen IqsSbpw P\en IqsSbpw Rm³ ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n. D¨shbnen Hcp Pohnbpw ]pd¯nd§nbn«nÃ. " F¶m ]dtªm... F´msW¶dnªn«v...]Ápthm¶p ]dbmw..." Rm³ ap−p amÁn De¡ t]mencp¶ Ip®sbSp¯v tai¸pdt¯ín«p. AhfpsS I®pIÄ XÅn. Icíp ]nSn¨n« hcment\t¸mse Ah³ taibn InS¶p sh«n. AhÄ sImXntbmsS Aht\ t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. " kmhn{Xn... Fsâ t]\m I−tÃm... CtÃ...?..." " C¸w I−p..." " F¦n...F¦n... kmhn{XosS Im³hmskt¶w IqsS H¶p ImWnímthm...?... " " At¿... Cu amj¡p \mWantà tNmZním³... F\níp \mWmhqtÃ... GsX¦nepw s]¬Ipt«ymfp AhcsS Ipdp¼mSp thsdmcp sNdp¡t\ ImWnípthm..." " Fsâ s]m¶p kmhn{XnbtÃ...Rm\ntXhtc... s]¬Ipt«ymÄsS Ipdp¼mSp I−n«nÃ..... kXymbn«pw t\cm......" Rm³ ip²\mbn A`n\bn¨p. " Mqw...s\mW... ItesS I−n«ntÃ...?..." AhÄ Nq−phnc s]m¡ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... B Ak¯v.. Hcnísem¶p sXmSm³ k½Xn¨p.... AtÃepw F\níhtSXp ImW−... ImWpImsW¦n kuμcyw HÅ Ipt«ymfptSXp ImWWw..."

" Mqlpw... th− amtj... Rm³ ImWní¯nÃ... AXp tamim...." AhÄ NnWp§n¸dªp. F¦nepw s]®n\p sasà a\Êp hcp¶ps−¶p tXm¶n. CXn\nSív Rm\hfpsS Hcp Is¿Sp¯v tai¸pd¯v Fsâ Ip®bpsS ]pd¯p shbv¸n¨p. AhÄ Aht\ sasà XtemSns¡m−ncp¶p. " kmhn{Xn {]Imit\ ImWn¡¯ntÃ... A§\mtW....AXpw tamitÃ... Fsâ s]m¶p kmhn{Xn¡p«nbtÃ... Hcp {]mhiyw aXn... ImWm³ sImXnbmbn«m....." Rm³ sIm©n. H¸w sIm©ns¡m©n Fsâ Ip®¯e Nph¶p hoÀ¯p. AhÄ Ahsâ Xe tai¸pd¯p sh¨v AaÀ¯n ckn¨p. " AsXsâ sI«m³ t]mW sNdp¡\m... Ah³ I−mepw sImgt¸mey... AXp t]memtWm amjv...." " Rm³ A½nª sNdpXm¡m³ acp¶p ]dªntÃ... Cw¥ojp ]dªp Xcp¶ntÃ... Hcp {]mhiyw... CsX§s\bmsWs¶m¶dnbm\m... thdmtcmSm Rm³ ]dbpI... Fsâ kmhn{Xn¡pt«ymSÃmsX...." AhÄ Hcp sIdphp`mh¯n Fsâ Ip®tb t\m¡n Np−v IqÀ¸n¨v Hcp dqįSnsb¶t]mse Aht\ ]nSn¨v tai¸pd¯n«pcp«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " F¦n.... F¦n... Hcp {]mhiyw... ]s£¦n.... sXmSm³ k½XníptIe... Zqsc \n¶p It−mWw... t{]mankv...?.." aSn¨p aSn¨v AhÄ atÁIbv Fsât\tc \o«n. Rm³ B Ibv NmSn¸nSn¨p. " Rm³ t{]maokv....A¸w Hcp t{]maokp kmhn{Xow sN¿Ww... CXv IetbmSp t]mepw ]db¯nÃm¶v. AkqtbsS hn¯m Ahfv..." " Mqw.. AXp Rm\pw t{]maokv...." AhÄ \mWt¯mSp IqSn ]dªp. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p. AhÄ hÃmsX \mWníp¶p Fs¶\níp a\Ênembn. B \mWw ImWm³ th−n Ip\nªp \n¶v Rm\hfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. AhÄ Fs¶ t\m¡msX Xt¶. Xncnªp \n¶v B kn¡p]mhmS s]m¡m³ XpS§n. " At¿m...th−... AXn§s\ s]m¡−..." AhÄ apJapbÀ¯n tNmZycq]¯n Ft¶ t\m¡n. " C§s\ \nt¶m−v ImWn¨m H¶pw ImWm³ ]Á¯nÃ... FhnsSsb¦nepw H¶p sIS¶n«mcps¶¦nÂ..." " Mqlpw...F\níp t]Snbm... sIS¶m......]ns¶ Ft¶ amjv ]nSnípw..." " kXyw sN¿mw... Rm³ tZ, Cu IbvsIm−v sXmS¯nÃ. ]pdIn sI«nshímw... hnizmkantà... kmhn{Xn Fsâ Ibv IbdpsIm−v sI«ntím...." Rm³ IbvIÄ ]pdInteíp ]nSn¨p. " Cu... amsjmcp `b¦c ]pÅnbm... Mqw ... k½Xn¨p t]mbntÃ..." AhÄ I«nenteíp InS¡ms\mcp§n. " th−... I«nte \o ae¶p sIS¶m.. F\níp sNe¸w htÃmw tXm¶pw.. ]ns¶ kwKXn... sImg¸amIpw.... F\níp I−mam{Xw aXot¶... kmhn{Xn... Cu tais¸mdt¯m«p sIS¶m aXn...." " tais¸mdt¯m...?" AhÄ AÂ`pXs¸«p. tai¸pd¯p InS¶ ]pkvXI§Ä FÃmw Rm³ HccnInteíSp¡n sh¨p. At¸mÄ AhÄ ]dªp. " {]Imi\mcps¶¦n...C¸w.. Ft¶ ]nSn¨p I«nte sIS¯ntbt\....." Hm, AhfpsS Hcp {]Imi³. \mgnIíp \m¸Xp h«w ]dbpw. Ah³ Chsf \¶mbn hf¨p sh¨ncníp¶p. GXmbmepw {]Imim, \n\¡p \μn, \o CXnsâ cpNn Adnbn¨nÃmcpt¶Â Chfn¸w F\nív hfb¯nÃmcps¶Sm. " A¸w... Ah³ \ns¶ sIS¯n ....Fs´ms¡tbm Hs¡....sNbvXns«m−v...CtÃ... sIm¨pIÅo...." " Hshzmhz... sImtd ]pfnípw.. AsXms¡ IeymWw Ignªn«v.... Hcp sZhkw Ft¶ ]nSn¨p sIS¯n.... XpWntb sXm«¸w Rm³ s\ehnfn¨XpsIm−p hn«p......" tai¸pdt¯m«p InS¡m³ Rm\htf klmbn¨p. AhÄ sIm−ph¶ c−p ]pkvXIw XebnWbm¡n sh¨psImSp¯p. " amtj... thKw It−mtW... hmXnepw P\epsams¡ sXmd¶p sIS¡pIm..." " Hm... hmXnen¸w ASt¨ímw.... P\ep sXmd¶p sIS¡s« Bsc¦n h¶m AXn¡qsS ImWmtÃm..."

Rm³ hmXneS¨p IpÁnbn«p. Ct¸mÄ AhÄ hfsc {^obmbncníp¶p. \mWw amdn hcp¶p. Ft´m km[mcW Imcyw hfsc ASp¯ Bfpsam¯v sN¿p¶ t]mse. ImepIÄ Xmtgín«v, Ip−nIÄ taibpsS AcnInem¡n AhÄ aeÀ¶p InS¶p. " tZs−...... sIS¶p....C\n...?..." " C\n...C\n...." Rm³ ItkcsbSp¯v AhfpsS Ip−nícnIn sh¨p. AXnencp¶n AhfpsS c−p ImepIfpw Fsâ Ccphi¯pw C«n«v Rm³ AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbn Itkcbnencp¶p. " tamtf....?.." "Mqw...?.." " Rm³... Fsâ IbvsIm−o ]mhmS s]m¡ntímt«...? Rm³ A\phmZw tNmZn¨p. " s]m¡ntím.... amjv kXyw sNbvXsXms¡ ad¶p....thKw thWw... C¸w Rms\mcp Imcyw HmÀ¡pIm...." " Ft´m¶m Ip«o...?..." Rm³ Hcp amjnt\t¸mse tNmZn¨p. AhÄ Nncn¨psIm−v AXn\p¯chpw ]dªp. " AÃm....kvIqfnte em_d«do ssat{ImkvtIm¸n\Sp¯ncníp¶ t]mse CcnípIm... Hcp amjv... Fsâ Ipdp¼mSp ImWm³... F\níp Nncn hcp¶p...." AhÄ ImepIÄ sIm−v Fsâ hmcnsbÃn tXm−n. " AsÃsâ kmhn{Xn¡pt«y.... Ahkcw In«nb¸w... t\tc sNmthz ImWm¶p sh¨n«m... CXpt]mse F¸gpw ]Ápthm..." " Duw... s]m¡ntím...... F\níp ]Á¯nÃ... I−pIgo¼w ]dªm aXn...." AhÄ I®pIfS¨p. Rm³ sasà ]mZ§Ä apX ]mhmS s]m¡m³ XpS§n. sNdnb \oetcma§Ä Ae¦cníp¶ \à shfp¯ XpSp¯ IW¦mepIÄ. ]mhmS s]m§pt´mdpw Xpd¶p h¶p. AXphtc ASªp InS¶ AXn\pÅnte Hcp {]tXyI KÔw sXm«Sp¯v apJhpw \o«nbncníp¶ Fsâ aq¡neSn¨p. CXphtc A\p`hním¯ Hcp hnImcw F\níXn \n¶pw D−mbn. Fsâ IbvIÄ hndíp¶sXmsSm¸w AhfpsS ImepIfpw Fsâ Ip®bpw A\§m³ XpS§n. " Igntªm...?..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " sXmS§oÃtÃm.. " " F¶m thKw... F\níp \mWmhp¶p...sÈm... Cu¡fn th−mcp¶p..." AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p. AXp tI« Rm³ s]s«¶p ]mhmS tatem«p hen¨p s]m¡n. tai¸pd¯p \n¶pw AhÄ Ip−nIÄ s]m¡n¯¶p. A\mhrXamb B shůpSItf t\m¡n shÅand¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]mhmS AhfpsS ]p¡nfn\p apIfn IbÁn sh¨p. HXp§nb hbdn ]Án¡nS¡p¶ henªp \o− sNdnb ]p¡nÄ. H¶p c−p \oeRc¼pIÄ ImWmhp¶ AIwXpSIÄs¡s´mcp an\pkw. H¶p sXm«p t\m¡Wsa¶p−mbncp¶p. XpSIÄ hn«n«v Fsâ I®pIÄ AhbpsS kwKakvYm\¯p Xd¨p. Aåw XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn sRcp§n¨pcp§nbncníp¶ Xhn«p\nd¯nepÅ ]mâokv. Acbn Hcp shÅnbcªmWw. AXnsâ AhnsSbpanhnsSbpw Idp¯ncníp¶p. " kmhn{Xo..." " Mqw...?..." " Cu... jÍnsbm¶pcmthm... AXqcmsX...H¶pw ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃ..." " Hm...Cu amjv... Ducntím... F\níp h¿.... Btcepw hcps¶mt−m¶p t\m¡tW..." " CsÃt¶... Bcp hcm\m....C¸w..." Rm³ B ]mâoknsâ apIfn sXm«t¸mÄ AdnbmsX Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS Ffnbn sXm«p. " At¿...C¡nfn..." Ahsfm¶p sR«nbn«p Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. CdpIn¡nS¶ jÍn Xmtgm«p hen¨t¸mÄ Ip¶n³]pdw t]mse s]m§nbncp¶ AhfpsS ]qd¸¯nsâ taecnInte \\p¯ \oetcma§Ä IptdsÈbmbn Xes]m¡n¯pS§n. ]mâokp Ip−nIfn henªp apdpInbt¸mÄ AhÄ Xt¶ Is¿Sp¯v AXp Xmtgíqcn X¶p. AhfpsS aZ\mcma¯nse Iod s]mbvIípÅn henªptIdn apdpIn¡nS¡m³

`mKyw kn²n¨ B XpWn¡jWw AhfpsS shůpSIfn henªp apdpIn \n¶p. At¸mgpw AhÄ I®pIfS¨p ]nSn¨ncp¶p. " A¿S... F´p tiem... CXmtWm... tamÄsS Ipdp¼mSv...." " Mqw.... sImXnhnStà amtj...." Rm³ AsXm¶p hniIe\w sNbvXp. hfÀ¶p XpS§nb tcma§Ä AXnsâ s]m§nbpcp− ]oTt¯ BhcWw sNbvXncníp¶p. Iod XpS§p¶nS¯v DÅnteípw B tcma¡qSnd§n \n¡p¶p. CSbn ImWp¶ A¸¯n\p Ccp\ndw. hnShnsâ ]IpXntb ImWp¶pÅp. _m¡n Ct¸mgpw Xmsg XpSIÄ¡nSbnembncp¶p. Rm\htfsbm¶p t\m¡n, ]ns¶ F§pw sXmSmsX Rm\hnsSsbm¶p aq¡Sp¸n¨p hen¨p t\m¡n. B KÔw, AtX IebpsS IhínSbn \n¶pw In«nb DW§nb aq{X¯ntâbpw IgpIm¯ ]qdnsâbpw Hcp sNdnb aWw. Ct¸mÄ ImWmhp¶ hfª Iod Xt¶ aq¶nt©mfw D−v. amwkfX Ipdª icoc{]IrXnbmbXpsIm−v ]qdnsâ ]pdwNp−pIÄ¡v henb XSn¸nÃmbncp¶p. Fsâ Ip® I¼nbmIp¶Xpw Acs¡«p hndp§eníp¶Xpw Rm\dnªp. XpSIfn Npcp−ncníp¶ ]mân, Rm³ Xmtgíp hen¨p. AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m AXqcpt¶...?.." " DucmsX tamÄ¡v ImeI¯m³ ]Ápthm... AtàH¶pw ImWm\nÃ... FÃmw Xmsg FSím...aqSnbncníphm.... slm... Cu s]®p§sS Hcp Ipdp¼mSp sIm−p sh¨ kvYew...." Rm³ Zb\ob kzc¯n ]dªp. AhÄ At¸mÄ XpSIfI¯m³ t\m¡n. CdpInb ]mânbmbXpsIm−v km[n¨nÃ. " CXp \à apdp¡hm... DucnsbSp¡v..." AhÄ Ft¶mSp ]dªp. AXp Rm³ XpSIÄ hgn Xmtgíp Npcp«nsbSp¯p. F¶n«m NpcpÄ \nhÀ¯p. AXnsâ hoXn Ipdª `mKw CuÀ¸aWnªncp¶p. AhfpsS IhbnSp¡p apgph\pw hnbÀ¯ncp¶XpsIm−mhmw. AXnsâ a²y`mK¯v Hcp XpÅn shÅw ]Ánbt]mse Hcp \\hpw. AXpw Rm³ aW¯p. AtX aWw, aq{X¯ntâbpw hnbÀ¸ntâbpw ]qdntâbpw lrZblmcnbmb KÔw. Rm\Xp tai¸pd¯p sh¨p. F¶n«v B Ih¡qSnteíp t\m¡n B kmhn{Xn¸qdv \o− HÁ¡®psIms−t¶ t\m¡n Nncníp¶Xp t]mse. " Imsem¶I¯n¯cmthm..." " C\ow aXnbmbntÃ.... sImtd t\cambtÃm... Rm\nXn§s\ sXmd¶p sht¨m−p sIS¡m³ sXmS§o«v..." AhÄ XcfnX kzc¯n tNmZn¨p. " At¿m CtX htc H¶pw I−nsÃsâ kmhn{Xo......C\n ......Imsem¶I¯mthm..." AhÄ ImepIfI¯nbn«m«n. Iodensâ Xmgv`mKw At¸mÄ A\mhrXambn. tlm, Fs´mcp Zriyw ! sNdnb Npfpt¡mSp IqSnb IhbnSp¡v, AXn\p sam¯w Hcp \\hp−v hnbÀ¯n«mbncnípw Xmgv`mK¯n\v Ccp− \ndw. ImeI¯nbt¸mÄ AXnsâ apIÄapX Xmsghtc c−p ]pd¨p−pIÄ IqSmsX aq¶masXt´m AaÀ¶p \o−p InS¡p¶p. AXn I´nsâ AÁw FhntS Ahkm\níp¶p F¶p a\ÊnembnÃ. AXn\åw shfp¸p \ndap−v. hfÀ¶p XpS§nb sIm¨ptcma§Ä B hnShn\pÅnteíp Xe\o«n¡nS¡p¶p. B `mKw apgph\pw Hcp H«ensâ e£Ww ImWp¶p−v. s]s«¶mWp Rm³ {i²n¨Xv. ]«n \m¡p \o«nbn«Xp t]mse Aåw Nph¶p Icphmfn¨ Ft´m Hcne GXm−v H¶cbn©p \of¯n AXnsâ Xmgvhmc¯n\p shfnbn Hcphit¯ív H«n¸nSn¨p InS¡p¶p. B Cesbm¶p \nhÀ¯n t\m¡m\m{Klw tXm¶n. ]t£ sXmScpsX¶mWtÃm F{Knsaâv. Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " kmhn{Xo..." " F´m I−p IgnªtÃm...C\n Rms\gpt¶tÁmt«...?.." " Rm³... Hcp {]mhiyw ....CsXm¶p aWt¯mt«...?.." " th−m..." " AsX´m....?.. Fsâ Hcm{KlatÃ...." " aW¯m... amjpw Ft¶ No¯]dbpw...." " CÃ... Rm³ ]db¯nÃ.. F\nío km[\w shey Cãmbn... kmhn{Xntbs]mse Xt¶ kpμcnbm Cu Ipdp¼mSpw.. H¶p aW¯m am{Xw aXn... sXmSt¯bnÃ..." " {]Imi³ F¸gpw ]dbpw AhS¸nSn aWm¶p... F¸gpsa¸gpw IgpIns¡m−p \S¡m³ BÀt¡epw ]Ápthm... amjp hg¡p ]dbptIse¦n H¶p aWt¯m..." AhÄ A\phZn¨p.

" Mqw...Mqw... A¿¸S... Fs´mcp kpKÔm..tamtf... \nsâ Cu \of¸qdn\v..." AXnsâ a¯Sn¨ aWw aq¡nteíp hen¨p tIÁns¡m−p Rm³ ]dªp. " At¿m aXn... F\níphtc aWw In«ps¶m−v... {]Imi³ ]dªXp t\cm... Hcp hÃm¯ aWw... " AhÄ iÐaS¡n ]dªp. " Aht\mSp t]mbn ]Wn t\m¡m³ ]d... Ct{Xw \à skmb¼³ ]qdh\p aW¡ps¶¦n CXn§p Xt¶cv... Rm\nXp \¡n \¡n Xnt¶mfmSo.. Fsâ s]m¶p kmhn{Xntamtf...." " A§s\ ]dbtÃ... {]Imi³ ]mhm..." Rm\Xp tIÄ¡m³ \n¶nÃ. s]s«¶p Rm³ Ip\nªp B Ih¡nSbn \n¶pw aS§nbncp¶ ]pIbne¨p−v hmbnteíp hens¨Sp¯p. "Cujvjv" Fs¶mcp iÐt¯msS AsXsâ hmbnembn. tcmam©w sIm−v AhfpsS Acs¡«p sh«p¶Xp IW¡m¡msX Rm\Xp hen¨o¼n. At¸mÄ AXnsâ Nph«n hnShn\pÅn \n¶pw AXp c−n©p \of¯n IqSmcw t]mse henªp. " slsâ...amtj... F´phm...AXv ISn¨p heníphmtWm... Hmhq....." AXn \n¶pw Aenª Nmdn\p \à D¸pckw. hen¨t¸mÄ dºdp t]mse \o− AXnsâ Nph«n \n¶pw AhfpsS tbm\n¸i Hením³ XpS§n. " At¿m F\ntíXm−p t]mse....\nÀ¯v... F\níp h¿...." AhÄ ImepIf\¡n. Rm³ AXp hn«p. ¢n³ F¶ iÐt¯msS AXp Nph«nteíSn¨p hoWp. Rm³ AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbn XmSn sIm−aÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " sXmSptIse¶p ]dªn«v... F´phm amtj Cu ImWnt¨..." tNmZy¯n Hcp \mWw IpWp§epw hnImc]mchiyhpw. " F´m... tamÄ¡v Rm³ C¸w sNbvXXv CãmbntÃ...." " Cãmbo.... F¶mepw Ct{Xw \mdntbS¯v amjv..." " Hcp \mtÁmanà tamtf.... F\nínXn\p \à cpNnbm tamtf.... \à \ofw... apgph\pw shfoem sIS¡p¶Xv... Ipdp¼mSmbm C§s\Xt¶ thWw.... " ]«n\m¡p t]mse shfnbn InS¶ \\ªp Xnf§p¶ ]pdwNp−pIÄ IbvsIms−m¶p hen¨p hn«psIm−p ]dªp. " AtXem.... {]Imi³ F¸gpw ]nSn¨p henípt¶... hen¨phen¨v AXp \o−p shfnbnembn... F¶n«p ]nSn¨ Ibv aW¸nt¨¨p ]tdw aWhm¶v... amjp amt{X ]dsªmÅp \à cpNnbm¶v... \à amjv..." " F¶m Rm\n¨ntcw IqSn Xnt¶mt«...?... C¸w....\à cktà kmhn{Xnív..." " Mqw... F¶m...s]s«¶p Xnt¶m... F\nípw CãmIphm... amjnsâ Cu ]Wnsbms¡...." AhÄ Xebm«ns¡m−v samgnªp. tIÄ¡m¯ Xmakw. Rm³ B Ih¡q«nteíp apJw AaÀ¯n. ]qSIÄ Iq«n apJw H¶pc¨p. Ahsfm¶p Rc§n. ]ns¶ aSn¨nà AhfpsS ]mZ§sfSp¯v Rm³ tXmfn s]m¡nsh¨p. Itkcbn Ccp¶mbXpsIm−v hftc kuIcyw. AhÄ ap«pIÄ Aåw aS¡n ]mZ§Ä Fsâ tXmfneq¶n Ih¨p InS¶v Acs¡«p s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. Rm\m \o− hnShn\pÅnteíp \m¡nd¡n. Fâoizcm, AhÄ Npc¯n¡gnªncp¶p AhfpsS D¸pÅ ]ishÅw AhnsS§pw \ndªncp¶p. AsXsâ hmbn \ndªp. s]®n\nfIn¡gnªncp¶p. a\Ênte aSnsIm−hÄ BZyw XSÊw ]dsª¦nepw Ahfnte s]®n\Xnãambncp¶p. c−p IbvsIm−pw B aWnt¨me hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨n«v B Nmen InS¶ CeIfpw ImbvIfpw Rm³ hmbnem¡n hen¨o¼n. henªp hmbnembn¡gnªt¸mÄ AhfpsS \of³I´nsâ I«nIqSnb apIÄ`mKw ]nSnIn«n. Xmgt¯ \o−p sRmdnª CeIÄ hn«n«v Np−pIfaÀ¯n Rm\m I´p Fsâ hmípÅnteíp hens¨Sp¯p. " Hmhq....... Fât½..." AhÄ AaÀ¯n \nehnfn¨psIm−v Acs¡s«sâ apJt¯íp XÅn¸nSn¨p. AhnsS X§n\n¶ aWhpw Axnsâ ]ibpw AhfpsS Rc§epw aqfepw FÃmwIqSn \à tafw. CSíhÄ BßKXw t]mse Fs´ms¡tbm ]dªpsIm−ncp¶p. H¸w AhÄ kz´w IbvIÄ sIm−p DSp¸n\p apIfn IqSn apeItf ]nSn¨p sRcn¨pS¨p. Rm³ Hcp hnc B IqXn¯pfbpsS sRmdnhnteípw XÅns¡mSp¯p. At¸mÄ AhÄ InS¶ InS¸n XpÅn. " cmhnte Ipfn¨¸w ...IgpInbtX...HÅq... C¸w ...t]mcmt¶cw... apÅo«v.. IgpInbnÃmcpt¶... ... {]Imis\m¶pw... Adnb¯ntÃ... Fsâ amtj... \à ckw... Mqw....

C¸w ]nSns¨S¯v ]nSn... Mm... AhsS... Ct¿m... ]Swhtc¡mepw ... ckmtW.... luw... Mqw..." AhfpsS På\§Ä {ItaW shdpw apdp½epIfmbn amdn. ]dbp¶sXm¶pw hyàaÃmXmbn. CSíhÄ ImepIÄ Fsâ Igp¯nen«p ]q«pw. At¸mÄ F\nív ]qdpXoÁ {]bmkamIpw. ckw Ipdbpt¼mÄ AhÄ Imeb¨p Ih¨p InS¡pw. c−p aq¶p {]mhiyw CXmhÀ¯n¨p. Ahkm\w Hcp \o− apcĨtbmsS AhÄ Hcp Ibv taibpsS AcnIn AÅn¸nSn¨p. atÁ IbvsIm−v tai¸pd¯v Hcp ]nSnhÅníp th−n ]cXn. Rm\m Ibv Fsâ I¿nseSp¯p. AXn _eambn ]nSn¨psIm−v Acs¡«p tatem«p XÅn¸nSn¨hÄ Rc§n. " sl\níp ht¿... tlm.... Ft¶ H¶p Xmt§m... Fsâ amtj.... " ]¯p sk¡âp \o−p \n¶ Hcp cm£kobamb cXnaqÀObpsS HSphn AhÄ Fsâ Ibvhn«p. At¸mgpw AhfpsS hoÀ¯p XSn¨ I´n \¡ns¡m−ncp¶ Fsâ apJw AhÄ ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n. " aXn... amtj.. F\níp aXn... lt¿m.. aXnsbt¶..." AhÄ ZoÀLambn izkn¨psIm−v XfÀ¶p InS¶p. Rm³ apJapbÀ¯n. Fsâ apJ¯p ]Ánbncp¶ AhfpsS ]i¸m \m¡psIm−v \¡n t\m¡n. \à D¸v. P\en \n¶pÅ shfn¨¯n B Xpd¶p aeÀ¶p InS¶ Ccp\ndaZ\amfnIbn \n¶pw ]Ánsbmen¨psIm−ncp¶ AhfpsS tbm\ockw Xnf§n. Fsâ Ip®íp Hcp hÃm¯ Ig¸p tXm¶n. InX¸n\nSbnepw AhÄ Fs´ms¡tbm s]mdps]mdp¯psIm−ncp¶p. " slsâ At½... slm¶p... ImWW¶p... ]dªp...]ns¶...sXmSW¶p...]dRp....C¸w... sl´m...amtj....Cu..ImWnt¨...." " cknt¨m...kmhn{Xo..." " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ... C¨nsc apt¼... slsâ t_m[w t]mbmcp¶p... At{Xtb.... sl\nídnb.. s¯mÅp..." AhÄ InX¨psIm−p ]dªp. Rm³ Fsâ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p t\m¡n. I¼nhSnbmbn Ah³ s]m«mdmbn \n¡pIbmbncp¶p. " kmhn{Xo... C¨ncqsS H¶p sIS¡mthm..." " F´n\m....?..." Rms\gpt¶Áp. ap−p amÁnbn«v Ip® I¿nseSp¯p hmWaSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " CsXm¶p Xm¡m\m..." " At¿m.. CXIt¯íp tIÁtÃ... Mqlpw....th−....." AhÄ t]Sn¨p t]mbn. " Cà tamtf... tamsS Cu Ipdp¼mSp It−m−p ]nSn¨m...Ch³ C¸w Xmgpw... " " At¿m... Cu amjpw... {]Imis\¸gpw... XpWow s]m¡n Rm\nXp ImWnt¨m−p \níWw... ]ns¶ Cu ]nSp¯am... " AhÄ Is¿Sp¯v \\ª ]qdnsem¶p XtemSn. Rm³ AXnsâ Hmtcm aS¡nteípw t\m¡ns¡m−v hmWaSním³ XpS§n. Ahsâ aIpSw AhfpsS ]qdn sXm«p sXm«nà F¶ a«n Rm³ ASp¸n¨p ]nSn¨p. " At¿m.. Fsâ AhSsams¡ ags]bvXt]membn... At¿m... FâhnsS Ct{Xw F® FhnS¶m....? " " Mqwwwww... Fsâ tamtf.. .]Sw hcíp¼w \nsâ Cu aWn¸qdp... Mqwwwww \\b¯ntÃSo...?.." hmWaSnbpsS elcnbn Rm³ ]ÃpISn¨psIm−v \o«nt¨mZn¨p. " \\bpw... F¶mepw Ct{Xw Hcníepw I−n«nÃ...." " Fsâ s]m¶p tamtf... \o Cht\ H¶p ]nSnt¨..." Rm\hfpsS Ibv]nSn¨v Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¸n¨p. AhÄ hmWaSn XpS§n. AhfpsS IbvsXm«t¸mÄ Fs´mcp ckw. Ac an\n«p th−n h¶nÃ. Rm³ Acs¡«p Ipd¨pIqSn apt¼m«p hf¨p ]nSn¨p F¶n«v B ]qdn Ip® H¶p ap«n¨p. " amtj...th−m..." AhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " CsÃSo... Bs− hcps¶So... s]t®... A`n¡p«o... \nsâ... amjnsâ....Ip®...¸m...ev... lbv....Mqwwww.." AhfpsS IbvIq«n Rm³ Bsªm¶p ]nSn¨p. BZyw sXdn¨ `mcw IqSnb ]iKp−pIÄ AhfpsS ]p¡nfn hoWp. ]ns¶ hbdnÂ, ]ns¶ ]qÁn³]pdt¯ tcma§fnÂ. ]ns¶ AhfpsS aeÀ¶ncp¶ tbm\o hnShnÂ. " amtj... FsâI¯v Ft´m Hcp NqSp km[\w hoWp... ]memtWm..." " AtXSo tamtf..."

" At¿m...sImg¸w... Fât½.. Cu ...amsj´m...ImWnt¨..." " Xq¯p...... IfbmSo... tamtf... Cu hcshm¶p \nís«So.... l¿...l¿..." I®pIÄ ]mXnbS¨v bm{´nIambn. Rm³ A`ncmanbpsS \of¡pdp¼mSnsâ hmbnteív Fsâ Ip®¸m ]nSns¨mgn¨psIm−ncp¶p. AXp hogp¶Xp cmhnte Ipfn¡Shn I− A`ncmanbpsS hnSÀ¶ncp¶p apÅp¶ ]qÁnteímsW¶p IqSn Rm³ k¦Â¸n¨p. AtXmsS Hmtcm hchn\pw ckw IqSn. s]s«¶v Fsâ I¬tImWn Hcp \ng t]mse Ft´m I−p. P\enÂIqSn Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ A`n sasà ]SnIS¶p hcp¶p. Fât½. Fsâ \à Poh³ t]mbn. kvJeníp¶ Ip®ípw Pzeníp¶ t_m[¯n\panSbn Rm³ hÃmXmbn. F¦nepw sh«p¶ Ip® Ibnenbn s]mXnªp ]nSn¨p ]nSn¨psIm−v Rm³ kmhn{Xntb hnfn¨p ]dªp. " kmhn{Xo... Fgpt¶¡v.... A`n hcp¶p...." " tM...A`nt¨¨ntbm... slât½... At¿m...C\n F¶m sN¿pw...?.. F\nídnb¯nÃ.. lt¿m..." Rm\htf thKw ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. ]ns¶ Xeíencp¶ AhfpsS _ps¡Sp¯v ap¼nteíp Xpd¶p sh¨psImSp¯n«v Ahtf Itkcbnteíp ]nSn¨aÀ¯n sh¨p. At¸mgpw ]nS¨p ]nS¨p ip¢w NoÁns¡m−ncp¶ Ip® Hcp I¿n IbnenIq«n ]nSn¨psIm−v Rm³ IXInsâ IpÁnsbSp¯p Xpd¶p. F¶n«v I«nen h¶ncp¶p. s]s«¶p Rm³ I−p tai¸pd¯p Npcp−p InS¡p¶ AhfpsS ]mâokv. Rm\Xp NmSnsbSp¯v Fsâ XebnWíp Iotgíp XÅn sh¨p. ]ns¶ H¶padnbm¯Xp t]mse Ccp¶p. At¸mgpw CSsísâ Acs¡«p sh«p¶p−mbncp¶p. A`ncman Xn®bnteíp tIdpwap¼v AhnsS Ccp¶ sam´bn \n¶pw shÅsamgn¨p ImepIÄ IgpIp¶Xp I−p. ]ns¶ Xn®bn tIdn. BZyw t\m¡nbXv kmhn{XnbpsS apJt¯ímbncp¶p. " Blm... CXmcv... kmhntamtfm...?... F¸w h¶p...?...Ft´m¶m Syqj³..?.." " C¸w ht¶sbmÅp....Cw¥ojp {Kmadv....." AXp ]dªt¸mÄ kmhn{XnbpsS sXm−bnSdn. kzc¯ns\mcp hndbepw. " \osb´m hÃmXncnípt¶...?..cmPmaWnbntÃbnhnsS...?..." kmhn{Xn Rm\ncp¶nSt¯íp t\m¡n. A`n hmXn¡se¯n AIt¯íp Xebn«p t\m¡n. " Blm.. kmdnhnsSm−mcpt¶m... GXmbmepw IebnXdnb−... HÁínhÄ¡p Syqjs\Sp¯q¶p Iebdnb−... HÁíp ths−¶tà cmPmaWntbmShfp ]dªXv... Adnªm CÃm¯ hn¹hsam−m¡pw...Ahfv..." " Syqjs\m¶paÃ.... \msf sSsÌms−¶p ]dªp... Ft´m kwib§fv... AsXm¶p ]dªpsImSp¯p.... At{XÅp... Cu shbne¯v C{XSw h¶XtÃ......" CXn\nSív A`ncman apdnbpsS A´co£¯nteíp aq¡p hnSÀ¯n hen¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " AtÃ... ChnsSsb´m..Hcp sN¼I¸qhnsâ amXncn Hcp aWw....? AtXm C¸sg§m\pw ]m¼p hm s]mfnt¨m...?.." F\níp a\Ênembn, hmXnen\cnIn sh¨p XpS¡W¡n\p Rm³ tImcnsbmgn¨ NqSpip¢¯nsâ KÔw, ImÁnÃmXncp¶XpsIm−v hmXn Xpd¶t¸mÄ apdnbn \n¶pw ]pdt¯ípw hym]n¨p ImWpw. hnjbw amÁm³ th−n Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AÃ... A`n Xmakníq¶p ]dªn«v..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp sicn... Xmakníq¶p ]dªm...C¶p apgph\pw AhsSs¡S¡psh¶mtWm... sN¶p... sImSp¯q... t]m¶p... A{X Xt¶..." " AÃ.. Np½m tNmZn¨Xm..." Rm³ ]dªp. " AÃm.... kmhntamfp¨ív D−XmtWm...?..." " Mqw... Dt−¨n¸w Ct§m«p h¶tXsbmÅp..." kmhn{XnbpsS adp]Sn. anSp¡n. I¡m³ Xt¶bà \ním\pw AhÄ¡dnbmw. " Mqw... F¶m ]Tnív...." A`n AIt¯íp t]mbn. Fsâ izmkw t\tc hoWp. Rm³ DSt\ tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. IXIp Nmcn. kmhn{Xntb Itkcbn \n¶pw ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p amÁn \nÀ¯n. ]mhmS [rXnbn s]m¡n. AhÄ IbvsIms−t¶ XSªp. " l.....C\nsb¶m ImWníphm... apgph³ I−XtÃ...?..." " FSo... Ipdp¼mSn\I¯p hoW ]mep Xq¯p Ifbm\m........ thKw.... Ih¨p \nÃv... "

AhÄ s]s«¶p ]mhmS s]m¡n¸nSn¨psIm−p Ih¨p \n¶p. hmXn¡teíp t\m¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]qdpXpd¶p ]nSn¨n«v tXmÀ¯psIm−v ASnbn \n¶pw apIfnteív AaÀ¯n XpS¨p. " At¿m ]Xps¡... hÃmsX t\mIp¶p... " AhÄ \nehnfníp¶Xp t]mse ]dªp. " tkmdn... [rXnbn AdnbmsX AaÀ¯nt¸mbn... AhsSsb§m\pw ]Án¸nSn¨m... c−pw sXmebpw..." Rm³ sasà H¶p c−p {]mhiyw IqsS Xq¯p. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJhpw XpS¨p. " C\n Ccpt¶m...." tXmÀ¯p amÁnbn«n«p Rm³ AhfpsS AcnIn t]mbn \n¶p. _m¡nbp−mbncp¶ tNmZy§Ä ]dªp sImSp¡m³ XpS§n. CSíhÄ iÐaS¡n hnfn¨p. " amtj..." Rm³ tI«nÃ. AhÄ Fsâ I¿n sNmdnªp. " Mqw F´m....?..." " Fsâ sP«n Xm...." " AXp Rm³ Xc¯nÃ... F\níp thWw..." Rm³ Ip\nªhfpsS sNhnbnteíp ]dªp. " amjn\Xp tNc¯nÃ...." " AXn\sÃSo...FSsíSív \nsâ aWw In«m\m.... F\níXp Xeíp ]nSn¨pt]mbn...." " At¿... Rm³ AXn¶se samXenSp¶Xm.... \mÁw ImWpw..... thtW... thtd Ae¡nbXp Xcmw...." " AXp \o Xs¶ sht¨m...." " Cu \mdnb XpWntbs¶´p aWw In«m\m....? s]Spt¯sâtbm..?." " AÃ... \nsâ Ipdp¼mSnsâ...." " CXp hÃm¯ Indp¡m.... C¸w F\nsís´¦nepw thWw... ]mhmS \\bp¶q¶m tXm¶tW....A`nt¨¨nsb§m\pw I−m F´p hnNmcnípw...?..." " Fs´mscmen¸m s]t® CXv... Rm\n¸w sXmS¨p X¶XtÃ... kpJn¨v kpJn¨v s]®nsâ AhSw sXmd¶p t]mtbm...?." " B, F\nídnb¯nÃ.....Np½m AXpanXpw ]dbmsX... Fsâ XpWnbn§p Xm...." " Hcp Imcyw ]dªm Xcmw.. kXyw ]dbWw...." " F´phm...?.." " {]Imi\mtWm... AtXm...Rm\mtWm... kmhn{Xntb IqSpXep kpJn¸nt¨....?..." Ahsfm¶p \mWn¨p. ]ns¶ taitbmSSp¯p \n¶ Fsâ XpSíns«m¶p \pÅn. " ]d..." Rm\mhiys¸«p. AhÄ ho−pw Fsâ XpSbn \pÅn. " Rm\mtWm..." AtX F¶ AÀ°¯nehÄ Xebm«n. " F¦n... F\nsí´p k½m\w Xcpw......?." Ahsfsâ apJw ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨n«v Fsâ Ihnfn aSn¨paSn¨v \mWt¯msS Hcp½ Xs¶. ]ns¶ H¶padnbm¯ t]mse ]p©ncn¨psIm−v Ccps¶gpXm³ XpS§n. " C\ow... F¶pw Syqj\p hcpthm...?..." hcpw F¶hÄ Xebm«n. " anSp¡n...sIm¨p IÅn...." Rm\hfpsS Ihnfn H¶p \pÅn. " Fsâ sP«n...?..." " AXns\mcp ]Wn ]dbmw... A`osS ap¶n¡qtS _m¯vdqan t]mbm aXn... tNmZn¨m At¶cw \\ªXmsW¶p ]dbmtÃm...." " tlm... apSnª _p²nbm... Cu amjsS.... " " GXmbmepw tamfp {]Imit\ hnS−... tIt«m... Mm.... C\n _m¡n IqsS FgpXv..." Rm³ ]dªp sImSp¯p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ A`ncman Fd§n h¶p ]dªp. " tNmdp shf¼n sh¨ns«m−v..." " amtj.... Rm\n¸w hcmw...." kmhn{Xn A`ncmantb X«nbpcp½n AIt¯íp tIdnt¸mbn. A`n Ahtf t\m¡n \n¶p. " c−p hm¡qsStb HÅp... AXqsS ]dªpsImSp¯n«v.... AsX§s\bm.... h¶n«p ]¯p an\n«mbnÃ... FSín¸w hcmw hcm¶pw ]dªv Fgpt¶Áp t]mIpw... AÃ... C\n hà AkptJmw..."

Rm³ BtcmsS¶nÃmsX ]dªp. F¶n«It¯íp Ibdn. IbvIgpIn Itkcbnencp¶t¸mtgípw kmhn{Xn _m¯vdqw Xpd¶nd§n h¶p. A`n Ahtf Iq«ns¡m−v ASp¡fbnteíp Ibdn. Rm\pw ]pdtI hmXn¡teíp Xe \o«n. " Mqw... ? kmhn{XntbmsSt´m clkyw ]dªpsIm−ncp¶ A`ncman Ft¶ tNmZycq]¯n t\m¡n. " AÃ.. shÅw...?.." " C¸w sIm−cmw.. sXmS§nt¡m........" Rm³ Xncn¨p h¶p Itkcbnencp¶p. \mWw sIm−v Ip\nª apJhpambn kmhn{Xn ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Cd§n h¶p Nmbn¸nteíp t]mbn. " F¶m¸nt¶ B sIm¨nt\ ]dªp hnt«¨mImw Ign¸v... " Rm\pw kmhn{Xntb A\pKan¨p. AhfpsS ASp¯p h¶v ]dªp sImSp¡m³ XpS§n. A`n Xn®bn h¶v R§tf Hs¶¯nt\m¡nbn«v AIt¯íp t]mbn. " A`nt¨¨n F´m tNmZnt¨... ?.." " AXv ]nt¶....F´n\m F¸gpw _m¯vdqan t]mtW¶v... s]mds¯§m\pw Btbm¶v..." " F¶n«v \osb´p ]dªp...?.." " {]Xo£n¨ncníphm... AXpsIm−v AI¯p t]mbn t\m¡phmcps¶¶p ]dªp....." " apSnª _p²n... \obpw tamiÃ...Ipcp«p_p²nív.... FgpXv......" Ahsfm¶p Nncn¨p. Rm\hfpsS Ihnfn At¸mÄ sXfnª \pW¡pgnbn hncepsIms−mcp Ip¯p sImSp¯p. FgpXns¡m−ncp¶t¸mÄ A`n hmXn¡Â h¶p. F¶n«v ]dªp. " C¶t¯íp aXn tamtf.... tamfp t]mIm³ t\m¡v... cmPmaWn h¶p®v... Mm......Mm....... tamsfgpt¶¡v..." F\níp a\Ênembn ]ocnbUp hcpsa¶p ]dªXnsâ t]cn Ahtf s]s«¶p ho«nteíp ]dªp hnSpIbmWp _p²naXnbmb A`ncman. kmhn{Xn s]s«s¶gpt¶Áp ]pkvXI§sfSp¯p, Ft¶sbm¶p t\m¡n aμlkn¨n«v ]pdt¯índ§n. AhÄ apÁ¯p IqSn \S¶pt]mIp¶Xp Rm\pw A`nbpw t\m¡n \n¶p. kmhn{Xn ]dªXp sicnbmbncp¶p. Nph¶ kn¡p]mhmSbn Hcp sNdnb Bkvt{Xenbm AhfpsS Ip−nIfpsS CSív bYmkvYm\¯p \\ªp Idp¯ncn¡p¶p. Fsâ t\m«hpw At§m«pXs¶bmsW¶p a\Ênem¡nb A`n s]s«s¶t¶ hnfn¨p. " t\m¡n \nímsX h¶p Ignív cmPmaWn... F\nív ]m{X§fp IgpIWw..." " At¿m hcmth... Cu ]mh¯nsâ Iªn samS¡tÃ...." BËmZw Xpfp¼p¶ a\Êpambn DuWptaibnteíncnípt¼mÄ Rm\dnbmsX Hcp aqfn¸m«p aqfnt¸mbn. IeymW{]mb¯n s]®p§Ä NqSp¶ I·Z¸q I®¼q It−... C¶p Rms\m¶p It− Ccp«p¶Xn\p ap¼p Ftf½bpw Iebpw Xncn¨p h¶p. Rms\sâ at\mcmPy¯n k©cnípIbmbncp¶p. A½bpsS IqsS AIt¯íp Ibdnbn«v Ie s]s«s¶sâ apdnbnteíp h¶p. " kmhn h¶mcpt¶m A¦ntf...?..." " h¶p.... HSt\ ]dªphnSptIw sNbvXp.... IetamfnÃmsX Syqjs\Sp¡ms\mcp ctkmw tXm¶oÃ...." " Mqw... F\nín¸gpw kwibm... Rm³ tN¨nsbmsSm¶p tNmZnís«... " AhÄ AIt¯íp t]mbn. A`nsb§m\pw Imep amdptam. F¦n høgpw In«p¶ ]Swhc¸p \n¶Xp Xs\.GXmbmepw Xncn¨p h¶ Ie kt´mjhXnbmbncp¶p. " F¶mepw C¨nsc t\cw ]nSn¨ncp¯n CtÃ....?..." " AXv... Ft´m Ht¶m c−p kwib§fv... A½mh\p kpJmtWm...?...? Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Bcnípw... A½ sImtd hÀ¯m\w ]dbp¶Xp tI«p... sImtd cltkymw...slm... _tÊses´mcp sXc¡mcp¶p....." " ]ns¶ sXc¡p ImWmXncnípthm..." " Hcp sIfh³.... ]¯¼Xp hbsʦnepw ImWpw.... Fsâ Ip−ntb Xt¶ ap«nt¨m−p \níphmcp¶p.... Hcp clkyw tNmZnt¨mt«...?.."

" tNmZnt¨m..." " \n§fmWp§sS t]\m... GXp t\c¯pw C§s\ s]m§n \níphmtWm.... _tÊembmepw... s]cphgoembmepw..... " " AXv...AXv.... Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«....." Rm³ Fsâ ap−p amÁn t\m¡n. Fsâ Ip® AhfpsS KÔaSn¨XpsIm−v ]mXn h®wsh¨p InS¡pIbmbncp¶p. Ahfpw F¯nt\m¡n. Rm³ ]Xps¡ Aht\ I¿n FSp¯v `mcw t\m¡p¶Xpt]mse H¶\¡n. " At¿.....CsX´n\m C¸w Ft¶ ImWnípt¶....?.." s]s«s¶sâ s]m§nb Ip® I−t¸mfhÄ¡p \mWw. F¶m t\m¡mXncním\pw tae. AhÄ Aht\ sImXntbmsS HfnI®n«p t\m¡n. " \ns¶ ImWn¨XÃ.... s]m§ntbm¶p Rm³ t\m¡phmcp¶p...." " samiS\¦nfv... t\tcmw Imtemw t\m¡msX..." AhÄ¡p ]ns¶bpw \mWw. Ahsfsâ Ihnfn H¶p Ip¯n. ]ns¶ Hcp Ibvs]m¡n kz´w I£¯n H¶p aW¯p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " slm shbÀ¯p \mimbn.. Ipfnt¨¨p hcmw... \msf sSsÌmÅXm...H¶pw ]Tn¨n«nÃ....." " t\m¡s« t\m¡s«.... " Rm\pw AhfpsS Is¿m¶p s]m¡n B \\ª I£¯n aq¡pap«n¨p aW¯p t\m¡n. " sO....Cu A¦nfv...." AhÄ Ibv _eambn hnSphn¨p. AhÄ t]mIm\mbn Xncnªp. Rm³ B I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨p \nÀ¯n. " Ietamtf..." " Mqw... F´m...?..." " tamÄsS...C¸w C«ncníp¶ B jÍn C§p Xt¶¡v..." " At¿... CsX´p h«m..... AXn¸w shbÀ¯p \mdn Hcp ]cphmbncníphm..." " F\níXm th−Xv... " " AtÃepw Cu BWp§¡p X\nh«m... AÃm.... Fsâ C¶et¯ P«nsb´ntb...?... F\nsím¯ncn F®sam¶panÃ..." " AXp Rm³ Xcmw....CXp tamfn§qcn¯t¶cv... Asæn tamfp C¸w F\níhSw H¶p aW¡m³ X¶mepw aXn..." " Mqw.. AsX\níp \mWm... At½w tN¨ow... A¸d¯p ImWpw...]ns¶bms«... C¸w.. CXp aXn...C¶m... atÁXn§p Xm...." AhÄ ]mâokv ImepIÄ hgn Ducpt¼mtgípw Rm³ s]«nXpd¶v ISemkps]mXn FSp¯p sImSp¯p. AhfpsS ]pXnbXp Rm³ I¿n Npcp«n¸nSn¨p. AhÄ ISemkps]mXn Xpd¶p. F¶ns«m¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ AsXm¶p IpSªp. ]ns¶ AXnSm\mbn ]mhmS Aåw s]m¡n. Rm³ t\m¡n \n¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ F\níp ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p. sP«n CSm³ Ip\nªt¸mÄ ]mXns]m¡nb ]mhmS ]pdIn \n¶pw s]s«¶p s]m¡nbn«v AhfpsS Bk\hnemk¯n hncens«m¶p tXm−n. Hcp sk¡âp t\ct¯ív AhfpsS IqXn¸qdnte \\hnsâ NqsSsâ hnc¯p¼n In«n. AhÄ sR«n¯ncnªp. " l... CsXt´m¶m... t]Sn¸nípt¶...]dtª¨p tht− A¦ntf.... h¶ph¶n¸w... A¦nfn\o Hcp hnNmcta HÅq¶mbn...." " Ft¶s¡m−p ]nSn¸n¨p ]nSn¸n¨p....\obtà A§s\bm¡nbXv..." Rm\hfpsS Ip−nbn ]nSns¨m¶p sR¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. AhÄ H¶p ]pfªp. ]ns¶ Fsâ Ibv X«namÁn. s]®n\nt¸mÄ aqUnÃm¯Xp t]mse. " Ite...Ietamtf... " Ftf½bpsS hnfn. " F´mt½.... Rm\nhnsSmt−...." " \o Ipfníp¶ntÃ... t\cw kÔybmbn..." " Mm... tZ hcp¶q...." hnfn¨p ]dªn«v AhÄ hmXn IS¶p. ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp ]dªp. " Ipfnt¨¨p hcmw.... \mfs¯ sSÌn\n¨nsc ]dªpXcWw... " AhÄ t]mb DSt\ AhfpsS Ip−n¡oden tXm−nb hnc Rms\m¶p aW¯p. lmbv, ]qdnsâ \à Ahnª aWw. Hcp s]®nsâ Ih¡nSbnte aWw Fsâ aq¡neSn¨p F¶dnªt¸mÄ ]IpXn ab¡¯nembncp¶ Ipªn¡p«³ XpWnbpw s]m¡ns¡m−v hSnbmbn \nhÀ¶p\n¶p. H¶p IqSn hen¨p aW¯t¸mÄ Ah³

]cn]qÀ®Xbnse¯n. C\n ]gb]Snbnem¡Wsa¦n asÁs´¦nepw Imcyw a\Ên hcWw, Asæn Ah³ ]m Xp¸Ww. CubnsSbmbn«v, {]tXyIn¨v C¶p Ip® s]m¡p¶ kwKXnIfÃmsX H¶pw \S¶n«nÃ. C¡W¡n\p t]mbm Rm³ t]meokmIp¶Xp t]mbn«v t]meokvtÌjsâ ]Sn t]mepw ImW¯nÃ. GXmbmepw s]m§n, F¶m¸ns¶ _m¡n Xt¶. Rm³ I¿n Npcp«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ ]mâoskm¶p \nhÀ¯p. AXnsâ \ÃkvYm\w H¶p \nhÀ¯pt\m¡n. Fs´ms¡tbm AhnsS ]Án¸nSn¨ncp¸p−v. Cu s]®nsâ kmam\¯n\I¯p \n¶pw hÃXpw s]mgnbp¶pt−m ? sasà H¶p IpSªp. AXp ]Án¸nSn¨p Xt¶ Ccníp¶p. AXp aq¡nsem¶Sp¸n¨p. aq{X¯nsâbpw hnbÀ¸nsâbpw KÔ¯nsâ CSív IgpIm¯ kmam\¯nsâ, IhínSbpsS, KÔw Aenªp tNÀ¶ncníp¶p. Hcp ]Wn tXm¶n. Rm³ t\tc AXp Imenteíp hen¨p tIÁn A§n«p. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ Ip®¨mcv hn{ianíp¶Xv IebpsS kmam\¯n F¶p k¦ån¨p. AXpkXyw F¶p ]dªpsIm−v B I«nIpdª XpWn. Iodpsa¶ hminbn Ah³ AXp IqSmcam¡n \n¡p¶p. s]mebmSntamt\, \ns¶ Rm³!! Aht\ tatem«p s]m¡n Xe CemÌn¡nsâ ASnbnem¡n ^nÁpsNbvXp sh¨p. Ct¸mÄ FÃmw Hcp kpJw. Ip® A§ns\Xs¶ _e¯n XÅnsh¨psIm−v. ]pkvXIsaSp¯p hmbním³ XpS§n. AdnbmsX ho−pw Bhnc aq¡nteíp t]mbn. B ]qdnsâ apSnª aWw, IgpIn¡fbm\pw aSn. Rm³ ]mâoknsâ ASnbn ]Xps¡ XtemSn. Ahsâ Xe H¶pIqSn hoÀ¯p. abncv, C\n ]Tn¯w \msfbmImw. Rm³ shdptX ]pkvXIw aeÀ¯n sh¨v Itkcbnencp¶p. Ipfn Ignªv Iebpw tN¨nbpw \ma P]ním\ncp¶p. A`n Ct§m«v, Fsâ apdnbpsS hit¯sím¶p t\m¡nbn«v `àntbmsS, F\níp tXm¶p¶Xv a\:Nm©Ãyw Hgnhm¡m\msW¶mWv, IbvIÄ Iq¸n \maw sNmÃm³ XpS§n. Ie tN¨ntb A\pIcns¨¦nepw XpSsc¯pSsc Ft¶¯s¶ Xncnªp t\m¡p¶p. GXmbmepw. c−nt\bpw t\m¡n, A\nb¯nbpsS ]qdpw aW¯v, tN¨nbpsS apÅnNoÁp¶ hnSÀ¶ kmam\¸qhpw [ym\n¨v, Rm³ taiíSnbneqsS ]mânbpsS CemÌn¡n henªp apdpIn \n¶ Ip®¯ebn XtemSn ckn¨p. kwKXn GXmbmepw aq¯p. Hcp \mep ]nSp¯w IqSn Ignªm IebpsS jÍnbpw Fsâ Ibnenbpw Ip®¸men ap§pw F¶ \nebmbn. Rm³ Ahtf¯t¶ t\m¡ns¡m−v Ahsâ aÀ½w Xncp½m³ XpS§n. ]t£, Fsâ IÅ¡®pIÄ A`n I−n«mtWm Ft´m \maP]w s]s«¶hkm\n¨p. Ie HmSn AIt¯íp t]mbn. A`n hnf¡n sXm«p Xebn sh¨p. ]ns¶ AXp sISp¯n. F¶n«v AXpsaSp¯v Nmbn¸nsâ hmXn¡se¯n. Rm³ IbnensIm−v Ip®¯e aqSn. " ]nt¶... cmPmaWn....Hcp Imcyw... \maw P]níp¼w... H¶pIn AhnsS h¶ncp¶p IqsS sNmÃmw... Asæn IXIS¨ncp¶p ]Tnt¨mWw...." " At¿m ...Rms\m¶pw hnNmcnt¨m−Ã.... ]Tníphmcp¶p.... C\nsamXep Rm³ IXISt¨mfmw... C¨nsc NqSpsam−mcp¶p...klnt¨mfmw.....tkmdn...." AhÄ Ft¶ H¶p kq£n¨p t\m¡nbn«v AIt¯íp t]mbn. AhÄ t]mb]pdtI Hcp _p¡pw t]\bpambn Ie F¯n. " Fsâ s]m¶¦ntf ... CsXms¡ H¶p ]dªp Xm... IªnIpSním³ hnfnípw... AXn\pap¼v thKw... \msf Fs´¦nepw FgpXWw..." " Mm... Ft´m¶m... ImWnt¨..." AhÄ _p¡p Xpd¶p. kmhn{XnbpsS AtX ]mT§Ä. " CXp Rm³ kmhn{Xníp ]dªpsImSp¯Xm... F¶m FgpXntím... " AhÄ FgpXm³ XpS§n. s]s«¶v A`nbptS Xe {][m\apdnbpsS hmXn¡ {]Xy£s¸«p. Hs¶¯nt\m¡nbn«v AhÄ ]n³henªp. Rm³ IXIp tNÀ¯S¨p. ]ns¶ IpÁnbn«p. c−paq¶p hm¡pIÄ FgpXn¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ IetbmSp tNmZn¨p. " tamtf... CtXXp ]uUdmsW¶p ]dbmtam....." Rm³ AhfpsS ]qÁn tXm−nb Ibv AhfpsS aq¡n ASp¸n¨p. " Èo... CXp thtdXmt−mhm... aq¡p X«nt¸mIp¶p......sIm−p t]m... t]mbn \måmac tkm¸n«p IgpIv... Hcp ]uUdv..." AXp tI« Rm³ Nncn¨p. " CtX... IetamfpsS atÁS¯q¶v C¨nscap¼p Rm³ tXm−nsbSp¯Xm...\nsâ skm´w ISemknsâbm.... " Rm\Xp hens¨m¶p aW¯p. " Cu... A¦nfv hs«fIn \níphm...... Rm³ t]mIphm... aXn ]Tn¨Xv... " AhÄ ]pkvXIw aS¡n.

" At¿m t]mItÃ... tZ... Ignªp...." Rm³ AsXsâ Ibnenbn XpS¨p. " C\n B Ibnen sUtÁmfn«e¡Ww..." AhfpsS Iaâv. " AXp Rm\e¡ntímfmw... \obn¸w... _m¡n FgpXv...." AhÄ ]pkvXIw ho−pw Xpd¶p shs¨gpXm³ XpS§n. c−p aq¶p hms¡gpXnbs¸mtgípw IXIn ap«ptI«p. Xpd¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ A`ncman. AhÄ AIt¯ív hnkvXcns¨m¶p t\m¡n. " F´m A`o...?..." " AXv...AXv... IXIp sXmd¶n«p ]Tn¨mse´m...?.. Cu NqS¯v... AhfmsW¦n C¸w Ipfn¨Xm...C\ow Ipfn¨m... XWp¯ shÅw..." " A`n ]dªn«m IXIS¨n«Xv... F¦n C\n sXmd¶nt«ímw...." Rm³ IXIp \¶mbn Xpd¶p sh¨p. " FSo... thKw XoÀt¯¨p hm... tNmdp shf¼n....." ]dªpsIm−v A`n Xncnªp \S¶p. Ie hms]m¯n Nncn¨p. " kosFUo¸Wnbm.... \½tf sN¡p sN¿phm... ]mhw... Akqbbm..." " F´n\mSo Ah¡kqb...?..." " AXtà Rm³ ]dªXv... tN¨nív A¦nfnt\mSv Hcp t\m«sams−¶v... Rm³ X«nsbSp¡ptam¶v t]Snbm...." " Ip´w... Cu `{ZImfntím..?...... \o FgpXn¯oÀ¡v... CtàC\ow hcpw iqÀ¸WJ..." Ie thKw _m¡n FgpXnXoÀ¯p. ]ns¶ _p¡p aS¡n t]mIm³ XpS§n. " A¦ntf... B jÍn C§v Xt¶cv... FÃm¯n\pw tN¨nsí®samÅXm... tNmZn¨m Rms\´p ]dbpw...?.." " Hm.. \nsâsbmcp she]nSn¨ km[\w..." Rm³ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ IbnenbpsS Ip¯gn¨p Ccphit¯ípw Xpd¶p]nSn¨psIm−v ]dªp. " C¶m... tZs−...DucnsbSpt¯m... " " slât½... Cu A¦nfn\p apgp h«m... F´m... Cu ImWn¨ncnítW...Fsâ \mdnb jÍnsbSp¯v NmÀ¯ocníp¶p...." AhÄ Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. " B... h«p Xs¶bm... DuscSo... " AhÄ ]pkvXIw tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«v jÍnbn ]nSp¯an«p. At¸mÄ ]IpXn Poh\n CemÌn¡n\nSbn Ipcp§nbncníp¶ Ip® aIpSw AhÄ I−p. HÁ¡®pw Xpd¶v Ah³ sR§nbncníp¶p. AhÄ Aht\sbm¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n jÍn ]Xps¡ Xmtgm«p hen¨p. B henbn Ahsâ _m¡n Poh³ Xncn¨p In«n. Ah³ ]Xps¡ DWcm³ XpS§n. AhÄ jÍn Fsâ XpSbn sh¨n«v I¼nbmbn \n¶ Ip®v I¿nseSp¯p. AhfpsS I¿nencp¶h³ XpSsc¯pSsc sR«n. " A¦nfn\pw Indp¡m... Cu... km[\¯n\pw Indp¡m..." AhÄ Aht\ c−pIbvsIm−pw IqSn¸nSns¨m¶p sR¡n. kpJ¯nsâ Hcp InSnew Fsâ Rc¼pIfn Cc¨p tIdn. " It−m... tamÄsS sP«níI¯p sIS¶m Ch\nt{Xw hepXmtb.... sImÅmthm...?..." " sImÅmcp¶p....F¶mepw.....F\nín¸w h¿¦ntf...Hd¡w hcp¶p..... htÃmw Ignt¨¨p sIS¡Ww..." " F¶m tamfp s]mtím... " " Mqw... \msf sSÌp Ignbs«.... ]ns¶ _m¡n......" AhÄ Aht\ hn«p. " F¦n... t]mImt¶cw Ahs\mcp½ sImSpt¯cv... Ch\n¸w tamÄsSbtÃ..." F\nív Rms\´mWp ]dbp¶sX¶p t]mepw t_m[anÃmbncp¶p. ]t£ Ieíp henb Xmåcyw I−nÃ. s]®p§Ä¡pw AhcptSXmb aqUp ImWpambncnípw. AhÄ Ip\nªv Ahsâ Xe I¿nseSp¯v Hcp½ \ÂIn. Rm³ H¶p apt¶m«mªv B hnPrw`n¨ Xe AhfpsS Np−n ap«n¨p. " t¿....tZs−... D¸pshÅw.... tO... " AhÄ H¶p \pWªn«p Xp¸n. ]ns¶ ]mâosksâ XpSIfn \n¶qcnsbSp¯p. IXInsâ IpÁnsbSp¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ Ip®sbSp¯v XpSínSbn AaÀ¯n sh¨ncp¶p. Xpd¡pt¼mÄ A`n Hfnªp \ns¶¦ntem. `mKyw, AhfnÃmbncp¶p. Ie _p¡nsâ IqsS ]mânbpw Npcp«n¸nSn¨v AIt¯íp Ibdn.

Rm³ thKw InWÁn³Icbn sN¶p I¿pw apJhpw IgpIn. DuWpapdnbnteíp sN¶p. Ftf½ At¸mgpw ASp¡fbn Ft´m sN¿p¶p. At¸mÄ tIÄ¡mw A`nbpsS apdnbn \n¶pw Ie]ne iÐw. IXIp Nmcnbncníp¶p. " Ite... \nt¶mSm tNmZnt¨.... kXyw ]d.... C¸w Cu... jÍnsbhnS¶p h¶q...?.." A`n Ietb tNmZyw sN¿p¶p. tM, Chsft¶¡mfpw shenb t]meotkm ? " l....kXytà ]dªXv... Rm³ Xnt® h¨m Ducntb... " AXp Xs¶bm.. Rm\pw tNmZnípt¶... Xnt® sh¨qcm³ s\\¡v \mWanÃmcpt¶m¶v... AhsS B Ak¯v sNdp¡³ Hs−¶v s\\¡dnb¯ntÃ...?.." " AXp Xs¶bm Rm\pw ]dªXv... A¦nfp t\m¡n \n¶mepw At¶cw Rm\qcpw......" IebpsS Dd¨ hm¡pIÄ. " tM...?.." A`nbpsS AÔmfn¸nsâ iÐw. " Mm... ]n¶ÃmsX... atÁS¯p Ddp¼p ISn¨v Poh³ t]mIp¼w... A¦nfÃ... almcmPmhp \n¶mepw Ducpw... ISn¨n«p Pohs\Sp¡p¶tX... Fsâbm... AtÃÂ, tN¨osS AhsS Ddp¼p ISníp¼w Adnbmw... sNmdnbpthm... Ducpthm¶v..." " \nsâ tZl¯p sIS¡p¶ sP«níIs¯§\mSo...Ddp¼p ht¶..." " AXpdp¼nt\mSp t]mbn tNmZnív... AtàtZs− sIS¡p¶p... X¸n t\m¡v... Hcp hnkvXmcw..." " Ite... F\níp \nt¶ C¨nsc kwibsam−v... \o C¸w c£s]«p.... Hcp Znhkw \ns¶ Rm³ ]nSnípsaSo... t\m¡ntím..." " F\nídnbmw... tN¨nív... Rm\¦nfnt\mSp an−ptIw ]dbptIw sN¿p¶Xp ]nSníp¶nÃ....Akqbsbmt− tXm«n t]mbn IgpIn¡f.... Atàt]mbn... AbmtfmSp irwKcnív... AXn\p ss[tcymanÃ.... F´n\m Hfn¨pIfnípt¶... Ctãmt− AXp sXmd¶p ImWníWw..." A¼Sn, Ieín{Xbpw \mt¡m ? Rm³ hnkvabn¨p t]mbn. " AXp Rm³ F\nínãsamŸw sNbvtXmfmw... IÅn... ]q− IÅn..." ]ndp]ndp¯psIm−v IXIpXpd¶p ]pd¯p h¶ A`n I−Xv hmXn¡teíp t\m¡nbncníp¶ Ft¶bmbncp¶p. Ahsfm¶p hnfdntbm AtXm ]Xdntbm F¶p kwibw. " Ftft½... tNmdp shf¼otÃ...." F¶p tNmZn¨psIm−v ]mhmSbpw FSp¯p Ip¯n [rXnbn Ft¶ IS¶v ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. Rm³ ]pdt¯índ§n t]m¶p. C\n hnfn¨n«v sNÃmw F¶p IcpXn. ]ntÁ Znhkw Rm³ tImtfPn \n¶pw h¶t¸mÄ Ie Fs¶ kao]n¨p. Hcp N¡ ]dní tPmen. A`n ¢mÊn t]mbn F¶p tXm¶n. AhnsS§pw I−nÃ. hoSnsâ hS¡phi¯v Hcp ¹mhp−v. \ndsb CeIÄ Xn§n hfÀ¶Xv. \à C\amsW¶p tXm¶n. AXnsâ apIfnes¯ inJc¯n Hcp N¡ ]gp¯p. Infn sIm¯m³ XpS§n. ]¨bmbncps¶¦n ¹mhn Ibdn tXm«nsIm−v sN¯nbnSmambncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ AXp IbdpsI«n Cd¡Ww. hfsc {iaIcamb tPmen. ImcWw N¡ InS¡p¶ sIm¼n \n \n¶psIms−m¶pw sN¿m³ ]Á¯nÃ. AXn\p sXm«pXmsg Hcp I¼pÅXv sNdpXmWpXm\pw. AXn Rm³ Ibdn \n¶m N¡íp ]Icw Rm³ sIm¼psamSn¨psIm−v Xmsgsb¯pw. HSphn Rms\mcp hgn I−p]nSn¨p. Cu ¹mhp \n¡p¶Xv ]d¼nsâ B X«nsâ AcnInemWv. c−p aq¶p Im¸ns¨SnIÄ hfÀ¶p ]´en¨p \n¡p¶Xp ImcWw ho«n \n¶p t\m¡nbm ¹mhnsâ NphSpw ]cnkc§fpw ImWpIbnÃ. Rm³ AXnsâ Nph«nse¯nbt¸mÄ F´msW¶p ]dbm³ h¿m¯ Hcp sNdnb KÔw. AXn N¡¸g¯nsâ aWhpw Dt−ms¶mcp kwibw. Fsâ tXm¶embncnípw F¶p kam[m\n¨n«v Rm³ ¹mhn Ibdn. kmlNcyw t\m¡nbn«v Rm³ Xmsg \n¡p¶ Ietb hnfn¨p ]dªp. c−p henb Ibdp sIm−phcm³. H¶v N¡ sI«nbnd¡m\pw asÁm¶v sNdnbsIm¼v hepXpambn _Ôw sh¨p _es¸Sp¯m\pw. AhÄ IbsdSp¡m³ t]mbn. ¹m\pIfpambn Rm³ ¹mhnsâ apIfnencnípt¼mÄ ImWmw, ]Sn Ibdn A`n hcp¶p. tImtfPn \n¶pÅ hchv. \à s]®v. Rm\hfpsS hchmkzZn¨p. \{aapJnbmbn Cu \m«ps]®v Hcp Znhkw Fsâ ]ndtI \S¶phcp¶ Hcp Imgv¨ Rms\m¶p k¦ån¨p. Hm, ]n®m¡v, CXp hÃXpw F\níp hn[n¨n«pt−m. ImWmw, sImXnhnSmw. H¯m Cu ]g¯n Rms\¶ B¬Infníp Ignhps−¦n H¶p sIm¯mw. Dd¨ ImeSnIfpambn

AhÄ \S¡pt¼mÄ B Dcpf³ apeIfpw kmcnbpw amdpw H¶p sXdníp¶ntÃ. ImWms\s´mcp N´w. ac¯nsâ Ceb\¡msX, I®nsâ Cab\¡msX, Rm\Xp t\m¡n \n¶p. AhfIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Iptd¡gnªn«pw Ietb ImWp¶nÃ. Chsf´m Ibdp ]ncním³ t]mtbm. Mm hcs«. Rm³ Xmbv¯SntbmSSp¯v sIm¼nencp¶p ]mSt¯sím¶p It®mSn¨p. CeIÄ ImcWw adhps−¦nepw Iptdsbms¡ ImWmw. \à at\mlcamb {]IrXn`wKn. Rmt\mÀ¯p, Cu {Kmaw kpμcamWv, H¸w ChnSt¯ s]®p§fpw, {]tXyIn¨v Cu ho«nte. CSív Ie Ibdp sIm−ph¶p apÁ¯cnInen«n«v InWÁpIcbnteíp t]mIp¶p. Ibsd\níp XcmsX ChsfhnsS t]mIp¶p. F¦n Rm³Xs¶ FSpt¯ímw GXmbmepw AsXSp¡m³ Xmgt¯ inJcwhtc Cd§Ww. Rm³ Xmtgínd§m³ XpS§n. s]s«¶v Rm³ I−p, A`n ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Cd§n apÁ¯ncp¶ Ie¯n \n¶pw shÅsaSp¯v apJw IgpIp¶p. ]ns¶ Ip\nªv UmhWnbpsS AÁw sIm−v apJw XpSíp¶p. NpÁpw t\m¡p¶p. GXmbmepw Dbc§fnencp¶v AhfdnbmsX AhfpsS Ne\§Ä ImWp¶sXmcp ckw Xt¶. AdnbmsXbpÅ ]©mcbSn. Rm³ AhnsSbncp¶p. AhÄ ¹mhn\p t\tc \S¡p¶p. Hm, N¡]dním³ Iq«p hcnImbncnípw. F¦n ckambncnípw. Fsâ _p²nbpw Ignhpw Ahsfm¶dnbs«. AhÄ t\tc Im¸ns¨SnIfpw IS¶v ¹mhnsâ Nph«nse¯n. ]t£ apIfnteív, Ft¶ t\m¡pt¶bnÃ. Rm³ A\§msX XSnbn sI«n¸nSn¨v t\m¡nbncp¶p. B ¹mhnsâ Nph«n ASp¯p \n¡p¶ GtXm Hcp ac¯nsâ h®apÅ Hcp henb thcv s]m§n \n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. B thcn Ibdn\n¶n«v AhÄ apSnsbm¶gn¨psI«n. ]ns¶ Fsâ I®pXÅn¨psIm−v ]mhmS s]m¡n t\tc thcnteíncp¶p. tM, At¸mfnhÄ ASnbnsem¶pw C«n«ntÃ. FSo, \o Hcp \mWanÃm¯ s]®mWtÃmSo A`ncman. Hcp \nanjw, Ft¶ AÂ`pXs¸Sp¯ns¡m−v, ]mhmSípÅn \n¶pw aq{Xw Xmgs¯ ]d¼nteíp NoÁm³ XpS§n. \à shÅn\nd¯n Xnf§p¶ Pe[mc ]o¨mwIpgen \ns¶¶ t]mse \à iànbn NoÁp¶p.. AhÄ ]Xps¡ Acs¡«p Id¡p¶ amXncn. ImcWw, aq{Xw IcnbneIfn IdId iÐt¯msS ]Xníp¶Xv Hcp h«¯nembncp¶p. A¼Sn, At¸mÄ AhfpsS Hcp _elo\XbmWnXv, aq{Xw NoÁn¨p cknípI. AhfpsS a\Ênsâ DÅn Ct¸mgpw Hcp IpkrXn¡p«n D−v. _mey¯nses¸mtgm a\Ên ]Xnªpt]mb Hcp IpkrXn. " tN¨o..." AhfpsS sXm«p]pdIn Ie. I¿n Ibdpambn. s]s«¶v Rm³ XSníp adªp \n¶p Xmtgíp t\m¡n. " F´mSo... ?.." Hcp IqkepanÃmsX aq{Xsamgn¨psIm−p Xt¶ AhÄ hnfntI«p. " sO...ChnSncp¶mtWm...?.." At¸mtgípw aq{X[mc \n¶pIgnªncp¶p. " F´m sImg¸w...? ChnSncp¶m.....aq{Xw t]mIptIte...? thtW \obpsam¶p apÅn t\m¡v.... " A`n \nÊmcambn tNmZníp¶p. " At¿m... Cu tN¨ntbmSp Rm³ F{X {]mhiyw ]dªns«mÅXm... Cu Indp¡p \nÀ¯m³....CXn¸w... Cu tN¨osS... Hcp \mWw sI« Hcp ]Wn....." " AXn\n¸w F´p]Án...?... s\\¡v \tãm¶pw CÃtÃm... Ht− I®St¨m..... " A`n ]mhmS Iq«n IhínS Xmsg\n¶pw apIfnteív H¶p Xq¯p sIm−v tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... F\níp h¿... sÈm... F\níp Xs¶ sXmen Dcnbp¶p.... Rms\´m ]dbpI...." Ie AklytXmsS ]dªp. " s\\¡n¸w FXm ]Ántb... C{X s]mcnbm³......F¶m \o AhnSncp¶v Dcntªm.... AÃm, \osb´m C¸w... Cu.. Ibdpambn«v... F´mSo \nsâ.. a\Ênev......th−mXo\w hÃXpamtWm...tM..?..." " a\ÊneÃ... C¸w act¯em.... tZ t\m¡v..." Ie apIfnteíp t\m¡n. A`n apJw apIfnteípbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ Rm³ apJw Xncn¨v N¡bpsS t\À¡p t\m¡n \n¶p. " slâoizcm..." Hcp iÐw A`nbpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw ]pds¸Sp¶Xp tI«p. Rm³ sasà Xmtgm«p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Ahtf I−nÃ. AhÄ HmSn ASp¡fbnteíp Ibdp¶p. Rm³ Ipd¨pIqSn Xmtgínd§n. Ie IbÀ Hcp I¼n NpÁn apIfnteíp \o«n. " \osb´mSo... Ibdp ]ncns¨m−m¡phmcpt¶m...?..." Rm³ tZjys¸«p.

" aq¸nímsX.... Ibdp cs−®w thW¶tà ]dtª... Ht¶ ho«nsem−mcps¶mÅp... ]ns¶ Rm³ sIWÁpItct]mbn sXm«ntb¶gns¨Sp¡phmcp¶p...." " Rmt\....ac¯nsâ at−em... s\\¡dnb¯nÃXnsâ kpJw..." " kpJw In«nbntÃ.... N¡m¯n A`nt¨¨n Ih¨ncp¶v s]Sp¡p¶Xp I−ntÃ...." AhÄ ]dªXv {i²ním¯ a«n Rm³ N¡bnteív Xncnªp. ]t£ a\Ên kt´mjambncp¶p. A`ntb H¶p Xmgv¯ns¡«m³ Hcp Xpdp¸p No«p In«nbncníp¶p. kabw hcpt¼mÄ B tS¸p klnXw Ahtf H¶p sacp¡Ww. N¡bpw Npa¶psIm−v apÁt¯íp \S¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " Cu ¹mhnsâ N¡íp \à cpNnbmcnípw... Atà tamtf..." " Mqw... \à C\am... AXpsIm−m.. CXv Im¡ípw ]dhípw sImSp¡−m¶p Rm³ ]dªXv..." " C\¯nsâbà tamtf Cu cpNn... AXn\p In«p¶ hf¯nsâbm..." " tM....hftam.. R§fp hfsam¶pw CSp¶nÃ... " " \obdnbp¶nÃ... \nsâ tN¨n F¸gpw hfanSps¶m−v..." " Hm... B hfw... Mqw ..a\Ênembn... tN¨osS aq{X¯n\{X hfmsWs¶§s\ a\Ênembn....?.." " AXv \nsâ tN¨ntb I−mednªp IqtS.... \o t]mbn H¶p t\m¡ntí...]mÀ«n Fs´Sp¡phm¶v.... GXmbmepw Cu Ibdp X¡mew amÁn ht¨¡v.. Ahfp ImW−..." " AsX¶m...sI«n¯q§psh¶mtWm..." " Mqw... sNe¸w... BsI \mWw sI«m HmSnt¸mbncnípt¶...." " AsXm¶panÃ... apSnª sXmen¡«nbm... tXm«n Ae¡m³ t]mIp¼w... ItÃencp¶p sXmd¶p ]nSn¨p shůn ]Sw hcíp¶Xv I£níp shey ckam... Rm³ ]e {]mhiyw ]dªns«mÅXm... CXv \nÀ¯tW¶v... Gtl... At¶cw Ft¶ XÃm³ hcpw..." Rm³ N¡ ASp¡fhi¯p Xn®bn sh¨ns«sâ apdnbnteíp t]mbn. Ipd¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Ie Nmbn¸nteíp h¶p. " Fsâ A¦ntf... BsI {]iv\m.... tN¨n apdoencp¶p ItcIm.... AÃ... CXn{X ]pXnb ImcymtWm... s]®p§fp apÅp¶Xv BWp§fv km[mcW ImWp¶XtÃ... " " sNe¸w Is−¶ncnípw... CXXÃtÃm... ]d¼nepw shůnepw aq{Xw sIm−v ]Sw hcípItÃ..... R§fmWp§sS \oft¡mepsIm−p hc¨mepw \nsâ tN¨n hcíp¶t{Xw henb h«w hcptIe...." " A§\m IgnshmÅ s]®p§fv....." AhÄ NndntIm«n sImª\w ImWn¨p. " \à Ignhm... tN¨n Ih¨ncn¶p aq{Xw sIm−p ]Sw hcípw..... A\nb¯n... aSoencp¶v Fsâ kq{Xw sIm−p ]Sw hcípw..." Rm³ Nncn¨p. " Mm... Rm³ hcípw... F´m C¸w hcítWm....?.." " At¿m... Cu s]s®t¶ sImeíp sImSpt¯ AS§s¯mÅq¶m tXm¶pt¶.... FSo... sImds¨ms¡ AS§v........Ctà\nsâ hbÁn Fsâ sIm¨p samfípw..." " samfís«...F\nínãm.... A§s\tbepw Hcp¯sâ Xte tIdmtÃm... AXpw Cu t]meokpImcsâ......" AhÄ Fsâ tXmfn Xq§n. " t]mSo..AhnS¶v...." Rm\htf XÅn amÁn. " Mm... C¸w \½fp s]md¯v.. C\n C§p ht¶cv.... " " \obtà Ct§m«p hcp¶Xv....]nSn¨p hepXm¡m³...." Rm\pw hn«psImSp¯nÃ. " lpw....." AhÄ sIdphn¨p XpÅns¡m−p t]mbn. Rm³ hoSn\It¯íp sN¶p. A`ntbmSp tkmdn ]dbtWm. F´n\v ? Fsâ Iotg h¶ncp¶p tXm¶nhmkw ImWn¨XhftÃ. Ipfnapdnbpw FÃm kuIcy§fpw ho«n\I¯pÅt¸mÄ Ahsf´n\o B`mk¯c¯n\p t]mbn. tkmdn ]dbtWm th−mtbm. hmXn¡ Rm³ i¦n¨p \n¶p.Nn´n¨p \n¡pt¼mÄ Ie ho−pw ap¶nÂ. " AÃ... Ft§m«m....?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " \nsâ tN¨ntbmsSmcp tkmdn ]dªmtem...?.." " Mqw A§p sNÃv.... Ihnf¯p ]mf sh¨psI«ntímWw... GXmbmepw A¦nfnsâ ChnSt¯ s]mdpXn Ignª a«m..." " AsX´mSo...?.."

" \msf AO³ hcp¼w ip]mÀi ]dªn«v A¦nfnt\ ChnSp¶p ]dªp hnSpsa¶m ]dªXv..." " At¿m... NXnt¨m... \nsâsbmcp apSnª N¡..." " Rms\¶m s]g¨p... t]mbn Imep ]nSnív.... F¶n«p In«p¶Xp taSnt¨m... Asæn ChnSpt¯ Xmakw kzml..." AhÄ c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw iq\yw F¶mwKyw ImWn¨p. " l... Fsâ IpÁamtWm... \o ]d... Fsâ Iotgtem«v Ahftà s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m−p h¶Xv.... Rms\¶m s]g¨n«m....?.. " " B F\nídnb¯nÃ... AhsS t]mbn tNmZnív.... " Rms\m¶mtemNn¨p. A`n HmSnt¸mb \ne I−m C\n F\nív Cu ho«n s]mdpXn D−mhnÃ. A{Xív \mWw sI«mWhÄ HmSnbXv. F¦n ]ns¶ C\n aÁp IpÁ§Ä IqSn Xebn hcp¶Xn\p ap¼p kvYew hnt«ímw. km[mcW Hcp {]Xntb In«nbm t]meokpImÀ B tÌj\nte sXfnbm¯ tIskÃmw Ahsâ Xebn sI«nhípw. th−, t]mtb¡mw, am\w Xt¶ hepXv. kz´w hjf¯cw adím³ A`n Fs´¦nepw Iůcw AOt\mSp ]dbmXncnínÃ. AO³ aItf Ahnizkníptam. " FSo... \nsâ A½ ASp¡tfsemt−m..." " Cà ]d¼nem... Nq«p s]dp¡phm..." Rm³ sasà A`nbpsS apdnbpsS hmXn¡ sN¶p. Xpd¶p InS¶ hmXnen\p ap¼n Ft¶¡−bpS³ AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp hmXneSíms\mcp§n. Rm³ ss[cyt¯msS AXp XSªp. AhÄ tNmZy`mh¯nset¶ t\m¡n. IcªXpsIm−mbncnípw, B I®pIÄ Nph¶p Ie§nbncp¶p. " \nÃv.... ASícpXv.... tkmdn... Rm\dntªm−Ã.... Ft¶ ChnS¶p ]dªphnSm³ t]mIphm¶p tI«p.... t\cmtWm...?..." " AtX... AOs\m¶p ht¶mt«... " AhÄ F\níp ]pdw Xncnªp \n¶psIm−p ]dªp. kzc¯n tZjyw. " F´n\mAO³ hcm³ Im¡tW.... ]ns¶ cmta«³ ImcWw tNmZnípw... At¶cw Rm³ ]dbWw... Rm³ tamfn N¡ ]dníp¼w ... A`n tNm«nep h¶v ]mhmS s]m¡nbncp¶v ]d¼n ]Sw hcs¨¶v... AXp thtWm.... A`osS Cu hnIrXn¯cw AO\dnbtWm....A`n Xs¶¯m³ \mWwsISpt¶\pap¼v Rm³ Xt¶ t]mtbímw.... AXpIgnªv thtW A`nív ]dbmtÃm... Rm³ A`ntbw Itew tIdn ]nSns¨t¶m... B`mk\msWt¶m.... ho«nt¡Ám³ sImÅptIset¶m Hs¡...." Rm³ \nÀ¯n. Hcp \nanjw adp]Sníp th−n Im¯p \n¶p. AhÄ H¶pw an−nbnÃ. skânsaâvkv F¡p¶nÃ. Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡msX Xncnªp \n¶p. AXn\À°w AhÄ Xocpam\n¨p F¶p Xt¶btÃ. " Mqw... F¦n... Rm³ t]mWp.... Rm\mbn«v Btcw \mWw sISp¯p¶nÃ....." Rm³ apdnbn h¶p. XpWnIÄ FSp¯v _mKnem¡n. apÁ¯v Abbn InS¶ XpWnIÄ Rm³ FSp¡pt¼mÄ Ie ]d¼nÂ\n¶pw tIdn h¶p. Fsâ ]pdtI Nmbn¸n h¶ AhÄ _mKnteíp t\m¡n. jÀ«nSpt¼mÄ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Ft§m«m C{X [rXnbnÂ....?..." " Fsâ ho«nteív.... C\n ChnsS \n¶m sicnbmI¯nÃ... Rm³ sNe¸w \mdpw... \nsâ tN¨n cmta«t\mSv Fs´ms¡ s\mW ]dªp ]nSn¸nípsas¶dnªp IqSm... At§cv kz´w tamtfbtà hnizkníq... \mWw sI«nd§p¶Xnepw t`Zw C¸wXt¶ Cd§p¶Xm...." " Hm... \miw.... CXp§¡p c−n\pw hs«fIocníphm..." AhÄ AIt¯tímSn. Rm³ ]d¼nteínd§n. Ftf½tb X¸n. AhÀ Nq«p sh«p¶nS¯p sN¶p. " Mqw... Ft§m«m cmPp... Cu kÔym t\c¯v...." " tN¨o... Rm³ ho«nsems«m¶p t]mbmtem¶p hnNmcníphm..." " F´p ]Áo...A½íp htÃmw..?.." " Gbv H¶qÃ... t]mIW¶p tXm¶n... " " A¸w \msf hcpthm... AtXm aÁ¶mtfm..." " Rm³... Rm³... AXn¸w... ..t\m¡s«... hcmw..."

Rm³ XncnsI Nmbn¸nse¯pt¼mÄ hmXn¡ A`nbpw Iebpw. Btcbpw t\m¡msX, {i²nímsX, Rm³ AIt¯íp Ibdn. _msKSp¯p. apÁt¯§nd§pt¼mÄ A`n Fsâ t\tc t\m¡msX ]dªp. " Rm\mtcmSpw t]mIm³ ]dªnÃ..." " AXp tIÄ¡pt¶\pap¼v....t]mtb¡msa¶p IcpXn.... AXpw cmta«sâ ap¼n sh¨p Rm³ \md−tÃm...." Xncnªp t\m¡msX Xs¶ Rm³ adp]Sn sImSp¯p. Ie ]d¼ntetímSp¶Xp I−p. Ftf½tbmSp ]dbm\mbncnípw " Rm³.... Xmsg h¶¸w.... tamfo¶v Hscm¨sb¦nepw H−m¡mcp¶p.... A¸w.... AXp Xt¶ IůctÃ... Hfn¨pt\m¡m³...?.... sicnbtà Rm³ ]dªXv.. ?..." A`n `n¯nbnteíp Xncnªv hncÂsIms−t´m hc¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " BsW¶p Xs¶ sht¨mfq... F¶mepw A`n s]s«¶p Ip¯ocp¶n«o¸Wn sN¿q¶p Rmt\mÀt¯m.... AXpw ho«n\pÅn FÃm kuItcymw HŸw...." Rm³ Xncn¨p tNmZn¨p. " AXv... F\nív... sNe¸w... Hcp ... ckm... ]e¸gpw hnNmcnípw th−m th−m¶v... F¶mepw.... \nÀ¯m³ ]ÁWnÃ... F´mbmepw... Rm\mbns«m¶pw.... ]td¶nÃ... AOt\mSv..... cmPmaWow...... H¶pw..... ]dbm³ t]mI−...." AhÄ Hcp kt¦mNt¯msS hn¡n hn¡n ]dªp. H¸w UmhWnbpsS HcÁw ISn¨p hen¨p. tM, ]pen ]q¨bmtbm ? A`nbpsS Cu amÁw Rm³ H«pw {]Xo£n¨XÃ. F¦n ]ns¶Xn\v BhiyanÃm¯ s]mÃm¸p−m¡Ww. Rm\pw AtX coXnbn {]XnIcn¨p. Rm³ ]dªp. " AXn\p Rms\m¶pw I−n«nÃtÃm... A`n H¶pw sNbvXpanÃ.... ]−v Cep¼n¸pfntb¶p hoWXpt]mse... Bcpw H¶pw sNbvXn«nÃ...... I−n«nÃ.... " F¦nepw Rm³ ho−pw \S¡ms\mcp§n. " A¸w...t]mIphmtWm....?..." apÁw IS¡mdmb Fs¶ t\m¡n A`n tNmZn¨p. kzc¯n Hcp AÔmfn¸v. AXn\p Rm³ adp]Sn ]dbp¶Xn\p ap¼v Ftf½bpw Iebpw HmSn h¶p. Gtf½bpsS I¿n HcpsI«p Nq«pw hm¡¯nbpw. AhÀ Nq«p sI«v Xmsgbn«p. " It−m At½... A¦nfp t]mIphm..." " FSo.... \o Cht\ Fd¡nhnSpImtWm...?.." Ftf½ A`ntbmSp tNmZn¨p. " Rm\mtcw Fd¡nhn«nÃ...." A`n ]dªp. " AÃt½... AO³ h¶n«v ]dªp hnSpsh¶p tN¨n ]dªXm.... AXn\pap¼p s]mtímfm¶p ]dªm A¦nfp t]mIpt¶..." Ie CSíp NmSn. " AXn\pw am{Xw ChnsSs´m−mbo... \osb¶tXepw sImÅcpXmbvI ChtfmSp sNbvtXmSm...?..." Ftf½ Fs¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " B... A`ntbmSp tNmZnív... Iws¹bnâv A`nítÃ..." Rm³ F§pw sXmSmsX ]dªp. " At½...Rm³ ]dbmw..." Ie ]dbms\mcp§n. A`n CSíp NmSn. " Ite.... an−mXncnív... sheyhcp ]dbp¼w \o FSív ]db− ... Ftft½... ChnSmcpw H¶pw sNbvXnÃ... Rm\mtcw Fd¡ow hn«nÃ...." " slâoizcm... Cu tN¨n... s\mW ]dbp¶Xp tI«ntÃ...." Ie aq¡¯p hnc sh¨p. " \o t]mSo...." A`n Ahtf imkn¨p. " Mm, aXn aXn.... \n§fp \n§sS ]WnIfp t\m¡v... FSm sN¡m.... \ns¶ ChnsS B¡nbXv AXnbm\m... AXnbmt\mSp ]dªn«p \o t]mbm aXn... Ctàhcp¼w hgs¡\nímcnípw..." Ftf½ Nq«psaSp¯v A¸pdt¯íp \S¶p. " tN¨o... GXmbmepw Fd§n... At½ H¶p It−¨p hcmw... C¸w t]mbm ]mXncmtbmSp IqSn ho«nse¯mw..." " F¶m thKw t]m.... At½ Rm³ tNmZn¨q¶p ]dbtW..." Ftf½ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Mm... ]dbmw..." Rm³ ]Sníse¯n. A¦ntf...H¶p \nt¶..." Ie hnfn¨p. Rm³ \n¶p. " ]mhw... Iãs¸«p tIdn ]dn¨Xm... Hcp sNmft]mepw sImSp¡msX HmSn¨p hn«tÃm... " ]cnX]n¨psIm−v Ie HmSn FsâbcnInse¯n. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ A`nbpsS apJ¯v Hcp hnjmZ`mhw. Ip\nªp \n¶hÄ \Jw ISníp¶p. Rm³ IetbmSp tNmZn¨p.

" F´m tamtf....?.." " ¹mth tIdo«v A¦nfp IpfnímsXbm t]mIp¶Xv... _tÊencníp¼w ac¯nsâ apip¡p aW¡pw...." " Fsâ tamtf.. \½fp ]mhs¸t«mÀ¡p... acapip¡pw ao\pfp¼pw H¶pw Hcp {]iv\asÃSo....AsXms¡ \n§tft¸msemÅhÀt¡ HÅp...." Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡msX \S¶p. ]Snbnd§n¡gnªv CShgnbn \n¶pw Rms\m¶p Xncnªp t\m¡n. \Jw ISn¨psIm−v A`n hcm´bnepw, Ffníp IbvsImSp¯psIm−v apÁ¯p Iebpw Fsâ t]m¡p t\m¡n \n¡p¶p. _p[\mgv¨ ]ntÅÀ¡v IW¡n\p ho−pw sSÌv. Ie Ft¶ ]nSnIqSn. H¸w kmhn{Xnbpap−t{X. F\nímsW¦n IW¡v Hcp _mentIdmaebpw. ]dªpsh¨ IW¡pSo¨À¡v \n¶p Xncnbm³ t\canÃt{X. Ahkm\w \nhr¯nbnÃmsX IebpsS KbnUpIÄ X¸n, t]mÀj³ H¶p a\Ênem¡n. F¶n«pw F\nsímcp sXm¸nbpw ]nSnIn«nbnÃ. ]t£ Cu Ahkc¯n Hcp ]co£Ww \S¯m³ Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. F´psIm−v ChcpsS taepw Hcp Iymadm¡®mbn¡qSm. ChÀ c−pt]cpw IqSn H¯pIqSnbm Fs´¦nenw IpkrXnIÄ H¸níptam F¶dnbmatÃm. km[mcW c−p NqSps]®p§Ä H¯pIqSnbm kmlNcy¯ns\m¯v AhcpsS IpkrXnIfpsS NqSpw IqSpsa¶v tImtfPn sh¨v Nne hncpX·mÀ ]dªp tI«n«p−v. As¶m¶pw XmåcyanÃmXncp¶Xn\m IqSpX Nn´n¨n«nÃ. tImtfPn \n¶pw h¶mepS³ Syqj³, AXpIgnªm kÔy¡p apt¼ kmhn{Xnív ho«n sNÃpIbpw sN¿m. CXmbncp¶p ]²Xn. A¶p Rm³ c−p ¢mÊp I«p sNbvXp, t\ct¯ F¯n. A`n ho«nep−mbncp¶p. Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ AhÄ¡Â`pXw. " Cs¶´m t\ct¯....?.." Im¸n tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«hÄ tNmZn¨p. " cmhnte apX hbÁn Hcp hÃmbvI... ¢mÊn Ccn¡m³ H«pw aqUnÃmbncp¶p...." " AsX§\m... Hcp N¡ apgph³ Xn¶ntÃ...?... Xn¶p¼w HmÀ½ thWw... hbdp kz´amsW¶v...." " AXv... AdnbmsX Xn¶pt]mbXm... A`n hfan« ¹mhmbXpsIm−v...\à tSÌmbncp¶p....." " Np½mXncn cmPmaWn... F¸gpw AXp Xt¶ ]dªv Ifnbm¡p¶Xv.... Hc_²w ]Án... AtXmsS AXp \nÀ¯ptIw sNbvXp......" " Cu A_²w Rm³...t\ct¯ AdnªnÃtÃm¶m...." Rm³ ]dªp. " th−m... cmPmaWn.... kwkmcw AXncp IS¡p¶p....." apJ¯p Kuchw. AhÄ ASp¡fbnteíp henªp. Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " tkmdn....shcn tkmdn...." Rm³ Fsâ apdnbnse¯n. Iymadm Hcp¡n. I«nent\ t^m¡kp sNbvXv D¯c¯n XncpIn sh¨p. ]ns¶ Hcp ]gb XpWnsbSp¯v se³skmgn¨v _m¡nsbÃmw ad¨p. I−m Hcp ]g´pWn Npcp«n sh¨ncníp¶Xn\nSív Ft´m Hcp h«w. AXne¸pdw tXm¶pIbnÃ. IãIme¯n\p XpWnsb§m\pw hen¨mÂ, AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ H¶p sR«nt¸mbn. th−m Nn´ní−m. ImatZht\bpw cXotZhntbbpw [ym\n¨v Rm³ Im¯ncp¶p. Ip«nIÄ ]SntIdn hcp¶Xp I−t¸mtg Rm³ Iymadm Hm¬ sNbvXp. ]ns¶ Itkcbn h¶ncp¶p. Ft¶ AhÀ I−p. h¶]msS AhÀ Fsâ apdnbnse¯n. " A¦nsf´m C¶p t\ct¯...?..." Ie tNmZn¨p. kmhn{Xn H¶pw an−msX \n¶p. " Mm... \n§Ä¡p th−n...]ns¶ Fsâ hbdpw icnbÃ..." " tN¨o.... tN¨o...." Ie hnfn¨p. " sIS¶p sXmÅsXmd¡msX s]t®... tN¨n As¸mds¯m−v... At§m«p sNÃv...." Rm³ ]dªXp tI«v kmhn{Xn H¶p Nncn¨p. " Rm\n¸w hcmw... " Ie ho«n\pÅnteíp tIdn. " amsj´m t\ct¯... kpJansöp ]dªXp t\cmtWm..." " kmhn{Xn hcp¶q¶dnª¸w ¢mknencnímt\ tXm¶nbnÃ.. AtXm−n§p t]m¶p..... ]ns¶ Hcp sNdnb... AkzmkvYyw....At{XsbmÅp...." " C¶_²sam¶pw ImWnt¨¡tà amtj... AhÄs¡s¶ hnizmks¡mdhm... Ignª Znhkw Fs´ms¡ sNbvXq¶v Ip¯n¡p¯n tNmZníphmcp¶p.... "

" {]Imi³ hcmsdmt−m...?.." " Mqw... Rmbdmgv¨ h¶mcp¶p...." " F¶n«p htÃmw..." Rm³ Hcp NncntbmsS AhfpsS I®pIfn t\m¡n. " H¶qÃ.... sImtd s]mdtI \S¶p.... Rm³ ssa³Up sNbvXnÃ.... s]W§nbm t]mbXv..." " sO..AXp th−mcp¶p.... H¶qtÃepw samds¨dp¡\tÃ..." Rm³ ]dªp. " F´p ]Án samds¨dp¡\v....?.." Rm³ ]dªXp tI«psIm−p h¶ Ie hmXn¡Â sh¨p Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. " H¶qÃ... {]Imi\p kpJmtWm¶p tNmZníphmcp¶p. " Hm.. AXhfp t\m¡ntímfpw A¦ntf....thKw sXmS§v... AhÄ¡p t]mWw.." Rm³ a\Ên ]dªp. Akqb¡pcp¶v. kmhn{Xn Fsâ IqsS \n¡p¶Xv H«pw ]nSníp¶nÃhÄ¡v. HcmÄ Itkcbnepw atÁbmÄ \n¶pambn AhÀ ]pkvXIw Xpd¶p. Adnbmhp¶ coXnbn Rm³ ]dªpsImSp¡m³ XpS§n. KbnUn hmbn¨Xp t]mepw Ct¸mÄ HmÀ½bnÃ. A©p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ hbdp s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. " F´m A¦ntf...."..." " Hcp sNdnb...{]iv\w... \n§fp IW¡p sNbvtXm... Rm³ tXm«pIShnsem¶p t]mtb¨p hcmw..." " kÔy¡p ap¼p XncnsI hctW...." Ie Ft¶ Ifnbm¡n. " Mm... Rm³ Xmakn¨m... \n§fp c−pt]cpw IqsS BtemNn¨p sNbvXp t\m¡v..." Rm³ ]pdt¯tímSn. ]pdt¯índ§pt¼mÄ A`n Im¸nbpw Ft´m ]elmchpambn Cd§nhcp¶p. " Ft§m«m... Syqj³ kmtd...?.." A`n tNmZn¨p. " tXm«n htc..." Rm³ c−p hncepIÄ DbÀ¯n¡mWn¨p. " ]mhw... acp¶p htÃmw thtWm...?..." Xncnªp t\m¡msX th−m F¶p BwKyw ImWn¨n«v Rm³ \S¶p. tXm«pIShn Rm³ sNÃpt¼mÄ As¶mcp Znhkw Rm³ ]SsaSp¯ Ae¡pImcnbpw thsdmcp kv{Xobpw Ae¡pw Ipfnbpw \S¯p¶p. Rm³ ]d¼n tIdn, ]mhÂt¯m«¯nse¯n. AhnsSsbm¶p Id§n. ]ns¶ ASp¯ ]d¼n NmSn. Hcp ac¯nsâ adhn t]mbn shdptX Ccp¶p. AcaWn¡qdn IqSpXembn¡mWpw. F\níp NqsSSp¡m³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ AhnsS F´p sNbvXp F¶pw AdnbWatÃm. thS³ hehncn¨n«p t]m¶ncníbtÃ. Rm³ sasà Fgpt¶Áp ho«nteíp \S¶p. ho«n sN¶t¸mÄ AhnsS BSp InS¶nS¯p ]qS t]mepanÃ. Ip«nIÄ BcpanÃ. IebpsS _mKv taibpsS AcnInepw IW¡p_p¡v tai¸pd¯pw AtX]Sn Ccp¸p−v. Aet¦meambn¡nS¶ncp¶, joÁpw ]pX¸pw XebnWbpw Hs¡ ASp¡n aS¡n sh¨ncníp¶p. Bcmbncnípw, Hm, t]mIm³ t\cw Ip«nIÄ sNbvXXmbncnípw. Iymadm sh¨nS¯v `{Zambncp¸p−v. Rm\sXSp¯v Hfn¸n¨p. ]ns¶ ASp¡fbnteív hbdpw s]m¯ns¡m−p sN¶p. A`n AhnsSbnÃ. ASp¸n Ft´m Ccp¶p thIp¶p. Rm³ AS¨n«ncp¶ A`nbpsS hmXnen ap«n. A`n h¶p hmXn Xpd¶p. B apJw IS¶Â Ip¯nbXp t]mse hoÀ¯ncp¶p. apJ¯p tZjy`mhw. " Ip«nIsft´y... A`o...?.. " " GXp Ipt«ymfv.... c−nt\w sI«n¨phntS− kabw Ignªp.... At¶cm Hcp Ipt«ymfv..." AhÄ tZjys¸«p. " F´m... F´p ]Án..." " H¶pw ]ÁoÃ.... kq£n¨ntàC\n ]Ápw.... Rm³ Syqj³ aXnbm¡n AXnsâ ho«n ]dªp hn«p..." " AsX´n\m..?. Ie FhnsS...?.." " B... AhnsS§m\pw ImWpw..." AhÄ Aekambn adp]Sn ]dªn«v Ft¶ tZjyt¯msS X«nbpcp½n ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. At¸mÄ AhfpsS ta\nbpsS KÔhpw Fsâ tNX\tb ap«nbpcp½n. F\nsít´m a\Ên Hcp Ipfncv. Rm³ ]pdtI ASp¡fhmXn¡ sN¶p. " F´m kwKXn..?.. F´m H−mtb..?."

" Hm... H¶pw H−mbnÃ.... AÃm.... hbÁnte AkpJw F§t\−n¸w...?.." AhÄ hnjbw amÁn. " sImdªp....C¸w sicnbmbo¶p tXm¶p¶p..." " acp¶p htÃmw thtWm... sImd¨p It¨mew Ac¨p Xcmw....." " H¶pw th−... Xm¦vkv... H¶p sIS¡Ww.... Ftf½tb I−nÃtÃm...?..." " SuWn t]mbXm... GXm−p hm§ms\ms−¶pw ]dªp...." " Ft¶ C¸sf§pw hnfní− tIt«m...." Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n. hoSnsâ ]pdIn IqSn ASp¡fhi¯p h¶t¸mÄ Ie AhnsS Ccníp¶p. " Ite... F´m tamtf tN¨n tZjys¸«ncnípt¶..." Rm³ kuayambn tNmZn¨p. " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ.... " Aekamb adp]Sn. " c−n\pw _m[ tIdn...Fât½... " hbdpw s]m¯n¸nSn¨v Rm³ Xncnªp \S¶p. AhÄ ]pdtI h¶p. " AÃm....A¦nfp Xt¶ ]d...HcmÄ¡p amt{X tXm¶ymkw ImWním³ ]Ás¯mtÅm... ?.." " AsX´m tamtf A§s\ tNmZnt¨...?..... tXm¶ymkw...Bcpw ImWnícpsX¶m Fsâ A`n{]mbw...." " F¶m... R§fn¯nsc tXm¶ymkw ImWn¨p... B shfn¨¸mSXp I−p... AXn\m tamt´w hoÀ¸n¨ncnípt¶... kmhn{Xntbw hg¡p ]dªp... HmSn¨phn«p......" " F´p tXm¶ymkam \n§fp ImWnt¨...?... AYhm ImWn¨mepw aÁptÅmcp Im¬sI sN¿mtam...?.." Rm³ hbdp s]m¯n. Rc§ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p.. " l.. At¶cw B adpXm At§m«p tIdn hcpsa¶mcdnªp......" AhÄ ]d¼nteínd§n. At¸mgpw thjw kvIqÄ bqWnt^mw Xt¶. " F¶m tamfp XpWnsbms¡ amdn Ipfnív... Rms\m¶p sIS¡s«...." Rm\I¯p tIdnt¸m¶p. ]ns¶ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. IymadmsbSp¯p slUvt^msWSp¯p sNhnbn ^nÁp sNbvXp. kv{Io³ sXfnªp. Aet¦meambn¡nS¡p¶ Fsâ InS¡. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AIt¯íp Ibdp¶ A`nbpsS apJ¯nsâ hiw. F´mWhnsS sN¿p¶Xp ImWm³ h¿. ImcWw kv{Io\n I«n \ndªp \n¡p¶p. " C¶m... C\n Im¸nIpSn¨n«v ]Tnív..." A`nbpsS kwkmcw tIÄ¡mw. " lbv...N¡bS... F\níp shÃnãm... ]t£... R§sS N¡sbms¡ XoÀ¶pt]mbn...." kmhn{XnbpsS iÐw. " AXns\´m Cãw t]mse Ignt¨m... thtW C\ow H−v...." A`nbpsS apJw adªp. " sÈm... ]mhw... A¦nfn\p tbmKanÃ... hbdp ]WnsamS¡n....." c−p t]cptSbpw Nncn. Ipd¨p an\n«pIÄ IS¶p t]mbn. ]m{Xw \o¡n shíp¶Xpw ¥mkp tai¸pd¯p shíp¶Xpw Hs¡ iÐtcJ. ]ns¶ \niÐw. " kmhn... CsXm¶p t\m¡So.... " IebpsS kzcw. " At¿mSo... F\nbvs¡mcp ]nSoanÃ....." " C¡W¡n\p \msf... B\sam«bmcnípw..." " \à t\c¯m amjn\kpJw..." kmhn{XnbpsS \ncmi. " Hm.. ]Tn¨v \½fp IfÎcmIm³ t]mIphtÃ... tXmÁp sIS¡phmtWÂ.. s]s«¶p sI«n¨p hnSpw... F¦n c£s]«p..." IebpsS {]Xo£. " F\níp Im¯ncníWw... {]Imis\mcp tPmenbmIp¶htc..." kmhn{XnbpsS ¹m³. " C¡W¡n\p t]mbmÂ... AXn\p ap¼p Xt¶ {]Imi³ \nt¶...." IebpsS ap¶dnbn¸v. " Hm... Rm\Xp \nÀ¯n... C¶se h¶n«v... Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡nbnÃ..." " A¸w... \n§fn¸w ]Sw hcíp¶ntÃ...?... s]W¡mtWm...?." " Mqlpw.. s]Wt¡m¶panÃ...." " F¦n... kmhn H¶p t\tc \nt¶..." Ie I«nen\cnInteíp hcp¶p. kmhn{Xn Xncnªp \n¶pImWpw. AhÄ XesNcns¨m¶p t\m¡p¶p. " shdptXbÃ... \nsâ s{_Ìns\mcp _ew t]mse... C¸w {]Imi³ ]nSnímªn«mIpw..." " AtXt¶.... Ft¶msSmcmfp ]dªp... A§s\ ]nSn¸nícpsX¶v..... " kmhn{Xn ]dªpsIm−v I«nen\cnInteíp h¶p. c−pt]cpw I«nen ASp¯Sp¯mbn Ccp¶p. Ct¸mÄ iÐw Ipd¨p IqSn ¢nbdmbn. t\ct¯ Hcp ]d]d¸p−mbncp¶p.

" \nsâ same I−ns«\níp sImXn hcp¶p.... FtâXpw IqsS H¶p apgp¯mcps¶¦nÂ..." Ie s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " AXn\p ]nSn¨m aXnsbt¶... Hcp hymbmasam−v...." kmhn{Xn ]dªp. " AsX´p hymbmam...?.." " Ft¶mShcp ]dªp X¶Xm... Rm\Xm sN¿pt¶...." " Bcm ]dªp X¶Xv...?..." A¼Sn AhÄ¡dnbWw clkyw. " AXp Rm³ ]ns¶¸dbmw...." clkyw kq£ním³ kmhn{Xnídnbmw. " aXn... F¶m \o F\nísXm¶p ]dªp Xm... " Ie Bhiys¸«p. " amsj§m\pw h¶mtem.... IXISív...." Ie IXISím³ Fgpt¶Áp. " Is¿¯ptIe IpÁnbnSm³...." Ie ]dªp. " sImg¸nÃ.... amjp hcp¶Xv P\en¡qsS ImWmw...." " F¶m ]d....." Ie Xncn¨p h¶v I«nen Ccp¶p. Xbmdmbn¡gnªp. kmhn{Xn IebpsS sNdpapeIfn Ibv sh¨p. " C¶mft¯Xnepw sheyXmbtÃm... Rm³ t\ct¯ tNmZníW¶p IcpXnbXm.... \o Btcs¡mt−epw ]nSn¸níps¶mt−m..." " t¿m... Rm³ sXmSoí¯nÃ... Ahkm\w \ntâXpt]mse Xq§nt¸mbm.... ]ns¶... Rm³ Xt¶ sNe¸w..." kq{X¡mcn, Ft¶s¡m−p ]nSn¸n¨n«v Iq«pImcntbmSp \pW X«nhnSp¶p. B ]mhw F´ps−¦nepw Hfn¨p shí¯nÃ. kmhn{Xnbpw tamiaÃ. hymbmaw ]dªpsImSp¯ Bfnsâ t]cp ]dbp¶nÃtÃm. " Mqw... AXp s\mWbm.... " " \o ]dsbsâ kmho... " kmhn{Xn Fgpt¶Áp Ieí`napJambn \n¶p. ]ns¶ kz´w amdn Ibvsh¨p. F¶n«v sR¡msX shdpsX apeIfn Ibvsh¨psIm−p ]dªp. kv{Io\n Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS Hcp apebpsS hita ImWm³ ]Áp¶pÅp. " tZ...C§s\ ASo¶v.. ]Xps¡ sIm−cWw... ]ns¶....C§s\ ]Xps¡ XgpIWw..." AhÄ Rm³ ]Tn¸n¨Xv Ieíp ]dªpsImSp¡p¶p. " \o AXv... Fsâ CtXsem¶p ImWnt¨..." Ie s\©p apt¶m«p XÅn¸nSn¨p. kmhn{Xn IebpsS apeIfn c−nepw ASnbn \n¶pw AaÀ¯n XgpIn. \à Hcp Xncp½pImct\t¸mse kmhn{Xn IebpsS apeIÄ Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. Ie I®S¨ncp¶p. XmaknbmsX AhfpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw Hcp sNdnb Bt{Imiw t]mse tIÄ¡mw XgpI XpSÀ¶t¸mÄ AhÄ NqSmb e£Ww. " \o C¨ncqtS Aa¡ntímSo..... CsXm¶p heyXmbn¡n«nbm aXn... C¸w Hcp kptJmsam−v...." " amjp hcps¶mt−m¶p t\m¡ntímtW..." kmhn{Xníp t]Sn. " CsÃSo... Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw..." F¶p ]dªv Ie ho−pw I®S¨ncp¶p. AhÄ bqWnt^mw jÀ«nsâ apIfnet¯ c−p _«WpIÄ Xpd¶p sImSp¯p. kmhn{Xn s]Ánt¡m«p Xmtgíp hen¨p]nSn¨n«v DÅnteíp I¿n«v apeIfn t\cn«v XgpIm³ XpS§n. Ie apdp½m\pw XpS§n. " Ite... " " Mqw...?.." " \o F\nípw.... H¶p ]nSn¨p XmSo....." AXptI« Ie kmhn{XnbpsS apeIfn Ibv sh¨p. " At¿m... AtXeÃ....." " ]ns¶hnsSbmSo..." " \o Fsâ N´ot½epw AhtSw Hs¡ H¶p sXm«m aXn... \nsâ samte Xncp½p¼w \à kpJw...." Rm\Â`pXs¸«p. Cu cs−®w CsX´p `mhn¨mtWm, bmsXmcp kvYeIme t_m[hpanÃmsX. Mm, c−nt\bpw Hcp \pI¯n sI«mw. ImfIfmbn«Ã, IgpXIfmbn«v. ]dbm¯ Xmakw, Ie kmhn{Xntb Ip−nIfn ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS {_u¬ \nd¯nepÅ bqWnt^mw kvIÀ«p ]pdIn \n¶pw s]m¡n Ip−nIfn sR¡m³ XpS§n. kmhn{Xn sasà IebpsS ssIípÅn \n¶v BSm³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ Ahfmhiys¸Sp¶p.

" \n¡dp Xmtgms«Sp¡v..." Ie Aåw apIfnteíp I¿n«v ]mâokv Xmtgíp hen¨psh¨p ImWWw. kvIÀ«n\pÅnembXpsIm−v Iymadmbn ImWp¶nÃ. Ie Ahtf]nSn¨v ASp¸n¨p. Ct¸mÄ kmhn{Xníp IebpsS apeIfn ]nSním³ \à kuIcyw. IebpsS IbvIÄ AhfpsS Ip−nínSbn Imcyambn {]hÀ¯níp¶p−v F¶pÅXv kmhn{XnbpsS Ip−nIf\§p¶ C¡nfnbn \n¶pw a\Ênem¡mw. " Ite... " kmhn{XnbpsS hnfnbn ]mXn ab¡w. " Mqw.....?.." IebpsS aqfen AXnepw £oWw. " C¨nsc...apt¼m«qsS..." s]¬Ip«nIÄ FÃmw ad¶p. Ima¯nsâ GÁhpw henb {]tXyIX. XpS§nt¸mtbm, ]ns¶ IanXm¡Ä ]cnkcw ad¡pw. apXpI¯Sn hogpt¼mtg t_m[w hcq, Asæn AXnsâ ]cyhkm\¯n \nÀhmW¯nsâ £oWw XocWw. " Mqw... \o C¨nsc sRt«epw IqsS ]nSnív... AhSw sNmdnbp¶ t]mse..." " ]nSnímw...." Ie Hcp Is¿Sp¯v kmhn{XnbpsS ImepIÄ¡nSbn apt¼m«p tIÁp¶p. kmhn{Xn ImepIÄ H¶I¯n IebpsS Hcp XpS Xsâ XpSIÄ¡nSbn HXp¡p¶p. Ct¸mÄ Ieív kmhn{XnbpsS Ipdp¼mSn s]cpamdm³ km[níp¶p−v. AXn\\pkcn¨v kmhn{Xn Hcp Im Aåw s]m¡n¸nSníp¶pap−v. " \ntâXp apgph³ \\sªSo..." Ie s]mdps]mdp¡p¶p. " F\nídnbmw....C¸w A§s\bm..... At¶cw \à kptJmw In«ps¶m−v...." kmhn{XnbptS adp]Sn. s]®n\p NqSptIdn aq¯Xp ImcWw kwkmcw Hcp ab¡¯n Xt¶. " CXp Igo¼w \o F\nípw shcen«p XcWw..." IebpsS Unamâv. " Mqw...XcmSo....\o C¨nsc tamfntem«p ]nSnt¨ B sam«pt½sem¶p Xncp½ntí...." Ie kmhn{XnbpsS sam«n Ibvshs¨¶p tXm¶p¶p. kmhn{Xn Iogv¨ps−m¶p ISn¨ t]mse tXm¶n. Ahsfm¶p sRfnªn«v XpSIsfm¶ndp¡n. ]ns¶ Xe Aåw sNcnªp. " \à ctkm−p Ite... F\níp sXmS§nsbSo...." " \ntâXp Igo¼w ... F\nípw... tIt«m...C¸w XoÀt¯ímw....." " Mqw..... iviviviviv ... " kmhn{Xn aqfn. DSt\ Ie kmhn{Xntb ]nSn¨v Hcp hit¯ív, Ct¸mÄ Iymadmíp t\tc, \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ AhfpsS kvIÀ«pw s]Ánt¡m«pw s]m¡n t\m¡n. sNdptcma§Ä \ndª kmhn{XnbpsS Ipdp¼mSv IhínSbn hoÀ¯p´n \n¡p\p. ]mân XpSIfn henªp \o−p \n¡p¶p. kmhn{XnbpsS CSXpIbv Ct¸mÄ {^obmbn. AhÄ B IbvsIm−v kz´w apeIfn jÀ«n\p apIfn IqSn XShp¶p. atÁIbv IebpsS s]Ánt¡m«n\pÅn H¶p hfªn«msW¦nepw, \à kuIcyambn IS¯n IebpsS amdn XgpIm³ XpS§n. Ie Aåw Ip\nªn«v kmhn{XnbpsS XpSIfn \n¶pw ]mâokp Xmtgíp hen¨p. kmhn{Xn AXp ImepIÄ sIm−v Ducn X«n amÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ Ie kmhn{XnbpsS ]qdnsâ hnShp hncepIÄ sIms−m¶I¯n t\m¡n. kmhn{Xn ImepIÄ Aåw AI¯ns¡mSp¯p. " t¿m.. CXv A¸nSnb§p \\ªtÃmSo...." Ie IaâSn¨p. " Mqw... C¶v \o shcenSp¼w \à ckw.... A¿S..... " " F\nípw sN¿tW..." " Mqw... \o .. CsXm¶p thKw XoÀ¡v.... Blm...Mqw...Mqw.... " kmhn{Xn [rXn Iq«p¶p. F¶n«v AhÄ Aåw IqsS Ih¨p \n¶p. Ie HcpIbv ap¼nÂIqSnbpw atÁ¡bv ]pdIn IqSnbpw kmhn{XnbpsS Ih¡nSbnteív IS¯n. s]Ánt¡m«pw kvIÀ«pw t\tc hoWp. Ct¸mÄ kmhn{XnbpsS XpS Aåw ImWmw. Ie AhfpsS \Ã`mK§fn hfsc hnZKv²ambn s]cpamdp¶ps−¶Xv AhfpsS ]pfben \n¶pw a\Ênem¡mw. kmhn{XnbpsS I®pIfSªp, AhÄ Ft´m s]mdps]mdp¡m³ XpS§n. " sImÅmthmSo...?... " Ie A`n{]mbw tNmZníp¶p. " Mqw... C¸w Xocq¶m tXm¶pt¶....B...B....Bhq........Mqw... " kmhn{Xn ImepIÄ Cdp¡p¶p. " \o...Cdp¡msX...." " AdnbmsX.....Cdp¡nt¸mWXmSo..... Mqw... sXcpsXsc.....sN¿v....."

kmhn{Xn \nÊlmbXtbmsS a{´níp¶p. c−p ISn¨ns¸®p§fpw kzbw ad¶v cXntafbn BdmSn \n¡p¶ kab¯v, ssa¡neqtS Fsâ sNhnbn IXInsâ Hcp sNdnb t\À¯ IncpIncp¸v tI«p. F´msW¶p Rm³ Nn´níp¶Xn\p ap¼v. ]pdtI HceÀ¨ " FSo..." Fsâ sNhn s]m«nt¸mb t]mse. Rm³ CbÀt^m¬ Aåw AI¯n¸nSn¨p. AXp A`ncmanbpsS iÐambncp¶p. " F´mSo ChnsS....?..." s]¬Ip«nIÄ c−pw sR«n¯cn¨p \n¡p¶p. Ie I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Â¡p¶p. AhfpsS jÀ«nsâ c−p _«WpIÄ Xpd¶p InS¡p¶p. kmhn{Xn Fentbt¸mse t]Sn¨p hndíp¶p. A`nbpsS Xe apt¼m«p h¶v kv{Io\nsâ Iptd `mKw ad¨p. AhÄ IebpsS `pP¯n HcSn sImSp¯p. " CXmtSmSo...\nsâsbms¡ Syqj³ ]Tn¯w... Ipcp¯ sI«hfpamtc....?.." " At¿m.. tN¨o.. AdnbmsX...." kmhn{XnbpsS Icbp¶ iÐw..." " AdnbmsX... C{X sNdp¸¯nte s\\s¡ms¡ Ct{Xw ISnsbfInbm... ]ns¶ \nsâsbms¡ KXnsb´mIpshSo.... Ahs\m¶p amdnb t\c¯n\nXm \n§sS ]Wnsb¦n... AÃm¯¸w F´mbncnípsaSo \os¿ms¡ Im«n¡q«WXv...?.. shdpsXbà \osbm¶pw ]Tním¯Xv... " " A`nt¨¨o...?.." kmhn{Xn Ft´m ]dbms\mcp§p¶p. " an−cpXv.... Rm³ \nsâ XtÅsbm¶p ImWs«... It¿msS ]nSn¨p sI«n¨phn«ntà\osbms¡ hÃhtâw sIm¨nt\ s]dpw...." " At¿m tN¨o...At½mSp ]dbtÃ... C\n R§fp sN¿¯nÃ... " kmhn{Xn Icbp¶p. " CsÃSo... CX§s\ shdpXm hn«m ]Á¯nÃ.... Xt´w XtÅw IqSn AdnªntÃte... ]ns¶..." " At¿m... Fsâ s]m¶p tN¨o... ho«n¸dªm ...Rm³ NmIpw... kXymbn«pw.... " kmhn{XnbpsS Ic¨n IqSn. A`ncman Aåt\cw an−msX \n¶p InXíp¶p. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " Mqw... C¸w \o t]m... AhsSsbms¡ Hcp Syqj³... F´n\m... ?." kmhn{Xn apt¶m«p \S¶p adªp. Fs´ms¡tbm iÐw tI«p. At¸mÄ ho−pw A`nbpsS hnfn. " FSo... CXqsS s]dp¡ns¡m−p t]m... " Ct¸mÄ A`nbpsS apJw I−p. tZjyw sIm−p Nph¶p hndíp¶p. AhÄ ImepsIm−v kmhn{XnbpsS ]mâokv ImepsIm−v X«nbn«p sImSp¯p. " XpWow tImWm\pw ]dnt¨¨tÃ... ]cn]mSn... \osbms¡...." AhÄ ]ns¶bpw apJw Xncn¨p. ASp¯Xv IetbmSmbncp¶p. " \nsâsbms¡ Imens\tSent{Xw sNmdn¨nsems−¦n sI«n¨b¡m³ ]dtª¡mw... samt«¶p hncnªnÃ.... D−¡pdp¼mkv... " " tZ.. tN¨o...A\mhiyw ]dbcpXv... " " BMvlm... s\\¡\mhiyw ImWnímw.... ]dbcpXtÃ.... s\tj[o...." A`n ho−pw IebpsS Dc¯n HcSn sImSp¯p. " tN¨o... Fs¶ Np½m XÃcpXv tIt«m....F\níp t\mIpw.... ]dtª¡mw...." Ie Ibv Nq−n ]dbp¶p. " lpw... Ibv Nq−msXSo.... Fs´mcp \mÁw.... hÃhfpamctSw aq{X¡pgoen«p shcIntb¨v Ahfp \n¶p shcep Nq−p¶p.... sIms− IgpISo... hr¯nsI«Xv...." Ie apt¼m«p \Sªp adªp. A`n Xncnªp \n¶p. " \nsâ XÅtbmsSm¶p tNmZnís«... AsX§\m... AXnsâbtà hn¯v... XÅ ISnsbfIn \m«mtc apgph³ hnfn¨ptIÁp¼w... tamfS§ns¡S¡pthm.... " A`n Ffníp I¿pw sImSp¯v I«nenteíp s]mt¯m¶p Ip¯nbncp¶p. " tN¨o... Fât½ ]db− tIt«m....." " t^mSo... Fsâ ap¼o¶v... sIm¶pItfw FÃm¯nt\w Rm³... AhsSsbmc½.... t^mSo... I®pcp«msX...." Fs´mceÀ¨. sicnípw `{ZImfn Xt¶, kuμcyapÅ `{ZImfn. " slâoizcm... Rm\n\nsb´ns\ms¡ km£n \nítWm... slsâsbmcp Xtehn[n....." AhÄ Xeíp I¿pw sImSps¯mcp \nanjancp¶p. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp.

" t]mbncnípIm... HSp¡t¯ hbÁnkqt¡Sv.. sIm¨ps]¼nÅmtc hnfn¨v Iq«n Ccp¯ntb¨v.... lÃ, F´n\m B ]mh¯nt\ ]dbp¶Xv... Cu XesXdn¨Xp§fvv I¶¯cw ImWn¨Xn\v...." ]ns¶ AhÄ apdnbn NpÁp]mSpw t\m¡n. XeapSn H¶gn¨psI«n. `{ZImfns¡´p am{Xw apSnbm, Rms\m¶p sImXnhn«pt]mbn. a\ÊnepÅ tZjyw Fsâ InS¡tbmSp XoÀ¡p¶ amXncn sNcnªncp¶ XebnW t\tc sh¨p. hncns¸m¶p IpSªp hncn¨p. joÁp aS¡n sh¨p. ]ns¶ kv{Io\n \n¶pw adªp. ]m{Xhpw ¥mkpIfpw Iq«nap«p¶ iÐw. IXISbp¶ IncpInsc iÐw. ]ns¶ kv{Io\n I«n am{Xambn. Rm³ Iymadm FSp¯p. kÀhPvRm\nbmb B b{´¯nt\ H¶p Npw_n¨p. ]ns¶ s]«nbn sh¨n«v ]pdt¯íp sN¶p. ASp¡f hi¯v A`ncman Ip\nªp \n¶v FtXm Iew IgpIp¶p. Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ \nhÀ¶p \n¶p. " AÃ`o...Ietamsf´ntb...?..." " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ..." " A`n Ahtf H¯ncn hg¡p ]dsªt¶m... XÃnsbt¶m... Hs¡ ]dªmcp¶p... sIm¨tÃ... hsÃS¯pw t]mbncp¶p Icbphmcnípw...." " lpw...Hcp sIm¨v..." AhÄ Ip\nªp\n¶v ho−pw tXím³ XpS§n. " AÃ... Ahsc´p sXÁm sNbvtX....?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m Adnbp¶Xv....? " " ]ntÅcp sNdp¸atÃ... hfcp¶ {]mtbmw... Ahcp sNbvXsX´msW¶v F\níqlnímhp¶tXsbmÅp.... \½fsXms¡ A§p £aníWw.. I−nÃm tI«nÃm¶§p sht¨íWw... hepXmIp¼w Ahcp X¶¯mt\ t\scbmbntímfpw..." Rm³ Fsâ temIPvRm\w hnf¼n. At¸mÄ FhnsS \nt¶m Ie AhnsS {]Xy£s¸«p. " Chfpamsc´m sNbvtX¶v cmPmaWnídnbmthm...?.AtXm Fhfp htÃmw ]dtªm....." " ]dªnÃ.. tNmZníWw...F¶mepw F\níqlnímw...." " F´m¶p sh¨m C{X Dulnípt¶..." A`nbpsS iÐw I\¯p. IqSpX Kuchw. " ]dbtWm...?.." Rm\pw Kuch¯nembn. " cmPmaWn ]db¯nÃ.... " " Rm³ ]dªmtem ..?.. AXp sicnbmsW¦ntem.. .?.." " sXÁmsWIntem...?..." Ahsfsâ t\tc ASp¯p. R§Ä sIm¯ptImgnItft¸mse I®n¡®n t\m¡n. AhfpsS I®n iucyw. Ie R§Ä c−pt]tcbpw t\m¡n hnc−p \n¶p. " F´p in£ thtWepw Xt¶m...." Rm³ ]dªp. " F¦n.. F¦n.. Rm³ tZ, Cu Nmcw s]mc− IbvsIm−v B IcW¡pÁnsím¶p Xcpw.... k½Xnt¨m... " AhÄ ]mhmS FSp¯v Ffníp tIÁnIp¯n. " AXÃ... sicnbmsW¦nÂ... ?..." " F¦nÂ.....F´p thtWepw sN¿mw... Fhfp htÃmw ]dtªm...?.." " CÃ... R§fn¸gtà X½nImWp¶Xv..." " F¦n F´pw ]´bw..." A`n k½Xn¨p. " Chcv...sNbvXXv.... " Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ Ie t\m¡n \n¡p¶p. " A`osS sNho ]dbmw..." Rm³ A`nbpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. F¶n«p sNhnbn ]dªp. F\níp \à Dd¸mbncp¶p. kXyw Rm³ I−XtÃ. " ]ntÅcsS {]mbw CXtÃ.... c−pw IqsS hà sameíp ]nSníptIm... AtàapÅp¶Xn\I¯p shcenSptIm htÃmw sNbvXp ImWpw.... t]ms«t¶... " Rm³ {]Xo£n¨Xà AhÄ sNbvXXv. AhÄ Ibv \nhÀ¯n Fsâ IcW¯v HÁbSn. Rm³ ]Xdnt¸mbn. tM, kXyw ]dªn«pw. AXpI−v Ie I®p angn¨p. " A`o..." Rm³ Aedn. " H¨ shí−... AhcXà sNbvXXv... Rm³ t\cn I−Xm..." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p IbvIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½n. " A`o... Fsâ t\tc t\m¡n¸d.... sicnbtÃ.... Cu ASn A[nI¸ÁtÃ...?" " AÃ...AÃ...AÃ...." Ahsfsâ apJ¯p t\m¡n¸dªp. F¶n«p \n¶p InX¨p. Rms\sâ IhnÄ XShn. ]ns¶ tNmZn¨p.

" A`o.. Rm³ ]dªXv sicnbmsW¶v Rm³ sXfnbnípw..." " Mqw... sImtd sXfnbnípw... Chfp \n§sS ssktU ]dbs¯mÅp... AXv Rm³ hnizkní¯nÃ...." " AÃmsX Xt¶ Rm³ sXfnbn¨mÂ....?.." Rm³ AhfpsS t\tc t\m¡n. " Fs¶...tZ...C§s\ hnfnt¨m...." AhÄ Ibv sRmSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " ]«ot¶m.. A§\Ã... FSo.. A`ncmao¶v... `À¯mhnsâ AhImit¯msS hnfnípw ....At¶cw A`n Ft´m¶v hnfn tIÄ¡Ww... Fsâ Cu ASn¨ Ihnf¯v sI«n¸nSns¨mcp½ XcWw... k½Xnt¨m...?..." AhÄ Ft¶ Xpdns¨m¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ tNmZn¨p. " kXyw ]d.... cmPmaWn... At¶cw ChnsS Hfn¨p \níphÃmcpt¶m...?..." " AÃ.. Rm³ tXm«pIShn sN¶Xn\p Ipfnt¨m−ncp¶ s]®p§tf km£n \nÀ¯mw... FXnte IqsSbm... Hfn¨p t\m¡p¶Xv... Nmbn¸nsâ s]mdInet¯ P\eS¨n«ncníphm... ap¼nemcpt¶Â A`ntbm Chtcm Ft¶ It−t\... " Rm³ A¡an«p ]dªp. " Chfpamcp c−pt]cpw CbmfpsS sskUp ]dªmepw Rm³ hnizkníptIe...." A`n ]ns¶bpw ap«mt¸m¡p ]dªp. " th−m... F¦n Rm³ ]dª ]´bw k½Xnt¨m...?.." " k½Xn¨p..... " " F¦nÂ.... Fsâ I¿neSnív... " AhÄ Fsâ apJt¯íp kq£ns¨m¶p t\m¡nbn«v Fsâ \o«nb IbvshÅbneSn¨p. " Hcp t_mWkv k½m\w IqSn....?..." " sXfnbnív... F¶n«tÃ..." " Rm³ {ianípw.... Hcp ]´bw IqSn...?.." " F´p thtWepw sht¨m... " AhÄ Iqkset\y ]dªp. " A¶v Rm³ A`osS c−p IcW¯pw Xncn¨v Hmtcm¶p Xcpw...." Rm\Xp ]dªt¸mÄ AhÄ AdnbmsX AhfpsS Ibv Ihnfn XShn. " Hm.. ]nt¶... CXn\n sXfnbtW ssZhw tamfos¶d§n hcWw..." AhÄ Np−p tIm«n¸dªp. " hcpw... tamtf... hcpw ssZhw `qao hcpw... t\m¡ntím...." " hct«...A¶p ImWmw..." AhÄ IehpsaSp¯v ASp¡fbnteíp tIdn. Rm³ ASnsIm− Ihnsfm¶p XShn. F¶ns«m¶p Xp¸n. tNmc IeÀ¶ Xp¸Â. " At¿m...A¦ntf tNmc...." Ie I®pangn¨p. " Mqw... \osbms¡¡qSn taSn¨p X¶XtÃ.... " " AXn\p A¦nsf´n\m R§sS Imcy¯nseSs]Sm³ t]mtb.... AXpsIm−tÃ...." " Mm... X½nenSnt¨m−ncp¶ BSpIfpsS FSív ]−p sN¶mtbm atÁm tIdnb Hcp IYsbm−v... CXn¸w AXpt]membn...." Rm³ Aåw shÅw hmbnseSp¯p Xp¸n. hmbn \odp¶p. " AIs¯hnsStbm s]m«os«m−v... Al¦mcn... AhÄ¡p Rm³ sh¨ns«m−v... H¶n\p ]Icw c−v...." Rm³ apdnbnteíp \S¶p. Ie Fsâ IqsS \S¶p. ASp¡fbpsS t\tc F¯nbt¸mÄ P\en IqSn Ft¶ t\m¡n\n¡p¶ A`ntb I−p. Zpc`nam\n. tXmÂhn k½Xním³ Iq«m¡m¯hÄ. " A¦nsft´m¶m ..tN¨ntbmSp ]dªXv....?..." Ie tNmZn¨p. " \n§fp In«nb t\c¯p sIm¯¦Ãp Ifníphmcps¶¶v...." AI¯p \n¡p¶ A`n tIÄ¡¯¡ hn[¯n Rm³ Aåw Dds¡ ]dªp. " shdpsXbÃ... ASn In«nbXv... AXp kXyÃtÃm... R§sf´p sN¿pImcps¶¶p tI¡tWm.. A¦nfnt\mSp thtW kXyw ]dbmw..." " th−... \n§fp ]td¶ kXyw sIm−v... F\níp ]´bw Pbn¡m³ ]Á¯nÃtÃm... ]ns¶´n\m... \o ]db−..." Rm³ apt¶m«p \S¶p. At¸mÄ Ie ]dbp¶Xp tI«p. " kXyw ]dbmsa¶p sh¨mepw tI¡−... F¶m t]m.. t]mbn C\ow atÁ IcW¯qsS taSnív....BÀ¡p tNXw...." " Ite.... " A`n AI¯p \n¶pw hnfn¨p. " Hm... F´m...?.." " htÃmsâw s]mdtI \S¡msX... htÃmw FSp¯psh¨p ]TnsíSo... Ipcp¯w sIt«mfv...."

" Hm.. FXp t\tcmw... Hcp ]Tn¯w..." Ie ]ns¶s´ms¡tbm s]mdps]mdp¡p¶Xp tI«p. Rm³ apdnbnteíp Ibdn. Mqw, hÃh³, AtXSo, Rm\n¸w hÃh\pam, F¶m \nt¶ Rm³ kz´am¡mtams¶m¶p t\m¡s«. ]t£ F§s\ ? ]´bw sh¨p Pbns¨¶pw ]dªv hÃhcpw F\níp s]®ns\ Xcptam. ]qÁn\pÅXp I¿neps−¶p ]dªn«p ImcyanÃ. AXn\p s]®nt\ t]mÁm³ Ignhp thWw. AhfpsS hbÁn sIm¨nt\ sImSp¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v, AhfpsS hbÁnte Xo sISp¯ms\mÅ hI I¿n thWw. Fsâ I¿n F´mWpÅXv. Hcp ao³sIm«. ]t£ B ao\msWt¶ Cu \nehtc F¯n¨Xv. B ao³Xt¶ C\nbpw F\níp PohnXw. ImcWw Fsâ a\Ênt\ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯nbnsæn C³kvs]ÎdpsS sXm¸n kz]v\ambn Ahtijnípw. AXpsIm−v. ]Tnímw, In«nb XÃv X¡mew ad¡mw. _p[\mgv¨ cmhnte t]mIm³ t\cw Ie Ft¶mSp ]dªp. " Fsâ A¦ntf... C¶p Rm³ B\sam« sNma¶p aSp¡pw....." " IW¡mbn t]mbn... Syqjs\Sp¡p¼w ]TníWw.....AÃmsX....Ahkm\w Ft¶ XÃpw sImÅn¨v....." " kvt\lsamtÅmcp XÃnbm t\mI¯nsöv kmhn{Xn ]dbmsdm−v.... t\cmtWm A¦ntf....?..." " Mqw... AXtÃSo... Rm³ \nsâ tN¨osS XÃp \n¶p sIm−Xv... Ahtf sImÃm³ h¿mªns«m¶paÃ... AhÄ...AhÄ..." " F\nídnbmw... Fsâ FÃmatÃ... Fsâ tNsem¯ sN¼cp´tÃ... " Ie ]mSn. " \nsâ \m\\m\m ]mZkcw Rm\tÃ..." Rm³ _m¡n ]mSn. " ]m«pw ]mSn c−pw IqsS \St¶m... F¶n«v tXmtÁ¨n§p hm... " ]n¶n A`ncmanbpsS kzcw. " F´n\m A`o... cmhnte Xt¶ Ahtc hg¡p ]dbpt¶.... " ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS kzcw. " Hm.. c−pw IW¡m Ftft½... ]Tn¯sam¶paà c−n\pw Imcyw... Hg¸n \S¡Ww.. AXpsIms−m¶p sImSp¯Xm...." " A¦ntf hnt«m.. C\n \n¶m... \½fpw NqSmIpw..." " HmtI...ÁmÁm..." R§Ä AhchcpsS hgníp Xncnªp. A¶p tImtfPn sN¶t¸mÄ Pm³skt¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p. " \à Ie¡³ km[\w... FÃmÀ¡pw Cãs¸«p.... C¯cw C\ow Ht− ]nSnt¨m−p hmSm... Cu HW¡ _oF^v I−p aSp¯p.... Blm...{KmaoW kuμcy¯nsâ IpfnÀ½... AXp \o R§tf ImWn¨p... FSm.. C\n Rm\pw IqsS \nsâ B IShnteíp hcmw.... Rm\Xp t\cn«p ]IÀ¯ntímfmw..." " Mqw... A§p h¶m aXn... CXp Xt¶... F´p am{Xw NqSpw \odpISow sIm−m FSp¯sX¶v F\ntí Adnbs¯mÅp..." " Fsâ s]m¶nãm... F¶m... \o Xt¶ ASp¯ IShnnsem¶p sNÃv... ]pXnbXv ]pXnbXv... \o thtW B Iymadm.. FSpt¯m... F\nív Bgvt¨sems¶¦nepw CXpt]mse In«nbm aXn... " Pm³kv aXn ad¶Xp t]mse. " CXnse´mSm C{X ]pXpa...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp s\\¡dnb¯nÃ... FSm.. ]ds¸®p§tf tlm«enepw temUvPnepw sIm−n«v ]®n ]®n aSp¯p.... CXXÃ... CXmWp PohnXw... CXmWp kuμcyw...." " FSp¯p Xcmw... ]t£... \o am{Xta ImWmhq.... \n\¡p th−n am{Xw... Bt«... \nsâ I¿n C\n »m¦v tSs¸mt−m...?..." " F{X thWw...... C¶p Xt¶ Xcmw... " " F¦n Acss¡ t\m¡mw..." sshIpt¶cw Ahsâ ss_¡n Ft¶ ho«n sIm−p t]mbn. Hcp ]míÁn \n¶pw aq¶p ]pXnb tS¸v Ah³ F\níp X¶p. Ft¶ Fsâ Iheí sIm−p hn«pX¶p. " F¶mSm \o \nsâ Kplbntesít¶ £Wníp¶Xv..?." Ah³ tNmZn¨p. " hcs«... kabambn«nÃ... "

Rm³ ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ kÔy ab§mdmbncp¶p. DSp¸p amdn AIt¯síms¶¯n t\m¡n. Fsâ I«³Im¸nbpw sNdpISnbpw AhnsS tai¸pd¯p−mbncp¶p. At¸mÄ AhÄs¡t¶mSp ]nW¡anÃ. kam[m\ambn, ImcWw, F\níp th− `£Ww F¶pw tai¸pd¯v híp¶Xv A`ncmanbmbncp¶p. IpfnIgnªv c−mat¯ {]mhiyw shÅhpw Npa¶p Rm³ ho«nse¯pt¼mÄ Itkcbn sRfnªncníp¶p kná sambvXp. Ftf½ ASp¯p \n¡p¶p. Ft´m Ipie{]iv\w t]mse. Rm³ shÅw ho¸bntesímgn¨n«v Xncnbpt¼mÄ A`ncman Im¸n sIm−p h¶v Ftf½bpsS I¿n sImSp¡p¶p. adphi¯p IqsS Rm³ ASp¡fhmXn¡ sN¶p. " ]nt¶... ASp¡tf C\n shÅw thtWm...?.." Rm³ Dds¡ hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " th−m... " A`nbpsS adp]Sn. " Ietamsft´y.. A`o..." " apdo¡mWpw..." " A`o...?..." Rm³ hnfn¨p. AhÄ hmXn¡ h¶p. Ft¶ tNmZycq]¯n t\m¡n. " AÃ... Cu sambvXphmbn«v... cmta«\p hà FS]mSpsamt−m...?.." " B... F´n\m Adot¶...?.." " AÃ.. cmta«s\mŸw Cbmfp hc¯nÃ... CÃm¯¸w... cmta«t\ At\zjn¨p hcp¶p... AtXm−p tNmZn¨Xm..." " F¶mte... Cbmfp t]mbn CbmsS ]Wn t\m¡v... FS]msSms¡ Ahcp t\m¡ntímfpw..." " Hm... ]q¨íp s]m¶pcp¡ps¶Ss¯´p Imcyw... " Rm³ ]©]pOaS¡n Xncn¨p t]m¶p. sambvXp t]mbn¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ AIt¯ apdnbnteíp Ibdn. Xebnsemcp tXmÀ¯pw NpÁnsh¨v IetamÄ ]Tníp¶p. Ipfn Ignªp ImWpw. " Ite..." " F´m A¦ntf...?.." " A¶p tamsfSp¯ B Nmgns¸mSn Ft´y...?.." " F´n\m A¦ntf...." " C¨nsc In«nbm sImÅmcp¶p. Nmbn¸n `b¦c Ddp¼p ieyw...." " Mm... Rms\Sp¯p Xcmw...." Rm³ Xncn¨p t]m¶p. Iptd¡gnªv Nmgns¸mSnbpsS ]míÁpambn AhÄ h¶p. " Mm... \o t]mbncp¶p ]Tnt¨m... CXv Rm³ Hd§m³ t\cw Ct«mfmw... Csæn C¸tg \à aWamcnípw..." A¶p \maP]¯nsâ kab¯v Nmbn¸nsâ hmXn¡Â Rm\pw \Ã]nÅtbt¸mse Ccp¶p \maw GÁpsNmÃn. AXpI− tNS¯nbpw A\nb¯nbpw At\ym\yw t\m¡n Nncn¨Xv Rm³ I−nsöp \Sn¨p. ]ns¶ Ibv Iq¸nbncp¶v \maw P]n¨p. A¯mgw Ignª DSt\ Rm³ Ipd¨p Nmgns¸mSn apdnbpsS aqebn Xqhn. ]ns¶ sseÁpw sISp¯n. dntam«v ssas¡Sp¯p. Hcp N¡¡pcphnsâ A{Xbpw hen¸tabpÅp. ]ns¶ms¡ Ducn. Fenhmept]mse Hcp sNdnb km[\w IqSn D−v. AXpambn Nmbn¸nsâ ]pdIn IqSn Ip\nªv Ftf½bpsS apdnbpsS P\¡se¯n. P\ensâ apIfnte shânteÁdnsâ ]Snbn AXp sh¨p. Ahtc apdnbn I−nÃ. C¶p Ipfnapdnbntem Bbncním\mWp km²yX. ImapI³ hcpt¼mtgípw Ifn¯«p hr¯nbm¡n shtít−. Xncn¨p \S¡pt¼mÄ s]®p§fpsS apdnbpsS P\ecnIn H¶p \n¶p {i²n¨p. A\¡anÃ. s]s«¶v A`nbpsS iÐw. " tamtf.... Cs¶´p ]Án...? \½psS t]meoknsâ apdo sh«anÃtÃm... " " B.... Hd§n¡mWpw..." " Gbv ... A§s\mcp ]XnhnÃtÃm.... tamsfm¶p sN¶p t\m¡ntí... " " Ft¶s¡m−p h¿... F\nsímd¡w hcp¶p....tN¨n thtW t]mbn At\zjnív..." AhÄ tIm«phmbnSp¶ iÐw. " Fsâ s]m¶p tamftÃ..." A`n kvt\lt¯msS tNmZníp¶p.

A{Xbpw tI«tXmsS Rm³ kvYew hn«p. apdnbnÂt¡dn IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. Ccp«n _mÁdn NmÀPp sN¿m³ sh¨n«p InS¶p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ IXIn ap«ptI«p. Ccp«¯p Xt¶ Rm³ hmXn Xpd¶p. Ie DÅnteíp Xe \o«n t\m¡n. " F´m A¦ntf C¶v ]Tns¸m¶pantÃ...?..." " Hm... \à XethZ\bpw £otWmw..." " AÃ... AhnsSmcmfp tNmZn¨p.... C¶p Nmbn¸n sseÁv I−nÃtÃm¶v.. AXpsIm−v tNmZn¨Xm..." " Hmtlm... F¦n¸ns¶ AhnsS¸dtª¡v.... Rm³ C¶p ]Tn¡p¶nÃm¶v... \o t]m... F\nsím¶p sIS¡Ww..." " s\Án ImWnt¨... ]\nsbmt−m¶p t\m¡s«... sseÁv CSqt¶...." AhÄ AIt¯ív Ibdn. Rm³ Ip\nªp sImSp¯p. AhÄ s\Ánbn Ibvsh¨p. B t\c¯n\p Rm³ AhfpsS c−p apeIfn ]nSns¨m¶p sR¡n. AhÄ BZyw H¶p ]Xp§nsb¦nepw ]ns¶ \n¶pX¶p. " ]\ow In\ow H¶panÃ... thtdXm−p kqt¡Sm.... Mm... ]nSnt¨m... AXp amdps¶¦n amds«...." Ccp«¯mbncp¶XpsIm−v apdnípÅnte shfn¨¯nsâ {]Xn^e\w am{Xta hmXn¡ D−mbncp¶pÅp. " \nt¶mSmcmSo apSnªhtf... C¸w Ct§m«p hcm³ ]dªXv...?... a\pjyt\ shdptX NqSm¡m³.... " apeíp ]nSp¯¯nsâ kpJ¯n Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " h¶XpsIm−n¸w Hcp kpJw In«otÃ...?...\S¡s«.... " AhÄ ap−n\Snbn I¿n«p I¼nbmbn \n¶ Kpemt\ I¿nseSp¯p ]Xps¡ Ipep¡m³ XpS§n. " F¶mepw \obo t\c¯v... " Rm³ hn§n hn§n tNmZn¨p. " GXmbmepw sIS¡m³ t\c¯v CsXmcp \à GÀ¸mSm... \à kpJw... Cubmgvt¨Â CtX sXmSm³ ]ÁoÃtÃm... B ISw A§p hoSn...." " s\\¡p ISw ho«m³ I− t\cw..." " GXmbmepw ]nSníphm... F¦n... B DSp¸n\It¯m«p I¿nSqt¶..." AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. " AXp ths−So... sNe¸w Ahfn§p hcpw...." " hcs«.... F¶mepw Rm\ntX¶p hnSptIe....." AhÄ Ipep¡nsâ iàn Iq«n. " \o ]Wn ]Ánípsa¶m tXm¶p¶Xv... kwKXn aq¡pIm.....th−So.. CXv sImg¸m... A`n sNe¸w \nt¶w sXc¡n hcpw...." Rm³ apeIfn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. " Cu A¦nfv... t]Sn¨p Xqdn... h¶m F¶m..?.. Xn¶pthm...?..." " \o CtX¶p hnSv... ISntIdnbm¸ns¶... s\\s¡m¶n\pw Hcp t_mt[manÃ....F¶mepw \nsâ H¶p ImWnt¨....C¸w....Hcp sImXn..." Rm³ AhfpsS ]mhmSíI¯p I¿n«p. jÍnbpsS AcnIn IqSn AhfpsS Ifns¨¸nsem¶p hncen«p t\m¡n. AXp \\ªncp¶p. ]t£ s]s«¶hÄ XpSIfndp¡n¸nSn¨p. F¶n«v ]pdtIm«p amdn. " lXp sicn... shdptX \n¶ Ft¶t¡dn¸nSns¨f¡o«v IpÁw F\nímtbm.... F¶m tZs− sIS¡p¶p...." AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. \à kpJ¯n h¶Xmbncps¶¦nepw kabw icnbÃmXncp¶XpsIm−v X¡mew AS§n. aq¯p Igíp¶ Ip®bn ]nSns¨m¶aÀ¯n sR¡n. Ibv]nSn¨§p Ifªmtem F¶p Nn´n¨p \n¡pt¼mÄ A`n AI¯p \n¶pw hnfníp¶p. " Ite...." " tZ hcpt¶..." " \obhnsS F¶m FSp¡phmSo... Hd§t−...?.." " Zm hcp¶q..." AhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªn«v Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨v sXcpsXsc c−p hmWaSn. ]ns¶ Aht\ H¶p hfs¨mSn¨p XmtgíaÀ¯nbn«v AhÄ kvYew hn«p. _m¡n IqsS Bbmtem, th−, ]ns¶ sNe¸w £oWhpw Dd¡hpw Hs¡ hcpw. AXn¶t¯ tPmentb _m[nt¨ímw. Rm³ Fsâ a\Ênt\ thtd hnjb¯nteíp \bn¨p. A¶t¯ tPmen.

IXIS¨n«v IymadmsbSp¯v Hm¬ sNbvXp. c−p aq¶p sNdnb sseÁpIÄ sXfnªp \n¶Xv Ccp«¯p \à hyàw. CsX§m\pw CcIÄ I−m kwKXn Ipgbpw. XpWn NpÁnbm kv{Io³ klnXw ASbpw, ]ns¶ t^m¡Ên§v tKm]n. X¡mew Hcp _p²ntb I−pÅp. sIaníemsW¶dnbmw. F¦nepw aÁp amÀ¤anÃ. tai¸pd¯ncp¶ ¥mÊn \n¶pw Aåw shÅsaSp¯p Nmgns¸mSnsbSp¯p amhp t]mse Ipg¨p. H«p¶nsænepw AXp Ip½mbw t]mencp¶p. \à I«nbmbn Hmtcm \psÅSp¯v sXfnªp \n¶ sseÁpIfpsS apIfn sh¨aÀ¯n. Ct¸mÄ H¶pw ImWm\nÃ. A\¡msX amÁnsh¨p. ]mXncm BImdmbt¸mÄ Rm³ Nmgns¸mSnsbSp¯p. Imenepw I¿nepw ]ns¶ I®pIsfmgn¨v tZlamkIew tX¨p. \mft¯íp s]mÅptam, AtXm hnjw icoc¯n ]nSníptam Ft´m, H¶pw AdnbnÃ. At¸mÄ e£yambncp¶p {][m\w. amÀ¤¯nte A]IS§tf ]Án Nn´n¨nÃ. b{´hpw \q¡¼nbpw tXmÀ¯pambn Rm³ hoSnsâ ap³hi¯p IqSn ASp¡fhi¯v sXmSnbn Hcp Im´mcns¨Sníp ]pdIn Im¯ncp¶p. Nmgns¸mSnbpÅXpsIm−v CgP´p¡Ä ASp¡¯nsöp \à ss[cyambncp¶p. Im¯ncp¶p apjnªt¸mfmsWsâ Ccsb¯nbXv. tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w Im¡ogneSn¨v [rXnbn \S¶phcp¶ IÅ¡mapIt\ ]pdInet¯ hmXn Xpd¶v tIdnt¸mIp¶Xp htc Rm³ tS¸nem¡n. BsI Ccp«p am{Xw, F¦nepw tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨hpw hoSnsâ \ngepw Aåsams¡ In«n. AXp aXn. IY Bcw`w apX In«nbtÃm. IYm\mbI³ AI¯p tIdnbtXmtS Rm³ amÀÖmc]mZ§tfmsS amhnsâ Nph«nse¯n. amhnteíp henªptIdn. cm{XnbmbXpsIm−mImw \odpIÄ Ipdhmbncp¶p. F¦nepw apJ¯pIqSn Ibdn \S¶ H¶p cs−®¯nt\ hIshímsX Rm³ Fsâ b{´w ^nÁp sNbvXp. Ignbp¶{X apt¶m«p kqw sNbvXv I«n In«¯¡ hn[w sdUnbm¡n sh¨p. ]ns¶ kv{Io³ sasà AS¨p. IÀ«sâ ]IpXnbpw I«nensâ ]IpXnbpw kv{Io\n D−v. C\n I«³ hen¨v Xmsg CSpItb th−p. A©p an\n«p \jvSs¸s«¦nepw Rm³ Xr]vX\mbncp¶p. slUvt^m¬ FSp¯v sNhnbn XncpIn Rm³ {i²n¨p. ^m\nsâ Cc¸v ap¶n tIÄ¡mw. kwkmcw Hcp hn[w ¢nbÀ. Bfnt\ Xncn¨dnbmw. cmcn¨sâ iÐw. " Ahfn¶p s\mho\¸Åo t]mbXpsIm−v c£s]«p..." " C\nsb¶m Xncn¨nt§m«v... " " C\n RmbdmgvNtb HÅq¶m ]dªXv....." " slm...Im¯ncp¶p Im¯ncp¶p aSp¯p... c−mgv¨ c−p sImÃw t]memcp¶p...." ]ns¶ Hcp½bpsS iÐw. \S¡s«. Rm³ slUvt^m¬ sNhnbn \n¶qcn. AXp Xq§n¡nS¡s«. Ducm³ t\m¡nbm Iymadm CfIntb¡pw. Rm\nd§nbt¸mÄ amshm¶p Ipep§n. s]s«¶nd§n P\ensâ ASnbn t]mbncp¶p. Iptd ap¡fpw aqfepw tIÄ¡mw. AXpsIm−p ImcyambnÃtÃm. Rm³ sasà I¿pbÀ¯n. P\en\cnIn IqSn AIt¯ínSm³ XpS§pt¼mÄ P\en\Sp¯p \n¶pw kwkmcw. Gtf½bpsS iÐw. " ImsÁms−¶p tXm¶p¶p. acsams¡ FfIps¶m−v...." " F¶m ImsÁmt−se¶m... NqSp sImdbp¶nÃtÃm... t]mcmªn«v \nsâ Cu NqSpw...." " F¶m... IÀ«³ amÁtWm... shfoemsc¦nepw..." " \o amsÁSo... C¸w \nt¶ I−m Bcm Xncn¨dnbpt¶... XpWnsbmt−età Adnbs¯mÅq..." cmcn¨sâ Xami. " tlm... Cu ]dbp¶ Bfnsâ tZlt¯Xms−mÅ t]mse..... Cu ]qtStS adhÃmsX..." " \obm IÀ«³... tM...CsX´mSo.. ]mhmStbm...l..l..l... " " Mqw... HmÀ½sbmt−m... Ct{Xw \mfmsb¦nepw F\nín¶se \S¶ t]msebm.... Cu ]mhmtSw DSpt¯m−v Um³kp sNbvXXpw...]ns¶.. AXpSpt¯m−v sISs¶md§oXpw Hs¡... CXp ImWp¼w F\nín¸gpw Nncn hcpw...." " IÅn...... A¶p \o Fsâ ]mhmS s]m¡n Hfnªp t\m¡nb¸w... Rms\mcp \mWw A`n\bn¨p... \obm ]dªXv F\níp `cXv AhmÀUv In«q¶v...." " AhmÀUv In«pw... ]t£ Um³kn\Ã..." " ]ns¶´nWmSo... ?..." " IpXnctIÁ¯n\v..." " \ns¶ Rm\n¶v..." s]s«¶v IÀ«³ ]dnªv Xmsg hoWp.

" tZs−.. . AXp ]dn¨p Ifªp....." " ]dnbs«So... FÃmw ]dnbs«....." ]ns¶ Fs´ms¡tbm _lf§Ä, an\n«pIÄ \o−p \n¡p¶ _lf§Ä. ]t£ AXp s]s«s¶mXp§n. F§s\sb¶v C\n tS¸p I−mte Adnbq. C\n c£s]«p. tS_nÄ em¼mWp I¯n¨p sh¨ncníp¶Xv. aXn, sagpIp Xncnbn ]IÂt]mse In«p¶ b{´amWv. At¸mÄ tS_nÄem¼p Xt¶ [mcmfw. F¦n C\nsbm¶p hn{ianímw. Rm³ Xncnªv amhntesím¶p t\m¡n. At¿m, Hcp Nph¶ an¶man\p§p I¯n \n¡p¶p. IymadmbpsS Hcp sseÁv. Bsc¦nepw t\m¡nbmÂ, F´msW¶dnbmsX Ipgbpw. Hm, Bcp t\m¡m\m, C\n tIdn ^nÁpsNbvXp hcpt¼mtgípw \mbI\pw \mbnIbpw hnS]dbpw. AhnSncnís«. ^nÁp sNbvXt¸mÄ B sseÁnsâ apIfn H«n¨ Nmgns¸mSn¡pg¼p hn«pt]mbn¡mWpw. Rm³ ]pdIn Hcp aqebn t]mbn Ip¯nbncp¶p. Ft´m {]mWnIÄ tZl¯p hs¶¦nepw ISnsbm¶pw In«nbnÃ. P\en \n¶pw ]pdt¯íp hcp¶ \ngepIÄ amdpIbpw adnbpIbpw sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶p. Mqw, tafw XIrXnbmbn \S¡pIbmbncnípw. CSív s]®p§fpsS apdnbpsS P\ H¶p Xpd¶p. Hcp an\n«p Ignªv ASbpIbpw sNbvXp. A[nIw Im¯ncntí−n h¶nÃ. FItZiw ap¡m Asæn Hcp aWn¡qtdmfw Ignªp ImWpw. IXIp Xpd¡s¸«p. \ngepIÄ hmXn¡ H¶p \n¶p. Hcp sI«n¸nSp¯w \S¶p ImWpw. ]ns¶ tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w AI¶I¶p t]mbn. Ftf½bpsS apdnbnte shfn¨w AWªp. Rm³ NmSn amhn tIdn. FÃmw hen¨p ]dn¨p. [rXnbn Cd§nbt¸mÄ amshm¶p Ipep§n. Rm³ Nmbn¸nsâ ]pdInte aqebn F¯nbt¸mÄ ho−pw A`nbpsS P\ Xpd¶p. Rm³ {i²n¨p. Acan\n«v, AXp ho−pw ASªp. ChÄ `b¦cn Xt¶. Ftf½ív Pmct\ A\phZn¨psImSp¯n«v ASp¯ apdnbn AXpw hnNmcn¨v Dd¡anÃmsX InS¡bn InS¶pcpfp¶p. F´mWnXnsâ DÅpIÅn. Mqw, Fs´¦nepw Xpt¼m sXfnthm C¶v In«mXncnínÃ. Rm³ Fsâ apdnbn Ibdn. BZyw Iymadm s]«nbn sh¨p ]q«n. ]ns¶ H¶mtemNn¨p. Nmgns¸mSnbpsS sNmdn¨nepw. NqSpsIm−v tZlw \odm³ XpS§n. Rm³ tai Xpd¶p. Fsâ s]³tSmÀs¨Sp¯p. a§na§n sXfnbpw. _mÁdn ]gbXmWv. tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. IXIp Nmcn shfnbnend§n. \£{X§fpsS shfn¨¯nembXpsIm−v Fsâ shfn¨w IqSpXembn tXm¶n. Ct¸mÄ Ft¶ Bsc¦nepw I−m t_m[w sI«p hogpw. shÅbSn¨ a\pjy³. F\níp Nncn h¶p. tXm«nte XWp¯ shůn \¶msbm¶p ap§n¡pfn¨t¸mÄ \à kpJw. XeapSnínSbn \odpIÄ D−mbncp¶p. \«p¨ív A`ncman Ccp¶p apÅnbXp t]mse \«¸mXncmív Ccp«¯v Rm\pw B IÃnencp¶v aq{Xw sIm−v shůn hr¯w hc¨p Ifn¨p. ckapÅ ]cn]mSn Xt¶. kam[m\t¯msS sNdnb Hcp aqfn¸mt«msS \S¶p ho«nse¯n. IXIp Xpd¶v sseÁn« Rm³ sR«nt¸mbn. A`ncman. Fsâ Itkcbn b£ntbt¸mse apSnbpw Agn¨n«v ImepIfpw hnd¸n¨§s\bncníp¶p. CXv Ahtfm, AhfpsS t{]Xtam. F\nív kaNn¯X In«m³ Ipd¨p sk¡âpIÄ th−n h¶p. ]ns¶ H¶pw an−msX H¶padnbm¯Xp t]mse Rm³ Nos¸Sp¯p apSn NoIn. I«nenteíp InS¶p. AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. Xpd¶pInS¶ IXIp Nmcn. ]ns¶ I\¯ iЯn ]dªp. " t]meotkamt\....F\níp Ipd¨p Imcy§Ä tNmZním\p−v. InS¡m³ hcs«...." " AsXms¡ \msf... F\nín¸w Hd§Ww... " " Ct{Xw Hd¡anf¨ntÃ... Aåw IqsSbmImw..." " Hd¡w hcmXncp¶XpsIm−m... t]msbm¶p Ipfn¨Xv... A`n...¹okv C¸w t]m..." " CXphtc... Fs´Sp¡pImcp¶p...?..." BZyw hnNmcn¨Xv DS¡msa¶mbncp¶p. ]ns¶ tXm¶n th−. At¸mÄ hà kwibhpw tXm¶ntb¡mw. " F\níp \à XethZ\ ]Ite tXm¶nbXm. Hd¡w hcmsX sIS¶¸w... Btcm... ]SntIdn hcp¶ t]mse tXm¶n. BZyw t]Sn tXm¶n. IÅ\msW¦n F´p sN¿Wt¶mÀ¯p h¶¸tgípw Ah³ ASp¡tfsS hi¯p adªp. ]ns¶ ss[cy¯n s]mds¯d§n... \½fpw `mhn t]meoktÃ.... HmSn sN¶p t\m¡nb¸w... Ah³ hmbphntem«p t]msb¶m tXm¶pt¶... C¨nsc Xmakn¨p t]mbn.... ]ns¶

AtXmÀ¯v sIS¶p Hd¡w h¶nÃ. A¸w hnNmcn¨p H¶p Ipfn¨m sicnbmIpsa¶v.... t]msbm¶p Ipfn¨p... aXntbm.. D¯cw...?..." " X¡mew aXn... ]t£ FhnsStbm... Ft´m Hcp ]´ntIsSm−v.... At¶cw GsX¦nepw apdo shfn¨w H−mcpt¶m...?.." " At¿m...B sh{]mf¯n Rm³ {i²n¨nÃ....\n§sS apdo CÃmcps¶¶m tXm¶pt¶...Ftft½sS... B.. Rm³ ]d¼p apgph\pw sXcbpImcp¶XpsIm−v..... GXmbmepw ]nimNp tSmÀ¨pw sIm−p \S¡ptIetÃm... Mqw... Aht\ Hcp Znhkw Fsâ I¿n¡n«pw... Cu \m«nte... tamjWw FÃmw Ahsâ s]Seníp Rm³ sh¨p sI«pw..... Bt«... A`nsb´m Cu shfp¸m³ Imew htc..." " Mqw..?... Ft´m F\nípw Hd¡w h¶nÃ..... FSíp amshm¶p Ipep§nb t]mse tXm¶n.... C¨nsc Ignªv Rm³ P\ep sXmd¶p t\m¡n..... A¸w amthsemcp...." AhÄ \nÀ¯n. " amthsemcp...?..." " Hcp Nph¶ I®p I−p.... \¯mtWm... aq§bmtWm... D¸\mtWm.... C\n sNIp¯m\mtWm...AtXm a\pjy\mtWm....?.. Rms\m¶p t]Sn¨p...." " Ft¶ hnfním³ taemcpt¶m...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp tXm¶nbnÃ... sImtd¡gnªv Hd¡w ]nSním³ sXmS§nb¸w.... ]nt¶w amhp Ipep§n. Rm³ HSt\ P\ep sXmd¶p t\m¡n.... H¶pw I−nÃ... Nn´n¨ns«mcp ]nSow In«nbnÃ.... F¶m t]meokpImct\sbm¶p hnfnímsa¶p t\m¡nb¸w.... ChnsS t]meokpImc\panÃ... C\n hà AkptJmw... a\pjy\tÃ..." AhÄ Hcp hÃm¯ t\m«w t\m¡n. " F¦n hà ]£oamcnípw... t]mbns¡Ss¶md§v.... t]mIp¼w.... sseÁqsS H¶p sISp¯ntbcv...." Rm³ ho−pw t\tc InS¶p. " t]mImw...AXn\p apt¼..... kmsdms¶gpt¶tÁ...." " Mqw F´m....?.." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. " kXyw ]d... FhnSmcp¶nXp htc... Fs´ms¡tbm... IÅ¡fnIÄ Cbmfp \S¯ps¶m−v... AsX´msWs¶\nídnbWw...." AhfpsS CXphtcbp−mbncp¶ ]cnlmk kzcw amdn, Kuchw apg§n. " Hcp ImctWmanÃmsX C§s\ tNmZn¨m.... Rms\´p ]dbm\m...." Rm³ Ibv aeÀ¯n. " cm{Xosemd¡anÃmsX ChnsS Id§ms\s´¦nepw ImcWsam−v... AXm F\nídnb−Xv..." " Fsâ s]m¶`o... sImtd hmbníp¼w XethZt\w Hs¡...." " th−... thesbm¶pw Fd¡−.... asÁt´m H−v.... Cu A\y\m«n Cbmsf´p ]p¡mdm H¸nípt¶¶v F\níqsS H¶dnbWw..." " sÈSm... acymZíp ]dªm...Xsâ Xtetem«p tIdptIte...." " AXn\p kXyw ]dbWw..." " AXdnbW¶p X\nsí´m C{X hmin... AXpw Cu ]mXncmív..." " Fsâ ho«nÂ... F\nsí¸gpw hmin ]nSnímw.... F\níp tXm¶nbm Rms\hntSw tIdnhcpw...." AhfpsS kzcw DbÀ¶p. " Hmtlm... Xsâ hoSms¶mÅ Al¦mcw... F¶mte... sImtd cltkym−v... ]dbm³ a\ÊnÃ..... Ft´m sN¿pw...?.." Rm\pw AtX kzc¯n Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. " tM... F¦n Rm³ ImWn¨p Xcmw..." AhÄ t]mIm\mbn Xncnªp. " \o F´p ]p®m¡mSo ImWním³ t]mWXv...?..AhsSsbmcp skm´w hoSv...." Rm³ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp. AhÄ Xncnªv Fsâ t\tc Nodn h¶p. " F´m hnfn¨Xv...?.. Fs¶ F´m hnfn¨Xv..... \otbm..." " AtXSo.... \osb¶p Xt¶... s]®m¶p tXm¶nbXpsIm−v \o.. AtàFSm¶v.. hnfnt¨t\...." AXp ]dªt¸mÄ Rm³ AhfpsS FSp¯p]nSn¨t]mse \n¶ DcpÄapeIfn Xd¨p t\m¡n. " " \ns¶ Rm³... " Fsâ IcW¯Sním³ AhfpsS heXpIbv Bªphoin. AXp {]Xo£n¨p\n¶ Rm³ CSXpIbvsIm−v AXp XSªp. B Ibv Fsâ I¿neaÀ¶t¸mÄ AhÄ CSXpIbv hoin. B ssI¿pw Fsâ heXp ssIípÅn AaÀ¶p. AhÄ IpXdn. " hnsSSm... Gs¶ hnSm³...."

" an−cpXv.....H¨sh¨m \o \mdpw... F\nsímcp ]pÃpanÃ.... acymZív hmbSív..." Rm\htf XÅn I«nen sIm−p sN¶ncp¯n. Fsâ Dt±iw a\Ênemb AhÄ iànbmbn IpXdm³ XpS§n. " th−m...cmPmaWo... th−m.... Ft¶ sXmScpXv... hnSv..." " \o sImtd Ifníps¶m−v... AXn¶p Rm³ \nÀ¯n¯cmw...." " FSm hnSm³...." Rm\Xp hIshímsX Ahtf A§s\Xs¶ ]pdtIm«p XÅn I«nenteíp _eambn aeÀ¯n¡nS¯n. F¶n«v AcnInencp¶v AhfptS s\©t¯sísâ `mcw Nmcn. IbvIÄ XeípapIfn I«nen AaÀ¯n]nSn¨p. B apeIfpsS Xmgvhmcw Fsâ amdneaÀ¶p sRcp§n. AhfpsS \\ª I£¯n \n¶pw hnbÀ¸nsâ KÔw. AtXmtS a\Ên F\nsímcp ZpãhnNmcw s]m´n. AhÄ¡p izmkw ap«n. AXpI− Rm³ Aåw \nhÀ¶p. F¦nepw B apeIÄ Rm³ Fsâ s\©psIm−aÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " AhsS AS§ns¡S¶ntÃÂ... \ns¶ Rm³ ISn¨p Iodpw....." Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡nb AhÄ `b¶ e£Ww. " cmPq....¹okv.." " Hcnsí \osbsâ IcW¯Sn¨p... \o kXyhnNmcsamÅ s]®msW¶mcp¶p Rm³ hnNmcn¨Xv...." " Ft¶ hnSv...cmPq... acymZtISp ImWnímsX...." AhfpsS IpXd Aåw Ipdªp. Rm\åw s]m§nbn«v AhfpsS apeIfn t\m¡ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. " \osb¶m ss[cy¯nemSo... CsXms¡ s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m−o \«¸mXncmív Fsâ apdo h¶Xv...?... F¶ns«t¶... shc«p¶p... \osb´m hnNmcnt¨... Fsâ tZl¯v BWp§sS atÁXnsÃt¶m... tM..?.." Rm³ sasà AhfpsS apJt¯íp Ip\nªp B Np−pIfnteív Fsâ Np−pIfSp¯p. AhÄ Xebn«pcp«n. " cmPq... th−m... Fs¶ hnSv... th−m... AcpXv... cmPq... AcpXv......" AhfpsS Dizmkhmbp Fsâ apJ¯Sn¨p. " AS§ns¡S¶m...s\\¡p sImÅmw... CtàCXv \nsâ A´yamcnípw... sImtd Imembn«v \osbs¶ HcpXcw Duinbm¡p¶p....C¶v \ns¶ Rm³..... A\§msX sISs¡So...." Rm\hfpsS IbvIÄ iànbmbn H¶p sRcn¨p. " lm....." Hcp iÐt¯msS hmbpw Xpd¶v I®pIfS¨v AhÄ InS¶p. Rm\m Xpd¶ Np−pIfn Fsâ Np−pIÄ ap«n¨p. B hmípÅnteív Fsâ \mhpIS¯n AhfpsS \mhn H¶p sXm«pgnªp.. AhfpsS ememckw Fsâ \mhn ]pc−p. ]ns¶ \m¡p ]n³hen¨v B Np−pIÄ Fsâ Np−pIfnem¡n H¶p Npw_n¨p sFkv{Iow \pWbp¶Xp t]mse hen¨p. ]ns¶ Rms\sâ apJw DbÀ¯n. AhfpsS Np−pIfpsS am[pcyw \pWªpsIm−v Rm\hfpsS apJt¯ípÁp t\m¡n. ASp¯sX´v F¶p t]Sn¨pInS¶ AhÄ I®pXpd¶p. Rm\m I®pIfn t\m¡n Fsâ Np−pIÄ \pWªp. AhfpsS icocw Ct¸mÄ \nivOew. Rm³ Fsâ IbvIÄ ]n³hen¨p. AhÄ A§s\ Xt¶ InSs¶t¶ t\m¡n. " CXv \n\s¡mcp ap¶dnbn¸v.... Rm³ shdpw Du¼\msW¶p \o IcpX−... Ip«n¡mew samXev A`ncmaos¶mÅ t]cp tI¡p¼w a\Ênsemcp Ipfncmcp¶p.... shdpsXbmsW¶dnbmw.... F¶mepw.....C¸gpw AXp a\ÊnsemÅXpsIm−v.... t]m... Fgpt¶Áp t]m....F¶n«v BfpItf a\Ênem¡n Pohnív... Asæn... \osbms¡ ]cp´pwImte t]mIpw....HmÀt¯m..." Rm³ Fgpt¶Ápamdn. Itkcbn sN¶ncp¶v P\en IqSn Ccp«nteíp I®pIfb¨p. Ipd¨pIgnªv t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ I«nen Fgpt¶Áv Xe Ip¼n«ncníp¶p. Fsâ Acniw XWps¯¦nepw sI«S§nbncp¶nÃ. Rm³ sN¶v Ahtf I¿n ]nSn¨v hens¨gpt¶ån¨p. ]ns¶ IXInsâ t\À¡p hens¨dnªp. AhÄ sXdn¨v IXInsâ ]eIbn X«n \n¶p.. " t]mSo... t]m... sN¶n«v F´m¶m¨m sN¿v... ImWs«.... Hc`ncman.... lpw... thsd HscS¯pw A`ncmanbnÃm¯ t]mse..."" Rm³ I«nenencp¶p. Agnªpeª apSnbpambn, Ft¶ H¶pIqSn t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ IXIp Xpd¶v ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ sN¶v hmXneS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ Ipd¨p

t\cw Np½msX Nn´n¨ncp¶p. a\sÊm¶p XWp¯t¸mÄ Nn´n¨p. hmkvXh¯n Ahsf´n\msWsâ apdnbn h¶Xv. t]Snbnà F¶p a\Ênembn. ]t£ AhfpsS a\Êpw kzkvYaÃ. Ft´m H¶htf Ae«p¶p−v. ]cnlmcanÃm¯ Ft´m H¶v, F¶m shfnbn ]dbm³ h¿m¯Xpw. AXmbncnípw AhfpsS Cu _lpapJXz¯n\p ImcWw. Dd¡w Ft§m t]mbn Hfn¨p. F¦n C¶p ]nSn¨ ]Sw H¶p t\m¡mw, Xte Znhkw \S¶Xnepw hyXykvYambn H¶pw ImWm\nÃ. ]Ápsa¦n CXv Ipds¨ms¡ ambn¨pIfªn«v Pm³kn\p thWsa¦n sImSp¡mw. BfpIfpsS apJw hcp¶ `mKw ambn¨m aXnbtÃm. GXmbmepw BZyw H¶p ImWmw. IymadmsbSp¯v AXnsâ kv{Io³ Xpd¶t¸mÄ AXn\nSbn ]mhw, Hcp \odp N¯ncníp¶p. AXnt\ tXm−n¡fªp. At¸mÄ ko³ \odn\p htc ckn¨pImWpw. Rm³ kn\nam ImW XpS§n. IÀ«³ Xmsg hoWpIgnªt¸mÄ apdnbpw I«nepw \à hyàambn. c−cnInepw P\ensâ c−gnIÄ Ahyàambn cwKt¯ adíp¶p. ASp¯ \nanjw ]cn]qÀ®\ácmbn Ftf½ apt¼bpw cmcn¨³ ]pdtIbpambn apdnbn h«¯n HmSp¶p. Hm, AhÀ acwNpÁnt{]aw Ifníp¶p. Fs´mcp ckw. cmcn¨\p ]nSnsImSp¡msX Hgnªp amdpt¼mÄ Ftf½bpsS I®³apeIÄ sXdn¨mSp¶p. cmcn¨³ h«w Xncnbpt¼mÄ AbmfpsS ]mXn s]m§nb Ip® CfInb kv{]n§pt]mse InS¶p Xebm«n ckníp¶p. Ftf½ Hcp Dinc³ Nc¡p Xt¶. apSnbpagn¨n«v apebpw XpÅn¨v Ftf½ apdníp IpdpsIbpw s\SpsIbpw HmSn¡fnípt¼mÄ AhÀ icnípw Hcp aZmek Xt¶. H¶p Rm\pd¨p, Xcw In«nbm Chtc H¶p ]®Ww. Cu ho«n \n¶pw asÁm¶pw F\níp In«m\nÃ. A½bpw aIfpw \à apXepIÄ. cmcn¨\nXp ImipsImSp¯p Xn¶msa¦n F\níp shdptX Xn¶mw. Imip−mIpt¼mÄ sImSp¡mw. Hm«¯n Ahkm\w cmcn¨³ Pbn¨p. I«nen¶cnIn InX¨p \n¶ Ftf½tb ]pdIn IqSn cmcn¨³ sI«n¸nSn¨p. AhcpsS Igp¯n D½ sh¨p. AhÀ Igp¯p Xncn¨v Abmtf D½ shíp¶p. ]ns¶ Xncnªp. At\ym\yw sI«n¸nSnbvIp¶p. Np−p hen¨p IpSníp¶ iÐw§Ä, aqfepIÄ apcfepIÄ. KmVamb Hcp \o− Npw_\w AXnsâ Ahkm\w Hcp apcftemSpIqSn Ftf½ I«nenteíncp¶p. cmcn¨³ Ip\nªv Ahtc I«nen InS¯p¶p. Icps¸«n¡pSapeIÄ amd¯pbÀ¶p ]c¶pInS¶p XpÅp¶p. AhÀ ImepIÄ AI¯p¶p. Aåw DbÀ¶ AhcpsS ISnXS¯nte Idp¸pOmbtb ImWp¶pÅp. cmcn¨³ \mepImen I«nenteíp tIdn AhcpsS Ih¨psh¨ ImepIÄ¡nSbn ap«pIp¯p¶p. Ftf½ AbmfpsS s]m§nbmSp¶ A©mw Imen H¶p ]nSníp¶p. Nncn¨psIm−v Ftf½ Ahsâ D−¯ebn H¶p XtemSp¶p. kabw IfbmsX cmcn¨³ AhcpsS ]pdt¯íp Nmbp¶p. AhcpsS apesR«pIfn ISníp¶p. ]ns¶ AhcpsS Np−pIÄ D½shíp¶p hen¨p IpSníp¶p. Ftf½ c−pt]cptSbpw CSbn IqSn I¿n«v AbmfpsS Bbp[w I¿nseSp¡p¶p. AbmÄ Acs¡«Â¸w s]m¡p¶p. Ftf½ Ip®¯e kz´w hnImckZ\¯nsâ hmXnen ap«n¨psh¶p tXm¶p¶p. IhínShmXnen AhÀ Ip®¯e Dcs¨¶p I¿psS Ne\w sIm−p a\Ênembn. c−pcíep Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw AS¡n¸nSn¨ iÐw. " Mqw..... XÅv..." Ftf½bpsS A\phmZw In«nbtXmsS AbmÄ Hcp apcĨtbmsS Xmtgm«acp¶p. " lmmmmmm.... Mqqqqqw.... " Ftf½ c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw Abmtf sI«n¸nSníp¶p AbmfpsS apJ¯v kz´w apJan«pcíp¶p. F³Pnsâ ]n̬ {]hÀ¯\w XpS§p¶p. I«n Rc§p¶p Ahcpw Rc§p¶p. ASnbpsS thKX IqSp¶p. Ftf½bpw Acs¡«p apIfnteíp hnd¸n¨p XÅns¡mSp¡p¶p. At¸mÄ kv{Io\n Hcp \ngÂ. Ft´m henb Hcp Pohn kv{Io³ apgph\pw ad¨psIm−v ]Xps¡ \S¶p \o§p¶p. [fIv [fIv F¶ iÐw, Acs¡«pIÄ Iq«nbSnípt¼mgpÅ kwKoXw tIÄ¡mw. Hm, h¶pt]mbXp \odmbncp¶p. AhcpsS cXntIfnIÄ ImWm³ t\m¡pIbmbncnípw. \odp amdn¡gnªt¸mÄ iÐt¯msSm¸w kn\nabpw h¶p. an¶Â thK¯n Acs¡«p hf¨v AXnthK¯n Bªp ]®p¶ cmcn¨t\ AXns\m¯v Acs¡«p hnd¸n¨p t{]mÂkmln¸níp¶ Ftf½. ap¡epIÄ, io¡mc§Ä. HSphn AhÀ ImepIÄ sIm−v Abmtf hcnªp apdp¡p¶p. ]ns¶

sXcpsXscbpÅ Ahkm\]®Â. Rc§ensâbpw aqfentâbpw CSív Ftf½bpsS Ahyàamb iÐw. " hs¶Sm... Mqwwww..... Mqwwww.... ASnsísâ s]mt¶... slsâ...s]mt¶..." " sl\nípw h...s¶...So.... lqqqqqq...... " Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v Ftf½ H¶p henªp \nivOebmbn. ]ns¶ XmfanÃm¯ A\nb{´nXamb cmcn¨sâ ]®epIÄ F\níp a\Ênembn, AhcpsS ]qdnsâ AKm[Xbn Xsâ k´m\hn¯pIÄ hn«p hn«v AbmÄ Fdnªp ]nSn¸nípIbmsW¶v. sasÃsasà ASnIÄ Ipdªp cmcn¨³ Xe Xsâ ImapInbpsS h£knteíp, B apeIfpsS ]pdt¯ív sh¨p XfÀ¶pInS¶p. Ftf½ AbmfpsS apSnbn Npw_níp¶p. ]ns¶ c−p IbvIfpw c−p hit¯ípw hncn¨n«p. c−p t]cpw InXíp¶p. At¸mÄ ho−pw Hcp \odv se³knsâ apIfn IqSn \S¡p¶p. C\n ]pdtI ]pdtI hcpambncnípw. cmcn¨³ sasà AhcpsS apIfn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áp. AbmÄ ap«pIp¯n \n¶t¸mÄ ]qÁn \n¶qcnsbSp¯ AbmfpsS \\ªpIpgª Ip® kv{Io\n Xnf§n. AbmÄ sasà I«nen \n¶nd§n adªp. ]ns¶ Hcp tXmÀ¯psIm−v kz´w Ip® XpS¨psIm−p \S¶p hcp¶p. Ip® XpS¨Xn\p tijw cmcn¨³ tXmÀ¯v ImapInív Fdnªp sImSp¯p. AhÀ AsXSp¯v Ih¡nSbn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nen Fgpt\Áncp¶v XeapSn sI«nsh¨p. ]ns¶ cmcn¨sâ aSnbnteíp Xesh¨v I«nensâ AcnIn InS¶p. sImÅmw Ct¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS ]qÀ¯Sw Iymadmíp t\tc. ]t£ tXmÀ¯p am{Xta ImWp¶pÅp. AbmÄ AhcpsS Np−n hncepItfmSníp¶p. ]ns¶ apeIfn XtemSp¶p. Ftf½ B Ibv sasà apeIfnÂ\n¶pw ]nSn¨p amÁp¶p. Ct¸mÄ ]Ãp ]pfníp¶Xp t]mse C¡nfnbnbp−mbncnípw. Ftf½bmWp kwkmcw XpS§nbXv. " Fs´mcp iànbmcp¶p. C¶nt{Xw shis¸m−mcpt¶m... Fsâ AhSw CSn¨p XIÀ¯pIfªtÃm.... slm... " " ]nt¶... AXpsIm−tà C¨nsc kabw In«nb HSt\ HmSn h¶Xv...." " F¶m C\n F¶pw hm.... Rm\nXpw sXmd¶psh¨v F¶pan§s\ apÅn¯t¶ am{Xw Pohn¨m aXntbm..." " AXn\p \nsâ sI«ntbm³ aÁ¶mfp hcptIte...?.." " CÃ...AXnbm³ RmbdmgvNtb hcs¯mÅp... " " AsX´m...?.." " B...HmUnÁns§t¶m...]cntim[t\t¶m Hs¡ ]td¶ tI«p...." " ]nt¶tb..... \o CtXhtc Ft¶ Ku\n¨nÃ....tIt«m..." " ]ns¶ C¸w CSn¨ptIÁnbtXm...?..." " AXsÃSo... ChnSt¯...B s]®nsâ Imcyw..... A¶Xp sXmeªp t]mbn.... C\nsb¶m...?.." " At¿m...Ft¶msSm¶pw tXm¶Ãv... A¶m sNdp¡³ ]Án¨XtÃ... Ah\p kpJanÃmcp¶p... " AhÀ cmcn¨sâ Ihnfn XtemSn. " C\n F\níp c−nsem¶dnbWw... \nt¶s¡m−p ]Ápthm CÃtbm... sImtd¡membn... \nt¶mSp ]dbp¶p...." " F´m Fsâ s]m¶§s\ tNmZnípt¶..?. Ft¶ C¶mtWm Cu cmcn¨³ ImWp¶Xv..." " ]ns¶ F¶m¶p ]d...... AsXsâ henb Hcmibm..." " AtXm−tà Rm\o alm]m]¯n\p Iq«p \n¡pt¶.... " AhÀ AbmfpsS Is¿Sp¯p Np−n sh¨p. ]ns¶ Ih¡nSbn \n¶pw tXmÀs¯Sps¯m¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ AsXm¶p aS¡n. AhÀ tXms¯Sp¯t¸mÄ AhcpsS Hma\kmam\{XntImWhpw ]IpXn Iodepw apdntcma§tfmsS \Sphn H¶p sXfnªp. ImeI¯n tXmÀ¯psIm−v ASnapX XpS¨t¸mÄ Hcp Ccpfnabpw I−p. ]ns¶ AhÀ tXmÀ¯v AhnsS¯s¶ AaÀ¯nsh¨n«v ImepIÄ ASp¸n¨p. B ]qÁn \n¶pw Dudn ]pd¯phcp¶ AhcpsS kvt\lPean{inXw hen¨pIpSním³ B Cuscg tXmÀ¯n\mWp tbmKw. " F¶m ]d... Cu Rmbdmgv¨.... td¨ep hcpt¶\p ap¼v.... ]Ápthm...?..." samiS³, AbmÄ¡p A`ncmantb \in¸nímªn«p ISn AS§p¶nÃ. F´n\mSm ? th¼\m«p Imbep t]mse ]c¶p sIS¡p¶ Cu Aac¸qdp \o aSpt¯m.

Asænepw A`ncmantb I−m BÀ¡pw H¶p½ shíWsa¶p tXm¶pw. F´n\mWoizc³ AhÄ¡nt{Xw kuμcyw sImSp¯n«v Ahtf Cu ISphIfpsS CSbnteíp ]dªp hn«Xv ? " Mm... F¶m i\nbmgvN cm{Xnbmbmtem... CtXkabw...?.." Ftf½ív sFUnbm hcp¶p. A¼So, A`ncmantb sImeíp sImSp¡m³ Fs´mcp [rXn. Mqw, \S¡pw sImtd. Rm³ ImXp IqÀ¸n¨p tIÄ¡m³ XpS§n. " A¸w... \nsâ tamfpw Hd§p¶Xv AhsS IqsSbm¶tà ]dªXv..." " Mqw...AtX.. Ah¡p F¶pw A`osS IqsS sI«n¸nSn¨p sIS¡Ww... Ahtf F§s\ AhS¶p amÁpw....?... kpIphn\p kpJansÃs¶§m\pw ]dªm... Ahtf \nÀ_Ônímw... CtàB samiSp t]mc¯nÃ..." Hm, Ietb amÁp¶ ImcyamWp ]dªp hcp¶Xv. " F¶m.. Rm³ sambvXqs\ ]dªp hnSmw... Ah³ XÃpIqSnsbt¶m...Bip]{Xoemt¶m htÃmw Ah³ ]tdw... \o \nsâ sIm¨nt\w sIm−v amdntímWw....." " \à ImcWsamt− Ahfp hcpw..." Ftf½ k½Xn¨p. cmcn¨³ shdptX AhcpsS apesR«pIfn amdn amdn XShp¶p. AhÀ B hncepIfn ISníp¶p. AbmfpsS IbvIÄ AhcpsS Acs¡«nteíp sNÃp¶p. AhcpsS IhínSbnte hct]msebpÅ hnShn B hncend§n XShp¶p. B XShensâ kpJ¯n AhÀ ImepIÄ H¶I¯nbSp¸n¨p. " A¸w IXsI§s\ sXmd¡pw..? XÃns¸mfn¨m Ahfp _lfw shíptIte....?..." cmcn¨sâ hnjaw. " AXn\p Rm³ t\ct¯ hgn BtemNn¨ns«m−v... \Sp¡s¯ IpÁn ]dn¨nt«ímw.... tamfnet¯ IpÁn. s]md¯q¶v Hcp Ìqtf tIdn \n¶p I¿ns«Sp¡mhp¶tXsbmÅp...." " A¼So.. anSp¡o... \nsâ aqf A]mcw... " ]dªpsIm−v AbmÄ B hnShn iànbmbn Xncp½nsb¶p tXm¶n. " lm... AtXsems¡ ]Xps¡ ]nSn¨v Xncp½v... CXv... IÃpw atcmsam¶paÃ..." " F\nídnbmtÃm.. CXv \nsâ imcZ¡´tÃ..." " F¶n«mtWm.. ]nSn¨v sRcSnbXv.... sXmenªpImWpw...." " I´v sXmenbWw..... A¸gm ckw...kt´mjw sIm−mSo..." AbmÄ Ip\nªv ImapInbpsS Np−n Hcp½ sImSp¡p¶p. AhÀ AXp Np−p\o«n kzoIcníp¶p. ]ns¶ AbmfpsS XeapSnbn ]nSn¨v D½bpsS ssZÀLyw Iq«p¶p. AbmÄ tXmÀ¯p amÁn AhcpsS I´n XShns¡mSp¡p¶p. AhÀ ImepIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½p¶p. ASp¯ tjm XpS§m\pÅ Hcp¡amsW¶p tXm¶p¶p. s]s«¶v cmcn¨³ Npw_\¯n \n¶pw hn«p. ]ns¶ tNmZníp¶p. " C\n thsdmcp amcWsam−tÃm... B sNdp¡³... Ahsâ Imcyw F§\m...?.." " AsXmcp ]mhw.... AXnt\ Rm³ ho«n]dªp hnt«mfmw...." Ftf½ Ft¶ Hgnhm¡m\pw hgn Is−¯n. " A¸w Ahfp Xt¶...?.. HÁíhfp ho«n sISs¶md§pthm...?..." cmcn¨sâ \ymbamb kwibw. " ]ns¶´m... F{X {]mhiyw sIS¶ncníp¶p.... ]ns¶ Ahfn¯ncn ss[cysamÅ Iq«¯nem.... AXpsIm−v kq£níWw... t]cp Xs¶bÃ, AhÄ sicnípw A`ncman Xs¶bm.... Fsâ HscmÁ t]Sn¸níenem.. \½sS Cu _Ôw \n¶p t]mIp¶Xv..." " F´p t]Sn¸níev...?.. AÃm A¶v Rmt\mSnb¸w F´m \o AhtfmSp ]dsªW¡nbXv...?..." " Cu hnhcw AhSO\dnªm... FÃm¯n\pw shjw sImSp¯v Rm\pw sI«n¯q§psa¶p ]dª¸gm A¶v AhfS§nbXv....C¸gpw AhsS a\Ên Ft¶ `b¦c sNmcp¡m... ImWp¼w Nncníps¶t¶sbmÅp....." " A¸w Ah¡v FÃmw Adnbmw AtÃ... A¸w Imcyw Ffp¸mbn...." " ]ns¶... sambvXp hcp¶ Znhkw Ah¡v Ienbm... Ahsf´n\pw aSníptIe... Xeí sh«pI¯n ImWpw..." " AXp Rm³ t\m¡nt¡mfmw... B sNdp¡\pw Ahfpw X½nÂ..hÃ... AÃ... C¸gt¯ ImeamtW..." cmcn¨³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp sImg¸anÃ... Cuizcm[o\w sIm−v c−pw X½n Iocow ]m¼pw t]mem.... ]nt¶w Ah\m ]mhw..."

" B sNdp¡t\Xm¶m \o ]dtª...?.." " Rm³ ]dªntÃ... B h−nap«n N¯ t]meokpImc\ntÃ... AbmsS aI\m... XÅín¸w ao³It¨mSm tPmen.... AhÄsS Xt´sS I¿n ]q¯ Imsim−v... ]t£ ]SnbS¨p ]n¬Uw sh¨p Ifªntà Abmfv....." " GXv.... lcn¸m«p tÌj\nsem−mcp¶ t]meokpImc\mtWm... Hcp kXyhm³.... temdn ap«n N¯Xv...?." Fsâ AOsâ Imcyw ]dªt¸mÄ Rm³ AhcpsS kw`mjW¯n {i²mephmbn. kv{Io\n Xe§pw hne§pw \S¡m³ XpS§nb \odpItftbm, \ábmbn Iymadmíp t\tc Ihs¡S \nhÀ¯nsh¨vInS¶v tXmÀ¯psIm−v ]qdp XpSíp¶ Ftf½tbtbm {i²n¨nÃ. " AXp Xt¶... F¶mepw B XtÅsS Imcyw Iãm tIt«m.... C³jpd³kpw \ã]cnlmtcmw H¶pw In«o«nÃ.... F{X sImÃmbn...." cmcn¨³ s]s«¶v Gtf½tb XÅn amÁn Fgpt¶Áp. F¶n«p ]dªp. " AXp In«m\pw t]mWnÃ..." " tM... " Ftf½ sR«n. H¸w Rm\pw. " AtX.... AsXmSt\ F§pw In«¯nÃ..." " AXp cmcn¨s\§s\bdnbmw...?..." " AsXms¡bdnbmw.... \o C¸w Ct{Xw Adnªm aXn...." " F¶mepw Ft¶mSp ]dªmse´m... F\nín\n Fs´¦nepw clkyw Ht−m \n§fdnbm¯Xv..." Ftf½ tXmÀ¯psIm−v AbmfpsS Acs¡«p XpS¨p. ]dn I¿nseSp¯v s]m«p¶ km[\w XpSíp¶Xpt]mse kq£n¨v XpS¨psImSp¯p, D−IÄ htc. AbmÄ kv{Io\n \n¶pw adªp. ]ns¶ Abmtf t\m¡n ]nd¶ ]Sn \n¡p¶ Ftf½ am{Xw. Rm\hcpsS icocimkv{Xw t\m¡msX cmcn¨sâ iЯn {i²bq¶n. " tlm«en sh¨v sdbnUn ]nSn¨¸w A¶v....F⸨³ Imep]nSn¨p ]dªXm Cu kXyhmt\mSv... F{X e£w thtWepw Xcm¶v... Abmfp k½Xn¨nÃ... A¸¨t\w B AdphmWn¨ntbw Htc sse\n \nÀ¯nbm.. t]meokp hmt\ tIÁnbXv.... A¶v A¸¨³ t\m«an«Xm... Fhsâ Xt´.... B kXyhmt\.... tIkos¶ms¡ A¸¨³ Ducn... B \mWt¡Sp am{Xw amdoÃ..... C¸gpw sNe¸w tZjyw hcp¼w td¨eXp ]tdw..... F¶mepw A¸¨sâ I¿o¶v Ducnt¸mIm³ kXyhm\p ]ÁoÃ... " " Cuizcm...Rms\´mWot¡¡tW..." Ftf½ C«psIm−ncp¶ \bnÁn AXp]Sn ]nSn¨v hms]mfn¨p \n¡p¶p. Fsâ izmkhpw Hcp \nanjw \n¶pt]mbn. Fsâ N¦p ]laSníp¶p. Fsâ AOt\s¡m¶Xv Cu Cu cmcn¨sâ X´tbm. sImÃpw Rm³ FÃm¯nt\w sImÃpw. Rm³ taibn iànbmbn ASn¨p. ]t£ Ibv thZ\n¨XÃmsX F´p ^ew. Hco¨tbt¸mepw sImÃmt\m {]XnImcw tNmZnímt\m IgnhnÃm¯ Rm³. Cà hnS¯nÃ. FÃm¯nt\bpw Rm\gnsb®nípw. Rm³ HmSnb tS¸v ]pdtImt«mSn¨v XpSÀ¶p I−p. " AtXSo.. CcpsNhnbdnbmsX A¸¨Xp km[n¨p. Hcp sXfnhpanÃmsX... AXpt]mse Ahsâ Cu hns¯§m\pw Fsâ hgnbn h¶m ... Ah\pw Ahsâ Xt´sS KXn Xs¶bmcnípw...." " lt¿m.. cmcn¨m... alm]m]w ]dbmsX.. F´n\m....sImÃpw sImtew... AXnsâ Xt´ sIm¶ntÃ... F¶n«v \n§sS A¸s\´p In«n....?. C¸w. shcsem¶\¡tWm¦n ]cklmbw tht−... kÀhmwKw Xf¶ntÃ... F{X sImÃmbn sIS¶p \cIníp¶p.....B XtÅsS I®ocm... AXn\ow hen¨p shítÃ...." " CsÃSo.. Bhiyw h¶m Rm\Xn\pw aSníptIe.... \o i\nbmgv¨ Fsâ Imcyw \S¯n¯¶ncníWw.. F´p sNbvXmepw th−nÃ... C\n F\níp Im¯ncním³ h¿.... ]ns¶ \nt¶mSv...C¸¸dª Imcyw asÁmcmfdnªm...HmÀt¯m... \obpw B kXyhm³ IrjvW³Ip«osS t]mdtI t]mIpw..." " Fsâ s]mt¶... t]SnímsX... Hcp {]ivt\mw IqSmsX Rm³ Imcyw km[n¨p Xcmw... Fsâ tN«t\ B Ip¯ptIkos¶m¶qcn¨p X¶m aXn...." " Mqw.. Ducn¨p Xcmw... \o Ahtf H¸n¨p X¶mÂ.... Rm\n¸w t]mWp.... " " A¸w \msf...?..." " hcps¶ms−¦n sambvXqt\ hnSpw... Asæn... si\nbmgv¨...]dªXpt]mse..."

At¸mtgípw c−pt]cpw hkv{X§fWnªncp¶p. ]ns¶ c−pt]tcbpw I−nÃ. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp Xe ap¶n IqSn IS¶pt]mIp¶Xp I−p. Ftf½ h¶p I«nencp¶p. s\Ánbpw Xncp½n Aåt\cw BtemNn¨p. ]ns¶ apIfnteíp Ibv\o«p¶p. Hm, A`ncmantb Pmc\p ImgvNshím³ Cuizcsâ klmbw tXSpIbmbncnípw. AhÀ InS¶n«v \bnÁnIq«n ap³hiw H¶pIqSn Ibv Aåw DÅnteínd¡n XpSíp¶Xp I−p. shfn¨w AWªp. ]ns¶ Ccp«p am{Xw. ^m\nsâ t\cnb Cc¸pw. Rm³ tS¸p ]pdtImt«mSn¨p. cmcn¨sâ IpÁk½Xw H¶pIqSn tI«p. Rm³ tI«Xp kXytam F¶p hnizkním³ th−n. At¸mÄ CbmfmWOsâ s]³j\pw ]WhpsaÃmw XSªp sh¨ncníp¶Xv. CbmÄ apIfn \à ]nSnbpÅ ]W¡mc³ Xt¶. tIkpsIms−m¶pw Cbmtf Xfím³ ]Á¯nÃ. _p²nbpw Iuiehpw thWw D]tbmKním³. C\n si\nbmgvN Cu s]m«ns¸®nt\ F§s\ c£nípw. ]mhw, kz´w c−m½bpsS IbvsIm−v hn¡m³ hn[nís¸«hÄ. CÃ, AhÄ BÀ¡pw hn¡s¸SpIbnÃ. F\níp In«nbnsænepw AhÄ am\yambn Cu IpSpw_¯n \n¶pw AhfpsS `À¯mhnsâ IbvIfn F¯nbncnípw. Rm\pd¸n¨p. Fsâ Poh³ t]mbmepw th−nÃ. shdptXbÃ, AhfpsS a\sÊt¸mgpw DcpIpIbmWv. kvt\l\n[nbmb AOtâbpw IpeSbmb c−m\½bptSbpw CSbn InS¶v hoÀ¸pap«pIbmWhÄ. thtd hÃhcpambncps¶¦n ]t− {`m´p ]nSnt¨t\. F\níhtfmSv BZchp tXm¶n. IqSpX kvt\lhpw. F\níp th−nbsæn¡qSn AhÄ c£nís¸SWw. Rm\pd¨p. Iymadm s]«nbn sh¨n«v. Rm³ InS¶p. Iptd BtemNn¨p. HSphn Hcp ]²Xn a\Ên I−p. At¸mÄ sasà ab¡w Fsâ I®pIfn tIdn. F§p \nt¶m Hcp ]qh³ tImgnbpsS Iqh tI«p. cmhnte Rm\pWÀ¶t¸mÄ H¼Xp aWnIgnªncp¶p. F¶n«pw Dd¡£oWw _m¡n. GXmbmepw {]`mXIrXy§fpw ho«nte shÅwtImcepw Hs¡ Ignímsa¶p IcpXn. Fgpt¶Áv DuWpapdnbnsems¶¯n t\m¡n. ]XnhpÅ I«³Im¸n tai¸pd¯nÃ. ASp¡fbnepw BcpanÃ. ]ns¶ shfnbnend§n. ]ÃptX¨t¸mÄ c−pIhnÄ shÅw IpSn¨p. AXpXt¶ C¶s¯ Im¸n F¶p Xocpam\n¨p.. ASp¡fbn AhcpsS A\phmZw IqSmsX Ibdm\pw FSp¯pIpSním\pw Hcp aSn. XncnsI apdnbn h¶ncp¶mtemNn¨p. tImtfPn t]mIWw. ]t£ ¢mkn Ibdm\Ã. Pm³knt\ ImWWw. F\nínXv BtcmsS¦nepw H¶p ]dtª aXnbmIq. Fsâ PohnXt¯ Xt¶ XInSw adnt¨¡mhp¶ Hcp kw`hw. Rm³ ho−pw Fsâ ]²XnIÄ Nn´n¨pd¸n¨p. i\nbmgv¨, i\nbmgv¨, cmcn¨³, cmcn¨³, AO³, AO³, Btcm Fsâ sNhnbn B hm¡pIÄ BhÀ¯n¨p ]dbp¶p. Rms\sâ s]«n Xpd¶p. AXnsâ ASnbn sh¨ncp¶ AOsâ Hcp sNdnb t^mt«m FSp¯p t\m¡n. AOm Rms\´mWp sNt¿−Xv ? AOt\ sIm¶h³ C¶v shdpsamcp PohOhamWv. Ahsâ aI³ Fsâ s]®nt\bpw \in¸ním³ t\m¡p¶p. Rm³ XSÊambm Ft¶ CÃmXm¡m³ {ianíp¶p. AOsâ I®pIÄ¡v {]Imiw hcp¶Xp t]mse. th− aIt\, {]XnImcw sIm−v \o \nsâ PohnXw \in¸nícpXv F¶v AO³ Ft¶ hne¡p¶Xp t]mse. CÃOm, ]t£ F\nípw PohníWw. Rm³ Cãs¸Sp¶ s]®pw \inícpXv. AOm, AXns\t¶ AO³ klmbníWw. Ft¶ Hcp t]meokpImcsâ aI\mbn¯t¶ AO³ ImWWw. Rm³ t^mt«mbnsem¶p Npw_n¨p. ]ns¶ XncnsIsh¨p. Hcp aqebn kq£n¨psh¨ncp¶ AOsâ ]gb em¯n Rm³ FSp¯p t\m¡n. kÀhoknembncp¶t¸mÄ CS¡me¯v AO\p ]pXnb NqcÂhSn In«nbncp¶p. At¸mÄ Rm³ ]gbXv FSp¯p sh¨ncp¶p. AXn NnÃd amÁ§sfms¡ hcp¯n. h®apÅ Nqcembncp¶p AXv. Rm\Xnsâ \ofw Ipd¨p. sImÃâhnsS sIm−pt]mbn AÁ¯v Hcp ]ncnbpÅ Ccp¼pIpg ]nSn¸n¨p. B AÁ¯v \à `mcw H¶psImSp¯m GXp aÃ\pw Ccp¶pt]mIpw. ]nSníp¶ AÁ¯v ]gb NcSn\p]Icw \à ss\tem¬ NcSpd¸n¨p. ]ns¶ atÁ AÁ¯v ]nSn¸ním³ GXm−v AcIntemtbmfw hcp¶ Hcp CSn¡«bpw ]ncnklnXw D−m¡nbncp¶p. Rm³ CSn¡«sbSp¯v AÁ¯v ]ncn¨p tIÁn. Ct¸mÄ AÁ¯v AcIntem`mcw. NpgÁn hoinbm sImÅp¶hsâ Xe sXdnípw. Ct¸mÄ B em¯n I−m Fsâ Acbn Xq§n¡nS¡p¶ht\t¸msebp−v. h®apÅ sXm¸níp]Icw AÁ¯v an\pkapÅ Hcp tKmfamsW¶p am{Xw. ]ns¶ Aåw \ofhpw. Fs´mcp kmayw. Fs´mcp Xami.

cmcn¨m, Ft¶bpw A½tbbpw ]e {]mhiyw c£n¨ km[\w Ct¸mÄ \nsâ Xebnepw hogps¶¦n AXp \nsâ hn[n. Pbnen t]mbmepw icn. \o A`ncmantb sXmSm³ Rm³ k½XnínÃ. Rm³ AXpw t\m¡n Ccnípt¼mÄ P\en IqSn I−p, ]SntIdn hcp¶ Cfb½. shÅap−pw t\cnbXpw Nph¶ »ukpw s]m«pw sXm«v, Hm, A¼e¯n t]mb e£Ww. ImapIsâ Cã^e{]m]vXníp th−n {]mÀ°ním³ t]mbXmbncnípw. B hcshmcp N´w Xt¶. icnípw Hcp Nc¡v. cmcn¨³ shdptXbà hoWp t]mbXv. F¶mepw cmta«s\´n\o kv{Xotb sI«n. B CShbdp Xt¶ F{X at\mlcw. ]e {]mhiyw XpWnbgn¨p Is−¦nepw Ct¸mÄ AhÀ IqSpX kpμcnbmbn tXm¶p¶p. Nnet¸mÄ B s]m«pw B lbÀssÌepw AhÀ¡p tNcp¶p−mIpw. AÃm, AhcpsS Acs¡«v Hcp cm{XnsIm−p hepXmtbm. AÃ, Rm\nt¸mÄ F´n\nhtc¡pdn¨n§s\ Nn´níp¶p. Nnet¸mÄ A−nIfn shÅw \ndªn«v Xet¨mdnteív hnfn¨p ]dbp¶p−mIpw tKmUu¬ \ndtª Btc¸nSns¨¦nepw CsXm¶ndt¡m F¶v. Rm³ em¯n s]«nbn sh¨p. At¸mtgípw AhÀ hmXn¡ h¶p " hmXn sXmd¶p sIS¡p¶XpsIm−p t\m¡nbXm.... Ft´... tImtfPn t]mImXncpt¶....?..." hmXnen ]nSn¨psIm−p \n¶ AhcpsS DbÀ¶ I£¯nte hnbÀ¸nsâ Ccpfnabn Fsâ I®pIÄ Xd¨p. " Hd§nt¸mbn... tN¨n F´m ... Cu t\c¯v A¼e¯nÂ...?.." " A¼e¯o¶p t\ct¯ Fd§nbXm.... ]ns¶ hcp¶ hgnív Rm\m tat\msâ ho«nsem¶p tIdn... \½sS kmhn{Xn.. ChnsS ]Tním³ hcp¶ sIm¨ntÃ.... AXnsâ ho«nÂ..." " AXp sicn.... AÃm...A`ncmanív C¶p ¢mskm−v CtÃ...?.. ChnsS§pw I−nÃ...?.." " B.. F´mtWm Ahfn¶p t\ct¯ t]mbn... cmPp Im¸n IpSnt¨m..?... " " CÃ... CtÃepw kmcanÃ..." " At¿m... C¸w FSp¯p Xcmw.... C¶m {]kmZw... " AhÀ Fsâ t\sc {]kmZw \o«n. Rms\gpt¶Áp sN¶v AhcpsS ap¼n s\Án ImWn¨p. AhÀ Nμ\w sXm«v Fsâ s\Ánbn tX¨p. s\Ánbn Hcp IpfnÀ½. H¸w AhcpsS ]p¯³ aWw Fsâ DÅnepw Hcp IpfnÀ½tbIn. " tN¨ntb¡−n«n¸w... Hcp tZhosS eps¡m−v tIt«m... tkmdn At¿m.. AdnbmsX ]dªpt]mbXm...." Rm³ hnc ISn¨p. " AXv sNesZhkw.... sNeBWp§¡v.. sNes]®p§tf ImWp¼w tXm¶nt¸mIp¶Xm... kmcanÃ..... hm.. Im¸n Xcmw..." s\Ánbn A[nIancp¶ Nμ\w hncÂsIm−v X«n¡fªpsIm−v AhÀ adp]Sn \ÂIn. AhÀ Ft¶ t\m¡n hiyambn H¶p ]p©ncn¨n«v AIt¯íp t]mbn. Fsâ IpSne_p²n ]dªp. GsÁSm. \nsâ Gdv GÁns«m−v, CtX¸nSn¨v tIdntím. C¶p sImtd skmÅmw. H¯msem¶p sXmSptIm XgpIptIm htÃmsams¡ \S¡pw, C¸w ChnsS B `{ZImfnbnÃtÃm. GXmbmepw \o Cu ho«nsemÅ s]®p§tf H¶nt\w hnSm³ `mhanÃ. At¿m, CÃ, A`ncmantb hnt«cv. Rm\m Nμ\¯nsâ IpfnÀ½bn ebn¨ncp¶t¸mÄ hnfn tI«p. " cmPq..." Rm³ HmSn AI¯p sN¶t¸mÄ Im¸nbpw AS ]pgp§nbXpw. Im¸n IpSn¨psIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ AhÀ Fsâ H¸w h¶p \n¶p. At¸mÄ AhcpsS KÔw GtXm tkm¸nsâ KÔ¯ns\m¸w F\níp In«n. " A`nsb´ntb tN¨o...?.." " Ahfp t\ct¯ Fgpt¶sÁ¶m tXm¶tW.. FÃmw H−m¡n sht¨¨m t]mbXv....." Mqw, AXp sicn AhÄ C¶se Dd§n¡mW¯nÃ. Fsâ C¶et¯ {]tbmKw ^en¨pImWpw. CSív AhÀ Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶p \n¶psIm−v Fsâ Xebn \ns¶t´m Xq¯p Ifªp. Hcp {]tXyI hmÂkeyw t]mse. " ]ns¶.... cmPqt\mSv F\níp sImd¨p kwkmcníms\m−mcp¶p..." AhÀ ]dªp. Rm\htc tNmZycq]¯n t\m¡n. " Im¸nIpSnív... F¶n«p ]dbmw...".

AhÀ AIt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ XncnsI Nmbn¸n h¶ncp¶p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÀ h¶p. Ct¸mÄ t\cnbXn\p ]Icw tXmfs¯mcp tXmÀ¯v shdptX C«ncníp¶p. sNdpIcníp t]met¯ apeIÄ »uknt\ s]m«ním³ Xbmdmbn Ft¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡p¶p. F\níXn \n¶pw I®p ]dním³ Ignbp¶nÃ. AXpI− AhÀ tXmÀ¯v Ah c−pw adíms\¶ hymtP\ H¶p hnXnÀ¯nbn«p. ]t£ AsXm¶pw adªnÃ, AsXmc`n\bambncp¶p. AhÀ Itkcbnencp¶p. Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. Rm\pw AhcpsS I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. Hcp sNdp]p©ncn AhnsS hncnbp¶p−v. " Cu NqS¯v CXn\I¯v Ignbp¶ cmPqt\ k½XníWw.... apdo ^ms\m−mbn«v F\nív ]Áp¶nÃ.... " AhÀ tXmÀs¯Sp¯v Igp¯pw apJhpw XpS¨p. " F\nínXv ioeam tN¨o... ^ms\mt− F\nsímd¡w hc¯nÃ... ]ns¶ Ct{Xw henb P\epw, Cu ac§fpw sNSnIfpw HÅXpsIm−v NqSdnbp¶nÃ...." " AXp sicnbm... F¶mepw...." " AÃ.... tN¨nsít´m kwkmcníms\ms−¶p ]dªn«v...?..." " tlm... Ft¶ shbÀs¯mgpIp¶p... hm, \a¡v AI¯ncp¶p ^m\nt«m−p kwkmcnímw....." AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp. Rm\pw Fgpt¶Áp. A`nbpsS apdnbntesíms¶¯n t\m¡nbn«v AhÀ ]dªp. " Cu s]®p§sS apdn... F¸gpw C§s\bm.. HcSp¡pw Nnt«w CÃm¯ ]ntÅcv.... F¶m¸ns¶ \a¡v Fsâ apdoencnímw..." AhÀ A`nbpsS IXIS¨n«v AhcpsS apdnbnteíp Ibdn. At¸mtg Hcp {]tXyI aWw B apdnbnep−v. AhÀ P\ensâ ]mfn XÅn¯pd¶p. " Hcp ]mfn ASb¯nÃ... G«t\mSXp \¶m¡m³ ]dªp aSp¯p... Hcp IÀ«s\m−mcp¶Xv ]dnªpw t]mbn...." AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp ^m\n«p. Cu Imf hmep s]m¡p¶nÃtÃm. FÃmw apJhpc. kpJn¸nípIbmbncnípw. ]t£ F´n\v ? t\m¡mw. Rm³ Itkcbnencp¶p. AhÀ tXmÀ¯p I«nenteín«p. ]ns¶ B Ip¶n³apeIfpw Ipep¡n \S¶psN¶v ap³hit¯ hXn AS¨p XgpXn«p. Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨n«v h¶p I«nen Ccp¶p. " Mm... Imcyw asÁm¶paÃ... BZyt¯ Imcyw Hcp]tZiam... cmPq\p ]nSnípthm¶dnb¯nÃ..." AhÀ kz´w I¿nte hncepIfn t\m¡n F®ns¡m−v XpS§n. " GXmbmepw tN¨n ]dbp¶Xv F\níp ]nSnípw.. F\níp tN¨ntb¯t¶ ]nSn¨ncníbtÃ..." Rms\mcp Xami s]m«n¨p. " Mqw... C¨ntc Ipdp¼p I¿nsems−¶p h¶ A¶pXt¶ F\nídnbmcp¶p.... AXpsIm−tÃ... cmPqs\t¶ Ftft½¶p hnfním³ aSn... CtÃ...?.. ]ns¶ tN¨os¶mÅ hnfnbnte B tX³ F\nípw ]nSnIn«ps¶m−v tIt«m..." " At¿.... tN¨o... AXv... F\ntí... Hcp ...Hcp...." " th− th−... A[nIw sISs¶gb−..... AXp t]mt«.... Mm... cmPq... A½sí§s\m−v... C¸w...?..." " sImgt¸m¶panÃ... C¨nsc henshm−v...." " Mm.. AXm Hcp Imcyw.. Cu {]mb¯n Cu AkptJmw sht¨m−v Ahsf´pam{Xw Iãs¸Sp¶p... Hcp tam\pÅXv C¸w hsÃS¯pw..." Ahscsâ I®pIfn t\m¡n. " \nhr¯nbnÃmªn«tà tN¨o..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F§s\ Ignªhcm R§fXv... KuXaow Rm\pw... AhsS shjaw ImWp¼w hÃt¸msg¦nepw H¶p ImWW¶pw klmbníW¶pw H−v.... ]t£ F\nsíhnsS kabw..." " Mqw... sicnbm...." Rm³ aqfn. " AtXm−v... tam³ At½ FÃm Bgvt¨epw t]mbn¡mWWw... Rm\pw Hc½bmtW... Ietamtf Hcp an\n«p ImWmXncp¶m....F\nsí´p shjahmsWt¶m..." " AXp sicnbm.....F\nípw t]mWs¶m−v.... H¶maXp kabs¡mdhv.. ]TníWw... ]ns¶ Imiv... ]nt¶... ]nt¶...." Rm³ \nÀ¯n. " ]nt¶..." AhÀ BhÀ¯n¨p tNmZn¨p. F¶n«v hnSÀ¶ I®pItfmsS Ft¶ t\m¡n. Rms\m¶p Nncn¨p.

" Hm.. Atà th− ...H¶qÃ..." " l.. ]dtªmt¶... sXmd¶p]d... ]ns¶´m... tIÄ¡s«..." " ]dªm....Ft¶ Cu ho«os¶d¡n hnSptIe¶v tN¨n kXyw sN¿Ww... F¦n ]dbmw..." Rm³ \mWhpw aSnbpw A`n\bn¨p. " CÃ... kXyw..." " BtcmSpw ]dbÃv... h«msW¶pw ]dbÃv....." " CsÃt¶... Ft´m¶m...C{X shjaw ]nSn¨ Imcyw....?.." " AXv... AXv... c−v sZhkw ChnsS \n¶m... tN¨ot\w It−m−ncnímhtÃmt¶mÀ¯n«m...." Rm³ aSn¨p aSn¨p ]dsªm¸n¨p. " l¼S IÅm..." AhÀ hms]mfn¨p. " \obmfp tamiaÃtÃm cmPq... \nt¶ sImtd \mfmbn«p Rm\pw {i²níps¶m−mcp¶p.... \nsâ t\mt«mw... Hfn¨p \n¸pw... Rm³ \nt¶ IpÁw ]db¯nÃ... \nt¶t¸msemcm¼dt¶m\nXp tXm¶nbntÃte AÂ`pXapÅp....." AhÀ Nncn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " tN¨o... H¶pw tXm¶cpXv... tN¨n kXyw sNbvXXpsIm−p am{Xhm...... Rm³ sh«ns¯md¶p ]dªXv...." Rm³ ho−pw \mWw A`n\bn¨p. " AXp kmcanÃ... Rm\mtcmSpw ]db¯nÃ... HÅXp ]dbmtÃm.....F\níp \nt¶bpw Cãm... {]tXyIn¨v Cu {]mhiyw \o h¶Xp samXev... \o H¯ HcmWmbn...." AhÀ Fsâ IbvIfnteípw s\©nteípw t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " Rm³ sN¶ntÃepw A½íp shjtam¶panÃ..." " AXÃ... C§p ht¶.... ]dbs«...." Ahscgpt¶Áv Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨v Ft¶ I«nen Ahtc sXm«p sXm«nÃm F¶ coXnbn Ccp¯n. ]ns¶ Fsâ tXmf¯p Ibvsh¨v Fsâ apJt¯m«p t\m¡n ]dªp. " A§s\ hnNmcníÃv... Ft¶w ImWmw... At½w ImWWw... AXn\p Rms\mcp hgn ]dbmw...." AhÀ Fsâ tXmf¯p ]nSn¨t¸mÄ Fsâ DÅn Hcp an¶Â. H¸w AhcpsS KÔw F¶n Hcp ]pXnb DWÀdzpw krãn¨p. Rm\m Is¿Sp¯v Fsâ aSnbn sh¨p XgpIns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " F´p hgnbm.... tN¨osS I¿nsemÅXv...?.." AhÀ Ft¶mSp hiwXncnªv c−p I¿pw Fsâ XpSIfn sh¨psIm−p ]dªp. " FÃm si\nbmgvt¨w ho«n t]mbn«v... t]mbn«v A¶hnsS At½sS IqsS A¯mgw Ign¨v kt´mjmbn«v AhnsS Hd§n... cmhnet¯ Im¸nIpSow Ignªv C§p t]mcv. A¸w.. i\nbmgv¨ At½sS IqsS... Rmbdmgv¨ ChnsS... Ft¶w t\m¡n... shtÅmsad¡n... A¸w \nsâ ]qXn XocptIte...?." AhÀ hiyambn Nncn¨p. Ct¸mÄ Imf ]qÀ®ambn hmep s]m¡n¡gnªp. Cu i\nbmgv¨ Ft¶ ChnsS \n¶pw amÁn \nÀ¯Ww. Cu Hcp i\nbmgv¨ AhÀ¡v \nÀ®mbIamWv. B§tfsS tIkqcn¡n«m³ A`ncmantb Pmc\p ImgvNshím³ Ft¶ amÁn \nÀ¯pI. At¸mÄ Ft¶ t]Snbp−v. CsXm¶p apXseSp¯mtem. Fsâ DÅnte IpSne_p²n DWÀ¶p tNmZn¨p. At¸mÄ Ima³ ]dªp. ]n¶ÃmsX ! ChcpsS ]qsd´m s\\¡p ssIíptam ? ]ns¶ CXtÃbpÅp Hcp ckw. Ct¸mÄ In«p¶ Ahkcw ]ns¶ hc¯nÃ. Fsâ I®pIfn t\m¡n Aåw Ip\nªncp¶ AhcpsS »ukn\pÅn \n¶pw AhcpsS Icn¡n³apeIfpsS taÂ`mKhpw AXnsâ CSbnte hnShpw Ft¶ t\m¡p¶p. apgph\mbn ]e {]mhiyw I−n«pw Ct¸mÄ AXpc−pw F\níp ]p¯³ Imgv¨IÄ. H¸w AhÀ c−p IbvsIm−pw Fsâ XpSbn sR¡n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. " F¶mepw F\níp aSnbm... Hcp Znhkw tN¨ntb¡mWmsX.... F\ntíXm−p \ãw hcp¶ t]msebm..." Rm³ AhcpsS IbvIÄ Fsâ XpSbn ]nSn¨aÀ¯ns¡m−p ]dªp. AhcpsS DOzmkw Fsâ apJ¯p NqtSån¨t¸mÄ AhcpsS aq¡n³ Xp¼¯qdnb hnbÀ¸p XpÅnIÄ I−t¸mÄ Fsâ Acs¡«n Ne\w. a\Ên {ZpXXmfw. icoc¯n t]SnbptSXmb Hcp hndbÂ. " cmPp... tN¨n ]td¶Xp tI¡v... KuXan.. F\níp th−s¸«hfm... AhsS k¦Sw FtâXpw IqsSbm... AtXm−m...Rm³ cmPqt\mSnt{Xw ]td¶Xv...sImtd \mfmbn«v CXp Xs¶bmcp¶p Fsâ a\ÊnÂ... Fsâ s]m¶ptam\tÃ... At½ k¦Ss¸Sp¯msX... Imsimcp {]iv\aÃ..."

]ncn Bhiy¯n\p apdpInsbs¶\níp tXm¶n Rm³ ]dªp. " tN¨n \nÀ_Ôn¨XpsIm−v .... am{Xw... Rm³ ...thtWÂ.... t]mImw..." Rm³ aSn¨p aSn¨v sIm¨p]ntÅÀ ]dbp¶Xp t]mse ]dªp. s]s«¶v \n\¨ncnbmsX AhÀ Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½. " Dwwww½... F\nídnbmw cmPqs\t¶ CãmsW¶v... Rm³ ]dªXp tI«tÃm....F\níp kt´mjmbn...." " ]s£¦n... F\nío...... si\nbmgvN tXmdpw HmÀ¡ms\s´¦nepw tN¨ow XcWw... Rm\hnSmsW¦nepw Fsâ DucnhnSmcnípw..." " F´m ths−...?..]dtªm..." Dt±iw ^en¨ kt´mj¯n hma\t\mSp alm_en tNmZn¨ t]mse Ahsct¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " F\nív... F\nív.. F\nín¸w..." s]s«¶v Rm³ AhcpsS apJw ]nSn¨v B Np−pIÄ hmbnem¡n Ddp©n¡pSn¨p. BZyw Ahscm¶p sR«nsb¦nepw ]n¶oSv AhÀ Ft¶mSp ]qÀ®ambn klIcn¨p. AhÀ AXp {]Xo£n¨ncp¶ t]msebmbncp¶p AhcpsS {]XnIcWw. AtXmsS R§Ä At\ym\yw sI«n¸nSn¨p. sicnípw Fsâ icocw NqSmbn. H¶pc−p Znhkambn shÅw t]mIm¯ Ip®, Dd¡anf¨p NqSmb icocw. Np−pIÄ hnSmsX Xt¶ Rm\htc InS¡bnteíp XÅn. R§Ä ]pdtIm«p sasà adnªp. InS¶psIm−v an\nt«mfw R§Ä At\ym\yw Np−pIfpw \mhpIfpw hen¨pIpSn¨p. Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. HSphn izmkw ap«nbt¸mÄ AhÀ Np−pIÄ ]n³hen¨p. F¶n«p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. AhcpsS apJw At¸mÄ Fsâ Ibv¯−bnembncp¶p. Ahscsâ I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. Ahcpw CfInb e£Ww. aeÀ¶pInS¶ncp¶ Ahtc sI«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨pamÁnbn«v AhÀ ]dªp. " [rXn ]nSnímsX... tamt\... tN¨n FÃmw H¶p ]dbs«...." " C\nsb\nsím¶pw tIÄ¡−... Rm³ k½Xn¨tÃm...." Rm\hcpsS amdnS¯nteíp apJw Xmgv¯n, AhcpsS apebn »ukv Iq«n H¶p ISn¨p. " Hm... ISnímsX.....Xn¶tW¦n Xcmw.. CXqsS tIÄ¡v... F¶n«p Xnt¶m... " " F¶m thKw ]d..." Rm³ AhcpsS »uknsâ lp¡pIfn sXm«p. " \o Hcp hÃm¯h\m... As¶ms¡ \o shÅw sIm−cp¼w Rm³ t\m¡n \níphmcp¶p. F¦nepw... At¶cw Ft¶w \o hen¨p IpSníphmcps¶¶v Rm³ IcpXoÃ..." " tN¨ntb...I−m... Bcm hen¨p IpSnímt¯...." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " A¸w A`ncmantbm...?..." " tN¨osS hmte sI«m³ sImÅpthm Ahtf...." Rm³ AhcpsS ]p¡nÄIpgnbn hnctemSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. Ahscm¶p ]pfªp. " A¸w s\\¡htf CãtÃ...." AhÀ sNcnªp InS¶ Fsâ ap−n\p apIfn Acs¡«n H¶p XtemSnbn«p ]dªp. Ah³ Fsâ XpSínSbn AaÀ¶ncp¶p hn§pIbmbncp¶p. Fsâ Ip«nIrjvW³ AhcpsS I¿n XSªp. Aht\ XtemSns¡m−mWhÀ tNmZn¨Xv. " Ctãms¡bm... F¶mepw AsXmcp `{ZImfnbm..." Rm³ AhcpsS c−p lp¡p hnSphn¨p. aeÀ¶pInS¶t¸mÄ AhcpsS apeIÄ ]mXn »ukn\p shfnbnembn. " s\\¡p tXm¶p¶Xm.. Ahfp shdpw ]mham cmPp...... " " sNe¸w Bcnípw... R§fp X½n FS]msSm¶pw CÃm¯XpsIm−v F\níp tXm¶p¶Xmcnípw...." " Ahtf s\\¡p sI«n¨p X¶mtem...?..." H¶p ]Xdnsb¦nepw Rm³ ]dªp. " AsXm¶pw \S¡ptIe... Ahs¡t¶ I®n\p I−p IqSm... Ignª Znhtkmw R§sfmS¡n...." Ct¸mÄ AhÀ Ip®bn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯v _m¡n lp¡pIÄ IqSn hnSphn¨p. ]ns¶ ]pdInteíp I¿n«v {_mbpsS lp¡pw hnSphn¨p. Rm³ »ukp c−p hit¯ípw amÁn. ]ns¶ {_m apIfnteíp hen¨p sh¨p. lmhq... Zqtc \n¶p I−Xnepw F{X at\mlcamb amZI¡pS§Ä. Aåw ]c¶v ap´ncnRp«pIfpw ImWn¨v \n¶p Xpfp¼p¶p. Rm³ c−ntâbpw CSbnteíp apJaaÀ¯n. \à NqSpw sNdnb hnbÀ¸nsâ KÔhpw.

Ct¸mÄ B aWw F\nsímcp elcnbmbn amdn. AhcpsS hnbÀ¯ Hcp I£§fn shdptX H¶p aq¡p ap«n¨p t\m¡n. BWnt\ Xcn¸níp¶ GtXm Hcp KÔw. " AsXm¶pw {]iv\aÃ... Ahtf Rm³ s\\¡p sI«n¨p Xcpw... s\\¡htf thtWm...?.. AXp ]d..." B apeIfn IhnÄ ap«n¨pckns¡m−p Rm³ ]dªp. " thWw.. Ahtf sI«nbmte F\n¡o tN¨ntbw In«s¯mÅp..." " `b¦cm.... \o Bfp sImÅmtÃm.. At½w tamtfw Htc kabw...." Ahscsâ Ihnfn \pÅns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " AXn\p A`n tN¨otS tamfÃtÃm..." Rm³ Hcp ape¡®n \m¡psIms−mcp hr¯w hc¨n«v sR«n arZphmbp¶p ISn¨p. " iviv... lm.... F¶mepw Ahsf\níp tamftÃ...." Rm³ atÁ apebn IbvsIm−p \¶msbm¶p sR¡n. " lt¿m.. ]Xps¡ sR¡v... s]m«pw.... A¸w \o k½Xn¨p... AtÃ... C\n \o KuXantb ]dªv k½Xn¸níWw..... C{]mhiyw th−... \nsâ ]co£ Igo¼w aXn......" AhcpsS Xe Xm§nbncp¶ Fsâ Ibv Rm³ hens¨Sp¯p. ]ns¶ AhcpsS amdnteíp apJw sh¨n«v c−pIbvIÄ sIm−pw AhcpsS \ndapeIÄ iànbmbn sR¡n Ii¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " Rm³ ]dªm.. A½ tI¡pw..." " tlm.. F\níp kam[m\mbn... Fsâ A`ntamfp c£s]«p....." AhcpsS apeIÄ ]nSn¨p sR¡nsRcp¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ BtemNn¨p. Pmcsâ D]tbmKw Ignbpt¼mÄ A`n GXp ]cphamIpsa¶dnbnÃ. At¸mÄ B N−n sI«nshíms\mcp¯t\ Ahcv t\ct¯ Xt¶ _p¡p sNbvXp Ignªp. imctZ, \o Xt¶ s]®v. \nt¶ ]®n¸®n¯t¶ sImÃWw. HmÀ¯t¸mÄ Fsâ IbvIÄ¡p _ew IqSn. " F´m sN¿pt¶... ]nSníphmtWm ]ngnbphmtWm....?.." AhcpsS kzc¯ns\mcp amÁw. B kzc¯n kpJ¯nsâ {]kcw. " GXm tN¨n¡nãw....?..." " FÃmw Cãm.... " AhÀ Fsâ Xebn XgpIns¡m−p ]dªp. Rm³ \¶mbn s]cpamdm³ XpS§n. AhÀ Fsâ Ip−nIfn X¸n. " F´m X¸pt¶...?... Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Ahs\t´y...?..." AhcpsS tNmZy¯n hndbÂ. " F´n\m..?.." " H¶p ImWm\m..." Rms\gpt¶Áp ap−p ]dn¨p Ifªp. ]ns¶ AhcpsS s\©n\p apIfn Ih¨p \n¶p. Dcp− ]qf¡ng§pt]mse sh«nbmSp¶ Ip®bnteíp t\m¡n AhÀ AÂ`pXs¸«p. Rm³ AhcpsS amdn Ih¨ncp¶v Aht\ B apeIÄ¡nSbnteíp sh¨p c−p hen¨p. lbv Fs´mcp kpJw Fsâ I¶n{]tbmKw. " Dt±in¨t]meÃtÃm... I¿nencp¸v....Aht\ Ct§m«p Xt¶..." AhÀ Ahsâ Xebn ]nSn¨p Xsâ apJt¯íp hen¨Sp¸n¨p. Rm\ht\ AhcpsS apJt¯íp XÅn¸nSn¨psImSp¯p. AhÀ ]ns¶ Ahsâ Hmd©pXebn D½sh¨p. Ihnfn ap«n¨p XgpIn. Ahsâ XSnbn sam¯w It¿mSn¨p. Ahsâ h®w t\m¡n. "A]mcw" F¶ AÀ°¯n B apJ¯v Hc\ptamZ\`mhw. AhÀ XShnbt¸mÄ Fsâ tNX\bn Hcp hnZypÂ{]hmlw. Ahsâ an\pk¯ebn B HÁ¡®n H¶p \¡n. F¶ns«sâ apJt¯íp t\m¡ns¡m−v Ahsâ hmbn \n¶qdnb tX³ \pWªp. " hmbn shítWm...?... AtXm...?..." AhÀ sasà tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... F\nídnb¯nÃ.... GXm IqSpXep kpJw¶v.... " Rm³ \njvIf¦XtbmsS ]dªp. " AXn¸w Rm³ ImWn¨p Xcmw.... F¶n«p cmPp Xt¶ ]dªm aXn....." AhÀ Ahsâ XSnbn ]nSns¨m¶p hmWaSn¨n«v, Ahsâ sXm¸nbcnIpIfn NpÁpw H¶p \¡n, Xe sasà hmbnem¡n H¶pgnªp. tlm, Fs´mcp kpJw, \nÀhrXn. Rm³ AhcpsS hmbnteív Aht\ XÅns¡mSp¯p. F¶n«v Fsâ apJw `n¯nbn Nmcn sh¨psIm−v kpJn¨p. ]ns¶ AhÀ Hcp {]tbmKambncp¶p. F´mWhÀ sN¿p¶sX¶p F\níp ImWm³ ]ÁnbnÃ, a\ÊnembnÃ. H¶dnbmw Fsâ Ip®bn¡qSn Rm³ kzÀ¤w

ImWpIbmbncp¶p. AhcpsS hmbn \n¶pw Ip®sbSp¡m³ F\níp a\Êp h¶nÃ. \m¡pIÄ sIm−v Fs´ms¡tbm the¯c§Ä ImWn¨v AhÀ Fsâ a·Y¡p«t\ hoÀ¸pap«n¨p. Fsâ D−IÄ AhÀ c−pIbvIÄ sIm−pw A½m\amSn. Ahbn XgpIn. Ip®¯−p apgph\pw AhÀ hmípÅnem¡n. Ahsâ Bdn©p \ofw hmípÅn AhschnsSsbmXp¡p¶p F¶p Nn´níp¶Xn\nSív Fsâ Acs¡«n Aan«pIÄ s]m«m³ XpS§n. Rm\dnbmsXs¶ Rm³ Acs¡«åw sh«n¨v AhcpsS hmbn sasà ]®m³ XpS§n. B NqSphmbn Fsâ Rc¼pIfn kpJw hnXdns¡m−p Ah³ Ibdnbnd§n. At¸mÄ Rm³ asÁm¶pw BtemNn¨nÃ. Fsâ kpJw. Ahkm\w Hs¶\níp ]nSn¡n«n. F\níp shÅw hcp¶p. F\níht\ FSp¡m\pw a\Êp h¶nÃ. AXp am{Xw. " tN¨o F\níp hcp¶q..." Rm³ iÐsamXp¡n¸nSn¨v Aadn. " Mqw... " Ahscm¶p aqfn. ]t£ {]hÀ¯\¯n Hcp hyXymkhpw A\p`hs¸«nÃ. Rm\dnbmsX Fsâ Acs¡«p hn§n. ]ns¶ H¶dnbmw, F\níp kvJen¨p, ip¢w sXdníp¶p−v. At¸msgms¡ Rm³ sR«p¶p−v. Rm³ kpJ¯nsâ Hmf§fn BdmSp¶p. CSív AhcpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw Ft´m Hcp iÐw tI«Xmbn HmÀ½bp−v. Ip® AhcpsS hmbnÂXt¶ AaÀ¯nsh¨v `n¯nbn apJwNmcn Rm\ncp¶p hnd¨p. \nanj§Ä amdn. F\níp t_m[w h¶t¸mÄ Rm³ A£cmÀ°¯n AhcpsS apJ¯v CcnípIbmbncp¶p. Fsâ Ip® IShtc AhcpsS hmbnembncp¶p. Rm³ s]s«¶v Fsâ N´n s]m¡n. Ip® sasà hens¨Sp¯t¸mÄ AhÀ Np−p IqÀ¸n¨v Aht\ Du¼n AIt¯íp hen¨p. AXpsamcp ISÈnkpJw. B kpJ¯n At¸mÄ h¶ Ahkm\¯pÅn Rm³ IbvsIms−m¶p ]ngnªp. AXhcpsS Ihnfn hoWp. At¸mÄ am{XamWv AhÀ¡p ]ÃpIÄ Ds−¶v F\níp tXm¶nbXv. Ip®Du¼en AhÀ¡v HmkvImÀ AhmÀUp sImSp¡Ww Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. AhcpsS IShmbn \n¶pw Aåw ip¢w hit¯símgpIn hoWp. tXmÀs¯Sp¯v AXhÀ XpS¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ t\m¡n Nncn¨p. " tN¨o... h¶pt]mbn....A{Xíp ckmcp¶p... Ducm³ ]ÁnbnÃ..." F\níp N½Â. " Mqlpw... F\nínãmbn... A`níp ap¼p Xt¶ Rm³ Cu ]mep IpSn¨tÃm..." " tM.. AXp IpSnt¨m...?.." " Mqw... \à cpNnsbm−v...... cmPqsâ ]men\v... \à sImgp¸pw...." " tZ ....Ihntf hoWp..." " Mqw......" AhÀ AXp hnc sIm−p tXm−n \m¡n sh¨p. F¶ns«mcp ]p©ncntbmsS AXp \pWªp. Acab¡¯n sasà BSns¡m−ncp¶ Ip® AhÀ ho−pw I¿n ]nSns¨Sp¯p. ]ns¶ tXmÀ¯psIm−v AhÀ Aht\ \¶mbn XpS¨p. i{Xphmbncp¶n«p IqSn F\níhtcmsSmcp kvt\lhpw _lpam\hpw tXm¶nt¸mbn. Cu Hcp Du¼ensâ kpJw \qdp {]mhiyw hmWaSn¨mepw In«pIbnÃ. Ct¸mÄ, Cu \nanjw AhtcmSv F\nsímcp IS¸mSp t]mse. " aXntbm... C¸w kam[m\mtbm..." Hcp sNdpNncntbmsS AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " CÃ..." Rm³ ]dªp. " tM.... C\nsb´m tht−...?.." " F\nív tN¨osS Ipdp¼mSp Xn¶Ww... F¦nte ISw hoSs¯mÅp. ..." " A{X \nÀ_ÔmtW Xnt¶m..." AhÀ Fgpt¶Â¡m³ XpS§n. " th−... tN¨n AhnsS InS¶m aXn...." Rm³ I«nensâ Xmsgbnd§n. ]ns¶ AhcpsS ap¼n ap«p aS¡nbncp¶p. AhcpsS ap−p Rm³ ]dn¨p amÁn. At¸mÄ Xhn«p \nd¯n HcSn¸mhmS. Rm\Xnsâ sI«gn¨p. AO³ tN¨nbpsS ASn¸mhmSbgnípIbmtWm F¦n Rm\pd§p¶nà F¶p ]dªpsIm−v ab§m³ XpS§nb Ip®tam³ DWcm³ XpS§n. Rm³ ]mhmS Xmtgíp hen¨t¸mÄ AhÀ Ip−n s]m´n¨v AXp Xmtgínd¡n¯¶p. Rm\Xp Imen IqSn Ducn I«nenteín«p.

Blm, Rm³ Zqsc \n¶p I− B aZ\mcmaw Zm, ChnsS Fsâ ap¼nÂ. AXnsâ apIfn ImWmhp¶ sNdnb Iod XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp t]mIp¶p. Rm\nSíncp¶n«pw tNÀ¶ncníp¶ XSn¨ XpSIÄ. sasà B AIwXpSIfn Rm³ It¿mSn¨v AXnsâ an\pkw Adnªp. F¬\ ]pc«msX Xt¶ h−nsI«m³ ]Ánb XpSIÄ. B amÀ_nÄ XpSIfptSbpw Dan¡cn¸qdntâbpw B kwKakvYm\ant¸mÄ Ccp−ncníp¶p. Rm\m ap¡nteíp aqs¡m¶p ap«n¨p. elcn ]nSn¸níp¶ aWw. CXmtWm s]®nsâ IhínSbpsS kpKÔw. IebptSbpw kmhn{XnbptSbpw _menI¸qdpIfpsS aq{Xw IeÀ¶ aWaà CXv. asÁt´m, Xet¨mdnt\ NqSp ]nSn¸níp¶ elcnbpÅ KÔw. AhÀ A¼e¯n t]mbn h¶n«v apÅn¡mW¯nÃ. F\níXp hfsc lrZyambn tXm¶n. B BkzmZyXbn hndp§en¨t]mse Rm³ AhcpsS ]qÀ¯S¯nte sIm¨phcbpsS XpS¡¯n \m¡nd¡n H¶p \¡n. AhnsS Iq«wIqSn AaÀ¶pInS¶ apdntcma§Ä Fsâ \m¡nepS¡n. ]¨am§bn ISníp¶Xpt]mse Rm\m ]qdnsâ apIfn H¶p ISn¨p. " At¿m... ]Ãp sImÅp¶p... A§s\ ISnímsX... Xn¶sW¦n tZ ..sXmd¶p Xcmw..." Dan¡cn hnXdnbt]mse apdntcma§tfs¡m−p \ndª B {XntImWapÁw AhcpsS Acs¡«p \ndªp InS¶p. h®¯pSIÄ Aåw AI¯nbt¸mÄ A{Xbpw `mKt¯ Ioden \n¶pw Ft´m H¶p, I´mbncnípw Xe \o«n. Rm³ AhcpsS XpSIfI¯n ImepIfpsS CSbnteíp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. XpSIfI¶t¸mÄ thsdmcp KÔw. kmhn{Xntb sNbvXXpt]mse Rm³ AhcpsS XSn¨ XpSIÄ s]m¡nsbSp¯v AIwXpSIfn H¶p Npw_n¨p. At¸mÄ Ahscm¶\§n. ]ns¶ B XpSIÄ Fsâ tXmf¯p tIÁnsh¨p. \à `mcw tXm¶nsb¦nepw B H«n¸nSn¨ Xhn«p]qÁnteíp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ AXp ad¶pt]mbn. Rm³ B Ih¡q«nteíp apJw Xmgv¯n H¶p aW¯n«v ]dªp. " tN¨osS ImensâtSsemÅsXmcp \n[n Xt¶...." " FÃm s]®ntâw ImensâtS \n[nsbm−v tamt\... \o A`osS AhtSw t\m¡ntím... CXnt\¡mÄ shey \n[nbmcnípw..." AsX\nídnbmw F¶p a\Ên ]dsª¦nepw, shfnbn h¶Xp thtd hm¡pIfmbncp¶p. " sl{Xbmbmepw....CXns\m¸w thsdm¶p ImW¯nsÃsâ tN¨o...Rm\o lephmsbm¶p Xnt¶ms«...?..." " shbÀs¸m−mIpw tIt«m... A¼e¯o¶p \S¶p h¶Xm... ]ns¶ IgpIo«nÃ..." " AXp \¶mbn... Cu aWw tI«ns«sâ A−n s]cp¡pIm..." " Mqw.. . `b¦c\mtW... \obv..... " " Mqw..." Rm³ AXp Xpd¡msX AXnsâ Xmsg H¶p \¡n. D¸pckw. H¸w aWhpw. AhÀ Acs¡s«m¶\¡n. C¡nfnbmbncnípw, AtXm kpJtam. At¸mgmWp I−Xv sasà hoÀ¯p hcp¶ B ]qdnsâ CXfpIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw Fs´ms¡tbm \nhÀ¶p hcp¶p. Rm³ A¶p Hfn¨p\n¶p I−X Nq«pIÁt]mse. Rm³ sasà ]qdåw ]nfÀ¯n. Hcp sNdnb \\hXn \n¶pw Heníp¶p. Rm\m \\hn \m¡pap«n¨p cpNn¨p. t\cnb NqSpÅ sImgp¯ D¸ptX³. AsXsâ \m¡n \n¶pw \qept]mse henªp \n¶p. Rm\m ]qdnXfpIÄ \pÅnsbSp¯v c−p hit¯ípw hen¨p \o«n¸nSn¨p. IShmhensâ NndIpIÄ t]mse AXp aq¶ment©mfw \o−p. DÅn tNmc sXms«Sp¡mhp¶ Nph¸p \ndw. \Sps¡mcp Ccp«p Kpl. AXn\p apIfn AhcpsS Ipªp aq{X¯pf. hen¨t¸mÄ AXp Gt¦mWn¨p InS¶p. apIfn I´nsâ tKm]pcw, C©p IW¡n\p \o−p InS¡p¶p. Fs´mcp ]qdmWnXv. Hcp {]tZiw apgph\pw hym]n¨p InS¡p¶p. CsX§s\ Cu IhínSbn HXp§n¡qSnbncníp¶p F¶p Rm\Â`pXs¸«p t]mbn. Rm\m NndIpIÄ I¿n \n¶pw hn«t¸mÄ AXp ]gb]Sn Npcp−p. AXnsâ CXfpIfpsS CSbn \n¶pw sImgp¸p ]\¨p hcm³ XpS§n. Hm, apSnª ]qdp Npc¯m³ XpS§p¶p. " slsâ tN¨o... tN¨otS ]qdp tZ sNmc¯p¶p...." " AXhÄsS coXnbm tamt\... CãsamtÅmcv sXmSp¼w ... Mqw.....thKw Ft´epw sN¿v..." AhÀ ImepIÄ sIm−v Fsâ Igps¯m¶p Cdp¡n. F\níp a\Ênembn AhcpsS Acs¡«nte ]ncnapdp¡w XpS§n¡gnªp F¶v. AhcpsS XSn¨ Ip−nIÄ Rm³ IbvIÄsIms−m¶I¯n t\m¡n. Npcp§nb Idp¯ IqXn. AhnsS Rms\m¶p sXm«p hnc sIms−m¶p Ip¯n t\m¡n. " C¸w AhsS sXmS−... ]ns¶bms«... "

AhÀ H¶p Npcp§ns¡m−v ]dªp. At¸mÄ XpSIÄ Fsâ Igp¯n Aåw IqSn apdpIn. " F¦n...Rm³ sXmS§ntíms«...?.." " sXmS§v...thKw... CtàRm\n¸w sRcn¨p sImÃpw \nt¶..." AhÀ ]ndp]ndp¯p. Rm³ Igp¯nendpInb XpSIÄ ]nSn¨b¨p. ]ns¶ B ]qÁnteíp apJw Ip¯n. In«mhp¶nSt¯mfw hmbnem¡n H¶p ISn¨p. " tÈm.. ]nt¶w ISníphmtWm..." " F\nínXp ISn¨p Xn¶Ww..." " ]Ãp sImÅnímsX Xns¶Sm Ip«m...." AhÀ IpdpIn¸dªp. IhnfpIfn ]nSn¨v AhÀ Fsâ apJw B NqSpIh¡nSbn AaÀ¯n sh¨p. AXnsâ KÔw aq¡neSnípt´mdpw Fsâ Acs¡«nte Rc¼pIÄ henªp apdpIp¶p. Fsâ tXmf¯ncp¶ AhcpsS XSn¨ XpSIÄ Rm³ sasà XmtgsíSp¯v \¶mbn Ih¨p sh¨p. Ct¸mÄ F\níhnsS apJw shím³ \à kuIcyw. Rm\m Xqh¸qsdm¶p Xpd¶p. Nph¶p XpSp¯ AXnsâ DÅnsem¶p \¡n. At¸mÄ AdnbmsX AsXm¶p henªp. B ]qdp \ndªpInS¶ AI¨p−pIÄ Rm³ arZphmbn ISns¨Sp¯v hmbnem¡n hením³ XpS§n. I®pIfpbÀ¯n t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhcpsS IbvIÄ kz´w apeIfn XShp¶p. CfIn, AhÀ CfIn¡gnªp. B CfwNqSp]qÁn Np−aÀ¯pt¼mÄ AhcpsS Fgpt¶Áp h¶ Is´sâ aq¡n ap«n. Rm\m I´nsâ `mK¯v ]qdp hncn¨p]nSn¨p. ]ns¶ AXn Xmsg \n¶pw apIfnteíp AaÀ¯n \¡m³ XpS§n. kmam\yw apgp¯ I´v. Xe sNcn¨v AXp Rm³ Np−pIÄ¡nSbnen«p ISn¨p hen¨o¼n. \nanj¯n\Iw AhcpsS ]qsdmcp Ipgª Ipfambn. B XSn¨ Acs¡«p s]m§m\pw Xmgm\pw XpS§n. " Blv...Blv... Blv... sImÅmSm.. cmPq..... s\\¡v Xn¶m\dnbmw... aq©v... I´p aq©v... " " Mqw...Mqw..." aqfns¡m−v Rm\m hoÀ¯ I´p aq©ns¡mSp¯p. AhcpsS ]cm{Iaw I−t¸mÄ ho−pw ho−pw aq©m\pw \¡m\pw F\níp \à DÂkmlw, \¡pt´mdpw ckhpw kpJhpw IqSn¡qSn hcp¶p.. CXm, Rm\nt¸mÄ {]mb]qÀ¯nbmb Hcp kv{Xotb AhcpsS Ih¡nSbnepÅ kzÀ¤w ImWníp¶p. i{Xphmbmepw an{Xambmepw ]qdp ]qdp Xt¶. AXpw Cu Ftf½bpsS ]qdp ]e {]mhiyw I−p tamln¨Xpw. Fsâ Ip® ho−pw \à ]qf¡ng§p ]cphambn¡gnªp. iÐapJcnXamb I´paq©Â H¶pc−p an\n«p XpSÀ¨bmbn \S¯n¡gnªt¸mÄ AhcpsS ]qÀ¨men Hcp sh«epw sR«epw XpS§n. Acs¡«v A\nb{´nXambn sh«m³ XpS§n. apeIfnte AhcpsS XSh ]ngnbepIfmbn amdn. Rm³ AhcpsS tbm\oZzmc¯nteív Hcp hncen«p. NqSps\¿n hncen« t]mse A\mbmkw AXhcpsS ]qÁnteíp Ibdnt¸mbn. Fât½, CXv Xpftbm Xpc¦tam, Rm\Xn B hncsem¶p NpÁn¨p. H¶padnbp¶nÃ, F§pw Ipg¼p am{Xw. CXn Hcp Ibv tIdnt¸mIpatÃm. Ipg¡nWdpt]mse Bghpw. At¸mÄ CsX´p am{Xw HmSnbXmbncnípw. AÃ, cmcn¨sâ IStImep tIdnbm GXp Ipªn¸qdpw Xpc¦ambXp Xs¶. Nn´n¨psIm−v aq©epw hnc {]tbmKhpw XpScpt¼mÄ AhcpsS Rc¡w. " thtW AI¯p sht¨m... F\níp hcmt¼mIphm... Mqw.. Blv...Blv... AsÃ....¦n.... shcen......«SnsbSm..... " AhÀ I®S¨psIm−v ap{Ibn«p. Rm³ DSt\ XoÁbpw hncenSoepw \nÀ¯n. ap«n \n¶p. shÅsamen¸n¨p hmbpw Xpd¶ncp¶ ]qÁnteív Fsâ I¼n¡p®sbSp¯v XÅns¡mSp¯p. ]g¯n I¯nbnd§p¶Xp t]mse AXm NqSp]qdnsâ DÅdbnteínd§n. Ah³ Ibdp¶Xn\nSív AhÀ FhnsStbm H¶ndp¡n At¸mgmWm ]qdn\pÅn FhnsStbm AXncps−¶p tXm¶nbXv. " tlm... s\dªp... ASnív... XÅnbSn...thKw... " AhÀ hn½nãt¯msS ]dªp. ap«n \n¶p Rm³ ]®n¯pS§n Hcp sNdnb IgIg iÐt¯msS Fsâ Ip® B sagp¡p]qÁn Ibdnbnd§n. \à Abhp tXm¶n At¸mÄ. ]gb ]qdmbXpsIm−mIpw F¶p Rm³ kam[m\n¨p. Rm³ I´n Xncp½m³ XpS§n. " th−... AtX¶v hnt«¨v \obn§p hm...tatem«p sIS¡v.. F¶n«v sI«n¸nSn¨Snív...."

AhÀ ]dªp X¶p. Rm³ AhcpsS apIfnteíp InS¶p. At¸mÄ Fsâ Ip® IShtc AhcpsS ]qdn\I¯p tIdn. D−IÄ AhcpsS IhbnSp¡nt\mSp ]Án¸nSn¨p sRcp§n. InS¶ DSt\ AhÀ ]dªp. " C\n sXcpsXscbSnt¨m... thKw...Mqw...ASn..." " Mqw..." Rm³ aqfnbn«v ]®p XpS§n. AhÀ Fsâ Np−pIÄ AhcpsS hmbnem¡n iànbmbn Ddp©m³ XpS§n. tM, AhcpsS NqSpamf¯n s]s«s¶mcp amÁw AhcpsS tbm\n¡pgensâ `n¯nIÄ hgntXSn tIdnbnd§p¶ Ip®tb s]s«¶p hcnªp apdp¡n. ImepIÄ Fsâ Ip−nIfn tIÁnbndp¡n sh¨p. Ft¶s¡m−nt¸mÄ ]Áp¶Xv hfsc sNdnb ASnIÄ am{Xw. " Imebív... CtàASním³ ]ÁptIe...." AhÀ hen¨pIpSn¨psIm−ncp¶ Fsâ Np−pIÄ amÁn Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw... " AhÀ aqfn ImepIÄ A´co£¯n s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶ Rm³ ]d¶Sn¨p. AhcpsS ]qsdsâ Ip®tb dºdn«p hcnªXpt]mse hcnªp apdp¡n. " Kv..Kv..Kv....Blv...Blv..Mv... Kv..Kv... " apcftemsS AhÀ Acs¡«p tatem«\¡n. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p AhÀ¡p hcm³ t]mIpIbmsW¶v. AÃ, AsXmcp c−mw L«ambncp¶p. apdp¡nbndp¡nb ]qÁn IÃn\nSbnse¶ t]mse Fsâ Ip® tIdnbnd§n. " slsâ tN¨o... Fs´mcp ckw.. A§s\ Cdp¡n¸nSn.ív..tlm... " Rm³ hnfn¨p]dªp. " Mm..Mm... ASo.. ASo.. At§m«p Iods«...." AhÀ \mhp ]pd¯n«v Np−pIÄ \\¨p. I®pIfS¨p. ]dªXpsIm−mbncnípw ]qdnsâ ]nSp¯w Hcp sk¡âp t\ct¯íbªp. B X¡¯n\p Rm³ ]®n¡kdn. AtXmtS AXnsâ DÅp ho−pw apdpIn. Fsâ ASní\pkcn¨v AhcpsS Acs¡«v A\nb{´nXambn apt¶m«p XÅns¡m−ncp¶p. ]ns¶ Hcp hÃm¯ coXnbn AhcpsS Acs¡«p Nením³ XpS§n. Fs´mcp kpJw Cu ]qdn\nt{Xw apdp¡hpw H¸w sX¶epw F§s\ In«n. Cu temIw ad¶p Rm³ BªSn¨p. Hcp sNdnb iÐt¯msS Ip® IShtc tIdnbnd§ns¡m−ncp¶p. " Fs´mcp ]qdm CXv tN¨o... tlm.. " I®S¨p Rm³ AdnbmsX ]dªp t]mbn. " apSnª IfnbmSm \nsâ.... hcps¶Sm...tamt\... Blv..Blv...Blv...Mm.Mm... sl\níp h¶qqqq.... hqqqq......" AhÀ ImepIÄ sIm−v Ft¶ Cdp¡n. XÅn¯Ån Rms\mcp hn[¯n ASn ]qÀ¯nbm¡n. sR«nsR«n Rm³ ASn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Acan\ns«¦nepw AhÀ B \n¸p \n¶p ImWpw. ]ns¶¸ns¶ ap\nkn¸Â sskdsâ iÐw AS§p¶Xpt]mse R§fpsS cXnaqÀO hfsc ]Xps¡ kabsaSp¯v sI«S§n. F¶n«pw Rm³ CSínSív Acs¡«\¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. AhcpsS ImepIÄ Xmsgbns«¦nepw B ]qdnsâ DÄhiw apdpIn¯t¶ Ccp¶p. CSív AIt¯mtcm sR«epw Hcndp¡epw At¸mÄ Aåw Abbpw. A§s\ BhÀ¯n¨mhÀ¯n¨pÅ sR«eneqsS AhcpsS tXmhmf¸qdv Abªv ]gb ]Snbnembn. Hcp hit¯íp Xe sNcn¨vInS¶v AhÀ InX¨p. \o− izmksaSp¯p. AåwIgnªv AhcpsS apeIÄ¡nSbn Hfn¸n¨p InS¶ Fsâ apJw AhÀ IbvIfnseSp¯p. F¶ns«mcp½ X¶p. " cmPp Bsfmcp.....anSp¡³ Xt¶...." " \à ckmcps¶sâ tN¨o... tN¨ntím... ?...." " \o cmPmaWn Xt¶.... F¶mepw A`ncmanínXp sImd¨p ISp¸mcnípw... kq£níWw tIt«m... sIm¨ps]®m... sXmd¡m¯ hmXnepw......" " AsXms¡ Rm³ t\m¡ow I−pw sNbvtXmfmw.... tN¨osS ]qdnsâ apdp¡w I−m CXpw sXmd¡msX AS¨p koep sh¨Xmt¶ tXm¶q... Fs´mcp apdp¡w....." Rm³ Ahtc s]m¡n. AhcpsS Np−pIfn Hcp Npw_\w sImSp¡pt¼mÄ Fsâ a\Ên tXm¶n. Chcnt¸mgpw Ft¶ {]tem`n¸níp¶p. GXmbmepw i{Xphnt\ Ipimembn«p Xt¶ ]®n. C\nsb´mtemNním³. Rm³ B apeIfn apJw sh¨p InS¶n«v Ip®bn«v ]Xps¡ A\¡n. " C§s\ AI¯psht¨m−p sIS¡m³ t]mIphmtWm...?.. C¶p apgph\pw...." Fsâ apSnbn XgpIns¡m−hÀ tNmZn¨p.

" F´m sIS¶mev...?.. AXo¶v...FSp¡m³ tXm¶pt¶bnÃ... \à kpJw Ah³ AXn\I¯ncníp¼w... H¶p sRcp¡ntí..." AXp tI« AhÀ ]qdnsâ AIw H¶p sR¡n. \qen«p hcnbp¶Xp t]mse. Fs´mcp apdp¡w. " F§t\−v..?.. sImÅmtam..." AhÀ Np−p ISn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " k½Xn¨ncníp¶p.... Fs´Ãmw the¯c§fm.... FhnS¶m CsXms¡ tN¨n ]Tnt¨..." Rm³ B apesR«n H¶p Xncp½ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. Ahscsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁns¡m−p ]dªp. " Rmt\ ...IeymtWmw Ignªv H¶p s]ÁXm... sI«ntbmtâ IqsS F{X sImÃmbn... \nXys¯mgnetÃ...." " \nXys¯mgntem...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÀ BZyw H¶¼c¶p. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " F¶p ]dªm... sI«ntbmsâ IqtS¶m ]dªXv... Bt«... cmPq\p \à ]cnNbmWtÃm... AsXhnS¶m... ImipsImSp¯v... hsÃS¯pw t]mbns«mt−m..?.." " At¿... Ctèo... høgpw Iq«pImcp IqSn hà \oe¸tSmw In«nbm ImWpw... At{XsbmÅp...." " Mqw.. AXm F\níp tXm¶n... B I´p XoÁ I−¸w \à ]cnNbsam−tÃm¶v..... Ių... kpJn¸ns¨t¶ hmWt¯ tIÁn¡fªp....." " A¸w... tN¨osS Cdpt¡m ? AsXmcp Iebm... kXyw ]dªm Rm\mZyw hnNmcn¨Xv... Cu ImensâtStesXmcp sImfam¶m... sImtd¡gnª¸gtÃ... Fs´mcp ]nSp¯mcp¶p..." " s]Á ]qdtÃ... AXv Ifníp¼w BZyw sImfamcnípw... AXp sImgem¡p¶Xp s]®p§sS anSp¡m...." " CXp sImgepaÃmcpt¶... kqNns¡mgbmcp¶p..." R\hcpsS aZ\s¨¸nt\ BImit¯mfw s]m¡n. " apSnª Ių... B.. F\nsímcp \oe¸Sw ImWtWms¶m−v... AsX§s\bncníq¶dnbm\m..." AhÀ Fsâ Ihnfn InÅns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. Rms\m¶mtemNn¨p. " AXns\´m.... ImWnímtÃm... XmaknbmsX...ImWnímw...." Rm³ Ip®sbm¶\¡n. Ah³ ab§m³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. " C§s\ sIS¶mte.... A`ntamfn¸w Cs§¯pw... C¶hfp t\ct¯ t]mbXm...." AhÀ ap¶dnbn¸p \ÂIn. " At¿m sicnbm... " Rm³ s]s«s¶gpt¶Áp. Ip® ¹ps¡¶ iÐt¯mSp IqSn Ducn t]m¶p. " At¿m.... A§s\´n\m Ducntb... Hcp XpWn ASoep shíWmcp¶p... tZ... sISt¡seÃmw hogpw.... " AhÀ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. I«ss¯cp t]msebpÅ R§fpsS Iemi¡q«v AhcpsS XpSIfn IqSn HgpInbnd§n. AhÀ ]mhmSsbSp¯v XpSIÄ Ih¨p\n¶v XpS¨p. XpSípt¼mÄ B XSn¨ kmam\¯nsâ AIhpw \o− CeIfpw hoÀ¯ I´pw Hs¡ tatem«pw Iotgm«pw henbp¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckambncp¶p. Ip«nIÄ hmbn I¿n«v Np−pIÄ tIm«n hen¨p Ifníp¶Xp t]mse. AXp ImWm³ Rm³ AhcpsS ap¼n Ip\nªp \n¶p. " F´m C\ow XebnStWm... Ct{Xw Xn¶n«pw hbdp s\dªntÃ....?..." " AXÃ... CtXtem«p t\m¡pt´mdpw ]nt¶w..." Rm\hcpsS Ibv amÁn kmam\w s]mfns¨m¶p aW¯p. AhÀ Ip\nªv Ih¨p \n¶p X¶p. Rm³ B I´n aq¡ns«m¶pc¨p. " {`m´³..." AhÀ ]pdtIms«m¶p henªp. ]ns¶ IhínSbn ]mhmS XncpIn sh¨p. Rm³ AXnsâ HcÁw hen¨v Fsâ Ip® XpS¨p. hr¯nbm¡n. aps−Sp¯pSp¯p. C«ncp¶ _\nb³ hnbÀ¯p \\ªncp¶p. " tÈm.... C\n... CXe¡Ww.. ]ntÅsc§m\pw I−m... CsX¶m cmPq... shÅwsImSw Iagv¯p¶ t]mse AXn\It¯m«v Iagv¯pImcpt¶m... " AhcpsS irwKmctNmZyw. tIÄ¡pt¼mÄ Ipfncp tImcp¶p. " ]nt¶... tN¨ow H«pw tamiÃ....ss]¸p sXmd¶ t]mse sNmc¯pImcp¶p..." " t^mS..." AhcpsS apJ¯p \thmVbpsS \mWw. Fs´mc`n\bw.

AhÀ ]mhmS A§s\ Xs¶ IhínSbn sh¨psIm−v Aeamc Xpd¶v thsdmcp ]mhmSsbSp¯pSp¯p. ]ns¶ »ukqcn¡fªp. {_m apeIÄ¡ptate hen¨psh¨v lp¡nSms\mcp§n. " H¶p \nt¶..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw... Ft´...?..." Rm\Sp¯p sN¶p. {_m s]m¡nbn«v B c−p h³apeIfpw Hmtcm I¿nseSp¯v AXnsâ sR«pIfn Hmtcm D½ sImSp¯p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " A`ncmanínXnsâ ]¯nsem¶nÃ..." " AXp hepXm¡p¶Xp \nsâ anSp¡p t]mencnípw..." Rm\htc sI«n¸nSn¨pt]mbn. Ahcpw Ft¶ Xncn¨psI«n¸nSn¨v Fsâ Np−nepw Ihnfnepw D½IÄ X¶p. ]ns¶ hn«p amdnbn«p ]dªp. " aXn...C\n ASp¯mgv¨... CXp t]mse Xt¶....At¶ct¯íp \à shi¸p tIdpw...." AhÀ {_mbpsS lp¡pIfn«t¸mÄ apeIfpsS Xmgv`mKw shfnbn XÅnbXp Rm³ IbvIÄ sIm−v AIt¯íp XÅnsh¨psImSp¯p. kXyw ]dªm shÅw t]mbn«pw B apeIfn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¡m³ tXm¶p¶nÃmbncp¶p. " hnSm³ tXm¶p¶nà AtÃ... sImXnb³... IeymWw H¶p Igntªms«... ]ns¶ \o Cu ho«netà kvYncw....." " Mqw... Ft¶ Iůcw ]Tn¸nípIm AtÃ..." " C¸w ]Tn¨ntÃ... F\nín¸w c−mbn `À¯m¡½mcv..." \mtem AXn IqSpXtem F¶p tNmZníWsa¶p−mbncp¶p a\ÊnÂ. th−m¶p sh¨p. AhÀ Hcp \bnÁn FSp¯Wnªp. apSn sI«n sh¨p. I®mSnbnsem¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ R§fpsS shÅw hoW hncns¸Sp¯v B hiw adphi¯m¡n hncn¨p. hncns¸Sp¯t¸mÄ apjnª InS¡ I−p. F{X A\y·mcpsS hnbÀ¸pt−m AXnÂ. ]ns¶ Ft¶bpw Iq«n ho−pw I«nen sI«n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ I−m R§Ä `mcym`À¯m¡·mÀ Xt¶. " ]nt¶.... cmPp t]mIp¼w... Rm³ sImd¨p Imip X¶p hnSt«..." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " th− tN¨o... A½íXnãs¸S¯nÃ..." A¸w.. si\nbmgvN F¸gm t]mIp¶Xv... ?..." AhÀ¡v AXdnbmªn«p ]cthiw t]mse. " D¨Ignªp t]mImw... kÔyIgo¼w ho«nse¯pw...." " Mm..AXp aXn... sNÃp¼w Fsâ At\zjW§Ä {]tXyIw ]dbWw.... thW¦n Ahfpw IqsS ChnsS h¶p Xmakn¨mtem¶p htc Rmt\mÀ¡pImcp¶p..." slât½m, Fs´mcp tkm¸v. IpdªXv DÀhin AhmÀsU¦nepw sImSp¡Ww. s]s«¶p ASp¡fbpsS IXIp Xpd¡p¶ iÐw. " A`nbmcnípw... cmPp B Itktctem«ncpt¶m..." " F´n\v...? Ahfp I−mse¶m... Ahfp hcs«..." AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp ]pd¯nd§n. Rm³ P\en IqSn amhnteíp t\m¡ns¡m−v InS¡bn Xt¶ Ccp¶p. ]pd¯v AhcpsS hÀ¯am\w. A`n h¶v apdnbnteíp Hs¶¯n t\m¡n. Ft¶ AhnsS¡−t¸mÄ BZyw AÂ`pXw. ]ns¶ AXp tZjyambn amdn. I®n IqSn Xos¸mcn ]d¡p¶Xp t]mse. AhÄ \S¶p, ]pdtI Ftf½bpw. A`n tNmZníp¶Xp tI«p. " AbmÄs¡´m Ftf½bpsS apdo Imcyw..?.." " BÀ¡v...?..." " B cmPmaWnív... thsd apdn sImSp¯n«ntÃ...?..." " R§fp \nsâ Imcyam ]dtªm−ncpt¶... \nsâ ]Tn¯¡mtcymw... IeymW¡mtcymw..." " Fsâ IeymW¡mtcym...?.. AXns\´n\m AOsâ apdot¡ÁnbXv...?.." " Ahsâ apdo ^m\nÃtÃm... \à NqStÃ.... AtXm−v ^m\pan«v... R§fp kwkmcnípImcp¶p...." " cmPmaWnsb´m C¶p tImtfPn t]mImtª¶p ]dtªm...?..." " Mm.. Hd§nt¸msb¶p ]dªp..... HSt\ t]mIphm¶v...." Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ, Fsâ ap¶n IqSn IS¶p t]mIpt¼mÄ AhÄ Dds¡ ]dbp¶p. " NqSp IqSn¡qSn FÃmw IqsS Hcp Znhkw Cu hoSp apgph\pw IqSn I¯pw.... AXn\p ap¼§p N¯m aXnbmcp¶p...."

Rm³ sasà ASp¡f hmXn¡ sN¶p. A`ncman GtXm ]m{X§Ä Xpd¶p t\m¡p¶p. Ftf½ Ft¶ I®p ImWn¨p. Bfp `b¦c tZjy¯nemsW¶v. " tN¨o... Ft¶mSp kwkmcním\mhiysamtÅmcp t\tcmw Imtemw t\m¡msX Nmbn¸n hcpw... Bcv.. Syqj³ ]ntÅcpw.. sNe¸w cmta«\pw..Hs¡tb... A¸w tN¨ntbmsSmcp Imcyw tNmZním³ F\níp tN¨osS apdo h¶qsS... F´m tN¨o sXsÁmt−m..." " Gbv... Hcp sXÁpanÃ..." Ftf½ s]s«¶p adp]Sn ]dªp. A`n s]s«¶v Fsâ ap¼n h¶v Ft¶ \ninXambn H¶p t\m¡n. Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−p \n¶p. ]ns¶ AhÄ H¶pw an−msX I¿nencp¶ ÌoÂXhn Xmtgsídnªp. În³ F¶ iÐt¯msS ]mhw Xhn Icªp. Rm³ AhfpsS t\tc Hcp I®ndp¡n ImWn¨n«v sasà Xncnªp \S¶p. \S¡pt¼mÄ C{Xbpw BßKXw t]mse ]dªp. " tIcf¯nÂ...{]tXyIn¨v...{Kma§fnÂ... CubnsSbmbn BßlXym{]hWX IqSnhcpImsW¶v ]{X§fn I−p... AXpw s]¬Ip«nIfm ap¶nÂ... ImcWsa´m... am\knIamb hoÀ¸pap«Â... Cuiztcm c£Xp...." A¶p Rm³ ¢mÊn t]mbt¸mÄ B tS¸pw Iymadmbpw sIm−pt]mbn. ¢mÊp Ignªv Rm³ Pm³knt\ amÁn \nÀ¯n clkyambn, A`nbptSsXmgn¨v, FÃm Imcyhpw ]dªp. FÃmw tI« Ah³ BZyw H¶p I®p angn¨p. " Pm³tk... F\nínsXÃmw BtcmsS¦nepw ]dbW¶p−mbncp¶p. BtcmSp ]dbpw ? Fsâ ho«n ]dbmtam...? B ]mhw cmta«t\mSp ]dbmtam....?.." " A¸w F´m \nsâ ¹m³.... tIkpsImSp¡mt\m... CsXmcp \à sXfnhm..." " sicnbm... ]t£ Cu sXfnhp sImSp¯mepw tIkp Pbn¨mepw B ho«n \memßlXy Hd¸m.... Ahcmsc¦nepw ]ns¶ Pohn¨ncnípthm..?.." " A¸¸ns¶ F´p sN¿pw... B cmcn¨t\ Ccp«Sn ASn¨mtem..?.." Pm³kn\p ]WapÅXpsIm−v Kp−Itf In«pw. " ]t£ B ]cnlmcw imizXamIptIe..... Abmfpw Ftf½bpw Xs¶¯m³ ]n·mdWw.... F¶msem«p cmta«\dnbptIw sN¿cpXv... A`ncmantbmSp ]ns¶ ]dªp a\Ênem¡mw... ]ns¶ Fsâ AOsâ \ã]cnlmtcmw...C³jpd³kpw... s]³j\pw Hs¡ In«Ww... Abmtfs¡m−v Xt¶ B sI«gn¸níWw...." " F§s\...?...Rms\´n\pw sdUnbm...tI«¸w Hcp {XnÃp t]mse...." Pm³kv tNmZn¨p. " ssIhn« Ifnbm... H¯msem¯p... BZyw \obo tS¸nsâ Hcp tIm¸nsbSp¡v...." Rm³ ]dªp. " A¸w.. F\nínXp ImWmthm...?... \nsâ cmta«sâ `mcybtÃ...Ftf½..?.." " `mcy... F\níhscmcp shSn t]msebm... F\nípw In«n Hcp Nm³kv... A{X Xt¶... \obpw It−m... \à Nc¡m... ]t£ Hcp kXyw am{Xw... thdmcpw CXv ImWcpXv.... \ns¶ F\níp hnizknímtam...?.." " XoÀ¨bmbpw.... \ap¡v Fsâ ho«nteíp t]mImw... AhnsSbmIp¼w... Bcpw Adnb¯nÃ. tIm¸n AhsS shs¨Sp¡mw.... " R§Ä temUvPn sN¶v Ahsâ Iymadmbpw tS¸pIfpambn Ahsâ ho«n sN¶p. tIm¸nsbSp¡p¶Xnsâ IqsS AXp I−psIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ Ah³ ]dªp. " s]mebmSna¡fv... c−pw....]¶n ]®p¶ t]msebmWtÃm ]®p¶Xv... \à ISnsbfInb km[\w Xt¶... " " Ah\Sníp¼w Ba¸qdn ]qdp tatem«v XÅns¡mSp¡p¶ It−m..... " Pm³kv AhcpsS Xmf¯ns\m¯v Acs¡«v XÅn ckn¨p. IfnIgnªv AhÀ Xncnªncp¶t¸mÄ Ahsâ \nehnfn. " `Khmt\... \nsâ Ftft½sS kmam\w s\d¨p I´mWtÃmSm... t\m¡ntí... B sh«n\I¯v B abnscmXp§p¶nÃ... shdpXbÃ... Ct{Xw Ig¸v... H¯m \m«pImtc apgph\pw hnfn¨p XoÁnípw...." Ah³ AhcpsS kmam\w t\m¡n sImXnhn«p. " A¸w \o AsXm¶p t\tc sNmthz I−mcps¶¦ntem....." Rm³ tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Ah³ s]m§nb Ip® IbvsIm−aÀ¯n sh¨p. " ]S¯nsems¡ Ifníp¼w shÅ¡mcnIfpsS same sXdníp¶ t]mse sXdn¨p \níphm ...\à Ie¡³ sameIfp Xt¶... Chcp s]sÁ¶p ]td¶Xp shdpsXbm.... kXy¯n \obnÃmcpt¶Â Rms\m¶p ]nSn¨pIftªt\.. \à HdnPn\ep ko\tÃ...."

" thtW ]nSnt¨m... Rm³ Xncnªp \nt¶¡mw..." " FSm Afnbm... FSm... \nsâ Imcyw ]cnlcn¨pIgnªv Rms\m¶p ap«ntímt«Sm...?... GXmbmepw hÃh\pw Xn¶pIm... \obpw Xn¶ntÃ..?.." Ah³ bmN\bpsS kzc¯n tNmZn¨p. " " FSm.. AXhcv As¶t¶ Hgnhm¡m³ th−n akv¡m ASn¨XtÃ... ]ns¶ In«nb Nm³kn\p Rm\pw Ifn ]Tn¨q¶p am{Xw... F¶mepw C¸w....B ]mhw AO\pw tamfpw... C¸w HmÀ¡p¼w tamimbos¶mcp tXm¶ev.... ]mhw cmta«t\ NXn¨tÃmt¶mÀ¡p¼w...." Rm\ht\ hnjat¯mtS H¶p t\m¡n. " AXn¸w.... \nsâ sImg¸ÃtÃm... Ahcp hnfn¨p X¶XtÃ....t]ms«...F\níp th−... Rm³ Xncns¨Sp¯ncníp¶p.... \ns¶ thZ\n¸n¨ns«´p ckamSm F\nív.... tkmdn...." tS¸p apt¶mt«mSnbt¸mÄ Ahsâ I®p XÅn. " FSm... Hcp sImet¡kp sXfnªp hcp¶p.... CXp tImSXo sImSp¯m... Abm¡p in£ Hd¸m..." Pm³kn\p \à DÂkmlw. " BÀ¡v... sIm¶ Bfp hÀj§fmbn«p sIS¶ sIS¸n sIS¶p in£ A\p`hnípIm... ]ns¶´p Imcyw... B hoSp \mdpsa\p am{Xw..." " ]ns¶..?..." " \o Cu HdnPn\ep kq£n¨pshíWw.... Rm³ tXm¡pItbm.. F\nsís´¦nepw ]ÁpItbm sNbvXmÂ.. ]ns¶ tImSXotem.. hoUntbm¡SIfntem sImSp¯v Aht\w Ahtcw \in¸níWw.... C¸w Rm³ HÁsím¶p ]bÁn t\m¡s«....." " \msf Rm³ Iq«p thtWm....?.." " th−... BfpIqSnbm... FÃmÀ¡pw kwibamIpw..." Ah³ B tS¸v Hcp Ihdnem¡n Hcp {]tXyIkvYe¯v Fs¶ Im¬sI Hfn¸n¨p sh¨p. " FSm Iqth... \o C\ow CsXSp¯v ]ckymbn«v ImWtÃ... thtd htÃmcpw I−mÂ.. AdnbmtÃm..." Rm³ ]IpXn Xamibmbn«p tNmZn¨p. " \o t]Sntí−... Pm³kv Hcp tS¸pw Hcp s]®pw Hcníte D]tbmKnís¯mÅp... ]ns¶ F\níXp c−pw shdpw N−nbm.... \o ss[cyambn«p t]m... s_Ìv Hm^v e¡v...." Rm³ ho«n sNÃpt¼mÄ Ie Ft¶ t\m¡nbncníp¶p. apdnbn tIdnb ]pdtI AhÄ HmSnsb¯n. " FhnSmcp¶¦ntf CXp htc...Rm\pw kmhn{Xow IqsS F{X t\cw t\m¡nbncp¶p....." Rm³ IymadmbpsS ]míÁp s]«nbn sh¨XhÄ I−p. " AsX´m A¦ntf.... clkymbn«p sh¨p ]q«pt¶..." " AsX´n\m \obdnbtW... AXp c−p aq¶p A−À shbdpIfm..." " Hm.. AXmtWm C{X henb clkyw... R\n¸w A¦nfnsâ A−Àshbdpw AXn\It¯Xpw htc I−ntÃ... ]ns¶bsXt´m¶p clkyw... F\níp ImWtttt−..." " F¶m \o sNÃv... Rms\m¶p Ipfnís«..." At¸mtg¡pw Ftf½ hmXn¡se¯n. " cmPq... Im¸n IpSn¨mcpt¶m..?... G´m Ct{Xw Xmaknt¨...?.." " kvs]jy ¢msÊm−mcp¶p... Im¸n C\n th− tN¨o..." ]ns¶bpw Ie NpÁn¸Án \n¡p¶p. C\n AhfpsS sameíp ]nSn¨p sImSp¡Wambncnípw. Fsâ a\Êp apgph³ \ndªp \n¡p¶Xv \mfs¯ cm{XnbmWv. AXn\nSív AhfpsS apeIÄ Ct¸mÄ Hcp lcaÃ. Rm³ Ahtf Ku\nímsX tXmÀ¯psaSp¯v IpS§sfSp¡m³ sN¶p. tM... IpS§fpw Ie§fpw ho¸ htc \nd¨p sh¨ncníp¶p. Fsâ ]pdtI h¶ IetbmSp Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " CXmcm tamsf... Cu shÅsaÃmw sNm½¶Xv...?..." " thdmcm... A`nt¨¨n... F´n\m Cu s]Sm¸mSp s]Spt¶¶p tNmZn¨¸w ]dbpIm... Ft´m sImd¨p tPmensbSp¡pt¶¶pw ]dªv Hmtcmcp¯cv shey Bfp IfnípIm¶v... F\níp a\Ênembn.. AX¦nfn\n«mcps¶¶v..." " Ah¡p apgph«m..." " F\nípw kwisbm−v... C¸w tZs−... Igp¯p thZ\níp¶p...s]mdw t\mhp¶q¶pw ]dªv tIdns¡S¡phm..." Rm³ t\tc AIt¯íp tIdn. A`nbpsS IXIp Nmcnbn«ncníp¶p. ASp¡f hmXn¡ sN¶t¸mÄ Ftf½ tNmZn¨p.

" F´m... Im¸n thtWm...?.." " Mqlpw... Aà tN¨o.... Cu htÃmt\w tXm¸ním³ kz´w Igps¯mSníp¶Xv h«nsâ e£WatÃ...?... F¶n«n¸w Bcp tXmÁp... \Sphpw sh«n... ae¶p sIS¡p¶Xmcv...?... Cuiztcm c£Xp...." Rm³ Dds¡ ]dªXptI«v Ftf½ hms]m¯n Nncn¨p. F¶n«mwKyw ImWn¨p. AhnsS InSs¸ms−¶v. Rm³ Ietb IbvIm«n hnfn¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp A`nbpsS IXIp Xpd¡m³. AhÄ AIt¯íp tIdn. " C¸w F§t\−p tN¨o..." IebpsS kvt\lt¯msSbpÅ At\zjWw. " F´n\m Adot¶... kzkvYmbns«m¶p sIS¡m\pw k½XníptIe...." AhÄ IetbmSp tZjys¸Sp¶p. Rm³ sasà AIt¯sím¶p Xebn«p t\m¡n. " F´n\m Hfnªp t\m¡tW...?.." AhÄ InS¶ InS¸n tNmZn¨p. " AÃ... kpJanÃmt¶m... sIS¡pImt¶m....Hs¡ Chcp ]dªp... hnhcw Adnbm¶p IcpXn ... Hcp kmam\y acymZ.... " Rm³ `hyXtbmsS ]dªp. " N¯n«nÃ... At¶cw hnhcw Adnbnímw..." AhÄ tZjyt¯mSpIqSn Xncnªp InS¶p. " hÃ... Ingntbm...NqtSm.. Xncp½mt\m...." " H¶p t]msWmt−m... \mWanÃmsX In¶cním³ h¶ncníp¶p...." " Hm...t]mtb¡mta.... " Rm³ Ietb t\m¡n I®ndp¡nbn«v kvYew hn«p. As¶\níp `£Ww hnf¼n X¶Xp Ftf½bmbncp¶p. A`n B `mKt¯íp h¶nÃ. i\nbmgv¨, hn[n\nÀ®mbIamb Znhkw h¶p. A¶p cmhnte Ftf½ SuWn t]mIp¶Xp I−p. Ie Ft¶ NpÁn¸Án \n¶p. AhÄ Ft¶ ap«nbpcp½n. Fsâ apJw I−t¸mÄ AhÄ H¶pw ]dbp¶nÃ. Rm³ Ft¸mgpw BtemN\m\naá\mbncp¶p. IgnhXpw apdnbS¨v DÅnencp¶p. a\Ên Hcp thhemXn. ¹m³ s]mfnªm A`ncmanbpsS PohnXw XIcpw. Asæn am\t¡sS¦nepw D−mIpw. cmcn¨³ F´n\pw aSnínÃ. sÈ, B tS¸p sh¨v C¶se Xt¶ Abmtf »m¡vsabn sNt¿−Xmbncp¶p. F¦n C¶o ]co£Ww Hgnhm¡mambncp¶p. t]mb _p²n t]mbn. B hgníp _p²n XncnªnÃ. C\n kabw Ignªp t]mbn. As¶\níp hnf¼nbXp Iebmbncp¶p. A`n Ft¶msSt´m kacw \S¯p¶Xpt]mse amdn \n¶p. D¨Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½ h¶p. h¶bpSs\ Fsâ apdnbn t\m¡n. " Blm... cmPp t]mbntÃ...?.." " t]mIm³ Hcp§phmcp¶p... CXn\nSív H¶p ab§nt¸mbn..." Rm³ sasà ]msâSp¯p. AXp Xncn¨pw adn¨pw t\m¡n. AhÀ AIt¯íp t]mbn. \mep aWnbmbt¸mÄ sambvXp HmSn¡nX¨p hcp¶Xp Rm³ P\en IqSn I−p. " tN¨nsb´ntb... tN¨ntb..." AbmÄ hnfn¨p. Ftf½ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Cd§n h¶p. H¸w Iebpw. A`n hmXn¡ \n¶tXbpÅp. AbmÄ AhtcmSv Fs´ms¡tbm ]dªp. AXp tI« Ftf½ s\©¯e¨p. " At¿m....Fsâ G«³... F\nsímcm§ftb HtÅ... Fâoizcm....Rms\mSt\ t]mIphmtW.... Ietamtf hmSo... \nsâ A½mht\ Bcms−ms¡¡qSn XÃns¡ms¶So..." " tM Nt¯m...?.." A`n tNmZníp¶p. " CtÃ... NmImdmsb¶v... R§tf ImWW¶v... Fât½.. F\nsím¶pw C¸w tXm¶p¶ntÃ...." " F¶m... Ftf½ sIS¶p IqhmsX sNÃv... Ite... tamfqsS sNÃv..." A`n ]dªp. F\níp Nncn h¶p. " C¶mfpw Rm³ t]mbXm....C\n Ft¶s¡m−p h¿m..." " Ipcp¯w sIt«mtf.... C¶Xv t]mesÃSo... \nâ½mh³ NmIm³ sIS¡phmSo...." AhÀ ho−pw s\©¯e¨p Icªp. " sNÃp tamtf... hm Hcp§v..." A`n Ietb \nÀ_Ôníp¶p. Rm\pSt\ ]pdt¯íp sN¶p. Ft¶¡− sambvXp H¶p ]cp§n. ]ns¶ Rm³ t]mIphmtW F¶pw ]dªv kvYew hn«p. " F¶m... Ftft½... Iq«n\p Rm³ hcmw.... Ftft½sS IqsS...Fs´¦nepw thsd Bhiyw htÃmw Hs−¦n... hà t]mÌpamÀ«tam... tItkm..." Ahscm¶p hnfdn. F¦nepw DSt\ ]dªp.

" AXnsâ Bhiyanà tamt\... AXns\ms¡ AhsS BÄ¡mscm−v... tam\n¸w AXymhiyw... At½¡mWpItÃ... cmPp ho«ntem«p s]mtím.... Asæn hm... \as¡mcpans¨d§mw..." " sicn A§s\bms«..." Rm³ s]s«s¶mcp§n. At¸mtgípw a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsSbmsW¦nepw Iebpw sdUn. R§Ä Hcpan¨nd§n. Cd§nbn«v Rm³ Xncn¨p sN¶v t\m¡n \n¡p¶ A`ncmantbmSp tNmZn¨p. " Rm\t½ H¶p It−¨v \msf C§p hcmw.... HÁíp sIS¡m³ t]Snbpt−m..." " CXmZysam¶paÃtÃm... F\nsímcp t]SoanÃ.... FhntSepw t]m...." AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡msX adp]Sn ]dªp. " KpUv... s]¬Ip«nIfmbm C§s\ Xt¶ thWw.... A¸w ÁmÁm..." AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡nbtXbnÃ. sabn³ tdmUnsâ Ihebn sN¶t¸mÄ R§Ä ]ncnªp. F\níp t]mtI− _Êv BZyw h¶p. Rm³ AhtcmSp ÁmÁm ]dªn«p _Ên tIdn. Xncnªp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Ftf½bpsS {]k¶amb apJw Rm³ I−p. ASp¯ SuWn Rm\nd§n. _ÊvÌmân Xt¶ Id§n. F«paWnímbncp¶p cmta«sâ {Kma¯nteípÅ Ahkm\t¯ _kv. Hcp X«pISbn \n¶pw Blmcw Ign¨p. ]ns¶ B _Ên Ibdn. Xncn¨v cmta«sâ ho«nse¯n. D½d¯v a§na§n I¯p¶ \nehnf¡v. Rm\Xnsem¶p hW§n. ]ns¶ {]mÀ°n¨p. AOm, AOsâ aI³ sN¿m³ t]mIp¶ BZyt¯ s]mXpP\tkh\w. AXp hnPbn¸nítW. _mKp Xpd¶v Xmt¡mseSp¯p Nmbn¸p Xpd¶p. ]ns¶ tiJcn¨p sh¨ncp¶v IÃpIsfSp¯v `mcw t\m¡n. th−nh¶m Fdnªp hogv¯Ww, Asæn Fsâ CSn¡«em¯n. IqsS AwKc£IÀ ImWptam. {]Xo£níWw. F¦nepw AhÀ shfn¨¯p hcm³ km²yXynÃ. GXn\pw IcpXnbncníWw. InWÁpIsc t]mbn H¶p Ipfn¨p. ]ns¶ Djmdmbn. At¸mgmsWmcp Imcyw a\Ên h¶Xv. sFUnbm. Rm³ IXIn ap«n. hnfn¨p t\m¡n. " A`o... A`o.... " Gtl, c£bnÃ. ]ns¶ ]pdIn A`ncmanbpsS apdnbpsS P\en sN¶p ap«n. t]cphnfn¨p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ AI¯p \n¶pw tNmZyw. " Bcm... ?.." " Rm\m... cmPmaWn..." " tM... ho«n t]mbnÃmcpt¶m...?.." " CÃ... _kp In«nbnÃ...." " F´n\m CXp sXmd¡p¶Xv... Nmbn¸p sXmd¶p sIS¡m³ tate...?.." " Fsâ s]m¶`o.. sXmd¡v... shi¶p sImSep Icnbp¶p... Fs´¦nepw F\níp IgníWw..." Aåt\ct¯ív A\¡w tI«nÃ. " A`o.. sXmd¡v... hnizmkantàsh«pI¯ntbm... ITmctbm IqsS I¿n ]nSnt¨m... C§t\w Ht−m s]¼ntÅcv..." apdnbn sseÁp sXfnªp. ]ns¶ CS\mgnbnteXpw. ]pdInet¯ IXIp Xpd¡s¸«p. BZyw Rm³ AI¯p tIdn IXIS¨p, apIfnte IpÁnbn«p. Xmgt¯Xp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ AXp XÃn sNcn¨p sh¨ncníp¶p. " F´p ]Án Cu IpÁnív...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ.....sIS¡mt¶cw CSm³ t\m¡nb¸gm.... Rm³ I−Xv..." " Mqw... F¶mepw CsX§t\...?.." " BÀ¡dnbmw... tNmZnípt¶mcp Xs¶bmtWm \miam¡nbsX¶v..." " F¶m sNe¸w Bcnípw..." Rm³ DuWptaibnencp¶ IqPbn \n¶pw Ipd¨p shÅw IpSn¨p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS t\tc Xncnªp. B apJ¯v Hcp `bw. " A`n FhnsSbm C¶p sIS¡p¶Xv...." " F´n\m Adnbp¶Xv....?.." " tNmZníp¶Xn\p adp]Sn ]d..." Rm³ Kuch¯nembn. " Fsâ apdoÂ..."

" th−... C¶hnsS sIS¡−..." " ]ns¶ Nmbn¸n h¶p sIS¡Wmcnípw... BfnÃm¯¸w Xncn¨ph¶p IXIn\p ap«nb¸tg F\níp tXm¶nbXm... thKw s]mds¯d§ntí..." " Rms\d§mw.... AXn\p ap¼v A`n... AI¯p tIdntí... ChnsS NpÁnIsbmt−m... ?.." " F´n\m...?.." " ]dbp¶Xp tI¡v.. NpÁnI Xm... Cu IpÁn H¶p icnbm¡m\m....." AhÄ Xncnªv ASp¡fbnteíp Ibdn. At¸mÄ Rm³ I−p. ]pdIn ]mhmS¨cSn XncpInsh¨ncníp¶ sh«cnhmÄ. A¼Sn anSp¡n. \o Bfp tIan Xt¶. C{Xbpw Rm³ {]Xo£n¨ncp¶nÃ. AhÄ NpÁnIbpambn h¶p. Rm³ IpÁn X«n t\scbm¡nt\m¡n. Xpcp¼p ]nSn¨ncp¶XpsIm−v X«nbt¸mÄ AXnsâ ]IpXn HSnªp t]mbn. AXpsIm−v Dt±in¨ {]tbmP\w In«pIbnÃ. Rm³ NpÁnI XncnsIsImSp¯p. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " A`n C¶v AOsâ apdos¡S¶m aXn..." " AXp Rm³ Xocpam\nt¨mfmw..." AhÄ FSp¯Sn¨ t]mse adp]Sn ]dªp. " A`o... hmin ]nSnímsX.... C¶v A`osS apdos¡S¡−.... A`osS KpW¯n\p th−nbm ]td¶Xv..." " F\níp hnizmkanÃ... ho«n t]mb cmPmaWn Xncn¨p h¶p... shi¡p¶q¶p ]dªn«v... shÅw IpSn¨p... ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp apdn amdm³ ]dbp¶p... cmPmaWnsít´m Zpcpt±isam−v..." " A`ncmao.. Ht¶mÀt¯m... F\níp Zpcpt±isamt− AXp XSbm³ \o Ip−o XncpInsh¨ncníp¶ B sh«cnhmfp t]mc... Adntbm..." " kuIcyanÃ.... Rms\\n¡nãapsÅS¯p sIS¡pw.. Xm\mcm... AXp tNmZním³...?.." AhÄ Ibv ]pdtIm«p sIm−p t]mIp¶Xp Rm³ I−p. HÁ Nm«¯n\p Rm\hfpsS c−p I¿pw Fsâ I¿nem¡n. sh«cnhmÄ ]pdIn \n¶pw DucnsbSp¯p. " hmSo....ChnsS... \ns¶sbm¶pw KpWtZmjn¨n«p ImcyanÃ..... Al¦mc¯nsâ IqSm \o..." " Rm³ hnfn¨p Iqhpth... ]mXnbmíp tIdn h¶n«v ]nSnípt¶m..." " B \o Iqhntím... AXn\p ap¼v.... Cu apdotem«p tIdv... " " At¿m.... Ft¶ F´n\m apdot¡Ápt¶... At¿m... Ft¶¸nSnípt¶... HmSnhmtbm..." AhÄ Dds¡ \nehnfním³ XpS§n. Rm\hfpsS hms]m¯n. Ahsfsâ I¿n ISn¨p. Rm\hfpsS Igp¯n\p Ip¯n¸nSn¨p. AhÄ izmkw ap«n hms]mfn¨p. Rm³ Ahtf apdnbnteív XÅnt¡Án. I«nenteíp XÅnbn«p. AcnhmÄ Nq−n. " an−nt¸mbm sIm¶p Itfw.... Mvlm... Ft¶ s\\¡dnb¯nÃ.... " Ahsfs¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡nbncp¶p. " C¶m... \nsâ ]pÃv.... HscmW¡ Acnhmfv..." Rm\Xp I«nenteín«p. Fsâ Dt±iw ]nSnIn«msX AhÄ Hcp t]SntbmsS Ft¶ t\m¡nbncp¶p. " Rm\n¸w s]md¯p t]mIphm.... Rms\d§nbmsemS³... s]mdInte IXIp IpÁnbnt«mWw ]ns¶ Cu apdníI¯p tIdn CXnsâ IpÁow C«v A\§msX sISt¶mWw... \nsâ Acnhmfpw IqsS sht¨m... AXymhiyw h¶m FSp¯p {]tbmKnt¨mWw... AsX\nsís´¦nepw ]Ánbm am{Xw aXn...... Rm³ Pohn¨ncps¸mt− AXnsâ Bhiyw hc¯nÃ.... Mqw... hm... h¶p IXISív... F¶n«v ]dªXp t]mse sN¿v..." Ahtf t\m¡msX Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n. hmXn¡ Im¯p \n¶p. Ahtf ImWp¶nÃ. Rm³ Xpd¶pInS¡p¶ P\ecnIn sN¶p. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ I«nen Xt¶ Ccníp¶p. F\níp tZjyw h¶p. Rm³ iÐsamXp¡n Aedn. " FSo IgptX... h¶p IXISím³... _nw_w t]mencnímsX... C§s\ Hcp km[\w..." AhÄ Fgpt¶Â¡p¶Xp I−psIm−v Rm³ hmXn¡ XncnsI sN¶p ]pd¯p \n¶p " FÃm ebnÁpw sISp¯ntbcv..... F¶ns«md§ntím kpJmbn«v.... Hcp Imcyw... ChnsS s]md¯v F´p tImemlesam−mbmepw IXIp sXmd¡ptIm.... ebnÁnSptIm sN¿cpXv... GXmbmepw Acnhmfpw IqsS I¿n sht¨m... Cu P\enecnIn h¶v Rm³ hnfníp¼w amt{X IXIp sXmd¡mhq... AXpw s\\¡p \à a\sÊmt− aXn.... Mqw... ASív.. F¶n«v t]m..."

AhÄ sasà IXIS¨p. ebnÁpIÄ Hmtcm¶mbn ASªp. IXIp IpÁnbnSp¶ iÐw tI«p. Rm³ Gtf½bpsS P\ecnIn sN¶v DÅn Ccp«nteív hnfn¨p. " A`o...A`o..." " Mqw..?.." " H¶qÃ... ChnsS¯s¶bmtWm sIS¡pt¶¶dnbm³ hnfn¨Xm... F¶m Hd§ntím..." Rm³ Nmbn¸n h¶p. Fsâ hm¨n aWn ]{´−p Ignªp. Fsâ Bbp[§fpambn shfnbnend§n. ]pdInet¯ IXInsâ t\tc sXmSnbn Hcp hmgíp adªncp¶p. ]pdIn hoXnIpdª apÁambXn\m B hmXn¡ \S¡p¶Xp ImWmw. Iptd an\n«pIÄ Ignªt¸mÄ Ccp«pw \£{X§fpsS {]Imihpambn Fsâ I®pIÄ ]cnNbs¸«p. Im¯p \n¶p aSp¯t¸mÄ Rm³ ap³hi¯p t]mbn t\m¡n\n¶p. GItZiw Hcp aWn Ignªp ImWWw, At¸mÄ tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w ]SnIbdn hcp¶p. Rm³ HmSn sXmSnbn hmgíp ]pdIn ]Xp§nbncp¶p. tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w h¶]msS ASp¡fbpsS ]pdIn ASn¨p t\m¡n. B«pIÃnsâ AcnIn InS¶ ÌqÄ I¿nseSp¯p. ]ns¶ IXInsâ ap¼nse¯n. hoXn Ipdª Xn®bn Ìqfn«p tIdn\n¶p. ]t£ _me³kp sXÁn. BÄ ]pdtIm«p apÁt¯íp NmSn. Rm³ sasà Fgpt¶Áp. AbmÄ ho−pw ÌqÄ Ipd¨pIqSn `n¯ntbmSp tNÀ¯n«p. ]ns¶ AXn tIdn Ibv apIfnteín«p. apÁ¯p tIdnb Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " BcmXv..." " tM... " BÄ sR«n¯ncnªp. Rm³ Aåw IqSn ASpt¯íSp¯p. AbmfpsS tSmÀ¨nsâ Xo£vWshfn¨w Fsâ Is®m¶p aªfn¸n¨p. Rms\sâ I¿nencp¶ s]³tSmÀ¨Sn¨p. AXnsâ shfn¨¯n Hcp an¶Â t]mse Hcp I¯nbpsS Xnf¡w I−p. Rm³ ]pdtIm«p amdnsb¦nepw AXnsâ AÁw Fsâ CSXp I¿psS ap«n\p Xmsg sIm−p. Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw s]³tSmÀ¨p sXdn¨p t]mbn. AXp IW¡msX sk¡âp IfbmsX CSn¡«em¯n Bªphoins¡m−v Rms\m¶p Id§n. AsXhnsStbm sIm−p. " lm... Fs¶mcp iÐw FXncmfnbpsS hmbn \n\pw ]pd¯p h¶p. B I¯n sXdn¨p `n¯nbn ]Xn¨ iÐhpw Rm³ tI«p. Rm³ H¶p IqSn Id§n. C¯hW em¯n Aåw Dbc¯nemWp ]Xn¨Xv. "T]v" F¶ iÐt¯msS AsXhnsStbm sIm−p. tSmÀ¨pw Bfpw Xmsg hoWp. F\nív Bfnt\ ]nSníWsa¶nÃmbncp¶p. Aht\ Rm\dnªXmbn Ah\dnbcpXv F¶Xmbncp¶p Fsâ Dt±iw. At¸mÄ \ne¯v tSmÀ¨v F\nsíXnÀZnibnteímbncp¶p. sk¡âpIsfSp¯p F\níp I®pIfpsS aªfn¸p amdm³. Xmsg InS¶ cq]w ]nSsªgpt¶Â¡p¶Xp I−p. Ccp«n GItZicq]w sh¨v Rm³ CSn¡« \net¯ímªp hoin. "`pw" F¶ iÐw tI«p. H¸w "At¿m" F¶ \nehnfnbpw. ]ns¶ Rm³ ASn¨nÃ. \ne¯p Ip¯nbncp¶v Fsâ s]³tSmÀ¨p X¸n. AXn\p aª\ndambncp¶XpsIm−v I−p ]nSnímsas¶mcp {]Xo£bp−mbncp¶p. H¶p Id§nbt¸mtgípw B cq]w ho−pw ]nSsªgpt¶Â¡p¶Xp I−p. B cq]w ASp¡fhit¯tímSn. s]³tSmÀ¨p X¸nb F\níp In«nbXv I¿n \n¶pw Xmsgt¸mb Fsâ Ahkm\ Bbp[w, Hcp Icn¦ÂIjWw Bbncp¶p. Rm³ hn«nÃ. shfn¨w e£yam¡n ]pdtI HmSn. HcSn IqSn sImSp¡Wsa¶p−mbncp¶p. AbmÄ hoSnsâ ap³his¯¯nbt¸mtgípw Rm³ sXm«Sps¯¯nbncp¶p. ]t£ Hcp Ie¯n X«n Rm³ th¨p t]mbn. At¸mtgípw AbmÄ apÁw IS¶ncp¶p. t\tc \n¶ Rm³ HmSp¶Xn\nSbn IÃpw em¯nbpw IbvIÄ amdn¸nSn¨p. HmSp¶ ]«nív Hcp apgw ap¼v F¶ IW¡pIq«en IÃp hoinsbdnªp. e£yw sXÁnbnÃ. "ls¿m" Fs¶mcp \nehnfntbmsS AbmÄ ]Sníte aq¶p \SIÄ HÁNm«¯n\p NmSnbnd§n. ]ns¶ CShgnbn IqSn HmSn. Rm³ ]n³XpSÀ¶nÃ. CShinbn \n¶pw Hcp tamt«mÀ ss_¡nsâ iÐw tI«p AXv AI¶I¶p t]mbn. Rm³ XncnsI h¶p. hoSnsâ ]pdIn apÁ¯p X¸n. Fsâ s]³tSmÀ¨p Is−Sp¯p. ]ns¶ `n¯nbcnIn X¸n. Iptd Zqscamdn Hcp ITmc InS¸p−mbncp¶p. At¸mgmWp Rm³ Fsâ I¿nte apdnhnt\¡pdnt¨mÀ¯Xv. sseÁSn¨p t\m¡n. c−n©p \of¯n Hcp t]mdÂ. Hcp hi¯v Aåw Bgaps−¶p tXm¶p¶p. ]qfnt¸mbtXbpÅp. càw \¶mbn HgpIp¶p−mbncp¶p. t\tc InWÁpIcbnteíp sN¶p. tXm«nbnÂ

D−mbncp¶ shÅsamgn¨v apdnhp IgpIn. \à \oÁepw thZ\bpw. apdnhnsâ hiwtNÀ¯v sasà AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. B Ibv s]m¡n¸nSn¨p ho«nse¯n. sseÁn«p. s]«nXpd¶v ]s−t§m hm§nb apdnhn\nSp¶ Hcp s]mSnbp−mbncp¶p, B Ip¸nsbSp¯v apdnhn s]mSn hnXdn. ]ns¶ AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v. Ibv taita sh¨v Itkcbnencp¶p. Rm³ P\enÂIqSn ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n, BfpItfbpw Iq«n C\nbpw Ah³ h¶pIqSmbvIbnÃ. apdnthÁ ]m¼v. ]t£ Ah³ C\n InS¡bn \ns¶gpt¶Â¡Wsa¦n IpdªXv Hcp amksa¦nepw th−nhcpw. CSn¡« Rm³ s]«nbn sh¨p ]q«n. ho−pw Itkcbnencp¶p. ITmcn H¶p t\m¡n. IÃp apdnbp¶ aqÀ¨bpÅ, hmSIsImebmfnIfpsS Bbp[w. At¸mÄ Bhiyw h¶m Hcp Ibv t\m¡m\pÅ X¿mdnembncp¶p Bim³ F¯nbXv. GXmbmepw AOsâ Bßmhp Im¯p. C©pIfpsS hyXymk¯n Poh³ c£s]«p. Ah\Xp hoinbt¸mÄAXp t\tc ]Xn¨ncps¶¦nepÅ AhkvYtbmÀ¯t¸mÄ s\s©m¶p InSp§n. Dd¡w hcmsX DtZzKw XpSníp¶ a\Êpambn Rm³ Im¯ncp¶p. CSív apÁ¯nd§n CShgnbpsS AÁwhtc t\m¡n Fs´¦nepw shfn¨w Ct§m«p hcp¶pt−m F¶v. ]ns¶ \odp¶ I¿pw s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. NohoSpIfpsS Ic¨nepw Zqsc tXm«n \n¶pw CSínSípÅ XhfIc¨nepw am{Xw. CSív Ft¶t¸mse Dd§mXncníp¶ Hcp ]mXncm¸pÅnsâ Nne¸pw tI«p. B \niÐXbn Nmbn¸n \n¶pw apdnbnteípÅ IpÁnbn«ncníp¶ hmXnen ap«p tI«p. B hmXnen\p c−phi¯p\n¶pw IpÁnbn«ncnípIbmbncp¶p.. BZyw Rm³ Iq«m¡nbnÃ. ]ns¶ AS¡nbpÅ hnfn tI«p. " cmPmaWn.... cmPmaWn..." AXp A`nbpsS iÐambncp¶p. Rm³ an−nbnÃ. ap«pw hnfnbpw BhÀ¯n¨t¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... F´pthWw...?.." " IXIp sXmd¡v..." " ]ÁnÃ... t]mbns¡Ss¶md§v..." " At¿m IXIp sXmd¡v... F\níp t]Snbm..." " AXn\tà ]dªXv... apdn]q«n sISs¶md§m³..." " At¿m... F\níp h¿... Cuizct\tbmÀ¯v H¶p sXmd¡v..." " sh«cnhmsfmt−m ?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " H−v..." " F¦n C¸w Rm³ sXmd¡¯nÃ... F\nípw t]Snbm... cmhnte ImWmw...." " At¿m.. C¸w AsXsâ I¿neÃ... apdo sh¨ncníphm...." " F¶mepw F\níp t]Snbm... t\cw shfp¡s«... " " IXIp sXmd¡ps¶mt−m... Atà Rm³ sh«ns¸mfnípw... " AhfpsS \nehn«pÅ adp]Sn. tai¸pd¯ncp¶ ITmcsbSp¯p XebnWíSnbnteív sh¨n«v Rm³ sN¶p IpÁnsbSp¯p. hmXn Xpd¶p. `bNInXbmb A`ncman. Dd¡anf¨ I®pIÄ. AhÄ Nmbn¸nteíp NmSnt¡dnbn«v IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. " Mqw.. F´m..." " F\níp t]Snbm... AhsSs¡S¡m³..." " sImd¨p ap¼tà A`n ]dªXv... CXv BZyaÃ... t]SnbnÃms¶ms¡.... " " At¿m...C¶§s\bÃ... Rm\nhnsS Cu Xmsgs¡St¶mfmw..." AhfpsS apJw t]SnsIm−v Zb\obambncp¶p. " th−.... C¸w... F\nív A`ntbw... t]mcmªv Ft¶¯t¶w t]Snbm.... Acnhmfpw Ffo XncpIn Hcp s]®v Cu apdosIS¡p¼w ... F\nsímd§m³ ]Á¯nÃ...." " cmPmaWn F´p ]dªmepw Rm\n¶nhntS IS¡s¯mÅp.... s]md¯v Bscms¡tbm HmSp¶Xpw s\ehnfow ASosS itÐmw Hs¡ tI«p.... F´m... AhsS \S¶Xv... ?..." " B... Rms\§s\bdnbm....." Rm³ Ibv aeÀ¯n. " At¿m tNmc..." At¸mgmWhÄ Fsâ I¿n tNmcbpW§n¸nSn¨ apdnhp I−Xv. AhÄ s]s«s¶sâ I¿n NmSn¸nSn¨p. " lm..." Fsâ Ibv thZ\n¨p.

" At¿m.. AdnbmsXbm... At¿m.. F´m ]Ántb... Ft¶mSp ]d... CXv sI«nsh¨ntà]gp¡pw... H¯ncn apdntªm..... F´m D−mtb....?.." HÁizmk¯n AhfpsS tNmZy§Ä. Rm\htf Hcp \nanjw t\m¡n. I«nen h¶ncp¶p. F¶n«p hnfn¨p. " hm... ChnsS h¶ncnív...." AhÄ HmSnh¶v I«nen Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. ]ns¶ NpÁpw t\m¡n P\en IqSn ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n. Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n. thZ\ním³ XpS§nb Fsâ Ibv s]m¡n¸nSn¨psIm−v Rm³ ]dªp. " t\m¡v... {i²n¨p tIÄ¡v.....ChnsS H¶pw kw`hn¨n«nÃ.... Rm\nhnsS h¶n«panÃ... A`ncman Ft¶...I−n«panÃ... a\Ênemtbm...?..." " tM... CÃ.. ]ns¶§s\... Cu Ibv...?..." AhÄs¡mcp ]nSnbpw In«p¶nÃ. " AXp Xt¶.... Rm³ ChnsS C¶pcm{Xn h¶n«nÃm... cmPmaWn A½tb ImWm³... Ahsâ ho«n t]mbn.... A`n Cu ho«n kz´w apdnbn sIS¶v kpJambns«md§n... C¸w a\Ênemtbm...?..." " AÃ.. Fs´ms¡bm Cu ]td¶Xv...?...F´m... CXnsâ Hs¡ AÀ°w...?... F\nsímcp ]nSow In«p¶nÃ.... cmPmaWn Fs´ms¡tbm Hfn¨pshíp¶p... Ft´m clky§fv..." " Cu ho«nte FÃmhcpw clky§Ä Hfn¨pshíp¼w... F\nípw Fs´¦nepw Hs¡ Hfn¨psh¨pIqsS...?..." Rm³ AhfpsS I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. AhÄ Ft¶ t\cnSm\mhmsX I®pIÄ Xncn¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ I¿nteíp t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " Rm\n¯ncn...Im¸ns¸mSntbm ]©kmctbm... sh¨p sI«t«....?.." " C¸w sh¨psI«−... C¨nsc Ignbs«....Rm³ acp¶p sh¨pIgnªp.... ]Ápsa¦n..... B Im¸ns¸mSow ]©kmtcw sIms−mcp... Im¸nbn«p X¶m..... AXn\pw Rm³ \nÀ_Ôníp¶nÃ... \Ãa\sÊms−¦n aXn... " " At¿m... C¸w C«pXcmw... F\nídnbmw... C¶setb ...H¶pw Ign¨n«nsöv... shi¡ps¶m−mIpw... tZmisbm−m¡t«...amhp s]m§n¡mWpw...." " th−... ISpwIm¸n am{Xw aXn... " AhÄ Im¸nbp−m¡m³ t]mb t\c¯n\p Rm³ s]³tSmÀ¨psaSp¯p shfnbnend§n. ]pdIn sN¶v IXIn\p ap¼n sh¨ncp¶ ÌqsfSp¯v B«pIÃn\Sp¯p sIm−n«p. XncnsI h¶t¸mÄ Nmbn¸p AI¯p \n¶pw XgpXn«ncníp¶p. " A`o...A`o..." Rm³ IXIn X«nhnfn¨p. AhÄ IXIp Xpd¶p. `b¶ apJw. InXíp¶p. " Mqw... F´m...?..." " AhnsS... ASp¡tfsS s]mdInev Ft´m X«p¶ H¨... Btcm apÁ¯qsS \S¡p¶ itÐmw..." Rms\m¶p Nncn¨p. " C§\§p t]Sn¨mtem... hociqc]cm{IanbtÃ... sh«cnhmfpantà I¿nÂ...?.." " Ifnbm¡psIm¶pw th−...tIt«m... F\ní§s\ t]Snsbm¶panÃ... AÃm.... AXv... cmPmaWnbmcpt¶m...?.." " Mqw..." " F´n\mcp¶p...?.." " sÈSm... a\pjy\p aqs{Xmgním\pw tate...?... A`nínsXm¶pw th−mcnípw... Atït¶... HÅXn¸w tatem«p tIdn¡mWpw... t]Sn¨n«v...." " AsXm¶panÃ.... F¶mepw H¶n\p t]mIps¶Ss¯´n\m X«pw ap«pw...?.." " Mqw....t]meokvapdbnemWtÃm tNmZyw... ]dbmw.. BZyw t]mbn Im¸nbnSv..." " At¿m.. AXn¸w sXf¨p ]Án¡mWpw...." AhÄ ASp¡fbntetímSn. Im¸n sIm−p h¶ AhÄ Hcp ¥msÊsâ t\tc \o«n. Rm³ In«nb]msS H¶p cpNn¨p. " iviviviv...\à NqSv..." Rm³ \m¡p hf¨p. " s]mÅntbm... C§p Xm ...Rm\mÁntím−p hcmw..." AhÄ ¥mkp hm§n ASp¡fbnteíp \S¶p. Ct¸mÄ AhÄ kvt\labnbmb Hcp `mcytbt¸mte. Nnet¸mÄ shdpw A]cnNnX. Rm³ s]«n Xpd¶v ITmcnbpw ASnbn `{Zambn Hfn¸n¨p. ]ns¶ ]q«n. A`n Im¸nbpambn XncnsI h¶p. Ahfpw H¸w I«nencp¶v Im¸nIpSním³ XpS§n. " Mm... ]d... F´mcp¶p H¨....At¶cw..?."

" Ių IXInsâ IpÁntb Is¿¯m³ th−n \½sS ÌqsfSp¯v hmXnÂs¡ sh¨ns«m−mcp¶p... AXp XncnsI sIm−n«Xm...." " AÃ... Cu IÅs\´n\m... \½sS ho«nt¡dpt¶... ChnsS Fs´m−mbn«m... R§fp km[mcW¡mcm¶v Cu \m«nseÃmÀ¡padnbmw... A¸w... s]md¯q¶p htÃmcpamcnípw...." AhÄ I«nencp¶v Imem«ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS t]Sn t]mbXpt]mse. " h¶ IÅ\v... Cu...ho«n she]nSns¸mÅXv... Ft´m Hs−¶dnbmamcnípw..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Ft´m¶v... BsIsbmÅXv... Hcp ]gb sSenhnj\mcp¶p... AXp dnt¸dmsW¶v IhtesemÅ FÃmÀ¡padnbmw...." " kzÀ®t¯¡mfpw ss]ktb¡mfpw she]nSns¸mÅsX´msW¶p Hcnsí Rm³ ]dª¸w ChnsS sNeÀ¡v AsXmcp Ifnbm¡mbn«m tXm¶nbXv... AtÃ...?.." Rm\Xp ]dªn«v AhfpsS I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. Ahfpw Fsâ I®pIfnteív H¶pÁp t\m¡n. B I®pIfn Hcp \mW¯nsâ an¶em«w. s]s«¶Xp amdn. ]gb\nebn H¶padnbm¯ `mhw. " cmPmaWosS a\Ênses´ms¡tbm clky§sfm−v.... F´m¨m ]dªqtS...?... Ft¶msS¦nepw..." Hcp sIdphnsâ kzcw. " A`ncmaosS a\Ênepw Fs´ms¡tbm clky§tfm−v... BZyw AsXt¶mSv ]d...." Rm\pw ]dªp. AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ I¿nÂ\n¶pw ¥mkv hm§n. c−pwIqSn tai¸pd¯p h¨ns«mcp tIm«phmbn«p. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ ap¼n \n¶hÄ IbvIsfms¡ s]m¡n aqcn\nhcp¶p, Hcp \mWhpanÃmsX. Rm³ t\m¡n \nÂt¡¯t¶ AhÄ IbvIÄ s]m¡n. IbvIfpbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ \ofw Ipdª »uknsâ IbvIfpsS DÅnte shfp¸ns\mcp at\mlmcnX. »uknsâ I£§fn hnbÀ¸nsâ \\hnsâ Omb. Npcp− UmhWnbpsS Ccp`mK¯pambn XÅn¡qÀ¼n¨p \n¶ apeIÄ AXnat\mlcw. apIfnteíp henªv »uknsâ adbn \n¶pw A\mhrXamb shfp¯ hbdpw sNdph«sam¯ ]p¡nÄ¡pgnbpw AXnepw at\mlcw. Rm³ Fsâ I¿psS thZ\ ad¶p. " s]®msIb§p t]Sn¨p shbÀ¯tÃm...tM...?.."" AhfpsS hnbÀ¯ I£§Ä hyàambn I−t¸mÄ Rm\dnbmsX ]dªp t]mbn. AhÄ Fsâ t\tc t\m¡n. Fsâ I®pIfpsS e£yw a\Ênem¡nb AhÄ AXp tI«t¸mÄ apSnbpw ]nSenbpw Xncp½ns¡m−v s]m¡n¸nSn¨ncp¶ IbvIÄ s]s«¶v Xmsgbn«p. ]ns¶ AdnbmsX¶t]mse Hcp I£¯n I¿ns«m¶p Xq¯pt\m¡n. Rm³ Fsâ I®pIÄ ]n³hen¨n«p \nÀt±in¨p. . " Hd¡w hcpt¶ t]mbns¡St¶m.... AOsâ apdo aXn... IpÁnsbms¡ `{Zambn«v Ct«mfq..." " Rm\n¶nhnsS sISt¶mfmw..." AhÄ apSn H¶gn¨p tImXns¡«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " A¸w Rm³ \n§sS apdotem....?... " " AÃm... Rm\nhnsS Xmsg sISt¶mfmw.....cmPmaWn I«nte sISt¶m...." " At¿m... th−m... F\nsít¶¯s¶ hnizmkanÃ... AXp Ig¸amIpw... Ft¶t¸Sn¨n«v A`osamd§¯nÃ... A`ntbt¸Sn¨p Rm\pw sIS¶p shdípw... th−..." " F´p ]dªmepw icn Rm³ C¶nhntS sIS¡s¯mÅp..." AhÄ NpÁpw t\m¡n. " ChnsSmcp ]msbm−mcp¶tÃm..." " AXn¶te Ft´m HW§ms\¶pw ]dªv tN¨n sImt−mbn..... kmcanà I«ntes¡St¶m.... kz´w hoSpw kz´w apdow kz´w I«nepsams¡btÃ.... Ibv thZ\níp¶XpsIm−v.... F\nsímd¡w hc¯nÃ..." " Ip¯phm¡p ]dbm³... cmPmaWn anSp¡\m... Rm³ sIS¡m³ t]mIphm...." AhÄ H¶pIqSn tIm«phmbn«n«v I«nenteíp InS¶p. " C¸w Rm\pw IqsS Cu I«nenteíp sIS¶mtem...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " sIS¡pthm...?.." " ]ns¶´m...." Rm³ I«nen\Sps¯¯n. " F¶m sISt¶m..." AhÄ I«nensâ AcnInteíp \nc§namdn ]pdwXncnªp I®S¨p InS¶p. " sIS¡mw... Hd¡w hcmsX sIS¡p¼w... It¿m Imtem...htÃmw tZl¯p ap«nbm... " Rm³ Ahtf HfnI®ns«m¶p t\m¡n. AhÄ XeXncn¨v Ft¶ t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ho−pw I®S¨pInS¶psIm−p ]dªp.

" cmPmaWn A´sÊmÅh\m¶m... AO³ Ft¶mSp ]dªXv......" " AsXt¶ A`n ]q«n¡fªtÃm... Mqw... kmcanÃ..... ]ns¶tb.... A`o Hcp Imcyw... Rm³ shfp¸n\p t]mIpw BZyt¯ h−nív... Fsâ Cu s]«n Rm³ hcp¶ htc `{Zambn«p kq£níWw..... C¶p Rm³ Cu \m«nte CÃ.... a\Ênemtbm... Ftf½ tNmZn¨m H¶pw Adnb¯nà A`nív... ?.. Cu Xeat− hÃXpw tIdntbm...?.." " Mqw... a\Ênembn... Ft´m H¸ním\m.... \S¡s«...." Rm³ XncnsI h¶v Itkcbnencp¶p. A©p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Xes]m¡n hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " sIS¡p¶ntÃ... Hd¡saf¨m Ibv thZ\nípw... cmhnte tUmÎtd¡mWnítW....F´p ]ÁoXmsW¶p BtcmSpw ]db¯nÃtÃm... FÃmw Hfn¨p sht¨m....A\p`hnt¨m..." " sISs¶mds§So.... sNeímsX..." " sJ..sJ...sJ..." AhÄ Ft¶ sImª\w ImWníp¶Xp t]mse iÐap−m¡n. Rm³ taibnteíp Xe Nmbn¨p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhfpsS {Iaamb izmtkmtOzmizmk¯nsâ iÐw tI«p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv I«nen\cnIn sN¶p t\m¡n. H¶padnbmsX c−pI¿nepw apJw Xm§n "S" t]mse Npcp−p InS¶v AhÄ Dd§n¡gnªp. \njvIf¦amb B InS¸p I−t¸mÄ B Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¡m³ tXm¶nt¸mbn. th− AhÄ¡nt¸mÄ Ft¶ Hcp hnizmkw h¶n«p−v. AXp Iftb−. Rm³ HcmWmsW¶hÄ Adnbs«. Rm³ sseÁp sISp¯n Itkcbn t]mbncp¶p. shfp¸n\p Xet¡mgn Iqhnbt¸mÄ Rm³ ab¡¯n \n¶pWÀ¶p sseÁn«p. A`n \à Dd¡w. Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p. ]mhmS ap«n\pta Ibdn¡nS¡p¶p. ]IpXntbmfw ImWmhp¶{X `mKw B shůpSIÄ Xnf§p¶p. sasà AsXm¶p apIfnteíp hen¨p IbÁn t\m¡nbmtem, IqSnh¶m ]mâoskm¶p ImWmw. Ahsf§m\pw DWÀ¶m CXnåcw \mWt¡Sp ]ns¶bp−mhnÃ. `qcn]£w s]®p§Ä¡pw F{X KmU\n{ZbnemsW¦nepw AhcpsS clky`mK§fn D−mhp¶ arZpkv]Ài\w s]s«¶dnbpw, DWcpw. {]tXyIn¨v AIwXpSIÄ, Acs¡«nsâ ap¼nte ssaXm\w F¶o hne]nSn¨ `mK§fn ImÁSn¨mepw Ahcdnbpw. At¸mÄ ]ns¶ IhínSbntebpw apeIfptSbpw Imcyw ]db−tÃm. UmhWn AhfpsS ta\níSnbn Npcp−pIqSn InS¡p¶p.. Dcp− amdnS§Ä DbÀ¶pXmgp¶p. Fs´mcp BIrXnsbm¯ apeIÄ. {_mbpsS lq¡v Agn¨n«ncníp¶XpsIm−v shÅbn Ipªp]q¡fpÅ »ukn\pÅn c−pw \ndªpcp−p \n¡p¶p. In«nb kuIcy¯n\v Cu AarXIpw`§Ä sImXnXosc H¶p ImWs«. Ipd¨pt\cw t\m¡n\n¶t¸mÄ a\Ên hnIrXnIÄ Xes]m¡n, IbvIÄ Xcním\pw.th−, C\n t\m¡n\n¶m Rm³ B ]m¡pS§fn tIdn ]nSn¨pt]mIpw. Igp¯nte sNdnb aS¡nepw ta¨p−nepw aq¡nsâ Xp¼¯pw hnbÀ¸pIW§Ä. hfªp ]pfªv sNdnb kzÀ®ame Igp¯nte hnbÀ¸n H«n¸nSn¨pInS¡p¶p. B hnbÀ¸nsem¶p \m¡p ap«ním³ Hcp A´À±mlw tXm¶n. ^m³ t]mepanÃmsX Cu NqS¯hÄ FÃmw ad¶n§s\ Dd§Wsa¦n Fsâsbm¸w AhÄ¡p tXm¶nb kpc£nXXzt_m[w F{Xam{XambncníWw. Ibv Aåw thZ\níp¶ps−¦nepw B AhkvYbn AhfpsS B IhnįpSp¸n Hcp ap¯w sImSp¡m³ tXm¶n. " A`o... A`o... " Rm³ hnfn¨p. c£bnÃ. H¶pIqSn hnfn¨p. A\¡anÃ. Dc¯n Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. At¸mfhÄ H¶\§nbn«v hiwNcnªp InS¶p ImXnte I½ensâ IÃpIÄ Xnf§n. c−pw I¸n¨v Rm\m XpSbn HcSnsImSp¯p. AhÄ I®p Nn½n¯pd¶p. A¼ct¸msS Fs¶ t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. ]mhmS Xmgv¯n XpSIÄ ad¨pt\scbn«p. UmhWn hens¨Sp¯p amdp ad¨p. " t\cw shfp¯p..... Fgpt¶Áp apdo t]mbns¡S¡v.. Ahcn¸w hcpw.... Ftf½sb§m\pw \o ChnsS Hd§p¶ I−m kwibnípw... Fgpt¶Â¡v...." AhÄ ]ns¶bpw sIm¨pIp«nItft¸mse I®S¨ncp¶p Xq§n. " l... Fgpt¶¡So... IgpX... F¶pw shfp¸ns\gpt¶Â¡p¶ ChÄ¡ns¶´p ]Án...." " C¨ncqsSmd§Ww.... Hds¡f¨Xp sIm−mcnípw...." tIm«phmbnSp¶Xn\nSbn Ahyàambn AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p " C¨nscbm¡−.. Cãw t]msesbmd§ntím... Fgpt¶¡v....."

Rm\htf I¿n ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. AhÄ Xe sNmdnªpsIm−v \n¶mSn. Rm³ IXInsâ IpÁnsbSp¯v Ahtf AIt¯íp XÅnhn«p. ]ns¶ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. sseÁW¨p. _msKSp¯v Nmbn¸p ]q«n. Ihebnse¯nb Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡n. Bcpanà ISIÄ Xpd¡m³ kabambnÃ. At¸mÄ C¶sebpw C¶pw Ft¶ Cu Ihebn Bcpw I−n«nÃ. F\níp t]mtI− hgnív c−p IntemaoÁtdmfw \S¶v ASp¯ Ihebnse¯n. Hcp Nmb IpSn¨p. t\cw ]cp]cm shfp¯t¸mÄ BZyt¯ _kp h¶p. AXn tIdnbncp¶p ab§n. ASp¯ ]«W¯nse¯n. Hcp aeaq{X]cntim[\m et_md«dnbn tIdn. apdnshm¶p {UÊp sN¿m³ ]dªp. AhnsSbncp¶ Hcp s]¬Ip«n BZyw H¶p aSns¨¦nepw ]ns¶ {Ukp sNbvXp. AhnsS Cs©£³ In«pIbnsöp ]dªXpsIm−v t]mb hgn Fsâ hoSn\Sp¯ ]«W¯nte Hcp ¢n\n¡n tIdn H¶p Ip¯nshbv¸n¨p ]gp¡mXncním³. Ct¸mÄ a\Ên Hcmizmkw tXm¶p¶p. ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ A½ BZyw H¶¼c¶p. I¿nte sI«nt\¸Án tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Hcp Icn¦ÂIjWw sXdn¨p sIm−XmsW¶p ]dªp. A½ AXp hnizkn¨p ImWpw. Hcp Imcyw Rm³ A½tbmSp ]dªp. Bsc¦nepw tNmZn¨m Rm³ C¶se sshIn«p apX ho«neps−¶p ]dbWw. At¸mÄ A½íp kwibw. ]ns¶ A½tbmSp Imcy§Ä ]dtb−n h¶p. Hcp IÅ\pambn FXncn«p F¶p am{Xta ]dªpÅp. Ftf½bpsS PmckwkÀ¤Xnsâ IYIÄ FÃmw F\nídnbmsa¶pÅXpw Fsâsbm¸w A`n Nmbn¸n InS¶Xpw Rm³ Hfn¨psh¨p. A½ HÁ hmNI¯n FÃmw HXp¡n. " t]meokpImc\mbmepw ]«mf¡mc\mbmepw... F\níp \otb HÅp XpW F¶ Imcyw HmÀ¯m aXn... AOt\ HmÀ¯nt« F´nse¦nepw sN¶p NmSmhq.... B A\p`hw Ft¸mgpw HmÀ¯m \¶v..." XncnsIsb¯pt¼mÄ cmta«\pw ho«nep−mbncp¶p. R§Ä AXymhiyw Ipie{]iv\§Ä \S¯n. Rm³ Nmbn¸p Xpd¶ DSt\ Ftf½ HmSnsb¯n. apJ¯v Hcp ]cn{`m´nbpsS e£Ww. " A½íp kpJmtWm cmPq...?.." " kptJms¡bmtWepw.....BtcmKyw t]mc tN¨o.....F§s\sb¦nepw Cu ]co£sbm¶p Ignªncpt¶Â ho«n t]mImcp¶p...." " kmcanÃ... FÃm Bgvt¨epw t]mbm aXn... thtW ASp¯ shÅnbmgv¨ tImtfPo¶p t\tc A§p t]mtím... ]ns¶ CXpt]mse Rmbdmgv¨ C§p h¶m aXnbtÃm..." " Rm\pw AXmtemNníps¶m−v..." ]ns¶bpw AhÀ Ft´m tNmZním³ B{Klníp¶Xp t]mse \n¶p. " F´m tN¨o.... ?..." " Gbv.... H¶qÃ... " AhÀ BsI A¼c¶p \n¡p¶Xp t]mse. F\níXp a\Ênembn. AhÀ XncnsI hcpt¼mÄ {]Xo£n¨Xv IcªpXfÀ¶v, Asæn \ncmibn IpXnÀ¶ apJhpambn apdnípÅn NSªncníp¶ A`ncmantb Bbncnímw. h¶t¸mÄ I− A`ncman H¶pw kw`hním¯ a«n NpdpNpdpt¡msS HmSn \S¡p¶p. At¸mÄ t{]m{Kmw aníhmdpw ASp¯ shÅnbmgv¨t¯íp amÁn ¹m³ sNbvXpImWpw. AXpsIm−mWtÃm shÅnbmgvN Xt¶ Ft¶mSp kvYew hnSm³ D]tZin¨Xv. t]mIm³ Xncnbpt¼mÄ BWhÀ Fsâ Ibv {i²n¨Xv. " F´p ]Án ... ssIív...?..." " C¶se _tks¶d§p¼w... IXInsâ s]mfnª Hcp ]mt« sIm−p...C¨nsc Iodn...." " Ip¯n sht¨m...." " Mm... C¶m Ip¯nsh¨Xv... Ct§m«p t]mcp¶ hgn...." Rm³ jÀ«qcn `pP¯n H«n¨ncp¶ sNdnb _m³tUPp ImWn¨psImSp¯p. AhÀ ]ns¶m¶pw tNmZn¨nÃ. Ftf½ t]mb DSt\ Ie F¯n. Ahfpw BZyw tNmZn¨Xv I¿nte sI«nt\¸Ánbmbncp¶p. AtX adp]Sn sImSp¯p. ]ns¶ Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F§s\sbm−v \nsâ A½mh\v...?.." " Hm... CXpt]mse It¿semcp sI«v.... Xtesemcp sI«v... Rm³ hnNmcn¨Xp ImÁp t]msb¶m... shdptX \½sS Hcp sZhkw t]mbn¡n«n..... "

AhÄ \ncmitbmsS Xe sNmdnªp. " A¸w \nâ½ ]dªXv s\mWbmcpt¶m...?..." " B BÀ¡dnbmw.. sN¶¸w samXev B§tfw s]§fpw X½nep IpipIpip¸mcp¶p... Rm³ sISs¶md§n..... At¶cw Rm³ hnNmcn¨p A¦nfnt\w IqsS tImt−mbmcps¶¦o¶v..." " AsX´n\mSo...?.." " B t\c¯n\p Fsâ tZlsa¦nepw H¶p \¶m¡mcp¶p...." AhÄ Hcp IŨncntbmsS ]dªp. " AtXm ]Sw hcímt\m..." " AXmsW¦n...AXv... F´n\m C§s\mc½mh³... asÁmtÅmtc sa\s¡Sp¯m³.... BgvtNsemcp Ipt¯m sht«m F¦nepw H−m¡pw... AXnsâ s]mdtI HmSms\mcp s]§fpw...." " s\\¡{Xív sIS¡mt½se¦n... AO³ t]mbn¡gnªv... \msfsbmcp ]Sw hcímw...." " AO³ \msftb t]mIs¯mÅp.... A¦ntf F\nín¨nsc ]dªp Xcmthm...?..Hcp IW¡p sN¿m\m..." " Fsâ tamtf... AXp am{Xw ]ÁqÃ... thtd GXp hnjtbmw ]dtªm... A¦nfp sdUn...." " Cbmtfs¡m−p ]ns¶´n\p sImÅmw.... ]Sw hcím\pw tj¸p hcp¯m\psams¡ thtdw \qdp t]scm−mIpw... A¦nfp thW¶nÃ..." " AXp sicn...C¸w Rm³ shfoemtbm... Fd§v... C\n \nsâ tImfp th−....s]mtím..." Rm³ Ahtf ]nSn¨v XÅn. " \nÃv...\nÃv... Hcp \yqskm−v... tI¡tWm...?..\à hmÀ¯bm..." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. " Ft´m¶m.. C{X... henb \yqkv...?. . At§m«p {]t£]n¨ms«....." " tZ...C¸w hcpw... kvs]jy ]elmtcmambns«mcmfp IpWp§n¡pWp§n...." " Bcv....?.." " thdmcm... \½sS `{ZImfn..." " A`ntbm..." " Mm... h¶¸w samXep Rm³ t\m«p sN¿pIm... Hcp aqfn¸m«pw.... Nd]dms¶mcp \S¸pw... `b¦c kt´mjw... C¸w tZs−.. A¦nfp h¶sbmSt\ AtSw Im¸ow H−m¡pIm..." " t\cmtWmSo... sNe¸w CXpw tIt«m−v Rm³ tIdn Nncnípw... samJ¯Sn¨ t]mse Ahfp Xncnªp \S¡ptIw sN¿pw..." " AXn¸w A¦nfn\p ]p¯cnbÃtÃm... sXmgn F¸gpw taSníp¶XtÃ... CXpw A§s\b§p Iq«nbm aXn.....tZ... hcp¶p.... BZyw F\nín«mcnípw..." At¸mtgípw A`n hmXn¡se¯n. t\m¡pt¼mÄ Ie \n¶p IpWp§p¶p. " \obnhnsS H«n¸nSn¨p \nípImtWm... \mft¯sím¶pw ]Tním\ntÃ... t]m... t]mbncp¶p htÃmw hmbnív...." Ie tN¨ntb A\pkcn¨p. ]pdt¯índ§n \n¶p. " cmPmaWo.. Im¸n IpSníp¶ntÃ... FSp¯p sh¨ns«m−v... CtàCt§m«p sIm−cmw... Is¿§t\... thZ\ sImdtªm...?.." A`nbpsS kwkmcw tI«psIm−v ]pdIn \n¶ Ie Fsâ t\tc t\m¡n "Fs´mcp kvt\lw"F¶ AÀ°¯n BwKyw Im«n. " At¿... C¸w Rms\§\m Im¸n... AhnsS.. h¶ncp¶v..." Rm³ aSn¨p. " F¦n... Ct§m«p sIm−cmw... Ftft½w tNmZníphm... C¸w F´n\m Im¸o¶v... AÃ... ho«n tIdn hcp¶ Hcmfnt\ \ap¡v ]«nWnínSm³ ]Ápthm...?..." " A¸w C¶te Cu tXm¶ep I−nÃtÃm... ]¨shÅw IpSn¨m.... Rm\n¶se..." " t]ms«t¶... C¶et¯ FÃmw ad¡W¶v cmPmaWn X¶tà Ft¶mSp ]dªXv... AsXmcp...." " AtÃ..? C¶et¯ Ft´ms¶ms¡bm kmd½mtc C{X HmÀ¡ms\m−mtb..?...." ]pdIn \n¶ Ie tNmZn¨p. " HÁ ho¡p X¶msem−tÃm... sNhow IqÀ¸n¨p \níphm...t]mbncp¶p hmbnsíSo... Ak¯v... cmPmaWn hm..." AhÄ Fsâ I¿n Ibdn ]nSníms\¶ t]mse Ibv \o«n. ]ns¶ ]n³hen¨p. " AÃ... A`o... F¸gpw Cu cmPmaWo¶p hnfnímsX... Fsâ sNÃt¸cp hnfn¨qtS..." " AXn¸w... AXn¸w.. Rmt\..." " Cãtà th−... Fsâ ]´bw H¶p Pbnt¨ms«... A¶p Rm³ hnfn¸nípw...." s]s«¶hfpsS apJw amdn. hmSn. ]nW¡`mhambn.

" Mqw.. B ]´bw Pbn¨n«p Fsâ hnfn kmdp tI¡ptIe... aq¶c¯cw...." AhÄ apJw sh«n¯ncnªv AIt¯íp tIdn. Rm³ AhnsSbncp¶p. ]n¶t¯ Fsâ H¶pc−p Znhk§Ä X¿msdSp¸ntâXmbncp¶p. e£Ww I−n«v Ftf½ípw hnhc§Ä H¶pw ]nSnIn«nbn«nà F¶pw tXm¶n. cmcn¨sâ Hcp hnhchpw CÃmbncnípw. Ihebn Bcpw ]dªp tI«XpanÃ. Xn¦fmgv¨ t^mWnsâ At]£bpsS ]pdtI t]mIms\¶pw ]dªv cmta«\pw Ahcpw IqSn SuWn t]mbncp¶p. ]t£ c−p t]cpw Xncn¨p h¶Xv c−p kab¯mbncp¶p. cmta«³ ]dªXv Ftf½ GtXm Iq«pImcntb ImWm³ t]mbn F¶mbncp¶p. AXn\À°w Ftf½ thtd GtXm hgnív At\zjWw \S¯p¶p−v F¶mWv. ]t£ D¯cw In«nbn«nÃ. ImcWw AhÀ ho«n Ct¸mÄ Iq«nen« shcpInt\t¸mse Bbncp¶p s]cpamdnbncp¶Xv. Rm³ A`ncmantb {i²ním³ t]mbnÃ. F¦nepw AhÄ Fsâ `£W Imcy§fn apS¡w hcp¯nbnÃ. ]ns¶ F\nsí´p ]mSv. Hcp Znhkw hcpw, Fsâ I¿n In«pw A¶p _m¡n t\m¡mw. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ {i² Fsâ Poh\nemWv. Ft¸mgpw Hcp B{IaWw {]Xo£nímw. cmPsh¼metb BWp t\mhn¨p hn«ncníp¶Xv. ad¡m³ XpS§nb Nne Icms« NphSpIÄ cmhntebpw sshIpt¶chpw.Rm³ ]cnioe\w sNbvXp. \m«p¼pdt¯ sImÃsâ Bebn t]mbn Hcp sNdnb ss]¸p em¯n D−m¡n¨p. hcp¶hsâ I¿n hSnhmtfm sh«pI¯ntbm Ds−¦n AOsâ ]gb em¯n D]tbmKiq\yw. sImó tNmZn¨t¸mÄ ]dªp CXv tImtfPnte D]tbmK¯n\msW¶v. GXmbmepw \\¨nd§n. AOsâ BioÀhmZw am{Xw IbvapXem¡n sh¨psIm−v Rms\mcp Poh·cW t]mcm«¯ns\mcp§n \S¶p. CSív ]e{]mhiyw Ie Fsâ apdnbn hcpw, t]mIpw. AhÄs¡t´m ]dbm\pÅXp t]mse. Rm³ Ahtf ]gbXpt]mse Ku\n¨nÃ. {]mW`bw a\Ên ap¶n \n¡pt¼mÄ Imahpw IfnXamipw F§s\ hcpw. c−paq¶p Znhk§Ä Ignªt¸mÄ a\Ênte hoÀ¸pap«Â Hs¶mXp§n. F¦nepw ]cnioe\w Rm³ XpSÀ¶psIm−ncp¶p. Hcní InWÁpIsc h¨v Rm³ hymbmahpw Icms«bpw sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ Iebpw A`nbpw F¯n t\m¡p¶Xp I−p. Ie tN¨ntb hnfn¨p sIm−ph¶Xmbncnípw Fsâ Indp¡p ImWním³. ]mh§Ä F´dnbp¶p, Fsâ Poh³ hÃhsâbpw ]n¨m¯nbptSbpw \ngenemsW¶v, AXpw AhÄ¡pth−n. Nmbv¸p Xpd¶v Rm³ jÀ«p amdnbnÃ, AXn\p ap¼v Ie apdnbnse¯n. Cs¶´p sIm\ãpw sIm−mtWm. AtXm C\n tN¨osS hntijw hÃXpw sIm−mtWm F¶dnbnÃ. AhÄ h¶p, Rm³ XpWnbpw jqkpw Hs¡ amdp¶Xp htc Im¯p \n¶p. AhÄ¡p ]dbm³ Ft´m Hcp hn½nãw. " F´mSo \n¶p ]cp§pt¶...?..Ft´m¶m I¿nev...?.." " AXv ...]dbmw... ]nt¶....A¦ntf... Hcp Imcyw... ]dbms\m−mcp¶p... " " \nsâ tN¨osS \yqkp htÃmamtWm... F¦n ]ns¶¸dªmepw aXn....." " AsÃt¶... CsXsâ kz´w Imcym..." " F´p Imcyw...?.." " Fsâ A¦ntf.... F\níp ]dbm³ h¿...sÈm... \mWt¡Sv..." AhÄ \n¶v \mWn¨v IpWp§n. " F¶m ]db−.... Rm³ t]mbn Im¸nsbmt−m¶p t\m¡s«..." " Rms\Spt¯m−p hcmw..." AhÄ t]mbn Im¸n sIm−ph¶p. " C¶p ISnsbm¶pw H−m¡nbnÃ.... A½ FhnsStbm t]mbncníphm... tN¨n ¢mÊnepw t]mbn...." " kmcanÃ... \o \nsâ kz´w Imcyw ]d..." " Fsâ A¦ntf kwKXn BsI Nfambn...." " tM..." Fsâ DÅnsemcp Xos¸mcn. Hcnísem¶p ]Sw hc¨n«p−v AXp kXyw, ]t£. " Ft´m¶p Nfw...?... sXfn¨p ]d.... a\pjyt\ Xo XoÁmsX...." " Rm\½tbmSp ]dªp... At¶cw A½ ]dbp¶p.... AXp Xs¶¯m³ sicnbmbnt¡mfpsa¶p... t]mcmªn«v A½ín¸w... Ft´m... Hcp aqUu«m... F¸gpw Nn´..." " At¿m \o At½mSp ]dtªm... NXnt¨m..." Fsâ DÅn Xobmbn.

" ]ns¶ t]mbn tN¨ntbmSp ]dªp.... At¶cw Fsâ t\tc NmSn... \o th−t]mse kq£nímªn«töp tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... AhtfmSpw ]dtªm... F\níp h¿... C\nsb´p sN¿pw...?..." Rm³ Xeíp I¿pw sImSp¯ncp¶p. " C\n Rm\mtcmSm ]dbpI...?.. C¸w thtd BÀ¡pw Ft¶ ImcyanÃ..... CtãmanÃ... AtXm−m... A¦nfnt\mSp ]dªXv..." " C¸w F{X amkambn...." " amtkm¶pambnÃ... sImd¨p sZhtk BsbmÅp..." AhÄ \mWn¨p \n¶p. " sZhtkm...? AsX§s\bm \o Xocpam\nt¨....?..." " Rm³ t\cn«p I−p....]ns¶ sNmdn¨nepsam−v...." " sNmdn¨ntem...?.. \o Ft´m¶p Is−¶m ]tdt¶... H¶p sXfn¨p ]d..." AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbntem«p ]dªp. " Fsâ AhnsS...HcpXcw ...Pohn... t]³ t]mse... F«pImeosS Imep amXncn...." AhÄ¡p ]ns¶bpw \mWw. " slm... Fâoizcm... CXv t\ct¯b§p ]dbt−... t]Sn¨n«v Poh³ t]mbtÃmSo..." " F´n\v...?.." " \nsâ apJhpc tI«¸w Rm³ hnNmcn¨Xv s\\¡v KÀ`m¶m...." " At¿... On... AsX¶m Rm\{Xíp a−nbmsW¶p hnNmcnt¨m...?..." " \nsâ skm`mh¯n\p \o AXpw H¸nípw..." " ]nt¶... BsI sam¯w... Ft¶ sXm«Xo A¦nfp am{Xm.... F¶p IcpXn F\nípadnbmw... F§\m KÀt`m−mIpt¶¶v..." " AXn\n¸w Rms\¶m thWw...?.." " C¶mfp kmhn{Xnípw h¶mcp¶p... At¶cw... {]Imi³ Ah¡p FÃmw sicnbm¡n sImSp¯p..." " F´p sicnbm¡n...?..." " AhSw hSn¨psImSp¯p...." AhÄ ]Xps¡ ]dªp. " AhtSm...?... Cu aqaqt{Xmgníp¶ ap³htim.... .?.." " AtXt¶... aqs{Xmgníps¶Sw... AXp Xs¶..." AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨psIm−p ]dªp. " Gbv... Ft¶s¡m−sXm¶pw h¿... Xs¶¯m³ sNbvXm aXn... GXpw t]mcmªv aq{Xs¯mf.. AXpw s]®p§sS... sNct¸... lpw... Asæn ChnsS s]®p§tfm−tÃm... AhtcmSp ]d..." " tN¨ntbmSp ]dª¸w ]dªp....Xs¶¯m³ sN¿m³... CsXms¡ C\n ]TníW¶v..." " A¿Sm... \à ]ãv tN¨n... thdmcmbmepw th−nÃmcp¶p.... AXncnís«.... \nsâ tN¨osS AhSw sNc¨XmtWmSo..." " Rm³ I−n«nÃ... GXm−p \oes¡mSpthen t]mse sIm−p\S¡phm... Btcw ImWnímsX..." " A§\m \à s]®p§fv..." Rm³ AhfpsS Xeíns«m¶p Ingp¡n. " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... Rm³ I−m A§p tXªp t]mIpw... C¸w Ft¶mSp sImtd sZhkt¯íp I«ntes¡S¡−... Xmsg sIS¡m\m ]dªncníp¶Xv... Fs´mcp \mWt¡Sm... Rms\¶m ]«nIPmXnbmtWm...?.." AhÄ¡p tZjyw. " \nsâ PmXnsbms¡ \ÃXm... F¶psh¨v.... C\n \nt¶ sXm«m... AsX\nípw ]IcptIte...?..." Rm³ Ahtf t\m¡n. t\m¡n\nÂs¡ AhfpsS I®p \ndbp¶p. BsI \ncmi]nSn¨ `mhw. Fsâ a\Ên Hcp hnNmcw, Ip«nItf Bhiykab¯p amXm]nXm¡·mÀ, {]tXyIn¨v s]¬Ip«nItf A½amÀ klmbníWw. Asæn AhcpsS kz`mhw Xt¶ amdpw. kvt\l¯n\p ]Icw ]IbmIpw a\Ên apfípI. Ftf½ Ct¸msg§pw aItf Xncnªp t\m¡¯nsödnbmw. ImapIt\ I−v F´p ]Án, A¶p h¶nÃmcpt¶m, AtXm {]iv\§Ä Fs´¦nepap−mtbm, AtXm ]nW§nbmtWm, Fs¶ms¡bpÅ hnhc§Ä Adnbp¶Xp htc AhÀ¡p a\:kam[m\w CÃ. ]ns¶§s\ aÁpÅhcpsS Imcyw t\m¡pw. AhÄ sasà apdníp ]pd¯nd§m\mbn Xncnªp. " Ietamtf...." " Mqw..." " C§v hm..."

" th−... BÀ¡pw Ft¶mSnãaÃ... Rm³ XSn¨n... F\níp kuμtcymanÃ... C¸w A`nt¨¨nbmcps¶¦ntem... F\níckpJw h¶¸w... A¦nfn\pt]mepw Ft¶ th−..." AhÄ I®p XpS¨p. Rms\gpt¶Áp sN¶v Ahtf ]nSn¨v sIm−ph¶v Fsâ ASp¯p \nÀ¯n. " CXp kqt¡sSm¶paà tamtf... aníhmdpw FÃmÀ¡pw sNdp¸¯n CXp hcpw... Cu {]mb¯n \½sS tZlw hr¯nbmbn kq£níWw... CtÃem CsXms¡ hcp¶Xv... kmcanÃ... IcbmsX... Rm³ shdptX ]dªXtÃ... Cu ho«nset¶mSp kvt\lsamÅ Hcmsfsâ Ietamfp amt{X HÅp....tamÄ¡o A¦nsf´p thtWepw sNbvXp XcmtÃm...." Rm³ AhfpsS I®pIÄ XpS¨psImSp¯p. ]ns¶ Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯p. " A¸w... A¦nfn\nXv t\ct¯ Adnbmcpt¶m... AtXm....h¶ns«mt−m...?..." " H−v..." " F¶nt«m...?.." " F¶ns«´m sImtd¡gnª¸w t]mbn...\½ShnsS tcmaw hcp¼gm CsXms¡ ....]ns¶ th\epw AtÃ... tamfp {ian¨p t\m¡ntbm...?..." " Mqw...F\ní§p sicnbmIp¶nÃ... hbdpImcWw... HsctSmw ImWm³ ]Áp¶nÃ.... AcpXms¯Sw htÃmw apdnªmtem¶p t]Sow...." " I®mSo t\m¡n sN¿Ww..." " Rm³ t\m¡s«..." " Mm t\m¡v ...]Áosæn A¦nfp sNbvXp Xcmw...." " F¦n ]ns¶´n\m A¦ntf...Rm³ t\m¡pt¶... Fsâ s]m¶¦nftÃ... A§p sNbvXp X¶m t]mtc.... " " AsÃSo...s]t®... CsXms¡ Ft¶mSp ]dbm³ s\\¡p \mWsam¶pantÃSo..." " F´n\m...?... \½fp X½nse¶m \mWním\m....?.. \½fp X½nev FÃmtSmw sXmd¶p ImWn¨XtÃ... ]Sw hcíptIw sNbvXp.... t]mcmªn«v A¦nfn¸w Fsâ ehdpw... tIm¨pw Hs¡btÃ..." " tImt¨m.... Ft´m¶p tIm¨v......?.." Fsâ I®pXÅn, Cu km[\¯nt\ Rms\´p tIm¨m\m. FÃmadnbmhp¶ s]s¦m¨v. " AtX... ]oÁo DtjsS Imep Xncp½p¶Xpw tZlw Xncp½p¶Xpw Hs¡ tIm¨p \¼ymcÃmcpt¶m... AXpt]metà C¸w A¦nfpw... Rm\t{X IW¡m¡os«mÅp.... ]ns¶ Ft¶ A¦nfp IeymWw Igním\pw F\níp k½Xm..... C¸w Fsâ t_mbv{^−v..... " " AXp sImÅmw.... A\nb¯namtc Bsc¦nepw IeymWw IgnípthmSo a−ns¸t®...?..." " A\nb¯namtcm....?... H...H...Hm.. C¸gpw AXpw hnNmcn¨ncníphmtWm... \S¡pw.... høgpw Hcp Im¸n sh¨pXcq¶p ]dªv... kz]vt\mw I−p \St¶m... Ahkm\w Cu Rmt\ ImWs¯mÅp...." " Mqw... F\níp hcp¶ Hcp ]mtS... sicn, kabw In«s«, sNbvXp Xcmw..." " c−p aq¶p sZhkmbn Rm\nXp ]dbm³ th−n \S¡phmcp¶p.... C¸gmtW \à kabm... A½ Ihte t]mIphm¶pw ]dªp t]mbn..... tN¨n... Zo]mcm[\ sXmgm³ t]mbncníphm... CXpt]msemchkcw In«¯nÃ..." AhÄ I¿nencp¶ s]mXn Fsâ t\tc \o«n. " CsXt´m¶m...?..." " CXv s]®p§¡p th−nsbmÅ kvs]jy km[\am... {]Imi³ kmhníp A¶p sImSp¯Xm....AhsS At½mSp ]dªn«v sN¿mªn«v HSphn {]Imi\m sNbvXpsImSp¯Xv... F\nín¸w {]Imisâ kvYm\¯v A¦nftà HÅq..." Rm\Xp Xpd¶p t\m¡n. Idp¯ Hcp tjhn§v skÁv. Hcp s»bnUpw D−v. ]t£ km[mcW s»bnUnt\¡mÄ sNdpXpw, AcnIpIÄ \¶mbn hfªXpw. s]®p§fpsS Imen¶nSbn HXp§pambncnípw. ]t£ AXpsIm−v Kplyt]³ t]mIptam. " tamtf CXpsIms−m¶pw ImcyanÃ... B km[\w t]msW¦n AXns\mcp kabsam−v....." " At¿m.. ¢mknsems¡ Ccníp¼w.....sNmdnªn«p h¿... F¶m sNmdnbm³ ]Ápthm, AXpanÃ.... AXpsIm−m... CtàRm\o Ip{´m−¯n Xo shípw.... ]qS I¯p¼w... FÃmw I¯n Nt¯mfpatÃm..." AhÄ CXn\nSív IhínS H¶p sNmdnªp. " a−¯csam¶pw ImWnt¨¡tà Fsâ tamtf... Hcp Ime¯p hÃhtâw samJans«mctí− km[\am... AXp \o \in¸nítÃ..."

" F¦n hÀ¯m\w ]dtªm−ncnímsX H¶p sNbvXp Xm... apÅms\mcp sXmf am{Xw aXnbmcp¶p... AXpw AhsS sImtd apSow... XtesemÅ apSn Xt¶ sIm−p\S¡pt¶sâ ]mSv F\ntí Adnbs¯mÅp..... Cu Ip{´m−sa´n\mtWm X¶Xv...?.." " Fâoizcm....Ct{Xw \mWanÃm¯ Hcp s]s¦m¨pw Cu temI¯n ImW¯nÃ... hÃm¯ km[\w Xt¶.... B.... \o Cu I«ntetem«p sISt¶...." AhÄ I«nen InS¶p. Rm³ shfnbnend§n Aåw shÅw ¥mkn FSp¯psIm−p h¶p. ]ns¶ NpÁp]mSpw t\m¡nbn«v hmXneS¨p IpÁnbn«p. Hcp ]gb ]{XsaSp¯p. " Blm.... Ft¶ ae¯n sIS¯ntb¨p ]{Xw hmbním³ t]mIphmtWm..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " AhsS AS§n sISs¡sâ Ip«o.... " Rm³ I«nensâ AcnInencp¶p AhfpsS Ac¸mhmSbpw s]Ánt¡m«pw tateíp s]m¡n Acípta sh¨p. XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn XSn¨ AcnIpIfpambn tcma§Ä ]mInb CÍent]met¯ sIm¨p]qdv. " s\\¡p \n¡dpw tImWm\pw H¶pw CtÃ...?.. " " Hm.. AXpw IqsS Iq«n sNmdnbp¼w... \oÁem.... Cu \in¨ Ip´w t]mIp¶ htcípw Noe sI«p¶nÃm¶p sh¨p.... sXmd¶psIS¡s«....H¶qtÃepw NqS¯n¨nsc ImsÁ¦nepw tIdqtÃm...." Fsâ {]mW`oXnbpw hnja§fpw FÃmw Rm³ ad¶p. t]\ps−¶p ]dsª¦nepw sht«mSp IqSnb, CcpIcIfnepw Idp¯ Rmdp]mInb t]msebpÅ sNdp tcma§Ä NmªpInS¡p¶, B \nÀ½eamb {XntImWw I−t¸mÄ Rm\pw Fsâ IhínSbn Acab¡¯nembncp¶ Fsâ tam\pw AsXms¡ ad¶p. Rm\pw ImWs« F¶pw ]dªv Ah\pw F¯n t\m¡m³ XpS§n. CcnsbSm XÃns¸mfn AhnsS F¶p ]dªv Rm\ht\ XpSIÄ¡nSbnteív AaÀ¯n ]nSníp¶Xv Ahfpw I−p. " F´m A¦ntf AhsS {]iv\mtbm..." " Bb e£Wam... \o Ct{Xw Znhtkmw Ft¶ CXp sNmthzt\tc ImWn¨nÃtÃm.. \akvtX¶p sXmd¶ I−¸w Ah\pw sImXn..... H¶p ImWm³..." " AXymhiyamtW Hcp ]Sw hcímw.... AXn IqSpXens\t¶ In«¯nsöp ]dtªcv... A[nI{]kwKntbmSv...." " s\\¡n¶p \à aqUmWtÃmSo... " Rm\m CÍen¸qdnsem¶p \pÅn. " At¿m InÅmsX... C¶t¯sIm−v Cu ieyw t]mbn In«phtÃmt¶mÀ¡p¼w Hcp kam[m\w..." " tamfp Ip−nsbm¶p s]m´nt¨..." AhÄ ImepIfn Ip¯n N´nIÄ s]m´n¨p ]nSn¨p. Rm³ ]{Xw \nhÀ¯n AhfpsS N´nIÄ¡Snbnteíp XÅn sh¨p. hÃXpw s]mgnªp hoWm Fsâ InS¡¸mbn hoWm c−maXpw F\níXp ]nSn¨p sNmdntb−n hcpw. " ImeI¯n sht¨..." Rm\mhiys¸«p. AhÄ ImeI¯n sh¨p. Rm³ Ipd¨p shÅsaSp¯v B tcma§sfm¶p \\¨p. At¸mÄ AXn \n¶pw Hcp tkm¸nsâ aWw h¶p. B Nμ\¸qsdm¶p ]nfÀ¯n t\m¡nbn«v Rm³ AS¨p sh¨p. Ct¸mÄ ]nfÀ¯nbm Nnet¸mÄ B PohnIÄ AI¯p IpÁnbSnt¨¡pw. F\nít¸mÄ AXn\Is¯m¶p I¿nSWsa¶pw, AsXm¶p \¶mbn ImWWsa¶pw Hs¡ tamlap−v. ]t£ t]Sn. apIfn DÅ{X tcmaw XpSbnSp¡nsâ AcnIpIfnenÃ. Fsâ AXntamlw H¶p XoÀ¡m\mbn Rm³ AXnsâ AcnInteíp aqs¡m¶Sp¸n¨p. IqSnbncp¶ CSp¡nsâ hnbÀ¸pw, ]ns¶ Ft´m Hcp aWhpw, tkm¸nsâ aW¯ns\m¸w Fsâ aq¡n IqSn Ip®¯p¼¯p sNs¶¯n. AXp hmen¨m¡¯m¡nb Ip«nIrjvW³ De¡t]mse \n¶p sh«nbmSn. GXmbmepw CXp Ignªn«v Hcp hmWaSnímsX XcanÃ. C¶tX c£sbmÅp. Rm³ AhfpsS IhbnSp¡nteíp apJw Ip¯p¶Xp I−n«mbncnípw AhÄ ]dªp. " A¦ntf... th−... C¸w H¶pw sN¿−... ]ns¶bms«.... Rm³ FÃmw Fsâ A¦nfn\p Xcmw... C¸w thKw CsXm¶p XoÀ¯p Xm.... Ahcmsc¦nepw hcpt¶\p ap¼v..." AhÄ sIm−ph¶ tdkdpsIm−v Rm³ H¶p hen¨p t\m¡n. \ofw IqSpXepÅXpsImt−m Ft´m kwKXn t\cmwh®w \S¡p¶nÃ. t\m¡pt¼mÄ tdkdn henb tcma§Ä IpSp§p¶p. ]co£W§Ä¡p kabhpanÃ. c−pw Iån¨v Rm\Xnsâ Hcp IjWw Ducn sh¨p, s»bnUp am{Xw Dd¸n¨p. ]ns¶ H¶p {ian¨p

t\m¡n. \à kpJw. Rm³ \m«n sh¨p Nnes¸msgms¡ _mÀ_Àjm¸n t]mbt¸mÄ I¯n sIm−v tjhp sN¿p¶Xp t]mep−v. CSív Rm³ B DcpÄ]qdnsâ hnShI¯n hnShn\cnIpIfn Bcpw ImWmsX InS¡p¶ Nne tcma§Ä hSns¨Sp¡pt¼mÄ Fsâ hnc AdnbmsX, B \o− hnShn AaÀ¶p InS¡p¶ shfp¯ I´n ap«n. At¸mÄ AhÄ H¶p sR«n Rc§n. Rm³ ]dªp. " A\§tÃ... Fsâ s]m¶p tamtf... Csæn C¸w ssZhw X¶ Iodep IqSmsX ]pXnb Nmsem−mIpw... sam«p sNe¸w ]qhmbn«p amdpw... " " ]ns¶ A¦nsf´n\m Fsâ apÃsamt«en¸w sXmSpt¶..?." " At¿mSo... AdnbmsX sIm−Xm.... " " F\níhsS sXm«m ]ns¶ IensbfIp¶ t]mem... F\nídnb¯nÃ... FÃmÀ¡pw A§\mtWm¶v... " " \o \nsâ tN¨ntbmSp tNmZn¨p t\m¡v... AtÃÂ.... AhfptSXn H¶p sXm«p t\m¡v..." Rm³ H¶p Fcnhp tIÁn t\m¡n. " F¦n B km[\w Ft¶ sImÃpw......Ignª Znhkw......" s]s«¶hÄ \nÀ¯n. " Ignª Znhkw...." Rm³ BhÀ¯n¨p tNmZn¨p. " H¶qÃ... Igntªm...." _p²naXn, AhÄ hnjbw amÁn. F\níp tXm¶n, c−nt\bpw AhfpsS tN¨n It¿msS ]nSn¨ Imcyambncnípw Ct¸mÄ AhÄ HmÀ¯Xv. ]qdp hSn¨p ¢o\m¡n. Ct¸mÄ I−m Aåw XSnbpÅ Hcp IpªpsIm¨nsâ sagpIp ]mInb kmam\w t]mse Ccnípw, F¦nepw B {XntImW¯nsâ apIĸc¸n IpÁntcma¯nsâ Idp¸p Omb \ntj[ním³ ]Á¯nÃ. " C\n tamfp Imsem¶p s]m¡n¸nSnt¨... sImX¯nepw tIdn¡mWpw... Cu abncp km[\¯n\p sXmeosS s\dam... ]Án¸nSn¨ncp¶m Adnb¯nÃ... hSn¨mepw t]mc¯nÃ...." AhÄ IW¦mepIÄ CcpI¿nepw s]m¡n¸nSn¨v Ih¡nS hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. AhfpsS hSn¨ an\pk¸qdp ]qt]mse hnSÀ¶p \n¶p. XSn¨ AI¯neIÄ AXn\pÅn AaÀ¶p InS¶Xv At¸mÄ shthztd ImWmambncp¶p. H¸w AXnsâ Ioden\pÅnte B ISpwNph¸p Ombbpw. H¶p hnSÀ¯n t\m¡Wsa¶mibps−¦nepw AXp Rm\S¡n. At¸mÄ AXnteíp apJaSp¸n¨p t\m¡nbncp¶ Fsâ aq¡nteív Hcp {]tXyI KÔw AebSn¨p tIdn. Fsâ ssZhta, Xn¶m\pw h¿, XÅm\pw h¿m¯ HchkvX. Rm\hnsS \n¶pw Fsâ I®pItf ]n³hen¨p. IqXns¸m«n A[nIw tcma§fnÃ, ]t£ A©msd®w NpÁp]mSpw DÅh \ofw shím³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. ImcWw, _menIbn \n¶pw Ahfpw Hcp XcpWnbnteíp hfÀ¶ptIdpIbmWtÃm. F«pImen t]mse AhnsS Ft´m ]Án¸nSn¨ncp¶Xv Fsâ kq£vaZrãnIÄ I−p ]nSn¨p. " IqXo sNmdn¨nsemt−m... tamtf....... ?.." " Mqw. sNe¸sgms¡...." Rm³ B F«pImen¡pªnt\ hnc sIms−m¶p XpS¨p t\m¡n, A\§p¶nÃ. ]ns¶ \Jw sIms−m¶p t]mdn t\m¡n. At¸mÄ Ah³ CfIn h¶p. At¸mÄ hncen ]Ánb hnbÀ¸n\p thsdmcp KÔw. " At¿... AhnsS´n\m I¿nSpt¶...?..." " ChntSw Hs−So Ah½mcv... tamfp Ime§s\ Xs¶ ]nSnt¨m... s]mebmSn tam½msc C¶v IqtSmsS hSns¨Spt¯ímw. Rm³ IqXn hSn¡m\mc`n¨p. AXmbncp¶p ]qdp hSníent\¡mÄ ZpjvIcw. IpS§fp t]mse Dcp−Sp¯ncníp¶ Ip−nIfpsS \Sp¡v Ipfw t]mse Ipgnª sImXw, t]mcmªv Npcp−ncníp¶ IqXn¯pfbpw. s»bnUp sXmSpt¼mÄ AhÄ sImXw A\¡m³ XpS§pw, A{Xív C¡nfn. CSíhÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. slm, Hcp hn[¯n Rm³ B ]Wn ]IpXnbpw XoÀ¯p. " C\n sam¯w Ip−n H¶p s]m¡n¸nSnt¨... Cu Ip−n c−pw H¶p hen¨p hncn¨p ]nSnt¨... CtàsNe¸w apdnbpw... ]ns¶ \msf IqXo shÅw sXmSp¼w Ft¶ sXdn ]dbÃv.... " AhÄ A§s\ Xt¶ apIfntesím¶p hfªp. Ip−nIÄ hi§fnteív AI¯n¸nSn¨t¸mÄ henªp Xpd¶ B Ih¡q«n \n¶pw ]qdnsâ ASn`mK¯p

\n¶pw ]dªdnbn¡m\mhm¯ Hcp aZKÔw AebSn¨pbÀ¶p. B hmk\bSn¨v B IqXnbpw IqXn¸qdpw t\m¡nbncnsí Acs¡«n _ew {]m]n¨ hnImcw henªp apdpIn s]m«psa¶ \nebmbn. Rm³ ]{Xw amÁn. ]ns¶ B ]qÀ¸c¸n H¶p kq£n¨p t\m¡n. tZ sIS¡p¶p, Hsc®w. s»bnUn\p t]mepw ]nSním³ ]ÁmsX. " tamtf... Ime\¡msX ]nSnt¨mtW... abncv.... \ns¶ Rm³.... " Rm³ ap¶dnbn¸p \ÂInbn«v s»bnUnsâ aqe sIm−ht\ Npc−n ]{X¯nen«p. " Fsâ tamtf... Ct{Xw \mdnb ]Wn Rm³ Fsâ PohnX¯n sNbvXn«nÃ...." " Fsâ A¦ntf... C¸w F\nsísâ At½¡mfpw tN¨ntb¡mfpw A¦nfnt\mSnãw tXm¶pIm... kXyw... F\ní¦nfnXp sNbvXp X¶tÃm..." " C¨ncqsS AhsSs¡S¡v.. \nsâ I£¯nepw ]qSsbmt−mSo....?..." " H−v... C¨nsc..." AhÄ \mWt¯msS ]dªp. " AhsS sNmdn¨nsemt−m...?.." " C¸w CÃ..." " GXmbmepw Hcp Nm³skm−m¡−... \obm »uknsâ Is¿m¶qcntí... AhtSw IqsS sNct¨ímw. GXmbmepw Rm³ sNc¸nbmbn..." AhÄ »uknsâ Hcp Ibv hen¨p amÁn Ft¶ ImWn¨p HÁt\m«¯n AhnsS H¶pw I−nÃ, Ipd¨p sNdnb tcma§fÃmsX. " GXmbmepw CXqsS A§p sNct¨¡mw... Hcp ap³ IcpXembn«v....." " th−¦ntf.... AhsS ]ns¶ sN¿mw... C¸w Ct{X¦nepambtÃm... tN¨nsb§m\pw h¶m..... »ukp s]s«¶p hen¨p tIÁm³ ]Á¯nÃ...." " F¦n \nÃv... Hcp {]tbmKw IqsS sN¿mw..." " C¸w th−¦ntf.... {]tbmKw C\ow IqSnbm.... F\nípw htÃmsams¡ tXm¶pw.... C¸¯t¶.... Rms\mcp ]cph¯nem ISn¨p ]nSn¨p sIS¡pt¶.... AkptJm¶p amds«.... ]ns¶ Rms\mcp ]qcw Ifnípw.... A¦nfpambn«v...." " At¿m B Ifnsbm¶pw th− tamtf...." " B IfnbtÃepw Rm³ Ifní¯nÃ... AÃmsX Xt¶.... Fs´Ãmw IfnIfv... Ahfp ]dªp X¶ns«m−tÃm.... C¸w t\canÃm¯ sIm−m... CtÃÂ... Rms\mcp ]Sw hct¨t\.... " AhÄ ImepIÄ t\scbn«p. B aS¡¸w shdpsamcp shfp¯ {XntImWambn \n¶p XpSn¨p \n¶p. H¶p½sh¨m sImÅmsa¶p−mbncp¶p. ]t£ Ct¸mÄ D½ sh¨m Nnet¸mÄ Fsâ aoibnse§m\pw Ipªp§Ä ]nSn¨p]Ánbmtem. ths−¶p sh¨p. Rm³ Fsâ Sq¯v t]sÌSp¯p. Iptd sR¡n NmSn¨p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS Ih¡nSbnepw ]qdn\p ]pd¯pw Nmenepw FÃmw \à I«nbn tX¨psh¨p. B Cfw]qdnsâ Zzmc¯n I¿n«p tX¨t¸mÄ Fsâ hnc Aåw IqSpX DÅnteíp sX¶n XÅnt¸mbn Fsâ XSn¨ hnc ]IpXntbmfw tIdpatÃm. At¸mÄ AhÄ hncenSoepw XpS§ntbm. AtXm t]Ìnsâ hgp¡ep sIm−mtWm. " Ietamtf ...kXyw ]d... s\\¡pw ZpÈoe§fp sXmS§ntbm...?.." " F´p ZpÈoew..." " Cu hncep tIÁp¶ ]cn]mSn..." adp]Snbmbn Ahsfm¶p Nncn¨p. " F´mSo Infnípt¶... FSo s]®p§sS kz¯m CXv.... \nsâ sI«ntbm³ CXv sXmd¶XmsW¶dnªm.. BZyt¯ cm{Xn Xt¶ \nt¶ samgn sNmÃpw..." " Hm.. Rm\o AcnInsems¡ H¶p tXm−nt¸mIt¯sbmÅp... \tÃmcp sam«p sIS¡p¼w.. Cu aq{X¯nemcm I¿nSm³ t]mWXv.... Atït¶....A§s\ A§p sNmÃnbm... A§p sNmÃs«... F\nív Cu A¦nfntÃ...." " A¸w \o CXn\I¯v Fs´ms¡ XncpIn tIÁps¶mt−So... ?..." " Hm Np½m sIS¶p ImdmsX... Rms\m¶pw tIÁo«nÃ.... tIÁp¼w hnfnímw... BZyw A¦nfns\tb hnfnís¯mÅp tIt«m... C¸w F\ní{Xínãmbn........ F¶p IcpXn...C¸w AIt¯m«p I¿nS−...." AhÄ apJw Npfn¨psIm−v Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p ]pdt¯íp hen¨p amÁn. IqXnbn tXím³ ImepIÄ F\níp _eambn AI¯n¸nSntí−n h¶p. Rm³ B IqXns¸m«n sXmSps¼msgms¡ AhÄ C¡nfnsIm−v s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−v ImepIÄ ASp¸nípw.

F´p ckamb Ifn. IqXnípÅnteíp hnc hfsc Ffp¸¯n Cd§nt¸mbn. AXn H¶p c−p {]mhiyw hnc IbÁnbnd¡nbt¸mÄ AhfpsS kmam\¯nsâ AI¯neIÄ AdnbmsX sR«nhenbp¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckw. Rm³ AXmhÀ¯n¨t¸mÄ AhÄ I®pIÄ Cdp¡nbS¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " At¿... Cu ]td¶ Bfnsâ Hcp hr¯n... C¸w F{X {]mhiyw Fsâ IqXo I¿n«p...?.. " " t]mSo... \o C¸w taSnípw... C¨nsc \¶mbn«p tX¨psImSp¡msa¶p sh¨¸w..." " AhsS ]Ãp tXím³ t]mIphmtWm...?..." F¶n«hÄ Ipep§n¨ncn¨t¸mÄ B IqXnbpw AXn\\pkcn¨v henªp Nncn¨p. " ]n¶ÃmsX... I−ntà Hcp¯n ]ÃnÃm¯ tamtWw Im«n sXmd¶p ae¯n Nncnt¨m−ncníp¶Xv... H¶p hr¯nbmIs«, \nsâ sam«¡pdp¼mSpw sImtXmw........ Cu \m¡p Rm\n¸w hSníp¶nÃ... \o sR«ns¯dnípw..." atÁ IbvsIm−v hnShn\pÅn AaÀs¶mfn¨ncníp¶ I´nt\ e£yam¡n H¶p \pÅnbn«v Rm³ ]dªp. AhÄ InS¶p ]pfªp. " Mqw... t]m A¦ntf... AtXen¸w \pÅ−... t]mcmªn«v XWp¡p¶p.... t]mcmªn«v....AIs¯ms¡ A¦nfnsâ shcep sXmSp¼w... GXm−p t]mtew.... sXm«pw tX¨pw....F´n\m C¸w AhsS tXíp¶Xv....?.." \mW¯n\nSbnepw AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " cq]m Ft{XtS t]ÌmsW¶dnbmtam... Cu ]Wn GÁm c£s]«p... izmkw ap«p¼w C\ow hÃh½mcpw ISn¨ncps¸mt− FfIpw. ... C¸w CXnsâ DÅo¶p hcp¶ ]tiw IqsSbmIp¼w...Ah½mÀ¡p Imep sXÁpw.... Fsâ Ibv sX¶ns¯dníp¶p... Fs´mscmgp¡mSo... C{X sNdp¸¯nte Xt¶...." " AX¦nfp I¿nSp¼w hÃmsX sXmSp¶sIm−m.... tÈm.... C\n apÅp¼w ]X IqSphmcnípw... CtÃ...?.." " AXp \nsâ tN¨ntbmSp tNmZnív... imkv{Xobambn«p apÅm\pw h«w hcím\pw ]X¸ním\pw Ah¡m IqSpXep anSp¡v...." " F¶mepw apSnª _p²nbmtW... " " F¶m C\n Fgpt¶tÁm...." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ ]{Xw Npcp«n¡q«n AhfpsS I¿n sImSp¯n«p ]dªp. " sIm−p t]mbn ASp¸nen«p I¯nív..." AhÄ t\tc \n¶n«p XpWns]m¡n Ih¡nSbnteíp Ip\nsªm¶p t\m¡n. AhnsS t]ÌÃmsX H¶pw ImWm\nÃmbncp¶p. AhÄ Imsem¶ps]m¡n IqXnbnepw H¶p X¸n t\m¡n. " At¿... F´p am{Xm... tX¨p sh¨ncnípt¶..." " Np®m¼m... Ch½mÀ¡p s_Ìv... ]ns¶ \nsâ Ipªn¸qdpw sImtXmw s]mÅphtÃm¶p IcpXnbm t]Ìm¡ntb.... sImtd¡gnªv \à t]mse tkm¸p tX¨v IgpIn¡fªm aXn... ]Xªv FÃmw \à ¢nbdmIpw...." t»bnUhfpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. AhÄ AIt¯íp tIdnt¸mbn. Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n. Is¿ms¡ \¶mbn IgpIn h¶v Itkcbnencp¶p. AhÄ Xncn¨p h¶t¸mÄ I¼nbSn¨p s]m«mdmb Ip®bpw XShn Rm³ Itkcbn Ccn¡pIbmbncp¶p. AhfpsS I®mSn t]mse an\p§nb CSp¡ne¸¯nsâ HmÀ½ a\Ênepw, AXnsâ D]cnXe¯nse an\pkw hncepIfnepw Hcp amdm¯ ASbmfw t]mse ]Án¸nSn¨p. H¸w aZmekXcpWnIfpsS ]nfÀ¶ Np−pIÄ t]mse ]nfÀ¶p \n¶ AXnsâ Iod a\Ên \n¶p XpSn¨t¸mÄ I¿psS thKX IqSn. Cu {XnkÔyt\c¯v cma\maw P]ntí−Xn\p ]Icw Rm³ hmWaSníp¶p. Rm\n{Xbpw A[:¸Xnt¨m. F¶mepw kmcanÃ, Hcp¡qSnb hnImct¯ XWp¸nímw, Csæn Ip® henªp apdpIn s]m«ns¯dnípw. Ie Xncn¨p Ibdn hcp¶Xp I−v Rm³ Fsâ I¿pw Kpem\pw IqSn taiíSnbnteíp amÁn apt¼m«p \o§nbncp¶p. AhÄ h¶v AI¯p tIdn IXIn\p IpÁnbn«p. t\m¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ hn½nãs¸«p Ip\nªncníp¶p. Fsâ hfn¨ apJ`mhw I−t¸mÄ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... Cu A¦nsf´p sN¿phm...?.." " Mqlpw...H¶panà Np½m...." " F´n\m A¦ntf shjanípt¶... Rm\ntÃ... F´p thW¶p ]d... " " F\nív... H¶pw... th−...."

Rms\mcp tImgn¡ma¡mc\msW¶v ]dbm³ F\nsímcp N½Â. " F´n\m \mWnípt¶.. F\níp sNbvXpX¶¸tg ...Rm³ I−XtÃ... AhsS XekvYm\¯v Bfp hoÀ¯p sImSnacw t]mse \níp¶Xv..." " AXn¸w s\\¡v... C¶v...]Sw hcím\pw Hcím\pw H¶pw ]Á¯nÃ......" " F\nídnbmw.. ]Icpthm¶v t]Sn.... A¦nftà ]dªXv.. CXv AkpJsam¶pasöv...." AhÄ taiíSnbn Ip\nªp t\m¡n. " At¿... t\m¡msXSo..." " Hm Rm\n¸w I−m.. Ft´m sImg¸samÅt]msebtÃ... Rm³ ImWm¯ Hcp km[\ta....A¼S.... C¸w Hcp \mWw... Aht\ Ct§ms«Sp¡v..." " kwKXnsbms¡ sicnbm... F¶mepw..." F\nsít´m Hcp N½Â. Ahsft¶mSp tNÀ¶p \n¶n«p tNmZn¨p. "]nSn¨p XctWm...?.." Fsâ k½X¯n\p Im¯p \n¡msX AhÄ taiíSnbn I¿n«p Kpemt\ ]nSp¯an«p. " At¿m th−So.... " AhfpsS XWp¯p an\p¯ Ibv Kpemsâ sam«¯ebn sXm«t¸mÄ F\nípw ckapÅ Hcp C¡nfn. " F¶p ]dªm ]Á¯nÃ.... \mWw Rm\n¸w amÁn¯cmw...FfInbXp ]nSn¨p IfbW¶m {]Imi³ kmhn{XntbmSp ]tdt¶.... CtàBWp§sS Rc¼p s]m«pht{X...." AhÄ Ft´m henb Adnhp ]Icp¶Xp t]mse ]dªn«v Hcp IbvIp«v taita Du¶n atÁ IbvsIm−v Fsâ I¼n¡p®bn ]nSn¨p sR¡m³ XpS§n. GXmbmepw AhÄ kvt\lt¯msS Ibv sh¨XtÃ. sicnípw ]nSnís«. Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nSn¨p \o¡nbn«p ]dªp. " F¦n... \nÃv...Rms\m¶p t\tcbncnís«..." AhÄ amdn \n¶p. Rm³ Itkc ]pdtIm«p hen¨v P\en¶`napJambn Ccp¶p. Bsc¦nepw h¶m ImWWatÃm. ]pdtIm«Â¸w Nmªp. AhÄ Fsâ AcnIn ap«n \n¶p. ]ns¶ c−p IbvsIm−pw Ip® I¿nseSp¯p. HcpIbvsIm−v Ahsâ sXmen Nph«nte¡p hen¨p ]nSn¨p. At¸mÄ Ahsâ sam«¯e henªp hoÀ¯p \n¶p. AhÄ ]cnNbk¼¶tbt¸mse Ahsâ sXm¸nícnInepw sXm«pXmsgbpw atÁ IbvsIm−v XShm³ XpS§n. tlm, B arZpeamb IbvsIm−v XgpIpt¼mÄ DStemsS kzÀ¤¯n tIdp¶ {]XoXn. " \o CsXhnS¶p ]Tns¨So.... Cu sRmSp¡p thesbms¡.... " " F´n\m Adot¶.... A¸w Xn¶m t]mtc..." " AXn\p \nâ¸w Xn¶m\n¸w ]Á¯nÃtÃm..." " F¶m an−mXncn..." an\pk¡bvIÄ sIm−v Fsâ Ip®bp]tbmKn¨v AhÄ Ft¶ sasà sasà kucbqY¯n\p NpÁpan«p Id¡m³ XpS§n. ]t£ `mKnIambn Fsâ {i² P\enÂIqSn ]pdt¯ímbXn\m Imcyat§m«p awKfamIp¶nÃ. F¶m Rm³ AXnsâ A{K¯nemWp Xm\pw. " A¦ntf...?..." hmWaSn¨p Xcp¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ hnfn¨p. " F´mSo..."? " R§fp No¯¡p«nIfmtWm....?...aÁp ]ntÅscms¡ C§s\ sN¿pthm...?..." " \o \à Ip«nbmSo.... aÁhcp sN¿p¶Xv \½fdnbp¶nÃtÃm... sNe¸w.... Ahcpw sN¿ps¶m−mIpw... BÀ¡dnbmw.... " ]ns¶ AhÄ Ipd¨p t\cw an−msX tPmenbn apgpIn. XgpIensâ kv]oUåw IpdªXp t]mse, Nnet¸mÄ Ibv Igíp¶p−mIpw. " aXnbmtbm....?..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " apgph\mIs«... ]mep h¶mte aXnbmIs¯mÅp...." " AXn\nsb¸gm...?.." " A[nIw XmakanÃ....GXm−mbn hcp¶p.....\o C¨ncqsS ]nSnív..." a\Êp ]qÀ®ambpw apgpIm¯XpsIm−v shÅw hcm³ Xmakw. " \à `wKn CXp ImWm³..... Fs´mcp an\pkm Cu Xeív..... apSnª t]\nÃmcpt¶Â C¸w Hcp ]Sw hcímcp¶p.... F\ní§p hÃmsX hcpIm.... "

AhÄ Ahsâ X¡mfn¯ebn Hcp½ sh¨p. At¸mÄ F\nsímcp sFUnbm tXm¶n. " tamtf... \o D½ sh¨¸w... \à kpJw... \o Aht\ hmbnep sh¨v H¶q¼mthm... F¦n... Ahcp hcp¶Xn\p ap¼p s]s«¶v Imcyw Ignímw..." " CX§p ISn¨p Xn¶m³ htc C¸w tXm¶ps¶m−v... ]s£¦n,.. F\ním ]Wn F\nídnb¯nÃtÃm... " " Aht\ hmbntems«Sp¯n«v... C§s\.... Cu... am§m−n aq©p¶ t]mse A§p aq©nbm aXn....]Ãp sImÅnímsX..." " t\m¡s«...aq¯ph¶m....sNe¸w Rm\nXp ISn¨p Xn¶pw... " AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨v Ahsâ Xe hmbn sImÅníms\mcp hn^e{iaw \S¯n. B Np−pw NqSphmbpw sXm«t¸mÄ Xt¶ Fsâ Acs¡«n kam]\¯nsâ XpS¡w Ipdníp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. Fsâ Acs¡s«m¶p sh«nt¸mbn. ]t£ AhÄ s]s«¶ht\ shfnbnseSp¯p. " l..... AsX¶m tamtf FSp¯Xv...?.." " Fsâ hmbn sImÅp¶nÃ... Ihnfp Igíp¶p.... ]nSn¨p Xcmw...." " AXmZymbn«m... tamtfm¶qsS {iant¨... Ahcp hcpt¶\p ap¼v XoÀ¡Ww....... CtàFsâ Rc¼p s]m«nt¸mIpw...." " Mqw... F¶m...A¦nsfgpt¶Áp \nÃv...." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSnhnSmsX R§Ä Xncnªp. Ahtf Itkcbnencp¯n Rm³ P\en\`napJambn \n¶p. " Ccp¶m....s]Ánt¡mt«Â apgph\pw t]Ìp ]Ápw...." AhÄ Ccním³ H¶p aSn¨p. " Hm, AXp IgpIn¡fbmt¶...." Rm³ Ahtf Itkcbn ]nSn¨ncp¯n. F¶n«v Kpemt\ AhfpsS apJt¯íp \o«ns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ ho−pw Aht\ IbvIfnseSp¯v XgpIn¯ncp½n. anSp¡ns¸®v \¶mbn«p kpJn¸níp¶p. " A¦nfn\mbXpsIm−m Rm\nsXÃmw klnípt¶... B hnNmcw thWw... Rm³ tN¨ntbt¸meà tIt«m..." " F\nídnbmSo... \osbsâ N¡c¡p«nbtÃ... thKw.. thKw.. Ah³ [rXn]nSníp¶Xp I−ntÃ..." hSnt]mse \n¶p sh«p¶ Aht\ I¿nseSp¯v H¶m«n¡pep¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]dªp. ]ns¶ AhÄ FXnscm¶pw ]dªnÃ. B\ hm s]mfníp¶Xp t]mse hm s]mfn¨p Aht\ DÅntesíSp¯p. Xebpw sXm¸nbpw apgph\pw DÅn tIdn. At¸mÄ Rm³ Ipd¨p XÅns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ th−m Fs¶ Ft¶ I®psIm−v ImWn¨p. ]ns¶ Du¼m³ XpS§n. Rm³ Ahsâ ISí hmWaSn¨p klmbn¨psImSp¯p. Hcp Ibv sIm−hfpsS apSnbn ]nSn¨v apt¶m«pw ]pdtIm«pw Du¼m\pw klmbn¨p. B NqSpw Du¼epw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ A¬UISmlw apg¡ns¡m−v Fsâ Acs¡«n Hcp kvt^mS\¯nsâ irwJe XpS§n. AXn \n¶pw NnXdns¯dn¨ Kp−pIjW§Ä I«n¯pÅnIfmbn AhfpsS sXm−¡pgnbn Bªp ]Xn¨p. " h....s¶....So......tamtf....." kpJ¯nsâ Rc¡t¯mSp IqSn Rm³ AhfpsS hmbnteíp shSn s]m«n¨p. " Mq..Mq...Mq..." Fsâ apJt¯ív I®pIfpbÀ¯n BwKyw ImWn¨psIm−hÄ Ft´m aqfn, Xe ]pdtIm«p hen¨p. Rm³ hn«nÃ. I®pIfS¨v AhfpsS apSnbn ]nSn¨v _eambn AhfpsS hmbn ]®n. H¸w Ip®bpsS Nph«n \n¶pw hmWaSn¨psImSp¯p. AtXmsS A−n¡pS§fn CfIn¡nS¶ apgph³ I«¸mepw DcpfIfmbn H¶n\p ]pdtI H¶mbn Nm«pfnIÄ t]mse AhfpsS hmbnse¯n. " Xmsg...¡f...btÃ....tamtf.... CX¦nfnsâ ]memSo... IpSnt¨m.... " kpJw sIm−p hndp§en¨p \n¶p hndíp¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ]dªp t]mbn. kpJ¯ns\m¸w At¸mgt¯ Nn´ AXÃmbncp¶p. Xmsgt¸mbm AhnsSÃmw \miamIpw Bsc¦nepw h¶m Nnet¸mÄ a\Ênemsb¦ntem F¶mbncp¶p a\Ênte t]Sn. GXmbmepw BZyw aSns¨¦nepw henb hnjaanÃmsX AhÄ apgph\pw Cd¡n. hnjan¨hÄ CSínSív AXnd¡p¶ iÐw tI«p. CfInb tcXÊp apgph\pw t]mbn Ip®bpsS sh«Â XoÀ¶t¸mÄ Rm³ Fsâ Ibv hn«p. F¶m Rm³ {]Xo£n¨Xns\Xncmbn, Ip® hmbn \n¶pw FSp¡p¶Xn\p ]Icw, AhÄ Ahsâ

Nph«n ]nSn¨psIm−v Ip«nIÄ ape heníp¶Xp t]mse Aht\ hen¨pIpSním³ XpS§n. _ehpw hen¸hpw Ipdªpt]mb Ip®bn AhÄ hen¨pIpSníp¶Xp Rm³ AÛpXt¯msS t\m¡n. AhÄ apIfnteíp t\m¡n Ft¶ I®ndp¡n ImWn¨p. " Ietamtf \o ... Mqw... aXn... Ahsâ AÁw sNmcp¡ps¶So...." Rm³ Ip® ]pdt¯síSp¡m³ t\m¡n. ]t£ AhÄ hn«nÃ. iànbmbn hen¨o¼n. Fsâ Acs¡«p Xcn¨n«v Rm³ \nhr¯nbnÃmsX tatem«p s]m§nt¸mbn. " At¿mSo...aXn.... hnSv... hnSv...." Rm³ ]dªpsIm−ncp¶p. Ahkm\w H¶pw In«p¶nsömbt¸mÄ AhÄ Ip® hmbn \ns¶Sp¯n«v Nndnsbm¶p XpS¨p. \\ª ]g´pWn t]mse Ahsâ Xe Xmsgíp Xq§n¡nS¶p. " \o .. Dt±in¨ t]metÃmSo... tM.... Bcm \nsâ Kpcp...?..." Ip®¯e Ibnenbn XpS¨psIm−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m... FÃmw tNmZnípt¶...?..." " F\nín¸w kwibw...thdmsc¦nepw \ns¶....?...tamtf.... tamfp thtd htÃmcptSw ASp¯p t]mIps¶¶v Bsc¦nepw Adnªp t]mbm \nsâ PohnXw t]mIpw tamtf...." " Rm³ thtd BcptSw ASp¯pw t]mIp¶næntf.... kmhn{Xn ]dªp X¶Xm... Ah¡p h¿m¯¸w... {]Imi³ C§s\ AhfpsS hmbns¡mSp¡qt{X... ]t£¦n... Ahfp ]mep IpSníp¶ Imcyw am{Xw ]dªnÃ..." " tamfp s]W§Ãv... At¶cw AXp s]mds¯Sp¯m ChnsSsbÃmw sXdnípw... AtXm−m... tam¡cpNn htÃmw tXm¶ntbm..?..." " BZyw Hcp Cgp¡ep t]mse tXm¶n... ]ns¶ ]¨sam« D¸n«p IpSníp¶ t]msem−mcp¶p.... \à ckw.... C¯ncntÈ... hen¨p IpSn¨¸w..." " iviviviv .... At¿m..... an−msX tamtf tZs−, \nsâ tN¨n hcp¶p..... tamf{]t¯m«p s]mtím... ChnsS \ní−....t]mbn hm IgpIv... CtàsNe¸w \nâ½íp a\ÊnemIpw..." " AsX´m... At½w... C§s\..?." " Ipcp¯w sI« tNmZy§fp tNmZnímsX... A½ípw sIt«yms\mÅXtÃ.... tamfp sNÃv...." " F´m Rm\nhnsS \n¶mev... Rm\o hmXn¡Â \nt¶mfmw...\à ckmcp¶p At¶cw ]mep ht¶m−ncp¶¸w A¦nfnsâ samJw ImWm³....\¶mbn«p kptJmÅ ]Wnbmcp¶p... Atà A¦ntf...." AhÄ kz´w Np−pIÄ \mhp sIm−p XpS¨p. " AsXms¡ \a¡p ]ns¶ ]dbmt¶.....Mm.... ]nt¶..... \nsâ XpWnsbms¡ ]pgp§ptIm... sUtÁmfn«p IgpIptIm sN¿Ww tIt«m...." " t\m¡ntím.... sIS¡mt¶cw Rm\n¶p tN¨ntb s]m¡nb§p ImWnípw... ]ns¶ Ft¶mSp Xmsg¡S¡m³ ]db¯nÃtÃm...." AhÄ hmXn¡se¯n. " H¶p \nt¶.... " Rm³ hnfn¨p. " Mqw... C\nsbt´m¶m...?.." AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. " tamfnt{Xw D]Imcw sNbvXXtÃ... tamfpsS I£w H¶p t\m¡Ww tIt«m......" " Hm, AhnsSm¶pw CsÃt¶... kmcanÃ... C¸w AhsSÃmw t]Ìv...... H«p¶¦ntf... " " F¶mt¸mbn \¶mbn«v ]X¸n¨v IgpInt¡m−p hm... C¨nsc t\cw Ignªp aXn sIt«m.... sNÃv..." AhÄ hcm´bnteínd§nbt¸mÄ ]Sní \n¶pw A`n Ahtf hnfn¨p. " Ite... Ct§m«p ht¶.... tZ.. Cu a¯§m.. H¶p ]nSnt¨.... \à `mcw..." Ie apÁt¯índ§n sN¶p. A`nbpsS I¿n thtdbpw ]¨¡dnIÄ. " CsXhnSp¶m tN¨o...." " \nsâ Iq«pImcoS½ X¶Xm.... R§f¼e¯o¶v Hcpans¨d§nbXm... H¯ncnsbms−¶pw ]dªv sImtd X¶p.... cmPmaWn ht¶m....?..." " h¶tÃm... AhnsSm−v...." At¸mtgípw Rm³ Cd§ns¨¶p. " klmbw htÃmw thtWm..." " Hm... th−m..." A`n ]dªp. F¦nepw Rm³ AhfpsS I¿n \n¶pw Hcp ¹mÌnIv k©n ]nSn¨phm§n apdníI¯p sIm−p sh¨psImSp¯p. ]ns¶ IpShpsaSp¯p InWÁpIcbnteíp \S¶p.

CShgn t{Imkp sN¿pt¼mÄ ImWmw sambvXp Zqsc \n¶pw \S¶phcp¶p. Rm³ AhnsS \n¶p. AXpI− sambvXphnsâ \S¸nsâ thKX Ipdªp. XncnsI t]mIm\pÅ ¹m\msW¶p tXm¶n. Rm³ {]k¶apJt¯mSp IqSn hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " sambvXpth... H¶p \nt¶... FhSm... C¸w ImWm\nÃtÃm... " BZyw Ah³ H¶p aSn¨p. ]ns¶ apt¶m«p h¶p. " Rm³.. Np½m....kmdnsâ hntijw..." " Hm... sambvXq\p kmdnt\ shey Imcym AtÃ...?..." " Mm... R§fp ]tg BÄ¡mcm...." " F¶m sNÃv... ]t£ ho«nen¸w ]ntÅcp amt{XsbmÅp... ]pÅn¡mc¯n... SuWntem atÁm t]mbXm..." " F¶m¸ns¶ Rm³ t]mIphm... AÃm... tam³ F¶pw Cu kab¯mtWm hcpt¶..?.." F\ním tNmZy¯n Ft´m ZpcqlX tXm¶n. " Rm³ t\ct¯ hcpw... \mep \mecbmIp¼w... F´m tNmZn¨Xv...?..." " Aà Cu kab¯p ImWmdnÃ...AXpsIm−v..Np½m..." sambvXp H¶p ]cp§n. " AXn\p ChnsS hcp¼w Rms\mt−m¶p sambvXp tNmZn¨n«nÃtÃm... Ft¶ ImWp¶qanÃtÃm..." : icnbm.... F¶m Rm³ t]ms«..." AbmÄ A\phmZw tNmZn¨p. " Hm.... Bbntíms«...." Rm³ InWÁpIcbnteíp \S¶p. sambvXp Fsâ \o¡§Ä \nco£níp¶p−v. ]ntÁ Znhkw Rm\åw Xmakn¨mWp h¶Xv. Pm³knsâ temUvPn t]mbn, Ah\pambn Ct¸mgt¯ kmlNcy§Ä kwkmcn¨p. Ft¶mSh³ ]dªp thWsa¦n Ahsâ IqsS Xmaknt¨mfm³. Rm\Xv \μn]qÀhw \nckn¨p. hcm\pÅXv FhnsSbmbmepw t\cnt« ]Áq. H¶p R§Ä¡p a\Ênembn. cmcn¨³ ap§nbncníp¶p. Hfnhnembncnípw NnInÂk. Ftf½ípw \yqskm¶panÃ. A¶h³ ss_¡n Ft¶ sIm−p hn«p. Ihebn F¯pt¼mÄ Hcp _Ênsâ ap¼nÂ. Rm³ ss_¡p \nÀ¯m³ ]dªn«v Pm³knsâ ]pdIn Xe Hfn¸n¨p. _Êp IS¶p t]mIpt¼mÄ AXns\m¸w R§Ä Ipd¨p apt¼m«p t]mbn \n¶v \nco£n¨p. Aåw Zqsc amÁnbn«ncp¶ Hcp shÅ Aw_mÊUÀ Imdnsâ DÅnteív sambvXp Xe\o«n Ft´m ]dªp. ]ns¶ Imdn Nmcn _kp hcp¶ Zn¡nteíp t\m¡n \n¸mbn. AcaWn¡qÀ R§Ä AhnsS \n¶p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ B Imdn \n¶pw c−paq¶p t]À ]pd¯nd§n IbvIm \nhÀ¯v Bizkníp¶p. c−pt]À Ipg¸anÃ. I−n«v Xang·mcmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p. aq¶ma¯h³ Hcp BPm\p_mlp. Nn{Xw ]nSnIn«m³ XpS§n. `Khmt\, Fsâ N¦nSn¨p. At¸mÄ AhÀ B{Ianím³ h¶hÀ Xt¶. Bfnt\¡mWn¨psImSpt¡−Xv sambvXp. " FSm... C¡\¡n\mtW.... \obn\n Cu \m«n \ní−....." Pm³kv ]dªp. " A¸w Fsâ ]Tn¯w... ]co£.....?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AsXms¡ Poh³ Hs−¦n Ft¸mÄ thtWepw BImhtÃm...." " CÃ... GXmbmepw t\cnt« ]Áq... Rm³ ap§nbm AhÀ ]ns¶ Fsâ \m«n hcpw... AX½ Adnbpw ... AtXXmbmepw th−....." " ]ns¶ F´n\m \nsâ ¹m³...?.." " Aåw _p²n {]tbmKnímw..C\n c−nsem¶dntª ]Áq....BZyw Ftf½tb Ff¡mw... Ahcp sN¶ Abmfpambn«v BtemNnís«...." " Mqw... ssZhw \nt¶ c£n¡s«....." Bdp aWn htc R§Ä Im¯p \n¶p. kqcy³ AkvXaním³ XpS§p¶p. Rm³ Ipd¨p IqsS apt¼m«p t]mbn c−p aq¶p ]d¼p NmSn. hoSnsâ ]pdIn sN¶p. ]pdInet¯ hmXnen XÅn t\m¡n. AXp Nmcnbnt« DÅp. ASp¡fbn \n¶mhmw Ftf½ Ietb iImcníp¶ kzcw tIÄ¡mw. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ A`nbpsS hmXn Nmcnbncníp¶p. Rm³ s]s«¶v DÅn NmSnt¡dn hmXneS¨p. Xncnªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ A`n. AhÄ ]mhmS am{Xta DSp¯n«pÅp. {_m Aekambn IbvIfn tImÀ¯n«ncníp¶p. lp¡n«nÃ, apeIfn AUvPÌp sN¿p¶ cwKw. Ft¶¡−Xpw AhÄ AÔmfn¨p hm s]mfn¨p. ]ns¶ I®pIÄ Pzen¨p. Ft¶msSt´m ]dbm\mbn hmXpd¡m³ `mhn¨s¸mtgípw Rm³ NmSn AhfpsS hms]m¯n. Ahtf Ddp¸S¦w Iq«n]nSn¨p. hmk\tkm¸nsâbpw shfns¨®bptSbpw k½n{iKÔw Fsâ aq¡neSn¨p.

Agn¨n« apSnbnÂ\n¶pw shÅw Ct¸mgpw DW§nbn«nÃ. Ipfn Ignªv XpWn amdpIbmbncp¶p. AhÄ kÀhiànbpsaSp¯v IpXdn. ap¡n aqfn. Rm³ AhfpsS aq¡pw IqSn s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ IbvIfn AhfpsS Xpd¶p InS¶ amdpIÄ klnXw B s\©p sRcnªp. Fsâ amdn AhfpsS \áamb apXpsIm«n. AhÄ¡p izmkw ap«n. Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbnteíp a{´n¨p. " H¨ shíÃv... Fsâ s]mdtI Ft¶ sImÃm³ BfpIsfm−v... Rm\o apdnbnsems−¶v Ftf½ t]mepw AdnbcpXv. Ietamfp s]m«nbm... Ft¶ I−m sNe¸w hnfn¨p Iqhpw... " AhÄ ho−pw IpXdn. "Fsâ s]m¶`o... Rm\n¸w \nt¶ ]nSním³ h¶XÃ... Fsâ Poh\pw sImt−mSnt¡dnbXm.... hnizknív.... tZ t\m¡v Rm³ tImtfPo¶p hcp¶ hgnbm.... AXÃm... Ft¶ sImeíp sImSp¡Wsa¦n C\n \o hnfn¨p Iqhntím...." Rm³ Fsâ Ibv Ab¨p. AhÄ t\tc \n¶n«v c−v izmksaSp¯p. amdn IbvIÄ ]nW¨p tNÀ¯psIm−v amdn \ns¶s¶ hnizmkw hcm¯ hn[¯n t\m¡n. I«nensâ AcnIn InS¶ \\ª tXmÀs¯Sp¯v Rm\hfpsS apXpIp aqSn. Ahtf hndíp¶p. Rm³ AeamcbpsS ]ndInteíp amdn Hfn¨p \n¶p. " F´m... F´m...cmPmaWo... CXnsâsbms¡ AÀ°w...?... Bcm Ahcv.... ?... " " iviviviv.....]Xps¡ ]d..... C¸w Rm\mbn«p ]db¯nÃ... sNe¸w \nsâ Ftf½ídnbpambncnípw...." Ahsfm¶p ]cp§nbXpt]mse apJw Ip\n¨p. ]ns¶ tNmZn¨p. " C¸w Rms\§s\bm XpWn amdpt¶... Rm³ A¸d¯p t]mbn amdnbn«p hcmw...." AhÄ hmXn Xpd¡ms\mcp§n. " th− th−... Ahcn¸w GXmbmepw Cu ho«nse¯pw...Ihte sh¨v Ahsct¶w Im¯p \nípImcp¶p.... Ahcp h¶pt]mbn¡gnªn«v.. ¹okv... Rs\m¶pw t\m¡m\pw ImWm\pw hcp¶nÃ....Gtf½tbm Ietbm hcpImsW¦n.... \o XpWn amdp¶ t]mse sN¶v hmXn sXmd¶v AhtcmSp kam[m\w ]dbWw....." Rm³ AhnsS \ne¯p Ip\nªp Ip¯nbncp¶p. AhÄ I«nensâ aqeív amdn \n¶p. apeIÄ¡p apIfn Aekambn¡nS¡p¶ {_m, \\ª tXmÀ¯p ]pX¨v. Rm³ Ahtf IbvIm«n Fsâ AcnInteíp hnfn¨p. AhÄ kwibt¯msS Fsâ AcnIn h¶p. Rm³ iÐsamXp¡n a{´n¨p. " {_m Ct«m... Bsc¦nepw hcp¼w Ducn¸nSn¨p ImWn¨m aXn.....\\ª tXmÀ¯p amÁn HW§nbsXSp¯p s]mXt¨m... \\ªp hà AkptJmw ]nSní−..." Rm³ ho−pw Ip\nªncp¶p. {_m C«v thsdmcp shÅap−pw ]pX¨v AhÄ AS¨n« IXIn Nmcn \n¶p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ IbvIm«n hnfn¨p. Rm³ \nc§n ASp¯p sN¶p. Ahfpw IXIn Nmcn Xmsg Ccp¶p. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " cmPmaWo... Fs´ms¡ th−mXo\§fm Cu H¸n¨ncnípt¶... R§fp cmPmaWntb C§s\m¶paà IcpXocpt¶... Ct{Xw sImÅcpXmbvI HÅ BfmsW¶dnªncps¶¦n..." AhfpsS apJ¯p \ncmitbm ]cn`htam. " A`o... Cu hoSpw BÄ¡mcpw C¯c¡mcmsW¶dnªncps¶¦n Rm\pw hcptIemcp¶p..." Rm\pw ]dªp. " F¯cw...?... " AhfpsS iÐw Aåw DbÀ¶p. " iviviviv .... shdptX sIS¶v H¨ shí−... A`nípw Adnbmhp¶ Imcy§fpw CXnsâ s]mdInsem−v... AXpsIm−v... IbvIgpIn Hgnbmsa¶p hnNmcní−... F\nsís´¦nepw ]Ánbm... A`nípw AXnsâ IpÁw H−mIpw....." " Rm³...." AhÄ Ft´m ]dbm³ `mhn¨t¸mÄ Rm³ hms]m¯n. apÁ¯p \n¶pw Btcm hnfníp¶ iÐw. " sambvXphmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p...." A`n Fsâ Ibv FSp¯pamÁns¡m−p ]ndp]ndp¯p. Hcp an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ apdníp ]pd¯p \n¶pw Ftf½bpsS hnfntI«p. " A`ntamtf... " AhÀ IXIn X«n. Xpd¡m³ Rm\mwKyw ImWn¨p. AhÄ Fgpt¶Át¸mÄ Rm³ AhÄ ]pX¨ncp¶ ap−p hen¨p amÁn. ]ns¶ {_mbpsS ]pdIphiw Nq−n¡mWn¨p. At¸mgmWhtfmÀ¯Xv, AhÄ {_mbpsS lp¡gn¨n«n«v IXIp Xpd¶p. " F´m Ftft½...."

" Blm... \o CtXhtc XpWn amdotÃ... Ipfn Ignªn«v aWn¡qdmbtÃm...." " CXnsâ Hcp lp¡p ]dnªmcp¶p... AXp Xbníphmcp¶p...." " tamtf... C¶v B cmPqt\¡−nÃtÃm... Ah³ tImtfPos¶§m\pw h¶p \o I−mcpt¶m...?..." " CÃm....Ft´...?..." " Aht\ At\zjn¨v Ahsâ Iq«pImcv Btcm h¶p \níp¶p...." " Iq«pImcmsW¶p tXm¶p¶nà tN¨o... Cu sambvXp... A¦nfnsâ Iq«pImc\mtWm... CtXXm−p Kp−Ifp amXncnsbm−v.... kn\nta ImWp¶ t]mse.... " Ftf½bpsS ]pdIn \n¶ Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. " sNe¸w hà Iq«pImcptSw IqsSbmcnípw..." A`n ]dªp. " F¶m hcm³ Xmaknípsh¶p ]dtª¡mw...." Ftf½bpw Iebpw t]mbn F¶p tXm¶p¶p. A`n IXIp tNÀ¯S¨p. " BZyw th−Xv Cu IXIns\mcp IpÁnbm..." Rm³ ]dªp. " F´m.... F¶pw ChnsS Hfn¨ncním\mtWm...¹m³....?..." " AtX... CX`osS apdnbtÃ..." Fsâ adp]Sn tI«v AhÄ Ft¶ hÃm¯ Hcp t\m«w t\m¡n. AXnsâ AÀ°w ]nSnIn«nbnÃ. shdpw {_mbn s]mXnª B N´apÅ apeIÄ a\Ên Hcp Ne\w krãns¨¦nepw AXmkzZnímt\m t\m¡n cknímt\m ]Ánb Hcp aqUneÃmbncp¶p Rm³. F¦nepw AhfpsS shÅ¡q¼mf t]msebpÅ XfnÀhbdnepw ]p¡nfnepw Fsâ I®pIÄ HmSn\S¶p. At¸mfhÄ amdpIÄ IbvIÄ sIm−v ad¨n«v Xncnªp \n¶p. " tkmdn.... F¶m C\n XpWnbpSpt¯m... C¶t¯ A`n\bw Ignªp....." Rm³ ]dªp. " At§m«p Xncnªp \nÃv...." Ahfmhiys¸«p. Rm\\pkcn¨p. Aåw Ignªv AhÄ ]dªp. " IgnªtÃm.... F¶m C\n Fd§v..." Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ »ukpw UmhWnbpw [cn¨pIgnªncp¶p. " A`n s]mds¯d§n H¶p t\m¡o«v hm.... ¹okv..." AhÄ ]pd¯nd§n. Rm³ IXIp tNÀ¯S¨p. Ipd¨pIgnªv XncnsI h¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. " Ah½mcp t]mbn..." " At½ tamfpw F´ntb... " " ASp¡fs¸md¯m..." Rm³ iÐw tIĸnímsX ]pdInet¯ IXIp Xpd¶p ]pd¯nd§n. ]pdIn IqSn h¶v Nmbn¸n tIdn. ]ns¶ H¶padnbm¯t]mse DuWpapdnbn tIdn. Hcp ¥mkv XWp¯ Im¸n Ccn¸p−mbncp¶p. AXpw hen¨pIpSn¨n«v Rm³ ASp¡f¸pdt¯íp sN¶p IpSsaSp¯p. A½bpw aIfpw IqSn Ae¡pIÃn\cnInepcp¶v Ft´m ao³ sh«p¶p. Ft¶¡−bpSt\ Ie HmSnh¶p. " A¦nfntXhtc FhnSmcp¶p... Bcms−ms¡ At\zjn¨p h¶mcp¶p... Iq«pImcm Ctà At½...?.." " Mm..... AtX... F¸gm hcpIm¶p ]dbmw ]Á¯nÃm¶p Rm³ ]dª¸w Ahcp t]mbn \msf ... Aà ]ns¶ hcm¶p ]dªp...." Ftf½ ]dªp. " Aæntf... Cu sambvXqt\ A¦nfn\p t\ct¯ Adnbmthm...?. B XSnb½mtcw Hs¡...?..." " ]nt¶.....R§fn¸w \à ASp¸¯nem... sÈ... Cs¶mcp AXymhiy Imcyw ]dbm¶h³ ]dªXmcp¶p... \à kab¯v Rm³ Xmakn¨pw t]mbn...." " F¶m sNe¸w At½mSp ]dªp ImWpw.... c−pt]cpw IqsS sImtd IpipIpip¡p¶Xp I−mcp¶p...." " F¦n... Rm³ ]ns¶ At½mSp tNmZnt¨mfmw... BZyw Ccp«pt¶\p ap¼v shÅw sIm−cs«....." Rm\Xp ]dbpt¼mÄ Ftf½ CS¦®n«v Ft¶ t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ I−p. Rm³ IpShpsaSp¯p \S¶p. Ie apdnbnteíp Ibdnbt¸mÄ Rmt\tf½bpsS ASpt¯¡p sN¶p. AhÀ aps−ms¶mXp¡n Ccp¶p. Rm³ Ip\nªv B sNhnbnteíp a{´n¨p. " \msf...Asæn... aÁ¶mfv.... Ftft½ Rm³ »q^nenw ImWnímw ... tIt«m...." " tM... C{X s]s«s¶m¸nt¨m...? F¶mte........]ntÅcdnb−.... "

" " tN¨n Hcm{Klw ]dªXpsIm−m.... kwLSn¸ním³ sImtd _p²nap«n.... Ite \a¡v kmhn{XoShnsS hnSmw.... A`nív \msf ¢mskmÅXtÃ... " AhcpsS apJ¯v Hcp hnó ]p©ncn. Dd§p¶Xn\p ap¼v Rm³ IW¡p Iq«n. Ftf½ hgn BZyw cmcn¨t\ HXp¡Ww. Csæn Ahsâ Kp−IÄ Fsâ IY Ignípw. AsXmgnhm¡Wsa¦n Ftf½ BZyw HXp§Ww. c−p Znhkw Ignbpt¼mÄ cmta«s\¯pw. AXn\p ap¼v Ftf½tb »q^nenw ImWníWw. AXn\pap¼v B t]cn Hcp Ifn ]mkm¡nbmtem. th−, c−p t]cpw aqUneÃ. AhÀ¡p am\`b¯m sh{]mfw, F\níp Poh`b¯m sh{]mfw. ChnSt¯ aq¯ s]®n\p AO\dnbmsX clkyw kq£ním\pÅ sh{]mfw. Cfbs]®n\pap−v sh{]mfw, kz´w amdpIÄ hepXmIp¶nÃtÃm F¶ sh{]mfw. AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ Nncn h¶p. Ct¸mÄ hnfn¨p IqsS¡nS¯n amdpIÄ hepXm¡n hn«mtem. ]mhw km[p s]¬Ip«n. C\n Ahtf Ifn¸ní−. ]t£ AhÄ Ft¶ hnS¯nÃtÃm. CSív shfnbn Ft´m A\§p¶ iÐw tI«p. ]mXncm Ignªp ImWpw. Ie a\Ên \nt¶mSnt¸mbn. ]Icw `oXn. XebnWíSnbn X¸nt\m¡n. Bbp[§Ä FÃmw D−v. C\nbpw B iÐw tIÄ¡p¶pt−m F¶p sNhntbmÀ¯p. ]t£ Dd§nt¸mbn. Fsâ `oXn AkvYm\¯mbncp¶p. ]ns¶ i\nbmgv¨htc Bcpw h¶nÃ. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p Ah½mÀ ]²Xn Dt]£n¨p ImWpw, Asæn cmcn¨³ kpJw {]m]n¨p ImWpw, At¸mÄ Ft¶mSp Zb tXm¶n¡mWpw. RmbdmgvN cmhnsebpÅ kpJamb Dd¡¯n A½bpsS kzcw tI«mWp Rm³ DWÀ¶Xv. kqcy\pZn¨p hcp¶tXbpÅp. BZyw hnNmcn¨p kz]v\¯nsâ _m¡nbmbncnípsa¶v. AÃ, A½ Xt¶. Rm³ hmXn Xpd¶v t\m¡n. AIt¯ apdnbn \n¶mbncp¶p. DuWp apdnbn A½bpw A`ncmanbpw. " At¿m...A½... " Rm³ BivOcyt¯msS ]dªp. apJ¯p \à £oWw ImWmw. Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶v B apSnbn XtemSn. A`nbpw A½bpw ASp¯mWncníp¶sX¦nepw H¶pw kwkmcníp¶nÃ. Nnet¸mÄ ao\pfp¼p aW¡p¶p−mIpw. hnfn¨p Nmbn¸nteíp sIm−p t]mbmse¶p hnNmcn¨p. Al¦mcnbpsS Ka A½ klntí−tÃm. " A½... Ft¶ F´m h¶¸tg hnfnímªXv....? AtXm.. C¸w ht¶ HtÅm...." " " C¨nsc t\cmbn... Fhfpambn«v an−ow ]dªpw CcnípImcp¶p.... Mqw... s]®§p hfÀ¶p... \o sImd¨qsS Hd§ntímt«¶p IcpXnbm hnfnímªXv. cm{Xn Hd¡saf¨p ]Tníphmcps¶¶v A`ntamfp ]dªp...." A½ AXp ]dªv AhfpsS tXmfn H¶p XgpIn. Rm³ A`ntb \μn]qÀhw t\m¡n. B apJ¯v Ft´m Hcp an¶em«w I−p. ]ns¶ km[mcW `mhw. apJ¯v \nÀhnImcX am{Xw. CsXs´mcp krãn, Rmt\mÀ¯p. cmhnte Cu hoÀ¯ tam´ ImW−mbncp¶p. At¸mtgípw Ipfnapdnbn \n¶pw Ftf½ Cd§n h¶p. " F¦n..Rms\m¶p tIdntb¨p hcs«..." A½ Itkcbn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Â¡m³ hnjaníp¶Xp I− Rm³ Ibv \o«p¶Xn\p¶Xn\p ap¼v A`n ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p Ignªncp¶p. " A½ hÃmsX £oWn¨p..." Rm³ k¦St¯msS ]dªp. " sImtd ao³ sIm« sNma¶Xtà ......]mhw...." Ftf½ ]dªp. " C¸w h¿ imctZ... C¨nsc \S¡p¼tgípw henhm..." " acp¶p hm§m³ ]dªm.... tI¡¯nÃ...." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. IpfnapdnbpsS hmXnÂIse¯nb A½ ]dªp. " Rm\n¯ncn hen¨mepw kmcanÃ... \o \nsâ Imcyw t\m¡nbm aXn..." " tamtf A`o... Im¸nsbm−m¡v....." Ftf½ A`ntb t\m¡n " At¿m... Fsâ s]§tf... Im¸n IpSníms\m¶pw t\canÃ... Fs´¦nepw kw`hnípt¶\p ap¼v As§t¯−Xm...." AhnsSbncp¶ a²yhbkvI³ ]dªp. AbmÄ Ft¶ ASnapSn t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ I−p.

" Hm... F¶mepw C¯ncn shÅw IpSníp¶Xns\´m... C\ow A§phtc bm{X sNt¿−XtÃ...." A`n ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. kwKXn F´msW¶v Hcp ]nSnbpw In«nbnÃ. Bcpw H¶pw Imcyw F´msW¶v an−p¶panÃ. " tam³ A§p hfÀ¶p t]mbn... ]Tn¯sams¡ F§s\...?..." AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. " \S¡p¶p..." " Ft¶ a\ÊnembnÃmcnípw ...KuXan hcs«... Ahfp ]dbp¶Xm.. AXnsâ `wKn...." At¸mgmWp ASp¯ Itkcbn Ccp¶ B a²yhbkvIt\ Rm³ {i²n¨Xv. A½ Cd§n h¶n«p ]dªp. " FSm \o...HSt\ Hcp§v..... \ap¡v... ho«n htc H¶p t]mWw... Mm...s\\¡v At¿«t\ a\ÊnembnÃtÃ... Mm \o I−n«nÃtÃm.... A¿t¸«³.. AOsâ amt\Pcm.... ho«nte FÃmImcy§fpw t\m¡n \S¯p¶Xv At¿«\m....." " Hm.... At½sS ho«nt¸mIm\m CtÃ.... Rm³ hcp¶nÃ.... A½ s]mtím...." " tamt\... A§s\ ]dbÃv... B«nsbd¡nsb¦nepw... FâO\m... Cu Ahkm\ t\c¯v..... C\ow Hcp im]w taSn¨psI«m³ F\níp h¿..." " F´n\m C\n Hcp im]w.... In«nbXp Xt¶ [mcmfatÃ... kvt\lníp¶sXmcp IpÁsam¶paÃtÃm... H¶qtÃepw Fsâ AOs\mcp kÀ¡mcptZymKkvY\mcp¶ntÃ... sX−nbÃtÃm... C«paqSm³ kzs¯m−mcp¶n«pw... Iqen¸Wow ao³ sImt«amcp¶p C¡meat{Xw... C¶v FÃmÀ¡pw Ft¶t¸mepw aosâ aWam... Ct{Xw Imembn«v Cu tamfp Nt¯m Ht−m¶p t]mepw Xncnªp t\m¡oÃtÃm.... th−... F\ní§s\mcp heyO³ th−...." Fsâ iÐw BZyw DbÀs¶¦nepw Ahkm\w AXp KZvKZ¯n ap§nt¸mbn. A`ncman hmXn¡ h¶p t\m¡p¶Xp I−v Rm³ Xn®bnteínd§n. cmta«³ Itkcbneníp¶p. " tamt\ cmPq...." cmta«³ hnfn¨p. " th− ...Bcpw H¶pw ]db−.... Fsâ A½ A{Xíp Iãs¸«Xm... Abmft½ ImWmsX Xt¶ NmIWw... F\níbmtf ImW−...." " cmPq... acWs¡St¡ sIS¡pt¶mtcmSv \½fp hmin ImWním³ ]mSnÃ... Cuizc³ Hcníepw AXp s]mdp¡ptIe...." cmta«³ ]dªp. " F\nímtcmSpw hminbnÃ.... C§s\mcmfps−¶v AdnbmsXbm... Rm³ hf¶Xpw..." Rm³ aq¡p NoÁn. " Um... " At§m«nd§n h¶ A½ hnfn¨p. " \osb¶mSm... C{Xsbms¡ ]dbmdmbXv... Fsâ X´tb¡mWm³ Fsâ tam³ hcntIset¶m...?... \ns¶ Rm³ s]ÁXmsW¦n \o hcpw..." A½ InXím³ XpS§n. " KuXan IqSpXep kwkmcní−... AhnsSbncn.. tamt\... cmPq... Hcp {]mhiyw... sNe¸gmsW¦n... \½fp sNÃp¼tgíp XoÀ¶p ImWm\pw aXn..." A¿t¸«³ A½tb Xm§n. A½ hmXnåSnbn Ccp¶p. A½íp ]pdIn Ftf½bpw A`ncmanbpw hnj®cmbn \n¡p¶p. " cmPp... sNÃv... At½ shjan¸nímsX.... sheyOsâ Ahkm\t¯ B{KltÃ... t]mbn Hcp§v... At§cp N¯pIgnªv t]mb _p²n B\ ]nSn¨mepw hc¯nÃ..." cmta«³ D]tZin¨p. Rm³ A`ntb t\m¡n. "H¶p t]m cmPq" F¶ AÀ°¯n AhÄ apJw Nen¸n¨p. Rm³ A½tb t\m¡n InX¨psIm−v I®oscmgp¡p¶p. th−, GXp sNIp¯m\mbmepw th−nÃ. t]mtb¡mw. A½bpsS I®ocp ImWm³ {XmWnbnÃ. Rm³ thKw ASp¡f¸pd¯p sN¶p ]ÃptX¨p, Ipfním\mbn InWÁn³ Icbnteíp t]mbn. " thKw hctWSm... hmbphen¨p sIS¡phm...." A½ Ft¶ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " h−ntb kvYeshmt−m A¿¸m... Rm\pw IqsS H¶p h¶mtem¶p hnNmcníphm..." cmta«³ tNmZníp¶Xp tI«p. " H−tÃm... Ct±tlmw IqsS h¶m aq¸À¡p hey kt´mjmcnípw....." " Ft¶ HmÀ¡ps¶mt−m Bthm..." cmta«³ AIt¯íp Ibdn. bm{XínSbn A¿¸³ Ncn{Xsams¡ ]dªp. Poht\¡mÄ kvt\ln¨ncp¶ aq¯ aIÄ, Fsâ A½, Xt¶ [n¡cn¨Xv ]pÅnív klnímhp¶Xnepw A¸pdambncp¶p.

]W¡mc\pw hmin¡mc\pw, At¸mÄ ]ns¶ BbIme¯p Nn´ním³ t\cw In«pIbnÃtÃm. Cfbhtf sI«ns¨¦nepw AhÄ¡v H¶n\pw t\canÃ. `À¯mhnsâbpw Ip«nIfptSbpw Imcyhpw t\m¡n AhÄ `À¯mhnsâ IqsS IqSn. AbmÄ¡msW¦n CÃm¯ _nkn\sÊm¶panÃ. Ahkm\w {]mbambt¸mÄ, Ccp¶p Nn´ním³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ, hmin Ipdªp. CSínSív A½tb¸Án tNmZním³ XpS§n. A¿¸\pw Hcp the¡mcnbpambn B{inXÀ Npcp§n. kz´w a¡Ä hepXmIm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ CfbhfpsS hchpw Ipdªp. GIm´X ZpÊlambXv InS¸nembt¸mgmbncp¶p. R§tf tXSn A¿¸t\ ]e kvYe¯pw ]dªp hn«p. BZyw Xmakn¨ncp¶ \m«n sN¶t¸mÄ R§Ä Ft§m«p t]msb¶dnhnÃm F¶p ]dªp. ]ns¶¸ns¶ Ft¸mgpw A½tb HmÀ¯p Icbm³ XpS§n. ITn\amb IpÁt_m[hpw ]ivOm¯m]hpw ]pÅn¡mct\ hÃmsX Ae«n. acníp¶Xn\p ap¼v, A½tbbpw Ft¶bpw ImWm³ B{Klw Gdn. Ct¶m \msftbm F¶ a«n InS¡pt¼mgmbncp¶p A¿¸³, ]−v AO³ tPmensNbvXncp¶ t]meokv tÌj\n sN¶v At\zjn¨Xv. AhnsS tÌj\n Nmb sImSp¯p sIm−ncp¶ Hcp Nmb¡S¡mc³ aq¸nem\n \n¶mWp cmta«³ R§tf sIm−pt]m¶ kvYe¯nsâ t]cp In«nbXv. H¯ncn At\zjn¨p. A§s\ C¶se cm{Xn ho«n h¶v A½tb I−p. shfp¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v ]pds¸«Xmbncp¶p. Ft¶bpw Iq«ns¡m−p t]mIm³. R§Ä XoctZit¯ B henb _w¥mhn sNÃpt¼mÄ kÔybmImdmbncp¶p. hnimeamb hf¸pw aXnepw ]qt´m«hpw Hs¡bpÅ henb Hcp sI«nSw. AXn\pÅnte {][m\ InS¸papdnbnteíp A¿¸³ R§tf \bn¨p. h−nbn \n¶nd§nbt¸mtg A½ Ic¨n XpS§nbncp¶p. apdnbnteíp Ibdnbt¸mtg ]gabpsS Hcp KÔw, H¸w Ipg¼pIfpsSbpw. henb I«nen FÃpw tXmepamb Hcp a\pjyt¡mew InS¸p−mbncp¶p. Poh\p−v F¶Xn\p sXfnhmbn B s\©n³IqSp ]Xnsb s]m§n¯mgp¶p F¶p am{Xw. CXmtWm hociqc]cm{Ianbmbncp¶ Fsâ ap¯O³ tIipao³XcI³. B cq]w I−tXmsS Fsâ hmin Ft§m t]mbn, ]Icw klXm]w DSseSp¯p. sN¶]msS A½ B ImepIfnteíp hoWp. " FâOm..." Fs¶mcp \nehnfn, F¶n«p B ImepIfn sI«n¸nSn¨p Icªp. R§tf I−bpS³ P\ecnInencp¶v Ft´m hmbn¨psIm−ncp¶ Hcp s]¬Ip«n H¶pw a\ÊnemImsX \n¶p. ]ns¶ Cd§n AIt¯íp t]mbn. " tIipth«m...." A¿t¸«³ ap¯Osâ sNhnbnteíp apJw ASp¸n¨p hnfn¨p. H¶p c−p {]mhiyw IqSn hnfn¨t¸mÄ Hcp Rc¡t¯msS B cq]w I®p Xpd¶p. " Bcm...?.. " Ahyàamb tNmZyw. " CXmcm h¶ncnípt¶¶p t\m¡ntí..... KuXantamtf.... AO³ t\m¡p¶p...." A¿t¸«³ hnfn¨p. A½ Im¨ph«n \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áp. ]ns¶ I«nen Ccp¶p. AO\pw aIfpw X½n X½n t\m¡n. B Ipgnª I®pIfn I®p\oÀ \ndªv AcnIntesímgpIn. " IcbtÃ.. AOm... " A½ Icªp sIm−v B s\©nteíp Xe Nmbn¨p. Fsâ I®pw \ndªp t]mbn. A¿t¸«³ SÀ¡n sIm−v I®p XpSíp¶p. hfsc hnjan¨v ap¯O³ heXp Ibv DbÀ¯n A½bpsS incÊn XtemSn. " heXphiw Xf¶p t]mbn... C§s\ hoWpsIS¡ms\mÅ {]mbsam¶pw CsÃt¶... a\:{]bmkw sIm−m......" A¿t¸«³ Ft¶mSmbn ]dªp. " A¿¸m..." Ahyàamb hnfn. A¿t¸«³ ap¯Osâ apJt¯íp sNhn tNÀ¯p. Ft´m B \mhn \n¶pw ]pd¯p h¶p. " h¶tÃm... tZ \níp¶p.... tam\nt§m«p amdn \nt¶ ... ap¯O³ H¶p t\tc ImWs«...." Im¡ \n¶ncp¶ Ft¶ A¿t¸«³ ]nSn¨v Xeí \nÀ¯n. Rm³ \ne¯v ap«pIp¯nbncp¶p. ap¯Ñ³ I¿pbÀ¯n Fsâ Ihnfn XtemSn. ]ns¶t´m ]dbm³ `mhn¨p. A¿t¸«³ sNhn tNÀ¯p. " Mv lm... henb BfmWtÃm¶v... " " Ct¨bo...."

]pdIn \ns¶mcp hnfn tI«p. Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡n. A½bpw XebpbÀ¯n t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp. ]pdIn \n¶ bphXntb sI«n¸nSn¨p. c−p t]cpw ]ns¶ Ic¨n XpS§n. " ImÀ¯q.... Fsâ tamtf..." " Fânt¨bo..." Fsâ incÊnencp¶ ap¯Osâ Ibv sasà FSp¯v I«nen sh¨n«v Rms\gpt¶Áv A¿¸sâ t\tc t\m¡n. " kwibní−... tamsâ Ipª½bm... ImZw_cn... F{X Imembn ]ncnªn«v... Ct¨bntb H¶p I−m aXnbmcp¶q¶pw ]dªv... c−p t]cpw IqSn F¸gpw Icbphmcp¶p...." Rm³ ]pdIn \n¶ BZyw I− s]¬Ip«ntbbpw thsdmcp ]¿t\bpw t\m¡nbn«v A¿t¸«t\ t\m¡n. " Im¯qsâ Ip«nIfm... tam\ntjw...tiJc\pw... \n§sf´m Ip«nItf t\m¡n \n¡p¶Xv.... CXv \n§sS aq¯ tN«\m....cmPmaWn... AtÃ... KuXao..." " Mqw..." A½ A\nb¯nbpsS IbvIfn \n¶pw amdn I®p XpS¨n«p aqfn. CXn\nSív ap¯O³ Ft´m BwKyw ImWn¨p. A¿t¸«³ sNhntbmÀ¯p. Ft´m Ahyàambn ]dbp¶p. " C¶sehtc sImtd¡qsS hyàambn«p kwkmcníphmcp¶p... C¸w shjaw sIm−v H¨ sXfnbp¶nÃ... tam³ F´n\m ]Tnípt¶¶v....]ns¶ KuXantbmSv C\n F§pw t]mI−m¶v...." AXp tI« ap¯O³ {]XymitbmsS A½bpsS apJ¯p t\m¡n. A½ H¶pw ]dbmsX \n¶p. ap¯O³ ho−pw BwKyw Im«n. A¿t¸«³ AXp {i²n¨n«v ]dªp. " tamtf H¯ncn t{Zmln¨p....s]mdp¡W¶v....." AXp tI« A½ ho−pw hn§ns¸m«ns¡m−v I«nen Ccp¶p. AOsâ Ibv Xsâ IbvIfnseSp¯p XtemSn. ]nt¶bpw BwKyhpw iÐhpw. " C\n Ahsc§pw t]mI¯nÃ.... tIipth«³ kam[m\mbn«v sIS¡v...." A¿t¸«³ kam[m\n¸n¨p. F¶n«pw ]nt¶bpw Ft´m ]dbp¶p. " AXà A¿t¸«m.. AO³ thsd Ft´mhm ]dbp¶Xv...." ImZw_cn, Fsâ Ipª½, AOsâ ASpt¯íp apJw Ip\n¨p. " Imtdm...?... Ahcp Imdnem h¶Xv... tM... Ihtdm...?... At¿«m... Ct¨bníp sImSp¡m³ AO³ Fs´¦nepw Ihdp kq£n¨p sh¨ns«mt−m...?.." Ipª½ A¿t¸«t\mSp tNmZn¨p. " Mm... H−v... F\nídnbmw... CXn\mcp¶nt{Xw Imew sh{]mfw.... hmbn¨pw t\m¡ow AsXmcp ]cphmbn.... " At¿«³ ap¯Osâ XebnW s]m¡n Hcp \o−p apjnª IhsdSp¯v I¿nteíp sImSp¯p. AXp ]nSním\pÅ iàn B IbvIÄ¡nÃmbncp¶p. F¦nepw hnd¨p hnd¨v A½bpsS t\tc \o«n. A½ kwibn¨v A¿t¸«t\ t\m¡n. " hm§nt¨m.... F´mbmepw hm§nt¨m... " A½ AXp hm§pt¼mÄ ap¯O³ Ft¶bpw Nq−n Ft´m ]dªp. " Mm... c−p t]À¡pw IqSnbmsW¶v..." A¿t¸«³ ]cn`mjs¸Sp¯n. A½ B IhÀ Fsâ I¿nteíp X¶p. Rm\Xv A¿t¸«sâ I¿nteíp Xt¶ Xncn¨psImSp¯p. " sXmd¶p t\m¡p¶ntÃ..." At¿«³ tNmZn¨p. " th−...]ns¶bms«..." A¿t¸«³ AXp ASp¯p−mbncp¶ AeamcípÅnteíp sh¨p. ap¯Osâ I®pIÄ R§tf Hmtcmcp¯tcbpw amdnamdn Xnc¡p¶Xn\nSbn AXphtc I¿pw sI«n ]pdIn amdn\n¶ cmta«sâ ta Xd¨p. Ft´m HmÀ¡m³ {ianíp¶Xp t]mse. " At¿m.. cma³ Ip«ntbbm t\m¡p¶Xv.... Ct§ms«m¶p \o§n \nt¶..." At¿«³ hnfn¨p. " Ft¶.. HmÀ½bp−mhnÃ... Ht¶m ct−m {]mhiyw... D]tZiním\pw....]ns¶...." cmta«sâ hm¡pIÄ apdnªp. ]ns¶ apt¼m«p tIdn \n¶p.

" Fs¶ HmÀ½sbmt−m....?..." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. At¿«³ apt¼m«p h¶p. " Adnbmthm... CXmcmsW¶v... cma³Ip«n... IrjvW³ Ip«osS Iq«pImc³... A¶v ISs¸mdt¯ ]nÅmtcs¡m−v XÃn¨Xv...." At¸mÄ B I®pIÄ hnIkn¨p. ]ns¶ Ibv DbÀ¯n. cmta«³ B I¿n ]nSn¨p, Hcp hndbtemsS B Ibv cmta«t\ I«nenteíp hen¨p. AXp sicn, cmta«³ Iq«pImcsâ kvt\lw k^eoIcníp¶Xn\p th−n Kp−IfpsS XÃphtc sIm−p. B a\pjyt\ Rm³ a\km hμn¨p. A½ Fgpt¶Áp amdn. cmta«³ I«nen Ccp¶p. ap¯O³ ]ns¶bpw Ahyàambn Ft´m ]dªp. At¿«³ sNhntbmÀ¯p. ]ns¶ R§tfmSmbn ]dªp. " ]tg Imcy§Ä ad¡Ww.... tamtf Ct{Xw Imew t\m¡nbXn\p \μnsbms−¶v..." " Gbv... RsXms¡ At¶ ad¶p.... ]ns¶... KuXantb Rm\à t\m¡ntb.........Chfv...... A²zm\n¨m Ct{Xw Imew Pohn¨Xv..... Rms\m¶pw sNbvXn«nÃ....Ahtf, AOsâ Iq«p Xs¶bm... shenb A`nam\nbm.....ao³sIm« sNma¶m..... tZ Fh\pw... " " cmta«m..." AXphtc A\nb¯nbpambn kwkmcn¨psIm−p \n¶ A½ imk\mcq]¯n hnfn¨p. " Hm... Rm³ HmÀ¯nà KuXao....kmcanÃ... tamfpw A`nam\nbmsW¶dntªms«..." " tIipth«\v AsXms¡ ]t− Adnbmcp¶p.... AtXmÀ¯v shjaním¯ sZhk§fnÃmcp¶p.... H¶qtÃepw X´btÃ.... ad¡m³ ]Ápthm...." At¿«³ ]dªp. ap¯O³ sasà I®pIfS¨p. At¸mÄ B I®pIfn X§n\n¶ I®p\oÀ XebnWbntesímgpIn. " hm... \n§fp t]mbn H¶p Ipfnípthm... htÃmw sN¿v... Rm³ ChnsS Ccpt¶mfmw... F´n\pw Rm³ Xt¶ thWw..." At¿«³ R§tf ]pdt¯íp ]dªp hn«p. Rm³ Ip«nIfpsS IqSn. ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ AhÀ Ft¶ ]cnNbs¸«p. tam\njív IebpsS {]mbw ImWpw. tiJÀ Bdnepw. {IníÁp t{]an. s]¬Ip«n Hcp \mWwIpWp§n kpμcn. F¦nepw Rm\pambn ASp¯p. Fsâ ktlmZc§Ä, Rm³ A`nam\t¯msS HmÀ¯p. Ip«nIÄ¡v R§fpsS CXp htcbpÅ PohnX¯nsâ hnhc§Ä Rm³ ]dªp sImSp¯p. A½ ao³Ip« Npa¶psh¶pw Irjn sNbvXp F¶pw Hs¡ ]dªt¸mÄ AhÀ¡mivOcyw. AhcpsS AO³ e£{]`phpw _nkn\kpImc\pamWv. AhÀ¡v PohnXw Hcp Xami t]mse. Rm³ tiJdnsâ apdnbnemW¶v Dd§nbXv. A½bpw Ipª½bpw ap¯Osâ apdnbnepw. ASp¯ apdnbn cmta«\pw At¿«\pw ]gb Imcy§Ä ]dªncp¶p. ]ntÁ Znhkw cmhnte tUmÎÀ h¶p. XteZnhkw ]dªn«pt]mbXv C\n \mås¯«p aWn¡qdn\pÅn XcI³ ao³I¨hSw At§temIt¯íp amÁpsa¶mbncp¶p. B kab]cn[n Ignªn«pw H¶pw {]tXyIm kw`hn¨nÃ. PohnX¯nte GÁhpw henb Zp:Jw kt´mjambn amdnbXmWp ap¯O³ c£s]Sm³ ImcWsa¶v tUmÎÀ hn[nsbgpXn. \ãs¸« aIÄ C\n F{XImew AOs\ IqsS D−mhptam A{Xbpw Imew tIipXcIs\m¶pw kw`hnínÃm F¶v tUmÎÀ A`n{]mbs¸«p. Rm³ A½bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. " t]mIt−...?.." AXp tI« A½ Icbm³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ Rms\m¶pw ]dªnÃ. Rm³ cmta«sâ ASp¯p sN¶p. cmta«³ t]mIms\mcp§pIbmbncp¶p. " cmta«m..... Rm\pw IqsS hcp¶p.... " " \o c−p Znhkw Ignªp h¶m aXn... At½sS IqsS ChnsS \nÃv.... " cmta«³ Ft¶bpw Iq«n A½bpsS ASps¯¯n. Ipª½bpw A½bpsS IqsS Ccp¸p−mbncp¶p. " At½ F\nív ¢mkn t]mIWw... Xt¶bpaÃ.. C\n ChnsS \n¶m...F\níp hoÀ¸pap«pw..." " cmta«m... G«sâ AkvYn¯tdte Xncn CtXhtc samS§o«nÃ... AXn¶se samS§n... AtXm−v Rm\pw hcpIm... " A½ Fgpt¶Áp.

" Ct¨bn F´m Cu ]tdt¶... Ft§m«p t]mIm\m C\n...?... AO³ ]dª¸w Xe Ipep¡otÃ.... Rm\pw ]ntÅcpw A§p t]mIpw... ]ns¶ ChnSt¯ Imcy§fp t\m¡m³ ]n¶mcm...?.." Ipª½ tNmZn¨p. " AXn\n¸w R§fnhnSt¯ BcpaÃtÃm...... C\n \n§sfms¡¡qsS t\m¡v... F\nínXnsem¶pw Xmåcyw CÃ.... Fsâ a®hnsSbm..... " l... Ct¨bn F´dntªm−m Cu ]tdt¶.... tam³ sN¶v At¿«t\ H¶p hnfnt¨...." Rm³ t]mbn A¿t¸«t\ hnfn¨psIm−p h¶p. " tZ...At¿«m... Chcp t]mIpIm¶v...." Ipª½ ]dªp. " AsX§s\bm... tamtf icnbmIpt¶...C\n tamfp tht− AOsâ Imcy§fp t\m¡m³....." " Cu taem¯ Rmt\m... ChnsS F\nsí´p Imcyw... GXmbmepw NmIpt¶\p ap¼v X½nsem¶p ImWms\m¯p... AXp Xt¶ apÖ·`mKyw..." " Ahcp ]td¶Xnepw Imcysam−p KuXao... \o aq¯XtÃ...." cmta«³ Ipª½tb ]n´m§n. " Cu taemgnI Hs¡ A§p amdptIte... acp¶pw `£tWmw IgnímsX Pohn¨XpsIm−tÃ... ChnsS \ns¶mcmgv¨ hn{ian¨p Igo¼w... Ct¨bn Bfp amdpw..." Ipª½ A½bpsS Ihnfn XtemSn. " Cà tamtf... Cu ho«o¶v Fs¶ ASns¨d¡n ]n¬Uw sh¨Xm... C\n Rm\nhnsS \níp¶Xp sicnbÃ....F\níXns\m«p IgntIanÃ...." A½ \nÀ_Ôw ]nSn¨p. " F¶mepw Ct¨bo...\m«pImsc´p hnNmcnípw... Ct¨bn h¶p, NmIm³ sIS¶ AO³ c£s]«p... F¶n«v tamfp t\m¡msX kvYew hn«p AtXmtS AO\pw sNe¸w..... At¿«m... B Ihdn§p sIm−p ht¶..." Ct¨bn A½tb ]nSn¨ncp¯n. A¿t¸«³ B apjnª IhÀ sIm−p h¶v Fsâ I¿n X¶p. " hmbn¨p t\m¡v.... ]IÀ¸m... AÊep _m¦nte tem¡dnsem−v.... F¶n«v \n§sS Cãw t]mse sN¿v...." Rm³ B IhÀ Xpd¶p AXn A©mdp ap{Z¸{X§fpsS t^mt«mtIm¸nbmbncp¶p. Rm³ AXn IqSn It®mSn¨p. `mj a\Ênembnsænepw s]mcpÄ ]nSnIn«n. hmbnípt´mdpw Fsâ N¦nSn¸p IqSn. hmbn¨n«p Rm³ A¿t¸«t\bpw A½tbbpw amdn amdn t\m¡n. " AXnte B Ahkm\t¯ ISemkp IqSn hmbnív....." A¿t¸«³ Bhiys¸«p. " F´mSm.. AXnsemÅXv...? " A½ \nÊmcambn tNmZn¨p. Rm³ B ISemkpIÄ cmta«sâ I¿nteíp sImSp¯p. cmta«³ AXp Hcp aqftemSp IqSn CuW¯n Ahyàambn hmbn¨p. ]ns¶ ISemkpIÄ A½bpsS I¿nteíp sImSp¯n«p ]dªp. " \n\¡§s\ t]mIm³ ]Á¯nà KuXao... AYhm A§s\ t]mbmÂ... \o Cu sNdp¡t\mSp sN¿p¶ Hcp henb A\oXnbmcnípw..." " Imcyw sXfn¨p ]d.... cmta«m..." A½ tNmZn¨p. " Cu hoSpw ]d¼pw... SuWnsemÅ aq¶p sI«nS§fpw DĸsS tIip¯cIsâ ]mXn kz¯v \nsâbpw \nsâ a¡fptSw t]cnem¡nbXnsâ {]amWm... " " F\nsímcp kz¯pw th−... " A½ InXím³ XpS§n. a\Ênte kLÀjw sIm−mWsXs¶\níp a\Ênembn. " \o CsXms¡ \ncknípIbmsW¦nÂ... AsXÃmw At§csS Imetijw.... A\mYmeb§Ä¡v Zm\w sN¿m³ A¿¸t\ NpaXes¸Sp¯o«pw D−v... \o Cu Ahkc¯n AOt\ Ct«¨pt]mbm AXn\p hey ImeXmakw H−mhnÃ...." cmta«³ \nÀ¯n. Aåt\ct¯ív Bcpw H¶pw an−nbnÃ. HSphn A½ ]dªp. " Im¯q... \o CsXÃmw FSpt¯m... s\\¡v c−p a¡ftÃ... F\nsím¶tà HÅq.... AÃm.. aWn¡p«m... s\\¡p thtWmSm... kz¯v...?.." A½ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. H«pw aSnímsX Rm³ ]dªp. " A½íp ths−¦n F\nípw th−... Iãs¸Sm\pÅsXms¡ A½ A\p`hn¨pIgnªp... C\n F´n\m... C¸w...?.." " Ct¨bo... F\nípw a¡Ä¡pw th−Xne[nIw ChcSO³ H−m¡ps¶m−v... AOsâ ]mXn kz¯v... X¶n«psam−v.... F\níp IqSpXsem¶pw th−... Fsâ Ct¨bow tam\pw

C\nsb¦nepw Iãs¸SmsX... Pohníp¶sXm¶p Im−m aXn R§¡v...." Ipª½ I®p XpS¨p. " KuXao... ImZw_cn ]dbp¶Xnepw Imcysam−v... NmSnt¡dn Xocpam\sam¶pw FSp¡−... \o CXns\Xncp ]dªm... N¯m \nâOsâ Bßmhn\p t]mepw KXnIn«ptIe.... AXp thtWm... ]ns¶ Cu sNdp¡³ CtÃ... Ah\ÀlXs¸« PohnXw F´n\m \obmbn«p X«n¡fbpt¶... " cmta«³ ]dªp.A½ Aåt\cw BtemNn¨p. " A¿t¸«m... Imcy§sfms¡ kmh[m\w Nn´nímw... C¶m... Cu ISemkp ]nSnív.... R§fp t]mbn«v ]ns¶ hcmw... AXp htc.. Im¯qw At¿«\pw IqSn Imcy§sfms¡ t\m¡v... B AkvYn¯td Xncn sh¨ntà F\níp a\:kam[m\w In«ptIe...." A½ Fgpt¶Áp. " Ct¨bo.. Hcmgv¨ Ignªp t]mbm aXn.... F{X Imembn«m Ct¨bntb H¶p ImWp¶Xp Xt¶.... sImXn Xosc H¶p hÀ¯m\w t]mepw ]dªnÃ.... Fsâ s]m¶nt¨bnbtÃ... Ah³ thtW s]mtíms«... ¢mskmÅXtÃ... ]ntÅcpw \msf t]mIpw... Fsâ tN«sâ Imcyw I−ntÃ... shfp¡pt¶\p apt¼ kvYew hn«p.... A{Xíp sXc¡m... Ft¶mSn¨nsc Cãsh¦nepw Hs−¦n... Rm\pw \nímw... ]−t¯t¸mse sImd¨p sZhkw.... " Ipª½ A½bpsS tXmfn Xq§n. " KuXao... \o C¶p t]mcp¶nÃ... Rm\m ]td¶Xv... IrjvW³Ip«ntbmSp Rm³ ]dtªmfmw.... AkvYn¯td F¶pw Xncnsh¨m aXnbtÃm... AXp Rm³ GÀ¸mSm¡ntímfmw..... cmPq... Hcp§v... " " h−ntbt]mbm aXn... ss{Uhdp \ns¸m−v... Cu ISemkp IqsS sht¨m.. tamsâ I¿nencnís«...." A¿t¸«³ IhÀ Fsâ I¿nteíp X¶p. Imdnencnípt¼mÄ Ignªv Iptd aWn¡qdpIÄ Rmt\mÀ¯p. Cu Npcp§nb kab¯n\pÅn Rms\mcp ]W¡mc\mbn amdnbncníp¶p. Aemhp±o\v AÛpXhnf¡p In«nbXpt]mse hnizkním\mhp¶nÃ, DÄs¡mÅm\mhp¶nÃ. Rm\m IhÀ Xpd¶v H¶pIqsS hmbn¨p. AXn sh¨ncníp¶ hne sh¨p Xt¶ Rm³ tImSoizc\mWv. ]ns¶ In«p¶ BZmbtam. B BÀ¡dnbmw. CXnsems¡ t`Zw ]gb PohnXw Xs¶bmbncnípw. H¶pw Adnb−. A²zm\nípI. In«p¶XpsIm−v PohnípI. s]s«¶v Rm³ A`ncmantb HmÀ¯p. Fsâ \nehmc¯n h¶ amÁw AhÄ¡p Zlníptam. F\níhtf thWsa¶ps−¦nepw AhÄ Ct¶htc Hcp hm¡n t]mepw Ft¶ AhÄ¡nãamsW¶p ]dªn«nÃ. F¶m Nnekabt¯ {]hÀ¯nIÄ ImWpt¼mÄ AhÄ Fsâ `mcybmsW¶p htc tXm¶nt¸mIpw. ASp¯ \nanjw BP·i{Xphpw. Rm³ cmta«t\ t\m¡n. kpJambn«v BSnbmSnbncp¶v Dd§p¶p. CSsímcp I«³Im¸n IpSním\mbn ImÀ \nÀ¯n. ho−pw XncnsI Imdn tIdnbt¸mÄ Rm³ cmta«t\ hnfn¨p. " cmta«m....?.." " Mqw.. F´m tamt\....?.." " ]ns¶.... Cu Ihdnsâ Imcyw.... C¸w cmta«sâ ho«n BtcmSpw ]db−....." " AsX´mSm tamt\... Ahscms¡ CXdnªm kt´mjníptIte... " " th− cmta«m... sNe¸w... X½nsemÅ kvt\tlmw ASpt¸mw t]msb¶p hcpw..... h¶n«v c−p amtk BsbmsŦnepw FÃmcpambn«v C¸w Hcp ho«ntet]msebm CXphtc Pohn¨Xv... s]s«¶v CXdnªm.. sNe¸w Ahcv... ]ns¶.... AI¶p t]mbm... AXv... F\nív..." " \o Fs´ms¡bm Cu ]td¶Xv... s\\¡v IpSpw_kz¯mbn«p Int«−Xv In«n... AXpsIm−v aÁptÅmÀs¡´m Ipg¸w...?.." " F¶mepw Ahcn¸w AXdnb−... Rm³ Xncn¨pt]mbn«v Adnªm aXn.... Csæn Rm³ B ho«n Hc\y\mIpw.... cmta«³ hm¡p XcWw..." " icn \nsâ Cãw...F\nsímsc¯pw ]nSow In«p¶nÃ..." cmta«³ ho−pw koÁn Nmcn I®S¨p. ho«n sN¶bpSt\ Xt¶ Ftf½bpw A`nbpw cmta«t\mSp hntij§Ä tNmZníp¶Xp tI«p. ap¯O³ c£s]«p F¶p tI«t¸mÄ A`ncman ]dbp¶p.

" tamtfw sIm¨ptamt\w I−¸w... ImÀt¶mcsS s]mdIo¶v Ime³ t]mbXp It−m... C¸w cmPmaWn t]mbnÃmcps¶¦ntem..." Rm³ kt´mjt¯msS Ahtf H¶p t\m¡n. s]s«s¶t´m A_²w ]dª amXncn B apJ`mhw amdn. " F¶m Rm\O\p Ipfním³ shÅw tImcn shís«... " AhÄ s]«¶hnsS \n¶pw henªp. cmta«³ A¶p Xt¶ tPmenkvYet¯íp t]mbn. Ftf½ {]tXyIw A`n{]mbw H¶pw ]dªp tI«nÃ. F\nídnbmw, H¶pw ]dbm³ ]Áp¶ aqUneà ]pÅn¡mc¯n Ct¸mÄ F¶v. ]pdta kt´mjw A`n\bníp¶ps−¦nepw B a\Ên henb kwLÀjw \S¡p¶p Fs¶\níp a\ÊnemIp¶p−v. IqSnh¶m c−mgvN IqSntb C\n ¢mkp ImWpIbpÅp F¶p tXm¶p¶p. AXp Ignªm ]ns¶ ÌUneohmbncnípw. BhiyapÅhÀ¡v tImtfPn hcmw, sse{_dn D]tbmKnímw. temUvPnepw tlmÌenepw Ip«nIÄ BcpwXt¶ ho«n t]mIm³ Dt±iníp¶nà F¶mWp tI«Xv. Rm³ GXmbmepw ho«n t]mbn \n¶p ]Tním³ Xocpam\n¨p. A½ ap¯Osâ ASp¯p \n¶pw F¶mWp Xncn¨p t]mIpI F¶dnbnÃ. t]mIp¶ hgn ChnsS Ibdpambncnípw. H¶pc−p Znhkt¯ív Bcpw Ft¶ At\zjn¨p h¶nà F¦nepw A\pZn\w Fsâ `oXn DÅn hÀ²n¨p hcp¶p. a\Ên hÃm¯ kwLÀjhpw hoÀ¸pap«epw. apSnbm\mbn«v Ah½mcp hs¶s¶ A§p XÃns¡m¶ncps¶¦n FÃm¯n\pw HcdpXn ht¶t\. cm{Xnbn Dd§m\pw ]Áp¶nÃ, Icnbne A\§p¶ H¨tI«m em¯nbpw ss]¸pw I¿nseSp¯n«mWpd¡w. cmcn¨³ FhnsS t]msbmfn¨p F¶pw AdnbnÃ. Ftf½ípw AdnbnÃm Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. ImcWw Ct¸mgpw AhcpsS A¼c¸p Ipdªn«nÃ. Rm³ GXmbmepw IcpXnbncním³ Xocpam\n¨p. cmhnte t]mIpt¼mÄ Fsâ Bbp[w Rm³ Hcp ISemkn s]mXnªp. CShgn Xocp¶Xn\p ap¼v Hcp I¿mebn IpÁns¨SnínSbn Hfn¸n¨p shípw. sshIpt¶cw AsXSp¯v {]tbmKním³ Xbmdmbn¯t¶ s]mXnªp ]nSnípw. F\níp apt¼ AhÀ h¶v FhnsSsb¦nepw adªncnípsa¶pw Rm\dnbmsX NmSnhogpsa¶pw Rm³ t]Sn¨p. Ahkm\w B Znhkw h¶p. Rm\¶v Aåw Xmakn¨mWp Ihebn h¶Xv. IpÁn¡m«n \n¶pw Bcpw ImWmsX em¯nsbSp¯p I¿n tImÀ¯p s]mXnªp ]nSn¨psIm−v CShgnbn IqSn \S¶p hcnIbmbncp¶p. Rm\pw Iebpw F¶pw ]ncnbmdpÅ CShgnbnte ap¡n c−v Hmt«mdn£IÄ Xncn¨n«ncn¡p¶p. B CShgnív Hmt«m k©cním\pÅ hoXntb DÅp. Rm³ hoSn\Sps¯¯mdmbt¸mÄ FhnsS \ns¶¶dnbnà sambvXp Hcp hfn¨ Nncnbpambn ap¼nÂ. Fsâ a\Ên Ft´m Hc]ISi¦. F´p h¶mepw t\cnt« ]Áq. ap¯O³ F\nímbn amÁnsh¨ncníp¶ ku`mKy§Ä A\p`hním\pÅ `mKyw hnZqc¯mtWm F¶p Rm³ kwibn¨p. " F´p ]Án C¶p sImd¨p Xmakn¨mWtÃm....?.." sambvXphnsâ Ipie{]iv\w. " Mm... C¨nsc Xmakn¨p...." Rm³ adp]Sn ]dªp Xocp¶Xn\p ap¼v ]pdIn Hmt«mbpsS iÐw. Xncnªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ ap¼nepÅ Hmt«mbn Rm³ A¶p I− XSnb³ Xe ]pdt¯ín«v t\m¡p¶p. s]s«¶v sambvXp Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v Ipep¡n. F¶n«p ]dªp. " A¸¸ns¶ ImWmw...." Rm³ thKw HmSn ho«n Ibdn Nmbn¸p Xpd¶p ]pkvXI§Ä hens¨dnªp. em¯nbn CSn¡« apdpInbn«pt−m F¶p ]cntim[n¨p. s]«nXpd¶v cmcn¨sâ ITmcnsbSp¯v Ffnbn XncpIn. NmSn shfnbnend§n. Cu ho«n sh¨v Hcp ko³ th−. C\n Rm³ AhnsS sh¨v sImÃs¸«m Cu ]mh§tf t]meokpImÀ _p²nap«nípw. Rm³ HmSns¨¶v Hcp sN¸pIpSsaSp¯p. At¸mtgípw FtXm ISn¨p Xn¶psIm−v Ie apdnbn \n¶pw ]pdt¯íp h¶p. " Cs¶mcp sImSw aXntbm...?..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " aXn.... Hmtcm¶mbn«v ]Xps¡ sIm−p hcmw..." Rm³ HmSn InWÁpIcbn F¯pt¼mtgípw c−pt]À Fsâ ASpt¯íp h¶p. XSnbt\ I−nÃ, C\n Ah³ FhnsSbmbncníp. Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡n, At¸mgmWp

I−Xv CShgnbn InS¡p¶ Hmt«mbn XSnb\pw sambvXphpw Nmcn\n¶v R§tf DÁpt\m¡p¶p. ASps¯§pw BcpanÃ. sXm«p Xmsg ]d¼p Ignªm tXm«pIShmWv. HmSnbm tXmSpw ]mShpsams¡ Xmt−−nhcpw. ]ns¶bpÅXv Hcp hi¯v DbÀ¶ Hcp ]d¼mbncp¶p, aq¶p\meSn Dbc¯n sNdpIÃpIÄsIm−v XoÀ¯ I¿me NmSn¡S¶v ]d¼n tIdn HmSmw. ]t£ ac¨o\n \Sm³ th−n Inf¨nf¡nbn«ncníp¶ ]d¼n IqSn HmSnbmepw adphit¯ theníen«v AhÀ Ft¶ ]nSnípw. Rm³ BtemNn¨p \n¡p¶Xn\nSbn AXnsemcp¯³ tNmZn¨p. " tImtfPnem ]Tnípt¶ CtÃ..." hfsc Iqfmb tNmZyw. " AtX...." Rm³ \nÊmcambn adp]Sn \ÂIn. At¸mtgípw aÁh³ Ft¶mSSp¯p. " CsXt´m¶m I¿neo ISemkn s]mXnªv Xq¡nbn«ncníp¶Xv.....?.." Ah³ tNmZn¨p. " B AsXmcp... km[\am..." " tImtfPo¶p hcp¶ hgnbm AtÃ.... XpWow jqkpw H¶pw amdmsXbmtWm shÅw tImcpt¶.....? " kabw In«oÃ... \n§fmcm... ChnSmscbm ImW−Xv...?.." " \ns¶¯t¶... \o tImtfPnsh¨v _Ên\p IsÃdnbpw CtÃ....?..." " AXymhiyw h¶mÂ..." CXnSbn H¶ma³ Acbn \n¶pw Hcp ssk¡nÄ sNbn³ hens¨Sp¯p Id¡n. c−pt]cpsSbpw Acbn ]n¨m¯n apg¨p \n¡p¶Xp ImWmw. C\n ]pdIn jÀ«n\pÅn hSnhmtfm sh«pI¯ntbm {]Xo£nímw. c−ma³ Hcp ]pOt¯mtS tNmZn¨p. " cm{Xoepw \à D¶am AtÃ...." F\níp a\Ênembn apXemfníp B Gdv sicnípw GÁ e£Ww. " IŽmtc Fdnbm³ A{X D¶sam¶pw th−tÃm..." Rm³ Ip\nªv sN¸pIpSw I¿nseSp¯p. H¶ma³ apt¶m«p \o§n ssk¡n sNbn³ Fsâ t\tc Bªp hoin. {]Xo£n¨p \n¶XpsIm−v F\níXp IpSw sIm−p XSp¡m³ Ignsª¦nepw hoiensâ iànsIm−v IpSw sXdn¨p t]mbn. C\n I¿n Fsâ em¯n am{Xw. c−maXpw Ah³ hoin. CSXpIbvsIm−v Rm³ sNbn\n ]nSn¨p. ]t£ AXnsâ AÁw Fsâ I¿nte apdns¡«n sIm−p. DW§mdmb apdnhp ho−pw NXªt¸mÄ Aklyamb thZ\. AXn\nSbn c−ma³ ]pdIn \n¶pw Hcp I¼n DucnsbSp¡p¶Xp I−p. sNbn\n ]nSn¨p Aht\ apt¶m«p hen¨n«v Ahsâ \m`nív Hcp Icmt« Nhn«p sImSp¯p. Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw A{Xsbm¶pw AhÀ {]Xo£n¨pImW¯nÃ. Rms\mcp ]mhw km[mcW tImtfPp]¿³. sNbn³Imc³ ]pdtIm«p sX¶n I¼nbpambSp¯ c−mat\ CSn¨p. Ah³ th¨v ]pdtIm«ncp¶p. sk¡âpIfpsS Awi¯n Fsâ Poh³ \ne\n¡p¶p F¶ t_m[w Ft¶ IÀ½\ncX\m¡n. F\ntíÁhpw ASp¯p−mbncp¶Xv I¼n¡mc³ c−ma\mbncp¶p. Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«p Ip¯nt¸mb Aht\ e£yam¡n Rm³ em¯nsIm−Sn¨p. Ahsâ ImenemWXp sIm−Xv. HceÀ¨ Ahsâ sXm−bn \n¶pw ]pd¯p h¶p. AtXmsS Fgpt¶Â¡m\mª Ah³ \net¯íncp¶pt]mbn. Ahsâ I¿n \n¶pw I¼nhSn sXdn¨pt]mbncp¶p. At¸mtgípw H¶ma³ NmSnsbgpt¶Áv sNbn³ hoin. Rm³ XSbm³ \n¶nÃ. ]Icw InWdnsâ adphit¯tímSn. Ahs\sâ ]pdsIbpw. InWdns\mcp he¯psh¨v Imen s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶hsâ ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ In«nb X¡¯n\p ]m¼nt\ XÃp¶Xp t]mse Ahsâ Xeíns«m¶p sImSp¯p. Ah³ ]pdtIm«p ae¨p. ]t£ At¸mtgípw H¶ma³ adphi¯p IqSn XncntªmSn Fsâ ap¼nse¯nbncp¶p. Rm³ s]s«¶p \n¶p. a\Ên H¶pw tXm¶nbnÃ. CXn\nSív sambvXphnsâ ASp¯p \n¶ XSnb³ KpkvXn¡mc³ sasà \S¶p ASpt¯íp hcp¶p. hoinb sNbn\n Rm³ ]nSp¯an«p Rm³ hoinb em¯nbn Ah\pw ]nSp¯an«p. Hcp sk¡âp t\ct¯ _em_e]co£Ww ASp¯ sk¡ân Fsâ I®n IqSn s]m¶o¨ ]d¶p. _ew ]nSn¨p \n¶XpsIm−mImw s\ÁnsIm−v Fsâ s\Ánbn CSn¨ Ah\pw sNdnb BLmXw In«nsb¶p tXm¶p¶p. R§Ä IbvIÄ hn«p, Rm³ \net¯íncp¶p t]mbn. Fsâ I®n\p NpÁpw \£{X§Ä ]d¡p¶p. \£{X§Ä¡nSbneqsS Fsâ apJw e£yam¡n hoinhcp¶ sNbn³ Rm³ I−p. Rm³ Ccp¶ Ccp¸nÂ

Xncnsªms¶mgnªp amdn. Fgpt¶Â¡m³ {ianíp¶Xn\nSbn em¯n H¶p hoin. e£w H¶panÃmbncps¶¦nepw AXhsâ ap«n sIms−¶p tXm¶p. ImcWw Fgpt¶Â¡p¶Xn\nSbn Ah³ Ip\nªp \n¶v ap«n Ibv shíp¶Xp I−p. In«nb kab¯n\p DÅ iànsbSp¯v Rm³ ho−pw em¯n hoin. Ahsâ aq¡pw apJhpw sXdn¨p t]mbn«p−mIpw. HceÀ¨tbmsS Ah³ apJw s]m¯n \net¯íncp¶p. At¸mtgípw XSnb³ R§fpsS ASps¯¯nbncp¶p. ]pdIn jÀ«n\pÅn \n¶pw Ah³ Hcp \ofapÅ hSnhmÄ t]mse Hcp Bbp[w, Xangvkn\nabnte Kp−IfptSXp amXncnbpÅ Hcp sh«pI¯n, AXpw Ducn¸nSn¨v Ft¶ t\m¡n Ah³ apt¶m«Sp¯p. C\n \n¶m ]´nbmhnà F¶p a\Ênembn. B I¯n sIm−m Fsâ ]mhw Nqc em¯n ]gw apdnbp¶Xpt]mse apdnbpw. Hcp hgntb DÅp. Poh\pw sIm−v HmSpI. Rm³ HmSn. HÁNm«¯n\p I¿me NmSnt¡dn. apIfnse¯nb Rm³ Xncnªp t\m¡n. bmsXmcp IqkepanÃmsX XSnb³ I¿mebnteíp Ibdm³ {ianíp¶p. ]t£ Rm³ tIdnb t]mse Ah\p ]ÁpIbnÃ. sNdpIÃpIfn Imepd¸n¨v Ah³ Ibdm³ {ianípt¼mÄ AOsâ Bßmhp tXm¶n¨Xmhpw, ]qgn¡SI³. CSXp IbvsIm−v Inf¨nfIn¡nS¶ a®v Hcp ]nSn hmcn, ASp¯p sN¶p. I¿mebn ]nSn¨pIbdns¡m−ncp¶ Ahsâ apJt¯sídnªp. Ah³ Xncn¨p Xmtgínd§n. Xesbm¶p IpSªp. sImSphmÄ I¿me¸pd¯p sh¨p. I®pw Xncp½n. ho−pw Ibdms\mcp§p¶p. I¿me¡ÃpIfn t\m¡p¶ Ahsâ ASpt¯íp Rm\Sp¯t¸mÄ Ah³ s]s«¶v sImSphmÄ ssIíem¡n I®paS¨v H¶p hoin. Rm³ ]pdtIm«p amdnbnÃmbncps¶¦n Fsâ Im AÁpt]mtbt\. B X¡¯n\h³ ho−pw I¿mebn ]nSn¨ptIdn. ]t£ \nhÀ¶p \n¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v, Ahsâ c−mat¯ ]mZw ]d¼n shíp¶Xn\pap¼v, Fsâ em¯n Ahsâ Xebn ]Xn¨p. IqSw sIm−Sníp¶Xp t]mse Ah\p tXm¶n¡mWWw. Xesbm¶p hnd¸n¨v Ah³ I¿mebn \n¶pw Xmtgíp aeÀ¶p hoWp. I¿me¸pd¯p InS¶ sImSphmÄ Rm³ ssIíem¡n. Xmtgíp NmSnbnd§n. Ahsâ ap«pNnc« t\m¡n em¯nsIm−v H¶p IqSn sImSp¯p. Ah³ H¶p hnd¨p hfªp. ]ns¶ N¯Xpt]mse aeÀ¶pInS¶p. At¸mgmWp Rm³ aÁpÅhtc t\m¡p¶Xv. Hmt«mbpsS ASpt¯íp th¨pth¨p \S¡pIbmWp c−pt]cpw. Hcp¯³ apJw s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. aÁh³ ap«n Ibv Xm§n sRm−n sRm−n \S¡p¶p. sambvXp sh{]mfs¸«p \n¡p¶p. s]s«¶v Hmt«m ÌmÀ«mbn. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ XSnb³ Rc§ns¡m−v I®p Xncp½p¶p. aeÀ¶p InS¶ Ahsâ s\©p t\m¡n em¯n H¶pIqSn Rm³ hoin. " At½m.." Fs¶mcp hnfntbmSpIqSn Ah³ H¶p hfªn«p s\©p s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. Ien Ibdnb Rm³ hnPbelcntbmsS hbÁs¯mcp Nhn«pIqSn sImSp¯p. Iym³hmkp jqkpsIm−pÅ Nhnt«ÁpImWpw. At¸mÄ Ah³ an−n. " Fsâ s]m¶ptamt\ C\n H¶pw sN¿tÃ... " " t]mt¯... H¶pw sN¿ptIseSm... \nt¶... ]dsbSm Xmtbmfo..... BcmSm... \ns¶sbms¡ Ct§m«p ]dªp hn«Xv..?." " samXemfnbm ]dªp hn«Xv...." " GXp samXemfn...?.." " cmcn¨³ samXemfn ..." " F´n\mSm...? " " Fsâ tamt\... \nt¶ X«ntb¡m\m ]dªXv...C\n R§tf hnt«cv... Ctà Rm³ N¯pt]mIpw....." " IÅ¡gpthdnsS tamt\... F¶n«n¸w Ahs\hnsSbmSm... \nsâ samXemfn...?.." " Adnb¯nÃ..." Ah³ Ibv Iq¸ns¡m−p ]dªp. " IÅw ]dbpt¶mSm... s]mebmSn tamt\.... \nâO³ kXyw ]dbpw.... ]dsbSm... Ahs\hnSmSm... " Rm³ em¯n H¶pIqSn hoin Ahsâ ap«pNnc« Ct¸mÄ XhnSps]mSnbmbn¡mWpw. " At¿m ]dbmta... sImÃtÃ...tamt\..." Ah³ Bip]{XnbpsS t]cp]dªp. " CXv kXymtWmSm... AtXm Ft¶ Ifn¸ním\mbn«p... theshípImtWmSm... IÅ]p−¨ntamt\..." Rm³ em¯n hoim\mbn s]m¡n.

" At¿m AtÃ... " Ah³ Bip]{Xnbnte hmÀUpw \¼cpw ]dªp. " FSm ]¿t\... Ah\mcms\¶dnbmtam... sh«pI¯n ]m¸nbm... Aht\mSp IfníÃv..." Rm³ XebpbÀ¯n t\m¡pt¼mÄ ÌmÀ«mbn \nÀ¯nbncníp¶ Hmt«mbn \n¶pw Xe shfnbnteín«v sambvXp hnfn¨p ]dbp¶p. " F¦n \o C§p hm... CtàChsâ sh«pI¯nsIm−p Rm\nhsâ Hcp Imep sh«pw... Asæn hmSm ChnsS....." Rm³ CSXpI¿nencp¶ hm¡¯n DbÀ¯n. XSnbsâ a®p]pc− I®pIfn acW`oXn. " Fsâ sImt¨ H¶pw sN¿tÃ... Ahcp s]mtímfpw... ]mh§tf hnt«cv..." sambvXp hnfn¨p ]dªp. " F¦n \o C§p hmSm...CsàRm\nhsâ Imep sh«nsbSp¡pw... F\nsímcp abncpw t]mIm\nÃ... " Rm³ sImSphmÄ s]m¡n. sh«mt\m§n " cmPqqqqqqq...?..." `oXn \ndª Hcp \nehnfn, kv{XoiÐw. At¸mgmWp Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡p¶Xv. B ]d¼n\p sXm«p apIfnte ]d¼n A`ncman, Ie, Ftf½, ]ns¶ thsd H¶p c−p kv{XoIÄ Hcp Infh³, ]ns¶ Iptd ]ntÅcpw. ]ns¶ tXm«n h¶ c−paq¶p s]®p§fpw. FÃmhcpw hnc−p \n¡p¶p. " A_s²m¶pw ImWnítÃ... Fsâ s]m¶p cmPq..." A`ncman Icbp¶ t]mse hnfn¨p ]dªp. " an−nt¸mIÃv ... Hcp¯ow an−nt]mIÃv... Fs¶ sImÃm³ h¶h½mcm... C\ow Ch½mcp hcpw... AXn\pap¼v... Hcp¯sâ F¦nepw Imtem It¿m sh«otÃÂ... F´n\mSo Rm\mWmsW¶p ]dªp \S¡pt¶..." Rm³ sImSphmÄ Bªp. " cmPq.. ths−¶m ]dªXv..." A`nbpsS A[nImc iÐw. " On t]mSo... Ft¶ shc«pt¶m... F¦n B \mdntbmSp Ct§m«p hcm³ ]dsbSo... \nsâ aÁh\tÃ... ]dsbSo...IÅ..." Rm³ ]IpXníp sh¨p \nÀ¯n. " H¶p sNsÃsâ sambvXq... IentIdn \níphm... ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯p sNÃv...." A`n sambvXphnt\mSp hnfn¨p ]dªp. GXmbmepw Hmt«mdn£m ss{UhÀ XÅn hn«XpsIm−mIpw sambvXp hnd¨phnd¨v Xmgn¡nd§n h¶p. XSnb³ ZoÀLimkw hn«p. ]ns¶ Rc§n. XSnbsâ hbÁ¯p Nhn«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ ImepsIm−v Hcp sXmgnIqsS sImSp¯n«v Rm³ sambvXphnsâ t\tc ASp¯p. Bbp[§Ä c−pw CSXp I¿nteím¡n. sambvXp Fsâ AcnIn h¶p. ]ns¶ hnd¨psIm−v sXmgpXp. " sImÃÃv... AdnbmsX ]Ánt¸mbn... C\n R§fp hcqÃ... am¸m¡Ww..." Rm³ heXpIbv hoin AÐphnsâ IcWs¯m¶p sImSp¯p. " AtÅm..." Ah³ th¨p th¨v Xmtgíncp¶p. Rm\hsâ jÀ«p Iq«n¸nSn¨p s]m¡nbn«p iÐsamXp¡n tNmZn¨p. " kXyw ]d... \nsâ samXemfn C¸w FhnsSsbm−v.... ?.." " s_©ansâ Biq{Xosem−v.... clkym... D¨ípw Rm\hnsS t]mbXm..." " \ns¶... Rm³ C¸w hnSpIm... F´n\m¶dnbmthm...?.." " Adnb¯nÃ... " " \o sN¶v \nsâ samXemfntbmsS´m t_m[n¸ním³ t]mWXv..." " At¿m.. H¶pw \S¶nÃ... tamt\ H¶pw sN¿m³ ]ÁnbnÃ..... ]Á¯panÃ... `b¦c\mW¶p ]tdw..." " th−m.... " " ]ns¶.... F´m ]tdt−¶p sh¨m...tam³ Xt¶ ]d..." " Ch½msct¶ H¯ncn XÃnsb¶pw ... sImÃmdm¡nsb¶pw ]dbWw...a\Ênemtbm..." " At¿m s\mW ]dªm... R§tf samXemfn shSnsh¨p sImÃpw...." sambvXp Icbp¶ a«n ]dªp. Rm³ H¶p XWp¯p. " Csæn Rm³ \nt¶ CXpt]mse NX¨p sImÃpw....C¸w I−tÃm.. Icmt«w Ifcn¸bÁpw Rm³ Igntª Cu \m«nsemÅp...." " At¿m...]dbmw..." AÐphns\mcp kam[m\w h¶Xp t]mse. " F¶m B sh«pI¯ntbw IqsS s]m¡nsím−p t]mtím... \m«pImcdnªp t]meokp hcpt¶\p ap¼v... " " Hm... C¸¯t¶ s]mtímfmw... " " \nÃv...." " At¿m..." Rm³ t]Sn¨c−p \n¡p¶ sambvXphnsâ tXmf¯p ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨n«p tNmZn¨p.

" t]SnímsX sambvXq... Bt«....Rm\mcmsW¶m... sImÃm³ hn«¸w....\nsâ samXemfn \nt¶mSp ]dªncnípt¶...?.." " samXemfosS GtXm It¨mS¯nev.... `b¦c \ãsam−m¡nb ]mÀ«nbm... sIm¶m tIkpw ]p¡mdpw BIpw... Xe s]m§mXm¡nbm aXo¶m ]dªp hn«Xv..." " F¶m \ob§s\ ]dªm aXn... C\n... BbpÊn Cu `mK¯p \nt¶ I−p t]mIcpXv..... C\n \o Bfp Iq«n h¶mepw Rm³ ap§n \nt¶ X«pw... F¶nt« Rm³ NmIs¯mÅq... a\Ênemtbm Fsâ s]m¶p sambvXq\v..." " At¿m a\Ênemtbn.. " " F¶m t]mbn sh«pI¯ntb s]m¡v.... C¶m Ahât½sS sh«pI¯n... Ah\p s]mdw sNmdnbm³ sNe¸w CXp thWmcnípw... ]nt¶... Cu Ihte sNÃp¼w Ft¶ XÃn¨Xs¨¶p ]dtª¡Ww..tI«tÃm...?.. " Hm.......tI«q...." Rm³ sImSphmÄ XSnbsâ ASpt¯íp hens¨dnªp. ]ns¶ ho«nteípÅ hgntb \S¶p. Rm³ ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ s]®p§fpw Ip«nIfpw `bt¯msS amdn \n¶p. ]ns¶ AÐphnt\ t\m¡n. XSnbt\ HÁíp s]m¡m³ hnjaníp¶Xp I−t¸mÄ Hmt«mbpsS ss{UhÀ IqSn sN¶p klmbn¨p. Ahsâ Hcp Im Xq§n¡nS¶p. AhÀ t]mIp¶Xp htc Rm³ AhnsS \n¶p. AhÀ t]mbn¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ InWÁpItc sN¶p. sN¸pIpSw X¸nsbSp¯v, AXn shÅw tImcn \nd¨p. Ipfn Ignªp h¶ s]®p§Ä Ft´m AÛpXw ImWp¶ t]mse Ft¶ t\m¡n \n¶p. ]ns¶ IpShpsaSp¯p ho«nteíp \S¶p. CShgnbn Ft¶ Im¯v IetamÄ \n¸p−mbncp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ I¿n tImÀ¯ncp¶ em¯nbn H¶p sXm«p t\m¡n. Rm³ AXqcn AhfpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. s]s«¶hÄ ]dªp. " " Fs´mcp shbnÁm CXn\v... CXpsIm−m AhÀ¡n«p ]mÊm¡ntb...? sIm−hsâ IãImew...F\nínãs¸«p.... A¦nsfm¶p shekn... At¿m... A¦ntf tNmc..." AhÄ Fsâ CSXp I¿n ]nSn¨p t\m¡n. Rm³ I¿nte apdns¡«n t\m¡n. B XpWn apgph³ Nph¸p \ndambn¡gnªncníp¶p. " kmcanÃ.... ho«n sN¶n«p t\m¡mw..." " Bcm A¦ntf Ahscms¡... F´n\m... Ahc¦nfnt\ sImÃmw h¶Xv..?.." " F\nídnb¯nà tamtf.. Rm\mtcmSpw H¶pw sNbvXn«nÃ.... F¶n«pw..." " kXymbn«pw ...C¸w F\ní¦nfnt\... shÃnãmbn... taml³emep \n¶p Ì−Sníp¶ t]mse..... XIÀ¡pIÃmcpt¶m... F¶mepw F\níp a\Ênembn....kq{X¸Wnbmcp¶p I¿nep apgph\pw... sIWdn\p NpÁpw Hmt«mw... a®p hmcn Fdnªpw... Hs¡... " " Fsâ tamtf... AÃmsX Ch½mtcmSp Pbním³ ]Ápthm... C¸gpw Rm³ Pohn¨ncnípt¶m F¶v F\nípXt¶ kwibm... AXncnís«... \n§sf§s\bdnªq... kw`hw...?.." " hSt¡s¸mdt¯ kpaXnbm HmSnh¶p ]dªXv... Ahfp Ipfním³ tXm«n t]mIphmcp¶p... A¦nfnt\ Bcms−ms¡¡qSn XÃps¶¶v...." " Mm....H¶p cs−®w In«n.. `Khm³ XpW¨p...CtÃÂ... " " F¶mepw `{ZImfosS A\p{Ktlm−v A¦nfn\v..... tI«]msS s\ehnfnt¨m−v Fd§n HmSpImcp¶p...sIWÁp¦tem«v ." " `{ZImfntbm... GXp `{ZImfnbmSo.. C¸w Ft¶ sNmÃn s\ehnfníms\mÅXv...?.." " Hm.... Adnb¯nÃm¯ t]mse... hnfn¨p IqhotÃ... A... Xpep¡t\mSv sNÃm³.... Hcp cs−®w IqSn sImSp¡mcp¶p Ah\v... F\nív Is®Sp¯m I−qSm B sNIp¯mt\... sam®..." At¸mtgípw R§Ä ho«nse¯nbncp¶p. sN¶]msS shÅw ho¸bnsemgn¨n«v Rm³ sN¶v XpWn amdn. ]ns¶ ASp¡f hmXn¡ sN¶p. " tN¨o... tN¨o..." Rm³ hnfn¨p. Ftf½ DuWp apdnbn h¶p. AhcpsS apJw Ccp−ncp¶p. " A`o... A`o..." Rm³ Ahtfbpw hnfn¨p. hmXn Xpd¶v Ahfpw Cd§n h¶p. Ie taibn Nmcn \n¶p. " Hcp Imcyw Cu ho«pImtcmSp Rm³ kvt\lt¯msS ]dbpIm... cmta«³ Ft¶ Ct§m«p sImt−mcp¼w... AXphtc.. F\níp i{Xp¡fnÃmcp¶p... C¸w am\¯q¶p s]m«nhoW t]mse... Ft¶ sImÃm³ BfpIfp \S¡p¶p.... F\nív tImtfPn i{Xp¡fnÃ... A¸¸ns¶... Bcm Chcv...?... \n§¡p htÃmadntbm... F¦n ]d....

F\nípw PohníWw.. ]t£ am\ambn«v... Rm³ t]Snt¨mSp¶h\Ã... Fsâ AOsâ B{Klw t]mse Hcp t]meokpImc\mIm\m Rm³ ]Tnípt¶... ]t£... F\nín«p ]Wnbm³ h¶m ... Hcp¯t\w Rm³ hnS¯nÃ... F\nsím«p t]Sow CÃ... AtXm−v Hcp Imcyw Rm³ tNmZníphm.... Rm³ t]mtWm.. AtXm ChnsS XmaknítWm.. t]msW¦n... C¸w Rms\d§mw... \n§¡p _p²nap«mbn«v... Rms\mcp sk¡ânhnsS \ní¯nÃ... " Rms\m¶p \nÀ¯n. aq¶p s]®p§fpw Nphcpw Nmcn\n¶p tIÄ¡p¶XÃmsX H¶pw an−p¶nÃ. " ]d... \n§sfs´¦nepw ]d.... Hcp Imcyw IqsS Rm³ ]dbmw... Rm\o ho«nsemÅ Imet¯mfw... \n§sS BsctSw tZl¯v thsdm¯sâ s\gep t]mepw hog¯nÃ... A§s\ hoWm Cu cmPmaWn N¯ncnípw.... " ]ns¶bpw Bcpw H¶pw an−p¶nÃ. Rm³ ]dªp. " F¦n... Zbhmbn«v... Hcp Imcyw \n§fp sN¿Ww... Cu ho«nsemcp ]mhw a\pjys\m−v... At§cv CsXm¶pw AdnbmXncnís«... Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨m Rm³ F\níp a\ÊpÅXp ]dtªmfmw... \n§s¡m¶pw Adnb¯panÃ... ChnsS H¶pw kw`hn¨n«pw CÃ... t]mtc...? " Rm³ shfnbnend§n. ho−pw IpSsaSp¯p. Iebpw IqsSbnd§n. At¸mÄ Ccp«p hoWpIgnªncp¶p. Ahsfs¶ XSªp. " A¦nfn\n C¶p shÅw sNma¡−... Ahcp ]nt¶w h¶mtem...?.." " Bcv...? Ahcn\n hcW¦n sImçfp Ignbpw... \o s]mtím... t\cw kÔymbn...." c−p aq¶p IpSw Ignªt¸mtgípw F\nsímcp £oWw t]mse. Rm³ apdnhp \\ímsX Hcp Ipfn ]mÊm¡n, XncnsI h¶p Nmbn¸n tIdn InS¶p. ]Xnhp t]msebpÅ \maP]w tI«nÃ. B XesXdn¨hsâ XesIm−pÅ CSntbÁp apg¨ s\Ánbpw Xncp½n Rm³ AhfpsS \maP]¯n\p ImtXmÀ¯p InS¶p. AdnbmsX I®Sªp t]mIp¶p. a\Ên ]ns¶bpw Nn´IÄ. F´n\mWp Rm³ Cu GSmIqS¯nsems¡ sN¶p NmSnbXv. Hcp s]®n\p th−ntbm, Ct¸mÄ tXm¶p¶p, Fsâ AOsâbpw A½bptSbpw t{]akm^ey¯n\p th−n aÀ±\taÂt¡−n Hcp ]mhw a\pjysâ IpSpw_¯n\p th−n Aåw kln¨mepw AXv A[nIamIp¶nÃtÃm Fs¶mcp \oXoIcWw a\Ênsâ DÅn tNt¡dnbncníp¶p. ]t£ a\:Êm£n tNmZníp¶p. AXp am{XtabptÅmSm IÅm. AÃm, AÃm, F\níhtf thWw, Fsâ A`ncman. AtX Fsâ A`ncman. Rm\dnbmsX sasà Fsâ Np−pIÄ Dcphn«p, Fsâ A`ncman, Fsâ A`ncman. Nmcnbncp¶ IXIp Xpd¶v Iebpw A`nbpw Fsâ apdnbnse¯nbXv Rm³ AdnªnÃ. " A¦ntf... A¦ntf... Fgpt¶tÁ.... aXn \maw P]n¨Xv...." IebpsS iÐw tI«p Rm³ I®p Xpd¶p. t\m¡pt¼mÄ Ie I«nen\cnInÂ, A`n hmXn¡Â. " Blm...\otbm... Mqw... F´m...?.." " A¦nfp \maw P]n¨t¸m¯t¶ tZhn tZ hmXn¡Â..." AhÄ iÐsamXp¡n ]dªp. " F´p h«mSo.. \obo ]tdt¶...?.... Rm³ \maw P]n¨qt¶m... " " AtXt¶... _lfsam−m¡−... Rm³ tI«p.....cmam¶p ]dªnÃ... ]Icw cmao¶p s]mdps]mdp¯p.... At{XÅp....." AhÄ hmXn¡ \n¶ A`ntb GdpI®n«p t\m¡n. " ssIín¸w thZt\t−m....?.." A`nbpsS aWn\mZw. " CÃ... sImdªp...." Rm³ DZmko\\mbn ]dªp. " A¦ntf... Fgpt¶tÁ... C¨nsc acp¶p s]mc«mw.... Zm¶p ]td¶Xn\p ap¼v apdnhp Icnbpw..." Ie ]dbpt¼mtgípw A`n apdnbnteíp Ibdn. Hcp ]m{X¯n Ft´m ]¨ne Ac¨Xp t]mse I¿nencníp¶p. " CXp s]mc«nbm... c−p Znhkw th− apdnhp Icnbm³... Cw¥ojp acp¶mIp¼w c−mgv¨sb¦nepw th−nhcpw.... " A`n I«nen\cnIn h¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. A\§nbt¸mÄ ssIíp \à thZ\. Icnbmdmb apdnhp Xm§nbt¸mÄ NpfpNpfm¶pÅ thZ\. " Hm.. CsXm¶pw th−..... AÃmsX Xt¶ CXv Icntªmfpw... " Rm³ ]dªp. " At¿m... A§s\ ]dbtÃ... Fsâ A¦ntf... {XnkÔy¡v ]d¼p apgph³ Acn¨ps]dp¡n ]dn¨v... AXv... AcIÃp tkm¸n«p IgpIn... sa\s¡«v... Act¨m−p h¶ncníphm...]mhw... AX§p s]mc«ntb¨p s]mtímfpw... Ibv \o«ns¡mSv... tkh\atÃ... tkh\w..." Ie \mSIobambn ]dªp.

" Hm.. Bcpw Bhiys¸«nÃtÃm..." Rm³ A`nbpsS apJ¯p t\m¡msX ]dªp. " F¶mepw R§s¡mcp acymZbntÃ... CtàAO³ F´p hnNmcnípsa¶p IcpXnbm... AOsâ {]nbs¸« ]mÀ«nbtÃ... AsX§\m.. Ns¦Sp¯p ImWn¨m...." A`n ]dªp XoÀ¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v Rm\nSs]«p. " th− th−... N¦pw sN¼c¯ow H¶pw ]db−... AXv... Rm³ It−m−ncníp¶Xm... C¸gpw..." " l... X½n¯ÃmsX Ibv ImWnív a\pjym... " Ie Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p hen¨p. " lm... t\mhp¶p... \nÃv... \n§fnt§m«p hm.. " Rm³ Ibv Xm§n¸nSn¨v Itkcbn t]mbn Ccp¶p. " At¿m Ct{Xw s\m¼c−mcpt¶m... F¶n«m Cu hmin...?.. tN¨nsb¶m angp¡kym¶p t\m¡n \n¡pt¶.... At§m«p sN¿t¶..." Ie A`ntb t\m¡n. " Mm... F´m¨m sN¿v... " Rm³ Ibv taita sh¨n«v P\en IqSn ]pdt¯íp apJw Xncn¨v t\m¡nbncp¶p. A`n ]m{Xw tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«v Fsâ I¿nte sI«gn¨p. _m³tUPgnípt¼mÄ FhnsStbm Hcp DS¡v. DSt\ AhÄ IetbmSp ]dªp. " \o t]mbn... B kv]ncnsÁSpt¯m−v hm..." " FhnsSbm AXv...?.." " Fsâ...B s\bnÂt]mfosjms¡ Ccn¸ntÃ... AXn\I¯p ImWpw..." A`nbpsS \nÀt±ia\pkcn¨v Ie kv]ncnsÁSp¡m³ t]mbn. " Ftf½sbt´y...?.. I−nÃtÃm..." Rm³ shdptX Ipiew F¶ a«n tNmZn¨p. " B... sIS¡phm¶p tXm¶p¶p.... F´m C{X AXymhiyw..?.." " AÃ... ho«½bmIp¼w... sNe¸w Ft¶mSp tZjyw ImWphmcnípw... AtXm−mcnípw... sNe¸w \msf ChnSp¶v Ft¶ Fd¡nhnSphmcnípw...." " Hm.... AsXm¶pw CÃ... " At¸mtgípw Ie kv]ncnÁpIp¸nbpambn h¶p. AhÄ AXn«p \\¨v B DSs¡Sp¯v sI«gn¨p amÁn. I«t¨mc DW§n¸nSn¨ apdnhn t\m¡n A`n ]ndp]ndp¯p. " ]tgXv HW§pt¶\p ap¼v... t]mbncníphm... XsÃm−m¡m³..." AXp tI« Rm³ Ibv hen¨n«p ]dªp. " Hcp¯cptSw kuP\ysam¶pw th−..... \nÀ¯ntbcv... aXn..." DSt\ Ie NmSn hoWp. " tN¨n H¶p an−m−ncnípthm... c−pw sImÅmw... C¡W¡n\p `mhnbnse´mIpthm..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibvhen¨v A`nbpsS ap¼nteíp sh¨psImSp¯p. ]ns¶ A`nsbm¶pw an−nbnÃ. hoÀ¸n¨psh¨ apJt¯msS AhÄ apdnhp ip{iqjníp¶Xpw t\m¡n Rm\ncp¶p. ]gb acps¶ms¡ XpS¨pIfªn«v ]pXnb ]¨acp¶v tX¨n«v AhÄ sIm−p h¶ XpWnbp]tbmKn¨v sI«n. kXyw ]dªm At¸mÄ Hcmizmkw tXm¶n. thZ\ípw Ipdhp−v. FÃmw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p. " \mft¯íp \\ímXncp¶m...apdn IqSpw... ]nt¶ sht«m Ipt¯m....Ft´mt¶m Bbntím..." " F\níp th−n Rm\mtcw sh«m\pw Ip¯m\pw t]mbn«nÃ... It−mscms¡ skm´¡msc¶p hnNmcn¨hcp hcp¯nb sa\Ifp ImcWw... C¸w Fsâ Xeíp aÁptÅmcp she ]dbphm... F¶mepw a\Êp sXmds¶mcp hm¡v... Ct{Xw I«nsbmÅ a\Êv... `b¦cw Xt¶.... Mm...Rm\§p t]mtb¡mw.. ]t£ hcms\mÅsXms¡ A\p`hnt¨mWw..." Rm³ sasà ]dªp. " cmPmaWnsb´m... AXpanXpsams¡ ]dbp¶Xv...?.." ]m{XsaSp¯p t]mIm\nd§nb A`n tNmZn¨p. " H¶qÃ... a\pjy³ a\Êp sXmd¶p kwkmcníWw... {]hÀ¯níWw... F¶p ]dbphmcp¶p...." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp I«nen Ccp¶p. A`n hmXn¡se¯n. ]ns¶ IetbmSmbn ]dªp. " hm... \o hmSo... ]pÅn¡mc³ sIS¡s«...." " F´m Ietamtf... C¶p {]mÀ°\sbm¶pantÃ....." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m A¦ntf thtd {]mÀ°\.... C¸¯t¶ Bhiy¯n\p ]pWyw In«otÃ..." IebpsS adp]Sn.

A¶m ho«n \n¶pw tImemlesam¶pw tI«nÃ. Asæn IebpsS Ifnbpw Nncnbpw kwkmchpw Ftf½bpsS iImchpw ]mNIt¯¸ÁnbpÅ A`nbpsS At\zjW§fpw sIm−v B hoSp apJcnXambncp¶p. A¯mg¯ns\t¶ hnfn¨p. F\nípÅXv tai¸pd¯v X¿mdmbncp¶p. A`n ASp¡fbnÂ, Ie hmb\bnÂ, Ftf½ AhnsS§pw CÃ. F\nít¸mÄ Ft´m Hcp emLhw tXm¶n. Ign¨n«v Rm³ t\tc Ftf½bpsS apdnbn sN¶p. a¨nteíp I®pIfpw \«v I«nen BtemNn¨pInS¡p¶ Ftf½. " F´m tN¨o... C{X BtemN\... sshIpt¶ct¯ ImcymtWm... AXp hn«pIf.... ChnsSm¶pw kw`hn¨n«nsÃt¶.... " " Mm...cmPpthm... hm.... F¶mepw Ahcmcm¶p Rm³ HmÀ¡pImcp¶p..." Ftf½ I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶v apSn hmcns¡«n. " l.. AsXsâ tImtfPnte ]mÀ«n¡mcpsS Kp−IfmsW¶m F\níp tXm¶pt¶... \msf Rms\m¶p sNÃs«... FÃm Ah½mtcw Rm³ icnípw ImWpw... tImtfPn sh¨p XsÃm−m¡psa¶p IcpXn.... ho«ntem«p h¶mtem... CXns\ms¡ Hcp acymZbntÃ....." " A¸w... Ahcp tImtfPnsemÅhcmtWm...?.. " AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " F\nípw hey \nivObw t]mc.. Rm\mtcbpw t{Zmln¨n«nÃ... D]{Zhn¨n«nÃ.... kmcanÃ...I−p]nSnt¨mfmw..." " F¶mepw F\nsít´m.... AÃm, cmPqsâ ssIsí§t\−v... ? s\Ántbm atÁm samg¨ns«ms−¶v ]ntÅcp ]dªp tI«p...... hà shÅímtbm atÁm Ac¨nSmcp¶p..." " Hm...F´n\v... F\nínsXms¡ Hcp ioeam... Mm... ]ns¶tb..atÁXp ImWt−...?..." " Cs¶t´m.. Hcp... hÃmbvI... Asæn¯t¶.. AsX§\m ImWp¶Xv... ChnsS sSenhnj\nÃtÃm...?.." AhÀ Hcp tIm«phmbn«p. " AÃmtXw...ImWmw... Rm\m kq{Xw Fsâ Hcp Iq«pImct\mSp ISw hm§nbXm...\msf Xncn¨psImSp¡msa¶p hm¡m..." " Mqw... F¶m H¶p It−ímw... A¸w ]ntÅcv...?.." " Ahscmd§n¡go¼w... C¨nsc Ccp«o«v... Nmbn¸ntem«p h¶m aXn... Rm³ AIt¯ IXInsâ IpÁn amÁnbnt«ímw..." " Mqw... F¶m \o t]mbn htÃmw Ignív... .." " tN¨nbn§s\ Xq§nbncnímsX H¶p Ipfnt¨¨§p hm... \à Ie¡³ ]Shm... tN¨n A¶§s\ Hcm{Klw ]dªXpsIm−m..." " ]Sw ImWms\´n\m Ipfnípt¶...?..."tNmZn¨t¸mÄ B apJs¯mcp IpkrXn¨ncn. adp]Sn Rm\hcpsS sNhnbnteíp ]dªpsImSp¯p. " \oe¸Sw ImWp¼w... R§¡p s]m§pw... B kvYm\¯p s]®p§¡v shÅs¸m¡w H−mIpw... C¸w HÅ shbÀ¸pw sNfow IgpIn¡fªm... At¶cw \à ip²Pew In«pw..." " t^mS... Hcp \mtWmanÃ.... hnkvXcním³...." AhÀ Hcp irwKmc¨ncntbmsS Fsâ apJw XÅn amÁn. At¸mÄ Ie At§m«p h¶p. R§Ä kwkmcw \nÀ¯n. " F´m...ChnsSmcp IpipIpip¸v... ?..At½ shi¡p¶p... tNmdp shf¼v..." Ie I«nen Ccp¶½bpsS Npaen Xq§n. " Mm... hm..Xcmw... " Ftf½ Fgpt¶Áv ASp¡fbnteíp \S¶p. " F´m A¦ntf... C{X clkyw...?... A½íobnsS F¸gpw FhsSs¨¶mepw IpipIpipt¸ HÅp... B kqt¡S¦nfn\pw sXmS§ntbm...?.." " AsÃSo... D−m¸o... ]Iet¯ Imcyw ]dbphmcp¶p...." Rm³ s]s«¶hnsS \n¶pw amdn. DuWp IgnªbpSt\ Rm³ Iymadm FSp¯v IrXy`mKw HmSn¨v Xbmdm¡n sh¨p. Ftf½bpsS ]pd¯v cmcn¨³ ]q¨ ]®p¶Xpt]mse ]®p¶Xp AhcpsS km¶n²y¯n ImWm³ \à ckw Xs¶bmbncnípw. AhcpsS {]XnIcWw F´mbncníptam. Nnet¸mÄ AhÀ AsXSp¯v X¨pSípambncnípw. GXmbmepw ]Ápsa¦n Cu ]d¨c¡nt\ H¶p IqSn H¶\p`hníWw. e£Wsam¯ Ifnkmam\hpw Ih¡nSbn sh¨v AhÀ \S¡p¶Xv ImWp¼w ]eXpw tXm¶pambncps¶¦nepw, Cs¶mcp {]XnImc¯nsâ hnImcamsWsâ a\ÊnÂ. kn\nabn hnó _emÂkwKw sNbvXp Ifníp¶Xp t]mse. GXmbmepw C¶t¯ Cu kn\namImW IgnªmÂ

Fsâ ChnSt¯ s]mdpXnbpw \n¡pambncnípw. Rm³ sseÁW¨v IXInsâ IpÁnbpw amÁn Im¯ncp¶p. P\en IqSn \nemhnsâ shfn¨¯nsâ {]Xn^e\w apdnbn In«p¶p−v. AXpsIm−v \ngept]mse ImWm³ ]Ápw. ]mXncm Ignªt¸mÄ IXIp Xpd¶v AhÀ AI¯p Ibdn. Rm³ sN¶v iÐap−m¡msX IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. AhÀ h¶p I«n Ccp¶p. Rm\pw ASp¯ncp¶p. Aåt\cw R§Ä H¶pw an−nbnÃ. ]ns¶ AhÀ Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. " F´m shdptX Ccníp¶Xv... ImWt−... t\ct¯ ]dªmcpt¶... \¶m¡m³ sImSp¯v Áoho FSp¸nímcp¶p...." " AÃmsX Xt¶ ImWms\mÅ km[\sams¡ H−v..... ]ns¶.... AXnsâ IqsS Aåw t\cnepw IqsS I−mtems¶mcp Nn´..." Rm³ AhcpsS Ibv¸¯n I¿nseSp¯p shdpsX XtemSn. " F\níp tXm¶n... Ft¶ hnfn¨¸tg... Dt±iw CXmcps¶¶v... Ft¶mSp s\mW ]db−mcp¶p... \o hnfn¨m Rms\¸gpw Fd§n hcptIte..." AhÀ Fsâ Ihnfn kvt\l]qÀhw hncÂsIm−v H¶p Ip¯n. " At¿m AÃ... ImWnímw... [rXnsb´n\m... AÃm...A¸w FÃm¯n\pw XbmdmtbmtWm h¶ncn¡p¶Xv...?.." " F´p XbmdmIm³... ?.." AhÀ Ft¶ sXm«ncp¶p. " tkm¸nsâ hmk\ tI«n«v D{Ks\mcp Ipfn ]mkm¡nb e£Wsam−tÃm... C¸w NqsSSp¡ps¶mt−m tN¨nív... C¶mfp `b¦c NqSmsW¶pw ]dªv Ft¶ apdos¡m−p t]mbntÃ..." " C¶Xn\p NqsSSp¡m\pw am{Xw Rm³ H¶pw C«n«nÃ... Cu¡mWp¶sXms¡tb HÅp..." Rm³ Ahtc Ac− shfn¨¯n kq£ns¨m¶p t\m¡n. Ibnenbpw »ukpw am{Xw. ASnbn H¶pw CsömWtÃm ]dªXv. Ffp¸¯n Imcyw \S¡pw. Rm³ B Ibv¸¯nbn H¶p½ sh¨n«v AXp IhntfmSp tNÀ¯p. F§s\ XpS§Ww Fs¶mcp Nm©eyw. ImapI\mbn A`n\bníp¶ Rm³ s]s«s¶mcp \nanjw hnÃ\mIpatÃm F¶ hnNmcw a\Ênt\ aYníp¶p. " \a¡p thtW s]md¯v Xnt®encnímw... Ct{Xw NqSp ImW¯nÃ...." Rm³ \nÀt±in¨p. " sicnbm... knaâp Xtd sIS¶m C¨nsc XWp¸pw In«pw...." R§Ä Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ IymadmbpsaSp¯v ]pd¯nd§n hmXn Nmcn. apÁt¯íp Imepan«m«n Iq«pImÀ Ccníp¶Xp t]mse R§Ä Xn®bn Ccp¶p. Iymadm X¡mew amÁn sh¨p. " \nemhp ImWm³ \à `wKn...Ctà tN¨o..?..." Rm³ shdptX tNmZn¨p sIm−v AhcpsS Npaenteíp Nmcn. AhÀ Hcp IbvsIms−t¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v B kpKÔta\ntbmSp tNÀ¯p. hmk\tkm¸nsâ hmk\ AhnsS§pw ]c¶p. " cmPq... \nt¶msSmcp Imcyw Rm³ tNmZnít«... ktXy ]dbmshmÅp...." AhÀ Fsâ sNhnbnteíp tNmZn¨p. AhcpsS NpSp\nizmkw At¸mÄ Fsâ Ihnfn ASn¨p. B Np−n Hcp½ sImSp¯psIm−v Rm³ ]dªp. " Np½m tNmZnsísâ kÀ¸kpμco... " At¸mÄ B Np−pIÄ hndíp¶p. Ac− \nemhn AhÀ¡p ]Xn·S§p amZIXzw. Cu aZmekbpsS kmao]yw Fsâ kncItf NqSp]nSn¸níp¶p. AhcpsS ta\nbn \n¶pw asÁmcp KÔw Dbcp¶p, AsXsâ Rc¼pItf D±o]n¸níp¶p. Fsâ Acs¡«n NqSp IqSp¶p. AhnsS Fs´ms¡tbm DWÀhpIÄ A\p`hs¸Sp¶p. IbnenbpsS AXncp t`Zn¨v Btcm Xe s]m¡p¶p. " tM... kÀ¸kpμcntbm... A¸w F\níp shjsams−¶mtWm \o ]td¶Xv..?.." " F¶p sh¨m.... Cu kÀ¸kpμcos¶mÅsXmcp k¦åmtW... Ahtf¡mWp¶h\v H¶p ]®msX \nhr¯nbnsö s\ehcpw... F¶m... Ahtf sXm«mtem Ah³ shjw tIdn NmhptIw sN¿pw... A§s\t¯ s]®p§fp `qaosemt−m... Np½m shdptX... sNe s]®p§tf¡mWp¼w ISn AS¡m³ \nhr¯nbnÃmsX BWp§fp ]td¶XmtW..." " A¸w Ft¶ sXm«m.... s\\¡p shjw tIdpsa¶mtWm..." " Hm Np½m... ISn aq¯¸w hnfn¨pt]mbXm Fsâ tN¨o... ]ns¶ tN¨níp shjansÃs¶m¶pw hnNmcní−... Ignª Znhkw Rm³ I−XtÃ... shjw NmSp¶Xv... ]¨ap« Xtd hosWmeníp¶ t]mse...."

" AXn\p \o Fsâ FhnsSbm shjw I−Xv...?...tM...?.." " thtd FhnsSbm... ChnsS¯s¶... NnXdnsXdnípIÃmcpt¶m..." Rm\hcpsS XpSínSbn Ih¡q«n hnc sIms−m¶p Ip¯n. AhÀ XpSIÄ H¶I¯n¸nSn¨p ]pfªp. ]ns¶ Fsâ Acs¡«nteíp I¿n«v aq¯p\n¶ Ip® ]nSns¨m¶p sR¡nbn«p ]dªp. " \o Hcp hÃmt¯m\m... \nsâ Cu tN\¯−³ A§s\ ]¯ow hncn¨v \n¶mSp¼w... GXp s]®n\mSm shjw sXdním¯Xv...?." Rm³ Xn®bn aeÀ¶p InS¶p. " \à kpJw knaâp Xtd sIS¡m³... t]Sn¨n«m CtàRm³ cm{Xo ChnsS sISs¶md§ntbt\.... " " Btc t]Sn¨n«v....?.." " tZ Cht\¯t¶..." Rm³ Fsâ Acs¡«n apg¨p \n¶ Ip® sXm«p ImWn¨p. AhÀ Fsâ ap−nsâ Ip¯gn¨n«p. ]ns¶ ]¨ G¯ím t]mse I«nbmbn \n¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯v At§m«pant§m«pw X«n¡fn¨p. CdpInbpd¨ atcm«ním hen¸apÅ D−Ifn XtemSn. Ahcht\ X«n¡fn¨t¸mÄ kpJw sIm−h³ kv{]n§p t]mse sXdn¨p \n¶p. " AsX´n\m¶m tNmZnt¨..." " cmhnte ]ntÅcmsc¦nepw HWÀ¶p s]mds¯d§p¼w sNe¸w... Chs\§m\pw Cu ]cph¯nem \níp¶sX¦ntem... t]mcmªn«v ]Iep apgph\pw tN¨ntbw t\m¡n \S¶n«mtW sISs¶md§p¶Xv...." " Ft¶¡mWp¼w s\\¡{X Ff¡sam−mIphmcpt¶m...?..." AhÀ Fsâsbm¸w Xdbn aeÀ¶p InS¶p. InS¶t¸mÄ Fsâ apdnhpÅ Ibv AhcpsS hi¯pcªp. " At¿m.. Fsâ Ibv..." thZ\tbmsS Ibv ]n³hen¨psIm−v Rms\gpt¶Áncp¶p. " At¿m..s\mt´m..." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " CÃ... s\mt´t\..." " \o sIS¡p¶ntÃ..?. \à XWps¸m−v......" " CÃ... \nemshfn¨¯n Cu kÀ¸kpμcn C§s\ sIS¡p¶Xp ImWm³ \à tNev... Fsâ tZlw sam¯w Xcníp¶p..... sam¯w FfIm³ sXmS§n..." Rm\hcpsS hbdn XtemSn, ]p¡nfn\p NpÁpw hncen«p hr¯w hc¨p. AhÀ H¶p sRfn]ncnsIm−p. " ]Sw ImWním¶p ]dªn«n¸w... Fsâ tZl¯p ]Sw hcíphmtWm... F´ntb \nsâ sSenhnj\pw ]tSmw Hs¡..?.." " Hs−t¶.... s]SímsX.... " Fgpt¶Áncp¶ Rm³ AhcpsS IbnenbpsS Ip¯gn¨v c−p hit¯ípan«p. AhÀ \mWn¨p Ih¡nS s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. Rm\m Ibv _eambn amÁn t\m¡n. XpSIÄ¡nSbnsemfníp¶ Iodepambn B Bene]qdv \nemshfn¨¯n Ft¶ t\m¡n Dcp−pXpSn¨p \n¶p. »ukn Ibvsh¨t¸mÄ AhÀ Xt¶ AXnsâ lp¡pIfqcn Xpd¶p sh¨p. ]dªXpt]mse Xt¶ ASnbn H¶pw [cn¨n«nÃmbncp¶p. AP´minåw t]mse aeÀ¶pInS¡p¶ B Nc¡nsâ InS¸v hÃm¯ Hcp ImgvN Xt¶. Ac− \nemshfn¨¯n B ape¡pS§Ä IqSpX Imtam±o]Iambnt¯m¶n. Xmtgíp ImepIfn«p InS¶ AhcpsS c−p ImepIfpw Rms\Sp¯v Xn®bnteíp sh¨p t\sc InS¯n. AhÀ ImepIÄ AI¯n IhbnSp¡p hncn¨p InS¶p. B InS¸v AhcpsS s]¬]qdnsâ icnbmb BenebpsS Imgv¨ F\níp \ÂIn. Rm³ \nanjt\ct¯ív FÃmw ad¶pt]mbn. B Xmen¸qdn Rms\mcp½ sh¨p. AXn \n¶pw han¨ tkm¸nsâbpw IgpInb IhbnSp¡ntâbpw hmk\ Fsâ Rc¼pIfn Xo ]mdn¨p. F´mbmepw Chtc H¶p IfnímsX C¶n\n hnSp¶ {]iv\anÃ. B IcnRmdp ]mInb ]qdp I− Fsâ Ip® sh«ns¯dním³ XpS§n. Rm³ Ip\nªm ]qdns\mcp ap¯w sImSp¯p. AhÀ Hcp IbvsIms−sâ apSnbn XtemSn. atÁ IbvsIm−v kz´w kmam\¯n H¶p XtemSn. At¸mÄ AXnsâ ]pdwNp−pIÄ H¶p henªI¶p. AXn \n¶pw ]qhpw Imbpsams¡ s]m§n hcm³ XpS§n. Np−pIÄ sIm−v arZphmbn Rm\m I´p hen¨ps]m¡n. sNdnb D¸pckt¯msS AsXsâ hmbnembn. At¸mÄ AhcpsS Acs¡«v AhcdnbmsX tatems«m¶p s]m§n¯mWp. AhnsSÃmw tkm¸nsâ aWambncp¶p ap¶n«p \n¶Xv. Rm³ I´p hn«n¨v tNmZn¨p. " CsX´m tN¨o tkm¸nXn\I¯p Ip¯nt¡ÁpImcpt¶m....."

" \o Xs¶btà ]dªXv ip²Pew thW¶v..... AXpsIm−n¸w s\\¡v atWm¶panÃmsX AXp Xn¶m³ ]ÁotÃ...?.." AhÀ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v ho−pw ]qdnsâ apIfnteíSp¸n¨p. " Mqw... C¸w XoÁním\n¸w sImXnbmÀ¡msW¶p I−ntÃ..." " \o kabw IfbmsX AsXm¶p Xn¶p XmSm tamt\..... sImd¨p sZhkmbn... AS¨p sht¨m−p \S¡m³ sXmS§o«v....." AhÀ Hcp s\SphoÀ¸n«p. Rm³ c−p IbvsIm−pw B \\bm³ XpS§nb kmam\¯nsâ CXfpIÄ AI¯n ]nSn¨p. F¶n«Xn\I¯p−mbncp¶ Cebpw I´pw Hs¡¡qSn hmbntesíSp¯p N¸n hen¨p. Ipd¨p aq©nbn«v Rm\Xp hmbn \n¶pw Xmtgíp hn«p t\m¡n. ASntbmsS sImbvX s\Âs¨SnbpsS IpÁnt]mse B km[\§Ä A§s\ Xt¶ Iq«ambn«p t\tc \n¶p. " l... Xns¶Sm... F´m \nÀ¯ntb......\à ckmbn hcpImcp¶p....." " D¸pI−¯n Xebn« t]msebmbn CXn\Iw... A{Xíp¸pckw... s\bv t]mse FfIns¡mgªp hcpIm.... " " AX§s\bmSm... \nsâ \m¡p \à Acw t]msebm... \obX§p hen¨p IpSnív.... " " Cu abncp I´p hoÀ¯p hmbns¡mÅmsXbmbn... CXn\I¯o km[\w F§s\ AS§ns¡S¡pt¶m... " " AsXmÅXpsIm−mSm... R§fp s]®p§fp kpJnípt¶.... hens¨Sp¯p Xns¶Sm... AXp hÃm−p ISníp¶p... AhsS....H¶p \¡n¯mSm s]m¶ptamt\... " AhÀ arZpkzc¯n A`yÀ°n¨p. Rm³ ho−pw B IhínSbnteíp apJw ]qgv¯n. Ipd¨p t\cw Rm\m I´pw ]qÀ¨men\Ihpw \¡ns¡mSp¯p. \¡nsbSp¡pt´mdpw Ipfw \ndbp¶Xp t]mse AXp ho−pw AhcpsS aZ\ckw sIm−p \ndbp¶p. AhcpsS Acs¡«pw B tbm\nbpw DcpIpIbmsWs¶\níp tXm¶n. kv{XoIÄ C{Xíp hnImchXnIfmtWm F¶p Rm³ Nn´n¨p t]mbn. " \s¡Sm tamt\... A§s\ \¡v... Mqw... \à ckw... lmmmm.... " kz´w apeIfn XgpIns¡m−hÀ s]mdps]mdp¯p. AhcpsS Acs¡«p henbm\pw AhÀ ]pfbm\pw XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ \¡epw XoÁbpw \nÀ¯n sasà AhcpsS apIfnteíp tIdn¡nS¶p. Fsâ I¼n¡p® AhÀ XSn¨pan\p¯ NqSp XpSIÄ¡nSbn ]nSn¨psh¨ndp¡n. AhcpsS apeIÄ¡nSbnte hnbÀ¸n Rms\sâ apJsamfn¸n¨p. AhÀ c−p apeIfpw FSp¯v Fsâ IhnfpIfn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. B apeIÄ Fsâ Ihnfnt\Ip¶ Ipfncns\s´mcp \nÀhrXn. " C¨nsc ]Xps¡ aXn tN¨o... ]ntÅscmd§n¡mWphtÃm...CtÃ..." " Ahsc¸tg Hd§n.... C\n cmhnsetb IXIp sXmd¡s¯mÅp... " " \½tf Cu s\tese§m\pw I−m....." " CsÃSm... IgnªZnhkw Bcms−ms¡ CXnte hs¶t¶m Hs¡ A`n ]dªp... Ahf\§msX sIS¶t{X... Rm³ ]dªp.... C\n shfnbn t_mw_p hoWmepw \n§fp A\§m³ t]mI−m¶v... AtXm−v... \o F´pthtWepw sNbvtXm... \nÀ¯Ãv... tÈm...F\níp s]m«m³ h¶Xmcp¶p..... " " At¿m s]m«nímt¶....AÃm ..AsX¶mcp¶p _ltfm−mbXv....?..." " A¶p \½fp c−mfpw ChnSnÃmcp¶p.... Rm³ B§tfsS ho«nt¸mbn...\o \nsâ ho«neÃmcpt¶m..." " Hm...AXp sicn...A§s\mcp Imcyw \S¶mcpt¶m...?..." " Mqw.. " R§Ä Aåt\cw an−msX InS¶p. ]ns¶ AhÀ Xt¶ Ft¶ sIm¨pIp«nItf hen¨p tIÁp¶Xp t]mse Fsâ I£§Ä¡nSbn I¿n«v Ipd¨pIqSn apIfnteíp hen¨ptIÁn. R§Ä¡nSbn¡qsS I¿n«v Fsâ KZhocs\ ]nSns¨Sp¯v AhcpsS KplmhmXn Aåw Xpd¶v AXn\nSbn ap«n¨psh¨p. B kab¯v Rm\hcpsS apeIfn amdn amdn c−p s]ms¸mt¸m ASn¨p. AhÀ Is¿Sp¯t¸mÄ Rm³ Ip\nªv AhcpsS Hcp apesR«n sasà IpSním³ XpS§n. AhÀ Fsâ Xebn XgpIn AXp ckn¨p. ASp¯ apebpw IpSn¨t¸mtgípw AhÀ Acs¡«v Ft¶bpw sIm−v H¶nf¡n. Fsâ Ip®bn AhcpsS Xnf¨ ]qdnsâ NqSp X«n. Rm³ apeIpSn \nÀ¯nbn«p hnfn¨p. " tN¨o..." " F´mSm...?.."

AhÀ Fsâ Np−pIfn AhcpsS Np−pItfm¶pgnªv hen¨p IpSn¨p. B Np−pIÄ ]mXnhnSÀ¶p aeÀ¶p hnImcw sIm−nfIn hndíp¶Xv Rm³ \nemshfn¨¯n I−p. AXn\pÅn \n¶pw han¨ \ocmhníp ]pXnsbmcp kpKÔw. AhcpsS hnImchmXnen ap«nbncp¶p XpSníp¶ Ip® AXn\It¯ínSn¨§p tIÁm³ tXm¶n. " tN¨osS sIm¨ptamÄsS hmbo¶p shjw... Ip¯nsbd§m³ sXmS§n... \à NqSv..." " t\cmSm... C¸w F\nsít´m... sam¯w Xcníp¶p....." " CsX´m C¶n¸w Ct{Xw Ff¡w, Ignªmgv¨... \n§sfm¶pw ....?..." " Mqlpw..... At¶cw F\níp taemcp¶p...." " AXm... C¸w C{X s]s«s¶fInbXv... Mqw... Ahsfsâ sNdp¡t\ Indp½n¡ndp½n Xn¶p¶p.... \à ckw..." Rm³ Ip®sbm¶\¡n. s]s«¶v AhcpsS FÃm Ne\§fpw \ne¨p. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p AhÀ¡p cXnaqÀO h¶p F¶v. ]t£ Fsâ Ip−nIfn XtemSns¡m−v AhÀ a[pckzc¯n Ft¶ hnfníp¶p. " cmPptamt\...?.." " Mqw...?..." AhcpsS aq¡n³ Xp¼t¯ hnbÀ¸p \¡ns¡m−v Rm³ hnfntI«p. " \osb´n\m.... C¶v ... B ]mhw sambvXqt\ XÃnbXv.... Ahs\´p s]g¨n«m...?..." IÅn, ]m¼v Afbn \n¶pw shfnbnteíp Xe \o«m³ XpS§p¶p. GXpkabhpw hcpsa¶p Rm³ {]Xo£n¨ tNmZyw. Mqw, Fs´ms¡tbm kwib§Ä AhcpsS DÅnep−v. Ft¶ hmW¯nsâ AÁ¯p sh¨psI«nbn«p tNmZn¨m kXyw ]dbpsa¶v ]mhw hnNmcníp¶p. bmsXmcp `mht`ZhpanÃmsX Rm³ adp]Sn sImSp¯p. " Ah\ns«m¶qsS sImSp¡Wmcp¶p... F¶pw ChnsS h¶p kmdnt\ tNmZnípw... Ft¶ t\m¡n¨ncnípw... Im¸nIpSnípw... Rm³ ChnSs¯bms\¶h\dnbmw...B Ah³ ...BWmbn«m `mK¯v thsd Bsc¦nepsam−mcpt¶m... F¶n«v Ahs\m¶p h¶p XSÊw ]nSntí... Asæn H¶p ]nSn¨p amÁptI... tMtl... Rm³ tNmZnt¨... Fsâ sambvXq... Ch½msct¶ XÃp¶Xv \o I¿pw sI«n t\m¡n\n¶tÃmSm¶v... At¶cw B \mbnsâ tam³ ]dbphm... \à HcSn I−n«v sImtd Imembn AXpsIm−v... t\m¡n\n¶¸w ad¶p t]mbo¶v.. sImSp¯q \à Hsc®w Xt¶... ]ns¶ hnNmcn¨p th−mcps¶¶v... sNe¸w.. B hm¡¯nsb§m\pw Ahsâ tZl¯p sIm−mcpt¶Â... GXmbmepw FSíp tIdmXncp¶Xv \¶mbn..." Fsâ I®n t\m¡ns¡m−v AhÀ Rm³ ]dªXp tI«p. hnizknt¨m CÃtbm. " F¶mepw HÁív \osb§s\... aq¶p t]tcw... ?.. \o `b¦c\m.....t]meokp Xt¶..." " AsXm¶phà tN¨o... \n§sSsbms¡ \à a\Êv... AÃmsX´m.... ]ns¶ At½sS {]mÀ°t\w.. AOsâ Bßmhnsâ A\p{Ktlmw..." " F¶mepw Ahcmcmbncnípw... Ah½mscsbm¶p shc«mcp¶ntÃ... hnhcw Adnbmcp¶tÃm..." " Ah½mtcm... sImÅmw..... sIm¶m ]dbpthm... Mm... hà ]mÀ«otSw BfpIfmcnípw... tImtfPnse{Xbm ]mÀ«nIfv... AsXms¡ hnSv... C§s\ Bbm.. \½sS ]mÀ«nIsfmd§pth....." hÀ¯am\¯n ]mXn XWp¯ Ip® Rms\m¶\¡n. " Ct{Xw B¡ntb¨v A§t\ Ahtc Hd¡m³ ]Ápthm.... \osbms¶ amdntí.... " AhÀ ]dªp. " F´n\m...? FÃmw aXnbm¡ntbm...?..^nenw ImWt−...." " thWw... NqSmIm³ sXmS§nbXtÃ... shjw FfInbXtÃ.... sXmS§nbsXm¶p Ignbs«... ]mXnhgníp \nÀ¯nbm... F\níp {`ms´fIpw...." AhÀ Ft¶ XÅnsbgpt¶Â¸n¨p. ]nSn¨p Xdbnteíp aeÀ¯n¡nS¯n. ap«pIfn Nmªp \n¶v Ip®bn sasà XtemSn. AXns\m¸n¨v AhcpsS hmg¡pS¸³ apeIfn Rm\pw XtemSns¡mSp¯p. apesR«pIfn \pÅn¯ncp½ns¡mSp¯p. hbdn C¡nfnbn«p. I£§fn hnc XncpIn. \\sªmeníp¶ ]qÁn I¿n«p XgpIn. I´n hnc AaÀ¯n Xncp½n. BsI \à tafw. Ct¸mÄ R§Ä ]gb]Snbnembn. At¸mgpw Rm³ a\Ên ]dªp. Fsâ s]m¶p kÀ¸ta, \n\¡p {`ms´fIm³ t]mIp¶tXsbmÅp. GXmbmepw sambvXphnt\¡pdn¨pÅ Fsâ adp]Sn AhÀ hnizkn¨ e£Ww. AhcpsS hnZKv[amb IchncpXn \mep ]nSp¯w ]nSn¨t¸mÄ Ip®tam³ \à Djmdmbn. Ip\nªv Ahsâ Xe AhÀ hmbnseSps¯m¶pgnªp. ]ns¶ Fsâ

apIfnteíp Ih¨p Ibdn. apIfnteív HÁ¡®pambn t\m¡n\n¶p shÅand¡p¶ Kpem\p apIfn ImepIÄ Ih¨v IbvIÄ ImÂap«neq¶n. ]ns¶ Hcp IbvsIm−v Ip®¯e ]nSn¨v AhcpsS \\ª {iotImhnensâ hmXnen C«v H¶pc−pc¨p. Xe hgphgp¡en sX¶n. ]ns¶ Ip® ]qdnsâ hnShn ]nSn¨psh¨n«v Xmtgíncp¶p. kpKaambn Ah³ B sImgp¸pÅ NqSnteíqfnbn«p tIdn. AhÀ Fsâ tZlt¯íp InS¶p. ]ns¶ tNmZn¨p. " `mcw tXm¶tWmt−mSm...Ip«m...?.." " Ctèo...\à kpJw..." " F¦n... \o AhsS hmsbm¶p s]mfn¨p sht¨..." " F§s\bm... tN¨n C§s\ sIS¡p¼w...?.." " \o FSíqsS I¿nSv... F¶n«v AsXm¶p s]mfn¨p shív.. Ahsâ tZl¯hÄsS Iq¼p ap«n \nís«..." " Iqt¼m..?..." " FSm...abntc I´v...a\Ênemtbm...?.." " Mqw... a\Ênembn..." Rm³ CSíp I¿n«p, AhÀ Aåw apIfntesímXp§n X¶p. Rm³ B tbm\n c−p hncepIÄ sIm−I¯n¸nSn¨p. AhÀ Xmtgb¡aÀ¶p. " C¨ncqtS hnSÀs¯Sm tamt\... sicnípw ap«Ww.. F¦nte kptJmÅp...." AhÀ ho−pw s]m§n¯¶p. Rm³ c−p I¿pw CSbnteíp IbÁn. B ]qdnsâ c−p ]mfnIfpw \¶mbn hen¨I¯n. ]t£ AXp c−pw sX¶nt¸mbn. ho−pw Rm³ \pÅn¸nSn¨p hen¨p. " \pÅn¸dnímsXSm... ]Xps¡ ]nSnív....." " tlm.. I¿n In«t−...shjw sIm−p sImgªncníphm AXp apgph\pw..." AhÀ XmtgíaÀ¶p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ sI«n¸nSns¨sâ Np−pIÄ hmbnem¡n \pWªp. F¶n«p ]dªp. " C¶p sImgbpsaSm... C\ow sImgbpw... sImtd sZhkmbn.. H¶p sImg¨n«v... Mqw..." AhÀ sasà Acs¡«p Nen¸n¡m³ XpS§n. XpSIÄ c−pw sIm−v Cdp¡pIbpw hnSpIbpw sNbvXpsIm−v AhÀ apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw lrkzambn CfIn. NqSp]qÁn Ip® apdpInt¡dn Ccníp¶Xnsâ kpJw sImÅmw. " \obm...samtesem¶p ]nSnt¨...." " s]m§nbSníp¶ntÃ...tX§m s]mXníev...?.." " C¶Xnsâ BhiyansÃSm...Ip«m.. AÃmsX Xt¶ Rm\n¸w Ignbpw...Mqw...samte ]nSo...Mqw...." AhÀ Bhiys¸«X\pkcn¨v Rm³ Fsâ s\©¯aÀ¶p sRcp§n¡nS¶ B apeIÄ hens¨Sp¯v sR¡n¡i¡ns¡mSp¯p. AhÀ I®S¨p InS¶psIm−v {]tbmKw XpS§n. HcpXcw sNdnb \o´Â. CXv s]mXníeÃ. Abªp Ipgªp InS¶ AhcpsS ]qdn\Iw AI¯p ap§nbncníp¶ Kpem\n IqSpX apdpIm³ XpS§n. A\§nbSnímXncp¶XpsIm−v F\nsím¶pw BIp¶nÃ. " Ip«m.... F\nímbn hcps¶m−v... Mqwww.... C¨ncqsS sR¡Sm... sRt«epw IqsS ]nSnsíSm... " Rm³ apesR«pIfn Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. " sl\níp hcps¶ms−Sm tamt\... Fsâ Ip«\tÃ... Ft¶ H¶p sI«n¸nSnsíSm..." AhÀ¡p IenbnfInb t]mse. AhcpsS Acs¡«p XmfanÃmsX InS¶nfIn hndím³ XpS§n. B hnImckZ\¯nsâ DÅdbnte `n¯nIfn s]m«ns¯dnbp−mIps¶¶v Fsâ Ip®tam³ AI¯ncp¶p hnfn¨p ]dªp. At¸mtgípw AhÀ Fsâ Np−pIÄ hmbnem¡n {`m´ambn hen¨pIpSním³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJ¯p apJan«pcp«ns¡m−p ap{Ibn«p. " Mqw...Mqw..Mqw...tlm...tlm....iviviviviv.... Mqwwwwww....." \o− Hcp apcĨtbmsS AhÀ Fsâ apIfnteíp InS¶p. \o− \nizmk§Ä. Fsâ Ip®bn AhcpsS kvJe\¯nsâ Cdp¡epIÄ hn§epIÄ. an\n«pItfmfw \o−p\n¶ hn§epIÄ {ItaW sI«S§n. Ip®bnepÅ ]qdnsâ ]nSp¯w IptdsÈbmbn hn«p. Ct¸mÄ AXv ho−pw shdptX NqSp s\¿n Ibdn Ccníp¶Xp t]mse. Ipd¨pIgnªt¸mÄ AhÀ Fsâ Ihnf¯p \n¶pw apJw s]m¡n. " H¸w hcm¯Xp sIm−v.....tam\p shjtam−mSm...?.."

" CÃ... shd¸n¨v shd¸n¨v tN¨osS ISn XoÀ¡p¶Xp ImWm\mcp¶p \à ckw..." " t]mSm... a\pjyt\ Ifnbm¡msX..." " At¿m... Ifnbm¡phÃ... Fs´mcp Ienbmcp¶p.... A\§msXmÅ Ien... " " Mqw... AXn\p ]Ánb BWp§sfmt−te Cu Ien FfIs¯mÅp..... At¿m... s\\¡p shÅw hcp¯t− tamt\...... ?.." " thWw... \½sS ]Sw It−m−mtW IqSpXep ckmcnípw...." " AXn\nhnS¶p \½sfgpt¶¡t−....?.." " th−.... tN¨n AhsSs¡St¶m.. Aht\ AI¯p sht¨m−v... AIt¯ sh«epw NoÁepw Hs¡ H¶p Xocs«.... A§s\ Xt¶ sIS¶p It−m..." " s]®p§¡§s\ C¨nsc sh«epw NoÁepw Hs¡ Hs¡ H−mIpw... ]Xps¡tb Xocs¯mÅp... \n§sS amXncn HÁbSníp shjw Xoc¯nÃ...... " kpJw In«nb kt´mj¯n AhÀ Fsâ IhnfpIfn D½ sh¨p. AhcpsS ta¨p−pIfpw \mknIm{Khpw cXnaqÀObn hnbÀ¯ncp¶p. shÅw t]mImXncp¶XpsIm−pw Ip® NqSmbn AhcpsS hnImctI{μ¯n\pÅn \ndªncp¶XpsIm−pw AhcpsS XfÀ¶ ta\nbpsS `mcw F\ní\p`hs¸«nÃ. B \áta\nbpsS Iosg InS¶psIm−v Rm³ Is¿¯n¨v AcnIn sh¨ncp¶ Iymadm FSp¯p. AhÀ HccnInteíp sImSpwI¿pw Ip¯n InS¶p. Ct¸mgpw CSínSív B ]qdp Npcp§pIbpw \nhcpIbpw sN¿p¶XpsIm−v AI¯ncníp¶ Ip®tam\p \à kpJw. " tM... CsX´p sSenhnj\m...?..CXn\Is¯´p ImWm\m...?..." " tN¨n an−mXncp¶p I−m aXn...." Rm³ Iymadm Hm¬sNbvXn«v AhcpsS apJ¯n\p t\tc s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. CbÀt^msWSp¯v AhcpsS sNhnbnteíp XncpIn sh¨p. ]ns¶ kv{Io³ hen¨p Xpd¶p AhcpsS apJ¯n\p t\tc ]nSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ \S¡p¶Xv Ahcpw cmcn¨\pw ]¶n ]®p¶Xp t]mse ap{Ibn«p ]®p¶ cwKamWv. ImWp¶ cwKw hnizkním\mhmsX AhÀ I®p Nn½nbS¨p Xpd¶p t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ I−p. t\m¡n¡nSt¡ AhcpsS izmtkmOzmkKXn IqSn. H¸w Hcp Bkvam tcmKntbt¸msebpÅ henhpw Bt{Imihpw XpS§n. {ItaW AXp IqSn. AhcpsS s\©pw hbdpw Fsâ apIfn DbÀ¶p Xmgp¶Xv F\nídnbmambncp¶p. Iymadm t\tc ]nSn¨ncp¶ Fsâ tXmfpIfn AdnbmsX AhcpsS IbvIÄ ]nSnapdp¡n. " lt¿m...ls½... ls¿m... F´m CXv... F\níp h¿... Fsâ At½..... " AhÀ Fsâ s\©t¯íp Ipgªp hoWp s]m«n¡cbm³ XpS§n. Rm³ Iymadm \nÀ¯n. Ic¨nen\nSbn AhÀ hnfn¨p]dbm³ XpS§n. " At¿m... At¿m... Fsâ PohnXw t]mtb... Fsâ At½... F\níp ht¿.... " AhÀ D¨¯n \nehnfním³ XpS§n. HcpIbv sIm−v Rm\hcpsS hm s]m¯n. Iymadm apdps¡¸nSn¨p. AhÀ s]s«¶v Fsâ apIfn \ns¶gpt¶Áp. ¹Iv F¶ iÐt¯msS Ip®sb s]mXnªncp¶ ]qdp s]m§nt¸m¶p. AhÀ apÁt¯íp NmSnbnd§n. F¶n«v Xebn c−p IbvIfpw sh¨psIm−v \nehnfním³ XpS§n. Rm³ s]s«s¶gpt¶Áp Iymadm Nmbv¸nsâ IXIn\p ]pdIn Hfn¸n¨p. apÁt¯íp NmSnbnd§n AhcpsS hms]m¯n. " iÐap−m¡cpXv... ]ntÅscmWcpw... BsI \mdpw... ]ns¶ sicnípw shjw IpSntí−n hcpw....]dtª¡mw..." AhÀ Ic¨nensâ iÐw HXp¡n. " C\nsb¶m \mdm\m...hnSv.... Rm³ NmImw t]mIphm... " Ahscsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«v s\©¯e¨p Icªp. " l... ]Xps¡ Ae¡v.... same s]m«nt¸mIpw.... " Rm³ AhcpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p. " hnSv...F\nín\n Pohn¨ncn¡t−... F\nín¸w NmItW.... Fât½m... F\níp ht¿... " AhÀ Fsâ tXmfn Nmcn\n¶p Icªp. " C¸w N¯m... \m«pImÀ¡v ImWm³ \à ckmcnípw. HÁ »ukpant«m−v.. kmam\¯o¶v shtÅmw Hen¸nt¨m−v...." " Ft¶ NXnt¨¨v Xami ]dbpt¶mSm..\mdo... " Ahscsâ s\©¯v iànbmbn CSn¨p. _ew ]nSn¨p \n¶v Rm\sXms¡ kln¨p. AhÀ XfÀ¶v Fsâ amdnteíp ho−pw hoWpInS¶p Icªp. \nemh¯v ]cn]qÀ®\á\mb Fsâ amdnÂ, Hcp »ukp am{Xw tXmfn Xq¡nbn«v apJw ]qgv¯n AhÀ Cu apÁ¯p \n¶p Icbp¶ ImgvN A`ncmansb§m\pw I−mÂ. Fsâ At½, Fsâ kz]v\ku[¯nsâ ASn¯d CfIpw.

s]s«¶v AhÀ Fsâ s\©n \n¶pw amdn. " FhnsSSm.. B Ip{´m−w... AXp Rm\n¶Sp¸nenSpw... sIm−phmSm...FhntS¶m tNmZn¨Xv..... " AhÀ Xn®bnsems¡ X¸n. ]ns¶ Nmbn¸nteíp tIdm³ `mhn¨p. Rm\hcpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p ]pdt¯íp hen¨p. AhÀ Xncnªv Fsâ apSnbn ]nSn¨p hen¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " sIm−phmSm... \mdo.. AXnhnsS... CtÃÂ... \ns¶ Rm\n¶p sImÃpw... CtàRm³ NmIpw..." " H¶Ss§sâ kÀ¸kpμco... AS§v imctZ... Xcmw... B Ip{´m−w Xcmw.... apSntbs¶m¶p hnt«..." " hnS¯nsÃSm... abntc... AXp XcmsX...." AhÀ Fsâ apSnbn ]nSnapdp¡n. F\níp thZ\n¨p. ]nSnhenbn Fsâ I¿nte apdnhpw Xm§n. ]ns¶ Rm³ aSn¨nÃ. Ibv hoin IcW¡pÁnív H¶p sImSp¯p. ]vtS F¶p tI«p. AhcpsS ]nSen Xncnªp t]mbn. apSnbn \n¶pw ]nSn hn«pt]mbn. " an−nt¸mIcpXv....tXhnSnÈn.... C\n iÐap−m¡nbm... sIm¶p Rm³ tXm«n Ipgn¨nSpw... " AhcpsS Bt{Imiw H¶S§n. th¨pth¨v AhÀ Xn®bn sN¶v XqWn Nmcn Ccp¶p. ]ns¶bpw Icbm³ XpS§n. Ipd¨p \nanjw Ignªt¸mÄ Ic¨nensâ iàn Ipdªp. Xn®bn InS¶ AhcpsS Ibnen FSp¯v AhcpsS aSnbnteín«p. ]ns¶ Rm³ XpWnbpSp¯p. AhcpsS »ukp c−phi¯p \n¶pw hen¨Sp¸n¨v B s]cpapeIÄ XÅn DÅnÂsh¨v X¸n¯Sªv c−p lp¡pIfn«p sImSp¯p. F¶n«pw AhÁIÄ ]pd¯p Xt¶. Rm³ AhcpsS ASp¯p Xn®bnencp¶p. " XpWnbpSp¡v imctZ¨o...." " \osbt¶ C\n tN¨o¶v hnfní−....." " ]ns¶t´m hnfníWw...?.." " Fsâ s]m¶p cmPq... Rm³ \nsâ Imep ]nSnímw... F´p thtWepw Xcmw... NmIp¶ htc... \o Ft¶ F´p thtWepw sNbvtXm.. B km[\w \in¸n¨p If.. Fsâ s]m¶p cmPq... \o Ft¶ sImeíp sImSp¡tÃ..." AhÀ ho−pw Fsâ tZlt¯íp hoWp Ic¨n XpS§n. kXy¯n F\nsímcp Zb\obX tXm¶n. Rm\hcpsS apSnbn XtemSn. AhÀ Hcp sIm¨pIpªnt\t¸mse Fsâ Npaen InS¶p tX§n. " tN¨o.." " Mqw...?.." " Ic¨nep \nÀ¯n XpWnbpSp¡v... FÃm¯n\pw ]cnlmcap−m¡mw...." " F´n\mSm... Rm\n\n XpWnbpSp¡pt¶.... \osbsâ PohnXw \in¸n¨ntÃSm...." AhÀ ]ns¶bpw Icªp. " sO... Ic¨nep \nÀ¯m³ ]dªntÃ... F\níp tZjyw h¶m AdnbmatÃm... sh¨e¡n¡tfw....Mpw...Fgpt¶Áp XpWnbpSp¡mZyw..." Rm³ Ahtc Fgpt¶Â¸n¨p. ioa¡¸f§mIÄ t]mse NmªpInS¶ B apeIÄ Fs¶ t\m¡v Nncníp¶Xp t]mse. XpWn FSp¯v AhcpsS apJhpw I®p\ocpw XpS¨p AhcpsS Ip−nIfn IbvNpÁn XpWn DSp¸n¨psImSp¯p. AhÀ G§eSn¨psIm−v XpWnbpSp¯p. amsdm¶p Ipep¡n apeIÄ AI¯m¡n »ukp hen¨v lp¡pIfn«p. XqWn Nmcnbncp¶n«v Rm³ Ahtc ]nSn¨v Fsâ AcnInencp¯n AhÀ XfÀ¶v Ft¶ Nmcn Ccp¶p. Ahtc IptdtÈ hndíp¶p−mbncp¶p. " shtÅm htÃmw thtWm...IpSním³...?..." Rm³ AhcpsS XmSnbn ]nSn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " th−....." Ahscâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁn. " AsX´ntb... " AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " AXnhnsSm−v... F´n\m..." " AXp \in¸n¨pIfsbsâ s]m¶p tamt\..." AhÀ Zb\obkzc¯n ]dªp. " Cu Hsc®w thtW Rm\n¸w \in¸n¨p Ifbmw... ]ns¶ _m¡nsbmÅ tIm¸nsbms¡ Rms\§s\bm \in¸nípt¶...?...." " _m¡nsbmÅ tIm¸nItfm..?.." " Mm... CXnsâ tIm¸nIfv ]ecptSw Ibvhisam−v....."

" slsâ `Khmt\ Fsâ PohnXw sXmeªp... Rm\n\n N¯m aXntb..." AhÀ N¦¯e¨p Icªp. Rm³ AhcpsS hms]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " AXnsâ Bhiysam¶pansÃsâ imctZ... Pohníms\mÅ hgn Rm³ ]dªp Xcmw... A\pkcnímsh¦nÂ..." AhÀ Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n. " sl¶mepw Fsâ `Khmt\.... BcmSm... CsXSp¯Xv.... F´mhiy¯n\mSm CsXSp¯Xv.... F\nídnb¯ntà C\n Rms\´p sN¿pthm..." " Bt« tN¨o... CXn\It¯ Bfmcm...?..." " cmcn¨³.... " " B samXemfn...AtÃ..." " Mqw.." " anSp¡³... \à ASns]mfn Ifnbm Ahsâ... tN¨ow H«pw tamiÃ... \à Ie¡p Ie¡n c−pt]cpw... C¶v Ah³ Ifn¨ t]mse H¶p ]®W¶p hnNmcn¨m sXmS§nbXv... ]t£.. tN¨osS Ifn I−¸w... AXnepw ckw tXm¶n.... " " H¶p an−mXncnsísâ cmPq... a\pjyt\ sImÃms¡me sImÃmsX..." AhÀ AklyXtbmsS s\Áníp I¿pw sImSp¯ncp¶p. " Bt«... F{X \mfmbn Cu Irjn sXmS§o«v..." " aq¶mep sImÃambn.... " " Mqw... aq¯ _Ôw...Hcp Imcynw Rm³ tNmZnís«.... imcZtb CXp ImWn¨v shc«n F¶pw skm´mbn«p shím\mbn«v cmcn¨\m CsXSp¯Xv... hnizknímtam...?.." AhÀ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡ns¡m−v BtemNn¨p. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " CÃ.... Rm³ hnizkní¯nÃ..... ImcWw CXv shfo t]mbm.... cmcn¨\pw sImg¸am....." " sImÅmw A¸w imcZíp henb same Xt¶bÃ, \à _p²osam−v....Bt«... CXv Rms\Sp¯XmsW¦ntem..." " \otbm..." AhÀ hnizmkw hcm¯t]mse Ft¶ t\m¡n. " Mm.. Rm³ Xt¶..?. " F´n\mSm... \o Cu alm]m]w sNbvXXv... \nt¶mSp Rms\´p t{ZmlamSm sNbvXXv...?.. s\\¡p Rm³ IqsSs¡S¶p X¶ntÃ... F¶n«pw \o... \o \¶mI¯nsÃSm... Hcp Ime¯pw..." AhÀ Xebn Ibvsh¨p ]vcmIn. Rm³ Nncn¨p. " thiy ]mXnhr¯w ]dbp¶q¶v ...tI«ns«m−v... C¸w t\cn tI«p... IqsSs¡S¶sX´n\msW¶v IqSpXep ]db−... AXpt]ms«... C¸w \n§s¡{X `À¯m¡·mcm..." " C¸w...aq¶v.." AhÀ sIdphn¨ a«n ]dªp. " A¸w Bscbm hn«pIfªXv... ItesS X´tbtbm... Ft¶tbm..." " ItesS X´tbm...AXp s\\s¡§s\ Adnbmw.... ?.." Ahscm¶p sR«n. " FÃmw F\nídnbmw... F¶mepw F\níp \n§tfmSp t\cns«mcp hntcmt[manÃ... klXmt]manÃ..." " ]ns¶ Btc Ipgosed¡m\m \o CXp sNbvXXv....?..." " cmcn¨t\... \n§sS aÁht\... F¶m C\n tIt«m... \n§sS A¶t¯ kIe kw`mjtWmw IfnIfpw CXn\Is¯m−v... FâOt\ sIm¶ IY htc... ImWtWm... _m¡n...?." " th−.... F\ntímÀ½sbm−v..." AhÀ t\scbncp¶p. Hcp ZoÀLizmkw hn«p. " C¸w \n§fp c−p t]cpw Ipgoem.... tN¨níp hy`nNmcw, \mWt¡Sv, `À¯mhnt\ h©ní hy`nNmcw... FÃmw...FÃmw... Abmt¡m.. IqsS Hcp sIme]mXtImw... AbmÄ¡Ã... Xf¶v I«ntes¡S¡p¶ AbmsS X´ív... hnS¯nà Rm\ht\... B sIfht\ I«ntemSpIqSn Rm³ tImSXo tIÁpw..." " At¿m Fsâ cmPq... Fs´ms¡bm CXv..." AhÀ t]Sn¨c−p. " Mm AtX... Ahsâ IpSpw_w Rm³ sImfwtXm−pw... Ah³ \mWw sI«p \inípw... C¶h³ Fsâ t\tc BfpItf hn«p... ]t£ Ah\dnb¯nÃ... Rm³ \msf tImtfPn sN¶ntÃÂ.... AYhm F\nsímcp t]md ]Ánsb¶v Adnªm B \nanjw Cu tS¸nsâ tIm¸n FhnsSsbms¡ F¯psa¶v.... Adnbmtam... t]meokv, tImSXn... Ahsâ ho«nsemÅ `mcy... CsXm¶pw IqSmsX... A©mdp hoUntbm¡SIfnepw sNÃpw... At{Xw tIm¸n FÃmctSw I¿n F¯os«m−v.... AXpsIm−v Cu Hsc®w \in¸n¨mepw Bcpw c£s]S¯nsÃsâ imctZ..."

" tM... Fsâ Xe Id§p¶p...." AhÀ ]pdtIm«p adnªp. Rm³ Ahtc Xm§n Xdbn InS¯n. Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. Fgpt¶ÁnÃ. Rm³ HmSn ASp¡f¸pd¯p \n¶pw Ipd¨p shÅw I¿n tImcn AhcpsS apJ¯p Xfn¨p. AhÀ I®p Xpd¶p. " F\nín¨nsc shÅw IpSníWmcp¶p...." AhÀ Bhiys¸«p. Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡n. sNdnb ]m{Xsam¶panÃ. ASp¡f¸pd¯p sN¶p. IpS¯nsem¶panÃ. ho¸bn shÅap−v ap¡nsbSp¡m³ \nhr¯nbnÃ. FÃm ]m{X§fpw kÔybmbm ASp¡fbn FSp¯p shípw. " hm... sIWÁpItc t]mImw... tImcn¯cmw... C¸w ASp¡tf tIdnbm ...sNe¸w {]iv\mIpw... " Rm\htc ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. Fsâ tXmfn I¿n«v Ahtc Xm§n. \nemhnt¸mÄ \à shfn¨w \ÂIp¶p. ImÀtaL§Ä AI¶Xp t]mse. InWÁn \n¶pw shÅw tImcn sXm«nbn \n¶pw AhÀ Iptd IpSn¨p. ]ns¶ apJw IgpIn. At¸mÄ AhÀ B Ibdnteíp t\m¡n. Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´m Ibtd t\m¡pt¶....?..Xq§n¨mItW Aåw acw tIÁw ]TníWw...." AhÀ H¶pw an−msX H¶p \nizkn¨p. InWdn¶cnIn H¶pc−v Ae¡pIÃpIfp−mbncp¶p. Rm³ H¶n Ccp¶t¸mÄ Ahcpw thsdm¶nencp¶p. " GXmbmepw... imctZ¨n shjaní−... Rms\m¶pw sN¿m³ t]mWnÃ... ImcWsa´msW¶dnbmtam...?..." AhÀ Ft¶ t\m¡n Adnbnsöp Xebm«n. " AhÄ... A`ncman... Fsâ s]®v... Ahtf Rm\mÀ¡pw hn«psImSp¡¯nÃ... sNdp¸¯n Ahsfsâ DÅn tIdnbXm... " " A`ncmantb s\\¡v Xcm¶v Rm\t¶ ]dªXtÃ...?.. ]nt¶w \o..." " Mqw... tN¨n A¶p hmeps]m¡nbsX´n\msW¶v F\nív a\Ênembnsöm hnNmcnt¨.... Abmfp hcp¼w kuIcymbn«v Ahtf ]nSním³ Ft¶ AhnS¶p amÁWw... AXn\Ãmcpt¶m...?..ho«n t]mIWw, At½ ImWWw.. Hm... Fs´mcp kvt\lw... ]ns¶ FÃm si\nbmgvt¨w t]mWw... ]ns¶ AhÄ¡p KÀ`sam−mIp¼w Rm³ sNmat¶mfpatÃm... AtÃ..." " cmPq... Rm³ FÃmw.... k½Xníp¶p... \o AsXms¡ ad¡Ww... F\nsímcp sIt«ym\pw tamfpw HÅXm...." " Hm, C¸w HmÀ½sbm−tÃ... Hcp tamfv... \n§fp t\m¡ntím.... Cu sIm¨nsâ same apgp¡p¼w... Abmfp ]tdw Ahtfw thW¶v... A¶p H¶pw an−msX \n§fp s]Á tamtf AbmÄ¡p Imgv¨sImSpt¡−n hcpw... C¶`ncman... Ahfp htÃmtâw tamfmWtÃm.. Bcp Xn¶mepw sIm¶mepw \as¡´v.. AtÃ... F¶mte, A¶p kz´w tamÄsS Ihs¡S Abmfp hen¨p Iodp¼w.. \n§fXnsâ s]Á XÅbmtW \n§fp Itcw... AsX§n\m... s]gs¨m−mb tamtfmSp kvt\lsamt−età HÅp... H−mcps¶¦n AXp t]msem¶tà A`ncmaow Ft¶mÀt¯t\... AXtà Ahsf C§s\ hn¡m³ t\m¡nbXv...." " aXn cmPq... aXn... Rm\nt{Xw HmÀ¯nÃ.. Fsâ B§tfsS tIkn\p sImtd Imip thWmcp¶p... AXp Xcm¶p ]dª¸w... Rm³... Fsâ A`ntamtf... " AhÀ \niÐbmbn Icªp. " \n§fp X½n... IfníptIm sImWíptIm.. Ft´m thtWepw Bbntím... cmta«\p sNe¸w s]m§¯nÃmcnípw... \n§fmtW sNdp¸w... ISn amÁm³ thtd Bfp thWmcnípw... ]t£.. AXns\sâ s]®nt\ Icphm¡nbm... FÃm¯nt\w Rm³ apSn¸nípw... ]ns¶ \m«pImcp IsÃdnbpw c−nt\w... H¸w Abmfpw A¸\pw tImSXn tIdpw... hyàamb IpÁk½Xm Abmfp \S¯ocnítW... _m¡n t]meokt\zjnt¨mfpw..... B Xmtbmfn ImcWw FsâÑsâ Nm¡me Imip t]mepw A½íp In«o«nÃ... " AhÀ Fgpt¶Áp. sasà Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. Fsâ ap¼n ]pÃn \net¯íp ap«pIp¯n. ]ns¶ Fsâ aSnbnteíp Xe sh¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " C\n Rms\´m sN¿t−... NmItWm.. C¸w AXn\pw Xbmdm... F¶mse¦nepw Fsâ IpSpw_t¯ shdptX hnSWw... Rm\n\n Abmfpambn Hcp _Ô¯n\pw t]mI¯nÃ... Fsâ tN«³ CXdnbcpXv... s]g¨hfmsW¶dnªn«pw, Hcp t]m{IosS s]§fmsW¶dnªn«pw.... B a\pjy³ FÃmadnªm Ft¶ sI«nbXv... A{Xsít¶

C¸gpw hnizmkam... \osb¶p t]mepw hnfn¨n«nÃ... B a\pjyt\ Rm³... C¸w... F\níp sImtdtÈ t_m[w hcm³ sXmS§n.... Rm³ \nsâ Imep ]nSníphm... Fsâ sIm¨p§fpw At§cpw BßlXy sN¿pw... AXn\p \o FShcp¯cpXv... Rm³ thtW Nt¯mfmw... " AhÀ Fsâ aSnbn apJw sh¨pInS¶p Icªp. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, Icbs«, sImd¨p ]m]w A§s\sb¦nepw Xocs«. Iptd¡gnªv Ic¨nsems¶mXp§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ AhcpsS apJw IbvIfnepbÀ¯n. " Rm\pw sXÁp sNbvXp... FÃmadnªn«pw Rm\pw \n§sS IqsSs¡S¶p... AXn\pw ImcW¡mcn \n§fp Xs¶bm.... C¶pw A`ncmaow Rm\pw Ft´m i{Xp¡tft¸msebm... F\nídnbmw Ahs¡t¶ Cãm¶v.. ]t£ F´p sN¿mw... \n§sS c−ntâw Cu IÅ¡fn ImcWw B ]mhw {`m´p ]nSn¨p\S¡phm...." " F\nídnbmw... " AhÀ s]mdps]mdp¯p. " \n§sS `ojWn ImcWw... AhÄs¡XnÀ¡m\pw ]Á¯nÃ... AOt\mSp ]dbm\pw ]Á¯nÃ... kz´w ho«n AhfpsS AdnthmSp IqSn AhÄsS A½ thsdmcp¯\pambn«v sXm«¸pdt¯ apdnbnÂ.... a\tÊmsS AXn\p Iq«p \n¡pIm¶p ]dªm... A§s\sbmŸw.... am\samÅ BÀ¡m Indp¡p ]nSním¯Xv... " " F\nídnbmw...." " AhÄs¡t¶msSmÅ Cãw s]md¯p ImWním³ ]Ápthm.... Bsc¦nepw Adnªm ]db¯ntÃ... Cu ho«nepÅsXÃmw s]g¨Xp§fmsW¶v...." " Fsâ s]m¶p cmPq... F\nídnb¯nÃ.. C\n Rms\´p sN¿Ww...?.." " \n§sfm¶pw sN¿−... \n§sS cmcn¨\n¸w FhnsSbm¶dnbmtam...?..." " CÃ..." " sambvXp H¶pw ]dªntÃ..?." " CÃ... Rm³ F¶pw SuWn t]mbn ]teS¯pw t^m¬ sNbvXp t\m¡n... ho«n hnfn¨¸w FtÌÁnemsW¶p ]dªp... FtÌÁn hnfn¨¸w kÀ¡o«nemsW¶p ]dªp...." AhÀ aq¡p NoÁn. " AÃ... Abmtf ImWW¶v tN¨nív C¸w B{Klsamt−m..." " C¸w F\ním{KlanÃ.... ]t£ FhnSmsWt¶m F´p kw`hn¨qt¶m Hcp cqt]manÃ..." " F¦nÂ... thtW \n§sS ImapIt\ t]mbn It−m... Abmfp... Imc¡pfs¯mÅ Hcp tUmÎÀ s_©ansâ ¢n\n¡nsem−v... clky NnInÂkbm... Bdp amksa¦nepw FSp¡pw... NXª `mK§sfms¡ t\scbmIm³...." " tM... F´p ]ÁnbXm... hà A]ItSmw... " " AÃ... A]ISmsW¦n FÃmcpw AdnbptIte... clkyNnInÂk th−tÃm..." "...]ns¶...?.." " A¶p \n§fm ]mhw s]®nt\ HÁínt«¨p t]mbntÃ... B Igpthdníp Xn¶m\n«p sImSpt¯¨v... F\nsísâ s]®nt\ A§s\ Dt]£ním³ ]Ápthm... Rm³ ho«n t]mbnÃ... Xncn¨p h¶p... ]ns¶ Ah³ ]Xp§n¸Xp§n h¶¸w.. Hcp cmcmtcm ]mSn¨p hn«p... AXm ImcWw.. C\n Abmfm hgníp hcp¼w H¶p sR«pw... Ahsâ Hcp ITmc ChnsS Dt]£nt¨¨m t]mbXv.. C¸w AXnsâ AhImin tN¨nbm... Xt¶ímw ...." " slâoizcm... A¸w A`ncman FÃmw Adntªm.. F\níp h¿... Rm\n\n F§s\ AhfpsS samJ¯p t\m¡pw..F\nín\n N¯m aXntb..." AhÀ ho−pw Icbm³ XpS§n. " ImcyadnbmsX _lfsam−m¡−... hm... t\cw shfp¡mdmbn... ]mepsIm−p t]mW ]ntÅcp sNe¸w CXnte hcm³ sXmS§pw.....hm, Xnt®t¸mbncp¶p kwkmcnímw..." Rm³ Ahtc ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. AhÀ Ft¶ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯nbn«p tNmZn¨p. " ]d... A`nbdntªm CXv..." " CsÃt¶.. Rm\{X a−\msW¶m hnNmcw... A¶p shfnbn \S¶sXm¶pw AhÄ¡dnb¯nÃ... Ahtf AI¯n«p ]q«ntb¨m... Rm³ \n§sS clky¡mct\ ]qinbXv.....F\nídnbntÃ... GXmbmepw \n§fpsamcp kv{XobtÃ... B Zbhp Im«t−... F\níp \n§fp X¶ kpJ¯ns\mcp \μnsb¦nepw tht−..." R§Ä ho«nteíp Xncn¨p h¶p Xn®bnencp¶p. AhÀ Fsâ tXmfn Xe Nmbn¨ncp¶p. Iptd t\cw R§sfm¶pw kwkmcn¨nÃ. ]ns¶ AhÀ hnfn¨p. " ASp¯ P·¯n F\níp \nsâ `mcybmIWw..." AhÀ Fsâ Ihnfn H¶p Npw_n¨p.

" F´n\m... Ft¶mSpw Cu kz`mhw ImWním\mtWm...Rm³ tPmeníp t]mIp¼w...htÃmtcw hnfn¨p tIÁn... ]ns¶ kz´w aItf ImapI\v...." AhÀ s]s«s¶sâ hm s]m¯n. " CÃ.... F\nsímcp \à `mcybmbn«p PohníWw.... A`ntbt¸mse Rm\pw Hcntí Hcp \à s]®mcps¶Sm... ]t£ NXn ]Ánt¸mbn... ]ns¶... Rms\m¶pw Nn´n¨nÃ... FÃmw ads¶mcp {]mbw IqSnb c−mw sI«pImc³ h¶¸w XeIp\n¨psImSp¯p....." " A§s\ \à `mcybmIm³ C¸gpw ]ÁphtÃm.. cmta«\ntÃ.... At§cp \à `À¯mhtÃ.... At§À¡pw Ignhp sImdhsöp Rm³ t\cn«p a\Ênem¡nbXm...." Rm³ AhcpsS Ihnfn H¶p tXm−n. " tM A¸w \o AXpw ]nSn¨nt«mt−m..." AhÀ Icbp¶ kzc¯n tNmZn¨p. " tO... cmta«³ F\níOt\t¸msebm... Rm\{Xíp hr¯nsI«h\Ã... \n§sS FSp¯Xv Aht\ ]q«m\m... AXp Rm³ ]q«pw... CtàAh³ Fsâ IbvsIm−v Ahkm\nípw... AOsâ Bßmhn\p im´ow In«pw...." " th− cmPq... AhnthIsam¶pw sN¿cpXv... \o A`nsímcp PohnXw sImSp¡Ww... Rm³ sNbvX NXn... ]mhw cmta«³..." AhÀ ho−pw Icªp. " aXnsbt¶... sImtd t\cmbntÃ... Ic¨nep sXmS§o«v... " Rm³ AhcpsS I®p XpS¨p. " F¶mepw...C¸w a\Êo¶p sXf¨p tIdpIm... klním³ ]ÁWnÃ... " " aXn... C¸w H¶p a\Ênembn... Cu ISntIdnb icoc¯nepw C¨nsc \·sbm−v..." " F¶mepw... Fâoizcm.....Rm\n\n BcpsSbSp¯v ....£atNmZnípw CXns\ms¡...?.." " kz´w a\:Êm£nbntÃ...AhnsS tNmZn¨m aXn... hm...C\n sISs¶md§v... \msf Rm³ tImtfPn t]mIp¶nÃ... cmcn¨t\ ImWm³ t]mIphm..... Fsâ IqsS hcpt¶m... AtXm Rm³ hntijw ]dªm aXntbm..." " CÃ... C\n Rms\mcnS¯pw hcp¶nÃ.... F\nsíÃmw aXnbmbn..." R§Ä Nmbn¸nteíp Ibdn. s]«nXpd¶v cmcn¨sâ ITmc FSp¯p sImSp¯p. " kq£n¨p sht¨m... FÃmw Dt]£ns¨¦nÂ.... hÃt¸mgpw CXp ImWp¼w ]gb kptJms¡ HmÀ½ hcpw... " AhÀ AXp hm§n Xncn¨pw adn¨pw t\m¡n. ]ns¶ AXnsâ aqÀ¨ ]cntim[n¨p. Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨p. Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v Fsâ Ihnfnepw Np−nepw s\©¯pw Hcp {`m´ntbt¸mse D½ sh¨p. D½ sh¨p aSp¯t¸mÄ AhÀ ]n·mdn. F¶n«p ]dªp. " cmPqsâ Cãw t]mse sNbvtXm.... F´p in£ípw Rm³ Xbmdm... D¸p Xn¶h³ shÅw IpSnt¨ ]Áq..." AhÀ AIt¯íp Ibdnbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " iÐsam−m¡msX \S¶p t]mtW..." apdnbnteív Ibdnt¸mb Ftf½ Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ ho−pw IXIn ap«n. Rm³ sN¶v IXIp.Xpd¶p. t\cnb shfn¨¯n at\mlcambn ]p©ncn¨p sIm−p apdnbnteíp Ibdnb Ahtc¡−v Rm³ AXnibn¨p t]mbn. \qÂ_ÔanÃ, icoc¯nÂ. Fsâ hnthIw hnImc¯n\p hgnamdn. Ahtc Rm³ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨v Fsâ I«nenteíp \bn¨p. F¶m AhÀ AXn InS¡m³ Iq«m¡nbnÃ. hb\mS³ ]mfbt¦mS³ hmgbpsS Np−pIÄ t]mse XSn¨p Rm¶pInS¶ B apeIÄ Fsâ I¿nembn. I\tadnb B sR«pIÄ Rm³ hmbnem¡n \pWªp. Ahscs¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«nhcnªp. B apeIÄ Fsâ amdn sRcnªp. Fsâ Ip®¡p«³ AhcpsS XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn tIdn. AhÀ Aht\ B an\pk¯pSIÄ¡nSbnen«p sRcn¨p. IqSpX kpJw tXSnb Ah³ AhcpsS Acs¡«nse hnImctI{μ¯nse amf¯n\p th−n Xncªp. Ahs\mcnS¯pw AXp Is−¯m\mbnÃ. \ncmi\mbn AhcpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbnencp¶p I®oscmgp¡nb Aht\ AhÀ Xsâ arZpeIc§fn FSp¯p. ImepIÄ AI¯n\n¶psIm−v AhÀ Aht\ AhcpsS NqSpamf¯nteíp \bn¨p. Ahkm\anÃm¯ Hcp Kplbntesí¶t]mse Ah³ AXn\pÅnteíp \pgªp Ibdn. " Imendp¡v...." Rm³ s]mdps]mdp¯p. " Cdp¡phmSm.... C¶sesIm−v AXp hepXmbnt¸msbSm tamt\..." AhcpsS NqSp]qÁnte LÀjWkpJw In«m³ sh−n Rm³ Aht\ DucnbSním³ XpS§n. GXpcoXnbn \n¶Sn¨n«pw B \n¸ns\mcp kpJ¡pdhp t]mse. Ahtcbpw sIm−v Rm³ I«nenteíp adnªp. s]s«¶mtcm hnfníp¶p.

" cmPmaWo...cmPmaWo..." AXp A`nbpsS iÐambncp¶p. " At¿m.. NXn¨p... A`ncman..." Rm³ sasà AhcpsS sNhnbn a{´n¨p. " t]mIm³ ]d..... Ahsf´p sN¿m\m... tam\Snív..." AhÀ Ft¶ t{]mÂkmln¸n¨p. ho−pw hmXnen X«ns¡m−pÅ hnfn. " cmPmaWn...IXIp sXmd¡v......" ho−pw A`n hnfníp¶p. " ieyw.... sskzcambns«m¶p ]®m\pw k½XnínÃ... F¶msem«p ]®m³ XcptIanÃ... AhtSXmtW Imens¶tS Aa¡nsht¨m−ncníphm.... AXp hfn¨p t]mbm...BÀ¡p thWw..." a\Ên A§s\ Nn´ns¨¦nepw iÐw shfnbn h¶nÃ. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp IXIp Xpd¶p. ]t£ Ahtf AhnsSsb§pw I−nÃ. AXp sicn, Ftf½tb Rm³ ]®p¶Xv Hfn¨p \n¶p ImWpIbm AtÃ. Rm³ NmSn shfnbnend§m³ `mhn¨p. I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Á Ftf½ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p ]pdtIm«p hen¨p. AhÀ ]nSn¨Xv Fsâ I¿nte apdnhnembncp¶p. " iviviviv....lm..." Rm³ Ibv hens¨Sp¯p. \à thZ\. s]s«¶v Ftf½ Xncn¨v apdnbnteíp tIdnt¸mbn. IXIS¨p. " AhsS \nÃv... AhsS \nÃv... t]mI−... AhsS \nÃv..." Rm³ D¨¯n hnfn¨p ]dªp. P\¡XIn iànbmbn ASníp¶ iÐw tI«v Rm³ I®pXpd¶p. Ftf½bpanÃ, BcpanÃ. P\en IqSn ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n. AhnsS shfnbn A`ncman F\níp ]pdwXncnªp \n¡p¶p. t\cw shfp¯p hcp¶tXbpÅp. XteZnhkw hoÀ¯ Ip® ]m Npc¯mXnXncp¶XpsIm−pw Dd¡anf¸psIm−pw D]t_m[a\Ên \n¶pw DbÀ¶ph¶ B kz]\w \à kpJapÅXmbncp¶p. At¸mgmWp Rm\Xp {i²n¨Xv. sNcnªp InS¶ Fsâ ap−v Aekambn InS¡p¶p. Dcp−p I¼nbmbn I«nen\p ew_ambn \n¶p XpSníp¶ Fsâ Ip«nIrjvWsâ ]IpXntbmfw ap−n\p shfnbnembncp¶p. At¸mÄ AhÄ XoÀ¨mcpw AhÄ Fsâ B\μ¡p«sâ Xe I−n«p−mhpw. ImWs«, IW¡mbnt¸mbn, Chfo sIm¨pshfp¸m³ Ime¯v P\en¡qsS F´n\m Hfn¨p t\m¡nbXv. Rm³ ap−p hmcnhen¨pSp¯psIm−v Fgpt¶Áp. " F´m... F´n\m...Cu shfp¸nt\....?..." Dd¡¨SthmsS Rm³ Ahyàambn tNmZn¨p. " ssZhs¯tbmÀ¯v BZyw B aps−m¶pSp¡v.... Cu ]cph¯n sISt¶m−v AhnsS \nÃv AhnsS \nsöp ]dªm.... Rms\mcp s]®tÃ...." ]pdwXncnªp \n¶ AhÄ ]dªp. Rm³ ap−p icnípSp¯p. kz]v\¯n Rm³ hnfn¨p]dªXv AhÄ tI«p sXÁn²cn¨XmWv. " Mm...DSp¯p... C\n ]d... F´n\m sIS¶p _lfw shípt¶...?.." " cmPmaWo... Ftf½ CtX htc HW¶nÃ..." Xncnªp \n¶v Fsâ Acs¡«nsâ ap³hit¯sím¶p t\m¡nbn«hÄ ]dªp. Rm³ ap¼nte apg¸v AhÄ ImWmXncním³ Aåw Ip\nªp \n¶p. Hm, C\n Hfn¨n«pw ImcyanÃ. AhÄ Aht\ t\cs¯ Xs¶ I−pIgnªp. AXpsIm−mWtÃm ]pdwXncnªp \n¶Xpw ap−pSp¡m³ ]dªXpw. " B... cm{Xo sNe¸w... Xmakn¨mcnípw sIS¶Xp... Hd§s«..." " At¿m... AÃ... Ftf½ t\ct¯ F\níp apt¼Xt¶ HW¶Xm... shfp¸nt\ ASp¡tf¶v ]mt{Xms¡ GSp¡p¶ Ht¨w Rm³ tI«Xm... Rm³ sNÃp¼w ]nt¶w Xncn¨p apdot¡dnbXm.... H¶p ht¶... IXIp sXmd¡v...." Rm³ IXIp Xpd¶p. B apJ¯v ]cn{`aw. " AXn\n{X t_Pmdmhms\´ncníp¶p... Ahscmd§s«t¶..." " AXÃ... H¶p hm.... " AhÄ apÁ¯pIqSn hoSnsâ ]pdIphit¯íp \S¶p. \S¡p¶Xn\nSbn ]dªp. " F{X Xmakn¨psIS¶mepw... Fsâ s]mdtI Ftft½w HWcp¶Xm... C¶p Rm³ hnfn¨p. itÐm¶pw tI¡mXncp¶XpsIm−v... Rm³ P\en¡qsS t\m¡n.... F\nsít´m B sIS¸pI−n«v Hcp t]Sn.... H¶p h¶p t\m¡ntí..." AhÄ Ft¶ AhcpsS apdnbpsS s]mfnª P\en\Spt¯íp Iq«ns¡m−pt]mbn apdnípÅnteíp Nq−n¡mWn¨p. t\cw ]peÀ¶p hcp¶tXbpÅp. sNdnb {]`mXshfn¨¯n Rm³ AIt¯íp t\m¡n. I«nen\cn AhÀ InS¡p¶p. Hcp Ibv Xmtgín«n«p−v. B Ibv InS¡p¶Xv Xmtg I«nen\cnIn sh¨ncníp¶ Hcp ¹mÌnIv

_¡Án\pÅnembncp¶p. AsX´n\m A§s\ Hcp _¡Áv AhnsS ? cm{Xnbn apÅm\mtWm ? Gbv, AXn\p hoSn\pÅn Xt¶ Ipfnapdnbp−tÃm. GXmbmepw hnhcw Adnªp Ifbmw. H¶pWÀ¯Wsa¶tÃbpÅp. R§Ä thKw AI¯p Ibdn. Ftf½bpsS hmXnen iànbmbn ap«n. " HÁív sIS¡p¼w... Ftf½ Hcníepw IpÁnbnS¯nÃ... " A`n ]dªp. D¨¯n hnfn¨n«pw iànbmbn X«nbn«pw AI¯p \n¶pw bmsXmcp adp]Snbpw A\¡hpw CÃ. CXn\nSív R§fpsS _lfw tI«v Iebpw I®p Xncp½ns¡m−v Fgpt¶Áp h¶p. " F´p ]Ántb¨o...?.." IetamÄ tNmZn¨p. " tamÄS½ CtXhtc HW¶nÃ.. R§fp hnfn¨n«pw an−p¶nÃ... tamsfm¶p hnfnt¨..." A`n ]dªp. " At½...At½.... HWt¶... t\cw shfp¯p..." Ie hmXnen X«n c−p aq¶p {]mhiyw hnfn¨p. adp]SnbnÃ. At¸mgmsWsâ a\Ên XteZnhkt¯ Nn{X§Ä HmÀ½h¶Xv. a\:kwLÀjw \ndª Hcp cm{Xnbmbncp¶tÃm R§fptSXv. C\n t\m¡nbn«v ImcyanÃ. Rm³ hmXnen iànbmbn CSn¨p sXmgn¨p. DÅnte IpÁn ]dnªp. hmXn Xpd¶p. B Imgv¨ I−v R§Ä Hcp \nanjw kvYÐcmbnt¸mbn. \bnÁn [cn¨ Ftf½ I®S¨pInS¡p¶p. Hcp Ibv _¡Ánte càabamb shůnÂ. adphi¯v I«nen cmcn¨sâ ITmc. AXnsâ hmbv`mK¯v cà¯nsâ Hcp \q hc. Rm³ NmSn AhcpsS Ibv _¡Án \n¶pw hens¨Sp¯p. Fsâ Dulw sXÁnbnÃ. I¿nte Hcp hcbn \n¶pw càw CÁnÁp hoWpsIm−ncp¶p. B Imgv¨ I− A`n \nehnfn¨p. ]pdtI Iebpw. AhÀ Ftf½tb Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. " thKw Hcp NctSm XpWntbm sIm−p hm.... Ibv sI«m\m....HmSv..." Rm³ A`ntbmSp ]dªp. AhÄ HmSnt]mbn. B t\c¯n\p Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡n I«nensâ AcnIn Hcp tXmÀ¯p I−p. Rm\sXSp¯v c−mbn Iodn. apdnhn\p apIfnembn hen¨papdp¡nsI«n. ]ns¶ Ibv XeípapIfnteíp s]m¡n sh¨p. aq¡n Ibvsh¨p t\m¡n, izmkap−v. ]t£ XfÀ¶pInS¡p¶p. " Ietamtf... tamtfmSnt¸mbn kmhn{XoSOt\mSv thKw hcm³ ]d. At½ Bip]{Xo sIm−pt]mIm\ms\¶p ]d..... HmSnt¸m... thKw hcm³ ]d...." Ie IcªpsIm−v ]pdt¯tímSn. Rm³ I«nen InS¶ ITmcbpw I¿nem¡n Nmbv]ntetímSn. I¯n Hfn¨psh¨p. Fsâ I¿n shím³ sh¨ncp¶ Ipd¨p _m³tUPpw ]ªnbpw FSp¯psIm−p h¶p apdnshm¶p sI«n. AXp apgph\pw càabambn. F¦nepw Hgp¡p Ipdªncp¶p. A`n XpWnbpamsb¯nbt¸mtgípw Rm³ apdnhp sI«nbncp¶p. " C\nsb´p sN¿pw... Fsâ Cuizcm... F´n\m Ftf½ Cu¸Wn sNbvtX... R§sf´p sNbvXn«m...F\níp ht¿... Ftft½... Fsâtft½.... I®psXmd¡v...." A`n IcbpIbpw Ipep¡n hnfnípIbpw sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶p. " A`n thKw XpWn amdntí........ " ]dªn«v Rm³ _¡sÁSp¯v ]d¼n sIm−p Iagv¯n. jÀ«pw ]mâpw [cn¨t¸mtgípw tat\m\pw `mcybpw AhcpsS aI\pw Iebpw HmSnsb¯n. " F´m ]Ántb... " tat\m³ tNmZn¨p. " H¶pw ]dbm\n¸w t\canà tN«m... Hcp ImdpIn«ms\´m hgn....?. " Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Cu hgnív Hmt«mtb hcs¯mÅp... C¸gm... ChnsS Xmakníp¶Xnsâ _p²nap«dnbpt¶... Mm... Rm³ Ihte t]mbn t\m¡mw... h−nsbm¶pw h¶pImW¯nÃ... F§s\ AhSw htc sIm−p t]mIpw..?.." " AXp Rm³ IbvImcyw sNbvtXmfmw... tN«³ h−n H¸nív.. Ihte Rm³ sIm−pht¶mfmw..." " sicn F¦n thKw sIm−p hm..." tat\m³ tN«³ ]pdt¯tímSn. Rm³ Ftf½tb I£§fn I¿n«p s]m¡ms\mcp§n. " At¿m... XpWn amdt−..." A`n tNmZn¨p. " C¸gm Hcp XpWn... \n§sfm¶p h¶p Xm§ntí...." Rm³ Aåw Kuch¯n ]dªp. ]ns¶ s]®p§Ä aSn¨nÃ. Ahcpw IqSn klmbn¨v Rm³ Ftf½tb Fsâ tXmfnteíp Iagv¯n¡nS¯n A`n AhcpsS XeapSn apIfnteíp sI«nsh¨p. FSp¯p

s]m¡nbt¸mÄ AhcpsS \bnÁn apIfnteív Ip−nhtc DuÀ¶p tIdn. Rm³ Ibv Xm§n¸nSn¨ncníp¶Xv AhcpsS \áamb Ip−nbnemWp Xm\pw. B Ip−nIÄ¡v C¶se cm{Xnbnte NqSnÃmbncp¶p. a\Ên Rm³ {]mÀ°n¨p, Cuizcm, C\nbpw NqSp IpdítÃ. " cmPq...\bnÁn... t\tc....H¶nSs«..." AhÄ AhcpsS \bnÁn Xmtgíp hen¨p]nSn¨p. Rm³ IbvIÄ amdn Hcp hn[¯n AXp ap«n\p apIfn htcbm¡n. " Mm... Ct{Xw aXn... Hcp¡m³ \n¶m... Bfnt\ In«ptIe....amdv..." Rm³ Ahtcbpw tXmfnteÁn kq£n¨v apdníp ]pd¯nd§n. Fsâ tXmfn hmSnb tN¼n³X−p t]mse AhÀ InS¶p. AhÀ¡p \à `mcw tXm¶n. Rm³ ]−p knaâp Nm¡p Npa¶n«p−nepw CXv AXnsâ Cc«n tXm¶n¨p. AhÀ BsI [cn¨ncp¶Xp \bnÁn am{Xambncp¶p. AhcpsS amdnS§Ä Fsâ amdnepw tXmfnepambn \ndªp ]c¶a§n InS¶p. A`n thsdmcp tXmÀ¯psIm−v AhcpsS ImepIÄ aqSnbn«p. Ahtcbpw hln¨psIm−v HmSp¶Xn\nSíp Rm³ Nn´n¨p. GXmbmepw BßlXy sN¿m³t\c¯v C¶sebpSp¯ ap−n\p ]Icw \bnÁn DSp¡m³ tXm¶nbtÃm. Csæn Ct¸mÄ ap−pw tImWm\panÃmsX Btbt\. A`n CSínSív ap¼n tIdn AhcpsS XpWn t\tcbn«psIm−ncp¶p. t]mIp¶ hgnív H¶p c−pt]À CShgnbn IqSn \S¶p t]mIp¶p−mbncp¶p. Ahtc adnIS¡pt¼mÄ HcmÄ tNmZn¨p. " At¿m.... CXv \½sS cma¦p«nkmdnsâ `mcybtÃ... F´p ]ÁoXm....." " AXv.... Ibv...." A`n ]dbms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ NmSn¸dªp. " shfp¸ns\mcp t_m[t¡Sv.... At{XsbmÅp...." F¶n«v A`ntbmSp I®pcp«n ]dªp. " BtcmSpw H¶pw hnkvXcní−.... thKw \S¡v...." " B...C¸w s]®p§¡pw N¦pthZt\w... AÁmípw Hs¡ HÅ Imeam... kq£níWw.. thKw sNÃv..." tNmZn¨ BÄ D]tZin¨p. " Rm\dnbmsX..." A`n Ft¶mSmbn ]dªp. " Mqw...thKw hm..." `mKy¯n\p CShgnbpsS AÁ¯v Hcp Aw_mkUÀ SmIvknbpambn tat\m³ tN«³ D−mbncp¶p. tat\msâ `mcy adphi¯v Imdn\pÅn Ftf½bpsS Xe Xm§n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ Ip\nªv Imdn\pÅn koÁnteíhtc InS¯pt¼mÄ AhcpsS \bnÁn Achtc Cd§nt¸mbn AhcpsS XpSIfpw Ih¡nSbpw AhnSt¯ IpÁn¸qSbpw A\mhrXambn. t\ct¯ AsXms¡ hniZambn I−n«pÅXpsIm−pw Ahkcw tamiambXpsIm−pw F\níp {]tXyIns¨m¶pw tXm¶nbnÃ. F\nícnIn Ip\nªp\n¶ A`n AXp t\tc hen¨nSm\mbn CSíp IqSn Xn¡n¡bdn Imdn\pÅnteíp I¿n«p. F\nícniw h¶p. Rm³ AhtfmSp ]Xps¡ ]dªp. " H¶p amdntí... C¸w F\nsím¶pw ImW−.... kotÁsem¶p sIS¯s«.... F¶n«v DSp¸nt¨m........ " AhÄ Ibv ]n³hen¨n«v ]pdtIm«p amdn. " t\m¡n \nímsX A¸pd¯v t]mbn tIdv.... F¶n«m Xe aSo FSp¯p shív.... B Ibv s]m¡n¸nSnív.... t]m... NmIm³ t\chm... \mWt¡Sp t\m¡pt¶.." AhÄ HmSn Imdn tIdn. At¸mtgípw ap³koÁn tat\m³ Ibdn¡gnªncp¶p. Rm³ IqsS¡bdn. ]ns¶ IetbmSp ]dªp. " tamfp hoSp ]q«ntb¨v kmhn{XosS ho«n s]mtím... R§fv... tN«m GXmip]{Xnbm...?..." " anjy\mip]{Xnbm t`Zw...." " A¦ntf Rm\pw IqsS..." " th− tamtf.. A½sím¶pw CÃ... Rm³ HSt\ h¶p hnhcw ]dbmw..." ImÀ R§tfbpw sIm−p ]mªp. {InkvXy³ I\ymkv{XnIÄ \S¯p¶ ss{]hÁv Bip]{XnbmbXpsIm−v s]s«¶p Xs¶ ip{iqj In«n. R§Ä AXymlnXhn`mK¯nsâ ap¼n Im¯p \n¶p. A`n I®p\oÀ XpSíp¶p−mbncp¶p. " IcbmsX... kos\m−m¡−... sNe¸w ImWpt¶mcp sXc¡pw.... H¶pw kw`hnínÃ.... " Rm³ AhtfmsS ]Xps¡ ]dªp.

A`n I®p\oÀ XpS¨n«v I¿nencp¶ Hcp s]mXn Fsâ t\tc \o«n. " F´phm..."...?.. " Imim...." Rm\Xp hm§n t]m¡Ánen«p. At¸mtgípw Hcp t\gvkp hmXn Xpd¶p. " imctZtS BÄ¡mcmcm....?..." R§Ä Fgpt¶Áp. " tUmÎÀ hnfníp¶p..." Rm³ AI¯p Ibdn, ]pdtI A`nbpw. " Ibvapdnª imctZsS...?..." Aåw {]mbapÅ Hcp tUmÎÀ tNmZn¨p. thsdmcp sNdp¸¡mc³ ASp¯ncn¸p−mbncp¶p. " AtX..." " \n§Ä...AhcpsS Bcm..?." " Fsâ A½mbnbm... CXv AhcpsS tamÄ... sÌ]vtUm«À..." " Hmtlm... C¸w F¯n¨XpsIm−p c£s]«p...càw H¯ncn \ãs¸«pt]mbn... Bcm... I¿n sI«nbXv...?..." " Rm\m..." Rm³ ]dªp. " ^sÌbnUv Adnbmw AtÃ..." " Mqw... sImds¨ms¡...." Rm³ aqfnbt¸mÄ A`n Ft¶ _lpam\t¯msS t\m¡p¶p. " AXp \¶mbn... ]t£ C¯ncn IqSpX apdpInbXpsIm−v achns¸m−v.... H¶pw ]dbmdmbn«nÃ.... càw thWw... AhcpsS {Kq¸v t\m¡n C¸w ]tdw.....ChnsS Hs−¦n {]iv\anÃ.... Ctà]pd¯q¶p kwLSn¸ntí−n hcpw... Cu ISemkn Bcm¶m Hscm¸nSv..." Rm³ ISemkp hm§n A`nbpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. Ahsft¶ t\m¡n. " CXv asÁm¶paÃ... kqbnsskUv AÁw]vÁmtW... Poh³ c£ním³ am{Xta R§Ä {ianíp¶pÅq... _m¡n eoK {]iv\§vÄ¡p \n§fmbncnípw D¯chmZnIÄ... thtd Bip]{Xnbn t]mbmcps¶¦n.... t]meokp tIkp Igntª Ahcp t\m¡s¯mÅp...." " thKw H¸nSv...." Rm³ A`ntbmSp ]dªp. AhÄ t]\ hm§n H¸n«p. " km£n Bcm...?.." " Abå¡¡mc³ H−v... AtàRm³ aXntbm...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \n§fmcm¶m ]dtª...?.." " FhSOsâ s]§sS aI\m Rm³..." " Mqw... samd¡mcm... AtÃ... Rm³ an−m³ Xmakn¨t¸mÄ A`n D¯cw ]dªp. " AtX..." Rm³ t]\ hm§n H¸n«p. " CsX§s\ kw`hn¨p...?.." tUmÎÀ Bcmªp. Rm³ an−nbnÃ. A`n Ft¶ t\m¡n. " AXv... AXv... C¶se C¨nsc kwkmcsam−mbn.... A½mbnív a\¡«n sImdhm.... AÃmsX aÁp ImcWsam¶pw Adnb¯nÃ..." " tUmÎtdmSpw h¡oent\mSpw Hfn¨XpsIm−v Zqjyta D−mIpIbpÅp...." At±lw Ft¶ t\m¡n. " k½Xníp¶p.... F¦nepw Hct]£bp−v..." " Mqw..?.." " dnt¸mÀ«n hà hndIp sh«nsbt¶m.... aSep sN¯nsbt¶m asÁm FgpXnbncps¶¦nÂ... ChÀ¡p c−p s]¬a¡Ä amt{XbpÅp... tUmÎÀ ¹okv..." At±lw ASp¯ncp¶ sNdp¸¡mct\ H¶p t\m¡n. AbmÄ H¶p Xebm«n AÀ°w F\níp a\ÊnembnÃ. " Ct¸mÄ ]dbm³ ]ÁnÃ.... \ne hjfmhpIbmsW¦n saUn¡Â tImtfPnteív AbípItb \nhr¯nbpÅp.... At¸mÄ kXyw ]dtb−n hcpw... Mqw... R§fmemhp¶Xp t\m¡mw.." " hfsc D]Imcw tUmÎÀ..." At¸mtgípw t\gvkv Hcp ^bepambn h¶p. tUmÎÀ AXp t\m¡nbn«p AhtcmSp tNmZn¨p.. " Cu {Kqs¸mt−m ChnsS...?.."

" sImdhm¶m ta{S³ ]dªXv... Hcp Ip¸n...." " F¶m AXp sXmS§v... ChcpsS {Kq¸pw t\m¡v... _m¡n s]md¯q¶p H¸n¨m aXnbtÃm... F¶m \n§fp sNÃv...." Ibv Iq¸n R§Ä ]pd¯nd§n. ]cntim[\bn A`nbpsS càw am{Xw Ftf½bpsS {Kq¸v. em_d«dnbnte HcmÄ ]dªX\pkcn¨v tat\m³ càZm\¡mtc kwLSn¸ním³ ]pdt¯índ§n. " t]Snsbmt−m...càw sImSp¡m³.....?.." Rm³ A`ntbmSp tNmZn¨p. " H«pw CÃ... thtW apgph\pw FSpt¯ms«...." AhÄ I®p XpS¨psIm−p ]dªp. " Mqw...A¸w C¨nsc ss[cysam−v..." Ft¶ AhÄ t\m¡nbXÃmsX H¶pw ]dªnÃ, At¸mgpw I®p XpS¨p.. Htc apdnbn ASp¯Sp¯ I«nepIfn càw kzoIcníp¶ Ftf½bpw càw Zm\w sN¿p¶ A`nbpw InS¡p¶p. BZyt¯ Ip¸n DÅn sN¶t¸mÄ Ftf½ sasà I®p Xpd¶p. aqeíp \n¡p¶ Ft¶ I−p. Ft´m tNmZním\mªp. ]t£ ASp¯p \n¶ t\gvkv hne¡n. Xe sasà sNcn¨v AcnInteíp t\m¡pt¼mÄ IpgepIÄ LSn¸n¨v A`ncman InS¡p¶p. `oXntbmsS AhÀ t\gvknt\ t\m¡n. " t]Sní−... aIfpsS càw A½íp th−n FSp¡phm... thsd BctSw tNcp¶nÃmcp¶p...." Ftf½ sasà I®pIfS¨p. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhcpsS Ihnfn IqSn I®p\oÀ HgpIp¶p. AXp I− t\gvkv ]dªp. " imcZ t]Sní−... C\n sImg¸anÃ... \n§fp c£s]«p... sImd¨p càw IqSn sNÃp¼w t`Zmhpw... AXp tamfp Xcps¶m−v..." AXp tI« AhÀ ho−pw \niÐbmbn Icªp. " ]mhw sicnípw t]Sn¨p t]mbn.... AXm C{X k¦Sw... Hmtcm¶p sN¿p¼w H¶pw HmÀ¡ptIe...." Ft¶ t\m¡n ]dªn«v AhÀ shfnbnteíp t]mbn. Rm³ A`ncmanbpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. " £oWw tXm¶p¶pt−m....." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. Cà F¶hÄ Xebm«n. ]ns¶ Ft´m HmÀ¯ t]mse AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " cmPq\p shi¡ps¶mt−m..?..." AXp tI« Rm³ Nncn¨p. Rm³ ]dªp. " CXp Igo¼w £oWw tXm¶pamcnípw... F¶mepw t]Sn¡− tIt«m..." AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n H¶p aμlkn¨p. CXn\nSbn tat\m³ ASp¯ Bfnt\ Is−¯n¡gnªncp¶p. Abmtf sIm−ph¶v Ft¶ G¸n¨p. cmta«t\ t^mWn hnfn¨p imcZ Bip]{XnbnemWv F¶p am{Xw ]dªn«p−v, DS³ Xt¶ ]pds¸Spw F¶pw ]dªp. ]mhw, F´mbncnípw B a\pjysâ at\m`mhw. Ct¸mÄ H¶pw ]dbm³ ]ÁnÃ. kvt\lním³ am{Xadnbp¶ B a\pjy\v kXyw Adnbpt¼mÄ AXp Xm§m³ ]Áptam. F¶mepw kXyw Hfn¨pshím³ ]ÁnÃtÃm. kw`h§fpsS t]m¡p I−n«v Rm³ h¶Xp apXemWtÃm FÃmÁntâbpw XpS¡w F¶p Rm³ Nn´n¨p. B hoSn\p Rms\mcp ZpÈIp\amtWm F¶p Rm³ kwibn¨p. D¨bmbt¸mÄ Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw AhfpsS A½bpw h¶p. A½tb I− Ie \nÀhnImcbmbn \n¶p. At¸mtgípw GXm−v t_m[w Xncn¨pIn«nb Ftf½ aItf ZpÀ_eamb IbvsIm−v XgpIn. ]ns¶ Ahtf t\m¡n Icªp. AXpI− Iebpw At¸mÄ Icªp. A¶p tImtfPn t]mIp¶nà F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. cmcn¨t\ \msf¯t¶ ImWWw. Nnet¸mÄ AbmÄ Bip]{Xn amdnbmtem. D¨Ignªt¸mtgípw Ftf½ t`Zs¸«p. C\nbpÅXv icocw acWt¯ apJmapJw I− £oWw am{Xw. A`nbpsS bphcàw AhÀ¡p \thmt·jw sImSp¯p ImWpw. ASp¯ Zm\¡mct\ ImipsImSp¯p ]dªp hn«p. A©p aWnbmbt¸mÄ Ftf½tb thsd Hcp apdnbnteíp amÁn. A`n B I«nen Iq«ncp¶p. hndíp¶ IbvsIm−v AhfpsS I¿n Ftf½ apdpsI¸nSn¨ncp¶p. Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p.

" C\n Rm³ \nítWm...?..." " th−tÃm... \n§fp thtW ho«nt¸mbn«p hm... AXp htc Rm³ \nt¶mfmw... " kmhn{XnbpsS A½ ]dªp. " th− tN¨o..... \n§fp s]mtím.... Ietamtfw sIm−ps]mtím... AO³ HSt\ hcpatÃm... A¸w R§fp c−pt]cpw aXnbmIpw....." s]®p§Ä ]pd¯nd§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ Xncn¨v Ftf½bpsS ASp¯p sN¶p. sNhnbn ]dªp. " tN¨o...PohnXw sXmeím³ Ffp¸am... C¶se Rm³ ]dªXtÃ... FÃmÁn\pw ]cnlmcsam−m¡msa¶v... C\nsb¦nepw a−¯csam¶pw ImWníÃv.... Ft¶w Itew HmÀs¯¦nepw... " " atÁXp shfnbnembmsemÅ AhkvtYw..... ]ns¶ Ft¶¸ÁntbmÅ Nnt´w IqsSbmb¸w... F\níp ]nSn¨p \n¡m³ ]ÁnbnsÃSm...... F¶mepw Ft¶ \obm sNm½t¶¶v Chcp ]dªp... F\nsímcp B¬Ip«nsbm−mcps¶¦nÂ...Ah³ t]mepw Ct{Xw sN¿¯nÃ... " " tN¨n t_m[w sI«p sIS¶XpsIm−v C¶p cmhnte hymbmaw sN¿m³ ]Án.... AtÃepw kz´w aI\p Rm³ sN¿p¶Xp t]mse sN¿m³ ]Ápsa¶pw tXm¶p¶nÃ... ho«ntem«p hm... Rm³ sh¨ns«m−v FÃm¯n\pw \à in£... " AXp ]dªn«v Rms\m¶p Nncn¨p. At¸mÄ AhÀs¡mcp \mWw. AhÀ apdnbpsS hmXn¡teíp t\m¡n. A`n R§tf t\m¡n\n¡p¶p. " cmta«³ hcp¼w ImcWw F´p ]dbpw..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXp Rm³ ]dtªmfmw...." " cmta«t\mSv IqSpX H¶pw ]dbtÃ... PohnXw C\ow Ip«nt¨mdmIpw..." " Mqw... \o s]mtím..." " Rm³ \msf hcmw..." " Mqw.." hnfdnb NncntbmsS AhÀ aqfn. AXpI− Fsâ a\Ên Hcmizmkw. R§Ä shfnbnend§n. IetbmsSt´m clkyw ]dªpsIm−ncp¶ A`n Ft¶ I−t¸mÄ hnfn¨p. " cmPmaWo...?.." " Mqw...Ft´...?..." AhÄ Ft¶msSt´m ]dbm³ `mhn¨p. ]ns¶ NpÁpw t\m¡n. AXnte IS¶p t]mIp¶ tcmKnIfptSbpw aÁpÅhcptSbpw I®pIÄ R§fnÂ, {]tXyIn¨v A`ncmanbnemWv. At¸mgmWp Rm³ Ahtf {i²n¨Xv. Aekamb thjhpw hmcns¡«nb apSnbpw hnjmZ`mhhpw Ahtf B Iq«¯nte GÁhpw kpμcnbm¡n amÁnbncp¶p. Ie R§tf t\m¡n\n¡p¶p. hoÀ¸pap«n \nanj§tfmfw AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n ]cp§nbXÃmsX H¶pw ]dªnÃ. Ahkm\w Rm³ ]dªp. " Ahcp Im¯p \níphm... \μn ]dbm\mbmepw HS¡m\mtWepw ho«n h¶n«mImw... C¸w t]mbn C¨nsc sIS¡v... I«nsem−tÃm... £oWw ImWpw... ]mepw Pyqkpw IpSníp¶ Imcyw ad¡cpXv... Rm³ ItS¶p sImSp¯p hnSpw..." AhÄ Xebm«n Hcp ]¨¸mht¯t¸mse shdptX R§Ä t]mIp¶Xp t\m¡n\n¶p. ho«p]Sníse¯nbt¸mÄ Ie ]dªp. " tN¨ow kmhn{Xow s]mtím... Rm³ hcp¶nÃ.... ChnsS A¦nsfm−tÃm...." " At¿m A`n {]tXyIw ]dªXm... tamtfw IqsS Iq«W¶v.... Asæn¯t¶ `£WImcyw F§\m...?.." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " AXp Rm³ sht¨mfmw... ]ns¶ A¦nfn\pw tNmdpw Idow shím\dnbmw..." " F´n\m _p²nap«pt¶... \obpw hmSo... " kmhn{Xn IetbmS`yÀ°n¨p. " Ietamfp C¶hcpsS IqsS s]mtím... Fsâ Imcyw kmcanÃ..... " Rm\pw k½Xn¨p. " th−...Rm³ hcp¶nÃ..... sImtd¡go¼w AO\pw hcqtÃm... kmcanÃ..." Ie t]mIm³ Iq«m¡nbnÃ. kmhn{Xn Ahtf hnfn¨p \nÀ¯n Ft´m kzImcyw ]dªp. " hmSo... aXn IpipIpip¯Xv... " kmhn{XnbpsS A½ aItfmSp [rXn Iq«n. ho«nse¯nb DSt\ Rm³ InWÁn³Isc t]mbn H¶p s{^jmbn. At¸mtgípw Ie ASp¡fbn tIdn Im¸n D−m¡n. t\cw Ccp«n¯pS§n. Rm³ ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. AhÄ Im¸n ]IÀ¶p X¶psIm−p tNmZn¨p.

" Aæntf kXy¯n F´m H−mtb... A½ F´n\m... Cu ISpwssI sNbvXXv...?... A¸w A½ív Ft¶mSp t]mepw kvt\lanÃm¶tà AÀ°w...?.." " At¿m..tamtf..A§s\m¶pw hnNmcnícpXv... Hmtcm a\pjyÀ¡pw Hmtcm t\cw Hmtcm hnNmc§fm... C¸w.. DZmlcWw.. s\\¡v sNet\cw Ft¶mSp tXm¶p¶ B FS]mSv... AXv s\\¡v ]mSnÃm¯XtÃ... F¶mepw IetamfXp t]mse Nn´n¨p t]mIp¶ntÃ..." " A¦nfp shfo t]mb¸w.... A½ tN¨ntb sI«n¸nSn¨v H¯ncn Icªp.... A`nt¨¨ow Icªp... t\gvkp h¶p hg¡p ]dª¸gm... c−pw \nÀ¯ntb...." " F´p ]dtªmSm IcªXv...?.." " Np½m.... k¦Sw sIm−mcnípw... F\nípw Ic¨nep h¶mcp¶p... F¶mepw Fsâ A½ t]mbm ]ns¶... tlm.... Nn´ním³ IqSn h¿..." " t]ms«.... GXmbmepw H¶pw kw`hn¨nÃtÃm... Cuizc\p \μn ]dbmw... \o t]mbn thtW Hd§ptIm hmbníptIm sN¿v... Rm³ tNmsdm−m¡mw...cmhnte Bip]{Xo tImt−mIt−..." " th−.. Rm³ sNbvtXmfmw.... A¦nfp klmbn¨m aXn....." R§Ä c−p t]cpw IqSn NpdpNpdpt¡mtS tNmdpw AXymhiy IdnIfpap−m¡n. Ieív Ft¶msSm¸w tPmenIÄ sN¿m³ \à DÂkmlw. " B ]mhw A`ntb \o CXp t]msem¶p klmbn¨mcps¶¦n...AhÄsS Iã¸mSp sImtd sImdtªt\...." " AXn\m km[\w Btcw ASp¸ní¯nÃtÃm... Ft¶w At½w H¶pw sN¿m³ k½Xní¯nÃ... AXpImcWw.. R§¡p c−pt]À¡pw aSnbmbn..." AhÄ NmdpIdnsbSp¯p cpNn¨p. " lbv... CXnsâ hmtes¡«m³ sImůnà tN¨otS Idn.... A¦nfn\p tPmeníp _p²nap−p−mhnÃ.. t]meokmbntÃepw hà tlm«enemtWepw ]WnsbSp¡mw..." AhÄ Fsâ ]mNIt¯ ]pIgv¯n. R§Ä Hcpan¨ncp¶v hmNIaSn¨v sXm«pw XShnbpw A¯mgw Ign¨p. AhfpsS A½ Bip]{XnbnemsW¶pÅ Imcyw AhÄ ]msS ad¶Xpt]mse. cmta«\pÅXp hnf¼n tai¸pd¯v AS¨p sh¨p. Nmbn¸n NqS¯v A¶t¯ kw`h§Ä Abhnd¡n Rm³ InS¶p. ]pdt¯ ebnÁp sISp¯nbnÃ. C\n cmta«s\§m\pw Xmakn¨mWp hcp¶sX¦ntem. Fsâ tai¸pd¯ncníp¶ sIm¨p ssSw]okn ]¯Sn¨p Ignªt¸mÄ hmXnen ap«p tI«p. " F´mSo...?.. " Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " IXsIm¶p sXmd¡v... F¶n«p ]dbmtÃm..." Rm³ IpÁnsbSp¯p IXIp sXmd¶p. AhÄ AIt¯íp Ibdpt¼mÄ Fsâ ZrãnIÄ ]Sníteímbncp¶p. cmta«s\§m\pw Cu t\c¯v R§tf Fsâ apdnbn I−mÂ. AhÄ h¶p I«nen Ibdn Imem«n Ccp¶p. " s\\¡v Hd§t−So... " " thWw.. F¶p IcpXn... kÔybmb¸tg Hd§nbmtem..." " Biq{Xo¶p t]mcp¼w tN¨n F´mcp¶p \nt¶msSmcp clkyw ]d¨nev...?..." " AtXm... BZyw tNmZn¨p.... FhnSm sIS¡m³ t]mtW¶v... Rm³ ]dªp kmhn{XoShntS¶v... At¶cw ]dªp... \o AhsSt¸mbm... B Ak¯nsâ IqsStb sIS¡s¯mÅp... AtXm−v... ho«nt¸mbm aXo¶v... C¨nsc Iªnsbm−m¡n ]¸tSmw A¨mdpw Iq«n Ignt¨mfm³... AO³ hcp¼w ]dªp hnSm¶pw ]dªp.... F¶ns«mcp Imcyw IqSn ]dªp tIt«m..." " Ft´m¶m....?.." " A¦nfnt\mSp IqSpXeSpt¸m¶pw th−... BWp§tf hnizkním³ sImůnÃ... AtXm−v... At½sS apdo IpÁnsbms¡ `{Zambnt«m−v sIS¡W¶v..." " AXn\m apdote IpÁn ]dnªpt]mbntÃ... sO.... F¶mepw.... Ahsft¶ shdpsamcp XÃns¸mfn sNdp¸¡mc\mbn«mWtÃmSo IcpXocnípt¶... tM...?..." " AtÃepw AX§s\ Xs¶btÃ...?.." " \ns¶ Rm³.... " Rm³ Ahtf XÃm³ It¿m§n. " Ft¶s¡m−v AhfpXt¶ FÃmw sN¿n¸nt¨¨v.... same hepXm¡m³ Rm³ thWw... ]Sw hcím\pw Hcím\pw Rm³

thWw.. Ahkm\w AhsS kmam\¯o¶p t]³ s]dp¡m\pw sNcím\pw Rm³ Xt¶... F¶n«v B ImfosS IqsS IqSn Ft¶ Duinbm¡pt¶m...?..." " AXns\ms¡ F\níhImiw H−mbn«m... " AhfpsS B {]kvXmh\ F\níp a\ÊnembnÃ. " F´hImiw....?..." " kmhn{Xníp {]Imi³... F\ní¦nfnt\w Cãm... CsXms¡ sN¿m³ Rm³ thdmtcmSpw ]dªnÃtÃm...." " Mm.. AhImtims¡ a\Ênencp¶m aXn... \o \¶mIp¶ e£WanÃ.... B... t]m... cma\maw P]n¨p tIdns¡Ss¶md§v.... cmta«³ hcp¶htc Rm³ Hd§p¶nÃ....Fsâ hmXnensâ AIt¯ IpÁn GSp¯nt«ímw.... hcp¼w AIt¯ IXIp sXmd¶psImSp¡mtÃm....." Rm³ Ahtf Ftf½bpsS apdnbn tIÁn hn«p. Fsâ apdnbn I«nen h¶p ]pkvXIw \nhÀ¯p. HcmgvNbmbn«v Hc£cw ]Tn¨n«nÃ. H¶n\p ]pdtI H¶mbn«p XethZ\IÄ. {]iv\§Ä. C¡W¡n\p Rm³ ]co£bn Pbníp¶ Imcyw I−dnbWw. C\n \mft¯ Imcyw \msf. C¶n¯ncn ]TníWw, Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. hmb\ínSbn ]pd¯nd§n t\m¡n, cmta«s\§m\pw hcp¶pt−m F¶v. ]pd¯v ebnÁn«n«p−v. P\en IqSn t\m¡nbmepw ImWmw. Rm³ ]pkvXI¯nteíp I®p \«p. ]¯p aWnbmbn«pw cmta«t\ I−nà H¼Xcíp ap¼v Ahkm\t¯ _kp Ihebn Ft¯−XmWv. sNe¸w C\n hc¯nÃmbncnípw. `mcytbbpw Bizkn¸n¨v ]mhw Imhencníbmbncnípw. Rm³ ho−pw hmb\bn apgpIn. GXms−mcp AcaWn¡qdp Ignªt¸mÄ apdnbn \n¶pw IebpsS hnfn tI«p. AhÄ IXIn X«p¶p. " A¦ntf IXIp sXmdt¶..." " F´n\m...?.." " sXmd¡v... " " CÃ.. Rm³ ]Tnt¨m−ncníphm.... cmhnte ]dbmw..." " l...sXmds¡t¶... Rm³ ieys¸Sp¯ptIe..." " F¶n«mtWm.. C¸w hnfnípt¶...\nsâsbmcp Imcyw...." Rm³ sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. AhÄ AIt¯íp Ibdn. I¿n Ft´m Hcp sNdnb Ip¸n. AhfXp tai¸pd¯p sh¨p. Rm\Xp {i²ním³ t]mbnÃ. " Mqw... F´n\m C¸w ht¶...?..." " AOt\ CXphtc I−nÃtÃm... A¦ntf..." AhÄ Xe sNmdnªpsIm−p tNmZn¨p. " B... sNe¸w C\n hc¯nÃmcnípw... \o t]mbns¡Ss¶md§v....." " Hd¡w hcp¶nÃ.... AhsS F\nsímÁíp sIS¡m³ t]Snbm.... F¸gpw Rm\mcsSsb¦nepw IqsStb sIS¶ns«mÅp... sI«n¸nSn¨v...." " Hm.. sI«n¸nSn¨v... sIm¨pIp«nbtÃ... sI«n¨p hn«mcps¶¦n ]¶n¡pªp§sS amXncn s]ÁpIq«ntbt\... F¶n«pw t]Sn... \mWanÃtÃmSo ]dbm³.... t]mbns¡S¡v...." " AXn\p sI«n¨p hn«metà s]dm³ ]Áq... AtÃepw.... Rm³ C¸tg sdUnbm..." " \m¡ns\ÃpanÃ... \mtWmanÃ.... t]m...t]m.. F\níp thtd ]Wnsbm−v..." " C¸w t]mWnÃ.. Rm\n¶nhnSm sIS¡pt¶... A¦nfnt\w sI«n¸nSn¨v..... H¯pIn«nb Hcp kabm... " " s]m¶ptamtf... CsXms¡ tamim tIt«m... hà s]m«ns¸¼ntÅcpw ]td¶ tIt«m−v... \o Np½m NmStÃ... `mhnív ZqjymtW......" Rm³ D]tZin¨p. " Np½mbncn A¦ntf... hmNIaSnímsX.. CsXms¡ Bip]{Xo Imhencníp¶ntÃ..... At§m«p {]tbmKn¨m aXn... C¸w Rm\nhnsS Ccním³ t]mIphm... A¦nfp sIS¶nt« Rm\pw sIS¡ps¶mÅq..." " sÈ...ieyambtÃm..." Rm³ ]dªpt]mbn. s]s«¶hfpsS apJ`mhw amdn. " Mm AtX... ieyw X¶m... BÀ¡pw Ft¶ th−... Ft¶mSntãmw CÃ... A¦nfn\pw... C¡W¡n\mtW....Rm\pw A½ sNbvXt]mse htÃmw sN¿q¶m tXm¶tW..." AhfpsS apJw Ccp−p. Icbm\pÅ `mhw. " `Khmt\... Cu XtÅw tamfpw... Mqw.. AhnSncpt¶m... Atà Hd§ntím....Rm\n¸w IS¡p¶nÃ.... C¨ncqsS hmbníWw...." " tam³ ]Tnt¨m.... Rm³ t\m¡WnÃ..."

AhÄ I«nen Ibdn InS¶p. CSív Rms\m¶p t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨psIm−v IbvIm«n hnfn¨p. " hm A¦ntf... Hd§mw... \msf ¢mknÃtÃm... ]Iep ]TnímhtÃm...." " \msf Bip]{Xo t]mWw.. ]ns¶ thsdmcp AXymhiy¯n\pw t]mWw.. H¯ncn ]Wnbm..." " Hm.. Hcp ]Wn..." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp ebnÁp sISp¯n. ]nt¶ Ft¶ ]nSn¨p hens¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. " F´m Ite CXv...?.." Ccp«¯v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " aXn ]Tn¨Xv... h¶p sIS¡v... Cs¶m¯ncn tPmen sNbvXXm.... cmhnte At½w s]m¡ns¡ms−mÅ Hm«w... kmhn{Xn ]dbpIm.. ic]PvRc¯n Pb³ jote s]m¡nsbSp¡p¶ t]mem A¦nft½ FSp¯sX¶v..." " AXn\p R§fp Pb\pw jotew H¶paÃtÃm..." " Bcp ]dªp... Pbt\t¸msem−v A¦nfnsâ aknep I−mev... ]ns¶ jote¡mfpw anSp¡nbm Fât½w.... H¶n\pw Hcp sImdhpw CÃ... F¶n«pw F\níp am{Xw.. Cu XSow.. C¨ncntímfw s\©pw... Mm... \½sS tbmKw...." AhÄ `n¯nbcnIn I«nenenteíp InS¡p¶Xn\nSbn ]dªpsIm−ncp¶p. Rm³ a\Ên hnNmcn¨p. AXn\p \nâ½ív GtXm ImipImc³ Kp−paWn ]¿³ Du¼n¨p k½m\n¨Xtà \o. Ahsâ KpWsams¡bmbncnípw \n\¡p In«nbXv. ]t£ ]dªXv thsdbmbncp¶p. " kmcanà tamtf FÃmw ssZh¯nsâ Hmtcm IfnbtÃ... \obpw hfcp¼w \à kpμcnbmIpw... Rms\md¸p ]dbmw..." Rm³ Ahtf sXmSmsX I«nenteíp Nmªp. " AtX... C¸w Rm\¦nfnsâ IqsS sI«n¸nSn¨p sIS¡p¶Xpw ssZh¯nsâ Ifn Xs¶bm.....Fsâ Cu A¦nfp amt{X.... C§s\ Ft¶mSp ]dbs¯mÅp....Dwwwww½.. " ]dbpIbpw Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v Fsâ Ihnfn AaÀ¯n D½ shípIbpw Hcp t]membncp¶p. F\ním D½ Hcp tjm¡mbncp¶p. Rm³ Ahtf XÅn amÁn. " tamtf... Ft¶ sXmSmsX amdns¡S¡v...." " ]ns¶§s\bm sI«n¸nSníp¶Xv..." " \o At§m«p Xncnªp sIS¡v.... Rm³ \ns¶ sI«n¸nSnt¨mfmw...." AhÄ Xncnªp InS¶p. Rm³ Ahtf ]pdIn \n¶pw sI«n¸nSn¨p. AhÄ XebnWbpsS ]pd¯v Ibv ]nSn¨psh¨n«v Ibv¯−n Xesh¨p. Fsâ atÁ Ibv AhfpsS icoct¯ hebw sNbvXp. ]t£ AhfpsS ta\nbn Ibv¸Sw shíms\mcnSw ImWmsX Rm³ Ipg§n. hbdn shípt¼mÄ, B s\©n sXmSpt¼mÄ, XpSbn sXmSpt¼mÄ, Fsâ icocw BsI tImcn¯cníp¶ t]mse. sasà sasà Fsâ a\Ênepw Acs¡«nepw Ne\w XpS§n. H¸w DÅn IpÁt_m[hpw. aÁmcpw CÃm¯ kabw t\m¡n Rm³ Cu sIm¨ps]®nt\ apXseSp¡pIbmWtÃm F¶ Hcp tXm¶Â. ]ns¶ a\Êp Xs¶ kam[m\w Is−¯n, Ahfp \nÀ_Ôn¨XpsIm−tà F¶v. " sI«n¸nSní¦ntf... Ibv C§s\ sXmSmsX F´n\m s]m¡n¸nSn¨ncnípt¶...." " \nsâ FhnSm Rm³ sI«n¸nSnípt¶.... Fsâ kas\e sXÁpw..." " FshsS thtWepw ]nSnt¨m.... kas\e sXÁnbm A§p sXÁs«..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v AhfpsS apeIfpsS apIfn sh¨p. BZyw H¶p hnds¨¦nepw Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Fsâ Ibv ]Xps¡ A\§m³ XpS§n. apebpsS amÀ±h¯n ]Xps¡ hnc AaÀ¯m³ XpS§n. AdnbmsX Rm³ B IpªpapeIÄ CSínSív I¿nsemXp¡m³ XpS§n. AhÄ AX\pkcn¨v Ft¶mSp IqSpX H«nt¨À¶p. " ]nSnt¨m... F´n\m Adípt¶... F\nínãmsW¶dnbntÃ...." AhÄ ]Xps¡ ]dªn«v IpWp§n¨ncn¨p. " \o... Ft¶.. BsI sImg¸nípsh¶m tXm¶pt¶... Rm\nXos¶ms¡ H¶p hn«p \ním³ t]mIphmcp¶p...." " Hm.... tN¨osS a\Êp amdnsb¶p IcpXnbmtWm.. AXp shdpsXbm.... sImXn¸nít¯sbmÅp... Ft¶t¸msebÃ... B km[\w..." " t\cmtWmSo.... \o Cu¸td¶Xv..." Rm\hfpsS XmSnbn ]nSns¨m¶p Ipep¡n. " " Ct{Xambn«pw a\ÊnembntÃ... ]nSnív... GXmbmepw F\nsím¶p ckníWw.."

AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v apebn sh¨p. Rm³ ho−pw AXpc−nepw amdn amdn s]cpamdm³ XpS§n. At¸mtgípw Fsâ Kpem³ s]m§n. hSnbmbn \n¶ Ah³ AhfpsS Ip−nbn CSním³ XpS§n. " Blm.. BZyt¯ ]d¨nsems¡ tI«¸w Rmt\mÀ¯Xv A¦nfp k\ymknbmIm³ t]mIphmsW¶mWtÃm...C¸w tZs−... Fsâ N´n Ip¯ns¯mc¡p¶p..... " AhÄ ]pdtIm«p I¿n«v Fsâ ap−n\Snbn I¿n«v Kpemt\ ]nSnIqSn. F¶n«hsâ aIpSw sXmen¨p Xmtgíp hen¨p]nSn¨p. B ]nSp¯¯n Ah³ ]qÀhm[nIw hoÀ¡p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. " AXp sR¡ns¸m«nítÃ... GXmbmepw Rm³ hoWp..... \o ]Xps¡ ]nSnív... F¶mte IqSpX kptJm−mI¯pÅp...." " c−mgv¨vsIm−v.. CXns\c«n h®w sh¨t]mse tXm¶pIm... CXpt]mse Fsâ samtew IqsSm¶p hepXmbncps¶¦n..." AhÄ s\SphoÀ¸n«p...." " BIpshSo... \o [rXn]nSnímsX... \o sIm¨tÃ..." " Ft´m¶p sIm¨v... Fsâ A¦ntf.. Fsâ IqsS ]Tn¨ k^ntbsS IeymWw Ignªv...]¯p amkw BbtX HÅp... Ahfn¸w s]ÁpsIS¡phm... Rm³ tXmÁ hÀjsams¡ FÃmcpw ads¶¶m tXm¶pt¶... Mqw.. \à kptJm−v A¦nfnsâ Cu sI«n¸nSp¯w..." Aåt\cw AhÄ hfªpw ]pWªpw InS¶p kpJn¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ t\À¡p Xncnªp InS¶p. AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfnepw Np−nepw Hs¡ D½shím³ XpS§n. Fsâ N−hÄ ISns¨Sp¯p. F\níp a\Ênembn s]®p NqSmbn F¶v. " A¦ntf... \a¡v Fsâ apdot]mImw..?..AhsSbmIp¼w ^ms\m−v... CXn\I¯p \à NqSv..." sicnbmbncp¶p, AhfpsS icoc¯n \n¶pw, {]tXyIn¨v I£¯n \n¶pw AhfpsS hnbÀ¸nsâ a¯p ]nSn¸níp¶ KÔw Fsâ aq¡n ASn¨psIm−ncp¶p. AXp In«pt´mdpw Fsâ Rc¼pIÄ H¶ns\m¶p IqSpX NqSmIpIbmbncp¶p. F¦nepw Ft¶ AhfpsS apdnbn shs¨§m\pw Bsc¦nepw I−p]nSn¨m Rm\mbncnípw IpÁ¡mc³. th− ChnsS aXn F¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. " th− tamtf... AXp icnbÃ... F\nínhnsS Cu NqSm Cãw...." Rm\Xp ]dªpsIm−v Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p. F¶n«v Hcp IbvsIm−v AhfpsS ]mhmS apIfnteíp hen¨p. At¸mÄ AXn\Snbn s]Ánt¡m«v. AXpw apIfnteíp hen¨p. AhfpsS NqSpXpSbn H¶p XtemSn. AhÄ ZoÀLizmkw hn«p. AhfpsS Ibv Fsâ Ip®bn IqSpX iànbmbn ]nSnapdp¡n. Rm³ sasà AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp I¿n«p XncpIn. XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn Ibv tIdmXncp¶t¸mÄ AhÄ Hcp Im s]m¡n¸nSn¨p X¶p. AIwXpSIÄ hgn Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS hnImcap¡nse¯n. AXnsâ ]mÀiz§fn NqSpw hnbÀ¸nsâ H«epw. Rm\m H«en It¿mSn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ t\tc aeÀ¶pInS¶p ImepIfI¯n¸nSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ B IhbnSp¡p hnIkn¨p. AXnsâ ASnapX apIfn ssaXm\w htc Rm³ H¶p It¿mSn¨p XgpIn. ssaXm\¯nte tcmaIpÁnIÄ I¿n XcpXcpt¸msS XSªp. AhfpsS sNhnbnteíp Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " C¸w..t]s\mt−m.. AtXm ...?.." " Mqlpw... AsXms¡ At¶ t]mbn.. A¦nfnsâ A¶s¯ {]tbmKw GÁp..... Hcp shceIt¯m«nSv... " AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. " s\\¡p thZ\n¨mtem... sNe¸w koep s]m«pw....AXp th− AIt¯ms«mÅ Ifn th−.. Fs´¦nepw ]Ánbm..... Fsâ Xteencnípw...." Rm\m ]qdnsâ ]pdwNp−pIfnte DcpfnaIfn IqSn hnctemSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. F¶n«m hncsem¶p aW¯p. AÊ ASª ]qdnsâ KÔw. Ip®íp {]tNmZ\amIp¶ s]®nsâ IhínSbnte KplmapJt¯ aWw. " AXp kmcanÃ... AsXm¶p s]m«nsb¶psh¨v F´p hcm\m.... A¦nfn¸w shceIt¯m«p tIÁv.... AIs¯ms¡ Xcn¨n«p h¿... " Rm³ Fsâ \Sphnc B IfnhnShnteínd¡n. At§mfant§mfsam¶p XShn. AhfpsS kmam\w \\ªpIgnªncp¶p.. AXnsâ DÅnte amÀ±hw Fsâ Xet¨mdn Hcp {]I¼\w krãn¨p. AXnsâ {]Xn^e\w Fsâ Ip®bnepw Adnªp. " CXp sIS¶p hÃmsX sh«p¶tÃm A¦ntf... s]Síphm... I¿n \níp¶nÃtÃm..." " Mqw... kpJw sIm−m tamtf.....\o ]Xps¡ ]nSn¨m aXn... Ah³ C\ow sh«pw..."

Rm³ B sX¶nbnfInb kmam\¯n DÅn aS§nbncp¶ CXfpIfn ]nSn¨p ]pdt¯íp hen¨p. Hcp IbvsIm−v AhÄ kz´w apebn Xncp½p¶Xp Rm³ apdnbnteícn¨nd§p¶ \nemshfn¨¯n I−p. " apÃsamt«sem¶p ]nSnt¨ .... AhsS sNmdnbp¶p..." AhÄ IpdpIn. Rm³ AhfpsS I´p X¸n¸nSn¨p. hncepIfn \n¶Xp hgpXns¡m−ncp¶p. H¸w AhfpsS io¡mc§fpw DbÀ¶p. " sam«§s\ sX¶nív... AXpw \à ckm... iviviviv ...." Rm³ B sX¶p¶ sNdpI´n XÅhnc sIm−v arZphmbn NpÁn¨p XgpIn. AhÄ Acs¡«p tatem«p XÅn¸nSn¨p. " Mqw.... \à kpJw... At{Xw Aa¡msX...]Xps¡... C\n Hcp shcepw IqsS AIt¯m«nSmthm... A¸w \à ckmcnípw......."AhÄ At]£n¨p. " Htckabw... Rms\s´ms¡ sN¿pshSo tamtf... It´ Xncp½Ww.. FXfp heníWw.... ]qÁn shcenSWw... \o [rXn sh¨m... Rm³ IpgbpshSo..." " At§m«p sImgbs«... Rm\pw ]nSn¨pXcmt¶... F§s\m−v Fsâ ]nSp¯w....?..." AhÄ Ip«nIrjvWt\ hmWaSn¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " \o Ie¡ps¶m−v... At{Xw Xte ]nSní−... sam¯w \oft¯Â XtemSv..." Rms\sâ Bhiyw ]dªp. AhÄ AX\pkcn¨p. " Fsâ I¿n HXp§p¶nsömbn.... Ignªmgv¨ Ct{Xw h®anÃmcp¶tÃm....Hm Cu Hmd©pIfp c−pw...\à dºÀ¸´pt]mse Hd¨tÃm........" Ahsâ Nph«nte h®w Af¡p¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ Fsâ D−Ifpw I¿nseSp¯ncp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn hmWaSn¨psIm−v apJw sNcn¨v Ft¶ D½sh¨p. Rm³ Fsâ \Sphnc sasà AhfpsS tbm\n¯pfbpsS hmXn¡ sIm−psN¶p. " t\mIphmtW ]dbtW.... " Rm³ ap¶dnbn¸p \ÂIn. " t\mI¯nÃ.. A¦nfp tIÁntím..." " tM..." " At§m«p tIÁntímt¶..." Rm³ hnc DÅnteíp XÅn. kpJamb Hcp apdp¡t¯mSp IqSn AXm NqSp s\bv¸qÁnteíp hgpXnbnd§n. dºÀdzfbw C«Xp t]mse Fsâ hnc B ]qÀ¯pfbn apdpIn \n¶p. AhÄ CSív AXnsâ DÄhi§Ä Cdp¡p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. " CsX§\m tamtf Ct{Xw hepXmtb...?.. hÃhcpw... \nt¶..?.." B s\bv¨qSnteíp hnc tIÁpIbpw Cd¡pIbpw sNbvXpsIm−v Rm³ Fsâ kwibw tNmZn¨p. " AsÃsâ N¡tc... Rm³ Xs¶bm AXp hepXm¡ntb.." AhÄ Fsâ Np−pIfn Np−psh¨psIm−p iÐsamXp¡n ]dªp. " \otbm AsX§s\..?.." F\níXnibw. " A¶¦nfp CXp hSn¨p X¶ntÃ.... sIS¡m³ t\cw Rm³ tN¨osS IqsS tIdns¡S¶p... At¶cw tN¨n ]dªp Xmsgs¡S¡m³... Rm³ ]dªp. C¸w FÃmw sicnbmbo¶v... l....\nÀ¯msX...shcsems¶fs¡sâ s]mt¶...thtW H¶qsS Ct«m..." Rm³ ASp¯ Hcp hncepw IqSn AIt¯íp XÅn. " At¿m... th− th−.. t\mIp¶p.... At{Xw hepXmbnÃ... C¸w H¶p aXn... Ff¡v..." Rm³ \SphncÂsIm−v B \\p\\p¯ Xpfbn ]®ns¡mSp¯p AhÄ XpSIfndp¡n¸nSn¨p. ImepIÄ tImÀ¯p sh¨p. " F¶n«v...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. Ip® I¿nen«v Dcp«ns¡m−v AhÄ XpSÀ¶p. " tN¨níp hnizmkmbnÃ... t]mSo.. Hcp Znhkw t]mbn«v HcmgvNsIm−v sicnbmI¯nÃ... ]ns¶bm.. Hcp sZhkw. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv t\tc XpWns]m¡n A§p ImWn¨p sImSp¯p.... ]mh¯nsâ I®p XÅnt¸mbn.. Ct{Xw hnNmcn¨pImW¯nÃ. Fsâ¦ntf... t]Ìp IgpIn¡fª¸w Fs´mcp an\pkmcps¶t¶m... A¦nfp \à _mÀ_dm tIt«m... ]pÅn¡mc¯n NmSn Fgpt¶Áp t\m¡n.... Rm³ sXmd¶§p ImWn¨psImSp¯p. AhsSsbÃmw It¿mSn¨p t\m¡n. F¶n«pw kwibw... CXp \o Xs¶ sNbvXtXm.. B Ak¯pw IqSnbmtWms¶mcp tNmZyw... Rm³ ]dªp... Xs¶¯m³ sNbvXXmsW¶v.... Rm³ B hSn¨ I¯n ImWn¨psImSp¯p.... AXpI−¸w ]pÅow AÛpXs¸«pt]mbn.... AXp Xncn¨pw adn¨pw t\m¡o«p amÁn sh¨p... F¶n«p ]dªp. F\nsím¶p icníp t\m¡W¶v... \nsâ Iq«pImcv B kmhn{Xow AhtS sNdp¡\pw Hs¡btÃ...

ImeIs¯So¶p ]dªp. F\nsí¶m... Rm\§p Ih¨p \n¶psImSp¯p. ]ns¶ Hcp ]cntim[\bmcp¶p. hen¨p s]mfn¨p t\m¡n... Ahkm\w Rm³ tNmZn¨p... htÃmw In«ntbm¶v... CÃ... H¶nt\w ImWp¶nÃ.... FÃmw t]mb e£Wam... shcep Np½m shímsX.... Mm..A§s\... sam«qsS...Xncps½t¶...." A`nbpsS ]cntim[\bpsS IY tI«t¸mÄ Fsâ {]hÀ¯\w Aåw aμKXnbnembncp¶p. AhÄ Ip® shdpsX I¿n ]nSn¨p sR¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ I¿psS kv]oUp Iq«n. I´n XgpIns¡mSp¯p. " Mm ]d..]d.. tI¡m³ ctkm−v... " " F\nídnbmw tN¨osSbmbsIm−tÃ... B tI«p cknt¨m.. Rm³ kXym ]tdt¶... ]nt¶w tN¨níp Hcp kwibw... F´mSo... \o ]Ãp tXíp¶ {_jnXn\Is¯§m\pw tIÁntbm¶v... kXy¯n Rm³ Nncn¨p t]mbn.. InWní−..InWní−¶pw ]dªv.... Fsâ Hcp Imep s]m¡n I«ntetem«p sh¨p.... ]pÅn¡mcn Fsâ Iotgtem«p samJw ASp¸n¨v AXn\It¯m«p kq£n¨p t\m¡p¶ I−p. ]ns¶ ]«n aWw ]nSníp¶ t]mse AtX aW¡p¶p... F\níp kwibw Cu tN¨osS kv{Iq FfInsbm...?...]n¶tà F\níp ]nSnIn«ntb... " " F´n\mcp¶p..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AhnsS B apÅp¶St¯m Xqdps¶St¯m atÁm... t]Ìnsâ C¨nsc shfps¸m−mcp¶p.... F¶n«v Fâ¦ntf... ¹pt¡m¶v Fsâ sXmtftem«p shce§p tIÁn.... Hcp shcev XÅn AIt¯m«p tIÁnsbt¶..... At¶cw AhsS hmXp¡ev Ft´m henªp apdnbp¶ t]mse F\níp tXm¶n.... \oÁepw....F¶mepw Hcp shceI¯p tIdnb¸w Hcp ctkmw tXm¶n tIt«m.... " " A¸w.... \o CXphtc AXn\I¯v shcen«n«ntÃ... ?.." Rm³ Fsâ hnc Aåw IqSn DÅnteíp XÅns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. Fsâ hnc F´ntem Hs¡ ap«n. " B... At{Xw AIt¯m«p XÅmsX... AI¯p t\mIp¶p..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv Aåw ]pdt¯íp hen¨psh¨p. " tkmdn... \o shcen«n«nsöp ]dª¸w....\nsâ apÅp¶ sXmtfsS Bgw t\m¡nbXm tamtf..." " t\cmt¶... R\nXphtc... samt«te Xncp½phmcps¶mÅp... t\mIp¶XpsIm−v AIt¯m«p tIÁ¯nÃmcp¶p... " " B F¶n«v... apdnª¸w \o Ictªm..." " Hm.. Icªpshm¶panÃ... Hcp ckw tXm¶nbsIm−v... \n¶psImSp¯p... tN¨n AXn\I¯p shcen«v Xncn¨v Ft´m tXm−nsbSp¯v t\m¡p¶p.... ]ns¶ shcep aW¡p¶p.... Rm³ tNmZn¨p Fs´m¶m t\m¡pt¶¶v.. H¶qÃm hm... sIS¡m¶p ]dªp.... sIS¶pIgnª¸w...F\nín¨nsc \oÁep tXm¶n... Rm³ sXm«p t\m¡nb¸w C¨ncnt¨ tNmc hcp¶p.... ]pÅn¡mc¯ntbmSp ]dª¸w Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨n«p ]dªp.... kmcanà ... tN¨ntbmSp £anív.... tamtf... F\nío BWp§sf Hs¡ t]Snbm... \o s]m«ns¸®m... hÃh\pw htÃmw AXn\I¯p sNbvtXm¶p t\m¡nbXm... ]ns¶ R§fp sI«n¸nSns¨md§n..." " AÃm... A¸w \nsâ tN¨nsb´mSo t\m¡nbXv...?..." Rm³ AhfpsS ]qÁnencp¶ hncsem¶nf¡ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. At¸mÄ Ahfpw hmWaSn XpS§n. IYbn ebn¨XpsIm−v thKX Ipdªncp¶p. " cmhnte ASp¡tf sh¨v Rm\Xp tNmZn¨p... At¶cw ]dªp... BWp§sS ]meI¯p hoWm KÀt`m−mIpsa¶v... Hcp Iq«pImcn sIm−ph¶ Hcp Cw¥ojp amkntI hmbn¨Xm¶p ]dªp.... Rm³ hnSpthm.... ]ns¶´n\m tN¨n AI¯q¶p GXm−p tXm−n aWt¯¶p tNmZn¨p.... Rm³ \nÀ_Ôn¨¸w.....aSn¨p aSn¨m ]dtª.... BWp§tf apÅp¶tX¶p hcp¶ ]men\p... Hcp Xcw sN¼I¸qhnsâ aWw ImWpsa¶v Hcp Iq«pImcn ]dªmcps¶¶v.... AXp t\m¡phmcp¶p... A¦nfnt\¡mfpw shey kosFUnbm Cu `{ZImfn...." " s\\¡p tNmZnímcp¶ntÃ... tN¨otSXn\I¯v ]mep hoWns«mt−m¶v..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " tNmZns¨t¶....tN¨otS AI¯v hoWns«mt−m¶v... Fsâ Xeíns«mcp Ingp¡p Xt¶¨v ]dbphm... ]nt¶ Rm\Xn\p \S¡phtöv.... " "F¶m¸ns¶ tN¨n AXp aW¯ns«mt−m¶p tNmZnímcp¶ntÃ....?.. "

" sImÅmw... AsX\níp tXm¶oÃ... tNmZn¨mcpt¶ Xos¡mÅn sIm−p Ip¯ntbt\... Hm... Fâ¦ntf... B km[\¯n\o BWp§tfmSp shey Xmåcysam¶pw ImWp¶nÃ... B, F¶n«v... Rm³ s»bnUp tNmZn¨¸w ]ns¶ Xcm¶p ]dªp.... Rm³ tNmZn¨p tN¨nsí´n\m AsX¶v... A¸¸dªp... I¿nsâ ASo tcmaw sImtd IqSpXep hfÀ¶XpsIm−v shbÀ¸pw \mtÁmw IqSpXemsW¶v... Rm³ hnSpthm... At¶cw tNmZn¨p tN¨osS AhSw hSnít−¶v... A¿S... A¸gt¯ Hcp Nncow \mtWmw.... IÅn ]dbphm.. AXp `À¯m¡·mcsS AhImtim tPmeoam¶v... " " A¸w Ahfp kmam\w s\dsb apSow sht¨m−p `À¯mhnt\s¡m−p sNc¸ním³ Im¯ncníphm CtÃ..." Rm³ XÅhnc sIm−v ho−pw AhfpsS I´nsem¶p tXm−n. " lbv.... \à kpJw... ItYw Ifow IqsS... shcev Abhmbn CtÃ... Hcp apdp¡w tXm¶p¶nÃtÃm... " " AXp \nsâ sXmtf¶v CSp¡n Umw s]m«nbXpsIm−m.... tZ t\m¡v... Ft´mcw sImgªm hcpt¶¶v......" Rm³ hnc hens¨Sp¯n«v AhfpsS Ihnfn tX¨p. AhfXp X¸n t\m¡p¶ t]mse tXm¶n. " sicnbm... A¦nfp ]dªt]mse sImgªncníp¶p.... aWw A{X ckanÃ...." B X¡¯n\p Rm³ c−p hncepIÄ Hcpan¨v AIt¯íp XÅn. " At¿m C¸w cs−t®mw IqsS th−t¶... hcs«..." XSªt¸mÄ \Sphnc ho−pw tIÁnbnf¡ns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ XpSIÄ Cdp¡n Fsâ hncent\ Cdp¡n. " C¨nsc Ab¨p ]nSnív... Rm³ \à ckmbn«v tIÁn¯cmw.... GXmbmepw shcep tIÁn... C\n \ob§p kpJnív...._ew ]nSnímsX... Cuknbmbn«v Ih¨§p sIS¡v... " Rm³ sasà hnc B hnShn\Is¯m¶p NpÁn¨p sagp¡m¡n. ]ns¶ ASp¯ hnc \Sphncent\mSp tNÀ¯p]nSn¨v AIt¯íp XÅn. BZyw AhÄ _ew ]nSns¨¦nepw Rm³ XÅnbt¸mÄ AXp \qen\I¯p apdpInt¡dp¶Xp t]mse Aåw tIdn. ]ns¶ Rm³ XÅnbnÃ. B apdp¡¯n Xt¶ sh¨p. " C¸w A§s\ Ccnís«... C¨nsc Igo¼w tIdntímfpw.... \o _m¡n ]d.... ]ns¶ \n§sfs´ms¡ sNbvXp...?.." " At¶cam HmÀt¯¶p tXm¶p¶p, Ft¶ AI¯p hnfnt¨m−p t]mbn Fsâ ssIíSn s]m¡n t\m¡n.... AhsS ]ns¶ ]qS sImdhmbXpsIm−v H¶pw H−mcp¶nÃ... s»bnUn¸gpw tN¨osS I¿nem... sNe¸w hSn¨p ImWpw..." " \nsâ tN¨otS FhnSt¯sb¦nepw ]qS \o I−ns«mt−m...." " sicníp I−n«nÃ... F¶mepw Hcntí tXm«nte ItàapÅm\ncp¶¸w H¶p ImWm³ ]Án...." " tM... H¯ncnsbmt−m.. AtXm...?.. " Rm³ Bthit¯msS tNmZn¨p. tS¸n Idp¸p \ndta ImWp¶pÅq. AXnsâ \n_nUX a\ÊnemIp¶nÃ. Aåw Zqsc \n¶pamWtÃm FSp¯ncníp¶Xv. " H¯ncnsbm¶pw CÃ... F¶mepw HÅXv \à Idp¯ IpÁn¡mSm... I£¯nepw AXpt]mse ImWphmcnípw....It¿sem−tÃm \à \oes\d¯nsemÅ tcma§fv... IW¦mteepw H−v... ]t£ tN¨osS Imepw I¿pw tcmtamt−epw ImWm³ \à tNem... Fsâ Cuizcm... F\nsísâ Xte At{Xw apSnsbm−mcps¶¦o¶m HmÀ¯pt]mIpt¶..." Ahft¸mÄ AhfpsS an\p¯ ]qÀ¯S¯n H¶p It¿mSn¨p. " Ahf¶v Hcp shcen«XpsIms−§s\bmSo... Cu sXmf Ct{Xw hepXmIp¶Xv..." F\níp kwibw. At¸mtgípw c−mat¯ hncensâ ]IpXn IqSn Rm³ AI¯p XÅnt¡Án sh¨pIgnªncp¶p. " Hm.. AtXm...? hSn¨¸w \à an\pkmcp¶XpsIm−v Rm³ ]ns¶ Xcw In«p¼sgms¡ AhnsSms¡...IbvsIm−p XShn t\m¡pw... A§s\ XShn¯Shn Rm\pw shcenSm³ sXmS§n.... Hcp ckw... F¶mepw ]nt¶w sam«p Xncp½nbm... Ahkm\n¸nípt¶.... Hcmgv¨bmbn.... Rm³ AI¯p Hcp shcep tIÁn sht¨m−m Hd§pt¶..." " At¿m.... \nsâ tN¨n ImWptIte...?.." " AsXms¡ AdnbmsX Rm³ ]Ánípw... At¿m... A¦nfp sImÅmtÃm... ]dtªm−ncp¶Xns\Sív c−pw XÅnt¡Ántbm... F¶mepw t]mc... hÃmsX

henbps¶m−v... A¦ntf... \as¡mcp ]Sw hcímw...?.. shcent\¡mfpw kpJw... A¦nfnsâ Ip«\mcnípw..." AhÄ sNcnªp InS¶v Fsâ I£¯nte ]qSbn sXcp¸nSn¸n¨p. " sÈ...shbÀ¸p ImWpsaSo..." " F\níXnãm... C¸w A¦nfnsâ shbÀ¸paW¯ns\mcp kpJw...." AhÄ Fsâ amdnte tcma§fn hnctemSn¨p. " ]Sw hc¨v hc¨v... Ahkm\w.. th−mXo\w htÃmw..." " tlm.. C§s\mcp t]Sns¯m−³.... Fgpt¶tÁ... Rm³ sNbvtXmfmw..... Fs´mcp NqSm... " AhÄ ]qÁnencp¶ Fsâ hncepIÄ hen¨p amÁn. Fsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSn hn«p. Fgpt¶Â¡p¶Xp I−p. AhfpsS ]qÁnencp¶ hncepIÄ Rms\m¶p aW¯p. ]ns¶ AXnsâ \\hp Ip®bpsS AÁ¯p tX¨p. AhÄ Fgpt¶Át¸mÄ Rm³ AhÄ InS¶ heXpIbv s]m¡n H¶p IpSªp Aåw achn¸p t]mse A{Xtb DÅp.. AhÄ Fsâ apIfn IqSn Dcp−v I«nen \n¶nd§n. Ipe¨p\n¶ Ip® AhfpsS hbdn X«n. " Fs´mcp km[\m... then¸¯ep t]metà s]m§n \níp¶Xv... H¶p amÁn¸nSnív...." " then¸¯ensâ s]md¯qsS Ih¨p IS¡tÃ... sNe¸w Ihs¡tSw km[t\mw Iodpw..." " C¶v aníhmdpw FÃmw Iodp¶ a«m...." AhÄ Ccp«¯v »ukqcpIbmsWm Fs¶\nív kwibw. " \o Fs´Sp¡phm...?.." " Cu XpWnsbms¡ H¶p ]dn¨p Ifbs«... Fs´mcp NqSv...." " A¸w \o c−pw I¸nt¨m−mWtÃmSo... " " BZyw H¶p I¸n¨p t\m¡mw... t]msc¦n c−pw BImw..." " FSo ISn¨o...\nsâ AOs\§m\pw h¶p I−mtem..." " Hm...C\n Cu apXp]mXncmív AO³ hcmt¼mIphtÃ... AhsS AS§ns¡S¡v.... Rm\§p hcphm..." AhÄ Ft´m tai¸pd¯p shíp¶ iÐw tI«p. " F´mSo... X«nbnSpt¶...?..." " H¶qÃ..." ASp¯ \nanjw AhÄ Fsâ Kpemt\ I¿nseSp¯p. Ahsâ Xebnepw tZl¯pw Ft´m ]pc«n. \à ]¨shfns¨®bpsS aWw. " F´n\mSo...\o C¸w _metKm]met\ F® tX¸níp¶Xv...." " tKm]met\¯t¶bÃ... cmt[w tX¸níps¶m−v...." " Aà Cu... Ft®w tX¸n¨v \o F´nsâ s]md¸mSm..." " IqSpXep sX¶p¼w ]Sw hc¸n\p kpJw IqSpsa¶m kmhn{Xn ]dªXv...." AhÄ I«nen Ibdn Fsâ Acs¡«n Ih¨ncp¶p. \à `mcw AhfpsS icoc¯n\v. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ Fsâ apSnbn Xq¯p. " CsXt´m¶m..." " It¿semÅ F®bm.... apSníp \ÃXm..." " FSo aWp¡qtk... Xte Ddp¼p tIdqte..." H¶pw an−msX AhÄ Fsâ Ip® ssIíem¡n AhfpsS an\pk¸qdnen«pcím³ XpS§n. {ItaW {ItaW Dcípt¼mfpÅ AaÀ¯Â IqSn¡qSnh¶p. Iq«¯n AhfpsS aqfensâ iÐhpw. kXy¯n \à ckhpw kpJhpw tXm¶n. " tamfnsemcímsX...\nsâ IpÁn¸qS sImÅp¼w \odp¶p....." Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw... \ods«... A¿Sm... Fâ¦ntf B Ft®w IqSn sImgª¸w ... Fs´mcp tNev... iviviviv.... Mqw..." Rm\hfpsS apeIfn ]nSn¨t¸mgmWhÄ s]Án¡q«pw Ducn¡fsª¶dnªXv. AhfpsS \áamamb Ipªp apeIfn ]nSn¨v sR¡ns¡m−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \o XpWn apgph\pw ]dnt¨mSo..." " ]n¶ÃmsX... C¸gm... XpWnbnÃmsX... Hcípt¶sâ kpJw Ado¶Xv... C\n F¶pw C§s\ Xt¶ aXn... C¨ncqsS sR¡v... At§m«p hfcs« Ahcv..." tatem«pw Iotgm«pw Ip® C«pcípt¼mÄ AhfpsS tbm\oZzmc¯nse¯pt¼mÄ AhÄ IqSpX Ahsâ Xe AaÀ¯m³ XpS§n. H¶ns\m¶n\v B AaÀ¯ensâ iàn IqSn.

AtXmsSm¸w Fsâ sIm¨ptKm]mesâ HÁ¡®n C¡nfnbpw IqSn. AhfmsWIn aqfns¡m−v Dcí \S¯p¶p. s]s«¶hÄ Ahsâ Xe AhfpsS `K[zmc¯n h¨n«v HÁ¡¿n Ip¯n H¶p s]m§n \n¶p. " F¶m sN¿phmSo.. Hcív... \o ]dªt]mse \à kpJmSo...tamtf...." Rm³ ]dªp. AhfXp tI« a«nÃ. s]s«¶p Rm\dnªp, AhÄ tbm\nbpsS hms]mfn¨v ]nSn¨v Fsâ Kpemt\ AIt¯íp XÅpIbmbncp¶p. " tamtf... ths−So.. A]ISamtW..." " Np½msX sIS¡v... Aht\ _embns«m¶p ]nSnt¨... Rm\n¸w ImWn¨p Xcmw....Duuuuuu....lt½...." \o− Hcp aqfepw Hcp hnfnbpw. Ft¶ AXnibn¸n¨psIm−v Ahsâ X¡mfn¯e AhÄ B ]qdn\pÅnem¡n. ]ns¶ AXpw AI¯p sh¨psIm−v Fsâ apIfnteíp InS¶p. Fsâ Ip®bpsS Igp¯n NcSn«papdp¡nbXpt]mse AhfpsS tbm\oKlzcw henªp \n¶p XpSn¨p. AsXmcp kpJapÅ A\p`hambncp¶p. Hcp I¶ns¸®nsâ koen\pÅn Ipcp§n¡nS¶p XpSníp¶ Ip®s¯m¸nbn \n¶pw Bbncw Aánic§Ä IpXdn¸mªp. B ic§Ä Ft¶ cXnkpJ¯nsâ F\nímPvRmXamb GtXm taJebn Fs¶ F¯n¨p. Ftf½bpsS A¼e¡pf¯n \n¶pw IetamfpsS kqNn¡pgbnteípÅ {]bmW¯n cXnkpJ¯nsâ c−Á§fpw Fsâ Bßmhnsâ Bg§fn Ipdnís¸«p. CXv Xt¶ kpJw. Fsâ BZyt¯ koep s]m«níÂ. AhÄ Fsâ s\©t¯íp ¦agv¶pInS¶n«p ]dªp. " A¿...lmhq... Ct{Xw Rm\m¡n... sht¨m−ncnímsX....C\n _m¡n sNs¿sâ Ictf... F\nín\n h¿... Mqw... kptJmw... thsd Fs´ms¡tbm...Mqw...Mqw..." B InS¸n Ahsfsâ Ihnfn XtemSns¡m−v Acs¡«n«v Id¡n. AhfpsS ]qdp ISn¨p]nSn¨ Ip®s¯m¸n B Id¡¯n F\níp kzÀ¤ob kpJw X¶p. F\nsít´m {`m´amb Bthiw Ibvhcp¶t]mse. Rm\htfbpw sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v H¶pcp−p. AhÄ ASnbnepw Rm³ apIfnepambn. IbvIÄ Ip¯n Ip\nªv \n¶n«v Rm³ B Np−pIfn ISn¨p, Npw_n¨p. " slsâ... cmPp¡p«m... sN¿v... ASn¨ptIÁv... CsX´msW¶v Rms\m¶dnbs«.... tIsÁsâ...tamt\..." AhÄ ]Ãp ISn¨p]nSn¨psIm−p apdpapdp¯p. Acs¡«p I¯p¶ kpJ¯nepw Rm\Xnibn¨pt]mbn Chsfs´mcp s]®msW¶v. " IodptIm..s]m«ptIm..htÃmw.. Bbm....hÃmsX thZ\nípw tIt«m..." I\ymNÀ½t¯¡pdn¨pw AXp Iodp¶Xnt\¡pdn¨pw F\níp tI«pw hmbn¨pw DÅ Adnth DÅp. " kmcansÃsâ cmPptamt\....... Iods«.... Rm³ kln¨p... Iodp¼w Ct{Xw kpJmsW¦n CXv AIt¯m«p tIdp¼w F´mcnípw... Mqw... AIt¯m«p tIÁnbSn... AIs¯mcív... ....XÅv..." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn ]nSn¨v Fs¶ Xmtgíp hen¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ Dugambncp¶p. Rm³ Acs¡«p Xmtgíp XÅn. AhÄ ]Ãp ISn¨p]nSn¨p. AhfpsS IbvIÄ thZ\sIm−mtWm kpJw sIm−mtWm F¶dnbnÃ, Fsâ tXmfn AÅn¸nSn¨p. XÅensâ GtXm Hcp \nanj¯n _ew ]nSn¨p \n¶ Ip® InWdnSnªp hoWXpt]mse B ]qÁn\pÅnteíp XmWp. ap¡m `mKt¯mfw Ibdnb Fsâ A−n¡p«³ Bįnc¡nse¶ t]mse B I¶n¸qdn Xn§nsRcn§p \n¶p. AtXmsS R§Ä¡p c−mÄ¡pw Ft´m Hcmizmkhpw \nÀhrXnbpw t]mse. Rm³ Ibvap«pIfn AhfpsS tZlt¯íp Nmªn«v B Ihnfn ap¯an«p. Np−pIÄ H¶ptNÀ¶p. " tlm... Ah\I¯n§s\ Xn§nbncníp¼w Fs´mcp kpJw.... C\nsb§\mSm..tamt\... ]mse§\m hcp¯p¶Xv..?." " hcp¯tWm...?..." " ]n¶ÃmsX... sN¿v... F\nídnb¯nÃ... sN¿v... thKw.... F\nív klníWnÃ... FÃmw F\nsím¶dnbWw....Mqw... CtàRm³ tamfnt¡dpw.... " AhÄ Acs¡«\¡pIbpw apIfnteíp XÅpIbpw sNbvXp. AtXmsS Rm\pw {]hÀ¯\w Bcw`n¨p. Xoh−nbpsS Xmf¯nsâ XpS¡w t]mse Rm³ Fsâ ]n̬ B IpªpXpfbn \n¶pw hen¨Sn¨p. kwt`mK¯nsâ Xmfw apdpIn. hmbpclnXamb AhfpsS Acs¡«nsâ \nKqVXbnte B ]p¯³]pÃmwIpgen Fsâ Ip«nIrjvW³

cXnKoX§Ä ]mSns¡m−v Ibdnbnd§n. I«nensâ Rc¡hpw R§fpsS lp¦mchpw am{Xw. " Mv...Mv...Mv...Mv...l¿m.. Fsâ tamt\... lqwwwwww... F\níp Ignbmt¼mWqqqqq....... C¸..Ignbpw... GXm−p t]mse hcps¶ms−Sm...... lbv..lbv..lbv... Mqqq.. Duuu..." BZyambn A\p`hn¨ k¼qÀ® cXnaqÀObn AhÄ InS¶p Iqhn. Fsâ Acs¡«n AhfpsS sNdnb ImepIÄ sIm−p ]q«m³ IgnbmsX h¶t¸mÄ XpSIÄ iànbmbn s]m¡n Fsâ tZl¯pc¨p. AhÄ¡p kpJw hcp¶Xdnª F\nípw Acs¡«n hnImc¯Å XpS§n. IfnbpsS Ahkm\cwK¯n \\ªmÀ{Zamb AhfpsS Cf¼qÁn Fsâ s]cp¦p® bmsXmcp Zm£nWyhpanÃmsX apgph\mbn Ibdnbnd§n. Hmtcm ]®en\pw AXnsâ ASn¯«nsehnsStbm Ahsâ Xe sN¶nSn¨psIm−ncp¶p. AhfpsS Iqhen\nSbn Fsâ ]m¡p¸nbpw s]m«ns¯dn¨p. hnÃpt]mse hfªv Rms\sâ Ip®¡p«t\ B tX³IqSnsâ AKm[Xbn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v sh«nsh«n ip¢w kvJen¸n¨p. Znhk§fmbn \ndªv k½À±¯n DdªpInS¶ sImgp¯ Ip®¸m apgph³ Fsâ A−n¡pS§Ä IebpsS hnSÀ¶ B Acpa]qdnsâ AKm[Xbnteíp XÅnhn«p. CdpInapdpInb AhfpsS IhbnSp¡n AhÄ A\p`hn¨ BZykpcX¯nsâ kpJw A\nb{´nXamb sR«nhenbepItfmsS B tbm\nbpsS Infp´p `n¯nIÄ BtLmjn¨p. B a·Ys]mbvIbpsS AIt¯ NpÁpIcIÄ hn§p¶ Fsâ a·Yhocsâ ta\níp NpÁpw CfInbpeªp. henªp apdpIns¡m−ncp¶p. \nanj§Ä \o−p \n¶ kpcXkpJ¯nsâ AeIÄ H¶p sI«S§nbt¸mÄ R§Ä c−mfpw hnbÀ¯p Ipfn¨ncp¶p. XfÀ¶ Rm³ CSsít¸mtgm AhfpsS ]pdt¯sím¶p InS¶pt]mbn. Ft¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨ AhÄ¡p izmkw ap«p¶Xp tI«mWp Rm³ Adnbp¶Xv. " At¿m..tamtf.. izmkw ap«ntbmSo s]m¶ptamtf..." Hcp I¶ns¸®nt\ ]®p¶ kpJw BZyamsb\níp X¶ AhtfmsS\níp hÃm¯ kvt\lw tXm¶n. " CsÃSm... tam\p¡p«m... Cu sIS¸ns¡S¶p izmkw ap«n N¯mepw kmcanÃSm..... " At¸mgmWp Rm\m kXyw HmÀ¯Xv. AhfpsS KÀ`]m{X¯nsâ hmXmb\¯n XpS¡W¡n\p Rms\sâ _oPw \nt£]n¨p Ignªp. " At¿m... tamtf... \½fIs¯mgn¨p sh¨tÃmSo... htÃmw ASo ]nSn¨m.... \osb´p a−¯camSo tamtf ImWn¨Xv..." sh{]mft¯msS Rm³ ]dªt¸mÄ InX¸n\nSbnepw AhÄ Nncn¡p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. " lpw... Fsâ cmPqtamt\... Rm\{X a−nsbm¶pasÃSm.... \msf aníhmdpw AsXÃmw IqSn XÅn shfo hcpw... .." AhÄ \msf cPkzebmIpsa¶v. AXn\À°w, AhÄ FÃmw t\ct¯ Xocpam\n¨XmsW¶v. " tM... A¸w \o IcpXn¡q«nbmcpt¶m... CsXm¸n¨Xv... th−mcp¶p tamtf... \nsâ I\yImXzw t]mbtÃmSo..." " AXp t]mIm³ AIs¯mgníW¶p \nÀ_ÔanÃtÃm... \½fp ]Sw hc¨¸tg Fsâ B shesbms¡ t]mbntÃ..." " F´n\mSo... tamtf... \o Adntªm−m she IfªXv....?..." Rm³ kvt\lt¯msS B Ihnfn D½sh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " kmcanÃ... A¶p t]³]nSn¨mÀ¡pw th−m¯ Fsâ aq{X¡pgn Cu _mÀ_dp sicnbm¡nb¸w Rm³ ]dªtXmÀ½sbmt−m..." AhÄ Fsâ Np−n tXm−ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. " H−v... A¶p Rm\Xp th−m¶pw ]dªXtÃ... \nsâ PohnXw Ifªn«v.." " . F¦n... t\cmb kXyw ]dªm... Fsâ cmPp¡p«³ hm s]mfnícpXv..." AhÄ Nncn¨p. " \o ]d... AtÃepw \nsâ ]qdp hms]mfn¨¸w Fsâ hm s]mfnªpIgnªp.... " " CsXsâ BZycm{Xnbm A¦ntf... IeymWw IgnªntÃepw... F\nínãs¸« Fsâ cmPqsâ IqsS... F\nsímcp ^Ìv\bnÁv... GXmbmepw..... Hcníepw Cu A¦nfnt\ F\níp In«ptIe¶dnbmcp¶p... A¦nfp tN¨níp hn[n¨Xm¶m Rm\n¸gpw hnizknípt¶... " AhÄ Fsâ Np−n D½ sh¨p. " A¸w \o....?.."

" AtXt¶... tN¨n CXnsâ _m¡n A\p`hn¨m aXn... PohnX¯n Hcp Imcy¯n C¸w Rm³ tN¨osS ap¶nem... tN¨osS `À¯mhnsâ IqsS BZyw kpJn¨Xn¸w Rm\m.... FÃmÀ¡pw Ft¶ Hcp shteanÃmcp¶p.... tN¨ntb Hcníse¦nepw H¶p tXm¸ním³ In«nb Ahkcw Rm\§p]tbmKn¨p.... " " tN¨osS `À¯msht¶m...? \o `b¦c km[\mWtÃmSo..." " AtX... A¦nfnt\ Cu{]mhiyw BZyw Cu hoSnsâ apÁ¯p I−¸w Rm³ sImXn¨Xm... ]t£ \S¡ptIetÃm... sXm®qsÁm¼Xp iXamt\mw... A`nt¨¨ntb A¦nfn\p In«pw... " " AsX´m s\\¡§s\ tXm¶m³...?.." " ]dbmw... BZyw D®ntb AXos¶m¶qcntí... C¨ncnt¨ \odm³ sXmS§n... \à kptJm−mcp¶XpsIm−v At¶cw thZ\ AdnªnÃ...." Rm³ sasà Fsâ Acs¡«pbÀ¯n. AÀ²ab¡¯nemb Ip® apIfnteíp hen¨t¸mÄ hmIyqan \n¶pw hen¨qcp¶Xpt]mse tXm¶n, A{Xíp apdp¡w. Ahkm\w Ahsâ Xe Ducnt¸m¶t¸mÄ Ip¸nbpsS tImÀ¡p sXdníp¶Xp t]mse Hcp sNdnb iÐw. " At¿m... A¦ntf...FÃmS¯qtSw Heníp¶p... ]mtbsems¡ ]ÁqtÃm... F´m sNbvI..." HcpIbv sIm−v ]qdps]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−v adpIbvsIm−v NpÁpw ]cXn. Rm³ I«nen \n¶pw Xmsgbnd§n. ebnÁn«p. " At¿ ebnÁp th−..." AhÄ Hcp IbvsIm−p I®p s]m¯n. " \ns¶ C§s\ Rms\m¶p ImWs«So tamtf... \o ]dª t]mse C\n..C§s\ Hchkcw In«pthm...?.." " A¦nte ebnÁp \nÀ¯v... F\níp \mWhm... sÈm...F\níp h¿... Cu A¦nfv.... " Rm³ Xmsg¡nS¶ AhfpsS ]mhmSsbSp¯psIm−v AhfptS AcnInencp¶p. ]qdp s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶ Ibv amÁn. \oeOmbbpÅ sh×bn B {XntImW¯nte F®sagp¡v sseÁnsâ sh«¯n Xnf§n. Rm\m h®¯pSIÄ AI¯n sh¨p. Ahft¸mÄ \mWw sIm−p Npfnªp _ew]nSn¨p. F® ]pc− AIwXpSIÄ sh×tbmsS At¸msfm¶p XpSn¨p. ]mXn sh´ ap«bpsS shÅ¡cp t]mse AhfpsS ]qdnsâ Ioden \n¶pw Fsâ PohmWp¡Ä \ndª ip¢w ]pdt¯símeníp¶p. H¶pIqSn t\m¡nbt¸mÄ IqsS cà¯nsâ H¶pc−p \qepIfpw D−v. Rm\Xp ]mhmSbn XpSs¨Sp¯p. XSn¨ ]qÀ¨p−pIÄ H«n¸nSn¨ncp¶psh¦nepw AXnÂ\n¶pw ho−pw tNmcIeÀ¶ an{inXw Hen¨nd§n. Rm³ ]mhmS AhnsS s]m¯n¸nSn¨n«v AhfpsS Ibv AhnsS ]nSn¸n¨p. " \nsâ koep s]m«nsbSo.. tNmc hcp¶p.... C\n IeymWw Ignbp¼w \nsâ sI«ntbmt\ \osb´p ImWnípsaSo..." " AX¶tÃ... A¸¡mWmw... " Fgpt¶Áncp¶v AhÄ HcpIbv sIm−v B apeIÄ adím³ {ian¨p. " slm... C¸w s]®nsâ Hcp \mWw... Ccp«¯v CSn¨It¯m«p tIÁms\s´mcp [rXnbmcp¶p...." Rm\m IbvIÄ ]nSn¨p amÁn. " Fsâ same H¶n\pw sImÅqÃ... AtXm−m... " " \o A{X shjanípsIm¶pw th− tamtf.. \nsâ sameIfp km[mcW Xs¶bm... ]ns¶ C¨nsc XSnsbmÅXpsIm−v sNdpXm¶p tXm¶p¶Xm..." Rm\Xnsem¶p XgpIn. AhÄ s\©p ]pdtIm«p hen¨p \mWt¯msS Nncn¨p. " aXnb¦ntf... C¡nfnbmIp¶p...." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. Ibnen I¿nseSp¯p. " At¿m...A¦nfnsâ Ip«t\epw tZ.... tNmc...." Rm³ Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p t\m¡n. sNdnb tNmc¡p¯pIÄ. " AXp \nsâbmSo... hm IgpIn¡fbmw..." Rm³ ssSw]okn t\m¡n. aWn ]{´−c Ignªp. C\n Bcpw hc¯nÃ. " B F®¡p¸ow IqSn FSpt¯m..." AhÄ tai¸pdt¯íp Nq−n¸dªp. " \o ]Tn¨ IÅnbm... Ft®w IcpXn AI¯p tIÁm³ Xbmdmbn¯t¶bm h¶Xv... AtÃSo... sIm¨pIÅo...." XpWnIfpw hmcn¸nSn¨v AIt¯íp IS¶ AhfpsS sNhnbn Rm³ arZphmbn ]nSn¨p. " " At¿m dn§v... t\mIp¶p..... hnSv.. Rm³ IcpXn¯s¶bm h¶Xv... F¶n«pw Iodnt¸mbn.... F¶mepw CXv ad¡m³ ]ÁptIe... N¯mepw..."

Ipfnapdnbn sN¶v R§Ä c−mfpw At\ym\yw shÅw Hgn¨p sImSp¯p Ipfn¸n¨p. AhÄ Hcp `mcybpsS ]qÀ®hImit¯msS Fsâ Ip® ]nSns¨Sp¯v tkm¸n«p IgpIn. Xncn¨v Rm³ AhfpsS Ih¡nSbpw IgpIns¡mSp¯p. ]qdp hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨p shÅsamgn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ \oÁ sIm−p XpÅn. " At¿m.... th−.. shÅsamgní−...." " IgpIWw tamtf... Ctàhà AWp_mt[sam−mbmtem...?.." " A¸w IeymWw Ignªv FÃmcpw IgpIpthm... ?.." AhÄ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " B... Rm³ I−n«nÃ..." " Hm...Hcp ^enXw..." AhÄ Fsâ Nndnín«p Ip¯n. " Rm³ shÅsamgn¨p Xcmw... \o IgpIv... \odnbmepw C¨nsc DÅntem«p shcen«p IgpIv...." Rm³ shÅw Hgn¨psImSp¯p. AhÄ I®S¨p ]ÃpISn¨p]nSn¨psIm−v DÅn hncen«p sasà IgpIn. Ipd¨p I«càw t]mbn¡n«n. H¸w Fsâ Iptd ]mepw. Ipfníp¶Xn\nSbn apdnhpÅ Fsâ CSXpIbv Rm³ \\bmsX s]m¡n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. AhÄ tZlw tXmÀ¯n¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ Fsâ \\bm¯ Ibv¸¯n H¶p aW¯p. " F´m aW¯p t\m¡p¶Xv... ?.." " Cu Ibv \\¨nÃ... C\nbn¸w AXp IgpIm³ tXm¶p¶nÃ...." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p aW¯p. ]ns¶ apJw Npfn¨p. " At¿... Fs´mcp \mÁw... CsXhnS¶m...?. " " Hm...Imcyw Ignª¸w AhsfÃmw ad¶p. Cu IbvsIm−tà \nsâ abncpsXmf hepXm¡ntb....\nsâ Ipdn¨osS hmbv\mÁm CXv...." Rm³ H¶p IqSn hen¨p aW¯p. " Èn... Cu A¦nfv... NmWI¯nemtWm hf¶Xv... hen¨p tIÁpIm IkvXqcn t]mse.... Ct§m«p sIm−phm...." AhÄ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨p sIm−pt]mbn IgpIn. " AtX... IkvXqcn Xt¶... s\\t¡.....Cu IkvXqcn F´msW¶dnbmthm... s]¬IkvXqcnam\nsâ kmam\¯o¶p ISntIdp¼w Heníp¶ sImg¼m... CXn¸w \ntâXmsW¶p am{Xw.. sÈm... \tÃmcp hmk\bmcp¶p.... AXp aW¡pt¼m Hcp kpJmcp¶p...." " A§s\bn¸w kpJní−...." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv tXmÀ¯p¶Xn\nSív Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \o ]dªtÃm Hcp sXm®qsÁm¼Xp iXam\¯nsâ Imcyw... \osb´psIm−mSo A§s\ ]dtª..?.." F\nídntb−Xv A`n Fs´¦nepw AhtfmSp ]dtªm F¶mbncp¶p. " AtXm... Biq{Xo sh¨v A½ tN¨ntbmSp tNmZníp¶Xp tI«p.... A¦nfnt\ CãmtWm¶v... " " F¶n«v Ahsf´p ]dªp....?..." " H¶pw an−msX Ft¶w kmhn{Xot\w H¶p t\m¡n... A¸w R§fp shfo t]mW¶tà AXnsâ AÀ°w...?.. R§f§p amdn\n¶p.... ]ns¶ At½sS sNhotems«s´ms¡tbm HmXns¡mSp¡p¶Xp tI«p...." " ImfosS tam´ At¶cw F§s\m−mcp¶p....?..." " Ft´m... Hcp s]W¡w Hs¡ BZyw... ]ns¶ A½ tN¨ntb sI«n]nSn¨p Icbp¶q... tN¨n I®p\ocp sXmS¨psImSp¡p¶p... AXns\Sív Cu ]mhw A¦nfnsâ Imcyw kzmlbmbo¶m tXm¶tW... ]ns¶ Ahkm\w ]mÀ«n \Jw H¶p ISníp¶Xp I−p... AXpsIm−m sXm®qsÁm¼sX¶p ]dªXv......" Rm³ Hcp \nanjw H¶p Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ shdptX tNmZn¨p. " Bs« tamtf... Rm\n¸w Hcp ImipImc\mbm... Ahsft¶ sI«pthmSo...?.." " ImfosS Imcyw ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃ... C¨nsc Zpc`nam\nbm km[\w... H¶pw ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃ..." " A¸w Cu ao³ImcosS tam³ shÅw sNma¶Xpw shÅw Fd¡oXpw an¨w AtÃ..." " AÃtÃm... Ft¶ sI«ntím... AYhm A¦nsfmcp tImSoiz\mbm... F\nío kvIqfnt¸m¡p \nÀ¯mhtÃm... Rms\{X thtWepw s]ÁpXcmw... ]¶n¡pªp§fp t]mse ]ntÅscm−mIs«..." " t]Sn¡− tamtf... \nt¶ Rms\mcp cmPIpamct\s¡m−p sI«nípw.... t\m¡ntím.. knIvkvXp ]mkmIWw..tIt«m..." Rm³ hfsc Imcyambn«p ]dªp.

Ahsfsâ XmSnbn ]nSn¨psIm−p Ipªp§tfmSp ]dbp¶Xpt]mse tNmZn¨p. " A¸w Fsâ cmPptam³ tem«dn Sn¡sÁSp¯p AtÃ... ]mhw at\mcmPyw ImWphm... h«mImXncp¶m aXnbmcp¶p.... F¶metà F\nípw hÃt¸mgpsam¶v CXpt]mse H¯pIn«nbm aXnbmIpw... Ių... D−sbms¡ Imenbmbn... At¿m... c−pw sNdpXmbnt¸mbn... " AhÄ Fsâ Ip®¡p«t\ tXmÀ¯n \à shSn¸m¡p¶Xn\nSbn D−IÄ I¿nseSp¯psIm−p ]dªp. " AXp apgph\pw \o \msf XÃn¯qhn¡fbptIte...?.." " ]n¶ÃmsX...... Rms\¶m hbdpw hoÀ¸n¨p \S¡psh¶p hnNmcnt¨m... AXn\o Ite In«¯nÃ...." tXmÀ¯n¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ Ip¯nbncp¶n«v B an\pk¸qdn Hcp D½sh¨p Hcp sam«pt]mse CSbn I− I´n H¶p \¡n.. F¶n«p ]dªp. " CsXm¶p Xn¶Ws¶m−mcp¶p.... AXn\pap¼p \o XÅn AI¯p tIÁotÃ........" AhÄ Acs¡«p ]pdtIm«p hen¨psIm−p ]dªp. " Xn¶mcps¶¦n... Fsâ ¹m³ \S¡ptIemcp¶p.... C\n aXnsbt¶... C¡nfnbmIp¶p... Xcw In«nbm \msf Xn¶ptIm... IpSníptIm sNbvtXm...." " \nÃv Hcpt½w IqsS ..." Rm³ B Ih¡qSp sam¯w apJt¯mSSp¸n¨p apJ¯pc¨p. AhÄ apJw hen¨p amÁns¡m−p sIm©n. ." aXnsbsâ s]m¶p cmPp¡p«m... C§s\sbmt−m Hcp sImXn... C¡W¡ns\sâ tN¨n sImgbphtÃm... Cu tam´ F¸gpw B Imens\tSemcníphtÃm...." apjnª XpWnIÄ AhÄ _¡Án \\¨n«p. ]ns¶ \ábmbn \S¶v apdnbn tIdn. ]pXnb s]Ánt¡ms«Sp¯n«p. F¶n«v I«nenencp¶p Rm³ shdptX Hcp Xamin\v AhfpsS ap¼n sN¶p \n¶v Acs¡«m«n¡mWn¨p. AhÄ Ibv\o«n Xq§nbmSp¶ Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨v H¶p Npw_n¨p. " CsXmcp Iůmt¡mem Ctà A¦ntf..... CXn\p ap¼v Ch³ thtd ]q«p hÃXpw sXmd¶ns«mt−m...?.." " BZymbn«m CXnSms\mcp sXmf In«ntb... AXpw koepsh¨ ]q«v... sXmd¡m\n¨nsc _p²nap«n...]mhw....." " sXmd¶p ae¯nsb¶m sXm¶pt¶... AXp¡q«p ]WnbÃmcpt¶m... F\nínãs¸«p...." AhÄ Aht\ ho−pw ho−pw Npw_n¨p. AhfpsS D½bpsS NqSp In«nbt¸mÄ Ah³ ho−pw s]m§m³ XpS§n. " At¿m tZs− Xtew s]m¡ntím−p hcp¶p... Cs¶\nín\n Iodm³ ht¿.... C¸¯t¶ AhsSms¡ \à \oÁev...." AhÄ Aht\ Ibvhn«p. " \nsâ D−¡pdp¼msSm¶qsS ImWnt¨ tamtf... B IfosS kpJtamÀ¡p¼w CXv hnSmt\ tXm¶p¶nÃ......" AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp s]Ánt¡m«p s]m¡n Ih¨p \n¶p. Rm³ \Sphp Iodnb B tKmX¼p {XntImWw t\m¡n ckn¨p. At¸mgpw AXn \n¶pw Ft´m Hen¨nd§p¶p. " aXnbmbntÃ... C\n t]m... Asæn.... C¶v \a¡nhnsS sIS¡mw sI«n¸nSn¨v.... " AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨hnsS H¶p ap«n¨n«p ]dªp. s]s«¶p Rm\hfpsS I¿n apdpsI¸nSn¨p. " iviviviv ... an−msX... Hmt«mbpsS Fc¸tà B tI¡p¶Xv...?.. H¶p {i²nt¨.... " R§Ä an−msX \n¶p sNhntbmÀ¯p. " AtX... FShgo¡qsS hcpIm¶p tXm¶p¶p..." AhÄ ]dªp. " ebnÁp sISp¯v... thKw ...hm... " Rm³ Ahsfbpw hnfn¨psIm−v Nmbn¸ntetímSn. hmXp¡Â sN¶n«p ]dªp. " Cu hmXnensâ IpÁnbnSv... F¶n«v Ftft½sS apdot¡dn sISt¶m... Rm³ P\en¡qsS hnfníp¼w sXmd¶m aXn... \à Hd¡w tIt«m... HmSv..." AhÄ HmSn. Rm³ ebnÁp sISp¯n. hmXneS¨pIpÁnbn«p. P\en IqSn apÁt¯íp t\m¡n. Hmt«m ho«p]Sní CShgnbn h¶p \n¶p. an\n«pIÄ Ignªt¸mÄ ]SnIbdnhcp¶ cmta«³. apÁ¯p shfn¨ap−mbn«pw ImenSdp¶p. aZy]n¨ t]mse tXm¶p¶p.

hÃt¸mgpsams¡ ho«n hcpt¼mÄ Iq«pImÀ k¡cn¨m am{Xw Aåw Igníp¶ ]Xnhp−¶dnbmw. CXv BSnbmSnbmWn¶v h¶ncníp¶Xv. cmta«³ h¶v Xn®bnteíp Xncnbp¶Xp htctb P\en IqSn F\níp ImWm³ ]ÁpIbpÅp. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ ap³hit¯ hmXnen ap«p¶ iÐw tI«p. " tamtf... Ietamtf....." Ipgª iЯn cmta«³ hnfníp¶p. H¶p c−p {]mhiyw X«nbt¸mÄ Rm³ hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " BcmXv...?.." " tM...?..." " Bcm¶m tNmZn¨Xv ....]mXncmív ieys¸Sp¯p¶Xv...?...." " Rm\mSm.... cmPptamt\... cmta«\m... IXIp sXmd¡v..." " At¿m.. cmta«t\m... " Rm³ ebnÁn«p. apdnbn BsIsbm¶p t\m¡n. At¸mÄ ImWmw ]mbn Ft´m ]Án¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. Hm, IebpsS ]memgn Rm³ ISªt¸mÄ AXn \n¶pw Hen¨nd§nb AarXmbncp¶p AXv. IbnenbpsS AÁw sIm−v AXp XpS¨p. Xmsg t\m¡n, AhfpsS hà Noetbm \n¡tdm atÁm. H¶panÃ. Rm³ IXIp Xpd¶p. cmta«³ BSnbmSn AIt¯íp Ibdn. Rm³ I«nen ]nSn¨ncp¯n. Dd¡¨Shp amXncn I®pIÄ XpS¨psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " cmta«s\´m... Ct{Xw Xmaknt¨.... R§fp hnNmcn¨p C¶n\n hcptIse¶v..." " ]dbmw... Ahsft´y... Fsâ tamfv...Ietamfv... ?.. " Ipgª iЯn cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. Rm³ _mKpw IpSbpw I¿n \n¶pw hm§n tai¸pd¯p sh¨p. " Ahsfmcp H¼sXm¼Xc htc t\m¡nbncp¶p. ]ns¶ Hd§m³ t]mbn...." " F¶m Ahtf... hnfn... Fsâ tamtf hnfn..... IXIp sXmd¡m³ ]d... " " ap³hi¯q¶p hnfn¨m tI¡¯nÃ... \à Hd¡mcnípw.. Rm³ s]mdIn t]mbn P\en X«n t\m¡mw...." Rm³ ]pdt¯índ§n. " Rm\pw hcp¶p...." F¶pw ]dªv cmta«\pw BSnbmSn Fsâ ]pdtI h¶p. hoSn\p ]pdIphis¯¯nbt¸mÄ \nemshfn¨w am{XtabpÅp. cmta«³ F´ntem X«n hogm³ XpS§n. Rm³ Xm§n. ]pdIn Ip«nIfpsS apdnbpsS P\en¦Â sN¶v cmta«³ X«n. " tamtf... Ietamtf... AO³ hs¶So...hmXn sXmd¡v..." " Ahfn¶v \n§sS apdoem sIS¡pt¶¶p ]dªmcp¶p.... A`n ]dªn«m¶pw ]dªp..." " Mm... icnbm.... A`ntamfp ]dªmcp¶p... {]tXyIw kq£níW¶v... F´p kq£n¡m³... FÃmcpw tXm¶p¶t]msebtà C¸w sN¿pt¶..." R§Ä cmta«sâ apdnbpsS P\en X«n. BZyw A\¡sam¶pw CÃ. Rm³ Aåw Dds¡ hnfn¨p. " Ite... Ite... Hs¶gpt¶tÁ... tZ... AO³ h¶p... Ite..." " Mqw... Bcm..." AI¯p\n¶pw Hcp aqf tI«p. " FSo tamtf... AO\mSo..." cmta«³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Ite ...\o Fgpt¶Áp hmXnsem¶p sXmdt¶..." Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " \nÃv... hcmw..." AhÄ AIt¯ ebnÁn«p. Rm³ P\en IqsS AIt¯íp t\m¡n. AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp. IpfnIgnªpSp¯ s]Ánt¡m«mbncp¶p thjw. AhÄ apdníp ]pdt¯índ§p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ Rm³ cmta«t\ hnfn¨p. " hm.. Ahfp hmXnep sXmd¡ps¶m−v..." c−p \nanj§Ä Ignªt¸mÄ Ie h¶p ]pdInte hmXn Xpd¶p. `mKyw. Ct¸mÄ s]Ánt¡m«n\p ]pd¯v Hcp ]mhmSbpw »ukpw C«n«p−v. »uknsâ lp¡pIÄ C\nbpw _m¡n InS¡p¶p. cmta«³ AI¯p Ibdnbt¸mÄ ]pdIn \n¶pw Rm³ AhtfmSv »ukv F¶v BwKyw Im«n. AhÄ _m¡n lp¡pIfn«p. R§Ä aq¶p t]cpw DuWptaiícn h¶p. cmta«³ taibnteíp Xe Nmbn¨pInS¶p. " cmta«³ hÃXpw Ignt¨m.... IpfnísW¦n shÅw NqSm¡n¯cmw...." " th−... " kwkmcnípt¼mÄ Nmcmb¯nsâ aWw t]mse F\níp tXm¶n. " F¦n hÃXpw Ignív... F´m C{X Xmakn¨Xv....." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. Ie ]pdIn \n¶v AOsâ apSn tImXn.

" Bip]{Xo¶v kab¯ns\d§oXm... a\Ênsâ shjaw IqSnb¸w... _mdnsem¶p tIdn... Fd§nb¸w Xmakn¨pt]mbn..... ]ns¶ _kp In«oÃ... Ìm³Unencp¶v Hd§nt¸mbn... Hcp t]meokpImc³ hnfns¨mW¯n... ]ns¶ Htcmt«msbSp¯nt§m«p t]m¶p...." " AtXXmbmepw \¶mbn... F¶m... tNmdp®v...." Rm³ ]m{X§fpsS aqSn amÁn. " C¨nsc D®mw... " cmta«³ tNmdn I¿nSms\mcp§n. " GXmbmepw BZyw I¿pw samtJmw H¶p IgpIv...." Rm³ At§tc ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p Ipfnapdnbnteíp sIm−pt]mbn. Ie ]pdtI F¯n. tNmdp Ipg¨p hmcnb cmta«³ Ft´m Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ t\m¡n. B I®pIÄ \\bp¶p. ]mhw, Rmt\mÀ¯p. " cmPq...tamt\...." BÀ{Zamb kzc¯n cmta«³ Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " s\\¡p htÃmw AdnbmthmSm....? F´n\mSm...AhfnXp sNbvtX... ]dsbSm... Ahtf Bsc´p sNbvXn«mSm... " " F\nídnb¯nà cmta«m... sNe¸w hà shjathm IpÁt_m[thm ImWpw..... aÁptÅmcptS a\Êv \½sf§\m Ado¶Xv...?.." " A`ntamfp hà tZjys¸SptIm atÁm... sNe¸w Ahs¡mcp tXm¶em...." cmta«³ clkyw t]mse tNmZn¨p. " tlbv.. Rm\nhnsS h¶n«v CtXhtc Hs¶mds¡ t]mepw c−pt]cpw kwkmcn¨p tI«n«nÃ.... Ahct½w tamfpw \à kvt\l¯nem....." " sl¶mepw Cu ho«nev.... Rm\mtcw H¶p hg¡p ]dbpIt]mepw sNbvXn«nÃ..... Cu ]ntÅtc Hcp CuÀ¡nen sIm−p t]mepw... F¶n«pw..." ]ns¶bpw At±lw hnXp¼p¶p. tNmdpcpf I¿n Xt¶. " cmta«³ ad¶pIf.. \S¡ms\mÅXp \S¶p...Ftf½í§s\mc_²w ]Án... £anív..." " Rms\Ãmw £anípt¶m\mSm.... s\\¡dnbmthm... Rm\htf sI«p¼w...Ah¡v..." " sIm¼pw hmepw Xtesams¡ H−mcp¶p.... tamfnhnsS \níp¶Xp I−ntÃ... AXpanXpw ]dbmsX tNmdp®v... Atà t]mbns¡S¡v... k¦Ssam−mIp¼w....IÅpIpSn¨m AXp IqSt¯sbmÅp..." Rm³ Aåw Dd¨ kzc¯n ]dªp. " Mm... AXp t\cm... F¶m Ignímw.... \o ]dªXm t\cv... an−−... tamfp t]mbns¡St¶m... AO\n¨nsc IpSn¨XpsIm−m... C§s\..... tamfp shjaní−... tIt«m....." ]ns¶ Ietb hen¨Sp¸n¨v Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯p. " s]mtím.. Hd§ntím... AO\pt−¨p ]Xps¡ sISt¶mfpw...." Rm³ IetbmSp ]dªp. " C¶p Rm\Osâ IqsS sISt¶mt«...?.." Ie tNmZn¨p. AhfpsS kzc¯n AOt\mSpÅ kvt\lw, klXm]w. " Mqw.... tamfp t]mbn sISt¶m.. AO³ ht¶mfmw...." Ie t]mbn¡gnªv Igním³ XpS§nb cmta«³ ho−pw \nÀ¯n Ft´m Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ ]nSn¨v ASp¯ Itkcbnencp¯n. Fsâ tXmfn ]nSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " C¶p \obnÃmcps¶¦n.... Fsâ imcZ... slm....HmÀ¡m³ IqSn h¿... C\nsbm¶pw th−.. Rm³ hà \m«nepw sIS¡phtÃ... ChnsS h¶v.... hà Irjow sNbvXv PohníWw... " " kmcanà cmta«m... C¸w Rms\m−tÃm... Rm³ t]mIp¼w... thsdmcmfp hcpw...." " A¸w \o t]mIpw... AtÃ....?... Mm ]co£ Igo¼w \o t]mIpw.... s\\¡dnbmthm.... \nâO\pw Rm\pw IqsS ]s−mcp hm¡p ]dªns«m−mcp¶p...." " Blm.... hmt¡m...?...F´p hm¡m AXv...?.." " Hm, Atà t]ms«... AsXmcp Xami... C¶n¸w \obmcv... Rm\mcv... hms¡ms¡ C¸w ]g©m¡mbntÃ... F\níp aXn.... \o Hd§ntím.. ]m{Xw Rm³ IgpIn sht¨mfmw..." " th−....cmta«³ sISt¶m... Rm³ sNbvtXmfmw...." Rm³ At§tc hens¨gpt¶Â¸n¨v Ipfnapdnbnteíp hn«p. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Ipfnapdnbn \n¶pw Hm¡m\níp¶ iÐw tI«p. ]ntÁ¶p cmhnte Xs¶ Rms\gpt¶Áp. B ho«nse apÁaSn Hgn¨pÅ tPmenIsfÃmw sNbvXp. {]mXen\p I¿n In«nbXv ]p«ps]mSnbpw ]bdpambncp¶p. Iebpw cmta«\pw Fgpt¶Â¡m³ sshIpsa¶v F\nídnbmambncp¶p. Ie Dd¡anf¨p kpJamsbmcp I¶nkwt`mKhpw IgnªpÅ Dd¡w. AhÄ¡o {]`mXw BZycm{XnbpsS _m¡nbmWv.

cmta«³ Ipfnapdnbn kpμcambn cm{Xn hmfpsh¨p. At¸mÄ Xt¶ AXp apgph³ IgpImsX B ho«n InS¡m³ ]ÁnÃmbncp¶p. Ft´m, tPmenIsfms¡ sN¿pt¼mÄ F\nsímcp k´mjw. Ie ]dª sXm®qsÁm¼Xp iXam\w, AsXt¸mgpw a\Ên \ndªp \n¶p. ]mepsIm−p h¶t¸mÄ A¶p c−p ]míÁp IqSpX hm§n. ImcWw ]m{X§Ä X¸pt¼mÄ Hcp sXÀtam^vfmkvIp In«nbncp¶p. a[pcapÅ ]m Fsâ A`ncman IpSnípt¼mÄ AhfpsS apJ¯p hncnbp¶ kt´mjw AXp Rm³ a\Ên I−p. ao³Imct\mSp Nmfbpw hm§n. DWÀs¶gpt\Áv DuWpapdnbn Ibdnb c−pt]cpw AÛpXs¸«p. ASp¡f¸pd¯v ao³ sh«ns¡m−ncp¶ Fsâ ASpt¯ív Ie {]bmks¸«p \S¶p h¶p. " F´p ]ÁnsbSo... \nsâ Imen\v...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Imen\Ã.. Imens\tSem... Hcp henhpw Hs¡ tXm¶Wp.... apÅnb¸w sNdnb \oÁepw...." " kmcanÃ... Fgpt¶Á HSs\bmbXpsIm−m.... \o Cu apÁ¯pIqSn c−paq¶p h«w \St¶... Rc¼pw aknepw Hs¡ Abbp¼w thZ\sbms¡ t]mIpw... " " Fsâ ssZhta... Cu A¦nfp cmhnte Fs´ms¡bm sNbvXncnípt¶... ao³ Rm³ sh«tWm...?.." " th−... \o AOt\ hnfn¨v Im¸nsImSp¡v...." " AO³ XethZ\bm¶pw ]dªv AhnsS Ccns¸m−v..." " ChnsS KpfnIsbm¶pw CtÃ... cs−®w FSp¯psImSv.... k¦Sm¶pw ]dªv... IÅSn¨m C§s\bm... t]mcmªn«v hmfpshíptIw sNbvXp.... \o sNÃv.... CXn¸w Ignbpw...." D¨ípap¼v Bip]{Xnbn tNmdpw IdnIfpw F¯nbnsæn AhÀ Iâo\n \n¶pw Ignípw. At¸mÄ Fsâ _p²naps«ms¡ thÌmIpw. ]¯paWntbmsS FÃmw sdUn. Rm³ DuWpapdnbn sNÃpt¼mÄ cmta«³ H¶pw Ign¨n«nÃ. " cmta«s\´m IgnímªXv...?.." " cmhnte XethZ\... ]ns¶ hbdpw icnbÃ... \o IqsS hct«¶p IcpXn... F´n\mSm \o Ct{Xw _p²nap«p¶Xv... Ietamfp hà Iªow sht¨mfphmcp¶tÃm...." " F\nínsXm¶pw _p²nap«Ã... Rm³ ho«n F¶pw sNbvtXm−ncp¶XtÃ... shfp¸ns\ A½ t]mbn¡gnªm¸ns¶ tImtfPn t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Rm³ FÃmw sdUnbm¡pw.. F¶mepw aníhmdpw ^Ìv ]ocoUp In«ptIemcp¶p...." R§Ä `£Ww Ignípt¼mÄ Ie IS¶p h¶p. " \o htÃmw Ignt¨mSo.. Bip]{Xo hcpt¶m...?... C¶p kvIqfnÃtÃm..." " hctWms¶m−v....]t£..." AhÄ AO³ ImWmsX Ft¶ AhfpsS ap³hit¯íp Nq−n¡mWn¨n«p apJw Npfn¨p. " \obpw t]mcv tamtf... HÁínhnsS Ccní−... Atàtat\m³tN«âhnsS s]mtím..." " th− Rm\pw hcpIm...." " F¶m thKw Hcp§v..." Rm³ ]dªp. " AOm \a¡o A¦nfns\ ChnS¶p hnS−.... \à D{K³ ]mNIam... amSpt]mse ]WnsbSpt¯mfptIw sN¿pw...." " AXp Rm³ I−XtÃ... Cu ]bdpIq«m³ Xt¶ t\m¡v... \à Ibv¸pWyw..." cmta«³ Ft¶ ]pIgv¯n. " Nmf¡dn... Ie¡os«m−v... F´n\m CsXms¡ C¸w sh¨Xv... Ahscms¡ Bip]{XoetÃ..." Ie tNmZn¨p. " Imâo³ `£Ww sImůnÃ.. C¸w c−pt]À¡pw \à Blmcw thWw... c−pt]À¡pw càw \ãs¸«XtÃ..." Rm³ ]dªXptI«v Ie ]pdIn \n¶pw "A¿Sm.. .Fs´mcp kvt\lw" F¶ AÀ°¯n Ft¶ sImª\w Im«n. " ÌUo eohp sXmS§nbmepw A¦nfnhnsS \n¶p ]Tn¨m aXn...tIt«m... " Ie ]dªn«v AOsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n. " \osb´dnªp tamtf... Ch\n¸w Bcm¶m \nsâ hnNmcw...\½fp ]nSn¨msem¶pw ]nSnIn«¯nÃ..." cmta«³ ]dªp. " cmta«m..." Rm³ Xm¡oXp cq]¯n hnfn¨p. " Hm... F{X s]m§nbmepw... Hcp ]od k_n³kvs]Îdp hsc... At{XbtÃsbmÅp... " Ie ]dªp.

" Mm... Iãs¸Sp¶htc Cuizc³ IbvhnS¯nÃ... F¶m Rms\mcp§mw... " cmta«³ Fgpt¶Áp. apdnbn t]mbn ap−p amdn. jÀ«nsâ _«Wpan«v hcpt¼mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " cmta«m.. C¶se AO\pambn«v Ft´m Hcp hm¡nsâ Imcyw ]dªtÃm... C¶se cmta«sâ s\e A{X ]´nbÃmcp¶XpsIm−v IqSpXep Rm³ tNmZn¨nÃ... F´mcp¶p AXv..." " AXnt¸m.... C\n ]dªn«p ImcyanÃ.... As¶mcp Znhkw.... A`osS tNmdqWn\msW¶m HmÀ½... Hcp Xamiv \nâ½ ]dªp... At¶cw A`oS½ AX§v Gkp shíptIw sNbvXp.... D®p¶Xn\pap¼v A¶p R§fp c−pt]cpw C¨nsc hoin tLmjn¨¸w... IrjvW³ Ip«ow ]dªp AXpXt¶... " " kwKXn F´mcp¶p... B Xami F´mcp¶q¶p ]d....." cmta«³ Fsâ apJt¯sím¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Fsâ Ihnfnsem¶p XShnbn«p ]dªp. " tIiq¯cIsâ sIm¨ptam\n\n B Xami tI«n«p ImcyansÃSm... s\\¡p sNe¸w ckns¨¶pw hcnÃ.... Mm... \o hcpIm¶tà ]dªXv... F¶m Hcp§v.... Ite sIm−pt]mIms\mÅsXms¡ FSpt¯mfq... c−pt]À¡pw amdms\mÅ XpWnIfp ad¡−...." cmta«³ hnjbw amÁn. cmta«t\ C\n \nÀ_Ôn¨n«p Imcyansöp tXm¶n. Rm³ Nmbn¸n sN¶p sdUnbmbn. shfp¸ns\ NmÀPp sN¿m³ sh¨ncp¶ _mÁdn ^nÁp sNbvXp, tS¸pan«v Iymadm {]tXyI ISemkn s]mXnsªSp¯p. ASp¡fbn Ibdn s]mXnIfpw ^vfmkvIpsaSp¡pt¼mÄ AOtâbpw aIfptSbpw kw`mjWw Rm³ sNhntbmÀ¯p. " Rm\pw AXp Xs¶bm tamtf BtemNníp¶Xv.... kÀhoknencníp¼w Xs¶ \nsâ tN¨osS IeymtWmw \S¯Ww... F¶mte kÀhoknsemÅ \à ]¿½mtc In«s¯mÅq... Rm³ sNescmsSms¡ ]dªns«m−v... ]−ncp¶ kvYe¯v Fsâ Iq«pImscmt−... GsX¦nepw \ÃsXm¯p hcpw... " " AXp th−¨m... tN¨nív... \½sS A¦nfnt\t¸mse Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³ aXn.... Asæn... A¦nfmbmse´m... c−p t]cpw \à tNÀ¨bm..." " AXp Nn´ní− tamtf... " " AsX´m... A¦nfn\p kÀ¡mcp tPmenbnÃmªn«mtWm...?.. t]meokn ]Wn In«ptIte...?.. " " In«pw... F¶mepw AXp \S¡psh¶p tXm¶p¶nÃ.... AXp \a¡p ]s¿ BtemNnímw... Fd§mw... tamfp IXIn\p IpÁnbnSv... cmPq..." cmta«³ Ft¶ hnfn¨p. Fsâ ASnhbÁn Hcp I¯Â. Im¯p kq£n¨ A`ncmansb¶ IkvXqcnam¼gw, XqWpw Nmcn \n¡p¶ GtXm kÀ¡mÀ KpakvX³ ASnt¨m−p t]mIpsat¶m. AXmtemNním³ IqSn tae. C\nsb´m sNbvI. apSnbm³ t\c¯v Rm³ tIdn Hcp ]W¡mc\mbn. tImSnIfpsS kz¯nsâ DSabmb Rm³ A`ntb kzoIcnínÃm F¶p ]mhw cmta«³ hnizkníp¶p. B hnizmkw amÁntb ]Áq. A`ntb F\níp thWw Ahsfsâ s]®mWv. Ahtf Rm\mÀ¡pw sImSp¡¯nÃ. ]t£ AsX§s\. s]®nt\ tamãním³ ]Á¯nÃtÃm. s]s«¶v F\níp shfnhp In«n. F´n\p hfª hgn Nn´n¡Ww. t\Àhgn InS¡pIbtÃ. AXp aXnbtÃm. Rms\mcp a−³. shdptX AXpanXpw Nn´n¨v hebp¶p. Mqw, BZyw hgnbnepÅ hnjapÅpIfpw XSʧfpw amÁWw. GXmbmepw AXn¶p c−nsem¶dnbpw. Bip]{XnbnteípÅ _Ênencnípt¼mÄ Rm³ B cwKw a\Ên H¶p hn`mh\w sNbvXv dotlgvk FSp¡pIbmbncp¶p. R§tf¡− A`ncman Itkcbn \ns¶gpt¶Áv Hgnª I«nen Nmcn \n¶p. Ftf½ I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. Ie A½bpsS IqsS I«nen sN¶ncp¶p. cmta«sâ apJ¯v hnjmZw Dudn¡qSn. F¦nepw `mcytbmSp Ipie§Ä tNmZn¨p. B kab¯v Rm³ ^vfmkvIp Xpd¶v c−p ¥mkn ]m ]IÀ¶p. Hs¶Sp¯v Ftf½íp sImSp¯p. ASp¯Xv tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«v A`ntb t\m¡n. " th−mcp¶p. Rm\n¸w Nmb IpSn¨tX DÅp....." Rm\§p hÃmXmbn. DÂkmlt¯msS D−m¡n BÀ¡p th−n sIm−pht¶m B BÄ AXp \nÊmcambn \nckn¨t¸mÄ a\Ên hnjaw tXm¶n. ]ns¶ HmÀ¯p CXhfpsS

kvYncw \¼ctÃ. H¶pw k½XníbnÃ, F¶mÂ, Ahkm\w ASnbdhp ]dbpIbpw sN¿pw. Rm³ ]dªp. " \nÀ_Ôníp¶nÃ.... NqtSmsS C¸w IpSn¨m.... D®mdmIpt¼mÄ hbdp ImenbmIpw.. AXpsIm−m Hgn¨Xv...." " Ah³ Iãs¸«p \ap¡p th−n D−m¡nsIm−p h¶Xtà tamtf..." Ftf½ ]m sam¯ns¡m−p ]dªp. " Rm³ sImd¨p Ignªp IpSnt¨mfmw... kvYeanÃ..." shdptX Ka ]dbp¶p, F\níp a\Ênembn. " CsX´m cmPq... CXns\mcp sNmh...?.." Ftf½ apJw Npfn¨p. " At½...]d¼o¶v GtXm FeIsfms¡ ]dn¨n«m Im¨ocníp¶Xv... \n§¡p c−pt]À¡p s]s«¶p càw shím³...." Ie ]dªp. At¸mÄ A`n Ft¶ HfnI®n«p t\m¡p¶Xv Rm³ I−nsöp \Sn¨p. " Cu Febn«p Im¨nb ]m IpSn¨m Znhk§Ä¡pÅn càw hÀ²nípw... " Rm³ ]dªp. " F¶ns«\níp X¶Xp shdpw ]mev am{Xw..." IebpsS ]cmXn. " s\\¡mhiy¯n IqSpXep càw C¸sgm−v... an−mXncn...." Rm³ ]dªXptI«v FÃmhcptSbpw apJ¯v aμlmkw. Ie apJw hoÀ¸n¨p. " Rm³ t]mIphm... tImtfPnsem¶p t]mWw... Xncn¨v Rm³ t\tc ho«ntem«p t]mIpw... ]ns¶... FÃmÀ¡pw tNmdpw Idosam−v... s]md¯q¶p hm§−... Ftf½ hn{ianív..." Rm³ FÃmhcptSbpw apJ¯p t\m¡n. " sshIn«t¯ív \à ]p¯³ Idn sht¨¡tW...." Ie ]dªp. " sht¨¡mSo... sImXn¨n¸mdq..." Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n hmXn Nmcn. Aåt\cw shfnbn Im¯p \n¶p. F¶n«v Adnbm¯ amXncn hmXn Xpd¶p. " tkmdn, Fsâ _msKSp¡m³ ad¶p...." Rm³ Ibdns¨Ãpt¼mÄ A`n ]m IpSn¨pXoÀ¯n«v Np−p XpSíp¶p. ¥mkv I¿nÂ. Ft¶¡− AhÄ¡v Hcp N½tem \mWtam. Rm³ AhfpsS apJt¯ípw I¿nencp¶ ¥mÊnteípw H¶p t\m¡n. Rm³ Ibdn hcpt¼mÄ aq¶pt]cpw IqSn NÀ¨bnembncp¶Xp t]mse. Rm³ t]mIm³ Xncnªt¸mÄ Ie ]dbp¶p. " GXmbmepw ^m\nt« ]Áq....Fs´mcp NqSm...." Rm³ apIfnteíp t\m¡n. apdnbn ^m³ Id§p¶p−v. AXp I− cmta«³ ]dªp. " Cu ^m\nsâ ImcyaÃ... ho«n ^m\nSp¶ Imcym..." " ho«ntem... C\nsbhnsSbm Xnt®tem...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Aà cmPq... A`n ]dbphmcp¶p... Nmbn¸n HSt\ Hcp ^m³ taSn¨nSW¶v... Nmbv¸n\p s]m¡anÃm¯sIm−v F´p sN¿W¶p Nn´níphmcp¶p.... Xte ap«pw..." Ftf½ hniZoIcn¨p. " ^m³ \ÃXpXt¶... F¶mepw... ]Xps¡ aXnbtÃm... AhSmsc¦nepw kvYncmbn«p sIS¡m³ sXmS§o«p t]mtc... F´n\m C¸w....Imip Itft¶...?.." Rm\pw Hc`n{]mbw ]dªp. A`n hnc sIm−v tai¸pd¯v Ft´m tImdp¶p. " F¦n X¡mew Hcp tS_nÄ^m³ taSnímw..." cmta«³ A`n{]mbs¸«p. " cmta«m... F\níp th−n cmta«³ ^m³ hm§nítWm... " " ]n¶mcm hm§nítW... cq]m F{X thW¶m hnNmcw..." Ie NmSnt¨mZn¨p. " AXp kmcanà tamtf.... ao³ hnÁmepw Imip In«pw... F\níp thWsa¶p tXm¶p¼w.... thtW Rm³ hm§nt¨mfmw..." A`n Ft¶ kmIqXw t\m¡n. AXnsâ AÀ°w Ct{Xw sheshítWm tamtt\ F¶mbncp¶p. " ]nt¶... FbÀI−oj\mcnípw shím³ t]mtW... F´n\m A¦ntf... Cu NqS¯v sIS¡pt¶... AO³ hm§m¶p ]dªntÃ..." Ie Fsâ t\tc X«nt¡dn. " Ah³ th−nh¶m sNe¸w FbÀI−oj\pw hm§pw AtÃSm...?.." cmta«³ Ft¶ t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " cmta«m...." Rm³ Xm¡oXnsâ kzc¯n hnfn¨p.

" GtXm shÃy tem«dn Sn¡sÁSp¯ns«¶m tXm¶pt¶.... In\mhpw I−p \S¡pIm ]mhw... C¶se Ft¶mSp ]dªp.... Fso, \nt¶ Rms\mcp cmPIpamct\s¡m−p sI«nípw... C¡W¡n\mtW aníhmdpw sN¼c¯n¸q sNhnsítS tIdpw..." Ie ]dªXp tI«v cmta«s\mgn¨pÅhÀ Nncn¨p. cmta«³ Ft¶ AÀ°KÀ`ambn H¶p t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨p. " Ietamtf... Cu A¦nfp hm¡p ]dªm hm¡m... \o ]Tns¨mcp§nbncpt¶m... A¸w \msf¡mWmw...." cmta«sâ apJ¯p t\m¡n Rm³ ]dªp. Rm\Xp ]dbpt¼mÄ A`nbpsS apJ¯v Hcp Hcp Ifnbm¡n¨ncn. F\ním cwKw hfsc Cãs¸«p. C§s\ apJw aqSnbWnbp¶Xnepw Hcp ckap−v. Rm³ t\tc t]mbXv Pm³knsâ Xmhf¯nteímbncp¶p. Fsâ I¿nte ]Ww Xocmdmbncp¶p. A½bpsS aWntbmÀUÀ CXphtc h¶nÃ. A½ ap¯Osâ ho«nemtWm AtXm R§fpsS hmSI ho«nemtWm F¶pw Adnb¯nÃ. C¶n\n tImtfPn sN¶m Ah[nZnhkambXpsIm−v aWntbmÀUÀ h¶mepw In«pIbnÃ. Fgp¯pt−m F¶p t\m¡mw. Pm³knt\bpw Iq«n t\tc tImtfPnteíp t]mbn. Bin¨Xpt]mse A½bpsS I¯p−mbncp¶p. Pm³knt\ Rm³ I¯nte ]W¯nsâ `mKw ImWn¨p. A½ HcmgvNbmbn A½bpsS ho«nemWv. ap¯O³ ]gbXnepw \¶mbt{X. Ft¶ ImWm³ sImXnbmIp¶p. AXpsIm−v Rm³ DSt\ H¶p sNÃWw. _m¦n \n¶pw Pm³sk\níp Ipd¨p ]WsaSp¯p X¶p. Ahsâ ss_¡n Xs¶ s_©ansâ Bip]{Xnbnteíp ]pds¸«p. Bip]{XníSp¯pÅ ISbn \n¶pw Iptd Hmd©pw ap´ncnbpsams¡ hm§nhenb Hcp k©nbnem¡n Xq¡n¸nSn¨p. ]g§Ä¡nSbn Iymadm Hfn¸n¨p sh¨p. Bip]{Xnbn R§Ä sNÃpt¼mÄ GXm−v aq¶p aWn Ignªncp¶p. dnk]vj\n sN¶v th¸pwXdbn cmcn¨³ Fs¶mcmÄ ChnsS Dt−m F¶t\zjn¨p. cPnÌdn t\m¡nbn«v AhÀ Ft¶mSp t_mÀUp t\m¡m³ ]dªp. A§s\ Hcp t]cn Bcpw AhnsS NnInÂkbnenÃ. C\n thsd t]cmtWm cPnÌdn F¶pw AdnbnÃ. AtXm sambvXphpw Iq«cpw \½tf hlnt¨m. Ipd¨p t\cw AhnsS NpÁn¸Án \n¶p. ]ns¶ R§Ä aq¶mw \nebnteíp ]SnIÄ \S¶p Ibdn. aq¶mw \nebpsS hmXn¡se¯nbt¸mÄ Hcp AÁ³UÀ R§tf XSªp. R§Ä tcmKnbpsS t]cp ]dªp. AhnsS A§s\ BcpanÃ. ImÀUpÅhÀt¡ AhnsS {]thi\apÅp. R§Ä XncnsI Xmsg h¶p \n¶mtemNn¨p. F´p sN¿pw. Cu Bip]{Xn Hcp {]tXyIXc¯nepÅXmWv. aÁpÅhÀ FSp¡m¯ \nbahncp²cmb tcmKnIÄ, Kp−IÄ F¶nhtc clkyambn NnInÂkn¨v Imip hmcp¶ s_©an³ F¶ Hcp `njKzcsâ DSakvXbnepÅXv. ImipÅ s]®p§Ä AhnlnXKÀ`§Ä Dcp¡m³ F¯p¶Xpw ChnsS¯t¶. t]meokn \à ]nSnbpÅ ]mÀ«n. _ew {]tbmKnípItbm hg¡p−m¡pItbm sNbvXm t]meoknsâ XÃpsImÅmw Fs¶mcp {]tbmP\w am{Xw. A§s\ \n¡pt¼mÄ ImWmw, sambvXp en^vÁn \n¶pw Cd§n hcp¶p. I¿n c−p henb ^vfmkv¡pIfpw Xq¡n¸nSn¨v. Rm³ Ahs\t¶ ImWmXncním³ Xncnªp \n¶p. slm, GXmbmepw c£s]«p, tXSnb hÅn Imen NpÁnbncníp¶p. Pm³knt\mSp Xbmdmbn \n¶psImÅm³ ]dªp. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ sambvXp Xncn¨p h¶p. AhcpsS In¦c·mÀ NpÁnepw Dt−m F¶p \nÝbanÃ. c−pw Iån¨v Rm³ t\tc sN¶v hnfn¨p. " sambvXq..." " tM... At¿m... Cbmtfm... " sambvXp BsI hnc−p. hndím³ XpS§n. " sambvXp ..._lfsam¶pap−m¡−... Rm³ Ipg¸ap−m¡m³ h¶XÃ... imcZm½ ]dªn«p h¶Xm... hnhcw H¶pw Adnbm³ h¿m F¶pw ]dªv..... Icªpw Iqhow Ahcv sIS¡m³ tXmS§o«v Znhksa{Xbmsb¶dnbmthm... Ahkm\w Rms\Ãmw ad¶p.... F´p ]−mtcm Bbnt¸ms«... tZ CXp It−m, Ahcp {]tXyIw ]dªn«v sIm«¡W¡n\m ]g§fp hm§nbXv.... C\n sambvXq\p thtW... Fsâ XpWn apgph³ ]dn¨p ]cntim[nímw... Rm³ Hcp sImg¸¯n\pw h¶XÃ... B kv{XobpsS I®ocnsâ im]w In«m−ncním³ th−n am{Xw... F\nív...samXemfntb H¶p ImWWw.. " " F¶mepw F´p ]dªm... " sambvXphn\p ]nt¶bpw Hcp kwibw.

" sambvXq... AhcsS k¦Sw I−m... sambvXp t]mepw Icªp t]mIpw... " " samXemfn Btcw hnS−m¶m ]dªncníp¶Xv... c−p aq¶mfpIfpw D−v.... Ah½mcp k½XníptIe.." sambvXp Ibv aeÀ¯n. " Fsâ sambvXq... thtW... \osbt¶ Xncn¨p XÃntím... \n¶pXcmw... Rms\s´¦nepw hnhtcmambn«p sN¶ntàB s]®p¼nÅ C¶v shjw IpSnípw.... sambvXq\pw CXnsemcp ]s¦mÅXtÃ.... Rm\n¸w acymZ¡mc\m... Cu ]tgmw sImSp¯v At§scsS hmbo¶v \à c−p hm¡pw tIt«m−p t]mWw... Atït¶ Cu shteymcpambn«v \½sf´n\m s]W§pt¶... \ap¡Xp `mho Zqjyta sN¿s¯mÅq¶v a\Ênem¡m³ Rm\n¨nsc sshInt¸mbn..."" Rm³ ]g¯nsâ henb ¹mÌnIv k©n sambvXphnsâ ap¼nteíp amÁnsh¨psImSp¯p. sambvXp H¶pc−p Hmd©pIÄ Cf¡n t\m¡n. ]ns¶ sam¯w H¶p Ipep¡n t\m¡n, NpÁnepw t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Ft¶ t\m¡n. " C\n Ft¶ ]cntim[nív....." Rm³ jÀ«qcm³ `mhn¨p. " th−... en^vtÁ tIds«...." R§Ä aq¶p t]cpw en^vÁn Ibdn. en^vÁv Hm¸tdÁÀ t\m¡n\nÂt¡ R§tf c−p t]tcbpw ASnapSn ]cntim[n¨p. ]ns¶ en^vÁv tatem«p hn«p. aq¶mw \nebpsS AÁ¯pÅ apdnbpsS hmXn¡ s_©nencp¶ Hcp XSnb³ R§tf XSªp. " Mqw... Chscms¡ Bcm....." Ah³ tNmZn¨p. " \½sS Bfp Xs¶bm...." ]ns¶ XSnbsâ sNhnbn Ft´m a{´n¨p. " \n§fnhnsS \nÃv... tNmZn¨n«p hcs«..." sambvXp ^vfmkvIpIfpambn AIt¯íp t]mbn. XSnb³ ]míÁn I¿n«v Htcmds©Sp¯p. Rm³ ]dªp. " tN«m.. samXemfníp hfsc th−s¸« Hcmfp sImSp¯b¨Xm..." FSp¡cpXv F¶ AÀ°¯n Rm³ ]dªp. " AXns\´m... samXemfn ChnsS ]g¡S sXmS§m³ t]mIphmtWm... CXp apgph\pw ChnsSbncp¶p Nobt¯ DÅp... At§À¡p Xn¶ms\m¶pw h¿..." " F¶m¸ns¶ tN«³ cs−®w IqtS FSpt¯m..." Rm³ k©n apt¶m«p \o¡n sh¨psImSp¯p. XSnb³ aq¶p\mse®w FSp¯p s_©n sh¨p. Hmd©p s]mfn¨p Xn¶p¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ XSnbt\mSp tNmZn¨p. " samXemfnsí¶m ]ÁnbXm...?.." " HcmIvknUâm..." " C¸w F§s\sbm−v....?.." " Xtete apdnhp Icnbm³ sXmS§n. AXp sImtd tX¼nt¸mbmcp¶p. It¿te kmcanÃ..... XmSow hmcnsbÃpam {]iv\w..... XmSn FfInsb¶m tI«Xv... hÀ¯mt\mw Ign¸pw Hcmgv¨t¯íp Iãnbmcp¶p... C¸w C¨ncnt¨ ]dbpw... t\ct¯ aqft¯sbmÅmcp¶p..." " A¸w... hmcnsbÃns\¶m ]Án..." " Hsc®w s]m«n... HSnsª¶m tXm¶pt¶... aq¶mep amkw ]nSnípsh¶m tUmÎdp ]dªXv... " " F¶mepw C{Xbtà ]ÁnsbmÅp... Bfnt\ Xncn¨pIn«nbXp ssZhm\p{Klw.... F¶mepw \à a\pjyÀ¡p hcp¶ Hmtcm B]¯pItf..." Rm³ aq¡n Ibv sh¨p. Pm³kv NncnbS¡m³ ]Wns¸Sp¶p. Rm\pw Pm³kpw apJt¯mSp apJw k¦Ss¸«p t\m¡nbncp¶p. XSnb³ Hmd©p XoÁ XpSÀ¶p. \me©p an\n«pIÄ IgnªmWp sambvXp h¶Xv. AIt¯íp sNÃm³ ]dªp. Pm³kpw hcm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ XSnb³ XSªp. " HcmÄ t]mbm aXn..." Rm³ Pm³knt\mSv Im¯p\n¡m³ ]dªp. Ah\pw XSnb\pw s_©nencp¶p. c−p I«nepIfpw asÁÃm kuIcy§fpapÅ hnimeamb Hcp apdnbnÂIqSn, ASp¯ apdnbnteíp Ft¶ sambvXp B\bn¨p. Nmbn¨p sh¨ I«nen InS¡p¶ cmcn¨³apXemfntb¡−p Rm³ k©n Xmsg sh¨ns«m¶p sXmgpXp. " Mqw..?." AbmÄ H¶p aqfn. Rm³ ]gk©n taibpsS AcnInteíp amÁnsh¨p. ]ns¶ ASp¯p sN¶p. H¸w sambvXphpw h¶p.

" Ft¶ Adnb¯nÃmcnípw.... Rm³....im...." Rm³ \nÀ¯n sambvXphnt\bpw ]ns¶ cmcn¨t\bpw H¶p t\m¡n. cmcn¨³ sambvXphnt\mSp ]pd¯pt]mIm³ BwKyw ImWn¨p. sambvXp t]mb DSt\ Rm³ hmXnen\p IpÁnbn«p. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ cmcn¨³ Nmfn§vs_Ãnsâ kzn¨p I¿n ]nSn¨psIm−mWp InS¡p¶Xv. Fs´¦nepw {]iv\ap−mbm AaÀ¯mw. XSnb·mÀ ]mªphcpw. Rm³ H¶pw {i²nímsX Hcp Itkc hen¨v cmcn¨sâ heXphi¯v kzn¨p ]nSn¨ncp¶ AcnIn Ccp¶p. k¦S`mh¯n Bfnt\ sam¯w H¶p t\m¡n. Xebn \à Hcp sI«v. XmSn Iq«n apJw ihw sI«nsh¨ncníp¶Xpt]mse Hcp sI«v. heXpI¿n Hcp sNdnb _m³tUPv. CSXphiw Bdmwhmcnbpw hbdpw IqSn NpÁn henb sI«v. " C¸w F§t\−v...." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \obmcm... FhnsStbm sh¨v I− t]mse HtcmÀ½.... a\ÊnembnÃtÃm... imctZambn«v s\\s¡¶m..._Ôw...." Ahyàamb `mjbn iÐw Ipd¨v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. " FÃmw ]dbmw samXemfn... AXns\Sív Cu Ip´w H¶p amÁnshív..." Rm³ sRmSnbnSbn tImfn§vs_Ãnsâ kzn¨p I¿n \n¶pw hens¨Sp¯v Is¿¯m¯ Zqc¯nteín«p. AbmÄ `bt¯msS Ft¶ t\m¡n. iÐap−m¡m³ Xp\nªp. " Fsâ s]m¶p samXemfo.. AdnbmsXsb§m\pw samXemfn AXp sR¡nbm... Ah½mscs¶ FSp¯n«p Nm¼pw... ]ns¶ F\nípw ChnsS Hcp s_Íp th−nhcpw... GXmbmepw Rm³ FÃmw ]dbmw... C¨nsc hniZoIcn¨mte samXemfníp a\knemIs¯mÅp.... Htcmd©p s]mfnít«...?.." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áv Htcmd©v k©nbn \ns¶Sp¯p. F¶n«v ho−pw Itkcbn h¶ncp¶p. s]mfním³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ AbmÄ ]dªp. " th−m...\o Imcyw ]d...." " BZyambn«v... Rm³ ]dbp¶ Imcy§fp tI¡p¼w _lfsam−m¡Ãv... aÁptÅmcdnªm \a¡m sImd¨nev... AXpsIm−m tIt«m... " AbmÄ sasà Xeb\¡n. " At¿m... th− Xeb\¡−..... shjasam−m¡p¶ Imcyam Rm³ ]dbm³ t]mWXv... IcbcpXv... imcZt¨¨n.... NmIm³ th−n... IbvRc¼p apdn¨v C¸w Bip]{Xoem..." AbmÄ I®pangn¨p. Hcp\nanjw Rm³ an−mXncp¶p. ]ns¶ AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. " Ah¡n¸w F§s\sbm−v...?.." " NmI¯nÃ... Ct{Xw Znhkw samXemfntb ImWmªn«v DcpIn \S¡phmcp¶p... samXemfn FhnsSbmsW¶v B ]mh¯nt\mSmcpw ]dªnÃ...." Rm³ I®p\oÀ XpS¨p. " AXp sicn... imcZ \nsâbmcm...?.." " F\níp hfsc th−s¸«Xm tN¨n.... \n§sS clkyw FÃmw tN¨n Ft¶mSp amt{X ]dªns«mÅp... A`ncmao¶pw ]dª B s]®nsâ Imtcymw htc... Imcyw H¯mcps¶¦n F\nípw Imcyambn«v htÃmw XStªt\... F´psN¿mw \S¶nÃ... samXemfn Cu sIS¸pw Bbn.... A\p`hním³ \ap¡p c−n\pw tbmKanÃmsX t]mbn..." " \obmcm¶p ]dªnÃ.. \nsâ t]sct´m¶m..." AbmÄ A£a\mIm³ XpS§p¶p Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. " C¸w ]dbmw... AXns\Sív ... tN¨n Hcp k½m\w X¶b¨ns«m−v... " Rm³ k©nbn \n¶pw Hmd©pw ap´ncnbpw FSp¯v shfnbn C«p. CSbn \n¶pw Hmd©nsâ \ndapÅ ISemkn s]mXnªncp¶ Iymadm FSp¯p. AbmÄ \nÀ¶ntaj\mbn AXp t\m¡n¡nS¶p. " CsXmcp tS¸m... CXp ImWním\m ]dªXv.... It−¨v _lfw shícpXv.....BtemNn¨p th−Xp sN¿W¶pw ]dªp.... ImcWw CXnsâ sImtd tIm¸n Bcms−ms¡ tN¨osS I¿o¶p taSnt¨m−p t]mbo¶pw ]dªp.... " Rm³ IymadmbpsS CbÀt^m¬ FSp¯v apJt¯ _m³tUPn\Snbn sasà XncpIn sNhnbpsS ASp¯p sh¨p. Rm³ tS¸v HmSním³ XpS§n. cmcn¨\pw Ahcpw BZys¯ XIÀ¸³ kwt`mK¯n\p tijw I«nenencp¶p hn{ianíp¶ cwKw apXemWp Rm³ ImWním³ XpS§nbXv. AXp ImWpt¼mÄ B apJ¯p−mb hnImchnt£m`§Ä hÀ®ním³ {]bmkw.

" ]Ãp ISnícpXv... XmSn FfIpw... kam[m\t¯msS InS¶p ImWpI... F¶n«v Rm³ ]dbmw Imcy§Ä..... C¸w Rm³ {][m\ `mK§tf ImWníps¶mÅp... F\nín¨nsc [rXnsbmt−.... thtW As¸mtdmw Cs¸mtdmw hniZambn«v ]ns¶ ImWnímw..." A©pan\nt«mfw ImWn¨Xn\p tijw Rm³ Iymad Xncn¨v ]Sw t\m¡n. Hcp an\n«p IqSn¡gnªm Fsâ AOsâ sImet¡knsâ Imcyw kwkmcnípw. Rm³ ho−pw Iymad cmcn¨sâ apJ¯n\p t\tc ]nSn¨p. hmZnbpsS aI³ {]XnbpsS aIt\ AbmfpsS IpÁk½X¯nsâ sXfnhp ImWníp¶ cwKw. F\nsímcp hnPnKojphnsâ hocyw tXm¶n. B icocw hnImcw sIm−p hndíp¶p. Ibv¸¯n aS¡pIbpw \nhÀ¡pIbpw sN¿p¶p. A©pan\n«p IqSn HmSn¨Xn\p tijw Rm³ Iymad \nÀ¯n tSs¸Sp¯p I¿n ]nSn¨p. " C¸w Cu tS¸p I¯n¨pIfªncps¶¦n F¶v cmcn¨³ sImXníps¶m−v... CtÃ... ]d... CtÃ... XeIpep¡m³ tase¦n... I®S¨p ImWn¨m aXn...." " \obmcm... s\\s¡´m th−Xv... CsX§s\ s\\¡v In«n...?.." cmcn¨³ hndíp¶ iЯn tNmZn¨p. " Rmt\m.. CXn Xm³ ]dbp¶ntÃ... Hcp Rcp´v sNdp¡³... kXyhm³ IrjvW³ Ip«osS aI³..... Ah³ Xt¶... Cuizc³ Ft¶ Xsâ ap¼n F¯n¨Xn\v F\nív henb \μnsbm−v... ]ns¶ F\níp th−Xv kam[m\w... cmcn¨\nãsamÅ s]®p§sfsbms¡ Ifnímw Rms\XncÃ... ]t£ AXns\mcp ]cn[nsbm−v.... Cu temIs¯mÅ FÃm s]®p§tfbpw A\p`hníWs¶mÅ hmin Zpcm{Klam.... imctZ Xm³ thtW temImhkm\w htc ASnt¨m... ]t£ B ho«nte aÁpÅ ]ntÅtcw IqtS Xn¶W¶p... hnNmcnípI t]mepw AcpXv... A`ncman Fsâ s]®m... AhfpsS tcma¯nsâ aWw t]mepw Rm³ thsdmcp¯\p sImSp¡¯nÃ.... Ahtf Bin¨Xns\mÅ in£bm C¸w Xm\\p`hníp¶Xv... a\ÊnemIps¶mt−m..... samXemfnív...." " \osb´p sN¿m\m `mhníp¶Xv.... C¸w Rms\m¶p I®pImWn¨m.. \o N¯pt]mIpw sNdp¡m.... Np½m shc«cpXv... C¸w \o Pbn¨q¶p IcpXn... cmcn¨³ A{X...." " A[nIw D¨¯n kwkmcnímsX... XmSn FfIpw.. AsXms¶mdís« F¶n«v sIS¶edntím... B... samXemfnsb´m ]dtª... Rm³ N¯pt]mIpsa¶v... sicnbm... F¶n«v AXpw Ignªn«v samXemfn Ft§m«p t]mIpw... ChnsSms¡¯t¶ ImWpatÃm.. Xm\o tIcf¡cbn kam[m\t¯msS Pohnípsa¶p IcpXps¶mt−m... a−¯cw ]dbmsX Fsâ cmcn¨³ samXemfo.... NmIm\pw Xbmdmbn«m... Xsâ Cu ]penatS Rm³ ImepIp¯nbXv... Cu tS¸p Rm\n¸w thtW Xcmw... ]t£¦n.... CXv Xncn¨v CXnsâ DSakvXsâ I¿n C¶v sshIpt¶cw F¯nbnsænÂ... Asæn Ft¶ ImWmXmbmtem.. F\nív shdptX Hc]ISw ]Ánbmtem... ]ns¶ Xsâ PohnX¯n `qI¼w H−mIpw... em¯qcn H−mbXnsâ \qsdc«n henb `qI¼w.... AÃm... samXemfnív Zmlníps¶ms−¶p tXm¶p¶p...shÅw thtWm...?..." " thWw..." Rm³ Hcp ¥mÊn Ipd¨p shÅw FSp¯p Np−n ]nSn¸n¨p sImSp¯p. AXp IpSn¨n«v cmcn¨³ tNmZn¨p. " F´p `qIt¼m¶m... \obo sIS¶p sImcípt¶...?.." " BZyw CXnsâ Hcp tIm¸n Xsâ X´ív sNÃpw... AbmÄ¡p ]ns¶ \mtWmw amt\mw H¶pw ]t− CÃtÃm.... Atït¶ Xf¶psIS¡p¶ AXnbm\p aIsâ Cu »q^nenw H¶mkzZním³ t]mepw IgnhnÃ.. ]ns¶ H¶v Xsâ `mcyív.... AXmbXv km£m td¨en\v... AhÀ¡p sNe¸w... Cãs¸Spw H¶pantÃepw kz´w sI«ntbm\nt{Xw anSps¡ms−¶p hnNmcnípw.... ]ns¶ kvYew C³kvs]ÎÀ¡pw... t]meokv kq{]−n\pw Hmtcm¶v..... AXpsIm−p shenb hntijsam¶pansödnbmw.. Ahscms¡ Xsâ Imipw shtÅmw s]®p§fpw samdív hlnípt¶mctÃ... ]ns¶ H¶p PnÃmt¡mSXote PUvPnív... ]ns¶m¶v sslt¡mSXn No^v PUvPnív... Ahcp ]ns¶ \nba¯nsâ t]cpw ]dªv... sNe¸w CX§p aqSnsht¨ípw.... tIknÃmsX F´p sXfnhv... ]t£ AXnsâ IqsS B tIkp Ip¯ns¸m¡ms\mcp At]t£w sNÃpw...." " XoÀt¶m...?.." " CÃ... Ct{Xw t]cpw X\níp ]pÃmsW¶dnbmw.... ]t£... Cu \m«n CXp ckníp¶ thtd sImtd t]scm−v... s]mXpP\§fv... {]tXyIn¨v tImtfPp ]ntÅcv... BWpw s]®pw DĸsS.... Hmtcm tIm¸n tIcf¯nte {][m\ ]{X§¡p t]mIpw...

sk³tkj\ \yqkv... ]¯p ]{X¯n sImSp¡p¼w... A©p t]sc¦nepw CXp Ip¯ns¸m¡pw... ]ns¶ t]meokp Ip¯nbncnípthm... IfÎÀs¡mct]t£w Hcp tIm¸ow... C\n CsXm¶pw AÃ... Cu Un{ÌnÎnte kIe hoUntbm¡SIfnepw CXnsâ tIm¸n F¯pw... Ah½mcnXpt]mse \mNzdemb Hcp km[\w In«m³ Im¯ncníphm... tImSnIsfm−m¡pw Ah½mcnXpsIm−v... sNe¸w tIm¸n hntZit¯ípw Ahcp hntÁípw... A¸w X\níp \à ]»nknÁnbmIpw... sNe¸w cmcn¨s\mcp HmkvImdp htc In«pw... A{Xíp \à s]Àt^ma³ktà c−p t]cpw IqsS \S¯nbncníp¶Xv...." Ct¸mÄ cmcn¨t\ hnbÀ¡p¶p. apJ¯p hnbÀ¸p XfwsI«m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ sN¶v GkobpsS kzn¨n«p. apdnbn XWp¯ ImÁp hoim³ XpS§n. " C¸w Rms\´m sN¿−Xv... s\\s¡{X ImipthWw...." cmcn¨sâ kzcw XWp¯ncp¶p. " F\níp Xsâ Hcp \bmss]k t]mepw th−... Xt¶w Xsâ IpSpw_t¯w sheíp hm§ms\mÅ kzs¯\nsím−v.... F\níp th−Xv PohnXw... F\nípw aÁptÅmÀ¡pw.... Rm\n¸w ]dª Ct{Xw Imcy§fp Rm³ sNbvXm... Xsâ IqsS B ]mhs¸« IpSpwt_mw \mdpw..... Ahcp Iq«t¯msS shjw Ignípw... sNe¸w Xm³ sRfnªp \S¡phmcnípw.. ]t£ Xsâ Ignª XeapdsXm«v hcm³ t]mW Xeapdhtc Cu t]cp \nípw... F\níXn\p henb XmåcyanÃ... \nhr¯nbnÃmsXh¶mÂ... Xm\S§p¶ntàRm\Xp sN¿pw... Ft¶s¡m−Xp sN¿n¡cpXv.... C\n C¸w Xms\t¶ sImÃn¨mepw... AXp \S¡pw... B ]ns¶ Hcp Imcyw sXfn¨p ]dbmw... A¶p cm{Xn Xt¶ Cu s\teem¡nbXv Rm³ Xs¶bm.... Ignªmgv¨ Xm³ Ft¶ X«m³ B sambvXqt\w Iq«n c−paq¶p Ah½mtc Ab¨mcp¶tÃm... Ahcpw C¸w... GsXms¡tbm Bip]{Xo CXpt]mse sIS¡ps¶m−mIpw.... sambvXp H¶pw ]dªnà AtÃ...?.." Cà F¶v cmcn¨³ I®S¨p ImWn¨p. " ]mhw... Rm³ Imªq¶p IcpXn kt´mjn¨p sIS¡pImcp¶p... ]ns¶ H¶pw Bbnsöp ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃ.... A¶p cm{Xn Xm³... F\níp X¶Xm... " Rm³ jÀ«nsâ Ibv Npcp«n CSXpI¿nte sI«p ImWn¨p. " Xsâ I¯n sIm−Xm.... B I¯n Rms\Sp¯v Xsâ {]nbs¸«h¡p k½m\n¨p... AXp th−mcp¶p F¶p ]ns¶bm a\Ênemtb..... F´mt¶m.... B a−n¡pWm¸n AXpsIm−v It¿te Rc¼p apdn¨v NmIm³ t\m¡n... Rm\o tS¸v Ahtc H¶p ImWn¨pt]mbn... Xs¶ H¶p]tZiním³ ]dªXm... AsXmcp s]®tÃ... sIm« amXncn Hcp ]qdpw... Ip¼f§m t]mse c−p samtew AÃmsX AXnsâ Xeat− htÃmsamsamt−m.... H−mcpt¶Â Xsâ hte hog¯nÃmcp¶tÃm.... Mm.... Ahcp h¶mepw Xm³ a\Ênem¡ptIemcp¶p.... X\níp hmin IqSptI HÅmcp¶p...." cmcn¨³ Hcp \nanjw FtXm Nn´n¨p InS¶p. ]ns¶ XfÀ¶ iЯn tNmZn¨p. " Ah¡n¸w F§s\sbm−v... kXyw ]d... \o Ahtf sImt¶m...?.." " sÈ... a−¯cw ]dbmsX... thiym¸Wn ImWns¨¦nepw Ahscsâ A½mbn A½bm... Xsâ a\Êà FtâXv... X\níp FÃmw sImt¶m sImÃnt¨m Ahkm\n¸nípIms¶mcp t]mfnknbtà HÅp..." cmcn¨³ Hcp ZoÀLizmkw hn«p. At¸mÄ IXIn ap«p tI«p. Rm³ sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. XSnb\pw sambvXphpw DÅnteíp Xe \o«n. Hcp NncntbmsS Rm³ ]dªp. " C¨nsc t\cw ]nSnípw tN«m... R§fn¯ncn IpSpw_Imcy§fp ]dtªm−ncníphm....." XSnb³ cmcn¨sâ apJt¯íp kq£n¨p t\m¡n. s]mtím F¶ AÀ°¯n cmcn¨³ Ibv ImWn¨p. AhÀ ]n´ncnªt¸mÄ Rm³ ho−pw IXIn\p IpÁnbn«p. " skÁs¸ms¡ tPmdmbns«m−v... ]t£ Ft¶ tXm¸ním\nXp t]mc cmcn¨m... AXp t]ms« hmNIaSnt¨m−ncp¶m t\cw t]mIpw.... F\níp th−Xv... H¶v... Xm³ B IpSpw_t¯ ad¡Ww... Ahtc sskzcyambn Pohním\\phZníWw... imcZín\n Xt¶ thW¶p tXm¶p¶nÃ.... Ahtc Rm³ AXpt]mse s{_bn³hmjp sNbvXpIgnªp... c−v..... Xm³ FSs]«v XSªp sh¨ncníp¶ B Imsim−tÃm... Fsâ AOsâ Pohsâ she... AOsâ {KmÁphnÁn... \ã]cnlmcw... FÃmw.... HcmgvNíIw... Fsâ A½íp In«nbncníWw... Xm³ sI«nbXp Xm³ Xs¶ AgníWw... aq¶v... Ft¶ D]{Zhníms\mÅ Bi Dt]£níWw... Xt¶mSp {]XnImcw sNbvXn«n\n ImcyanÃ.... Xsâ A¸t\mSpw.... AXp t]mse Xm\pw {]XnImcNn´ Ifªn«v PohníWw... C\ow Cu temI¯p thsdbpw \à kpμcn s]®p§sfm−tÃm... ImipantÃ... kpJnív... Xsâ Ip® Xq§p¶

Imew htc kpJnív.... F\nsímcp ]cmXow CÃ... ]t£.. Fsâ s]®nt\w IpSpw_t¯w Ipdn¨v Nn´nípI t]mepw AcpXv... Nn´n¨m...! " Rms\m¶p \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ AbmfpsS apJt¯ív Fsâ apJw ASp¸n¨p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " A§s\sb§m\pw.... C\n... Nn´n¨m.... ISs¸mdt¯ ]ntÅcsS Ibv¯cn¸v Xm\dnbpw... Xsâ IqsS \níp¶ Du¨mfn¸Sbà Ah½mcv... Rms\m¶p Ibv sRmSn¨m.... sImfhn¡qsSfIp¶ t]mse AhscfIpw... Xsâ hoSn\hcp t_m_p shípw... Xm\pw Xsâ Xt´w.... \qdp IjWambn«p sIS¡pw... s]«o hmcnbn«p Ipgn¨ntS−n hcpw... Rm³ shdptX ]dbpIÃm¶p Xsâ C¸gt¯ sIS¸psIm−dnbmtÃm...." Rms\m¶p \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ tImfn§vs_Ãnsâ kzns¨Sp¯p AbmfpsS I¿nteíp sh¨psImSp¯p, IqsS B tS¸pw. " C\n thtW... Xsâ Kp−m¸tS hnfnt¨m... Xms\t¶ Cu apdoen«v sImÃnt¨m...B tS¸pw I¿n sh¨p kq£nt¨m... Ft¶ sImt¶¨v B tS¸v BZyw samXep I−p kpJnív... " A©p an\n«p t\ct¯ív cmcn¨³ B InS¸p InS¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp `n¯nbn Nmcn \n¶p. Rm³ B apJt¯íp t\m¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. BtemN\ínSbn hnhn[ hnImc§Ä B apJ¯p amdn adªp. " \nsâ t]sc´m¶m ]dªXv... ?..." " Fsâ t]cp cmPmaWn.... FâO³ kXyhm³ IrjvW³ Ip«n... At½sS t]cp KuXan.... ap¯O³ Uosbkv ^njdokv tIiq¯cI³...." " tIiq¯cIt\m.....?.." " AtX..... ao³XcI³ tIih³....F´m Bfnt\ Adnbmtam...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Adnbmw... Hcnsí... Hcp NÀ¨ív a{´osS IqsS I−Xmbn«m HmÀ½...." " A¸w... F´p Xocpam\n¨p...?.." " \o.... Cu tS¸p sIm−p s]mtím.... ]nt¶... imcZív Rm³ sImd¨p ImipsImSp¡m¶p ]dªns«m−mcp¶p... AXv..." " th−...cmcn¨m.... hy`nNmc¯nsâ {]Xn^eatÃ... C\n AXpw sImSp¯v B _Ôw apt¶m«p sIm−pt]mI−... AhcpsS GXp Imtcymw \S¯m³ Rms\m−v... C\n Ahtc¸Án Nn´níptI th−... ]ns¶... Rm³ Dd§psa¶p hnNmcn¨v C\n s]mÃm¸ns\m¶pw t]mtb¡Ãv... F\níp \qdp I®m.... kam[m\msW¦n kam[m\w... Fsâ AOt\ sIm¶htcmSm... Rm³ kam[m\NÀ¨ív h¶Xv... B Ft¶...C\ow... " " CÃ.. Rms\m¶n\pw hcp¶nÃ... \o Ft¶ D]{ZhnímXncp¶m aXn...." " sicn... CXv BWp§sS hm¡mWtÃm...?.." " AtX... " cmcn¨³ heXpIbv s]m¡n. Rm³ tSs¸Sp¯v t]m¡Ánen«p. Iymadm s]mXnsªSp¯p. ]ns¶ R§Ä At\ym\yw IbvsImSp¯p. cmcn¨³ tImfn§vs_Ãnsâ _«³ sR¡n. IXIn ap«p tI«p. Rm³ sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. XSnb\pw sambvXphpw thsd c−p aq¶p Kp−Itft]mse tXm¶níp¶ sNdp¸¡mcpw apdnbnteíp h¶p. " FÃmtcmSpw s]mtímfm³ ]d.... Rm³ Dt±in¨ Bfà CXv... F\níp th−s¸« Bfm... ]nt¶..... sambvXq..." cmcn¨³ sambvXphnt\ hnfn¨p. XSnb·mÀ ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. sambvXp cmcn¨sâ InS¡ícnIn h¶p. " skbvXmteymSv... C¶p Xs¶ ChnsS hcm³ ]d... C¶pXt¶...tIt«m..." " sicn samXemfn..." sambvXp shfnbnteíp t]mbn. " sicn C\n Rm³ \níp¶nÃ... Rm\n\ow hcpw... GXpcoXnbnemWp hcp¶sX¶pÅXv... cmcn¨sâ C\nbt¯ {]hÀ¯n t]mencnípw... A¸w t]ms«... ]ns¶¡mWmw....." Rm³ hmXn¡ sN¶n«v Xncnªp t\m¡n. Ft¶ I®pXpdn¨p t\m¡n¡nS¡p¶ cmcn¨³. Rm³ shfnbn sNÃpt¼mÄ s_©n XSnbsâ IqsS hnc−ncníp¶ Pm³kv. " t]ms« tN«m... B.. Hmd©p shdpsX Nobn¨p Ifb− tIt«m... \à km[\m....." Rm³ XSnbt\mSp bm{X ]dªp. Bip]{Xnbn \n¶pw ]pd¯nd§n Hcp tlm«en R§Ä tIdn. " Fânãm... kXy¯n Rm³ t]Sn¨pt]mbn tIt«m....." Pm³kp ]dªp. " Mqw... AsXt´..?.."

" \o AIt¯íp t]mb¸w ... FhnS¶msW¶dnb¯nÃ... aq¶mse®w h¶p... s_t©Â Ft¶ ]nSn¨ncp¯n ]ns¶ Ah½msct¶ A\§m³ k½Xn¨nÃ. \o shfo hcp¶Xn\p sXm«pap¼m.... Ahcp t]mbXv... " " Rm³ {]Xo£n¨ncp¶p... i{Xp¡tf {]Xo£n¨m CXphtc AbmfnhnsS IgnªXv... i{Xp Rm\msW¶p Abmsfmcn¡epw hnNmcn¨p ImWnÃ..." " Bt«... AIs¯§s\m−mcp¶p....?.." " Ie¡n.... taml³emep ]td¶Xpt]mse sImtd UbtemK§p Im¨n.... icnípw shc−p.... ]ns¶ ktXymsam−tÃm.. Fsâ ssIícp¯psIm−tà Abmfn¸w C§s\ sIS¡p¶Xpw... C\n... Abmfm `mKt¯íp t\m¡¯pt]mepanÃ... " " tlm.. A§s\ AXp Ignªp... C\nsb´m \nsâ ]²Xn....?.." " C\n Iptd¡mcy§sfm−v... GXmbmepw \nsâ Cu b{´w... AXns\{X \μn ]dªmepw aXnbmI¯nÃ... CXp I−p]nSn¨ht\ I−mcpt¶Â sI«n¸nSns¨mcp½ sImSp¡mcp¶p.... s\\¡v hntcm[antÃÂ... CXp sImd¨p sZhkw IqsS Fsâ I¿nÂ.... Asæn Rm³ Hsc®w hmt§−nhcpw..." Rm³ ]dªp. " hm§mt\m...\otbm...?.." Ahs\mcp Ifnbmt¡m AÛpXtam t]mse. " AsX´mSm... F\níp hm§n¡qtS...?..." " BÀ¡pw hm§mw ]t£... \nsâ k¼¯nIw... AXv..." " lpw.... Pm³tk... \o Fsâ DÁ Iq«pImc\m... AXpsIm−v Hcp kXyw Rm³ ]dbphm... sNe¸w \o hnizkníptIe..." " F´mSm... tem«dnbSnt¨m s\\¡v...?..." " Mm...tem«dn t]mte¶pw ]dbmw... Rm\ns¶mcp tImSoizc\m... knÁo hmSIsbmÅ sI«nS§fpw ^njn§v t_m«pIfpw... H¶m´cw _w¥mhpw Hs¡ F\nín¶p kz´am... ]t£ F\nsít´m AXpambn«p tNcm³ ]Áp¶nÃ.... A§s\sbmcp s\e F\nsímÅXmbn«p Rm³ hnNmcn¨ncp¶nÃ... A½bpsS ao³I¨hShpw... Irjnbpw tImgnhfÀ¯epw... A½t]mepw H¶pw Ct¶htc kqNn¸n¨ncp¶nÃ. Hcp kp{]`mX¯nÂ... hn¸{Xw I¿n In«p¼gm... Rm³ C§s\ Hcp temIw F\níps−¶dnbp¶Xp Xt¶..." Pm³knsâ hm s]mfnª ]mSncp¶p. Ah\Xv hnizkním³ {]bmkw. Iptd¡gnªv ka\ne In«n¡gnªt¸mÄ Ah³ Fsâ tXmf¯p X«n ]dªp. " GXmbmepw \n§sS Iã¸mSns\mcdpXn h¶tÃm... kt´mjnív... GXmbmepw F\níp kt´mjmbn... b{´w \o \nsâ Bhiyw Ignªp X¶maXn...." Ahsâ ss_¡nsâ ]pdInencp¶p ho«nteíp Xncn¨p t]mIpt¼mÄ temIw I¿S¡nb kt´mjambncp¶p a\ÊnÂ. shdpsXbà kn\nabn \mbnIm\mbI·mÀ ss_¡n bm{X sN¿pt¼mÄ ]m«p ]mSp¶Xv. ImcWw, F\nípw At¸mÄ D¨¯n ]mSm³ tXm¶n. " Pbn¡m\mbv Pbn¨h³ Rm³..." s]s«¶v F\ntímÀ½ h¶p. bYmÀ°¯n Rm³ Pbnt¨m, CÃ. Fsâ e£yw Fsâ A`ncmanbmWv. Ahtf I¿S¡nbnsæn AXmWnt¸mÄ Fsâ ]cmPbw. Rm³ ]m«p \nÀ¯n. F¦nepw a\Êp \ndsb kt´mjambncp¶p. ho«n sNÃpt¼mÄ Ietbm A`ntbm Ds−¦n F¶p sImXn¨pt]mbn. C¶p Ietb I¿n In«Ww, F¦n hoÀ¸pap«enÃmsX a\Êp Xpds¶m¶p Ifnímambncp¶p. A`nbps−¦n Ahtf sI«n¸nSns¨mcp½ sImSp¡pw. AhÄ IcW¯Snípambncnípw. F¶mepw kmcanÃ. H¶pIqSn sNInSv ImWn¨psImSp¡pw. XsÃSo, XÃv, Cu XsÃ\nín¸w ]pÃv. Mqw, InS¡p¶p Hcp ]´bw. AhfpsS IcW¯v cs−®w sImSp¡m\pÅ Ahkcw D−m¡Ww. F¶n«htf `À¯mhnsâ A[nImct¯msS hnfníWw. AtXmSp IqSn Fsâ Cu ho«nte ZuXyw Ahkm\nípw. t]mcp¶ hgnív Hcp ISbn Ibdn c−paq¶p IpÁn¯mgpIÄ hm§n¨p. s]®p§fpsS InS¸papdnIfnepw ]pdInet¯ IXIn\pw C¶pXt¶ ]nSn¸níWw. Nn´n¨pw ]mSnbpw hoSn\Sp¯pÅ Ihebnse¯nbXdnªnÃ. kÔybmImdmbn. Ccp«p hogm³ XpS§nb CShgnbn IqSn \S¡pt¼mÄ Icnbne A\§p¶pt−m F¶p {i²n¨mWp \S¶Xv. HXp¡nsb¦nepw HXp§m¯ ]m¼mWp cmcn¨³ F¶p a\Ên Hcp t]Sn. GXmbmepw H¶pap−mbnÃ.

Rm³ ho«nse¯pt¼mÄ ap³hi¯mtcbpw I−nÃ. Nmbn¸p Xpd¶I¯p Ibdn. t\m¡pt¼mÄ Nmbn¸n \n¶pw AIt¯ípÅ apdn Xpd¶p InS¡p¶p. Fsâ I«nen hncns¸ms¡ \¶mbn hncn¨ncníp¶p. Iymadm s]«nbn sh¨p XpWn amdn Rm³ AIt¯íp Ibdn. I¿n Xdím\pÅ IpÁnbpsS s]mXnbpap−mbncp¶p. IpfnapdnbpsS hmXn¡ sN¶t¸mÄ DÅn \n¶pw aqfn¸m«p tI«p. iÐw tI«t¸mÄ a\Ênembn A`ncmanbmsW¶v. C¶v kt´mj¯nemWtÃm. F´p]Án. AhfpsS apdnbn IqSn \S¡pt¼mÄ AIt¯sím¶p ]mfn t\m¡n. I«nen Iptd XpWnIÄ InS¡p¶p. C¶sebpw C¶pw AhÄ Bip]{Xnbn DSp¯ncp¶h. s]s«¶p Rm\I¯p Ibdn. AXn Xncªp. At¸mÄ In«n Rm³ t\m¡nb km[\w. H¶Ã cs−®w. CXnteXmWhfptSXv. hen¸hpw ]g¡hpw t\m¡nbt¸mÄ a\Ênembn. ]gbXp Rms\m¶p aW¯p. aq{X¯nsâ AklyKÔw. AXp Ftf½bptSXp Xt¶. ¥qt¡mkp Ip¸n¡W¡n\p sN¶t¸mÄ sa\s¡«ncp¶p apÅn¡mWpw. AXn shÅbn \oe¸q¡fpÅXp Rms\Sp¯p. H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. Fsâ s]®nsâ KÔw. Rm\Xnsâ aÀ½`mK¯p t\m¡n. Ft´m Aåw I«n]nSn¨ncníp¶p. AhnSw H¶p {LmWn¨p. aq{X¯nsâ sNdnb KÔ¯nsâ IqsS asÁt´m Hcp aWhpw. \nÀhNním\mh¯ Hcp KÔw. t\ct¯ HcpZnhkw I«n¡ognÂ\n¶pw Hsc®w aW¯t¸mÄ CXÃmbncp¶p KÔw. GXmbmepw Fsâ s]®nsâ Ihs¡SbpsS kpKÔamWtÃm F¶ hnNmct¯mtS Rm\Xp aq¡nteíp hen¨p tIÁn. AXp Xncn¨pw adn¨pw t\m¡n. amtdmSp tNÀ¯p. ap−ps]m¡n Ip®¨mtcbpw H¶p aW¸n¨p. Ahsâ A\¡w I−t¸mÄ a\Ênembn Ah\m aWw Cãs¸s«¶v. IpfnapdnbpsS IXIp Xpd¡p¶ iÐw tI«p. \n¡À c−pw XpWnbpsS Iq«¯n HXp¡n. s]mXn Xpd¶v Rm³ IXIS¨p]nSn¨n«v IpÁnsbSp¯v sh¨pt\m¡n. IXIn AhÄ XÅp¶p. AXp Xpd¡p¶nÃ. " Bcm AI¯v...Ite..." A`nbpsS iÐw. " Rm\m..." " lm... s]®p§sS apdose´p ImWnípIm Cu Rm³... s]mds¯d§ps¶mt−m... Hcp acymtZanÃmsX....." AhÄ tZjys¸«p. Rm³ IXIp Xpd¶p. ]mhmSbpapSp¯v, {_mbpan«v, XeapSn D¨nbn Hcp tXmÀ¯psIm−p sI«nsh¨v AhÄ F\níp ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p. IbvIÄ amdn ]nW¨p sh¨ncp¶p. shfp¯p an\p¯ apXpIn {_mbpsS hÅnIfpw lp¡pw kt´mjt¯msS ]Xnªp InS¶ncp¶p. »uknSp¶ `mK¯v IqSpX shfp¸p Omb. sI«nsh¨ apSnbn \n¶pw shůpÅnIÄ ]pdt¯íp hosWmgpIn XÅn\n¡p¶ Ip−nbpsS ]pd¯v ]mhmSbn \\hp krãníp¶p. " F¶m ImWm³ \níphm.... Fd§v.... F\níp XpWn amdWw...." " Rm\o... IpÁn FhnsSbm.. ]nSn¸ntí−sX¶p t\m¡phmcp¶p... NpÁnIsbhnsSbm... Xdt¨¡mw... " " AsXms¡ ]ns¶... A¸d¯p t]m... a\pjy³ Ipfníp¶ t\c¯m Hcp...." " AXn\p Rm\nhnsS h¶¸w Btcw I−nÃ... F¶m¸ns¶ ]Wn sN¿msa¶p hnNmcn¨p... tlm... C§s\sbmt−m s]®p§fv... F´p sNbvXmepw IpÁw..." " Mm... IpÁw Xs¶bm... tNmZn¨n«p tht− s]®p§sS apdot¡dm³..." " t\ct¯ ]dªmcpt¶... Rm³ Ipfnapdot¡dn h¶p tNmZnímcp¶p....ASp¯ {]mhiyms«... " Rm³ Xncn¨nd§n. Ftf½bpsS apdnbn Ibdn. AhÄ apdnbn tIdn hmXneS¨p. DS³ Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n Nmbn¸n h¶p. tai¸pd¯p XmfaSns¨mcp ]m«p ]mSn. IgpXkzchpw ImfcmKhpw Bbncps¶¦nepw Fsâ a\Ênte kt´mjambncp¶p AXv. " Nμ\te] kpKÔw NqSnbXmtcm... Btcm... Ft´m....Fsâ s]®nsâ... km[\tam..." Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ I¿nsemcp NpÁnIbpambn A`n Nmbn¸nteíp h¶p. Rm³ XIÀ¯Sn¨p ]mSpIbmbncp¶p. Ffníp I¿pw sImSp¯v Xe sNcn¨v AhÄ AXp t\m¡n \n¶p. Ahtf t\m¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]m«p XpSÀ¶p. " CXp t]m¡p Xt¶.... h«v... X\n h«v...." AhÄ NpÁnI I«nenteín«n«p Xncnªp \S¶p. " h«p \nsâ X´v... " AhÄ Xncnªp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]qcn¸n¨p.

" X´\m\m...X´\m\m..." Rm³ NpÁnIbpsaSp¯v AhfpsS ]pdtI ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. " C¶p \osbm¶pw sNt¿−`o... FÃmw Rm³ sicnbm¡ntímfmw.. F´m thW¨m ]dªm aXn..... " " F´m... C¶n{X kt´mjw..?..." AhÄ NnchsbSp¯v AXn Ccním\mªp. " kt´mtjm... AtXm... ]dbmw... C¶v... C¶v... Rm\ht\ HXp¡nsbSo...." F¶p ]dbpIbpw Ahtf Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSnípIbpw Hcpan¨mbncp¶p. F¶n«v B Np−n AaÀ¯nsbmcp½ sImSp¯p. BZyw Ahsfm¶p ]Xdn. ]ns¶ ka\ne In«nbt¸mÄ Aedn. " F´p \mdn¯cam ImWníp¶Xv ..hnSv... amdm³... cmPq Ft¶ hnSm³.... Rm\n¸w hnfn¨p Iqhpw..." AhfptS icocw Rm³ H¶pIqSn tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p sRcn¨p. B Acs¡«pw apeIfpw Fsâ icoct¯mSp tNÀ¶ncp¶p sR§nsRcp§n. " IqhptIm XÃptIm sN¿v... F¶mepw Rm³ HXp¡nsbSo... \nsâ aÁht\....l...l...l..." Rm³ Hcp hnóNncn Nncn¨p. AhÄ Fsâ IcW¯v amdnamdn ASn¨p. ]ÃpISn¨p ]nSn¨ncp¶XpsIm−v F\nsím¶pw tXm¶nbnÃ. AhÄ Fsâ Ibv hnSphním\pÅ {ia¯n Fsâ I¿nte apdnhn _eambn ]nSn¨p XÅn. F\níp thZ\n¨t¸mÄ Rm³ ]nSn hn«p. AhÄ ]pdtIm«p amdn \n¶p InX¨p. " BcpanÃm¯¸w... ho«nt¡dn tXm¶ymkw ImWnípt¶m... Fd§p s]md¯v...." AhÄ ho−pw Aedn. " l...l...l.. sImd¨qsS Aedv... Fsâ kvYm\¯v aq¶mgv¨ ap¼v \nsâ aÁh³ CXp t]mse \nt¶ sRcnt¨t\.... Rm\nÃmcps¶¦n..... Ah³ \nsâ FÃmw sRcns¨mSt¨t\.... " Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−p Xt¶ ]dªp. " aÁht\m... GXp aÁh³... Indp¡p ]dbmtX... Fd§ps¶mt−m..." " Indp¡sÃSo..... \nsâ cmcn¨³... FSo.... \o \nsâ Gtf½tb Iq«ns¡mSp¯v... Fs´ms¡ H−m¡nsbSo... Ah³ s\\s¡s´ms¡ X¶p.... ]d.. CsXm¶pw Bcpw Adntbe¶p hnNmcnt¨m... F¶n«v... thtdbmÀ¡pw cm{Xo Fgpt¶Áp \S¡m³ ]Á¯nÃ... AhÄ¡p aqs{Xmgním\pw shÅw IpSním\pw shekmw... Imhep \nípItÃ.... F¦nepw \o Ct{Xw \mWw sI«Xm¶p Rm³ hnNmcn¨nÃ.. B ]mhw cmta«t\ HmÀ¯m Rm³ H¶pw shfo ]dbmtª... \obpw AhcsS IqsS IqSn B ]mh¯nt\ NXníphÃmcpt¶mSo... H¶qtÃepw Abmfp \nsâ X´btÃSo... B hnNmcw s\\¡nÃmsX t]mbtÃmSo... s\\s¡ms¡ th−n B a\pjy³ hsÃS¯pw sIS¶p ]mSps]Sp¼w... ChnsS c−pw IqsS \à Hcp ImipImct\ hfs¨Sp¡phmcp¶p....\mWw sI« hI... IqsS Hcp Xpep¡s¨dp¡\pw... ]ns¶ AXnsâ s]mdtI, XSª Ft¶ sImÃm³ sImtd Kp−Ifpw... C\n Cu ho«n \n¶m Ft¶ Ah³ sImÃpw.... Rm\n¶p Xt¶ Cu ho«o¶d§pIm.... sNbvX D]Imc¯ns\ms¡ hfsc \μnsbm−v...." HÁ izmk¯n \à Xd¸n¨ kzc¯n Rm³ ]dªp XoÀ¯p. AhÄ BZyw kvYÐbmbn \n¶pt]mbn ]ns¶ s]mSp¶s\ Xebn c−p I¿pw sh¨v s]m«n¡cªpsIm−v ]dªp. " Fsâ ssZhta... Cu a\pjy³ Fs´ms¡ CÃmhN\§fm ]tdt¶.. F\níp ht¿... " Rm\hfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨n«p ho−pw tNmZn¨p. " CÃmhN\amtWmSo.... s\\¡dnb¯nÃmcpt¶mSo... Ah³ cm{XoenhnsS hcp¶ Imcyw.... Csöp Nt¦ Ibv sh¨p ]dbmthmSo s\\¡v..?..." " a\Êdnbm¯ Imcy§fp ]dªnbmfo IpSpw_w \in¸nípw... Fsâ At½... t]m....amdv..." AhÄ Ft¶ XÅnamÁn IcªpsIm−v AhfpsS apdnbn t]mbn IXIp hen¨S¨p. Rm³ hmXn¡Â \n¶p sNhntbmÀ¯p. s]m«n¡cbp¶ iÐw tIÄ¡mw. Icbs«, At¸mÄ a\Êp XWp¡pw. AhÄ CXphtc hoÀ¸pap«n kq£n¨psh¨ clkyw C\n clkyaÃm F¶dnbp¶tXmSp IqSn AhfpsS a\Êp kzX{´amIpw. At¸mÄ AXn Hfn¨ncníp¶ kvt\lsa¶ hnImcw Ds−¦n shfnbn NmSpw. Rm³ sN¶v Nmbn¸nsâ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]pds¯bpw apdnIfntebpw ebnÁpIÄ sXfn¨p. Xncn¨p h¶p {i²n¨p. Ct¸mÄ t]SnbmsW\nív. at\mhnjaw IqSnbm Ftf½tbt¸mse AhÄ hà ISpwssI¿pw sN¿ptam F¶v.

Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ Ic¨nensâ iÐw HXp§n. Rm³ IXIp XÅn¯pd¶p. ebnÁn«p. AhÄ I«nen Iagv¶p InS¡p¶p. G§eSníp¶p−v. s]m§n\n¡p¶ a[pc¡p−nIfn ]nSns¨mcp sR¡p sImSp¡m³ Ibv Xcn¨p. Rm³ sasà hnfn¨p. " A`o..." AhÄ hnfntI«nÃ. " A`o... " tMtl, A\¡anÃ. Ic¨n Xt¶..... Rm³ I«nenteíncp¶p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS tXmfn ]nSn¨p aeÀ¯n¡nS¯m³ t\m¡n. ]ns¶ im´kzc¯n t{]w\koÀ ]dbp¶Xp t]mse ]dªp. " FSo... aca−ns¸ttt®... Rm³ Np½m ]dªXtÃ.... F\níp \nsâ a\Ênte kXyw AdnbmsaSo... \osb´n\m C§s\ t]Sn¨v CsXmfn¸n¨p sh¨Xv... F¶pw sIS¡m³ t\cw Xesí sh«cnhmfpw sht¨m−v sIS¡pw... AXv AbmsS t\À¡v HÁ {]mhiyw Hm§ns¡ms−m¶p ]dªncps¶¦n B \mdn ChnsS tIdnsbd§pamcpt¶m... FÃmÀ¡pw shjw X¶v Rm\pw NmIpsa¶v Ftf½ shc«nb¸w \ob§p t]Sn¨pt]mbn... s]m«naWp¡qkv..... AhcmsW¦n Imin\mhiyw h¶¸w sI«ntbmt\mSp tNmZním³ aSnbmbn«p hfªhgn In«nb¸w AXnte t]mbn. F¶n«n¸w F´mbn... \nsâ a\:kam[m\w \in¨p..... Ach«netà \o Ct{Xw Imew IgnªXv.... Ahcp Ibvapdn¨p..... F\nív sImtdsb®¯nsâ Xe XÃns¸mfntí−n h¶p... tZ..... C¸w B cmcn¨³ Bip]{Xoem... Adnbmthm... Hcp hÀjw thWw Abmfn\n t\tc sNmthz \S¡m³... tI¡ps¶mt−m \obv... " " CsXms¡ Adnªn«mtWm C¸w Ft¶¸Án Ct{Xsams¡ A\mhiyw Hs¡ ]dªXv.... " Iagv¶p InS¶p Icbp¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Hm.. AXv \ns¶ H¶p NqSm¡m³ ]dªXtÃ.... F\nív \nt¶ AdnbmtÃm.... F{X sImÃw ap¼p samXep \½fp ImWm³ sXmS§oXm.... A¶v \o a\Ênt{Xw AS¨p shí¯nÃmcp¶p....t]ms«... tkmdn £ant¨¡v... h¶p htÃmw H−m¡v.." AhÄ A\§nbnÃ. " A`nídntbm.... h¶p h¶v Abmfp \ns¶ Ibvshíms\mcp§nb¸gm F\nív AbmÄsS Bdmwhmcn ASn¨p s]mfntí−n h¶Xv. ....A¶p Rm\pw Ftft½w Itew \ns¶ HÁím¡nb¸w.... B cm{Xo Rm³ Xncn¨ph¶Xv..... s\\t¡mÀ½ ImWpatÃm... A¶p \o tI«ntà s]md¯v sImtd itÐmw _ltfmsams¡... AXv \nsâ {]nbs¸« cmcn¨³ \nt¶ H¸ním³ h¶Xmcp¶p.... A¶p Rm³ Xncn¨ph¶nÃmcps¶¦n... Fsâ s]m¶ptamfn¸w Xqhep t]mb tImgn¡pªnt\t¸mse Ccp¶p Xq§ntbt\... sNe¸w ]¯pamkw Ignbp¼w Hcp samXemfns¡m¨nt\ s]tÁt\... CtàDcp¡pw Ignªv C§s\ hnfdn shfp¯v t{]Xt¯t¸mse \St¶t\...." AhÄ F¶n«pw A\§nbnÃ. ]t£ G§eSn \n¶ncp¶p. Rm³ Aåt\cw an−mXncp¶p. " A`o... Fgpt¶¡v.. AO\n¶p hcpthm...? Csænepw F\níp htÃmw IgníWw.... ]q− IÅn... Fgpt¶¡So..." Rm\hfpsS tXmfn ]nSn¨v t\tc InS¯m³ t\m¡n. AhÄ _ew ]nSn¨pInS¶p. Rm³ DbÀ¶p \n¶ Ip−ns¡mcSnsImSp¯p. AXp InSs¶m¶p sXdn¨p. " lmmmmm...sX½mSn¯cw ImWnímsX Fd§nt¸msWmt−m...." AhÄ sIm¨pIp«n InWp§p¶ t]mse InWp§ns¡m−v tZjys¸«p. " C¸w Rm\o apdo¶p t]mIphm..... ]t£ Cu ho«o¶p t]mIp¼w \nt¶w sImt− t]mIs¯mÅp.... \o A´sÊmÅhfmtW, Rm³ \nt¶s¡ms−sâ sNÃt¸cp hnfn¸nípw... AXà sNÁbmtWÂ... BÀ¡pthWw Hcp sNÁtb... " " C¨nsc ]pfnípw .... Ft¶ tXm¸nt¨¨v H¶pw \S¡ptIe... AsXmd¸m..." AhÄ Iagv¶pInS¶psIm−p ]dªp. " \nsâ ZpÀhmin \nt¶ \in¸nípw ]dtª¡mw.... \ymbambn«mtWÂ... \o \¶mIpw.. As¶sâ IcW¯v \o A\mhiyambn«m Ibvsh¨Xv..... Rm\Xv HcpIme¯pw ad¡ptIe.... AXp Rm³ \nt¶s¡m−v Xt¶ XncnsI FSp¸nípw..." " AXn\p kz]v\w ImWt¯sbmÅp..." AhÄ FSp¯Sn¨t]mse ]dªp. " C¸w Cu \nanjw thtW Cu sISt¡en«p \nt¶mSp ]Icw tNmZním\dnbmªn«Ã.... Rm\n¨nsc A´sÊmÅh\m... AXpsIm−v \nt¶ C¸w hnSp¶p.....Al¦mcn...."

Rm\hfpsS AIwXpSbn Hcp \pÅp sImSp¯p. Ip−nIÄ¡nSbn¡qSn Ih¡q«nteíp I¿nSm\mWp Ibv Xcn¨sX¦nepw Hcp \pÅn Rm\sXmXp¡n. B \pÅv AhfpsS hcní¸qdnsâ AcnInt\mSv ASp¯mbncp¶Xp sIm−mbncníWw C¡nfn sIm−hÄ sR«ns¯dn¨p. BZyambmsW¶n \n¶pw C¯csamcp \o¡w . " sl´m ImWnípt¶... bmsXmcp acymZbpanÃmsX..." AhÄ Ft¶ ]nSn¨p XÅn. " ]ns¶.... \o C§s\ t]m¯p shůns¡S¡p¶t]mse sIS¶m... F\nípw htÃmw tXm¶pth... hm... Fgpt¶Áphm... Ic¨nep IgnªntÃ... H¶qtÃepw... sNdp¸¯n \½fp Iq«pImcÃmcpt¶m....." " Fsâ s]m¶p cmPmaWn.... Hs¶gpt¶Áp t]m... \mWanÃtÃm.....C§s\ Hcp s]®nsâ apdot¡dn AXn{Iaw ImWním³.... £anípt´mdpw kzmX{´yw IqSpIm.....AOs\m¶p ht¶ms«.... C¶nXns\mcp Xocpam\w H−m¡pw Rm³.... " " A¸w ]´b¯n\pw AOsâ ap¼n sh¨p Xocpam\w.....AtÃ... sicn... Rm\pw Im¯ncnímw.. AO³ hcs«.... Ftft½t\ \o Iq«ns¡mSp¯ hnhcw At§cpw IqsS H¶dnbs«.... s]m¶p tamfpsS sImWhXnbmcw..." Rm³ shfnbnend§n. ASp¡fbn IS¶p. A¯mg¯n\pÅ ]Wn XpS§n. aq¶p t]À¡pÅXv D−m¡nbm aXnbtÃm. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ ap³hmXnen ap«ptI«p. Rm³ sN¶p hmXn Xpd¶p. AXv kmhn{Xnbpw A½bpambncp¶p. AhÀ AIt¯íp Ibdn ASp¡fbn t\m¡n. Fsâ I¿n Ccp¶ Xhn I−n«hÀ tNmZn¨p. " A`n FhnsSt¸mbn...?... kmdp Xmaknípsa¶v ]dªXpsIm−v Chtf A`nív Iq«n\p hnSm³ tN«³ ]dªp...." " A`n sIS¡p¶p..." Rm\åw Dds¡bmWp ]dªXv. " F´p ]Án..... AkpJw htÃmw...?..." " Rm³ hcp¶htc ASp¡tf H−mcp¶p. Fsâ Xesh«w I−¸w HSt\ Hcp XethZ\ ]d¶p h¶p.... C¸w AI¯p tIdn IXIS¨p sIS¡pIm...." " Rms\m¶p ImWs«..." AhÀ A`nbpsS apdnbnteíp Ibdn. kmhn{Xn Fsâm¸w ASp¡fbnteíp h¶p. AhnsS F¯nbt¸mÄ Rm³ iÐw Ipd¨p tNmZn¨p. " kmhn{Xn BÀ¡p Iq«psIS¡m³ h¶Xm... A`ntím... AtXm F\ntím...?..." " H¶p t]m Fsâ amtj... Np½m tXm¶ymkw ]dbmsX..." AhÄ¡p \mWw. " F\níp Iq«psIS¡p¶Xp tXm¶ymkmtWm...]pXnb ]pXnb hymbma§fp ]dªp Xcmw..." " AsXm¶pw th−... C¨nsc Cw¥ojp ]dªp X¶m aXn...." AhÄ ]dªp XoÀ¶¸tgípw kmhn{XnbpsS A½bpw A`nbpw IqSn ASp¡fbnteíp h¶p. " Hm.. XethZ\sbm¶pw CÃm¶p ]dªtÃm... cmPp s]mtím... ]Wnsbms¡ R§fp sNbvtXmfmw..." AhÀ I¿nencp¶ tSmÀ¨v AcnIn sh¨p. kmcnbpsS Xps¼Sp¯v Acbn Ip¯n. " th− tN¨o... GXmbmepw Bip]{Xn¡mÀ¡p htÃmw H−m¡Ww.... AXnsâ IqsS Hcp kqt¡SpImcnípw IqSn H−m¡m³ F\níp _p²naps«m¶panÃ... IůcmtWt¸mepw..." Rm³ A`ntb t\m¡n¸dªp. " amtj... ASp¡tf s]®p§fp ]Wnbs«.... CsXm¶p ]dªp Xm.... Ct§m«p t]mcm³ ]dª¸w Rm³ _p¡pw IqsS sIm−ph¶ns«m−v..." " ]WnIgnªv ]dªp Xcmw tamtf..." " Ct§m«p Xcps¶mt−m........ C\n Cu ASp¡tfsS A©be¯p t]mepw I−p t]mIcpXv... \¡m³ t\camIp¼w hnfnímw..." A`n apt¶m«p NmSn Fsâ I¿nencp¶ Xhn ]nSn¨p hm§n. kmhn{Xn Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p. Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶ kmhn{XnbpsS A½tbmSp ]dªp. " It−m tN¨o... Ft¶ Fs´ms¡bm ]td¶Xv... AXpw \n§sSsbms¡ ap¼n sh¨v... C\n \mWw sI«v Rm\o ho«n Hcp \nanjw \ní¯nÃ.... \SptdmUn ]«nWn sIS¶mepw th−nÃ... C¸w Ccp«n... AtXm−v.... cmhnte Rm³ kvYew hnSpw.... " " Hm.. A§p sNÃv... t]mbm ChnsS R§¡p.... Mm... Fsâ hmbo¶p tI¡−..."

" F´m A`o CXv... BWp§tfmSv C§s\bm hÀ¯m\w ]td¶Xv..." AhÀ A`ntb iImcn¨p. " C¸w tN¨ow IqsS tI«tÃm.... Rms\mcp FcKXow ]cKXow CÃm¯h\mbsIm−tÃ... B cmta«³ ImcWam... AtÃÂ... Rm\nhnsS h¶ A¶psamXev... Ft¶ HmSním³ t\m¡p¶Xm... ieysa¶pw ]dªv... thsd hà \nhr¯osam−mcps¶¦n.... Rm\o sXdow tI«v \ní¯nÃmcp¶p ...C¸w tZ... Imcyw I−pIgnª¸w....." Rm³ I®pXpS¨psIm−v shfnbnend§n. A`n hmbpw s]mfn¨p \n¶p. Rm\n§s\ ]dbpsa¶hÄ IcpXn¡mWnÃ. R§Ä ASp¡fbpsS ]pd¯nd§n adªp \n¶p. kmhn{Xn Ft¶ t\m¡n Nncn¨p. Rm³ an−cpsX¶v BwKyw ImWn¨p. AhÀ kwkmcw XpScp¶p. " sO...sO... F¶mepw B sNdp¡t\mSv ...." AhÀ A`ntb IpÁs¸Sp¯p¶p. " Fsâ tN¨o... Np½m... s\mWbm... IÃpsh¨ s\mW... ChnsS R§fp ]pÅn¡mct\ hncp¶pImct\t¸mem IW¡m¡p¶Xv... H¶n\pw Hcp sImdhpanÃ... " " F¶mepw ]mhw... Ictªm−m... t]mbXv...." tN¨níp Fs¶tbmÀ¯v k¦Sw. " H¶qà tN¨o... AsXms¡ shdpw A`n\bm..... F¶mepw ]mham... hmbn I¿n«m IqsS ISní¯nÃm¯ {]IrXm....R§tf Hs¡ shey Imcyam... R§¡p th−n Poh³ Ifbpw... AXpsIm−tà C¨nsc th−mXo\w ]dªmepw t]mt«¶p shíp¶Xv... tN¨n I−XtÃ... C¶se Ftft½w s]m¡ns¡mt−mSnbXv... At§cnÃmcpt¶... R§sf´p sNbvtXt\... Ftf½ ChnsSs¡S¶v NmIt¯sbmÅp..." A`n Ft¶ ]pIgv¯p¶p. F\níp Ipfncp tImcn. kmhn{Xn Fsâ XpSbn \pÅn. " A`n¡p«o... C¸w F\nsímcp kwibw....." " F´phm...?..." " A`n F¸sg¦nepw hmbn I¿n«p sImSp¯n«mtWm ISní¯nsöp XoÀ¨bm¡ntb....?.." " Hm... Cu tN¨ow Imª hn¯mtW.... F¶mepw ]dbmw.... HcpZnhkw ChnsSmcp Ių h¶mcp¶p.... Ftf½ ho«nt¸mb sZhkm.... t]Sn¨ns«\nsímd§m³ ]ÁoÃ... A¶p Rm³ sIS¶Xv Cu cmPqsâ.... I«nteem.... ]mhw B tais¸md¯v Xtew Nbv¨psIS¶v ab§n...." " t]mSo s]t®... \o A{Xí§p ip²KXn¡mcnbmI−... H¶pw \S¶nsöp ]dªm F\nít§m«p hnizkním³ ]Á¯nÃ...." {]`mhXn A§s\ hnizkníp¶nÃ. " Fsâ acn¨p t]mb A½bmtW kXyw... Cu a\pjy³ Ft¶ tZmjmbns«m¶p t\m¡nbXp t]mepanÃ... F\nípw AÛpXmbnt¸mbn..." " Fâoizcm... C¸gt¯¡me¯v C§\t¯ sNdp¸¡mtcm...?... F¶n«mtWm... Aht\mSv A`n Ct{Xw X«nt¡dnbXv..." kmhn{Xn Fsâ XpSbn \pÅn. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ Fs¶ t\m¡n aq¡¯p hnc shíp¶p. AXnsâ AÀ°w CXmbncp¶p. Cbmsfsbms¡ F´n\p sImÅmw, sImih³, Hcp s]®nt\ cm{Xn X\n¨p kz´w apdnbn In«o«v Np½m sIS¶ ipw`³. " AsXsâ tN¨o... C¨nsc Xm¶psImSp¯m Xtet¡dn Ccnípw... AXm Bfv... skm`mh ZqjyanÃtÃm... R§fp c−p s]®p§sfms−¦nepw... s]cpamÁsams¡ F¸gpw Uokâm tIt«m... sNe¸gt¯ {]hÀ¯n I−m.. C¨nsc h«pt]mse tXm¶pw... tZ... C¶t¯ IdnIfp apgph\pw ]pÅn¡mcsâ {iaam... N«osems¡ C¨nsc _m¡n ImWpw.... tN¨n H¶p t\m¡ntí... Ct{Xw Imew Rm³ t\m¡o«v C§s\ Hcp Idn shím³ ]Áo«nÃ..." " Mqw... Nmf sImÅmw... Ct{Xw cpNnbmbn«nXp shím³ ]Ápthm... CsX¶Xm... Ahnbtem... lbv. C¸gpw AXnsâ Hcp aWw... " kmhn{XnbpsS A½ IdnIÄ cpNníp¶p. " tZ.... B s¹bnÁn aqSnsh¨ncníp¶Xv cmhnet¯ ]bdpIdosS _m¡nbm... AXp Rm³ t\m¡oÃ... " A`n s¹bnÁp Xpd¡p¶ iÐw. " sÈSm... shdpw ]bdpIdnínt{Xw cpNntbm... F¦n... GXmbmepw ]pÅntb hnfn¨v HcpZnhkw Iq«m³ shbv¸níWw... Fs´ms¡bm CSpt¶¶dnbmtÃm..." " tN¨n Hcp Znhkw C§p hm... ASp¯ i\nbmgvN hm... Rm³ ]dªm... ]pÅn¡mc³ Bbncw Idn D−m¡pw... " A`n Nncníp¶p. " AsX´m A`o... \nt¶ A{XínãmtWm....?..." " Fsâ s]mdtI \S¡phm... ]−t¯ Ifn¡q«pImcmsW¶pw ]dªv...." " Ahcp ao³ImcmsWs¶mcp sImdth HÅp.... s\\¡p tNcpw... Bfp tbmKy\m... XÃn\pw tamiÃm¶m tI«Xv... F\nínãm... cmta«³ ChnsS Aht\ \nÀ¯tWm¦n..

H¶pw t\m¡msX sN¿nÃtÃm... At{Xw hnizmkmbn«tÃ... ]ns¶... \n§fp kÀ¡mcptZymKkvXcmIp¼w F§s\bm... Ah³ ]dª t]mse shdpw ao³ImcmIp¼w... \½sfÃm htimw t\m¡t−..... F¦n¸ns¶ F´n\m B ]mh¯nt\ \ncmis¸Sp¯p¶Xv... HSp¡w... imcZ sNbvX t]mse hÃXpw sNbvXm¸ns¶ B ]gn s\\¡ncnípw.. IqSpXeSp¡m³ t]mI−..." AhÀ A`ntb D]tZiníp¶p. A`n Ft´m clkyw ]dbp¶Xp t]mse, Hcp ]Xnª kwkmcw t]mse tXm¶n. ]ns¶ c−pt]cptSbpw s]m«n¨ncn. " \o Bfp sImÅmtÃmSo s]t®... GXmbmepw kq£nt¨mWw.. ]´bw Pbn¨ntÃ... Ah³ \nt¶ _eambn«p htÃmw sN¿pthm.... Bfn\p \à iànbmtW... A`n Ahsâ Hcp shcen\nÃ....." AhÀs¡mcp kwibw. " Hm AXns\mÅ ss[cysam¶panÃ.... AYhm h¶m... Rm³ sXf¨ shÅw tam´símgnípw..." Rm³ hmXn¡teíp amdn \n¶p. F¶n«p ]dªp. " AXn\I¯p sImd¨p Im¸ns¸mSow ]©kmtcw IqsS Ct«cv.... sh«pI¯n¸mdp..." " tM... \mWanÃmsX Hfn¨p \nípImcpt¶m ChnsS...." AhÄ Fsâ t\tc X«nt¡dn. " ao³ImÀ¡p \mtWmw amt\mt−m... Ahcp ImWp¶ Fdbs¯ms¡ Hfn¨p\nípw.. Hfnªpt\m¡pw.... t\ctà tN¨o... AhÀ¡p \mtWmt−m...? A¸¸ns¶ F\nímsc t]Sním\m..?." " A¸w cmPmaWn R§fp ]dªsXms¡ tI«p....CtÃ....tÈ... tamità Hfn¨p \n¶p tI¡pIm¶p sh¨mev......." AhÀs¡mcp N½Â. " H¶qà tN¨o... AO³ t]mb¸w samXep Rm\o ao\pfp¼nsâ Ifnbm¡ep tI¡p¶Xm.... AXp ]p¯cnbÃ.... C¸w A`nam\m tXm¶p¶Xv... C¨nsc \mÁsams−¶tà HÅq... sXmgnetÃ.... C¸w ChnsS ChcpsS kuP\y¯n sIS¡p¼w sNe¸w B am\w t]mtbm¶p kwibw..... AXp t]ms«... tN¨nsí¶Xm F¸gm Idnshtí−sX¶p ]dªm aXn.... Rm³ ho«n hcmw.. ]dªp Xcmw... Ct§m«p hc−..." Rm³ A`ntb t\m¡n. " Atà Bcm−p hcp¶p...t\m¡m³..." A`n apJw tIm«n ]dªp. " C\nsbmcp kXyw ]dbmtÃm tN¨o... Rm\mbn«p ]db−m ]db−m¶p hnNmcn¨p \S¡pImcp¶p.... Ignª amkw.... A½ F\nsímcp ao³Imcntb¯t¶ t\m¡n sh¨ns«m−v... \nivObw htc Ignªncníphm... R§sS ASp¯m.... At½sS IqsS ]−p ao³ hn¡ms\ms¡ t]mbncp¶ Hcp ]mh¯nsâ tamfm...... shey kuμcysam¶panÃ.. F¦nepw \à skm`mhm... ASp¯ Rmbdmgv¨ A½ Ct§m«p hcpw... FÃmtcbpw £Wním³... ]co£ IgnªmsemS³ IeymWw.... XobXn c−p Iq«cpw IqsS C¸w \nivObn¨pImWpw... ]co£íp ]Tníp¶XpsIm−v NS§ns\m¶pw Rm³ sNÃ−m¶p ]dªp..... " " AsX´m C{X s]s«¶§s\ \nivObním³ ImcWw..." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " ImcWw.... Fsâ tN¨o.....A½ín¸w Xosc h¿m... ho«n Bfp thWw.. AXpsIm−p Rm\§p k½Xntíw sNbvXp..... F\nín{X sNdp¸¯nte sI«W¶nÃmcp¶p.... " " Np½m hmbnhcp¶Xp t]mse ]pfphSn¨m R§f§p hnizknípsh¶mtWm....... " AhÀ hnc−p\n¡p¶ A`ntb t\m¡n ]dªp. " \n§fp hnizkníWs¶\níp shenb \nÀ_Ôsam−mbn«Ã.... \n§sft¶¸Án C¸w NÀ¨ sNbvXXpsIm−p ]dªp t]mbXm.... AXpw.... Rm³ shdpsamcp ]od ao³Imc¯osS aIs\s¶mcp XcwXm¡epw IqsS tI«t¸m...... " AhÀ A`ntb t\m¡n. A`n ASp¸nteíp apJw Xncn¨p. " ]ns¶ tN¨o... F\nípw C¨nsc A_²w ]Án.... s]m«\m Rm\pw... C¨nsc sXmenshfp¸pw Nt´mw Hs¡ HÅ s]¼ntÅtc¡mWp¼w FÃm sNdp¸¡mÀ¡pw Hscf¡w H−mIphtÃm... AXm¶p hnNmcn¨v sImd¨v ]©mtcbSn¨v Rm\pw..... FÃmcpw £anív... Rms\Ãmw Dt]£n¨p..... A½ £Wníp¶Xn\p ap¼v Xt¶... Rm³ FÃmtcw £Wníp¶p.... C¸w A`nípw kt´mjmbtÃm... C\n Rm\mctSw s]mdtI \S¡m\pt±iníp¶nÃ.... hmSo tamtf... \ap¡p ]Tnímw... ]nt¶ Bcpw H¶pw Nmbn¸ntem«p sIm−phc−... ]Tn¯w Ignbp¼w R§fnt§m«p hcmw... Hcp Imcyw IqSn.... t]Sn¨n«mcpw shtÅmw sXf¸nt¨m−p Im¯ncní−... Fsâ samJw F\níp shes¸«XmtW.... C\n H¶n\pw Btcw A[nIw _p²nap«nínÃ... ChnS¶p t]mWXphtc....."

Rm³ A`ntb t\m¡n aμlkn¨p. B apJ¯v càabanÃ. Hcp AÔmfn¸p t]mse. Rm³ kmhn{Xntb hnfn¨psIm−v Nmbv]n tIdn IXIS¨p. " tamÄs¡´m ]Tníms\mÅXv...?.. _ps¡Sp¡v...." Rm³ I«nencp¶p. " Hm... F\ní§s\ Imcymbns«m¶pw CÃ... C¨ntc {Kmadp t\m¡Ws¶m−mcp¶p.... At{XÅq..." AhÄ \J¯n\nSbn Npc−ns¡m−p ]dªp. " F´m¶m FSp¡v... C¶p tamfnhnsS sIS¡pImtWm AtXm..." " C\n amsjm−tÃm.. sNe¸w AO³ C¨nsc Ignbp¼w ht¶ípw... kmdp hcp¼tgípw... " AhÄ Fsâ ap¼n h¶p \n¶p. _Ä_n\p NpÁpw Cubmw]mÁIÄ ]mdn¸d¡p¶p. " sÈ... CsXhnSp¶m Ct{Xw Cubmw]mÁIfv...Hm.. C¶p ]pXpag s]bvXtÃm... AXpsIm−m... ieyw... apÁ¯q¶m s]m§p¶Xv... tamfnhnsS Ccn... Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«...." Rm³ t\tc AIt¯ apdnbn Ibdn. sseÁW¨p. ]ns¶ _m¡n FÃm apdnIfntebpw. ASp¡fbn sN¶t¸mÄ A`n Hcp Ìqfn Ft´m Nn´n¨ncníp¶p. Rm³ kzn¨n Ibvsh¨t¸mÄ Ft´m AcnªpsIm−ncp¶ kmhn{XnbpsS A½ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m C¸w ssesÁms¡ AWípt¶...?..." " apÁw s\dtb Cubmw]mÁIfm... C\n sseÁnsâ sh«w ImWp¼w DÅntem«pw hcpw... Hcp AcaWn¡qdp sISp¯nbn«m aXn... AhÁIfp s]mdt¯ _Ä_nsâ NpÁpw ]d¶p N¯p hotWmfpw.... Cu P\eSt¨cv... ASp¸o¶p sh«sam−tÃm..." AhÀ ASp¡fP\en IqSn ]pdt¯sí¯n t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp. " sicnbm... s]md¯p s\td H−v... ]m{X¯nsems¡ N¯p hogpw...." Rm³ sseÁW¨p. A`ntb t\m¡n. AhÄ sIm¯nsh¨ ]mh t]mse Ccníp\p. " Fsâ ho«pImco... C§s\ Ccp¶mse§\m.... tN¨nXt¶ _p²nap«t−... AtàRm\pw IqsS IqSmw..." Rm³ XamibpsS kzc¯n ]dªp. " th−t¶... CXn¸w Xocms\mÅtX HÅp...." AhÀ \nÊmcambn ]dªp. " tN¨o.... Rm\n¨nsc sISt¶mt«...." A`n £oWkzc¯n tNmZníp¶p. Rm³ XncnsI Nmbn¸nse¯n. ]pd¯p \n¶pÅ shfn¨¯n kmhn{Xn I«nen Ccníp¶Xp ImWmw. Rm³ sN¶v AhfpsS ASp¯ncp¶p. " Aà amtj.... A`nt¨¨n ]dªXp t\cmtWm... tN¨o A¦nfnsâ I«nte sIS¶ns«mt−m...?.." " H−v... Ahfp ]dªXp t\cm... ]s£¦n... AhSO³ Ft¶ hnizkn¨tà ChnsS \nÀ¯ocnípt¶..." " AXm amtj sImg¸mtb... A¶Xp samXem¡ocps¶¦n C¶v tN¨n Ct{Xw ]db¯nÃmcp¶p.... a−\m Cu amjv... A`nt¨¨ow s]m«nbm... \à Hcp kuIcyw In«nb¸w..." " AsXms¡ t]ms« \o s]mkvXsaSp¡v..." " H¶qsS tNmZnt¨ms«.... amjp ]dªXp t\cmtWm... amjsS IeymWw \nivObnt¨m...." " Mm.... C¸w \nivObn¨pImWpw... \o AsXms¡ hnSv... \nsâ C¸gt¯ NpaXe ]TnípIms¶mÅXm...." " amtj.... C\n Ccp«s¯§s\bm ]Tnípt¶....\ap¡p hà hÀ¯mt\mw ]dªncnímw...." AhÄ Ft¶mSp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. " Ccnímw..]t£... C¨nsc ]Tn¯w Csæn ... aÁptÅmÀs¡´p tXm¶pw..." Rm\htf Ft¶mSp tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p. Hcp ]q¨¡pªnt\ t]mse AhÄ Fsâ I¿nsemXp§n. " amtjmsSm¶p an−m\m Ie k½Xní¯nÃ.... Ahsfm−mcpt¶Â Rm³ hct¯bnÃmcp¶p... GXmbmepw C¸w h¶Xp \¶mbn... amjtS IeymWw hcpItÃ.... C\n CXpt]mse F\nsím¶p kwkmcním³ CXpt]mse Hs¯¶p hcpthm..."" " F\nípw tamtf Cãm... ImWp¶nÃtÃm¶p hnNmcn¨ncn¡phmcp¶p...." " AtX... R§s¡mc_²w ]Án...." AhÄ sasà Fsâ sNhnbn ]dªp. " Rm\pw C¨nscsbms¡ tI«p... Cu {]mbatÃ... \n§tf Rm³ IpÁw ]db¯nÃ... F¶mepw t\m¡ow I−pw Hs¡ tht− Cu A_²w Hs¡ ImWním³... "

" " Hm... C¸w s]¼ntÅscms¡ sN¿q¶m {]Imi³ ]tdt¶.... C¸gpw A`nt¨¨nív Ft¶ A{X ]nSp¯aÃ... ho«nednbmªXp `mKyw... AtàAO³ \à s]S s]St¨t\..." " Bt«... \n§sf´_²m ImWnt¨..." AhÄ an−nbnÃ. ]Icw Fsâ Npaenteíp apJw Nmbn¨p. Rm\hfpsS XeapSnbn hnctemSn¨p tImXn. AhÄ Ipd¨pIqSn tNÀ¶ncp¶p. ]pdt¯ {]Imiw P\enÂIqSn Aåw Acn¨v apdnbn F¯p¶p−mbncp¶p. " ]dtª... Rm\mtcmSpw ]db¯nÃ..." " Np½mbncn amtj... AXp ]dbm³ sImůnÃ...." " F¶m th−... {Kmadp ]Tnímw.... Ft´m¶m Adntb−Xv...?.." " Cu.... BUvPIvÁohv.... " " Hm...AtXm... F¶p]dªm... \uWnsâ.. AXmbXv.. \ma¯nsâ hntijWw... DZmlcWw... du¬Uv Hmd©v... AXnte BUvPIvÁohv GXm..." ]dª Iq«¯n Rm³ AhfpsS Hcp apebn H¶p XtemSn. " AXv... AXv... " AhÄ H¶p hn¡n. " tZ...CXpt]mse...a\Ênemtbm...?.." Rm³ AhfpsS c−p apeIfnepw h«¯n XtemSn. Aåw Abª B apeIfn Fsâ It¿mSnbt¸mÄ »ukn\pÅn AhbpsS sR«pIÄ XSn¨p IqÀ¯p \n¶p. AsXsâ I¿n XSªt¸mÄ Rm³ Ahbn XpWnIq«n H¶aÀ¯n Xncp½n. " Mqw... du¬Uv...." AhÄ Hcp ZoÀL \nizmkt¯mSp IqSn ]dªp. " anSp¡n.... " ]ns¶ Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn ]dªp. " tamsfsâ aSotem«p tIdnbncpt¶...." ]dbm¯ Xmakw. AhÄ Fgpt¶Áv Fsâ aSnbn F\níp ]pdw Xncnªncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ F\ním apeIfn ]nSním³ \à kuIcyw. I£§fn IqSn I¿n«v Rm³ ]−p ]dªp sImSp¯ amXncn AhfpsS apeIfn Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. Fsâ I¿n AXp c−pw \ndªp\n¶p. Fsâ Kpem³ ]Xps¡ Xes]m¡n¯pS§n. Rm\htf Aåw apt¶m«p XÅnbncp¯nbn«v jÍnbptS AcnIn IqSn Aht\ shfnbnseSp¯p. Ah³ AhfpsS ]pd¯v Nmcn apIfnteíp Xes]m¡n \n¶p. s]s«¶v Hcp sNdnb hfInep¡w AIt¯ apdnbn \n¶pw tI«Xp t]mse. A`n I¿n kzÀ®hfbpsS IqsS c−p Idp¯ Ip¸nhfbpw Nnet¸mÄ CSmdp−v. Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn ]dªp. " \½tf Btcm {i²níps¶m−v... AXpsIm−p ]dªp Xcp¶Xv C¨nsc Hds¡ ]d..." " Mm... sicn..." AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¯p. Rm³ D¨¯n ]dªp. " tZ C¸w Ìn¡v... AXmbXv...hSn... tem§v Ìn¡v.. AXnsâ BUv F´mWv..?.." Rm³ AhfpsS Hcp Ibv ]pdtIms«Sp¯v s]m§n\n¶ Fsâ Kpem\n ]nSn¸n¨p. AhÄ Aht\ ASnapSn XgpIm³ XpS§n. " Ct{Xw BtemNníms\´ncníp¶p... C¸w H¶mw¢mÊnte ]ntÅÀ¡nsXms¡ Adnbmw...." " AXv...AXv... tem§v... " D¨¯n ]dªpsIm−v AhÄ Ip®bn hmWaSn XpS§n. Rm³ AhfpsS Hmd©papeIfn amhp Ipg¨p. " C\n... bq lmhv G {_u¬ kvtIÀ«v.... AXnsâtbm....?..." tNmZn¨psIm−v Rm³ AhfpsS ]mhmS apIfnteíp s]m¡n. XpSIfn XgpIn. AhÄ XpSIÄ AI¯n. AXnsâ kpJ¯n Ahsfm¶p hnd¨p. D¯cw ]dbm³ Xmakn¨p. " AXv.. AXv... lmhv...." AhfpsS kzc¯ns\mcp kpJ¯nsâ CSÀ¨bp−mbncp¶p. " C§s\ t]Sn¨p ]dªn«m sXÁnbXv... kvtIÀ«nsâ hntijWw... H¶mtemNnt¨... Mqw..." Rm³ ho−pw D¨¯n Hc²ym]Isâ CuW¯n Xt¶ tNmZn¨p. Rm³ AhfpsS AIw XpSIfn At§mfant§mfw XShns¡mSp¯p. \à an\pkw. apIfn AhfpsS apt¡mW¯n\Sp¯v ]mânbn Fsâ IbvsXm«t¸mÄ AhÄ aqfn. " Mqw..Mqw... Mqw..." Rm³ sNhntbmÀ¯psIm−ncnípIbmbncp¶p. hfInep¡¯ns\m¸w XpWnbpsS Hcp ]S]S¸pw sNdnb ImeSniÐhpw tI«p. {i²n¨t¸mÄ AXp sasà AI¶p t]mIp¶Xp t]mse. Bcmbmepw R§tf ]cntim[ním³ h¶hÀ Xt¶ F¶p a\Ênembn. Rm³ s]s«¶v IXIp Xpd¶v shfnbnend§n ASp¡fP\ensâ ap¼n HmSnsb¯n

AIt¯íp t\m¡n. {]`mhXnt¨¨nbpsS Xe I−p. A`n sasà hmXn IS¶v ASp¡fbnteíp hcp¶p. Rm³ P\en IqSn hnfn¨p ]dªp. " l... C¨nsc t\ct¯ív P\eSsít¶... CtàtNmdpw Idow apgph³ \inípw..." ]dªn«v Rm³ XncnsI h¶p. kam[m\t¯msS kmhn{Xntb FSp¯p aSnbn Ccp¯n ]gb]Sn Ip®sbSp¯p I¿n sImSp¯p. " \½tf Hcmfp hm¨p sN¿ps¶m−mcp¶p... " Rm³ ]dªp. " A`nt¨¨nbmcnípw... " AhÄ sasà ]dªp. Rm³ ho−pw AhfpsS ]mhmS s]m¡n XgpIm³ XpS§n. Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS Ih¡q«n F¯n ]mânbmsW¶p IcpXn Rm³ sXm«XhfpsS tbm\nbn HÁs¸«p InS¶ Iptd kn¡ptcma§fnÂ. " tM... \o CXns\Sív AXqcntbm...?.." " Mqw... t\cw Ifb−m¶p sh¨p...." " anSp¡n...." Rm³ AhfpsS tbm\oXe¯nsem¶p XtemSn. an\pkapÅ tcma§fn sXcp¸nSn¨p. " C\n ]d... slbÀ... AXns\mcp BUv ]dbmtam...?..." tNmZn¨psIm−v... Rm³ B tcma§fn ]nSn¨v hen¨p. sNdnb tcma§Ä. " Mqw... Mqw... »mív..." " anSp¡n... »míp Xs¶bmtWm... ?... " Rm³ B tcma§fn XShns¡m−p ]Xps¡ tNmZn¨p. " A{X »míÃm... C¨nsc \oes\dw t]msesbms−¶m tXm¶tW... Iebm ]dtª......" AhÄ Igp¯p Xncn¨v Fsâ Npt−mSp Np−p tNÀ¯psIm−p ]dªp. " " AXp sicn.... c−pt]cpw Ifn¡fw s]m¡n¡mWnípw AtÃ...." " sNe¸w Ahs¡mcp Xcw tXm¶em... ]ns¶ Ah¡p ImWWw... H¶p sXm«p t\m¡Ww At{XsbmÅp...." ]dªt¸mÄ AhÄs¡mcp kt¦mNw. " Mm... ]ns¶.... hncsem¶p ap«níWw... apÃsamt«sem¶p Xncp½Ww... AsXms¡btÃ...?.." Rm³ AhfpsS tcma§Ä ]nSns¨m¶pe¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " AsXm¶panÃ... AhÄs¡¸gpw c−pt]ctSw X½nsemÅ hyXymkw t\m¡Ww... sNe¸w Hcp h«m Ah¡v... F¶mepw ]mhm.... AXm F\níhtf C{X Cãw..." " Mm Bbntím.. FÃm¯n\pw Hcp adsbms¡ thWw tIt«m... B.... C\n ]d......slbdn\v... \ofw AXpw ]d..." Rm³ D¨¯n ]dªp. " tjmÀ«v... ]ns¶ tem§msW¶p thtW sNeSt¯Xn\p ]dbmw.... " AhÄ Nncníp¶p. " \o shfª hn¯p Xs¶bmtW..." Rm\hfpsS Nps−m¶p ISn¨o¼n hn«p. AhfpsS Np−n\p apIfn s]mSn¨ hnbÀ¸nsâ D¸pckw Fsâ \mhn ]Án. " \n¡sdhnsSbn«p...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Zmt−...ChnsS I«nteÂ....." AhÄ Ft¶ Nq−n¡mWn¨p. Rm\sXSp¯p. AXnsâ ap³`mK¯v H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. " C¸sg§m\pw \o Ipfn¨mcpt¶m..?..." " Mqw... F¶n«v Ae¡nbXm C«Xv... F´m... hmSbnà AtÃ..." " A¼So... s\\s¡§s\bmSo Rm³ aWw ]nSníphm¶p a\ÊnembXv...?.." " sNe¸w {]Imi\pw Cu kqt¡sSm−v... Fsâ Ae¡m¯ sP«n Ducn hm§n¨p sIm−p t]mIpw...." Rm³ sP«n XebnWíSnbnteíp tIÁn sh¨p. AhfpsS Ih¡q«nteíp IbvIfn«p. AhÄ H¶p hnd¨p ]ns¶ XpSIÄ AI¯n¯¶v Fsâ s\©nteíp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. Rm³ AhfpsS ]qdnsâ ASn`mKw H¶p hnSÀ¯n. AXn\pÅn hncsem¶nt«mSn¨pt\m¡n. \à NqSpw \\hpw sX¶epw. " Hením³ sXmS§nbtÃmSo..." " AXp amjnsâ IqsS Ccp¶¸w samXep sXmS§oXm...." " AsX§s\.... a\Ênembn s\\¡v...?..." " ]ns¶.... Fsâ tZl¯p Xcn¸p hcp¼w amjm AdnbpI...?...\\bm³ sXmS§p¼w Hcp sR«epw Xcn¸pw AhsS hcpw.... Rm³ sNe¸w X¸n t\m¡pw... I¿msI \\bpw At¶cw... " " F¶n«p \o shcenSpw...AtÃ...?..."

AhÄ an−nbnÃ. ]Icw Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«p s]m¡n Fsâ Igp¯n NpÁn¸nSním³ t\m¡n. Rm³ B ]qÀ¨mente sNdnb Zf§Ä hen¨p ]pdt¯ín«p. F¶n«v cºÀ hen¨p hnSp¶Xpt]mse hen¨p hn«p ckn¨p. atÁ¡bv sIm−v hnShnsâ apIfÁw hnSÀ¯n DÅn \n¶pw Dbcm³ XpS§nb I´n Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ Ccp¶p ]ncnbm³ XpS§n. " amtj... C¨ncqsS Aa¡n Xncp½v.... thtW shceIt¯m«qsS Ct«m... " " sXmtfen«m t\mIptIteSo...?..." " AXp kmcanÃ... amjnsâ shcen\p \à h®samÅXpsIm−v \à ckmcnípw... thKw Fs´¦nepw sNbvtXm.... AO\n¸w hcpw... R§tf sImt−mIm³..." " F´m sN¿t−...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F\nídnb¯nÃ... ?.." " ]Sw hc¨mtem...?.." " Mqw... F¶Xmbmepw HSt\ thWw.. \à cksam−n¸w.... " AhÄ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨v I´n sXcpsXsc Xncp½n¨p. s]®n\p NqSp tIdn F¶p a\Ênembn. F\nípw C¶p a\Êns\mcp emLhXzw In«nbncp¶XpsIm−v I¿n In«nb I\ntb BkzZníms\mcp sImXn. Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \ns¶ Bsc¦nepw ]®os«mt−mSo tamtf...." " ]®os«mt−mt¶m... F¶p sh¨mse´m....?..." " Du¡os«mt−m¶v... \nsâ Cu kmam\¯nte sXmtf {]Imit\m atÁm...Ahsâ A−n XÅnt¡Áos«mt−m¶v...?.." " Np½mbncn amtj..." AhÄs¡mcp \mWw t]mse. " thKw ]d.... F¶n«p thWw F´p sN¿W¶p Xocpam\ním³..." " Hcp {]mhiyw.... ]ns¶ thsdmcp {]mhtiymw..." " AsX¶mSo A§s\..." " BZyt¯ {]mhiyw... tIÁo«v.... Rm³ Ducn¡fªp... `b¦c thZ\bmcp¶p.... ]n¶t¯ {]mhiyw {]Imi³ Fsâ tamfnt¡dn..... tIÁptIw Fd¡ptIw sNbvXp... AsX\nínãmbn.... " " At¿m.... F¶n«v Ahsâ A−ntb¶p h¶ ]mep \ntâXn\Is¯mgn¨mcpt¶m..." " CÃ... F\níp ckw Ignª¸w {]Imi³ DucnsbSp¯p. ]ns¶ Rm³ {]Imisâ AtXev.... Ibv]nSn¨p tXmÀt¯semgn¨psImSp¯p........" " s\\s¡¸gm sa³kkv..?..." " C¶se¡gnªtX HÅp....." " F¶m {]Imi³ sNbvX t]mse sN¿t«...?.." " Mqw... " " tamfnt§m«p Xncnªncnív..." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp Fsâ XpSIfn tIdn Xncnªncp¶p. ImepIÄ c−pw hi§fnembn I«nenteíp sh¨p. Rm³ Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p. Ip®sbSp¯v AhfpsS Imen¶nSbnse am{´nIKplmapJ¯p H¶pc−pc¨p. ]ns¶ Ahsâ Xe hmXn¡ XÅn sh¨n«v AhfpsS Acs¡«n ]nSn¨v Fsâ t\À¡p hen¨Sp¸n¨p. Ft¶ AÛpXs¸Sp¯ns¡m−v henb {]bmksam¶pw IqSmsX AXpÅnteíp tIdn. Rm³ Ipd¨p IqSn XÅn. " At{Xw th− amtj... DÅn sImÅp¶p.... " Rm³ XÅ \nÀ¯n. " F¶m sIS¡mw... A¸w sImÅqÃ..." Rm³ \nÀt±in¨p. " th− .... amj¡p \à shbnÁm... F\níp izmkw ap«pw...." " F¶m \o Xt¶ sN¿v.... " AIt¯ NqSn \ndªncp¶p kpJníp¶ Ip® CSínSíp Rm³ s]cp¸n¨p. AhÄ Fsâ apXpI¯p sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ XpSbnencp¶p apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw \nc§m³ XpS§n. \à hgphgp¡temtS Fsâ Ip® B In§nWn¸qdn tIdnbnd§m³ XpS§n. F\nsímcp kwibw. CXp c−n IqSpX Ifn Ignª XpfbmWtÃm. " F§s\m−v...kptJmt−m... " " Mqw H¯ncn kptJm−v... amjm apÃsamt«epw IqsSm¶p ]nSnímthm... Np½m ]s¿ Xncp½nbm aXn...." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. Rm³ hbdn\nSbn IqSn I¿n«v AhfpsS I´n Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. AhfpsS hncnªncp¶ ]qdn\p NpÁpw AhfpsS \o´en\\pkcn¨v XShns¡mSp¯p. AtXmsS

AhÄ ]qdndp¡n¸nSn¨psIm−v {Iaambn \o´m³ XpS§n. AXn\\pkcn¨hfpsS aqfepw io¡mc§fpw IqSn. \à NqSnfInb s]®v. AhfpsS Ig¸p I− Rm³ CSí Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " tamtf... {]Imi³ \nt¶ F{X {]mhiyw sNbvXp ...?..." " C¸w \m...ep...{]m...hiyw...sNbvXq... amtj... F\níp... Xcníp¶q... samt«Â sicníp ]nSo...Mqw.. Mqw.. At¿m... \à kpJw.. amjtS sImgen\p \à h®w... AXI¯ncníp¼w \à ckw..." " {]Imi\nt{Xw h®antÃ...?.." " MmM....At¿m... F\níp sXdnípw.. At¿m.... amtj... Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn... Mqw...Mqw... sXcpsXsc samt«Â Aa¡v..." " H¨ shímsX kpJnív..... Bsc¦nepw hcpw..." " hct«... F¶mepw CXp sImÅmw... lm...lm...lm... F\níp s]m«o...s]m«o...lq....." Hcp lp¦mct¯msS AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn Ccp¸pd¸n¨p. AhfpsS ]qsdsâ Ip®íp NpÁpw sh«nhenbm³ XpS§n. Rm³ Hcp IbvsIm−v AhfpsS Acs¡«p ]nSn¨p. ]Ámhp¶nSt¯mfw Fsâ Acs¡«\¡n ]®ns¡mSp¯p. Ahsft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v Acs¡«n«p sh«n¨p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS \o´Â shdpw sh«epIfmbn amdn. " aXn.. C\n samt«¶p hnt«cv... Mv...Mv..Mv..Mv.." Rm³ I´n \n¶pw hncseSp¯p. Hcp an\n«p t\ct¯ív Ahsft¶ A\§m³ hn«nÃ. Ahkm\w AhfpsS Ibv H¶bªt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " C\n Rm\Snít«....?..." "th−... F\níp t\mIpw... Ct{Xw aXn... Rm³ amj¡p IbvsIm−p ]nSn¨pXcmw.... " AhÄ ]ns¶bpw Ip® AI¯p sh¨psIm−v Fsâ amdn Nmcn¡nS¶p. tÈ, Cïqs¶d§ptIw sNbvXp, A½ms¯ms«¯nbpanà F¶p ]dªt]mse BbtÃm, Rm³ hnNmcn¨p. Fsâ saW¨p \n¡p¶ Kpems\m¶p Npc¯Ww.. Chtf _eambn«p ]nSn¨§p InS¯n c−Sn ASnt¨ ]Áq. GXmbmepw {]Imi³ aníhmdpw ASníp¶p−v. Asæn Cu sIm¨p kmam\w C¸tg C{X Abb¯nÃ. s]®n\p Ifn kpJnípIbpw sN¿p¶p−v. Rm³ Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nenteíp Nmbms\mcp§n. AhÄ¡p a\Ênembn. " F¶m sN¿m³ t]mIphm...?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " I«nte sIS¶Snímw... At¶cw t\mI¯nÃ...." " At¿m th−... F\nín\n h¿... Rm³ ]nSn¨p Xcmw.... tXmÀs¯Sp¡v... " " Mqw.. F¶m ]ns¶ AXp aXn... AÃmsX´p sN¿pw....." Rm³ amdn XfÀ¶pInS¡p¶ AhfpsS apXpIn XtemSn. AhÄ izmksaSp¯p InX¨p. s]®n\p \¶mbn kpJn¨ e£Ww. AhfpsS hnImckZ\¯n \ns¶men¨p ]pd¯p NmSnb tX³\ocnsâ XWps¸sâ Ip®íp NpÁpw Acníp¶p. " tamf§p XfÀ¶p t]mbtÃm... F´m kpJw IqSnt¸mtbm.....?." " Mqw... amjtS B sam«pXncp½pw sImgensâ hent¸mw IqsSbmb¸w kpJw sIm−v Xe Id§nt¸mbn.... " " A¸w {]Imisâ Ifntbm...?.." " Hm.. AsX¶Xm.... CsX´phmcp¶p... AhnsS Rm³ Ifow Igntª¨v Fgpt¶tÁmSpw..." Rm\htf A§s\Xs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nenteíp aeÀ¶p. Ct¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ apIfn Ip® DÅn sh¨psIm−v Ccníp¶p. " C\n Fgpt¶tÁm..." Rm³ ]dªp. AhÄ Fsâ s\©n IbvIp¯n Acs¡«p s]m¡n Fgpt¶Áp. "]vkv" Fs¶mcp iÐt¯msS Ip® B Cfw]qÁn \n¶pw kzmX{´yw t\Sn. AhÄ I«nen \n¶pw Xmsg Cd§nbt¸mÄ Rms\gpt¶Áp. Ip® jÍníI¯p Ip¯nt¡Ám³ t\m¡n. Ah³ HXp§p¶nÃ, t]mcmªn«v Acbn D−¡Ä¡p Xmsg Hcp Ig¸pw. shÅw t]mtb ]Áq. Ct{Xw \à Hcp Cfw]qdpambns«mcp sIm¨ps]®p ssIípÅnenípt¼mÄ Ibv]nSn¨p Ifbm\pw aSn.. I¿nsems¡ AhfpsS Ipgª ]qÀt¯³ ]pc−p. " F¶m tamsfmcp]Imcw sN¿mthm...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Ft´m¶m...?.."

" tamfp XfÀ¶ncníphtÃ... ]nSníp¼w Ibv sNe¸w Igípw... tamsfm¶p Ip\nªp \n¶p X¶m aXn.... Rm³ s]s«¶p Imcyw km[nt¨mfmw....." " F¶m sN¿m\m....."?... " AhÄ¡p ]ns¶bpw kwibw. " H¶p \nsísâ tamtf..... F¶n«p ]dbmsht¶...." Rm\htf Xncn¨p]nSn¨v _eambn Ip\n¨p \nÀ¯n. F¶n«hfpsS ]mhmS s]m¡n apXpInteíp sh¨p. B apSnªh³ {]Imi³ Cu sIm¨ps]®nsâ ap³hit¯ sXmf Ipfam¡n sh¨p Ignªp. C\n ]pdInet¯Xnepw Ah³ Ibv sh¨pImWptam. Asænepw AXn¨nsc Cdp¡ambncnípsa¶m Pm³skms¡ ]dªp tI«n«pÅXv. Rm³ Cgp¡Â ]nSn¨v hoÀ¯p \n¶ Ip®bpsS XesbSp¯v AhfpsS Fcpa¸qdn H¶pc¨p. " At¿m th− amtj.. C\n AhnsS tIÁ−... F\níp t\mIpw... sXmSmsX..." AhÄ Ibv ]pdtIm«ns«t¶ hne¡n. " AXp ]dªm ]Á¯nà tamtf... F\nín¸w H¶Sn¨p tIÁntb ]ÁpthmÅp... CtàF\níp {`m´p ]nSnípw..." " At¿m... th−.. Rm³ IbvsIm−p ]nSn¨p Xcmw..." " F´n\m tamtf... \à H¶m´cw sXmf sIS¡p¼w Ibv sa\s¡Sp¯pt¶... tamfn¨nsc Ih¨p \nt¶.... Hcp an\n«v....t]mIcpXv... t]mbm...Rm³ ]nSn¨n«p ]®pw...]dtª¡mw... " Rm³ sseÁn«p. I«nen Xebpw c−p IbvIfpw Ip¯n Ip\nªp \n¡p¶ kmhn{Xn. sIm¨pIp−nIÄ¡nSbn AhfpsS sImXw hncnªv AXn\nSbn XSn¨ CeIfpw ]pdt¯íp XÅn¸nSn¨v B Xhn«p]qd§s\ hnSÀ¶p \n¡p¶p. CXh³ ]®n Hcp ]cpham¡n¡gnªp. sIm¨p]pkvXI¯n ]qdpw Ih¨p aeÀ¶ncníp¶ thiys¸®p§fpsS ]qdpIfpsS ]Sw I− F\nív AhfpsS sIm¨p]qdnsâ ]cphw I−t¸mÄ AXp a\Ênembn. Cu s]®nsâ IãImew. " At¿...amtj... sseÁp sISp¯v...." AhÄ Icbp¶Xp t]mse ]dªp. AXn\nSbn Rm³ F\níp th−Xp I−p]nSn¨p Ignªncp¶p. apøqhnsâ aWt¯mSp IqSnb slbtdmbnÂ. hÃt¸mgpw Rm³ Xebn tXíp¶Xv. Ip¸n I¿nseSp¯p. ]ns¶ sseÁp sISp¯n. " tamfn§s\ \níp¶Xp ImWm³ Xt¶ Hcp ckw. sN¼c¯n hnSÀ¶p \níp¶ t]msebtà tamsS ]qdp \níp¶Xv..." " Np½mbncn amtj..." AhÄs¡mcp \mWw t]mse Rm³ kabw IfbmsX Ccp«¯v Ip¸n Xpd¶v Aåw I¿ntesímgn¨p. ]ns¶ AXn \n¶pw hnc sIm−p tXm−n. hnSÀ¶p \n¶ B IqXns¸m«nsem¶p tX¨p. AhÄ Ip−nIÄ Npcp¡n apt¶ms«m¶p hen¨p. " At¿... AhsS F¶m ImWním³ t]mIphm... " " H¨ shímsX AhnsS \nsÃSo... abncp s]t®.... " Rm³ Hmbn ]pc− hnc B IqXn¯pfbnteíp XncpInt¡Án. \à _ehpw apdp¡hpw. " Ab¨p ]nSnsísâ kmhn{Xo.... aps¡So.." " Mpw..." AhÄ ap¡n. At¸mÄ IqXn Abªp. Hcp hnc Ibdn. Aåw IqSn F®sXm«v Rm³ hnc B IqXnbn tIÁnbnd¡n. s]s«¶v AXbªp. _m¡nbp−mbncp¶ Hmbn Rm³ Ip®bn tX¨p. ]ns¶ Ahs\sbSp¯v B IqXn¯pfbnteíp sh¨p XÅn " lt½m..." Ahsfm¶p iÐn¨p. ]ns¶ apt¶m«p IpXn¨p t]mbn. " FSo \o Xqdm³ t]mW t]mse H¶p ap¡n¸nSnt¨...." AhÄ Hcp aqftemSpIqSn izmksaSp¯v ap¡n¸nSn¨p. Hcp IbvsIm−v Rm\hfpsS Acs¡«n ]nSn¨n«v atÁ¡bvsIm−v Ip® ]nSn¨v KpZZzmc¯nen«pc¨p. c−paq¶pc¨t¸mÄ AX¸w Xpd¶p. ]ns¶ Bsªmcp XÅpsImSp¯p. lbv, IÃn\nSbn tIdp¶Xpt]mse, AÃ, Ibdphfb¯n tIdp¶Xp t]mse Ip®¯e AhfpsS sImX¯n IS¶p In«n. AhfpsS Ccp¼pIqXn sR«n apdpIpIbpw AbbpIbpw sN¿p¶p. Ip®¯e apdnªp t]mIptam Fs¶mcp t]Sn. " C\n Np½m \nt¶m... _ew ]nSn¡cpXv... ]nSn¨m \nsâ sImXw Iodpw..." " At¿m ]Xps¡ thtW amtj.... " " t]Sní− tamtf... H¨ shíÃv...]t¿ sN¿mw... " Rm³ sasà ]®p XpS§n. Hmtcm XÅn\pw Hmtcm skânaoÁÀ hoXambn Ah³ ]Xps¡ Ducnt¡dm³ XpS§n. F® {]hÀ¯ním³ XpS§n. A©mdp XÅp

Ignªt¸mtgípw ]IpXn AI¯mbn. Hcp Imcyw ]dbmXncním³ h¿. AhfpsS ]qdn tIdp¶Xnepw kpJamsb\nío sImX¯neSn tXm¶n. ]ns¶ c−p I¿pw AhfpsS Acs¡«n ]nSn¨psIm−v Rm³ kpJambn ]®p XpS§n. sImÅmw, shdpsXbmtWm BWp§Ä Ip−½mcpsS IqXnbn ]®p¶Xv. " thKw XoÀ¡p amtj..." " Mqw.. XoÀ¡phmSo.. sIm¨p....sImX....¸qdntamtf... " Rm\dnbmsX ]dªp sIm−v sXcpsXsc ASn XpS§n. AhfpsS NqSpsImX¯n tIdnb Ip® kt´mjhpw kpJhpw sIm−v IqSpX hoÀ¯p I¼nbmbXp t]mse. Rm³ AdnbmsX Bªp Ip® apgpht\msS XÅnt¸mbn. " At{Xw AIt¯m«p XÅmsX... AIs¯§ms−ms¡ sImÅp¶p....." CSíhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. Ip® Dckn ]®pt¼mÄ AhfdnbmsX C¡nfn ImcWw IqXn¯pf apdpIns¡m−ncp¶p. CSsím¶\¡msX sh¨t¸mÄ AXp ho−pw Abªp. \à kpJapÅ Ifn. C\n ChfpsS sImXhpw IebpsS Ipªn¸qdpw amdn amdn ASn¨p XIÀ¡Ww. Rm³ a\Ên ]²Xnbn«p. " s\\¡p hà kptJmw Ht−mSo.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " B.. C¨ntc Ft´m t]mse tXm¶ps¶m−v... At{XsbmÅp..." " F¶m tZs−... F\nípw sXmS§ps¶m−v..... C¸w Ignt¨¡mw... " Fsâ ASnbpsS thKX IqSnbt¸mÄ hnjaw sIm−mbncnípw lq... lm... Mqw... Fs¶ms¡bpÅ iЧfpw io¡mc§fpw AhfpsS sXm−bn \n¶pw ]pds¸«p XpS§n. CSív Fsâ XÅ apdpIpt¼mÄ AhÄ Ibv ]pdtIm«n«v Fsâ Acs¡«nt\ XSbm³ {ian¨p. " F\níp hcps¶m−v tamtf... A¿Sm...\nsâ sImXw Fs´mcp kpJmSo.. kmhn{Xn...s¡m... tttt¨... " Fsâ Acs¡«n Aan«p s]m«n. Ip® Rm³ AhfpsS Ip−ntbmSp tNÀ¯psh¨v XÅn¸nSn¨p. " At¿m XÅmtX... AIw s]mÅp¶p.... amtj.... iviviviv... lqqqqq...." AhÄ apt¶m«p amdm³ {ian¨t¸mÄ Rm³ Acs¡«n ]nSn¨v ]pdtIm«p hen¨v sR«n sR«n AhfpsS h³IpSen Fsâ ip¢s¯m«n Iagv¯n. Ahkm\w Fsâ ]mepw Hmbnepw AhfpsS IqXnbnte Cgp¡epw IqSnt¨À¶t¸mÄ sagpsagp¸mÀ¶ Ip® B sImX¯n " ]pgvkp ]pgvkp " F¶ Hcp taft¯msS aq¶p \meSn IqSn ASn¨p XÅn¸nSn¨v Rm³ \nivOe\mbn. " Igntªm amtj...." " tlm... IgnsªSo..." " slm... kam[m\mbn.....F¶m Ducv... AO\n¸w hcpw...." ]dªp Xocp¶Xn\p ap¼v AhÄ \nhÀ¶p. " C¨nsc AhnSncnís«So tamtf... \nsâ kzÀ®sIm¯neSn¨¸w... \à kpJw... Ip\nªp Xt¶ \nív..." " F¶m Ccnís«... IqXosemc½n¡Ãp tIdnbncníp¶t]mem tXm¶tW.... Fs´mcp apSnª sskkm.. amjtSXv.... " " C¸w \nsâ Cu X¦s¡mX¯n\v.... Ct{Xw thWsaSo... \à apdpt¡mw kptJmsamÅ IqXn...." Rm³ AhfpsS Ip−nIfn sasà HcSnbSn¨p. ]ns¶ Ip−nIÄ Aåw IqSn hnXnÀ¯n Aht\ IShtc AI¯p XÅnt¡Án sh¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS sImXw \à kpJambn Abªp Ignªp. " " {]Imi\pw ]dªp... Fsâ X¦s¡mXhm¶v.." AhÄ sasà ]ndp]ndp¯p. " `Khmt\... A¸w....Ah³ \nsâ \hZzmc§fnepw ]®ntbmSo..." " CsÃt¶... Hcp {]mhiyw amt{X ChnsS tIÁnsbmÅp... ]ns¶ Rm³ k½Xn¨nÃ.. A¶n¨nsc apdnªmcp¶p..." AhÄ kmh[m\w \nhÀ¶p \n¶psIm−p ]dªp. t\tc \n¶t¸mÄ Kpem³ Ducnt¸mcmXncním³ F\níåw Ip\ntb−n h¶p. B tImÄabncn Rm³ »ukp Iq«n B apeIfn H¶p sR¡nt¸mbn. " Mqlpw... samte ]nSní−... F\níp hÃmsX hcp¶p... aXotÃ.... Ducm³ t\m¡v.... C§s\ sht¨m−ncp¶m.. t\cw t]mIpw..."

Ahsf A§s\ Xs¶ \nÀ¯n Aåw Ip\nªv Rm³ H¶p h«w Id§n. Ahtfbpw Iq«n I«nenencp¶p. sImX¯n IpÁnIbdnb t]mse AhÄ Fsâ aSnbn Ccp¶p. Rm³ shdptX ho−pw B D−apeIfnsem¶p XgpIn. Igp¯n Npw_n¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " Cu ]Wn s\\¡nãmtbm tamtf...?.." " A{X t]mc.... I´psamt«Â sXms«mÅ Ifnbm F\níp ckw... At¿m amtj... Ducp¼w CsXsâ ]mhmS apgph\pw ]ÁqtÃm.. F´m sNbvI...." " \o IqXn _ew ]nSn¨v AS¨p ]nSnt¨m−v t¢mskÁn t]mbn Ccnív. ...." " AhsS A`nt¨¨n H−v... " " F¶m¸ns¶...Fgpt¶Áv Ip\nªv.... C¨nsc _ew]nSn¨v \nÃv... Rm\qcmw... F¶n«v \a¡v sIWÁpItc t]mImw..." AhÄ Ip\nªp hfªp \n¶p. Rm³ sasà Ip® Ducn. _ew t]mb Kpem³ shfnbnembt¸mÄ AXnsâ IqsS Ipd¨p ]pdt¯ípw hoWp. " At¿m... sXmtStems«meníp¶p... Xmtgw hosW¶m tXm¶pt¶..." AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p. " F¶m C\n thKw hm.... ImeSp¸n¨v ]nSn¨v ]s¿ \S¶m aXn...." Rm³ IXIp Xpd¶p. iÐap−m¡msX apÁ¯nd§n. ]ns¶ sIm¨pIp«nItf FSp¯nd¡p¶Xpt]mse Ahtf FSp¯v apÁt¯íp \nÀ¯n. AhÄ apÁ¯nsâ AcnIn \ngen amdn ]mhmSs]m¡n Ccp¶p. ssk¡nÄ Sbdnsâ ImÁp shÅw Iq«n t]mIp¶Xp t]mse Hcp iÐw. AhÄ Ibv ]pdInteín«v IqXn¯pf hSn¨n«v Is¿m¶p IpSªp. " sÈ... BtI hr¯ntISmbn... Cu amjnsâ Hmtcm ]WnIfv..." " \o an−msX thKw hm...." Rm\htf Fsâ \ngen apt¼ \S¯n. Ip−n A\¡msX sNdnb ImÂshbv¸pItfmsS ]mhw _ew ]nSn¨p \S¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ F\níp klXm]w tXm¶n. ASn¨p tIÁpt¼mÄ Fs´mcp hocyambncp¶p. shÅw t]mbn I´nsâbpw Ip®bptSbpw Ig¸p XoÀ¶t¸mgmWv AkuIcy§Ä Adnbp¶Xv. CShgn IS¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ Xncnªv ASp¡fP\enteív H¶p t\m¡n. BcmsW¶dnbnà R§sf {i²níp¶p−v. Rm³ Ahtfbpw sIm−v thKw InWÁn³ Icbn sN¶p. shÅw tImcnsbSp¯p. " \obncn.... Rms\mgn¨p Xcmw... IgpIv..." AhÄ ]mhmS s]m¡n¸nSn¨v iuNw sN¿m\ncníp¶Xp t]mse Ccp¶p. IgpIpt¼mÄ AhÄ ]dªp. " BsI sagp¡mbn... C¨nsc tkms¸m−mcpt¶Â \ÃXmcp¶p...." hoSn\p ap¼nte _Ä_nsâ Ac− {]Imi¯nsâ klmbt¯msS ASps¯mcp IÃn Ccp¶ N¡¡pcphnsâ hen¸¯nencp¶ Hcp tkm¸pIjWw Rm³ FSp¯v ]pdIn IqSn AhfpsS IqXnbnepw ]qÁnepw tX¨psImSp¯p. " At¿... CsX´p tkm¸m... \odp¶p..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " CXv _mÀtkm¸m... \o IgpIv...." " shdpsXbà \odp¶Xv... AhSw ]nt¶w Iodnsb¶m tXm¶p¶Xv.... sÈm....th−mcp¶p...." " C¸w A§s\sbmsI tXm¶pw... ]Swhcíms\s´mcp sNmWbmcp¶p...." Rm³ Ifnbm¡n. " AXpsIms−´m sImg¸w... amtjmSv Cu th−mXo\¯nsems¡ XÅnt¡Ám\mcp ]dªp....." " ]nt¶.... \o Xt¶b§p kpJn¨n«v... Rm\nXpw s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m−p sIS¡mshSo... " ap−p ]dn¨p amÁn sh¨n«v {^obmbn \n¶v Ip® I¿nseSp¯v _mÀtkm¸n«p IgpInbt¸mÄ F\nípw Aåw \odn. Ahsâ Igp¯p apdnª e£Ww. C{Xbpw apdpInb sImX¯n ]®nbn«v C{Xtb ]ÁnbpÅtÃm. XfÀ¶ Ip® IgpIn¡gnªt¸mÄ AhÄ Fsâ IbnensbSp¯v Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p XpS¨p X¶p. " F¶mepw `b¦cm... \n§sS Imcyw... Cu ]g¦ªn t]mse sIS¡p¶ km[\m... Fsâ Xqdps¶S¯v tIdnsb¶v hnizkním³ ]ÁWnÃ...." `mcw t\m¡p¶Xp t]mse Ahs\ H¶p Xq¡n t\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ ]dªp. " AXpt]mse Xs¶bm... \obpw... \nsâ Cu \n¸p I−m Bsc¦nepw ]dbpthm... C¨nsc apt¼ Fsâ ap¼n... ]mhmtSw s]m¡n¸nSn¨v sImtXmw ]qdpw hncn¨v \o \n¶p Xs¶¶v... F¶mepw Fsâ ]p¶mcIp«n... F\níp \n¶p X¶sÃm..."

Rm³ Ahsf H¶p sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ Igp¯ns\m¸w s]m¡ap−hÄ¡v. Cãw IqSnb AhÄ Fsâ apebn sasà H¶p ISn¨p. " amjns\sâ FhSw thtWepw Rm³ s]m¡n¸nSn¨p XcmtÃm.. A{Xsí\níp amtj A§p ]nSn¨pt]mbn..." AhÄ Hcp \mWt¯msS ]dªp. " hm... Bcm−p Xnt®sed§n \n¶p t\m¡ps¶m−tÃm.... " Rm³ thKw IbvImepIfpw Igp¯pw IgpIn. Xncn¨v \S¡p¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ho«nteíp t\m¡pt¼mÄ Nmbn¸nte sseÁp s]s«¶p sXfnªp. Fsâ DÅn HcnSnhmÄ apg§n. ssebnÁn« BÄ Fsâ XebnW s]m¡n t\m¡nbmÂ... kmhn{XnbpsS jÍn I−m F´p hnNmcnípw. F¦n \msf Cu \m«pImÀ Ft¶ IsÃdntªmSnípw. ]t£ DS³ Xs¶ sseÁWªp. R§Ä apÁs¯¯pt¼mÄ Xn®bn A`nbpw kmhn{XnbpsS A½bpw. apÁs¯ms¡ N¯Xpw NmImdmbXpamb NndIÁ Cubmw]mÁIÄ \nc¶p InS¡p¶p. " Cu Ccp«¯v \n§sfhtSt¸mbXm...?.." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " H¶pw ]dbs−sâ tN¨o... Fsâ slbtdmbnev... ChsfSp¯p Xmsgbn«p... sImd¨p It¿epw Hs¡ ]Án... `b¦c aWw... " " F¦n¸ns¶... ChnsS IgpImcp¶tÃm..." " F¶m¸nt¶ AXn\I¯pw tId−mcp¶p... ]ns¶... Chfncps¶md¡w Xq§m³ sXmS§nb¸w H¶p \S¡m¶pw sh¨p...." Rm³ ]dªXv AhÀ¡p Xr]vXnbmsb¶p tXm¶n. " shdptXbÃ... Nmbn¸o¶p slbtdmbnep aq¡ntem«p Ip¯n aW¡p¶p..." A`n ]Xps¡ ]dªpsIm−v AIt¯íp Ibdn. ]pdtI Ahcpw. Rm³ Nmbn¸n ebnÁn«p. slbtdmbn¡p¸n Xpd¶ ]Sn I«nen\cnIn Ccníp¶p. AXS¨p shípt¼mÄ ImWmw I«nensâ AcnIn Hmbn IeÀ¶ ªfpsS an{inXw ]¨ap« s]m«n shÅ¡cp Xpfp¼n InS¡p¶Xpt]mse knaâpXdbnÂ. Hmbnen\p Rm³ \μn ]dªp. AXnsâ cq£KÔanÃmbncps¶¦n A`n AI¯p tIdntbt\, CXp It−t\, AhÄ Nnet¸mÄ XebnW s]m¡ntbt\, jÍn It−t\, slm. Rm³ sseÁW¨p. Hcp XpWn X¸nsbSp¯p. ip¢w XpS¨psIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ s]s«¶v Hcp shfn¨w P\¡ an¶n adªXpt]mse tXm¶n. Rm³ ]pdt¯íp t\m¡n. Hcp tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w ]SnIS¶p hcp¶p. " tamtf ... Bcm−p hcp¶p..." " tM... " AhÄ XebpbÀ¯n t\m¡n. " At¿m AXO\m... C\nsb´p sN¿pw... F§\m H¶p s]mds¯d§pI... Ccp«s¯s´Sp¡phmcp¶q¶p tNmZn¨m..." AhÄ¡p ]cn{`aw. " t]SnímsX... thKw B Itktctem«ncn... tati Xesh¨v sISs¶md§ntím..." AhÄ Itkcbnencp¶t¸mtgípw Rm³ IXIp Xpd¶p Xn®bnteínd§n. At¸mtgípw apÁs¯¯nb tat\mt\ Rm³ A`nhmZyw sNbvXp. " KpUv Cuhv\n§v tat\m³ tN«m..." " KpUv Cuhv\n§v.... KpUv Cuhv\n§v... F´m AI¯p sh«anÃm¯Xv... ^yqkp htÃmw t]mtbm..." " Aà \nÀ¯nbXm... Cs¶m¯ncn Cubmw]mÁ FfIos«m−v.... sseÁn«m... FÃmw IqsS AI¯p tIdpw... C¨nsc Ignªv sXfním¶p sh¨p...." " F´ntb \½sS IpSpw_w...?... AÃm.... kmdp h¶ntÃ...?.." " C¸w ht¶ípw emÌv _Ên\mcnípw.... tN«\It¯m«ncn..." " Hm ..th−... ChnsS Ccnímw... kmsdmSt\ hcpImsW¦n...H¶p ImWmw... R§fp sshIn«v SuWnshs¨m¶p I−Xm... At¶cam ]dªXv... A`n ho«nteív X\n¨v t]m¶ns«ms−¶v..." " B... Rm³ ab§nb¸w F¯nbmcp¶p...." " C¸w F§t\−p imcZív... ?.." " £oWsams¡ amdn... \msftbm aÁ¶mtfm...t]mcphmcnípw...." Rm³ ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. Ft¶¡− A`n apJwIp\n¨p. {]`t¨¨n Fs´ms¡tbm ISpIp Xmfníp¶p. " Ignªntà tN¨o..."

" Ignªp... \mtf Bip]{Xoepw sIm−pt]mImtÃm¶p IcpXn Hcp Idow IqSn H−m¡phmcp¶p...." A`n XoÀ¯pw DZmko\bmbn ImWs¸«p. " A`n thtW t]mbns¡St¶m... Ahs¡mcp e¡nÃm¯ t]mse XethZ\ IqSnbn«mcnípw... tXmc\v D¸p sImSªn«p....AXp Ifªp... AXm Ct{Xw Xmakn¨Xv...." A§s\ hm, Fsâ {]kvXmh\ GÁXpt]mse tXm¶n. A¸w s]®ns\sâ t\tc Hcp t\m«ap−mbncps¶¶p kmcw. Cu sIm¼pIpep¡nbXpw NmSnbXpsams¡ AShpIfmbncnípw. GXmbmepw ]cn]qÀ®ambn AhfpsS DÅdnbmsX H¶pw ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃ. Rm³ t\m¡n\nÂs¡ AhÄ Ft¶ IS¶v AhfpsS apdnbnteíp t]mbn. ]ns¶ IXIS¨p. " Fs´¦nepw klmbw....?.." " Hm.. ths−t¶... cmPp CsXms¡ hà ]m{X¯nepam¡n aqSn sh¨m aXn.... " AhÀ IbvIgpIn. ]pdt¯índ§n. ]ns¶ A`nbpsS apdnbnteíp Xncnªp. AI¯p Ibdn Ft´m tNmZníp¶Xp tI«p. Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n. tat\msâ IqsS Itkcbnencp¶p. agtb¡pdn¨pw NqSnt\¡pdn¨pw Aåw kwkmcn¨t¸mtgípw {]`t¨¨n F¯n. " R§fp \nítWm AtXm... kmdp Xmakn¨mtem..." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " \n§fp s]mtím... Rms\m−tÃm C¸w... " " AÃ.... A`nív hÃm¯ £oWw t]mse ...tNmZn¨n«v H¶pw ]dbp¶nÃ... aqfpt¶sbmÅp... XethZ\ ImWphmcnípw..." " kmcanÃ... Fsâ I¿n KpfnIsbm−v...." " At¿m... ]dªt]mse kmhntamsf´ntb..." {]`t¨¨n tNmZn¨p. " Ahfp tZ... Nmbn¸n sIS¶p IqÀ¡w hens¨md§p¶p... ]Tním³ h¶bmfm... " ]dªn«v Rm³ Nmbn¸nte sseÁn«p. c−pt]cpw hmXn¡ h¶It¯íp t\m¡n. " Blm... CXp ]XnhnÃm¯XmWtÃm... C{X t\ct¯ Hscmd¡w... kmhntamtf.... Fgpt¶¡v...t]mImw..." AhÀ sN¶v Ahtf ]nSn¨p s]m¡n. kmhn{Xn sicnípw Dd§nt¸mbncp¶p. \à Hcp kwt`mK¯nsâ ]cnWmaw. kpcXkpJ¯nsâ £oWw. Xnf¨padnª Rc¼pIÄ XWp¯Xnsâ Bekyw. ]ns¶ Fsâ sImX¯neSn k½m\n¨ _p²nap«pw. AhÄ XfÀ¨tbmsS Itkcbn \ns¶gpt¶Áp. Hcp tIm«phmbn«p. Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. B apJ¯v Hcp XfÀ¶ ]p©ncn. A½ Ahtf ASp¡n¸nSn¨psIm−v shfnbnteínd§n. " F¦n KpUv\bnÁv...cmPp..." tat\m³ tN«³ Cd§n. " KpUv\bnÁv..." AhÀ t]mb ]pdtI Rm³ Nmbn¸n tIdn XebnW¡ognencp¶ sP«nsbSp¯v Fsâ _mKn XncpIn. ]ns¶ AI¯p sN¶p. A`nbpsS IXIn ap«n. " A`o... A`o... " " Mqw...?..." AI¯p \n¶pw Hcp aqfÂ. " F´p ]Án..?.. F´m tISt¶...?..." " Mqlpw...H¶pw ]ÁnbnÃ...." Rm³ IXIp XÅn¯pd¶p ebnÁn«p. shfn¨¯n AhÄ I®pIÄ IbvsIm−p aqSn. shdptX Ccp«¯p InS¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ I«nen\Sp¯p sN¶t¸mÄ amdnt¸mbncp¶ UmhWn hen¨hÄ amdpIÄ aqSn. " F´m... {]iv\w...?.. XethZt\t−m...?.." " Mqw... " Rm³ s\Ánbn Ibv sh¨p t\m¡n. Aåw hnbÀ¸nsâ H«eÃmsX NqSnÃ. F\nídnbmw NqSn¸w DÅnemsW¶v. Rm³ Nmbn¸n sN¶v Hcp KpfnI FSp¯p. Hcp ¥mkv shÅhpambn ASp¯p sN¶p. " Cu KpfnI Ign¨n«p C¨nsc t\cw sIS¡v.. XethZ\ t]mIpw..." " th−... C¸w H¶qÃ..." B kzcw £oWnXambncp¶p. AhfpsS FÃm Dincpw t]mbXp t]mse. " F¶p ]dsª´n\m thZ\n¨p sIS¡tW... cmta«³ hcp¼w Rm³ hnfnímw... Atà th−... Rm³ shf¼n sImSpt¯mfmw..." Rm³ AXv Hcp Ìqfn sh¨n«p IXIS¨nd§n t]m¶p.

cmta«³ Xmakn¨mWp h¶Xv. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp sN¶t¸mÄ A`nbpw Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. " cmPp Hd§otÃ...?.." " CÃ.. A`níp kpJanÃmXncp¶XpsIm−v sISt¶mfm³ ]dªp....." " cmPmaWn... sISt¶m... AO\p Rm³ shf¼n sImSpt¯mfmw...." ]dªXn apgph\pw shfnbn h¶nÃ. Rm\m apJt¯sím¶p t\m¡n. AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨p. B Bgv¨ {]tXyIns¨m¶pw kw`hnímsX IS¶p t]mbn. ]t£ A`n I¼yq«À ¢mÊn c−p Znhkw t]mbnÃ. Rm³ F¶pw ]Xnhp t]mse F¶memhp¶ tPmenIÄ sNbvXp klmbn¨p. Rm³ ASp¡fbn tIdnbm A`n apdnbn tIdn InS¡pw. Rm\Xp {i²n¨Xmbn `mhn¨nÃ. aqfn¸m«pw ]mSn {]k¶hZ\\mbn \S¶p. cmta«³ B BgvN Ah[nsbSp¯ncp¶p. sNmhzmgvN Ftf½ Bip]{Xnbn \n¶pw h¶p. Fsâ IeymW{]iv\w AhnsS NÀ¨ sNbvXp Fs¶\níp a\Ênembn. ImcWw FÃmhcpw Ft¶ ImWpt¼mÄ Hcp {]tXyI `mht¯mtS Ft¶ t\m¡n. CSív Hcp {]mhiyw shÅw tImcm³ t]mbt¸mÄ Ie am{Xw Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " A¦nfnsâ IeymWw Hds¨¶p tI«p... icnbmtWm...?..." " Hd¸ns¨¶v At½tS Is¯m−mcp¶p.... IeymWw hnfním³ A½ RmbdmgvN Ct§m«p hcps¶m−v...." A½bpsS Hcp I¯v ho«n sh¨v AhÀ Im¬sI CXn\nSív Rm³ hmbn¨ncp¶p. BcpsS I¯ms\¶v cmta«³ tNmZn¨t¸mÄ A½bptSbmsW¶v Rm³ D¯chpw ]dªncp¶p. AXn A½ Ct¸mÄ ap¯Osâ IqsSbmsW¶pw FgpXnbncp¶p. " s]®mcm... ?..." " AsXmcp ]©]mhw... At½sS IqsS ao³ hn¡m³ t]mbncp¶ Hcp tN¨osS tamfm..." " kpμcnbmtWm...?..." " A{Xsím¶pw CÃ... \à skm`mhm... Hcp tZtjymanÃ.. BtcmSpw hg¡panÃm...." " A`nt¨¨oSt{Xw kpμcnbmtWm...?.." " Aà tamtf.. Asæn Xt¶... A`nt¨¨ntbt¸mse Hcp s]®nt\ F\níp In«pthm.... ao³ sNma¶p \S¶h\Xpt]mse H¡ptIe... \a¡v ... km[mcW... Iãn¨v ImWm³ tImÅmhp¶ Hcp tam´ In«pw... " " F¶mepw A`nt¨¨n..." " F´m...." " Rm³ hnNmcn¨Xv... A¦nfv tN¨ntb sI«psh¶mcp¶p.... " AhfpsS kzc¯n k¦Sw \ndªp \n¶ncp¶p. " F¶p Rm³ ]dtªm... \nsâ tN¨n ]dtªm... t]mcmªn«v... \nsâ tN¨nsít¶ Is®Sp¯m I−pIqSm... Fs´mcp tZjyw.. sNe¸sgms¡ F\nínãw tXm¶n AdnbmsX t]mdtI sImd¨p \S¶p... tamÄ¡p Xt¶ Adnbmhp¶XtÃ... F´pam{Xw A]am\w Rm³ kln¨p....Ahkm\w sNhn¡pÁníSow In«n.... C¸w H¶p a\Ênembn.." " Ft´m¶m...?..." " kuμcyw HÅ s]®p§tf In«tWm¦n... \a¡p ]Ww thWw... B`nPmXyw thWw... A´Êp thWw... CXp htÃmw F\nsímt−m tamtf... \nâOsâ ImcptWymw ]Án... Cu ]Tns¸m¶p ]qÀ¯nbm¡m³ ChnsS h¶v sIS¡p¶p... GXmbmepw \n§fp \Ãhcm... Ft¶ Imcyambn«p t\m¡n.... F\níp kt´mjsam−v..." Fsâ kzcw Rm³ CSdn¨p. k¦Sw A`n\bn¨p. InWÁpIsc sh¨mbncp¶p Cu kw`mjWw. IpS§Ä NpaenteÁpt¼mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " tamfn\n CXmtcmSpw ]dbm³ t]mI−.... Rms\Ãmw ad¡m³ t\m¡pIm.... sImd¨p Znhk§fp Igo¼w... \n§fpw CsXms¡ ad¡pw..." ]Sn tIdpt¼mÄ AhÄ ho−pw Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " A¦ntf....? " F´m tamtf..." " At½mSp ]dªv B IeymWw amÁn¡qtS..."

" At¿m... tamtf... AXp am{Xw ]Á¯nÃ... ]WantÃepw B`nPmXyantÃepw R§¡p hm¡p hepXm... A½ AXp ]menípw... FâOt\mSp ]dª hm¡p ]men¨XpsIm−m... A½ín¶o ]«nWow Iã¸mSpw.... AXp tamÄ¡pw AdnbmtÃm... FâO\pw At½w kvt\ln¨p sI«nbXmsW¶v.... F´n\m hm¡p amÁp¶Xv..." " Rm³ tN¨ntbmSp ]dbmw... tN¨níp a\Ên A¦nfnt\ shÃnãm... AsX\nídnbmw... tN¨n C\n A¦nfnt\ H¶pw ]db¯nÃ... ]mh¯ns\m¯ncn k¦tSm−v..." " Bt« \nsâ tN¨n ]dtªm... Ft¶ IeymWw IgníW¶v..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXnÃ... F¶mepw C¸w apdnbS¨p Ip¯nbncn¸m... " " A¸w ]ns¶sb´n\m Fâ½ hm¡phyXymkw ImWníp¶Xv...? " " A¸w... A¦nfp a\Êp amÁptIe AtÃ..." " t]ms« tamtf... F\níp hn[n¨n«nÃm¶p Rm³ t\ct¯ a\Ênem¡nbnÃ... Mm... tamfpw At½w... R§sS ]pXnb ho«n hcWw... ImcWw tamÄ¡pw A½ípw Ft¶ A{Xíp ImcyÃmcpt¶m.... Ietamtf F\níp ad¡m³ ]Ápthm....\à sImÅow Im´mcnN½´ow R§fp Xcpw... Fsâ s]®pw R§sS IqsS AsXms¡ H¯ncn Ign¨ns«mÅXm... \à AÊep IdnIfpXs¶bm Ahfpw shíp¶Xv... " " Mqw... aXn aXn... s]m¡nbXv... I®nt¨mcbnÃm¯ a\pjy³.... Fsâ tN¨ntb thZ\n¸n¨Xn\v A\p`hnípw... t\m¡ntím... " AhÄ I®p XpS¨psIm−v ho«n\pÅnteíp Ibdn. Rm³ shÅw Hgn¨p sImSp¯n«v t\tc Ihebn t]mbn. InS¡mdmbt¸mÄ h¶p. Nmbn¸nte taibn tNmdpw IdnIfpw aqSnsh¨n«p−mbncp¶p. AXp sicn,. Ft¶ {][m\ taibn \n¶pw XÅn¡gnªp. At¸mÄ C\nsbÃmw Hcp ISa t]msebmbncnípw \S¡pI. Ie FÃm hnhchpw ho«n hnf¼nsb¶p XoÀ¨bmbn. ]t£ Fsâ t]Sn AXÃmbncp¶p. cmta«³ Cu Ah[nínSbn [rXn]nSn¨v hà BtemN\bpw s]m¡ns¡m−p hcptam F¶Xmbncp¶p. C\n AYhm A§s\ hcnItbm hminsIm−v A`n AXn\p k½XnípItbm sNbvXmÂ. _m¡n Nn´ním³ a\Ê\phZníp¶nÃ. i\nbmgvNbmIm³ Rm³ Im¯ncp¶p. A`n Ft¸mgpw DZmko\bmbncps¶¦nepw AsXsâ t\À¡pÅ Hcp \à ASbmfambn«p IcpXm³ Rm³ ss[cys¸«nÃ. Ahsfmcp ]nSnIn«m hyànXzamWv. ]ns¶ cmta«\v Ft¶mSpÅ AXncpIhnª kvt\lw hncànbmbn amdnbXpsIm−v thtd hnhmlmtemN\Ifnteív At§cpw Xncnªncníp¶p. BsI¡qSn t\m¡nbt¸mÄ F\nsímcp ktμlw, Fsâ B{Kl¯nsâ ISí I¯n sImÅptam F¶v. C\n Hcpthf A§s\ h¶mÂ, h¶mÂ.... h¶m Rm³ A−n Ifª A®ms\t¸mse \St¡−nhcpw. F¦n _eambn ]nSn¨v H¶p \S¯nbmtem. sÈ, AXp th− AXhtf sImÃp¶Xn\p Xpeyambncnípw. F¦n B ]qshm¶p \¶mbn ImWp¶sX§s\. Ahtfbpw Iymadmbn ]IÀ¯nbmtem. AsX¦nepw an¨w ImWpw. ]ns¶ sImXn tXm¶pt¼mÄ \ncmimImapIt\t¸mse hÃt¸mgpw AXpw t\m¡nbncnímw. GXmbmepw Hcp _e{]tbmK¯n\p a\Êm£n thm«p sN¿p¶nÃ. Rm³ Iqe¦jambn BtemNn¨p. Cu b{´w I¿nepÅt¸mÄ AXpXt¶ aXn F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. Hcp ]²Xn Xbmdm¡n. shÅnbmgv¨ tImtfPn t]mbn«v D¨íp apt¼ Xncn¨p h¶p. A¶v A`nív D¨IgnªmWp ¢msʶv Iebn \n¶pw a\Ênem¡nbncp¶p. DuWp Ignªv cmta«³ `mcybpambn H¶p ab§m³ tIdn. AhcpsS IXISªp. Ie kvIqfn \n¶pw XmaknbmsX hcpw. A`n tImtfPn t]mbt¸mÄ Xt¶ Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn. H¶p It®mSn¨p t\m¡n. Iymadm shím³ Hcp kvYehpw ImWp¶nÃ. BsIbpÅ Hcp knaâpX«v A©Sn s]m§nbmWpÅXv. AXn ]gb tkm¸ps]mSnbpsS ]míÁpIfpw. s]mfnª H¶p c−p ¹mÌnIv a¤pIfpw Hs¡tb DÅp. tkm¸pw F®¡p¸nbpsams¡ Ccníp¶Xv `n¯nbpsS XmsgbpÅ Hcp Xn«bnemWv. IpfnapdnbnteímhiyapÅ km[\§Ä shím\pÅ X«msW¦nepw Bcpw AXp]tbmKníp¶nà F¶Xv AXn ]nSn¨ncníp¶ Np¡nenbptSbpw s]mSnbptSbpw Afhp I−mednbw. AXpXs¶ Fsâ kvYew. \n¶p tImcn Ipfním³ GXm−p aq¶Sn kaNXpc¯n shÅ ssSepIÄ ]mInb Hcp sNdnb `mKw Aåw Xmgv¯n sh¨n«p−vv AXn \n¶pw shÅw Hcp Hmhp hgn ]pdt¯íp t]mIpw. sXm«Sp¯mWp _¡Áp shím\pÅ sNdnb ¹mÁvt^mw. AXnsâ atÁ AÁw Ip¯nbncníp¶ \mS³ t¢mskÁv.

AXn\Sp¯pw Hcp _¡Án shÅhpw tImcnsbmgn¨p IgpIm³ a¤pw. tIdn hcp¶ aqebn Hcp hmjvt_kn\pw _¡Áp shím\pÅ ¹mÁvt^mapw D−v. AXn\p apIfnemWo knaâpX«v. Rm³ AXn\p apIfn X¸nt\m¡n. Hcp ISemkn C© Npcp«n s]mXnªv sh¨ncp¶p. AXp Rm³ X«nsâ Acnenteíp amÁn sh¨p. Iymadm X«nsâ aqeív Hfn¸n¨p shíWw. AhnsSbncp¶ Hgnª tkm¸ps]mSnbpsS IqsSSp¯p. AXnsâ HcÁ¯v se³kn\p am{Xambn Hcp Zzmcan«p. ]ns¶ AXn\pÅn Hcp sNdnb Xos¸«n tNmdpsh¨v H«n¨p sh¨p. Iymadm sNcnªncps¶¦nte Xmgt¯ ko³ In«pIbpÅp. sshUv Bbn se³kp sh¨p. X«nsâ aqeív sh¨n«v Hcp {]mhiyw Aåw {]hÀ¯n¸n¨p t\m¡n. IpfnapdnbpsS ap¡mepw In«pw, apIfn \n¶pw Xmsgíp t\m¡p¶ amXncnbp−v. aXn A{Xbpsa¦nepw In«patÃm. A`n hcp¶Xpw Im¯p Rm\ncp¶p. Ie h¶bpSt\ kmhn{XnbpsS ho«nteíp t]mbn. A`ntb \nckn¨Xnsâ t]cnembncnípw Ct¸mÄ Ft¶mSåw AI¨ t]msebp−v. F\nípw \ãw tXm¶nbnÃ. ]p¯³]qdnsâ koep s]m«n¨p, Ie¡s\mcp Ifnbpw Ifn¨p. A§s\ apXseSp¸p IgnªtÃm. hoSn\p ]pdIn IpfnapdnbpsS shânteÁdnt\ ad¨v Nmcn sh¨ncp¶ c−p aq¶p ]eIbpw I¼pIfpw FSp¯p amÁn. Ct¸mÄ ]IÂshfn¨w kpe`ambn Ipfnapdnbn In«p¶p−mhWw. A`n hcmdmbt¸mÄ Rm³ ASp¡fbn Ibdn Im¸n Xnf¸n¨p. Dt±in¨Xnepw t\ct¯ A`n h¶p. tXmfn Xq¡nbn«ncp¶ sNdnb hm\nÁn _mKpw DSp¯ncp¶ kÂhmÀJaokpw htc `mcapÅ km[\§sf¶p tXm¶nípamdv hnjan¨p \S¶mWp hcp¶Xv. apJ¯v Hcp {]kmZhpanÃ. hnbÀ¯v Ipfn¨ apJw. AhÄ h¶bpSt\ Rm³ Xn®bnend§n Ahtf t\m¡n H¶p ]p©ncn¨p. AhÄ Xncns¨sâ t\tc H¶p NndntIm«m³ {ian¨p. tIdnh¶]msS apdnbn tIdn. s{UÊv amdn Ahfnd§n hcpt¼mtgípw Rm³ ]m¡m¸n Xbmdm¡n DuWp taiícnIn h¶v Im¯p \n¶ncp¶p. " Zm.... Im¸n sdUn..." " Rm³ Im¸n tNmZn¨nÃtÃm..." XWp¯ kzcw. ^m\nsâ t\tc Iotg h¶p \n¶v AhÄ UmhWnbpsS Xp¼p sIm−v apJhpw Igp¯pw XpS¨p. ^m\nsâ ImÁn\p XWp¸p t]mc. " Hm F¶mepw.. A`otS £oWw I−¸w... FSp¯Xm... " " F\níp th− IpSnt¨mfq... Rm³ thtd Ct«mfmw..." " AXnsâ BhiyansÃt¶... Rm³ IpSn¨p.... Ahscms¡ Hd§phm... ]ns¶ ..C\n F¶m Fsâ IbvsIm−v A`nsís´¦nepw Xcm³ ]ÁpIm¶dnbnÃtÃm... Rm³ \msf ho«n t]mIpw...]ns¶ At½w Iq«n.. aÁ¶mÄ hcpw... AXpIgnªm ]co£¡v ]Tníp¶Xv ho«n \n¶mcnípw... C¸w CXn«Xv....shdptX Fsâ Hcm{Klw.... t]Sn¡−.... shdpw ]mepw ]©kmcbpw.... Im¸nbpw sXf¨ shtÅmw amt{X HÅp.... Fsâ Hcm{Klw..." Rm\pw Aåw hnjaw A`n\bn¨p \n¶p. AhÄ H¶p Nn´n¨n«v Im¸n hm§n. Itkcbnencp¶p. hfsc £oWnXbmbn ImWs¸«p. Rm³ ]pd¯nd§n c−pIpSw shÅsaSp¯v Ipfnapdnbnte _¡Án Hgn¨v sh¨psImSp¯p. " C\n... H¶p Ipfn¨v s{^jmbn.. samJ¯vv C¨nsc kt´mjsams¡ hcp¯n Ccnív... Rm³ B Ce sImtd ]dnt¨m−p hcmw.. AXp sImd¨p sZhkw ]menen«p Im¨n¡pSníWw... A`nív \à £oWsam−v... C¨nsc càw t]mb¸w C§s\bmbm... hà AkptJmw hcp¼w F´mcnípw KXn.... " " Cs¶´m ]XnhnÃmsX C{X Zb...?.." AhÄ Im¸n sam¯p¶Xn\nSbn s]mdps]mdp¡p¶Xp t]mse tNmZn¨p. " Zbsbm¶pw AÃ.... C\n c−p aq¶p sZhkw.... AXns\Sív FÃmcpambn«pw kvt\lambn«v ]ncnbWs¶m−v... Rm\o{]mhiyw A`ntbmSv H¯ncn tamimbns«ms¡ s]cpamdos«m−v... Fsâ Hcp...Hcp... F´m ]dbpI.... Hcp Nm]eysa¶p Iq«nt¡mfq... AsXms¡ ad¶p IfbWw... D]Imcw sNbvX \n§tf D]{Zhn¨q¶v HcpIme¯pw a\Ên tXm¶cpXv...." Rm³ Hcp hnjmZ\mbIt\t¸mse \n¶p. AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯v Aåkabw t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ¥mÊp tai¸pd¯p sh¨n«v apdníIt¯íp t]mbn. B X¡¯n\v Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn NmSnt¡dn tS¸p {]hÀ¯n¸n¨n«v taiícnIn Im¯p\n¶p. AhÄ IpSn¨

¥mÊp Rm³ I¿nseSp¯p. AXn Ipd¨p Im¸n _m¡nbp−mbncp¶p. B ¥mÊnsâ h¡n AhfpsS Np−p ap«nbncp¶ `mK¯v Hcp CuÀ¸w X§nbncp¶p. AhfpsS IogvNp−nsâ Hcp {]Xn^eIw. Fsâ DÅn Hcmthiw. GtXm HcpÄt{]cWbm Rm\dnbmsX AhfpsS Np−p ]Xnª B `mKw Fsâ Np−nem¡n _m¡n Im¸n Rm³ HÁheníp IpSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS Np−n Hcp½ sh¨ kpJw. Fsâ DÅn AhÄ \ndªp \n¡p¶Xp t]mse. ¥mkpw I¿n ]nSn¨v Rm³ \nÂt¡, cmta«sâ apdnbpsS IXIp Xpd¶v apSnbpw hmcns¡«n \bnÁnbWnª Ftf½ Cd§n h¶p. AhÀ t\tc Ipfnapdn Xpd¶v AIt¯íp Ibdn. At¿m, N¡n\p sh¨Xv sIm¡nt\m. Infntb ]nSním³ sh¨ hebn ]cp´v hogp¶p. F\níp Nncn h¶p. Mm, FÃmw sIS¡s«. Rm³ Itkcbn Ccp¶p. apdnbn \n¶pw A`ncman ]pd¯nd§n. tXmfn c−p tXmÀ¯pw D−mbncp¶p. AhÄ IpfnapdnbpsS AS¨n«ncp¶ hmXnen XÅn. At¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " tN¨n AIs¯m−v....." AhÄ H¶pw ]dbmsX taibpsS ASp¯v h¶v ¥mÊv I¿nseSp¯p AXn Aåw a«pam{Xta D−mbncp¶pÅp. AhÄ apJw Npfns¨m¶p Nn´n¨psIm−v ¥mÊn t\m¡n. Rm³ ]dªp. " tkmdn A`n... AXp Rm³ IpSn¨pt]mbn...." AhÄ tNmZycq]¯n Ft¶ t\m¡n. Rm³ ho−pw Hcp hncl\mbIsâ `mht¯msS AIteíp t\m¡n. ¥mÊv I¿n ]nSn¨psIm−v AhÄ ta¨p−p ISn¨p. ]ns¶ Rm³ AhnsS \n¶nÃ. t\tc Nmbn¸nteíp t]m¶p. Iptdt\cw Ignªv apdnbn tIdn t\m¡pt¼mÄ Ipfnapdn ASªp InS¡pIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ ASp¡fbnepw NpÁp]mSpambn Id§n\S¶p. HSphn AXnsâ IXIp Xpd¡p¶ iÐw tI«v AI¯p tIdn. I¿n HcpIpSw shÅhpap−mbncp¶p. shÅw _¡Án Hgn¨v. IymadmbpsaSp¯v Rm³ kvYew hn«p. Nmbn¸n h¶v tSs¸Sp¯v `{Zambn kq£n¨p sh¨p. i\nbmgvNv Rm³ A½ho«nteíp ]pds¸«p. ap¯O\pw A¿t¸«\pw henb kt´mjw. ap¯Ot\mSv A½tb Rms\mcp s]®pImWen\p sIm−pt]mIp¶psh¶p ]dªt¸mÄ henb kt´mjw. acníp¶Xn\p ap¼v Fsâ IeymWw IqSn ImWm³ `mKyap−mbtÃm F¶p ]dªp. Ip«nIfpsS B{Klw \S¡t«, \nsâ KXn AhÀ¡p hcmXncnís«, FXnÀ¡−, ]Ww Bhiy¯n\p \ap¡p−tÃm F¶pw Iq«nt¨À¯p. A½tb Imcy§fpsS Kuchw a\Ênem¡n. C\n Xmakn¨m A`ncmantb hÃhÀ¡pw cmta«³ sI«n¨psImSp¡pw F¶p Rm³ ]dªp. Fsâ a\Êp I− A½ ss[cyw X¶p, \o t]Snt¡s−Sm F¶v. B cm{Xn Rm³ B ss[cy¯n Aåw a\:kam[m\t¯msS ap¯Osâ ho«nÂ, Aà Fsâ kz´w _w¥mhn BZyambn InS¶pd§n. hgnív ImdnÂsh¨v Rm³ A½tbmSv {]tXyIw Hcp Imcyw ]dªp. F\níhtf CãamsW¦nepw Ct¸mgpw AhfpsS a\Êv ]qÀ®ambn ]nSnIn«nbn«nÃ. Nnet¸mÄ Hcp `mcybpsS kzmX{´yhpw Nnet¸mÄ Hcp A]cnNnXbpsS apJwaqSnbpw AhÄ Ft¶mSp Im«mdp−v. AhfpsS at\mkwLÀj§fpsS ImcWw A½tbmSp ]dbm\pw ]ÁnÃ. imcZ A½bpsS a\Ên Hcp No¯ kv{XobmIm³ ]mSnà F¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. `mhnbnte Fsâ A½mbnb½tÃ. F¶m A½ F\nípth−n thtd Hcp s]®nt\ \nivObn¨p F¶p ]dªt¸mÄ AhfpsS a«p amdn BsI XIÀ¶ a«nemWnt¸mÄ Fs¶\níp tXm¶p¶p. AXn\À°w AhÄs¡t¶mSp Ct¸mgpw Xmåcyaps−¶p Xs¶bmWv. AXpsIm−v AhfpsS a\Êdnªn«p thWw A½ Fs´¦nepw hm¡pd¸ním³. A½bnt¸mÄ aI\p th−n cmta«t\mSp s]®p tNmZníp¶p. At{XbpÅp. AhÄ¡n\n aÁmsc¦nepambn ASp¸aps−¦nÂ, AYhm AhÄs¡s¶ CãansænÂ, \½Ä {]tXyIns¨m¶pw kw`hním¯Xp t]mse Xncn¨pt]mcp¶p. A½ FÃmw k½Xn¨p. " A¸w \o AhtfmSp \n\¡p Rm³ thtd IeymWw Hd¸ns¨¶p ]dtªmSm... AXp th−mcp¶p...." " AXÃt½... AhfpsS {]XnIcWw Adnbm\mcp¶p...."

" imcZínãmsW¶p \o ]dªtÃm... cmta«t\m...?.." " At§scmcp ]©]mhw... \½fp ]W¡mcmb¸w FfnatbmsS tamtfw sIm−v At§cp ]n·mdpIm... ]−v \n§sfms¡ sNdp¸¯n hm¡p ]dªXnt\¡pdn¨v tNmZn¨¸sgms¡ ]pÅn¡mc³ HgnªpamdpImcp¶p... GXmbmepw A½ FSp¯Sn¨ t]mse tNmZnícpXv... C¨nsc kkvs]³skms¡ thWw.... kmhImiamsW¦n C\n AYhm Ahfp t\m ]dªmepw \½¡pw shey N½sem−mI¯nÃtÃm...." " s\\¡htf CãamtWm... AXp ]d.... F¦n Rm³ Ahtf \n\¡p ]nSn¨pXcmw... F\nípw Ahsfsâ acpaIfmbn hcW¶m... ]ns¶ C¸gt¯ ]ntÅctÃ... t]mcmªn«v kuμcysamÅXpsIm−v thtd htÃmtcw Ahfp a\Ên I−p sh¨ns«ms−InÂ... \o ]dªt]mse Rm³ an−msX Xncn¨p t]mcpw tIt«m..." " AXp Rm\pw Xocpam\n¨ncníphm... kvt\lníp¶htc ]ncním³ Rm\pw ]db¯nÃ..." Ct¸mÄ A½tb I−m {]uVbmb Hcp ho«½tbt¸mep−v. shdpw BgvNIÄ sIm−p h¶ amÁw. {]tXyIn¨v ap¯Osâ hmÂkeyw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ A½bpsS a\Ênt¸mÄ AXy[nIw kt´mjníp¶p. ap¯O³ \nÀ_Ôn¨n«p A½íp th−n am{Xw hm§nb km³t{SmbnemWnt¸mÄ R§fpsS bm{X. A½ _m¦n t]mbn ]cnNbs¸«p. sI«nS§Ä I−p. ^njn§v t_m«n Rm\psam¶n¨v ISen H¶p Id§Wsa¶v DÅn Bibp−v. t]mb henhp XWp¸Snípt¼mÄ Xncnsb hcptam Fs¶mcp t]Sntb DÅp. GXmbmepw C\nsbÃmw Fsâ ]co£ Ignªp am{Xw. ss{UhÀ \à kv]oUn hn«XpsIm−mImw D¨íp ap¼v R§Ä cmta«sâ hoSn\Sp¯ Ihebn F¯n. sNdnb h−nbmbXpsIm−v Xn¡n¯nc¡n Hcphn[¯n R§Ä hoSn\Sp¯pÅ CShgnhtc F¯n¨p. ss{UhÀ Imdnencpt¶mfmw F¶p ]dªp. ho«p]Sníteív Aåw \S¡Ww, F¦nepw A½ínt¸mÄ \à DÂkmlhpw NpdpNpdp¡pw. AhÀ R§tf Im¯p \n¡pIbmsW¶p tXm¶n. cmta«\pw Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw AhfpsS A½bpw AhnsS D−mbncp¶p. " hm...hm... KuXan C¶p hcpsa¶p ]dªXpsIm−v R§fp Im¯ncníphmcp¶p....." cmta«³ Nncn¨psIm−v R§tf kzmKXw sNbvXp. " Mm... ChnsS h¶p Imcyw ]dbW¶p Ch\p `b¦c \nÀ_Ôw... ]ns¶ cmta«t\mSmIp¼w t\cnesæn AtXÁhpw henb \μntIStÃ...." " Hm A§s\sbm¶panà KuXao... Hcp I¯n«mepw aXnbmcp¶p.... R§sfÃmcpw At§m«p ht¶t\..." " AXnsâ Bhiyw CÃtÃm... F\nín¸gpw BtcmKysam−tÃm... AÃ...{]`mhXnsb´m ChnsS... Hm... RmbdgvNt¯ Abå¡w... ]gb ]Xnhp hn«n«nà AtÃ... AÃm.... tat\m³ tN«s\´ntb...?.. " " hcpw KuXan F¯t«¶p ]dªp... sImtd\mfmbn....H¶p ImWW¶p ]dªp.... AÃm... C¸w t^mdn³ Imdpw SmIvknbmtbm...." kmhn{XoS½ ]Sní \n¶v Imdp InS¡p¶nSt¯sí¯n t\m¡nbn«p tNmZn¨p. " CXv SmIvknbÃ... R§...." A½ ]dbp¶Xn\p ap¼v Rm³ NmSn¸dªp. " \½sS th−s¸«hcpsSbm..." " Hm... AXp sicn...." A½ IebptSbpw kmhn{XnbptSbpw IhnfpIfn XgpIns¡m−v AIt¯íp Ibdn. " ]ntÅc§p hfÀ¶p... sI«nímdmbn... Ctà cmta«m... " " Mm... tPmeo¶p ]ncnbtW\p ap¼v Hmtcm¶mbn NpaXeIfp XoÀ¡W¶p hnNmcníphm..." cmta«³ adp]Sn \ÂIn. IkhpÅ IhpWnkmcnbpw NpÁn, AXymhiyw B`cW§fpaWnª A½tb I−m ao³Ip« Npa¶hfmsW¶v Ct¸mÄ ]dbnÃ. AXnsâ AÛpXw B ho«nepÅhcpsS apJ¯pw {]ISamIps¶m−v. C¸w Cu Iq«¯nte apJy\mbnI A½ Xt¶. FÃmhÀ¡pw A½tb BZchpw. At¸mtgípw Ftf½ Cd§n h¶p. " At¿m... CXmcv... KuXantbm... Fsâ Cuizcm...C¸w BfmsI A§p amdnbtÃm...tM... AkpJsams¡ sImdtªm..?..." " AsXms¡ F¸tg ]¼IS¶p... Bt«... imcZ Bip]{Xoemcps¶¶v Ch³ ]dªp... F´mcp¶p AkpJw...?..." A½bpsS tNmZy¯n\p ap¼n Ftf½ H¶p Ipg§n. Rm³ c£sí¯n.

" Rm³ ]dªntà At½... aSep I−n¨¸w... Acphm H¶p amdns¡m−p... Rct¼ sIm−Xp ImcWw... Bip]{Xo t]mImsX \nhr¯nbnÃmcp¶p...." Rm³ ]dªt¸mÄ Ftf½ I¿nte sI«pbÀ¯n¡mWn¨p. " AÃm...Hcmfnt\ am{Xw ImWp¶nÃtÃm... A`ntamsf´ntb...?..." " tN¨n sIS¡phm..." XqWn Nmcn\n¶ Ie ]dªp. " F´m.. Ahs¡´p ]Án... Chs\m¶pw ]dªnÃtÃm...." A½ AÛpXw \Sn¨p. A½ípw Ct¸mÄ A`n\bním\dnbmsa¶p tXm¶p¶p. F\níXp \¶mbn ]nSn¨p. " B Ahs¡mcp c−p aq¶p sZhkmbn«v... XethZ\tbm... Fs´ms¡tbm... F¶m acp¶p taSn¡ms\m«p k½XntíanÃ...." cmta«³.. ]dªp. " F´ntb Rms\m¶p ImWs«...." FÃmhcpw AI¯p Ibdn. Rm³ Xpd¶pInS¶ Nmbn¸n Ibdn _mKpw sh¨v Ibnenbpw _\nb\papSp¯v apdnbnteíp sN¶p. A½bpw A`nbpw A`nbpsS apdnbn Ft´m kwkmcníp¶p. Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw FsâbSp¯v NpÁn¸Án \n¶p. kmhn{XnbpsS A½bpw Ftf½bpw ASp¡fbnteíp tIdn. cmta«sâ apJ¯pw A{X {]k¶XbnÃ. ImcWw F\níp a\Ênembn. CS¯c¡mc\mb Xsâ aIÄ A`nív Hcp `mhn C³kvs]Îtd hc\mbn kz]v\w I−ncp¶ cmta«\v C¶v ]W¡mc\mbn amdn ]pXnb hnhml¯n\p £Wním³ A½tbbpw Iq«n B Rm³Xt¶ h¶ncníp¶ Ibv¸p\ndª Cu kab¯v F§s\bmWp {]k¶X hcnI. F\nípw hnjaw tXm¶n. " cmta«s\¶m tPmbn³ sN¿pt¶..?." " c−p sZhkw IqsS Ignbt«¶p hnNmcn¨p. \mtf HscSw htc H¶p t]mWw... Hcp t{_m¡dv A`nív HcmtemN\ sIm−p h¶ns«m−v... t]mbn NpÁp]msSm¶p ImWWw...." " F§s\ sNdp¡³ ?.. sImÅmtam...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Rm³ I−nÃ.. Fe{ÎnknÁoev ¢mÀ¡m... kÀ¡mcp tPmenbmbXpsIm−v... Imip sNe¸w C¨ntc sImSpt¡−n hcpw... ]ds¼m−v... hníptIm ]Wbw shíptIm sN¿mw...F¶mepw kab¯v AsXm¶p \S¶m... At{Xw Fsâ NpaXe XocpatÃm..." " AXp sicnbm...." C¶pXt¶ hcm³ F\níp _p²n tXm¶n¨ Cuizc\p Rm³ \μn ]dªp. Csæn ]pXnb BtemN\ apdpInbncps¶¦nÂ, slm, GXmbmepw H¶pw \S¶nÃtÃm. At¸mtgípw sImÃm³ sIm−pt]mIp¶ BSnt\ hen¨psIm−p hcp¶Xpt]mse A`ntbbpw hen¨psIm−v A½ At§m«p h¶p. F\níp k¦Sw tXm¶n. Aekamb hkv{X[mcWw, ]mdn¸d¶ apSn, Icªp Ie§nbXp t]msebpÅ I®pIÄ, \ncmibmÀ¶ apJw. Hcp Zp:J]p{Xntbt¸mse AhÄ h¶p apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p. Ahft¸mÄ IqSpX kpμcnbmbXp t]mse F\níp tXm¶n. IpkrXnIÄ ImWn¨n«ps−¦nepw Ct¸mÄ Ahtf thZ\n¸ntí−n h¶Xn F\níp hnjaw tXm¶n. " Chs¡mcp XethZt\w CsÃt¶... NqSnÃ... ]\oanÃ... FSm \nsâ I¿n...KpfnI htÃmsamt−m¶p t\m¡ntí... AXpw Ign¨v... H¶p Ipfnív... F¶n«v hntij§tfms¡ tI¡s«.... t]mbn t\ms¡Sm...." Rm³ Nmbn¸nteíp Ibdn. _mKp Xpd¶v c−p KpfnIsbSp¯p. At¸mtgípw A½ Fsâ ]pdInÂ. Rm³ tNmZycq]¯n A½tb t\m¡n. A½ iÐsamXp¡n ]dªp. " AkpJw AXpXs¶bmSm... Hcntí Rm\pw Cu thjw BSnbXtÃ... \o hm... AXnt\ IqSpXep Icbn¸ní−...]mhw s]s¦m¨v...." " AÃt½, Ah¡n¨nsc Al¦mcw H−v... H¶p sImdtªms«...." " AXp thtWmSm... \½fp Ka ImWn¨m cmta«³ thtd hà BtemNt\w..." " ]ns¶¸dbmw... C¸w A½ hm..." Ie Nmbn¸nteíp hcp¶Xp I− Rm³ A½tbbpw Iq«n AIt¯íp sN¶p. At¸mtgípw tai¸pd¯v \mc§mshÅw \nc¶pIgnªncp¶p. A½ Hmtcm ¥mskSp¯v FÃmhÀ¡pw sImSp¯p. A`níp s¦mSp¯n«v AhÄ hm§nbnÃ. A½ KpfnI \o«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " \o CX§p Ignt¨¨v Cu shtÅmw A§p IpSn... F{X \mfp IqSnbm Rm\o ho«n hcpt¶... FÃmcpw kt´mjambncníp¶Xp ImWm\m... F\nínãw...." At¸mÄ Ftf½ At§m«p IS¶p h¶p.

" H¶pw ]dbs−sâ KuXao.... Rm\mip]{Xo¶p ht¶¸ns¶.... Chfp Nncn¨p I−n«nÃ... acp¶p th−... F¸gpw Nn´... s]s«¶v F´p ]Áo¶m Rmt\mÀ¡pt¶... \mep sZhkw ap¼p htc Fhfmcp¶p ASp¡f `cnt¨m−ncp¶Xv... C¸w tZ Xncnªp tId¯nÃ..." Ftf½ Ibv aeÀ¯n. At¸mtgíp kmhn{XoS½ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Xe \o«n. " ]¸Sw Im¨ntb¡t« imctZ..." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " ]ns¶´m... NqtSmsS D®mtÃm..." Ftf½ AIt¯íp \S¶p. " D®mdmtbm..?.. FSm... \o B ss{Uhtdw IqSn hnfn...... \o AhnSncpt¶mSo tamtf... AtÃ.... KpfnI Ign¨ntà ..." " KpfntIsS Bhiyanýmbo.... F\nín¸w H¶qÃ... " AhfpsS iÐw CSdnbncp¶p. Icbm³ t]mIp¶Xp t]mse. " \nsâ samJw I−n«v \à thZ\sbmÅ t]mse tXm¶p¶tÃm... F¶m thtW t]mbnsISt¶m..." A½ AhfpsS apSnbn XtemSns¡m−p ]dªp. AhÄ apdnbnteíp t]mIm³ Xncnªt¸mÄ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw Ftf½ hnfn¨p. " A`ntamtf... Ct§ms«m¶p ht¶..." A`n a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. A½ Ft¶ t\m¡n Dudn¨ncn¨p. Rm³ ss{Uhtd hnfn¨psIm−p hcpt¼mgpw Bcpw H¶pw an−p¶nÃ. ]dbm³ Rm³ A½tbmSp BwKyw ImWn¨p. cmta«³ hnZqcXbnteíp t\m¡n Nn´n¨ncníp¶p. A½ kwkmcw XpSÀ¶p. " tIt«m... cmta«m... C¸w Rm³ h¶tX.... Hcp {][m\s¸« Imcyw tNmZním\pw ]dbm\pam... F\nín¸w thdmtcmSpw tNmZním\nÃ... Fsâ AO\pw A\nb¯nípw aÁp _Ôp¡Ä¡pw H¶pw Rm³ ]dbp¶Xn\¸pdw Cà Xm\pw.... A¸w.. cmta«t\mSp Fsâ Xocpam\w ]dªm.. cmta«sâ A`n{]mtbmw k½tXmw..." " \osbmcp Imcyw Xocpam\n¨m AXp icnbmbncnípshs¶\nídnbmw... " cmta«³ hnZqcXbnteíp t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " F¶mepw A§s\bÃtÃm.. Fsâ GÁhpw ASp¯ _Ôp F¶pw cmta«³ Xs¶bm... AXpsIm−m.. {]tXyIn¨v Fsâ tamsâ ImcyamIp¼w...." A½ F§pw sXmSmsX UbtemKp Im¨p¶p. " Mm... Rm\dnªmcp¶p... ]ntÅcp ]dªp.... \à ImcyatÃ... \St¡−Xp AXmXnsâ kab¯p \S¡Ww... F´n\m sh¨p Xmakn¸nípt¶..." At¸mÄ A`n UmhWnbpsS AÁw ISn¨p]nSn¨psIm−v ASp¡fbn \n¶pw AhfpsS apdnbnteíp t]mIp¶p. Rm³ asÁmcp s]®nsâ Ibv]nSníp¶ Imcyw AhÄ¡v tIÄ¡m³ _p²nap«pÅXp t]mse tXm¶n. ]ns¶ Ahsft¶mSv F´n\n{X _ew ]nSn¨p ? GXmbmepw, C\n Cu \mSIw A[nIw \o«p¶Xv sicnbsÃs¶\níp tXm¶n. " Rm³ Ah\p ]t− Hcp s]®nt\ a\Ên I−psh¨ncp¶Xm... CS¡me¯v AXnt\¸Án Nn´níms\mÅ AhkvY F\nínÃmcp¶p. C¸w Ah³ Xt¶ ]dªXpsIm−v Rm³.... AXp Xt¶ BIs« F¶§p Xocpam\n¨p.... \n§fpw IqSn k½Xn¨m...." " AXn\p Fsâ k½Xw F´n\m...?...sImgt¸m¶qÃ... ]ntÅcp ]dªp FÃmw.....F¶mepw Ct¸mgt¯ \nsâ \ne sh¨p t\m¡p¼w C\ow Ahs\mcp ao³Imcns¸®nt\¯s¶ sI«tWm... At\zjn¨m.... sImtd¡qSn \à Hcp _Ôw In«ptIte..." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " ao³Imcns¸t®m.... ?... Rm³ ao³Imcnbm... F¶mepw... ChnsS hmSm.... " A½ Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " \o Fs´ms¡bmSm ChnsS ]dªp ]c¯ocnípt¶...tM..." A½ Fsâ sNhníp ]nSn¨p Xncn¨p. " At¿m... At½ t\mIp¶p... Rms\m¶pw ]dªnÃ... ]ns¶ ao³ImÀ¡v ao³Imcntb AÃmsX thtd... DtZymKkvY½mcpsS a¡tf In«pthm... ?..." " ]ns¶´m..... C¶n¸w s\\¡v AXnepw \à _Ôw In«pw... {ianíWw.... thtW Rm\pw t\m¡mw... F´m KuXao...?.." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw Rm³ sNhn Xncp½p¶Xp I−p \n¶p s]m«n¨ncn¨p. ASp¡fbn ]¸Sw Im¨p¶ io iÐw, H¸w shfns¨®bpsS \dpaWhpw. " imctZ... Ct§ms«m¶p hcpthm.. Hcp Imcyw tNmZnís«...?.." A½ hnfn¨p]dªp.

Ftf½ ASp¡fbn \n¶pw apdnbnteíp h¶p. At¸mÄ kmhn{Xn ]dªp. " tZ.... AO³ hcp¶p...." Rm³ t\m¡n. ]SnIS¶v tat\m³ tN«³ hcp¶p. ImÂIgpIn tat\m³ AIt¯íp Ibdn. A½ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p _lpam\n¨p. " Ccn...Ccn... KuXan C¶p hcpsa¶v tamfp ]dªptI«p... Ignª {]mhiyw h¶¸w [rXnbmcp¶XpsIm−v \n¶nÃtÃm... ]ns¶ Fs´ms¡sbm−v ]pXnb hntij§Ä... ]pXnb ho«nteív Xmakw amdntbm... kmdp ]dªmcp¶p.... ." tat\m³ HÁ izmk¯n tNmZn¨p. " Mm... Rm³ amdn...." " A¸w ]gb hotSm...?.." " Hgnªn«nÃ.... tN«sâ AkvYn¯d \níp¶ kvYetÃ... C¸w Hgnbp¶nÃ....." " ta\t\... ChsS R§fv Cu cmPq\pth−n... HcmtemNt\sS Imcyw ]dtªm−ncníphmcp¶p... B hnhcw Adnbním\pw \½tfsbms¡ t\cn«v £Wním\pam KuXan h¶ncnípt¶... GXmbmepw AhÄ \½tf ad¶n«nÃ..." cmta«³ tat\mt\ R§fpsS BKat\mt±iw Adnbn¨p. " Rm³ ad¶n«nÃ... ]t£ cmta«³ R§tf adt¶m F¶m kwibw...." A½ ]dªp. " Rmt\m... F\ní§s\ ad¡m³ ]Ápthm... A§s\ Rms\s´¦nepw Xt¶mSp ]dªns«mt−mtSm ta\t\..." " tlbv... kmdn\p KuXantb A¶pw C¶pw Hcpt]mem Imcyw ... KuXaosS Imcyw ]dbp¼w kmdn\p Fs´mcp shjaamcp¶p....." cmta«¶p tat\m³ h¶sXmcmizmkw t]mse tXm¶n. " ad¶p.... Csæn cmta«³ A`ntamÄ¡p thtd sNdp¡t\ t\m¡phmcpt¶m...?..." A½ Aåw Kuch¯n tNmZn¨p. " Ah\hsâ s\e t\m¡ntb FÃmw sN¿mhq F¶m Fsâ A`n{]mbw... Csæn \mWw tItS−nh¶mtem...? cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m \½fp IqSpXep hf¨psI«p¶Xv... C¸w F\nív cmta«t\mSv F\níp tNmZníms\mÅXv HÁ tNmZyw... Ch\v.. Fsâ tam³ cmPmaWnív A`ncmantb thWw... \n§¡v AXn\p k½XmtWm¶p am{Xw ]dªm aXn.... asÁm¶pw F\níp tI¡−... k½Xasæn HSt\ tNmdp shf¼v... Dt−¨p kvYew hnSWw... IqSpXsem¶pw ]dbm³ \níp¶nÃ..... " A½ FSp¯Sn¨Xp t]mse tNmZn¨p. Aåt\ct¯ív AhnsS \niÐX ]c¶p. cmta«\pw tat\m\pw ]ckv]cw t\m¡n. ]ntÅcpsS apJ§Ä hnSÀ¶p. Fsâ DÅp ]nS¨p. ASp¡fhmXn¡ Nmcn\n¶ Ftf½ apdnbnteíp tIdn\n¶p. F¶n«v ]pdIn F¯nt\m¡p¶ kmhn{XnbpsS A½tb t\m¡n. " Ft´m¶m.... BÀ¡pw an−m«anÃm¯Xv... ]−v \n§fp c−pt]cpw IqsS hm¡p ]dªXpw k½Xn¨Xpw H¶pw Rm³ ad¶n«nÃ... " " KuXao... \o sicnípw Nn´n¨n«mtWm Cu tNmZníp¶Xv..." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " F\níp {]tXyIn¨p Nn´níms\m¶panÃ..... Pohním³ th−n.. Rm³ ao³sIm« sNma¶qs¶mÅXv sicnbm... sNe¸w AsX\nsímcp sImdhmcnípw.... ]ns¶ Ah\n¸w thtew Iqeow H¶panÃ... F¶pIcpXn Aht\s¡m−v Rm³ ao³sIm« sNma¸ní¯nÃ.. ]Sn¯w Ignªm... AhâOsâ Bit]mse t]meokn tNcm\m t\m¡pt¶...." A½ Kuch¯n Xt¶ ]dªp. " tN«s\´m... C§s\ angp¡kym¶v Ccníp¶Xv.... hm sXmd¶§p ]d k½Xm¶v... Ah\n¸w tPmenbntÃse¶m... ]ns¶ In«ptIte... ChnsS Bhiy¯n\p ]ds¼m−v... AXn Irjn sNbvXmepw am\ambn«p Pohnímw... tN«³ tPmeníp t]mIp¼w R§s¡mcm¬sXmtWamIpw..." Ftf½ ]dªp. " lpw... \osb´dnsªsâ imctZ... C¸w ChsS ho«nt¡dn sNÃm³ Fsâ tamÄs¡´m sbmKytX¶m Rm³ Nn´nípt¶..." " tO... F¶mepw cmta«\n{X ]mhmWtÃm... Ahs¡mÅ H¶mas¯ shey tbmKyX Ahfp cmta«sâ tamfmsWs¶mÅ HÁ Imcym.... ChâOsâ DÁ sN§mXn... R§¡p th−n ISs¸md¯v sIS¶v s]mXnsc XÃpsIm−Xpatà A¶v.... ]mhw..." A½ cmta«sâ apJt¯ípÁp t\m¡n. cmta«sâ apJw hnSÀ¶p. Ftf½bpsS apJt¯sím¶p t\m¡nbn«v CSdnb iЯn At±lw ]dªp.

" F\nív Bbncw h«w k½Xm... CtÃSo imctZ... Ahfp tbmKsamÅhfm...." cmta«³ I®p XpS¨p. " A¸w ]ns¶ cmPp ]dªtXm... thtd GXms−md¸ns¨t¶m... C¶p IeymWw hnfním³ hcpImt¶m...Hs¡...? " kmhn{XnbpsS A½ tNmZn¨p. " Hm.... AsXms¡ Ahsâ Hmtcm hnIrXn¯c§fv... AÃmsX´m.... F\nídnbmcp¶p Ah\nhtf ]t− Cãmcps¶¶v... c−pw IqsS At¶ shey Iq«Ãmcpt¶m..." s]s«¶v Rm³ sNhntbmÀ¯p. A`nbpsS apdnbn \n¶pw t\cnb Ic¨n tIÄ¡p¶ntÃ. Rm³ ]dªp. " Xocpam\ním³ hcs« At½.... k½Xw aqtf− Bfp ]dbs« F¶n«p aXn..." " AXmcm...?..." cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " thdmcm... IeymWs¸®v.. A`ncman..." Rm³ ]dªp. At¸mgmWv FÃmhcpw Ahtf¸Án HmÀ¯Xv. " Hm.. AhtfmsS¶m tNmZním\m... " cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " AXà cmta«m... tZ..C¸w A`n...Icbp¶p... Ft´m Imcysam−v... ChnsS _eambns«mcp IeymWw F\níp th−... Ah¡p ]cn]qÀ®k½XmtW aXn..." Rm³ XoÀ¯p ]dªp. " AXns\´m... AhtfmSp Rm³ tNmZnímhtÃm.. Ahsftâw IqsS aIftÃ..." A½ Fgpt¶Áv apdnbnteíp Ibdn. A`ncmantbbpw Iq«n h¶p. AhÄ h¶v tXmfn InS¶ tXmÀ¯psIm−v I®p XpS¨p. " tZ... tamtf.. IcbpsIm¶pw th−... \nt¶ Bcpw _embn«p ]nSn¨psIm−p t]mI¯nÃ... ChnsS ]dªsXms¡ tamfpw tI«p ImWqtÃm... ?.. sXmd¶p ]dtªm... s\\¡p k½XmtWm...?...." AhÄ I®ocn IpXnÀ¶ \mWt¯msS apJw Ip\n¨p. F¶n«p Xebm«n. I−t¸mÄ AXnsâ AÀ°w a\ÊnembnÃ. " hmsXmd¶p ]dsbsâ A`ntamtf... ChnsS thdmcpanÃtÃm..." Ftf½. " AtX... C¸w Btcw t]SnímsX sXmd¶p ]dbmw..." tat\m³. " F´m tamtf.. s\\s¡mcp shjaw t]mse...?.. " cmta«³. AhÄ H¶panÃm F¶p Xebm«n. AhÄ¡p a\Ên Fs´ms¡tbm hoÀ¸pap«epIÄ DÅXpt]mse. Fsâ a\Ênepw kwibw. C\n AhÄ t]mIp¶ tImtfPn hÃhcpambns«§m\pw hà ASp¸tam hÃXpw. AhÄ sasà aq¡p XpS¨v Ft´m ]dbm³ XbmdmIp¶p. ssZhta, Hcp t\m BWp hcp¶sX¦ntem. s]s«¶v Rm³ ]dªp. " \n§¡p hntcm[antàRm³ Xt¶ tNmZnt¨mfmw... F´m... " A½ cmta«t\ t\m¡n. " AXns\´m... \n§fp X½n Xocpam\nív... ]ckv]cw Adnbmhp¶hctÃ..." Ftf½ \nÀt±in¨p. A½ hÃm¯ \nebnembn. hfsc Ffp¸w F¶p IcpXnbncp¶Xv Ct¸mÄ \mWt¡Sn\p ImcWamIptam F¶p Nn´níp¶p−mIpw. Rm³ tat\msâ apJ¯p t\m¡n. Bbntím F¶ a«n tat\m³ Ft¶ I®p IWn¨p. Rm³ A`ntb hnfn¨p. " A`o... hm \aps¡mcp c−p an\n«p kwkmcnímw... At½, R§fn¸w hcmw... A`o... hm...¹okv..." Rm³ apt¼ \S¶p Nmbn¸n tIdn. ]pdtI Ahfpw aμwaμw Xebpw Xmgv¯n h¶p tIdn. R§tf A\pKan¨v apdnbnteíp Ibdm³ Xp\nª Ieípw kmhn{Xnípw ap¼n Rm³ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. " A`n AhnSncnív... " Rm³ I«n Nq−n¡mWn¨p. AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨v I«nen Ccp¶p. " A`nsít´m hnjaap−v k½Xsa¶p ]dbm³... CtÃ...? Rm³ \nÀ_Ôníp¶nÃ... C\n AYhm aÁmÀs¡¦nepw hm¡p sImSp¯n«ps−¦n B hm¡p ]meníWw.. Abmtf¯t¶ sI«Ww... Fsâ FÃm klmtbmw \n§s¡m−mIpw... Rm³ hm¡p Xcp¶p.... ]t£.... tZ Ct§m«p t\m¡v..." AhÄ XebpbÀ¯n. Ft´m ]dbm\mªp. Rm³ XSªp. " shc«pIÃ... HcmsW¶ s\eív F\nípw... A´ÊpÅ Hcp s]¬Ip«nsb¶ s\eív A`nípw Hcp ISasbm−v... \½sS Hcp ]´bw... AXn\p kam[m\w I−nsæn F\níp a\Ên AsXmcp shjaambns«¶pw sIS¡pw... t]Sn¡−... Rm³ Pbn¨mepw Ft¶ sI«m³ \nÀ_Ôní¯nÃ... ]t£ Rm³ Pbn¨m A`n hm¡p ]meníWw...

Rm³ Xcp¶ cs−®w Cu IcW¯v kzoIcníWw.. Bcpw ImWqÃ... Rm³ `À¯mhnsâ s\te hnfní¯panÃ.... A`osS B HcSn.. Fsâ DÅnem sIm−Xv... Rm³ \nt¶ A´ÊpÅ Hcp hyànbmbn«m F¶pw IW¡m¡ocp¶Xv... B \o As¶s¶ ASn¨¸w... AXp sXÁmbncp¶tÃms¶mcp shjaw... \o Hcníepw A§s\ Bbncp¶nà F¶p hnizkním\msW\n¡nãw..." " AXn\p.... Rm\n¸w..... H¶pw ]dªnÃtÃm..." " th−... F\níp \nÀ_tÔmanÃ... ]t£... CsX\nív \nÀ_Ôm..." Rm³ _mKp Xpd¶p Iymadm FSp¯p. AhfpsS H¸w I«nen Ccp¶p. Iymadm Hm¬ sNbvXp. AXn IebptSbpw kmhn{XnbptSbpw IbvIÄ Rm³ ]dª coXnbn {]hÀ¯níp¶ `mKw apX Rm³ t\ct¯ Xbmdm¡n sh¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS I¬ap¼n ImWn¨p. tSt¸mSn¨p. AhfpsS apJw BZyw AÛpXw sIm−p hnSÀ¶p. ]ns¶ `bw sIm−p hnd¨p. v s]s«¶v AhfXn IS¶p ]nSn¨p. B kv{Io³ IbvsIm−p aqSn. F¶n«p ]dªp. " Fsâ s]m¶p cmPq... CXv th−mcp¶p.... CXmsc¦nepw I−m... Cu IpSpw_¯nsâ am\w t]mIpw... Rm³ tXmÁq¶v k½Xn¨p... CXv \in¸n¨p If... C¸w... Ft¶ XÃptIm... Nhn«ptIm sImÃptIm... Fsâ A\nb¯osS am\w IfbcpXv... Rm³ tXmÁp... Rm³ tXmÁp... F\níp ]´tbm¶pw th−...H¶pw th−.... Fsâ tamtf \in¸nícptX..." AhÄ iÐsamXp¡n¡cªpsIms−sâ ap¼n \ne¯p ap«p Ip¯n. Fsâ Imen ]nSn¨p. " ]ns¶ \osb´n\m Ft¶mSv A¶§s\ ]dªXv... ?.." AtX Ccp¸n Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Fsâ Ietamfp No¯bmsW¶v k½Xním³ F\níp h¿mcp¶p.... Hc½ s]ÁXsænepw Ahsfsâ kz´w tNmc t]msebm... ¹okv... AXp \in¸n¨p If... cmPq C§s\ sN¿q¶p Hcníepw Rmt\mÀ¯nÃm... s]mdp¡v.. s]mdp¡v... FÃmw k½Xn¨p... tXmÁncníp¶p.... C¶m... F{X thtWepw XÃntím..." AhÄ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp IcªpsIm−v Fsâ ap¼n t\tc XebpbÀ¯n I®S¨p \n¶p. Rm³ Iymadm _mKnteín«p. ]ns¶ tNmZn¨p. " XbmdmWtÃm...?.." " Mqw... c−Ã... Cãw t]mse Acniw Xocp¶ htc XÃntím...Rm³ sImt−mfmw..." AhÄ ]Ãp ISn¨p]nSn¨v ASnhcp¶Xpw Im¯p \n¶p. Rm³ B apJw I¿nseSp¯p. Fsâ apJt¯mSSp¸n¨p. ]ns¶ c−p IcW¯pw AaÀ¯n Hmtcm D½ sImSp¯p. ]nt¶bpw AhÄ I®S¨p \n¡p¶p. " Xm¦vkv....A`ncmao.... \o A´ÊpÅhfp Xt¶... Rm³ X¶ cs−t®mw taSn¨tÃm.... aXn... C¸w F\nípw Hcp kam[m\mbn...." " CÃm.... Ft¶ XÃv... Ft¶ XÃv... F¶mte F\níp kam[m\w In«s¯mÅp... " AhÄ Fsâ Ibvc−pw ]nSn¨v AhfpsS IcW¯p XÃn. Rm³ Ibv ]n³hen¨n«v AhÄ k½Xníp¶nÃ. Hcp {`m´ntbt¸mse kz´w IcW¯SnípIbmbncp¶p. Rm³ _ew ]nSn¨ncp¶XpsIm−v IcWw thZ\n¨p ImW¯nÃ. HSphn AhÄ XfÀ¶v Fsâ amdt¯íp hoWp. " t]ms« kmcey... Cu IcW¯Sním³ Hcp Ime¯pw Fsâ Ibv Dbc¯nÃ.... Cu IhnfpIÄ GtXm `mKyhm\pÅXm.... AXp Rm\mbn«p XÃn \in¸ní¯nÃ... hm... C\n ]d... s\\¡v BtcmSm Ctãm¶p ]d... Cu Rm\Xp \S¯n¯cpw... F{X sNehp h¶mepw... Cs¶\níXn\p Ignshm−v... \o t]Sní−... s\\¡v ]dbm³ shjaamtW .....Rm³ Xt¶ A½tbmSpw cmta«t\mSpw hnhcw ]dbmw... s\\¡v k½Xsöv.... XoÀ¯p ]dtª¡mw... hm... I®p sXmSív...." Rm³ AhfpsS I®p\oÀ XpS¨psImSp¯p. F¶n«v hmXn Xpd¡m\mbn Xncnªp. AhÄ Fsâ jÀ«nsâ tImfdn ]nSns¨t¶ ]pdtIm«p hen¨p. " Bcm ]dªXv.... F\níp k½Xsöv.... ?..." AhÄ Fsâ jÀ«n Xq§ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p. " th−`o... ]´bw tXmÁXnsâ t]cntem... AOt\ t]Sn¨nt«m... H¶pw k½Xní−.... s\\¡dnb¯nÃ.... ]´b¯n\p ap¼pw \nt¶ F\nínãmcp¶p... \osbt¶ XÃnbn«p t]mepw...... ]t£ C¸w Rms\Ãmw ad¶pIgnªp.... apgph\mbn«p ad¡m³ t\m¡phm Rm³.... hm...." " AXn\p... ]´b¯n\p apt¼ Xt¶.....F\nípw k½Xmcp¶tÃm.... C¸gpw Csöp Rm³ ]dtªm....?.."

Ahfpw sIdphp kzc¯n ]dªp. Rm\m apJ¯p t\m¡n AhÄ I®pIÄ ]n³hen¨nÃ. " Gbv... F\nít§m«p hnizmkw hcWnÃ... CXpw \nsâ Hscmfn¨pIfnbtÃ...?.." kwibt¯mtS Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " At¿m.. CÃm... kXymbn«pw... CÃm..... Hfním−p Xs¶bm Rm³ ]tdtW... F\níp k½Xm¶v..." " k½XmtWm... " " At¿m....F{X {]mhiyw ]dbWw.. k½Xw... k½Xw... k½Xw... k½....." Rm\hfpsS Np−pIÄ Fsâ hncepIÄ sIm−p aqSn. " aXn... F¶n«v... \osb´m C¸w tNmZn¨¸w an−mXncpt¶...?.." " F§s\ an−pw... \mshm¶p s]m§o«p tht−..... Cu aq¶mep sZhkw Ft¶ F{X I®ocp IpSn¸n¨p.... Rms\´p am{Xw shjan¨p.... F¶n«v s]s«¶v C¸w AXp tI«¸w Fsâ izmkw \n¶p t]mbn... kt´mjw sIm−p Rm³ Icªpt]mbn«m... F\níp an−m³ h¿mcp¶p... Fsâ N¦p sIS¶p hoÀ¡pImcp¶p.... F¶ns«t¶...." AhÄ Fsâ jÀ«n ]nSn¨pXq§n. Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p. hogms\¶t]mse \n¶ Ahtf Fsâ I¿n Xm§n. AhfpsS apJw Fsâ I¿nseSp¯p sIm−p ]dªp. " AsXsâ IpÁaÃtÃm... \o Xt¶ FÃmw a\Ên aqSns¸mXnªp sh¨v sIm−p \S¡pIÃmcpt¶m... F¶n«v Xs¶¯m³ Xo Xn¶ptIw..." " ]ns¶ Rms\´p sN¿pw...?..kz´w ho«n Ftf½ thsdmcp¯\pambn«v.... AXp t\cn I−hfm Rm³... tNmZn¨¸w... Ieíp shjw sImSp¯n«v Ahcp NmIpsh¶p ]dªp. Rm\mtcmSp ]dbpw... ]mhw Fsâ AOt\mtSm... N¦p s]m«n NmIpw B \nanjw... \m«pImtcmtSm... F¸gpw CXp X¶mcps¶sâ DÅnev.... ¢mÊn t]mbn«v Hcp hI Rm³ ]Tn¨n«nÃ... ]ns¶¸ns¶ F\nív Rms\´m ]td¶sX¶p t]mepw Adnb¯nÃmcp¶p.... sNe¸w cmPqt\w B sNIp¯mt\w Htc t]mse F\níp tXm¶n.... FÃm BWp§Ä¡pw s]®p§fp thWw Imcyw ImWm³.... ]d... cmPq... ]d.. Rm³ ]ns¶sb´p sN¿Wmcp¶p...?... F\níp Nncním³ ]Ápthm... kvt\lw ImWním³ ]Ápthm..." AhÄ G§n¡cªp. " t]ms«... FÃmw IgnªntÃ.... Rm³ \nt¶ ]t− a\Ênem¡nbmcps¶sâ s]mt¶... ]t£ \osb\níp ]nSn X¶nÃtÃm... IcbmsX.... " Rm³ Ahtf Bizkn¸ním³ {ian¨p. " ]ns¶.... C¨nscsbm¶pw a\Êp XWp¯¸gm.... cmPqsâ ]pXnb IeymW¡mcyw... AtXmtS... Rm³... XIÀ¶pt]mbn cmPq....... BZyw hnNmcn¨Xv s\mWbmsW¶m.... ]ns¶ cmPq FÃmtcmSpw AXpXs¶ ]td¶ tI«¸w... F\níp ]nSn¨p \ním³ ]Á¯nsömbnt¸mbn... kXyw.... Ftf½ Bip]{Xo¶p h¶ s]mdtI... Rm\pw A§s\sbs´¦nepw sNbvXm AO\pw NmIpw.... AXpsIm−m... Ctà Rm\pw Ibv apdnt¨m... sIWÁn NmSntbm... F¶mepw Fsâ cmPq... Ft¶ Ct{Xw Icbn¸níWmcpt¶m... " AhÄ Fsâ s\©nteíp Nmcn. " \o F´m ]dtª...?.. Ftf½ sNbvX t]mset¶m... F¦n \ns¶ Rm³ sImt¶t\... C¡− Iã¸mSpw XÃpw htc sImt−¨v..... \o Ft¶bnt«¨p t]mIm³ t\m¡ntbmSo..... sÈm... Fâoizcm... F´_²m Rm³ ]dªXv... AXptI«o s]m«nsb§m\pw Fs´¦nepw sNbvXmcpt¶Â... slm.. HmÀ¡m³ h¿....\ns¶ Rm³... " Rm\htf Fsâ s\t©mSSp¡n¸nSn¨p. B aqÀ²mhn B ]mdn¸d¶ apSnbn D½IÄ \nc¯n. Fsâ I®p \ndªp t]mbn. " kXym..... ]dtª... F\níp shfnhnÃmcp¶p.... AOs\tbmÀ¯m... CtÃÂ... Rm\pw sNe¸w...." Ahfpw iÐsamXp¡n hnXp¼n. Fsâ jÀ«n AhfpsS I®p\oÀ ]S]Sm hoWp. " aXn.....C\nsbm¶pw ]db−.... C¸w \o kXyw sN¿Ww.... Fsâ NnX It−¨ÃmsX... \o C§s\ Nn´nínÃm¶v...." Fsâ XmSn AhfpsS s\dpIbn sh¨v Rm³ s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " CÃ... C\n Rm³ H¶pw Nn´ní¯nÃ... Ft¶ ths−¶p ]dªmt¸mepw... cmPqsâ hmbo¶v Ct{Xw tI«tÃm... C\nb§p N¯pt]mbmepw sImg¸nÃy..." AhÄ Fsâ amdn Np−pIfaÀ¯n \n¶p. c−p an\ns«¦nepw R§Ä A§s\ \n¶p ImWpw. Ahtf thZ\n¸n¨Xns\§s\ am¸p ]dbWw F¶dnbmsX Rm³ Ipg§n. sasà AhÄ Fsâ s\©n \n¶pw hn«I¶p.

" hm... FÃmcpw Nn´nípw.... \½fnhnsS Fs´Sp¡phm¶v...." AhÄ apJapbÀ¯n Fsâ I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. " At¿m... cmPqw IcbphmtWm... th−... Fsâ s]mt¶ IcbÃv..." Ahsfsâ I®p\oÀ hncepIÄ sIm−p XpS¨p. F¶n«v G§eSn¨psIm−v aq¡p ]ngnªp. " AsXm¶panÃ... F¶mepw \nsâ a\tÊmÀ¯¸w... I®p s\dªp t]mbn.... " Fsâ I®p\oÀ XpS¨ B Is¿Sps¯m¶p Npw_n¨p. " t]ms«... BWp§fp IcbcpXv... Fsâ cmPqw HcmWtÃ... hm ChnSncn... F¶n«v B \s«sÃm¶p \nhÀ¡v.... Hcm¼dt¶mt\t¸mse......." AhÄ Ft¶bpw sIm−v I«nenteíncp¶p. sk¡âpIÄ¡pÅn Rm³ a\km¶n²yw hos−Sp¯p. " C¸w.... k¦tSms¡ XoÀt¶m... ?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " FtâXp XoÀ¶p.. A`n¡p«osStbm...?...." " F\nsíhnsS k¦Sw... Rm³ NncníphÃmcpt¶m..." B I®ocpW§nb \pW¡pgnIÄ sXfnªp. Np−pIÄ hnSÀ¶p, agb¯p sXfnbp¶ kqcy³ t]mse. " Rm\pw Nncníphmcp¶p....Ct{Xw t\cw..." Rm\htf Ft¶mSp tNÀ¯p]nSn¨p. " cmPmaWo.... ?.." " Mqw..." " \½Ä¡t§m«p sNÃmw...?.. CtàAhcnt§m«p hcpw... \½tf ImWmªn«v... \½fpw ]Xw s]dp¡nbXpw Ahcdnb−... tamiw..." AhÄ ab¡¯nse¶ t]mse ]dªp. " Mm....sNÃmw... AÃ, \o F´m C¸w Ft¶ hnfn¨Xv...?..." " Mqw.... cmPmaWo¶v... Ft´...?..." Fsâ tXmfn hn{ian¨ncp¶ apJapbÀ¯n AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n. " C¸gpw.... AXpXs¶bmtWm Fsâ t]cv...?..." Ahft¸mÄ kwibt¯mtS Fsâ apJ¯pÁp t\m¡n. sasà Fsâ tNmZy¯nte [z\n AhÄ¡p a\Ênembn. " AÃ...." aSn¨p aSn¨hÄ ]dªt¸mÄ I®ocn\nSbnepw AhÄ¡p \mWw. " F¶m¸ns¶ B t]cp hnfnív... Rms\m¶p tI¡s«... a\Ên kvt\lsamt−m¶p Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«..."" " A§s\ Fsâ aWn¡p«\n¸w B t]cp tI¡−..." " H¶p hnfnsíSo..." " Fsâ s]m¶p aWn¡p«\tÃ... C\nsb¦nepw Fsâ IcW¯v HcSn Xcpthm... CtàF\níp a\:Êam[m\w In«¯nÃ...." Ifn¸m«w In«m¯Xn\p sIdphníp¶ Ip«ntbt¸mse AhÄ¡p Ic¨nenSbnepw sIdphv. " A§s\ XÃm\pw am{Xw Ihnfo s]®n\nÃ... XÃp Xcmw... ]ns¶bms«... C¸w \S¡v... Ahcn¸w t]Sn¨ncníphmcnípw... Rm³ \nt¶ apdoen«p th−mXo\w htÃmw sN¿phmtWm¶v.... " AhÄ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp IXIn\Spt¯íp \S¶p. ]pdtI Fgpt¶Á Rm³ AhfpsS N´níp Rm³ \à HcSn sImSp¯p. " tZs−... C\n XÃp In«o«nÃm¶p ]td−...." " lhq... F\níp s\m´p aWn¡p«m... F¶m ]Wnbm CXv.... H¶pIn a\Êv... Atà tZlw..... Fs´¦nepw t\mhn¨mte... Cu ..... aWntb«\p Xr]vXnsbmÅp...." AhÄ ]pdtIm«p hfªp \n¶psIm−v N´nbn XShn. " C¨nsc t\mhs«.... ChnsS h¶ A¶psamXep \osbt¶ sImtd t\mhn¨XtÃ...." " IW¡mbnt¸mbn... A¸w AXns\t¶mSp ]Icw ho«pImcp¶p... AtÃ...... Ft¶ Icbn¸n¨v..." AhÄ Xncnsªsâ sNhníp ]nSn¨p. "\qsÁm¶p {]mhiyw G¯ant«¨v... Cu sX½mSn At§m«p t]mbm aXn....sXmS§v.... H¶v...." " B... Fsâ sNhn... " Rm³ Ahtf ]nSns¨t¶mSp tNÀ¯n«v Ihnfn D½ sh¨psIm−v F®n¯pS§n. " H¶v... c−v... aq¶v..." s]s«¶v P\en\p shfnbn s]m«n¨ncnIÄ tI«p. Fâoizcm, Bscms¡tbm Hfnªp \n¶v FÃmw ImWp¶p−mbncp¶p. Ahcp hÃXpw tIt«m Bthm. Rm\pw Ahfpw hÃmbvItbmsS I®n¡®n t\m¡n.

IXIp Xpd¡m³ t]mb AhÄ ]pdtIm«p amdn. " F\níp h¿... aWn¡p«³ Xt¶ sXmd¡v...." Rm³ IXInsâ IpÁnsbSp¯p Xpd¶p. ap¼n s]®p§sfÃmhcpw IqSn \n¡p¶p. A`n AÔmfn¨p apJws]m¯n Xncnªp \n¶p. A½ apt¶m«p h¶v Ft¶ hen¨p ]pd¯m¡n. " ho«ntem«p hmSm... s\\s¡mÅXv AhnsS sN¶n«p Xcmw... ChnsS hmSo...." A½ AIt¯íp Ibdn A`ncmantb sNhníp ]nSn¨v Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. " c−pw IqsS CXn\I¯v Fs´mcp \mSIw Ifnbmcp¶p.... \o Icbp¶q¶v Ietamfm h¶p ]dªXv... R§fpw sImds¨ms¡ Is−So... C\nsamXev FÃmw \nÀ¯ntímWw.. C\n Cu Is®§m\pw s\dªm...c−nt\w Rm³ ht¨¡¯nÃ... hmSo ChnsS... " A½ Ahtf hen¨psIm−v cmta«sâ ap¼n \nÀ¯n. " F¶mepw......Ch¡p th−nbmcpt¶m cmta«³ thtd IeymWw BtemNn¨Xv... F¦n... A[nIw XmaknbmsX.... th−, Rms\m¶pw ]tdWnÃ.... AhsS a\Êpw IqsS H¶p tNmZn¨n«p aXnbmcp¶p..... kvt\l¯nsâ shtew, AXp \ãs¸«¸w H−mb k¦tSmw sicnípw Adntªmfm Rm³.... Chfpw a−nbm... Asæn Aht\mSp ]t− sXmd¶p ]dbptIemcpt¶m... F¶n«v hn½nãs¸«p \S¡pIm c−pw..." " Fsâ KuXao... F\nív Hcp sNdnb Bi a\Ênsem−mcp¶p... s]s«¶p \o ImipImcnbmb¸w... Rm\m Bi Dt]£n¨p.... Ignª Znhkw... Chfp ]dªp \o sNdp¡\p thtd s]®nt\ \nivObns¨¶v... ]ns¶ Rms\´m sN¿t−... HSt\ Ahtf thsdmcp IeymWw Ign¸nípI... Rm³ HcO\tÃ...." cmta«³ Xsâ \ne]mSp ]dªp. " F¶mepw... cmta«\p tXm¶ntbm.... ]t− Fsâ tN«³ hm¡p ]dª kvYnXnív..... cmta«t\mSp tNmZnímsX Rm\§s\ Xocpam\nípsa¶v... Ct{Xw _tÔ HtÅm... \½fp X½nÂ...?.. Fh³ Ft´m IfnXamip ]dsª¶pw sh¨v...." A½bpsS I®p \ndªp. " \nsâ s\eb§p amdnb¸w A§s\mcp km[yXsbms−¶p kXy¯nÂ.... Rm³ hnNmcn¨pt]mbn KuXao... F\nín¨ntc shjtamw tXm¶nbXm DÅnev..... t]ms« £an¨pIf... C¸w ]ntÅcp X½n Hd¸n¨ntÃ..." " AÃm, CsX´m ChnsS \S¡pt¶... IpÁw ]d¨ntem.. AtXm IeymW\nivObtam... F\níp a\ÊnemIp¶nÃ...." AXphtc an−mXncp¶ tat\m³tN«³ CSs]«p. " AXp Xt¶... ]ntÅcp hà IpkrXow ImWn¨Xn\p \n§sf´p s]g¨p... hm.. IbvIgpIv htÃmw Ignímw..." {]`mhXnt¨¨nbpw NqSmbn. " \nÃv \nÃv.... [rXn ]nSnímsX..." Rm\nSíp tIdn. " C\nsb´m _m¡nsbmÅXv..." A½ Fsâ t\tc t\m¡n. " H−v... FSo A`o... FSo... A`ncmao.... " Rm³ Kuch¯n hnfn¨p. " Ft´m..." IXIn\p ]pdIn \n¶pw A`ncman hnfntI«p. " \osbhnsSbm...?..." " Rm\nhnsSm−v aWn¡p«m...." AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¡p¶Xpt]mse ]dªp. " Ct§m«p \o§n \n¶p ]d... s\\s¡t¶ sI«m³ k½XmtWm¶v... aebmf¯n hmsXmd¶v C¸w ]dbWw..... CtÃÂ..." A`n IXIn\p ]pdIn \n¶p Xe \o«n. {]`mhXn Ahtf ]nSn¨p apt¶m«p amÁn \nÀ¯n. AhÄ cmta«t\ t\m¡n. ]ns¶ iÐsamXp¡n ]dªp. " F\nív.... F\nív.... ]t− k½Xmcp¶tÃm...." FÃmhcpw Nncn¨p. AhÄ \mWn¨v HmSn AIt¯íp Ibdn. " A¼So... IÅo... \o Bfp sImÅmatÃm.... tM..... ImÀt¶m½mcsS ap¼n sh¨v sXmd¶Sním\pw am{Xw ss[tcy...." A½ Ahtf t\m¡n aq¡¯p hnc sh¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶mSmbn ]dªp. " FSmsbSm... \o C¸tg Ahtf FSo¶pw t]mSo¶pw H¶pw hnfní− tIt«m... IeymWw Xocpam\n¨tXsbmÅp.... AsXms¡ sI«p Ignªv... F¶m tNmdp shf¼v...." Fs¶ t\m¡ns¡m−v A½ Fgpt¶Áp. " Np½mXýmbo.... AsXmcp ]´bamcp¶p...." CsXms¡ I−p Nncn¨psIm−p \n¶ Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. " tM...]´btam... F´p ]´bw...?.." A½ Nncn¨psIm−v Ietb t\m¡n.

" Hcp Znhkw.... tN¨n A¦nfnt\ H¶p XÃn... At¶cw A¦nfp ]dªp... Hcp Znhkw... ]´bw Pbn¨n«v A¦nfp `À¯mhnsâ AhImit¯msS hnfníp¶pw At¶cw tN¨n sNÃt¸cp hnfníW¶pw Hs¡.... c−n\pw `b¦c aq¨mcp¶p At¶cw...." " an−mXncn s]t®...." Ftf½ aItf imkn¨p. A½bpsS Nncníp¶ apJw amdn, Kuchambn. Nncn¨psIm−ncp¶ cmta«³ AÔmfn¨p. tat\m\pw `mcybpw apJt¯mSp apJw t\m¡n. kmhn{Xn IebpsS XpSbn \pÅn. Ie Ft´m A_²w ]dª a«n Ft¶ t\m¡n. " At½... AXv...AX¶v.. Hcp {]tXyI kmlNcy¯n ...." Rm³ ]dªp. " th−mmm... \ooo an−−...." A½ I¿pbÀ¯n Ft¶ hne¡n. ]ns¶ apdníIt¯íp Ibdn. Rm³ ]pdtI hmXn¡se¯n A½ A`ntb hnfn¨p amÁn \nÀ¯n tNmZn¨p. " tamtf... \o Cht\ F¸sg¦nepw XÃnbns«mt−m....?..." FÃmhcpw \niÐcmbn. AhÄ an−msX hn§ns¸m«p¶Xp t]mse \n¶p UmhWnbpsS AÁw ISn¨p ]nSn¨p. " ]d... \o Aht\ XÃnsb¦n AXn\p X¡Xmb IpÁw Ah³ sNbvXn«p−mIpw... F¦n Aht\ Rm³... ]d... t\cmtWm..." " Mqw...." AhÄ aqfn. Ahtf hndíp¶Xp t]mse. AhÄ Xmsg hogptam Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. " At½..." Rm³ hnfn¨p. " iviviviv.... tamsft¶mSp ]d... clkyambn«p aXn... Ah³ \nt¶msS´p sX½mSn¯cm ImWnt¨... " A½ hmXneSíms\mcp§n. s]s«¶v A`n s]m«n¡cªpsIm−v A½bpsS Im¡ hoWp. " A½mbo Rm³... Rm\m sXÁpImcn.... Fsâ.... Al¦mcw sIm−m.... A¶§s\....." A½bpsS ImÂap«n apJw Xm§n AhÄ Icªp. Rm³ apdnípÅnteíp Ibdms\mcp§n. At¸mtgípw A½ Ahtf ]nSns¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. " kmcanÃ... A_²w ]Ánt¸mbntÃ... C¸w £taw tNmZn¨ntÃ.... C\n Icb−..... " A½ Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p I®p\ocp XpS¨p. " F¶mepw \o sNbvXXv... ISp¸mbnt¸mbn tamtf.... h¶ A¶p samXev C¶sehtc... Ch\o ho«nev... HcSntat¸msebm \n¶Xpw ]WnsbSp¯Xpw... AXpw... Bcpw ]dbmsX FÃmw t\m¡ow I−pw... she¡o«p t]mepw... B Chs\ \o... sO... F¶mepw Fsâ A`ntamtf \o C§s\ sN¿q¶v... " cmta«³ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶v I®pXpS¨p. " AOm...Rm³... AdnbmsX ]Ánt¸mbXm... aWntb«s\m¶pw sNbvXn«phÃ... " AhÄ Ip¨pIp«ntbt¸mse apJw s]m¯n¡cªp. A½ hÃmXmbn. F\nícniw h¶p. shdptX B ]mh¯nt\ Hmtcm¶p ]dªv Icbníp¶p. AXpw Znhk§tfmfw Rm³ Icbn¸n¨Xn\p tijw. " sÈSm... XÃnsb¦n Ahsft¶btà XÃnbXv... AXp Rm³ kln¨p... C¸w Rm³ Xncn¨v Hcp \qdp XÃp sImSp¡mw ... F¶m... FÃmÀ¡pw Xr]vXnbmIpthm...." Rm³ cmta«t\ t\m¡n Aåw tZjy¯n tNmZn¨p. FÃmcpw I®p Xpdns¨t¶ t\m¡n. " hmSo ChnsS.... \n¶p tam§p¶p... Ic¨nep \nÀ¯m³... \nÀ¯otà\o C¸w Fsâ I¿o¶p sImÅpw.... C¶m t]m... t]mbn Ipfn¨v thKw hm... Mqw t]m..." Rm³ AhnsS¡nS¶ Hcp tXmÀs¯Sp¯v AhfpsS tXmfnen«psImSp¯p. ]ns¶ hen¨p Ipfnapdnbnem¡n IXIS¨p. A½ AXp t\m¡n \n¶p. Ahsft¶ XÃnbXv A½bpĸsS FÃmhcpw AdnªXn F\nív COm`wKhpw \mWt¡Spw tXm¶n. Rm³ Hcp \nanjw IpfnapdnbpsS `n¯nbn Nmcn\n¶p. ]ns¶ FÃmhtcbpw IS¶v ]pdt¯íp t]mIm³ t\m¡n. " \o Ft§m«p t]mIphm... AhnsS \nÃv... " A½ Ft¶ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯n. F¶ns«mcp Itkcbnencp¶p. tat\m³ XmSníp IbvsImSp¯ncp¶p. cmta«³ I®ps]m¯n s\Ánbn Xncp½n Ip\nªncp¶p. " \n§sf´n\m... C§s\ shjanípt¶...?...Ietamfp ]dªXpsIm−v AXpw Ie§ns¯fnªntÃ.... Ahfp Ipfn¨p hcp¼gt¯íp tNmsdSp¡v.. \mSIw I−p I−v shi¡m³ sXmS§n...." A½ ]dªp. " Ietamtf... H¶p ht¶ ... CsXms¡ B tais¸mdt¯m«p sIm−p shív...." Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. Ftf½ IetbmSv Fs´ms¡tbm X«nt¡dp¶Xp tI«p.

" imctZ... F´n\m B sIm¨nt\ hg¡p ]dbp¶Xv... ]nÅa\Ên IÅansötÃ...." A½ ASp¡fbnteíp t\m¡n hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Hm.. Hcp ]nÅ... kabw t\m¡mtX hmbn tXm¶p¶Xp hnfn¨p ]dbpw... Ak¯v..." Ftf½ Xncn¨p ]dªp. " l.. AXp ads¡sâ imctZ.... It−m cmta«m.. CXmsWsâ aI³... AhâOsâ X\n skm`mhw... sI«ntbmfpsS ASp¯qsS Hco¨ t]mepw ]d¡m³ k½Xní¯nÃ... A{Xí§p kvt\lm...." A½ Ft´m HmÀ¯Xpt]mencp¶p. ]gb HmÀ½IÄ Abhnd¡p¶p. " KuXao.... \o thtW C¶p Xt¶ Ahtf sIm−p s]mtím... Hcp Xmenbnse´m AÀ°w... kvt\latà hepXv....F\níp kam[m\ambn... Fsâ tamfp c£s]«sÃm...." ]dªt¸mÄ cmta«sâ sXm−bnSdn. " AXn\p sNe¸w c−n\pw \qdp k½Xmcnípw... CtÃSm....?..." A½ Ft¶ Ifnbm¡n. " ]ns¶´m.. \ÃXtÃ.... C\ow Ct{Xw Zqcw bm{X sN¿msX IgnímtÃm... " Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw...Mqw... Fsâ tam\§s\b§p sIm©−... FÃmw AXmXnsâ Nn« t]mse \S¶m aXn..... ]dª¸tgípw HSt\ A§p X¿mdmbn¡gnªp.....sImih³... " A½ F\nín«p Xm§n. FÃmhcpw Nncn¨tXmtS A´co£¯ns\mcp emLhXzw h¶p. " C\n IetamÄ¡pw CXp t]msemcp ]¿t\ In«nbm aXn Ctà kmtd..." tat\m³ tNmZn¨p. " AXn\mcpw C¸tg sIS¶p sh{]mfs¸S−... kabamIp¼w Ch³ th−Xp t]mse sNbvtXmfpw... CtÃSm... " A½ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. Rm³ H¶p Nncn¨p. " Ft¶ cmPIpamct\s¡m−p sI«ním¶m ]dªncnípt¶... F\níp th−... Cu A¦nfnt\t¸mse Hcmfp aXnbmcp¶p...." Idn¸m{Xw sIm−p shíp¶Xn\nSbn Ie ]dªXp tI«v FÃmcpw Nncn¨p. " Ft¶s¸msemcmfp \nt¶s¡«psh¶p tXm¶p¶nÃ... " Rm³ ]dªXp tI«v Ie tNmZn¨p. " AsX´m... F\nsímcp sImg¸w.....?.." " s\\¡p {]tXyIns¨mcp sImgt¸manÃ... ]t£... ]¯mw ¢mkp ]mÊmIm¯ Hcp Ifnas®\níp th−....Rm\mtW sI«¯nÃ...." " F¶m Rm³ ]mÊmbn¡gnªp sI«nbm aXn... XoÀ¶tÃm.. Hcp Ka... F¶p ]dªm.. C¸w A¦nfp sI«m³ t]mIp¶Xv IfÎtdbtÃ...." " B IfÎdp Xs¶bmSo... AhsS Hckqb...." Rm³ Ahtf Cf¡n. FÃmhcpw R§fpsS kwkmcw ckt¯msS BkzZníp¶p. " \o AhtfmSp sa¡n«p tIdmsXSm... Ahfp ]¯Ã... sNe¸w tUmÎdmIpw Ctà tamtf...?..." A½ CSs]«p. AhÄ A½tbmSp tNÀ¶p \n¶p. A½ Ahtf hmÂkeyt¯msS tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p. " Hshzmhz... \S¡pw... FhftÃ... BZyw FhsS Hd¡w sImdíWw... ]ns¶...." " aXnsbSm B sIm¨nt\ Ifnbm¡oXv... tamfp sN¶v FÃmw FSp¯p shím³ IqSv...." A½ Ahtf ]cªp hn«p. AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n sImª\w ImWn¨psIm−It¯íp \S¶p. " C\n \o A¦nsf¶p hnfnís−So... C¸w \nsâ tN«\mbntÃ... C\n tN«m¶p hnfn¨m aXn...." kmhn{Xn IetbmSp ]dbp¶p. " F¶m¸ns¶... \ap¡p Imcy¯nteíp IS¡mw... F¶m \n§ft§m«p hcp¶Xv...?..." A½ cmta«t\ t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " KuXao... Imcysams¡ sicnbm... ]ns¶ Rm³.....HÅXp C¸¯t¶ sXmd¶p ]dbphm... \nsâ C¶t¯ s\esím¯v Xcm\pw am{Xw Fsâ I¿n Cà tIt«m... F¶mepw HÅXv c−mbn ]Ip¯v...." " H¶p an−mXncn.sísâ cmta«m... R§¡p s]®nt\ aXn... ChnSs¶mcp s]mSnt]mepw th−... sl¶mepw.....Cu kab¯v Fsâ tN«\nÃmsX t]mbtÃm..." A½ I®p XpS¨p. " t]ms«.. KuXao.. Ahsâ Bßmhp Cu ]ntÅtc A\p{Klnípw...\o shjaní−..." Ipfnapdn Xpd¶v A`n Cd§n AhfpsS apdnbnteíp t]mbn. {]`t¨¨nbpw kmhn{Xnbpw B IqsS apdnbnteíp tIdn. AXp I−v A½ Fsâ Xesímcp Ingp¡p X¶n«p ]dªp. " tZs−, sI«ntbmfp IpfnIgnsªd§n... t]mWntà Hcp¡m³...?.. sNÃv..." FÃmhcpw s]m«n¨ncn¨p. Rm³ sXsÃmcp sIdphpkzc¯n ]dªp.

" ]ns¶... AXn\p s]®p§sfm−v... Asæn... thtW X¶¯m³ Hcp§s«..." " slm... C¸tg Ch\n§s\ C§s\ s]t¦m´\mbm... `mhose´mcnípthm..." A½ hnSp¶nÃ. " AsXsâ KuXao... acptamtfmsSmÅ aIsâ kvt\lw ImWp¼w A½mbnb½amcv ]−v AkqbsIm−p hnfn¨ Hcp t]ctà s]t¦m´³... F¶m¸ns¶ B¬tIm´ F¶v s]סtf hnfním¯sX´m.... Akqb...... apgp¯ Akqb..." tat\m³ tN«³ Xami ho−pw Im¨n. A´co£w amdn. " Fsâ tat\m³ tN«m... AhcpsS PohnXsa¦nepw kt´mjmbn«p \S¡s«... AXpIt−m−v.... kt´mjmbn«v \ap¡p acnímtÃm..." A½ kvt\lt¯msS Fsâ XmSnbn XShn. " l.... Chsfs´mcp¡hm Cu Hcp§pt¶.... ChnsS a\pjy³ shi¶p NmIm³ sXmS§p¼w... " s]mdps]mdp¯psIm−v Rms\gpt¶Â¡m³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ A½ Ft¶ ]nSn¨ncp¯n. " aXn...aXn... \nsâ sI«ntbm³Ifn... IqSpXep `cWw C¸w th−.... Ahsfms¶mcp§s«... F¶n«v Rms\mcp s]®pImWep NS§p \S¯s«.... ChnsS AXp \½fp sh¨nÃtÃm... " " AXp sicnbm... Ietamtf.. tN¨ntbmSp \¶mbns«ms¶mcp§m³ ]d..." tat\m³ tN«³ IetbmSp ]dªp. " s\\¡v shi¡ps¶mt− Dt−mSm... hbdp Imb−..." A½ Ft¶mSp ]dªp. " Mm... GXmbmepw Ct{Xw Ccp¶ntÃ... AhfqsS hcs«....." Rm³ Xe sNmdnªpsIm−p ]dªp. CXn\nSív {]`t¨¨n Ftf½tb hnfn¨p. Gtf½ apdnbnteív sN¶t¸mÄ AhÀ cmta«t\ hnfn¨p. cmta«\pw Ftf½bpw amdn amdn AhcpsS apdn Ibdp¶p. Xncn¨v A`nbpsS apdnbn Ibdp¶p. CSíp IpipIpip¸v. A½ Fgpt¶Â¡ms\mcp§n. Rm³ A½tb ]nSn¨hnsSbncp¯n. " th−t½.... Ahcp hà IpSpw_Imtcymw ]dbphmcnípw......" " Mm...F¶m... ]dbs«... " A½ Xn®bnteínd§nbn«p tIdn h¶p. " B Ipª¸t\ ImWp¶nÃtÃmSm.... \osbm¶p t\m¡ntí...." " Hm.. sNe¸w Im¯ncp¶p shi¶pImWpw... Ct{Xw Zqcw h−ntbmSn¨XtÃ... shi¡p¼w Ahcp shfot¸mbn D®psht¶...A½ ChnSncn...." Rm³ A½tb ]nSn¨ncp¯n. Ikhp kmcnbptS AÁsaSp¯v hoins¡m−v A½ ]dªp. " \à Hcp ag In«msX Cu NqSp sImdb¯nÃ...." " ChnsS H¶pc−p ag s]bvXp.... sImtd Cubm]mÁIfp s]m§n... ]ns¶.... as®m¶qsS HW§n... A{X Xs¶...." tat\m³ tN«³ jÀ«nsâ Hcp _«sWSp¯n«v AIt¯sím¶qXn. " Hcp§nbXv aXn....Fd§n hm Fsâ tamtf... imctZ thKw Ahtf Ct§m«p hnSv..." A½ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " Hcp¡w Ignªp.... Zm hcps¶m−v...." cmta«³ h¶v R§fpsS IqsSbncp¶p. Ahfnd§n h¶p. F\nsísâ I®pItf hnizkním³ IgnªnÃ. Fsâ s]®n\nt{Xw kuμcytam. IkhpÅ s\bv¯p kmcnbpw Nph¶ »ukpw Nph¶ s]m«pw. XpSp¯pNph¶ IhnfpIfn eÖbpw. Igp¯nepw ImXnepw I¿nepw kzÀ®m`cW§Ä. s]®p§fpsS AI¼SntbmsS aμw aμw \S¶v AhÄ A½bpsS ap¼n h¶p apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p. A½ Ahtf kmIqXw t\m¡n. F¶ns«sâ apJ¯p t\m¡n. Rms\m¶p ]p©ncn¨p. Ftf½ AhfpsS hnXnÀ¯n«ncp¶ apSn Hs¶mXp¡n XtemSn. " tZs−... C\n KuXaníp s]®pImWep \S¶nsÃs¶mÅ ]cmXn th−..... hniZambn«p It−mfn³... tamtf... A½mbnbt½sS Imep sXm«p hμnív...." cmta«³ ]dªp. " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... F{X {]mhiyam... Ahsfsâ Imep ]nSníp¶Xv... Mm... Rm\½bm tIt«m... A½mbnb½bÃ... Fsâ tamtf Bcpw I®pshímXncp¶m aXnbmbncp¶p...." A½ Fgpt¶Áv AhfpsS XmSnbn ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n. F¶n«p IbvIÄ Iq¸n. sicnbmbncp¶p. Pzeníp¶ Cu kuμcyw I−m Bcpw Akqbs¸Spw. AWnsªmcp§nbt¸mÄ Fsâ A`ncmanbpsS ap¼n kn\nam \mbnIamÀ H¶paÃ. " C¸w FhsS tZl¯p sIS¡p¶ s]m¶m Ch¡p th−n IcpXocníp¶Xv.... Imimbn«v..." cmta«³ ]dªt¸mÄ A½ XSªp.

" an−mXncn... cmta«m... s]m¶v...Imiv... ChÄs¡´n\m s]m¶v... Fsâ tamfpXt¶ s]m¶tÃ... Cu B`cW§fp tN«³ IetamÄ¡pth−n sht¨cv... ChfpsS Imcyw Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw..." " F¶mepw..." cmta«³. " Hsc¶mepanÃ... C\n IqSpXep ]db−...shi¡p¶p... hm tamfncn...hmSm... h¶ncn... " A½ s¹bnsÁSp¯v Hmtcmcp¯cptSbpw ap¼n sh¨psImSp¯p. " Rm³ ]ns¶ Ignt¨mfmw... " A`nbpsS \mhn \n¶pw h¶ B iÐw tI«n«v F\níp hnizkním³ IgnªnÃ. Dcpfípt¸cn t]mse, t]mcp tImgntbt¸mse XÀ¡p¯cw ]dªv Ft¶mSp hg¡n«ncp¶ Cu s]®n\v CXpt]mse kwkmcním\pw Adnbptam. `{ZImfntbt¸mse FÃmtcmSpw tZjys¸«v apJw hoÀ¸n¨ncp¶ Cu s]®n\n§s\ Hcp \mW¯nsâ apJap−mbncpt¶m. hgnbdnbmsX ]I¨p \n¡p¶t]mse ]cn{`an¨p \n¡p¶ Ahtf t\m¡n\n¡m³ Fs´mcp kpJw. Chsfsâ kz´w Ft¶mÀ¡pt¼mÄ a\Êp \ndbp¶ A`nam\w. sI«n¸nSn¨m Ihnfn Hcp ap¯w sImSp¡m³ a\Êp XpSn¨p. Rm³ A½bpsS sNhnbn ]dªp. " At½ R§fp c−pt]cpw ]ns¶ Dt−mfmw... \n§fp apXnÀ¶hcmZyw Ignt¨m..." A½ Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ ]dªp. " Mqw... BtemN\ sXmS§nbtX HÅp... A¸tg ]qXn sXmS§ntbmSm... sicn sicn... Bbntím...... \½¡p Ignímw... " " F´m KuXao... Ah³ ]dtª...?.. " cmta«³ tNmZn¨p. " Hm.. Ahcp c−pt]cpw IqsS ]ns¶ Dt−mfm¶v.... Imew amdnb t]mt¡... " A`n Ft¶ t\m¡nbt¸mÄ FÃmhcpw Nncn¨p. AhÄ \mWn¨v apdnbntetímSnt¸mbn. aÁpÅhscms¡ Ign¨pIgnªt¸mÄ F\nípw A`nípw Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw IqSn hnf¼n¯¶p. A½ A`nbpsS apdnbn H¶p \Sphp \nhÀ¡mw F¶p ]dªp InS¶p. Ftf½ ASp¡fbn Ft´m sN¿p¶p. tat\m\pw `mcybpw AhcpsS ho«nteíp Xncn¨pt]mbn. R§fpsS hmbn t\m¡ns¡m−v Iebpw kmhn{Xnbpw taibn Ibvap«pw Ip¯n Ip\nªp \n¡p¶p. ao³ sh«pt¼mÄ ]q¨ t\m¡nbncníp¶Xpt]mse c−pw R§fpsS hmbn t\m¡nbncníp¶p. Hc£cw an−m³ ]Áp¶nÃ. A`nímsW¦n Ft´m D®m³ IqSn Hcp hnjaw. " FSo \osbms¡ sh«nhngp§otÃ... C\n sImXnhnSmsXm¶p t]m... R§fp htÃmw Ignís«..." Rm³ AhtcmSp ]dªp. " Hm... Hcp s]®nt\ In«nb¸w R§fp s]md¯v...." Ie sImª\w Im«n. " hmSo... Ahcp skmÅs«... thtW s]m−m«níp hmcns¡mSv... \a¡m Imsdm¶p ImWmw..." kmhn{Xn Ietb hnfn¨p. " Mqw... Rm³ ]nSnt¨mfmw..." Ie Fsâ t\tct\m¡n ]dªn«v kmhn{XnbpsS IqsS ]pdt¯índ§n. AhÀ t]mbtXmsS R§Ä Ipd¨p {^obmbn. At\ym\yw hnf¼ns¡mSp¯v Ign¨psIm−ncp¶t¸mÄ F\nsímcp ]qXn. Hcp Dcpf Dcp«n I¿n sh¨psIm−v Rm³ kvt\lt¯msS tNmZn¨p. " tamÄ¡p Rm³ hmbn sh¨p Xcs«...?.." AhÄ s]s«s¶t¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡n. I¿nseSp¯v tNmdp ]m{X¯n Xncn¨n«p IbvIpSªn«p ]dªp. " F\níp aXn...." " tM... \o H¶pw Ign¨nÃtÃm....." " Ign¨p.... F\níp aXnbmbn«m..." " AÃ... \o Xt¶ hmcn Dt−mfq... Rm³ Hcp ck¯n\p tNmZn¨Xm..." Rm\§p hÃmXmbn. ]nSn¨ncp¯m³ {ian¨ Fsâ Ibv sasà hnSphn¨v AhÄ IbvIgpIm³ t]mbn. Xncn¨p h¶n«p ]dªp. " Rm³ Nmbn¸nsem−v... aWn¡p«³ Ignív... htÃmw FSp¯p XctWm...?..." B kzc¯n Hcp hncànbpsS `mhw. Ft´m Hcp hÃmbvI. " th−.... Rm³ Ignt¨mfmw..."

Rm³ Nmbn¸n sNÃpt¼mÄ Hcp hmcnIsbSp¯p hoins¡m−v AhÄ I«nencp¶v Ft´m BtemNníp¶p. Fs¶¡SbpSt\ Fgpt¶Áp. Ahtf hnbÀ¡p¶p. Rm³ _\nb\qcn Abbnen«p. " A`n thtW Cu s{UsÊms¡ amdnnbn«p hm.... \à NqStÃ... ]ns¶ Cu kzÀt®mw sNmat¶ms−´n\m Ccnípt¶..." AhÄ H¶pw an−msX Fgpt¶Ápt]mbn. Xncn¨ph¶t¸mÄ B`cW§Ä FÃmw DucnamÁnbncp¶p. " A`o... " " Mqw...? " " hm... \a¡n¯ncn \S¡mw... tXm«pIShnen¨ncn ImÁp In«pw...." Rm³ ]pdt¯índ§n. AhÄ Ft¶ A\pKan¨p. ]mS¯nsâ Icbn \n¶t¸mÄ sNdnb ImÁp−v. X¡met¯ NqSns\mcmizmkw. " A`o..." Ahsfsâ t\tc t\m¡n. " Rm³ tNmZníp¶Xn\p kXyamb adp]Sn ]dbpsa¦n am{Xw......F\níp NneXp tNmZníms\m−mcp¶p..." Rm³ Hcp \mSIob kzc¯n ]dªp. " F\n¡n\n aWn¡p«t\msSmfním³ H¶panÃtÃm...." " AhnsS ]nt¶w Hscmfnhp−tÃm... A`n¡p«o..." " Fs´mfnhv...?..." " \osb´m... DuWp s]s«¶p \nÀ¯nbXv...?..." " AXv... AXv... F\níp aXnbmbn«mcp¶p..." " tZ Ct§m«v....Fsâ I®n t\m¡n ]d..." " Rm³... ]dªXv... t\cm..." AhÄ hnjans¨sâ I®pIfn t\m¡n. " Rm³ hmcn¯cmw F¶p ]dªt¸mgmWtÃm... \o Ign¸p \nÀ¯nbXv...." AhÄ an−nbnÃ. ]mSt¯íp t\m¡n \n¶p. " A`o... Cu \nanjhpw.... \n\s¡t¶... th−m¶p shímw... \nÀ_Ôns¨m¶n\pw Rm\nÃ... Fsâ A½tbbpw ]dªp a\Ênem¡ms\\nídnbmw... a\Ênsem¶pw ]pd¯v asÁm¶pambn«msW¦n \ap¡v Cu _Ôw ths−¶p shímw..." " At¿m... aWn¡p«s\s´ms¡bm ]td¶Xv...?.. F\ní§s\sbm¶panÃ.. " AhfpsS apJs¯mc¼c¸v. " Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw Hcpcpf D®m³ s\\¡v CãanÃ.... ImcWw... \nsâ a\Ên Fsâ ssIív Ct¸mgpw ao\pfp¼v aW¡p¶p... CtÃ..." " At¿m... Rm³ HcpIme¯pw A§s\ hnNmcn¨n«nÃ.... Fsâ aWn¡p«m....F´n\m C§s\sbms¡...?..." AhfpsS A¼c¸p IqSn. " s\mW ]dbcpXv... aWn¡p«³ s\\¡n¸gpw Hcp ao³Ip«\tÃ..." " tÈm... AX§\söv Rm³ ]dªntÃ... ?.." " Asæn ]ns¶ F§s\bm... ImcWw sXmd¶p ]d... \ap¡p c−pt]À¡pw Hcp a\ÊmbncníWw... icocw shthztdbmsW¦nepw..." " kXyw ]dªm... Ft¶ aWn¡p«³ sXÁn²cnípw... Rm³ No¯bmsW¶p sNe¸w hnNmcnípw..." " A¸w \o No¯bmtWm...?..." " AÃ... Hcníepw AÃ... C¨nsc tZjyw H−mcp¶XÃmsX ..." " F¦n ]d... Xmen \nsâ Igp¯n hoWm ]ns¶... Adp¯p amÁm³ Ft¶s¡m−mhnÃ.... A¸w \½sS c−ntâw PohnXw XIcpw..." " F¦n hm... aWn¡p«³ F{X DcpfthsW¦nepw Fsâ hmbn sh¨pXm...Rm³ kt´mjt¯mtS Dt−mfmw... Cuizct\tbmÀ¯v C\ow ao³sImt«sS Imcyw ]dbÃv...." AhÄ Fsâ IbvIÄ c−pw Iq«n¸nSn¨p s\Ánbn tNÀ¯p. " A¸w \o ]db¯nÃ... sicn...Rm³ tXmÁncníp¶p.... C\n CXv apt¶m«p t]mI¯nÃ.... R§fp t]mIpIm... FÃmw adt¶cv... _p²nap«n¨Xn\p tkmdn..." Rm³ Xncn¨p \S¡m³ XpS§n AhÄ HmSnhs¶sâ I¿n ]nSn¨p. " Fsâ aWn¡p«m... F´n\m Ct{Xw hmin... Rms\m¶pw sNbvXnÃtÃm... " " F¦n ]d... Hcpan¨p PohníWsa¦n ]d... F´n\m... \o At¶cw DuWp \nÀ¯nbXv...?. F\níXdnªntàkam[m\w H−mI¯nÃ...."

" AX..v..AX..v.. Hcp No¯¡mcyam... AXp Rm³ ]dªm... tÈym.. F´n\m C§s\ Ft¶ \nÀ_Ônípt¶..." " A`o... C\n \½fp X½n \ÃtXm No¯tbm Fs¶m¶nÃ... FÃm No¯bpw \ap¡p \ÃXp Xt¶... a\sÊmt− ]d..." " Mm.... F¶m ]dbmw... hm... Fsâ sXmen s]mfníW¶tÃsbmÅp...." AhÄ Hcp sX§n\p adªp \n¶p. Rm³ AXnsâ adphi¯p ImXp IqÀ¸n¨p \n¶p. AhÄ Np−p ISníp¶p. Xebm«p¶p. BsI HckzkvYX. " F´m ]nt¶w Hcp aSn... Ct§m«p t]mct«...t]mct«..." " Rms\mcp s]®m aWn¡p«m... AsX§s\ ]dbpw... F\nídnb¯nsÃâoizcm...." AhÄ Ibv¸¯n sRcnípIbpw aS¡pIbpw sNbvXp...." " F¦n \o \nsâ Iq«pImcntbmSp ]td¶ t]mse ]d...." AhÄ IhnÄ sX§nt\mSp tNÀ¯p sh¨n«v Fsâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " Dt−m−ncp¶¸w... aWn¡p«³ Ft¶msS´phm ]dªXt¶mÀ¡pt¶m...." AhfpsS apJ¯v Hcp PmfyXbpw \mWhpw. B \mWw I−t¸mÄ Ct¸mÄ Fsâ DÅn Hc¼c¸v. " Rm³ tNmdp hmcn¯cm¶v... At{Xtà ]dsªmÅp..." " AÃ.. Ht¶mÀ¯p t\m¡ntí... ]dª hm¡pIsfms¡ ...." AhÄ¡nt¸mÄ \mWw IqSpXÂ. sX§n XSnbn \Jw sIm−p hcíp¶p. " AXv... Rm\§p ad¶p.... Mqw...Mqw... HmÀ¡m³ ]Áp¶nÃ...." " F\ntímÀ½sbm−v... tamÄ¡v..... Rm³....." " Mm... sicnbm... tamÄ¡p Rm³ hmbn sh¨p Xct«¶v... AXp sicn... A¸w s\\¡Xnsâ ZpcÀ°am a\Ên tXm¶nbXv AtÃ... `b¦co... \osbmcp IÅn Xt¶... s\\s¡Ãmw Adnbmw...A§s\ hgníphm....Mqw.." " F´phm Cu ]tdt¶... F\níp ZpcÀ°sam¶pw Adnb¯nÃ... " " ]ns¶t´ms¶me¡bm.. s\sâ Xteev...?.." " CtX hmNIw.... thsdmcmfv ...shsdmcp kv{XotbmSv... ]dªXv ...tI¡ms\mÅ KXntIsS\nsím−mbn... aWn¡p«m..... aWn¡p«\Xp ]dª¸w... s]s«¶v F\ním HmÀ½bm h¶Xv... ]ns¶ Igníms\mcd¸v... AtXm−m ... Rm³ \nÀ¯nbXv...AÃmsX.... Fsâ aWn¡p«³ ao³ sNma¶XpsIms−m¶paÃ.... F\nío ao\pfp¼p ]−pw Cãmcp¶p...." " \obn§p ht¶... \a¡m ]pÃpw s]md¯ncnímw.... F¶n«v ]d.... Bcv... BtcmSv... Ft¸mÄ.. FhnsS sh¨v... GXp kmlNcy¯n ]dªq... hniZoIcn¨v ]dbWw... \mtWm¶pw th−... slm.... \osbt¶ t]Sn¸n¨pIfªtÃmSo.... hm...hm... \nsâ hockmlk§fp Rm\pw IqSn H¶p tI¡s«....." Rm\htf I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨v tXm«cnIn D−mbncp¶ Hcp ]p¸c¸nencp¯n. AhÄ AhnsS N{¼w ]Snªv Xe Ip¼n«ncp¶p. Rm³ AhfpsS sXm«pap¼n AhfpsS \nizmk§Ä Fsâ apJ¯Snípamdv B apJt¯íp t\m¡nbncp¶p. " C\n ]d... kXyta ]dbmshmÅp... \ap¡n¯ncn ctkmÅ Imcy§fp ]dªp cknímw... AXpw \nsâ \mt¡¶p tI¡p¼w Hcp ckw Xs¶bm...]d..." " Rm³ sXmd¶p ]td¼w... Ft¶¸Án thtd htÃmw tXm¶pthm..." " kXyambn«pw Fsâ s]m¶`ncman¡p«nbmtW.... tXm¶¯nÃ... \o aes¡ sXmd¶§p ]d.... " Rm³ AhfptS Xebn Ibvsh¨p ]dªp. ]nt¶ B ssIípS§Ä Fsâ I¿nsemXp¡n. " sImtd amk§fp ap¼mtW.... At¶ sambvXp høgpsams¡ ho«n hcphmcpt¶... At¶cw BtZyms¡...F\nsím¶pw {]tXyIn¨p tXm¶otÃ... Hcp _p²nsbmdím¯ sNdp¸¡mc³... Ftf½ Im¸osams¡ sImSp¡pw ...Ah³..Nncnt¨m−p t]mIptIw sN¿pw...." " AXp knáeÃmcpt¶m..." " Bcp¶p... F¶n«v... tI¡v... Ah³ h¶ Hcp sZhkam... cm{Xn...F´mtWm... ]mXncm Bb¸w ... Rms\mWÀ¶p... At¶cw F\nsím¶p aqs{XmgníW¶p tXm¶n...." " AXp kzm`mhnIw... sNe¸w... A`osS Nn«b\pkcn¨p C¯ncn IqSpXep shÅw IpSn¨p ImWpw... F¶n«v...?..."

Rm³ ]n´m§ns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ Ft´m henb Imcyw ]dbp¶Xpt]mse aq¡p hnSÀ¯n XpSÀ¶p. " t\m¡p¼w Ftft½sS apdosS hmXnen¨nsc sXmd¶p sIS¡p¶p.... AI¯p sht«msam−v... F´m C§t\¶p Nn´nt¨m−p Rm³ sN¶¸w AI¯q¶p kwkmcw... tM... AO\o cm{Xoep Rm\dnbmsX h¶ptIdntbm... AO³ h¶m Gt¶ hnfnímsX Hd§¯nÃ.... H¶p {i²n¨¸w AXOsâ kzcÃ.... Ft¶ shdím³ sXmS§n.... C\n Ftf½ív Hcp sX½mSn B§fsbm−v Ah\mcnípsh¶p IcpXn... Aht\ F\níp t]Snbm... Hcp duUnbm... Ip¯pw sh«pw amt{XsbmÅp.... Rm\m IXInsâ FSíqsS AIt¯ms«m¶p t\m¡n.... At¶cm Cu hm¡pIfp tI«Xv..." AhÄ Ft´m HcXnibw ]dbp¶Xp t]mse XÅhnc XmSníp sImSp¯ns«t¶ t\m¡n. " Hm... Hcp hm¡p tIs«¶p IcpXn F´m sImg¸w.....?.." " At¿m AXsÃt¶... F§s\ Rm\sXmcmWnt\mSp ]tdw...." AhÄ s\Án Npfn¨p Ip\nªncp¶p. " \o ]d... \nsâ HtcsbmcmWm... ap¼n tI¡m\ncnípt¶... Np½m ]d.... " " CXp tNmZníptIw..." " tNmZníptIw..." " On..." " Ft´m¶p On...?.." " B a\pjy³... B kv{XosS hmbntem«v.... AbmsS..." " AbmsS...?..." " c−n\pw \q _ÔanÃ..." " AXp k½Xn¨p....AbmsS...?.." " apÅp¶ km[\w AhcsS hmbntem«p XÅns¡mSps¯t¶... At¿... Fs´mcp hr¯nsI« P´p... temI¯nemsc¦nepw... Ct{Xw hr¯nsI« km[\w... kz´w hmbntesíSp¡pthm.... F\ní§p a\wadn¨nep t]mse tXm¶nsbsâ aWn¡p«m... F¶mepw Cu¡qs¯\níp ]p¯cnbmbsIm−p.... C¨nsct\cw t\m¡n\n¶p.... AhnbensâIt¯ apcn§t¡meo¼W t]metÃ... Ahcv Cu¼oXv... GXms−mscmt¨w... ]ns¶ Rm³ I®§S¨p.... F¶mepw AhS¶p t]mcm³ tXm¶nbnÃ..." " F¶n«p s\\¡p apÅm³ ap«nbntÃ...?.." kzm`mhnIamb Hcp kwibw Rm³ D¶bn¨p. IYbn ebn¨ AhfpsS \njvIf¦X IYtb¡mfpw Ft¶bmIÀjn¨p. F¶mepw ChtfbmWtÃm Rm³ Aåw ap¼p kwibn¨Xv Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ F\nív hnjaw tXm¶nt¸mbn. Rm³ ]nW§nt¸m¶ncps¶¦n sÈm, Fs´mcp \ãamtbt\. " FhsS...? aqs{Xmgnísems¡ At¶cw Rm\§p ad¶p... BbpÊnemZyw ImWpIm... C§s\mscS]mSv...." " ...]ns¶...?.." " sImd¨p Ignª¸w itÐms¡ \n¶p... Rm³ hnNmcn¨p... FÃmw Ignsª¶v.... thsdmcp Imtcy−v... Fsâ DÅnev.... sh«pI¯nsbSp¡m³ tXm¶pIm... Rm³ ISn¨p ]nSn¨m \nítWt¶mÀ¡Ww..." " sicnbm... B kab¯v... BÀ¡mtWepw AXp tXm¶pth... F¶n«v... ?..." " ]ns¶ Rm³ I®psXmd¶p t\m¡p¼w... kwKXn BsI amdn.... Fsâ `KhXo... Cu...temI¯nev... Rm³ ImWp¶ GtÁmw hr¯nsI« cwKw ASp¯Xv...tZ...... " " AsX´mcp¶p tamtf.... ?.." " F\níX§p IrXyambn«p ImWm³ ]Áoe..." " F¶mepw.... F´m tamfp I−Xv..." " Fsâ aWn¡p«m... F\níp sXmenbpcnbWp... AtXmÀ¡p¼w... Fsâ \mhpsIm−v Rm\Xp ]dbtWm... B \mWw sI« ]Wn...?.." " GXmbmepw tamfp sXmS§n... C\n apgph\pw ]d.... Ft¶mStà ]dbpt¶... tamsS sI«ntbmt\mSv... C\n \½¡v \mtWmw cltkymw H¶pw th−..." " GXmbmepw ao\pfps¼¶pw ]dªv Ft¶mSp X«nt¡dqÃtÃm... AtXm−v ]dbmw...... slsâ aWn¡p«m....I«ntee..v.. Ih¨§p sIS¡pIm... Ftf½... B samiS³ AhcsS... AhsS..." " FhsS..?.."

" Hm... C\n Rm\Xv sXmd¶§p tI¸n¨mte Xr]vXnbmIpthmsf¦n ]dbmw... AhcsS Imens¶tS... R§sS B hr¯nsI« kvYtems−mà AhsS... apÅps¶Sw....B sImih³... Ccp¶p \¡ptIm.. Cu¼ptIm.. F\nídoÃ.. AXnsems¡ ckw.. Ftf½ A§p sIS¶§p s]cfpIm.... At¿.... ]ns¶\níhsS \ním³ tXm¶oÃ... Rm³ c−nt\w ]vcmIn... tIdn apÅntb¨p t]m¶p.... sÈm.. C¸gpw HmÀ¡p¼w hbÁos¶mcp Dcp−ptIÁhm..." " AÃm A`n¡p«o.. AXn{X hr¯ntIsS¶p s\\s¡§s\bm tXm¶oXv... \o AXv ap¼v ]cntim[n¨p t\m¡os«mt−m...?...." " On... F¶m tNmZyam tNmZnípt¶... F\ní{Xíp hr¯osöm hnNmcw... kwibw tXm¶o«v... At¶cw Rm³ apÅm³ tIdnb¸w Fsâ.....AhsS H¶p sXm«p aW¯p t\m¡nbXm... Fsâ kz´w tZlamcp¶n«p IqSn F\níp ]nSn¨nÃ.... ]ns¶bm... aÁptÅmcsS atÁSw... c−n\pw Indp¡m... a\pjy P·§fmcpt¶m Chcv.... slm..." " \o ]dªXv sicnbm... C¸gm F\níp Imcyw ]nSnIn«ntb..." " C¸g¦nepw ]nSnIn«nbtÃm... aWn¡p«sâ At¶ct¯ B HscmÁ tNmZyw... tI«¸w... Ign¨ tNmdp apgph\pw tamfntem«p s]m§n... AXm... Rm\¸w DuWp \nÀ¯ntb..." " a\Ênembn... tamtf... Hcp Imcyw tNmZnt¨mt«... C¸w A`n¡p«níhtcmSv tZjyt−m....?..." " CÃ... Rm\sXms¡ ad¶p aWn¡p«m... Ahcp NmIm³ t]mb¸w.. ]mhw... k¦Sw ImWphmcnípw... " AhÄ H¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " C\n tamfsXms¡ ad¡v... " Rm³ AhfpsS Is¿m¶p aW¯p. km¼mdnte Imb¯nsâ aWw. {KmaoW s]¬Ip«nbpsS aWw. " Cà aWn¡p«m... F\ní§s\ ad¡m³ ]Á¯nÃ..." " AsX´m..." " AXpw ]dbm³ \mtWms−\nív.. Ft¶s¡m−v ]dbníW¶p \nÀ_ÔmtWm...?..." " Mqw.... \o Ft¶mStà A`n¡p«o ]dbp¶Xv... thdmcpaÃtÃm..." " Mm... ]dªp XoÀt¯ímw... F¶n«v... Hcp hn[¯n \nemh¯v tImgn t]mWt]mse Rm³ Xncn¨v h¶p I«ntes¡S¶p..." " Hcp kwibw... t\tc ]dbmshmÅq... s\\¡v AXp I−n«v a\Ên Hcp Xcn¸pw tXm¶otÃ...?.." " B.... kXyw ]dªm C¸w F\ntímÀ½bnÃ..... B sNIp¯msâ samtJmw Ftft½sS ap{IbnSoepw.... C¨nsc HmÀ½sbm−v..." " Mm... sIS¶n«v...?.." " Ietamfp \à Hd¡tÃ... Rm³ hnNmcn¨p.... sNe¸w CsXsâ tZl¯nsâbmcnípw... F¶p IcpXn.... Rm³ IetamÄsS ]mâníI¯v shcens«m¶p tXm−n aW¯p..." " \osbmcp KthjIbmtI−Xmcp¶p.... F¶n«v..." " At¿m... AXXnepw sIt¦aw... I¿n«tÃm¶mbnt¸mbn...." " Ahfp sNe¸w Ipfn¨¸w IgpIoÃmcnípw..." " tZ... A{X hniZambns«m¶pw t]mI− ...tIt«m... \mWw sI«msW¦nepw Fsâ hmbo¶v Bhiy¯n\p tI¡ps¶m−v... At{Xw aXn.... " " At¿m CtÃ... ]ns¶ \osb´p sNbvXp...?.." " ]ns¶btà Fsâ XeíI¯p shfn¨w tIdoXv... Fâoizcm.. Ahscsâ AOt\ h©nípItà sN¿p¶Xv... F\ní§p Ien tIdn... Rm³ Xncns¨d§n... At¶ct¯ív Abmfp t]mbmcp¶p... Ipfnapdo¶v Ftf½ Fd§n h¶¸w Rm³ sImtdb§p ]dªp... AhÀ¡v sicnípw izmkw ap«n..." " ]ns¶ ap«¯nteym..." " ]t£....Ftft½sS Hcp tNmZy¯n Rm\ncp¶pt]mbn..." " tM...?.." " AtXt¶... Ahkm\w Hcp tNmZyw.... \nâO³ Ft¶ sI«nh¶n«v Ft¶ t\m¡pIÃmcp¶p... \nât½sS atÁXp hÀ®n¨v tI¸nípImcp¶p.... Rm\pw Hcp a\pjy kv{XobmSo... thtW Rm³ \msf t]mtb¡mw... aXntbm¶v..." " lXp sImÅmtÃm.. cmta«\p ]gb `mtcy ad¡m³ ]ÁnÃmcp¶tÃ...?.." " AtXt¶... F¶n«v tI¡v... \obnsX§m\pw shfo ]dªm.... Rm\pw tamfpw shjw IpSn¨p NmIpsh¶v.... F¶n«v N¦¯n\n«v A©mdnSow.... Hcp s\ehnfow...Fsâ

aWn¡p«m... Fsâ FÃm.... _p²ow sI«pt]mbn... F´m sN¿−ms¶\nídnbmsX t]mbn... kXyw ]dªm Xeíp shfnhnÃmcp¶p...." AhÄ Fsâ I¿nteíp apJw Nmbn¨p an−mXncp¶p...." " t]ms«... AsXms¡ ad¶p If... C\n FÃm¯n\pw Rms\m−v.... hm... sNe¸w A½sbmWÀ¶p ImWpw... \½tf sXc¡pw... " Rm³ AhfpsS I¿pw ]nSn¨v ho«nteíp \S¶p. ]Sníse¯nbt¸mÄ Ip«nIÄ c−pw Im¯p \n¡p¶Xp t]mse. Ie tNmZn¨p. " Igntªm skmÅev.....? sX§p NpÁn t{]aw... ]ns¶ Ccpt¶ms−mÅ t{]aw..... ]nt¶... CsXms¡ IeymWw Ignªpw ImWtW...." " \o t]mSo ..D−]{Iq..." Rm³ Ahtf imkn¨p. " tN¨o... CXp tIt«m... Ft¶ tN«³ hnfn¨Xv... D−]{Iq¶v.... CXn\p ]Icw Rm³ tNmZnípw Fs¶¦nepw... Mm... sNÃv.. A½mbn t\m¡nbncníphm...." R§Ä ho«n sNÃpt¼mÄ FÃmhcpw I«³Im¸n IpSn¨psIm−ncnbvIp¶p. " t]mIt−... AtXm A¨nho«n C\ow s]mdp¡m\mtWm ¹m³..." A½ tNmZn¨p. " cmPq\p ¢mskmÅXtÃ... ChnsS \nís« KuXao... " Ftf½ A`n{]mbs¸«p. " th−... C\n Ah³ Fsâ ASp¯p \n¶m aXn... thtW... hà temUvPnepw \n¶v ]co£sbgpXs«...." A½ ]dªp. bm{X ]dªt¸mÄ Hcp \nanjw Rm\htf amÁn\nÀ¯nbn«p ]dªp. " Cu ao³Imcsâ Hcp ]gb s]«n ChnsS Ccps¸m−v... A½ Ft¶ hnSpImtW ]co£ FgpXm³ hcmw... AtàAsXm¶p kq£nt¨mWw...." " Mqw.. F´n\m Ft¶ F¸gpw C§s\ Ip¯pt¶... ao³sIm«bmtWepw Rm³ s]m¶pt]mse kq£nt¨mfmw.... Imipw ]{Xmkpsams¡ BIp¼w... Ft¶ ad¡pthm¶m... C¸w F\níp t]Sn...." AhÄ sXsÃmcp ]cn`ht¯mtS ]dªp. " Fsâ `{ZImfo... Cu It¿te apdnsh´msW¶dnbmhtÃm... \nsâ am\w c£ním³ NmSnb¸w XeapSn \mcn\m... Poh³ c£s]«Xv... ]ns¶ Kp−m¸tSsS sImSphmfn\p ap¼n... Poh³ ]Wbs¸Sp¯n¡fn¨Xpw s\\¡pth−nbmcp¶p.... AOsâ Bßmhm Ft¶ Im¯Xv.... B \nt¶ Rm³ ad¡mt\m...?... \à Imcymbn..." " A¸w Fsâ {]mÀ°\símcp shteantÃ... A¶m XSnbt\ tZjy¯ns\§m\pw sh«m³ tXm¶nícptX¶v tZhntbmSv Icªp hnfn¨m Rm\¶p \n¶Xv.... " " Mm... sicnbm... \obt¶cw hnfn¨nÃmcpt¶Â Rm\ht\ sImt¶t\... F¦nen¸w PbnenÂ..." " H¶p ]db−... FÃmw IgnªntÃ.... Rm\n\n F{X Znhkw... H¶p hg¡Sním³ t]mepw Bcpw CÃ.... aWn¡p«m... Ft¶w IqsS sIm−p t]mImthm... F\nínhnsS izmkw ap«pw...." " aXnsbSm... clkyw ]dªXv....hcps¶mt−m... t\cw kÔybmImdmbn....." A½ tZjys¸«p. " Fsâ KuXao... Ah\nhnsS \nt¶ms«t¶... F´n\m \nÀ_Ôn¨v hent¨m−p t]mWXv...." Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " A´sÊmÅhc§s\ \nípthm... ]ns¶ Hd¸n¨pIgnª s\eív... shSnacp¶pw Xobpw IqsS Hcp sImt«Â kq£ní−... I¯n¸nSn¨m... am\t¡So hoSn\m... hmSm..." A½ Cd§n, ]pdtI Rm\pw. ho«n sN¶n«pw B ssZ\yamb t\m«w Fsâ a\ÊnÂ, B Xpfp¼nb I®pIÄ Fsâ DÅn \ndªp \n¶p. kXy¯n ]Tním³ a\Êp tXm¶nbnÃ. ]IepIÄ _nkn\Êp Imcy§fn Nnehgn¨p. hs¿¦nepw Hmtcm¶pw ap¯O³ ]dªp X¶p. ap¯Osâ hminaqew ]q«nt¸mb aÂkykwkvIcW I¼\n Znhk§Ä¡pÅn Xpd¶tXmtS, Rm³ sXmgnemfnIÄ¡p {]nb¦c\mbn. Hcp ISapdnbnte Hcp hmSIpSnÈnI¡mct\ H¶p hnct«−n h¶sXmgn¨m aÁp {]iv\§sfm\pap−mbnÃ. PohnXw Xnc¡nsâ kpJ¯n \o§n. Rms\Sp¯ A`nbpsS Ipfn ]e{]mhiyw ImWms\mcp§nsb¦nepw Ft´m a\sÊt¶ hne¡n. F´n\m tamt\ Hfn¨p ImWp¶Xv, XmaknbmsX kÀhkzmX{´yt¯msS \n\¡hÄ FÃmw Xpd¶p XcpatÃm F¶v. F¦n \msfbmIs« F¶p amÁnsh¨p Znhk§Ä apt¶m«p \o§nt¸mbn.

cmcn¨³ hm¡p ]men¨p. ]¯mw Znhkw AOsâ hn[hbmsW¶v ASp¯ t]meokv tÌj\n t]mbn sXfnbním\pÅ D¯chv kÀ¡mcn \n¶pw h¶Xv Hcní Rm³ hmSI ho«nte t]mÌm^okn sN¶t¸mÄ In«n. ]ns¶bpw c−mgvN sIm−mWm ]Ww A½íp In«nbXv. In«nb]msS R§Ä t]mbXv B hoSnsâ DSakvXt\ ImWm\mbncp¶p. AOsâ AkvYn¯d \n¡p¶ B kvYew AOsâ ]Ww sIm−pXt¶ hm§m\mbncp¶p ]²Xn. ]s£ hm§m³ sN¶t¸mÄ DSakvY³ hne Iq«n. F¦n th− F¶p]dªv hosSmgnªv R§Ä t]m¶p. F\nídnbmambncp¶p. AbmÄ R§tf At\zjn¨p ]pdtI hcpsa¶v. B ]«n¡m«n AXmcp hm§m³. Xncn¨p hcp¶ hgn Rm³ \nÀ_Ôn¨v A½tbbpw sIm−v cmta«sâ ho«n Ibdn. AhnsS sN¶t¸mÄ Ftf½ am{Xta D−mbncp¶pÅp. Dujvafamb Hcp kzoIcWw Ftf½ R§Ä¡p X¶p. c−mgv¨ Ignªv Imcy§Ä Xocpam\ním³ A½ cmta«t\ ho«nteíp £Wn¨p. A`n ¢mÊn t]mbncp¶p. Ie In«nb X¡¯n\v kmhn{XnbpsS ho«n t]mbncníp¶p. " henshfIpthm¶p t]Sn¨v Imtdepw Gko CSmsXtb t]mbXv.... BsI Hscm«ev... H¶p taepIgpInbmtem¶p hnNmcníphm... " A½ ]dªp. " At¿m AXns\´m... tImcnsh¨ncníp¶ shÅmbXpsIm−v C¨nsc XWp¸p ImWpsht¶sbmÅp..... C¶m tXmÀ¯pw amdm³ ap−pw..." Ftf½ A½ív tXmÀ¯pw Ae¡nb ap−pw sImSp¯p. A½ Ipfnapdnbn tIdnb X¡¯n\v Rm³ ASp¡fbnse¯n. " Fs´m−v tN¨o hntijw..?." " hntitjms¡... kpJw Xt¶... F¶mepw cmPptamt\... \obn\n Ft¶ At½t¶m Ftft½t¶m hnfn¨m aXn.... tN¨os¶mÅXv \nÀ¯ntbcv...." " At¿m... A¸w Ft¶ XgbpImtWm...?.. C\nbn¸w CsXmt¡ Bc\p`hním\m... thtd Bscsb¦nepw kwLSn¸nt¨m...?..." AhcpsS apebn ]Xps¡ H¶p sR¡ns¡m−mWp Rm\Xp tNmZn¨Xv. AhÀ ]pdtIm«p amdns¡m−p ]dªp. " th− cmPq... Rms\Ãmw ad¡m³ t\m¡phm... C\n ]Ápsh¦n... cmta«sâ Hcp Ipªnt\ F\níp thWw... " AhcpsS apJ¯v I®ocn IpXnÀ¶ \mWw. " A¸w Ct{Xw XymtKms¡ kln¨v FÃmw t\scbm¡nb F\nsímcp {]Xn^temantÃ...?.." " s\\s¡´p {]Xn^em th−Xv...? Rms\´pw Xcpw.... \nt¶ HmÀ¡p¼w F\ní§v.... F¶n«pw cmPq.... Rm³ FÃmw klním³ ]Tníphm C¸w...." " F¦n Ahkm\mbn«v Hcp Imcyw... \nÊmcam... ChnS¶p t]mbn«v CtXhtc..H¶pw ]Ánbn«nÃ... sNe¸w tXm¶pw H¶p then NmSnbmtem¶v... Imipw kuItcyms¡ [mcmfw... F¶mepw A`ntb HmÀ¡p¼w H¶pw ths−¶p shípw..." " F´p Imcym...?.." AhÀ sXsÃmcp kwibt¯mtS tNmZn¨p. " Hcp {]mhiyw... sImXnsIm−m tIt«m... B Xncp\S H¶p sXmd¶p Xcpthm... ZÀi\¯n\m..." Rm³ AhcpsS I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " AXp th−Sm... C\ow \o AsXm¶pw ImW−... FÃmw AS¡v... \o C\n sXmtg−Xv A`osS Xncp\tSem..." AhÀ sXsÃmcp \mWt¯msSbpw F¶m Hcp sImXnt\m«t¯msSbpw ]dªp. " CXhkm\t¯ sXmgem... Hcp {]mhiyw... H¶p I−m aXn...." Rm³ AhcpsS ap¼n Ip¯nbncp¶p. " FSm... {`m´p ]dbmsX....KuXan... Fd§n h¶mtem...?..." " IXIp sXmd¡p¶ H¨ tI¡p¼w \SbSt¨m....." " \ns¶s¡m−p tXmÁp... F¦nen¶m... thKw ZÀi\w IgnítW... C§t\w Ht−m B¼ntÅcv..... " AhÀ \bnÁnbpw ]mhmSbpw IqSn Hcpan¨v s]m¡n¡mWn¨p. XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbneaÀ¶ncp¶ Dcp−p s]m§nb A¸¯nsâ ssaXm\`mKw I−ns«\níp Xr]vXnbmbnÃ. tcma§Ä \nc¶pbcm³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. " Cu Imev.... B ]mXIt¯tems«m¶p s]m¡n sht¨..."

Rm\mhiys¸«p. AhÀ DbcapÅ ASp¸p ]mXI¯nteíp ]Wns¸«v Hcp Im s]m¡nsh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m... I−m aXnsb¶p ]dªn«v...?..." " Hcpt½w IqSn am{Xw aXn......." hnSÀ¶ tdmkm¸qt]mse B Ccp− ]qdp XSn¨ Zf§Ä hnSÀ¯n hncnªp \n¶p. Rm\Xp c−pIbvIÄ sIm−pw Aåw IqSn ]nfÀ¯n. ISpwNph¸mÀ¶ AXnsâ AI¯f§Ä Ft¶ t\m¡n Nncn¨p. kabw IfbmsX Rm³ B Ih¡q«nteíp apJaaÀ¯n. Np−pIÄ iànbmbn hnShnteíaÀ¯n Is´Sps¯m¶p hen¨o¼n. AXnte aq{X¯nsâ aWtam ]qdnsâ aZKÔtam GXmWp Rm³ BkzZníp¶sX¶v F\nídnbnÃmbncp¶p. {`m´amb Hcmthit¯msS Rm³ AhnsS apJan«pc¨p. In«mhp¶sXms¡ hmbnseSp¯p N¸n. D¸pckw sIms−sâ hm \ndªp. sk¡âpsIm−hcpsS ck¸qhn\pÅn \n¶pw NqSp tXs\mením³ XpS§n. In«nsbSt¯mfw Rm³ \¡nsbSp¯p. " At¿m... aXn.. F´m cmPq Cu ImWnípt¶... Bsc¦nepw hcpw... hmXnep sXmd¶p sIS¡phm... " AhÀ Ip\nªv AhcpsS XpSbnepw Ip−nIfnepw sI«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ Fsâ IbvIÄ _eambn hen¨p amÁn. ]ns¶ Fsâ apSnbn ]nSns¨t¶ AhcpsS Ih¡q«n \n¶I¯n. F¶n«v s]m¡nsh¨ncp¶ Im Xmsgsh¨n«v XpWnIÄ t\tcbn«p. COm`wKt¯msS Rms\gpt¶Áp. Ft¶ InXíp¶p−mbncp¶p. " F´m cmPptamt\ CXv...?.. Ct{Xw \mfpw \o \Ãh\mcp¶tÃm... s\\¡n¸sg´p ]Án...?... C§s\ t\tcmw Imtemw t\m¡msX..." Rm³ H¶pw an−msX AhcpsS apJw ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨v B Np−pIfn _eambn Hcp½ sh¨p. AhÀ Ft¶ XÅn amÁnbn«v apJw Npfn¨p. " cmPq.. s\\¡p Indp¡p ]nSnt¨m...?.." " Mqw... Indp¡m... C\n HcpIme¯pw C§s\ tN¨ntb H¶p sXmSm³ ]ÁptIetÃmt¶mÀ¯¸w C¨nsc hs«fInt¸mbn...F´m tZjyw tXm¶ntbm...?..." Rm³ ap−n\Snbn I¼nbmb Ip® t\tc ]nSn¨v jÍníI¯v AaÀ¯nsh¨psIm−p ]dªp. " \nt¶msS\nsímcp Ime¯pw tZjyw tXm¶ptIseSm... C¸wt]mepw \o Ft¶ Ff¡n¡fªp... Cu AhkcmbXpsIm−m... AtÃÂ...." AhÀ Fsâ Ihnfn XgpIn. " AsænÂ....?..." " sNe¸w ]me`ntjIHw s\¿`ntjtImw Hs¡ \St¶t\... " AhÀ \mhpsIm−v Np−p XpS¨p cpNn¨p. " th− tN¨o... Aà Ftft½... F\nínt{Xw aXn.... Ht¶mÀ¯v ckním\pw am{Xw... aXn..... I−m ISn¨p Xn¶m³ tXm¶p¶ N¡bm Ftft½sS.... " " C¡W¡n\p \o A`ntb NXnípthmSm...?... CtX N¡ Xt¶ Ah¡pw HÅXm... \o AtX Xn¶mshmÅp....tIt«m...." AhÀ Np−pw apJhpw XpS¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " AtXXmbmepw CÃ... CXn¸w Hcp ...Hcp... A_²w F¶p thtWepw ]dbmw... th−mcp¶p... s\dnhptISmbnt¸mbn... " " \o A¸dt¯íp t]m... " AhÀ ho−pw \bnÁns]m¡n AÁw sIm−p apJw XpS¨p. " F´m... samJ¯p htÃmw ]Ántbm....?..." " Gbv.. Hcp aq{X¯nsâ aWw....\à D¸pctkmw...." AhcpsS apJt¯ hfn¸p `mhw Is−\níp Nncns]m«n. " l..l...l.. AXp kz´w Xncp\tS¶p Xs¶bm... hÃt¸mgpw H¶p IgptIw sXmStísams¡ sN¿tW.... Np½m Ih¨ncp¶p NoÁn¨n«v Fgpt¶Án§p t]m¶m t]mc.... ]ns¶ kz´w km[\atÃ.... CsXms¡ H¶p cpNn¨p t\m¡Ww.... GXmbmepw F\nínãs¸«p... ]ns¶ tNmZníp¶XpsIms−m¶pw tXm¶cpXv... cmta«\pambn«v C¸w F§\m..?..tbmPnt¨m..." " t]mSm AhS¶v... AsXms¡ R§sS ss{]hÁp Imcy§fm... \mWanÃtÃm CsXt¶mSp Xt¶ tNmZním³... FSm cmPptamt\ ...Rm³ \nsâ A½mbn A½bm... AtXmÀt¯mWw... " AhcpsS apJt¯ \mWw I− Rm³ ]dªp. " th−... Cu apJw I−mednbmw \n§fp Ie¡ps¶ms−¶v.... A½mbnb½ sImÅmw.... acptam\p ImeI¯ns¡mSp¡p¶ A½mbnb½... "

" F¶mte... Fsâ s]m¶p acptams\ms¶d§ntí... Rm\o N¡cbSsbm¶Sp¸¯p sht¨ms«... shdptXbncp¶ _m¡nsbmtÅmcsS samJ¯p aqt{Xmw Xfnt¨¨v..." " sht¨m sht¨m... F\nío ]qSbS høgpw H¶p ISním³ X¶m aXn.... Np½m Hcp sNbn©n\v..." AhÀ NqSmb N«níIt¯ív hmgbnebn ]c¯n aS¡nsh¨ncp¶ AS FSp¯p sh¨p. ]ns¶ Ce \nhÀ¯n AXn ASp¯Xp ]c¯m³ XpS§n. Rm\hcpsS ]pdIn sN¶p. B sN¸pIpS¡p−nIfn ]Xps¡ XShn. ]ns¶ sasà sR¡n¯pS§n. Fs´mcp abw. " \osb¶m sN¿phmSm... s\\¡v aXnbmbntÃ...?.." AhÀ tNmZn¨p. " F§s\ aXnbmIm\m... sImXn Xosc H¶p Xn¶m³ t]mepw k½Xn¨nÃtÃm.....tN¨n AS ]c¯ntím... Rm³ ieysam¶pw sN¿p¶nÃ.... " AhcpsS ]pdInteíp tNÀ¶p\n¶n«v Rm³ IbvIÄ¡nSbn IqSn I¿n«v AhcpsS c−papeIfnepw ]nSn¨v sR¡m³ XpS§n. " \o AsXÃmw IqsS sR¡n Ft¶ Ff¡pw... FSm ths−Sm... A`n hcmdmbn... \o Is¿Sv..." AhÀ AS ]c¯ns¡m−v ]dªpsIm−ncp¶p. F¦nepw Ft¶ XSªnÃ. ]Icw apJw ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨v F\nsímcp½ X¶p. Rm³ sasà IbvIÄ Xmtgínd¡n AhcpsS XpSbnSp¡n AaÀ¶pInS¶ B ]©mcbSbnte tcma§Ä XpWnIq«n¸nSn¨p hen¨p. " tcmaw hen¨p]dnímsXSm.... t\mIp¶p... Indp¡³.... Ahfn¸w Fd§nhcpw.... CtàF\ním ]gw H¶p Xn¶mcp¶p....." AhÀ ho−pw apJw Xncns¨\níp½ X¶p. Rm\m XSn¨ A¸¯n XpWnIq«n sR¡n. AXnsâ Hmtcm apdnbpw Hmtcm I¿n \pÅn¸nSn¨I¯n. ]ns¶ ASnapX apIÄ htc H¶aÀ¯n¯Shn. AXm Nmen\I¯mbncp¶p. " F¶Xm Fsâ s]mdIn \n¶v Ip¯nt¡dpt¶..." AhÀ Hcp XcfnXiЯn tNmZn¨p. " AXp amfw At\zjn¨p \S¡phm... Imen¨nsc AI¯n¯m... ASíIs¯mcp tX§m¸qsfm−mcp¶tÃm... AsX´ntb... H¶p sXmSs«...." Rm³ AhcpsS Igp¯n D½sh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. H¶pw an−msX AhÀ ImepIfI¯n \n¶p. Rm³ Hcpt±iw I−v AhcpsS I´n XpWn Iq«n Xncp½m³ XpS§n. " At{Xw Aa¡msX... XpWnsIm−v sNe¸w tX§m¸qfnsâ sXmen t]mIpw....... \osbmcp hÃm¯ h«\m... " Rm³ sasà B hnShn XpWnIq«n XgpIn. AhÀ Hcp io¡mc iÐw ]pds¸Sphn¨p. " AhsS¯s¶....kvYmt\ms¡ IrXymbn«dnbmhtÃm.. anSp¡\m \o... A`n tbmKsamÅhfm.." Rm³ Fsâ Ip® AhcpsS Ip−nIfn Dc¨psIm−v I´n Xncp½ns¡mSp¯p. " Fsâ ssZhta.. Cu sNdp¡³... \nsâ Is¿§\mSm AXp I−p]nSn¨Xv...." AhÀ apJw ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨p. AhcpsS I®pIÄ ]mXnbSªncp¶p. Np−pIÄ ]nfÀ¶ncp¶p. AhÀ NqSmbn. C\nsb´p sN¿pw. " FSm... _¡Áp shíp¶ iÐw tIt«m... Is¿Sv... KuXan.... Fd§n hcpIm¶p tXm¶p¶p.... amdv.... " AhÀ I´p Xncp½ns¡m−ncp¶ Fsâ IbvIÄ _eambn ]nSn¨p amÁn. Rm³ ]pdtIm«p amdn. Fsâ I¿n Acnamhp ]Án. AhÀ Ft¶ I¿n ]nSn¨v ASp¡fíp shfnbnend¡n. Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−v _ew {]tbmKn¨v AhcpsS s]cpapebnsemcp tlmWSn¨p. " Np½mbncnsbSm.... C§s\mcp acptam³... A½mbnbt½tS s\©¯m Ahsâ..." IXIp Xpd¶p ]pdt¯íp t\m¡nb A½ R§fpsS ]nSnhen I−n«p tNmZn¨p. " F´mSm... A½mbnbt½w acptam\pw IqsSsbmcp hSwhen...." " H¶pw ]dsbs−sâ KuXao... C¸w ASp¡tf AhImiw kvYm]níms\mÅ hchm... s]®nt\ sImSp¯Xp a−¯cmsb¶m tXm¶tW...." Ftf½ Nncn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " FSm... \o Ipfnípt¶m.... Ahfp hcmdmbntà imctZ..." " C¸w hcpsht¶... \n§fhnSncn... Rm\nsXm¶Sp¸¯p sht¨ms«..." Ftf½ ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. A½ Gtf½bpsS ASpt¯íp t]mIp¶Xp I− Rm³ Nmbn¸nteíp t]mbn. jÍnípÅn Ip® s]cp¼d sIm«n apdpIn \n¡p¶p. H¶p Ibv ]nSn¨pIfbm³ tXm¶n. ]ns¶ hnNmcn¨p, Hm, th−, kabw sicnbÃ.

Fsâ s]«n Xpd¶p. km[\§tfms¡ H¶Sp¡nshímsa¶p IcpXn. Iymadm Ct¸mÄ ap¯Osâ ho«nemWpÅXv. Fsâ PohnXt¯ amÁnadn¨ Nne hkvXp¡Ä, Fsâ CSn¡«em¯n, cmcn¨sâ ITmcn, ]ns¶ Fsâ FÃmamb AOsâ t^mt«m, FÃmw Rms\Sp¯v H¶p t\m¡n. ]gb c−p ]mâvkpIÄ, aq¶mep jÀ«pIÄ CsXms¡tb AXnep−mbncp¶pÅp. ]t£ Rm³ ad¶p sh¨ H¶pc−p km[\§Ä IqSn AXnep−mbncp¶p. IebpsS Hcp ]mâokv ISemkn s]mXnªp sh¨ncp¶Xv. ]ns¶ Ahkm\w FSp¯p sh¨ kmhn{XnbptSXpw. c−pw Rms\Sp¯p t\m¡n. IebptS ]mâoknsâ {][m\`mKw DW§n hSn t]msebmbn. kmhn{XnbptSXv A§s\ Xs¶. Hmtcm h«pItf, Rm³ Nn´n¨p, s]®p§fpsS \mdp¶ `mKt¯ s]mXnªp sh¨ncp¶ XpWnIsfSp¯v \n[nt]mse kq£n¨ F\níp h«pXt¶btÃ. B, Nnet¸mÄ Bbncnípw. AtXm Cu {]mb¯n FÃm sNdp¸¡mÀ¡pw CXp t]mse h«p−mIpambncnípw. Rm\m ]mânIsfSp¯p. F§s\ Ch Xncn¨psImSp¡pw. th−, CtXmsS FÃmw Xocs«. XpWnIfSp¡n sh¨v s]«n ]q«n Rm³ B ASnhkv{X§fpsaSp¯v tXm«pIShnteíp \S¶p. ]pXpagtb¯pSÀ¶v Aåw IqSpX \oscmgp¡p−mbXn\m H¶p c−p s]®p§Ä AhnsS Ae¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. Hcp¯n amdp ad¨psIm−v shůn InS¡p¶p. Ft¶ I−t¸mÄ XmtgíqÀ¶p t]mb tXmÀ¯v H¶pIqSn apeIÄ¡p apIfn hcnªp apdp¡n Xm³ anSp¡nbmsW¶v Ahtft¶mSv ]dbp¶t]mse. AhÀ ImWmsX Rm³ B ]mânIÄ Ipd¨v Xmtgíp amdn B Hgp¡nteíp hn«p. Xncnªpw adnªpw B XpWn¡jW§Ä XmtgsímgpInt¸mbn. apJ¯p hnctemSn¨v Ftf½bpsS Ih¡nSbnte Ahtijn¨ aWsam¶mkzZn¨p. ]ns¶ tXm«nte shůn apJw IgpIn. NqSns\mcmizmkw. Xncn¨pIbdnbn«v ]mhÂtXm«¯ntesím¶p It®mSn¨p. Iptdsbms¡ DW§n¡gnªncníp\p. F¦nepw Ipd¨p ImbvIÄ C\nbpw Xq§n¡nS¸p−v. hoSn\p ap¶nse¯pt¼mÄ Fsâ ap¶n Hcp kqtcymZbw. c−p sNdnb s]¬Ip«nIfpsS AI¼SntbmsS \S¶p hcp¶ Fsâ A`ncman. Ahtf I− Rm³ AhnsS \n¶p. Ft¶ I− aÁp Ip«nIÄ A`nbnsSt´m clkyw ]dªp. AhÄ \à thKXbn \Ss¶sâ ap¼nse¯n. Fsâ I®nteíp t\m¡n \n¶p. Hcmbncw ]cn`h§Ä B t\m«¯nep−mbncp¶p. Ft´ Ct{Xw Xmakn¨Xv. Ft¶ HmÀ¡p¶p−mbncpt¶m. AtXm thtd hÃhcptSbpw ]pdtI t]mtbm. Fs¶ms¡bpÅ ]cn`h§Ä. Ahkm\w Rm³ Xt¶ XpS¡an«p. " \à NqSm... A`n H¯ncn shbÀ¯p...." AhfpsS s\Ánbn XpÅnIqSnbncp¶ hnbÀ¸p XpSím³ Rm³ I¿pbÀ¯n. " At¿m ]ntÅcv.... aWn¡p«s\¸gm ht¶....?.. Hscgps¯¦nepw Abímcp¶p...." Hcp \mS³ s]¬Ip«nbpsS ]cn`hw. " F´n\m Fgp¯v.... Fsâ Hmtcm izmtkmw... \nsâ sNhose¯n¡mWpatÃm...." Rm³ Ihnbmbn. " hm...F\nsím¯ncn ]dbms\m−v...." AhÄ \S¶p. Rm³ ]pdtIbpw. " \osb´mSm.. Chtf sN¶p Iq«nsIm−p hcpImcpt¶m...?..." R§tf Hcpan¨p I− A½bpsS tNmZyw. " Aýmbo.. ChnsS ]Sníev aWn¡p«³ \ns¸m−mcp¶p..." AhÄ \mWt¯mtS adp]Sn ]dªn«v AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. " Ahtf¡−ntÃ... C\n t]mtb¡mw... Ctàt\cw H¯ncn cm{XnbmIpw...." A½. " Ahscm¶p an−ntíms« Fsâ KuXao.... A`ntamfp h¶XtÃsbmÅp. ]dªp XoÀ¶nÃ. AXn\p ap¼p XpWn amdn ]mhmSbpw UmhWnbpaWnªv A`nsb¯n¡gnªp. " samJsa¦nepw IgpIntímSo tamtf... R§tfmSnt¸mWnÃ... C§s\sbmt−m Hcp s]S¨nev... " A½ Ahtf Ifnbm¡n. Hcp IpS¶ apøq Hcpan¨v hncnbp¶Xp t]mse AhÄ aμlkn¨p. Rm³ Ahtf I®p ImWn¨p Nmbn¸nteíp hcm³. F¶n«v Rm³ Nmbn¸n tIdn. Ahsfm¶p aSn¨p. ]t£ A½bpw Ftf½bpw AIt¯íp Ibdnbt¸mÄ AhÄ HmSn Nmbn¸nse¯n. Rm³ IXIp Nmcn. F¶n«v Ahtf hens¨sâ amtdmSp tNÀ¯p.

" A½mbow.. Ftft½w.. A¸ds¯mt−..." Fsâ amdn apJw Nmbn¨v AhÄ Xm¡oXv \ÂIn. " Ahcv AS ]pgp§pIm... AXn\p a[pcw sImdhm... F\nín¯ncn a[pcw IqSpXep thWw..." Rm³ AhfpsS Np−nepw Igp¯nepw Ihnfnepw D½ sh¨p. AhÄ Xncn¨pw. AhfpsS ta¨p−nepw aq¡n³ Xp¼¯pw s]mSnª hnbÀ¸pIW§Ä Fsâ \mhn\p tX\arXmbn. hnbÀs¯m«p¶ AhfpsS Igp¯n Rm³ Fsâ apJan«pc¨t¸mÄ amS{]mhnt\t¸mse AhÄ IpdpIn. C¡nfn sIm−hÄ ]nSªp amdn. Rm\m I®pIfn DÁpt\m¡nbt¸mÄ \mWwsIm−hÄ apJw Ip\n¨p. " Ft¶ ads¶¶m Rm³ hnNmcnt¨..." Fsâ IbvIfn \n¶hÄ s]mdps]mdp¯p. " ]nt¶... Fsâ XeíI¯p shÅ¡Semkm...?..." B aq¡n³ Xp¼¯v H¶p \¡n AhfpsS hnbÀ¸nsâ D¸pckw H¶pIqSn \pIÀ¶psIm−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " sZhkw F{Xbmbn t]mbn«v...... FSsím¶p hcm³ tXm¶oetÃm..." AhfpsS ]cn`hw ho−pw. " Ccp]¯n\mep aWn¡qdpw \o Fsâ IqsSsbm−mcp¶tÃm... C¸w tZ ChntSw... " Rm³ Ahtf I«nenteíp ]nSn¨ncp¯n. ]ns¶ IqsSbncp¶p. Ahsfsâ tXmfn Nmcn. apJaaÀ¯nbncp¶p. " ]ns¶ s\\s¡t´m sImtd ]dbms\ms−¶p ]dªtÃm...." " F\nív.. H¯ncn ]dbms\m−v... C¸w H¶pw HmÀ¡p¶nÃ... " Ahsfsâ tXmfn H¶p ISn¨p. " Rm\nÃm¯¸w....\o BtcmSm hg¡nSp¶Xv...?..." " Xs¶¯mt\... AXm F\nín¸w Cãw... \½sS hgs¡ms¡ HmÀt¯m−ncnípw... \à ckm.. HmÀ¡m³.... " " Ftf½tbmtSm...?..." " At¿m.... ]mhw... C¸w... Fs¶ s]m¶nãm..." " B sambvXp ]ns¶ h¶nt«mt−m...." " CÃ... C\n h¶m... kXymbn«pw... aWn¡p«³ ]dªt]mse Rm³ sh«cnhmsfSp¡pw..." " tamtf..." Ahtf DÁpt\m¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]Xnsb hnfn¨p. " Mqw..?." Fs¶ I®nteíp t\m¡n AhÄ hnfntI«p. " \obn¸w H¯ncnb§p kpμcnbmbn.... t\m¡nbncním³ tXm¶phm.... t\c¯t¯ \nsâ B Im¡ agb¯ncníp¶ t]msemÅ Ccn¸pw... Hs¡ HmÀ¡p¼w... F\níp Nncnbm.... " " Hm.. ]ns¶.... Ifnbm¡− tIt«m... Fs¶ Iůcw ]dªv Icbn¸nt¨¨v... slm Rms\s´mcp a−nbmcp¶p... Cu sImc§sâ skm`mhw HmÀ¡msX...." AhÄ Fsâ XmSnín«p arZphmbn X«n. Rm\m Is¿Sps¯sâ Ihnfn tNÀ¯p. " C¸w AsXÃmw t]mbn....\o \à anSp¡nbmbn.... AÃm... \obm Febn«v ]mep IpSnsíms¶mt−m...?..." " sImd¨p sZhkw IpSn¨p... ]ns¶ \nÀ¯n... ]t£ aWn¡p«\p £oWm... `£tWmw Icmt«w H¶pw C¸w CtÃ..." " `£Ww H−v... Icmt«... \o h¶n«v.. \nsâ IqsS \S¯m\ncníphm...." " Hm..]nt¶... Rm³ Icm«sbm¶pw ]Tním³ t]mWnÃ..." AhÄ Np−p IqÀ¸n¨p. " B Icms«bsÃSo... IeymWw IgnsªmÅ... Icmt«... atÁ Icmt«...A`ymk§fv..." " GXm... Adp]¯n\mev A`ymk§fmtWm...?.." " tM... A¸w AXp s\\¡dntbm..?.." Fsâ tNmZyw tI«hÄ H¶p ]cp§n. F¶n«v XÅhnc ISn¨v Xmtgíp t\m¡nbncp¶p. GtXm a−¯cw ]dªpt]mb PmfyX B apJ¯v. " A§s\ Adnbs¯m¶panÃm.... F¦nepw IeymW¯n\pap¼v CsXms¡ Adnªncnít−... " AhÄ henb Imcysat¶mWw ]dªp. " sÈ.... s\\¡nt{Xw \mWansön¸gm Rm\dnbp¶Xv....." Rm³ ]dªp. " AXns\\níp \mWsams−¶v Bcm ]dªXv...." " tM...AXpantÃ....?..." " F§s\ H−mIm\m...?.. Ht¶mÀ¯p t\m¡ntí.... CbmfnhnsS h¶n«v Fs´Ãmw GSmIqS§sfm¸n¨p F\nín«v... Hmtcm Imcy§fp ]dªv Ft¶ F{X{]mhiyw sXm«p... F{X{]mhiyw D½ sh¨p...? Hcp cm{Xn IqsS sIS¡ptIw sNbvXntÃ.... ]nt¶ Cu

Xncpap¼nse§\m F\níp \mWw hcpt¶...?.. CsXms¡ Rm³ Np½m A§p k½Xn¨q¶m IcpXtW...?.." " A§s\ AtÃ...? .." F\níÂ`pXw. " sImÅmw.. aWn¡p«³ hnNmcn¨ncníp¶X§s\bm BcpsXm«mepw A`ncmanb§p \n¶psImSp¡q¶v.. CtÃ... Ft¶¸Án \à A`n{]mbmWtÃm... " " Rm\t{Xw Npgnªp Nn´n¨nÃ.. tkmdn... " " Ft¶ Fs´ms¡ sNbvXp... Hcp Znhkw...Ft¶¸nSn¨p½ sh¨p... Fsâ tXmtS \pÅptIw N´ntb XÃptIw Hs¡ sNbvXp... thsdmcp sNdp¸¡mcnbmsW¦n... C¸w aWn¡p«³ AOsâ XÃpsImt−t\... \m«pImcpsS ItÃdpw...." " ]ns¶ \osb´m CXphtc AOt\mSp ]dbmªXv...?..." " F\ntí.... AXnãmcp¶XpsIm−v... F{Xbmbmepw Cu Kp− Hcp Znhkw Fsâ I¿ns¡S¶p s]Sípsas¶\nídnbmcp¶p...." AhÄ Fsâ s\©n Ibv Npcp«n H¶nSn¨p. " CtÃepw \nsâ XÃp sIm−ntÃ..." Fsâ hm¡p tI«m apJw s]s«¶p hmSn. " lpw.. C¸gpw AXp a\Ên sht¨m−ncníphmtWm... tZ.. C¸¯t¶ B ISw A§p XoÀt¯m.... Fâo IcW¯v F{X thtWepw XÃntím.. F¶mepw C\ow A¡mcyw am{Xw ]dbcptX... AtXmÀ¡p¼w Xs¶ Fsâ N¦p s]mSnbpIm...." AhfpsS I®n shÅw \ndbp¶p. B Np−p hnXp¼m³ XpS§p¶p. " th−.. Icb−... C\n ]db¯nÃ... F¶mepw C\n F\nsím¶qsS H¶p Nn´níWw... \nt¶ Cu Adp]¯n\mensâ Imcyw Bcm ]Tn¸n¨sX¶dnªnt« IeymW¡mcyw Xocpam\níps¶mÅp...." " Bcp ]Tn¸n¨mse´m... F\nísXm¶pw Adnªm sImÅqte..?." Ihnfn ]\¨nd§nb I®p\oÀ XpS¨psIm−v " AXp sicnbÃ..." " F¶mte..... thsdm¶pw Nn´n¡−.... IeymW¡mcyw ]dª¸w Hcp Iq«pImcn ]dªXm.... CsXms¡ ]TníW¶v..." ag¡mdp t]mb am\w t]mse AhfpsS apJw amdn. \mWw sIm−hfpsS apJs¯mcp hÃmbvI. " F¶n«v \o ]Tnt¨m..." " tZ... F\nív tZjyw hcpw tIt«m... hm... Im¸nIpSnímw...... \à N¡cbS Rm³ H−m¡ps¶m−v..." " \o hcpt¶\pap¼v Ftft½sS AtSsS cpNnsbm¶p t\m¡nbXm... cpNnímt\ ]ÁnbpÅp... \o hct«¶pw ]dªv Ftf½ ]m{Xw AS¨p sh¨pIfªp....." " F§t\−mcp¶p....?... sImÅmcpt¶m....?.." " ]nt¶.... AIt¯ B tX§m¸qsf´p ckmcps¶t¶m...?..." Rm³ Ftf½bpsS I´p a\Ên I−psIm−p ]dªp. " tX§m¸qtfm... AXn\v ASíI¯v tX§m¸qfnÃtÃm...]ocbtà HÅp..." " B AsX\nídnb¯nÃ... Ftft½sS ASíI¯v Hcp ]qtfm−mcp¶p...." " hm.... ]ocbmtWepw Fsâ ASsbm¶p cpNn¨p t\m¡o«p ]d... ]¯p an\n«ncnív.... Rm³ kvs]jyembn«p sImgím³ t]mIphm... AXmtWm AtXm CXmtWm \ÃsX¶p ]d..." AhÄ Ft¶ hen¨v DuWpapdnbn sIm−ncp¯n. ]ns¶ ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. Aåw Ignªv AhtfmSnsb¯n. " Ftf½ ]dªtÃm... aWn¡p«\v AS X¶nsöv...." At¸mÄ Ftf½ hmXn¡ Xe \o«n. " FSo.. a−o.. Ftf½ ]m{Xw sXmd¶¸w ... AdnbmsX Rms\m¶p cpNn¨p t\m¡nbXtÃ... Ftf½ ad¶pt]mbn... tN¨n C{X s]s«¶Xp adt¶m..." AhÄ Ftf½tb t\m¡nb X¡¯n\v Rm³ Ahtc t\m¡n H¶p I®ndp¡n. Fsâ hmNI¯nte AÀ°w At¸mgmWhÀ¡p ]nSnIn«nbXv. B apJs¯mcp \mWw an¶nadªp. Ft¶ t\cnSm\mhmsX AhÀ apJw Xncn¨pIfªp. " icnbm A`ntamtf... Rm³ ]m{Xw sXmd¶¸w cmPp H¶p cpNn¨pt\m¡nbmcp¶p... At¶cw AXn\Is¯mcp Hcp... ]qsfm−mcp¶p.... Ctà cmPq... ]nt¶ \o hcp¼w Xcpsh¶pw ]dªv Rm³ ]m{Xw AS¨pIfªp... CtàsImXnb³ AXp apgph³ XoÀt¯t\... Fs´mcp sImXnbm... PohnX¯n N¡cbS ImWm¯ t]mse..." AhÀ¡p Nncn s]m«p¶p−mbncp¶p.

A`n Ft¶bpw Ahtcbpw amdn amdn t\m¡n. Hs¶\níp a\Ênembn Cu km[p s]®n\p _lfap−m¡m\pw kvt\lním\pw am{Xta Adnbq. KqVmÀ°§tfm I]SXtbm H¶pw AdnbnÃ. " \o Ft´m¶mSo... hSn hngp§nb t]mse t\m¡pt¶... H−m¡v.. F\níp shi¡p¶p... kvs]jyembn«p sImgím³ t]mIphm¶p ]dªn«v..." " tM... Mm... Rm³ ]ocbn«m H−m¡pt¶... ]qfà CSpt¶..." A`n sXÃp \ncmibn ]dªp. AhÄ ASp¡fbnteíp IS¶p. Rm³ ]pdtI sN¶n«v Ftf½ tIÄs¡ ]dªp. " aXnsbSo... \nsâ ]oc Rm³ ]qfmt¶mÀ¯p Xnt¶mfmw... \osbm¶p thKw sImgív...." At¸mÄ ]pd¯mcptStbm iÐw tI«p. IebptS iÐw, IqsS kmhn{XnbptSbpw. A½tbbpw Iq«n AhÀ AIt¯íp h¶p. " FSm.... ]ntÅÀ¡dnbWw... F¶m IeymW¶v...?.." " Ieímcnípw [rXn... tN¨osS IgnªmsemSt\ AhÄ¡pw thWmcnípw.. AXn\m.... aSn¨nbm...Hcp hI ]Tní¯nÃ.... kvIqfn t]mImt\ aSnbm..." Rm³ Ahtf Ifnbm¡n. " Hm.... \¶mbn«p ]TníptIse¦n ]ns¶.... Hcp ]s¯ms¡ Igo¼w s]¼ntÅtc ]nSn¨§p sI«nt¨íWw....Ctà imctZ...?.." A½ A`n{]mbw tNmZn¨p. Ie hÃmsX \n¶p. " Fâ½mbo... F\nsím¶pw Xtetem«p tIdp¶nÃ... AXpsIm−m...." AhÄ Xe sNmdnªpsIm−p ]dªp. " hbÁntem«msW¦n... F´pam{Xw thtWepw tIdpw... sNe¸w t]\pw ImWpw..... I−ntà Ccníp¶Xv... D−]{Iqkp t]mse..." " A½mbn... CXp It−m... Ft¶ Np½m Ifnbm¡pt¶...." Ie NnWp§n. kmhn{Xn \n¶p Nncn¨tXbpÅp. " tN«m.... H¶n§p ht¶ Hcp clkyw ]dbm\m...." Ie Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " F´n\m tamtf...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " H¶n§p hcqt¶..." AhÄ kvt\lt¯msS hnfn¨p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. Ahsft¶ Nmbn¸nteíp hnfn¨psIm−p t]mbn. " tZ...]ns¶tb... tN¨ntb sI«p¶sXms¡ sImÅmw... B A[nImtcmw sht¨m−v Ft¶ Duinbm¡nbmsem−tÃm... Fsâ X\n skm`mhw A¦nfdow..." " \nsâ X\n skm`mhw Rm\dnªXtÃ... C\ow thtd Ht−m...?..." " H−v... ImWtWm... hbÁntem«v tIdpsh¶v... Rms\m¶p a\Êp sh¨mcps¶¦n... C¸w Fsâ hbÁn tIdntbt\... ]ns¶ B `{ZImfosS IqXn t]mepw aW¡m³ In«ptIemcp¶p...." " \osbm¶p t]mSo..." Rm³ Xncnªp ]pdt¯índ§ms\mcp§n. " kmsdm¶p \nt¶... C\n t]\nsâ Imcyw ]dsªt¶ Ifnbm¡nbm... Rm³ tN¨ntbmSp ]tdw... Bcm Fsâ Ihs¡tS¶v t]³ s]dp¡ntb¶v... AXp ths−¦n... C\n an−mXncpt¶mWw.... Mvlm...." " \o t]mSo....Rm³ Xt¶ \nsâ tN¨ntbmSp ]dbm³ t]mIphm...C¸w...ImWtWm...?.. " " C§s\mcp \mWanÃm¯ tN«³... t]m¯v....." AhÄ IbvNpcp«n Fsâ hbÁ¯nSn¨p. HmÀ¡m¸pd¯mbXpsIm−v Rm³ hfªp t]mbn. AhÄ \n¶p Nncn¨p. " \nsâ Ig¸p Rm\n¶p XoÀ¡mshSo...... " sRmSnbnSbn Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfn ]nSn¨v sR¡n. AhÄ IbvX«n amÁn. ]ns¶ AhfpsS IhínSbn XpWnIq«n hnc sIm−n¡nfn Iq«n. s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−hÄ F\níp ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p. Rm\hfpsS Ip−nIfn ]nSn¨p sR¡n. AhÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p sIm−v Hgnªp amdm³ t\m¡n. Rm³ hn«nÃ. ]mhmS Iq«n, Aåw ap¼v AhfpsS A½bptSXp I¿nseSp¯Xp t]mse, AhfpsS ]qsdsâ I¿n hmcn Iq«n¸nSn¨p. " lt¿m... hnsSsâb¦ntf... F\nív C¡nfn...t\mIp¶p... aXn....aXn... Rms\m¶pw ]db¯nÃ.. hnSv..hnSv... Mmmmm.... hnSmt\..." AhÄ C¡nfn klníh¿msX s]m«n¨ncn¨p Iqhns¡m−p ]dªp.

s]s«¶v ]pdIn Hcp s]m«n¨ncn tI«p. Xncnªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ kmhn{Xn hmXn¡Â \n¶v R§fpsS IfnIÄ I−v BkzZn¨p Nncníp¶p. Rm³ hÃmXmbn. Ietb hn«n«v Rm³ shfnbnteínd§n. AhÄ Fsâ apXpIn IbvNpcp«n HcnSn X¶p. " tlm... Cu s]®v... CXnt\ HSt\ sI«n¨p hnSWw... " F\ním CSntbcniw h¶p. " F´m AhnsSmcp _lfw...?.." I¿n Hcp hmgbne¡odpambn ASp¡f apÁ¯p \n¶pw ap³hit¯íp h¶ Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " Fsâ Ftft½... R§sS ]´en sh¨v ChtSw IqSn IeymWw \S¯Ww... s]®p hÃmsX s\Kfníphm..." " Np½mXm At½... A¦nfm s\Kfníp¶Xv... \à aWnaWnt]met¯ Hcp s]®nt\ In«o¸w _m¡nsbmtÅmtc Hcp Imtcymansömbn... " Ie kmhn{XnbpsS Ibv ]nSn¨m«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " AXns\´m... C\n \obtà FÃmw Xocpam\níp¶Xv... \nsâ Cãw t]mse sNbvtXm... hm.. Im¸n FSp¯p sh¨p... " AhÀ AIt¯íp Ibdn. Rm³ s]s«¶v Im¸n IpSn¨p Rm³ Nmbn¸nse¯n. Ftf½bpw ]ntÅcpw A½bpsS NpÁpancp¶v kwkmcníp¶p. s]«nXpd¶v Fsâ km[\§Ä NneXv _mKnem¡pIbmbncp¶p. At¸mÄ ]mhmS¯p¼n IbvXpS¨psIm−v A`n At§m«p h¶p. " FÃmw sIm−pt]mIphmtWm...?..." " Mm... C\n ChnsS Xmakní−¶m A½ ]tdt¶... SuWn temUvPn Xmakn¨p ]co£sbgpXnbm aXo¶v...." " F\níp Xcms\m¶pantÃ... HtcmÀ½ív..." AhÄ ]Xnsb tNmZn¨p. " AsX´m... Rm³ t]mbm HSt\ \o Ft¶ ad¡pthm...?..." " F¶Ã Rm³ ]dªXv... tZ Cu jÀs«\níp Xt¶cv... Hd§p¼w Rm\nt«m−p sISt¶mfmw.. A¸w aWn¡p«³ Fsâ IqsSbms¶mcp tXm¶epsam−mIpw.... C\n hcp¼gt¯ípw Ae¡n sht¨ímw.... _\nb\pw Xt¶cv.... " Rm³ Abbn C«ncp¶ jÀs«Sp¯psImSp¯p. _\nb\pw Ducns¡mSp¯p. AhÄ AXp s\t©mSSp¡n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ thsdms¶Sp¯n«p. " Ae¡o«n«m aXn... shbÀ¯Xm...." " Mqw... Fsâ aWn¡p«sâ aWw... F\nív In«qtÃm... Ae¡p¶Xp htc...." " C\n \osbt´m¶m F\níp Xcpt¶...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " C¸w CtX HÅp Xcm³... " AhÄ IXIp Nmcnbn«v Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½ X¶p. " A`o.." " Mqw..." " F\nípsamcp km[\w Xcpthm... \nt¶ HmÀ½ním³..." " F´m Fsâ »ukv thtWm...?..AtXm ]mhmStbm... BWp§¡sXm¶pw Ct«m−p sIS¡m³ ]ÁptIe..." AhÄ Nncn¨p. " AXp th−.. AsX\nínt«m−p sIS¡m³ ]Á¯nÃtÃm..." " ]ns¶...?..." " \o C¶v tImtfPn t]mb¸w C« \n¡sd´ntb..." " At¿..." AhÄ apJw Npfn¨p. " Ft´m¶t¿... AsX´ntb..?.." " AXn¸w Rm\n«ncníphm... t\canÃm¯XpsIm−v aWn¡p«³ t]mbn«v Ducn IgpIm¶p sh¨p..." " BtWm... \¶mbn..... AXn§qcn¯t¶cv...." " Np½m Indp¡p ]dbmsX... shbÀ¯p \\ªp \mdnbXm.... AXmtWm... HmÀ½íp sIm−p t]mIp¶Xv... On... tl..." AhÄ apJw tIm«n. " s\\¡Xnsâ shebdnb¯nÃ.. \osb´n\m Fsâ apjnª jÀ«p hm§ntb.... \o AXn§qcn Xm... thKw... A½ [rXn shíp¶p t]mIm³..." " F¶mepw jÀ«p t]memtWm s]®p§sS jÍn... Mqw.... Hcp hÃm¯ ]qXn Xs¶bmtW... Xt¶¡mw.... C\n AXnÃmsX h«p ]nSní−.....At§m«p Xncnªp \nÃv..." AhÄ IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p. ]ns¶ Xncnªp \n¶v ]mhmS Aåw DbÀ¯n ]mânbqcn. " C¶m... tZs−...." Hcp hncen AhÄ AXp Xq¡n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. F¶n«v apJw amÁn¸nSn¨p.

Rm\Xp hm§n. AXnsâ {][m\`mKw AhÄ Im¬sI H¶p aW¯p. AhfpsS I®p XÅn. AhfpsS ta\nbpsS KÔw Rm³ sImXntbmsS hens¨Sp¡p¶Xp I−t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p hnizkním\mbnÃ. " C¸w hs«\níp a\Ênembn..... Mqw... IeymWw Ignbs«... Cu h«p Rm³ amÁn¯cmw... C¸w AsXSps¯mfn¨p shív.. Bsc¦nepw I−m CXnåcw \mWt¡Sp−mhnÃ.. sI«m³ t]mW s]®nsâ \mdp¶ jÍow sI«n¸n¨v... Mqw..." Rm³ AsXmcp ISemkn `{Zambn s]mXnªp _mKn sh¨p. " c−p aq¶p sZhkw CXnt«m−p sIS¡mw... AXp Igo¼w \o ASp¯sX\níp XcWw..." " th−... CXp aq¯m sImg¸am..." AhÄ IXIp Xpd¶p. AhfpsS Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯n«v Rm³ shfnbnteínd§n. A`n ]pdtIbpw. At¸mtgípw A½bpw Ftf½bpw Xn®bnteínd§nbncp¶p. " t]mIt−Sm..?... C§s\ sI«ntbmtfmSp ]p¶mtcmw ]dªnhnsS IqSnbm aXntbm...?.." " Fâ½mbo.. c−pw Ct{Xw t\cw H«n¸nSn¨m \S¶Xv... CXp§tf ]ncn¨m CuizctIm]w In«pw tIt«m..." Ie ]dªXp tI«v FÃmcpw Nncn¨p. " CXv cmPqsâ jÀ«tÃ...?.. " A`nbpsS I¿nencp¶ jÀ«p t\m¡n Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. s]s«¶v Hcp¯cw ImWmsX A`n H¶p Nqfn. Rm³ c£sí¯n. " FSsí§m\pw Rm³ hcpImtW AXymhiy¯ns\m¶p amdm³... Ae¡nbnSm³ sImSp¯Xm... A`o AXv XÃnbe¡tÃ... ]gbXm... ]n©nt¸mIpw...." " t]Sní−¦ntf... AXpw sI«n¸nSnt¨m−v IYm\mbnI s\SphoÀ¸nSt¯sbmÅp... HSs\sb§pw Aes¡m−mI¯nÃ..." Ie Fsâ sNhnbnteíp ]dªp. " s\\¡v htÃmw thtWm HmÀ½ním³...." CShgnbn IqSn thtd \S¡p¶ Ftâbpw IebptSbpw clky kw`mjWw A`n {i²nípt−m F¶dnbm³ Rm³ ]pdtIm«p t\m¡n. ]Sní \n¶ Ftf½bpw A`nbpw Ibv hoip¶p. Rm\pw Xncn¨p hoin. " F\nío ]g´pWnsbm¶pw th−.... \à Pohs\mÅXp Xt¶ thWw..... AXp Rms\ms¶Sp¯p... C\n thtW ]ns¶ Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw... Bt«.. Cu _mKn ]pÅn¡mcosS Ft´m¶m HmÀ½íp In«oXv... ]qStbm \tJm... AtXm.. Noetbm..." " F´mbmepw s\\s¡¶m....?..." " Hm.. F\nsím¶pantÃ... A¸w Noe Xt¶bm... kmdp ]t− Xt¶ Hcp Noe{]nb\mWtÃm.... AÃm... ]dª t]mse Fsâ Hcp jÍn kmdnsâ I¿n¡mWphtÃm.. AsX´ntb...?..." " AXp Rm³ tXm«n¡fªp..." " l... AsX¶m ]Wnbm ImWn¨Xv... cq]m Ft{XsSbm¶dnbmtam..?.." " s\\¡ Rms\mcp Uk³ taSn¨p Xt¶ímw... _lfsam−m¡−..." " AXp aXn.... F¶m... taSnípt¶... B `{ZImfníp IWs¡mÅXm.. ?.." " C¶m Imiv... \o taSnt¨m... " Rm³ t]m¡Án \n¶pw ImsiSp¯p sImSp¯p. " th−...Bsc¦nepw I−m AXp aXn.... IeymWw Hd¸n¨¸tg Rm³ sN«t\ ]ngnbm³ sXmS§o¶p ]dbpw... ]ns¶ hm§nt¨mfmw..." At¸mtgípw A½bpsS IqsS \S¶ kmhn{Xn R§fpsS ASp¯p h¶p. R§Ä kwkmcw \nÀ¯n. A¶p cm{Xn InS¡m³ t\cw Rm³ IymadmsbSp¯p. A`ntb ImWm³ hÃm¯ tamlw. _mKn \n¶pw AhfpsS \n¡sdSp¯p. AXnte AhfpsS ta\oKÔw Ipdªncp¶p. ]Icw aq{X¯nsâ KÔw. F¦nepw AsXsâ A`nbpsSbmWtÃm Ft¶mÀ¯t¸mÄ AsXmcp ]cnafambn F\níp tXm¶n. IXIp ]q«nbn«n«v ap−p ]dn¨n«v Rm\m ]qÀ`mK¯v Fsâ Ip®sbSp¯p ap«n¨p. t\ms¡Sm... \n\¡p tIdn s\c§ms\mÅ AgnapJ¯v H«n¸nSn¨ncp¶ XpWnbmSm... s\\¡Xnsâ aWw In«ps¶mt−mSm... AhnSt¯ \\hdnbps¶mt−mSm, Mqw... H−tÃm.. Asæn \o C§s\bn¸w s]m§¯nÃmbncp¶tÃm. Rm³ ho−pw B `mKw H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. D−v.. AhfpsS tbm\nbpsS CXfpIfpsS aWw AXnent¸mgpw D−v.. tÈym F´p sN¿Wsa¶dnbnÃ. Ct¸mÄ Ahtf t]mbn sI«n¸nSníWw F¶p a\Êp ]dbp¶p. Hcmthi¯n Rm\m ]mâokv Acbn hen¨p tIÁn. \à Cdp¡w. \ne¡®mSnbpsS ap¼n sN¶p t\m¡n. shÅbn sIm¨p \oe¸q¡fpÅ B ]mâoÊnsâ ap³`mK¯v I¼nbmb Ip®ív

HXp§m\pw am{Xw hoXnbnÃmbncp¶p. I®mSnbn t\m¡nb DS³ Xt¶ Ah³ HccnIn IqSn sX¶n shfnbn NmSn hSnt]mse \n¶p XpÅn. Rm³ jÍnbqcn. AXp aW¯psIms−m¶p hmWaSn¨p Ifªmtem F¶p Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ ths−¶p sh¨p. Aeamcnbn kq£n¨p sh¨p. ]ns¶ A`nbptS tSs¸Sp¯n«p. Imenbmb IpfnapdnbpsS Nn{Xw kv{Io\n sXfnªp. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Ftf½ \bnÁnbpSp¯v tIdn hcp¶p. hmXn IpÁnbn«n«v Hcp tIm«phmbn«n«v Abª apSn apdp¡nsI«nsh¨p. t¢mskÁnsâ ASp¯p h¶p. \bnÁn s]m¡n Ih¨p \n¶n«v IhínSbnencp¶ Ft´msIm−v IhbnSp¡v H¶aÀ¯n XpS¨p. ]ns¶ AXp IhínSbn \n¶pw I¿nseSp¯p. tM... hbeÁp \nd¯n Hcp kmcn¸mhmS. AhcXp \nhÀ¯p \nhÀ¯t¸mÄ AXn Nne Idp¯ ]mSpIÄ t]mse tXm¶n. ]ns¶ Npcp«n _¡Ánen«p. Rm³ Nn´n¨p. ]mhmS IhínSbn HXp¡n¸nSn¨p hcWsa¦n ImcWw, Hm, ]nSnIn«n. Hcp amÁn\n IgnªXmbncnípw. tM, At¸mÄ _Ôw C{Xbpw sI«pd¸mtbm ? AXpw cmta«t\s¡m−v, Bip]{Xnbn \n¶pw Xncn¨p h¶Xnsâ ]ntÁZnhkw Xt¶. I¿nte sI«p amÁnbn«nÃ. sicnípw Ig¸n Nc¡p Xt¶. F´n\p ]dbp¶p. C¶pXt¶, ASp¡fbÃmbncps¶¦n AhÀ Ft¶¸nSn¨p tate tIÁntbt\. kμÀ`w tamiambXpsIm−p am{Xw AhÀ Ahkm\w FXnÀ¯Xmbncp¶p Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. Rm³ tS¸n {i²n¨p. Ftf½ \bnÁnbpw s]m¡n t¢mskÁnteíp Ip¯nbncp¶p. t¢mskÁv Ccp¶ Xd NXpc¯n AcbSntbmfw Dbc¯nembncp¶p. AXpsIm−v Ih¨ncp¶t¸mÄ Xhf hm s]mfn¨Xp t]mse B XSn¨ ]qdp hnSÀ¶ncp¶Xp Iymadmbn In«n. AcnInencp¶ _¡Án \n¶pw shÅw tImcn AhÀ ]qdp IgpIn. XWp¯ shÅw BZyw Ih¡nSbnte \n[nIpw`¯n hoWt¸mÄ Ahscm¶p sR«n. CSsímcp hnc AIt¯m«n«v H¶p tXm−n¡gpIm\pw ad¶nÃ. ]ns¶ I¸p I¿n ]nSn¨v A\§msXbncp¶p. sk¡âpIÄ¡Iw B Zf§Ä¡nSbneqsS Xnf§p¶ Pe[mc NoÁns¯dn¨p. [mc amdn XpÅnIfmbn AXp \ne¨p. ]ns¶bpw AhÀ a¤n shÅw tImcn ]qdp IgpIn. a¤p _¡Ánteín«p. \bnÁn s]m¡n¸nSn¨psIms−gpt¶Áp. Ct¸mÄ B IhínS shdpsamcp Idp¯ {XntImWambn Npcp§n. Hcn©p \of¯nepÅ Iod XSn¨ XpSIÄ¡nSbn Ahyàambn. C¶p¨íp t]mepw apJan«pc¨XmsW¦nepw AXp I−psIm−ncním³ Ct¸mgpw IuXpIw. AhÀ \bnÁn A§s\ Xt¶ ]nSn¨psIm−v NpÁpw H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ _¡Ánen« ]mhmS FSp¯v \nhÀ¯p. AXnsâ Hcp `mKw am{Xw I¿nseSp¯v ImepIÄ Ih¨p \n¶v IhínSbpw ]qdpw \¶mbn XpS¨p. \bnÁn Ibvhn«p. ]mhmS _¡Án Xncn¨n«p, ASp¯ _¡Án \n¶pw Ipd¨p shÅw tImcn Hgn¨p. ]ns¶ sI«n sh¨ncp¶ apSn H¶p IqSn Agn¨psI«n, IXIp Xpd¶p shfnbnend§n. B Ipfnapdn kmam\yw henbXmbncp¶p. F¦nepw IymadmtbmSSp¯p hcpt¼mÄ BfpIfpsS cq]w amdp¶ t]mse, Gt¦mWn¨p t]mIp¶Xp t]mse. AXnsâ ImcWw a\ÊnembnÃ. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ apdnbn _Ä_p sXfnªXpsIm−mImw, {]Imiw IqSn. IXIp ho−pw Xpd¡p¶p. AX`nbmbncp¶p. tXmfn Hcp tXmÀ¯pw, Ibv¯−bn asÁmcp tXmÀ¯pambn AhÄ h¶p Ibdnbn«v IymadmbpsS t\tc \n¶v ZoÀLambn H¶p \nizkn¨p. `n¯nbn Xd¨ncp¶ XSn¡pÁnIfpÅ lm§dnteíhÄ tXmÀ¯pIfn«p. Xesbm¶p sNmdnªp. Fsâ DÅp XpSním³ XpS§n. ]pdIn \n¶pw ]n¶nbn«ncp¶ XeapSn Agn¨n«v sasà hncepIÄ sIm−v tImXm³ XpS§n. ]ns¶ apt¶m«p h¶v C©s¸mXnbmbncnípw FSp¯ t]mse tXm¶n. GXmbmepw C©s¸mXn amÁn shím³ tXm¶nbXv \¶mbn. Asæn AhÄ Iymadm Ccníp¶ IqSv {i²nt¨t\. XeapSn X«n t\tcbn«p, CSív _¡Án t\m¡n. ]ns¶ »uknsâ lp¡pIÄ Hmtcm¶mbn FSp¯p. »ukqcn. lm§dnen«p. henb Imjvaocn B¸nfpIÄ ISemkn s]mXnªp sh¨ncníp¶Xp t]mse {_mÊnbdn B Dcp− apeIÄ \n¶p Xnf§n. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ s]m¡n Hmtcm I£hpw H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. I¿pbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ Hcp I£¯nte Idp¸pOmb ImWm³ ]Án. {_mbpsS I¸pIÄ c−pw AfshSp¡p¶Xp t]mse ASnbn \n¶pw H¶p IbvXm§n t\m¡n. hÅnIÄ¡nSbn I¿n«sXm¶nf¡n. Xesbm¶p IpSªn«v ]pdtIm«p sRfnªv {_mbpsS lp¡pIsfSp¯p. lps¡Sp¡m³ Ibvs]m¡nbt¸mÄ Hcp I£¯nte sNdnb tcma¡mSv Zriyambn. \à Idp¯ ]qSIÄ

A{X kar²aÃ. IetbmSp s»bnUp hm§nsb¦nepw CtXhtc AhÄ AXp]tbmKn¨n«nà F¶p a\Ênembn. Nnet¸mÄ Ct¸mtgípw D]tbmKn¨p ImWpw. IbvIfn IqSn Ducn. Fsâ Cuizcm, Fsâ s]®nsâ IpNIpw`§Ä. Dt±in¨ amXncnbÃ. \à Idn\mc§mbpsS hen¸w. ]qÀ®hfÀ¨sb¯nb t]mse Dcp− apeIÄ, \à shfp¸p\ndw. Npht¸mSp IqSnb Xhn«p\nd¯nepÅ henb ape¡®pIÄ. sR«pIÄ¡v hen¸w t]msc¶p tXm¶n. Mqw, Fsâ I¿n In«s«. Rm³ hepXm¡ntímfmw. Ft´m Nn´n¨psIm−hÄ AdnbmsXt¶mWw apeIfpsS D]cnXe¯n sasà XShn. CSt¯ apebpsS AcnIn H¶p sNmdnªp. At¸mgmWp {i²n¨Xv B aZ\¡\nbn I®pIn«Xncníms\¶ h®w Hcp sNdnb adpIv. ]ns¶ apSn hmcn ]pdIn sI«nsh¨p. ]mhmSbpsS sI«gn¨p. AXp Xmsg ap«nímsX Xeíp apIfn IqSn DucnsbSp¯v aÁpÅhbpsS Iq«¯n lm§dnen«p. Fsâ s]®p ]Sn]Snbmbn \ábmIp¶ Zriyw Rm³ N¦nSnt¸msS t\m¡nbncp¶p. Cs¶\níp X¶ AtX ]mân Xt¶. IqSpX F®w D−mbncnínÃ. ]mâníSnbn XÅn\n¡p¶ tbm\oXSw. Dcp− Ip−nbmsW¦nepw XpSIÄ¡{Xbpw h®¡qSpXenÃ. FÃmw DZmko\ambmWp sN¿p¶Xv, kabsaSp¯v. BÀt¡mth−n sN¿p¶Xp t]mse. ]mânbpsS Acbnte CemÌnIv s_ÂÁn\pÅn NpÁpw It¿mSn¨p. Aåsam¶p Ih¨p apt¶m«p hfªp \n¶p. At¸mÄ I− Imgv¨ GÁhpw at\mlcw. ImepIÄ¡nSbnte ]mânbpsS `mKw Npcp−p henªv AhfpsS IhbnSp¡n B tbm\nípÅn henªp tIdnbncp¶p. shdptXbÃ, C¶XhnsS sh¨v NqtSmtS aW¯t¸mÄ AhfpsS ]qdnsâ aWw D−mbncp¶Xv. AXnsâ ap³`mKw Ft¸mgpw AhfpsS \\hmÀ¶ Ioden\pÅn tIdn henªp InS¡pambncnípw AXnsâ c−cnIpIfnepw tKmX¼p \ndapÅ ]qdnsâ XSn¸pIÄ. Iptdsbms¡ Fsâ DulamWv. ImepIfpsS CemÌn¡n\nSbn I¿n«v NpÁn¨v tbm\o hnShn \n¶pw Npcp− ]mân hnSphn¨p At¸mÄ B ]mânív kz´w HcmIrXn h¶p. sasà AXp XpSIfn IqSn Xmtgíqcn. XpSIfn IqSn AXp Npcp−p Xmtgm«nd§n. ap«p Ignªt¸mÄ ImepIÄ sIm−p IpSªp Xmsgbn«v AXn \n¶pw shfnbnend§n, HcpIm sIm−v tXm−nsbSp¯v \nhÀ¯p t\m¡n. H¶p aW¯p t\m¡nbn«v _¡Ánteín«p. ]ns¶ c−p I¿pw sIm−v H«n¡nS¶ hbdp apX Xmtgív IhínSbnte Idp¯ tX\o¨¡qSn\p apIfneqsS XpSIÄ hgn ap«phtc H¶p Xncp½n. Ip\nªt¸mÄ B apeIÄ sIm¨p IcnípIÄ t]mse Xq§n¡nS¶p. Fsâ Ibv AdnbmsX Xt¶ Ip®bn ]nSp¯an«p. Aht\bpw Xmtemen¨psIm−v Rm³ _m¡n `mKw ImWm³ XpS§n. C\n CsXm¶p t\cn ImWp¶sX¶msWsâ Cuizcm. Hcp amksa¦nepw th−nhcpw. Mm, AXphtc CtXmSn¨p ImWmw. AÃmsX´p sN¿pw. ]ns¶bhÄ Ipfním\mbn«pÅ shfp¯ NXpc¯nteínd§n \n¶p. _¡Án \n¶pw shÅw tImcn BZyw apJw IgpIn. ]ns¶ tImcn s\©t¯símgn¨t¸mÄ XWp¸p sIm−v AhÄ sam¯w H¶p IpSªpt]mbn. s]s«¶hÄ \nivOebmbn. BZyw ImcWw ]nSnIn«nbnÃ. tM, AhÄ ImepIÄ Aåw AI¯p¶p. Acs¡«v Aåw apt¼m«p XÅn¸nSníp¶p. tX\o¨¡q«n \n¶pw hoXnbn NnXdp¶ aq{X[mc DÂ`hníp¶p. DSt\ AhÄ Ibv IhínSbnteíp sIm−p t]mIp¶Xp I−p. s]s«¶v aq{X[mc h®w Ipdªv NcSpt]mse Xdbn ]Xn¨p. AhÄ B [mc F´ntem IrXyambn hogníp¶p. ]ns¶ amÁp¶p. thsdmcnS¯p ]Xn¸níp¶p. GXmbmepw C¶v h«w hc¨nÃ. F¶mepw BWp§Ä Kpem\n ]nSn¨v NoÁníp¶Xpt]mse AhÄ¡v IbvsIm−p kmam\¯n ]nSn¨v AXp IrXyambn e£y¯n hogním\dnbmw. anSp¡n. IeymWw Ignªp thWw AhfpsS Cu anSps¡m¶p t\tc sNmthz ImWm³. XpÅnIÄ Ahkm\n¨t¸mÄ a¤n shÅw tImcn IhínSbnteív Fdnsªmgn¨p. ]ns¶ tZlamkIew shÅsamgn¨p. tkms¸Sp¯p Igp¯p apX Xmtgm«v tX¨p. apeIfn tkm¸p tX¨t¸mÄ tkm¸nsâ sX¶en Ah c−pw amdn amdn \n¶p sXdn¨psIm−ncp¶p. t\tc\n¶p tX¨t¸mÄ Ih¡nSbnte tcma¡q«n \à ]X. Rm³ kq£n¨p t\m¡nbncp¶p. AhÄ AhfpsS amWnIys¨¸n Fs´¦nepw sN¿ptam F¶v. CSXpIm s]m¡n _¡Áncp¶ knaâp X«n sh¨p Ih¡nSbn tkm¸p tX¨Xv ImWm³ ]ÁnbnÃ. AhfpsS CSXphit¯ N´nbpsS AcnInepÅ adpIv I−p. heXpIm s]m¡n shs¨¦nepw XpSIfnepw ImÂ]mZ§fnepw am{Xta ]ns¶ tkm¸p tX¨pÅp. C© AhÄ ]mZ§fnepw Igp¯n\p ]pdInepw I£§fnepw am{Xta

D]tbmKn¨pÅp. AXpIgnªv kar²ambn shÅsamgn¨v tkm¸pw C©bpw IgpIn¡fªp. apSnbgn¨p. shÅw tImcnsbmgn¨p De¨v IgpIp¶Xp t]mse IgpIn. s\Ánbnepw apJ¯pw tkm¸p tXíp¶ kabw Rm³ B Ih¡q«nte tcma¡dp¸pw CfIp¶ Icn¡n³ apeIfnepw t\m¡nbncp¶p. XeapSn apt¶ms«Sps¯m¶p ]ngnªp. ]ns¶ Hcp tXmÀs¯Sp¯v Aåsam¶p tXmÀ¯n, apSn tXmÀ¯p Iq«n NpÁn s\dpIbn sI«nsh¨p. ASp¯ tXmÀs¯Sp¯v tZlw tXmÀ¯n. tZlamkIew tXmÀ¯nbn«v AhÄ Hcp ]Wn ImWn¨p. IhínSbn I¿n«v hncÂsIm−v H¶p tXm−n H¶p aW¯p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Xr]vXnhcmsX Hcp Im s]m¡n sh¨v shÅhpw tkm¸pan«v ho−pw IgpIp¶XpI−p. C¯hW hnc Aåw AIt¯ín« amXncn Ahsfm¶p hfªp. Mqw.. At¸mÄ Fsâ s]®n\p \à hr¯n t_m[ap−v. C{Xsbms¡ IgpInbn«pw Cu ]mânbn AhfpsS ]qdnsâ aWw hcWsa¦n AhfpsS tbm\oKÔw F{X Xo£vWambncnípw. AXp t\cn aW¯m F\níp h«p]nSnípambncnípw. AtXmÀ¯t¸mÄ Ip® I¿nencps¶m¶p ]nSªp. XpWnIÄ DSp¯Xv lm§dn\p t\tc \n¶mbncp¶XpsIm−v apebpsS Hcp hihpw Ip−nbnte adpIpw am{Xta ImWm³ IgnªpÅp. FÃmw Ignªv AhÄ _¡Án InS¶ ]mânsbSp¯v AhnsSbncp¶ Hcp sNdnb Aepan\nbw ]m{X¯n tkm¸n«p IgpIn ]ngnsªSp¯p AXpw tXmÀ¯pw Ibv¯−bn Xq¡n IXIp Xpd¶v shfnbnteíp t]mbn. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ {]thiníp¶p. IÅt\t¸mse ]m¯pw ]Xp§nbpw IymadmbpsS ASpt¯íp hcp¶p. I¿nencp¶ shÅ _¡ÁpIfn Hgníp¶p. ]ns¶ knaâpXdbpsSbpw `n¯nbptSbpw Zriyw. AtXmsS Fsâ s]®nsâ Ipfnko³ Ignªp. Iymad AS¨psh¨p Ignªt¸mÄ B kXyw F\níp a\Ênembn, AhfpsS Ipfnko³ I−Xv GÁhpw henb A_²ambnt¸mbn. Ct¸mÄ Cu \nanjw F\níhtf ImWWw, H¶p sI«n¸nSníWw Fs¶sâ A´cmßmsht¶mSv imTyw ]nSníp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. C\n Cu \«¸mXncmív AXpw \qdp IW¡n\p IntemaoÁÀ AIse im´bmbn InS¶pd§p¶ Ahtf F§s\ ImWpw. F\níp {`m´p ]nSníp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. HSphn Rm³ Ipfnapdnbnteíp Ibdn. XWp¯ shůnsâ Sm¸p Xpds¶sâ Xebntesímgp¡n hn«p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ Xe XWp¯p a\Êp im´ambn. Rms\mcp i]Yw sNbvXp. C\n AhÄ hcp¶Xn\pap¼v B tS¸v Rm³ ImWpIbnÃ. Cu Ipdn¸pIÄ Ahkm\níp¶Xn\p ap¼v \n§Ä DÁpt\m¡p¶ Hcp kwKXn IqSn ]dªpsIm−v Cu GSpIÄ Ahkm\n¸nímw. F\nídnbmw \n§Äs¡sâ hnhmlPohnX¯nsâ XpS¡w AXmbXv a[phn[p F§s\bp−mbncp¶p A¶dnbm³ sImXn ImWpsa¶v. Fsâ C{Xbpw A\p`h§Ä ]¦psh¨ \n§tfmSv C\n AXp am{Xambn«v F´ns\mfníWw. kXyw ]dªm \n§fptSXn \n¶pw H«pw hyXykvXambncp¶nà FtâXpw AtX NS§pIÄ Xt¶, AtX ]mep ]¦pshíÂ, AtX \mWw, AtX apt¶Áw AtX hnfíWíÂ, AtX X¸nt\m¡Â... AtX \nizmk§Ä ]ns¶ AtX..... AtX.....AtX..... {]IrXnbnte Poh\pÅ GXp krãnbpw sNbvXpt]mcp¶ {]XypåmZ\ {]{Inb. t\cn«Xnteíp IS¶m CXnt\¡mÄ hncktXm¶pw. AXpsIm−v Ipd¨v BapJw. A`ncmanbpsS Igp¯n XmensI«nIgnªt¸mÄ apX a\Ên B{Kln¨ Imcy§Ä Hs¶m¶mbn \S¸nemIm³ XpS§nb Ncn{Xw. D¨tbmSp IqSn hnhml¨S§pIÄ Ahkm\n¨p. shfp¸n\p XpS§nb Hcp¡§Ä R§sfÃmhtcbpw £oWnXcm¡nbncp¶p. efnXamb Hcp hnhmlw. GÁhpw ASp¯ Abå¡¡mcpw GÁhpw ASp¯ _Ôp¡fpw am{Xw ]s¦Sp¯ NS§v. Pm³kv t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Ahsâ b{´¯n\v Hch[nIqSn Rm³ tNmZn¨p. kt´mjt¯mSpIqSn Ah³ AX\phZn¨p. ]co£sbgpXm³ R§Ä Xmakn¨v temUvPpapdnbpsS apgph³ NnehpIfpw Rm³ hln¨ncp¶p. " FSm... B tS¸v F´p sN¿Ww...?.. \in¸nímdmtbm...?..F{X Imew AXn§s\ kq£n¨p shípw...?.." t]mIm³ t\cw Ah³ Ft¶mSp clkyambn tNmZn¨p.

" \½psS hnó kpJambn Xncn¨ph¶n«v Bdpamkw IqSn Ignªv \ap¡Xp \in¸nímw... s]m«nb FÃp IqSn¡gnbp¼w Ahsâ a\sʧm\pw amdnbm \½psS I¿n Hcp Xpcp¸p No«p thWatÃm... ]ns¶... Ah³ s\dntISp ImWní¯nsöp hnNmcnímw.. Asæn Ah³ AOsâ ]Ww Xcoí¯nÃmcp¶tÃm..." " Mqw sicn... ]ns¶ Hcp Imcyw... Cu b{´w sIm−v \nsâ ^Ìv\bnÁv jq«v sNbvtX¡tà Cãm... `mcy \nsâ kz´amtW... " " AsX\nídnbm³ tate..." " AÃ, h¶p h¶v Hfns¨mÅ ]Sw]nSp¯w s\\s¡mcp t{Ibnkmbn«p h¶ncníphtÃ... AXpsIm−v ]dªq¶p am{Xw ...BÄ Z s_Ìv... ]ns¶ \nsâ Ftf½ Hcp Nc¡p Xs¶bm... t\cn I−t¸mftà ]nSnIn«nbXv... Ah³ h¶m sNe¸w Ahcn\ow B s]mdtI t]mIpw.... CsX\w thsdbm... ISn¨c¡m... AXpsIm−v \o AXns\s´¦nepw hgn Is−¯Ww... ]ns¶... C¶p Rm³ B ImsksÁm¶p ImWpw BZyw samXÂ... s\\¡p hntcmt[mt−m....?... " " Rms\´n\p hntcm[níWw.. aÁmcpw ImWcpXv... ]ns¶ hmWaSníp¼w Fsâ `mcyín«v e£yw sht¨¡Ãv..." " t]mSm.... s\sâ `mtcy¡−m s\\t¡ s]m§s¯mÅp... F\nío skânsaâ _yq«nsbm¶pw shey ImcyaÃ... H¶pIn \à \mS³ IpÁnIÄ... Asæn ]dshSn.... CXnt\ \o sIm−p t]mbn s\eshf¡pw I¯n¨psh¨v ]qPnt¨m... Hcp Imcyw IqsS... ]s¿ Xn¶m ]qtSw Xn¶msa¶m {]amWw... CSn¨p tIÁntb¡Ãv... A§p t]mIp¶Xp htc D]tbmKníms\mÅ km[\am... B HmÀ½ thWw..." " Hs−Sm... Ahsfsâ s\eshf¡p Xs¶bm... Ct{Xw Imew ImÁp sImÅmsX Rm³ t\m¡nb shf¡mSm... \o ]dªXv sicnbm.... " " A¸w ]ns¶ ImWmw..." Ah³ bm{X ]dªp ]ncnªp. cmta«sâ Abå¡¡mÀ A¼e¯nte kZy Ignªt¸mÄ Xt¶ ]ncnªp. ap¯Osâ Iptd ]gb Iq«pImcpw _Ôp¡fpw D−mbncp\p Ahcpw A¼e¯n \n¶p Xt¶ Xncn¨pt]mbn. ]ns¶ A¿t¸«\pw `mcybpw a¡fpw Ipª½bpw IpSpw_hpw Xncn¨v ho«nse¯n. Rm³ A½tb hnfn¨p. " At½... F\nsímcm{Klw... A`ntbw Iq«n AOsâ AkvYn¯td t]mbn H¶\p{Klw hm§W¶v....." " AXn¶pXs¶ shtWm¶nÃtÃm... ]ns¶bmtWepw BImtÃm...." A½ ]dªp. " thtW Ahcp t]mtb¨p hcs«... Ahsâ B{KltÃ... C¸w ]{´−c BbXtà DÅp .. s]s«¶p Xncn¨p hcmtÃm..." cmta«³ A`n{]mbs¸«p. " F¶m t]mbn«p hm... F\níp h¿... \Spshm¶p \oÀ¡Ww... " AXdnª Ie A½bpsS ASp¯p IqSn. " A½mbo... Ft¶w IqsS .... F\nív tN«sâ ]tg hosSm¶p ImWW¶v shey B{Ktlm−v..." " A§s\ ImWms\m¶qà tamtf.... ]tg... Hcp sIm¨p hmSI¡qc... At{X HÅp..." A½ ]dªp. " F¶mepw..." Ie NnWp§n. " \o AhnsS§m\pw AS§nbncnsíSo s]t®... t]mIp¶p... Ahcp t]ms«..." " t]mt¶ms« Ftft½... R§¡p an−m\pw ]dbm\pw HcmfmIphtÃm..." Rm³ ]n´m§n. A`n A`n{]mbsam¶pw ]dªnÃ. " AXn\p \nsâ sIt«ymfntà an−m\pw ]dbm\pw....." Ftf½ tNmZn¨p. " s]mtímt« imctZ... " A½ ]n³Xm§n. Ie ap³koÁnepw Rm\pw A`nbpw ]n³koÁnepambn R§Ä bm{X XpS§n. Iptd sN¶pIgnªt¸mÄ Ie ss{UhtdmSp tNmZn¨p. " Ipªt¸«m... Ft¶w IqsS ss{Uhn§v ]Tn¸nímthm..." " kmd\phZn¨m tamtf ]Tn¸nímw..." ss{UhÀ ]dªp. " knIvkvXp ]mÊmImsX \ns¶ thsd H¶pw ]Tn¸níptIe... " Rm³ ]dªXp tI«v A`n Nncn¨p. " F¦n... Rm³ ss{Uhn§p Cu PohnX¯n ]Tníq¶p tXm¶WnÃ...." Ie ]dªp. " AsX¶m...\o tXmÁpsIS¡pthm... AtXm ]Tn¯w \nÀ¯pthm...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXn\p XmsgsbmÅ ¢mÊpItfms¡ Pbnít−..." AhÄ ]dªXp tI«v FÃmcpw Nncn¨p.

" sNdnb ¢mÊnsems¡ HmÄt{]mj\mbXpsIm−v IS¶p t]mImw... " A`n ]dªp. " A`o.. ASp¯ hÀjw samX Ietamfp \½sS ho«n \n¶v ]Tnís«... Ahtf \à kvIqfn tNÀ¡mw... Cu \m«ps¼mdt¯ kÀ¡mcp kvIqfn ]Tn¨m... Chfp ]«nI PmXoepw Xmsg t]mIpw..." " tN«m tZ... Ft¶ ]«nIPmXo¶p hnfnícpXv tIt«m... Rm\{X tamisam¶paÃ...." AhÄ sIdphn¨p. " \o tamimsW¶mcp ]dªp.... \o C¸w kpμcnbmbntÃ...." Rm\htf s]m¡n. " A§s\ ]d... " Ie koÁn sRfnªncp¶n«v Xncnsªt¶sbm¶p t\m¡n. sicnbmbncp¶p. c−p aq¶p amk§Ä sIm−v Ieíp kmcamb amÁ§Ä h¶p XpS§nbncp¶p. XSn Aåw Ipdªp. amdpIsfm¶pbÀ¶p. Ct¸mÄ AWnsªmcp§nbt¸mÄ Hcp N´sams¡bp−v. " Hm.. aWntb«³ s]m¡nb¸w Ahf§p s]m§n..." A`n ]dªp. "" aWntb«t\m...?.." Rm³ kwibt¯msS tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... C\nsb\n¡v cmPmaWo¶pw aWn¡p«m¶pshms¡ hnfníms\mcp N½ev... Rm³ aWntb«m¶p hnfnt¨mt«....?..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv¯−bnteíp Nmcnbn«v tNmZn¨p. " \o F´p thtWepw hnfnt¨m... F\nínãm..." Rm³ B Ihnfn Fsâ IhnÄ ap«n¨psIm−p ]dªp. " AtX... t{]tams¡ ho«ns¨¶n«p aXn... CXv s]cphgnbm...." ap¼nencp¶v Ie hnfn¨p ]dªp. Ipª¸³ Nncn¨p. A`n \mWn¨p. " Ipªt¸«m... B ¥mÊp Xmgv¯v, Gkow \nÀ¯v... ImÁnsâ itÐm−mIp¼w Fhfp R§sS hÀ¯m\w tI¡¯nÃtÃm... kzÀ¤¯nte I«pdp¼v..... " Fsâ kwkmcw Ietb sNmSn¸n¨p. " Imdp \nÀ¯v... Rm³ _Ên tIdn ho«ns¸mtímfmw... Rm³ I«pdp¼v... tN«m Imdp \nÀ¯v..." " an−mXhnSncnsíSo.. F¶n«v sISs¶md§v... Ipªt¸«m... B koÁvs_ÂÁn«p sImSp¡v.. CtàAhfp NmSnt¸mIp¶ F\am..." Rm³ Xt¶ apt¶m«p Nmªv s_ÂÁn«psImSp¯p. " C\n \o sISs¶ms¶md§v... R§tf ieys¸Sp¯msX..." AhfpsS ssIíns«mcSnbpw sImSp¯p. " It−m tN¨o... Cu tN«³... Ft¶ ASnípt¶... F\níp s\m´p tIt«m... ho«ns¨Ãs«... Rm³ ImWn¨pXcmw c−nt\w..." AhÄ koÁnteíp Nmcn¡nS¶p I®S¨p. " tamfp thtW Hs¶md§ntím... Np½mbncn aWntb«m.. Ahfp ]mhtÃ..." A`n Ft¶mSp sI©n. Ipd¨p Ignªs¸mÄ A`n Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " G«m... F\nsít´m hÃmbvI t]mse..." " F´p ]Án....?.. " a\w adníp¶p...." AhÄ s\©p Xncp½n. " F¶m \osbsâ aSotem«p sISt¶m.... Rm³ Xncp½n¯cmw..." Ahsfsâ aSnbnteíp InS¶p. Rm³ AhfpsS ImseSp¯p aS¡n koÁnsâ AcnIn sh¨p. sNdnb ImdmbXpsIm−v kvYew Ipdhv. ]ns¶ Rm³ AhfpsS hbdn kmcníSnbn sasà Xmtgm«p XShns¡mSp¯p. Rm\åw AaÀ¯n¯ncp½nbt¸mÄ AhfpsS H«n¡nS¶ hbdpw Ignªv AhfpsS ISnXS¯nte tcmacmPnbnepw Fsâ Is¿¯n. ImcWw aeÀ¶p InS¶s¸mÄ AhfpsS kmcn¡p¯v Abªncp¶p. B tcma¸c¸n Fsâ hncepIfpcªp. c−p aq¶p {]mhiyambt¸mÄ Ahsfsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁns¡m−p ]dªp. " F\níp hs¿sâ G«m... a\w adníp¶p...." AhÄ anJw Npfn¨p. " Ipªt¸«m... h−n H¶p sskUp tNÀ¡v... thKw... " ImÀ \n¶p. Rm³ A`ntbbpw sIm−v NmSnbnd§n. AhÄ hgntbmct¯íncp¶p. ]ns¶ Ipd¨p OÀ±n¨p. apXpIp Xncp½m³ Rms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ XSªp. Ip¸nbn shÅhpambn. Ipª¸³ Cd§n h¶p. FÃmw Ignªv R§Ä Imdn tIdn IXISíp¶ kzcw tI«t¸mÄ Ie DWÀ¶p. " tM.... F¯ntbm...?..."

" Mm F¯n... tN¨níp Iq«n\p t]m¶ km[\w... t]m¯p t]mse Hd§n...." Rm³ ]dªXp tI«v Ahikzc¯n A`n ]dªp. " Ahfp sIm¨tà aWntb«m... " " C¸w F§t\−v...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " \à Bizmkw.... Rm\n¨nsc tamcpw tNmdpta Igns¨mÅp... tamcns\t´m Hcp sNmh t]mse H−mcp¶p...." A`n ]dªp. " Mm... s]md¯qs¶mÅ `£WtÃ... Ipªt¸«m... \à ISpwIm¸n In«p¶ tlm«ep I−m H¶p \nÀ¯Ww tIt«m..." ho«nteípÅ Ihebn h−nbn«n«v R§Ä \S¶p. Fsâ ]gb hoSv Iptd DÅnembncp¶p. " \S¡m³ _p²naps«mt−m..?..." C¶pXt¶ t]mc−mbncp¶p Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. " Mqlpw... kmcey... OÀ±ns¨Ãmw t]mb¸w hbdn\p \à kpJw....." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv]nSn¨p \S¶p. R§Ä sN¶p hoSp Xpd¶p. AOsâ ap¼n [ym\eo\\mbn \n¶t¸mÄ At±lw R§tf BioÀhZníp¶Xp t]mse F\níp tXm¶n. " \o cmta«t\bpw IpSpw_t¯bpw Hcníepw Dt]£nícpXv.... Fsâ GÁhpw shenb Iq«pImc\m Ah³.... " " CÃOm... Hcníepw CÃ... AOsâ Iq«pImc³ F¶pw Fsâ a\Ên AOs\m¸ambncnípw...." R§fhnsS t\ct¯ Xs¶Xncn sh¨p. hoSp Xpd¶p I−t¸mÄ IeíXnibw. " Cu sXmgp¯nemtWm \n§fp Pohn¨Xv.... AXnibw Xt¶... F¶n«¦nfn\o X−pw XSosams¡..?.." " s\\s¡´dnbmw tamtf... Fâ½ ao³sIm« sNma¶p In«nbXp apgph\pw Cu XSntbsem−v..... C\osam−v... hm... t\m¡v..." Rm\htc hoSn\p ]pdIphit¯íp sIm−pt]mbn. ]¨¡dnIfpw hmgbpw ac¨o\nbpw IapIpw sX§n³ssXIfpw Hs¡ ImWn¨p. ]pÃpw IfIfpw Xg¨p hfcm³ XpS§nbncp¶p. CSsím¶p h¶v FÃmw H¶p Inf¨phr¯nbm¡Ww Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. R§Ä h¶Xv tI«dnªv DSakvX\pw F¯n. " Fs´m−p tN«m hntijw....?..." Rm³ Ipiew tNmZn¨p. " CXmcm....?.. A½ h¶ntÃ...?.." " CÃ... CXv Fsâ `mcybpw A\nb¯nbpw..." " Mmlm... IeymWw Igntªm...?... " Mqw... C¶mcp¶p....IgnªsbmSt\...BZyw Ct§m«p Xncn¨p..." " AXv \¶mbn....Rm³ \n§tf Im¯ncníphmcp¶p.... ]ns¶...A¶v cmP³ ]dª shte iIew htÃmw H¶p Iq«nsh¨n«v CXs§Spt¯m... tamÄsS IeymWw Hd¸nítW CsXmdíWw... Fsâ I¿n thsd ]m§nÃ..." " tN«m... Rm³ ]dªXv Cu \m«nte GÁhpw IqSnb shebm... ]ns¶... Rm³ skâns\mcp Bbncw cq]m IqSn shímw... asÁm¶psIm−paÃ.. tamÄsS IeymW¯ns\mÅ ktZysS sNesh¦nepw Fsâ I¿o¶v Bbnt¡ms« F¶p IcpXnbm.... k½XmsW¦n C¸w A¨mcw ]nSnt¨m..." Rm³ t]m¡Án I¿n«p. " At¿m... k½Xw... Igo¶Xpw t\ct¯ FgpXnbm sImÅmcp¶p.... " AbmÄ IbvIÄ sXmgpXpsIms−¶ t]mse ]dªp. " F¦nen¶m AUzm³kv..." Rm³ ]WsaSp¯p sImSp¯p. " ISemskms¡ Xbmdm¡n sht¨m... ASp¯ hymgmgv¨ B[mcw \S¯ntb¡mw... F´m...?..." " At¿m shey D]Imcambn.... ho«ntems«m¶p tIdnbm... Hcp I«³ IpSn¨n«p t]mImcp¶p...." " th− tN«m... A½ ho«n Im¯ncníphm... R§fp sN¶n«p thWw Fsâ ho«nt¸mIm³... Im¸nsbms¡ hymgmgv¨..." Rm³ A`ntb t\m¡n. FÃmw I−v A´w hn«p \n¡pIbmbncp¶p Ahfpw Iebpw. \nanj§Ä¡pÅn Hcp kvYew hm§nbncníp¶p. AbmÄ t]mbn¡gnªt¸mÄ A`n tNmZn¨p. " CXv hm§phmtWm....?.." " Mqw.."

" \a¡nhnsS F´n\m C¸w Cu sNdnb kvYew...?...AXpw Cu Ip{Kma¯nÂ... kvYew Cãw t]mse H−tÃm.. \½sS ho«nÂ..." " s\\¡nXnsâ shebdnb¯nà tamtf.... Fsâ AOsâ Bßmhpw... Fât½sS hnbÀ¸pw... Fsâ kz]v\§fpw Ip«n¡mehpw Hs¡ ChnsSbm... Cu ]ds¼sâbpw IqsS Bßmhm.... Cu ]Xn\©p skânte Hmtcm a¬Xcnípw Ftâw At½tSw shbÀ¸nsâ aWam... CsX\níp thWw.... ]Ápsa¦nÂ... acníp¼w FâOsâ H¸w F\nípw ChnsS Dd§Ww..." " At¿m... C¸w F´n\m ...acníp¶ Imcyw ]dbp¶Xv...?.." " \o t]Sn¨pt]mtbm... H¶pansÃSo... Fsâ B{Klw ]dsªt¶bpÅp... \o Hcp Imcyw {i²nt¨m...?.. \osbsâ IqsS IqSnb¸w Fsâ c−mat¯ B{Klw \S¶p.... A¸w \o Fsâ sFizcyamsW¶p Npcp¡w... a\Ênemtbm..." " A¸w.... BZyt¯ B{Klw F´mcp¶p... AXp \St¶m...?...AtXm tKm]nbmtbm....?.. " Ie tNmZn¨p. " AXmSo... tZ CXv... " Rm³ A`nbpsS Igp¯nte Xmen FSp¯p ImWn¨psImSp¯p. " Fsâ `Khmt\... F\nípw CXpt]msemcp tIm´t\ H¸n¨p XctW... kvYew H¶pw taSn¨ntÃepw... Ft¶ sImtd s]m¡n¸td¶ Hcp s]m«t\ aXntb..." Ie IbvIÄ Iq«n¸nSn¨p {]mÀ°n¨p. A`n s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " \o ]dªp ]dªv Ft¶ tIm´\pw s]m«\phm¡ntbm... \nt¶ Rm³...." Rm³ AhfpsS t\tc It¿m§n. " At¿m... GXp s]m«\mtWepw C§s\ Is¿m§pt¶mt\ tht−...." AhÄ Fsâ ASp¯p \n¶pw Hgnªp amdn. " aWntb«sâ {]mÀ°\ Ignsª¦n... \a¡p t]mImw... A½mbn t\m¡nbncnípw...." AhÄ AkvYn¯dbn sXm«p hμn¨p. AXn \n¶ Hcp Xpfknbne ]dn¨v apSnbn XncpIn. AXp I− Fsâ DÅw IpfnÀ¯p. Xncns¨¯n A½tbmSp kvYe¯nsâ Imcyw ]dªt¸mÄ A½íp kzÀ¤w In«nb kt´mjw. " It−m tbmKsamÅ s]®p§fp IqsS IqSnb¸w Imcy§sS sIS¸p amdnbXv... A¶v HÁss]km sImdíptIse¶p ]dª a\pjy³ \½fp ]dª sheív C¸w A¨mcw hm§ocníp¶p..." A½ A`nam\t¯msS A`ntb t\m¡n. hoSS¨p ]q«n tat\mt\ Xmt¡mte¸n¨v R§Ä hcsâ ho«nteív bm{Xbmbn. Fsâ IqsS R§fpsS Imdn A½bpw Ibdn. atÁ Imdn Ipª½bpw IpSpw_hpw cmta«\pw Ftf½bpw. hgníp ]e {]mhiyw A`n Dd¡w Xq§n. £oWw sIm−msW¶p a\Ênembn. s]s«¶p sR«nbpWcpw. Ie \à kpJamb Dd¡w. A`ntbmSv Dd§nt¡mfm³ ]dªn«v AhÄ Iq«m¡p¶nÃ. ]Icw ap³koÁnencn¡p¶ A½tb Nq−n¡mWn¨p. \mWtam t]Sntbm Ft´m t]mse. ho«nse¯pt¼mÄ kÔy Ignªncp¶p. sKbnÁn\pÅnteíp ImdpIÄ Ibdpt¼mÄ A`n AÔmfnt¸msS NpÁpw t\m¡n. " Mqw... F´m \o shc−ncnípt¶....?..." " AÃ... CXp Xs¶bmtWm hoSv... AtXm ...hgnsímÅ _Ôp¡tfm ...." " CXpXs¶... Cu hoSnsâ A[nImcnbmWp \o C¶papXÂ... ]ns¶.... Ct{Xw henb hoSn\p At{Xw IqSpX Dfp¼pw D−mIpw.... ImcWw... ap¯O³ FÃmw k¼mZn¨Xv ao³I¨hSw sIm−m...." " k½Xn¨p.... F¶mepw Fsâ aWntb«m... F´n\m C§s\ F¸fpsat¶ Ip¯tW...?..." AhfpsS kzc¯n amÁw. " At¿m... shdptX ]dsªt¶sbmtÅ Fsâ sXm«mhmSo... hm... Nncnt¨m−v sFizcyambn«v Fd§v...." " \n§fp hs¶m¶p tIdo«p t]mImsa¶p IcpXnbm FÃmcpw Im¯p \n¶Xv... " Hcp _Ôp ]dªp. " ChcXns\Sív R§sS ]gb hoSp hsc H¶p t]mbn... AXm Xmakn¨Xv... " Ipª½ sImSp¯ \nehnf¡pw I¿nte´n A`ncman heXpIm shs¨sâ ho«nteíp Ibdn. t\tc ap¯Osâ apdnbn sN¶p. I«nen Ccp¶ At±l¯nsâ Im hμn¨p. ap¯O³ Xebn Ibv sh¨\p{Kln¨p. At¸mÄ B IbvIÄ hnd¨ncp¶p.

]ns¶ Hmtcmcp¯cmbn ]ncnªpt]mbn. Ipª½bpsS `À¯mhpw Ip«nIfpw ]ntÁZnhkw sht¡j³ ¢mkps−¶p ]dªv bm{Xbmbn. Ahkm\w B henb ho«n A¿t¸«\pw Ipª½bpw R§fpw am{Xambn. Rm³ Ipª½tbmSv A`nsís´¦nepw Igním³ sImSp¡m³ ]dªp. AhÄ Ipª½bpsS IqsS ASp¡fbn IqSn. R§Ä knÁn§v dqan kt½fn¨p kwkmcn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Ie hoSp apgph\pw HmSn\S¶p I−n«v R§fpsS ASp¯p h¶p. " Aýmbo... \n§fo c−p t]À¡p th−nbmtWm ap¯O³ Ct{Xw henb hoSp ]WnXXv...?.." " Imsim−mb¸w ]WnXp ImWpw... BZys¯ hoSnXnepw sNdnbXmcp¶p... AXv A¿t¸«\p sImSp¯p..." " At½... \ap¡p Ite ASp¯ hÀjw samXenhntS \nÀ¯n ]Tn¸n¨mse´m...?.." " \nsâ Cãw t]mse sNbvtXm... \obtà C\nsbÃmw Xocpam\níp¶Xv..." " AsXm¶pw th−Sm tamt\... " cmta«³ \nckn¨p. " C\n A`n Ct§m«p t]m¶ kvYnXnív... Ftft½w Fhfpw AhnsS X\n¨mhntÃ...?..." Bcpw H¶pw an−nbnÃ. ImcWw Bcpw AtXmÀ¯p ImWnÃ. Ahkm\w Ftf½ Xt¶ ]dªp. " Fsâ B§tf hnfn¨v \nÀ¯mw..." Rm³ cmta«sâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n. " s]³j\mIm\n\ow hÀj§fp sIS¡phm... ]ncnªp t]m¶mtem¶p hnNmcníphm... AtàtPmenkvYe¯v Hcp hoSp hmSIsíSp¡Ww. Xm§m³ ]Ám¯ hmSIbm... AXm {]iv\w... Atà ]t− Rm\Xp sNbvtXt\.." " F¦nÂ.. X¡mew Ftft½sS B§f IqsS \nís«... A¸gt¯ípw \a¡nhnsSmcp sNdnb kvYtemw hoSpw IqsS X¸mw... Ct§m«p amdn¡gnªv ]Xps¡ AX§p hn¡mw..." Rm³ A`n{]mbw ]dªp. " AXphtÃmw \S¡pthm... H¶p hm§tW Imip thWw... hnÁmemcpw \à she XcntIanÃ..." cmta«\p ip`m]vXnhnizmkw t]mc. " At½... Rms\mcp Imcyw ]dbmw... \½fm hmSIhoSp hm§nbXnsâ _m¡osS IqsS C¨nsc Imipw IqsS Iq«nbm ChnsS sNdpsXm¶p In«mXncnínÃ... cmta«s\¶pw ho«n hcmw... Ieív \à kvIqfpw In«pw... B ]«n¡m«n sIS¶m Hcp h−n t]mepw hcm¯ kvYem... A¶p Rm\\p`hn¨Xm.... " Rm³ Ftf½tb t\m¡n. AhÀ apJw Ip\n¨p. " ]ns¶ thWw \m«pImcp ]dbm³... acptamt\ Rm³ ]Án¨v Imip ]nSp§o¶v... AXv sicnbmhnà tamt\..." cmta«³ FXnÀ¯p. " sicnbmIpw... \m«pImcp t]mbn ]Wn t\m¡s«... Np½mXà Xcpt¶... ISambn«m.... \à she In«n B kvYew hn¡p¼w B Imin§p Xt¶cv... thtW C¨nsc ]entiw IqsS ht¨cv..." " AsXmcp \à Imcymbn«m F\níp tXm¶p¶Xv..." A½ Ft¶ ]n³Xm§n. " tN«³ C¸tg It¨mSw sXmS§n.... R§¡n«pw ]eni... Mqw... Bfp anSp¡\mtW..." Ie ]dªp. " an−msXgpt¶Áp t]mSo... shentbmcp kwkmcníps¶S¯p s\\s¡¶m Imcyw...." Ftf½ AhfpsS t\tc X«nt¡dn. " cmta«m... R§¡v cmta«³ F¶pw Hcp Xm§mcp¶p... taenepw AXp thWw... Fsâ _Ôp¡mscsâ ASps¯mt− AsX\nípw Hcp _eatÃ...?... \n§s¡mcp kuItcymw... " " cmPptam³ ]td¶Xnepw Imtcym−v... CXne§s\ \mWt¡sSm¶pw hnNmcním\nÃ.. A§\mtW KuXaow tam\pw F´pam{Xw \mWníWw..." A¿t¸«³ ]dªp. " A¸w.. A¿t¸«m... \msf samXev t\m¡v.... ]ÁnbXp htÃmsamt−m¶v.... kvIqfp sXmd¡m\n\n A[nI kabanÃ... H¶qtÃepw `mcyho«n t]mIm³... aWn¡qdp IW¡n\p bm{X sN¿−tÃm...." Ipª½ At§m«p h¶p. " AO³ tNmZníphmcp¶p. AhsS F´m Hcp BtemNt\¶v... F¶m FÃmcpw hm... htÃmw Ignt¨¨p sIS¡v... _m¡n cmhnte ]dbmw...." FÃmhcpw Fgpt¶Áp. Rm³ A½tbbpw Iq«n ap¯Osâ apdnbnteíp sN¶p. Imcy§Ä ]dªp. Fsâ `mcyho«pImtc ChntSíp ]dn¨p \Sm\pÅ Fsâ ]²Xntb¸Án. ap¯O³ A½tb t\m¡n.

" \nsâ tam³ Rm³ hnNmcn¨ t]meÃ... _p²nsbm−v... skm´¡mcpw _Ôp¡mcpw ASp¯nÃmt¯sâ shjaw Rm³ sImtd AdnªXm... Ahsâ Cãw t]mse sN¿s«... H¶qtÃepw \½sS _ÔpX¡mctÃ...." ap¯O\pw ]¨s¡mSn X¶p. Rm³ kt´mjt¯msS DuWpapdnbnteíp sN¶p. Ipª½tb I−nÃ. ASp¡fbn sN¶t¸mÄ Ipª½bpw tPmen¡mcnbpw A½bpw IqSn `£WsaSp¡p¶p. " A`nsb´ntb Ipªt½...?..." " Ahfn¨nsc Iªn IpSn¨p. thtd H¶pw ths−¶p ]dªp. ]ns¶ IpfníW¶pw ]dªv tamfntem«p t]mbn.... F´m ImWmªn«p shjaamtbm...?..." Ipª½bpsS kzc¯n Hcp Ifnbm¡Â. " c−pw Cut¨w N¡tcw t]mem... F¶m... sNe¸w ap«³ hg¡pw....s]Wt¡mw...." A½ Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. the¡mcn \n¶p Nncníp¶p. " \o hm... Ahtfw IqsS hnfnív..." Rm³ apIfnteíp tIdns¨¶p. Fsâ apdnbn henb U_nÄ I«nen hne§s\ Aekbmbn InS¡pIbmWhÄ. \à Dd¡w, XebnWbnÃmsX. apSn InS¡bn hnXnÀ¯nbn«ncníp¶p. ho«n \n¶pw sIm−ph¶ Hcp km[mcW kmcnbmWpSp¯ncníp¶Xv. FbÀI−ojWdnsâ t\cnb aqfÂ. kpJIcamb XWp¸v. shdptXbà s]®pd§nt¸mbXv. £oWhpw, Iªn IpSn¨t¸mÄ In«nb Bizmkhpw, Ipfnbpw, apdnbnte XWp¸pw Ahtf IogS¡n¡fªp. B InS¸p I−ns«\níp hnfním³ tXm¶nbnÃ. \njvIf¦amb apJIm´ntbmsS {Iaambpbcp¶ h£ÊpItfmsS Dd§p¶ Ahtf Aåt\cw Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶p. ]ns¶ hmXn Nmcn shfnbnend§n. tKmhWnbnd§pt¼mÄ Ibdnhcp¶ Ipª½. " Mqw.. Ahsf´ntbSm... \hh[p...?..." " \à Hd¡w... HWÀ¯−m¶p hnNmcn¨p...." " l...AsX§\mSm... sicnbmIpt¶... htÃmw Ignít−.... \o Ahtf hnfnív..." " C¨ncqsS Ignbs«... \½¡p `£Ww Ignímw... ]ns¶ hnfnt¨mfmw...." Ipª½ Xncnªp \S¶t¸mÄ ]pdIn \n¡p¶p IetamÄ. " tN«m H¶p \nt¶..." " F´mSo.. ?..." " sI«ntbmsfmd§nt¸mbn AtÃ..." " AXn\p s\\s¡´m....?.. \o t]mbns¡Ss¶md§v..." " A¸w C¶p htÃmw \S¡p¶ e£Wsamt−m...?.." " Csæn \o \S¯pthm...?.." " ]ns¶´m.... Rm³ sdUn... ]t£... BZycm{XnbÃtÃm... F\níp c−mw cm{XnbtÃ....?.." " aXn aXn... sISs¶md§m³ t\m¡v... \nt¶ C¡W¡ns\§s\ Cu ho«n \nÀ¯pw..." " C\n Rm\t§m«p hc¯nÃ... Fsâ ]qXn Ignªp... ]ns¶ tamfn th¡³knbntÃÂ... tN«\n§p t]mcv.... At{XsbmÅp...." " an−msXSo... \mWwsI«htf... htÃmcpw tI¡pw... t]m..." " Hm.... tI¡pw... t]Snbm...]mh¯n\v... " AhÄ Xncnªp \S¶p. " FSo \o Ignt¨m...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " slm... kt´mjw.. At{X¦nepw tNmZn¨tÃm... Ign¨p Fsâ {]nbs¸« A¦nfp tN«m... aWnbtdteív XÅnhnSm³ Bfp thtWm..?.." " \o A§s\ XÅ−... Rm³ ]dbmw.... At¶cw XÅn¯¶m aXn..." " F¦n hnfnítW... Rm³ Hd§¯nÃ... " Rm³ Ahsf cq£amsbm¶p t\m¡n. AhÄ¡p bmsXmcp IqkepanÃ. C§s\sbmcp s]®v. Rm³ `£Ww Ign¨n«v ho−pw apIfnteíp t]mIms\mcp§n. " C¶m..." Hcp ¥mÊv ]mepambn Ipª½ ap¶nÂ. " At¿m....CsX´n\m...?...Rm³ Ign¨p...." " t]mSm s]m«m... C¶m... Ahsfmd§nt¸mbnÃmcpt¶Â AhfpsS I¿n sImSp¯p hnSmcp¶p. C\nbn¸w \o sIm−pt]m... Ahtf hnfns¨mW¯n IpSn¸nív...." Ipª½ Hcp hÃm¯ NncntbmsS ]mÂ¥msksâ I¿n G¸n¨p. " BZycm{XnbpsS apd.... AsXms¡ ]−Ãmcpt¶m Ipªt½... C¸w Pyqkpw {_m−osams¡bm ^mj³..."

" C¸w C¶nXp aXn...t]m....sNÃv t\cw IfbmsX...." Ipª½ AhcpsS apdnbnteíp \S¶p. Rm³ ]mÂ¥mkpambn apdnbn sN¶p Ahft¸mgpw \à Dd¡w Xt¶. DWÀ¯tWm. th−. B apJt¯íp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ DWÀ¯m³ tXm¶nbnÃ. AhfpsS s]m¡t¯¡mÄ hoXnbpÅ I«nÂ. hne§s\ InS¡p¶XpsIm−v F\níp Iq«¯n InS¡m\pw ]ÁpIbnÃ. GXmbmepw Dd¡¯nsâ Bgw H¶p t\m¡mw. Rm³ Hcp XebnW FSp¯v AhfpsS Xe sasà s]m¡n apSn Aåw HXp¡nbn«v Iotg sh¨psImSp¯p. F¶n«p amdn \n¶p. Hcp an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ XebnWbn IhnfaÀ¯n sNcnªp InS¶p. hyXymkw ap«Â¸w hfªp F¶p am{Xw. s\©t¯ kmcn¯ps¼m¶bªp. XÅns¯dn¨p\n¡p¶ Hcp amdp ImWmw. ImXnte I½Â ImWp¶nÃ. Ipfnípt¼mÄ Ducn sh¨pImWpw. Cu ]cph¯n ]mXn Dd¡¯n \n¶pw hnfn¨pWÀ¯n F´mZycm{Xn. sIS¶pd§s«. Rm³ ho−pw Xmtgíp sN¶p. CS\mgnbnte shfn¨w AW¨ncp¶p. Rm³ Ipª½bpsS hmXnen ap«n. " F´mSm...?.." \bnÁnbpSp¯ Ipª½ apSn tImXnbnf¡ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " Ipªt½.... ]msbms¡.... FhnSm Ccnípt¶..." Rm³ aSn¨p aSn¨v tNmZn¨p. " tM...]mtbm... ?.. F´n\m....?.. ssaXm\w t]msemcp I«nsem−tÃm \nsâ apdoev....?.." " Fsâ Ipªt½... Ahfp \à Hd¡w... HWÀ¯m³ tXm¶p¶nÃ.... ]mhw... ]Iet¯ bmt{Xw... £otWmw... " " Mqw... sI«ntbmtf A{Xí§p kvt\lm.... IeymWcm{Xoev s]®p IqÀ¡w hens¨md§p¶p... Hcp sIg§³ sI«ntbm³... thsd ]mbt\zjn¨p \S¡p¶p.... \à ]pInev... C¶m... F´m¶m ImWnív..." Ipª½ aqeíp InS¶ I«nen \n¶pw Hcp I\wIpdª sa¯ Npcp«n X¶p. " ]m CÃ... CtXsbmÅp... tam\ntjtSbm....XebW thtWm... AtXm..." " th−...." Rm³ sa¯bpambn Xncnªp \S¶p. apSn hmcns¡«ns¡m−v Ipª½bpw IqsSbnd§n. " \nÃv... Rms\mW¯mw Ahtf... s]®p§f§s\ Hd§nbm ]Á¯nÃtÃm..." " th− Ipªt½... HW¯−...." " F¦n th−... s\\¡m I«nte sIS¡m³ ]ÁmsX Ahsf¶m sIS¸m sIS¡pt¶¶p Rms\m¶p ImWs«... " " Fsâ s]m¶p Ipªt½ H¨sbm−m¡tÃ... ]mhw Hd§ntíms«...." R§Ä c−pt]cpw iÐap−m¡msX apdnbn tIdn. sIm¨pIpªp§Ä InS¶pd§p¶Xp t]msebpÅ Dd¡w I− Ipª½ XmSníp IbvsImSp¯v Nncn¨psIms−sâ t\tc t\m¡n Xebm«n. I−ntà Ipªt½ F¶ AÀ°¯n Rm³ Ipª½tb t\m¡n. \nsâ Imcyw t]m¡pXt¶ F¶ AÀ°¯n Ipª½sbt¶bpw. sa¯ sh¨n«v Rm\pw Ipª½bpw shfnbnend§n. " It−m Ipªt½... CXnt\ F§s\ Rm³ hnfnípw...?." " th−Sm... Ahsfmd§ntíms«... F¶mepw s\\¡htf C{X§p ImcymtWmSm...?...." Ipª½ Fsâ apJw Ip\n¨v aqÀ²mhn Npw_n¨p. Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−v apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p. " AOsâ tam³ Xs¶... \mWntím¶pw th−... sI«ntbmfp IÃpw atcm¶pasöv s\\¡dnbmtÃm... \¶mbn hcpw... sISs¶md§ntím... \msf Rm³ thsd ]mep Im¨n¯cmw....." Ipª½ Nncn¨psIm−v Xmtgíp t]mbn. tKmhWnbnd§m³ t\cw Ft¶ t\m¡n H¶pIqSn Nncním³ Ipª½ ad¶nÃ. InS¡bn Rm³ Xncnªpw adnªpw InS¶p. F\nípd¡w hcp¶nÃ. Fsâ BZycm{Xn. sXm«Sp¯v ]p¯³`mcy kpJkpjp]vXnbnÂ. `À¯mhmb Rm³ thsd InS¡bn InS¶pcpfp¶p. Fs´mcp hntcm[m`mkw. \msf Ahtf Ifnbm¡\pw Icbn¸ním\pw In«nb Ahkcw. SO, Icbn¸ní−. Rm³ ImcWw t\ct¯ Xt¶ Iptd Icªp. Rms\sâ a\Ênt\ aÁp Nn´Ifnteíp hn«p. cmta«\pw IpSpw_hpw C\nbpw AhnsS Xmakn¨m Ftf½ ho−pw cmcn¨sâ hebn IpSp§m\pÅ km²yXp−v. s]®tÃ. AXpw {]tXyI P\pÊn s]«Xv. cmta«sâ I¿n C\nbpw AhÀ HXp§nbnsæn Hcp

Znhkw Ah³ Ftf½tbmSv Ietb InS¡bn thWsa¶p hmin]nSnípw. GÁhpw \ÃXv Ahtc Ct§m«p amÁpI. Ft¶mSpÅ hntcm[w Ah³ Nnet¸mÄ AhtcmSv atÁXp hnt[\sb¦nepw XoÀ¡m\pw km²yXbp−v. BbXn\m Imcy§sfms¡ s]s«¶p \S¸m¡Ww. c−paq¶p Znhkt¯ív ho«n HXp§n¡qSmsa¶p Xocpam\n¨p. Fsâ `mcytb H¶Sp¯dnbWatÃm. AÃ, Fsâ kvYm\¯v thtd hÃhcpambncps¶¦n Ahtf Ct¸mÄ hnfn¨pWÀ¯pambncpt¶m. B, GXmbmepw Rm³ sN¿p¶Xv F\níp sicn. ASp¯pÅ apÉow ]Ånbn shfp¸n\pÅ hm¦p hnfníp¶ iÐw Acn¨cn¨p apdnbn IS¶t¸mÄ Rm³ DWÀ¶p. Xmakn¨pd§nbXpsIm−v At¸mgpw AÀ²ab¡¯nembncp¶p Rm³. Fsâ tZl¯v BcpsStbm Ibv DÅXp t]mse F\níp tXm¶n. Hm, Ahfmbncnípw, F¶p a\Ên tXm¶n. ]t£ kpJioXfamb apdnbn ]pX¸pw ]pX¨pInS¶ Rm³ hm¦p hnfn Ignªt¸mÄ ho−pw Dd§n¡mWWw. Hcp G§eSnbmsWt¶ ho−pw DWÀ¯nbXv. BZyw Rms\m¶¼c¶p. ]ns¶ kvYeImet_m[w h¶p. Ct¸mÄ Rms\mcp `À¯mhmsW¶pw, Xte cm{Xnbn Cu apdnbn Fsâ `mcy D−mbncp¶psh¶pw DÅ t_m[w Fsâ a\Ên HmSnsb¯n. sasà Dd¡w Ft¶ hn«I¶p. aq{Xsamgním³ IptdtÈ ap«p¶p. Kpem\pw ]mXn DWÀhnembncp¶p. F¦n aq{Xsamgn¨pIfbmw F¶p hnNmcn¨v Fgpt¶Â¡ms\mcp§n. At¸mgmWm G§eSn, Fsâ InS¡bn \n¶msW¶p a\ÊnembXv. Fsâ It¿mSp tNÀ¶p InS¶hÄ G§eSníp¶p. AhfpsS Hcp Ibv Fsâ s\©¯p−v. Fsâ I¿n I®p\ocnsâ \\hv. Rm\hfpsS `pP¯n Ipep¡n hnfn¨p. " Mqw... Ft´...?.." Ahyàambncp¶p Fsâ kwkmcw. At¸mÄ G§eSnbpsS iàn IqSn. AhfpsS Ibv amÁnbn«v Rms\gpt¶Áncp¶p. " F´mSo... F´n\m Icbp¶Xv...?.. A`o.... " D¯canÃ. aq{Xk©n iànbmbn hnfníp¶p. Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp _m¯vdqan t]mbn s]s«¶v {]`mXIrXy§sfms¡ sNbvXv Xncn¨p h¶p. Aåw Xmakn¨p. At¸mgpw AhÄ Iangv¶p InS¶v G§eSníp¶p. sO, cmhnte F´n\m Chfo Icbp¶Xv. AX{ioIcatÃ. Rm³ sN¶p P\ensâ IÀ«³ amÁn t\m¡n. ]pd¯v kqcy{]Imiaåw D−v. t¢m¡n kabw t\m¡n, BdpaWn. Rm³ Xncnsb InS¡bn sN¶ncp¶p. Ahtf ]nSn¨v Xncn¨p InS¯n. B I®pIÄ Icªp Ie§nbncp¶p. Rm\htf ]nSn¨v s]m¡n Fgpt¶Â¸n¨ncp¯n. AhÄ Fsâ amdnteíp apJw Nmbv¨p hnXp¼n. " l... F´n\m Cu cmhnte \o Icbpt¶... Imcyw ]d...." " Rms\md§nt¸mbo...." ho−pw aq¡p NoÁÂ. " AXns\´m... C\ow Hd§tWm.. Hd§ntím..." Rm³ \nÊmcambn ]dªp. " Ft¶sb´m hnfnímªXv... ?.." " AXn\p... \obtà BZyw HWÀ¶Xv..?." " AÃm... C¶se cm{Xo... Ft¶ F´m hnfnímªXv...?.." " t]m¯p t]mse sISs¶md§p¶ \nt¶ hnfns¨mW¯os«´p Imcyw..." " Mm... F¶mepw Ft¶sb´m hnfnímªXv..?.." " AX\ym... Rm\pw tNmZnítW... F´n\m¶v.... \nemh¯v tImgn \S¡p¶ t]mse \S¡mt\m..." " Ft¶mSp s]W¡tams−m...?.." " F´n\v...?..." " Im¯ncp¶p apjnªmcpt¶m....?.." " Mqw..." " ]ns¶sb´m Ft¶ hnfnímªXv..?." " IgníWnÃm¶p ]dªm \o sISt¶¶v Ipª½ ]dªp...." " AXÃm..." " ]ns¶ Ft´m¶m...?.." " F¶m¸ns¶.......H¶qÃ..." AhÄ Fsâ _\nbsâ hÅnbn ]nSn¨p hen¨p.

" \obmZyw t]mbn... ]Ãp tX¨v Ipfn¨v anSp¡nbmbn«p hm.... Icªp Icªv tam´sbms¡ A{ioIcw ]nSn¨ t]membn.... sNÃv... F¶n«v... kn\nam ssÌen aWntb«s\mcp s_UvtIm^n sIm−phm..." " Ft¶mSp s]Wt¡mt−m...?..." " t]mbn ]Ãp tXíSo..." " CXv ]d... s]W§nbmtWm..?....." D¯cw ]dbmsX Rm³ apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n B Np−pIfn AaÀ¯n Hcp½ sh¨p. AhÄ ho−pw ]£n¡pªp XoÁíp t\m¡nbncníp¶Xp t]mse Np−pambn t\m¡nbncp¶p. kmcn¯p¼v tXmfn \n¶qÀ¶v Xmsg¡nS¶ncp¶p. Cfw\oe \nd¯nepÅ »ukpw IpNIpw`§fpw A\mhrXambncp¶p. ho−pw Rm\m Np−pIfn AaÀ¯nbp½ sh¨p. C\nbpw Xm F¶ a«n AhÄ ho−pw apJapbÀ¯n Ccp¶p. Rm\htf sI«n¸nSns¨sâ s\t©mSp tNÀ¯ndp¡n. B apeIÄ Fsâ s\©n AaÀ¶p hn§n. AhÄ¡p izmkw ap«n¡mWpw. " At¿m...izmkw ap«p¶p... " Rm\htf hn«p. AhÄ Fsâ s\©nepw Igp¯nepw D½sh¨p. ]ns¶ sIm¨p Ip«nItft¸mse ]dªp. " Fsâ aWn¡p«³ s]W§Ãp tIt«m... `b¦c £oWmcp¶p.... sÈm.... Imtd sh¨v Hd¡w h¶Xmcp¶p.... ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯nbXpsIm−m.... t\ct¯ Hd§nt¸mbXv..." Rm³ ho−pw Ahtf Cdp¡n sI«n¸nSn¨p. " \nsâ Hscmd¡w... \à t\c¯v Ahfp sIS¶p IqÀ¡w heníp¶p... C\n C§s\md§pthm... ]d... C§s\md§pthm..?..." " CÃ....CÃ... hnSv... izmkw ap«p¶p.... hnSv ...C\n Hd§¯nÃm.... hnsSt¶... s\s©ms¡ t\mhp¶p...." Rms\sâ IbvIÄ Ab¨p. AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp Ip\nªv Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½ X¶n«v ]dªp. " cmhnte hymbmaw sN¿ms\mÅXn\p ]Icw... Ft¶ ]nSn¨v sRcníphmtWm... Im¸n C¸w sIm−phcmth...." AhÄ Ipfnapdnbn tIdn. Rm³ InS¡ Npcp«n I«nensâ Iotg sh¨p. ]ns¶ I«nen Nmcnbncp¶p. AhÄ Cd§n h¶v Aeamcbn \n¶pw tXmÀs¯Sp¯v apJw XpS¨p. ]ns¶ ]pdt¯íp t]mIms\mcp§n. ]ns¶ Xncnªp \n¶p tNmZn¨p. " Cu sa¯ FhnS¶m...?..." " ItS¶v..." " l ..AXà tNmZn¨Xv... Cu apdo¶mtWm... AtXm...?..." " Ipª½ X¶Xm... \o I«nep apgph\pambn«§p Ih¨p sIS¡pIÃmcpt¶m..." " tM... A¸w Ipª½ It−m Fsâ Hd¡w...?.." " Mm... Ipª½bm ]dªXv \nt¶ HWÀ¯−m¶v..." " Fâoizcm... Ahscms¡ F´p hnNmcnípthm... F\níp h¿... Ft¶ H¶p hnfn¨mse´mcp¶p sImg¸w... sÈ... " " F´p hnNmcním³... Hd¡w h¶p... Hd§n... A{X Xt¶.." " aWntb«\p ]dbmw... Rm\m AhcsSsbms¡ samJ¯p t\mt¡−Xv..." AhÄ shfnbnteínd§n. Rm³ Ahtf Xncn¨p hnfn¨p. ]mseSp¯p I¿n sImSp¯n«p ]dªp. " CXqsS sIm−p t]m.... C¶se ]¦n«p IpSníms\mÅXmcp¶p....]ncnªntà\½sS Im¸osemgnímw..." AhÄ AXpambn Xmtgíp t]mbn. c−p an\n«n\Iw AhÄ HmSnt¡dn h¶p. " Im¸nsb´ntb..?." " F\níp h¿... Rm³ ]mepambn«p sN¶¸w... Ipª½sbmcp ]d¨nev.... Fsâ IeymtWmw t]dpw Hs¡ IgnªXm tamtf¶v... F\nío ]mep ]nSníptIe¶v... HSt\ B tPmen¡mcn Hcp tNmZyw... ]mep IpSním\pw IqsS t\cw In«nbntöv... HSs\ Ipª½ _m¡n... BZys¯ ¥mÊp NoÁnt¸mbn \mKt½¶v... ]mhw Hd§nt¸mbn.... AXpw Ah³ s\es¯¶v... Fsâ sXmenbpcnªp t]mbn... C\n A½mbnsb§m\pw Adnªm... Fs¶s¡m−p h¿... " " FSo \n¶p InWp§msX...AhcsXms¡ ]dbpw... Im¸n sIm−phm..."

" Cà Rm³ t]mI¯nÃ... Ahsct¶ Ifnbm¡n sImÃpw.... " At¸mÄ hmXnen ap«p tI«p. Rm³ sN¶p IXIp Xpd¶p. t{Sbn Im¸n¡¸pIfpambn Ipª½. " AtX... `À¯mhn\p s_UvIm^n sImSp¡−Xv `mtcysS ]Wnbm... sIm¨t½sSbÃ..." AXptI« A`n Ic¨nensâ h¡¯mbn. " Ipªt½.... FhÄ¡Sp¡tf hcm³ \mWmsW¶v... " " \mtWm... Np½m sISs¶md§pt¶mÀs¡´p \mWw... cmhnte Ipfn¨ntÃ... ]ns¶ ASp¡tf tIdp¶Xns\´m...? AXp tI«tXmsS A`n hn§n¡cbm³ XpS§n. Ipª½ hÃmXmbn. " At¿m.. F´n\m tamfp Itct¶... Rms\mcp Xamip ]dªXtÃ.... Chfn{Xíp sXm«mhmSnbmtWm... C¶m Im¸nIpSnt¨¨p Ictªm... Fât½... C§t\w C¸gt¯¡me¯v s]¼ntÅtcm..." " Fsâ Ipªt½... C¶se Hd§nt¸mbXv alm]cm[msW¶v Btcm AhtfmSp ]dªp... AXm k¦Sw... " Icbp¶ A`ntb t\m¡n Rm³ Nncn¨p. " At{XsbmtÅm... Hd¡w hcp¼w a\pjys\md§Ww.. \n§fp Im¸nIpSn... Rm³ tN¨níp Im¸nsImSp¡s«... Mm ]nt¶... B sa¯bn§p thWw.. C¶v sNe¸w Fsâ ]ntÅcp hcpw... AhÀ¡p sIS¡ms\mÅXm.... " Ipª½ Ahtf t\m¡n H¶p Nncn¨n«p t]mbn. " CXn¶o hoSp apgph\pw ]m«mIpw... " AhÄ sIdphnsâ kzc¯n ]dªp. " ]m«mIs«So... hm... \ap¡p c−p t]À¡pw IqsS C¶Sp¡tf tIdmw... Im¸nIpSnív..." Rm\htf ]nSn¨v I«nen Ccp¯n Im¸nsbSp¯p sImSp¯p. AhÄ Ipgª apJt¯msS Im¸n IpSn¨p. At¸mÄ AhfpsS IogvNp−n Hcp XpÅn Im¸n ]Ánbncp¶p. Rm\sXsâ Np−psIm−p sXms«Sp¯p. XpSÀ¶v Hcp sNdpNpw_\w. " IXIpw sXmd¶nt«¨mtWm... ISow ]nSosams¡..." hmXn¡ IetamÄ. A`n NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. " \ns¶bmcmSo.... Cu shfp¸m³ Ime¯nt§m«p £Wn¨Xv....sKÁv Hu«v..." " shc«tà tN«m... C¶se IYm\mbnI Hd§nt¸msb¶pw \mbI³ sIS¡m³ ]mbpw X¸n hoSp apgph\pw AebpIbmbncps¶¶pw C¶se Xs¶ teÁv \yqskm−mcp¶p...." AhÄ apdnbn NpÁp]mSpw t\m¡n. ]ns¶ InS¡bn t\m¡n. " NpfnhpIfnÃm.... At¸mÄ \yqkp sicnbmbncp¶p...." AhÄ ]pdIn I¿pw sI«n ASp¯p h¶p. " Ite ...\o C¨nsc IqSps¶m−p tIt«m...." A`n tZjys¸«p. " Np½mXncn tN¨o... ASp¯Xv FsâbmsW¶v tN«³ hm¡p ]dªn«pÅXm... A¸¸ns¶ C¨nsc A\p`hk¼¯v \ÃXm... Ctà tN«m...?.." " \nsâsbmcp k¼¯v... k¼¯pw sIm−v cmhnte kvYew hnt«mWw... Cu ]cnkc¯p t]mepw I−pt]mIcpXv...." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. " Dulpw... \S¡nà kmtd \S¡nÃ... A½mbosS I¿o¶v ap³IqÀ Pmtaymw sIm−m... Rm³ ChnsS \níp¶Xv... Hcmgv¨ Ft¶ klnt¨ ]Áq... AXn¶se Xocpam\n¨Xm... tN¨nsímcp I¿mfmbn«v ChnsS IqSntímfm³.... AO\pw At½w C¸w t]mIpw.... t]Sntí−.. \n§fpsS sIS¡d clky§fnteív Rm³ F¯nt\m¡¯ntÃ.... ]t£ Fsâ Hcp I®v F¸gpw c−ntâw tasem−mIpw.... Pm{KssX..." " F¶m Fsâ Pm{KssX Cu I¸pIfp c−pw ASp¡tf sIm−psht¨.... " Rm³ Is¸Sp¯v AhfpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. F¶n«v Ahtf Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n D´n shfnbnem¡n IXIS¨p. IXIn\p shfnbn \n¶hÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. " ]Isemd¡w No¯bmtW... " " H¶p t]mSo..." Rm\pw ]dªp. A`n Ip\nªncp¶p \n¶p Nncníp¶p. Rm³ HmSns¨¶v Ahtf I¿n s]m¡nsbSp¯p I«nenteín«p. ]ns¶ NmSn IqsS¡nS¶p. " F´n\m `mhw...?... t\cw shfp¯p..." " \ap¡n¸w ]Iepw cm{Xow Hcp t]metÃ...." Rm\htf hcnªp apdp¡n. B apJ¯pw Igp¯nepw Nps−¯p¶nSs¯ms¡ D½ sh¨p. AhÄ AsXÃmw Hcp \nÀhrXntbmsS kzoIcn¨mkzZn¨p. Rm\hfpsS hbdn Ibv sh¨p.

" C¸w th− aWn¡p«m... cmhnte ASp¡tf tId−Xm... C¸w sN¶ntàAhscÃmw IqsS Ft¶ \mWwsISp¯pw... t\csam¶ncp«ntíms«.... C¶p Rm³ inhcm{Xn `P\bncnípw... t]mtc... Fsâ Ip«\tÃ... hnSv.... " " Mqw... sicn... F¶m sNÃv... BZycm{Xosems¶md§nsb¶p sh¨vv Fsâ `mcy tamimsW¶mcpw ]db−... Rm\pw s]mdtI hcmw... " AhÄ Fâ IbvIÄ hnSphn¨p. ]ns¶ XpWnIsfms¡ t\scbn«v apSnsbmXp¡ns¡«n Xmtgíp t]mbn. Rm³ InS¡bnteíp Nmªp. ]IpXn hgn sN¶ A`n Xncn¨ph¶p. " F´p ]Áo...?..." " aWntb«\pw IqsS hm... HÁsí\níp h¿... AhscÃmw IqSn Fsâ sXmen s]mfnípw....." " FSo... C¸w Rm³ \nsâ IqsS h¶m... Ahscsâ sXmeow s]mfn¡pw... `mtcysS hmte Xq§n \S¡pIm¶pw ]dªv....." " F¶m Rm\n¸w t]mIp¶nÃ...." AhÄ I«nen Fsâ H¸ancp¶p. " th− tamtf... \o ASp¡tfsems¡ sN¶v Ahtc H¶p klmbn¨nsænÂ... sNe¸w s\\¡v sXmenshfp¸nsâ KabmsW¶p ]tdw.... \o sNÃv... Ifnbm¡sems¡ A§s\ sIS¡pw...." " ]dbs«... F\nsí´m... aWntb«\p Xs¶ AXnsâ tISv...." AhÄ I«nen CfInbncp¶p. " Mqw... F¶m hm... FÃm Ifnbm¡epItfbpw \aps¡mcpan¨p \n¶v ss[cyambn t\cnSmw....." Rm³ ]«mf¨n«bn amÀ¨p sNbvXp \S¶p. AhÄ ]ndtIbpw. " \nÃv.. \nÃv... C\n ASp¡tfs¶m¶p {^obmIp¶ htc Fs´m−v..?.. \½sf´p sN¿pw.... AXpsIm−v... CXv kq£n¨p sht¨m....D¨htc... \o−p \n¡pw..." Rm\hfpsS apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n B Np−nepw Ihnfnepw Hmtcm D½ sImSp¯p. " F\nínsXms¡ F¶pw \o−p \nípw...." AhÄ Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨v Fsâ s\©¯v Hcp½ X¶p. " Mqw.... F\nídnbmw.. C¸w C¨nsc IqSpXep Ff¡sam−v... s]W§Ãv... D¨Igo¼w kqcy`Khmt\mSv t\cs¯ ISen¨mSm³ ]d..." AhÄ Ft¶ Ifnbm¡n. " Cu ]td¶ s\\¡¸w Hcm{KtlmantÃ....?.." " Hm ...F´m{Klw... F\níp sISs¶md§Ww.. A{X Xt¶..." AhÄ tKmhWn¸Snbnd§n. " \ns¶ C¶p Rms\md¡mw tIt«m... t\m¡nbncpt¶m..." AhÄ Xncnªv Fsâ hbdn hnc sIms−m¶p Ip¯n. ASp¡fbn sN¶X_²ambnt¸mbn F¶p tXm¶n. FÃmhcpw t\ct¯ Fgpt¶Áp Ignªp. \à XIrXnbmb ]Wn. _Ôp¡tf k¡cním\mbncnípw. Ftf½bpw Ipª½bpw tPmen¡mcnbpw \à ]WnbnÂ. A½ Hcp Itkcbn Ccníp¶p. Ft¶¡−bpS³ Ipª½ ]dªp. " h¶tÃm... CW¡pcphnIÄ... tZ−So \mKt½..." Ipª½ the¡mcntb hnfn¨p ImWn¨p. \mK½ a[pcbnepÅXmWv. sNdp¸¯n ho«n h¶p IqSnbXmbncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ Ccp]¯©p hbÊn IqSpX D−mIpw. sI«n¨phnSWw F¶p ]dª AhfpsS A¸m H¶p c−p {]mhiyw h¶ncp¶p. thtd Hcmfnt\ DSt\ I−p ]nSn¨n«v Ahtf hnt«¡msa¶mWp IcmÀ. Hcp CSnb³ Nc¡p Xt¶. Ccp\ndw. kmam\yw Xct¡SnÃm¯ apJw. ]t£ \à `£Ww sN¶XptIm−mhpw s\©pw N´nIfpw H¶ns\m¶p aÂkcn¨pcp−p hfcpIbmWv. Ipª½ív AhÄ Hcp Iq«pImcntbt¸msebmbXpsIm−v F´pw Xpd¶p kwkmcnípw. Rm³ H¶p ap«Wsa¶p t\m¡nbncnípIbmbncp¶p. AhÄ t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v Hcp Xangv sshhn²yw Bbmse´msW¶p hnNmcn¨Xmbncp¶p. IeymW¯n\p ap¼p t\cw In«nbnÃ. C\n th− F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. hmXp¡Â sN¶ A`ncman Ibvhnc ISn¨psIms−m¶p i¦n¨p \n¶p. Ipª½bpsS ]cmaÀiw, C\nbt¯ kw`mjWw, F´mbncnípw F¶ t]Sn. AhÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n. " F´n\m C{X t\ct¯ Fgpt¶ÁXv.... C¨ncqsS Hd§ntímfm³ taemcpt¶m....."

A½ AhfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨v ASp¸n¨p \nÀ¯n A½bpsS AcnIn AhÄ Gt¦mWn¨p \n¶p. " F§s\ Hd§m\m tN¨o... C¶se Ccp«phoW¸w samXsemÅ Hd¡mcp¶p.... AÃm... F¸gm HWÀ¶Xv..?.." Ipª½ Ahsf hnSm³ `mhanÃ. " C¶p t\cw shfp¯p..." Rm³ ]dªp. " \n§fp Ifnbm¡−... F\ní`ntamsf sImtd Imembn«dnbmw... h¿mgnI sIm−m Ahsfmd§nbXv... C¶se At§bÁw samXent§bÁw htc bm{XbÃmcpt¶m... A½mbnb¸t\ I−p \akvIcním³... Aht\mSv C¶te t]mI−m¶p Rm³ ]dªXm... t]mcmªn«v FSív OÀ±ns¨¶pw ]dªp. Fsâ Ipªp XfÀ¶p t]mbmcp¶p...." A½ AhfpsS c£sí¯n. " BMvlm... F¶m ]dbt−... Rm³ hnNmcn¨p... shey Hd¡¡mcnbmcnípsh¶v... " Ipª½bpsS hm¡pIfn Hcp £am]W¯nsâ kzcw. " F¦n... \n§fp s]mtím... t]mbn hn{iant¨m.... ChnsS C¸w Bfp IqSpXem... Im¸nbmIp¼w hnfnímw..." Ftf½ ]dªp. " AXÃt½... ASp¡tft¡dmsX ChÄ¡v Ccns¸mdíp¶nÃ... F¶m¸ns¶ C¶t¯ ]Wn R§fp sN¿m¶p hnNmcn¨p...." " AsX§s\bm... ]t− Xt¶ HÅ ioeatÃ... sX§m Acímªn«v s\\¡pw C¸w Ibv Xcníp¶p−mIpw CtÃSm..." A½ Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨p. " F¶m h¶p IqSntím... acptamfpsS Ibv¸pWyw R§fqsS H¶\p`hnís«..." Ipª½ £Wn¨p. A`n aSn¨p aSn¨v apt¶m«p sN¶p. \mK½ IgpIns¡m−ncp¶ ao³]m{X¯nsem¶p t\m¡n. " D¨ít¯símÅ BtImenbm..." \mK½ ]dªp. " ao³ shím\dntbm...?.. " Ipª½ tNmZn¨p. " CsX¶m tNmZymSo.... Ahsf¶m \¼qcns¸®mtWm....?.." " AÃ... C¸gt¯ ]nÅmctà tN¨o..." " F¶mte... IqSpXep hmNIaSnímsX tNS¯ow A\nb¯ow A½mbnbt½w kvYew hnt«... C¶p¨htc... R§fnhnSm Xmakw.... Mqw... Fgpt¶Â¡t½... CtÃÂ... ChÄsS It¿mS¯nÃ... \n§fn§s\ Hmtcm¶p sNmdntªm−ncnípw...." Rm³ A½tbbpw Ipª½tbbpw I¿n ]nSn¨p shfnbnend¡n. " \mKt½ \obm tZmtiw Iq«m\pw tatitem«p sIm−phm... ]p¯³ ]ntÅcp tabms\d§ocníphm... hm tN¨o.. Fs´Ãmw Imcy§tfm−n\ow ]dbm³...." Ipª½ \mK½tb t\m¡n ]dªp. Rm³ Ftf½bpsS sNhnbn ]dªp. " tN¨n ChnsS \nt¶m... F\níp høgpw H¶p sXmSm\pw ]nSním\pw Hcp Iq«mbn«v..." " t]mS... \nsâ sI«ntbmtfmSp ]d..." AhÄ Ibv IgpInbn«v Cd§nt¸mbt¸mÄ A`n Ft¶ F´m F¶ AÀ°¯n t\m¡n. " H¶p klmbním³ ]dª¸w... A½mbnbt½sS Hcp Ka... " A`nbpw \mK½bpw Nncn¨p. ap¡m aWn¡qdn\pÅn aq¶p IdnIÄ ASp¸n Ibdn. tNmdpw _m¡n Imcy§fpw \mK½ t\m¡ns¡mÅmsa¶p ]dªp. R§Ä IbvIgpIn shfnbn h¶t¸mÄ DuWpapdnbn Ccp¶p skmÅns¡m−ncp¶ s]®p§Ä¡Â`pXw. " Ct«¨p t]mt¶m...?.. ]mNI¯nsâ ]qXn XoÀ¶p ImWpw CtÃ... Cu h¿m¯ ]Wnsí´n\m C¶pXt¶ t]mtb...?... " Ipª½ R§tf H¶p Ifnbm¡n. " s\\s¡´dnbmsaSo... \qdpt]À¡p kZysbmcp¡m\nhÀ¡p Ct{Xw kabw aXn.... hm... htÃmw Ignímw... cmta«t\ hnfn... Ahsf´ntb sIm¨ptamfv..." " AhÄs¡mWcmdmbnÃ... FSsím¶p Xes]m¡p¶Xp I−mcp¶p....]nt¶w sIS¶p ImWpw.... " Ftf½ ]dªp. " Ahtfw hnfnív tamtf... " A½ A`ntbmSp ]dªp. CXn\nSív ASp¡fbn t]mbn Xncn¨p h¶ Ipª½ A`nbpsS Ibv ]nSn¨psIm−p ]dªp.

" k½Xn¨ncníps¶sâ tN¨o... CXp§¡p c−n\pw AhnsS hà tlm«enepamcpt¶m ]Wn..?..." " C\n \o an−−...." A½ ]dªp. " A½mbo... ap¯O³ Ct§m«p hcpthm.... AtXm sIm−p sImSp¡tWm...?.." A`n tNmZn¨p. " AO\p Iªnbm... AXp Rm³ sImSpt¯mfmw... \o Ccp¶p Ignív... cmta«s\hnsS...?....." " AO³ ap¯Osâ ASp¯p ImWpw....." " F¶m hnfn..." D¨bqWp IgnªtXmsS A`ncman ]mNIdmWnbmbn {]Jym]nís¸«p. Fsâ `mcy ]pIgv¯s¸Sp¶Xn F\ní`nam\w tXm¶n. FÃmhÀ¡pw hnf¼ns¡mSp¯psIm−v AhÄ Hgnªp \n¶t¸mÄ AhfpsS hn\bhpw FÃmhcmepw {i²nís¸«p. kt´mj¯nsâ \nanj§Ä Hs¶m¶mbn F\níp ssIhcpIbmbncp¶p. DuWpIgnªv Ftf½bpw cmta«\pw bm{Xbmbn. R§Ä R§fpsS apdnbn tIdn IXIS¨p. " aWntb«³ Hd§pt¶m...?." _mXvdqan \n¶pw Cd§n h¶ A`n tNmZn¨p. " CÃ... ]Isemd¡w F\nínãaÃ.... \o thtW Hd§ntím.. cm{Xo Hd¡saftí−XtÃ....." " AsX´m... \½fn¶p hà DÂkh¯n\pw t]mIps¶mt−m....?.." AXp tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsS apJs¯mcp IŨncn. " H−v... DÂkhw Xt¶bÃ... sNe¸w ]qtcmw shSns¡«pw Hs¡ ImWpw..." " A¸w... C¶p c−pw Iån¨p Xs¶bmtWm.....?.." " AtX... F´m ... \o DÂkhw IqSp¶ntÃ...?.." " AXymhiyw thtW H¶p IqSmw....." " F¦nhm... \a¡n¸w sImSntbÁp \S¯mw..." " At¿m... C¸w F§\m... \mepaWnínhnsS htÃmw ]elmtcm atÁm thtWm¶dnb¯nÃtÃm..." " Hm... AXp Ipª½ H−m¡ntímfpw... \osb\nsímÅ N¡cbS Xm.... H¶p ISnís«...." " lbv... AXp Rm\t§m«p ]dbW¶p sh¨ncníphmcp¶p... F¶m Rm³ t]mbn H−m¡ns¡m−phcmw..." AhÄ t]mIms\mcp§n. " Ct§m«p hmSo... \à H¶m´cw N¡cbtSw tIm...... sht¨m−v \o C\n thtd F¶m H−m¡m³ t]mIphm....." Rm³ Ahtfbpw sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nenteíp adnªp. " At¿m CsX´p Iq¯m....?... htÃmcpw I−mÂ..." AhÄ hmXn¡teíp t\m¡n. IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«ncnípIbmbncp¶p. " ChnsSbmcp ImWm\m...." Rm³ tNmZn¨psIm−v Ahtf hcnªp apdp¡n. Fsâ Icheb¯n InS¶psIm−hÄ Fsâ s\©n apJsamfn¸n¨p. " A`n¡p«o.... \osbt¶ F¶mSo Cãs¸Sm³ sXmS§nbXv...?..." " B....F\ntímÀ½bnÃ.... aWntb«s\¶m Ft¶ Cãs¸Sm³ sXmS§nbXv...?..." " F\ntímÀ½ sh¨t¸mÄ apXÂ...?... Bt«... \o thsdbmscsb¦nepw Cãs¸«n«pt−m...?..." " F´n\m C§s\ tNmZníp¶Xv...?.." " \o ]d... " " ¢mÊn t]mIp¼w H¯ncn BWp§tf ImWpw... Ahtcsbms¡ Rm³ cmPqambn«p X«n¨p t\m¡phmcp¶p sNe¸sgms¡.... F¶m, F\nímtcw iIew t]mepw Cãs¸«n«nÃ.... t\m¡p¼w AhÀs¡s´¦nepw IpÁw ImWpw...." " C¸w.... Rm³ ao³I¨hS¯n\p t]mIpImtW \osb´p sN¿pw...?..." " Rm³ ao³sImt«w sNmat¶m−p IqsS hcpw.... AXp ]dª¸gm... It¿sems¡ ao³ aW¡p¶p...." " AsXt¶ ]t− aW¡p¶XtÃ...." " lm... B aWaÃ.... IdosS.... Ibv tkm¸n«p IgpIotÃ....?.." " \o sh¨ IdosS aWw C¨nsc Ccpt¶mt«¶p IcpXn..... C¸w IgpImw... " Rm³ Fgpt¶Â¡ms\mcp§n.

" th−... C¸w t]mI−... sImd¨p t\cw C§s\ sIS¡mw..." " Np½m C§s\ sIS¡m\mtWm IeymWw Ign¨Xv....?..." " B... F\nídnb¯nÃ.... ]ns¶ F´p sN¿m\m...?.." " \½sS BZycm{Xn...]Iem¡nbmtem... C¸¯s¶....?..." AhfpsS Np−n Hcp ap¯w sImSp¯psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " At¿m.. AXp th−... kÔy¡v hnf¡psh¨v \maw P]n¨n«v ]mepw IpSn¨v AXnsâ samd t]mse sXmS§nbm aXn...." " \nsâsbmcp apSnª samd... Cu samtdev ASp¯sX´m...?.." " ASp¯Xv... ASp¯Xv... Ft´m¶m... " AhÄ BtemNn¨n«p ]dªp. " sat¯Â ]q¡fpw s\c¯n AtXs¡Ss¶mcp ]m«v..." " F´p ]m«m...." Rm³ AhfpsS Np−n H¶p XShn, ]qhnXfn sXmSp¶Xp t]mse arZpew. tXmfn \n¶pw kmcn¯p¼p amdn I«nen hoWp InS¶p. sNcnªp InS¶ AhfpsS amdn »ukn\pÅn \n¶pw B shfp¯ ht£mP§Ä Xe Im«n. Rm³ At§m«p t\m¡ns¡m−p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ kmcnXps¼Sp¯hnSw ad¨p. Rm³ ho−pw B Xp¼p amÁn. Hcp IpkrXnt\m«t¯msS AhÄ AXp ho−pw C«m XÅn\n¶ `mKw ad¨p. " Hm....Rms\m¶p I−m C¸w..." " C¸w A§s\ ImW−... kabamIp¼w... FSp¯p I¿ntem«p Xcmw..." " AtXm.... hmbntemt«m...?.." " XcmtÃm... ]mhw sIm¨pIpªv.... ]mSt«...?.." " Mqw... ]mSv... " AhÄ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp. kmcn¯ps¼Sp¯v Acíp Ip¯n. F¶n«v \mSIobambn A`n\bn¨psIm−v ]m«p XpS§n. " a[phn[p cmhpItf kpc`nebma§tf...aSnbnsemcm¬]qhnt\ Xm.... AXn\¼mSn N´w.. AXn\RvP\ hÀ®w.... B Ihnfn\gIp hncnbpw adpIn\p½ Hcp½.... I«nen\p NpÁn \r¯w sNbvXp ]mSnb AhÄ s]s«¶p \nÀ¯nbn«p apJw s]m¯n I«nenteíp InSs¶sâ Iotg apJsamfn¸n¨p. " F´m \nÀ¯ntb... \à ]m«mcp¶p... B ]«n¡m«nsemcp Km\tImInew Hfn¨ncn¸p−mbncpt¶m... Fât½... C¶m Hcp½bÃ... Bbncw D½..." Rm\hsf _eambn Xncn¨p ]nSn¨v B Ihnfn Iptd D½ sh¨p. " At¿... F\níp \mWm..." " \o ]m«pw Um³kpw ]Tn¨n«pt−m.... ?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... C¨ntc.... AO\p Zqsc kvYew amÁw In«o«v ]ns¶ t]mbnÃ..." " \ãmbnt¸mbn... kmcanÃ... \½sS tamÄ \¶mbn«p ]mSpw... Hd¸mbn..." " tamfà tam\m Ah³.... Hcp sIm¨p aWn¡p«³..." AhÄ Iangv¶p InS¶psIm−p ]dªp. " Mqlpw... tamfp Xt¶... \nt¶t¸mse aq¡nsâ Xp¼¯p tZtjymw sIdphpw HÅ Hcp Xp¼¸qtamfv..." Rm³ Ahtf Fsâ s\©t¯ív hen¨p tIÁn¡nS¯n. " AÃm... tam³ Xt¶...." AhÄ sIm¨pIp«ntbt¸mse imTy¯nsâ kzc¯n ]dªp. " F¦n Fsâ A`n¡p«osS Cãw... Mm ]ns¶... ]m«p ]mSn¡gnªn«v...?.." " ]ns¶ c−p t]cpw sI«n¸nSnt¨m−v sISt¡teíp adnbpw.... At¶cw sseÁp sISpw.... At{XÅp..." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn c−nepw XgpIns¡m−p ]dªp \nÀ¯n. Fsâ s\©neaÀ¶ AhfpsS ape¡pS§Ä »ukn \n¶pw shfnbnteíp XÅn. AXp I− Fsâ DÅn Ft´m H¶p an¶n. B an¶Â Acs¡«p htc hym]n¨p. sIm¨p aWn¡p«t\ AXp X«nbXp t]mse tXm¶n. Ah³ Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS hbdn\pw Acs¡«n\panSímWp Ipcp§n¡nS¡p¶Xv. " A¸w....sseÁp sISp¯m³ thtd Bfnt\ \½fI¯p \nÀ¯phmcnípw... Abmfp Xt¶ ]mepw IpSnt¨mfpw...CtÃ..." " thtd Btfm....?.." AhÄ Np−p IqÀ¸n¨n«v Fsâ Ihnfn hnc sIms−m¶p Ip¯n. " AXp t]ms«... ]mepw sseÁpw Ignªp. ]ns¶tbm...?.."

" ]ns¶....]ns¶... F\nídnb¯nÃ... kn\nambne{Xtb ImWnís¯mÅp..." AhÄ Fsâ amdnteíp H«n¡nS¶p. " H«pw Adnb¯ntÃ..."..? Rm³ AhfpsS XmSn ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n tNmZn¨p. AhÄ Fsâ t\m«w t\cnSm\mhmsX apJw Ip\n¨p. " C¨nscsbms¡....Adnbmw... ]ns¶... `À¯mhnsâ AXv... `mtcysS... AhsS... ]ns¶.. _oPw AI¯p tIdpw.. ]ns¶... KÀ`w...{]khw..." AhÄ Fsâ s\©nteíp ho−pw InS¶p. Rm\m apSnbn XtemSn. AhÄ ]mZ§Ä sIm−p InS¡bn Xmfw ]nSn¨p. " CsXhnS¶m \o a\Ênem¡ntb... ?.." " B s]mkvXI¯o¶m... CXnsâsbms¡ ]Sw hc¨ns«mÅ B s]mkvXIantÃ... sImt¡mimkv{Xw...l.. CsX´m...?.. GXm−p \½sS FtS XSªncns¸m−tÃm...". AhÄ Aåw H¶p sNcnªn«v CSíp IqSn I¿n«p. AhfpsS Ibv sNs¶¯nbXv Fsâ D²cním³ XpS§nb Kpem\nembncp¶p. H¶p X¸n ]nSn¨p t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ sR«nbXp t]mse Ibv ]n³hen¨p. " At¿... CsX¶Xm..C¸w.. tÈym.. Cu aWn¡p«s\mcp \mtWmanÃ...." AhÄ Fsâ apIfn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Â¡ms\mcp§n. Rm³ Ahtf AhnsS AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " AhsSs¡S¡So tamtf....AsX´msW¶dntbm...?.." Rm³ AhfpsS Ip−níp ]nSn¨v Ahtf Ip®bntesím¶aÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. " Mqw ... Adnbmw..." AhÄ s]mdps]mdp¡p¶Xp t]mse ]dªp. " Ft´m¶m...?..." " \n§sS.... apÅp¶Xv... " " AXn\p t]cntÃ....?.." \mWw sIm−hfpsS apJw Npfnªp. " Mqw... enwKw... " " \n§tSXnt\m...?.." " Hm.. CsX¶m C§s\..... ]co£íp tNmZníp¶Xp t]mse...." CSíhÄ AdnbmsX Aåw IqSn apIfnteíp henªp tIdn. AhfpsS apJw GXm−v Fsâm¸ambn. AhfpsS Acs¡«v Fsâ Kpem\n Aacp¶Xv Rm\dnªp. AhfpsS Ip−nIfn \n¶pw Rm³ Is¿Sp¯p. AhÄ AhnsS Acs¡«v AaÀ¯n shím³ AdnbmsX {ianíp¶p. ]Xps¡ A\¡n t\m¡p¶p. " ]d... Ft¶mStÃ.. \nsâ Adnshm¶dnbs« Rm\pw..." " AXv... AXv... tbm\n...." F¶n«hÄ Fsâ Ihnfn apJw tNÀ¯p. " tbm\ntbm... AsX´p km[\am...." H¶padnbm¯Xp t]mse tNmZn¨p. " Ifnbm¡− tIt«m... aWn¡p«s\Ãmw Adnbmw... F¶ns«t¶ Ifn¸ním³... " AhÄ ]nW¡kzc¯n ]dªp. " F¶m s]W§−... \o F¸sg¦nepw ... Cu... enwKw.... I−ns«mt−m...." AhÄ H¶mtemNn¨p. F¶n«v Fsâ sNhnbn ]dªp. " cs−®w I−p... F¶m....apgph\pw I−n«nÃ..... " " AsX´mSo... c−p Ip® I−n«pw apgph\pw ImWmªXv....?.." " F´phm ]dªXv..?... Ipt®t¶m... AXmtWm \n§sS km[\¯n\p ]td¶Xv...?.." AhÄ Xe DbÀ¯n tNmZn¨p. " AXp Xt¶... \o CXp ]d... apdn¡p® FhnS¶p In«n ImWm³...?.." Rm³ AhfpsS apXpIn \áamb `mK¯v sasà XgpIns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " At¶... Rm³ ]dªnÃmcpt¶m... B \mdn cmcn¨sâ.. C¨nsc I−p.... _m¡n..." " _m¡n....... " " _m¡nsbm¶pw CÃmcp¶p... apgph\pw....Ftft½sS hmbnemcp¶p.... Rm\bmÄsS tcmta Is−mÅp..." Rm³ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨v IhnÄ Ihnfnt\mSp tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. " F´n\m Nncnípt¶...?.. Rm³ kXym ]dtª..." Rm³ Nncn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsS apJw hfn¨pt]mbn. " s]m«³ Bt\ Is−s¶ms¡ tI«ns«m−v.... C¸w AXp a\Ênembn... A¸w \o IpÁn I−p....Mm ]ns¶ GXm...?..." " Mqlpw..." " aSnímsX ]dtªmt¶.... BcsSbm.. ?.."

clkyw t]mse Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÄ Np−pISn¨p. an−nbnÃ. ]Icw Ft¶ H¶p½ sh¨p. Rm³ sasà Fsâ Acs¡s«m¶nf¡n. " ]dtª tamtf.. BcsSbm....?.." AhÄ Fsâ Np−n hnc sIm−p Ip¯nbn«v H¶p I®S¨p ImWn¨p. " tM... Fsâtbm.. Ft¸m..?." " Mqw.... aWn¡p«\dnbmsXbm... A¶v Ftf½ Ibvapdn¨p sIS¶¸w shfp¸ns\ Rm³ h¶p hnfn¨ntà P\en¡qsS... At¶cw..." AhÄ Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. " \osb´p am{Xw I−p...?.." " th−t¶... F\níXp ]dbm³ \mWam..." AhÄ sIm©n. " Ft´m¶p \mWw.. A[nIw aq¯m... XpWn ]dn¨v Rm\§p s]m¡n ImWnípth... \nsâ \mWw ]d]d¡pw... ]d tamsf... \nsâ Cu \mWw ImWp¼w F´p tiemsWt¶m... sImtd¡go¼w ... \o Hcp \mtWmw Dfp¸panÃmsX AXnsâ s]mdtI \S¡pw... apgpht\msS ISn¨p Xn¶pw..." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶.. Rm\¯cw hr¯ntIsSm¶pw sN¿¯nÃ.." " F¶m sN¿−... \o C¸w _m¡n ]d..." CXn\nSbn Rm³ AbªpInS¶ kmcn¡p¯ntâbpw ]mhmSbptSbpw CSbnÂIqSn I¿n«v AhfpsS Ip−nIfn ]nSp¯an«ncp¶p. ]Xps¡ Rm³ B Ip−nIfn sR¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. \à arZphmb an\pkapÅ N´n¡pS§Ä. Imcwkv t_mÀUn ]uUdn«Xpt]mse ]nSnípt¼mÄ AsXsâ apcS³ IbvIfn \n¶pw sX¶nt¸mIn¶p. AhÄ¡Xp ckníp¶ps−¶m apJ`mh¯n \n¶pw a\Ênembn. " Ibnen Iq«n aWn¡p«\Xp ]nSn¨ncníphm... \à sNmh¶ _eq¬ hoÀ¸n¨ t]msesbm−Ásams¡... GXms−mcnt{Xw AÁw shfosem−mcp¶p...." AhÄ Nq−phncensâ ap¡m `mKw FSp¯p ImWn¨p. " Ip«\t¶cw AtX ]nSns¨f¡nt¡m−p ]dbphmcp¶p... \nÃv \nÃv AhsS \nsöv... BtcmSmcp¶p... \ním³ ]dªXv...?.." Fsâ s\©nteíp ho−pw apJsamfn¸n¨p. \mWw sIm−p Nph¶ B apJw ImWmm³ th−n Rm³ AhfpsS apJw _eambn ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n. AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½ X¶p. Ct¸mÄ \mWw amdn AhnsS Hcp APvRmXkpJ¯nsâ AeIÄ kvYm\w ]nSníp¶p. Ft¶mShÄ Ct¸mÄ CgpInt¨cm³ XpS§nbncníp¶p. " At¶cw...s\\¡Xp I−ns«´p tXm¶n...." " kXyw ]dªm.... s\©nsemcp \Sp¡w t]mse tXm¶n..... ]ns¶mcp Ipfntcm \mWtam.. Fs´ms¡tbm... At¶cam Rm³ Xncnªp \n¶p hnfn¨Xv.... H¶p ]dtª... BtcmSmcp¶p \nÃv \nsöv ]dªXv...?..." " \nt¶mSv..." " tM... Ft¶mtSm...?.." " AtXt¶.... \o ]nd¶ ]Sn h¶v... Fsâ AXp ]nSn¨v s]m¡n B ]cph¯nem¡n... ]ns¶ At¿¶pw ]dªp t]mIp¼gm Rm³ hnfn¨Xv..." " s\mW... Rm\§s\ ]nd¶ ]Snsbm¶pw hc¯nÃ...." AhÄ Fsâ aoibn ]nSn¨p hen¨psIm−ncp¶p. " AsX\nídnb¯nÃ... At¶cw \nsâ tZl¯v \qÂ_ÔanÃmcp¶p... F´n\m IqSpXep ]tdt¶.... \nsâ Ip−osS his¯mcp ap«³ adpIpsam−mcp¶p...." " t\tcm... Fsâ `Khmt\... A¸w... Fsâ FÃmw I−mcpt¶m.... ?.." " Is−s¶... As¶ms¡ \nt¶¯t¶ HmÀ¯tà F¶pw Hd§pt¶... AXpsIm−mcnípw..." " F\níp h¿... Fsâ thsd kvYes¯m¶pw t\m¡oÃtÃm AtÃ...?... " " sImÅmw At{Xw Hm¸Wmbn«p \ns¶ In«nb¸w... Rm³ hnSpthm... \à hniZambn«p t\m¡n..." " Hshzmhz... skm]v\¯nse¶m ImWm\m... Np½m ]pfphSníphm...." At¸mtgípw ]qÀ®ambn I¼nbmbn \n¶ Kpem³ AhfpsS apt¡mW¯n kmcníp apIfneqsS CSn¨p \n¶p. AhÄ ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ Acs¡«\¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. " t\cv... Rm³ ]dbmw Rm³ I−sXms¡... F¶m sicn.... CXp ]d....... \o Fsâ ap¼nent¶htc... C¨nscsb¦nepw XpWnbnÃmsX \n¶ns«mt−m...?.." " AXp sicnbm... A§s\ aWn¡p«³ Is−¦nÂ.... AXp \½sS a\s¸mcp¯w sIm−mcnípw..."

AhÄ Fsâ Np−n ho−pw D½sh¨p. " AXncnís«... s\\¡ht\.. C¸w ImWtWm... tZ....C¸w A¶t¯ ]cphmbn¡gnªp...." Rm\hfpsS Ip«nIfn ]nSn¨v Acs¡«v Fsâ Acs¡«nteíaÀ¯n. " C¸w th−... F\nív t]Snbm AXnsâ A¶t¯ hen¸w sh¨p t\m¡p¼w... Fsâ At½... F§s\ A¶m ]S¯n I−t]mse sN¿q¶m...." Ahsfm¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " Fsâ s]t®... \n§fp hnNmcn¨m... Bt\sS A©mw Imephtc Cuknbmbn«v AI¯nSpw..." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... A§p sXmd¶p sIS¡phtà s]®p§sS... an−mXncn... _m¡n ]d F´m I−sX¶v... ]ns¶tb......tZ Cu kmcn ]gbXmtW... AXp Ip¯n¡odpsh¶m tXm¶pt¶..." AhÄ InSs¶m¶nfIn. " Mqw... C¸w \o Xami ]dbm\pw ]Tn¨p... F¶m Xmtg sISt¶m..." " AXp th−... CXm ckw... C\n ]d... Fs´ms¡bm It−¶v.... t\tc ]dbmshmÅp..." " tamfo¶p sXmS§mw.... \à apgp¯ Hmd©p t]msebm tZ Cu c−p km[\§Ä.... sicnbmtWm..." Rm³ I®psIm−hfpsS apeIÄ ImWn¨p. " Hm..... AXp »uknsâ tamfn¡qsS I−Xmcnípw... AsX§\m... As¶ms¡ sImXnbsâ sNe¸gt¯ t\m«w I−m.... tNmc hen¨p IpSníphmsW¶p tXm¶phmcp¶p... F\nsím¶pw a\Ênembnsöp IcpX− tIt«m..." AhÄ Fsâ sNhníp ]nSn¨p Xncp½n. " ]ns¶.... AXnsâ \Sp¡t¯ Ip«n¸¸Sw CtÃ... AXn\p \à Xhn«p s\dm... \½sS sIm¨n\p IpSníms\mÅ km[t\mw sNdpXm... icnbmtWm..." Rm\hfpsS apJapbÀ¯n I®pIfnteíp t\m¡n. AhÄ ZrãnIÄ amÁn. F¶n«p ]dªp. " Hm.. H¶pÃ... A§s\sbm¶phà FtâXv..." " s\mW ]dbÃv tamtf... Fsâ kz]v\w sXÁmI¯nÃ... tZ.... Htcmd©nsâ ASosemcp sIm¨p ]pÅnadpIpw H−mcp¶p. F\níp \à HmÀ½bm..." Ipfnko\n I− AhfpsS CSXpapebnte adptImÀ¯psIm−v Rm³ ]dªp. " CÃt¶... Np½mXm.... F¸gpw AXpXt¶ HmÀ¯p \S¶n«m..." " F¦n... \osbm¶p ImWnt¨... ]´bw shímw... " " tM.. A¸w CXpw t^mt«m ]nSnt¨¨v ]´b¯n\p hcpImtWm....?...." " Mq... htÃmw \S¡pw... \nt¶t¸msemcp¯osS ]Sw ]nSnítWm¦n hà kmÁsseÁpw thWw.... A{Xsímfn¸n¨tà \S¡p¶Xv..." " F¶mepw F\nío... sX½mSntb A{X hnizmkw t]mc... AÃ.. A¶m IetamÄsS Hs¡ ambn¨mcpt¶m..." " ]ns¶ ...AXt¶ ambn¨p Ifªp... Ahsftâw IqsS A\nb¯nbtÃ... ?... l... H¶p ImWnsísâ tamtf.... C\n CXmÀ¡pth−nbm sI«ns]mXntªm−p \S¡pt¶....." " At¿.... Cu ]«m¸Ise§\m...?.." " C¸w... ChnsS \½ftà HÅp...." " sImXnb\p [rXnbmbn.... C¶m... HtS¡mc\tÃ... " AhÄ HcpIbv I«nen Ip¯n DbÀ¶p\n¶n«v »uknsâ apIfnet¯ c−p aq¶p lp¡pIsfSp¯p. Rm³ »ukv c−cnInteípw Xpd¶p amÁnbn«p.. {_mípÅn sImÅm¯ B sNdptKmf§Ä apIfnteíp Xpfp¼n \n¶p. " tZ... ]nt¶w sIS¡p¶p....t_mUokv... AXqsS sXmd¡msX Rms\¶m ImWm\m..." " k½XníptIe..." AhÄ Fsâ s\©t¯íp ]Án¡nS¶p. ]ns¶ apSn Hcp hit¯síSps¯dnªp. Hcp Ibv ]pdtIm«n«v {_mbpsS lps¡Sp¯p. ho−pw IbvIp¯n¡nS¶v {_mbpsS hÅnIÄ Npaen \n¶pw Xmtgíqcnbn«p. ]ns¶ c−p I¿pw I«nen Ip¯n hfªpbÀ¶p \n¶p. {_mbpsS I¸pIÄ Xq§n¡nS¶XptIm−v B apeIÄ F\níp ImWm\mbnÃ. " C¶m... ImWv... Hcp £tabnÃ... sImXnb§p Xocs«.....C§t\t−m BWp§fv...." AhÄ sXÃp ]cn`hw t]mse ]dªp. " Hm.. A§s\ CãanÃmsX F\nsímcp ]pÃpw ImW−... CXv thtd s]®p§Ä¡nÃm¯ t]mse..." Rm³ I®S¨p ]nSn¨p. " thtd s]®p§tS ImWm\§v sNÃv... C¸w sXmd¶p Xcpw... " Ahfpw hn«p Xcp¶nÃ.

" Rm³ hnNmcn¨m C¸w.. \qdp kpμcnamcp s\c¶p \nípw FÃmw sXmd¶p sht¨m−v... Adnbmtam... A¼So.... \nsâ Hcp km[\¯nsâ she...." Rm³ Ahtf sNmSn¸ním\mbn ]dªp. " F¶m sNÃv... kpμcnamcsS t]mbn ImWv... FtâXn\n¨nsc shesbm−v....." AhÄ apJw I\¸n¨p. ]ns¶ IbvIÄ s]m¡n. AhÄ Fsâ s\©t¯íp ho−pw hoWp. " F¶m...amdv... shdptX Fsâ s\©¯p tIdns¡Ss¶t¶ izmkw ap«nímsX.... " Rm³ Ahtf s\©¯p \n¶pw XÅn I«nenteípcp«nbn«p. F¶n«p Rm³ Xncnªp InS¶p. AhÄ FXnÀhit¯ípw. H¶pc−p an\n«pIÄ IS¶pt]mbn. At¸mtgípw HXp§nb iЯn G§eSn tI«p. Rm³ A\§nbnÃ. ho−pw H¶p c−p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ Ic¨n \n¶p. AhÄ Fsâ t\sc XncnªpInS¶v Fsâ apXpIn \áamb B NqSp amdnS§Ä ap«n¨v tNÀ¶p InS¶p. _\nb\n«ncps¶¦nepw AXn\pw apIfn IqSn I«n]nSn¨ B IqÀ¯ apesR«pIÄ apXpIn sIm−t¸mÄ Fsâ taemkIew Ipfncp tImcn. Rm³ Adnª `mhw \Sn¨nÃ. Cu kuμcy¸nW¡w Hcp ckw. " Rm³ tXmÁp... k½Xn¨p..." KZvKZ¯n CSdnb kzcw. Rm³ an−nbnà A\§nbnÃ. " tZ... aWntb«m... Ct§m«p Xncntª... " Rm³ ho−pw A\§nbnÃ. C¯hW AhÄ Fgpt¶Áncp¶v Fsâ Npaen ]nSn¨v Ft¶ _eambn InS¯m³ t\m¡n. Aåw _ew ]nSn¨n«v Rm³ AhÄ¡p hg§ns¡mSp¯p. Ft¶ AhÄ t\tc InS¯n. Rm³ X«nteíp t\m¡n InS¶p. " tZs−... It−m... k½Xn¨p... Rm³ kpÃv.... " Rm³ t\m¡nbnÃ. " tZ...It−mfm³..." F¶n«pw Rm³ t\m¡nbnÃ. DSt\ AhÄ »uknsâ lp¡p apgph³ FSp¡p¶Xpw {_mbpsS I¸pIÄ apeIÄ¡p tate tIÁn XmSnsIm−ndp¡n¸nSníp¶Xpw I¬tImWpIfn IqSn Rm³ I−p. " tZ... Cãw t]mse It−mfm³.... " " F\ní§s\ BctSw Hmimcw th−...." Rm\pw ]nW¡ kzc¯n ]dªp. " Hmimtcm¶phÃtÃm.. aWntb«sâbtÃ.... C¶m.... t\ms¡t¶... Rms\´p ]dªn«m Ft¶mSn§s\ s]W§pt¶... F¸gpw Cu aWntb«\n§\m... Ft¶ Icbn¸ním\m t\m¡pt¶... " AhÄ hn§ns¸m«n. Fsâ tZlt¯íp Nmªp. AhÄ Icbm\pÅ `mhamsW¶dnªt¸mÄ Rm³ AhfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. sImSpwIbv Ip¯n¡nS¶ Ahtf Fsâ amdnteíp Nmbn¨n«p. B \áamdpIsfsâ amdn InS¶p sRcp§n. ]t£ At¸mtgípw AhÄ¡p Ic¨n s]m«nt¸mbncp¶p. Fsâ s\Ánbn s\Án ap«n¨hÄ Icªp. " F´n\m tamfn¸w Icbpt¶... ?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " ]n¶ÃmsX... H¶p Xncnªp t\m¡ptIw IqsS sN¿ptIte.... ]ns¶ Rms\¶m sN¿m\m.... thtd s]®p§ÄsS ASp¯p t]mIpshs¶ms¡ ]dªm... Rm³ N¯p Itfw...Mmmm... " AhÄ ho−pw Icªp. sÈSm, ChÄ¡nsX´p ]Án. Ft¶msS¶pw hg¡nSmdpÅ Chfn§s\ amdntbm. F\nípw hnjaw tXm¶n. " \nsâ ip−n H¶p ImWm\tÃ... Rm³ Np½m..." " Hm.. Np½m... F\nín¸w... aWntb«³ s]W§nbm sXmÅnt]mepw klníptIe...." " CÃ... Rm³ s]W§p¶nÃ... C\n s]W§¯panÃ.. t]mtc... " Rm³ AhfpsS apJw ]nSn¨p Xmgv¯n. B angnIfn Dudnb I®p\oÀ¯pÅnIÄ Npw_\§Ä sIms−m¸nsbSp¯p. Np−pIÄ Np−pIfn tImÀ¯v Ipd¨p t\cw InS¶p. AhÄ aq¡p NoÁn kmcnbn Xq¯p. ]ns¶ Fsâ amdnteíp ]Án¡nS¶p. " Hd§ntbm..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " _vipw..." " F¶m ImWnímsa¶p ]dªXv ImWnt¨..." AhÄ A\§nbnÃ. ]Icw Ft¶ Cdp¡n sI«n¸nSn¨p. amdpIÄ Fsâ s\©neaÀ¯n Rm³ Ahtf amÁm³ t\m¡n. AhÄ _ew ]nSn¨p. B a¸nSp¯w Hcp Ifnbmbn adn. AhfpsS I£¯n Rm³ C¡nfnbn«p. C¡nfn sIm−p ]pfsª¦nepw AhÄ hn«pamdnbnÃ. Rm³ AhfpsS hmcnsbÃpIfn C¡nfnbn«p. ]pfªp s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−hÄ Fgpt¶Áp apJw Ip\n¨ncp¶p.

IfnínSbn DuÀ¶p amdt¯íp hoW {_m¡¸pIÄ Rm³ ho−pw DbÀ¯n AhfpsS XmSníSnbn XncpIns¡mSp¯p. At¸mÄ B amdt¯ amXftKmf§Ä sNdnb HÁ¡®pIÄ sIms−s¶ t\m¡n¨ncn¨p. Rm³ Hcp IbvsIm−v Hcp apebn sasà XgpIn. AhÄ B hiw apt¶m«p XÅn Fsâ I¿nteíp ape IqSpX XÅn¯¶p. " tZ Rm³ ]dªXv sicnbmWtÃm... ape¡p¸osS sR«p c−pw IpªmWtÃm... F¶mepw \à sNma¸v... " " Mqw..." " tZ... Hcp adpIpw H−v...." " Mqw..." " Ip«n¸¸Sw c−pw Idp¯ncníp¶p...." " Mqw...." s]s«¶hÄ Fsâ amdnteíp ho−pw hogms\mcp§n. AXn\p k½XnímsX AhfpsS Xhn«p\nd¯nepÅ B Ip«n¸¸S¯n Rm³ hncÂsIm−p hr¯w hc¨p. c−p hr¯w hc¨t¸mtgípw Ip«n¸¸S§Ä F®bnen«p s]mcn¨Xp t]mse Ipanf¨p. B IpanfIfn It¿mSn¨t¸mÄ I®p]q«ns¡m−hÄ ZoÀLizmksaSp¯p. Rm\m Nph¶ sNdnb apesR«pIfn sasà XtemSnbt¸mÄ tZlw Ipfncp¶Xp t]mse Ahsfm¶p hnd¨p. B kpμctKmf§tf amdn amdn XgpInbt¸mÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v AhÄ apeIfn AaÀ¯n. H¸w Hcp \o− Rc¡w AhfpsS I¬T¯n \n¶pbÀ¶p. " Mqw... F´m \o ImWníntW....?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " C¨ncqtS Aa¡ntí..." ]q¨¡pªp IpdpIp¶ t]mse Ahfmhiys¸«p. " kptJm−ntÃ...?... " Fsâ tNmZyw tI«hÄ I®pXpd¶p. " Mqw... FtâXp sImÅmthm...?... Cãs¸t«m...?.." tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsSsbmcp IÅt\m«w. " sImÅmw... Fs´mcp an\pkw....Cu km[\t¯Â BZym sXmSpt¶..." " F¦n... H¶p sR¡nt\m¡ntí... atbmt−m I«nbmtWm¶p ]d... Rm\nt{Xw Imew s]mSn sImÅnímsX kq£n¨p sh¨Xm...." " MqMpw....sR¡p¶nÃ... sR¡nbm CXnsâ tj¸p t]mbmtem... CXn§s\ shÃphnfn¨p \níWw... F¶pw.... \o sIfhnbmIp¼gpw..." AhfXp tI«p IpWp§n¨ncn¨p. " hm... Ct§m«p sIm−p hm... ]msemt−m¶p t\m¡s«..." AhfpsS Npaen ]nSn¨v Rm\m ape¡pS§Ä Fsâ Npt−mSSp¸n¨p. AhÄ Nmªp X¶p. B CfwsR«pIÄ Hmtcm¶mbn Rm³ sasà hen¨p IpSn¨p. Hcp ZoÀL\nizmkt¯mtS AhÄ Fsâ apJw B amdnteíaÀ¯n. Fsâ apSnbn XgpIn. Hcp an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " tam\p ]mep In«ntbm...?..." " AXn\p ]ip sNmc¯msXsb§\m...?.." " Np½m sNmc¯¯nÃ... {]khníWw... F¶n«v InSmhp aq¡p sIm−nSníWw...." " F¶m H¶nSn¨p t\m¡s«...." Rm³ aq¡p sIm−v c−p apeIfnepw amdn amdn CSn¨p. C¡nfnsIm−hÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " Fsâ a−³InSmth.... ]ip s]Án«nÃ... shdptX CSn¨p aq¡p Ifb−...." AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p amÁn. " F¶m AXns\mÅ ]Wn t\m¡mw...?.." " C¸w th−... cm{Xn aXn...." " C¸w ]ns¶¶m sN¿m\m... Hd§mt\m..?.." " Mqlpw... hÀ¯m\w ]dbmw... Im¸n shím³ HSt\ Xmsg t]mWw...." " AXn\p \nt¶bn¸w hn«n«p tht−... " Rm³ Ahtf Fsâ AcnInteív sasà aeÀ¯n¡nS¯n. Nnc«b¸w Np«p sh¨amXncn B sh¬apeIÄ \\ªp XpSp¯ sR«pIfpambn sXdn¨pbÀ¶p \n¶p. Rm\hfpsS apJt¯ípÁp t\m¡n. kz´w IbvIÄsIm−v apeIfn XgpIns¡m−v AhfXp c−pw apIfnteíp s]m¡n¸nSns¨m¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJt¯ípw t\m¡n. " Xs¶¯m³ ]nSním³ t]mIphmtWm... Fsâ A\phmZanÃmsX AtXse§\pw sXm«m... " Rm\hfpsS IbvIÄ ]nSn¨p amÁn.

" AhtSw ChtSsams¡ Xcníp¶ t]mse... aWntb«³ A½nª IpSn¨¸w sXmS§nbXm..." " F¦n... Xcn¸p XoÀ¡t«...?.." " C¸w th−... Bsc¦nepw hcpw..." " At¿mSo.. tZ t\m¡ntí... s\\¡pw aoisbm−v..." Rm\hfpsS ta¨p−n hnctemSn¨p XgpIn. " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... F\níp aoisbm¶panÃ..." " H−v.... Rm³ kz]v\¯n I−XmWtÃm..." " At¿... A¸w `qXw t]msebmcpt¶m Rm³... sIm¼³ aotiw sh¨v..." ]dªn«hÄ Nncn¨t¸mÄ IqsS B apeIfpw Ipep§n¨ncn¨p. " At¶cw s\\¡v aoi samJ¯Ãmcp¶p...." " ]ns¶...?.." " ChnSmcp¶p..." Rm³ AhfptS IhínS sXm«pImWn¨p. " Èo... At¿... F\níhsS aoisbm¶pw CÃ..." AhÄ apJw tIm«n. " F¶m ]ns¶sb§m\pw \o hSn¨p Ifªmcnípw..." Rm³ AhnsSsbm¶p XShn. Ahft¸mÄ C¡nfnt]mse Acs¡s«m¶nf¡n. Rm³ XpWnIq«n AhnsSsbm¶p \pÅn¸nSn¨p. Fsâ I¿n H¶p c−p sNdnb tcma§Ä In«n. " At¿m t\mIp¶p... ]nSn¨p henímsX..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁn. " ]ns¶ aoi Csöp \o ]dªtXm...?..." " Np½m ]dªXtÃ....... hfÀ¶p Ignªm.... FÃm s]®p§¡pw AhsS apSn ImWpw... FÃmÀ¡pw AXdnbmw... slm... Hcp ]pXnb I−p]nSp¯w... henímsX... thtW ]Xps¡ sXm«p t\m¡ntím... " " AXÃ... \nsâ apSn At¶cw Hcp {]tXyI coXoemcp¶p... Cu Hgp¡¯p Rmdp sIS¡p¶t]mse.... HscSt¯m«p Xt¶ ....B tXm«ntem«p Nmªv... \à sse\mbn«v..." " tXm«ntemt«m... a\ÊnembnÃ..." " Hm..... a\ÊnembnÃ.. FSo \nsâ ChnsSsbmcp sNdnb tXmSntÃ... AXntem«v...." Rm³ ho−pw B IhbnSp¡n hncep shs¨m¶p Ip¯n. " At¿... Cu aWntb«s\mcp aSoanà sh«nhnfn¨p ]dbm³... Ct{Xw \mWwsI«Xm¶dnªmcpt¶Â IqsS hc¯nÃmcp¶p..." " F¦n CXnepw \mWw sI«ht\ In«ntbt\.... \o CXp ]d....Rm³ ]dªXp sicnbmtWm.... " " kwKXn sicnbm... F¶mepw At{Xw Nmªns«m¶panÃ... " " F¶m \o apSn ]sÁ sh«n¡mWpw..." " ]ns¶... F\níXn\tà t\cw... Cuizc³ X¶sXms¡ Rm³ AXpt]mse Xs¶ kq£n¨p sh¨ns«m−v... Fsâ `À¯mhn\p thtWm¦n hfÀ¯mw... AtÃÂ... " AhÄ \mWn¨p apJw Xncn¨p. CSínSív Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfn arZphmbn XShns¡m−ncp¶p. kwkmc¯n\nSív AhfpsS kzcw AX\pkcn¨p Nnet¸mÄ XcfnXamIpw. AhÄ s\s©m¶p Npcp¡pw. At¸mÄ Rm³ IbvIÄ ]n³henípw. Aåw Ignbpt¼mÄ AhÄ Xt¶ Fsâ Hcp Is¿Sp¯v Hcp apebpsS apIfn shípw. AsXmcp ckapÅ ]Wnbmbncp¶p. B hnImcaWnap¯pIfn aÀ±\w G¸nímXncním³ Rm³ {i²n¨ncp¶p. XgpIepIÄ am{Xw. " AtÃÂ..." " AtÃÂ.... ths−¦n.... Xs¶¯m³ sh«n¡ftªm... Rm³ sXmS¯nÃ..." " Ct§m«p t\m¡n kXyw ]d tamtf... \o CtX htc... B apSn sh«o«ntÃ..." " kXymbn«pw CÃ... Np½m A\mhiymbn«v AhsS sXmSp¶Xp t]mepw F\nínãanÃmcp¶p.... t]mcmªn«v t]Sow..." " AsX´n\m...?..." " hfsc tememb kvYetà R§sS AhtSms¡... htÃmw ]Ánbm..." " F¶p ]dªmÂ...?..." " sh«ptIsams¡ sN¿p¼w hsÃtSmw apdnªmtem...... C¶mfp Ietamfv B kmhn{XosS I¿o¶v Hcp tjhp sN¿p¶ km[\w sIm−p h¶mcp¶p. Rm\Xp taSn¨p sh¨p... ]nt¶w th−m¶p sh¨p... At¿m..... AXp Xncn¨p sImSp¯nÃ..." " AXp sImSp¡mw... F§s\ apdnbq¶m \o ]tdt¶...?..."

" AXn¸w.... \½fo I¯ow IqSpsams¡ Hcp ]cnNtbmanÃmsX AhsSsbms¡ {]tbmKn¨mte..... F´n\m shdptX GSmIqSw hen¨p tIÁpt¶..." " \o ]s−§m\pw htÃmw GSmIqtSmw.... hen¨p sh¨ns«mt−mSo... s]m«qtk....?.....?.." AhÄ an−nbnÃ. ]Icw Hcp IŨncn Nncn¨p. " \nsâ Nncn ImWp¼w Adnbmw \o Ft´m H¸n¨p t]Sn¨ncníphm¶v.. ]d... tI¡s«... Ft¶mStÃ... " Rm\hfpsS Np−n Hcp½ AUzm³kmbn sImSp¯p. " AtX... C¶mtf.....R§sS C³ÌnÁyq«n F\nsímcp Iq«pImcntb In«nbmcp¶p FS¡me¯v... Hcp sImÃwImcn.... ASp¯p Ignª¸gm... a\Ênemtb... N«¡mcnbmcp¶p... kIe hjf¯tcmw I¿nsem−mcp¶p.... sImtd sZhkw Ahfp ]dª¸w F\nípw sImXn tXm¶n.... Rms\m¶p {ian¨p t\m¡n.... " AhÄ hncepIÄ Ii¡ns¡m−p ]dªp XpS§n. IY tIÄ¡m\mbn Rm\pw AhfpsS AcnInteíp Nmªp InS¶p. H«n¡nS¶ hbdn Fsâ Ibv sh¨p. " F´p {iamcp¶p...?.." " AtX... Cu... s]®p§¡p Xs¶¯m³.... kpJním\mbn«v... F¶ns«m−tÃm...... Hcp sZhkw ¢mÊo¶p h¶v Ipfním³ tIdnb¸w Rms\m¶p {ian¨p.... " " F´p sNbvXp \o... shcent«m.... AtXm...?.." " AÃ....]qsamt«ev..." " Hm... It´Â Xncp½n... F¶ns«¶n«v...?... tI¡m³ \à ctkm−v..." Rm³ t{]mÂkmln¸n¨p. " Mm... Ahfpw AXpXs¶bm... B km[\¯n\p ]dªXv... I´v....AtX sXm«m \½fp sR«nt¸mIq¶m Ahfp ]dªXv..." " Dthzm...?... F¦n F\nítXsem¶p sXm«p t\m¡Ww... F\nínsXms¡ ]pXpabmtW...." ]Xps¡ kmcn¡p¯n\nSbnteíp I¿n«p XShn. B Ifn¯«nte tcma§Ä Fsâ hncepIfn XSªp. " C¸w sXmS−... IgpIos«ms¡ aXn....CtàIs¿ms¡ aW¡pw....." " F¶m th−... \o sXm« IY ]dªm aXn...." ths−¶p ]dsª¦nepw Rm³ B tcma¸mfnIfn sasà hnctemSn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Nne `mK§fn Ibv sNÃpt¼mÄ AhÄ C¡nfnsIm−v AdnbmsX H¶p Npcp§pw. " sImd¨p ckmbn h¶mcp¶p.... BsI Hcp sNmdn¨nepw Xcn¸pw Hs¡ sXmS§nb¸w... Fs´ms¡ sNbvXq¶dnb¯nÃ.... B hr¯nsI«S¯v shcen«fns¨¶m tXm¶tW.... At¿... HmÀ¡p¼w F\nín¸gpw sXmen s]mfnbpIm..." " \nsâsbmcp apSnª sXmen... A§p s]mfnbs«... kwKXn kpJnt¨m... AXp ]d..?.." AhÄ H¶p IpWp§n¨ncn¨p. AhfpsS kzbwt`mK IY tI«t¸mÄ CSípd§m³ t]mb Kpem³ DWÀ¶p Xe s]m¡n. Rm\ht\ AhfpsS XpSbnteíp ap«n¨p sh¨p. AXp I− AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... Fsâ IY tI«¸w G«\pw FfIn AtÃ..." " F§s\ FfImXncnípw... Fsâ ]p¶mcs¸®nsâ shcenSoensâ IYbtÃ... F¶n«v...?.." " kpJnt¨m¶p tNmZn¨m... G«t\mSmbXp sIm−v sXmd¶p ]tdIm... sImÅmcp¶p tIt«m... sImg¸w AXÃmcp¶p... cm{Xn sIS¡mt¶cw H¶p IgpInb¸w \oÁev... Ietamfp Iq«¯ns¡S¶Xp sIm−v At¶cw Rms\m¶pw sN¿m³ t]mbnÃ.... ]ntÁ Znhkw I®mSnsbSp¯p sh¨p sXmd¶pt\m¡n... At¶catà I−Xv... FSsímcp sNdnb t]mdev.... l... XpWnsítS¶v Is¿Sv.. AsXms¡ ]ns¶ cm{Xo aXn..." AhÄ kmcníSnbn \n¶pw Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨p ]pds¯Sp¯v AXnsem¶p aW¯p. apJw Npfn¨n«v kmcn¯ps¼Sp¯v Fsâ IbvIÄ XpS¨p. ]ns¶ hbdn sh¨p. " FhnSmcp¶p.... samt«emcpt¶m....?.." Rm³ hfsc Imcyambn tNmZn¨p. F¶ns«mcp apesR«n sasà H¶p Xncp½n. " Mqlpw... iviviviv... sRt«Â Xncp½p¼w GXm−p t]mse hcps¶m−v... ]Xps¡ aXn........ Mm... F¶ns«m−tÃm... AXnsâ AcnInev FSímbn«v.... AX§p sNma¶p sIS¡pImcp¶p.... Ftâ«m... F¸gpw H«n¸nSn¨ncníp¶ kvYetà AXpw... " " AtXt¶... s]®p§tS AXnsâ DsÅms¡ F¸gpw \\ªncníq¶m ]tdt¶... Mm... ]ns¶ Fsâ tamsf´p sNbvXp...?..." " F¶m sN¿m\m... Icnbp¶Xp htc sIm−p\S¶p.... In«ntbSt¯mfw \oÁep kln¨p... BtcmsS¦nepw ]dbmthm... "

" F´p ]ÁnbXm... ISn aq¯¸w \o hà I¼pw Ip¯nt¡Ántbm...?.." " l... F´p hÀ¯m\m Cu ]tdt¶... Rms\¶m A{Xív FfIn \S¡phmcpt¶m G«sâ Iq«v.... Rm\¶n¨nsc \Jw hfÀ¯phmcp¶p.... Fs¸mtgm AXp sIm−pImWpw.... tlm... A§s\mcp ]Wn... AX¶t¯msS \nÀ¯n... AXm Rm³ ]dªXv B `mtKms¡ tememsW¶v..." " ]mhw... H¯ncn \odn.... CtÃ..." Rms\mcp½ sImSp¯p. B ]p¡nfnsems¡ H¶p XShn. apeIfpsS apIfn Fsâ Ibv sIm−p s]m¯n t\m¡n. Fsâ Hcp I¿n HXp§pIbnÃ. " Np½m C¡nfn Iq«msX..." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨IÁm³ t\m¡n. At¸mÄ Rm³ ho−pw AhfpsS kmcn¡p¯n\cnIn IqSn It¿mSn¨p. AhÄ AdnbmsX A\§nb\§n InS¶p. " tamtf... B apdnhn¸gpsamt−m... AtXm.. t]mbmcpt¶m..?.." " AXt¶ t]mbtÃm.. ]ns¶m«p Rm³ sNbvXpanÃ..." " F¶mepw \as¡m¶p t\m¡mw.. AXp t]mtbm¶v..." Ahsfsâ I®nteíp angn¨p t\m¡n. " C¸tfm..." " ]n¶ÃmsX... A§s\ htÃmsamt− ]I sh«¯nemtW \¶mbn«p ImWm³ ]Ápw.... hà ]mSpw Ht−m¶dnbmw..... " " At¿m th−... AhsSm¶panÃ.. C¸w FÃmw t]mbn... sshIn«ms«.... FÃmw ImWn¨p Xcmw...." " C¸w F\níXp ImWms\mcp ]qXn....\obtà ]dªXv Rm³ HtS¡mcm\msW¶v..." " F¶mepw... Cu ]Iev..." AhÄ apJw Npfn¨p. " Fsâ s]m¶`n¡p«nbtÃ.... G«sâ ]qXn \obÃmsX Bcm km[n¨p Xcpt¶... Cu km[\w F§s\bncnípsh¶p t\cn Rms\m¶p It−ms«...." " A¸w CXn\p ap¼v I−n«ntÃ....?..." " Hcp {]mhiyw I−ns«m−v... C¨nsc tcmaw Infp¯p sXmS§nb Hcp km[\w... hniZambn«p ImWm³ ]ÁoÃ..." AhfpsS apJ`mhw amdp¶Xv Rm³ {i²n¨p. " tttM.... F¶n«v... thsd Fs´ms¡ I−p... ?.." " ]mÀ«n C¨nsc Imep Ih¨mcp¶p \n¶Xv... tXmSn\p \à \ofw.... ASnhbdp samX Ihs¡S htc.... AXnsâ tamfne§s\ Dan¡cn shXdnb t]mse C¨ncnt¨ \oe s\d¯n Infp¡m³ sXmS§nb tcmaw.... F¶mepw \à an\pkamcp¶p. apIfp`mKw Cu ssaXm\antà AXp sImtdtÈ Ip¶ps¼mdw t]mse XSním³ sXmS§nbmcp¶p.... ]ns¶ FSíq¶v Hcp ]qsam«nsâ AÁamtWm... AtXm thtd FeIfmcpt¶m... Gbv... B s]®nsâ A¶t¯ ]cphw sh¨v.....Fe hepXmbn¡mW¯nÃ... " AhÄ Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. F¶n«v Fsâ t\tc IbvNq−n Hcp tNmZyw. " kXyw ]dbWw.... GXhÄsSbm Ftew sXmeow I−Xv... Ahtf C¶p Rm³ Rm³ XpWnbpcn¨v hgo¡qsS \S¯nípw... Hmtcm Ahfpamcv ImWn¨psImSp¡m\pw.... AXp ImWm³ ChnsSmcmfpw...." " tM... \osb´n\m tZjys¸Spt¶... \o shcen« IY tI«n«v Rm³ an−oÃtÃm..." Rm³ apeIfnsem¶p ]nSn¨p sR¡n. AhÄ s\©p Npcp¡n. " AXp Xs¶¯m\tÃ.... l....AtXs¶m¶p hnt«.... sImtd t\cmbn.... C\nb§s\ sR¡n kpJní−.....AXp amXncnbmtWm hà s]®p§fpw...Bcm Ahfv...?.. ]dtª..." " Bfnt\ \obdnbpw.. Hcp Ie¡³ Nc¡m...." " A¸w.... AXmcm..." Ahsfm¶mtemNn¨p. " Rm\mfnt\ Nq−n¡mWn¨pXcmw... XpWnbpcn¨p \nÀ¯pthm... ?..." " Mqw.. Rms\m¶p {ian¨pt\m¡pw..." " hm¡mtWm... th− tamtf.. AsXmcp ]mhw s]®m... hnt«cv... Pohn¨p t]ms«..." " F¶mepw ]d..." Rm³ AhfptS t\tc t\m¡n H¶p Nncn¨p. AhÄ Kuchw ]q−p. Nncn¨nÃ. Rm³ AhfpsS s\©n\p t\tc Ibv Nq−n¸nSn¨p. " B s]®m Cu s]®v... Chtf XpWnbpcn¨p \nÀ¯mthm...?.." " tM...Rmt\m... F¸w ImWns¨¶m ]tdt¶....?..." " A¶m Cep¼n¸pfotb¶p NmSnb¸w.... HmÀ½sbmt−m... ?..." " At¿.... AXn¸gpw HmÀt¯m−ncníphmcpt¶m... Rm\Xp ad¶pt]mbmcp¶p...."

" F¦n Rm\Xp ad¶n«nÃ... BZyambn«v Cu sIm¨ps]®nsâ Bene]qdp Rm\¶p I−Xm... ]n©p ]pfn t]mse.... AXp N¯mepw ad¡¯panÃ... " Rm\hfpsS s\Ánbn Fsâ Np−p ap«n¨p. ]ns¶ Xpd¶p InS¶ \ndamdpIfn sasà Npt−mSn¨p. " ad¶qs¶m¶pw ]dªm ]ÁnÃ... XpWnbpcn¨p \nÀ¯Ww... hm¡p ]dªXm..." " ]Á¯nÃ... {ianímt¶ ]dsªmÅp... aWntb«m......" " AsX\nídnb−.... hm¡p ]dªm hm¡mcníWw..." Rm\htf ]nSn¨v I«nenteíp aeÀ¯n¡nS¯n. AhfpsS kmcn¡p¯n Ibvsh¨p. " th− G«m... th−... ]Iem... " " F¶m Ft¶ H¶p ImWnív.. sImXnbmbn«m... A¶t¯Xnepw F´p hyXymkw hs¶¶dnbm\m...." " Hm... hyXymkw H¶pw h¶n«nÃ... AXn\p I¿pw Imepw shípthm..." " I¿pw Imepw sh¨ntÃepw... \o kpμcnbmbn amdnb t]mse AXpw C¸w \à kpμcnbmbn¡mWWw.... \à XpSp¯v aoisbms¡ hfÀ¶v...." " H¶pw sN¿ptIse¶v kXyw sNbvXm.... ImWnímw... kXyw sN¿v..." Rm\hfpsS I¿neSn¨p kXyw sNbvXp. " \o ]dbmsX IbvsIm−p t]mepw sXmS¯nÃ.... \obmtW kXyw " " IÅ kXyw sNbvXm Xe s]m«nt¸mIpw.. ]dtª¡mw...." AhÄ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p. " C¸w AXp I−ntÃepw Ftâw Fsâ sNdp¡tâw Xe s]m«pw.. A{Xíp aq¯p \níphm..." " F¶m... A{X sImXnbmtW.. H¶p It−m...." AhÄ ap«phtc kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw DbÀ¯n. Rm³ AhfpsS Im¡teíp amdn. AhfpsS ap«pIÄ aS¡n s]m¡n sh¨p. ]ns¶ kmcn kmh[m\w Xmgv¯n. B XpSIfpsS Xnf¡w sIm−mImw XpWníSnbn Áyq_nsâ shfn¨w t]mse. " At¿m... \o \n¡dn«n«ntÃ...." HÁ t\m«¯n Fsâ AhfpsS ]qS¸qsdsâ I®n s]«t¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p t]mbn. " Hm.. AXn¶p shfp¸n\qcntb¨tà Rm³ G«sâ IqsS h¶p sIS¶Xv... ]ns¶ C«nÃ... C¨nsc ImÁp sIdt«¶p sh¨p...." AhÄ XpSIÄ Iq«n¸nSn¨p. " AsX´n\m At¶cw DucnbXv... Cu sIm¨`ncmaníp XWp¡pthte...?.." " Ft¶mSp tZjyw ]nSn¨p sIS¡p¼w... Rms\Ãmw IqsS hen¨p tIÁn h¶mev tZjyw IqSptam¶p t]Sn¨n«m..." " F´pt±i¯nem \o AXqcnbXv...?.. Hd¡¯n hà Fen¡pªpw AI¯p tIdnt¸mbm... \osb´p sN¿pw...." Rm³ AhfpsS Iq«n¸nSn¨ ap«pIfn Fsâ XmSn sh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " a\Ênà ]dbm³..." AhÄ {_m hen¨v apeIÄ aqSnbn«p. " th−.... ]db−... " Rm³ B shůpSIÄ AI¯n. kmcn AcbnteíqÀ¶p hoWp Ignªncp¶p. kmh[m\w B shůpSIÄ A\mhrXambn. H¸w AhfpsS Ccp− IhbnSp¡pw. sNdnb Hcp tX\o¨¡qSv. AXn ZrãnIfq¶ns¡m−p Xs¶ Rm³ kmcn s]m¡n AhfpsS hbdn sh¨p. ImepIÄ hnXnÀ¯n. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ IbvIÄ sIm−v apJw s]m¯n InS¡p¶p. B XpSbnSp¡nteív Fsâ apJsam¶p Xmgv¯nbt¸mÄ B IhbnSp¡n \n¶pw ASªpsI«nb ]qdnSp¡nsâ iànbmb KÔw han¨p. aq¡nteínSn¨p tIdp¶ \nÀhNním\mhm¯ elcnbpÅ KÔw. AhfpsS ]qdnSp¡n tIdnbncp¶ XpWn¡jW¯n \n¶pw A¶v Rm\mZyw {LmWn¨dnª KÔw. Ft¶ sam¯w tImcn¯cn¨p. AXnsâ Xo£WX Rc¼pIfn IqSn GÁphm§nb Ip® s]mSp¶s\ I¼nbmbn. " F´p \à sXmSIfm... Fsâ kpμcn¡p«osS... Xn¶m³ tXm¶pIm.... Rms\mcp½ sht¨mt«..?.." B KÔw Xet¨mdp \ndsb hen¨p tIÁn B ]qdnsâ Ccpfnabnteíp I®p \«psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " aWntb«m... kXyw sNbvXXmtW..." AhÄ apJw s]m¯ns¡m−p Xt¶ ]dªp. " Hcp½... sXmtS aXn...." " AXpsIm−p \nÀ¯ntb¡Ww... _m¡nsbms¡ cm{Xo aXn...." " aXn...aXn...."

Rm³ ap«p apX Xmtgív B sh®¯pSIfpsS AIhi¯v ap¯an«p XpS§n. AhÄ Xcn¸psIm−v XpSIÄ AI¯pIbpw ASp¸nípIbpw sNbvXp. " aXn... G«m...aXnsbt¶..." AhfpsS kzc¯n Hcp sIm©Â. kpJw XpS§p¶Xnsâ em©\. Ih¡qSnt\mSSp¡pt´mdpw Fsâ D½bpsS iànbpw AhfpsS ]qdnsâ KÔ¯nsâ Bghpw IqSn Fsâ Xeíp a¯p ]nSn¨p. ]qSIÄ¡nSbneqsS hc¨p IodnbXp t]mse Dcp− AcnIpItfmSp IqSnb B tbm\oXSw H«n¸nSn¨p \n¶p. shfnbnsem¶pw ImWm\nÃ. AhfpsS ap«pIfn ]nSn¨v Rm\¸w IqSn AI¯n. " At¿m... s]mfnímsX.... Ih Iodnt¸mIpw..." AhfpsS aÀ½ckzcw. Fsâ ]Wn s]®n\nãs¸Sp¶p F¶p a\Ênembn. ]ns¶ Rm³ aSn¨nÃ. B ]qdnsâ apIfntesísâ Np−aÀ¯n. " lt¿... Ft´m¶m G«m CXv... AhsS sXmSmsX... hr¯ntISp ImWnítà G«m... apÅo«v icnsím¶p IgpInbXp t]mepaÃ....tÈym... " Rm\Xp tI« `mhw \Sn¨nÃ. AhÄ XpSIÄ Cdp¡n¸nSním³ t\m¡n Rm³ B hnShn Xpd¡msXXt¶ XmsgapX apIÄhtc H¶p \¡n. C¡nfnsIm−hÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. tcma§Ä Fsâ aoibnepS¡n. sasà Nncn amdn, cXnkpJ¯nsâ På\§fmbn. " aXnbmbntÃ... At¿m th−mt¶...Fsâ s]mt¶..... AhsS th−t¶... aW¡pw.... amsdt¶... hnsSt¶...At¿m.... Cu G«³....." IpdpInb iÐw. AhÄ ]dbp¶ps−¦nepw hm¡pIÄs¡m¶n\pw ZrVXbnÃ. Hcp Rc¡w t]mse. ASp¯Xmbn Rm\hfpsS CS¸d¼n c−phi¯pw H¶p \¡n. XpSIÄ¡pw tbm\nípw CSípÅ B Xhn«p\nd¯n aS§nbncp¶ kvYew. AhfpsS C¡nfnbpsS tI{μ kvYm\w. At¸mÄ H«nbncp¶ B ]qÀ¸mfnIÄ AdnbmsX H¶p henªp. tImgnap« s]m«nbXp t]mse AXn\pÅn \n¶pw sImgp¯ \\shmen¨p XpS§n. Rm\m \\hn \m¡ns«m¶p \¡n. AhfpsS I¶nt¯\n\p \à D¸v. ]qdnsâ kzm`mhnI aW¯ns\m¸w aq{X¯nsâ sNdnb hmk\ IqSn D−v. Rm\Xp Imcyam¡nbnÃ. \à _e¯n H«nt¨À¶ncp¶ B tbm\n¨men Rm³ sasà Fsâ IqÀ¯ \m¡nd¡n apIfnteíp \¡m³ XpS§n. \¡pt´mdpw AXn \n¶pw tX\pdh Ip¯nsbmením³ XpS§n. Xmgv`mK¯p \n¶pw hoXn Ipdª AhfpsS AIt¯ kzXthXt¶ XSn¨p Nph¶ ]qdneIÄ hoÀ¯pbcm³ XpS§n. A[nIw IbvImcyw sN¿m¯Xp sIm−mImw B ]qdneIÄ¡v Cfw Nph¸mbncp¶p. I´n Ct¸mÄ sXmS− F¶p sh¨p. Fsâ a\Ên Hcpt±ita D−mbncp¶pÅp. Ftf½bpsS ]qdn cmcn¨³ \¡n¯pSíp¶Xp I− AhfptS a\Ên Ibdn¡qSnb B [mcW, AXp No¯ ]WnbmsW¶pÅ [mcW, kz´w Acs¡«n Hfn¨ncníp¶ Cu \n[nIpw`w hr¯nsI«XmsW¶pÅ AhfpsS [mcW amÁnsbSp¡Ww. AXn\htf Cu ]Wnbn IqSn hnImc ]chibm¡Ww. F¦nte ]ckv]cw FÃm ad¶p Acs¡«pIfn IpSnsImÅp¶ cXnkpJw ]qÀ®ambn A\p`hním³ ]ÁpIbpÅp. AhfpsS ]qdnsâ ]pdwNp−pIÄ AI¶p Ignªp. Fsâ \¡epw IqSn Bbt¸mÄ AhnSw apgph\pw \\ªp Xnf§m³ XpS§n. Nm¼§mbpsS Xp−pIÄ IqSn¡nS¡p¶Xp t]mse XSn¨pNpcp−p InS¶ AhfpsS I\ymNÀ½¯n Rms\sâ \mhpsIm−p Ip¯n. AXn\pÅn \mhnd¡m³ t\m¡nbn«p km[n¨nÃ. ]¶n sNfnbn aq¡n«pcíp¶Xp t]mse B tbm\n¡pgnbn Rm³ Fsâ apJan«pc¨p. AhfpsS aq{X¯pfbn s]m§n \n¶ Hcp Ipªp km[\w Rm³ Np−pIÄ sIm−p hens¨Sp¯p. AhnsS \m¡n«p Ip¯n \¡n. " lq..." F¶mt{Imin¨psIm−hÄ tatem«p s]m§n. AhfpsS IbvIÄ apeIfn XShp¶p. I®S¨psIm−v AhÄ Fs´ms¡tbm ]dbp¶p. Xebn«pcp«p¶p. AhfpsS aZ\s]mbvIbn CfIns¸m§nb aZ\¨p−pIÄ Rm³ hmbnseSp¯p N¸n hen¨p. kmhn{XnbpsS ]qÀ¨p−pIÄ t]mse hepXà ChfptSXv. CXp c−pw B hnShn ]Án¡nS¡p¶p. C\n hen¨p \ot«−sXsâ tPmenbmWtÃm. AhfpsS Ad¸p XoÀ¡Ww F¶ Dt±it¯mSp IqSn¯t¶. Rm³ apJw Xmgv¯n. IbvsIm−p Ip−nsam´IÄ AI¯nbn«v H«p¶ B IqXns¸m«n AaÀ¯n H¶p \¡n. ho−pw " lq " F¶ AhfpsS iÐt¯msSm¸w B IqXns¸m«It¯íp Npcp−p henªp.

" F´msbsâ G«m.. CXv... Ct{Xw hr¯ntISv... F\níp h¿... \mdps¶S¯mtWm \¡pt¶...?..." AhÄ Icbp¶ t]mse ]dªp. Rm³ apJapbÀ¯n. " Hcp hr¯ntISpansÃSo tamtf... Fsâ tamfpsS ChnSw Fsâ skmÀ¤amSo..." ]dªn«v Rm³ B IqXn¯pfbn aq¶p \mep {]mhiyw IqSn \¡n. " At¿m.. C¡nfn... th−m... AhnsS sN¿−... tamfn sNbvtXm... " AhÄ Ahyàambn hnfn¨p ]dªp. " C¸w F§s\ms−So... A`n¡p«o... " H¶p Xe s]m¡n Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " t]mcmmm... C\ow thW¶p tXm¶pImmm... GXmbmepw Xebn«ntÃ... C¨ncqsS sN¿v... Rm³ Ipfn¸n¨p Xcmw... sNs¿sâ G«m..." AhÄ XpSIÄ sIms−sâ IhnfpIfn Cdp¡n. Rm³ Hcp hnc B IqXn¯pfbn _eambn tNÀ¯p sh¨n«v Fsâ Np−pIÄ ho−pw B CfIn¯pSníp¶ tbm\nbnteíp Xmgv¯n. " Mqw... \nsâ ]qdn\p \à cpNn... Mqw... " ]ns¶ ap¶pw ]n¶pw t\m¡msX Rm³ B ]qdmkIew \¡nt¯mÀ¯n. F®¡p¸n adnªXp t]mse AXn \n¶pw AhfpsS NqSptX³ Hen¨p. At¸mtgípw aq{X¯nsâ aWw Ft§m t]mbn adªp. ]Icw NqSmb tbm\nbpsS BhnbpsS KÔw am{Xw. ]pcpjsâ Rc¼pItf {Xkn¸níp¶ tbm\nbnfInb aWw. Rm³ I´nsâ Xmsghtc am{Xw \¡nbpÅp. Fsâ \m¡m `mK¯p sNÃpt¼mÄ AhÄ kpJ¯nsâ ]qÀ®Xíp th−n, Ft¶ I´n \¡ním³ th−n Acs¡«p apt¶m«p XÅns¡m−ncp¶p. " AhsS C¨nsc tamfnÂ... G«m... C¨ncqsS tamfnÂ... B samt«Â... Fsâ s]mt¶«m... AhsSm¶p sXmSv... F\níp h¿... Rm\n¸w NmIpw... tlm... H¶p thKw...." ASp¯ \nanjw AhÄ Fsâ XeapSnbn ]nSn¨v Fsâ apJw AhfpsS ]qdn\p apIfn C«pcím³ t\m¡n. Rm³ _ew ]nSn¨p ]pdtIm«p henªp \n¶p. ]Icw IqXn¯pfbn sasà hnc IS¯m³ {ian¨psIm−ncp¶p. AXn\Xn\v B Xpfs¸m«p _ew ]nSn¨v Npcp§ns¡m−ncp¶p. " At¿m.. iIew IqsS... Fsâ aWn¡p«m... F\níp GXm−p hcp¶p aWn¡p«m...Mvlm...Mvlm... Mvlm... tatem«p hm... tamfnÂ... tamfn sXmtSm... Fsâ s]m¶tÃ... AhS¶p sXmSmt\....Mmmm... Mqwww...Mqwwww... " AhÄ Rc§m³ XpS§n. F\níp hnhcw ]nSnIn«n AhÄ¡nfIm³ XpS§p¶p. C\n \nÀ¯mw Asæn AhÄ¡p kvJe\w Dd¸mbn. Rm³ Xe s]m¡n. " At¿m \nÀ¯msXt¶.... C¨ncqsS... F\níp thWw... sNs¿t¶... Fsâ s]m¶p aWn¡p«\tÃ...." AhÄ BZyamb\p`hním³ XpS§nb ]p¯³ kpJw In«m³ th−n Rc§n tIWp. " tN¨o... tN¨o... tN«m... tN«m..." s]s«¶v IebpsS iÐw. H¸w hmXnen ap«epw. AtXmsS R§fpsS icoc§Ä \nivOeambn. AhÄ¡p kvYeImet_m[w h¶p. " tM.... Bcm... At¿m... Ietamfv... amdntí... sÈym... BsI sImg¸mbn... " AhÄ s]s«¶v kmcn hen¨n«p ]qdpw Acs¡«pw aqSn. " F´p sImg¸w... AhfhnsSs¡S¶p ap«s«.... \½sfmd§pItÃ...." Rm³ kmcn ho−pw amÁms\mcp§n. " th− aWntb«m... C\n ]ns¶.... amdntí...." Rm³ AhfpsS Imen¶nSbn \n¶pw amdn. AhÄ kmcn hen¨n«psIm−v I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. sXdn¨p XpSp¯p \n¶ amdpIÄ {_m hen¨p aqSn. s]s«¶v Rm³ {_m s]m¡n t\m¡nbn«p ]dªp. " sNdpsXms¡ hepXmsbSo... t\m¡ntí...." AhÄ Fsâ Ibv X«n amÁnbn«v »ukp hen¨v amdp ad¨p ]nSn¨p. " AsXms¡ ]ns¶ t\m¡mw...Bcpw sIm−p t]mI¯nÃtÃm.. C¸w G«³ sN¶v IXIp sXmd¡v..." AhÄ FÃmw aqSnbn«p. " \o _m¯v dqan tIdn \nt¶m... Rm³ t]mbn t\m¡s«..._m¡n HSt\ sNbvXp Xcmw...." " B \in¨ s]®n\p hcm³ I− t\cw... \msf¯t¶ AXnt\ ]dªp hnSWw... ckw sImÃn...." tZjyt¯msS ]dªn«v AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½ X¶p. HmSn Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn hmXneS¨p.

Rm³ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp Agnª ap−p apdp¡nbpSp¯p. hoÀ¯ Ip® H¶p X«n Xmgv¯n. F¶n«pw AXp IqSmcaSn¨p \n¡p¶p. Xmgm³ kabsaSp¡pw. Aåw Ip\nªp \S¶v hmXn Xpd¶p. " F´m... sXmd¡m\n{X Xmakw...?.. F{X t\cw X«n....?.." AhÄ IqkenÃmsX tNmZn¨p. ]ns¶ AIt¯íp Xebn«p t\m¡n. " \nt¶sb´n\m C¸w Ct§m«p sI«nsbSpt¯...?.." Rm³ tZjys¸«p. " tZjys¸SmsXsâ tN«m... Hm sImÅn ]pgp§oÃmcp¶p AtÃ...?... ]mhw... C¸gpw ]¨íp \níphmWtÃm..." AhÄ ap−p Iq«n I¼nbSn¨v Nmªp InS¶ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p t\m¡n. " \osb¶m ]WnbmSo ImWnípt¶..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁm³ t\m¡n. AXn\p ap¼v In«nb X¡¯n\hÄ AXnsemcp hmWaSn¨p. " H¶pw \S¶nà AtÃ... A¸w C¶p cm{Xnbmbncnípw ]qcw... {ioaXnsb´ntb...?.." " Ibv hnsSSo... " Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nSn¨p amÁn. At¸mtgípw AhfpsS ]nSp¯¯n Ip® ]qÀ®ambpw s]m§n¡gnªncp¶p. " tN«m... Hcp {][m\ clkyw ]dbs«...sNhnbn§p Im«ntí...." AhÄ Fsâ Igp¯n ]nSn¨p. Rm³ apJw Aåw Xmgv¯n sNhn ImWn¨psImSp¯p. Fsâ apJ¯v H¶p aW¯n«p adªp. " Rm\pt±in¨ t]mse Xt¶... C¸w ImSn IpSníphm AtÃ... Fs´mcp \mÁw... Fsâ tN¨osSbmsW¦nepw... " AhÄ apJw Npfn¨n«p Nncn¨p. " \ns¶ Rm³... \o F´n\m Ct§m«p ht¶¶m tNmZn¨Xv...?..." " ap¯O³ ]dªn«p h¶Xm... Xmsg Bscms¡tbm h¶ns«m−v... Ft´m AXymhiym... sNÃv..." AhÄ t]mIms\mcp§n. " \nÃv... F¶m Rms\mcp clkyw ]dbmw... " Rm³ ]dªp. " Hm... .th− F\nín¸w tI¡−.... a\w s]c«p¶p... \mÁw sIm−v..." " AXp t]ms«So... CXp cksamÅ clkym..." s]s«¶v Rm³ AhfpsS apJw _eambn ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJw AhfpsS Np−nepw Ihnfnepw Dckn. " At¿... F¶m ]Wnbm... C¡mWnt¨... hr¯nsI« P´p... C\nbn¸w IpfníWw...." AhÄ Fsâ ap−p s]m¡n AXn apJw XpS¨n«v apJw Npfn¨p. " C¨nsc \obpw IqsS aW¡v... thdmctSw AÃtÃm.. \nsâ tN¨ntbsS AtÃ..." Rm³ AIt¯íp t]mIms\mcp§n. " BcsSbmbmse¶m... \mdp¶p.... thKw sNÃv... Ahcp Im¯ncníphm... _m¡n ImSn ]ns¶ IpSnímw.. ]ip Imepw s]m¡n ChnsS¯t¶ ImWpw... G...sÈ..." AhÄ Hcd¸p ImWn¨p. " t]mbn Rms\md§pImcps¶¶p ]dsbSo... t]mt¯..." " _...º...º... Xmtgíp hcp¼w Cu Het¡w s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m−p hctÃ... hà sFkpw sh¨v Xmgv¯ot« hcmshmtÅ... BÄ¡mcp t]Snípw..." " \nt¶ Rm³... t]mSo..." Rm³ It¿m§n. AhÄ Ipep§n¨ncn¨psIm−v tKmhWnbnd§nt¸mbn. Rm³ XncnsI AI¯p tIdn, _mXvdqansâ IXIn ap«n. A`n hmXn Xpd¶p. " FSo... Ahfp h¶Xv ap¯O³ ]dªn«m... Ft´m {]iv\sam−v... AtàFt¶ C¸w hnfnípthm... Rm³ sNÃs«...." " At¿m AXn\mcpt¶m Ahfp h¶Xv... ]mh¯nt\ Rm³ No¯ hnfn¨p... sÈym... Fsâ Hcp Imcyw..." " Mqw... F¶mepw... Ahf\nb¯nín«p {]tbmKn¨ hm¡v... ckw sImÃn... " Rm³ Ahtf IpfnapdnbnÂ\n¶pw hen¨nd¡n. " ]n¶ÃmsX... Bcmbmepw At¶cw At{Xw ]dªp t]mIpw... Rm\dntªm−ÃtÃm..." " A¸w s\\¡§p kpJn¨p AtÃ... F¶m... _m¡n A§p sNbvXmtem..." Rm\htf Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. FÃmw ad¨v \ÃIp«nbmbn«mWhÄ Ipfnapdnbn \n¶pw Cd§n h¶ncníp¶Xv. " At¿... G«sâ samJs¯mcp hÃm¯ hmS... t]mbn samJw IgpIntb¨v Xmtgív sNÃv... AhÄ Ft¶ XÅn amÁnbn«v apJw Npfn¨p.

" AtÃ... CsXs´mscS]mSm..?... \nsâ Ihs¡tSte sN¼c¯n¸qhnsâ aWw Xs¶bm CXv... At¶cw s\\¡Xp ckw... C¸w Fsâ tam´íncp¶¸w... AXp \mÁw... F¶m \obpw IqSn AsXm¶dnªncn¡v....." Rm³ Fsâ apJw AhfpsS apJ¯ns«m¶pc¨p. " At¿... B apSnª hmS Fsâ samJ¯pw sIms−mct¨m... Cu G«sâ Hcp Imcyw... hm... tam´ IgpIo«v t]mbm aXn... Bsc¦nepw tNmZn¨m sNe¸w G«³ ]tdw.. CXv `mtcysS atÁSt¯ aWm¶v... AXn\pw aSníptIe Cu sX½mSn.....hm....Ct§m«v.... F¶n«v thKw Xmtgív sNÃv..." AhÄ Ft¶ hen¨v Ipfnapdnbn sIm−pt]mbn apJw tkm¸n«v IgpIn. Ahfpw apJw IgpIn. ]ns¶ hmXn¡ h¶v Ft¶ bm{Xbm¡n. Xmsg ap¯Osâ apdnbn sNÃpt¼mÄ AhnsS A¿t¸«³ aI³ _me³, A½, F¶nhÀ D−mbncp¶p. Ft´m henb BtemN\ t]mse. ap¯O³ hSnbn Xm§n I«nen Bbmks¸«v Ccníp¶p. " Mm... \o hm... " A½ Ft¶ hnfn¨p. _me³ Ft¶¡−v Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p. _met\¸Án ]dªnÃtÃm, Hcp ]mhw sNdp¸¡mc³. AO³ A¿t¸«sâ X\n {]IrXw. Un{Kn Ignªv Fwt¹mbvsaâv FIvkvtN©n t]cp scPnÌÀ sNbvXn«v Imew Iptdbmbn. Im¯ncp¶p aSp¯t¸mÄ AOsâ ]mX ]n³XpSÀ¶p. Ct¸mÄ ho«nte ]pdw]WnIfptSbpw aÁp ]²XnIfptSbpw \S¯n¸v Ah³ Xt¶. t_m«nsâbpw NpaXe Ah\p Xt¶. " Ccn _mem...?.. F´m FÃmhcpw... C§s\ Fs´¦nepw {]iv\w...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " {]iv\samt−m¶p tNmZn¨m... " A½ CSípsh¨v \nÀ¯n. " Rm³ ]dbmw cmPptamt\... tam\o ho«nte Bfm... AXpsIm−v Adnbs« F¶v tIipt¨«\m ]dªXv... " A¿t¸«³ ]dªp. " AtX... Ah\pw IqsS H¶dnªncpt¶ms«... \o Aht\mSp Imcyw ]d... " ap¯O\p IqSpX kwkmcním³ h¿. " cmPpth«m... Rm³ ]dbmw.. " _me³ apt¶m«p h¶p. " \½sS t_m«v B iucymÀ¡p hmSIíp sImSp¯ncníphmcp¶p. AbmsS aI³ amÀ«n\m AXp ISen sIm−ps]msím−ncp¶Xv... Rm³ sNe¸w IqsS t]mIphmcp¶p. Ft¶bmWtÃm AXp t\m¡mt\¸n¨ncp¶Xv... C¸w Ft¶w amÀ«nt\w HcmgvNbmbn«v t_mt« tIÁp¶nÃ... R§¡n«p XÃptIw sNbvXp...." " Bcv... iucymtcm...?..." " AÃ... AbmsS aq¯ aI³... tPmkv... hb\mS³ tPmkv..." " hb\mSt\m...?.." " Mm... t\ct¯...sImtd hÀj§Ä¡p ap¼v... ChnsS ieyw klním³ h¿mªn«v X´ hb\m«ntem«p hn«Xm.. AhtSw hg¡pw sIme]mXtImw... s]®ptIkpw... Hs¡bmbn \S¶n¸w Xe t]mIpsh¶mbn... AtXmsS Xncn¨p h¶p... Xt´sS I¿o¶v t_m«p ]nSn¨p]dn¨p... aq¶mgvNbmbn _m¦n ImiS¨n«v... _m¦nte ¢mÀ¡p ]dªm Rm\dnªXv... AXp tNmZn¨¸w... R§tf XÃn... sIms− tIkpsImSps¡Sm¶p ]dªp..." " Mqw... C¸w t_mt«Â t]mIp¶Xmcm....?." " Ah\pw thtd sImd¨pt]cpw IqsSbm... Ahcp sXmgnemfnIfm... Imipw shtÅmw sImSp¯m.... Ahcp tPmensN¿pw... Chs\mcp tIUnbm... sP«osemÅhÀs¡ms¡ t]Snbm... F§s\sb¦nepw t_m«v Xncns¨Sp¯ntàAXp \ãs¸Spw...." " sIm¨Ot\mSp ]dªmcpt¶m...?.." " FSm.... Ah\p \qdpIq«w ]Wnbm... ]ns¶ GtXm h¡oent\ I−ns«ms−t¶m tIkp ^bep sN¿m³ t]mIphms\m Hs¡ ]dbp¶Xp tI«p..." A½ ]dªp. " t]meokn ]cmXn sImSp¯ntÃ...?.." Rm³ A¿t¸«t\mSp t NmZn¨p. " ]cmXn sImSp¯p... sP«n tÌj\nse Fssk Aht\ shc«ptIm XÃptIm atÁm sNbvXp Ignªmgv¨.... A¶p Xt¶ Ah³ AbmsS ho«n tIdns¨¶v Abmsf XÃn... AbmfpsS I¿v HSnbptIm.. Dfp¡ptIm.. Abmfn¸w Ah[oem..." A¿t¸«³ hniZoIcn¨p. " F¶n«v t]meokpImcv Aht\ AdÌp sNbvXntÃ... km[mcW... t]meokpImÀ¡n«p Ibvsh¨m Ahcp hnS¯nÃtÃm....?..." F\níp kwibw.

" B.... GXmbmepw AsXm¶pap−mbnÃ... sNe¸w Ahsâ Ncn{Xw tI«¸w Abmfpw t]Sn¨p ImWpw ..." " Npcp¡¯n \½sS Imipw t_m«pw t]mbXp Xt¶... AtÃ...?.." " Ahkm\ ^ew AXm¶m tXm¶pt¶... ]ns¶ \nt¶mSp ]dªnÃtÃm.. F¶p \o ]dbcpXtÃm.. AXpsIm−p ]dªXm..." ap¯O³ ]dªn«p InX¨p. Rm³ H¶mtemNn¨p. CXp Ipgª tIkp Xt¶. t]meokpImcv tXmÁ tIkmIp¼w Cu hb\mS\p Aåkzåw ]nSn]mSp ImWWw. Nnet¸mÄ GsX¦nepw t]meok[nImcnIfpsS H¯mitbmsS, AhÀ¡p {]Xn^ew sImSp¯p sIm−pÅXmIWw Ahsâ Cu hnfbm«w. F´p−mbmepw AhÀ I®Sípw. " \o G´m BtemNnípt¶...?.. \ap¡v A{Iaw th−... Ah\p ssZhw sImSpt¯mfpw....." A½ ]dªp. " AtX... AXm icn... \½¡Xp \ãs¸«mepw t]mt«¶p shímw..." ap¯O³ A½ ]dªXp sicnsh¨p. " A¸w Rms\m¶pw sN¿−¶mtWm ap¯O³ ]dbp¶Xv... ]ns¶´n\m Ft¶mSnXp ]dªXv... " Bcpw H¶pw an−nbnÃ. " Mm... GXmbmepw Rm³ {]iv\w H¶p ]Tnís«.... " " FSp¯p Nm«sam¶pw th− tIs«m....Cu \m«n \nbtamw tImSXosams¡ H−tÃm... " A½ ]dªp. " _mem... \o ht¶...." Rm³ _met\bpw hnfn¨psIm−v shfnbnend§n. " _mem... Cu iucymcv Bsf§s\... Abmfpw IqsS Ht¯m−mtWm Cu Ifn..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AÃ... iucymcv tIiqt¨«sâ ]gb Iq«pImc\m... B _Ôw sh¨m tN«³ Ccn¸mb¸w t_m«bmÄ¡p sImSp¯Xv... Fs¶ Cu sNmaXtew IqsS G¸n¨qt¶ HÅp... Abmfp IrXyambn ImiSt¨m−ncp¶Xm.. Abmfp c£s]SptIw sNbvXp... F¶m C¸w Cu aq¯ k´Xntb Bsc¦nepw H¶p sIm¶p XctW¶m AbmsS {]mÀ°\.. A{Xív AhscÃmcpw s]mdpXn ap«nbncníphm... Hcní Ft¶mSp tNmZn¨Xm... htÃmtcw GÀ¸mSp sNbvXv.. Imepw ap«pw XÃnsbmSn¨v ho«nse¯n¨m... sNehn\p sImSpt¯mfmcps¶¶v..." " Ch³ s]®p sI«nbXmtWm... " " AtXt¶... \à IpSpw_¯o¶v... X¦w t]msemcp s]®p¼nÅ... aq¶p ]ntÅcpw H−v... aq¯ s]®nt\ sI«nímdmbn... Xt´ ImWp¼w AXp§fp shdípw..." " FSm...?.." " Mqw.." " Aht\ A§p X«nbmtem...?.." Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p,. " At¿m... F¶n«p \½fp Pbnen t]mImt\m.. At{Xw Nn´ní−... " " ]ns¶ F´p sN¿Ww.. \m«n\pw \m«mÀ¡pw th−m¯ Hcp P·w.... sIm¯ns¡m¯n \½sS Iªo hscsb¯n... C¸w \½fS§nbm ]ns¶ Aht\ In«¯nÃ... Ah\p iànsbm−v... AXpsIm−v... t\cn«v H¶pw ]Á¯nÃ... ]ns¶ aqf {]tbmKníWw...." " F´p sN¿m\m... AsXm¶p ]dtª..." _me³ tNmZn¨p. " \o ht¶... " Rm³ _met\bpw Iq«n apIfn Fsâ apdnbnteíp sN¶p. Aht\ shfnbn \nÀ¯n. AI¯v A`ntb¡−nÃ. Im¸nbp−m¡m³ t]mbn¡mWpw. \¶mbn. Rm³ Aeamcbn HXp¡n amÁn sh¨ncp¶ Fsâ Bbp[§Ä, Fsâ CSn¡«em¯nbpw, ss]¸pw, cmcn¨sâ ITmcnbpw. FÃmw AS§nb s]mXn _mesâ I¿n sImSp¯n«p ]dªp. " CXv \½sS hm\n sIms−mfn¸n¨p shív... Bcpw ImWcpXv..." " AXp Rmt\Áp tN«m..." Ah³ AXpw sIm−v Xmtgíp t]mbn. tai¸pd¯ncp¶ AOsâ t^mt«mbn \akvIcn¨p. F¶n«p tNmZn¨p. " AOm... Cu tIkn Rms\´p sN¿Ww...?.." " \o \n\¡p sicnsb¶p tXm¶p¶Xv sN¿v tamt\... IenIme¯n Zpã\n{Klw A\nhmcyambm AXp sNbvtX ]Áq... ]t£.. Hcníepw A_²§Ä ImWnícpXv.. Nn´n¨v Bkq{XWw sNbvXv Imcy§Ä \S¯pI... `mhnbn kaql¯n\p \· sNt¿− Hcp \nba]meI\mWp \o.... ss[cyambn«p t]mSm.."

" F\níXp tI«m aXn... C\n Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw..." " Blm AO\pw tam\pw IqsS hÀ¯am\w ]dbpImtWm... F´n\m tN«m, ap¯O³ Xmtgíp hnfn¨Xv...?.." " AXv... tamtf... Hcp sNdnb {]iv\w... Rm\Xnt\¸Án H¶p ]Tním³ t]mIphm... F\nsímSt\ shfo t]mIWw..." " GXmbmepw Im¸n IpSn¨p t]mbm aXn... N¡cbSm tZ... Fsâ aWn¡p«\p th−n Cu A`ncman H−m¡nb kvs]jyÂ... H¶p t\m¡ntí..." " A`n¡p«o... C¸w AXmkzZním\pÅ aqUneà tamtf Rm³..." " Rm³ ]ns¶´n\m Ct{Xw Iãs¸s«m−m¡ntb... Hsc®w tZ... Fsâ IbvsIm−v... " AhÄ Hcp IjWw apdn¨v Fsâ hmbn sh¨p X¶p. kXyambncp¶p AhÄ ]dªXv. \à cpNn. " C\n tamfp Xnt¶m... HSt\ t]mWw... CtàFÃmtcw ImWm³ ]Á¯nÃ.... Rm³ \½tS t_m«pImct\ H¶p I−n«p hcmw..." " F¶m aeadníp¶ ]WnbmtWepw CXp Xn¶n«p t]mbm aXn... " AhÄ Fs¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p I«nen Ccp¯n. A\pkcntí−n h¶p. Ahtf thZ\n¸n¨n«p t]mbm Imcy§Ä ip`ambnsæntem. AXpsIm−v Rm³ Ahtf A\pkcn¨p. Rm³ ]pdt¯índ§pt¼mÄ A½ tNmZn¨p. " Ft§m«mSm...? s]mÃms¸m¶pw H−m³ \ní−... tIt«m.." " CÃt½... Rm\m iucymsc H¶p ImWs«...." " \o ImWp¶sXms¡ sImÅmw... At§cv Bsfmcp ]mhm tIt«m....... Abmfv... AOsâ ]gb Iq«pImc\m... B HmÀ½ thWw..." " sicn..." ASp¡f¡XInsâ Xmt¡m hm§pt¼mÄ Ipª½ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m Cu Xmt¡mev...?.." " Xmakn¨p hcp¼w Btcw hnfns¨mWÀ¯−tÃm.... ap³hmXn Xpd¡pt¼m... ap¯O³ Nne¸w DWÀs¶¶pw hcpw... Rm³ C¸w shfo t]msb¶v ]db−..." AXp tI« Ipª½ A`ntb H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ \mK½tb t\m¡n. \mK½ H¶p Nncn¨p. AXn\À°w ChcpsS C¶t¯ cm{Xnbpw t]m¡mbtÃm ImZw_co F¶mbncp¶pthm. iucymcptS hoSSp¡mdmbt¸mÄ Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Aà _mem... Cu iucymcv Ft¶ I−n«p−mIptamSm...?.." " IeymW¯n\m ho«o¶mcpw h¶nÃmcp¶p... H¶pIn Aht\ t]Sn¨v... AsænÂ... XcI³ tN«t\ t\cnSms\mÅ aSn sIm−v..." " Mqw... F¦n Rm\mcm... ]d..." " tM....B tNmZyw ]nSnIn«oà tN«m...?.." "FSm Rm³ tIiq¯cIsâ ]pXnb amt\Pcv.... a\Ênemtbm...?.." " sImÅmw.. tN«s\mcp \à BIvÁdpw IqSnbm... F¶mepw F´n\m C§s\sbmcp \mSIw....?.." " Fs´Ãmw \mSIw Ifn¨memSm C\n apt¶m«p t]mIm³ ]ÁpI..." Rm³ Ahsâ tXmf¯p X«n. kam\yw \à Hcp hoSp Xt¶ iucymcptSXv. _me³ s_ÃSn¨p. GXm−v _mesâ AtX {]mbapÅ Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³ h¶v hmXn Xpd¶p. " B _met\m... hm.... " Ah³ R§tf AIt¯íp £Wn¨p. ]ns¶ AIt¯íp t\m¡n hnfn¨p. " A¸m... A¸m..." " tN«m CXmWp amÀ«n³... \à ]¿³.... \½tfsbms¡ henb Imcym..." Xe \c¨ Hcp Hcp hr²³ R§fpsS ASps¯¯n. \à Ipeo\Xzw DÅ apJw. " Mv lm... _met\m... ?.. CXmcm..." iucymcp tNmZn¨p. " tN«m CXv... samXemfosS..." " ]pXnb amt\Pcm... " _me³ ]dbm³ XpS§nbXv Rm³ ]qcn¸n¨p.

" At¸m... A¿¸³...?..." " AO³ F¸gpw samXemfosS ASp¯tÃ... ]ns¶ sN½o³ I¼\n sXmd¶¸w... FÃmw IqtS t\m¡m³ FSp¯Xm..." A¼S, _mesâ UbtemsK\nínãs¸«p. F\níp ]Ánb Iq«p Xt¶. " F´p ]dbm\m Fsâ kmtd... Rm\pw tIiphpw Hcpan¨v Htc ]m{X¯o¶p−p \S¶hcm... Ahs\s¶ hnizkn¨m B t_m«p X¶Xpw.. HÅXp ]dbmtÃm... Rm\XpsIm−p ]¨ ]nSntíw sNbvXp... F\nín¸w tIiqsâ samJ¯p t\m¡m³ hÃ... AXp¡q«v NXnsbtà Fsâ I¿o¶p h¶ncnípt¶....]s£ ssZh¯ns\t¶msSt´m HscSt§Sp t]mse... aq¯h³ apSnb\mb ]p{Xs\¶p tI«nt«sbmÅp.... ]t£... A\p`hw sIm−p Rm\Xdnªp kmtd... " " At¸m... iucymcp tN«\p bmsXmchImtimw A[nImtcman¸w CtÃ...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " H−v., ISemtkÂ... tZ A\nb\m Ch³ ....Cht\w AtX¶p XÃnsbd¡n hn«p... FXncp ]dªm sImÃpsh¶m ]tdt¶... F\níp t]Sn sP«osemÅhscÃmw IqSn H¶pIn XÃns¡mÃpw.. CtàBctStbepw ]n¨m¯n¸nSntb tIdpw... A§s\ h¶m... ]d¡apÁm¯ aqs¶®¯n\pw X´bnÃmXmIpw... AXn\p ap¼v Bsc¦nepw Ahsâ I¿pw Imepw XÃnsbmSn¨ncpt¶Â.... sNehn\p Rm³ sImSpt¯mfmcp¶p.... " " Fsâ tN«m...A§s\ ]dbmsX kz´w tam\tÃ...." Rm³ CSíp Ibdn. " lpw....tam³... C§s\ Hsc®w CÃmXncníphmcp¶p t`Zw... ChnSt¯ ieyw IqSnb¸gm... hb\mt«ív hn«Xv... AhnS¶h\n¸w ]pXnb t]cpambn«m h¶ncnípt¶.... hb\mS³ {^m©n.... Fsâ IÀ½tZmjw..." At¸mtgípw kmcnbpSp¯ Hcp a²yhbkvI Ft´m Pyqkpambn«p h¶p. " Ahsâ sI«ntbmfm... CXnt\ F´p am{Xw Iãs¸Sp¯os«ms−¶dnbmtam... Ignbm³ samXsem−mbns«´m Imcyw.....]dbmXncníphm t`Zw..." hr²³ klm]t¯msS Ahtc t\m¡n, R§fpw. " A¸w.... R§fp \nba¯nsâ hgn t\m¡ntímt«..?..." _me³ tNmZn¨p. " lpw... \nbaw... Ah\sXm¶pw Hcp {]ivt\maÃ... B C³kvs]Îsd ho«nt¡dn XÃn... Abmfp X¡w t\m¡nbncníphm... AhcsS I¿n In«nbm... ]ns¶ ASp¸n shím\pw IqsS sImůnÃmXmIpw Ahsâ FÃpIfv.... AXn\nsb¶mtWm... C§s\msc®w Fsâ IpSp_¯nsem−mbtÃm ssZhta¶m Rm³ At]£níp¶Xv......." ]pds¯mcp Po¸p h¶p \n¡p¶ iÐw tI«p. " At¿m... hcps¶m−v..." hr²t\ hndíp¶Xp t]mse. amÀ«n\pw B kv{Xobpw AIt¯íp henªp. HcmPm\p_mlp, BdcbSnsb¦nepw s]m¡w ImWpw, kn\nambnte hnó tPmWn Asæn kv^SnIw tPmÀPnsâ BImcw, sIm¼³ aoi. Hcp Ibnenbpw Pq_bpw. Ibneníp ]pd¯v Idp¯ s_ÂÁv. AXnsâ Idp¸pw c−phi¯pw XncpInbncníp¶ ]n¨m¯nIfpsS apg¸pw shfnbn ImWmw. AbmÄ h¶ ]mtS R§tf H¶p t\m¡n. _met\ I−tXmsS apJw Nph¶p. " FSm... \nt¶msSsâ ap¼n ImWcpsX¶tà ]dªXv..." AbmÄ _mesâ tImfdn ]nSn¨p s]m¡n Fgpt¶Â¸n¨p. " At¿m.. samXemfo... Cu ]mhw Fsâ IqsS h¶Xm.... D]{ZhnícpXv..." Rm³ Ibv Iq¸ns¡ms−gpt¶Áp. AtXmsS AbmÄ _met\ Itkcbnteív Xncn¨n«p. " Mqw... \obmcm... ?.." " Rm³ tIiq¯cIsâ ]pXnb amt\Pcm..." Rm³ Ibv Iq¸n¯t¶ ]dªp. " AXp sicn A¸w \nsâ B sIfh³Xt´ ]ncn¨p hnt«mSm..." {^m©n _met\ t\m¡n Hcp ]pOt¯mtS tNmZn¨p. _me³ AXn\p¯cw ]dªnÃ. " C¸w amt\Pcp kmdp h¶sX´n\m....?.." {^m©n aoi ]ncn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " AÃm... t_m«nsâ ImiS¨ns«m¯ncnbmbn... t_m«pw Xncn¨pIn«nbnÃ... AsXm¶p...." " \nÀ¯v...\nÀ¯v... Fd§ntí... thKw kvYew hnt«..." AbmÄ R§fpsS t\tc IbvNq−n. " AÃ... samXemfn... t_m«v tIih³ XcIsâbtÃ... A¸¸ns¶..." Rms\m¶nSs]Sm³ t\m¡n. " AsXms¡ Rm\pw _m¦pambn«p XoÀt¯mfmw... \o CXnseSs]S−..." " FSm tamt\... F´n\mSm.. \obn§s\..." iucymÀ H¶nSs]Sm³ {ian¨p.

" tZ... A¸³ an−msX hsÃS¯pw Ip¯nbncpt¶mWw... Imcy§Ä t\m¡ms\\nídnbmw...FtSm ...amt\Ptc... CXv hb\mS³ {^m©nbm... Fsâ ]n¨m¯ntb tIds−¦n thKw kvYew hnt«m... " " AÃ..." Rm³ H¶p IqSn an−m³ {ian¨p. " On.. Fd§m³ ]dªm... \nt¶sbms¡... Ah³ hmSI tNmZním³ h¶ncníp¶p. {^m©ntbmSv... taem Cu {]tZit¯íp ht¶¡cpXv..... " AbmÄ R§fpsS tImfdn ]nSn¨v shfnbnteínd¡n. \à iàn. ]«n¡pªp§tf XpSen ]nSn¨v hen¨nd¡p¶Xp t]mse AbmÄ R§tf shfnbnsednªp. F¶n«p ]dªp. " ]ns¶... \nsâsbms¡ B sIfhs\m−tÃm... tIih³... Aht\mSp ]dtª¡v... C\n CXpw ]dªv Btcw hnS−m¶v.. {^m©nív t\tcmw Imtemw t\m«anÃ... Fd¡nhn« B tXhnSnÈow aI\pw h¶n«ntÃ... Ahtcw sI«n¸nSn¨ncpt¶mfm³ ]d... t]mSm... t]mIm³..." Fsâ càw Xnf¨p F¦nepw _me³ Ft¶bpw ]nSn¨p hen¨psIm−p \S¶p. " \níSm AhnsS..." {^m©n ho−pw Bt{Iminíp¶Xp sI«p R§Ä Xncnªp \n¶p. " Cu t_m«bmfp sIm¨p tamsâ t]Às¡gpXnsb¶p tI«p... C\n Ahs\§m\pw CXp tNmZním³ h¶m... tIiq¯cIsâ IpSpw_¯n C\n k´Xn hmgptIe... sN¶p ]dtªcv... Xv^q.." HÁ sk¡ân Fsâ càw Xobmbn. kvt\ln¨bmtf h©ním³ a\ÊphcmsX kvt\ln¨hsâ IqsS Cd§n¯ncn¨p F¶ÃmsX Fsâ A½ Hcp IpÁhpw sNbvXn«nÃ. B kv{Xotb tXhnSnÈn F¶p hnfn¨v \nt¶, Cu Rm³ AhcpsS aI\msW¦nÂ, \n\¡Xnsâ in£ X¶ncnípw. Rm³ a\Ên i]Yw sNbvXp. B apÁ¯p \n¶p hndíp¶ Fsâ a\Êp hmbn¨dnª _me³ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨n«p ]dªp. " tN«³ NqSmIcpXv... \½sfm¶pw tI«nÃm¶p hnNmcnípI..." _me³ Ft¶ kam[m\n¸ním³ {ian¨p. " Mqw... Ch\p Rm³ sh¨ns«m−v..... Chsâ hn[n Ch³ Xt¶ FgpXn¡gnªp...." " ISs¸mdt¯ ]ntÅÀ¡n¯ncn sNehp sNbvXm... Ahcp IbvImcyw sNbvtXmfpw... " " CÃm.....A{X Cuknbmbn«v \½sS I¿n HXp§psa¶p tXm¶p¶nà tamt\... Ch³ sImd¨p apÁm....Nn´níWw... ]t£ A§s\b§p hnSm\pw ]Á¯nÃtÃm.... \nsâ Xte \ÃXp htÃmw tXm¶ps¶mt−mSm...?.. Iqen¯ÃÃmsX....?..." " Ccp«Sn.... Asæn t_mw_v... AÃmsXmcp hgow Rm³ ImWp¶nÃ...X«ntb¡pI... C§s\mÅhs\´n\m `qaoÂ..." _me³ NqSmbn. " Mqw ...Nn´níWw....Aà _mem... Imsim−mbn«pw ap¯Os\´n\m _ms¦S]mSv...?.." " AXp I¨hSam... _p²nsbmtÅmcmcpw kz´w Imin«p I¨hSw sN¿¯nÃ..." " F¶m \ap¡m... _m¦pamt\Ptc H¶p I−p t\m¡nbmtem...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " shey KpWsam¶pw H−mI¯nÃ.. IpSninJ hcp¯n... _m¦ntâXm¡n teew sNbvXv sImSp¡pI... A¸w CãsamtÅm\p ]nSnímw.. AXo hb\mS³ ]nSnípw.. Aht\ t]Sn¨n«v FXncp hnfním\mfp ImWptIe... F\níp kwibw B amt\Pcpw Chsâ IqsS Ht¯m−msW¶m... " " Mqw... t\m¡mw... C\nbn¸w t\cw kÔybmbn... AsænÂ... " Rm³ ]dªp. " AXns\´m... Abmtf \a¡p ho«ns¨¶p ImWmw AbmsS kvYew F\nídnbmw.....B Ckvs]Îdpw AhnsSmcp tImf\nbnem... " " t]meoknt\ FSs]Sp¯tWm...?.." Rm³ Hcp kwibw ]dªp. " tN«m.. B Fssktb H¶p I−p t\m¡mw...FSs]Sp¯−...hà ]gpXpw hoWp In«nbmÂ..." _me³ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡n. " sicn... \o ]dªXm _p²n...C¨nsc Nhn«n hnSv... ho«n¸w FÃmcpw Im¯ncníphmcnípw...." Po¸p Nodn¸mªp. R§Ä ho«p]Sní sNÃpt¼mÄ t\cw Ccp«m³ XpS§nbncp¶p. _me³ ho«n t]mbn«pSt\ hcmsa¶p ]dªp h−nbpambn t]mbn. Rm\It¯íp Ibdn. I¯n¨ \nehnf¡pw I¿nte´n Ipfn¨od\mbn A`n ap¶nÂ. Ft¶¡−Xpw B \nehnf¡nsâ Zo]\mfw t]mse AhfpsS apJw hnSÀ¶p. " slm... aWntb«³... FÃmcpw Im¯ncníphmcp¶p.... C¶m..."

AhÄ hnfs¡sâ t\sc Im«n. Rm³ hnf¡p sXm«psXmgpXp. AhÄ ap¯Osâ apdnbnteíp Ibdn. ]pdtI Rm\pw. " ap¯Om... Zo]w... " I«nen Fgpt¶Áncním³ Rm³ ap¯Ot\ klmbn¨p. hnf¡p ImWn¨n«v A`n t]mbt¸mÄ ap¯O³ ]dªp. " \nsâ ap¯Èn t]mtb¸ns¶ CXmZyam... ChnsS C§s\ Rm³ hnf¡p ImWp¶Xv... Mqw.... AXnsâ KpWap−mIpw..." AhÄ ]qapJ¯v hnf¡p shím³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ A½ ]pdIn \n¶pw ]dbp¶Xp tI«p. " ChnsS A§s\ Hcp ]Xnhnà tamtf ... ]qPm apdo sh¨m aXn..." " \o t]mbns«´mbn...?.." ap¯O³ tNmZn¨p. " kwKXn Aåw kocnbkm... Ah³ Rm\pt±in¨ t]msebÃ... F´n\pw aSním¯h\m..." " A§s\bpÅht\ _p²nsIm−p thWw t\cnSm³... t\tc sN¶m sNe¸w Xehtc t]msb¶ncnípw..." ap¯Osâ D]tZiw. R§Ä kwkmcn¨ncp¶t¸mÄ tIÄ¡mw ]qPmapdnbn \n¶pw \maP]w. ap¯O³ sNhntbmÀ¯p. " FSm... ]ntÅcp \maw P]níphm¶p tXm¶p¶p... \osbt¶ H¶p ]nSnt¨... Rms\m¶p ImWs«.... Rm³ ap¯Ot\bpw Xm§n ]qPmapdnbpsS hmXn¡ sNÃpt¼mÄ Ft´m AÛpXw ImWp¶ amXncn Ipª½bpw \mK½bpw Nmcnbn« IXIn\p adªp \n¶It¯íp t\m¡p¶p. ]qPmapdnbn A½bpw Iebpw A`nbpw N{¼w ]Snªncp¶v \maw P]níp¶p. ]pds¯mcp Imdp h¶p \n¡p¶ iÐw. h¶Xv tam\njbpw tiJdpambncp¶p. Ipª½bpsS Ip«nIÄ. ]pdtI sIm¨O\pw. FÃmhcpw h¶It¯sí¯n t\m¡n. ap¯O³ Ipª½tb t\m¡n. Ipª½ Ip«nItf tXm−n AIt¯íp sNÃm³ BwKyw ImWn¨p. Ip«nIÄ aSn¨p. AhÀ¡nXp ]pXnb A\p`hw. Ipª½ I®pcp«nbt¸mÄ AhÀ aSn¨p aSn¨v sNcn¸qcn AI¯p Ibdn. ap¯O³ Ft¶ t\m¡n ]p©ncn¨p. Rm³ ap¯Ot\ apdnbnteíp Iq«ns¡m−p t]mbn. AhnsS sIm¨O³ Im¯ncn¸p−mbncp¶p. Rm³ iucymtc ImWm³ t]mb IY ]dªp. sIm¨O³ Iptd \nba§fpsSbpw h¡oe½mcptSbpw t]scms¡ ]dbp¶Xp tI«p. Rms\m¶pw an−nbnÃ. Aåw Ignªv `mcysbmsSt´m ]dªn«v Xncn¨p t]mIpIbpw sNbvXp. At¸mtgípw _me³ Xncn¨p h¶ncp¶p. A`ntb I−n«p t]mIm³ \maP]w Xocp¶Xphtc Im¯p\nÂt¡−n h¶p. AhÄ t\tc ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. Ipª½ tNmZníp¶p. " \n§fp Znhtkmw \maw P]nípthm..." " ]nt¶... F¶pw... AXp apS¡¯nÃ.... AXpsIm−m F\nío `mtKyms¡ hs¶¶m Rm³ hnizknítW..." A`n ]dªp. " A`o...?.." Rm³ hnfn¨p. " tZs−... h¶tÃm... Cht\w IqsS H¶ncp¯n sNmÃnímcp¶ntÃ..." Ipª½ tNmZn¨p. " tN«³ sNe¸sams¡ aqfphmcp¶p... tN¨n sNmÃns¡mSp¡p¼w am{Xw.... " Ie ]dªXp tI«v s]®p§Ä Nncn¨p. " F´m aWntb«m... D®mdmtbm...?.." Ft¶ ASp¡fhmXn¡ I−t¸mÄ A`n tNmZn¨p. " htÃmw Ignt¨¨v Cs¶¦nepw t\ct¯ Hd§m³ t\m¡Sm..." Ipª½ R§Ä¡ns«ms¶dnªp. B Xami BkzZnímhp¶ aqUnembncp¶nà Rm³. " F\nípSt\ ]pds¯m¶p t]mWw..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Cu cm{Xotem...?..F¦n¸ns¶ Dt−¨p t]m..." A`n ]dªp. " th−, h¶n«mImw....." " Ccn... C¸¯cmw... hcp¼w Xmakn¨m... hbdp Imbpw..." " Ds®Sm... \o D−ntà AhfpsSbm hbdp Imbp¶Xv..." Ipª½ hnSp¶nÃ.

AhfXp {i²nímsX tNmdpw Idnbpw hnf¼n. Rm³ ASp¡fbnte sNdnb taibnencp¶p Igns¨¶p hcp¯n. Rm³ Fgpt¶ÁbpSt\ Ahfm s¹bnÁp I¿nseSp¯v \n¶psIm−v _m¡n hmcn¡gním³ XpS§n. Ipª½bpw \mK½bpw apJt¯mSp apJw t\m¡n Nncn¨p. AhfXdnªnÃ. Asæn {i²n¨nÃ. Rm³ IbvIgpIn h¶t¸mtgípw kzoIcW apdnbn AhtfmSnsb¯n. " HSt\ t]mIphmtWm...?.." " Mqw..." " hcm³ Xmaknípthm...?... " AhÄ shdpsXsb¶ t]mse tNmZn¨p. " ]dbm³ ]Ánà tamtf.... c−p aq¶p kvYe¯p t]mWw.... sNe¸w sP«oepw t]mWw..." " ]ns¶... Hcp Imcyw Rm³ ]dªm tZjyw tXm¶pthm..?.." " \o F´p thtWepw ]dtªm..... \n\¡Xn\pÅ AhImisam−tÃm..." " ASp¡tfsh¨v Ipª½ ]td¶ tI«p... aWntb«³ \½sS t_m«nsâ s]mdtI t]mIphmsW¶v... AXp Xncn¨p In«otÃepw th−nÃ... sImg¸¯ns\m¶pw t]mI−... \ap¡v.... AÃmsX Xt¶ Ignbms\mÅ samXentÃ...?.." Rm³ Ahtf \ninXambn H¶p t\m¡n. AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨p sIdphn¨ t]mse \n¶p. " A`n¡p«o... Nne Imcy§fn \o CSs]S− F¶p ]dbpt¼m.... s\\¡v shjaw tXm¶cpXv... ImcWw \o ]dªm Rm³ ]ns¶ H¶pw sN¿m³ t]mWnÃ... ]t£ AsXsâ hyànXzt¯ _m[n¨mÂ... Rm³ shdpw... shdpw... " " th− aWn¡p«m... ]db−... Ht¶ F\níp ]dbm\pÅp.... ISp¸w Fs´¦nepw sN¿p¼w... hcpwhcmgntIsS Iq«¯nÂ.. C§s\ Hcp Pohn Cu ho«nsems−¶v Ht¶mÀ¯m... F\nív thdmcpw CÃ... F¶p IcpXn Rm³ t]Sn¨n«Ã tIt«m... Fsâ aWntb«t\ F\níp hnizmkam... " AhÄ Hcp ZoÀL\nizmkt¯mtS H¶p a{´n¨n«v Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨p. " Mqw... Ft§m«m...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " hm... ]qPmapdo hsc..." Rm³ AhfpsS IqsS sN¶p. I¯ns¡m−ncníp¶ \nehnfs¡Sp¯v AhÄ Fsâ ap¶n ]nSn¨p. " H¶p sXmgpXn«p t]m..." Rm³ B Zo]{]`tb hμn¨p. AXn \n¶pw Hcp XpÅn F® hncÂsIm−p sXm«v AhÄ Fsâ s\dpIwXebn sXm«p. ]ns¶ Cuizc·mcpsS Nn{X§fnteíp t\m¡n I®S¨p {]mÀ°n¨p. " F´m tamtf... ]−v A¦¯n\p t]mtWmtc bm{Xbm¡p¶Xp t]mse... Rms\¶m ]Ssh«m³ t]mIphmtWm..." " lpw... Cu ap«mft\ F\nídnbmhp¶XtÃ... C¶se Aeamco Rm³ I− s]mXn C¸w AhnsSbnÃ... Fs¶ Hfn¨q¶v ]dbp¶nÃ... F´pw Bbntím.... Pbnen t]mImsX t\m¡nbm \ÃXv... Rms\m¶n\pw FXncp \ní¯nÃ... ]t£ Xncn¨p h¶p ImWmsX Hd§¯panÃ... " AhÄ F¯n¡p¯n Fsâ s\Ánbn Hcp½ X¶p. F´p ]dbWsa¶v F\níp ]nSnIn«nbnÃ. AhÄs¡Ãmw a\Ênembncníp¶p. Rm³ ho−pw i{Xp kwlmc¯n\nd§nbXv AhÄ¡p a\Ênembncníp¶p. " AXp th−... tamsfmd§ntím... Cs¶´mbmepw Rm³ hnfnípw... F¶n«p \½sS samd... AXp sXmS§t−...?.." " Mqlpw... C¸w AsXm¶pw Fsâ a\Ênenà aWntb«m... C¸w Fsâ DÅn s\td \maP]§fm... ]nt¶....Xmaknípsh¦n H¶p t^m¬ sNbvXm th−nÃ..." " AXn\p Rm³ hg¡ns\m¶pw t]mIphÃtÃm tamtf... \o C§s\ t]Sn¡m³..." " F´pamIs«... AhnsS _me³ Im¯ncníphm sNÃv...." AhÄ ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. t]mIp¶ hgnív AhÄ Rm³ IWmsX I®pXpSíp¶Xp Rm³ I−p. ]mhw s]®v. sicnípw t]Sn¨ncníp¶p. a[phn[p XpS§pI t]mepw sN¿m¯ \hh[phnt\ Ipª½bpsS kwkmcw t]Sn¸n¨ncníp¶p. F¶mepw AhÄ _p²naXn Xt¶. F\nsím¶pw AhtfmSv Hfním³ ]Ánsömbn, Fsâ a\ÊnepÅh HgnsI.

R§Ä t\tc t]mbXv _m¦p amt\PcpsS ho«nteímbncp¶p. Ft¶ AbmÄ¡dnbmw. AbmfpsS kwkmc¯n \n¶pw Cu I¨hS¯n AbmÄ¡pw ]¦pÅ t]mse tXm¶n. tem¬ H¸n¨psImSp¡p¶Xn AbmÄ I½oj³ ]Áp¶ps−¶mWp tIÄ¡p¶Xv. iucymcp ]Ww ASíp¶nà F¶ Imcyw F´psIm−v R§tf Adnbn¨nà F¶p Rm³ NqSmbt¸mÄ AbmÄ ]dªXv scPntÌÀUmbn hniZambn I¯b¨n«ps−¶mbncp¶p. Hcp Imcyw AbÄ k½Xn¨p, apS§nb XhWIÄ ]eni klnXw ASªm Ipg¸anÃ. Abmtf th− hn[¯n ]ns¶ ImWmsa¶p Xocpam\n¨p. ASp¯v R§fpsS e£yw k_n³kvs]ÎÀ tkma\mYsâ hmSIhoSmbncp¶p. ]Sní Hcp hm³ h¶p\n¶ iÐw tI«t¸mtg ho«nte sseÁpIsfÃmw sXfnªp. s_ÃSn¨t¸mÄ Xpd¡m³ t\cn« Xmakhpw P\ÂIÀ«\pIfpsS \o¡hpw Hs¡ I−t¸mÄ a\Ênembn C³kvs]Îdpw hb\mSt\ t]Sn¨mWp Ignbp¶sX¶v. hmXnen N§e C«psIm−v Aåw Xpd¶v AbmÄ tNmZn¨p. " Bcm... F´p thWw...?..]cmXntbm {]iv\tam BsW¦n tÌj\n sN¶m aXn...." " Aà kmÀ... kmdnt\ ImWm³ h¶Xm... UoFknse Bfm... " Rm³ _met\ apt¼m«p tIÁn \nÀ¯n. Aåw Ignªv IXIp Xpd¡s¸«p. BÄ hcm´bnteínd§n h¶p. \à _enãImb\mb Hcp sNdp¸¡mc³. F¶n«pw hb\mSt\mSv ASnbdhp ]dª\neív Ah³ tami¡mc\Ã. AbmfpsS CSXpI¿n Igp¯pambn Én§n«ncp¶p. " kmtd.....CXv samXemfosS sIm¨ptam\m... cmPq..." _me³ Ft¶ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. " Mqw... F´m hntijn¨nt¸mÄ...?.." " kmdåw IcpXenemsW¶p tXm¶p¶p... GXmbmepw AI¯ncp¶p kwkmcníp¶Xn hntcm[apt−m...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. Fssk H¶p kwibn¨p. ]ns¶ AIt¯íp hcm³ ]dªp. Ccp¶p Ignªt¸mÄ tNmZn¨p. " C\n ]d... F´mbmepw.. \u Abmw slÂ]vseÊv... t]mcmªn«v Rm³ Ah[nbnepam... tÌjsâ NmÀPn¸w slÍn\m..." " R§Ä h¶Xv ]cmXnsím¶n\paÃ...." Rm³ ]dªp. C³kvs]ÎÀ s\ÁnNpfns¨t¶ t\m¡n. " ChnsS thdmcpanÃtÃm AtÃ...?...." " Hcp ]¿t\bpÅp.... anÊnkv ho«n t]mbncníphm..." " Aà kmÀ... Cu ssIsí´p ]Án...?..." " Cbmsft¶ Ifnbm¡phmtWm...?.." Fssk NqSmbn. " Aà kmÀ.. R§fdnªp... ]t£... FIvkmIvÁven F´mWp kw`hn¨Xv F¶dnbm³ tNmZns¨t¶bpÅp...." " Xsâ amt\PcpsS Iws¹bnâpw sIm−v h¶Xnsâ ]ntÁ Znhkw... Rm\m hb\mSt\ t]meokpImct\ hn«v hnfn¸n¨n«v Ah³ hcm³ Iq«m¡nbnÃ... Rm\t§m«p sN¶p sP«o shs¨m¶p shc«n..... Ah³ t\tc \n¶v XdpXe ]dªp... BfpIfpsS GSítÃ... Hsc®w sImSp¯p... Rm\nSw I¿\m... AXpsIm−v Ah³ {]Xo£ním¯ hn[¯n AtXÁp... icnípw Id§nt¸mbn Ah³... cmhnte tÌj\n hcW¶p ]dªn«v Rm³ t]mbn... cmPnbm¡m\mcp¶p Dt±iw.. ]t£... Ah³ A¶p cm{Xn... F\nín«p ]WnXp... s]®p¼ntÅ apdní¯n«p ]q«nbn«m Ah³ Ft¶mSSp¯Xv... kXyw ]dbmsÃm... c−p aq¶p In«n... ]t£ B _mÌmÀUo Ibv ]nSn¨p Xncn¨pIfªp. CtàAht\ Rm³..." AbmÄ ]ÃpISn¨p. " kmdnsâ tXm¡nÃmcpt¶m...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p t]mbn. " Aeamcos¶Sp¡m³ t\cw In«oÃ... ]¶osS tam³..." " F¶ns«´m kmÀ Aht\ s]m¡mXncp¶Xv...?.." tkma\mY³ H¶p Nncn¨p. " Hcp ImcyhpanÃ.... Ahs\d§nt¸mcpw... Mqw.. Aht\ F\níp thWw... Fsâ I¿n In«p¶Xnsâ ]ntÁZnhkw Cu \mSp ip²amIpw... ]ns¶ Ah\mcptSw t\tc Ibv s]m¡¯nÃ... ]ns¶bmtcbpw D]Zhní¯panÃ.. " " Rm\pw t]meokn tNcm\m Dt±iníp¶Xv..." Rm³ sXsÃmcp KatbmsS ]dªp.

" P\¯nt\ tkhním\msW¦n Cu \m«n AXp \S¡¯nà anÌÀ cmPq....... Aåw tPmen sN¿msa¶p sh¨m {Sm³kv^dpw.. ]ns¶ duUnIfpsS D]{Zhhpw... `mcy BsI t]Sn¨ncníphm... Ahsft¶ ssUthmÀkp sN¿ptam¶m F\nín¸w kwibw..." " A§s\m¶pw D−mhnà kmÀ... ]ns¶ R§Ä¡v kmdnsâ Hcp klmbw thWw.. asÁm¶n\paÃ... Rm³ H¶p ]bÁm³ t]mIphm..." " Aht\tbm... lpw... Rm³ t\m¡o«p ]ÁnbnÃ.. ]ns¶bm... \n§fv..." tkma\mYsâ Nncnbn Hcp ]pOw. " AXp {]iv\aÃ... kmdp ]n¶oSsXmcp AsXmcp {]iv\am¡mXncp¶m aXn... AYhm Fs´¦nepw tIkp h¶m... hc¯nÃ... F¦nepw... h¶m... kw`hkab¯v Rm³ ChnsSsbm−mcps¶¶v kmsdm¶p ]dªm aXn...." " F¦nÂ]ns¶ ho«nemcps¶¶v ho«pImcv km£n ]dªm t]mtc...?.." " Aà kmÀ.... ho«pImcp sNe¸w kmbn¸nt\¡mWp¼w Ihm¯p ad¶mtem..." " AXp sicn... At¸m.. X«n¡fbm\mtWm..?.. t\m, Rm\Xn\p Iq«p\n¡nÃ.. Xt¶bpaÃ.... \n§Ä CXn C§s\ CSs]Sp¶Xnt\msS\níp tbmPn¸panÃ..." " kmdnsâ ]cp¡p t`Zambn hcp¼tgípw hb\mS³ ChnSw apgph³ ]nSn¨S¡nbncnípw... Aht\ Hs¶mXp¡Ww.. Csæn R§Ä¡p R§sS \m«n kam[m\ambn Pohním³ ]Á¯nÃ... sNe¸w kmdns\mcp {Sm³kv^dp In«nbmtem.." tkma\mY³ H¶mtemNn¨p. " Mqw.... Hcp Imcyw.... A_²§Äs¡m¶n\pw Rm³ km£nbmIpIbnÃ.. AtXmÀ½ thWw..." AhnsS \n¶nd§nbn«v R§Ä t\tc IS¸pdt¯íp t]mbn. AhnsS sh¨v R§Ä BtemN\ XpS§n. Acíp NpÁpw ]n¨m¯n XncpInb, A`ymkapdIÄ hiapÅ, Cu cm£kt\ FhnsSsh¨v F§s\ t\cnSpw. sP«nbn sh¨p \S¡nÃ, Ahsâ in¦nSnIÄ ImWpw. Xt¶bpaÃ, F\nínXn t\cn«nSs]Sm\pw h¿. F§m\pw ]ng¨pt]mbmÂ, Ah³ Fsâ IpSpw_w IpfwtXm−pw. Ah³ FhnsSsbms¡ Id§p¶p F¶Xv _me\pw AdnbnÃ. Ahsâ ho«n sh¨pw \S¡nÃ. AhÀs¡s¶ Adnbmw. ]ns¶´p hgn. Ah\dnbmsX Ahsâ \s«sÃmSníWw. GsXmcp duUnípw DÅ _ew Ahsâ BtcmKyhpw iànbpw ]n¨m¯nbpw ]ns¶ XtâShpw BWv. CXn GsX¦nepw c−p LSI§Ä \ãs¸«m Ah³ HXp§nsímÅpw. ]t£ F§s\ HXp¡pw. " tN«m... Hcp hgnbp−v...?..." _me³ s]mSp¶s\ `qtXmZbw In«nb t]mse Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " F´p hgnbmSm... KpWapÅXp htÃmamtWm..." " AtX tN«m... BkpIpamcn..... AhnsS hb\mS³ HÁtí ImWs¯mÅp..." " B kpIpamcntbm... GXp kpIpamcn...?.. " kpIpamcnbÃ... Bkv Ipamcn... " " sÈSm.. CsXmcp ]pXnb t]cmWtÃmSm..." F\nsímcp ]nSnbpw In«nbnÃ. " AtX... tN«t\mSv Rm³ sXmd¶Sníp¶Xn hnjasamt−m..." " tlbv... \osbt¶¡mÄ H¶p c−p hbkn\p aq¯XtÃ..." " F¶mepw Hcp N½semt−...Fsâ samXemfow IqsSbtÃ..." " Hcp N½epw th−.. \o ]d...." " tN«m... kpIpamcn F¶p ]td¶ Hcp SmIvkn ..........¯v HmSps¶m−v.... ap´nb F\am... Aåw sNehp IqSnbXm... AhÄsS \hZzmc§fn Is®mgn¨v _m¡n FÃmw BWp§¡v D]tbmKnímsa¶m kwkmcw... C¶msf§m−v Hcp kmbn¸p Ahtf It−¨v IhtesemÅ apdp¡m³ ItSsh¨v X«nhn«Xm... s_Ìv tKmÄU³ Bkm¶v... A¶p samXev BÄ¡mcv ]td¶ t]cm BkpIpamco¶v... hb\mS³ Ahtf It−¸ns¶ thtdbmtcw At§m«Sp¸n¨n«nÃ.... Ah³ HÁív sht¨m−ncníphm... C¸w F¶pw AhnsS tIdmsX aq¸Às¡md¡w hc¯nÃ... aní cm{Xoepw ISen t]mIm³t\cw AhsS ho«o¶v t\tc sP«otem«p hcpw... " " sImÅmtÃmSm sFUnbm.... Ahsâ Atc¶v ]n¨m¯n amdp¶ t\ct¯ Aht\mSp ap«m³ ]Ás¯mÅp..... s\\¡v hoSdnbmthm...?.." " AsXms¡ Adnbmw... Hscmgnª tImWm... F¶pw hg¡pw Cu ]cn]mSoambXpsIm−v H¶p c−bÂ]¡samÅXv Xncnªpt\m¡¯p t]mepanÃ.... Ahtf AhchnS¶v

HmSním³ sXmS§nbXm... B kab¯p hb\mS³ FSs]«XpsIm−v Ahfn¸w AhSt¯ dmWnbm... AhsSsbmcp tbmKw..." " F¦neXp Xt¶ hgn... " Rm³ BtemNním³ XpS§n. ASp¯ cwK§sfms¡ a\Ên k¦Â¸n¨p. Ahkm\w Hcp ]²Xn a\Ên Dd¸n¨p. " _mem... \o t]mbn c−p ep¦nbpw.... c−p tXmÀ¯pw Ipd¨p IpcpapfIp s]mSow sImd¨p Nph¶ apfIps]mSow kwLSn¸nív.... \½sS h−osS AtX sskknsemÅ c−p \¼Àt¹Ápw thWw... hb\mSp Unkv{SnÎnsâ..." Rm³ Bhiys¸«p. " C¸tgm... C¶p Xs¶tbm... sImd¨qsS H¶mtemNn¨n«p t]mtc... ?.." " t]mcm... Hcp Imcyw \S¯m³ Dt±in¨m AXp Ignbp¶Xpw thKw sNbvXpXoÀ¡Ww... Asæn AXp Ignbp¶Xphtc B sS³j³ Xte sIm−p \St¡−n hcpw...." " _m¡nsbÃmw kLSn¸nímw.. Cu \¼Àt¹bnÁv.... AXns\hnsS t]mIpsh¶m... SuWnte ISsbms¡ AS¨ns«m−mIpw.... " " BZyw \o In«p¶sXms¡ kwLSn¸nív... _m¡n ]ns¶ t\m¡mw... " " tN«³ hcp¶ntÃ.... Rm³ ho«n t]mbn hcp¼w Hcp aWn¡qsd¦nepsaSp¡pw...." " CÃ... Rm³ ChnsS H¶p Ipd¨p t\cw Ccnít«... Rm\m... hůnsâ ASp¯p ImWpw..." _me³ t]mbn¡gnªv Rm³ aW¸pd¯v tIÁnsh¨ c−p aq¶p hŧfpsS ASpt¯íp \S¶p. aWen \o−p aeÀ¶p InS¶t¸mÄ sNdpImÁn \à kpJw. CSínSív Icbnteív ]mªp tIdp¶ XncIfpsS Bchw. shfp¯Xpw Idp¯Xpamb taL§Ä CSIeÀ¶v Ingt¡m«p bm{XsN¿p¶p. Ah ]Xps¡ BImi¯«n IqsS HgpInamdpt¼mÄ \£{X§Ä Bizmkt¯msS I®p Nn½pw. ]ns¶bpw ASp¯ kwLw taL§Ä F¯pIbmbn. Ct¸mÄ A`n F´p sN¿pIbmhpw. Dd¡w hcmsX I«nen Xncnªpw adnªpw InS¡pIbmIpw. C¶v Ipª½ ]m sImSp¯p hn«n«p−mIptam. ImWpIbnÃ. C¶p Rm³ hcm³ Xmaknípsa¶v Ipª½ídnbmw. ]mhw A`n. hnhmlw Ignªn«v c−p cm{Xnbmbn«pw BZycm{Xn F´msW¶v Adnbm³ ]Ánbn«nÃ. c−pt]cpw a\a§pw X\phn§pw F¶ coXnbn c−p kvYe¯v. F¶mWn\n R§Äs¡mcp awKeycm{Xn BtLmjním³ IgnbpI. CXn\pap¼v i{Xp¡fpambpÅ ct−Ápap«epIfnepw hnPbw F\nímbncp¶p. H¶n\p ]pdtI aq¶v F¶ XXza\pkcn¨v CXnepw hnPbw F\níp Xt¶ F¶p Rm\pd¸n¨p. GXmbmepw C\nbpw taen bmsXmc¦¯n\pw t]mIm³ CSbm¡tà Fsâ Cuizcm, CXpw IqSn H¶p hnPbn¸n¨p XctW, Rm³ {]mÀ°n¨p. i{Xp¡tf HXp¡n HXp¡n Rm\pw {ItaW Hcp duUnbmbn amdptam. BkvIpamcnbpsS ho«n sN¶m F´p sN¿Wsa¶Xns\mcp cq]tcJ Rm³ Nn´ním³ XpS§n. GItZiw a\Ênepd¸n¨p sh¨p. Xoct¯ tdmUn hm\nsâ iÐw tI«t¸mÄ Rms\gpt¶Áp hm\nsâ ASpt¯íp \S¶p. " \¼À t¹sÁmgn¨v FÃmw In«n. ..." _me³ Hmtcm¶mbn Ft¶ ImWn¨p. " HÁ hgntbbpÅp... SuWnte hÀ¡ptjm¸pIfnsem¶p X¸mw... Gs´¦nepw In«mXncnínÃ.....]t£ F§s\ ^nÁp sN¿pw.... Bhiyw hcp¼w s]s«¶nf¡nsbSpt¡−Xm...." Rm³ Nn´n¨p. " AXp Rm³ t\ct¯ Nn´n¨p tN«m... A\nb¯osS tati¶v AhfpsS ¢nbÀtS¸p Rms\Sp¯ns«m−v.... H«n¨p sh¨m aXn... " " \o Ft¶¡mepw apt¼ Nn´n¨pXpS§ntbm... sImÅmw.. C§s\bpÅ Hcmfnt\bmbncp¶p F\níp th−Xv... F¶m hnt«¡mw...?..." Rm³ Ahsâ tXmf¯p X«n. " sdUn... ]t£ ^m³kn{UÊv FhnsS sh¨m...?..." _me³ tNmZn¨p. " ChnsS sh¨pXt¶ amdmw.. AXm kpc£nXw...." Rm³ \nÀt±in¨p. t]mIp¶ hgnív Xpd¶pInS¶ Hcp KmtcPnsâ ]pdIn \n¶pw s]m¡nb c−p \¼Àt¹ÁpIÄ HdnPn\en\p apIfn H«n¨p sh¨p. hb\mSnsâ In«nbnà ]Icw

tImgnt¡mSnsâ In«n. hà tamãn¨ h−nbptSXpambncnípw. Hm¸tdjsâ HtcItZicq]w bm{XínSbn Rm³ _me\p a\Ênem¡ns¡mSp¯ncp¶p. IpamcnbpsS hmSIhoSn\p Iptd Zqscbmbn Hcp sX§n³tXm¸n\pÅnteív h−n amÁnbn«p. B `mKsaÃmw sX§n³ tXm¸pIfmWv. AhnsSbpanhnsSbpambn CShn«p I¯n\n¶ncp¶ Ce{ÎnIv t]mÌpIfnte _Ä_pIfpsS shfn¨¯n \ns¶mfn¨p\S¶v R§Ä IpamcnbpsS hoSn\p ap¶nse¯n. \m«phgnbcnInte Hcp ]gb hoSv. NpÁpw aXnepIÄ¡p ]Icw GtXm hÅns¨SnIÄ \n_nUambn NpÁn¸nWªp InS¡p¶ then. ap³`mK¯mbn Hcp XSn¸«nIsIm−p XÃn¡q«nb tKÁp amXncn t]cn\p am{Xw Ft´m sNdnb H¶v. s]m¡apÅ Hcmfn\p Ih¨p IS¡mw. AXp ]IpXn Xpd¶p InS¶ncp¶p. Aåw Zqsc I¯n\n¡p¶ hgnhnf¡nsâ Ac− shfn¨¯n B tKÁn\p ap¼n InS¡p¶ hb\mSnsâ \¼Àt¹ÁpÅ {^m©nbpsS Po¸v. B \ncbnte AbÂ]¡hoSpIÄ Aåw AI¶mbncp¶p. t\tc ap³hi¯v Ccp«p IqSpIp¯nb sX§n³ tXm¸v. " BfIt¯m−v tN«m.... " _me³ a{´n¨p. " ]«nsbmt−mSm...?..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " tN«s\s´mcp tNmZyam tNmZnípt¶... C§\t¯ ho«n ]«n ImWptam... AbÂ]¡t¯Xnt\t¸mepw Ahcp shjwsImSp¯p sImÃpw... Atøns¶ FS]mSpImcv ]«ntbt¸Sn¨n«Sp¡pthm...?.." " Rm\t{Xw Nn´n¨nÃ... hm..." " tN«m.... H¶p \nt¶... CXp It−m..." t\cnb shfn¨¯n _me³ Po¸nsâ ap³hit¯ SbÀ Nq−n¡mWn¨p. AXnsâ ImÁp t]mbncp¶p. Rm\Xp t\m¡nbn«v adphi¯p IS¶t¸mÄ B hit¯ Sbdnt·Â H¶p Xncnªp t\m¡n. AXpw ]©dmbncníp¶p. " FSm... CXv ]t− ChnsS sIS¡p¶ h−nbmtWmSm...?... " F\nsímcp kwibw. " Aà tN«m... C¶p h¶Xp Xs¶bm... sXm«pt\m¡v... F©nsâ NqSn¸gpw t_mWtÁsem−v... t]mcmªn«v Uokensâ atWmw....." " F¦n.....C¶v {^m©n ChnS¶p t]mI¯nÃ... ]mhw ChnsS sIS¶Xp Xt¶... GXmbmepw \o hm... t\cw Ifb−..." " Acniw h¶n«v Abtem¡¡mcp hsÃmcpw Agn¨p hn«Xmcnípw... AsænÂ... ChnSpt¯ Un¦pWm^n Adnbmhp¶hcv ck¯n\p sNbvXXmhpw..." " F´p ]−mc¦nepw Bhs«... \o hm..." Rm\ht\ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨p. R§Ä apÁ¯p Ibdn. kmam\yw henb apÁw. sI«nS¯nsâ c−p hi¯pw Aåw kvYetabpÅp. apÁ¯v thenbpsS adhp ImcWw shfn¨anÃ. hcm´bn Ac`n¯nbpw shÅbSn¨ henb NXpc¯qWpIfpw. sN¦ÃpsIm−pÅ ]gb ]Wn. R§Ä hoSns\mcp he¯p sh¨p. ]pdInet¯ aqebnepÅ Hcp apdnbpsS shânteÁdn \n¶pw shfn¨¡odpIÄ ]pdt¯íp {]kcníp¶p. P\epIÄ `{Zambn AS¨ncníp¶p. {i²n¨t¸mÄ ^m\nsâ IndpIndp¸pw sNdnb kwkmchpw tIÄ¡mw. kabw Hcp aWnsb¦nepambn¡mWpw. ]pdInte Hcp P\ensâ tNcm¯ ]mfnbpsS AcnIn \n¶v R§Ä sNhntbmÀ¯p. " Rm\t¶tc ]dªXm... cs−®w IqsS tam´m³... F¦n Imcyw Ffp¸w Igntªt\... " " ^p abntc... ]q¡¶p sImW¸nt¨¨v hb\mSt\ HmSn¨p hnSm\mtWmSo....?..." elcnbn IpXnÀ¶ hb\mSsâ iÐw. " At¿m FsâmSbtX... Rms\m¶pw ]dªntÃ... F§s\ shtWepw sImWt¨m... AXn\tà Cu Rm³... kÀthzmw sXmdt¶m−v \nípt¶... ASnt¨m... \Sphp Igíp¼w Ft¶ IpÁw ]dbÃv..." " AXn\p aps¼sâ Igs¸m¶p XoÀ¡s«So.... abncp sImXw....C¨ncqsS Cdp¡n¸nSnsbSo... Ct{Xw sXmd¶p shímsX...." " CubnsSbm... Ct{Xw sXmd¶Xv... CXn\p aps¼sâ sImtXm¶p tI«m BWp§sS hmbo¶p shÅw hcphmcp¶p... A¸¨\p am{Xw F{X Cdp¡o«pw CdpIm¯sX´m....?..." " hcpshSo... hcpw... hmbo¶Ã.. C¨ncqsS Imep s]m¡n ]nSnsíSo... " " Imep s]m¡n¸nSníWw Ih¨p \níWw...F¶m apdpIptIw thWw... FÃmw IqsS§\m..?. CXn IqSpXeI¯m\nÃ...tZt−... Mqw....."

" AhS½qt½tS...." " Hmhq... CSn¨p tIÁphmtWm..... F¶m A§p tIds«....Fs´mcp ]dnbm.... sXm−¡pgose¯n....Mqw.. " IpamcnbpsS På\§Ä. Rm³ ]n¨m¯nbptS AÁwsIm−v sasà B ]mfn H¶p Xpd¡m³ t\m¡n. AX¸sam¶p hnSÀ¶p. Aåw IqSn {ian¨t¸mÄ ]gInb hnPmIncnbpsS IncpInsc iÐw. kabsaSp¯v Hcp aq¶nt©mfw hnShp−m¡n. P\ensâ Ac¡À«³ sasà amÁn t\m¡n. Blm, \à Imgv¨. apdnbpsS GXm−p a²y¯n InS¡p¶ Hcp taibpsS h¡n HcpIm s]m¡nsh¨v ]«n apÅm³ \n¡p¶Xpt]mse IhínSbpw hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨p \n¡p¶ Ccp\nd¡mcn Hcp lnUpw_n kv{Xo. kmam\yw \à h®w. _me³ ]dªXp t]mse AãZzmc§fnepw Htckabw ASn¨ptIÁnbmepw H¶pw AdnbmsX apSnbnÂ\n¶pw t]³ s]dp¡p¶ C\w. _Ä_nsâ \ng ImcWw apJw hyàaÃ. s]s«s¶\nív Ftf½tb HmÀ½ h¶p. Cu km[\w Ftf½bpsS tPyã¯nbmbn«p hcpw FÃmw Hcp Un{Kn IqSpX N¡t]msebpÅ apeIÄ sXdn¨mSp¶p. H¸w Hcp I«nkzÀ®amebpw. apSn D¨nbn sI«nsh¨ncníp¶p. AhcpsS ]pdIn \n¶v Xoh−nbpsS ]n̬ Ibdp¶Xpt]mse BªSn¨psIm−ncníp¶ {^m©n. c−n\pw \qÂ_ÔanÃ. tai¸pd¯v NIncnbS¸n« shÅ¡p¸n. ASnbn Ac¥mÊp am{Xta tijn¨n«pÅp. ¥mÊnepw DuÁn sh¨ncníp¶p. ASp¯v Hcp t¹Án Ft´m D−v, Cd¨nbmbncnípw. Rm³ Aåw IqsS hniZambn t\m¡m³ th−n IÀ«sâ ASnhiw Aåw IqsS amÁn. B kab¯mbncp¶p, tai¸pd¯ncp¶ ¥mÊnte Nmcmbw AcsImX_Ôw hnSphnímsX Ip® AhfpsS sImX¯nteíp XÅnsh¨psIm−p Xt¶ {^m©n Ip\nsªSp¯Xv. Hcp \nanjw, P\en¦tesím¶p t\m¡nbn«v ¥mkv HÁ hení Imenbm¡n. ]ns¶ ¥mkv sa¯bnteíp hens¨dnªp. " Mm... C\n icnbmbntímfpw F⸨m... " " Mqw... Cdps¡So...B..." hb\mS³ H¶p ap{Ibn«psIm−v ho−pw ]Wn XpS§n. c−paq¶p {]mhiyw tIÁnbSn¨t¸mtgípw amdnbpw adnªpw IpamcnbpsS IhbnSp¡nsâ `qanimkv{Xw Aåkz¸w ]nSnIn«n. tai¸pd¯ncp¶ IpamcnbpsS XpSbn ]nSn¨v {^m©n s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ Ipamcn HÁ¡men {^m©nbpsS _e¯n _mte Um³kpImcnbpsS Nn{Xw amXncn \n¡p¶p. \à hen¸apÅ, Ingns¡«pIÄ t]msebpÅ, Idp¯ hnkvXmcamdnb ape¡®pIfpw Idp¯ tImÀ¡S¸pt]msebpÅ sR«pIfpw DÅ apeIÄ ]®ensâ BLmX¯n AXpc−pw ]n©pN¡IÄ t]mse apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw sXdníp¶p. {][m\hmXn A§s\ hmbpw s]mfn¨v aeÀs¡ Xpd¶p \n¡p¶p. Idp¯ncp− ]qdmbXpsIm−mbncnípw AXp sicníp ImWm³ _Ä_nsâ shfn¨w XnIbp¶nÃ. AXp {^m©níp th−mbncnípw, ImcWw AXnt¸mÄ sdbnÂthXpc¦w amXncn hnIkn¨n«p−mIpw. {^m©ntbt¸mepÅhcpsS kvIÍpansskepIÄ F{Xsb®w tIdnbnd§nb hmXnemWXv. IpamcnbpsS {][m\ hmXnent\¡mÄ kpJw aÁpÅ hmXnepIfmWtÃm. Ip«nbm\bpsS XmSnt]met¯ XSn¨p Idp¯ kmam\s¨hnIÄ. CSínSív Xncnbpt¼mÄ ImWmw {^m©nbpsS Acs¡«m sN¸pIpS¡p−nIfn [fIv [fIv F¶Snípt¼mgpw Ducpt¼mgpw B ]qÀ¨p−pIÄ Xq§ns¯dníp¶p. kw`hw \S¡p¶Xp ]pdwhmXnen IqsSbmbncp¶p. C{Xbpw henb Ip−nIÄ¡nSbneqsS AIs¯¯Wsa¦n hb\mStâXv Igpt¡m Ip®bmbncníWw. AsænÂXt¶ Cu XmSIbpsS IhínSbn B\¡p® tIdnbmepw shey]Ånbn Cu¨ tIdnb t]msebmWtÃm. Asæn AhÄ a\Êp sh¨v Cdp¡ns¡mSp¡Ww. CSív _me³ Hs¶¯n t\m¡n. Ah³ AdnbmsX Fsâ XpSbn \pÅnt¸mbn. Rm³ Ahsâ Ibv X«namÁn. apdnípÅn \n¶pw ap{IbnSoepw Bt{Imi§fpw XpSÀ¶p. ]q¨IÄ CW tNcp¶ amXncnbpÅ _lfw. " A¸¨sâ... Fs´mcp... IgbmtWm.. tlm... Fsâ sImXw s]mfnbphtÃm.. Mqw.. sImd¨qsS BªSnsísâ A¸¨m... At§m«p Iods«...." Ipamcn IÌatd t{]mÂkmln¸níp¶p. " IodpshSo... Rm³... Mqw... Cdp¡n¸nSnsbSo abntc... B... \nsâ... sbmcp.... apSnª... sImXw... B... "

" C¸w hcp¯....−¸¨m... t\cw ...shfp....¡t«....At§m«Sn¨p.... sXmds¡sâ....A¸¨m... l¿m...l¿m...... " apt¶m«pw ]nt¶m«pw BSp¶Xn\nSbn c−pt]cpw sXdn ]dªp kpJníp¶p. \ne]mSp I−n«v CXhkm\níWsa¦n t\cw shfp¡Wsa¶p tXm¶n. AhfmsW¦n ]Tn¨ thiy. Aht\m IpXncbpsS P·hpw. tai¸pd¯ncníp¶ Nmcmb¡p¸n BSp¶p. s¹bnÁn Cd¨nbpsS Ahinãw, AXp t¹bnÁn InS¶pcpfp¶p. Rm³ _met\ tXm−n. " sdUo...?.." Rm³ _mesâ sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " sdUn...." _me³ s]mdps]mdp¯p. Rm³ Dds¡ P\en IqsS hnfn¨p ]dªp. " ASn... ASn... Iods«... ASn... A...A...A..A.." Rm³ Xmf¯n I¿Sn¨p. s]s«¶p c−p t]cpw sR«n. Ip® A§s\ Xs¶ AhfpsS Bk\¯n XÅnsh¨psIm−v hb\mS³ Bt{Imin¨p. " lmcmSm... AXv..." " \nsâ X´... ASnsbSm... \nÀ¯msX... ImWm³ \à ckw... h¬...Áq... {Xo..." " \mbnsâ tamt\... GXp XmtbmfnbmSm... hb\mS³ ]®ps¶S¯v......" ]dªp ]qÀ¯nbm¡msX {^m©n Ig IpamcnbpsS sImX¯n \n¶qcn. s]s«¶p c−p t]cpw aps−Sp¯p. {^m©n Hcp henb tSmÀs¨Sp¯p. FhnsS \nt¶m Hcp ]n¨m¯nbpw. ]ns¶ ]pdInet¯ hmXnenteíp Xncnªt¸mÄ Rm³ _met\mSp ]dªp. " t]m..." _me³ hoSnsâ ]pdInet¯ aqebn ImW¯¡hn[w ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p. Rm³ adphit¯ aqebn Hfn¨p \n¶p. Hcp \nanjw Ignªt¸mÄ hmbn sImÅm¯ sXdnbpw hnfn¨pIqhns¡m−v ASp¡fhmXn Xpd¶v {^m©n shfnbnteíp Xebn«p. c−p hit¯ípw tSmÀ¨Sn¨p t\m¡n. Fsâ hit¯íp tSmÀ¨p Xncnªt¸mÄ Rm³ ]n³henªp. _mesâ hit¯íSn¨t¸mÄ _me³ ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p. _met\ I−Xpw hb\mS³ Aedn. " Xmtbmfn.. \nsÃSm AhntS ...\ns¶ Rm³... s\\s¡s¶ Adnb¯nsÃSm....\mbnsâ tamt\..." F¶mt{Imin¨psIm−bmÄ shfnbnteínd§n. _me³ B hi¯p IqsS hoSnsâ ap¼ntetímSn. ]pdtI tSmÀ¨pw sXfn¨psIm−bmfpw. B X¡¯n\p Rm³ ASp¡f hmXnen F¯n Xpd¶pInS¶ hmXnen IqSn AI¯p {]thin¨p. IXInsâ IpÁnbn«v Xncnbpt¼mÄ AIt¯ apdnbn \n¶pw ASp¡fbnteíp hcp¶ Ipamcn. \à N´apsÅmcp kv{Xo. \måXn IqSpX {]mbw. ]t£ \à apJw. Hcp Ibnen hmcnbpSp¯n«p−v. _lf¯nembXp sIm−mbncnípw Hcp \mS³ tXmÀ¯p shdptX tXmfnen«v B aeapeIÄ ad¨psIm−mWp hchv. Bsc¶p \nco£ním\mbncnípw. Ibnenbpw _\nb\pw [cn¨v, XmSnbpw apJhpw tXmÀ¯psIm−v ad¨psI«n, Hcp I¿n tSmÀ¨pw adpI¿n ITmcnbpambn \n¡p¶ Ft¶ I−Xpw BZyw AhÄ H¶p ]I¨p. ]ns¶ \nehnfn¨p. " At¿m... Ių.... Ių tIdntb..." Rm³ NmSn AhfpsS Igp¯n\p Ip¯n¸nSn¨p. Ft¶¡mÄ AcbSnsb¦nepw s]m¡¡qSpXep−mbncp¶p AhÄ¡v. I¯n I®n\p t\tc ImWn¨n«v Rm³ ]ÃpISn¨edn. " an−nt¸mIcpXv... H¨sh¨m....Cu Igp¯p Rm³ I−nípw..." " \o.....\o......\obmcm... F´m s\\¡v..." hn¡nhn¡n AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " ^...\nât½tS \mbcv....an−mXncnsbSo s]mebmSo...." AhÄ ]ns¶ an−nbnÃ. AXmWp \ÃsX¶p tXm¶n¡mWpw. " \Ss¡So..." AhÄ t\tc AIt¯m«p \S¶p hmXneSíms\mcp {iaw \S¯n. AXp {]Xo£n¨ Rm³ AhÄs¡m¸w NmSn AI¯p IS¶p. ]ns¶ I¯n s\©n\p t\tc Nq−n. " the¯cw htÃmsaSp¯m \nsâ N¦neo I¯n tIdpw... \Ss¡So... At§m«v..." Fsâ BPvR AhÄ A\pkcn¨p. I¨hS¡mcnbtà A\pkcníp¶Xp¯aw F¶p IcpXn¡mWpw. Ahtf Rm³ I«nen\cnInteíp \S¯n. AhÄ BZyw H¶p aSn¨p. ]ns¶ \S¶p. I«nen\cnInse¯nbt¸mÄ AhÄ apeIÄ aqSn tXmfnen«ncp¶ tXmÀ¯p

Rm³ hens¨Sp¯p. AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶p. At¸mÄ B apJs¯mcp ]p©ncn. apgp¯ ioa¸¸bIÄ t]mse Nmªp InS¶ apeIÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n¨ncn¨p. Ahfpw H¶p aμlkn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " CXns\´n\m I¯n... Imcyw ]dªm t]mcmcpt¶m... " " an−msX I«ntetem«p Iagv¶p sIS¡So.. " " F´n\m [rXn.... tZjys¸S−t¶....Rm³ sISt¶mfmtÃm...." AhÄ I«nenteíp Iagv¶p InS¶n«p tNmZn¨p. " Hm.. CXmtWm Cãw.. F¦n ..... Rm³ apt«Â \níp¶XtÃ... H¶qsS kuIcyw..." " AS§ns¡Ss¡So..." Rm³ I¯n ISn¨p]nSn¨n«v AhfpsS c−p I¿pw ]pdtIms«Sp¯v I¿nencp¶ AhfpsS tXmÀ¯psIm−v sI«n. sNdnb tXmÀ¯mbncp¶XpsIm−v c−psI«n\p \ofw XnIªnÃ. Rm³ Xebn sI«nbncníp¶Xgn¨m AhÄ Fsâ apJw apgph\mbn ImWpw. AXp th−. DÅ \of¯n sI«nbn«v Xp¼p Rm³ _eambn NpÁn¯ncpIn sh¨p. " CsXmcp ]pXnb ]cn]mSnbmWtÃm... sImÅmw.. CXmZyam tIt«m...." Rm³ H¶pw an−msX Ahtf Xncn¨p aeÀ¯n¡nS¯m³ t\m¡n. \à `mcw. I¿pw sI«pw ASnbnemIpt¼mÄ s]s«¶v AgnbpIbnÃtÃm. " l... Ibv s]mdIn sI«o«v aeÀ¯nsIS¯p¶sX§\m... Agnív... F¶m kuIcymbn«p sIS¡mhtÃm...." " an−cpXv..." Rm³ Bt{Imin¨p. aeÀ¶p InS¡m³ Ahfpw {ian¨p. Ahkm\w sNcnªp InS¶p. B ]nSnhenbn AhfpsS IbnenbpsS Ip¯gnªp. AXp I«nen hoWp. AhÄ Ct¸mÄ ]cn]qÀ®\á. sh«n\nc¯nb IpÁntcma§fpambn AhfpsS Ccp− s\¿¸¸qdp Ih¡nSbn XÅns]m§n \n¶p. \Sphn Hcp sNdnb hc am{Xw. XSn¨ hbdnsâ \Sp¡p InWdp t]mse ]p¡nÄ DÅnteíp henªp \n¡p¶p. c−p sNdnb Acn¨m¡pIÄ tatetate ASp¡nb t]mse B N¡apeIÄ H¶n\papIfn H¶mbn AaÀ¶pInS¶p. Ahsft¶ t\m¡n aμlkn¨p. Ct¸mÄ B apJs¯mcp t]SnbpanÃ. GX{IanbmsW¦nepw Xsâ Ih¡nSbnepÅ s\¿¸w ImWpt¼mÄ shÅand¡n AXnteíp XeIp¯psas¶hÄ¡dnbmw. Rm³ NpÁpw t\m¡n. Abbn InS¶ {_mÊnbsdSp¯p. " hm s]mfnsíSo..." " At¿m F´n\m... F\níp izmkw ap«ptIte.. " AhÄ Hcp sNdnb kw{`at¯msS tNmZn¨p. " On... hm s]mfnsíSo.. " Rm³ AhfpsS sXm−íp Ip¯n¸nSn¨p. Hcp Rc¡t¯msS AhÄ hmXpd¶p. Rm³ B {_mÊnbÀ ]Áp¶nSt¯mfw hmbn XÅnt¡Án. AhÄ I®pangn¨p. " AhsSs¡S¡v... Rm\n¸w hcmw..." AhÄ sNcnªp InS¶p Fs´ms¡tbm iЧfp−m¡n. Rm³ t\sc ap³his¯ sNdnb apdnbnteíp IS¶p kzn¨p X¸n¸nSn¨v ebnÁn«p. hmXn Xpd¶n«p hcm´bnteínd§n IXIp Nmcn. hmXn¡te NXpc¯qWn\p adªp \n¶p. C{Xbpw sN¿m³ F\nsímcp an\nt« th−n h¶pÅp. a\Êp XpSníp¶ DtZzKt¯msS Rm³ Im¯p \n¶p. Ct¸mÄ shânteÁdn IqSn apdnbnte shfn¨w Acn¨cn¨v apÁ¯p In«p¶p−v. At¸mÄ ImWmw tSmÀ¨nsâ shfn¨w tKÁnsâ ASpt¯íp hcp¶p. sXdnbpw hnfn¨psIm−mWp hchv. _me³ ]mh¯nt\ Iptdbnt«mSn¨p ImWpw. tKÁp IS¶v apÁ¯p Ibdnb {^m©n apÁ¯cnIn tSmÀ¨Sn¨p t\m¡n. " IgpthdosS a¡tf... C\nsbmt−mSm hÃh\pw... s\\s¡m¶pw Ft¶ Adnb¯nsÃSm... GSpt¯mfmSm Rm³... " ]ns¶ t\tc hcm´bnteíp h¶p. hcm´bnteípÅ ]Snbn AbmÄ Im Nhn«nbt¸mtgípw Rm³ I¿nencp¶ apfIps]mSn iànbmbn Ahsâ apJt¯sídnªp. " lq.. GXp XmtbmfnbmSm .." AbmÄ ]pdtIm«nd§n amdn I®p Xncp½m³ XpS§n. tSmÀ¨p Xmsgbn«n«v Xncp½p¶tXmsSm¸w sXdnIfpsS ]c¼c. Rm³ hcm´bpsS Ac`n¯n Ih¨v apÁt¯íp NmSn. Fsâ ]mZ]Z\w tI« AbmÄ B e£yw t\m¡n I¯n Bªp hoin. ]ns¶ \n¶nS¯p \n¶v h«w Id§n ]n¨m¯n hoins¡m−ncp¶p. Ah³ I®p

Xncp½n. D¨¯n sXdnhnfnbpw. F\nít§m«Sp¡m³ Ignbp¶nÃ. IS¯\mS³ A`ymknItft¸mse DbÀ¶pw Xmgv¶pw Id§nbpw Ah³ ITmc hoin. Ahkm\w GXm−v Fsâ \ng Ah\p ]nSnIn«mdmbn Fs¶\níp tXm¶n. `b¦c³. aÁmcmbncps¶¦nepw IXIp XÅn¯pd¶v AI¯p tIdpItb DÅp. ]t£ Ch³, Fsâ t\tc ]n¨m¯nbpw hoin ASp¡p¶p. Rm³ Ipd¨p apfIps]mSn IqSn apJt¯sídnªp. " \o... AhcmXns¸mebmSn tamt\... BcmSm \o... ?.. ]dsbSm... sNmWsbmt− BWp§sS Iq«v t\tc hmSm... " C\n IqSpX hn«m ]´nbsöp tXm¶n. ]mXncm BsW¦nepw _lfw tI«v hà AbÂ]¡¡mcpw Fgpt¶Áv hs¶¦ntem. Rm³ Xbmdmbn. ]pdIn _\nb\pÅn \n¶pw Fsâ em¯n hens¨Sp¯p. At¸mtgípw I®pw Xncp½ns¡m−v ITmcn hoip¶Xnsâ thKX Aåw Ipdªp. Hcp Ip¸n Nmcmb¯nsâ iàn tNmÀ¶p XoÀ¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. e£yw sXÁn ITmcn ]nSn¨ Ibv hcm´bnte NXpc¯qWn CSn¨p. ITmcn sXdn¨pt]mbn. \ncmbp[\mb i{Xp H¶p th¨p. AXp Rm³ apXseSp¯p. Ip\nªv AbmfpsS ap«p em¡m¡n Rm³ CSn¡«em¯n iànbmbn hoin. sIm¶s¯§pp sh«nbnSp¶Xpt]mse "tlm" Fs¶mcmÀ¯\mZt¯msS AbmÄ apÁt¯íp s]mt¯m¶p adnªSn¨p hoWp. ]ns¶ Hcp an\n«p t\ct¯sísâ em¯nív hn{iaanÃmbncp¶p. shânteÁdn IqSn hcp¶ Ac− shfn¨¯n Ht¶ Rm³ {i²n¨pÅp. Ahsâ Acs¡«nepw Xebnepw em¯n ]XnbmXncním³. BZyt¯ Bt{Imi§Ä thZ\bpsS AedepIfmbn amdn. Hmtcm ASnípw Ah³ Aadn. IbvIÄsIm−p XSbm³ {ian¨p. CSíp Rms\mt¶ iÐn¨pÅp. " At½w s]§fpanÃm¯ \mtb..... \nt¶ Rm\n¶p icnbm¡psaSm..." " BcmSm... kltZh\mtWm...? " " AtXSm... Rm³ Xt¶..." " Ibv¸ng ]Ánt¸msbSm... C\n XÃcptXSm... Rm³ N¯p t]mIpw... s\\s¡¶m thtWepw XcmSm... Ft¶ sImÃcptXSm.. " \nehnfnínSbn Ah³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. Fsâ A½tb tXhnSnÈn F¶p hnfn¨h\tà \o F¶p tNmZním³ a\Êp sh¼nsb¦nepw \nb{´n¨p. Ahkm\w, Hmtcm {]lc¯nepw Dcp−p sIm−ncp¶ Ahsâ Ne\w shdpw sR«epIfmbn. \ne¯p InS¶v ASnIÄ shdptX GÁphm§n. IbvsIm−p XSp¡p¶Xp t]mepw \nÀ¯n.. Nt¯ms¶mcp kwibw. Gbv, A§s\ s]s«s¶m¶pw NmIp¶ C\aà Ah³. F\nsím«p sImÃWsa¶pw CÃmbncp¶p. C\n Ah³ Xe s]m¡cpXv, A{X am{Xw. kaql¯nte Cu t`ZamIm¯ ]pgp¡p¯p N¯mepw Ipg¸anà Fs¶\níp tXm¶nsb¦nepw B ]m]w hen¨p Xebn shtí−m F¶p Xocpam\n¨p. Hcp Rc¡t¯mtS ]gw]mb Npcp«nb t]mse Ah³ InS¡p¶Xp I−tXmsS Rm³ im´\mbn. Fsâ DÅnte A¦¡en AS§n. ]ns¶ _p²n {]hÀ¯ním³ XpS§n. Rm³ aSnbnencp¶ IpcpapfIp s]mSn FSp¯p. apdnbnepw ASp¡fbnepw ]pd¯pw apÁ¯pw Rm\pw _me\pw \n¶nS¯psams¡ hnXdn. C\n AYhm Ahs\§m\pw Cu InS¸n InS¶p N¯m \msf t]meokp\mb h¶m AXp aWw ]nSnícpXv. ag¡mdpIÄ Id§n \S¡p¶XÃmsX Cu cm{Xn C\n agbp−mIpsa¶p tXm¶p¶nÃ. Rm³ AI¯p Ibdnbt¸mÄ Ipamcn aeÀ¶p InS¶pIgnªncp¶p. AhÄ Fs´ms¡tbm Ahyàamb iЧfp−m¡n. " an−msX AhsSs¡St¶m... \msf \m«pImcgn¨p hnt«mfpw... R§¡n¶p Xt¶ hb\m«nse¯−Xm... C¸w t\canÃ... Asæn \as¡m¶p tLmjnímcp¶p... t]ms«So... {^m©otS BkvIpamco..." h−n InS¶nS¯p sNÃpt¼mÄ AhnsS h−nbpanà _me\panÃ. F´p ]Án¡mWpw ? {^m©n Aht\ X«ntbm. F¦n h−n FhnsS. AtXm Ah³ ap§ntbm. Gbv, _me³ A¯c¡mc\Ã. Is®¯p¶ Zqcs¯m¶pw Hcp \ng t]mepanÃ. BImi¯nsâ ]Snªmtdt¡mWn DbÀ¶ tX§m¸qfnsâ a§nb {]Imi¯n Rm³ B \m«phgnbpsS Hmcw ]Án \S¶p. Cu \S¸pw kpc£nXaÃ. I¿n ITmcnbpw em¯nbpw. thjw Ibnenbpw _\nb\pw. ]cnNbanÃm¯ {]tZiw. hà _oÁp

t]meokpImc\pw I−m Rm³ hÀ¤obelf¡mct\m `oIct\m Bbn ap{ZIp¯s¸Smw. c−p an\n«p \S¶t¸mtgípw hgntbmc¯p \n¶pw _mesâ hnfntI«p. " tN«m... Rm\nhnsSsbm−v... " Hcp sX§nsâ adhn \n¶pw Aht\mSnsb¯n. " \osbhnSmcp¶p... h−nsb´ntb.... ?..." " H¶pw ]dbs−sâ tN«m.... Ah³ baIme\m... Iãn¨p c£s]«Xm Rm³... " " Mqw... F´p ]Án...." " apÁ¯q¶p shfo NmSo«v Rm³ Aht\ Cu sX§n³tXm¸n C«p Id¡m³ t\m¡n.... F\ní{X ]cnNbw t]mcmªXpsIm−v AXp \S¶nÃ.... Hcp sXt§ sN¶v XebnSntíw sNbvXp.... B Imesâ I¿n tSmÀs¨m−mcp¶Xm sImg¸mtb... Aht\ C¨nsc t\ct¯íhS¶p amÁW¶p tN«³ ]dª¸w CXnt{Xw... sImg¸msW¶p IcpXoÃ.. Hcp hn[¯n h−ntbt¡dn c£s]SpImcp¶p Rm³... Ah³ h−osS \¼cp t\m«p sNbvXns«m−v... C¸gpw Ahsâ I¯osS t]Sn amdo«nÃ...." " C\n t]Sntí−... \o izmkw hnt«m.. h−nsb´ntb...?.." " sImtd amÁn C«ns«m−v... Ah³ ChnsS§m\pw \ns¸mt−m¶dnb¯nÃtÃm.... AtXm−v Rm³ \S¶m ChnsS htc h¶Xv... Bs«... tN«sâ ¹m³ \St¶m..?.." " kwKXn \S¶p... ]t£ _m¡n \mtftb Adnbs¯mÅp..." " F´p ]Án... Imªp t]mtbm..?." _mes\mcp ]cn{`aw. " AsXm¶panÃ... C¨nsc IqSnt¸mtbms¶mcp kwibw... " " Mm.... AXp kmcanÃ... C\n N¯mepw sImg¸anÃ... \m«pImÀ¡pw sP«osemtÅmÀ¡pw kam[m\mcnípw..." " AYhm.... C¶v Ah³ sN¶ntÃepw t_ms«d§pthm.. in¦nSnIfp ]Wn GsÁSp¡pthm... " " AXp tN«³ t]Sní−... Ah½mÀ¡p t]meokpImtc t]Snbm... " " F¦nÂ... \msf \ap¡p t_m«p I¿nseSp¡Ww...." " hb\mS³ hcptIse¦n...]n¶t¯ Imcyw Rmt\Áp... amÀ«n\psam−tÃm... Ah\nsödnbp¼w Ahsâ duUnskÁp Xmt\ HXp§pw... \½sS IqsS ht¶mfpw..." _me³ Bizkn¨p. h−nbnencp¶p R§Ä thjw amdn. ]ns¶ t\tc sabn³tdmUnteíp hn«p. AhnsSsb¯p¶Xn\p ap¼v. c−p t]meokpImÀ h−níp Ibv ImWn¨p. " Bcm \n§fv...? Cu Akab¯v FhnsS t]mIp¶p....?..." " CXv... R§sS samXemfosSbm... .............sX hb\mS³ {^m©n samXemfosS..." " Cu {]tZi¯v Cu Akab¯v \n§sf´p sN¿pIm¶m tNmZn¨Xv...?.." " AXv...kmtd... C¨nsc clkyam... R§sS samXemfn... ChnSs¯ Hcp ]mÀ«nsbm−tÃm... Bkv Ipamcn... AhsSsbm−v... kÔy¡p sIm−v hn«Xm....FÃmw Ignªp ImWpw F¶p IcpXn sNÃp¼w... C¸gpw AI¯p ebnÁp sI«n«nÃ... F¶m... sabn³ tdmUnse§m\pw t]mbn X«pItSt¶mtcm I«³ IpSnt¨¨p Xncn¨p sNÃm¶p IcpXn...." " hb\mS³... Cu t]cp tI«ns«m−tÃm...Mqw... At§m«p t]mc... Mm... BÀko _p¡pw ssek³kpw FSpt¯..." " kXyw ]dªm... _p¡p _m¦nem... tIm¸nsbmÅXv samXemfosS ho«nepam...km[mcW samXemfntbmSmcpw tNmZnímdnÃ...." " AXp sicnbmI¯nÃtÃm... Ct§ms«d§ntí..." t]meokpImÀ hnSp¶ e£WanÃ. Dt±iw a\Ênembn. Rm³ _met\ sNmdnªp. Ah³ Xmsgbnd§n. ]ns¶ amdn \n¶v AhtcmSp Fs´ms¡tbm kwkmcn¨p. t]m¡Án \n¶pw Ft´m FSp¯p sImSp¡p¶Xpw I−p. aq¶p t]cpw Xncn¨p h¶p. " Mm... C¸w s]mtím... C\n _q¡nÃmsX h−ow sIms−d§ntb¡Ãv.. GXp samXemfnbmtWepw..." " kmtd... C\ow... R§fp Xncn¨p hcpw... A¸w Ibv ImWnítÃ..." " Mm..Mm..." CXn\nSív Hcp t]meokpImc³ h−nbpsS \¼À Ipdns¨Sp¡p¶Xp I−p. " \n§fp hS¡q¶tà hcp¶Xv... Hcp kvIq«tdsemcp ]¿³ CXnte Id§ps¶m−mcp¶p.... \n§sf§m\pw I−mcpt¶m....?.." " CÃtÃm.... \o I−mcpt¶mSm...?.." Rm³ _met\mSp tNmZn¨p.

" CÃsÃm.... F´m kmtd ...hà s]iIpw tXm¶ps¶mt−m...?.." " s]itIsbmÅp.... AXpw Cu t\cs¯mcp NpÁn¡fn.... B kvIq«dnsâ \¼cp t\m¡o«{X sXfnbp¶nÃ... Hcp¯t\w hnizkníms\m¡¯ntÃ... \msf t\cw shfp¯mte Adnbm³ ]Ás¯mÅp... GsXms¡ ]Åoem... AtàA¼e¯nem t_mw_p sh¨ncnípt¶¶v..." BZyt¯ t]meokpImc³ ]dªp. " C¨nsc apt¼ Hcp iÐw tI«mcp¶p... Ah\m Ipdp¡phgntb AIt¯m«p hns«¶m tXm¶p¶Xv...Mm... In«pw ...C¶tà\mtf... Iq¼p Rms\f¡pw..." c−mas¯ t]meokv hochmZaSn¨p. F\nípÅn Nncn h¶p. F{X henb A{IanbmsW¦nepw Ioi Xpd¶p ImWn¨m Aht\ kpc£nXambn ]dªp hnSp¶ t]meokpImÀ. " sicn kmtd... R§fp t]mtb¨p hcmw....." R§Ä bm{X ]dªp. " Ccp\qdp \o«nbn«v k½Xn¨nÃ... t]m¡Ánsemcªqdnsâ t\ms«m−mcp¶XpsIm−v c£s]«p... tamãn¨ h−nbtöm tNmZyw... DÅp InSp§nt¸mbn... F¶mepw Bknsâ t]cp]dªns«mcp Iqkepw Cu Gam·mÀ¡nÃtÃm.. sNe¸w AhS¶pw kwXn§p In«pt¶m−mIpw..." " t]meokpImcn \n¶pw IntemaoÁdpIÄ ]n¶n«n«pw _me\nt¸mgpw t]Sn. " F´p InSp§m³... th−nh¶m cs−®w sImSp¯n«v ]d¡Ww... ]t£... Hcp P\tkhIt\ XÃm³ asÁmcp P\tkhIsâ em¯n D]tbmKníp¶Xv icnbÃtÃm... GXmbmepw \obo km[\§sfÃmw s]mXnªp kq£n¨p shív..." Ft¶ hoSnsâ hmXn¡ Cd¡nbn«v _me³ h−nbpambn Ahsâ ho«nteíp t]mbn. Rm³ hm¨n t\m¡n. aWn aq¶v. ASp¡fhmXn Xpd¶I¯p tIdn. apIfn R§fpsS apdnbnse¯nbt¸mÄ H¶p i¦n¨p. A`nbnt¸mÄ \à Dd¡ambncnípw Cu sIm¨pshfp¸m³ Ime¯v Ahtf F´n\pWÀ¯Ww. H¶p ]ng¨m aq¶v. C¶pw ]mepIpSn \S¶nÃ. C\n BtLmjambn«v \msfbm¡mw. GXmbmepw Ct¸mÄ a\Êns\mcp kam[m\ap−v. \mtf Ah³ Ns¯¶p hmÀ¯ hcmXncp¶m aXn. At¸mÄ \msf s]mSns]mSnímw. t\tc Xmsg h¶p. DuWpapdnbpsS ASp¯pÅ sNdnb Ipfnapdnbn Ibdn H¶p Ipfn¨p. IgnhXpw iÐap−m¡msX t\m¡n. ap¯Ñ\pd¡w IpdhmbXpsIm−v sNdnb iÐw tI«mÂt]mepw Nne¸w DWÀ¶p hnfnt¨¡pw. ]ns¶ FÃmw hnkvXcním³ \n¡Ww. FÃmw kmhImiw \msf ]dbmw. Nmcn¡nS¡p¶ ]qPmapdnbn \n¶papÅ shfn¨w DÅXpsIm−v CS\mgnbnÂIqSn \S¡m³ _p²nap«nÃ. apdnbn sN¶p. iÐw tIĸnímsX IXIp XÅn¯pd¶p. ebnÁnStWm, Hm th−, Ahfpd§ntíms«. ]I Ahfpw [mcmfw ASp¡f¸Wn sNbvXXtÃ. Hcp \nanjw t\m¡n\n¶t¸mÄ apdnbnte Ac− shfn¨hpambn I®pIÄ AUvPÌp sNbvXp. t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ XeaqSn¸pX¨p InS¡p¶p. GkobpsS XWp¸n aqSn¸pX¨pInS¡m³ \à kpJambncnípw. s_Uvem¼p sXfn¨mepw AhÄ DWcpw. Rm³ t\tc IqsS tIdn. ]pX¸ps]m¡n tNÀ¶§p InS¶p. sNcnªv ap«phf¨v S t]msebmWp InS¡p¶Xv. Fsâ icocw AhfpsS aS§nb ImÂap«n sIm−t¸mÄ AhÄ A\§n. ]ns¶ t\tc InS¶p. \à Dd¡amtWm F¶dnbm³ th−n Rm³ iÐsamXp¡n hnfn¨p t\m¡n. " tamtf... A`o.." D¯canÃ. " tamtf... A`o..." " Mpw..." Hcp Rc¡w am{Xw. Hm, \à Dd¡w. C\n ieys¸Sp¯−. Rm³ IqsS tNÀ¶p aeÀ¶p InS¶p. sI«n¸nSnítWm. th−, AhÄ DWcpIbmsW¦n Ft¶ Ct§m«p sI«n¸nSnt¨mfpw. ap«nbtà InS¡p¶Xv. B InS¸n InS¶v Rm³ A¶t¯ kw`h§Ä Abhnd¡n. Dd¡w hcp¶nÃ. Ahtf H¶p sI«n¸nSníWsa¶p−v. Fsâ s]m¶`n¡p«nísXmcp D]{Zhamsb¦ntem. Ct{XbpÅp s]®p§fpsS Imcyw Rm³ a\Ên Nncn¨p. Rm³ Xncn¨phcmsX Dd§pIbnsöp ]dªv hoctbm²m¡tf bm{Xbm¡p¶Xpt]mse Ft¶ Ab¨n«v. Ahfpd§nt¸mbn.

]pX¸n\pÅn kpJapÅ NqSv. CSíhsfm¶\§n. Rm³ Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS hbdn sasà sIm−p sh¨p. XpWnbn sXm«bpSt\ AhÄ Fsâ Is¿Sp¯p amÁn Fsâ Xt¶ s\©n XncnsI sh¨p. Rm³ Cfn`y\mbn.. Mm, t]ms«. ASp¯ AhfpsS sNbvXn Ft¶ BsI A¼c¸n¨Xpw B\μ¯n BdmSn¡p¶Xpambncp¶p. AhÄ sasà Fsâ Acs¡«nteíp Ibv \nc¡n\nc¡n sIm−p h¶n«v Fsâ IbnenbpsS Ip¯gn¨v c−p hit¯ípan«p. ap−p ]dním³ AhfpsS Ibv F¯nb hnhcw Adnªt¸mÄ Xt¶ Dd§n¡nS¶ D®nIrjvW³ Xes]m¡n. Fsâ Acs¡«neqsS Acn¨cns¨¯nb AhfpsS Ibv Aht\ sXm«t¸mtgípw BÄ NmSnsbgpt¶ÁpIgnªp. s\Án sNmdnbpt¼mÄ \n¶psImSp¡p¶ ]iphnt\t¸mse AhfpsS XShen kpJn¨v Ah\§s\ sR«nsR«n \nesIm−p. F¶mepw AhfpsS Hcp kq{X¸Wn. Ft¶ kt´mjn¸ním³ AhÄ FSp¯ the F\nínãs¸«p. AhÄ Ahsâ ASnapX apSnhtc XgpIn¯mtemen¨psIm−ncp¶p. CSíhÄ Aht\ sR¡n, Ahsâ HÁ¡®n XShn Ahsâ B\μ¡®oÀ tXm−nsbSp¯v Ahsâ Xt¶ sam«¯ebn tX¨p. F\níp kpJw, \à kpJw. sÈm, ]pX¸p amÁn ebnÁn«m AhfpsS apJ`mhw ImWmambncp¶p. BZyambn«v `À¯mhnsâ Acs¡«n hmgp¶ cmPIpamct\ IbvshÅbnen«v A½m\amSpt¼mÄ s]s«¶v shfn¨ap−mbm At¸mÄ B apJt¯ \mWhpw N½epw, AXp ImWm³ F´p ckambncnípw. GXmbmepw AXp ths−¶p sh¨p. AhfpsS kwcw`w AhÄ \nÀ¯nbmÂ. kpJw IqSnbt¸mÄ Rm\dnbmsX Ahtf sI«n¸nSním\mªp. ]t£ AhÄ k½Xn¨nÃ. D®nIrjvW\n \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯v Ahsft¶ XSªp. B, F¦n AhfpsS Cãw t]mse sN¿s«. BZyambn«tà AhÄ Aht\ sXmSp¶Xpw XgpIp¶Xpw. Ip® F¶p ]dbp¶ km[\w F´msW¶hÄ ]Tnís«. ho−pw Rm³ t\tc InS¶p. AhÄ ]Wn XpSÀ¶p. AhÄs¡mcp½ sImSp¡m³ Np−pIÄ Bin¨p. \à kpJamb XgpIÂ. eKm³ I¼n¸mc t]mse \n¶p sR«p¶p. AhfpsS I¿n H¶ns\m¶p _ew IqSpIbmbncp¶p. AhÄ atÁ IbvsIm−v Ft´m sN¿p¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. ]ns¶ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨v AhfpsS Acs¡«n sIm−p sh¨p. AhÄ ]mhmS hbdnteíp s]m¡n sh¨ncnípIbmbncp¶p. IÅn, kmcnsbms¡ amdn ]mhmS am{XapSp¯v X¿mdmbn¯s¶ InS¡pIbmbncp¶p. \à an\pan\p¯ tcmaw \ndª B {XntImW¯n AhÄ Fsâ Ibv sIm−p sh¨p. Blm, AhÄ tcmaw Ipd¨p sh«n¡fª e£Ww. Hm, D¨ív Rm³ aoibpsS Imcyw ]dªXpsIm−mbncnípw. GXmbmepw th−hn[¯n sN¿p¶p−tÃm. AhÄ Fsâ Nq−phnc ]nSn¨v AhfpsS ]qÀ¨men sIm−p XncpIn. ]ns¶ tatem«pw Iotgm«pw Dc¨p. F\níp a\Ênembn. F´n\m \o C{Xbpw \mWníp¶Xv. H¶p t\m¡nbm t]mtc Rms\´pw sNbvXpXcntÃ. F´n\m hncÂ, \à AcapÅ \m¡p InS¡pt¼mÄ. AhÄ¡p¨ít¯ ]cn]mSn Cãs¸«ncníp¶p. " D¨ít¯ ]Wnb§p ]nSn¨p CtÃ...?..." Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... " AhÄ ]q¨ Rc§p¶Xp t]mse aqfn. " F¶m tamÄ¡p Rm³ A§s\ sNbvXpXcmw....." Rms\gpt¶Â¡m³ `mhn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ Ft¶ Xmtgíp hen¨p. Hm, ]mXncmíp hr¯ntISp ImWntís−¶mbncnípw. t]mcmªn«v C{Xbpw kabwsIm−v Xo£KÔapÅ Acs¡«nte B aS¡pIÄ¡p hfn¸paWw ]nSn¨pImWpw F¶dnbmambncnípw. ip²nbpw hr¯nbpapÅhfms\sâ `mcy. sicn, \nsâ Cãw. Rm³ Fsâ Ibv amÁn. Aåw sNcnªp InS¶n«v AhfpsS sXfn\oÀt¨mebn hncÂ{]tbmKw XpSÀ¶p. Rm³ B ]qÀ¨men hncen«nf¡n At§mfant§mfw XShn. I´n sXm«p t\m¡n. AXp Ct¸mtg hoÀ¯ncníp¶p. B N¡¨pfíp NpÁpw hncen«p Id¡n. AhÄ XpSIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½n. B ]qdn\Iw H¶ns\m¶p \\bm³ XpS§n. Fsâ hnc A\nb{´nXambn sX¶m³ XpS§n. Cf¡m\pw sX¶ním\pw \à kpJw. H¸w AhfpsS Ip®bnte Ifnbpw IqSnbmbt¸mÄ Rm³ kzÀ¤¯nteípÅ hgnbnse¯n. AhfpsS izmtkmOzmkw {ZpXKXnbnemIp¶Xp Rm³ tI«p. CSíhsfm¶p Rc§n. AhÄ ho−pw Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨v AhfpsS IhínSbnte B Iodensâ AÁw apX apIfn I´p htc sX¶n¨p ImWn¨p. Rm\m hnImctI{μ¯n I¿n«p shcIn.

kpJnís«. Fsâ A`n¡p«n Cãw t]mse kpJnís«. s]s«¶v Ip®bnepÅ AhfpsS Ibv{]tbmKw \n¶p. ]Icw Aht\ _eambn Cdp¡n¸nSn¨p. AhÄ ap«pIÄ aS¡pIbpw \nhÀ¡pIbpw sNbvXp. ]pX¸p henªp. AhÄ ]pfbm³ XpS§n. Is¿Sp¡msX XpSÀ¨bmbn Rm\m ]qÁn hncÂsIm−v \m\mhn[¯n cXnNn{X§Ä hc¨p. AhÄ Fsâ hnc H¶pIqSn ]nSn¨v I´n sXcpsXsc thK¯n Dc¨p ImWn¨p. Rm³ AXpt]mse I´n InSpInSm Dc¨psImSp¯p. Ahsfm¶p henªp \o−p. ]ns¶ XpSIfndp¡n. H¶p Rc§n. Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v B ]qÁn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. Rms\sâ \Sphnc B ]qÀ¯pfbpsS hmXn¡ XÅn¸nSn¨p. AXn\I¯p \S¡p¶ tImemle§Ä Fsâ hncen IqSn Rm\dnªp. AhÄ ImatZhsâ kzÀ¤k¶n[nbn F¯n¡gnªncníp¶p, kpJ¯nsâ AdpXnbnse¯n¡gnªp. CSív Rms\m¶\¡ns¡mSp¯p. Fsâ hnc B Ioden sh¨psIm−hÄ XpSIÄ iànbmbn Cdp¡n¸nSn¨p. hnce\¡m\hÄ k½Xn¨nÃ, C\nbnt¸mÄ C¡nfn ImWpw. Acan\n«p t\cw Ignªt¸mÄ AhfpsS Ih¡qSbªp. AhÄ ImepIÄ \nhÀ¯p. Ip®bnepÅ ]nSn Abªp. F\nípw ]mep NoÁm³ Acs¡«n Cf¡w XpS§nbXmbncp¶p. At¸mgmWhfpsS ]nSn AbªXv. Rm³ AhfpsS Abª Ih¡qSn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. IbvIfn ]Ánb AhfpsS kpJ¡pg¼v AhfpsS Xt¶ ]mhmSbn XpS¨p. Rm³ eKmt\ Iq«n B I¿n ]nSn¨\¡n. GMvtl, Ahf\§p¶nÃ. shdptX Ibv A\¡msX sh¨psIm−ncp¶p. Chfn{Xbpw kzmÀ°bmtWm. sO, H¶panÃmXm¡n. AhfpsS Imcyw I−pIgnªt¸mÄ ]ns¶ A\¡anÃ. Mm, GXmbmepw Fsâ `mcy kpJn¨tÃm. BZycm{Xnbn c−pt]cpw Hcpan¨v kzÀ¤¯n tItd−Xn\p ]Icw AhÄ HÁív tIdnbn«v Ft¶ {Xni¦phn \nÀ¯n¡fªp. GXmbmepw AhfpsS B{Klw \S¡s«. t\cw shfp¡s«, \nsâbo apSnª Dd¡w H¶p Xocs«, C¶p shfp¸n\p Xt¶ \nt¶bpw hen¨psIm−v Rm³ kzÀ¤¯n tIdpw, \½sfmcpan¨v. t\m¡ntím, Rm³ a\Ên ]dªp. ]mepw apdbpsams¡ t]mbn Xpebs«. At¸mtgípw Hcp ZoÀL\nizmkt¯msS AhÄ F\níp ]pdwXncnªp sNcnªpInS¶p. sh«ns¯dníp¶ Ip®bpw I¿n ]nSn¨p Rm\mtemNn¨p. F´p sN¿Ww. ]nSn¨v aeÀ¯n InS¯n ASn¨§p tIÁnbmtem. Gbv, AXmW¯aÃ. F¦n Ipfnapdnbn tIdn ]nSn¨§p Ifªmtem. sO AXpw tamiw BZycm{Xnbn _emÂkwKhpw hmWaSnbpw th−. F¶mepw Chsf´m C§s\. F¦n thsdmcp ]Wn sN¿mw. H¶m´cw XpSIftà AhÄ¡pÅXv. Ip«nIrjvW³ AXn\nSíncnís«. thWsa¦n c−p hen hen¨m shÅhpw t]mbn¡n«pw. AhÄ¡pw _p²nap«nà X¡mew Fsâ Imcyw \S¡pIbpw sN¿pw. Rm³ ]mhmS ]pdIn apIfnteíp hen¨p. AhÄ¡p Imcyw a\Ênembn. AhÄ Acs¡«åw s]m¡n¯¶p. ]mhmS kpKaambn Acíp apIfnse¯n. Rm³ Ip®¯e AhfpsS XpSbn ap«n¨p. AhÄ Hcp Im s]m¡n¯¶p. Rm³ Aht\ ]nSn¨v \¶mbn sXmen¨v B NqSp XpSIÄ¡nSbnteíp sh¨p. s]m¡nb XpS AhÄ Xmgv¯n tNÀ¯psh¨p. sasà sasà Ip® A\¡m³ XpS§n. Fs´mcp KXntISv. kz´w `mcytb h−nsIt«−n hcnI, AXpw BZycm{XnbnÂ. ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ Rm³ XpSínSbn Aåw \o«n ]®m³ XpS§n. XpSIÄ¡nSbn \à apdp¡w. F\níp kpJw IqSn¡qSn hcp¶p. Hcp \meSnIqSn ASn¨m shÅw NoÁnbXp Xt¶. C\nsb\níhtf H¶p sI«n¸nSnt¨ ]Áq. F´p XSÊw h¶mepw icn, sI«n¸nSn¨v c−Sn ASn¨p hcp¯Ww. Rm³ AhfpsS ]pdInteíSp¯p. Fsâ Ibv AhfpsS I£¯n IqSn C«p. AhÄ XSsª¦nepw _eambn Rm³ Ahtf AhfpsS apeIÄ Iq«n sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ s\t©mSp tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. tM, Rm³ sR«nt¸mbn. AhÄ¡n{Xbpw sNdnb apeItfm. At¿m CXv A`ncmanbÃ. A`ncmanbpsS apeIfpsS apgps¸\nínt¸mÄ \¶mbn«dnbmw. ]ns¶ BcmsWsâ I«nenÂ. Rm³ Is¿Sp¯p. Ip® hen¨qcn. ]pX¸p hens¨dnªp I«nen \n¶pw NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. HmSns¨¶p ebnÁn«p. AhfpsS ]pX¸p hen¨v amÁn. I«nen c−p IbvIÄsIm−pw I®ps]m¯n¡nS¡p¶ Ie. ]mhmS Achtc tIÁnsh¨v Ih¡nSbpw Xpd¶v \\ª sN¼³]qdpw Xpd¶psh¨v AhÄ Ih¨p

InS¡p¶p. Fsâ XeíI¯v Bbncw h−pIÄ ]d¶p. C{Xbpw t\cw hncen«p kpJn¸n¨Xv Chtftbm. AhfmIs«, Hcp IqkepanÃmsX kmam\hpw Xpd¶psh¨psIm−p InS¡p¶p. Rms\sâ Is¿m¶p aW¯p. AhfpsS ]qdnsâ aWw. " FSo... \ns¶ Rm³... BcmSo \nt¶mSnhnsSs¡S¡m³ ]dtª..?.tM...?.." Ahtf Rm³ hens¨gpt¶Â¸n¨p. AhÄ A§s\Xs¶ I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. ]mhmS hen¨v t\scbn«p. I®ps]m¯nbncp¶ IbvIÄ amÁn. ]ns¶ Fsâ ap³`mKt¯íp t\m¡n Nncn¨p. At¸mgmWp Rmt\mÀ¯Xv. Rm³ \qÂ_ÔanÃmsX \n¡pIbmsW¶v. ]IpXn Xmgv¶ Ip® Nph¶ Xebpw Im«n Nmªp \n¶p. Rm³ AXp IbvsIm−p s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. I«nen \n¶pw Ibnen hens¨Sp¯pSp¯p. " GSo \nt¶mSm tNmZn¨Xv...." XÃm³ It¿m§nsb¦nepw Rm\hfpsS sNhníp ]nSn¨tXbpÅp. Ahsfgpt¶Áp. " tN¨nbm...." " tM...?.. " Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. AhÄ sNhn Xncp½n. ]ns¶ sIdphn¨psIm−p \n¶p. Fsâ a\Ên IqSn ]e Nn´Ifpw B sk¡ân IS¶p t]mbn. kz´w InS¡bn AhÄ¡p ]Icw F´n\hÄ Ietb InS¯n. C\n AhÄ R§fpsS clky§Ä hÃXpw Adnªn«v, ]nW§nbmtWm CXp sNbvXXv. Ft¶mSv ]Icw tNmZnípIbmtWm. Fsâ DÅnsemcp an¶ånWÀ. " F¶n«v.. AhsfhnsSt¸mbn...?.." " B... sImtd apt¼ Fgpt¶Áp t]mbXm... Rms\m¶p ab§nbXm... At¶cm tN«³ h¶Xv..." " Mm... thKw kvYew hnt«.. Xmsgsb§m\pw t]mbn ae¶psIS¡v... C\n AhsfhnsSt¸mbn...?.." sXm«Sp¯ s_Uvdqw ]q«nbn«ncnípIbmWv. Rm³ XmtgtímSn. knÁn§vdqan sN¶p ebnÁn«p t\m¡n. AhnsSbnÃ. Nmcnbn«ncp¶ A½bpsS apdn Xpd¶p t\m¡n. AhnsS A½ I«nenÂ. \mK½ Imepw Ih¨v \ne¯v aeÀ¶p InS¶pd§p¶p. XmgnI¡pS§Ä t]mse DbÀ¶pXmgp¶ B apeIÄ I−p\n¡m³ ]Ánb aqUÃmbncp¶p. Rm³ Ipª½bpsS apdnhmXn XÅnt\m¡n AXv AI¯p \n¶pw IpÁnbn«ncníp¶p. ap¯Osâ apdnbn shfn¨ap−v, AhnsSbpanÃ. Hcp KÌp s_Uvdqap−v Ct¸mÄ Ie Dd§p¶ apdn., AXp Xpd¶p t\m¡n, AhnsSbnÃ. tÌmdnÂ, _m¯pdqanÂ, HcnS¯panÃ. Chfo ]mXncm{Xnbn FhnsSt¸mbn. BtcmSp tNmZnípw. Rm³ tkm^bn Xeíp I¿pw sImSp¯ncp¶p. C\nsbhnsS t]mbn At\zjnípw. a\Êp s\m´v hà ISpwssI¿pw sN¿m³ t]mbncníptam. Ietb ChnsS Xmakn¸ntí− ImcyanÃmbncp¶p. F´v BtcmSv ]dbWsa¶v Ct¸mgpw AhÄ¡dnbnÃ. Rm\pambpÅ _Ô¯nsâ Fs´¦nepw kqN\ \ÂInbm ]ns¶ A`n Pohn¨ncnínÃ. knÁn§vdqanteív Ac− shfn¨w hcp¶Xv ]qPmapdnbn \n¶mWv. AhnsS Ft¸mgpw c−paq¶p sNdnb _Ä_pIÄ I¯n \n¡pw. s]s«s¶sâ Xeíp shfnhp tXm¶n. Rm³ ]qPmapdnbntetímSn. Nmcnbncp¶ IXIp XÅn¯pd¶p. slm, kam[m\ambn. Fsâ a\Ênsemcp Ipfncp hoWp. \ne¯p hncn¨ncp¶ sNdnb IbÁp]mbbn {]mÀ°\m{KÙ§Ä sh¨ncp¶ Ìqfn Ibv¸¯nbn Xe Nmbn¨v AhÄ Dd§p¶p. Rm³ AI¯p Ibdn Ahtf X«nhnfn¨p. " A`o...A`o... " s]s«¶hÄ DWÀ¶p Xes]m¡n t\m¡n. ]ns¶ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. Dd¡¸n¨n th¨p hogm³t]mb Ahtf Rm³ Xm§n. Ft´m hnizmkw hcm¯ a«n AhÄ Fsâ icoc¯n X¸n t\m¡nbn«p tNmZn¨p. " ht¶m... Mm... h¶p... aWn¡p«³ h¶p..." AhÄ HmÀ½bnÃm¯ amXncn ]pe¼n. " tamtf... A`n¡p«o... F´m .. \o hÃmXncníp¶tÃm..." Rm³ AhfpsS apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯nbn«v tNmZn¨p. " tM... Rm³... Rm³.. C¸w aWnsb{Xbmbn...?.." " C¸w aq¶cbmbn¡mWpw...."

" At¿m... Rm\n¶pw Hd§nt¸mtbm... aWn¡p«\p shi¡ps¶mt−m.... Rm³ tNmdp hnf¼mw... hm..." " AsXms¡ ]ns¶... BZyw \o apJ¯n¯ncn shÅsamgnív... Hd¡¸n¨p amds«...Asæn hm... Rm³ apdos¡m−p sIS¯mw..... " Rm³ Ahtfbpw ]nSn¨vsIm−v hmjvt_knsâ ap¼n sIm−p \nÀ¯n. AhÄ apJw IgpIn. At¸mÄ AhfpsS Xeíp shfnhp hoWp. " tÈym.. Rms\md§nt¸mbn tIt«m... Hcp kz]v\w I−p.... t]Sn¨p t]mbn... G«³ Pbnen t]msb¶pw Rm³ ImWm³ t]mIp¶p Fs¶ms¡... FhnSmcp¶p Ct{Xw t\cw.... Ft´ t^m¬ sN¿mXncpt¶... ?..." " AXns\m¶pw kuIcyw In«nbnÃ... hm... C\n \ap¡p t]mbn sIS¡mw...\nt¶ \½sS apdo ImWmªn«v Rms\{X t]Sn¨q¶dnbmtam...?.." " At¿m... Fsâ G«m... sImtd t\cw sIS¶n«pw Hd¡w h¶nÃ... ]ns¶ ItetS apdo t]mbn... F¶n«pw c£bnÃ... ]ns¶ Rm\htfbpw hnfnt¨m−v \½sS apdo t]mbn. Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p sIS¶¸w s\©nsâ s]Ss]S¸v \n¶p... hÀ¯am\w ]dªp ]dªv Ahsfmd§nt¸mbn.... F¶mepw F\nsímd¡w hct−.. ]ns¶ Rms\gpt¶Ánt§m«p t]m¶p.... ChnSncp¶v \maw P]nt¨m−ncp¶p... Hd§nt¸mbn..." " kmcanÃ... C\n \a¡p sicnbmbns«md§mw..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfnsem¶p \pÅn. " AXn\p...{]iv\sams¡ XoÀt¶m... Ctàkam[m\w In«¯nÃtÃm aWn¡p«\v..." " FÃm XoÀ¶p....." R§Ä tKmhWn¸Sníse¯nbt¸mÄ apIfnet¯ ]Snbn apJhpw hoÀ¸n¨v Icbp¶ apJ`mht¯msS Ie Ccníp¶p. " F´m tamtf... \o Hd§msX Ip¯ocnípt¶...?.." A`n AhfpsS Ihnfn XgpIns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " Cu... tN«³..." AhÄ \nÀ¯nbns«t¶ H¶p t\m¡n. " l... Rms\m¶pw sNbvXnÃ..." Rm³ A`ntbmSp ]dªp. " tN«³ F´p sNbvsX¶m tamfp ]tdt¶... hm... \ap¡p sIS¡mw... " " Aà Cu tN«³... Ft¶ Fd¡nhn«p... Ft¶ cmhnte Xt¶ ho«n sIm−m¡ntbcv..." AhÄ I®p XpS¨p. " F´m aWntb«m... Ahfp Ip«nbtÃ... \½tfmsSmÅ Cãw sIm−tà tamfn¸w ChnsS \níp¶Xv... Ahtf A§s\ Fd¡nhnSmthm... hm tamfp hm... \as¡mcpan¨v sI«n¸nSn¨p sIS¡mw..." AhÄ IebpsS I¿n ]nSn¨psIm−v s_Uv dqanteíp Ibdn. F\nípÅn Acniw h¶p. Cu s]m«ns¸®nt\msS´m ]db−Xv. \hZ¼XnamcpsS InS¡dbn BZycm{Xnív s]®nsâ A\nb¯n Iq«v. " A`o.. Ahfp Xmsg AhÄsS apdo sIS¶m t]mtc..." " At¿m... Hcmgv¨t¯ Imcytà DÅq... AhÄs¡t¶ sI«n¸nSv¨v Fsâ tZl¯o... s]m®¡mep tIÁnsh¨mte Hd¡w hcpshmÅp... Ctà tamtf..." " Mqw..." A`nbpsS tNmZy¯n\hÄ aqfn. FXnÀ¡m\pw h¿. FXnÀ¯m Cu hnhcanÃm¯ Ie hÃXpw hnfn¨p ]dªm FÃmw sImfamIpw. klnípI, AÃmsX´p sN¿pw. Ahtfbpw ASp¡n¸nSn¨v A`n I«nen tIdn InS¸mbn. Rm³ A`nbpsS AcnIn A−n t]mb A®msâ amXncn InS¶p. tNS¯nbpsS hfª hbdn tNÀ¶v B NqSp ]Án A\nb¯n InS¶p. A`n Ahsf sI«n¸nSn¨v Hcp sIm¨pIpªnt\ tNÀ¯p]nSníp¶Xp t]mse. Cs¶¦nepw Ahtfbpw sI«n¸nSn¨pd§msa¶p IcpXnbXv shůnembn. Rms\m¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p. ]ns¶ sasà A`nbpsS t\À¡p Xncnªp InS¶p. AhfpsS N´nbn Ibv sh¨p. AhfXv X«n amÁn. Rm³ H¶pIqSn sh¨p. C¯hW Fsâ Ibv IebpsS XpSbnepw ap«n. A`n sasà Ibv]nSn¨v Fsâ tZlt¯íp sh¨n«v Igp¯p Xncns¨sâ sNhnbn ]dªp. " AS§ns¡S¡v... C{X £abnÃmXmbmtem..." " \osb´p ]Wnbm Cu¡mWnt¨..." " Ahfp ]mhtà ...aWntb«m..... C¸w Hd§ntímfpw..." " Mqw..." Rms\m¶p s\SphoÀ¸n«p ]ns¶ t\tc InS¶p. A`n Ietbs¡«n¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶ sIm¨pIp«nItf Dd¡p¶Xpt]mse Ahtf ]Xps¡ sI«n¸nSn¨m«n. Fsâ Cuizcm, Cu

s]®n\p hà h«pamtbm. Ietb AhÄ¡nãamsW¶dnbmw, F¦nepw C¶n{X Cãw. Mm, F´p ]pÃpamIs«. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp hnXp¼Â tI«p. Ie Fgpt¶Áncp¶p \niÐambn G§eSníp¶p. A`nbpw Fgpt¶Áp. " F´m tamtf... F´n\m Icbpt¶... sIS¡v... sISs¶md§v... t\cw H¯ncnbmbntÃ...hm " AhÄ Ahtf ]nSn¨p InS¯m³ t\m¡n. " tht−¨o... Rm³ Xmsg t]mIphm..." Ie Fgpt¶Áp. " F´m... s\\¡n§s\...?.." " H¶qÃ... Rm³ t]mIphm...." AhÄ hmXn¡teíp \S¶p. ]pdtI A`nbpw sN¶p. ]ns¶ Rms\mÁsí´p sN¿m\m. aq¶pt]cpw IqSn Xmsg sN¶p. Ie I«nen Ibdn InS¶p. A`n sN¶v Hcp½bpw sImSp¯p t]m¶p. Rm³ ASp¯p sN¶p iÐaS¡n tNmZn¨p. " \osb´n\m tamtf IcªXv..." " _vipw... H¶qÃ..." " s\\¡nhnsS hà sImdhpsamt−m... htÃmcpw \ns¶ hg¡p ]dtªm..?.." " H¶panÃ..." AhÄ Xncnªp InS¶p. " ]ns¶.... Np½m sIS¶p IcbptI...?.." " ]mhw A`nt¨¨osS ImcytamÀ¯w Icªp t]mbXm... tN«³ t]mbn sISt¶m..." Rm³ I«nenteíncp¶p. " \o Ft´m¶m A`ntb¸Án C{Xbpw HmÀ¯Xv...?.." " ]mhw tN¨n... Rms\{X tZjyw ]nSn¨mepw tN¨nsít¶ shÃnãm.... C¶se \n§sS samS§n... C¶pw Rm³ ImcWw... shdptX Rm³ aÃp]nSn¨v... samS¡n.... tN«t\ tN¨n hg¡p ]dªXv Rm\pw tI«p... F¶ns«t¶ sI«n¸nSns¨md¡pImcp¶p... ]mhw... AtXmÀ¯¸w F\níp k¦Sw h¶p t]mbn...." AhÄ I®pIÄ XpS¨p. " At{X HtÅm... \osb´n\m Cu `mcn¨ Imcy§sfms¡ At\zjnípt¶... sISs¶md§v... Atïs¶ AhÄsS BZycm{Xn A¶p \o ]nSn¨p]dn¨ntÃ... " hmXn¡teíp t\m¡ns¡m−v Rm³ ]Xnsb tNmZn¨p. " AXp th−mcps¶¶p C¸w tXm¶pIm.... C\n tN«t\ F\níp th−.....thKw sNÃv... CtàAXp sNe¸w sISs¶md§pw..." " t]mSo.. Hcp shey Imcy¡mcn h¶ncníp¶p..." Rm³ ]ns¶ \n¶nà AhfptS tXmfs¯m¶p X«nbn«v sseÁp sISp¯n Xncn¨p t]m¶p. " F´n\mSo... Ahfo ]mXncmív IcªXv... \o C¸w Ahtf D]ZhníptIm htÃmw sNbvtXm..." InS¡ X«n¡pSªp hncn¨psIm−ncp¶ A`ntbmSp Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Rmt\m... Ahsfsâ tNmcbm¶m Rm³ IcpXocnípt¶... Cs¶mcpan¨p sIS¶¸w Ahsfm¯ncn k¦Ss¸«p.... C\n tN¨osS IqsS sIS¡m³ ]Á¯nÃtÃm¶pw ]dªv... ip−ow hmbmSow BsW¦nepw Ftft½¡mfpw Ahs¡t¶mSm Cãw.... AhÀ¡n¸gpw Ahfp s]gs¨m−mb k´Xnbm... B ]mhw sIms¨´p s]g¨n«m...... F\nsímcp IqS¸nd¸nÃm¯ sIm−mcnípw F\nínt{Xw AhtfmSnãw... ]mhw X´bnÃm¯ sIm¨tÃ..." " AXhÄ¡dntbm...?.." " ]ns¶... Ahfp sIm¨msW¦nepw {]mbw Ct{XambntÃ... AXdnªXpsIm−m AhÄ¡nt{Xw [n¡mtcmw ip−osams¡... F\níXdnbmw... C¨nsc kvt\lw sImSp¯m Ahsf´pw Xcpw... thtWm¦n Poh\pw Xcpw...." AsXsâ DÅn sIm−p. C¯ncn IÅkvt\lw \Sn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ hnes¸«sXÃmw AXnsâ bYmÀ° hnebdnbmsX F\níp X¶p. AdnhnÃmbvabmsW¦nepw F´pw Xcm³ AhÄ Xbmdmbn. Rm³ AXp apXseSp¡pIbpw sNbvXp. sO, tamiambnt¸mbn. th−mcp¶p. AhfpsS _meniamb imTy§Ä¡p hg§ns¡mSp¯ a−³. AhÄ¡p \ÃXp ]dªpsImSp¡m³ ISs¸« Xm³, ]Icw Ahtf ]ng¸n¨p. a\ÊnsemcnOm`wKw tXm¶n. " Mm... t]ms«... GXmbmepw Ahfp thtW \nsâ IqsS sISt¶ms«... ChnsS \níps¶St¯mfw Imew..."

Ahsfs¶ I¬tImWpsIms−m¶p t\m¡n. " A¸w CbmsfhnsS Dd§pw... IeymWw Ignt¨¨v HÁív sIS¶p kz]v\w ImWm³ t]mIphmtWm..." " \n\¡htf F¶pw InS¯n Dd¡Wsa¶msW¦n...." " Hm... AXn¶t¯ítà HÅp... C¶n¸w \½sfmd§m³ t]mIphtÃ... " " A¸w ...]mepw samtdw Hs¡ C\n F¶m...?.." " C\n \msf... H¶p s]g¨m aq¶v.... s]m¶ptam\n¸w \à acymZ¡p«\mbn«v sISt¶m...." AhÄ I«nenencp¶p. " AÃ....\obo tNtew NpÁnbmtWm sIS¡m³ t]mWXv..?." " F´m..?.. Agn¨p IfbtWm.... F¶m Iftª¡mw... At{Xw IqsS {^obmIpatÃm..." AhÄ kmcn Agn¨v lm§dnen«p. ]ns¶ _m¯vdqansâ t\tc \S¶p. " \obn\n FhnsSt¸mIphm...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " H¶p aqs{XmgníWw... " " \nÃv... \nÃv... Hcp Imtcym−v..." Rm³ NmSnsbgpt¶ÁSps¯¯n. " AXp Rm\§p h¶n«p ]dbmt¶..." AhÄ IpfnapdnbpsS hmXneSíms\mcp§n. Rm³ XSªp. " F\nípw H¶p apÅWw....." " F¶m aWntb«sâ Ignªn«p aXn... thKw Fd§Ww... F\níp ap«o«p h¿..." AhÄ shfnbnend§n. " AXpth−... \o ap«n \n¶p shjaní−.... \aps¡mcpan¨p apÅmw..." AhÄ I®p angn¨p. " tM Cu sIm¨pshfp¸m³ Ime¯nsXs´mcp Iq¯m... \mWantÃ... thKw tIdntb¨p hm... CtàRm\nhnsS km[nípw..." " FhnsS thtWepw km[nt¨m... " Npcp¡nÃm¯ ]mhmSípÅn \ndªp XÅn\n¡p¶ Ip−nIfpsSbpw XpSIfpsSbpw BIrXnbpw an\pkhpw Fsâ a\Ên Ne\§fp−m¡n. IqÀ¯pcp−v »ukn XÅn\n¡p¶ s\©pIfpw \o«n¸nSn¨v Cfw]¨ ]mhmSbpapSp¯hÄ \n¡p¶Xp Is−sâ Rc¼pIÄ NqSmbn. Rm\hfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨v _m¯vdqan\I¯p tIÁn. AhÄ _ew ]nSn¨p. " hnsSsâ aWn¡p«m... CsX´p ]Wnbm... Ft¶sbm¶p apÅm\pw IqsS k½Xní¯ntÃ... C§s\ \mWansömbm Iãm tIt«m..." AhÄ¡p ]cn`hhpw \mWhpw. " FSo tamtf... \osbsâ `mcybm... A¸w ]ns¶ Fsâ ap¼n \o \mWntí− Imcysa´m... Fsâ ap¼nsh¨ \à Hm¸Wmbn«v Bbntím... AXp Ignªv Rm³..." " sÈ... C§s\mcp... h«p]nSn¨ a\pjy³... t\tcmÃ.. ImtemÃ... Rm³ apÅp¶Xp ImWm\tà sImXn... It−m..." AhÄ a\ÊnÃm a\tÊmsS t¢mskÁnsâ ASpt¯íp \o§n. " Mm..Mm... AhnsSbÃ... H¶p \nt¶... C\n C¶o ]mhmS \ap¡p th−..." Rm³ Ahtf ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯n. ]mhmSbpsS NcSn ]nSn¨p. " Mmmmm... CsX¶Xm Cu ImWnípttt¶... F\níp ap«o«p hs¿ttt¶... " AhÄ Icbp¶ amXncn ]dªp. Rm³ _eambn ]mhmSbpsS sI«gn¨p Xmtgíp hen¨p. ]mhmS Xmsgsb¯n. Áyq_nsâ shfn¨¯n Xnf§p¶ XpSIfpambn ]qS \ndª Ih¡qSp s]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−hÄ apJw Npfn¨p \n¶p. " \o shjaní−... tZs−.... F\nípw XpWn th−...." Rm³ ep¦n ]dn¨v aqebntesídnªp. ap¡mepw s]m§nb hSnhoc³ sNcnªp \n¶p Xebm«n. " At¿m.. CsX´m Cu ImWnípt¶...CXp Ipfnapdnbm... tÈym.. AsXt¶ ImWnímsX... t]SnbmIp¶p... Fsâ aq{Xw tatem«p tIdpw..." " Fsâ s]t®... CXv \o C\n F¶pw ImtW−XtÃ... ]ns¶ C¸w F´n\m t]Snípt¶..." Rm³ Kpemt\ I¿nseSp¯v c−p h«w H¶pgnªp. Ah\nt¸mÄ \à NpW¡p«\mbn ew_ambn \nesIm−p. " B... Ft´epw sN¿v... C\nsb¦nepw Rms\m¶p apÅntímt«...?.." AhÄ Zb\obambn tNmZn¨p.

" hcs«... \o ChnsS \nÃv... F¶n«v Rm³ ]dbps¶S¯v apÅns¡mÅníWw... A¸w Rm³ s\\s¡mcp \à k½m\w Xcpw..." Rm³ Ahtf ]nSn¨v apdnbpsS \Sphn sIm−p \nÀ¯n. Kpemsâ AÁw AhfpsS N´nbn sIm−p. " At¿m... FhnsSsbms¡tbm sImÅp¶p... H¶p amÁn¸nSn..." " Ah\t{Xw \ofsamÅXm... AXn\nsbt§m«m amÁn¸nSnípt¶...?... Mm... Rm³ tZ ChnsS \nípw... Chsâ Xte \o aq{Xw NoÁn¨p sImÅníWw... Csà\obn¶p apůnÃ... \nsâ kmam\w Rm³ tImÀ¡n«Sípw..." Rm³ GXm−v Hc©Sn amdn \n¶p. " At¿m... aWntb«m... CsXs´mcp in£bm... Rm³ apÅm³ t]mIphm..." " Fsâ s]m¶ptamfp apÅphmtW Chsâ Xtete apÅs¯mÅp... thKw Xncp\tS¶v Ibv amÁv... s]m¯n¸nSns¨ms«m¶pw ImcyanÃ..." " Ft¶s¡m−p h¿... Rm³ thtW ASp¯p h¶p sImÅnímw..." AhÄ HcpIbvsIm−p Ih¡nS s]m¯n¸nSn¨n«p atÁ IbvsIm−p Xe sNmdnªp. " th−m.. AhnsS \n¶v aXn..." " lt¿m... Ct{Xw Zqsctbm..?..F\nídnb¯nÃ...Rm\n¸w ChnsS apÅpw..." AhÄ IhínSbn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯p. Dcp−p IqSn \n¡p¶ B \oetcma¡qSp I−t¸mÄ a\Ên sImXn BÀ¯p s]m§n. H¸w Kpem\pw s]m§n \n¶p hnd¨p. Rm³ Kpemt\ I¿nseSp¯v Ahsâ Xe apt¶m«p \o«n¸nSn¨p. " AhsS apÅnbm \o XÃp sImÅpw... s\\¡p tXm«n ItÃencp¶mt\tSw IpXntctSw ]Sw hcímw... ¹mhnsâ tNm«n IcnInte sXdn¸n¨p cknímw... IpfnapdoemsW¦n ]dbptIw th−... C¸w Rm³ ]dbp¼w Ah¡p \mWw... Adnb¯nÃ... HgnsbSo... Ct§m«v... Chsâ samJ¯v t\sc hogWw... Hcp XpÅn t]mepw thÌmIcpXv...." " Mvlmmm... F\níp h¿... Cu aWntb«sâsbmcp Imcyw... F\nídnbmw... FÃmS¯pw \S¶p ]Sw ]nSn¨ns«m−v... a\pjyt\ \mWw sISp¯m³... " AhÄ \n¶p NnWp§n. " FSo AXp eo¡p sNbvXp t]mIp¶Xn\p ap¼v... Ct§m«p X«nhnSv... Rms\m¶p ImWs«..." Rm³ Kpem³ IbvsIm−p apt¶m«p \o«n¸nSn¨p. AhÄ ssZ\yXtbmtS Ft¶ t\m¡n. ]ns¶ a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS Aåw Ip\nªp. Rm\Xp IuXpIt¯mtS t\m¡n \n¶p. \à ckapÅ ]cn]mSn. c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw ]qdnsâ Zf§Ä hi§fnteíp hnSÀ¯n. ]ns¶ Acs¡«pw kmam\hpw apt¶m«p XÅn \n¶p. Hcp Ibv FSp¯v N´níp Xm§psImSp¯p. Iogv¨ps−m¶p ISn¨p ]nSn¨p. sasà apJs¯mcp ]p©ncn ]SÀ¶p. Ct¸mÄ Ahsfmcp sIm¨pIp«nbmb t]mse. AhfpsS c−p hncepIÄ sIm−hÄ tbm\nbpsS Nph¶ AIhiw AaÀ¯n AI¯n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. " F¶m... tZs− hcp¶p......Mqwwwww..." AhÄ ]dªpsIm−v H¶aÀ¯n ap¡n. ]t£, kt¦mNw sIm−mbncnípw aq{Xw hcm\¸w Xmakn¨p. \mep sk¡âp Ignªt¸mÄ ]¼n \n¶pw shÅw NmSp¶t]mse \à h®¯n Hcp shÅnPe[mc ]pdt¯íp NoÁn. HÁ sk¡ân AhÄ AXp hncepIÄ sIm−p \nb{´n¨p h®w Ipd¨p. hfªmSp¶ shÅn¡¼n t]mse AXp hfªv Fsâ Ip®bpsS Xebn s]mt¯m¶p hoWp. AhfpsS IhbnSp¡nte kzÀ¤KwKbn \n¶pÂ`hn¨ NqSpPew Fsâ cmPhocsâ an\pan\p¯ Xebn ]Xn¨t¸mÄ F\nsímcp tImÄabnÀ. A©SnbIe¯n Btdgp sk¡âp t\cw IrXyambn Fsâ Ip®¯etb AhÄ aq{Xw sIm−`ntjIw sNbvXp. CSíhÄ B shÅn¡¼nbpsS AÁw s]m¡n Fsâ hbdnepw hogv¯n. F¶n«p s]m«n¨ncn¨p. ]ns¶ AXnsâ _ew Ipdªp Xmsg ]Xním³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ AXn\\pkcn¨v Rm³ apt¶m«p tIdn. Fsâ Acs¡«nepw ]qSbnepsaÃmw AhfpsS NqSpaq{Xw sXdn¨p. F¦nepw AsXmcp ckambncp¶p. Ahkm\w shSns¡«nsâ ]q¡pÁn AS§p¶Xp t]mse B Pe[mc AhfpsS Ac¡q«nte Nph¸n\pÅn HXp§n. AhfpsS Nncn s]m«n¨ncnbmbn amdn. AhÄ \n¶p izmksaSp¯p. ]ns¶ Ahkm\¯pÅnIÄ ap¡nap¡n XÅn. At¸mtgípw Rm³ Kpemt\bpw sIm−v AhfpsS ap¼n sN¶pIgnªp. AhÄ B hnSÀ¶ sN¼c¯n¸qhn \n¶pw Is¿Sp¡p¶Xn\p ap¼v. Rm³ Fsâ Ip®bpsS aIpSw AhnsS ap«n¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ Rm\htf sI«n¸nSn¨p. Ahsft¶bpw. s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−hÄ Fsâ amdn apJw Xmgv¯n. H¸w \mWhpw. Aåw ap«paS¡n \n¶v Rms\sâ sIm¨phocsâ apJw AhfpsS aq{X¡pgnbn ap«n¨nSn¨p. Rm\hfpsS s\Ánbnepw s\dpIbnepw AaÀ¯nbaÀ¯n D½ sh¨p. AhÄ

ImepIÄ Aåw AI¯n Ip®sbSp¯v AhfpsS aZ\¸qhnte NqSnteív tNÀ¯p sh¨ndp¡n. " anSp¡n...anSpanSp¡ns¸®v... \à ckmcps¶So tamtf \nsâ {]IS\w.... F´n\m \mWnípt¶... \nsâ G«\p ImWm\tÃ...." " \mWmcps¶¦nepw.... Fsâ aWntb«\p ImWm\tÃt¶mÀ¯m Rm\nXp sNbvtX... F§s\m−mcp¶p... sImÅmcpt¶m.?. k½m\w Xm...." " Mqw.... Fsâ anSp¡n¡p«o.... C¸¯cmw...." Rm³ t\tc AhfpsS Im¡ Ip¯nbncp¶p. ]ns¶ B Ih¡nS IbvIÄ sIm−p s]mfn¨p ]nSn¨p. tcma§Ä¡nSbn \n¶pw NqSp aq{X¯nsâ aWhpw asÁt´m Hcp KÔhpw. " At¿m... F¶m ImWním³ t]mIphm... th−...th−... AhSw apgph³ \mdnbncníphm... amdntí... Rm³ k½XníqÃ..." " k½m\w Xcm\mSo tamtf...." AhÄ ]pdtIm«p amdms\mcp§n. Rm³ AhfpsS Ip−nIfn _ew]nSn¨v Fsâ B Acs¡s«sâ apJt¯íSp¸n¨p. Ahsfsâ Xe hen¨p amÁm³ t\m¡n. " th−... C§\t¯ k½m\w th−....Fsâ Poh³ t]mbmepw Rm³ k½Xní¯nÃ.. aq{Xw IpSním³ t]mIptI... IgpIo«v F´p thtWepw sNbvtXm... hm.... IgpIn¯cmw..." AhÄ Fsâ XeapSnbn ]nSn¨p s]m¡n. \nhr¯nbnÃmsX Rms\gpt¶Áp. AhÄ t¢mskÁnencp¶p. ]ns¶ jhÀss]s¸Sp¯v Ih¨ncp¶v B shfp¯ CXfpIfnteíp shÅw NoÁn¨p. Ibv sIm−p tX¨p IgpIm³ XpS§n. " sÈ... aq{Xw aW¡p¶p. »utkepw ]Án... G«\pw.... I¿pw AXpsams¡ H¶p \¶mbn IgpsIt¶... s\es¯Ãmw aq{Xmbn... aW¯p \mimIpw... Cu aWntb«sâ Hmtcm hnIrXnIfv..." AhÄ ]dbpIbpw IgpIpIbpw sNbvXp. " »utk hotWm...F¶m... Rm³ IgpIn¯cmw... " Rm³ ss]¸v AhfpsS I¿n \n¶pw hm§n, AhfpsS ]pdt¯íp shÅw NoÁn¨p. " At¿... XWp¡p¶p... Cu G«³... F\níp h¿..." AhÄ Ipfncp sIm−p I®S¨p. " Ft´m¶p h¿... \o AhnsSbncpt¶m... Rm³ Ipfn¸n¨p Xcmw...." Rm³ AhfpsS IhínSbnteípw ]pdt¯ípw Hs¡ shÅw NoÁn¨p. " At¿m... G«m.. XtesemgnítÃ... Akab¯v Xe \\¨m sNe¸w ]\n ]nSnípw..." Rm³ I¿n«hfptS ]qdp IgpIns¡m−ncp¶t¸mÄ AhÄ t\tcbncp¶v »ukqcn Hcp _¡Ántesídnªp. " At¿m.... ]Xps¡... I¿ns«mcímsX... Fs´mcmÀ¯nbm.... t¿m.. At{Xw shcep tIÁmsX... C§p Xm... Rm³ IgpIntímfmw... Fâ¸t\.. C§s\mcp sXmd¸³.... FÃmw IqsS I¿n«p hmcpIm..." AhÄ Ibv\o«n. " \n\¡v IgpIm³ thsd km[\w Xcmw... C¸w \nsâ Cu Ip´w IqSn Ducmsh¦n Rm³ taep IgpIn¯cmw.... " " slm... Ipfn¸níms\s´mcpÂkmlw..." AhÄ Nncn¨psIm−v Ibv ]pdtIm«n«v {_mbpsS sImfps¯Sp¯p. s]s«¶p Rm³ ]dªp. " Hcp an\nÁp \nítW..." Rm³ s]m¡nb AhfpsS Ibv A§s\Xt¶ ]nSn¨psIm−v AhfpsS I£¯nsem¶p aW¯p. ]uUdnsâ aWw ap¶n«p \n¡p¶p. " AXp sicn....aq{Xw Ignª¸w I£¯ntem«p XebnSpIm... Ft´m¶m CXv aWntb«m... ]«n aWw ]nSníW t]mse..." " \nt¶mSmcm ]dtª ChnsS ]uUdnSm³..?.." " ]ns¶ Ipfn Igo¼w C¨nsc ]uUdnSm³ F{X t]tcmSp tNmZníWw... ?.." AhÄ {_m Ducn hens¨dnªp. Ft¶¯t¶ DÁp t\m¡n \n¡p¶ HÁ¡®pÅ B sh¬tKmf§fnteíp Rm³ shÅw NoÁn¨p. XWp¯n«hÄ c−p IbvIÄ sIm−pw apeIÄ s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. " C\n DSp¡m¡p−n `hXn ... Fgpt¶tÁ..." " DSp¡m¡p−\m... tZ I−ntÃ... ]nd¶]Sn \nípt¶...." AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bnsem¶p ]nSn¨p. s]s«¶v Ibv ]n³hen¨p. " At¿... apgph\pw aq{Xm...." AhÄ Is¿m¶p aW¯n«p IpSªp. ss]¸n\p t\tc ]nSn¨p.

" thdmcpaÃtÃm.. \o Xs¶btà Ahsâ samJs¯Ãmw apÅnsh¨Xv..." " F¦n....IW¡mbnt¸mbn..." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp \n¶p. Rm³ sIm¨pIpªnt\ Ipfn¸níp¶Xp t]mse tkm¸p tX¨htf Ipfn¸n¨p. Igp¯p apX ImepIÄ htc tkm¸p tX¨p. AhfpsS tcma§Ä \ndª aZ\mcma¯n F{Xt\cw tkm¸p tX¨p ]X¸n¨n«psa\níp aXnbmbnÃ.. " aXnsb¶v.... tkm¸v tX¨Xv... AhsSms¡ tkm¸nsâ Imcw ]nSnípw... sNe¸w sNmdnbpw... aXn.... " Ahsfsâ Is¿Sp¯p amÁn. apeIfn tXípt´mdpw Is¿Sp¡m³ tXm¶p¶nÃ. ]ip¡nSmhp \n¡p¶Xp t]mse AhÄ Fsâ tkm¸ptXíepw BkzZn¨p \n¶p. CSíhfpsS I®pIÄ Iq¼n. apesR«pIÄ IÃp t]msebmbn. AhÄ I®S¨p sIm−p tNmZn¨p. " Fsâ tZl¯n\ow thsdw kvYe§sfmt−.... AtX¯t¶ t\cw shfp¡p¶htc tkm¸p tXím\mtWm `mhw...." " Mqw... NmIp¶ htc... " Rm\hfpsS Np−nsemcp ap¯w sImSp¯p. ]ns¶ shÅsamgn¨p tkm¸p Ifªv tXmÀ¯n Ipfn¸ní aXnbm¡n. Hcp _¡Áp shÅw FSp¯v Xdbnsems¡ Hgn¨p. AhÄ amdn\ns¶t¶ t\m¡n. " s]mtím... t]mbn s{UkpSpt¯m... XWp¯p \ní−..." Rm³ \nÀt±in¨p. " s]mtímfmw... " " ]ns¶´p ImWm\m \níp¶Xv...?.." Rm\htf t\m¡n. AhÄ H¶pw an−msX Fsâ Acbnteíp Nq−n¡mWn¨p. " AXp I−ntÃ... C\n s]mtím ...XWp¡pw.." " AsXms¡.....IgpIt−... Ipfnít− aWntb«\pw..?..." AhÄ IpWp§ns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. " Hm.... Rm³ Ipfníp¶nÃ... shfp¸m³ Ime¯v shůn\p apSnª XWp¸v....." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... Fsâ IqsS B I«nte sIS¡m³ Rm³ k½Xní¯nÃ... tZlw apgph\pw hr¯ntISmbn«pw Hcp sImgt¸manÃ... Hd§m³ t]mIphm¶v... A§s\bn¸w kpJní−...." Rm³ Xdbnte shÅw hSn¨p IfbpIbmbncp¶p. AhfpsS XpWnIÄ Hcp _¡ÁnseSp¯n«p. At¸mtgípw AhÄ t¢mskÁnsâ ASp¯pÅ ss]s¸Sp¯v Xpd¶n«v Fsâ t\À¡p shÅw NoÁn¨p. kXy¯n Rm³ Dt±in¨Xpw AXp Xs¶bmbncp¶p. " l... \osb´p ]Wnbm Cu¡mWnípt¶... XWp¡p¶p..." Rm³ AklyX \Sn¨p. " Fsâ tZls¯ms¡ shÅw NoÁn¨¸w XWp¸nÃmcp¶tÃm... Ipfn¸nímsX Cu Imtf Rm³ apdot¡ÁptIe... Ct§m«p amdn \nÃv...." Rm\\pkcn¨p. Sm¸nsâ ASpt¯íp amdn\n¶p. ]ns¶ Ahsft¶ Ipfn¸ním³ XpS§n. " C¨nsc Ip\nªp \nÃv... F\níp s]m¡s¡mdhm..." Fsâ Npaen tkm¸ptXípt¼mÄ Ahfmhiys¸«p. " aXn tkm¸v... shÅsamgnív...." Rm\mhiys¸«p. " A\§msX \n¶m aXn... BPvRm]ní−... G«m....]ns¶ttttb....Cu aknensâ Hd¸p sImdsª¶m tXm¶pt¶... C¨nsc hymbmaw sXmS§Ww...." AhÄ Fsâ tZl¯p sR¡nbn«p ]dªp. " CXnsâ Hds¸§s\ s\\¡dnbmw....?..." " Rm³ I−n«nÃm¯ t]mse....As¶ms¡ G«³ hymbmaw sN¿p¼w.. Rm³ t\m¡n \n¶ns«m−v... aknsems¡ sIS¶pcpfpamcp¶p. " AhÄ tX¨psIm−p ]dªp. " A¼So IÅo... \o t\m¡n\n¶p sImXn hnSpImcp¶p AtÃ...?... Np½mXÃ... As¶ms¡ sNeZnhkw... sIS¡p¼w `b¦c taep s\m¼cw..." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... kvt\tlmsÅmcp t\m¡nbm sImXnsbm¶pw In«¯nÃ...." " A¸w A¶pw s\\s¡t¶mSp kvt\tlm−mcp¶p....CtÃ..." " ]´ocm−pImew IqsSs¡S¶n«pw cm¸\n Adnb¯nÃ... ap«mf³... " AhÄ Fsâ ]pd¯ncnSn X¶p. Rm³ Ahtf sI«n¸nSním³ I¿pbÀ¯n. " th−...Fsâ tZl¯n\n tkm¸m¡−... tkm¸p tX¨v sNeSsams¡ Hcp ]cphambn....Ct§m«p Xncnªp \nÃv...."

AhÄ Ft¶ Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ Xmtgíncp¶p. Fsâ Acs¡«n shÅsamgn¨p. Ipgªp XmW Ip®¡p«³ XWp¯p hnd¨p. tkm¸p tXíms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " C§p Xt¶cv....Rm³ tXt¨mfmw... s\\¡p t]SnbtÃ..." " an−msX t\tc \nÃv.... Hd§pt¶mtc F\níp t]SnbnÃ.... " AhÄ Fsâ hbdnepw Acs¡«nte tcma¡mSnepw tkm¸p tXím³ XpS§n. AtXmsS, AhfpsS Ibv X«nbtXmtS, eKm³ DWcm³ XpS§n. " A¸w HWÀ¶mtem..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AXnsâ _m¡n At¶cw t\m¡pw..." AhÄ s]s«¶p adp]Sn ]dªp. " F¶m tXt¨m..." Rm³ t\tc \n¶n«v Acs¡«nsem¶p _ew ]nSn¨p. AtXmsS eKm³ ho−pw s]m§nb\§m³ XpS§n. " At¿m... tZ... HWÀ¶p... hnNmcn¨msemSt\ C§s\ hcpthm....?..." AhÄ t\m¡n. " \nt¶ hnNmcn¨mtemS\nXm ]cphw... A¸¸ns¶ \o sXm«mtem... F¶m.. tamfp _m¡n t\m¡v....." Rm³ Acs¡«p apt¶m«p XÅn¸nSn¨p. AhÄ aSn¨p aSn¨v Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p. sk¡âpIÄ¡pÅn AhfpsS I¿n Ah³ BPm\p_mlphmbn \n¶p sh«n hnd¨p. " Fât½... CXncp¼pI¼n amXncnsbm−tÃm... CXmtWm.. R§sSsbms¡ AhsS tIdpsa¶v s]mkvXI¯nsegpXocníp¶Xv..?." " AXp Xt¶..." " At¿m.. Ft¶s¡m−p h¿... CXv t]mbn«v... Fsâ shcep tIdptIem¯ kvYem... AXp Iodns¸mfnªp \miamhpw...." " th−... s\\¡nãantàtIÁ−... GXmbmepw \o Aht\sbm¶p IgpInsbSp¡v... \nsâ Znhyaq{Xw IpSn¨h³ hoÀ¯ncníphtÃ..." AhÄ Aht\ sR¡n t\m¡n. I¿nseSp¯p XShn t\m¡n. sXmen¨p t\m¡n. ASnbnsems¡ XShn t\m¡n. `mcw t\m¡n. sXmen tatem«pw Iotgm«pw sX¶n¨p t\m¡n. Npcp§n¡qSnb D−IÄ I¿nseSp¯p t\m¡n. " CsX´m C§s\... CXn\Is¯t´m¶m kq£n¨p sh¨ncníp¶Xv...?..." AhÄ H¶padnbm¯ t]mse tNmZn¨p. " \½sS ]ntÅscms¡ AXn\Is¯md§ns¡S¡phtÃ... ]nSn¨ns«§s\... \ÃXmtWm..." " Mqw.. Is¿Sp¡m³ tXm¶p¶nÃ..." AhÄ ]nt¶bpw shdptX Aht\ I¿nen«p Ifn¸n¨psIm−ncp¶p. tkm¸p tX¨p ]X¸n¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Ah³ AhfpsS I¿n InS¶p sX¶m³ XpS§n. AhÄ Aht\ hmWaSn XpS§n. " sImÅmw tamtf... s\\¡nXdnbmambncpt¶m..?..." " hmbn¨ns«m−v... a\ÊnembnÃ.. CXtÃ...\n§sS apãnssaYp\w...?.." " AXp Xt¶.... R§sS \mS³ `mjbn hmWaSn... tkm¸p tX¨ptX¨p \o Aht\ ]X¸níp¶ e£WamWtÃmSo.." AhfpsS ]nSp¯¯n ckw aq¯ Rm³ AhfpsS apeIfn ]nSp¯an«p. " Mm... aXn...aXn... B ]mh§tf hnt«cv... t\cw shfp¡mdmbn... C\n F¸w Hd§m\mtWm...." BßKXambn ]dªp sIm−v AhÄ Ip®bn shÅsamgn¨p IgpIn. ImepIfpw shÅsamgn¨p XpS¨p tXmÀ¯n. " sÈ...\à ckmcp¶p..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw... Adnbmw.. C\n \msf AXnsâ samd t]mse ]msems¡ IpSn¨n«p sN¿mw..." sI«n¸nSn¨v Ipfnapdnbn \n¶nd§m³ t\cw Rm³ ]dªp. " kmsdm¶p \nt¶... Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«..." " F´n\m...?.." " ]dbmw.... tZ ChnsS Ft´m Hen¨p hcp¶t]mse... Rm³ AhfptS ap¼nte tcma¡qSnteíp Ibv Nq−n.. " tM... " AhÄ Ip\nªp t\m¡n. " Hm... AhnsSm¶pw hcp¶nÃ...Np½m Ifn¸ním³.." " Hcp an\n«v... " Rm³ sRmSnbnSbn AhfpsS XpSínSbn hncen«v Xmsg\n¶pw apIfnteív ]qÀ¨men hncens«m¶p tXm−n. h³tX\nsâ Ip¸nbn I¿ns«Sp¯Xp

t]mse hncen AhfpsS ]qÀt¯³ Ipgªp ]Án¸nSn¨p. Rm\XhfpsS t\tc ImWn¨p. " CsX´m...tamtf... ?.." " tlm... F´m G«m Cu ImWnípt¶... Cu aWntb«³...." AhÄ \mWw sIm−v Fsâ Npaenteíp apJsamfn¸n¨p. " F´n\m tamtf \mWnípt¶.. F\nídnbmw... \o Hfníphm¶v... s\\¡v.. C¸w...C¯ncn....Bi tXm¶p¶ntÃ...?.." " Mqw.. Bisbmt−m¶p tNmZn¨m......H−v... " AhÄ apJapbÀ¯msX ]dªp. At¸mtgípw R§Ä \S¶p I«nenen\Sps¯¯nbncp¶p. " Cu apdo \½fp c−p t]cpw ]nd¶]Sn \n¶n«pw \osb´m... Hfn¨p Ifnípt¶.....hm..." " AXv... \a¡p \mtf sFizcymbn«v... awKfmbn«p sXmS§m¶p IcpXnbm...." AhÄ I«nenencp¶p apJw Ip\n¨p. " \mtf¶p ]dªm... C¸w \msfbmbn..." " AXÃ... cm{Xoev..." " \nsâ Cãw t]mse... Rm³ \nÀ_Ôníp¶nÃ....hm...\ap¡p InS¡mw..." R§Ä sI«n¸nSn¨p InS¡bnteíp adnªp. Ahsfsâ ASnbnÂ, Fsâ eKm³ AhfpsS XpSbnÂ, AhfpsS IpfnÀapeIsfsâ s\©n\p IognÂ, AaÀ¶p. " A`n¡p«o... " AhfpsS aq¡n\p t\tc Fsâ aq¡p ap«n¨psIm−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Ft´m....?.." " XWp¡ps¶mt−m....?... Gko \nÀ¯t«...?.." " Mqlpw... ]ns¶bms«.... kXyw ]dªm.....Ct¸m Hcp NqSm tXm¶tW...." hnImcw sIm−p Iq¼nb I®pItfmsS, hnSÀ¶ Np−pItfmsS Ahsfsâ apSnbn arZphmbn XgpIn. " F¦nÂ... \ap¡n¸w A§p sXmS§nbmtem...?.." At¸mÄ B Np−n hnSÀ¶ \mW¯nsâ kpJw Rms\sâ Np−pIÄ sIms−m¸nsbSp¯p. " F\nídnb¯nÃ..." Rm³ hSnt]mse \n¶ Ip®sbSp¯v AhfpsS hbdn tIÁn sh¨ndp¡n. " \nsâ sIm¨pIpamct\ t\m¡v... Ah³ tIdm³ amfw t\m¡n \S¡phm..." R§Ä IhnfpIÄ tNÀ¯p sh¨p. AhÄ CSípIqSn I¿n«v Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p ]nSn¨p. " G«m... F\nínhsâ hen¸w I−n«p t]Sn tXm¶pIm...... \ap¡p ]ns¶ AXp sN¿mt¶..." AhÄ sIm¨pIp«ntb t]mse InWp§n. " tamsS Cãw... F\nsímcp \nÀ_tÔmanÃ... ]ns¶ C¸w Cu aWntb«s\´m sNt¿−Xv... Fsâ sIm¨p ]d...." " F\nídnb¯nÃ.." " F¦n... C¶et¯Xnsâ _m¡n sN¿t«... ?.." AhÄ an−msX BImw F¶p Xebm«n. Rm³ satà Xmtgíngªp. AhÄ Ft¶ tXmfn ]nSn¨p XSªp. F¶n«p a{´n¨p. " C¶et¯¡mfpw...... C¸w....BsI sImgªp \mimbncníphmtW........" " Fsâ tamtf... \nsâ Cu km[\¯n\p \\ªp sImgªncnímt\ t\csamÅp... CXn\tX Adnbs¯mÅp...." Rm³ ho−pw Xmtgíngªp. AhfpsS apeIÄ¡nSbn Rm³ apJsamfn¸n¨p. AhÄ B NqSpapeIÄ Fsâ c−p IhnfpIfnepw tNÀ¯aÀ¯n. Rm³ apJan«m apeIfnepc¨p. " IpÁnaoi sImÅp¶p... F¶mepw... \à kpJw.... Ftâ«m... tlm... Mqqqqqw... F´p sN¿m³ t]mIphm....." " Hd§m³ t]mIphm..." " th−...\a¡n¸w... Hd§−mmmm..." AhÄ hne]níp¶Xpt]mse ]dªp. " ]ns¶ F´p sN¿Ww...?..." Rm³ B apesR«p hmbnens«m¶pgnªp. " Ft¶ C¸w..... H¶p sIm¶p Xm... tlm... F\nív... F\nív... Mqqqqqw..." AhÄ Rc§m³ XpS§n.

B apeIfn Hmtcm aÀ±\w k½m\n¨n«v Fsâ \mhm ]p¡nfnteínd§n. hnimeamb B arZphbdnsâ \Sphn hnkvXmc¯nsemcp Ipfw. B ]p¡nÄIpf¯n Rm³ H¶p \¡n. AhÄ C¡nfnsIm−p sRfnªp. B hbdnse¼mSpw Rm\p½IÄ hnXdn. AhfpsS ta\nbpsS Hmtcm AWphpw Xcním³ XpS§n. Fsâ Np−pIÄ B tbm\oXS¯nte tcma¡q«¯nse¯n. tcma§Ä Iq«n Rm\m aZ\]oT¯n amdn amdn arZphmbn ISn¨p. " apSow IqsS ISn¨p Xn¶m³ t]mIphmtWm...?.." AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p tNmZn¨p. " CX¸mtS....Rm³ Xnt¶mt«...tamtf......?.." " AcpNnsbmt−Â... H¶pw hmbn shí− tIt«m Ip«m..." " Rms\m¶p cpNn¨p t\m¡s«..." Rm³ C¶et¯t]mse XpS§n. B sh®¯pSIÄ Rm\I¯n s]m¡nsh¨p. ]ns¶ B tbm\nbpsS ASnhit¯ Iodensâ AÁ¯p \n¶pw \mhpsIm−Xp ]nfÀ¶p. AXn \n¶pw Ipgª D¸p\oscmgpIm³ XpS§nbncp¶p. Rms\sâ Nq−phnc B Ip−nínSbnteíp XÅn IqXns¸m«nse¯n¨p. AhfpsS IqXn tatems«m¶p Npcp§n. H¸w B NqSmb ]qÁnse sNdnb DĨp−pIÄ hmenseSp¯p hením³ XpS§n. " AhnsS thtWm Ip«m... Ipdp¼mSp t]mtc...?... " AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Mqlpw... ." Rm³ aqfn.. kv{Iq Xncníp¶Xp t]mse B IqXns¸m«n hncen«p Xncn¨p. " lm... iviviviv ... AhnsS No¯btà s]mt¶.... tatem«p hm... Fsâ aWn¡p«mmm..." AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. Hcp IbvsIm−p Rm\m tbm\o]pjv]w hnSÀ¯n. N¡bc¡p henbp¶Xpt]mse t\ct¯ apX Hen¨nd§nb tbm\ockmb\w AXn\pÅn henªp Xpfp¼n. AXp \¡nsbSp¡msX F\níp \nhr¯nbnÃmbncp¶p. AhfpsS In¶cn¡´n\p NpÁpw Fsâ Np−pw \mhpw HmSn¡fn¨p. R§Ä At\ym\yw \S¯nb Ipfn¸níen Rc¼pIÄ t\ct¯ Xt¶ NqSmbncp¶ AhÄ s]s«¶v Xt¶ hnImc¯obnteíp Iq¸pIp¯n. AhfpsS kpJ¡qSn Fsâ \mhp \m\mhn[¯nepw B{Ianípt¼mÄ AhÄ kz´w amdpIÄ sRcn¨pSípIbmbncp¶p. AXp I− Rm³ AhfpsS Imen¶nSbnse ]Wn \nÀ¯n. apeIfn \n¶pw AhfpsS IbvIÄ amÁn. ]Icw AXp IpSním³ XpS§n. " th−... G«³ Xmtgíp ....sN¶m....aXn... AhsS....AhsS.... Chtc Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmt¶...." AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«v apSnbn ]nSn¨v Xmsg AhfpsS IhínSbnteíp XÅn. HcpIbvsIm−m kpJhmktI{μw s]mfn¨p aeÀ¯nbn«m Nph¶p XpSp¯ Zf§fntesísâ Np−pIÄ Xmgv¯n. sImXn\ocp t]mse AhfpsS DÄRc¼pIÄ tbm\nt¯³ NoÁn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Rm³ Fsâ \Sphnc AhfpsS Iq¯n¯pfbn shs¨m¶p h«w NpÁn¨p. H¶p Npcp§nsb¦nepw B s]m«pZzmcw Fsâ hncen\p hg§n. AXhnsS h¨psIm−v XÅhnc BhfpsS `KZzmc¯nte I\ymNÀ½¯n\p ta sh¨p Xncp½n. " ]Xps¡ aXntb«m.... henbp¶p....tlm... Mqw... ChnsS... ChnsS.... ]nSn...." AhÄ kz´w IbvsIm−v I´n sXm«p Xncp½m³ {ian¨p. Rm\m Ibv _eambn ]nSn¨pamÁn. ]ns¶ sasà B I´n \¡ns¡mSp¯p. IqSpX {]tbmKn¨nÃ, AX§s\ sXmSm]nÅbmbn \n¡s«, sasà Cf¡mw, AÃmsX Xs¶ Chfnt¸mÄ s]m«ns¯dnípw Fs¶\níp a\Ênembn. AXn\p ap¼v, \msf F\níp tIdm\pÅ hgnbpsS hoXn Iq«Ww. Fsâ e£yw AXpIqSnbmbncp¶p. hnImcw sIm−hÄ ]pfbpt¼mÄ Rm³ AhfpsS kzÀ¤hmXnen XÅnsh¨ncp¶ XÅhnc sasà AIt¯íp XÅn. B Iq«¯n Np−pIÄ sIm−v Is´m¶p \pÅn hen¨p. B kpJsR«en Fsâ XÅhnc AhfpsS I\ymNÀ½t¯ sNdpXmbn t`Zn¨psIm−v apgpht\msS DÅn tIdnb hnhcw AhfdnªnÃ. Fsâ \mhhfpsS I´nepw ]qÀ¨p−pIfnepapÅ ck¯mhf§Ä tXSnbeªp. Rm³ XÅhnc AhfpsS henªp apdpInb ]p¯³ tbm\oZzmc¯n IbÁnbnd¡m³ XpS§n. H¸w AhfpsS KpZZzmc¯n Ibdnbncp¶ \SphncÂsIm−v C¡nfnbpsS Xncbnf¡§fp−m¡n. " tlmmmm... Hmmmmm... t¿m... G....«mmmm.... Mqw... \níp... t´m... Mqw... AaÀ¯n¡Sntím... Mqqqqqw... "

kpJw sIm−hÄ ]nSbm³ XpS§n. Fsâ Np−pIÄ iànbmbn B CfwI´n ISn¨p s]m¡n. \\ªpcpInb B hnImc¡q¼n \n¶pw {]kcn¨ kpJ¯nsâ an¶epIÄ Ahtf cXnkmKc¯n izmkw ap«n¨p. AhfptS Ac¡qsSmcp cXnbpÂkh¸d¼mbn amdn. B Ifn¨men\pÅnte kvt^mS\§fpw thentbÁ§fpw Fsâ XÅhncen IqSn Rm\dnªp. " Fsâ .... G«m... \níp hcp¶q.... Mqw...." \o− Hcp apcĨtbmsS Ahtfm¶p sR«n henªp. AhfptS \hZzmc§fpw Hcp sk¡âp t\ct¯ív ASªXpt]mse tXm¶n. Fsâ hncepIfn AhfpsS sImXhpw ]qdpw Cdp¡n¸nSn¨p. B Cdp¡enepw Rm³ hncepIÄ tIÁnbnd¡m³ {ian¨p. AXhtf IqSpXembn kpJwsIm−p hndp§en¸n¨p. Hcp \nanjw, ]IpXn sNcnªphfª AhÄ izmkw \n¶pt]mb t]mse \nivOebmbn. Fsâ IbvIq«n AhÄ XpSIÄ _eambn Cdp¡n¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶ FÃmw sasà Ahkm\n¨p. NqSptX³ \ndª AhfpsS tbm\n¡pf¯n \o´n¯pSn¨psIm−ncp¶ Fsâ apJw AhÄ apSnbn ]nSn¨p s]m¡n. " aXn.... aXn... Is¿Spt¯m...lt¿m... Fsâ At½... tlmmmm... lhqqqq... " AhÄ \o− izmk§Ä FSp¯p ]pe¼n. AhfpsS PohnX¯nte Cu coXnbnepÅ BZyt¯ cXnaqÀO, kzbwt`mKw ioen¨n«nÃm¯ AhÄ¡p Xm§mhp¶Xne[nIambncp¶p. hnbÀ¸p XpÅnIÄ In\nª IqXn¯pf Npcp§n Fsâ hncent\ shfnbn XÅn. tbm\oZzmc¯n XÅnt¡Ánsh¨ncp¶ hncen\p NpÁpw hn«phn«pÅ apdp¡§Ä. Rm³ hnc A\¡msX sh¨v AXnsâ {]I¼\§Ä F®n. H¶v, H¶c, aq¶v... \mev... sNdpXpw hepXpamb sR«epIÄ, henbepIÄ. H¶pc−p an\n«p InX¨n«hÄ apJw sNcn¨p InS¶ns«t¶ XfÀ¶ kzc¯n hnfn¨p. " aWntb«m...?.." " F´m tamtf...?.." " ChnsS.... C¸w.... F´m \St¶...?." " F´p ]Án tamtf...?...." " Rm³... hnNmcn¨p.... temIw... CtXmsS... Ahkm\n¨q¶v..." " CsÃSo... ]p¶mc¡p«o... \½sS temIw C¸w sXmS§m³ t]mtW DÅp..." " A¸w... CtXm....?.." " CXp shdpw.... sNdnb Hcp km¼nftÃ.... " " lt¿m... A§\msW¦n.... Rm³ N¯pt]mIpw... CXpXt¶ F\níp Xm§m³ ]ÁptIemcp¶p..." " AsXms¡ tXm¶em tamtf.... Bt«....tamfp tamÄsS apÅps¶S¯p F¸sf¦nepw shcen«ns«mt−m...?..." " CÃtÃm... As¶m¶pw tId¯nÃmcp¶p...." " A¸w... C¸tgm...?.." Rm³ Fsâ XÅ hnc apgph\mbn B Ipgª ]qÀ¯pfbn tIÁnbnd¡n. AXnt¸mÄ hfsc kpJambn B NqSp hgp¡en\pÅn Ibdnbnd§p¶p. " t¿m.. Ct{Xw t\cw.... AXn\I¯p shceptIÁn sh¨ncníp¡phmcpt¶m....?.." " \o t\m¡v..." AhÄ Ibv Xmtgíp sIm−p h¶ X¸nt\m¡n. " t¿m.... AXn\I¯v.....G«sâbo ap«³ XÅshcep tIdntbm...?... A¸w AXt{Xw sXmdt¶m...?.." AhÄ¡mivOcyw. " sXmd¡pw tamtf... Cu G«t\¡mWp¼w tamfpsS sXmd¡m¯ hmXnsems¡ sXmd¡pw...." " aXn aXn... C¸w.....F\ntíXm−p t]mse... shceqcv... " AhÄ ]dªp. " iÐw tI¡tWm....?.." " Mqw..." Rm³ Aåw thKXbn hnceqcn. "KgvkvXv" Fs¶mcp sNdnb iÐt¯msS Fsâ hnc shfnbn t]m¶p. " s¿m... " Ahsfm¶p Rc§n. " F´mSo..?..." " s]s«¶p hen¨qcnb¸w... Hcp \oÁtem atÁm...." " F¶mse´m ...ctkmÅ Hscm¨ tI«ntÃ....?..."

" Mqw... F¶mepw AhSw C¨ntc Iodnsb¶m tXm¶pt¶.... Hcp \oÁev t]mse...." Rm\hfpsS Ih¨pInS¶ ck¡q«nteíp t\m¡n. B tbm\ohmXn ho−pw Npcp§nbSªp. CXfpIÄ X½n ]gbXpt]mse tNÀ¶p. AhfpsS Nmensâ Xmsg \n¶pw Btcm AI¯p\n¶pw XÅnhnSp¶Xp t]mse CXfpIÄ¡nSbn \n¶pw kpJKwK Heníp¶p−mbncp¶p. B XpÅnIÄ AhfpsS Iq¯ns¸m«nt\ XgpIn Hen¨v \o−p henªv hncn¸n hoWpsIm−ncp¶p. ]−p Rm³ ]iphnt\ Nhn«ním³ sIm−pt]mbt¸mÄ CXpt]mse \o−p henª XpÅnIfmbncp¶p AXnsâbpw apÅp¶nSt¯ Iq¼n \n¶pw Hen¨p hoWpsIm−ncp¶Xv. " \o sIS¡ apgph\pw \\¨tÃmSo..." " tM...?.." AhÄ AhfpsS N´nbncp¶nS¯p IbvsIm−p X¸n t\m¡n. " t¿m...t\cmWtÃm... Ct{Xw \\ªsX§\m..?.." " \ob§p sNmc¯n NoÁnípIÃmcpt¶m....." Rm³ Xncnªv AhfpsS apIfn hi§fn IbvIp¯n InS¶p. AhfpsS I®n DÁpt\m¡ns¡m−p tNmZn¨p. " tÈm...Rm\dnªnà tIt«m.... C\nbnXp apgph³ IgpIWw... C¶sebn« joÁm...." " AXp t]ms«... Fsâ A`n¡p«níp ]Wn kpJnt¨m....?.." Rm\hfpsS I®n t\m¡n tNmZn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ¡p \mWw. AhÄ aq¡p Npfn¨p sIm−p aμlkn¨p. B N½Â ImWms\s´mcp N´w. " ]d.... \nsâ tZl¯p kpJw Iq«nsh¨ncníps¶Sw ]nSnIn«ntbm....?.." AhÄ an−msX Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v Np−pIfn AaÀ¯n Hcp \nanjw Npw_n¨pc¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. Fsâ Kpem³ AhfpsS IhbnSp¡n amfw tXSn ap«n. Rms\sâ Acs¡«p s]m´n¨v Kpemt\ I¿nseSp¯v Xn¡n¯nc¡n B \\ª ]qÀ¡odenteínd¡nsh¨p. " AhsSbns«mcímsX... Hcíp¼w GXms−mtc\t¡Sp t]mse..." AhÄ Ih¡qSndp¡n¸nSn¨p. " Mm... A¸w F\nín¶pw GImZin Xt¶..." Rm³ s\SphoÀ¸n«p. " At¿m... Fsâ s]mt¶... A§s\ ]dbmsX... Fsâ aWn¡p«\p Rms\mŸw GImZin H−mI¯nÃ.... ]d... Fsâ Ip«\p Rms\¶Xm sNbvXp Xc−Xv...?..." AhÄ Fsâ Np−¯p Npw_n¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " th− ... s\\¡n¶p h¿... Hd§ntím..."Rm³ Ahtf Xncn¨pw Npw_n¨p. " At¿m... th−... Ip«\n§s\ sIS¶m F\nsímd¡w hc¯nÃ... Rms\´p thtWepw sNbvXp Xcmw...]d...thtW... apãnssaYp\w..?.." " Mqw...s\\¡p kt´mjmsW¦n am{Xw aXn..." " At¿m Fsâ aWntb«m... A§s\ ]dbtÃ.. Rm³ thtdbmtc kt´mjn¸ním\m...?.. Ct§m«p Xm Aht\... H¶p ]dªp X¶m aXn..." Ahsft¶ XÅn Fgpt¶ån¨p. ]ns¶ Ft¶ _eambn aeÀ¯n¡nS¯n. Fsâ Acs¡«n XShn. ]¨G¯ím t]mse Kpem³ s]m§n \n¶htf shÃphnfn¨p. " A`n¡p«n Fsâ s\©t¯m«p sISt¶m... Ih¨v... Xe At§m«p h¨v.... tamsS Ipªn¡p«n Ftâ t\tc hms]mfn¸n¨v sIS¡s«.... R§¡n¯ncn sIm¨phÀ¯m\w ]dbWw.... " AhÄ Rm³ ]dªXp t]mse InS¶p. Ct¸mÄ AhfpsS ]qdpw sImXhpw Fsâ I®n\p apIfn hnSÀ¶p InS¡p¶p. AXp I− Fsâ Ip® Xmsg Acs¡«n C¦nem_p hnfním³ XpS§n. AhÄ Aht\ sasà I¿nseSp¯p. " Rm\n§s\ sIS¶m...G«\p izmkw ap«pthm...?.." " CsÃSo... tamfht\ H¶p I¿nseSpt¯... F¶n«n§s\ ]nSn¨v sX¶nt¨...." Rm³ AhÄ¡p hmWaSn ImWn¨p sImSp¯p. " C§s\ aXntbm...?.." " At{Xw Cdp¡n¸nSní−... \nsâ tamXncw sImÅps¶m−v... AXp amÁn c−p aq¶p shcepsIm−p ]nSn¨m aXn..." " C¸tgm..." AhÄ aq¶p hncepIÄ sIm−ht\ NpÁn¸nSn¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " aXn... C\n tamfht\ CSíp½ shíWw...." " AXp thtWm G«m... Fsâ AhsSsbms¡bns«mc¨XtÃ...?.." AhfpsS kzc¯n Hcp hnjaw.

" F¶m th−... ]nSníp¼w.... tamtS hmbo¶p NqSp hmbp Ah\p sImSp¡Ww... hmSm tamt\.. hmSm¶p ]dtªm−ncníWw... A¸w Ah³ s]s«¶p ]mep NoÁntímfpw..." " Mqw... ]s£¦n ]mep hcp¼w ]dbWw...tIt«m..." AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. " ]dbmw ... F¶m tamfp sXmS§v... F\níhSw Igíp¶p... ]nt¶tb... ]mep NoÁm³ sXmS§nbm ]ns¶... hmWw \nÀ¯tÃ... NqSp hmbp sImSp¯v ]mep \níp¶Xp htc ]nSníWw.. Asæn sNe¸w Ahsâ Xmgt¯ Rc¼p s]m«pw..." Rm³ Ahtf H¶p t]Sn¸n¨p. " Rm³ N¯mep sicn...G«³ ]dbmsX \nÀ¯¯nÃ... Fsâ Ip«³ sIS¶p kpJnt¨m..." AhÄ hmWaSn XpS§n. Znhk§tfmfw sI«n\nÀ¯nbncp¶ ip¢`cWnbn AhÄ I¿n«t¸mtg `cWn CfIm³ XpS§n. AhÄ hmSm tamt\ F¶v CSínsS ]dªp sIm−ncp¶p. AhfpsS hmbpsS NqSv Fsâ Ip®¯ebn ASn¨psIm−ncp¶p. Fsâ ap¶n ]nfÀ¶p InS¡p¶ AhfpsS aZ\]pjv]w Rm³ hncepIÄ sIm−v H¶pIqSn hnimeam¡n hnSÀ¯n¸nSn¨v Hmtcm¶nepw XShm³ XpS§n. B NqSpIodensâ AcnInte tcma§Ä \\ªv AI¯pw AcnInepambn H«n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. hnImcw klníh¿msX Rm³ AhfpsS ]qÁnsem¶p \¡nt¸mbn. AhÄ _ew ]nSn¨p. " At¿m th−... C¯ncn Ignbs«... C¡nfnbm....." " tkmdn tamtf... " AhÄ ho−pw hmWaSn XpS§n. " hcp¼w ]dbtW... " AhÄ Bhiys¸«p. ]ns¶ "hmSm...thKw hmSm... " F¶p ]dªpsIm−v ]Wn XpSÀ¶p. Fsâ apJ¯n\p sXm«p ap¼n hncnªp InS¡p¶ AhfpsS sN¼c¯n¸qÁntesísâ I®pItf tI{μoIcn¨t¸mtgípw Fsâ Acs¡«n Aánkv^penwK§Ä ]mdm³ XpS§n. F\nínt¸mÄ s]m«ns¯dnípw F¶ \nebmbn. Fs´mcp kpJamb ]nSp¯w. H¸w Fsâ Hma\bpsS Znhyamb `mK§Ä Fsâ I×p¶n hnSÀ¶p \n¶p Nncníp¶p. \\sªm«nb AhfpsS tbm\nbnte aWw Fsâ \mkmc{Ô§tf ]pfIaWnbníp¶p. F\nínfIp¶p. At¿m F\níp hcp¶p. Rm³ Acs¡«p apIfnteíp XÅn. Hcp \nanjw, Fsâ D®n¡p«³ hmXpd¶p. H¸w Fsâ A´cmßmhn \n¶pw kpJ¯nsâ tdm¡ÁpIÄ Fsâ Rc¼nemIam\w ]pfªp tIdn ]mªp. H¶p Rm\dnªp. Fsâ Ip®bpsS AÁ¯p \n¶pw shSnbp−IÄ t]mse ip¢¯p−pIÄ shfnbnteíp ]d¡p¶ps−¶v. A`nbpsS hmSm F¶pÅ hnfn ]et¸mgpw hngp§nt¸mbXp t]mse Hcp Rc¡w t]mse tIÄ¡mw. F¶n«pw AhÄ XpSÀ¨bmbn hmWaSn¨p sIm−ncp¶p. Ahkm\w hn«phns«sâ Acs¡«n ]pfsª¯nb kpJ¯nsâ AeIÄ AS§nbt¸mÄ InX¨psIm−p Rm³ ]dªp. " C\n aXn tamtf ]nSn¨Xv... F\níp h¶p...lmhq... \à kpJamcps¶So amtf....." Ahsfm¶pw an−nbnÃ. Ip®bnte hmWaSn \n¶p. Rm³ sasà AhfpsS Ac¡qsSsâ s\©n \n¶pw AcnInteíp XÅn amÁn. AhÄ Fsâ apIfn \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áp amdn. hm s]m¯ns¡m−v I«nen \n¶nd§n IpfnapdnbntetímSnt¡dn. Rm³ ]pdtI sN¶p. Ahft¸mÄ hmjvt_kn\nteív Xp¸nbn«v Ht¶m¡m\n¨p. " F´p ]Án tamtf...?.." " H¶pw ]ÁoÃ..." AhÄ t\tc \n¶p. kXy¯n Rm³ Nncn¨p t]mbn. AhfpsS Np−nepw Ihnfnepw apJ¯psams¡ Fsâ tcXÊnsâ XpÅnIÄ ]Án¸nSns¨meníp¶p. " Nncní− tIt«m... sX½mSn¯cw ImWn¨n«v... ]mep hcp¼w ]dbW¶p ]dªn«v.... an−msX Fsâ hmbntem«p apgph\pw IqsS... C¸gpw sXmt−sem«p¶p....." " Fsâ s]t®... B kab¯v Rm³ \nsâ Ip−n¡pgn ISn¨p Xn¶pIÃmcpt¶m.... At¶cam NoÁnt¸mbXv... sXdn¨Xp Rm\dnªnÃ... kzÀ¤¯n sIS¶p Rm³ NmSpIÃmcpt¶m...kmcansÃt¶.... apJw IgpInbm aXnbtÃm..." Rm³ Ahtf Bizkn¸n¨p. " At¸m.. Fsâ hbÁntem«p t]mbtXm...?..." AhÄ sIdpthmsS Icbp¶ kzc¯n tNmZn¨p. kwkmcn¨t¸mÄ AhfpsS XmSnbn ]Án¸nSn¨ncp¶ Hcp XpÅn AhfpsS apebnteíqÀ¶p hoWp. AhÄ AXp XpSím³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm\Xv apebn AaÀ¯n XpS¨psImSp¯p. " A¸w \obXp IpSnt¨m...?..."

" ]n¶ÃmsX´p sN¿pw... sImgpt¡mt«sS hen¸¯netà BZyw c−paqs¶®w A®m¡ntem«p sXdn¨Xv... At¶cw \nÀ¯nbm... Rc¼p s]m«phtÃm¶p t]Sn¨m... AX§p hngp§nt¸mbn.... ]ns¶ tZs− samJs¯Ãmw sXdn¸n¨p sh¨p..." AhÄ ho−pw ]cmXn ]dªp. ]ns¶bpw hmbn shÅsamgn¨p Xp¸n. " kmcansÃSo.... CXv Fsâ sam«bm¶p hnNmcnt¨m... \nsâ Imens¶tSte Ipªn¡nfn F´p am{Xm Fsâ hmbntem«p sNmc¯oXv... AsXmÁ XpÅn IfbmsX Rm³ apgph\pw \¡n¡pSn¨ntÃ.... \nsâ tX\msWt¶mÀ¡p¼w F\ní§p cpNn IqSpImcp¶p.... Adntbm... samJw IgpIv...." " CXXp t]memtWm... Fs´mcp I«nbmcp¶p... AXp t]ms«... C¸w Rc¼n\p thZ\bnÃtÃm..... \à kptJmw In«otÃ..." AhÄ ip¢w hoW apebn shÅw Hgn¨p IgpIns¡m−v tNmZn¨p. " ]nt¶.... \o Aht\ ]ngnsªSp¯ntÃ... \à kptJmamcp¶p.... tZs− Ahsâ sIS¸p It−m... ImÁp t]mb _eq¬ amXncn...." Rm³ XfÀ¶p InS¶ Ip® Ahtf X«nImWn¨p. AhÄ aSn¨paSn¨v Ahs\ I¿nseSp¯v t\m¡n. " tZs− XoÀ¶n«nÃ... ]nt¶w hcp¶p... " Ahsâ IpªphmbpsS AÁ¯v Xpfp¼n\n¶ Hcp XpÅn hncÂsIm−p tXm−nsbSp¯p t\m¡n. AhÄ Aht\ H¶p sR¡nbt¸mÄ Hcp henb XpÅn shfnbn NmSn. A−n hen¨v ]nSn¨v t_kn\n Im«n AhÄ sR¡n sR¡n IgpIn. sIm¨pIp«nItf Ipfn¸níp¶Xpt]mse kq£n¨v Fsâ Ip®¡p«t\ Ipfn¸nípt¼mÄ AhfpsS apJ¯p−mIp¶ Hma\`mhw ImWm³ \à tiev. " F´m...C§s\ t\m¡pt¶...?.." AhÄs¡mcp kt¦mNw. " Np½m... \nt¶ C§s\ t\m¡n\níp¶XpXt¶ Hcp kpJam..." AhfpsS hen¨p \o«en\\pkcn¨v Acs¡«m«ns¡m−v Rm³ ]dªp. " At¿m... Rc¼p sicnbmbnsöm tXm¶pt¶... tZs− ]ns¶ _ew ]nSním³ sXmS§n..." " AXp \nsâ I¿nencníp¶ kpJw sIm−m... \o hnt«cv... F¶n«v... Ipªn¡nfosS hmsbms¡ \¶mbn«p IgpIv... tX³Ip¸n adnª t]msebm HgpIoXv... t\cw shfp¡p¼w FÃmwIqsS sImgsªm«n¸nSn¨v Hcp ]cphmIpw... sNe¸w tamcp sISp¼n¨Xp t]memIpw...." " sISp¼nt¨ms«.....FtâXn\I¯tÃ.... Cãantàt\m¡−...At{Xtà DÅp... AhnSt¯ Imscyms¡ttttb.... Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw.......G«³ s]mtím... Rm³ IgpIo«p ht¶mfmw..." AhÄ t¢mskÁnsâ AcnInteíp \S¶p. " ]nt¶..... AXn\n Fsâbm tIt«m... \nsâ tImWm¯n ]c¯n sh¨ncníps¶t¶sbmÅp.... AXp ip²nbmbpw hr¯nbmbpw kq£níms\mÅ NpaXe Fsâbm... AtXm−v.... s\\¡v Rm³ IgpIn¯cmw..." " F§s\sb¦nepw C¸gpw AXn\I¯p Xt¶ I¿nt«m−ncním\m sImXn.... tZs−... IgpIpthm.... Ipfn¸nípthm F´m¶m sNbvtXm...." AhÄ t¢mskÁnencp¶n«v ImepIÄ Ih¨psh¨p. A{Xbpw Ih¨ncp¶n«pw B ]qdnsâ CXfpIÄ tNÀ¶ncp¶p. Cfb½bptSXmbncps¶¦n Ct¸mÄ \à ]pkvXIw \nhÀ¯psh¨Xpt]mse XmfpIfpw hncn¨p \nt¶t\ F¶p Rmt\mÀ¯p. Rm³ ss]s¸Sp¯v Aåw shÅw B Iodenteíp NoÁn¨p. ]ns¶ AXp IbvsIm−åw hnSÀ¯n shÅw DÅnteíp NoÁn¨p. " Mqw... \odps¶m−v... aXn Rm³ IgpIntímfmw.... shcep XÅnt¡ÁnbXp sIm−m..." AhÄ ss]s¸sâ I¿n \n¶pw hm§n sasà I¿n«p IgpIn. " cmhnte \mKt½mSp ]dªv _mXvdqw hr¯nbmbn«p IgpIníWw ... aq{Xw s\c¯n NoÁnípIÃmcpt¶m...." Ahtfbpw sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nenteíp \S¡p¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ ]dªp. " NoÁním³ ]dªn«tÃ... th−m th−m¶p ]dªn«p tI¡pthm..." Ahsfsâ N´nbn \pÅn. Aeamcbn \n¶pw tXmÀs¯Sp¯p c−pt]cpw At\ym\yw tZlsaÃmw XpS¨p. Fsâ XpSí AhfmkzZn¨p. ]t£ AhfpsS XpSí sIm−v Kpem³ ho−pw _ew sh¨p. F\níhÄ Hcp ep¦nsbSp¯p X¶p. ]ns¶ Ahfpw Ae¡nb XpWnIsfSp¯v

I«nenteín«p. F¶n«v ]mhmS DSp¡ms\mcp§n. Rm³ t]mbn Gko \nÀ¯n. At¸mÄ apdnbn \à \niÐX. FhnsStbm Hcp tImgnIqhp¶ iÐw tI«p. " F\nín\n XpWnsbm¶pw th−..." Rm³ \á\mbn I«nenteíp InS¶p. " F¶m¸ns¶ F\nípw th−... " Ahfpw IqsS tIdn¡nS¶p. " t\cw shfp¡mdmbn... C\nsb§\m Hd§p¶Xv...?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " tZ...C§s\ ..." Rm³ Ahtf Ft¶mSp tNÀ¯p sI«n¸nSn¨p. D²cn¨p \n¶ Kpem³ AhfpsS XpSIÄ¡nSbn ap«nbpcp½n. " l... Cu km[\¯ns\mdt¡mantÃ... Hd§Sm sIm¨psX½mSn..." AhÄ Kpemt\sbSp¯v AhfpsS apt¡mW¡qSnteíp _eambn XncpIn sh¨p. AhfpsS NqSpÅ ]qSIfn Dcp½n Ah³ B apt¡mWn Xn§nbncp¶p. Ahsfmcp tIm«phmbn«p. ]pdtI Rm\pw. Rm³ Ibv\o«n sh¨psImSp¯p Ahsfsâ Ibv¯−bnteíp Xesh¨p. Ft¶ sI«n]nSn¨n«v tNmZn¨p. " F¸gm Fgpt¶¡pt¶....?..." " Hd¡w Xocp¼w..." " Ft¶ FSsím¶p hnfnímthm... Cs¶md§m³ \à kpJw tXm¶p¶p...." AhfpsS \nizmk¯n Fsâ ip¢¯nsâ aWw DÅXpt]mse F\níp tXm¶n. " \o \msf D¨ípWÀ¶m aXn... C¸w Hd§v..." Rm\hfpsS XpSbn X«ns¡mSp¯p. Ipd¨pt\cw InS¶n«pw c−pt]cpw Dd§nbnÃ. AhÄ Xncnªpw adnªpw InS¶p. At¸msgms¡ Rm\htf tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p. ]IpXn Dd§nb Kpemt\ At¸msgms¡ AhÄ shdptX I¿nseSp¯p ]nSn¨psIm−p InS¶p. Ct¸mÄ Ah\pambn AhÄ CW§nb t]mse. " A`o...?.." " F´m Hd§mt¯...?..." " B... C¶t¯ Hd¡w t]msb¶m tXm¶p¶Xv... AÃ... aWntb«m... Rmt\mÀ¡pImcp¶p..." " Ft´m¶m... Cu sIm¨p shfp¸m³ Ime¯v \o C{X Imcymbn«v HmÀ¡p¶Xv...?.." " Aà G«m.... Ftf½ A¶v CXÃmcpt¶m... B cmcn¨tâtX¶p hens¨Spt¯m−ncp¶Xv..?.." " B... AXp Xt¶... AhÀ¡Xn\p sNe¸w \à cpNn tXm¶n¡mWpw... AXpsIm−v a\tÊmsS IpSn¨pImWpw... \obXtÃm..." " AÃ.... Cu G«sâbmWtÃmÀ¯¸w... F\nípw shey AcpNnsbm¶pw tXm¶oÃ... ]−p ]¨sam« IpSn¨ t]mencp¶p... F¶mepw...At¿..." " A¸w C\ow \o IpSnípsa¶p kmcw....IÅn..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn \pÅn. " AXp th−....CXv IpSníms\mÅ Bfp thtdsbm−v.....Ahfp IpSnt¨mfpw... C¸w Hd§v..." " F¶m \msf \ap¡htf CXp IpSn¸nímw...." " Mqw... " ]ns¶bpw Ahsfs´ms¡tbm s]mdps]mdp¯p. F¶ns«sâ I¿nteíp InS¶p. A[nIw XmaknbmsX R§fpd§n¡mWWw. t\cw D¨bmImdmbt¸mgmWp R§fpWÀ¶Xv. CSsít¸mtgm apdnbn NqSp IqSnbt¸mÄ Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp ^m\n«tXmÀ½bp−v. Rm\mbncp¶p BZyw DWÀ¶Xv. sNdnb shânteÁdpIfn IqSn ]I shfn¨w apdnbn {]kcníp¶p−mbncp¶p. InS¡m³ t\cw Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p InSs¶¦nepw Ct¸mÄ A`n InS¡p¶Xv hnimeamb sa¯bpsS HccnInemWv. Hcp I¿pw Imepw t\tc sh¨v, atÁ Ibv apeIÄ¡pXmsgbpw sh¨v Hcp ImÂap«p aS¡n kar²amb XeapSn InS¡bnse¼mSpw NnXdn kpJambn Ahfpd§p¶p. Ahtf DWÀ¯msX Rm³ Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. Ahtf C§s\ ImWm³ Fs´mcp N´w. ImWpt´mdpw a\Ên elcn \pcªpbcp¶p. B Ac¡qSnte KÔw \mknIbntesím¸nsbSp¡m³ a\Ên XzcbpWcp¶p. B amctKmf§tf H¶p XtemSm³ IbvIÄ Xcníp¶p. NnXdnb tcma§fpsS CSbnÂIqSn AhfpsS aZ\km{amPy¯nsâ \Sp¡p IqsSbpÅ hc Ahyàambn ImWp¶p. Ih¨pInS¶t¸mÄ AhfpsS IhbnSp¡n tbm\n Xsâ kzm`mhnI cq]w {]ZÀin¸n¨p InS¶p. Xpd¶p aeÀ¯nb Hcp ]qdnt\¡mÄ \qdp aS§p

kpJambncp¶p tcma§Ä ]mInb AhfpsS ]qÀ¯Shpw Np−pIÄ Iq«n¸nSn¨pInS¡p¶ tbm\nbpw. AXnsâ h¡pIÄ \¶mbn tKmX¼p \nd¯n Dcp−ncníp¶p. Ftf½bptS ]d¸qdnsâ AcnIpIÄ sRmdnªp Icphmfn¨mWncníp¶Xv. A`nbpsS B tNÀs¶m«nb IjW§Ä ImWpt´mdpw Hcp½ sImSp¡m\pw Hma\n¸ním\pw tXm¶p¶p. Nnet¸mÄ hÀj§Ä Ignbpt¼mÄ CXpw AXpt]mse hmXpd¶v XSn¨p Icphmfn¨ Np−pIfpw Im«n Xpd¶p InS¡pambncnípw. AX¶tÃ, F¦nepw CsXsâ kz´w \n[n. kmh[m\w DbÀ¶p Xmgp¶ sh¬XmgnI¡pS§Ä B amdns\me¦mcw t]mse t\tc shÃphnfn¨p \n¡p¶p. Ibv ASnbn sh¨ncníp¶XpsIm−v Hsc®w A¸w apIfnteíp Nmªp \n¡p¶p. hncnª Np−pIÄ. s\Án¯S¯n\p apIfnte sNdnb apSnbngIÄ ^m\nsâ ImÁn sNdpXmbn A\§p¶p. t\m¡n\n¶n«p aXn hcp¶nÃ. InS¡ A\¡msX, izmkw ]nSn¨v, Xpd¶pInS¶ B ]pÂtaSn Rm³ H¶p aW¯p. izmkw sasà AIt¯íp hen¨p. \nÀhNním\mhm¯ Hcp KÔw, AsXsâ Xet¨mdnse cXo\mUnIfn Xncbnf¡ap−m¡m³ XpS§n. sasà Acs¡«n \n¶pw amdnbn«v, Ip\nªv Rm\m s\Ánbnsem¶p Npw_n¨p. Ahsfm¶\§n. s]s«¶hÄ I®pXpd¶p. B I®pIfnteíp Xt¶ t\m¡nbncníp¶ Ft¶¡−v tNmZycq]¯n Hcp t\m«w. NpÁpw t\m¡nbn«v Hcp IbvsIm−v amdpIÄ s]m¯n¸nSn¨hÄ I«nen Fgpt¶Áncp¶p. " KpUvtamWn§v amUw....." Rm³ AhfpsS Np−n Hcp Npw_\s¯mtS Xamicq]¯n A`nhmZyw sNbvXp ]dªp. adp]Snbmbn bm{´nIambn Nps−m¶p \o«nbn«v AhÄ Nphcnte t¢m¡n t\m¡n. " Fâoizcm... t\cw D¨bmbn... Fs´mscmd¡amcp¶p... Fs¶sb´m hnfnímXncp¶Xv...?..." I«nen InS¶ ]mhmSsbSp¯v ap³`mKw ad¨p]nSn¨hÄ tNmZn¨p. " \o C§s\ InS¶m Hcp Ime¯pw hnfn¨pWÀ¯m³ tXm¶¯nÃ..." " \à Bfm... amdntí..." AhÄ I«nen \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áv Aeamcnbn \n¶pw tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. _m¡nbpÅ XpWnIsfSp¯psIm−v Ipfnapdnbnteíp Ibdnt¸mbn. Xncn¨nd§n h¶Xv kmcnbpSp¯psIm−mbncp¶p. " F´m Ip¯nbncnípt¶... Fgpt¶Áp ]ÃptXíptIm htÃmw sN¿v... Rm³ Im¸n sIm−cmw.....C¶v kÀ¡o«p htÃmsamt−m...?.." Xe tXmÀ¯ns¡m−ncp¶ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " CÃ... sNe¸w sP«osem¶p t]mWw... _me\pw IqSn h¶nt« DÅp....." " B.... F¶m AhnSncpt¶m... thtW H¶qsS Hd§ntím.... " AhÄ ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn tIdn s{^jmbn h¶p. ]ns¶ Xmtgíp sN¶p ]{XsaSps¯m¶p \nhÀ¯p t\m¡n. ap¯O³ Ft¶ hnfn¨p. " C¶se \o t]mbns«´msbSm...?.." " FÃmw sicnbm¡n.... C\n {]iv\§sfm−mI¯nÃ... " Rm³ F§pw sXmSmsX ]dªp. " Mqw... F\nídnbmcp¶p.... \o Xt¶ t]mW¶v... aÁh³ h¡oensâ t]mdtI \S¡t¯sbmÅp...." Rm³ sasà ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. A½sbmgn¨v s]®p§sfÃmhcpw AhnsSbp−v. Ipª½bpw \mK½bpw IqSp¶nS¯v A½ km[mcW \n¡mdnÃ. AhcpsS kwkmcw A½í{X ]nSní¯nÃ. ]t£ Rm\Â`pXs¸«Xv asÁm¶psIm−paÃ, Ie Fs´ms¡tbm AcnbpIbpw \pdp¡pIbpsams¡ sN¿p¶p. " Mm... \o ht¶m..?.. F¸gmSm \o F¯ntb...?.." Ipª½. " t\cw shfp¡mdmbncp¶p...." Rm³ A`nbpsS I¿n \n¶pw Im¸n hm§n sam¯n. " Mm... Ietamfp ]dªmcp¶p... A`ow Hd§oÃm¶v... tN¨n Hd¡mbXpsIm−v A\nb¯nbm C¶p sh¸pw Imem¡epsams¡..." " F¦nens¶ÃmÀ¡pw IqsS D¨ív tlm«en t]mtI−n hcpw..." Rm³ Ietamsf t\m¡n ]dªp. " Hhz... tN«³ amt{X t]mIs¯mÅp... _m¡n FÃmcpw Cs¶sâ Idn Iq«pw... samiS³.." AhÄ AcnªpsIm−ncp¶ F´nsâtbm sXmen Fsâ t\tc hens¨dnªp. " F´n\m aWntb«m... B ]mh¯nt\ Ifnbm¡p¶Xv...?.." A`n CSs]«p.

" Rm³ Imcyw ]dªXtÃ...." " F¶m... Ignt¨m... G«\p \¶mbn«p shi¡ps¶m−mhpw..." A`n tZmibpw km¼mdpw Fsâ ap¼n sIm−p sh¨p. Rm³ Igním³ XpS§n. " sImÅmw.... \à km¼mdv.... Ipªt½sS kvs]jy akme¡q«msW¶p tXm¶p¶tÃm..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AsÃSm... Ietamfm C¶v km¼dn\p Iq«n«Xv..." Ipª½ ]dªp. " Mm... AXm CXns\mcp hÃm¯ sNmthw atWmw..." Rm³ apJw Npfn¨p. Ie Fgpt¶Áp h¶p. F¶ns«sâ ap¼nencp¶ km¼mdnsâ ]m{Xw FSp¯psIm−p ]dªp..." " F¶mte ... kmdnXp Iq«−... sI«ntbmfp hà ImSow H−m¡n¯cpw... AX§p tkhn¨m aXn... t]m¯v..." " FSo... AXnhnsS shím³... Hcp ho¡p X¶msem−tÃm...." Rm³ AhfptS t\tc It¿m§n. A`n B ]m{XsaSp¯v ho−pw Fsâ ap¼n sh¨p. " C§p hm ho¡m³.... A{X Ibv¯cns¸mt− sI«ntbmtf A§p ho¡nbm aXn...." FÃmhcpw Nncn¨p. At¸mÄ t^m¬ aWn apg§n. Rm³ Hcp tZmi Npcp«n ]nSn¨psIms−gpt¶Áp kzoIcWapdnbnteíp \S¶p. ]pdtI Idn¸m{Xhpambn A`nbpw F¯n. Rm³ t^msWSp¯p. F\níp ap¡m³ Idn¸m{Xw \o«n¸nSn¨psIm−v A`n ]{XsaSp¯v shdptX I¿nseSp¯p t\m¡ns¡m−p \n¶p. " ltem...." " .............................." " AtX..." " ............................. " " AtX... cmPmaWnbm kwkmcníp¶Xv...Bcm...?.." " ............................." " KpUvtamWn§v kmÀ... F´m hntijn¨v...?..." " ............................" " AXns\´m... Rm\n¸w hcmtÃm... Fs´¦nepw {]tXyIn¨v....?.." " ..........................." " AXp Rm³ kmdnt\mSp ]dtª¨tà sNbvXXv..." " ............................." " F´p sN¿psa¶v...?.." " ................................ " t^mWneqsS D¯cw tI« Rm³ At¸mÄ sR«nt¸mbn. A`n Ft¶ angn¨p t\m¡p¶Xp Rm³ I−p. " tM...?.. t\cmtWm kmÀ ....?..." " ................................" " Cà kmÀ... Rm\Xv sNbvXn«nÃ... sN¿ptIanÃ... sN¿W¶panÃmcp¶p...." " ..............................." " Mm...t]mbn.." " .............................." " Cà kmÀ... kXyambn«pw Cà kmÀ... AXp aÁmtcm BWv... Rm³ t]mcp¼w AbmfpsS tZl¯v Hcp t]mdep t]mepanÃmcp¶p...." " ............................." " CÃ... Rm\htc.... Aà kmÀ Rm\t§m«p hcmw... ¹okv.. F¶n«p hniZambn«p kwkmcnímw... Rms\Ãmw ]dbmw... Asæn kmsdt¶ sXÁn²cnípw..." " ............................" " sicn Rms\mSt\ ho«nteíp hcmw..." Rm³ t^m¬ Xmsg sh¨p. A`n A¼c¶p \n¡p¶p. " F´m aWntb«m...?.. F´m {]iv\w...?.." " H¶panÃ...." " AÃ... Ft´m Imcyambns«m−v....Ft¶mSp ]dtb«m...." AhÄ Icbpsa¶p tXm¶n.

" AÃm... B {^m©ntb Btcm sIm¶p.... C¶se..... C³kvs]Îdm hnfn¨Xv...." " AXn\p aWntb«t\ F´n\m hnfníp¶Xv....?..." " AXv.. AXv... Rm\n¶te cm{Xn Abmtf I−mcp¶p....." " tM... Fâoizcm... aWntb«s\¶m ]Wnbm ImWnt¨... C¶te B s]mXosaSpt¯m−p t]mb¸tg F\níp t]Sn tXm¶oXm.... C\nsb´m sNbvI... F\níp hs¿sâ IrjvWm...." AhÄ ]m{Xw Sot¸mbnbn sh¨n«v HmSn. " A`o... FSo... AhsS \nÃv... Rm³ ]dbs«... tamtf.... \obmtW kXyw.... Rm\bmtf sIm¶n«nÃ.... " " th−.... F\nídnbmw... G«³ amdnt¸mbn... G«\nXnset´m H¸n¨ns«m−v....H−v... " AhÄ Fsâ I¿n \n¶pw IpXdn IcªpsIm−v ]qPmapdnbn Ibdn IXIS¨p. F´p sN¿Wsa¶dnbmsX Rm³ CXnIÀ¯hyXmaqV\mbn \n¶pt]mbn. " Bcmcp¶p aWn¡p«m t^mWnÂ... ?.. A`ntamsf´n\m IcªXv...?... Fs´¦nepw {]ivt\mt−m...?.." At§m«p IS¶p h¶ A½ tNmZn¨p. " AXv... B C³kvs]Îdmcp¶p.... B duUn {^m©ntb.... C¶se.... Btcm Ip¯ns¡m¶q¶v...." " AXn\bmsf´n\m \nt¶ hnfníp¶Xv.... \osb´p sNbvXn«m...?..." " AXv... Fât½... Hc_²w ]Ánsb\nív... Hcp kpc£nXXz¯n\p Rm³ Abmtf H¶p t]mbn I−mcp¶p... AXn¨nsc AXn_p²nbmbnt¸mbn...." " F¶mse´m....?.. F\níp ]nSnIn«p¶nÃ... \o sXfn¨p ]d..." A½ A£abmbn. " At½... Rm³ C¶se cm{Xoev....{^m©ntb H¶p s]cpamdn.... Aht\ H¶S¡Wsat¶ H−mcps¶mÅp... ]t£.... AXpw Ignªv Rm³ t]m¶p Ignªn«m... Btcm Aht\ Ip¯ns¡m¶Xv.... Rm³ Aht\ s]cpamdm³ t]mIphm¶v IãIme¯n\m FssktbmsSm¶p ]dªpt]mbn..." " F¶m a−¯camSm \o ImWn¨Xv...?...Bsc¦nepw t]meoknt\mSp ]dtª¨v XsÃm−m¡m³ t]mIpthmSm...?..sÈ... C§s\mcp sImih³..." A½ Xeíp Ibpw sImSp¯ncp¶p. " At½... AbmÄ¡pw Aht\ HXp¡Wsa¶v ¹ms\m−mcps¶t¶... AXpsIm−m Abmtf XÃo«pw Aht\ A¶v.... AdÌp sN¿mXncp¶Xv... A¸w \ymbambn«pw Rm³ hnNmcn¨p.... R§sfm¶msW¶v..... ]t£ Aht\ A¸¯t¶ Bsc¦nepw X«psa¶v Rms\§\dnbm\m...?.." " BsI ]penhmembtÃmSm.... C\nsb´p sN¿pw...?.." " A½ shjanímsX... Fs´¦nepw hgnsbm−mIpw...GXmbmepw _me³ hcs«..." ]dªp Xocp¶Xn\p ap¼v ]qapJ¯v hm³ h¶p\n¶p. _me\pw A¿t¸«\pw NmSnbnd§n. " tN«m... {]iv\ambn... hb\mSt\ C¶se..." _me³ InX¨p. " Rm\pw AdnsªSm... Fssk C¸w hnfn¨mcp¶p...." " Fsskbm ho«nteíOt\ hnfn¨p ]dªXv... Rm\m ChnSt¯ \¼cp sImSp¯Xv... C\nsb´m sNbvI...?.." _me\p ]cthiw. " A¿¸m...?.." apdnbn \n¶pw ap¯O³ hnfn¨p. " Zm hcpt¶...." A¿t¸«³ hnfn¨p ]dªn«v ap¯Osâ apdnbnteíp sN¶p. Rm\pw _me\pw hmXn¡ \n¶p. " F´mSm sImg¸w...?.. Ft´m {]iv\sam−tÃm... tM...?..." " AXv.. tN«m... " A¿t¸«³ R§tf t\m¡n. " \o Ft¶mSp ]d A¿¸m... " " AXv... B iucymcpsS aIt\.... C¶se cm{Xo Btcm X«n.... B Fsskbm hnfn¨p ]dªXv..." " Mqwww... FÃmw sicnbmsb¶nh³ ]dª¸w F\nsímcp X¸ep tXm¶nbXm... Ct{Xw sImgª Hcp Imcyw HÁ cm{Xn sIm−p t\scbmIpthm.... cmPptamt\... t\cp ]d... \nsâ I¿os¶s´¦nepw Ibvs¸g ]Ántbm...?.." ap¯O³ Ft¶mSmbn tNmZn¨p. " Cà ap¯Om... Rm³ sicnsím¶p NX¨p... Ah³ s]m§ptIe... tZl¯qs¶mcp XpÅn tNmc t]mepw h¶pImW¯nÃ... ]t£ Ip¯ns¡ms¶¶m Fssk ]dªXv..."

" Mqw..." ap¯O³ H¶mtemNn¨p. " A¸w... Aht\mSp ]qÀhsshcmKyw HtÅmcmtcm CXnsâ s]mdInsem−v... \nsâ adhneh½mcp Imcyw km[n¨ns«m−mIpw... Ahcv c£s]SptIw sN¿pw... \nt¶ Bsc¦nepw I−ns«mt−mSm AhsS sh¨v.....?..." " Xncn¨p t]mcp¼w c−p _oÁpt]meokpImcp I−mcp¶p... R§fp \¼À t¹Áp amÁnbm t]mbXv....hb\m«o¶p h¶hcm¶m ]dªXv..." F\níp Imcy§Ä BsI sI«p]nWbp¶Xp t]mse tXm¶n. " A¿¸m.... \obm... h¡oent\ hnfns¨mcp Pmay¯ns\mÅ GÀ¸mSp sN¿v... sNe¸gmtW t]meoknhnsS hcm³ km²yXsbm−v... Ah³ \½tSw i{Xphmcp¶tÃm..." " HSt\ sN¿mw..." A¿t¸«³ t^mWnsâ ASpt¯íp \o§n. " Mm... \o HSt\ F§pw t]mI−... t]mbm sNe¸w t]meokn\p kwibw IqSpw.... " ap¯O³ ]dªp. " Aà ap¯Om... Rm\m C³kvs]ÎtdmSp ho«n sNÃmsa¶p ]dªmcp¶p...." " AXn\p sImg¸anÃ... s]mtím... h¡oent\w Iq«n t]mbm aXn..." " Mqw..." " \n§fp shjaní−Sm... IpÁw sNbvXn«nÃtÃm... Rms\m¶mtemNnís«... " ap¯O³ sasà InS¶p. h¡o h¶v ap¯O\pambn Fs´ms¡tbm kwkmcn¨p. Rm³ ]qPmapdnbpsS IXIn X«n. Xpd¡p¶nÃ. " A`o...A`n..." Rm³ hnfn¨p. AhÄ IXIp Xpd¶nÃ. s]®p§Ä amdn amdn X«nhnfn¨p. AhÄ Iq«m¡p¶nÃ. " FSo... IXIp sXmd¡ps¶mt−m... AtXm Rm³ Nhn«ns¸mfnítWm...?.." Rm\p¨¯n hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. Hcp \nanjw Ignªt¸mÄ hmXn Xpd¶p. Agnªpeª apSnbpambn. Icªp Ie§nb I®pIfpambn A`n XeIp\n¨p \n¶p. A½ AIt¯íp Ibdn Ahtf ]nSn¨p ]pd¯psIm−p h¶p. AhÄ A½bpsS amdnteíp Nmcn. " \osb´n\m C{X shjanípt¶... ChnsSmcp sImgt¸manÃtÃm..." A½ Ahsf km´z\n¸n¨p. " F¶mepw At½... Rm³ h¶psIdnb¸w samXenhnsS... " AhÄ Ft¶ Ahi`mh¯n t\m¡n. " ChnsSsb´m hoSnSnªp hotWm... CsXms¡ A§s\ sIS¡pw... Cuizc³ \as¡mcm]¯pw hcp¯¯nÃ... \o t]mbn tNmdp shf¼v... ChÀ¡n¸w s]md¯p t]mWw...." AhÄ A½bpsS apJ¯p kq£n¨p t\m¡n. A½bpsS apJt¯ IqkenÃmbva I−t¸mÄ AhÄs¡mcphn[w kam[m\ambXp t]mse tXm¶n. I®pw XpS¨v AhÄ s]®p§fpsS IqsS ASp¡fbnteíp t]mbn. Ie am{Xw AhnsS \n¶p. Fsâ ssIíp ]nSn¨p amÁn \nÀ¯nbn«p tNmZn¨p. " AÃm C³kvs]Îtd... kXyambn«pw Aht\ kmdpXt¶ X«ntbm... F¶n«v... FÃmtcmSpw s\mW ]dªXmtWm...." " Cà tamtf... Rms\´m A{Xíp s]m«\mtWm... ?.." " sImÃm³ s]m«\mIWs¶m¶panÃ... A¶t¯ iucyw R§fp I−XtÃ... B ]mhw tN¨n hnfn¨pIqhoÃmcps¶¦n A¶m XSnbsâ Xe sh«ptIemcpt¶m... ?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Gbv... Rm³ sImïnà tamtf... Hcp Ime¯pw... Poh³ sImSp¡m³ IgnhnÃm¯h\p sImÃm³ tbmKyXbnsöm Rm³ ]Tn¨ncníp¶Xv... CXv aÁmtcmhm sNbvXncníp¶Xv..." " tN«\n§p ht¶... kam[m\ambn«p \aps¡m¶mtemNnímw..." AhÄ Ft¶ ]nSn¨p tkm^bnencp¯n. " Bt«.... tN«³ Aht\ sicnípw ]qintbm... A¶m XSnb½mtc sNbvXt]mse..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Mm... Ahsâ tZlw C©¸cphmbn¡mWpw..... sImtd FÃpw s]m«n¡mWpw... Ahsâ iàn sImdíWt¶ H−mcps¶mÅp..."

AhÄ IW¡p Iq«p¶Xp t]mse Xe At§m«pw Ct§m«pw sNcn¨v B«ns¡m−v BtemNn¨p. Fsâ Xe \ndtb ]pIbmbncp¶p. H¶pw At§m«p tXm¶p¶nÃ. BhiyanÃmsX B C³kvs]ÎdpsS Iq«p ]nSn¨Xv A_²ambnt¸mbn. AXnsâ COm`wKambncp¶p IqSpXÂ. " Aà tN«m... C¶se FhsS sh¨m kwKXn km[n¨Xv...?.." " Hcp sImÅcpXm¯ kv{XobpsS ho«nsh¨m... Ah³ F¶pw shfp¸m³Imew htc AhsS ImWpsas¶mcp C³s^mÀtaj³ In«nbsIm−v... AhtS sh¨p Xt¶ H¸nt¨ímsa¶p IcpXn..... " " H¶p tNmZnt¨mt«... At¶cw... B ho«ntem ]cnkct¯m.... AhsS thdmsc¦nepw H−mcpt¶ms¶m¶mtemNnt¨... Fs´¦nepw itÐm htÃmw tI¡ptIm...?.." Rm³ Nn´n¨p. IpamcnbpsS IY ChtfmsS§s\bm ]dbpI. ]ns¶ Rm³ AXpI−p ckn¨q¶hÄ hnNmcnípw. " Mqlpw... ]ns¶..." Rms\mcmhÀ¯n FÃmw Nn´n¨p. " ]ns¶...?.." " Hcp ]¿³ ss_t¡Â B kab¯v AhnsSms¡ Id§ps¶ms−¶v _oÁpt]meokp ]dªp...." " F¦nÂ... B hgnsím¶p Nn´nt¨....\½sS hnó sImÅcpXm¯ kv{XobpsS ho«n B Akab¯v hcp¶p... AtX kab¯v.... thsdmcp¯³ AXnteIqsS Id§p¶p.... t]ms« \n§fp sN¶ps]«q¶p hnNmcn¨m aXn...." " \osbt´m¶m ]dbpt¶...?... t\tc sNmthz ]d..." Rm³ ImXp IqÀ¸n¨p. " Ah\nXpambn«p iIew FS]mSp ImWpw.... H¶mtemNnt¨... AXp hà \m«pImcp ]ntÅcpamtWm... AtXm Ahsâ hà i{Xqamcpt¶m¶v... Asæn A§s\sbmcp¯³ B shfp¸m³ Ime¯v AhnsS NpÁn¡dt§− Bhiyapt−m... ]ns¶ sNe¸w I¡ms\mÅ s]md¸mSpw BImw... C¸w IŽmcpw ss_t¡sems¡bmtW k©mcw... " Rm³ ho−pw Nn´n¨p. Rm³ Ft´m hnfn¨p]dªt¸mÄ hb\mS³ Hcp t]cp ]dªp. AsX´mbncp¶p. Mm... ]nSnIn«n. kltZh³. Rm³ kltZh\ms\¶p {^m©n kwibníWsa¦n Aht\ {^m©n B NpÁp]mSn sh¨p I−n«p−mIWw. kltZht\ {^m©n Ft¸mgpw {]Xo£n¨ncp¶p. t\cnb tXmXn Fsâ Xet¨mdp {]hÀ¯ním³ XpS§n. "AdnbmsX ]Ánt¸msbSm" F¶mbncp¶p hb\mS³ XÃpsIm−p aSp¯t¸mÄ ]dªXv. At¸mÄ AdnbmsX ]Ánb sXÁnsâ {]XnImc¯n\v kltZh³ h¶XmsW¶v {^m©n HmÀ¯p ImWpw. A§s\bmsW¦n BcmWo kltZh³ ? FhnsSbmWh³ ? F´mWhsâ hchn\p ImcWw ? hb\mS\p ]Ánt¸mb Ibv¸ng FXmbncnípw ? Rm³ IebpsS apJt¯ípÁp t\m¡n. AhÄ Fsâ apJt¯ípw. Fsâ apJw hnSÀ¶p. " In«nt¸msbSo...tamtf...In«nt¸mbn..." Rm³ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp Ahfpw. Rm\htf Ffnbn ]nSn¨v s]m¡nsbSp¯p h«w Id¡n. " lm...CsX´m Cu ImWníp¶Xv.. Cu tN«\p Indp¡p ]nSnt¨m... Ft¶ hnsSt¶...." Ie D¨¯n hnfn¨p ]dªp. " \osb´n\mSm Ahtf FSp¯p s]m¡p¶Xv..?.. FSm Ahtf Xmsg \nÀ¯Sm...." t¹ÁpIfpambn DuWpapdnbnteíp h¶ A½ hnfn¨p ]dªp. DuWpapdnbnteív tNmdpw IdnIfpambn t]mb A`nbpw Fsâ Iq¯v I−v A¼c¶p. AhfpsS apJw Npfnªp. Rm³ Ietb \ne¯p \nÀ¯nbn«v AhfpsS c−p Ihnfnepw AaÀ¯n D½sh¨p. " CsX´p Iq¯m aWn¡p«m... F´m s]s«¶n{X kt´mjw....?.. " A`n tNmZn¨p. " AtXSo... C¸w icnípw t]meokmtI−Xv tZ Chfm... Nn´níWsaSo.... Nn´níWw. aqf thWw....AÃmsX .. Fs´¦nepw tI«m Ictªmt−mSpIà th−Xv..." " AXns\´m Chfp I−p]nSn¨Xv...?.. A½ tNmZn¨p. " At½ s\\¨ncnbmsX....C¶se thsdmcp IYm]m{Xw FSíp hoWns«m−v... Rm\Xp ad¶p t]mbmcp¶p.... Fhfm AXp sNIsªSp¯Xv... B I¨n¯pcpt¼ ]nSn¨p tIdWw... thKw tNmdp shf¼v..."

DuWp Ignªv Hcp§m\mbn apdnbn sN¶t¸mÄ A`n ]dªp. " ]ns¶tb.... Ietamtf... A`n\μníp¶sXms¡ sImÅmw.... Cu FSp¯ps]m¡epw Dt½w H¶pw th− tIt«m..." " tM...tM...tM...?... F´m ]dtª...? H¶qsS ]d...tI«nÃ...?.." " Ahtf sIm¨pIp«nsbm¶paÃ.... FSp¯ps]m¡m\pw... sI«n¸nSním\psams¡...." " A¼So... s]®nsâ Akqb Xes]m¡p¶p.... C¶se cm{Xn Ft¶w XÅn amÁn... Ahtf IqsSsIS¯nb¸w Ahfp sIm¨mcp¶p... AÃ... HÁ cm{XnsIm−hÄs¡{X hbÊp IqSnsbSo... ?.." " AsXms¡ Rm³ sNbvsX¶ncnípw.... F¶p IcpXn... " " an−nt¸mIcpXv...." Rm³ Kuch¯n ]dªp. " C\n Cu coXoÂ.... AkqtbsS s\gse§m\pw I−m.... ]ns¶ \o Xncn¨v \nâOsâ IqsS t]mbn \nípw ...]dªnsöp th−...Mv lm...." B apJw I\¡p¶Xp I−p. AhÄ _mXvdqan tIdn IXIS¨p. Akqb, Ct¸mtg \pÅn¡fªnsæn AhfpsS ]gb kz`mha\pkcn¨v sXm«Xn\pw ]nSn¨Xn\psams¡ hg¡mbncnípw. {]tXyIn¨v Ie ChnsS \n¡pt¼mÄ Nnet¸mÄ Aåw IpkrXnsbms¡ {]Xo£nímw. kwibw hoWm Zm¼XyPohnXw \cIambncnípw. Ct¸mtg B {]hWX IfbWw. Rm³ hnfním³ t]mbnÃ. Fs´¦nepw sN¿s«. Iptd t\cw apJw hoÀ¸n¨ncnípambncnípw. Ahtf Cs¶m¶paÃtÃm ImWp¶Xv. AXnepw henb Kuchtadnb Imcy§Ä InS¡p¶p. PohnX¯n\p ap¶n Xq¡pIbÀ InS¶mSp¼gm AhfpsS Hcp apJw hoÀ¸níÂ. Iptd Xmakn¨mWp R§Ä C³kvs]ÎdptS ho«n sN¶Xv. Rm³ h¡oent\ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. " \n§fp Xmakníp¶Xp I−t¸mtg F\níp tXm¶nbncp¶p.... Hcp h¡oepw ImWpsa¶v..." Fssk ]dªn«p Nncn¨p. B Nncn I−t¸mÄ F\nímizmkambn. " CXv R§sS kz´w h¡oem...." " s_bnens\mÅ Hcp¡§fpambn«m h¶ncníp¶Xv...." h¡o ]dªp. " AXn\p Rm\mtcbpw AdÌp sN¿m³ t]mWnÃtÃm... F\níp kwibapÅ {][m\ BfpIfmWnhÀ F¶p am{Xw... ]ns¶ anÌÀ cmPphnsâ kwkmcw tI«t¸mÄ CbmÄ AXp sNbvXncním³ km²yXbnà Fs¶\níp tXm¶p¶p... Rm³ \msf tPmbn³ sN¿m³ Fkv]o hnfn¨p ]dªncníphm.... ASp¯ tÌj\XnÀ¯nbnÂsh¨v Hcp sIme]mXtImw... ]ns¶mcp sIme]mXI {itamw \S¶XtÃ.... At¸m... ChnsSbpw Hcp ap³IcpXÂ... N¯h³ `cnt¨m−ncp¶ sP«n Fsâ AXnÀ¯oetÃ...." " sImÃms\mÅ {iatam... BÀ¡n«v...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " B ZpÀ¶S¸pImcn kv{Xosbm−tÃm... F´m AhfpsS t]cv... kpIpamcntbm... Ipamcntbm... AhÄ¡n«pw Ip¯p In«os«m−v... AsXmcp {]tXyI coXnbnsemÅ Ip¯m... Bdmw hmcn t]mdnt¡dnbncníp¶p.... Ftöv Fd¨n sN¯nbt]mse... tUmÎtd hnfn¨¸w ]dªXm... \n§tfbpw IqSn I−n«p thWw AhcsS samgnsbSp¡m³ F¶pIcpXn shbnÁp sN¿pImcp¶p.... A¸tgípw aÁhsâ AS¡pw Ignbpw..." " AhÀ¡n«§s\ Ip¯p In«m³ Hcp km²ytXw ImWp¶nÃtÃm...kmtd..." Rm³ ktμlw {]ISn¸n¨p. " A¸w Xm\mtWm Aht\ Ip¯nbXv... tM... kXyw ]d....." " At¿m... Rm³ kmlNcyw HmÀ¯p ]dªpt]mbXm..." " F¦nÂ... X\nídnbmhp¶Xpw Xm³ sNbvXXpw apgph³ sXmd¶p ]d..... F¶n«p Rm³ Xocpam\nímw...." C³kvs]ÎÀ Iån¨p. Rm³ A¿t¸«t\bpw C³kvs]Îsdbpw amdn amdn t\m¡n. " anÌÀ A¿¸³ tN«³... sImd¨pt\cw H¶p hcm´bnencníq... hnfnímw..." A¿t¸«³ hcm´bnteínd§n. Rm³ C¶se cm{Xnbn \S¶ Imcy§Ä hÅn]pÅn hnSmsX ]dªp tIĸn¨p. {^m©nbpsS sImX¯neSnbpsS cwKw hniZoIcníms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ am{Xw Fssk ]dªp.

" aXn aXn... cwKw IqSpXep hnkvXcní−... AsX\níp a\Ênem¡mhp¶tXbpÅp... ASp¯ `mKt¯íp IS¡v.." Rm³ BkvIpamcntb t]Sn¸n¨Xpw sI«nbn«Xpw hnkvXcn¨p ]dsª¦nepw AhfptS XpWn ]dnªXpw Rm³ AhfpsS \áX I−Xpw H¶pw an−nbnÃ. ]ns¶ t]meokpImÀ¡p sImSp¯ ssI¡qenbpsS XpIbpw ]dªnÃ. " CXpsIms−m¶pw BbnÃ... C\n HÁ I®ntbbpÅp... B kv{Xo... kpIpamcn... C¸w t_m[w hoWp ImWpambncnípw.... AhÀ¡n«p Ip¯nbXp Xm\msWs¶§m\pw Ahcp ]dªm... ]ns¶ F\nsím¶pw sN¿m³ ]Á¯nÃ.... \n§fp c−pw IpSp§pw... kXyw ]dªm \n§tf AdÌp sNbvXv tem¡¸nen«n«pthWw AhcsS samgnsbSp¡m³... ]t£ Rm\Xp sN¿p¶nÃ.... C¸w \n§¡p t]mImw... " " th− kmÀ... kmdn\p hntcm[ansæn... Rm\pw Bip]{Xo hcmw.... c−nsem¶p Xocpam\amIpasÃm... C\n AXm hn[nsb¦nÂ... AXp Xs¶ \S¡s«... Ahscsâ t]cp ]dªnsænÂ... Ip¯ntbmt\ ]nSním³ Rm\pw klmbnímw... H¶qsænepw Rm\pw t]meokmIm³ I¨sI«ntbm\tÃ..." " t]meokv \nbaa\pkcn¨v ]mSnÃm¯Xm... F¦nepw... Rm³ X¡mew k½Xn¨ncníp¶p.... ]t£... AhcsS ap¼n sh¨v Iam¶p an−nt¸mIÃv.... an−nbm AXp X\nsíXncmb sXfnhmIpw...]dtª¡mw..." " k½Xn¨p kmÀ..." " F¦n h−n hcm³ ]dbmw...Hcp ]okow IqsSbncnís«..." C³kvs]ÎÀ t^msWSp¡m³ Xp\nªt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " th− kmÀ... Cu tIkns\mcp Xp¼p−mIp¶Xphtc... R§sS h−n kmdn\p {^obmbn«p]tbmKn¡mw..." " AXp \nba¯ns\XncmWtÃm anÌÀ cmPq... tIknte kkvs]IvÁnsâ h−n tIkt\zjW¯n\v.... lpw ....Un¸mÀ«vsaâdnªm... Fsâ sXm¸n Xncn¨p taSnípw..." " kmdn¸w AXdnbní−... kz´\nebn \aps¡ms¶mcpan¨p \o§mw... " " Mqw.... X¡mew am{Xw.." " kmdnsâ Ibv...?.." " AXp kmcanÃ.... Én§p amdnbn«pw henb Ipg¸w tXm¶p¶nÃ...."v... Un¸mÀ«vsaâdnªm... Fsâ sXm¸nbhcp Xncn¨p taSnípw..." " kmdn¸w AXdnbní−... kz´\nebn \aps¡ms¶mcpan¨p \o§mw... " " Mqw X¡mew am{Xw.." " kmdnsâ Ibv...?.." " AXp kmcanÃ.... Én§p amdnbn«pw shenb sImg¸w tXm¶p¶nÃ...." tUmIStdmsSm¸w R§Ä R§Ä Rm\pw C³kvs]Îdpw IpamcnbpsS InS¡ícnInse¯n. Hm¸tdj\p tijw AhÀ¡p t_m[w sXfnªncp¶p F¦nepw AhÀ I®S¨p InS¡pIbmbncp¶p. DÁhcpw DSbhcpw CÃm¯XpsIm−mbncnímw AhcpsS ASp¯v BcpanÃmbncp¶p, Xq¡nbn« ¥qt¡mkpIp¸nbÃmsX. F\níp Zb\obX tXm¶n. DZc]qcW¯n\p th−n kz´w icocw hn¡m³ AhÀs¡s´¦nepw XpS¡¡mcWw ImWpw. AÃmsX a\tÊmsS Hcp kv{Xobpw AXn\p Xp\nbpIbnÃ. Hcp t\gvkv Ahtc hnfn¨pWÀ¯n. sNcnªp InS¶ Ipamcn I®p Xpd¶p. _m³tUPn«ncníp¶ het¯ BdmwhmcnbpsS `mK¯v Hcp XebnW sh¨n«v t\gvkv Ahtc Aåw t\tc InS¯n. AhÀ R§tf amdnamdn t\m¡n. Ft¶¡−t¸mÄ AhÀs¡t´m Hcp kwibw t]mse. " Ipamco... CXv... Ckvs]Îdm... \n§tfmsSt´m tNmZním\p−v... C³kvs]ÎÀ... ¹okv....A[nIw s{Ìbn³ sImSp¡cpXv... kÀPdn IgnªtXbpÅp... " " HmtI... IqSpXsem¶pw tNmZníp¶nÃ... hniZambn«v samgn ]ns¶sbSpt¯mfmw... Xm¦v bq.. tUmÎÀ..." " ankv Ipamco... C¶se cm{Xo.. F´m \S¶sX¶v H¶p Npcp¡n ]dbmtam... sasà ]dªm aXn... " " kmtd... Cbmtfs¸msemcmfm... BZyw h¶Xv... Bcms−ms¡ HmSp¶Xp tI«mcp¶p... I¯n ImWn¨n«v Ahs\t¶ sI«nbn«p.... tXmÀ¯psIm−v apJw ap¡mepw sI«nbXpsIm−v shey HmÀ½bnÃ..."

" F¶n«v...?.." " sI«nbnt«¨v Ah³ s]mdt¯m«p t]mbn... ]ns¶ ASow XÃpw t]mse tXm¶n... ]d©nt¨«sâ s\temfow tI«p.... AXpIgnªv Ah³ sImtd samfIps]mSn AhtSw ChntSw Hs¡ Xqhn... Rm³ sIS¶p H¯ncn Xp½n... C¨nsc t\cw Ignªv Rm³ sImtd Hcp−p s]c−¸w... sIs«m¶bªp....]ns¶ Hcp hn[¯n tXmÀ¯gn¨p. C¸gpw Fsâ shcsems¡ tIm¨pIm... Rm³ sN¶v ap³hit¯ ssesÁms¡ sXfn¨p. ]d©nt¨«³ apÁ¯v Xf¶p sIS¶p Rc§ps¶m−mcp¶p.... ]nSn¨p s]m¡m³ t\m¡o«p s]m§m³ h¿mcp¶p.... Imensâ FsÃmSntªms¶mcp kwibw... Hcp Ibvshctes¶mcn¨nsc tNmc hcps¶m−mcp¶p... Hcp hn[¯n... Rm³ hen¨v Xnt®tem«p tIÁns¡S¯n... as®ms¡ X«n¡fª¸w shÅw thW¶p ]dªp... F\nípw shÅw..." t\gvkv Ipamcnív Ipd¨p shÅw Hgn¨psImSp¯p. AXp IpSn¨n«v AhÀ H¶p \nkzkn¨p. " ]Xps¡ aXn... dnemIvkv... sasà sasÃ... Mm... F¶n«v..?.." " Rm³ shÅw sImSp¯n«v hS¡phit¯ ho«nteíp tIdns¨¶p.... C¨nsc Zqscbm... sImtd hnfn¨n«pw Bcpw Fgpt¶ÁnÃ... AtÃepw AhÀs¡m¶pw Ft¶ CtãmaÃmcp¶p... Rm³ Xncn¨p t]m¶p... F¶m sX¡p hi¯pImtc hnfním¶p IcpXn... At¶cw ]d©nt¨«sâ Aednt¡ms−mÅ s\temfn tI«p... " " Rm³ Xncnt¨mSns¨¶¸w... ]d©nt¨«sâ s\©¯p tIdnbncp¶v Hcp¯³ Fs´mt¡ tNmZntíw Ip¯ptIam... ]teS¯ph¨pw Fsâ ho«papÁ¯psIS¶v ASow hg¡psams¡ H−mbns«m−v... AXpImcWw F\níp shey t]SnbnÃmcp¶p... F¶mepw Ip¯pw tNmtcw BZyam... Rm³ t\tc sN¶ns«mcp Nhn«p sh¨psImSp¯p. adnªSn¨h³ hcmt´sS `n¯ntbtem«v... Ah³ ]nt¶w NmSnsbgpt¶Áv sXdow ]dtªm−v F\nín«v I¯n hoin... Rm³ s]mdtIm«p amdnb¸w ]nt¶w Ah³ tN«sâ s\©¯p tIdnbncp¶p Ip¯mt\m§n.... " " Hcp tNmZyw.. \n§Ä Aht\ sicníp It−m....?.." " Mm....I−p... I¯nhoinb¸w... hcmt´tew apÁt¯w sseÁp Rm³ sXfn¨mcp¶tÃm..." " Ahs\´m ]dªsXt¶mÀ½bpt−m...?.." " FSív Fsâ tN¨ntb \o... Fs¶ms¡ ]dsª¶m HmÀ½... H¶pw At§m«p sXfn¨p tI¡¯nÃmcp¶p..." " F¶n«v..?.." " Rm\ht\ s]mdIo¶v h«w I¿n«v ]nSn¨v s]m¡n... At¶cw F\nípw Hcp hmin t]memcp¶p...Ah³ sIS¶p IpXdn... Ahsâ Xe sIms− `n¯ntbtem... XqtWtem CSním\mcp¶p Rm³ t\m¡ntb..." " \n§sf´m hnfn¨p IqhmXncp¶Xv..." " Bcp hcm\m kmtd.... hcptIses¶\nídnbmcp¶p.... F\níp Rm³ Xt¶ sXmW... B a\pjy³ F\nsím¯ncn Imip X¶ns«m−mcp¶p... B \μn a\Ênsem−mcp¶Xp sIm−v At{Xw sNbvXpt]mbXm..." AhÀ \nÀ¯n. sasà izmksaSp¯p. C³kvs]ÎÀ £atbmsS Ccp¶p. " Rm³ hnSptIe¶p a\Ênemb¸w... Ah³ I¯n s]mdtIm«n«v H¶p hmcn... Fsâ Bdmhmcoev Xo I¯p¶t]mse tXm¶n... Rm³ ]nSnhn«p... ]ns¶ AhnsS Ip¯nbncp¶tX F\ntímÀ½sbmÅp... I®psXmd¡p¼w... Rm³ ChnSt¯ NnÃpapdoem..." " Bt«.. Ipamco...Aht\ C\nbpw I−m...Xncn¨dnbptam...?..." " Mqw... " " Bsf§s\sbm−mcp¶p... Ah³..?.." " Hcp sNdp¡³... shey {]mtbm¶panÃ... " " CbmSt{Xw H−mcpt¶m..." " Gbv ..CÃ... Cbmtf Rm³ ]nSn¨m \nípthm...?.." " Bt«... Cbmtf HmÀ½sbmt−m... FhnsS shs¨¦nepw I−ns«mt−m...?.." " \à ]cnNbw... tXm¶p¶p kmÀ..." AhÀ Ft¶ t\m¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. GXmbmepw hcp¶nS¯p sh¨p ImWmw F¶p Rm³ Xocpam\n¨p. Rm³ ASp¯ s_Ínte tcmKnbpsS ASp¯p \n¶ Hcp kv{XobpsS tXmfn InS¶ tXmÀ¯p hm§n. ]ns¶ AXn¶se sI«nbXpt]mse apJhpw XmSnbpaS¨p sI«n. ]ns¶ IpamcnbpsS ap¼n sN¶p \n¶p.

" Ct¸mtgm...?.." C³kvs]ÎÀ tNmZn¨p. Ipamcn I®pIsfm¶p angn¨p. ]ns¶ t]SntbmsS ]dªp. " tM.. AtX... Cbmfm kmtd ... Ft¶ sI«nbn«Xv.... I¯n ImWn¨m... Ft¶ t]Sn¸nt¨..." " sicnsímt¶mÀ¯p t\m¡ntí... ]ns¶ A_²w ]Áo¶p ]dbÃv..." " HmÀ½sbm−p kmÀ.... sI«nbnt«¨p Imcyw km[ním\msW¶m BZyw Rm³ hnNmcnt¨... ]ns¶ ]dªp... t\cw shfp¡p¼w \m«pImcgn¨p hnt«mfq¶v..." " Cbmfp \n§tf ]oUn¸níptIm...atÁm..." " CÃ... Fs¶ D]{Zhn¨p t]mepanÃ...." " HÁ tNmZyw IqSn... Ip¯nbXv Cbmfmcpt¶m....?.." " AÃ... Hd¸n¨p ]dbmw... Ct{Xw hent¸m¶pw B sNdp¡\nÃmcp¶p..." " Mqw.... \msf cmhnte t]meokpImc³ hcp¼w FÃmw H¶qsS ]dbWw... At¶cw amÁn¸dbcpXv... " " Cà kmtd... AXpsIms−\nsí¶m In«m\m..." Rm³ kIe ssZh§Ä¡pw \μn ]dªp. shfnbn sN¶t¸mÄ Fsâ {]k¶amb apJw I−tXmsS _me\p kt´mjambn. " Mqw.. Hcp Imcyw AhcpsS samgo¶p XoÀ¨bmbn... cmPphà sIm¶sX¶v.. ]t£... tZtlm]{Zhw G¸n¨ tIknte {]Xnbm Xm³..." Rms\m¶p Nncn¨p. ]ns¶ C³kvs]ÎdpsS apJ¯p t\m¡n ss[cyt¯mtS ]dªp. " AXn¸w... kmdp ]n¶oSp sN¿m³ Xocpam\n¨ncp¶Xp Rm³ C¶se¯t¶... sNbvXp F¶tÃbpÅp... AXn\p thtW kmdns\t¶ ]nSnímw.. GXmbmepw sIme¡bdp amdn¡n«nbtÃm..." " t]Sn¡−tSm... Xm³ AtÃepw AXp sNbvXn«nsÃs¶\nídnbmcp¶p... Mm... C¸gpw Bcm...F´n\m... Fs¶mcp Xp¼pw CÃ... " C³kvs]ÎÀ BtemN\bnem−p. h−n HmSns¡m−ncníp¶p. " kmÀ.." Rm³ hnfn¨p. " \ap¡m... {^m©osS ho«nsem¶p t]mbmtem...AbmsS IpSpw_w t\ct¯ hb\m«neÃmcpt¶m... sshcmKy¡mcpsS hà hnhtcmw AhÀ¡dnbmsa¦ntem... " C³kvs]ÎÀ Ft¶ t\m¡n. " Xm³ ]dªXnepw Imcyap−tÃm... F¦n AXp Xt¶ t\m¡n¡fbmw... ]t£ C¸tg Ahtc D]{ZhnítWm... Hcp acWw \S¶ hoStÃ..." " Bhiy¡m\uNnXyanà kmtd... C¸w kmdnt\¡mfpw IpÁ¡mct\¡−p ]nSní−sXsâ Bhiyam... kmdp hcps¶¦n hm... Csæn Rm³ Xt¶ t]mIpw..." " Xt¶t¸mepÅhcm t]meokn th−Xv... Rm\n¸w Uyq«nbneÃtÃm... AXpsIm−p t]mtb¡mw...." iucymcpsS ho«n BÀ¡pw Hcp Zp:Jhpw I−nÃ. Bcpw Icªpw I−nÃ. ]t£ kzm`mhnIamb Hcp au\w FÃmhcnepap−mbncp¶p. Hu]NmcnIambn iucymÀ R§tf kzoIcn¨p. {^m©nbpsS `mcytb ImWWsa¶p R§Ä Bhiys¸«t¸mÄ bmsXmcp aSnbpw IqSmsX B kv{Xo Cd§n h¶p. " F´m t]cv...?.." " knÊnen..." " \n§fpsS `À¯mhn\p hb\m«n sh¨v i{Xp¡fmsc¦nepap−mbncpt¶m..?.." " F´n\m kmtd AsXms¡ C\n tNmZníp¶Xv... Ah³ t]mbntÃ... Hcp IW¡n\p \¶mbn... C\n sIm¶ht\ ]nSn¨v Igptht¡Ánbmepw R§s¡´p {]tbmP\w.... tIknsâ s]mdtI t]mImsa¶ÃmsX.." iucymÀ CSíp tIdn. Rm\pw C³kvs]Îdpw apJt¯mSpapJw t\m¡n. " AXà tN«m... bYmÀ° IpÁhmfntb¡−p ]nSntí−Xv aÁp NnecpsS \·ímhiyam... AXpsIm−v... anÊnÊv {^m©n Fsâ tNmZy¯n\p¯cw ]d..." " At§À¡p i{Xp¡fmcp¶p IqSpXepw... F¶pw hg¡pw ASn]nSoamcp¶p.... ]ecpw Po¸p XÃns¸mfntíw... hoSn\pt\tc IsÃdnbptIw Hs¡ sNbvXns«m−v.... " " {^m©n Btcsb¦nepw sIm¶ns«mt−m....?..." C³kvs]ÎdpsS tNmZyw tI«t¸mÄ Ahscm¶p i¦n¨p. amÀ«n\pw _me\pw apJt¯mSp apJw t\m¡n. amÀ«n³ Xt¶ ]dªp.

" ]e sImet¡knepw t]meokn\p tN«t\ kwibsam−mcp¶p... sXfnhnÃmcp¶XpsIm−v ]nSn¨nÃ... ]ns¶ t]meokpImcpambn«pw \à N§m¯¯nemcp¶p tN«³ F¶m Rm³ tI«ncníp¶Xv...." " X\nsí§s\ Adnbmw...?..." C³kvs]ÎÀ tNmZn¨p. " Rm³ hÃt¸mgpw t]mIp¶XtÃ... Cu ]ntÅtc sIm−phcm\pw sIm−p hnSm\psams¡...A¸w B \m«pImÀ¡ntX ]dbms\mÅp.... F«pI−w {^m©o¶p ]dªm... B Itc aníhÀ¡pw t]Snbmcp¶p.... " " A¸w hb\mS³ {^m©ntbm...?.." " AXp tN«³ ChnsS h¶¸w ]dªp \S¶XtÃ... sImtdt¸cXpw s]m¡n¸nSn¨p..." " Mqw... Cu i{Xp¡fn Hcp kltZh³ D−mbncp¶Xmbn«dnbmtam... ?.." " Adnbmw..." knÊnen ]dªp. " F´m i{XpXíp ImcWw....?.." " Ahs\mcp ]mhm... Ahs\mcp¯t\ sImÃms\mÅ sIÂs¸m¶panÃ.... ]ns¶ Po¸nsâ I®mSn s]m«ntíw IsÃdnbptIsams¡ sN¿phmcp¶p... Ah\pw Ahsâ sImtd ]mÀ«nImcpw IqsS R§tf D]{Zhním³ sXmS§nb¸gm R§fnt§m«p t]m¶Xv..." " D]{Zthm... F´p]{Zhw...?.. " " CsXms¡¯t¶... Irjn \in¸nípsa¶pw... Fsâ aq¯ tamfp kz]v\tb D]{Zhnípsas¶ms¡ t]Sn¸n¨ns«m−v...." " F´m i{XpXíp ImcWw..?.." knÊnen H¶p aSn¨p. ]ns¶ iucymtcbpw aÁpÅhtcbpw Hs¡ H¶p t\m¡n. " t]Sní−... ]dtªmfq..." " AXv...AXv... At§cpw c−p aq¶p Iq«pImcpw IqsS Cu kltZhsâ aq¯ s]§sfmcp s]s®m−mcp¶p.... AXnt\.....]oUn¸n¨p sIm¶p... " " AsX´m Ahtf Xt¶ ]oUn¸ním\pw aÁpw..?.." " ho«n Fsâ Ftf ]ntÅÀ¡p Ahfp Syqj³ sImSp¡ps¶m−mcp¶p... \à ImWm³ sImÅmhp¶ Hcp s]®mcp¶p... \à skm`mthmw... Iminsâ sImdth H−mcps¶mÅp....C¨nsc {]mbamsb¦nepw IeymtWms¡ Hd¨ncp¶¸gm kw`hw... ho«nh¶¸gm At§cv Ahtf ieys¸Sp¯m³ sXmS§oXv..." " Hm.. Imcyw ]nSnIn«n... Bt«... Cu kltZht\ Bsc¦nepw I−ns«mt−m... ?.." " F\nídnbmw.... Ft¶ ]e{]mhiyw A¸sâ t]cpw ]dªv shc«os«m−v..." AcnIn \n¶ {^m©nbpsS aI³ tkhyÀ ]dªp. " Ahsâ hoSdnbmtam..?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Adnbmw... R§fp Xmakn¨ncp¶ hoSnsâ \mep ]ds¼S s]mdInem AhcsS hoSv...." " Ah\p ss_s¡mt−m...?.." " H−v... Hcp ]tgXm... `b¦ H¨sbmÅXm..." tkhyÀ ]dªp. Rm³ C³kvs]ÎtdmSp clkyambn ]dªp. " C\n t\m¡ms\m¶panÃ... Aht\ s]m¡Ww... C¶n¸w ]{X¡mcp IpamcosS I¿o¶p hnhc§fdnbpw... \msf ]{X¯n hmÀ¯ hcp¼w Ah³ sNe¸w ap§pw..." " Mqw... ]t£ \me©p aWn¡qdp t\ct¯ bm{Xbp−tÃm... " " \ap¡n¸tg hnt«ímw.... Cu tkhytdw Iq«mw.... Ah\p hoSpw Bfpsams¡ AdnbmtÃm... AhsS SuWn sNs¶mcp temUvPn X§mw.... shfp¸n\hsâ ho«nse¯mw...¹okv kmÀ.. Rms\´p sNehpw sN¿mw... Fsâ Xe c£nt¨ ]Áq..." Rm³ tkmat\mS`yÀ°n¨p. " FtSm...cmhnte F\níp Uyq«n tPmbn³ sNt¿−Xm... Xsâ Xmf¯n\p XpÅm³ t]mbmÂ..." " Cu tIkn\p t]mbXmsW¶p Fkv]otbmSp ]dbmtÃm... thtW ]dªn«p t]mImw..." " Mqw... GXmbmepw t]mImw... Xm³ ]dªXtÃ....Cu sN¡t\w IqSn Iq«mw...." shfp¸ns\ Xs¶ hb\m«nepÅ kltZhsâ {Kma¯nte t]meokv tÌj\n hnhcw sImSp¯n«v R§Ä kltZhsâ ho«nteíp bm{X Xncn¨p. t\cw shfp¯p Ignªp. F¦nepw Bcpw shfnbnend§m³ XpS§nbn«nÃ. Ht¶m ct−m Nmb¡SIÄ am{Xw Xpd¶ncníp¶p. tkhyÀ ]dª hgnIfneqsS R§Ä h−n hn«p. kltZhsâ hoSn\åw ap¼v h−n HXp¡n. Rm³ HÁív ho«nteíp tIdns¨Ãmsa¶p Xocpam\n¨p. Aht\ ]nSnípI. ]ns¶ tkhnbtds¡m−v Ah\msW¶p Xocpam\nípI. tÌj\n hnhcw

Adnbn¨n«v sIm−pt]mIpI. CXmbncp¶p ]²Xn. Iptd¡meambn Ah³ \m«nte cm{ãob ]mÀ«nbpsS ]nWnbmfmbXpsIm−v \m«pImÀ AdnbmsX Aht\ IS¯ns¡m−p t]mcWambncp¶p. Asæn Ahcpw \m«pImcpw CSs]«p XSbptam Fs¶mcp kwibw. Rm³ ho«p apÁ¯p sN¶p, Xn®bn InS¶ ]pXnb ]{Xw I−p. At¸mgmWm _p²n Fsâ XebnepZn¨Xv. ]{X¯n hmÀ¯bps−¦ntem. D−v. AIt¯ t]Pn NXpcs¸«nbnÂ. `À¯mhnt\ Ip¯ns¡m¶p, c−mw `mcytb sImÃm³ {ian¨p F¶mWp hmÀ¯. hb\mS³ {^m©nsb¶mWp t]cp sImSp¯ncníp¶Xv. Hcp kwLs¯bmWp kwibw. AXn Hcp saenª sNdp¸¡mc³ Xsâ `À¯mhnt\ Ip¯p¶Xp I−Xmbn AhÀ ]dªncníp¶p. GXmbmepw Rm³ B ]{Xw HXp¡n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ apcS\¡n. Hcp s]¬Ip«n Cd§n h¶p. " kltZhsâ hoStÃ...?.." " AtX... " B Ip«n AIt¯íp Ibdnt¸mbn. Hcp a[yhbkvIbmb kv{Xo Cd§n h¶p. " Bcm...?..." " SuWo¶m... kltZh³ Ds−¦n H¶p ImWm\m...." " Ah\nhnsS CÃtÃm... ........¯v Ahsâ A½mhsâ ho«n t]mbncníphm... c−mgv¨ Igntª hcq¶v ]dªmcp¶p....." " Hmtlm... AXp sicn... F¶m t]mbXv...?.." " Ignªmgv¨..." " AhsS... B kvYtems¡ Rm\dos¶Sam... tN¨osS hoShnsSbm... AtÃ...?.." " AtX... R§sS XdhmSm... " " Ihte¶v ]Snªmtdm«p Xncnªm... GXp `mK¯m tN¨osS hoSv....?.." " ]Snªm«Ã... sIgt¡m«m... c−p IntemaoÁdp t]mIp¼w... AhnsSmcp s]mSníp¶ ansÃm−v.... AXnsâ FXntcbm..." " B hoSp Rm\doatÃm... Ft´m¶m ho«pt]cv... Z.... Zm....¶v hcp¶p.... " Rm³ HmÀ½ním³ {ian¨p. " Ceªn¡pfw... C¸w £bn¨pt]mbn... Im¸nsbSp¡t«..?.." " At¿m th−.." " Bcm... AhsS...?..." hoSnsâ ]pdIphi¯p \n¶pw Hcp a²yhbkvI³ ap³hit¯íp h¶p. " Rm³ SuWo¶m... Hcp It¨mSsamt−... ItStem«p t]mIp¶ hgnbm... Fsâ ItSsS ASp¯v Hcp IS hmSIív sImSp¡ms\ms−¶v Adnªmcp¶p... kltZhs\mcp IS t\m¡ps¶m−mcp¶p..." Rm³ hniZoIcn¨p. " Ahs\m¶pw ChnsS ]dªn«nÃtÃm... " " AÃm... kltZh³ ss_¡p sIm−p t]mtbm.. AtXm ChnsS sh¨n«mtWm t]mbXv..." " Ah³ ss_¡pw sIm−m t]mbncnípt¶..." XÅ ]dªp. " F¶m Rm³ ]ns¶ hcmw... hcp¼w... thKw hs¶t¶ ImWW¶p ]d... IS Rm³ Hcmgv¨ ]nSn¨nSm³ t\m¡mw... \mSmcp h¶q¶p ]dªm aXn...." " Hm... ]dbmw..." Rm³ ]{Xhpw HXp¡n¸nSn¨p XSnX¸n. " Ah³ ChnsSbnÃ... .................¯m... ho«pt]cpw hnhtcmsams¡ In«n.... Ah³ c−pw I¸n¨p Xt¶ sNbvXXm... tZs− ]{Xw... Ah³ AhnS¶p ap§ptam¶m t]Sn... Xncn¨p hnt«m... " R§Ä kvYew hn«p. Ahsâ A½mhsâ hoSv BkvIpamcnbpsS \mSnsâ sXm«Sp¯ kvYeambncp¶p. A©mdp IntemaoÁÀ AIetabpÅp. D¨Ignªt¸mtgípw R§Ä AhnsSsb¯n. anÃp I−p]nSn¨p. Ceªn¡pfw F¶ hoSpw I−p]nSn¨p. \m«phgnbpsS Hmcs¯mcp ]gb hoSv. h−n Zqsc amÁnbn«n«v Rm³ ho«nteíp Ibdns¨¶p. tkhytd aXnen\cnIn sIm−p \nÀ¯n. BÄ ]pd¯nd§n hcpt¼mÄ ImWWatÃm. C¯h¬ Fssk ho«n tIdn At\zjnímsa¶p ]dsª¦nepw Rm³ k½Xn¨nÃ. tkmat\¡−m t]meokmsW¶p a\ÊnemIpw. Bfnsâ cq]hpw I«naoibpw I−m BÀ¡pw kwibw tXm¶mw. kltZh\m ho«neps−¦n F§s\sb¦nepw c£s]SpIbpw sN¿pw.

hmXn¡semcp tImfn§v s_Ãp I−p Rm\Xnsem¶aÀ¯n. ]gb hoSp Xt¶. ]t£ hr¯nbmbn kq£n¨ncníp¶p. XteZnhkw Cu {]tZi¯v ags]bvX e£Ww. FÃmhcpw DuWpIgnªv ab§p¶ kabw. FXntcbpÅ anÃn A\¡sam¶panÃ. sXm«Sps¯mcp apdp¡m³ ISbp−v. AhnsS Btcm DÅXp amXncn tXm¶n. s_ÃSn¨n«v Rm³ apÁ¯nd§n \n¶p. NpÁpw t\m¡nbs¸mÄ Hcp aqebn \nÀ¯nbncníp¶ ss_¡v. AXnsâ \¼Às¹bnÁn sNfn hmcnt¯¨Xp t]mse. \¼À hmbním³ ]Á¯nÃ. _p²nam³ Xt¶. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp ]mfn Xpd¶pInS¶ P\ensâ IÀ«³ amÁn Btcm t\m¡p¶Xp I−p. Rm³ ho−pw H¶pIqSn s_ÃSn¨p. Iptd¡gnªt¸mÄ \bnÁn [cn¨ Hcp kv{Xo hmXn ]IpXn Xpd¶p. IXIn\p adªp\n¶psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " Bcm... ChnsS BWp§fmcpanÃ..." kzc¯n Hcp ]cn{`aw t]mse. s]s«¶hÀ IXISíms\mcp§n. " At¿m s]§tf... Rm³... sImd¨p Zqtc¶p hcpIm.... kltZht\ H¶p ImWWmcp¶p.... AXymhiyam...." " AXn\v... Ah\nhnsS.... CÃtÃm... sshIpt¶cta hcs¯mÅp..." " FhnsSt¸mbXm...?.." " ]dªnÃ... ]ns¶ hm..." AhÀ IXIS¨p. Rms\mcp ]mh¯mt\t¸mse Xncn¨p t]m¶p. h¶p h−nbn Ibdn. Imcy§sfÃmw Npcp¡¯n FssktbmSp ]dªp. " sImÅmw cmPq... C¸w \½fv amf¯n ]pI tIÁnhn«p Ignªp. Fen DSt\ ]pd¯p hcpw... sdUnbmbncpt¶m..." R§Ä Xbmdmbn hoSnsâ tKÁp ImW¯¡hn[w h−n Ipd¨p ]pdtIm«n«v Im¯pInS¶p. GItZiw ]Xn\©p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ ss_¡p ÌmÀ«m¡p¶ iÐw tI«p. ASp¯ \nanjw c−phi¯pw t\m¡ns¡m−v Hcp saenª sNdp¸¡mc³ ss_t¡mSn¨nd§n h¶p. " CXp Xt¶.. kltZh³... " tkhyÀ a{´n¨p. " _mem s]mdtI hnt«m... ChnsS shs¨m¶pw th−... Aåw HgnsªS¯p sh¨p aXn... tkhytd... koÁn Ip\nªncnív... Ahs\§m\pw t\m¡nbm ImW−..." tkhzyÀ ap¼net¯ koÁn tIdn Ip\nªncp¶p. Ihe Ignªv {Kma{]tZiambt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " _mem C\n hoSnÃms¯Ss¯hntSepw sh¨v tIdn HS¡Ww... Ah³ ap§m³ t]mIphm... t\m¡v.... s]mdIn FbÀ_mKp sI«n sh¨ncníp¶Xv..." " C¶p Xt¶ Fd§m³ tXm¶nbXpsIm−v Fsâ tPmen Ipdªp...." Fssk Fsâ tXmf¯p X«n. c−p hi¯pw ]mS§fpÅ Hcp `mKs¯¯nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " _mem... tIdv..." _me³ kv]osUSp¯p. HmhÀtS¡p sN¿ms\¶ hymtP\ ss_¡nsâ ]pdIn sIms−m¶p sh«n¨p tlm¬ \o«nbSn¨p. Ah³ tdmUnsâ CSXphiw tNÀ¶v acymZíp t]mIpIbmbncp¶p. _me³ H¸¯ns\m¸w sN¶p. ]ns¶ D¨¯n tNmZn¨p. " FhnsS t\m¡nbmSm... h−ntbmSnípt¶..." F¶n«p apt¶m«p tIdnt¸mbn kv]oUp s]s«¶p Ipd¨p. kltZh³ sh«n¨p heXphi¯pIqSn H¸w h¶p. ]ns¶ _met\mSp hnfn¨p tNmZn¨p. " \osbms¡ a\pjt\ sImÃms\d§ocníphmtWmSm...?.. " " AtXSm... tdmUp \nsâ Xt´tS hIsbm¶paÃtÃm... acymZív h−ntbmSn¨p t]mSm abntc..." " \o \nsâ t]m¡n\p t]mSm... IgpthdS tamt\..." kltZh\pw tZjyw tIdn. " _mem h−n she§v..." Rm³ \nÀt±iw sImSp¯p. ImcWw ]mSw GXm−p Ignbmdmbncp¶p. _me³ apt¼m«p tIdn hm³ ss_¡n\p hne§s\ \nÀ¯n. ss_¡p \n¶p. _me³ NmSnbnd§n Ahsâ tImfdn\p ]nSn¨p. " s]mebmSntamt\.. \o sXdn hnfnípw AtÃSm..."

" FtSm....BZyw Xm\tà Ft¶ sXdn hnfn¨Xv... " Ah\pw hnSp¶nÃ. CXn\nSív Ah³ ss_¡n \n¶nd§n¡gnªncp¶p Ahsâ Ibv Ffnbnteíp \ofp¶Xp Rm³ I−p. Rm³ NmSnbnd§n. kltZht\ iànbmbn XÅn. Ah³ ss_¡nsâ ]pdt¯íp Xdn¨p hoWp. ka\ne hos−Sp¯v Ah³ ITmcn hen¨qcpw ap¼v Rm\hsâ Ibv ]nSns¨Sp¯p. Xpd¶pInS¶ hmXnen IqSn hen¨v hm\nsâ AIt¯ín«p. Fssk Aht\ IbvIq«n¸nSn¨It¯íp hens¨Sp¯p. Ah³ IpXdm³ t\m¡n. " kmtd.... Ahsâ Ffo ]n¨m¯nsbm−v... Ibv hnSÃv.." Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªt¸mtgípw Ah³ Fsâ Ffnsím¶p Nhn«n. ImepIÄ ]pdt¯ín«p aeÀ¶pInSs¶t¶ Nhn«nbt¸mÄ FsskbpsS Ibv hn«pt]mbn. t]meokp apd Rm³ A¶mWp ImWp¶Xv. an¶Â thK¯n FsskbpsS Ibv Ahsâ ASnhbÁntesím¶p XmWp. `pw Fs¶mcp iÐw tI«p. Ah³ hfªp t]mbn. ]pd¯pInS¶ ImseSp¯v Rm³ XÅn AI¯n«p DÅn tIdn. tUmÀ hen¨S¨p. " _mem ...hnt«m..." hm³ Nodn¸mªp. Ah³ Fâv hbdn Xt¶ Nhn«n koÁn aeÀ¶pInS¶psIm−v Ah³ Ffnbnteíp Ibv sIm−p t]mIm³ t\m¡nsb¦nepw km[n¨nÃ. Ft¶ Bªp Nhn«ns¡m−ncp¶ Hcp Imen ]nSn¨p s]m¡nbn«v Rm³ B Im Xmtgímsªdnªp. " lm.." ]mZw \ne¯p iànbmbn CSn¨ thZ\bn Ahs\m¶p \nehnfn¨p. " AS§p tamt\... " Rm³ Ahsâ Ffnbn I¿n«p. jÀ«n\Snbn apg¨p \n¶ ITmcn Rm³ hens¨Sp¯p. ]ns¶ hbÁn HcnSnsImSp¯p. AtXmtS Ah³ im´\mbn. " \n§sfms¡ Bcm... Ft¶ F´n\m ]nSnt¨m−p t]mWXv...?.." Ah³ At]£mcq]¯n tNmZn¨p. " \nt¶ \nsâ A¨nhoSp htc H¶p sIm−pt]mIpIm.... acymZsígpt¶Áp t\tc CcnsbSm... CtàHÁbnSníp \o same¸mep iÀ±nípw.... " Fssk Ahsâ apJ¯n\p t\tc It¿m§n. " At¿m.. Ft¶ XÃtÃ...Rm³ ]mham..." " ]mh¯ns\´n\mSm Ct{Xw henb ]n¨m¯n...?..." Fssk Ahsâ ASnhbÁn Xt¶ HcnSnsImSp¯p. Ah³ Ip\nªp hbdpw s]m¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. At¸mÄ apXpIs¯msc®w. saenª B cq]w I−t¸mÄ F\níenhp tXm¶n. Rm³ hnfn¨p. " kmÀ tÌj\n sN¶n«v..." " At¿m.. tÌjt\m...F´n\m... At¿m \n§fp t]meokpImcmtWm...? " Ahsâ apJ¯v `oXn Cc¨p Ibdn. " Hcp¯t\ Ip¯n¡odp¼w t]meoknsâ Imcyw HmÀ¯nà AtÃSm..?..F¶n«v R§tf Du¼ním³ t\m¡ptIw..." Fssk N¦n\p Xt¶ ho−pw HcnSn sImSp¯p. Ahsâ Iq¼p hnd¨pImWpw. " kmÀ ¹okv... Imcy§Ä tNmZn¨n«p XÃptIm.. sImÃptIm.." Rm³ ho−pw hnfn¨p. " ]dsbSm... \o F´n\mSm... {^m©ntb sIm¶Xv...?.." " Rm\mtcw sIm¶n«nÃ... " " kltZhm... Cu kmdnsâ Ibv C\n \nsâ ASnhbÁn hoWm \o NmImsX NmIpw... shdptX XÃpsImÅmsX kXyw ]dtªm..." Rm³ ]dªp. " F\nín¯ncn shÅw thWw.IpSním³.... " Ah³ hbdp s]m¯n¸nSn¨psIm−p ]dªp. hgnsímcp apdp¡m³ ISbn \n¶pw Hcp \mc§m shÅw hm§n Ah\p sImSp¯p. AXp hm§n sIm−ph¶Xv tkhydmbncp¶p. tkhytd I−Xpw Ahs\m¶Ômfn¨p. ¥mÊv I¿n hm§msX Ah³ achn¨ncp¶p. ]ns¶ apJw s]m¯n s]m«n¡cªp. R§Ä Im¯ncp¶p. Ipd¨p t\cw Icªn«v Ah³ jÀ«p s]m¡n I®pIÄ XpS¨p. Rm³ ¥mÊp hm§n Ahsâ I¿n sImSp¯p. AXp IpSn¨tXmsS Ahsâ apJs¯mcmizmkw. H¸w apJs¯mcp Aßhnizmk¯nsâ ASbmfhpw. h−n HmSm³ XpS§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " _mem... h−n Fc¸nímsX hnSv... kmtd C\n Ch³ Imcy§fp ]dbs«...F´m...?..R§¡qsS H¶dnbmtÃm..." " Mqw... ]dsbSm... \obtÃ... {^m©ntb sIm¶Xv..." tkma³ tNmZn¨p. " AtX... " AXp ]dbpt¼mÄ Ah³ Xe \nhÀ¯n¸nSn¨ncp¶p. " F´n\mcp¶p...?.."

Ah³ ]pdwXncnªv tkhytd H¶p t\m¡n. ]ns¶ IY XpSÀ¶p. A½tb¡mÄ Ah³ Cãs¸«ncp¶, Aht\ Xmcm«p ]mSnbpd¡nbpw, IYIÄ ]dªv tNmdq«nbpw, Ah\p ]mT§Ä ]dªpsImSp¯v ]Tn¸n¨pw, Ahsâ FÃm Cã§Ä¡pw Xmfw XpÅnbpw Aht\ C{Xbpam¡nb Ahsâ tN¨nbpsS IY. kpμcnbpw kpioebpambncp¶, B {Kma¯nte GÁhpw \à bphXn. kuμcyap−mbncps¶¦nepw ]W¯nsâ A`mhw sIm−v IeymWw \o−pt]mbn. DÅ kvYe¯v IrjnsNbvXpw Ip«nIÄ¡p Syqjs\Sp¯pw AO\pw aIfpw hoSp \S¯n. {^m©nbpsS aI³ tkhydn\pw CfbaIÄ¡pw Syqjs\Sp¡m³ h¶tXmtS AbmfpsS I®v Ahfn ]Xnªp. t\ct¯ Ahtf t\m«an«ncp¶ {^m©nbpsS In¦c·mÀ {^m©ntb t{]mÂkmln¸n¨p. Ahkm\w klníh¿msX AhÄ {^m©nbpsS ho«nte Syqj³ \nÀ¯n. kltZh³ {^m©nbpambn hg¡n«p. AhscÃmhcpw IqSn Aht\ s]mXnsc XÃn. DÅXp hnÁps]dp¡n \mSphnSmsa¶p h¨t¸mÄ {^m©n AXpw apS¡n. kmahpw Zm\hpw ^enímsX h¶t¸mÄ {^m©n _e{]tbmKw \S¯n. HcpZnhkw cmhnte hmgt¯m«¯n \n¶pw AhfpsS hndp§en¨ icocw In«n. cm{Xn apgph\pw aItf At\zjn¨p \S¶ B AO\p In«nbXv, Iq«_emÂkwK¯n\ncbmbn am\`wKs¸Sp¯n sImÃs¸« aIfpsS icocambncp¶p. kltZh\p \à \nivObambncp¶p. AXp {^m©nbÃmsX aÁmcpasöv. Ah³ t\cn«v {^m©nbpambn DS¡n. {^m©n Aht\ shÃphnfn¨p. Xm³ \S¯nb \mep sImeIÄ¡pw sXfnhnÃ, CXn\{Xbpw IqSn CÃ, NpWbps−¦n \osbms¡ F´m¶m sN¿Sm¶mbn. \m«pImÀ ]uckanXnbp−m¡n. ]mÀ«nbnte sNp¸¡mscm¶n¨v Xncn¨Sním³ XpS§n. ]n´m§m³ Bfps−¶mbt¸mÄ kw`h¯n\p ZrIvkm£nIfp−mbn. t]meokn\p {^m©ntb AdÌp sN¿msX \nhr¯nbnsömbn. cmípcmam\w t]meoknsâ klmbt¯msS {^m©nbpw IpSpw_hpw P·\m«nteíp ap§n. kltZh³ hn«nÃ. AS§m¯ {]XnImcZmlhpw tN¨nbpsS IpgnamS¯n sXm«p sNbvX kXyhpambn. {^m©nbpsS ASp¯ \m«nepÅ A½mhsâ ho«n h¶p. ]e Znhkw t\m¡nbn«pw H¶pw sN¿m³ ]ÁnbnÃ. t\cn«p ap«m³ ]ÁpIbnÃ. HSphn Hcp ]pXnb ]²Xnbpambn Ahs\¯nbXv Rm\pw _me\pw F¯nb B cm{Xn Xs¶bmbncp¶p. ss_¡p Zqsc amÁn kpc£nXambn sh¨n«v Po¸nsâ Sbdnsâ ImÁgn¨p hnSpt¼mgmbncp¶p R§Ä F¯nbXv. Pot¸mSním³ \nhr¯nbnÃmsX {^m©n \n¶p hnjanípt¼mÄ IcpXnbncníp¶ s]t{SmÄ adªp \n¶v Ahsâ tZlt¯símgnípI, Hcp Xos¸«ns¡mÅn Nnehm¡pI CXmbncp¶p ]²Xn. ]t£ AXp th−n h¶nÃ. Rm³ {^m©ntb NXíp¶Xpw AbmÄ Ahi\mbn hoWpInS¶Xpw FÃmw Ah³ I−p. \ncmew_\mb XfÀ¶p InS¶ i{Xphnt\ Hmtcm Imcy§fpw F®nsb®n tNmZn¨h³ ]e {]mhiyw Ip¯n. Ipamcntb sImÃWsa¶pt±isam¶pw CÃmbncp¶p. ]t£ AhfpsS ]nSnbn Ah³ s]Spsa¶p tXm¶nbt¸mÄ Ah\htfbpw Ipt¯−n h¶p. sIm−p h¶ s]t{SmfpsIm−v I¯n IgpIn t\tc A½mhsâ ho«nse¯n. ]t£ C{X s]s«¶v R§Ä AhnsSsb¯psa¶v {]Xo£n¨nÃ. ]cnNbanÃm¯ BÄ¡mtc¡−t¸mÄ Xncn¨v At¸mįt¶ hb\m«n\p ap§m\mbncp¶p bm{X XpS§nbXv. Ah\nt¸mÄ ZpJap−v. Ahsâ tN¨n t]mbn. ]ns¶ Hcp kam[m\tabpÅp, Xm³ Pbnen t]mbmepw Iptdt¸Às¡¦nepw kam[m\ambn PohnímatÃm F¶p am{Xw. Aht\ tÌj\n AS¨n«n«v R§Ä t]m¶p. cmhnte _m¡n sXfnshSp¸p \S¯m\pw {]Xntb Xncn¨dnhp \S¯n tIkp NmÀPp sN¿m\pw tkma³ Xocpam\n¨p. kltZhsâ ss_¡v A¶pXt¶ sIm−phcm³ tkma³ GÀ¸mSp sNbvXp. ]t£ I¯n Fsâ I¿nembncp¶p. AXnsâ Imcyw Fssk ad¶pt]mbn. FÃmw Ignbpt¼mÄ aWn Ggv. t]mcp¶ hgnív _mes\mcm{Klw. FÃmw awKfambn Ignª kvYnXnív Hcp s]¤p hoinbmtem F¶v. F\níp th−m F¶p ]dªp. Xs¶bpaÃ, Rm³ _mdn IbdpIbpanÃ. Ahkm\w Im¡p¸n {_m−nbpw tkmUIfpw anIvkvNdpambn R§Ä Ignª Znhkw t]mb I¸pdt¯íp bm{Xbmbn. A[nIw XWp¸nÃm¯ IS¡mtÁÁv {_m−n tkmU tNÀ¯p _me³ hngp§pt¼mÄ anIvkvNdpw sImdn¨p Rm\ncp¶p Nn´ním³ XpS§n.

Ct¸mÄ B ]mhw sNdp¸¡mc³ F´p sN¿pIbmbncnípw. Ahsâ hoSnt\¸Án, Ahsâ Cfb ktlmZcntb¸Án, A½tb¸Án Nn´n¨ncníbmIpw. sNbvXpt]mb A_²w, Xncp¯m\mhm¯ A_²w,. C\n Iptd hÀj§Ä PbnenÂ, At¸mtgípw \ncmisbms¡ amdn Ah³ in£nís¸« IpÁhmfn Bbn ]pdwtemIs¯¯p¶p. Aht\ shdpt¸msS ]pOt¯mtS t\m¡p¶ ]pdwtemIt¯ív. AhnsS Ah³ HÁs¸Sp¶p. AtXmsS kaql¯ns\mcp hncp²t\ IqSn In«pIbmbn. Iãs¸«v _otImw ]co£ ¢mtÊmsS Pbn¨n«v sPbnen \à Imew Ign¨p Iq«pI. ]ns¶ t]m¡ncnbmbn PohnípI. hmkvXh¯n Ahs\´mWp sNbvXXv. \nbahpw \nba]meIcpw sNdphnce\¡msX AhcpsS XWen hnekn\S¶ Hcp kmaqlyt{Zmlntb Ah³ CÃmXm¡n. AtX, Fsâbpw C³kvs]ÎdptSbpw i{Xphnt\ CÃmXm¡n. t]meoknsâ Hcp henb XethZ\ AIÁn. F¶n«v Rmt\m, Rm\pw IqsS IqSn Aht\ AI¯m¡n. {^m©ntb C\n Cu temI¯n\p thWambncpt¶m, kz´w IpSp_¯n\p th−m¯h³, Aht\ hIhcp¯nbXneqsS kltZh³ Hcp \·btà sNbvXXv. H¸w Fsâ I¿n tNmc¡d ]pcfmsX Fsâ Imcyw km[nípIbpw sNbvXp. Ct¸mÄ Ahsâ a\Êp im´amWv. Pbnente hÀj§Ä Ah\nte a\pjyt\ \in¸nípw. F´n\m ]mh¯nt\ in£n¸níWw. \ãs¸Sm\pÅhscms¡ t]mbn¡gnªp. C\n Pohn¨ncníp¶ht\¡qSn \ãs¸Sp¯tWm. " t]mImw tN«m...?.." _me³ tNmZn¨p. Rm³ Nn´bn \n¶pWÀ¶p. " F´m C{X henb Nn´... ?.. tN¨ntb HmÀ¯mtWm...?.. Hcp Znhkatà ImWmXncp¶pÅq..." Hcp Im AI¯p sN¶t¸mÄ Ft¶ Ifnbm¡m³ Ah\p ss[cyw. " _mem... \ap¡v Bip]{Xo htc H¶p t]mWw.." " Ct¸mtgm... Ft´.... C{X AXymhiyambn«v...." _me\ÛpXw. " F\nív B Ipamcntb H¶p ImWWw..." " tN«m.... AhcpsS Imcyw C\n kÀ¡mcp t\m¡ntímfpw..." " GXp kÀ¡mcv... tIkp Ignbp¼w Ahcp ho−pw ]gb ]Wn Xt¶ sXmScpsaSm... \o h−nsbSv ... Bip]{Xo t]mWw...." " tN«m... ho«nsem¶p t]mbn«p t]mtc...AhnsS tN¨n..." " ]dbp¶Xp tI¡v... \o h−n Bip]{Xotem«p hnSv...." ]ns¶ _mes\m¶pw FXnÀ¯nÃ. R§Ä sNÃpt¼mÄ Ipamcn ab§pIbmbncp¶p. thZ\ípÅ acp¶nsâ kpJ¯n AhÀ ab§p¶p. AcaWn¡qtdmfw Im¯ncp¶n«v Hcp t\gvknt\s¡m−v Ahtc hnfn¨pWÀ¯n. Ft¶¡−tXmsS AhcpsS apJ¯v Hcp `oXn ]SÀ¶p. " t]Sntí−... Rm³ tN¨ntb D]{Zhním³ h¶XÃ..." AhcpsS apJ¯v AÛpXhpw tNmZy`mhhpw. Rm³ AhcpsS ASp¯ncp¶p. " tN¨o... tN¨nío {^m©ntb¸Án F´dnbmw...?..." " IqSpXsem¶pw Adnb¯nÃ... Hcp duUnbmsW¶ÃmtX... Ahscms¡bm... R§¡p IqSpXep Imip Xcpt¶....]ns¶ Ahtc t]SníptIw thWw..." " Mqw... Bip]{Xn hn«m ]ns¶.... F´m tN¨osS ¹m³...?.." Ahscm¶p Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ ssZ\yamb kzc¯n ]dªp. " C¸w F\nsímcp cq]hpanÃ\nbm... Ft¶s¸msemtÅmÀ¡v thsdsb´m hgn...?.." " tN¨nív ]gb sXmgnenteíp t]mIm\mtWm Xmåcyw... AtXm AXo¶p c£s]SWs¶mt−m...?.." " tamt\... sNe¸w tXm¶pw... FhsSsb¦nepw Hscmgnª tImWn t]mbn hà ]n¨sbSp¯v Pohn¨mepw aXnsb¶v... k½XníptIe tamt\... hnS¯nÃ... Cu BWp§fv... BtcmcpanÃ... X¼pcm³ X¶ sXmenshfp¸pw.... ]ns¶ hbdp shi¡p¼w hoWpt]mIpw.. A¸w ap¶pw ]n¶pw Nn´níptIe...." " Bt«... IªnIpSn¨p t]mIm³ ]Áp¶ am\amb Hcp sXmgnep In«nbm... AXn\p t]mIpthm... AtXm... ImipIn«psh¶p IcpXn atÁ ]Wníp t]mIpthm..." " R§s¡ms¡ Bcm tamt\.... Hcp tPmen Xcpt¶...?.." " AXp tN¨n Nn´ní−... CXp ]d... Xmåcyapt−m...?.."

" \qdp h«w H−v.... Cu \in¨ sXmgneos¶mcp c£ thWw..." " ho«p]WnbmsW¦ntem...?.." " F´mbmse´m... CXnt\¡mÄ am\yXsbm−tÃm.. " " F¦n Rm³ tN¨ntb klmbnímw.. ]t£ tN¨n F\nsímcp]Imcw sN¿Ww..." " F´p]Imcam..?." " Hcp IÅw ]dbWw.." " F´p IÅam...?.." " {^m©ntbw tN¨ntbw Ip¯nb B B sNdp¸¡mct\... tN¨nídnb¯nsöp ]dbWw..." " At¿m... AsX´n\m... C¶se B C³kvs]ÎtdmSp ]dªXv.... Abmfp XÃns¡mÃptIte..?.." " sNe¸w Abmfp sImtd shc«pw... hogcpXv... cmhnte t]meokpImcp h¶mcpt¶m samgnsbSp¡m³..?..." " h¶p... Ip¯n sh¨XpsIm−v . Rm³ \à Hd¡mcp¶p... \msf hcm¶p ]dªv t]mbo¶m t\gvkp ]dªXv..." " \¶mbn... B ]¿t\ cmhnte ChnsS sIm−phcpw... Adnb¯nsöp XoÀ¯p ]dtª¡Ww..." " AXp Rmt\Áp... ]t£... Ft¶s¡ms−´n\m Cu s\mW ]td¸nípt¶¶p H¶p ]dbmthm...?.." " tN¨o.. kz´w a¡Ä¡p t]mepw th−m¯h\mcp¶p Cu {^m©n.... \mep t]tc sIm¶p... A©maXv Hcp \à s]m¶pwsImSw t]mencp¶ Hcp s]s¦m¨nt\ _emÂkwKw sNbvXv sIm¶p... B sIm¨nsâ A\nb\m Cu sN¡³... Ahsâ kvYm\¯v Rm\msW¦nepw Cu {^m©ntb sImt¶t\... Abmtfm t]mbn.... C\n B sNdp¡t\ in£n¨v Pbneo¶p hcp¼w Ah³ sNe¸w {^m©osS Bim\mbn«mcnípw hcnI... Bcm AXn\p¯chmZn... \½sfms¡... Ah³ Hcp \à Imcyw sN¿p¶Xn\p {]Xyp]Imcw... Aht\ Hcp duUnbm¡pI... AXp thtWm... tN¨o...H¶mtemNnt¨..." " A\nb³ ]td¶Xnepw Imcysam−v... Rm³ F´n\pw X¿mdm... Ah³ Pbnen t]mbn«v F\nsí´p KpWw In«m\m... sNe¸w Xncn¨p hcp¼w Ah³... Ft¶w sImÃpw..." " F¦n tN¨n hm¡p ]meníWw.. Rm³ ]dbp¶Xv sN¿p¶h\msW¶v Ignª Znhkt¯ A\p`hw sIm−v tN¨níp a\Ênembn¡mWpatÃm..." " Mqw.. Adnbmw..." " F¦nÂ... kam[m\ambns«md§v... Zm.. sImd¨v Imsim−v... acp¶pw `£tWmw Hs¡ Bhiy¯n\p hm§nt¨mWw... Rm³ FSíp hcmw... IminÃm¶p IcpXn shjaní−.... " Rm³ Iptd ]WsaSp¯v AhcpsS XebnW¡otg sh¨psImSp¯p. ASp¯ s_Ín\cnInencp¶ kv{XotbmSv Chcp Imcyw IqSn, hà acp¶p hm§pItbm, `£Wtam Hs¡, t\m¡Wsa¶p ]dªp. AhÀ Xe Ipep¡n. Xncnªv t]mIm\nd§pt¼mÄ hfsc _²s¸«v Fsâ t\tc IbvIq¸nb IpamcnbpsS I®n \\hp Xpfp¼p¶Xp I−p. Hcp `mcand¡nb kt´mjt¯mtS Rm³ Bip]{Xn hn«p. t\tc t]meokv tÌj\n sNÃpt¼mÄ A¶p I− Hcp _oÁp t]meokpImc³. " FtSm Xm³ A¶v... Hcp hm³... Xsâ samXemfntb AtÃ.. Cu AI¯p sIS¡p¶h³ X«nsb¶p ]td¶Xv..." " B... Fs¶ms¡ ]dbp¶p.... kmsd´m ChnsS..?.._oÁtÃ...?.." " AÃ.... C¶v tÌj³ Uyq«nbm...." " kmtd...F\níht\ H¶p ImWm³ ]Ápthm..." " At¿m AXp ]ÁnÃ... Akab¯v A§s\ ]pÅnItf ImWm³ A\phZnícpsX¶m tkma³kmdnsâ HmÀUdv..." " AXn\p Rm³ ChnsS C¶p h¶n«nÃtÃm...." " tM..?..." " AtXt¶ Rm\n¶p ChnsS h¶n«nÃ... " Rms\mcp c−p \qdnsâ t\ms«Sp¯v tai¸pd¯ncp¶ ISemkn\p Iotg sh¨p. " AXp a\Ênembn.... ]t£ tem¡¸p sXmd¡¯nà tIt«m..." " th−.... F\nsímcp an\p«p aXn..."

Rm³ t\tc tem¡¸p apdnbn sN¶p kltZht\ hnfn¨p. Ah³ Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡nbn«v Xncnªp `n¯nbn Nmcnbncp¶p. " kltZhm Ct§ms«m¶p ht¶... AtXm t]meoknsâ XÃp sIm−mte hcpsImtÅm...?.." Ah³ sasà Fgpt¶Áv AgnbcnIn h¶p. " Hcp Imcyw ]dbm\m h¶Xv... t]meokpImcv tNmZn¨m....F´p sNbvXmepw \o IpÁw k½XnícpXv...." Ah³ ]pO¯nsem¶p Nncn¨p. " lpw....F\nímctSw Zb th−... in£bdnªp Xs¶bm Rm³ sIm¶Xv..." " k½Xn¨p... ]t£... \nsâ B ]mhw Xt´w XtÅw ..]ns¶ Hcp sIm¨p s]§fpw ho«nsem−tÃm.... Ahcp htÃmctSw kuP\yw ]ÁptIm sX−ptIm sN¿t«¶mtWm \o ]dbp¶Xv...? " Ah³ H¶p Nn´n¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n tNmZn¨p. " \n§fpXt¶ Fs¶ ]nSn¨psImSp¯n«v... C¸w F´n\m CXp ]tdt¶¶p a\ÊnemIp¶nÃ..." " AsX\níp c£s]Sm\mcp¶p... Csæn t]meosks¶ AI¯m¡ntbt\... s\\s¡Ãm kw`thmw AdnbmtÃm... R§fp c−pw IqSn sNbvXXns\ms¡ ZrIvkm£nbtà \o... ]ns¶ H¶qsS Nn´n¨¸w... \o sNbvXXv Hcp \à Imcyambn«m F\níp tXm¶n... shdptX... Pbnens¡S¶v \nsâ BbpÊp ]mgm¡msa¶ÃmsX... in£sIm−v bmsXmcp {]tbmPt\mw Rm³ ImWp¶nÃ... Hcp a\pjy\mbn Pohnímsa¦n Rm³ \ns¶ klmbnímw... thKw ]d... IpÁw \ntj[nímtam...?..." " A¸w.... B kv{Xo Ft¶ ImWn¨psImSp¡ptIte...?..." " CÃ... thiybmtWepw Ahcpw \à Hcp a\sÊmÅ kv{Xobm... Ahcp \nt¶ Adnb¯nsöp ]tdw... ]ns¶ \o \nsâ Imcyw t\m¡ntímWw... sNe¸w C¨nsc XsÃms¡ In«nsb¶p hcpw... FÃmw \nsâ IpSpw_¯n\p th−n A§p klnípI... F´p ]dbp¶p....?." Ah³ Hcp an\n«p Nn´n¨p. " Mqw..." Ah³ Xe Ipep¡n. " ]ns¶... Bcp tNmZn¨mepw \ns¶ Bcpw ImWm³ h¶n«nÃ... a\ÊnembtÃm...?.." " Mqw..." Rm³ ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ t\cw \t¶ Ccp«nbncp¶p. A½ ap¯Osâ apdnbnep−mbncp¶p. Ipª½ AhcpsS ho«n t]mbn. Ie Dd¡ambn. Fsâ apdn AI¯p \n¶pw IpÁnbn«ncn¡p¶p. Rm³ Xmsg¯t¶ Ipfnsbms¡¡gnªv ap¯Osâ apdnbn sN¶p. c−p t]tcmSpw Rms\sâ a\Êdnbn¨p. A½ k½Xns¨¦nepw ap¯O³ hntbmPn¨p. ]dªp]dªv ap¯Ot\ H¶p k½Xn¸n¨t¸mtgípw ]mXncm Ignªp. Rm³ AhnsS¯s¶ InS¡ms\mcp§n. " \o \nsâ apdot¸mbn sISs¡Sm..." A½ ]dªp. " Hm.. Ahfn¸w Hd§n¡mWpw...AI¯q¶v IpÁnbn«ncníphm..." " AXhfpsS shjaw sIm−mSm... \o t]mtb¸ns¶ Ahfp t\tc sNmthz Ign¨n«nÃ.. H¶pw an−o«nÃ... ]qPmapdow ASp¡tfambn«v IgnbpImcp¶p... F¶mepw B sIm¨nsâ Hcp Xtehn[n... sNÃv... h¶n«v \o Ahtf It−mSm...?.." " CÃ... AsX§s\bm... IXIpw ]q«n ]q− Hd¡tÃ... hnfns¨´n\m ieys¸Sp¯p¶Xv...?.. " " F¶m \o sNÃv... \o h¶Xdnbp¼w Ahs¡mcp kam[m\mIpw......." " Fât½... F\nín¸gpw kam[m\w In«o«nÃ... C\n \msf Fs´ms¡ ]p¡mdm hcpIm¶dnb¯nÃ.. B C³kvs]ÎÀ I«ht\ In«mXmIp¼w In«nbht\ ]nSníptam¶m F\níp t]Sn...." " \o F´n\m t]Sníp¶Xv... ap³IqÀ Pmayatà HÅXv..." " AXv sicnbm ]t£... At½, tIskm−mbm Fsâ t]meoknte tPmen¡mcyw shůnemIpw..." " AX§p t]mbm t]ms«Sm... hn[nbnsöp hnNmcnímw... \o kam[m\ambncnív.. Mm... F\nsímd§Ww... tamfnt¸mtb sIS¡mshmÅp tIt«m.... " A½ Fgpt¶«p t]mbn. Rm³ A¶v ap¯Osâ apdnbn InS¶p. Dd§m³ t\cw At±lw ]dªp.

" \n\¡v \ÃsX¶p tXm¶p¶Xp sN¿pI... AXnsâ hcpwhcmgnI A\p`hním³ X¿mdmsW¦nÂ..." Rm³ AXp Xt¶ a\Ên Dd¸n¨p. " ap¯Om... Zm Im¸n...." A`nbpsS iÐw tI«mWp Rm³ I®pXpd¶Xv. t\cw shfp¯ncníp¶p. sÈ, C\n A½tbmsS´p ]dbpw. apdnbn t]mbn sIS¡m³ ]dªn«v. Rm³ Dd§p¶ amXncn I®S¨p InS¶p. Rm³ hnNmcn¨p AhÄ Ft¶ hnfnípsa¶v. AhÄ hnfn¨nÃ. ap¯Ot\ Fgpt¶Áncním³ klmbn¨n«v AhÄ Ft¶ shdptX H¶p t\m¡n AhÄ Xncn¨p t]mbn. Rm\ÛpXs¸«pt]mbn. F´mbncnípw CXn\p ImcWw. Hm, cm{Xnbn h¶n«v hnfnímXncp¶Xnsâ ]cn`hambncnípw. kmcanÃ, ]cn`hw DSt\ amÁntb¡mw. Ipfnsbms¡ Ignªv Hcp irwKmc¡p«¸\mbn Rm³ ASp¡fbnteíp sN¶p. \mK½ Ft´m ]m{X§Ä IgpIp¶p. A`n Ip¡dn Ft´m Cf¡p¶p. Rm³ hmXn¡Â sN¶p \n¶p. " A`o... \osb´m F\níp Im¸n Xcmtª...?.." Rm³ sXsÃmcp ]cn`hkzc¯nÂ, ab¯n tNmZn¨p. " \mKt½ ... AhnsS Im¸n sImSv..." A`n Xncnªpt]mepw t\m¡msX \mK½tbmSp ]dªp. \mK½ Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. Rms\m¶p hfn¨p. Rm³ \mK½tbmSp ]pd¯p t]mIm³ BwKyw ImWn¨p. AhÄ ]pdt¯íp henªp. " F´mSo... CXp Nmb¡Stbm...?... AhsS Hcp Im¸nsImSp¡m³.....F\níp Im¸n Xcm³ \n\¡p ht¿...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨psIm−v AhfpsS ]pdIn sN¶p \n¶p. AhÄ Xncnªp t\m¡msX Hcp I¸n Im¸n DuÁn ]©kmcbpan«v Cf¡n F\níp t\tc ]pdtIm«p \o«n. AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡nbnÃ. Rm³ I¸p hm§nbnÃ. " Im¸n..." AhÄ hnfn¨p ]dªp. F\nídniw tIdn. " \nât½sS Im¸n... \nsâ Ip−n ImWm\à Rm\nt§m«p h¶Xv... Ct§m«p Xncnªp \nsÃSo..." Rm\hfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. Im¸n Xpfp¼n, AhfpsS I¿n hoWp. I¸hfpsS I¿n \n¶pw Xmsg hoWp. AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡msX apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p. " \obmtcmSmSo Cu kacw sN¿pt¶... AXn\pam{Xw ChnsS F´p−mbn... tM... ChnsS a\pjy³ Xo]nSn¨p \S¡p¼w AhfpsS Hcp kacw... t\tc t\ms¡So... s]m...." " BtcmSpanÃ... Ft¶.... Ft¶ Dt]£ním³ t]mIphtÃ...?.." AhfpsS sXm− CSdnbncp¶p. ]dªXp apgph³ sXfnªnÃ. " F´mSm ChnsS.. Hscmt¨w _ltfmw...?..." A½ At§m«p IS¶p h¶p. ]pdIn \mK½. AhÄ A½tb hnfn¨psIm−p h¶Xmbncnípw. Rm³ A`nbpsS Ibv hn«n«v A½bptS t\tc Xncnªp. " shfp¸m³ Ime¯v Ahfp kacw sN¿p¶p... F\nsímcp I¸p Im¸n Xcm³ ChÄ¡p h¿...." " t\cmtWm tamtf Rm\o tI¡p¶Xv... F´m {]iv\w...?..." " {]iv\w...H¶qÃ..." AhÄ¡p Ic¨n s]m«n. " F´mSm...?.." A½ Fsâ t\tc Xncnªp. " F\nídnb¯nÃ... " Rm\pw ]dªp. " F´mSo tamtf... Imcyw ]d.... " " At½....Cu tN«³... " AhÄ ]mXn \nÀ¯n. A½ apt¶m«p h¶p. " tN«³...?..." " Ft¶ Dt]£nípsh¶p ]dªp...." \niÐbmbn AhÄ Icªp. " tM... Ah³ Xami ]dªXmcnípw tamtf..." A½ \nÊmca«n ]dªp. Rm³ Ht¶mÀ¯p t\m¡n, Rms\´mWp ]dªXv ? " AsXm¶paÃt½...... Imcymbn«m... an\nbm¶p t]mImt¶cw Rm\dnbmsX Ft´m H¶p ]dªpt]mbn.....tZjys¸«m Fd§n t]mtb... ]ns¶m¶p t^m¬ t]mepw sNbvXnÃ... Ft¶mSp tZjyw Xs¶bm.... C¶se h¶n«v...... Ft¶ ...Ft¶...H¶t\zjn¨p t]mepanÃtÃm... " AhÄ I®oscmgp¡n.

" FSm... C¶se Ahtf hnfním³ ]dªn«v \o.....\o..." A½ I¿pbÀ¯n Fsâ IcW¯Sn¨p. A½íp s]m¡¡pdhmbncp¶XpsIm−v ASn Ihnf¯v iànbmbn ]XnªnÃ. F\níp Imcyambn thZ\n¨panÃ. " At½..." A`n D¨¯n hnfn¨psIm−v NmSn F\níp ap¶n Ibdn \n¶p. " C¶se sI«nb s]®nt\mSv Hcp sI«ntbm\p ]dbmhp¶ hm¡mtWmSm CXv....?..tM... " A½ ho−pw It¿m§n. AhÄ A½bpsS I¿n NmSn ]nSn¨p. " XÃÃt½... XÃtÃ.... G«t\ XÃtÃ... Rms\sâ shjawsIm−v ]dªp t]mbXm... " A`n IcªpsIms−sâ ASnsIm− Ihnfn XgpIn. " kvt\tlmtÅmÀt¡ B hm¡p tI¡p¼w thZ\nís¯mÅp... tZjyw hcp¼w hmbn tXm¶p¶Xv hnfn¨p ]dbm³ ]mSnÃ... \o It−mSm... C¸w XÃp sIm−Xv \obmsW¦nepw s\m´XhÄ¡m... " A½ tZjyw sIm−p XpÅn. " Mm... C¸w AhÄ¡p kt´mjmbn¡mWphtÃm..." Rm³ FcnXobn Aåw F®sbmgn¨p. " an−nt¸mIcpXv... XdpXe ]dbpt¶m... Ht¶ HsŶpIcpXn... Xtesh¨p hf¯nb¸w Ah\n¸w F´pamImsa¶mbn... " A½ ho−pw It¿m§n. AhÄ A½tb sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v XSªp. " G«t\ XÃ−mmm... C\n Rms\mcníepw H¶pw ]dbnÃmmmm..." AhÄ aq¡p XpS¨p. " Cu IeymWw BtemNn¨¸w samXenhfp Icbm³ sXmS§oXm.... Ah\sXmcp ctkmw... ]ns¶´n\mSm... Chtf aXo¶pw ]dsªsâ s]mdtI \S¶Xv....tM..?.. AsX§\m.... ChfmsW¦n sXm«Xn\pw ]nSn¨Xn\psams¡ Icbm\pw..." Ft¶ XÃnt¸mbXnepÅ COm`wKw A½bpsS B hm¡pIfn Ds−¶v F\níp tXm¶n. Rm³ H¶pw an−msX ASp¡fbn \n¶pw shfnbnend§n. At¸mÄ hmXn¡Â \n¶ Ie Ft¶ t\m¡n "IW¡mbnt¸mbn" F¶ AÀ°¯n Ibv ImWn¨p. Rm³ Ahtf XÅn amÁn \S¶p. hmjvt_kn\n apJw IgpIn. At¸mÄ Ie hnfn¨p ]dbp¶Xp tI«p. " Fâ½mbo.. C§s\ XÃm\msW¦n A½mbosS Ibv Igít¯ HÅp... an\n«n\p an\n«n\nXp§fp c−pwIqsS t]mcpw hg¡pam... C¨nsc Igo¼w N¡tcw tX\pam... Rm\nXhnsS sh¨p sImtd I−XtÃ..." " AsXms¡ sI«pt¶\p ap¼v... C¸w Cu ]mh¯nt\bn«v Np½m Icbn¨m... alm]m]w In«pw..." A½ tZjyt¯msS apdnbnteíp t]mbn. Rm³ R§fpsS apdnbnteíp tIdn IXIS¨p IpÁnbn«p tIdn¡nS¶p. F´mWhtfmSp ]dªsXt¶mÀ¡m³ {ian¨p. a\Êp \ndtb kwLÀjw, AXn\nSív AhfpsS Hcp kuμcy¸nW¡w. Cu s]®ns\´p ]Án. ChfpsS NpWsbms¡ FhnsSt¸mbn. AhfpsS iucyw As¶ms¡ AXhÄs¡mcgImbn«mbncp¶p tXm¶nbXv. Cu AanX hnt[bXzhpw `ànbpsams¡ Hcp AcknIX krãníp¶Xp t]mse. aÁpÅhcpsS ASp¯mbntím. ]t£ Ft¶msS´n\nsXms¡. Fs´¦nepw an−nbm sXm«mhmSn t]mse ]nW§pI, IcbpI. B, amdnt¡mfpambncnípw. Nn´n¨v Nn´n¨v Rms\m¶p ab§nt¸mbn. hmXnen ap«p¶Xp tI«mWp Rm\pWÀ¶Xv. Ahfmbncnípw. am¸p]dbm\mbncnípw. shdptX A½bpsS I¿n \n¶pw XÃp sImÅn¨n«v h¶ncníp¶p. " F´n\m C¸w Ct§m«p h¶Xv... Rms\ms¶md§pIm...." Rm³ hnfn¨p ]dªp. ho−pw hmXnen ap«p¶p. " ChnsS a\pjy³ Xeíp {`ms´Sp¯p \S¡p¼gm AhÄsS Hcp In¶mcw..." Rm³ hmXn Xpd¶p. A½, Hcp hÃm¯ `mh¯nÂ. " C¸w \obmtWm IXIS¨p kacw...? tZ, AhsS Xmsg Im¸nsbSp¯p sh¨ncníp¶p.... hm... h¶p Im¸n IpSnív...." " A½sb´n\m h¶Xv... AhÄs¡t¶ hnfn¨qSmbncpt¶m...?.." Rm³ Aåw Iepjkzc¯n Xt¶ ]dªp. " s\\¡n¸w FÃmtcmSpw tZjyamsW¶p Rmt\mÀ¯nà tamt\... \o AhtfmS§s\ ]dª¸w... AXpw c−p sZhkmbn«p H¶pw IgnímsX ap\ntbt¸mse ]qPmapdoepsams¡bmbn«p \S¶XtÃ... F\níp kln¨nÃ... " Rm³ shdptX IXIn tImdns¡m−p \n¶p..."

" s\\¡p thZ\nt¨mSm... t]ms«... s\\¡pw c−p aq¶p sZhkmbn«p £oWm... AXpw Rmt\mÀ¯nÃ.... £an¨pIf... H¶qtÃepw Rm\tà XÃnbXv..." A½ Fsâ Ihnfn XShn. Rm³ B Ibv ]nSn¨v Ihnfn tNÀ¯psIm−p ]dªp. " A½bn¸w XÃnbmepw sIm¶mepw F\nsím¶qÃ... A½sbm−m¡nb XSn... AXpt]memtWm Ahfv... Rms\t´m ]dsª¶p sh¨v... A¸w F\níp an−m³ tate... Rms\¶m Ahtf A§s\b§pt]£nípthm... Ahfn§s\ sXm«Xn\pw ]nSn¨Xn\pw Iws¹bnâp ]dªm..." " kmcanÃSm.... \nt¶mS{Xíp kvt\lsamÅXpsIm−tÃ... Ah¡n¸w hÃm¯ Hcp hm¡pt]mepw ]nSnímt¯.... AsX´m \o a\Ênem¡m¯Xv... \nâO\nt¶htc C§s\m¶pw Ft¶mSp ]dªn«nÃ.... Adnbmtam...?..." " At½... Rms\t´m Kuchambn«ncp¶¸gm Ahfp tIdn Ft´m ]dªXv... F\níp ]nSn¨nÃ... Rms\mcp Xm¡oXp t]mse ]dªpt]mbn... H¶maXv.. a\pjy\nhnsS... Pbnepw kz]v\w It−m−p \S¡p¼gm AhÄsSsbmcp ..." " \o hm.. h¶p htÃmw Ignív..." A½ Fsâ I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨p. " A½ AhtfmSp hcm³ ]d..." " Ahfp hnfn¨m \o hc¯nsöpw ]dªv AhnsS \n¶p tam§pIm ]mhw... Mm... Rm³ ]dªp hnSmw... C\n \o IqSpXsem¨sbm¶pw ht¨¡tÃ.... \osbms¡¡mcWw.... _m¡nsbmtÅmcsS s]Sm¸mSv... " A½ sasà tKmhWnbnd§nt¸mbn. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ Hcp ]Sphr² tKmhWn Ibdn hcp¶Xp t]mse AhÄ tIdnhcp¶p. Rm³ sasà AIt¯íp henªp. I«nen sNs¶mcp XebnWsbSp¯p sh¨p Nmcn¡nS¶p. AhÄ h¶p hmXn¡ \n¶n«p hnfn¨p. " aWntb«m... " AXn aWn am{Xta tI«pÅp. _m¡n H¨bS¨ncp¶p. H¶p I¬Tip²n hcp¯nbn«v AhÄ ho−pw hnfn¨p. " aWntb«m... Im¸n.... FSp¯p sh¨p... hm... A½ ]dªp... hcm³... " AhÄ apJw Ip\n¨p \n¶p kmcn¯ps¼Sp¯p Ibvhncen NpÁpIbpw AgnípIbpw sNbvXpsIm−ncp¶p. HfnI®psIm−v Rm\Xp Is−¦nepw Rm\\§nbnÃ. AhÄ kmcn¯ps¼Sp¯v aq¡p XpS¨n«p ho−pw ]dªp. " Im¸n IpSním³... A½... t\m¡nbncníp¶p.... hcp¶ntÃ..." AhÄ kmcn¯es¸Sp¯p I®p XpS¨p. ]ns¶ t\tc AIt¯íp Ibdn _mXvdqan Ibdn IXIS¨p. AI¯p \n¶pw aq¡p]ngnbp¶ iÐw tI«p. Rms\gpt¶Áp _mXvdqansâ hmXn¡ t]mbn \n¶p. Aåw Ignªv IXIp Xpd¶p ]pd¯p h¶ AhÄ I−Xv AhtfXt¶ \nÀ¶ntaj\mbn t\m¡n \n¡p¶ Ft¶bmbncp¶p. F\nípÅn Nncnbmbncp¶p. Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡msX AhÄ ]dªp. " Im¸n IpSním³ hm..." ]ns¶ Ft¶ IS¶v t]mIms\mcp§n. Rm³ AhfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨v _eambn Fsâ ASpt¯íhtf hen¨p. Ahsfsâ amdnteíp hoWp. Fsâ s\©n apJsamfn¸n¨p sh¨hÄ \niÐambn tX§n. Fsâ _\nb³ \\ªp. " F´n\mSo... s]t® \obn§s\ Np½m I®ocp Ifbpt¶... CsXÃmw C¸w Ifªm... hà Imcyamb k¦Sw hcp¼w \osb´p sN¿pw..." " Rm³... Rms\m¶pw...HmÀ¡msX... At½mSp ..]dªp t]mbn... A½ G«t\ XÃpsh¶p hnNmcn¨nÃ..." AhÄ G§eSn¨p. " AXp kmcanÃ... A½ AhcpsS aIt\ XÃn... AXn\p \osb´n\m Itct¶... tM...?.." " C¸w At½sS tam\à ... Fsâ aWn¡p«\m... A§s\ BÀ¡pw XÃm³ ]Á¯nÃ... " AhÄ Fsâ _\nb\n aq¡p XpS¨p. " A¸w s\\¡p XÃmw AtÃ... " Rm³ tNmZn¨p. DSt\ AhÄ s]m«ns¯dn¨p. " Mmmmm... Ft¶ AtXmÀ¸n¡töp Rm³ ]dªXtÃ...Ft¶sb´n\m C§s\..." AhÄ sIm¨pIp«nIÄ imTyw ]nSn¨p Icbp¶Xp t]mse Icªp. " \nÀs¯So...On...FSo... \nÀ¯m³.. Ctà\o taSnípw... " " Ft¶ thtW sImtd XÃnsím.. Atà sImt¶m.. Ft¶ AXp am{Xw.. HmÀ½n¸nítÃ... AtXmÀ¡p¼w... F\nív N¦pcpIpIm... Fsâ aWn¡p«\tÃ..." AhÄ \nÀ¯p¶ e£WanÃ. Rm³ hÃmXmbn. " Fsâ s]mt¶.... \osbm¶p \nÀ¯v... C\n Rm³ ]db¯nÃ... \n¶mtW kXyw... " Rm³ AhfpsS apXpIn X«n. apebnsem¶p sR¡n. AhÄ Ibv X«n amÁn. ]ns¶

Ft¶ KmVambn sI«n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ Xncn¨pw Ahtf tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨v B aqÀ²mhnsemcp½ sImSp¯p. AtXmsS sasÃsasà Ic¨nepw hnXp¼epw HXp§n. C§s\bpapt−m s]®p§Ä. F\nídnbmw, Ft¶ A¶p XÃnbXnsâ IpÁt_m[w AhfpsS a\Ên ZrVambn thcq¶n¡gnªncníp¶p. AXp tIÄ¡m³ AhÄ¡n\n km[yaÃ. {]tXyIn¨v Fsâ \mhn \n¶v. " sNÃv.... samJw IgpIo«p hm... Im¸nIpSnímw..." Rm³ AhfpsS sNhnbn a{´n¨p. Rm\htf Fsâ s\©n \n¶SÀ¯n amÁn. ]ns¶ c−p Ihnfnepw Hmtcm D½ sh¨p. I®p\ocnsâ D¸pckw Fsâ \mhn XSªp. C¯hW AhÄ IXIp Xpd¶p h¨pXt¶ apJw IgpIn. Rm\Xp t\m¡n \n¶p. H¶p IgpInbns«sâ apJt¯íp t\m¡pt¼mÄ B I®pIÄ ho−pw \ndbpw. AXp c−p aq¶mhÀ¯n¨t¸mÄ Rm³ ]dªp. " aXn IgpInbXv... tamt´te sXmen t]mIpw.... hm..." Rm³ Ahtf I¿n ]nSn¨p hen¨nd¡n. I«nen InS¶ tXmÀs¯Sp¯p sImSp¯p. AhÄ apJw XpS¨p. hmXnen\Sps¯¯nb Ft¶ ]nSn¨p \nÀ¯n. Fsâ CSt¯ Ihnfn kq£n¨p t\m¡n. " t¿m.. sNmh¶p sIS¡p¶p..." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn AhnsS Hcp½ sh¨n«p tNmZn¨p. " thZ\n¨mcpt¶m...?.." " Gbv ...D½ sh¨mse§\m thZ\nípt¶..." " Np½m Ipdp¼p ]dbmsX hm... C¨nsc sFkp shímw...." " sFkpw Iqkpw H¶pw th−... \nsâbo ape¡p¸n c−ntâw FSíp sh¨m aXn.. \à IpfnctÃ...." " F¶m.... C¶m sht¨m..." AhÄ Fsâ IhnÄ ]nSn¨v B apeIÄ¡p tate tNÀ¯p sh¨p. Rms\sâ IhnÄ B kvt]m©pIpS§Ä¡p apIfn tNÀ¯p sh¨p. ]ns¶ ]Xps¡ apJw Xncn¨v XpWn Iq«n Hcp apebnsem¶p ISn¨p. " AXp sicn... Ipdp¼p ImWníym.... aXn XWp¸n¨Xv... \S¡v....." AhÄ Fsâ apJw apebn \n¶pw amÁnbn«v Fs¶ ]nSn¨v hmXn¡teíp XÅn. hmXnen\p ]pd¯nd§nbt¸mÄ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Ft¶mSp tZtjymt−m...?..." " H−v... \nt¶ C¸w Dt]£ním³ t]mIphm..." " Mqw... C¨nsc ]pfnípw.. C§p ht¶cv... Dt]£ním³... CXp It−m... Rm³ henªp tIdn h¶sXm¶paÃ.... Fsâ s]mdtI \S¶v... Ft¶ hf¨p sI«ns¡m−p h¶Xm..." AhÄ Igp¯n InS¶ Xmen FSp¯p ImWn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " F¶m¸ns¶...CXv s\\¡t¶ca§p ]dªm t]mcmcpt¶m...?.." " At¶cw ]dbm³ tXm¶oÃ... Fât¨m....]dbmªXv \¶mbn... F¦n Rm³ XÃp sImt−t\... A{Xíp tZjymcp¶p G«\t¶cw...." DuWpapdnbpsS hmXn¡ \n¶ \mK½ R§tf¡s−m¶p Nncn¨p. A½bpw Iebpw `£Ww Igníp¶p. Rm\ncp¶p. A`n Fsâ ]m{X¯n CÍen hnf¼n. ]ns¶ km¼msdmgn¨p. Rm³ Hcp IjWw AdnbmsX s]s«s¶Sp¯p Ign¨p. AXp sXm−bnepS¡n. F¡nsfSp¯p. AhÄ Fsâ s\dpIwXebn X«nbn«v shÅsaSp¯p X¶p. A½ AXp t\m¡n¨ncn¨p. " A½mbo... CXp I−tÃm... C¸w N¡tcw tX§mbpw... C¨nsc Igo¼w t\m¡ntím... Iocow ]m¼pw t]mse X½neSn ImWmw... Rm³ sImtd I−XmtW... " Ie A½tb t\m¡n ]dªn«v CÍen hngp§n. " aXnsbSo.. ]cZqjWw... hngp§ntb¨p t]mSo..." Rm³ AhfpsS t\sc Xpdn¨p t\m¡n. " Hcp IW¡n\p ]dªm... A½mbotS tams\mcp ]mhm..." Ie hnSp¶nÃ. CXn\nSív Rm³ A`ntb ]nSn¨v Itkcbn Ccp¯nbncp¶p. AhÄ Igním³ XpS§n. " AsX´m tamtf s\\¡ht\mSnt{Xw Hcp Zb...?.. " A½ Nncn¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " Cu Al¦mcn tN¨osS \£{Xw sIm−m... Cu tN«t\ In«oXv... BcsS thtWepw XÃpsImÅpw... Hcp s]Wt¡mey... høgpw klnsI«v Rm³ tNmZníp¼w ]tdw.. Ahfp ]mhtÃSo¶v... C§s\mcp s]t¦m´³....." Ie s¹bnÁpw FSp¯p sIms−gpt¶Áp.

" Mm... Ah\§\m... AhâOsâ X\n ]IÀ¸m... A§s\ thWw tIt«mSm... F¦nte kvt\l¯nsâ kpJw Adnbs¯mÅp... " A½ Ft¶ t\m¡n¸dªp. ]t£ A`n s¹bnÁn shdptX hc¨psIm−ncp¶p. A½bpsS ap¼n sh¨Ãmbncps¶¦n AhÄ Ieín«v XÃntbt\. Asæn IbÀ¡pIsb¦nepw sNbvtXt\.. FÃmhcpw Xt¶ IpÁs¸Sp¯p¶p F¶hÄ¡p tXm¶n¡mWpw. " \n§fp thKw Ignív.... CÍen I«n ]nSnípw..." ]dªpsIm−v A½bpw Fgpt¶Áp. " \osb´mSo... C§s\ sImc§p N¯ sImdhsâ Iq«v... htÃmw IgnsíSo..." Rm³ Hcp IjWw apdn¨v km¼mdn ap¡n AhfpsS hmbn _eambn sh¨psImSp¯p. AhfpsS ]nW¡w Xocm¯ apJw I−ns«\níp Nncn h¶p. " FÃmcpw Ft¶bm IpÁw ]tdt¶... AhcsSsbms¡ ap¼n sh¨v Ft¶ H¶p XÃmthm... Csæn... Rm³ GXm−v cm£knbm¶m AhcsSsbms¡ tXm¶ev..." AhÄ aq¡p NoÁns¡m−v ]dªp. " XÃm\ÃtÃm \ns¶ Rm³ kvt\ln¨Xv..... Cu cm£kosbbm F\nín¸w shÃnãw... " Rm\hfpsS Ihnfn Hcp½ sImSp¯p. " Im¸n C\ow thtWm...?.." ]pdIn \mK½bpsS iÐw tI«v R§Ä A¿Sm¶mbn. " th−... \o t]mbn ASp¡tf ]Wn htÃmsamt−m¶p t\m¡v..." Fsâ ]cpjamb iÐw tI«v \mK½ ASp¡fbnteív henªp. " FÃmcpw t]mbn... C\n \o Ft¶ H¶p Ign¸nímthm...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " ]ns¶´m.. C¶m... C¶se t]msbSs¯m¶pw `£Ww In«otÃ... \à £oWsam−v samJs¯ms¡..." ]pgp§nb G¯¸g¯nsâ IjWw hmbn sh¨p X¶psIm−v AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn XtemSn. " AXnepw £oWw s\\¡m... Aà s\\s¡t´m¶nsâ kqt¡Smcp¶p... ?.. A½ ]dªp... C¶sesbms¡ \o H¶pw Ign¨nÃm... au\hrXmcps¶¶v...?.." " G«sâ a\Ênte {]iv\§fp Rm³ a\Ênem¡oÃ... shdptX Rm³... F\nsím¶pw Adnb¯nÃ... aWn¡p«³ Ft¶mS§s\ ]dª¸w kXymbn«pw Rm³ t]Sn¨p.... Cu kz`mthmw... C¸gt¯ s\tew....." AhÄ Fsâ apSnbn XtemSn. " a\Ênembn... ]Ww... s]s«¶p Rm³ ImipImc\mbn... Rm³ ao\pw hnÁp \S¶ncps¶¦n \o Ct{Xw t]Sní¯nÃmcp¶p... s]m«n¡qivam−w..." Rm³ AhfpsS IhnÄ Fsâ IhntfmSp tNÀ¯p. " tlm... aSp¯p... CXm tamfn apdose§m\pw t]mbncp¶mbn¡qtS... ]ckyambn«m... \mWanÃm¯ cs−®w...." At§m«p h¶ Ie Ifnbm¡n. " FSo... \o C¯ncn Gdps¶m−v... tIt«m... " A`n A\nb¯ntb imkn¨p. " Hm... Rm\o ]m{Xw FSp¡m³ h¶XmtW... tZ... t^m¬ ASníp¶p... AsXm¶p s]m¡n ltems¶¦nepw H¶p ]d... ]ns¶ h¶p irwKcnív.." AhÄ ]m{X§fpsaSp¯v t]mbn. Rm³ t^msWSp¯p. A`n AhnsS¯s¶bncp¶v Ign¨psIm−ncp¶p. t^mWnsâ At§¯eí C³kvs]ÎÀ tkma\mbncp¶p. " anÌÀ cmPphtÃ...?..." " AtX... F´m kmÀ hntijn¨v... Imcy§sfms¡ Ffp¸¯n \o§p¶ntÃ..." " CsÃtSm.. AXtà {]iv\w... Xm³ DSt\ Bip]{Xo htc H¶p hcWw...." FsskbpsS kzc¯n Hcp thhemXn. " F´p ]Án kmÀ...?.." " FtSm C¶te B AdphmWn¨n ]dªXv Xm\pw IqsS tI«XtÃ... Xm\Xn\p km£nbtÃ...?.." " F´n\mWp kmÀ...?.." " FtSm... Ahfm Ip¯nb sNdp¡t\ t\cn Is−¶pw C\n I−m Xncn¨dnbm¶pw Hs¡ C¶se ]dªXtÃ..?.." " B.. F\nípw C¸w \à HmÀ½bnÃ... Ahscs´ms¡tbm ]dªp... At¶cw Rm³ Imcyambn {i²n¨nÃmcp¶p... Fsâ a\Êp apgph\pw t]Snbmcp¶p... I«ht\ In«osæn I−ht\ ]nSníp¶ t]mse Ft¶sb§m\pw kmdv...."

" tM... A¸w Xm\pw Imep amdpImtWm...?...CsXmscm¯p IfnbmWtÃmtSm...?.." " Ft´ms¶m¯pIfn....?.. C¶se kmdp samgnsbSp¯p... C¶pw samgnsbSp¡p¶p... AXns\Sív Rms\s´m¯p Ifnbm kmtd ImWníp¶Xv...?.." " FtSm... C¸w Cu s]®p¼nÅ Aht\ Adnb¯nsöm ]tdt¶... c−p Nhn«p sImSp¯mcpt¶ Xmt\ Adntªt\... C¸w H¶pw h¿m¯ kabmbXpsIm−m..." Fsskíp sicnípw tZjyw tIdnb a«v. " sNe¸w C¶se Ahcp kmdnt\ I−p t]Sn¨p ]dªXmcnípw.... " Rm³ H¶pw Adnbm¯ amXncn ]dªp. " ]ns¶´p tIms¸m−m¡m\mtSm... Xm\m sNdp¡t\ ]nSním³ Fsâ IqsS IqSnbXv..?. F¶n«n¸w..." " Rmt\m... sNdp¡t\ ]nSnímt\m... F\nsí´m t]meoknemtWm tPmen... F´m kmtd.. HtcmÀt½w CÃmsX ]dbp¶Xp t]mse...." " Hmtlm.. C¸w Xms\t¶ a−\m¡pIm AtÃ... a\Ênembn.... FtSm Cu tIknte H¶mw {]Xn Xm\pw AXnsâ H¶mw km£n Rm\pam... ]nSn¨I¯ns«m¶p s]cpamdp¼w X\nsíÃmw HmÀ½ hcpw..." Fssk t^m¬ hens¨dnbp¶ iÐw tI«p. Rm³ A¿t¸«t\bpw _met\bpw hnfn¨v thKw hcm³ ]dªp. h¡oent\ hnfn¨t¸mÄ AbmÄ tImSXnbn t]mbncnípIbmsW¶p ]dªp. ¢mÀ¡nt\ hnfn¨v DSt\ Ft¶ ImWWsa¶p ]dbmt\¸n¨p. A¿t¸«\pw _me\pw DSs\sb¯n. Ignª Znhkw X¿mdm¡nbncp¶ Fsâbpw _metâbpw ap³IqÀ Pmay¯nsâ ISemkv FSp¯psh¨p. _met\mSv h−n R§fpsS ]Xnhp hÀ¡ptjm¸n tIÁn Iptd `mK§Ä Agn¨nSm\mhiys¸«p. AXnsâ H¶pw Bhiyansænepw Fssk Nnet¸mÄ hteyam³amtc Iq«nbmWp hcp¶sX¦n AhcpsS hmbS¸níWatÃm. ho«n FÃmhtcbpw hnfn¨v {]tXyIw ]dªp. Cu Ignª Znhk§fn Rm³ ho«nep−mbncp¶p. Rm³ ]pXpaWhmf\mWv. ]I sN½o³ I¼\nbnepw, cm{Xn ho«nepw. A`ntb hndím³ XpS§n. Iesímcp IqkepanÃ. A`n A½bpsS tXmf¯p ]nSn¨p \ns¶Ãmw tI«p. " `KhXo... Rm³ A¶p kz]v\w I−Xm... G«³ sPbnen t]mIps¶¶v... AXp t\cmIpthm... F\níp h¿... " A`nbpsS apJw hmSm³ XpS§n. " C\n Fs´¦nepw ]dªo ho«n \o Icªm ]ns¶ \o hnhcw Adnbpw... Ct{Xw t\cw ]dªXp sI«ntÃSo... \nsâ ]gb sNmWsbms¡ FhnsS t]mbn... t]meosk§m\pw tNmZn¨m... Hd¸n¨p ]dtªmWw... Rm³ IeymWw Igntª¸ns¶ Cu ho«o¶v F§pw t]mbn«nÃ... a\ÊnembtÃm.." AhÄ Xe Ipep¡n. " Mm.. F¶m t]mbn \nsâ tPmen t\m¡v..." h−n hÀ¡ptjm¸n G¸n¨n«v _me³ DSt\sb¯n. " F¶mepw tN«m.. CXn¯ncn IS¶ I¿mbnt¸mbn.... F§m\pw s]g¨m... U_nÄ IpÁ¯n\m AI¯mIp¶Xv..." " CsXms¡ Hcp ap³IcpXemSm... ap³IqÀ Pmayw t]mse.... HscS¯pw \ap¡p ]q«p hogcpXv... AÃ, \n\¡p t]SnbmsW¦n \o kvYew hnt«m... " Rm³ _met\mSp ]dªp. " tN«\p t]Snbnsæn F\nsí´n\m t]Sn... F¶mepw B FsskbpsS BtcmKyw HmÀ¡p¼w DÅnsemcp shdbep t]mse..." _me³ Fs¶ H¶p t\m¡n. " an−mXncnsbSm... BWmsW¶pw ]dªp \S¡p¶p... " ]ns¶ _me³ an−nbnÃ. R§Ä C³kvs]Îtd FXntc¡m\mbn Im¯ncp¶p. tkma\mYsâ tÌj\XnÀ¯nbà R§fptSXv. A¡W¡n\p R§fpsS tem¡Â tÌj\n \n¶pw Bfp Iq«ntb tkma\mY³ hcnIbpÅp. XmaknbmsX t]meokp Po¸p ho«nse¯n. " R§Ä kmdnt\ Im¯ncníbmbncp¶p..."

Rm³ C³kvs]Îtd kpkvtachZ\\mbn kzoIcn¨p. ]t£ AbmÄ¡v A{X kt´mjsam¶pw I−nÃ. h−n h¶ iÐw tI«t¸mtg A`nbpw A½bpw Iebpw hmXn¡se¯nbncp¶p. A`nbpsS apJ¯v \à ]cn{`aw. " FtSm, Aht\ Cs§d¡ns¡m−p hm...." C³kvs]ÎÀ Po¸n \n¶pw Cd§nb t]meokpImtcmSp ]dªp. Po¸n\cnIn \n¶hcn A¶p Rm³ I− Hcp _oÁp t]meokpImc\pap−mbncp¶p. AhÀ kltZht\ Po¸nsâ ]pdIn \n¶pw ]nSn¨nd¡n. I¿maw sh¨ncp¶p. apJ¯p XÃpsIm− e£Ww. " CsX´n\m kmtd Cu IŽmtc Hs¡ Ct§m«p sIm−p hcp¶Xv..." Rm³ Aåw Dds¡ kltZh³ tIÄs¡ tNmZn¨p. " IŽmcv..." Fssk H¶p NndntIm«n. " C¸w ]dbmw... F´n\m¶v.... FSm... ]d..... \o Chtc Adnbptam...? kXyw ]dbWw... " Fssk Ft¶bpw _met\bpw Nq−n kltZht\mSp tNmZn¨p. Ah³ R§tf amdn amdn t\m¡n. Fssk Ahsâ apJ¯p t\m¡nb X¡w t\m¡n Rm³ kltZht\ I®S¨p ImWn¨p. Ah³ sasà Xebm«nbt¸mÄ Fssk Fsâ t\tc t\m¡n. " CÃ..." kltZh³ ]dªp. " ^.... s\mW ]dbpt¶mSm... " Fssk ]pdwssIsIm−v Ahsâ Ihnf¯Sn¨p. s]®p§Ä I®S¨p t]mbn. A½ apt¶m«p h¶p. " kmÀ, Zbhmbn ChnsS sh¨v C§s\ Hcmtf D]{ZhnícpXv... " Ibv Iq¸ns¡m−v A½ ]dªp. " t\cp ]dsbSm... Chcp c−p t]cpw IqSnbtÃSm... \ns¶ ]nSn¨Xv..?." " AÃ... Chtc Rm\n¸gm ImWp¶Xv..." Fssk ]ÃpISn¨p. ]pdIn \n¶ t]meokpImÀ¡v Nncn. ImcWw IWni¡mc\pw iqc\pamb C³kvs]ÎÀ tXm¡p¶Xv AhÀ¡nãambncp¶p. " FtSm... Xm\tà ]dªXv Chtc A¶p cm{Xn Hcp hm\n sh¨p Is−¶v.... AXo ho«nte h−nbtÃ..." C³kvs]ÎÀ _oÁp \n¶ t]meokpImct\mSmbn tNmZn¨p. " kÀ... C¸w ]dbmw... " t]meokpImc³ t]m¡Án \n¶pw Ubdn FSp¯p \¼À hmbn¨p. At¸mtgípw _me³ I¿nencp¶ BÀko _ps¡Sp¯v FsskbpsS I¿n sImSp¯p. " AXp R§sS h−osS \¼cÃ..." Rm³ ]dªp. " F¦nÂ..... F\níp \n§tf AdÌp sN¿msX h¿... \n§tf tÌj\n sh¨v H¶p tNmZyw sN¿m\p−v... thKw h−nbnteíp tIdWw..." " kmÀ.. F´p IpÁ¯n\mWp R§tf AdÌp sN¿p¶sX¶p ]dbWw... Asæn hmdâp thWw..." " hmdânÃmsX AdÌp sN¿mtam¶p Rms\m¶p t\m¡s«... ]ns¶ Pmayw thWsa¦n DSt\ GÀ¸mSp sNbvtXm... FtSm... Chtc c−p t]tcw ]nSn¨v Po¸ntem«p tIÁv..." C³kvs]ÎÀ IqsS h¶ t]meokpImtcmSp ]dªp. " Cu \m«n \nbtamw tImSXnbpw Hs−s¶mÅ Imcyw kmdp ad¶pt]mbo¶p tXm¶p¶p... R§tSw I¿nsemcp ISemskm−v... AsXm¶p t\m¡nbn«v _m¡n Bbntím... ]nt¶w kmdnhtc sIm−p t]mIpImsW¦n R§s¡XncnÃ.. _m¡n tImSXn t\m¡ntímfpw..." CSív A½ apt¶m«p Ibdn h¶p ]dªp. ]ns¶ I¿nencp¶ ap³IqÀ Pmay¯nsâ t]¸À A¿t¸«sâ I¿n sImSp¯p. A¿t¸«³ AXv C³kvs]Îtd ImWn¨p. AbmÄ AsXmt¶mSn¨p hmbn¨p t\m¡nbn«v ]ÃpISn¨p. Fssktb hnbÀ¡m³ XpS§nbncp¶p. " Mqqqw.. X¡mew \n§fp c£s]«p... F¶pIcpXn Cu tkmasâ I¿o¶p c£s]Smsa¶p hnNmcní−....aq¶nt\w Ipcp¡ms\mÅ hgnsb\nídnbmw..." AbmÄ FÃmhtcbpw {Ip²ambn H¶p t\m¡nbn«v Po¸n\Spt¯íp \S¶p. Po¸n Ibdp¶Xn\p ap¼v, Rm³ ASpt¯tímSn sN¶p hnfn¨p. " kmÀ..." " F´mtSm C\n... Xt¶ Rm³ sXmgtWm...?.....?.." " tZjys¸ScpXv.... Hct]£bp−v..." " ]dªp sXmesítSm..." " Hcp \nanjw... Aåw ko{I«m... Hcp \nanjw... ¹okv.... H¶p hcpthm...? " Po¸n\Sp¯p \n¶pw Rm\åw Zqsc amdn \n¶p. H¶p i¦n¨n«v Fssk FsâbSpt¯ív h¶p.

" Zbhmbn... kmsdm¶p XWp¡Ww.... F¶n«v Rm³ ]dbp¶Xpw IqSn H¶p tIÄ¡Ww... Ahcp s]mtíms«... Rm³ kmdnt\ tÌj\n hnSmw... " Fssk Ft¶ kq£ns¨m¶p t\m¡n. B s\Ánsbm¶p Npfnªp. Ft¶ t\m¡ns¡m−p Xt¶ Aåw Nn´n¨p. " kmÀ ¹okv... Hcp ]¯p an\n«v... Hcp sNdnb Imcyw ]dbm\m... " " Mqw... FtSm.. \n§fp tÌj\níp s]mtím.. Rm³ ht¶mfmw..." Fssk t]meokpImtcmSmbn ]dªp. Po¸p kltZht\bpw t]meokpImtcbpw sIm−v \o§n. Rm³ hfsc _lpam\t¯mSp IqSn Fssktb kzoIcW apdnbnteíp hnfn¨p. At¸mtgípw BÄ Aåw im´\mbncp¶p. Ccp¶n«v sXm¸n Ducn Sot¸mbnbn sh¨n«v Fssk tNmZn¨p. " F´m X\níp ]dbm\pÅXv...." " kmÀ, CXv ]gb ao³XcI³ tIihsâ hoSm... ap¯O\¸w {]mbamsb¦nepw C¸gpw ]gb ]nSn]mSpIÄ sImtdsbms¡sbm−v.... ]t£ R§Ä AXp apXseSp¡mdnÃ... C¶t¯t¸mse A{X AXymhiyanÃmsX..." " Mqw... Cbmfp ]S¸n X«msX Imcyw ]d..." " sicn... C¸w kmdns\´m th−Xv... Cu tIknte {]Xntb Hd¸níWw.. Btc.. Cu sNdp¡t\... Aht\ Hcp {]Xnbm¡n tIkp sXfnbn¨m, kmdn\p sNe¸w Hcp s{]mtamj³... ]t£.... AXpsIm−v aÁmÀs¡¦nepw {]tbmP\samt−m... in£ Ignªv Ah³ Xncn¨phcp¼w Ah³ kmdnsâ GÁhpw henb i{XphmIpw..... sNe¸w Hcp duUnbpamIpw.. Ahsâ IpSpw_w sX−ptIw sN¿pw... kmdn\p a\ÊnemIps¶mt−m...?.." " Mqw... Xm³ apgph³ ]d..." At¸mtgípw A½ sIm−ph¶ PyqskSp¯v Rm³ Fsskíp sImSp¯n«v XpSÀ¶p. " F´m Ah³ sNbvX IpÁw... Hcp t]¸«ntb sIm¶p.. AXp \à Imcyatà kmtd... Cu \m«n F{Xtbm \ÃbmfpItf sIm¶ tIkpIfv sXfnbmsX sIS¡p¶p... FgpXn¯Åocníp¶p.... CXpw A§s\ t]ms«t¶... ]ns¶ kmdnsâ s{]mtamj³... Cãw t]mse AÊ IpÁhmfnItf sXfnhp klnXw Rm³ Nq−n¡mWn¨p Xcmw.... ]nSnt¨m... thWsa¦n Fsâ ]ntÅcsS klmtbmw Xcmw..." " th− th−.... Xsâ Cu klmbw sIm−p Xt¶ aXnbmbn..." " Fsâ kmtd... AXp Rm\pw IqSn DÄs¸«XpsIm−tÃ... ]ns¶ F\ním ]mhw sN¡s\msSmcp tkm^vÁv tImÀWdpw... kmdnsâ s]§¡n«n§s\ Bsc¦nepw s]cpamdn sImÃpImsW¦n kmsd´p sN¿pw... sImÃpw... Ahsâ atÁXpw htc I−ns¨Sp¡pw CtÃ... ChnsSbpw At{X HÅp... " Rm³ AbmfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. Fssk Nn´ním³ XpS§n. " ]ns¶ Cu tIk{X Ffp¸w sXfnb¯nÃ... ZrIvkm£nbnÃ.. ]ns¶ Hcp \à h¡osems−¦n kwib¯nsâ B\pIqey¯n Ah³ c£s]Spw.... Asæn Rm³ c£s]Sp¯pw..." Fssk Fsâ apJt¯íp Xd¨p t\m¡n. " AtX kmtd... Rm\n¶p Xt¶ Aht\ Pmay¯nsed¡pw... F´ns\mcp alm]m]w hen¨p Xtet¡ÁWw...?.." " A¸w.... sIme]mXInIfp sImt¶¨p shekn \S¡s«¶mtWm Xm³ ]dbp¶Xv...?.." " AXp sIme]mXInIfv... Ch³.... C¸w PUvPnbm... Ahsâ s]§tf \in¸n¨p sIm¶Xn\p {^m©níp in£ hn[n¨ PUvPn... A§s\sbm¶p Nn´nt¨... ]ns¶..." Rms\m¶p \nÀ¯n. tkma³ Fsâ apJt¯íp Xs¶ t\m¡n Ccp¶p. " Aht\t¸msemÅhcp ImcWw kmdnt\ ssUthmgvkp sN¿psa¶p kmdnsâ anÊnkp ]dªntÃ... Ahtc H¶p kam[m\n¸n¨v t]Snsbms¡ amÁn Hcp \à k½mt\mw sImSp¯v hnfnt¨m−p hm... AXnsâ sNehp Rm³ hlnímw... ssIíqenbÃ.. Hcp k½m\w... kmÀ Fsâ At]£ kzoIcníp¶Xn\pÅ Fsâ Hcp \μn...." " A¸w scPnÌdp sNbvX tIkp Rms\´p sN¿psatSm... Fkv]ntbmSp Rms\´p kam[m\w ]dbpw..." " AXn\msc¦nepw Ahtc Ff¡nbmetà tNmZyw hcs¯mÅp.... Bsc¦nepw Ip¯ns¸m¡msX Hcp tIkpw apt¶m«p t]mI¯nÃ... CXn kÀ¡mcn\ÃmsX Ahsâ IpSpw_¯n\p t]mepw ]cmXnbnÃ.. AXp ]Xps¡ tXªp amªp s]mtímfpw..."

Pypkpw IpSn¨psIm−v Fssk Iptd BtemNn¨p. IÀ«\p adªv s]®p§Ä Fsâ {]`mjWw tI«p \n¡p¶p−mbncp¶p. A¿t¸«³ hmXn¡epw. " Xm³ ]dbp¶Xnepw Imcysam−v... ]t£ Ht¶mÀt¯mWw .. Xm\pw t]meokn tNcm³ t]mIphm..." " Cà kÀ.. Rm\m B{Klw Dt]£n¨p... Im¡nbnt«m−v F\níp \à a\pjytc AdÌp sNt¿−n hcpw... BhiyanÃmsX D]{Zhntí−n hcpw.... hyàn]cambn t\m¡nbm ImeWíp shebnÃm¯ cm{ãob¡mc³ Fsâ IbvshtÅ apdp¡n¯p¸pw.... bYmÀ° IpÁhmfnIÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n sImª\w Im«n c£s]Spw... C¸w F\nív kzmX{´ysam−v.... Bhiy¯n\p kzs¯m−v... AXpw t\m¡n A´Êmbn«p Igntªmfmw.." Fssk H¶p ZoÀLambn \nizkn¨p. " Mqw... Rms\m¶mtemNnís«.... Hcp IW¡n\p Xm³ ]dbp¶Xnepw Imcysam−v... GXmbmepw C¸w Xms\t¶ tÌj\ntems«m¶p hnt«cv..." Fsâ DÅn Hcp Ipfncp hoWp. a\:Êm£níp L\w IpdªXp t]mse Hcp emLhXzw. " FSm... kmdnt\mSv DuWp Ign¨n«p t]mIm¶p ]dsbSm..." IÀ«\p ]n¶n \n¶v A½ ]dªp. " th−.. ]ns¶bmImw... C\n... CXnsâ s]mdtI Rm³ Xqt§−n hcptam¶m F\níp kwibw..." " kmdp t]Sní−... Cu IpSpw_w F¶pw kmdnsâ klmb¯ns\m−mIpw.... Hcp an\n«v... Rms\m¶p sdUnbmbntíms«...."" Rm³ AI¯p t]mbn Ipd¨p ]Ww s]mXnsªSp¯p apdnbnteíp Ibdnbt¸mÄ ]pdsI A`nbpw h¶p. " Atëm... Abmfp hotWm...?.." " CÃ... Nmbm³ sXmS§os«m−v... h−ntb sh¨v _m¡n tUmkpIqSn sImSp¡Ww.. ]ns¶ Cu t\m«psI«pw... " " ]ns¶.... Rms\mcp Imcyw tNmZnt¨ms«...?..." Rm³ apJw Xncn¨v tNmZy`mh¯n Ahtf H¶p t\m¡n. Fsâ t\m«w I− AhfpsS apJ`mhw amdn. " At¿m... th− th−m... an−p¶nÃ.... C\n AXpw ]dsªt¶ Dt]£ním³..." F\níp Nncn h¶p. " AtÃepw \nsâ Xte ]n®m¡m... FSo \osbâ kz´w `mcybtÃ... s\\¡v tNmZním³ AhImiantÃ... s]s«¶§p hens¨dnbm³ \osb¶m.. ]gs©cn¸mtWm... ]ns¶.... tZjyw h¶ncníp¼w Rm\pw htÃmw ]dbpw... Mqw... C¸w F´m s\\¡dntb−Xv.... thKw ]d...?.." " Atëm... B tIsk´n\m HXp¡p¶Xv... IpÁw sNbvXht\ In«n... G«³ c£s]SptIw sNbvXp... ]ns¶´n\m...?.." " AXm \o a−nbm¶p ]dªv... Hcp I¼yq«dp ]Tn¯¡mcn..... FSo, Cu tIkp apt¶m«p t]mbm.. {][m\ km£n Rm\m... ]ns¶ Rms\§s\ km£nbmbn...?. F´n\hnsS t]mbo...? km£n¡q«n \níp¼w... CsXms¡ tNmZyw hcpw..... Fssk Ft¶ sh¨p samXseSp¡pw... Rm³ \mdpw sNe¸w XsÃt¶m.... aÀ±t\mt¶m ]dªv... IpSp§ptIw sN¿pw..." " Hm... a\Ênembn... F¶m thKw sNÃv.. ]ns¶tb... \ap¡v ASp¯mgv¨ KpcphmbqÀ¡p t]mWw.. Rm³ c−p Xpem`mcw t\À¶ns«m−v... " " AsX´n\mSo..." " IeymWw Igntª¸ns¶ G«³ a\:kam[m\t¯msS Hs¶md§o«nÃ... Ft´m im]w t]mse... {]iv\§fp Xt¶ F¶pw..." AhÄ F¯n¡p¯n Fsâ Ihnfn kvt\l]qÀhw D½ sh¨p. " AtXm... ]mep ]ncnbmXncnímt\m..?.. sImXn¨o... Mqw.. Rm³ t]mbn«p hcs«..." " F\ní§s\ sImXnsbm¶panÃ... thKw hctW... aWntb«³ h¶nt« Rm\p®s¯mÅp..." " k½Xnt¨...." Rm³ AhÄ¡pw Hcp½ sImSp¯p. Ct¸mÄ Fsâ IqsS Imdn Ibdp¶ C³kvs]ÎcpsSbpw, t\ct¯ ho«n h¶p Po¸n \n¶pw NmSnbnd§nb C³kvs]ÎdptSbpw apJ`mh§Ä X½n APKPm´cap−mbncp¶p.

Hcp hn[¯n C³kvs]Îsd ]dsªmXp¡n AbmfpsS ho«n t]mbn ]Whpw sImSp¯v ]ns¶ Abmtf tÌj\n hn«v _met\ h¡oensâ Hm^oknepw Cd¡n Xncn¨v ho«n h¶t¸mÄ kabw D¨bqWn\pw Im¸nípw CSímbn. ho«nse¯pt¼mÄ ap³hmXn AS¨n«ncp¶p. DÅn \n¶pw Hcp ]m«pw I¿Snbpw tIÄ¡mw. hfsc Npcp¡amtb ho«n Sohobpw tS¸psams¡ shímdpÅp. Rm³ h¶Xn\ptijamWp \à Hcp ayqknIvknÌw hm§n knÁn§v dqan sh¨Xv, Hce¦mcw F¶p am{Xw. t\ct¯ Hcp sNdpXp−mbncp¶p. Ct¸mÄ AsXsâ s_Uvdqan tai¸pd¯ncn¸p−v. Rm³ t]mepw AXp tI«n«nÃ. Rm³ hmXn Xpd¡msX knÁn§vvdqansâ hi¯pÅ P\en IqSn F¯nt\m¡n. tS¸n \n¶pw Dbcp¶ ]m«n\\pkcn¨v A`n \r¯w shíp¶p. Iebpw A½bpw IbvsIm«n XmfanSp¶p. \mK½ tkm^bpsS ]pdIn \n¶v I−p ckníp¶p. " \oe¡®m...\ns¶¡−p... KpcphmbqÀ \Sbn HmS¡pgen³ \mZw tIÄt¡.. kvt\l¡Sembn Rm³... ]etImSnP·ambn \nt¶t¯Sn Aebp¶q C¶nXm Rm³ [\ybmbo..." tS¸vknÌw hm§nbt¸mÄ IS¡mc³ kuP\yambn X¶ ImkÁpIfnsem¶v. Hcní Rm³ Cu ]m«p tI«n«p−v. kn\nabn Cu ]m«n\p \r¯w sNbvXXv hnμpP. Ct¸mÄ F\ntímÀ½ h¶Xv Pm³knsâ ho«n sh¨v I− hnμpPm tat\msâ Hcp KÄ^v t{]m{Kmambncp¶p. AXn hnμpP \r¯¯nsâ ckw tIdn aq¯v ]mhmS Achtc s]m¡nbncp¶p. AXv hoUntbm{Km^À ]Áp¶nSt¯mfw ASnbn \n¶pw FSp¯ncp¶p. Cu ]m«p tIÄ¡pt¼mÄ t{]m{Kman \r¯w sNbvX hnμpPbpsS shÅXpSIfmWp a\ÊntetímSn hcnI. CSív IetamÄ Fsâ Xesh«w I−p. Rm³ I®S¨p ImWn¨p. A½ A`ntb¯t¶ t\m¡n t{]mÂkmln¸níp¶p. kmcn¯p¼v hen¨v FfnbnseSp¯p Ip¯n ImåmZ§Ä Xmf¯n\p th−n Xdbn Ip¯pt¼mÄ B Dcps−mXp§nb \nX_§Ä AXn\\pin¨v hnd¨p XpÅp¶p. AXp t\m¡n\n¡m³ \à ckw. Ibvs]m¡pt¼mÄ B Cfw\oe »uknsâ I£§Ä hnbÀ¯v \\ªncníp¶p. AXp I−t¸mÄ DÅnepd§nb GtXm hnImcw Xe s]m¡n. Fsâ a\Ên Hcp Xos¸mcn ]mdn. tImtfPnepw _knepsams¡ sh¨v ImWp¶ sNdp¸¡mcnIfpsS hnbÀ¯ I£§Ä F¶pw Fsâsbmcp _elo\Xbmbncp¶p. s]s«s¶m¶p Id§nb AhÄ Fsâ apJw I−p. AhÄ A¸msS Ft¶ t\m¡n \n¶p. ]ns¶ \mWw sIm−v apJw Npfnªp. " At½ aWn¡p«³...." AhtfmSns¨¶p hmXn Xpd¶p. sNdpXmbn«p InXíp¶p. " F´mSo ChnsS Hcp Um³kpw ]m«psams¡... ?.. hey kt´mj¯nemWtÃm... tM..?.." " H¶qÃ... G«³ t]mbn¡gnª¸w Fsâ a\Ên Ft´m Hcmizmkw. At¶cw Np½m h¶o tS¸n«p. F\nsím¯ncn CtãmÅ ]m«m CXv... Rm\pw Itew IqSn Np½m CXns\m¸n¨v Um³kp sNbvXns«m−v.... ho«nte tS¸p ]q¯p t]mbn.... AtXmsS R§sS Um³kpw \n¶p t]mbn...." " ]ns¶´m...\nÀ¯nbXv... Rm³ ImWt−...?.." " F\níp \mWmbnt¸mbn..." AhÄ H¶p IpWp§ns¡m−½tb t\m¡n. " t]mbns«´msbSm...?..FSn \mKt½, tNmsdSp¯p shív... Chfp \o hct«¶pw ]dªncníphmcp¶p. " A½ tNmZn¨p. " Hcp hn[¯n X¡met¯símXp§n... B sNdp¡t\ Pmay¯nsed¡m³ ]dªns«m−v... B, Ietamtf R§¡p tNmsdm¶p shf¼ntbcv... A`o \obnt§ms«m¶p ht¶..." " F´n\m.. tN«m....?..." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " ]dbmw... \o ht¶..." Rm³ Ahtfbpw hen¨psIm−v t\tc R§fpsS s_Uvdqanse¯n hmXneS¨p XgpXn«p. Ahtf ]nSn¨p I«nen aeÀ¯n InS¯n. " At¿... CsX´m...?... C¸gmtWm... AhchnsSsbms¡ Ht−... " Rm³ AhfpsS kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw Acbnteíp hen¨p s]m¡n. " Ftâ«m... t\cw H¶ncp«ntíms«t¶... CsX´p h«m... Rms\§pw t]mWnÃtÃm.... lm... Ahsc´p hnNmcnípw.... thtd katbm−tÃm... hnSt¶... "

AhÄ¡p \mWhpw H¸w Nncnbpw ]pf¨nepw. AhÄ kmcn Xmgv¯m³ {ian¨p. Rms\m¶pw {i²nímsX kmcn _eambn s]m¡nsh¨p. ]ns¶ Acs¡«nte B tX³ Iq«nteíp apJw Ip¯n. XpSIÄ hen¨I¯n. F¶n«v AhnSt¯ KÔw Bªp hens¨Sp¯p. AtX Xo£vWamb KÔw. icocw NqSmIpt¼mÄ AhfpsS Ac¡q«nte \mUoRc¼pIÄ hn\ykn¸níp¶ {]tXyI hnbÀ¸p{kh¯nsâ elcn ]nSn¸níp¶ B Xo£vWKÔw. CWtb hnfn¨phcp¯p¶ am{´nIKÔw. " Blm.... lmbv... AXp Xt¶... AtX aWw..." Rm³ AhfpsS ISn{]tZit¯ tcma¡q«nteíp apJw Ip¯n¡nS¶psIm−p ]dªp. " F´p aWw... hnbÀs¯m«n \mimbncníp¶nSs¯t´m¶n{X kpKÔw..?.. F´p h«m CXv...?.. " AhÄs¡mcp ]nSnbpw In«nbnÃ. Rm³ c−p IbvsIm−pw B ]qÀ¡osdm¶p sNdpXmbn Xpd¶p. \\ªp Nph¸mÀ¶ AXn\pÅnte B kpKÔhpw AhfpsS ]p¯³ hnbÀ¸nsâ aWhpw IqSn Rm³ hens¨Sp¯p. Fsâ Xeíp a¯p ]nSn¨p. Ip® s]m§n. AhnsS B aWw In«nsbSs¯ms¡ Rm³ AaÀ¯n D½ sh¨p. BZyw FXnÀ¸pw \mWhpw {]ISn¸n¨ AhÄ AtXmsS AS§n. AhfpsS kzÀ¤hmXnente kpKÔw D½IÄ sIms−m¸nsbSp¡p¶ Fsâ apSnbn AhÄ XgpIn. ]ns¶ Ahfpw AXmkzZním³ XpS§n. Rm\hnsS B IhnSp¡nte NqSn apJw ]qgv¯n Aåt\cw InS¶p. " F´m..?.. F´p ]Ánbn¸w....... Igntªm NqSv..." Fsâ A\¡w \n¶t¸mÄ AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Mqlpw.. sImd¨qsS In«ms\m−v..." Rm\hfpsS AIw XpSIfn D½ sh¨p. " aXntb«m... Fgpt¶tÁ.... Rm³ tasem¶p IgpIt«...?... H«p¶p...." " ths−So.... \nsâ ]p¯³shbÀ¸nsâ CSn¨ptIdp¶ aWsam−tÃm.. A¶p \osb\nsímcp jÍn X¶nÃmcpt¶m.. A¶p samXep Rm³ AXp X¸n \S¡phmcp¶p... H¶qsS H¶p In«m³... C¸gm AXp In«nbXv... tZ \o It−m..." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp. ]ns¶ ap−p s]m¡n jÍn Xmgv¯n. ]qf¡ng§p t]mse \n¶p hndíp¶ Ip® AhÄ¡p Im«ns¡mSp¯p. " Fâoizcm... CsXs´mcp adnambw... _m¡nsbmtÅmÀ¡p shbÀ¸p\mÁw tI«m a\w adnípw... ChnsSsbmcmÄsS... apÅp¶ kq{Xw _ew sh¨p s]m§pw.... AXnsâ B Ff¡w.. I−ntÃ..." ew_ambn Ahtf t\m¡n Xe sh«níp¶ Ip®¨mtc kq£n¨pt\m¡ns¡m−v AhÄ kmcn t\scbn«n«v I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp. Fsâ ASp¯p h¶v Kpemt\ ]nSn¨v hnizmkw hcm¯t]mse sR¡nt\m¡n. " F§s\m−v...?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F\níp hnizkním³ ]ÁWnÃ.... Fsâ aq{XZzmc¯nte shbÀ¸paWw ASn¨mÂ... CXn§s\ hoÀ¡pthm... A¸w BWp§¡n§s\bmtWm s]m§p¶Xv...?.. Mqw...?..." AhÄ Aht\ sR¡n Ahsâ _ew ]cntim[n¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " B... aÁpsÅmcsS Imcyw F\nídnb¯nÃ... F\níp \nsâ kmam\¯nte aWw In«Ww..... C¸w ASn¨§p tIÁm³ tXm¶p¶p... \ap¡p \½sS samd C¸w sXmS§nbmtem..?.." Rm³ Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p. Kpem³ AhfpsS hbÁ¯p Ip¯n \n¶p. AhÄ Aht\ ]nSn¨v HccnInteíp sNcn¨p \nÀ¯nbn«p ]dªp. " Ft´m¶m Fsâ s]m¶p sX½mSo Cu¸tdtW... Rm\nsXmscS¯pw sIm−p t]mIp¶nÃ... AsXsâ ImensâtS¯t¶ ImWpw... C¶p cm{Xn... `qtemIw CSnªp hoWmepw sicn... Fsâ Ip«sâ sImXn XoÀ¯nt« Hd§s¯mÅp.... CSn¨p tIÁptIm... Ip¯ns¯md¡ptIm... F¶m thtWepw sNbvtXm... C¸w Xmtgíp t]mImw... Ft¶w hent¨mt−mSnb¸w At½w Itew hmbpw s]mfn¨p \nípImcp¶p... Ahcp tNmZn¨m Ft´m¶m ]dbp¶Xv... \mWt¡Sv... AXpw ]«m¸Iet¯ Hcp ]qXn..." AhÄ Fsâ Np−nsemcp½ sh¨n«v Ft¶ XÅn amÁn. ]ns¶ Kpemt\ Nq−ns¡m−p ]dªp. " tZ ...B sIm¨pIp«t\ FSp¯v \n¡dn\I¯nSv... F¶n«v samJw IgpIv... samJ¯n¨nsc atWm−v... AhÀ¡p kwibw tXm¶−..." " Ft¶s¡m−v Aht\ C\n Xncn¨v tIÁm³ ]Á¯nÃ... thsW¦n \o Xt¶ FSp¯I¯p XÅnshív... ]ntÅÀ¡p sImtdsbms¡ kzmX{´yw sImSp¡Ww..." " slm.. Fsâsbmcp ]mSv..."

AhÄ BZyw \n¶psIm−v Aht\ Iotgm«p Xmgv¯m³ t\m¡n. Rm³ _ew ]nSn¨p. Ah³ A\§nbnÃ. " sÈSm.. Ch\n¶p `b¦c \nÀ_Ô_p²nbmWtÃm... AsX´m G«m... A§s\...?.." AhÄ \ne¯p Ip¯nbncp¶v Aht\ Xmgv¯m³ t\m¡n. " \nsâ B KÔw ASn¨Xm sImg¸mbsX¶m tXm¶pt¶... C\n Aht\w IqsS B hmk\ ASn¸n¨mte Ah\S§s¯mÅp... AXm Cu sIm¨p]ntÅcsS kz`mhw.." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... Np½m X«nhnSpIm... Rm\nXp t\ct¯ I−n«nÃm¶p sh¨p A§s\b§p Ifnbm¡psIm¶pw th− sIt«m... " AhÄ jÍn Xmtgíp Xmgv¯n sh¨p. ]ns¶ Aht\ _ew ]nSn¨v Xmtgm«aÀ¯n. " CsX´m IÃpt]membtÃm... CsX´p ]Án... AtXm CXn§s\bmtWm...kz`mhw...?... " AhÄ Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡n. Ahfdnbp¶pt−m AhfpsS I¿psS NqSp sNÃpt´mdpw Ahsâ _ew IqSpIbmsW¶v. " tamtf... \o Aht\mSn¯ncn ab¯n s]cpamdv... C¯ncn kvt\tlms¡ ImWnív... Hcp½sbms¡ sImSv... Ah³ A\pkcnípw... ]ntÅtcmSv abw thWw... \tbmw...." " Mqw... F´n\m C¸w Cu s]mÃm¸ns\ms¡ t]mbXv...?.." AhÄ Aht\ I¿nseSp¯p. tatem«m¡nbt¸mÄ Ahsâ sXmen ]pdtIm«p t]mbn. " At¿m... sXm«nÃ... AXn\p apt¼ tZs− sXmenªpw t]mbn... C\n CXp aqStWm¦n... ]mSp s]SWw..." AhÄ Ahsâ sXmenª sXmen hen¨p aqSm³ t\m¡n. ]IpXn Iãn¨p aqSn. an\pktadnb B X¡mfn¯e ]IÂ{]Imi¯n sh«n¯nf§n. \à ISpwNph¸p \nd¯n Ahsâ Xe hoÀ¯p \n¶p. Ahfht\ sasà Xmtemením\pw XgpIm\pw XpS§n. " Fsâ s]m¶p tam\tÃ... H¶S§v.... A½ cm{Xo F¶m thtWepw Xcmw... C¸w \osbm¶I¯p tIdv... CsÃte... XmsgsbmtÅmcp R§tf Ifnbm¡pw... Fsâ s]m¶p tam\tÃ... " AhÄ Ahsâ sam«¯ebn D½ sh¨p. ]ns¶ sasà Aht\bmIam\w XgpIm³ XpS§n. Ahsâ Xe Np−nen«pc¨p. F\nímsI tImÄabnÀ tIdn. Xmtemení IqSpwtXmdpw AhfpsS kzc¯n hyXymkw. Aht\ jÍníI¯p tIÁp¶XhÄ ad¶p t]mbXp t]mse. AhÄ Ahsâ HÁI®n D½ sh¨p. Rm\dnbmsX H¶p sR«n. Rm³ Ip\nªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ Ahsâ HÁ¡®n \n¶pw Dudnh¶ Hcp XpÅn tX³ \m¡nsâ AÁw sIm−v sXms«Sp¡p¶p. AhfpsS hnNmcw Rm³ t\m¡p¶nsömbncp¶p. ho−pw AhÄ sIm¨pIp«ntbt¸mse Ahsâ AÁ¯p sR¡nbn«v Dudn¡qSnb XpÅn \¡nsbSp¯p cpNn¨p. Ahsâ Xebn AhÄ sasà \m¡p sXm«p. Ft¶ AÛpXs¸Sp¯ns¡m−v AhÄ Ahsâ Xebn \mhpsIm−pgnªp. Fsâ Acs¡«n Rc¼pIÄ s]m«ns¯dnípsa¶p tXm¶n. e£Ww I−n«v AhÄ Aht\ hmbn FSp¡psa¶p tXm¶p¶p. AhÄ Xs¶¯m³ ad¶p. Rm³ hnNmcn¨t]mse Xt¶ bm{´nIambn AhÄ Ahsâ Xe hmbnem¡n. ]ns¶ \mhpsIm−v Ahsâ Xeíp NpÁpw Dgnªp t\m¡n. NqSp hmbnte B Dgn¨n Ft¶ ]cakzÀ¤¯n tIÁn. " tlm.. Fsâ tamtf..." Rm³ AdnbmsX I®S¨psIm−v ]dªp t]mbn. s]s«¶hÄ Aht\ hmbn \ns¶Sp¯p. " F´n\m tamtf \obht\ hmbos¶Sp¯Xv... \nsâ a®n¡p«\p \à kpJmcp¶p tamtf.." AhÄ sasà Fgpt¶Áp. kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw Iq«n s]m¡n XmSnínSbn ]nSn¨p sh¨p. Hcp Im Ih¨p\n¶p. F¯n¡p¯n s]m§n \n¶n«v tXm¡p t]mse \n¶ Ip®sbSp¯hfpsS Ih¡nSbnteív sh¨p. Rm\åw Ip\nªp sImSp¯p. ]qf¡ng§p NpSm³ th−n Nmc¯n ]qgv¯n shíp¶Xp t]mse AhÄ Aht\ D]tbmKn¨v AhfpsS tbm\o hnShI¯n. AXn\I¯v Ipg¼p ]cphambncp¶p. Ip®¯e AXn\pÅn sX¶ns¯¶n \S¶p. arZpeamb I´n AhÄ Ahsâ Xe H¶p {]mhiyw Dc¨p. Aht\ B hnShn ]Ámhp¶nSt¯mfw tNÀ¯p sh¨p ImeSp¸n¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ tXmfnteíp Xq§n. Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ B I®pIÄ ]mXn ASªncp¶p. Np−pIÄ ]nfÀ¶ncp¶p. hnImcw sIm−hÄ hndíp¶p−mbncp¶p. AhÄ Fsâ Np−n Np−pIÄsIm−pc¨n«p sasà a{´n¨p. " G«m... Ftâ«m... \ap¡n¸w Fs´¦nepw sN¿mw..."

" tamÄ¡p ckwtIdntbm....?.." AtX kzc¯n Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F\níhnsS BsI t\mhp¶p G«m... Fsâ Ipdp¼mSp hen¨pIodm³ tXm¶pIm...Mqw..." ImepIÄ Cdp¡n Ip® AhfpsS tbm\nbn sh¨ndp¡ns¡m−v AhÄ Fsâ Np−pIÄ hen¨pIpSn¨p. AhÄ¡p \nb{´Ww hns«¶p tXm¶n. F¦n sNbvtX¡mw. C¸gmsW¦n AhfpsS koep s]m«nbm Adnb¯p t]mepanÃ. " F¶m tamfp sIS¡v... hm... I«nte sIS¡v...." " Hm... F\níp hs¿tâ«m.. Mqw... " R§Ä A§s\ Xt¶ I«nen\cnInteíp \o§n. AhÄ Acs¡«v A\nb{´nXambn A\¡ns¡m−ncp¶p. I«nen\cnInse¯nb AhfpsS ImepIÄ sa¯tb kv]Àin¨t¸mÄ Kpem³ AhfpsS IhínSbn \n¶pw Ducnt¸mbn. AhÄ I«nenteíp aeÀ¶p InS¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ t\tc Ibv \o«n. ImamÀ¯bmb bphXnbpsS Zmlw Rm\m I®pIfn I−p. AI¯nb ImepIÄ¡nSbn hoÀ¯p hnPrw`n¨v hnSÀ¶p Xnf§p¶ tbm\n¨p−pIÄ Ft¶ t\m¡n aμlkníp¶Xp t]mse. Ah hndíp¶pt−m F¶phtc F\níp kwibw. C{Xbpw hnImchXnbmbn Rm\htf BZyw ImWpIbmbncp¶p. Fsâ t\À¡p I¿pbÀ¯nbt¸mÄ B I£§fnte »uknsâ \\ª ]mSv Fsâ a\Ênte hnImct¯ ho−pw Cf¡n. Ahtf ]ncn tIÁnsb¦nepw B kμÀ`¯n F\níhfpsS koep s]m«ním³ XmåcyanÃmbncp¶p. ImcWw AXp IgnªpÅ Imcy§Ä Fsâ a\ÊntemSnsb¯n. Xmsg tNmdp hnf¼n hntij§fdnbm³ Im¯ncníp¶ A½. IgpI³ I®pIfpambn R§tf t\m¡nbncníp¶ IetamÄ. Ft¸mgpw Ft¶ \mWw sIm−p XSbp¶ AhÄ Cs¶t¶ £Wníp¶p. Ct¸mÄ F\níp \mWw. Rm³ Ip\nªv B Np−pIÄ AaÀ¯n Npw_n¨p. Ahsfsâ Igp¯n Ibv tImÀs¯s¶ AhÄsS tateíp hen¨p. " tamtf... Xmsg Ahcp Im¯ncníphm... \½fp®m³ th−n..." " \½¡p ]ns¶ D®mw... C¸w G«³ hm..." AhÄ Fsâ Np−pIfn a{´n¨p. " C¸w th− tamtf... \maw P]n¨nÃ... ]mep IpSn¨nÃ... A½...Xmsg..." s]s«¶hÄ Ft¶ H¶p kq£n¨p t\m¡n Fsâ apJw AI¯n amÁn Fsâ I®pIfnteíp ho−pw t\m¡n. AhÄs¡mcp hn{`mXn t]mse. AhÄ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. XpWnIÄ hen¨v Ih¡nSbpw ImepIfpw aqSn. Ahsfsâ t\tc Ibv \o«n. Rm\htf Fgpt¶Â¡m³ klmbn¨p. " tkmdn aWntb«m... Rm³ F\nív..." AhÄ s\Án Xncp½ns¡m−v Xe IpSªp. " F´m tamtf...?..." " At¿... Rms\´m Cu ImWnt¨...tÈym... F\níp h¿..." AhÄ I«nen \n¶pw NmSnsbgpt¶Áv _mXvdqanteíp t]mbn. Rm³ ]pdtI sN¶p. AhÄ apJ¯p XWp¯ shÅw tImcn HgnípIbmbncp¶p. " Fsâ s]m¶p tamfpsS thsdmcp apJw Rm³ Is−So.. " " sÈ... F\nsí´m ]Ántb... tÈym.. Rm³... Fsâ aWntb«m H¶pw tXm¶tÃ....... " AhÄ Fâv Npaen Npw_n¨psIm−p At]£m kzc¯n ]dªp. " F´p tXm¶m³...?..." " sO... shdpw Xcw Xmgv¶ s]®p§tft¸mse Rm³..." " Aà tamtf... \o Hcp bYmÀ° s]®nt\t¸mse C¸gm H¶p s]cpamdnbXv.... \o sIm¨pIp«t\ jÍníI¯p tIÁm³ Ip¯nbncp¶Xm... _m¡nhtÃmw s\\t¡mÀ½sbmt−m...?..." Rm³ AhÄ¡p tXmÀs¯Sp¯p sImSp¯p " Mqw... H−v... Aht\ sXm«p XgpInb¸w F\nsít´m Hcp shi¸p t]mse... ]ns¶...]ns¶...F\níht\ F´p sN¿W¶p ]nSnbnÃmsXbmbn... Aht\ A§p Xn¶W¶p htc tXm¶n...At¿... sÈ... F\nsí´p ]ÁnbXmsW¶m Rmt\mÀ¡pt¶..." AhÄ Fsâ Is¿Sp¯hfpsS Ihnfn tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p. B Ihnfn sasà XgpIns¡m−p Rm³ ]dªpsImSp¯p. " F\nídnbmw tamtf..... Znhk§fmbn \o Im¯ncníp¶ Hcp aplqÀ¯w... Dd§mtXw D®mtXw... CcníphÃmcpt¶m... ]ns¶ a\Êp shjan¨pw Ie§nbpw Ccp¶XtÃ... AXm.. s\\¡§s\ tXm¶nbXv... \mWní−.. F¶pw \o C§s\ Xt¶ thWw... Hcp atdw th−... a\Êp sXmd¶v FÃmw sXmd¶v... C¸w a\Ênemtbm.. Ftf½ípw F´m ]ÁnbsX¶v..." " Mqw... sicnbmcnípw... " AhÄ BßKXw t]mse ]dªp.

" hm \ap¡p Xmtgíp sNÃmw... C¸¯t¶ H¯ncn kabmbn.... s\\¡dntbm....GXp s]®n\pw CXpt]msemcp apJsam−v... AXp ]nSn¨v ]qgv¯n sh¨ncnípItà FÃmcpw... " Rm³ AhfpsS I®n Npw_n¨p. " G«³ apJw IgpInbnÃ... aW¡pw..." " Hm.. B aWw C¨nsc AhnsSbncpt¶ms«... \o Ipªptamtf Ipfn¸nt¨m... CtÃen¸w XpWn apgph\pw Hen¸n¨p shípw... " " Hen¸nt¨ms« ... F\níXn¸w Cãm... thtW¦nÂ... DuWp Igo¼w Hcp a[pc¯n\p thtW aWntb«\p \¡n¡pSnímw..." ]dªn«hÄ s]m«n¨ncn¨p. " A¼So.. C¸w \o sXmd¶Sníym.... Bt«... s\\¡p Rm³ sh¨ns«m−v.... DusWm¶p Igntªms«..." ]pdt¯índ§nb AhfpsS Ip−nIfn Rms\mcp X«p sImSp¯p. AhÄ InWp§ns¡m−v hfªp. s]m«n¨ncn¨psIm−v sNÃpt¼mÄ tKmhWn¯msg IetamÄ. " AXp sicn, irwKcním\msW¦n... F´n\m B tNmdpw Idow FSp¯p sh¨v XWp¸nípt¶...." AhÄ Ir{Xna tZjyw \Sníp¶p. " \osb´n\m F¸gpw R§sS s]mdtI \S¡pt¶... ?.." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " AtX.... kmdnsâ s]mdtI ChnSmcpw \S¡p¶nÃ... Cu tN¨osS Imcyw Fs¶bm FÃmcpw G¸n¨ncnípt¶... hm tN¨o... h¶p htÃmw Ignív... F{X t\cmbn«v shi¶ncníphm... {]mW\mYt\w Im¯v..." " \o t]mSo.." A`n A\nb¯nbpsS Ihnfn H¶p Ingp¡n. " Mqw... \S¡s« \S¡s«... Hmtcmcp¯csS tbmKw.... C\n F\nsí¶mtWm C§s\mcp tbmKw...?.." " F´p tbmKmSo s\\¡p th−Xv... " Hcp ]¸SsaSp¯p ISn¨psIm−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " aWntb«m... Cu s]®nt\w IqS§p sI«n¨p hnSmw... shdptX F´n\m... kvIqfnte s_©n\p `mcambn«v..." A`n Fsâ s¹bnÁnteíp IdnIÄ hnf¼p¶Xn\nSbn ]dªp. " A§\§p ]dªpsImSv... `À¯mhn\p t_m[w hcs«..." Ie ]dªp. " Fsâ Ifnat®.. . FsÊÂko ^Ìv ¢mknse¦nepw ]mÊmImsX... \ns¶ sI«níp¶ {]iv\anÃ...." Rm³ ]dªp. " Fâoizcm... A¸w F\níp ametbmKansÃt¶m... ]nt¶tb.... th−Xv th− kab¯v sNbvXntÃ... Rm³ hÃhtâw IqsS Fd§nt¸mIpw... Rm\o tN¨osS Iq«v s]c s\dªp \ní¯nà ]dtª¡mw..." " F¦n A¶v \ntâw... Ahtâw Ahkm\am..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Aà tamtf... N½´nsb´ntb...?.. Rmt\«\p th−n H−m¡nbXm..." A`n tNmZn¨p. " B Rms\§pw I−nÃ... AhsS I−sXms¡ s]dp¡n s\c¯os«m−v..." Ie Ibv aeÀ¯n. " Rm\n¸w sIm−p hcmth... G«³ sXmS§ntím..." " th−So... \obn§p hm... CsXms¡ aXn..." A`n amdnb DSt\ Ie Fsâ ASp¯p h¶p. " C{X s]s«¶p Imcyw km[nt¨m...?.. Fs´mcp [rXnbmcp\p... GXm−v AÁ¯p h¶p \níp¶Xp t]meÃmcpt¶m sI«ntbmtfw hent¨mt−mSnbXv... A½mbníp t]mepw Nncn h¶p.... Hcn¯ncn \nb{´tWms¡ tht−... AXpw ]Iev...." " F´p Imcym.... km[níms\mÅXv...?.." " ^Ìv \bnÁv...?.." " AXp \o At¶ H¸n¨ntÃ... C\n F\nsít´m¶p ^Ìv \bnÁv... \o BhiyanÃm¯ Imcy§sfm¶pw C\n Adnb−....CSs]S−....tI«tÃm..." Rm³ hnNmcn¨p, AhtfmsSm«p tZjys¸Sm\pw h¿. F´p sN¿mw A_²¯n ho«n sh¨v AhfpsS I£¯n sIm−p Xe sh¨p sImSp¯p t]mbntÃ. C\n Ahtfw t]SníWw. AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbnteíp apJaSp¸n¨p. " Hm tI«p..... Ct§m«p t\m¡v....\½sS ^Ìv \bnÁv Ignªp... F¶mepw B ]mhw A`nt¨¨otS IgnªnÃtÃm... " " s\\s¡§s\bdnbmw... R§sS Imcy§fv...?.. \o \nsâ ]mSp t\m¡v s]t®..." Fsâ apJt¯íp Aåw IqSn apJaSp¸n¨n«v AhÄ apJw Npfn¨p.

" lpw... AtX shbÀ¸p aWw... AXp sicn.... C¸gpw ImSn¡e¯n tam´bnSm³ t]mbXmcp¶p... AtÃ... A¸w _m¡nsbms¡ C\n F¶t¯ím... Cu samJw H¶p IgpIntb¨v h¶p tNmdp−p IqtS... C§s\mcp hr¯nsI« t]m¯v... lpw..." " F´p aWw... Rm³ shbÀ¯Xm...Ipfn¨nÃ...." " ]ns¶ ]ns¶... tN¨osS shbÀ¸nsâ aWw F\nídnbm¯ t]mse.... C§s\ \¡ow sXmS¨pw A§p Ignbm\mtWm.. tZ....C¶v Imcyw km[nt¨mWw... CtàRm\§p tIdn hcpw..." " F¦n \o XÃpw sImÅpw...." Rm\hfpsS AIw XpSbn Ip−n tNÀs¯mcp \pÅp sImSp¯p. " lhq... F\níp s\m´p tIt«m.. AXpw th−ms¯St¯ Ibv sNÃs¯mÅq... hr¯nsI« Imf..." " F´mSo... tN«s\bmtWm hnfn¨Xv..." N½´n¸m{Xhpambn At§m«p h¶ A`n tNmZn¨p. " Aà tN¨o... Blmcw I−m HSt\ Ia¶p hogpw Ibv t]mepw IgpI¯nÃ... AXpsIm−p ]dªXm..." Ie F¶ns«t¶ t\m¡n KqVambn Nncn¨p. " CXm anIvkosS FSímtcm sIm−p sh¨ncnímcp¶p.... sÈm... Bcpw Iq«n¡mW¯nÃ. \à N½´n... aWntb«sâ {]nbs¸« N½´nbm..." AhÄ Iptd tImcn Fsâ s¹bnÁnen«p. " aXn... \obncnív... " Rm³ A`ntb ]nSn¨v IqsSbncp¯n. " shf¼ns¡mSps¡So.. tN¨ntb t\m¡m³ h¶n«v... hmbn t\m¡n \níphmtWm..." Rm³ IetbmSp ]dªp. " Hm... ]nt¶... Rm\nhnSt¯ the¡mcnsbm¶paÃ... shf¼ns¡mSp¡ptIm... XoÁníptIm.. F´m¶m sN¿v... Rm³ t]mWp..." Ahtf Rms\m¶p t\m¡n. AhÄ A`n ImWmsX Ft¶ sImª\w ImWn¨n«nd§nt¸mbn. F¦nepw A`n AXp I−p. AhÄ tNmdpw IdnIfpw AhÄs¡Sp¡pt¼mÄ ]dªp. " aWntb«m... tZ... Cu s]®nt\ C§s\ Ifow Xamtiambn«p hn«m ]ÁptIe tIt«m...." " Gbv... \à kvIqfn sNÃp¼w... AhÄ Xmt\ ]Tnt¨mfpw... ]ns¶... \nâOs\gpXv... Cu Bgv¨ CXnte hcm³... A¿t¸«³ ChnSSp¯v Hcp hoSp I−p sh¨ns«m−v... H¶p h¶p ImWm³ ]d... Ftft½w Iq«ntímfm³ FgpXv..." " Mqw.... FgpXmw... Atà\a¡v ho«n htc H¶p t]mbmtem..." AhÄ Fsâ apJ¯p t\m¡n. " Btc ImWm\m AhnsS..." " Btcw ImWm\Ã... F¶mepw... \½sS sXmSow.. ]tg... Cep¼n¸pfow...tXm«pIShpw Hs¡.. HmÀ¡p¼w... Hcp... Hcp... CXv... t]mse...." " A¸w Cep¼n¸pfn s\\t¡mÀ½sbm−v... AtÃ...." " FSíp Rm\§p ad¶Xmcp¶p... ]ns¶ CSív....aWntb«³ Ht¶mÀ½n¸n¨ntÃ... Rm\Xp ]pÃpshebmbn«p ]dsª¦nepw ]ns¶tbmÀ¯¸w sXmen Dcnbpambncp¶p.... Fsâ AsXms¡ Cu Ių sicnípw I−ns«m−tÃm¶v..." " AtXm... \o ]−p hc¨ t]mse B ItÃencp¶p shůntem«p ]Sw hcíWw AXn\mtWm...?... ?.." " AXn\p Rm³ ItÃencp¶p ]Sw hcs¨¶mcp ]dªp....?.." AhÄ sIdphnsâ kzc¯n ]dªp. " Bcpw ]db−tÃm... Rm³ t\cn«p I−ns«mÅXtÃ...." " tM.. AsX¸gm...? aWntb«³ ho«n ht¶¸ns¶ F\nsímcp t]Snbmcp¶p.... IShnse§m\pw hs¶mfn¨p t\m¡pthm¶v... AtXm−v... Rm\§s\sbm¶pw sNbvXn«nÃtÃm..." " Hm...Hcp t]Sn¡mcn.... F¶n«m... aqfn¸m«pw ]mSn ¹mhnsâ tNm«nev..." " At¿... sÈm.. AsXmcp hÃm¯ FS]mSmbnt¸mbn..... F¶mepw B t\c¯v ¹mhnsâ tamfn D®nIrjvW³ tIdnbncp¶ t]mse Cu Ių Ccníphm¶mcdnªp.... IeymWw Hd¸níp¶ htc... F\nsís´mcp shjaamcps¶t¶m..." AhÄ N½´n ap¡n Hcpcpf Fsâ hmbnteíp sh¨p X¶p. " A¸w IeymWw Hd¸n¨¸tgm...?.."

" Hm.. ]ns¶ F´mbmse´m... Fsâ FÃmw t\cn ImWm³ t]mW Bftöp hnNmcn¨p... C¶m.... Cu Ahnbep Iqs«t¶... \à ao³ In«nbnÃ.... AXpsIm−v C¶v ]¨¡dnbms«¶p sh¨Xm... " " A¸w Rm³ ht¶¸ns¶ \o tXm«pItàH¸n¨n«nÃm...?." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÄ Ft¶ H¶p kq£n¨pt\m¡n. " kXyw ]d... Cu ]td¶bmfv As¶ms¡ ]mhímt¯m«¯n tIdn F´p sN¿phmcp¶p.... Ft¶w s]®p§tfw t\m¡phÃmcpt¶m.... tM... t\cp ]d..." Rm³ Hcpcpf AhÄ¡p \o«ns¡m−p ]dªp. " s]®p§tfbÃ... Hcp s]®nt\ am{Xw ImWm\m t]mbns«mÅXv... ]t£ Ahfp XpWn Ae¡m³ amt{X tXm«n t]mIs¯mÅmcp¶p... AXpsIm−p shbnep sIm−Xp an¨w...." " IÅ\m....]q− Ių... ]td¶sXm¶pw hnizkním³ ]Á¯nÃ... Bt«.... t\cp ]d.... Ipfním³ h¶ s]®p§sS ]Sw htÃmw ]nSn¨ns«mt−m..." " AXp Rm³ \nsâ DuWp Igo¼w ]dbmw... Atà\o sNe¸w AXn«nt«mSn¡tfw..." " Rm\pt−mfmw.. tZ... F\níp aXn... cmhnet¯ A¸w Zln¨n«nÃ... BcsSsbms¡bm¶p ]dbtW..." AhÄ Ign¸p \nÀ¯n Fsâ apJt¯íp t\m¡nbncp¶p. " hgs¡m−m¡ptIte ]dbmw... Atàth− ImWnímw... " " CÃ... tZ... Fsâ aWntb«³ kXymbn«pw hgs¡m−m¡ptIe..." AhÄ Fsâ Xebn sXm«p. " Icbpthm...?.." " CÃ... " Rm³ DuWp Ignsªgpt¶Áp. AhÄ ]m{X§Ä ASp¡nsbSp¯p. Rm\pw klmbn¨p. " G«³ t]mbn Ibv IgpIntím.. CXv Rm³ sNbvtXmfmw... B \mK½ ImW−... ]ns¶ Ipª½bdnbpw.. A½bdnbpw... G«³ ASp¡tfepw Fsâ hmte Xq§n \S¡pImsW¶v... s]mtím... Rm³ ht¶mfmw..." " AXn¸w... Rm³ \nsâ XÃpsIms−¶o \m«pImcp apgph\pw AdnªntÃ... ]ns¶ CX{X henb ImcymtWm... " " Mmmmmm.... G«m... Rm³ ]dªn«ntÃ... AXp ]dbcpsX¶v... Ft¶ F¸gpw Icbn¡Wt¶ Cu G«s\mÅp....." AhÄ sasà hnXp¼m³ XpS§n. " At¿m... Fsâ s]mt¶... AdnbmsX Hcp Xami h¶p t]mbXmtW... kpÃv. kpÃv... C\n ]db¯nÃ..." Rm³ apJw AhfpsS Ihnfs¯mcp½ sh¨psIm−p ]dªp. " Cu Xami am{Xw th−..." AhÄ Ibv¸¯nbpsS ]pdw sIm−p I®p XpS¨p. Rm³ thKw AhnS¶p kvYew hn«p. kmcn¯p¼n Ibv XpS¨psIm−p tIdn h¶ A`ncman t\tc _mXvdqanteíp Ibdnt¸mbn. " \osbhnsSt¸mhpIm...?..." " H¶p apÅs«..." " tZ... CXqsS sIm−p t]m... \o ]dª¸w Ch\pw apÅm³ ap«p¶p...." Rm³ XpWn amÁn A\¡w sh¨ Ip®hoct\ ImWn¨psImSp¯p. " Ct§m«psIm−phm..." AhÄ Xncn¨p h¶v Aht\ h«w ]nSn¨p. AhÄ sXm«tXmsS an¶Â thK¯n Ah\pWÀ¶p t\tc \n¶p. I«nen \n¶v Rms\gpt¶Áp. B\tb sIm¼n ]nSn¨v ]m¸m·mÀ \S¯n sIm−p t]mIp¶Xpt]mse AhÄ Fsâ Ip®bn ]nSn¨p hen¨v Ipfnapdnbn tIÁn. At¸mtgípw Ah³ ]qÀ® hfÀ¨sb¯nbncp¶p. Rm³ Ipfnapdnbnte Áyq_pw I®mSníp ap¼nte Áyq_pw sXfn¨p. Ipfnapdnbn Ct¸mÄ \à shfn¨w. " Zm... thKw km[nív... F\níp \¶mbn«p ap«p¶p...." AhÄ XpWn ]IpXn s]m¡n¸nSn¨psIm−p [rXn Iq«n. " th−... \ntâXp Ignªn«p aXn...." " aXnsb¦n...aXn... sseÁpw sXfn¨p Ipdp¼mSp ImWm\tÃ... tZs− sXmd¶p ae¯n sh¨pXcmw...." AhÄ XpWn Acíp tate htc s]m¡n t¢mskÁnteíncp¶p. " \o apÅp¶Xp ImWm³ \à ckam..."

" F¶m tZs−... It−m... " AhÄ H¶p ap¡n. aq{Xw hcp¶nÃ. ]qdp \à ]q t]mse hnSÀ¶p \n¡p¶p. CeIÄ sNdpXmWtÃm. apIfn aq¡nsâ AÁw t]mse DbÀ¶p \n¶ I´psams«m¶p XpSn¨p. Rm³ AhfpsS ap¼n Ip¯nbncp¶v B cXn]pjv]¯nsâ Hmtcm A\¡hpw t\m¡nbncp¶p. AhÄ ho−pw ap¡n. " hÃm−p ap«p¶q¶p ]dªn«v.. F´m H¶pw hcmt¯..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " l... Hcp ]pcpj³ AXn\It¯m«p Xt¶ Xpdn¨p t\m¡p¼w F§s\ hcm\m... Rm\psamcp a\pjy¯nbtÃ... [rXn]nSnímsX..." Rm³ AhnsS \n¶pw I®p amÁn AhfpsS apJt¯íp t\m¡n. Ahsfsâ I®pIfn t\m¡nbncp¶t¸mÄ XpÅnIÄ hcp¶ iooo F¶ H¨ tI«p. Rm³ At§m«p t\m¡n. B ]qhnsâ Hcp hit¯ CXfn X«n sNcnª Pe[mc hoXnbn ]c¶v t¢mskÁnsâ AcnIn hoWp. AhÄ Ip\nªv AXnteíp t\m¡nbn«v H¶\§nbncp¶p. At¸mÄ B Pe[mc t\tcbmbn shůn hogm³ XpS§n. apÅns¡m−p Xt¶ AhÄ ss]¸p I¿nseSp¯p. Rm\Xp hm§n I¿n ]nSn¨p. B aZ\KwKbn \n¶pÅ shŨm«w \neíp¶Xpw Im¯ncp¶p. " F¶m ImWním³ t]mIphm...?.." " ]q¡pÁn IgpIt−...?.." " Rm³ IgpIntímfmw.. tN«³ sNe¸w shcep XÅnt¡Ápw... Hcp t_mt[manÃ... " " ]ns¶... Rm\nXn¶tà ImWp¶Xv... " Rm\hfpsS Ibv X«n amÁn. hn«v hn«v Hmtcm XpÅn hcp¶Xv Ignbm³ Rm³ Im¯ncp¶p. " t\m¡nbncnímsX IgpIv... aq{Xw HW§pw....C§s\ t\m¡n shÅsad¡msX... " " AXn\I¯q¶p XpÅn hotWm−ncníphm..." " AXn¸w \nípw IgpIv... shÅw NoÁnítÃ... XpWn \\bpw..." AhÄ ap¶dnbn¸p \ÂIn. Rm³ shÅw HgnímsX B ]qÀhnShnsem¶p X¸n t\m¡n. \à hgphgp¡epw H«epw D¨símgpInb tX\nt¸mÄ Ipgªp ]nSn¨ncníp¶p. sNdnb NndIpIÄ I¿n \n¶pw sX¶ns¯¶n t]mIp¶p. FhnsSms¡tbm ]ªntbt¸mÄ amÀ±hapÅ CXfpIfpw. Ibv sX¶ním³ \à kpJw. Fsâ Ibv AXn\pÅn \nÀ¯msX Cgªt¸mÄ AhÄ Acs¡s«m¶p sh«n¨p. " CsX´p Iq¯m... IgpIpIm¶pw ]dªv..?." " D¨ít¯Xp N¡¸i t]mse s\dªp sIS¡phmWtÃmSo..." Rm³ Fsâ Is¿m¶p aW¯p. ]p¯³ aq{X¯pÅnbpsS aWw. " Hm Indp¡p tIdn... I¿n«p aW¸ním\tà IgpIm¶p ]dªXv... Ct§m«p sIm−phm.. Rm³ IgpIntímfmw.... aq{Xw Ccps¶mW§nbm aWw ]nSnípw..." AhÄ ss]¸n\p th−n Ibv \o«n. Rm³ sImSp¯nÃ. " \à aWmSo... tZ... t\m¡ntí...." Rm³ AhfptS aq¡ntesísâ Ibv Im«n. AhÄ Ibv X«n amÁn. " Xs¶¯m\§p \¡nbm aXn.... Asæn Ahsâ sam«¯te tXív... AO\pw aI\pw F´p hr¯ntISmbmepw hen¨p tIÁntímfpatÃm... l... IgpsIt¶...F{Xt\cm sXmd¶p sht¨m−ncnípt¶...." IqSpX ]Wnsím¶pw t]mImsX Rm³ hnSÀ¶ncp¶ Nph¶ ]qhnXfpIfnepw Ipgª Nmenepw hnbÀ¯ IqXnbnepw shÅw NoÁn¨v IgpIns¡mSp¯p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS ]qS¸c¸n Aåw shÅw Hgn¨p. " CsX¶m Ipfn¸ním³ t]mIphmtWm...?.." " A¸w apSn IgpIt−...AhStà aq{Xw ]nSníp¶Xv...?.." " F¶m IgpIntím...." AhÄ Aåw ]pdtIm«p Nmªncp¶p. XpWn s]m¡n¸nSn¨p. tkm¸p tX¨p ]X¸n¨v AhnShpw IgpIn. AhÄ Fgpt¶Á DSt\ ss]¸p Xmsgbn«n«v Rm³ Fsâ Kpemt\ ]nSn¨v \o«n. ]IpXn s]m§nb Ah³ apÅm³ Aåw Xmakn¨p. " F´m... C¸w CXo¶pw H¶pw hcp¶ntÃ...?.." AhÄ Ncnªp \n¶p t\m¡n. " C¨nsc s]m§nb sIm−v B hmÂhv ASªncníphm...." " A¸w AXn\n HSt\ sXmd¡¯ntÃ....?.." AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " C¨nsc kabw ]nSnípw..." Rm³ Bªp ap¡n. aq{Xw hcm³ XpS§n Ignªt¸mÄ ]ns¶ _p²nap«nÃ.

Fsâ hnlnXw Rm³ AhÄ ]X¸n¨ ]Xbntesímgn¨psImSp¯p. " It−m Fsâw \ntâw aq{X§fp tbmPn¨Xv..." " AXp ]ns¶ tbmPní¯ntÃ... _m¡n FÃmw tbmPnímsh¦n... l... \à I−p]nSp¯w... Rm³ IgpIn¯ctWm... F\níp Xmsg \qdpIq«w ]Wnsbm−v...Ipªt½w ]ntÅcpw hcpsa¶p hnfn¨p ]dªns«m−v..AXp§¡p htÃmw H−m¡Ww...." " AXn\hnsS AhfntÃ... \mK½....?... \obn¸w CsXm¶p IgpIntb¨p t]mbm aXn... Cht\ ]n¶mcm t\m¡pt¶... Ahfp t\m¡pthm...?.." " Mqw... sImÅmw CXpw sIm−§p sNÃv... A¸¡mWmw..." AhÄ Ip® ]nSn¨v t¢mskÁnteíp \o«n IgpIn. At¸mtgípw ho−pw Ah\p I\w sh¨p. " F´mSo sImg¸w... AhfnXp ]qh³ ]gw Xn¶p¶ t]mse Xn¶pw..." Rm³ ]dªp. " C¸w F\nsímcp kwibw... CXn\p ap¼htfs¡m−p XoÁn¨ns«mt−m¶v... FXmbmepw hm Ct§m«v..." AhÄ ]gb]Sn B\s¡m¼n ]nSníp¶Xp t]mse ]mXn Abª Ip®bn ]nSn¨p. ]ns¶ ss]s¸Sp¯v Aåw shÅw NoÁn¨v Ahsâ HÁ¡®p IgpIn. Sq¯pt]Ìnsâ Áyq_p sR¡p¶Xp t]mse AhÄ Aht\ sR¡n¡gpIn.]nSn¨p. AhÄ C¸gpw kmcnbpw ]mhmSbpw \\bmXncním³ th−n Achtc s]m¡n¸nSn¨ncníp¶p. R§Ä B \nebn _mXvdqan \n¶nd§n. CSíhÄ sIm¨pIp«t\ H¶p sR¡n ckn¨p. Rm³ ]dªp. " Cu Fgps¶Å¯p sImÅmw... ap¯p¡pS \nhÀ¯ t]mse \o kmcow s]m¡n¸nSn¨v... sIm¼\mt\sS sIm¼p t]mse Ipt®w s]m¡n¸nSn¨v Rm³... B B\s¡mt¼Â ]nSn¨v B\¡mct\s¸mse \o... GsX¦nepw `àscm−mcps¶¦n C¸w Fgps¶Å¯n\p ap¼n \akvIcnt¨t\...." I«nensâ At§ Hmc¯p InS¡p¶ tXmÀs¯Sp¡m³ Rm³ Ibv\o«n. s]s«¶v A´co£¯n \n¶pw s]m«nhoW t]mse Ie hmXn¡Â. R§fpsS B \n¸p I−t¸mÄ AhÄ hms]mfn¨p. ]ns¶ ]pdwXncnªp \n¶p Nncním³ XpS§n. s]s«¶v A`nsbsâ Ip®bn \n¶pw ]nSnhn«p. kmcnbn \n¶pw Ibv hn«p. AhfpsS kmcnbpw Fsâ ap−pw t\tc hoWp. F\níp N½ep−mbnÃ. ImcWw Ie Fsâ Ip® t\ct¯ I−n«pÅXmWtÃm. ]t£ A`n hÃmsX N½n. " sÈ... Cu s]®v... F´n\mSo... \o Ct§m«p h¶Xv.. tM...?.." A`n tZjy¯n tNmZn¨p. " Fât¨m Rm\dnªnÃ.. IXIpw sXmd¶nt«m−v \n§fo ]WnbmsW¶v... Cu IXIS¨n«mse´m... Zms−... Xmsg.. _mte«³ h¶ns«m−v... AsXm¶p ]dtª¨p t]mIm¶p IcpXn h¶Xm.... Rm³ t]mWp...." AhÄ Xmtgínd§nt¸mbn. " Cu apSnª s]®v... sÈ... F¶mepw Ahfp t\m¡o«pw aps−m¶p Xmgv¯nbnSmsX... Ahtf ImWním\mcpt¶m... \o«n¸nSnt¨m−p \n¶Xv...?.."" " l... AXn\p \o Ibv hn«n«p tht−... \osb´m XpWn Xm¡mXncp¶Xv...?.." " Hm... AXp Xmgv¯nbntÃepw sImg¸sam¶panÃ...R§ft§m«pant§m«pw H¯ncn I−ns«mÅXm.... " " tM... A¸w c−pw IqsS hà thtew H¸n¨ns«mt−mSo..?." " Èo... \m¡p hf¨m hr¯ntItS hcq... R§fp Ipfním³ t]mIp¼w s]®p§fp X½n ImWpw... AXp t]memtWm... G«sâ Cu Icn¼pwtImev... ]mhw B sIm¨p t]Sn¨p ImWpw..." " `pwiv..." F\níp Nncns]m«n. " F´n\m InWnípt¶...?.." kmcns]m¡n tXmÀ¯psIm−v kmam\w XpSíp¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ tNmZn¨p. \o ImWp¶Xn\p ap¼v AhfnXp I−XmSo F¶p ]dbm³ \m¡p hfs¨¦nepw ]dªnÃ. " FSo.. Cu {]mb¯nsemÅ s]¬Ipt«ymfnXp t]msemsc®w ImWp¼w t]Sní¯nÃ.... tImcn¯cnít¯sbmÅp...." " F¦n... Ahtf C¸¯t¶ ho«n ]dªp hnSWw.. C\ow ]nt¶w CXpw s]m¡n¸nSnt¨m−p ImWní¯nsömcdnªp..?.." " sXmS§n Ah¡p kwibw... BZyw Rm³ \ntâXp sicnsím¶p sXmd¶p ImWs«... F¶n«v Rm\mtemNnt¨mfmw F´p thW¶v... \o t]mbn Im¸nsbSp¡v... Rm³ Xmtgíp sNÃs«...."

tImhWnbnd§pt¼mÄ AhÄ ]dªp. " Rm³ Np½m ]dªXm tIt«m... Fsâ sX½mSn¡p«m.....Ft¶mSp tZjyw tXm¶tÃ... " " Mqw... s]®nsâ AÊqb... kwibw...." Rm\hfpsS Ip−nbn ]nSns¨m¶p sR¡n. " sÈm... htÃmcpw ImWpw... tXm«pIShnte IY tI¡m³ h¶Xm... AXpw t]mbn... C\nsb¸gmtWm..." " C¶v... C¶p cm{Xn... hcp¶q.. tXm«pIShnte tImcn¯cn¸níp¶ AÛpXIYIÄ... S−tSbv..." Xmgt¯ ]Snbnse¯nbt¸mÄ Rm³ B Ihnfn Hcp ap¯w sImSp¯p. AhÄ Nncn¨ppsIm−v ASp¡fbntetímSnt¸mbn. Rm³ Xmsg sNÃpt¼mÄ _me³ Fs¶bpw Im¯ncn¸p−mbncp¶p. " F´mbn _mem... hntijns¨s´¦nepw....?.." " Gbv.. kltZht\ \msftb Fd¡m³ ]ÁpIbpÅp.. ]ns¶ \ap¡p sP«o hscsbm¶p t]mbmtem... tN«t\ ImWp¼w sXmgnemfnIÄs¡mcp DÂkmlw H−mIpw... Xs¶bpaÃ... Cu c−p sZhkmbn«v \à sImbv¯m... _m¡n Imip \msf AhcSt¨mfpw..." " Mm... FÃmw \¶mbnsIS¶m \½sS _p²nap«pIfp Ipdtªt\... " " tN«³ hcpt¶m... Asæn Rm³ Xt¶ s]mtímfmw... F´mbmepw Cu kok¬ Ignªm t_m«p \ap¡p Xncns¨Sp¡Ww.. C\nbn¸w t\m¡m\mfmb kvYnXnív \ap¡p Xt¶ AXp \S¯ns¡m−p t]mImhp¶tX DÅp... " " Mqw... Rm\Xpw Nn´n¨p... \o Hcp an\n«ncnív... Rm³ Zm hcp¶p..." Rm³ ASp¡fbn sN¶p. AhnsS ]elmcw D−m¡p¶ Xnc¡v. Ipª½bpsS ]ntÅÀ¡mWv. " A`o... Rm³ shfosem¶p t]mbn hcmw.. sP«osem¶p t]mWw... " " Zm..Im¸n C¸w Xcmw... ]ns¶tb...." AhÄ \nÀ¯n. ]ns¶ Ft¶ ]nSn¨v hmXnen\Sp¯p sIm−p h¶n«p clkyambn«p ]dªp. " c−p sZhkt¯símscS]mSn\pw t]mI−... kab¯p h¶m... Imcy§fp \S¡pw.. Ctà]ns¶ Hcmgv¨ Ignbpw..." " a\ÊnembnÃ... \o sXfn¨p ]d.." F\nsímcp ]nSnbpw In«nbnÃ. " C¶pw \msfbpw IqSntb kuIcysamÅp.... aníhmdpw aÁ¶mfp hcpw...]ns¶ sXmS¡w aq¶mep sZhkw \ofpw ]dtª¡mw..." " Bcp hcpsa¶m \obo¸dbpt¶...." " Bcm¨mcv... slm... C§s\mcp a−³ `À¯mhv..." AhÄ Fsâ sNhnbn ]dªp. "]ocoUv..." " Hm... Fsâ ssZhta.. Hcmgv¨ Ae¼mbnt¸mbn... C\ow Hcmgv¨tbm.... Rm³ h¶ncnípw.. h¶ncnípsaSo...\o FÃmw sdUnbm¡ntím.." " F¶m sdUnbm¡m\m... Rms\¸gpw sdUnbtÃ... G«\tà C¸t§m«p IgpInbS¨p sh¨Xv..." Ie hcp¶Xp I−hÄ clkyw ]d¨n \nÀ¯n. " aXn IpipIpip¯Xv... Im¸n IpSn... F¶n«v thKw t]mbnhcm³ t\m¡v... " Ie Im¸nbpw ]elmc¸m{Xhpambn R§tf IS¶v DuWp apdnbnteíp t]mbn. Rm³ _met\ Im¸n IpSním³ £Wn¨p. XncnsI hcpt¼mÄ cm{Xnbmbn. Rms\mcp sI«p apøq IqSn hm§n s]mXnªp ]nSn¨ncp¶p. Iebpw Ipª½bpsS Ip«nIfpw SohobptS ap¼n D−v. Ahtc Hfn¨v Rm³ s]mXn ad¨p ]nSn¨p. ]t£ Ipim{K_p²nbmb Ie AXp I−p ]nSn¨p. Rm\Xp apIfn apdnbn tai¸pd¯p shípt¼mtgípw Ahfpsa¯n. " Ft´m¶m tN«m B Hfn¨p ]nSn¨p sIm−p h¶Xv...?.." " \osb´n\m Adnbp¶Xv...?..." Rm³ NqSmbn. " NqSmItà tN«m... Rm\pw Hcp IW¡n\p tN«sâ `mcybmtW... F\nípw Adnbm\hImisamt−... " Rm³ jÀ«p amdp¶Xn\nSív AhÄ s]mXn Xpd¶p. Ahsft¶ H¶p t\m¡nbn«v Nncn¨psIm−v Xebm«n.

" Mqw... s]m−m«ntb aWnbSním\mtW.... ]mhw... CsXm¶pantÃepw B ]mh¯n\p kt´mjmbnt¡mfpw... I¿nsemÅsXms¡ t\cmw h®w sImSp¯m aXn...." " F´mSo...?.. s\\¡pw thtWm...?.." Ahsfsâ ASp¯p h¶p. " Rm³ kwibn¨mcp¶p. Ct{Xw Znhkmbn«pw ]mhw tN¨nsímcp im´naplqÀ¯w H¯nÃtÃms¶mcp k¦tSm−mcp¶p.... ]nt¶....cm{XnbmIp¼tgípw CXp hmSnt¸mIpw. AXn\p ap¼v... hnfn¨p sImSp¡v.. Atàth−... Rm\n¸¯t¶ hnfnímw..." " th− th− \o CXnenSs]S−..... FSo... \o F¸gpw R§sS FSíp hogp¶sX´n\m...?.." Ahsfm¶p kwibn¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ ASp¯p h¶n«p ]dªp. " tN«m.... Fsâ tN¨n ]mhm... ]Tn¨q... I¼yq«dn\p t]mIps¶ms−s¶ms¡ ]dbpsa¦nepw . Bfp shdpw km[phm.. \mWw IqSs¸d¸m... Fsâ aq¯XmbXpsIm−v F\níp]tZiním\pw ]Á¯nÃ... ChnSmsW¦n Iq«pImcpw CÃ... tN«\pw shey FIvkv]ocnb³skm¶pw CÃtÃm... B kmhn{XosS IqsS \S¶XpsIm−v F\nín¯ncn hnhtcm−v... AXv s]md¯v ]dbm³ ]Á¯nÃtÃm... C¶v Rm³ ]mep Im¨n¯cmw... C¸tg FSp¯p shíWw... CtàDuWpIgnbp¼w \mK½ AsXSp¯v Hdsbmgnípw... Rm³ tN¨ntb Ct§m«p hnSmw... B ]mh¯nsâ Xte CsXm¶p sh¨psImSp¡tW... AXp XpÅn¨mSpw, t\m¡ntím... Ipfnsbms¡ Ignªv sdUnbmbn \níphm... C\n ASp¡tf \ní−¶p ]dbmw... shbÀ¡pw... " AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSn¨v AXnsemcp½ sh¨n«p ]dªp. " hnjv bq... G... KqUv.... s_Ìv ss\Áv... " F¶n«hÄ I®p XpS¨p. " ]ns¶tb... kq£nt¨mWw... Fsâ IW¡\pkcn¨v tN¨nbn¶p s]md¯m... hr¯ntISn\Is¯m¶pw sIm−p Xebnt«¡Ãv... Cu amSnsâ kz`mhw Adnbmhp¶Xp sIm−v ]dªXm..." AhÄ I®p XpS¨t¸mÄ Rm\htf kq£n¨p t\m¡n. " F´n\mSo \o C¸w Icbpt¶..." " IcbpIÃ... Cs¶¦nepw Fsâ tN¨osS PohnXw sXmS§patÃmt¶mÀ¯¸w kt´mjw sIm−m... Rm³ hnfnt¨m−p hcmw..." AhÄ XmtgtímSn. s]m«ns¸®v, Rm³ hnNmcn¨p. R§Ä ]IpXn hgnsb¯nbXhÄ¡dnbmtam. Aåw Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ A`ntbbpw hnfn¨psIm−p h¶p. A`n Ipfn¨p Ipdnbn«ncp¶p. " Atëm.. Chfp ]dªp Ft´m kvs]jyep sIm−p hs¶¶v... F¶m¸ns¶ FÃmÀ¡pw IqsS sImtdtÈ apdn¨p sImSp¯qtS...?.." " Fsâ s]m«ntN¨o.. tZ.. CX§s\ FÃmÀ¡pw sImSp¡ms\mÅXÃ... " AhÄ apøqhncp¶ s]mXn Aåw Xpd¶p ImWn¨psIm−p ]dªp. " lmbv... apøq... At¿m... ]e¸gpw Rm³ hnNmcn¨ns«m−v CsXm¶p apSo NqSW¶v..." A`nbpsS apJw hnSÀ¶p. AhÄ AsXSps¯m¶p aW¯p. " Fsâ tN«m... AsXSp¯v s]m−m«osS apSosem¶p sh¨psImSv... F¶n«m kt´mjw H¶p ImWv..." Ie D]tZin¨p. " \o s]mtím... AÃm... Hcp Ibv s\\¡p thtWmSo...?.." A`n tNmZn¨p. " F\níp th−...F\níÃtÃm sIm−p h¶Xv... Rm³ Cu ]mXncmív apøq NqSo«pw Imtcym¶panÃtÃm....Rm³ tZ t]mWp..." Ie t]mIms\mcp§n. " \nsÃSo.. CsXm¶p Ip¯nshím³ klmbn¨n«v t]m..." Rm³ ]dªp. " G«m... Rm³ shbÀ¯ns«m−v... ÈtS¶v tasem¶p IgpIs«... F¶n«v... ]q NqSmta.... " AhÄ Hcp tXmÀ¯psaSp¯psIm−v IpfnapdnbntetímSn. " It−m... C¨nsc apøq In«nb¸w B ]mh¯nsâ kt´mjw... CXm Fâ A`nt¨¨n.... " " F\nídnbmSo D−]{Iq..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfnsem¶p Ip¯n. " Adnbmw... F¶n«tÃ... IpªpIpªp Imcy§fp ]dªm ]mh¯nt\ Ct{Xw Znhkw Icbn¨Xv.... A¶t¯ `{ZImfnbà tN¨nbn¸w..." Ie Ft¶ IpÁs¸Sp¯n. " Ahfp Icbm³ \n¶n«tÃ...?.." " AXp ]dª¸gm HmÀ¯Xv.... C¶Xnt\ IcbnítÃ... Rm³ Xmsg Hd§msX sIS¡pw...." IebpsS apJs¯mcp IŨncn. " Cs¶´n\m Ahfp Icbp¶Xv... ?..."

" Hm....Cu a−t\mSp ]dªm a\ÊnemIqÃ... Rm\n¸w hcmw..." AhÄ XmtgtímSn. At¸mÄ Fsâ a\Ên Hcp Bibw an¶n. ]pdtI Rm\pw Xmtgíp sN¶p. tS¸psdt¡mÀUdn InS¶ ImsÊsÁSp¯v sIm−p h¶v R§fpsS apdnbnte sNdnb tS¸psdt¡mÀUdn C«p sh¨p. Hcp an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Hcp sNdnb IpSpÊp ]m{Xhpw Hfn¨p]nSn¨psIm−v tIdn h¶p. AsXsâ t\tc \o«nbn«p ]dªp. " shfns¨®bm... Cu Ipfnapdoencníp¶Xp Ims¨®bm... \odpw.... C¸w a\Ênemtbm... s]m«³ `À¯mth... CXn¸w FhnsSsb¦nepw Hfn¨p shív... Bhiykab¯v FSp¯m aXn..." AhÄ AXp tai¸pd¯ncp¶ tS¸psdt¡mÀUdnsâ adhn sh¨p. " Hm... shfns¨®sbm¶pw th−So..." Rms\m¶p N½n. " Mqw ... ]dbpw... As¶sâ ImensâS apgph\pw IqSn CSn¨p Iodn \miam¡n... ]ntÁ Znhkw Rms\´p am{Xw shjan¨p... Rm\mbn«m A¶v Bip]{Xo h¶Xv... At{Xsam¶pw Ns¦md¸pw _temw H¶pw Cu ]mhw `{ZImfnínÃ... thZ\n¨m... sNe¸w AXp sIS¶p hnfn¨p Iqhpw... kvYtemw Imtemw t\m¡¯nÃ... \mWt¡SmIpw..." " \osb´n\m Ct{Xw Iãs¸Spt¶... ?... \nsâ Imcyw IgnªntÃ...?.. tN«t\ `mtcysS A\nb¯n Imaimiv{Xw ]Tn¸níp¶p..... sImÅmw... \à IpSpw_w..." Ahsfsâ IqsS I«nen Fsâ ASpt¯íp tNÀ¶ncp¶p. " B s]m«ns¸®n\nsXm¶pw A{X ImcyÃ... Ignª Znhkw I−ntÃ... tN«t\ XÅn amÁnbn«v Ft¶ Hd¡m³ t\m¡nbXv... Ft¶ kvIqfn sh¨v sNe ]ntÅcv X´bnÃmt¯msf¶p hnfn¨p Ifnbm¡phmcp¶p... As¶ms¡ Rm³ Ictªm−p hcp¼w... s\\¡v Rms\ms−So¶pw ]dsªt¶ sI«n¸nSns¨md¡phmcp¶p... FÃmÀ¡pw Rm³ D−]{Iqw aWp¡qkpw Hs¡bmcp¶p... Ft¶ kpμcn¡p«o¶p hnfníp¶Xp tN¨n am{Xmcp¶p... B tN¨o kt´mjníWw... F\nít{XsbmÅp..." AhÄ Fsâ Is¿Sp¯v AhfpsS s\Ánbn sh¨p. ]ns¶ DÅwI¿n Hcp½ X¶p. " ]ns¶ \obtà ]dªXv... Fsâ IqsS BZycm{Xo¶pw tN¨ntb tXm¸n¨q¶pw Hs¡...?.." " Hm.. AX¶t¯ Hcp s]m«_p²n... AXp ad¶pIf... Fsâ AhnSs¯ apdnIqSn C¸w ]tgt]mse Xt¶ ssSÁmbn... \n§fv BWp§¡nsXmcp {]iv\ÃtÃm... " " Mqw... \o C¸tg tUmÎdmb t]msem−v... Xte \Ã_p²nsbm¶pansænepw..." " Zms− ....\ocm«p Ignsª¶m tXm¶pt¶...." AhÄ I«nen \n¶pw Fgpt¶Áp amdn \n¶p. IXIp Xpd¶v A`n shfnbn h¶p. apSn tImXnbn«v AhÄ Fsâ ap¼n h¶p \n¶p IpWp§nbmSn \mWn¨p \n¶p. " F´mSo... \o \n¶p sImgbpt¶...?..." Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−v Ietb I®pImWn¨p. " ]q aWntb«³ NqSn¨p Xm..." " F\nínXp ^nÁp sN¿m\dnb¯nÃ...." Rm³ Hgnªp amdn. " F¶p ]dªm ]Á¯nÃtÃm... Rm³ ]dªp Xcmw... GXm−p aeadníp¶ ]Wn t]mse..." Ie s]mXnsbSp¯p Xpd¶p. " Ite \obpw sImds¨Spt¯mSo....tamtf...." A`n ]qshm¶p hmk\n¨psIm−v ]dªp. F¶ns«\níp ]pdw Xncnªp \n¶p. Ipd¨p \ofw amesbSp¯p apdn¨p. AXp IebpsS t\tc \o«n. " AhImisamtÅmc§p NqSnbm aXn...." Ie A`n \o«nb ]qshSp¯v F¯n¡p¯n \n¶v tN¨nbpsS apSnbn ^nÁpsNbvXp sh¨p. " s\\¡pw AhImisam−p tamtf... \osbsâ A\nb¯nbtÃ...." A`n ]dªXp tI«t¸mÄ Rm³ IebpsS XpSbn H¶p \pÅn. AhÄ Fsâ Ibv X«namÁnbn«v {Ip²bmbn Ft¶ H¶p t\m¡n. " Igntªm... F¦n C\n Ct§m«p sIm−m... tN¨n NqSn¨p Xcmw... G«\dntbm... Rms\mcp sk^vÁn]n³ hm§nbmepw H¶nhÄ¡pw hm§pw... " AhÄ Xncnªp \n¶v IebpsS apSnbn ]q NqSn¨p. " tN¨n C\n Xmtgm«p hc−... D®mdmIp¼w Rm³ hnfnímw...." Ie ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. Rm³ A`ntb tXmfn ]nSn¨p I«nenencp¯n. hnXnÀ¯nbn« apSnbn \ndtb NqSnb ]qhpambn \n¡p¶ AhÄ ]q¯peª ]q¦mh\w t]mse F\níp tXm¶n. ]qhpw NqSn Fsâ ASp¯ncp¶t¸mÄ Hcp \thmVtbt¸mse

AhÄs¡mcp \mWw. apøqaWw R§tf s]mXnªp. Rm³ Ahtf tNÀ¯p ]nSn¨p. »ukn\p Xmsg \áamb hbdn Fsâ Ibv sXm«t¸mÄ BZyamsb¶t]mse AhÄ H¶p ]pfªp. " IXIp sXmd¶p sIS¡phm... D¨ít¯ t]mse... Ifn¸p ]Á−... " " C\nbmcpw hc¯nÃ... " Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn Hcp½sh¨p. AhÄ Xncn¨pw. " Rm³ sN¶ntàIpªt½w aÁpw F´p hnNmcnípthm..." AhÄs¡mcp N½Â. " F´p hnNmcním\m... `mtcyw `À¯mhpw IqsS skmÅphm¶p hnNmcnípw... Asæn ]®phm¶p hnNmcnípw..." Rm³ Ims¨®bpsSbpw apøqhnsâbpw hmk\ Aenªp tNÀ¶ AhfpsS apSnbn Fsâ Np−p ap«n¨p. " A¸w Cs¶Ãmw Xocpam\n¨psIm−mWtÃm...." " AtX... C¶p Rm³ \mS apdnípw... AXn\p ap¼v C¨nsc Iem]cn]mSnsbms¡ tht−... GXpÂLmS\¯n\pw AsXms¡ ]XnhmtW..." " \mS apdním³ Fsâ AhnSt¯sX¶m IStbm atÁm BtWm...?.." " Hcp IS Xs¶bmtW... Bcpw Xpd¡m¯ Hcp IS... Bcpw Hcp km[\t¯epw sXmSm¯ Hcp IS....." " A¸w Ignª Znhkw AXn\Is¯ms¡ Fen sXmc¡p¶ t]mse Cu tam´ sIm−v sXmc¶tXm...?..." Ahsfsâ aq¡n arZphmbn ]nSn¨p hen¨p. " Fsâ kpμcn¡p«o... AXp ItSsS NpÁp]mSpw Hcp ¢o\n§p \S¯nbXtÃ... AÃm... \nsâ koep s]m«nípsa¶v... Rm³ ]dªn«v tMtl... s\\¡Xp tI«ns«mcp \mtWmw tXm¶p¶ntÃSo...?.." " C\nsb´p \mWním\m... ]IpXn sXmd¶p IgnªntÃ.... " AhÄ Fsâ aSnbn Ibvsh¨p. ap−n\p ]pd¯v AhÄ Kpem\n IbvsXm«Xpw tjmt¡ÁXp t]mse Ah³ DWcm³ XpS§n. " Fsâ tamtf... " Rm³ AdnbmsX Ahtf sI«n¸nSn¨p t]mbn. AhfpsS Np−n AaÀ¯n D½ shípt¼mtgípw AhÄ ap−p amÁn Fsâ hSnhoct\ I¿n FSp¯p Ignªncp¶p. " tÈym... sXm«sbmSt\ NmSn s]m§n¡gnªp..... G«m... H¯ncn iàosem¶pw sN¿tÃ... F\nín¯ncn t]Snsbm−v... C¶mfp _embn«v G«³ shcen«¸w Xt¶ FÃmw IodnbXm..." AhÄ Fsâ Npw_\w Xncn¨p X¶psIm−p ]dªp. " Hm AsXm¶panÃ... H¶p henªp ImWpw....F¶mbmepw Ch³ AI¯p tIdntb ]Áq... sImtd¡gnbp¼w \½sS tamfpw C\n AXnte Fd§n hcms\mÅXm... \o ss[cyambn«ncn... Fsâ ap¯nt\ Rm³ thZ\n¸ní¯nà tIt«m..." " Rm³ Xmtgíp sNÃs«... CtÃÂ.. sicnbmhnÃ.. " Kpem\n \n¶pw AhÄ Ibvhn«p. kmcn Ffnbn Ip¯ns¡ms−gpt¶Áp. ]ns¶ Fgpt¶Áp XebpbÀ¯n \n¡p¶ Kpemt\ t\m¡n ]dªp. " s]m¶p tamt\... Cu tN¨ntb thZ\n¸nítÃSm... C¨nsc ab¯nsems¡ tIdtWSm..." AhÄ Ahsâ Xebn sXm«v s\Ánbn sh¨p. F¶n«v Ip\nªv Ahsâ Nph¶ apJ¯v Hcp½ sh¨p. " Rm³ hcp¼gt¯ípw aWntb«³ Ipfnt¨m... Rm³ sasà HXp¡¯n ht¶mfmw..." " F´mSo... Ipfním³ ]dbp¶Xv..?... D½ sh¨¸w.... hà \mtÁmsamt−mSo...?.. " " Ht−epw F\níXnãm.... thdmctSw AÃtÃm... Rm³ klnt¨mfmw... Hcp \à Imcyw sXmS§tW\p ap¼v Ipfn¨v ip²mIm³ ]dªXm.... " " Hm... C\n sIS¡m³ t\cw IpfnímSo..." " G«sâ Cãw..." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfnsem¶p tXm−nbn«v ]pdt¯íp t]mbn. `£W¯n\p Xmsg sN¶t¸mÄ BsI Kpepamembn. FÃmhcptSbpw apJs¯mcp KqVkvanXw. hnf¼p¶ A`nbpsS apJw \mWw sIm−v Nph¶ncníp¶p. A½ am{Xw H¶pw Adnbm¯ `mh¯n Igníp¶p. tiJdpw tam\njbpw `£W¯n apgpInbncníp¶p. Ie Fsâ t\tc t\m¡p¶nÃ. ]m{X§Ä sIm−pshíp¶ \mK½bpsS apJ¯p t]mepw Hcp aμlmkw. AXp thtWm... CXp thtWm... aXntbm... F¶pÅ tNmZy§fÃmsX asÁm¶pw Bcpw kwkmcn¨nÃ. Rm³ s]s«¶v `£Ww Ignsªgpt¶Áp. IbvIgpInb F\nív tXmÀs¯Sp¯p X¶ A`ntbmSv Rm³ a{´n¨p.

" thKw hm... _m¡n Ahcp t\m¡ntímfpw..." " Mqw... " Ahfpw HXp¡¯n aqfn. Rm³ apIfn sN¶v Hcp \nanjancp¶n«v Hcp [rXn¡pfn ]mÊm¡n. Gko {]hÀ¯n¸n¨p. kpJioXfamb ImÁv apdnbn AebSn¨p. Ct¸mÄ \à kpJw. AhÄ h¶ncps¶¦n H¶p sI«n¸nSnímambncp¶p. HmÀ¯p \n¡pt¼mÄ IXIp Xpd¶v A`n tIdn h¶p. IpÁnbn«n«v Xncnª AhfpsS apJ¯v hÃm¯ \mWw. " tM...CsX´m C¸w.. \mWanÃm¶p ]dªn«v.... apJw s]m§p¶nÃtÃm.." Rm³ sN¶v AhfpsS apJw ]nSn¨pbÀ¯n Ahtfbpw sIm−v I«nen h¶ncp¶p. " Ftâ«m.....BsI Nfambn..." " Mqw...?... F´p ]Án... apSnbm\mbn«v.... atÁsX§m\pw sXmS§ntbm..?.." " AsXm¶panÃm... FÃmcpw Adnªp.... C¶m \½fp sXmS§pt¶¶v... sO... F\níSp¡tf \ním³ h¿mcp¶p..." " AsX§s\ AdnsªSo..." " Ietamfp ]mseSp¯p amÁn shíp¶Xp \mK½ I−p.... BÀ¡m¶p tNmZn¨¸w... Ahfp \n¶p hn¡n... HSt\ Ipª½ NmSn hoWp... Ahtf shc«n... ]mep IpSním³ sImXnsbms−¦n thW¦n ]dªm t]mtc tamtf¶p tNmZn¨p.... Ahfp ]dªp.. \½¡msW¶v ..Asæn Ahfp IÅnbmI¯ntÃ... ]ns¶ \mKt½w Ipªt½w IqsS Ahtf hnkvXcn¨p... Cu ]q NqS−mcp¶p... AhÀ¡Xm kwibsam−mbXv... sO.... \mWt¡Smbnt¸mbn.... C\nbn¸w ap¯O³ amt{X... \½sS BZycm{XosS Imcyw Adnbms\mÅp...." " Hcp \mWt¡SpansÃSo... CsXmcp ]pXpasbm¶paÃtÃm... " Rm\htfbpw sI«n¸nSn¨psIm−v I«nenteíp adnªp. AhfpsS s\Ánbn hoW IpªfI§Ä HXp¡ns¡m−p ]dªp. " C¸w \mbI\pw \mbntIw I«nenteíp adnªp... C\n sseÁp sISp¯tWm... AtXm ]m«p ]mStWm... ?.." " C¨nsc Ignbs«... IetamÄ GXmbmepw ]mepsIm−p hcpw...." " ]mepIpSn¨n«v... Fsâ A`ncman.... Cs¶mcp ]m«pw Um³kpw sN¿pw..." " At¿... C¸tgm... Indps¡mt−m..?.." AhÄ Fsâ Ihnf¯p ISn¨p. " \o C¶p¨ív Um³kp sNbvXntÃ...?.. AXp t]mse... " " sicn, sN¿mw... A¸¸ns¶ Um³kpw Ifn¨v sIS¡m\mtWm `mhw...?.." " AÃm... AXp Igo¼w... Rm\pw Fsâ Ip«nIrjvW\pw IqsS Hcp Xm¬Uh\r¯w sN¿pw... tÌsPhnsSbm... Adnbmthm...?..." " FhnsSbm..?..." AhÄ tNmZyw BhÀ¯n¨p. " tZ ChnsS.. Cu ssIemkh\¯n .. Im«p tNmebpw Ipgª tX\psams¡ HgpIp¶ \nsâbo Imens¶tSte ]qSh\¯nÂ..." Rm³ Xmtgíp I¿n«v AhfpsS aZ\]q¦mh\¯n\p tate Ibv sh¨p. " atÁ¡mcyw ]dbp¼tgípw kmlnXyw s]m§n hcp¶tÃm.... X«p s]mfnbpthm...?..." AhÄ Fsâ Ac¡qSn Ibv sh¨p. " \mbnI _ew ]nSn¨mÂ... sNe¸w... s]mfnbpw....Um³k§Sv... AkzZníphmsW¦n X«p s]mfnb¯nÃ.." " \½fmkzZnípw Fsâ s]mt¶...." AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨v Ihnf¯pw Np−nepw D½ shím³ XpS§n. AhÄ¡ns¸mtg NqSp tIdnb t]mse. " \obn¸tg FfInbtÃm tamtf...." " F\nsít´m... C¸w [rXnbmbn.... Fsâ s]m¶p Ip«m... " AhÄ Ft¶ hen¨v AhfpsS tate IbÁn. " At¿m... s\\¡p izmkw ap«pw..." " ap«s«... A§p NmIs«...." AhÄ Ft¶ KmVambn sI«n¸nSn¨p. R§fpsS Np−pIÄ Iq«nap«nbt¸mÄ hmXnen ap«p tI«p. " tZ, Ie hs¶So... ]mepwsIm−mcnípw...." " sÈym... Cu ]mepw ]tgmsam¶pw th−mcp¶p.... AhÄ¡p hcm³ I− t\cw... sNÃv... sN¶p sXmd¡v... AtàAhfp IXIp XÃns¸mfnípw...." Rm³ AhfpsS tate \ns¶gpt¶Áp. Ahfpw Fgpt¶Áp kvYm\w sXÁn¡nS¶ hkv{X§Ä t\tcbm¡n. apSnbpw ]qhpsams¡ t\scbm¡n¡gnªt¸mÄ Rm³ sN¶v hmXn Xpd¶p. ]pdt¯íp t\m¡nb Rm³ hÃmXmbnt¸mbn.

hmXn¡ ]mÂ¥mÊpw aqSn¸nSn¨p \n¡p¶ Ipª½. ]pdIn Hcp s¹bnÁn Hcp ]Se ]ghpambn Ie. AXn\p ]pdIn tKmhWnbpsS apIĸSnbn Hcp t¹bnÁn ap´ncn¸g§Ä \nd¨Xpw ]nSn¨v \mK½. Ahtc¡−Xpw A`n BivOcyt¯msS hms]mfn¨p t]mbn. ]ns¶ AhfpsS apJw Ip\nªp. " Ct§m«nd§n hm tamtf...." Ipª½ hnfn¨p. A`n \n¶nS¯p \n¶\§nbnÃ. " Fd§n hm tN¨o... Ft´m¶p \mWním\m.... R§ftÃ..." Ie ]pdIn \n¶pw hnfn¨p. F¶n«pw AhÄ I«nensâ Ibvhcnbn hnctemSn¨p \n¶tXbpÅp. Rm³ Ahtf ]nSn¨v sasà sIm−p sN¶v Ipª½bpsS ap¼n \nÀ¯n. Ipª½ Ahtf shfnbnteínd¡n \nÀ¯n. " C¶m... samd{]Imcw \nt¶ aWnbdbnem¡m³ ChnsS \m¯q½mcnÃ.... Ietamfp \nsâ A\nb¯nbtÃ... AXpsIm−m... Rm³ Xcp¶Xv... " Ipª½ AhfpsS s\Ánbn H¶p Npw_n¨p. " \nâ\nb¯n... alm kq{X¡mcnbm... F¶mepw R§fp I−p]nSn¨p.... CtÃSo \mKt½... " ]mÂ¥mkv A`nbpsS I¿n G¸n¨n«v Ipª½ \mK½tb t\m¡n. " Ct§ms«d§n hmSm... B s¹bnÁt§m«p sImSp¡v Ietamtf..." Ipª½ hnfn¨p. Rm\pw shfnbnend§ns¨¶p. Ipª½ Fsâ Ihnfn XtemSn. " IeymWw Igntª¸ns¶ Fsâ Ipªp§fp a\:kam[m\t¯msS CtXhtc Hd§nbnsöp tN¨n ]dªm Rm\dnªXv... C\n ssZhw \n§s¡mcp _p²nap«pw hcp¯¯nÃ... F¶m sNÃv... " Ipª½ s¹bnÁp c−pw hm§n Fsâ I¿n X¶p. " A½ Hd§ntbm..." Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " CÃ... ]qPmapdosem−v..." " At½ Rms\m¶p It−¨v..." Rm³ Ipª½tb t\m¡n. " Ct¸mtgm... t]mSm s]m«m... C\n \msf I−m aXn.... A¸w KpUvss\Áv....hmSo tamtf... C\n Ahcmbn AhcsS ]mSmbn.... " Ipª½ Xncnªp \S¶p. R§Ä AIt¯íp Ibdn. ]mepw s¹bnÁpIfpw sIm−p shím³ taiícnInteíp \S¡pt¼mÄ Ipnbnemtcm iànbmbn \pÅn. A`nbpw H¶p ]pfªp. R§Ä sR«n¯ncnªt¸mÄ Nncn¨psIm−v IXISíp¶ IetamÄ. " \ns¶ Rm³... " A`n ]mÂ¥mkp sh¨nt«mSn hmXn¡se¯n IXIp Xpd¶p t\m¡n. " A[nI{]kwKn..." " l... Ifsbsâ sImt¨...." Rm\htf ]nSns¨sâ amdnsemXp¡nbn«v IXInsâ IpÁnbn«p. Ahtf amdnsemXp¡n Rm³ I«nenencp¶p. sIm¨pIpªnt\t¸mse AhÄ Fsâ amdn ]Ánt¨À¶ncp¶p. " sÈ... C§s\sbmcmZycm{Xn... \m«pImcp apgph\pw Adnªp.... " A`n hnc ISn¨p. " AXns\´m... IeymWw Ignbp¶ A¶v BZycm{XnbmsW¶pw AI¯p \S¡p¶Xv F´mbncnípsa¶pw FÃmÀ¡padnbmw... AXn\p N½nbns«mcp ImtcymanÃ... AsXmcp ]ckyamb clkyam..." " B... F¶m Adnbs«... tZ... C§s\bncp¶m t]mcm.... samd sXmS§t−..." " Mqw..." AhÄ Fsâ _\nb\pÅn I¿n«v amdt¯ sNdnb tcma§fn hnctemSn¨p. " F¦n ]mseSp¯p Xm..." AhÄ sasà Fsâ amdn \n¶pw amdn. ]mepambn h¶v I«nenencp¶p. Ft¶s¡m−p IpSn¸n¨p. ISpa[pcw, Ipª½ AdnªpsIm−n«Xmbncnípw. ]IpXn Rm³ AhÄ¡pw sImSp¯p. Ahtfs¡m−Xp IpSn¸n¨n«v ¥mkp I«nen\cnInembn \ne¯p sh¨p. " tZ... \nsâ Np−n ]mencníp¶p.... " AhÄ IbvsIm−p XpSíms\mcp§nbt¸mÄ Rm³ XSªp. B Np−n C\nªp \n¶ B ]mÂXpÅnbpw B Np−nte a[pchpw Fsâ Np−pIÄ sIms−m¸nsbSp¯p. AhfpsS Np−pIÄ¡pÅn a[pcw tXSn Fsâ \mheªp. BZyambn R§fpsS \mhpIÄ At\ym\yw sI«p]nWªp. ]mensâ a[pchpw hnImc¯nsâ elcnbpw R§fpsS ta\nbn Hcpan¨mÀ¯p tIdn. Hcp KmVmenwK\¯n R§Ä kzbw ad¶§s\ Ccp¶p. HSphn Rm³ Xt¶ B Npw_\¯n \n¶pw thÀs]«p. a\ÊnÃma\tÊmsS AhÄ Fsâ Np−pItf kzX{´am¡n. " tamtf...?.." " Mqw...?.."

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s\\s¡md§m³ [rXnsbmt−m....?.." Mqlpw..." F¦n \ap¡p sseÁp sISp¯pt¶\p aps¼mcp sNdnb ckw... F´m...?.." aWntb«sâ Cãw... cm{Xn \o−p sIS¡phtà C\nbpw...." F¦nÂ... tamsfmcp Um³kp sN¿mthm... C¶p ]Iet¯ t]mse... " sN¿mtem.. ]t£ C¶p ]Iep t{]maokp sNbvX Hcp Imcyw ImWnímsh¦nÂ..." Ft´m¶m..?. " BcsSsbms¡ ]Sw ]nSns¨¶v...." Um³kv sN¿msh¦n ImWnímw..." AXn\p ]m«p Xmsgbm..." Rm\sXSp¯psIm−p h¶ns«m−v... tamfp taí¸p sN¿v..." F´p taí¸v...?..." Adnb¯ntÃ... F¦n.. Rm³ sNbvXp Xcmw... Fgpt¶Áp \nÃv..." AhÄ Fgpt¶Áp apJw Fsâ t\tc \o«n \n¶p. Rm\m B IhnfpIÄ Fsâ DÅwIbvIÄsIm−p Xmtgm«p XgpIn. Igp¯p hgn AhfpsS kmcn¯p¼n ]nSn¨p. tXmfn \n¶pw AXp Xmtgín«p. AhÄ AXp Xncn¨nSms\mcp§n. " th−... tamtf... taí¸p sXmS§phm..." " AXns\Xn\m kmcnbgnípt¶...?.." " AXm ]pXnb taí¸v..." " tM...?.." AhfpsS apJw hnSÀ¶p. " F¦n sseÁp sISp¯mw..." " AXp th−... Um³kp ]ns¶§\m ImWpt¶...?.. tamf\§msX \n¶m aXn...." " AXp th−... Cu taí¸p tht−«m... Np½m ]¨ív XpWnbgnípIm¶p ]dªm... F\nsímcp \mWm..." AhÄ sIm©n. " \nsâsbmcp apSnª \mWw... tZs−... Rm³ Xt¶ BZyw Hcp§mw...." Rm³ _\nb\qcn. ap−p ]dn¨p hens¨dnªp. jÍn Ducn. I«nenteín«p. ]cn]qÀ® \á\mbn ]mXnbpWÀ¶ Ip®bpw Xq¡n AhfpsS ap¼n \n¶p. AhÄ I®pIÄ s]m¯n. " At¿... s]d¶ ]Sn... A]mc sXmen¡«nbmtW..." " ]ns¶... s]d¡p¼w F\níhnsS Ct{Xw ]qtSw aotiw H¶panÃmcps¶So s]t®... \obn§p hm..." Rm\htf ]nSn¨Sp¸n¨p. kmcnXp¼p tXmf¯p \n¶pw amÁn. hbdn\p apIfn Ip¯n\p Ibv sh¨p. shdpsX Ahsfsâ Ibv H¶p XSªp. Rm³ B kmcn Ipt¯msS ]dn¨p Xmsgbn«p. ]ncanÍp t]met¯ Ip¶³ apeIÄ Ft¶ DÁp t\m¡n \n¶p. AhbpsS at\mlcamb BIrXn, IbvsIms−m¶p XgpInbdnªXn\p tijw Rm³ »uknsâ lp¡pIfn Ibv sh¨p. AhÄ apJ¯p \n¶pw Is¿Sp¯v Fsâ Kpemt\ sXm«p. " ]nSnt¨m... ].nSnt¨m.. Ah\pw CsXms¡ H¶p ImWs«...." Rm³ ]dªp. AhÄ Aht\ c−p IbvsIm−pw ]Xps¡ XgpIn. Ah³ NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. At¸mtgípw Rm³ lp¡pIsfSp¯p. Ip®bnte ]nSn hnSmsX Hmtcm I¿mbn AhÄ »ukqcn. Rm\htf Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. {_mbpsS lp¡pIsfSp¡pt¼mÄ AhÄ ]pdtIm«p I¿n«v Kpemt\ ]nSns¨Sp¯p. lp¡qcnb {_m AhÄ Xt¶ I¿pbÀ¯n Ducn¯msgbn«p. B shfp¯ I£§fnte \oetcma§Ä F\nít¸mÄ Ft´m Hcp ]pXpa t]mse. ]pdIn \n¶pw Rm³ sasà I£§fn IqSn I¿n«v B amZI¡pS§tf XgpIn. I«n]nSn¨ apesR«pIfn hncÂsIm−p XmfaSn¨p. AhÄ ]pdtIm«p Xncnsªt¶ D½ shím³ {ian¨p. A§s\ Xt¶ \n¶ AhfpsS Acs¡«nsâ Hcp hi¯p−mbncp¶ ]mhmSs¡«v Rm³ Agn¨p ]mhmS Xmtgíp hen¨p. Ip−nIfn apdpIn AXp Xmtgíp henªp \n¶p. ]mhmSípÅn IqSn ap³hit¯íp I¿n«v AhfpsS Ac¡q«nte an\pkapÅ tcma¡m«n Fsâ hncepIÄ sXcp¸nSn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ ]mhmS hen¨v Xmtgíqcn. F¶n«v sasà ]cmXn ]dªp. " AsXm¶p ]dn¨p Ifbm\pw IqsS £abnÃ... GSíqsS Xs¶ I¿n«p hmcWw..." Rm\hfpsS IfnapÁ¯p IqSn hncepItfmSn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ sasà aqfn. ]pdtIm«p I¿n«v Ipe¨p \n¶hfpsS an\pk¡p−nIÄ¡nSbn ap«nbpcp½n\n¶ Fsâ Kpemt\ ]nSn¨p sR¡n. Rm\htf Fsâ t\À¡p Xncn¨p \nÀ¯n. AhÄ HcpIbvsIm−v kz´w

Ih¡nS s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. atÁ¡bv amdpIÄ¡p hne§s\ sh¨p. ]ns¶ Fsâ amdt¯íp Nmcn. " Um³kv..." Rmt\mÀ½n¸n¨p. " Mqw... C\n C¶p \ap¡p Um³kp ths−t¶..." AhÄ NnWp§n. " tamtf... t\m¡v.... IqSnbm ]¯p an\n«p t\ct¯ IkÀ¯psIm−v Cu BZycm{Xn \ap¡p XoÀ¡mhp¶tXbpÅp. ]ns¶ \obpw Rm\pw t]m¯pItft¸mse sISs¶md§pw.... \ap¡Xà sh−Xv... C¶t¯ cm{Xn inhcm{Xn... acníp¶Xp htc HmÀ½níms\mcp cm{Xn... sdUnbmbntím... CXm ]m«p hcp¶p...." Rm³ Ahsf ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«v sN¶p tS¸v Hm¬ sNbvXp. AhÄ BZyw H¶p aSn¨p ]nW§nb t]mse amdn \n¶p. Rm\hfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨v sasà Xmf¯ns\m¯v B«n. Rm\pamSn. At¸mÄ s]m§n \n¶ Fsâ hoc¸\pw BSn. AhÄ Ahsâ t\À¡p Nq−n¡m«nbn«v s]m«n¨ncn¨p. Rm³ AhfpsS Ih¡nSbnteíp Nq−n¡mWn¨p. s]s«¶hÄ ho−pw IhínS s]m¯n¸nSn¨p. " sXmS§So... DSp¡m¡p−o..." Rm\hfpsS Dcp− apeIfnsem¶p XgpIn. ]ns¶ I£¯n In¡nfnbn«p. C¡nfnsIm−p Nncníp¶Xns\m¸w sasà sasà AhÄ DWÀ¶p. Xmf¯ns\m¯p NphSpshím³ XpS§n. Xmf¯ns\m¯v B kpμcapeIfpsS ap´ncnsR«pIÄ hndím³ XpS§n. hnimeamb XpSn¨ hbdpw ]p¡nfpw Ft¶ lcw ]nSn¸n¨p. sNdnb iЯn DbÀ¶ ]m«ns\m¯v AhÄ kÀhw ad¶v ebn¨p. Xm³ ]cn]qÀW \ábmsWt¶m, Xsâ ap¶n `À¯mhp kmIqXw Xs¶ t\m¡nbncníps¶t¶m DÅsXms¡ AhÄ ad¶p. AhÄ hrμmh\¯nte cm[bmbn. Fsâ Zrãn apgph\pw AhfpsS CfIn¯pSníp¶ sh¬apeIfnepw CSínSív A\mhrXamIp¶ I£§fnte \oecminIfnepw Acs¡«nse ]qS¡mSnepambncp¶p. CSsí§s\tbm Ahsfmcp sicnbmb Um³kvt]mkn ImepIÄ AI¯n \n¶t¸mÄ Ahyàambn I− AhfpsS aZ\¨m Fsâ DÅn cXnbpsS ItÃme§Ä DbÀ¯n. Rm³ sasà Kpems\ I¿nseSp¯v XgpInbpWÀ¯m³ XpS§n. an¶nadbp¶ AhfpsS kpJt{kmXÊpIfpsS Zriyw t\m¡n sNdpXmbn hmWaSníp¶sXmcp kpJambncp¶p. ]IpXn ]m«mbt¸mÄ Rm³ I«nen \ns¶gpt¶Áp. AhfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p \r¯w \nÀ¯n. Ahsfsâ amdnteíp Nmªp. Ahsfsâ amdn apJw ]qgv¯n. amdnte tcma§fn hnctemSn¨p. " cmt[..." Rm³ ]Xnsb hnfn¨p. " F´m.... Fsâ I®m...?.." AhÄ ]Xnsb hnfn tI«p. " kXyw ]d... C{Xbpw Imew \o Ft¶tbmÀ¯p X]Êp sN¿pImbncpt¶m..." " C¸w F´m C{X kwibw...?..." AhÄ apJapbÀ¯n Fsâ Np−n Np−p ap«n¨p tNmZn¨p. " F\níp kwibanÃ... F¦nepw \nsâ \mhn \n¶Xp ho−pw ho−pw tIÄ¡m³ sImXnbmIp¶p..." " Fsâbo... IÅ¡®t\tbmÀ¯v s\SphoÀ¸n«tà C{Xbpw Imew Rm³ Pohn¨Xv... sIm¨p¶mfnte \½psS Iq«psI«v.. t{]ambn amdnbXp Rm\dnªnÃ... F\nsímcp Zmlamcps¶sâ aWntb«m... C¸gm Rm\Xp a\Ênem¡p¶Xv... Fsâ aWntb«³ Ft¶ ]ncnªv Cu Ipd¨p Znhkw amdnb¸w.... " " cmt[... \ns¶ Rm\§s\ hnfnít«..." " Mqw....aÁmcpw CÃm¯t¸m hnfnt¨m... AsX\níp tIÄ¡m\nãm..." " A`ncmt[... \nsâbo kzs¯ms¡ F\níp Xcpthm... " AhfpsS IpNZzb§fn hnctemSn¨psIm−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " F´n\m C§s\ tNmZnípt¶... HtS¡mc\tÃ...G«³..." " F¦n AsX\nín¸w thWw... " AhfpsS taÂNp−n s]mSnª \\p¯ hnbÀ¸v Rms\sâ Np−psIms−m¸nsbSp¯p. " Cu IÅ¡®t\ F\níp Xcpthm...?.." AhÄ {]mhp IpdpIp¶Xp t]mse tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Fsâ Ip«nIrjvW³ AhfpsS I¿nembn. kt´mj¯m Ah³ H¶p IqSn I¼nbmbn. " F´n\m... Fsâ cm[ínht\...? " " kq£ns¨mfn¸n¨p shím\m... "

" FhnsSbm AXns\mÅ kvYew...?." " tZ.... ChnsS....." AhÄ Ahsâ XesbSp¯v AhfptS tbm\ohnShnte NqSnteíp ]qgv¯n sh¨p. " Ah\hSt¯ NqSp sNe¸w ]nSníptIe... sNe¸w AI¯p OÀ±nípw..." " AsXsâ sIm¨pcm[ IpSnt¨mfpw... AhÄ¡hsâ OÀ±n Cãm... " " \o IpSnípthm..." " Mqw... " " F¶m hm. Ahtc C\n apjn¸ní−....." Rm\htf IbvIfn tImcnsbSp¯p I«nen InS¯n. AhfpsS apIfn Rm³ Ibvap«pIÄ Ip¯n \mepImen \n¶p. AhfpsS s\ÁnapX Rm³ Npw_\hÀj§fmc`n¨p. AsXmcp Npw_\aÂkcambncp¶p. Fsâ Ip®¡p«³ AhfpsS an\pk¯pSIÄ¡nSbn sRcp§nbncp¶psIm−v AhfpsS Hcp Npw_\¯n\mbn Zmln¨p. Fsâ Np−pIÄ hen¨pIpSníp¶Xn\nSbn AhÄ Aht\ B XpSIÄ¡nSbnen«p sRcn¨p. AdnbmsX Xt¶ Rm\m XpSIÄ¡nSbn Aht\ tIÁnbnd¡n ]®nt¸mbn. Fs´mcp kpJw. AhfpsS ssIínSbn \n¶pw han¨ t\cnb hnbÀ¸p KÔw, AsXs¶ D·¯\m¡n. Rm³ sasà Iotgm«nd§n. DbÀ¶p XpSn¨p \n¶ apeIfn Rms\sâ IhnfpIÄ sIm−p XgpIn. Hcp ioÂImct¯mtS AhÄ AXmkzZn¨psIm−ncp¶p. I«n]nSn¨ apesR«pIfn Fsâ Np−pIÄ tImcn¯cn¸p−m¡n. " IpSnt¨m I®m... IpSnív... same IpSnív.." AhÄ ]ndp]ndp¯p. AhÄ Hcp apesbSps¯sâ hmbnteíp sh¨p X¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ apSnbn ]nSn¨p amdt¯íp tNÀ¯p. Hcp Ipªp IpSníp¶Xp t]mse Rm³ B ape IpSn¨p. CSsím¶p ISn¨t¸mÄ AhÄ IpdpIn. " Ipdp¼p Im«msX I®m... ISnímsX.... C\n Fsâ tam³ ASp¯htf t\m¡ntí... CtàAhfp tZjys¸Spw...." AhÄ atÁ apebpw Fsâ hmbnteíp sh¨p X¶p. " sIm¨pIp«s\ H¶p Xm... F\níht\ H¶p Xm... " " C§s\ sIS¶m Aht\ tamÄs¡§s\ Rm³ Xcpw...?.." " Mpw... F\níht\ shWw... F\níp Xm... " AhÄ imTyw ]nSn¨p. " F¦n Rm³ Xncnªp sIS¡mw... " " Mqw...thKw sIS¡v.... Xm..." Rm³ thKw Fgpt¶Áp Xncnªp InS¶p. AhfpsS apJ¯n\p apIfnembn Rm³ Fsâ Ip®¡p«t\ sIm−p sh¨p. Ahfht\ ]nSns¨Sp¯v Ihnfnepw apJ¯pw C«pcíp¶Xp Rm³ apJw ]pdtIm«p Xncn¨v t\m¡n¡nS¶p. ]ns¶ AXn\p adp]Snbmbn Rm³ AhfpsS IhínSbnteíp apJw Xmgv¯n. Fsâ XmSnbn AhfpsS aZ\]oT¯nte kn¡ptcma§Ä C¡nfnbp−m¡n. HcpIbv sIm−m aZ\t¨me Rm³ ]nfÀ¯n]nSn¨p. AhfpsS hnImctI{μamb B aWn¡´nt\ Rm³ I−p]nSn¨p. AXnsâ tXmSn\p apIfn sasà \m¡psIm−n¡nfn Iq«n. " Mqw... AhntS Xt¶... C¨ncqsS Hd¨v... Hd¨v..." AhÄ ImepIÄ Iq«n¯ncp½n. Rm³ AhfpsS ImepIÄ Ih¨p sh¨p. ]ns¶ hnc sIm−m I´nsâ ]pdwsXmen Aåw apIfnteíp sX¶n¨n«v sasà \¡n. hnfdnb \ndt¯mSp IqSnb B ]bdpaWnbn BZyt¯ \¡en D¸pIÃn \¡pIbmsW¶p tXm¶nt¸mbn. A{Xíp¸nsâ Nph. AhÄ Acs¡«p hnÃp t]msem¶p hf¨p. sXm−bn \n¶pw Hcp IpdpIepw. AhfpsS PohÂ{][m\amb GtXm aÀ½¯n Rm³ sXm«Xpt]mse AhÄ sR«n. s]s«¶p Rm\dnªp, AhÄ Ip®bpsS ]IpXntbmfw AhfpsS NqSp hmbnem¡n \m¡psIm−pgnbpIbmsW¶v. Ahsâ HÁ¡®n AhÄ \mhnsâ Xp¼p sIm−p Ip¯nbt¸mÄ F\nín¡nfnbpw sR«epw. " tamtf Ahsâ sXm¸osS Xmsg \¡nbm aXn.... AXm G«\p IqSpX kpJw.... " AXptI«tXmsS AhÄ Aht\ hmbn \ns¶Sp¯n«v ]dªp. " tZ....Ah³ ]\n\ocp sNmc¯m³ sXmS§n..." ]dªn«hÄ apc−psIm−v Aht\ ho−pw hmbnem¡n Ddp©n¯pS§n. " CXv \nsâ Hma\¸qtdm...?... `mcX¸pgtbm.... Rm\n¸w ap§n¨mhqtÃm tamtf..." AXpt]mse AhfpsS ISn\ocmÁn tX\nsâ Ips¯mgp¡mcw`n¨ncp¶p. AXn\pÅn \n¶pw ]pds¸Sp¶ Hcp {]tXyI Xo£vWKÔw, AhfptSXp am{Xamb KÔw AhfpsS hmbnÂInS¶p ]pfbp¶ Fsâ Ip®¡p«t\ Dcp¡p ]cpham¡n.

" G«\tà AhnsSbn¸w Hdhsbm−m¡nbXv... IpSn¨p hÁnív... " ]dªn«hÄ ]Wn XpSÀ¶p. I´n\pw tbm\n¯pfípw CSív ASªp InS¶ aq{XZzmc¯nteíp Rms\sâ \mhp IS¯n. AhÄ Acs¡«n«v AklyXtbmtS sh«n¨p. " AhsS tht−«m.. hÃm−p hcp¶p.... " Fsâ \mhp Xmtgm«nd§n. XSn¨ `K¨p−pIÄ¡nSbn AaÀ¶pInS¶ AhfpsS I\ymNÀ½¯nsâ XfpXfp¸mÀ¶ Zf§Ä¡nSbn \n¶pw aZ\Pew Xnfs¨mgpIn. B tbm\oZzmc¯nteíp IqSpX Ddhíp th−n Rms\sâ \mhpsIm−p J\\amcw`n¨p. AhÄ Kpem³tamt\ hmbn \ns¶Sp¯n«p ]dªp. " G«m... apÃsamt«Â ]nSn... AXm C¸w IqSpXep kpJw..." Rm³ H¶pw an−msX Fsâ {]hÀ¯\w I´nteím¡n. Ipªn¸bdpt]mse AaÀ¶pInS¶ I´nt¸mÄ Cc«n hen¸¯n s]m§n h¶ncníp¶p. Fsâ \mhm CfwI´n\p NpÁpw \¡n¯pS¨p. Np−pIÄ sIm−p Rm\Xp hen¨o¼n. " Mmmmm... Attt¿mm.. F\ntíXm−p t]mse... hcps¶m−v... Mqw....Mqwww... " ]dªpsIm−hÄ ImepIÄ aS¡pIbpw \nhÀ¡pIbpw sNbvXp. s]s«¶p Rm³ IpXnÀ¶ B ]qÁn \n¶pw Fsâ apJw amÁn. NmSnsbgpt¶Áp. I«nen \n¶nd§n tai¸pd¯p sh¨ncp¶ ]m{X¯n \n¶pw shfns¨® tImcn hocPhmsâ Xebnepw XSnbnepw tX¨p. " FhnsSt¸mbXm... F¶m sN¿phm... C§p hm...." AhÄ Icbp¶Xp t]mse hnfn¨p. " _metKm]met\ F®tX¸n¨n«p \nsâ ]qÁn H¶p Ipfn¸níWw..." Rm³ NmSn s_Ín tIdn AhfpsS apIfnteíp t\tc Ih¨pInS¶p. " tamfp ImeI¯ntí..." AhÄ ImepIÄ AI¯n. " tamfp tamfpsS It´Â.. Aà apÃsamt«Â Xncp½ntím... G«\n¨ncn ]Wnsbm−v...." " F´n\m Ip«m... G«³ Xncp½p¶Xm kpJw...." " C¸w tamfp Xs¶¯m³ Xncp½v..." AhÄ CSíp IqSn I¿n«v I´n Xncp½m³ XpS§n. B Iq«¯n Rm³ Ip® ]nSn¨v B ]qÀ¨men At§mfant§mfw Dc¨p. AhfpsS `KZzmc¯nsâ ASp¯p h¶t¸mÄ Ie sNbvXXp t]mse A¸m¸ambn AaÀ¯n¯pS§n. ]ns¶ B I\ymNÀ½¯n\p ta Xt¶ Ipd¨p h«w NpÁn¨p. AhÄ I´n Xncp½ns¡m−p ]dªp. " thKw C¨nsc I«nbmbn«v....Fs´¦nepw sN¿v... F\níp hÃmXmIp¶p... A¿S.... \à ckwwww...Mqwwww...Mqwwww...." " tamfpsS Cãw..." Rm³ satà IbvsIm−p Ip®]nSn¨v B NqSphmXn¡ shs¨m¶aÀ¯n. F®sagp¡pw tbm\nt¯\pw IqSn krãn¨ hgphgp¸nehfpsS tbm\o\mf¯nsâ amWnIyhmXnemb I\ymNÀ½w \nhr¯nbnÃmsX Fsâ hocPhm\p hgn amdns¡mSp¯psIm−p henªp amdn. Fsâ Ip®s¯m¸nbn kpJapdp¡¯nsâ ]S¡§Ä s]m«n¨psIm−v Ahsâ Xe BZyambn B ]pXptbm\nbn {]thin¨p. " G«m... hÃmsX ]nSníp¶p... AhnsS henbp¶ t]mse.... AI¯p tIÁ− tIt«m... \mtf tIÁmw..." " sicn tamfpsS Cãw..... tamfp apÃsamt«Â Xncp½n kpJnt¨m tIt«m..." " Mqw... \à ckm... Cu apdp¡Xns\s´mcp kpJw... C¨ncqsS apdp¡ntím... AI¯p tIÁtÃ..." " CsÃSo s]m¶ptamtf... " Rm³ Ip\nªv AhfptS Np−pIÄ hmbnem¡n. ]nt¶ Ip® Aåw ]pdtIm«p hen¨n«v ho−pw AaÀ¯n Hcp XÅp sh¨psImSp¯p. dºÀ]´n henb BWnsIm−p XpfbnSpt¼mÄ ]´nsâ {]Xew AIt¯m«p henªn«p ]ns¶ B ]´nt\ Ip¯nXpfíp¶Xp t]mse Fsâ Dcp¡pIp® AhfpsS tbm\o\mf¯nteímgv¶nd§n. HÁ Cd¡¯n\p Rm³ Ahsâ X¡mfn¯e B Xnfíp¶ hnImc¡pgensâ ASn¯«n ap«n¨p sh¨p. AhÄ Fsâ Np−p ]nSn¨p amÁnbn«p ]dªp. " tN«³ tIÁntbm... hÃmsX henªtÃm... tlmhq... Hcp Ft´m t]mse... " B apJw hÃmsX Npfnªncp¶p. " tamfXp kmcam¡−... Rm³ tIÁp¶nÃ... tamfp It´Â Xncp½ntím...." " CÃ.. AhsS... Ft´m Hcp s\m¼cw t]mse C\n tIÁ− tIt«m... "

" CsÃSo tamtf... tIÁp¶nsÃt¶..." " C\n tIÁtÃ.... kptJmt−epw ....`b¦c henhv.... " " Mqw... tamfn¨nsc ImeI¯ntí...." Fsâ CSn¨p tIÁen\nSbn AdnbmsX AhÄ XpSIfSp¸n¨pt]mbncp¶p. " Mqw... At¿m... Hcp atbmanÃmsXbm... Ah\hnsS FhnSm.. Ip¯n \nípt¶..?." " AXn¸w amdpw... tamsfm¶p {^obmbn«p sISt¶... _ew ]nSnímsX..." " Mqw..." Rm³ sasà Ip® ]IpXn tatem«p hen¨p. ]ns¶ Xmtgm«aÀ¯n. Hcp c−p aq¶p hen Ignªt¸mÄ kwKXn Ffp¸ambn. NÀ½w apdnªp ImWWw. ]ns¶ Rm³ Xmakn¨nÃ. " tamtf G«s\mcp the ImWnímw t]mIphmtW... " " AI¯p...... tIÁmsX.... GXp.... thtew..... ImWnt¨m... F¶m...ImWn¨mepw... C¸w... \Ã....kpJam.... ImWnt¨m...Mqw...iviviviv...." " " sicn tamtf..." {Iam\pKXamb kv]oUn Rm³ ]®p XpS§n. \me©Sn Ignªt¸mÄ Kpem³ AI¯p tIdnsb¶hÄ¡p a\Ênembn. AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " Mmlm... AXns\Síp tIÁnsb¶p tXm¶p¶tÃm... kmceymmmmm....C¨ntc A\¡ptIw tIÁptIw sNbvtXm... C¸w Hcp ctkm−v..." AhÄ Fsâ apXpIn Ibv NpÁn¸nSn¨p. ]ns¶bhnsS R§fpsS cXntafw apdpIn. apgph³ \of¯n Rm³ BªSn XpS§n. " C¨ncqsS thK¯n tIÁv... F\níp thWw... thKw... tIÁv... Fd¡v.. " AhÄ Acs¡«p apIfntem«p XÅm³ XpS§n.. Rm³ ASn¨psImSp¯p. " C¸w ctkmt−«m... ASn.... A§s\bSn... F\níp kpJw hcps¶m−p aWntb«m..... ASn... Mqw...Mqw..Mqw... " AhÄ Np−p Iq«n¡Sn¨p. I®p apdp¡nbS¨p. AhfpsS tbm\o `n¯nIÄ tIm¨nhenbm³ XpS§n. Acs¡«n _ew ]nSním³ XpS§n. " kpJnív tamtf... kpJnív... thZ\sbmt−m...C¸w...? " ZbhnÃmsX ]®nbSníp¶Xn\nSbn Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Mqlpwww.. CÃmmmm.. C¸w \à ckmmmm...A¿Sm... A¿Sm... Mqw... Mqw... F\níp hÃmsX hcp¶p. ... At¿m... F\níp ht¿... Hm.....Ftâ«m... l¿m... AhsS Ft´m hcp¶q... ASnív... ASnív... hcp¶q... h...¶q... lbo... iv iv iv Èv..." Hcp io¡mct¯mtS AhÄ Fsâ Acs¡«n ImepIÄ ]q«n Ft¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«n¸nSn¨p. F\níSním³ h¿m¯ coXnbn AhÄ ImepIÄ apdp¡n]nSn¨p. Rm³ ]Ámhp¶nSt¯mfw Acs¡\¡n ]®n. " Mv...Mv...Mv...Mv..Mv.... lt¿m... aXn.... \nÀ¯v... F\níp tae... \nÀ¯v.... aXn.... " AhÄ Fsâ apXpIn AaÀ¯n¸nSn¨p. c−Sn IqSn ASn¨v F\nípw shÅw hcp¯Wsa¶p−mbncp¶p. ]t£ AhÄ k½Xníp¶nÃ. ]®Â IkÀ¯n Ahtf hnjan¸nímXncním³ t\m¡nbXpsIm−v F\níp kvJe\w XpS§nbnÃ. F\níhfpsS thZ\bmbncp¶p {]iv\w. Iptd sk¡âpIfpsS hndp§en¸n\p tijw AhfpsS IbvIÄ Abªp. ImepIÄ AI¶p I«nenteíp hoWp. \mhp sIm−hÄ Np−p \\¨p InX¨p. ]ns¶ sasà I®p Xpd¶p. " F´m... tamtf... CXp htc... FhnSmcp¶p....\o...?.." AhfptS NqSpcXnKwKbpsS DÂ`hkvYm\¯p Xd¨p sh¨ncníp¶ Ip® H¶\¡ns¡m−p Rm³ tNmZn¨p. AhÄ I®pIfS¨p apJw Npfn¨p. At¸mÄ B tbm\nbpsS ASn¯«n Hcp tIm¨nhenb \S¶Xp Ip®apJ¯p IqsS Rm\dnªp. ]ns¶ sNdnb sNdnb {]I¼\§Ä, At¸msgms¡ AhÄ apJw Npfn¨p. " \o F´p sN¿phm... s]t®..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ihnfn D½ sh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " C§s\ shíp¼w \à ckw... Hcp.... tImcn¯cn¸p t]mse..." " \o Fsâ Ipªn¡®t\bm Cdp¡p¶Xp tIt«m..." " At¿m Rm\dntªm−Ã... h¶p t]mIpIm... ]nSním\dnb¯nÃ... Mqw... tZ It−m..." AhÄ ]ns¶bpw apJw Npfn¨p. " CsX¸gm Xocpt¶... Rm\nht\ FSp¡tWm...." Rm³ Ip®sbm¶\¡n. " At¿m th−... C¸w th−... Ah\hnsSbncníp¼w Cdp¡m³ \à ckm...lbv... tZ... CXp \níp¶nÃ...Fsâ Ip«m Rms\¶m sN¿m\m... "

AhÄ Fsâ apJw ]nSn¨p Xmgv¯n Fsâ Np−n AaÀ¯n Npw_n¨p. At¸mgpw A\nb{´nXamb B {]I¼\w. AhfpsS ]qsdsâ Ip®tb hcnªp hn«p. ]ns¶ H¶pw an−msX \mWw sIm−p Iq¼nb AhfpsS I®pItfíp t\m¡n Rm³ IbvIp¯n¡nS¶p. c−p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhfpsS Acs¡«nte Aán]ÀhX¯nsâ hnImcPzme sI«S§n. Ahsfm¶p ZoÀLambn \nizkn¨p. F¶n«p Fsâ Ihnfn XgpIn tNmZn¨p. " \½sS BZyt¯ kwt`mKw Igntªm...?..." " AXp ]dbmw.... \n\¡p kpJnt¨m....?.. F§s\m−mcp¶p... kw...t`m...Kw.... ?.." " At¿... F\níp ]dbm\dnb¯nÃ... H¶p a\Ênembn.... shdptXbà s]®p§fo BWp§sS Iotg C§s\ sIS¡p¶Xpw s]mdtI \S¡p¶Xpw... " " A¸w \o kpJn¨p... Rm\n¸gpw ]mXn hgoem... " " At¿m ... Fsâ koep s]m«nb¸w G«\p ]mep h¶ntÃ...?.." " \nsâ koep s]m«nsb¶p IcpXn F\nsí§s\ ]mep hcpw tamtf... " " A¸w s]m«otÃ..." AhÄ A¼ct¸mtS tNmZn¨p. " B... s]m«n¡mWpw... t\m¡o«p ]dbmw..." " C¸w s]m«osæn... \msf aXn... C¸w C¨nsc thZ\ tXm¶nbmcp¶p... C\nbn¸w G«s\§s\bm... Rms\´m sNt¿t−..." " tamfn¯nsc ]Ãp ISn¨p]nSn¨p sIS¡mthm... Rm³ \½sS tamtf \nsâ AIt¯sím¶p hnt«mt«...?..." " C¨nsc thZ\tb HsŦn kmcanÃ... F´p thtWepw sNbvtXm..." Rm³ AhfpsS ape¡®nsemcp½ sh¨p. AhÄ C¡nfn sIms−m¶p ]pfªp. " At¿m... C¸w AhnsSm¶pw sXmS−... C¡nfnbm... hÃmsX hcp¶p...." " F¶m C¨nsc Ignbs«..." Rm³ AhfpsS AcnIn ssIIp¯n InS¶p. CSínSív Ip®b\¡n sh¨p. F\nídnbmw Ducnbm DS³ AhÄ Dd¡w ]nSnípw. ]ns¶ aq¶p Znhkt¯ív AhÄ AhnsS sXmSoí¯nÃ. AXp t]mse AhfpsS kmam\w Iodnbn«p−mIpw. A{Xíp apdp¡ambncp¶p. Ct¸mgpw AXp ssSÁmbn tNzÀ¶ncnípIbmWv. F\níp shÅw hcp¯Wsa¦n C¶åw _ew {]tbmKntí−n hcpw F¶pd¸mWv. BZyambn«o aWn¸qdp Xpd¶XtÃ, GXmbmepw C\n AIs¯mgn¨n«p Xt¶ Imcyw. ]Xn\©p an\nt«mfw Rms\sâ Ip®bpa\¡n InS¶p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS Np−n sasà D½ sh¨p. ' tamfq«o....?.." " Mqw...? " " tamÄs¡t¶ Ctãmt−m...?..." " Mqw... " " C\ow \ap¡nXp sN¿tWm...?.." " Mqw..." " A¸w s\\¡p s\m´mtem...?.." " F¶mepw \à ckam..." AhÄ Hcp {]tXI coXnbn I®ndp¡n. " F¦n Rm³ tamfpsS same IpSnít«...?.." " Mqw..." " F¦n Fsâ cm[¡p«n F\nsímcp \à D½ Xm... " " Fsâ I®\p \Ãp½.... " AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn AaÀ¯nsbmcp½ X¶p. " tamtf... F\níp sameIpSním³ sImXn hcpIm...." " IpSnt¨mfqt¶... Fsâ sX½mSn¡p«\tÃ......" tIÄ¡m¯ Xmakw Rm³ Hcp apesRs«Sp¯p sasà hen¨pIpSn¨p. H¸w Hcp Ibv sIm−v sasà XgpIm\pw {ian¨p. BZyw AhÄ sNdpXmbns«m¶p ]pfªp. ]ns¶ kmhImiw AXp ckním³ XpS§n. AhÄ Xs¶ ASnbn ape sasà XgpIn¯Ån X¶p. Rm³ I¬tImWp sIm−v AhtfmSp tNmZn¨p. " Mqw...?..." " ctkm−v... ]ns¶ C¨nsc C¡nfosam−v.... F¶mepw IpSnt¨m.. F\nínãm... " AhÄ atÁ apebn kz´w It¿mSn¨p. c−p an\n«p Ignªt¸mÄ AhÄ Iogv¨p−p Iq«n¡Sním³ XpS§n. Ahtf H¶p IqSn Cf¡pIbmbncps¶sâ e£yw. AhÄ¡pw kpJn¨nsæn C\n AhÄ¡p IqSpXÂ

thZ\nípw. C\n IpdªXv HcmgvNt¯íp t\m¡−, Fs¶\nídnbmw. C¶p hÃXpw \S¶m \S¶p. F\nsím¶p shÅw IfbWw. AXhfpsS cXn{iotImhnen t\Zníbpw thWw. IpSnbpw henbpw XpSÀ¶t¸mÄ AhÄ sasà ImepIÄ A\¡m³ XpS§n. sNdnb io¡mcw B \mhn \n¶pbcm³ XpS§n. CSínSíhÄ Ft¶ D½ shím\pw XpS§n. " ctkmt−mSo...?.." Rm³ ape hn«n«p tNmZn¨p. " Mqw... IpSnt¨m... H¶pw ]db−..." " F¦n tamfp apÃsam«qsS H¶p IbvImcyw sNbvtX... \as¡m¶qsS kzÀ¤¯n tIdmw... " " Mpw... G«³ IpSn... C¶m..." AhÄ atÁ apesbSps¯sâ hmbn sh¨p X¶p. Rm³ Acs¡«pbÀ¯n. AhÄ CSíp IqSn I¿n«v AhfpsS I´n XgpIm³ XpS§n. " Ftâ«m... AhSsams¡ Hcp ]cphambncníphmWtÃm... Ct{Xw sImgªsX§s\bm... G«\p ]mep h¶mcpt¶m...?..." " Fsâ apt¯.... AXp \nsâ Ipdp¼mSpIp«n Hen¸n¨Xm..." " Ct{Xtam... shdptXbà CXpt]mse kpJw.." AhÄ Np−p Iq«n¡Sn¨psIm−v I´n AhfpsS ]Wn XpS§n. Rm³ Ftâbpw. \nanj§Ä¡Iw AhfpsS I®pIÄ Iq¼n. sNdnb Rc¡§Ä hcm³ XpS§n. CXp Xt¶ Xcw. F\níp ]®n hcp¯Ww. apeIpSn XpS§nbt¸mÄ Xt¶ Phm³ H¶p IqSn AI¯ncp¶p I¼nbmbn. F\nídnbmw Rm³ ASn XpS§pt¼mÄ thZ\n¨m AhÄ FÃmw hn«pIfbpw. ]mXn hgníp \ns¶¶pw hcpw. Rm³ apeIÄ hn«n«p ]dªp. " C\n tamfnhcsS Imcyw t\m¡v... G«³ I´p½mt½sS Imcyw t\m¡ntímfmw.... " Aåw hnjan¨msW¦nepw Rm³ Hcp Ibv CSbn IqSn C«v. AhfpsS I´n ]nSp¯an«p. AXhÄ¡p \t¶ kpJn¨p. AhÄ kz´w Ibv D®n¡´n \n¶pw amÁn Ft¶ sI«n¸nSn¨p. Rm³ sasà Fsâ Kpemt\ A\¡n ]®p XpS§n. BZyw XpS§nb ZoÀLamb ASnIÄs¡m¸w I´nte Fsâ Xncp½Â IqSnbmbt¸mÄ AhÄ I®pIfndp¡nbS¨p " sImÅmthm tamtf... ?.." CemÌn¡n«p apdp¡nbXpt]mte CdpInb B I¶n¸qdn {Iaamb thK¯n ]®ns¡m−v Rm³ tNmZn¨p. " Mv..Mv..Mv..Mv... sImÅmw... F\nípw C¨nsc kpJw hcps¶m−v... sXcp sXsc tIÁv... \nÀ¯−... tIÁv... A§s\ Xncp½v... Mqw... sImÅmw... Fsâ Ip«³ sImÅmw..." Rm³ Acs¡«n _ew ]nSn¨v ASn XpS§n. _ew ]nSn¨m shdptX ASníp¶Xnepw t\ct¯ shÅw hcpw. " tamÄ¡p Fs´¦nepw tXm¶ps¶mt−m...?.." " Mqw ... \à kpJw tXm¶ps¶m−v.... tIÁv... C¨ncqsS XÅntímt¶... " AhÄ Ct¸mÄ Hmtcm ASnípw Acs¡«p apIfnteíp XÅn¯cp¶p. " Mm.... Fsâ tamfp ]®p ]Tn¨tÃm... " Rm³ t{]mÂimln¸n¨p. " Fsâ F«\tà Ft¶ C¸w ]Tn¸n¨Xv... thKw... thKw... F\níp ]nt¶w FfIn... l¿... sam«p Xncp½v... sImÅmw Ip«m... lm...lm..lmmm...Duuu... " ASnIÄs¡m¯v AhÄ CfIns¡m−p iÐap−m¡n. Iesb§m\pw hmXn¡ sNhntbmÀ¯p \n¸p−mIptam, tN¨nbpsS _lfw tIÄ¡m³. " Mv...Mv... Mv... sXcp sXsc... Mm... A§s\...A§s\... lt¿m.... \à ckw... F\níp s]m«pw.. F\níp s]m«p....t¶«m..." AhÄ Acs¡«p _eambn tatem«p ]nSn¨v shdptX A\¡n. AhÄ¡p cXnaqÀO hcp¶Xdnª Fsâ Acs¡«nepw Aán]ÀhXw ]pIbm³ XpS§n. " G«m... F\níp aXo... lq... tbm... lqqqq... \à ckw... s]mÅpt¶...lqqqq... XoÀt¡m... lqqqq..." AhÄ Aåw Dds¡ Xs¶ hnfn¨p Iqhn. \meSn IqSn. Fsâ Ip®¡pgen IqSn AhfpsS Imah\¯nteíp ]mep−IÄ H¶n\p ]pdtI H¶mbn ]mªptIdn. R§fpsS ta\nIÄ¡p `mcanÃmbvI tXm¶nb \nanjw. AhÄ hnÃpt]mse Acs¡«p tatem«p hf¨p ]nSn¨p. CfInadnª D−¡pS§fn \n¶pbÀ¶ Xnf¨ ]m apgph³ Fsâ t{]bknbpsS aWn¸qdnsâ AKm[Xbn NoÁns¨mgn¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Fsâ Acs¡«n\pw Hcbhp h¶p. `qanbn Xncns¨¯nb

Rm³ t\m¡pt¼mÄ I®S¨p ]nSn¨v Np−p ISn¨p ]nSn¨v Fsâ Hmtcm ASnípw Acs¡«p bm{´nIambn tatem«p sh«níp¶ Fsâ A`ntbbmbncp¶p. Fsâ ASnbpsS Xmfw XIÀ¶t¸mÄ Fsâ Acs¡S\§mXmbt¸mÄ Ahfpw XfÀ¶p XncnsI InS¡bnteíp hoWp. kpcXkpJ¯nsâ A´y¯nepÅ {]I¼\§Ä¡p th−n AhfpsS hndíp¶ tbm\nbpw Fsâ sh«p¶ Ip®bpw X½n aÂkcn¨p. A{Xbpw t\cw ]nSn¨p\n¶ Fsâ ]pcpjXzw XfÀ¶p. B XfÀ¨ t]mcmªn«v AhfpsS I¶n¸qdht\ Cdp¡nbndp¡n sRcn¨p. \nanj§Ä¡Iw FÃmw sI«S§n. R§fpsS Bthiw XWp¯p. AhfpsS I´n hn{ian¨ncp¶ Fsâ Ibv AhÄ hen¨p amÁn. ]ns¶ I®S¨p InS¶v ZoÀLizmkw hn«p. I´p Xncp½nb Fsâ Ibv hÃmsX h¨ncp¶Xp sIm−v Aåw thZ\bp−mbXv Ct¸mgmWdnªXv. shÅw t]mb Bizmk¯n Rm³ AhfpsS AcnInteíp XeNmbn¨p InS¶p InX¨p. " tamtf....? " Mqw..?.." Dd¡¯n \ns¶¶ t]mse AhÄ I®p Xpd¶p. " F´p ]Án...?.." " CXn¨nsc I«nbmbnt¸mbn... Fsâ AhSw DcpInbXp t]mse... C¸w aWntb«³ hnfn¨¸gm t_m[w hoWXv... slm... FsXmcp kpJw.... Fsâ Ip«s\\níp X¶Xv..." XfÀs¶¦nepw AhÄ apJw sNcn¨v Fsâ Ihnfn Hcp½ X¶p. " F¶m.... H¶qsSbmbmtem....?.." Rm\hfpsS apebn Ibv sh¨psIm−p tNmZn¨p. " At¿m... th−m... Rm³ N¯p t]mIpw.... F\nín\ow kpJníWw... F¶pw... F¶pw... CXpt]mse... " AhÄ Fsâ Ibv FSp¯p amÁn. ]ns¶ Fsâ Ihnfn IhnÄ ap«n¨v InS¶p. AhfpsS NqSpamf¯n Fsâ Kpem³ sasà sasà Xfcm³ XpS§n. F{X XfÀ¶n«pw Ah³ AXn\pÅn apdpIn \n¶p. Npcp§nb _eqWn hnc AIs¸«Xp t]mse. " A`n¡p«o....?.." Rm\hfpsS aq¡n tXm−n. " Np½mbncn aWn¡p«m.... F\nsímd¡w hcp¶p...." " At¿m... C{X s]s«t¶m... A¸w XpWn tht−...?.." " th−....? " IgpIt−...?..." " th−...." " A¿So... \nsâ ip²ow hr¯osams¡ FhsSt¸mbn...?.." " C¸w Ct{Xw aXn...." AhÄ Hcp tIm«phm C«p. " sISt¡ ]mep hogpw..." " hogs«.... Ae¡ntímfmw..." " tXm«pIShnte s]®p§sS ]Sw ImWt−...?..." " \msf ImWmw...." " tamtf.... t\cw ]mXncm t]mepw BbnÃ...." " C¶nt{Xw aXnsbsâ s]m¶p aWn¡p«m... C\nsb\níp h¿.... kXymbn«pw. " AhÄ XfÀ¶ kzc¯n ]dªp. " aXnsb¦n aXn.... Rm\qcm³ t]mIphm..." " Mqlpw....Ah³ thtW AXn\I¯ncpt¶mt«... \mtf Fgpt¶¡p¼w Ducmw... " AhÄ A§s\ Xt¶ InS¶p. " F¶m Hcp Imcyw sN¿v.... tamsfsâ tamfn sISt¶m.... Duc−..." " G«\p izmkw ap«ptIte...?..." " CsÃsâ tamtf..." " F¶m Ft¶ tIÁns¡S¯v..." " F¶m tamfp _metKm]met\ Cdp¡n¸nSnt¨m... F¶n«v Fsâ tamfntem«p adntªm..." " Mqw..." Rm³ AhfpsS Acs¡«n ]nSn¨n«v Ahtfbpw sIm−v H¶p adnªp. ]t£ Rm³ adnªXp t]mse AhÄ adnªp tIdnbnÃ. ]Icw Ip® Ducnt¸m¶p. " At¿m.... Ducnt¸mbtÃmSo..." " Mm... t]msb¦n t]ms«... Hd§mw... " AhÄ A§s\ Xt¶ Imepw Ih¨p aeÀ¶p InS¶p. Ct¸mÄ bmsXmcp \mWhpanÃ. F\níp Nncn s]m«n.

" Zmln¨p Zmln¨p \S¶n«n¸w... Hcp¯n sIS¡p¶ sIS¸v...." Rm³ Fgpt¶Áp I«nensâ AcnIn InS¶ \\ª tXmÀs¯Sp¯p. AhÄ ta IgpInbn«v AhnsS C«n«p t]mbXv. Fsâ Kpemt\ \o«n¸nSn¨p XpS¨p. t\m¡pt¼mÄ tXmÀ¯n sNdnb càOhn. Rm³ s]s«¶hfpsS Acs¡«nteíp t\m¡n. ASª IShmbn \n¶pw Dan\oscmeníp¶Xp t]mse Fsâ sImgp¯ ]m AhfpsS ASª ]qdnSp¡n \n¶pw Heníp¶p. Iq«¯n A¶p IebptSXn I−t]mse Aåw cà¯nsâ H¶p c−p \qepIfpw. Rm³ tXmÀ¯psIm−v B Ih¡nS AaÀ¯n XpS¨p. " iv iv iv iv ...lm..." AhÄ I®p Xpd¶p. " ]Xps¡ sXmSív... t\mhp¶p.... G«³ sISt¶m... _m¡n \msf sXmSímt¶.... " AhÄ ImepIsfm¶Sp¸n¨n«v ]ns¶bpw Ih¨p InS¶p. \\sªm«nb sNdp tcma§fpambn AhfpsS ]qdnSp¡v tKmX¼p \nd¯n Xnf§n. Rm³ sasà B CXfpIfpsS Xmgvhiw H¶p hen¨p Xpd¶p t\m¡n. \à tdmkv \nd¯n Fs´ms¡tbm Npcp−ncníp¶p. Aåw càhpw D−v. " F¶m t\m¡phm... hen¨p IodtÃ... C¨nsc t\mIps¶m−v..." AhÄ Aekambn ]dªn«v c−p I¿pw hnSÀ¯n InS¶p. " s\\¡p shÅw thtWm...?..." " Mqw... Xm... " AhÄ InS¶psIm−p Ibv \o«n. Rm³ tai¸pd¯ncp¶ Ip¸nsbSp¯p sImSp¯p. ]ns¶ Ahtf hens¨gpt¶Â¸n¨ncp¯n. AhÄ Ip¸n hmbnteíp Iagv¯n. shÅw IpSn¨p Ignªt¸mÄ Rm³ XpS¨ tXmÀ¯htf ImWn¨p. AhÄ AXp hm§n t\m¡nbn«v AhÄ tNmZn¨p. " A¸w sicnípw koep s]m«n CtÃ...?.. tIÁp¶nÃ... tIÁp¶nÃm¶pw ]dtªm−v... CSn¨p tIÁpImcp¶p CtÃ... FÃmw ]dnªp Iodnsb¶m tXm¶p¶Xv..." AhÄ tXmÀ¯p Xmtgín«p. Fsâ tXmfnteíp Nmcn. " F¶mbmepw AXp Iod−XtÃ... C\nbn¸w Imcyw Ffp¸mbtÃm..." " Ffp¸mbn... sImXnb³... Hcp ZtbanÃmsX... tIÁ−....tIÁ−m¶p ]dªn«v... " AhÄ Fsâ Ihnfn ]nSn¨v \pÅn hen¨p. " A¸w \o kpJn¨ntÃ...?..AXpw c−p {]mhiyw..." Rm\hfpsS apXpIn XgpIn. " Mm...C¨nsc s\ms´¦nepw....AXm Hcp kam[m\w.... AhÄ Fsâ amdn D½sh¨psIm−p InS¶p. ]ns¶ Fsâ Imen¶nSbn AS§n¡nS¡p¶ Ip® I¿nseSp¯p sIm−p ]dªp. " Cu XfpXfm¶p sIS¡p¶ Ipªp®nbm Ct{Xw t\cw Ft¶bn«p shÅw IpSn¸n¨sX¶p ]dªm Bsc¦nepw hnizknípthm... " AhÄ Aht\ `mcw t\m¡p¶Xp t]mse H¶p Ipep¡n. " Ipep¡tÃ.... Ah³ Fgpt¶Â¡pw... ]ns¶ s\\¡p ]WnbmIpw..." " At¿m..... F¶m th−... " AhÄ Aht\ I¿n \n¶pw hn«p. " \nsâ N¡cbS IgpIt−...?.. Ctà\msf hà sk]vÁn¡mbmtem..." " Hm... AsXm¶pansÃt¶... A§s\bmtW R§sSsbms¡ apÅps¶Sw ]t− sk]vÁnímtbt\... tlm.... F¶m... F¶m ]Wnbmcp¶p ImWn¨Xv..." AhÄ t\tcbncp¶p F¶n«v Ip\nªv kz´w IbvsIm−v ]qsdm¶p hnSÀ¯n t\m¡n. " \osb¶Xm s]mfn¨p t\m¡pt¶... AXn\n Fsâ km[\m... hnt«cv... Rm³ t\m¡ntímfmw..." Rm³ AhfpsS I¿n ]nSn¨p. " F¶mepw Fsâ aWn¡p«m... Cu sNdp]bdp t]mencníp¶ km[\t¯ent{Xw kptJms−¶mcdnªp....?.." " C\ow AXpt]mse \nsâ ]teS¯pw kpJw Hfnªp sISs¸m−v... hgntb s\\¡Xp a\ÊnemIpw.. C¸w Hd¡w t]mtbm....?.." " CÃ... H¶p apÅWw..." AhÄ sasà Fgpt¶Áp. ]ns¶ Xncnªp InS¡bntesím¶p t\m¡n. " sÈ... InS¡ apgph\pambn.... CXm \mK½sb§m\pw I−m... G«m... B hncns¸Sps¯m¶p amÁmtam...?.." F¶n«hÄ _mXvdqanteíp t]mbn. " FSo \nsâ sXmtS¡qsS Hs¡... HgpIp¶p..." " Mm ... Adnbmw... IgpIntímfmt¶... "

AhÄ Ipfnapdnbn tIdn. Rm³ Aeamcnbn \n¶pw hncns¸Sp¯p. ]gb hncn¸v I«nensâ Xmtgbn«p. ]pXnbXp hncn¨psIm−ncnípt¼mÄ Ipfnapdnbn \n¶pw AhfpsS iÐw. " lqqqq... lhqqqq..." " F´mSo.. tamtf..." Rm³ HmSn AI¯p sN¶t¸mÄ ss]¸pw s]m¡n¸nSn¨hÄ apJw Npfn¨ncníp¶p. " XWp¯ shÅw sN¶¸w \oÁepsIm−v Poh³ t]mIp¶p...." " F¶m IgpI−....hm... sXmS¨m aXn.... " Rm³ Ahtf ]nSns¨gpt¶ån¨p. Ahsfsâ tXmfn Nmcn \S¶p. h¶n« AhÄ I«nenteíp s]mt¯m¶p hoWp. AXp I− Rm³ Nncn¨p. " F´n\m Nncnípt¶..." " hociqc]cm{Ian... A`ncman Iht¡tStew s\©t¯w kIeXpw sXmd¶psh¨v... am¡m¨n¯hf sIS¡p¶t]mse Ih¨p sIS¡p¶ I−n«v Nncn¨XmtW..." " Mm... Ih¨p sIS¡pw... \tãm¶qÃtÃm..." " C¸w sXmd¶ sXmfbm... hà Feow tIdpw..." Rm³ AhfpsS XpSIfSp¸n¨p sh¨p. AhfXp ho−pw AI¯n Ih¨p InS¶p. " CXn\I¯v BsI Hcp sXmc¸s\entb tIds¯mÅp... AXnt\ Cs¶t¯sím¶p sI«nbnSmthm..." " F{X sI«nbn«mepw Ah\o sXmtfsS aWw ]nSn¨nSn¨p tIdpw... Rms\¶m sN¿m\m... " Rm³ AhfpsS \\ª IhbnSp¡nte ]qSIfnsem¶p XgpIn. " aXn... Is¿Sp¡v... " AhÄ Fsâ Ibv ]nSns¨dnªp. " C{X iqqqq¶v \nsâ Ka t]mtbmSo...?.." " G«m... ?.." " Mqw...?.." " Ct§m«p sISt¶... B sseÁpw IqsS sISp¯ntí....." Rm³ sseÁp sISp¯n. ]ns¶ AhfpsS IqsS tIdnInS¶p. Ahsfsâ tateípcp−p tIdn. F¶ns«t¶ Ddp¸S¦w sI«nhcnªv Fsâ apJ¯p½ sh¨psIm−v tNmZn¨p. " Ft¶ am¡m¨n¯hfbm¡nbXmcm.... an−msX sISs¶md§ntímWw... Mvlm... " AhÄ ]ns¶bpw Fsâ apJ¯p½ sh¨p. " FSo.... F\níp izmkw ap«p¶p... Ibv hnSv..." Rm³ Nncn¨psIm−p hnfn¨p ]dªp. " ap«s«... sI«n¸nSn¨p sImÃpw Rm³... " AhÄ Fsâ s\©nteíp tIdn¡nS¶p. Ahsfsâ Ihnfn AhfpsS Ihnfndp¡n sh¨p. Rm\hfpsS apXpIn XShn. AhfpsS Acs¡«nte tcma§fn \n¶pw XWp¯ shÅw Fsâ Acs¡«n hoWp. " FSo... kmam\w sXmSt¨¨p sIS¡v.... ]qtS¶p shÅw hoWn«p XWp¡p¶p...." Rm\hfpsS tbm\n¸qSIfn X¸n. " kmcanÃ... C¨nsc XWp¡s«....sImtd¡gnbp¼w NqSmbntímfpw.... AXn\m ASp¸n¨p h¨ncnípt¶.... an−msX sIS¡v... s]mXs¸´ntb....?.." Rm³ ]pX¸p X¸nsbSp¯p AhfptSbpw Ftâbpw tate IqSn ]pX¨p. ]ns¶ AhfpsS Ip−nbn sasà X«ns¡mSp¯p. \nanj§Ä¡Iw AhfpsS {Iaamb izmtkmOzmk¯nsâ iÐw tI«p. Agnªpeª apSnbptSbpw NXª apøqhntâbpw apIfnÂ, B s\dpIbn Rm³ Hcp½bneqsS AhÄ¡p ip`cm{Xn ]dªp. " KpUvss\Áv ... Fsâ {]nbs¸« cmt[... KpUvss\Áv..."

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