ഒളിവര് ട്വിസ്റ്റ്

A-hÄ I-®oÀ hmÀ-¯psIm-−m-Wv X-sâ A-\\pP- s\\ tX-Sn-bXv. Im-gv-N-¡m-scÃmw k-l-X-]n¨p. A-h-scÃmw ]-c-kv]-cw ]dªp: “H-cp ]m-hw s]-®v A-h-fp-sS A-\\pP-s\\ A-t\\z-jn- ¨p-\\-S-¡p¶-Xv It−m?” \\m³-kn-bp-sS `m-Ky-¯n-\\v ^p-Sv-]m-¯n-eq-sS t]m-b H-cp h-b-k³ {^q-«v hnÂ-]-\\-¡mc³ Ah-sf k- lm-bn-¡m-sa-t¶äp. A-hÄ I-c¨n-tem-sS Abm-tfmSv A-\\p-P-sâ h-kv-{X [mc-W-co-Xnbpw aäv e-£-W-§-fpw ]-d-ªp. A-§s\\-sbm-cp Ip«n-sb tam-j-W-t¡-kn t]m-eo- kv ]n-Sn-¨-Xmbpw ]n-s¶ \\n-c-]-c-m-[n-sb-¶v sX-fn-ª- Xn-\\m tImS-Xn sh-dp-sX hn-«-Xmbpw Ah-s\\ H-cp am-\\y³ Ip-Xn-c-h-−n-bn Ib-än F-t§mt«m sIm−p-t]m-b-Xmbpw hr-²³ ]-dªp. “ssZ-hta, F-sâ A-\\pP-s\\ B Zp-ã³ F-t§m-«m- Wv tam-ãn¨p-sIm−p-t]m-b-sX¶v ]-dbmtam kÀ?” “Cà Ip«o, ]-t£ Rm³ H-cp Imcyw {i-²n¨p. A- bmÄ B h-−n-¡m-c-t\\m-Sv ]-d-ª Ø-ew s]-³-d- tem B-sW-¶m-Wv F-sâ HmÀa.” “hf-sc \\-μn kÀ. Xm¦-sf ssZ-hw c-£n-¡s«.” \\m³-kn-¡v B hn-h-c-§Ä [m-cm-f-am-bn-cp¶p. A-hÄ In«n-b hn-h-c-§-fp-am-bn ^m-Kn-\\-Sp-t¯¡v t]mbn. 50

\\m³-kn-bn \\n-¶v hn-h-c-§Ä tI-«-tXm-sS Im-cy- §Ä A-]-I-S-¯n-em-sW-¶v ^m-Kn\\pw Iq-«À¡pw t_m-[y-ambn. ssk-Iv-kv X-sâ ]-«n-bp-am-bn Øew hn-«p. H-fn-hÀ ho-−pw X-sâ ssI-bn h-¶p-tN-cp-¶-Xph- sc Xmh-fw am-dm³ ^m-Kn³ Xo-cp-am-\\n¨p. A-bmÄ X-sâ ]n-tÅs- c hn-fn-¨v Iq-«n-bn-«v ]dªp: “Im-cy§Ä. A-]-I-S-¯n-emWv. \\-½Ä C-\\n ]-c-kv]- cw A-dn-bm-¯ co-Xn-bn A-`n-\\-bn¨p-sIm-−m-Wv ap- t¶m-«v t]m-tI-−-Xv.” “R-§Ä F-´m-Wv sN-t¿−Xv?” tUm-Uv-PÀ tNm-Zn¨p: “H-fnh-sd I-−p-]n-Sn-¡Ww. A-h³ s]-³-d-tem-bn- se GtXm ho-«n D-−v. Ah-s\\ I-−p-]n-Sn-¡p-¶- Xn-\\v F-´p Nne-hp hcptam A-Xv ap-gp-h³ Rm³ h-ln-¡pw. th-Kw t]mIq.” ^m-Kn³ Hmtcm Ip-«n-bv¡pw h-gn-¨n-e-hp-IÄ-¡m-bn XpI sIm-Sp¯p. A-h-sc-sbÃmw ]-d-ª-b-¨ ti-jw ^m-Kn³ X-sâ k-¼m-Zyam-b kzÀ-Wm-`-c-W-§fpw aäpw H-cp- `m-Þ- ¯n sI-«n a-säm-cp c-l-ky-k-t¦-X-¯n-te-¡v Xn-Sp- ¡-¯n \\-S¶p. 51

7 ho−pw sIWn {_u¬tembpsS hkXnbn Hen-hÀ kpJw {]m]n-¨p. A-h-\\-hn-sS kzÀ-K-Xp-ey-am-bn-cp¶p. B ho-«p-Im-cp-sS kv-t\\-lw Ah-sâ a-\\-kn-s\\ D-t·-j-`- cn-X-am¡n. tPm-en-¡m-cnbm-b an-kn-kv _-Uv hn³ Ah-\\v I-Y- IÄ ]-dªp-sIm-Sp¯p. {_u¬tem Ah-\\v ]pXn- b Hcp tPm-Un D-Sp-¸p-Ifpw jqkpw sIm-−p-h¶p. X-sâ ]-g-b D-Sp-¸p-IÄ A-hnS-s¯ th-e-¡m-cn-¡v k-½m-\\n-¨n-«v A-Xv hnä- p-In-«p-¶ ]-W-sa-Sp¯p-sIm- Åm³ ]-dªp. A-h-c§-s\\ sN-bvXp. H-cp `n-£m-S- I\\mb hr²-\\v Ah-sâ ]-g-b {U-kp-IÄ B kv{Xo hnÂ-¡p-¶Xv Pm-e-I-¯n-eq-sS A-h³ I−p. H-cp Znh-kw {_u¬-tem H-fn-h-sd Xsâ Hm-^o-kv ap-dn-bn-te¡v hn-fn¨p. A-hn-sS hen-sbm-cp sse-{_-dn-bp-−m-bn-cp¶p. “H-fnhÀ, Cu sse-{_-dn \\o It−m?” “D-Ævv kÀ.” “\\n-\\¡v Cu ]p-kv-X-I-§Ä hm-bn-¡-W-sa-¶ntÃ?” “D-Æv kÀ” “\\n-\\¡v H-cp F-gp-¯p-Im-c³ B-I-W-sa-¶ntÃ?” “F-\\n-¡v H-cp ]p-kv-X-I-¡-S-¡m-c³ B-Im-\\m-Wv 52

XmÂ-]-cyw.” H-fn-h-dnsâ a-dp]-Sn tI-«v {_u¬tem Nn-cn¨p. ]n-s¶ H-fn-hdn-t\\m-Sv A-t±-lw Ku-c-h-¯n ]dªp “H-fn-hÀ \\n-t¶m-Sv F-\\n-¡v H-cp {]-[m-\\-Imcyw ]-d- bm-\\p-−v. \\n-sâ A-kp-Jw t`-Z-amI-s« F-¶p I-cp- Xn Im-¯n-cn-¡p-I-bmWv.” A-Xp-tI-«v H-en-hÀ B-i-¦-bn-embn. X-s¶ C-hn-sS \\n-¶v ]-dª- -b-¡m\\mtWm Xo-cp-am-\\w F-¶-h³ Bi-¦-tbm-sS hn-Nm-cn¨p. A-h³ Xm-gv-a-tbm-sS ]dªp: “kÀ, F-s¶ C-hn-sS \\n-¶v ]-dª- p-hn-S-cpXv. C-hn- sS H-cp tPm-en-¡m-c-\\m-bn Rm³ I-gn-tªm-fmw.” “HenhÀ, \\n\\¡nhnsS F¶pw kpJambn Ignbmw. \\ns¶ ]dªphnSm³ Rm\\pt±in¡p-¶nÃ. \\o F- t¸m-sg-¦nepw Cu ho-Sv hn-Sp-¶p-s−-¦n A-Xv \\n- sâ XmÂ-]-cy-{]-Im-cw am-{X-am-bn-cn-¡pw. a-\\-knem- tbm.” {_u¬tem ]dªp. Henhdn\\v AXv tI«v kt´mjam-bn. HenhÀ X-sâ Zpc´ Ncn{Xw ]dbm³ XpS§nbt¸mtg¡pw {_u¬tem¡v Hcp AXnYnsb¯n. {Kowhn¤v F¶ H-cp Ipdnb a-\\p-jy- \\m-bn-cp-¶p AXv. AbmÄ {_u¬tembpsS kplr¯m-Wv. ]-t£ H-cp ]-cp-¡³ a-\\p-jy-\\m-W-bmÄ. 53

H-fnh-sd {_u¬tem A-bmÄ¡v ]-cn-N-b-s¸-Sp¯n. Ah-s\\ A-bmÄ kw-i-b-t¯msS B-]m-Z-Nq-Uw t\\m¡n. Henhsd I−n«v {Kowhn¤v ]dªp: “Chs\\mcp Ių Xs¶bmbncn¡pw. Chs\\ hnizkn¡cpXv {_u¬tem.” “Gbv A§s\\sbm¶panÃ. Ch³ hnizkvX\\mWv.” “tamjvSm¡fptSbpw t]m¡ddSn¡mcptSbpw H¸w \\S¶h\\mWv. Rm³ ]dªXp hnizkn¨m \\n§Ä¡v sImÅmw.” “CÃ. H-fn-hÀ \\à Ip-«n-bmWv. “tXm-¶p-¶-XmWv. C-h³ H-cp I-Å-\\mWv. X-¡w In- «n-bm tam-ãn-¡pw.” “icn {Kowhn¤v \\ap¡v ]co£n¡mw. Cu ]pkvXI§fpw ]Whpw ]pkvXIhym]mcn¡v sImSpt¡−XmWv. \\ap¡nXv HenhÀ hiw sImSp¯b¡mw. Ah\\nXv Ccp]Xpan\\nddn\\pÅn AhnsSsb¯n¨n«v aS§nhcpw.” “icn Xs¶ {_u¬tem. ]co£nt¨mfq. ]t£ Ah³ aS§nhcnÃ. \\n§Ä¡v Cu ]pkvXI§fpw ]Whpw \\jvSs¸Spw.” {Kowhn¤v ]´bw h¨p. kz´w sXm¸n ISn¨pXn¶msa¶mbncp¶p ]´bw. 54

{_u¬tem sIm-Sp¯ ]pkvXIhpw ]Whpam-bn H-fn-hÀ ]p-kv-X-I- hym-]m-cn-bpsS ASpt¯¡v t]m- bn. {_u¬tem ]dªp: “t\\m-¡q {Kow-hn-¤v, C-cp-]-Xp an-\\n-än-\\p-Ån A-h³ ]-dª Imcyw sN-bv-Xv Xn-cn-sI-sb-¯pw.” “C-cp-]-Xp-a-Wn-¡qÀ I-gn-ªmepw A-h-\\n-hn-sS Xn-cn- sI-sb-¯nÃ. In«n-b k-μÀ-`w A-h³ D-]-tbm-K-s¸- Sp-¯pw. Imc-Ww A-h³ H-cp I-Å-\\m-Wv.” ]t£ \\nÀ`mKyw \\m³knbpsS cq]¯n hgnbcnIn \\n¡p¶p−mbncp-¶p. A-\\n-bm F-¶ hn-fn tI-«v A-h³ Xn-cnªp-t\\m¡n. \\m³kn Hm-Sn h-¶v Ah-s\\ sI-«n-¸n-Sn-¨v I-c-bm³ Xp-S§n. AhÄ Henhsd ]nSnIq-Sn. HenhÀ Icªt¸mÄ P\\w HmSn¡qSn. \\m³kn P\\¡q«t¯mSv ]dªp: “Rm\\nhsâ tPyjvT¯nbmWv. Chs\\ ImWmXmbn«v Ipd¨p Znhk§fmbn.” P\\w AXp hnizkn-¨p. HenhÀ ]dªsXm¶pw Bcpw tI«nÃ. Ip«nbpsS hnIrXnbmtb FÃmhcpw IcpXnbpÅq. Cu kabw FhntStbm adªp \\n¶ sskIvkpw ]«nbpw IqSn cwKs¯-¯n. “ssZ-hta, \\n-s¶ F-hn-sS-sbÃmw R-§Ä Xn- 55

cªp. R§-sf C-§-s\\ Xo Xo-än-¡-cp-Xv Ip-«o..” A-tXm-sS P-\\w ]qÀ-W-ambpw H-fnh-sd Ip-ä-s¸- Sp¯n. A-h\\v {]m´- m-sW-¶pw C-\\nbpw Hm-Sn-t¸mI- m-sX H- cp tUmÎ-sd Im-Wn-¨v Nn-In-Õn-¸n-¡m\\pw P-\\-§Ä \\m-³-kn-sb D-]-tZ-in¨p. AhÀ Henhsd ^mKnsâ ]pXnb AÚmX tI{μ¯nse¯n¨p. ZpÀK-Ôw h-an-¡p-¶ H-cp C-Sp§n-b h-gn-bn-eq-sS \\m³-knbpw ssk-Ivkpw Iq-Sn Ah-s\\ h-en-¨ng-¨p sIm−p-t]m-hp-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. t\\-cw cm{Xn F-«p-a-Wn-bm-bn-cp¶p. ap-dnIÄ hm-S-I-bv-¡v sIm-Sp-¡-s¸Spw F¶ t_mÀ- Up-IÄ \\n-ch-[n Xq-¡n-bn-«n-cp-¶ Hcp PoÀ-Wn-¨ sI-«n-S-¯n-te-¡m-Wv A-h-ch-s\\ sIm−p-t]m-bXv. ssk-Iv-kv Pm-e-I-¯n-\\v Xm-sg \\n¶p-sIm-−v h-Sn- bm A-Xn-t·Â c-l-ky-kz-`m-h-t¯msS sIm«n. P-\\Â-¸m-fn-IÄ Xp-d-¡-s¸«p. “A-t§-cntÃ?” ssk-Iv-kv A-S-¡n-¸n-Sn-¨ i-Ð-¯n tNm-Zn¨p. “D−v.” A-I-¯p \\n¶pw a-dp]-Sn h¶p. “th-td B-sc-¦nep-apt−m?” “CÃ. h-t¶mfq.” c-l-ky-kw-`mj-Ww \\o-−-t¸mÄ H-fn-h-dn-\\v Imcyw a-\\-kn-embn. A-Xv ^mKn-sâ ]pXn-b c-l-ky-k-t¦-X-am-sW-¶v. ho−pw ^m-Kn-sâ sI-Wn-bnÂ-¯-s¶-bm-WtÃm 56

Xm³ h-¶p hoW-Xv F-t¶mÀ-¯v A-h³ A-Xn-bm- bn Zpx-Jn¨p. hm-Xn Xp-d-¡-s¸«p. ]-cn-lmk¨n-cn-Ifpw A-«-lm-k-§-fpw H-fnh-sd F-Xn- tcäp. ^m-Kn³ X-e Ip-\\vn-¨v _-lp-am-\\w A-`n-\\-bn¨p-sIm- −v tNm-Zn¨p: “h-cp-¶ hnh-cw I-¼n-b-Sn-¨n-cp-s¶-¦n H-cp kzo-Ic- Ww GÀ-¸m-Sm-¡m-amb- n-cp¶p.” Ip-«n-IÄ Ah-s\\ s]m-Xnªp. tUm-Uv-PÀ H-fn-h-dp-sS t]m¡-äv X-¸n ]p-kv-X-I-¡-S- ¡mc-\\v sIm-Sp-¡m³ {_u¬tem GÂ-]n-¨ ]-Ww ssI-¡-em¡n. A-XpI-−v ^m-Kn³ B ]-Ww X-«n-¸-dn¨p. H-fn-hÀ FÃm-h-tcm-Sp-am-bn ]dªp: “C-Xv F-sâ ]-WaÃ, H-cp am-\\y³ F-s¶ a-säm-cmÄ- ¡v sIm-Sp¡- p-¶-Xn-\\m-bn F-s¶ GÂ-]n-¨-Xm-Wv.” “]-Ww Rm-s\\-Sp¯p. \\o th-W-sa-¦n B ]p-kvX- Iw hm-bn-¨p-]Tn¡.v” ^m-Kn³ ]-cn-lm-k-t¯m-sS ]-Ww ]-gvkn-sem-Xp-¡n- s¡m-−v ]-dªp. FÃm-hcpw H-fnh-sd ]-cn-l-kn-¡p-Ibpw XÃp-Ibpw sN-¿p¶-Xv I-−n«v ssk-Iv-kn-sâ ]-«nbpw sh-dp-sX- bn-cp-¶nÃ. AXpw Ah-sâ t\\-sc Nm-Sn hoWp. “ssZ-hta, Cu ]-«n F-s¶ sImÃp-a-tÃm, B-sc- ¦nepw C-Xn-s\\ ]n-Sn-¨p am-äq..” 57

H-fn-hÀ hm-hn-«p-I-cªp. A-Xph-sc F-Ãmw I−pw tI«pw \\n-¶ \\m-³-kn ssk-Ivkn-t\\m-Sv ]dªp: “B ]«n-sb ]n-Sn-¨p amäq.” “Ch-s\\ C-t¸mÄ-¯-s¶ sIm-tÃ-−-XmWv. A-Xv Cu ]-«n sN-¿-s«..” B ]-«n-bp-sS kzm-`m-hw i-cn-¡-dn-bm-hp-¶Xp-sIm-−v \\m³-kn ]dªp: “an-kv-äÀ ssk-Iv-kv...Cu ]-«n-sb ]n-Sn-¨v am-äp-¶-Xm- Wv \\ÃXv.” \\m³-kn H-fn-h-dn-\\p ap-¶n Ib-dn h-«w \\n¶p. \\m³-kn-sb I-S-¶p-am-{X-ta H-fn-h-dn-s\\ ]-«n-¡v Fs´-¦nepw sN-¿m-\\mIq. “\\o am-dv \\m-³kn..” ssk-Iv-kv A-edn. “am-dv \\m³-kn...\\n-\\¡v {`m´m-tWm..Ch-s\\ B ]-«n I-Sn¨p-sImÃs«.” ^m-Kn\\pw ]-dªp. \\m³-kn-bp-sS Po-hn-Xw Xp-e-ªXv ^m-Kn³ Im-c-W- amWv. A-h-fn-t¸mÄ sX-cp-hp-s]-®m-bn A-e-bm³ Imc-Ww ^m-Kn³ F-¶ \\o-N-\\mWv. C-\\n \\-ã-s¸-Sm³ Po-h³ am-{X-ta A-hÄ-¡v _m-¡n- bpÅq. H-fn-hdn-t\\m-Sv A-hÄ-¡v k-l-Xm-]w tXm¶n. ^m-Kn³ A-t¸m-tg¡pw H-cp a-c-¡-j-W-sa-Sp-¯v Hf- n- h-dn-sâ X-e-¡-Sn-¨n-cp¶p. H-fn-hÀ Xm-sg hoWp. 58

“C-\\n sXm-«pt]m-I-cp-Xhs\\.” \\m³-kn A-edn. “XÃn-s¡mÃm³ th-−n-bà Rm-\\nh-s\\ Iq-«n-s¡m- −v h-¶-Xv.” “\\o A-{X-bv¡m-tbm..Ch-s\\ sImÃm³ X-s¶-bm-Wv F-sâ Xo-cp-am\\w.” ^m-Kn³ apc−p-sIm-−v ]m-ªp-h¶p. \\m³-kn iàn-tbmsS A-bm-sf A-Sn-¨v Xm-sg-bn-«n-«v N-hn-«m³ Xp-S§n. ssk-Iv-kv C-S-s]«v H-cp hn-[-¯n Ah-sf ]n-Sn-¨p- am-än. “ssZ-hta, Cu s]-®p-§Ä-¡v tZjyw h-¶m F- s´m-cp i-àn-bmWv.” \\m³-kn tZjyw aq¯v t_m-[w sI«p. ^m-Kn³ sXmgn- sIm−- -bn-Sw X-Shn. Cu s]-®p§-sf ssI-Imcyw sN-¿m³ ]Tn-¡Ww. F-¶n-«-bmÄ NmÀen-tbm-Sv ]dªp: “\\o H-fn-hÀ-¡v In-S-¡m-\\n-Sw Im-Wn¨p-sIm-Sp-¡v.” NmÀ-en H-fnh-sd Iq-«n-s¡m−p-t]mbn. “\\n-sâ ]pXn-b h-kv-{X-§Ä A-gn-¨p-Xcq.” H-fn-hÀ ]pXn-b h-kv-{X-§Ä A-gn¨p-sIm-Sp¯p. NmÀ-fn H-cp s]m-Xn sIm-Sp¯p. H-fn-hÀ A-Xp Xp-d¶p-t\\m¡n. A-h³ sR-«n-t¸mbn. A-Xh-sâ ]-g-b h-kv-{X-§-fm-bn-cp¶p. A-h³ th-e-¡m-cn-¡v sIm-Sp-¯n-«v A-hc-Xv H-cp `n- £-¡mc-\\v hn-ä A-tX h-kv-{X§Ä. 59

B `n-£-¡m-c³ ^m-Kn-\\m-bn-cp-¶p F-¶-h³ C- t¸mÄ a-\\-kn-em¡n. NmÀ-en ]-cn-lm-k-t¯m-sS Nn-cn¨p-sIm-−v Ah-sâ ]pXn-b h-kv-{X-§fpw jqkpw F-Sp¯p-sIm−p- t]mbn. F-¶n«v ap-dn ]p-d-¯p-\\n-¶v ]q«n. H-fn-hÀ \\n-cm-i-tbm-sS B C-cp-«p-ap-dn-bn-se ZpÀK- Ôw h-an-¡p-¶ InS-¡-bn-te-¡v hoWp. 60

8 H-cp ]-ckyw an-kn-kv am³ t\\-XrXzw sIm-Sp-¡p-¶ A-\\m-Ym-e-b- ¯n-te-¡v _w-_n H-cp \\mÄ IS-¶p-sN-¶p. “C-bm-sf-´n-\\m-Wv C-t¸mÄ C-t§m-«v h-¶n-cn-¡p-¶- Xv..?” am³ A-t§-sc kzo-I-cn-¡m³ th-−n sh-fp-s¡ Nn- cn A-`n-\\-bn¨p-sIm-−v Hm-Sn-s¨¶p. e-−-\\n-te¡v H-cp tIm-SXn Im-cy¯n-\\v t]m-Ip-I-bm- sW-¶v _w-_n ]-dªp. “Ip-«n-IÄ-¡v F-§-s\\-bp−v?” “Un-s¡m-gn-sI FÃm-hÀ¡pw kp-Jw Xs¶.” “sNdn-b Un-¡n-\\v F-´m-Wp {]-iv\\w?” “Hm A-Xv Ip-ªm-sW-¦nepw hen-b {]-iv-\\-¡m-c- \\mWv.” an-kn-kv am³ sh-dp-t¸m-sS ]dª-p. “F-¶m-ev Ah-s\\ hnfn. Ah-s\\ t_mÀ-Un-\\v ap- ¶n lm-P-cm-¡n-tb-¡mw.” an-kn-kv am³ Un-¡n-s\\ hn-fn¨p-sIm-−p-h¶p. Un-¡v FvÃpw tXm-ep-am-bn F-gp-t¶Â-¡m³ 61

t]mepw h-¿m-¯ A-h-Ø-bn-em-bn-cp¶p. an-kn-kv am³ H-cp hn-[-¯n Ah-s\\ F-gp-t¶Â-]n- ¨v \\nÀ-¯n _w-_n-en-\\-Sp-t¯-¡v sIm−- p h¶p. Un-¡v X-sâ Xq-§n-ho-gp-¶ X-e H-cp hn-[-¯n t\\- tc ]n-Sn-¨v _w-_n-en-t\\-mSv ]dªp: “F-\\n-¡v Nn-eXv ]-d-bm-\\p-−v kÀ.” A-Xp-tI-«v an-kn-kv am-\\n-sâ D-Åp Imfn. “\\n-\\-s¡-´v Ip-´-am-Wv ]-d-bm-\\p-ÅXv?” “A-h\\-Xv ]-d-bs«.” _w-_n ]-dªp. Un-¡v Ah- i-X-tbm-sS Xp-S§n: “B-sc-¦nepw H-cp I-S-em-kpw t]-\\bpw sIm-−p h- ¶v F-\\n-¡p ]-d-bm-\\pÅ-Xv F-gp-Xn-sb-Sp¡p-tam. C- Xv H-fn-h-dn-s\\ A-dn-bn-¡Ww.” Ah-sâ Kuc-hw \\n-d-ª kw-km-cw tI-«v _w- _nepw an-kn-kv am\\pw A-¼-c¶p. Un-¡v Xp-SÀ¶p: “Ip-ªm-bn-cn-¡p-t¼mį-s¶ a-cn-¡m³ Rm-\\m-{K- ln-¡p¶p. Rm³ h-b-kmbn- a-cn¨v kzÀ-K-¯n-se- ¯n-bm a-cn¨p-t]m-b F-sâ sIm-¨-\\nb-¯n h-g- ¡p-−m-¡pw. A-Xn-\\m ssh-Im-sX Rm³ a-cn- ¡Ww. Rm³ a-cn-t¡-−-h-\\mWv. H-fn-t¨m-Sn-t¸m-b H-fn-hÀ F-hn-sS-bm-sW-¶-dn-bnÃ. A-h³ kp-J-am-bn- cn-¡p-¶p-t−m. A-tXm F-hn-sS-sb-¦nepw sX-−n- ¯n-cn-bp-IbmtWm C-sXm¶pw A-dn-bnÃ. ]-t£ Rm³ Cu ]-d-ª-sXÃmw Ah-s\\ Z-b-hm-bn A-dn- bn¡-Ww kÀ.” 62

kv-Xw-`n¨p-t]m-b _w-_n ]dªp: “B H-fn-h-dm-Wnh-s\\ No-¯-bm-¡n-bXv. Ch-s\\ F- sâ ap-¶n \\n-¶v sIm−p-t]mIq.” an-kn-kv am³ Ah-s\\ hn-en-¨n-g¨p-sIm−p-t]m-bn hn-d-Ip-]p-c-bn ]q-«n-bn«p. e-−-\\n-te¡v t]m-Im-\\p-Å H-cp-¡-§Ä \\-S-¯m-\\m- bn _w-_n Ø-ew hn«p. ]n-tä-¶v _w_n ]{X¯n Hcp ]ckyw I−p. “HenhÀ Sznkvddv F¶ ]¿s\\ Ignª hymgmgvN apX ImWm\\nÃ. Ahs\\ I−p]nSn¡p¶hÀt¡m I−p]nSn¡m³ klmbn¡p¶hÀt¡m Ahsâ ]qÀhIY Adnbmhp¶hÀt¡m A©p Kn\\n k½m\\ambn \\ÂIp¶XmsW”¶mbncp¶p ]ckyw. H¸w HenhdpsS {]mbw, BIrXn F¶nhbpw hkv{X[mcWhnhcW§fpw {_u¬tembpsS hnemkhpw sImSp¯ncp-¶p. kt´mjw sIm−v hmbvs]mfn¨pt]mb _w_n A©pKn\\n Ct¸mįs¶ t\\Sn¡fbmsa¶v IcpXn e−\\nte¡v ]pds¸«p. s]ântembn {_u¬tembpsS hoSv I−p]nSn¨v _w_n {_u¬tembpambn kwkmcn-¨p. Henhsd X\\n¡dnbmsa¶pw Ah³ NXnb\\pw IÅ\\pw A{Ianbpw ]ng¨p−mb k´XnbmsW¶psams¡ Iptd hnhc§Ä _w_n {_u¬tem¡v \\Â-In. 63

A-\\m-Ym-e-b-¯n P-\\n-¨-Xp-ap-X tkm-hÀ-_-dn-bp- sS i-h-s¸-«n-¡-S-bn \\n-¶v H-fn-st¨m-Sn-b-Xp-h-sc-bp- Å Im-cy-§Ä A-bmÄ s]m-Sn¸pw sXm-§epw h-¨v hn-kv-X-cn-¨p ]-dªp. A-bm-fp-sS B hr-¯n-sI-« hn-hc-Ww {_u¬-tem-¡v a-\\x-{]-bm-k-ap-−m-¡n. {_u¬tem AbmÄ¡v A©p Kn\\n sImSp¯n«v ]dªp: “Ahs\\ ]ddn \\ÃXptI«ncps¶¦n ]Xn\\©pKn\\n Rm³ sImSpt¯t\\.” AXptI«v _w_n Cfn`y\\m-bn. ]Xn\\©pKn\\n In«pambncps¶¦n Henhsd ]ddn \\ÃXp]dtªmfmambncp¶p F¶v Nn´n¨v AbmÄ aS§n. {_u¬tem IqSpX \\ncmi\\pw ZpxJnX\\pam-bn. _w_n ]dªXv IÅamsW¶v anknkv s_Uvhn³ ]dsª¦nepw {_u¬tem Xr]vX\\mbnÃ. A-t±-l-¯n-\\v D-d-¡w In-«m-¯ H-cp cm-{Xn-bm-bn-cp- ¶p AXv. AXp-t]m-se H-fn-h-dpw ^m-Kn-sâ X-S-h-d-bn Dd- ¡w In-«m-sX {]mÀ-°n¨p-sIm-−p-In-S-¡p-I-bm-bn- cp¶p. Imc-Ww {_u¬-tem-tbmSv X-sâ \\n-c-]-cm-[nXzw sX-fn-bn-¡m³ I-gn-ªnÃ-tÃm F-¶-Xm-bn-cp-¶p Ah-sâ thZ-\\. 64

9 sIm-Å-¡mÀ ^mKnsâ XShnse HenhdpsS PohnXw bYmÀ°¯n ImcmKrlt¯¡mÄ arKobambncp¶p. Ccp«p \\ndª apdnbn \\n¶v ]pd¯pIS¡m³ Hcn¡Â t]mepw Ah\\v A\\phmZw e`n¨nÃ. ^mKn³ ]et¸mgpw AbmfpsS ss]imNnIcq]w ImWn¨v Henhsd `bs¸Sp¯n. c£s¸Sm³ {ian¡p¶ Ip«nIÄ¡v Xm³ sImSp¯ in£IÄ hnhcn¨v ^mKn³ HenhdpsS a\\kn ISp¯ `oXn krjvSn-¨p. IqSmsX tUmUvPdpw NmÀenbpw Henhsd D]tZin¨Xv ^mKns\\ A\\pkcn¨v Pohn¨nsæn D−mImhp¶ `hnjy¯pIsf Ipdn¨mWv. AtXmsS HenhÀ XfÀ¶pt]mbn. I-Sp¯ X-Wp¸p \\ndª Hcp cm{Xn ^mKn³ X-sâ H-fn-k-t¦-X-¯n H-fnh-sd ]q-«n-bn-«n-«v ]p-d-t¯-¡n- d§n. ssi-Xy-s¯ X-Sp-¡m³ Hcp \\of³ tIm«p-an-«v A- bmÄ ZqscbpÅ sskIvknsâ kt¦X¯nse-¯n. ^mKns\\ I−v sskIvknsâ ]«n _lfw Iq-«n. AXpI−v sskIvkv tNmZn¨p: “Cbmsf´m 65

ih¡pgnbn \\n¶pw Fgpt¶ddp hcp¶ t{]XamtWm?” ^mKn³ B Xami Nncn¨p-XÅn. “hÃXpw Nq-SpÅ-Xv Ip-Sn-¡m³ X-¶m sIm-Åmw.” \\m³kn aZyhpw ¥mkpIfpw sIm−ph¶p h¨p. AhchnsS NÀ¨ sNbvXXv Hcp hoSv sImÅbSn¡p¶Xns\\ ]ddnbmbncp-¶p. AhcpsS Iq«¯nsemcp sX½mSnbmb tSm_n {Im¡nddv sImÅbSnt¡− hoSns\\ ]ddn a\\knem¡m³ AhnsS Npddn¯ncnbpIbm-Wv. ]t£ c£bnÃ. ho«ptPmen¡mÀ ho«pSaØtcmSv \\à Iqdp ]peÀ¯p¶hcmbXpsIm−v Ahsc ImipsImSp¯v ]m«nem¡m\\pw \\nhr¯nbnÃ. “H-cp sIm-¨p-Ip-«n-sb In-«n-bm sIm-Åmw.” ssk-Iv-kv ]-dªp. “Rm³ ]dbp¶Xv \\ap¡v Henhsd D]tbmKn¡msa¶mWv.” ^mKn³ ]dªp. “\\n§Ä¡v h«mWv. ImipsImSp¯m hnizkvXcmb sXcphpsX−nIsf thtd In«ntÃ?” sskIvkn\\v ^mKnsâ \\nÀt±iw CjvSs¸«nÃ. ]t£ ^mKn³, Henhsd X§fpsS kwL¯nsâ `mKamt¡−Xnsâ BhiyIX sskIvkns\\ ]dªp t_m[ys¸Sp-¯n. Ah³ Ahsc hn«p ]pd¯pt]mbm D−mImhp¶ A]ISw hfsc hepXmsW¶v sskIvkn\\p t_m[yam-bn. AXpsIm−v Henhsd B ho«pIhÀ¨bn 66

DÄs¸Sp¯m³ AhÀ Xocpam\\n-¨p. \\m³kn CsXÃmw tI«v k¦Ss¸«ncp¶psh¦nepw adps¯mc£cw ]dªnÃ. ^mKn³ kz´w kt¦X¯n aS§nsb¯n. {]-`m-X-`-£-W-k-a-b-¯v FÃm-h-tcbpw ]-d-ª-b- ¨n«v ^m-Kn-\\v H-fnh-sd ap-dn Xp-d¶v ]p-d-¯n-d¡n. HenhÀ-¡v A-bmÄ \\à c−p jqkpIÄ k½m\\n- ¨p. c−p ]pkvXI§fpw k½m\\n¨p. Xs¶ c£s¸Sp¯m\\pÅ \\à _p²n ^mKn\\p tXm¶nsb¶mWv HenhÀ hnNmcn¨-Xv. At¸mÄ ^mKn³ sR«n¸n¡p¶ B hnhcw ]d- ªp: “\\o C¶p cm{Xn sskIvkns\\ ImWpw. sskIvkv ]dbps¶XÃmw \\o A\\pkcn¡Ww.” AXptI«tXmsS Henhdnsâ \\à Poh³ t]m-bn. ]cp¡\\mb sskIvkv F´p sN¿m\\pw aSn¡m¯bmfmsW¶v Ah\\dn-bmw. “C-\\n Rm³ A-hn-sSbmtWm Xm-a-kn-t¡-−Xv?” “sO..hn-Ín¯-cw ]-d-bmsX. \\o F¶pw F-sâ k- t¦-X-¯n InS-¶p Po-hn-Xw \\-c-In-¸n-t¡-−-h- \\mWv. C-Xp th-sdm-cp Im-cy-¯n-\\m-Wv.” “A-sX-´n\\v?” “A-Xp A-hn-sS sNÃp-t¼mÄ \\n-\\-¡v a-\\-kn-em- Ipw.” “A-`ymk-§-sfm¶pw F-Sp-¡-cpXv. ssk-Iv-kv B-fp 67

hfsc ]n-i-Im-sW-¶v HmÀ-a th-Ww.” H-fn-h-dn-sâ ap-Jw c-à-iq-\\y-ambn. H-fn-hÀ C-hn-sS \\n-¶v c-£-s¸-Sm³ X-¡w ]mÀ-¯n-cn- ¡p-I-bm-sW-¶v ^m-Kn-\\v a-\\-kn-embn. H-fnh-sd ^m-Kn³ ho−pw ap-dn-¡-I-¯n-«v ]q-«n-bn-«v ]p-d-t¯-¡v t]mbn. H-fnhÀ ]I apgph³ Ah³ c−p ]pkvXI§Ä hmbn¨p kabw XÅn \\o-¡n. B ]pkvXI§Ä \\ndsb IpddIrXy§fpw sImÅIfpw sIme]mXI§fpw am{Xta D-Åq. Ah\\Xv hmbn¨v \\Sp§nt¸m-bn. F§s\\sb¦nepw Cu sImSpw IpddhmfnIfpsSbnSbn \\n¶v c£s¸SWsa¶v Ah³ B{Kln¨p. cm{Xnbmbt¸mÄ \\m³kn h-¶p. C-cp-«n ap-dn Xp-d¶v sa-gp-Ip-Xn-cn I-¯n-¨v \\m³-kn H-fnh-sd hn-fn¨p. A-h³ {]mÀ-°n¨p-sIm-−v In-S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. A-h-fp-sS ap-Jw hn-f-dn-bn-cp¶p. A-h³ tNm-Zn¨p: “F-´p ]än. \\n-§Ä-¡v kp-J-antÃ?” “\\o ssk-Iv-kn-sâ A-Sp-t¯-¡v t]m-Im³ X- ¿mdtÃ?” A-hÄ a-säm-cp tNm-Zy-am-Wv D-¶-bn-¨Xv. X-e-Ip-\\n-¨p ]n-Sn¨p-sIm-−m-Wv A-hf-Xp tNm-Zn-¨Xv. 68

“F-´n-\\m-Wv F-s¶ ssk-Iv-kn-sâ A-Sp-¯p sIm−p-t]m-Ip-¶Xv?” “A-dn-bnÃ. F-´m-bmepw \\n-\\¡v B-]-s¯m¶pw h- cnÃ.” A-h-Ä ap-dn-bn \\n-¶v Ah-s\\ ]p-d-¯n-d¡n. ]pd-s¯ C-cp-«n A-hÀ-¡p-Å Ip-Xn-ch−- n In-S- ¡p-¶p-−m-bn-cp¶p. AhÄ Ahs\\ a\\knÃma\\tÊmsS sskIvkn\\Sps¯¯n-¨p. h¶]msS sskIv-kv \\m³kn-tbm-Sv tNm-Zn¨p: “C-h³ F-´p ]-d-bp-¶p?” “C-h-\\v Hc- p Ip-g-¸-h-anÃ.” A-bmÄ ta-i-h-en-¸n \\n-¶v Hcp tXms¡Sp-¯v `w- Kn t\\m¡n. “\\o tXm-¡v I-−n-«p-t−m?” “CÃ.” “C-Xnse sh-Sn-bp-− \\o I-−n-«p-t−m?” “CÃ.” A-bmÄ B tXm-¡v Henhdn\\p t\\tc Nq−n `ojWns¸Sp-¯n: “Rm³ ]dbp¶Xv A\\pkcn¡mXncn¡pItbm A\\mhiyambn kwkmcn¡pItbm sNbvXm shSn sIm−v \\nsâ Xe XIcpw. HmÀt¯mfq.” ]mhw HenhÀ `b¶v XeIpep¡n k½Xn¨p. 69

\\m³kn Ah-\\v \\n-e¯v H-cp ]mb hncn¨psImSp- ¯p. A-h³ A-Xn- In-S¶p-sIm-−v \\m³-kn-sb t\\m¡n. A-hÄ Xo-¡p-Þ-¯n-\\-Sp-¯v Xo Imªp-sIm-−v C-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. A-hÄ Ah-s\\ k-l-Xm-]-t¯m-sS t\\m¡n. A-hÄ F-s´-¦nepw ]-d-bp-sa-¶v A-h³ {]-Xo-£n- s¨-¦nepw H¶pw ]-d-ªnÃ. ssh-ImsX Ah³ Dd§nt¸mbn. ]peÀs¨ A©paWnbmbt¸mÄ sskIvkv Henhsd X«nhnfns¨gpt¶Â]n-¨p. \\m³-kn Ah-\\v {]m-X sIm-Sp¯p. ]n-s¶ H-cp Xqhm-e A-h-f-h-sâ I-gp-¯n Np-än- s¡m-Sp¯p. A-t¸m-tg¡pw ssk-Iv-kv Ah-s\\ _-e-am-bn ]n- Sn¨p. ]ns¶ Ahs\\ hen¨ng¨v \\S¯ns¡m−pt]m-bn. F-´mWp Imcysa¶v \\m³knt]mepw Aht\\mSv ]dªnÃ. aªpaqSnb B XWp¯ {]`mX¯n ag s]bvXv tXmÀ¶v Nfn¡pfambn¡nS¶ tdmUneqsS c−paWn¡qÀ \\S¯¯n\\ptijw sskIvkpw Henhdpw sslth ]mÀ¡v tImÀWÀ F¶ Øes¯-¯n. AhnsS \\n¶pw Ahcncphcpw Hcp IpXnch−nbn Ibdn lmw]vS¬ hsc sN-¶p. D¨`£W¯n\\ptijw \\S¶v lÃnt^mÀUv F¶ Øes¯-¯n. 70

At¸mtg¡pw cm{Xnbm-bn. C-bmÄ X-s¶ F-hn-tS-¡m-Wv sIm−p-t]m-Ip¶-Xv F-t¶mÀ-¯v H-fn-hÀ ]-cn-{`-an¨p. C-S-¡n-sS ssk-Iv-kv X-sâ t]m-¡-än-se ssI-t¯m- ¡v Nq-−n-¡m-Wn-¨v Ah-s\\ `o-j-Wn-s¸-Sp¯n. IpddmIpddncp«n \\S¶p\\S¶v AhÀ Hcp \\ZoXocs¯-¯n. hnP\\amb B Øe¯pIqSn \\S¡pt¼mÄ HenhÀ hnNmcn¨Xv sskIvkv Xs¶ \\Znbn ap¡ns¡mÃm³ sIm−pt]mhpIbmsW¶m-Wv. Iptd \\S¶v AhÀ Hcp PoÀWn¨ hoSn\\pap¶nse- ¯n. I-\\-¯ C-cp-«m-bn-cp¶p. A-{]-Xo-£n-X-ambn AXnsâ hmXn Xpd¶v tSm_n {Im¡nddv ]pd¯p h¶p. A-bmÄ H-cp sa-gp-Ip-Xn-cn I-¯n¨p. A-Xn-sâ sh-fn-¨w ]-c-¶-t¸mÄ A-bm-sf H-fn-hÀ hy-à-am-bn I−p. Im-¸n-\\n-d-ap-Å H-cp tIm«v B-Wv A-bmÄ [-cn-¨n-cp- ¶Xv. I-gp-¯n H-cp ]-¨-¯q-hm-e. sN-¼n¨ \\o-f³ X-e-apSn. AhnsS Xo Imªv `£Whpw Ign¨v aZyhpw tkhn¨ ti-jw A-hÀ D-d-§m³ In-S¶p. H-fn-h-sd-s¡m-−pw A-hÀ aZyw Ip-Sn-¸n¨p. cm{Xn GItZiw Hcp aWntbm-sS ho−pw bm{Xbmcw`n¨p. 71

tSm_nbpw sskIvkpw Idp¯ tIm«pIÄ [cn¨v t]m¡ddpIfn ssIt¯m¡v, ITmcnIÄ, hnhn[Xcw Xmt¡mepIÄ F¶nh Ip¯n\\nd¨v ssIIfn Hmtcm IpdphSnIfpw IcpXnbmWv bm- {X. HenhdpsS ssI¿n ]nSn¨phen¨psIm−mWv sskIvkv \\S¶Xv. FÃpachn¸n¡p¶ XWp¸¯v Ipddm¡pddncp«neqsS Iptd \\-S-¶p. Ip-td-Zq-cw \\S¶t¸mÄ henb aXnepÅ Hcp hoSp I-−p. tSm_n Hcp Ipc§s\\t¸mse A\\mbmkw aXnen NmSn¡bdn sskIvknt\\bpw Henhtdbpw hen¨pIbd-dn. AhÀ aqhcpw aXnÂsI«n\\Is¯¯n. At¸mgmWv HenhÀ¡v Imcyw a\\knemb-Xv. Cu hoSv sImÅbSn¡m\\mWhcpsS ]cn]m-Sn. Ah³ `b¶v \\ne¯phoWp. AXpI−v sskIvkv Xsâ ssIt¯m¡v FSp¯v Nq−n apc−p: “s]s«¶v Fgpt¶ddnsæn \\nsâ Xe NnXdpw.” HenhÀ AhcpsS Imep ]nSn¨t]£n¨p: “Cu sImÅbn \\n¶v Fs¶ Hgnhm¡Ww.” sskIvknsâ ssI¿n \\n¶v tXm¡v ]nSn¨phm§n tSm_n Henhdnsâ Igp¯n tNÀ¯v apc-−p: 72

“C\\nsbmc£cw an−nbm sIm¶pIfbpw \\ns¶.” AbmÄ AXp sNbvXpIfbpsa¶v tXm¶nb HenhÀ \\nklmbXtbmsS Fgpt¶-ddv AhtcmsSm¸w tNÀ¶p. AhsâbpÅn ]pXnsbmcmibw s]m«napf¨ncp-¶p. GXp hnt[\\bpw ho«pImsc Adnbn¡pI. ChcpsS sImÅ s]mfn¡pI. Ip\\nªp \\n¶ tSm_nbpsS ]pd¯pIbdn \\n¶v sskIvkv Henhsd InfnhmXneneqsS AIt¯¡v IS¯m³ {ian-¨p. AI¯pIS¶v ]pdw hmXnensâ Ipddn DÅn \\n- ¶v Xpd¡m\\mWv \\nÀt±-iw. ]t£ \\n\\¨ncn¡msX FhnsS \\nt¶m shSn s]m- «n. ho«pImÀ DWÀ¶pIgnªncp-¶p. ho«pImh¡mcmWv \\ndsbmgn¨-Xv. BfpIÄ HmSn¡q-Sn. H-en-hÀ sh-Sn-tb-äv Xmsg ho-Wp. Ahsâ ssI¿n \\n¶pw càw {]hln-¨p. Henhsd FSp¯psIm−v sskIvkpw tSm_nbpw Hm-Sn. ]´hpta´n IptdbmfpIÄ Ahsc ]n´pSÀ-¶p. Henhsd hln¨psImt−mSpI {]bmkambt¸mÄ sskIvkv Ahs\\ Hcp sNfn¡p−nte¡v XÅnbn- «p. F¶n«v sskIvkpw tSm_nbpw c−phgnt¡m-Sn. 73

10 a-¦v-kn-sâ hc-hv ASp¯ Znhkw hoSn\\Is¯ s\\cnt¸mSn\\cnInencp¶v aZyw \\pWªpsIm−v Znhmkz]v\\w ImWpIbmbncp¶p ^mKn³. Bkq{XWw sNbvX {]Imcw ho«pIhÀN hnPbIcamhpt¼mÄ ssI¿nse¯m³ t]mIp¶ ]W¡q¼mcw a\\kn I−v ^mKnsâ DÅp IpfnÀ-¯p. apdnbpsS Hcp aqebn NmÀenbpw tUmUvPdpw kznddvenwKv F¶ sX½mSns¨¡\\pw tNÀ¶v d½n Ifn¡p¶p-−v. CS¡nsS ]ntÅÀ ]pIhen¡pIbpw aZy]n¡pIbpw sN¿p¶p−v. s]mSp¶t\\ hmXnen Btcm ap-«n. FÃmhcpw ]cn{`m´nbnem-bn. tUmUvPÀ ]½ns¨¶v hmXnÂ]gpXneqsS t\\m¡nbt¸mÄ ]pd¯v Ahk\\mbn tSm_n {Im¡nddv \\n¡p¶Xp I-−p. hmXn Xpd¶Xpw tSm_n sh«nbn« hmgt]mse AIt¯¡v hoWp. “F\\n¡p h¿mtb hÃXpw Xcq.” 74

tSm_n tIWp. AbmÄ A{X¡v Ahi\\mbncp¶p. tUmUvPÀ aZyhpw `£Whpw sIm−p h¶p sImSp-¯p. A-bmÄ A-Xp-ap-gp-h³ I-gn-¨-Xn-\\v ti-j-am-Wv F- s´-¦nepw ]-d-bm³ X-¿m-dm-bXv. “ssk-Iv-sk-hnsS?” ^m-Kn³ Bi-¦-tbmsS tNm-Zn¨p. “ssk-Iv-kv h-cnÃ.” ^mKnt\\mSv tSm_n Xte¶v cm{Xn \\S¶sXms¡ ]d-ªp. I-hÀ-¨-ap-X-en-s\\ ]-än Zn-hm-kz-]v-\\w I−p-sIm-−ncp- ¶ A-bmÄ-¡v tSm_- n-sâ hn-hc-Ww tIÄ-¡m³ Iq- Sp-X Xm-e-]-cy-ap-−m-bnÃ. ^mKn³ Hcp {`m´s\\t¸msebm-bn. A-bmÄ ]p-d-t¯-t¡mSn. sskIvkns\\ tXSn AbmÄ \\m³kn tPmen sN¿p¶ aZyimebnte¡v sN-¶p. sskIvkns\\ AhnsSsbm¶pw I−nÃ. \\m³-kn Abm-tfm-Sv Im-cp-Wy-c-ln-X-am-bn ]dªp: “ssk-Iv-kv N-¯n-«p-−m-hnÃ. A-bmÄ F-§-s\\-sb- ¦nepw h-t¶m-fpw.” “H-fn-htdm?” “C-hn-S-s¯-¡mÄ t`Zw A-h³ B sN-fn-¡p-−n In-S-¡p-¶-Xm-bn-cn-¡pw.” ^m-Kn³ B a-Zy-im-e-bn ]m-Xn-cm-{Xn-bm-Ip-¶-Xph- 75

sc Ip-¯n-bn-cp¶p. ssk-Iv-kn-sâ F-s´-¦nepw sX-fn-hv A-hn-sS- bpt−m F-¶-dn-bm-\\m-bm-cn-¶p AXv. Imc-Ww kq-{X-im-en-bm-Wv ssk-Ivkv. ho-Sv sIm-Å-b-Sn-¨n«v ap-X X-cm-Xn-cn-¡m-\\m-bn I-Y N-a-bv-¡p-¶-Xm-sW¦ntem F-¶v B-i-¦bpw ^m-Kn- \\p−v. sXcphnse Iptd Xnc¨nen\\ptijw AÀ²cm{XntbmsS ^mKn³ Xsâ kt¦X¯nte¡v aS-§n. i-àamb ssi-Xy-¡m-äv hoip-¶p-−m-bn-cp¶p. a-ªv A-Xn-i-à-am-bn s]m-gn-ªp-hoWp-sIm-−n- cp¶p. ^m-Kn³ X-sâ k-t¦-X-¯n-sâ hm-Xn Xp-d-¡p-¶ t\\-c¯v C-cp-«n H-c-\\-¡w- I−p. ^m-Kn³ \\-Sp-§n. A-bmÄ Pm-{K-X-tbm-sS tNm-Zn¨p: “B-cm-WXv?” B cq-]w ap-t¶m-«v h¶p. “H-¨ h-b-¡m-sX..C-Xv Rm-\\m-Wv a-¦vkv.” A-bmÄ G-sd t\\-c-am-bn ^m-Kn-t\\bpw Xnc-¡n sX- cp-hn Id-§n \\-S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. ^m-Kn³ A-bm-tfbpw I-q-«n k-t¦-X-¯n-\\-I¯v I- S¶v hm-Xn X-gp-Xn«p. “H-cp Xn-cn I-¯n¡q.” a-¦v-kv B-h-iy-s¸«p. ^m-Kn³ H-cp sa-gp-Ip-Xn-cn I-¯n¨p. hr¯n-sI« B k-t¦-X-¯n sh-fn-¨w ]-c¶p. 76

HenhÀ Sznkvddns\\ Hcp t]m¡ddSn¡mc\\m¡p¶Xn ^mKn³ ]cmPbs¸«p F¶p ]dªv a¦vkv Ipdds¸Sp¯n. “ankvddÀ a¦vkv, HenhÀ Pohn¨ncn¡p¶ps−¦n Ahs\\ e−\\nse Gddhpw henb IÅ\\m¡pw Rm³.” “t]mcm. Ah\\p Poh]cy´w XShp In«Ww. ImcmKrl¯n \\n¶v Ah³ ]pd¯phcnItb sN¿cpXv.” a¦vkv ]dªp. “]t£ Ah³ Pohn¨ncn¸nsænÂ..?” ^mKn³ AXv ]dªt¸mÄ a¦vkn\\v kwibam-bn. Henhdn\\p]ddnb A]IS¯n a¦vkns\\ ^mKn³ kwibn¡p¶pt−m F¶v. B sX-än-²m-c-W \\o-¡m³ a-¦v-kv H-cp \\mS-Iw I- fn¨p. “^m-Kn³ A-hn-sS H-cp \\n-g Rm³ I-−p.” a-¦v-kv B-[n-tbm-sS ]-d-ª-Xp-tI«v ^m-Kn³ Nm-Sn- sb-gp-t¶äp. A-bmÄ A-hn-sS A-cn-¨p-s]-dp¡n. A-¸p-d¯v tSm-_n\\pw ]n-tÅ-cpw Nn-cnbpw I-fn-bp-am- bn C-cn-¡p-¶p-−v. “A-hn-Sm-cp-anÃ.” “\\½Ä ]dªXpapgph³ Hcp kv{Xo Hfn¨p \\n¶v tI«n«p−v ^mKn³.” “Rm³ AhnsS apgph³ Acn¨ps]dp¡nsb¦nepw 77

Btcbpw I-−nÃ. Cu k-t¦-X-¯n-sâ Xm-t¡m F-sâ ssI-bn-emWv. Rm³ A-dn-bm-sX Hcp Cuv-¨ t]mepw C-hn-sS I-b-dnÃ.” “F-¶m A-Xv F-sâ tXmv-¶-em-bn-cn-¡pw.” a¦vkv t]mbt¸mÄ cm{Xn Hcp aWn Ignªncp¶p. 78

11 an-kn-kv sa-bv-en-sâ ho-Sv sN-fn¡p−n ho-Wp In-S-¶n-cp-¶ Hfnhdn\\v t_m[w ho-Wp. At¸mÄ t\\cw ]peÀ¶ncp-¶p. Ah³ Fgpt¶ddncp¶v Npddpw t\\m-¡n. sNfn \\ndª hnimeamb ]mSamWXv. ssI¿n `b¦c thZ\\bp-−v. càsamgpIn DSp¸papgph³ Nph¶ \\ndambncp- ¶p. At¸mtg¡pw \\à ag XpS§n. Ah³ Fgpt¶ddv Hcp hn[w \\S¶v ASp¯pÅ ho«n Ib-dn. AXv AhÀ Xte¶v IhÀ¨¡v {ian¨ hoSp Xs¶bmbncp¶p. Ah³ AhnsS hmXnÂ]Snbnse¯nbt¸mįs¶ t_m[addv hoWncp-¶p. At¸mtg¡pw AhnSs¯ ho«pImh¡mcmb {_n«nÂkpw KnÂkpw HmSn h-¶p. Ahcmbncp¶p Xte¶v sImÅ¡mÀ¡v t\\tc shSn h¨-Xv. InfnhmXnen I−Xv HenhsdbmsW¶hÀ¡v 79

a\\knem-bn. IÅs\\ ]nSnIqSnbXv ImWn¡m³ ho«pSaØbmb anknkv sabventbbpw AhcpsS Z¯p]p{Xnbmb tdmknt\\bpw hnfn-¨p. H-cp IÅ-s\\ C-Xph-sc I-−n-«nÃm-¯ an-kn-kv sa-bv- en t_m-[w sI-«p-In-S-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. C-Xm-Wv B I-ų F-¶p I-−-t¸mÄ A-hÀ¡v Nn- cn s]m«n. ]t£ Ahi\\mb Henhsd ip{iqjn¡m³ Hcp tUmIvSsd hnfn¸n¡pIbmWv anknkv sabven sNbvX-Xv. AhÀ Ahs\\ ip{iqjn-¨p. “C-h³ H-cp I-Å\\Ã. G-ttXm \\à Ip-Spw-_-¯n ]n-d-¶ ]-¿-\\m-WnXv.” Ah³ Hcp IÅ\\msW¶v hnizkn¡m³ anknkv sabven X¿mdmbnÃ. Ahs\\ t]meoknteÂ]nt¡−Xnsöv AhÀ Xocpam\\saSp-¯p. tUmIvSÀ h¶v Henhsd ]cntim[n¨v ssI¿nse apdnhv sI«n. HenhÀ Sznkvddv Ahsâ AXphscbpÅ PohnXIY AhtcmSv ]d-ªp. AhcpsSsbÃmw I®v \\ndªpt]mbn. ]\\nbp−mbncp¶Xn\\m Henhdn\\v Ipd¨p Znhk§Ä anknkv sabvenbpsS Krl¯n InSt¡−n h-¶p. Ah³ AhnsSbpÅ FÃmhcpambn 80

kulrZ¯nembn. {]tXyIn¨v tdmknt\\m-Sv. tUmIvStdmsSm¸w HenhÀ ankvddÀ {_u¬tembpsS hkXn Xnc¡n t]mIth \\ZoXocs¯ hnP\\amb Øe¯ph¨v sskIvkpw tSm_nbpw X§nb PoÀ®n¨ hoSv Ah³ tUmIvSÀ¡v ImWn¨psImSp¯p. “kÀ B B Im-Wp-¶ ho-«n-em-Wv F-s¶ sIm−- p- h-¶ I-Å-·mÀ Xm-a-kn-¨n-cp-¶Xv.” “Hm A-Xp-i-cn. Rm-s\\m-¶p t\\m¡-s«.” tUmIvSÀ B ho«n Ibdns¨s¶¦nepw Iq\\n \\S¡p¶ PS]nSn¨ apSnbpÅ Hcp ]Sphr²s\\ am{Xta I−p-Åq. AbmÄ Ignª Ccp]¯©p hÀjambn B ho«n Xmakn¡pIbmsW¶pw sskIvknt\\tbm tSm_ntbtbm AdnbpIt]mepansöv ]d-ªp. c−p \\mWb§Ä AbmÄs¡dnªpsImSp¯n«v tUmIvSÀ Henhsd IpXnch−nbn Ibd-dn. HenhÀ t\\m¡nbt¸mÄ B hr²³ Nn¯{`a¡mct\\t]mse Xs¶t\\m¡n AedpIbpw PS]nSn¨p hen¡pIbpambncp¶p. B cq]s¯ Ah\\v ad¡m\\m-bnÃ. A-Xv ^m-Kn\\mtWm F-¶v H-fn-hÀ kw-i-bn¨p. H-fn-h-dn-sâ Xm-ev-]cyw ap³-\\nÀ-¯n an-kn-kv sa- bnepw tdmkpw {Km-a-h-k-Xn-bn-te¡v Xma-kw amän. H-fn-h-dn-\\v hn-Zym-`ym-kw \\Â-Im³ H-cp Syq-j³-am- kvä-sd A-hÀ GÀ-s¸-Sp¯n. H-fn-h-dnsâ Po-hn-X¯n ho−pw `mKyw hv-¶p X- tem-Sm³ Xp-S§n. 81

H-cp Znh-kw km-bm-Ó k-hm-cn-¡v ti-jw Xn-cn-sI- sb¯nb tdm-kn-\\v ]-\\n ]n-Sn¨p. ]n-tä-¶v A-Xv aqÀ-Ñn¨p. ]-cn-{`m-´n-bnem-b sa-bv-ev A-h-cp-sS Ip-Spw_ tUmÎ-sd hn-fn-¡p-¶-Xn-\\v H-cp k-tμ-i-a-b-¡m³ H-fn-hdn-t\\m-Sv ]-dªp. A-h³ A-Xn-\\mbn I-¼nbm¸oknte¡v Hm-Sn. ktμiab¨v aS§th AhnsS Ah³ ho−pw B hr²s\\ I-−p. Ingh³ Ahs\\ ]nSn¡m\\mbn ]mªSp¯p. HenhÀ HmSnc£s¸-«p. Ingh³ \\ne¯v hoWpt]mbn. ASp¯Znhkw cm{XnbmWv tUmIvSsd¯n-bXv. tdmknsâ \\ne Bimhlambncp¶nÃ. ASp¯ kmbmÓ¯n lmcn Fs¶mcp sNdp¸¡mc³ h-¶p. anknkv sabvenbpsS ]p{Xambncp¶p AbmÄ. ZqscsbhnsStbm ]Tn¡pIbm-Wv. lmcn tdmkns\\ hnhmlw Ign¡m³ B{Kln¨ncp- ¶p. lmcn Henhsd ASp¯ Hcp _Ôphns\\t]msebmWv I−Xv. Hcp Znhkw apdnbn ]pkvXIw hmbn¨psIm−ncp¶ HenhÀ P\\mebneqsS Xs¶ c−pt]À {i²n¡p¶Xmbn I-−p. Ah³ \\nehnfn¨v Bsf¡q«n. AXnsemcmÄ ^mKn\\msW¶v Ah³ Dd¸mbncp-¶p. \\nehnfntI«v {_n«nÂkpw KnÂkpw addmfpIfpw HmSn h-¶p. 82

AhÀ ]cnkchpw ASp¯pÅ k{Xhpw hsc ]cntim[n¨n«pw Btcbpw I−pIn«n-bnÃ. H-fn-hÀ B-[n-bn-embn. I-¼n-bm-¸o-kn \\n-¶v hcpw h-gn I−- hr-²³ ^m- Kn³ X-s¶-bm-sW-¶v H-fn-h-dn-\\v D-d-¸m-bn. ho-−pw B t{Zm-ln-bp-sS ssI-bn s]-Sm-Xn-cn- ¡m³ A-h³ {]mÀ°-\\-tbm-sS Zn-h-k§Ä I-gn¨p. 83

12 c-lkyw HenhÀ P\\n¨ A\\mYmeb¯nsâ ]pXnb \\S¯n¸pImcnbmbn anknkv tImÀWn F¶ hn[h NpaXetbd-dp. ap¼v AhÀ AhnSs¯ Hcp At´hmknbmbncp¶p. _w_nepambpÅ hgnhn« ASp¸amWv B NpaXe e`n¡m³ Imc-Ww. sshImsX _w_n Ahsc hnhmlw Ign¡pIbpw sNbv-Xp. AhÀ Hcp \\à kv{Xobmbncp¶nÃ. BÀ¯n¡mcnbmbncp¶p F¶p am{XaÃ, _w_nens\\ Ip«nIfpsS ap¶n h¨v ]ckyambn hg¡p]dbpIIqSn sNbvXncp-¶p. _w_n aZyimeIfn ]Xnhmbn A`bw tXSn¯pS§n. Hcp Znhkw _w_n aZyimebn h¨v Hcp ZoÀLImbs\\ ]cnNbs¸«p. AXv a¦vkv Bbncp¶p. “Rm³ \\n§sf tXSn h¶XmWv.” AXp]dªpsIm−v a¦vkv c−p kzÀW\\mWb§Ä FSp¯v _w_nen\\p sImSp¯p. AbmÄ¡v henb kt´mjambn. a¦vkv XpSÀ¶p ]dªp: “F\\n¡v Nne 84

hnhc§Ä AdnbWw. GItZiw ]{´−v hÀj§Ä¡v ap¼v \\n§fpsS A\\mYmeb¯n Hcp Ip«n P\\n¨p. ]n¡me¯v Ah³ Hcp ihs¸«n¡mct\\msSm¯v t]mbn. HmÀ¡p¶pt−m?” “\\n§Ä ]dbp¶Xv HenhÀSznkvddns\\ ]ddnbmWv. Ahs\\ ]ddn F´p clkyamWv \\n§Ä¡dntb−Xv?” “Ahs\\]ddnbÃ, Ahsâ A½sb]ddnbmWv F\\n¡dntb−Xv.” “B kv{Xo Henhsd {]-k-hn¨bpS³ acn¨pt]mbncp¶p.” “AsX\\n¡dnbmw. {]khkab¯v Ahsc ip{iqjn¨ kmen F¶ Bbsb¡pdn¨v ]dbq.” “A¿t¿m kmen Ignª ssiXyIme¯v acn¨pt]mbn.” _w_n \\nklmbXtbmsS ]dªt¸mÄ a¦vkv \\ncmitbmsS t]mIm³ Fgpt¶d-dp. _w_n Abmsf XS-ªp. F¶n«v ]dªp: “Fsâ `mcy tImÀWn¡v kmensb ]ddn Nne clky§fdnbmw. kmen acn¡pt¼mÄ acWi¿bn Fsâ `mcybp−mbncp¶p.” “F\\n¡hsc H¶p ImWm³ ]ddptam?” “XoÀ¨bmbpw.” 85

ASp¯ Znhkw _w_n `mcytbbpw Iq«n a¦vkn\\Sp¯p sN-¶p. a-¦n-kn-sâ ho-Sv km-aq-ly-hn-cp-²-cp-sS H-cp tIm-f-\\n- bn-em-bn-cp¶p. \\-Zo-Xo-c-s¯ N-Xp-¸p-\\n-e¯v PoÀ-Wm-h-Ø-bn-ep-Å \\n-ch-[n sI-«n-S§Ä. AXn-sem-¶n-em-Wv a-¦v-knsâ hmkw a-¦v-kv Ah-sc {]-Xo-£n-¨n-cn-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. Ah-sc ap-dn-¡-I-t¯-¡v hn-fn-¨v hm-Xn A-S-¨p-X- gp-Xn-«n-«v ]dªp: “]d-bq \\n-§-fv-¡-dn-bm-hp-¶ c-lkyw ]-dbq.” _w-_n t]-Sn-¨p hnd-¨p: “C-bmÄ X§-sf sIm- ¶p-I-fbp-tam.” ]-t£ tImÀ-Wn-¡v H-cp `-b-hp-anÃm-bn-cp¶p. X\\n¡dnbmhp¶ clkyw ]dbWsa¦n Ccp]¯nb©p kzÀW\\mWbw ap³Iqdmbn \\ÂIWsa¶v anknkv tImÀWn ]dªp. a¦vkv AhÀ ]dª{Xbpw kzÀW\\mWb§Ä At¸mįs¶ sImSp¯p. At¸mÄ anknkv tImÀWn B clkyw ]dªp: “kmen F¶ Bb acn¡pt¼mÄ Rm³ am{Xta AhcpsS ASp¯v D−mbncp¶pÅp. acWi¿bn h¨v AhÀ Hcp clkyw ]dªp. Henhdnsâ A½ acn¡p¶Xn\\p ap¼v AhfpsS kzÀWtem¡ddpw tamXnchpw kmen addmcpadnbmsX ssI¡em¡nbncp¶p. kmen AXpc−pw Fs¶ GÂ]n¨p.” 86

“CXv Rms\\§s\\ hnizkn¡pw?” a¦vkv tNmZn¨Xn\\p adp]Snbmbn anknkv tImÀWn t]m¡ddn \\n¶v Hcp tem¡ddpw tamXnchpw FSp¯pImWn-¨p. tamXnc¯n Bákv F¶v sIm¯nh¨ncp-¶p. a¦vknsâ apJw hnIkn-¨p. A-bmÄ A-Xv X-«n-¸-dn-s¨-Sp¯p. F-¶n-«v AXv apjvSnbn Npcp«n]nSn¨v Nncn¨p. “\\n§Ä CXv F´psN¿m³ t]mIp¶p?” anknkv tImÀWn tNmZn¨p. a¦vkn\\v tNmZyw CjvSs¸«nÃ. AbmÄ Ahscbncphtcbpw Hcp apdnbnte¡v sIm−pt]mbn. apdnbpsS Xdbnse Hcp clkyIhmSw Xpd¶t¸mÄ Xmsg Xwkv \\Zn HgpIp¶XpI-−p. AbmÄ A«lmkt¯msS tamXnchpw tem¡ddpw \\Znbnte¡v hens¨dn-ªp. “F-´m-Wv Rm³ sN-bvX-Xv F-¶v I-−ntÃ?” “DÆv.” C-cp-hcpw `-b-t¯m-sS ]-dªp. “F-¶m Hm-Sv...thKw HmSv.” a-¦v-kv A-edn. a¦vknsâ `mhamddw I−t¸mÄ AbmÄ X§tfbpw sIm¶v \\Znbn Fdnbptam F¶v `b¶v _w_nepw tImÀWnbpw AhnsS \\n¶v Poh\\pw sIm−v HmSnc£s¸«p. 87

13 H-cp Häp-sIm-Sp-¸v Hcp AÚmXtI{μ¯n Ignª aq¶mgvNbmbn InS¸nembncp¶p _n sskIv-kv. A-kp-J-am-bn A-bmÄ In-S-¸n-emWv. Ct¸mÄ \\m³kn klmb¯n\\p-−v. sskIvknsâ ]«n D½d¯v Xs¶bp-−v. Bsc I−mepw Ipc¨v hnhcadnbn¡pw. ip{iqjn¡p¶ \\m³knsb sskIvkv XpSsc ]pe`yw ]dªpsIm−ncn¡pIbm-Wv. AhÄ AsXm¶pw IW¡nseSp¡p¶nÃ. ]«nbpsS Ipc tI«v Btcm hcp¶ps−¶v sskIvkn\\p a\\knem-bn. AXv ^mKn\\pw NmÀenbpw tUmUvPdpambncp-¶p. ^mKns\\ I−]msS sskIvkv Iptd No¯ hnfn¨p: “acn¨n«v h¶m aXnbmbncp¶tÃm. aq¶mgvNbmbn Rm³ InS¶InS¸n InS¶n«pw Ct¸mgmtWm Ingh\\v hcm³ tXm¶nbXv.” sskIvknsâ Ip¯phm¡pIÄ ]Xnhpt]mse Nncn¨pXÅns¡m−v ^mKn³ tUmUvPdpsS ]¡Â \\n¶pw k½m\\s¸mXnIÄ hm§n Agn¨p \\nc¯n h-¨p. apbend¨n, sdm«n, sh®, ]m¡«n, Hcp 88

^pÄt_m«n aZyw. aZyw I−t¸mÄ BËmZ`cnX\\mb sskIvkv Ip¸n hmbnte¡v Iangv¯n. “ssk-Ivkv. Xm-\\n-t¸mÄ B-tcm-Ky-hm\\tÃ?” ^m-Kn³ tNm-Zn¨p. “C-Xn-\\p ap¼pw ]n¼pw Rm³ B-tcm-Ky-hm³ X- s¶..Ft´?” ssk-Ivkv ]-cn-l-kn¨p. “H-fn-hÀ F-Xn-cm-fn-I-fp-sS ssI-bn-emWv. \\-½p-sS c- l-ky-§Ä A-h³ A-h-tcm-Sv ]-d-ªn-«p-s−-¦n Xp-e-ª-Xp-Xs¶. Henhsd hos−Sp¡Ww. Csæn \\½sfsbÃmhtcbpw t]meokv s]m¡pw.” ^mKn³ ]dªp. “Ah-s\\ ho-−pw s]m-¡Ww. AXn\\pÅ hgn ]d.” sskIvkv A£a\\mbn. “Henhdn\\v A`bw sImSp¯ B ho«pImÀ Henhtdbpw sIm−v e−\\n h¶n«p−v. AhÀ sslUv ]mÀ¡n\\Sp¯pÅ sshddv tlm«enemWv Xmakn¡p¶Xv.” ^mKn³ ]-dªp. “F-\\n-¡p Ip-d¨v ]-Ww thWw. A-Xv \\m-³-kn-bp-sS ]-¡Â sIm-Sp-¯-b¡q.” ssk-Iv-kv B-h-iy-s¸«p. sskIvkn\\v ]Ww sImSp¯b¡m³ \\m³kntbbpw Iq«n ^mKn³ kz´w 89

kt¦X¯nte¡v h-¶p. AhnsS a¦vkv Im¯ncn¡p¶p−mbncp-¶p. \\m³knsb amddn \\nÀ¯n ^mKn\\pw a¦vkpw clkyw ]d-ªp. ]t£ \\m³kn AXv ]Xp§n \\n¶v tI-«p. AtXmsS AhfpsS apJw hnfdn. ^mKn³ sImSp¯ ]Whpambn sskIvknsâ kt¦X¯nse¯nb \\m³kn ]g¨mdn Dd¡acp¶v IeÀ¯n \\ÂIn sskIvkns\\ Dd¡n¡nS¯nbn«v sslUv ]mÀ¡nse sshddv tlm«ense-¯n. Imh¡mct\\mSv tIWt]£n¨t¸mÄ anknkv sabvensb ImWm³ ]d-dn. “am-Uw F-\\n¡v \\n-§-tfm-Sv A-Sn-b-´n-c-am-bn Nn-e c- l-ky-§Ä ]-¦p h-bv-¡m-\\p−v.” “F-´m-WXv?” “H-fnh-sd kw-_-\\v-[n-¨mWv.” “H-fnh-sd ]-än F-´m-Wv \\n-\\¡v ]-d-bm-\\p-ÅXv.” “^m-Kn-sâ ]n-Sn-bn \\n-¶v BZyw Hm-Sn-t¸m-b H-fnh- sd Rm-\\m-Wv Ip-Sp-¡n-bXpw Xn-cn-sI F-¯n-¨-Xpw.” “h-©-In.. F-¶n-«v \\o ]n-t¶bpw h¶-Xv B sIm-¨n- s\\ sIm-e-bv-¡v sIm-Sp-¡m\\mtWm?” an-kn-kv sa-bv-ev £p`n-X-bmbn. \\m³-kn Xm-Wp-tIWv anknkv sabventbmSv D−mb hnhc§sfÃmw ]dªp. 90

B hnhc§Ä tI«v anknkv sabven sR«nt¸mbn. HenhÀ Sznkvddn\\v AhImis¸« hensbmcp kz¯v hnlnXw X«nsbSp¡m³ a¦vkv F¶bmÄ ^mKn\\pambn tNÀ¶v sIWnsbmcp¡pIbm-Wv. icn¡p ]dªm a¦vknsâ ktlmZc\\mWv HenhÀ F¶mWv \\m³kn¡v In«nb hnh-cw. Henhdns\\ IÅ\\m¡n Pbnen AS¨m kz¯v apgph³ a¦vkn\\p X«nsbSp¡mw. CXmWv ]²-Xn. am{XaÃ, sshddvtlm«en AXn{Ian¨pIbdn a¦vkpw ^mKn\\pw sskIvkpw Henhsd X«ns¡m−pt]mIm³ ]²XnbnSp¶p−v F¶hnhchpw \\m³kn sabvent\\mSv shfns¸Sp¯n. \\m³kn¡v t]meoknednbn¡m³ ss[cyanÃmbncp-¶p. AhÄ kvt\\ln¡p¶ HcmÄ B sImÅ kwL¯nep−v. AXv sskIvkmWv. AbmÄ ]nSn¡s¸ScpsX¶v AhÄ¡m{Klap-−v. AXpsIm−v Xt¶mSv ]dbmsX t]meoknednbn¡cpsX¶v \\m³kn sabventbmSv A`yÀ°n-¨p. “C-\\n F-s¶ Im-W-W-sa-¶p-s−-¦n- H-cp Imcyw sN¿q. FÃm Rm-b-dm-gv-Nbpw cm{Xn ]Xn-s\\m- ¶n\\pw ]-{´-−n-\\p-an-S-bn e-−v³ {_n-Uv-Pn-\\v ap-I- fn Rm³ h-¶p \\nÂ-¡mw. \\n-§Ä-¡v F-s¶ Im- Wmw.” AXpw ]-d-ªv AhÄ C-cp-«n-te-¡nd§n Hm-Sn- t¸mbn. \\m³kn t]mb tijw anknkv sabven tdm-kns\\ 91

hnhc§sfÃmw Adnbn-¨p. \\m³-kn ]-d-ª hn-h-c-§Ä kp-{]-[m-\\-amWv. tUm- Î-tdm-Sv ]-dªm-tem. ]p-Ån H-cp ap³-tIm-]-¡m-c- \\mWv. lmcn-tbm-Sv ]-d-bp-¶-Xm-Wv D-¯aw. A-hÀ lm-cn-sb I-¯-b-¨v h-cp-¯m³ Xo-cp-am-\\n¨p. At¸mtg¡pw HenhÀ HmSn h¶v {_u¬temsb I−p F¶p ]d-ªp. A-h³ KnÂkp-sam-¯v ]p-d- t¯-¡v \\-S-¡m³ t]m-b-Xm-bn-cp¶p. “F-hn-sS {_u¬tem?” C-cp-hcpw B-Imw-£-tbm-sS Xn-c¡n. “A-t±-lw h-−n-bn \\n-¶nd-§n \\-S¶p-t]m-Ip¶-Xv I−p.” “F-¶n«v F-s´-¦nepw kw-km-cnt¨m?” “KnÂ-kv kw-km-cn¨p. A-t±-lw hn-em-kw sIm-Sp- ¯n-«p-−v.” ]cnNmcI\\mb KnÂkn\\v {_u¬tem sImSp¯ taÂhnemkw h¨v tdmkv, Henhtdbpw Iq«n {_u¬tembpsS ho«n sN-¶p. {Kowhn¤pw AhnsSbp−mbncp-¶p. tdmkv, \\m³-kn ]-d-ª-XpÄ-s¸sS HenhdpsS hnhc§sfÃmw Adnbn-¨p. {_u¬tembpw {Kowhn¤pw HenhdpsS IY tI«v A´w hn«pt]m-bn. anknkv s_Uvhn³ h¶v Henhsd BenwK\\w sNbv-Xp. \\m³kn ]dª Imcy§Ä tdmkv {_u¬temtbmSv hniZoIcn¨p. 92

A¶p cm{Xn sshddv tlm«en h¨v anknkv sabvenbpw tdmkpw {_u¬tembpambn IqSnbmtemN\\ \\S-¯n. a¦vknt\\bmWv ]nSnIqtS−-Xv. Abmsf ]nSn¡Wsa¦n \\m³kn ]dªXv ASp¯ RmbdmgvN AÀ²cm{Xn hsc Im¯ncn¡Wsa¶m-Wv. B kab¯v sXwkv \\Zn¡pIpdptIbpÅ henb ]me¯n h¨v kÔn¡msa¶pw hnes¸« Nne hnhc§Ä ssIamdmsa¶pamWv \\m³kn ]dª- Xv. AhÀ RmbdmgvN hsc Im¯ncn¡m³ Xocpam\\n- ¨p. AXphsc Hen-hÀ¡v kpc£ Dd¸m¡m³ {_n«nÂkpw {KnÂkpw Ft¸mgpw Aht\\msSm¸ap−mbncp¶p. 93

14 kwi-bw A-¶v Rm-b-cm-gv-N-bm-bn-cp¶p. AÀ-²-cm-{Xn-bmbn. ]-Ån-bn-se a-Wn ]Xn-s\\m-¶-Sn¨p. FÃm-bn-S¯pw C-cp-«m-bn-cp¶p. A-¶v ssk-Iv-kn-sâ h-k-Xn-bn ^m-Kn\\pw D−- m- bn-cp¶p. A-hÀ a-Zy-]n¨p-sIm-−v F-s´-¦nepw ]²-Xn B-kq- {X-Ww sN-¿p-¶-Xn-s\\ Ip-dn-¨v NÀ-¨-bn-em-bn-cp¶p. \\à thjw [cn¨v B AÀ²cm{Xnbn ]pd¯nd§m³ XpS§nb Ahsf ^mKn\\pw sskIvkpw tNÀ¶v XSªp \\nÀ¯n. “\\o F-hn-tS-¡mWv.” “]p-d-t¯-¡v” “Ir-Xy-am-b Ø-ew ]dbv.” ssk-Ivkv i-Ð-ap-bÀ¯n. “F-\\n-¡Â-]w ip-²-hm-bp iz-kn-¡Ww.” “B P\\m-e h-gn X-e ]p-d-t¯-¡n-«v ip-²-hm-bp iz- kn-t¨mfq.” ssk-Iv-kv ]-dªp. ^m-Kn³ s]m-«n-¨n-cn¨p. “F-s¶ H-¶v ]p-d¯p-t]m-Im³ k-½-Xn-¡ntÃ.” 94

“\\o ]p-d¯p-t]mI-−.” ssk-Iv-kv A-h-fp-sS sXm-¸n X-«n-¡-fªp. \\m³-kn-sb A-bmÄ _-e-am-bn A-I-t¯-¡p X-Ån hm-Xn-e-S¨p. \\m³-kn A-I-¯p-In-S¶v _-l-f-ap-−m¡n. ssk-Iv-kv Xn-cn-sIbpw e-l-f-bp-−m¡n. Ie-lw aq-¯-t¸mÄ ^m-Kn³ A-hn-sS \\n¶- v Cd-§n \\-S¶p. ssk-Iv-kn-sâ kz-`m-hw A-k-l-\\o-b-am-bn-cn-¡p-¶p- sh¶v ^m-Kn³ Nn-´n¨p. t\\-Xr-Øm-\\w F-t¸mgpw A-bmÄ-¡v th-W-a-t{X. ssk-Iv-kns\\ hn-jw sIm-Sp-¯p sIm-¶n-«v \\m³-kn- sb ]m-«n-em-¡n Iq-sS \\nÀ-¯-W-sa-¶v ^m-Kn³ D-d- ¸nv¨p. ]v-t£ \\m³-kn-sb hn-iz-kn¡mtam F-¶ k-tμ-lw A-bm-fn D-S-se-Sp¯p. A-hÄ-¡v ]pXn-b Zp-lq-X-IÄ D−v. ]pXn-b kp-lr-¯p-¡fpw A-hÄ-¡v D-S-se-Sp-¯n- «p−v. B c-lkyw F-{X-bpw s]-s«-¶v I-−p-]n-Sn-¡-W-sa- ¶v ^m-Kn³ Xo-cp-am-\\n¨p. 95

15 sIm-e-]mXIw AÀ²cm{Xnbn Bsc ImWm\\m\\mIpw \\m³kn t]mIm³ Xp\\nªnd§nbXv F¶ Nn´ ^mKns\\ {`m´p ]nSn¸n-¨p. `mKyw AbmtfmsSm¸w Bbncp¶Xn\\m ASp¯ {]`mX¯n c−v CcIsf AbmÄ¡v hoWp In«n. tkmhÀ_dnbpsS ihs¸«n¡Sbn \\n¶v Hfnt¨mSnb NmÀtem«nbpw t\\mhm t¢¸mfpw e−\\nse¯nbncp¶p. anknkv tkmhÀ_dnbpsS ]Ws¸«nbn \\n¶v hgn¨nehn\\pÅ ]Ww tamjvSn¨psIm−mWv AhÀ \\mSphn«-Xv. e−³ \\Kc¯nse {XoI¸nÄkv F¶ Ip{]kn² aZyimebn `£Ww Ign¨ncn¡th t\\mhbpw NmÀtem«nbpw ^mKn\\pambn ]cnNb¯nem-bn. ^mKn³ AhÀ¡v Ipd¨v ]Ww sImSp¯p. t\\mh AbmfpsS kwL¯n tNcmsa¶v k½Xn¨p. ^mKnsâ kwL¯n tNÀ¶bpS³ AÃdNnÃd tamjW§Ä \\S¯n Ignhp sXfnbn¨ t\\mh¡v ^mKn³ Hcp tPmen sImSp- ¯p. \\m³kn FhnsSt]mbmepw Ahsf ]n´pSÀ¶v hnhcadnbn¡pI. 96

t\\mhsb \\m³kn¡v ^mKn³ ]cnNbs¸Sp¯nbXpanÃ. e−\\nse FÃm sX½mSn¸ntÅtcbpw \\m³kn¡dnbmsa¶XpsIm−v Ahsf Hcp Nmcs\\ h¨v \\nco£n¡pI Ffp¸ambncp¶nÃ. t\\mh B tPmen `wKnbmbn sNbvXp. RmbdmgvN cm{Xn ]{´−paWntbmsS sXwkv \\Zn¡pIpdptIbpÅ ]me¯n \\S¸mXbn h¨v \\m³kn ankvddÀ {_u¬tembpw tdmkpambpw kÔn¨p. a¦vkns\\]ddnbpÅ ASbmf§Ä \\m³kn ]dªt¸mÄ Abmsf FhntStbm ]cnNbaps−¶v {_u¬tem¡v a\\knem-bn. \\m³kn¡pw sskIvkn\\pw Ignbm\\pÅ hI Xcmsa¶pw hntZit¯¡v IS¡m³ klmbn¡msa¶pw {_u¬tem hm¡p sImSp- ¯p. {_u¬tem \\o«nb ]W¡ngn \\m³kn hm§nbnÃ. “Cà Cu ]-Ww Rm³ hm-§nÃ. ]m-hw B Ip-«n- sb F-§-s\\-sb-¦nepw c-£-s¸-Sp¯q.” AhÄ¡v Henhsd c£s¸Sp¯pI am{Xta e£yap−mbncp¶pÅp. AhÀ bm{X ]dªp ]ncn-ªp. ]t£ CsXÃm Ccpfnsâ ad ]ddn \\n¶ t\\mhm Hfnªp \\n¶p tI«ncp-¶p. B ZpjvS³ At¸mįs¶ HmSnt¸mbn ^mKns\\ 97

hnhc§sfÃmw Adnbn-¨p. ^mKn³ tIm]w sIm−v Pzen-¨p. ^m-Kn³ ssk-Iv-kn-sâ ho-«n-se¯n. \\m³-kn In-S-¶p-d-§p-I-bm-bn-cp¶p. B kab¯mWv Ft´m Hcp tamjWapXepambn sskIvkv AhnsS h¶p Ibdnb-Xv. “tl-bv Xm-\\n-hn-sS a-®p Xn-¶p-IbmtWm?” ssk-Iv-kv ^m-Kn-s\\ ]-cn-l-kn¨p. “aTbm, \\o-bm-Wv a-®p Xn¶p-sIm-−n-cn-¡p-¶Xv. \\n- s¶ ]-än-¡p-I-bm-bn-cp-¶p \\n-sâ Im-apIn. \\n-s¶ am- {X-aà \\-½-sf-sbÃm-h-tcbpw A-hÄ H-än-s¡m-Sp-¡p- I-bm-bn-cp¶p.” ^mKn³ Nodns¡m−v sskIvknsâ ImapInbmb \\m³knbpsS Hddns¡mSp¡Â sskIvknt\\mSv hnhcn¨p. sskIvkv £p`nX\\mbn \\m³-kn-bp-sS ap-dn-bn-te- t¡mSn. D-d-¡-¯n-em-bn-cp¶ Ahsf AbmÄ Nhn«nsbgpt¶Â]n-¨p. “F-´m-Wvv ssk-Ivkv?” “\\n-\\-s¡m-¶pw A-dn-bnà AtÃ?” “Imcyw ]-dbq?” “\\o R§-sf H-än-s¡m-Sp¯p. AtÃ?” \\m³-kn-¡v Imcyw a-\\-kn-embn. A-hÄ A-bm-fp-sS Im-ep ]n-Sn¨p. 98

“ssk-Iv-kv Rm³ ]-d-bp-¶-sXm-¶v tIÄ¡q. B ^m-Kn³ \\-½-sf-sbÃmw N-Xn-¡p-I-bmWv. A-hÀ \\à a-\\p-jy-cmWv. A-hÀ \\-ap-¡v kp-J-am-bn Poh- n-¡m-\\p- Å ]-Ww X-cpw. H-fn-hÀ c-£-s¸-Ss«.” “\\o H¶pw ]-db-−. h-©-\\-¡p-Å in-£ a-c-W- amWv.” \\m³kn ]dbp¶sXm¶pw sNhns¡mÅm³ sskIvkv Iq«m¡nbnÃ. AbmÄ Ahsf \\njvIcpWw shSnh¨psIm-¶p. F¶n«pw Acniw Xocmªv henb Hcp acap«nsbSp¯v AhfpsS Xe ASn¨ps]mfn-¨p. Xet¨mdpw càhpw apdnbnemsI NnXdn. sskIvkv At¸mįs¶ AhnsS \\n¶v ]emb\\amcw`n-¨p. ]«n Xs¶ tXSn ht¶¡psa¶dnbmhp¶Xn\\m AbmÄ ]«ntbbpw IqsS Iq«n. hgnbn h¨v BfpIÄ sIme]mXIs¯¡pdn¨v ]dbp¶Xv sskIvkv tI-«p. sIme]mXIn _Àan§vlmante¡v IS¶psh¶pw Ccp]¯n\\mepaWn¡qdn\\Iw ]nSnbnemIpsa¶pw hgnt]m¡À ]dbp¶XptI«v sskIvkv ]cn{`m´nbnembn. Hm«¯n\\v \\mb Hcp XSkamIpsa¶v I−v AXns\\ sImÃm³ sskIvkv Xocpam\\n-¨p. Hcp sNfn¡p−n\\Sp¯v sN¶v Xsâ `mWvU¯n \\n¶pw XpWnsbSp¯v Hcp henb 99