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1 `mkw-1 A t s]t{smä snehpw No obpw CS]mSpImcpsS t]cpifpsams Ubdnbn Ip n pdnípibmbncp p Rm³. CsXm p XoÀ n«v _mdnâ t]mbn Hsc w hoiww hãxpw Ign n«v InS bnteíp hogww. `mcy AhfpsS ho«nâ {]khip{iqjbpw BkzZn p Ignbp p. hnfn p t^mwnâ IqsS Hcp½ simsp txbpåp. AhfXpw Bbn Dd ntímfpw, Ipªnt\bpw si«n nsn v, ChnsS Rmt\m. s]s«v CS\mgnbnsemcp _lfw. Iptd s] p Ä Hcpan p h Xp t]mse. F\ntíÁhpw Cãs «]cn]msn hmbnât\m«w Xs bmbncp p ] pw, C gpw. s] psi«n Hcp Ip«nbmbp msb nepw, AXn\n pw Hcp Ipdhpw h n«nã. At mä Iptdsb nt\ Hcpan pin«nbmtem. aníhmdpw Xangv\m«n \n pw IpSpw_aS p h ncníp hã ]«nifpambncnípw. CSínSív Iptdsb w ImgvN_w mhp ImWm\pw DucpNpÁm\psams bmbn«p XekvYm\w kµàinímdp v. Rm³ Ubdn as n sh n«v hmxnâ Xpd p. awn Ft«mfambn. t\m pt¼mä Iptd s] Ip«nIÄ, FÃmÁn\pw Htc bqwnt^mw. Mqw, kviqä Ip«nIÄ. sè, Cu IqXnbnte aªfp amdm Xnt\sbms F p ] mcbsním\m. CS\mgnbnemsW nâ shfn hpw Ipdhv. Imcyw aq p \ {X tlm«emsw nepw snehp Npcp  sit aw. Rm³ t\m pt¼mä tlm«â t_mbv jn_p Iptd _mkpifpw Xq n en^vánâ \n pw Cd p p. en^ván\sp på tuman{snbnteímwp s] ]SbpsS {]hmlw. " jn_q..." Rm³ hnfn p. Ahs\m p Xncnªp t\m n. ]ns et PpIÄ DÅnem nbn«p Fsâ ASpt íp h p. " FXp timfts...?..." " GtXm aeaq«nte kviqfo m... kvt]màsvkp sxms phtã \msf..." " HmSm\pw NmSm\pw hcp Xns\ms kviqfnembncníphtãm.. sis pw XotÁw..." " Fsâ kmtd AXo ]«nipmxn kviqfo p hcp Xv... CXv \à ImsimÅ ss{]háv kviqfm... I ntã Hmtcm nsâ Hs sagp v... " " sagps mt m... F n \obm Áyq_p apgph\pw H nt«... FÃm n\pw Htc DSp mbxpsim v H nt\w Xncn dnbm³ tae..." " kq Àsshkdp I m..." Ah³ Xe snmdnªp. " \o t]mbn CsSSm... AXp fp ]dªn«m p ]d..." Ah³ t]mbn sseáp sxfn t mtgípw aníhmdpw FÃmw AI mbn. Ah³ Xncn p h p. " simtd _mkqsssbm v... ]ns FIvkv{Sm s_ím FÃm n\pw... ]Xncp]sX sam v... ]ns So d½mcpw..." " \ap p ]Ánb sskkp htãmsamt msm...?.." " H v... Ggp samxep ]Xnt\gpw ]ns So d½mcp Ccp]t gpw ap t gpam... I n«v...\ã apáp km[\ fm... ImsimÅ kviqfm... In Wnen w \à _lfm... Rm³ t]ms«..." " FÃmw IqsS B tuman{sose s\ HXp psasm...?.." Rm³ Hcp kwibap bn p. " B... Nmf ASp p t]mse ASp phmcnípw..." Ah³ t]mbn gnªv Rm³ Aåt\cw t\m n \n p. At mä Zm, Ibdn hcp p c p bphxniä Hcp n kâhmàjaokv. aáhä kmcn. ChnsS \n p t\m nbn«v Nc pifp simåmw. sam w CS\mgnbnsem p t\m nbn«v Ahcpw apdnípånteíp tidn. IXIS t mä Ie]nebpsS H bpw \n p. Rm\pw IXIS p ]ns Ipdn p XpSÀ p. Rms\mcp saun  sd mwv. amk nsemcmgv XekvYm\ p ImWpw. At mä Cu tlm«enemwp X pi, Cu apdnbnâ. Fsâ I¼\nbnte Xt Fsâ PqWnbdmb Hcp sd mswsâ klapdnb³. Xct SnÃm I hsw R Ä H ns Sp n«p v. Iq«pImc³ Ct mä _mw qcnâ Hcp s{sbn\n nemwv. AXpsIm v Cubmgv Rms\mÁímbn. Cu apdnbpss khntijx Fs mâ. CS\mgnbpsS GÁhpw AÁ påxv. hnimeamb apdn. \mept]à p InS mhp henb I«nÂ, ]t Ipfnapdn sndpxv, Page 1 of 95

2 IXIn\p IpÁnbnÃ. sxm«sps mcp apéow ]Ånbnte ssa p sh ncníp Xv Cu apdnbpts t\à v. ]ns c phi pw P\epÅXpsIm v Bhiy n\p simxpipw. ]t H p ]dbmatãm. R Ä p c p t]à pw CsXm pw henb {]iv\aã. Hcní Cu apdnsbsp p h³ ]ns CXnteíp tidpibnã. ]ns R Ä kvync mcmbxpsim v Aåw UnkvIu pw In«pw. t\ct ]dªxp sim p am{xamwn p Rm³ CXn InS p Xv. tlm«â Cubmgv lukv^pä. Hcp {]txbvix IqSnbp v Cu apdnív, R tf kw_[n nst mfw. \of³hit P\en IqsS t\m nbmâ Iptd ac Ä nsbnâ IqSn aq mep sndpsx piä nsbnâ \nâ p Hcp sim p hosp ImWmw. Cu tlm«en\p Iptd XmsgbmWm hosv. ]IpXn HmSpw _m n Hmebpw. AXnsâ AcnIn HmesIm p ad Hcp Ipfnapdn. taâ`mkw adím Xv. B IpfnapdnbpsS AcnIn IqsS Hcp HmStbm Nmtem atám D v. CXphtc B ho«nâ As «v AwK tf I p. Hcp shey½, Hcp ho«½, ho«pimc³, c p s] a Ä, ]ns Hcp sndp ³, CSíp A{]Xy amip Hcp s] pw Hcp ]pcpj\pw. si«n phn«aq k Xnbpw `À mhpambncnípw. F mwp R Ä nxnepå Xmåcysa p sh mâ, h A papxâ R Ä Chtc amdn amdn ImWp p. At mä ]ns sicníp ImWWsa p txm n. Hcp ss_t\m peà hm n. sime]mxi hnebmbnt mbn. F nepw Ct mä \ãw txm p nã. ImcWw, Nne Znhk fnâ D t\c fnepw Nnet mä sshipt chpw, ]exc nepapå aq{xsamgníâ cwk Ä, Ipfnko\pIÄ CsXms ImWmw. shey ³ Ipfn pcbpss AcnIn h p \n v HmSbnteíp \o«n nsnípw. shey½ HmSbnteíp ]pdwxncnªp \n v HmSbnteíp ]ip apåp Xp t]mse \o«nhnspw. a[yhbêp Ignsª nepw XSnsímcp IpdhpanÃ. \à ap«³ Ip niä. F{X kqw snbvxmepw Ip niä nsbnâ \n pw hcp shån ¼nbÃmsX AXnsâ DdhnSw ImWm³ ]Ánbn«nÃ. R fpss apdnbpss BwKnfpw B Nmensâ InS pw A s\bmbnt mbn. ]ns FÃmw IgnªpÅ B Ip nifns«mcm«pw Ipep pw R Äs mcp Xami. si«n phn«s] p h mepw B HmSbpsS AcnIn Ip nbncpt km[ní påp. hosnsâ ]pdiphihpw, HmSbpsS ap³hihpw ImSp]nSn p InS p XpsIm v, kz w Imen nsbnte ImSv Bcpw ImWpIbnsà ss[cy nâ \bnánbpw ]mhmsbpw Acípta s]m n nsn v Ip n ncps mcp Im p Im pw. AXpw. XpSínSbn \n pw hcp shån ¼nbÃmsX asám pw ImWm³ km[n n«nã F sxmcp Zp:JkXyambn Ahtijníp p. Hcp kam[m\apåxv \bnán hn«n«v Xncnbp Iq«n AXpIq«n B s_àaqum {XntImWw AhÄ H aà n psíp Xp ImWmw. ]ns HmSbntesím p Xp nbn«v hosn\it íp Ibdpw. Hcní am{xw Aåw sncnªncp Xp sim mimw, Ft m Hcp Ccp«p Omb I p AXp R Ä amdn amdn t\m n kmbqpyasªp. CSsímcp Znhkw Fsâ Iq«pImc³ Ipgen IqSn t\m nbn«v ]dbp Xp ti«p. " Chfn s\ B Ihs S srcn mâ AhnSt sxmen t]mhqtã...?.." " tamt\...]t s]mfnª sxmenbm... C w AhnsS simtd dºà jw tf ImWs msåts... \o shjanímsx... ASp {]mhiyw... \o sicníp ]nsn p hen p t\m nbm axn a\ênemipw..." ]ns Hcní Ah³ k½xn p AXp sicnbmsw v. ap«pim níh³ Nne clky kµài\ Ä \S mdp v. IeymWw IgnªXn ]ns Rm³ Aåw hncan ncníbmsw p am{xw. Iptd Znhkambn«v Fsâ sndp \åw Cf w IqSnbn«p v. cmhnte Iptd kabw Fgpt Áp \n p ap{zmhmiyw apg p Xnt mä Hcp kz`mhambn amdnbncníp p. ]gb IpÁnIfptS ASp p t]mims\mcp asn. {]khn p InS p XpsIm v A½mbnb½ B `mkt ív ASp ní nã. tzlc bmwp t]mepw. ]gb BNmc Ä. B hosnt\ pdn p _m n. B sim psndp \p GXp kvyesa nã. Ah³ \o«n nsnípw. Hcní Ah³ hosnsâ ap³hit sndnb axnenteív NoÁn t mä aq hä Ahsâ Ip nísn Xpw, Ah³ sr«n ncnªt mä Ah\dnbmsX Iptd aq{xw AhfpsS \bnánbnâ howxpw AXnsâ t]cnâ Ahsâ ssiín«v \à HcSn ASn n«hä \bnánbpss ap³hiw s]m n nsn p sim v sxdnhnfn Xpw ImWm\pw CSbmbn. Page 2 of 95

3 F mâ CXnsems kam[m\w, AhnSt B c p s] Ip«nIfmbncp p. Xebpw apebpw hfà hà. Cc«IfmtWm F pw kwibap v. CSíhÀ Nnet mä Ipfn pcbnâ Ibdp Xpw ]mhms s]m n nsníp Xpw ImWmw. ]ns Xmtgív B Hmeadbn adbpw. Fgpt Án«v ]mhms Aåw s]m n nsn v Ipfn pcbnâ \n pw ]pd nd pw. Iq«pImc³ ]dbpw. " B HmtesSsbms Hcp tbmkw..." A p awn Ignªm R fpss ss_t\m pedn\p t]mepw Ipfncp mipw. \à shfpshfp apeifnâ Xncp½p Xpw sr«piä ]cntim[níp Xpw, ]ns Ahbn tkm p txíp Xpw txmà p Xpw Hs \Ã\à ImgvNIÄ. Xmgv`mKt Imcy Ä BwKy nâ IqSn k ånípw. " C w tz... AhfI p I n«m txípt..." " s\\s s\bdnbmsasm..?.." " Ahfp tatem«p t\m ntím m txíp Xv... H pinâ ckw sim v, Asà nâ kmam\ nsâ AI p tkm nsâ \oáev... " " \n\ pw Un{Kn In«mdmbn... " Rm³ Aht\ A`n\µnípw. " FÃmw A sâ in WatÃ..." Ah³ Ft ]pigv pw. Nne Znhk fnâ AhÀ Hcpan p Ipfníp Xp ImWmw. At m«pant m«pw tkm p tx p simsp pi. Hcp n aáhfpss apeiä IbvsIm v hen w Af pi, sr«piä ]cntim[nípi, ]ns NncnípI, A s\bpå sim p sim p Imcy Ä am{xw. tzmjw ]dbcpxtãm, Ht m ct m {]mhiyw Hcp n aáhfpss apebnâ hncepsim p H p ]nxp n t\m p XÃmsX asám pw I n«nã. \à Ip«nIÄ. ]t Hcp clkyw, Hcp Znhkw c p t]cpw amdn amdn At\ym\yw ap¼nteíncp n«v Iptd gnsªgpt  p Xpw, ]ns Ibv IpSbp Xpw I p. kq n p t\m nbt mä, AXpw ZqcZriyambXpsIm v hndíp ss_t\m peà Aa n ]nsn XpsIm p I p Hcp nbpss I nâ aoi sh«p Hcp shfp sndnb I{XnI. hncâ sim hä AXn \n pw apdnapsniä Bbncnípw hsn p Ifbp p. \m«nte I{XnIbtÃ, IgpInbm Xpcp¼p XoÀ, AXpsIm v hsn p XpS p shípambncnípw. AdnbmsX ]dªp t]mbn. " F n\m a tf Ct{Xw shjanípt... R fnhnssm mcp tãm... H p IbvIm«nbm t]mcmcpt m..." " AÃm... a[ptn«\p ]qdp snc p s{sbn\n mbn mwpw... tn oss Hcp `mkyw..." " FSm FSm... samd nâ tidn sim tã... " Rm³ Hcp Xm oxp t]mse ]dªp. F mepw Rms\mc mhnbmtw, ]e {]mhiyw AhÀ IbvIÄ Xmtgíp sim p t]mip Xp I n«p v, F n\msw v F\nípw Fsâ klapdnb\pw ]nsnbnã, AXn R Ä XÀ nímdps nepw, AXp hncensoemtwm, tx p an\p emtwm, AtXm, shdpw simxw IgpIemtWm F v Hcp Xocpam\ nse m³ R Ä v ]Ánbn«nÃ. ImgvNíp kpjapå Hcp kmlncyw. tkmdn, Rm³ ImSp tidn. F\nípw Cu tlm«en\pw Cu apdnípw DÅ Hcp At`Zyamb _Ôt Án ]dªp F p am{xw. kwkxn AsXm paã, \ap p hà am\ nteíp hcmw. Imcyw thtdbmwp, tit«m. Hcp H¼Xcbmbt mä Fsâ apdnbpss ap¼nâ Hcp s]mdps]mdp  ti«p. Rm³ hmxnâ Xpd p t\m n. CS\mgnbpsS Ct AÁw Fsâ apdnbpss GXm p ap¼nâ sndnb AgnIfmWv. ]pdt íp t\m nbmâ Iptd _Ä_pIÄ ImWmw, si«ns fpss apiä`mkw ImWmw. A{X Xt. Hcp anun mcnbpw Hcp XSn Po³kv tsm pimcnbpw. " sseáp \à tiev... CtÃSo...?.." " sicnbm tn o... B s\tdmw, shfnt mw FÃmw IqSn... tn n Ipfnt m...?.." " FhS v... FÃmw Ipfn p Xocp¼w t\cw shfp pw... C p Ipfn th... AXp IgnsªmÅ sausems axn... F\nsímd w hcp p... hm..." " C W n\p \msf shfp p¼w Ft m sn pw... BsI Hcp Ipfnapdow... Ccp] nc p t]cpw... Cu ^nkn ns\mcp t_mt[mw CÃ... " Page 3 of 95

4 " Fsâ tamtf... AhcsS GtXm a msâ FS]mStÃ... Rm³ loávkv t]mepw IS ptie C W mtwâ..." " tn níxp ]dbmw.. kvt]màsvkv tim«mbm FtâXv... Imip thtdw... " anun ]dªp. " \o hm... \mtf GsX nepw simc s\ hfímw... thtdw Cu tlm«enâ Bsfm tãm..." ]dªp XncnªXpw t\m nbxv Fsâ apj v. Rm³ AXp tiä m amxncn Hcp Nn bnem Xpt]mse \n p. AhÀ tuman{snbpss AIt íp tidnt mbn«pw ]ns bpw Iptdsb w hmxnâ sems NpÁn Án \nâ p p. At mtgípw jn_p h p. " iv..iv... jn_q...?.." Rm³ hnfn p. Ah³ HmSnsb n. " F msm {]iv\w... CXp sfms shfoemwtãm...?..." " kmtd... BtI c p t mskápw Hcp jhdpta CXn\Is måp... Hcp Ssºm mcp Xnsâ ss] p tism... FÃm n\pw IpfníWw... F s\ Ipfn ním\m...? shfp n\p tìunb nâ t]mww... B... F\nídnb nã... \½sS Uyq«n Ignªp... \msf mwmw... kmtd.." Ah³ \S I p. Rm³ shfnbnteínd n. hoiepw ` Whpw Ignªp hcpt¼mgpw tumàan{snbpss hmxnensâ ASnbn IqSn shfn hpw A co nâ IqSn Ie]nebpw shfnbnâ h ncp p. ]ntá p shfp n\p ]Ånbnte hm p hnfn ti«pwà Xn\p tijw F\nípd w h nã. A p ImtW CS]mSpImcpsS Imcy tfmà p InS p. ]ns {]`mxirxy Ä Ign p. Ct mä hnfn mâ Im nbpw H pw In«nÃ. F nâ ss_t\m peà FSp p t\m msa p hnnmcn p. IWn Ipg anã. Cc«bnsemsc w ad pcbnteíp tidp p. t]mip hgn tim«phmbnsp pap v. Fgpt Á ]SnbmsW p Npcp w. tidnb ]mss Ccníp Xp I p. ]n t Imcyw kzw:nn tbâ. Ih ncp p s]sp p I n qdnsâ cq]tamà p Rm³ I pw Nn½nt\m nbncp p. Ipd p Ignªt mä AhÄ Fgpt Áp XeapSn hmcns «n Ipfn pcbpss shfnbnteíp t]mip p. AhfpsS Bizmkw Rmt\mÀ p. Fsâ Imcytam. ]{Xw h p ImWWw. Ibnen hmcnbpsp p Rm³ hmxnâ Xpd p, h n«nã. tuman{snbpss hmxnâ  aq p \mep ]e thj mcniä At m«pant m«pw \S p p. XteZnhkw I n n«áyq_nsâ shfn nâ Rm³ Ahtc I p. shfp ns\ p hmbn t\m«w. Rm³ IXIp Nmcn. At msfmcp iðw. " ltem...?.." Rm³ shfnbnteíp Xebn«p t\m n. C se I cs w, AtX thjw, HmSn Fsâ ap¼nse n. " tbkv...?." " bq BÀ... Ftem C³ Znkv dqw...?..." " tkm hm«v...?.." Rm³ tnmzn p. " aebmfnbmwtãm... AtÃ...?..." " AtX..." " kmà... R p H¼Xp awníp apt¼ tìunb nse Ww... " " tìunb ntem... F ntím... AXp \ÃXm..." " ]ns... R Ä v cmhnte Xt sfáwkv HÅXm... tamwn nâ Xt... Iãn p ]Ãp tx tx HÅp... H p IpfníWw... s{^j miww..." "HmtI.. AXn\v...?.." " Cu^v bq tum v ssaâv... R Ä p kmdnsâ _m v dqw bqkv sn mtam...?...pìv h kv... ¹okv...?..." A¼So, BZyw In«nb simc ³ Rm³ Xt. " At m... km[yaãtãm... ]ntåtc... F\níp Ipfním\m Rm\o apdnív hmsi simsp p Xv... " " F mepw Hcp]Imcw...?.." " ]cnnbanãmt mà v D]Imcw sn p Ipc ½mcp ImWpw... ]t Rm\m sss Ã..." c pt]cpw apjt msp apjw t\m n. AhcpsS lmfnsâ hmxnâ  aq mse w R tf {i²níp p mbncp p. Page 4 of 95

5 " \½fn w ]cnnbs «ntã... Hcp klmbambns«nepw... " XSnbpÅ s] Ip«n tnmzn p. " aápå dqansems tnmzn p t\m v... " Rm³ ]dªp. " Ahscms Dd amcnípw... hnfn m Nne w No tiä pw... hã gpw A_eIÄs mcp klmbw sn t kmtd... B apdnsímcp Ipfnapdntb DÅp... ]ns thwsa nâ Xmsg s]mxphmbns«måxps v... R sf \m AXp]tbmKníp Xv..." saenªhä H p IpWp n tnmzn p. " \mep Imin\p]ImcanÃm klmbw Rm³ sn nã..." " Imip thtwâ...xcmw kmtd... " " Bt«... \n fp CXn\pap¼p t]msbss ms C \mcpt m Imcyw km[nt m ncp Xv...?.." " As ms R fp tnmzn m A tg A\phZnípamcp p... snecp apdoss Xmt mep htc X ns«m v...kmdnt\ I w... Hcp am\y\msw p txm nbxpsim m..." XSn n ]dªp. " FSo... F mbn...?..." atá hmxnâ  \n Hcp s] p hnfn p tnmzn p. shbnáv F p XSn n AhtfmSmwKyw ImWn p. F\nsímcp IpkrXn txm n. Rm³ ]dªp. " klmbw Rm³ sn mw... ]t F\nív Xncn pw klmbw thww..." s] Ip«nIfpsS apj v tnmzynnów. " hã GbpamtWm kmtd...? AXn\p R tf In«nÃ..." saenªhä ]dªp. " F\nínXv Gsbm paã.. shdpw Hcp IuXpIw..." " hm«oknáv...?.." " \n fp Ipfnt mfq... ]t Ipfnko³ Rm\pw ImWpw..." " At... \o hmso... Cbmfp shdpw Xdbm... ho«n t]mbn At½tSw s] tsw Ipfn ImWv..." saenªhä XSn ntb I nâ ]nsn p hen p. " Fsâ sim p tf... hbêmb At½sS Ipfn ImWms\mcp ctkmanã... s] fpss Ipfn Ahsfm mb w samxep ImWp Xpam..." " F nâ t]mbn s] psi«v... F n«v ImWv..." At mtgípw AhÀ Xncnªp Ignªncp p. " AXp I p I p asp p..." Rm³ hnfn p ]dªp. " _mìmàuv..." XSn n Aåw Dds ]dªp. " AXp \nsâ X..." Rm\pw Iqfmbn hnfn p ]dªp. c pt]cpw IqSn sn v hmxnâ  \n htcbpw hnfn psim I p Ibdn. Rm\pw AI p Ibdn IXIS p ss_t\m pesdsp v ]gb CcItf X m³ XpS n. Im nbpambn t_mbv hmxnenâ ap«nbt mä Rm³ ]pdt sím p t\m n. B hmxnâ  aq mse w Ct m«p Xt t\m n \nâ p p. Rm³ {i²ním³ t]mbnã. A t Id n\nsív Rm³ shdptx tìunb nepsam p tidn. aq p\mep Znhkt kviqä kvt]màsvkv taf. Hm«hpw Nm«hpw Gdpsams apdíp \S p p. aníxpw sim p Ip«nIÄ, Ipd p hen apåxn\p sim nsâ ImepIfp t]msebpå XpSIfÃmsX ImWms\m panã. s\s ms \à \nc v. F mepw ]s ms AXp ImWm³ ckambncp p. Ct mä H«pw ckanã. H p It msn p t\m nsb nepw cmhnte I Xnt\sbm pw I XpanÃ. Hcp sjínsâ Iotg Iptd s] kmd½mcpw ]ntåcpw IqSn \nâ p v. AXn\nSíp ImWpambncnípw. sshin«v Rm³ shfnbnâ \n pw ]qiepw ` Whpw Ignªp h I p tidn. Hcp t¹bvt_mbv amknisbsp v HmÀ½ ]pxp msa p IcpXn. \à Ie ³ apeifpw ISnXShpsams I p ckn pins pt¼mä hmxnenâ ap«p ti«p. amkni A s\ Xt ]nsn psim v Rm³ sn p hmxnâ Xpd p. simåmw Dd m³ t\cw \à Imgv, Rm³ a\êntemà p. cmhnte I s] Ip«nIfpw c p s] kmd½mcpw. c pw c p hn[ nâ simåmw. Hcp n \à kpµcn Xt, tkmx¼p \ndw, \à tnà XSn. Dd m³ t\cw CSp Abª ss]pmabpw jà«pw thjw. Abª thj nepw XesbSp p \nâ p amdpiä. Fsâ t\m«w t\tc B s\ p Xdªt mä Ahsfm p NqfnbXp t]mse. Hm, Nnet mä ^nkníembncnípw. atáxv Aåw Page 5 of 95

6 Idp n«msw nepw ImWm³ N apå apjw. thjw NpcnZmÀ. txmfnsemcp txmà v. apjw IgpInbn«v Cd nbxmbncnípw. " tbkv...?.." hmxnen\nsbnâ IqSn Xe shfnbnen«v Rm³ tnmzn p. " Gbv anìà... Ct ms«m nd n hcww...?..." shå Bhiys «p. " F m Imcyw...?.." shdpw Ibnen DSp F\nív shfnbnend m³ kt mnw. ]ns hnnmcn p, tnmzyw ti«n«v ChÀ Ft m t]mcn\p h Xp t]mse. " ^Ìv bq Iw Hu«v... F n«p ]dbmw..." " sèsm... a\pjyt\ Hd m\pw k½xníptietãm... " Rm³ hmxnâ apgph\mbn Xpd p. F n«v hmxnâ  \n p. At mä Id¼n shfp¼ntb txm nbn«v Fsâ I nencníp t¹bvt_mbv amkkn\nteíp I p ImWn p. AXp I txmss shfp¼nbpss apj v Hcp N½tem Acnitam Fs ms tbm. Rm³ amkni I«nentesídnªp. " Xm\o ]ntåtcmsv cmhnte hã A\mhiyw ]dtªm...?.." " CÃtÃm..." Rm³ ssi aeà n. " ]dªp antê... R tf Not w hnfn p... X íp ]dªp..." XSn n apt m«p tidn h p. " Xms\ m hnnmcnt tnmzním\pw ]dbm\pw Bfnsà mtwm... Xt ]nsn v t]meoknteâ nípw..." " Hm F p ]dªm t]meokp \n ss Xdhm«p hibtã... Np½m shc«msx t]mbns Ss md v XtÅ..." " tm XÅtbm... \mww si«p p... Xms\ m ChtcmSp ]dªxv... X\níp ImWWt m... ]qxn simåmw..." " shdptx t m`nímsx antê... Rm³ \n ss apdotemt«m ASpt m t]mepw h n«nã... Cu ]ntåchcpss Bhiyw ]dªp. Rm\o hmxnâ]snbnâ \nt m v Fsâ Bhtiymw ]dªp... AXn w Chcp ImWn ntãepw AXnepw tiembn«n w XotbÁdn t]mbmepw ImWmw.. ]ns bm... CXp ss Cu HscmW pãv... ]ns At½t\w s] tfw Xt sams Chcp ]dª w... Rm\Xpw tit«m v NncnítWm... Cu ^psvt_msft _mìmàsu p hnfn p... AXhÄsS X bmsw p Rm\pw ]dªxm... AXn\p amásam panã... t]meoknt\ hnfnítwm... tz t^mwncníp p... FSp p hnfn... _m n Rm³ At m«p ImWn p Xcmw... thtwm n ASp dqapimtc qsn hnfnímw... AhcqsS km n \nís«..." At mtgípw ASp apdn ]q«n Cd nb Hcp a²yhbkvi³ Ct m«p t\m n \n p. " F m... {]iv\w... Ipt«ymsf m t m`n ncnítw..." AbmÄ Ft msmbn tnmzn p. Ft c p Znhkambn Adnbmw. " Hm... H qã amtj... R ss \m«nte ]ntåcm... amjp Igním³ t]miphmcnípw..." " Mm... Hcp ]tsmw ImWWw..." " sicn..." AbmÄ \S p. " C p t]mcp antê... CbmtfmSp ]dªn«v ImcyanÃ... shdptx \½fp \mdpw..." XSn n shfp¼nbpss I nâ ]nsn p. " Mqw... thesbd pw sim p h m Xm³ hnhcw Adnbpw... ]dªnsã p th... hm ]ntåtc..." AhÀ Xncnªp \S p. " Hm... tit«... F m ]ns KpUv\bnÁv antê..." Rm³ Nncn psim p ]dªp. shfp¼n Xncnªp XesNcns t t\m n s^ms F m«n. aáhà AXp I v Nncn p. Hcp \mwhpanãm hiiä, Rm³ a\êntemà p. HmÀ p InS pt¼mä Nncn s]m«n. s] p Ä simåmw. GXmbmepw `mcytbmsp ]dªp Nncním³ Hcp IY IqSn In«n. Fsâ ]gb NnÃd the c Ä Rm³ AhtfmSp ]dªn«p v. Nne kab v AXp ]mcbmbn«pap v. tzjyw hcpt¼mä AhÄ AXp tizm«p sn pw. ]ns Fsâ \nêwkx ImWpt¼mÄ ]mhw AS pw. Nnet mä Ahfpw ]dbpw. " F p ti«mepw \mwanãm Hcp P p...cu a\pjy³..." " FSo Rm³ \mwn ncp mte... \o Fsâ tamfnâ tidn s]mxnípthm... \o IhsítS hgpxt\w XÅn sis t sbmåp... HSphn thtd hã \mwanãm ht\w hnfn p tiápw... AXn t`ztã Rm³..." " ]ns ]ns... F\nío P qsâ kz`mhã..." AhÄ sidphnípw. Page 6 of 95

7 " F n«mtwm... \o F gpw \mepimteâ \n p Xcp Xv...?.." Rm³ Ahtf Cf pw. " AXo km[\w ImtfsS P atã... s]mdio p tiánbmetã... kpjw hcs måp... " AhÄ snmsnípw. " Np½mXÃtÃm... t\tcsis p kpjn p XpÅnbntà \o... Xn v ISn p Xns pw ]dªp \nehnfníptite F fpw..." " Hm... H p an mxncn... \mw p ]dbwxv A be qss t]mbn«nã... Fsâ s]mt... k½xn p... Ct m«p tnà p sis v... Ahs\sâ I nencps md ntímt«..." Fsâ XfÀ sim pip«t\ AhÄ I nsesp pw. " F m Ahsfsâ Hcp shcepw IpSns md ntíms«..." Rm³ AhfpsS IhínSbnte \\hn\nsbntesísâ I pss \Sphnc s]m n shípw. CSíp Rm³ hnce\ pt¼mä AhÄ ]mxn Dd nâ s]mdps]mdp pw. " Mmmmm...A\ msx shsísâ G«m... Hd s«... " AhÄ Fsâ XmSnínSbnteív apjw ]qgv n Dd pw. AhÄs m nâ IqSpX Ifn Hcníepw ]ÁpIbnÃ. F\nímsW nâ Hsc w sim v H pamipibpanã. ]ns \nhr nbnãtãm. Nnet mä t\cw shfp mdmipt¼mä Hsc w ]mêm pw. AXpw AhfpsS XpS w a\ênãm a\têmssbmbncnípw. Ahkm\w AXp c pt]cpw X½nepÅ XIÀ Sn på Hcp aâkc] embn amdpw. A p Rm\mbncnípw Im nbpambn Ahtf hnfn pwà pi. kpjicamb HmÀ½Ifn ebn v Rm\pd nt mbn. shfp nt\ DWÀ p {]`mxirxy Ä p tijw P«nbpan«v Rm³ apdnbnâ Xs Aåw hymbmaw sn p ]Xnhp v. ]ns Ipfn, Im n, ]{Xw, ss_t\m peà. I hs n\nd pt¼mä awn H¼XmIpw. ]Xnhp t]mse cmhnte I pw Imepanf pt¼mä hmxnenâ ap«p ti«p. Hm, t_mbv Im n sim p hcp Xmbncn pw, C{X t\ct tbm. Rm³ sn p hmxnâ Xpd p. tm, So ÀamÀ c pt]cpw C et thj nâ I nâ Sq v{_jpw Hmtcm txmà pw. AhcpsS I piä Fsâ jínbpss ap³hit apg nâ ]Xnªp. c p t]cpw ]p ncn p. Rm³ IqkenÃmsX Kuch nâ \n p. _m n HS n\mtwm F dnbnãtãm. " KpUvtamWn v... kà..." shfp¼n Nncn psim p ]dªp. " tbkv... KpUvtamWn v... Ft... cmhnte... ho pw hgs m m m\mtwm... F\níp kabanã..." Rm³ IXISíms\mcp n. " shbnáv...shbnáv... C et Xns\ms tkmdn... ]nt... R Äs m p IpfníWw... AhnsS ]ntåà p Xt kabw XnIbp nã... ¹okv..." At] bpss apjw. Rm\mtemNn p. thjw si«set mtsm. " tkmdn... ÌpUâmbmepw So dmbmepw F\nsímcp I ojt\sbmåp..." AhÀ apjt msp apjw t\m n. ]ns Idp¼n tnmzn p. " F mepw kmtd... AXp sicnbmtwm... R fp s] p tfmsv.. AXpw kviqä So d½mtcmsv..." " AsX m... So d½mcpss Ipfnsís nepw {]txyixtbmt m... ImWm³ IqSpXtem... AtXm IqSpXep she]nsns må km[\w hãxpw... tm...?..." " At m R fp hmzním\nã... kabanã... \nhr nsispsim m...r tf sxmsptiw D]{ZhníptIw sn ptise n... ImcWw...CXv \n ss dqam... R ss am\w t]mipw..." " F\níp Rm\mhiys «tx th p... IqSpXep thwsa nâ tnmzn p hm t bpåp... ]nsn p ]dní nã... Abmw G PânÂam³..." " t{]mankv...?.." shfp¼n tnmzn p. " \qdp ixam\w t{]maokv... ]ns Ft ] ív Du¼ním³ t\m cpxv... tidn IXIS p km[nímsa p hnnmcní... IXIn\p IpÁnbnÃ..." Rm³ ]dªp. " t\m... " AhÀ lmfnsâ hmxnâ tesím p t\m n. AhnsS H pc p Ip«nIÄ \nâ p p mbncp p. AhÀ AI p tidnbt mä Rm³ hmxnes p IpÁnbn«p. tidnb DSt\ shfp¼n Ft msmbn c p Ibv hncepbà n m«nbn«p tnmzn p. " Hd w ImcWw CXp km[n nã... BZyw CXm AXymhiyw... AXp ImWtWm...?..." Page 7 of 95

8 " At...AXp th... C o nt kn\p Rm\nÃ... ]t Ignbp¼w ]dbww... Ifn nícpxv... Rm\nSn p tidpw..." " Cà amtj..." AhÄ AI p Ibdn hmxnâ Nmcn. aáhä I«nen Ccp p. Rm³ P«n amdm³ t]mbnã. ap³hit apg pambn Itkcbn Ccp p. So À AXnsem p t\m nbn«v Hcp sndpnncntbmss Fsâ apj p t\m n. " FIvkÀsskkv sn pimcp p AtÃ...?.." " Mqw...So À...?..." " Rm³ tla... AXv Nn p... Nn ½... ]oáobm... Rm³ ]m«v... kvt]màsvkn\pw bq n\psams R fm ]ntåtc sim p t]mip Xv..." " Hm.. AXp sicn... Rm³ a[p... saun  sd m... " At mä AI p \n pw I«nbpÅ apf Iodp Hcp iðw ti«p. tla hnfn p ]dªp. " Fsâ Nn ½ kmtd... thmfnbw simd v... ChnsS BsfmÅXm tit«m..." R Ä Nncn p. " ]nsn m \n nsãsâ ]mt«... C et Dcpfs g m..." AI p \n pw Nn ½bpsS adp]sn. " simåmw... c pw ]Ánb tikp Xt..." Rm³ ]dªp. " a[pkmà.. IeymWw...?.." " Ign p. `mcy Ct mä {]khn p InS p p... B Ip«n... \n tfm...?.." " Fsâ Bfp A p hst AÁ m... {Sm³kv^dn\p {ianíp p... Nn qs\mcp Ip«n... tipoem... si«nbh³ kuzoâ... " tla Npcp n ]dªp. " So dn\p thtwm nâ Ct m s{uêp tn p sn mw... kabw em`nímw..." " Hm... ImWm³ [rxnbmsb p Npcp w... " AhÄ Nncn psim p I«nen \ns gpt Áp. " t\m... F\níp Ipfnko\mbmepw axn... Rm³ hm p ]dªm hm m..." " th... a[p ]dªxp t]mse kabw em`nímw... ]ns sicníp t\m ntímww... It mww...]ns I nãm ImWn nãm p ]dbcpxv..." AhÄ bmsxmcp IqkepanÃmsX NpcnZmÀ Xehgn Ducn. ]ns AXnsâ ]mâpw Ducn. ]pãpt]mse Hcp ]mânbpw {_mbpambn AhÄ Fsâ t\tc \n p. \à ^nkà. sndnb Dcp apeiä Idp {_mbnâ XÅn \n p. hbsdm«panã. \oe\nd nepå ]mân. Imen nsbnte Ioden\pÅn tidn ns p p. AXnsâ AcnIpIfn teiw Npcp tcma fpss AÁ Ä shfnbnteív XeIm«n ns p p. Ipd p tcma Ä shfnbnepap v. Chsfmcp ]qtsizcnbmsw p txm p p. AhÄ ]mân Ioden \n pw ]nsn p ]pds Sp p t\tcbn«p. Fsâ jínbnte apg p IqSn. Rm³ ]Xps AXp IbvsIm v H aà n sh p. " ^nkníent\ mfpw \à ^nkdp ]m«nsâbmwtãm... AXpw s»bnunãm \m«nemtwm Xmakw...?..]m«nsâ IqsS hymbmtamw Dt m...?..." Rm³ B \oe]mânbnte XSn nteíp t\m nbn«p tnmzn p. " F\níp XSníptIem {]IrXm... ]ns... t»bnupw an\p epw...lq sitbgvkv...!.. AhÄ m CsXms Bhiyw... simf nsems jíoant«m v NmS Xm... F m..?..a[phnsâ jínsímcp hfà... ss³j\mtbm...?.." Hcp NncntbmsS AhÄ tnmzn p. " ]n ÃmsX... shfp n\n s\ Imens\tS s\ t mambns«mcp Nc p ap¼nâ \n m... ss³j\mimxncnípthm... F p sn mw F{Knsaâv sh pt]mbntã..." Rm³ s\sphoà n«p. " C et a[phnsâ s]cpamá nâ Hcp PânÂam³ eps m mcp p... AXpsIm p C p \n tf sndpshcte \nà m p ]ntåtcmsp ]dªn«m R fp t]m Xv...C nsc t]sn A`n\bnt tw... simfam cpxv... ]es pw R fp dqansemtåmtc shc«n km[n ns«m v..." " Hm... At m CXv kvyncw ]cn]msnbm AtÃ...?..." " Gbv... CXn\p aps¼mcníâ am{xw... As mcp ³ ]dªp IqsSs S msa nâ dqw D]tbmKnt mfm³... _m nsbmtåmscms ]mh Ä... Ct{Xw hnnn{xmsbmcp I oj³ BZyam..." AhÄ ]mân hen v hnxpà n ]qsiä aqsms\mcp hn^e{iaw \S ns m p ]dªp. Page 8 of 95

9 " shdptx AXp hen p Iod... So dn\o ]psãmcgim... s\c p sis p Xp ImWm³ \à ckw..." " ] nxpt]mse Hcp ³ simxnhn«xm... Xtete apsnsbãmw simgnªp t]mbn... CubnsSbm... Infp Xv... " tla So À IbvIÄ \nhà nsbm p IpSªp. " Blm... I nâ s\ãpwiá Hfn psh t]msesbm tãm..." " C\n hã A`n{]mtbmw ]dbms\mt m... " AhÄ I w s]m n mwn psim p tnmzn p. " atá So dptsxp t]mse _Ä nbãm XpsIm v si«ntbmsâ I nâ c pw HXp pw..." Rm\m apeifnteíp t\m ns m v A`n{]mbw ]dªp. AhÄ c nepw H p It msn p. " amk nsemcnísem p sxm«m... skmà sam pw In«nÃ..." kzc nâ Hcp \ncmi t]mse. " Mqw.. AXpsIm mcnípw Nn t½ss IqsS kvyncw \S p Xv.. AtÃ..?... c pt]cpw tnà tpmsn Xt..." AhÄ Ft I p Npcp nsbm p t\m n, Rms\t m clkyw I p]nsn Xp t]mse. " tla So td ht mfq... " AI p \n pw Nn ½ So À hnfn p. " A w Rm³ hct..." Rm³ hnfn p tnmzn p. " Hm.. AXp hnfnímsx Xt hcpsa dnbmta..." AI p \n pw NncntbmsSm w shåw hogp H bpw ti«p. tla AIt íp Ibdm³ XpS nbt mä Rm³ ]dªp. " CsXms ChnsS DucnbnSmsa nâ \\bmsx Ignímw..." " AXp sicnbmwtãm..." AhÄ F\níp ]pdwxncnªp \n p jínbqcn I«nentesídnªp. ]pdti {_mbpw. AhÄ AI p sidn. shåw hogp H ti«p IXIp Xpd p InS p p. Rm³ Xncnªv I«nen InS sp«nsbms Sp p. AXnsâ aà½`mkw ]IpXn \à hsnt]mse. \Sp`mK n\p Aåw \\hv. Rm\sXm p aw p t\m n. At, Fs mcp aww. hnbà nsâ cq KÔ ns\m w asát m Hcp Hcp awhpw. AXe nbn«p Znhk fmsb p txm p p. aq{xhpw asás Ãmtam Hs. Rm\Xnsâ HccnIn Xq n nsn n«v hmxnâ Xpd I p Ibdn. s] p Ä ]pdwxncnªp \nâ p p. shdptx tasems IgpIp p. tlabpss sndnb Ip nbpw Nn phnsâ XSn Ip nbpw jhdn\p Iosg sse\mbn \n p \\bp p. " tz CsXm p IgpIv... CtàCu apdníi ncním³ ]Á nã..." Rm³ ]dªxp ti«v tla Xncnªp t\m n. " Hm..AXns\SíXpw ]cntim[nt m... c p szhkmbn«nxp Xs bm CSpt...amdm³... t\cw In«oÃ..." tlasímcp hfn v. " shdptxbã AXnsâ Iemt {Xw hsnt]msebmbn... Aà So dnsâ AXn\I q v F gpw ]ibmtwm HgpIp Xv...?.." " H p an mxncnsbsâ amtj... R fp ]ns IgpIntímfmw... Hcp shey Imcyw I Xv... " Nn p ]dªp. apdnbnâ kvye pdhv. Rm³ hmxnen\cninâ \nâ p p. Fsâ jíníi p Ip Ibdp s]m«níp p. Ahfpamcp ]pdwxncnªp \n v hbdpw apxpipw txíp p. H p Ip\nbp p t]mepanã. Ip\nªncps nâ ]pdio m IodepIsf nepw ImWmambncp p. AXn{Iaw ImWn v Chtc ]nw nbmâ Nnet mä C\nbpÅ s]m³ap«iä \ãamsb ntem. AXpsIm v B{Im w th m F p Xocpam\n p. " AÃ... Rms\ m \n ss Cu samcª ]d p n ImWm\mtWm \níp Xv... Ct m«p Xncnªp \nãv... CtàRm³ F{Knsaâv ad pw... F\níp htãmw txm pw... sam w \mdpw ]dtª mw..." Rms\m p hnc«n. " AXn nsc shjam...axp thtwm... H qtãepw R fp s] p ftã...?.." Nn p A`yÀ n p. " AXpsIm m.. Xncnªp \nâ m³ ]dªxv... Ct{Xw BImsa nâ _m niqss Bbn qts... ]ns t mà m k½xn Xv...?... " Rm³ tnmzn p. " Fsâ s]m p a[p... \nhr ntispsim p k½xn Xm... a[p Hcp am\y\tã... " tlabpss tnmzyw. Page 9 of 95

10 " F\nísXm pw tiä... Xncnªp \n ntãâ Rm\m FStím«p tidpw... ]ns sxms«p ]dbãv...aqt mfw ap n...]nt w Ipfntcm...?..." BZyw tla asntbmss Xncnªp \n p. ]ns Nn phpw. c p t]cpw IhínSbn Hcp IbvsIm p s]m n nsn ncp p. Hcp IbvsIm v apsnbpw apjhpw icochpw tx p. Nn ½bpsS henb shfp apeiä p \Sphn \à Idp ape pifpw henb sr«pifpw. tlabpss tkmx¼p \ndapå apeifnâ \à Xhn«p \nd nepå kvs]bà ]mà«piä. " F n\m CXp s]m n nsníp Xv... t\tc \n mepw Hcp sim p {XntImWtà ImWs måp... tla So dnsâ ImSns\Síqs mcp hkvxp ImW nã... Is Sps sâ s] p tf..." Rm³ ]dªxp ti«v AhÀ At\ym\yw t\m n. ]ns sasã IbvIÄ ]n³hen p. \à CÍen apdn p sh t]mse Nn ½bptS ISnXSw XpSn pbà p \n p. kq n p t\m nbt mä B XSn ]mfniä nsbnâ Ft m H p XebpbÀ n \nâ p p. tlabpss ]qsínsbnâ shdpw Hcp hc am{xw. " Hm... she shípimcp p AtÃ... Fs mcp Ka... Aà Nn ½ So td... FSím Xes]m n \níp sxt m m... htãmw C te AI p XÅnbmcpt m... hã sagpipxncntbm atám...?.." " Èn... hr ntisp ]dbmsx amtj..." Nn ½ít mä henb \mww. IbvIÄ amán gnªtxmts s] p Ä {^obmbn. ]ns c p IbvIÄ sim pw tzlhpw XpSIfpw ImepIfpw tx p. " AÃ... km[mcw ImWm Xp t]mse I XpsIm p tnmzn Xm... AsXt m m...?..." Rm³ hn«nã. " Hm.. AXp Nn phnsâ tnm p IjWm... Ah n nsc \ofw IqSpXsem v... ]IpXn F gpw shfoem... " tla ]dªbpst\ Nn ½ ]pdw Xncnªp \n p. F n«v tlaso dnsâ hbdn\ns«mcp Ip p simsp p. " Ct{Xw XSnsbmÅ w AXp shfo \nítwm n... \ofw simds m pamcní nãtãm..." Rm³ IaâSn psim v Fsâ jínbnâ XShn. tla AXp t\m n Nncn p. " {]iv\mbn Ctà a[p kmtd... F{Xbmbmepw hfsc Xm vkv... Dt±in Xp t]mse Bfp am\y³ Xt... thtd hãhcpamcps nâ C w tidn ]nsp w Igntªt\... t]sn m R fp \n Xv... " " F mepw `b cnifp Xt... Ct{Xw ss[cymbn«v..." Rm³ aq p hncâ sh p. " simg w I m R fp s\temfním\mcp p ¹m³..." txmà ns m v Nn p ]dªp. " Fsâ Nn ½ So td...h p Xncnªp \nít... A]qÀhhkvXp Ä Rms\m p It ms«... CtàRm\Xv ]nsn p shfoenspta... " " Hm AhsSm pw C{X {]txyiw ImWm\nÃ... txmà ntb mw... tlta... ]ntåcn w Ipfn Ignªp ImWpw... " AhÀ txmà m³ XpS n. Hcp Imcyw Rm³ {i²n p. c pt]cpw ]qdp IgpIn I nã. B `mkt m«p Ibv sim p t]mbxp t]mepanã. s]s«p Ipfn p XoÀ p A{X Xt. c p t]à pw kzx{ ambn \n p txmà m\på kvyeanãmbncp p hoxn Ipdª B Ipfnapdnív. " AÃm \n fp Fd n \n p txmà ntím... Rm³ Fd pim..." Rm³ shfnbnend n. Ipe p \n Ip sbsps m p XShn. ]ns Aht\ jínbnâ \of nâ Ih nsbnteíp AaÀ nsbmxp n sh p. BZyw shfnbnend n. tla apjw txmà n t\m pt¼mä Rm³ AhfpsS ap¼nâ ap«pip nbncníp p. " Fs Sp pim... klníp nã AtÃ...?.." AhÄ H p Nncn psim v Xncnªp \n p. " H pinâ Ct m«p Xncnªp \nãv... Asà nâ Ip\nªp \nãv..." " C w H n\pw kuicyanã..." " Fsâ tlaso td...tla So sdm p Ip\ntª..." " F n\m...?.." " H p Ip\ntª... H pw sn m\ã... t]sní... Rms\mcp am\y\m..." AhÄ H p Ip\nªp \n p. F n«v Is n v I«nen InS {_msbsp p. srmsnbnsbnâ Rm\m hnsà p \n ]qdneiä nsbnâ I ns«m p txm n. " lt... Ft m m ImWn Xv...?...I nspt m... am\y\m... sxmsptie p ]dªn«v...?.. " AhÄ Xncnªp \ns m p t\m n Zln níp t\m«w. " B{Klw sim p sxm«sxm paã... Hcp Imcyw ImWním\m... " Page 10 of 95

11 Rm\m hncâ aq nsâ Aåw Zqsc sim p h p aw p t\m n. ]ns AhfpsS aq nâ sim p ImWn p. " Nn ½ So td... tz Hcp Imcyw It m..." Rm³ IpfnapdníIt íp tidn. Ahft mä txmà n gnªv ss]pmam I nsesp pibmbncp p. Rm\m hncâ Nn ½ So dpss aq nâ ap«n txmssm w CSXp IbvsIm v AhfpsS IhbnSp nâ AaÀ nsbm p hncen«v txm n. " lm... hr ntisp ImWnípt m... XÃp simåpw... ]dtª mw...»míp s_âám Rm³... At... Fs mcp \máw... CsXt m nsâbm...?.." " tkmdn So td... So dpss Iq«pImcosS DÂkh d¼nsâbm... F s\m v...?..." " At... OÀ±ním³ hcp p... bm v..." So À Hm m\n p. " F nâ CXqsS H p t\m ntí..." Rm³ Nn ½bpsS Xt ]qánen«p timcnb hncâ Ahtc aw n p. AhÄ apjw Npfn p. Rm³ shfnbnteínd n. Nn ½bpsS ]qánen«hncâ tlatb aw n p. Ahfpw apjw Npfn p. " At... Du \t«ss aww t]mse... G... AXpaà thtd GXm m..." AhÄ Indn tim«n. At mtgípw DSp n«v Nn ½ So À shfnbnend n apsn timxm³ XpS n. " Fsâ So d½mtc... Rms\mcp Imcyw ]dªm tzjys ScpXv..." Rm³ apjhpcbn«p. " F m ns ]dbmxncp mt mtd..." tla tnmzn p. " AXp h... ]dªntãâ... AXp shenb hoà pap«emipw..." " F m ]d.. ti«n«p t\m mw..." Nn ½ apsn timxns m ncp p. " \à Imgv bm... Cu shfp n\p \n fp X Xv... \n fp \à Nc pifpw... F mepw... \n sf s\ Ip«nItf hr n ]Tn nípw... " " F p ]Án...?.." tla NpcnZmdnsâ tsm p Xebnteín«psIm p tnmzn p. " Ipfn w... s] p sfãmw...axymhiymbn«pw IgptI kvyew H p \\ímsx t]mepw \n fnd nt m Xp Iãambnt mbn..." " tm A s\mcp kvyetam...?...r fdnbmsx... GXm AhSw..." tla tnmzn p. " AhSw Xt... sne w Ih ncp p AXnteIqsS s]sp pw... cm{xn si«ntbm½mcp AXn\I p s]cpamdpw... Ahcp kvye nsã n Xs m³ s]cpamdpw... \n ÄsS amxncn HÅ BÄ mcmsw nâ... N«nbSn \S pw... H pin«nbm... AXnte IqsS {]khnípw... C w a\ênemtbm...?.." " axn axn a\ênembn.. IqSpXep hà ní... Rm³ ]dbmw... AXp t\tc ImWp¼w snecpss jíots ap³ hiwhoà pw.. sicnbtã...?. " Fsâ ap³hit íp t\m ns m v Nn ½ tnmzn p. " AXp Xt... Rm³ t\m n\nípimcp p... AsXm p s]mf n C nsc shåw t]mepw HgnímsX...sO... hr nsi«..." Rm³ apjw tim«n. " AXdnbmw... Cbmfn s\ hsow s]m n nsn p \níp¼w C ntc \mww _m nsbmå R sf \tsm AXn\I v I n«v IgpIp Xv... AXp apdoâ sn n«p IgpIntímfmw..." Nn ½ ]dªp. " AtX... AXp Xt... " tla ]n³xm n. " ¹okv... Hct]... Cu apdo p t]mtw\p ap¼v... \n hnsw H p IgpIntb p t]m... Csà nâ \n tf Án HmÀ p¼w temi nte GÁhpw hr nsi«c p s] p tf I HmÀ½ ImcWw sne w Fsâ `mtcyss ap¼nâ t]mepw F\níp km[\w s]m ptie... ¹okv... CsXm p aw v... F n«p ]d... " Rm³ c p t]tcbpw H p IqSn hncepiä amdn amdn aw n p. s] p Ä apjw h{in psim v apjt msp apjw t\m n. " kmcansãt... tz, Rm³ t\m pt bnã... AI v \à \måmacw tkm ncps m v... hr nbmbn«v IgpIo«v t]m... \n tf Án HmÀ p¼w F\nípw Hcp kpj n\m... AÃmsX F\níp \n fp sis p XcpsIm pw th... snãv... " Rm³ Nn ½tb D n Ånn Ipfnapdnbn tián. tla AXp t\m n \n p. Rm³ B hncepiä tlabpss DSp nâ Xq t mä AhÄ Fsâ Ibv X«n amán. Rm³ AhfpsS apj p t\m n. " tlaso dnsâ Cu Ihnf v Hcp½ shíws m v... ]t... txm p nã... ChnSt Imtcymw.. B ]mâoss Imtcymw HmÀ p¼w..." Page 11 of 95

12 " Blm.. At{Xw th a[pkmtd...a s\ amj p am\y\mbm icnbmi nãtãm..." ]dbpibpw AhÄ Fsâ apjw ]nsn v Ihnfn D½ sh Xpw Hcp t]msebmbncp p. " At... C w \n fm \nbaw ewln Xv..." " ]n ÃmsX... a\pjyt\ sim m p Xn\pw HcXncp tht..." At mtgípw Nn ½ ss]pma hen p ]nsn v txmà p IhínSbn XncpInt Án Ih ns XpS psim nd n h p. tla AIt íp Ibdn. Nn ½ I msnbnâ t\m n apsn ho pw timxn ps n. " So td...?.." Rm³ hnfn p. " Mqw... F m C w CbmÄ p th m Xp htãmw txm ps mt m...?..." " CÃ... ]t \ mbn«p IgpIntbm...?.." " hnizmkw hcp ntã...?.." " CÃ... C gpw a\ênem ]tg Du \«bm... Rms\m p aw p t\m ntímt«..?..." " tzl p sxmsptise p kxyw sn msh nâ H p awt m... simxnshtåmw Hgp n \níphtã... " " F nâ So dp Xt sxmd p Xm..." Rm³ \net íncp p. AhÄ ss]pmam Acbn \n pw Aåw Xmgv n. F n«v hen I n. Rm³ apjw B Ih q«nteísp n p. tkm nsâ aww. " AIw ImWnív... AhnSÃmcpt m {]iv\w..." F\níp axnbmbnã. " C m... hen p tiáv..." AhÄ ss]pma ap«phtc Xmgv nbn«v Aåw Ip\nªp \n n«v c p IbvsIm pw B A sam p hen I n. Cfw tdmkv \nd nepå AXnsâ AIw Is sâ I p aªfn p t]mbn. AXnsâ apifá v \Sphn N pcp Ip n \nà nbxp t]mse Hcn p \of nâ Dcp pnph p \n AhfpsS tnm pijww Is sâ Ip sh«n. DÅp ]ns p. Ft m B cni t{]cwbmâ Rm³ Fsâ apjw AXn\pÅnteíp Ip n. \m p Nq n B I nsâ A{Kw IqSn AaÀ n H p \ n. tkm nsâ awhpw D nsâ ckhpw. Acs «nâ Xos månsim p Ip nb t]mse Ahsfm p sr«n. HcnS pw sxmsmsx InSmhp ]iphnsâ apebnâ CSníp Xp t]msebpå Fsâ CSnbn Nn ½bpsS _me³kp sxán. AhÄ I«nenteíncp p t]mbn. Rms\gpt Áp \n n«p ]dªp. " tkmdn... Ct{Xw \of nâ tnm pt]mse So dnsâ I p \níp I w... klním³ ]ÁnbnÃ... Fsâ `mtcyss tnm n\p s]cpwpoci nsâ hent HÅp... I w simxn txm nt mbsim m... " " Mqw..." Ahsfm p \o«n aqfn. " H«I n\p kvyew simsp t]membn... Bfp tamianãtãm...tm..." AhÄ Ccp psim v Xt ss]pmam hen p tián. At mgmwp Rm³ I Xv, AhÄ I nâ Ft m Npcp«n nsn ncníp p. " Ft m m I nâ...?..." Rm³ tnmzn p. " H panã..." ]t B apjs mcp sndnb N½Â. " AÃ... Ft m H v... ImWnt... Fsâ apdo p htãmw tamãnt m dnbt..." " Csà p ]dªntã..." " ]Á nã..." Rm³ AhfpsS Ibv ]nsním³ Fsâ Ibv \o«n. AhÄ Ibv ]pdtim«p sh p. Rm³ Ahtf NpÁn nsn p. AhÄ I«nenteíp aeà p t]mbn. Rm\hfpsS tateíp howp. Hcp \nanjw Fsâ XmSnbpw AhfptS Np pifpw Iq«nap«n. B Np pifpss arzpxzw Fsâ Rc¼n Hcn nfn ]min. H w Fsâ Ipe Ip AhfpsS Acs «nâ jínklnxw srcnªp. AhfXdnsª p txm p p, AhfpsS Ibv Xpd p t]mbn. Rm\Xp ]nsn p hm n. At, AhfpsS apjnª ]mâokv. GXmbmepw I nâ In«nbXtÃ. clky`mkt sskv{xwkôw H dnbmatãm F p IcpXn, AdnbmsX Rm\Xp hnsà n aq nteísp n p. tlabpss ]ibpss At{XanÃ. Rm\Xp aq nâ \n pw amán t\m pt¼mä Xsâ apj n\p t\tc jínbnâ InS p ]nsbp Ip p«t\ t\m n Nn ½ simxnshåand p p. " F m ChnsSmcp ]nsn hen...hcp Icmt«Xm p simsp mcp ntã... Blm... ]«n FÃp I p shåand p t]mse Ft m m So td t\m pt... AsXm A s\ sis pw... ]ntåcp Ipfn Ignªv ImWpw... hm..." Page 12 of 95

13 kâhmà hen p si«ns m p Ipfnapdnbn \n nd n h tla tnmzn p. ]ns AhÄ Nn ½tb ]nsns gpt  n p. At mgmwp I Xv, tlabpw Ft m Npcp«n nsn ncníp p. ]mânbmsw p a\ênemsb nepw shdptx tnmzn p. " ]m«pkmsdt m m I nâ ]nsn ncníp Xv...?.." " AXv..." tla apgpaníp Xn\p ap¼v, Nn ½ AXhfpsS I nâ \n pw ]nsn phm n I«nenteín«p. "...FSo... amjn w sn n pw H v... \½fp IgpIntbm v... H p aw nt cso... Ctàamj p kam[m\w In«nÃ..." " t\cmtwm a[q... F\níp k½xm... ]cntim[nítwm...?.." tlabpss apjs mcp IÅ p ncn. " Hm... \à a\sêmt  axn..." Rm³ Aekambn ]dªp. " C m... thkw thww... " AhÄ kâhmdnsâ si«gn n«v jà«p s]m n nsn p. Rm³ Xmsgbncps m p aw p. " s]md p tkm nsâ atwm v...aiw IgpIntbm...?.." " C m sxmd p t\m v... " AhÄ ImeI n. Rm³ c p IbvsIm pw B ]qs msp ]nsn I nbn«v Nph p XpSp DÅnsem p \ n. " l... sxms nsã p ]dªn«v... " AhÄ Fsâ Xeíns«mcSn. F\níp \ mbn thz\n p. F n«hä XpWn hen p tián. " Ipfním³ k½xn XtÃ... H p awt mt«p sh w... tidn I nspt m...lpw...hm So td..." AhÄ tzjyw \Sn psim v hmxp teíp \o n. " tz c pw ChnsS C«ns«m v... C\n ]nsnhen H pw th tit«m... si«n nsnt m p sist m... " Nn ½ I«nenteíp Nq n mwn p. " At m Np½mXm... Hfn p]nsn w...rms\m p t\m nsbt HÅq... sim p s]mtím... F\níp th... " Rm³ c pw FSp p AhcpsS t\tc \o«n. AhÀ AXp hm nbnã. hmxn se nbt mä Rm³ tnmzn p. " A w Ipfn Xnsâ hmsi H pw CtÃ...?.." " C Sp p hm Xcmw... " Rm³ ASp p sn p. tla H p kwibn n«v Fsâ Ihnfn iðt mss Hcp½ X p. AXp I Nn ½bpw atá Ihnfn Hcp½ X p. ]n t Xp {]Xo ním Xmbncp p. Ibv Npcp«n I¼nbmbn \n Fsâ Ip bnâ BsªmcnSn. Fsâ I nâ IqSn s]m o ]d p. " lm... abntc...\ns sbms Rm³... " Rm³ ]dsª nepw Ip\nªp I«nen Ccp p t]mbn. c pt]cpw s]m«n ncn psim v hmxnâ Xpd nd nt mbn. Rm³ Ip bpw s]m n nsn v I«nen InS p. D bnâ sim nã `mkyw. " XmtbmfnIfv... D]Imcw snbvxxn\p X {]Xn^ew... " Xs m³ ]dªp sim v Rm³ I«nen InS ]mâniä FSp p c pw amdn amdn aw p t\m n. Nn ½bpsS aw ns\mcp kpjap v. tlabpts aww Xe sxdn níp p. ]ns AXp Xmtgín«p. hmxnenâ ap«pti«p. AXp jn_phmbncp p. Rm³ ]mâniä I«nen\p Xmtgíp X«n \o nbn«n«p. " AhsS B ]ntåscãmw IqsS ]dbp p... AhcsS So d½mcnhnssbm C p Ipfn sx v..." " B... X mew H p k½xn p... \osb \dnªp...? " ]ntåcp So d½mtcmsp tnmzn w ti«xm... kmdnt\ shc«n Ccp nsb mwtãm ]dªxv... so...tamiw... ]nsns m p s]cpamdns msmbncpt m kmtd... Xn p simgp v Igs finb Iq«fm..." " \ap Xn\p ]m pt msm... ]ns tamiatã... Mm...Hcp]Imcw... \o t]mbn t{_iv^mìp sim phm..." Ah³ t]mbn gnªt mä Rm³ Ipfnapdnbn tidn. B IgpthdotamfpsS CSntbmsS Ip bpss k]vx\munifpw XÀ p t]mbn. Asà nâ H p Ibv]nSn mambncp p. Page 13 of 95

14 `mkw-2 A p Rm³ h t mä GgpaWn Ignªncp p. cmhnet IpfnbpsS kpjtamà v s] p Ä Ipfním³ hcpsas \nípd mbncp p. C{Xbpw kzmx yambn AhnsS GXmbmepw ]ÁpIbnÃtÃm. ]Xnhp t]msebpå hoiâ As mgnhm n. ImWp Xp kpt_m[t mss I p ckníwatãm. kz]v\ nâ apgpin kabw t]mbxdnªnã. H¼Xc htc t\m nbn«pw AhÀ h nã. At mä cmhnet ]cn]msn AhÀ p asp p, AXmWp Imcyw. Rm³ shfnbnâ t]mbn Blmcw Ign p. shdptx InS v `mcytbbpw ait\bpw ]Án HmÀ p. Ahfnt mä F p sn pibmbncnípw. C\n Iptd \mft ív Rm³ AhÄs mcp Imcyta Bbncnínà F v aápåhà ]dªp ti«n«p v. Ipªp am{xw. ]ns ]Yyw, tzlc, FÃmw Ignbp Xp htc {_]vanmcnbmbn `À mhp IgnbWw. F mâ Xmt\m, AhfpsS A`mh nâ aáp s] p fpss \áxípth n Im ncníp p. AXp I v kpjníp p. Mm, CsXm pw henb ImcyaÃtÃm, Rm³ aámcptsbpw IqsS InS nãtãm. A W n\p Rm\nt mgpw ]Xv\o{hX\mb `À mhp Xt. hmxnenâ arzphmb ap«pti«p. Cu kab v Bcv hcm\m, Hm tlmàenivkmbncnípw, C p Rm\Xp HmÀUÀ snbvxnãtãm. s] p fo t\ct m. GXmbmepw ssien hmcnbpsp p sn p hmxnâ Xpd p t\m n. Blm, Nn ½bpw tlabpw. Dd m³ t\ct ss]pmabpw Ifkhpw thjw. " hcq... hcq... Rm³ \n tf I nãtãm p hnnmcn ncníphmcp p... F p ]Án Xmakn p t]mbxv... Cu kab p Ipfn m... Hd m³ kpjmcnípw AtÃ..." F\níp \à BËmZw. AhÀ AI p Ibdn I«nen Ccp p. Rm³ Itkcbnepw. " Fsâ a[pkmtd... R fp Ipfnsbms Ignªp..." tla So À ]dªp sim v Hcp Ifnbm n ncn. " lm... sime Xnbmbnt mbtãm... So d½mtc..." " ]mhw... N m nsemcp Ipfnko³ ImWm³ XpWow ]dn v Im ncníphmcp p AtÃ... IqSpXembmte sninsnípw... " Nn ½ tnmzn p. " F mepw Ft msnxp th mcp p... Mm, ]ns C w F m Ct m«v...?. " ]ntåscms sis p... AI p \à NqSv... ]ns B sat tsw... Hd w h nã... F m htãmw an ow ]dªpw simd p t\cw kabw Ifªn«v Hd w hcp¼w tidns S m p IcpXn... At{X HÅp..." tla apdníp NpÁn\pw t\m n. " Rms\ m kabw simãnbmsw mtwm... Mm t]ms«... ImWm³ simåmhp c p sndp mcnitfmsp skmåp Xpw Hcp kpjmtw..." " ] mcbso p ]d... a[qt\ I w Hcp \à ]ntåss e Ww txm n... AXpsIm m... C se Hs Ss]Smsa p sh Xv... " Nn ½. " AXp \n p Imcyw ImWm\Ãmcpt m...?...aãmsx Ft mssmå t{]aw sims m paãtãm..." " AXp sicnbm... F mepw At cw a[qsâ hmbo p howtxm...h m cw shins tcmw..." " Rms\ m shins cw ]dªmepw Hcp apj]cnntbmw CÃm Hcp sâ ap¼n... XpWnbgn p \nímsh p ]dª \n f{x \à ]ntåcã F m Fsâ Hcp txm Â... c n\pw clkymbn«v C ncntè IpkrXnIsfms sbm v AtÃ...?.." Rm³ tnmzn p. " kwkxn sicnbm... F\nín ncn Hd w thww... HWÀ w Xmakn pt]mbn... Fgpt Á w ]ntåcp sse\mbn«v Ibdpw s]m«n p \nâ pim... At cm... a[qsâ Imep ]nsnímsh p IcpXnbXv... B kab v... IqsS S W p a[phã, Bcp ]dªmepw sicn, k½xn p t]mtbt\... AXtà {]IrXosS c mat hnfoss KXntISv... AI p tidn kwkxn ]mkmbn gnª w txm n... A s\ Hcp hm p Xc mcps v... ]ns hnnmcn p... Hcp XamitÃ... Bcdnbm\m... tlabmtw FXnscm«p ]dªpanã..." Nn ½ Iqfmbn«p ]dªp. Page 14 of 95

15 " F\níp Nn qsâ hoà pap«dnbmcp p... F mepw I oj³ ti«w Hcp shjaw txm nbxm... ]ns Rm\pw hnnmcn p..." tla Nn ½tb t\m n. " AÃ... Rms\ m\pw tidn ]nsn ncps ntem..." Rm³ tnmzn p. " F n a[phnsâ a[p C w shdpw simxpimbn«ncpt t\... Hcp Io p Xt t\... F s\sbm v Fsâ Ibv_ew... simg sam panãmcp tãm..." Nn ½ Fsâ ap³hit íp I piä Cdp n mwn psim p tnmzn p. " hnnmcn ncnímsx In«nbXmbXpsIm v... I p XÅnt mbn... C ncqss Xmsg am m ntbse m\pw sim mcps n... AXp Ie ntbt\ Rm\pw hsnbmtbt\..." Rms\mcp InSnet mss ]dªp. " Mm... a\: qàham Aåw tamfnem nbxv... Adnbm³ taemªn«ã..." Nn ½ IbvNpcp«n. " At m... A w Adntªm v Xm nbxmcpt m... Fât½... F\nín\n \n ss Ipfow ImW... \n tfw ImW... I nst mfw sim v Xr]vXnbmbn... `mcy p \à sndp am... Ht s]áns«måp... Rm\o km[\w NX p]dnt ms m\pw At m«p sn m... Ahsft samgn snmãpw... So d½mcp t]m... ]ntåcp Ipfn p Ignªn«v kuicyw t]mse Ipfn m axn..." Rm³ IbvIq n. s] p Ä c p t]cpw s]m«n ncn p. " l... A \ p t]sn mtem... a[p am\yambn«msw nâ R fxnepw Uokâmcnípw..." tla Ft kam[m\n ním³ t\m n. " \n ss Uok³kn simtdsbms ]nsnin«ps m v... si«ntbm½mcp hsãs pw... FhntSw XpWn ]dním³ X mdmbn \n fp thsd hsãs pw... N«nbSnbm c ntâw _nkn\êv...atã...?.." " N«nbSntbm...?.." tla So dn\p a\ênembnã. " F p ]dªm... Idow Iq«m\psams Xocp¼w... s] p fp N«n hsn p \ ptite... AXpt]mse...c p t]cpw IqsS At m«pant m«pw... HcpXcw... ]ckv]c]qci fmbn«v... A s\...a s\... F p ]dªm...sekv_nb³...?.." Rm³ hnizoicn p. " A w kmdp R tf shebncp n gnªp...atã...ayhm...a s\bmsw n t BÀ p \ãw...?.. Ctà So td...?.. " Nn ½ tlatbmsp tnmzn p. " A w a[qw tamiaã... C nsc ]m UnXysams sbm v...ctã Nn q...?.." tla Nn ½tb txm n. " AtXtÃm... Rm\pw kviqfpw timtfppw ]ns Hcp IeymtWm IgnªXtÃ...A w ]ns Aåkzåw ]m UnXyw ImWpatÃm...". " Mv lm... KXnsI«m ]pen ]pãpw Xn pw... ]ns a[q...?.." Nn ½ Ft m ]dbm\mªt mä Rm³ CSíp tidn. " Aà So td... \n ss Cu ]pãpxoá ]ntåcdnbptite...?.." " Gbv... R fp tlmìente GÁhpw kv{sniváp hmàud½mcm... AYhm Adnªm Xs...s]md p ]dbm\pw R ss ]ntåcp asnípw... ]ns Cu ]ntåcpw ] ]mh fm..." " AÃm... \n tf It mss ]nsniqsnbmtem... cm{xose m\pw Htc apdotem...atám.?.." Fsâ kwibw. " lpw... AXp a[q\p R ss tlmìensâ `qanimkv{xw Adnbmªn«m... " " Hm ]ns... Rm\pw tlmìensems Xmakn ns«måxm... Hcní hmàu\ sâ Ip ³]Wn sxm ntbmss I p]nsn ns«måxpam... ansp nifp ]ntåscms n... \n ss N«nbSn Ahcp ]ckym ntbt\..." " a[pkmtd... ]t txm kmbn p Ip pws]md v ]WnX Hcp Pbnem R ss tlmìev... AXp R fp simd p t`zkxnsbms hcp n tlmìem nbxm... aq p s\e... Hmtcm s\teepw ] p sim p apdn... Cuc p I«nepw. F«c Ignbp¼w s]md q v Hmtcm s\tew ]q«pw... R ss apdn AXn\p shfnbnem... H mw s\teâ Hcp I\ymkv{Xn... c mw s\teâ Rm³... aq mw s\teâ tla So dv... R fp aq pw {^o... N«nbSn mepw sicn... Ip t\ hnfn ptiánbmepw Hcp oadnb nã... tdmätimfp Ignªm ]ns hcmt  Fd m³ t]mepw k½xníptie... ] c Ignªm ebnáp sisp Ww... sim p ]ntåctã... AhÀ nsxms ioem..." Nn ½ hnizoicn p. " A w Fs nepw FaÀP³knsbm mbmtem..?..." " s_sãm v... BZyw AhchcpsS s\tete hmàusâ s_ãsnímw... sdkvt]m knsã nâ ASp s\tete s_ãsníw... FÃmw I oj³..." Page 15 of 95

16 " A w.. \n fp N«ow \ n sis mepw simg anã.. B ]mhw I\ymkv{Xn HmSntímfpw.. CtÃ..." " A s\ H mi nã... hã XqtÁm OÀ±ntbm atám H msb nte HÅp... AtàFÃmw Hd ntímfpw... Hcní Hcp PKPnÃn h mcp p... ] ntem«v... Ahfp shfªhfmcp p... Adntªm v R tf ieys Sp n... shc«nb w Ahfp ]dªp... R ss A\mimkyw... {]n³kn e t\msp ]tdsa v... ]ntá Znhkw Xt... Xt hnfn v Ahtf si«psi«n p... AXn ]ns Hcp {]ivt\msam mbn«nã..." " A w \n fp kpjnípim À w... F nâ Ft w IqsS Hcp t\tete hmàu\m v... Atà hm dm nbmepw axn... ]ns \n fp Iãs ts n hcntie..." Rm³ Nncn psim v Fsâ Hm^À AhXcn n p. " tit«mso tlta... Hcp am\ysâ B{Klw... F n«v hn pimf amxncn \½sS tamfntem«p F pw hnfn ptiánbm axnbtãm... s]m n nsnt m hnss Ccpt m... " " Rms\mcp Xami ]dªxtã... \n s md t... Ipfntbm CÃ... F m _m nsbmtåms\ nepw Hs md ntíms«..." Rm³ tnmzn p. shdptx kwkmcn v Dd anf Xp sims p {]tbmp\w. " ]nt... " tla Nn ½tb txm n. c pt]cpw apjt msp apjw t\m n. " F m.. F m {]iv\w... sxmd p ]dtªm... " Rm³ Ccphtcbpw t\m n. " Aà C\n AXp ]dbp¼w... thtd hã I oj\pw s]m ntím p hcptam m t]sn..." Nn ½ Xe snmdnªp. " Gbv... F\nín sgmå I oj³ sim p Xr]vXnbm... ]t \n fxn\p Nm³kp Xcp nãtãm m shjaw..." " F gpambm simå nãtãm... ]ns... t\m mw... hãt mgpsams... C\ow Znhksam tãm... Ctà Nn q.. " tla Nn ½bpsS txmfnteíp Nmcn. " C w Ft m m th Xv... Imcyw ]d... \½fn w {^ vkmbntã... sxmd Snt m..." Rm³ t{]mâkmln n p. " AtX... C se a[phnsâ I nsemcp amkkn³ I mcp tãm... AsXm p ImWm³ Xcpthm... ]dªp ti«ns«måxãmsx t\cnâ I n«nã... " Nn ½ sxsãmcp N½temsS ]dsªm n p. " At{XsbmtÅm... F{Xsb w thww... CXp \n fp I mte R pw Hcp {XnsÃm mis måp..." Rm³ taihen p Xpd v c p aqs w FSp p simsp p. AhÀ Hmtcms Sp p t\m m³ XpS n. t]ppiä adnípt mdpw s] p Ä Ft ad p. Rm\hcpsS apj`mh Ä {i²n psim ncp p. CSínSív Nne t]ppiä \nivoeambt mä Rm\pw B t]ppifntesí n t\m n. \à o\mbn«p hsn Xnf p ]qdp ImWns mcp n Ccníp ]S nteív tla DÁpt\m nbt mä Rm³ tnmzn p. " tlaínsxmcp kz]v\am AtÃ... A p snbvxp IqtS... C s\ sskeâphmen t]mse sim p\s msx..." Rm³ tnmzn p. " Hm... At cp k½xníptie... simtd Ignbp¼w apsn NoIp t]mse NoIW m At cp ]dbp Xv... Hcp Indp p Xt bm... " tla Fsâ apj p t\m msx ]dªp. " F n ns... cmhnet ]cph nâ At css samt ens«ms mc p IqSmcpt m... \nehnfnt m p k½xnt t\tãm... snct mfm³..." " Hhz... At cm GtÁmw Cãw... AXn\I q p tam amáptie... C t\ Ht m a\pjysc m Rm³ Nn nípt..." tla t]pp adn psim p ]dªp. " A w F s\ \mánt m p sim p\s mepw...so À p \à kpjmcníphtãm..." Rm³ tnmzn t mä Nn ½ ]p ncn psims sâ apjt íp t\m n. tla D cw ]dbmsx \mwt mss Xsâ DcwsIm v Nn ½bpsS Dc nâ CSn p. F n«v s]mdps]mdp p Xp t]mse ]dªp. " AXn\p Bfnt\ H Sp p In«o«p tht... Rm\n s\ thgm¼ep t]mse CXpw sht m ncníp XÃmsX... FSo Nn q... CXp t\ms So.." tla Hcp t]pp Nn ½tb ImWn psim p ]dªp. Nn ½ AXnteíp t\m nbt mä Rm\pw F n t\m n. F«p] p ]qdpifpss ]Sw Hcpan v. AXn ]excw I piä, \o Xv, sim penwkw t]msebpåxv, ]Xp n aq«t]msebpåxv. Zf Ä, hoxn Page 16 of 95

17 IpdªXv, I«nIqSn sháne t]mse hnsà Xv, InghnIfpsS Xq nb ImXp t]mse Xq n ns p Xv, A s\ ]excw ]qà p piä. " CXnteXm Nn ½ So dnsâ ]Sw...?... " Rm³ tlatbmsp tnmzn p. AhÄ AXn Aåw XSn p hnshnâ \n pw ]pdt íp XÅn \nâ p Hcp I nsâ ]S nâ sxm«p ImWn p. s]s«v Nn ½ tlabpss ssiín«v X«n. " Np½mbncn tlta... Ifnbm msx... Mm lm...fso... tzs... \nsâ lkv_âv..." Nn ½ Hcp t]pp \nhà psim v tlatb txm n. tlabpss IqsS Rm\pw t\m n. Hcp \ot{km Xsâ F«n p \ofw hcp Ip \à hsnbmbn \nà n t]mkp snbvxncníp p. AXp t\ct I t mä AXnte Rc¼pIÄ Fgp p \nâ p Xp I n«v F\nípw simxn txm nbn«p v, FtâXpw C{Xbpap mbncps nâ F v. ]ns, Fsâ `mcyív Fsâ Bdc C p Xt IqSpXembXpsIm v Ct mä k SanÃ. " A s\m pw \obpw Ifnbm... At À nt{xw Ids m panã..." tla sidphnsâ kzc nâ ]dªp. " Rm³ AXnbmsâ s\daã ImWn Xv... B \otfmw hent mam... \o ]dª At{Xw CtÃ... C gm t\cnâ I Xv... slm... \nsâsbmcp tbmkw..." Nn ½ s\sphoà n«p. " AsX m... Nn t½ss anìdp sim p a\pjy\mtwm..." Rm³ tnmzn p. ]t Nn ½sísâ tnmzyw ]nsn nsã p txm n. " IqSpXep Imcy sfm pw Adnb...tIt«m... " AhÄ Ft mssmcp Xm oxp t]mse ]dªp. " Hm.. C\nsbt m p adím\m a[phnt\msv... Fsâ a[q... Nn t½ss icoc {]IrXnbmbXpsIm v t]cns\msc nsâ Bhtiy HÅp... ]Sw I ntã... ]Sní sh p Xt Imcyw km[nímw... AIt m«p t\mt ImcytabnÃ... At css HÅ \ofw Xt IqSpXem... " " FSosbSo... \o ]dªp ]dªv..." Nn ½ Iq«pImcnbptS XpSbn \pån. " Ft sb n\m \påp Xv... \o Xt btã ]dªns«måxv... sszhw CsX\níp X ns«måxpsim v... At css simdshmcp simdth Asà v..." " A w Nn t½w `mkyhxnbm..." Rm³ ]dªp. " Hm... F p `mkyw... hàj nsemcp amkw... AXpw... h p Ignªm ns... BÄ mcpss iteymw... ]ns Iq«pImcsS kâ mtcmw... ho«n hcp¼w... Iã mss\níp Xt..." Nn ½bpw s\sphoà n«p. " Hm..]nt... Iã msv... IÅSn nt«mt  A v AXnbm³ \nt... shdpw \m psimt gmw kzà nâ tiápsh tã \o ]dbp Xv... AXp ImcWw F pw IpSnt mfm³ Chfp k½xníptiw sn pw... F n«n w AXnbmt\ IpÁw ]dbp p..." " AsX m tlaso td... A s\... IÅSn p elcnbmbm... Imcy fp simgbptite...]ns \m...?.." Rms\sâ kwibw tnmzn p. " IÅn... H padnbm t]mse Ccníp Xp I ntã... Fsâ a[p... IÅp Xeíp tidnbm ns... At À pw Fsâ AXnbmsâ skm`mhm... ]ip ImSn e nâ Xebn«p X p t]mem...axp ]td¼w Chfp XpÅpw... F n«p kxyhxn Nabp p..." tla Nn ½bpsS XmSnín«p X«n. " tm...]ip ImSn e ntem...?..." F\níp ]nsnin«nbnã. "...Hm.. Cu a[p C{Xíp s]m«\mtwm...?... ]ip F n\m ImSn e n X pt... hã IjtWmw In«nbm H p Nhím³... " tla F n«p Nncn psim v Nn ½bpsS XpSbn HcSnbSn p. F\níp Imcyw ]nsnin«n. " Ft m m... At cpw XoÁ{]nb\mtWm...?.." Rm³ Nn ½bpsS \mwn piq¼p apjt íp t\m n tnmzn p. " ]n ÃmsX... ]Ãp simåmsx Xn m³ ansp \m AtÃ... Fsâ {]nbs «Nn ½ So tttd..." tla ]dªp. " axn \nsâ hmniw... an msx t\m o«p hmso... t]mbns S mw...c w CXn IqSpX ImWm³ ]ÁptIe..." Nn ½ amkni as n. " F m So td... simg amtbm..." " ]n ÃmsX... shdptx a\pjyt\ NqSm m³..." Nn ½ Fgpt Áp. " sicnbm... ]dªp ]dªv... Hcp ]cphambn... IqSpXep ]dbmxncnípim t`zw..." Nn ½ Fgpt Át mä tlabpw Fgpt Áp. Page 17 of 95

18 " A w \n fp t]miphmtwm... C nsc sim phà m\w IqsS ]dªn«v t]mbm t]mtc..." Rm³ tnmzn p. " C w Ct{Xw axn... IqSpXembm C\ow simg mipw... s]mkvxiw t\m n t\cw ]mxncmbmbn. ]ntåcp IXIp ]q«n sis pim... ]Iet shbnep apgph³ simt v..." Nn ½ Hcp tim«phmbn«p. " At m... \mtf C nsc t\ct hm, Ipfním³... [rxn]nsn v H pw sn tãm... " Rm³ ]dªp. " Mqw... tit«mso... ] \ p cpnn ]nsn pt]mbn... R sfm mtemnnís«... thtwm v.." tla Nn ½tb txm n. " At m... NXnítÃ... Rm³ \nà_ôw ]nsníptie... FSsímcp ZÀi\w X m axn... \à Aephm t]mencníp c p {iotimhnepw It s d nbm \à cminbm... a\ên\pw Hcp kt mjmtw..." Rm³ ho pw Ibv Iq n. " Mm...t\m s«... hmso... " Nn ½ I nencp amkkn³ taibnteín«p. tlabpw. AXp I Rm³ ]dªp. " thtw sim ps]mtím... kuicyambn«p hmbníptiw ImWptIw sn mtãm... C\osam v... " Rm³ taixpd p. " At m...c w th... aá mfp t]mim³ t\cw R sfspt mfmw... C w ]ntåsc m\pw I m...simd nemipw..." Nn ½ IXIpXpd p. " F n...kpuv\bnáv..." Rm³ hmxnâ Xpd p]nsn v Ahtc bm{xbm n. ss]pmaípånâ Nn ½bpsS Dd Ip niä Hmfw sh«p Xpw t\m n Rm³ hmxnâ  \n p. tla ho pw Xncnsªt t\m n Ibvhoin ImWn p. Rm³. Hcp ]d pwnpw_\w Fdnªp simsp p. AhÄ Nncn psim v AXp IbvsIm v XÅn fªp. Rm³ Xebm«n. AhÀ apdnxpd v AI p Ibdm\mbn Rm³ Im p\n p. A mdp ap«nbn«pw IXIp Xpd p nã. sim pip«niftã ]Iet shbnepw A²zm\hpw Ignªv FÃmw ad p XfÀ pd pibtã. shsn s]m«n mepw AdnbnÃ. c pt]cpw amdn amdn IXIn X«n. ]ns Ft t\m n. F p ]Án F p Rm³ BwKy nâ tnmzn p. Xpd p nã, Dd pibmwv F p tla Xncn v BwKyw ImWn p. c p t]cpw IqSn Ft m kwkmcn p. ]ns hnj cmbn XmSníp I pw simsp v \n p. CXn\nSív Nn ½ IXIn ho pw H p c p {]mhiyw IqSn ap«n. Rm³ Ahtc IbvIm«n hnfn p. c p IqSn BSnbmSn ASp p h t mä Rm³ tnmzn p. " Mqw...?.. F p ]Án...?.." " ]ÁnbXp Xt... ]ntåscmwcp nã... t\ct Hd n ioen ]ntåctã... ]Iet otwmw ImWpw... B ^m\n\msw nâ Hcp IdId Ht sam v... ]ntåcp ti«pimw nã..." Nn ½ hnj bmbn \n p. " sè...ccp p t\cw shfp nítwmtãm..." tla Dcphn«p. " AXp kmcanã... \n p hntcm[ansã nâ Hcp cm{xn ChnsS AUvPÌp sn mw... \ne p joáp hncn p sis m axnbtãm...t\cw shfp p¼w C nsc s]mdwthz\ ImWpsat bpåp..." Rm³ \nàt±in p. c pt]cpw apjt msp apjw t\m n. ]ns Fsâ apjt ív kwibt mts t\m n. " t]sní... C se Hcp FSt Sns\mcp IpkrXn ]dªq p sh v... Rm³ tami mc\ã... \n fxp k½xnípsa v kz]v\ nâ t]mepw hnnmcn XÃ... Ft hnizknímw...t]mcmªn«v Nn t½ss.. I pss NqSv..." " C et sxsâ KXntISv... A s\ ]Ánt mbxtã... Nn ½ Nncn psim v AIt sí n t\m n. " Xmsg c p t]às må FSbnÃtÃm a[q..." " Hcpabps In He s md pw sis m tã {]amww.." Rm³ Hcp ]gs mãp hnf¼n. " \o F p ]dbp p...?.." Nn ½tb Iq«pImcntbmSp tnmzn p. " AÃmsX p sn pw...cu timdntumdnâ F{X t\cam C s\ \nípi..." tla XfÀ a«nâ ]dªp. " F n hm..." Nn ½ BZyw, ]ns tla, AI p Ibdn. Rm³ IXIS p IpÁnbn«p. Page 18 of 95

19 At mgmwp Rms\mcp Imcyw {i²n Xv. shfp joáp hncn sa bnâ AcnInembn c p kvye v Accq]m h«nâ Hcp sndnb \\hp t]mse. Cu ]mspiä t\ct CÃmbncp tãm. \à o³ joámbncp tãm. Hm, CXv t\ct AhÀ c p t]cpw Ccp ncp `mkamwtãm. Rm³ H nâ H p sxm«p t\m n. ]ns hncâ Ii n, Hcp sndnb ]i v. ASp Xnepw H aà n txm n. AXpw XssYh. A¼So, s] p Ä Imcyw ]Án ncníp p. At mä Chfpamcv ASnbnsem pw CSmsXbmtWm h ncníp Xv. Hm, InS m³ t]mipibmbncp tãm. AXpw temeamb ss]pma pwnbtã. tx³ In\nªnd nt mbn. At mä Cu s] p Ä p ]S Ä Cãs «e WamWtÃm. Xt bpaã, AhcpsS `À m mcpss Imcyhpw AhÀ simsp p kpjhpw Hs kwkmc nâ DÄs «ncp tãm. Hcp ]p ncntbmss Rm³ s] p fpss apjt íp t\m n. AhÀ Ft bpw. ]ns B apj Ä Ip\nªp. AhÀ IbvIÄ timà p ]nsn p. " F mepw Fsâ So d½mtc... CXp `b cmwtãm...tm...?.." " Hm... AX s\sbms sis pw... R fpw a\pjyctã... ]S fp t\m nbncp w... C nsc NqSmbnt mbn... AXn\n{X Ifnbm ms\m panã... temi p \S m Imcysam paãtãm..." Nn ½ Hcp sidphp kzc nâ ]dªp. " Mm hn«pif..." Ahtc ]nw s p Rm³ IcpXn. I«nensâ Iosg \n pw Ae m\n«ncp Hcp txmàs Sp v AXp c pw AaÀ n XpS p. " tkmdn...tit«m..." Nn ½bpsS kzc nâ Hcp ssh _yw. " kmcanã... Ct m... Rm³ \n tf ]mxnhgnhtc F n t]msemcp {XnsÃm v... F m sis mw...?.." Rm³ josásp v I«nen\cnInembn Xmsg hncn p. Hcp XebnWbpw sh p. kwkxn sicnbmbncp p, Xmsg c pt]à v Aåw _p²nap«mwv. Asà nâ tai HccnInteíp hen p amáww. tla Ft t\m nbn«p tnmzn p. " a[q.. Rms\mcp Imcyw ]dbt«...?.." " ]dtªmfq... " Rm³ I«nen Ccp p. " Cs mcp Znhkt ív a[p C nsc _p²nap«v R Ä pth n A\p`hnímtam... H qtãepw cmhnte R ss XpWnbgn p I p kpjn XtÃ... AtXmÀ m... a[q\p Xt btã em`w.." " emt`mw \tãmw AhsS sis s«...imcyw ]d..." " R fp c p t]cpw I«nte sis mw... a[p C p simd p awn qdp t\ct ív s\es m UvPÌp snbvxm... BÀ pw henb _p²naps«m mi nã..." tla At] m`mh nâ Fsâ apjt íp t\m n. Rm³ H p Nn n p. thwsa nâ dnk]vj\nâ ]dªmâ Hcp s_íp In«pw. Hm, C\nbo ]mxncmív, Ahcpw kwibnípw. th, DÅXpsIm v H nímw. " Mvlm... ImWm³ simåmhp c p sndp mcnifp C s\ Hcp Imcyw tnmzníp¼w... tnmtcw \ocpsamå sndp mcs\ s\eív... XÅm³ ]Ápthm... " Rm³ josám piqsn as n ]ns XebnW t\tc h p. InS p. s] p Ä apsnbgn p si«n. Nn ½ At AÁ pw tla AcnInepambn InS p. Rm³ s] p fpss Imen\nSbnteíp t\m n.»uknsâ I w hnbà Xp t]mse Nmc\nd nepå B ss]pmabpss IhínS \\hpsims mcp `q]sw hc ncp p. Rm³ amdn amdn AhcpsS IhínSbn t\m p Xp I t mä tla Ncnªp InS p. Nn ½ ImepIÄ ASp n p ]nsn n«p ]dªp. " XpWnbpw sxmf m I p tidp Xv... ebnáp sisp v... " " ^m\nsâ ImÁp In«p nã..." Rm³ Fgpt Áv joáv I«nensâ sxm«cninembn hncn p. Ct mä Aåw ImÁp In«pw. sseáp sisp nbn«v Rm³ h p InS p. " ]ns tb... Fgpt  p¼w... Rm³ sxm«p Xmsg InSs ms v HtcmÀ½ thtw... Nhn«tÃ... am m nsb m\pw s]m«nbm..." Rm³ Adnbn p. " F gpw AtXmÀ m t]sn... AsX m... shfnbne p s\c p sis pimtwm... Nhn«ns m«ním³... Bcpw ImWm Xp t]mse...hcp am m n..." tla s]mdps]mdp p. " F\níXp shesbmåxmtw...kpuv\bnáv..." Rm³ XebpbÀ nsbm p t\m n. shfnbnâ \n papå Ac Hcp shfn w I\ Ccp«ns\mcp XSÊambn. a nb \ngâ t]mse apdníiw ImWmw. Nn ½ At bá mwp InS p Xv. tla Fsâ AcnInepw. CSív H cbmfn\p kpjambn«p Page 19 of 95