Copyright C 2013 by E. Harikumar

Transcription

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2 Koorakal Iqd-Iƒ (collection of short stories in Malayalam) Author: E. Harikumar Electronic version published in 2013 This book is meant for distribution among research organisations absolutely free of cost. Address: E. Harikumar 5B, Avenue Crest Apartments Avenue Road, Mundupalam Kuriachira P.O. Thrissur Phone: (0487) Web: Copyright C 2013 by E. Harikumar

3 C. lcnipam 1943 Pqsse 13 \v s]m m-\n-bn P\-\w. A alm-ihn CS-t»cn tkmhn-µ \mb. AΩ CS n Pm\In AΩ. I -Ø-bn h v _n.-f. ]m m-bn efn-xsb hnhmlw snbvxp. ai AP-bv hnhm-ln-x-\mwv. `mcy: ip`. I -Ø, Zn n, t_mws_ F o \K-c-ß-fn tpmen-sb-sp-øp tic-f-øn-tebv v Xncn- p-h- p sxm v sndp-i-y-i-sf-gp-xn-øp-s-ßn. BZysØ IYm-k-am-lmcw "Iqd-Iƒ' 72 {]kn- -s -Sp-Øn. 15 IYm-k-am-lm-c-ßfpw 9 t\mh-ep-ifpw Hcp A\p-`-h- p-dn- p-w {]kn- -s -Sp-Øn-bn- p- v. ]pc-kvim-c-߃: 1988 se ticf kmlnxy A m-zan ]pc-kvimcw "Znt\m-k-dns Ip n' F IYm-kam-lm-c-Øn-\v se ]-fl-cm-p ]pc-kvimcw "] - -øns\ ]nsn- m ' F IY-bv v se \me- m-s ]pc-kvimcw "kq n- p-h abn oen' F IYm-k-am-lm-c-Øn- \v se IYm-]oTw ]pc-kvimcw "A\n-X-bpsS hosv' F IYm-k-am-lm-c-Øn-\v se G hpw ani IY-bv p ticf tã v Ne- n{x A m-zan Ahm Uv "{io]m -Xn-bpsS ]mzw' F IY-bv v. BUntbm Imk v dn m Un-Mv, sh_v Unssk-\n-Mv, aƒ naounb s{]mu-, ]pkvxi {]kn- o-i-cww F n-h-bn-te s - n- p- v apx 2004 hsc ticf kmlnxy A m-zan Aw-K-am-bncp- p. IrXn-Iƒ: sndp-i-ym-k-am-lm-c-߃: Iqd-Iƒ, hrj-`-øns IÆv, Ip paw hnx-dnb hgn-iƒ, Znt\m-k-dns Ip n, Im\- U-bn \ns mcp cmp-ip-amcn, {io]m -Xn-bpsS ]mzw, kq n- p-h abn oen, ] - -øns\ ]nsn- m, Zqsc Hcp \K-c-Øn, IdpØ X{ºm n, A\n-X-bpsS hosv, Cf-sh-bnens km z\w (I-Y-Iƒ ), \K-c-hm-knbmb Hcp Ip n, Fs kv{xoiƒ (kv{xo-]- - I-Y-Iƒ), sh n-øn-c-bn-se- -t]mse. t\mh-ep-iƒ: Dd-ßp k -߃ + im]-ine, Bk- n-bpss A n-\m-f-߃, Hcp IpSpw_- ]pcmww, F n ss{u-hsd kvt\ln s] Ip n, Ab-\-߃, XSm-I-XocØv, sim -{ºm n, {]W-b-Øn-s\mcp tkm^v vshb, Adn-bm-Ø-eß-fntebv v. Hm Ω-Iƒ, A\p-`-h- p-dn- p-iƒ, tej-\-߃: \o Fhn-sS-bm-sW- nepw. Cu Hm Ω-Iƒ acn- m-xn-cn- -s. hnemkw: 5 -_n, Ah\yp s{iãv A]m Svsa vkv Ah\yp tdmuv, ap p-]mew Ipcn-b- nd (]n.-h.) Xr»q t^m : C -sa-bn : harikumar_e@yahoo.com, e.harikumar.novelist@gmail.com website:

4 IY-Iƒ IqdIƒ DW ac߃ ]cp piƒ h w Np ptºmƒ inincw Ccp neqss agbp Hcp cm{xnbn IcnbSp v Ccp ns aiƒ a[phn[p Rm, \n n \n\ pth n sh pxncbpss cmpipamc sszhw m\nbmip p

5 Iqd-Iƒ ASp fbn cmhnesø Im n Iq ns m ncn p tºmgmwv Ahƒ I Xv IqdIƒ. taibpss Hccp In sx p t\cw IncpIncm i ap m ns m v Ahsf t]sns SpØpwhn[w Xpdn pt\m n, ]ns taibpss adp`mkøv A{]Xy amhpibpw snbv Xp. Ahƒ Im nbpsaspøp InS dbnte p \S p. ` Ømhv Fgpt n p mbncp n. kzn n t mƒ IÆn\p kpjw Xcp \\pø shfn w apdnbmsi \nds mgpim XpSßn. I nen Ccp v, I n\p th n ssi \o ns m v Abmƒ Ahsf t\m n ]p ncn p. auvyw \nd apjtømss Abmƒ Im n IpSn p Xv Ahƒ t\m n \n p. Cu Zn\Ncy F\n p aspøp XpSßnbncn p p, Ahƒ hnnmcn p. ` Øm hns hnfdnb apjhpw \c p XpSßnb tcmaßfpw ImWptºmsg mw Ahƒ v A\pIº txm nbncp p. Cu A\pIº H pam{xamwv Ahsf Hcp elf mcnbm msx AS n \n Ønbncp Xv. XfØn qsn Hgn I psaspøp asßptºmƒ, Unú tx Nphcn IdpØp sndnb Hcp P p Acn p Xmbn Ahƒ p txm n. AXp t\m Wsa p mbncps nepw, Hcp klp t{]cwbn Ahƒ \oßn; \n n. ASp fbn Ct mƒ IqSpX IqdIƒ D mbncp p. Ah IncpIncm i ap m n taitaepw, Nphcnt epw Acn cn p \S p. ASp fbnte v IS m {ian ptºmƒ H p c p IqdIƒ ]d ph v AhfpsS Xebn Cdßn. ssihoin Ahsb AI m Ahƒ {ian p. ]t, IqdIƒ hfscb[niw D mbncp Xn\m, Ahƒ v Ahkm\w ]n mtd n h p. CXnt\ n ` Ømhnt\mSp ]dbwsa v Ah ƒ p txm n. ]t, InS dbn ` Ømhv F nt\mtsm bp wsnøpibmbncp p. F nt\msmsw p a\ nembxv, Abmƒ bp Øn nsbn hmb s]mfn v "Iqd' F hm v D cn t mgmwv. Abmƒ Iqdsb Hcp \yqkvt] as n ASn pibmbncp p. Iqd, Abmsf I_fn n p ]d pibpw snbvxp. Abmƒ v HcpamXncn h w Xncntb n h p. CXpsIm v Hcp ^ehpan, Ahƒ ]dbm hnnmcn p, ASp fbn Hcp \qsdæsa nepw ImWpw. ]t, Ahƒ H pw ]dbmsx ` Ømhv NØ Iqdsb ISem p sim p timcnsbspøp PmeIØneqsS ]pdtø s dnbp Xpw t\m n\n p. CXv \ ]qcw! Abmƒ InX psim p ]d p. "At, Cu ^vfm n Hscm Iqdbp mbncp n!' XßfpsS ^vfm n CXphsc Hscm Iqdt]mepap mbncp ns Xv ]t, Ahƒ CXphsc Hm Øn cp n. ` Ømhns A pxw Aÿm\Ømbncp n. B ]cnkcøn Abmƒ v Ipsdb[nIw ]cnnb mcp v. Bcpw CXphsc IqdIsf n BhemXns n n. Ahƒ ASp fbnte p asßn. ` Ømhn v {]mx F pawn p n Xømdm Ww. F nte Abmƒ v F cbv p n {Smw In pibp p. U lukn kvizbdnep Hm^okn HºXn v FtØ XmWv. Cu {]iv\w Rm ]cnlcn psim mw! Ahƒ hnnmcn p: am n t]miptºmƒ Ipd v Iqd hnjw hmßww! am nte v A[nIw Zqcap mbncp n. ktx Ah\yphneqsS \S ptºmƒ, IqdIƒ Ahsf Xosc Ae nbn. Ahƒ thsdmcp {][m\s ImcysØ pdn v BtemNn pibmbncp p: sshipt cw tumœsd ImWp Xns\ n. CXp hfsc \n mcamwv, ` Ømhv kwibn psim p ]d Xv Ahƒ Hm Øp, hfsc \n mcw. Hcp C P am{xw. Hcp ehteiw thz\... BZysa mw Ahƒ FXn Øp, i nbmsbxn Øp, kpjicamb B `mcsø G m\p kz w Ah ImisØ hotdmss c n m\p BthitØmSp IqSn. At mƒ, Abmƒ, B Xocpam\saSp m\p mb kmºøni kmlncyßsf pdn p ]d p. c p Ip nisf t]m n pe ØWw. Ah p hnzym`ymkw \eviww. aqøxp s] Ip nbmwv. Ahƒ v kmam\yw Hcp hnzym`ymkw \evinbm axn. ]t, ai v \ kmt XnI hnzym`ymkw Xs \eviww. tpmenbpss am v hfsc sss mwv, Abmƒ ]d p, Ah v \ hnzym`ymkw \evinbns n Ah \in pw. ]pdsa, a p snehpifpw IqSn D mbncp p. ho phmsi, CeIv{Snkn n, Ae piqen, apxembh. ]Wn mcnø bv p iºfhpw simsp Ww. I Øsbt mep Hcp \KcØn Pohn pi hnjaw Xs bmwv. Xm hgtß n hcpsa v Ahƒ p a\ nembn. ]t, AXp a\w asp n p Xmbncp p. Xs hb n hf p hcp Pohs\ n Ahƒ p ZpxJw txm n. CXp \ne\nev]ns {]iv\amwv. Pohn m CSbmbhcpsS \ne\nev]v. AXn IS phcp hsc sndp m\p Cu {]mirx a\xÿnxn a\w]pc p Xmbncp p. ]t, AXv kln pitb \nhrønbp p.

6 Ahƒ a sf pdnt m Øp. Ahsc th\semgnhn p ho nte b Xp \ mbn. AhcpsS A`mhØn Ahƒ v Akzmÿyap v. ]t, AXmWv Ipsd t`zw. Ahsc Ct mƒ ChnsS sim phcm Ahƒ C s n. AhcpsS AΩmhs ASpØv Ah p IqSpX kpjambncn pw. am n A[nIw Xnc p mbncp n. ]pxnb ] dnifpss hmk\ hmbphn Xßn \n ncp p. ]t, Ahƒ kz w Ip nisf pdn pw, sshipt cw tumœsd ImtW Xns\ pdn pw BtemNn p. ]pdøp h t mƒ, sxcphn IqSpX BfpIfp mbncp p. sxcphv s]msn \nd pancp p. Ipsd BfpIƒ \o pnph _m\dpiƒ ]nsn p \S ncp p. _m\dpisf mw _wkmfnbnembncp Xn\m Ahƒ p a\ nembn. Ah, Dds ap{zmhmiy߃ hnfn p sim v, Hcp PmY \bn pibmbncp p. hnπhw Pbn s! RßfpsS AhImi߃ hish p In Ww. PmY hfsc \o XmbXn\m, tdmupapdn p IS m, Ahƒ p ^psv]møn ImØp \nevt nh p. {]t m`i kmh[m\øn \oßnt mip Xv Ahƒ t\m n \n p. Ah Dds ap{zmhmiy߃ hnfn pibpw, ap niƒ BImiØn Db ØpIbpw snbvxp. s]s hƒ, Xs ASp fbn IS p IqSnb IqdIsf Hm Øp. Ct møs ad p t]mbncp p! acp p jm v ASpØpXs D mbncp p. Iu dn D mbncp, Hcp a s\t mse txm n, ]øt\msv Ahƒ Iqds msnbpt m F p tnmzn p. Cw ojn tnmzn XpsIm v Ah p a\ nembns p kv] w. C, Ah ]d p, "ChnsS C '. ]ns, AhfpsS apjøv A pxw kv^pcn p Xp I t mƒ Ah ]d p: "\nev p.' Ahƒ \n p. ]ø ImjvIu dn t]mbn \o psaen Hcmfpambn AS nb kzcøn kwkmcn p. \o a\pjy Iu dn h v, Ahƒ v "tim vtdm v ]uu ' Xs bt th Xv F p tnmzn p. Ahƒ Xebm n. Abmƒ Nn eamdnifn H n \n v Hcp Nph ]m v FSpØv Ahƒ p simspøp. H w, AXv D]tbmKnt Xns\ n hnizhnhcßfpw. X\n Xv Adnbmsa p ]d v Ahƒ AbmfpsS \mhs n. ]t, Abmƒ AXp {i n msx ho pw BZyhkm\w XpSßpsa mbt mƒ Ahƒ ]d p: \µn! Abmƒ Xs hmniasn \n Øn Hcp ap dnbnt mss: CXp hnjamwv, tit m? `b c hnjw! sshipt cw tumœ C P simspøt mƒ, CtX hm piƒ Hcp AkzmÿytØmsS Ahƒ ho pw Hm Ωn p. tumœ Hcp XSn kv{xobmbncp p. Ah AhfpsS Ip nisf pdn v At\zjn p. c pt]cpw kviqfn t]mip ps mwp ]d Xv, As? AsX. s]s p t\cnb kqnn AhfpsS ta Xmgv ndßp Xv Ahƒ v A\p`hs p. Gbv, kmc y, tumœ ]d p, thhemxns Sms\m pan. SmIvknbn Ah ho nte p Xncn p. bm{x kpjicambncp p. ]t, Ahƒ h msx hnjan p. hndbv p ssisim v Ahƒ Xs ASnhb XtemSn. s]s p i nbmb txßepiƒ amdn \nd p, Ahsf izmkw ap n p. GIm Xbn Ccp p axnbmthmfw Icbm Ahƒ p txm n. Ct msg nepw ` Ømhv ] mø]ns n F{X \ mbncps v Ahƒ Bin p. ]t, AbmfpsS apjøp ] møm]øns em \t]mepap mbncp n. Abmƒ ]pdtø p Xpdn p t\m pibmbncp p. InS dbnse sxfn shfn Øn AhfpsS apjw hnfdn, own p ImWs p. ` Ømhp t]sn p. \n\s p ] n? F\ns m pan, Ahƒ ]d p. Hcp sndnb XethZ\. kmcntum Ign mw. Hcp KpfnI Dt m? Ahƒ I nen InS p. ` Ømhp h msx ]cn{`an ncp p. a\ m nbmwv Fs hnjan n p Xv, Ahƒ hnnmcn p, Ct mƒ F\n v Hcp A]cm[t_m[w txm p p. ]t, AXp snømsx \nhrønbn. thsd hgnsbm pan. C meøp kt mjtømss Pohn Wsa n Cu NndISn Ipsdsbms ti ns p \Sn pixs thww. \msf, Cu t]snkz]v\øns Hm ΩIƒ am p t]miptºmƒ, kpjambn Pohn mw. Ip nisf Xncn p sim phcww, Ahƒ hnnmcn p, F\n v Ahsc ImWmsX Ccn m hø. ]Xn\ p Znhkw hfsc Zo Ln Xmbncp p. Cu GIm X F\n v H pw kln m hø. F\n v Fs Ip nisf Np pw ImWWw! ` Ww, Ah tumœdpss ASpØp t]mip Xn\p apºp Xs Xømdm nbncp p. AXpsIm v AXp hnfºn gn pitb th nbncp p p. DuWp Ign t mƒ Ahƒ p Ipsd t`zw txm n. ` Ømhv, B Nph s]msn Im Uv t_m Uns IjvWßfn sndnb Iqºmcßfmbn FSpØv Hmtcm aqebn hbv p Xv Ahƒ t\m n\n p. ASp fbn IqdIƒ Sn pifpss aqsnifn IncpIncm i ap m n, ]d p Nphcn sn Sn p i w ti p.

7 ]c w ]m n XpSßn. acwsh{]mfamwv. Ahƒ hnnmcn p. Ahƒ InS dbnte p t]mbt mƒ ` Ømhp InS p Ign ncp p. Ahƒ hnf W p I nen t]mbn InS p. sxcphp hnf ns {]Imiw PmeIØneqsS Acn ph p. ` Ømhv Ddßnbn ns v Ahƒ p a\ nembn. Abmƒ Xncn v Ahsf ssisim p hcn p. Ct mƒ Fßs\ v? t`z v, Ahƒ ]d p, F\n nt mƒ HckpJhpan. Abmƒ AhfpsS ]pdøp kvt\l]q w X n, Ihnfn Npw_n p. \mtfbv v \n\ v F mw t`zamhpw. Aßs\ Hcp Dd p ` Ømhn \n pw In m Ahƒ ImØncn bmbncp p. Ahƒ v Bizmkw txm n. kmh[m\øn AbmfpsS BenwK\w Ab phcp Xv Ahƒ p A\p`hs p. AbmfpsS izmkw Xmf{IaØnembn. Ipd p \nanj߃ p n Abmƒ KmV\n{Zbnembn. Ipd pt\cøn v, Ahƒ sssw]okn s SnIv, SnIv i hpw, ]pdøp sxcphn Hcp hml\øns Ccº hnzqcxbn ebn p Xpw {i n p. Aßs\bncn ptºmƒ, Ahƒ IdpØ PohnIƒ ]d p hcp Xp I p. IqdIƒ. Ah Bbnc W n\p mbncp p. IqdIƒ Hcp PmY \bn p p. Ahƒ p Nncn h p. kz]v\øn am{xta AXp kw`hn pibp p. ]t, IqdIƒ AXpXs bmbncp p snbvxncp Xv. PmY sxcphn XSn p IqSn. Ah Dds ap{zmhmiy߃ A lkn pibpw, tatem pw Xmtgm pw t m`n p ]d pibpw snbvxp. Nne IqdIƒ Db Øn nsn _m\dpiƒ I t mgmwv Ahƒ p IqSpX B cyw txm nbxv.. F\n p {`m p ]nsn pw, Ahƒ hnnmcn p. PmY IqSpX {] pœambn. Nne IqdIƒ hnam\m{iaww t]mse AhfpsS t\ p ]d p h p. Ahƒ Hcp \nehnfntbmss DW p. At mƒ, AsXmcp kz]v\w am{xambncp psh v Ahƒ p a\ nembn. Ahƒ kt mjn p. Ahƒ ` Ømhnt\mSp tn p InS p, Dd w I t]mfisf I\ n p Xp {i n p. Ahƒ hfsct\cw Ddßn. DW t mƒ kqcyincw߃ apdnbnte v Acn p h p XpSßnbncp p. \neøv Ahƒ IqdIsf I p. NØpae IqdIƒ. Ahƒ, ssixyimeøp acßfn \n v DXn phogp IcnbneIsf pdn pw, h j߃ p apºp acn p t]mb AΩsb pdn pw, a sf pdn pw, Pohn m\p AhImiw \ntj[n p Ign, ]pxnb Pohs IWnIsb pdn pw Hm Øp. Ahƒ hyk\n p. D -S- -Øn-tebv v

8 DW- -a-c-߃ Ahƒ ap Ønsbm p hb mbn pw AhnhmlnXbmbnØs Ccp p. AkpJIcamb Cu bmym yw Hm mxncn m Ahƒ ]Ise mw ITn\ambn tpmen snbvxp. ASp f Wn p ]pdta sndnbωbpss Ip nisf Ipfn n pi, AhcpsS DSp piƒ XncpºpI F o tpmenisf mw snbvxp. F n pw D bv v DuWp Ign m Ipd p kabw Hgn p Xs InS p. ]I Dd w hcmøxn\m, Cu kabßfn Ahƒ Ip nifpss DSp pifpss \ndßsf pdn pw, sshipt cw D mt ]elmcßsf pdn pw BtemNn psim ncp p. cm{xn oww ImcWw thkw Ddßnt mhpibpw snøpw. ]t, Dd amwv Ahsf kw_ n nstømfw Akl\obambXv. Ahƒ kz]v\߃ I psimt bncp p. Aekn ncn hnhmlmtemn\isf n, \S mø hnhmlßsf n, F mw. ASp fbn tpmen snbvxp sim ncn ptºmgmwv Ahƒ \mkkzcønt bpw XInent bpw i w ti Xv. P\eneqsS t\m nbt mƒ I sx mwv! ap Øv ] en v Ae cn ncn p p. ] en \ndsb BfpIƒ. Cu Hcp ßsf mw F n\mwv? Ahƒ BtemNn p. Hm, Hcp hnhmlamwv. \nd]dbpss ]n n hc AWns mcpßn Ccn p p. C{Xsbms Hcp ßfpw Xnc pap mbn pw Xm CsXm pw Adn n t m! BcpsS hnhmlamwnxv? BcmWv h[p? Ahƒ BsI hnjan ncn ptºmgmwv sndnbω IS p h Xv. \mwo, \osb m Atßm p sn møxv? Ah \ns ImØncn bmwv. C p \ns IeymWt? AhfmsI A w hn p \n pt]mbn. Ft m tnmzn m ]pds t mtg pw sndnbω t]mhpibpw snbvxp. Xs IeymWamWv. Ahƒ p \mww txm n. Ahƒ h msx ]cn{`an ncp p. Fs ms Hcp m\p v? Ft Ah Xs t\csø Adnbn mxncp Xv? Ahƒ taemsi ItÆmSn p. Aøtø! Fßs\bmWv Cu thjøn IeymWafi]Ønte p t]mipi? BsI Icn]pc p apjn ncn p p. kmcnsb nepw am msx hø. ]pdøp \n p \mkkzcw D Øn ti p. hc Xs A a\mbn ImØncn p p mipw, Ahƒ Hm Øp. ]osnibn t]mbn kmcn tasn mtem? AtX AXmWp \ Xv. Ahƒ ]ns kabw If n. ASp f hmxneneqss ]pdøp IS v, ho ns ]n nep hgnbneqss HmSn. Hcp \mgnibne[niw Zqcap mipw ]osnibnte v. thkw t]mbn hcww. Cu Ahkcw ]mgm n qsm. hgn hoxn IqSnbXmbncp p. ]t, ]ns ns I pifpw ap pifpw \nd p hoxn Npcpßn pcpßn h p. Imen Xd p \nev p ap piƒ FSpØp Ifbm an\s SmsX Ahƒ HmSn. Xosc kabw If piqsm. \mkkzcøns bpw XInens bpw i w AI I p t]mbn. Ahƒ p k Sw txm n. ]t, Cu thjøn F mbmepw t]mim hø. HmSns m ncn ptºmƒ Ahƒ p kwibw txm n: hgn sx ntbm? \ncøns c p hiøpw DWßn sxmenbs p t]mb ac߃ \n ncp p. Xm apºp ]e {]mhiyw \S ncp hgn Xs bmtwm CXv? Ahƒ Hmtcm DW actøbpw ]n n psim v HmSn. kmh[m\øn shfn w Ipd p h p. kqcy AkvXan pibmwv. Ccp p \nd p XpSßnbt mƒ Ahƒ v Bizmkambn. shfpøp t{]xßsft mse \nev p Cu DW hr ߃ C\n ImWn t m. Hm Øns KXnthKw ImcWw Im p apjøph Sn v Ahƒ p izmkw ap nøpsßn. Im v AhfpsS apeifnepw ssiifnepw In nfnbp m n. At mtg pw, F n\mwv HmSnbncp sx v Ahƒ ad p Ign ncp p. X\n v C\n F pw HmSn s mt Ccnt n hcpsa v Ahƒ `bs p. \nev m Ignbn. \n m acwamwv. Ahƒ DW acßsf pdnt m Øp. Ah Hmtcm pw Hmtcm acwamwv. Ahƒ acww C s n. Ahƒ p Pohn Ww. AXpsIm p ImepIƒ Ipg p XpSßnbn pw Ahƒ HmSns mt bncp p. Im p ImcWw AhfpsS hkv{x߃ Agn p ]d m XpSßn. Hcp \nanjøn\p n Xm \ bmsw v Ahƒ I p. Atøm! C\n F mwpsnøpi? Xs Bcpw ImWmXncps n! C, Cu Ccp n Bcpw ImWn. HmSnØf v Ahkm\w Ahƒ \ncøp h n Ipg p howp. At mtg pw Ahsf Hcmƒ hmcnsbsp Øp. Ahƒ kt mjtømss IÆpaS p ]d p: Rm CXn\mbncp p C{X Zqchpw HmSnh Xv. CXn p th n am{xw.

9 Abmƒ H pw ]d n. Ahƒ Abmsf Npw_n psim p ]d p: CXn\p th n am{xw! ]t, IÆp Xpd t mƒ Ahƒ \Spßnt mbn. Xm BenwK\w snbvxncp Xv Hcp DW acambncp p. shfpøp t{]xsøt mse \nev p acw. Ahƒ sr nbpw p. Hm, kz]v\ambncp p. Ahƒ tase mw X nt\m n. hkv{xßsf map v. kz]v\w Xs bmbncp p. Fs mcp kz]v\w! Ahƒ ]px psim p \ mbn ]px p. adp]pdw Xncn p InS p. B tnmcss Xens\ Ahƒ amtdmsw v DΩsh p sim ncp p. Ipd p \nanj߃ p apºv AXns\ sim p h p X sndp mcs apjw Ahƒ ad p Ign ncp p. AXp kmcan. Ahƒ kam[m\n p. F\n v Cu Ip nsb In nbt m. AXp axn. F p `wknbp Ip n! Ahƒ AXns\ ho pw ho pw DΩsh p. s]s p Ip n Icbm XpSßn. hni n mbncn pw, Ahƒ hnnmcn p. ªukns IpSp pifgn v Ahƒ Ip n p ape simspøp. t\cnb In nfn txm n. Ahƒ IÆS ncp p. At mgmwv, Ip n BtWm, s]tæm F p t\m nbns v Ahƒ v Hm Ω h Xv. Fs mcp hnuvvn bmwp Xm. ]t, Ip nsb t\m nbt mƒ Ahƒ sr nt mbn. AXv Hcp \mbv p nbmbncp p. IÆpIfn ]ofbsn hrønsi \mbv p n. Ahƒ, \ncmibn \n pfhmb shdpt mss AXns\ \netø p hens dn p. \mbv p n tzjytømss AhfpsS t\sc Ipc p NmSns m ncp p. Ahƒ p `bambn. AXp NmSn Xs ISn p F mbt mtg pw Ahƒ ho pw sr nbpw p. kz]v\w. Ahƒ hnnmcn p. Hcp \nanjw Ahƒ InS papdnbpss \n» amb, iq\yamb kwkoxw {i n p sim ncp p. ]ns ho pw kmh[m\øn Ccp ns XWpØ AKm[Xeßfnte v Du ndßn. D -S- -Øn-tebv v

10 ]cp- p-iƒ h w Np p-tºmƒ F pimen\qep t]mse t\cnb Hcp {]ImitcJ BImiØp {]Xy s p. t\m ns m ncns knev p\qep t]mse an\pkap B tcj A an mø Akzmÿyw hf Øns m v \ofphm XpSßn. \nanj߃ Hcp imizx ZpxJw t]mse I\Øp \n p. \\pø tcj At mgpw \o psim ncp p. Ahkm\w Hcp Zp e \nanjøn \ndsb IpSp pifp \qemamebmbn AXp s]m nøi p. DuX \ndøn BImiw kr nbpss clkysø ad psim v Xqßn ns p. Rm DW p. \n lmbxmt_m[w a\ n Ahtijn p. Rm At mgpw Hcp kz]v\mhÿbnem bncp p. Hcn epw kpt_m[ønseøns p txm n p Hchÿ. F\n v ssst^mbvumbncp p. tumœ Aßs\bmWp ]d Xv. \mept\cw hngpßnbncp Im]vkqfns \ndw Hm Ωn m ] p n. ] bmtwm? AtXm Idpt m? I nen InS p t\m nbm PmeIØneqsS \oemimiøns Hcp `mkw ImWmw. Xmsg, bzp timf\nbnse Htc DbcØnep si nsßfpss BImitcJbmWv. AXn\pw Xmsg hnimeamb Hcp NXpc IpfamWv. I Db Øn sh m B Ipfw apgph ImWmw. \c XmSnbpw kz Æ s{^bnap IÆSbp ambn Hcp Ingh IpfØns CSsØ Icbn Ip\n ncp v a yw ]nsn p p mhpw. Ign HcmgvN bmbn Rm {i n mdp v. Ingh cmhnse apx sshipt cwhsc AhnsS Hcp Nq epambn NS ncn mdp v. CSbv nsbv p Nq hens SpØv AXns sim kq vaambn ]cntim[n pw. Hcp kma yap a yw simfpøn s SmsX Ccsb Xn n p mipw. Abmƒ thsdmcp Cc simfpøn Nq en v hmintbmss Pe c nte p t\m n Iq\n Ccn pw. IÆS p InS pibmwv ckw. ImcWw, IÆS m apøpifpss Hcp kap{zw Xmsg qsn HgpInt mip p s p txm pw. AXn\p apifn {]Imiap sndnb hkvxp ƒ h anspw, simbvøp Ign s\ hbepiƒ p aosx Hcp th\ {]`mxøn ]d p Np p ]cp piƒ t]mse. Aet mes p InS p a\ ns\ {IaØnem n hnnmcøns \qepisf ]n XpScm Rm {ian p. \qengiƒ Nn bptsxmbncpt m? AtXm, Hc\p`qXnbpsStbm? ZpxJØn Ipg Hcp \n lmbxmt_m[ ambncp p, AXv. Rm ASpØdnbp Btcm acn m t]mip p! F\n v kwibap mbncp n. Ip n mew apx ]\nbmbn InS ptºmsg mw Rm Adnbp Hcmƒ acn n p v. AsXmcp k SIcamb bmym yambncp p. Rm AXns\ n BtemNn m C s n. kabw F{Xbmbn p mipw? Ipd p Znhkßfmbn Rm kabt`zan mø Hcp temiømbncp p. IÆp Xpd p InS pibmbncps nepw Imcyamsbm pw I ncp n. Iq pimc cmhnse Hm^okn t]mip Xp Rm Adnbmdn. hmenb mc ]ø am{xw CSbv nsbv p InS bv cnsi hcnibpw t]mhpibpw snøpw. H pin acp p Xcmt\m, As n Hcp m n ]m sim ph v Fs Xe Aev] apb Øn hmbn Hgn pxcmt\m th n. Ahs hchpiƒ nsbv p kabw Hcp an\nt m Hcp awn qtdm Hcp bpktam Xs bmimw. kabw, Npacns aqebnse th mf IqSp t]mse \n eambncp p. tumœdpss kµ i\w Ft mgmsw v Adnbn. Abmƒ h p ssi ]nsn p Xv Adnbp p v. Fs ms tbm tnmzn mdp v. Rm adp]sn ]d ncpt m? CsX mw ]\n IqSnbt mgmwv. AXn\papºp kpjambncp p. I nen p t\ p PmeIØneqsS ]pdtø p t\m ns mt InS mw. ]\n p Xv F\n v C amwv. H pw snømsx shdpsx InS m as m. t\cnb, kpjicamb thz\ tzlsø XgpIp psht txm q. BZysa mw Rm PmeIØn SpØp t]mbn Ccn mdp v. At mgmwv Nq ensp Inghs\ I Xv. \SmsS ImWpIbmbncps nepw, Abmƒ Hcp PohnXImew apgph Nq epambn AhnsS, Fs apºn Ccn pibmbncps p txm n. Aßs\ t\m nbncn p Xn Hcp ckap v. cmhnse apx sship t cwhsc Ccp mepw Hscm a yw t]mepw AbmfpsS Nq en s] ncp n. Aßs\ t\m n t\m n own ptºmƒ Rm I Db Øn sh p I nen h p InS v Abmƒ Nq ensp Xp Xs ho pw {i n pw. Hcp ZnhkØn p n F\n v AbmtfmSv Hcp \q m p ImesØ ]cnnbaps p txm n. Hcp Im s cpam w. Nn Iƒ ho pw Xmfw sx n. Hcp ssi kmh[m\øn s\ nta ]Xn p. ]\n Ipd n p t m. Iq pimc\mwv. D v, Ipd n p v. Rm Np pw t\m n. ]\n Ipd n p t m. Iq pimcs i w Hcp am{ nihnzy t]mse Fs a\ n Nne ]cnh Ø\߃ D m n. icnbmwv, F\n p t`zambn p v. Np nepap km[\ßsf mw hy ambn ImWmw. \oe \ndønep Npa. AXns AcpIn Aeamcn. ASpØmbn \oe hncnbn tai. Itke. taitaep ]pkvxi߃. Rm Iq pimcs\ t\m n. km[mcw a p Xs. Abmƒ [cn ncp j ns \ndhpw ]m ns ^mj\pw F\n p Xncn dnbmw. Abmƒ taibv SpØp t]mbn Fs acp pip n ]cntim[n pibmwv. AXn Nph anivkvn ]IpXntbmfw D v. Abmƒ

11 ho pw I nen cpin h p. B am{ nii n Ipd p t\ctø p am{xta \ne\n p q. kmh[m\øn ASpØp hkvxp ƒ am p XpSßn. tai, Aeamcn, X n Xqßp ] F mw am v A{]Xy ambn. \oe pacpiƒ \mep `mkøpw Iq axnepiƒt]mse \nesim p. {ItaW Ahbpw Aen p XpSßn. ]ns ap ]n InS p Xv Hcp acp`qanbmwv. \o pins p awen shbn Hmfw sh p acp`qan. Iq pimc AI I p t]mbn, awepiƒ pdøp N{IhmfØn A{]Xy \mbn. aw am{xw, A\ Xbnte p X n \nev p hnimex am{xw. ho pw DW Xv, hmenb mc ]ø hnfn p Xp ti mwv: _m_p km, acp p Ignt t? Xf angniƒ Xpd t mƒ, tiih Hu kv m n acp pambn \nev p p. acp p Ign ptºmƒ bmzr ni ambn PmeIØnte p t\m n. Akm[mcWambn H pan. ]t, Xq nbn ncp I \nkqvamb H ns\ adbv pibmsw p s]s p txm n. F mwv B txm en p ImcWw? ]pdsa shbn Hmfw sh pibmbncp p. AXns Ae apdnbnte v ASn p Ibdn apdnbmsi Hcp {]txyi ]cnthjøn XpSn p. ]t, B I! F mwxn p ]n nse clkyw? IpfØns Icbn Nq ensp Inghs\ Rm Hm Øp. PmeIØns Xnc»oe \o nbm Abmsf ImWm Ignbpw. B Inghs\ ImWm Dev Samb Hcp B{Klw F\n p mbn. Abmfpw Rm\pw XΩn A pxicamb hn[øn _ s n ps v F\n p txm n. tiiht\msp ]d m Ah I Xpd nspw. F\n v B Inghs\ ImWpIbpw snømw. ]t, `bw sim v F\n Xp Ign n. B Inghs\ AhnsS ImWns `bw Fs ]nsniqsnbncp p. Abmƒ acn n p mipsa Hcp {`m Nn F\n p mbn. Rm ]\nbmbn InS ptºmsg mw Bsc nepw Hcmƒ acn n p v. a\ nepb simsp m p Iptd meambn AS n ncp ]e IhmSßtfbpw Xpd n p. AXneqsS Hcp Xpcpºp t]mse Rm ]d p t]mhpibmwv. bpk߃ pdømsw p txm n. FØnt cp Xv, s\ hbepifnte p Xpd nsp PmeIap Hcp apdnbmwv. I nen ]\n]nsn p InS p Xv F p hb mb Hcp B Ip nbmwv. A mwv {`m p ]nsn n p B A\p`qXnbpsS Bcw`w. Xf IÆpItfmsS s\ hbepifnte p t\m ns m ncn ptºmƒ, DjvWn akvxnjviw B Ip nsb thsdmcp temisøøn p. Np pw A\ amb iq\ymimiamwv. AXn `oamimc mcmb txtpm tkmf߃ Idßp p. tkmfßsf At\ym\yw _ n n p Xp t\cnb an\pkap Hcp {]ImitcJbmWv. tkmf߃ \n nx ]Ÿmhn k cn p sim ncp p. F mw `{Zw. BizmkØns IWnIIƒ ASßn sbmxpßptºmtg v, {]ImitcJIƒ hen p apdpin, s]m nøicp p. `oamimc tkmf߃ e yan msx `ojwntbmss Aebp p. \n lmbxmt_m[tømss sr nsødn ptºmƒ ImWpI PmeIØn pd Øp simbvøp Ign p InS p a hbepifmwv. AXn\p aosx ip{` tal߃ ]mdn fn p \oemimiw. AXn ]d p h w Idßp ]cp pifpw. A mwv apø»n acn Xv! ]n osv, ]\nbmbn ns ptºmsg mw, AXmh Øn p. `oamimc mcmb tkmfßsf _ n p \nb{ n p {]ImitcJ s]m n nxdptºmsg mw Bsc nepw acn n p v. hey, heyωmh, ]ns sim \pp Chsc mw. A sø sndnb Ip n C pw AtX \n lmbxmt_m[tømss ]\nbpambn InS pibmwv. C v, Hcp Ingh\mWp acn m t]mip Xv, As n acn n p Xv. Ingh acn pthm F dnbm PmeIØns I H p s]m pitb th p. AXdn m kam[m\ambn Ccn mas m. ]t, AXn\p ss[cyw hcp n. A\ßmsX InS p. tzløn t\cnb, kpjicamb thz\ ]pfbpibmwv. F{Xt\cw Aßs\ InS psh dnbn. apøpifpss ISen p apifn kabw Hcp ]cp ns cq]saspøp ]d p: sshipt c amhpibpw snbvxp. Hc t_m[mhÿbn AXdnbp p v. hmxnev Hcp ap v. ]m mcs ]m{xßfpss Ieº, tiih hmxn Xpd p i w. t\cw sshinbxn\p iimc߃. lnµnbn am]w߃. ]pdøp Ip nifpss _lfw. FhnsS\nt m Hcp tduntbmhns i honniƒ. AIse Hcp Imdns i w. Cu i ßsf mw Hcp Xmf{IaØn A\pkyqXambn ImXn h Sn pibmwv. Rm IÆp Xpd msx InS p. ]t, ]pdøp shfn w Ipd p hcnibmsw p hy ambncp p. ASpØ apdnbn Btcm sse n p. Btcm kwkmcn p p. Iq pimc\mbncn pw. ho pw s\ nta Btcm kv] in p. Hcp ]ndp]ndp v. AI p t]mip jqkns i w. ]ns apøp IfpsS Hcp kap{zw Xmsg \oßnt mip p. AXn\p apifn {]Imiap sndnb hkvxp ƒ h w Np p p. ]cp piƒ. ]cp piƒ kabamwv. Ah NndIp hncn p ]d ptºmƒ... {]`mxw, BizmkØns ssihnf pta n h v Fs hnfn pw Øn. Ct mƒ F mw hy amwv; Hcp ag amdn shbnepzn t]mse. HcmgvNbmbn aqs a p t]mse a\ ns\ s]mxn ncp Ahy X Xosc hn pt]mbn. \n lmbxmt_m[w Ign p t]mb Hcp t] n\mhns Hm Ω t]mse Zp eambn am{xw Ahtijn p. RcºpIƒ Xf ncps nepw, F\n v Fgpt ev mw. Iptdt» \S mw. Iq pimc ASpØ apdnbn

12 Ccp p tjhp snøpibmwv. tiih ASp fbn Nmb Iq p p. F mw hy amwv: `{Zhpw. IÆmSnbn \n p apjapb ØmsX Iq pimc tnmzn p. ]\n Fßs\bp v, _m_p? t`z v, Rm ]d p. Fs kzcønse BÀmZw {i n n mbncn Ww, Abmƒ s]s p Xncn p t\m n, B cytømss ]d p: _m_p Bƒ Djmdmbncn p t m! BizmkØns civaniƒ a\ n Dd p i nbmbnøo p. Fs ]\n amdnbncn p p. C\n H pw t]sn m\n. Rm Xncn p apdnbnte p t]mbn. InS, Fs a\ pt]mse Ipg padn ncp p. PmeIØns ]mxnbs p InS ]mfniƒ Xpd p ]pdtø p t\m n. ]pdsa I nbp a mbncp p. AXv BImisØ t\cnb Nmc\ndam nbncp p. Xmsg si nsßfpss BImitcJ hy ambncp n. Ipf cbnexm Hcp cq]w Ccn p p. ao ]nsn p Ingh Xs bmwxv. \c XeapSn IqSpX shfp Øn ps p txm n. Iq\n qsn Ccn p Xp sim p apjw ImWm Ign n. a neqss Dufnbn ph kqcycivaniƒ B cq]øn p Np pw Hcp {]txyi ]cnthjw D m n. Rm kmh[m\øn InS bn h ncp p. At mƒ, H pw kw`hn n n! F\n p owap v. ]t, ]\n hn n ns p txm p p. tzløn ho pw thz\ h p Ifn p p v. ]\n Gdntb mw. C\nbpw, Ahy Zriyßfpw t]kz]v\ßfpw asßn ht mw. Rm InS p. Aßs\ Ipd p kabw InS n p mhww, tiihs i w ti p: _m_pkm, Nmb thtwm? kmdns ]\nsb mw amdnbnt? Dw Rm aqfn. ]\nsb mw amdnsb p \Sn p XmWv A`nam\sa p txm n. Aekambn Nmb Npt mssp n p. ]ns, km Adnt m? tiih XpS p: Cu simføns Icbnev ao ]nsn W sifh\ns? B XmSn mc? Abmfv C se NØp. D bv mwv. shbneøncp p t_m[wsi p howp. ho ntes SpØ t mgøn\p acn ncn p p. lrzbkvxw`\ms{x!... a\ n ASßn ns simsp m p ho pw DW p NodnbSn m XpSßn. tiih Fs ms tbm ]dbp p mbncp p. Rm H pw ti n. Im ns Ccºw am{xw. m p Xmsg sh p PmeIØn SptØ p \S p. a ns I\w Ipd psim v shbn Ipd piqsn aqøn p v. IpfØns CSsØ Ic iq\yambn cp p. Ingh Ccn p Xmbn I ÿeøv shdpw ]p piƒ, Dbcap ]p piƒ, Im Øv BSn fn p. At mƒ Rm I Xv? IpfØn p apifn Htc DbcØnep a s nsßfmwv. AXn\pw apifn sxfn p hcp BImiw. BImiØn hnzqcxbn ]d p Ifn p ] niƒ! Ah ]cp pifmtwm? D -S- -Øn-tebv v

13 inincw LSnImcØns sndnb kqnn ap nte p Xncn t mƒ hnpb FgpXns m ncp cpnãdn \n p Xebpb Øn t\m n. Hm^okv km[mcw a p Xs. Np pw kz w {]hrønifn hym]rx cmbncn p tpmen m. Bcpw {i n p n. hnpb ]Xps Itkcbn \ns gpt p. c p ^b epiƒ taita Xpd n p. tai I m Bcpw Xm Hm^oknens p ]dbn. Np p]mspw t\m ns m p hmxnen SptØ p \S p. hmxnen SpØmWv kzoicwapdn. IÆmSn q n Ccn p Bwt m C y kpµcn I m Ipg amwv. UbdŒdpsS ASpØphsc FØpw Bt ]w. Ahsf hfbv m CXphsc Xcs n n. Znhkhpw cmhnse sn v \o N mcnbmbn p s m F Znhya{ w Dcphn m axn. ]t, a\ phcp n. Ahƒ v As nte Xs n \ A`n{]mban. Hcp kz]v\msi F mwp hnfn mdv. ]s mcn Ft m Bh Øn p tnmzn n pw adp]sn ]d ns mwv BhemXn. GXmbmepw kpµcn, kz]v\w I ncps n Øs, AXp \ns pdn v Bbncn bn Xo. Ahƒ Xncn ncp v, ssik nbn \n p h Ønep sndnb IÆmSn FSpØp apjkuµcyøns X me \nehmcw Xn s SpØpIbmWv. C, H pw tnm p t]mbn n. CXmWhkcw! kzmx{ yønte p IpXn en ]ns FØp Xp en^v ns AgnIƒ p apºnemwv. AgnIƒ am{xw. en^v v XmgØmWv. apifnte p hcm\p s_ Aa Øns m p hnpb Bizkn p. apsº mw en^v v thsdmcp XS ambncp p. en^v pimc ]WvUn vpn Xcw In ptºmsg mw Ipc p NmSnbncp p. C gn Zp m]qpbv v c p cq] _Ivjokv simspøp. Ct mƒ apcfpitb D p. "cmw, cmw!' "cmw, cmw.' en^v n p n IS p. hnpb A pxs p. c p cq]bv v C{X hnetbm? Xmsg C ym FIvkvtN v tπkv hneßs\ InS p p. adphiøv Hmlcn hn]wnbn \n v Dbcp A lmk߃. h sjbdpw \new s]mønbn p mipw. heøp hiøp tdmuv sn hkm\n p Xpw C ym FIvkvtN n Øs. hetøm p Xncn p \S p. {_m_ tdmunse _ v tãm mbncp p e yw. alm\kcw \nch[n N{Ißfp Hcp `oab{ w t]mse Xncn psim ncp p. Cu \nc camb Ne\mflIX hnpb C s p. \S mxifn tcmahkv{x߃ hnev p ]Xnaq mcmb t\ mfniƒ. Ah F ms m hpw C meøp lnameb km\p fn \n v, XWp ns `mfis pifpw txmfnte n hcmdp v. tdmun hml\ßfpss Aeapd. AXn\nSbn qsn P\ßfpsS Ahncmaamb {]bmww. CXmWp Xm kvt\ln p XpSßnb \Kcw; hnpb Hm Øp; Xs ImapIn. ap Ønc mw \º _ n Ibdnbncp t mgpw hnpb AXp Xs bmbncp p BtemNn ncp Xv. Xm Cu \KcsØ F{Xam{Xw kvt\ln p p! AXns Xnc pw ]Sbpw. s]msn \nd A co w. AXn Imemhÿ hcpøp am ߃. Zp lhpw Zo Lhpamb th\ev mew. _ pifn hnb sømgpip {]`mx߃. s]msnbwn {]tzmj߃. \Sphn Hcp Xo qft]mse Xo vwamb ]I. AXn\nSbv v Hcp Znhkw ag, Hcp A]cnNnXs\t mse kwibn p IS p hcp p. ]pdøp t]amcn \ncøpisf txmspifpw ]pgifpam ptºmƒ, ho n\iøp hnb v tzløn sim cphniƒ D m pibmbncn pw. Hm^okv Znhkßfn ag sshipt cta D miq. cmhnse Hm^o nte p ]pds Sptºmƒ BImiw Hcp hnirxn p nsbt mse I ncn ]m m p p. s]mxn p ssibnsespø agt m p Xncn v Aeamcnbn Øs sh v, {]IrXn p \µn ]d v Hm^oknte p Xncn p p. sshipt cw hsc Kplt]msebp Hm^okn Ccp v Ir{Xna shfn Øn ]pdsa \S p sxs dnbmsx tpmen snøp p. LSnImcØns ssiiƒ A nte pw ]{ nte pw Nq ptºmƒ s] Xmsg sh p ]pdøndßp p. Xmsg \ncøn\p ]Icw ImWpI Hcp ]pgbmwv. At mƒ a\ nemip p, ]I apgph ag s]øpibmbncp p. KXmKXw \ne ncn p p. BZyw \nev pi {SmapIfmWv. Ah hcnhcnbmbn H n\p ]pdsi as m mbn \ncøpifn ASn p IqSptºmƒ CSbv pw Xebv pambn apºneqss Cc p t]mip _ pifpssbpw SmIvknIfpsSbpw ]ndin a\pjy HmSp p. ag \n BImiØn talßsf t]mse, _ piƒ Zp `ambn h p {ItaW \ncøpiƒ iq\yamip Xp ImWptºmƒ sh ØneqsS Xpg p \S p ]pcpjmcøns H w IqSp p. ]osniifpss \ntbm ssk t_m UpIfpsS \ng sh Ønep m p Nmb q p {i n p ho nte p \S p p. ]nt Znhkw ho pw ]gb a n ]q m[niw D{Kamb NqSmbn. C meøp a\pjy\p Htcsbmcp Bizmkw Ipd p amk߃ Ign m CsXm hkm\n p a\pjys\bpw {]IrXnsbbpw Hcp t]mse Ipfn n p inincimew hcpsa mwv. Aßs\ ImØp ImØv Ah Pohn m ad p p. Ahkm\w ioximesaøn, Xncn p t\m ptºmƒ a\ nemip p, th\ mew Pohn msx Xs Ign piq n. ]ns Hcp Xnc mwv. ioximew \hw_ Ahkm\w apx am p hsc \o p \nev p p. Cu Npcpßnb

14 ImeØn\p n Hcp ]pcpjmbp p apgph Pohn p Xo Wsa p txm pw. Z ntwizcøp _ p \n t mƒ hnpb ]pdøndßn, Np pw t\m n. im amb `q{]irxn. _ n \n ndßnb Bƒ m apgph Np nepw \n p i ap m nbncp psh nepw Hcp Kmw`ocyap \n» X AhnSw apgph \nd p \n ncp p. Cu im XbmtWm Xs CSbv nsbv p Xnc p ]nsn \Kc lrzbøn \n v HmSnhcm t{]cn n p Xv? Bbncn mw. _ n \n v Cdßnbh apgph AºeØnte p tdmunte p Xncn p. hnpb kwibn n. X\n p hgn CSØp hiømwv. hnthim\µ meønte v HmSn bdp tdmuneqss \S ptºmƒ hnpb Hm Øp: XpS bmbn aq masø ZnhkamWp Xm ChntS p hcp Xv. F m sim hpw Xm ChntS p hcmdp v, \hº a yøn. Ahƒ C v F mbmepw hcmxncn n. ]mew, Xoh n pw _ piƒ pw Htc kabw t]mim X hæw D m nbxmwv. \Sphn sdbnep Iƒ, c p hiøpw hml\߃ p t]mim\p \ncøpiƒ, AXn\pw ]pdøp c p hiøpw \S mxiƒ, hnpb \S mxbv v Hmcw tn p \S p, ]meøns \Sphn FØpw hsc. Ahƒ C p hcmxncn n. ]t, apifn BImiw Hcp emrvo\bpw XcmsX Xs \n p. Nph n Ießn azns mgpip `mkocyn bmwv. Abmƒ lp nsb t] hnfn m C s n. B t] tiƒ ptºmƒ Hm Ω hcni, \KcØns hrøntispiƒ apgph t]dp Hcp ZmknsbbmWv. ]t, `mkocyn ]cn]mh\bmwv. Z ntwizc t {X Øns ]ShpIsf IgpIp `mkocyn, adphiøv hnthim\µ atøns ]cn]mh\ XocsØ aæv sxm p s\dpibn shbv p `mkocyn. lud meøn\p apifn \n p t\m ptºmƒ hnpb v Hcn epw `mkocynsb t] Hm Ω hcn. Htc \Zn pxs \mep \mgnizqcw HgpIptºmƒ hcp ]cnwmaw A pxicambncn p p. Zqsc, \Znbn Iq ns nb aq p h niƒ HgpIn hcp p. \Sphnep henb h nbmwv a p c p sndnb h niƒ p IqSn Poh \evip Xv. AXns XSn p IdpØ ]pi pgen \n p hcp ]pi \nanjw sim v BImiØn Aen p \oebmip p. sndnb simxpºp h ßfn ap ph a yw ]nsn p p. Xmsg Hcp henb dqbn a yw NmSn. \ZnbpsS CSsØ Icbn ]pi Xp p hºn IpgepIfp sxmgn imeifmwv. inincøn\p hgn simsp m\mbn kqcy Xs ]Ÿmhn \n p amdn, Z nwmb\w Bcw`n p. {]Nfi\mbncp At±lw Ct mƒ ] møm]øns ioxf tajebnte p amdpibmwv. ]t, Ahƒ CXphsc h n. hnpb s\spho n p. Xs tzlønse Hmtcm sk pifpw Cuj ºnXßfmbn Ahsf FXntcev m aptºm mbp t]mse txm n. C pw \ncmi\mbn astß n hcpw. AXp a\ nsnhp m p Xmbncp p. Abmƒ ]meøns sdbnenwkv ]nsn v BImiØnte p t\m n. talßfn. Ipd Ise Z ntwizcønse inht {X߃. Ahbv p \SphnemWv Imfnt {Xw. s]s mwv! hnpb timcnøcn p t]mbn. IÆS ncn ptºmƒ AdnbmsX h v Bt«jn p Hcp Iman\nsbt mse Ipfn sx hnpbs\ XtemSn. lnamebøns a Wn irwkßsf Npw_n pi ImcWw ioxfamb Npt msp IqSn at\m bmb Im v; ssiihime kvacwiƒ Hcp ]qsam ns Zfßsft mse hns Øp Im v; th\ens X]vX\nizmkßsf XWp n mizkn n p Ipfp Im v. Ahkm\w Ahƒ h p. hnpb apjapb Øn, aq p hns Øn, ssiiƒ Db Øn \n p, BenwK\w snøm ; hs Im v Hcp emhwy hn{klamsw t]mse. C\n Ipsd metø p kpjamwv. hnpb BtemNn p. XWpØphc Im v, I Øbnse \KchoYnIfneqsS, si nsßfpss CShgnIfneqsS, a p mhpiƒ p apifneqss HgpIptºmƒ, tcmahkv{xßfpw [cn p a ym Ønse CfwNqSp am{xw Xcp shbnte p XSmI XocØpw, Fkvπt\Uv ssaxm\øpw \S mw. hntœmdnb satωmdnbens ]p ØInSnbn ae p InS v, kz amb \oemimiøn IÆpw \ p at\mcmpyw hnnmcn mw. s_m mwn Km U\nse, \ngepifpw shfn hpw amdn amdn ]Xn p \S mxifn kzbw ad p awn qdpiƒ snehgn mw. s]s p ]mew timcnøcn p. ] \ndap Hcp Ce{Œn p h n ]mew Ipep ns m p IS p t]mbn. AXp hnpbs kz]v\mhÿsb H p Ipep n. ]t, a\ n Hcp Xmfebw D m nøo pibpw snbvxp. Hcp DtØP\w In nb t]mse Abmƒ Xnc n p \S p. a\ p \ndsb ininc ImekwKoXØns AeIƒ. Ahkm\w Ahƒ h p. Fs Bt«jn m, Npw_n v ssiihime kvacwifpw Øm, Hcp ]qsam ns Zfßsfsb t]mse. bm{ niambn _ n Ibdn. Np pw Fs ms bmwp \S p sx v Abmƒ Adn n. a\ p \ndsb kwkoxambncp p. _ ns apcƒ B kwkoxøn p ] møean p. _ v \KchoYnIfn qsn IpXn p. \KcØns Hmtcm i hpw a\ n A\pcW\w kr n p. B XmfebØn ho pw {_m_ tdmun FØnbXdn n. bm{ niambn Øs _ n \n ndßn \S p. en^v vam X A`nhmZyw hnpb I n. apifn At\zjn p IÆpIfpw UbdŒdpsS tzjyw sim p XpSpØ apjhpw Abmƒ {i n n. Np pw ininc ImeØns kwkoxamwv. D -S- -Øn-tebv v

15 Ccp- n-eqss t_m[w h -t mƒ acp- p-i-fpss aww sim p Xm Bip-]-{Xn-bn-em-sW p tim-`-\-bv p a\- n-em-bn. AtXmsS taemsi thz-\bpw XpS-ßn. AXp tzl-øn FhnsS \n mwp hcp- -sx- -dn-bn-. IÆp Xpd- -t mƒ BZyw I Xp shfpø Npa-cm-Wv. ]ns api-fn kmh-[m-\-øn Id-ßp ] -bpw. I n-ens hexp hiøv Hcp Ãm n sh w \nd Hcp Ip n Xe-Io-gmbn Xq n-bn- n-cn- p- p. AXn \n p Xmg-tØ p Xqßn- n-s- p Nph d_ - p-g Fhn-tS- mwp t]mip- -Xv? tim-`-\-bv v AXp t\m Ww F p- v. ]t InS InS- n \n p Xncn-bm hø hesø ssi thz-\n- p-i-bm-wv. Cf- m Ign-bp- n X\n-s p ] n? CSXp hi-ømwp P\. Ahƒ Pme-I-Øn-eqsS t\m n-b-t mƒ sh n-ta-l-i-em-i-iƒ- n-s-bn-eqss shfpø IS - m- -Iƒ Iq -ambn ]d- p-i-bm-wv. AXn\p Xmsg IS-em-sW p tim-`-\-bv p a\- n-em-bn. ]t, Aßs\ InS- p-tºmƒ Ahƒ p IS ImWm Ign- n-. tim-`\ I Xncn- p. At m-gmwv AXp I -Xv. Pme-I-Øn-eqsS h kqcy-c-iv-an-iƒ \neøp ]Xn- n-cn- p- p. AXp I -t mƒ Ahƒ v Hm Ω h Xp ho nse Xs apdn-bm-wv. AtXmsS AΩ-sb-bpw. "sl tω!' ]\n-bm-bn- n-s- p-tºm-sg mw km[m-cw t\m n-bn-cn- m-dp- -Xm-Wv. D -bm-bm AΩ h p P\-ep-Iƒ AS-bv- pw. NqSp-sIm v H p ab-ßn-t m-ipw. ]ns kabw ]d- p- Xv Adn-bn-. AΩ-bpsS t\ Ø i w ti mwv DW-cp-I. "tam-sf, ]Iep InS- p-d-ßs ]\n Gdpw-' hfsc ZqcØp \n p ]d-bp amxn-cn-bmwp tiƒ- p-i. tiƒ- p- p-s - nepw Dd w \Sn p InS- pw. AΩ ASp-Øp-h p s\ n epw s\ n-taepw ]Xps Xtem-Spw. At mƒ ho pw Dd-ß-W-sa p txm pw. AΩ Pme-I-Øns ASp-tØ p \S- p ]Xn i w tiƒ- mw. F{X i -ap- m- msx kmh-[m-\- Øn-emWv AΩ \S- p-i. hfsc {i n- mse tiƒ- p-hm Ign-bq. Pme-I- m-fn-iƒ X n-øp-d- p i w, ]ns shfn- -Øns kap-{z-am-wv. IÆp-Iƒ Cdp n AS- mepw AXns Ae-Iƒ BZyw IÆp-Isf thz-\n- n- pw. "lm-bv, F p NqSv, \mep awn-bm-bn- pw-! AΩ Btcm-sS- n- msx ]d-bpw. Ime-Sn-I-fpsS i w AI- -I p t]mip-tºmƒ IÆp Xpd- pw. At mƒ Ae-k-am-bn, \neøp hncn p InS- p kqcy-sh-fn w t\m n-s m- n-cn- pw. AΩ CS-\m-gn-I-bn \n p hnfn p ]d-bp- p- m-ipw. tamsf Dd-ß-s -. B i w, Ct mgpw B apdn-bn InS- p-i-bm-sw- n tiƒ- m-sa p tim-`-\-bv p txm n. A m, AΩtbm-sSm w B t\cnb i hpw C m-xm-tbm? Ct m-gpw, Cu Bip-]-{Xn-bn InS- p-tºm-gpw, Pme-I-Øn-eqsS h p \neøp hncn p InS- p kqcyc-iv-an-iƒ I -t mƒ ho nse Xs apdn-bmwv Hm Ω h -Xv, AΩ-sb-bpw. AΩ! tim-`-\-bv p Ic- n h p. AΩ Fhn-sS-bm-Wv? AΩsb sim n-t! C\n ImWm Ign-bp-tam, AΩsb? IÆp-\o-cn\p \ NqSp- m-bn-cp- p. AXp Ihn-fn-eqsS Hen- n-d-ßp-tºmƒ tim-`-\-bv p hfsc AkpJw txm n. At mƒ -`b- -c-amb Xe-th-Z\ A\p- -`-h-s - p. AXp Xe-tbm-Sns GtXm I n-bn \n p ]pd-s p hcn-i-bm-wv. Dan-\o-cn\p \ ssi p-c-k-ap- m-bn-cp- p. AXp-sIm p sxm -bn hcƒ- -bp- m-bn pw AXv Cd- m tim-`\ C -s - n-. Ipd p sh w In n-bm \ m-bn-cp- p. F{X ka-b-ambn ChnsS InS- p-hm XpS-ßnbn- v? a\- n-em-hp- n-. hmxn Hcp I - sim p ad- n-cp- p. F mepw A p-døp IqsS t]mip- -h-cpss Imep-Iƒ ImWm-ambn-cp- p. F mwv Bcpw Cu apdn-bn hcm-ø-xv? s]s p shfpø hkv{xw [cn Hcp kv{xo I - \o n apdn-bn-te p IS- p. Ah tim-`-\sb t\m n ]p ncn XqIn. AXv C -s - n-s - nepw Ahƒ H pw ]d- n-. Cu kv{xo v AΩ Nncn- p t]mse Nncn p IqsS? "F-ß-s\-bp p Ip o Ct mƒ-?-' Ah ASpØp h p Xs s\ n-ta ssih v Xe-bn XS-hn. Xm Ip n-b-s pw aq mw m n ]Tn- p-i-bm-sw pw ]d-b-w-sa p tim-`-\-bv p txm n. ]t Ahƒ sh w thw-sa p am{xw ]d- p. knã Hcp Hu kv m n Ft m sh w hmbn Hgn- p-x- p. AXns cpnn F m-sw p a\- n-em- m tim-`-\-bv p Ign- n-. F\n v C gpw ]\n- p- p- v. Ahƒ hnnm-cn- p.

16 hmbn sx -tam-ao- h p knã Xs ssiø p ]nsn- n-cn- p-i-bm-wv. tim-`\ Ah-cpsS apjøp t\m n. Ah shfpø Hcp kv{xo-bm-bn-cp- p. ]t Ah-cpsS aq n-\-sp-øp Hcp Acn-ºmd ImcWw tim- `-\-bv v Ahsc C -s - n-. knã hm p-t\m- n, Xs hmbn -\n v sx -tam-ao- -sd-sp-øp. At mƒ ka-b-sa-{x-bm-sb p tnmzn- - W-sa p tim-`\ hnnm-cn- p. Hcp-]t \mep-a-wn-bm-bn- p- m-ipw. ]\n BIp-tºmƒ F{X thk-amwp sshipt -c-am-ip- -Xv? C p cmhnse F p ] n? C p Fgp-t - -Xmbn Hm -Ωn- p- n-. Fs Xe-bv p Ft m kmc-ambn ] n-bn- p- v. knã sx -tam-ao- dpw a pw apdn-bpss Hcp aqe-bn-ep Sot m-bn-ta sim p-t]mbn h p. AhnsS Hcp ts_nƒ Ie- Ccn- p- p- v. ho n A s tai- p-d-øp ts_vƒ Ie- tim-`-\-bmwp Xncn p hbv- p-i. Cu Ie- -dn 30- mw-xo-bxn B n h n- p- v. C v 29- mw-xo-b-xn-b-s. 28- mw-xo-b-xn-bmwp ]co Ign- -Xv. AXv C -se-bm-bn-cp- n-s? AtXm an\n- m-t m? At mƒ Xm Hcp Znhkw apgp-h InS- p-d-ßntbm? BcmWp Xs Bip-]-{Xn-bn sim p h -Xv? A -s\-hn-ss? knã Xncn p h p Hcp XWpØ k n Xs Xe-bv- -SpØp h p. bqun-tim-tfm Hcp ] n-bn-se- SpØp s\ n-ta XpS p X -t mƒ \ XWp p txm n. "A- Fhn-sS-bm-Wv-?-' Ahƒ tnmzn- p. "G-?-' knã Xe Xmgv-Øn-s m p tnmzn- p. "A- -t\-bv, Fhn-Sym-Wv-?-' "C-Xp-hsc ChnsS D m-bn-cp- p. c p Znh-k-ambn ]mhw A Dd-ßn-bn- v. tamfpss ASp-Øn-cn- ym-bncp- p. Ct mƒ ]pd-øp-t]m-bn-cn- ym-wv. A p-a-wn p hcpw-.-.. knã ]d- Xp apgp-h tim-`\ ti n-. ]t A A p awn p hcp-sa p am{xw a\- n-em-bn. knã t]mb-t mƒ tim-`\ ho pw Btem-Nn- p. BcmWp Xs ChnsS sim p-h- -Xv? Xm F mwv Chn-tS p h -Xv? C -se-bm-twm? AtXm an\n- m-t m? C -se-sb- p-dn-t m -Ø-t mƒ a\- n-te v Fs m-s tbm X n hcp- p. H pw hy -a-. Xo Bfn- - Øp-I-bm-Wv. AXn-\n-S-bn \n p Xs t\m n hnfn- p- Xv Bcm-Wv? AΩ-bm-tWm? AtXm hey-ω-tbm? ]ip- p- n-bpss Ic- n. "C-cp- m-bm AXn\p t]sn-bmhpw tamsf. \o AXns\ H -gn p sim p-hm ' AXmcmWp ]d-bp- -Xv? AΩ-b-s? "F-\n p høm- n- t tamsf-.' ]t A p X\n pw H pw høm-bn-cp- p. ]co Ign- p, kv qƒ ]q nb satωm m n hmbn- p. "C\n kpjm-bn. As? c p-amkw Ifn- p-\-s- mw-.-' AXp Pm\In So -dm-bn-cp- p. C\n t]mimw, c p-amkw Ifn p \S- mw. h mø Xe-th-Z-\. kabw \mec awn-bm-bn-cp- p. ]ms-sø- Øn-b-t mƒ DW-ßnb Im p apjøp h -Sn- p. ]msøv At mgpw shbn - o-dp-iƒ ]mdn- -fn- n-cp- p. BImi-Øn sh n tal-ß-fpw. tim-`\ Bscbpw ImØp \n n-. F\n p hø. Ahƒ hnnm-cn- p. Bsc- nepw H -ap- m-bm Ah kwkm-cn p Xe-th-Z\ A[n-I-am-Ipw. {]txy-in p amexn H -ap- m-bm icn-bm-bn. B Ip n v Hcp \nanjw hmbv AS- n-sh-bv- m Ign-bn-. B Ip n Ae-Iv-km- F -Xn\p Ae-kv-Im- F mwp ]d-bp-i. B Ip n ]m m-hn-s p tim-`-\-bv v Dd- p- m-bn-cp- p. m n So tnmzyw tnmzn- m Xs txm n hnfn- pw. DØcw ]d p simsp- m. Hcm-sf- p-dn p Xs Hm - p-tºmƒ Xe-th-Z\ A[n-I-am-hp-I-bm-Wv. tim-`-\-bv p thk-øn ho n-se-ønbm axn-sb p txm n. ho n Im nbpw ]e-lm-c-hp-ambn AΩ ImØn-cn- p- p- m-hpw. ]co Fß-s\- bp- m-bn-cp-s p tnmzn- pw. ]t, X\n p kpj-an-. Hcp -`mkøp InS- p-i-bmwp th -Xv. Btem-Nn p \S- -t mƒ ho ns ]Sn- Ft m-gmwv FØn-b-sX- -dn- n-. DΩ-dØv Bcpw D m-bncp- n-. kvtf pw s] -knepw tai- p-d-øn p tim-`\ ASp- -f-bn-te-t m-sn. ASp- -f-bn Ccp p hym]n p XpS-ßn-bn-cp- p. AΩ Npa-cns Acp-In Hcp _ n Ccp v Ft m \pdp- p-i-bm-wv. "AtΩ Im n Xcq-.-' AΩ apj-ap-b -Øn. "sn-dn-bω D m- p- p- v. Ct mƒ Bhpw. \o At m-tg p B ]ip- p- nsb H p Agn p sim phm Ccp- m-bm AXn\p t]sn-bm-hpw-.-' tim-`-\-bv p \ncmi txm n. CXn- m-twm. C{X Zqcw \S p h -Xv. Im n IpSn v Hcp -`mkøp InS- -Wsa p hnnm-cn- mwv C{X thkw h -Xv. F n v Ct mƒ AΩ ]d-bp- -txm! "F-\n p hø, DΩ-d- -Sn-ta Ccp p sim v Ahƒ ]d- p. "A-Ω-t]mbn sim p-h-t mfp thw- n.' "A-Ω-bv p høm- n p ]d-øy-s.' Ah-cpsS kzcw hfsc ]co- o-w-am-bn-cp- p. ]t B ka-bøp tim-`\ AXp {i n- n-. Ccp- m-bxp sim v Ah-cpsS apjhpw \ -hæw ImWm\pw Ign- n-. "AΩ s\mw ]d-øym-wv, F\n- -dn-bmw-' tim`\ hmin-tbmss ]d- p. AΩ Fs kpj-t Sv ImWp- n

17 t m. "A-t mƒ \o ]ip- p- nsb sim p hcn-, As -?-' "C- -' "AΩ acn p s]mbv-t m-s, As? Ah Hcp InX-t mss Fgp-t - p-.- "Rm t]mbn sim p-h-cmw. imctz Im n-bm-bm Chƒ p simsp-tø-bv- p.' "G-S-Øn p {`m p-t m-' Im n-bp- m- n-bn p Rm t]mbn sim p-h-cmw. "G-SvØn Cu ka-bøp AXnt\mSp a n-sm t]mi- m-.-' AXp sndn-b-ω-bm-bn-cp- p. "F-\n p hø. AΩ ASn-h-b Xtem-Sn-sIm v ]d- p-.-' F\n v Hcp `mkøp Ipd p InS- -Ww. tim-`\ AXp tiƒ- m \n n-, Ahƒ v tzjyw ]nsn- n-cp- p. F\n p Im n th. h m-søm-c-ω. acn- p-s]m-bv-t m-s. F\n v Cß-\sØ HcΩ th. Ahƒ ap -Øn-d-ßn. ]qø-d-bn -\n v Hcp ]n -I- qh-dpøp shdpsx \S- p. IØn-Øo A n-øn-cn-i-fpss hmk\ Ahƒ- -\p- -`-h-s - p. ISpØ Xe-th-Z-\. ]\n Gdn-bn-cn- p- p. taemsi s]m p- p- v. thz-\-bpw. O -±n- p-hm hcp- p. Xe Np p-i-bm-twm. tim-`\ sx p-t\cw kwi-bn p \n p. Im n IpSn- -Ww. F m Ipd- m-izm-k-ap- m-ipw. as-ßn-bm-tem-? th, F\n v Ah-cpsS Im n th. ]d-ºn \n p ]ip- p- n-bpss Ic- n ti p. "C-cp- m-bm AXn\p t]sn-bm-hpw-' Ct mƒ hmkv-x-h-øn Ccp- n-øp-s-ßn-bn-cp- p. AXn\p t]sn-bm-ip- p- m-hpw. ]t tim`-\-bv p t]sn-bn-. c p amkw apºp heyω acn- -t mƒ am{xw Ahƒ p t]sn txm nbn-cp- p. A p sxt - - -Øn c p aq mƒ Db-c-Øn Xo IØn- n-cp- p. heyω acn- Xv api-fn hst AIØp \n m-bn-cp- p. acn- -t mƒ hey-ωsb Nph Nhp- mfw sim p tzl-am-k-iew aqsn. AXmtem-Nn- p-tºmƒ tim`-\-bv v Ct mgpw `bw txm n. s]s - -hƒ AΩ ]d- -txm -Øp. "AΩ acn-t ms As -?-' tim-`-\-bv v Hcp hnd-b A\p-`-h-s - p. Xe-th-Z\ ITn-\-am-bn-cn- p- p. AΩ acn- m ]ns AΩsb ImWn-. AΩ-sbbpw hey-ωsb snbv-x-t]mse sx p- -`m-køp Xobn p Zln- n- pw. Ahƒ -`b-tømss sxs ]d-ºn-te-bv p t\m n. \Sp-ßn-t m-bn. AhnsS Xosb-cn-bp- p- m-bn-cp- p. AXv ASpØ ho n \n m-twm? Bbn-cn- -bn-. F m AXv C{X ASp-Ømbn ImWp-tam? Xo h msx Bfn- -Øp-I-bm-Wv. ASpØ \nanj-øn AXp hep-xmbn F mw hngp-ßpw. Xs -bpw, AΩ-sbbpw F m-h-scbpw At mƒ AΩ Fhn-sSbm-Wv? tzløv Hcp Ipfn A\p- -`-h-s - p. F mwv sntø- -Xv. Ahƒ thkw ASp- -f-bn-te-t m-sn. AhnsS Ct mƒ Hcp hnf- p-i-øn p sh n-cp- p. AXns shfn- -Øn AΩ apºp- m-bn-cp- n-s-øn-s p tim-`- \-bv p a\- n-em-bn. "sn-dn-b-tω, AΩ-sb-hn-sS-?-' Ah H pw an n-bn-. tim-`\ Ah-cpsS apjøp t\m n. Ah Ic-bp-I-bm-tWm? Cu aßnb shfn- - Øn H pw a\- n-em-hp- n-. "F-hn-sS-bm-W-Ω, sndn-b-tω-?-' "A-hnsS Fhn-sS-sb- n-ep-ap- m-hpw. Im n Imem-bn- p- v. tim`-\ ' AXp apgp-h tiƒ- m tim-`\ \n n-. AΩ Fhn-sS-bm-Wv. Ahƒ Hmtcm apdn-bnepw t]mbn t\m n. Pme-I-Øn-eqsS At mgpw Ac shfn w apdn-i-fn-te-bv p {]th-in- n-cp- p. AXp-sIm p tim-`-\bvvv v Hgn p InS- p F m apdn-ifpw ImWm Ign- p. ]t CS-\m-gn-I-bn Ccp- m-bn-cp- p. AXp t]mse Xs a n-\-i-øpw. ]t AΩ-sb-hn-sS. tim-`\ thk-øn timwn Ib-dp-hm XpS-ßn. Ahƒ Dds hnfn- p: "A-tΩ-! ' ]t, adp-]-sn-bp- m-bn-. api-fn Xmg-tØ- mƒ shfn- -hp-ap- m-bn-cp- p. tim-`\ Hmtcm apdn-bnepw t\m n. AXm AΩ I n-en InS- p- p. Hcp Nph Nhp- m-fw-sim p ]px- n- p- v. Cu AΩ-bv-s m p hnfn ti p IqsS? F m-wn-ßs\ an msx InS- p- -Xv? Cu Nph Nhp- m-fw! acn- p-t]mb hey-ωsb ho pw Hm Ω h p. h yω AXn-\-SpØ apdn-bn-emwv InS- n-cp- -Xv. Ahƒ p sxs - - -Øn IØnbn-cp Xo ap n ImWp- -t]mse txm n. At mƒ hmkv-x-h-øn AΩ acn- p-thm? Ahƒ s]m n- -c- p. Hcp Ww -`bw Ahsf Iog-S- n, Np pw Ccp- m-wv. C{X Ww Ccp v Fhn-sS-\n p h p. F\n v Xe Np p- p- v. t{]x-߃ ]n mse hcp-i-bm-wv. AXn hey-ω-bp-ss-bpw, acn- p-t]mb F m-h-cp-tsbpw t{]x߃ D v. Ah Np pw \røw hbv- p-i-bm-wv. X\n v HmSn c -s -S-Ww. O -±n- m hcp- p. Fhn-sS-bmWv timwn! Ccp- n H pw ImWp- n- -t m. X\n p c -s -S-Ww. "A-tøm, AtΩ!!' tim-`-\-bv p tkmh-wn-bn-eqss Dcp- n-d-ßp- Xv A\p- -`-h-s - p. Fhn-sStbm h mø thz-\. apdn- n-cn-

18 p- p. Xe-bn-em-tWm? X\n-s m p sxm p-t\m- -Ww. ]t Xm Dcp p hogp-i-bm-wv. Dd w hcp- p. Rm Dd-ß-s. Btcm ]ndp-]n-dp- p i w. Ic-bp-I-bm-tWm? AΩ-bmtWm AXv. Bhm hgn-bn-. A - \m-bn-cn- pw. Dd w hcp- p. Rm Fhn-sS-bm-Wv? ho pw Bkv-]-{X-bnse acp- p-i-fpss aww. Xe-th-Z-\-bpw, AXn-t\m-sSm w ISpØ A]-cm-[-t_m-[hpw Infp Øp hcn-i-bm-wv rm-\-, AΩsb sim -Xv. Rms\- mwv snbv-x-xv? hmkv-x-h-øn AΩ acn- pthm? acn- n-cn- p- p. Nph Nhp- mfw sim v ]px- p-in-s- p- Xv Ahƒ ho pw a\- n I p. AtXmsS AΩ ]d- -Xpw. "AΩ acn- p-s]m-bv-t ms As -?-' tim`\ a\- n ]d- p. "sls AtΩ, AΩsb C\n Rm ImWn- -t m-!! "F- n\m Ip o Itc-W-Xv-?-' \gv-km-wv. tim-`\ H pw ]d- n-. Ahƒ Xe-Xn-cn- p-t\m- n. Pme-I-Øn-eqsS hcp kqcy-c-iv-an-iƒ Ct mƒ hfsc \o p t]mbn-cp- p. kabw C{X-bm-tbm? Ft m-gmwv A hcp- -Xv? "A- Ft mgm hcm? "Ct m hcpw Ip o. hmbv Xpd- q. Rm ]\n t\m -s. Ct mƒ Xe-th-Z-\t m-.-' "Ip-tds» D v. ]ns A Ct m-øs htczm-?-' "C-t m-øs hcpw, tamsf ImWm. hm Xpd- q ' A Ct mƒ hcpw, tim`\ hnnm-cn- p. Ahƒ kt m-jn- p. A h m A s asn-bn, InS- m-a-t m, A s ssisim- p XS-h A\p-`-hn- ma-t m, ]t, AXv Hcp \nan-j-t\-c-tø-bv p am{x-am-bn-cp- p. Hcp `bm-\-i-amb Nn Ahsf InSnew sim n- p. -Rm Ip - m-cn-bm-wv. A s apjøv Fßn-s\-bmWv t\m p-i. A tnmzn- n-s. "\o AΩsb F mwv snbv-x-xv?' As - n Xm F mwv snbv-x-xv? Rm\-, Rm\ AΩsb sim -Xv. F n-\mwv Fs Cß-s\ Ahƒ p ho pw NqSp- -I-Æo -I-hn-fn-eqsS Hen- n-d-ßp- Xv A\p- -`-h-s - p. "F- n\m Ip o Itc-W-Xv-?-' sx -tam-ao- hmbn \ns -Sp-Øp-sIm v knã tnmzn- p. Ahƒ H pw ]d-bmsx IÆ-S p InS- p. IÆ-S- -t mƒ ]ns i -ß-fpsS Hcp temi-am-bn. hcm- -bn-eqss t]mip Bƒ- m-cpss Aa -Øn- n- Sn kwkm-c-߃, Imsem- -Iƒ. knã ]pd-tø p t]mip- Xp tim-`\ ti p. C\n Bcpw Cu apdn-bn hcm-xn-cp-s - n, tim-`\ hnnm-cn- p. At mƒ-øs Btcm Xs D n \n v Dds tnmzn- p. "A- -\pw-?-' tim-`\ s-r n. ]t AXn-t\- p-dn v Btem-Nn- p-tºm-tg-bv- pw, Hcp ]cn-nn-x-amb Im -s -cp-am w Ahƒ ti p. Ah-fpsS a\ p kt mjw sim p \nd- p. "A- -!-' Ahƒ p kt m-j-tøm-ssm w Hcp hnj-ahpw A\p-`-h-s - p. A s\ Fßn-s\-bmWp t\cn-sp-i? Ime- Sn-Iƒ ASp-Ø-SpØp hcn-i-bm-wv. tim-`\ IÆp Xpd- p. A hmxn-ens I - \o n-sim v D n-tebv p IS- p-i-bm-wv. A thk-øn ASpØp h p I n-ens ASp-Øp Ãqfn Ccp- p. tim-`-\-bv v HcpΩ simspøp sim p tnmzn- p. "tam-sf, Fßn-s\-bp- v-?-' tim-`\ adp-]-sn-sbm pw ]d- n-. Ahƒ v H pw ]d-bm txm n-bn-. Xs IÆp-Iƒ \nd-s m-gp- I-I-bm-Wv. "A- m ' A Ah-fpsS s\ n-ta ho pw DΩ-h- p. ]t, tim-`-\-bpss a\- n hnjaw Xßn \n p. A ASpØp Xs ]d-bpi AΩ-sb- p-dn- m-bn-cn- pw. Xm Ip - m-cn-bm-wv. A -s\s C -s -Sp- n-. CsX mw shdpw A-`n-\bw am{x-am-wv. A ASp-Øp-Xs ]d-bpw. \o F mwv AΩsb snbv-x-xv? Ahƒ, A h n-cp- n-s - n-se v Bin- p. A Ah-fpsS s\ n-taepw s\ nepw Xtem-Sn-s m p ]d- p. "tam-fpss AΩ ' AΩ-sb p ti -t mƒ tim-`\ H p s-r n. ]ns A F mwp ]d- -sx v Ahƒ ti n-. lrzbw i n-bmbn ansn- p-i-bm-wv. I -ap-ºn \n v F mw AI- -I- p-t]mbn Ccp p hym]n- p-i-bm-wv. H pw ImWp- n-. AXn- n-s-bn Pme-I-Øn-eqsS hcp kqcy-sh-fn w \ne-øp-hn-cn- n-cn- p- Xp am{xw ImWmw. AXp Xs ho nse apdn-bm-sw v Hcp \nanjw tim-`-\-bv p txm n. Pme-I-Øns ASpØp \n p t\cnb i -Øn Ft m ]d-bp- Xv AΩ-b-s? hy -ambn a\- n-em-ip- n ]ns AXpw C m-xm-bn. iq\y-x-am- {Xw. AXn Xm ebn p tncp- -Xmbn tim-`-\-bv p txm n. D -S- -Øn-tebv v

19 ag-bp Hcp cm{xn-bn Akv-X-a\w hfsc at\m-l-c-am-bn-cp- p. tum v-bm -Un Ccp p sim p ag-hn- ns \nd-ap ] n-am-imiw apgp-h F\n p ImWm-am-bn-cp- p. kqcy-{]-imiw tal-߃- n-s-bn-eqss Hcp Nph tkmhn-wn-bmbn Cdßn hcn-i-bm-wv. B civ-an-iƒ Cf-In- -fn- p sh sø Hcp c -k-ap-{z-am- n. Rm, ASpØp Xs {]Ir- Xn-ku-µ-cy-Øn apgp-in-bn-cn- p Fs BXn-tY-bsb t\m n. t]m p shbn Ah-cpsS \c Xe-ap-Sn v Hcp ]cn-thjw Nm -Øn-bn-cp- p. "F-s mcp `wkn-bmwv BIm-i-Øn-\v, At -?-' "A-sX-b-sX-' sr n-bp-w - p-sim v Ah ]d- p. "C-ßs\ Akv-X-a\w hfsc Npcp- -amsb Rm I n- p- p' Rm ]d- p. Ah H pw ]d- n-. Ic-bv- -W-bp-hm t]mip Hcp I -ens\ t\m p-i-bm-bn-cp p Ah, H p-c p I -ep-iƒ tum n \n - p- p- m-bn-cp- p. Ah-bn -\n v Iq s{ibn-\p-iƒ km[-\-߃ Cd- p-ibpw Ib- p-i-bp-am-wv. s]s - -h Ft m Btem-Nn- p-sim p ]d- p. "C p \ Im pw ag-bp-ap- m-ipw. Akv-X-a\w Cu hn[-øn-em-ip-tºm-sg mw \ap- Xp Xo - -bm- mw. t\m q-' Ah Ing p -`mk-tø p Nq n- m-wn- p. icn-bm-bn-cp- p. BIm-i-Øn IdpØ tal-߃ Dcp p IqSp-I-bm-Wv. "F-\n p \ Dd- p- v-.-' Ah XpS - p. Ah-cpsS Npfn-hp-I-fp apjw -`qx-im-e-øns Hcp Ie-h-d-bm-sW p txm n. "I-gn ]{ - p-sim- -ambn Rm CXp ImWm-dp v Cß-\sØ Hcp \in Znh-k-am-Wv ' AXp apgp-an- n- msx Ah s\sp-ho - n- p. I -en-te-bv p kmam-\-an-d n sh v s{ibn-\p-iƒ Hcp i - tømss Db-cp-I-bm-Wv. kqcy-{]-imiw {ItaW aßp-i-bm-wv. tum n-eqss XWpØ Im -Sn- p-hm XpS-ßn. R߃ Fgp-t p ho n-te p \S p Im -ta-l-ß ƒ BIm-i-amsI ]c p Ign- n-cn- p. -`qan-bmsi Hcp ]cn-an-x-amb shfn- -Øn XpSn p \n - p-i-bm-wv. "C v \ -t]mse ag s]øpw. Cu Djv-W-sam- -h-km-\n- pw-.-' -Rm BIm-i-tØ-bv p t\m n-s m p ]d- p. Ah H p aqfn. At mƒ ]n n \n v sfkv-{iow-im-cs ]cp-]-cpø i w-ti- p. "sf-kv{iow thtwm-?-' AXp-tI- -t mƒ Fs BXn-tYb H p s-r n. Ah Abmsf ImWm-Xn-cn- m thkw \S- p. Cu NqSp Imem-h-ÿ-bn Hcp sfkv{iowimcs\ shdp- p- -sx- n-\m-sw v F\n p a\- n-em-bn-. Ah hfsc KmV-ambn Ft m Btem-Nn- p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. Xpcpºp ]nsn p XpS-ßnb tk p IS p R߃ ho n-se-øn. Nph Nmbw tx B hosv ]gb a n-ep- - Xm-bn-cp- p. B Ccp-\ne si n-s-øns api-fn AXp \n -Ωn sim w, F p shfpø A -c-øn Fgp-Xn-h- n-cp- p. Fgp-]-Xp-sIm- sø ]g- -ap v B hosn-\v. ] -W-Øn \n p hfsc AI- p B ÿeøv A[nIw hosp-i-sfm- p-ap- m-bn-cp- n-. tkmhwn Ibdn Ah hmxn Xpd p sse n- -t mƒ B apdn-bmsi F\n p ImWp-hm Ign- p. aßnb Nph-cn Hcp Ie- dpw Hcm-fpsS F -em v snbvx t^mt m-bp-ap- m-bn-cp- p. B kv{xo-bpss -` -Øm-hnt -Xm-bn-cn- mw. Ie- -dn C sø Xob-Xn-bn-ep I n-bn \ndsb ajn-sim- p hc-i-fn- n-cp- p. B apdn-bn Hcp ]gb tkm^m-sk- n\p ]pdsa Hcp ]pkv-xi sj ^pw am{xsa D m-bn-cp- p- p. Pme-I-߃ Xpd- n v Rm ]pd-tø-bv p t\m n. c p hcn-bmbn \n p IØp sxcp-hp-hn-f- p-iƒ Hcp ame t]mse \o p InS- p-i-bm-wv. tdmuns\ apdn- p-sim v sdbn ]mf-߃ t]mip- p- v. tdmuv an hmdpw hnp-\-am-bn-cp- p. AIse tum n \n p I - m-a-c-߃ Db p ImWmw. Np p-ap Im m-sn-a-c߃ Ccp- ns Ip m-b-a-wn- n-cp- p. Rm Fs BXn-tY-b-bpsS t\sc t\m n. Ft m Btem-Nn- p- I-bm-bn-cp Ah-cpsS apjw æm\-am-bn-cp- p. "Cu ho n thsd Bcpw Xma-k-an-t -?-' Rm At\z-jn- p. "G-?-' Ah s]s - p-w - p-sim v tnmzn- p. Rms\s tnmzy-am-h -Øn- p.

20 "C- -' Ah ]Xp-s - -d- p. "B kw`-h-øn\p tijw Bcpw Cu si n-s-øn Xma-kn- m h n- n-. ChnsS Xma-kn- n-cp c p IpSpw- _- mcpw t]mip-ibpw snbvxp ]ns hms-i- m-sc-bp- m- p-hm R߃ {ian- n- p-an- -.-' F mwv Ah ]d B kw-`-h-sa v F\n p a\- n-em-bn-. Ah Pme-I-Øn-\-SpØp h v ]pd-tøbv p t\m n-s m- n-cp- p. BIm-i-Øn Im p ImcWw tal-߃ IpXn p adn-bp-i-bm-wv. Ah hfsc Akz-ÿ-bm-bn- - p. Hcp \nanjw Ign- -t mƒ Ah ]d- p. "Rm-\n-t mƒ hcmw, ASp- -f-bn Ipd p ]Wn-bp- v. ASp- -f-bn-te p t]mip B kv{xosb Hc- p-x-tømss Rm t\m n. AΩ F\n- -b IØn Cu kv{xo-sb- p-dn v A[n-I-sam- p-sa-gp-xn-bn-cp- n-. Ah -` -Øm-shm- n p Xma-kn- p-i-bm-wv, H p t]mbn ImW-W-sa p am{xw. B kv{xo AΩ-bpsS kvt\ln-x-bm-bn-cp- p-h-t{x. Aßs\ Ahsc sn p I -t mgmwv ASpØ BgvN Hcp Znhkw Ah-cpsS IqsS Xma-kn- p-hm Wn- -Xv. AΩ-bpsS t]cp ]d- -t mƒ Ah ]d- p. "t\m- v, \nß-fpss AΩ Fs Unb-sdÃv {^ m-bn-cp- p. Fs -sbms ad- n- p- m-ip-sa- mwv Rm hnnm-cn- -Xv-.-' At mƒ kt mjw sim v Ah-cpsS IÆp-Iƒ Xnf-ßn-bn-cp- p. BZysØ {]mhiyw t]mb-t mƒ AhcpsS -` -Øm-hns\ ImWp-hm km[n- n-. At±lw GtXm Iº-\n-bpsS amt\-p-cm-wv. Ah ASp- -f-bn \n p Xncn- p-h v tkm^-bn Ccp- p. Rm tnmzn- p. "A-t±lw hcm F{X awn-bm-ipw?-' "Ft m HºsXm awn-bm-ipw. Hm^o-kn -\n p as-ßm -.-' Ah ]d- p. B kabw hsc Cu kv{xo GI-bmbn Cu henb si n-s-øn Ccn- p-i-bm-sw-t m -Ø-t mƒ F\n-s mcpƒ- n-sn-e-ap- m-bn. Ah H pw kwkm-cn- msx Ccn- -bm-wv. Rm ho pw Pme-I-Øn-eqsS ]pd-tø p t\m n. ]pdøv Ccp p I ]nsn p hcn-i-bm-wv. sxcp-hp-hn-f- p-iƒ p Np pw {]mwn-iƒ ]d- p- p- v. Im v Iptds» i nbmbn hoip-hm XpS-ßn. B si n-s-øn Fhn-sStbm Hcp P\ i n-tbmss sim n-b-s- p. Fs BXntYb H p s-r n. Ah Ft m snhn-tbm - p-i-bm-wv. ]pdøp i n-bmbn hoin-bn-cp Im v sse-t^m Iºn-I-fn X n Hcp ^nun-ens i w D m- n. ag-bpss Cc-º Zqsc-\n v ASp-Ø-SpØp hcn-i-bm-wv. "\n-߃ v kpj-an-s p txm p- p-.-' -Rm tnmzn- p. "Gbv H p-an- -.-' Ah ]ndp-]n-dp-øp. "C- m-wv-.-..rm \nß-tfm-sp-]-d- p-shm? C. D m-hn-. C mwv Fs ai acn Znh-kw-.-' Ah {-`m p ]d-bp-i-bm-sw v F\n p txm n. kmcn-bpss Xe- n Xncp- n-sn p sim v Ah ]d- p. "]-Xn-\mep sim w apºm-wv. Fs ai Fs mcp ansp- -\m-bn-cp-s -t m. shfpøp Ipd p XSn-bp Hcp Hma-\-bm-bn-cp p Ah. Bdp hbs Bbn-cp- p p Ah-\v-.-' Fs apjøp kq n- p-t\m- n-s m v Ah XpS - p. "A-h-\n-t mƒ D m-bn-cp-s - n \ns {]mb-am-bn-cn- pw-.-' s]s v Pme-I-Øn-eqsS hoinb Im p ImcWw Nph-cn-en-cp Ie- H p h w Xncn v \neøp howp. -Rm AsX-SpØv tai-ta sh p. "C-Xm, CXp-t]m-ep Hcp Znh-k-am-bn-cp p A pw. Ahs A Hm^o-kn-em-bn-cp- p. R߃ sshipt cw \S- m-\n-d-ßn. R߃ tum n-se mw t]mbn asßn hcp-tºm-gmwv, F\n- m-tem-nn- m IqSn hø, F{X sndnb Imcy-Øn-\mWv Ah imtyw ]nsn- -sx-t m! Ah-\ v \ kpj-ap- m-bn-cp- n-. ho n-te-bv p as-ßp-tºmƒ Fs tam\v Iptds» ]\n- n-cp- p. At m-gmwv B \in sfkv-{iow-im-cs\ Ah I -Xv. Ip nsb I DSs\ Ah Hcp sfkv{iow Is -SpØp \o n. km[m-cw Rm Ahs ASp-Øp-\n v sfkv{iow hmßm-dp- m-bn-cp p ]t A p Rm kω-xn- n-. tumœ {]txyiw ]d- n-cp p sfkv{iow simsp- -cp-sx- v. Rm AXp tasn- p- n-s p I -t mƒ Fs ai imtyw ]nsn p Ic-bp-hm XpS-ßn. A v BImiw tal-߃-sim v aqsn-b-xn-\m \ NqSp- m-bn-cp- p. Rm Ahs\ ]nsn p hen p ho nte-bv p \S- p. \ Hcp ag-bpss Bcw-`-ap- m-bn-cp- p. "ho- n-seøn hmxn-e-s p Ip n-bn v Rm Ahs\ tkm^-bn-en-cp-øn. At m-tg-bv v ag s]bv-xp. Ah ho pw Ic-bp-hm XpS-ßn. AX-hs kz`m-h-am-bn-cp- p. Ah hnnm-cn km[-\-߃ In n-bn-s - n AXp In p- -hsc Ah Ic-bpw. sx v Fs -b-spøp Xs -bm-bn-cp- p. Rm\-hs\ ]pdøp sim p t]mim ]msn- m-bn-cp- p. F mepw a p- -h-cpss at\m-th-z-\-b-dn-bmsx Cßs\ Ic-bp- Xv F\n p kln- n-. Rm Ahs XpS-bn ]Xps Hc-Sn-sh- p-sim-sp-øp. At mƒ Ah Np p ]nfpøn Ic-bp-hm XpS-ßn. t\m v,

21 AXp hmkv-x-h-øn k Sw sim p Ic- n-em-bn-cp- p. Ah\p thz-\n- m am{x-sam pw Rm\-Sn- n-cp- n-. Ah Aßs\ Ic-bp- Xp I -t mƒ F\n p kln- n-. Rm ASp- -f-bn t]mbn tlm -en-ivkv Iq p-hm XpS-ßn. AX-h\v hfsc C -am-bn-cp- p. "A-t mƒ ]pdsø apdn-bn \n v Fs ais txß-en-s\m w taisbm at m \nc- p i hpw ti p km[m-cw tzyjyw ]nsn- m Ah sk nbpw a pw Ahs Ip n- m-ep-sim v Nhn n \o m-dp- m-bn-cp- p. AXm-bn-cn pw B i -sa p Rm hnnm-cn- p. As - n Rm Xo - -bmbpw t]mbn t\m p-am-bn-cp- p. Ipd p Ign- -t mƒ B txßepw \n p Ah h ap nepw InS- p-d-ßn-bn- p- m-ipw. At mƒ, Ahs\ ASn-t - n-bn-cp- n-s v F\n p txm n. C\n tlm -en-iv-kp-ambn sn v Ah-s\m-cpΩ simsp-øm Ah DW-cpw. F n p kt m-j-tømss AXp hmßn- p-sn v Fs DΩ-Iƒ sim p-aq-spw. "]-t, Rm B apdnbn-te p sn -t mƒ Fs Hma\ Ahn-sS-bp- m-bn-cp- n- -' kmcn-bpss Xe- p-sim v IÆo XpS- p-sim v Ah Hcp \nan-j-t\cw an m-xn-cp- p. ]pdøp \n v agbpss Cc-º tiƒ- m-\p- m-bn-cp- p. Pme-I-Øn-eqsS XWp-Ø-Im v Hcp Nqfw hnfn-tbmss ASn- p-i-bm-wv. -Rm P\-e-S- p. "t\m- q, Fs s]m p-tam B apdn-bn-ep- m-bn-cp- n- -.-' Hcp CS - -tbmss Ah XpS - p. "A-h sk n-bpss ]n n Hfn p \n - p- pt m F p Rm t\m n. km[m-cw Fs Ifn-bm- phm Ah Aßs\ snøm-dp- m-bn-cp- p. F p kma - y-tøm-ss-bm-sws m Ah Hfn- p-i. ]t, At m-gmwp Rm I -Xv. ]pd-tø- p hmxn Xpd p InS- n-cp p Xpd- n hmxn-en-\-sp-ømbn ag-sim p \\ tai InS- n-cp- p. Ah hmxn Xpd p ]pdøp t]mbn-cp- p. \ne-hn-fn- p-sim p Rm ]pd-tøt msn ag hfsc i n-bmbn s]bv-xn-cp- p. Im p ImcWw Fhn-sSsbm Hcp ac-s mºv HSn p howp, Rm sr n hnd- p. Fs ai Fhn-sS-bm-Wv. Rm Ahs t]cp hnfn- p-sim v HmSn s]s v Fs Hma\ Hcp sxcp-hp-hn-f- ns Nph- n-eqss HmSp- Xp Rm I p. Ah \\-s m-en- n-cp- p. Ahs H -sa-øm Rm Hcp IpXn-c-sb-t mse ]m p. "s]-s v ASp-Øp-\n v Xoh- n-bpss Iq p ti p. Rm sr n Fs lrzbw ]ns p AhnsS ASp-Øp- X-s -bm-bn-cp p sdbn - m-f-߃. Fs ai AXnse t]mi-cptx F v Rm {]m - n- p. ]t AXp shdp-sx-bmbn Rm\-hs \ne-hnfn ti p. Rms\s Hma-\-bpsS \ne-hnfn ti p. Rms\s ais\ sim p! Ah s]m n-s m- n- -c-bp-hm XpSßn Ah-cpsS Xe-ap-Sn-sb mw Nn n- n-x-dn-bn-cp- p. IÆo-scm-gpIn kmcnbpss ap -hiw apgp-h \\- n-cp- p. B \ne-hnfn kmh-[m-\-øn \n v. txß-ep-iƒ am{x-ambn Ah s\ n-ta ssish v Ccn- p-i-bm-wv. Hmtcm txß-en\pw Ah-cpsS amdnsw Db pw XmWp-an-cp- p. ]pdøp Im ns Cc-º IqSn- qsn hcn-i-bm-wv. ag-øp- n-iƒ P\ - m-fn-ta h -Sn- p- Xv \ Xp t]mse tiƒ- m-\p- v. Ce-Iv-{Sn v _ƒ-_ns {]Imiw a \ndw tidnb Nph-cn -Ø n aßn-bn-cp- p. X n-t Nne- n-h-e-iƒ si n-bn-cp B apdn-bn-emsi Hcp \nkq-vx ]Xp-ßn-bn-cp- n-cp- p. B henb si n-s-øn Rm\pw Fs BXntY-bbpw am{x-sa-bp- p-sh-t m -Ø-t mƒ -`bw sim v -Rm \Sp-ßn-t m-bn. Ah B IY-bn-t mƒ ]d-tb- n-bn-cp- n-s v F\n p txm n. CXp \S Hcp kw-`hw Xs -bm-twm? F n, Ah-cpsS \c Xe-ap-Snbpw \ng-ep-iƒ howp-in-s- p apjsø Npfn-hp-Ifpw B timi-i-y-bpss Hm -Ω- p-dn- p-i-f-t? apdn-bnse shfn w ho pw aßp-i-bm-sw v F\n p txm n, Fs BXn-tYb A\-ßmsX tkm^-bnen-cn- p-i-bm-wv. s]s p ]pd-øp-\n v Hcp txß-ens i w ti p. C{]m-hiyw B kv{xo-bpss H w -Rm\pw s-r n. -Rms\s BXn-tY-b-bpsS apjøp t\m n. -`bw sim v Ah-cpsS apjw hnfdn shfp-øn-cp- p. ho pw B txß! Hcp Ip n-bp-tsxp t]mse! "\n-߃ ti pshm AXv-?-' Ah izmk-a-s- n-s m p tnmzn- p. "F- v-?-' -Rm tnmzn- p. B i w Pme-I-Øns hn -en-eqss hcp Cu - -ap Im n-s -Xm-sW v a\- n-em-sb- n - q-sn, AXp hniz-kn- p-hm Ign- n-. "Hcp txß -!-' Ah XpS - p. "\n-߃ tiƒ- p- n-s? AXv Fs Ip n-bp-ss-xm-wv. Cß-\sØ cm{xn-i-fn-se mw Ah Ahs AΩbpsS ASp-tØ-bv p hcm-dp- v.' Ah hfsc Akz-ÿ-bm-bn-cp- p. apj-sø mw hnb p s]msn- n-cp- p. ag At mgpw i n-bmbn s]øp-i-bm-wv. IX-In Hcp _e-lo-\-amb ap ns i w! AXv Hcn- - q-sn! Hcp Ip n IX-In ap p-i-bm-twm? Fs BXn-tYb apjsø hnb p XpS- p. ]cn-{-`-an- p-sim v B apdn-bn