Xqh¬sIm- ´ mcw

Malayalam

Thoovalkottaaram Novel By

Kamala Govind First Impression - February 2017 Copies - 1000 Cover Design : Hasan Darvish Typesetting :

Milan Graphics, Junior Janatha Road, Vyttila, Kochi - 19. Ph: 98950 83350

Publishers :

C.I.C.C. BOOK HOUSE Press Club Road, Ernakulam Kochi - 11. Ph : 0484- 2353557 / 9847165324 ISBN No: 978-93-5093-024-3 e-mail : [email protected]

Xqh¬sIm- ´ mcw t\mh¬

Ia-em-tKm-hnµv

{]km-[-I¿

kn.-sF.-kn.-kn.-_p-°v lukv {] v¢∫v tdmUv, Fd-Wm-Ipfw sIm®n ˛ 11, t^m¨ ˛ 0484 2353557/9847165324 hne:

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kn.- s F.- k n.- k n.- b psS Cu h¿jsØ Nne t\mh- e p- I ƒ ss{Iw {Xn√- d p- I ƒ Irjv W - X p- f kn kp[m- I ¿ awK- t fm- Z bw Xqh¬sIm- ´ mcw Ia- e m- t Km- h nµv km¥- z \w tPmkn hmK- a ‰w \nem- Ø ncn Pn. Dj cm{Xn- a g tPmkn hmK- a ‰w th\¬hoSv kp[m- I ¿ awK- t fm- Z bw \o≠-Ic (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sagp- t hen _m_pPn Hm¿thm¨ ]mekv (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) tPkn Pq\n-b¿ IS¬t∏mcv (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sagp- t hen _m_pPn kv t \l- Z qXv tPmbv k n ka- b - X ocw kn.-hn. \n¿Ωe kz¿§- h m- X n¬ ]£n tPmkn hmK- a ‰w PSmbp (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sI.- h n.- A - \ n¬ KmÃnen sUØv (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) _m‰¨ t_mkv HmIv k n- P ≥ (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sI.- h n.- A - \ n¬ \n\- ° m- b v . .. Ia- e m- t Km- h nµv AYo\ Ia- e m- t Km- h nµv Ggn¬ sNm∆ tkmaP \ºq- X ncn XemJv kp[m- I ¿ awK- t fm- Z bw ssIX- h - c - º nse \nemhv Pn. Dj ]qa©w kp[m- I ¿ awK- t fm- Z bw IqS- ∏ n- d ∏v tkmaP \ºq- X ncn ]n∂n¬ Hcmƒ (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sI.hn. A\n¬ ssh‰v ln¬ (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sagp- t hen _m_pPn ap√- s ∏- c n- b m¿ (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sagp- t hen _m_pPn Nph- ∏ p- I q- S m- c - ß ƒ kp[m- I ¿ awK- t fm- Z bw {Zmhn- U ≥ tPmkn- h m- K - a ‰w Ce- s ]m- g nbpw inincw tPmbv k n Xcw- K nWn tPmknhmK- a ‰w ]mcn- P mXw sI.- s I.- k p- [ m- I - c ≥ Ah- k m- \ - Z n- h kw tPmbv k n au≠≥anÃv tPmkn- h m- K - a ‰w Kcp- U - ] - © an (am- { ¥n- I w) G‰p- a m- \ q¿ inh- I p- a m¿ hew- ] n- c n- i wJv (am- { ¥n- I w) G‰p- a m- \ q¿ inh- I p- a m¿ Un.- F ≥.- F . (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) sI.- h n. A\n¬ IY CXp- h sc tPmbv k n FIv k v t πmUv (ss{Iw {Xn√¿) F≥.- s I. iin- [ - c ≥ Akp- c - P ∑w (am- { ¥n- I w) G‰p- a m- \ q¿ inh- I p- a m¿ Im¿ØnI tPmbv k n th\¬∏- d - h - I ƒ tPmbv k n temdn- s Ø- c phv tPmkn hmK- a ‰w temdn- ° m- c ≥ t\m_nƒ tPmkn hmK- a ‰w Bdm- ´ p- I - S hv (am- { ¥n- I w) G‰p- a m- \ q¿ inh- I p- a m¿

H∂v "" ZnhmI-c≥kmdns\ Fw.-Un. hnfn-°p-∂p...'' ]yq¨ h∂-dnbn-®p. Imj-y¿ Znhm-I-c≥ Xs‚ Iym-_n-\n¬\n∂pw [rXn-bn¬ Cdßn Fw.-Un.-bpsS Iym-_ns‚ apºn¬ Hcp \nanjw \n∂p. lm^v tUmdns‚ Xmsg-°qSn I≠n-´mImw AI-Øp-\n∂v Kmw`o-c-y-am¿∂ kz-c-ap-b¿∂p: ""hcq Znhm-I-c≥...'' Znhm-I-c≥ AI-tØbv°p IS-∂p. ""Ccn-°q...'' kvt\l-]q¿Æ-amb £Ww ho≠pw. Znhm-I-c≥ Fw.-Un.-bpsS FXn¿h-isØ Itk-c-bn-en-cp-∂p. c≠p _m¶p-I-fpsS DS-a-bm-sW-¶nepw Aß-s\-bp≈ Xe°-\-sam∂pw C√mØ Iq´-Øn-emWv Fw.-Un. F∂v Zn-hm-I-c-\dn-bmw. ""F¥m h¿s°ms° Ignt™m Znhm-I-c≥?'' ""Ign-bm-dmbn km¿. _me≥kv sN°p-sN-øp-I-bm-bn-cp∂p Rm≥...'' Znhm-I-c≥ `h-y-X-tbmsS ]d-™p. ""Dw...'' Fw.-Un. \n»-_vZ-\m-bn. shdpsX t]∏¿shbv‰v Xncn-®p-sIm-≠n-cn-°p∂ At±-lsØ Znhm-I-c≥ {i≤n-®p. ""km¿˛ Fs∂ hnfn-∏n-®-Xv...'' Znhm-I-c≥ Aº-c-t∏msS tNmZn®p. AºXp Ign-s™-¶nepw F∂pw Hcp sNdp-∏-°m-cs‚ NpdpNp-dp-°mWv Fw.-Un.-bn¬ I≠n-cp-∂-Xv. Ft¥ C∂n-ßs\ DZm-ko-\-\m-Im≥? ""Mm˛ hnfn-∏n-®p...'' Fw.-Un. ]d-™p. ho≠pw \n»-_vZ-X. ""km¿...'' ""tbkv...'' Fw.-Un. Znhm-I-cs\ t\m°n: ""Hcp kt¥m-jhm¿Ø Rm\-dn-™p...'' ""kt¥m-j-hm¿Ø F¥mWv km¿?'' ""Znhm-I-cs‚ aI≥ A\¥p saUn-°¬ F≥{S≥kv sSÃv Fgp-Xn-bn-cp-∂n-t√? sk°‚ v dm¶p≠v At√? Fs‚ I¨{KmNp-te-j≥kv... B Ip´nsb Adn-bn-°-Ww.'' ""sM˛ sk°‚ v dmt¶m?!''

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Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

Znhm-I-c\v Xp≈n-®m-Sm≥ tXm∂n. kqc-y-\p-Zn-®-t]mse B apJw hnS-cp-Ibpw sNbvXp. tcmam©w sIm≠v ico-c-a-∏msS Ipfn- c - W n- ™ p. DS≥ H∂p kwi- b n- ° p- I bpw sNbv X p. Xm≥t]mepw Adn-bpw-apºv Xs‚ aIs‚ dnk¬´v km¿ Fßs\ Adn-™p? AYhm sk°‚ v dm¶v In´n F∂ kt¥m-j-hm¿Ø ]d-bm≥ C{X-b-[nIw kt¶m-N-s∏-Sp-∂-sX-¥n-\v? Ft¥m Imcyap-≠-t√m? ""Znhm-I-c≥ Adn-™n-√m-bn-cp-t∂m?'' ""C√ km¿. C\nbpw c≠p-aq∂p Znh-kw-Iq-Sn-bp-≠-t√m.'' ZnhmI-c≥ \n¿Øn. ""Hm... sFkn...'' ""km¿ Fßs\ Adn-™p?'' ""Rm≥ At\-z-jn-®p.'' Fw.-Un. ho≠pw \n»-_vZ-\m-bn. h√msØmcp hnΩn´w apJ-Øv. Hm˛ A\-¥p-hn\v F¥p kt¥m-j-am-bn-cn-°pw. Ahs‚ PohnXm-`n-em-j-am-bn-cp-∂-t√m? ""tPmbn‚ v sNøm-\p≈ Xøm-sd-Sp-∏p-I-sfms° Fhn-Sw-h-scbm-bn?'' s]s´-∂mWv Fw.-Un.- tNmZn-®-Xv. kzn-t®m^v sNbvX-Xp-t]mse Znhm-I-cs‚ kt¥mjw \n∂p. apJw aßn. ""F¥m an≠m-Ø-Xv?'' Znhm-I-cs‚ `mhw Zb-\o-b-am-bn. IÆp-I-fn¬ \\-hq-dn. Abmƒ apJw Ip\n-®p. ""]d-bq... F¥mWv an≠m-Ø-Xv?'' ""F¥p ]d-bm-\mWv km¿˛ F≥{S≥kv Fgp-Xn-b-Xp-Xs∂ Ahs‚ Hc-X-ym-{K-lw-sIm-≠m...'' Znhm-I-cs‚ kzcw Xmgv∂p. ""AX-ym-{K-l-tam?'' ""{]oUn{Kn Ign-™t- ∏mtg Ah≥ ]d™p F≥{S≥kn\v FgpX-W-sa-∂v. saUn-kn\p t]mbn Hcp tUmIvS¿ BI-W-sa-∂pw. \yq-tdm-f-Pn-bn¬ kvs]j-y-ssekv sNø-W-sa∂pw F∂pw ]dbpw. AXv Ahs‚ G‰hpw henb Bi-bm. AÆm\v C{X-sb∂p-h-®t√ hm s]mfn-°m-\m-hq.'' Znhm-I-c≥ sas√ XpS¿∂p: ""Rm\-hs\ Imcyw ]d™p a\- n-em-°n. a\- n-em-°m-\p≈ {]mtbmw A-h-\m-b-t√m˛ Un{Kn°p hn´p. Ahs\ ]Tn-∏n® s{]m^-k¿t]mepw Ft∂m-Sp-]-d-™p˛ GsX-¶nepw s{]m^j-\n-tebv°v Ahs\ Xncn-®p-hn-Sm≥. saUn-kn-t\m, F©n-\ob-dnw-Knt\m Hs°...'' Fw.-Un. Xmev]-c-y-tØmsS {i≤n-°p-∂p-sh∂p tXm∂n-bt∏mƒ Znhm-I-c≥ a\- p-Xp-d∂p ]d-™p: ""Un{Kn FSp-Ø-t∏m-tgbv°pw F≥{S≥kv Fgp-X-W-sa∂v Ah\p hmin. ]Tn-°m≥ temsWms° In´p-a-t{X. CjvSw-

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

7

t]mse sNøm≥ Rm≥ ]d-™p. Fgp-Xn. CXm c≠mw-dm¶pw In´n. C\ot∏m Rms\¥m ]d-bp-I? km¿˛ F≥{S≥kn\v ]mkmI-cptX F∂v Rm≥ a\- p-cpIn {]m¿∞n-®-Xm...'' ""s»! \nß-sf-¥mWo ]d-bp-∂-Xv?'' ""\nh¿Øn- t I- S p- s Im≠m km¿...'' Znhm- I - c ≥ ]d- ™ p: ""temsW-s∂ms° ]d™m¬ F{X-sb-∂p-h-®m-Wv? saUn-°¬ tImtf-Pnse sNehv Dul-Øn\pw A∏p-dØ - m-Wv. am{X-a√ km¿ AhnsS ]Tn-°p-∂-sXms° ]W-°m-cpsS a°-fm. Fs‚ tam≥ Ah¿°n-S-bn¬ t\m°p-IpØn BIp-∂Xv F\n°p kln-°Øn√ km¿. ]TnØw Ign-™mepw _p≤n-ap-´m-Ipw. Hcp km[mc-W-°m-cs‚ Pohn-X-co-Xn-b-√t√m Hcp tUmIvS¿°v. Hs°-IqSn Nn¥n-®-t∏mƒ ths≠∂m tXm∂n-b-Xv. Fs‚ Ign-hn\v Hcp ]cn-[n-bn-t√? a‰p hcp-am\w H∂p-an-√. Cu iº-fw-sIm≠m F√mw. IpSpw-_-Ønev _m≤-y-X-bp-≠m-cp-∂p. AΩbpw s]ßfp-sams°. s]ß-fpsS amtc-y-Pv. {]mcm_v[w Hs° Hgn-™p-h∂t∏m Fs‚ tamƒ°p {]mb-am-bn. Ahfpw ]Tn-°m≥ anSp-°nbm-Wv. FØp-∂n-S-tØmfw ]Tn-∏n-°-W-sa∂v Bi-bp-ap-≠v. F√mw-IqSn \S-°n√ km¿. Fs‚ Xocp-am\w Fw.-F- n°p hnSW-sa-∂m. Hcp _n.-F-Uv. IqSn FSp-Øm¬ h√ kvIqfn-se-¶nepw Ib-dn-]-‰m-a-t√m-∂v...'' ""Hcp Po\n-b-kns‚ Xe-bv°-Sn®v kvIqfn-tebv°p X≈q.'' Fw.-Un. kzbw ]d-™p. ""k¶-S-ap≠v km¿. AtX hgn-bp-≈q. Ah\pw Adnbmw AtX \S°q∂v. Fs‚ tam≥ Fs∂ \t√mWw Adn-bp-t∂m\m. shdpsX Bin-°p-∂-Xm-sW∂pw Adn-bmw. ]ns∂ Asß-gpXo-∂p-am-{Xw. dms¶m∂pw In´p-sa∂v Rm\pw {]Xo-£n-®-X-√. Ah≥ {]Xo-£n-®n-cpt∂m Bthm? F{Xtbm lX-`m-K-y-∑m¿ Ah-s\-t∏m-se-bp≠o temI-Øn¬. Bscm-s°tbm BIm≥ tamln-®n´v H∂p-am-Im-Ø-h¿. ]Ww-thWw km¿. ]W-ap-s≠¶n¬ Bin-°p-∂n-S-sØØmw F{X-]m-Sp-s]-´m-epw.'' ""]Ww In´n-bm-tem?'' s]s´∂v Fw.-Un. tNmZn-®p. ""tM?'' Znhm-I-c\p a\- n-em-bn-√. ""]Ww Rm≥ X∂tem F∂v... A\-¥p-hn\v saUn-°¬ tImtfPv hnZ-ym-`-ymkw ]q¿Øn-bm-°m-\p≈ ]Ww.. \yq-tdm-fPn-bn¬ kvs]j-y-ssekv sNøm-\p≈ ]Ww... F¥m?'' ""F¥mWv km¿ Cu ]d-bp∂Xv? F\n-s°m∂pw a\- n-emIp-∂n-√.'' ""A\-¥p-hns\ Rm≥ ]Tn-∏n-°m-sa-∂v.'' Znhm-I-c≥ angn-®p-\n-∂p. ""F≥{S≥kn\v c≠mw dm¶v hmßnb Hcp sNdp-∏-°m-c≥ Hcn-°epw hgn-hn´p k©-cn-®p-Iq-Sm. Ah≥ saUn-kn-\p-Xs∂

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Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

tNc-Ww. t]mcm-™n´v AX-hs‚ Aw_o-j-\m-bn-cn-s°˛ Ah≥ ]Tn-°-s´. Db-c-s´˛ FØm-hp-∂n-S-tØmfw FØ-s´.'' angn-®n-cn-°p∂ Znhm-I-c-t\mSv Fw.-Un. XpS¿∂p: ""Fs‚ HuZm-c-ytam hnim-e-a-\-ÿn-Xntbm Bbn IW-°m°-≠. Aßs\ shdpsX ]W-sa-dn-bm≥ am{Xw \√-h\ - √ - X - m\pw Rm≥. kzm¿∞-X-bp-≠v. \∂m-bn-´p-≠v. AXp-sIm≠v \∂mbn Btem-Nn®n´p aXn.'' ""km¿˛'' ""F\n-s°mcp aIfps≠-∂-dn-bm-a-t√m. Ahsf A\¥p hnhmlw sNø-Ww. A{X-am-{Xw. AXmWv Fs‚ kzm¿∞-X. Ahƒ°v Rm≥ sImSp-°m-\p-t±-in-°p∂ kv{Xo[-\-ambn IW°m-°n-bm¬ aXn A\-¥p-hns‚ ]T-\w.'' Znhm-Ic - \v Xm≥ tIƒ°p-∂Xv kX-ya - m-sW∂p hni-zk - n-°m≥ Ign-bp-∂n-√. c≠p _m¶v kz-¥-am-bn-´p≈ Fw.-Un.-bpsS aIsf AXn-sem∂nse Imj-y-dmb Xs‚ aI≥ hnhmlw sNø-W-sa-t∂m? AXntßm-´m-tem-Nn-°p-t∂m? ""DSs\ adp-]Sn th≠. Btem-Nn-®n´p aXn. FSp-°p∂ Xocpam\w F¥m-bmepw ]n∂oSp ZpxJn-°-cp-Xv.'' Fw.-Un. ]d-™p. ""F¥m-tem-Nn-°m-\mWp km¿...'' Znhm-I-c≥ DtZ-z-K-tØmsS ]d-™p: ""apßn-®m-Ip-tºmƒ CXm c≠p-ssIbpw \o´n km¿ c£n-°m≥ hcp-∂p. CXn¬ Btem-Nn-°m-s\-¥n-cn-°p-∂p?'' ""D≠v. \∂mbn Btem-Nn-°-Ww. {]tX-y-In®v A\-¥p-hn-t\mSv. Ahs‚ ]cn-]q¿Æ kΩXw thWw. Hcp Ipcp-°p-≠m-°m≥ Rms\m-cn-°epw B{K-ln-°p-∂n-√. ]n∂o-sSm-cn-°epw CsXmcp _m≤-y-X-bmbn tXm∂p-Ibpw th≠m. \∂mbn Btem-Nn-®n-´pa-Xn. \∂m-bn...'' a\ v \nd™v Znhm-I-c≥ Ccp-∂p. Abmƒ°v F¥m-tem-Nn°m≥. ""\msf sshIp-t∂cw aI-t\mSv H∂n-hnsS hcm≥ ]d-bq. F\n°v Aev]w kwkm-cn-°m-\p-≠v.'' ""]dbmw km¿. \msf-Øs∂ sIm≠p-hcmw km¿.'' Znhm-I-c≥ Iym-_n-\p-≈n¬\n∂pw ]pd-Øn-dßn \S-∂Xv ]™n-Øp-≠p-Iƒ°p-ta-se-bm-Wv. ]q°ƒ°p apI-fn-eq-sS-bm-Wv. \S-°p-I-b-√m˛ ]d-°p-I-bm-Wv. B \nanjw apX¬ ]d∂p ]d∂mWv ho´n-se-Øn-bX - pw. A∂p-hsc ho´n-tebv°v sshIp-t∂cw sN√p∂ Bfm-bn-cp-∂n√ A∂p sN∂-Xv. Xe-sb-Sp-t∏m-sS˛ Xm\m-cv? aocm-_m-¶ns‚ DS-a-bpsS aI-fpsS AΩm-bn-b-∏≥. Xs‚ aI-t\m?

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

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aocm-_m-¶ns‚ A-h-Im-in. ""A\-¥q...'' \o´n-sbmcp hnfn-bmWv. AIØv hmb-\-bn-em-bn-cp∂ A\¥p [rXn-bn¬ FØn. A\¥p am{X-a√ Ahs‚ AΩ Ip™-Ωbpw s]߃ A\phpw HmSn-sb-Øn. A{Xbv°v BÀm-Z-`-cn-X-am-bn-cp∂p A—s‚ kzcw. ""F¥m-—m...?'' A\¥p tNmZn-®p. ""tamt\˛ \o `mK-y-hm-\m-sW-Sm˛ Ip™tΩ \Ω-sf√mw `mKyw sNbvX-h-cm. Cui-z-c≥ \Ωsf XpW-®p.'' Znhm-I-c\v AS-°n-bn´pw AS-ßmØ kt¥m-jw. ""CsX-¥p-]-‰n? Imcyw ]d-bm-sX˛ Xt∂ Nncn-®mev Rßsf-ß-\dow Imc-yw...'' Ip™Ω tNmZn-®p. ""FSo... Cui-z-c≥ FØn-bn-cn-°p-∂p˛ ]fl-\m-`-]-Wn-°-cpsS cq]-Øn¬...'' ""]fl-\m-`-]-Wn-°-tcm? AXp \nß-fpsS _m¶p-S-a-bpsS t]ct√?'' ""BsW-So... AXp-X-s∂. B _m¶ns‚ DS-a-ÿm-h-Imiw \ap°pw In´p-saSo s]Æpw-]n-t≈...'' ""tM? CsX¥p {`m¥m Cu ]d-bp-∂-Xv?'' Ip™Ω angn-®p\n∂p. ""A—m Imcyw ]d-b— - m... F¥m F¥mWp kw`-hw?'' A\¥p tNmZn-®p. At∏m-gmWv Znhm-I-c≥ Hm¿Ø-Xv. h∂m-ep-Ss\ ]d-bm≥ Dt±-in-®p-h∂ Imcyw ]d-™n-√. ""tamt\... \ns‚ dnkƒ´-dn-s™Sm... F≥{S≥kn-s‚.. c≠mw dm¶p-s≠-Sm...'' ""F‚o-i-z-cm...!'' Ip™Ω s\©n¬ ssIh-®p. ""C®m-®≥ Pbn-t®...'' A\p Dds° ]d-™p. BÀm-Zw-sIm≠v IÆp-\n-d-™p-t]mbn A\-¥p-hn-\pw. ""A—≥ Fß-\-dn-™p?'' ""Mm... Ahn-St√ Imc-yw.'' Znhm-I-c≥ D’m-l-hm-\m-bn: ""]d™Xv Rß-fpsS Fw.-Un. At±lw ]mSp-s]´v Imte-Iq´n hnhcw Adn-™-X-t√... A`n-\-µ\w X∂n-s´m≠v \nt∂mSp ]d-t™°m≥...'' A\¥p Nncn-®p. B Nncn-bn¬ hnjmZw ]pc-≠n-cn-°p-∂Xv Znhm-Ic - ≥ I≠p. ]pc-fp-Ia - m-{X-a√ A\¥p ]d-bp-Ibpw sNbvXp. ""AsX-gp-tX-≠n-bn-cp-∂n√ F∂v Ct∏mƒ tXm∂p∂p A—m.'' ""F¥m tamt\?'' ""shdpsX˛ shdpsXbmbn-t∏m-bn˛ a‰m¿s°-¶nepw In´m-\ncp∂ dm¶v ]Z-hn, Rm≥ shdpsX X´n-sb-Sp-Øp.'' AX-y-[nIw \ncm-i-]q≠ kz-c-am-bn-cp∂p AXv. ""shdp-sX-sb∂v Bcp-]-d-™p?''

10

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

""\S-∏n-√-—m˛ temsW-s∂ms° Rm≥ ]d-™p. \Ω-sf-t∏mep-≈h¿s°ms° AXp In´m≥ ]mSm˛ In´n-bm¬Øs∂ AXymh-i-y-Øn\p In´p-I-bp-an-√. Rm≥ At\-z-jn-®p.'' ""Fs‚ tam≥ hnj-an-°s - ≠-Sm. tam≥ `mK-ya - p-t≈m-\m...'' ZnhmI-c≥ Nncn-®p. ""CXp-Xs∂ ]d-bm≥ XpS-ßo´v t\cw Ipd-®m-bn. F¥m-∂ph-®m¬ Xpd-∂p-]-d-bv.'' Ip™Ω ]d-™p. ""FSo... `mK-y-tZ-hX Ctßm-´p-h-∂n-cn-°p-∂p.'' ""]nt∂w tZ Dcp-≠p-a-dn-bp-∂p.'' ""Fs‚ kt¥m-jw-sIm-≠m-So...'' ""AXp Rß-fqsS Adn-b-t´-∂v.'' ""FSm tamt\... \o saUn-kn-\p-Xs∂ tN¿t∂m... \n‚m-{Kl-a-t√. F{X ]Tn-°-Ww? F{X thtWepw ]Tn-t®m-fm\m At±lw ]d-™-Xv.'' ""At±-ltam? AXm-cv?'' Ip™Ω tNmZn-®p. ""FSo RßsS Fw.-Un. At±lw ]Ww Xcpw. Chs\ ]Tn∏n°pw. F{X-th-Ws - a-¶nepw ]Tn-∏n-°pw. AXmWp `mKyw Xmt\h-∂q∂p ]d-™-Xv...'' ""Fw.-Un. ]d-s™-t∂m?'' A\¥p FSp-Øp-tNm-Zn®p, Aºc-t∏m-sS. ""AtXSm tamt\ \ns∂ F¥p-Im-c-y-am-sWt∂m At±-lØn-\v.'' ""A—≥ At±-l-tØmSp ]dt™m Fs∂ ]Tn-∏n-°-W-sa∂v?'' ""tlbv, Rm\-ßs\ ]d-bp-tam? As√-¶nepw F\n-s°¥m Imcyw ]d-bm≥. Rm\-tß-cpsS Bcm?'' ""]ns∂?'' ""Fs∂ hnfn-∏n-®n´v Ctßm´p ]d-™Xm Adn-tøm?'' ""shdp-sX? shdpsX Fs∂-bßp ]Tn-∏n-°m-sa-t∂m?'' A\-¥p-hn\v AXp hni-z-kn-°m≥ Ign-™n-√. Ah≥ BsI Aº-c-∂p. ""AXp-X-s∂bm Rm\pw Hm¿°p-∂-Xv? shdpsX ]Ww sNehm-°m∂v Ctßm´p ]d-s™-t∂m? AXpw saUn-kn-\v...?'' Ip™Ωbpw A‘m-fn-®p. ""C®m-®≥ \∂m-bn´p ]Tn-®-Xn¬ kt¥m-jn-®m-bn-cn-°pw. dm¶p In´n-b-Xns‚ kt¥m-jw.'' A\phpw ]d-™p. ""F\n°p dm¶p In´n-bm¬ kt¥m-jn®p ]Ww apS-°m≥ Atß-scs‚ Bcm? BcmSo Igp-tX?'' A\¥p A\p-hns\ Ifn-bm-°n. ""Hm Hcp dm¶p-Im-c≥. s]mß-®-°m-c≥. Fs¥mcp ]{Xm-kv. Fs∂ Igp-tX∂p hnfn-®n-t√... Rm\pw hnNm-cn-®mev Hcp

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

11

dms¶mt°w H∏n-s®-Sp-°mw. CXn\m Ct∏m ]mSv.'' A\p ]cn-`hn-®p. ""Atßcv \ns‚ Bsc-¶n-ep-am-bm¬ tIkp Xo¿∂n-t√? ]ns∂ ]Ww Xcp-∂-Xn¬ {]iv\-an-√-t√m?'' Znhm-I-c≥ Dudn-®ncn-®p. ""A—≥ h√msX hf-s®m-Sn-°p-Ib - m... Imcyw ]d-b— - m...'' A\¥p-hn\p £a-sI-´p. ""Atßcv \ns‚ AΩm-bn-b-∏-\m-bm¬ t]mtc? Ah-Im-iam-b-t√m?'' Znhm-I-c≥ HSp-hn¬ Aßp s]m´n-®p! ""tM! AΩm-bn-b-∏-t\m?'' A\¥p sR´n-t∏m-bn: ""A—≥ ]d-™-Xv...?'' ""AXp-X-s∂-Sm... Fw.-Un-bpsS aIsf \o hnhmlw sNøWw. ]ns∂ \o Bcm? C°m-Wmb kz-Øp-°ƒ°v \obpw AhIm-in-bm... ]n∂-tßcp Xcm≥ t\m°≠m \n\-s°-Sp-°m-a-t√m? CjvSw-t]m-se˛ \o B{K-ln-°p-∂t{Xw ]Tn-°m-a-t√m?'' ""A—≥ Imc-ym-bn´v ]d-bp-I-bm-tWm?'' A\¥p Xpdn-®p-t\m°n. A\phpw AΩbpw angn-®-]Sn \n¬°p-I-bm-Wv. ]d-™Xp hni-z-kn-°m-\m-hm-sX. ""AtX-Sm˛ CØcw Imc-y-߃ Xam-i-]-d-bm≥ ]‰p-∂-XmtWm?'' ZnhmIc≥ ho≠pw Nncn-®p. ""Atßcv Cß-s\-Xs∂ ]d-t™m?'' ""]d-™p. F¥p Xmev]-c-y-tØm-sS-bmWv Atßcp Im-cyw ]d-™-sX-∂-dn-bm-tam? \ns∂ h-ey CjvS-am-bo∂v ]d-™p.'' ""A—≥ F¥p-]-d-™p?'' ""Rms\¥m ]d-tb-≠-Xv? h∂p Ib-dnb alm-e-£vansb XqsØ-dn-bptam Bsc-¶n-epw? t]msc-¶n¬ \ns‚ Imc-yw. \ns‚ B{Klw km[n°p∂ Imcyw. \ns‚ `mhn c£-s∏-Sp∂ Imcyw. Rms\Xn¿°ptam?'' ""tM...'' ""F\n°p kΩ-X-am-sW∂p ]d-™p.'' ""A—m...'' A\- ¥ p- h ns‚ kz- c - Ø n¬ hnd- b ¬: ""Fs∂ hn¬°m≥ A—≥ kΩ-Xn®p At√?'' ""hn¬°m-t\m? \osb¥m tamt\ ]d-bp-∂-Xv?'' ""as‰m-cm-fpsS A[o-\X - b - n¬, ASn-as - b-t∏mse Ign-bm≥ F\n°m-hn-√-—m...'' ""tamt\...!'' Znhm-I-c≥ A‘m-fn-®p. ""th≠-—m... AXp-th-≠. F\n°p ]Tn-°-≠m. tUmIvS-dm-I≠. F∂mepw Fs∂ hn¬°m≥ Rm≥ kΩ-Xn-°n-√. F\n°p kΩ-X-a-√m...'' Dd® kz-cw.

12

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw ""A\-¥q...'' Znhm-I-c≥ Xf¿∂p-t]m-bn. Ims‰m-gn™ _eq¨ t]mse.

c≠v aIs\ hn¬°p-I-tbm? Htc-sbmcp aI-s\˛ IÆnse IrjvW-a-Wn-t]mse Xm≥ IcpXp∂ aI-s\˛ F¥m-Wn-h≥ ]d-bp-∂-Xv? ""Hcp ]W-°mcn s]Æn-s\ Ie-ymWw Ign-°p-I, Ah-cpsS B⁄-bv°-\p-k-cn®v ac-∏m-h-sb-t∏mse ]ns∂ Pohn-°p-I˛ AXn-\mWo hmKvZm-\w˛'' A\¥p Aa¿j-tØmsS ]d-™p. ""tams\ \n\°p Xcm-\p-t±-in-°p-∂Xv kv{Xo[-\-∏-W-am-bn´v Icp-Xm\m At±lw ]d-™-Xpw. kv{Xo[\w \ns‚ Ah-Im-iam-sW-Sm˛ hne-b-√m˛'' ""kv{Xo[-\w Chn-Sm¿°p thWw? Bcm-tem-Nn-®p? Aßs\ H∂p kz-]v\-Øn¬t]mepw I≠n-´n-√t√m CXp-h-sc.'' A\¥p ]d-™p. ""\o kz]v\w I≠n´n-√. kΩ-Xn-®p. Rm\pw kz]v\w I≠n√. F∂p-I-cpXn C\n høm-∂p-t≠m?'' Znhm-I-c≥ A\p-\-bn-∏n°m≥ {ian-®p. ""A—m˛'' A\-¥p-hn-\msI k¶-Shpw tZj-yhpw Hcp-t]m-sebp-≠m-bn: ""F\n°p ]Tn-°-Ww. AXn-\p≈ hgn Btem-Nn-°p∂-Xn-\n-Sbv°v hnhm-lw˛ F∂n´v Rm\-h-fpsS hmembn \S-°Ww˛ Oo...'' ""\nt∂mSp hmembn \S-°m≥ Bcp ]d-™p? apJØp h∂ alm-e-£vanbm tamt\˛'' ""alm-e-£van˛ Mpw! Bcp ]d™p A—-t\mSv alm-e-£vanbm-sW-∂v? shdp-sX-bn-cn-°p∂ F\n°v Imipw kzØpw Xcp∂Xv ]ns∂ tam£-Øn-\m? h√ FSp°m Nc°pw Bbn-cn°pw. AXns\ hn‰-gn-°p-Ibm Adn-tøm? A—\v AXp a\ nem-bn-√.'' A\¥p Aa¿jw sIm≠p. ""tamt\!'' Znhm-I-c≥ kvXw`n-®p-t]m-bn. Aßs\ Hcp hi-sØ-°p-dn®v Nn¥n-®n-√. At±lw hnfn-®p]-d-™-t∏ƒ Xm≥ aXn-a-d-∂p-t]m-bn. aI≥ _p≤n-bp-≈-h-\m! Ah≥ IS∂p Nn¥n-®Xv A¤p-X-a-√. sX‰p-a-√. At±-l-Øns‚ aIsf Xm≥ I≠n-´n√. aq∂p a°-fm-bn-cp∂p At±-l-Øn-\v. aqØ-a-I≥ A]-I-S-Øn¬ acn-®p. C\n HcmWpw Hcp s]Æp-ap-≠v. e£-°-W-°n\p kz-Øp-°-fp-≠v. GsX-¶nepw Hcp {]`p-Ip-am-cs\ aIƒ°p-th≠n Btem-Nn-°mw. ]t£, ]mhs∏-´-h-\mb Xs‚ aIs\ ]Tn-∏n-°-W-sa∂pw tUmIvS-dm-°-Wsa∂pw Hs° tXm∂n-b-Xn-\¿∞w? shdpsX tXm∂p-tam?

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

13

NXn-b-t√? Xm\m-tem-Nn-®n-√. F∂mepw Znhm-I-c≥ kwi-bn-®p. Fw.Un. Aßs\ sNøp-tam? Adn-™n-S-tØmfw X¶w-t]m-esØ a\pjy\m-Wv. c≠p _m¶p-≠v. Hcn-°epw B DS-a-ÿ-Xm-`m-htam Xe-°\tam tPmen-°m-tcmSv Im´n-bn-´n-√. F∂pw kua-y-\m-Wv. sX‰p sNøp-∂-h-tcm-Sp-t]mepw G‰hpw \√ coXn-bnte s]cp-am-dq. A\-¥p-hn\v Fkv.F - k - v.F - ¬.-kn.°v UnÃnw-Mvj≥ In´n-bt- ∏mgpw {]oUn-{Kn°v ¢mkv In´n-b-t∏mgpw Hs° At±lw A`n-\-µ\w ]d™n´p-≠v. F∂mepw CXv. aI≥ ]d™-Xn¬ kX-y-ap-t≠m? Znhm-I-c\v Hcp kvXw`-\m-h-ÿ-Xs∂ Bbn. ""icn-bm-bn-°p-sa-t∂˛'' Ip™-Ωbpw G‰p-]-d-™p: ""Ah≥ ]d-™X - m-bn-cn°pw. icn˛ h√ FSp-°m-Nc - ° - p-am-bn-cn-°pw. Nt´m NSt¥m D≈tXm tcmKw ]nSn-®-tXm˛ Hs°. As√-¶nev tNcp∂ Hcp _‘pX In´n-√mØ Fs¥-¶nepw XI-cmdv ImWpw. AXm Imc- y w˛ \nß- f n{X a≠- \ m- b n- t ∏m- b - t √m? A√, Atßcv _‘pX Btem-Nn-®t∏m aXn-a-d-∂p-t]m-bn. AºSm F∂m hchm-cp-∂p. Fs¥mcp s\K-fn-∏m-cp-∂p.'' ""Ip™-tΩ...'' Znhm-I-c\v BsI Pmf-y-Xbpw k¶-S-hp-am-bn. ""As√-¶n-Øs∂ ]tØm Ccp-]-sØmt∂m hb- p≈ sNdp∏-°m-cs\ ]nSn®v sI´n-°p-I! Bƒ°mcv Adn-™mev Xe-bn¬ Xo tImco-Sp-a-t√m˛ tZ s]sÆm-cpØn {]mb-am-Ip-∂p. AhsS sI´p-I-gn-™p-aXn F¥m-bmepw Chs‚ sI´v.'' ""\o ]d-bp-∂-sXms° t\cm Ip™-tΩ˛ Ah-fpsS ]TnØw \S-°-Ww. sI´p \S-°-Ww. F∂nt´ Ah\v Btem-Nn-t°-≠Xp-≈q∂v F\n-°-dn-bm≥ taem-™n-´m-tWm? Ah-s‚m-cm-{K-lw... F∂pw ]d-bp-am-cp-∂t√m saUn-kn\v t]mtWm-∂v. AXp \S°m≥ ]mSm-sW∂v a\- p-]d - b - p-tºmgpw B{K-ln-®n-cp-∂p. Fs¥¶nepw Hcp hgn I≠n-cp-s∂-¶n¬... kXyw ]d-™m¬ Rm\mtem- N n- ® p- t ]m- b - X m... sNdp- ° - s \- s °m≠v s]Æp- s I- ´ n®v kv{Xo[\w hmßn B ]Ww-sIm≠v ]Tn-∏n-®m-tem-∂v.'' Znhm-Ic≥ Xpd-∂p-]-d-™p. ""\nßfv Bfv Xc-t°-Sn-√-t√m!'' Ip™Ω A‘m-fn-®p-t]mbn: ""Cß-s\m∂v a\- n-ep-≠m-bn-cp-t∂m? tM?'' ""Fs‚ a\- n¬ Xobm-sW-So. Fs‚ tams‚ Hcm-{Klw km[n-°m≥ Ign-bp-∂n-√-t√m-∂v.'' Zn-hm-I-c\v kX-y-ambpw k¶Sw h∂p. ""A—m...'' A\¥p k¶-St- ØmsS ]d-™p: ""A—-s\¥m hnjan-°p-∂-Xv? Rms\m-cm-{Klw ]d-™q-∂-t√-bp-≈q. F∂p-h®v

14

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

F\n°p \ΩpsS kml-Nc - yw Adn-™q-tS? F≥{S≥kv Rm\ßv Fgp-Xo-t∂-bp-≈q. Pbn-°p-tam-∂p≈ Hcp ]co-£-Ww. Zm, hnPbn-®n-cn-°p-∂p. dm¶p-ap-≠v. C\n Rm\m B{Klw Dt]-£n-°p∂p. CXv IcpXn A—t\m AΩtbm hnj-an-°-≠m. Rm≥ Fw.F- n°p tNcmw. AXp-t]m-tc?'' ""Atß-scs∂ hnfn-®p-]d - ™ t- ∏mƒ Rm\ßv aXn-ad - ∂ - p-t]mbn. AXm kX-yw.'' Znhm-I-c\v ]nt∂bpw B Nn¥-bm-Wv. ""Atßcv ]d-™p. ]d-b-s´. ]d-bm≥ B¿°m kzm-X-{¥-y-an√m- Ø - X v ? Rm\nXv A\p- k - c n- ® n- s √- ¶ nev A—s‚ tPmen t]mtIzm? AXp-a√ Rm\nXv A\p-k-cn-°-W-sa∂v A—\v B{Kl-ap-t≠m? Ds≠-¶n¬ ]d-bq. A—≥ ]d-™m¬ Rm≥ A\pk-cn-°mw.'' A\¥p ]d-™p. ""tamt\...!'' Znhm-I-c≥ ]I-®p-t]m-bn. ""A—≥ hnj-an-°-≠m-∂v. Nt´m NSt¥m tcmKtam F¥mbmepw kmc-an-√. A—≥ ]dbq Rm≥ A\p-k-cn-°mw.'' ""th≠-Sm. th≠m. Fs‚ tam≥ ]Tn-°-≠. Db¿∂ NndIv B{K-ln-°p-tºm-gt√ hnj-an-t°-≠-Xp-≈q. \ap°v ]d-°-≠m∂v hbv°mw. Xmtg-°qSn \S-°mw. aÆn¬ Nhn-´n. Fs‚ Ign-hn-\\p-k-cn®v Rm≥ tamt\ ]Tn-∏n-°mw. Cui-zc≥ \Ωsf ssIshSn-bn-√. Hcp tPmen tam\v In´m-Xn-cn-°n-√. AXp-aXn. \ap°v Aßs\ Xocp-am-\n-°mw. \ns∂ hnj-an-∏n-°p∂ Imtc-ym∂pw A—≥ B{K-ln-°-Øn-s√-Sm.'' A\-¥p-hns‚ s\©n¬ Hcp hnß-ep-≠m-bn. ""AXm \√-Xv.'' Ip™-Ωbpw ]d-™p. ""F¥n\m shdpsX B{K-l-ß-sfms° tNcp∂ _‘p-Xbm G‰hpw \∂v. XmW-\n-etØ \otcm-Sq∂v tI´n-´n-t√? Xmsg \n∂m aXn. ssZhw Xcpw.'' ""F¶nepw \ns∂-sbm∂p ImW-Wsa∂v Atßcv ]d-™t√m-Sm.'' Znhm-I-c≥ At∏m-gmWv AtXm¿Ø-Xv. ""Ft¥m-∂n-\v?'' Ip™Ω tNmZn-®p: ""\ap°v CjvS-an-√mØ Imc-yw. ]n∂-tßcv ImWp-∂-sX-¥n-\v?'' ""I≠q-∂p-h®v Atß-cp-sS s]Æns\ Xte sI´n-h®v XcnIbpw a‰p-an-√-t√m. \Ωƒ kΩ-Xn-®m-et√ CXp \S-°q. \ap°v kΩ-X-an-√. kΩ-Xn-°m≥ t]mWp-an-√. ]ns∂-¥m?'' Im¿°-iytØmsS Znhm-I-c≥ ]d-™p. ""]ns∂-¥n\m ImWp-∂-sX-∂v?'' ""H∂v hcm≥ ]d™p. ImWm≥. \msf sshIp-t∂cw sIm≠ph-cm-sa∂v At∏m-gsØ kt¥m-j-Øn-\ßv kΩ-Xn-°p-Ibpw sNbvXp.'' ""Mm. hcm≥ ]‰n-s√∂v Xncn-®ßv ]d-t™-°-Ww.'' Ip™Ω

Xqh¬sIm-´mcw

15

Xo¿Øp-]-d-™p. ""Rm≥ hm°p ]d-™-Xm-So.'' ""Rm≥ hcm-a-—m...'' A\¥p ]d-™p. ""F¥n-\mSm \o t]mIp-∂-Xv?'' ""Rm≥ kΩ-Xn-°n-√-tΩ. F\n-°n-jvS-hp-a-√. ]t£ A—≥ G‰n´v t]m∂-X-t√... t]mI-Ww. Imc-y-ß-ƒ Xpd-∂p-]-d™v ths≠-∂p-h-bv°p-∂-XmWv F\n°pw CjvSw.'' ""icnbm tamt\. Atßcv \√-Xn\v ]d-™-Xm-sW-¶nepw NoØbv°v ]d-™X - m-sW-¶nepw Hcp IW-°n\v Hgn-hm-°p-∂Xm _p≤n. hen-b-h-cp-am-bp≈ _‘w˛ F{X-bm-bmepw {]iv\-ßfp-≠m-°pw.'' Znhm-I-c≥ kzbw ]d-™p. A\¥p A—s\ t\m°n. ""F∂mepw tams\ \ns‚ Bi...'' Znhm-I-c≥ \n¿Øn. ""Rm\n-t∏mƒ Bin-°p-∂n-√-—m˛ ]ns∂-¥m?'' A\¥p Nncn°m≥ {ian-®p. Xs‚ apdn-bn-tebv°v Ib-dn-t∏m-Ip-Ibpw sNbvXp. Znhm-I-cs‚ k¶Sw Ip™-Ωbv°v a\- n-em-bn. A\-¥p-hn\pw a\- n-em-bn. F∂p IcpXn Hcp Ipcp-°n¬ sN∂v Xe-bn-tS≠ Bh-i-y-apt≠m? Bh-i-y-an-√. Bh-i-y-an√ F∂p-X-s∂-bmWv A\-¥p-hn-s‚bpw Xocp-am-\w. Ccp-]-sØm-∂p-Im-c-\mb A\-¥p-hn-\p-ap≠v Nne k¶-ev]߃! Hcp kpµ-c-cq-]w˛ \o≠-an-gn-Ifpw \pW-°p-gn-hn-cn-bp∂ IhnƒØ-S-ßfpw imeo\-amb s]cp-am-‰hpw AXn-^m-js‚ {]k-c-W-an-√mØ hkv{X[m-c-Whpw Hs°˛ Aßs\ Hcp k¶-ev]-Øn\v Poh≥h-®-Xp-t]mse Hcp s]¨Ip-´n-bp-≠v. \oen-a! tImtf-Pn¬ G‰hpw \∂mbn ]Tn-°p∂ s]¨Ip-´n. Ahsf {i≤n-°p-hm≥ ImcWw Ihn-X-bm-Wv. tImtfPv amKkn-\n¬ I≠ Ihn-X. IhnX Xs‚ {]mW-\mWv. kwKoXw F{X tI´mepw aXn-h-cn-√-Xm-\pw. kwKoXw ]Tn®n-´n-s√-¶nepw ]mSpw. efn-X-Km-\-ß-sfm-s°. tImtfPv amK-kn-\n¬\n∂pw Ah-fpsS Ihn-Xbv°v CuWw sImSpØv tImtf-PvtUbv°p ]mSn-bt- ∏mƒ B IÆp-If - psS Xnf°w. ]t£ Hcn-°epw XΩn¬ kwkm-cn-®n-´n-√. Xm≥ F∂pw

Rs.250