Nfhzk; #1

fpupf;;;;nfl; tpisahLtjpy;> ftpij vOJtjpy; vd;Dila jpwikia rpy Neuq;fspy; re;Njfpj;jpUf;fpNwd;.  Mdhy; vd;Dila Gj;jprhypj;jdj;;ij vd;WNk ehd; re;Njfpj;jjpy;iy.  N`hdu;N]hL bfpup vLj;J> gbg;G Kbe;j ifAld; ey;y Ntiy vLj;J> ,d;W> rpwe;j xU vnyf;l;upfy; ,;Q;rpdPauhf> if epiwa rk;gsk; vLf;fpd;Nwndd;why;> vd;Dila Gj;jprhypj;jdNk fhuzk;.  ehd; Fs;;skhf> nfhQ;rk; Fz;lhf ,Ug;gJ fpupf;fl;by; Ntz;Lkhdhy; vdf;F nfhQ;rk; ,ilQ;ryhf ,Uf;fyhk;> Mdhy; vd;Dld; nr];N]h> fhu;l;N]h tpisahbdhy; njupe;J nfhs;tPu;fs; vd;Dila Gj;jprhypj;jdj;ijg; gw;wp.  vd;NdhL nr]; tpisahbatu;fspy; xUj;jUk; Njhw;fhky; Nghdjpy;iy.  rpy Neuq;fspy; ehDk; Njhj;jpUf;fpNwd;> Mdhy; 99%> xk; 99% ehd;jhd; nty;fpwdhd;.  ,ijnay;yhk; Vd; nrhy;fpNwd; vd;why;> xU İr;rp - xU GS - vdf;F Gj;jprhypj;jdk; fhl;l te;J> ,d;W gupjtpj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;fpwJ vd;w gupjhgfukhd cz;ikia>  me;jg; GStpd; klikia cq;fspw;F fhl;Ltjw;Fj;jhd;.

     rpth vd;w ,e;jg; GS vd;NdhL Ie;J MW tUlq;fshfg; gofp te;jpUe;Jk;> vd;Dila kfpikia mwpe;jpUe;Jk;> ,g;gb xU Kl;lhs;jdkhd fhupaj;ij nra;jpUf;Fkh> vd;W vdf;Ff; $l Kjypy; re;Njfkhf ,Ue;jJ.  Mdhy; xU Kl;lhs; Kl;lhs;jdkhd fhupaj;ijj;jhNd nra;thd;!  ,td; vd;dpYk; ghu;f;f MW> my;yJ VO taJ ,sik. vd;dpYk; nfhQ;rk; $l cauk;;. ey;y epwk;.

     ,e;j rpth vd;Dil tPl;bw;F Ke;jpapypUe;Nj mbf;fb te;jpUe;jhYk;> ehd; fy;ahzk; fl;bajpypUe;J ,d;Dk; $l tuj;njhlq;fpdhd;.  mg;gNt vdf;F rhilahf re;Njfk; te;Jtpl;lJ.  Mdhy; ehd; ,tDila el;ig ngupjhf epidj;jjhy;> xd;Wk; fzf;fpnyLj;Jf; nfhs;stpy;iy.  ,td; Vd; mbf;fb vd; tPl;bw;F te;jtd; vd;W cq;fspy; Gj;jprhypfspw;F Vw;nfdNt tpsq;fpapUf;Fk;:  vd;Dila ngz;rhjpapd; tbTjhd; fhuzk;.

     vd;Dila gbg;Ngh> NtiyNah> rk;gsNkh ,Ue;jpUf;fhtpl;lhy;> mg;gb xU tbthd ngz;iz ehd; fdtpYk; fl;bapUf;f KbahJ.  vdf;Fj; njupAk; ehd; tbtpy;iynad;W.  vd;Dila Ie;jb ehyq;Fy cauNkh> Kd;dhy; nfhQ;rk; nkhl;ilahy; ,Ug;gjhy; gue;j new;wpNah (,J mwpitf; Fwpf;Fnkd;ghu;fs;)> my;yJ khepwkhd NjhNyh mtu;;fisf; ftu;e;jjhy;> mtu;fSila kfisj; jutpy;iy vd;W vdf;F ey;yhNt njupAk;.  Mdhy;> mNj rkaj;jpy;> moif kl;Lk; itj;J Rfk; fhz Kbahnjd;w cz;ik mtu;;fSf;Fk;> vdf;Fk; ey;yhNt njupe;jpUe;jJ.  mjdhy;jhd; yjhit re;Njh\khf vdf;F fypahzk; nra;J je;jhu;fs;.  rPjdk; nfhQ;rk; FiwTjhd;.  (vt;tsT vd;W ,q;F nrhy;y ehd; tpUk;gtpy;iy).  mts; $l re;Njh\khfNt ,Ue;jhs;.  ngz;fSf;F gzk;jhd; Kf;fpak;;  kw;wnjy;yhk; ,uz;lhk; gl;rk;.  mtisg; nghUj;j tiuapy; tPf;-vz;l;fspy; elf;Fk; ghu;l;bfspw;Fg; Ngha;> mq;F tUk; kw;w ngz;fSf;F

jd;Dila rhwpia> eiffis fhl;Ltjpy;; my;yJ vq;fs; tPl;bw;F tUgtu;fSf;F> Gjpjhfg; Nghlg;gl;bUf;Fk; fhu;ngl;> Nthy;Ngg;gu;> Nrh/gh nrl; Nghd;wtw;iwf; fhl;LtjpNyNa> vd;idf; fl;bajd; mu;j;jKk;> RfKk; fpilj;J tpLfpwJ.  tUfpwtu;fs;> “yjh> me;j rhup ey;yhapUf;FJ;  fd fhR nrythapUf;Fk;. vd;d?” vd;W Nfl;f; ,ts; mjd; tpiyia nrhy;y; Nfl;ltu;fs; thia %l kwe;J> nfhQ;rk; nghwhikAld; ,tisg; ghu;f;;f -  mtisg; nghWj;jtiu> mJjhd; mtSila Xu;fh]k;!  gyu; ,ijNa jpUk;gj; jpUk;g xNu ,utpy; Nfl;lhy;> ky;;bgps; Xu;fh]k;!

     my;yJ> mg;gbj;jhd; ehd; rpy khjq;fspw;F Kd;du; tiu epidj;jpUe;Njd;.  mg;NghJjhd; vdf;F cz;ikahd re;Njfk; rpth Nky; tu fhuzkhapUe;j rpy rk;gtq;fs; ele;jd.

     xU ehs; ehd; vd;Dila /g;nud;l; xUj;jid re;jpg;gjw;fhf> Ntiy Kba KjNy> ,uz;L kzp Nghy;> n[uhu;l; ];luPl; gf;fkhfg; Nghf> ,tSk; rpthTk; mq;Nf xU rhupf; filf;Fs; Nghtijf; fz;Nld;.  vdf;F xNu nld;\dhfp tpl;lJ.  MdhYk;> ehd; xd;Wk; nra;ahky;> vd;djhd; elf;fpwJ ghu;Nghk; vd;W mq;fq;Nf kiwe;J epd;W ghu;Njd;.  mtd; VNjh nrhy;y ,ts; rpupf;fpwJk;; gpwF> mts; VNjh nrhy;y ,td; rpupf;fpwJkhf Neuk; NghdJ.  rpy Neuq;fspy; mtspd; ifia rpth gpbj;J nfhz;L epd;whd;.  mjw;F Nky; mq;F epd;why; VjhtJ ele;J tpLk; vd;W ehd; mq;fpUe;J Ngha;tpl;Nld;.

     ,g;gb rpthTld; n\hg;gpq; Nghtjhf yjh vdf;F KjNy nrhy;ytpy;iy; Nghdjhf gpwFk; nrhy;ytpy;iy.  mtDk; xd;Wk; nrhy;ytpy;iy.

     ,J ele;jJ xU Gjd; fpoikad;W.  mLj;j rdp ,uT xU rpd;d ghu;l;b elj;Jtjhfr; nrhy;yp> rpthit tur; nrhy;ypapUe;Njd;.  ,g;gbahd Neuq;fspy; Ntisf;Nf te;J rikf;f> NtW xOq;Ffs; nra;a xj;Jiog;ghd;.  ,e;j tPL vLj;J te;j NghJk; ,td;jhd; rhkhd;fisf; nfhz;L tu> tP;l;il xOq;F nra;a> ngapd;l; mbf;f cjtp nra;jhd;.  Mdhy;> ,g;g Nahrpf;Fk; NghJ jhd;> ,td; tpOe;J> tpOe;J cjtp nra;jjd; cs;Nehf;fk; vd;d vd;W tpsq;FfpwJ.

     kw;wtu;fspw;F cjtpfs; nra;tijj; jtpu> ,tdplk; cs;s ,d;DnkhU mİu;tkhd gof;fk;;:  kw;wtu;fSld; fijf;Fk; NghJ mtu;;fisj; njhl;Lj; njhl;L fijg;gJ.  Ke;jpapUe;Nj mtdpw;F ,e;jg; gof;fk; ,Ug;gjhf gyu; vdf;F nrhd;d NghjpYk;> vdf;nfd;dNth mtd; tjhtplk; fijf;Fk;NghJjhd; mg;gb nra;tjhf re;Njfk;.  my;yJ> jpl;lkpl;Nl Ke;jpapypUe;J ,ij xU ,ay;G Nghyf; fhl;Ltjw;fhf nra;J te;jpUf;fhk;.

me;j kwf;f Kbahj rdpf;fpoik ,utd;W> ghu;l;b Kbe;J tpUe;jpdu;fs; vy;NyhUk; Nghdhw; gpwF> kpr;rkpUe;j nfhdpahf;if ehDk;> mtDk; Fbj;Jf;nfhz;L> mtSld; B.tP. ghu;j;Jf; nfhz;bUf;ifapy;jhd;> vdf;F mtd; mtis mbf;fb njhLtJ njupe;jJ.  md;wpuT> ehd; mtid ey;yh Fbf;ftpl;L> gpwF mtdplkpUe;J fij vLg;gJ vd;W jpl;lk; Nghl;bUe;Njd;.

      “mf;fh>  ePq;fs; ,d;ilf;F itr;r Nfhopg; nghupay; me;j khjpup ,Ue;jJ! vq;fil mk;kh $l mf;fh ,g;gbj;jhd; msth>  gjkh nghupg;gh>“ vd;W mtd; nrhy;yp Kbg;gjw;Fs;> gf;fj;jpypUe;J yjhit NjhspYk; ifapYk; njhl;Ltpl;lhd;.

     “ePH Xuhs;jhd; rpth vd;Dila rikaiyg; gw;wp xd;wpuz;L thHj;ijahtJ nrhy;fpwJ . . .”

      “ehd; ,g;gb vy;NyhUf;Fk; nrhy;fpwjpy;iy> mf;fh. cq;fil rhg;ghL rhg;gpl;lTlNd VjhtJ cq;fspw;F nrhy;yhl;b vdf;F nrkpf;fhJ> mf;fh.” ,td; fijf;Fk;NghJ> mts; gf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;J mtidNa ghu;j;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhYk;> mtd;> vd;dNth mts; ,tDila fijiaf; Nfl;fhky; Ntnwq;NfNah ghu;j;Jf;nfhz;bUg;gJ NghyTk;> mtSila ftdj;ijj; jpir jpUg;Gtjw;fhf njhLtJ NghyTk;> epkplj;jpw;F Fiwe;jJ ,uz;L jukhtJ njhl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;.

      “ePu;> rpth> ,d;iwf;F Ntisf;F te;J ntl;bj; je;jpUf;fhtpl;lhy; ehd; ,d;Dk; rikj;J Kbj;jpUf;f khl;Nld;.  ck;ikf; fypahzk; fl;Lfpwts; yf;fp.  nfhLj;J itj;jts;.”  ,J vd;id ef;fybg;gJ NghypUe;jhYk;> ef;fy; ,y;iy. vd;Dila kdprp vd;dpy; ey;y kupahijAk;> kjpg;Gk; itj;jpUf;fpwhs;. mts; xU ntFsp - vy;yhiuAk; ,yFthf ek;gptpLths;. mts; epidf;fpw khjpup>  fypahzk; fl;bdhy;>  mtd; xd;Wk; jd;Dila kdprpf;F rikj;Jg; Nghlg; Nghtjpy;iy. mtd; vd;Dila kdprpf;F kl;Lk;jhd; thiyahl;bf; nfhz;L> ehf;ifj; njhq;fg; Nghl;Lf; nfhz;L cjtp nra;thd;.  mNj Neuj;jpy;> ehd; mtSf;F rikf;f cjtp nra;fpwdhd; vd;W nrhy;y tutpy;iy:  rikg;gJ ngz;fspd; Ntiy.

      “Vd; rpth ckf;Fk; tarhfpf; nfhz;L tUfpwJ jhNd? xU fypahzj;ijr; nra;ayhNk?”

      “,y;iy> mf;fh.  ehDk; mz;iz khjpup nfhQ;rk; fhR Nru;j;Jg; Nghl;Lj;jhd; fypahzg; Ngr;nrLf;fpw gpshd;.”

     vd;id khjpupf; fhR Nru;f;f ,tDf;F Gj;jpNah> xOq;fhd NtiyNah ,y;iy.  vq;NfNah xU nu];Nlhud;by; Ntiy nra;J nfhz;L> vd;id khjpupf; fhR Nru;f;fg; Nghfpwhdhk;.  fypahzk; ele;j khjpupjhd;.  ,g;Nghijf;F elf;fhnjd;W njupe;Jjhd; vd;il kdprpf;F thyhl;Lfpwhd;.  fs;s eha;!

      “vd;dj;ij Nru;f;fg; NghfpwPu;?  ck;kil tbTf;F rPjdj;ij ms;spf; nfhz;L te;J fpA+tpy; epw;ghsNt?  mij thq;fp ghq;fpNy Nghl;lhNy ckf;F fhZk;.  Rk;kh Nahrpf;fhky; fypahzj;ijf; fl;Lfpw topiag; ghUk;.  ,sik ,Uf;Nff;ifNa fypahzk; fl;btpl Ntz;Lk;.  ,y;yhl;b> ck;kil mz;iz khjpup (ehd;jhd;) nkhl;il tpOe;J> njhe;jp itj;j gpwF - Mdhy; mtUf;F gbg;Gk;> NtiyAk; ,Ue;jjhNy gpur;rpidapy;yhky; Ngha;tpl;lJ.  ckf;F ck;kil tbTjhd; gps]; nghapd;l;.  mjw;F NkNy ck;kil ey;y Fzj;jpw;F - ck;ik khjpup nghk;gpisfis kjpf;fpw Ml;fs; ,q;Nf vt;tsT Ngu; nrhy;Yk; ghu;g;gk;?  xd;Wk; Nahrpf;fhky; fypahzj;ij Kbj;J re;Njh\khf thOfpw topia ghUk;.”

     “,y;iy>  mf;fh . . . fhR jtpu> ey;y nghk;gpisahfTk; NtZk;> vd;d? cq;fis  khjpup tbth>  ey;y Fzj;NjhLs;s xUj;jpiaf; nfhz;L te;jhy;>  fhirAk; ghHf;fhky; ,e;j epkprNk fypahzk; fl;b tpLNtd;.  Mdhy;> vq;Nf    - xd;W tbthapUe;jh ey;y Fzkpy;yhkYk;> FzkpUe;jh tbtpy;yhkYk;...  cq;fis khjpup xU nghk;gpisiaf; fl;l Gz;zpak; nra;jpUf;f NtZk;.”

     nfhdpahf; jpBnud;W r+lhfp> Fliynaupg;gJ Nghy; vdf;Fs; czu;e;Njd;.  fl;Lf;flq;fhky; Nfhgk; te;jjhy;> vdJ nksdj;ijf; Fiyj;J> “Vd; mf;fhitNa fypahzk; fl;Nld;?” vd;Nwd;.  ,J VNjh ngupa gfpb Nghy; ,uz;L NgUk; rpupj;jhu;fs;.  “Nla;!  cz;il ehlfk; vdf;Fj; njupahnjd;W epidj;Jf; nfhz;bNah?  ehd; N`hdu;N;]hL bfpwp vLj;jdhd;lh.  eP vdf;F ehlfk; NghLfpwha;> M?”  ,uz;L NgUk; rj;jk; Nghlhky;> vd;idNa ghuj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;f> “vd;d? ehlfk; Kbe;Jl;LNjh?” vd;Nwd;.

      “,g;g vd;d ele;jnjd;W> ,g;gb -” vd;W yjh njhlq;f> “yjh> eP Rk;kh ,U.  cdf;F ,tidg;gw;wpf; njupahJ.  cdf;F cjtp nra;tJ> cd;id

“mf;fh> mf;fh>“ vd;W $g;gpLtJ vy;yhk; ehlfk;.  cd;il tbtpNy kaq;fpj;jhd; ,g;gbr; nra;fpwhd;> rgyf;Nf];.  cd;id Vd; neLfj; njhLfpwhd;> nrhy;Y ghu;g;gk;?” vd;W ehd; mtisf; Nfl;Nld;.  mtd; Nrhghtpy; ,Ue;J> nksdkhf vd;idNa ghu;j;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;.

      “cq;fspw;F vd;d tprNu?  my;yJ> ntwpNah?  rpthtpw;F ,e;jj; njhLfpw gof;fk; ,Uf;FJ vd;W cq;fspw;F kwe;J Nghr;Nrh?  cq;fNshL fijf;Nff;ifAk; njhLfpwJ jhNd?”

      “Xk;> Mdhy;> ,td; vy;yhk; jpl;lk; Nghl;Lr; nra;fpwhd;.  cd;id kl;Lk; njhl;lhy; gpur;rpid vd;Wjhd; vd;idAk; njhLfpwhd;.  mg;gjhNd ,J jd;Dila ,ay;G vd;W rhf;F nrhy;yhk;.  ehd; ahu;?  ehd; xt;nthd;iwAk; ftdpj;Jf; nfhz;Ljhd; tUfpNwd;.  vg;gNth ehd; ,tid nrf; gd;dpapUf;fyhk;.  Mdhy;> ehd; ,tid nrf; Nkl; gd;d Ntz;Lk; vd;Wjhd;> ey;y re;ju;g;gj;ij vjpu;ghuj;J> tpl;L itj;jpUe;jdhd;.

      “vd;dj;ij nrf; Nkw; gz;zpdPq;fs;? ,g;g rpth vd;d nra;jJ vd;W... ,g;gb - nfhQ;rk; $l khdu;]; ,y;yhky;-”

      “,g;g vd;d nra;J Nghl;lhNdh?  mtd; fijj;jijf; Nfl;ldpNa?  mf;fh khjpup ,Ue;jh clNd fl;b tpLthuhk; - njhl;Lj; njhl;L nrhy;fpwhd; ghtp!  kw;wJ> md;ilf;F cd;id n[uhu;l; ];l;uPl;bw;Ff; $l;bf;nfhz;L   Nghd-”

      “Xk;!  ehd;jhd; Nfl;ldhd; - $l;bf; nfhz;L Nghfr; nrhy;yp.  cq;fisf; Nfl;lhy; Ntiynad;W Kbahnjd;WtPq;fs;. mjhd; rpthitf; Nfl;ldhd;.”

      “Vd; vd;dl;ilr; nrhy;Nyiy?”

      “re;ju;g;gk; tNuiy -”

      “,y;iy> eP nrhy;yhl;b guthapy;iy.  ,td; Vd; vd;dl;ilr; nrhy;Nyiy?  cd;id - vd;il kdprpia - $l;bf;nfhz;L NghapUf;fpwhd; - ehd; ,y;yhj Neuj;jpNy NtNw.  Vd;lh vd;dl;il nrhy;Nyiy?”

rj;jk; Nghlhky; fhu;ngl;;ilNa ghu;j;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;.

      “rpth Vd; cq;fspl;il nrhy;y NtZk;?  ehd;jhNd $l;bf;nfhz;L Nghfr; nrhd;dhd;.  ehd;jhd; cq;fspl;il nrhy;ypapUf;f NtDk;>  Mdhy; ehd; nrhy;y kwe;jpl;Nld;.”

      “ePq;fs; ,uz;L NgUk; me;j cLg;Gf; filf;Fs; epw;fpwijg; ghu;j;jdhd;.  ,td; cd;il ifiag; gpbj;jijAk;> cd;idj; njhLfpwijAk; ghu;j;jdhd;.  cdf;F Ntz;Lkhdhy; mJ rf[khfj; njupayhk;> Vndd;why; ,tid ey;ytndd;W ek;gpapUf;fpwha;.  Mdhy; ,td; xU nfl;l eha;.”

      “Rk;kh me;jg; ngbaid Ngrhky; ,Uq;Nfh ghu;g;gk;.  vd;dthapUe;jhYk; ehisf;F Ngrpf;nfhs;syhk;.  ePq;fs; ,g;g epjhdkpy;iy NghypUf;FJ.”

ehd; Ngrhky; nfhQ;r Neuk; BtPiag; ghu;j;Jf; nfhz;bUe;Njd;.  ,t;tsTf;Fk; ,td; xU thu;j;ij $lf;fijf;ftpy;iy.  mg;NghJjhd; vdf;nfhU jpl;lk; cjpj;jJ.  vd;Dila Gj;jprhypj;jdk; vd;WNk vd;idf; iftpl;ljpy;iy.

      “rpth> ehd; nrhd;dijnay;yhk; ngupjhf vLj;Jf; nfhs;shNj.  ehd; ntwpapNy> epjhdkpoe;J VNjNjhnty;yhk; nrhy;yp tpl;Nld;.  [k; nrhwp> XNf?”

     guthapy;iy> mz;iz vd;W mtd; nrhy;y> mtd; fd;dj;jpy; fz;zPnuhOFtijf; ftdpj;Njd;.  vd;Dila jpl;lk; Ntiy nra;Ak; vd;w ek;gpf;if tYj;jJ.  yjh vd;id Mr;rupaj;NjhL ghu;j;jhs;.

      “rup> th> ehd; cd;id tPl;bNy nfhz;L Ngha; tpLfpNwd;>“ vd;W ehd; nrhy;y> mtd; fz;fspy; kPz;Lk; gak; njupe;jJ.  gypahLNghy> nksdkhf vd;NdhL te;J> fhUf;Fs; Vwpdhd;. ehd; fhiu ];lhHl; gz;zp> nfhQ;r Neuk; nksdkhf biut; gz;zp> xU xukhf epWj;jpNdd;.

      “rpth . . . ehd; cd;idf; fz;lgbnay;yhk; jpl;btpl;;Nld;. kd;dpj;JtpL - Mdhy;> cdf;F tpsq;f NtZk; vd;Dila Nfhgj;ijg; gw;wp. cd;id ehd; xU $lg; gpwe;j jk;gp khjpupj;jhd; l;uPl; gz;zpdhd;. Mdhy; eP ,g;gb nra;tha; vd;W - cdf;F vd;idg; gw;wpj; njupAk; vd;d? vdf;F eP vd;d nra;fpwha;> vg;gb nra;fpwha; vd;nwy;yhk; njupAk;. ,g;g>  ePah> eP rgyj;jhNyjhd; yjhitj; njhl;ldp> mtspw;F cjtpfs; nra;fpw khjpup ebj;jdp vd;W xg;Gf; nfhs;. cdf;Fk; vdf;Fk;jhd; ,e;j tp\ak; njupatUk;. yjh xU ntFsp. mts; cd;id ek;Gfpwhs;. ePAk; mtSila ek;gpf;ifiiaf; Fog;g tpUk;Ngiy vd;W epidf;fpNwd;. mjdhNy> eP nra;jij ,g;g xg;Gf; nfhz;L> kd;dpg;Gf; Nfl;gpahdhy;> ehd; xUj;jUf;Fk; xd;Wk; nrhy;yg;Nghwjpy;iy. ,y;yhl;lh> cd;idg; gw;wp ,y;yhjnjy;yhk; nrhy;Ytd;.”

     mtd; fhUf;F ntspNa> ];Ndh nga;tijg; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;L nksdkhf ,Ue;jhd;.

      “cdf;Fk;> vdf;Fk;> rpth> ,e;jf; fypahzk; elf;f KjNy gof;fk;. eP vdf;F - vq;fspw;F - fdf;f cjtpfs; nra;jpUf;fpwha;. eP ey;ytd;>  ,ofpa kdk; gilj;jdp vd;W vdf;Fj; njupAk;. VNjh rgyj;jhNy> re;jHg;g r+o;epiyahNy ,g;gb nra;jpl;lha;. yjhtpDila tbTk;> cd;Dila taRk; ,g;gb cd;id nra;a itj;jpl;lJ vd;W vdf;F ey;yhj; njupAk;. Mdhy;> mij eP ,g;g xg;Gf; nfhz;L> kd;dpg;Gf; Nfs;. mt;tsTjhd; ehd; Nfl;fpwJ.”

      “mz;iz> cz;ikahf ePq;fs; epidf;fpw khjpup ehd; xd;Wk; nra;Naiy... vd;il mk;kh NkNy rj;jpakh nrhy;fpNwd; - yjhf;fh vd;il nrhe;j mf;fh khjpup> mz;iz. vd;il mf;fh> mz;iz>“ vd;W mOJ nfhz;Nl nrhd;dhd;.

      “rpth> cdf;Fj; njupa NtZk; vd;idg; gw;wp. vd;NdhL vj;jid juk; nr]; tpisahbapUf;fpwa;?”

      “fdjlit mz;iz”

      “vj;jid juk; ntd;wpUf;fpwha;?”

      “xUf;fhYk; nty;Nyiy”

      “Vd;?”

      “. . . vdf;F rupah tpisahlj; njupNaiynad;W-”

      “mg;gb ,y;iy. cdf;F Gj;jp FiwT. my;yJ vdf;F Gj;jp $l. vdf;F?”

      “Gj;jp $l.”

      “iul;! ehd; Gj;jprhyp! mJ cdf;Fj; njupAk;. ,g;g elf;fpwJk; xU nr]; Nfk;jhd;. ehd; cd;il fpq;if Rj;jp tisj;jpl;Nld;. eP l;Nuh gz;zg; ghHf;fpwha;; ehd; nrf; Nkw; gz;zg; ghHf;fpNwd;. eP nra;jij xg;Gf; nfhz;lhy;> xU gpur;rpidAkpy;yhky; ,e;j Nfik Kbf;fyhk;. vd;d nrhy;fpwha;.?”

      “mz;iz> rj;jpakh-”

      “Nla;! You mother! vd;il nghWikia Nrhjpf;fhNj. vdf;Fj; njupAk; eP rgyj;jhNyjhd; nra;jdp vd;W. xg;Gf; nfhs;!”

     nksdkhf ,Ue;jhd;.

      “mz;ilf;F n[uhl; ];l;uPl;bw;F ,uz;L NgUk; NghdPq;fs;> ,y;iyNah? mg;g ePjhNd mtisf; $l;bf; nfhz;L Nghdp?”

      “,y;iy> mz;iz. mf;fhjhd; Nfl;lth.”

      “mts; mg;gbj;jhd; nrhd;dts;. cd;id ek;GfpwjhNy mg;gb nrhd;dts;. Mdhy;> ePjhd; Nfl;Lf; $l;bf; nfhz;L Nghdp. gpwF> mts; Nky; if Nghl;L> gpshd; Nghl;L nra;jdp.”

      “,y;iy - rj;jpakh ,y;iy>  mz;iz.”

      “Nla;>  ePah xg;Gf; nfhs;. ,y;yhl;b> vd;dl;il ,Uf;fpw G&t;fisf; fhl;b> cd;Dila tz;lthsj;ij vy;NyhUf;Fk; fhl;Ltd;.”

      “. . . mz;iz . . . ePq;fs; epidf;fpw khjpup . . . mf;fh ey;yth ,y;iy. ePq;fs; ,y;yhj Neunky;yhk; . . . mth . . . fijf;fpw KiwNa rupapy;iy. vd;NdhL /gpNsHl; gz;Zfpwh. fijf;ff; $lhnjy;yhk; fijf;fpwh.”

,td; nrhd;dijf; Nfl;Ltpl;L mtid ePq;fs; ek;gpapUe;jhy;> cq;fis ehd; Kl;lhs; vd;gJ KOf;fg; nghUe;Jk;. ,td; jd;id ghJfhf;f mtisf; Fw;wQ; rhl;Lfpwhd;. nr];]py; $l ePq;fs; Njhw;Fk; jUthapy; ,e;j ];uhnl[pia cgNahfg;gLj;jpapUg;gPHfs;. mjhtJ> cq;fspd; uh[hit vjpuhsp r+o;e;jpUf;f> ePq;fNsh Ntnwq;NfahtJ fha;fis efHj;jp vjpuhspapd; ftdj;ij jpir jpUg;gg; ghHg;gPHfs;. mijj;jhd; rpth ,q;F nra;a Kaw;rpj;jhd;. Mdhy;> ehd; ahH? jtpu> yjhitg; gw;wp vdf;F ey;yh njupAk;. mts; xU ntFsp. mtspw;F fhRk; trjpAk;jhd; Kf;fpak;. NkYk;> mtspw;Fj; Njitahdnjy;yhk; ehd; nfhLf;fpNwd;jhNd. ,td;jhd; fha;e;J Ngha; - ngha; nrhy;fpwhd;. ,Ue;jhYk;> vd;djhd; nrhy;fpwhd; vd;W ghHf;f> “nka;ah?” vd;Nwd;.

      “Xkz;iz. ehd; cq;fspw;Fs;Ns gpur;rpid tuf;$lhnjd;Wjhd; ,t;tsT Neuk; Ngrhky; ,Ue;jdhd;. Mdhy;> ePq;fs; vd;idr; re;Njfpf;fpwPq;fs; vd;gjhNy> cz;ikiar; nrhy;yhky; ,Uf;f KbNaiy. mz;ilf;F> n[uhHl; ];luPl;bw;Fg; Nghd NghJk;> mtjhd; vd;il ifiag; gpbj;jth. xU khjpupnay;yhk; fijj;jth-”

      “mg;gpb vd;d fijj;jts;?”

      “vd;il if u/g;thf ,Uf;Fjhk;. Mk;gpisfspw;F clk;G `hHl;lhf ,Uf;fpwJjhd; ey;yjhk;. ngz;fspw;F mJjhd; gpbf;Fkhk;. jdf;Fk; mJjhd; gpbf;Fkhk; . . . Mdhy; . . . Mdhy; . . .”

      “k;! vd;dthapUe;jhYk; gag;glhky; nrhy;Y.”

      “Mdhy;> cq;fspw;F xNu tz;bAk; njhe;jpAk; vd;gjhNy jdf;Fg; gpbf;fpwjpy;iyahk;-”

      “Ntnwd;d vd;idg; gw;wpr; nrhd;dts;?”

      “mthtpw;F cq;fspy; xU JspAk; tpUg;gkpy;iy> mz;iz. mth cq;fil fhRf;fhfj;jhd; cq;fNshL ,Uf;fpwthk;. nkhl;il> fWg;Gg; gz;b vd;nwy;yhk; cq;fisg; gfpb gz;Zfpwth> mz;iz.”

      “N]h> eP xU gpioAk; nra;Naiy vd;fpwha;> mg;gbj;jhNd?”

      “ehd; ,ij clNdNa cq;fspl;il nrhy;yhky; tpl;lJ jg;Gj;jhd;> mz;iz.” “Nla;> Nla;> vdf;Fg; Gj;jprhypj;jdk; fhl;lhNj. eP> cd;Dila rgyj;jhNy> xU jg;Gk; nra;Naiy?”

      “ . . . ,y;iy> mz;iz.”

      “mg;g> yjhjhd; vy;yhk; nra;jJ; eP xU jg;Gk; nra;Naiy. X.Nf. mg;g Vd; eP mtisj; njhLfpwdp?”

      “mJ> mz;iz> vd;Dila ,ay;G - gof;fk;.”

      “Rk;kh nrhy;yf; $lhJ - ey;yhNt fij nrhy;fpwha;. filrpapy;> eP xU gpioAk; nra;Naiy vd;whfptpl;lJ.”

      “ehd; xU gpioAk; ehdwpe;J nra;Naiy> mz;iz. cq;fs; Nky; rj;jpakhfr; nrhy;fpNwd;.”

      “eP ,Jtiuf;Fk; nrhd;dJ KOf;fg; ngha;. vd;il kdprpiag; gw;wp eP vdf;F nrhy;yhNj. vdf;Fj; njupAk; mtisg; gw;wp. mtspw;F fhRk;> trjpAk;jhd; Kf;fpak;. ,g;gb> cd;id khjpup> tpliyj;jdkh xd;Wk; nra;af; $bats; ,y;iy. Mdhy; cdf;Fj;jhd; me;j Njit ,Uf;FJ. mjdhy;jhd; vq;Nf vd;W miyfpwha;. mts; xU ntFsp vd;gjhy;jhd; cd;id ek;gpdts;. ehd; Gj;jprhyp. N]h vdf;Fg; eP Gj;jp fhl;lhNj. rupNah? ,g;g> eP cd;Dila Fw;wj;ij xj;Jf; nfhs;. ehd; Ngrhky; cd;idg; NghftpLfpNwd;. eP tPl;Lg; gf;fk; gpwF tuhNj. xUj;jUf;Fk; cd;il tp\ak; NghfhJ. xj;Jf; nfhs;fpwhNah?”

      “mz;iz> ehd; xd;Wk; nra;ahky;-”

      “Nla;!” - lh\;NghHbypUe;j xU ngupa ];F& biutiu vLj;J - “,g;g cz;ikia xj;Jf; nfhs;> ,y;yhl;b Fj;jpf;fpopj;J tpLNtd;>“ vd;W ntUl;bNdd;.

      “mz;iz> g;sP];> mz;iz - rup> ehd;jhd; nra;jdhd;. ehd;jhd; vy;yhg; gpiofisAk; nra;jdhd;.”

      “vd;ndd;d gpiofs; vd;W nrhy;Y.”

      “mf;fhit n[uhHl; ];l;uPl;bw;Ff; $l;bf; nfhz;L NghdJ; njhl;lJ; ifiag; gpbj;jJ . . .”

      “cjtpfs; nra;J> ey;y gps;is khjpup ebj;jJ.”

      “ebj;jJ.”

      “KOf;fr; nrhy;Y.”

      “ey;y gps;is khjpup ebj;J - cjtpnra;jJ.”

      “iul;! vy;yhk; ehd; nra;j Fw;wq;fs;; vd;id kd;dpj;JtpLq;fs; vd;W nrhy;Y.”

      “vy;yhf; Fw;wj;jpw;Fk; ehNd fhuzk;. kd;dpj;JtpLq;Nfh> mz;iz.”

      X.Nf. ,g;g vd;d nra;fpwha;: eP nrhd;dijnay;yhk;>  nra;j Fw;wq;fisnay;yhk; ,jpNy vOjp> cd;Dila ifnaOj;ijf; fPNo NghLfpwha;>“ vd;W mtdplk; xU Nehl;Gf;ifAk;> NgidiaAk; nfhLj;Njd;. mtd; thq;fp xd;Wk; vOjhky; vd;idNa ghHj;jhd;. “k;! vOJ!” vd;W ];F& biutiuf; fhl;b ntUl;l> nfhQ;rk; Nahrpj;J tpl;L> nrhd;dijnay;yhk; vOjp ifnaOj;jpl;lhd;.

      “rup> ,g;g> nkJthff; fjitj; jpwe;J> jpUk;gpg; ghHf;fhky; XL. tPl;Lg; gf;fk; jiyitj;Jf; $lg; gLf;fhNj. rupNa? XL!”

     mtd; fjitj; jpwe;J> ];Ndhtpy; Ntfkhf XlKbahky;> f\;lg;gl;L XLtijg; ghHf;f re;Njh\khf ,Ue;jJ. filrpahf nrf;Nkl; gz;zptpl;Nld;. ehndd;gjhy;> mtd; yjhitg; gw;wpr; nrhd;d fijnay;yhk; Nfl;L ek;ghky;> gjl;lg;glhky; ,Ue;Njd;. NtW ahuhtnjd;why; epr;rak; mtDila nghwpf;Fs; tpOe;J> Nfhgg;gl;L> gjl;lg;gl;L mtd; ,tHfis nrf; Nkl; gz;z top gz;zpapUg;ghHfs;. vg;NghJk; Gj;jp Kf;fpak; - mjw;FNky;> epjhdk;.

     ehd; tPl;Lf; fjitj; jpwf;f> mts; khbapy; cs; ngl;&kpypUe;J Xb te;jhs;. ,tisg; Ngha; elj;ij nfl;lts; vd;W nrhd;dhNd> kilad;! vdf;Fk;> yjhTf;Fkpilapy; xU ufrpaKk; vd;Wk; ehq;fs; itj;jpUe;jjpy;iynad;gjhy;> ehd; mtspw;F ele;jitfis kiwf;fhky; nrhd;Ndd;. mts; xd;Wk; Ngrhky; Nfl;lhs;.

      “. . . filrpapNy> NtnwhU b/ngd;]{k; ,y;iynad;wTlNd> cd;id elj;ij nfl;lts; vd;wpl;lhd;. eP mtNdhL /gpNsHl; gz;Zfpwpahk;. vg;gbf; fij?” vd;W nrhy;ypr; rpupj;Njd;. mtSk; rpupj;jhs;.

      “,g;g Nahrpj;Jg; ghHf;fj;jhd; njupAJ: ,tndy;yhk; gpshd; gz;zpj;jhd; nra;jpUf;fpwhndd;W. ,td; neLf> “mf;fh> mf;fh>“ vd;fpwjpNy> ehDk; vz;il nrhe;jj; jk;gp khjpup> ghrj;NjhL gofpdhd;. vg;gb Nt\k; Nghl;bUf;fpwhd;? mz;ilf;F rhwpf; filf;Fs;Ns vd;Dila ifiag; gpbf;Nff;if vdf;F xU khjpup ,Ue;jJ> Mdhy; ,td; xU Foe;ij khjpupf; fijf;fpwtd;> gofpwtd; vd;W ehd; Ngrhky; ,Ue;jpl;Nld;. vd;d khjpup ebj;jpUf;fpwhd;? ,td; njhl;lij> ifiag; gpbj;jij epidf;f> vdf;F clk;ngy;yhk; vupfpw khjpup ,Uf;FJ. ,g;gbAk; kdprH ,Uf;fpdNkh? \; . . . \; - vg;gb cq;fspw;F re;Njfk; te;jJ?”

      “vd;id Vkhj;j KbANkh? vdf;Fg; Gj;jp fhl;l te;jpUf;fpwhd; ,td;! vdf;F KjypypUe;Nj re;Njfk;> yjh. Mdhy; clNd VjhtJ Nfl;lhy;> rhf;F nrhy;yp rkhspj;J tpLthd; vd;Wjhd;> ntapl; gz;zpf; nfhz;bUe;jdhd;. xOq;fhd G&t; ,y;yhl;b mtd; rkhspj;J tpLthd; vd;Wjhd; - mJjhd; ehd; cdf;Ff; $l ,tidg; gw;wpr; nrhy;Nyiy. ePAk; mtid ey;yh ek;gpdjhNy> ehd; G&tpy;yhky; nrhd;dhy; ek;gkhl;lhnad;W njupe;Jjhd;> cdf;Fr; nrhy;Nyiy. ,z;ilf;F> mtd; cd;idg; Nghyg; ngl;ilnad;why; clNd fypahzk; fl;LNtd; vd;W nrhd;dijf; Nfl;lTlNd> Nfhgk; te;J> epjhdkpoe;J fj;jptpl;Nld;. ,d;Dk; nfhQ;rk; tpl;Lg; gpbj;jpUf;f NtZk;. Mdhy;> ehd; vd;gjhy;> vd;Dila Gj;jpiag; ghtpj;J Mis klf;fptpl;Nld;. ,q;Nf ghH: vy;yhj;ijAk; vOjp> ifnaOj;Jf; $l mtdplkpUe;J thq;fptpl;Nld;.”

     mts;> Mr;rupaj;NjhL mtd; vOjpapUe;jij thrpj;Jtpl;L> rpupj;jhs;. “ePq;fs; nfl;bf;fhuHjhd;. mtid xl;l eWf;fpl;Bq;fs;; ,dpNk thyhl;lhd;. ehd; xU bA+g; iyl;. ,g;gb ,tid ek;gp Vkhe;jpl;Nld;. vd;whYk;> ,t;tsT nfjpah vy;yhj;ijAk; xj;Jf; nfhs;s itj;jpl;Bq;fs;> vd;W fd;dj;jpy; Kj;jkpl;lhs;.

gpwF> “ghj;jpuq;fs; vy;yhk; ]pq;fpNy Nghl;bUf;fpNwd;. fOtp tpLq;Nfh. vdf;F xNu ilaHlh ,Uf;FJ. ehd; Ngha;g; gLf;fg; NghfpNwd;>“ vd;W nrhy;yptpl;L NkNy Nghdhs;.

     vdf;F xU re;Njh\khf ,Ue;jJ. nrf;Nkl; gz;zptpl;Nld;. kilad; vd;id Vkhj;j KbAk; vd;W . . . nkJthf tprpybj;jgb ghj;jpuq;fisf; fOtpNdd;.

Nfhzk; #2

NkNy> mtd; kidtp jd;Dila `hz;lghf;fpypUe;J ,uz;L rpwpa gf;nfl;Lf;fis vLj;J> ghj;&kpw;Fs; nrd;W> nlha;nyl;bw;Fs; Nghl;L /gps\; gz;zpdhs;. rpd;djhf> jl;ilahf> kpDq;fpa ciwiaf; nfhz;bUe;j me;j mofhd gf;nfl;Lf;fs;>  jz;zPupy; Rw;wp> Rod;W nkJthfj; jho>  mts; Kfj;jpy; Gd;dif gutpaJ. nlha;nyl;bw;Fs; Fdpe;J ghHj;jts;> jpUk;gTk; xUKiw /gps\; gz;zptpl;L ngl;&kpw;Fs; Ngha;g;gLj;jhs;. jdf;Fs;NsNa rpupj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jts;> mtd; gbNawp tUk; rj;jj;ij> tprpybj;jgb tUtijf; Nfl;lJk;> nkJthff; Fwl;il tpl;;lgb> Mokhf Rthrpj;Jf; nfhz;L> fz;fis %bagb gLj;jpUe;jhs;.           

                                                (rupepfu; & jhafk;> 1996)

Written By: Suresh Subramaniam