khatd;

[q;-g;NshH re;jpapy; cs;s Nwhay; ghq;fpd; thrw; gbfspy; ,Ue;J xt;nthU epkplKk; Ehw;Wf; fzf;fhNzhH mtrukhf vd;idf; fle;J nry;tij ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;Njd;. $g;gpL Jhuj;jpy; Mapuf;fzf;fhNdhH ,Ue;Jk;> ehd; kl;LNk mq;fpUg;gJ Nghy; xU czHT. Kfk; njupahj rpyH ,d;Dk; rpy Kfk; njupahjtHfSld; rpupj;Jf; fijj;Jf; nfhz;L nry;y> NtW rpyH Jhug; ghHitAld;> NahridfSld; mtrukhfr; nry;y> ehd; jw;fhypfkhf kiwe;J NghNdNdh vd;W re;NjfkhapUe;jJ.

     tPbNah filf; fhf;fh  - mg;gh> mk;kh itj;j ngaH ,];khapy; -  $l vd;id khjpupj;jhd; md;W czHe;jpUg;ghd;. ,d;W vd;id ftdpf;fhky; rdk; Nghfpwkhjpupj;jhd; md;W mtd; Nwhl;by; tpOe;J fplf;ifapy;> ehq;fs; vy;NyhUk; ftdpf;fhky; XbNdhk;.

     fhf;fhTk;> ehDk; ngupa /g;nuz;l;]; vd;W nrhy;Yk;gb ,y;yhtpl;lhYk; ey;y gof;fk;. rpfnul;bw;F fhR ,y;yhj NghJ fhR je;J cjtpapUf;fpwhd;. md;W $l mtdplk; thq;fpa fhirj;jhd; nfhLf;fg; NghapUe;Njd;.

     “vg;g khah gazk;?” vd;W fhf;fh Nfl;lhd;. ehd; mg;NghJ N[Hkdp Nghtjhf Vw;ghL MfpapUe;jJ.

     “mLj;j fpoik nfhOk;G NghfpNwd;  -  gpwF mq;fhNy xU fpoikahtJ vLf;Fk; vd;W epidf;fpNwd;.” fhirf; nfhLj;Njd;.

     “ePAk; Nghfpwha;. M? vy;NyhUk; NghfpwPHfs;. ePq;fs;jhdlg;gh nfhQ;rk; fhR mDg;gp vd;idAk; $g;gpl Ntz;Lk;. vd;iu %dh vdf;F %d;W tUrkhf xNu rk;gsk;jhd; jUfpwhd;. rhg;gpl;Lg; Nghl;L Fz;b fOtj;jhd; fhZk;! eg;gpg; gay;!”

     “Ngha; xU Ntis Ntiy vLj;Njd; vd;why; fl;lhak; n`y;g; gz;ZNtd;. gag;glhNjalh.”

     “rup> thtd; ehfh]pNy VjhtJ Fbj;Jf; nfhz;L fijg;gk;.”

ehfh]pw;Fg; Nghtjw;fhf nkapd;Nuhl;bw;F NghFk;NghJjhd;> MHkp tupirahf l;uf;FfspYk; IPg;GfspYk; ,Ue;J ,wq;fpaJ. rdk; vy;yhk; xt;nthU jpf;fpYk; jiynjwpf;f Xl> ehd; vdJ irf;fpspy; nkapd; Nuhby; ,Ue;J gpupe;J NghFk; xOq;ifahy; Nghf vj;jdpf;f> fhf;fh vdJ irf;fpspd; gpd;dhy;> fupaupy; Vw Kayj;jhd; Kjy; Jtf;F ntbf;Fk; rj;jk; Nfl;lJ. clNdNa xU epkplj;jpw;Fs;> rhukhupahf gy Jtf;Ffs; ntbj;jd. mjpy; xU Fz;L fhf;fhtpd; KJfpy; gl;bUf;f Ntz;Lk;. Kjypy;> kh%l;ilia cijj;jJ Nghy; xU rj;jk; Nfl;lJ. clNdNa fhf;fh nkJthf NftpaJ Nfl;lJ. gpwF fhf;fh vd; KJfpy; rha;e;jJk; ehd; irf;fpis Ntfkhf kpjpj;jjhy; mtd; rupe;J Nwhl;by; tpOe;jJk;> ehd; jpUk;gpg; ghHf;f mtd; vOk;g Kbahky; ifia caHj;jp vd;idf; $g;gpl;;lJk;  -  xU nehbg; nghOjpNyNa ele;J Kbe;J tpl;lhYk; gy kzpNeuq;fs; vLj;jJ Nghy; gpuik.

     MHkpf;fhuq;fs; Nghdhg; gpwF> nkapd; Nuhl;bw;F Nghf> Ie;jhW NgH nrj;Jk; rpyH fhag;gl;Lk; ,Ue;jdH. fhf;fhit nkapd; Nuhl;lUfpy; ,Ue;j rhf;filf;Fs; js;sp tpl;bUe;jdH. KJfpy; xU Fz;L gplupapy; xU Fz;L. gplupapy; fpl;l te;J Rl;bUf;fpwhHfs; vd;W mq;F epd;wtH xUtH nrhd;dhH. rhf;filapy; tpOe;jjhy; Kfj;jpy; fhak; Vw;gl;L Kfk; KOf;f uj;jk; ciwe;jpUe;jJ. rhf;filapy; Nghd fspTj; jz;zPNuhL mtdpd; ,uj;jk; NrHe;J NghdJ. Mdhy; fhf;fhtpd; fz;fs; %lhky; vd;idNa ntwpj;Jg; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jd. gf;fj;jpy; epd;wtH mtd; fz;fspy; gak; njupAJ vd;W nrhd;d NghJk; vdf;nfd;dNth Nfhgk;jhd; njupe;jJ - vd;idf; Fw;wk; rhl;LtJ Nghy;.

     mjw;Fg; gpwF N[Hkdp gazk; gpioj;J . . .

,d;W fhiy CupypUe;J tof;fk; Nghy; ghukhf xU fbjk; te;jJ: mg;ghf;F ,d;Dk; mbf;fb ,Of;FJ . . . nlhf;lH ];ngyp];;l;blk; fhl;l Ntz;Lk; vd;W nrhy;YfpwhH. cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; ,Uf;fpNwhk; . . . jq;fr;rpf;F upa+rd; gpiwNtl;lhf vLf;fhky; vf;]hk; gh]; gz;z ,ayhJ vd;fpwhs; . . . ];$ypNy gbg;gpf;fpwJ ,y;iyahk; . . . thlif ,uz;L khjk; ghf;fp . . . tPl;L kdprp vd;id md;iwf;F gr;irahfj; jpl;bdJ . . . cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; ,Uf;fpNwhk;. mg;gh $l New;Wr; nrhd;dhH: vd;iu kfd; Ke;jp khup ,y;iy> mtd; ,g;g jpUe;jpl;lhd;  . . .  ,af;fk; tpl;ljpypUe;J mtd; GJ kdpjd; . . . VNjh cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; ,Uf;fpNwhk;. . .

“Hi. Er. . . You got a light on you?” Kfk; vy;yhk; ypg;];bf;Fld; xU ngl;il Nfl;lJ. ehd; nksdkhf vd;Dila iyl;liuf; nfhLj;Njd;. rpfnul;ilg; Gifj;Jf; nfhz;L vdf;Fg; gf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;jhs;.

     “I hate it when it’s hot and muggy like this. It just drives me crazy. So crazy,  in fact, that I want to rip my clothes off and run naked,” vd;whs;. ehd; epkpHe;J mtisg; ghHj;Njd;. fpopg;gjw;Fk; fdf;f ,y;iy. Nyrhd ,Ul;by; mts; rpupg;gJ njupe;jJ. 30 - 35 taJ ,Uf;fyhk;.

     “I mean this weather makes me feel . . . so horny, you know.” ehd; Ngrhky; ,Ue;Njd;. ,ts; tpUk;GtJ vd;dplk; ,y;iy. nghf;fl;by; nfhQ;r rpy;yiwjhd; ,Ue;jJ.

     “Hey, you wouldn’t have a quarter on you, would you?” ehd; nksdkhf ,Uf;f> “I need to make a phone call and I don’t have any change with me,” vd;W ,ay;ghf> Gd;difj;jgb Nfl;lhs;. ehd;> “No,” vd;Nwd;.

     “Well . . . actually, I live right down there . . . Just a couple minutes from here. So if you could give me a quarter, I will make the phone call and then . . . you could come with me to the apartment  -  I live by myself, you know  -  I will give your money back. What do you say about that?”

     “If you live so close, why don’t you go home and make your phone call?”

     “Actually, I don’t have a phone-”

          “Well . . . like I said, I don’t have any money. Anyway, I got to go,”vd;wgb NrHNghdpy; cs;s vd;Dila mghHl;nkz;il Nehf;fp elf;fj; njhlq;fpNd;. Bitch! ifapy; Crp Fj;jpd ,lq;fs; FWFWj;jd. ,dpNky; `hHl; rhkhd;fis vLf;ff; $lhJ.

     vd;Dila tho;f;ifapy; xNunahUf;fhj;jhd; Ntrpaplk; NghapUf;fpNwd;. ehd; ,af;fj;jpy; ,Uf;Fk; NghJ mJ ele;;jJ. khwd;jhd; $l;bf; nfhz;L Nghdhd;. khwd; vd;dpYk; ghHf;f %d;W ehY taJ %g;G. jtpu> ,af;fj;jpYk; ehd; NrHtjw;F Kd;Ng NrHe;Jl;lhd;. fhk;gpNy ,uz;lhtJ rPdpaH. Mdhy; vq;fSld; vy;yhk; rf[khfg; goFthd;. ,td;jhd; vdf;F Kjd; Kjy; fQ;rh mbf;fg; gof;fpdtd;. md;W$l fQ;rh mbj;Jg; Nghl;Lj;jhd; NghNdhk;.

     Kjypy;> uTd; Ngha; gps;isahH fNgapy; nfhj;Jnuhl;b rhg;gpl;Nlhk;. vy;NyhUk;> gps;isahUf;Nf cgrupg;gJ Nghy tpkupirahf cgrupj;jhHfs;. rhg;gpl;L Kbe;jJk; gpy;iy jd;;Dila fzf;fpy; vOjp itf;Fk;gb khwd; filf;fhuDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;. uTdpNyNa ,Uf;fpw fd filfspy; ,tDf;F fzf;F ,Uf;FJ. Mdhy;> xUj;jUk; fhR Nfl;fpwjpy;iy. ,tDk; nfhLg;gjpy;iy. ,g;gbf; filfs;> nghJ ,lq;fs; vd;W te;jhy; khwd;> “fhg;ld; khwd;” Mf khwptpLthd;. rpy rkak; rq;Nfjg; ghirapNyjhd; fijg;ghd;. mtDf;Nf ghjp tpsq;fhJ. gp];liy fz;Zf;Fj; njupfpw khjpupj;jhd; itg;ghd;. kfrpd;> fpwidl; mlq;fpa ngy;l;il Nru;l;Lf;F ntspNajhd; fl;Lthd;. ehq;fs; fijg;gij> mtDila eltbf;iffis ftdpg;gtHfs;> ehq;fs; rhg;gpl;lTld; VNjh MHkpf; fhk;ig mbf;fg; NghfpNwhk; vd;Wjhd; epidg;ghHfs;. me;jsTf;F khwd; glk; NghLthd;.

     rhg;gpl;L Kbe;jJk;> ngw;Nwhy; ];NlrDf;Fg; gpd;dhy; gpf;fg;ig epw;ghl;bg; Nghl;L ,d;DnkhU fQ;rh rpfnul;ilj; jahupj;Jf; Fbj;Njhk;. jiynay;yhk; Nyrhfp kpjg;gJ Nghy; ,Ue;jJ. gpwF> ,wq;fp KUfd; Nfhtpy; gf;fk; ele;J NghNdhk;. xU ehSk; Neuhf gpf;fg;gpNyNa Ngha; mts; tPl;by; ,wq;Ffpwjpy;iy vd;W khwd; nrhd;dhd;. (fhg;ld; khwd; mg;gOf;fw;w jpahfp vd;W CHr;rdk; ,d;W NghdhYk; nrhy;Yk;.)

     ,Ul;by; gy xOq;iffSf;Fs;shy; NghNdhk;. mq;fq;Nf eha;fs; Fiuj;jd. elf;fpNwd; vd;w czHNt vdf;fpy;iy. kpjg;gJ Nghy; ,Ue;jJ. mbf;fb khwd; Njitapy;yhky; rpupj;jhd;. vdf;Fk; rpupg;G te;jJ. filrpahf> xU gliyiaj; jpwe;J xU rpd;df; nfhl;bypd; Kd;dhy; te;J epd;Nwhk;. xU ngupa eha; Fiuj;Jf; nfhz;L te;jJ. khwd; “j;-j;-j;>” vd;whd;. eha; thiy Ml;baJ. gf;fj;jpy; epd;w gid kuj;jpd; Xiyfs; fhw;wpy; Mb> cuha;tjhy; vOk;gpa rj;jk; me;j ,utpd; mikjpia Fog;gpf; nfhz;bUe;jJ.

     nfhl;bYf;Fs; ,Ue;J xU nky;ypa cUtk; ntspapy; te;J> “thq;Nfh> cs;Ns thq;Nfh>“ vd;wJ. xU ngz;zpd; Fuy;. cs;Ns xU rpd;df; FrpdpAk; xU miwAk; ,Ue;jJ. %iyapy; xU tpsf;F kq;fyhf> fhw;wpy; Mbagb vupe;jJ.

     “,J NjhoH Nltpl;. mz;ilf;F fhk;g; mbf;fg; Nghd tPuHfSs; ,tUk; xU Ms;. mjpNy xU Fz;L Njhspy; gl;L rhff; fple;jtH>“ vd;W khwd; vd;id me;jg; ngz;zpw;F mwpKfg;gLj;jpdhd;. KOf;fg; ngha;! Mdhy; ehd; mlf;fkhfr; rpupj;Njd;. kq;fyhd tpsf;nfhspapy; me;jg; ngz; vd;idg; ghHj;J> Gd;difg;gJ njupe;jJ. mtspd; fz;fs; tpsf;nfhspapy; kpd;dpd. “mg;g ehd; ntspapNy ,Uf;fpNwd;>“ vd;W Nghl;L khwd; ntspapNy Nghapl;lhd;. ehDk; mtSk; mq;fpUe;j miwf;Fs;> tpsf;if vLj;Jf; nfhz;L NghNdhk;. cs;Ns xU ghAk;> gf;fj;jpy; fl;bapUe;j  xU Vizapy; Foe;ij gLj;jpUg;gJk; njupe;jJ. Nfs;tpfs; fdf;f Nfl;f Ntz;Lk; NghypUe;jhYk;> fQ;rhTk; tpsf;nfhspapy; njupe;j tisTfSk; vd;id nksdkhf;fpd. espdpAld; nra;tjw;Fk;> md;W nra;jjw;Fk; gaq;fu tpj;jpahrk;.

     ngw;Nwhy; ];NlrDf;F jpUk;gp ele;J Nghifapy;> khwdplk; vOk;gpa Nfs;tpfisf; Nfl;Nld;.

     “mtSila GU\d; ,q;Nf re;ijf;Fs; Fz;L Nghl;l NghJ nrj;jpl;lhd;. gpwF> mts; vd;d nra;fpwJ? ,ij xU Nrit khjpup nra;fpwhs;. GU\d;> rpq;fstd; Nghl;l Fz;bdhy; nrj;jjhy; rpq;fstDf;F vjpuhf NghuhLfpw vq;fspw;F mts; jUfpw rg;NghHl;jhd; ,J. jhd;> Foe;ijiaAk; itj;Jf; nfhz;L ,af;fj;jpy; Nruf; f\;lk; vd;gjhNy> vq;fspw;F cjtp nra;tjd; %ykhtJ ehl;bw;F Nrit nra;Nthk; vd;W ,g;gbr; nra;fpwhs;. rpq;fstHfis ,g;gb gopthq;Ffpwhs;! Mdhy; ehd; rpyrkak; fhR nfhLf;fpwdhd; - mJjhd; cd;idf; $l ngupa Ms;Nghy mwpKfg;gLj;jpdhd;. mtspw;F> ,g;gb vq;fis jpUg;jpg;gLj;jtjhy;> xU kdepiwT fpilf;FJ. rz;ilfspNyNa fhag;gl;ltHfs; vd;why; mtSf;F $lj; jpUg;jp!”

Fkud;

vd;NdhLjhd; khatd; ,Uf;fpwhd;. vy;NyhUk; khah vd;Wjhd; $g;gpLtk;. Mdhy; ,af;fj;jpy; ,Uf;Fk; NghJ mtd; ngaH Nltpl;. ,uz;L NgUk; CupNy xd;whfj;jhd; gbj;jdhq;fs;. Ke;jpnay;yhk; ,td; vg;NghJk; re;NjhrkhfNt ,Ug;ghd;. O/L Kjy; juk; /ngapy; Md NghJk; $l rpup;j;jgbNa jpupe;jhd;. ,g;gbj;jhd;> xUKiw ehq;fs; vy;NyhUk; fpwpf;nfl; tpisahbf; nfhz;bUe;j NghJ> ee;jpdp vd;W vq;fSld; gbf;Fk; ngz; xUj;jp> ehq;fs; tpisahba fpwTz;l; gf;fj;jhNy Nghf> khatd; “V Mj;jh Mj;Njhukh thwpah” ghl;il gaq;fukhf nfhr;irg;gLj;jpg; ghbdhd;. ehq;fs; vy;NyhUk; rpupj;Njhk;. ,jw;fpilapy; ghw; gz;zpf; nfhz;bUe;j khah rpf;]H mbf;ff; $ba khjpup Nghy; gz;zr; nrhy;ypg; Nghl;L itlhf Nghlg;gl;l ge;Jfis mbf;f Kbahky; jpz;lhbf; nfhz;L ,Ue;jhd;. Vndd;why; Nghy; gz;zpaJ Kusp. ,tid ehq;fs; vq;fspw;F Vd; gpur;rpid vd;W Nghl;L> fg;ldhf Mf;fpdhq;fs;. Mdhy;> ,tDf;F jhd; VNjh kpypl;lup fg;ld; vd;W epidg;G. xNu rHthjpfhuk;. mjw;fpilapy; ,tDf;F xU tbthd jq;fr;rp. Kuspiaj; jtpu uPkpy; ,Uf;Fk; kw;w vy;NyhUk; mtisj;jhd; fl;LfpwJ vd;W fdT. ,J mtDf;F rhjfkha; mike;;jpw;WJ. ,td; nrhy;fpwij jq;fr;rpf;fhf vy;NyhUk; Nfl;Nghk;. mtd;jhd; ,g;g khahTf;F itl; Nghyhf Nghl;Lf; nfhz;L ,Ue;jhd;. khah mbf;fb nrhy;Yfpw khjpup mtDf;F vjpuhf Gul;rp md;W vOk;Gk; Nghy; ,Ue;jJ. Mdhy; mjw;fpilapy;> ,uz;L gf;fj;jpw;Fk; nghJthd vjpup jiyia ePl;l>  ehq;fs; $l;lzpahNdhk;. ee;jpdpapd; nrhe;jq;fSk;> ge;jq;fSk; vd;W xU Fl;bg; gl;lhsNk te;Jtpl;lJ. vq;fspy; fdNgUf;F ey;y mb.

     ,J ele;J rpy khjq;fSf;Fg; gpwF khatd; ee;jpdpf;F ik Cj;;jptpl;lhd;. mts; ];$y; Kbe;J>  tPl;bw;F xU xOq;ifahy; NghFk;NghJ> ,tDk; ,d;DnkhUtDk; irf;fpspy; gpd;dhy; Ngha; ikia Cj;jptpl;lhq;fs;. ,td; irf;fpspy; Kd;dhy; ,Ue;jjhy; mtSf;F ahH ik Cj;jpdJ vd;W njupahky; Ngha;tpl;lJ. ,g;gb mtd; vg;NghJk; tpisahl;L gfpb vd;W ,Ug;ghd;.

     Mdhy; mtd; ,af;fk; Ngha; te;jjpypUe;J rupahd khw;wk;. ,q;F rpyH mtidg; igj;jpak; vd;W fijf;Fk; mstpw;F khw;wk;. rpy Neuq;fspy; mtd; ,e;j cyfj;jpNyNa ,Uf;fpwjpy;iy. rpy Neuq;fspy; fij nfhLj;jhy; Jhug;ghHitAld;> nrtpL khjpup ,Ug;ghd;. ,g;g nfhQ;rf; fhykhf ey;yhf; Fbf;fTk; njhlq;fptpl;lhd;. Mdhy; kw;wtHfs; khjpup Fbj;Jg; Nghl;L rj;jk; NghLfpwjpy;iy. mikjpahfNt ,Ug;ghd;. vdf;Ff; $l rpy Neuq;fspy; ,tNdhL ,Ug;gij epidj;Jg; gakhf ,Uf;Fk;. l;uf;]; mbf;fpwhd; vd;Wk; fij.

     fdlh te;jjpy; ,Ue;J ,uz;L %d;W Ntiy nra;jtd;. Mdhy; xd;wpYk; ,uz;L khjk; $l epiyf;ftpy;iy. ,g;g fd fhykhf nty;/NgH vLj;Jf; nfhz;L ,Uf;fpwhd;. mjw;fpilapy; ,tDila FLk;gk; vy;yhk; jfg;gDf;F Rfkpy;iy vd;gjhy; nfhOk;G te;jpl;bdk;. md;iwf;F xU ehs; ,tDila jha; /Nghd; gz;zp> ,td; ,y;yhjjhy;> vd;NdhL fijj;jh. fijj;jh vd;gJk; ghHf;f mOjh vd;gJ $lg; nghUe;Jk;. fhR mDg;Gfpwhd; ,y;iy vd;wh. /Nghdpy; fijf;fhky;> rj;jk; NghlhkNy ,Uf;fpwhd; vd;wh. GU\dpw;F ,d;Dk; rPupa]hfNt ,Uf;FJ> ];ng\yp];lbk; fhl;lf; fhR Ntz;Lk; vd;wh. gpwF mOjh. ehd; mtNdhL fijf;fpNwd; vd;W Nghl;L itj;jpl;Nld;. Mdhy;> ehd; fijf;Nfiy. vg;gbf; fijf;fpwJ? ehd;jhd; tprud;Nghy fijj;Jf; nfhz;bUgN;gNd jtpu> mtd; fijahd;> VNjh jpahdj;jpy; ,Ug;gJ Nghy; ,Ug;ghd;.

tprud;!

khatd;

mghHl;nkd;by; vd;Dila Whk;Nkl;> Fkud;> The Bridge on the River Kwai vd;w glk; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;. ehDk; tp];fpg; Nghj;jiyj; jpwe;J> Fbj;Jf; nfhz;L glk; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;Njd;. “NtiyNaJk; mk;gpl;LNjh?” vd;W Nfl;lhd;. ehd; btpapy; ,Ue;J fz;fis vLf;fhky;> “,y;iy>“ vd;W jiyahl;bNdd;. Ngrhky; ,Ue;jhd;.

     ,tdpw;F> ehd; VNjh Ntiy nra;a tpUg;gkpy;yhky;jhd; CH Rw;wpf;nfhz;L jpupfpNwd; vd;W epidg;G. l;iu gz;ZfpNwd;; fpilf;Nfiy. ehd; vd;d nra;a?

     ,td; xU gf;fh fg;gpl;lyp];l;. Whk; KOf;fg; GJg;GJ rhkhd;fs; thq;fpg; Nghl;bUf;fpwhd;. ,uz;L> %d;W ,lj;jpy; rPl;Lf; fl;Lfpwhd;. ,uz;L Ntiy nra;fpwhd;. nkrpd;! tprH gpbj;j nkrpd;! Mdhy;> khjf; filrpapy; xU gj;J nlhyH Nfl;lhy;> %f;fhNy mOthd;. mH[{dDf;F fpU\;zd; Gj;jpkjp nrhd;d khjpup vdf;Fg; Gj;jpkjp nrhy;Ythd;. ,g;gb cioj;Jr; NrHj;J vd;dj;ijf; fz;lhd;? thq;fpanjy;yhk; GJR GJrhf ,Uf;FJ. xd;iwAk; mDgtpf;fpwjpy;iy. upNkhl; fz;l;Nuhypw;F nghyPj;jPd; ghf;fhNy ftH Nghl;L itj;jpUf;fpwhd;. mij nkJthf vLj;J> b.tp.ia> nlf;if nkJthf xd; gz;zpg;Nghl;L> gj;jpukhf jpUk;g Nkirapy; itj;J tplNtz;Lk;. rdy; vy;yhk; khj;jf; $lhJ! nfh/gp Nugpis jpdk; ehY jukhtJ Jilg;ghd;. nuha;yl; upR gpq;fyupNy ,Uf;f Ntz;Lk;. Vndd;why;> ghj;&k; RtH gpq;fyH! ,e;j eha; CupNy gj;ijfspw;Fg; gpd;dhNy> vWk;G>  ©r;rp fbf;f>  Fe;jpg; Nghl;L> ,q;Nf te;J gpq;f; upR Nfl;FJ. ehisf;F rhFk;NghJ mg;gjhNd kuz mwptpj;jypy; mwptpf;fyhk;: gpq;fyH ghj&kpy; gpq;f; upRthy; Jilj;j md;dhupd; ©jTly; . . .

     tprH eha;!

     b.tp.apy; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;j glj;jpy; rpyH l;nuapd; xd;iw> jhq;fs; fl;ba ghyj;jpd; Nky; NghFk;NghJ ntbf;f itf;f vj;jdpf;ifapy;> mijj; njupe;J nfhz;l vjpupfs; ,tHfis Nehf;fpr; rukhupahf Rl;lhHfs;.

     ,NjNghyj;jhd; ehq;fs; MHkp thfdq;fs; rpyijj; jhf;fpa NghJ Rl;Nlhk;. jhf;Fjy; Kbe;jJk;> thfdq;fspy; ,Ue;j MAjq;fs; kw;Wk; cgfuzq;fis vLj;Njhk;. fhag;gl;L> rhfhky; ,Ue;j rpyiu vq;fil Mf;fs; gp];lyhy; jiyapy; Rl;lhHfs;. ehd; Nuhl;bypUe;J tpyfp> ftpo;e;J fple;j IPg;Gf;Fs; ,Ue;J> ,uz;L SMGfis vLj;Njd;. mg;NghJjhd; khwd; vd;idf; $g;gpl;lhd;. “Nltpl;! Nla;! ,q;Nf ghH xU rpq;fstd; fplf;fpwhd;. ,d;Dk; rhfiy Nghy ,Uf;FJ.” ehd; SMGfis vLj;j IPg;gpypUe;J xU gj;jb Jhuj;jpy; tpOe;J fple;jhd;. fpl;Nl Ngha;g; ghHf;f> mtd; Rthrpg;gJk;> ,Nyrhf KdFtJk; njupe;jJ. mtd; tapw;Wg; gFjpapy; ngupjhff; fhaNkw;gl;bUe;jJ. njhilapYk; ,uj;jk; frpe;jJ. Fg;Gwf; fple;jtid> khwd; fhyhy; js;sp jpUg;gpdhd;. mbtapj;jpy;> ,lJgf;fkhf> ngupa JthuNk Vw;gl;bUe;jJ. ,uj;jk; Njha;e;j Fly;> nts;isr; rt;TfSld;> tapj;jpd; ntspNa JUj;jpf; nfhz;L> rupe;J epw;f> ,uj;jk; nkJthf ntspNa frpe;jJ. khwd; mtidj; jpUg;gpajhNyh vd;dNth> mtd; fz;fis ,Nyrhf jpwe;J vq;fisg; ghHj;jhd;. “tj;Ju . . . tj;Ju>“ vd;W Kdfpdhd;. mtd; jz;zp Nfl;fpwhd; vd;W khwd; nrhd;dhd;. ,jw;fpilapy;> khwd;> rpq;fstd; Nghl;bUe;j ©l;i]f; fol;b> jhd; Nghl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;. mtd; fz;fis %LtJk;> nfhQ;r Neuj;jpy; jpwg;gJkhf ,Ue;jhd;. rpd;dg; ngbad;. gjpndl;L my;yJ gj;njhd;gJ tajpUf;Fk;. jpBnud;W> ,tDf;Fk; xU jha;> jfg;gd; ,Uf;Fk; vd;w czHT te;jJ. ,tid ,e;j epiyapy; ghHj;jhy; vd;dghL gLthHfs;. ghtk;.

     espdpAk;> kw;wtHfSk; mgfupj;j MAjq;fNshL taYf;Fs; ,wq;fp> gidf; fhl;il Nehf;fp elf;fj; njhlq;fpdhHfs;. ehDk; ehd; vLj;j ,uz;L SMGfisAk;> SLRIAk; vLj;J> Nghfj; jahuhNdd;. me;j rpq;fsg; ngbad; Rw;wptu vd;d elf;FJ vd;Wzuj; njhlq;fpapUf;f Ntz;Lk;: jpBnud> Mdhy; gytPdkhf> “No! No shoot . . . please! No!” vd;W nfQ;rpdhd;. ,jw;fpilapy;> khwd;> rpq;fstDila ©l;i] Nghl;Ltpl;L vOk;gp epd;whd;.

     “Nltpl;. vy;yhk; vLj;Jf; nfhz;L ntspf;fpL. kw;wtHfSk; Nghwhq;fs;. epa+]; Ngha; mtq;fs; n`ypapy; tUthq;fs;. mjw;Fs;Ns gidf; fhl;Lf;Fs;Ns GFe;J tplNtz;Lk;>“ vd;wtd;> rpq;fstd; KdFtijg; ghHj;Jtpl;L> “,e;j eha; ,d;Dk; rhNfiyNa?” vd;whd;.

     gpwF ©l;]; fhyhy; rpq;fstdpd; Kfj;jpy; cijj;jhd;. “rh! ehNa> rh!” me;jg; ngbadpd; clk;G> ,td; xt;nthUjuk; ©l;]; fhyhy; cijf;fTk;> Jbj;jJ. khwd; gy juk; rpq;fstdpd; Kfj;jpy; cijj;jjpy;> rpq;fstdpd; Kfk; cUf;Fiye;J> NjhYupe;J> ,uj;jj;jpy; Njha;e;jpUe;jJ. khwd; vd;idAk; te;Jijf;fr; nrhd;dhd;. Mdhy;> ehd; mtd; cijg;gijNa ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;Njd;. “cdf;F kr;rhd;> kpby; fpsh]; jpkpH. eP ,tq;fSila Mjpf;fj;jhNy ghjpf;fg;gltpy;iy. mJjhd; cijf;fg; gQ;rpg; gl;Lf; nfhz;L epw;fpwha;>“ vd;whd;. Jhuj;jpy; n`yp tUtJ Nfl;lJ. “khwd;! Nla;! th Nghtk;. mtq;fs; thwhq;fs;.”

     “,Ulh. ,td; ,d;Dk; rhNfiy>“ vd;wgb> xUtpj ntwpAld;> ,d;Dk; ,bj;jhd;. mnyf;]{k; fpupAk; Jhuj;jpypUe;J vq;fis tUk;gb $g;gpl;lhq;fs;. ehd; tUtjhf irif fhl;bNdd;. nfhQ;rk; Kjy; ghHj;j me;jg; ngbadpd; KfNk ,g;g ,y;iy. mq;fq;Nf vYk;Gfs; njupe;jd. ,uj;jj;jpy; Kfk;> fOj;njy;yhk; Njha;e;jpUe;jJ. khwd; xt;nthU juk; cijf;fTk;> ntspapy; JUj;jpagb ,Ue;j rpq;fstdpd; Fly;> ,ju tapw;Wg; ghfq;fs; FYq;fpd.

Fkud;

ehd; b.tp. ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jdhd;> rhilahf epj;jpiu tUfpw khjpup ,Uf;f> nfhQ;rk; epj;jpiuahfp tpl;Nld;. vd;d nra;fpwJ? gfy;> ,uT vd;W Ntiyf;Ff; $g;gpLfpwhq;fs;. epk;kjpahfg; gLj;J tU\f; fzf;fhfp tpl;lJ. ciof;fpw tajpNy cioj;J Kd;Df;F te;Jtpl Ntz;Lk;. vdpNt> Nrh/ghtpNy epj;jpiuahfpf; nfhz;bUe;jdhd;. fpsh]; fPNo tpOe;J cilfpw rj;jk; Nfl;L vOk;gpNdd;. Nrh/gh> nfh/gp Nugps; vy;yhk; rhuhak; Cj;jg;gl;bUf;FJ. ,td; -  khah - VNjh fhf;iftyp te;j khjpup ifiaf; fhiy cjwpf; nfhz;bUf;fpwhd;. vdf;F Nrh/ghitf; fpsPd; gz;Zfpwjh> my;yJ ,tidf; ftdpf;fpwjh vd;W xNu Fog;gk; Mfptpl;LJ. GJ Nrh/gh! NrypNy Mapuj;J mWEhW &gha;f;F thq;fpdhd;. mjw;F NkNy ,e;j GST, PST, DDT vd;W vy;yhkh ,uz;lhapuj;Jf;Ff; fpl;l te;Jl;LJ. vdpNt> ehd; Frpdpf;Fs;Ns Xbg; Ngha;> ,Uk;ghy; nra;j rhkhd; vJTk; ,Uf;Fjh vd;W NjbNdd;. vdf;Fj; njupe;J ,tDf;F fhf;if typ ,y;iy. Mdhy;> ahH fz;lJ?

khatd;

,g;g rpq;fstd; ,Ue;j cUf;Fiye;j epiyapy;jhd;> gpwF khwDk;> espdpAk; Fz;L ntbj;J nrj;j NghjpUe;jhHfs;. ,UtH cly;fSk; fhk;gpw;F nfhz;L te;jNghJ CjpapUe;jJ. clk;G KOf;f xU ehty; fyH gbe;jpUe;jJ. nry;fs; cly; KOf;fj; jhf;fp> clnyy;yhk; cUf; Fiye;J> ,uj;jk; ciwe;jpUe;jJ. khwd; Nghl;bUe;j nts;sp Nkhjpuk; mtid milahsk; fhl;baJ. espdpapd; ,Uk;Gf; fhg;G mtid milahsk; fhl;baJ.

     rpq;fstid ,d;Dk; khwd; cijj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;. ,tDf;F cz;ikahfNt ntwp. n`yp fpl;l te;J nfhz;bUf;FJ. jiu %ykhfTk; rg;NghHl; te;J nfhz;bUf;Fk;. Mdhy;> ,td; thwhd; ,y;iy. kw;wtq;fs; vy;yhk; tay; jhz;b gidf; fhl;bw;F fpl;Nl Nghl;lhq;fs;. ,jdhNyjhd; l;uf;]; mbf;fhNj vd;W khwdpw;Fr; nrhd;dhd;. ,td; mbj;jhy;jhd; crhuh ml;lhf; gz;zyhk; vd;whd;. ,g;g Nghijapy;> Raepidtpy;yhky; me;jg; ngbaid cijj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;fpwhd;.

     ehd; vd;Dila gp];liy vLj;J> me;jr; rpq;fstdpd; jiyapy; Fdpe;J Rl;Nld;. Fz;L jhf;fpa Ntfj;jhNyh> my;yJ kpr;rkpUe;j capUk; tpyfpajhNyh> mtd; cly; xU Kiw Jbj;jJ. “th Nghtk;>“ vd;W khwidf; $g;gpl;Nld;.

     jpBnud me;jr; rpq;fsg; ngbad; vd;id Nehf;fp Xb te;jhd;. ifapy; xU nkhj;jkhd ,Uk;Gf; fk;gp. ehd; clNd gha;e;J me;jf; fk;gpiag; gpLq;fpNdd;. gp];lyhy; Rlyhk; vd;why; gp];liyf; fhNziy! khwidAk; fhNziy! rpq;fstid me;jf; fk;gpahNyNa mbj;Njd;. “zq;>“ vd;W rj;jk; Nfl;lJ. rpq;fstd; rha;e;J tpOe;jhd;.

     vdf;F vq;fpUe;Njh jpBnudf; Nfhgk; nghq;fp te;jJ. nfhQ;rk; Kjy;> khwd; vd;id te;J rpq;fstid cijf;fr; nrhd;d NghJ $l vdf;Fg; Nfhgk; tutpy;iy. Mdhy;> ,g;NghNjh fl;Lf;flq;fhj> ,de;njupahj Nfhgk;. fhf;fhtpd; ,uj;jk; Njha;e;j> ,iyahd; nkha;j;j Kfj;jpypUe;J Nfhgkhf> Fw;wQ;rhl;Lfpw fz;fs;;; espdpapd; nrj;j Cjpa clk;;G; khwdpd; cUf;Fiye;j> ,uj;jk; ciwe;j clk;G -  vy;yhk; vd; fz;fspw;F Kd;dhy; te;jd. mk;khtpd; fbjk; -  “cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; ,Uf;fpNwhk;>“ vd;W nrhy;Yk; mk;kh. gpd;dhNyNa> mg;ghTk;> jq;fr;rpAk;. mtHfSld; espdpiaAk;> khwDk;> fhf;fhTk; te;J> “cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; ,Uf;fpNwhk;>“ vd;W jpUk;gj; jpUk;g> Kjypy; nkJthfTk;> gpwF ,iue;Jk;> nrhy;y rpq;fstdpd; Nky; Mj;jpuj;Jld; gha;e;J> ,Uk;Gf; fk;gpahy; mbj;Njd;. Kfj;jpYk;> kz;ilapYk;> neQ;rpYk; jpUk;gj; jpUk;g mbj;Njd;. Kjypy; ghHj;j rpq;fsg; ngbadpd; Kfkpy;iy mJ. khwd; ©l;]; fhyhy; cijj;jjhy;> mtd; Kfj;jpy; Vw;gl;bUe;j fhaq;fs; mtDila Kfj;ij cUf;Fiyar; nra;jpUe;jd. Mdhy;> ,tdpd; Kfk; NtW khjpup ,Ue;jJ.

     Mdhy; ehd; ,Uk;Gf; fk;gpahy; gy juk; mbj;jJk;> mtdpd; Kfk; ,uj;jj;jpy; Njha;e;J> cUf;Fiye;J> gioagb khwd; ©l;]; fhyhy; cijj;j rpq;fstidg; Nghy -  mNjNeuj;jpy;> ,uj;jk; ciwe;j fhf;fhtpd; Kfj;jpypUe;J vd;idf; Nfhgj;Jld; CLUtpa mNj fz;fisf; nfhz;L -  ,Ue;jhd;. cz;ikapy;> me;jr; rpq;fstdpd; Kfj;jpd; jdpj;jd;ikia> milahsq;fis mtdpd; ,uj;jk; Kf%b Nghy kiwf;f> mtdpd; Kfk;> xNu Neuj;jpy; khwdpd;> espdpapd; cUf;Fiye;j Kfq;fisg; NghypUe;jJ.

     Jhuj;jpy; ,d;Dk; n`ypapd; rg;jk; Nfl;lJ. ehd; vd;Dila gp];liyj; Njlj; njhlq;fpNdd;. b.tp.apy; ghynkhd;W ntbj;Jr; rpjw> xU l;nuapd; Mw;wpy; tpOe;jJ. Jhuj;jpy; ehDk;> khwDk; gidf; fhl;Lf;Fs; xLtJ b.tp.apy; gbe;jpUe;j ,uj;jf;fiwfspDhlhf kq;fyhfj; njupe;jJ.

                                           (rupepfu;> 1996)

Written By: Suresh Subramaniam