கத்து (சிறுகதை)

nrd;idapd; gy mz;zhe;J ghh;f;ff; $ba fl;blq;fspy;> ,e;jf; fy;ahz kz;lgKk; xd;W. nghpa murpay;thjpfs;> njhopyjpgh;fs;> rpdpkhf;fhuh;fspd; jpUkzq;fs; jhk; ,q;Nf eilngWk;. mJTk; xU nghpa njhopyjpgh; tPl;Lj; jpUkzk; jhd;. jpUkz ,y;yNk gpuk;khz;lkhd jpUtpohitg; Nghy; n[hypj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jJ. rPhpay; iyl;LfSk;> ,Uk;G vWk;Gfsha; Ch;e;J tise;J te;J NghFk; fhu;fSk;> tz;zkakha; myq;fhug; ge;jy;fSk;> gf;fj;J Fg;gj;J rpWth;fSf;F xNu nfhz;lhl;lk; jhd;. ,q;Nf “iyl; kpArpf;” ghly;fSf;F mq;Nf Ml;lk; Xbf;nfhz;bUf;Fk;.

jpUkz tpohtpy; thrypy; Mr;rhpa rphpg;GfSk;> mw;Gj re;jpg;GfSk; muq;Nfwpf; nfhz;bUe;jd. nrhe;jq;fis Rw;wpr; Rw;wp Foe;ijfs; Mbf;nfhz;bUe;jdh;. gioa ez;gh;fs; gy tUlq;fspy; khwptpl;l cUtj;ijg; ghh;j;Jf; nfhz;L Muj;jOtpf;nfhz;ldh;. thypg tpisahl;Lfis epidj;J epidj;J tNahjpff;$l;lk; xd;W FJ}fygl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jJ. kw;nwhU gf;fk; kUkfs;fspd; khpahijapd;ikiag; gw;wp khkpahh;fs; Fiw $wpf; Nfl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jdh;. GJ fhjy;fs; mq;Nf Muk;gpf;fTk; Jtq;fpapUe;jd.

jPghtsp NghJ jp.efh; n[hypj;ijg; Nghy; me;j ,lNk fyfyfj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;j me;j Neuj;jpy; kzg;ngz; vg;gb ,Ue;jhs;? vd;d nra;J nfhz;bUe;jhs;? mtSf;F cz;ikapNyNa kzkfisg; gpbj;jpUe;jjh? “mh;r;rdh ntl;]; mh;[_d;” vd;w njh;khNfhy; myq;fhuj;jl;bf;F cz;ikapNyNa mh;j;jk; ,Ue;jjh? mh;r;rdhtpd; miwf;Fs; it~;ztp EioAk; NghJ mh;r;rdh nkhigy; Nghdpy; ahUlNdh Ngrpf;nfhz;bUe;jhs;. kzg;ngz; mh;r;rdhtpw;F it~;ztp ntWk; nghpag;gh kfs; kl;Lk; fpilahJ. cw;wj; NjhopAk; $l. mh;r;rdh ,g;gb nra;J nfhz;bUg;gJ it~;ztpf;F nfhQ;rk; $l gpbf;ftpy;iy. Nfhgkhf Ngr Muk;gpj;jhs; “mh;r;R ! . . . . “ mts; NgRtij KOrha; Nfl;f Kbahky; fjT gshnud;W rhj;jg;gl;lJ.

fy;ahz tPl;Lf;fis nkhl;ilkhb tiu fl;bapUe;jJ. vyf;l;uhdpf; njhopy;El;gj;jpy; itf;fg;gl;bUe;j jl;bapy; mh;r;rdhtpd; gpk;gKk;> mh;[_dpd; gpk;gKk; nghk;ikfisg;Nghy; Nkhjpuk; khw;wpf; nfhz;ld. me;j jl;b %d;whtJ khbiaf; fle;J ,uz;lhtJ khbapd; J}z; kPJ fk;gpfshy; Rw;wg;gl;Lr; fl;lg;gl;L ,Ue;jJ. mjd; mUfpy; jhd; me;j Foe;ijfs; $l;lk; Ml;lk; Nghl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jJ.

gd;dpnuz;L tajpypUe;J xd;gJ tiu ,Uf;Fk; ,e;j Vnol;L Foe;ijfSf;Fk;! vt;tsT jhd; jq;fisg; nghpath;fshf elj;j Ntz;Lk; vd;W ,e;jf; Foe;ijfs; vz;zpf;nfhz;lhYk; jq;fSf;Nf chpj;jhd rpy tpisahl;Lfis kwe;J tpLtjpy;iy! “X! gpy;yh;! Nfl;lh;gpy;yh;!” vd;W fy;ahz tPl;L nuf;fhh;l; ghl;Lfis kPwp fj;jpf; nfhz;be;jdh;.

iffspy; jl;bf;nfhz;L mth;fs; me;j “X ! gpy;yh;” ghl;il Kbf;Fk; NghJ “];Nlr;#” vd;W nrhy;thh;fs;. ,e;j thh;j;ij te;jJk; ahUk; rphpf;ff; $lhJ. Kjypy; ahh; rphpf;fpwhNuh mth; mTl;. fPJ}Tf;F vhpr;ryha; te;jJ. mtshy; rphpg;ig mlf;fhky; ,Uf;f Kbatpy;iy. $l;lj;jpNyNa kpfTk; rpwpa ngz; vd;w fhprdKk; vtUf;Fkpy;iy. xt;nthU KiwAk;> Kjypy; rphpj;J khl;bf;nfhz;lhs;. mtSila khkd; igad; uhN[~; nuhk;gTk; rhkh;j;jpakhf> rphpf;fhky; tpisahbf;nfhz;bUe;jhd;. Jujph;~;ltrkhf kw;w Foe;ijfSk; rhkh;j;jpakhf ,Ue;jjhy; fPJ}Nt kPz;Lk; kPz;Lk; mTl;!

me;j Nfhyhfyj;jpNyNa gjw;wj;Jld; Rw;wpf; nfhz;bUe;j xNu Ms; it~;ztpjhd;. mh;r;rdhtplk; VNjh nrhy;ypNa jPu Ntz;Lk; vd;W KbntLj;jthsha; kPz;Lk; mh;r;rdhtpd; miwf;Fr; nry;y, khbapy; Vwpdhs;. mg;NghJ jhd; kzkfd; mh;[_d; fPNo ,wq;fpf; nfhz;L ,Ue;jhh;. mjpfkhf gy; njhpAkstpw;F rphpf;fhky;> rphpf;fhkYk; ,Uf;fhky; me;jg; Gd;KWtypy; cz;ikapy; mh;[_dpd; Kfj;jpy; xU mzpfyd; NghyNt ,Ue;jJ. mh;[_d; epA+n[h;]papy; xU I.b.fk;ngdpapy; nghpa fzpzp nghwpahsh;. mtUila mwpTf;Fk;> nfsutj;jpw;Fk;> Ntiyf;Fk; nrhy;yg;Nghdhy; moFf;Fk; mt;tsT gzpT nghUj;jkpy;yhkNy ,Ue;jJ.

mh;[_dpd; Gd;KWtYf;F it~;ztpAk; Gd;KWtyhNyNa gjpyspj;jhs;. ‘,t;tsT mw;Gjkhd khg;gps;isia tpl;Ltpl mh;r;rdhtpw;F vg;gb kdR te;jJ?” KZKZj;jgbNa gbapy; Vwpdhs; it~;ztp.

me;j Foe;ijfs; Fohikj; jhz;b mh;r;rdhtpd; miwf;Fs; it~;ztp Eioa Kad;w NghJ fPJ} ,ilkwpj;jhs;. “mf;fh! ghUq;ff;fh! ,e;j tpisahl;L Ntzhk;Z nrhd;dh Nff;fNt khl;Nlq;fwhq;f! Ntw tpisahl;L tpisahl nrhy;yp nrhy;Yq;ff;fh!” vd;whs;. ,Ue;j vhpr;riy> it~;ztp gps;isfs; kPJ fhz;gpf;fj; jtwtpy;iy! “grq;fsh! Vd; fPJ}it ,g;gb gz;wPq;f? Nfl;lh;gpy;yh; vy;yhk; tpisahlj; Njitapy;iy! Ngha; fz;zh%r;rp MLq;f! XLq;f! fPJ}jhd; n[apf;fZk;! XLq;f! XLq;f!“

fPJ}Tf;F tha;g;G nfhLg;gJ kw;w Foe;ijfSf;F nghpjhf gpbf;ftpy;iy vd;whYk; fz;zh%r;rp Nahridia gpukhjkhfNt urpj;jhh;fs;. ‘rhp! I! R+g;gh;!” vd;w rj;jq;fNshL fiye;J XbaJ gps;isfs; rq;fk;. mh;r;rdhtpd; fjit Ntfkhfj; jl;bdhs; it~;ztp. ahUf;fhfNth fhj;jpUe;jijg; NghyNt> glf;nfd;W jpwe;jhs; mh;r;rdh. ntF Neuk; mOJf; nfhz;bUe;jij fhl;Lk;tpjkhf mts; Kfk; fha;e;j khJisaha; vl;bg;ghh;j;jJ.

cs;Ns nrd;w it~;ztp cs;gf;fkha;j; jhspl;lhs;. me;j gjw;wj;jpYk; fz;zhb Kd;G epd;W jd; myq;fhuj;ij rhp nra;J nfhz;bUe;jts;> gpd;dhy; jiyf;ftpo;e;J gLf;ifapy; mkh;e;jpUe;j mh;r;rdhtplk; Nfl;lhs;>

“vd;db nrhy;whU”?

gjpNyJk; Ngrtpy;iy !

‘gjpy; nrhy;yf; $l Kbahjh> mh;r;R?” Nfhgkha;j;jpUk;gpg; ghh;j;jhs;.

mh;r;R ! GhpQ;Rf;Nfh ! cdf;fhf kl;Lk; eP Nahrpf;fy ! cd;Ndhl FLk;gj;ij KOf;fKOf;f ,Jy eP <LgLj;Jw! nrhy;yg;Nghdh> ,J nuz;L FLk;gq;fNshl gq;~d;; ! ,uz;L FLk;gj;Njhl nfsutj;Jf;Fk; ePjhd; nghWg;G ! ‘ehd; nrhy;wj Nff;fPwpah ? mh;r;R! “

mh;r;R jiyia kl;Lk; Ml;bdhs;.

‘rhp! nrhy;Y! vd;d nrhd;dhU?”

Mh;r;Rtpd; gjpYf;F Kd;dhy; fjitg; glglntd ahNuh jl;bdhh;fs;. kpFe;j gjw;wj;Jlj;Jld; mh;r;rdhTk; it~;ztpAk; jpUk;Gtjw;Fs; jl;ly; mjpfhpj;jJ. Xbg;Ngha; it~;ztp jpwe;jhs;. mts; ahnud;W mwpe;J nfhs;tjw;Fs; Xl;il thspapy; jz;zPh; toptJ Nghy nuz;L nghbRfs; FGf;nfd;W miwf;Fs; Eioe;Jtpl;ldh;.

‘Nla;! Va;! vd;dg;gz;wPq;f?” fj;jpdhs; it~;ztp!

‘mf;fh! mf;fh! g;sP];fh! fPJ} gaq;fukh fz;L gpbf;fwhf;fh! ehq;f vq;f xspQ;rhYk; Gbr;RLwhf;fh! g;sP];fh! “

‘xz;Zq;fpilahJ! XLq;f ntspapy” vd;whs; it~;ztp!

mh;r;R Kjy; Kiwahf jpUtha; kyh;e;jhs;. ‘it~;ztp! tpL! mtq;f ,Uf;fl;Lk;! ek;k ghy;fdpf;F NghNthk;!“ vd;W mUfpypUe;j khlj;ij Nehf;fp elf;f Muk;gpj;jhs;.

it~;ztpapd; gjpYf;Ff; $l fhj;jpuhky;> ,UtUk; ‘Njq;];fh! “ vd;wgb fPNo tpOe;J fl;bYf;F mbapy; jujuNtd cUs Muk;gpj;jhh;fs;.

fl;bYf;F mbapy; fple;j ,UtUk; fjitNa cw;Wg;ghh;j;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhh;fs;. jpwe;jJ fjT.

‘Iapa;Nah. te;Jl;lhb Fl;bg;gprhR! “ Gyk;gpf;nfhz;ldh; ,UtUk;.

fl;bYf;F mbapy; ghf;f khl;lh! fj;jhNj!“ ,d;ndhU fPr;Rf;Fuy;. fl;bYf;F mbapypUe;J ghh;j;jNghJ me;j ,uz;L Fl;bf;fhy;fSk;> rptg;G epw Fl;il ghthilAk;, neUg;G mg;gsf;fuz;b Nghyj; njhpe;jJ ,UtUf;Fk;. ,uz;L fhy;fSk; ghy;fdpf;Fg; Nghapd ‘mf;fh! uNkRk; nfshpAk; ,q;f te;jhq;fsh?”

‘Kjy;y vy;yhk; ntspapy Nghq;f! cs;Ns tuf;$lhJd;D nrhd;Nddh? ,y;ypah?” kpul;bNatpl;lhs; it~;ztp.

fPJ}tpd; Kfk; Rs;nsd;W Mfptpl;lJ. jiyiaj; njhq;fg;Nghl;L Nghdts; fjtUNf NghdJk; miwKOtJk; xU ghh;it ghh;j;Jtpl;L ntspNa nrd;whs;. fjT kPz;Lk; %bf;nfhs;s> fl;bYf;F mbapy;;! ngU%r;R! uNkRk; nfshpAk; Nghd topNa kPz;Lk; cUz;L ntspNa tu> glhnud;W kPz;Lk; jpwe;jJ fjT!

Mh;g;ghl;lkha; fj;jpdhs; fPJ}. ‘Va; ! Va; ! mTl;L! mTl;L! ‘Va; ! NghwPq;fsh ,y;iyah me;jgf;fk; ! ” ntwpnfhz;L fj;jpNa tpl;lhs; it~;ztp!

nehbg;nghOjpy; Xb kiwe;jdh; Foe;ijfs;. mh;r;rdh nehbe;J Ngha; it~;ztpapd; Njhs;fspy; rha;e;jhs;. me;j khlj;jpypUe;J ghh;f;Fk; NghJ me;j khspifapd; gpuk;khz;lkhd Njhw;wKk; myq;fhu tpsf;FfSk; mw;Gjkha; njhpe;jJ. vt;tsT fhh;fs;> ,uz;L rf;fu> %d;W rf;fu tz;bfs;? “Va; ! Ry;jhdh Nklk; te;Jl;lhq;f> mh;r;R! it~;ztp nuhk;gTk; re;Njh~khdhs;.

“,q;fg;ghUb! vt;tsT NgUf;F cd;dhy ,d;dpf;F re;Njh~; njhpAkh? ek;k Ry;jhdh Nklk; ghU, rphpr;Rfpl;Nl tuhq;f. Qhgfk; ,Uf;fh? ];$y;y mtq;f fpsh]; vy;yhk; vt;tsT [hypah ,Uf;Fk;?. ,q;f ghUlh! eP ijhpakh ,U! fz;zj;Jil! flTs; vd;dpf;Fk; ekf;F fnuf;lh jhd; KbntLg;ghh;! vy;yhk; fnuf;lhjhd;b ele;Jfpl;L ,Uf;F!” mh;r;rdhit ,Wf;fp mizj;Jf;nfhz;lhs; mh;r;rdh!

Ry;jhdh Nklk;> ,e;jg; gps;isfSf;F vt;tsT Kf;fpakhdth;! gj;jhtJ nghJ Njh;T ele;J nfhz;bUf;Fk; NghJ> jpdKk; Bf;filapy; cl;fhh;e;J Nfyp nra;J nfhz;bUe;j tpliyfis vjph;f;f vt;tsT mofhf ijhpak; nfhLj;jth;! mth; ,y;iynad;why; ,th;fisg; Nghd;w gy ngz;fs; vj;jid Kiw kdk; rpije;J NgrhkNyNa ,Ue;jpUg;ghh;fs; ! gbapwq;fp Xbte;j it~;ztpapd; kdjpy; gioa epidTfs; gbNawp fz;topNa ePh;j;Jspfsha; vl;bg;ghh;j;jd!

Ry;jhdh Nklj;ij ghh;j;jTld; it~;ztpAk; epd;wgb fhiyj; njhl;lhs;.

‘Va; ! fz;Nz! vg;gblh ,Uf;f?” kdjhur; rphpj;jhh; Ry;jhdh Nklk;. fl;baizj;Jf; nfhz;ldh; ,UtUk;. “vq;fb fy;ahzg;nghz;Z? nubahapl;lhsh?’

‘Mk; ! Mkh Nklk; ! ,y;y! Nkf;-mg; gz;zpf;fpl;L ,Uf;fh!“ vd;whs; it~;ztp.

‘thq;f! thq;f! thq;f! vg;gb Nklk; ,Uf;fPq;f?. vq;Nf[;nkz;Lf;Nf tuiy! vt;Nsh Nghd; gz;Nzd;! njhpAkh?” vq;fpUe;Njh Xb te;J Mj;khh;j;jkha; tuNtw;whh;fs; mh;r;rdhtpd; mk;kh. it~;ztpapd; rpj;jp!

“,y;yk;kh! CUyNa ,y;y! Nfk;g; Nghahr;R! `p! `p! vd;whh; Ry;jhdh Nklk;.

vq;fpUe;Njh Xbte;j nghbR xd;W ‘Mz;l;b! Mz;l;b! fPJ}it ghj;jPq;fsh?” vd;W mh;r;rdhtpd; mk;khit Ruz;l> “,y;ylh Fl;bk;kh! vd;whh;fs; mh;r;rdhtpd; mk;kh!

‘it~;! Nklk;ik mh;r;R &Kf;F $l;bl;Lg;Ngh!“vd;W nrhy;ypf; nfhz;bUe;j NghNj xU nghpa FLk;gk; mg;gbNa te;J mgfhpj;Jf;nfhz;lJ mh;r;rdhtpd; mk;khit! ‘thq;f! thq;f! thq;f” vd;wgb mth; fiue;jhh;.

‘Ry;jhdh Nklk;ik vg;gb mh;r;rdhtpd; miwf;F mioj;Jr; nry;tJ?” Fok;gpf;nfhz;bUe;j it~;ztp kw;Wk; mq;F FOkpapUe;j vy;yhUila ftdj;ijAk; <h;j;jJ mh;r;rdh mg;ghtpd; Fuy;.

‘vy;yhUk; ];Nl[; Nky VWq;f! khg;gps;isAk; nghz;Zk; Nkhjpuk; khj;jg; Nghwhq;f! fkhd;! lhd;];! lhd;];! rhq; g;sP];” vd;wJk; ntbj;Jf;fpsk;gpaJ ntspapy; uhf;nfl; xd;W rh;Nud;W! gykhd ghl;Lr;rj;jj;Jf;fpilapy; mh;r;rdhtpd; mg;gh nrhd;dhh;. “it~;! mh;r;Rit $g;gpLk;kh! XL! “

‘Nklk; ! mq;f cf;fhUq;f! Njhtu;Nwd;” vd;W fhypahf fple;j ehw;fhypiaf; fhl;bdhs;> it~;ztp!

“Ngh! Ngh! ehd; ghj;Jf;FNwd;! ” vd;wgb ghl;L Ml;lk; N[hjpapy; If;fpakhdh; Ry;jhdh Nklk;. 

mth;fspd; ghliyAk; MliyAk; ghh;j;j me;j Nky; $iuf;F cz;ikapy; jiuiag; ghh;j;J Vfg;nghwhikj; jl;bapUf;Fk;. gsPh; gsPnud;W ghl;Lr; re;jq;fis vjpnuhypj;jJ.  tPq;fpa Kfj;J mh;r;rdhit it~;ztp mioj;J te;jhs;, gbfspy;. fPJ}itj; Njb mYj;JNghd Foe;ijfs; nghpath;fSf;F kj;jpapy; Fjpahl;lk; Nghl Muk;gpj;jdh;. $l;lj;Jf;Fs; Eioe;j mh;r;rdhit mg;gbNa Rw;Wg;Nghl;L gl;ilia fpsg;gpd ilAk; Nfhl;Lk;> [pfpdh GlitfSk;! mh;r;rdhTf;F Nyrhd Gd;KWtYk; te;Nj tpl;lJ! mijf;fz;lJ jhd; jhkjk;! it~;ztp ‘Va;a;a;”! vd;W fj;jp Ry;jhdh Nklj;ij fl;bg;gpbj;Jf; nfhz;L Ml Muk;gpj;jhs;!

rj;jKk; ghl;Lk; Nkw;$iuia gpa;f;fj; njhlq;fp nfhz;bUf;f> tpy;nyd;W mijAk; kPwpa xU mywy;! khwp khwp> gspr;nrd;w rPhpa Fuy;! Nkw;$iuia vl;ba ghl;Lr;rj;jk; Njhw;Nw NghFk; mstpw;F tpy;nyd;w rj;jk;! nfhQ;rk; nfhQ;rkha; rphpj;jpUe;j Kfq;fspy; gaKk; mjph;r;rpAk; gluj; Jtq;fpaJ. rj;jq;fs; Fiwa Fiwa rpy nghpath;fs; mq;Fk; ,q;Fkhf Xb mywy; te;j jpirfspy; myr> rpwe;j gapw;rpNahLf; $ba me;j mywy; te;j ,lk; me;j miwapypUe;J jhd;. Xbg;Nghd nghpath;fs; me;j miwia jpwf;f ntspNa te;jhs; fPJ}.

tpUl;nld;W vy;yhiuAk; js;sptpl;L tpWtpWg;gha; Nkilapd; kPJ Vwpats; vy;NyhiuAk; xUKiwg; ghh;j;J tpl;L ijhpakhf Ngr Muk;gpj;jhs;. mts; Ngr;rpy; ve;jj; jilAk; ,y;iy! ‘me;j MS vd;id ehY ehsh Kiwr;R Kiwr;R ghj;jhd;! vd;id Nff;fhk ,d;dpf;F vd;idj; njhl;lhd;! ,uz;L jlt ‘njhlhNjd;D nrhd;Ndd;! mg;Gwk; vd; ,Lg;Gy ifia itr;rhd;. mg;Ngh jhd; ehd; fj;JNdd;! ngUk; eprg;jk;. mts; Rl;ba ,lj;jpy; kzkfd; mh;[_d;.

‘Va;! Va;! Va;!” Ngaha; khwpa mh;r;rdhTf;F vq;fpUe;J jhd; mt;tsT rf;jp te;jNjh> mtid Nehf;fp Xbg;Ngha; mh;[_dpd; rl;iliag; gpbj;jhs;. ‘mJTk; ePjhNd! jPghtsp md;dpf;F myg;gp vf;];gpu];–y tUk; NghJ Nky; Sleeper-y;y gLj;Jfpl;L ,Ue;J vd;d njhlg;ghj;Jl;L... mg;Gwk; Xbg;NghdpNa! uh];fy;!” gjwpdhs; mh;r;rdh!

’thl; ehd;nrd;];!” mh;[{dpd; ifAk; eLf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;jJ. mh;r;rdhtpd; mk;khTf;Nfh thailj;Jtpl;lJ. $l;lj;jpy; ,Ue;J gphpe;J te;J mh;r;rdhit gw;wpf;nfhz;lhh; Ry;jhdh Nklk;. VNjh Ngr te;j mh;r;rdhtpd; mg;ghit epWj;jptpl;L Kd;Ndwpdhh; mh;[_dpd; mg;gh.

 ‘Nla;! jPghtsp md;dpf;F l;nuapd;y fpsk;Gdtd; Vd; nrd;idf;F g];y te;j Nre;j?” vd;W mh;[_dpd; mg;gh mh;[{id neUq;f>

‘lhb...” mh;[{d; Muk;gpg;gjw;Fs; mh;[_dpd; fd;dj;jpy; gshnud;W Xh; miw tpOe;jJ.

mh;r;rdh mOJ nfhz;bUe;jhs;.

fPJ} Nfhgkhf %r;R thq;f epd;Wf;nfhz;bUe;jhs;.

Nkw;$iu nksdj;ij vjpnuhypf;f jpUkzk; epd;wJ.

கள்ளக்காதல் (சிறுகதை)

(நலந்தாவேயின் சிறுகதைத் தொகுப்பு வெளியீட்டில் இடம்பெற்றது.)

me;j topahf nry;Yk; ehd;F nuapy;fspy; xNu uapy; kl;Lk; ,uz;L epkplq;fs; epw;Fk;> Ngh; nghpjha; gpurpj;jp ngwhj fpuhkk;. uhrpapy;iynad;W jkpo;ehNl xJf;fpitj;j Mbkhjj;Jf;F tho;T nfhLj;J> me;j fh;ehlf vy;iyapy;> me;j fpuhkj;jpy; xU Fl;bf; fy;ahzk; Xbf;nfhz;bUe;jJ.

kzg;ngz; rpj;uh. jd; jk;gpia kze;Nj MfNtz;Lk; vd;w mk;khtpd; ntwpahl;lj;jpy; 17 tajpNyNa cl;fhh;e;jpUe;jhs; tPl;L %iyapy;. mg;gq;fhud; mUjyp. $ypf;F tay;tug;gpy; rUF nghWf;Fjy;> ePh; gha;r;Rjy; ,tw;iwj; jtpu NtnwijAk; nra;jNjapy;iy. rpj;uhTf;F ,uz;L jq;iffs;> xU jk;gp. fy;ahztPL ,th;fSf;F xU nghpa tug;gpurhjkhfNt ,Ue;jJ. nrhe;jf;fhuh;fspd; Foe;ijfs;> ghl;b> jhj;jhf;fs; vd;W $l;l nehprypy; fjfjg;gha; tpisahb nfhz;bUe;jdh;.

fyh; fyh; fha;fwpfs; ntl;Lg;gl;L fy;ahztPL KOf;f fisfl;b NghapUe;jJ. vg;NghNjh vhpfpd;w me;j tPl;L ,uz;L gy;GfSf;fhf fhj;jpUf;fhky; ngl;Nuhkhf;]; tpsf;FfSk;> nkOFth;j;jpfSk; rphpj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jd. kpd;rhu thhpaj;jpd; vy;iyf;F mg;ghw;gl;l me;j njUtpsf;Ffs;> filrp nrhl;L kpd;rhuf;foptpYk;> vhpe;jhf Ntz;LNk vd;W vhpe;J nfhz;bUe;jd. mjw;Ff;fPo; GjUf;Fs;> vijNah Njbf; nfhz;bUe;jts;> G~;gh. %r;rpiwf;f mtru mtrukha; Njhz;b xU gpsh];bf; ftiu vLj;Jf; nfhz;L Xbdhs;.

rpj;uhtpd; epoyhba Kfj;jpy; Mapuk; vz;zq;fs;> nehbg; nghOjpy; Xbf;nfhz;bUe;jd. ,e;j fpuhkj;ij tpl;LNghfZkh? Rj;jp Rj;jp tpisahz;l fUNty kuk;> fspkz; nrhg;G tpisahz;l Fl;ilfiu> mg;gd;fpl;l rz;ilNghl;L ];$y;y Nrj;j uhzp mf;fh> jk;gp> jq;fr;rp> INah! ‘mg;gh-mk;kh” tpisahl;L tpisahz;l mKJ> khaf;fh> muR> rhKNty;” ,e;j fpuhkj;ijtpl;L NghfZkh?

‘mk;kh - mg;gh” tpisahl;L vt;Nsh tpisahbapUg;Nghk;? uhrg;gh...!

mth;fspd; ‘mk;kh - mg;gh” tpisahl;L ehs; KOf;f muq;NfWk;! uhrg;ghjhd; vg;gTNk mg;gh! rpj;uhjhd; vg;gTNk mk;kh! kw;wth;fs; vy;yhUk; G+rhhp> mg;ghNthl mg;gh mk;kh> mk;khNthl mg;gh mk;kh> jtpy;fhuh;fs;> tPl;L Ntiyf;fhud;> vd;W mw;Gjkha; muq;NfWk;!

‘Va;! ehd; jhd; vd;[pdpah;. ehd; NtiyKbr;R tPl;Lf;F tUk;NghJ eP Nkhh; nfhLf;fZk;! mg;gwk; ek;k cf;fhe;J btp ghh;g;Nghk;! rhpah?” uhrg;gh Nfl;ghd;!

‘,y;yg;gh! ehd; jhd; Ntiyf;F Nghapl;L tUNtd;! eP vdf;F Nkhh; jh!” vd;W rpj;uh nrhy;ths;.  

rpy tpthjq;fSf;Fg; gpwF rz;il tUk;. gpwF uhrg;gh mo Muk;gpg;ghd;, mtd; Ntiyf;F Nghthd;. rpj;uh Nkhh; jUths;!

‘rpj;jg;gh! eP rhg;gpL! vy;yhk; thq;f! vq;f tPl;y rhg;gpLq;f!” uhrg;gh nrhy;thd;! kpfTk; ghrf;fhud;! ,g;NghJ kPir fUfUntd tsh;e;J Kul;L ,isQdha; jpkph;e;J epw;fpwhd;.

uhrg;gh> nuapy;Nt fhh;L jhj;jhtplk; Ngrptpl;L mtru mtrukha; Xbdhd;. tPl;bw;Fs; GFe;jtd; jd;Dila ngl;bf;Fs; vij vijNah vLj;J itj;Jf; nfhz;L vq;Nfh Gwg;gl jahhpj;J nfhz;bUf;f> Mahtpd; rj;jk; tPl;Lthrypy; ,Ue;J fhijf; fpopj;jJ.

‘Nla; uhrg;gh! cq;fk;kh njhq;fl;lhiz njhiyr;Rl;lhlh! cq;fg;gd; fbr;R itf;fg;Nghwhd;. Mj;jh nfhLj;jJ! ehY gTdhr;Rk; NjWk;lh! cq;f Mj;jh vd;d nra;;ag; NghwhNsh?”

fUNty kuj;jpd; gpd; epd;W vl;b vl;b ghh;j;jpUe;j G~;ghTf;F uhrg;gid ghh;j;jJk; jhd; epk;kjp.

ntspNa Xbte;jts; ‘vd;d uhrg;gh? vy;yhk; jahh; gz;zpf;fpl;by;y?”

‘mnjy;yhk; rhp jhd;! gzk; vq;f?”

“7500 &gh ,Uf;Fuhrg;gh” rpj;uhfpl;l FLj;JNwd;!

fhh;l;L vd;d nrhd;dhU?”

‘tisTy ,d;dpf;F nuapY epf;Fkhk; njspth Nfl;Ll;Nld;!”

‘,t;Nsh gzk; jhpNagh? ntq;fl;L Nfl;lh?” - uhrg;gh Nfl;lhd;.

‘mij ehd; ghh;j;Jf;fpNwd;! njdk; jhd; Fbr;Rl;L te;J mbf;FJ! nuz;L mb $l thq;fpf;fpNwd;” vd;whs; G~;gh!

‘Va; vUikkhL! nkOFth;j;jp midQ;rh jpUg;gp nghUj;jkhl;Nl?” vd;wgb mk;kh tof;fkhd Kul;L ghrj;jpy; Nfl;lgb nkOFth;j;jpia nghUj;Jfpwhs;> rpj;uh ‘,y;yj;jh! Ntiyah ,Ue;Njk;y”

‘Va;! ,Ul;Lf;Fs;s cf;fhe;J Ngg;gUk; ifAkh vd;db gz;w?”

rpj;uh ntF rhjhuzkha; nrhd;dhs;> ‘kbr;R itf;fpNwk;kh! mg;Gwk; cdf;F mLg;Gf;fhtJ MTk;y”. me;j gjpYf;Ff; $l fhj;jpuhj mk;kh me;j ,lj;jpNyNa ,y;iy. kbf;fg;gl Ntz;ba Ngg;gh;fs; mts; ifahNyNa ,];jphp Nghlg;gl;L mtru mtrukha; ngl;bf;Fs; GFw Muk;gpj;jJ.

‘thb G~;gk;! vg;gbfpwhd; GU~d;?” Mahtpd; Fuy;> thrypy;. G~;gh te;Jtpl;lhs;! mk;khb vd;wpUe;jJ rpj;uhTf;F.

‘M! f;Fwhd;! cd; mf;fh Gs;sjhNd? f;Fwhd; cyf;ifahl;lk;” MahTf;F tspr;rk; fhl;bagb cs;Ns nry;fpwhs;.

‘nfhOg;Gb cdf;F!”

‘mf;fh! ,td; gpypk;fl;il vj;Jfpl;L ju khl;Lwhd;fh”

rpj;uhtpd; jk;gp utpFz;L top kwpf;f>

‘Nla; FLwh Vz;lh moTlw mtid? vd; ifapy; ,Ue;J Ntw gpypk;fl;il Rl;ly;y eP? cdf;F mg;Gwk; itr;Rf;fpNwd;” vd;W tsUk; uTb nrk;gid mlf;fp cs;Ns efh;e;jhs;> G~;gh.

‘mtis ek;gp gpuNah[dkpy;iy” vd;w epiyapy; mth;fs; jhf;fpf; nfhs;s Muk;gpj;Jf; nfhz;ldh;.

‘rpj;uh”

‘G~;gh! cs;s thb! gpd;dhy NghapWNthk;!”

J}u ntspr;rk; xd;wpd; rhaypy; mUfUNf epd;W Ngr Muk;gpj;jdh;.

‘Va; ifnaOj;j NghlwJf;F Kd;dhb mg;gh mk;kh NgU vy;yhk; Nfl;ghq;fshk;b”

‘mjhd; cq;f mf;fh ,Ug;ghfy;y! mtq;fisNa mk;khd;D nrhy;YNtd;.

‘mg;gh?”

“mtd; jhd; nrj;Jl;lhNd!”

‘Va; cdf;F nuhk;gjhd; ijhpak;b!” fz;fs; tphpj;jgb gae;J nrhd;dhs; G~;gh!

‘Xb Nghw fOijf;F ,t;tsT $l ,y;iyadh Rk;khth?” vd;W jd;idj;jhNd nrhy;ypf;$l Kbj;jpUf;f khl;lhs;> rpj;uh

gaq;fukhd ryryg;Gf;F ,ilNa jpBnud;W te;J tpOe;jhh;fs; ehd;F ,isQh;fs;.

‘Nla;! cq;f mf;fh ktd;D nrhd;Nd> mofh jhNdlh ,Uf;fh?” Nghij ehw;wk; FgPh; rphpg;Gld; Nrh;e;J G~;ghitAk; rpj;uhitAk; cs;Ns tpul;baJ.

‘Va; rpj;uh! ntspNa thb! vq;fsh kpy;Yy ,Ue;J MS te;JUf;Fy;y! cd;id ghf;fjhNd“ kWehs; khg;gps;is> mtpo;e;j Yq;fpAld; ngz;zog;ig elj;jpdhh;.

‘Nla;! XLwh ntspay! ml;lfhrk; gz;w fy;ahzT+l;y!” xU tajhdth; Jz;NlhL tPl;Lf;Fs;Ns Eioe;J gpd;dk; tPl;by; Kfhkpl;bUe;j Fbkf;fs; Fohik Juj;j te;jhh;.

‘Naht;! khkh! vd; nghz;lhbah cd;Djh? Js;w? rphpg;gha; rphpj;j fy;ahz tPl;by; mth;fis kpul;b> nfQ;rp> Nghf itg;gjw;F ngURfs; nghpa ghLgl;ld.

‘,e;j nghWf;fpf;F vd;id fl;lghj;Jr;Rb vd; Mj;jh” VNjh if Ntiy nra;jgb rpj;uh nrhd;dhs;!

‘rhp! Va;! gj;jpuk;b! khl;Ldh njhiyQ;Nrhk;! cq;f Mj;jhTk; mg;gDk;> cq;fNshl Nrh;e;J vd;idAk; njhq;f tpl;LWDthq;f”

‘ehd; ghj;Jf;FNtz;b!”

‘%ziu kzpf;F uapY ];Nl~d;y epf;fhJb tisTy rpf;dYf;F epf;Fjy! mq;f jhd;! rl;LGl;LD VwDk;” gae;jgb nrhd;dhs; G~;gh

‘vdf;F njhpAk;b!” - mYj;Jf;nfhz;lhs; rpj;uh!

‘uhrg;gd;-f;F vy;yhk; fUNty kuj;J gf;fk; tunrhy;ypUr;R” vd;W gjw;wkha; nrhd;d G~;ghtplk;>

‘eP vd;d gz;zNghw? uhj;jphp vd; $lNt gLj;Jf;Nfh! gae;J gae;J fhhpaj;ij nfLj;Jwhjb!”

‘ehd; cd; $ljhz;b gLf;FNwd;! Mdh!” cr;r];jhdpapy; G~;gh Muk;gpf;f> rpj;uhtpd; mg;gq;fhud; mUjyp tPl;Lf;Fs; Eioe;Jtpl;lhd;.

‘Va; rPf;fpuk; gLj;J J}q;Fy! tpbaf;fhyk; G+rhhp te;JWthd;! nry;yf;Fl;bf;F fy;ahzk;… Va; %Njtp! ,g;gjhd;b nghwe;j! mJf;Fs;s cdf;F fy;ahzkh?”

jd; ngz;Zf;F nghpa flikia Kbg;gjhf ngUkpjj;Jld;> ghf;FNghl;L fiw gbe;j gy;iyf; fhl;b rphpj;jhd;.

rpj;uhtpd; fd;dj;ijf; fps;sp ‘rhp! rhp! J}q;Fb %Njtp!” ghNahL ntspNa nrd;whd; mg;gd;fhud; mUjyp!

uhrg;gdpd; MahTf;F J}f;fk; tUtNjapy;iy. gioa fijfis jdf;Fj;jhNd> Gyk;gpf; nfhs;ths; ehd;F khjf; Foe;ijiag; NghNy. mij cw;Wf; Nfl;Fk; ahuhapUe;jhYk; ehd;F rpWfij njhFg;Gfs; vOjplyhk;. mt;tsT fijapUf;Fk;. mijf; Nfl;f mq;F MNsJ?

‘Va; fpotp! Rk;kh ,Uf;fkhl;Nl! xz;iuahTJ! J}q;fkhl;Nl Ngrhk” kpul;bahtJ J}q;f itf;f Kad;whd; uhrg;gd;.

ntspNa NghFk;NghJ Mah ghj;JLNkh vd;w gak; Nyrhf xU Gwk; ,Ue;jhYk;> ,tSf;F gfy;yNa gRkhL njhpahJ, uhj;jphpapy; vq;f vUikkhL njhpag; NghFJ vd;W Njw;wpf;nfhz;L ntspNa ghh;j;jtDf;F Fk;kpUl;by; Mah kl;Lk; gLj;J ,Ue;jhs;. J}q;fptpl;LUe;jhs;. eha; Vf;fkha; Fiyj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jJ.

ngl;bAk;> gpsh];bf; ftUk; rj;jkhf vLf;fg;gl;L uhrg;gNdhL ntspNawpaJ! Fiyj;jpUe;j eha; mikjpahf cw;W mtidg; ghh;j;J Nyrhf thyhl;b> mtd; Nuhl;il jpUk;gpaTld; kPz;Lk; Muk;gpj;jJ”.

‘Va; vOe;jpUb!” vd;whs; G~;gk;!

‘fj;jhNj! vq;f J}q;FNdd; vOe;JfpwJf;F?”

‘xU ghh;it ghj;Jl;L te;jpNud; G~;gk;! kzp 2 ,Uf;Fk;! fpsk;gyhk;”

nkJthf vl;bg; ghh;j;jtSf;F fha;fwp eWf;fpath;fspd; Fwl;il rj;jKk; Nyrhd Ngr;R rj;jKk; Nfl;lJ!” gpd; gf;fj;jpy; khg;gps;is nra;j Nfhyj;jpy; gphpe;J fple;j Xiy Ntyp kl;Lk; rha;e;J fple;jJ!”

‘ve;jphpb! J}f;F ngl;bia!”

vd;w gb> kfhuhzp gilfis ghh;itapLtjw;F fpsk;gpaijg; Nghy; ntspNa te;jhs; rpj;uh.

‘Va;! rh;bgpNfl;, Ngg;gh; vy;yhk; vJy itr;RWf;Nf?”

fUg;G igapy; ,Ug;gjhf jl;bf;fhz;gpj;jhs; rpj;uh! ntspNa te;jth;fs; ehd;F mb$l itj;jpUf;f khl;lhh;fs;. jz;zPh; gha;fpw rj;jj;Jf;F mg;gbNa epd;Wtpl> “xz;Zf;F” ifNahL utpFz;L Nfl;lhd;> ‘mf;fh me;j fhiyy ve;jpr;rTlNd me;j gpypk;fl;il thq;fp FLf;fh!

‘fpopQ;RJ! G~;gh> ehd; thq;fp jNuz;lh Fz;L! Ngha; J}q;Fg;Ngh” vd;whs;

‘rhpf;fh” vd;wgb elf;f Muk;gpj;jhd;. mg;ghb vd;W G~;gh nrhy;yp Kbg;gjw;Fs;> ‘vq;ff;fh NghwPq;f” vd;W utpFz;L epd;whd; gpd;dhy;.

‘Nla;! fy;ahzk; ehisf;F! khiy thq;fZk;y” mJf;Fjhd; ‘rhpf;fh” vd;w nrhy;y kPz;Lk; elf;f Muk;gpj;jhh;fs;.

‘vg;gb b Nahrpf;fhk nrhy;w?”

‘ePAk; Xbg;Ngh! ePAk; Nahrpf;fhk nrhy;Yt!” vd;W ,Ul;ilf; fle;J ,UtUk; XLfpwhh;fs;.

fUNtyj;jpy; fhj;jpUe;j uhrg;gd; mth;fisf; fz;lJk;> vOe;J %tUk; Nrh;e;J elf;f Muk;gpf;fpwhh;fs; !.

‘uhrg;gh! uapY epf;Fk;y?”

‘thia nghj;Jb! vy;yhk; epf;Fk;! ,d;dpf;F nts;spf;fpoik! rpf;dy; tpOkhk;! fhh;L nrhy;ypl;lhU! nuz;L nuapY! xd;D Neuh ,Uf;f jz;lthsj;jpy NghFk;! ,d;ndhd;D jpUk;Gk;! jpUk;Gw nuapy; jhd; nkl;uh]; NghFk;! GhpAjh?” ,uz;L %l;il> ,uz;L ngl;bfNshL ele;jdh; %tUk;.  gpwe;j g+kpia tpl;L ghh;j;Njapuhj G+kpf;F Nghtnjd;why; rhjhuz tp~akh? fz;fyq;fpagb ele;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;> uhrg;gh G~;gh Ngr Muk;gpj;jhs;.

‘Va;! Qhgfk; ,Uf;fhb? rpd;d taRy> ,e;j Fl;ilyjhd; tpisahbf;fpl;L nflg;Nghk;. mg;gh mk;kh tpisahl;L vy;yhk; tpisahLNthNk? ,g;Ngh vt;tsT J}uk; te;J epf;FJ ghj;jpah”

rpj;uh ntl;fj;Jld; uhrg;ghit ghh;j;Jf; nfhz;L rphpj;jhs;.

me;j rphpg;G Kbtjw;Fs; J}uj;jpy; nuapy; `hud; Nfl;f %tUk; Xl Muk;gpj;jdh;. Fsph;fhw;Wk; %r;Rj; jpzwYk; %tUf;Fk; ehf;Nf twz;L tpl;lJ.

‘Naa;! me;j uapyhg;gh?

‘,y;y! ,y;y! ,J Neuh NghapUr;R! ek;k nuapy; jpUk;Gk;”

G+r;rp rj;jq;fSf;FfpilNa jz;lthsj;jpNyNa cl;fhh;e;jdh; %tUk;!. efj;ijf; fbj;Jf;nfhz;Nl> ‘vdf;F nyl;lhur;Rk; NghLtpahb?” vd;w G~;ghTf;F mOifNa te;J tpl;lJ! mizj;Jf; nfhz;lhs; rpj;uh.

‘Va; mohjg;gh! cq;f mf;fh tPl;y jhNd jq;fy;! Nghd; NgRNwd;gh” vd;whs; rpj;uh. ‘Va;! uapY vq;f Ntzh epf;Fk!; gpd;dhNyNa Xbthq;f” fj;jpdhd; uhrg;gh!

vOe;J epd;w ,UtUk; ngl;bfis vLg;gjw;Fs; mJ NtW jz;lthsj;jpy; tpiue;jJ.

‘Va;! ek;k uapY tUkh? tuhjh? gakh ,Uf;Nfg;gh khl;Ldh cq;f mg;gd; nfhz;Nz Nghl;LWthNd? G~;gh Gyk;gpdhs;!

‘uhrg;gh> fhh;l;L fnuf;lh nrhd;dhdh?” rpj;uh njsptha; Nfl;f>

‘tUk;! tUk;! tUk;! ghf;FwPah? gj;J vz;ZNwd;! tUk;ghU”

xd;wpypUe;J Ie;J tiu tpiutha; vz;zpatd; 6 Kjy; gj;Jf;F tu ,Oj;jbj;jhd;! mJjhd; Mr;rh;ak;. uapy; te;Jtpl;lJ!

‘nrhd;Nddh” vd;wtd; cw;W Nehf;fpdhd;. rpj;uhTk; G~;ghTk; cw;W Nehf;f> tpspnud;W fj;jpdhs; rpj;uh! uapy; jpUk;gpLr;R!

‘Va; Xbahq;f” js;spg; Ngha; jhd; epf;Fk;! Ntfkhf tUJ” %tUk; Xbdh;. uapy; epd;wJ.

uhrg;gd; uapypy; Vwp vy;yh ngl;b %l;iliaAk; itj;Jtpl;L rpj;uhTf;F ifnfhLf;f> ‘G~;gh! tNuz;b” vd;W mizj;Jf;nfhz;lhs;! ‘rPf;fpuk; VW” mtrug;gLj;jpatd; rpj;uhit Vw;wp tpl;lhd;! ‘Naa;! uhrg;gh eP rPf;fpuk; vwq;F! uapy; fpsk;gpl NghTJ! vd;whs; G~;gh!

‘`h `h! ehq;f XLw uapy;y ,wq;FwTf! rpj;uh! fhiyy 7.30f;F vy;yhk; tz;b nrd;id NghapLk;. NghdJk;> mf;fh ek;gUf;F mb. ];Nl~d;y jhd; epf;Fk;. ‘mf;fh’tPl;L gf;fj;Jy jhd; mz;zh Adpth;rpl;b> `p! `p! `p! gj;jiu kzpf;nfy;yhk; Muk;gpr;RDthq;fg;gh!

‘vy;yhk; vdf;F njhpAk;” fTd;rpypq; fhiyy 8.30f;F! ehd; NghapUNtz;lh! eP vwq;F rPf;fpuk;! js;sp tplhj Fiwahf nrhd;dhs; rpj;uh!

uapy; efu Muk;gpj;J! fPNo Fjpj;Jtpl;L efd;w uapYf;F mUfpNyNa elf;f Muk;gpj;jdh; uhrg;gDk; G~;ghTk;!

‘Va; eP ftiyg;glhNjg;gh! cdf;F mz;zh Adpth;rpl;bapNyNa fpilf;Fk;! cdf;F FLf;fhk vtDf;F FLf;fg;Nghwhd; rPl;L? me;j fth;y> jq;f njhq;fl;lhd itr;RWf;Nfd;! Njitg;gl;lh itr;Rf;Nfh> 50>000 fpl;l NjWk;” vd;W $WifapNyNa uapypd; Ntfk; mjpfkhdJ!.

‘rpj;uh! eP ,Q;rpdPauhfp thg;gh! ehd; Nkhh; jNud;!” vd;whd; uhrg;gh! ‘X’ Kj;jpiu KJfpy; njhpa jpUk;gp kiwe;jJ uapy;.