அம்மா ‍ சிறுகதை

mk;kh   -   njsptj;ij N[hrg;

,d;Dk; ,uz;nlhU #upad; ,Ue;jhy;jhd; fl;Lg;gbahFk; vd;W gl;lJ mtDf;F.

vYk;igf; FilAk; Etnuypah FspUf;F. ,e;j xU #upad; NghjhJjhd;. lhu;tpdpd; ez;gUk; tpQ;QhdpAk; jj;JtQhdpAkhd Vu;d];l; n`fy; vd;ghu;> csR;Nrhu;Nth clw;Nrhu;Nth cs;stu;fSf;F ,J xU nkf;fh vd;W tu;zpj;j mNj Etnuypahjhd;.

,tDf;F ,uz;L Nrhu;TNk Nru;e;jhw;Nghy; te;jpUf;fpd;wd. epw;f Kbatpy;iy@ ntlntlf;fpwJ. elf;f Kbatpy;iy@ eLq;FfpwJ. cl;fhu Kbatpy;iy@ Crpaha; Fj;JfpwJ!...... ,g;gbAk; xU Fspuh! ,g;gbAk; xU Cuh!

fhw;wpd; Fspu;> kapu;fhy;fs; Clhfj; NjhYf;Fs; Eioj;J> jirfSf;Fs; tpahgpj;J> xt;nthd;W xt;nthd;wha; vYk;Gfisj; Njbj; Njb vz;zpr; Rw;wpr; Rw;wp..... cly; [py;ypl;L tpiuj;Jg; NghfpwJ.

,Nj khjj;jpy; %d;whtJ jlit ,J.

mk;khitg; ghu;f;fg; Nghf Ntz;Lk; vd;Dk; Ngr;nrOe;jNghNj yaj;Jf;F tukhl;Nlhk; vd;W kf;fhu; gz;zpdhu;fs; kidtpAk; kfSk;. mtDf;Fk; epahakhfNtjhd; gl;lJ.

EtnuypahtpypUe;J gjpndl;L - ,UgJ iky; njhiytpYs;s me;jj; Njapiyj; Njhl;lj;Jf;F thliff;F xU fhu; gpbj;Jf; nfhz;Ljhd; Nghf Ntz;Lk;. g];]pYk; Nghfyhk; jhd;. Mdhy; Etnuypah g]; ];lhz;by; g]; VWtnjd;gJ xU ru;f;f]; tpisahl;L khjpup. ];lhz;il Nehf;fp XbtUk;Nghnj g];]py; VWk; rhf]k; njupe;jpUf;f Ntz;Lk;. mbj;Jg; gpbj;J Kl;b Nkhjpf; nfhz;L Vwj; iju;ak; Ntz;Lk;. tpohky;> fhy; nrUg;ig mWj;Jf; nfhs;shky; gha;e;J njhw;wpf; nfhs;Sk; yhtfk; njupa Ntz;Lk;. Filiaf; fz;lJk; kpuSk; gRkhLNghy; $l;lj;ijf; fz;lhNy kpuSk; ,JfSld; vg;gb g]; VWthd;?

MfNt mk;khitg; ghu;f;fj;jhNd vd;W kdijj; jplg;gLj;jpf; nfhz;L thliff; fhu;jhd;. ,q;fpUe;J Ik;gJ &ghapy; KbAk; gazk; ,d;ndhU irgiur; Nru;j;Jf; nfhs;Sk;.

Etnuypah lTdpy; mtd; ez;gu; jhAkhdtu; yhauhf ,Uf;fpwhu;. mtUila tPl;by; kidtpiaAk; kfisAk; epWj;jptpl;L jhd; kl;Lk; Njhl;lj;Jf;Fr; nrd;W tUtjhf Vw;ghL.

,e;jKiw mk;kh Vkhw;w khl;lhu;fs; vd;Nw vz;zpf; nfhz;lhd;.

“mq;Nf ,Ue;J ePq;fs; kl;Lk; jdpahf mk;khitg; ghu;f;f Nghtnjd;why; ,q;fpUe;Nj jdpahfg; Ngha; thUq;fNsd;.! ehq;fs; tPl;by; ,Uf;fpNwhk; vd;whs; kidtp mtd;jhd; rk;kjpf;ftpy;iy. xUNtis mk;kh nrj;Jg;Ngha;tpl;lhy; kWgb nfhOk;G te;jy;yth $l;bg; NghfNtz;Lk; vd;W kidtpiar; rkhjhdk; nra;jhd;. mts;jhd; gpbthjkhfj; Njhl;lj;Jf;Nf tUtnjd;whs; - ,t;tsT J}uk; te;Jtpl;L ,q;Nf vd;d jq;FtJ vd;W.

fhu; gpbj;Jf; nfhz;nl NghdhYk; NkNy Nfhtpybapy; epWj;jptpl Ntz;Lk;. Nfhtpiy xl;bf; fhlha; kz;bf; fplf;Fk; ky;ypifg; Gju;. fUk;gr;ir thdj;jpy; el;rj;jpuq;fis thup ,iwj;jhw;Nghy; Gju; epiwa nts;is nts;isaha; ntbj;Jr; rpupf;Fk; kyu;fs;. fz; kl;Lky;y kdKk; nfhs;shf; fhl;rpjhd;@ ,y;;iy vd;W $wtpy;iy!.... ky;ypifg; Gjiu xl;bdhw;Nghy; nfhOe;J epWf;Fk; kLtk;. kLtj;jpd; Xukhf te;J epd;W fpzw;Wf;Fs; vl;bg; ghu;g;gJNghy; fPNo ghu;j;jhy; kiyabthuj;jpd; gs;sj;Jf;Fs; njupAk; Vnol;Lg; gj;J yaj;Jf;$iufs; rptg;Gr; rptg;gha; Nfhlhfg; Gif tpl;Lf; nfhz;L.

mjpy; xd;wpd; Xuj;Jf; fhk;gpuhjhd; mk;khtpd; thr];jyk;. mk;khTk; jk;gpapd; FLk;gKk; mjw;Fs;jhd;.

nts;isf;fhud; Njapiy gapuplj; Njhlq;fpa fhyj;jpy; fl;lg;gl;lit ,e;j yaq;fs;. E}w;iwk;gJ - mWgJ Mz;L gioik tha;jit. khw;wNk ,y;yhky; mg;gbNa njhlu;fpd;wd. muRf;F muR jiytu;fs; khWfpwhu;fs; MdhYk; ,it khJtjpy;iy!

nfhOe;J kLtj;Jf;F ,e;jg; gf;fkhf ,uz;L Njapiyr; nrbfspd; ,ilntspf;Fs; xU FWf;Fghij ,wq;FfpwJ. gbfs; fl;lg;gl;Lf; fy; ngau;e;J> gy; tpOe;j vfpWNghy;.....

mjd; topahff; fPNo ,wq;f Ntz;Lk;. epd;W nespe;J xbe;J jpUk;gp ,UE}w;wWgJ gbfs; ,wq;fptpl;lhy; mk;kh ,Uf;Fk; yak; te;JtpLk;.

mJ vg;gb mt;tsT fiuf;lhf ,WE}w;wWgJ gb vd;W Nfl;fj; Njhd;Wfpwjh? gs;sp ehl;fspy; jpdrup ,uz;L jlit Vwp ,wq;fpa gbf;fl;lhapw;Nw! ,wq;fp XLk;NghJ Kjy; ehiye;J gbfis tpl;L tpl;L vz;zj; njhlq;fpdhNyh my;yJ filrp ehiye;J gbfs; tUk; NghJ vz;Ztij vNjl;irahf tpl;Ltpl;lhNyh> fy;Yf;F fy; fhy; itj;J XLk;NghJ vz;zp vz;zp Xba gbfs;jhd;. gof;fk;jhd;. ,UE}w;wWgJf;Ff; $LNk jtpu FiwahJ.

rg;ghj;jpd; cau;Fjp fy;ypilapy; rpf;fpf; fhy;Guz;L RSf;fpf; nfhz;l mDgtq;fshy; fow;wpf; ifapy; J}f;fpf; nfhz;L kidtpAk; kfSk; mtd; gpd;dhy; ,wq;Fthu;fs;.

mtu;fspd; Kfj;ijg; ghu;j;Jf; fz;fisr; re;jpf;Fk; ijupak; mg;NghJ mtdpf;fpUg;gjpy;iy.

Nfhtpybapy; fhu; epw;Fk;NghNj fPNo yaj;jpy; gf;fj;Jf; fhk;gpuhf; fhkhl;rp> “ngupaj;jk;gp thwhg;gy ,Uf;Nfk;kh?.....” vd;W tprhupf;fj; njhlq;fpapUf;Fk;.

thry;tiu te;J G+tur kuj;jbapy; mk;kh epw;ghu;fs;. jk;gpapd; gps;isfs; gpd;dhy; epw;Fk;. jk;gp gl;bapy; ,Ug;ghd;. VjhtJ kz;iz Nehz;bf; nfhz;L.

“ghj;J> ghj;Jg;gh!.... ghj khjpupah ,Uf;F?.... ml koapy kz;kzy;yhk; mupr;Rf;fpl;Lg; NghapWr;rp!....... nghe;Jf;Fs;shw VJq; fhy tpl;Lf;Fwhk!.....” vd;W Fuy; nfhLj;jgb ,U iffisAk; ePl;bf; nfhz;L mtu;fis tuNtw;Fk; mk;kh…..

tajhy; ghjpAk; Fspuhy; kPjpAkhfr; RUq;fpj; njhq;Fk; njhy;fSld; me;j Kfk;> me;jf; iffs;!......

ms;sp mizj;Jf; nfhs;Sk; me;jf; iffspd; rpypu;g;G ,tDlYld; ,ioa> mg;gbNa myhf;fhf mk;khitj; J}f;fp xU Rw;Wr; Rw;wp cs;Ns Eioe;J tpLthd;.

gpd;dhy; epw;Fk; rpd;dJfs; Nge;j Nge;j Kopf;Fk;.

“tpLg;gh tpL!... ehd; Gs;isaf; nfhQ;rZk;!” vd;W jd;id tpLtpLj;Jf;nfhz;L ntspNa jpUk;Gifapy; kUkfSk; nfhOk;Gg; Ngj;jpAk; yaj;Jf;Fs; Eiothu;fs;.

kUkfspd; new;wpapy; ifia itj;Jf; fd;dk; topjhtha; tiu cUtp new;wpg; nghl;by; tpuy;fis neupj;Jg; glglntd;W Kwpj;Jf;nfhz;L> “ghj;jpah vt;tsT jpU];b vd; nry;yj;Jf;F!” vd;wgb Jzpfis ,Oj;Jf; nfhbapy; nghl;Ltpl;L ehw;fhypia ,Oj;Jg; Nghl;L “,Uk;kh!” vd;ghu;fs;. nfhOk;Gg; Ngj;jpapd; Mg;gps; fd;dq;fisj; jdJ iff;Fs; mlf;fp mg;gbNa ,Oj;J neQ;NrhL mizj;Jf; nfhs;thu;fs;…. Ngj;jp> ‘`{a;a;’ vd;W fj;Jths;. “ghl;b if FspUjhk;kh?” vd;ghu;fs; rpupj;jgb… “Fj;JJ~!’ vd;ghs; Ngj;jp.

mtDk; kfSk; fl;bypy; mku;e;J nfhs;thu;fs;. mk;kh ,UtUf;Fk; eLtpy; glj;Jf;F mku;tJNghy; mku;e;J nfhs;thu;fs;.

jk;gpapd; kidtp Mtp gwf;fg; gwf;fj; NjdPu; fpsh];fSld; te;J epw;ghs;.

“Njj;jz;zp Fbg;gpahk;kkh?” vd;W NjdPu;’ fpshi] vLj;J ePl;Lthu; mk;kh Ngj;jpaplk;.

“k;!” vd;wgb fpshi] thq;fpf; nfhs;ths; Ngj;jp. ‘fhiyapy; Njj;jz;zp Fbf;f khl;Nlhk;. Nfhg;gpjhd;’ vd;gJ Nghd;w ghl;bf;F mnrsfupak; Vw;gLj;Jk; Ngr;Rf;fs; $lhJ vd;W rpd;dtSf;Fr; nrhy;ypf; nfhLj;J itj;jpUf;fpwhd;. vJ vJ vd;gnjy;yhk; me;jr; rpwpRf;F vg;gbj; njupAk;? MfNt vy;yhtw;wpw;Fk; ‘k;’ jhd;!

“mk;kh> B!” vd;wthW mk;khtplk; kfs; vOe;J nry;tjd; mu;j;jk;> ‘vdf;F B Ntzhk;! vd;gJjhd;! “l;wpq; ypl;by;@ ntup Nfhy;l;> Neh?” vd;wgb fpshi] thq;fp kfSf;Fg; gUf;fj; njhlq;Fths; jha;.

“eP Fbk;kh@ ehd; FLf;fpNwd; ghg;ghTf;F!” vd;wthW mk;kh fl;biy tpl;bwq;Fthu;fs;.

“vy;yhk; MAk; kfSk; ghj;Jf;fpWq;f@ ePq;f ,Uq;f!” vd;W> jhd; ghjp Fbj;j fpshi] mk;khtpd; thapy; itj;J nkJnkJthfr; rha;g;ghd; mtd;.

“eP Fbg;gh!” vd;’whYk; mk;khtpd; njhz;ilf;Fs; mJ [Pthk;Ujkha; ,wq;Fk;. fz;fs; glglj;Jf; frpAk; GUtj;Jf;Fk; njupahky;.

NtUk; kz;Zkha;; ehiye;J Nehf;fy; fpoq;Fld; te;J epw;ghd; jk;gp.

Njhl;lj;jpy; mtDf;F Rg;gu;it]u; Ntiy nfhLj;jpUf;fpd;whu; Jiu! xU tU]k;Nghy; MfpwJ miuf;fhy; rl;il> rg;ghj;J> Nk]; Nghl;L> mJtiu ifapy; fj;jpAk; Njhspy; kz;ntl;bAk;jhd;. mtd; kidtp Njhl;lj;jpy; Ntiy. gioa kiyNah kl;lf; nfhOe;Njh nfhOe;Jjhd;.

fl;iltpuy; EdpAk; Ms;fhl;b tpuNyhuq;fSk; tupaha;j; Njapiyf; fhl;ilAld; fWg;Gg; fWg;gha;f; NfhL gha;e;J fplg;gnjy;yhk; nfhOe;jha;tpd; Kj;jpiufs;. ngupaz;zd; rk;rhuk; te;jhy; me;jg; gspq;F tpuy;fs; jhd; ,tis Kjypy; ftu;tJ. mf;fhtpd; Nkhjpuk;$l me;j tpuyhy;jhd; ngUik miltjhf vz;zpf;nfhs;ths;!

Nehf;fy; fpoq;if NtUld; ghu;j;Nj ,uhj kfSf;F xNu tpag;G! fz; tpupa epw;ghs;!

“Ntu ntl;b tPRq;f! ,y;yhl;b kz;z myrpf;fpl;L thq;f!” vd;W kidtpAk; “Nfhopaj; njhwe;J cl;whjg;gh! Nfhzf;nfhz;l Nrty Rj;jk; gz;zpf; FLj;JW! vd;W mk;khTk; mtDf;F cj;jtpLthu;fs;.

,UtUf;FNk jiyia Ml;btpl;L mz;zidg; ghu;g;ghd; jk;gp.

“uhj; jq;fpl;L ehisf;Fg; Nghq;fNsd;? Ms; neUq;fp vd;dh Mapwg; NghTJ?..... kdrpUe;jh vlkh,Uf;fhJ!..... fhu;f;fhud ehisf;F thd;D mDg;gpl;L tuth?.....” mz;zd; FLk;gj;ij xU ,uT jq;fSld; jq;fitj;Jf; nfhs;Sk; Mir mtd; Kfj;jpy; eu;j;jdk; MLk;.

mk;khTld; jq;fp ,uitf; fopf;f mtDf;Fk; Mirjhd;. MdhYk; ,Uf;Fk; me;j xNu fhk;gpuhtpy; gLf;f> vOe;jpUf;f> fhiyapy; ntspNa njUNt Nghf vq;Nf trjp ,Uf;fpwJ?

yaj;jpd; Kd; iyrd; fy;ypy; epd;Wjhd; gy; Jyf;fp Kfk; fOt Ntz;Lk;. KO yaKNk epd;W Ntbf;if ghu;f;Fk;. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; gl;bg; gf;fk; Ngha;tpl Ntz;Lk;…..

KO yaj;Jf;FNk ,Ug;gJ ,uz;Nl kyry $lq;fs; mJTk; Njapiyf;Fs;Ns Nghf Ntz;Lk;- ifapy; nrk;GlNdh ifthspAlNdh!

nfhOk;gpNyNa gofptpl;l kidtp kf;fSld; ,njy;yhk; ngUk; rpukk;. MfNtjhd; kdijf; fbj;Jf;nfhz;L te;j md;Nw fpsk;gptpLthd;!

jdpahf te;jhy; jq;fptpl;Nl nry;thd;. mtd; Guz;nlOe;j kz; mJ!

Vf;fj;Jld; ghh;j;Jf;nfhz;bUf;Fk; jk;gpiag; ghu;j;J xUtif Vkhw;wj;Jld; $Wthd;> “,y;y uhR fhu;f;fhud ehY kzpNghy thd;D nrhy;yp mDg;gPl;Lj;jhd; te;Njd;….” vd;W.

“mk;kp miuf;fpw rj;jq;Nff;FJ vd;dh miugLJ?” vd;ghd;.

“eP Rk;kh ,Nud;; nfhr;rpf;fh miuf;fpwh cd; nfhOe;jpah” vd;W $wpagb mk;kh NjdPu; fpsh];fis vLj;Jf;nfhz;L mLg;gbia Nehf;fp elg;ghu;fs;.

me;j tajpYk; me;jf; FspupYk; mk;kh rpl;ilg;Nghy; gwg;gjhfj; njupAk; mtDf;F. cioj;J cuNkwpa cly; rPf;fpw;Nfh jsu;Tf;Nfh mJ ,lkspf;fhJ. mtDila tUifAk; mtSf;F xU GJj; njd;igf; nfhLf;fpwJ. clypNy xU ,sik@ eilapNy xU Js;sy;!

jk;gp kidtpiaf; nfhOe;jpahs; vd;wiof;Fk; cwT Kiwapd; cupik> Fok;ghf;ff; nfhr;rpf;fha; miugLk; mk;kpr; rj;jk; - ,j;jpahjpfisf; Nfl;f ,q;F tuNtz;Lk;!

nfhOk;gpy; ahu; mk;kpapy; miuf;fpwhu;fs;? nghypj;jPd; nghl;lyq;fs; jhNd!

“ vd;dhg;gh> mg;gbNa cf;fhe;Jl;lh vg;gb?........” vd;W kidtpiaf; fpsg;Gthd;. mtd; kfs; ,d;Dk; mk;khtpd; kbapypUe;J votpy;iy!

$iuapy; nrUfpapUf;Fk; jPl;Lf;fl;ilAk; fj;jpAkhfj; jk;gp Njhl;lj;Jf;Fs; nrd;WtpLthd;. Nfhop fNwGNw vd;W $f;FuypLk;.

kidtpiaAk; kfisAk; $l;bf; nfhz;L mtDk; Njhl;lj;Jf;Fs; nry;thd;. jk;gpapd; rpd;dJ ,uz;Lk; mf;fhtpd; iffis gpbj;Jf;nfhz;L cld; elf;Fk;.

mk;khtpd; kbapy; mtDk; mtd; kbapy; mk;khTkha; Mde;jkhf me;jf; nfhQ;r Neug; nghOijg; Nghf;fp tpLthd; mtd;.

Mdhy; kidtpAk; kfSk; vj;jid Neuk; mjw;Fs;NsNa mku;e;jpUg;ghu;fs;?

yaj;Jf;Fk; fha;fwp Njhl;lj;Jf;Fk; eLtpy; ,Uf;Fk; Ntypaplk; epw;fpwJ xU khJis kuk;. rpd;dtDf;Fk; mjw;Fk; xU taR vd;W ,wf;Fk;Kd; mg;gh mbf;fb $WtJz;L.

fpis Edpfspy; rptg;Gr; rptg;gha; rpd;dr; rpd;dg; G+f;fSk; Fz;L Fz;lha;f; fha;fSkha;…..

xU fhiaj; njhl;Lg; ghu;f;fpd;whs; kfs;. jdJ nkhl;Lf;fs; tpupa “khJis” vd;ghs; jfg;gidg; ghu;j;J.

“GLq;fp jpz;Zk;kh@ Flw; G+r;rpf;Fk; neQ;Rr; rspf;Fk; ey;yJ” vd;W cs;spUe;J Xb tUfpwJ mk;khtpd; Fuy;.

jq;fisr; Rw;wp Rw;wpNa tyk; tUk; mk;khtpd; md;Gg; ghu;it mtidj; jLkhwr; nra;fpwJ.

mk;khTf;nfd;W mtd; vd;d nra;jpUf;fpd;whd;? gbj;J gh]hfp cj;jpNahfk; Njb fhjypj;Jf; fy;ahzk; fl;bf; Foe;ij ngw;W …..

vd; kfd; ,g;gb ,g;gb ,Uf;fpwhd; vd;W $wpf; $wpg; ngUik gLk; neQ;rk; mJ!

vdf;F vd;d nra;jha; vd;W vjpu;g;ghu;f;Fk; neQ;rky;y… ,g;gb xUehs; tUtJTk; “,dp vg;gg;gh?.....”  vd;Dk; Nfs;tpAld; tpil ngWtJTk;jhd;; mtd; nra;tJ!

,e;j tUifjhd; me;jj; jhAs;sj;ij vg;gb Ml;nfhz;LtpLfpwJ!

mk;khTf;F VjhtJ nra;aNtz;Lk; vd;Dk; cWj;jypy; xU jlit nfhOk;Gf;Ff; $l;bf;nfhz;L Nghdhd; jd;Dld; itj;Jf;nfhs;s!

,e;jf; FspUf;Fk; nfhOk;gpd; #l;bw;Fk; mk;kh jpz;lhbg; Nghdhu;fs;. gl;bapy;iy> khby;iy> Rw;wptuj; Njhl;lkpy;iy> gpLq;fpj; rikf;ff; fha;fwpapy;iy! mk;khTf;F xU ehs; NghtJ xU khjk; Nghy; njupfpwJ.

kfd; tPl;by; khl;biwr;rp Mf;Ffpd;whu;fs;! nfhOk;gpy; ,njy;yhk; rf[k;;: rhjhuzk;. Mdhy; mk;khTf;F…

“ …..vdf;F…… jdpah……” vd;whu;fs; kfdplk; xU ehs;.

“ cq;fSf;F mnjy;yhk; ,y;Ny jdpahj;jhd;” vd;W njhlq;fpa kfdplk; nkJthff; $wpdhu;fs;:- “jdpah xU Nfhg;gAk; Mg;gAk;gh!...... ePq;f ghtpf;w Mg;g> fuz;b vy;yhk;…… thzhk;”

kUkfsplk; mk;kh %r;R tplkhl;lhu;fs;. ‘ thk;kh> ,Uk;kh’ vd;W$lr;  nrhy;ykhl;lhu;fs;: ‘thq;f> ,Uq;f’ jhd;. kUkfs; mk;khTf;F xU kfhuhzp khjpup! vd; kfis ek;gp te;jtshapw;Nw vd;Dk; epidT.

gy;iyf; fbj;Jf;nfhz;L xU gj;J ehs; ,Ug;ghu;fs; mt;tsTjhd;!

jhd; gps;isfSf;Fr; nra;aNtz;Lk; vd;gijj; jtpug; gps;isfs; jdf;Fr; nra;aNtz;Lk; vd;Dk; vjpu;ghu;g;G ,y;yhjts; jha;.

ek;ikr; Rw;wp Mapuk;Ngu; ,Uf;fyhk;. md;igr; nrhupayhk;. Mdhy; ahUNk mk;khthf Mfptpl KbahJ!

mk;kh mk;khjhd;!

khJis kuj;ijj; jhz;bg; gl;bapy; khLfsplk; epd;W gae;J gae;J njhLk; kidtp> kfisf; Nfypahfg; ghu;j;Jg; gRtpd; kbapy; if itj;Jf; fhk;ig ,Oj;Jg; ghiyg; gPa;r;rpf;fhl;bg; ngUikg;gl;Lf;nfhz;L fPNo elg;ghd;> mtd;.

kbapy; if gl;lJk; gR rpypu;j;Jf; nfhs;tij Ntbf;if ghu;j;J epw;Fk; kfs;> cliyf; $dp thiy cau;j;jp mJ jljlntd;W nga;a Muk;gpj;jJk; njwpf; Muk;gpj;jJk; fhiyj; Jilj;jgb Xb te;JtpLths;!

gl;bf;Ff; fPNo xU ePNuhil. jz;zPu;f; fhd; mUNf jk;gp uhR Nfhop ntl;bf;nfhz;bUg;ghd;. mtd; jiyf;F Nkyhfg; gyhkuj;jpy; Kw;whj fha;fspd;Nky; jhtpj;jhtpg; gha;e;J> gOj;jpUf;fpwjh vd;W thrid gpbf;fpwJ mzpw; $l;lk;.

“ mzpy; gok; NjLJ> ghj;jpah” vd;W kfSf;Ff; fhl;Lthd;.

jk;gp Nfhop ntl;Lk; yhtfj;ij urpj;Jf;nfhz;L epw;ghs; kidtp.

VNjh thrk; %f;ifj; Jisf;fpwJ. Edp %f;F tpupe;J thridf; fhw;iw khw;wpf;nfhs;fpwJ.

“ md;dhrp xz;Z gOj;jpupr;rp. nfhQ;rk; ,iy rUnfy;yhk; Nghl;L %bj;jhd; tr;Nrd;! fhf;fh rdpaDf cLkh! nfhj;jpapUf;Fk;: mJjhd; fkfkf;FJ!........”  vd;W Nfhopia mg;gbNa itj;Jtpl;Lj; jk;gp vOe;J Ngha; md;dhrpg; goj;ij xbj;J vLj;J te;J ePl;Lthd;.

kfs; thq;fpf;nfhs;ths;. nfhz;ilf;Ff; fPNo Nyrhff; nfhj;jpapUf;fpwJ fhfk;. thrid jhq;fKbatpy;iy.

“ ntl;bj; ju;Nwd; ngwF” vd;wgb Nfhop ntl;Ltjpy; Fe;jpf;nfhs;thd; jk;gp.

ePNuhilapd; ,UkUq;fpYk; fUk;G nropj;J epw;fpwJ. fUk;Nghiyapd; mbg;gf;fk; fWg;Gf;  fWg;gha; Mbahb mku;e;jpUf;Fk; mofhd rpd;dr; rpd;d G+r;rpfs; ,iy MbaJk; gwe;J kWgbAk; mNjNghy; $l;lkhf mkUk; fhl;rp fz; nfhs;shjJ.

kidtpf;Fk; kfSf;Fk; fUk;ig Ml;b Ml;bf; fhl;bf;nfhz;bUg;ghd; mtd;. G+r;rpfs; vOe;J gwg;gijAk; kPz;Lk; mku;tijAk; fz;L urpf;f.

,g;gb xt;nthd;iwAk; tpag;GWk; tz;zk; fhl;b mtu;fspd; Mahrj;ij> jdpikia> ,l tpj;jpahrj;ij tpul;bg; nghOijf; fopj;JtpLk; vz;zk; mtDilaJ.

“mz;zpf;Fk; kfSf;Fk; Ntbf;f fhl;Lwpah> Nfhop Nty elf;Fjh? muf;fg; gwf;f ms;spg;Nghl;Lf;fpl;L mDg;gj;jhd; Ntz;b tUk;! RUf;fhf; nfhz;lhe;J FL” vd;W ,isa kfid vr;rupj;j mk;khtpd; Fuy;> “fUk;Nghyaj; jltpg; ghu;f;f Ntzhk;Z mk;khfpl;l nrhy;Yk;kh ntl;LwJ njupahk ntl;bg;GLk; ntuy….” vd;W Ngj;jpf;Fk; vr;rupf;if tpLf;fpwJ.

fUk;gplkpUe;J tpyfp epd;Wnfhs;ths; kUkfs;!

“mNj gQ;R khjpup ntuy;! mWj;jhYk; Mokhj;jhd; mWj;Jg;GLk;” vd;W xj;J}Jk; jk;gp kidtpapd; Fuy;.

mk;kh ePNuhil mUNf te;JtpLthu;fs;. “,jWjp ghj;jJ NghJk;> ,dpg; ngwF ghf;fyhk;> thq;f Njj;jz;zp Fbf;f!.....”

“,g;gj;jhNd Fbr;Nrhk;?”

“mJ ntWe; Njj;jz;zpjhNd> fhiyahfhuk; VJQ; rhg;GLwjpy;ypah! Rlr;Rl cg;Gkh nfswpapUf;Nfd;…. Mwpg;NghapWk;> thq;f” vd;W kUkfisAk; Ngj;jpiaAk; miog;ghs;. Ngj;jpaplkpUe;J thq;Fk; md;dhrpg; goj;ijf; fPNo itg;ghs;- “ gr;rg; Gs;s ifapy; ,jj; J}f;fpf; FLj;jh vk;kh Neuk; tr;rpUf;Fk;!” vd;wgb.

“eP ty;iyah rhg;Gl?” vd;W jk;gpiaf; Nfl;ghd; mtd;.

“,Njh KbQ;rpwpr;rp ePq;f elq;f ehd; te;JLNwd;” vd;ghd; jk;gp.

vl;b ehiye;J thio ,iy Edpfis eWf;fpf;nfhs;thu;fs; mk;kh.

mtdhy; ek;g Kbatpy;iy! mjw;Fs; mk;kh vd;ndd;d nra;fpwhu;fs;! me;jf; iffSf;Fs; vd;d khia ,Uf;fpwJ!

jhAld; mWRitNghk; vd;W md;W nrhd;dtd; Rk;khth nrhy;yp itj;jpUg;ghd;?

,d;Dk; fha;fwpj; Njhl;lk; fhl;l Ntz;Lk;! nfhz;il ehuhd; kuk;> gidNghy cau;e;J epw;Fk;. fwp Ntg;gpiy kuk;> Nridapy; epw;Fk; nfha;ah kuq;fs;…..

mj;jidAk; ghu;j;J> gwpj;J> nkd;W> Jg;gp Kba Neuk; rupahfptpLk;. gpwF ele;j fisg;G ePq;ff; nfhQ;rk; cl;fhug;> gfy; rhg;ghl;L Neuk; te;JtpLk;. gfy; rhg;ghL tpUe;J jhd;.

rhg;gpl;L Kbj;Jf; fisg;ghwp mtru mtrukhfj; NjdPu; jahupj;J mijAk; Fbj;J nubahfpaJk; kiy Nghy; epw;Fk; gbNaWk; glyk;! ,UE}w;wWgJ gbfis Vwp Kbg;gnjd;why;

rhg;gpl;l tpUe;Jr; rhg;ghL> Fbj;j NjdPu; mj;jidAk; vq;Nfnad;W Ngha;tpLk;!

fhu;f;fhud; te;J N`hu;d; mbj;Jf;nfhz;L epw;ghd;.

,Jjhd; Mz;Lf;F ,uz;L jlit my;yJ %d;W jlit vd;W elf;Fk; mk;kh juprdk;! gioa fij.

mg;Nghnjy;yhk; mt;tsthfj; Njhd;WtJ fpilahJ. KOKjw; fhuzNk mk;kh! mk;khtpd; guhkupg;G! jq;fisr; Rw;wpr; Rw;wp te;J epw;Fk; mk;khtpd; md;Gtl;lk;!

,g;NghJ mk;kh gLf;ifapy;. xU goe;JzpNghy; fl;bypd; xU %iyapy; fplf;fpd;whu;fs;.

ifapy; Ml;l Xl;lkpy;iy. fhy;fspy; xU mirtpy;iy. clypy; xd;WNk ,y;iy.

rPf;fpw;Nfh jsu;r;rpf;Nfh ,lk; nfhlhj> cioj;J cuNkwpa cly; vd;W mtNd ngUikg;gl;l cly;jhd; ,g;gbf; frq;fp> nehbe;J> iee;JNgha; ehu; ehuha;………fplf;fpwJ.

mtidAk; kUkfisAk; Ngj;jpiaAk; fz;lJk; me;jf; fz;fspNy xU xsp! cjl;bNy xU rpupg;gpd; nespT! mt;tsTjhd;. ‘te;Jl;bahg;gh!’ vd;Dk; kdj;jpUg;jp!

iffs; Nghu;itf;Fs; eLq;FtJNghy; xU Jbg;G. fk;gspf;Fs; ifia tpl;L mk;khtpd; iffisg; gw;wpg; gpbj;jhd;. kidtpapdJk; kfspdJk; iffisAk; czu;tw;Wr; Nrhu;e;J fplf;Fk; me;jf; iffSld; Nru;j;Jg; gpd; vLj;J tpl;lhd;.

,e;j khjj;jpNyNa ,J ,uz;lhtJ tUif. ,uz;L jlitAk; jk;gpjhd; je;jp nfhLj;jpUe;jhd;.

‘mk;khit ek;g VyhjpUf;fpwJ. clNd tuTk;.’ vd;W.

 mk;khitg; ghu;j;j lhf;lu;$l> “M];gj;jpup mJ ,njy;yhk; Ntz;lhk;! kpQ;rpkpQ;rpg; Nghdh nuz;L %Z ehs; jhq;Fk;! vJf;F M];gj;jpupapy rhf tplZk;? Mz;L mEgtpr;r tPl;LyNa ,Uf;fl;Lk;” vd;W nrhy;yptpl;lhu;!

mk;khTf;Fk; vOgJ gpe;jptpl;lJjhNd!...........

mk;kh fz;fis %bf;nfhz;lJk; ntspNa te;J mtu;fs; epd;W nfhz;lhu;fs;.

mk;kh vOe;J elkhlhj me;jr; rpd;df; fhk;gpuhit mtdhy; fw;gid nra;af;$l Kbatpy;iy.

mk;kh Rw;WKw;Wk; ghu;j;J tpopj;jhu;fshk;. thNa jpwf;fhj mtu;fs; “mz;zd; tuiyah?.....” vd;W nkJthff; Nfl;lhu;fshk;. gae;JNghd jk;gp vd;d nra;thd;? je;jp mbj;jpUf;fpd;whd;!

‘,Uq;fk;kh’ vd;W mk;kh ,];Njhg;gpy; ,Oj;Jg; Nghl;L kfhuhzp kUkfis mkur; nrhy;Yk; me;j ehw;fhypapy; xU nts;spf; Fj;Jtpsf;F> gr;ir muprp> ciwe;J fl;bahfptpl;l xU Nghj;jy; Njq;fhnaz;iz> CJgj;jp kQ;rs; ,j;jpahjpfs; nubahf ,Uf;fpd;wd. mWgjhk; gr;irf; nfhg;Gfs; Nyhl;lhj; jz;zPupy; jiyahl;bf;nfhz;bUf;fpd;wd.

kfd;fshy; vd;d nra;Jtpl KbAk; ,g;gbj; jahuha; itj;Jf;nfhz;L Nrhfk; fhl;Lk; Kfq;fSld; Rw;wpte;J epw;gijj; jtpu?

%j;jtd;ghL ju;krq;flkhf ,Uf;fpwJ. vt;tsT Neuk; vd;W ,Uf;f KbAk;?

ehd; Nghfl;lh vd;W vg;gbf; Nfl;f KbAk;?....... kidtp khJis kuj;jbapy;> kfs; ghl;bapd; fhy;khl;by;……rPf;fpuk; nrj;Jg; Nghk;kh vd;W mk;khtpd; fhJf;Fs; nrhy;yth KbAk;?

nrd;w KiwAk; ,g;gbj;jhd;. ,Ue;j;pUe;J ghu;j;Jtpl;Lf; fpsk;gpg; Ngha;tpl;lhu;fs;.

Vnol;L ehl;fSf;Fs; ,uz;lhtJ Kiwahf te;jpUf;fpd;whd; FLk;gj;Jld;. Nfhr;Rf;fhuDk;> g];fhuDk; fhu;f;fhuu;fSk; ,tidf; fldhspahf;Ffpd;wdu;.

mz;zd; jk;gpiaAk; jk;gp mz;zidAk; ghu;g;gJTk; jpUk;gpf; nfhs;tJTkhf…….

“,e;j Kiw … mk;kh ….. Vkhj;j khl;lhu;fs;........” vd;W jpf;fpj; jLkhwpf; $Wfpd;whd; jk;gp.

mz;zd; FLk;gj;ij mdhtrpakhf mnrsfu;aj;Jf;Fs;shf;fptpLfpd;NwhNkh vd;Dk; xU Fw;w czu;T jk;gpf;F.

jk;gpapd; thiaj; jdJ tpuyhy; %Lfpd;whd; jikad;.

“ lhb> lhb! ghl;b vOk;GJ!” vd;W fj;jpf; nfhz;Nl ntspNa Xb te;jhs; kfs;.

vy;yhUk; cs;Ns Xb te;J Rw;wp epd;whu;fs;.

mirahky; fple;j mk;khtpd; if> Xl;il efq;fSld; fk;gspf;F ntspNa vOe;J epw;fpwJ. thiaf; Ftpj;Jf; fhl;Lfpd;whu;fs; mk;kh.

“ghY}j;jr; nrhy;Yq;f %j;j kfe;jhNd?” vd;fpwJ $l;lj;Jf;Fs; ,Ue;J xU fpof; Fuy;.

“……..j…jz;zp…” vd;w rj;jk; tUfpwJ mk;khtpd; Fope;j thapypUe;J!

ntJntJg;ghd #l;Lld; nts;spj; jk;supy; jz;zPu; tUfpwJ. 

%j;jtd; fl;by; tpspk;gpy; mku;e;J mk;khtpd; jiyia cau;j;jpj; jz;zPiug; gUf;Ffpd;whd;. klf; klf; vd;W Fbj;Jtpl;L mk;kh gLj;Jf;nfhz;lhu;fs;!

Fdpe;J gLf;f itf;Fk;NghJ mtdplk; nkJthf mtDf;F kl;Lk; Nfl;Fkhg;Nghy; $wpdhu;fs; :- “vd;dar; RUf;fh nrj;Jg;Nghfr; nrhy;wPq;fsh?..... ghY}j;jf; fhj;jpUf;fpq;fsh?..... Nfl;L Nj xU Fuy;....”

fz;fis %bf;nfhz;lhu;fs;.

,ikf; NfhLfspy; <uk; frpfpwJ… mk;kh Ngrpdhu;fsh… my;yJ mtd; kdk; Ngrpajh? mtDf;F Gupatpy;iy.

jk;gpAk; kidtpAk; mtid Nrhfkhf ghu;j;jhu;fs;.

,e;j KiwAk; Vk;khw;wk; jhd;.

“….. newa.... nrythFNk gazj;Jf;F?”

“gwthapy;iy Ntw vd;djhd; nra;ayhk;…. vd;wgb fpsk;gpdhu;fs;…

iff;Fk; tha;Fkhd tho;f;if thOk; eLj;ju FLk;gk; mtDilaJ. nfhOk;gpy; ,td; Nghd;Nwhupd; tho;Nt tpj;jpahrkhdJ… Mg+u;tq;fs; epiwe;jJ.

jpBnud;W F\p te;J tpl;lhy; ,UE}W &gha;f;F I];fpupk; thq;fp jpd;ghu;fs;. E}W &gha;f;Ff; Filthq;f rq;flg;gl;Lf;nfhz;L fOj;jpy; ilAld; kiof;F ifia jiyapy; itj;Jf; nfhz;L Nwhl;by; XLthu;fs;.. me;j tu;f;fj;jpd; mr;nrhl;lhd gpujpepjpjhd; ,tDk;… ,y;yhtpl;lhy; Ok;gJ &ghapy; g];]py; nry;tij tpLj;J IE}W &gha; nryT nra;J fhupy; Nghthdh?

Mz;Lf;F ,uz;L jilt vd;why; guthapy;iy..

,e;j gj;J gjpide;J ehl;fSf;Fs; ,uz;L jilt vd;why;….

“mLj;J vg;gq;f?.... vd;dh nra;aNghwPq;f?...” vd;lwhs; kidtp

Nfs;tpapd; ufrpak;  mtDf;Fk; GupfpwJ… Vw;fdNt ,Ue;j eiffis Ngq;fpy; itj;jhfp tpl;lJ… mLj;j Kiwf;F vd;d nra;tJ…?

mk;khjhNd vd;d nra;jpUf;Nfhk; mTq;fSf;F..? ,ijahtJ nra;Nthk;… rpYitahf epidj;Jf; nfhs;shky;….

mk;kh mtid fld; fhudhf;fptpl;L Nghfkhl;lhu;fs;.. mk;khTf;F njupAk;!

jd;idj;jhNd rkhjhdKk; nra;J nfhs;fpwhd;.

mLj;j ehs; MgPrpy; rP.rP.aplk; xU fld; tpz;zg;gk; vOjp nfhLj;jhd;. epiyikia tpsf;fp…

yQ;r; ilkpy; rP/g; fpshf; mtid $g;gpl;L mtd; nfhLj;j fbjj;ij jpUg;gpf; nfhLj;jhu;…

mtDf;F Vkhw;wkhf ,Ue;jJ.. tl;bf;Fj;jhd; thq;f Ntz;LNkh…? “Ia;ahapuk; thq;fpdhYk; khrj;Jf;F vOE}w;iwk;gJ tl;b Nfl;ghNd rpy;th…. tl;biaj;jhd; fl;lyhk;> Kjy; mg;gbNa ,Uf;FNk vd;W Fok;gp Nghdhd; mtd;.

“,J Njitapy;iy” vd;w rP.rp.… njhlu;e;jhu;. “nlj; /gz;l; ];fPk;” gw;wp cq;fSf;Fj; njupahjh.. ,e;j ];fPk; mwpKfkhfp MNwO khjq;fs; jhd; Mfpd;wd. epue;ju Copau;fSf;F ,e;j /gz;l; fpilf;Fk;. mJTK; xNu ehspy; fpilf;Fk;…. Mdhy; ,we;jtu; Copaupd; mk;khthf my;yJ mg;ghthf ,Uf;f Ntz;Lk;…

nlj; ru;l;bgpNfl; ju Ntz;Lk;.. cq;fs; rk;gsk; vd;d ,g;NghJ…?

“<.gp.v/g; fopf;fhk gjpdhW ru;”

“%d;Wkhj rk;gsk; fpilf;Fk; A+tpy; nfl;bl;”

“jhq;f; A+ ru;” vd;W vOe;jhd; mtd;.

“mk;kh Vkhw;wkhl;lhu;fs;!.....

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