GOU
By ~ Vz Vualnam
‘Hoi, hoi…. Hoi, hoi,hoi,hoi.... Huailam ah va pai chiitchiatkei ve,’ chih toh va khelh athuah hi. Tuni agintaklouhpi a vuah ahong zuk phut ziak in bangmah, vainiliap hiam tuipuan hiam neilou in singkung a beel a, lah vuah a tamluat ziak in a kawtsuak veve hi. Huchia a kawt toh, tuni a sialte khel diak uh abat toh ahehtha bang asuak maimah.
Ni aniamta a, mallam apan meivom hong kai toh vuah hong zuk geet ding lau in a kintat mahmah hi. A sialte lah pai ut nailoulua uh hileh kilawm in alang-alang ah apial ua, ahawl khop mahmah hi. Theihtawp a hawl nung in khomuizul in inn a tun khong.
Lianthang tuh tangvalnou kizentak ahi a, pawl sawmlehnih exam zou a khua ua hong kiik a a hun awl a sial ching a om ahi. Amau tuh a khua uh Bukpi a sial hau pen ahi uh. A pa’n sial tamlou a neihte uh behlap na’ng in tuma sawtpek in bank apan sum a leitawi ua, huai sum in sial a khoi ua, lohching law veekvuukkei mahleh uh kingak na’ng in bel a hithei nimnem sam hi.
Seppatni teng a Lamka a sial posuk in Sepnawnni a gou in azuakzel uhi. A sial etkolna ding ua tha tam luutlua ahihman in lou a gina neih mankei ua, meh lakna ding in lianlou abawl lel uhi.
Amau unau li ahi ua, amah leh anuai apa Lamka lam ah skul kai in a om ua, anaute uh bel akhua ua kai theilai ahihman un akhua mah uah akai uhi.
Pawl sawmlehnih le’ng haksa pi a kai ahi a, colez hoih a maban a sutzop zoh leng a kigingtakei. A pa’n lah bank a aleitawi aditna toh, innsung etkolna toh sikhop mahmah ahihman in maban sunzom nawnlou ding bang in a kikoih a, anau pen amah sang a lai siamtheizaw ahihchiang in anau tuh haksa lele akai zoh tantan kaisak a utzaw hi. Amah bel a pa’ sialkhoina etkai pih a om ding bang in a kikoih hi.
A zingchiang ann nekham antuun pua in leh zan giah sawm ahihman in buh leh meh huan ding pua in puan tamlou toh a sialte a hawlkhe nawn hi. Pawl sawm azoh a apaneu in apiak, adeihthoh mahmah a violin leng gamlak a chimthoihna dia kizen ngial ding chi in apua hi. Khupching’ khomun a kichihnalam ah a sialte ahawl a, huai mun a sial chingte adia giahbuuk kilam a giah asawm hi.
A skul uah amau lutma kum in music class ana kipanta a, aman leng violin additional subject in a va la hi. Kum khat azil nung in sumsen a haksat ziak in sunzom zou nawnlou in amah leh amah a kisin a sunzom hi.
Giahbuuk atun in thil omdan a enkhia a, giahtaakna ding in amu a, a kinga hi. Buuk sung ah a giakgiak in azat dia kikoih bel se chikchik nih a om a, huchilou bangmah a omkei. Tap kiang a kawtdan apan buuktung keh ahi chih athei hi. Sawtlou a tawldam zoh in a annhuan na’ng sing a va tom a, nisa ah aphou hi.
A violin tawi in mun kidohna mun khat ah singkung sang lawlou a tau kidoh ah ava tuang a, a violin a tum hi. A omna singkung ah a kaa dangteng a kiheuhsiang a, kung neuchik khut ngawng chia ding khawng khat a ding lel hi. Tau kidohna tungzawn geih ah sangsim in buk lihliah in a om. Huai tautung apan khua tampi a muhtheih a, Joutung, Sumthuk, Mualpheng, Songtal chihte apak vivek gouh uhi.
Huchia sawtsim atum nung in atung a sawlbawk hong ging thelthel hi in athei a, a ettouh lehlah bang mah muh ding a omkei. Bang a le ngai tuanlou in a thil tum a sunzom hi. A vangkim in atung a singbawk ahong ging nilouh a, huihmut chih lah huih nun toh le kituak chiitchiat a ging khollou, lamdang asa sim a, lah angaihsak tuankei a, a thil tum atum den hi.
A denlam chiang in tua sing ahong puak ngotngot a, a ettouh toh kiton in tua singhiang ahong kitan a, sawlpa in a khuhsuk hi. A khuhsuk toh kiton in tua singbul a loupate a liing thulthul ua, hoihtak a a etleh loupa tung ah sisan ahong taak keuhkeuh mawk hi. Lamdang sa in a en dedu a, a dendeuh chiang in tua sisan awlawl in a kikhin a, gamlak lam a manoh hi.
A lauhtha ahong suakta a, kum di lah nuam salou, omdet dilah nuam salou in a lakloh mahmah hi. Atawp in omom nadan omlou chi in akum a kintak in buuk anaih vengveng a, a sialte taisan a innlam pai ding alunggel hi.
Buuk a lut leh papi teeksim lampang hita khat ana om a, alauhna abehlap semsem hi. Dial gial khat akhim a, khamul kaang anei theepthuap hi. Dohdan tung ah a tu a, a kiang ah kawlzalpi khat a om hi. A mah ana muh phet in, ‘Hiai vante nang a hia? Hiai a giah sawm na hi hia?’ Chi’n ana dong hi. A lamzang pau chiik ngial hi.
Huchia ahong pau hial chiang in bel alauhna ahong bei a, hoihtak in adawng hi. Mipa’n amah leng sial ching a om ahihdan agen a, amah leng giahsawm ahihdan a hilh hi. Huchia lawm ding om ahihleh chi’n innlam pai asawm bang a khelkiik thak hi. A awphawi apan in Hanshipte hi ding in a ummoh a, dot leng adong tuan nawnkei.
A thiltuah mipa ahilhleh mipa’n dawite ahihdan uh ahilh a, ‘Na thil tum ngainuam uh ahi. Himahleh sikha lauhuaikei ahikei uh. Nidanglai in leng mi khat Lungthul kawl a suangpi tung a tu a Chiantuang la sa kawm a atem a suang tung a khet keuhkeuh leh sikhate’n ngai nuamlua ua, va naineh lawkha in, atem in ana satkha a, suang tung a asi uh hong pawt a, mipa’n lau in apai hi. Nitak in a mang ah aktal san bang in a va kilaak ua, a lasak ngai nuam a va naineh lawkha uh ahihdan ahilh ua, va hoh nawn a la va sa nawn ding in ava chial uh a kichi hi,’ chi in nidanglai a thiltung khat ahilh hi.
Nitaklam ahong hi a, Lianthang in apaam a tuikhuuk ah tuithei in tui a va tawi a, a ann puakte uh ahon huan uhi. Puteek pa’n papaak tamlou gamlak a ahon muh chi philh in gosung ah athun a, nahthial teh a kiptak a ahu in mei-am ah aphual hi.
Ann nezou dohdan tung a atut tawldam lai un puteek pa’n, ‘Na mit a ka muh bang ahia?’ Chi in Lianthang adong phut a, Lianthang in amit nuaikawm in, ‘Bang eita?’ chi in aleh dot hi.
‘Huchia nuaimang theihlouh ding thil khat ka mu a hi,’ achi a, ‘Nungak na ngai hia? Ama’n ahon ngai hia? Huai lunglenna ka mu,’ chi in agenzom hi.
Huai azak phet in Lianthang ameelsuah ahong dang a, nuam asa hetkei sim hi. Anui a, ‘Theikhang maw om adiam ah,’ chi in adawng lel hi.
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Lianthang in pawl sawmlehnih a simlai in a skul ua kai mah pawlsawmlehkhat sim Ngaihlian kichi adeih mahmah a, khatnu’n leng deih bawl thou hi in athei hi. Krismas khawlma in ka itna thu ka gen dia, ahon saan ngeingei leh krismas Lamka ah ka zang dia, innlam ka paikei di a chi lungsim hi.
Kithuah thei mahmah, kineel mahmah, ut-ut a kichiamnuihthei himahle uh itna thu hial gen dia a kisak chiang in haksa asa mahmah eekawk mawk hi. A kisaksak sung in skul khawl ding bang kaal khat kia in asamta hi.
Nikhat tuh sih leh sih, dam leh dam, gen teitei ding chi in a kisa a, skul kaitawp lampi a ton kawm in Ngaihlian in aw achih ngei kilam-en in agenta hi.
Lianthang i chih mihoih mahmah hi a, Ngaihlian in ngaihhuai sakna khat nei mahleh aneihzoh louhdan uh a muh chiang in aw a chingamkei hi. Nungaknou ahih apan lah anu’n limtak a khovel a itna kia bangmah hihlouhdan, itpen toh kiten a khosalah a om sang a itlouhdeuh toh kiten a khosathei a om akhonung a lungkimna omzaw ahihdan a thuhilh ngiitngeet ahi a, Ngaihlian in leng anu thuhilhna a theisiam mahmah a, naupang chik himahleh theihsiamna neimi lah ahi ngal a. Huchi’n, ‘Ka naupang lawlai a, huaite zaw hinai dah heh,’ chi in Lianthang a nial a, alungsimtak in bel ngaihna tak khat anei veve hi.
Tua bang a gintaklouh lampang tak a Ngaihlian in a dawn mawk chiang in naa asa mahmah a, hon etkhiat a ut a hi di, peuh chi in kinepna amah leh amah akipelai thouthou hi. Ngaihlian’ lawmnu Vungbawi kiang ah Ngaihlian ana houpih thak himhim ding in a ngen a, Vungbawi in leng Ngaihlian’ gen teng Lianthang a hilh kiik hi. ‘Mi’n neih leh lam a hon sit hial zaw tawpsan mai oh, kisaktheihhuai ka sa deuh,’ Vungbawi in achi hi. Lianthang in, ‘Kisaktheihna le hipah samlou ahi. Numei pilvangtheitak ei zaw ve, tua bang a amaban ding khualthei,’ achi a, thangpaih sang in it deuhdeuhna in aneizaw hi.
A tup bang a Lamka a krismas zat ding achihlah lemtheilou ahihman in innlam ava pai hi. Krismas leng nuamlou chik in ava zang a, alungsim anguiden hi. Skul luut nawn chikchik alungsim zou teitei dia beih ding chi in Lamkalam paisuk nawn kaal bang a ngaklah mahmah hi.
A kho nungakte un lah amau lawi khawng Lamka a laisim, ahithei pawl hi uh ahihman in adeih bawl thei mahmah ua, lenkhawmna khawng ah alimbawl thei ngial uhi.
Kumthakte hon zangzou in Lianthang leng Ngaihlian lungsim zoh teitei sawm in kithalawp tak in Lamkalam ahong paisuk nawn hi. Lawmte khawng toh hong kimu in thukhotang khawng ahoulim ua leh Ngaihlian leh Khenmung kingai ahihdan aza a, akiguih hial hi.
Lianthang’ pawlte khat Khenmung kichi a om a, tua pa’n leng Ngaihlian a deih a, a Ngaihlian mah in leng Khenmung pen neih leh lam a leng sithuailou leh mel mahmah a leng deihhuaipi ahihziak in kingaihpih ding in chinzaw hi in athei hi. Liangthang pen ahihleh a mihoihna chihlouh thildang himhim suan ding leh etlah ding omlou ahimai hi.
Kithalawptak a ahong paisukna teng bangmahlou suak maimah tuh angui ngial hi. Naa sa mahmah mahleh bangmah gentheih neilou ahihman in athuak kenkan mai hi. Pawl sawmlehnih a exam zoh tan un leng akingailai ua, Lianthang bel huailam toh kisai a dai dide a, Ngaihlian toh akituahkhak nikhua un bel bangmah thu omlou mah bang in hoih taktak in ahoupih zel hi.
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Ann nekhin dohdan ah atu ua, mipa khe thuap letlat in bang ngai in a tu a, a mitbulh a kung langkhat omlou a khau kithuah ahon bulh a, a kawlzaal apan laibu sahsim, sesimta khat ahon dokkhia a, aphen a, atawplam mun khat a sim hi.
Lianthang in laisiangthou ahi chih atheipah a,nidang a alungsim a lut ngeilou Pathian toh kisai ngaihsutna lamdang pipi khawng a ngaihsun hi.
Sawtkuam a sim khit in akhup a, a mitbelh a bawm a guang in akawlzaal ah aguang a, a aw khuah in, ‘K’on thil dot hon hilhlou di na hi hia? Hon hilh leteh i hon panpih thei khamoh di hia. Nang bang a tangvalnou ana kihingei sam hi buang ve’n,’ chi in Lianthang ahoupih hi. ‘Thil dang houlim na’ng na theih lelah hon gen inla, na theih tuankholkei leh huai thu houlim le’ng eivoi. Denchia na gintak sang a i houlim khaak kipaak lawphing thei nei ve,’ achi behlap hi.
Abang chi mahmah a huai thu hichi gen nilouh hiam chi in Lianthang tuh anuih bang aza zezen a, nui kawm in, thil omdan agen ma dong nilouh ding hileh kilawm a alat ziak in a tanchin ahilh hi.
‘Ka theisiam thou. Neih leh lam a i chihlouh naakkal a, mel leh puam beek in le hon salou lai. Amah ka it ziak in kei lah moh ke’ng, ahon itlouh ziak in amah lah amah le moh samkei. Itna ah zaw amoh himhim a omkei,’ achi hi.
‘Midang a hon ngaihsan nung in hon deih thak leh na deih nawn diam?’ Puteekpa’n adong a.
‘Midang a hon ngaihsan ziak in deihnawnkei leng it taktaklou ka hi ding. Ka it taktak leh tuh bangchi bang teng in hon khem lumlet lele ka it teitei di himailou di?’ Chi’n adawng hi.
‘Amah na ngahna di’n na thum ngei hia?’ Puteekpa’n adong nawn a.
‘Pathian in huchi bang thumna khawng adawng dia hia? Ka gingtakei. Huchi bang in ka thum ngeikei,’ chi’n adawng hi.
‘Dawnlouh zaat thumna chih khawng Pathian in nei hia?’ Puteekpa’n achi zel a.
‘A it mahmah mihingte’ alungtang kheksak a kuapeuh hotdam hisak thei napi huchia hihlou in kuapeuh adeihteelna uh zahtaaksak hileh akilawm a, huchi ahihnung mikhat athum ziak in midang khat lungsim a kheeksak dia hia? Adeihteelna zahtaaksak samlou di hia?’ Lianthang in achi a.
‘Himah e. Pathian gamtatdan zaw theih haksa himah e. Himahleh thum dia hon hasuan hive’n, thum tuh ei mohpuak hiphot mailou hia? Dawn leh dawnlouh ding ama mohpuak hileh,’ puteekpa’n achi leuleu a.
‘Huchi ahih nung bang a thum aphattuamna? Atawpna ah lah, ‘kei deihdan hilou nang deihdan hizaw hen,’ i chi zel ua, huchia ama’ deihdan a khin di thouthou i hihleh ei deihdan gen sese bang a akuulna? Ei a dia hoihpen ding a vai hon hawmsak gige i chih ngal leh thumthum le angai nawn dia hia? A ma’ sang in en ei hoihna di i theizaw ahia?’ Chi in apanna apan tolh asawm hetkei.
‘Huaiziak tak eivoi i thum ding. Hilou maw? I thumna buchinsak a aom lelah adeihlam ahi chih i thei a, buchinlouh a om hihlelah adeihlouhlam ahi chih i theihna ahikei maw?’
‘Huchi thouthou thum seselou in i tung a hong tung dandan adeihlam chi in pomsuk leng ei mai vo oi,’ Lianthang in achi teitei a, puteekpa a dai dide hi.
‘A’ihleh thum ngeilou maw?’ Puteekpa’n adenlam chiang in ahon chinawn a.
‘Thum bel thum sam e. Himahleh thumna tuak leh tuaklou om ka sa ka chihman hiveh aw,’ Lianthang in achi hi.
Sel zoulou kisa sim ahiam ah puteekpa adai vengveng hi.
Nitum kuan mepi a san zezu a, puteek pa’n lenkawl nguntak a en in, ‘Zingchia khua pha mahmah di eive,’ achi a, a nahzial zial in ateep khu luahluah hi.
Zingkal a Lianthang a thoh in puteek pa ana om nawnkei hi. A mang a athil muh hilh ut law tettet zaw hive’n. Thoukhia in a kiphiat siang a, gamlak a meh di zong in a va diangkhia hi. Singthupi leh aidawng tamlou toh ahong kiik a, puteekpa ana tung nawn manzel hi.
Buuk aluut leh dohdan tung ah papaak tampi mahmah ana kiphalh seepsuup ua, alungsim in, ‘Hiai va bot di ahihlam hon hilh leh gimtak a hiai bang mehte va zonglou ding hi ve’ng ing,’ achi a, ‘Ko na va boh a oi? Zan ale tampi hon pua hilou na hi?’
‘Hua paam a sih kiang a tungtuun a hiveh aw. Zan apalhlou tampi omlai a. Hou lehang sawtpi i setkhop pha in teh. Zingchiang in le boh di omlai kha na ve,’ chi in hou ding in naang in akhil hi.
Thakhat in a mang angaihtuahkhe guih a, ‘Na tangthu gen bang in zanitak in ka mang in aktal san bang in dawite ka mu a, na gen bang geih in ka thiltum ngainuam a singkung a hong tuan uleh tamlua ua singkung in dawllou a kitan ahihdan ahong gen ua, va tumzel ding in ahong chial uh,’ chi in mipa ahilh hi. ‘Alung uh na tuah leh ahon siam thei uh. Vualzawl theihna anei uh,’ puteek pa’n achi hi.
Abaan bangmah gen tuanlou in Lianthang in a singthupi ahuan pah a, aidawng ahihleh nitaklam chia di’n asiit hi. Ahuan na ding kidaihlouh ahihman in a papaak uh tamlou zan a bang in gua in a ummin nawn uhi.
Sun in khuam ding sing a va sui a, hon pua in buuk kong ah akoih hi. Nitaklam in a violin a tum nilouh a, tuni’n bel thil lamdang bangmah atuakkei. Nitaklam nineem in akhang ua luita ah aisawk ding in a kuan hi. Kuama’n a zuih ngei khollouh luita ahihman in ai na nana tuh atam petmah a, sawtlou chik sung in a deihzah a ngahpah hi. Tua teng tawi in buuklam a zuan nawn hi.
Buuk khangzek a guam thuuk lawlou a om a, huai mun a totlouhlai in guampang kovang lianlou a om a, huai ah khuaiva alut leh pawt a kihelh zeelzuul uhi. Azu laaktheih di eive chi’n ava naih a, hoihtak in ava veel a, atoh leng haksalou ding chi in a paisan phot hi.
‘Ai va sawk na maw? Gamlak a ai emlouh di chih hilou hia?’ Puteek pa’n ana chi a, ama’n, ‘Sahang teng that khinta i hihchia lauh di bang omnawn dia hia,’ chi in achiamnuih dawn hi.
A zingchiang in Lianthang innlam va pai phot ding in a kisa a, a sialte kaikhawm in atal khat a khuam suih akaisak a, innlam azuan hi.
Seppatni chiang a Lamka a sial gou dia amah toh apa hoh ding ahihdan apa’n ahilh a, huchi ahihleh chi’n azingchiang in anaupa sialching ding in akuan a, amah inn a om hi.
Seppatni zing in sialtal goh ding gari a thun in Lamka lam azuan uhi. A nitak in alawmte kiah ava pawt a, nitak apai hak zezen hi. Ngaihnemte kikhenta uh ahi chih a va thei a, va muh a a itna thu va genthak a utsim a, lah huailai a anawlkhinsa Lianthang mah hi veve ahihchiang in Ngaihnem in na deih tuanlou dia, a lunglen puanna di phet hi’nteh chi in va hohlouh hoih a sa zaw hi.
Zingkal a sazuak a a omlai un bazar ah Ngaihnem a mu vuat a, a mangsak nawnpah hi. Huchia abuai ngeimah a buailai a adak khiat leh ama ah Ngaihnem ana ding amu phut a, a kiguih hial hi. Gen di theizawsam omlou in a ki-entuah ua, ‘Damzel maw. Na bel ngei, sa lei di himhim a hong diangkhia maw?’ Lianthang in achi khong a, ‘Hi, i bellouh chia sa hoih kitanglou a, ser nih hon pe ve maw,’ Ngaihlian in achi hi.
‘Hiailam a om na maw?’ Ngaihlian in adong a, zan a hong zinsuk ahihdan Lianthang in sa ateh kawm in ahilh hi.
‘Sawt om di maw?’ Ngaihlian in adong nawn a, ‘Zingchia pai di, sa zuak dia hong suk zual hi ung, kaal teng a hong hoh gige kei ve uai,’ chi’n Lianthang in ahilh hi. ‘Huchi bang khatvei beek le n’ong phatelkei a,’ Ngaihlian in achi a, ‘Utlaw lele hong kipha ngam khollou a,’ Lianthang in achihleh Ngaihlian in, ‘Khemkhem eive, na hunlem in hong phazel leteh poilou pi,’ chih toh sa laak athuah a sum apiahi. ‘Huai n’on chih letuh i hong hoh mahke,’ chikawm in Lianpu’n sum ala a, annnek lim kikhak in a kikhen uhi. Lianthang tuh a nui den sim maimah hi.
Nitak ann nekhin alawmpa zawn in Ngaihlian teh a va hohpah ua, sawt bel a omkei uhi.
A zingchiang in Lianthangte a kholam uah a kiiknawn uh.
Lianthang in buuk ah puteek pa ana om hiam chih anau a dong a, anau in midang kuamah omlou a, kua mah leng va kilaaklou uh ahihdan a hilh hi. Lamdang a sa sim a, lah puteek pa leng innlam ana pai hi’n teh chi’n a ngaihsun lel hi.
A zingchiang in amah sialching ding in akuan a, buuk atun phetphet in puteekpa ahong kilang nawn buambuam hi.
‘Eh, zan khawng a ana hohlou maw? A na giak di k’on sa a?’ Lianthang in achi a, puteek pa’n, ‘Nang omlou di na hihleh chia kei le innlam va pai ka ka hia,’ chi’n adawng hi.
‘Tu sun bang hih na sawm a?’ Puteek pa’n adong a.
‘Khuam khat va suih nawn di hi’n teh. Hichia sunkhua a thapaih sang in a phatuam zaw deuh di e,’ Lianthang in achi hi.
Khuam sui khin buuk ahong tun nawn in puteek pa’n nahzial ana teep khu luahluah a, buuk sung ahong lut toh kiton in dawn ding tui umthawl in ana pia hi.
‘Tu dih, na tawldam kawm a na kiang a gen di thu nei hi ve’ng aw,’ puteek pa’n achi a, Lianthang leng tui dawn kawm in dohdan a tu in bang ah a kingai hi.
‘Ka hon muh masak pen in kei mah ka tangvallai kimu mah ka bang a, na mit a lunglenna ka muh in nang chia ka phaklai a ka lunglenna ka phawkkhia hi. Ka upmoh bang in hinkhua kibang i na tangkha hi.’ Awl in ahong pau diakdiak a. ‘Nang chia ka hihlai in kei le’ng Lamka ah skul ka kaisam a, ke’n leng Lamka nungak khat ka na deih teisam, ahi a ei singtang kotawng a teng a neih leh lam a vual phaloute a ding in Lamka nungakte khawng tanzoh ding ahikei. Huchihlai in laisim sunzom zoulou in ka khawl a, ka nute lou ka khohpih hi. Ka pu’n tuitaw gal lai a tuitawp galkap a kuan mi khat in hiai kiim a belta dim dangkaeng sum sel ahi chih ahon hilh hi. Huai gou kiseel mu ngeingei leng ka deih nungaknu tangzou ding ka hi chih ka thei a, hah zon in ka zong a, lahka muzoukei.’
A laizial sawtpi teeplou a atawi ateep nawn tak in ana mit a, apan thak a.
‘Huchi’n huai minu ka kimangngilh sak a, ka khote uh nungak kei honna deih mahmah khat toh ka kiteng uhi. Ka deih masak nungaknu ka tanlouh ziak a ka kipahlouhna di le ka thei tuankei. Ka lunglenna di le ka thei tuankei. Tua ka zi ka kitenpihlouh khaak ding ka lauzaw khonung. Huchi’n tate khawng ka hon nei a, himahleh ka pu’ hon hilh huai gou tuh ka nawse nuamkei a, ka zong nilouh, tuni tan in. Hiai buuk le kei lam ahi. Tu’n nang ka hon mu a, huai gou zonna nang khut ah ka hon pekhe ut. Ke’n zaw huai ding in ka hun tam ka na pe lawta a, ka zi ka ta, ka inn ka lou ka kep ka don ding bang a leng don manlou zen in huai gou ka buaipih a, tu’n zaw ka tawpsanta ding. Ka tha mahmah in le azou nawnkei. Nang ka maban sunzom in. Na muh zenzen leh bang na loh dia chih ka theikei. Na utut loh in. Himahleh huai gou tuh na muh ngeingei ding ahi,’ chi in agen hi.
‘Nang kum hiai tan nana zon a na muhlouh ke’n le ka muzou tuan dia eita? Zuau ahi a hi’n teh. Koilai zong mawk di keita ke’n?’ Lianthang in achi a.
‘Hilou, thil khat na theihlouh om ahi. Pathiante leh dawite’n lamdang tak in naa asem uh. A utte uh apia ua, a utte uh alaksak uh. A utte uh alak ua, a utte ua pan aseel uh. Ka khe kiang a a omlai in leng ahon deihsakkei ua leh zaw ka mu tuankei ding. Khuul thukpen ah kisel lele ahon deihsak ua leh bel ka mu thouthou ding. Pathiante’n nang ahon deihsak khamoh ding uh hia. Dawite’ pahtaak lah na loh khinta a, a ut uleh hon pethei uh ahi. Ke’n ka damsung a ka muhzohlouh nang nikhat in na muthei. Huaiziak in zonglou hetke’n,’ chi’n puteek pa’n Lianthang a hasuan tuantuan hi.
A zingchiang in puteek pa’n tua gou om ding a agintakna mun deuhdeuhte Lianthang a hilh a, ama’n lah gingta ngellou, lah gingta sim in azui nilouh hi.
A nitaklam in puteek pa’n apaisan a, amah kia in zan agiak hi. Mang lamdang tak anei a, amang in tuma a khuai kua a muhna kohawm sung ah sikhate aktal bang in tampi amu a, alai uah tua belta leh a sung a dangka-eng sumsiik a om hi. Pawlkhatte’n tua goubawm Lianthang piak ding ahi chi in apang ua, pawlkhatte leuleu in pelou ding, kua mah pelou ding chi in apang uhi. Kiseel peetmah in a kiseel uhi. Atawp in sikhate’ lak a a upapen ahong pau a, ‘Piak ding leh piaklouh ding en thupuukkei ni in, mutaak ahihleh mu ve’n chi’n, mutaaklou ahihleh mukei ve’n chi,’ achi a, adangte’n, ‘Huchih ni leh,’ chi in hoih asakthu uh agen ua, tua kohawm akhak uhi.
A khanloh in lamdang a sa sim a, zan a athil zon uh mangmat lel in a kikoih hi. Puteek pa ana omkei a, adaak vialvial a, a mu tuankei. A kiphiatkhia a, zing an ding a buaipih hi.
Lamka a sialgou a hohnawn hunta ahihman in a kithalawp gusim mahmah a, Ngaihlian apuak ding vomva tampi a va lou malam hi.
Lamka a tunsuk nitak in a vomva tawi tultul in Ngaihlian teh a va hoh a, misi zanhah ding a om ziak in huai ah a va zuiphei a, sawtpi a va tu hi.
A zingchiang in sa zuak mengmeng in sazuak zoh a ann ne a kihah siang in Ngaihliante’ han tohna ah a va zui hi.
A lungsim khat ah Ngaihlian kiang a a itna thu gennawn a ut a, lah tuma a alawmnu apan thuzaaksawnte a ngaihsut chiang in gen lehle phatuam tuan ding in a gingtakei a, daih dide phot hoih a sazaw hi.
A kholam uah a kiiktou nawn a, a sialchin mah a sunzom hi. A khua ua nungak melhoihpen lawi Chingnem in Lianthang a deih mahmah a, Lianthang in bel a limsak ut tadihkei. Tangval nungak ngai zeelzuul mi lah ahikei himhim a. Himahleh tua Chingnemte inn pen kho tangval hon, tua Lianthang telawi’ kikholhkhawmna munpi khat ahihman in gam a giahlouh liai teng in bel nitak chiang in a va tung gige hi.
Nite hong liamzel in awlawl a tuanu ngaihnatna nei deuhdeuh hi in a kithei hi. Himahleh a lungsim tengteng va piak ding achih hial chiang in akam khat om hi in athei hi.
Phavang ahon naihta a, nikhat Lianthang sialching in a om a, tuma a a khuai kua muh a va munawn hi. A zu om laitak di eive chi in tou ding in a kisa hi. A tem a va la a, alei a khuat leh a nip vanglak a, haksa hetlou in a khut taak nang khop a khuak theipah hi. Khou bang a kovang lianlou om ahi a, atung ah singkung khawng a pou hi.
A khut taatna ding khop a khuat zoh in a a sung a en a, amialluat ziak in bangmah a mukei. Buuk ah ava paitou a, a kawlphe meivak a va la a, tua kovang sung a salh leh gintak sang in ana thukzaw vial a, baihlam tak a batziau theih ahihchi hetkei hi. A baang tem a keekbeh dia a kisak chiang in a sahsimta a, angap nawnkei a, innlam pai chia tupi ke’n a toh ding in a paisan hi.
Innlam pai ahong kuannawn in tupi ahon tawi a, a va tou hi. A gintak sang in kohawm ana lianzaw aw, ang lang ding khawng in a sang a, laam khat ding khawng in a zaa hi. A pum taatna ding khop a touvang a, a mei a ahalh leh kilkhat ah khuai ana kai neinoi a, akai alian ngial hi. A kiim leh kiang khawng a khoh vialvial leh thilkhat ah a mit atu a, a sawk leh a baankei a, tupi a la a, a ga in aholh a, aholhpuuk hi. Belta lianlou khat ahi a, puteek pa’ gou gen phawkkhe pah ahihman in a lungphu a hong kin a, a khut bang a ling hial hi. Kintak in a tuga in athaiphei a, asawkbatna tan athai tung tak in asawk a, agik mahmah bebut hi. A gong lei in a kihu a, a kihuk lai a puannawi a kihu ahi chih athei hi. Dip kisai litlit in tua a kihukna lei kalhkhiat a sawm a, gintak sang in ataak mahmah a, a temta a akhuatkhuat hang in a khuatkhe bunkei hi. Huchihlai a lungsim ah lauhna khat ahong om a, asung a bang om hiam chih le theihlouh hon a sawmmawk chi in alauthawng sim a, lah bang lauhhuai om hial ke’n teh chi in khetkeek asawmta hi.
A kiang ah a koih a, khenkeek ding in a tuga a liik a, a koihsuk zel a, aliik zel a, atawp in akhen ek a, athil muh in a hisak dedu hi. Awl in asawk a, khat a la a, hoihtak in a en a, a kigelh a sim a, Queen Victoria lem ahi chih athei hi.
A lungsim ah Ngaihlian ahong suak pah a, hiai hauhsakna teng toh a deihpen in nial nawnlou ding chih a ngaihsun a, huai toh kiton in Chingnem ahong kilang a, anawlkhin ding haksa sakna tak khat anei a, naa sa tuntun hileh kilawm in akithei hi. A lungsim ah Ngaihlian leh Chingnem sual peetmah in a kisual uhi. Khenchiang in Ngaihlian in azou a, khenchiang leuleu in Chingnem in azouzel a, akisithei mahmah uhi.
Banghang a pathiante’n huai gou thupitak amah pia uh ahia? A deih mahmah atanzohlouhte atanzohna ding hia, ahihkaleh atanzohlouhte tung a phuba laakna ding? A koi pentak a deihsak ziak ua pia uh ahia chih khawng ngaihsun in a om dedu hi. Huai goute tawi a Ngaihlian’ mai a va kuun ding hia, ahihke’h huai goute tungtawn a Chingnem in chikmah a leng a mangmat phaaklouh hinkho nuam pe ding?
Huchihlai in puteek pa ahon phawkkhe guih nawn a, bang chidan a puteek pa’n a damsung azon a amuhlouh ama’n baihlam tak a ava mu mawk hiam chih a ngaihsun a, a ngaihsutna apaisau ngial hi. Pathian’ vualzawl hia ahihkaleh huai a dawite’ vualzawlna hia chih leng a theikei. Puteek pa’n houh abuaina a panpih thei khamohkei ding e chih ngaihdan a nei a, puteek pa dot a ut mahmah hi.
Puteek pa’ ziak a amuh hi in bel akoihkei hial a, puteek pa’n tua gou toh kisai ana hilhlou hi tamawng leh leng amuh ding kikhiam tuan ding in a gingtakei hi. Himahleh tua puteek pa’n hichitel a ana zon chih a ngaihsut chiang in puteek pa’ gou bang in a ngaihsun a, amah a kitan ding kisiamtanlouhna khat anei hi. A kimkhat tuh puteek pa ading ahi chi’n angaihsun hi.
Puteek pa lah a hong kilatlouhna sawtpi hita a, hong hoh nawn ding in leng a gingtakei. Va zonkhiat ding a lungsim ah ahong om phut a, kintak in tua dangke-eng sumsiikte luak in a kawlzaal ah aguang a, a khut langnih dim thum ding mahmah a pha hi. A dingkhia a, ni leng sun nailou ahihman in Hanship a tua puteek pa va kankhe ding in a kisa hi.
A pai kawm a akikhonung ngaihsut leh tua puteek pa’ min nangawn dong khalou ana hi a, a min gentaaklouh a khua nasan kan khalou ana hilim hi. A lamzang awphawi ziak a Hanshipte hi ding a ana koih pawngmawk ahihdan akitheikhia a, lah va kikan leh kikankhe na ve chi in kintak in Hanship lam adelh hi.
Huai apan in Hanship leng gamlapi ahi lai vial a, sunnung in atungphei hi. Khosung a luut a, kholai a omte’ kiang khawng ah amelputdan apan in akan a, sialching zel chi in a baan kan hi. Himahleh kua mah amah thei ding mi a om himhimkei. Inn khawng ah aluutzel a, akanzel a, a migendan toh kituak ding mi himhim kuama’n a kawkmuh theikei uhi. Kholai kho amuh khaak leh chi in khodung-khovai a tawnsuak a, himahleh a mizonpa bangbang muh ding a neikei hial hi. Atawp in alohngaihna theinawn tuanlou in apaisan hi. Mihing houh ahika hia leh chih ngaihdan anei phiing hi.
A vangkim in a kawlzaal a sawk a, chikmah a huai kuam a suamhat gen leh sak a om ngei leng hilou napi suamhat hiam, migilou hiam tuah ding khawng alauhtha a suak a, alampai leng a lem theikei hial a, a vangkim in a nunglam a en loplop zel hi. A sialte nusia in zingchia va et nawn ding in innlam ah apaisuak hi.
Khua a tungsuk a, huchia khosung a apaizel lai in munkhat ah Chingnem a galmuh a, Chingnem in leng ana mupah a, ana nui chiuchiau a, va delhphei a va pumkawi bang a uttha asuak hi. A kiang atuntak in Chingnem in nuihmai kilawmtak in koi ahoh hi hiam chih ana kan a, Lianthang in adawn kawm in, ‘Tuzan chiah k’on pawt di aw Ching,’ chi in kithalawp tak in innlam azuan hi.
©Siamsinna leh Vakiangbu
‘Hoi, hoi…. Hoi, hoi,hoi,hoi.... Huailam ah va pai chiitchiatkei ve,’ chih toh va khelh athuah hi. Tuni agintaklouhpi a vuah ahong zuk phut ziak in bangmah, vainiliap hiam tuipuan hiam neilou in singkung a beel a, lah vuah a tamluat ziak in a kawtsuak veve hi. Huchia a kawt toh, tuni a sialte khel diak uh abat toh ahehtha bang asuak maimah.
Ni aniamta a, mallam apan meivom hong kai toh vuah hong zuk geet ding lau in a kintat mahmah hi. A sialte lah pai ut nailoulua uh hileh kilawm in alang-alang ah apial ua, ahawl khop mahmah hi. Theihtawp a hawl nung in khomuizul in inn a tun khong.
Lianthang tuh tangvalnou kizentak ahi a, pawl sawmlehnih exam zou a khua ua hong kiik a a hun awl a sial ching a om ahi. Amau tuh a khua uh Bukpi a sial hau pen ahi uh. A pa’n sial tamlou a neihte uh behlap na’ng in tuma sawtpek in bank apan sum a leitawi ua, huai sum in sial a khoi ua, lohching law veekvuukkei mahleh uh kingak na’ng in bel a hithei nimnem sam hi.
Seppatni teng a Lamka a sial posuk in Sepnawnni a gou in azuakzel uhi. A sial etkolna ding ua tha tam luutlua ahihman in lou a gina neih mankei ua, meh lakna ding in lianlou abawl lel uhi.
Amau unau li ahi ua, amah leh anuai apa Lamka lam ah skul kai in a om ua, anaute uh bel akhua ua kai theilai ahihman un akhua mah uah akai uhi.
Pawl sawmlehnih le’ng haksa pi a kai ahi a, colez hoih a maban a sutzop zoh leng a kigingtakei. A pa’n lah bank a aleitawi aditna toh, innsung etkolna toh sikhop mahmah ahihman in maban sunzom nawnlou ding bang in a kikoih a, anau pen amah sang a lai siamtheizaw ahihchiang in anau tuh haksa lele akai zoh tantan kaisak a utzaw hi. Amah bel a pa’ sialkhoina etkai pih a om ding bang in a kikoih hi.
A zingchiang ann nekham antuun pua in leh zan giah sawm ahihman in buh leh meh huan ding pua in puan tamlou toh a sialte a hawlkhe nawn hi. Pawl sawm azoh a apaneu in apiak, adeihthoh mahmah a violin leng gamlak a chimthoihna dia kizen ngial ding chi in apua hi. Khupching’ khomun a kichihnalam ah a sialte ahawl a, huai mun a sial chingte adia giahbuuk kilam a giah asawm hi.
A skul uah amau lutma kum in music class ana kipanta a, aman leng violin additional subject in a va la hi. Kum khat azil nung in sumsen a haksat ziak in sunzom zou nawnlou in amah leh amah a kisin a sunzom hi.
Giahbuuk atun in thil omdan a enkhia a, giahtaakna ding in amu a, a kinga hi. Buuk sung ah a giakgiak in azat dia kikoih bel se chikchik nih a om a, huchilou bangmah a omkei. Tap kiang a kawtdan apan buuktung keh ahi chih athei hi. Sawtlou a tawldam zoh in a annhuan na’ng sing a va tom a, nisa ah aphou hi.
A violin tawi in mun kidohna mun khat ah singkung sang lawlou a tau kidoh ah ava tuang a, a violin a tum hi. A omna singkung ah a kaa dangteng a kiheuhsiang a, kung neuchik khut ngawng chia ding khawng khat a ding lel hi. Tau kidohna tungzawn geih ah sangsim in buk lihliah in a om. Huai tautung apan khua tampi a muhtheih a, Joutung, Sumthuk, Mualpheng, Songtal chihte apak vivek gouh uhi.
Huchia sawtsim atum nung in atung a sawlbawk hong ging thelthel hi in athei a, a ettouh lehlah bang mah muh ding a omkei. Bang a le ngai tuanlou in a thil tum a sunzom hi. A vangkim in atung a singbawk ahong ging nilouh a, huihmut chih lah huih nun toh le kituak chiitchiat a ging khollou, lamdang asa sim a, lah angaihsak tuankei a, a thil tum atum den hi.
A denlam chiang in tua sing ahong puak ngotngot a, a ettouh toh kiton in tua singhiang ahong kitan a, sawlpa in a khuhsuk hi. A khuhsuk toh kiton in tua singbul a loupate a liing thulthul ua, hoihtak a a etleh loupa tung ah sisan ahong taak keuhkeuh mawk hi. Lamdang sa in a en dedu a, a dendeuh chiang in tua sisan awlawl in a kikhin a, gamlak lam a manoh hi.
A lauhtha ahong suakta a, kum di lah nuam salou, omdet dilah nuam salou in a lakloh mahmah hi. Atawp in omom nadan omlou chi in akum a kintak in buuk anaih vengveng a, a sialte taisan a innlam pai ding alunggel hi.
Buuk a lut leh papi teeksim lampang hita khat ana om a, alauhna abehlap semsem hi. Dial gial khat akhim a, khamul kaang anei theepthuap hi. Dohdan tung ah a tu a, a kiang ah kawlzalpi khat a om hi. A mah ana muh phet in, ‘Hiai vante nang a hia? Hiai a giah sawm na hi hia?’ Chi’n ana dong hi. A lamzang pau chiik ngial hi.
Huchia ahong pau hial chiang in bel alauhna ahong bei a, hoihtak in adawng hi. Mipa’n amah leng sial ching a om ahihdan agen a, amah leng giahsawm ahihdan a hilh hi. Huchia lawm ding om ahihleh chi’n innlam pai asawm bang a khelkiik thak hi. A awphawi apan in Hanshipte hi ding in a ummoh a, dot leng adong tuan nawnkei.
A thiltuah mipa ahilhleh mipa’n dawite ahihdan uh ahilh a, ‘Na thil tum ngainuam uh ahi. Himahleh sikha lauhuaikei ahikei uh. Nidanglai in leng mi khat Lungthul kawl a suangpi tung a tu a Chiantuang la sa kawm a atem a suang tung a khet keuhkeuh leh sikhate’n ngai nuamlua ua, va naineh lawkha in, atem in ana satkha a, suang tung a asi uh hong pawt a, mipa’n lau in apai hi. Nitak in a mang ah aktal san bang in a va kilaak ua, a lasak ngai nuam a va naineh lawkha uh ahihdan ahilh ua, va hoh nawn a la va sa nawn ding in ava chial uh a kichi hi,’ chi in nidanglai a thiltung khat ahilh hi.
Nitaklam ahong hi a, Lianthang in apaam a tuikhuuk ah tuithei in tui a va tawi a, a ann puakte uh ahon huan uhi. Puteek pa’n papaak tamlou gamlak a ahon muh chi philh in gosung ah athun a, nahthial teh a kiptak a ahu in mei-am ah aphual hi.
Ann nezou dohdan tung a atut tawldam lai un puteek pa’n, ‘Na mit a ka muh bang ahia?’ Chi in Lianthang adong phut a, Lianthang in amit nuaikawm in, ‘Bang eita?’ chi in aleh dot hi.
‘Huchia nuaimang theihlouh ding thil khat ka mu a hi,’ achi a, ‘Nungak na ngai hia? Ama’n ahon ngai hia? Huai lunglenna ka mu,’ chi in agenzom hi.
Huai azak phet in Lianthang ameelsuah ahong dang a, nuam asa hetkei sim hi. Anui a, ‘Theikhang maw om adiam ah,’ chi in adawng lel hi.
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Lianthang in pawl sawmlehnih a simlai in a skul ua kai mah pawlsawmlehkhat sim Ngaihlian kichi adeih mahmah a, khatnu’n leng deih bawl thou hi in athei hi. Krismas khawlma in ka itna thu ka gen dia, ahon saan ngeingei leh krismas Lamka ah ka zang dia, innlam ka paikei di a chi lungsim hi.
Kithuah thei mahmah, kineel mahmah, ut-ut a kichiamnuihthei himahle uh itna thu hial gen dia a kisak chiang in haksa asa mahmah eekawk mawk hi. A kisaksak sung in skul khawl ding bang kaal khat kia in asamta hi.
Nikhat tuh sih leh sih, dam leh dam, gen teitei ding chi in a kisa a, skul kaitawp lampi a ton kawm in Ngaihlian in aw achih ngei kilam-en in agenta hi.
Lianthang i chih mihoih mahmah hi a, Ngaihlian in ngaihhuai sakna khat nei mahleh aneihzoh louhdan uh a muh chiang in aw a chingamkei hi. Nungaknou ahih apan lah anu’n limtak a khovel a itna kia bangmah hihlouhdan, itpen toh kiten a khosalah a om sang a itlouhdeuh toh kiten a khosathei a om akhonung a lungkimna omzaw ahihdan a thuhilh ngiitngeet ahi a, Ngaihlian in leng anu thuhilhna a theisiam mahmah a, naupang chik himahleh theihsiamna neimi lah ahi ngal a. Huchi’n, ‘Ka naupang lawlai a, huaite zaw hinai dah heh,’ chi in Lianthang a nial a, alungsimtak in bel ngaihna tak khat anei veve hi.
Tua bang a gintaklouh lampang tak a Ngaihlian in a dawn mawk chiang in naa asa mahmah a, hon etkhiat a ut a hi di, peuh chi in kinepna amah leh amah akipelai thouthou hi. Ngaihlian’ lawmnu Vungbawi kiang ah Ngaihlian ana houpih thak himhim ding in a ngen a, Vungbawi in leng Ngaihlian’ gen teng Lianthang a hilh kiik hi. ‘Mi’n neih leh lam a hon sit hial zaw tawpsan mai oh, kisaktheihhuai ka sa deuh,’ Vungbawi in achi hi. Lianthang in, ‘Kisaktheihna le hipah samlou ahi. Numei pilvangtheitak ei zaw ve, tua bang a amaban ding khualthei,’ achi a, thangpaih sang in it deuhdeuhna in aneizaw hi.
A tup bang a Lamka a krismas zat ding achihlah lemtheilou ahihman in innlam ava pai hi. Krismas leng nuamlou chik in ava zang a, alungsim anguiden hi. Skul luut nawn chikchik alungsim zou teitei dia beih ding chi in Lamkalam paisuk nawn kaal bang a ngaklah mahmah hi.
A kho nungakte un lah amau lawi khawng Lamka a laisim, ahithei pawl hi uh ahihman in adeih bawl thei mahmah ua, lenkhawmna khawng ah alimbawl thei ngial uhi.
Kumthakte hon zangzou in Lianthang leng Ngaihlian lungsim zoh teitei sawm in kithalawp tak in Lamkalam ahong paisuk nawn hi. Lawmte khawng toh hong kimu in thukhotang khawng ahoulim ua leh Ngaihlian leh Khenmung kingai ahihdan aza a, akiguih hial hi.
Lianthang’ pawlte khat Khenmung kichi a om a, tua pa’n leng Ngaihlian a deih a, a Ngaihlian mah in leng Khenmung pen neih leh lam a leng sithuailou leh mel mahmah a leng deihhuaipi ahihziak in kingaihpih ding in chinzaw hi in athei hi. Liangthang pen ahihleh a mihoihna chihlouh thildang himhim suan ding leh etlah ding omlou ahimai hi.
Kithalawptak a ahong paisukna teng bangmahlou suak maimah tuh angui ngial hi. Naa sa mahmah mahleh bangmah gentheih neilou ahihman in athuak kenkan mai hi. Pawl sawmlehnih a exam zoh tan un leng akingailai ua, Lianthang bel huailam toh kisai a dai dide a, Ngaihlian toh akituahkhak nikhua un bel bangmah thu omlou mah bang in hoih taktak in ahoupih zel hi.
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Ann nekhin dohdan ah atu ua, mipa khe thuap letlat in bang ngai in a tu a, a mitbulh a kung langkhat omlou a khau kithuah ahon bulh a, a kawlzaal apan laibu sahsim, sesimta khat ahon dokkhia a, aphen a, atawplam mun khat a sim hi.
Lianthang in laisiangthou ahi chih atheipah a,nidang a alungsim a lut ngeilou Pathian toh kisai ngaihsutna lamdang pipi khawng a ngaihsun hi.
Sawtkuam a sim khit in akhup a, a mitbelh a bawm a guang in akawlzaal ah aguang a, a aw khuah in, ‘K’on thil dot hon hilhlou di na hi hia? Hon hilh leteh i hon panpih thei khamoh di hia. Nang bang a tangvalnou ana kihingei sam hi buang ve’n,’ chi in Lianthang ahoupih hi. ‘Thil dang houlim na’ng na theih lelah hon gen inla, na theih tuankholkei leh huai thu houlim le’ng eivoi. Denchia na gintak sang a i houlim khaak kipaak lawphing thei nei ve,’ achi behlap hi.
Abang chi mahmah a huai thu hichi gen nilouh hiam chi in Lianthang tuh anuih bang aza zezen a, nui kawm in, thil omdan agen ma dong nilouh ding hileh kilawm a alat ziak in a tanchin ahilh hi.
‘Ka theisiam thou. Neih leh lam a i chihlouh naakkal a, mel leh puam beek in le hon salou lai. Amah ka it ziak in kei lah moh ke’ng, ahon itlouh ziak in amah lah amah le moh samkei. Itna ah zaw amoh himhim a omkei,’ achi hi.
‘Midang a hon ngaihsan nung in hon deih thak leh na deih nawn diam?’ Puteekpa’n adong a.
‘Midang a hon ngaihsan ziak in deihnawnkei leng it taktaklou ka hi ding. Ka it taktak leh tuh bangchi bang teng in hon khem lumlet lele ka it teitei di himailou di?’ Chi’n adawng hi.
‘Amah na ngahna di’n na thum ngei hia?’ Puteekpa’n adong nawn a.
‘Pathian in huchi bang thumna khawng adawng dia hia? Ka gingtakei. Huchi bang in ka thum ngeikei,’ chi’n adawng hi.
‘Dawnlouh zaat thumna chih khawng Pathian in nei hia?’ Puteekpa’n achi zel a.
‘A it mahmah mihingte’ alungtang kheksak a kuapeuh hotdam hisak thei napi huchia hihlou in kuapeuh adeihteelna uh zahtaaksak hileh akilawm a, huchi ahihnung mikhat athum ziak in midang khat lungsim a kheeksak dia hia? Adeihteelna zahtaaksak samlou di hia?’ Lianthang in achi a.
‘Himah e. Pathian gamtatdan zaw theih haksa himah e. Himahleh thum dia hon hasuan hive’n, thum tuh ei mohpuak hiphot mailou hia? Dawn leh dawnlouh ding ama mohpuak hileh,’ puteekpa’n achi leuleu a.
‘Huchi ahih nung bang a thum aphattuamna? Atawpna ah lah, ‘kei deihdan hilou nang deihdan hizaw hen,’ i chi zel ua, huchia ama’ deihdan a khin di thouthou i hihleh ei deihdan gen sese bang a akuulna? Ei a dia hoihpen ding a vai hon hawmsak gige i chih ngal leh thumthum le angai nawn dia hia? A ma’ sang in en ei hoihna di i theizaw ahia?’ Chi in apanna apan tolh asawm hetkei.
‘Huaiziak tak eivoi i thum ding. Hilou maw? I thumna buchinsak a aom lelah adeihlam ahi chih i thei a, buchinlouh a om hihlelah adeihlouhlam ahi chih i theihna ahikei maw?’
‘Huchi thouthou thum seselou in i tung a hong tung dandan adeihlam chi in pomsuk leng ei mai vo oi,’ Lianthang in achi teitei a, puteekpa a dai dide hi.
‘A’ihleh thum ngeilou maw?’ Puteekpa’n adenlam chiang in ahon chinawn a.
‘Thum bel thum sam e. Himahleh thumna tuak leh tuaklou om ka sa ka chihman hiveh aw,’ Lianthang in achi hi.
Sel zoulou kisa sim ahiam ah puteekpa adai vengveng hi.
Nitum kuan mepi a san zezu a, puteek pa’n lenkawl nguntak a en in, ‘Zingchia khua pha mahmah di eive,’ achi a, a nahzial zial in ateep khu luahluah hi.
Zingkal a Lianthang a thoh in puteek pa ana om nawnkei hi. A mang a athil muh hilh ut law tettet zaw hive’n. Thoukhia in a kiphiat siang a, gamlak a meh di zong in a va diangkhia hi. Singthupi leh aidawng tamlou toh ahong kiik a, puteekpa ana tung nawn manzel hi.
Buuk aluut leh dohdan tung ah papaak tampi mahmah ana kiphalh seepsuup ua, alungsim in, ‘Hiai va bot di ahihlam hon hilh leh gimtak a hiai bang mehte va zonglou ding hi ve’ng ing,’ achi a, ‘Ko na va boh a oi? Zan ale tampi hon pua hilou na hi?’
‘Hua paam a sih kiang a tungtuun a hiveh aw. Zan apalhlou tampi omlai a. Hou lehang sawtpi i setkhop pha in teh. Zingchiang in le boh di omlai kha na ve,’ chi in hou ding in naang in akhil hi.
Thakhat in a mang angaihtuahkhe guih a, ‘Na tangthu gen bang in zanitak in ka mang in aktal san bang in dawite ka mu a, na gen bang geih in ka thiltum ngainuam a singkung a hong tuan uleh tamlua ua singkung in dawllou a kitan ahihdan ahong gen ua, va tumzel ding in ahong chial uh,’ chi in mipa ahilh hi. ‘Alung uh na tuah leh ahon siam thei uh. Vualzawl theihna anei uh,’ puteek pa’n achi hi.
Abaan bangmah gen tuanlou in Lianthang in a singthupi ahuan pah a, aidawng ahihleh nitaklam chia di’n asiit hi. Ahuan na ding kidaihlouh ahihman in a papaak uh tamlou zan a bang in gua in a ummin nawn uhi.
Sun in khuam ding sing a va sui a, hon pua in buuk kong ah akoih hi. Nitaklam in a violin a tum nilouh a, tuni’n bel thil lamdang bangmah atuakkei. Nitaklam nineem in akhang ua luita ah aisawk ding in a kuan hi. Kuama’n a zuih ngei khollouh luita ahihman in ai na nana tuh atam petmah a, sawtlou chik sung in a deihzah a ngahpah hi. Tua teng tawi in buuklam a zuan nawn hi.
Buuk khangzek a guam thuuk lawlou a om a, huai mun a totlouhlai in guampang kovang lianlou a om a, huai ah khuaiva alut leh pawt a kihelh zeelzuul uhi. Azu laaktheih di eive chi’n ava naih a, hoihtak in ava veel a, atoh leng haksalou ding chi in a paisan phot hi.
‘Ai va sawk na maw? Gamlak a ai emlouh di chih hilou hia?’ Puteek pa’n ana chi a, ama’n, ‘Sahang teng that khinta i hihchia lauh di bang omnawn dia hia,’ chi in achiamnuih dawn hi.
A zingchiang in Lianthang innlam va pai phot ding in a kisa a, a sialte kaikhawm in atal khat a khuam suih akaisak a, innlam azuan hi.
Seppatni chiang a Lamka a sial gou dia amah toh apa hoh ding ahihdan apa’n ahilh a, huchi ahihleh chi’n azingchiang in anaupa sialching ding in akuan a, amah inn a om hi.
Seppatni zing in sialtal goh ding gari a thun in Lamka lam azuan uhi. A nitak in alawmte kiah ava pawt a, nitak apai hak zezen hi. Ngaihnemte kikhenta uh ahi chih a va thei a, va muh a a itna thu va genthak a utsim a, lah huailai a anawlkhinsa Lianthang mah hi veve ahihchiang in Ngaihnem in na deih tuanlou dia, a lunglen puanna di phet hi’nteh chi in va hohlouh hoih a sa zaw hi.
Zingkal a sazuak a a omlai un bazar ah Ngaihnem a mu vuat a, a mangsak nawnpah hi. Huchia abuai ngeimah a buailai a adak khiat leh ama ah Ngaihnem ana ding amu phut a, a kiguih hial hi. Gen di theizawsam omlou in a ki-entuah ua, ‘Damzel maw. Na bel ngei, sa lei di himhim a hong diangkhia maw?’ Lianthang in achi khong a, ‘Hi, i bellouh chia sa hoih kitanglou a, ser nih hon pe ve maw,’ Ngaihlian in achi hi.
‘Hiailam a om na maw?’ Ngaihlian in adong a, zan a hong zinsuk ahihdan Lianthang in sa ateh kawm in ahilh hi.
‘Sawt om di maw?’ Ngaihlian in adong nawn a, ‘Zingchia pai di, sa zuak dia hong suk zual hi ung, kaal teng a hong hoh gige kei ve uai,’ chi’n Lianthang in ahilh hi. ‘Huchi bang khatvei beek le n’ong phatelkei a,’ Ngaihlian in achi a, ‘Utlaw lele hong kipha ngam khollou a,’ Lianthang in achihleh Ngaihlian in, ‘Khemkhem eive, na hunlem in hong phazel leteh poilou pi,’ chih toh sa laak athuah a sum apiahi. ‘Huai n’on chih letuh i hong hoh mahke,’ chikawm in Lianpu’n sum ala a, annnek lim kikhak in a kikhen uhi. Lianthang tuh a nui den sim maimah hi.
Nitak ann nekhin alawmpa zawn in Ngaihlian teh a va hohpah ua, sawt bel a omkei uhi.
A zingchiang in Lianthangte a kholam uah a kiiknawn uh.
Lianthang in buuk ah puteek pa ana om hiam chih anau a dong a, anau in midang kuamah omlou a, kua mah leng va kilaaklou uh ahihdan a hilh hi. Lamdang a sa sim a, lah puteek pa leng innlam ana pai hi’n teh chi’n a ngaihsun lel hi.
A zingchiang in amah sialching ding in akuan a, buuk atun phetphet in puteekpa ahong kilang nawn buambuam hi.
‘Eh, zan khawng a ana hohlou maw? A na giak di k’on sa a?’ Lianthang in achi a, puteek pa’n, ‘Nang omlou di na hihleh chia kei le innlam va pai ka ka hia,’ chi’n adawng hi.
‘Tu sun bang hih na sawm a?’ Puteek pa’n adong a.
‘Khuam khat va suih nawn di hi’n teh. Hichia sunkhua a thapaih sang in a phatuam zaw deuh di e,’ Lianthang in achi hi.
Khuam sui khin buuk ahong tun nawn in puteek pa’n nahzial ana teep khu luahluah a, buuk sung ahong lut toh kiton in dawn ding tui umthawl in ana pia hi.
‘Tu dih, na tawldam kawm a na kiang a gen di thu nei hi ve’ng aw,’ puteek pa’n achi a, Lianthang leng tui dawn kawm in dohdan a tu in bang ah a kingai hi.
‘Ka hon muh masak pen in kei mah ka tangvallai kimu mah ka bang a, na mit a lunglenna ka muh in nang chia ka phaklai a ka lunglenna ka phawkkhia hi. Ka upmoh bang in hinkhua kibang i na tangkha hi.’ Awl in ahong pau diakdiak a. ‘Nang chia ka hihlai in kei le’ng Lamka ah skul ka kaisam a, ke’n leng Lamka nungak khat ka na deih teisam, ahi a ei singtang kotawng a teng a neih leh lam a vual phaloute a ding in Lamka nungakte khawng tanzoh ding ahikei. Huchihlai in laisim sunzom zoulou in ka khawl a, ka nute lou ka khohpih hi. Ka pu’n tuitaw gal lai a tuitawp galkap a kuan mi khat in hiai kiim a belta dim dangkaeng sum sel ahi chih ahon hilh hi. Huai gou kiseel mu ngeingei leng ka deih nungaknu tangzou ding ka hi chih ka thei a, hah zon in ka zong a, lahka muzoukei.’
A laizial sawtpi teeplou a atawi ateep nawn tak in ana mit a, apan thak a.
‘Huchi’n huai minu ka kimangngilh sak a, ka khote uh nungak kei honna deih mahmah khat toh ka kiteng uhi. Ka deih masak nungaknu ka tanlouh ziak a ka kipahlouhna di le ka thei tuankei. Ka lunglenna di le ka thei tuankei. Tua ka zi ka kitenpihlouh khaak ding ka lauzaw khonung. Huchi’n tate khawng ka hon nei a, himahleh ka pu’ hon hilh huai gou tuh ka nawse nuamkei a, ka zong nilouh, tuni tan in. Hiai buuk le kei lam ahi. Tu’n nang ka hon mu a, huai gou zonna nang khut ah ka hon pekhe ut. Ke’n zaw huai ding in ka hun tam ka na pe lawta a, ka zi ka ta, ka inn ka lou ka kep ka don ding bang a leng don manlou zen in huai gou ka buaipih a, tu’n zaw ka tawpsanta ding. Ka tha mahmah in le azou nawnkei. Nang ka maban sunzom in. Na muh zenzen leh bang na loh dia chih ka theikei. Na utut loh in. Himahleh huai gou tuh na muh ngeingei ding ahi,’ chi in agen hi.
‘Nang kum hiai tan nana zon a na muhlouh ke’n le ka muzou tuan dia eita? Zuau ahi a hi’n teh. Koilai zong mawk di keita ke’n?’ Lianthang in achi a.
‘Hilou, thil khat na theihlouh om ahi. Pathiante leh dawite’n lamdang tak in naa asem uh. A utte uh apia ua, a utte uh alaksak uh. A utte uh alak ua, a utte ua pan aseel uh. Ka khe kiang a a omlai in leng ahon deihsakkei ua leh zaw ka mu tuankei ding. Khuul thukpen ah kisel lele ahon deihsak ua leh bel ka mu thouthou ding. Pathiante’n nang ahon deihsak khamoh ding uh hia. Dawite’ pahtaak lah na loh khinta a, a ut uleh hon pethei uh ahi. Ke’n ka damsung a ka muhzohlouh nang nikhat in na muthei. Huaiziak in zonglou hetke’n,’ chi’n puteek pa’n Lianthang a hasuan tuantuan hi.
A zingchiang in puteek pa’n tua gou om ding a agintakna mun deuhdeuhte Lianthang a hilh a, ama’n lah gingta ngellou, lah gingta sim in azui nilouh hi.
A nitaklam in puteek pa’n apaisan a, amah kia in zan agiak hi. Mang lamdang tak anei a, amang in tuma a khuai kua a muhna kohawm sung ah sikhate aktal bang in tampi amu a, alai uah tua belta leh a sung a dangka-eng sumsiik a om hi. Pawlkhatte’n tua goubawm Lianthang piak ding ahi chi in apang ua, pawlkhatte leuleu in pelou ding, kua mah pelou ding chi in apang uhi. Kiseel peetmah in a kiseel uhi. Atawp in sikhate’ lak a a upapen ahong pau a, ‘Piak ding leh piaklouh ding en thupuukkei ni in, mutaak ahihleh mu ve’n chi’n, mutaaklou ahihleh mukei ve’n chi,’ achi a, adangte’n, ‘Huchih ni leh,’ chi in hoih asakthu uh agen ua, tua kohawm akhak uhi.
A khanloh in lamdang a sa sim a, zan a athil zon uh mangmat lel in a kikoih hi. Puteek pa ana omkei a, adaak vialvial a, a mu tuankei. A kiphiatkhia a, zing an ding a buaipih hi.
Lamka a sialgou a hohnawn hunta ahihman in a kithalawp gusim mahmah a, Ngaihlian apuak ding vomva tampi a va lou malam hi.
Lamka a tunsuk nitak in a vomva tawi tultul in Ngaihlian teh a va hoh a, misi zanhah ding a om ziak in huai ah a va zuiphei a, sawtpi a va tu hi.
A zingchiang in sa zuak mengmeng in sazuak zoh a ann ne a kihah siang in Ngaihliante’ han tohna ah a va zui hi.
A lungsim khat ah Ngaihlian kiang a a itna thu gennawn a ut a, lah tuma a alawmnu apan thuzaaksawnte a ngaihsut chiang in gen lehle phatuam tuan ding in a gingtakei a, daih dide phot hoih a sazaw hi.
A kholam uah a kiiktou nawn a, a sialchin mah a sunzom hi. A khua ua nungak melhoihpen lawi Chingnem in Lianthang a deih mahmah a, Lianthang in bel a limsak ut tadihkei. Tangval nungak ngai zeelzuul mi lah ahikei himhim a. Himahleh tua Chingnemte inn pen kho tangval hon, tua Lianthang telawi’ kikholhkhawmna munpi khat ahihman in gam a giahlouh liai teng in bel nitak chiang in a va tung gige hi.
Nite hong liamzel in awlawl a tuanu ngaihnatna nei deuhdeuh hi in a kithei hi. Himahleh a lungsim tengteng va piak ding achih hial chiang in akam khat om hi in athei hi.
Phavang ahon naihta a, nikhat Lianthang sialching in a om a, tuma a a khuai kua muh a va munawn hi. A zu om laitak di eive chi in tou ding in a kisa hi. A tem a va la a, alei a khuat leh a nip vanglak a, haksa hetlou in a khut taak nang khop a khuak theipah hi. Khou bang a kovang lianlou om ahi a, atung ah singkung khawng a pou hi.
A khut taatna ding khop a khuat zoh in a a sung a en a, amialluat ziak in bangmah a mukei. Buuk ah ava paitou a, a kawlphe meivak a va la a, tua kovang sung a salh leh gintak sang in ana thukzaw vial a, baihlam tak a batziau theih ahihchi hetkei hi. A baang tem a keekbeh dia a kisak chiang in a sahsimta a, angap nawnkei a, innlam pai chia tupi ke’n a toh ding in a paisan hi.
Innlam pai ahong kuannawn in tupi ahon tawi a, a va tou hi. A gintak sang in kohawm ana lianzaw aw, ang lang ding khawng in a sang a, laam khat ding khawng in a zaa hi. A pum taatna ding khop a touvang a, a mei a ahalh leh kilkhat ah khuai ana kai neinoi a, akai alian ngial hi. A kiim leh kiang khawng a khoh vialvial leh thilkhat ah a mit atu a, a sawk leh a baankei a, tupi a la a, a ga in aholh a, aholhpuuk hi. Belta lianlou khat ahi a, puteek pa’ gou gen phawkkhe pah ahihman in a lungphu a hong kin a, a khut bang a ling hial hi. Kintak in a tuga in athaiphei a, asawkbatna tan athai tung tak in asawk a, agik mahmah bebut hi. A gong lei in a kihu a, a kihuk lai a puannawi a kihu ahi chih athei hi. Dip kisai litlit in tua a kihukna lei kalhkhiat a sawm a, gintak sang in ataak mahmah a, a temta a akhuatkhuat hang in a khuatkhe bunkei hi. Huchihlai a lungsim ah lauhna khat ahong om a, asung a bang om hiam chih le theihlouh hon a sawmmawk chi in alauthawng sim a, lah bang lauhhuai om hial ke’n teh chi in khetkeek asawmta hi.
A kiang ah a koih a, khenkeek ding in a tuga a liik a, a koihsuk zel a, aliik zel a, atawp in akhen ek a, athil muh in a hisak dedu hi. Awl in asawk a, khat a la a, hoihtak in a en a, a kigelh a sim a, Queen Victoria lem ahi chih athei hi.
A lungsim ah Ngaihlian ahong suak pah a, hiai hauhsakna teng toh a deihpen in nial nawnlou ding chih a ngaihsun a, huai toh kiton in Chingnem ahong kilang a, anawlkhin ding haksa sakna tak khat anei a, naa sa tuntun hileh kilawm in akithei hi. A lungsim ah Ngaihlian leh Chingnem sual peetmah in a kisual uhi. Khenchiang in Ngaihlian in azou a, khenchiang leuleu in Chingnem in azouzel a, akisithei mahmah uhi.
Banghang a pathiante’n huai gou thupitak amah pia uh ahia? A deih mahmah atanzohlouhte atanzohna ding hia, ahihkaleh atanzohlouhte tung a phuba laakna ding? A koi pentak a deihsak ziak ua pia uh ahia chih khawng ngaihsun in a om dedu hi. Huai goute tawi a Ngaihlian’ mai a va kuun ding hia, ahihke’h huai goute tungtawn a Chingnem in chikmah a leng a mangmat phaaklouh hinkho nuam pe ding?
Huchihlai in puteek pa ahon phawkkhe guih nawn a, bang chidan a puteek pa’n a damsung azon a amuhlouh ama’n baihlam tak a ava mu mawk hiam chih a ngaihsun a, a ngaihsutna apaisau ngial hi. Pathian’ vualzawl hia ahihkaleh huai a dawite’ vualzawlna hia chih leng a theikei. Puteek pa’n houh abuaina a panpih thei khamohkei ding e chih ngaihdan a nei a, puteek pa dot a ut mahmah hi.
Puteek pa’ ziak a amuh hi in bel akoihkei hial a, puteek pa’n tua gou toh kisai ana hilhlou hi tamawng leh leng amuh ding kikhiam tuan ding in a gingtakei hi. Himahleh tua puteek pa’n hichitel a ana zon chih a ngaihsut chiang in puteek pa’ gou bang in a ngaihsun a, amah a kitan ding kisiamtanlouhna khat anei hi. A kimkhat tuh puteek pa ading ahi chi’n angaihsun hi.
Puteek pa lah a hong kilatlouhna sawtpi hita a, hong hoh nawn ding in leng a gingtakei. Va zonkhiat ding a lungsim ah ahong om phut a, kintak in tua dangke-eng sumsiikte luak in a kawlzaal ah aguang a, a khut langnih dim thum ding mahmah a pha hi. A dingkhia a, ni leng sun nailou ahihman in Hanship a tua puteek pa va kankhe ding in a kisa hi.
A pai kawm a akikhonung ngaihsut leh tua puteek pa’ min nangawn dong khalou ana hi a, a min gentaaklouh a khua nasan kan khalou ana hilim hi. A lamzang awphawi ziak a Hanshipte hi ding a ana koih pawngmawk ahihdan akitheikhia a, lah va kikan leh kikankhe na ve chi in kintak in Hanship lam adelh hi.
Huai apan in Hanship leng gamlapi ahi lai vial a, sunnung in atungphei hi. Khosung a luut a, kholai a omte’ kiang khawng ah amelputdan apan in akan a, sialching zel chi in a baan kan hi. Himahleh kua mah amah thei ding mi a om himhimkei. Inn khawng ah aluutzel a, akanzel a, a migendan toh kituak ding mi himhim kuama’n a kawkmuh theikei uhi. Kholai kho amuh khaak leh chi in khodung-khovai a tawnsuak a, himahleh a mizonpa bangbang muh ding a neikei hial hi. Atawp in alohngaihna theinawn tuanlou in apaisan hi. Mihing houh ahika hia leh chih ngaihdan anei phiing hi.
A vangkim in a kawlzaal a sawk a, chikmah a huai kuam a suamhat gen leh sak a om ngei leng hilou napi suamhat hiam, migilou hiam tuah ding khawng alauhtha a suak a, alampai leng a lem theikei hial a, a vangkim in a nunglam a en loplop zel hi. A sialte nusia in zingchia va et nawn ding in innlam ah apaisuak hi.
Khua a tungsuk a, huchia khosung a apaizel lai in munkhat ah Chingnem a galmuh a, Chingnem in leng ana mupah a, ana nui chiuchiau a, va delhphei a va pumkawi bang a uttha asuak hi. A kiang atuntak in Chingnem in nuihmai kilawmtak in koi ahoh hi hiam chih ana kan a, Lianthang in adawn kawm in, ‘Tuzan chiah k’on pawt di aw Ching,’ chi in kithalawp tak in innlam azuan hi.
©Siamsinna leh Vakiangbu
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