“Da∙sionin nang’ mamade nang·kon senge dongenga…” babilsiona cha ringna Rangme napangon ma·gipa ja·rikangpae ku·rang on·eaha, “maming chol nikteljae nang·onan re·bae nitaipaengana u’de…”

“Pring seng·srapgijan indaksimaiade…,” ku·mitdu ku·rangchi Rangme an·tangna aganskaaha. Chakatani ja·man miksu-jaksue pringni chako ringna skangan indaka kattarangko knana nange ua suk ong·jaengakon, ma·gipachiko niatmanggija ua an·tangna cha rue aganmitduatengachim. “Mainaba nanggitika ina gita mainasa pringni aro badita nangeming? Ma·gipa bikon senge dongenga ine nike dikdiksani ja·mano Rangme sing·pangpilataha, “…bang·ede baniko angaba, pangnan pangnan iamangara angni nokode bolbijak-wa·bijak gita nange dongtokenga inosa…” “Don Bosco College-o poraipaenggipa depante porikkana form fill-up ka·ani somoi ong·engjokna. Dongode dal·gipa kingsako am·engachim uade,” ma∙gipa Rangmena aganaha.

Rangme cha ringroroe jrim dongaha. Maikoba aganna sikkuenga gita uko nikoba uni ku·sikonide maming kattarangba jokbajaha. Agane on·na nangakode aganmanjok ina gita ma·gipade babilsioni ong·kate sa·rao asonge dongenggipa jonggipaona pil·angaha. Rangmede babilsion cha ringe maikoba chanchibeata gita dongrikaha.

“Nang’ bi·a gitasan aroba bi·sani poraianina inanasa donggijakoba am·kolame on·atengane mama…” Aditani ja·mano mamatangna tangka ra·bae on·e Rangme ku·rang on·eaha, “dongako nikako on·atenga inede ong·ja, dila-nangatangkode chingaba an·tangtangsa u·iaiengjok.” “Diloba kangaloba na·songa ching’ gita mangmangde ong·ja inesa…” mamatang tangka ra·chake ka·sina ku·rangchi aganatskaaha, “je ong·oba ian nokbichong-wa·bichong, ang’ gita cholnikpagijade ianon ga·chak-dan·danchakpaana agre bano mancha…” “Angade re·aba re·skaaignok Rangme” dikdiksani gisepon mamatang re·na chakataha, “da·o 7 bajini garion joljol watatna nanggen. Mittelbejok, chol ong·paora mikkang jaon on·pilpagen…” “On·pilchina inede on·ata ong·ja…” pringni songbadko poraina jako ra·e Rangme bikan aganataha, “indiba basakobade an·tangtangba indakpile chol ong·ja. Ba·rimatang ong·oba mai ong·gen, da·oba je donggakako on·atna man·ani giminsa, pangnajolde chingaba baniko sual-ra·rone cha·gen inesa inaibo.”

Rangmeni kattarangna ma·gipasa gisiko nangchaka ina gita deldik dakaha, indiba uamangni gisepo ua mamingkon aganatpajaha. Jonggipa chakate re·angengako ua ka·sachaka mikronrangchi nie dongrikengachim.

“Basakobade babakoba ka·a nange nika angade…,” mamatangni re·anga ki·sang ki·sang ma·gipana Rangme ku·rang on·ataha, “bian gimikkon adol ka·a dake nangan somoiode pilakan iachisa re·bana chol niktokengaba. Tangka am·na re·bajokode donga dongjakoba hisabgija on·atsima dake ranta ong·attokjok. Bini saa-joman somoiode biko sanna-banna gisik nangtokenga inskaosa…” “Uarangkora maiko…” ma·gipa ka·sine ku·rang on·atskaaha, “an·tang dakna nangatangkosa dakpaenga da·nang nang·paba…” “Indimangbara…” Rangme bikan agansotataha, “da·o anga alamala chakri ka·ana ba·rima gimikko dakchakna nanggen inede ong·paja da·nang. Ka·sin ka·sin gong·sa-pelsa chimonge nipana inon angade jasaba jasaba man·jaenga, ambinde bani koroschi mancha angade an·tangkon bia ka·gen. Babara skang pantemitingon sorkari chakri man·achimnaba, mainasa bia an·tangde chakri ka·ja dakeming dedrangkode indakpile kosto ong·e janggi tangdilna nangaha. Da·o iamangde an·tangtang cha·asioba dedrangkode nama nama skul-collegerango poraiatenga. Chinga an·tangtangde bani St. Paul School bani Don Bosco College, sorkarini chalaigipa skul/college-osan neng·skime poraie dal·bapajok. Uarangko chanchiatode babakon ka·a nange nika angade, sorkarini chakri on·ako ka·ja dakanian bini dal·bea gualani ong·jok. Da·ode asonge dongariba pension-mangmangkode cha·manpagenchimba. Skango alamala cholikalmitingo chimongrika ineba ong·skaja, chanchisogijasa nokdangkon rika jokona. Unbaksana dekoba bang·prete ba·dama… aiao, sko sa·dika angade!!

“Mmm… na·songtangtang…” aditani ja·mano chang·sa rang·spee Rangme dingtang dake aganchotataha, “ambin-intangoba angade noko dongpajawa na·ba. Noko demechik saksan ong·oba mai ong·gen, segipa kime nokdang dakani somoi sokjokode angaba ong·kate cha·aigen.”

Rangmeni kattarangna agachakatna gitik dake ma·gipako nikoba uni ku·sikonide maming kattarangba ong·katbajaha. Kamaie nikgipasa, nokni nanga korosko chilgipasa neng·nikanikode u·ibebea ine ua chanchipil·ahakon, demechiktangna suk ong·chakgijanikoba uni mikkang mesokengachim. Da·alosan Rangme-chiko tangka ra·na re·baaha ine ong·ja, maikoba majakoba pa·sike mama-adarang basakobade antion changgni ba changgittam ong·pileba tangka am·na re·baenga. Unbaksana, knal-sotnio on·pilgen ine ku·jokanga kattade mitela ine aganani pal gitasa ong·pilaijok! Uarangni bidingosa chanchiate Rangme suk ong·gija parakengachim.

Rangme bilsi 28mangni bilsokgimin me·tra. Dedrang sakchikkingoni bian chonbatgipa aro saksa kamkam demechik. B.A. poraia matchota joljol B.Ed-koba poraidape matchotanikon songtangni Govt High School-o Assistant Teacher-ni kamkoba man·aha. Namen rasong gnangbejok! Ma·a-paani ka·dongsoaba indin ong·gramaijajok. Demechiktangni jakmako budepa-buchuma ong·eba cha·manpaengjok. Nomil ong·engkuoba nokni nanga korosrangko da·ode bian chilpaenga. Adatang sakdokde jikgipa ra·e ong·katangtokjok. Uamangoni sakgittamde inditana choligipa ong·paja, indaken gisepode uamangba Rangmeni dakchakanikon am·na ma·a-noni nokonan re·baenga. Noko dongkuenggipa adatangrangoni saksara chona-rema bading-chiwalaniko dake janggi tangenga, indiba sakgnigipade indin dongtokenga. Uamangkoba Rangmean nina nanga gita ong·enga. Indaken da·nang, ja bon·o jako tangka nikpaoba an·tangode sikkatrikja ina gita una ong·aiachim. Rangme-pa bilsi sotchet bataha. Uni mikron nikani aro nachil knaani bilgribeaha, indiba be·en bimangkode kraa gitan rake nikengkua. Noko je donga a·palko game-sue, bari-bagan dake aro uarangoniko man·a bolam-bolterangko an·tangan bading-chiwalanikoba dakjole ua nokdangko rikbaaha. Game cha·gipasan ong·oba chasongtangode songsalo namen mande ra·aniko man·gipa mande. Rakmitingonin ua songni-nokni silroro-namroroaniba bang·en on·gilpaaha. Rama-jal·ang, skul nok aro gipinrangko songona man·bana rake kam ka·giparangoni biaba mongsongbatgipa saksachim. Bini chasongska-troskarangonide darangan dongtokjajok, biasan da·ona kingking dongpaenga. Rangmeni katta gitan ua pantemitingo sorkari chakri man·achim ina, indiba ua kamna re·ongkatangjaha.

A·palni mirang bite rongsikbatokengjok. Sin·kari a·bachengmiting ong·e walo aro pringni bakode kraa gitan ka·sinengaha. Nokni sa·rao salbarame Rangme songbad poraikuengachim. “Aiwa boldimora maiasa il·eng-pil·eng dake siksakengasai…?” Rangmeni songbad poraie dongaona ka·sine re·bae pagipa ku·rang on·eaha. Nokni sa·ra nageng guegrimchipakko ua gisik nangbee niate dongkuengachim.

“Maiasa uara?”

“Matsakonba uara…” dikdiksa gitoktangko de·chaoe niatani ja·mano Rangme gisik nangbregija aganchakataha. An·tangni songbad poraiakosa ua gisiko nange poraikuengachim. “Da·oba mojimkuengade unora…” boldimchipakkon mikron miksichep dake niatkue budepa ku·rang on·attaiaha, “maiasasai…?” “Mat ong·jaode maisane uara…” pagipani u·igija dake sing·chae dongana on·tisa dongtobregija Rangme rakkale aganchakataha, “…gue bite ga·akako mat cha·engasaba uara.”

“Maia manchasane uara…?”

“Da·sionin nang·nara ‘mat’ ‘mat’ ‘mat’ ine aganengjokba…” Rangme rang·data ku·rangchi inwatataha. Jegita chakchike nioba ua man·teljaha, ka·tong ning·o ding·bilbile dongenggipa kattarangni bimango ong·katbae uni ku·rang gam·angaha. Ua an·tangba aganna sike aganatade ong·jaenggenchim. “A·aona bite ga·akako mat cha·engasa inen nang·nara talate on·engjok, maikosa sing·damdame donga dakpila. Indakjokon ka·a nangbaia angade…”

“Maidakesa na·ade nang·pakoba indake indatdataia…” ma·gipa ka·sine ku·rang on·eaha, “u·ijae sing·ora ka·sine aganchakpabo” “Bini u·ina-ma·sina nangchongmotakode pangnan angara namen agane on·engaba…” Rangme aganchakataha, “indiba da·o gita gisik suk ong·gija dongmitingo nangai nangjairangko sing·betbeta dakode ka·a nangbapaaia angaba.” Ma·gipa mamingkoba aganchakgija an·pilangaha. Maikoba gisik ra·gitika ina gita ua nokmongchipak re·gitikangengachim.

“Indakaigen inen anga noko dongna sikjaengaro…” Rangme an·tangna aganrikaha, “nokbichong-wa·bichong ina dake mama-adarangba pring-attamona dongjaode iachisa re·batokgen, mande mikkangko niksoora on·atgija daknaba namjawa aro ka·sachakmanaigen. Unbaksana, noktangoniba da·o gita nangai nangjai sko sa·dikate rokugen. Ja·manode nokdango on·tisa hala ong·jokon mandeskade demechik-chawarikosa namja ine agane rotokgen…”

“Da·alde nang’ atchiani salba, na·a gisik ra·ja?” ma·gipa re·bapile ku·rang on·eaha.”

“Atchiatangni salkora maidakesa gualpagnok…,” Rangme namrengmreng aganchakataha. Bini gisik suk ong·gijan somoio pangnan ma·gipa dingtang golporangko ka·dile uko ka·dimeatronga ine gisik ra·e ua indakesan ku·rang watatengachim.

“Indiba birthday boksis on·echenggipaan namjajok jokona…”

“Iako poraibo…” baditaba king lekkarango maikoba see dongiminko Rangmena on·e ma·gipa aganatskaaha, “nang·pa nang·na ka·sabea, nang·ko atchiatna inesa nang’ agana gitan chinga DE ba·damna nangjok. Unigiminan, na·a bilsiprak ong·ahaon maidaka uarangko bilsiantian nang·ni atchiani salo nang·pa kan·dike see rakkiaha. Meja ching’ kutturiko rongtalatmitingo leather box gitchamoniko niktaipila. Na·a poraie rochina ine da·alni salkon nang·na on·na anga sengaha. Bilsisaoni bilsi sni ong·aonade ianon dongtoka.”

Rangme aiao inmanbeaha. Bini a·selsa adatangrangko ba·chengna nangjok ine ua nikatbebeengachim. Unbaksana, bilsiantian uni atchiani tariko maiaba see rakkiani donga ine u·ianiara una bebera·na man·pilgijani gita ong·engachim.

“Aiao nambejok…” ua kusi ong·e chrikaha. Pringonin ua gisiko suk ong·gijanichisa salko a·bachengna nangahaoba ua somoio gital dake an·senganiko man·pilengachim. Katchabeani mikkangchi Rangme lekkarangko kingsani ja·man kingsa dake nimrakangaha. “Nang·ni agana gitan, bilsisa watchangana agrede, anga bilsisni ong·aona kingkingan iano angni atchiani tarik changantion see rakkiani donga…” Rangme poraimrakmrake nie ku·rang on·ataha, “angni bilsi bri ong·mitingonikosan nikmanja…” “Uaba angni jakon donga…” jaktango jakbite dongako ma·gipa mesokate aganaha, “IAKAI…”

“Na·a bilsi bri ong·miting sal tiktako da·o nang·ni asongenggipa apsan biapon na·song paningsa asonge roengachim…” adita jrip dakani ja·mano, Rangme mamingkoba katta naatna changjaenga ine nike, ua an·tangan aganatkuaha. Ua see rakkianikode bia an·tangsa Rangmena parakna nangnikahakon, maiako see rakkiani donga uarangko ua talatna a·bachengaha. “An·tangni ja·pingo gate nang·pa nang·ko rodilengachim…” ma·gipa aganangkuaha, “unon aiwa guegrimchipak maiaba il·eng-siksakaniko na·a gisik nange niataha. ‘Aiwara maia baba’ ine na·a nang·pao sing·aha, ‘uan mat ong·a, gue bite dambeko cha·enga’ ine nang·ko ku·dime nang·pa aganchakaha. Dikdiksani ja·manon na·a apsan sing·anikon sing·taiaha, apsan daken nang·paba nang·ko ku·dime apsan aganchakanikon nang·na on·aha. Na·a chu·ongnikjae changdokna kingkingde apsankon sing·betbete dongaha, indiba nang·ni sing·a changantion nang·ko ku·dime apsan aganchakanikon nang·pa nang·na aganahachim…”

Rangmeni mikkang rang·san simprakbaaha. Maiako miksonge ma·gipa a·bachengaonin katta watbaenga uarang pilakkon da·osa ma·siate una nangchakaniko on·engachim. Ua mamingkoba aganchakatna changgija ku·gri gitasan mikkang simteke dongaha.

“Na·ade mamingkon u·ikujaesa da·sionin betbetdamenga…” ma·gipa gisik nangbate aganangkuaha. “Nang·ni da·o chanchienga gita aro dakna sikengani gita chingaba skango dakahaode na·aba atchijawachim, atchioba na·a ia nokode dongmanjawachim.” Pringgimiko Rangmeni betbetdamgipa kattarangna ua aganchakna a·bachengskaaha. Ma·gipako nichaona pa·gija Rangme jrip dongengon uni mikronrang ta·rake mikjapengachim. Ma·gipani agankugni kattarangko knana sikkuenga gita ua mamingkoba aganchakatjaha. “Bia ka·e nokdang rikna skangde chingaba chongipa nokdangko dakna inesa nang·paming ku·mongachim…” ma·gipa talatangkuaha. “Class IX-onasan poraioba nang·pa Veterinary departmento field assistant-ni kamna seokako man·ahachim. Indaken bilsigipino training-na re·angna ine senge dongmitingchim. Bini indake senge dongmiting bilsion chinga bia ka·aha. Rasong gribee chingni bia ka·ani jagittam ja·manan nang’ atchu saana a·bachengaha. An·tangni janggi tangani salrang bang·jaha ine u·ie bia nang·pako okame uni sikanirangko nang·pana agane donangaha. Beanbebe, saa a·bachengaoni chane bia anti gittammangsan janggi tangangaijok. Bini siani ja·manosa nokdang dakna chingni daksamsogimin pilakkon nipiltaina nangaha.”

Maikoba aganatpana sika gita Rangmeko nikengoba ua ma·gipakon mikkangchakatna pa·ja gita dongkuengachim. Uni atchiani sal changantion see rakkigipa lekkako mikchi jingjang jingjang dake poraie ua knatimkuaha.

“Ai-babamangba nokkromna ine nang’ ademangkosa mingchengachim…” ma·gipa talatangkuaha, “bian angna skangde segipakoba kimchengaha. Indiba bia ka·ani e·cham gala ran·srapkujaon bisongde ong·kate cha·aha. Indakesa nang’ atchu-ambiko nina angon ga·akaijok. Unasa nang’ atchuara nang·pako gipinchi ong·katangna on·na sikjaha, nang·pani pantemitingonin bini dakbewalrangko nike namnikbea. Bisongko aldu-mittanggipa dongjawa, un’ baksana songo-nokoba dakdil-ka·dilgipako nanggen ine nikeba songo-noko donge nokdang dakanikon nang·pako ua nangnikaha…”

“Na·song bia ka·ani jagittam ja·manon atchuara siaha ong·ode…”

“Nang·pa training-na ong·katangoba indakpile neng·nikanide dongjawajokchim ho·e…” Rangmeni katta bon·kujaon ma·gipa agansotataha, “unomiting nang’ ambide rakkalkuengani gimin anga noko donge bikode nirokna man·aigenchim. Da·sio nang·chiko tangka am·na re·bagipa nang’ mamaba kraa gitan dal·ahani gimin maming neng·nikanikoba chagrongjanaba dongachim beben, indiba songsalni giminba chanchina nangao ga·akaijok. Jatska-mandeskana chanchie Indiani jakgitelanina nang’ atchuba krenge dakgrikpagipachim. India jakgitel ong·ahaon bian songni mongsongbatgipa krong ong·aha. Indaken jakgitel man·ani adita bilsirangni ja·mande Assam-ko bak dake a·brini manderangna dingtang a·dokko nanga ine dabianio ua krengdiltaiaha. Indiba dakgrikchakatmitingon ua siaha. An·tangko ja·chongrikangchina inesa ua nang·pana agandame donangaha. Uani giminsa nang·para, sorkari chakri ka·ode dingtang a·dokna dakgrikanio bimchipe bak ra·na jakkejawa ine nike ong·katangjaha. Indina gitan, rim·a kaa man·taitaie bisongan dakgrike Meghalaya a·dok man·pajok da·nang. Dingtang a·dokko man·ani ja·manoba songni rama-jal·ang aro da·o nang·ni ka·enggipa skulkoba bisongan dabidile man·e on·bapajok. Chakri ka·e maha maha dake janggi tanganina bate game-sue cha·e jatna a·songna maikoba on·gilpaahaode uan nambatjachimma? Bebe gitaba ua neng·begipa sal-somoirango nang·para an·chingko salsaba okgimu donjahaba!”

Rangme rake grapataha. Ma·gipani kattarang uni ka·tongna inditan doktikaniko on·aha je ua an·tangni u·i-ma·sianiko gangri-chingri nagande gitasan nikaha. Pagipa songsalo janggi tanganio kraa gitan on·gilpaaha inede ua skangonin u·ia beben, indiba chu·gimikkode Rangme ua somoiosa talaha. Uamangni saksa kamkam demechik ong·na rasong gnangbeani ine ua da·osa nikatenggenchim. Ua bakan chakate nokmongchipak dariangaha.

“Baba…” nokmongni asongramo pagipa saksan asonge maikoba see dongachi re·ange Rangme aganna pa·bregija gita ku·rang on·eaha, “da·sio anga nang·ko indatmanaha, angko kema ka·pabo.” Pagipa nichaoe ka·dingsmitataha. Demechikni ku·rangko knae ua ka·sachakbea mikkangchi an·pilchakengachim. “Namg·makoba okamatbo…” ua ka·sine aganataha, “nang·ni gimin chanchisoe maimairangko chinga daksamsoaha uarang pilakko nang·na agane on·na da·o somoi ong·aha.” “Man·dapgnina agrepile rikana bate je dongako mandeskana ka·sae suale-ra·rone cha·on mande chu·ongnikaniko man·bata…” jikgipako sepango asongate ua aganna a·bachengaha. “Indake dakon na·a maming bon·batanganiko chagrongjawa, batesa salsao biteko man·gen.  Angni rakmitingo anga gipin jat saksa baksa melie songni bolam-bolterangko bading-chiwalaha. Uan angni melibegipa ripeng gitachachachim, indiba a·sel ong·anio ja·a be·e ua re·na dona neng·nikaniko man·aha. Indaken bini ka·dongna man·gipa manderangkosa bia angona watataiaha. Tangka-paisani hisabkode chinga sakgnisan name u·iaiani gimin anga biko cha·bokna namen man·genchim, indiba anga indake dakjaha. Batesa anga bina ka·sachake ianoni bosturangko mitamkode indin watatrongaha. Anga uoniko maming man·pilskaaniko am·jahaoba uaba angna ka·sae dakskaaha ine anga ja·manosa u·iaha. Co-operative bank-o bia angni bimingo account kulie an·tangni salo badinge man·ani bakchikkingni baksako salantian chimongaha. Unbaksana angni indin watatgipa bosturangko badinge man·a tangka-paisakoba bia an·tang ra·gija angni account-on chimongaha. Ua chimonggimin tangkachin bia angni bimingo maiaba majakoba dakdapdape angnan chimonge donaiaha. Biade bading-chiwalaniko daken dal·gipa ong·angjok, angasa nokko nina nanga baksa gipin kamrangkoba dakchapchapna nange inditaonade sokdopajaha. Indiba angna mai gimaani? Bilsi kolatchimangni ja·mano bia chang·sa re·bae angko grongchoteaha, unomiting na·a bilsisnisan ong·pittichim. Angni bimingo chimonggipa tangka-paisani pal gita ua mingsa bostuko nang·na minge ra·baaha. Aro uakon chinga nang·na donangenga.”

Katta matchotmane pagipa an·tangan uamangni kutturichi napangaha. Dikdiksani ja·manon ua maikoba jakbite re·bapilaha. Uan ba·rachi remreme dongiminchim.

“Iakai…” pagipa Rangmena on·e inaha, “da·al dipet nang·on donaibojok.” Rangme jajajiji dake bostuko kulina ine ba·ra remremako engaha.

“GOLD BISCUIT!!!”

Ua jabrangpilaha! Indita dal·gipa sona tongko jaktango rim·e an·tangnin ine u·ina ua jagokmanpilengachim. “Mikkangchi simsake jakkalbo” pagipa ku·rang on·atkuaha, “ua nang·ninjok. Iakon da·alo nang·ni atchiani salni boksis gita chinga on·enga.” “Uana batede nang·ni ku·pattianirangan angna gamchatbata…” Rangme pagipako gipake grapaha, “pilakko niatpile anga an·tangnasan chanchiaigipa ine nikataha. Janggi tangani chong·motgipa miksongani bidingode anga da·osa u·iaha. Na·songkon daksninge angaba nokdangko rikgen aro songsalo janggi tanggen. Indiba, da·alo anga maidakgipa ong·aha uako nang·ni see donanisa angna gamchatbatgipa boksis ong·genchim…”

“Uakoba anga gisikode semanjok…” pagipa demechiktangko doktope aganataha. Ua chosma gangalgale sena a·bachengtaiaha. Rangme ma·gipade kusi ong·a mikkangchi uamang paningsako nie dongskaengachim.

“ANGNI KA·SABEGIPA DEMECHIK DA·ALO GISIK GNANGBATGIPA, NAMBATGIPA ME·CHIK ONG·AHA”

—Rangmepa

“Baba…” Rangme kusi ong·bee pagipako gipaktaiaha, “nang·ni ango ka·dongchakaniko anga maming dakeba rongdimelatjawa. Na·songkon ja·chongrike angaba janggi tanggen!”