Update 93
Shatranz Ke khiladi (1)
Arjun ghar aaya toh woh dekh chuka tha ke unki ek gaadi Col sahab ke ghar ke bahar khadi hai. Kuch der apne dada-daadi ke sath baithne ke baad woh Komal didi bulane par waha se uth gaya.
"Ji didi."
"Chal bhai khaana kha le.", Komal didi ke seedha aise kehte he woh unhe hairat se dekhne laga.
"Is waqt tu ghar hai matlab apne dost ke pas tu khaa ke nahi aaya aur maine bhi abhi tak lunch nahi kia hai toh sath me he khaate hai.", Arjun apni pyaari badi didi ke sath he unke kamre me chal dia. Dono ka khaan wahi apne bister par lagati woh idhar udhar ki baatein bhi kar rahi thi. Jaise Chacha-Papa ki packing, Krishna chachi ka aaj din me hansna-bolna aur upar sabka film dekhna.
"Aap kabhi bahar nahi jana chahti kya didi? Ritu didi toh keh rahi thi ki woh MS bahar se he karengi aur Alka didi bhi aage ki padhai ka waisa he plan banaye hue hai.",Arjun ne apne hath se niwala didi ko khilaya aur unke pyaare chehre ko dekhne laga. Unhone bhi apne bhai ko waise he khilaya aur fir batane lagi.
"Dekh padhne ke baad na mere se kisi ne poocha ke aage padhna hai ya nahi aur na maine abhi tak bataya hai. Graduation toh meri khatam he ho gai ab aur result June me aayega. Agar is beech kisi ne poocha toh main shayad keh du ki main Masters karna chahti hu lekin chance 1% hai.", Komal didi ki baat kuch samajh aai kuch nahi.
"1%? Woh kyo didi? Papa toh kabhi bhi padhne se rokte nahi ulta woh toh khush honge aur maa bhi."
"Bhai ab jald he Sanjiv bhaiya ke sath Madhuri didi ki bhi shaadi ho jayegi. Aur yaha par fainsle ghar me rehne wale lete hai papa nahi. Dada ji bhale he ek baar ke liye ijajat de bhi de MBA ke liye lekin daadi nahi dengi. Main toh iske liye bahar bhi nahi jana chahti, yahi university se MBA kar lungi lekin fir unka wahi pravachan ke akeli ladki ko university bhejna thik nahi, shaadi ki umar hone lagi hai, saal ya 2 saal me kya pata kar bhi de. Aur rahi baat desh se bahar jaane ki toh woh main khud nahi chahti. Kabhi tu ghumane le gaya toh jaha le chalega main sath chal dungi.", Komal didi ne saari baat khatam karte waqt jaise Arjun ko khush karna chaha is baat ko bolkar.
"Padhogi toh aap jarur aur fir dekhta hu daadi mana kaise karti hai. Woh khudse kahengi ki Komal beta tu admission le le. Madhuri didi 23-24 ki hongi aur aap unse 2 saal choti. Aur unki shaadi ki wajah kuch aur hai sath he woh raji bhi hai. Aap karo ye 2 hafte araam fir main he leke chalunga aapko form jama karwane.", Arjun ka dridh nishchaye dekh Komal didi ko apne bhai par pyaar ke sath he thodi chinta hone lagi.
"Arre tu fikar mat kar. MBA ke baad bhi shaadi he karni hai toh fayeda toh kuch hone wala nahi. Chal khana khatam kar fir tu thoda araam kar lena aur main maa ke sath baaki kaam karwati hu.", Arjun ab khamoshi he raha aur khana khatam karte hue upar chal dia jaha baaki behne thi. Abhi bhi sab television se chipki thi lekin Alka-Ritu didi usko na dikhai di. Lekin Arjun ko abhi unse kaam nahi tha.
"Priyanka didi, ek baar mere kamre me aana.", Arjun unke saamne se apne kamre me chala gaya toh uski baat sunn kar sabhi ek dusre ko dekhne lagi. Tara hamesha ki tarah Aarti ke sath baithi thi aur Madhuri didi sofe par Priyanka didi ke sath.
"Ja, lagta hai jaruri kaam hai.", Madhuri didi ke chehre par bhi koi vishesh bhaav na aaye the. Priyanka didi ke andar aate he Arjun ne darwaja dhaal dia. Kuch der tak dono he baatein karte rahe aur 15 minute baad eksath he niche chal diye. Arjun khane ki mej par baith gaya aur didi ko andar jaate dekhne laga. Andar chacha, papa, bua aur dada-daadi the aur Arjun ko pehle se ye pata tha.
"Papa, aap kabtak wapis aane wale hai?", Priyanka bitiya apne papa ki waisi he ladli thi jaise Ritu Shankar ji ki.
"Bol beti kya baat hai? Kuch lana hai waha se?"
"Nahi papa, aapko aur maa ko waha time lagega aur idhar mera MBA ka dakhila bhi niklane wala hai. Maa ke sath toh aap wapis yahi aane wale hai fir main idhar he admission le lu?", Priyanka ki baat par daadi ke kaan khade ho gaye lekin woh unki taraf peeth kiye khadi apne papa se baat kar rahi thi.
"Haan toh kya badi baat hai. Yaha toh university bhi waha se atchi hai aur fir abhi main tere dada ji se yahi baat kar raha tha ke peeche wale makaan ko tayaar karwana hai ab. Sab yahi rehne wale hai lekin woh makaan bhi sambhalna hai toh 4-6 mahine me udhar he shift kar lenge Punjab se samaan mangwa kar. Tum mangwa lo form, Arjun la dega ya tum sath chali jana.", Narinder ji jaisi kisi aur se sarokar he nahi rakhte the apni beti ke fainsle ke saamne.
"Naukari bhi karni hai beta?", Kaushalya ji ke aisa kehte he Rameshwar ji thoda peeche he khisak gaye the. Unhe ummeed thi ki ab Panipat ka yudh hone he wala hai.
"Maa, Priyanka Civil Service ki tayaari bhi kar rahi hai mere kehne par aur iska khud ka sapna hai ki MBA karke kuch samay naukri aur fir apna business karne ki. Ab sapne maarna toh maa-baap ko atcha nahi lagega. Balki main toh chahta hu ki ye Civil Service na he clear kare aur jaisa isne soch rakha hai waisa kare jis se zindagi ke sabhi fainsle lene layak bane naa ki ghar me pati ki chaya me rehne wali koi padhi likhi badnaseeb."
"Teri baat se main bhi sehmat hu bhai. Maine bhi Tara ko aaj keh dia ke training ke baad agar woh aage padhna chahti hai toh degree kar le aur designer kapdo business ya factory lagani hai toh uske liye bhi main tayaar hu. Tu kar Priyanka MBA, waise bhi teri padhai sabke kaam he aane wali hai.", Madhu bua ne toh ab Kaushalya ji he daba dia tha beech me apna majboot paksh rakhte hue.
"Tu toh khud keh rahi thi ki Tara ki shaadi is saal karne ke liye. Main mana kar rahi thi tab teri zidd thi aur ab khud he badal gai.", Kaushalya ji ne jaise baat palti thi matlab ab woh alag tarah se gherne ke mood me thi.
"Arjun ne kaha tha ke factory chalane wala ladke ka baap hai, woh khud toh nahi. Kabiliyat Tara me hai toh usko mauka milna chahiye na ki saja aise ghar me shaadi karwa ke. Aur mere bete ne jo kaha woh kisi bhi haal me galat nahi. Papa ne bhi toh mujhe apne samay ke hisaab se college bheja jab ladkiya 10 paar karte he byaah di jaati thi. Pehle mujhse galti hui ki main sirf waise soch rahi thi jaise mahol me jee rahi thi. Ab Tara khud ladka pasand karke laaye toh bhi thik aur mujhse kahigi toh bhi. Lekin Priyanka tu admission le aur fir agle saal Tara bhi 2 saal ke liye apni Fashion me masters degree ke liye France jayegi.", Priyanka bister ke kinare batih gai thi lekin peeth abhi bhi daadi ki taraf.
"Kaushalya devi ji ab toh main bhi ittefaq rakhta hu inki baato se. Bache bade ho rahe hai aur baat padhne, zindagi sanvarne ki kar rahe hai. Ye 1970 toh nahi hai jaha itni bandish lagani chahiye. Jameen bhi hai in sabke pas toh aapas me kaam karenge toh sath he rahenge,10-20 logo ko rojgar milega aur atcha hai na tum bhi thoda bahot inke pas jaane lagogi toh main bhi araam karunga.", Rameshwar ji ki baat sunnkar thoda narajgi se unke paanv par hath marti hui woh bolne lagi.
"Kal he lagegi inki factory aur parso toh degree bhi ho jayegi jaise. Ab sabne keh di apni baat toh meri bhi sunn lo. Akel toh main Priyanka ko bhejne na wali, Komal sath jayegi iske. Uska bhi final ka natija sath he aayega. Aur Priyanka tu Arjun ya Sanjiv ko apne sath le ja ek 2 din me apne college, migration ka parcha diye bina toh tera aur Aarti ka yaha dakhila hone ni wala.", Apni daadi ki baat sunte he pyaar se woh unke gale lag gai. Shankar ji bhi apni maa ko dekh rahe the jo kitni bhi sakht kyo na thi lekin bhedbhav bilkul nahi karti ti.
"Aur jara us salaah dene wale ko bhej yaha mere pas. Madhu ke sath sath tera vakil bhi wahi hai jitna main usko jaanti hu. Daadi ko jyada he jaanta hai na woh.", Arjun darwaje par khada muskura raha th aur unki baat sunte he aa ke unse lipat gaya.
"Mujhe pata tha ke daadi kaise maanegi. Aap ho he itni pyaari ki mujhe pata hai aapko kaise raaji karna hai. Mujhe bhi aapki baat sahi lagti hai ke akele jaane se atcha saath me koi rahe.", Arjun unke gaal choom kar fir Priyanka didi ko pare hatata apni daadi ki goad me sar rakhe leit gaya.
"Teri daadi koi kal paida nahi hui beta. Aur agar ye sab tu chahta hai toh iska saaf matlab hai ke jimmedari bhi tu sambhalega. Ab ghar ka deputy toh fir tujhe he bana rakha hai SP sahab ne. Komal ko bhi bata dio ke kitabe kharid legi itne khali samay me. Pehle he tayaari karke rakhne ki aadat tujhe bhi toh Komal aur Ritu se mili hai. Shankar woh hospital wala jameen ka tukda de dio bhai apni laadli behan ko, baad me tum ladd pade toh meri jaan khayegi. Jaisa inka mann kare karen do, lagao factory ya jo bhi karna hai."
"Woh pehle se he mere naam hai maa. Bhai ne uske badle kheti wali jameen Arjun ke naam chadhwa di thi, papa ko bhi pata hai. Aur ab tum log bhaago yaha se, yaha maa-baap ke sath abhi unki aulaade baithi hai tumhare baap-bua nahi.", Madhu bua ne Arjun ko hatate hue khud jagah hathiya li aur woh dono bhi muskurate hue Komal ke kamre me chal diye.
"Aap Arjun ko sabse jyada samajthi hai maa. Itna toh koi bhi ni jaanta jaise abhi he dekh lo.", Narinder ji sab dekh samajh rahe the aur unko hairat thi ki Arjun is sabke peeche hai woh unki maa janti thi.
"Ye samajhte hai usko aur main sirf pyaar karti hu. Tere papa jab peeche hate the na toh matlab saaf hai ke mere se ulajhne ke liye unka laadla he hoga is sabke peeche. Aur Komal ko kitab padhte maine bhi dekha tha. Priyanka ko yaha laya kyonki woh tujhe bhi atche se jaanta hai, inki badolat. Madhu yaha baithi hai toh uski baat kaatne wali bhi kamjor. Matlab saaf hai ke woh pehle poori jaankari leta hai, fir sab taraf se gherta hai aur aakhir me mauka nahi deta. Kaam hone ke baad he najar aayega.", Rameshwar ji ne apni biwi ko itna jyada samjhate dekh kar alag tarah se dekha aur woh hansti hui fir apni beti ke sar ki maalish karne lagi. Narinder ko bahut kuch samjhane ke baad.
"Toh papa ne usko Arjun bana he dia poora. Atchi management aur uchit samay par uchit daav. Maan na padega aapko papa ke woh itni kam umar me he kahi jyada samajhdar hai.", Narinder ji ke muskurate chehre ke peeche jo bechaini thi woh Rameshwar ji bhi samajh chuke the. Aur waisa he unhe apne dusre bete ke chehre par dikhai de raha tha, beshak woh chup tha.
"Beta sabke liye woh 7-8 saal ki umar me pareshani jaisa tha ya ek ziddi gussel ladka. Lekin teri maa aur main jab kabhi shatranj khelte the toh Arjun hamesha se mere piche pada rehta tha us Vajir ko zinda karne ke liye jisko tumhari maa oont (Camel) aur hathi se gher kar maar deti thi. Usne shrimatiji ki bisaat bhi samjhi aur apne dada ko sab haarte hue bhi dekha lekin 2 ghode aur vajir ke sath woh baaji khatam kar deta hai, mehnat se vajir zinda karne ke baad. Yakeen na ho toh pooch lo apni maa se.", Rameshwar ji apne kapde thik karte hue uth gaye. Unhe bhi baithak ka darwaja khulne ki awaaj se pata chal gaya tha ke unke param mitra aa gaye honge. Bache raat ko Delhi jo nikalne wale the. Madhu bua bhi unke jaate he andar wale kamro ki aur chal di.
"Maa, papa ka wahi matlab tha jo main soch raha hu?", Shankar ki is baat par woh bhi apne bete ko dekhne lagi.
"Woh bachpan me bhi apne dada ko pasand karta tha kyonki usko unke niyam aur aadarsh atche lagte the. Tere papa usko dimagi aur sharirik mehnat karwate hue kaabu kar chuke the lekin teri jidd ne fir usko bahar bhej dia. Lekin woh hamesha se waisa he hai, seekhne aur mehnat karne wala. Galti se ab aisa kuch mat karna ke woh hathi aur oont pehchan jaye. Ghar me ab tak woh thik hai aur inke hisab se he hai. Dono jyada jaan-ne ki koshish karna band karo aur usko uske haal par chodd do.", Kaushalya ji bhi un dono ko wahi chodd kar bahar ki taraf chal di.
"Yaar sachi baat hai maa ki. Arjun ko uske haal par chodd dena he behtar hai. Hum jitne marji honhaar ho lekin woh baap hai hamare aur unhe byaaj pyaara hai mool se toh apna rasta pakadne me he bhalai hai.", Narinder ki baat par Shankar ne kuch vichar karne ke baad Col sahab aur apne pita ji ki taraf rukh kar lia khade hote hue.
"Sahi hai. Waise bhi ab ja he rahe hai toh kya fayeda sochne se bhi."
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Arjun aaj ghar he tha toh apni chachi ke sath thoda waqt bitate hue woh bhi unki madad karne laga sab jarurat ka samaan aur unki report, dawaaiya rakhwate hue. Sab kaam jaldi he khatam karke woh kuch der wahi apni maa ke bister par leit gaya aur jald he neend se aankhen band ho gai.
"Dekh tere munne ko kaise neend me bhi muskurata rehta hai.", Lalita ji ne ye baat kahi toh Rekha ji se thi lekin Arjun ke par baith Krishna ji gai.
"Didi, muskurana he toh sabse mushkil kaam hai duniya me. Mere laadle ne itni si umar jaise bahut kuch seekh lia hai. Bhagwan har buri najar se iska bachaav kare.", Aankh se kajal leti Krishna ji ne Arjun ke kaan ke peeche najar ka teeka laga dia.
"Krishna pyaar toh tere se ye bhi bahot karta hai. Itne saalo baad bhi tu iske liye waisi he hai jaise jab ye chota sa tha aur tere aage peeche ghoomta rehta tha sara din. Maa ji toh tujhe bhi daant padti thi iske chakkar me jab dhoop me he chatt par tum dono patang udane me lag jaate the.", Lalita ji ki ye baat sunn kar Krishna ji bhi purani baatein yaad karti muskura uthi.
"Didi yaad hai ye kya kehta tha agar main mana kar deti thi? Ae Krishna main phir tere sath nahi sounga, akele me darr lagega fir pata chalega. Aur aadhi raat ko khud he mere bister par aa jata tha, neend me chalta hua."
"Chalaak tha jab chota tha. Sabke samne chachi maa akele me Krishna. Sach kahu toh jab ye wapis aaya tha na pichle saal toh apni garmiyo ki chuttiyon me isne poocha tha ke Krishna chaachi aa rahi hai kya? Maa ji ne itna he kaha tha ke woh ab idhar kyo aayegi? Uske apne bache hai jo bade ho gaye hai toh unke sath he rahegi woh. Arjun ne us din ke baad kisi ke samne naam nahi lia tera lekin maine kaapi dekhi thi iski jaha aaj bhi pehle panne par waise he 'Krishna' likhta hai jaise sikhaya tha tune. "Rekha" aur uske niche 'Krishna'. Pyaar toh sabse he karta hai ye lekin shayad tujhme aur Rekha me ye farak nahi karta, shayad parwah jyada he karta ho kyonki Rekha ko isne wahi karte toh dekha hai.", Lalita ji bhi pariwar ka woh adrishya majboot stambh thi jo sabke baare me jaanti thi aur pyar karti thi.
"Aapke saamne he tha didi. Mera bas toh kabhi chala he nahi. Main alag nahi rehna chahti thi aur is se toh bilkul bhi nahi. Lekin ab jo marji ho jaye main wapis panjab na jaane wali mere bache ko chodd kar.", Krishna ji ne bhi paanv seedhe karte hue ek hath Arjun ke seene par rakha aur aankhe munde leit gai.
"Ab uthna mat shaam se pehle. Ye bhi itne nahi uthne wala jitne tu so rahi hai.", Lalita ji ki aisi baat sunkar woh bina chehra uthaye muskurai aur fir araam karne lagi, bharpoor sukoon se.
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Menaka shaam ke 5 baje akeli thi ghar me. Manju ghar ka samaan lene pas wali market gai thi aur un dono ke siwa yaha rehta he kaun tha. Manju ko gaye 10 minute hue the aur kamre me rakha phone bajte he woh andar chali aai.
"Hello.", Phone kaan pe lagaye fir jo baatein shuru hui toh agle 15 minute tak line chalu rahi. Lekin Menaka ne aakhir me tang aate hue thodi unchi awaaj me kaha.
"Aap maa ho meri isliye apni zindagi kharaab karti rahi hu. Aainda se agar is baare me koi bhi baat ki toh fir mujhse bura koi na hoga. Uske sath aapka koi lena dena nahi hai toh galti se bhi usko shamil mat karna. Pehle he badi mushkil se narak khatam kia hai aur aap fir mujhe wahi sab karne ke liye uksa rahi hai.?", Menaka apni baat kehne ke baad dusri taraf se aane wali is alag awaaj ko sunn ne lagi.
"Bhaiya aap jaise ho mujhe atche se pata hai. Chup rehti hu iska matlab ye nahi ke mujhe kuch nahi pata. Ehsaan aapne nahi kia mujh par koi, unhone hamare pariwar par kia jisko aap dono milkar kaise utaar rahe ho atche se dikhta hai. Bindu meri bhabhi nahi thi kabhi bhi lekin badi maa aaj bhi mere liye badi maa hai. Maa ki kartoot jara der se pata chali aur kaise bete ho jo apni maa ke sath he .. chiii.. Agli baar yaha phone karne se pehle 100 baar sochna aur fir bhi number mat mila dena." Menaka ki baat jaise beech me se he kaat te hue saamne se kuch aur bhi kaha gaya tha. Menaka ke bhai ne jaane kya kaha tha ke woh apna aapa khoti hui bolne lagi.
"Maa-chaudh hai aur utna he bana rahio. Arjun ka naam teri jubaan par bhi aaya toh Menaka tera aujaar kaat kar kutto ko khila degi. Behanchod bann-ne ke liye jigra hai toh karke dekh ye gustakhi. Main bhi us baap ki beti hu jis se tu janma lekin maine teri rakhail ka karz bahut jyada he adaa kia hai. Beech me agar Rishabh bhi aaya toh woh bhi nahi bachega. Rakh phone saale dalle neech.", Gusse se kaampti woh phone ke pas baithi lambi saansein le rahi thi aur thodi he der baad khud ko thik karne ke liye uth kar bathroom me chal di.
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Shaam ko jaldi khana bana tha kyonki Shankar, Narinder aur Krishna ji ne 9 baje nikalna tha Delhi ke liye. 4 Baje ki unki udaan thi toh samay rehte jana he thik tha. Lekin Krishna ko aas-pas na dekh kar Narinder khud he apni bhabhi ke kamre me chala aaya jidhar Arjun ki baju par sar rakhe Krishna ji itminaan se so rahi thi. Unka ek hath apne ladle ke gaal par tha neend me bhi.
"Abhi waqt hai jaane me, inhe sone do. Aur Arjun jaag gaya toh dono bhavuk ho jayenge.", Rekha ji apne devar ka hath pakad kar wapis bahar laati hui kehne lagi.
"Bhabhi Krishna thik ho jaye toh prayschit me apni baaki zindagi laga dunga main. Shankar ke sath he mere se bhi ek galti ho gai ki in maa-beto ko judaa kar dia itne saal. Sach kahu toh waha ek din bhi bina dawa ke ye so na saki thi, bimari me. Yaha bas uske sath hone par he woh uthne lagi hai, sabse baatein karne bhi lagi hai aur dekho jara kaise dono bekhabar se soye hue hai pichle 3 ghante se.", Narinder ki aankh me halka paani aa gaya tha, jo bahot badi baat thi. Rekha ji ne bhi apne pyaare devar ko gale laga lia.
"Himmat rakho Narinder aur ab koshish karna ke waha atche se dhyaan rakho Krishna ka aur ilaaj poora sahi se ho. Fir Arjun apne aap he Krishna ki dekhbhal kar lega yaha. Ye bata rahe the ki ilaaj jyada behtar tabhi ho payega jab woh khush rahegi aur samay se apni poori khuraak legi. Chalo tum khana kha lo fir milne me bhi time lagega.", Rekha ji ne pyaar se Narinder ke sar par hath fera aur dur khade Shankar ji bhi ye drishya dekh rahe the. Kitni badi keemat chukani padd rahi thi ek vaade ke peeche.
Agle aadhe ghante me Sanjiv ke sath he Narinder-Shankar ji ne bhi khana kha lia tha. Ritu didi apne papa ko apni list bata rahi thi jo samaan unko chahiye tha waha se aur aise he Alka ka haal tha jo chote chacha ko samaan ki parchi thamaye unke pas baithi thi. Madhu bua aur Kaushalya ji bhi bachiyon ki baatein sunti khush ho rahi thi. Fir Rameshwar ji ke udhar aate he bas bade he waha baithe rahe.
"Haan toh sab samaan gaadi me rakhwa lia na? Passport, kagaj-patra aur ticket alag se surakshit rakhna. Waha kuch pehchan ke log hai meri toh gharelu khana aur mahol mil jayega. Bas ghadi mila lena dono desho ke hisab se jab bhi phone karna ho.", Rameshwar ji ki baat par Narinder ji ne sar hila dia.
"Tu sust kyo ho gaya hai? Kya pareshani hai beta?", Rameshwar ji apni jagah se uthkar apne bete ke saamne aa khade hue. Kitne saalo baad aaj unhone apne bete ka chehra apni chati se lagya tha. Bache kitne bhi bade kyo na ho jaye maa-baap unki dhadkan bhi pehchaan lete hai. Narinder ki aankhon me thodi der pehle ruk chuka paani fir se behne laga tha. Shankar ye na dekh saka jo chupchap uthkar galiyare se bahar nikal gaya.
"Papa, zindagi me pehli baar aaj mujhe apna dosh pata chala hai. Dukh Krishna ka utna nahi hai jitna ye soch soch kar ho raha hai ke aapko jab hamari jarurat hai aur thi bhi, hum kabhi aapke pas na reh sake."
"Mere bache kabhi bhi apne fainsle ka afsos mat karna. Zindagi me bahut kuch dekhna padta hai aur har fainsle ke peeche jo wajah hoti hai woh maayne rakhti hai. Baap toh main bhi atcha na bann saka jo baap ke kartavya ki jagah kaam ke prati jhuka raha. Lekin tumhari maa ne woh sambhala kyonki fainsle ke peeche wajah thi. Tumne bhi marji se toh nahi chaha tha aisa aur agar main ek baap ki tarah kahu toh Shankar aur Tum, dono he mera ghamand ho. Keh nahi pata kyonki pariwar me nahi raha na main us waqt. Aaj reh raha hu toh yakeen karo maine ab parvarish ki, beshak woh mera pauta ya pauti hai lekin maine sudhaar karne ki koshish ki. Tumne zindagi me jo kia woh pariwar ke liye he kia, hamare liye kia toh shikayat nahi hai mujhe koi. Dukh bhi hota hai ke mere bache hamari khushiyon ki wajah se apni zindagi dur rehte hue bita rahe hai. Chal khada ho beta aur teri maa se mil le, main Shankar se bhi kuch baat kar lu.", Rameshwar ji ki majboot baahe Narinder ko apne baap ka pyaar andar tak mehsoos kara gai thi.
"Chal dekh kaisa mahol bana dia hai tune. Pata he na tha ke meri 2 chhoriyan hai.", Kaushalya ji ke aisa kehte he Narinder apni maa se bhi gale lag gaya.
"Tu mera raja beta hai aur hamesha rahega. Teri maa ka sar toh unke samne bhi tumne na jhukne dia jinke samne duniya he jhukti thi. Aise bete sabko nahi milte. Aur chal teri lugai ko bhi utha le, yahi kehta hai na tu Krishna ke liye.", Ab Narinder kuch shant tha aur behtar bhi.
"Maa, woh udhar Arjun ke sath so rahi hai. Darr ki wajah se nahi uthaya kahi Arjun bhi na utth jaye."
"Haq hai un dono ka aur nahi milega toh fir Krishna ko jyada dukh hoga. Main uthati ho dono ko.", Unki baat sunn kar Narinder bhi bahar apne bhai aur pita ki taraf chal dia.
"Oh Kapoot, uth ja aur chodd teri chachi ko. Isne jana bhi hai.", Ab yaha Arjun apni chachi ko kass ke baho me liye tha. Daadi ki awaaj se angdaai let woh uthne laga toh pehle apni chachi ko pyaar se uthaya.
"Yaha araam karne nahi milta chachi. Aap tayaar ho jao lagta hai jaane ka samay ho gaya. Main sara samaan dekh leta hu ke sahi se rakha hai ya nahi.", Krishna ji apni saas ko dekh halki sharmati si uthne lagi.
"Kar lia laad toh ab khana kha le beta. Kapde safar me yahi thik hai.", Kaushalya ji unhe apne sath liye he bahar aa gai thi aur Arjun pehle he kursi ke pass woh chota stool rakh ke bahar ja chuka tha. Thodi he der me jaane wale sabhi log tayaar the aur Arjun apne kamre me kuch lene ka bol kar bhaag gaya tha. Col sahab, Renuka bua, Preeti bhi aaye the unse milne ke liye aur Krishna ji ne pyaar se Preeti ka maath choomne ke baad gale lagaya tha. Gaadi me baithne ke baad Krishna ji ne Sanjiv ko abhi rukne ko kaha aur jaise he Arjun ko ek kitab jaisa kuche le kar apne pas aate dekha toh muskurane lagi.
"Tujhe yaad tha ke ye mujhe deni hai.? Waise hai kya ye?"
"Aap he dekh lena. Aur sabse pehle waha jaate he phone karna. Bye chacha, bye papa.", Arjun unhe bye karne ke baad khidki ke pas baithi apni chachi ka gaal choomne ke baad hath pakadte hue itna he kaha, "Aap waha pareshan mat hona Chachi maa, main hamesha aapke pas rahunga.", Aur woh bhi apne laadle ke maathe ko choomti haami bharne lagi. Gaadi ghar se bahar nikalte he Narinder ji ne apni biwi ke hath se woh jild chadhi kitab lete hue pehla page dekhte he woh wapis unhe pakda di. Jisko woh bhi dekh rahi thi. "Krishna-Arjun, Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta purn sanvaad"
"Ye tum usko padhke sunati thi sone se pehle. Aaj bhi kitni saaf rakhi hai jaise nayi ho.", Narinder ji ki baat par Krishna ji bhi muskura di.
"Usko hamesha se ye photo pasand thi aur kehta tha ke dekho aapki aankhen aisi he hai. Sambhal sakta hai isliye toh ye uske pas chhodi thi. Shayad woh is se he jeena seekh gaya aur ab mujhe bhi dene ka maksad yahi hai.", Andhere me gaadi ab sahi raftaar par thi. Aage Shankar ji Sanjiv ki bagal me baithe the jo gaadi araam se chala raha tha.
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Arjun kuch waqt apne dada ji ke sath bitane ke baad Rupali didi ko wahi dada-daadi se baatein karne ke liye chodd kar andar wale aangan ki taraf chal dia. Yaha rasoi me hamesha ki tarah Komal didi kaam kar rahi thi aur Tara bhi unke sath khadi geele bartan kapde se saaf kar rahi thi.
"Aaru, tu kab aaya idhar?", Komal didi ne jaise he kaha toh Tara ne bhi palat kar peeche dekha jaha Arjun araam se peedhi par baitha paani pee raha tha.
"Abhi toh aaya hu jab aap dono he padhai ki baatein kar rahi thi. Atchi baat hai na ke ab aap dono ko he manchaha samay mil gaya hai aur mujhe aap dono se jyada khushi hai is baat ki.", Arjun ne baat khatam he ki thi ki Tara uske seene se lipat gai, neeche baithte hue. Komal didi waise he kaam karti hui muskura rahi thi.
"Sach me Arjun tum bahot atche ho. Main nahi jaanti ke kaise tumne ye sab kia lekin mujhe apni zindagi wapis de kar sabit kar dia ke tum kuch bhi kar sakte ho. Thank you so much bhai.", Tara ne sneh se uska gaal chooma toh didi bhi Tara ke sar par hath ferti usko yaad dilane lagi ki woh uske upar he giri hui hai.
"Mera pyara bhai hai ye toh mujhe poora haq hai.", Tara halki sharam se muskurati hui alag ho kar kehne lagi.
"Haan toh mana kab kia maine lekin jo dur se dekhega toh tumhe dekh kar behan-bhai toh nahi samajhne wala. Chal ab tu upar jaa aur unke liye paani ki bottle bhi leti jana.", Komal didi ke aisa kehte he Tara ne ek baar Arjun ko bhi dekha jo unki khushi me khud bhi khush tha. Fir bottle fridge se nikal kar Tara upar apne naye kamre ki aur chali gai.
"Aapse kuch baat karni hai didi.", Arjun ne jaise ye kaha Komal didi ne bhi apne hath kapde se saaf kiye aur Arjun ko chatt par 5 minute intjaar karne ko kaha. Woh aage koi sawaal kiye bina bahar mukhya darwaje ka tala lagane ke baad upar chatt ko jaane wali seedhiyon par badh gaya. Mausam saaf tha aur is waqt hawa me na jyada thandak thi na umas. Mahol shaant aur saaf he tha. Arjun diwar par baitha apne he khaylo me dooba aasman nihaar raha tha. Komal didi kab upar chali aai aur gadda bicha kar baith gai usko jaise ehsaas bhi na hua.
"Haan toh ab bata teri pareshani ki wajah.", Arjun unki awaaj sunn kar apni jagh se utha aur neeche gadde par aa baitha.
"Woh jo badi daadi aai thi unko aap pehle se jaanti hai na? Aur jo didi thi unke sath woh kaun thi.?"
"Haan main thoda bahut jaanti hu unko bhai. Hamare pariwar ke sath unka purana sambandh hai shayad jab dadaji police me afsar nahi bane the tabse. Aur jaan-pehchaan bhi is wajah se he hai ke dadaji unke ganv me he kaafi samay tak rahe the. 30 saal purani pehchaan hai toh sambandh bhi atche hai. Woh ladki jaise hamari badi behan he hai aur tumne unhe jab dekha hoga toh shayad 7 saal ke rahe hoge."
"Didi, woh badi daadi ki ek purani tasvir maine Menaka ke ghar dekhi thi aur unke sath 2 mahilaye aur thi jo us waqt jawaan hongi. Ek shayad Menaka ki maa aur dusri mahila, jo unse bhi kam umar ki thi ki shakal thik waisi thi jaisi ek ladki hamare stadium me basketball khelne aati hai. Menaka ke pariwar me toh sirf unke bade bhaiya-bhabhi, maa aur ye ladka jis se Manju ki shaadi hui hai wahi log hai."
"Pehle tu ye bata ke ye jaan-ne ke baad tune kitna dimaag lagaya hai?", Komal didi he toh apne bhai ko sabse jyada jaanti thi.
"Aaj jab gaushala ke liye nikle the toh ye vyakti hamare sector ke pas jaise mujh par najar rakh raha tha. Lekin woh peeche nahi aaya aur jab hum wapis aaye toh main Renuka bua ko market leke gaya tha jaha wahi vyakti mujhe dikhai dia lekin is baar uski najar jaise papa aur jo bhi unke sath market the un par thi. Bua ko bahana karke main karke maine savdhani se woh aadmi pakad lia tha, woh gol park wale transformer ke kamre me.", Komal didi kisi aashanka se uski baatein dhyaan se sunn rhai thi.
"Fir?"
"Usne darr ki wajah se mujhe jo bataya woh ye tha ki Muskaan ne usko ek motti rakam di thi meri aur pariwar ke sadasyo ki jaankari lekar aane ke badle. Muskaan wahi ladki hai jiski shakal us aurat se thik waise he milti hai jaise aapki hamari maa se."
"Tune uske sath kya kia? Kahi.."
"Nahi didi woh bechara toh mere hath me bijli ki taar dekh kar he darr gaya tha. Waise bhi jitna mujhe jaan-na tha usne bata dia tha. Ghar ke kuch logo ki thodi bahot detail thi uske pas, ek reel aur dusri uske camera me thi. Camera wali chodd kar maine sabkuch le lia tha. Uski tasvir ke sath."
"Woh kyo chodd di fir bhai?"
"Uski alag wajah hai didi. Waise aisa camera pehle baar dekha tha maine. Kagaj bhi dalta tha aur reel bhi sath he thodi moti geometry jitna.", Arjun ko jaise woh sachmuch pasand aaya tha.
"Tujhe uske haath me saboot nahi chhodne chahiye the bhai."
"Papa ko uske baare me pata tha didi. Aur woh sirf apna kaam kar raha tha, dushman thodi he tha.", Arjun ne kandhe jhatakte hue aise kaha jaise usko parwaah nahi thi.
"Tu ghar aane ke baad fir wapis gaya tha. Aur kya pata laga us jasoos ke baare me.?"
"Sach kahu didi toh main khud Muskaan par najar rakhwa raha tha jabse main naani ke ghar se aane ke baad stadium ja raha hu. Woh stadium ke hostel me rehti hai, shayad dikhane ke liye. University me foreign students hostel ka card hai uske pas."
"Ye sab kaise pata chala tujhe?"
"Manju bhi uski saheli ho kar itna na jaan pai lekin Somya didi (Tejpal Sharma ki badi beti) uske sath he padhti hai aur woh bhi Alka didi ki tarah he hai, samajh lo. Aaj ke haadse ke baad mujhe yahi behtar laga ke khud he saamne se baat ki jaye. Aise toh pata nahi kitne log bematlab he shamil ho jayenge."
"Tujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha Arjun, kam se kam tu ye baat mujhse karta. Aur ye Muskaan kaun hai jiske baare me mujhe pata nahi?"
"NRI hai didi aur woh mere sath woh sab karna chahti hai jo main pyaar ya ehsaas ke bina kisi ke sath nahi karta. Lekin atcha hua ke maine baat khud he kar li uske sath. Aur baaki sab woh apne ghar ke dabaav me kar rahi thi aur asliyat khud usko bhi nahi pata lekin kal shaam usne mujhe khud bulaya hai. Uski badi behan se milwane ke liye, jisko jyada behtar pata hai aur aaj woh shehar me thi bhi nahi.", Komal didi dhyaan se dekh rahi thi apne is masoom bhai ko jo kahi jyada he gambhir tha is samay.
"Manju ki saheli hai woh, shakal us aurat se milti hai jisko tumne Menaka ke ghar tasvir me dekha tha aur ab Manju us pariwar me he shaadi karke aa gai hai. Is bare me vichar nahi kia? Aur tum itne yakeen se kaise keh sakte ho ke woh aage kuch aisa nahi karegi?"
"Vichar toh main tabhi kar chuka tha jab tasvir dekhi thi aur Muskaan ki harkate pehchaan li thi. Lekin kahi na kahi jaise Menaka aur Saroj mausi ko is baare me kuch bhi nahi pata aur shayad kuch aise log hai jinhe sab pata hai aur hum unse sawaal nahi kar sakte. Muskaan jo chahti hai main usko woh dene ko tayaar hu aur sabhi saboot jo uske khilaf hai woh mere pas surakshit hai, uske kabulname ke sath."
"Aur Somya ka kya? Woh bewajah he ye sab kar rahi thi? Aur uske baare me agar Muskaan ko pata chal gaya ho ya baad me pata chale toh woh bhi mushkil me nahi padd jayegi?", Komal didi jaise har pehlu ko dhyaan se samajh rahi thi.
"Maine kaha na aapse ke woh seedhe se is sabme shamil nahi hai aur Alka didi ki tarah hone ka matlab yahi hai ke woh bahot shatir hai shaant dikhne ke sath he. Papa unke bhi policewale hai. Aur mera sath dene ki wahi wajah hai jo aap sabki hai.", Arjun dono hath kamar ke peeche se gadde par rakhta hua araam se paanv pasare baith tha.
"Aajkal tum jyada he uddne lage ho, yaha tak ki aadhi baat toh mujhe bhi pata nahi chalne dete.", Komal didi apne bhai ki goad me sar rakh kar leit gai thi.
"Aap meri badi behan ho toh iska matlab yahi hua na ke aap aadhe ka aadha bhi nahi batati, jiske peeche aapka yahi maksad hai ke aap mujhe pyaar karti hai aur parwah karti hai. Aur main bhi apni pyaari didi se sawaal nahi karna chahta kabhi. Aap khaas ho jo mujhe he bina bataye behtar banane me lagi rehti ho.", Arjun ne unka woh naam ke swaroop he komal gaal sehlate hue kaha aur didi bhi uski taraf chehra karti muskurane lagi.
"Waise tu papa ki bajaye dadaji jaisa jyada hai. Mujhe toh laga tha ke tune us aadmi ko nuksaan pahuchaya hoga pakadne ke baad."
"Aapka Arjun itne chote-mote pyaade nahi maarta kyonki woh kisi aur ke liye ye sab karte hai, apna pariwar bachane ya paalne ke liye. Waise bhi jiwan lena bujhdili hai didi. Aapko jab darr lagta hai toh aap kisi ki jaan lete ho, fir darr aur badhta hai aur fir jyada satark rehna padta hai kyonki agli baar kahi jyada bada humla hone ki aashanka rehti hai. Ek kamjor pyaade ko apni taraf aane do aur uske peeche khade Vajir ko maar kar Raja se najar milana kahi jyada behtar hai."
"Aur Raja jo maut dega woh?"
"Didi ek Ghoda apne vajir ke upar aur ek us raja ke peeche pehle he rakhna padta hai. Waise ye batao ke aajkal ye baaki log itna kamre me kyo rehne lage hai?", Arjun ab dimaag ko dusri disha me karta sehaj hona chahta tha.
"Ritu-Alka toh saal shuru hone se pehle he kitabe khatam karne me lagi hai. Aur andar rehne ki wajah wahi ladkio wali hai. Itna sath rehne lagi hai ke dono ka time bhi ab sath aane laga hai. Rupali bhi jaise unke sath rehna pasand karti hai aur sara dhyaan bas padhai par hai uska bhi. Gaanv se shehar me aane par farak toh padta he hai toh Ritu bhi chahti hai ke uska aatmvishwas aur bolne ka lehja samay ke sath jaldi behtar ho jaye. Baaki Aarti ko waha sath wale kamre me sukoon rehta hai aur woh darjan bhar motte motte upanyaas padhti rehti hai ya fir shaam ko Manju-Tara aur Preeti ke sath apni masti me lag jaati hai. Waise toh kal raat se tera bhi system badal gaya hai."
"Haan. Aapki khas saheli mere upar aapne jo baandh di hai. Daadi toh bahana he hai iske peeche. Renuka ko mana ke kuch taklif hai lekin aapne ek teer se kahi saare nishane laga diye hai. Main bhi bandh gaya hu, wahi Madhu bua waha ho kar bhi kuch nahi kar sakti aur jaha tak mujhe lagta hai is beech baaki sab bhi mere dayre se bahar rahenge."
"Tumhari bhalai ke liye he. Lekin main tumhare pas he hu.", Komal didi ko muskurate dekh Arjun ne unke chehre ko thaam lia. Dono bade pyaar se ek dusre ke honth choomte hue jaise is khamosh raat ka he hissa bann gaye the. Is lambe chumban ke baad dono ke chehre juda hue toh Arjun bhi uth khada hua.
"Mujhe laga tha ke tum kuch der upar rehna chahte ho, mere sath."
"Main hamesha aisa he chahta hu lekin abhi dono ko kafi samay ho gaya hai idhar. Madhuri didi aapka intjaar kar rahi hongi aur dono bua mera.", Arjun ne halke se unka ubhaar sehlate hue gaal choom lia.
"Matlab tu bhi samajhne laga hai. Atchi baat hai aur logo se jyada sawaal jawaab karne ki jarurat nahi hai filhal."
"Nischint rahiye. Menaka bahar nahi hai aur unse sawaal karke main unhe dukh nahi pahuchaunga.", Arjun apni badi behan ko hanste hue neeche jaate dekhne laga. Col sahab ke ghar ke bahar wale aangan me tehalti Viky ko dekh kar Arjun bhi muskurata hua diwar par baith gaya.
'Billi ne kaabu kia hai isko. Sahi hai jitne dur rahegi bachi rahegi.' 15 minute ke baad Arjun bhi kal wali jagah aa kar leit gaya tha. Aaj Renuka ne uski dilwai hui nighty pehani hui thi aur waisa he kuch pehne Madhu bua bed par pasri hui kaan me walkman lagaye gaane sunn rahi thi.
"So jao araam se. Aaj aapki badi behan ko koi show nahi dikhane wale hum.", Arjun ne kaan me halke se kaha aur Renuka ko seene se laga kar woh leit gaya tha. Renuka bhi ab ja kar kahi sukoon mehsoos karti uske seene me dhansi thi. Jald he mahol shant ho gaya tha.
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Muskaan aadhi raat me apne bister pe seene ke bal leti naam ke anusar he muskura rahi thi. Is band kamre me woh akeli thi lekin jaise kisi ko uska ye akelapan raas na aaya. 'Thakk-Thakk' ki halki awaaj darwaje par hote he woh khayalo se nikal kar darwaje ko dekhne lagi. Is samay jaise usko aisi koi ummeed na thi. Lekin fir se awaaj aane par jhatt khadi hoti woh darwaja khol kar dekhne lagi.
"So gai thi kya?"
"Nahi didi bas sone he lagi thi. Lekin aap itni raat me aur woh bhi bina bataye.?", Ye uski badi didi thi, us se bhi thodi lambi aur bhare sharir ki khoobsurat yuvti.
"Koi ladka bulaya hua hai kya andar jo aise pooch rahi hai."
"Nahi nahi. Andar aao aap. Aur aapko jab pata hai ke main aisa vaisa kuch nahi karti fir bhi aise sawaal.", Apni didi ke andar aate he darwaja band karti woh unhe bed par pasarte dekhne lagi. Takiya seene ke ek taraf lagati hui uski didi karwat ke bal leti Muskaan ko dekhne lagi aur khud ko sambhalti hui woh bhi study table se paani pakdane ke baad dusri taraf tek lagati si baith gai.
"Kya pata bhai duniya me kya kya hota rehta aajkal. Teri afwaahe itni hai toh socha kahi sach me he dil na kar gaya ho tumhara bhi kisi ke neeche aane ka.", Tanz karte hue woh woh muskura rahi thi.
"Shukar hai ke badnaam hu toh jyada naam kharaab hone se problem nahi hogi mujhe. Lekin log toh saadgi ka burqa pehne bhi 3-4 yaar banaye ghumte hai, kal woh badnaam na ho jaye kahi.", Muskaan ne kuch jyada he bada jawaab de dia tha woh bhi sard chehre se.
"Hahaha.. Karna padta hai meri jaan nahi toh log pyaar me kaise fansenge. Jab saadgi par mard marta hai na aur mehnat se hansil karke apna jismani pyaar dikhata hai, woh har wo baat bhi bata deta hai jo sharaab ke nashe me na keh paaye. Waise kaam hua jo dia tha?", Apni behan ki badchalni dekh kar Muskaan bhi feeki hansi hansti hui bed ke sirhane pade packet se kuch tasveer nikaal kar unki taraf karti bolne lagi.
"Jitna munasib tha utna hua aur aapka ek yaar shaheed ho gaya in 4 photo ke chakkar me."
"Photo kaise mili fir?", Uski behan ne halke gusse aur dabi awaaj me poocha. Photo par najar nahi daali thi abhi jiska matlab tha ke woh insan bhi khas tha aur yaha ek sawaal bhi.
"Photo dene ke baad bhi mara ja sakta hai. Yaha shaam ko bhi akhbar aata hai jisme uski laash baramad hone ki baat likhi thi. Photo wahi rakh gaya tha woh jaha bataya tha lekin fir woh un purani building me kya karne gaya hoga ye toh aapko jyada pata hoga mujhse.", Muskaan ka chehra thoda ajeeb aur shakk se bhara tha.
"Main aisa kyo karungi, woh bhi uske sath jis se main khud pyaar karti thi."
"Haan dikh raha hai aapka pyaar aur kitna dukhi ho aap woh bhi."
"Monti ko kitna pyaar karti hu ye main tumhe nahi batana chahti aur jab main khud ko qurbaan kar sakti hu toh Monti bhi is maksad me mera sath he de kar gaya hai.", Muskan ki didi sab kaabu kiye ab un tasveero ko dhyaan se dekhne lagi. Sabse upar Arjun ki he tasveer thi jisme peeche baithi yuvti ka chera dhaka tha. Agli tasveer me Shankar cigrettee ka kash lagate hue market ke is kone me khade the, Narinder ji aur Shankar dono ek sath khade tha jaha Narinder ki gardan dikh rahi thi. Aakhiri tasveer me fir se Arjun he tha aur uske sath khade Sanjiv ke chehre ke saamne peepal ki tehni aane se woh bhi sahi se nahi dikh raha tha.
"Bas yahi tasveere mili tumhe waha se? Monti toh keh raha tha ke usne darzan bhar photo kal he kheench liye the fir yaha sirf 4. Aur inme se 3 aaj ki hai.", Didi ab jaise Muskaan par he shakk kar rahi thi.
"Ye message tha inke sath. Aur ye khabar aap bhi dekh lo toh camera kaha hai pata chal jayega.", Muskaan ne wahi packet se ek kagah aur fir gadde ke neeche se aaj ka sandhya dainik akhbar unki taraf sarka dia.
'Baaki kal reel dhulvane ke baad. Camera print nahi de raha.' aur akhbaar me likha tha 'Kisi badi ghatna ka anjaam dene ke maksad se jasoosi kar raha sandigdh vyakti ***** chowk ke purane khandhar me mrit mila. Kabje me liye gaye camera se shehar ke khaas hisso aur vyaktio ki jaankari mili hai. Police prashashan ki taraf se poori report kal tak di jayegi.'
Ab unke chehre par hawaiyan udd rahi thi ye padhne ke baad.
"Shayad reel dhulvane he gaya hoga woh udhar. Sunday ko udhar wali he color lab hai jo khuli rehti hai. Waise kahi Monti ke pas koi diary ya number toh nahi tha aapka, purse waigarah me.?", Muskaan ki aisi baat sunn kar woh ab sach me he darr gai thi.
"Purse me meri photo thi aur shayad pata bhi jo maine bataya tha mujhse milne ke liye. Agar woh zinda rehta toh kal hum milne wale the aur fir woh Bombay chala jata wapis. Ab police ke pas mamla gaya hai toh fir mere chance bhi hai fansne ke.", Darr kya hota hai woh jaise aaj us khoobsurat chehre par pehli bar chaya tha. Lekin apni choti behan ko khilkhilate dekh kar woh hairaan ho gai.
"Sorry sorry. Waise aapko pareshan nahi karna chahti thi lekin fir soch ke dekhne me kya jata hai. Baaki photo ke sath ye aapki 2 tasveer bhi woh chodd gaya tha aur us kagaj ko pala kar bhi padh lo. 'Shabnam mujhe kuch thik nahi lag raha. Tumhari photo wapis de raha hu kyonki jab tum he meri ho toh inki jarurat nahi. Kahi mujhe kuch ho gaya toh tum par bhi musibat aa sakti hai. Hamare beech ka koi saboot ab mere pas nahi hai. Kal milte hai.'
Woh panne ke peeche likha sandesh padhte he jaise aankhon se dariya foot pada tha Shabnam ke. Kaagaj chehre par lagaye woh choomti hui rone lagi thi. Muskaan ne apni didi ko gale lagate hue thodi himmat di aur fir chehra saaf karte hue paani hontho se laga dia.
"Muskaan, is sabke badle me ab woh dono pariwar kya kya dekhne wale hai unhe bhi nahi pata. Monti ki maut ka badla ab mere irade aur majboot kar raha hai.", jakhmi naagin si woh geeli aankhon me bhi laal ho rahi thi.
"Didi, aapka gussa jayaj hai aur jaise maine kabhi aapse koi sawaal nahi kia aur hamesha jo kaha woh maan lia toh aap bhi meri baat dhyaan se suno."
"Bol. Lekin kaam ki baat honi chahiye."
"Aap kal ek baar Arjun se mil lo. Dekho isko personally mat lena par woh ladka atcha hai didi. Aapne toh kaam baad me dia tha lekin mujhe woh pehli najar me pasand aa gaya tha. Fir bhi main usko qurbaan karne ke liye aapke sath khadi rahi, beshak ektarafa pyaar hai lekin pyaar hai. Jaane se pehle aap daadi ko khatam karwa dengi toh maa ki ek itcha poori ho jayegi. Lekin Arjun nirdosh hai aur uske pariwar se kya lena dena hai woh kabhi maa ne bataya kya aapko? Aur agar itna he unhe badla lena hai apne sasural se toh fir dusri shaadi karke mujhe kyo paida kia is narak me jeene ke liye?", Chataak ki awaaj ke sath he Shabnam ne Muskaan ka gaal laal kar dia tha. Gusse se woh ghoorti rahi lekin Muskaan ko thappad khaane ke bawjood muskurate dekh badan me chintiya daudne lagi.
"Arjun sabse badi wajah hai is sabke beech. Uske baap ko nuksaan pahuchane se kuch khas nahi hone wala lekin Chandro Devi aur Arjun ki maut se dono pariwar apne aap khatam ho jayenge. Woh buddhiya mukhiya bani firti hai aur ye ladka apne ghar ki jaan. Uski tasveer aur jaankari lene he main yaha khud aai thi kyonki teri baato se pata chal gaya tha ke tu uske neeche aane wali hai, aaj nahi toh kal. Aur ye tune saabit bhi kar dia us se milne ki baat karke. Sahi baat hai ke tu mere baap ka khoon nahi hai, unka khoon kabhi giri hui baat nahi karega. Aise dushman ki tarif tujh jaisi dogali he kar sakti hai lekin main tujhe nuksaan nahi pahuchaungi.", Dimag ka santulan jaise buri tarah hill gaya tha Shabnam ka sirf Arjun ke naam se he.
"Aisa khoon mujhe bhi nahi chahiye. Bhagwaan ka shukar hai ke main dogli hui aur unse dur bhi jinme asli khoon bhara hai. Kasam khilwai thi naa aapne ke main mar jaungi lekin apne pariwar ke baare me kabi kisi ka kuch na batau toh main fir se woh dohrati hu. Aapke ya kisi ke baare me main mooh nahi kholungi lekin anjaam dekhna aap apni zidd ka aur us sati-savitri ko bhi bata dena ki baap jaal me fansa lia lekin beti ajaad hai. Na unke sath hai aur na unke dushmano ke. Arjun mujhe apni rakhail bhi banaye toh bhi khushnaseeb samjhungi khudko. Now Miss Shabnam Singh you may leave. Kamre se bhi aur zindagi se bhi.", Muskaan ne ab kahi apni awaaj unchi ki thi aur Shabnam bhi jaise tayaar he thi jaane ke liye.
"Maine koi kasam nahi khai hai yaad rakhna. Aur teri koi bhi galti ab maaf nahi hogi. Saali hai toh ek bhadve ki he aulaad toh waisi he niklegi.", Gusse se badbadati woh bahar nikal chali andhere me he aur darwaja band karne ke baad Muskaan ki aankhe jaar-jaar aansu bahane lagi. Jaane kitni he der woh waise he baithi khud ko kosti hui roti rahi aur thakk kar aakhir me farsh par he so gai. Har baar aisa toh nahi hota ke sab aapki baat ko samjhe, jo chaho woh mil jaye. Naseeb shayad insaan khud likh leta hai, kabhi galti se toh kabhi himmat se. Yaha Muskaan shayad woh abhagin thi jo pariwar se bhi dur thi aur pyaar se bhi.
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Subah takriban 4 baje ka waqt tha jab haveli ke bahar khataka sunn kar Sultaan gurrane laga aur aangan me soya Mohar Singh jaise taise ladkhadata hua darwaje tak aaya.
"Kaun hai bhai itni subah?", Darwaja kholne se pehle Sultan ka patta pakad kar usne awaaj di.
"Mama, Shabnam."
"Kholta hu beti. Chal aaja andar. Waise is bakht aane ka karyakram kaise bann gaya?", Mohar Singh ko aise ladkhadate dekh kar andar aati Shabnam ne pooch he lia.
"Mama, tabiyat thik hai kya? Kisi se ladai jhagda hua hai?"
"Arre beti mere se jhagadne wala is poore gaanv me koi nahi. Log toh tere mama se aankh milate darte hai jhagadna dur ki baat hai."
"Oh Sheikh-chilli sharam hai ke waa bhi bech khaai? Gaam me koi gaand maar ke chala gaya aur yu deeng haake hai is chhori ke syaami. Dedh, taang khullan koni laag ri ar mooh paadna band koni ho reha. Chaal beti tu bhitar chaal main chaa rakhu su.", Apni badi behan Sushila Singh ki aisi khari khotti sunn ke Mohar Singh gaanv ke langde kutte ki tarah kulho ke neeche takiya dabata fir se leit gaya. 'Bhagwan ehsi behan den se aatcha toh ek aur raand de deta jo bahar chud ke kamm te kamm ghar aur jiwan mai sukoon toh raakhti. Ya apna ghar ke chodd ke meri kundli me aa baithi, kaali naagin. Par jo bhi ho gaand toh Shabnam ki bahot suthri aur badi se. Aah.. arr meri behanchod kaun maar gaya re. Aahh.. Utha le re bhagwan us khaagad ne jo aapna khootta baad gaya meri kori dharti ke bheetar.'
"Oh Bhanvri Devi, chaa chaan de ar aade mere kamre me dede.", Andar Sushila bister par Shabnam ke sath baithi thi. Aur apni badi bhabhi ko aadesh deti fir Shabnam ki taraf dekhne lagi.
"Mausi, aap meri wajah se uthi ho ya roj is waqt he uthti ho?"
"Neend kaha aati hai beti. Bas sharir ka bojh kam karne ke liye pasar jaati hu. Tu bata itni savere kaise aana ho gaya? Woh bhi yaha ghar pe?"
"Mausi apne he dagabaaj ho jaye toh fir kaha jaye? Pehle toh soch rahi thi ki Delhi nikal jau lekin idhar ke kaam dhyaan aate he soch ke yahi ek din bita ke fir samay se pehle kaam nibta du."
"Kisne daga kar dia tere sath? Teri mausi ka waqt badla jarur hai lekin bacho ke liye ab bhi 1-2 ka seena paad sakti hai. Tu tension na le aur jabtak rehna hai yaha reh."
"Muskaan pakad se nikal gai mausi aur aise waqt pe jab kaam ko anjaam dena tha. Main toh soche baithi thi ki sab nibta ke hawa ho jaungi aur fasegi woh dogli he. Lekin woh peeche hatt gai aur raat me bahar 2 ghante bitane ke baad main idhar chali aai."
"Muskaan toh aisi na thi. Jitna woh chupchap kar gai utna hum log na kar sake. Khair jo hua so hua, kuch pata laga Shankar ke beej ka?", Sushila mudde ki baat par aa gai thi baaki sab darkinar karte hue.
"Ye raha woh ladka, ab iska kaam aapne karwana hai aur aapki saas ko upar main bhejungi bas Bheem ab koi pareshani na kar de. Maa ne toh pehle he keh dia hai ke aap bano mukhiya unhe bas is kaam se matlab hai. Baaki paise mere waha jaate he aapko mil jayenge.", Sushila gor se photo dekh rahi thi is ladke ki jo kitna masoom aur dil ko bhaane wala tha.
"Pakka yahi hai woh?"
"Haan, yahi hai woh. Arjun naam hai iska aur Muskaan ki tarah stadium me he practice ke liye jata hai. Isko pyaar karne lagi hai woh dogli."
"Koi poori tasveer hai iski?"
"Haan mausi is wali me dekho ye raha aur dusre ka chehra chipp gaya hai.", Sanjiv ke sath wali tasvir dekh kar Sushila soch me he doob gai.
"Kya hua mausi?"
"Pehli wali me toh masoom si surat dikh rahi thi lekin lamba-chauda aur waise he ghungrale baal. Munni agar Shankar par marti thi toh fir Muskaan ka ispe marna jayaj he hai. Aur itne pyaare ladke ko maarne me taklif toh mujhe bhi hogi.", Sushila ki kutil muskaan chipp na saki.
"Maarne ke chakkar me chudwa mat lena mausi.", Sushila Shabnam ki aisi baat par bhi waise he muskurati rahi.
"Arre beta ye shehari kabootar dikhta hai Shankar jaisa lekin teri mausi us bagad-bille ke haath na lagi toh ye fir bhi balak hai. Haan tera dil kare toh le lio iska. Ab ek maje ki baat sunn jara tu bhi.", Sushila ne aankh dabate hue kaha.
"kaisi maje ki baat?"
"Bheem paagal ho chuka hai Menaka ki lene ke liye aur usko shehar me apni rakhail bana ke rakhne ki tamanna hai uski. Usko jimme lagaya tha Rameshwar ke pariwar par najar bithaye rakhne ke liye aur jaanti hai usne kya kia hai?"
"Matlab mujhe bataye bina bhi waha najar rakhi ja rahi thi? Mausi aapne toh ye baat mujhe na bataai.", Sushila apni chori pakde jaane par bhi khaas tarike se hansti hui jaise jaahir kar rahi ho ke woh toh Shabnam ka he kaam kar rahi thi. Lekin Shabnam kya jaanti thi ki idhar ek alag he shatranj bithaye baithi hai uski mausi.
"Tum ho jawaan-garam khoon beta. Humko karna padta hai intjaar, hum boodhe log shikaar ke peeche nahi bhaag sakte na. Poori baat sunn ab. Menaka bidak gai hai aur wajah hai Arjun Sharma. Matlab ab sahi samay hai is ladke ko gherne ka. Bhim isko maarna chahta hai, tera bhi wahi iraada hai aur mera toh dil hai ke Bijender is ladke ka dil nikaal kar Rameshwar ke hath me pakda ke aaye. Mohar Singh ko bhanak na lagne dio nahi toh woh chutiya kaam bigaad dega."
"Aapne ye kaise karne ka socha hai? Dekhna kia karaya kharaab na ho jaye kuch aisi waisi harkat se.", Shabnam abhi jaise nischint na tha.
"Menaka isko musibat me dekh ke toh niklegi na ghar se? Aur ye Menaka se pyaar karta ho ya na karta ho lekin Rameshwar ka khoon hai toh agar Menaka musibat me hogi toh jarur aayega aur akele he aayega. Par wapis nahi jayega. Bijender ko tayaar kia tha Shankar ka saamna karne ke liye lekin utna toh na hua woh fir bhi isko jameen me dafna sakta hai. Bheem bhi Bheem hai aur Menaka ke liye woh pehle he iski jaan ka dushman bana hua hai. Aaj khulwati hu fir bypas wala godaam aur kal Rameshwar ko uska pehla tohfa diya jaye.", Sushila ka chehra badle ki aag se pehli baar laal hua tha. Jaise woh sach me he khoon pee chuki ho apne dushman ka.
"Mausi, aap waha maujud rehna aur main tabtak saamne nahi aane wali jabtak dono kaam nahi ho jate."
"Tujhe bhi sab dikhaungi aur fir teri marji hai ke samne aa kar dekhe ya fir chupchap band kamre se dekh kar nikal jaye. Ab tu araam kar aur main jara chakkar laga aau nohre ka.", Shabnam ko araam karne ka keh kar woh bahar nikal chali aur Shabnam apne aap se kehne lagi, 'Jaanti hu raand tu bhi kitna soche baithi hai lekin tu purani hogi khiladi par Shabnam tere bhi par kaategi waqt aane pe.' In dono ko bas ye khabar na thi ki inki baatein koi aur bhi sunn chuka hai jo ab saari soochna aage pahuchane wala tha.
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"Itni savere tum university me? Baat toh shaam ko milne ki hui thi."
"Mujhe laga tha ke shayad humko thoda jaldi milna chahiye. Kai baar sab samay se nahi hota."
"Haan thik kia tumne jo khud aa gaye. Udhar chalo waha hum bina najro me aaye baat kar sakte hai."
"Baith jao peeche."
"Waise tumhe kitni der hui yaha khade hue?"
"Ek ghanta ho he gaya hoga lekin jaanta tha ke tum idhar jarur aati ho 5 baje, aaj saadhe 5 baje he sahi."
"Mujhe tumse woh sab nahi chahiye ab."
"Lekin ab mujhe chahiye."