800 pages poore hone par dher sari badhaiyan or shubhkamnaye??
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Update 109
Berang Indradhanush
Saal 2010
Parivartan he niyati hai aur jo parivartan sehan nahi kar paate unka wajood nahi rehta. Kya har parivartan jaruri hota hai? Parivartan bewajah hona bhi prakriti ka wajood mita sakta hai. Aisa insaan toh aksar karte hai aur wajah bhi yahi hai jhoota wajood dikhane ki ya wajood mitane ki. Duniya kis teji se badal rahi hai is parivartan ka najara kar raha ye shakhs kuch der tak bas har taraf yahi dekh raha tha. Anjaan na tha woh is jagah se lekin ab dono ki pehchaan badal chuki thi. Shehar ki bhi aur insaan ki bhi.
Hath me pakde Sony Xperia aadhunik phone par likha kuch padhte hue woh sadak ke us paar chal dia. Kabhi hariyali se bharpoor raha ye shehar ab caro ke kafile se abaad tha. Sadke waisi he saaf aur chaudi jaisi yaad thi, ghane peid aaj bhi sadak ke dono taraf the bas imarato ka jungle kahi jyada vistaar le chuka tha jiske saamne ye vriksho ki kataar bas maheen lakir bhar thi. Koi raees sector tha ye is shehar ka jaha is bade school ke saamne sadak ke is paar ye vyakti kalai par bandhi ghadi me samay dekhne ke sath he phone par lagi tasvir bhi nihar raha tha. Najar kabhi ghadi, kabhi phone aur fir sadak ek us paar school ke bade gate par ghoom rahi thi.
Abhibhavako ki gaadiya gate se kahi pehle bani badi parking me rukne lagi. Mehngi desi-videsi car aur atche susajjit abhibhavak intjaar kar rahe the apne masoom bacho ka aur ye yuvak sab bhualye ab bas dwaar par najar jamaye tha. Duniya ki najro se khud ko chipaye jaane woh kiska intjaar kar raha tha. Chehre par daadhi bhi uttejjana chhipane me asamarth thi lekin ekaek jaise uski aankhon me jamane bhar ka noor aa gaya.
Ye laal rang ki Audi A4 alag he rob se thik gate ke saamne aa ruki aur driver side ka sheesha niche hone par bhoore 'aviator' lagaye ye dilkash yuvti ka chehra dekh yuvak ke sakht chehre par jo dilkash muskaan aai thi woh batane ko bahut thi ki uske saamne jamane bhar ki daulat ye luta sakta tha. Darwaje se bache aane lage the aur unki surksha ke liye sath he mahila shikshak bhi. Yuvti ki najar bhi wahi thi aur ek khoobsurat mahila hath thaame 3 saal ke bache ko car ki taraf le kar aai toh yuvak ki dhadkan jaise ruk si gayi thi.
'Meri jaan...', apne aap he mooh se nikal gaya us gulabi chehre, bhoore ghungrale baalo aur waisi he aankhon wale bache ko dekh kar. Woh bhaagna chahta tha uski taraf, apne hatho me utha kar seene se lagana chahta tha is bache ko fir najar us yuvti par gayi jo chasma utaar kar muskurati hui bahar nikli. Bhoore baal, balkhati kamar aur kudrat ka har khajana samete hue bhi kuch toh tha jo woh bhi jhooti muskaan liye apne bache ki shikshika se milne lagi. Woh bacha bhi seene se ja laga apni maa ke aur car ka darwaja woh shikshika kholti hui baatein karne lagi. Bacha andar baitha aur is taraf se yuvti car ki taraf badhne lagi lekin najar saamne sadak paar khade yuvak par jaate he sab bhulakar woh is aur he teji se aane lagi. Car saamne aane se ek pal ruki lekin itna samay bahot tha dusri car me is yuvak ke nikalne ke liye.
Koi nahi tha is taraf lekin woh chalti hui is vriksh ke pas aa ruki. Jaane kya adrishya cheej uski khoobsurat aankhen dhoond rahi thi. Vriksh ki daal ek jagah se jaise bahut pehle toot chuki thi, sookhi tikhi lakdi par laga taja khoon bata raha tha ke waha wahi insaan tha jisko usne dekha tha. Ye bhram na tha aur khoon par ungli firate hue uski aankhon me shabnam se boonde chalak aai.
'Ho gaya na jo hona tha jaan. Kisi aur ki galti ki saja tumne itni badi kar di jo apne dil ko bhi nikaal fenka. Bas karo satana please, tum zinda ho.', Nirantar rone par woh gulabi chehra kajal ki kalikh se maila hone laga aur idhar wahi adhyapika peeche aa khadi hui.
"Are you fine Mrs Gaur? Abhi is waiting for you.", Turant he chehra saaf karti woh palti toh in adhyapika ke chehre par bhi thodi pareshani chaa gayi.
"I'm alright Shalini. Just saw something stange here and this blood. Thank you I'm taking Abhi home.", Awaaj aisi thi jo dil par asar karti lekin aankhon ke niche halke kaale ghere bhi bahot kuch keh rahe the.
"Ye blood nahi hai, iski wajah se pareshan ho gayi aap. Grill paint hui hai toh kisi ne yaha bhi ye gira dia hoga.", Shalini ke chehre ke bhaav samanya ho gaye the aur is yuvti ne dekha toh vriksh ke peeche bane park ki is chardiwari par mehroon paint kia gaya tha. Uske saamne swabhavik hoti woh wapis car ki taraf chal di. Beta andar baitha hath me kuch pakde hue tha.
"Abhi ye kisne dia aapko?", Seat par baithte he yuvti ne turant woh packet bache se le lia.
"Ye toh khulta he ni mom.", Apni meethi awaaj me mosoom shakal banata wo dono nanhe hath viprit disha me karta jawaab dene laga. Yuvti ne jhijhakte hue packet par lagi pardashi tape hatai aur andar dekha toh ye jaise uski he rooprekha bani thi kaale rang se, kahi jyada jawaan aur khoobsurat. Aankhon me fir se paani bhar aaya lekin bete ke saamne dard rokna bhi jaruri tha.
"Woh baba uncle the mom. Kissi di, gift bhi aur chale gaye.", Yuvti ne apni ungli par vriksh se laga rang dekha jo gayab hone ke baad peeche rakht ka gulabi nishan chhod gaya tha.
"Woh baba uncle nahi the Abhi. Papa the tumhare.", Apne bete ke dono gaalo ko choom kar jaise woh pakka kar rahi thi ki haan wahi vyakti tha jisko uski najre dhoond rahi thi. Bache ko seatbelt se surakshit karti woh fir se chasma lagati gear daal kar car aage badha chali. Raftar batate meter ke pas rakha mehnga phone dusri baar baja tha lekin woh is waqt shayad kisi se bhi baat nahi karna chahti thi. Fir bhi woh masoom ki awaaj sunn kar car dheemi karti usko dekhne lagi.
"Mom, papa turban pehante hai. Main bhi pehnunga school me.", Awaaj utni bhi saaf nahi thi lekin pyaari bahot thi. Angrezi ke shabdo par ladkhadana bhi bache ko kahi jyada masoom banata tha.
"Papa turban nahi pehante beta, woh aapko surprise dene ke liye aise aaye the. Next time aaye toh unhe bata dena ke aap ne unhe pehchan lia hai.", Yuvti ne pyaar se bache ka sar sehlaya aur is thandi sadak par gaadi utaar di. Bade bade ghar lekin sadak sunsaan. 'Tere baap ko hath chadhne de beta, taange todd dungi main unki. Itna tang karte hain na' ek manjila kothi ke bahar gaadi khadi karke horn bajaya toh ghar ki aaya ne andar se aate hue darwaja khola aur uske sath he peeche nanha sa rottweiler pilla bhi hilta dulta aa khada hua. Aaya ne hanste hue pille ko goad me lia aur car andar aa ruki.
"Aunty, Bono mere pas aana chahta hai.", Car se bahar aate he bacha aaya ki taraf daud gaya. Teeno andar chale gaye aur band car me ab ye yuvti foot foot kar rone lagi thi. Yaha usko rokne wala ab koi nahi tha, tasvir ko choomti hui woh bas 'I love you' aur 'wapis aa jao' kahe ja rahi thi. Koi hota toh aata....
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Wahi is bahumanjila rihayashi imarat kisi manjil par ye ek aakarshak 4 kamre ka gharonda tha jaha hall me baithe us lambe sardar yuvak ke hath par uska dost patti bandh raha tha. Table par rakha mehngi sharab se bhara gilas niharta ye sardar is bahari dard se dur muskura raha tha.
"Tu madarchod marr jayega kisi din. Halat kya bana rakhi hai aur tu sardar kab bann gaya sale.? Apne baare me kuch batayega ya hamesha ki tarah rehasya bana firega? Behanchod kaha rehta hai, kab aata hai kab jaata hai kuch nahi pata. Hafte me dusri baar tu yaha aane ke baad bata raha hai ke pahuch gaya. Bhai hath jodta hu khud ko sambhal le yara, sabki zindagi sanwarne wale ki aisi halat ab dekhi nahi jaati.", Dost ki baat seedha dil se nikal rahi thi aur ye yuvak us sharaab me baraf ke tukde bharta jaise shunya me tha.
"Maa chuda saale. Tere se toh kuch kehna he bekaar hai. Halat sudhaar le teri bhabhi aane wali hogi, daru se nahi rok raha lekin huliya thik kar.", Badbadata hua woh aakarshak yuvak kameej ki aasteen upar chadata ek kamre ko khol kar andar bane bathroom me toliya aur almari se kapde nikal kar rakhne laga. Bahar aaya toh uska dost sar pe pehni pagdi ijjatt se utaar kar unchi almari par rakh raha tha. Sharaab ka gilas liye woh tayaar bathroom me aa ghusa.
'Mere bhai tu bata ke toh dekh main jaan luta dunga tere liye. Tera khokhlapan dil me darr de raha hai. Ek baar tu fir se waisa bann ja na mere bhai, bhagwan tu he kuch kar.', Uske jaane ke baad dost ki aankhon me paani aa gaya tha. Uska dost nahate hue bhi sharaab pee raha tha aur ye bina kuch kiye uske liye aansu baha raha tha. 5 minute baad ghanti bajne par toliye se mooh saaf karta ye darwaja kholne chal dia.
"Abeer, tum is waqt ghar pe kaise? Chalo atcha hua ke tumhare pas aaj mere liye time toh hai.", Teekhe nain-naksh aur gadraye sharir wali ye mahila bhi badi dilkash thi. Gale ka mangalsutra aur maang me sindoor bata raha tha ke woh Abeer ki ardhangni he hai.
"Woh.... main keh raha tha..", Abeer baat karte karte atakne laga toh Nandita ne table par rakhi unki saheji hui videshi sharab ki bottle dekh li. Chehre par koi galat bhaav nahi aaye.
"Woh woh kya kar rahe ho? Atcha hai na ke tumhara jodidar hamare ghar aaya hai. Shaadi ke baad 2 baar he milna hua lekin tumhari baatein itna bata chuki hai ke is ghar me hamare alawa kisi ke liye jagah hai toh woh uske liye he hai. Main fresh ho kar lunch dekhti hu tum jara Majnu ko company do.", Aankh maarti hui woh apne pati ka gaal choomti andar chali gayi aur Abeer dhamm se sofe par pasar gaya.
"Ye bangalan itna kuch samajh jaati hai lekin kahi gudd-gobar he na ho jaye is Majnu ki wajah se. Bacha lena upar wale.", Pareshani me woh bas bar bar bhagwan ko he yaad kar raha tha aur idhar uska dost geele baal aur daadhi ke sath khali gilas liye nange paanv chalta hua uski bagal me aa baitha.
"Oye murkhanand. Meri biwi bhi aa gayi hai ghar aur tu agla jaam bana raha hai. Roti kha le fir bottle khatam kar dio.", Aate he jaam banate dekh Abeer upar taur par he tokne laga.
"Nahi pilani toh koi baat nahi. Main chalta hu konsa duniya me sharaab ki kami hai. Pyaar hota toh baat alag hoti.", Abeer uski baat sunn kar khijta hua apne liye bhi jaam banane laga.
"Tu madarchod hai, tha aur rahega. Behanchod 6 saal ho gaye maine din me daaru nahi pee aur tu is ek he hafte me mujhe dusri baar din me talli karne wala hai."
"Kaun talli kar raha hai meri jaan ko? Aur janaab aapse humko bahot shikayat hai. Sirf apne dost se mil kar nikal gaye pichli baar, bhabhi ko bhula dia.", Nandita ek dheeli lambi skirt aur kamar tak ka chust top pehne unke pas chali aai. Yuvak khada hua toh woh uske gale lag kar mili apni shikayat kehti. Table par ab teesre gilas me jaam bann raha tha.
"Sorry bhabhi, kaam ki wajah se jana pada. Isliye aaj us din ki bharpai karne rukk gaya. Shikayat jamane bhar ko hai mujhse lekin aapki toh hal kar he sakta hu.", Halki khushi chehre par dher sara dard seene me dafan kiye is yuvak ne paanv chhune ki koshish ki toh Nandita peeche ho gayi.
"Itni boodhi matt karo mujhe, maan lia badi hu lekin rishtey me chhoti hu. Waise sach kahu toh bahot bura laga tha jaan kar us haadse ke baare me. Lekin tumhe koshish karni hogi apni zindagi ko ek disha dene ki. Mere liye ya apne dost ke liye na sahi lekin Inayat ke liye toh itna kar sakte ho. Ek baar tumne he kaha tha ke sab khatam hona bas dikhava hai Nandita, akela Abeer tumhe poora pariwar dega. Maine tumhari baat maan li thi aur tumne poora sath dia hum dono ka. Aaj meri baat par bas gor karke dekho.", Nandita ne uska hath thaam kar jis apnepan se ye kaha woh yuvak bina kuch bole bas gardan haan me hilate hue Nandita ke barabar he sofe par baith gaya. Apne hath se gilas yuvak ko pakdane ke baad bina jaam takraye teeno ne halka ghoont lia.
"Darling, apne devar ko aaj karari bhindi toh bana kar khilao. Hamesha yahi college me tumhara dia khana kha jata tha."
"Kyon nahi. Bhindi bhi aur jeere wale aalu bhi banaungi. Kam se kam mere devar ko mere hath ka khana toh pasand hai. Tumhari tarah ye office se khana wapis leke toh nahi aata.", Agle kuch samay tak koi bhi dukhbhari baat nahi kahi thi kisi ne lekin 2 jaam ke baad yuvak ne apni bhabhi ka hath thaam lia.
"Aaj main Abhi se mila tha bhabhi.", Aur chehre par fir se dard aa gaya.
"Tumne atcha kia jo kadam bhadaya aakhirkar. Woh chhota hai aur abhi maa ke sath usko apne baap ki bhi jarurat hai. Jara socho kaise dhyaan rakhti hogi woh akeli us masoom ka? Main bhi kabhi akeli maa thi aur is duniya ko main jaanti hu. Tum toh fir bhi zinda ho aur aapas me itna pyaar hai tum dono ke. Inayat bhi Abhi ki maa ko he maa samajhti hai. Dono bache ek he maa ke sath hai toh ab unhe baap ka pyaar bhi do.", Nandita ne hath dabate hue yuvak ko jaise haunsla dia.
"Aapko kya lagta hai main jana nahi chahta apne ghar? Ab wahi toh hain mere pas jo baaki hai. Lekin ek insaan se hajaro sawaal poochne hai aur dusri taraf main is baat se bhi darta hu ke jaise meri parchai baaki sabko kha gayi kahi ye dono bache bhi anaath na ho jaye."
"Samay sab thik kar dega devar ji. Tumhara koi kasoor nahi hai. Jaha tak main jaanti hu tumhare pas abhi bhi poora pariwar hai, bikhra jaroor hai lekin kahi na kahi sabhi hain toh duniya me. Aur jo ja chuke hai unke liye tum kahi jimmewar nahi ho. Khud ko dosh dena band karo aur wapis sameto apne sansar ko. Inayat ki ek maa ke jaane ke baad uske pas dusri abhi bhi hai. Bas tum he nahi ho. Kya aise ruswa karoge apne pehle pyaar ki aakhiri nishani ko? Sochne se bas samay niklega aur wahi toh kam padd jata hai zindagi me.", Nandita ne un aankhon ko table par rakhe tissue se saaf kia aur bottle utha kar almari me rakh kar rasoi me chali gayi.
"Dono fresh ho jao, sabji tayaar hai. Main sabke fulke (roti) sath he bana rahi hu.", Nandita ke itna kehne par Abeer ne ciggrette sulga li.
"Band kar de ye maut peeni.", Yuvak ne khade hote hue apne dost ko halke gusse me kaha.
"Is se jyada aag tere seene me jalti rehti hai, har waqt. Band kar de khud ko jalana. Kar sakta hai?"
"Haan kar sakta hu. Pehle samajh nahi aa raha tha ke satrangi zindagi berang kyo ho gayi. Ab is jalte kaale dil ko na safed baadal sa banaya toh mera naam badal dena. Indradhanush waisa he hota hai na Abeer? Prism between tha darkest to the lightest. Safar fir se shuru kar dia hai maine aur is bar Shankar Sharma ko bhi wahi dard milega jo itne saalo se main liye ghoom raha tha. Lekin main bahar nikal aaya hu aur woh andar jaane wale hain.", Itna kehta hua woh yuvak ek bharpoor urja liye us kamre ki taraf chal dia jaha se naha kar aaya tha dedh ghanta pehle.
'Balle Shera, saala sab badla lekin iski ye chaal aur sharir kahi jyada nikhar gaya hai. Welcome back to this beautiful world my brother. Welcome back.', Apne dost ko fir se zinda mehsoos karte he Abeer ne cigrette katori me bujha di.
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Saal 1998
University se ghar aane par jaha Priyanka didi apne aur Aarti ke kagaj sambhal kar file ke sath bag me rakhne kamre me chali gayi wahi Arjun aate he fridge se paani nikal kar peene laga. Dopahar ke 12 baj rahe the aur abhi unke pas bas kuch he ghante baaki the is shehar me. Aarti didi bhi kamre me ghar ke kapde pehan ne ja chuki thi. Idhar paani pee kar bottle wapis rakhi he thi ki Gurdeep hall ka darwaja kholti andar aa gayi.
"Thank you so much Arjun. Tumhe bebe bula rahi hai aur mere sath he chalna hoga.", Arjun ne abhi mooh-hath bhi na dhoya tha aur ye maharani farmaan liye khadi hui. Aarti didi dheela sa pajama aur tshirt pehne kamre se aai toh un dono ko he dekhne lagi. Arjun abhi bhi fridge ke he pas khada tha aur Gurdeep bahar wale darwaje ke.
"Saans toh le lia karo kabhi. Chalo main bhi chalti hu aunty ke pas.", Aarti didi ne hanste hue Arjun ka hath thama aur usko liye Gurdeep ke ghar aa gayi. Resham Singh ji ne bhi ghar saaf-suthra aur bagiche ke sath he banaya tha. Aaj din me he unki car ghar me khadi thi. Teeno galiyare se hote hue darwaje se hall me aaye toh Sardar ji ne aate he Arjun ko seene se laga lia. Barabar he Gurdeep ki mata ji bhi aa khadi hui aur Arjun ke sar par hath ferti bhavuk ho gayi. Kuch pal aise rehne ke baad Sardarji alag hue toh unke chehre par sukoon tha.
"Tumhari maa bhi bahot bhaago wali hai puttar ji. Aisa beta paida kia aur parvarish di hai ke unko naman karta hu. Mera ghar abaad kar dia beta ji tumne yaha aane ke ek he din me.", Sardar ji ne dono hath jode toh Arjun ne unke hath pakad liye.
"Kyo paap laga rahe hai uncle? Aap pita samaan hai aur itni chhoti si baat par aisa karna atchi baat nahi. Aap logo ka pyaar he wajah hai Ritinder bhaiya ke sambhalne ke peeche. Thode samay ke liye woh bhool gaye the bas aur bacha gali me ghoom kar wapis ghar he aata hai.", Arjun ne muskurate hue kaha aur Aarti didi khud he usko pakad kar sofe par le aai. Baaki sabhi bhi wahi aamne saamne baith gaye.
"Puttar ji, dil rakhne ke liye ab jo bhi keh do lekin jo hum nahi kar paaye woh tumne kar dia. Shikshak ka darja toh maa-baap se bhi upar he hota hai. Ricky ne khud he kaha ke us se galti ho gayi aur tumne hume badi musibat se bacha lia."
"Uncle ji ab aap ye sab le kar baith gaye. Maine toh suna tha ke punjab me swagat lassi-doodh se hota hai.", Arjun ne vartalap ko alag disha me le jaate hue mehman-nawaji ki taraf modd dia.
"Baitho beta, main leke aati hu. Khushi me bhool he gayi thi ke bacha pehli baar ghar me aaya hai.", Aunty rasoi me gayi toh Gurdeep bhi unke sath he chal di. Kankhiyo se Arjun ko dekhna abhi bhi jari tha.
"Waise Krishna ne bataya tha ke tumhari mata ji badi honhar aur suljhi hui mahila hai. Bahot pehle he main unse mila tha lekin Shankar ji se milna hota raha hai saal-6 mahine me. Shayad unki he parwarish hai beta jo tum aise bann gaye ho. Aaj bhai bhai ko nahi poochta lekin tumhare pariwar me jaise ye bhavna khoon me he hain."
"Haan maa bahot khayal rakhti hai uncle mera lekin woh galtiyan nahi nikalti. Uske liye mere dada-daadi aur dher sari behne pehle se he tyaar rehti hai. Waise galtiyan main bhi bahot karta hu lekin woh shayad utni badi nahi hoti ke dikhai de. Chhota bhi hu toh gharwale dhyaan nahi dete. Waise ek baat kehni thi agar aapki ijajat ho.", Arjun ne apni baat poori kehne se pehle poochna thik samjha.
"Beta ji nischint ho kar kaho. Hamare yaha dil bade hote hai ghar se bhi.", Uncle ji ne hanste hue jawaab dia.
"Aap sabhi koshish kia karo ek sath rehne ki, samay bitane ki. Mere dadaji ke sath mere papa aur baaki sab yahi karte hai. Kai baar ek dusre ki baat se sehmati nahi bhi hoti lekin woh fir bhi sath rehte hai, hal nikalte hai aur sukh se jyada jarurat ke waqt ek dusre ka dhyaan rakhte hai. Dada ji papa ke dost ki tarah hai, chacha aur papa toh jaise ek he hain aur chachi maa ke sath meri maa bhi rishtey se adhik judi hui hai. Aarti didi ko koi ye nahi kehta ke woh kinki beti hai, ye bhi Ritu-Alka didi ki tarah bas mere dada ji ke sansaar ka atoot hissa hai. Ritinder bhaiya me bete ke sath aapko aur bhi kuch jarur mil jayega. Aunty bhi aise me sabke saath rehne par akelapan nahi mehsoos karengi.", Idhar aunty lassi ke 4 gilas lekar aai aur unke sath he Gurdeep plate me namkeen-meetha la kar table pe rakhti hui Aarti ki bagal me baith gayi.
"Bache bade hone par hum sampark kamjor kar lete hai. Meri umar aisi baat karne ki ijajat nahi deti lekin aap log ek dusre ko samay denge toh kabhi kisi Arjun ko shabshi nahi deni padegi. Main toh mere dadaji ke pyaar ko jyada paane ke liye bagiche me maali bann ne ke sath sath aisa koi mauka nahi chhodta jisme woh akele ho.", Arjun ne baat khatam karne ke sath he bhool-chook ke liye hath jodte hue maanfi maangi toh aunty ji ne usko seene se laga lia.
"Beta kuch galat nahi kaha tumne. Ye gurughar ke baad samay se pehle tayaar ho kar kaam pe chale jaate hai, shaam ko aane ke baad main chai de kar duty khatam samajh leti hu aur inke hote hue bhi tv chala kar baith jati hu. Ricky ko pehle har waqt saamne rakhte the, deepi bhi inke aur mere peeche lagi rehti thi. Bas anjaane me he band ghar me sabke kamre alag hote hote ye duriya aa gayi. Jimmewari ke naam par bacho ko bhi bhul gaye aur ek dusre ko bhi."
"Sach kehti ho aap daarni ji. Beta baat tumne badi kahi lekin bina chott pahuchaye aaina dikha dia. Mere bacho ko ab sirf cheeje nahi milengi, woh mere sath jaya karenge aur main bhi pehle atcha murga bana leta tha, tumhari aunty ko pasand tha toh ab fir se khush karne ki koshish karunga."
"Toh is baat par lassi se mooh meetha karo.", Arjun ne ek gilas uncle ki taraf badhaya toh Gurdeep ne apni mata ji ko aankhen dikhai.
"Tujhe kya hu deepi?", Uncle ne jaise poocha woh fataak se bol padi
"Maine kaha tha bebe se lassi meethi banao, inhone namkeen bana di toh mooh meetha nahi namkeen hoga. Dekh lo bebe Arjun meethi lassi peeta hai.", Woh radio fir se chalu ho gaya tha.
"Bandariya, barfi padi hai table par. Dimag me papa se teil dalwaya kar, chalne lagega.", Ricky andar se tayaar ho kar aaya aur Gurdeep se chuhal karne ke baad apni maa se ja lipta, jo chote sofe par baithi thi.
"Tu maar khayega mere hath se agar bandariya bola toh. Apni shakal dekh jara tikki-chhole jaisi.", Gurdeep ki kahawat dekh Arjun bhi hansne laga aur baaki sab khush the in bhai behno ko aise dekh kar.
"Waise Gurdeep ko khaane ka itna shauk hai ke misaal bhi apni he pasand se tayaar karti hai?", Arjun ke itna kehte he Gurdeep ka mooh fool gaya.
"Bhai ye toh papa bhi bata denge, model town me Chur-mur wala dekhte he khush ho jata hai Deepi ko, 100 ke tikki golgappe akele kha jaati hai hamari bholi begam. Papa ne toh iski shaadi ki baat bhi us rehdi wale se ki thi. Wahi bechara darr gaya. Ek toh ye itni motti woh mariyal sa upar se jitne ka samaan bikega us se jyada ye kha jayegi.", Ricky ki peeth par dhol padte he woh apne papa ko dekhne laga jo hans bhi rahe the aur jhoota gussa dikha rahe the.
"Bas karo bhai, woh bhadak gayi toh fir tum hafta kamre me chehre par tape lagate firoge. Meri beti apne baap ka khaati hai aur usko koi kuch nahi kahega.", Resham Singh ji ki baat sunn kar bholi begam Ricky ko angutha dikhane lagi. Usko bhi maloom na tha ke papa bhi majaak uska he udaa rahe the. Kuch der baatein hui aur sabko he atcha lag raha tha is badle hue mahol me shamil hone par. 1 bajte he Arjun ne ijajat li ghar par baaki bache kaam karne ke liye. Unhone dopahar ke khaane ke liye rokna chaha lekin jaise taise unhe mana kar Aarti Arjun unse jaane se pehle milne ka bol kar bahar aa gaye.
"Main bhi wahi jaa rahi hu, khana Priyanka ke sath he kha lungi.", Gurdeep unse pehle he bahar bhaag chali. Apni beti ko bhi hansta khelta dekh mia-biwi ke sath Ricky bhi khush tha. Andar jaate hue woh apne papa se kehne laga.
"Woh main keh raha tha papa ke yamaha bech dete hai. Kaam ki nahi hai kuch aur average toh 15 ki deti hai. College toh dono ke he khatam ho gaye hai hamare, mere re-exam dene aapke sath chala jaya karunga. Yahi job bhi dekh lunga uske baad."
"Gaadi tere liye he li hai beta, tu he office chhod dia kar mujhe, lene aayega toh thik nahi dost mere bhi hai. Apni maa ke sath reh aur bas padhai kar. Job nahi karni abhi deepi ki shaadi tak."
"Papa, woh Deepi ki shaadi bua ke kehne par pakki toh kar di lekin ladka usko pasand hai ya nahi ye toh pooch lena chahiye tha.", Ricky ne najre jhukaye apni behan ke prati itne samay baad chinta jahir ki toh Resham Singh ji ne uski peeth thapthapa di.
"Anguthi thodi badli hai shera. Jaha woh chahegi kar denge lekin tu na apni sehat pe dhyaan de aur apni maa ka khayaal rakh. Bade time baad uska beta yaha sabke sath dikha hai toh aaj he woh saal bhar ka khana bana rahi hai tere liye.", Muskurata hua Ricky apni maa ke peeche lipat gaya.
"Bebe, kuch nahi banana. Aap shakkar daal ke choori bana do bas.", Maa ki aankhon me ab woh aansu challak aaye jo kabse woh roke hue thi.
"Maaf kar dena beta agar mujhse koi andekhi hui ho."
"Bebe dil maine dukhaya hai aur ro aap rahi ho. Aaj na aapko main bade gurughar leke jaunga, aapki badi itcha thi na jaane ki toh hum dono he chalenge shaam ko. Kya pata waheguru ji meri maa ko kaunsi nayi khushiya de de itne maade din dekhne ke baad."
"Tu na sachmuch meri jaan hai beta.", Woh mudd kar apne bete ke seene se lag gai thi. Idhar pados ke ghar me alag he mahol tha.
Hall me Priyanka didi ke sath 4 yuvtiya baithi thi sofe par aur ghar ke bahar he zen car 2 scooty khadi thi. Gurdeep toh jaate he unme shamil ho gayi, uski bhi saheliya thi woh aur Aarti bhi sabse mil kar unke liye thanda banane chali gayi rasoighar me. Reh gaya Arjun jo andar se aati awaaje sunn kar aangan me he thithak gaya. Itni sari anjaan ladkiyo se najre milana uske bas ka nahi tha. Abhi woh wapis bahar jaane ka vichar he kar raha tha ke pichle bagiche se chalti Jasleen uske paas aa ruki.
"Kya baat hero, yaha khade pehra de rahe ho?", Hatho me 2 amrood liye woh muskura rahi thi. Sharir par wahi rangeen kapde the jo canteen me dekhe the.
"Nahi, woh main peeche garden me he jaa raha tha. Aapke kadmo ki aahat se ruk gaya dekhne ke liye ki koi pehle se udhar hai shayad.", Jawaab dete na bana toh Jasleen par he baat ghuma di thi usne.
"Chalo yar andar, waha badi umas hai. Waise ruko, bagiche me he chalte hai. Ye amrood thode sakht hai lekin pas the isliye todd liye. Tum mere liye upar wale pake hue amrood todd he sakte ho.", Jasleen ko ab woh na mana kar sakta tha aur na woh uske sath jana chahta tha. Pehle he Aarti didi ke saamne Gurdeep wali baat par woh khud ko dosh de raha tha aur ye ladki ab nayi musibat paida kar rahi thi.
"Aap umas me pareshan hongi, main todd lata hu aapke liye.", Arjun ne kadam udhar galiyare me badha diye lekin Jasleen mooh tedha karti hui uske peeche he chal di. Woh mann banaye hue thi jaise ki Arjun ka peecha nahi chhodna. Is taraf aate he Arjun bas ye hariyali dekhne laga jo uski chachi maa ne pyaar aur mehnat se tayaar ki thi. Amrood ka peid sachmuch 8-9 feet uncha aur uske sath dugna bada jamun ka vriksh. Ek taraf angoor ki ghani bail pipe se lipti aage anaar ke jhaad tak faili thi. Uski chaya me he hari mirch, bhindi, tamatar, pyaaj ki kyaari bade sahi kram aur duri se bani thi. Anaar bhi tennis ball se bade aur laal-bhure. Aap ke peid par bour aane lage the.
"Tum yahi toh ho kal se, dekha nahi kya pehle?", Jasleen ki awaaj sunn kar uska dhyaan toota aur jawaab me bas naa me gardan hila di.
"Samay he nahi mila idhar aane ka lekin yaha toh saamne wale bagiche se bhi jyada hariyali hai. Badi mehant lagi hogi itna sab sambhalne me.", Arjun Jasleen ke hone par bhi bagiche me khoya tha.
"Aunty ne toh yaha jhula bhi lagwaya tha pichli baisakhi pe, woh Jamun wali daal jaane kiski wajah se toot gayi thi. Tum bhi gardening karte ho kya?", Jasleen chalti hui uske kareeb se nikal kar anaar ke jhaad ke pas aa ruki. Sukhi tehniya bahot thi us najuk kalai ko kharonch dene ke liye.
"Ruko.", Arjun kehta reh gaya aur dard se hath jhatakti Jasleen apni gori patli kalai dekhne lagi.
"Maine bola bhi tha aapko aur dekho lag gayi na.", Arjun ne bagiche me bani tanki se hath par paani daalte hue saaf kia aur Jasleen ki badi badi kajal lagi aankhen uske chehre ko he niharti rahi. Dard toh jaise Arjun ke hath pakadne se he chala gaya tha lekin andar jo dard uthne laga tha uski dawa bhi Arjun he kar sakta tha.
"ho gaya.", Arjun ne hath atche se dhone ke baad dekha toh kharoche bas halki halki najar aa rahi thi.
"Itni jaldi ho gaya?", Jasleen ka sawaal usko khud nahi maloom tha.
"Haan bas didi se bol kar betnovate tube lagwa lena. Jalan nahi hogi aur aainda sookhi jhadi me seedha hath daalne se pehle sochna jarur. Chalo main aapke liye woh anaar todd deta hu.", Arjun ne kalai kya chhodi Jasleen ka rang halka padd gaya. Fir bhi Arjun uske liye toh ye kar raha tha. Woh dekh rahi thi kitni kushalta se Arjun ek tehni ko jhukate hue us anaar tak pahucha aur araam se todd kar uske pas le aaya.
"Thank you."
"Amrood bhi todd he lete hai.", Arjun ne muskura kar jawab dia aur us bade aur halke peele amrood tak pahuchne ki koshish karne laga jo takriban 8 feet upar tha. Ungli chhoo rahi thi aur woh hil jata.
"Mujhe upar utha lo, main todd leti hu.", Jasleen ki baat sunn kar Arjun ko jhatka laga lekin sharir ko upar uchaal kar usne woh amrood bhi todd lia.
"10 feet ke basket ring ko pakad sakta hu ye toh fir bhi pas he tha. Waise aapko utha bhi leta tab bhi waha tak toh nahi pahuchte.", Arjun ne amrood hath me thamaya toh Jasleen furti se uska gaal choom kar khilkhilati hui bhag gayi. Arjun bhochakka sa apne par giri bijli ki tapish mehsoos karta khada raha.
'Ab isko kya hua jo gaal choom kar bhaag gayi.?', Apne soch me he khoya tha ke Aarti didi idhar aa gayi.
"Chalo, bahar akele kya kar rahe ho. Andar sab intjaar kar rahe hai."
"Intjaar?"
"Sabhi friends aai hai na hamari toh farewell treat hogi he. Sab apni apni pasand ka khana leke aai hai aur sath mil kar khayenge.", Aarti didi ke aisa batane par Arjun chupchap unke sath chal dia. Andar takriban 8 log toh sofe aur kursiyon par baithe he the aur Arjun ka sabhi se parichaya karwane ke baad Aarti didi aur Arjun bhi khaane me shamil ho gaye. Ladkiyon ki kachar-pachar bhojan ke waqt bhi nirantar chaalu thi aur Arjun par jyada kisi ne dhyaan nahi dia tha aur na usne khud. Fir bhi Gurdeep aur Jasleen beech beech me Arjun ko dekh he leti thi. Sabse pehle Arjun he khaane se nivrat ho apni plate rasoi me rakhne ke baad chachi maa ke kamre me aa gaya. Usko maloom tha ke abhi bahar bhoochal bhi aa jaye toh un logo ki baatein nahi khatam hone wali. Ek takiye me mooh dabaye woh dusre ko baah ke niche rakhe sone laga.
"Yar Priyanka, bulane ke liye shukriya lekin tujhe pata hai na shaadi me itni dur mera aana toh possible nahi hai. Haan waise kabhi aana hua toh main bina mile nahi aaungi wapis.", Ye Kirti thi jo didi ke nyota dene par apni asamarthta bata rahi thi.
"Thik keh rahi hai Kirti yar Priyanka, beshak gaadi bhi hai ghar me lekin tu khud he soch joint family me rehti hu main toh koi bhi ijajat nai dega. Aur tune koshish ki bhi toh mujhe bura lagega agar pariwar wale tere saamne mana karenge. Waise ghar toh yahi rehne wala hai toh jab jab tu aayegi toh hum bhi milne chale aayenge. Meri bhi shaadi hai December me.", Khoobsurat si ye patli si ladki shama maangti hui apni majboori batane lagi.
"Matlab tum me se koi bhi nahi aayega? Ye toh badi galat baat hai yar. Meri saheliya he nahi hongi toh main kya jawaab dungi apni behno ko.?", Priyanka didi sabko dekhti hui naraajgi jata rahi thi.
"Koi aaye ya na aaye main toh aa rahi hu aur woh bhi hafta pehle, Deepi ke sath. Gaadi hai mere pas aur rasta mujhe atche se pata hai.", Jasleen ke aisa kehte he sath baithi Gurdeep uske gale lag gayi.
"Ye hai meri saheli beshak ladti rehti hai mere sath kyonki main modern nahi rehti iske jaisi lekin sath bhi mere he rehti hai.", Gurdeep ke aisa kehne par Aarti didi dono ko dekh rahi thi.
"Deepi ko toh uncle-aunty ke sath aana padega. Ye tumhare sath kaise aa payegi? Aur Jaggi tujhe kaise akele aane dega woh bhi hafte pehle?", Aarti didi ki baat par Jasleen ne kapde se amrood saaf karte hue jawaab dia.
"Bebe ko le kar Jaggi ja raha hai Nanded aur waha se Bombay wali massi ke pas. Unka program hai 2 hafto ko aur unhone jana hai 13 tarikh ko shaadi hai 21 ki. Main manage kar lungi araam se. Aur Deepi ke gharwale shaadi wale din he aayenge lekin isne permission le li hai abhi abhi.", Jasleen ne aankh maarte hue kaha toh Kirti gor se usko dekhne lagi.
"Tu itni utawali kaise ho rahi hai waha jaane ke liye? AC me rehne wali ko waha Gucci-Tommy ki jagah Apsara-Bata milenge aur jyada se jyada cooler ki umas wali hawa ke sath. Kitna pichda hua hai Haryana. Isliye toh mere gharwale mana kar rahe hai ke waha garmi aur baagdi basha ki wajah se.", Kirti ki baat ka jawab Priyanka-Aarti deti us se pehle he Jasleen ne kamaan apne hath me le li.
"Oh Miss Punjabi bagh, itna bhi mat bol. Haryana waisa he hai jaisa ye Punjab hai. #### shehar me rehte hai ye log aur service class city hai. Engineer, doctor, scientists gali mohalle me milte hai udhar. Language ka kya hai, yaha unke liye punjabi alag hai hamare liye haryanvi lekin samajh dono he lete hai. Rahi baat cooler ki aur brands ki toh jaha jao waise ho jao. University me main is jeans top me rehti hu lekin ghar pe toh main bhi sabke jaise he salwar-kameej ya pajama/nikkar jyada se jyada. Dil lagao dimaag nahi.", Jasleen ki baat sunn kar Kirti thoda sharminda ho gayi.
"Woh yaar main toh wahi bol rahi thi jo meri chachi ne kaha. Sorry Priyanka mera waisa matlab nahi tha."
"Teri chachi na tedhi bahot hai. Pata nahi tera chacha kaha se byaah laya usko. Aap toh Rajasthan ke registan se aai hai aur usko har taraf America London chahiye.", Jasleen ne khinchai ki toh Aarti ne hanste hue hath par hath rakhte hue chup karwaya.
"Aisa hai Kirti agar tumhara dil kare toh aa jana aur main vishwas dilati hu ki sewa me koi kami nahi hongi. Waha hamare 2 ghar hai aur dono he Jasleen ke ghar se bhi bade. Jisme abhi rehte hai na woh mere dada ji aur Arjun ne sirf pyaar se banaya hua hai. Rahi baat sukh suvidha ki toh hum sabhi behno ke kamre me toh AC lagwa dia gaya hai aur baaki dusre ghar me 5 kamre aur tayaar ho rahe hai jaise hamare hai waise he. Shehar yaha se thoda chhota hoga lekin bheed bhi nahi hai jis se dum ghute ya pareshani ho. Aur sach kahu toh tumhe aana he chahiye, pariwar me koi adjust nahi hota. Pyaar hota hai aur sabhi apni jagah bana he lete hai.", Aarti didi ne bade pyaar se samjhaya toh Jasleen ke sath sath baaki ladkiya bhi dekhne lagi. Jaise unko vishwas na ho ke Aarti logo ka ghar pariwar aisa hoga.
"Dusri baat ye hai ke agar waha kuch teri pasand ka na mila toh hamara bhai kahi se bhi dhoond kar la he dega jo tujhe chahiye hoga. Waise pariwar me aayegi toh ek baat confirm kar deti hu tum dono ko, ye jeans-top ki jagah saree na pehni toh mera naam badal dena. Tum dono se upar toh Tara he hogi is sabme lekin milna jara meri bua ki beti se. Western-conventional ka best example hai. Baaki thik nahi lage toh hotel-farmhouse bhi hai. Aage tumhari marji.", Priyanka didi ne toh sabko sochne par majboor kar dia tha.
"Baat kahi se galat bhi nahi ho sakti. Tumhare dada ji ka jab gaanv he khudka ho toh ye sab chhoti baatein he hain. Kirti aaye na aaye, main toh apni darling ke sath tayaariyo me lagne wali hu. Shayad isko Guri ke sath aana ho aur waha aisa allowed nahi hoga toh mood badal rahi hogi ye. Aur Dimple tu bhi chal na yaar, car me 2 log aur bhi aa jayenge.", Jasleen ne Kirti ki firki lene ke sath he is ek aur katile nain-naksh wali ladki se poocha.
"Abhi confirm nahi hai kuch. Ek exam hai yar mera, gharwale toh peeche he pade hue hai ke Dehradun chali ja ya Delhi ghoom aa. Gharwale toh kabhi mana nahi karenge lekin pehle ye exam fir main tujhe bata dungi. Waise haan he samajh ab.", Dimple ke itna kehte he Priyanka didi ne usko ek taraf se apne sath laga lia.
"Chalo bhai ab ek he seat baaki hai aur or koi nahi jana chata toh main araam se pichli seat par soti hui jaane wali hu.", Gurdeep ki aisi ghosna par ye chui-mui si sabse chupchap si baithi ladki bol padi toh sabhi usko dekhne lage.
"Hum jana chahta hai. Agar aap logo ko pasand ho toh.", Kisi kashmiri seb jaisi rangat, bhoore sunehari baal, badi billori aankhen jinme karigari se jaise surma lagaya gaya ho. Aur jaridaar khaas tarah ka salwar kameej pehne ye patli si ladki saheliyo ke sath bhi sar par dupatta kiye thi. Chehre aur awaaj se woh inme sabhi se kahi jyada khoobsurat thi.
"Afsana, tum theek toh ho na? Tumhare abba toh mujhe pata hai kabhi mana nahi karte lekin ammi aur badi behan raaji nahi hongi. Waise tumhe yaad bhi hai ke kab tum aakhiri baar akele market bhi gayi thi, shayad panchvi class me.", Gurdeep ke aisa maja lete hue bhi gambhirta se kehne par Afsana ne muskurate hue palke jhuka li.
"Humne toh kabhi aisa jahir nahi kia ke ammijaan ya baaji ne koi pabandi lagai ho hum par. Woh hume pasand he nahi akele bahar jana. Aapne kabhi hume hijaab ya parde me dekh hai? Aarti ke sath kabhi hamare pariwar ne hum par sakhti nahi ki hai aur Abbu toh khud inke papa ki sohbat me sharik rehte hai, jumme se agle din.", Afsana ki awaaj kaan ki jagah bas dil par ja lagti thi. Woh patle surkh honth hilte the toh aisa lagta ke ye koi videshi gudiya ho jaise. Aarti didi ne toh uska gaal he choom lia kapde ke upar se he.
"Ye dekho jara aap log. Meri ek he saheli hai aur jaisa sablog sochte the us se bilkul alag aur meri khushi me khush hone wali. Hussain Uncle toh waise bhi aane he wale lekin ye atcha hai na ke hamari mom ki gudiya unse pehle hamare ghar aayegi. Aur Deepi sach kehti hu ek baar tumhe milna chahiye inki mummy aur didi se, woh bilkul bhi waisi nahi hai jaise tumhe lagta hoga. Haan ye ladki jarur ghar me sabse jyada sharmati rehti hai aur kabhi kabhi awaaj sunn ne ko milti hai iski aise mahol me. Mere sath khoob patar patar bolti hai lekin.", Afsana toh sharam se gade jaa rahi thi lekin Aarti usko apne sath lagaye khush thi ki uski ekmatra sakhi bhi unke shehar aane ko tayaar ho gayi.
"In madam ko dekhne kitne he ladke pagal hue rehte hai, lekin ye toh sadak ko dekh kar machine se he chalti rehti hai. Waise tumhari sister ko main atche se jaanti ho. Jubaida naam hai na? Tumse bhi kahi sundar hai woh lekin pata nahi degree khatam hone ke baad ek saal me jyada milna nahi hua unse. Hamari senior thi lekin atchi saheli bhi.", Jasleen ne Afsana ki badi behan ka jikar kia toh jawaab Aarti ne dia.
"Zubeidaa naam hai unka. Aur didi hain aajkal painting me busy toh woh ghar pe bhi mushkil se samay deti hai lekin tum sahi kehti ho, unke sath gappe lagane me jo maja hai na woh is sharmili Afsana ke sath bhi nahi.", Aarti ne Jasleen ko pehle toh naam me sudhaar bataya aur fir apni he saheli ke maje lene lagi. Afsana ne thodi narajgi si Aarti ko dekha toh usne fir se gaal choom lia, dupatte ke upar se he.
"Haan sahi kaha tumne. Chalo yar ab chalte hai saadhe 3 baj gaye hai aur tum logo ko bhi kaam hoga, thodi der baad jana bhi hai. Waise shaadi ke card dene toh uncle aayenge na shehar me?", Jasleen le ab kahi amrood khana shuru kia tha.
"Haan papa toh aayenge he aur woh agar deri se India aaye toh bade papa ya fir Arjun ke sath kisi ko bhejenge. Nahi toh by post he hoga agar samay he na mila toh.", Priyanka didi ne Jasleen ko hath pakad kar wapis bithaya toh woh bathroom jaane ka bol kar amrood table par rakhti waha se andar ki taraf aa gayi. Baaki sab bhi baatein karti hui thoda aur samay vyatit karne lagi.
Dono kamre khali dekh Jasleen idhar aai toh Arjun badi masoomiyat se soya hua dikha. Chehra darwaje ki he taraf tha lekin maathe ke saamne bikhre baal, upari chauda jism sirf baniyaan me aur chehre par sukoon. Jasleen dabe paanv uske paas aa khadi hui. Ye ladka uske sath kya khel raha tha jo kuch he ghante me woh iske liye pagal hue ja rahi thi. College me toh bhai ke saamne he sharminda hona pada tha lekin usko parwah nahi thi. Patle charhare sharir par tennis ball se chuche dhadkan ke sath hill rahe the aur himmat karti woh uske pas baith gayi.
'Kya kar rahe ho tum? Mera bas chale toh tumhara hath apne dil par rakh kar bata du apni halat lekin isme samay lagega Arjun. Apna dhyaan rakhna.', Mann me itna kehti woh apne reshmi baal uske chehre par jhukati hui bade pyaar se gaal choom kar turant he kamre se bahar chali gayi. Arjun ke chehre par neend me he muskaan aa gayi thi. Bahar bhi thodi bahot baatein karne ke baad sabhi chali gayi thi aur Priyanka didi ke sath Gurdeep unki madad kar rahi thi jaruri samaan pack karwane me wahi Aarti band kamre me Afsana ke sath mahine bhar ki baatein sanjha karte hue apne kapde, kitabe aur kuch samaan thik se rakh rahi thi. 2 bag toh subah he dono behno ne tayaar kar liye the lekin ab rehna he bade pariwar me tha toh ye samaan bhi jaruri tha. Baaki toh agar jarurat hui toh gharwale he gaadi se leke jaane wale the.
"Chal meri jaan, chai banate hai. Didi ka bhi ho gaya hoga toh woh naha lengi itne hum chai bana lete hai fir tujhe chhodne main chal padungi.", Aarti ne apni saheli ko kaam se farig hone ke baad mooh hath dhote hue kaha. Afsana ne kamre ko band dekha toh dupatta saleeke se ek taraf rakhte hue apna chehra beparda kia aur bathroom me mooh dhone lagi. Ye ladki shayad khuda ki ek nayaab karigari ka udaharan thi. Koi itna bhi khoobsurat kaise ho sakta ye baat har woh insaan kehta jo is chehre ko beparda dekh leta. Shayad pariwar aur kuch logo ko he iski ijajat di thi Afsana ne. Aarti ne saaf toliya nikaal kar bister par rakha he tha Afsana ke liye aur ek taraf se Afsana bathroom se geele chehre ke sath bahar nikli aur idhar darwaje se Arjun safed kurta pyjama pehne tayaar hu andar aa khada hua.
Dua ki moorat me woh mom se najuk aur gore haath bheege chehre se niche aaye the aur idhar Arjun ki najre ja mili un sunehari aankhon se. Dono ke liye aisa manjar kuch anhoni sa he tha. Arjun toh din me khana bhi wahi baith kar khaa ke gaya tha lekin na tab usne kisi ko dekhne ki koshish ki tha na Afsana ne he najre utha kar parichaya ke waqt Arjun ka didar kia tha. Mahol itna shaant dekh kar Aarti ne bag bister par rakhne ke baad palat kar dekha toh woh bhi un dono ko aise apalak ek dusre ko dekhte hue paa kar soch me padd gayi. Jald he gala khankharte hue Aarti ne dono ka dhyaan bhang kia toh Arjun bina kuch kahe bahar aur Afsana bathroom ke andar. Aarti ne hanste hue kamra fir se band kar dia.
"Oh meri mom ki gudiya, sorry yar Arjun ko pata nahi tha ke tum bhi andar ho sakti ho. Ye lo chehra saaf kar lo aur maine darwaja band kar dia hai.", Ek baar fir se chehra dhone ke baad Afsana dhime kadmo se bahar aai aur toliye se chehre ka pani sukhane lagi. Woh kapde ko ragad nahi rahi thi, bas halke halke dabate hue nami bhar paani chehre par rakhne ke baad chupchap sar, mastak aur gale ko dhakne ke baad Aarti ko dekhne lagi.
"Koi baat nahi. Dekhne se hum maile nahi ho jayenge.", Afsana ne itna keh toh dia tha lekin chehre par thodi gambhirta thi. Bahar Arjun Resham Singh ji ke sath baatein karte hue bagiche me paani dene laga tha. Unhone he bataya tha Arjun ko ki wahi subah shaam uske chacha ki gair-hajri me dono bagiche aur ghar ka khayaal rakhte hai. Kuch der baatein karne ke baad samay dekha toh paune 5 ho chuke the aur Aarti didi ne usko andar se awaaj di toh nal band karne ke baad woh bhitar chala aaya. Table par uska badaam wala doodh tayaar pada tha. Sofe par ek taraf simti hui Afsana chai ka cup ghoor rahi thi aur Aarti didi rasoi se bisuit laane ka bol kar uth gayi.
"Kshama chahta hu, woh galti se kamre me dakhil ho gaya tha. Mujhe nahi pata tha ke aap bhi andar ho sakti hai. Maaf kar dijiyega kyonki bura toh aapko laga he hai.", Arjun ne najre uthaye bina he sadhe hue shabdo me Afsana se apni galti ki maafi maangi aur gilas le kar Priyanka didi ke kamre me chala gaya jaha Gurdeep bhi baithi thi.
"Ab ye kaha chala gaya? Afsana us baat ka bura matt maan-na. Arjun dil ka bura nahi hai bas woh hansta-khelta rehta hai aur usko jara bhi pata nahi tha ke tum waha ho sakti ho. Aise me woh waha nahi aata. Shayad isliye he woh uth kar chala gaya. Dekh tujhe bura laga toh main bol deti hu woh sorry bhi keh dega.", Aarti ne apni saheli ki kalai par hath rakhte he kaha.
"Aisa kya zalzala aa gaya hai Aarti? Humse woh najre milaye bina he maafi maang gaye aur yaha aap bhi aisa kar rahi ho. Chehra najar kia tha bas koi didar nahi aur hume bura is baat ka laga ke aapke bhai ne hume kis halat me dekha, is baat ka bura nahi laga ke unhone dekha. Hum khudse naraaj the lekin unki maafi ko humne qubool kia hai, beshak jarurat nahi thi.", Is baar Afsana ke chehre par vishwas tha aur woh najre utha kar sanjidgi se baat kar rahi thi.
"Shukar hai ke tum rone nahi lag padi. Meri halat pata hai kaisi ho rahi thi ye soch kar ke kahi tum fir se naraaj na ho jao.", Aarti ne hanste hue Afsana ki naram ungliya apne hatho me le li.
"Aapse ruswa hone ka sawaal he nahi hota. Hamara matlab tha ke aapke bhai ne jab hume dekha tab chehre par paani tha hamare. Aise me nazar karna atcha nahi mana jata. Chaliye ab hume bhi zara hamare ghar pahunchne ki zehmat kijiye.", Afsana ne cup bhi saleeke se tray me rakha tha, bina koi awaaj kiye.
"Chal yar, tu na band kamre me he thik rehti hai. 15 saal se ye tera 'hum-aap' aur urdu jhel rahi hu. Kabhi toh dosto ki tarah baat kia kar meri jaan.", Aarti didi ne bhi sofe par rakha dupatta uthate hue seene ke saamne se ghuma kar sar pe le lia.
"Class me hume suna hai na? Yaha hum aapke sath duniya se befikar rehte hai aur jubaan toh ab jaisi hai waisi he rahegi. Chaliye ab.", Afsana ke chehre par ye muskaan dekh Aarti ne Arjun ko awaaj di.
"Chalo bhai, jara humko Afsana ke ghar chhod do. Tumhe bhi toh Jagtar se milna hai, afsana ka ghar market se pehle he hai aur wapsi me mujhe wahi se le lena.", Aarti ke aisa kehne par Arjun ne ek pal ke liye socha aur fir jawaab dia.
"Gurdeep sath chale toh behtar nahi hoga? 3 log motorcycle par jayenge?"
"Deepi ko didi ke sath kaam karwane do aur main tumhari tarah baith jaungi agar jyada dikkat hai 2 ko apne peeche baithane me.", Baat dono kar rahe the lekin Afsana ki raye kisi ne na li.
"Paidal he chalte hai na fir. Ghar market se pehle he hai toh jyada dur nahi hai. Jagtar bhai se bhi main milne paidal chala jaunga, market bhi toh yahi par he hai.", Arjun jaise abhi bhi adig tha apni baat par.
"Aapko pareshani nahi aayegi.", Arjun ne ek jhalak bas is awaaj ki strot ko dekha aur chupchap motorcycle ki chabi fridge ke upar se utha kar hall se bahar chal dia motorcycle nikalne.
"Waah. Tum toh bolne bhi lagi.", Aarti ne Afsana ke sath chuhal karte hue kaha toh woh khud he Aarti ka hath pakad kar bahar aa gayi. Arjun seat par kapda maarne ke baad aadha tanki aur aadha seat par baith gaya tha. Aarti didi uske peeche dono panv ek taraf karke baith gayi thi itni jagah dekh kar aur unka anusaran karte hue Afsana bhi, jo Aarti se kam jagah ghere thi, thoda halka sharir hone ki wajah se.
"Aap log baith gaye toh main chalu?"
"Haan ye park par karke market wali gali me le lena. Waha sadak se pehle he right side andar gali me seedha.", Aarti didi ne kandhe par hath rakha hua tha aur Afsana peeche simti si baithi Aarti ka dusra hath pakde thi. Arjun aadeshanusar raste par motorcycle 20 ki gati se le jaane laga. Ye kahi ajeeb tha jo aaj uske dil me ho raha tha is ladki ko dekhne ke baad aur kuch samay pehle suni awaaj se. Jaise dil me tufaan sa uth raha ho lekin lehre us sahil ko badhne se rok rahi thi. Na chahte hue bhi shishe par najar chali he gayi. Safed-neele dupatte ke beech woh sunehari aankhen aaine me uski najro se takrai toh tapish sehan na kar paya woh.
"Yaha mudna hai.", Aarti didi ki baat sunn kar jhempta hua woh thodi tej motorcycle chalata gali me aa gaya. 200 gaj par he rukne ka kaha toh Arjun unke utarte he bina kuch sune ya bataye motrocycle 'C' ke akaar me ghumata wapis mudd gaya.
"Yahi wapis aa jana mujhe lene.", Didi ki awaaj kaano me gayi lekin woh bas waha se nikal gaya.
"Pata nahi kya ho jata hai kabhi kabhi isko. Shayat deri ho rahi hogi, chal aunty se teri shikayat lagati hu.", Aarti didi Afsana ka hath pakde he is ek manjila saaf-suthre ghar me chali aai. Saamne he Afsana ki ammi ji taar se kade samet rahi thi aur unke aage peeche ye neeli aankhon wali jhabrili bili uchal kood macha rahi thi.
"Namastey aunty ji aur Bilbo badi masti soojh rahi hai tujhe.", Unki ammi ne gale laga kar Aarti se sneh jataya aur ye Billi bhi unke paanv par panje maarne lagi, jisko Afsana ne goad me le lia.
"Meri bachi ab samay laga tujhe apni aunty se milne ka? Upar se tum hamesha ke liye yaha se ja rahi ho.", Afsana ki ammi ke dil me bada apnapan tha Aarti ke liye. Duayen dene ke baad woh uski najar utarti apne sath andar le chali toh Afsana ki goad se uchal kar woh khoobsurat vidaal bhi masti karti sath ho chali. Ghar ka harek hissa jaise dil se sajaya hua tha. Afsana yaha aane ke baad bhi hath mooh dhone chali gayi aur Aarti apni aunty ji ke sath diwaan par pasar kar ram-kahani batiyane lagi. Udhar Arjun 5 minute deri se pahucha toh Jagtar Singh bhi kurte pyjame ke sath neeli dasar pehne bada sukoon me najar aa raha tha.
"Deri ke liye sorry Jagtar bhai.", Arjun se woh gale lag kar mila.
"Abhi tumhare saamne toh waha se idhar aaya hu. Kya sorry? Mujhe toh atcha laga ke jaane se pehle tumne thoda waqt nikala hamare liye.", Jaggi Arjun ke sath tehalta hua market ke pichli taraf chala aaya. Sabhi dukane aur bheed saamne thi lekin is taraf bas khaali parking aur uske sath ye bada sa park. Jaggi ne kurte ki nichli jeb se mutthi bhar bajra nikala aur thoda Arjun ko dete hue khud bhi parking aage wali samtal maidan me barsane laga. Yaha atche khaase pakshi the is waqt.
"Bada nek kaam karte ho bhai.", Arjun dekh raha tha ke yaha ek tarah ke he kabootar nahi the. Kuch rang-birange bhi the aur 2-3 hare totte bhi.
"Arjun bhai, burai toh saari zindagi karte he rehte hai. Kabhi kabhi in bejubano ki he bhalai kar deni chahiye. Waise meri bebe ne koi darjan bhar jagah duty lagwa rakhi hai khud ki. Woh subah-shaam niyam se dana-paani dene jaati hai inko.", Woh mitti ka bana bada sa bartan utha kar Jaggi ne ek taraf lagi thande paani ki tanki ke nal ke niche lagaya aur dono hatho se usko maanjne ke baad upar tak paani bharke wapis dhyaan se apni jagah rakh dia. Tanki par punjabi me kuch likha tha jo Arjun ne jyada dhyaan nahi dia.
"Tabhi kaha ke nek kaam. Insaan toh apni madad aur itchapurti khud kar sakta hai lekin hum toh inki jagah par he kirayedar ho kar kiraya nahi dete.", Arjun ne agla bartan khud utha lia aur Jaggi ka anusaran karte hue saaf karne ke baad pani bharke rakh dia.
"Sach kaha. Kirayedar. Plot toh kaat lete hai fir ye nahi sochte ke aakhir ye jameen hamari hui kaise. Tumne toh mera bhi dimag hila dia bhai.", Jaggi hansta hua uske sath wahi bani pathar ki seedhiyon par baith gaya. Agle 10 minute Jaggi apne aur Arjun ke pariwar aur itihaas ke baare me kuch batata raha lekin baat adhuri reh gayi jab unhe dhoondti hui Jasleen idhar aa gayi.
"Jaggi bebe bula rahi hai, tune kahi jana tha unke sath.", Jaggi ko bebe ko le jaane wali baat yaad aai toh woh turant he uth khada hua. Idhar Jasleen ko saade safed salwar-kurti aur safed dupatte me dekh kar Arjun hairat me tha. Ye ladki wahi hai jo college me aadhunik heroin si dikh rahi thi. Lekin Jaggi ki awaaj sunn kar woh uski taraf dekhne laga.
"Veere bhool gaya tha, bebe ko somwar Shiv-mandir leke jana hota hai. Unki aastha ke beech main bhi nahi aa sakta lekin vada raha ke jald milenge aur ho sake toh is gareeb (Jasleen) ko ye park ke pichli taraf hamare ghar ke bahar tak chhod dena nahi toh aap he paidal chali jayegi.", Arjun se gale mil kar Jaggi teji se bhaag gaya aur Jasleen apne bhai par gussa dikhate dikhate ruk gayi. Hath me pakda lifafa kholti woh saare daane pakshiyo ki taraf uchaal kar khali lifafa ek taraf kudedan me rakh kar bas Arjun ko dekhne lagi.
"Chaliye, main chhod deta hu aapko.", Arjun ne jaane ka kaha toh Jasleen thoda bhujhe mann se uske sath idhar se chalne lagi.
"Waise ummid nahi thi ki aap aise paridhan bhi pehanti hongi."
"Kyon? Aur main inme buri dikhti hu kya?"
"Nahi nahi. Bas woh college me alag roop tha aur yaha alag. Dono me he aap atchi lag rahi hai.", Arjun ne ek baar atche se Jasleen ko upar se nich tak nihara aur motorcycle par baith gaya. Ab Jasleen ke chehre par narajgi ki jagah muskurahat thi. Dono is bheed bhari sadak se nikal kar barabar ki gali me chale aaye toh Arjun ne he chuppi todi.
"Din me 2 baar aapne mere sath shararat ki hai. Pooch sakta hu wajah agar bura na lage toh?", Arjun jaag gaya tha jab Jasleen ne uske kamre me aa kar gaal chooma tha.
"Wajah hona jaruri toh nahi. Thanks bhi toh kehne ka tarika ho sakta hai.", Jasleen ke chehre par pakde jaane ki laali bata rahi thi ki sharam usko bhi aati hai.
"Thanks wala maan lia bagiche me lekin fir uske baad? Aur aise toh aapne bhi meri madad ki thi waha canteen me."
"Samajh lo dusri baar maine thanks khud le lia tha.", Jasleen itna bol kar usko park ke sath wali gali batane lagi aur us se aage ka rasta. Muskura woh abhi bhi rahi thi.
"Matlab khud he hisab barabar kar dia aapne? Chalo atcha hai na nahi toh lene ke badle dena padta.", Arjun ne ek najar park ko dekha aur aaspas bane shaandar gharo ko. Fir najar honth chabati Jasleen par chali gayi jo aaine me usko he dekh rahi thi.
"Himmat nahi hai tum me ye mujhe pata hai isliye khud he vasool karna pada.", Ab jaise woh Arjun ko he uksaane lagi thi.
"Aap sahi keh rahi hai, himmat nahi hai mujhme. Kuch safar aise he hone chahiye jisme pal bhar ki khushiyan yaad rahe. Jyada ki chaahat kayi baar kahi ka nahi chhodti.", Arjun ne gambhir baat karte jatana chaha ke woh is dosti ko itna he rakhe toh dono ke liye thik rahega.
"Mujhme himmat hai. Safar akela insaan bhi taye kar sakta hai jaruri nahi ki dusra sirf is liye piche hatt jaye kyonki manzil alag hai.", Baat ko kehne ke sath he Jasleen ye kavita gungunane lagi. Jisko sunn kar Arjun bhi har shabd ki gehraai ko mehsoos karne laga.
'Manzile toh aati rahengi sada, mujhe safar ka maja lene de yara.
Khushiyan jatane wale hai har taraf, ek dard se jara mulakaat karwa de yara.
Dafan hai khandaro me bhi armaan kayi, chal unhe bhi jeena sikha de yara.
Manzile toh aati rahengi sada, mujhe safar ka maja lene de yara.'
"Maloom nahi tha ke baat aisi ho sakti hai."
"Chalo, pareshan mat karo khud ko. Tum bhi kya yaad karoge kisi Jatti se pala pada hai. Tumhare shehar aaungi tab fainsla lena kitni dur tak sath chal sakte ho. Gale nahi padungi, bas pasand aa gaye ho aur main itne me he khush hu.", Jasleen ne upar taur par hanste hue kaha. Unka ghar bhi aa gaya tha jo sachmuch aalishan tha. Safed lambi Mercedes, ek jeep aur bas woh zen car he nadarad thi waha se.
"Sundar ghar hai aapka."
"Dekho pehli baar aaye toh chahe 1 minute he sahi, andar aana hoga. Waise Baano aunty thandai badi atchi banati hai.", Jasleen ke itna kehne par Arjun ne haami bhari aur ek taraf motorcycle khada karke uske sath he is sangmarmar ke bane galiyare se hota andar chal dia. Bade pinjre me ye Sultan se bhi bada aur alag nasal ka kutta band tha. Lekin woh bhonkne ki jagah aankhen khol kar dekhne ke baad wapis pasar gaya.
"Ye pinjre me kyo band hai?", Arjun us kutte ke bade mooh aur latki khaal ko dekh raha tha. Bada shaant aur majboot jeev tha woh.
"Usko saja mili hai, waise Jeus Jaggi ke sath he sota hai aur meri mom ka ladla beta hai. Aaj isne masti me mom ke dhule hue kapde kharaab kar diye. Shaam tak ye yahi rehne wala hai aur wahi kholengi isko.", Arjun ko atcha laga ye dekh kar ki woh jeev ko pariwar ki tarah maante hai aur aisi saja dete hai jisko sehne wala bhi dukhi nahi dikhta.
Andar har cheej karine se saji thi. Safed saaf diware, uchit matra me sahi sajawat aur 'L' akaar ka ye drawing hall itna saaf tha jaise koi rehta he na ho. Ek taraf diwar par robile shakhs ki tasveer par haar tanga tha. Vardi par lage medal bata rahe the ke fauj me the. Arjun ki najar ka peecha karte hue Jasleen ne bataya.
"Dada ji army me the mere aur 71 me shaheed ho gaye the. Hum me se kisi ne unhe nahi dekha aur daadi rehti hai pind me. Baano aunty, 2 gilas thandai bana ke mere kamre me de dena.", Ye mahila rasoi me thi aur udhar se he awaaj ka jawaab deti kehne lagi.
"bas 5 minute me leke aai bitiya.", Aur Jasleen Arjun ko hall se aage darwaja khol kar is bade kamre me le aai. Ummeed ke mutabik he kamra aalishan tha. Daudne ki machine, badi diwar me lagi almariyan, computer, padhne ke liye alag kursi-table aur shahi bada bed. Diwar ke beech laga airconditioner aur chatt par 5 taadi wali mehnga pankha.
"Bahot atcha kamra hai tumhara.", Arjun peeche he andar aaya toh Jasleen aankhe nachati usko batane lagi jaise kamra kiska hai. Lekin woh anjaan thi Arjun ke agle kadam se. Chamkdar darwaje ko paanv se band karte hue Arjun ne Jasleen ki kamar pakadte hue khud se sata lia. Woh hairat se uski aankhon me dekh he rahi thi aur aankhen band hoti chali gayi. Un hontho par Arjun ne lagatar ek minute tak apni chaap bana di thi. Alag hote he Jasleen badhi hui dhadkan aur tej saanson ke sath bade pyaar se usko tukur tukur dekh rahi thi.
"Mera thanks kehne ka tarika seedha hai aur safar chota ho ya bada, itna samay jarur deta hai ke raahi ek dusre se pehchan bana he le. Aasha karta hu shaadi ka nyota didi ne de he dia hoga.", Jasleen kuch jawaab deti aur Arjun ne is baar uski aankho par dono taraf choom lia.
"Kabse dekh raha hu ye jyada bolti rehti hai."
"Tum dekho main kya karti hu tumhare sath.", Jasleen taav me aai he thi ki darwaje par dastak dene se pehle Baano aunty ki awaaj aa gai aur Arjun ne darwaja khol dia.
"Ji namastey.", Arjun ne hath jodne ke sath he tray pakad li. Jawaab me in mahila ne bhi sar hilaya aur wapis chali gayi. Darwaja poora he khol kar Arjun bed ke kinare baith gaya.
"Aao, baaki baatein fir kabhi kar lena. Le lena badla bhi lekin 2 minute baad main ja raha hu.", Jasleen saamne baith gayi aur Arjun kaanch ke gilas ko utha kar thandai peene laga.
"Kisi ki himmat nahi hui aajtak aisa karne ki.", Jasleen ne ye baat badi dheemi awaaj me kahi thi.
"Kisi ko tumne kaha he nahi hoga jaise mujhe kaha."
"Kamine ho pakke wale. Waise jana jaruri hai tumhara?", pal me masha pal me tola wala haal ho raha tha Jasleen ka.
"Card dene aaunga.", Arjun ne aadha gilas tray me rakha aur Jasleen ne wahi gilas utha lia.
"Phone karke aana, waha ka number maine Priyanka se le lia hai. Baat ho he jayegi.", Arjun ne haami bhari aur uth khada hua. 6 bajne me 5 minute the.
"Chalta hu aur thanks.", Arjun ke itna kehte he Jasleen ne jaldi se ek chota sa chumban kar dia.
"Thanks aise bolte hai aur chalo bahar tak chhod deti hu." Dono bahar chal diye aur motorcycle start karne se pehle Arjun ne hanste hue kaha.
"Tumhari wali thandai jyada meethi lagi."
"Maar khaoge. Goodbye and have a safe journey.", Jasleen ne hath hila kar kaha aur Arjun ne bhi pratiuttar me hath hilane ke baad apna rasta pakad lia. Agle 2-3 minute me he woh wapis us ghar ke bahar khada tha jaha Aarti didi ko utaar kar gaya tha. Ghanti bajate he andar darwaje ko khol kar ye aakarshak mahila Arjun ko hairat se dekhne lagi.
"Ji, Aarti didi hongi.", Arjun ne hath jodd kar itna he kaha
"Andar aa jao beta, apna he ghar samjho.", Unki baat sunn kar ek pal ke liye Arjun unhe dekhne laga aur fir gate khol kar andar aa gaya. Paanv savdhani se rakhta unke pass pahucha aur unka aashirwad lene laga.
"Narinder bhai jaise he dikhte ho lekin baal aur aankhen bilkul bade devar ji jaisi hai.", Unhone Arjun ko aashirwad dete hue dhyaan se dekha aur is hall me le aai. Abhi yaha koi bhi na tha in dono ke siwa.
"Papa ko jaanti hai aap? Sorry main pehle aapse nahi mila hu na isliye."
"Haan yaad bhi kaise hoga. Tum tab goad me he the shayad 8-10 mahine ke lekin Shankar-Narinder devar he hain mere. Aao baitho pehle fir le jana apni didi ko.", Unhone sar par hath ferte hue Arjun ko baithaya aur khud andar chali gayi. Idhar Aarti didi daudti hui hall me dakhil hui aur Arjun ke bagal me pasar gayi.
"Badi der laga di, kaha reh gaya tha?", Woh kuch jawaab deta us se pehle he dil me wahi bechani si apne charam par pahuch gayi. Afsana jaise Aarti ke peeche daudi aai thi lekin dono ne ek dusre ko dekha toh Arjun bas jadd ho kar reh gaya. Afsana dhimi chaal se diwan tak chali aai. Is waqt na dupatta tha na koi salwar-kameej. Poori aasteen ki tshirt ke neeche sabz rang ka pajama aur sunehari aankhen bedhadak usko he dekh rahi thi.
"Is se tum mil he liye hoge, Afsana hai ye aur ye hai Zubeidaa. Meri badi beti.", Aunty ji ne dusri ladki ka parichaya dia toh Arjun hosh me aaya. Maansal bhare bhare sharir ki ye yuvti bhi bejodd thi lekin jaise bandhano se pare. Safed kameej aur chust neeli jeans pehne Zubeidaa ke hatho par kayi tarah ke rang lage the aur hath me painting karne wala brush.
"Namastey.", Arjun ne itna he kaha.
"Hi. Zubeidaa. Sorry woh painting kar rahi thi aur in dono ka shor sunn kar chali aai. Ammi chai bana do mere liye please.", Arjun ke kareeb baith kar woh apna parichaya khud dene lagi.
"Artist hai aap?"
"Aapko art ke bare me maloom hai.?"
"Jyada nahi lekin woh school se thoda bahar tak.", Arjun ne jhempte hue jawaab dia.
"It's okay. Jab kuch waisa na ho jaisa chahte ho toh bas bana dalo, konsa koi rok raha hai. Jyada define nahi karna, samajhne wala samjhe aur nahi toh nahi. Dekhna chahoge?", Zubeidaa ke aise kehne par Afsana aur Aarti hairani se dekhne lagi. Aur Arjun ke uthte he woh dono andar ki taraf chalte seedhiyon se neeche utar kar basement me aa gaye.
"Aaj tak toh didi ne humko bhi udhar nahi aane dia.", Aarti ne itna kaha aur Afsana toh jaise us raste ko dekhe ja rahi thi jidhar dono gaye the.
"Baaji ka toh wahi jaane. Hum shayad kahi jyada badkismat hai.", Afsana ke aisa kehne par Aarti ne usko apne sath lia aur udhar he chal padi jaha dono gaye the. 2 kamro se jyada bade is bhoomigat hall me kareeb 15-16 painting diwar par lagi thi, kuch koyle ke kagaj table par the aur ek par jaise woh kaam kar rahi thi. 3 badi tube is waqt bhi roshan thi aur jagah jagah khali gilas, rang-brush aur sooti kapde ki katran thi.
"Zindagi aisi he toh hai. Hum rangeen indradhanush ki chahat karte hai lekin barsaat ka intjaar ganwara nahi. Jo paas hai uski keemat nahi, kala-safed indradhanush sach hai jiwan ka. Iske he toh beech woh thode samay wala rang bharta hai, kisi khaas barish ke baad.", Arjun us badi painting ko choo kar dekhne ke baad jaise usme he kho gaya tha. Baadlo ke beech sookhi dharti aur safed-saleti-kala indradhanush. Zubeidaa bas uske kandhe par hath rakhe khadi thi.
"Iske baare me kya khayaal hai?", Kuch alag alag se rang najar aate the us canvas par agar koi pehli baar dekhta. Arjun jyadatar logo me se nahi tha jo kuch najarandaaj kar deta.
"Ye insaan hai. Kitna kuch chahata hai zindagi se, kitni mehnat karta hai lekin woh bandhan se ajaad nahi ho sakta. Ye sab rang is kaalikh me doob kar kaalikh bann jayenge. Wow, aapko pain par PhD karni chahiye, ba-shart waha fine-arts ho. Likh toh nahi payengi aap.", Zubeidaa muskurane lagi aur fir usne Arjun ko ye baarish me dhundhli si dikhti car ki painting dikhai. Shayad yaha najar kisi apne ki thi jo jaate dekh raha tha kuch. Arjun uske kareeb ja khada hua aur sookh chuki is badi painting ko hath laga kar mehsoos karne laga. Usko jaise apna he ghar se bichadna yaad aa chuka tha. Bina kuch bole woh bas ungli se car ke pichle shishe par adrishya chehra banane laga tha.
"Let's go. Waise tum kabhi fursat me aana. Bahot jamne wali hai apni. Waise ye sabhi painting jald he yaha se chali jayengi Sharjahahn. Art gallery ne kharid lia inhe aur mujhe bhi jagah khali karni thi. Gharwale bolte rehte hai kya karti rehti hu yaha main. Lekin jaante ho apni feelings ke paise bhi milte hai.", Zubeidaa hansti hui jaise koshish kar rahi thi Arjun ka dil behlane ki.
"Kaisa lagta hai jab aapne kuch kia he na ho aur saja itni badi mil jaye ki laakh chahne par bhi bhula na pao, beshak maaf kar do unhe.?", Arjun ka aisa sawaal sunn kar Zubeidaa thithak gayi. Na jaane kaise usne Arjun ko gale laga lia.
"Mere bhai, tum bahot chhote ho lekin tum alag ho ye main jaanti hu. Us dharti ke tukde ka kya kasoor jisko berang indradhanush mila? Dharti toh har taraf hai na, fir bhedbhav kyo?", Bahar khadi Afsana aur Aarti se toh kuch kehte he na bana. Zubeidaa kisi tufaan si aai thi Arjun ke paas aur agle 10 minute me sadiyo ka rishta judd gaya tha unme.
"Aap thik kehti hai didi. Kabhi kabhi banjar rehna bhi jaruri hai. Logo ko fir utni he jyada mehnat aur sewa karni padti hai us jameen ki. Lekin woh tabhi samajhte hai ke zindagi ke bas 2 he rang hai.", Arjun ne unke seene se alag hote hue chehra saaf kia aur kuch pal wahi baitha raha. Zubeidaa ne itni he deri me Arjun ki tasvir camera me qaid kar li.
"Agli baar jab bhi aaoge ek aisi painting milegi jisko kisi bhi keemat par main nahi bechne wali. Aur aana jarur, tumhari ye behan abhi tumse mili nahi hai thik se.", Zubeidaa Arjun ko sath liye bahar aai aur kamre ke tala lagati usko ghar se bahar le aai. Aunty bas dekh rahi thi aur Zubeidaa ne Aarti ko awaaj di toh woh turant aa khadi hui.
"Shaadi me milenge Aarti, chalna chahiye tumhe ab. Arjun, kalam ke sath kabhi koi rang jarur pakadna.", Hath hila kar unhone itna he kaha aur jaane se pehle Arjun ne unke saamne hath jodd diye. Zubeidaa unhe jata dekhti rahi.
"Zubeidaa woh chai bhi nahi pee kar gaya.", Unki ammi ne itna kaha toh woh befikari se boli.
"Amrita Pritam kehti hai ke jo sundar hota hai woh badnaseeb hota hai. Jo taqatwar hota hai woh andar se akela. Lekin sabse vichitra baat pata hai aapko ammijaan, sabki parwah karne wale ki parwah sabko nahi hoti. Aaj chai se he painting kar lenge.", Zubeidaa apne raste chali gayi aur unki ammi Afsana ke saamne naa me sar hilati andar. Idhar ghar aane ke baad Arjun bhi kuch samay baad apne raste nikal chala tha. Lucky-Deepak ke sath he apni behno ko liye. Dedh din me woh bahut kuch jee chuka tha. Gurdeep ke sath sath apni dono behno ka pyaar, mara-maari, Ricky ko samjhana, naye dost jinme Jaggi jaisa sacha insaan aur Jasleen jaisi ektarfa mohabbat thi. Afsana ne toh usko bechain kar dia tha lekin jo kala-safed indradhanush usne Zubeidaa ke sath dekha tha woh uski zindagi ka sabse bada sach tha. Zubeida ke pas wapis aana he hoga. Car apni gati se shehar se bahar ja chuki thi aur Arjun ne aankhen band kar li thi is mulakaat ko dil me jivant rakhne ke liye.
Berang Indradhanush
Saal 2010
Parivartan he niyati hai aur jo parivartan sehan nahi kar paate unka wajood nahi rehta. Kya har parivartan jaruri hota hai? Parivartan bewajah hona bhi prakriti ka wajood mita sakta hai. Aisa insaan toh aksar karte hai aur wajah bhi yahi hai jhoota wajood dikhane ki ya wajood mitane ki. Duniya kis teji se badal rahi hai is parivartan ka najara kar raha ye shakhs kuch der tak bas har taraf yahi dekh raha tha. Anjaan na tha woh is jagah se lekin ab dono ki pehchaan badal chuki thi. Shehar ki bhi aur insaan ki bhi.
Hath me pakde Sony Xperia aadhunik phone par likha kuch padhte hue woh sadak ke us paar chal dia. Kabhi hariyali se bharpoor raha ye shehar ab caro ke kafile se abaad tha. Sadke waisi he saaf aur chaudi jaisi yaad thi, ghane peid aaj bhi sadak ke dono taraf the bas imarato ka jungle kahi jyada vistaar le chuka tha jiske saamne ye vriksho ki kataar bas maheen lakir bhar thi. Koi raees sector tha ye is shehar ka jaha is bade school ke saamne sadak ke is paar ye vyakti kalai par bandhi ghadi me samay dekhne ke sath he phone par lagi tasvir bhi nihar raha tha. Najar kabhi ghadi, kabhi phone aur fir sadak ek us paar school ke bade gate par ghoom rahi thi.
Abhibhavako ki gaadiya gate se kahi pehle bani badi parking me rukne lagi. Mehngi desi-videsi car aur atche susajjit abhibhavak intjaar kar rahe the apne masoom bacho ka aur ye yuvak sab bhualye ab bas dwaar par najar jamaye tha. Duniya ki najro se khud ko chipaye jaane woh kiska intjaar kar raha tha. Chehre par daadhi bhi uttejjana chhipane me asamarth thi lekin ekaek jaise uski aankhon me jamane bhar ka noor aa gaya.
Ye laal rang ki Audi A4 alag he rob se thik gate ke saamne aa ruki aur driver side ka sheesha niche hone par bhoore 'aviator' lagaye ye dilkash yuvti ka chehra dekh yuvak ke sakht chehre par jo dilkash muskaan aai thi woh batane ko bahut thi ki uske saamne jamane bhar ki daulat ye luta sakta tha. Darwaje se bache aane lage the aur unki surksha ke liye sath he mahila shikshak bhi. Yuvti ki najar bhi wahi thi aur ek khoobsurat mahila hath thaame 3 saal ke bache ko car ki taraf le kar aai toh yuvak ki dhadkan jaise ruk si gayi thi.
'Meri jaan...', apne aap he mooh se nikal gaya us gulabi chehre, bhoore ghungrale baalo aur waisi he aankhon wale bache ko dekh kar. Woh bhaagna chahta tha uski taraf, apne hatho me utha kar seene se lagana chahta tha is bache ko fir najar us yuvti par gayi jo chasma utaar kar muskurati hui bahar nikli. Bhoore baal, balkhati kamar aur kudrat ka har khajana samete hue bhi kuch toh tha jo woh bhi jhooti muskaan liye apne bache ki shikshika se milne lagi. Woh bacha bhi seene se ja laga apni maa ke aur car ka darwaja woh shikshika kholti hui baatein karne lagi. Bacha andar baitha aur is taraf se yuvti car ki taraf badhne lagi lekin najar saamne sadak paar khade yuvak par jaate he sab bhulakar woh is aur he teji se aane lagi. Car saamne aane se ek pal ruki lekin itna samay bahot tha dusri car me is yuvak ke nikalne ke liye.
Koi nahi tha is taraf lekin woh chalti hui is vriksh ke pas aa ruki. Jaane kya adrishya cheej uski khoobsurat aankhen dhoond rahi thi. Vriksh ki daal ek jagah se jaise bahut pehle toot chuki thi, sookhi tikhi lakdi par laga taja khoon bata raha tha ke waha wahi insaan tha jisko usne dekha tha. Ye bhram na tha aur khoon par ungli firate hue uski aankhon me shabnam se boonde chalak aai.
'Ho gaya na jo hona tha jaan. Kisi aur ki galti ki saja tumne itni badi kar di jo apne dil ko bhi nikaal fenka. Bas karo satana please, tum zinda ho.', Nirantar rone par woh gulabi chehra kajal ki kalikh se maila hone laga aur idhar wahi adhyapika peeche aa khadi hui.
"Are you fine Mrs Gaur? Abhi is waiting for you.", Turant he chehra saaf karti woh palti toh in adhyapika ke chehre par bhi thodi pareshani chaa gayi.
"I'm alright Shalini. Just saw something stange here and this blood. Thank you I'm taking Abhi home.", Awaaj aisi thi jo dil par asar karti lekin aankhon ke niche halke kaale ghere bhi bahot kuch keh rahe the.
"Ye blood nahi hai, iski wajah se pareshan ho gayi aap. Grill paint hui hai toh kisi ne yaha bhi ye gira dia hoga.", Shalini ke chehre ke bhaav samanya ho gaye the aur is yuvti ne dekha toh vriksh ke peeche bane park ki is chardiwari par mehroon paint kia gaya tha. Uske saamne swabhavik hoti woh wapis car ki taraf chal di. Beta andar baitha hath me kuch pakde hue tha.
"Abhi ye kisne dia aapko?", Seat par baithte he yuvti ne turant woh packet bache se le lia.
"Ye toh khulta he ni mom.", Apni meethi awaaj me mosoom shakal banata wo dono nanhe hath viprit disha me karta jawaab dene laga. Yuvti ne jhijhakte hue packet par lagi pardashi tape hatai aur andar dekha toh ye jaise uski he rooprekha bani thi kaale rang se, kahi jyada jawaan aur khoobsurat. Aankhon me fir se paani bhar aaya lekin bete ke saamne dard rokna bhi jaruri tha.
"Woh baba uncle the mom. Kissi di, gift bhi aur chale gaye.", Yuvti ne apni ungli par vriksh se laga rang dekha jo gayab hone ke baad peeche rakht ka gulabi nishan chhod gaya tha.
"Woh baba uncle nahi the Abhi. Papa the tumhare.", Apne bete ke dono gaalo ko choom kar jaise woh pakka kar rahi thi ki haan wahi vyakti tha jisko uski najre dhoond rahi thi. Bache ko seatbelt se surakshit karti woh fir se chasma lagati gear daal kar car aage badha chali. Raftar batate meter ke pas rakha mehnga phone dusri baar baja tha lekin woh is waqt shayad kisi se bhi baat nahi karna chahti thi. Fir bhi woh masoom ki awaaj sunn kar car dheemi karti usko dekhne lagi.
"Mom, papa turban pehante hai. Main bhi pehnunga school me.", Awaaj utni bhi saaf nahi thi lekin pyaari bahot thi. Angrezi ke shabdo par ladkhadana bhi bache ko kahi jyada masoom banata tha.
"Papa turban nahi pehante beta, woh aapko surprise dene ke liye aise aaye the. Next time aaye toh unhe bata dena ke aap ne unhe pehchan lia hai.", Yuvti ne pyaar se bache ka sar sehlaya aur is thandi sadak par gaadi utaar di. Bade bade ghar lekin sadak sunsaan. 'Tere baap ko hath chadhne de beta, taange todd dungi main unki. Itna tang karte hain na' ek manjila kothi ke bahar gaadi khadi karke horn bajaya toh ghar ki aaya ne andar se aate hue darwaja khola aur uske sath he peeche nanha sa rottweiler pilla bhi hilta dulta aa khada hua. Aaya ne hanste hue pille ko goad me lia aur car andar aa ruki.
"Aunty, Bono mere pas aana chahta hai.", Car se bahar aate he bacha aaya ki taraf daud gaya. Teeno andar chale gaye aur band car me ab ye yuvti foot foot kar rone lagi thi. Yaha usko rokne wala ab koi nahi tha, tasvir ko choomti hui woh bas 'I love you' aur 'wapis aa jao' kahe ja rahi thi. Koi hota toh aata....
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Wahi is bahumanjila rihayashi imarat kisi manjil par ye ek aakarshak 4 kamre ka gharonda tha jaha hall me baithe us lambe sardar yuvak ke hath par uska dost patti bandh raha tha. Table par rakha mehngi sharab se bhara gilas niharta ye sardar is bahari dard se dur muskura raha tha.
"Tu madarchod marr jayega kisi din. Halat kya bana rakhi hai aur tu sardar kab bann gaya sale.? Apne baare me kuch batayega ya hamesha ki tarah rehasya bana firega? Behanchod kaha rehta hai, kab aata hai kab jaata hai kuch nahi pata. Hafte me dusri baar tu yaha aane ke baad bata raha hai ke pahuch gaya. Bhai hath jodta hu khud ko sambhal le yara, sabki zindagi sanwarne wale ki aisi halat ab dekhi nahi jaati.", Dost ki baat seedha dil se nikal rahi thi aur ye yuvak us sharaab me baraf ke tukde bharta jaise shunya me tha.
"Maa chuda saale. Tere se toh kuch kehna he bekaar hai. Halat sudhaar le teri bhabhi aane wali hogi, daru se nahi rok raha lekin huliya thik kar.", Badbadata hua woh aakarshak yuvak kameej ki aasteen upar chadata ek kamre ko khol kar andar bane bathroom me toliya aur almari se kapde nikal kar rakhne laga. Bahar aaya toh uska dost sar pe pehni pagdi ijjatt se utaar kar unchi almari par rakh raha tha. Sharaab ka gilas liye woh tayaar bathroom me aa ghusa.
'Mere bhai tu bata ke toh dekh main jaan luta dunga tere liye. Tera khokhlapan dil me darr de raha hai. Ek baar tu fir se waisa bann ja na mere bhai, bhagwan tu he kuch kar.', Uske jaane ke baad dost ki aankhon me paani aa gaya tha. Uska dost nahate hue bhi sharaab pee raha tha aur ye bina kuch kiye uske liye aansu baha raha tha. 5 minute baad ghanti bajne par toliye se mooh saaf karta ye darwaja kholne chal dia.
"Abeer, tum is waqt ghar pe kaise? Chalo atcha hua ke tumhare pas aaj mere liye time toh hai.", Teekhe nain-naksh aur gadraye sharir wali ye mahila bhi badi dilkash thi. Gale ka mangalsutra aur maang me sindoor bata raha tha ke woh Abeer ki ardhangni he hai.
"Woh.... main keh raha tha..", Abeer baat karte karte atakne laga toh Nandita ne table par rakhi unki saheji hui videshi sharab ki bottle dekh li. Chehre par koi galat bhaav nahi aaye.
"Woh woh kya kar rahe ho? Atcha hai na ke tumhara jodidar hamare ghar aaya hai. Shaadi ke baad 2 baar he milna hua lekin tumhari baatein itna bata chuki hai ke is ghar me hamare alawa kisi ke liye jagah hai toh woh uske liye he hai. Main fresh ho kar lunch dekhti hu tum jara Majnu ko company do.", Aankh maarti hui woh apne pati ka gaal choomti andar chali gayi aur Abeer dhamm se sofe par pasar gaya.
"Ye bangalan itna kuch samajh jaati hai lekin kahi gudd-gobar he na ho jaye is Majnu ki wajah se. Bacha lena upar wale.", Pareshani me woh bas bar bar bhagwan ko he yaad kar raha tha aur idhar uska dost geele baal aur daadhi ke sath khali gilas liye nange paanv chalta hua uski bagal me aa baitha.
"Oye murkhanand. Meri biwi bhi aa gayi hai ghar aur tu agla jaam bana raha hai. Roti kha le fir bottle khatam kar dio.", Aate he jaam banate dekh Abeer upar taur par he tokne laga.
"Nahi pilani toh koi baat nahi. Main chalta hu konsa duniya me sharaab ki kami hai. Pyaar hota toh baat alag hoti.", Abeer uski baat sunn kar khijta hua apne liye bhi jaam banane laga.
"Tu madarchod hai, tha aur rahega. Behanchod 6 saal ho gaye maine din me daaru nahi pee aur tu is ek he hafte me mujhe dusri baar din me talli karne wala hai."
"Kaun talli kar raha hai meri jaan ko? Aur janaab aapse humko bahot shikayat hai. Sirf apne dost se mil kar nikal gaye pichli baar, bhabhi ko bhula dia.", Nandita ek dheeli lambi skirt aur kamar tak ka chust top pehne unke pas chali aai. Yuvak khada hua toh woh uske gale lag kar mili apni shikayat kehti. Table par ab teesre gilas me jaam bann raha tha.
"Sorry bhabhi, kaam ki wajah se jana pada. Isliye aaj us din ki bharpai karne rukk gaya. Shikayat jamane bhar ko hai mujhse lekin aapki toh hal kar he sakta hu.", Halki khushi chehre par dher sara dard seene me dafan kiye is yuvak ne paanv chhune ki koshish ki toh Nandita peeche ho gayi.
"Itni boodhi matt karo mujhe, maan lia badi hu lekin rishtey me chhoti hu. Waise sach kahu toh bahot bura laga tha jaan kar us haadse ke baare me. Lekin tumhe koshish karni hogi apni zindagi ko ek disha dene ki. Mere liye ya apne dost ke liye na sahi lekin Inayat ke liye toh itna kar sakte ho. Ek baar tumne he kaha tha ke sab khatam hona bas dikhava hai Nandita, akela Abeer tumhe poora pariwar dega. Maine tumhari baat maan li thi aur tumne poora sath dia hum dono ka. Aaj meri baat par bas gor karke dekho.", Nandita ne uska hath thaam kar jis apnepan se ye kaha woh yuvak bina kuch bole bas gardan haan me hilate hue Nandita ke barabar he sofe par baith gaya. Apne hath se gilas yuvak ko pakdane ke baad bina jaam takraye teeno ne halka ghoont lia.
"Darling, apne devar ko aaj karari bhindi toh bana kar khilao. Hamesha yahi college me tumhara dia khana kha jata tha."
"Kyon nahi. Bhindi bhi aur jeere wale aalu bhi banaungi. Kam se kam mere devar ko mere hath ka khana toh pasand hai. Tumhari tarah ye office se khana wapis leke toh nahi aata.", Agle kuch samay tak koi bhi dukhbhari baat nahi kahi thi kisi ne lekin 2 jaam ke baad yuvak ne apni bhabhi ka hath thaam lia.
"Aaj main Abhi se mila tha bhabhi.", Aur chehre par fir se dard aa gaya.
"Tumne atcha kia jo kadam bhadaya aakhirkar. Woh chhota hai aur abhi maa ke sath usko apne baap ki bhi jarurat hai. Jara socho kaise dhyaan rakhti hogi woh akeli us masoom ka? Main bhi kabhi akeli maa thi aur is duniya ko main jaanti hu. Tum toh fir bhi zinda ho aur aapas me itna pyaar hai tum dono ke. Inayat bhi Abhi ki maa ko he maa samajhti hai. Dono bache ek he maa ke sath hai toh ab unhe baap ka pyaar bhi do.", Nandita ne hath dabate hue yuvak ko jaise haunsla dia.
"Aapko kya lagta hai main jana nahi chahta apne ghar? Ab wahi toh hain mere pas jo baaki hai. Lekin ek insaan se hajaro sawaal poochne hai aur dusri taraf main is baat se bhi darta hu ke jaise meri parchai baaki sabko kha gayi kahi ye dono bache bhi anaath na ho jaye."
"Samay sab thik kar dega devar ji. Tumhara koi kasoor nahi hai. Jaha tak main jaanti hu tumhare pas abhi bhi poora pariwar hai, bikhra jaroor hai lekin kahi na kahi sabhi hain toh duniya me. Aur jo ja chuke hai unke liye tum kahi jimmewar nahi ho. Khud ko dosh dena band karo aur wapis sameto apne sansar ko. Inayat ki ek maa ke jaane ke baad uske pas dusri abhi bhi hai. Bas tum he nahi ho. Kya aise ruswa karoge apne pehle pyaar ki aakhiri nishani ko? Sochne se bas samay niklega aur wahi toh kam padd jata hai zindagi me.", Nandita ne un aankhon ko table par rakhe tissue se saaf kia aur bottle utha kar almari me rakh kar rasoi me chali gayi.
"Dono fresh ho jao, sabji tayaar hai. Main sabke fulke (roti) sath he bana rahi hu.", Nandita ke itna kehne par Abeer ne ciggrette sulga li.
"Band kar de ye maut peeni.", Yuvak ne khade hote hue apne dost ko halke gusse me kaha.
"Is se jyada aag tere seene me jalti rehti hai, har waqt. Band kar de khud ko jalana. Kar sakta hai?"
"Haan kar sakta hu. Pehle samajh nahi aa raha tha ke satrangi zindagi berang kyo ho gayi. Ab is jalte kaale dil ko na safed baadal sa banaya toh mera naam badal dena. Indradhanush waisa he hota hai na Abeer? Prism between tha darkest to the lightest. Safar fir se shuru kar dia hai maine aur is bar Shankar Sharma ko bhi wahi dard milega jo itne saalo se main liye ghoom raha tha. Lekin main bahar nikal aaya hu aur woh andar jaane wale hain.", Itna kehta hua woh yuvak ek bharpoor urja liye us kamre ki taraf chal dia jaha se naha kar aaya tha dedh ghanta pehle.
'Balle Shera, saala sab badla lekin iski ye chaal aur sharir kahi jyada nikhar gaya hai. Welcome back to this beautiful world my brother. Welcome back.', Apne dost ko fir se zinda mehsoos karte he Abeer ne cigrette katori me bujha di.
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Saal 1998
University se ghar aane par jaha Priyanka didi apne aur Aarti ke kagaj sambhal kar file ke sath bag me rakhne kamre me chali gayi wahi Arjun aate he fridge se paani nikal kar peene laga. Dopahar ke 12 baj rahe the aur abhi unke pas bas kuch he ghante baaki the is shehar me. Aarti didi bhi kamre me ghar ke kapde pehan ne ja chuki thi. Idhar paani pee kar bottle wapis rakhi he thi ki Gurdeep hall ka darwaja kholti andar aa gayi.
"Thank you so much Arjun. Tumhe bebe bula rahi hai aur mere sath he chalna hoga.", Arjun ne abhi mooh-hath bhi na dhoya tha aur ye maharani farmaan liye khadi hui. Aarti didi dheela sa pajama aur tshirt pehne kamre se aai toh un dono ko he dekhne lagi. Arjun abhi bhi fridge ke he pas khada tha aur Gurdeep bahar wale darwaje ke.
"Saans toh le lia karo kabhi. Chalo main bhi chalti hu aunty ke pas.", Aarti didi ne hanste hue Arjun ka hath thama aur usko liye Gurdeep ke ghar aa gayi. Resham Singh ji ne bhi ghar saaf-suthra aur bagiche ke sath he banaya tha. Aaj din me he unki car ghar me khadi thi. Teeno galiyare se hote hue darwaje se hall me aaye toh Sardar ji ne aate he Arjun ko seene se laga lia. Barabar he Gurdeep ki mata ji bhi aa khadi hui aur Arjun ke sar par hath ferti bhavuk ho gayi. Kuch pal aise rehne ke baad Sardarji alag hue toh unke chehre par sukoon tha.
"Tumhari maa bhi bahot bhaago wali hai puttar ji. Aisa beta paida kia aur parvarish di hai ke unko naman karta hu. Mera ghar abaad kar dia beta ji tumne yaha aane ke ek he din me.", Sardar ji ne dono hath jode toh Arjun ne unke hath pakad liye.
"Kyo paap laga rahe hai uncle? Aap pita samaan hai aur itni chhoti si baat par aisa karna atchi baat nahi. Aap logo ka pyaar he wajah hai Ritinder bhaiya ke sambhalne ke peeche. Thode samay ke liye woh bhool gaye the bas aur bacha gali me ghoom kar wapis ghar he aata hai.", Arjun ne muskurate hue kaha aur Aarti didi khud he usko pakad kar sofe par le aai. Baaki sabhi bhi wahi aamne saamne baith gaye.
"Puttar ji, dil rakhne ke liye ab jo bhi keh do lekin jo hum nahi kar paaye woh tumne kar dia. Shikshak ka darja toh maa-baap se bhi upar he hota hai. Ricky ne khud he kaha ke us se galti ho gayi aur tumne hume badi musibat se bacha lia."
"Uncle ji ab aap ye sab le kar baith gaye. Maine toh suna tha ke punjab me swagat lassi-doodh se hota hai.", Arjun ne vartalap ko alag disha me le jaate hue mehman-nawaji ki taraf modd dia.
"Baitho beta, main leke aati hu. Khushi me bhool he gayi thi ke bacha pehli baar ghar me aaya hai.", Aunty rasoi me gayi toh Gurdeep bhi unke sath he chal di. Kankhiyo se Arjun ko dekhna abhi bhi jari tha.
"Waise Krishna ne bataya tha ke tumhari mata ji badi honhar aur suljhi hui mahila hai. Bahot pehle he main unse mila tha lekin Shankar ji se milna hota raha hai saal-6 mahine me. Shayad unki he parwarish hai beta jo tum aise bann gaye ho. Aaj bhai bhai ko nahi poochta lekin tumhare pariwar me jaise ye bhavna khoon me he hain."
"Haan maa bahot khayal rakhti hai uncle mera lekin woh galtiyan nahi nikalti. Uske liye mere dada-daadi aur dher sari behne pehle se he tyaar rehti hai. Waise galtiyan main bhi bahot karta hu lekin woh shayad utni badi nahi hoti ke dikhai de. Chhota bhi hu toh gharwale dhyaan nahi dete. Waise ek baat kehni thi agar aapki ijajat ho.", Arjun ne apni baat poori kehne se pehle poochna thik samjha.
"Beta ji nischint ho kar kaho. Hamare yaha dil bade hote hai ghar se bhi.", Uncle ji ne hanste hue jawaab dia.
"Aap sabhi koshish kia karo ek sath rehne ki, samay bitane ki. Mere dadaji ke sath mere papa aur baaki sab yahi karte hai. Kai baar ek dusre ki baat se sehmati nahi bhi hoti lekin woh fir bhi sath rehte hai, hal nikalte hai aur sukh se jyada jarurat ke waqt ek dusre ka dhyaan rakhte hai. Dada ji papa ke dost ki tarah hai, chacha aur papa toh jaise ek he hain aur chachi maa ke sath meri maa bhi rishtey se adhik judi hui hai. Aarti didi ko koi ye nahi kehta ke woh kinki beti hai, ye bhi Ritu-Alka didi ki tarah bas mere dada ji ke sansaar ka atoot hissa hai. Ritinder bhaiya me bete ke sath aapko aur bhi kuch jarur mil jayega. Aunty bhi aise me sabke saath rehne par akelapan nahi mehsoos karengi.", Idhar aunty lassi ke 4 gilas lekar aai aur unke sath he Gurdeep plate me namkeen-meetha la kar table pe rakhti hui Aarti ki bagal me baith gayi.
"Bache bade hone par hum sampark kamjor kar lete hai. Meri umar aisi baat karne ki ijajat nahi deti lekin aap log ek dusre ko samay denge toh kabhi kisi Arjun ko shabshi nahi deni padegi. Main toh mere dadaji ke pyaar ko jyada paane ke liye bagiche me maali bann ne ke sath sath aisa koi mauka nahi chhodta jisme woh akele ho.", Arjun ne baat khatam karne ke sath he bhool-chook ke liye hath jodte hue maanfi maangi toh aunty ji ne usko seene se laga lia.
"Beta kuch galat nahi kaha tumne. Ye gurughar ke baad samay se pehle tayaar ho kar kaam pe chale jaate hai, shaam ko aane ke baad main chai de kar duty khatam samajh leti hu aur inke hote hue bhi tv chala kar baith jati hu. Ricky ko pehle har waqt saamne rakhte the, deepi bhi inke aur mere peeche lagi rehti thi. Bas anjaane me he band ghar me sabke kamre alag hote hote ye duriya aa gayi. Jimmewari ke naam par bacho ko bhi bhul gaye aur ek dusre ko bhi."
"Sach kehti ho aap daarni ji. Beta baat tumne badi kahi lekin bina chott pahuchaye aaina dikha dia. Mere bacho ko ab sirf cheeje nahi milengi, woh mere sath jaya karenge aur main bhi pehle atcha murga bana leta tha, tumhari aunty ko pasand tha toh ab fir se khush karne ki koshish karunga."
"Toh is baat par lassi se mooh meetha karo.", Arjun ne ek gilas uncle ki taraf badhaya toh Gurdeep ne apni mata ji ko aankhen dikhai.
"Tujhe kya hu deepi?", Uncle ne jaise poocha woh fataak se bol padi
"Maine kaha tha bebe se lassi meethi banao, inhone namkeen bana di toh mooh meetha nahi namkeen hoga. Dekh lo bebe Arjun meethi lassi peeta hai.", Woh radio fir se chalu ho gaya tha.
"Bandariya, barfi padi hai table par. Dimag me papa se teil dalwaya kar, chalne lagega.", Ricky andar se tayaar ho kar aaya aur Gurdeep se chuhal karne ke baad apni maa se ja lipta, jo chote sofe par baithi thi.
"Tu maar khayega mere hath se agar bandariya bola toh. Apni shakal dekh jara tikki-chhole jaisi.", Gurdeep ki kahawat dekh Arjun bhi hansne laga aur baaki sab khush the in bhai behno ko aise dekh kar.
"Waise Gurdeep ko khaane ka itna shauk hai ke misaal bhi apni he pasand se tayaar karti hai?", Arjun ke itna kehte he Gurdeep ka mooh fool gaya.
"Bhai ye toh papa bhi bata denge, model town me Chur-mur wala dekhte he khush ho jata hai Deepi ko, 100 ke tikki golgappe akele kha jaati hai hamari bholi begam. Papa ne toh iski shaadi ki baat bhi us rehdi wale se ki thi. Wahi bechara darr gaya. Ek toh ye itni motti woh mariyal sa upar se jitne ka samaan bikega us se jyada ye kha jayegi.", Ricky ki peeth par dhol padte he woh apne papa ko dekhne laga jo hans bhi rahe the aur jhoota gussa dikha rahe the.
"Bas karo bhai, woh bhadak gayi toh fir tum hafta kamre me chehre par tape lagate firoge. Meri beti apne baap ka khaati hai aur usko koi kuch nahi kahega.", Resham Singh ji ki baat sunn kar bholi begam Ricky ko angutha dikhane lagi. Usko bhi maloom na tha ke papa bhi majaak uska he udaa rahe the. Kuch der baatein hui aur sabko he atcha lag raha tha is badle hue mahol me shamil hone par. 1 bajte he Arjun ne ijajat li ghar par baaki bache kaam karne ke liye. Unhone dopahar ke khaane ke liye rokna chaha lekin jaise taise unhe mana kar Aarti Arjun unse jaane se pehle milne ka bol kar bahar aa gaye.
"Main bhi wahi jaa rahi hu, khana Priyanka ke sath he kha lungi.", Gurdeep unse pehle he bahar bhaag chali. Apni beti ko bhi hansta khelta dekh mia-biwi ke sath Ricky bhi khush tha. Andar jaate hue woh apne papa se kehne laga.
"Woh main keh raha tha papa ke yamaha bech dete hai. Kaam ki nahi hai kuch aur average toh 15 ki deti hai. College toh dono ke he khatam ho gaye hai hamare, mere re-exam dene aapke sath chala jaya karunga. Yahi job bhi dekh lunga uske baad."
"Gaadi tere liye he li hai beta, tu he office chhod dia kar mujhe, lene aayega toh thik nahi dost mere bhi hai. Apni maa ke sath reh aur bas padhai kar. Job nahi karni abhi deepi ki shaadi tak."
"Papa, woh Deepi ki shaadi bua ke kehne par pakki toh kar di lekin ladka usko pasand hai ya nahi ye toh pooch lena chahiye tha.", Ricky ne najre jhukaye apni behan ke prati itne samay baad chinta jahir ki toh Resham Singh ji ne uski peeth thapthapa di.
"Anguthi thodi badli hai shera. Jaha woh chahegi kar denge lekin tu na apni sehat pe dhyaan de aur apni maa ka khayaal rakh. Bade time baad uska beta yaha sabke sath dikha hai toh aaj he woh saal bhar ka khana bana rahi hai tere liye.", Muskurata hua Ricky apni maa ke peeche lipat gaya.
"Bebe, kuch nahi banana. Aap shakkar daal ke choori bana do bas.", Maa ki aankhon me ab woh aansu challak aaye jo kabse woh roke hue thi.
"Maaf kar dena beta agar mujhse koi andekhi hui ho."
"Bebe dil maine dukhaya hai aur ro aap rahi ho. Aaj na aapko main bade gurughar leke jaunga, aapki badi itcha thi na jaane ki toh hum dono he chalenge shaam ko. Kya pata waheguru ji meri maa ko kaunsi nayi khushiya de de itne maade din dekhne ke baad."
"Tu na sachmuch meri jaan hai beta.", Woh mudd kar apne bete ke seene se lag gai thi. Idhar pados ke ghar me alag he mahol tha.
Hall me Priyanka didi ke sath 4 yuvtiya baithi thi sofe par aur ghar ke bahar he zen car 2 scooty khadi thi. Gurdeep toh jaate he unme shamil ho gayi, uski bhi saheliya thi woh aur Aarti bhi sabse mil kar unke liye thanda banane chali gayi rasoighar me. Reh gaya Arjun jo andar se aati awaaje sunn kar aangan me he thithak gaya. Itni sari anjaan ladkiyo se najre milana uske bas ka nahi tha. Abhi woh wapis bahar jaane ka vichar he kar raha tha ke pichle bagiche se chalti Jasleen uske paas aa ruki.
"Kya baat hero, yaha khade pehra de rahe ho?", Hatho me 2 amrood liye woh muskura rahi thi. Sharir par wahi rangeen kapde the jo canteen me dekhe the.
"Nahi, woh main peeche garden me he jaa raha tha. Aapke kadmo ki aahat se ruk gaya dekhne ke liye ki koi pehle se udhar hai shayad.", Jawaab dete na bana toh Jasleen par he baat ghuma di thi usne.
"Chalo yar andar, waha badi umas hai. Waise ruko, bagiche me he chalte hai. Ye amrood thode sakht hai lekin pas the isliye todd liye. Tum mere liye upar wale pake hue amrood todd he sakte ho.", Jasleen ko ab woh na mana kar sakta tha aur na woh uske sath jana chahta tha. Pehle he Aarti didi ke saamne Gurdeep wali baat par woh khud ko dosh de raha tha aur ye ladki ab nayi musibat paida kar rahi thi.
"Aap umas me pareshan hongi, main todd lata hu aapke liye.", Arjun ne kadam udhar galiyare me badha diye lekin Jasleen mooh tedha karti hui uske peeche he chal di. Woh mann banaye hue thi jaise ki Arjun ka peecha nahi chhodna. Is taraf aate he Arjun bas ye hariyali dekhne laga jo uski chachi maa ne pyaar aur mehnat se tayaar ki thi. Amrood ka peid sachmuch 8-9 feet uncha aur uske sath dugna bada jamun ka vriksh. Ek taraf angoor ki ghani bail pipe se lipti aage anaar ke jhaad tak faili thi. Uski chaya me he hari mirch, bhindi, tamatar, pyaaj ki kyaari bade sahi kram aur duri se bani thi. Anaar bhi tennis ball se bade aur laal-bhure. Aap ke peid par bour aane lage the.
"Tum yahi toh ho kal se, dekha nahi kya pehle?", Jasleen ki awaaj sunn kar uska dhyaan toota aur jawaab me bas naa me gardan hila di.
"Samay he nahi mila idhar aane ka lekin yaha toh saamne wale bagiche se bhi jyada hariyali hai. Badi mehant lagi hogi itna sab sambhalne me.", Arjun Jasleen ke hone par bhi bagiche me khoya tha.
"Aunty ne toh yaha jhula bhi lagwaya tha pichli baisakhi pe, woh Jamun wali daal jaane kiski wajah se toot gayi thi. Tum bhi gardening karte ho kya?", Jasleen chalti hui uske kareeb se nikal kar anaar ke jhaad ke pas aa ruki. Sukhi tehniya bahot thi us najuk kalai ko kharonch dene ke liye.
"Ruko.", Arjun kehta reh gaya aur dard se hath jhatakti Jasleen apni gori patli kalai dekhne lagi.
"Maine bola bhi tha aapko aur dekho lag gayi na.", Arjun ne bagiche me bani tanki se hath par paani daalte hue saaf kia aur Jasleen ki badi badi kajal lagi aankhen uske chehre ko he niharti rahi. Dard toh jaise Arjun ke hath pakadne se he chala gaya tha lekin andar jo dard uthne laga tha uski dawa bhi Arjun he kar sakta tha.
"ho gaya.", Arjun ne hath atche se dhone ke baad dekha toh kharoche bas halki halki najar aa rahi thi.
"Itni jaldi ho gaya?", Jasleen ka sawaal usko khud nahi maloom tha.
"Haan bas didi se bol kar betnovate tube lagwa lena. Jalan nahi hogi aur aainda sookhi jhadi me seedha hath daalne se pehle sochna jarur. Chalo main aapke liye woh anaar todd deta hu.", Arjun ne kalai kya chhodi Jasleen ka rang halka padd gaya. Fir bhi Arjun uske liye toh ye kar raha tha. Woh dekh rahi thi kitni kushalta se Arjun ek tehni ko jhukate hue us anaar tak pahucha aur araam se todd kar uske pas le aaya.
"Thank you."
"Amrood bhi todd he lete hai.", Arjun ne muskura kar jawab dia aur us bade aur halke peele amrood tak pahuchne ki koshish karne laga jo takriban 8 feet upar tha. Ungli chhoo rahi thi aur woh hil jata.
"Mujhe upar utha lo, main todd leti hu.", Jasleen ki baat sunn kar Arjun ko jhatka laga lekin sharir ko upar uchaal kar usne woh amrood bhi todd lia.
"10 feet ke basket ring ko pakad sakta hu ye toh fir bhi pas he tha. Waise aapko utha bhi leta tab bhi waha tak toh nahi pahuchte.", Arjun ne amrood hath me thamaya toh Jasleen furti se uska gaal choom kar khilkhilati hui bhag gayi. Arjun bhochakka sa apne par giri bijli ki tapish mehsoos karta khada raha.
'Ab isko kya hua jo gaal choom kar bhaag gayi.?', Apne soch me he khoya tha ke Aarti didi idhar aa gayi.
"Chalo, bahar akele kya kar rahe ho. Andar sab intjaar kar rahe hai."
"Intjaar?"
"Sabhi friends aai hai na hamari toh farewell treat hogi he. Sab apni apni pasand ka khana leke aai hai aur sath mil kar khayenge.", Aarti didi ke aisa batane par Arjun chupchap unke sath chal dia. Andar takriban 8 log toh sofe aur kursiyon par baithe he the aur Arjun ka sabhi se parichaya karwane ke baad Aarti didi aur Arjun bhi khaane me shamil ho gaye. Ladkiyon ki kachar-pachar bhojan ke waqt bhi nirantar chaalu thi aur Arjun par jyada kisi ne dhyaan nahi dia tha aur na usne khud. Fir bhi Gurdeep aur Jasleen beech beech me Arjun ko dekh he leti thi. Sabse pehle Arjun he khaane se nivrat ho apni plate rasoi me rakhne ke baad chachi maa ke kamre me aa gaya. Usko maloom tha ke abhi bahar bhoochal bhi aa jaye toh un logo ki baatein nahi khatam hone wali. Ek takiye me mooh dabaye woh dusre ko baah ke niche rakhe sone laga.
"Yar Priyanka, bulane ke liye shukriya lekin tujhe pata hai na shaadi me itni dur mera aana toh possible nahi hai. Haan waise kabhi aana hua toh main bina mile nahi aaungi wapis.", Ye Kirti thi jo didi ke nyota dene par apni asamarthta bata rahi thi.
"Thik keh rahi hai Kirti yar Priyanka, beshak gaadi bhi hai ghar me lekin tu khud he soch joint family me rehti hu main toh koi bhi ijajat nai dega. Aur tune koshish ki bhi toh mujhe bura lagega agar pariwar wale tere saamne mana karenge. Waise ghar toh yahi rehne wala hai toh jab jab tu aayegi toh hum bhi milne chale aayenge. Meri bhi shaadi hai December me.", Khoobsurat si ye patli si ladki shama maangti hui apni majboori batane lagi.
"Matlab tum me se koi bhi nahi aayega? Ye toh badi galat baat hai yar. Meri saheliya he nahi hongi toh main kya jawaab dungi apni behno ko.?", Priyanka didi sabko dekhti hui naraajgi jata rahi thi.
"Koi aaye ya na aaye main toh aa rahi hu aur woh bhi hafta pehle, Deepi ke sath. Gaadi hai mere pas aur rasta mujhe atche se pata hai.", Jasleen ke aisa kehte he sath baithi Gurdeep uske gale lag gayi.
"Ye hai meri saheli beshak ladti rehti hai mere sath kyonki main modern nahi rehti iske jaisi lekin sath bhi mere he rehti hai.", Gurdeep ke aisa kehne par Aarti didi dono ko dekh rahi thi.
"Deepi ko toh uncle-aunty ke sath aana padega. Ye tumhare sath kaise aa payegi? Aur Jaggi tujhe kaise akele aane dega woh bhi hafte pehle?", Aarti didi ki baat par Jasleen ne kapde se amrood saaf karte hue jawaab dia.
"Bebe ko le kar Jaggi ja raha hai Nanded aur waha se Bombay wali massi ke pas. Unka program hai 2 hafto ko aur unhone jana hai 13 tarikh ko shaadi hai 21 ki. Main manage kar lungi araam se. Aur Deepi ke gharwale shaadi wale din he aayenge lekin isne permission le li hai abhi abhi.", Jasleen ne aankh maarte hue kaha toh Kirti gor se usko dekhne lagi.
"Tu itni utawali kaise ho rahi hai waha jaane ke liye? AC me rehne wali ko waha Gucci-Tommy ki jagah Apsara-Bata milenge aur jyada se jyada cooler ki umas wali hawa ke sath. Kitna pichda hua hai Haryana. Isliye toh mere gharwale mana kar rahe hai ke waha garmi aur baagdi basha ki wajah se.", Kirti ki baat ka jawab Priyanka-Aarti deti us se pehle he Jasleen ne kamaan apne hath me le li.
"Oh Miss Punjabi bagh, itna bhi mat bol. Haryana waisa he hai jaisa ye Punjab hai. #### shehar me rehte hai ye log aur service class city hai. Engineer, doctor, scientists gali mohalle me milte hai udhar. Language ka kya hai, yaha unke liye punjabi alag hai hamare liye haryanvi lekin samajh dono he lete hai. Rahi baat cooler ki aur brands ki toh jaha jao waise ho jao. University me main is jeans top me rehti hu lekin ghar pe toh main bhi sabke jaise he salwar-kameej ya pajama/nikkar jyada se jyada. Dil lagao dimaag nahi.", Jasleen ki baat sunn kar Kirti thoda sharminda ho gayi.
"Woh yaar main toh wahi bol rahi thi jo meri chachi ne kaha. Sorry Priyanka mera waisa matlab nahi tha."
"Teri chachi na tedhi bahot hai. Pata nahi tera chacha kaha se byaah laya usko. Aap toh Rajasthan ke registan se aai hai aur usko har taraf America London chahiye.", Jasleen ne khinchai ki toh Aarti ne hanste hue hath par hath rakhte hue chup karwaya.
"Aisa hai Kirti agar tumhara dil kare toh aa jana aur main vishwas dilati hu ki sewa me koi kami nahi hongi. Waha hamare 2 ghar hai aur dono he Jasleen ke ghar se bhi bade. Jisme abhi rehte hai na woh mere dada ji aur Arjun ne sirf pyaar se banaya hua hai. Rahi baat sukh suvidha ki toh hum sabhi behno ke kamre me toh AC lagwa dia gaya hai aur baaki dusre ghar me 5 kamre aur tayaar ho rahe hai jaise hamare hai waise he. Shehar yaha se thoda chhota hoga lekin bheed bhi nahi hai jis se dum ghute ya pareshani ho. Aur sach kahu toh tumhe aana he chahiye, pariwar me koi adjust nahi hota. Pyaar hota hai aur sabhi apni jagah bana he lete hai.", Aarti didi ne bade pyaar se samjhaya toh Jasleen ke sath sath baaki ladkiya bhi dekhne lagi. Jaise unko vishwas na ho ke Aarti logo ka ghar pariwar aisa hoga.
"Dusri baat ye hai ke agar waha kuch teri pasand ka na mila toh hamara bhai kahi se bhi dhoond kar la he dega jo tujhe chahiye hoga. Waise pariwar me aayegi toh ek baat confirm kar deti hu tum dono ko, ye jeans-top ki jagah saree na pehni toh mera naam badal dena. Tum dono se upar toh Tara he hogi is sabme lekin milna jara meri bua ki beti se. Western-conventional ka best example hai. Baaki thik nahi lage toh hotel-farmhouse bhi hai. Aage tumhari marji.", Priyanka didi ne toh sabko sochne par majboor kar dia tha.
"Baat kahi se galat bhi nahi ho sakti. Tumhare dada ji ka jab gaanv he khudka ho toh ye sab chhoti baatein he hain. Kirti aaye na aaye, main toh apni darling ke sath tayaariyo me lagne wali hu. Shayad isko Guri ke sath aana ho aur waha aisa allowed nahi hoga toh mood badal rahi hogi ye. Aur Dimple tu bhi chal na yaar, car me 2 log aur bhi aa jayenge.", Jasleen ne Kirti ki firki lene ke sath he is ek aur katile nain-naksh wali ladki se poocha.
"Abhi confirm nahi hai kuch. Ek exam hai yar mera, gharwale toh peeche he pade hue hai ke Dehradun chali ja ya Delhi ghoom aa. Gharwale toh kabhi mana nahi karenge lekin pehle ye exam fir main tujhe bata dungi. Waise haan he samajh ab.", Dimple ke itna kehte he Priyanka didi ne usko ek taraf se apne sath laga lia.
"Chalo bhai ab ek he seat baaki hai aur or koi nahi jana chata toh main araam se pichli seat par soti hui jaane wali hu.", Gurdeep ki aisi ghosna par ye chui-mui si sabse chupchap si baithi ladki bol padi toh sabhi usko dekhne lage.
"Hum jana chahta hai. Agar aap logo ko pasand ho toh.", Kisi kashmiri seb jaisi rangat, bhoore sunehari baal, badi billori aankhen jinme karigari se jaise surma lagaya gaya ho. Aur jaridaar khaas tarah ka salwar kameej pehne ye patli si ladki saheliyo ke sath bhi sar par dupatta kiye thi. Chehre aur awaaj se woh inme sabhi se kahi jyada khoobsurat thi.
"Afsana, tum theek toh ho na? Tumhare abba toh mujhe pata hai kabhi mana nahi karte lekin ammi aur badi behan raaji nahi hongi. Waise tumhe yaad bhi hai ke kab tum aakhiri baar akele market bhi gayi thi, shayad panchvi class me.", Gurdeep ke aisa maja lete hue bhi gambhirta se kehne par Afsana ne muskurate hue palke jhuka li.
"Humne toh kabhi aisa jahir nahi kia ke ammijaan ya baaji ne koi pabandi lagai ho hum par. Woh hume pasand he nahi akele bahar jana. Aapne kabhi hume hijaab ya parde me dekh hai? Aarti ke sath kabhi hamare pariwar ne hum par sakhti nahi ki hai aur Abbu toh khud inke papa ki sohbat me sharik rehte hai, jumme se agle din.", Afsana ki awaaj kaan ki jagah bas dil par ja lagti thi. Woh patle surkh honth hilte the toh aisa lagta ke ye koi videshi gudiya ho jaise. Aarti didi ne toh uska gaal he choom lia kapde ke upar se he.
"Ye dekho jara aap log. Meri ek he saheli hai aur jaisa sablog sochte the us se bilkul alag aur meri khushi me khush hone wali. Hussain Uncle toh waise bhi aane he wale lekin ye atcha hai na ke hamari mom ki gudiya unse pehle hamare ghar aayegi. Aur Deepi sach kehti hu ek baar tumhe milna chahiye inki mummy aur didi se, woh bilkul bhi waisi nahi hai jaise tumhe lagta hoga. Haan ye ladki jarur ghar me sabse jyada sharmati rehti hai aur kabhi kabhi awaaj sunn ne ko milti hai iski aise mahol me. Mere sath khoob patar patar bolti hai lekin.", Afsana toh sharam se gade jaa rahi thi lekin Aarti usko apne sath lagaye khush thi ki uski ekmatra sakhi bhi unke shehar aane ko tayaar ho gayi.
"In madam ko dekhne kitne he ladke pagal hue rehte hai, lekin ye toh sadak ko dekh kar machine se he chalti rehti hai. Waise tumhari sister ko main atche se jaanti ho. Jubaida naam hai na? Tumse bhi kahi sundar hai woh lekin pata nahi degree khatam hone ke baad ek saal me jyada milna nahi hua unse. Hamari senior thi lekin atchi saheli bhi.", Jasleen ne Afsana ki badi behan ka jikar kia toh jawaab Aarti ne dia.
"Zubeidaa naam hai unka. Aur didi hain aajkal painting me busy toh woh ghar pe bhi mushkil se samay deti hai lekin tum sahi kehti ho, unke sath gappe lagane me jo maja hai na woh is sharmili Afsana ke sath bhi nahi.", Aarti ne Jasleen ko pehle toh naam me sudhaar bataya aur fir apni he saheli ke maje lene lagi. Afsana ne thodi narajgi si Aarti ko dekha toh usne fir se gaal choom lia, dupatte ke upar se he.
"Haan sahi kaha tumne. Chalo yar ab chalte hai saadhe 3 baj gaye hai aur tum logo ko bhi kaam hoga, thodi der baad jana bhi hai. Waise shaadi ke card dene toh uncle aayenge na shehar me?", Jasleen le ab kahi amrood khana shuru kia tha.
"Haan papa toh aayenge he aur woh agar deri se India aaye toh bade papa ya fir Arjun ke sath kisi ko bhejenge. Nahi toh by post he hoga agar samay he na mila toh.", Priyanka didi ne Jasleen ko hath pakad kar wapis bithaya toh woh bathroom jaane ka bol kar amrood table par rakhti waha se andar ki taraf aa gayi. Baaki sab bhi baatein karti hui thoda aur samay vyatit karne lagi.
Dono kamre khali dekh Jasleen idhar aai toh Arjun badi masoomiyat se soya hua dikha. Chehra darwaje ki he taraf tha lekin maathe ke saamne bikhre baal, upari chauda jism sirf baniyaan me aur chehre par sukoon. Jasleen dabe paanv uske paas aa khadi hui. Ye ladka uske sath kya khel raha tha jo kuch he ghante me woh iske liye pagal hue ja rahi thi. College me toh bhai ke saamne he sharminda hona pada tha lekin usko parwah nahi thi. Patle charhare sharir par tennis ball se chuche dhadkan ke sath hill rahe the aur himmat karti woh uske pas baith gayi.
'Kya kar rahe ho tum? Mera bas chale toh tumhara hath apne dil par rakh kar bata du apni halat lekin isme samay lagega Arjun. Apna dhyaan rakhna.', Mann me itna kehti woh apne reshmi baal uske chehre par jhukati hui bade pyaar se gaal choom kar turant he kamre se bahar chali gayi. Arjun ke chehre par neend me he muskaan aa gayi thi. Bahar bhi thodi bahot baatein karne ke baad sabhi chali gayi thi aur Priyanka didi ke sath Gurdeep unki madad kar rahi thi jaruri samaan pack karwane me wahi Aarti band kamre me Afsana ke sath mahine bhar ki baatein sanjha karte hue apne kapde, kitabe aur kuch samaan thik se rakh rahi thi. 2 bag toh subah he dono behno ne tayaar kar liye the lekin ab rehna he bade pariwar me tha toh ye samaan bhi jaruri tha. Baaki toh agar jarurat hui toh gharwale he gaadi se leke jaane wale the.
"Chal meri jaan, chai banate hai. Didi ka bhi ho gaya hoga toh woh naha lengi itne hum chai bana lete hai fir tujhe chhodne main chal padungi.", Aarti ne apni saheli ko kaam se farig hone ke baad mooh hath dhote hue kaha. Afsana ne kamre ko band dekha toh dupatta saleeke se ek taraf rakhte hue apna chehra beparda kia aur bathroom me mooh dhone lagi. Ye ladki shayad khuda ki ek nayaab karigari ka udaharan thi. Koi itna bhi khoobsurat kaise ho sakta ye baat har woh insaan kehta jo is chehre ko beparda dekh leta. Shayad pariwar aur kuch logo ko he iski ijajat di thi Afsana ne. Aarti ne saaf toliya nikaal kar bister par rakha he tha Afsana ke liye aur ek taraf se Afsana bathroom se geele chehre ke sath bahar nikli aur idhar darwaje se Arjun safed kurta pyjama pehne tayaar hu andar aa khada hua.
Dua ki moorat me woh mom se najuk aur gore haath bheege chehre se niche aaye the aur idhar Arjun ki najre ja mili un sunehari aankhon se. Dono ke liye aisa manjar kuch anhoni sa he tha. Arjun toh din me khana bhi wahi baith kar khaa ke gaya tha lekin na tab usne kisi ko dekhne ki koshish ki tha na Afsana ne he najre utha kar parichaya ke waqt Arjun ka didar kia tha. Mahol itna shaant dekh kar Aarti ne bag bister par rakhne ke baad palat kar dekha toh woh bhi un dono ko aise apalak ek dusre ko dekhte hue paa kar soch me padd gayi. Jald he gala khankharte hue Aarti ne dono ka dhyaan bhang kia toh Arjun bina kuch kahe bahar aur Afsana bathroom ke andar. Aarti ne hanste hue kamra fir se band kar dia.
"Oh meri mom ki gudiya, sorry yar Arjun ko pata nahi tha ke tum bhi andar ho sakti ho. Ye lo chehra saaf kar lo aur maine darwaja band kar dia hai.", Ek baar fir se chehra dhone ke baad Afsana dhime kadmo se bahar aai aur toliye se chehre ka pani sukhane lagi. Woh kapde ko ragad nahi rahi thi, bas halke halke dabate hue nami bhar paani chehre par rakhne ke baad chupchap sar, mastak aur gale ko dhakne ke baad Aarti ko dekhne lagi.
"Koi baat nahi. Dekhne se hum maile nahi ho jayenge.", Afsana ne itna keh toh dia tha lekin chehre par thodi gambhirta thi. Bahar Arjun Resham Singh ji ke sath baatein karte hue bagiche me paani dene laga tha. Unhone he bataya tha Arjun ko ki wahi subah shaam uske chacha ki gair-hajri me dono bagiche aur ghar ka khayaal rakhte hai. Kuch der baatein karne ke baad samay dekha toh paune 5 ho chuke the aur Aarti didi ne usko andar se awaaj di toh nal band karne ke baad woh bhitar chala aaya. Table par uska badaam wala doodh tayaar pada tha. Sofe par ek taraf simti hui Afsana chai ka cup ghoor rahi thi aur Aarti didi rasoi se bisuit laane ka bol kar uth gayi.
"Kshama chahta hu, woh galti se kamre me dakhil ho gaya tha. Mujhe nahi pata tha ke aap bhi andar ho sakti hai. Maaf kar dijiyega kyonki bura toh aapko laga he hai.", Arjun ne najre uthaye bina he sadhe hue shabdo me Afsana se apni galti ki maafi maangi aur gilas le kar Priyanka didi ke kamre me chala gaya jaha Gurdeep bhi baithi thi.
"Ab ye kaha chala gaya? Afsana us baat ka bura matt maan-na. Arjun dil ka bura nahi hai bas woh hansta-khelta rehta hai aur usko jara bhi pata nahi tha ke tum waha ho sakti ho. Aise me woh waha nahi aata. Shayad isliye he woh uth kar chala gaya. Dekh tujhe bura laga toh main bol deti hu woh sorry bhi keh dega.", Aarti ne apni saheli ki kalai par hath rakhte he kaha.
"Aisa kya zalzala aa gaya hai Aarti? Humse woh najre milaye bina he maafi maang gaye aur yaha aap bhi aisa kar rahi ho. Chehra najar kia tha bas koi didar nahi aur hume bura is baat ka laga ke aapke bhai ne hume kis halat me dekha, is baat ka bura nahi laga ke unhone dekha. Hum khudse naraaj the lekin unki maafi ko humne qubool kia hai, beshak jarurat nahi thi.", Is baar Afsana ke chehre par vishwas tha aur woh najre utha kar sanjidgi se baat kar rahi thi.
"Shukar hai ke tum rone nahi lag padi. Meri halat pata hai kaisi ho rahi thi ye soch kar ke kahi tum fir se naraaj na ho jao.", Aarti ne hanste hue Afsana ki naram ungliya apne hatho me le li.
"Aapse ruswa hone ka sawaal he nahi hota. Hamara matlab tha ke aapke bhai ne jab hume dekha tab chehre par paani tha hamare. Aise me nazar karna atcha nahi mana jata. Chaliye ab hume bhi zara hamare ghar pahunchne ki zehmat kijiye.", Afsana ne cup bhi saleeke se tray me rakha tha, bina koi awaaj kiye.
"Chal yar, tu na band kamre me he thik rehti hai. 15 saal se ye tera 'hum-aap' aur urdu jhel rahi hu. Kabhi toh dosto ki tarah baat kia kar meri jaan.", Aarti didi ne bhi sofe par rakha dupatta uthate hue seene ke saamne se ghuma kar sar pe le lia.
"Class me hume suna hai na? Yaha hum aapke sath duniya se befikar rehte hai aur jubaan toh ab jaisi hai waisi he rahegi. Chaliye ab.", Afsana ke chehre par ye muskaan dekh Aarti ne Arjun ko awaaj di.
"Chalo bhai, jara humko Afsana ke ghar chhod do. Tumhe bhi toh Jagtar se milna hai, afsana ka ghar market se pehle he hai aur wapsi me mujhe wahi se le lena.", Aarti ke aisa kehne par Arjun ne ek pal ke liye socha aur fir jawaab dia.
"Gurdeep sath chale toh behtar nahi hoga? 3 log motorcycle par jayenge?"
"Deepi ko didi ke sath kaam karwane do aur main tumhari tarah baith jaungi agar jyada dikkat hai 2 ko apne peeche baithane me.", Baat dono kar rahe the lekin Afsana ki raye kisi ne na li.
"Paidal he chalte hai na fir. Ghar market se pehle he hai toh jyada dur nahi hai. Jagtar bhai se bhi main milne paidal chala jaunga, market bhi toh yahi par he hai.", Arjun jaise abhi bhi adig tha apni baat par.
"Aapko pareshani nahi aayegi.", Arjun ne ek jhalak bas is awaaj ki strot ko dekha aur chupchap motorcycle ki chabi fridge ke upar se utha kar hall se bahar chal dia motorcycle nikalne.
"Waah. Tum toh bolne bhi lagi.", Aarti ne Afsana ke sath chuhal karte hue kaha toh woh khud he Aarti ka hath pakad kar bahar aa gayi. Arjun seat par kapda maarne ke baad aadha tanki aur aadha seat par baith gaya tha. Aarti didi uske peeche dono panv ek taraf karke baith gayi thi itni jagah dekh kar aur unka anusaran karte hue Afsana bhi, jo Aarti se kam jagah ghere thi, thoda halka sharir hone ki wajah se.
"Aap log baith gaye toh main chalu?"
"Haan ye park par karke market wali gali me le lena. Waha sadak se pehle he right side andar gali me seedha.", Aarti didi ne kandhe par hath rakha hua tha aur Afsana peeche simti si baithi Aarti ka dusra hath pakde thi. Arjun aadeshanusar raste par motorcycle 20 ki gati se le jaane laga. Ye kahi ajeeb tha jo aaj uske dil me ho raha tha is ladki ko dekhne ke baad aur kuch samay pehle suni awaaj se. Jaise dil me tufaan sa uth raha ho lekin lehre us sahil ko badhne se rok rahi thi. Na chahte hue bhi shishe par najar chali he gayi. Safed-neele dupatte ke beech woh sunehari aankhen aaine me uski najro se takrai toh tapish sehan na kar paya woh.
"Yaha mudna hai.", Aarti didi ki baat sunn kar jhempta hua woh thodi tej motorcycle chalata gali me aa gaya. 200 gaj par he rukne ka kaha toh Arjun unke utarte he bina kuch sune ya bataye motrocycle 'C' ke akaar me ghumata wapis mudd gaya.
"Yahi wapis aa jana mujhe lene.", Didi ki awaaj kaano me gayi lekin woh bas waha se nikal gaya.
"Pata nahi kya ho jata hai kabhi kabhi isko. Shayat deri ho rahi hogi, chal aunty se teri shikayat lagati hu.", Aarti didi Afsana ka hath pakde he is ek manjila saaf-suthre ghar me chali aai. Saamne he Afsana ki ammi ji taar se kade samet rahi thi aur unke aage peeche ye neeli aankhon wali jhabrili bili uchal kood macha rahi thi.
"Namastey aunty ji aur Bilbo badi masti soojh rahi hai tujhe.", Unki ammi ne gale laga kar Aarti se sneh jataya aur ye Billi bhi unke paanv par panje maarne lagi, jisko Afsana ne goad me le lia.
"Meri bachi ab samay laga tujhe apni aunty se milne ka? Upar se tum hamesha ke liye yaha se ja rahi ho.", Afsana ki ammi ke dil me bada apnapan tha Aarti ke liye. Duayen dene ke baad woh uski najar utarti apne sath andar le chali toh Afsana ki goad se uchal kar woh khoobsurat vidaal bhi masti karti sath ho chali. Ghar ka harek hissa jaise dil se sajaya hua tha. Afsana yaha aane ke baad bhi hath mooh dhone chali gayi aur Aarti apni aunty ji ke sath diwaan par pasar kar ram-kahani batiyane lagi. Udhar Arjun 5 minute deri se pahucha toh Jagtar Singh bhi kurte pyjame ke sath neeli dasar pehne bada sukoon me najar aa raha tha.
"Deri ke liye sorry Jagtar bhai.", Arjun se woh gale lag kar mila.
"Abhi tumhare saamne toh waha se idhar aaya hu. Kya sorry? Mujhe toh atcha laga ke jaane se pehle tumne thoda waqt nikala hamare liye.", Jaggi Arjun ke sath tehalta hua market ke pichli taraf chala aaya. Sabhi dukane aur bheed saamne thi lekin is taraf bas khaali parking aur uske sath ye bada sa park. Jaggi ne kurte ki nichli jeb se mutthi bhar bajra nikala aur thoda Arjun ko dete hue khud bhi parking aage wali samtal maidan me barsane laga. Yaha atche khaase pakshi the is waqt.
"Bada nek kaam karte ho bhai.", Arjun dekh raha tha ke yaha ek tarah ke he kabootar nahi the. Kuch rang-birange bhi the aur 2-3 hare totte bhi.
"Arjun bhai, burai toh saari zindagi karte he rehte hai. Kabhi kabhi in bejubano ki he bhalai kar deni chahiye. Waise meri bebe ne koi darjan bhar jagah duty lagwa rakhi hai khud ki. Woh subah-shaam niyam se dana-paani dene jaati hai inko.", Woh mitti ka bana bada sa bartan utha kar Jaggi ne ek taraf lagi thande paani ki tanki ke nal ke niche lagaya aur dono hatho se usko maanjne ke baad upar tak paani bharke wapis dhyaan se apni jagah rakh dia. Tanki par punjabi me kuch likha tha jo Arjun ne jyada dhyaan nahi dia.
"Tabhi kaha ke nek kaam. Insaan toh apni madad aur itchapurti khud kar sakta hai lekin hum toh inki jagah par he kirayedar ho kar kiraya nahi dete.", Arjun ne agla bartan khud utha lia aur Jaggi ka anusaran karte hue saaf karne ke baad pani bharke rakh dia.
"Sach kaha. Kirayedar. Plot toh kaat lete hai fir ye nahi sochte ke aakhir ye jameen hamari hui kaise. Tumne toh mera bhi dimag hila dia bhai.", Jaggi hansta hua uske sath wahi bani pathar ki seedhiyon par baith gaya. Agle 10 minute Jaggi apne aur Arjun ke pariwar aur itihaas ke baare me kuch batata raha lekin baat adhuri reh gayi jab unhe dhoondti hui Jasleen idhar aa gayi.
"Jaggi bebe bula rahi hai, tune kahi jana tha unke sath.", Jaggi ko bebe ko le jaane wali baat yaad aai toh woh turant he uth khada hua. Idhar Jasleen ko saade safed salwar-kurti aur safed dupatte me dekh kar Arjun hairat me tha. Ye ladki wahi hai jo college me aadhunik heroin si dikh rahi thi. Lekin Jaggi ki awaaj sunn kar woh uski taraf dekhne laga.
"Veere bhool gaya tha, bebe ko somwar Shiv-mandir leke jana hota hai. Unki aastha ke beech main bhi nahi aa sakta lekin vada raha ke jald milenge aur ho sake toh is gareeb (Jasleen) ko ye park ke pichli taraf hamare ghar ke bahar tak chhod dena nahi toh aap he paidal chali jayegi.", Arjun se gale mil kar Jaggi teji se bhaag gaya aur Jasleen apne bhai par gussa dikhate dikhate ruk gayi. Hath me pakda lifafa kholti woh saare daane pakshiyo ki taraf uchaal kar khali lifafa ek taraf kudedan me rakh kar bas Arjun ko dekhne lagi.
"Chaliye, main chhod deta hu aapko.", Arjun ne jaane ka kaha toh Jasleen thoda bhujhe mann se uske sath idhar se chalne lagi.
"Waise ummid nahi thi ki aap aise paridhan bhi pehanti hongi."
"Kyon? Aur main inme buri dikhti hu kya?"
"Nahi nahi. Bas woh college me alag roop tha aur yaha alag. Dono me he aap atchi lag rahi hai.", Arjun ne ek baar atche se Jasleen ko upar se nich tak nihara aur motorcycle par baith gaya. Ab Jasleen ke chehre par narajgi ki jagah muskurahat thi. Dono is bheed bhari sadak se nikal kar barabar ki gali me chale aaye toh Arjun ne he chuppi todi.
"Din me 2 baar aapne mere sath shararat ki hai. Pooch sakta hu wajah agar bura na lage toh?", Arjun jaag gaya tha jab Jasleen ne uske kamre me aa kar gaal chooma tha.
"Wajah hona jaruri toh nahi. Thanks bhi toh kehne ka tarika ho sakta hai.", Jasleen ke chehre par pakde jaane ki laali bata rahi thi ki sharam usko bhi aati hai.
"Thanks wala maan lia bagiche me lekin fir uske baad? Aur aise toh aapne bhi meri madad ki thi waha canteen me."
"Samajh lo dusri baar maine thanks khud le lia tha.", Jasleen itna bol kar usko park ke sath wali gali batane lagi aur us se aage ka rasta. Muskura woh abhi bhi rahi thi.
"Matlab khud he hisab barabar kar dia aapne? Chalo atcha hai na nahi toh lene ke badle dena padta.", Arjun ne ek najar park ko dekha aur aaspas bane shaandar gharo ko. Fir najar honth chabati Jasleen par chali gayi jo aaine me usko he dekh rahi thi.
"Himmat nahi hai tum me ye mujhe pata hai isliye khud he vasool karna pada.", Ab jaise woh Arjun ko he uksaane lagi thi.
"Aap sahi keh rahi hai, himmat nahi hai mujhme. Kuch safar aise he hone chahiye jisme pal bhar ki khushiyan yaad rahe. Jyada ki chaahat kayi baar kahi ka nahi chhodti.", Arjun ne gambhir baat karte jatana chaha ke woh is dosti ko itna he rakhe toh dono ke liye thik rahega.
"Mujhme himmat hai. Safar akela insaan bhi taye kar sakta hai jaruri nahi ki dusra sirf is liye piche hatt jaye kyonki manzil alag hai.", Baat ko kehne ke sath he Jasleen ye kavita gungunane lagi. Jisko sunn kar Arjun bhi har shabd ki gehraai ko mehsoos karne laga.
'Manzile toh aati rahengi sada, mujhe safar ka maja lene de yara.
Khushiyan jatane wale hai har taraf, ek dard se jara mulakaat karwa de yara.
Dafan hai khandaro me bhi armaan kayi, chal unhe bhi jeena sikha de yara.
Manzile toh aati rahengi sada, mujhe safar ka maja lene de yara.'
"Maloom nahi tha ke baat aisi ho sakti hai."
"Chalo, pareshan mat karo khud ko. Tum bhi kya yaad karoge kisi Jatti se pala pada hai. Tumhare shehar aaungi tab fainsla lena kitni dur tak sath chal sakte ho. Gale nahi padungi, bas pasand aa gaye ho aur main itne me he khush hu.", Jasleen ne upar taur par hanste hue kaha. Unka ghar bhi aa gaya tha jo sachmuch aalishan tha. Safed lambi Mercedes, ek jeep aur bas woh zen car he nadarad thi waha se.
"Sundar ghar hai aapka."
"Dekho pehli baar aaye toh chahe 1 minute he sahi, andar aana hoga. Waise Baano aunty thandai badi atchi banati hai.", Jasleen ke itna kehne par Arjun ne haami bhari aur ek taraf motorcycle khada karke uske sath he is sangmarmar ke bane galiyare se hota andar chal dia. Bade pinjre me ye Sultan se bhi bada aur alag nasal ka kutta band tha. Lekin woh bhonkne ki jagah aankhen khol kar dekhne ke baad wapis pasar gaya.
"Ye pinjre me kyo band hai?", Arjun us kutte ke bade mooh aur latki khaal ko dekh raha tha. Bada shaant aur majboot jeev tha woh.
"Usko saja mili hai, waise Jeus Jaggi ke sath he sota hai aur meri mom ka ladla beta hai. Aaj isne masti me mom ke dhule hue kapde kharaab kar diye. Shaam tak ye yahi rehne wala hai aur wahi kholengi isko.", Arjun ko atcha laga ye dekh kar ki woh jeev ko pariwar ki tarah maante hai aur aisi saja dete hai jisko sehne wala bhi dukhi nahi dikhta.
Andar har cheej karine se saji thi. Safed saaf diware, uchit matra me sahi sajawat aur 'L' akaar ka ye drawing hall itna saaf tha jaise koi rehta he na ho. Ek taraf diwar par robile shakhs ki tasveer par haar tanga tha. Vardi par lage medal bata rahe the ke fauj me the. Arjun ki najar ka peecha karte hue Jasleen ne bataya.
"Dada ji army me the mere aur 71 me shaheed ho gaye the. Hum me se kisi ne unhe nahi dekha aur daadi rehti hai pind me. Baano aunty, 2 gilas thandai bana ke mere kamre me de dena.", Ye mahila rasoi me thi aur udhar se he awaaj ka jawaab deti kehne lagi.
"bas 5 minute me leke aai bitiya.", Aur Jasleen Arjun ko hall se aage darwaja khol kar is bade kamre me le aai. Ummeed ke mutabik he kamra aalishan tha. Daudne ki machine, badi diwar me lagi almariyan, computer, padhne ke liye alag kursi-table aur shahi bada bed. Diwar ke beech laga airconditioner aur chatt par 5 taadi wali mehnga pankha.
"Bahot atcha kamra hai tumhara.", Arjun peeche he andar aaya toh Jasleen aankhe nachati usko batane lagi jaise kamra kiska hai. Lekin woh anjaan thi Arjun ke agle kadam se. Chamkdar darwaje ko paanv se band karte hue Arjun ne Jasleen ki kamar pakadte hue khud se sata lia. Woh hairat se uski aankhon me dekh he rahi thi aur aankhen band hoti chali gayi. Un hontho par Arjun ne lagatar ek minute tak apni chaap bana di thi. Alag hote he Jasleen badhi hui dhadkan aur tej saanson ke sath bade pyaar se usko tukur tukur dekh rahi thi.
"Mera thanks kehne ka tarika seedha hai aur safar chota ho ya bada, itna samay jarur deta hai ke raahi ek dusre se pehchan bana he le. Aasha karta hu shaadi ka nyota didi ne de he dia hoga.", Jasleen kuch jawaab deti aur Arjun ne is baar uski aankho par dono taraf choom lia.
"Kabse dekh raha hu ye jyada bolti rehti hai."
"Tum dekho main kya karti hu tumhare sath.", Jasleen taav me aai he thi ki darwaje par dastak dene se pehle Baano aunty ki awaaj aa gai aur Arjun ne darwaja khol dia.
"Ji namastey.", Arjun ne hath jodne ke sath he tray pakad li. Jawaab me in mahila ne bhi sar hilaya aur wapis chali gayi. Darwaja poora he khol kar Arjun bed ke kinare baith gaya.
"Aao, baaki baatein fir kabhi kar lena. Le lena badla bhi lekin 2 minute baad main ja raha hu.", Jasleen saamne baith gayi aur Arjun kaanch ke gilas ko utha kar thandai peene laga.
"Kisi ki himmat nahi hui aajtak aisa karne ki.", Jasleen ne ye baat badi dheemi awaaj me kahi thi.
"Kisi ko tumne kaha he nahi hoga jaise mujhe kaha."
"Kamine ho pakke wale. Waise jana jaruri hai tumhara?", pal me masha pal me tola wala haal ho raha tha Jasleen ka.
"Card dene aaunga.", Arjun ne aadha gilas tray me rakha aur Jasleen ne wahi gilas utha lia.
"Phone karke aana, waha ka number maine Priyanka se le lia hai. Baat ho he jayegi.", Arjun ne haami bhari aur uth khada hua. 6 bajne me 5 minute the.
"Chalta hu aur thanks.", Arjun ke itna kehte he Jasleen ne jaldi se ek chota sa chumban kar dia.
"Thanks aise bolte hai aur chalo bahar tak chhod deti hu." Dono bahar chal diye aur motorcycle start karne se pehle Arjun ne hanste hue kaha.
"Tumhari wali thandai jyada meethi lagi."
"Maar khaoge. Goodbye and have a safe journey.", Jasleen ne hath hila kar kaha aur Arjun ne bhi pratiuttar me hath hilane ke baad apna rasta pakad lia. Agle 2-3 minute me he woh wapis us ghar ke bahar khada tha jaha Aarti didi ko utaar kar gaya tha. Ghanti bajate he andar darwaje ko khol kar ye aakarshak mahila Arjun ko hairat se dekhne lagi.
"Ji, Aarti didi hongi.", Arjun ne hath jodd kar itna he kaha
"Andar aa jao beta, apna he ghar samjho.", Unki baat sunn kar ek pal ke liye Arjun unhe dekhne laga aur fir gate khol kar andar aa gaya. Paanv savdhani se rakhta unke pass pahucha aur unka aashirwad lene laga.
"Narinder bhai jaise he dikhte ho lekin baal aur aankhen bilkul bade devar ji jaisi hai.", Unhone Arjun ko aashirwad dete hue dhyaan se dekha aur is hall me le aai. Abhi yaha koi bhi na tha in dono ke siwa.
"Papa ko jaanti hai aap? Sorry main pehle aapse nahi mila hu na isliye."
"Haan yaad bhi kaise hoga. Tum tab goad me he the shayad 8-10 mahine ke lekin Shankar-Narinder devar he hain mere. Aao baitho pehle fir le jana apni didi ko.", Unhone sar par hath ferte hue Arjun ko baithaya aur khud andar chali gayi. Idhar Aarti didi daudti hui hall me dakhil hui aur Arjun ke bagal me pasar gayi.
"Badi der laga di, kaha reh gaya tha?", Woh kuch jawaab deta us se pehle he dil me wahi bechani si apne charam par pahuch gayi. Afsana jaise Aarti ke peeche daudi aai thi lekin dono ne ek dusre ko dekha toh Arjun bas jadd ho kar reh gaya. Afsana dhimi chaal se diwan tak chali aai. Is waqt na dupatta tha na koi salwar-kameej. Poori aasteen ki tshirt ke neeche sabz rang ka pajama aur sunehari aankhen bedhadak usko he dekh rahi thi.
"Is se tum mil he liye hoge, Afsana hai ye aur ye hai Zubeidaa. Meri badi beti.", Aunty ji ne dusri ladki ka parichaya dia toh Arjun hosh me aaya. Maansal bhare bhare sharir ki ye yuvti bhi bejodd thi lekin jaise bandhano se pare. Safed kameej aur chust neeli jeans pehne Zubeidaa ke hatho par kayi tarah ke rang lage the aur hath me painting karne wala brush.
"Namastey.", Arjun ne itna he kaha.
"Hi. Zubeidaa. Sorry woh painting kar rahi thi aur in dono ka shor sunn kar chali aai. Ammi chai bana do mere liye please.", Arjun ke kareeb baith kar woh apna parichaya khud dene lagi.
"Artist hai aap?"
"Aapko art ke bare me maloom hai.?"
"Jyada nahi lekin woh school se thoda bahar tak.", Arjun ne jhempte hue jawaab dia.
"It's okay. Jab kuch waisa na ho jaisa chahte ho toh bas bana dalo, konsa koi rok raha hai. Jyada define nahi karna, samajhne wala samjhe aur nahi toh nahi. Dekhna chahoge?", Zubeidaa ke aise kehne par Afsana aur Aarti hairani se dekhne lagi. Aur Arjun ke uthte he woh dono andar ki taraf chalte seedhiyon se neeche utar kar basement me aa gaye.
"Aaj tak toh didi ne humko bhi udhar nahi aane dia.", Aarti ne itna kaha aur Afsana toh jaise us raste ko dekhe ja rahi thi jidhar dono gaye the.
"Baaji ka toh wahi jaane. Hum shayad kahi jyada badkismat hai.", Afsana ke aisa kehne par Aarti ne usko apne sath lia aur udhar he chal padi jaha dono gaye the. 2 kamro se jyada bade is bhoomigat hall me kareeb 15-16 painting diwar par lagi thi, kuch koyle ke kagaj table par the aur ek par jaise woh kaam kar rahi thi. 3 badi tube is waqt bhi roshan thi aur jagah jagah khali gilas, rang-brush aur sooti kapde ki katran thi.
"Zindagi aisi he toh hai. Hum rangeen indradhanush ki chahat karte hai lekin barsaat ka intjaar ganwara nahi. Jo paas hai uski keemat nahi, kala-safed indradhanush sach hai jiwan ka. Iske he toh beech woh thode samay wala rang bharta hai, kisi khaas barish ke baad.", Arjun us badi painting ko choo kar dekhne ke baad jaise usme he kho gaya tha. Baadlo ke beech sookhi dharti aur safed-saleti-kala indradhanush. Zubeidaa bas uske kandhe par hath rakhe khadi thi.
"Iske baare me kya khayaal hai?", Kuch alag alag se rang najar aate the us canvas par agar koi pehli baar dekhta. Arjun jyadatar logo me se nahi tha jo kuch najarandaaj kar deta.
"Ye insaan hai. Kitna kuch chahata hai zindagi se, kitni mehnat karta hai lekin woh bandhan se ajaad nahi ho sakta. Ye sab rang is kaalikh me doob kar kaalikh bann jayenge. Wow, aapko pain par PhD karni chahiye, ba-shart waha fine-arts ho. Likh toh nahi payengi aap.", Zubeidaa muskurane lagi aur fir usne Arjun ko ye baarish me dhundhli si dikhti car ki painting dikhai. Shayad yaha najar kisi apne ki thi jo jaate dekh raha tha kuch. Arjun uske kareeb ja khada hua aur sookh chuki is badi painting ko hath laga kar mehsoos karne laga. Usko jaise apna he ghar se bichadna yaad aa chuka tha. Bina kuch bole woh bas ungli se car ke pichle shishe par adrishya chehra banane laga tha.
"Let's go. Waise tum kabhi fursat me aana. Bahot jamne wali hai apni. Waise ye sabhi painting jald he yaha se chali jayengi Sharjahahn. Art gallery ne kharid lia inhe aur mujhe bhi jagah khali karni thi. Gharwale bolte rehte hai kya karti rehti hu yaha main. Lekin jaante ho apni feelings ke paise bhi milte hai.", Zubeidaa hansti hui jaise koshish kar rahi thi Arjun ka dil behlane ki.
"Kaisa lagta hai jab aapne kuch kia he na ho aur saja itni badi mil jaye ki laakh chahne par bhi bhula na pao, beshak maaf kar do unhe.?", Arjun ka aisa sawaal sunn kar Zubeidaa thithak gayi. Na jaane kaise usne Arjun ko gale laga lia.
"Mere bhai, tum bahot chhote ho lekin tum alag ho ye main jaanti hu. Us dharti ke tukde ka kya kasoor jisko berang indradhanush mila? Dharti toh har taraf hai na, fir bhedbhav kyo?", Bahar khadi Afsana aur Aarti se toh kuch kehte he na bana. Zubeidaa kisi tufaan si aai thi Arjun ke paas aur agle 10 minute me sadiyo ka rishta judd gaya tha unme.
"Aap thik kehti hai didi. Kabhi kabhi banjar rehna bhi jaruri hai. Logo ko fir utni he jyada mehnat aur sewa karni padti hai us jameen ki. Lekin woh tabhi samajhte hai ke zindagi ke bas 2 he rang hai.", Arjun ne unke seene se alag hote hue chehra saaf kia aur kuch pal wahi baitha raha. Zubeidaa ne itni he deri me Arjun ki tasvir camera me qaid kar li.
"Agli baar jab bhi aaoge ek aisi painting milegi jisko kisi bhi keemat par main nahi bechne wali. Aur aana jarur, tumhari ye behan abhi tumse mili nahi hai thik se.", Zubeidaa Arjun ko sath liye bahar aai aur kamre ke tala lagati usko ghar se bahar le aai. Aunty bas dekh rahi thi aur Zubeidaa ne Aarti ko awaaj di toh woh turant aa khadi hui.
"Shaadi me milenge Aarti, chalna chahiye tumhe ab. Arjun, kalam ke sath kabhi koi rang jarur pakadna.", Hath hila kar unhone itna he kaha aur jaane se pehle Arjun ne unke saamne hath jodd diye. Zubeidaa unhe jata dekhti rahi.
"Zubeidaa woh chai bhi nahi pee kar gaya.", Unki ammi ne itna kaha toh woh befikari se boli.
"Amrita Pritam kehti hai ke jo sundar hota hai woh badnaseeb hota hai. Jo taqatwar hota hai woh andar se akela. Lekin sabse vichitra baat pata hai aapko ammijaan, sabki parwah karne wale ki parwah sabko nahi hoti. Aaj chai se he painting kar lenge.", Zubeidaa apne raste chali gayi aur unki ammi Afsana ke saamne naa me sar hilati andar. Idhar ghar aane ke baad Arjun bhi kuch samay baad apne raste nikal chala tha. Lucky-Deepak ke sath he apni behno ko liye. Dedh din me woh bahut kuch jee chuka tha. Gurdeep ke sath sath apni dono behno ka pyaar, mara-maari, Ricky ko samjhana, naye dost jinme Jaggi jaisa sacha insaan aur Jasleen jaisi ektarfa mohabbat thi. Afsana ne toh usko bechain kar dia tha lekin jo kala-safed indradhanush usne Zubeidaa ke sath dekha tha woh uski zindagi ka sabse bada sach tha. Zubeida ke pas wapis aana he hoga. Car apni gati se shehar se bahar ja chuki thi aur Arjun ne aankhen band kar li thi is mulakaat ko dil me jivant rakhne ke liye.
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update posted at page number 817. Read and review. Goodnight and lots of love.
Thank you sir JEE ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Iron Man
Try and fail. But never give up trying
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CG
Sab Chutiyapa hai Bhaya
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Kabhi kabhi words kam pad jaate hain kuch kahne k liye wahi haaalaat abhi hain mere.
Zubaida aur Afsana ka kuch mast wala role hai is story mein aur baaton se lagaa ki shayad Zubaida ke sath kuch anhoni huyi hai like rape or something else jise wo painting k jariye bhulane ki koshish kar rahi hai.
masti se bharpoor
waiting for next one.
Zubaida aur Afsana ka kuch mast wala role hai is story mein aur baaton se lagaa ki shayad Zubaida ke sath kuch anhoni huyi hai like rape or something else jise wo painting k jariye bhulane ki koshish kar rahi hai.
masti se bharpoor
waiting for next one.
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नतमस्तक aapki pratikriya ke saamne. Kuch hadd tak sahi kaha woh bhi itne chhote se parichaye me.
aman rathore
Enigma ke pankhe
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Enigma bhai aapke gyaan ko salaam hai bhai,
Aur hum bahot khushnaseeb hai ki aapke gyaan ka kuchh ansh hamein kahani ke madhyam se mil raha hai,
Nevil singh
Well-Known Member
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Ek paheli ho bhaii name ke jaishe shabd bhi rahsymay hai jitna suljhaow utna hi uljhte jate hai. Har rang me chamak hai, har baat gudhe hai, ish nirantar bahne wale gaan ka srote kahi nazar nahi aa raha hai. Har shabd kuch kahta hai darshata hai jahan se udgam sathal hai mera wo rahashaymay sa dikhta hai jarrur, per antarmukhi duniya ke rasto pe chal raha hai. Adhbhut sabd samuh rachna hai, avishvaniye, alokik parbhavshali parstuti hai.
aman rathore
Enigma ke pankhe
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