Update 194
Haq aur Haqiqat
Aage...
"Dada ji keh rahe hai ki wo daadi aur mujhe kuch dino ke liye gaanv le kar jaayenge. Sath he maa aur Priyanka didi bhi ja sakti hai.", Arjun tayaar ho kar khaane ki mej pe aaya he tha jaha uske pita, tauji aur dada ji pehle se virajmaan the. Pandit ji yada-kada he aise sabke sath shamil hote the lekin aaj wo bhi tayaar the aur Rajkumar ji bhi. Rupali ne Aarti, Tara aur Preeti ke liye bhi waha plate lagate hue ye baat kahi toh baaki sabhi usko he dekhne lage aur phir Rameshwar ji ko. Kaushalya ji bhi apne pati ki bagal me aa baithi jinke chehre par kuch santushti thi.
"Ye program kab bana dada ji? Aur agar papa ke mama ji ke ghar ja he rahe hai toh Sanjiv bhaiya ke lautne ke baad bhi ja sakte hai. Bhabhi aur bhaiya bhi ghoom aayenge.", Arjun jagah dhoondta aakhir me akela he is taraf aa baitha jaha uski agal bagal me 2 panktiyon me baaki sabhi baithe the. Is tarah jaise wo mukhiya wali kursi par ja baitha ho par waisa tha nahi.
"Oye nandlaal, tere bhaiya bhabhi ab har jagah toh na chipke rahenge hamare sath sath? Wo toh maine he tere dada ji se kaha tha ke Hansmukh udhar se agle mahine shehar chala jaayega toh us se pehle thoda ghar-khet dekhbhal aaye. Teri maa ke liye khud Shankar ne kaha hai ki 15 se 20 din hath sahi hone me lagne wale hai aur Rekha kaam karne se hatne wali nahi. Isliye usko sath leke chalte hai aur 3-4 din ki he toh baat hai. Chauthe din wapis bhi laut aayenge. Aur abh nahi ja rahe, 29 ya 30 ko jana hai. Rupali ne bhi apna kuch samaan le kar aana hai toh ghoom aayegi sath.", Kaushalya ji ne baat kehne ke sath sath Arjun ko naram shabdo me jhaad bhi diya tha jo ab bagle jhankta idhar udhar dekh raha tha apne bachaav me lekin baaki sabhi us par he hanste lage. Sanjiv bhi tayaar ho kar khamoshi se uski he bagal wali kursi par baith gaya. Shayad uski alag he pareshani thi koyi.
"Haan toh atchi baat hai na daadi lekin dhyaan rakhna bas. Garmi badhne lagi hai aur gaanv me ..", Arjun ki baat fir se Kaushalya ji ne kaat di.
"Tu ye baat apne baare me soch beta kahi waha galiyon me bhatakta phire aur dhoop me koyla hua wapis aaye. Zindagi shehar se jyada maine gaanv-dehat me he bitaai hai aur waha ham log kya sikhar dhupheri me sadak pe rehne wale hai? Komal beta Sanjiv ka bhi nashta laga de. Ye idhar baith gaya lekin iski biwi intjaar me abhi tak bhukhi hai.", Ye Sanjiv bhi aa fansa tha apni daadi ke ghere me jisko baat sunte he thaska laga lekin sabko hansta dekh wo Arjun ki aur prashnatmak dekhne laga.
"Bhaiya aaj na daadi thodi pareshan hai kyonki unse shayad dada ji ne kuch chhupaya jo unhe pata chal gaya. Aap bas araam se nashta karo aur bhabhi meri maa ke kamre me unke sath he nashta kar rahi hai.", Arjun ne is baar Kaushalya ji ko he lapet liya tha beshak majaak me he. Jo apne pati ko ghoorne ke baad fir muskura uthi.
"Ghar phir ghar kaha lagta beta jab tum log aaspas nahi hote? Socha tha ye Rajkumar aur Shankar ab idhar hai toh apni maa se 2 ghadi batiya liya karenge lekin inke sath wo naaspita Inder khud he gayab rehne laga. Lekin karo tum log apni marji aur main apne bacho bahu me khush hu. Preeti beta tu toh sab dekh rahi hai isliye pehle se he tayaar rahiyo. Ye Arjun bhi kahi matargasthi karne nikla toh tu kam se kam mere pas he rehna.", Preeti ke toh mooh me paani ka ghoont he ruk gaya apna naam sunn kar jis par Rameshwar ji ne he apni biwi ko khamosh karwya.
"Oh bhaagwaan, khana toh khaane do bacho ko. Tu jin jin ke naam le rahi hai unhone 10 parathe saaf kar diye. Lekin ye chote panchi dana chug rahe hai inhe awaaj se mat darao. Preeti beta, Chandigarh jaate he apne papa ko yaad karwa dena ki maine kuch kaha tha.", Rameshwar ji ne ab kahi bhojan shuru kiya toh agle 10 minute khamoshi barkaraar rahi. Kaushalya ji swayam khaane ki jagah sabki plate me unki poori khuraak ka dhyaan rakhti rahi. Unhe hamesha apne bacho ke nashte par dhyaan dena pasand jo tha. Arjun 2 he parathe kha kar hath saaf karne laga toh ye khamoshi bhang hui.
"Chupchap se 2 aur parathe khatam karo. Kad-kathi ke hisab se wo bhi kam hai beta. Dopehar ya raat me kam kha lo lekin subah poora bhojan. Aur ye lassi aise he padi hai?"
"Daadi, safar bhi karna hai aur abhi toh doodh aur wo laddu khaaye the isliye lassi nahi. Main raste me kuch kha lunga ya juice pee lunga."
"Ek paratha kha le beta. La ye lassi idhar de de.", Shankar ji ne bina deri kiye wo gilaas apne wale me palat liya. Ek paratha Arjun ko dene ke sath unhone jaise he apne liye bhi paratha uthaya Kaushalya ji naa me gardan hilati hansne lagi.
"Darjan parathe kha chuka hai Shankar. Ab bas kar beta aur samay dekh.", Kaushalya ji ne kehne ke sath sath khud he makkhan apne bete ki aur sarka diya. Wo jaanti thi ki ab poora din unka beta shayad he bhojan kare. Is beech Ritu ne ye mehfil bhang ki.
"Daadi aapke liye Purnima daadi ji ka phone hai. Hold par he rakha hai baat kar lijiye."
"Haan sahi kiya jo phone kar liya. Raju beta, tumhe he apne pita ke sath sab dekhna hai. Aaj dopehar ka karyakram wahi haweli par rakha hai. Shankar, dekh lena beta agar samay nikaal sako toh. Sanjiv, kahi jana nahi ab.", Kaushalya ji uth kar jaane se pehle sabko hidayat de gayi thi. Shankar ji ne bas sar hila diya. Sabhi log lagbhag ek sath he apne sthaan se uthne lage the aur Sanjiv jaise kuch samay Arjun se baat karna chahta tha lekin us se pehle he Shankar ji ne apni baat rakh di.
"Arjun, tum jara apni maa ke kamre se mera hospital wala bag le kar bahar milo. Main car nikaal raha hu.", Sanjiv ne intjaar karna he thik samjha aur Arjun bina deri kiye apni maa ki taraf badh chala jiske sath Sanjiv bhi tha. Chachi ka haal lene ke iraade se. Kuch he samay baad baap aur beta ghar ke bahar car me baithe the. Apna samaan sahi se rakhne ke sath he Shankar ji steering ko saaf karte hue jaise mann he mann shabdo ko bunn ne lage lekin jald he baat shuru ki.
"Atcha lag raha hai ke tum utsahit bhi ho aur tayaar bhi. Lekin main aaj tumse ek baat karna chahta hu Arjun aur ye baat ek baap ke haq se nahi balki wo haqiqat yaad karke jisne bahot kuch badal kar rakh diya tha. Mujhe hamesha aisa lagta hai ki shayad main tumhe baap ki tarah pyaar nahi de paya lekin jab tumhe dekhta hu sath reh kar toh wo baat maayne nahi rakhti. Umed tumhe shayad mujhse behtar jaanta hai aur pyaar toh wo karta he hai. Aisa he Narinder ke sath hai aur kahi na kahi Sanjiv bachi khuchi kasar bhi poori kar deta hai. Lekin ek aur baat hai jo main kehna chahta hu. Tumse mujhe lagaav hai isliye main tumhe prabhavit nahi karna chahta. Kya ye jaruri hai ki main tum par ekadhikar jatau?", Shankar ji ne baat kehte hue apne purse se tamaam paise nikaal kar Arjun ki upar wali jeb me khons diye. Lekin wo toh bas apne pita ke chehre ko dekh raha tha jaha ab dhoop ka kala chasma chadha tha. Arjun ki najro me uske pita hamesha he ek aakarshak vyaktitva ke maalik the lekin baatchit aksar simit he hoti thi.
"Main ye mehsoos karta hu papa aur aapko iske liye shabdo ki jarurat he nahi padti. Main kabhi kisi ke paas gaya kya namm aankhe le kar siwaye aapke? Chahe wo boarding jaane se pehle gusse me rote hue aapke paas khade rehna ya abhi kuch waqt pehle. Main jaanta hu ki aap he hain jo meri pareshani hal kar sakte hai bina mere kahe. Ye kalaai ghadi aapke aur mere beech hamesha ek majboot sambandh ka prateek hai.", Ab Shankar ji ne uske baalo ko sehlate hue parichit muskaan di.
"Tumna abhi pariwar ke bhitar ka jiwan dekha hai bete lekin bahar ajaad nikal kar jab fainsle lena seekhoge toh galtiyon par dhyaan matt dena kyonki wo toh hoti rahengi. Bas jo fainsle tum apni marji se lo, unhe badalne ki koshish matt karna. Phir tum kabhi bhi khud ko wapis nahi paa sakoge. Main duniya ke baare me papa jitna toh nahi jaanta Arjun lekin majhdar me khade ho kar dono kinare joddne wala sahi niyat toh rakhta hai lekin wo kinare ek nahi kar pata. Keemat kuch bhi chukani padd sakti hai. Mujhe tumhari chinta nahi hai kyonki tum saksham ho lekin meri is baat par gor karna beta.", Shankar ji ki baat amuman halki aur tanjiya rehti thi lekin aaj bilkul alag tha. Wo gambhir the aur unka gyaan kisi aatmik-shikshak jaisa.
"Aap jaante hai aise kisi vyakti ko papa jisne waisa kiya tha? Main samajh raha hu aur meri taraf se aapko shikayat ka mauka bhi nahi milne wala lekin bas suna hai maine ki pehle aap khud ko itna vyast nahi rakhte the. Pehle matlab bahot pehle.", Arjun dashboard ko kholta toh kabhi band karta. Usko jaise is bachpane me maja aa raha tha. Mudda gambhir tha aur apne bete ki harkat ke sath aisa sawaal sunn kar Shankar ji ne shishe upar chadhate hue AC chalu kar diya.
"Jaante toh hoge he tum kyonki tumhara naam jo hain iske main khilaaf tha jab ye tumhe diya gaya. Tumse shikayat nahi thi lekin us naam ka bojh aajtak mere dil par hai Arjun. Jis tarah kayi baar tum apne fainsle lete ho aur mahol aisa banate ho na jis se shaksh koyi aur he najar aata hai, waisa he wo insaan bhi tha. Tumhara Ajju chacha. Tumne toh bas yahi bikhri hui naraaj haweliyan aapas me fir se jodi, jaanta hu asaan nahi tha lekin Ajju. Ajju ne wo sab jeet rakha tha kisi Sikandar ki tarah. Na uske saamne Sombir tau ji ki koyi bisaat thi aur na kisi afsar ki. Wo choti choti nehro ko aapas me ek karta chala gaya aur kabhi vifal nahi hua jabtak.. jabtak wo samandar se na ja takraya. Usne waha bhi sabke ghutne tikwa diye the beta aur kami bas yahi reh gayi ki uske teen bhai uski peeth na bacha sake. Thoda bewkoof tha wo dil ke maamle me aur aksar dil se sochne wale sabhi hote hai jaise main bhi kuch alag nahi. Par samandar ke kinare kabhi ek nahi hote ye wo jaan kar bhi lehar pe sawaar ho gaya. Papa ke siddant, maa ka anushashan, Raghuvir chacha ji ki taqat aur hamare majboot kandhe bas jhuk kar reh gaye, jo uske kaam tak kya usko bacha bhi na sake. Main papa ke chehre par us samay wali chinta aajkal dekhne laga hu chahe atchi tarah na sahi lekin wo itihaas ke itchhuk nahi hai. Tum bas itna karna mere bache ki ye naam sarthak matt karna us vyaki se jiski yaad me tumhe ye mila hai. Gaanv jao aur jee bhar ke mauj masti karo. Ghumo phiro aur agar urja badhti lage toh akhade me usko prayog karo. Tumhari jade is ghar se hai, us gaanv se nahi bas itna yaad rakhna. Aaunga toh tumse mil kar jaunga. Apna dhyaan rakhna.", Itni tallinta se apni poori baat kehne ke baad Shankar ji ne Arjun ko jawaab tak dene ka mauka na diya. Aur uski taraf ka darwaja khud he khol kar ishara de diya ki wo ab jana chahte hai.
"Jaisa aap chahte hai waisa he hoga papa. Mujhe bhi itihaas pasand nahi. Science atcha subject hai aur dimag shaant rakhne ke liye usme thoda mathematics bhi mila liya gaya. Maa ne kaha tha ke aapki coffe aur juice bag me daal diya hai unhone.", Arjun bahar nikal kar darwaja wapis band karte hue ghar me dakhil ho gaya. Shankar ji ne apne purse ki gupt jeb se wo 3 inch by 2 inch ki shwet shyaam tasvir nikaal kar gehraai se dekhi jisme lambe ghungrale baalo wala yuvak Shankar ji ke jawaan chehre ke sath chehra jode unki peeth par chadha tha. Agal bagal me Narinder aur Umed muskura rahe the. Wo yakinan Ajju he tha jisko aajtak Shankar apne dil me sanjoye tha.
'Haqiqat toh mujhe bhi nahi pata Arjun lekin ab jaan ne ka faayda bhi nahi.', Akramak vyakti khud nahi chahta tha ke aur tabaahi ho. Ab sabhi ke pariwar jo the aur jimmewariyan bhi. Shayad wo samandar aur Shankar ji anjaan the ki Rameshwar ji ne dil se itihaas nikala nahi tha. Wo chintit toh the lekin wajah kuch aur thi.
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Ghar ke bhitar alag he najara tha ab. Kaushalya ji Purnima ji se baatchit hone ke baad apni badi bahu aur Komal ko sab samjhane me lagi hui thi. Ritu ke sath swayam Krishna ji ne Arjun ka bag pack kiya tha jisme uski khaas khuraak, kapdo ke sath sath 3-4 kitabe aur aavashyak samaan tha. Arjun ne pehle he bata diya tha ke simit kapde aur 2-3 poshak bahar andar ke liye he rakhi jaaye. Tara bhi isme unki madad kar rahi thi aur Muskaan Priyanka ke sath Radhika bhabhi ke kamre me. Ghar ke andar aate he Arjun ka saamna Preeti se hua jo tabse waha khadi thi jab Arjun apne pita ko bag dene aaya tha.
"Toh tumne Ritu didi ki wajah se aisa kiya?", Preeti ke swar me thehraav sa tha jaise baat kuch aur ho. Lekin Arjun aangan khali dekh Preeti ka hath pakad kar usko bagiche ki taraf le chala.
"Ab ye batao Preeti ki yaha kaunsa aisa paudha hai jiski jarurat nahi?"
"Sab zinda hai aur tumne dada ji ke sath mil kar inhe bada kiya Arjun. Jarurat se pehle jaruri baat hai inka jiwit hona aur sabhi ki apni apni vishesta hai.", Preeti itna toh jaanti thi ki Arjun nirarthak kuch bhi nahi kehta.
"Dekho yaha hum sabhi ka apna ek khaas asar ya khasiyat hoti hai. Lekin kabhi kabhi jyada he meharban jeev apni vishesta chhod dete hai dusro ke liye. Ab ye ghana hota santra he dekh lo jiski chhaya me kayi phool panap rahe hai. Is taraf ke patto me iski swabhavik mehak hai.", Arjun ne ek patta todd kar usko masalte hue Preeti ke chehre ke saamne kiya toh usne bhi sugandh pehchaan li.
"Lekin yaha niche ki taraf tumhe iske patto se waisi mehak nahi milne wali kyonki idhar toh tum khil rahi ho. Tumhari khushbu is se jyada nahi hogi lekin yahi toh citrus ki vishesta hai jo wo apni chhaya me rehne walo ko avsar dete hai khud ki khasiyat badhane ka. Yaha inme tumhari mehak ke avshesh hai.", Sachmuh us taraf ke patte me Preeti ne mili juli sugandh paayi.
"Ritu didi ke liye maine wo nahi kiya. Main gaanv jana chahta tha aur unki khasiyat ko salamat rakhna meri jimmewari hai. Ab tumne bhi toh coaching leni hai na ek mahine ke liye? Tabhi tum chandigarh ja rahi ho apne college se pehle he kitabe lene jis se tum tayaari kar sako. Ye sab jaruri hai Preeti aur main sabke sath is bagiche ki tarah he rehna chahta hu bina balidaan maange. Tumhe yaha bhi hifajat se rakha hai aur pariwar me bhi hamesha aise he rehne wali ho. Bas meri yahi khwahish hai ki akele aisa koyi fainsla na lena jis se koyi tyaag karna pada.", Preeti ki najro me aaj apne pyaar ke liye ijatt aur gehri ho chali thi.
"Jaanti hu fandebaaj main tumhe. Tum isliye bhi waha bhaag rahe ho jis se tumhari aish me kami na ho. Bahot mehant jo ki hai tumne pichle kuch dino me. Waise college wala promise yaad rakhna.", Romela ji ko ghar me aate dekh usne jaldi se ye baat kahi aur Arjun ke jawab dene se pehle Romela ki awaaj bhi aayi.
"Toh tum dono yaha mel-jol badhane me lage ho? Preeti tumhare papa tyaar ho kar tumhara he intjaar kar rahe hai. Arjun, mujhe atcha lagega agar tum waha jaane ke baad kabhi telephone karoge toh. Chahe Preeti ko he kar lena.", Romela ke chehre ki alag he kashish thi jisko Preeti ke saamne Arjun najarandaaj karne ki koshish me laga tha.
"Hannnn. Haan aunty ji main karunga phone. Waise aap log wapis kab aaoge?"
"Pehle Preeti jaane ke liye tyaar toh ho. Ye toh tumhare ghar se wapis apne ghar aana he nahi chahti. Lekin hum log kal he laut aayenge aur tumhare peeche se main Rekha ka dhyaan atche se rakhungi.", Romela ne apni he beti ko pareshan kiya toh Preeti tej kadmo se waha se nikal kar apne ghar ki taraf badhne lagi. Romela us se pehle he chal chuki thi jis par Preeti ne ek baar palat kar Arjun ki taraf dekha aur hontho ko gol karte hue aisa sandesh diya ki Arjun aaspas dekhne laga. Preeti ki aisi khuli harkat dekh wo sakpaka gaya tha aur hansti hui Preeti apni maa ka hath pakadti hui apne ghar me ja ghusi.
'Pagal ladki.'
"Ab tu safar ke liye extra oxygen le raha hai kya yaha pe?", Ye awaaj Sanjiv bhaiya ki thi aur unhe apne paas aata dekh Arjun he unki aur lapka.
"Oh nahi bhaiya bas jaane se pehle dekh raha tha ke sab sahi hai na. Waise aap thake thake lag rahe ho."
"Tu thehar ja badmash. Hahaha.. Bas yar tere saamne he hai 3-4 din se araam kaha mila tha. Fir bhi kal raat soya lekin abhi ek din aur lagega thakaan mitne me. Toh gaadi chamka li jaane ke liye?"
"Na na bhaiya apni rani par ja raha hu. Wo dekho maine ye hukk lagwa liye bag rakhne ke liye peeche. Car har jagah nahi ja sakti aur ye jyada jagah bhi nahi gherti aur mujhe akele isko chalana jyada pasand hai. Car aap chala lena tabtak.", Arjun apne bhaiya ka hath pakde hue bahar wali seedhiyon se he upar chal diya.
"Nahi chote. Car toh tu pehle he mujhe ek de chuka hai aur kaali wali ka steering bas tu tere tak he rakh. Haan waha par motorcycle tere kaam jyada aayegi lekin highway par car thik nahi thi?", Arjun ke kamre me nayi chaadar bichi thi aur ab waha samaan bhi durust tha. Jaise he dono bister par baithne lage, Tara takiyon ke upar naye lihaaf chadha kar yaha rakhne aa gayi.
"Toh tumne akele he sab set kar diya?", Arjun ne paani ki bottle table se utha kar waise he ghoont bharne ke baad Tara ko prashansha se dekhte hue kaha.
"Haan aur thank you matt he bolna tum. Tumhara bag bhi niche tayaar hai. Waise jab tum wapis aaoge tab bhi kamra aise he milega. Sanjiv bhaiya, naani keh rahi hai ki aap bhi ek baar unse mil lena.", Tara khali bottle Arjun ke hath se leti hui apni kamar hilati hui chali gayi jis par Arjun ne bhaiya ki maujdgi me dhyaan na diya.
"Aaj toh Umed chacha ki taraf aapki party hai bhaiya. Bhabhi bhi haweli dekh kar khush ho jaayengi.", Arjun ne haweli ka jikar kiya toh Sanjiv ne uth kar andar se darwaja band kar liya jis par Arjun thoda hairaan hua.
"Dekh main tujhse ek jaruri baat karna chahta tha lekin shaadi ki wajah se aur tere aas-pas akele na milne ki wajah se bata nahi paaya. Ab tune haweli ka jikar kiya toh mujhe bhi yaad aa gaya ki kya baat karni thi.", Sanjiv bhaiya ki itni dabi hui awaaj aur gambhir chehra dekh Arjun unke bilkul kareeb judd kar he baith gaya.
"Kaisi haweli aur kya baat thi bhaiya jo aap akele me he kar sakte the?"
"Chhote mujhe shaadi wale din he pata chala tha ki dada ji ke pita ji hamesha se he us gaanv me nahi reh rahe the. Haan matlab jaha chote dada ji rehte hai wahi unki shaadi hui aur wo pushtani ghar he hai. Lekin jaha riyasat thi matlab aaj bhi mehal hai, waha par ek haweli band padi hai pichle 50 se jyada saal se. Pandit Juglal ji ki haweli, jaha hamare dada ji paida hue aur kuch saal wo log udhar rahe bhi. Juglal ji apne dada ji ke dada the. Tera us sehar jana hua toh kya tu usko dekhne ka jugaad karega?", Ye ek bahot he bada raaj tha Arjun ke liye aur Sanjiv bhaiya ka usko aise batana ishara karta tha kisi aur bhi bade raaj ki taraf.
"Jaggi bhaiya toh keh rahe the ki dada ji ke pita ji shuru se he apni jagah se riyasat dekhte rahe the aur wo kasbe ke maalik he the jinhone wahi par sab kaam karwaye logo ke liye. Dada ji ke janam ka byora tak waha ki panchayat copy me darj hai. Phir ye dusri haweli kaha se aa gayi aur wo bhi mehal ke paas.?"
"Yahi toh samajh nahi aa raha bhai lekin jisne jaankari di hai wo insaan 100 pratishat sach keh raha hai. Soch main toh abhi haal-filhaal me ghar se bahar nahi nikla toh mujhe kya sapna aayega us haweli ka? Rahi baat dada ji ka naam panchayat me darj hone ka toh Shahi munshi koyi chhota vyakti nahi hota tha aur upar se pandit vidhvaan vyakti ko toh alag sammaan milta tha. Unhone kisi wajah se he ye sab karwaya hoga.", Arjun bade dhyaan se ye jaankari le raha tha.
"Toh aisi baat agar koyi bata sakta hai toh wo khud Pandti Rameshwar ji yaani hamare aadarniya thaanedar sahab. Lekin aapko kaise pata chala ye aur unhone ye baat kis se kari thi? Aisi haweli hoti toh kya wo kabhi iski charcha nahi karte ya koyi aur karta."
"Wo raani sahiba aayi thi na shaadi me? Jab wo mujhe aashirwad dene ke baad dada ji se ek taraf ho kar baat kar rahi thi tabhi maine unke mooh se ye suna tha ke haweli ke liye koyi notice aaya tha jisko unhone he wapis lauta diya apni sampatti bata kar. Aur dada ji ne kaha ke unhe us haweli ki koyi jarurat nahi. Pandit Juglal ji khud he waha nahi rehna chahte the tabhi unhone wo shahi-pariwar ko lauta di thi 50 baras pehle. Unke liye us haweli ka koyi wajood he nahi hai. Aur is choti se baat ke siwa is baare me aur koyi charcha nahi hui. Main nahi jaanta ki waha kuch mil sakta hai ya nahi lekin tumhe ek baar koshish karni chahiye us jagah ko dekhne ki. Khandhar aksar bahot kuch samete rehte hai aur ye toh 50 baras se band hai.", Arjun bhi is baat se sehmat dikha.
"Haan ho bhi sakta hai ki waha kuch kaam ki cheej mil jaaye aur main toh waise bhi mehal dekhne jaane he wala hu. Raani ji ne toh khud he mujhe nyota diya tha aur maine jaane kaha suna tha ke dada ji ka bachpan mehal ke he pas bita tha. Matlab dada ji ahi 70 ke aur haweli band hai 50 saal se ya kuch jyada maan lo. Toh unse juda toh udhar kuch na kuch ho he sakta hai. Aur agar wo kasbe me rehte rahe tab bhi chance hai ki waha sirf khandhar toh nahi milne wale. Dekhte hai bhaiya ki ye kaisi haweli hai jisko dada ji ke dada ji bhi pasand nahi karte the."
"Aur kya pata ke waha se kuch jyada judaav ho isliye usko chhod diya gaya ho? Ab hone ko toh kuch bhi ho sakta hai chhote aur aksar hum apna haq pyaar ki wajah se he chhodte hai. Mera dil toh kehta hai ki waha bahut kuch mil sakta hai aur nahi bhi mila toh koyi baat nahi. Tumhe us peedhi se judna toh naseeb hoga he.", Sanjiv bhaiya ki aisi sakratmak baatein sunn kar Arjun muskura utha.
"8 Baj gaye hai bhaiya aur ab mujhe sabse mil kar nikalna chahiye. Haweli ka kya hai? Kismat gaanv le ja rahi hai toh kya pata ye haweli he asli manzil ho. Chalo aap bhi thaanedarni ji se mil lo kahi aapka he band na baja de daadi bhabhi ke he saamne.", Arjun ki baat sunn kar Sanjiv ko bhi Tara ka paigaam yaad aa gaya.
"Chal bhai aur tu araam se chalana motorcycle. 5 ghante ki jagah 7 laga liyo par dhyaan se. Aur main phone karunga shaam ko.", Arjun apne bhaiya ko hall kamre me he chhod pichli taraf chala gaya. Abhi sabse milne milane me usko 15-20 minute lag he jaane the.
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"Humne kaha tha na uncle ji ki aap hum par vishwas toh karke dekho, jaan tak ki parwah nahi. Aapne thoda lamba rasta bataya tha lekin maine socha ki kyun na seedha he hath daal diya jaaye. Ye rahi Renuka aur Pandit ji ke sath batchit ki chaabi.", Kuldeep us bagiche me sabse ghane bhaag par chhaya me ek kursi par garbhvati Renuka ko kursi par kalaai se bandh kar hata tha jab uske 4 aadmiyon ke sath Aanand, Lallan, Sangram aur sabse ghaagh vyakti Abhimanyu ne kadam rakhe. Is jagah 5-6 safed plastic ki kursiyan pehle he rakhi thi, ek lakdi ke sadharan se mej ke ird-gird. Renuka dutkaar bhari najro se us ghrinit vyakti ko ghoor rahi thi jo ateet me kabhi uska jija tha.
"Bada he bhari kaam akele he anjaam de diya tumne toh bitwa. Waha us bhare poore mahol me unke ghar ki beti udaa le aaye aur kisi ko khabar tak na lagne di? Yahi hai wo aurat Abhimanyu?", Lallan Singh Renuka se waakif na tha isliye kursi par Renuka ke saamne baithte hue usne ek baar sunischit karna chaha. Abhimanyu ke chehre par aayi kutilta ne jawaab bhi de diya. Aanand Singh khamoshi se us mej par wo basta rakhne ke sath Lallan ki he bagal me ja baitha.
"Sachmuch tumne bada shikar anjaam diya hai ladke. Kyu bahu, chacha sasur yaad hai ya apne charitra ki tarah hume bhi saaf kar diya? Kuldeep, isme kaagaj aur 20 lakh nagad hai. Iske aage ab hum log dekh lenge. Tumne apna kaam kiya aur humne hamara.", Aanand Singh ke jabde se nikalti awaaj kuch jyada he sakth thi.
"Na uncle na. Karo chahe jo marji lekin baad me. 20 lakh ke badle 2 raat toh isko band kamre me rakh kar armaan toh poore karu apne.", Abhimanyu Renuka ki bagal me baithne laga toh Kuldeep ne usko chhati par hath rakhte hue pehle he rok diya. Sangram Singh ye dekh aage badha toh Kuldeep ne muskurate hue usko naa me gardan hila kar aisa karne se mana kiya.
"Unlce ji, lagta hai aap logo ko deal karne ka anubhav nahi hai aur dusri baat ki aapne toh wo dekh liya jo mere hisse tha lekin mujhe milne wala hissa dekhe bina koyi is par hath nahi rakh sakta. Kam se kam is bagiche me toh nahi. Aur ye tamancha jo tum jeb se jhalka rahe ho Sangram, iska upyog karne ki sochna bhi matt. Mere mann me mail na hai lekin lagta hai aap log kuch alag vichar le kar yaha aaye ho.", Kuldeep khud Renuka ki bagal me baith us baste ko kholne laga. Uske aadmi beshak bagiche me kaam karne wale log the lekin sabke hatho me baans ka majboot lath aur chehre par apne maalik ke prati wafadari. Is jawan ladke ke tewar aur uski baatein sunn kar Lallan ne Sangram aur Abhimanyu ko ishare se baithne ko kaha.
"Dekh lo itminaan se beta aur kahi gadbad lage toh hume batao."
"Gadbad toh hai uncle ji. Is Abhimanyu ne 50 ekad ke barabar paise ki baat ki thi aur aapne 28 kille jiske barabar utna he Lallan ji ne kaha tha dene ko. Yaha hai ye raddi si 15 kille banjar jameen, jo hamari tehsil ke sabse kharab hisse me hai aur dusre kaagaj hai 13 kille XXXX kasbe ke paas. Aur paise ke naam par sirf 20 lakh. Maan liya aap sabhi umar aur anubhav me mujhse kahi jyada ho lekin bade insaan ko apni baat par kaayam rehna chahiye. Bache galti kar sakte hai.", Bache wali baat Kuldeep ne Sangram ki taraf dekhte hue kahi thi lekin uske is tarah se us baste ko Aanand/Lallan ki taraf sarkane par chaaro ek dusre ko dekhne lage. Jaise koyi khaas ishara ho aapas me.
"Kaam hamare anumaan se kahi pehle kar diya tumne Kuldeep. Ghar ki he baat hai isliye abhi ye sab rakh lo aur baaki sampatti ek mahine ke bhitar tumhare hawale hogi.", Anand Singh ne lachari ka dikhawa kiya aur uske baad Abhimanyu apne sur alaapne laga.
"Waise bhi maine tumhe us Arjun ko bhi faansne ke liye kaha tha. Aadhe kaam ke liye aadhi he keemat milti hai. Baat ko yahi khatam karo aur is randi ko hum le ja rahe hai.", Aur yahi Kuldeep se chook ho gayi jo Abhimanyu ke tevar dekhne me vyast hua toh Sangram Singh ne furti se uski bagal me khade vyakti ke paanv me goli maarne ke baad rivolver Renuka par taan di.
"Bhosdika ye na samajhta jajbaat hamare. Jo de rahe the wo isko kam lag raha tha lekin ab paise ki jagah milegi maut. Mama, basta utha aur Abhimanyu bhai le chal teri maina.", Sangram ko aise fufkaarte dekh Kuldeep ghabra gaya tha aur uska ek aadmi jameen par apna jakham dabaye dard ke maare cheekh kar is sunsaan baag ko dehlane ka vifal prayas karne laga. Lallan ne wo basta uthaya he tha ki usme hath ke kareeb se nikal kar wo jalta peetal Sangram ki hatheli ke aar-par ja nikla. Tamancha Aanand ke bhi paas tha lekin uski gaadi me wo galti se chhoot gaya tha. Ab is bagiche me 2 log chilla rahe the aur Renuka apne hath dheele karke itminaan se uth kar ek taraf ja khadi hui.
"Wo aisa hai Aanand Singh ki tumne hamare baare me kuch pata na karwaya tha. Humne he wo sab khabar tumhare tak pahchai thi jiske liye tumhare 5 aadmi bhi jaan se gaye aur 20 lakh meri jeb me. Waise jis pistol par tum itna uchal rahe the ladke, wo jaan nahi le sakti. Sab apni apni jagah wapis batih jao.", Apne thik saamne is 6 feet unche bhoot ko dekh Aanand aur Lallan ki toh ghiggi he bandh gayi thi lekin Abhimanyu jaise koshish karke dekhna chahta tha. Abhi wo us khanjar ko Renuka ke jism ke kareeb karne he wala tha ki Narinder ke jism me jamane bhar ki bijli bhar uthi. Koyi aur kuch samajh bhi pata us se pehle wahi khanjar Abhimanyu ki kalaai ko kaat kar Narinder ke dusre hath me tha.
"Jab main kehta hu tab us baat ko maan lena chahiye. Dekho jara in dono chidimaaro ko kaise dubak kar baithe hai lekin nahi tum me jyada josh bhara hai. Haan toh Deepu beta fir kitna intjaam hua tumhari behan ki shaadi ke liye.?", Ek aakrshak aadhunik pistol ka magzine khol kar usko mej par rakhne ke baad Narinder ne apne dono paanv bhi kainchi banate hue lambvat tika diye. Itna befikar hona darshata tha Narinder ki nirbhikta aur har apradhi ko uski aukaat dikhana. Ab drishya aisa tha ki Sangram jameen par baitha apne behte khoon par rumal daba kar usko rokne me laga tha toh Abhimanyu tadapta hua apni kati hui kalaai ko bagal me dabaye tha. Renuka paseena paunchti hui udhar chali gayi jis taraf se Narinder prakat hua tha.
"Mehnat aur aapki wajah se bahot kuch hai uncle ji aur main apni behan par haraam ka ek paisa bhi nahi kharachne wala. Waise aap inhe police ke hawale karoge ya hath paanv todne hai?", Kuldeep ek majboot naujawaan tha lekin teen logo ke behte khoon se vichlit ho kar wo yaha khada bhi nahi ho pa raha tha.
"Aye bhai, le jao apne sathi ko aur doctor se kehna ke shikar karte hue haadsa hua. Baaki main dekh lunga aur ye paise rakh lo. Baaki tum dono us taraf ek ghante tak gadda khodte raho. Ek feet gehraai ka ek lakh dunga toh jitna gehra utna he chauda hona chahiye. 6 feet ke 6 lakh jo tum charo ke honge.", Narinder ke tewar dekh jakhmi aadmi ko uska ek sathi le chala aur baaki dono apne baans wahi gira kar kassi kudaal liye gadda khodne daud pade.
"Narinder beta, ye thik nahi hai. Main kisi ki jaan lene ke paksh me nahi tha bas apne bhanje (Ajeet) ke liye insaaf ki chahat bhar thi. Ab tumhe ye pasand nahi hai toh mujhe bhi kuch nahi chahiye. Aanand bhai aap bhi paanv pakad lo toh kya pata Narinder ji humko jaane de.", Lallan ka gidgidana dekh Narinder taali bajate hue aise attaahas karne laga jaise koyi bacha khush ho kar kilkariyan maarta hai. Aanand Singh abhimaani vyakti tha aur guroor se bhara bhi.
"Mard hu main Lallan aur aise kayi Narinder-Dharminder dekhe hai maine. Tum kya darane ki koshish kar rahe ho ye gadda khudwa kar aur pistol saamne bikher kar? Jaan nahi le sakte tum hum me se kisi ki aur wo bhi aise bhare ujale."
"Jaan.. Main jaan nahi leta Aanand Singh aur tum dono ke bhanje bhatije kukarmi log the jinke maathe par maine wo tilak kiya jiske taap ko wo jhel na sake. Main na andhero ki parwah karta hu aur na ujaalo ki. Jagah, samay aur insaan agar mujhe prabhavit karte toh tum logo ki jagah main hota. Is ladke ka seena cheer kar main dekhunga ki dil majboot hai ki nahi. Aur ye haraami hijda jiski akal mere bete se maar khaane ke baad bhi na sudhri, ye meri behan par wahi ganda hath rakhna chahta tha toh iski kalaai alag karke main khud isko dikhaunga iska ganda khoon kaise jism se nikaal kar main iski shuddhi karta hu. Lallan ne mere kadmo me sar jhukaya hai toh isko dard nahi dunga lekin tum ehankaari ho Aanand Singh aur aise vyakti ki awaaj khokhli hoti hai. Mere pita, bhai aur mujhe maarna chahte the tum wo bhi behan aur bete ko kabja kar? Aisa toh wo bhi nahi sochta jiske khilaaf jaane ke liye mere pita ne mana kiya hai.", Aur Narinder cigrattee ko sulgane ke baad jis tarah sadhe kadmo se Sangram ke sar ke paas aa khada hua, baaki teeno ki najre wahi jamm gayi. Mej par wo aalishan pistol bikhri padi thi lekin uske hath me ab ek vishesh khanjar tha jis par khaas chinh ankit tha.
"Aaaa maa reeee....", Kisi memne ki tarah Sangram joro se fadfadaya tha aur uska rudan sunn kar dur vriksho me chhipe anginat panchi shor karte hue udne lage. Har jeev ki aankh hairat se fati reh gayi thi jab Sangram ke seene ki wo 22 haddiyan khaal chhod kar itna ghinona manjar dikhane lagi. Peit se aantdiyon ke sath sath lahu aise beh kar nikla jaise bade gubbare me bhara ho jo achanak fatt jaaye. Uske jism ko khinch kar Narinder ne Lallan ki jhali me la fenka. Lagatar chikhne se Sangram ka gala fatne he laga tha aur uski haalat dekh baaki teeno ki.
"Ghar par najar nahi rakhte toh main sirf mathe par tilak karke maamla ek minute me khatam kar deta. Khair ab tum khud dekh rahe ho ki maine ek minute pehle kuch bhi galat nahi kaha tha.", Lallan kanpta hua apni goad me fadfadate hue us vishipt se jism ko dekh raha tha jiske andar ke ang bhi fadak rahe the. Khoon me lisda wo gubbare sa jigar, haddiyon ke pinjre me qaid surkh dil aur idhar udhar latakti moti patli aantdiya. Narinder ki haivaaniyat jaise abhi baaki thi aur usne dusre hath se wo dhadakta hua dil pakad kar aise khincha jaise latakti daal se koyi bada aam. Aur wo aam-roopi dil usne Aandand Singh ki jholi me fenk diya.
"Dekh ko isme sirf hawa bhari thi aur parmatma tumari aatma ko narak me mehfooj rakhe Lallan. Jai shirshaye namaah..", Aanand Singh mooh dabaye abhi ultiyan he karne laga tha aur uski saanson ko tadpate hue Narinder ne kisi maahir kasaai ki tarah sooi ke ek kanta hilne bhar ki deri me Lallan ki sehmi hui aankho samet uski mundi kaat kar Abhimanyu ki taraf fenk di. Kursi par tika hua jism fuhare ki tarah lahu fenk raha tha aur Aanand Singh ladkhada kar bhagne ki nakaam koshish karta us raktim jameen par ja gira.
"Mujhe jaane do ... Mere biwi bache hai Narinder.. bhagwan ke liye mujhe jaane do. Main kabhi apne ghar se bhi kadam bahar nhi .. Bhagwaan ke liye baksh do mujhe.", Aanand Singh kaanp raha tha aur hath jodta hua wo apne mitte se sane chehre ke sath aansu bahata gidgida kar bheekh maangne laga jaan ki. Abhimanyu ka kaleja itna majboot na toh aur wo behosh tha itne ghrinit bhayanak drishya dekh kar. Jab Narinder apni jagah sthir khada ho kar bas ciggratte ke kash lagata raha toh himmat jama karte hue Aanand ne wo videshi pistol utha li. Narinder abhi bhi waise he khada usko dekh raha tha aur Aanand ne apni kanpti par tikate hue ungli dabaayi toh yaha bhi kismat daga de gayi.
"Khaali pistol se tumhe gati nahi milegi aur na main tumhe marne dunga itni jaldi. Mere pita mujhe daakia bhi bulate hai aur main wo sandesh le kar unke paas jaunga jo tumne apne dil me dabaya hua hai. Bhaag tum sakte nahi ho Aanand aur goli bharne ka waqt meri dusri pistol tumhe degi nahi. Jaldi se naam bata do aur upar ja kar apne bhatije se meri shikayat lagao. Haal-chal bhi dena yaha ke aur batana ke tumhe bhi usi aadmi ne bheja hai jisne usko ajaad kiya tha.", Cigratte ek taraf fenk Narinder ne ek patli lekin majboot rassi ka sahi fanda banate hue usme Abhimanyu ke dono paanv faans diye. Jism koyi harkat na kar raha tha aur usko ghiste hue Narinder ne rassi ka dusra seera is ghane vriksh ki lambvat daal ke paar kushalta se ghuma kar jhatka diya toh wo jism jameen se ragad khaane ke baad ab hawa me tha. Jameen ki satah se 2 feet upar. Rassi tane se baandhne ke baad Narinder ne Abhimanyu ka mooh bhi majbooti se ek kapde se jakad diya jis se wo cheekh na sake.
"Mujhe aur bhi bahot se kaam hai Aanand Singh jinhe nibta kar mujhe mere ghar thik 3 baje tak pahuchna hai.", Agli cheekh sunaai na padi lekin jameen par kalaai se prithak hue 2 hath pade the. Zamane bhar ka dard un faili hui aankhon me tha jo Abhimanyu ke jism par thi. Khoon eksaar dhaar me behta hua jameen par 2 golakaar ghere bana kar bade karta gaya lekin Narinder ko jab is se bhi santosh na hua toh usne gale par bhi ek cheera de diya.
"Naam bol do aur main tumhe ajaad kar dunga. Dekho maine Lallan ko dard nhi diya aur tumhe toh main shayad bakhs bhi du. Kyonki mujhe lagta hai tumhari jaroor majboori rahi hogi is sabke peeche. Abhimanyu Renuka ki wajah se apna ullu sadh raha tha, Lallan is Sangram aur Ajeet ki daualt ke chakkar me lekin tum mujhe inse alag lagte ho.", Narinder chalte hue Aanand ke kareeb aa ruka. Mej par rakha paani ka jug utha kar usne apne hatho se he Aanand ka maila chehra dhoya toh Narinder ki rehasyamayi aankhon ko dekh Aanand Singh ki jubaan hili.
"Himmat Singh ne 5 crore keemat lagaai thi. Ek crore meri gaadi me rakha hai aur baaki Renuka ya Arjun ko saunpne par wo dene wala tha. Maine paiso ke liye nahi kiya ye sab. Mujhe bas Rameshwar se nafrat hai... Wo bhagwaan nahi ki us par koyi ungli na utha sake... aahh", Aur iske baad Narinder ne thik waisa he kiya jaisa kaha tha. Aanand Singh ki thuddi pakad kar apni dusri beawaaj pistol se usne dil me chhed kar diya.
"Mere bhagwaan hai wo murakh, mere bhagwan. Un par ungli toh kya koyi beadbi se bhi unka jikar kare toh main usko yahi saja dunga.", Ab khoobsurat angoor ka baag jaise duniya ki sabse vibhats jagah me tabdil ho chuka tha. Ek kursi par sar-kata Lallan ka jism jiski goad me khula hua Sangram Singh toh dusri taraf vriksh se jhoolta wo lahu-viheen bina dono hatheli ka Abhimanyu ka shav aur sabse saaf suthra mrit Aanand apne naam swaroop ek behtar maut praapt karne wala.
"Ye 4 jism bhi saaf kar dena tum log, kapda mooh par bandh kar. Aur ye 6 lakh aapas me baant lena. Pata laga ki hisaab barabar nahi kiya toh yahi haal tumhara bhi karunga.", Narinder ne hanste hue un dono ko chetawani di aur apni pistol sahi se jodd kar ab un dono se apni nigraani me he saaf safaai karwane laga. Renuka uski taraf aane lagi toh hath se usko wahi rukne ka bol wo khud basta liye badh gaya.
"Waha ki haalat tumhare dekhne laayak nahi hai behan. Ab hum chalte hai yaha se kyonki mamla shayad khatam nahi hua. Deepu beta, yaha ki nigraani bhadwa dunga aaj he aur tumhare aadmi shayad darr ki wajah se 2-3 din chutti par rahenge. Baaki tumhe kisi tarah ki pareshani nahi hone dunga.", Basta kandhe par latkaaye Narinder ek hath me Renuka ka hath thaam kar us kache pakke kamre ke bahar khade Kuldeep ko sab hidayat deta hua hamesha ki tarah befikar sa baag se bahar chal diya. Kuldeep ek baar apne aadmiyon ko kaam me laga dekhne ke baad khud bhi Narinder ji ke peeche ho liya. Wo Renuka se kuch hansi majaak karte hue us car tak chale aaye jisme wo murda laashen jivit aayi thi, haqiqat se anjaan.
"Hum is car se jaane wale hai?", Renuka ne Narinder ko darwaja kholte dekh sawaal kiya.
"Nahi behna hum apni he car se jaayenge. Isme kuch paap ki kamaai rakhi hai bas wo lene ke baad nikalte hai apne shehar. Aajkal paiso ki bhi bahut jarurat hai aur papa jebkharchi nahi de rahe itne kaam ke bawjood. Waise tum is bache ko rakh kar kuch galat toh nahi kar rahi?'", Sachmuch car ki dikki me noto ka bada bag tha aur agli seat ki daraaj me bhara hua rivolver.
"Ye pehle din se he hamare pariwar me hai bhaiya toh ye haq rakhta hai duniya me aane ka. Dekhna isko main bilkul Arjun jaisa banaungi ya aapke jaisa.", Narinder ji Arjun ka naam sunn kar hanste hue us bag ko apni car ki taraf liye chal diye.
"Ladki honi chahiye bilkul tumhari tarah. Meri pyaari chutki samajhdar bhi hai aur diler bhi. Arjun teesri option hai mere baad. Lekin papa kehte hai ki mere jaisa aur koyi nahi ho sakta toh fir bas jo bhi ho wo tumhare jaisa ho. Baaki Shankar se tumhe dikkat hai jo uska naam nahi liya.?", Kuldeep ko ishare se car thikane ka bolte hue Narinder ne pehle Renuka ko gaadi me baithaya aur fir khud steering sambhala. Renuka yaha par Shankar bhaiya ke jikar se hansne lagi thi.
"Unke jaisa hua toh phir aap khud he socho kya hoga? Ghar se bol kar niklega collega ka aur milega unke paas he nishane lagata jaisa bhaiya aksar karte the jab hum cantt me rehte the. Waise aapki baat sahi hai. Jo bhi hoga us se farak nahi padta. Bas hoga toh hamare pariwar me he.", Renuka ki baat sunn kar Narinder ne apna dhula hua hath uske sar par sehlate hue gaadi start ki.
"Shankar jaisa toh bas ek wahi hai Renu. Aur us jaisa na koyi beta ho sakta hai na bhai. Agar tumhe beta hua na toh usko ek baar maa ki goad me rakh dena. Kya pata unke dil se Shankar ka he koyi paryaye nikal aaye. Ab tumhari ateet se judi har taar maine kaat di hai. Bas iski parwarish par dhyaan dena apni sehat ke sath.", Gaadi kuch dhool udaati hui nikal chuki thi aur peeche khada Kuldeep dekh raha tha uski motorcycle par tange us baste ko jisme 14 lakh ke lagbhag rupaye the.
'Chalo ab agar ye jimmwari de he di hai toh dharam karam me yogdaan de dete hai. Angoor khatarnaak the.'
