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Incest Raaz - Andhere Ka Raja
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Devil 😈 calls me DAD
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Bhut hi badhiya updateUpdate 20 - Tears in the Dark
(Reference of Update 14 - Eyes from the Rift)
Previous...
Swayamsukh ke anand ke baad woh palang pe dhila pad jati hai. Apni saansein durust karne lagti hai,
? : hhhh~ huff! Hhahh~ finally… ohhh~
Halke paseene ki Boondein uski badan Pe chamak rahi thi, Phir woh muskurayi - thodi thaki hui Aur khush. jab Saansein Saamaany hone lagti hai, woh wapas se Chaat ki our dekhti hai. Aur waise hi leti rehti hai.
Continue...
Kuchh din pehle, jab Aryan ne Ghansha se Naina ko bachaya tha. Ghansha ko peetne ke baad Aryan ne seedha Viraj Kapoor ko call lagaya tha, aur usse maut ki dhamki de daali thi-
Aryan : TOH, TU MERA WOH ROOP DEKHEGA, JO MAIN KHUD NAHI JAANTA, aur...! AUR HOGI TERI MAUT-!
Uske baad.
Prakash bhi uss din Viraj Kapoor se deal done hone ke baad chala gaya tha. Uske baad Viraj ne Belu ko call kiya aur aage kya karna hai uske baare mein bola tha.
*THUD!*
Phone ko table pe itni zor se phenka ki screen ka glass bhi thoda crack ho gaya. Viraj chair pe peeche jhuk gaya. Uski aankhein band kar li, dimaag mein sirf ek cheez chal rahi thi – "Sanjay ki zameen"
*TIK! TIIK!*
Secretary andar aayi. Tight white shirt, black pencil skirt, blonde dyed baal kandhon tak lahrate hue. Uski high heels ki halki awaaz cabin mein goonj rahi thi.
"Sir?"
Viraj : What is it?
"Sir! Woh Prakash sir, I mean... woh toh Mumbai mein jaane-maane vyakti hai, aur... I mean hamara ye company abhi-abhi shuru hua hai. Toh woh humse loan kyun le rahe hain?"
Viraj sar uthaya aur uske chehre pe ek bhediya jaisi muskurahat thi, jaise dikhane ka kuchh aur karne ka kuchh aur.
Viraj (smiles) : Kyunki maine Mr. Prakash ko majboor kar diya hai, humse loan lene ke liye. Unke pass koi aur rasta nahi hai.
"Woh kaise sir?"
Viraj : Tumhe yaad toh hogi na, jab Mr. Prakash ki beti ke janamdin pe unke ghar gaye the?
"Ji bilkul mujhe yaad hai!"
Viraj (smiles) : Toh tumhe kya lagta hai, kisi ke madaad ke bina main Mr. Prakash ko kaise majboor kar paunga mujhse loan lene ke liye?
"Kaise sir?"
Badle mein Viraj ke chehre ki muskan aur bhi chhidi ho jaati hai,
Viraj (smiles) : Jarur maine kisi ki madad li hai, Mr. Prakash ko majboor karne ke liye!
"K-kiska?"
Viraj : *SMILES*
Woh kuchh nahi kehta, bas muskurata hai. Aur ye dekh secretary pehle thoda hairaan reh jaati hai, phir jaise hi usse kuchh bodh hota hai, woh sab kuchh samajh jaati hai, aur uske chehre pe bhi ek katil muskaan aa jaati hai.
"A-aap Sach Mein...??"
Viraj (smiles) : Ab samjhi?
"Yes! i get it now. You are awesome sir! But ek baat aur-!"
Viraj : then, Let it out!
"Woh... Sanjay! I mean aap uski zameen ke peeche kyun pade ho?"
Viraj : Kya tum nahi jaanti mera asli dhanda kya hai??
"I know sir, but... I mean Sanjay ki zameen ek chhota sa hi toh plot hai, aapko uss mamooli si property se kya prapt hoga?"
Viraj apni gol ghumne wali chair pe peeche ghum jaata hai,
Viraj : Mamooli property? Hahahahaha!! You don't know anything.
Uski unchi hanssi jaise secretary usse koi mazak kar rahi ho, "mamuli property? Hahaha!" Woh phir hansta hai.
"Huh!? Main kuchh samjhi nahi?"
Viraj : Abhi tumhe kuchh samajhne ki zarurat nahi hai. Bas mujhe woh zameen mil jaaye, tab... Ehhaha! *Cough* haha!
"???!"
Phir Viraj chair ghumate hue secretary ki taraf mud gaya. Uski nazar secretary ke sharir pe upar se neeche tak ghum gayi - shirt ke tight buttons, skirt ke curves, high heels tak.
Viraj : Now! Agar tumhara sawaal pura ho gaya ho toh, gaand leke idhar aao darling *smiles* aur skirt upar uthao.
Secretary ki aankhon mein ek naughty spark aa gaya. Woh dheere se gaand matkati hui aage badhi. Uske blonde baal lahrate hue kandhon pe gir rahe the. Usne peeche mud kar Viraj ke saamne khadi ho gayi, dono haathon se skirt ke hem ko pakad ke,
“Aap hi utha lijiye na, sir~”
Viraj ek jhatke mein uski kamar pakdi, skirt ko ek hi jhatke mein upar utha diya. Neeche… red lace panty thi, jo uski gol, tight gaand ke darar mein fas rahi thi. Viraj ne uski panty ko bhi khinch ke neeche khiska diya.
Ab secretary ki nangi, creamy-white gaand bilkul khuli thi. Dono gol cheeks ek dusre se thodi alag, beech mein ek tight, pinkish darar, jismein thodi si pasine ki chamak thi.
Viraj ne dono haathon se uski gaand ke cheeks ko zor se faila diya, aur apna muh seedha uski gaand ke baraar mein ghusaa diya.
"Ummm!~ sir!~"
Phir, Undono ka yeh ashlilta chalti rahi.
---
Theek isshi din kucch aur bhi ghatir ho raha tha. Jab Aryan ghansha ko niptake Naina ke saath apne ghar ke taraf badh gaya tha.
Lekin-
Koi thi… jo chupke se inn sab par nazar jamaye hue thi. Andhere ke beech ek sthir chhaya. Wahi thi jo Aryan ka peecha kar rahi thi, ek nirdosh si lagne wali, par andar se kisi gehre rahasya se bhari hui upasthiti.
Usne ek gehre crimson-red rang ke lambe aur bahut hi shandaar chadar hooded cloak pehne hue thi, jo uske sirr par chhaya hua hai. Hood ka aage ka hissa itna gehra hai ki uska chehra aadha chhupa hua lagta hai, sirf honth aur thodi si naak hi saaf dikhti hai. Kapdon ki banawat aisi jaise abhi abhi koi battlefield Se Aayi Ho.
Hawa mein nami thi, aur khamoshi itni gahri, Tab uski awaz goonji.
"Oye moy moy! Smotri-smotri, ya nakonets-to tebya pojmala!"
Uski dhimi hansi khali sadak par fail gayi, aur hawa mein ek ajeeb si kampan paida ho gayi.
Woh apni jeebh ko bahar nikalti hai, Dheere se apne lambe, safed aur chamakte nakhunon uspar pherte hue-
"You naughty... Mm~"
Jaise hi uske shabd khatam hue, uski jeebh aur bhi lambi hoti chali gayi. Aakar badalta gaya, laal, geeli aur asamanya roop se lachakdaar.
Bilkul uss nagin ki tarah jo apni shikaar ko door se mehsoos kar leti hai. Uski aankhon mein chamak ubhar aayi- bhookh nahi, balki lakshya ki.
Uski nigahen dur ja rahe uss auto par tik gayi, jaha Aryan maujood tha bekhabar, apni hi duniya mein. Jaise hi uski nazar uss par jami, ladki ke nakhun dheere dheere lambe hone lage.
Aur phir-!
kuchh aisa hua jo prakriti ke niyamon ko chunauti deta tha.
Usne apna haath upar uthaya. Ungliyon ke beech hawa ka ghanatva badalne laga, jaise empty space apne astitva par sawal utha rahi ho. Usne apne lambi nakhun ko hawa mein lehraya, ek hi gati mein, bilkul sahi kon par, jaise kisi surgeon ka antim incision karti hai.
Aur agle hi pal… Khali jagah par ek daraar ubhar aayi.
Na zameen phati, na hawa tooti, par phir bhi iss reality ke taane-baane mein jaise ek spasht katav aa gaya. Jaise iss brahmand ke fibres ko zabardasti cheera gaya ho.
Uss darar se kaali roshni nikalne lagi, na poori roshni, na poora andhera, balki kuchh aisa jo physics ke kisi bhi spectrum mein fit nahi baithta tha.
Hawa ka tapman achanak gir gaya. Samay jaise ek pal ke liye ladkhada gaya. Aur bina kisi hichkichahat ke, woh ladki uss shunya sthan mein kadam rakh deti hai. Palak jhapakte hi uska sharir uss void ke andar sama gaya.
---
Palak jhapakte hi jaise haqeeqat ne ek lamhe ke liye saans rok li ho. woh ladki uss void (shunya sthan) ke uss paar jaa pahunchti hai.
Na koi roshni ka phatna, na koi dhamaaka. Bas ek halki si khichaav ki mehsoosiyat, jaise space ke dhaagon ko kisi ne ungliyon se tod kar ek jagah se doosri jagah sil diya ho.
Yeh waqt ka safar nahi tha. Nahi koi time skip nahi thi. Yeh... ek jagah se dusri jagah ka chhalang tha -
ek perfect space place skip.
Usne apni jeb mein haath daala aur ek purani si pocket ghadi nikali. Uski dhadkan jaise ghadi ki tik-tik ke saath talmel bitha rahi thi. Dhundhli roshni mein usne waqt dekha - saal, tareekh sab kuch aaj ki tarikh hai, usne ye nishchit Kiya.
“Hmm! perfect, onley 10 second.”
woh dheere se mann hi mann bolti hai. Ghadi ko wapas jeb mein rakhte hue jaise hi usne apni nazar upar uthayi-
Uski saans ek pal ke liye atak gayi. Aas-paas kuch bhi nahi tha. Na koi pedh, na koi paudha, na zindagi ka ek bhi nishaan. Sirf safedi. Barfili safedi. Jaise duniya ko kisi ne barfili chadar se dhak diya ho.
Upar se halki-halki barf ke tukde hawa mein tairte hue neeche gir rahe the uske kandhon, uske baalon, aur uske kapdon par jamte hue.
Hawa bohat thandi thi. Kaati hui. Jaise har jhonka uski twacha ko cheer jaa rahi hai.
“Slava Bogu, ya etot kostyum nadyela i prishla v nyom! A to v takoy moroz ya by prosto okolela nasmert'!”
Usne apni bhasha mein kaha,Uski awaaz sardi mein halki si kaamp rahi thi.
In Hindi*
“Bhagwan ka shukr hai, main yeh costume pehen ke aayi hoon! warna iss thand mein toh mai seedha jam jaati.”
Har saans ke saath uske honton se dhuaan sa nikal raha tha, garam saans aur thandi hawa ki takraar ka nateeja. Usne apne laal libas ko aur kas ke lapet liya, gardan jhuka kar hawa se bachne ki koshish ki, aur dheere-dheere aage badhne lagi.
Zameen par barf itni naram thi jaise kisi ne reshmi safed bistar bichha diya ho. Par har kadam ek jung tha. pair ghutne tak dhans jaate, aur nikalne mein zor lagta.
*Crunch!-Crunch!*
har qadam ki awaaz uss sunsaan khamoshi mein goonj uthti. Kaafi der aise hi Kuch chalne ke baad. Woh achanak ruk gayi-
“Huh…?”
Durr... bahut durr, uss bepanah safedi ke beech kuch alag tha.
Ek dhaabba.
Ek saya.
Ek kaala saaya.
Usne aankhen tez karke dekha. Barf ke iss Virani ilake ke beech, tanha khadi thi ek kali haveli. Itni gehri kaali jaise roshni ko nigal rahi ho. Uske teekhe konay, uski oonchi deewarein, sab kuch iss safed barfile parivesh ke bilkul vipreet.
Ek ajeeb si khoobsurti thi usmein. Darr aur akarshan ka ek sangeet.
Ye dekh uss ladki ki aankhen halki si phail gayi. Saans thodi si tez ho gayi.
“Oy! tak eto ono… to samoye mesto?!”
In Hindi*
“Oh! toh yeh hai woh jagah?!”
Uski awaaz mein ek hairani bhi thi, aur ek chhupa hua utsaah bhi.
Ek pal ke liye woh wahi khadi rahi barf uske aas-paas girti rahi, hawa uske kapdon ko hilaati rahi. Aur phir, bina kisi aur soch ke,
Woh uss kaali haveli ki taraf badh gayi.
***
At present - 27 feb - morning.
Ek Yamaha FZS V3 ki bike Aryan chala raha tha, Naina uske peeche baithi thi. Dono pair ek taraf karke, ek haath se Aryan ki kandho ko pakad ke, uski haath uske apne goad pe thi. Bechari Naina ne aaj ek naye pili suit pehen rakhi thi, Usne socha tha Sayad Mumbai jaane se phele Aryan usse thoda ghumane le jaa raha hai.
Lekin, woh Thodi duri bana ke, baithi thi. Aur Karan tha-
Bechari Naina ko bohut sharam aa rahi thi. Uske gaalon hakle laal pad rahe the, woh baar baar apne baalon ko kaam ke peeche kar rahi thi, apne aap hi.
Aisa nahi tha ki Naina pehli baar bike pe Aryan ke peeche baithi hai. Dono kabhi kabhi bike se college jaya arte the, kabhi kabhi ghumne bhi jaate the, tab Naina Aryan ke peeche hi baithi thi, chipak ke hi.
Par, Pichhle kuch dino se, woh chulbuli Naina jaise thodi si chup ho gayi thi. Aryan ke paas aate hi uski saansen tez ho jaati, aankhein jhuk jaati… aur dil? Shayad zyada zor se dhadakta.
Usne phir ek baar, apne baalon ke lat ko kaan ke peeche lee gaye, aur ab ki baar Aryan ne yeh dekh liye bike ke rare view mirror pe. Naina ki nazre bhi Aryan se takraye mirror ke through, toh Aryan ne saar hikake pucha.
"Kiya???"
Bechari Naina jhat ne apni aankhein pher leti hai, jaise uski choti ladki gayi ho. aur hadbabate huye kehti hai,
Naina (blushes) : Ahm!! K-kuchh nahi. K-kuchh bhi toh nahi. Hehe!~
Aryan kucch samajh nahi paata, aur bike chalane mein hi Dhiyan deta hai.
Naina (blush) : umm! Bhaiya hum kaha jaa rahe hai, aap ne bataya nahi?
Aryan : bas kuchh hi derr mein pouch jayenge. Tab tak chup chap baitho. Nahi toh bike se gira Dunga, Moti.
Naina : Okiieee~! Huh? Hey Wait? kya kaha aapneee?? BHAIYA????
Aryan (laugh) : ahahaha~ MOTI~
Naina : YOU!
Aur dono bhai-behen aise hi masti-mazak karte hue pahunch gaye. Aryan ne ek ghar ke saamne bike rok di. Yeh kisi aur ka ghar nahi tha - yeh Avni ka ghar tha. Naina ne idhar-udhar dekhte hue pucha,
“Yeh aap kahan le aaye?”
Aryan (smiles) : Yeh Avni di ka ghar hai!
Naina : Hmm??
Aryan : Avni di inn dino hamari bahut madad ki hai, Naina. Aur tum unse acche se mili bhi nahi. *Pause* Jab unki maa hamse milne aayi thi, tab bhi tum kamre se bahar nahi nikki thi.
Naina : I-
Aryan ne uski baat kaat te hue kaha, “Isliye Mumbai jaane se pehle main tumhe unse milane le aaya hoon. Pata nahi waha kitne din lag jaaye.”
Naina ka chehra ekdum se udaas ho gaya. Jaise kisi ne uska sabse pyara khilona chheen liya ho. Woh gaal phula kar boli,
Naina : Mujhe laga tha aap mujhe ghumne le jaa rahe ho!
Aryan : Huh? Yeh kab kaha maine?
Naina : Kuch nahi…
Bechari Naina ka chehra bilkul murjha sa gaya. Aryan pehle toh samajh nahi paya. Ladkiyon ke yeh chanchal mood swings usse kabhi samajh hi nahi aaye the. Par jab usne Naina ka woh udas chehra dekha, toh uska dil pighal gaya. Woh thoda jhuk kar, pyaar se uske baal sahlate hue bola,
Aryan : Arey meri piyari behen, Mumbai jaa rahe hain na… waha ghumne bhi toh le jaunga. Yeh koi kehne wali baat thodi hai?
Naina ne aankhein badi kar ke pucha, “Sach mein na?”
Aryan (Smiles) : Haan! Ab chalo…
Naina phir se ek jhatke mein khush ho gayi. Uski aankhon mein chamak aa gayi aur woh khushi se phadak uthi,
Naina : Okeeeee!
Woh sach mein ek zinda-dil ladki thi. Ek pal mein naraz, dusre pal mein phir se hansati hui. Aryan ko uski yeh baat bahut achchi lagti thi. Woh muskurate hue sochta,
“Yeh chhoti si toofan meri uljhi huye zindagi ka sabse sweet hissa hai.”
*Ding-dong!*
Aryan ne bell bajayi hi thi ki andar se jaldi-jaldi kadmon ki awaaz aayi aur darwaza khula. Avni bahar nikalte hi Aryan se takra gayi.
“Ouch!” Avni thodi si hill gaye.
Aryan : Didi?
Naina : Bhaiya???
Par Aryan ne turant uske kandhe pakad liye aur girne nahi diya. Avni sambhal kar upar dekhi toh hairaan reh gayi. Uske gaal halke se laal ho gaye.
Aryan (smiles) : Aap kahi jaa rahi thi?
Avni : Huh? T-tum?
Aryan : Aap hi kehti thi main aapke ghar nahi aata… lo, aaj aa gaya. *smiles*
Avni (smiles back) : Main toh tumhare ghar hi jaa rahi thi. Bhool gaye? Tumne hi kaha tha "didi, kal aana, mujhe accha lagta hai"
Aryan : Main kaise bhool sakta hoon? Ek important kaam tha isliye main hi milne chala aaya.
Avni : Hmm? Kya kaam tha?
Aryan (smiles) : Sab baatein bahar hi karni hain? Andar nahi bulaogi?
Avni ke gaal aur laal ho gaye. Woh jaldi se boli,
“Aaa! Sorry… aao na andar. Naina tum bhi aayi ho? Aao dono.”
Naina : Umm!
Avni ne dono ko andar le aayi. Uske liye yeh bilkul unexpected tha, par Aryan ka apne ghar aana usse bahut achcha laga. Avni ne andar ki taraf awaaz lagayi,
“Maa, dekho toh kaun aaya hai!”
Surabhi andar se apni saari ka pallu se haath pochti hui bahar aayi. Shayad woh koi kaam kar rahi thi.
“Kaun aaya hai beta?”
Jaise hi usne saamne dekha aur Aryan ko pehchana, uske kadam ruk gaye.
Surabhi : Aryan? Beta tum!
Aryan (Smiles) : Yeh kya aunty, baithne nahi bolengi?
Surabhi : M-main…!
Bechari Surabhi kuch keh nahi paayi. Aryan toh sirf mazak kar raha tha. Avni ne usko halke se uski kohni maari.
Avni : Maa, yeh mazak kar raha hai.
Surabhi : Aao beta, baitho pehle.
Kuch der mein sab baith gaye. Surabhi Aryan se toh mil chuki thi, par Naina se nahi. Usne dekha ki Naina thodi sharma rahi hai. Toh badi hone ke naate woh hi baat shuru ki.
Surabhi : Aur beta, tum kaisi ho?
Naina : J-ji, main theek hoon.
Aryan ne Naina ke sar par haath pherte hue usko ishaara kiya. Naina bhi samajh gayi.
Naina : Aunty… I’m really sorry. Kal aap hamare ghar aayi thi, main bahar nahi aayi. Uske liye maafi chahti hoon.
Surabhi : Koi baat nahi beta. Main samajh sakti hoon, uss waqt tumhare upar kya guzar rahi hogi. Tum ab theek ho na?
Naina : Ji aunty, main theek hoon.
Avni : Accha tum dono baitho, main chai-nashta leke aati hoon. Aur haan Aryan, mana mat karna!
Woh thoda taana marte hue boli kyunki Aryan hamesha ghar aane ki baat ko taal deta tha.
Aryan : Main toh khud puchne wala tha. Aapne hi puchne mein der kar di.”
Avni : Hey! What??? YOU-
Aryan : Haha! Chaliye, main bhi aapki madad karta hoon nashte mein.
Surabhi : Nahi beta, yeh kya baat hui. Avni kar legi. Tum baitho.
Lekin Aryan ne Avni ki taraf dekhte hue halka sa ishaara kiya - ‘kuch important baat karni hai’. Avni ek baar jhapki lekin haan mein sirr hila diya.
Avni : Arre aane do maa. Aap tab tak Naina se baatein karo. Aao bhai, mere saath.
Naina : Bh-
Par uske kehne se pehle hi Aryan uth kar Avni ke saath kitchen ki taraf chala gaya. Bechari Naina kuch keh pati, usse pehle dono andar kitchen Mein chale Gaye gaye. Ab uske paas koi option nahi tha, woh dheere se Surabhi se baat karne lagi.
---
Idhar kitchen mein.
Subah ka narm, halka sa sunehra ujala kitchen ki khidki se andar ghus raha tha. Hawa mein halki si chai-patti aur taaze bane nashtay ki khushboo ghuli hui thi. Chulhe par rakhi ketli se halki si bhaap uth rahi thi, jo dheere-dheere hawa mein gum ho jaati.
Avni counter ke paas khadi thi, nashta plates mein saja rahi thi, poore dhyaan se, jaise har cheez apni jagah bilkul sahi honi chahiye. Uske haath tez the, par nazuk bhi. Shayad aadat thi usse sab sambhalne ki.
Dusri taraf Aryan khada tha. Thoda sa jhuka hua, Woh chai bana raha tha, thoda sa anadi, thoda sa serious.
Avni ne ek pal ke liye apna kaam roka. Usne dheere se nazar uthaayi aur Aryan ko dekha. Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
“Shayad pehli baar kisi ladke ko chai banate dekh rahi hoon! Itni seriously." usne mann hi mann socha.
Woh apne haathon ko fold kiya, thoda sa uski taraf jhuki, aur finally puch hi liya-
Avni : Hmm! toh ab bolo. Kya important baat thi?
Aryan ne gas ki flame halki ki, aur dheere se uski taraf mud gaya.
Aryan : Main aur Naina kuch din ke liye Mumbai jaa rahe hain.
Avni (bhonhein sikodte hue) : Hmm?
Aryan : Naina! woh abhi bacchi hai. Aur uske liye yeh sab easy nahi tha. Toh maine socha usse kahi ghuma laaun. Shayad thoda better feel kare. Aur mujhe bhi thoda kaam hai waha.
Avni ne dheere se sirr hilaaya. Usne hami Bhari.
Avni : you’re right. Maine bhi notice kiya hai, woh thodi gumsum si thi. But-
Woh ruk gayi. Aryan ne uski taraf dekha.
Aryan : ???
Avni ne apne folded haath khol diye. dheere-dheere chalti hui uske bilkul paas aa gayi. Ab woh itni kareeb thi ki Aryan ko uski saans tak mehsoos ho rahi thi. Usne seedha uski aankhon mein dekha.
Avni (soft, but teasing) : Par yeh woh important baat nahi hai… jiske liye tum mujhe yaha AKELEEE bulake laaye ho. Hai na?
Usne 'akele' Shabd ko thoda lamba khinch ke bola, bechara Aryan ka gala hi sookh gaya.
Aryan : Woh-
Avni (Smiles) : Sharmao mat. Bolo.
Ab Aryan sach mein ghabra gaya. Woh ek kadam peeche hat gaya, aankhen idhar-udhar bhatakne lagi.
Aryan (blush) : Woh… haan! kuch important baat thi, di.
Avni : Woh toh mujhe tabhi samajh aa gaya tha jab tumne ishara kiya tha.
Yeh sunkar Aryan aur bhi confuse ho gaya. “Yeh Avni di aise kyun bol rahi hai?” uske dimaag mein chal raha tha. Avni dhire dhire uske aur karib aa rahi thi, Aryan Sharma ke aur peeche hat gaya.
Chulhe par chai ab dheere-dheere ubal maar rahi thi-
*blup! glug! blup!*
Aryan : i-
Avni jab uska chehra dekhte hi, pait pakad ke Hans padhti hai,
Avni : Hahahaha! Dekho toh zara! Kitna sharma raha hai! Buddhu… mazaak kar rahi thi main!
Aryan ne ek gehri saans chhodi.
Aryan : O-oh…!
Bechara sach mein ghabra gaya tha. Ek pal ke liye usse laga tha Avni uski baat ka galat matlab nikaal rahi hai. Ek second ke liye Aryan ki pasine chhut Gaye the.
Avni : Chalo, ab seriously bolo. Kya baat hai?
Aryan : Woh... main soch raha tha ki-
Aryan Avni ke ghar yun hi nahi aaya tha. Woh kuchh soch kar hi aaya tha. Par kehna utna aasaan nahi lag raha tha.
Avni : Kya hua? Thahar kyun gaye? Bolo na.
Aryan : Darasal-
Avni : Huh??
Aryan ek gehri saans leta hai aur dheere se kehna shuru karta hai.
Aryan : Darasal main soch raha tha ki... woh...! Kya aap aur aunty hamare saath, hamare ghar reh sakti ho?
Avni : Huh!???
Avni ekdam se chhonk gayi. Aryan kya keh raha tha? Woh samajh nahi paayi. Jahir hai, Aryan ne ekdum se aisa kuch bolne ki usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha.
Aryan : I-I mean...! mera aur Naina ka ab koi nahi hai aur... aur I feel like abhi mere upar saari zimmedari hai. Main hamesha Naina ke saath ghar nahi reh sakta. And-
Avni : ???
Aryan : -And I know Naina akeli reh nahi paayegi. Pehle uski maa chali gayi, phir papa bhi. Aur abhi agar main bhi uske paas nahi raha toh-
Aryan ko yaad aa jata hai aaj hi subah ki baat. Jab woh naha raha tha aur Naina usko paas na paa kar kitna ro padi thi.
Aryan : -Toh woh aur bhi akeli reh jayegi, jo main nahi chahta. Isiliye main aapke paas aaya tha, ek request lekar ki aap aur aunty hamare saath, hamare ghar rahogi toh Naina ko akela mehsoos nahi hoga.
Avni : M-main...!
Aryan : Aur... I mean aapka college bhi waha se paas padega, aur aunty ko bhi akela mehsoos nahi hoga. H-hum sab ek saath rahenge...???
Avni : ...
Avni bina palak jhapkaye Aryan ko dekhti rahi. Usse kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ki, jawab kya de. Aur usko chup rehte dekh Aryan bhi samajh jaata hai ki, shayad kuch baat nahi bani. Tabhi-
*FSSSSSSHHHH*
Gas pe Rakhi chai ubal maar ke kettle se bahar girti hai. Aryan jaldi se peeche ghumte hue gas band kar deta hai. Woh kuch der wahi khada rehta hai. Phir chehre pe sharmindagi bhari muskurahat lekar, peeth Avni ki taraf karke bolta hai.
Aryan (smiles) : I-I'm sorry didi. Pata nahi main kya kya sochta rehta hoon. Hahaha! Please don't mind. *Pause* Chaliye, chai ho gayi hai. Oh! By the way cups-
Woh poora keh paata, usse pehle usse mehsoos hota hai ki Avni peeche se usko lipat leti hai. Aryan thoda aage jhuk jaata hai. Ekdum se kya hua? usse kuch samajh nahi aaya.
Aryan : Huh!!
Avni ka gaal Aryan ki peeth se chipak gaya tha. Uske haath uske around bandhe hue the. Aur phir woh dheere se bolti hai-
Avni : A-akhir tum kya ho Aryan?
Aryan : Di??
Woh peeche ghuma toh dekha. Avni ki aankhein nam ho chuki thi. Uske lambe baal gaalon par gir rahe the aur ek boond aankh ke kone se nikal kar, uske makhmali chehre par beh rahi thi. Aryan ka dil ekdum se sehla gaya. Usne jaldi se uske kandhe pakad liye, ungliyaan halke se dabate hue.
Aryan : Hey! Di, what happened??
Avni ne apni aankhein jhukayi, phir dheere se upar dekha. Uske honth kaanp rahe the.
Avni : Tum kya ho Aryan???
Aryan : huh? Main kuch samajha nahi?
Avni ne ek gehri saans li, jaise bojh dil se nikaalne ki koshish kar rahi ho. Uski awaaz halki aur tooti hui thi.
Avni : Kal hi... kal raat ko hi iss ghar ka jo owner hai naa-!! Maine bataya tha na tumhe? ki ye ghar hamare padoshi ka hai. Unhone hamein kuch dinon ke liye rehne diya tha!
Aryan : Haan! Aapne bataya toh tha.
Avni : Kal raat unka call aaya tha... ki woh log ab kuchh dinon mein wapas aa rahe hain. Toh abhi hamein ye ghar chhodna hoga. Bhai... M-main aur maa kal poori raat pareshan the. Ab kahan jayenge, kaha rahenge... And *Sniff*
Uski aankhon se aansu phir se behne lage. Avni ne jaldi se unhein pochne ki koshish ki, lekin ek aur boond nikal hi gayi.
Aryan : Heyyy! Please don’t cry di...
Usne apna haath badhaya aur Avni ke gaal par halke se aansu ponchh diya. Uski ungliyaan uski narm cheek par kuch pal ruk gayi. Avni ki aankhein band ho gayi, jaise uss chhune se hi thodi si himmat aa gayi ho.
Aryan (smiles softly) : Toh aap rahengi naa, hamare saath?
Avni ne apni aankhein ponchhi. Uski honth dagmagaa rahe the. Par sirf haan mein sar hila deti hai. Itna kafi tha - ek chhoti si nod, lekin usme poori duniya bhar ka bharosa tha. Woh Aryan ke saath, uske ghar rehne ko taiyaar thi.
Phir woh upar dekhti hai. Seedha Aryan ki aankhon mein. Uska haath apne aap hi Aryan ke gaalon tak pahunch gaya. Avni ne uske dono gaalon ko halke se pakad liya, ungliyaan uski warm skin par phela di. Unki aankhein ek dusre mein doob gayi.
Avni : Aakhir tum kya ho, Bhai? Jab se tum aaye ho meri zindagi mein, ek ke baad ek meri madad karte hi ja rahe ho. Jaise... jaise jab bhi mujhe madad chahiye hoti hai, tumhe saamne paa leti hoon.
Uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si narmi thi, ek shukriya.
Aryan : It’s just a coincidence di. And iss baar mera bhi swarth hai.
Avni : I-I don’t know Aryan but tum... It feels like-!!
Woh aage kuch aur kehti, usse pehle uski maa Surabhi ki awaaz ne dono ka dhyaan khinch liya. Unki awaaz kitchen ke bahar se aayi, thodi si pareshan lekin pyar bhari.
Surabhi : Avni beta, kitni der lagegi? Idhar Naina bechari bore ho gayi mere saath baatein karte-karte!
Avni ne Aryan ke gaalon par thoda sa sehlaya, ek pyaara sa touch. Phir woh muskurayi, Aryan ki aankhein mein Dekhte huye,
Avni (smiles) : Aa rahi hoon.
Dono ne chai aur nashte ke tray ko sambhala aur bahar living room ki taraf chale aaye. Chai ki khushboo hawa mein faili hui thi. Kuch idhar-udhar ki baatein, halki si hansi aur chhoti-chhoti baaton ke saath sab nipat gaya.
Aryan : Aunty, kya Naina shaam tak yaha reh sakti hai?
Naina : Huh! Bhaiya!??
Surabhi : Kya nahi beta. Par tum kahi jaa rahe ho?
Aryan : Ji aunty. Darasal Naina aur main aaj hi Mumbai ke liye nikalenge toh, mujhe thoda kaam hai. Tab tak kya main Naina ko yaha rakh sakta hoon?
Naina : Arre par-
Surabhi : Bilkul bejhijhak jaao, Naina rahegi yaha.
Naina : Par Bhaiya-!!
Avni : Koi baat nahi Naina, main aaj college nahi jaungi. Tum mere saath reh lena.
Aryan (smiles warmly) : Thank you Avni di. Chalo Naina, main thoda garage jaa raha hoon. Tum abhi yahi pe ruko. Main shaam se pehle time pe aa jaunga.
Naina : Par-
Aryan : Oh! Don’t worry, aate waqt ghar se tumhare kapde bhi lete aaunga. Tum mujhe message kar dena, theek hai?
Naina : Umm! Par *blushes* Main- woh...!
Surabhi : Arre baba, bhaiya aa jayenge. Yaha main hoon, Avni hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Jaao Aryan.
Aryan (smiles) : Thanks aunty. Chalo gudiya, main aata hoon. Udhar sab kaam niptake jaldi aa jaunga.
Kehte hue Aryan utha aur tezi se waha se chala gaya. Uske kadam mein ek naya hosla tha, jaise ab sab theek ho jayega. Woh sab theek kar dega.
Bechari Naina kuch kehne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin sharam ke maare bol nahi paayi. Usne apne honth dabaye hue reh gayi, gaal halke se laal ho gaye the.
Naina (whispers to herself) : Arre par meri innerwears? *Blushes* Budhu bhaiya~
Lekin tab tak Aryan waha se nikal chuka tha. Aur yeh sharam ki baat bhi thi, Naina ke liye. woh kaise apne bhaiya ko apne underwears laane ke liye keh sakti thi? Uski aankhein sharmaate hue neeche jhuk gayi, dil mein ek chhoti si hansi aur ek badi si mushkil saath-saath thi.
****
Udhar se nikal ke Aryan garage aaya. Sanjay ji ke jaane ke baad woh abhi tak waha jaake nahi dekha tha. Usse samay hi nahi mila tha. Belu ko dhundna, Naina ka khayal rakhna, aur aage kya karna hai sochna - inn sab mein woh itna ulajh gaya tha ki usse dukh mehsoos karne ka bhi waqt nahi mila. Jaise waqt uske haath se fisalta ja raha ho bohot tezi se.
Garage ke andar kadam rakhte hi ek ajeeb sa sannata usse mehsoos hota hai. Pehle yeh jagah awaazon se bhari rehti thi - tools ki, engine ki, Sanjay ji ki. Par aaj sirf khamoshi thi.
Woh aake ussi jagah khada ho jaata hai
Jahaan Sanjay ji ne aakhri Shan se liye the. Uski aankhein ussi jagah pe tik jaati hain.
“M-mujhe jaane do… maine kya bigaada hai tumhara…?”
“Nahiiiiiiii… MERI BETI KO NAHI!”
Jaise, Uske kaan mein woh cheekhein goonj uthti hain. Uski ungliyan dheere se band ho jaati hain. jaise woh kuch pakadna chah raha ho, par pakad nahi paa raha.
Tabhi-
Raju aake uske kandho pe haath rakhta hai.
Raju : Bhai?
Aur jaise hi Aryan apni soch se bahar aata hai-
Aryan : h-haan!
Woh thoda ladkhada jaata hai. Raju turant samajh jaata hai ki yeh sab uske liye kitna bhaari hai.
Raju : Main samajh sakta hoon… par abhi ke baare mein socho. Sanjay ji ab wapas nahi aayenge. Aue tumhe hi sambhalna hai.
Aryan (trying to respond ) : i-
Raju thoda gambhir ho jaata hai.
Raju : Iss garage mein itna bada hadsa ho gaya… tab se log yaha apni cars aur bikes leke nahi aa rahe hain. Aur tumhe pata hi hoga aise garage chalana mushkil hai.
Aryan aankhein jhuka leta hai, jaise already yeh sab uske dimaag mein chal raha ho.
Aryan (controlled voice) : Mujhe pata hai. Mumbai se aane ke baad main inn sab mein dhyaan dunga.
Raju : Par kaise? Tum toh abhi college-
Aryan uski baat wahi kaat deta hai. Uski awaaz gehri ho jaati hai.
Aryan (firm, resolved) : Agar padhai chhodni pade toh chhod dunga. *pause* Income zyada important hai… aur Naina. Inke beech agar mujhe padhai chhodni pade toh, wahi sahi.
Raju kuch der tak bas Aryan ko dekhta rehta hai. Uske chehre pe shock nahi, samajh hoti hai. Usne khud kabhi padhai nahi ki, jab se hosh sambhala tab se ghar aur zimmedariyaan hi dekhi. Woh jaanta hai, yeh decision bolna asaan nahi hota.
Ek mard ke upar jab zimmedari aa jaati hai toh, woh ladka nahi rehta. Aur abhi Aryan bhi wahi kar raha tha, khud ke liye nahi. doosron ke future ke liye soch raha tha. Raju phir poochta hai-
Raju : Aur Belu! uska kya kiya tumne?
Aryan ke honton pe ek muskaan aati hai, aur Woh turant baat palat deta hai.
Aryan : Leave it. Tumne Mumbai ka ticket kara diya na?
Raju (nods) : Haan! woh sab toh ho gaya. Par...
Woh garage ki Charon taraf dekhte hue,
Raju : Garage ka kya karna hai?
Aryan gehri saans leta hai, jaise yeh part sabse mushkil ho.
Aryan (honest, heavy tone) : I know… hadse ke baad garage abhi nahi chal rahi hai. Shayad tumhara pagaar bhi na de saku. Usse accha yeh hoga tum koi dusri kaam dhundh lo.
Raju : M-main?
Woh ek kadam aage badhta hai.
Raju : Main yaha Sanjay ji ke saath bohot saalon se kaam kar raha hoon. Aur aise waqt pe agar main yeh kaam chhod du toh-
Woh khud hi ruk jaata hai, sir hilaata hai.
Raju (firm) : Nahi. main aisa nahi kar sakta.
Aryan : It’s okay.
Raju : Nahi bhai! Namak khaya hai maine Sanjay ji ka, main aise nahi kaam chhod sakta.
Aryan chup ho jaata hai. Usse pata tha garage nahi chal raha, matlab Raju ko salary dena mushkil hoga… aur uske khud ke kharche bhi hain. Par Raju nahi maana. Ye dekh Aryan dheere se muskurata hai.
Aryan (respectful) : Uncle kismat wale the jo tum unke saath kaam kar rahe the. *Pause* Okay! mere Mumbai aane tak tum yaha sambhal lo. Main aake kuch sochta hoon.
Raju : Theek hai.
Aryan mudne lagta hai, phir rukta hai.
Aryan (thinking) : Main abhi bank jaaunga… pata nahi waha kitna time lag jaye. *he adds* Phir kuch aur kaam hai. aate waqt main tickets tumse lete jaunga.
Raju : Theek hai.
Aryan ek baar phir uss jagah ko dekhta hai. Aur phir bina kuch bole bahar nikal jaata hai.
---
Waha se nikal ke woh bank gaya, kucch paise nikaalne ke liye. Jahir hai dono Mumbai jaa rahe the, aur usse pata tha ki Mumbai yeh sheher kitna mehenga hai – har cheez ka daam aasman chhoo raha hai.
Line lambi thi, staff ki chaal tez nahi thi, aur har counter pe ek-ek aadmi ko pura form bharke, sign karke, fingerprint lagake hi paise mil rahe the. Aryan ka patience already zero level pe tha. Bank mein hi usse do-teen ghante lag gaye.
"Saala ye bank wale bhi. Jab paise dene ki baari aati hai tabhi innka chachle shuru ho jaate hain!"
Frustration mein uske muh se gaali nikal hi gayi. Bheed Mein Ek aadami Uske taraf Dekha toh,
Aryan (awkwardly smile) : samne dekhna louwdu!
Thoda aur wait karne ke baad uski baari aayi aur woh paise utha ke waha se nikal liya. wohi paise jo usne Avni ko Rajan ke chhangul se bachane ke baad mile the (Reference Update 8 - The Bond and an Invitation).
Bank se nikalne ke baad woh seedha kisi hospital mein ghus gaya. Karib aadhe ghante baad woh bahar nikla. Abhi shaam hone ko aa rahi thi, 4:50 ho chuka tha. Suraj dheere dheere laal ho raha tha, traffic ki awaaz badh rahi thi, aur Aryan ka dimag already Mumbai ke plan mein uljha hua tha.
Aryan bike start kar hi raha tha ki tabhi uska phone vibrate hua. Usne jeb se phone nikala toh dekha call Naina ka hi tha –
Aryan : haan! Bolo.
Udhar se Naina ki daant hi padi usse,
Naina : kya bolo???? Aap ne bola aaj Mumbai nikalna hai, kab jaana hai? Kuch nahi bola. Aur mujhe yaha chhod ke aap kaha gaye?
Aryan (sighs) : aa raha hoon.
Naina : aree par Mumbai ke liye kab nikalna hai? Mujhe taiyaar bhi toh hona hai. Aap toh yaha rakh ke chale gaye, mere kapde bhi ghar pe hi...
Aryan : Main abhi ghar hi jaa raha tha, aate waqt lete aaunga. Tum mujhse bata do kya pehenne wali ho?
Naina : woh.. main bed pe rahi thi. Subah yaha aane se pehle main kya pehenungi wahi dekh rahi thi, aap ek kaam karo bed mein jitne kapde rakhe hain woh sab leke aayo.
Aryan : what? Sab....!??
Naina : hummp! Aur nahi toh kya? Aap ne naa meri suni aap yaha mujhe rakh ke chale gaye, chup chap sab leke aayo.
Aryan (sighs) : okk baba okk! Rakhta hoon, kuch der mein aa jaunga.
Naina : arehh waitttttt!!!
Aryan : huh? Ab kya!? Naina abhi time nahi hai... Main aake baat karta hoon.
Naina : arehhh! suniye toh....
Aryan : jaldi bolo mujhe Raju se ticket lene bhi jaana hai.
Naina (blush) : umm~ woh-
Aryan : jaldi bolo??
Naina (blush) : bhaiya woh- M-main....!
Aryan : ye main main kya kar rahi ho??
Naina (blushes) : w-woh... Darasal....
Uski awaaz phone pe ajeeb si ho gayi thi halki si kaamp rahi, sharm se bhari hui. Idhar Aryan ka mathe pe nashe chadhe ja rahe the. Pehle bank ki line ne thaka diya tha, ab yeh Naina bhi usse pareshan kar rahi thi jaise koi chhoti bachchi ho. Woh apni bike pe baitha-baita hi aankhein band karke irritate ho raha tha.
Aryan : Bolo bhi??
Naina : Ehh!~ Main nahi bata sakti *blush* Check your WhatsApp.
Aur itna kehte hi Naina patak se call kat deti hai,
Aryan : YOU!!
Idhar Aryan bechara pehle se hi thoda gusse mein tha, bank mein itna time lagne ki wajah se aur yeh Naina bhi usse pareshan kar rahi thi. Usne bike ka engine off kiya aur phone khola.
*Beep-beep!*
Uske phone pe Naina ka message aaya. Aryan ne WhatsApp khola aur Naina ke chat ko open kiya toh, bechara Aryan khud hi sharma gaya.
Naina ne usse text bhejha tha-
Aryan message padhte hi khud sharma gaya. Usne toh dhyan hi nahi diya tha ki, kapdon ke saath Naina ko innerwears bhi chahiye honge? Woh apne hi sar pe thappad maarta hai.
"Shittt!"
Naina ki message padhne ke baad, pata nahi Kyu par, bike pe baithe-baithe hi Aryan ka lund thoda sakht sa hone laga.
"Okay!"
Bas itna likhke woh send kar deta hai, uske aage woh aur kuch kehta bhi kya?
Udhar, Naina ki haal kharab, bechari sharam se laal-peeli ho rahi thi. Usne pehli baar kisi ko apne innerwears laane ko bola tha, woh bhi apne bhaiya ko.
Phone kaatne ke baad woh Avni ke bed pe leti hui takiye mein muh chhupa ke leti rahi thi, uska dil sharam se zor-zor se dhadak raha tha.
---
Aryan pehle ghar pahuncha. Waha pahunchte hi usne Naina ke jo kapde lene ko kaha tha, bilkul waise hi utha liye, uski saari dresses, tops, jeans… aur haan, uske underwares bhi. Ek chhote se bag mein dono bhai-behen ka zaruri saman bhar liya brush, toothpaste aadi.
Ghar ko achhe se double lock karke woh seedha garage pouch ke raju se train ki ticket leke seedha Avni ke ghar ki taraf nikal pada.
*Ding! Dong!*
Bell bajte hi iss baar Surabhi aunty ne darwaza khola.
Surabhi (Smiles) : Arre waah! Tumhaari hi baatein ho rahi thi. Tumhari behen Naina toh abhi-abhi tumhe yaad kar rahi thi. Bol rahi thi, ‘Bhaiya kab aayenge?’
Naina (andar se awaaz aayi) : Ehhh! Auntyyy… aise mat boliye na!
Peeche-peeche Naina bhi aa gayi thi. Bechari itna sharma rahi thi ki zameen mein ghus jaaye. Uske gaal laal ho rahe the jaise koi ripe tomato. Nazar seedhi nahi kar paa rahi thi Aryan se.
Aryan (politely) : Thank you aunty, Naina ka itna khayal rakhne ke liye.
Surabhi (haath hilaate hue) : Arre sukriya ada mat karo beta! Tumne meri Avni ko bachaya tha. Uske saamne ye sab kuchh bhi nahi.
Aryan (smiles) : Meri jagah koi aur hota toh woh bhi wahi karta aunty. Koi badi baat nahi.
Phir woh Naina ki taraf muda. Haath mein ek medium size bag tha, jo usne ghar se laaya tha. Bag ko Naina ke haathon mein thama dete hue bola,
Aryan : Naina! Ye lo… yaha tumhare sab kapde hain. Ab Jaldi se taiyaar ho jao. 9:30 baje ka train hai raat ko. Abhi 6 baj gaye hain, toh jaldi karo warna platform pe daudna padega.
Naina (blush) : J-ji bhaiya.
Bechari Naina bag lete waqt mann mein soch rahi thi,
“Iss bag mein mere kapdon ke saath… mere underwares bhi honge. Aur bhaiya ne yeh sab uthaya hoga… matlab unhone haath se pakda hoga sab kuchh, meri underwares bhi. (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝)"
Yeh sochte hi uske pair thoda hil gaye. Sharam se uska chehra aur laal ho gaya. Woh jaldi se sar jhukakar bag lekar bhag gayi room ki taraf, jaise koi chor pakda gaya ho.
Surabhi (haste hue) : Tumhari behen bahut chulbuli hai beta.
Aryan (thoda muskurate hue) : Haan aunty, woh aisi hi hai… Achha! Avni di kahaan hai? Dikhai nahi de rahi?
Usne poocha hi tha ki tabhi, peeche se Avni haathon mein ek tray leke aayi. Tray mein garam-garam adrak wali chai ki do pyaliyan aur plate mein fresh alu ke parathe, upar se makhan daala hua,
Avni : Tum toh subah chale gaye the, ab aaye ho. Chalo, baatein baad mein. Pehle yeh kha lo.
Aryan (haath hilaate hue) : di, iski kya zarurat thi? Naina aur main thodi der mein nikal hi jaayenge.
Avni ( aankhein chadhate hue) : Sharm karo Aryan! Thoda sharm karo! Pehli baar ghar aaye ho aur subah sirf chhota sa nashta karke chale gaye. Mana mat karo… warna main naraaz ho jaaungi.
Aryan : Di?
Avni (chehra thoda udas karte hue) : Tumhari yehi baat mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai Aryan.
Uska chehra sach mein thoda udas sa ho gaya. Yeh dekh Aryan ko bhi bura laga. Usne turant Avni ke haathon se plate le liya aur ek bada sa tukada alu paratha ka, muh mein daal diya,
Aryan (chabate hue) : Theek hai… theek hai… main kha raha hoon. Aap mat naraz mat hoyea. *Smiles*
Avni : Good!
Aryan (khaate-khaate).: Waise Naina ne aap dono ko zyada pareshan toh nahi kiya na?
Surabhi (haste hue) : Arre nahi beta! Naina bahut acchi bacchi hai.
Teeno aise hi baatein karte rahe, aur Aryan ka khana bhi ho chuka tha. Lagbhag dedh ghante baad Naina taiyaar hokar bahar aayi.
Usne ek bahut pyari, soft pink colour ki salwar suit pehna tha. Halka sa dupatta kandhe pe, baal khule hue, thoda sa makeup bhi kiya tha. Sach mein bahut sundar lag rahi thi,
Avni : Naina! Bahut acchi lag rahi ho, Pink colour tumpe jaanch rahi hai.
Naina (Smiles) : T-thank you.
Woh chupke se Aryan ki taraf dekhi. Uske chehre pe saaf sharam thi ki, ab bhaiya zaroor koi tariff karenge. Par, Aryan ne uspe sirf ek Nazar daali, upar se neeche tak dekha, phir normal andaaz mein bola,
Aryan : Naina? tumne taiyaar hone mein ek ghante se bhi zyada time laga liya!? Anyway! chalo ab. 9 baje se pehle station pahunchna hai warna train chhoot jayegi.
Naina (muh banaate hue) : Huh!? Kya bhaiya… itna toh time lagta hi hai na ladkiyon ko!~
Aryan : Haan-haan! pata hai mujhe. Ab chalo, late ho rahe hain.
Naina ko compliment ki jagah seedha dant pad gayi. Woh andar hi andar apne aap se Kehti hai,
“Ek baar bhi nahi bole ‘acchi lag rahi ho’… bas 'time waste karne wali…' huh!”
Avni (haste hue) : Arre wait! Itni jaldi kya hai? Maa aur main bhi station tak chhodne aa rahe hain.
Aryan : But-!?
Avni (haath pakadte hue) : Kuchh but-vut nahi. Tumhare aane se pehle hi sab decide ho chuka tha. Kyun Naina?
Naina (jaldi se sar hilaate hue) : yup!
---
Station ki bheed apne peak par thi. platform par log behta jaa raha tha. Kahi chai walon ki “chai garam!” ki awaaz, toh kahi coolie apne kandhon par bhaari samaan uthaye tez kadmon se raste banate hue.
Surabhi, Avni, naina aur Aryan!
Chaaro taxi se utar kar jaldi jaldi platform ki taraf badhe the. Unke paas apni car nahi thi, isliye majboori mein taxi leni padi, but ab sabka dhiyan sirf ek cheez par tha: train miss na ho jaye.
Aryan sabse aage chal raha tha. Uske kadam tez the, lekin andar se woh bechain ho chuka tha. Jaise hi woh station ke andar aaya, uski dhadkanein ekdum se tez ho gayi. Kyun? Sirf woh jaanta tha.
Ek haath mein bag tha, dusre haath mein ticket. aur woh baar baar uss ticket ko dekh kar coach number match kar raha tha, jaise kahi kuch galat na ho jaye.
“B-4… B-4…” woh dheere se khud se bol raha tha, aankhon se platform par khadi lambi train ko talashi karte hue.
Uske peeche Naina, Avni aur Surabhi chal rahi thi. Naina ka chehra shaant tha, lekin uski aankhon mein halka sa tension aur excitement dono mix tha. Mumbai jaane ke kiye.
Iss chhoti si mulakat mein hi woh Avni aur Surabhi ke saath itni ghul mil gayi thi jaise woh kab se unhe jaanti ho. Avni kabhi usse kuch bolti, toh Naina halki si hasi ke saath jawab deti.
Kuch minute ki talash ke baad Aryan ne finally apna coach dhoond liya.
“Yeh raha… B-4,” usne halki si rahat ki saans lete hue kaha.
Abhi 9:39 bajne mein kuch hi minute baaki the. Train apni jagah par khadi thi, lekin usmein already movement shuru ho chuka tha - log chadh rahe the, utar rahe the, kuch log khidki se bahar jhaank kar apno ko dhoond rahe the.
Chaaro ab coach ke saamne khade the. Ek chhoti si khamoshi chaa gayi thi. Aryan ne dheere se kaha,
Aryan : App dono ka bohot shukriya.
Avni ne turant bhaav bhari nazar se uski taraf dekha,
Avni : Phir se??
Aryan (smiles) : Haha! sorry di.
Surabhi ne pyar bhari nazar se dono ko dekha, usse pata tha jaise, har badi bahan ko ek chhota bhai chahie hai, waise hi Avni ko ek chhota Bhai chahie tha. Aur ab woh Aryan ko bhai ki Tarah dekhti hai. phir woh Aryan se boli,
Surabhi : Waise beta, Mumbai jaa rahe ho toh dhyaan rakhna… woh sheher bohot bada hai.
Unhone bhala sochte huye hi boli thi, Par Aryan ke hothon par ek halki si muskaan aayi. Usse Mumbai ke baare mein pata tha, Woh khud uss sheher ka hissa tha. Par usne kuch nahi kaha.
Aryan : Ji aunty. Aur aap bhi apna aur Avni di ka khayal rakhna.
Surabhi ne apni bag se ek chhota sa tiffin nikala. Dheere se usse Naina ke haathon mein rakh diya.
“Yeh lo beta, raat ko bhook lage toh. Iss mein Parathe aur chatni hai."
Naina : Iski kya zarurat thi aunty?
Surabhi ke hothon par ek pyaari si muskaan aayi, woh boli - “Meri Avni kahi bahar jaati hai na, toh main hamesha yehi karti hoon. aur woh kabhi mana nahi karti.”
Uske Shabd mein ek maa ka pyaar tha, woh bilkul sachha tha. Aur wahi pyaar Naina ko ek dum se apni maa, Garima! yaad aa gayi. Woh yaadein jo woh daba ke rakhti thi, aaj bina bulaye saamne aa gayi. Uski Aankhon ke kone halki si nam ho gaye. Surabhi ne turant notice kar liya,
“Kya hua beta?”
Naina ne jaldi se aankhein jhapkaayi, apni aur halka sa sar naa mein hila diya,
Naina : Kuch nahi aunty, bas aise hi.
Par Aryan! usse sab samajh aa gaya tha.
Bina kuch kahe, usne apna haath badhakar Naina ke sar par rakh diya. Dheere se uske baalon ko sehlete hue, ek silent assurance diya.
Tabhi, loudspeaker par awaaz gunj uthi-
"Attention please!
May I have your kind attention please!
Yeh Saurashtra Mail train number 22846, Rajkot se Mumbai Central jaane wali gaadi, Kuchh hi Samay Mein Apne gantabya Sthal ki ore badhegi.
sabhi yatriyon se anurodh hai ki apna samaan sambhaal kar rakhein aur platform par utarte waqt dhyaan rakhein.
Platform par khade rehkar safar na karein. Dhanyavaad."
Announcement ki mechanical awaaz pure platform par phail gayi. Har koi ek pal ke liye ruk sa gaya. Avni ne halki si saans lete hue kaha,
“Oh! announcement ho gaya.”
Ab waqt aa chuka tha. Aryan ne ek gehri saans li, phir apna haath badhakar Naina ka haath pakad liya. Uss pakad mein ek ajeeb si mazbooti thi. jaise woh usse chhodna nahi chahta. Dusre haath se luggage ko Kas liya. usne Avni aur Surabhi ki taraf dekha,
“Aap log apna dhyaan rakhna.”
Avni aage badhi. Usne apne haath Aryan ke kandhon par rakhe. Dono ki aankhein ek dusre se mili. Uski awaaz dheemi ho gayi, “Aur tum bhi… waha se jaldi wapas aana. Aur mujhe call karte rehna, theek hai?”
Aryan ne halka sa muskura kar sir hila diya, “Bilkul.”
Phir, Naina! pata nahi Kyu, usne jhuk kar Surabhi ke pair chhuye. Sayad usse garima ki yaad aa rahi thi. Surabhi ne turant usse uthakar gale laga liya,
Surabhi : aise pair nahi padhte beta, aram se jaao aur safar pura karo. Aur jaise Avni ne kaha call karti rehna.
Naina muskurati hai, aur Agle hi pal, Aryan aur Naina train mein chadh gaye.
Train dheere dheere aage badhne lagi. Naina train ke darwaze ke paas aakar khadi ho gayi. Usne haath bahar nikaal kar zor zor se hilaya,
“Bye Avni di, bye aunty!”
Aryan bhi peeche khada muskura raha tha. Platform par khadi Avni bhi haath hila rahi thi, lekin jaise jaise train speed pakad rahi thi, uska haath dheere dheere neeche aane laga. Train tez hoti gayi… aur phir aankhon se ojhal ho gayi.
Ek pal mein sab kuch jaise khaali sa ho gaya.
Avni ke chehre ki muskaan dheere dheere gayab ho gayi. Dil mein ek ajeeb sa khalipan utar aaya. Usne dheere se khud se fusa fusa kar kaha,
“Kya ho tum, Aryan?”
Surabhi uske paas khadi thi. Usne bhi door jaati hui train ko dekha, usne apne hand fold karli, phir shaant awaaz mein boli,
“Jab do adhure parivaar milte hain na, beta. tab aisa hi hota hai.”
Avni ekdum se uski taraf mud gayi. Uski aankhon mein hairani thi, "maa ne kaise samajh liya?" Phir agle hi pal, usse samajh aa gaya -
Jaise Surabhi aur Avni apne aap mein adhure the, Pushkar ji ke Swarg Se dharne ke baad. Eaise hi Aryan aur Naina bhi. Aur jab aise do adhuri tukde milte hain, toh ek ajeeb sa Apnapan ban jaata hai.
Avni (softly) : I see!
Surabhi kuch pal chup rahi, phir thodi soch mein pad kar boli, “Par, mujhe ek baat samajh nahi aa rahi, Avni?"
Avni ne bhauen sikodte hue poocha,
“Kya maa?”
Surabhi ki nazar ab bhi uss raaste par thi jaha se train ojhal ho chuki thi. Uski awaaz halki si gehri ho gayi-
“Mujhe aisa kyun lagta hai, main pehle bhi Aryan ko kahi toh dekh chuki hoon?”
Avni ekdum se jhatke se unki taraf mudti hai. “Huh??”
---
Train ke dheere-dheere hilte huye coach ke andar ek alag hi duniya basi hui thi. Lohe ke pahiyon ki khadak-khadak awaaz, khidki se aa rahi thandi hawa, aur kabhi-kabhi door se aati chai-wale ki awaaz. sab milkar ek ajeeb sa safar ka ehsaas bana rahe the.
Aryan aur Naina apni lower berth par baith chuke the. Coach sleeper class ka tha simple, seedha, bina kisi shaan-shaukat ke. February ki halki thand abhi bhi hawa mein thi, isliye AC ki zarurat mehsoos nahi ho rahi thi.
Opposite berth par ek aurat baithi thi, saath mein ek ladki, Sayad unki beti. Woh kabhi idhar dekhti, kabhi udhar. aur kabhi Aryan aur Naina ki taraf curiosity se takta.
Aryan ne halka sa saans lete huye kaha,
Aryan : Abhi ke liye main bas itna hi afford kar sakta hoon, Naina! thoda manage kar lena.
Uski awaaz mein halka sa afsos tha. jaise woh aur zyada dena chahta ho, par halat uska saath na de rahe ho.
Naina ne bina ek second waste kiye uska haath pakad liya. Uski ungliyan garam thi. aur pakad mein ek ajeeb sa apnapan.
Naina (smiling softly) : Mere liye itna kaafi hai, bhaiya. *Pause* Par main aapse naraaz hoon.
Aryan ne bhauen chadha di, halka sa confuse hoke. "Hmm? Kyun bhala!??"
Naina ne muh phula liya, aankhon mein nakhra aur halka sa gussa, "Ooho dekho toh jaise kuch pata hi nahi hai… huhhh!"
Woh turant dusri taraf muh karke baith gayi, haath fold karke. Aryan bechara sar khujata reh gaya.
"Yeh ladki na. *Tch* kab kya ho jaata hai ise?" usne mann hi mann socha. Woh dheere se aage badha, Naina ke kandhe ko pakad kar use apni taraf kheench liya.
Aryan (softly) : Arey bolo toh sahi, naraazgi kyun hai?
Naina ne aankhein ghumayi, phir seedha uski aankhon mein dekhte huye boli-
Naina : Itni achchi dress pehni maine… aur aapne ek baar bhi tarif nahi ki. Huhhh! Dekha tha na station mein ladke kaise dekh rahe the mujhe? Aur aap ho ki... Main baat nahi karti aap se jaao.
Aryan ke hothon pe halki si muskaan aa gayi. "Ohh… toh yeh baat hai."
Woh thoda aur paas aaya. Naina ka chehra apni taraf modha. Uske baalon ki ek lat dheere se uske gaal pe gir rahi thi. Aryan ne uss lat ko apni ungliyon se uthakar uske kaan ke peeche kar diya.
Aryan (dhire se) : kya mujhe yeh kehne ki zarurat hai… ki meri gudiya kitni pyaari hai? Hmm?
*Dhak-dhak!*
Jaise hi yeh alfaaz uske kaano tak pahunche, Naina ki saanse tez ho gayi. Woh seedha Aryan ke bilkul kareeb thi, itni kareeb ki usse uski saans ki garmi mehsoos ho rahi thi. Uski aankhein sharam se jhuk gayi. Ungliyan bechain hokar ek dusre se khelne lagi.
Naina (halke kampte huye) : R-really?
Tabhi, Khidki se aa rahi thandi hawa uske baalon ko halka sa uda deti hai, Aryan ne phir se uske baalon ko sambhalte huye kaha-
Aryan (softly) : Avni di sahi keh rahi thi. Tum iss pink suit mein bohot cute lag rahi ho… Pinky~
Naina bechari andar se gadgad ho rahi thi, aakhir bhaiya se tariff jo sunne ko mila usse. Par jaise hi usse dhiyan diya, Aryan ne abhi abhi usse kya kehkar bulaya. Ek second ke liye sab thamm gaya.
Phir-
Naina : Wait! Aapne kya kaha abhi??? PINKY!??? YOU!!!
Woh turant bhadak uthi. Usne jhootha gussa dikhate huye Aryan ke seene par halki-halki mukke maarne shuru kar diye.
Aryan (laugh) : ahahahaha~
Naina : Mujhe Pinky bola!? Aapki toh…!"
Aryan (hans ke) : Arey arey… Naina! Ruko.. ruko.
Unn dono ki yeh chhoti-chhoti nok-jhok dekh kar saamne baithi aurat ke hothon par bhi ek halki si muskaan aa gayi. Woh kuch der tak unhe dekhti rahi..phir puch hi liya-
Aurat : Tum dono kaha se ho?
Aryan thoda seedha baith gaya. "Naina, chup chap baitho. log kya sochenge."
Naina : Huhh!
Aryan (Smiles) : Aunty, hum Rajkot se hain.
Aurat : Bhai-behen ho tum dono?
Yeh sunte hi, Naina ekdam se chup ho gayi. Uske gaal phir se halka laal ho gaye.
Naina (blush) : ...
Aryan (smiles) : Ji, yeh meri bahan hai.
Aurat : Samajh gayi thi, waise kaha jaa rahe ho?
Aryan : Mumbai-! ghoomne. Aur aap?
Aurat : Main bhi Mumbai jaa rahi hoon, par ghoomne nahi, kuch kaam hai waha.
Aryan : Achha!
Tabhi-
"Maa! mujhe bhook lagi hai!"
Uski chhoti si awaaz mein masoomiyat thi, par saath hi ek sachchi bhook bhi. Aurat ne use apni god mein le liya, halka sa muskurane ki koshish ki,
Aurat : Abhi toh khana khaya tha na tumne?
"Mmm!? Aap Jhooth Kyu bol rahi ho?"
Yeh sunte hi, Aryan ki nazar turant uss aurat ke kapdon par gayi, thode purane, thode maile huye, aur aankhon mein ek kaalapan. Jaise kai dino se soya nahi thi.
Aryan, bina kuch kahe apna bag khola. Surabhi ka diya hua tiffin nikala. Dheere se dhakkan khola, andar se Parathe ki ki khushboo phail gayi. Usne tiffin unki taraf badha diya.
Aryan : Lijiye aunty! bachche ko khila dijiye.
Aurat turant jhijhak gayi-
Aurat : Nahi beta, usne abhi khana kha liya hai.
"Maa! Bhook lagi hai!"
Uss ek pal mein jhooth toot gaya. Aurat ki aankhon se aansu tapak pade. Woh chup ho gayi, jaise uske paas koi jawab hi na ho. Aryan ne dheere se phir tiffin aage badhaya,
Aryan : Koi baat nahi aunty… lijiye na.
Is baar aurat mana nahi kar paayi. Usne aankhein pochhi. tiffin liya aur apne bacche ko khilane lagi. Bachcha turant khane par toot pada, jaise kaafi der se bhooka ho.
Aurat ki awaaz bhar aayi- "Bahut bahut shukriya beta, Bhagwan bhala kare tumhara. m-main ek vidhwa maa hoon *sniff* gaon se hoon. jaa rahi hoon apni maa ke paas thodi madad mangne."
Woh sisak uthi. Naina turant uthkar uske paas baith gayi. Unhe Sambhal ne. Insaniyat bhi ek chiz hai.
Naina (softly) : Aunty! sab theek ho jayega.
Coach ke andar kuch pal ke liye sab kuch shaant ho gaya. Sirf train ki awaaz, aur ek maa ke aansu.
Aryan chupchaap baitha raha, khidki ke bahar andhera dekhte huye. Uske mann mein ek hi khayal chal raha tha-
"Main apne aap ko badkismat samajhta tha, par yahan toh har koi apni-apni jang lad raha hai"
---
2 AM at night.
Train apni lagataar raftaar se andhere ko cheerte hue aage badh rahi thi. Poore coach mein andhera tha; halki neeli night light bas itni roshni de rahi thi ki chehre dhundhle se nazar aayein.
Sab so chuke the. Woh aurat bhi apne bachche ko apni baahon mein liye, parde ke uss paar chain ki neend so rahi thi.
Aur idhar.
Naina, gehri neend mein, apna sar Aryan ki goad mein rakhe hue thi. Uski saansein halki aur barabar chal rahi thi. Uske baal Aryan ke haathon ke neeche reshmi dhaagon ki tarah bikhre hue the. Aryan dheere dheere unn baalon ko sehla raha tha.
Par uski apni aankhon mein neend ka naam-o-nishaan nahi tha. Jaise jaise train Mumbai ki taraf badh rahi thi, uska dil bhi utni hi tezi se dhadak raha tha.
Uski aankhein khuli thi, lekin nazar kahin aur thi.
Usne ek gehri saans li. Dheere se chhodi, jaise khud ko sambhalne ki koshish kar raha ho.
Tabhi-
Ek ajeeb sa ehsaas huya, Jaise koi usse dekh raha ho. Seedha. Tez. Chubhne wali nazar.
Aryan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Uski ungliyaan Naina ke baalon mein theher gayi. Usne dheere se apni nazar uthayi, coach ke andhere mein jhanka.
Chaar log the iss compartment mein. Teen so rahe the. Sirf woh akele jaag raha tha. Phir bhi… yeh ehsaas jaa kyun nahi raha tha? Uski gardan halki si sardi se bhar gayi.
Aur phir-
“Huh?”
Uski nazar achanak jaake ruki, khidki par. Andhera. Bahaar sirf andhera tha. Lekin phir bhi Jaise koi waha tha.
Usne bahut sambhal kar Naina ka sar uthaya dheere se, taaki uski neend na toot jaaye. Bag ko uske sar ke neeche rakh diya. Naina halka sa hilli, lekin phir wapas shaant ho gayi.
Aryan dheere dheere uthkar khidki ki taraf badha. Har kadam halki aahat ke saath. Usne idhar-udhar dekha. Par Kuch nahi tha, Koi nahi tha. Bas andhera aur tez bhaagti hui Nazarein.
“Obviously… khidki ke paas kaun khada hoga?” usne khud se halki si hasi ke saath kaha, lekin uss hasi mein bhi bechaini chhupi thi.
Woh khidki ke saamne khada ho gaya.
Thandi hawa andar aa rahi thi, uske baalon ko hila rahi thi, uski shirt ko phadphada rahi thi. Raat ki thandak seedha uski haddiyon tak utar rahi thi. Aryan dheere se fussfusaaya-
“Kismat bhi kaisi hai? bilkul aisi hi ek raat thi… jab maine Mumbai chhoda tha. aur aaj… main wapas wahi jaa raha hoon!?”
Uske honton par ek halki si muskaan aayi. Phir-
*Silence.*
Achanak, jaise sab kuch chup ho gaya ho uske liye, Train ki awaaz, hawa ki sarsarahat, sab dheemi pad gayi ho. Jaise waqt ne apni chaal dheemi kar di ho. Uski aankhein andhere mein kho gayi. Aur phir-
Yaadein. Ek ek karke.
Usne dekha tha, thodi der pehle woh aurat apne bachche ko kaise pyaar se khana khila rahi thi, tab uski aankhon mein kitna sukoon tha, kitni mamta thi.
“Aur mujhe… kabhi maa ke haathon ka khana naseeb nahi hua? Maa rehtey huye bhi-!!”
Yeh lafz uske andar se nikle, bahut dheere se. Ek garam aansu uski aankh se nikal kar uske gaal par beh gaya. Uski nazar ab bhi bahar thi, lekin woh dekh kuch aur raha tha-
Apna bachpan. Khali pan, aur Dard.
Uska haath dheere se utha, aur usne khidki ke paas lagi lohe ki rod ko pakad liya. Thanda loha. Sakht. Jaise uski zindagi.
Uske dimag mein, Kai sare yaaden ghoom rahi thi, Kai sare logon ki tasveerein ghoomne lagi-
Jyoti, Anita, Ria, Mishka, Prakash, Shanti!
Har naam ke saath ek chehra. Har chehre ke saath ek kahani. Aur har kahani ke saath ek aur dard. Uski aankhon se aansu ab ruk nahi rahe the.
Usne palkein jhapki, Aur naye chehre ubhar aaye- Garima, Sanjay, Naina, avni,
Aur ek aakhri chehra - VIRAJ KAPOOR! Ka jo usne Myra ke ghar pe dekhata tha. Uska Naam aate hi, sab badal gaya. Dard gusse mein badal gaya.
Uski ungliyaan lohe ki rod par aur kas gayi. Itni zor se ki, uski haathon ki nasen ubhar aayi. Jaise woh rod ko tod dega, ya apni saari bhadaas usmein utaar dega. Uska jism tan gaya. Saansen tez ho gayi.
Aankhein, ab bhi andhere mein, lekin ab unmein nami ke saath aag bhi thi. Hawa ab bhi uske baalon ko uda rahi thi. Uske kapde phadphada rahe the. Uska chehra aansuon se bheeg chuka tha.
Aur phir-
Dheere se Aryan ke hont khule. Honthon ke kone upar uth gaye. Uske safed daant andhere mein chamke.
Aur phir-
“GRRRRRR!!!"
Ek bohot dheemi, Lekin gehri. Seene ke andar se nikli hui awaaz. Gusse aur dard se bhari hui. Woh awaaz train ki raftaar mein ghul gayi, Raat ke andhere mein kho gayi Lekin-
Aryan ke andar jo tufaan tha, Woh ab jaag chuka tha.
*
*
*
That's it for today guys! Iss update ko likhane mein bahut mehnat Lagi Mujhe. Chahe wo Writing Ho ya image's create karne mein. Update 9.5k+ word count ka tha. Ab aap log bhi thoda mehnat karo, like thok ke jaayo and review diya karo sabhi, padh Rahe ho toh. Baaki enjoy. Milte Hain next update Mein.
To aryan vapis Mumbai lot gaya hai
Dhekte hai ab aage Mumbai me kya hota hai
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Aryan wapas Mumbai lota nahi hai, woh bas Mumbai gaya hai, Sanjay ka aakhri shabdon ka matlab nikalne. Woh Waha permanent nahi rahega.
Thanks, keep reading sab pata chal jaayega.
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Pata nahi man. Abhi tak sab ka review nahi aaya, so I'll Wait for that phir likhunga.
Abirend31
Love Stories
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Update accha tha lekin mumkin ho ro sade sawal ka jawab ek hi update me denaUpdate 20 - Tears in the Dark
(Reference of Update 14 - Eyes from the Rift)
Previous...
Swayamsukh ke anand ke baad woh palang pe dhila pad jati hai. Apni saansein durust karne lagti hai,
? : hhhh~ huff! Hhahh~ finally… ohhh~
Halke paseene ki Boondein uski badan Pe chamak rahi thi, Phir woh muskurayi - thodi thaki hui Aur khush. jab Saansein Saamaany hone lagti hai, woh wapas se Chaat ki our dekhti hai. Aur waise hi leti rehti hai.
Continue...
Kuchh din pehle, jab Aryan ne Ghansha se Naina ko bachaya tha. Ghansha ko peetne ke baad Aryan ne seedha Viraj Kapoor ko call lagaya tha, aur usse maut ki dhamki de daali thi-
Aryan : TOH, TU MERA WOH ROOP DEKHEGA, JO MAIN KHUD NAHI JAANTA, aur...! AUR HOGI TERI MAUT-!
Uske baad.
Prakash bhi uss din Viraj Kapoor se deal done hone ke baad chala gaya tha. Uske baad Viraj ne Belu ko call kiya aur aage kya karna hai uske baare mein bola tha.
*THUD!*
Phone ko table pe itni zor se phenka ki screen ka glass bhi thoda crack ho gaya. Viraj chair pe peeche jhuk gaya. Uski aankhein band kar li, dimaag mein sirf ek cheez chal rahi thi – "Sanjay ki zameen"
*TIK! TIIK!*
Secretary andar aayi. Tight white shirt, black pencil skirt, blonde dyed baal kandhon tak lahrate hue. Uski high heels ki halki awaaz cabin mein goonj rahi thi.
"Sir?"
Viraj : What is it?
"Sir! Woh Prakash sir, I mean... woh toh Mumbai mein jaane-maane vyakti hai, aur... I mean hamara ye company abhi-abhi shuru hua hai. Toh woh humse loan kyun le rahe hain?"
Viraj sar uthaya aur uske chehre pe ek bhediya jaisi muskurahat thi, jaise dikhane ka kuchh aur karne ka kuchh aur.
Viraj (smiles) : Kyunki maine Mr. Prakash ko majboor kar diya hai, humse loan lene ke liye. Unke pass koi aur rasta nahi hai.
"Woh kaise sir?"
Viraj : Tumhe yaad toh hogi na, jab Mr. Prakash ki beti ke janamdin pe unke ghar gaye the?
"Ji bilkul mujhe yaad hai!"
Viraj (smiles) : Toh tumhe kya lagta hai, kisi ke madaad ke bina main Mr. Prakash ko kaise majboor kar paunga mujhse loan lene ke liye?
"Kaise sir?"
Badle mein Viraj ke chehre ki muskan aur bhi chhidi ho jaati hai,
Viraj (smiles) : Jarur maine kisi ki madad li hai, Mr. Prakash ko majboor karne ke liye!
"K-kiska?"
Viraj : *SMILES*
Woh kuchh nahi kehta, bas muskurata hai. Aur ye dekh secretary pehle thoda hairaan reh jaati hai, phir jaise hi usse kuchh bodh hota hai, woh sab kuchh samajh jaati hai, aur uske chehre pe bhi ek katil muskaan aa jaati hai.
"A-aap Sach Mein...??"
Viraj (smiles) : Ab samjhi?
"Yes! i get it now. You are awesome sir! But ek baat aur-!"
Viraj : then, Let it out!
"Woh... Sanjay! I mean aap uski zameen ke peeche kyun pade ho?"
Viraj : Kya tum nahi jaanti mera asli dhanda kya hai??
"I know sir, but... I mean Sanjay ki zameen ek chhota sa hi toh plot hai, aapko uss mamooli si property se kya prapt hoga?"
Viraj apni gol ghumne wali chair pe peeche ghum jaata hai,
Viraj : Mamooli property? Hahahahaha!! You don't know anything.
Uski unchi hanssi jaise secretary usse koi mazak kar rahi ho, "mamuli property? Hahaha!" Woh phir hansta hai.
"Huh!? Main kuchh samjhi nahi?"
Viraj : Abhi tumhe kuchh samajhne ki zarurat nahi hai. Bas mujhe woh zameen mil jaaye, tab... Ehhaha! *Cough* haha!
"???!"
Phir Viraj chair ghumate hue secretary ki taraf mud gaya. Uski nazar secretary ke sharir pe upar se neeche tak ghum gayi - shirt ke tight buttons, skirt ke curves, high heels tak.
Viraj : Now! Agar tumhara sawaal pura ho gaya ho toh, gaand leke idhar aao darling *smiles* aur skirt upar uthao.
Secretary ki aankhon mein ek naughty spark aa gaya. Woh dheere se gaand matkati hui aage badhi. Uske blonde baal lahrate hue kandhon pe gir rahe the. Usne peeche mud kar Viraj ke saamne khadi ho gayi, dono haathon se skirt ke hem ko pakad ke,
“Aap hi utha lijiye na, sir~”
Viraj ek jhatke mein uski kamar pakdi, skirt ko ek hi jhatke mein upar utha diya. Neeche… red lace panty thi, jo uski gol, tight gaand ke darar mein fas rahi thi. Viraj ne uski panty ko bhi khinch ke neeche khiska diya.
Ab secretary ki nangi, creamy-white gaand bilkul khuli thi. Dono gol cheeks ek dusre se thodi alag, beech mein ek tight, pinkish darar, jismein thodi si pasine ki chamak thi.
Viraj ne dono haathon se uski gaand ke cheeks ko zor se faila diya, aur apna muh seedha uski gaand ke baraar mein ghusaa diya.
"Ummm!~ sir!~"
Phir, Undono ka yeh ashlilta chalti rahi.
---
Theek isshi din kucch aur bhi ghatir ho raha tha. Jab Aryan ghansha ko niptake Naina ke saath apne ghar ke taraf badh gaya tha.
Lekin-
Koi thi… jo chupke se inn sab par nazar jamaye hue thi. Andhere ke beech ek sthir chhaya. Wahi thi jo Aryan ka peecha kar rahi thi, ek nirdosh si lagne wali, par andar se kisi gehre rahasya se bhari hui upasthiti.
Usne ek gehre crimson-red rang ke lambe aur bahut hi shandaar chadar hooded cloak pehne hue thi, jo uske sirr par chhaya hua hai. Hood ka aage ka hissa itna gehra hai ki uska chehra aadha chhupa hua lagta hai, sirf honth aur thodi si naak hi saaf dikhti hai. Kapdon ki banawat aisi jaise abhi abhi koi battlefield Se Aayi Ho.
Hawa mein nami thi, aur khamoshi itni gahri, Tab uski awaz goonji.
"Oye moy moy! Smotri-smotri, ya nakonets-to tebya pojmala!"
Uski dhimi hansi khali sadak par fail gayi, aur hawa mein ek ajeeb si kampan paida ho gayi.
Woh apni jeebh ko bahar nikalti hai, Dheere se apne lambe, safed aur chamakte nakhunon uspar pherte hue-
"You naughty... Mm~"
Jaise hi uske shabd khatam hue, uski jeebh aur bhi lambi hoti chali gayi. Aakar badalta gaya, laal, geeli aur asamanya roop se lachakdaar.
Bilkul uss nagin ki tarah jo apni shikaar ko door se mehsoos kar leti hai. Uski aankhon mein chamak ubhar aayi- bhookh nahi, balki lakshya ki.
Uski nigahen dur ja rahe uss auto par tik gayi, jaha Aryan maujood tha bekhabar, apni hi duniya mein. Jaise hi uski nazar uss par jami, ladki ke nakhun dheere dheere lambe hone lage.
Aur phir-!
kuchh aisa hua jo prakriti ke niyamon ko chunauti deta tha.
Usne apna haath upar uthaya. Ungliyon ke beech hawa ka ghanatva badalne laga, jaise empty space apne astitva par sawal utha rahi ho. Usne apne lambi nakhun ko hawa mein lehraya, ek hi gati mein, bilkul sahi kon par, jaise kisi surgeon ka antim incision karti hai.
Aur agle hi pal… Khali jagah par ek daraar ubhar aayi.
Na zameen phati, na hawa tooti, par phir bhi iss reality ke taane-baane mein jaise ek spasht katav aa gaya. Jaise iss brahmand ke fibres ko zabardasti cheera gaya ho.
Uss darar se kaali roshni nikalne lagi, na poori roshni, na poora andhera, balki kuchh aisa jo physics ke kisi bhi spectrum mein fit nahi baithta tha.
Hawa ka tapman achanak gir gaya. Samay jaise ek pal ke liye ladkhada gaya. Aur bina kisi hichkichahat ke, woh ladki uss shunya sthan mein kadam rakh deti hai. Palak jhapakte hi uska sharir uss void ke andar sama gaya.
---
Palak jhapakte hi jaise haqeeqat ne ek lamhe ke liye saans rok li ho. woh ladki uss void (shunya sthan) ke uss paar jaa pahunchti hai.
Na koi roshni ka phatna, na koi dhamaaka. Bas ek halki si khichaav ki mehsoosiyat, jaise space ke dhaagon ko kisi ne ungliyon se tod kar ek jagah se doosri jagah sil diya ho.
Yeh waqt ka safar nahi tha. Nahi koi time skip nahi thi. Yeh... ek jagah se dusri jagah ka chhalang tha -
ek perfect space place skip.
Usne apni jeb mein haath daala aur ek purani si pocket ghadi nikali. Uski dhadkan jaise ghadi ki tik-tik ke saath talmel bitha rahi thi. Dhundhli roshni mein usne waqt dekha - saal, tareekh sab kuch aaj ki tarikh hai, usne ye nishchit Kiya.
“Hmm! perfect, onley 10 second.”
woh dheere se mann hi mann bolti hai. Ghadi ko wapas jeb mein rakhte hue jaise hi usne apni nazar upar uthayi-
Uski saans ek pal ke liye atak gayi. Aas-paas kuch bhi nahi tha. Na koi pedh, na koi paudha, na zindagi ka ek bhi nishaan. Sirf safedi. Barfili safedi. Jaise duniya ko kisi ne barfili chadar se dhak diya ho.
Upar se halki-halki barf ke tukde hawa mein tairte hue neeche gir rahe the uske kandhon, uske baalon, aur uske kapdon par jamte hue.
Hawa bohat thandi thi. Kaati hui. Jaise har jhonka uski twacha ko cheer jaa rahi hai.
“Slava Bogu, ya etot kostyum nadyela i prishla v nyom! A to v takoy moroz ya by prosto okolela nasmert'!”
Usne apni bhasha mein kaha,Uski awaaz sardi mein halki si kaamp rahi thi.
In Hindi*
“Bhagwan ka shukr hai, main yeh costume pehen ke aayi hoon! warna iss thand mein toh mai seedha jam jaati.”
Har saans ke saath uske honton se dhuaan sa nikal raha tha, garam saans aur thandi hawa ki takraar ka nateeja. Usne apne laal libas ko aur kas ke lapet liya, gardan jhuka kar hawa se bachne ki koshish ki, aur dheere-dheere aage badhne lagi.
Zameen par barf itni naram thi jaise kisi ne reshmi safed bistar bichha diya ho. Par har kadam ek jung tha. pair ghutne tak dhans jaate, aur nikalne mein zor lagta.
*Crunch!-Crunch!*
har qadam ki awaaz uss sunsaan khamoshi mein goonj uthti. Kaafi der aise hi Kuch chalne ke baad. Woh achanak ruk gayi-
“Huh…?”
Durr... bahut durr, uss bepanah safedi ke beech kuch alag tha.
Ek dhaabba.
Ek saya.
Ek kaala saaya.
Usne aankhen tez karke dekha. Barf ke iss Virani ilake ke beech, tanha khadi thi ek kali haveli. Itni gehri kaali jaise roshni ko nigal rahi ho. Uske teekhe konay, uski oonchi deewarein, sab kuch iss safed barfile parivesh ke bilkul vipreet.
Ek ajeeb si khoobsurti thi usmein. Darr aur akarshan ka ek sangeet.
Ye dekh uss ladki ki aankhen halki si phail gayi. Saans thodi si tez ho gayi.
“Oy! tak eto ono… to samoye mesto?!”
In Hindi*
“Oh! toh yeh hai woh jagah?!”
Uski awaaz mein ek hairani bhi thi, aur ek chhupa hua utsaah bhi.
Ek pal ke liye woh wahi khadi rahi barf uske aas-paas girti rahi, hawa uske kapdon ko hilaati rahi. Aur phir, bina kisi aur soch ke,
Woh uss kaali haveli ki taraf badh gayi.
***
At present - 27 feb - morning.
Ek Yamaha FZS V3 ki bike Aryan chala raha tha, Naina uske peeche baithi thi. Dono pair ek taraf karke, ek haath se Aryan ki kandho ko pakad ke, uski haath uske apne goad pe thi. Bechari Naina ne aaj ek naye pili suit pehen rakhi thi, Usne socha tha Sayad Mumbai jaane se phele Aryan usse thoda ghumane le jaa raha hai.
Lekin, woh Thodi duri bana ke, baithi thi. Aur Karan tha-
Bechari Naina ko bohut sharam aa rahi thi. Uske gaalon hakle laal pad rahe the, woh baar baar apne baalon ko kaam ke peeche kar rahi thi, apne aap hi.
Aisa nahi tha ki Naina pehli baar bike pe Aryan ke peeche baithi hai. Dono kabhi kabhi bike se college jaya arte the, kabhi kabhi ghumne bhi jaate the, tab Naina Aryan ke peeche hi baithi thi, chipak ke hi.
Par, Pichhle kuch dino se, woh chulbuli Naina jaise thodi si chup ho gayi thi. Aryan ke paas aate hi uski saansen tez ho jaati, aankhein jhuk jaati… aur dil? Shayad zyada zor se dhadakta.
Usne phir ek baar, apne baalon ke lat ko kaan ke peeche lee gaye, aur ab ki baar Aryan ne yeh dekh liye bike ke rare view mirror pe. Naina ki nazre bhi Aryan se takraye mirror ke through, toh Aryan ne saar hikake pucha.
"Kiya???"
Bechari Naina jhat ne apni aankhein pher leti hai, jaise uski choti ladki gayi ho. aur hadbabate huye kehti hai,
Naina (blushes) : Ahm!! K-kuchh nahi. K-kuchh bhi toh nahi. Hehe!~
Aryan kucch samajh nahi paata, aur bike chalane mein hi Dhiyan deta hai.
Naina (blush) : umm! Bhaiya hum kaha jaa rahe hai, aap ne bataya nahi?
Aryan : bas kuchh hi derr mein pouch jayenge. Tab tak chup chap baitho. Nahi toh bike se gira Dunga, Moti.
Naina : Okiieee~! Huh? Hey Wait? kya kaha aapneee?? BHAIYA????
Aryan (laugh) : ahahaha~ MOTI~
Naina : YOU!
Aur dono bhai-behen aise hi masti-mazak karte hue pahunch gaye. Aryan ne ek ghar ke saamne bike rok di. Yeh kisi aur ka ghar nahi tha - yeh Avni ka ghar tha. Naina ne idhar-udhar dekhte hue pucha,
“Yeh aap kahan le aaye?”
Aryan (smiles) : Yeh Avni di ka ghar hai!
Naina : Hmm??
Aryan : Avni di inn dino hamari bahut madad ki hai, Naina. Aur tum unse acche se mili bhi nahi. *Pause* Jab unki maa hamse milne aayi thi, tab bhi tum kamre se bahar nahi nikki thi.
Naina : I-
Aryan ne uski baat kaat te hue kaha, “Isliye Mumbai jaane se pehle main tumhe unse milane le aaya hoon. Pata nahi waha kitne din lag jaaye.”
Naina ka chehra ekdum se udaas ho gaya. Jaise kisi ne uska sabse pyara khilona chheen liya ho. Woh gaal phula kar boli,
Naina : Mujhe laga tha aap mujhe ghumne le jaa rahe ho!
Aryan : Huh? Yeh kab kaha maine?
Naina : Kuch nahi…
Bechari Naina ka chehra bilkul murjha sa gaya. Aryan pehle toh samajh nahi paya. Ladkiyon ke yeh chanchal mood swings usse kabhi samajh hi nahi aaye the. Par jab usne Naina ka woh udas chehra dekha, toh uska dil pighal gaya. Woh thoda jhuk kar, pyaar se uske baal sahlate hue bola,
Aryan : Arey meri piyari behen, Mumbai jaa rahe hain na… waha ghumne bhi toh le jaunga. Yeh koi kehne wali baat thodi hai?
Naina ne aankhein badi kar ke pucha, “Sach mein na?”
Aryan (Smiles) : Haan! Ab chalo…
Naina phir se ek jhatke mein khush ho gayi. Uski aankhon mein chamak aa gayi aur woh khushi se phadak uthi,
Naina : Okeeeee!
Woh sach mein ek zinda-dil ladki thi. Ek pal mein naraz, dusre pal mein phir se hansati hui. Aryan ko uski yeh baat bahut achchi lagti thi. Woh muskurate hue sochta,
“Yeh chhoti si toofan meri uljhi huye zindagi ka sabse sweet hissa hai.”
*Ding-dong!*
Aryan ne bell bajayi hi thi ki andar se jaldi-jaldi kadmon ki awaaz aayi aur darwaza khula. Avni bahar nikalte hi Aryan se takra gayi.
“Ouch!” Avni thodi si hill gaye.
Aryan : Didi?
Naina : Bhaiya???
Par Aryan ne turant uske kandhe pakad liye aur girne nahi diya. Avni sambhal kar upar dekhi toh hairaan reh gayi. Uske gaal halke se laal ho gaye.
Aryan (smiles) : Aap kahi jaa rahi thi?
Avni : Huh? T-tum?
Aryan : Aap hi kehti thi main aapke ghar nahi aata… lo, aaj aa gaya. *smiles*
Avni (smiles back) : Main toh tumhare ghar hi jaa rahi thi. Bhool gaye? Tumne hi kaha tha "didi, kal aana, mujhe accha lagta hai"
Aryan : Main kaise bhool sakta hoon? Ek important kaam tha isliye main hi milne chala aaya.
Avni : Hmm? Kya kaam tha?
Aryan (smiles) : Sab baatein bahar hi karni hain? Andar nahi bulaogi?
Avni ke gaal aur laal ho gaye. Woh jaldi se boli,
“Aaa! Sorry… aao na andar. Naina tum bhi aayi ho? Aao dono.”
Naina : Umm!
Avni ne dono ko andar le aayi. Uske liye yeh bilkul unexpected tha, par Aryan ka apne ghar aana usse bahut achcha laga. Avni ne andar ki taraf awaaz lagayi,
“Maa, dekho toh kaun aaya hai!”
Surabhi andar se apni saari ka pallu se haath pochti hui bahar aayi. Shayad woh koi kaam kar rahi thi.
“Kaun aaya hai beta?”
Jaise hi usne saamne dekha aur Aryan ko pehchana, uske kadam ruk gaye.
Surabhi : Aryan? Beta tum!
Aryan (Smiles) : Yeh kya aunty, baithne nahi bolengi?
Surabhi : M-main…!
Bechari Surabhi kuch keh nahi paayi. Aryan toh sirf mazak kar raha tha. Avni ne usko halke se uski kohni maari.
Avni : Maa, yeh mazak kar raha hai.
Surabhi : Aao beta, baitho pehle.
Kuch der mein sab baith gaye. Surabhi Aryan se toh mil chuki thi, par Naina se nahi. Usne dekha ki Naina thodi sharma rahi hai. Toh badi hone ke naate woh hi baat shuru ki.
Surabhi : Aur beta, tum kaisi ho?
Naina : J-ji, main theek hoon.
Aryan ne Naina ke sar par haath pherte hue usko ishaara kiya. Naina bhi samajh gayi.
Naina : Aunty… I’m really sorry. Kal aap hamare ghar aayi thi, main bahar nahi aayi. Uske liye maafi chahti hoon.
Surabhi : Koi baat nahi beta. Main samajh sakti hoon, uss waqt tumhare upar kya guzar rahi hogi. Tum ab theek ho na?
Naina : Ji aunty, main theek hoon.
Avni : Accha tum dono baitho, main chai-nashta leke aati hoon. Aur haan Aryan, mana mat karna!
Woh thoda taana marte hue boli kyunki Aryan hamesha ghar aane ki baat ko taal deta tha.
Aryan : Main toh khud puchne wala tha. Aapne hi puchne mein der kar di.”
Avni : Hey! What??? YOU-
Aryan : Haha! Chaliye, main bhi aapki madad karta hoon nashte mein.
Surabhi : Nahi beta, yeh kya baat hui. Avni kar legi. Tum baitho.
Lekin Aryan ne Avni ki taraf dekhte hue halka sa ishaara kiya - ‘kuch important baat karni hai’. Avni ek baar jhapki lekin haan mein sirr hila diya.
Avni : Arre aane do maa. Aap tab tak Naina se baatein karo. Aao bhai, mere saath.
Naina : Bh-
Par uske kehne se pehle hi Aryan uth kar Avni ke saath kitchen ki taraf chala gaya. Bechari Naina kuch keh pati, usse pehle dono andar kitchen Mein chale Gaye gaye. Ab uske paas koi option nahi tha, woh dheere se Surabhi se baat karne lagi.
---
Idhar kitchen mein.
Subah ka narm, halka sa sunehra ujala kitchen ki khidki se andar ghus raha tha. Hawa mein halki si chai-patti aur taaze bane nashtay ki khushboo ghuli hui thi. Chulhe par rakhi ketli se halki si bhaap uth rahi thi, jo dheere-dheere hawa mein gum ho jaati.
Avni counter ke paas khadi thi, nashta plates mein saja rahi thi, poore dhyaan se, jaise har cheez apni jagah bilkul sahi honi chahiye. Uske haath tez the, par nazuk bhi. Shayad aadat thi usse sab sambhalne ki.
Dusri taraf Aryan khada tha. Thoda sa jhuka hua, Woh chai bana raha tha, thoda sa anadi, thoda sa serious.
Avni ne ek pal ke liye apna kaam roka. Usne dheere se nazar uthaayi aur Aryan ko dekha. Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
“Shayad pehli baar kisi ladke ko chai banate dekh rahi hoon! Itni seriously." usne mann hi mann socha.
Woh apne haathon ko fold kiya, thoda sa uski taraf jhuki, aur finally puch hi liya-
Avni : Hmm! toh ab bolo. Kya important baat thi?
Aryan ne gas ki flame halki ki, aur dheere se uski taraf mud gaya.
Aryan : Main aur Naina kuch din ke liye Mumbai jaa rahe hain.
Avni (bhonhein sikodte hue) : Hmm?
Aryan : Naina! woh abhi bacchi hai. Aur uske liye yeh sab easy nahi tha. Toh maine socha usse kahi ghuma laaun. Shayad thoda better feel kare. Aur mujhe bhi thoda kaam hai waha.
Avni ne dheere se sirr hilaaya. Usne hami Bhari.
Avni : you’re right. Maine bhi notice kiya hai, woh thodi gumsum si thi. But-
Woh ruk gayi. Aryan ne uski taraf dekha.
Aryan : ???
Avni ne apne folded haath khol diye. dheere-dheere chalti hui uske bilkul paas aa gayi. Ab woh itni kareeb thi ki Aryan ko uski saans tak mehsoos ho rahi thi. Usne seedha uski aankhon mein dekha.
Avni (soft, but teasing) : Par yeh woh important baat nahi hai… jiske liye tum mujhe yaha AKELEEE bulake laaye ho. Hai na?
Usne 'akele' Shabd ko thoda lamba khinch ke bola, bechara Aryan ka gala hi sookh gaya.
Aryan : Woh-
Avni (Smiles) : Sharmao mat. Bolo.
Ab Aryan sach mein ghabra gaya. Woh ek kadam peeche hat gaya, aankhen idhar-udhar bhatakne lagi.
Aryan (blush) : Woh… haan! kuch important baat thi, di.
Avni : Woh toh mujhe tabhi samajh aa gaya tha jab tumne ishara kiya tha.
Yeh sunkar Aryan aur bhi confuse ho gaya. “Yeh Avni di aise kyun bol rahi hai?” uske dimaag mein chal raha tha. Avni dhire dhire uske aur karib aa rahi thi, Aryan Sharma ke aur peeche hat gaya.
Chulhe par chai ab dheere-dheere ubal maar rahi thi-
*blup! glug! blup!*
Aryan : i-
Avni jab uska chehra dekhte hi, pait pakad ke Hans padhti hai,
Avni : Hahahaha! Dekho toh zara! Kitna sharma raha hai! Buddhu… mazaak kar rahi thi main!
Aryan ne ek gehri saans chhodi.
Aryan : O-oh…!
Bechara sach mein ghabra gaya tha. Ek pal ke liye usse laga tha Avni uski baat ka galat matlab nikaal rahi hai. Ek second ke liye Aryan ki pasine chhut Gaye the.
Avni : Chalo, ab seriously bolo. Kya baat hai?
Aryan : Woh... main soch raha tha ki-
Aryan Avni ke ghar yun hi nahi aaya tha. Woh kuchh soch kar hi aaya tha. Par kehna utna aasaan nahi lag raha tha.
Avni : Kya hua? Thahar kyun gaye? Bolo na.
Aryan : Darasal-
Avni : Huh??
Aryan ek gehri saans leta hai aur dheere se kehna shuru karta hai.
Aryan : Darasal main soch raha tha ki... woh...! Kya aap aur aunty hamare saath, hamare ghar reh sakti ho?
Avni : Huh!???
Avni ekdam se chhonk gayi. Aryan kya keh raha tha? Woh samajh nahi paayi. Jahir hai, Aryan ne ekdum se aisa kuch bolne ki usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha.
Aryan : I-I mean...! mera aur Naina ka ab koi nahi hai aur... aur I feel like abhi mere upar saari zimmedari hai. Main hamesha Naina ke saath ghar nahi reh sakta. And-
Avni : ???
Aryan : -And I know Naina akeli reh nahi paayegi. Pehle uski maa chali gayi, phir papa bhi. Aur abhi agar main bhi uske paas nahi raha toh-
Aryan ko yaad aa jata hai aaj hi subah ki baat. Jab woh naha raha tha aur Naina usko paas na paa kar kitna ro padi thi.
Aryan : -Toh woh aur bhi akeli reh jayegi, jo main nahi chahta. Isiliye main aapke paas aaya tha, ek request lekar ki aap aur aunty hamare saath, hamare ghar rahogi toh Naina ko akela mehsoos nahi hoga.
Avni : M-main...!
Aryan : Aur... I mean aapka college bhi waha se paas padega, aur aunty ko bhi akela mehsoos nahi hoga. H-hum sab ek saath rahenge...???
Avni : ...
Avni bina palak jhapkaye Aryan ko dekhti rahi. Usse kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ki, jawab kya de. Aur usko chup rehte dekh Aryan bhi samajh jaata hai ki, shayad kuch baat nahi bani. Tabhi-
*FSSSSSSHHHH*
Gas pe Rakhi chai ubal maar ke kettle se bahar girti hai. Aryan jaldi se peeche ghumte hue gas band kar deta hai. Woh kuch der wahi khada rehta hai. Phir chehre pe sharmindagi bhari muskurahat lekar, peeth Avni ki taraf karke bolta hai.
Aryan (smiles) : I-I'm sorry didi. Pata nahi main kya kya sochta rehta hoon. Hahaha! Please don't mind. *Pause* Chaliye, chai ho gayi hai. Oh! By the way cups-
Woh poora keh paata, usse pehle usse mehsoos hota hai ki Avni peeche se usko lipat leti hai. Aryan thoda aage jhuk jaata hai. Ekdum se kya hua? usse kuch samajh nahi aaya.
Aryan : Huh!!
Avni ka gaal Aryan ki peeth se chipak gaya tha. Uske haath uske around bandhe hue the. Aur phir woh dheere se bolti hai-
Avni : A-akhir tum kya ho Aryan?
Aryan : Di??
Woh peeche ghuma toh dekha. Avni ki aankhein nam ho chuki thi. Uske lambe baal gaalon par gir rahe the aur ek boond aankh ke kone se nikal kar, uske makhmali chehre par beh rahi thi. Aryan ka dil ekdum se sehla gaya. Usne jaldi se uske kandhe pakad liye, ungliyaan halke se dabate hue.
Aryan : Hey! Di, what happened??
Avni ne apni aankhein jhukayi, phir dheere se upar dekha. Uske honth kaanp rahe the.
Avni : Tum kya ho Aryan???
Aryan : huh? Main kuch samajha nahi?
Avni ne ek gehri saans li, jaise bojh dil se nikaalne ki koshish kar rahi ho. Uski awaaz halki aur tooti hui thi.
Avni : Kal hi... kal raat ko hi iss ghar ka jo owner hai naa-!! Maine bataya tha na tumhe? ki ye ghar hamare padoshi ka hai. Unhone hamein kuch dinon ke liye rehne diya tha!
Aryan : Haan! Aapne bataya toh tha.
Avni : Kal raat unka call aaya tha... ki woh log ab kuchh dinon mein wapas aa rahe hain. Toh abhi hamein ye ghar chhodna hoga. Bhai... M-main aur maa kal poori raat pareshan the. Ab kahan jayenge, kaha rahenge... And *Sniff*
Uski aankhon se aansu phir se behne lage. Avni ne jaldi se unhein pochne ki koshish ki, lekin ek aur boond nikal hi gayi.
Aryan : Heyyy! Please don’t cry di...
Usne apna haath badhaya aur Avni ke gaal par halke se aansu ponchh diya. Uski ungliyaan uski narm cheek par kuch pal ruk gayi. Avni ki aankhein band ho gayi, jaise uss chhune se hi thodi si himmat aa gayi ho.
Aryan (smiles softly) : Toh aap rahengi naa, hamare saath?
Avni ne apni aankhein ponchhi. Uski honth dagmagaa rahe the. Par sirf haan mein sar hila deti hai. Itna kafi tha - ek chhoti si nod, lekin usme poori duniya bhar ka bharosa tha. Woh Aryan ke saath, uske ghar rehne ko taiyaar thi.
Phir woh upar dekhti hai. Seedha Aryan ki aankhon mein. Uska haath apne aap hi Aryan ke gaalon tak pahunch gaya. Avni ne uske dono gaalon ko halke se pakad liya, ungliyaan uski warm skin par phela di. Unki aankhein ek dusre mein doob gayi.
Avni : Aakhir tum kya ho, Bhai? Jab se tum aaye ho meri zindagi mein, ek ke baad ek meri madad karte hi ja rahe ho. Jaise... jaise jab bhi mujhe madad chahiye hoti hai, tumhe saamne paa leti hoon.
Uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si narmi thi, ek shukriya.
Aryan : It’s just a coincidence di. And iss baar mera bhi swarth hai.
Avni : I-I don’t know Aryan but tum... It feels like-!!
Woh aage kuch aur kehti, usse pehle uski maa Surabhi ki awaaz ne dono ka dhyaan khinch liya. Unki awaaz kitchen ke bahar se aayi, thodi si pareshan lekin pyar bhari.
Surabhi : Avni beta, kitni der lagegi? Idhar Naina bechari bore ho gayi mere saath baatein karte-karte!
Avni ne Aryan ke gaalon par thoda sa sehlaya, ek pyaara sa touch. Phir woh muskurayi, Aryan ki aankhein mein Dekhte huye,
Avni (smiles) : Aa rahi hoon.
Dono ne chai aur nashte ke tray ko sambhala aur bahar living room ki taraf chale aaye. Chai ki khushboo hawa mein faili hui thi. Kuch idhar-udhar ki baatein, halki si hansi aur chhoti-chhoti baaton ke saath sab nipat gaya.
Aryan : Aunty, kya Naina shaam tak yaha reh sakti hai?
Naina : Huh! Bhaiya!??
Surabhi : Kya nahi beta. Par tum kahi jaa rahe ho?
Aryan : Ji aunty. Darasal Naina aur main aaj hi Mumbai ke liye nikalenge toh, mujhe thoda kaam hai. Tab tak kya main Naina ko yaha rakh sakta hoon?
Naina : Arre par-
Surabhi : Bilkul bejhijhak jaao, Naina rahegi yaha.
Naina : Par Bhaiya-!!
Avni : Koi baat nahi Naina, main aaj college nahi jaungi. Tum mere saath reh lena.
Aryan (smiles warmly) : Thank you Avni di. Chalo Naina, main thoda garage jaa raha hoon. Tum abhi yahi pe ruko. Main shaam se pehle time pe aa jaunga.
Naina : Par-
Aryan : Oh! Don’t worry, aate waqt ghar se tumhare kapde bhi lete aaunga. Tum mujhe message kar dena, theek hai?
Naina : Umm! Par *blushes* Main- woh...!
Surabhi : Arre baba, bhaiya aa jayenge. Yaha main hoon, Avni hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Jaao Aryan.
Aryan (smiles) : Thanks aunty. Chalo gudiya, main aata hoon. Udhar sab kaam niptake jaldi aa jaunga.
Kehte hue Aryan utha aur tezi se waha se chala gaya. Uske kadam mein ek naya hosla tha, jaise ab sab theek ho jayega. Woh sab theek kar dega.
Bechari Naina kuch kehne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin sharam ke maare bol nahi paayi. Usne apne honth dabaye hue reh gayi, gaal halke se laal ho gaye the.
Naina (whispers to herself) : Arre par meri innerwears? *Blushes* Budhu bhaiya~
Lekin tab tak Aryan waha se nikal chuka tha. Aur yeh sharam ki baat bhi thi, Naina ke liye. woh kaise apne bhaiya ko apne underwears laane ke liye keh sakti thi? Uski aankhein sharmaate hue neeche jhuk gayi, dil mein ek chhoti si hansi aur ek badi si mushkil saath-saath thi.
****
Udhar se nikal ke Aryan garage aaya. Sanjay ji ke jaane ke baad woh abhi tak waha jaake nahi dekha tha. Usse samay hi nahi mila tha. Belu ko dhundna, Naina ka khayal rakhna, aur aage kya karna hai sochna - inn sab mein woh itna ulajh gaya tha ki usse dukh mehsoos karne ka bhi waqt nahi mila. Jaise waqt uske haath se fisalta ja raha ho bohot tezi se.
Garage ke andar kadam rakhte hi ek ajeeb sa sannata usse mehsoos hota hai. Pehle yeh jagah awaazon se bhari rehti thi - tools ki, engine ki, Sanjay ji ki. Par aaj sirf khamoshi thi.
Woh aake ussi jagah khada ho jaata hai
Jahaan Sanjay ji ne aakhri Shan se liye the. Uski aankhein ussi jagah pe tik jaati hain.
“M-mujhe jaane do… maine kya bigaada hai tumhara…?”
“Nahiiiiiiii… MERI BETI KO NAHI!”
Jaise, Uske kaan mein woh cheekhein goonj uthti hain. Uski ungliyan dheere se band ho jaati hain. jaise woh kuch pakadna chah raha ho, par pakad nahi paa raha.
Tabhi-
Raju aake uske kandho pe haath rakhta hai.
Raju : Bhai?
Aur jaise hi Aryan apni soch se bahar aata hai-
Aryan : h-haan!
Woh thoda ladkhada jaata hai. Raju turant samajh jaata hai ki yeh sab uske liye kitna bhaari hai.
Raju : Main samajh sakta hoon… par abhi ke baare mein socho. Sanjay ji ab wapas nahi aayenge. Aue tumhe hi sambhalna hai.
Aryan (trying to respond ) : i-
Raju thoda gambhir ho jaata hai.
Raju : Iss garage mein itna bada hadsa ho gaya… tab se log yaha apni cars aur bikes leke nahi aa rahe hain. Aur tumhe pata hi hoga aise garage chalana mushkil hai.
Aryan aankhein jhuka leta hai, jaise already yeh sab uske dimaag mein chal raha ho.
Aryan (controlled voice) : Mujhe pata hai. Mumbai se aane ke baad main inn sab mein dhyaan dunga.
Raju : Par kaise? Tum toh abhi college-
Aryan uski baat wahi kaat deta hai. Uski awaaz gehri ho jaati hai.
Aryan (firm, resolved) : Agar padhai chhodni pade toh chhod dunga. *pause* Income zyada important hai… aur Naina. Inke beech agar mujhe padhai chhodni pade toh, wahi sahi.
Raju kuch der tak bas Aryan ko dekhta rehta hai. Uske chehre pe shock nahi, samajh hoti hai. Usne khud kabhi padhai nahi ki, jab se hosh sambhala tab se ghar aur zimmedariyaan hi dekhi. Woh jaanta hai, yeh decision bolna asaan nahi hota.
Ek mard ke upar jab zimmedari aa jaati hai toh, woh ladka nahi rehta. Aur abhi Aryan bhi wahi kar raha tha, khud ke liye nahi. doosron ke future ke liye soch raha tha. Raju phir poochta hai-
Raju : Aur Belu! uska kya kiya tumne?
Aryan ke honton pe ek muskaan aati hai, aur Woh turant baat palat deta hai.
Aryan : Leave it. Tumne Mumbai ka ticket kara diya na?
Raju (nods) : Haan! woh sab toh ho gaya. Par...
Woh garage ki Charon taraf dekhte hue,
Raju : Garage ka kya karna hai?
Aryan gehri saans leta hai, jaise yeh part sabse mushkil ho.
Aryan (honest, heavy tone) : I know… hadse ke baad garage abhi nahi chal rahi hai. Shayad tumhara pagaar bhi na de saku. Usse accha yeh hoga tum koi dusri kaam dhundh lo.
Raju : M-main?
Woh ek kadam aage badhta hai.
Raju : Main yaha Sanjay ji ke saath bohot saalon se kaam kar raha hoon. Aur aise waqt pe agar main yeh kaam chhod du toh-
Woh khud hi ruk jaata hai, sir hilaata hai.
Raju (firm) : Nahi. main aisa nahi kar sakta.
Aryan : It’s okay.
Raju : Nahi bhai! Namak khaya hai maine Sanjay ji ka, main aise nahi kaam chhod sakta.
Aryan chup ho jaata hai. Usse pata tha garage nahi chal raha, matlab Raju ko salary dena mushkil hoga… aur uske khud ke kharche bhi hain. Par Raju nahi maana. Ye dekh Aryan dheere se muskurata hai.
Aryan (respectful) : Uncle kismat wale the jo tum unke saath kaam kar rahe the. *Pause* Okay! mere Mumbai aane tak tum yaha sambhal lo. Main aake kuch sochta hoon.
Raju : Theek hai.
Aryan mudne lagta hai, phir rukta hai.
Aryan (thinking) : Main abhi bank jaaunga… pata nahi waha kitna time lag jaye. *he adds* Phir kuch aur kaam hai. aate waqt main tickets tumse lete jaunga.
Raju : Theek hai.
Aryan ek baar phir uss jagah ko dekhta hai. Aur phir bina kuch bole bahar nikal jaata hai.
---
Waha se nikal ke woh bank gaya, kucch paise nikaalne ke liye. Jahir hai dono Mumbai jaa rahe the, aur usse pata tha ki Mumbai yeh sheher kitna mehenga hai – har cheez ka daam aasman chhoo raha hai.
Line lambi thi, staff ki chaal tez nahi thi, aur har counter pe ek-ek aadmi ko pura form bharke, sign karke, fingerprint lagake hi paise mil rahe the. Aryan ka patience already zero level pe tha. Bank mein hi usse do-teen ghante lag gaye.
"Saala ye bank wale bhi. Jab paise dene ki baari aati hai tabhi innka chachle shuru ho jaate hain!"
Frustration mein uske muh se gaali nikal hi gayi. Bheed Mein Ek aadami Uske taraf Dekha toh,
Aryan (awkwardly smile) : samne dekhna louwdu!
Thoda aur wait karne ke baad uski baari aayi aur woh paise utha ke waha se nikal liya. wohi paise jo usne Avni ko Rajan ke chhangul se bachane ke baad mile the (Reference Update 8 - The Bond and an Invitation).
Bank se nikalne ke baad woh seedha kisi hospital mein ghus gaya. Karib aadhe ghante baad woh bahar nikla. Abhi shaam hone ko aa rahi thi, 4:50 ho chuka tha. Suraj dheere dheere laal ho raha tha, traffic ki awaaz badh rahi thi, aur Aryan ka dimag already Mumbai ke plan mein uljha hua tha.
Aryan bike start kar hi raha tha ki tabhi uska phone vibrate hua. Usne jeb se phone nikala toh dekha call Naina ka hi tha –
Aryan : haan! Bolo.
Udhar se Naina ki daant hi padi usse,
Naina : kya bolo???? Aap ne bola aaj Mumbai nikalna hai, kab jaana hai? Kuch nahi bola. Aur mujhe yaha chhod ke aap kaha gaye?
Aryan (sighs) : aa raha hoon.
Naina : aree par Mumbai ke liye kab nikalna hai? Mujhe taiyaar bhi toh hona hai. Aap toh yaha rakh ke chale gaye, mere kapde bhi ghar pe hi...
Aryan : Main abhi ghar hi jaa raha tha, aate waqt lete aaunga. Tum mujhse bata do kya pehenne wali ho?
Naina : woh.. main bed pe rahi thi. Subah yaha aane se pehle main kya pehenungi wahi dekh rahi thi, aap ek kaam karo bed mein jitne kapde rakhe hain woh sab leke aayo.
Aryan : what? Sab....!??
Naina : hummp! Aur nahi toh kya? Aap ne naa meri suni aap yaha mujhe rakh ke chale gaye, chup chap sab leke aayo.
Aryan (sighs) : okk baba okk! Rakhta hoon, kuch der mein aa jaunga.
Naina : arehh waitttttt!!!
Aryan : huh? Ab kya!? Naina abhi time nahi hai... Main aake baat karta hoon.
Naina : arehhh! suniye toh....
Aryan : jaldi bolo mujhe Raju se ticket lene bhi jaana hai.
Naina (blush) : umm~ woh-
Aryan : jaldi bolo??
Naina (blush) : bhaiya woh- M-main....!
Aryan : ye main main kya kar rahi ho??
Naina (blushes) : w-woh... Darasal....
Uski awaaz phone pe ajeeb si ho gayi thi halki si kaamp rahi, sharm se bhari hui. Idhar Aryan ka mathe pe nashe chadhe ja rahe the. Pehle bank ki line ne thaka diya tha, ab yeh Naina bhi usse pareshan kar rahi thi jaise koi chhoti bachchi ho. Woh apni bike pe baitha-baita hi aankhein band karke irritate ho raha tha.
Aryan : Bolo bhi??
Naina : Ehh!~ Main nahi bata sakti *blush* Check your WhatsApp.
Aur itna kehte hi Naina patak se call kat deti hai,
Aryan : YOU!!
Idhar Aryan bechara pehle se hi thoda gusse mein tha, bank mein itna time lagne ki wajah se aur yeh Naina bhi usse pareshan kar rahi thi. Usne bike ka engine off kiya aur phone khola.
*Beep-beep!*
Uske phone pe Naina ka message aaya. Aryan ne WhatsApp khola aur Naina ke chat ko open kiya toh, bechara Aryan khud hi sharma gaya.
Naina ne usse text bhejha tha-
Aryan message padhte hi khud sharma gaya. Usne toh dhyan hi nahi diya tha ki, kapdon ke saath Naina ko innerwears bhi chahiye honge? Woh apne hi sar pe thappad maarta hai.
"Shittt!"
Naina ki message padhne ke baad, pata nahi Kyu par, bike pe baithe-baithe hi Aryan ka lund thoda sakht sa hone laga.
"Okay!"
Bas itna likhke woh send kar deta hai, uske aage woh aur kuch kehta bhi kya?
Udhar, Naina ki haal kharab, bechari sharam se laal-peeli ho rahi thi. Usne pehli baar kisi ko apne innerwears laane ko bola tha, woh bhi apne bhaiya ko.
Phone kaatne ke baad woh Avni ke bed pe leti hui takiye mein muh chhupa ke leti rahi thi, uska dil sharam se zor-zor se dhadak raha tha.
---
Aryan pehle ghar pahuncha. Waha pahunchte hi usne Naina ke jo kapde lene ko kaha tha, bilkul waise hi utha liye, uski saari dresses, tops, jeans… aur haan, uske underwares bhi. Ek chhote se bag mein dono bhai-behen ka zaruri saman bhar liya brush, toothpaste aadi.
Ghar ko achhe se double lock karke woh seedha garage pouch ke raju se train ki ticket leke seedha Avni ke ghar ki taraf nikal pada.
*Ding! Dong!*
Bell bajte hi iss baar Surabhi aunty ne darwaza khola.
Surabhi (Smiles) : Arre waah! Tumhaari hi baatein ho rahi thi. Tumhari behen Naina toh abhi-abhi tumhe yaad kar rahi thi. Bol rahi thi, ‘Bhaiya kab aayenge?’
Naina (andar se awaaz aayi) : Ehhh! Auntyyy… aise mat boliye na!
Peeche-peeche Naina bhi aa gayi thi. Bechari itna sharma rahi thi ki zameen mein ghus jaaye. Uske gaal laal ho rahe the jaise koi ripe tomato. Nazar seedhi nahi kar paa rahi thi Aryan se.
Aryan (politely) : Thank you aunty, Naina ka itna khayal rakhne ke liye.
Surabhi (haath hilaate hue) : Arre sukriya ada mat karo beta! Tumne meri Avni ko bachaya tha. Uske saamne ye sab kuchh bhi nahi.
Aryan (smiles) : Meri jagah koi aur hota toh woh bhi wahi karta aunty. Koi badi baat nahi.
Phir woh Naina ki taraf muda. Haath mein ek medium size bag tha, jo usne ghar se laaya tha. Bag ko Naina ke haathon mein thama dete hue bola,
Aryan : Naina! Ye lo… yaha tumhare sab kapde hain. Ab Jaldi se taiyaar ho jao. 9:30 baje ka train hai raat ko. Abhi 6 baj gaye hain, toh jaldi karo warna platform pe daudna padega.
Naina (blush) : J-ji bhaiya.
Bechari Naina bag lete waqt mann mein soch rahi thi,
“Iss bag mein mere kapdon ke saath… mere underwares bhi honge. Aur bhaiya ne yeh sab uthaya hoga… matlab unhone haath se pakda hoga sab kuchh, meri underwares bhi. (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝)"
Yeh sochte hi uske pair thoda hil gaye. Sharam se uska chehra aur laal ho gaya. Woh jaldi se sar jhukakar bag lekar bhag gayi room ki taraf, jaise koi chor pakda gaya ho.
Surabhi (haste hue) : Tumhari behen bahut chulbuli hai beta.
Aryan (thoda muskurate hue) : Haan aunty, woh aisi hi hai… Achha! Avni di kahaan hai? Dikhai nahi de rahi?
Usne poocha hi tha ki tabhi, peeche se Avni haathon mein ek tray leke aayi. Tray mein garam-garam adrak wali chai ki do pyaliyan aur plate mein fresh alu ke parathe, upar se makhan daala hua,
Avni : Tum toh subah chale gaye the, ab aaye ho. Chalo, baatein baad mein. Pehle yeh kha lo.
Aryan (haath hilaate hue) : di, iski kya zarurat thi? Naina aur main thodi der mein nikal hi jaayenge.
Avni ( aankhein chadhate hue) : Sharm karo Aryan! Thoda sharm karo! Pehli baar ghar aaye ho aur subah sirf chhota sa nashta karke chale gaye. Mana mat karo… warna main naraaz ho jaaungi.
Aryan : Di?
Avni (chehra thoda udas karte hue) : Tumhari yehi baat mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai Aryan.
Uska chehra sach mein thoda udas sa ho gaya. Yeh dekh Aryan ko bhi bura laga. Usne turant Avni ke haathon se plate le liya aur ek bada sa tukada alu paratha ka, muh mein daal diya,
Aryan (chabate hue) : Theek hai… theek hai… main kha raha hoon. Aap mat naraz mat hoyea. *Smiles*
Avni : Good!
Aryan (khaate-khaate).: Waise Naina ne aap dono ko zyada pareshan toh nahi kiya na?
Surabhi (haste hue) : Arre nahi beta! Naina bahut acchi bacchi hai.
Teeno aise hi baatein karte rahe, aur Aryan ka khana bhi ho chuka tha. Lagbhag dedh ghante baad Naina taiyaar hokar bahar aayi.
Usne ek bahut pyari, soft pink colour ki salwar suit pehna tha. Halka sa dupatta kandhe pe, baal khule hue, thoda sa makeup bhi kiya tha. Sach mein bahut sundar lag rahi thi,
Avni : Naina! Bahut acchi lag rahi ho, Pink colour tumpe jaanch rahi hai.
Naina (Smiles) : T-thank you.
Woh chupke se Aryan ki taraf dekhi. Uske chehre pe saaf sharam thi ki, ab bhaiya zaroor koi tariff karenge. Par, Aryan ne uspe sirf ek Nazar daali, upar se neeche tak dekha, phir normal andaaz mein bola,
Aryan : Naina? tumne taiyaar hone mein ek ghante se bhi zyada time laga liya!? Anyway! chalo ab. 9 baje se pehle station pahunchna hai warna train chhoot jayegi.
Naina (muh banaate hue) : Huh!? Kya bhaiya… itna toh time lagta hi hai na ladkiyon ko!~
Aryan : Haan-haan! pata hai mujhe. Ab chalo, late ho rahe hain.
Naina ko compliment ki jagah seedha dant pad gayi. Woh andar hi andar apne aap se Kehti hai,
“Ek baar bhi nahi bole ‘acchi lag rahi ho’… bas 'time waste karne wali…' huh!”
Avni (haste hue) : Arre wait! Itni jaldi kya hai? Maa aur main bhi station tak chhodne aa rahe hain.
Aryan : But-!?
Avni (haath pakadte hue) : Kuchh but-vut nahi. Tumhare aane se pehle hi sab decide ho chuka tha. Kyun Naina?
Naina (jaldi se sar hilaate hue) : yup!
---
Station ki bheed apne peak par thi. platform par log behta jaa raha tha. Kahi chai walon ki “chai garam!” ki awaaz, toh kahi coolie apne kandhon par bhaari samaan uthaye tez kadmon se raste banate hue.
Surabhi, Avni, naina aur Aryan!
Chaaro taxi se utar kar jaldi jaldi platform ki taraf badhe the. Unke paas apni car nahi thi, isliye majboori mein taxi leni padi, but ab sabka dhiyan sirf ek cheez par tha: train miss na ho jaye.
Aryan sabse aage chal raha tha. Uske kadam tez the, lekin andar se woh bechain ho chuka tha. Jaise hi woh station ke andar aaya, uski dhadkanein ekdum se tez ho gayi. Kyun? Sirf woh jaanta tha.
Ek haath mein bag tha, dusre haath mein ticket. aur woh baar baar uss ticket ko dekh kar coach number match kar raha tha, jaise kahi kuch galat na ho jaye.
“B-4… B-4…” woh dheere se khud se bol raha tha, aankhon se platform par khadi lambi train ko talashi karte hue.
Uske peeche Naina, Avni aur Surabhi chal rahi thi. Naina ka chehra shaant tha, lekin uski aankhon mein halka sa tension aur excitement dono mix tha. Mumbai jaane ke kiye.
Iss chhoti si mulakat mein hi woh Avni aur Surabhi ke saath itni ghul mil gayi thi jaise woh kab se unhe jaanti ho. Avni kabhi usse kuch bolti, toh Naina halki si hasi ke saath jawab deti.
Kuch minute ki talash ke baad Aryan ne finally apna coach dhoond liya.
“Yeh raha… B-4,” usne halki si rahat ki saans lete hue kaha.
Abhi 9:39 bajne mein kuch hi minute baaki the. Train apni jagah par khadi thi, lekin usmein already movement shuru ho chuka tha - log chadh rahe the, utar rahe the, kuch log khidki se bahar jhaank kar apno ko dhoond rahe the.
Chaaro ab coach ke saamne khade the. Ek chhoti si khamoshi chaa gayi thi. Aryan ne dheere se kaha,
Aryan : App dono ka bohot shukriya.
Avni ne turant bhaav bhari nazar se uski taraf dekha,
Avni : Phir se??
Aryan (smiles) : Haha! sorry di.
Surabhi ne pyar bhari nazar se dono ko dekha, usse pata tha jaise, har badi bahan ko ek chhota bhai chahie hai, waise hi Avni ko ek chhota Bhai chahie tha. Aur ab woh Aryan ko bhai ki Tarah dekhti hai. phir woh Aryan se boli,
Surabhi : Waise beta, Mumbai jaa rahe ho toh dhyaan rakhna… woh sheher bohot bada hai.
Unhone bhala sochte huye hi boli thi, Par Aryan ke hothon par ek halki si muskaan aayi. Usse Mumbai ke baare mein pata tha, Woh khud uss sheher ka hissa tha. Par usne kuch nahi kaha.
Aryan : Ji aunty. Aur aap bhi apna aur Avni di ka khayal rakhna.
Surabhi ne apni bag se ek chhota sa tiffin nikala. Dheere se usse Naina ke haathon mein rakh diya.
“Yeh lo beta, raat ko bhook lage toh. Iss mein Parathe aur chatni hai."
Naina : Iski kya zarurat thi aunty?
Surabhi ke hothon par ek pyaari si muskaan aayi, woh boli - “Meri Avni kahi bahar jaati hai na, toh main hamesha yehi karti hoon. aur woh kabhi mana nahi karti.”
Uske Shabd mein ek maa ka pyaar tha, woh bilkul sachha tha. Aur wahi pyaar Naina ko ek dum se apni maa, Garima! yaad aa gayi. Woh yaadein jo woh daba ke rakhti thi, aaj bina bulaye saamne aa gayi. Uski Aankhon ke kone halki si nam ho gaye. Surabhi ne turant notice kar liya,
“Kya hua beta?”
Naina ne jaldi se aankhein jhapkaayi, apni aur halka sa sar naa mein hila diya,
Naina : Kuch nahi aunty, bas aise hi.
Par Aryan! usse sab samajh aa gaya tha.
Bina kuch kahe, usne apna haath badhakar Naina ke sar par rakh diya. Dheere se uske baalon ko sehlete hue, ek silent assurance diya.
Tabhi, loudspeaker par awaaz gunj uthi-
"Attention please!
May I have your kind attention please!
Yeh Saurashtra Mail train number 22846, Rajkot se Mumbai Central jaane wali gaadi, Kuchh hi Samay Mein Apne gantabya Sthal ki ore badhegi.
sabhi yatriyon se anurodh hai ki apna samaan sambhaal kar rakhein aur platform par utarte waqt dhyaan rakhein.
Platform par khade rehkar safar na karein. Dhanyavaad."
Announcement ki mechanical awaaz pure platform par phail gayi. Har koi ek pal ke liye ruk sa gaya. Avni ne halki si saans lete hue kaha,
“Oh! announcement ho gaya.”
Ab waqt aa chuka tha. Aryan ne ek gehri saans li, phir apna haath badhakar Naina ka haath pakad liya. Uss pakad mein ek ajeeb si mazbooti thi. jaise woh usse chhodna nahi chahta. Dusre haath se luggage ko Kas liya. usne Avni aur Surabhi ki taraf dekha,
“Aap log apna dhyaan rakhna.”
Avni aage badhi. Usne apne haath Aryan ke kandhon par rakhe. Dono ki aankhein ek dusre se mili. Uski awaaz dheemi ho gayi, “Aur tum bhi… waha se jaldi wapas aana. Aur mujhe call karte rehna, theek hai?”
Aryan ne halka sa muskura kar sir hila diya, “Bilkul.”
Phir, Naina! pata nahi Kyu, usne jhuk kar Surabhi ke pair chhuye. Sayad usse garima ki yaad aa rahi thi. Surabhi ne turant usse uthakar gale laga liya,
Surabhi : aise pair nahi padhte beta, aram se jaao aur safar pura karo. Aur jaise Avni ne kaha call karti rehna.
Naina muskurati hai, aur Agle hi pal, Aryan aur Naina train mein chadh gaye.
Train dheere dheere aage badhne lagi. Naina train ke darwaze ke paas aakar khadi ho gayi. Usne haath bahar nikaal kar zor zor se hilaya,
“Bye Avni di, bye aunty!”
Aryan bhi peeche khada muskura raha tha. Platform par khadi Avni bhi haath hila rahi thi, lekin jaise jaise train speed pakad rahi thi, uska haath dheere dheere neeche aane laga. Train tez hoti gayi… aur phir aankhon se ojhal ho gayi.
Ek pal mein sab kuch jaise khaali sa ho gaya.
Avni ke chehre ki muskaan dheere dheere gayab ho gayi. Dil mein ek ajeeb sa khalipan utar aaya. Usne dheere se khud se fusa fusa kar kaha,
“Kya ho tum, Aryan?”
Surabhi uske paas khadi thi. Usne bhi door jaati hui train ko dekha, usne apne hand fold karli, phir shaant awaaz mein boli,
“Jab do adhure parivaar milte hain na, beta. tab aisa hi hota hai.”
Avni ekdum se uski taraf mud gayi. Uski aankhon mein hairani thi, "maa ne kaise samajh liya?" Phir agle hi pal, usse samajh aa gaya -
Jaise Surabhi aur Avni apne aap mein adhure the, Pushkar ji ke Swarg Se dharne ke baad. Eaise hi Aryan aur Naina bhi. Aur jab aise do adhuri tukde milte hain, toh ek ajeeb sa Apnapan ban jaata hai.
Avni (softly) : I see!
Surabhi kuch pal chup rahi, phir thodi soch mein pad kar boli, “Par, mujhe ek baat samajh nahi aa rahi, Avni?"
Avni ne bhauen sikodte hue poocha,
“Kya maa?”
Surabhi ki nazar ab bhi uss raaste par thi jaha se train ojhal ho chuki thi. Uski awaaz halki si gehri ho gayi-
“Mujhe aisa kyun lagta hai, main pehle bhi Aryan ko kahi toh dekh chuki hoon?”
Avni ekdum se jhatke se unki taraf mudti hai. “Huh??”
---
Train ke dheere-dheere hilte huye coach ke andar ek alag hi duniya basi hui thi. Lohe ke pahiyon ki khadak-khadak awaaz, khidki se aa rahi thandi hawa, aur kabhi-kabhi door se aati chai-wale ki awaaz. sab milkar ek ajeeb sa safar ka ehsaas bana rahe the.
Aryan aur Naina apni lower berth par baith chuke the. Coach sleeper class ka tha simple, seedha, bina kisi shaan-shaukat ke. February ki halki thand abhi bhi hawa mein thi, isliye AC ki zarurat mehsoos nahi ho rahi thi.
Opposite berth par ek aurat baithi thi, saath mein ek ladki, Sayad unki beti. Woh kabhi idhar dekhti, kabhi udhar. aur kabhi Aryan aur Naina ki taraf curiosity se takta.
Aryan ne halka sa saans lete huye kaha,
Aryan : Abhi ke liye main bas itna hi afford kar sakta hoon, Naina! thoda manage kar lena.
Uski awaaz mein halka sa afsos tha. jaise woh aur zyada dena chahta ho, par halat uska saath na de rahe ho.
Naina ne bina ek second waste kiye uska haath pakad liya. Uski ungliyan garam thi. aur pakad mein ek ajeeb sa apnapan.
Naina (smiling softly) : Mere liye itna kaafi hai, bhaiya. *Pause* Par main aapse naraaz hoon.
Aryan ne bhauen chadha di, halka sa confuse hoke. "Hmm? Kyun bhala!??"
Naina ne muh phula liya, aankhon mein nakhra aur halka sa gussa, "Ooho dekho toh jaise kuch pata hi nahi hai… huhhh!"
Woh turant dusri taraf muh karke baith gayi, haath fold karke. Aryan bechara sar khujata reh gaya.
"Yeh ladki na. *Tch* kab kya ho jaata hai ise?" usne mann hi mann socha. Woh dheere se aage badha, Naina ke kandhe ko pakad kar use apni taraf kheench liya.
Aryan (softly) : Arey bolo toh sahi, naraazgi kyun hai?
Naina ne aankhein ghumayi, phir seedha uski aankhon mein dekhte huye boli-
Naina : Itni achchi dress pehni maine… aur aapne ek baar bhi tarif nahi ki. Huhhh! Dekha tha na station mein ladke kaise dekh rahe the mujhe? Aur aap ho ki... Main baat nahi karti aap se jaao.
Aryan ke hothon pe halki si muskaan aa gayi. "Ohh… toh yeh baat hai."
Woh thoda aur paas aaya. Naina ka chehra apni taraf modha. Uske baalon ki ek lat dheere se uske gaal pe gir rahi thi. Aryan ne uss lat ko apni ungliyon se uthakar uske kaan ke peeche kar diya.
Aryan (dhire se) : kya mujhe yeh kehne ki zarurat hai… ki meri gudiya kitni pyaari hai? Hmm?
*Dhak-dhak!*
Jaise hi yeh alfaaz uske kaano tak pahunche, Naina ki saanse tez ho gayi. Woh seedha Aryan ke bilkul kareeb thi, itni kareeb ki usse uski saans ki garmi mehsoos ho rahi thi. Uski aankhein sharam se jhuk gayi. Ungliyan bechain hokar ek dusre se khelne lagi.
Naina (halke kampte huye) : R-really?
Tabhi, Khidki se aa rahi thandi hawa uske baalon ko halka sa uda deti hai, Aryan ne phir se uske baalon ko sambhalte huye kaha-
Aryan (softly) : Avni di sahi keh rahi thi. Tum iss pink suit mein bohot cute lag rahi ho… Pinky~
Naina bechari andar se gadgad ho rahi thi, aakhir bhaiya se tariff jo sunne ko mila usse. Par jaise hi usse dhiyan diya, Aryan ne abhi abhi usse kya kehkar bulaya. Ek second ke liye sab thamm gaya.
Phir-
Naina : Wait! Aapne kya kaha abhi??? PINKY!??? YOU!!!
Woh turant bhadak uthi. Usne jhootha gussa dikhate huye Aryan ke seene par halki-halki mukke maarne shuru kar diye.
Aryan (laugh) : ahahahaha~
Naina : Mujhe Pinky bola!? Aapki toh…!"
Aryan (hans ke) : Arey arey… Naina! Ruko.. ruko.
Unn dono ki yeh chhoti-chhoti nok-jhok dekh kar saamne baithi aurat ke hothon par bhi ek halki si muskaan aa gayi. Woh kuch der tak unhe dekhti rahi..phir puch hi liya-
Aurat : Tum dono kaha se ho?
Aryan thoda seedha baith gaya. "Naina, chup chap baitho. log kya sochenge."
Naina : Huhh!
Aryan (Smiles) : Aunty, hum Rajkot se hain.
Aurat : Bhai-behen ho tum dono?
Yeh sunte hi, Naina ekdam se chup ho gayi. Uske gaal phir se halka laal ho gaye.
Naina (blush) : ...
Aryan (smiles) : Ji, yeh meri bahan hai.
Aurat : Samajh gayi thi, waise kaha jaa rahe ho?
Aryan : Mumbai-! ghoomne. Aur aap?
Aurat : Main bhi Mumbai jaa rahi hoon, par ghoomne nahi, kuch kaam hai waha.
Aryan : Achha!
Tabhi-
"Maa! mujhe bhook lagi hai!"
Uski chhoti si awaaz mein masoomiyat thi, par saath hi ek sachchi bhook bhi. Aurat ne use apni god mein le liya, halka sa muskurane ki koshish ki,
Aurat : Abhi toh khana khaya tha na tumne?
"Mmm!? Aap Jhooth Kyu bol rahi ho?"
Yeh sunte hi, Aryan ki nazar turant uss aurat ke kapdon par gayi, thode purane, thode maile huye, aur aankhon mein ek kaalapan. Jaise kai dino se soya nahi thi.
Aryan, bina kuch kahe apna bag khola. Surabhi ka diya hua tiffin nikala. Dheere se dhakkan khola, andar se Parathe ki ki khushboo phail gayi. Usne tiffin unki taraf badha diya.
Aryan : Lijiye aunty! bachche ko khila dijiye.
Aurat turant jhijhak gayi-
Aurat : Nahi beta, usne abhi khana kha liya hai.
"Maa! Bhook lagi hai!"
Uss ek pal mein jhooth toot gaya. Aurat ki aankhon se aansu tapak pade. Woh chup ho gayi, jaise uske paas koi jawab hi na ho. Aryan ne dheere se phir tiffin aage badhaya,
Aryan : Koi baat nahi aunty… lijiye na.
Is baar aurat mana nahi kar paayi. Usne aankhein pochhi. tiffin liya aur apne bacche ko khilane lagi. Bachcha turant khane par toot pada, jaise kaafi der se bhooka ho.
Aurat ki awaaz bhar aayi- "Bahut bahut shukriya beta, Bhagwan bhala kare tumhara. m-main ek vidhwa maa hoon *sniff* gaon se hoon. jaa rahi hoon apni maa ke paas thodi madad mangne."
Woh sisak uthi. Naina turant uthkar uske paas baith gayi. Unhe Sambhal ne. Insaniyat bhi ek chiz hai.
Naina (softly) : Aunty! sab theek ho jayega.
Coach ke andar kuch pal ke liye sab kuch shaant ho gaya. Sirf train ki awaaz, aur ek maa ke aansu.
Aryan chupchaap baitha raha, khidki ke bahar andhera dekhte huye. Uske mann mein ek hi khayal chal raha tha-
"Main apne aap ko badkismat samajhta tha, par yahan toh har koi apni-apni jang lad raha hai"
---
2 AM at night.
Train apni lagataar raftaar se andhere ko cheerte hue aage badh rahi thi. Poore coach mein andhera tha; halki neeli night light bas itni roshni de rahi thi ki chehre dhundhle se nazar aayein.
Sab so chuke the. Woh aurat bhi apne bachche ko apni baahon mein liye, parde ke uss paar chain ki neend so rahi thi.
Aur idhar.
Naina, gehri neend mein, apna sar Aryan ki goad mein rakhe hue thi. Uski saansein halki aur barabar chal rahi thi. Uske baal Aryan ke haathon ke neeche reshmi dhaagon ki tarah bikhre hue the. Aryan dheere dheere unn baalon ko sehla raha tha.
Par uski apni aankhon mein neend ka naam-o-nishaan nahi tha. Jaise jaise train Mumbai ki taraf badh rahi thi, uska dil bhi utni hi tezi se dhadak raha tha.
Uski aankhein khuli thi, lekin nazar kahin aur thi.
Usne ek gehri saans li. Dheere se chhodi, jaise khud ko sambhalne ki koshish kar raha ho.
Tabhi-
Ek ajeeb sa ehsaas huya, Jaise koi usse dekh raha ho. Seedha. Tez. Chubhne wali nazar.
Aryan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Uski ungliyaan Naina ke baalon mein theher gayi. Usne dheere se apni nazar uthayi, coach ke andhere mein jhanka.
Chaar log the iss compartment mein. Teen so rahe the. Sirf woh akele jaag raha tha. Phir bhi… yeh ehsaas jaa kyun nahi raha tha? Uski gardan halki si sardi se bhar gayi.
Aur phir-
“Huh?”
Uski nazar achanak jaake ruki, khidki par. Andhera. Bahaar sirf andhera tha. Lekin phir bhi Jaise koi waha tha.
Usne bahut sambhal kar Naina ka sar uthaya dheere se, taaki uski neend na toot jaaye. Bag ko uske sar ke neeche rakh diya. Naina halka sa hilli, lekin phir wapas shaant ho gayi.
Aryan dheere dheere uthkar khidki ki taraf badha. Har kadam halki aahat ke saath. Usne idhar-udhar dekha. Par Kuch nahi tha, Koi nahi tha. Bas andhera aur tez bhaagti hui Nazarein.
“Obviously… khidki ke paas kaun khada hoga?” usne khud se halki si hasi ke saath kaha, lekin uss hasi mein bhi bechaini chhupi thi.
Woh khidki ke saamne khada ho gaya.
Thandi hawa andar aa rahi thi, uske baalon ko hila rahi thi, uski shirt ko phadphada rahi thi. Raat ki thandak seedha uski haddiyon tak utar rahi thi. Aryan dheere se fussfusaaya-
“Kismat bhi kaisi hai? bilkul aisi hi ek raat thi… jab maine Mumbai chhoda tha. aur aaj… main wapas wahi jaa raha hoon!?”
Uske honton par ek halki si muskaan aayi. Phir-
*Silence.*
Achanak, jaise sab kuch chup ho gaya ho uske liye, Train ki awaaz, hawa ki sarsarahat, sab dheemi pad gayi ho. Jaise waqt ne apni chaal dheemi kar di ho. Uski aankhein andhere mein kho gayi. Aur phir-
Yaadein. Ek ek karke.
Usne dekha tha, thodi der pehle woh aurat apne bachche ko kaise pyaar se khana khila rahi thi, tab uski aankhon mein kitna sukoon tha, kitni mamta thi.
“Aur mujhe… kabhi maa ke haathon ka khana naseeb nahi hua? Maa rehtey huye bhi-!!”
Yeh lafz uske andar se nikle, bahut dheere se. Ek garam aansu uski aankh se nikal kar uske gaal par beh gaya. Uski nazar ab bhi bahar thi, lekin woh dekh kuch aur raha tha-
Apna bachpan. Khali pan, aur Dard.
Uska haath dheere se utha, aur usne khidki ke paas lagi lohe ki rod ko pakad liya. Thanda loha. Sakht. Jaise uski zindagi.
Uske dimag mein, Kai sare yaaden ghoom rahi thi, Kai sare logon ki tasveerein ghoomne lagi-
Jyoti, Anita, Ria, Mishka, Prakash, Shanti!
Har naam ke saath ek chehra. Har chehre ke saath ek kahani. Aur har kahani ke saath ek aur dard. Uski aankhon se aansu ab ruk nahi rahe the.
Usne palkein jhapki, Aur naye chehre ubhar aaye- Garima, Sanjay, Naina, avni,
Aur ek aakhri chehra - VIRAJ KAPOOR! Ka jo usne Myra ke ghar pe dekhata tha. Uska Naam aate hi, sab badal gaya. Dard gusse mein badal gaya.
Uski ungliyaan lohe ki rod par aur kas gayi. Itni zor se ki, uski haathon ki nasen ubhar aayi. Jaise woh rod ko tod dega, ya apni saari bhadaas usmein utaar dega. Uska jism tan gaya. Saansen tez ho gayi.
Aankhein, ab bhi andhere mein, lekin ab unmein nami ke saath aag bhi thi. Hawa ab bhi uske baalon ko uda rahi thi. Uske kapde phadphada rahe the. Uska chehra aansuon se bheeg chuka tha.
Aur phir-
Dheere se Aryan ke hont khule. Honthon ke kone upar uth gaye. Uske safed daant andhere mein chamke.
Aur phir-
“GRRRRRR!!!"
Ek bohot dheemi, Lekin gehri. Seene ke andar se nikli hui awaaz. Gusse aur dard se bhari hui. Woh awaaz train ki raftaar mein ghul gayi, Raat ke andhere mein kho gayi Lekin-
Aryan ke andar jo tufaan tha, Woh ab jaag chuka tha.
*
*
*
That's it for today guys! Iss update ko likhane mein bahut mehnat Lagi Mujhe. Chahe wo Writing Ho ya image's create karne mein. Update 9.5k+ word count ka tha. Ab aap log bhi thoda mehnat karo, like thok ke jaayo and review diya karo sabhi, padh Rahe ho toh. Baaki enjoy. Milte Hain next update Mein.
Itna achha update hai mere pas sabd nahi hUpdate 18 - The silence in the wind (2)
Previous...
Viraj Kapoor ki baat yaad aate hi usne muththi kas li thi. Kuchh der woh wahi pe baitha rehta hai.
Jab uski nazar saamne table pe rakhe khali chai ke cup par jaati hai toh cup uthakar kitchen mein rakhne ke liye uthata hai, woh peeche mudta hai, aur dekhta hai-
Aryan : Naina?!
Naina apne kamre ke darwaze ke saamne thi. Pata nahi woh kab se yaha khadi thi. Sayad jab se Aryan Surabhi aur Avni se baatein kar raha tha? Ya Shayad jab Avni Aryan ko hug kar rahi thi?
Par jab Aryan ki usse Nazar milti hai, woh uske taraf badhta hi hai ki-
THUD!
Naina darwaza zor se band kar deti hai.
Continue...
*Mumbai*
12 February - 3:49 AM at night.
Samay ko kuch din peeche le chalte hain… Sanjay ji ki maut ke theek ek din pehle ki raat.
Mumbai mein Aryan ke asli ghar ke andar uss raat kuch aur hi chal raha tha. Bahar se toh sab kuch shaant lag raha tha, lekin ghar ke ek kamre ke andar hawa mein itna bojh tha jaise kisi ne saalon purana raaz achanak zinda kar diya ho.
Kaafi jaddojehad ke baad aakhirkaar Purnima Aryan ki sachchai ke baare mein jaan chuki thi. Usse yeh sab Anita ne bataya, Aryan ki kasam dekar.
Anita ne jab se bolna shuru kiya tha tab se woh ruk hi nahi rahi thi. Beete kal ke baare mein batate-batate uski aankhon ke aansu tak sukh chuke the.
Lekin Purnima!?
Jaise hi usne woh ek baat suni -
“JYOTI DIDI NE APNE HAATHON SE BABU KI JAAN LI THI!”
Jaise uske pairon ke neeche se zameen hi khisak gayi.
Uske muh se ek dabbi hui cheekh nikli aur woh bilakhte hue seedha zameen par gir padi. Uske haath thande pad gaye the, ungliyan kaanp rahi thi, aur aankhen shock mein phaili hui Anita ko dekh rahi thi.
Nahi…! uska Aryan se koi lagaav nahi tha. Usne toh Aryan ko kabhi dekha tak nahi tha. Lekin baat Aryan ki nahi thi… baat Jyoti ke bete ki thi. Ek maa… apne hi bete ki jaan le le? Yeh baat uske dimag mein samajh hi nahi aa rahi thi.
Purnima zameen par baithi reh gayi. Uski saansein tez ho chuki thi, aankhen seedha Anita par tiki hui thi, jo uske saamne khadi sab kuch shaant chehre ke saath dekh rahi thi.
Purnima (shivering) : A-Anita tum… Tum yeh kya bol rahi ho? J-Jyoti di-!!?
Anita ne dekha Purnima sach mein buri tarah hil chuki thi. Woh dheere se jhuki, usne Purnima ke kandhon ko pakda aur use uthakar bistar par baitha diya.
Anita (smirks) : Maine chetaavni di thi aapko. Sach jaanne ki koshish mat karo. Aapko hi kasht hoga. Par aap toh-
Purnima : A-Anita yeh sach nahi ho sakta, hai na??
Anita : Yahi sach hai didi. Agar aapko mere muh par bharosa nahi… toh inn aankhon par kar lijiye. Inn aankhon ne sab kuch hote hue dekha hai.
Purnima : Toh t-tumne yeh sab hone kyun diya? Agar sab kuch tumhare saamne hi ho raha tha toh tumne roka kyun nahi? *Pause* Aur… aur gharwale bhi isme shaamil the? Kyun… kyun Aryan ko maara gaya?
Uske sawaal bilkul sahi the. Agar Anita sab kuch dekh rahi thi, sab kuch jaanti thi, toh usne kuch kiya kyun nahi? Anita kuch pal ke liye chup ho gayi. Kamre mein phir se ek gehra sannata chha gaya. Dono ek doosre ko dekh rahe the.
Lekin achanak Purnima khadi ho gayi-
Purnima : M-Main abhi Jyoti di ko confront karaungi. Haan! *Thinks* àaHaan! Main unse direct poochungi. Abhi ke abhi…!
Woh tez kadmon se darwaze ki taraf badhne lagi. Uska shareer abhi bhi kaanp raha tha lekin uske kadam ruk nahi rahe the.
Lekin jaise hi woh darwaze ke paas pahunchne wali thi-
"RUKIYE!!”
Peeche se Anita ki tez awaaz usko rok deti hai. Purnima ne aankhen sikod kar peeche mudkar Anita ko dekha.
Anita : Aapko kya lagta hai… Jyoti di aapko kuch batayengi? Itne dino se aap sabse pooch rahi thi. Bataiye… kya kisi ne jawab diya?
Purnima : i-
Anita : Nahi na? Iss haveli mein Babu ka naam lena tak mana hai. Aur aap soch rahi hain ki aapke poochne se sab kuch bata denge?
Purnima (yells) : TOH KAUN BATAYEGA MUJHE!? Kaun batayega ki ek maa ne apne hi bete ki jaan kyun li-!?
Anita : Shant rahiye didi, abhi sab so rahe honge.
Anita dheere se Purnima ko bistar par baitha deti hai.
Purnima : Tum-
Anita : Aap bhale hi iss ghar ki bahu ho, par aapko kuch nahi pata iss parivaar ke baare mein. Aapko pata hai iss parivaar ke log kaise hain?
Jahir si baat hai, Purnima iss ghar ki bahu hone ke naate parivaar ke har sadasya ko woh jaanti thi. Lekin itne saal America mein rehne ke baad woh iss ghar ke logon ko ab waise nahi jaanti thi jaise pehle jaanti thi.
Usne dheere se thook nigla, jaise khud ko taiyaar kar rahi ho aage ki baat sunne ke liye.
Purnima : i- *Gulp!* Nahi-!!
Anita : Hmm! Toh suniye.
Kehna jaari rakhte hue Anita peeche diwaar pe apni peeth tika deti hai. Uske peeth pe paseene ki boondein diwaar pe chipak jaati hain. Waise hi khadi rehti hai. Uski aankhen Purnima pe, uski awaaz shant thi lekin gehri-
Anita : Ghar ka waris jiski maut apne hi gharwale karte hain, kitni umar hogi tab mere Babu ki? Hmm! Barah saal. *Smiles* Mujhe yaad hai abhi bhi unka chehra.
Purnima (gasps) : T-Twelve years, sirf barah saal ka tha woh!!?
Anita (smiles) : Haan! Aur aapko pata hai Babu mujhe chhoti maa kehkar bulate the.
Yeh baat sunke Purnima ko achha nahi laga. Jahir hai, ghar ka waris agar kisi saadhaaran naukrani ko “chhoti maa” ka upadhi de toh kisi bhi gharwale ko achha nahi lagega. Aur Purnima jo asal mein chhoti maa thi, uspe hi chhoti maa ki upadhi jachti. Usko yeh baat thodi chubhti hai. Par woh Anita ko kehne deti hai.
Anita : Babu hamesha mujhse apni farmaaishein rakhte the, kehte the- “Chhoti maa mujhe yeh wala khilona chahiye!” - “Chhoti maa mujhe school nahi jaana!” *Smiles* Ek saadhaaran naukar hone ke bawajood unhone mujhe Jyoti di ki jagah baitha diya tha. Aur… aur main bhi hamesha Babu ke paas rehti thi, unhe khilaati thi, unke saath khelti thi, sulaati thi… Sab kuch main hi toh karti thi.
Purnima : Uska tumse lagaav tha, hai na?
Anita upar dekhti hai, apni aankhen band karti hai, jaise yaadon mein ek baar phir se doob rahi ho.
Anita (smiles) : Bahut~
Purnima : Aur baaki sab? Woh kaise the jab main yaha nahi rehti thi!!? I mean jab main amarica thi.
Anita : Ria aur Mishka- chhoti malkinein? Kehne ko toh dono didi hain Babu ki par unka vyavhaar kabhi didiyon jaisa tha nahi. Babu jab jeevit the tab koi fikar karta tha na, ab toh Babu hai bhi nahi.
Uski aawaz dhimi pad gai.
Purnima : Dono behenein bhi aisi thi?
Anita : Sab aise the, sab. aur ab bhi kuch nahi badla.
Purnima : Aur Jyoti di? Bhaishab! Saasuma! Unka kya? Woh kaise the? Unka vyavhaar kaise tha Aryan ke prati?
Anita (breathes in) : maa ji? Unka toh pyar ek tarafa tha sirf Ria-Mishka ke liye. Aur Prakash ji? Woh bhi apni maa ki tarah, unka pitrutva sirf Ria-Mishka ke liye tha, Babu ke liye nahi.
Purnima : A-aur Jyoti di?
Anita iss baar apni aankhen kholti hai.
Anita : Oh! Jyoti di? Hahaha!!
Purnima : K-Kya hue? Hans kyun rahi ho??
Anita : Ek maa jo apne kartavya se muh mod leti thi. Ek maa jo apne bacche ko doodh tak nahi pilati thi. Ek maa jo laalach mein gir chuki hai, aisi maa hai hamari Jyoti di. Heh-!
Yeh sunte hi Purnima ke hosh udd gaye. “Jyoti di ne kabhi Aryan ko doodh tak nahi pilaya tha?” Usne mann mein badbadhaaya. Par uski kaan khadi ho gayi jab usne suna, “Ek maa jo laalach mein giri hui hai, aisi maa hai hamari Jyoti di.” Woh ekdam se pooch uthi-
Purnima : Jyoti di laalach mein giri hui hain?? Kya matlab hai tumhara?
Anita : Haan! Jyoti di laalach mein giri hui hain, shaareerik sukh ka laalach. Woh… aaj kal English mein kya kehte hain? Haan! extramarital affair. Unka kisi gair mard ke saath avaidh sambandh hai.
*Silence*
Yeh sunke Purnima ki aankhen jaise vishwa mein badi ho gayi. Woh ekdam se virodh mein keh uthi-
Purnima : ANITA! Muh sambhal ke baat karo. Tumhe pata hai tum jiske baare mein bol rahi ho, woh Jyoti di hai. Dimag toh theek hai tumhara? Iss ghar ki bahuein aisi nahi hoti. Aur Jyoti di toh… woh toh-
Woh kehte-kehte ruk jaati hai. Yeh dekh Anita halki muskurati hai.
Anita : Boliye na, ruk kyun gayi? Ki Jyoti di toh devi jaisi hain, yahi kehne wali thi aap, hai na? Par keh kyun nahi paayi? Main barati hoon kyun… jo maa apne hi bacche ka dhyaan nahi rakhti, doodh tak nahi pilati. Woh kuch bhi kar sakti hai. Uske liye toh gair mard ke saath sambandh banana badi aasaan baat hai. Yehi na?
Purnima use vishwas bhi nahi ho raha tha, aur na hi woh Anita ki baat ko jhooth sabit kar sakti thi. Aur jab se woh yahan aayi hai, ek cheez toh usne notice ki thi ki Jyoti aur Prakash mein banti nahi hai. Toh aise mein Anita ki yeh baat sach hoti hui dikh rahi thi. Purnima apne daant kaste hue poochti hai,
Purnima : Main kaise maan loon ki tum jo keh rahi ho woh sach hai? Kya tumne apni aankhon se dekha tha?
Anita : Hmph! Jyoti di jo humesha ek lehje mein rehti hain, asal mein yeh unka dikhawa hai Purnima di, Sab dikhawa hai. Maine dekha tha, apni aankhon se dekha tha.
Purnima : K-Kya… kya dekha tha tumne??
Anita (stere) : kuchh saal phele ki baat hai, ek thandi ki raat-
Phir Anita batana suru karti hai usne jo Dekha tha. Ye tab ki baat hai jab Aryan school jaana suru kar diya tha.
---
Kuchh saal pehle ki baat hai, ek thandi ki raat thi, Ghar mein sannata tha.
Hameshaa ki tarah Chhota Aryan Anita ke paas hi so raha tha. Ria aur Mishka apne kamre mein so chuki thi, Shanti bhi nind mein thi. Aur Prakash, aaj unhe kisi urgent kaam ke liye sheher se bahar jaana pada tha, toh ghar mein sirf Aryan aur auratiyaan thi, ya kam se kam Anita ko toh aisa hi laga tha.
Raat ke khane se samy Jyoti bina khaye apne kamre mein chali gayi thi. Unka chehra udas sa tha, aankhein neeche jhuki hui, jaise koi bhari bojh unke seene pe lada hua tha. Unhone plate ko bhi nahi chhua tha, sirf halke se muskurakar kitchen se nikal li thi, Anita ne notice Kiya tha.
Aryan ko sulane ke baad, Anita sochne lagi,
"Jyoti di ne aaj kuchh khaya bhi nahi. pata nahi iss ghar ke log bohot ajeeb hain."
Yeh ghar, jaha har roz muskurahaton ke peeche chhupe dukh chhup jaate hain, aaj phir se Anita ko pareshan kar raha tha.
Dheere se, bohot dhyan se, woh Aryan ke bagal se uthti hai.
Phir, kitchen ki taraf chal padti hai, ek plate mein roti, sabzi aur thoda sa daal paros leti hai, Plate ko haathon mein sambhaalte hue, wou Jyoti ke kamre ki taraf badhti hai.
Jab woh unke kamre ke bahar pahunchti hai, darwaaza band tha, par ek halki si ched se roshni nahi, balki awaazein nikal rahi thi, aisi awaazein jo Anita ke saansen rok deti hain. Pehle toh sirf sannata, phir...
Mmmm~
Sluuuuurp~
Ummm~
ek gehri, ghoonti hui aah, jaise koi pyas bujhane ki koshish mein dubi ho.
koi bacchi nahi thi, Anita. Usko samajh aa gaya tha ki andar kya ho raha hai – woh awaazein, woh chhoti-chhoti siskiyaan, sab kuchh ek mahila ki ichchhaon ka izhaar kar rahi thi. Par uska dimag ghum gaya:
"Aaj Prakash ji toh ghar pe hain hi nahi! Toh phir Jyoti di...! abhi kis ke saath hain?"
Yeh soch kar hi Anita ki badan thanda pad gaya, haathon mein plate ka bojh ab bhari lagne laga. Janch-partaal karne ke liye, woh dheere se neeche jhukti hai, khidki ke neeche wale hisse ke chhote se gaddhe se jhaankti hai. Usne saans rok liya hai, taaki koi awaaz na ho.
Aur phir jo woh dekhti hain, aankhein vismay mein chadhi jaati hain, saansen atak jaati hain gale mein.
"J-Jyoti di????"
Kamra poora andhkar mein dubaa hua hai, sirf bahar ki halki si chandni khidki ke kone se andar gir rahi thi, chehre saaf nahi dikh rahe, sab kuchh dhundhlau, Par itna toh dikhai de raha hai: Ek mard aur aurat, unke jism ek-doosre se lipte hue the.
Ek anjaan shakhs Jyoti ko kamar se pakde hue tha, uske haath unki kamar par kas ke, ungliyan saari ke kapde mein dubi hui, jaise chhodne ka naam na le.
Aur Jyoti... woh usse baar-baar chum rahi thi, honth uske honthon pe ragadte hue, bhookhe jaise, har chumban mein ek gehri si siski nikalti hui.
mmmm~
Kuchh samay baad, woh shakhs chumban todta hai, uski saansein tezi se chal rahi hain, uska seena oopar-neeche ho raha hai andhere mein.
Jyoti : Huhff~ Shehrichhora~ huff~ chumma kaa rok liyo re?
Uski awaaz mein taras tha, saansen abhi bhi bhari hui, jaise woh zyada hi gehraai mein dubi thi.
? : Abhi jaana hoga mujhe, Jyoti.
Jyoti ne uski kamar ko aur kas ke pakad liya, jaise woh kahi jaane na de, unke haath uske peeth pe phail gaye, ungliyan uski shirt mein gad jaati hui, ek zor ki khinchav.
Jyoti : Tharo fir se mhanne chhod ke jaavego? Kaa har-baar mhanne akeli chhod ke jaave ho tum?
Uski awaaz kampkampa rahi thi, andhere mein bhi main mehsoos ho rahi thi.
? : Mujhe jaana hoga, aur tumhe intezar.
Jyoti (hugging tightly) : Umar bhat re mhanne kit re intezar karno padego???
Uski baahon ki pakad aur mazboot ho gayi, jaise woh usse chhodne ko taiyaar na ho – unka jism uske jism se chipka hua, saanson ka milan ab bhi garam.
? : Sayad!
Jyoti : Toh tharo fir se ithe aayo kyu re? Baar-baar mhanne dukh pahunchavo, kaa yehi tharo maksad hai? Bol re...!
Uski awaaz toot rahi thi, jaise aansuon se bhari ho, har shabd mein ek siski.
? : N-nahi main...!
Jyoti (wet eyes) : Thik hai... aaj ri raat mhane chhod ke nai jaave re shehrichhore! Sirf pyar do mhanne, dukh nai dena... bolo, pyar doge na?!
Ab unki awaaz mein vinamrata thi, taras bhara, jaise woh uske paaon gir rahi hon. Anita bahar se sab sun rahi thi, uska chehra tap raha tha sharm se, par aankhein hat nahi rahi thi.
? : Par, abhi ghar mein sab honge, agar kisi ne dekh liya toh barkheda ho jaayegaa.
Woh shakhs ki awaaz mein darr tha, par Jyoti ne usse aur kas ke jhapka liya.
Jyoti (desperately) : Aaj Prakash ghar pe nai hai. Ria aur Mishka so chuki hai. Aur woh- *pause* ...woh (Aryan) bhi Anita sang so gayo hai. Kano-kaan khabar nai jaavegi... mhanne vishwas kar, koi nai jaan paavego.
Yeh sunte hi Anita ka badan safed pad gaya, Andhere ki wajah se usko kuchh saaf nahi dikh raha tha, awaazon se toh Jyoti ko pehchaan gayi thi, par woh gair mard... uska chehra dhundhla sa, sirf silaawat dikhai de rahi thi.
Idhar, uss anjaan shakhs ke chehre pe ek teekhi si muskaan khil jaati hai, andhere mein bhi woh chamak dikhai di, Woh jhukta hai wapas Jyoti ke muh ko apne honthon mein sama leta hai. chumban gehra, zor ka, honth ek-doosre mein ragadte hue,
sluuuurp~
ki awaaz phir se goonjti hai, saanso ka bhayankar milan. Chumte hue, woh dheere se Jyoti ko bistar pe lita deta hai. unka jism neeche dhasta hua.
Phir, uske haath Jyoti ke seene par jaate hain, saari ka pallu dheere-dheere utaar dete hain.
Yeh dekh kar Anita ki aankhein hairani aur ghin mein badi ho jaati hain,
"Bas...! Bas!!"
Yeh soch kar woh aur nahi dekh paati, uska pet ulat raha tha, chehra bigar gaya tha, jaise koi kaala raaz khul gaya ho, Jyoti ke.
Anita khidki ke paas se uthti hai, haath kampkampa rahe the uske, plate girne ko ho rahi hai par usne usse kas ke pakad leti hai. Apna hairani mein khula muh apne pallu se dhak kar, bahar se bhag jaati hai.
Aaj usne apni uss Jyoti di ki ek aisi kaali kartut dekh li thi ki, vishwas hi ud gaya tha. Woh Jyoti di, jo hamesha muskurati thi, ghar ki badi Bahu, ab... yeh sab? Andhera toh chhup gaya tha, par ye Ghar abhi bhi andhere mein dubaa hua tha.
---
Purnima jo bas muh khule Anita ko ghure jaa rahi thi, aaj Anita ne iss ghar ke sabhi sadashya ko uske samne khuli kitab ki tarah baya kar chuki hai.
Phir se ek baar sannata cha gaya tha.
Purnima ko jaise sap shungh gaya ho. uski Jyoti di aisi aurat hai? Usne kabhi socha nahi tha. Ek devarani jisne hamesha Jyoti ko jethani ki tarah nahi balki, ek badi bahan ki tarah manti thi, wahi Jyoti sab ke peeth peeche aisi hai?-
"Apne hi bete ki jaan leti hai aur upar se gair sambandh rakhti hai dusre mardon ke saath?"
Purnima ka sarr bhaari hone laga. Kamra uski aankhon ke saamne dheere-dheere ghoomne laga. Tabhi Anita ki awaaz uss sannate ko cheer deti hai.
Anita : jo huya achcha huya, purnima didi.
Purnima ne dheere se sarr uthaya. Uske chehre par spasht uljhan thi.
Purnima (confused) : ???
Anita : achcha huya ki mera babu maar gaya-
Purnima (shouts) : ANITA!!! Kya bol rahi ho tum??? Ghar ka warish, iklauta beta maar gaya aur tum keh rahi ho Accha huya? Mujhe toh laga tha tumhara Aryan se lagav tha-
Anita (Smiles) : sahi toh keh rahi hoon, achcha huya mera babu maar gaya. Agar babu aaj zinda hote aur apni maa ke iss gair sambandh ke baare mein jaante… toh unhe kitna dard hota.
Purnima : you-
Par, Purnima chup ho gayi. Uske paas kehne ke liye kuch nahi tha.
Anita : ...?
Kuch lamhon tak dono ke beech sirf khamoshi thi. Lekin aaj uss khamoshi mein bhi sachchaiyon ka bojh tha. Purnima ki aankhon se dheere-dheere parde uth rahe the. Har ek sach uske dil ko chhed raha tha.
Phir achanak jaise usse kuch yaad aaya. Uski aankhen sikud gayi.
Purnima : aur tum, Anita! Sab ke baare mein bataya tumne, khud ke baare mein nahi?
Anita : oh!
Purnima : batao tunhare baare mein- ...huh!
Purnima kehte-khute ruk gayi, Kyunki Anita ne apni nazre dusri taraf jhuka li thi, purnima uss taraf dekhti hai jaha Anita ki aankhe tiki huye thi.
Woh dekhti hai-
Diwar ke uss hisse mein Barah saal ke Aryan ki tasveer. Tasveer mein Aryan muskura raha tha. Jaise usse duniya ke kisi dard ka ehsaas hi na ho.
Tabhi-
Anita ke honton par phir se woh halki si muskaan aayi.
Anita (smiles) : Aur mein? Main woh hoon didi, jisne Babu ka vishwas jeeta. Maine jataya ki babu iss ghar mein akela nahi hai, koi hai jo unke paas hai unka dhiyan rakhne ke liye.
Purnima : ...!
Anita (Smiles) : Main hi toh woh hoon jisne Babu ka vishwas jeeta. Jo pyaar babu ko apni maa Jyoti di ne nahi diya, woh pyaar Meine babu ko diya. Aur-
Purnima : ???
Anita ke chehre par muskaan aur gehri ho gayi. Aur phir usne woh baat kahi- jo Purnima ki duniya ko poori tarah tod dene wali thi.
Anita : A-aur main hi toh Woh hoon jisne Babu ko unke mout tak le gayi thi, Jyoti di toh babu ki jaan li thi par, main? *Smiles* main toh woh hoon jisne Babu ko unke mout tak dhakela.
*Silence*
Ye sunte hi purnima ki aankhe baadi hoti chali gayi, uske aankhon se aanshu gire, uska dill zoro se dhadak raha tha. Abhi tak usse lag raha tha ki kharir Anita ek louti hogi jiska Aryan se thoda bohat lagav tha.
Par.. par yeha toh har sacchai jhoothi sabhit ho rahi hai aaj. Anita khud iss mein shamil hai.
Kamra Mein bilkul pin drop silence ho gaya, tabhi bahar se Suraj ki pehli kirane bhi nikal aati hai, ghar ka andhera ab ujale mein ghut gaya tha, par Andar dill mein?
Aaj poori raat apne hi parivar ki aisi kaali sanchai jaanke, uska dil andar se toot chuka tha, Bilkul. Woh stadhb hoke bas Anita ko dekhe jaa rahi thi, uske muh se ab koi shabdh nahi Nikal rahe the.
Jo usse jannna tha woh jaan chuki thi, aur aage jaane ka uske andar ab sahas nahi bachi thi. Isse jiyada woh aur kucch hazam nahi kar paayegi.
Kya soch mein woh america se India wapas aaye thi? Aaj usne pehli baar apne aap se Sawal pucha.
Anita : didi?
Purnima kucch jawab nahi deti, woh ghadi ko dekhti hai, ghadi 6:50 AM dikha rahi thi. Woh dhire se uthti hai, apne Aankhe poch kar baha se Seedha Bhavya ke kamre ki taraf doud jaati hai. Anita usse rok bhi nahi paye.
---
THAK-THAK! THAK! THAK!
Darwaaze par padti zor-zor ki dastak ne poore ghar ki subah ki khamoshi tod di.
“Bhavya! Bhavya darwaza khol! BHAVYAAA!”
Aawaz mein darr tha, gussa tha… aur ek ajeeb si ghin bhi. Apni maa ki aisi tez, kapti hui aawaz sun kar andar so rahi Bhavya ghabra kar uth baithi. Uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Woh jaldi se darwaaza kholti hai. Darwaaza khulte hi uski saansein atak jaati hain.
Bhavya : Mom?
Uske saamne Purnima khadi thi. bikhre baal, laal aankhein, saans tez. Aisa lag raha tha jaise woh raat bhar soyi hi na ho.
Magar Purnima bina ek shabd bole uske kamre ke andar ghus jaati hai. Seedha almirah ke paas.
Dhadaak!
Almirah khulti hai aur Purnima tezi se kapde nikaalne lagti hai. Bhavya bilkul samajh nahi pa rahi thi kya ho raha hai.
Bhavya : Mom! Wait what happened? Kapde kyun nikaal rahi ho aap?
Purnima uski baat bilkul ignore karti hai.
Kapde ek-ek karke tezi se uske trunk luggage mein bharne lagti hai.
Bhavya : Mom??
Tab Purnima achanak mudti hai. Uski aankhein gusse se bhari hui thi.
Purnima : Bhavya… get ready. Taiyaar ho jao. I Said JALDI.
Bhavya ek pal ke liye jam si jaati hai.
Bhavya : Huh? Hum… kahin jaa rahe hain kya?
Purnima usse aisi nazar se dekhti hai ki Bhavya ki baat wahi dab jaati hai. India aane ke baad se Bhavya ne apni maa ko sirf do baar itne gusse mein dekha tha. Aur aaj… woh dusri baar tha. Bhavya chup chaap taiyaar hone lagti hai.
Kuch hi derr mein luggage bandh ho chuka tha. Purnima ne sab samaan utha liya. Bhavya bhi taiyaar ho chuki thi. Purnima uska haath kas ke pakadti hai, jaise darr ho ki agar chhod diya toh woh kho jayegi.
Aur dono ghar se nikalne lagte hain. Tabhi peeche se ek aawaz aati hai-
“Purnima!”
Dono ruk jaate hain. Purnima dheere se mudti hai. Seedhiyon ke paas jyoti khadi thi… haathon mein pooja ki thali. Shayad abhi-abhi subah ki aarti karke aayi thi. Diya ki lau abhi bhi hil rahi thi.
Jyoti : Ye luggage? Purnima! Kahi jaa rahi ho?
Purnima kuch nahi bolti. Woh bas Bhavya ka haath aur zor se pakad kar nikalne lagti hai.
Magar tab tak subah ho chuki thi. Baaki ghar wale bhi jaag gaye the. Prakash, Shanti aur Pankaaj bhi seedhiyon se neeche aa rahe the.
Jaisi hi unhone Purnima ke haath mein luggage dekha-
Pankaj : Purnima, kaha jaa rahi ho?
Shanti : Bahu…?
Prakash : Kya hua?
Jyoti : Purni??
Sabke sawaalon ke beech Purnima apne daanton se apne hont daba leti hai. Uski aawaz bhaari ho chuki thi. Jaise dil ke andar kuch toot chuka ho.
Phir woh bolti hai-
Purnima : Me and Bhavya are going back to America. Hum wapas jaa rahe hain.
Ghar mein ek pal ke liye sannata chha jaata hai.
Shanti : Bahu?
Bhavya (confused) : Mom…?
Pankaaj : Purnima… hamari baat toh hui thi na, ki hum ab se India mein hi rahenge. Hamara business bhi America se India transfer ho raha hai.
Purnima : NO! I don’t want to live here.
Sab ke chehre par hairani.
Pankaaj : Huh? But why!? Tum toh India aane ke liye paagal ho rahi thi. Ab kya ho gaya?”
Jyoti : purni?
Purnima ki aankhon mein ab nafrat chamak uthi, Jyoti ke liye.
Purnima : Maine bola na… main yaha nahi rehna chahti. Main aur meri beti iss ghar mein ek minute bhi nahi rahenge. That’s it. Chalo Bhavya.
Shanti : Par hua kya hai, bahu?
Purnima ek thandi Lekin, tikhhi muskaan deti hai.
Purnima : Aur kya baaki reh gaya hai hone ke liye, sasuma? Aap logon ne kuch chhoda hi kaha hai?
Shanti : Huh!?
Pankaj : ???
Prakash : ???
Jyoti dheere se pooja ki thali side mein rakh deti hai. Woh Purnima ke paas aati hai. Usse samjhaane ki koshish karti hai. Usse bilkul pata nahi tha ki Purnima sab sach jaan chuki hai.
Jyoti (halke smile ke saath) : Accha… ab samjhi. Uss din Pankaj ne tumhe thappad maara tha iss liye gusse mein ghar chhodne ki baat kar rahi ho, hai na?
Woh pyaar se bolti hai.
“Ismein ghar kyun chhodna, Purni? Theek hai tum Pankaaj se baat mat karo. par hum toh hain na tumhare liye.”
Phir woh Bhavya ki taraf mudti hai.
Jyoti : Maa thoda naraz hai. Bhavya beta, jao tum apne kamre mein jao.
Bhavya : J-ji… Umm mom?
Lekin tabhi-
Purnima : Aur kitna NATAK karogi, didi?
Jyoti : Huh?!?!?
Achanak Purnima chilla uthti hai,
Purnima (yells) : AUR KITNA NATAK KAROGI!? HAAN!? AUR KITNA!?”
Uski cheekh se poora ghar kaamp uthta hai. Ek pal ke liye toh Jyoti, Shanti, Prakash aur Pankaj bhi hil jaate hain.
Jyoti : P-Purni-!!?
Purnima : Bas didi! Bohot sunn li tumhari baatein! Bohot innocent banne ki koshish karti ho tum… Lekin asal mein ho kuch aur hi!
Jyoti : P-Purni… kya bol rahi ho tum? Shant ho jao. Bhavya beta aap jao kamre mein-
Purnima (garajte hue) : ENOUGH! BAS KARO DIDI! YE INNOCENT BANNE KA NATAK AB BAND KARO! I KNOW EVERYTHING NOW!”
Uski aankhon se aansu girne lagte hain.
Phir woh woh shabd bolti hai jo iss ghar ki saari hawa jam dete hain-
Purnima : TUMNE APNE HI BACCHE KO MAAR DAALA! YOU’RE A MURDERER!
APNE BACCHE KI MURDERER!
Jaise hi yeh shabd ghoonj kar ghar mein phailte hain. Jyoti ke pair dagmaga jaate hain. Uska chehra safed pad jaata hai.
Chink!
Woh ek kadam...
Chink!
Do kadam…
Chink!
Teen kadam peeche hat jaati hai. Jaise zameen uske neeche se khisak gayi ho.
Purnima (roti hui) : YOU ARE A MURDERER. You… you are… A MURDERER! *sniff* How could you..? You killed your own son!
Uski aawaz toot jaati hai.
“Aap sab ne mujhse sach chhupaya… issliye koi mujhe Aryan ke baare mein nahi batata tha… issliye…! *Sniff*"
Bhavya ka sharir ye sunn kaanp raha tha. Uski aawaz bhi tharthara rahi thi.
Bhavya : M-Mom…? Is… is it true? K-kya-
Purnima apni beti ko dekhti hai. Uski aankhon mein dard bhar jaata hai.
Purnima : Yes! my baby. Maine sab pata kar liya. Tum jis bhai ke liye tadap rahi thi na. Usko tumhari Taiji ne maar diya. *sniff* Beta… maar diya.
CHINK!-CHINK! Chink! Chink! Chink!
Jyoti ke pairon ki payal ki awaaz goonjti hai. Woh bina peeche mude, Sir jhukaye Tezi se waha se bhaag jaati hai.
Shanti : Purnima! Tumhe kisne-
Purnima : Bas! Sasuma, bas! Aur nahi! Aap toh kuch boliye hi mat! Aapki wajah se pehle bhi sab kuch toota tha! Aapki beti-
Woh apni baat poori karti usse pehle- Pankaaj gusse se aage badhta hai. Uska haath uthta hai. Jaise woh Purnima ko thappad maarne wala ho.
Lekin-
Purnima : Wahi ruk jao, Pankaaj. Agar aaj tumne phir se mujh par haath uthaya na toh, main bhool jaungi ki tum mere pati ho. Domestic violence ka case thok dungi. Phir na tum America jaa paoge… Na India mein chain se reh paoge.
Pankaj ka haath hawa mein hi ruk jaata hai.
Pankaj (gusse se) : YOU-
Purnima : Chal Bhavya.
Uski aawaz ab thak chuki thi. Woh Bhavya ka haath pakad leti hai.
“Main iss ghar mein rehna nahi chahti. Aur na hi tujhe yaha rehne dungi. Jis ghar ne apne hi bete ko maar diya. Kya pata… ye log tujhe bhi- *sniff* chal. Yaha se chal.'
Purnima apna luggage uthati hai. Aur Bhavya ka haath pakad kar usse le jaati hai. Bhavya khud bhi samajh nahi paa rahi thi kya ho raha hai. Uske paas bolne ke liye shabd hi nahi bache the.
Iss subah ke hungame aur Purnima ki cheekhon se Ria aur Mishka bhi jaag gaye the. Lekin jab tak woh neeche aate. Sab khatam ho chuka tha. Darwaaza khula toh tha lekin Ghar mein khamoshi thi.
Aur,
Purnima Bhavya ko le kar jaa chuki thi.
***
26 feb - 9:30PM.
Naina apne kamre ke kone mein palang par ghutne samet kar baithi thi. Uski peeth deewar se lagi hui thi, aur dono baahon ke beech woh ek purana sa photo frame sambhale hue thi - uske maa aur papa ki tasveer.
Uski ungliyaan dheere-dheere frame ke glass par phisal rahi thi, jaise woh tasveer ko nahi… balki un dono ko hi chhoo rahi ho. Jaise bas ek pal mein papa uske saamne aa kar muskura denge.
Par aisa kuch nahi hua.
Kamre mein sirf uski dabti hui siskion ki awaaz thi.
Uski aankhon se behte hue aansu frame ke kone par tapak rahe the. Uske aansu sach bol rahe the - woh sach jise woh khud bhi maanta nahi chahti thi. Sanjay ji ab kabhi wapas nahi aayenge.
Naina ka gala bhar aata hai. Woh tasveer ko apne se aur kareeb kar leti hai, jaise usse chhod degi toh sab kuch sach ho jayega.
Naina : pehele maa mujhe chhod ke chali Gaye, aur ab aap bhi papa? *Sniff* aap dono itne swarthi kaise ho sakte ho? *Hic*
Uski awaaz toot rahi thi. Har lafz ke saath uska dil jaise aur zyada bhaari hota ja raha tha.
Pita ka saaya khona kya hota hai, aaj Naina se behtar shayad koi nahi samajh sakta tha.
Uski naak laal ho chuki thi, gaal aansuon se bheeg chuke the. Aankhen itni ro chuki thi ki bilkul laal aur soojh gayi thi. Jo chehra hamesha chamakta rehta tha, aaj uss par sirf dard tha. Thakan thi. Aur ek gehri tanhaayi.
Naina (sob) : mejhe akele chhod ke chale gaye, aap dono. Ab- ab mein- *Sniff*
THAK! THAK!
Tabhi- Darwaze par zor se dastak hoti hai.
"Naina, Darwaza kholo!"
Bahar se Aryan ki awaaz aati hai, thodi si bechain, thodi si sambhali hui. Kuch der pehle hi Naina ne uske muh par darwaza band kar diya tha. Par Aryan ne uss baat ka bura nahi maana tha. kam se kam abhi tak toh nahi.
Naina jaldi se seedhi baithti hai. Apni aankhon ko haathon se pochti hai, lekin aansuon ki nami abhi bhi uske chehre par chamak rahi thi. Woh photo frame ko dheere se side table par rakh deti hai.
Naina : *Sniff* khula hai!
Darwaza dheere se khulta hai. Aryan andar aata hai. Uske haath mein ek plate, khana rakha hua. Shayad woh kaafi der se use manaane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Woh aake palang par Naina ke paas baith jata hai. Naina kuch nahi kehti. Bas usse dekhti rehti hai, ek ajeeb si khamoshi ke saath.
Aryan : gudiya! Thoda sa kha lo.
Naina : aap Jao.
Uski awaaz bilkul seedhi thi par, usmein jo thakan aur dard tha, woh chhup nahi raha tha. Aryan kuch pal use dekhta rehta hai. Phir chup chaap plate ko side table par rakh deta hai.
Woh dheere se Naina ka haath pakad leta hai.
Aryan : mujhe pata hai gudiya, uncle ke jaane ke baad tumhe kaise mehsus ho raha hoga. Par tum aise bina khaye...! ye bhi toh Acchi baat nahi hai na? Chalo muh kholo-
Woh plate se ek chhota sa niwala uthata hai aur Naina ki taraf badhata hai. Par Naina achanak haath utha kar usse rok deti hai.
Ek jhatke se.
Woh turant palang se uth kar khadi ho jaati hai aur usse peeth kar leti hai. Aryan ke haath hawa mein hi ruk jaate hain. Uska chehra ek pal ke liye bilkul sookh jaata hai.
Uske andar jaise do jazbaat lad rahe tha - ek taraf dard… aur doosri taraf darr.
Woh chup chaap Naina ko dekhta rehta hai.
Phir ek gehri saans leta hai, jaise khud ko sambhal raha ho.
Aryan : Naina! Naina i know, ye dukh mujhe bhi ho raha hai, Sanjay uncle ko main bhi utna hi chata hoon jitna ki tum.
Naina bina peeche mude khadi rehti hai. Uski peeth seedhi hai… par uske kandhe halki-halki kaamp rahe hain. Phir woh dheere se bolti hai.
Uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si kampan thi. dard bhi, aur...? kuch aur bhi.
"Ohh! Toh aap bhhol rahe ho...? P-papa ki jaan aapki wajah se gayi hai."
Sunte hi Aryan ke haath dheere se neeche gir jaate hain. Jaise kisi ne uske pairon ke neeche se zameen kheench li ho. Uska chehra safed pad jata hai. Uske dil mein jis baat ka darr itne dinon se chhupa hua tha.
Aaj Naina ne wahi keh diya tha.
Aryan : N-naina-!
Naina (sob) : aapne uss din uss Viraj ko dhamki di thi, maine suna tha. Aur- aur woh *Sniff* mere papa ki jaan lekar badla poora kya.
Aryan ek pal ke liye bilkul jam sa gaya. Uski aankhen halka sa phail gayi, jaise usse yakeen hi na ho ki Naina ye sab keh rahi hai.
Aryan : N-naina Meine tunhare liye-
Par uski baat adhuri reh gay. Kyuki agle hi pal kamre mein bas Naina ki cheekh gunj uthi.
"Kya.. kya maine bola tha aap ko mujhe bachao?? Boliye! Uss din aagar aap ne Viraj ko dhanki naa di hoti toh papa aaj zinda hote *sniff* zinda hote."
Uski awaaz toot rahi thi, par har lafz teer ki tarah nikal raha tha.
Aryan : i- N-naina......!
Naina ka seena tez tez uth-gir raha tha. Uske aansu rukne ka naam hi nahi le rahe the. Phir achanak uske andar jaise saalon ka dabaa hua dard phat pada.
Naina : Aap ki wajesh se *Sniff* Bhaiya! Phele hi...! Phele hi aap ki wajesh se MERI MAA GHAR CHHOD KE CHALI GAYE HAI-
Aur bas.
Woh lafz… jo shayad abhi muh se nikalne ke liye nahi bane the aaj nikal hi gaye. Kamra ek pal ke liye bilkul khamosh ho gaya.
Naina ki maa, Garima! woh mari nahi thi. Woh ghar chhod kar chali gayi thi. Aur uska sabab Aryan tha.
Aryan ke dil mein jo khauf itne saalon se chhupa hua tha, aaj woh sach ban kar uske saamne khada tha.
Uske kadam dheere dheere bhaari hone lage. Jaise zameen usse kheech rahi ho. Naina ke har lafz jaise uske seene ko andar tak cheer rahe the.
Naina : maa bhi Chali gaye *sniff* aur ab papa bhi, Bhaiya- waaaaaaa! Aap jab se iss Ghar mein aaye ho tab se... Tab se main sab kuchh na kuchh khoti jaa rahi hoon. *Sniff* maa-papa sab chale gaye mujhe chhod ke....! *Sniff*
Woh bilkul toot chuki thi.
Uska roona ab siskion se aage badh chuka tha woh dard bhari cheekhon mein badal raha tha.
Saalo se jo baatein usne apne dil ke sabse gehre kone mein daba kar rakhi thi. aaj woh sab bahar aa rahi thi.
Aryan : i-
Aryan ne ek kadam Naina ki taraf badhaya. Bas ek kadam. Jaise woh usse sambhalna chahta ho. Par agle hi pal uske kadam ruk gaye. Kyunki Naina ne jo agla lafz bola… usne Aryan ke kandhe aur bhi jhuka diye. Usne dheere se apna kadam wapas kheench liya.
"maa ki tarah M-main bhi kabhi aap se nafrat kya karti thi. par.. par woh nafrat dhire Dhire kam hota gaya jab dikhai diya ki aap nirdosh ho. Aur Mein dhire dhire aap ko pyra karne lagi. Maa ke jaane ka gham Ko bhi maine bhula diya, bhaiya! *Sniff* bhula Diya tha. Ek sagi bahan ki taraha chane Lagi hoon aap ko, aur badle mein mujhe kya mila? mei kya Dekhti hoon?-"
Uski saansen tez ho chuki thi.
Aur achanak…!
Woh dhap se zameen par gir padti hai. Uske ghutne zameen se takrate hain aur woh wahi bikhri hui si baith jaati hai. Uske baal uske chehre par bikhar gaye the. Aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the.
" -aap hospital aate ho toh myra apke saath hoti hai. Shamshan ghat pe aap Myra ke saath khade rehte ho, Jab aap ko mere pass rehna chahiye tha. Sradh ke din... Uss din bhi woh myra *Sniff* *Sniff* Myra! Myra!! Myra!!! Har jagah jaha mujhe aapki jarurat padati aap myra ke Saath hote ho, jaise meri jagah woh Chin ke rahi hai, bhaiya! *Hic*"
Usne aakhir keh hi diya. Sach. Jo uske dil mein jal raha tha. Myra ko lekar jo jalan thi… jo chubhan thi… woh sab aaj dukh ke saath bahar aa gaya tha. Usse Aryan ke aas-paas Myra ka hona khalta tha.
Bahut zyada.
Aur jab usne apne pita ko khoya… toh uss dard ne uss jalan ko aur bhadka diya. Par apne iss andhe dard aur jalan mein, Naina ko khayal bhi nahi raha ki woh Aryan ko kitne gehre zakhm de rahi hai.
Kamre mein phir se khamoshi chha gayi. Naina roti rahi, uska seena uth-gir raha tha.
Par…
Peeche se Aryan ki koi awaaz nahi aayi. Koi saans tak nahi. Kuch pal baad Naina ne dheere se apna sir uthaya. Usne palat kar peeche dekha-
"BHAIYAAAA?"
Par…
Aryan waha tha hi nahi. Woh toh jaa chuka tha, Kab ka. Shayad uss pal jab Naina ke lafzon ne uske dil ko chedna shuru kiya tha.
Shayad woh aur nahi sunn sakta tha.
Naina ka dil zor zor se dhadakne laga. Uski saansein tez ho gayi. Uske dimag mein abhi abhi bole hue har lafz ghoomne lage.
Aur tab usse ehsaas hua, Usne kya keh diya. Uski aankhon mein ek naya dard ubhar aata hai- pachtawa. Dar Aur guilt.
"NOOO!"
Naina jhat se khadi ho gayi. Itni jaldi mein ki uska dupatta uske kandhe se phisal kar zameen par gir gaya, par uska dhyaan tak nahi gaya.
Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Woh bhagte huye seedha Aryan ke kamre ki taraf daudi. Darwaza dhakka dekar khola-
Par, Kamra khaali tha. Aryan waha nahi tha.
Ek pal ke liye Naina bilkul jam si gayi. Uski saansein tez ho gayi. Seena itna zor se uth-gir raha tha jaise saans lena bhi mushkil ho raha ho. Dimag mein ek khaufnaak khayal bijli ki tarah kooda-
"Kya meri baaton ka itna asar hua ki bhaiya ghar hi chhod ke chale gaye…?"
Ye soch uske dil ko jaise chhed gayi. Uski aankhon mein phir se aansu bhar aaye.
"BHAIYAA! *Sniff* NOOOOO!!"
Naina bilakhti hui palti aur seedha bahar ki taraf daud padi. Usne chappal tak nahi pehni. Nange pair hi seedhiyan utar kar, darwaza khol kar, raat ki thandi sadak par daud padi.
Uske pair thandi mitti aur chhote pathron se takra rahe the, par usse dard mehsoos hi nahi ho raha tha. Uske dimag mein bas ek hi baat chal rahi thi-
"Bhaiya chale gaye??"
"Bhaiya chale gaye toh..??"
"NAHI *sniff*"
Uski saansein aur tez ho gayi. Aur phir-
Jaise bhagwan ne uski sun li ho. Ghar ke saamne thodi door par ek lamppost ke neeche koi khada tha.
Halki peeli roshni uss par gir rahi thi. Kandha lamppost se tika hua, sar thoda jhuka hua.
Aryan!
Woh wahi tha. Naina ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye umeed chamki.
Aur phir woh bina ruke uski taraf daud padi. Jaise hi woh uske paas pahunchi- Usne peeche se hi Aryan ko zor se gale laga leti hai.
Aryan : ...!
Naina ka pura jism kaap raha tha.
Naina : don't leave me *Sniff* Don't!! BHAIYAA!
Aryan ek pal ke liye bilkul chup ho gaya. Usse shayad ummeed nahi thi ki Naina uske peeche aayegi. Uske haath dheere se hilte hain. par woh turant kuch nahi kehta.
Naina usse aur zor se pakad leti hai, jaise agar chhod diya toh woh sach mein chala jayega.
Naina (crying) : I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. M-maine woh sab gusse mein bola tha. Dil se... Dil se nahi. Aap toh jante ho na? Main aisa nahi keh Sakti? *Sniff* BHAIYAA? Please I beg you talk to me!
Aryan dheere se uski baat sunta raha.
Phir uske honton par ek halka sa, thoda dard bhara muskurahat aata hai. Woh Naina ko chup karane ke liye kehta hai,
Aryan : sssss! Gudiya! Shant. Maine Bura nahi maana. You know why? tum sahi keh rahi thi.
Naina : NOOO!
Aryan ne halki si saans chhodi. Uski nazar kahin door andhere mein tik gayi.
Aryan : Garima aunty-Sanjay uncle! *Pause* mere wajesh se hi- tum sahi ho Naina. main jaha jaata hoon sab rakh ho jaata hai. Sayad issiliye mere apne ghar Walon ne mujhe-
Uski awaaz dheere dheere halki padne lagi. Jaise woh apne hi dard ke andar doob raha ho. Par Naina turant uski baat kaat deti hai.
Naina (cry) : noo! Bhaiya! M-maine... Maine Aisa kucch nahi socha tha, I just-I don't know... Aap meri poori baat sune Bina hi chale aaye, i- i love you Bhaiya. And you know that *sniff*
Aryan : ssssss! Mujhe pata hai.
Par Naina yahi nahi rukti. Woh abhi bhi uske peeche se chipki hui thi. Phir woh apne pairon ki ungliyon par khadi ho jaati hai. Aur Aryan ka chehra halka sa Apne taraf ghuma leti hai.
Aur agla pal-
Aryan : huh!??
Ummahh~
Chmmhh~
Naina uske gaal par baar baar chhote chhote kisses karne lagti hai. Ek ke baad ek. Beech beech mein uski siskian toot rahi thi. Usi waqt raat ki ek thandi hawa bhi chal padti hai, jo dono ke baalon ko halka sa hila deti hai.
Ye Naina ka tarika tha. Apne bhaiya se maafi maangne ka. Apna pyaar dikhane ka.
Naina : M-mujhe laga tha aap bhi mujhe chhod ke Jaa rahe ho *Sniff* don't leave me Bhaiya, I'm sorry.
Iss baar Aryan kuch nahi keh paata. Uski aankhen dheere se band ho jaati hain.
Usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ki koi usse itni bechaini se pakad kar rokega. Jaise uska hona kisi ke liye itna zaroori ho.
Par Naina mein kuch alag tha.
Shayad woh sab jo Aryan ko kabhi apne asli pariwar mein nahi mila - Apnapan. Lagav. Aur pyaar. Woh sab usse Naina mein mil raha tha.
Aur iss waqt-
Lamppost ki halki roshni ke neeche, Naina usse chhodne ko taiyar hi nahi thi. Uske dono haath Aryan ke seene ke paas kas ke bandhe hue the, jaise agar usne pakad dheeli ki toh, Aryan sach mein kahin chala jayega. Uska chehra Aryan ke kandhe par chhupa hua tha. Aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the.
Par Aryan!
Aryan ki aankhon mein kuch aur chal raha tha. Uska chehra shaant tha, par uss shaanti ke neeche ek gehra tufaan chhupa hua tha.
Uski aankhen thodi si sikud gayi thi. Unke andar ek ajeeb sa gussa tha. Bahut gehra.
"Jiss Shahar ko meine chhod diya tha, woh phirse mujhe bula rahi hai. Mumbai-!"
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This update has over 7k word count. And all the images you're seeing here I created them myself. And that's it for today. Like thok ke jaaneka aur review dene ka. Sirf "Nice update" likhane ke bajay update ke bare mein char line likhkar jao padh rahe ho toh. Baaki enjoy. Milte Hain next update mein.
