Chapter 82
Khidki ke fati hui parde ke kinaare se dhoop ki ek teekhi, garam kiran seedha meri aankhon par aakar lagi.
Maine karwat lene ki koshish ki, par gardan hilate hi baayein gaal aur jabde mein ek aisi teekhi, chubhti hui tees uthi ki munh se siskari nikal gayi—"Uff..."
Chehre ka baayan hissa abhi bhi patthar ki tarah soojha hua tha. Raat ke thappadon ka dard sookh kar kacha ho chuka tha, aur honth ke kinare jame hue khoon ki papdi khinchnay se halka sa namkeen zaiqa phir se zubaan par utar aaya.
Maine aahista-aahista apni bhaari palkein uthayin.
Dimaag mein raat ke hungame kisi toofan ki tarah chakkar kaat rahe the—Abbu ke kamre ke darwaze par bartan ka takrana, Abbu ka dahadte hue aana, Akash ka be-khauf nanga baithna, Ammi ki woh be-sharm deewangi, aur phir Akash ka ek hi counter mukka jisne Abbu ko scooter par bhagne par majboor kar diya tha. Aur aakhiri manzar... jab maine khud Akash ke kadmon mein sar rakh kar use apna 'Papa' maan liya tha.
Maine bistar par haath phera.
Bistar ki chaadar bikhri hui aur silwaton se bhari thi. Raat ki thaka dene wali chudai, Papa ke ubalte hue gaadhe maal aur Ammi ki choot ke ras ki teekhi, nashaeli mehak abhi bhi takiye aur gadday mein basi hui thi.
Lekin... kamra bilkul khali tha.
Na bistar par Papa the, na wahan Ammi thin.
Kamre ke andar zero-watt bulb kab ka band ho chuka tha aur uski jagah subah ki saaf, safed roshni phaili hui thi. Farsh par bikhre kapde gayab the, aur kamre ka darwaza halka sa khula hua tha.
Maine bistar se pair neeche utare. Thandi tiles par talwe lagte hi badan mein ek jhuri-jhuri si daud gayi.
Ghar ke andar ajeeb sa, dam-ghontne wala sannata chhaya hua tha.
Roz subah is waqt kitchen se bartanon ki khad-khad, chai ki patti ki khushboo, ya cooker ki seeti ki aawaaz aati thi. Par aaj... poore ghar mein aisi khamoshi thi jaise koi jaan tak na bachi ho.
Main ladkharate kadmon se darwaze ki taraf badha aur corridor mein jhaanka.
"Ammi...?"
Meri aawaaz gale se sookhi aur kamzor hokar nikli. Corridor ke sannate mein meri hi aawaaz halki si goonj kar wapas aa gayi. Koi jawab nahi mila.
--------
Main ladkharate hue corridor mein nikal aaya.
Pehle mere kadam khud-ba-khud kitchen ki taraf badhe. Kitchen ka parda ek taraf hata hua tha. Andar dekha toh gas chulha bilkul thanda pada tha. Chai ki koi deghchi nahi chadhi thi, na hi platform par koi jhootha cup tha. Sab kuch aese shaant tha jaise subah se kisi ne kitchen mein kadam tak na rakha ho.
Dil ki dhadkan achanak thodi tez ho gayi.
Maine mud kar theek saamne Abbu ke kamre ki taraf dekha.
Kamre ka darwaza theek waise hi aadha khula pada tha jaise raat ko Abbu ke bhaagne ke waqt chhoota tha. Maine kaanpte kadmon se andar jhaanka. Bistar ki chaadar ek taraf se zameen par latak rahi thi, takiya tedha pada tha, aur side table par Abbu ka purana chashma waise hi dhool kha raha tha. Almarhi ka ek palla halka sa khula tha, par kamre ke andar koi nahi tha.
Jis kamre mein hamesha Abbu ka kharrata aur unka chirchira roab goonjta tha, woh kamra ab kisi khandahar ki tarah sunsaan aur be-jaan lag raha tha.
"Papa...?"
Maine dheemi aawaaz mein pukara. Par poore makaan mein sirf deewaron ka sannata tha.
Main baahar main hall ki taraf badha. Bathroom ka darwaza khula tha—andar koi nahi tha. Phir meri nazar seedha main gate par ja kar ruki.
Main gate par baahar se kundi chadhi hui thi aur chhota tala latak raha tha!
Mera gala sookh gaya. Maine tezi se jali wale darwaze ke paas ja kar baahar gali mein dekha.
Cement ke jis hisse par roz Abbu ki purani scooter khadi hoti thi, wahan ab bas kaale engine oil ke sookhe daagh pade the. Scooter ka koi naam-o-nishaan nahi tha.
Aur darwaze ke paas jahan raat ko Papa ke sneakers aur Ammi ki baahar pehenne wali chappalein rakhi rehti thin... woh jagah bhi bilkul saaf thi! Dono ke joote-chappal gayab the.
Matlab... subah-subah, mere jaagne se pehle hi Papa aur Ammi dono chupchap ghar se kahin nikal chuke the!
Dimaag mein achanak ghabrahat aur shaq ke hazaron keede reengne lage.
Dono kahan gaye? Aadhi raat ko itna bada kalesh hua, Abbu bhaage, Papa ne poore ghar par apna haq jamaya... aur subah hote hi dono mujhe sota chhod kar akele kahan chale gaye? Kya Abbu ne police mein complaint kar di thi? Ya Papa Ammi ko lekar hamesha ke liye kahin nikal gaye?
Ghar ka yeh akelapan ab mere seene par bojh ban kar baithne laga tha.
--------
*TRRRINNNG... TRRRINNNG...*
Achanak mere kamre ke andar se phone ki teekhi, kaan-phadti hui ringtone goonj uthi!
Sannate mein achanak hui is aawaaz ne mere raungte khade kar diye. Dil aese uchhal kar gale mein aa gaya jaise chhaati phatne wali ho.
Main tezi se palta aur lapak kar apne kamre mein ghusa. Bistar ke sirhane par pada mera smartphone zordaar tareeqe se vibrate kar raha tha. Maine kaanpte haathon se phone uthaya aur screen par nazar daali.
Screen par chamakta hua naam dekh kar mere pairon tale se zameen sarak gayi:
**"ABBU"**
Mera gala sookh gaya. Raat ko scooter par bhaagne ke baad... Abbu ne subah pehla phone mujhe milaya tha!
Phone lagataar baj raha tha. Maine ek gehri saans li aur dimaag ke saare taar ek jhatke mein daudaye.
Agar maine Abbu se baghawat ki ya Papa ka paksh liya, toh Abbu gusse mein pagal hokar sach mein police ya rishtedaaron ka jhund lekar darwaze par aa khade honge. Aur abhi Papa aur Ammi ghar par nahi the.
Mujhe Abbu ko shaant rakhna tha... unhe aese jaal mein phansana tha ki woh khud aane ki himmat na karein.
Maine ek pal mein apne lehje ko badla, aawaaz mein gehra dard aur lachari bhari, aur kaanpti ungli se call utha kar kaan se laga liya:
"A-Abbu...?! Abbu... aap theek toh hain na?!"
"HARAMKHOR!"
Doosri taraf se Abbu ki aisi qahar-bhari, phati hui cheekh nikli ki parda hil gaya. Abbu ki saansein ukhdi hui thin aur aawaaz mein aag ubal rahi thi:
"Kahan hai woh be-sharm launda Akash?! Aur teri Ammi kahan hai?! Bol saale, chup kyu hai?!"
Abbu phone par gusse se haanfte hue dahade:
"Tu samajh raha tha main dar ke bhaag gaya haan?! Main poore khandan ko leke aa raha hoon... chacha, taya sabko bataunga! Abhi police ki gaadi lekar darwaze par pahunchunga... us darinde ki haddiyan tudwa kar jail mein sadhaunga aur teri Ammi ka tamasha banaunga! Kahan hain dono?!"
Maine bina ek pal gawaye apni acting shuru kar di. Maine phone par aese zor-zor se sisakna shuru kiya jaise dard ke maare meri jaan nikal rahi ho:
"A-Abbu... pehle meri baat toh suniye... main toh khud raat se ro raha hoon Abbu!"
Meri tooti hui, gidgidaati aawaaz sun kar Abbu ek pal ke liye thithake—"K-Kya...?"
"Mera chehra dekhiye Abbu... us darinde ne mera poora baayan gaal tod diya hai, munh se khoon nikal raha hai!" Maine rote hue jhooth ki aisi patti padhayi ki Abbu ka dil pighal jaye: "Main toh khud us kaminay ki jaan lena chahta hoon Abbu! Usne hamara ghar barbaad kar diya... main toh aapke saath hoon Abbu, aapke siva mera kaun hai is duniya mein?!"
Abbu ke gusse ki aag thodi dheemi hui. Unhe laga unka beta abhi bhi unhi ka wafadaar hai.
"Haan toh bol na!" Abbu ne thode narm par be-chain lehje mein poocha: "Kahan hai woh Akash? Ghar par hai ya nahi?!"
"Dono gayab hain Abbu!" Maine fauran jaal phenka: "Subah-subah mere jaagne se pehle hi woh Akash Ammi ko lekar kahin nikal gaya hai... aur baahar se main gate par tala laga kar gaye hain taaki main baahar na nikal sakun!"
"K-Kya?! Tala laga kar bhaag gaye?!" Abbu ki saans phool gayi.
"Haan Abbu! Aur meri baat kaan khol kar suniye..." Maine aawaaz ko behad sanjeeda aur fikrmand banate hue kaha: "Aap abhi gusse mein koi galti mat kariyega... police ya rishtedaaron ko lekar yahan aane ki galti bilkul mat karna Abbu!"
"Kyu na karun?! Meri izzat loot li usne!" Abbu gusse mein phusphusaye.
"Aap samjhiye Abbu... raat ko aapne dekha nahi tha Ammi ne kya kiya tha?" Maine unhe unki sabse badi kamzori yaad dilayi: "Ammi par us kaminay ne aesa jadu kar diya hai ki woh uski deewani ho chuki hain! Agar aap police ya chacha-taya ko le aaye, toh Ammi sabke saamne Akash ka saath dengi! Ammi bol dengi ki aap saalon se unhe maarte the, unpar shak karte the, aur raat ko khud unpar hamla karke bhaag gaye the!"
Doosri taraf Abbu ki aawaaz freeze ho gayi.
"Sochiye Abbu... agar Ammi ne police ke aage bol diya ki woh apni marzi se thin, toh police ulta aapko domestic violence ke case mein andar kar degi! Khandan aur mohalle mein aisi thoo-thoo hogi ki aap kahin munh dikhane layak nahi bachenge!"
Phone par Abbu ki bhari-bhari saansein chal rahi thin. Unka dimaag ghabrahat mein sunn hone laga tha.
"T-Toh... toh main kya karun Idris?" Abbu ki aawaaz mein ab saaf bebasi jhalak rahi thi. "Main aese hi baitha rahoon?!"
"Nahi Abbu, hum dimaag se khelenge!" Maine aakhri jaal unke gale mein daal diya: "Main aapka beta hoon, main yahan andar baitha hoon. Main dono par poori nazar rakhunga. Jaise hi dono aayenge, main chupke se saboot ikatha karunga... aur jaise hi koi pakka mauka milega jahan Ammi inkaar na kar sakein, main khud aapko phone karke bataunga! Tab aap police lekar aana aur us kaminay ko rangey haathon pakadwana!"
Abbu ne ek gehri, tooti hui saans li. Unhe laga unka beta sach mein unke liye jaasoosi kar raha hai.
"Theek hai Idris..." Abbu ne thartharate lehje mein kaha: "Tu theek keh raha hai... abhi badnaami se bachna zaroori hai. Tu andar reh... jaise hi woh launda dikhe, mujhe foran khabar karna!"
"Ji Abbu... aap bilkul be-fikr rahiye. Main sab sambhal lunga."
*TUT-TUT-TUT...*
Call cut gayi.
Maine phone ko kaan se hataya aur screen par dekha. Mere hothon par ek zehreeli muskaan khil gayi. Jis baap ke roab se kabhi poora ghar tharrata tha, aaj wahi baap apne hi ghar se baahar dum daba kar baithne par majboor ho chuka tha.
--------
Ghadi ki sui dheere-dheere aage badhti rahi.
Dopahar ke theek 12 baj rahe the. Ghar ke andar dhoop teekhi ho chuki thi aur main hall mein sofe par baitha darwaze par nazrein jamaye tha.
Achanak gali ke mod se ek auto-rickshaw ke rukne ki aawaaz aayi.
*Krrrr...*
Agley hi pal main gate ke taale mein chabi ghumne ki aawaaz aayi—*khatack!*
Lohe ka bhaari gate poora khula aur ghar ke andar do logon ki hansi aur baaton ki aawaazein goonj uthin.
Main tezi se sofe se uth khada hua.
Darwaze se pehle Ammi andar dakhil huin. Unka chehra khushi aur taazgi se khila hua tha. Haathon mein sabzi, phal aur mithai ke polythene bags the. Unki aankhon mein aisi chamak thi jaise unhe koi nayi zindagi mil gayi ho.
Aur unke theek peeche... Papa the!
Apni navy T-shirt aur jeans mein bilkul be-parwah, chehre par wahi shaant mardaana muskaan liye andar aaye. Lekin jo cheez dekh kar meri aankhein phail gayin... woh Papa ke dono haathon mein pakde do bade-bade heavy trolley bags aur ek peeth par lada hua backpack tha!
*Thadd... thadd!*
Papa ne dono trolley bags main hall ke beechon-beech farsh par laakar rakh diye.
Ammi ne muskurate hue bags dining table par rakhe aur unke kandhe par apna narm haath tika diya.
"Idris!" Papa ne apni roabdaar, bhari aawaaz mein mujhe aawaaz di.
"J-Ji Papa..." Main fauran sar jhuka kar do kadam aage badha.
Papa ne un dono heavy trolley bags ki taraf ishara kiya, jisme unke kapde, kitaabein aur saara zaroori samaan bhara hua tha. Unke hothon par ek mukammal jeet ki muskaan thi:
"Hostel aur kamre ka kiraya chukta kar aaya hoon. Aaj se mera thikana yahi hai."
Mera dam gale mein atakk gaya. Papa ne permanent taur par yahan shift hone ka faisla kar liya tha!
Ammi ne bina ek pal ki jhijhak ke, bade fakhr se unki taraf dekha aur phir mujh par hukum chalaya:
"Kharha kya dekh raha hai Idris? Akash ke dono bags utha aur seedha hamare kamre mein... Abbu ke kamre mein le jaakar almarhi mein set kar!"
Ammi ne 'Abbu ke kamre' ko bina kisi sharm ke 'hamara kamra' bol kar Abbu ke wajood par aakhri keel thok di thi.
Maine aage badh kar dono heavy bags ke handle thaam liye aur adab se sar jhuka kar khada ho gaya.
--------
Maine dono bhaari trolley bags ko kheenchte hue Abbu ke kamre ke andar laya.
Bahar hall mein aazaadi aur hansi ka mahaul tha. Ammi kitchen mein mithai ke dabbe khol rahi thin, gungunate hue Papa se pooch rahi thin ki dopahar ke khane mein kya banayein. Aur Papa be-parwah hokar dining table ki sabse badi kursi par baith kar thande paani ka gilaas gale se laga rahe the. Ghar ki deewaron par naye maalik ka haq poori tarah jam chuka tha.
Maine kamre ka darwaza halka sa satta diya taaki meri aawaaz baahar na jaye.
Dono trolley bags ko maine zameen par litaya aur unki chains kholin.
Bags ke andar sirf Papa ke kapde aur unka zaroori-faltu samaan tha—branded jeans, nayi t-shirts, track-pants, college ki kitaabein, deodrant ki bottles aur earphones wagairah. Ek 22 saal ke jawan ladke ki poori zindagi un do bags ke andar simti hui thi.
Maine aage badh kar lakdi ki purani almarhi ka palla poora khol diya.
Almarhi ke andar Abbu ke purane kurte, dhoti, unke feeke rang ke sweater aur purane pajama latak rahe the. Un kapdon se Abbu ke budhape aur dhoop-batti ki sookhi mehak aa rahi thi.
Maine bina kisi jhijhak ke Abbu ke saare kapdon ko ek jhatke mein side mein sarka diya. Kuch kapdon ko maine neeche ke hisse mein thoons diya aur upar ki saari khali hangers par Papa ki crisp, stylish t-shirts aur jeans taangne laga.
Achanak mere dimaag mein ek ajeeb sa shaitani khayal aaya.
Maine jeb se apna smartphone nikala. Baahar hall se Ammi ki khilkhilati hui hansi ki aawaaz aa rahi thi.
Maine number dial kiya.
*TRRR... TRRR...*
Pehli hi ghanti par call jhatke se utha liya gaya!
"Idris?! Haan bol... kya hua?! Koi khabar mili?!" Doosri taraf se Abbu ki aisi be-chain, saans-phooli hui aawaaz aayi jaise woh phone hath mein pakad kar hi baithay the.
Maine apne chehre par achanak khauf aur ghabrahat ka mukhauta odh liya. Aawaaz ko aisi dabi hui, tez phusphusahat mein badla jaise main kisi maut ke kuyein ke beech khada hokar baat kar raha hoon:
"A-Abbu... ghazab ho gaya! Bada toofan aa gaya hai Abbu!"
Abbu ka gala sookh gaya—"K-Kya hua?! Saaf-saaf bol na, kya hua?!"
"Abbu... woh dono theek 12 baje ghar wapas aa gaye hain!" Maine ghabrahat ka natak karte hue kaha: "Aur Akash akele nahi aaya Abbu... woh apne hostel aur kamre se do bade-bade trolley bags aur poora samaan baandh kar le aaya hai!"
"K-Kya...?! Samaan lekar kyu aaya hai woh kamina?!" Abbu ki aawaaz achanak ainth gayi.
"Kyunki usne hostel chhod diya hai Abbu!" Maine Abbu ke seene par hathoda maara: "Woh permanent hamare ghar mein shift ho gaya hai! Usne bol diya hai ki ab se yahi uska thikana hai!"
"Bhenchoodd...!" Abbu ke munh se aisi tooti hui, zehreeli gaali nikli jaise unka dam ghut raha ho. "Meri chhat ke neeche... mere ghar par woh launda...!"
"Aur Abbu... sabse badi baat..." Maine aawaaz ko aur gehra aur dard-bhara banaya: "Ammi ne uske dono bags seedha aapke kamre mein rakhwaye hain! Ammi ne mujhe saaf hukum diya hai ki Abbu ke saare kapde almarhi se hata kar neeche phenko, aur Akash ke kapde almarhi mein sajao!"
Doosri taraf ek aisi thandi khamoshi chha gayi jaise kisi ne Abbu ke kaan mein pighla hua loha daal diya ho.
"M-Mera kamra... meri almarhi... meri Saira...?" Abbu ke gale se aisi ro-padi aawaaz nikli jaise unka dum toot gaya ho.
"Haan Abbu..." Maine rote hue acting jaari rakhi: "Main is waqt aapke kamre ke andar chhip kar aapko phone kar raha hoon... dikhawe ke liye main uska samaan set kar raha hoon taaki in dono ko shak na ho ki main aapka banda hoon! Par Abbu... Ammi poori tarah uske vash mein hain. Ammi ne toh is kamre ko sabke saamne 'hamara kamra' bol diya!"
"Main jaan se maar dunga dono ko... main abhi aa raha hoon Idris... main aag laga dunga...!" Abbu kaanpte hue gidgida rahe the, unke gale se aansuon ki aawaaz saaf nikal rahi thi.
"Nahi Abbu! Haath jod raha hoon abhi mat aana!" Maine fauran unke gale mein phanda aur kas diya: "Akash is waqt ghar mein poori taaqat se baitha hai... agar aap abhi aaye toh woh aapko phir se maar-peet kar be-izzat kar dega, aur Ammi police ke aage aap par hi ilzaam laga dengi! Aap bas shaant rahiye... main andar hoon na aapka beta! Main yahan se uski ek-ek kamzori note kar raha hoon... jaise hi koi sahi mauka aayega, main khud aapko signal dunga!"
Abbu ki saansein ukhad rahi thin. Unke paas ro-kar qubool karne ke siva koi rasta nahi bacha tha:
"T-Tu... tu nazar rakhna Idris... baap ki izzat ab tere haath mein hai beta... us kaminay ko chhodna mat..."
"Ji Abbu... aap be-fikr rahiye, main sab dekh raha hoon."
Maine phone kaat diya.
Screen black hote hi kamre ke sannate mein meri ek dheemi, zehreeli hansi goonj uthi.
Maine almarhi ki taraf dekha, jahan Abbu ke purane kapde neeche kachre ki tarah dhere pade the, aur upar Papa ke branded kapde shaan se latak rahe the. Maine unki ek t-shirt uthayi—usme se mehengi masculine cologne ki khushboo aa rahi thi.
--------
Maine kamre ki bikhri hui cheezon ko sameta, dono khali trolley bags ko diwan ke neeche dhakel diya, aur darwaza khol kar baahar hall mein nikal aaya.
Bahar ka manzar kisi nayi shaadi-shuda zindagi jaisa mehsoos ho raha tha.
Papa sofe par aaram se dono taangein phaila kar baithe the, TV par match chal raha tha aur unke hothon par wahi be-parwah sukoon tha. Ammi kitchen se nikal kar aayin—unke haath mein thande sharbat ke do gilaas aur gulab jamun ki plate thi. Unhone bina kisi jhijhak ke ek gilaas Papa ke aage badhaya aur khud bilkul chipak kar unke barabar mein sofe par baith gayin.
Unka gora haath bebaaki se Papa ki mazboot jaangh par tika hua tha. Ek raat pehle tak jo aurat sirf Abbu ke saamne dikhawe ki sharm aur parde ki chaadar odhe rehti thi, woh aaj ghar ke khule hall mein apne naye mard ke baghal mein sar-e-aam aese baithi thi jaise pichhle kayi saalon se uski biwi ho.
Main kisi wafadaar, aagyakaari kuttay ki tarah dono haath aage baandh kar sofe ke saamne ja khada hua. Sar halka sa jhuka hua tha, aankhon mein apne maalik ke liye adab tha.
"P-Papa..." Maine bilkul dheemi, adab-bhari aawaaz mein pukara: "Ammi..."
Papa ne sharbat ka gilaas thoda neeche kiya aur unki teekhi, roabdaar nazrein jhatke se mere chehre par aakar jam gayin. Unki aawaaz mein ek halka sa, sakht thehraav tha:
"Ammi nahi... Mummy. Bhool gaya kya? Kitni baar samjhaya hai tujhe ki ab se Mummy bolna hai?"
Mera dam gale mein atakk gaya. Maine fauran kaanpte hue do baar apna sar jhukaya:
"S-Sorry Papa... galti ho gayi... Mummy..."
Mummy ne yeh sun kar Papa ki jaangh par apna haath thoda aur kas liya aur unke gore gaalon par ek naseeli, besharam muskaan khil gayi. Apne aashiq ke hukum par bete ke munh se 'Mummy' sunna unhe ek ajeeb sa modern nasha deta tha.
"Samaan laga diya?" Papa ne ghoont lete hue shaant lehje mein poocha.
"Ji Papa, saara samaan almarhi mein set kar diya hai," maine aage badh kar ek sachhe, achhe ladke ki tarah apna sar jhukaya: "Unke purane kapde almarhi ke neeche wale hisse mein daba diye hain... aur upar aapke saare kapde, kitaabein aur samaan saja diya hai."
"Hmm, theek hai," Papa ne sar hilaya.
Maine ek gehri saans li. Dil ke andar ek ajeeb sa junoon tha—apne maalik ke aage apni wafadaari sabit karne ka junoon, unse tareef paane ka lalach.
"Papa... ek zaroori baat batani thi aapko aur Mummy ko," maine bilkul obedient tone mein aage kaha.
Mummy ne gulab jamun ka ek tukda tod kar Papa ke munh ke paas le jaate hue meri taraf dekha: "Kya baat hai Idris?"
"Mummy... unka phone aaya tha," maine dabi aawaaz mein ugal diya: "Subah jab aap dono baahar gaye the, tab unka phone aaya tha. Aur abhi jab main almarhi set kar raha tha, tab maine unhe wapas call kiya tha."
Yeh sunte hi Mummy ke maathe par halki si shikan aayi, unke hoth chidh se tedhe ho gaye: "Kiska phone? Us namard ka?"
"Ji Mummy..." Maine ek-ek lafz batana shuru kiya: "Subah aag-baboola ho rahe the. Cheekh rahe the ki main kotwali ja raha hoon, poore khandan ko lekar darwaze par aaunga... Akash ko jail bhijwaunga aur aapka gali mein tamasha banaunga!"
Mummy ne naak sikodi, unki aankhon mein apne purane shauhar ke liye bas ghin aur nafrat bachi thi: "Namard kahin ka... bas cheekhna aur dhamkana aata hai, aukaat do kaudi ki nahi hai."
"Phir tune kya kiya?" Papa ne bilkul thande, curious lehje mein poocha. Unki kaali nazrein mere chehre ke bhaav padh rahi thin.
Main thoda sa aur kareeb aaya, jaise koi bacha school mein apna home-work dikha kar master se shabashi maangta hai:
"Maine dimaag lagaya Papa! Maine unke aage acting ki... main phone par aese rone laga jaise main unhi ki team mein hoon! Maine bola ki us darinde ne mera chehra tod diya hai aur main toh khud use jail bhejna chahta hoon!"
Mummy ki aankhein hairani se phail gayin, aur Papa ke hothon par ek halki si shatair muskaan ubhar aayi.
"Maine unhe aesa uljhaya Papa..." Maine fakhr se bataya: "Maine bola ki agar aap abhi police ya rishtedaaron ko le aaye, toh Mummy police ke saamne aapka saath dengi aur ulta Abbu par gharelu hinsa aur zulm ka case thonk dengi! Maine kaha ki khandan mein aisi thoo-thoo hogi ki aap kahin munh dikhane ke kabil nahi rahenge. Maine unse kaha ki aap chupchap chhipe rahiye, main yahan andar reh kar aapke liye jaasoosi karunga aur saboot ikatha karunga!"
Mummy ke munh se ek halki si hansi chhoot gayi—"Arey wah!"
"Aur abhi almarhi set karte waqt maine unhe dobara phone karke bataya..." Meri aawaaz mein ek qaatilana chamak thi: "Maine kaha Abbu ghazab ho gaya, Papa apna saara samaan aur trolley bags lekar permanent hamare ghar shift ho gaye hain, aur Mummy ne unka kamra aur unki almarhi Papa ke hawale kar di hai! Unke toh hosh ud gaye Papa... phone par aese bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahe the jaise unka dum nikal gaya ho! Maine unhe saaf bol diya ki yahan aane ki galti mat karna, warna Papa dobara peet denge!"
Maine apni baat khatam ki aur dono haath baandh kar intezar karne laga. Dil tezi se dhadak raha tha—kya Papa khush honge?
Papa ne sharbat ka gilaas table par rakha. Unke chehre par ek aisi maghroor, sard aur wafadaari ko qubool karne wali muskaan aayi jise dekh kar mera seena garv se phool gaya.
Papa ne apna lamba, mazboot haath aage badhaya... aur mere soojhe hue gaal par aahista se thapthapaya.
*Thap... thap.*
Uski chhuvan mein koi gussa nahi tha... balki ek maalik ka apne wafadaar kuttay ki peeth thapthapane jaisa pyar tha.
"Shabash..." Papa ki bhari, thandi aawaaz goonji: "Dimaag chalane laga hai tu. Achha jaal phenka us budhe par."
Papa ke munh se 'shabash' sunte hi mere chehre par meethi chamak daud gayi. Unki yeh thapki sirf taareef nahi thi, balki unka woh aitbaar tha jo maine apni wafadaari se dobara haasil kar liya tha.
Mummy ne bhi bheeghi, garv-bhari nazron se Papa ki taraf dekha aur phir plate se ek meetha, raseela gulab jamun utha kar meri taraf badha diya:
"Le Idris... kha le. Subah se bhookha bhatak raha hai. Akash ko khush rakhega toh is ghar mein aese hi chain se rahega."
Maine aage jhuk kar dono haathon se woh gulab jamun thama aur adab se apna sar jhuka liya:
"Ji Mummy... ji Papa."
Mithai ka ras mere gale mein ghulte hi meri saari thakan chhoomantar ho gayi. Abbu ka kanta hamesha ke liye nikal chuka tha, aur mere andar ki jhijhak pighalte hi aankhon mein wahi purani besharam chul aur shararat phir se daudne lagi.
Maine tissue se apni ungliyan saaf keen aur sofe ke thoda aur kareeb sarak aaya:
"Papa..." Maine aadhi jhuki nazron se sharaarat se kaha: "Ab toh poora ghar aapka hai. Woh budha toh ab sheher mein dhakke khaa raha hoga... na koi aadhi raat ka khauf, na kisi darwaze ke khadakne ka darr!"
Mummy ne sharbat ka gilaas table par rakha aur apni baalon ki lat ko kaan ke peeche karte hue ek maghroor, sharaarati muskaan ke saath meri taraf dekha: "Tu bada khush ho raha hai badmash?"
"Khush kyu na hoon Mummy?" Maine dono haath kamar par tika liye aur hothon par ek teekhi muskaan laate hue Mummy ke bhare hue chuutadon aur Papa ki taraf dekha: "Pehle toh aap dono ko mere chote se kamre mein ya OYO mein chhip-chhip kar chudai karni padti thi... par ab toh hall ka yeh bada sofa hai, dining table hai, kitchen ka platform hai! Papa jahan chahein, jab chahein aapko aazaadi se chod sakte hain... ghodi bana kar, taangein utha kar... koi parda bacha hi nahi!"
Mummy ne apni aankhein matkayin aur unke hothon par ek halki, nakhre-bhari muskaan tair gayi. Unke gaalon par halki si laali zaroor aayi, par usme koi darr ya purani jhijhak nahi thi—balki ek aisi mature aur confident aurat ka nasha tha jise pata tha ki ghar ka naya mard uspar poori tarah fida hai. Unhone aage jhuk kar aahista se mere kaan par ek halki si chapat lagayi aur Akash ki taraf mud kar bade nakhre se boli:
"Dekh rahe hain Akash... beta hoke baap ko salah de raha hai ki kahan-kahan le jaana hai apni aurat ko! Kaisa bebaak ho gaya hai yeh?"
"Isme salah kaisi Mummy?" Maine bina dare, maze se Papa ki taraf dekha: "Main toh bas sach bol raha hoon! Aur Papa... main aapko yakeen dilata hoon, aapko ghar mein kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho... chahe kitchen se chai-nashta lana ho, market se koi naya samaan ya protection lana ho, ya Mummy ki kamar pakad kar unhe kisi bhi position mein sambhalna ho... main har waqt aap dono ki khidmat mein hazir rahunga! Aap dono jo bolenge, jaisa bolenge... Idris bina sawal kiye wahi karega!"
Mera yeh besharam, shararati aur poori tarah surrendered roop dekh kar Papa ke hothon par ek be-inteha maghroor, sard hasi phoot padi.
Unhone sofe par aaram se peeth peeche tikayi aur apna mazboot haath Mummy ke nange kandhe aur kamar par daal kar unhe kheench kar apne seene se chipka liya. Mummy ne bina kisi jhijhak ke apna sar Papa ke chaudey seene par tika diya.
"Dekh le Saira..." Papa ne Mummy ke gaal ko apni ungli se chhedte hue bilkul thande, mardaana roab ke saath kaha: "Tera beta ab sach mein samajhdaar ho gaya hai. Pata chal gaya ise ki kiske aage dum hilani hai."
"Aap hi ka asar hai Akash..." Mummy ne unke seene par hath pherte hue madhosh aawaaz mein iqraar kiya, unki aankhein chudai ki garmi yaad karke bheegh rahi thin: "Aapne hi toh ise seedha kiya hai."
Papa ne apni kaali, tez nazrein mujh par jamayin. Unki aawaaz mein ek maalik ka naya hukum tha:
"Toh sun Idris... dopahar ka khana banne se pehle, jaakar master bedroom ka bistar theek kar. Nayi chaadar bichha aur bathroom mein tauliye taang. Aaj se is ghar mein koi parda nahi hoga... aur teri duty yahi se shuru hoti hai."
"Ji Papa! Abhi gaya Papa!"
Maine bina ek second gawaye zordaar muskaan ke saath gardan hilayi. Dil ke andar ek tharki utsah daud gaya tha. Main tezi se ghooma aur master bedroom ki taraf bhaag gaya—apne naye maalik aur unki deewani aurat ke liye unka naya bistar sajaane.
--------
Main lapak kar master bedroom ke andar dakhil hua.
Kamre ki khidki se dopahar ki halki dhoop chhan kar aa rahi thi. Wahi kamra jahan barson se Abbu ka dabdaba tha, jahan ki hawa mein unki daant aur sakhti ki ghutan rehti thi... aaj wahan azaadi ki ek nayi mehak tair rahi thi. Almarhi ke darwaze khule the, jahan Abbu ke purane kapde neeche dab chuke the aur Papa ke branded t-shirts aur jeans shaan se latak rahe the.
Bahar hall ki taraf se bartanon ki khanak aur kitchen se heeng-zeere ke tadke ki lazeez khushboo aane lagi thi. Mummy ne dopahar ke khane ki taiyari shuru kar di thi. Hall mein TV par match chal raha tha aur dining table ke paas se Papa ke aaram karne ki aawaaz sunayi de rahi thi.
Ghar ke is naye, aazaad mahol ko dekh kar achanak mere dimaag mein ek baat kaundhi... aur meri aankhein chamak uthin!
Mujhe yaad aaya ki Ch 68 mein maine apni pocket money se online ek deep red bridal saree mangwayi thi, jiske kinaron par golden border tha—khaas Mummy ko Papa ki dulhan banane ke liye. Tab Chand ke hungame aur Abbu ke darr se maine use apne kamre ki almarhi mein chhipa kar rakha tha.
Aaj jab Abbu hamesha ke liye nikal chuke the aur Papa ne permanent is ghar par kabza kar liya tha... toh us saree ki yaad aate hi mere dil mein ek zabardast shararat daud gayi!
Maine master bedroom ki almarhi se bistar ke liye ghar ki nayi chaadar aur bathroom ke liye do fresh tauliye nikaal kar kandhe par daale, aur fauran apne kamre ki taraf lapka. Apne kamre ki almarhi khol kar maine wahi laal bridal saree nikaali jo maine khas Papa aur Mummy ke liye sambhal kar rakhi thi!
Mere hothon par ek be-inteha chanchal aur teekhi muskaan phail gayi.
Kandhe par chaadar aur tauliye the, aur dono haathon mein us chamakti hui laal bridal saree ko thaam kar main master bedroom ke bajaye seedha kitchen ke darwaze par aa khada hua.
Kitchen ka platform hall ke theek saamne tha, jahan Mummy salwar ka pallu kamar mein khons kar gas ke aage khadi rotiyaan sek rahi thin. Unke gore gaal aag ki garmi se gulabi ho rahe the, aur kamar ka lachakdaar mod kisi jawan ladki ki tarah thirak raha tha. Dining table par Papa aaram se baithe mobile dekh rahe the, par unki nazrein baar-baar kitchen mein khadi Mummy ki bhari hui peeth aur kamar par ja tikti thin.
Main dono ko dekhte hue dheere se kitchen ke paas aakar khada ho gaya. Mere chehre par wahi bebaak, shararati muskuraahat thi.
"Papa... Mummy..." Maine aahista se pukara.
Papa ne mobile se nazrein uthayin aur Mummy ne haath mein chimta pakde hue gardan ghuma kar meri taraf dekha. Unki nazar jaise hi mere haath mein pakdi us chamakti hui laal bridal saree par padi, unka poora gora chehra sharm aur hairani se tamtama utha!
"Arey! Idris... yeh kya lekar aa gaya tu?" Mummy ne apni aanchal ko halka sa theek karte hue aadhi dabi, nakhre-bhari aawaaz mein kaha.
Maine saree ko dono haathon se hawa mein uthaya, aankhon mein wahi purani besharam chul thi:
"Mummy, yeh wahi laal bridal saree hai jo maine apne kamre mein sambhal kar rakhi thi! Aaj isse behtar mauka aur kya hoga?"
Mummy ke hothon par ek madhosh, sharmili muskaan daud gayi. Purani sharm ab unke chehre par ek aisi garv-bhari laali ban chuki thi jisme koi darr nahi tha. Unhone tirchi nazron se Akash ki taraf dekha aur phir chimta ghumate hue boli:
"Toh abhi use apne kamre se nikaalne ki kya zaroorat thi badmash? Jaakar bistar laga na!"
"Nikaala isliye Mummy..." Maine aage badh kar Papa ki taraf dekha, meri aawaaz mein ek mazedaar tanz aur chehek thi: "Kyunki aaj subah se ghar ka mahaul dekh kar sach mein lag raha hai jaise aap dono ki nayi-nayi shaadi hui ho! Papa bags lekar yahan dakhil hue hain, aap kitchen mein unke liye unki pasand ka khana bana rahi hain... aur main aap dono ke kamre ka bistar saja raha hoon!"
Maine Papa ki taraf mud kar bade nakhre aur aazaadi se kaha:
"Papa... sach bata raha hoon, aaj toh poora ghar dulhan ke ghar jaisa lag raha hai. Abbu ka toh kissa khatam ho gaya... toh kyu na dopahar ke khane ke baad, jab aap master bedroom mein aaram karne jayein, toh Mummy meri khareedi hui yahi laal bridal saree pehan kar kamre mein aayein? Bilkul aapki nayi-naveli dulhan ki tarah!"
Mummy ne yeh sun kar chimta counter par patak diya aur unke gore gaal sharm ki garmi se dehake lage. Unki aankhein sharm se jhukin zaroor, par unke hothon par faili muskaan bata rahi thi ki bete ke is idea ne unke andar ek mastani aag bhadak di thi. Unhone Akash ki taraf mud kar nakhre se complain ki:
"Dekh rahe hain Akash... is ladke ki himmat toh dekhiye! Khud apne haathon se saree khareed kar laya tha, aur ab khuleaam mujhe dulhan banane par tula hai! Kaisa besharam ho gaya hai yeh ladka... zara bhi lihaz nahi bacha isme!"
Papa ke hothon par ek be-inteha maghroor aur mardaana thahaka phoot pada.
Unhone table par se paani ka gilaas uthaya aur ek ghoont bhar kar meri taraf dekha. Unki kaali aankhon mein mere is bebaak andaaz ke liye ek sard maza tha.
"Ghalat toh nahi keh raha Idris..." Papa ne Mummy ki taraf ek gahri, bhookhi nazar daal kar bilkul thande, roabdaar lehje mein kaha: "Waise bhi jab se isne khareedi thi, tab se pending tha. Aur aaj toh poora ghar mera hai... na kisi darwaze ke band hone ka darr hai, na kisi ke aane ki fikar. Khane ke baad yahi pehenna."
Papa ke lafzon ne Mummy ke jism mein jhanjhanahat daudha di. Unka seena tezi se upar-neeche hone laga aur unhone madhosh nazron se Akash ko dekha:
"Aap bhi na Akash... iski haan mein haan mila kar ise sar par chadha rahe hain. Khana thanda ho jayega, chupchap baithiye."
Phir Mummy ne meri taraf ghoor kar halki si daant lagayi, par unki aawaaz mein meetha nasha ghula hua tha:
"Aur tu badmash... saree ko sambhal kar bistar par rakh aur pehle jaakar chaadar theek kar. Khana banne ke baad main khud dekh lungi ki mujhe kya karna hai!"
"Ji Mummy... jo aap dono kahein!" Maine fauran muskurate hue sar jhukaya.
Dil mein ek ajeeb sa tharki junoon machal raha tha. Main saree aur tauliye lekar wapas master bedroom ki taraf badh gaya. Master bedroom ka bistar aaj dopahar sirf ek aam bistar nahi banne wala tha... woh ek nayi dulhan aur uske maalik ki nayi suhagraat ka aakhada banne wala tha!
--------
Maine master bedroom mein jaakar sabse pehle purani, bikhri hui chaadar utari aur use side mein rakh diya. Phir ghar ki nayi, saaf chaadar ko gaddhe par bichha kar charon taraf se kaskar daba diya taaki ek bhi silwat na bache. Bathroom mein jakar do fresh tauliye rod par taang diye. Saath hi, laal bridal saree ko maine bed ke sarhaane par bade adab se teh laga kar rakh diya. Kamra poori tarah chamak raha tha—Abbu ke hone ka koi nishan ab is kamre mein nahi bacha tha.
Kuch der baad kitchen se Mummy ki aawaaz aayi: "Khana lag gaya hai!"
Dopahar ka khana kisi jashn jaisa tha. Papa dining table ki sabse badi kursi par aaram se baithe the, aur Mummy plate mein naram rotiyaan, garma-garam daal aur sabzi paros rahi thin. Unke har andaaz mein ek aisi shokh aur wafadaar biwi ki jhalak thi jise apne mard ko khilane mein lazzat mil rahi ho. Main bhi unke bagal mein khada hokar paani aur salad serve kar raha tha, aur phir side ki kursi par baith kar maine bhi khana khaya.
Khana khatam hone ke baad, Papa ne table par se haath dhoe, tissue se ungliyan saaf keen aur ek gehri, mardaana aah bhari.
Unhone Mummy ki kamar par ek behad naram par malikana thapki lagayi aur master bedroom ki taraf badhte hue bole: "AC chalu kar diya hai... kamre mein aa jaana."
Mummy ke gore gaal sharm aur uttejna ki laali se chamak uthe. Unhone bas nazrein jhuka kar dheere se sar hilaya.
Papa master bedroom mein jakar bistar par aaram karne lage, aur main dining table saaf karne ke baad apne kamre mein chala aaya.
Main apne bistar par aakar seedha let gaya. Dil ki dhadkanein ajeeb se tharki utsah se tezi se chal rahi thin. Mere dimaag mein lagatar master bedroom ka naya bistar aur woh laal saree chakkar kaat rahi thi. Main soch raha tha ki kya Mummy sach mein woh saree pehen kar Papa ke aage jayengi?
Achanak mere kamre ke darwaze par halki si dastak hui... aur kundi aahista se ghoomi.
Darwaza thoda sa khula aur Mummy dabe paon mere kamre ke andar dakhil ho gayin. Unhone fauran peeche mud kar darwaza halka sa satta diya.
Maine jaise hi garden utha kar dekha, meri aankhein phail gayin.
Mummy ke haath mein wahi deep red bridal saree thi! Unhone apni purani salwar kameez utaar di thi. Is waqt woh sirf ek patle, deep-neck maroon blouse aur saree ke matching laal petticoat mein khadi thin!
Unke gore, bhare hue kandhe aur nangi peeth khuli hui thi. Blouse ke deep gale se unke bade-bade gore mammon ka bhara-bhara ubhaar saaf jhalak raha tha, aur laal petticoat ki dori unki chikni kamar par tight bandhi hui thi jisme unki gori naabhi ka gehra gaddha bilkul be-parda tha.
Unke chehre par sharm ki halki laali thi, par unki aankhon mein darr ya ghutan ka naamo-nishan nahi tha—balki ek madhosh, nakhre-bhari aazaadi aur shokhi chamak rahi thi.
"M-Mummy...?" Maine bistar par se uth kar baithte hue dabi hui saans mein poocha.
Mummy ne dono haathon mein pakdi saree ko thoda sa aage badhaya. Unke hothon par ek halki, sharmili-confident muskaan khil gayi:
"Akash bistar par intezar kar rahe hain... Bol rahe hain ki sach mein mujhe is laal saree mein dulhan bane dekhna chahte hain."
Mummy ne thoda sa nazdeek aakar meri taraf tirchi nazron se dekha aur ek shokh nakhre se aahista aawaaz mein boli:
"Par tujhe toh pata hi hai badmash... mujhe theek se saree baandhni aati kahan hai! Pleats aur pallu mujhse sambhalte nahi hain. Pichhli baar bhi tune hi internet dekh kar meri help ki thi..."
Unhone laal saree ka sira mere aage badha diya, unki aawaaz mein ek meetha, besharam sa haq tha:
"Chal ab uth... aakar meri madad kar drape karne mein. Theek se set kar de ise mere jism par... Akash ko zyada der intezar karwana theek nahi hai."
--------
Maine unke haathon se woh bhaari, chamakti hui laal resham ki saree thaam li.
Saree ka naram aur chikna kapda ungliyon ke beech phisla toh mere badan mein ek teekha current sa daud gaya. Dil ke andar ek ajeeb sa tharki junoon aur besharmi ki lehar ubalne lagi.
Main bistar se fauran kood kar farsh par utar aaya. Mere chehre par wahi be-sharm, sharaarati aur mastana muskaan khil gayi jaise kisi nayi dulhan ko uski pehli suhagraat ke liye uske mard ke aage parosne se pehle nakhre se taiyyar kiya ja raha ho.
"Lao idhar... aese dheeli-dhaali mat raho, bilkul seedhi khadi ho jao meri nayi-naveli dulhan!"
Mummy ne yeh sun kar apni aankhein matkayin, unke hothon par ek laad-bhari hansi phail gayi. Woh mere theek saamne aakar khadi ho gayin. Unke nange jism se meethi garam mehak aur kitchen ke tadke ki halki si khushboo aa rahi thi.
Maine unhe sar se lekar pairon tak teekhi, chanchal nazron se aese naapa jaise dulhan ke husn ki aakhri jaanch ki ja rahi ho:
"Zara ghoom kar dikhao... waah! Yeh deep-neck blouse toh Papa ke hosh uda dega! Doodh jaise gore mammon ka aadha hissa toh abhi se baahar chhalak raha hai. Papa dekhte hi pagal na ho jayein toh kehna!"
Mummy ka poora chehra sharm se tamtama utha, par unki aankhon mein ek be-inteha garv aur nasha tha. Unhone aage jhuk kar aahista se mere kandhe par ek halki si chapat maari:
"Dhatt badmash! Madad karne utha hai ya yahi khade-khade mujhe chhed kar sharm se paani-paani karega?"
"Arre sharminda kyu karunga Mummy... main toh Papa ke hisaab se aapko ready kar raha hoon!" Maine unke laal petticoat ki taraf ungli karte hue teekhi nazar dali: "Pehle yeh petticoat thoda neeche sarkaao... itna upar kyu baandh rakha hai? Naabhi toh poori chhip gayi hai!"
"Kyu, naabhi se kya lena-dena hai tera?" Mummy ne nakhre se pucha.
"Mujhse nahi, Papa se lena-dena hai!" Maine aage aakar sharaarat se unke kaan ke paas phusphusaya: "Hamare Papa ko jab tak yeh gori chikni kamar aur naabhi ka gehra gaddha khula na dikhe, tab tak unke lund ki aag kaise bhadkegi? Aur phir jab woh kamar pakad kar ghodi banayenge, toh saree sarakni bhi toh chahiye na!"
"Tu na... sach mein bohot harami aur be-sharm ho gaya hai," Mummy ne daanton tale apna nichla hoth daba liya, par bina kisi jhijhak ke unhone laal petticoat ki dori ko thoda dheela kiya aur use do inch neeche sarka kar apni naabhi ke theek neeche tight baandh diya.
Unki gehri, gol naabhi aur chikne gore pait ka makhmali hissa poori tarah be-parda ho gaya.
"Le, khush? Ab theek hai badmash?" Mummy ne kamar par haath rakh kar bade shokh andaaz mein poocha.
"Ekdum qaatil! Ab aayega na asli maza!"
Maine laal saree ka plain kinaara unki right hip ke paas lagaya: "Chalo, ab dheere-dheere ghoomo."
Mummy ne aahista se gol chakkar lagaya. Saree ka pehla round unke bhaari, gol chuutadon aur chikni jaanghon par kaste hue lapet gaya. Reshmi kapda unke petticoat ke upar aese chaspaan ho gaya jaise unki jism ki har ek lachak ko naap raha ho.
Maine pehla hissa unki hip par securely tuck kiya. Aur phir main unke theek saamne farsh par ghutno ke bal baith gaya.
Mera chehra unke nange chikne pait aur unki naabhi ke theek barabar mein tha. Unki saanson ki garam hawa mere maathe par pad rahi thi.
"Ab aaram se khadi raho aur pait ko halka sa andar kheencho," maine hukum diya.
Mummy ne gehri saans lekar pait halka sa andar kheench liya.
Maine dono haathon mein saree ka kapda pakad kar tezi se chaudi-chaudi pleats (patliyan) banana shuru kiya. Meri ungliyan kapde ko aage-peeche modte hue bilkul naap-tol kar 6-7 khoobsurat folds taiyyar karne lagin. Maine saari pleats ko barabar kiya, ek jhatka dekar unki silwatein theek keen, aur unhe ek saath pakad kar Mummy ke petticoat ke andar, theek unki naabhi ke neeche tuck karna shuru kiya.
Tuck karte waqt meri garam ungliyan aur hatheliyan unke chikne pait aur lower belly ki makhmali twacha se baar-baar ragad kha rahi thin.
"Aahhh..."
Mummy ke hothon se ek dabi hui, behad garam siskari nikal gayi. Unke gore pait par halki si kapkapi daud gayi, aur sahare ke liye unka narm gora haath khud-ba-khud aakar mere sar ke baalon mein phans gaya.
"Idris... dheere na... gudgudi ho rahi hai badmash..."
"Gudgudi toh hogi hi dulhan ji!" Maine upar unki taraf dekh kar tharki muskaan ke saath kaha: "Thoda tight daba kar ghusa raha hoon taaki pleats mazbooti se jami rahein. Waise toh mujhe pata hai, Papa ko ise kholne mein do second bhi nahi lagenge... par jab tak kamre mein dakhil hogi, tab tak chal aisi honi chahiye ki Papa ka lund pant ke andar phatne lage!"
Mummy ne mere baalon ko halke se kheenchte hue laad se daanta: "Tu chup karega ki nahi besharam! Kitna bolta hai... aah, par theek se tuck hua hai na?"
"Bilkul perfect!" Maine unki naabhi ke theek neeche pleats ko daba kar theek kiya aur khada ho gaya.
Ab aanchal aur pallu ki baari thi.
Maine bhaari golden border wale aanchal ko Mummy ki kamar ke peeche se ghumate hue aage laya aur unke baayein kandhe par dala.
"Ruko, pallu ko aese poora dhankna nahi hai," maine aanchal ko haath se theek karte hue kaha: "Agar sab kuch chhipa hi diya toh is deep-neck blouse aur gore gore mammon ka kya fayda?"
Maine pallu ko patli pleats mein fold kiya aur unke kandhe par aese set kiya ki unke seene ki chaudi cleavage aur dono bhare-bhare mammon ka aadha gora ubhaar khuleaam jhalakta rahe. Dayin taraf se unki patli kamar, peeth ka nanga hissa aur naabhi ka gaddha bilkul be-naqab tha, jabki baayein taraf se laal resham ka golden border unke badan ko ek shaahi aurat ka roop de raha tha.
Maine safety pin lekar bade saleeqe se unke blouse ke strap ke saath aanchal ko pin kar diya.
"Yeh dekho... yeh hai Papa ki asli randi-dulhan ka look!" Maine garv se kaha: "Ek taraf se parda, aur doosri taraf se seedha chudai ka dawat-naama!"
"Idris!" Mummy ne sharmate hue mere baazu par ek halki si chutki kaati, par unka chehra khushi se khil utha tha: "Kaisi-kaisi baatein karta hai... chal aaine mein dikha mujhe!"
Maine unka haath pakad kar unhe kamre ke bade dressing table ke aaine ke saamne khada kar diya.
Aaine mein jaise hi Mummy ne apna reflection dekha, unke hoth khule ke khule reh gaye. Unki apni hi aankhein hairani aur madhoshi se phail gayin.
Laal resham, chamakta hua sunhera border, kamar ka qaatilana curvaceous lachak, deep-cut blouse mein ubalte hue gore thann, aur unke hothon par chudai ki bhookh se dehkti hui sharmili laali. Woh kisi 40 saal ki aurat jaisi nahi lag rahi thin... balki aisi mastani, rasbhari aur khoobsurat jawan dulhan lag rahi thin jo apne naye mard ke aage pighalne ke liye be-chain ho.
Main theek unke peeche aakar khada ho gaya. Aaine mein meri aur unki nazrein takrayin.
Maine aage jhuk kar unke kaan ke bilkul kareeb apna chehra kiya aur sarghoshi mein kaha:
"Dekho zara aaine mein khud ko... Lagti ho kisi 18 saal ke ladke ki maa? Lag raha hai jaise koi nayi-naveli dulhan aaj pehli baar kisi mard ke bistar par apni chudai karwane ja rahi ho!"
Mummy ne aaine mein apne jism ke har ek hisse ko nihara. Unke hath khud-ba-khud uth kar unke gore gale aur seene par tairne lage. Unki saansein garam aur bhaari ho chuki thin:
"Sach mein... achhi lag rahi hoon na Idris? Akash ko... Akash ko pasand aayegi na yeh saree?"
"Pasand?" Maine unki kamar par aahista se hath phera: "Papa toh dekhte hi diwane ho jayenge Mummy! Unka lund lohe ki tarah akad jayega. Woh bistar par lette hi tumhein kheenchte hue saree ke upar se hi ragadna shuru kar denge."
Mummy ne madhosh hokar apni aankhein aadhi band kar leen, jaise Akash ke lund ka sparsh abhi se mehsoos kar rahi hon.
"Ruko... aakhri touch baaki hai," maine table par se unka shringar ka dabba uthaya.
Maine dabba khol kar ek chamakti hui laal bindi nikali aur bade pyaar se Mummy ke gore maathe ke theek beechon-beech chipka di. Phir table par rakhi gulab ke attar ki shishi kholi aur uski do meethi boondein apni ungli par lekar unke dono gore kaano ke peeche, aur phir aanchal ke beech khuli unki gori cleavage ke gaddhe mein aahista se mal diya.
Attar ki thandi boond lagte hi Mummy ke gore jism par bijli si daud gayi. Unke raungte khade ho gaye aur unke gale se ek madhosh aah nikli:
"Ufff Idris... kitna khayal rakhta hai tu mera..."
"Dulhan ko dulhe ke liye sajane ka haq toh mera hi hai na!" Maine peeche hat kar dono haath baandh liye aur taazgi-bhari muskaan ke saath unhe dekha: "Bas dulhan ji... ab der mat kijiye. Master bedroom mein AC chal raha hai, aur Papa bistar par aapki choot ki garmi lene ke liye be-chain baithay hain. Jaao Mummy... jaakar apne naye mard ke bistar par apni nayi suhagraat manao!"
Mummy ne aaine mein ek aakhri baar khud ko dekha. Unhone apne reshmi aanchal ko bade nakhre aur lachak ke saath sambhala. Unke chehre par sharm ki aakhri deewar bhi dharashayi ho chuki thi... ab bas apne mard ke aage samarpit hone ki hawas thi.
Unhone aage badh kar mere soojhe hue gaal par ek behad narm, meetha aur gehra chumban chhod diya:
Aur phir... woh kamar lachkate hue, laal saree ki sarsarahat ke saath mere kamre ka darwaza khol kar master bedroom ki taraf badh gayin—apne naye maalik ke bistar par uski dulhan ban kar lutne ke liye.
Mummy abhi corridor paar karke master bedroom ke darwaze tak pahunchi hi thin ki mere dimaag mein achanak ek aisi zehreeli, behad lajawab shararat kaundhi ki mere kadam khud-ba-khud unke peeche daud gaye.
Maine aage badh kar aahista se aawaaz di:
"Mummy... rukiye!"
Mummy ne chauk kar darwaze ke handle se haath hataya aur gardan ghuma kar meri taraf dekha. Unki laal saree ka chamakta hua sunhera aanchal hawa mein halka sa thirka, aur unke gore maathe par lagi laal bindi roshni mein chamak uthi.
"Kya hua Idris? Ab kyu rok raha hai?" Unki aawaaz mein ek be-chain, nakhre-bhari garmi thi.
Main unke bilkul kareeb ja khada hua. Nazrein unke khoobsurat, dulhan jaise saje hue chehre par jamayin aur hothon par ek be-sharm, teekhi muskaan laate hue sarghoshi mein bola:
"Dulhan ban kar saj toh poori tarah gayi hain aap Mummy... par ek sabse badi cheez toh reh hi gayi!"
"Kya reh gaya?" Mummy ne hairani se apni saree aur blouse ko dekha.
"Aapki maang!" Maine unke gore maathe ke beech, unke reshmi baalon ke partition ki taraf ungli ki: "Dulhan ki maang agar sooni rahe, toh dulhan kaisi? Maang toh bhari honi chahiye na!"
Mummy ke hothon par ek jhemp-bhari, madhosh muskaan aayi: "Dhatt badmash! Sindoor kahan se aaya... aur yahan sindoor hai bhi kahan?"
"Sindoor kisne manga Mummy?" Maine aage jhuk kar unke kaan ke bilkul paas phusphusaya, meri aawaaz mein tharki nasha gholte hue: "Hamare Papa kisi laal rang ke mohtaaj thodi hain! Aaj aap Papa ke bistar par unki nayi dulhan ban kar ja rahi hain... toh yaad rakhna, jab kamre se baahar niklo, toh apni maang Papa ke garam aur gaadhey maal se bharwa kar hi aana!"
Mummy ki saans ek jhatke mein gale mein atak gayi.
"Idris...!" Unke munh se ek dabi hui, behad garam cheekh jaisi siskari nikli.
"Haan Mummy..." Maine unki aankhon mein jhaankte hue aag bhadkayi: "Papa se kehna ki apna saara taaza maal aapki maang mein udel dein! Safed, gaadha maal aapke baalon ke beech se beh kar maathe par aana chahiye... taaki pata chale ki ghar ke naye maalik ne apni nayi dulhan par hamesha ke liye apna thappa laga diya hai!"
Mummy ka poora jism sar se pair tak kaanp utha. Sharam aur hawas ki ek aisi zordaar aag unke gaalon par phooti ki unka chehra tamtama gaya. Unki chhaati tezi se haanfne lagi, unke gore mammon ka ubhaar deep-neck blouse ke upar thartharane laga.
Unhone daanton tale apna nichla hoth daba liya. Unki aankhon mein ghin ya inkaar ka ek zarra tak nahi tha—balki ek aisi pagal kar dene wali madhoshi thi jaise unhe apni zindagi ka sabse bada nasha mil gaya ho.
"Tu na... sach mein aag laga deta hai badmash..." Mummy ne thartharati, ras-bhari aawaaz mein kaha aur unka haath ek baar phir mere baazu ko daba gaya: "Akash se bolungi... ki teri yeh khwaish bhi poori karein."
Itna keh kar Mummy ne master bedroom ka darwaza khola aur tezi se andar dakhil ho gayin.
*Khatack...*
Darwaza band hua aur andar se kundi chadhne ki halki si aawaaz aayi.
Corridor ke sannate mein main wahi khada reh gaya. Dil ki dhadkan tezi se uchhal rahi thi aur ragon mein be-panah shararat daud rahi thi.
Papa aur Mummy ab andar band the. Nayi suhagraat ka khel shuru ho chuka tha.
Aur ab baari thi... purane baap ke seene par aakhri khanjar ghopne ki!
--------
Main ghoom kar wapas apne kamre mein aaya aur darwaza halka sa satta diya.
Jeb se maine apna smartphone nikala. Screen on ki aur Abbu ka number dial kiya.
*TRRR... TRRR...*
Phone abhi theek se do baar bhi nahi baja tha ki call foran utha liya gaya—jaise doosri taraf baitha baap be-chaini mein phone ko chhaati se lagaye baitha ho!
"Idris?! Idris bol beta... kya hua?! Kahan hai tu?!"
Doosri taraf se Abbu ki saans-phooli, ro-padi aur deewani aawaaz goonj uthi. Unki aawaaz mein be-inteha khauf aur fikr thi.
Maine call uthate hi ek pal ka intezar nahi kiya. Maine apne gale ko kheencha, aawaaz ko aisi tooti hui, larazti aur dard-bhari cheenk-phusphusahat mein badla jaise main abhi-abhi maut ke munh se chhoot kar aaya hoon:
"A-Abbu... ufff... hnnngh... Abbu... meri baat... suniye..."
"Idris?! Kya hua beta?! Teri aawaaz ko kya hua?!" Abbu ka kaleja hil gaya.
"Abbu... ghazab ho gaya Abbu..." Maine zordaar tareeqe se haanfte hue aur dard se sisakte hue rona shuru kiya: "Maine... maine rokne ki bohot koshish ki Abbu! Sach keh raha hoon maine apni jaan laga di!"
"Kya rokne ki koshish ki?! Saaf-saaf bol na haramkhor kya hua wahan?!" Abbu ghabrahat mein phat pade.
"Akash... woh darinda Ammi ko zabardasti kheench kar aapke master bedroom mein le ja raha tha Abbu!" Maine jhooth ki aisi sansani-khez kahani banayi ki sun kar kisi ka bhi dimaag phat jaye: "Maine aage aakar use dono haathon se dhakka diya! Maine cheekh kar kaha ki khabardar jo tune meri Ammi ko chhua... yeh mere Abbu ka ghar hai, mere Abbu ka kamra hai! Nikal ja yahan se kutte!"
"P-Phir... phir kya hua?!" Abbu ki saansein dumm todne lagin.
"Us darinde ne... usne mujhe bohot maara Abbu!" Maine dard bhari siskari li, jaise meri pasliyan tooti hui hon: "Usne meri collar pakad kar mujhe deewar par patak diya... mere pait aur seene par laat-ghoonse barsaye! Mera jo gaal raat ko soojha hua tha, use phir se jhatke se noch dala... munh se khoon behne laga Abbu! Meri kamar par aisi laat maari ki main zameen par gir kar tadapne laga!"
"HAYE MERAY LAAL!" Abbu ke gale se aisi daad-bhari cheekh nikli jaise unka seena chhir gaya ho: "Us kutte ki itni himmat?! Mere bachhe par haath uthaya?! Meri aulaad ko lahu-luhan kar diya?!"
"Haan Abbu... main zameen par pada gidgidata raha, par us kaminey ne meri ek na suni!" Maine aage ki aag ugal di: "Woh Ammi ko kheench kar seedha master bedroom ke andar le gaya... aur andar se darwaze ki kundi band kar li! Main ghisat-ghisat kar darwaze tak gaya Abbu, maine dono haathon se darwaza peeta, cheekha ki darwaza kholo... par andar se AC chalu ho gaya aur darwaza band ka band raha!"
"MAIN JAAN SE MAAR DUNGA US HARAMI KO!" Abbu phone par pagal kuttay ki tarah cheekhne lage, unki aawaaz mein rona aur junoon ek saath ubal raha tha: "Main abhi aa raha hoon Idris! Main poore khandan ko leke aa raha hoon... chacha, taya, saare bhaiyon ko lekar gaadiyan bhar ke darwaze par pahunchunga! Mohalle ke saamne us darinde ki booti-booti kaat dunga aur us be-sharm aurat ka tamasha banaunga! Tu bas rukk beta, baap aa raha hai tera!"
"NAHI ABBU! NAHI!"
Maine phone par aisi dehshat-bhari, kaanp-uthne wali aawaaz mein cheekh mari ki Abbu ke kadam wahi freeze ho gaye:
"Meri khatir aesi galti mat karna Abbu! Kisi ko mat batana... kisi ek insaan ko bhi mat batana!"
Doosri taraf Abbu thithak gaye—"K-Kyu na bataun?! Tu pagal ho gaya hai kya Idris?! Usne tujhe peeta, tere ghar par kabza kiya... aur main kisi ko na bataun?!"
"Meri baat dhyan se suniye Abbu!" Maine aawaaz ko behad dabi hui, sanjeeda aur khaufzada bana kar unke dimaag mein teer chala diya:
"Pehli baat... agar aapne chacha, taya ya rishtedaaron ko bataya, toh hamari bachi-khuchi izzat bhi mitti mein mil jayegi Abbu! Sochye log kya kahenge? Mohalla aur khandan taane maar-maar kar aapka jeena haraam kar dega ki 55 saal ke baap ko ghar se lathi maar kar bhaga diya, 18 saal ke bete ko kutte ki tarah peet kar lita diya, aur ek 22 saal ka ladka din-dahaade uski biwi ko kamre mein band karke maze le raha hai! Khandan mein aapki aisi thoo-thoo hogi ki aap marte dam tak kisi shadi-byah mein munh dikhane kabil nahi bachenge!"
Abbu ke gale se ek thandi, marne jaisi siskari nikli. Samaj aur khandan ki be-izzati ka darr unki ragon mein zeher ban kar daud gaya.
"Aur doosri sabse khaufnak baat Abbu..." Maine aawaaz ko aisi sarsarahat mein badla jaise koi aakhri raaz bata raha ho: "Master bedroom ka darwaza band karne se pehle... Akash ne mere baal pakad kar meri gardan par apna joota rakha tha! Usne saaf dhamki di hai Abbu ki agar kisi teesre bande, rishtedaar ya police ko khabar hui... toh woh police ke aane se pehle yahan mere tukde-tukde karke meri laash baahar naali mein phenk dega!"
"K-Kya...?! L-Laash...?!" Abbu ka gala sookh kar kaanta ho gaya.
"Haan Abbu! Woh qaatil hai, pagal darinda hai! Usne bola hai ki agar kisi ko bataya toh sabse pehle tera beta marega! Kya aap meri laash dekhna chahte hain Abbu?!"
"Nahi beta... nahi nahi! Aesa mat bol... meri jaan nikal jayegi beta!" Abbu phone par phoot-phoot kar rone lage. Ek baap ki lachari aur bebas aansu phone ke speaker se saaf sunayi de rahe the.
"Toh meri baat maaniye Abbu..." Maine unke gale ka phanda aakhri hadd tak kas diya: "Kisi ko ek lafz mat boliyega. Na chacha ko, na taya ko, na kisi dost ya police ko. Chupchap apne akelepan mein intezar kijiye. Main yahan andar baitha hoon... main marte dam tak aapka wafadaar beta bankar ladunga. Jaise hi koi rasta niklega, main khud aapko aage ka bataunga! Par tab tak... kisi ke saamne zabaan mat kholna Abbu, warna aapka beta zinda nahi bachega!"
Doosri taraf Abbu ki aawaaz poori tarah toot chuki thi. Woh kisi be-jaan, haar chuki laash ki tarah ghutne tek chuke the:
"Theek hai beta... theek hai Idris... main kisi ko nahi bataunga... main zabaan par taala laga lunga beta... par tu apna khayal rakhna... us darinde ke aage zyada mat bolna... bas zinda rehna mere bachhe..."
"Ji Abbu... aap be-fikr rahiye. Main sab dekh lunga."
*TUT-TUT-TUT...*
Maine phone kaat diya.
Screen ki roshni bujh gayi. Aur kamre ke sannate mein mere soojhe hue chehre par ek aisi ajeeb, khoon-kharaba jeet ki shaitani hasi phail gayi jisme lazzat hi lazzat thi.
Baap ko maine aese bandhan mein baandh diya tha ki ab woh kisi ke aage rone ya madad maangne ke laayak bhi nahi bacha tha. Woh baahar chupchap darr aur sharm ke maare ghut-ghut kar marta rahega... aur samajhta rahega ki uska beta uske liye qurbani de raha hai!