Update 199
Pret
Raj-mehal ke bhojan kaksh me jaise arse baad kahkahe lag rahe the. Mahendra aur Amrita ko toh lag he nahi raha tha ke wo Arjun se aaj pehli he baar thik tarah se mile hai. Unke liye toh jaise wo hamesha se he unke sath tha ya fir wo aaj kahi apne jiwan me shahi jiwanshaili ke vanvaas rupi samay se bahar nikal kar samajik hue the. Amrita toh thi he chanchal aur hansmukh lekin khamosh tabiyat aur apni maa ki aagya siwa kuch baat na karne wala Mahendra hansna bolna seekh raha tha.
"Bhaiya jab England gaye toh inhe ek ladki ne pasand kar liya aur wo bar bar inse baat karne aaye lekin ye kabhi idhar toh kabhi udhar. Aakhir me jab saamne se maa aayi toh ja chhipe unke peeche. Apni haalat toh kya batate upar se ye keh diya ki ye ladki kisi maksad se uke peeche hai. Hahaha... asliyat saamne aayi toh wo maa ki jaankari wale pariwar se thi. Ab insaan khud bhi toh mana kar sakta hai na? Lekin inke toh kya he kehne.. Kumar Mahendra ji.. Hahaha..", Amrita jis tarah se khilkhila rahi thi khud uske bade bhai ko aisa lag raha tha ke aaj wo jiwit mehsoos kar raha hai. Itni mohak aur swabhavik hansi wo bhi is mehal ke bhitar. Arjun bhi kisse sunta hans raha tha aur Amrita baar baar uska hath pakad kar dusre hath se mej thapthapati toh wo bhi jaise is chehre ka he wajood pata poore mehal me. Jaise Amrita he yaha ki aatma ho jo hansti hai tabhi jiwan mumkin hota hai.
"Environment bolte hai isko ji. Waise main aapko chacha aur inko bua kahunga ya fir 'jaisa chal raha hai waisa chalne dijiye Kumar.", Arjun ne abhi rani maa ki nakal me ye pankti kahi toh dono bhai behan apna peit pakad kar hansne lage the uske sath aur fir ekaek Mahendra ke chehre par wahi gambhirta aa gayi. Rani maa hath me prasaad ki thali liye jo dakhil ho chuki thi idhar.
"Ab aapko ekdum se kya hua typical Kumar Mahendra ji? Hahaha.. Kahi Sarvesarva maharani ji Saundarya maa toh nahi dikh gayi? Hehehe..", Amrita apni he masti me jab ye baat bol kar hati toh agli awaaj se uski bhi wahi haalat thi.
"Tehjeeb bhool gayi hai shayad aap Kumari Amrita?.. Jaisa chal raha hai waisa chalne dijiye.. Tum hansti hui sachmuch aafreen lagti ho bitiya.. Sachmuch hume maaf kar dena aur is se behtar kuch nahi ho sakta jab mere bache in khali kamro ko apni hansi se bhar de. Tum par hume naaj hai beti. Bas jara is dhir gambhir Mahendru se bhi keh do ki ye naqaab bas is pariwarik mahol se bahar wali duniya me he pehne rakhe. Rang pakk gaya hai thoda lekin muskurahat atchi lagti hai tum par.", Amrita ka gaal choomne ke baad unhone sabse pehle prashaad usko he diya jo hairaani se apni maa ko dekh rahi thi. Mahendra bhi hairat me tha lekin maa ne jab uske karine se vyavasthit baalo ko bigaadte hue wo mamtamayi aalingan dene ke baad khudse he prasaad khilaya toh aaj jaise pehli baar us patthar se sakth aur niyam sarvopari vyakti ki aankhon me paani aa gaya.
"Ae bhai tum toh rone he lage. Maa main na kehti thi ki ye aapki beti hai andar he andar aur hum bete? Arjun toh bas kohni tikaye maa aur bete ke is khoobsurat pal ko dekh raha tha aur jehan me jaise he uski maa ki tasvir ubhri, aaspas ki hansi ko bhula kar wo chehra niche karte hue bas wahi pahuch gaya jaha wo aaj bhi chote bacha tha unke pehlu me chain se sota hua. Uski maa ne bhi toh kabhi ye ehsaas tak nahi hone diya ki wo unse bhi bada ho chuka hai. Hamesha wo usko apni baah par ya seene se laga ke chand minute me chain ki neend tak le jaati thi.
"Arjun beta, tum thik ho?", Prasaad apne hath se usko khilane aayi rani maa ne uske sar ko sparsh kiya toh Arjun turant pehle sa ho gaya.
"Ji rani maa hum bilkul thik hai.", Arjun ke aise jawaab par wo narajgi dikhati hui apna hath peeche le jane lagi toh Arjun ne lapak kar wo hath pakad liya.
"Hum tumse baat nahi kar rahe."
"Matt kijiye kyonki khaate samay baat karni bhi nahi chaiye. Aaa kjiye.. haan aise. Ab yaha baithiye aur hamari majaak masti ke liye khed prakat kar sakte hai par maafi nahi maangne wala hum teeno me se koyi bhi.", Arjun ne wo prasaad unhe he khilaya apne hatho se. Jitna haq aaj is yuvak ne ghante bhar me de diya tha ya le liya tha aisa na ateet me hua tha na ab kisi aur ke liye bhavishya me mumkin tha. Is baar aankhen namm hone ki baari Rani maa ki thi. Lekin muskaan ke sath Arjun ka matha sehlate hue.
"Hum bhi nahi chahte ke wo din aaye jab tumhe aisa gunaah karna pade. Mahendra, khansama ko bol do ki bhojan lagwa diya jaaye aur aaj hum apne bete ke sath khaane wale hai, ek thaali me. Kal se is pariwarik jagah par kaam ki baatein nahi hongi aur Amrita aap apne shayankaksh me sangeet bajaye ya dhamaka kare, hum nahi tokenge. Niyam dehleej se bahar pehle wale he rahenge."
"Yar tum pehle kyun nahi aa gaye the.? Hamari toh zindagi ke sunehre din bhi dhal chuke tab aaye ho. Chalo kam se kam aa toh gaye. Waise main kya keh rahi thi maa, Arjun yahi rehne wala hai toh thoda baksh do isko abhi. Abhi nashte par ye mere sath hai, dopehar ko bhai ke sath hoga aur shaam me kar lena apni mamta ki baarish is par."
"Nahi bua, mujhe 12 baje wapis bhi nikalna hai. Waise main milne ke sath sath aapko aamantrit karne bhi aaya hu.", Ye dono baatein sunn kar Amrita ka chehra he utar gaya.
"Aap bua kehne se naraaj ho gayi toh chalo Kumari Amrita ji keh lenge.", Arjun ne fir se masti karni chahi toh jawaab Mahendra ne diya apne behan ko us taraf dekhte pa kar.
"Jabse pata chala hai ki tum us dangal me chunoti utha chuke ho, maa aur Amrita us din se he pareshan hai. Mujhe bhi lagta hai ki jaise tumne khud he un logo ko sahi avsar de diya jo is pal ki pratiksha me barso the. Rajpariwar se udhar koyi ja nahi sakta lekin .."
"Lekin vekin baad me dekhenge chacha ji. Aap ko toh bula he sakta hu na kyunki Kumari Amrita ji toh abhi 18 ki hui hai, jinhe aisa keh kar hum sharminda nahi karna chahte aainda. Haan toh main keh raha tha ke ye sirf ek muqabla hai jo mere liye niyamit abhyaas se kuch jyada nahi jitna maine gaanv ke akhade me dekha. Kaunse dushman aur kya intjaar.? Ek na ek din toh is sab par viraam lagna he tha toh is baar he kyun na wo viraam laga diya jaaye.? Uske baad fir main vyast ho jaunga aur dada ji aise chote mote kaam ki jagah mujhe kitaab college me he band kar denge.", Arjun jis tarah se ye sab gambhir baatein hansi majaak me kar raha tha rani maa uske sar ko sehlati hui khamoshi se uske sath baithi rahi.
"Jitna humne suna hai na Arjun, waha kitne he siyaar behroopiyon ki tarah ghaat lagaye baithe honge. Sab bahot shant chal raha hai aur ye shanti tootne par parinaam bahot ghatak ho sakte hai. Tum nahi jaante ki is bade mehal me bhi jab din me 2-2 bar pehredar badalne padte hai toh kaisa lagta hai. Maa ne bataya tha ke kaise tumhara ek bhai navjaat samay he... Arjun jo gujar chuka hai us se nikalna jaruri hai. Itihaas me aksar shadyantra aur gumnaam kadmo ke nishaan he milte hai ya dard. Tum nahi jaan sakte ki wo kaun honge ya kitne. Aur humne tumhara wo pariwar dekha tha jaha sirf khushiya he thi. Unki khushiyon se nikal kar in anjaan shikariyon se bhidna khudkhushi hogi.", Amrita kehne se rok na saki jo uske dil me bhara tha. Lekin apna dard jubaan par laane ke baad jab usne Arjun ka chehra dekha toh wo kahi jyada hairat me padd gayi. Wo jaise koyi aur he tha jiski sard muskaan sidha bhaye paida karti thi.
"Sabko unke bil se bahar nikaal kar he rukunga. Wo khushiya jo aapne dekhi thi ya jo bhaye aaj bhi sabke dil me hai.. Ye jyada bada khatra hai. Intjaar karta rahu ki fir meri maa par goli chale, mera ek bhai aur kurbaan ho jaaye.. kab Mahendra chacha ki peeth me chhura bhonk de koyi apna he sirf raajpat ya jameer bech kar? Sab.. niklenge..apne bill se... Us din mera pariwar chain se so paayega.. mere dada ji koyi salaah nahi denge.. aap bina pehredar ke bahar nikal sakengi aur akhade me sirf khel ko khel ki taraha liya jaayega. Aur main chota nahi hu, jis din mere pita ne ye kaha tha ki mujhe ghar se bahar apni najar se duniya dekhni hogi, apna mukaam khud banana hoga tab mujhe samajh nahi aaya tha wo kya keh rahe hai lekin 3 baras baad pata chal gaya tha aur jab bada hua toh aapke samne hu. Ab hum maa ke sath bhojan grehan kar sakte hai aapki aagaya ho toh, aadarniyan mallika e raaj-mehal Kumari Amrita ji?", Arjun fir se purane andaaj me aa gaya tha baat khatam karte hue. Lekin Amrita ne halki si muskaan ke sath bas sehmati me sar hila diya baaki dono ko hanste dekh.
"Chaliye aaj main aapko khilata hu. Khudse toh ek waqt aap khaati he hongi.", Arjun ke pyaar aur tanj ke saamne rani maa ne bhi hathiyaar daal he diye the aur jis tarah se wo ek ek niwala dhyaan se unhe khila raha tha baaki dono bhi dekhte rahe. Akhaade par fir charcha na hui aur jab rani maa ne bas ka ishara kiya toh Arjun ne naa me sar hila diya.
"Khuraak nahi lengi toh chalengi firengi kaise aap? Meri daadi aadarniya Kaushalya ji kehti hai ki khana jaruri hai aur agar usme prem mila ho toh bhookh se thoda jyada bhi kha lena chahiye. Ab raani hone ke bawjood khana bhi chugge ki tarah khayengi toh fir log sandeh karenge. Thoda paani pijiye sath me.", Arjun kaanch ke gilaas ko unke hontho par lagane ke baad saaf rumaal se honth paunch kar fir se khilane laga toh ye aakhiri niwala bhi unhone jaise taise kha liya.
"Maa ko ek roti se adhik khaate aaj dekh raha hu Arjun. Yar tum nashte par aa he jaya karo.", Mahendra ke majaak par ye dono muskuraye lekin Amrita toh plete me chawal ke dono se jaane kya chitrakari kiye ja rahi thi. Wo apni he soch me khoyi rahi aur sabka nashta hone ke baad jab rani maa ka dhyaan us par gaya toh unhone kandha hilate hue poocha.
"Tum khana nahi kha rahi beti? Kaha khoyi ho?"
"Wo kuch nahi maa.. bas pehle phalahaar kar liya tha bhook lagne par. Ab bas isliye shamil ho gayi ki sabhi yahi hai. Sewika se kehte hai ke mej samet de. Arjun maaf karna, thoda sar dukh raha hai isliye baad me baat karte hai.", Amrita ne feeki muskurahat se vida li aur bhitar wale hall ko langti hui un ghumaavdar seedhiyon ko chadhti hui apne kamre me chali gayi.
"Koyi baat nahi, aap naraaj matt hoiye. Sar kabhi bhi dukh sakta hai. Waise aap bhi araam kijiye daadi maa, main kuch der chacha ke sath bahar tehalne ja raha hu. Aapko sandesh bhijwa dunga sewika se wapis aane par.", Arjun bhi uth gaya tha aur baaki dono bhi. 2 sewikaye bartan sametne ke sath kapda bhi lagane lagi thi us kaali teek ke bade table par, jo apne aap me jaise sadiyan dekh chuka tha lekin aaj bhi chamak pehle si.
"Upar dusra kaksh hamara hai beta. Kisi se sandesh bhijwane ki jagah khud he aa jana. Ye tumhara bhi toh ghar hai, nahi?"
"Ji daadi maa. Waise subah poori bhi nahi hui aur mehal ghar me tabdil ho gaya.", Arjun bahar jaane se pehle ye majaak me bola tha aur unhone uske sar par halke se chapat rakhte hue jawaab diya.
"Jaha pariwar ho wo ghar he hota hai. Haan mehlo me maine bahot samay gujara lekin mujhe ghar jyada pasand hai. Pratiksha rahegi aane ki aur aap inhe ghuma laaye is ghar se aage wale mehal me Mahendra. Mehal us hall se shuru hota hai.", Ishara udhar tha jaha ek chauda hall langhne ke baad darbaar tha jiske kapaat is taraf se abhi band the. Arjun hansta hua jald aane ka bol Kumar Mahendra ke sath is mehal bhraman par nikal chala.
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"Jiski wajah se hamari beti bahana karke apne kaksh me aa kar baith gayi, dekh abhi bhi usko he rahi. Batana nahi chahti toh hum iska sammaan he karenge lekin hum hamesha se aapki maa hai Amrita aur jitne rang humne hamari beti ke chehre par un chand lamho me dekh liye itne 38 baras tak usko bada karte hue bhi nahi dekh paaye? Ho sakta hai hum anjaan ho aapke antarmann ke dwand se lekin kuch hadd toh sahi ho sakte hai.", Us kaanch lagi aadamkad khidki se ektak baahar dekhti Amrita apne me he khoyi thi jo shayan-kaksh me aayi is meethi awaaj se sakpaka kar parda lagane he lagi thi khidki par lekin us se pehle ek maa ne apni beti ka hath apne dono hatho me le liya. Pehle toh rani maa ne ye bina dekhe he kaha tha fir jab us bade udhyaan me sachmuch ujli kameej aur aasten kohni tak mode us aakarshak yuvak ko apne bete ke sath dekha toh hontho par gehri muskaan teir gayi. Amrita najre jhukaye baithi thi jaise uske paas ya toh uchit shabd nahi the ya wo khud gehre vicharo ke beech uljhi thi.
"Jaanti ho ye ladka bapu ji se bhi jyada aakarshak hai Amrita. Unke kisse prachalit thi dabi chhipi awaaj me lekin ye jo khud sabko najar lagane ki daavat deta beparwahi se ghoom raha hai, ye asadharan hai.", Rani maa ki najre abhi bhi Arjun par he tiki thi jo ghode ko apne hatho se ghaans khilata hua Mahendra se kisi baat par hanste hue charcha kar raha tha. Wo bhi Arjun ki peeth thapthapte hue gehre dost ki tarah aage isharo se kuch batane laga.
"Aap itna spasht kaise bol sakti hai maa? Aur hume ye aakarshak nahi lagta. Pandit ji ke pita ke baare me thoda bahot jaante hai jitna aapne bataya aur baaki logo ne. Tulna nahi ki ja sakti itne arse ke beech 2 alag alag insano ki."
"Spasht keh dena he toh seekha hai humne is jiwan me. Aur ye tulna toh har wo vyakti karega jisne dono ko he dekha hai. Akele baith kar he dekhna chahti hai toh hum isme badha nahi banenge. Waise bhi hamare hridya se jyara gehra prabhav toh Arjun ne aapke upar kiya tha us din jab pehli baar saamna hua tha. Lekin wo pehli bar nahi tha jis tarah tumhari aankhen kisi se batchit ke bawjood us par he tiki thi. Chalte hai aur jyada khalal paida nahi karenge hamari beti ke niji palo me.", Rani maa uthne lagi toh khud Amrita ne unka hath thoda dabaav se pakad liya.
"Aapko bhi sach pata hai aur main bhi hakikat ki samajh rakhti hu maa. Fir bhi aap wo baat keh rahi hai jo namumkin hai.", Amrita ne is baar fir se himmat karte hue saamne dekha toh dono shaksh kuch kadam dur ja khade hue the. Arjun ghode ke chote se bache se khelte hue koyi baat keh raha tha.
"Aakarshan me qaid hona kisi ke vash me toh nahi? Aasman me nikla wo chaand dil ko sukoon deta hai lekin usko paya nahi ja sakta par kya is wajah se uska didaar bhi nahi kiya ja sakta? Khair ye toh utni dur nahi hai lekin kuch hadd tak tum bhi sahi ho. Par agar niyati me kuch hona hoga toh tum badal nahi sakogi, dil me chehra baith jaane ke baad nikalta nahi asaani se. Wo badal sakta hai, itna hum pehli baar is chehre ko dekhte he jaan gaye the.", Rani maa ki paheliyan kuch toh samajh me aayi kuch upar se gayi Amrita ke. Lekin dil wali baat keh kar unhone Amrita ke gaal halke surkh jarur kar diye the.
"Waise aapke ye baapu ji urf bade pandit ji itne pratishtith aur sanskari hone ke sath jab anushashit evam niyamo ke purak the toh fir unke kisse matlab kya wo galat nahi tha?", Amrita ne jaan boojh kar baat ab Motilal ji par ghuma di thi. Wo jaise Arjun ke maamle ko jyada se jyada apne tak rakhna chahti thi. Aisa swabhivik he tha jab pehli baar maa aur beti ke beech pasand ki baat chal rahi ho.
"Hum is par raaye nahi de sakte ki kya galat tha kya sahi lekin unke charitra par kabhi koyi sawaal nahi utha tha. Jo kisse the unme bhi ye baat jyada rehti thi ki unho ne dukhi ko jeena sikhaya. Hum toh hamesha he unki liye nanhi Diya bitiya rahe jabtak wo swarg na sidhare, toh charitra aanklan nahi kar sakte hum. Shaant swabhav lekin jab bhadak jaate the toh ye bhi nahi dekhte thi saamne wala kaun hai bas apradh usool se bada hua toh jaan le lete the, hatho se he. Jyada toh yaad nahi lekin aksar jab wo mehal ke is upari galiyare se gujarte the toh choti maa bhi parde ke peeche se bas unhe he dekhti rehti thi. Waisa tum bhi kar rahi ho aur sachmuch ye kahi behtar dikhta hai.", Ateet ke palo se nikal kar fir dono maa beti wahi drishya dekh rahi thi.
"Humne kuch aur bhi dekha tha maa. Aapne jaisa bataya ki baapu ji, shaant aur gussel dono bhaav rakhte the maine niche Arjun ka alag roop dekha. Wo kuch alag tha jab maine dushmano ki baat kahi aur pariwar ki hansi khushi wali, us ek pal me sachmuch mera mann ghabraya tha. Aap toh sunn kar khush ho rahi thi lekin main chehra dekh rahi thi jisme sachmuch wo vyakti tha jo masoom nahi tha. Kuch pakke irade wala lekin maksad se bharpoor aur khatarnaak. Sab bolte hai ki ye 18 ka hai par lagta kyun nahi?"
"Itni jaldi chintit bhi ho gayi? Hamare waqt me toh aisa khayaal mahine le leta tha... Hahaha.. uphaas kar rahe hai bas. Wo khaas hai tabhi Pandit ji ne usko hamesha apne kareeb rakha. Wo bahar nikla hai toh maksad se he aur poori tayaari karke jiska khud Pandit ji ya kisi ko bhi nahi pata. Lekin maksad aisa jis se sabki khushiyan aur jiwan juda hai jo inke sath shamil hai. Dil darta hai hamara bhi lekin dusra pehlu ye bhi hai ki pandit ji isme shamil hai toh wo isko kuch hone nahi denge. Aur khabar hum bhi rakhte hai thodi bahot janaab ki. Kal he 6 pehalano ki pasliyan chatkayi hai isne akele wo bhi darshako ko samajh aa sake us se bhi kam samay me. Bapu ji hamare pita ko ekant me hamesha naam se bulate the jo prem bhi tha aapsi. Thik waise he rang in janaab ke hai jo Raja Saarang ko sidha tu-tadaak aur bhagoda tak bol gaye. Ek diler insaan jo apne liye na sochta ho aur hamesha dusro ki choti se choti khushi ki parwah kare, us se behtar khajana koyi nahi hota beti. Lekin us par kisi ek ka adhikaar bhi nahi ho sakta. Arjun baapu ji se 2 maamlo me toh kahi jyada behtar hai. Dimaag prayog karne ke daayre aur dushman ko pata lage bina gherne me. Aamne saamne ki jung me toh tum jaisi rajkumari dil haar gayi fir in pehalwano ki toh bisaat he kya. Chalte hai aur humne bata diya tha Arjun ko ki wo seedha upar se dusre kaksh me bedhak aa jaaye. Mann halka ho jaaye toh hamare kaksh me bhej dena. Jaruri baat bhi karni hai hume.", Ab toh Amrita jaise jaise sunti gayi waise he dilchaspi bhi gehrati gayi lekin aakhir me rani maa ne jaane se pehle jo jhatka diya toh wo stabdh khadi unhe jaate dekhne lagi.
"Hairaan kyun ho rahi hai aap? Galat kaha kya humne kuch? Wo bhi spasht baat karega par samajh nahi aane wali isliye ek baar fir se milna padega. Parda kar do, wo log aate he honge.", Aaj sachmuch jaise rani maa ke dil ya dimaag par koyi chot lagi thi ya wo hansna seekh chuki thi. Amrita jaldi se darwaja band karke darpan ke saamne ja khadi hui. Jabse Arjun aaya tha uska mann aur dil alag alag disha me ja rahe the. Mann samaaj ke niyam aur shahi rutbe ke ulahne deta toh dil bas jee bhar ke uske sath waqt bitane ka. Amrita ne ek baar fir se apni maa ki baaton ko mann me dohraya aur fainsla kiya ki ye chaand chahe naseeb na ho par jitna mumkin hai utna didar jarur karungi. Agle he pal bister par dhero khoobsurat paridhan pade the jinme se jo sabse jyada lubhaya wo pehan kar Amrita ne khud ko atche se tayaar kiya. Kuch der pehle ki tarah sar pe shahi tehjeeb wala sapaat chehra, dhake hue baal aur feeka reshmi paridhan jism par nahi tha. Halke ghungrale baal khuli hawa me saanse lete peeth ki taraf the, sar ke dono taraf adrishya se 2 pin lagane ke baad. Gulabi hontho par coffee ke rang ki laali aur kaano me patle kaante, jo kisi maheen choodi se the. Gehri aankhon ke bahar bhi Amrita ne geele kaajal se kala ghera gehan kar liya tha aur thuddi ka til jaise ab jiwant hua.
'Bahot si baatein karni hai lekin tum samajh rahe hoge ki main kuch orthodox type ki typical ladki hu. Haan shaadi nahi toh ladki he hu, chahe 37 basant poore ho gaye mere. Hmmm. tum par white shirt janchti hai lekin dekho black blouse aur ye long skirt tumhare jitna na sahi par Princess Amrita ko barabar khade hone laayak toh banate he hai. Bangles? Nope.. Just one in both wrists will do.", Amrita sachmuch kisi jawaan ladki si harkate kar rahi thi. Itni umar uski lagti nahi thi kisi haal me. Atyadhik he gora rang, koyi 26 ke aaspas kamar aur seena 32 se ek ratti jyada nahi tha. Ghudswari, teiraki aur nape-tule khaan-paan ke sath ek sajag dincharya aur kamaal ke husn ki har mumkin dekhbhal se wo college jaane wali yuvti se adhik nahi thi. Chaukhat par peeth lagaye Arjun sab sunn raha tha jo uske tayaar hone ke baad se he idhar khada muskura raha tha. Lambi skirt ko peeche se dekhne ke liye Amrita ne jaise he ghuamav liya wo baraf si jamm gayi. Arjun jaane kabse khada tha waha aur usne ye bhi nahi socha ki wo ab Arjun ki kya pratikriya hogi.?
"Darwaja knock karna ek atchi aadat kehlaati hai aur kamra kisi lady ka ho toh ye jaruri bhi hai.", Ab wo fir se mudda badal kar ulta Arjun ko he shiksha dene lagi thi jo muskurata hua bina kuch jaane ke liye palta toh Amrita ne jaldi se pukara.
"Jawaab diye bina ja raho ho.. Ye jyada galat baat hoti hai aur main tumse badi hu, haan bua nahi.", Arjun ek kadam baad he ruk gaya tha. Aur is baar wo paanv se chehre tak Amrita ko dekhne ka baad chehre par he ruk gaya. Ab jaise Amrita ki baari thi najre jhukane ki.
"Pehle se darwaja khula ho toh shayad fir se band karna chahiye? Nahi Princess Amrita ji? Ye aadat itni jaldi nahi padne wali jiska dikhawa kiya ja raha hai. Waise main aaya toh rani maa se milne tha lekin apna naam sunn kar kadam apne aap he thehar gaye. Aap college jaane ki tyaari kar rahi hai?", Arjun ka arth samajhte he is baar Amrita ne mooh banate hue jawaab diya jaise wo koyi choti bachi ho.
"Fir bhi andar aane se pehle awaaj deni chahiye thi. Aur hume college poora kiye 15 varsh ho chuke hai isliye ye firaki toh matt he lo. Khade he rahoge?"
"Ye rajkumari sahiba bilkul bhi mehal ke niyam nahi maanti. Aisa tabhi jyada hota hoga na jab rani maa mehal se bahar ho ya desh se? Purane samay me jarur hota tha ki raja vesh badal kar praja me ghoomte the lekin wo aisa apne rajya ki asliyat jaan ne ke liye karte the. Aap ka uddeshya toh hume bilkul bhi waisa nahi lag raha tha.", Arjun is behad aalishan aur sadharan se 4-5 guna bade kaksh ke bhitar aate hue kursi ki jagah us naram bister ke kinare aa baitha tha. Aur uski baat sunn kar Amrita furti se darwaje ki aur lapakti hui usko band karne ke baad darwaje se he peeth tika kar khadi ho gayi. Chehre par thoda bhaye tha lekin jyada aashcharya.
"Shhhh.. Hume marwana chahte ho maa se? Aur tum khel rahe the hamare sath ye jaante hue bhi ki hum kaun hai? Aur bata dete hai ki hum peecha nahi kar rahe the. Kaam se gaye the waha aur aisa aksar karna padta hai jab maa anupasthit ho.", Amrita jo bhi keh rahi thi shayad Arjun us se sehmat nahi tha.
"Mehngi kaare (Cars) is nacheej ka peecha na ke barabar he karti hai aur jaha mujhe koyi jaanta he na ho waha toh bilkul bhi aisa mumkin nahi. Raat ki wajah se us khoobsurat driver ko toh pehle sahi se nahi dekh paya tha lekin car khud he andhere me roshan rehti hai. Pehle poori ghatna dekhi, fir police ko bheja, shayad jaankari lene ke liye kyonki case toh darj hua nahi jaisa ho sakta tha aur uski wajah ye bhi ho sakti hai ki wo thanedar ji chacha se parichit the. Aisa kya khaas dikhai diya aapko jo intjaar bhi kiya aur fir ghar tak peecha bhi? Agle din wahi gaadi Model Town market ki parking me khadi thi aur is baar shayad sanyog he tha jo main fir se dikhai diya. Gurughar me dua kabool hui thi ya sachmuch ummeed thi ki waisa hoga?", Arjun samay lagate hue har baat ruk ruk kar jaise bata raha tha Amrita ki najre jhukti gayi. Lekin uske khamosh hote he Amrita ne apne lambi palke upar uthate hue is bar bholepan se jawaab diya jiski dono ko he ummeed nahi thi.
"Hum aise bilkul nahi hai jaisa tum shayad hamare baare me vichar bana chuke hoge. Sab bilkul thik kaha tumnse siwaye kuch baatein jaane bina. Bukhara Mahendra bhaiya ki milkiyat hai hai aur us shaam hum wahi se nikal rahe the jab humne wo manjar dekha jo katai samajik nahi tha. Aur na us waqt tak humko khabar thi ki waha kaun hai. Isliye humne najdiki chowk par khade police karmchari ko udhar bheja. Hamari ek dost najdeek he kuch shopping kar rahi thi aur wo police karmchari khud hamari gaadi wahi khade dekh hamare paas wapis aaye. Hum vesh nahi badalte jaise tumne kaha Arjun aur waha bhi unhone hume jaante hue khud jaankari di thi ghatna ki. Usme kuch khaas nahi tha siwaye is baat ke ki ek bhai apni behano ki hifajat kar raha tha jisme shayad 3 badmash jakhmi hue the. Lekin kanoon toh jaanch ke baad he fainsla karta hai na ke nirdosh kaun hai? Yahi humne poocha tha.", Aur aisa keh kar Amrita ne ek pal ka viraam liya aur swayam he lakdi ki shahi kursi khinchte hue Arjun ke kareeb us par baith gayi. Dono ek dusre ke saamne the, chand faansle par.
"Unka jawaab tha ki wo us ladke par hath nahi daal sakte chahe hum unki shikayat he kyun na kar de aala adhikariyon se. Aur us ladke ka sach jaan kar hum bhi wahi karenge kyonki wo Pandit Rameshwar ji ka pauta hai, XXXX ke pradhan ji aur purv SSP. Nahi jaante ki hum kyu itne utsahit hue the is vyakti ko dekhne ke liye. Shayad maa se sune kisse kahaniya, Pandit ji ka wo hamesha he hamare liye pita sa pyaar. Pehle hum poore pariwar se bhi mile the yahi is shehar me lekin jo pautra humne dekha tha wo sabhya aur kanoon ka hiteshi tha. Ye awara ladaka kaun paida ho gaya unke ghar me jiski khabar he nahi hume? Isliye hum unke sath he tumhe dekhne aaye the par tum udhar nahi mile. Inder bhaiya ki motorcycle wahi khadi thi jisko police karmchari bhi pehchante the aur hum bhi. Bas unse ijajat le kar hum wapis apni saheli ki taraf chal diye aur wo apne station. Us din jaane kyun hum pehli baar kisi ka intjaar kar rahe the wo bhi 30 minute se jyada aur jab tum us motorcycle par sawaar hue toh hum apni car ko band karke bas dekhte reh gaye us insaan ko jo muskura raha tha apni behno ke sath hansta bolta."
"Aur phir uske baad ghar tak peeche aane ka uddeshya rajkumari ji? Aapko nahi lagta ki kisi par-purush ka aise peecha karna bhi utna he galat hai jitna bina darwaje par dastak diye andar aana, aur peecha agar ek sabhya rajkumari kare toh ye toh kahi jyada galat baat hoti hai.", Arjun waise he Amrita ko pareshan kar raha tha jaise usne kiya tha jab Arjun darwaje par khada tha kamre me bhitar aane se pehle. Amrita is baar kisi navyovna si sharmaai thi lekin hanste hue.
"Tumhara peecha karne ke sath sawaal jawaab ka bhi adhikar hum rakhte hai chahe us waqt wo sab apne aap hua ho. Shayad tum sanrakshak aur shahi-khandaan ka kaayda nahi jaante, ye wo vachan hai jo Pandit ji aur is shahi pariwar ko ek dusre se jodd kar rakhe hue hai, barso se.", Amrita beshak anjaane he ye baat bol gayi thi kyonki jiwan me aisi sthiti kabhi bani he nahi thi ki jab dil ki baat ijhaar se prakat karni padi ho. Lekin Arjun naraj hone ki jagah shaant raha.
"Main na kisi vachan se bandha hu aur na mujh par shahi kaayde aur kanoon lagu hote hai rajkumari ji. Aap beshak ye baat rani maa se pooch sakti hai. Saaf saaf likha milega ki vachan Pandit Rameshwar ji aur Maharaja sahab ke beech hua tha. Jaanta hu ki main chota mooh aur badi baat kehne ja raha hu lekin yaha mehal me mujhe aane ke liye vivash nahi kiya gaya, main apni marzi se aaya hu. Jis tarah mere dada ji sanrakshak hai, waise he kaayde se idhar bhi ek sanrakshak hoga. Unse main sawaal jawaab kar sakta hu kyonki wo haq mujhe khud aapke is mehal aur Pandit ji ne saunpa hai. Lekin main in sandhi, niyamo aur kanoon ko samajhne me asamarth hu rajkumari ji. Mujhe bas insaan dikhte hai jo dard me ho, kamjor, bebas ya fir shaatir. Inme se aap sirf kamjor aur bebas hai. Kamjor isliye ki jo baat aapko kehni chahiye wo kehne ki himmat nahi hai, wajah hai aashankit mann, samaaj aur parinaam. Bebasi in niyamo aur kaaydo ki wajah se kyonki rajkumari unke daayre me jo aati hai. Ab aap apni baat aage kahiye, jaane se pehle main aapki uljhan ka hal karke he jaunga.", Arjun sach keh raha tha ki ab us par niyam laagu nahi ho sakte the aur jis tarah se usne rajkumari ko ye ehsaas karwaya tha uske pinjre aur Arjun ke azaad parinde samaan jiwan ka Amrtia us kursi par baithi kuch jyada he simat gayi thi. Chehra jhuk gaya tha apna sach kisi aur ke mooh se sunn ne ke baad. Arjun ne wo aapas me ulajhti naram patli ungliyon ke aapsi fande alag karte hue Amrita ke dono hath apne hatho me le liye. Aisa karke usne Amrita ko ehsaas dilwaya ki wo wahi hai, uske paas.
"Hum..
"Main.. aise baat kahiye, thoda behtar lagega."
"Hnnn.. Main bas pata karna chahti thi ki aakhir tumhe aajtak is pariwar se milwaya kyun nahi gaya? Aur kareeb se bas dekhna chahti thi. Utni dur se has haav-bhaav se yahi laga ke aapas me hans bol rahe hai.. Tumhare jaane ke baad hum.. matlab main kuch duri banate hue agli market aur fir model town tak peecha karti rahi lekin waha light ho jaane ki wajah se tumhe kho diya, hum ghar tak nahi aaye the.. matlab main nahi aayi thi. Raat hamare hotel me bitane ke baad suabh jaldi nikalna tha yaha wapis aane ke liye. Avni, meri saheli hai Delhi se jo us din sath thi. Wo paas wale gurughar gayi thi ardaas ke liye jaisa wo aksar karti hai aur main wapis car ki taraf laut rahi thi jab tum kisi bujurg ko paise de rahe the aur fir dogs ko bread biscuit khilane lage. Ek baar toh mujhe bhi laga tha ki tumne mujhe dekha hai par laga veham hoga. Tum is bar motorcycle ki jagah black mitsubishi me the. Main anjaane he apni dost aur mehal ke kaayde bhool kar tumhare peeche aane lagi par tumhe park ke andar jaate dekh bina ruke wapis laut aayi. Nahi jaanti ki aisa kyun kiya lekin hume aisa karke pachtava bhi nahi tha. Kuch waqt ajaad mehsoos kiya tha aur khush bhi. Bas itna he tha hamare paas batane ko."
"Aur rani maa se milne ke waqt meri photo lene ki khaas wajah, waha shaadi me? Car ke andar andhera ho sakta hai lekin khidki par tika camera bahar ki roshni se saaf dikhta hai rajkumari ji, isliye aap shaatir toh bilkul bhi nahi hai. Aur'bas itna he tha hamare paas batane ko',", Arjun ne aisa dusri baar kiya tha jab Amrita ke pehle kahi baat usne dohrai ho. Apni chori pakde jaane se wo ab baithne ki bhi himmat nahi kar pa rahi thi. Ye sab bahot jaldi hua tha aur Arjun uske he mehal me aane ke baad ab uske kamre me uska he hath pakde jis tarah sawaal aur haq jata raha toh, Amrita ne pehli baar khud ko sachmuch bebas paya.
"Tumhari nahi li thi, wo drishya khoobsurat tha aur humne jyada vivaah samaroh nahi dekhe hai. Matlab maine. Tumhe kyun laga ki tumhari photo lenge? Utne khaas bhi nahi ho.", Amrita bas kaise bhi ab Arjun se bachna chaah rahi thi. Ye pehla he toh avsar tha kisi purush ke sath ekaant batchit ka aor wo bhi uske khudke kamre me. Amrita ke khade hone par Arjun ne bhi hatheliya chhod di. Dikhave ke liye Amrita kuch kadam chal kar us badi almaari me taak-jhaak karne lagi. Jaise kuch dhoond rahi ho.
"Thik hai nahi li hogi aur sachmuch main khaas bhi nahi hu. Aap khaas ho aur ye black dress bhi aapko jyada suit karti hai, thik in ear-rings aur khule balo ke sath. Sath me khada ho kar ye toh dekh he sakta hu na ki main kuch hadd tak thik lag raha hu ya nahi? Ye himakat aapke bhai sahab ke saamne karta toh gardan alag ho chuki hoti ab tak meri.", Amrita ki saansein he atak gayi thi jaise he khud ko Arjun ke aalingan me paya, jo peeche khada ek hath uski kamar aur dusre se baalo ko peeche karke Amrita ke daaye taraf ke jhumke ke sath sath chehra bhi dekh raha tha. Bade darpan par najar padte he Amrita sehamne ki jagah sharmati hui najre jhukane lagi. Sachmuch shwet-shyaam rango me ye jodi utkrisht thi. Arjun ne agli himakat karte hue halke se Amrita ka gaal choom liya.
"Saja soch lijiyega kya dene wali hai is aam insaan ko itni badi gustakhi karne ki. Jo aap chahti thi maine bas wahi kiya hai aur ab chalta hu, rani maa se bhi milna jaruri hai. Amritaaa..", Arjun ne jis tarah uske naam ki sargoshi ki thi, Amrita ne aankhen band karte hue uska hath apni patli kamar par kass ke daba liya. Julfe ek baar fir se gaalo ko dhak chuki thi.
"Hume naam se pukarne ki gustakhi..
"Bas akele me karunga, jab aap chahengi. Bua nahi hai na aap meri. Bye.", Arjun jaise reit ki tarah uski hatheli se fisalta alag ho chuka tha. Amrita me ab bilkul himmat nahi thi is gustakh ko rokne ki. Wo kuch waqt wahi khadi rahi aur jab khud ko aaine me akele dekha toh usko bhi parde se dhak diya.
'Ab drishya adhura hai. Farebi kahi ka..' Amrita apni he khushi par sharmaati hui bister par aundhe mooh leit gayi. Aaj uska sukoon kho chuka tha aur Arjun ne jo kaha tha wo Amrita ke he dil me chipe jajbaat the. Agle 2 ghante Arjun uski maa ke he kaksh me band raha tha jaha jaane ki anumati kisi ko bhi nahi thi siwaye sewika aur Amrita ke lekin jaruri kaam se sirf.
.
.
"Padhai nahi kar rahi tum? Aur phone kaha milaya tha?", Kaushalya ji kamre me dakhil hui toh Ritu bas handle rakh kar uthne he lagi thi.
"Wo.. padh he rahi thi daadi lekin Preeti ke ghar thodi disturbance thi aaj isliye yahi padh rahi thi. Aaru ka phone nahi aaya tha isliye gaanv wale number pe call lagaya lekin wo vyast hai.", Ritu ke chehre par uska bareek dandi wala chasma aur ek hath me pen dekh Kaushalya ji bhi samajh gayi ki wo sach keh rahi hai.
"Ab tune kya uske sath time pakka kiya hua hai jo 12 bajte he baat karni jaruri hai? Waise bhi ghoom fir raha hoga idhar udhar. Mujhse toh sadhe 6 baje he baat ho gayi thi savere. Bol raha tha ke aaj kuch kaam se shehar ja raha hai, khel-ghar ka samaan bhi lena hai udhar. Baaki lautne pe toh phone karega he. Main baat karwa dungi teri. Aaru ka phone nahi aaya...", Bister se akhbaar samet kar ek taraf rakhte hue Kaushalya ji bhi uske maje lene se nahi chook rahi thi. Ritu kuch asehaj hoti hui kamre se jaane he lagi thi ki baithak se aate apne dada ji aur col sahab ko dekh ruk gayi.
"Wo khota (gadha) mehal ghoomai pe nikla hua hai bitiya. Waha najar rakhne wali tu aur main nahi hai na toh uski manmaani jyada ho rahi hai ab. Shaam ko khabar leta hu main uski atche se.", Abhi Kaushalya ji ne bister sameta aur wo us par ja baithe. Ek kursi khud Col sahab ne khiska li thi Ritu ke he kareeb. kaushalya ji unhe kuch kehne lagi thi ki phone ki aadhi ghanti bajte he Ritu ne handle utha ke apne kaan se laga liya. Dusri taraf se awaaj shayad poori sunaai he na di ki wo bhadak uthi.
"Tu ye mehal ghoomne ke liye udhar gaya hai? Aur akele jaane ki jarurat he kya thi waha par? Daadi ko bhi tu shehar ka bahana karke gaya lekin ye nahi bataya ki pehle tera mehal bhraman poora hoga fir baaki jaruri kaam. Pahoch ke bhi phone kar sakta tha na jaise abhi kiya?", Ritu ki baat sunn kar Kaushalya ji ne toh apna he sar peet liya aur Rameshwar ji uske kandhe par thapki dete hue shaant karwane lage.
"Arre beta thoda narmi se.. Tu toh lagta hai goli bhi chala degi line pe he. Wo bata kar he gaya tha aur teri daadi tujhe pareshan karne ke liye waisa keh rahi thi. Ja baithak me araam se baat kar le aur daantna band kar.", Arjun dusri taraf hanste hue lotpot ho raha tha udhar ki baatein sunta hua aur idhar Ritu phone utha kar lambi taar khinchti dusri taraf chali gayi. Ab wo haan -hun kar rahi thi aur Arjun usko sab bata raha tha.
"Ye bachpan se he uske liye kuch jyada he fikarmand hai Satish. Tumhare bhai sahab he bol sakte the isko, meri bhi nahi sunti jab us bache ko ye aise dhamkati hai. Ab toh wo meri najro me bhi bada ho raha hai lekin iske liye wo shayad aaj bhi munna ka munna hai. Pata nahi wo bechara kaise sehan karta hoga, bolta bhi nahi palat kar.", Kaushalya ji ki baat sunn kar col sahab toh hans rahe the wahi Pandit ji hath ke ishare karte yahi keh rahe the ki kya kar sakte hai.
"Bhabhi ji, wo badi jarur hai Arjun se lekin dono jaise ek dusre ki he parchaai hai. Arjun bhi uska aise he khayaal rakhta hai jaise wo uski choti behan ho. Bas jisne galti kari, dusre ko mauka mil gaya. Haan pareshani wali baat toh ki itna lagaav anjaan vyakti toh sehan nahi kar sakta. Komal bitiya se ek-ek pyali chai he mangwa dijiye. Renu yahi hai subah se aur Parvati aaj Mukesh ke sath bajaar gayi hui hai. Isliye idhar laut aaye hum dono.", Col sahab ki lagaav wali baat bahot hadh tak sach thi par unhe kaha bhavishya pata tha. Kaushalya ji rehsyamayi muskaan apne pati ko deti hui khud he rasoighar chali gayi. Ritu abhi bhi dusri taraf phone se chipki hui thi.
"Waise Arjun akela mehal kaise chala gaya bhai sahab? Koyi sath toh bhejna chahiye tha uske. Anjaan shehar hai uske liye aur Saundarya ji beshak uska bharpoor khayaal rakhengi lekin ... aap samajh rahe hai na bhai sahab?"
"Kya kahu Satish is mudde par? Main toh abhi bhi mele me uljha hua hu aur jab khud Saundarya ne usko bulaava bheja toh wo akela he gaya. Somvaar wale din toh kabhi hum he mulakaat nahi kar paaye aur ye chaudhary toh pita ji ki jeep le kar thaat se waha ja pahuche jaise inke baap ki sampatti ho. Haan baap ke dada ki hai aur ab iski he ho gayi. Mujhe bhi nahi batata jyada kuch aur shayad wo thik bhi kar raha hai. Tumhari bhabhi ne kaha tha ke usko fainsle lene chahiye khud se aur mujhe jyada toka-taaki nahi karni chahiye jabtak ki wo galat na ho. Parso ke liye Vivaan ko bata diya hai na?"
"Sahi kaha bhai sahab aapne. Arjun sachmuch he apne aap me jyada rehne laga tha aur bahar nikalne se ye badlaav usko nikharenge he. Rahi baat batane ya chhupane ki toh wo ladka aapse alag nahi hai. Vivaan 30 tarikh ko wapis ja raha hai aur bata raha tha ke Inder ke prastaav par vichaar jarur karega. Romela Preeti ke college jaane tak yahi rahegi, phir thode waqt ke liye kaam dekhne ke sath sath Joel ke sath samay bita kar laut aayegi. Uska mann idhar lag gaya hai jo ummeed nahi thi par atchi bahu hone ke sath sath ghar ki dekhbhal bhi poori rakhti hai. Gaanv ke liye hum log 3 baje nikle toh behtar hoga bhai sahab. 7-8 baje tak pahuch jaayenge aur jab aap kahenge hum wapis chal denge. Akhada 8 baje he lagna hai na?"
"3 baje he behtar rahega lekin akhade ke samay 7 baje ka hai Satish. Pahoch jaayenge tab tak araam se. Tumhari bhabhi ki hasrat hamare liye kuch niyamo se badhkar hai. Bete toh sabhi vyast hai aur Renu ko nahi leke jaayenge chahe wo jana bhi chahe. Lo bhai chai bhi aa gayi aur sath me hamari pasand ki methi namkeen bhi.", Rameshwar ji ne chai se pehle plate se namkeen uthai toh apni biwi ka chehra dekh kar wapis rakhne he lage the.
"Ek ya jyada se jyada 2. Teil mana hai aapko. Ye Ritu abhi bhi phone pe he lagi hai? Bache ki jaan he le kar rahegi lagta hai."
"Tumhi par gayi hai, hum kya keh sakte hai is maamle me.", Rameshwar ji ke is tanj par Kaushalya ji ghoorne ke baad us taraf chali gayi jaha Ritu baat sunte hue aise khoyi thi ki daadi ke aane ka pata na chala. Kabhi wo honth kaatne lagti kabhi gambhir aur fir wapis wahi muskaan. Kaushalya ji ne speaker wala laal button he daba diya jis par Ritu hadbada kar khadi ho gayi.
"Haan sach bol raha hu, majaak nahi. Tum.."
"Daadi baat karna chahti hai tumse Aaru. Phone speaker par dala hai maine.", Ritu hadbadane ke bawjood agle he pal sambhal gayi thi jaise dono he fansne wale ho. Aur Kaushalya ji kuch kehti us se pehle he wo nikal chali idhar se, unhe aankh maar kar. Jaise keh rahi ho ki tum ser, hum sava ser.
"Tu isko tum keh ke bulane laga hai?"
"Oh nahi daadi main toh aisa keh raha tha ki tumhare liye dress pasand ki hai market me jisme bilkul rajkumari lagogi. Didi boli ki majaak band karo toh maine kaha ki sach bol raha hu, majaak nahi. Tumhare liye ab leke he aaunga toh dekh lena.", Kaushalya ji ne phone wapis handle pe lete hue apni bataai ab apne is bailbuddhi ko.
"Baal aise he safed nahi hue beta mere. Usne toh mooh se kuch na kaha jo tu apne aap se laga raha hai. Aur aisi kaunsi dress dekh li tune wo bhi sirf iske liye? Mehal me dukaan khuli hui kya darji ki? Poochti hu tere dada se ke wo jameen kiraaye pe deke kharcha chalane lage, aise kya din aa gaye unke. Kab nikal raha hai tu wapis?", Arjun ki toh bolti he band kar di thi uski daadi ne.
"Ji bas dopehar ke khaane ke baad market jaunga aur fir seedha gaanv. Dress maine yaha rani maa ke paas he dekhi thi daadi jo 40 se jyada saal purani hai lekin aajtak waise he band thi. Ab dekh li hai toh waise banwa bhi lenge, ek aapke liye bhi. Dekhna kamaal ki lagogi aap bhi.", Ab Kaushalya ji uski baaton me fans kar khud hansne lagi thi.
"Teri maa ko pehnaiyo bada aaya mujhe rajkumari banane. Chal phone rakh ab, apne ghar nahi baitha. Aur sunn.. ye jyada khola-faroli matt kiya kar beta, atchi baat nahi hoti."
"Thik hai daadi, raat me baat karta hu. Waise dress leke aaunga aapke liye."
"Chal ab bahot hua. Main batati hu tere bau ji ko teri baatein."
"Rang unki marji ka he lenge chinta matt kijiye.", Arjun hansi dabate hue jyada maje lene laga tha.
"Ajji sunte ho.."
"Atcha bye daadi. Raat me baat karta hu aur jaisa aap keh rahi ho waisa he karunga. Dhyaan rakhna apna.", Arjun ne dada ji ko jaati awaaj sunte he ek saans me ye sab kaha aur phone rakh diya. Kaushalya ji hanste hue wapis kamre me chali aayi.
"Kya keh raha tha tumhara ladla jo hume awaaj lagai ja rahi thi.?"
"Uski wahi maskhari karni ki aadat jo aapse mili hai. Atcha khayaal rakha Saundarya ji ne uska."
"Wo us laayak hai bhaagwan aur bacho se sabhi prem karte hai chahe mehal ho ya jhopdi. Bataya kab wapis ja raha hai waha se?"
"Haan bas khaane ke baad market niklega aur samaan le kar seedha gaanv. Be-taar phone bhi le lo ji ghar ke liye 1-2. Itne bade ghar me yahi ek phone hai jisko kabhi idhar khiskao toh kabhi udhar.", Ab ye jaane unhone kyun kaha tha par Pandit ji sehmat na dikhe.
"Us par sunn ne ke bhi paise lagte hai mohtarma. Aur abhi signal ki samasya chal rahi hai, jab keemat kam hongi aur sewa sucharu milne lagegi tab vichaar karenge is baare me. Waise ye Inder najar nahi aa raha. Raju leke gaya tha Rekha bahu ko badi bahu ke sath.", Rameshwar ji chai ki khali pyaali rakhne ke baad uth chuke the jaise kahi jana ho unhe.
"Bol raha tha ke kaam hai kuch shehar me aur uske baad agar kama poora hua toh fir Delhi niklega. Aaya toh thodi der me aa jayega nahi toh fir kal. Naya naya kaam hai aur pata nahi kya karte fir rahe hai. Raju toh idhar he rahega na ab?"
"Haan, wo filhal yahi hai jitne Sanjiv nahi aa jata. Phir wo bhi Inder ke sath kaam sambhalega par ghar aana jana niymit rakhte hue. Hum jara Chandu ke pas ja rahe hai, guest house pe bulaya tha aur khana wahi hai hum dono ka. Bahot din hue us se mile aur shaadi me na aane ki fatkaar bhi lagani hai.", Rameshwar ji abhi chalne he lage the aur unhe rumaal batua pakdane ke sath aaj toh khud Kaushalya ji ne unki rivolver holster samet saamne rakh di thi.
"Shagun sabse pehla uska he aaya tha aapke purane mitro me. Mujhse bhi phone par baat ki thi Sushma aur Chandu ne. Taash khelne baithe toh uski shaamat nahi, keh deti hu."
"Haan malkin ji jaante hai taash ghar ka satyanash. Umed ka kaam ho gaya hai aur us silsile me he baat karni hai uske sath. Delhi me iske jimme kuch kaam lagane hai aur thodi apni baatein bhi. Aate hai 5 baje tak aur Arjun ka phone na aaye toh khudse 5 baje mila lena."
"8 baje karega wo phone, akhade ke baad. Jao aap log ab, main bhi Krishna ke pas jaati hu.", Kaushalya ji unke jaane ke baad baithak ka darwaja laga kar pichli taraf chali gayi. Aaj Narinder ko bhi aakhirkar Himmat Singh aur uske upar wale ki poori khabar mil chuki thi. Bharat bhai ummeed se bhi jyada badhkar nikle the, beshak chana chaat ke baad ek dibbi cigrattee hajam ki lekin kaam poora karne ke baad.
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Gehre baadlo bhare aasman me Amrita upari manzil se bahar dekh rahi thi chajje wale hisse par khadi. Arjun us se jaate waqt milne bhi nahi aaya tha aur wo khud bhi jaise uske saamne aane se katra rahi thi. Jeep me baithne se pehle Arjun ne rani maa aur Mahendra ji ko gale lagaya tha aur unhone bhi najar utarne ke baad matha choom kar vida kiya. Jeep ko kushalta se ghuma kar jabtak wo us bade gate se bahar na nikal gaya, ye 3 log usko dekhte he rahe. Rani maa bhitar chali aayi aur Mahendra apne muneem ke sath ek taraf bane daftar badh gaya. Lekin jaise he Arjun ki jeep us kachhe raste ki taraf jaati dekhi jaha aage ghane jhaad aur jungle sath, Amrita ke chehre par sard bhaav ubhar aaye. Kisi anhoni ki aashanka se uska dil hathode ki tarah dhad-dhad karta dhadakne laga tha. Wo jeep jaise ab kho chuki thi us ast-vyast se bukhand me lekin aage jo tha wo bas barso se khandhar badi haweli. Samay ki maar ne usko kahi kahi se kshat-vikshat kar diya tha aur diware laal se kaali padd chuki thi. Lekin jaise wo bada kala saya aaj bhi majbooti se khada Amrtia ka he uphaas uda raha tha. Wo chehre par paseena liye tej kadmo se bhitar bhaagi.
"Ye aapne kya anarth kar dala maa? Arjun.. Arjun ko aapne us shrapit khandhar ka pata de diya, ye jaante hue bhi ki wo jagah kitni manhoos hai aur jab se hum paida hue hai humne bhi kisi ko us taraf jaate nahi dekha. Aapne he toh bataya tha ki wo rasta sabke liye khud aapke pita ji band karwa diya tha fir aaj Arjun ko aapne waha jaane diya?", Amrita bas jaise abhi ro degi. Apni beti ki haalat dekh us maa ne usko apni baahon me bhar liya.
"Main aisa kaise kar sakti hu beti? Wo ladka khaas maksad pe chal raha hai jisko uske rehnuma tak na rok paaye fir main kaise rok sakti hu. Wo jaanta hai us haweli ke baare me jiski kahaniyan bhi hum jubaan par nahi laa sakte. Jaane kyun ye aajtak salamat khadi hai aur kya rehasya bhara hai isme jo Arjun ko idhar kheench laya. Tum nischint raho Amrita, chabi bhi saksham nahi uske kapaat kholne me. Dekh kar he chala jaayega wo, zidd hai na.", Dil toh swayam rani maa ka bhi ghabra raha tha par wo ye darr apni pehle se dari beti ko nahi dena chahti thi.
"Maa, bhaiya ko pata hai ki Arjun udhar gaya hai? Usko rokna hoga maa nahi toh uske sath kuch bhi ho sakta hai. Rehmat kaka ka sharir wahi junglaat me kitni buri haalat me mila tha aur Rakesh Singh toh fauji tha fir bhi chehra aur kankaal he bacha tha na unka? Maine kaha bhi tha ke girawa do us manhoosiyat ko lekin kisi ke kaano par joon bhi nahi rengti. Main bolti hu bhaiya ko waha jaane ke liye. Jitne surakshakarmi hai sabko le jaaye aapne sath."
"Pyaar me hosh nahi khote bitiya aur isme dono ka jiwan samajhna jaruri hota hai. Wo log apni galti se jaan kho baithe the, kisi laalach ya haadse me. Aur Arjun ne pehle he hume kasam de kar baandh diya hai ki uske peeche main kisi ko nahi bheju. Aur agar maine kisi ko bataya toh fir kabhi hamari dehleej par nahi aayega. Humne samjhaya aur aakhir tak manate rahe lekin uski kasam ne rok he diya hume. Bhagwaan Shiv uska ahit nahi hone denge. Tum apne kaksh me araam karo, hum bhi jaate hai.", Rani maa dwara poori baat tafseel se batane par Amrita khamoshi se apne kamre me band ho gayi. Aankhon me aansu the aur hatho me Arjun ki wo tasvir jo vivaah se aane ke waqt Amrita ne chupke se khinchi thi.
'Keh kar toh gaye the ki meri kamjori aur bebasi khatam kar doge.. Ye nahi bataya ki uske baad aisa fareb karne wale ho hamare sath. Tumhe kuch ho gaya na toh hum sachmuch tumhair jaan le lenge Arjun.. hum fir kabhi muskura na sakenge ... kaayar kasam me bandh gaye na?..', Takiye me chehra dabaye Amrita aage khamoshi se uske lihaaf ko aansuo me bhigone lagi thi. Bahar aasman me baadal jyada gehre ho chale the lekin hawa jaise poori tarah thamm gayi. Us khandhar ki tarah aaj itni khamoshi nahi thi.
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'Ye toh rasta he band ho gaya aage ka?', Arjun kuch ek kilometer bhitar aa pahucha tha us ubad-khaabad se kache raste par, ganimat thi ki is jeep me jaan bhi thi aur aise raste ki aadat lekin saamne cement ke pillar aur katili taaro se aage ka poora rasta band tha. Wo kaali haweli jisko Amrita shrapit bata rahi thi, abhi bhi koyi 500 gaj dur thi lekin rasta aur jyada ghana. Kuch soch kar Arjun ne jeep ke pichle hisse ko khangala toh seat ke peeche he majboot lakdi ka bana velcha mil gaya, jo shayad jameen khodne ke kaam laya jata tha. Aasman ki taraf dekhte hue usne jeep ki daraaj se madhyam akaar ka khanjar aur battery nikaal liye. Ye samaan Vinod chacha ke kamre se he liya tha usne aur aaj kismat se kaam aane wale the dono. Kameej ki aastin wapis kohni tak chadhata hua wo un taaro se andar aaya toh jung laga lohe ka ishtihaar us raste ke beech khada paya jiske akshar kuch kuch saaf the.
'Pravesh Nishedh' aur urdu usko padhni nahi aati thi lekin matlab yahi tha.
'Arre Juglal ji aisa kya kaan kar diya tha aapne ki haweli ke raste par he board gaadna pada? Dada ji yaha 50 se jyada saalo se nahi aaye matlab us se pehle aate rahe honge. Rani maa keh rahi thi ki yaha unke dada aur dada ji ke dada bahar latke hue mile the. Batao mehal ke itni paas he raja aur munshi dono ke baap maar ke koyi taang gaya aur inhone hatyara dhoondne ki jagah is bechari par he tala jadd diya... Teri maa.. iss.. Abe bahot kaante hai idhar toh.. Koyi baat nahi Juglal ji, hum aa gaye hai aapki aatma ki mukti ke liye.. Ye chote mote kaante toh dur, pandit ji ki maar khana bhi manjoor hai bas raah dikha dene apne is .. pata nahi kaunse paute ko lekin aapke he vansh hai hum.', Arjun apne aapse he baatein karta hua akelapan kam karne ki koshish ke sath aage badhta raha.
'Nahi nahi.. Satyanash ho is haweli ke rakhwalo ka.. ', Haweli ke saamne kuch bhaag jaise kabhi samtal raha hoga, jidhar lambi ghaas ke siwa kuch nahi tha. Arjun waha pahucha he tha ki mooh par rumaal rakhte hue najre ghuma li. Koyi kamjor hota toh ulti karne ke baad behosh he ho jata. Pata nahi wo kisi janwar ka hissa tha ya insaan ka. Haddiyon se bhi aadhi jagah maans gayab tha aur durgandh aisi ki saans lena lagbhag namumkin. Rasta badal kar Arjun idhar se aage badha toh lohe ka darwaja aur jhaadiyon se ghiri chardiwari saamne thi.
'Ab ye toh aadhe se jyada mitti me dhansa hai, khulega khaakh. Chal bhai Arjun le Pandit ji ka naam aur diwaar ke paar.. Oh maa.. sala bahar se toh 4 feet aur andar 8... Bacha gaya nahi toh apna he khanjar apne he jism me gaya hota aur idhar sala bachane ki jagah koyi khaane he pahuch jata. Huhhh.. Ye kuch behtar hai par surakshit nahi.', Diwar kood kar Arjun seedha jameen par he gira tha. Chaku se hatheli par mamuli cheera aaya par jyada gehra nahi. Yaha haalat bahar se behtar thi jaise haweli ke bahari hisse me kudrat jyada pravesh na kar saki ho. Ek taraf gaaye bandhne ka tabela tha jaha chhatt gir chuki thi lekin baans galne ke bawjood jameen par khade the. Aak aur jhadiyan alag si diwar banaye thi haweli ki diwar se. Kahi kahi dararo se pipal ki jade aur patte 8-10 feet unche tak nikal chuke the. Arjun yaha tak aate aate he pasine me buri tarah bheeg chuka tha. Velcha jameen me gaad kar wo saamne is imarat ko dekhta raha jiske band hone ke peeche wali badi wajah toh Rani maa ne bata di thi par na jyada unhe kuch pata tha aur na kisi aur ko. Arjun samajh chuka tha ke yahi wajah hogi ki dada ji ke pita ne kyun kisi bhi bache ko fir idhar jaane nahi diya. Lekin itni badi haweli wo bhi dusre ghar se koyi jyada dur na thi fir akele Juglal ji he kyun isme rehte the? Aur aise koyi 2-2 badi hastiyon ka katal karkte unhe taang gaya fir bhi khojbin nahi hui.
'Dada ji bura fasa main toh.. Shabnam se shuru hua tha aur paanch peedhi peeche pahucha diya mujhe aapki pareshani ne. Bas ab ye darwaja khul jaaye kisi tarah. Khidkiyon pe toh salakhe itni moti lagi hai jaise jail ho koyi.',Arjun patloon ki jebh se khanjar jitni he badi chabi nikaal kar khastahaal 4 seedhi chadhta hua is 12 feet unche darwaje ke saamne ruka. Peetal ki bhari saankal toh kuch mashhakkat se khul gayi lekin ab ye chabi kaha lagni thi. Har taraf dekhne ke baad darwaje ke saamne he uge us chote se paudhe par dhyaan gaya toh pehli baar usne jiwan me kisi paudhe ko ukhada tha, is se pehle toh bas lagata he raha tha.
'Itta bada darwaja aur chabi dekho, jadd me lagti hai. Jarur isko koyi sewadar he kholta hoga. Waise agar koyi aurat kholti hogi toh kitna ajeeb lagta hoga na?',Arjun apni he soch par sharminda hone laga aur fir palat kar seedhiyon se dusri taraf dekha toh wo maidaan jaise baithne ke liye bhi ho sakta tha.
'Tharki soch kyun aa rahi hai is waqt mujhe.? Waise waha pe koyi baitha ho aur aurat ye chabi lagaye toh yakinan bahot galat najara hoga. Pata nahi aise samay ye kya vichaar aane lage. Upar se garmi ne alag lahu pee rakha.. arre ghoom ja kamini.. lagta hai jung lag gayi isko. Mudd he gayi.. dhatt', Ab Arjun bebasi se idhar udhar dekh raha tha jaise kuch toh mil jaaye andar jaane ke liye. Rani maa ki soch sahi thi ki darwaja nahi khulne wala lekin ye Arjun tha jo ab aa gaya tha toh khali hath jaane se raha. Aur iske jaise iraade kisi aur ke bhi thi. Arjun aasha ki ummeed se bhara velcha jameen se ukhaad haweli ki chhaya me aage badhne laga. Jaise wo koyi chor raaste ki ummeed lagaye ho.
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"Ae Lotan, idhar aa jara.", Mehal se bahar jaate raste par Santosh sadak kinare khada tha aur uske saamne haweli ka ye naukar tha jo shayad iska khasamkhaas tha.
"Ji maalik. Aapka he intjaar kar raha tha. Jaisa aap kahe hum najar rakhte rahe lekin jyada pata nahi kar sake."
"Jo pata laga wo bata beta, tujhe malamaal kar dunga agar ek bhi baat kaam ki nikli.", Santosh ne hare hare 10 note uski jebh me bharte hue gaal thapthapa kar kaha toh Lotan bhi hontho se peek saaf karke jaankari dene laga.
"Hall ke bhitar toh hum nahi jaa paaye the maalik kyonki bade Kumar sahab gardan alag kar denge aisa karne par. Lekin astbal saaf karte samay humne thoda baatchit suni thi un dono ki. 28 ko subah bade Kumar sahab XXXX dargaah jaane wale hai jaha ye naye maalik ki koyi kushti hone ja rahi hai. Aur koyi Pandit ji bhi aane wale hai waha. Dargaah pe pandit ji ka kya kaam maalik?", Lotan ka sawaal sunte he Santosh ne apne gusse ko jaise taise kaabu kiya.
"Arre maa ki.. chhod Pandit ko lekin ye baat kaam ki hai. Aage bata kya hua? Aur wo koyi naya maalik nahi bas aise he hai."
"Badi raani mata ji ne toh kabhi kisi ko hath tak nahi milane diye maalik aur ye pehalwan unhe na sirf gale lagaye balki gaadi me jaane se pehle goad me he utha liye the aur wo hansti ja rahi thi. Aap logo ka mamla, hum toh bas aapke sewak hai."
"Lund kaat ke kutto ko khila dunga agar aur bematlab baat ki toh. Waise he is saale ne kayi jagah hath fansa rakhe hai.."
"Ji maalik dekh he lagta hai harami insaan hai aur tagda bhi. Par aap jitna nahi hoga."
"Abe tu meri he gaand maar raha hai harami bol kar.."
"Taqatwar bole maalik. Harami toh uh pehalwan ko bole hum. Aap shahi rajkumar hai aur wo toh bacha hai aapke saamne. Haan yaad aaya, wo koyi file bhi diye bade Kumar sahab ko astbal se mehal wapis jaate samay. Fir bahut der tak toh wo ranighar me rahe jidhar aap bhi nahi ja sakte. Aur uske baad jeep ko daudate nikal liye. Par wo idhar nahi gaye maalik.. Lagta hai aapne unhe baddua di hogi jo wo khud he marne kaali haweli wale jungle me ghus gaye. Fauji ki toh udhar sirf mundi he mili thi maalik, inka jaane kya bachega."
"Abe chut.. Lotan ye sabse jyada kaam ki baat bataai re tune. Main bhi us haweli ke baare me din raat sochta hu. Uska raasta jaanboojh kar band karwaya hai in logo ne. Waha koyi bhoot pret nahi hai jitna main jaanta hu. 3 din pehle halka dhuan sa dekha tha udhar. Jarur shahi khajana sarkaar aur duniya se bacha kar waha chhipaya hua hai in kamino ne. Ye ek hajaar aur rakh apne paas. Mera kaam hote he aise aise 1000 note dunga tujhe lekin kaayda jaanta hai na atchi tarah? Aur Phulwa ko bol dena ke aaj raat maalik aayenge tere garibkhaane pe. Daru-murga leta aaunga baaki wo tayaari karke rakhe. Chal ab tu nikal aur ab mehal ki taraf mat jana. Koyi sewak aaye toh Phulwa se kehlwa dena ki bimaar hai.", Idhar Santosh gaadi me baith kar teji sekahi nikal chala jaise jiwan me nayi ummeed bhar aayi ho aur Lotan usko gaali deta apne raste ho liya.
'Hatt tuhri maa ka bhonsda. Lugaai hamari aur ragdo tum.. Saali Phulwa bhi randi kaise maalik maalik karti raat bhar uchalti rehti hai... Jhaant-maari ki bur me aag bhi jyada hai.. Chalo humko ka matbal.. daaru mil gayi bahot hai.. Bas hamar bitiya baksh dena bhonsdiwale maalik.', Lotan apne pariwarik jiwan me jaise paglaya hua tha jaise waha uski kadar he na ho lekin aaj 2000 rupaye hath lage the aur mausam bhi gehraya hua tha, kadam sabse pehle theke par he ja ruke. Dusri taraf Santosh jaise pehle he tayaari kiye baitha tha Arjun par aaj he humla karne ki. Bas ab wo ye kaam sadak durghatna na dikha kar us haweli me he anjaam dene ki koshish thi. Jis waqt Ramakaant se uski baat hui thi, tabhi se Santosh mehal se bahar apne kuch aadmi ekatrit karke Arjun ka kaam nibtane ki tyaari kar raha tha.
"Plan change hai ganje. Ab tum log us ladke ko waha khatam karoge jaha usko khojne bhi koyi gaya toh wo yahi maanega ki ye kisi jaanwar ya giroh ka kaam hai.", Ye 6 log the aur jyadatar ke pas ispaat ki rod ya khanjar. Waise bhi unhe toh Arjun ki gaadi ko he takkar maarni thi is naye plan se pehle.
"Aisi konsi jagah aa gayi jaha log jana nahi chahte malik? Bawdi ki taraf ya shamshaan.. Hahaha.."
"Jungle wali haweli gaya hai wo ladka.", Santosh ke itna kehte he unme se ek aadmi thoda peeche hatt gaya.
"Kyun majaak karte ho maalik? Riks hai udhar aur hum log driver lootere hai jo maar-peet kar sakte. Aapke liye usko road-accident me bhi maarne ko tayaar kyunki 30 lakh se hum sabhi ke ghar pariwar sambhal jaaynge. Par us khandhar me toh baad me pahuchenge pehle koyi jaanwar ya pret hume he upar pahucha dega. 5 lakh ke badle me jail manjoor par jaan nahi de sakte."
"Khatra toh hai maalik aur dusri baat hai ki us taraf jana he mumkin nahi. Rajmehal ki sadak par ghusne se pehle he police naka paar karna padega. Aage bhi surakshakarmi milne nischit jaisa hona he hai aur aap toh saamne aane nahi wale. Ratna thik bolta ki riks barabar hai. Gaadi wala kaam jamega aur koyi poblem he nai.", Ye inme sabse samajhdar aur kuch majboot vyakti tha. Pakke rang ka aur 6 feet uncha jiske chehre par bhi 2-3 lambe nishaab uski taqat ka parichaya dete the.
"Main karne ko tayaar hai par payment double karte ho toh maalik. Ye baaju me nadi ki taraf se shortcut udhar jo direct jungle aur haweli pe niklega. Mehal ki taraf jaane ka bhi nahi par abhi nikle toh bhi 30-40 minute lagne wale gaadi nehar pe rakh kar bhi. Saaf jaan ka riks hai aur sadak pe shayad koyi lafda bhi ho jaaye par khandhar se toh cheekh bhi bahar nahi jaane wali. Kya bolte bhai log, janwaro ka peit bharke thoda punya kamaya jaaye? Soch lo seth, main ready par jo bhi kaam karega usko 10 lakh.", Ganje ne bhi is wale ki haan me haan milai aur aakhir me Ratan ko chhod kar baaki sab kaam karne ko tyaar ho gaye.
"Toh Ratan, kaam nahi karega fir isko ya toh marna padega nahi toh.."
"Nahi seth, ye bhai hai aur sath ye bhi jaayga. Iska darr wajib hai aur waise bhi ye gaadi ke paas nigraani karega. Tension nai Ratna, hum paancho 1-1 lakh tujhe denga. Bas gaadi ke sath rehna."
"Thik hai fir toh 50 lakh tumhare aur badle me mujhe us ladke ki jaan chahiye. 10 lakh car me hai, abhi le lo aur baaki tumhe wahi mil jaayenge jaha tum humse milte rehte the. Aisa kuch matt karna ki baat abhi fail jaaye. Koyi aag-goli nahi .. Ladka majboot hai par tum bhi khiladi log ho is kaam me. Raat ko Lotan ke waha.", Aur Ganja paise ka bag dikki se utha kar apne canter me daalne ke baad nikal chala baaki sathiyon ko le kar.
'Shrapit haweli ka shraap ek baar fir se safal hone wala hai. Hahaha.. Mahendra fir tujhe hataunga aur teri behan se byaah karke main raja. Hahaha'
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kramash