"Bahu, dekh toh Arjun utha ya nahi. Din me jyada soyega toh raat me kya karega?", Aangan me is waqt Devaki ji Meena se kapde teh lagwa rahi thi aur Damini bhi gaanv ki he 2 mahilaon ke sath apni guftgu karti hansne bolne me. Vinod abhi kuch waqt pehle he lauta tha aur ab Niketan ko goad me uthaye wo sabse najar bachata hua chori chori Aanchal ko taad raha tha jo neem ki daal pe bandhe jhule par akeli peeng le rahi thi. Anamika mehmano aur Damini ko sharbat dene ke baad apna pallu kamar me khonsti hui sehajta se Arjun ke kamre ki aur badh chali. Vinod kaatar nigaho se kabhi Aanchal ke seene ko najro me bharta toh kabhi uske masoom se chehre ko. Sabko toh yahi dikh raha tha ke wo apne bete ko seene se lagaye waqt bita raha hai.
'Lagta hai bister bhi chota pad gaya aur soya bhi kaise hai takiye daboche hue.', Anamika chachi kamre me dakhil hui toh Arjun kaafi gehri neend me aundhe mooh tircha so raha tha. Jism par kapdo ke naam par wo kasi hui baniyan jo sharir par jaise taise fansi hui thi aur ghutne se kuch upar lambai ki sooti nikkar. Kareeb aane par Anamika bas usko dekhte hue jaise uddeshya he bhool gayi. Chehre par aaye uske lambe baal jaha kuch pasina bhi tha aur neend me bhi hontho par muskaan. Hath mudne ki awastha me bhi baaju ki machli itni badi jaise kisi kishor ki jangh ho. Kamar se dedh guna chauda seena-peeth aur un par ubhri halki maaspeshiya jo shayad neend me badan dhila hone ki wajah se poora kataav jahir na kar rahi thi. Anamika ne kabhi bhi kareeb se par purush nahi dekha tha lekin Arjun ke seene par sar tika kar ek meethi neend ka anubhav usko bhi tha. Aaj sahi se wo dekh pa rahi thi ki ye yuvak vilakshan hai.
"Maa ji keh rahi hai aur kitna sona hai Arjun? Raat ko kirtan karoge phir?", Shararat karte hue Anamika ne Arjun ka gaal khinchte hue usko uthane ki koshish ki toh wo takiya seene se lagaye he palat kar seedha ho gaya. Unindi aankhon ko thoda khol kar fir wapis band karte hue Arjun ne jawaab diya.
"Kirtan me aur kaun kaun ja raha hai chachi?", Anamika uske jawab par hansti us se pehle he awaaj mooh me he reh gayi jab nikkar ka kapda ek taraf se itna ubhra hua dikha. Patle kapde ke niche koyi anya vastra nahi tha Arjun ki kamar par. Ek baar us ubhar aur fir uske shaant chehre ko dekhne ke baad Anamika thoda peeche hatt gayi.
"Wo.. Wo sab baad me lekin pehle mooh hath dho kar bahar aa jao. 5 bajne wale hai aur main tumhare liye doodh tayar karti hu.", Saansein he asthir ho gayi thi kalpana matra se ki aakhir aisa bhujang wo apne sath liye firta hai? Anamika ko is sabka chahe itna gyaan nahi tha lekin wo ek patni thi jo maa bhi ban chuki thi. Himmat he nahi hui thi ki wo Arjun par fir se najar daal sake. Kadam khamoshi se rasoighar ki taraf badh gaye aur Arjun karwat leta hua khud ko uthne ke liye tayar karne laga. Thoda aalas toh jism me rehna he tha.
"Bahu, main jara Shabana ke yaha ja rahi hu. Arjun ko doodh pilane ke baad raat ke liye dekh lena kya banana hai. Idhar de Nikku ko beta, ye bhi thoda ghoom aayega. Waha iski umar ki Seerat ki bitiya bhi hai jiske sath ye bhi gudhali khelta hai. Har waqt goad chadhaye rakhna bhi thik nahi.", Niketan ko Vinod se le kar Devaki pados ke ek parichit ghar chal di. Vinod ne is dauraan ek baar apni maa ko haweli se jaate dekha aur fir Aanchal ko jo kareeb se gujar kar Arjun ke kamre ki taraf badh gayi.
"Ho gaya tayaar chachi bas 2 minute.", Kamre ke bhitar wale snaanghar se Arjun ne awaaj di jab kamre me kadmo ki aahat suni. Jawaab me Aanchal ne bhi fikra kasa.
"Tumhari chachi ke siwa is kamre me kisi aur ka aana mana hai kya? 5 baj chuke hai mister aur mama bhi bahar he hai. Sambhal lena nahi toh agli baar baat nahi hogi.", Aanchal ne kauthool vash bister kinare rakhi wo gudiya utha kar dekhi aur usko har taraf se chhune ke baad wapis wahi rakh kar laddu ka dabba dekhne lagi. Gehre rang ke wo laddu aur unki jadi-booti wali mehak se he usko ubaak ho uthi. Arjun bhi mooh dhone ke baad nikkar me he bahar nikla toh Aanchal ko bister kinare baithe paya.
"Wo daadi ji ne bana kar diye hai didi. Smell atchi nahi hai na unki?"
"Ye khaane ke liye hai? Aur tum koyi ladki ho jo gudiya rakhte ho apne kamre me.?"
"Hahaha.. khaane ke liye hai tabhi toh sath laya hu. Aur ye sirf gudiya nahi hai, Komal didi ka wo pehla uphaar hai jo unhone Ritu didi ko diya tha aur unse maine le li thi. Hostle me bhi sath rehti thi ye mere aur aaj bhi sath rakhta hu.", Arjun ka aisa jawaab sunn kar Aanchal ne ek baar fir se us gudiya ko utha kar dhyaan se dekha. Ek barbie gudiya jiske kapde badle gaye the aur kahi kahi nail-polish aur laali ke nishaan. Yakeenan wo barso purani thi lekin aajtak saaf-suthri.
"Bahot jyada maante ho Komal ko?", Arjun nikkar ke upar he jeans pehanta hua bas muskura diya. Aanchal uth kar uske peeche he bahar aangan se rasoi me chali gayi.
"Haan bhi sher, uth gaye araam karke? Main toh ummeed kar raha tha ke aaj tum bas araam he karne wale ho. Doodh ki itcha nahi ho toh bahar he dekh lenge kuch.", Vinod ka kya irada tha ye Arjun samajh chuka tha.
"Nahi chacha ji wo toh bas safar ki wajah se thoda so gaya aur aaj yahi thik hu ghar pe. Daadi ji meri khuraak ke mamle me kautahi nahi karne deti toh bahar wali baat toh bas jaane he dijiye. Aapne bhi kal nikalna hai shehar aur itne din udhar jaane ki wajah se yaha ke aapke dost bhi intjaar karte honge aapse milne ka?", Arjun ne ab khule aangan me dekha tha usi mahila ko jo Nihaal ke sath aate hue mili thi. Wo bhi usko he dekh rahi thi aur uske sath ek aur mahila thi jo umar me kuch badi lekin Damini jitni he thi.
"Yar tum sath he chalte aur main sabhi se parichaya karwata apne bhatije ka. Chacha bhatija dost bhi toh hote hai aur sach kahu tumne jo bhi kiya hai mere liye uska karj main kabhi utaar na sakunga. Jaante hue bhi kahi main galat tha tumhare sath.", Vinod ne aakhir baat Arjun ka hath apne dono hatho me bharte hue jis tarah se kahi thi wo kahi se bhi koyi chalaki nahi thi. Wo ek sach tha jo Vinod ke dil se nikla tha.
"Chacha ji, dost toh hai he lekin rishta bhi khoon ka hai aur bada bhi. Main aapke sath chalunga lekin abhi nahi jab aap wapis aaoge tab aur rahi karj wali baat toh wo aap shehar ghuma kar utaar dena.", Arjun ne jo manga tha wo Vinod ko khush karne ke liye bahot tha.
"Haan bhai aisa toh main har roj kar sakta hu. Aur sachmuch kayi din hue na business nahi sambhala aur bahot se logo ko paisa diya hua hai toh jija ke sath ja kar ugaahi bhi karni thi. Raat me thoda deri se aaunga lekin jaanta hu tum jaldi nahi sote. Tabhi baat karte hai. Atcha didi, main ja raha hu aur jija panchayat wali taraf he hai toh unhe le kar thoda agle gaanv jana hoga. Deri ho jayegi.", Vinod abtak Arjun ko unke kareeb he le aaya tha jaha ye teeno mahilaye baithi thi chaarpayi aur kursi par. Khuli chhat wali 4x4 jeep me baithne se pehle Vinod ne daraj me pistol ki jaanch ki aur fir aankho par kala chasma chadha kar haweli se nikal chala. Arjun ne paya tha ki Vinod ne ek baar bhi un dono mahilaon par buri najar na ki thi. Kya wo badal raha tha ya ... Nahi aadmi sudhar sakta hai lekin aadat jaldi nahi badalti.
"Dipa-Indu, is se milo ye hai Arjun, mera bhatija aur Shankar bhaiya ka beta. Arjun, Indu meri bachpan ki saheli hai aur bacho ki chuttiyan hai isliye abhi gaanv aayi hui hai. Dipa Dilbag Singh ki wife hai jo Vinod ke sath bada hua hai bachpan se.", Arjun ko parichaya hone par Damini ki bagal me baithna he pada. Dipa bhabhi toh ab aur jyada hairaani se usko dekh rahi thi lekin pratiuttar me unhone bas mook abhivadan diya. Anamika chachi uske liye doodh aur wo 2 laddu le aayi thi jinhe pehli baar dekhne wala har vyakti sawaal karta tha.
"Itne baras me pehli bar dikhai pade tum toh beta. Kyun shehar jyada pasand hai? Aur dekhne me toh abhi se 25 ke lagte ho jabki jitna mujhe yaad hai tum 18 ke aaspas hoge.", Ye Indu thi aur Meena waha se khali sharbat wale gilaas leke gayi toh Arjun ne unhe jawab diya.
"Shehar me log alag nahi hote aunty ji. Baaki jaisi parwarish karo waisa insaan banega. Sharir virasat me mila hai toh ab iska main kya kahu. Dipa bhabhi ji se toh main aate waqt mila tha lekin jyada batchit nahi ho saki.", Arjun ne Dipa ko charcha me jodd he liya tha jo kabhi uske chehre toh kabhi un gehre rang ke kasaile se laddu ko dekh rahi thi.
"Ajnabi the kuch der pehle jab mile the. Main isliye toh dhyaan se dekh rahi thi ki tumhe kahi na kahi dekha hai. Shankar ji jaise toh ho thode thode par kisi aur se jyada milte ho. Waise mujhe bhabhi kyun aur didi ko aunty?", Ab jhempne ki baari Arjun ki thi aur uski sharam dekh Indu Damini bhi hans di.
"Nihaal bhaiya ne bhabhi bulaya tha na aapko isliye bas. Baaki aap jo kaho wo thik. Waise aap bhi yaha kaafi samay se rehti hai?", Arjun jaane kya poochne wala tha jo Damini uski taraf dhyaan dene lagi. Lekin wo sadharan bhaav se he thoda thoda doodh peene laga.
"Abhi tak doodh peete ho?", Indu ne alag he raag shuru kar diya jis par Damini ne halke hath se uski baah par chapat jadd di, majaak me.
"Tumhare jitni toh meri Nimmi hai, 2 baras kam hogi lekin uske paida hone se ek saal pehle se is gaanv me byaah kar aayi thi main. Haan jagat bhabhi he hu ab toh apne pati aur gaanv me unke chahete bacho ki wajah se. Waise Nihaal se pehli baar me dosti ho gayi tumhari? Atcha ladka hai aur dil ka bhola bhi. Bol raha tha ki tum uske sath akhade me jaane wale ho. Jugraaj ji toh tumhe dekhte he team me le lenge.", Dipa bhabhi ko jaise atchi jaankari thi. Aur akhade ka jikar hua toh chataai par baith kar daal saaf karti Anamika chachi ne bhi sar utha kar Arjun ko dekha jaise jaan na chahti ho ki uski kya itcha hai.
"Ye nahi jaane wala kabaddi khelne aur agar jana bhi hai toh bas kasrat tak thik hai Arjun.", Damini ne jara talkhi se kaha tha jis par Arjun ne jyada dhyaan nahi diya.
"Jugraj ji coach honge unke aur ye kabaddi ka itna charcha kyun hai bhabhi? Haan bua batao jara aap bhi ki mujhe khelna kyun nahi chahiye.?", Aanchal tayar ho kar kamre se aa gayi thi aur Arjun ki plate me abhi bhi ek laddu baaki dekh usne khamoshi se apni maami ke pas baithna he sahi samjha.
"Tumhare bhaiya bhi khelte aaye hai barso se lekin aur Jugraj ji ne he unko bhi tayaar kiya tha. Sabhi unko master ji bolte hai. Kabhi khiladi bhi the aur baad me sharirik shiksha ke master ji bhi. Pichle 3 saal se dargaah ke parli taraf wale he cup uthate aaye hai jabki pehle wo hamesha dusre number par aane ki koshish karte the. Tumhe dekh ke lagta hai ki khiladi toh tum bhi ho par kabaddi kabhi kheli hai ya sirf pehalwani he karte ho?", Depa bhabhi bebaak na ho kar suljhi hui hansmukh mahila thi aur gaanv ki jadd se judi hui.
"Boxing karta aaya hu bhabhi main aur baaki kasrat. Kabaddi aur kho kho jaise khel school me the isliye utne he khele hai lekin ye tournament ka kya chakkar hai?", Arjun ko utsuk dekh Anamika ne gardan hila kar bina bole usko mana kiya lekin baat toh wo keh he chuka tha. Damini ne bhi dekha tha ki Anamika Arjun ko mana kar rahi hai jo uske liye hairani wali baat thi kyonki Anamika kabhi kisi ki baatchit me dakhal nahi deti thi aur bolti toh wo thi he kam.
"Maa, Arjun mujhe gaanv dikhane ke liye bol raha tha din me.", Aanchal ne mustaidi se baat ko wahi rok diya.
"Jao ghoom aao tum dono. Baaki ab yahi ho toh jaan he jaoge kya hone wala hai.", Damini kuch vyathit dikhi lekin kiski wajah se ye kehna thoda mushkil tha. Arjun doodh ko ek saans me khatam karke goad me rakhe rumal se apna mooh saaf karta hua uth khada hua. Chabi motorcycle me he lagi thi jis par baithte he usne Aanchal ko peeche baithne ko kaha. Wo thoda jhijhakti hui dono paanv ek taraf karke kuch duri se baithi toh Arjun ko jo rasta yaad tha wo uspe he badh gaya.
"Anamika tum kyun Arjun ko mana kar rahi thi?", Unke jaate he Damini ne awaaj naram rakhte hue ye tayeshuda sawal pooch liya. Anamika ko jawaab bhi dena jaruri tha aur waha do log aur bhi maujood the jinhe abhi pata chala ke Arjun ko koyi mana bhi kar raha tha.
"Didi, kuch upar niche ho gaya toh baat maa ji par aa jayegi. Arjun ke liye badi maa ji ne bhi kaha tha ki ye ziddi hai maan-sammaan ke maamle me. Dargaah ke khel-mele me uske jaane se toh yaha sabki jawaab-dehi ban jayegi. Aap bhi toh Arjun ka khayaal rakhti hai?", Anamika ka itna bholepan se jawaab dena Damini ke gusse ko thanda kar gaya jo wo mann me dabaye thi. Lekin Indu ko ye ajeeb laga ki jo ladka dikhne se he itna hatta-katta aur is pariwar ka ansh hai usko he gaanv ke gorav se dur rakha jaayega.
"Mujhe toh wo kahi se bacha na lagta Anamika. Baaki dekh Damini sach baat toh ye hai ki aaj Arjun gaanv me aaya hai aur kal tak ye baat sabhi ko pata hogi. Pradhan ji se log khud kahenge toh kya wo inkaar kar denge ki unka pauta kabaddi nahi khelega?"
"Pehle paani chadhaya nahi aur chai chhan lo tum log. Indumati ji, usko dekhne do sab aur logo se ghulne milne do. Waise bhi wo Jugraj ji ne team me nahi lena. 5 din baad mela hai aur ladke subah shaam mehnat me lage hai. Aise me apne tayaar ladko me se kisi ek ko hata kar wo Arjun ko lene ka jokhim nahi uthane wale. Lekin Arjun ne pradhan ji se ye kaha ki wo khelna chahta hai toh jarur bedagark ho jana. Kyonki fir master ji bhi mana nahi kar sakte. Aur 3 saal se dusre number par aa rahe hai jo is saal bhi hona sunishchit hai. Tum nanad-bhabhi toh ispe baat he matt karo. Waise tumhara bhatija apne Bhoot se bhi tagda hai, kam umar ke bawjood. Itne toh Shankar ji aur Narinder ji bhi nahi dikhte. Kad bhi hamari chaukhat jitna hoga.", Dipa bhabhi ne Arjun ke jism ki tarif jis tarah ki thi Damini mand mand hansne lagi. Anamika Meena ki taraf ja chuki thi jaha doodh nikala ja raha tha.
"Dilbag se dil toh nahi bhar gaya jo mere bhatije ko itne dhyaan se dekh rahi thi. Aur ab bhi uski he baat kar rahi hai.? Kacha hai in maamlo me wo aur Indu se aisi ummeed kar sakti hu lekin tu kabse aisi ho gayi?", Indu nakhre se Damini ko jhidakne lagi aur Dipa ne hanste hue apne mooh par dupatta rakh liya.
"Itni kamjor nahi hu ki aise chikne se pehalwan par fisal jau didi. Mujhse toh aaj tak ye bhi paar na pa sake toh kisi nausikhiye pe toh main aankh tak na rakhu. Indu didi ka kuch keh nahi sakti, Manji wale paah ji bhi kabhi pasand the inko. Unke bas ka nahi tha wo baat alag hai. Hahaha...", Yaha saheliyon ke hansi majaak me jiska jikar kiya gaya tha wo Nihaal ke pita ji the.
"Tab main nayi nayi jawaani me aayi thi aur paah ji tagde toh the he. Bas wo dekhne tak he tha kyonki aage gunjaaish na thi. Ab Damini jaisi aag toh mujhme hai nahi aur tu toh jyada safaai de he na Dipa. Din me 4 baar jo tu nahati hai wo sab pata hai. Jogi se shaadi kar li tune galti se jisko ya toh khet ya fir khiladiyon se fursat nahi milti. Itni badi beti hone ke baad toh atcha atcha jism naram padd jata lekin tera sahi se na toda Dilbag ne. Haan Damini tudwati hai aur fir khayal bhi rakhti hai. Kya pata jordar jodidar isko bhi na mila abhi tak. Bhatije ko toh nahi jaanch rahi?", Indu ke itne khule varnan se Dipa ka chehra jhuk gaya jaise dukhti rag par saamne wale ne jaanboojh kar hath rakh diya ho. Damini is antrang charcha ke maje le rahi thi jaise inke beech aisa aksar chalta tha.
"Jism ka kya hai, khuraak milti rahe toh badhia rehta hai aur badhta bhi. Lekin apna ye pehalwan thoda kacha hai in maamlo me toh mere kisi kaam ka nahi. Baaki Dipa ko toh pakka pasand aa gaya lagta hai. Dekh ekdum sunn baithi hai."
"Kuch bhi bolti ho didi. Main toh abhi bhi soch rahi hu ki isko kaha dekha hai lekin ye jab aaya he pehli baar hai toh shayad veham hoga. Baaki kache ko pakana toh tumhe aata he hai. Wo baat alag hai ki shayad kaam na bane agar waha se naram nikla toh.", Dipa ne pichli baat jald bhulate hue fir se chehre ko hansi se dhak liya tha.
"Dhila bhi itna bada tha jitna sapne me bhi na dekha ho. Kacha isliye keh rahi hu ki wo in sabse dur rehta hai tabhi jism aisa ghode jaisa hai aur ghode wala he laga hua hai uske. Khuli surang bhi gufa bana dega agar sahi guru mil gaya toh. Baaki shehar me raha hai toh kya pata patakha bada dhamaka chota ho. Papa ki wajah se risk nahi le rahi nahi toh abhi tak toh lapet liya hota maine.", Damini ne jald he apne dil ki baat khol kar rakh di thi inke saamne aur jaise Indu uski bachpan ki sakhi thi toh wo toh sabhi kaand jaanti ho sakti thi Damini ke lekin Dipa awaak reh gayi.
"Main chalti hu didi. Tum log karo apne kisse-kahani. Nihaal ki maa ne bulwaya tha aur mujhe bhi kaam hai unse.", Dipa bhabhi ke kadam bina jawaab liye haweli se bahar nikal gaye.
"Isko kya hua?"
"Dipa dil ki bhali hai aur majaak bhi kar leti hai. Par aaj jaise wo thodi pareshan hai kisi wajah se nahi toh aise uth kar nahi jaati. Dilbag se hua hoga kuch rola-rappa. Daaru peene ke baad waise bhi toh wo pagal kuch dhyaan nahi deta. Kal aur parso wo raat me bhi khet he tha aur aaj din me aaya tha ghar khana khaane. Dipa mooh se toh nahi batati lekin mann vichlit toh hoga he. Chal chhod uska toh jo likha hai wo waisa he rahega. Tu ghode ki baat kar rahi thi. Shehar wale sardaar se bhi tagda tha kya?", Ab jaise baatchit me kisi ka darr he na raha tha aur kitne panne the in dono ke aise jo par-purush sambandho se bhare the wo toh kehna he mushkil tha.
"Sardar tagda tha Indu lekin pata laga ke wo ab is duniya me nahi raha. Tere jija ka toh tu jaanti he hai. Lekin aaj jab ye nahane ke baad upar kursi par baitha tha tab isko thoda rijhane ki koshish ki. Kar toh majaak he rahi thi dosti karne ke hisaab se lekin jaise usne pehli bar wo najara dekha tha toh tight ho gaya. Yakeen kar itna bada toh hoga aur mota kisi baans sa. Pata nahi aankhon ka dhoka tha ya kuch aur lekin jab wo khada hua toh chehre kareeb karke dekha toh wo dhokha nahi tha. Dimaag ne toh saaf he inkaar kar diya ki aisi cheej andar ja bhi sakti hai lekin dil keh raha ke ek baar jaanchna toh banta hai. Lekin sawaal hai ki kaise?", Damini kitni kaam-vasna se bhari thi ye toh uske anginat sambandh batate the lekin wo asantusht rehti hai ye bhi alag kahani thi.
"Khet ghuma la fir toh ek baar. Aur khel khel me dekh liyo ki mauka bann sakta hai ya nahi. Tu purani khiladi hai Damini aur bagiche me kab mitti lag jaaye aur kapde gande ho jaaye kya kaha ja sakta hai. Waise bhi aam wali taraf paani laga hua hai. Aur jawaan khoon agar nausikhiya hua toh tere jaisi naagin ki pakad me khud fansta jaayega."
"Main naagin? Kamini kahi ki... Naag toh uske paas hai lekin dekhna hai mera pitara usko samet sakta hai ya nahi. Lekin teri baat sahi hai. Waise bhi kal subah usko wahi leke jaane wali thi main par ghumane ke liye. Ab jara haudi me nahane ka maja le he leti hu lage hath. Waise tu bhi sath chal, najar rakhne wala bhi koyi ho toh..", Damini ke aise prastaav ne Indu ko sochne par vivash kar diya tha. Ek jawaan tagda pehalwan sa yuvak aur uski wo khasiyat jo uske jaisi aurat ki kami thi.
"Ek kaam kar Damini. Jaisa tu soch rahi hai usme jaldbaaji matt kar. Kal toh tu he ja aur iske sath thoda hans bol kar khulne ki koshish kar. Aaj jaise jalwe dikhaye hai thoda us se jyada dikha par bas itna ki wo saamne se itcha dikhaye. Agar ladka sabar aur kaayde wala nikla toh kaam bigad sakta hai aur jis tarah se Anamika keh rahi thi, wo sunn kar toh mujhe lagta hai ki satark rehna bahot jaruri hai aise maamle me. Sahi been bajayegi toh baad me teri ungli par naachega. Niche ki garmi ek taraf rakh kar thande dimaag se soch. Phir toh main teri chaakri jab kahegi karne ko tayaar hu.", Indu ne kaamveg se bhari Damini ko hosh me la diya tha. Ab wo samajh rahi thi ki kapde pehli baar me he utaar diye toh baad ke liye kuch bachne wala nahi, fir galti ho ya naag pitare me.
"Tabhi main tujhse baat karti hu meri jaan. Sala experience bhi toh hosh me rehne se aata hai. Mujhe toh aise samay me bas ek he cheej dikhti hai lekin tu mujhse badi naagin hai jo nishaan tak na chhodti hai. Chal thodi der upar chalte hai.", Damini ne upar jaane ka khaas ishara diya toh Indu hansti hui khadi ho gayi.
"Garmi nikaal lena he sahi rahega. Atchi baat hai aur waise bhi swaad chakhe jyada waqt ho gaya.", Anamika ko wahi se awaaj de kar ye dono mahilaye apne khaas kaam ko anjaam dene seedhiyan chadti hui upari bhaag par chali gayi. Lekin wo is baat se bekhabar thi ki inki charcha Anamika ne sahi se sunn li thi kyonki gaaye ka doodh toh Meena nikaal rahi thi, Anamika nahi. Aur ab pareshani wali baat ye thi ki Arjun ko agaah kaise kiya jaaye.
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"Yaha toh bahot bheed hai aur ye kaisa faluda hai?", Arjun nikla toh haweli se aise tha jaise usko rasta pata ho lekin Aanchal usko kaha se ghuma fira kar laayi thi ye dekh kar sar he chakra gaya. Aur jab manzil par pahuche toh wo ek thela tha jidhar bacho ke sath darjan bhar yuvak us thele ko ghere khade the. Yaha tak ke safar me he aniginat logo ne Arjun ko pehchan ne ki koshish ki thi kyonki wo waha par pehle kabhi dikha nahi tha aur uske piche jo baithi thi wo pradhan ji ki naatin thi. Thele se ek taraf motorcycle rok kar Arjun Aanchal ko wahi baithne ka bol kar aage badha toh wo uske sath he chal di.
"Jaisa hai ye mujhe pasand hai. Aur main waha akeli kyun rahu?", Aanchal ka vyavahaar Arjun ki samajh se bahar he ho chala tha.Kaha toh wo pehle uske saamne tak nahi aa rahi thi us haadse ke baad aur ab wo alag hone ka naam nahi le rahi thi. Jaise taise usne thele wale ko ek plate banane ka kaha aur khamoshi se aaspas dekhne laga.
Ye jagah gaanv me unki haweli se viprit disha me thi aur iske paas he wo khel-bhwana aur dharamshala bhi the lekin aaye wo log dusri gali se the. lakdi ke ispaat lage phal par wo vyakti kushalta sa baraf ghis-ghis kar anginat katoriyan bharta raha aur fir baad me unke upar lachhe gira kar laal meethe ras se rang kar sabhi badhte haatho me saunpta raha. Arjun ko bhi jald he uski plate mil gayi.
"Dekh ke pehalwan. Kameej kharaab karega.?", Ye yuvak kuch jyada jaldi me tha aur uske dhakke se wo plate kuch hili toh meetha paani chalak gaya.
"Maaf karna bhai. Bheed hai toh ho jata hai.", Arjun jyada behas kiye bina Aanchal ke pas laut aaya jo uske hath se plate leti motorcycle par baith bade chaav se wo baraf wala faluda khaane me jutt gayi.
"Dekh kya rahe ho? Ek aur banwa lo lekin meetha sharbat jyada dalwana.", Arjun ji hujori karta wapis rehdi par aaya toh haal pehle wala he tha lekin ab kulfi khaate kuch yuvako ka jhund usko ghoor raha tha. Mashakkat karta wo fir se Aanchal ke pas lauta aur sab pehle jaisa he hua. Is dauraan 4 plate khaane ke baad bhi hatne ka naam na leti dikhi toh Arjun ne jhunjhlaate hue jabardasti usko motorcycle par baithaya aur waha se chalne laga.
"Veer ji, vi (20) rupaye dende jao.", Arjun ye bhi bhool gaya tha ke usne paise nahi diye hai. Uska mann itni jaldi vichlit ho gaya tha lekin wajah itni si toh nahi ho sakti thi. Gusse me 50 ka note rehdi wale ko thama kar wo bina chhutte paise wapis liye Aanchal se jyada baat kiye bina wapis haweli ki taraf badh chala.
"Sorry Arjun. Mere se galti ho gayi shayad lekin tum gussa toh matt karo. Gaanv dekhne nahi jana tha tumhe? Hum sports center chalte hai na."
"Main khud chala jaunga aur main aapse gussa nahi hu lekin kuch toh aapne jaanboojh kar kiya hoga. Jab yaad aa jaye toh baat karenge is baare me.", Arjun ne iske aage Aanchal ki kisi bhi baat ka koyi jawaab na diya. Is sabme he lagbhag aadha pauna ghanta lag gaya tha aur haweli ke bahar he Aanchal ko utaar wo bina uski taraf dekhe wapis mudd gaya. Motorcycle ek baar fir wahi aa ruki thi jaha wo aaya tha. Ab wo ladko ka jhund kareeb he bani 2 feet unchi diwar par pichwada tikaye baithe the aur Arjun ko dekh chehre se he gussa jahir karne lage.
"Ek plate banao toh. Paise jama hai mere 30 rupaye.", Arjun is baar aupcharik tarike se na gaya tha. Jis ladke se pehle wo takraya tha usko kandha laga kar ek taraf sarkata hua rehdi wale ke saamne khada ho gaya. Uske chehre ko dekh rehdi wala baraf ghisne laga.
"Pehle vi keha c pehalwan ki dida (eyes) khol ke chal. Lagda ghatt sunaai denda hai ghatt sunan de naal. Tera shehr ni haiga, sahda pind hai teh main ha sarpanch Kewal Singh da munda Nawaab Singh.", Ladka wo bhi gabru tha poora, takriban 6 feet aur bhare hue desi sharir wala.
"Nai khul diyan meri ankhaan kaka. Dass tu kithe doctor lageya jehda baala dhyaan de reya? Hovega Nawab apne ghar, pind tere kalle da nai. Para ho teh apna kamm kar.", Arjun ke mooh se theth desi punjabi sunn kar aur aisi jalalat lene ke baad wo yuvak kaanpti gardan ke sath us diwar ki taraf badh chala jaha baaki 6-7 yuvak baithe the.
"Bai ji, eh tah sarpanch sahab da munda hai lekin oh saare laage de pind de shararti munde ne. Tussi shehri bande ho teh eh itthe de, naal kaalej (college) toh. Panga vadh jau, tussi kalle ho.", Rehdi wala vyakti bhi samajhdar tha lekin Arjun apni samajh ek taraf rakhta wo meethe falude ki plate liye dhire dhire khaane laga. Najre un yuvako par tikaye jo apni jagah se uth chuke the. Unme se sirf ek yuvak Arjun ki taraf chalta hua aaya.
"Vadda hero hai tu kithe da? Galat panga le leya tu kaka. Pind da nahi hai eslayi ek mauka denda hai. Tittar ho ja hune nahi tah ghar deya nu tha chhad pradhan di pauti nu vi tu nayi milna. Perle unche pind toh ha main.", Wo ladka itna bol gaya aur Arjun ne uska gaal khinchte hue aise jawaab diya ki wo dekhta he reh gaya.
"Oyi.. darana hai tu mainu? Ummmm.. vadda ho gaya kaka tu tah. Chal apne saare nyane (bache) samet teh tittar tu ho ja. Oh jehda kaale kurte vich hai na osne chhadd ke. Baaki ae nawaab da putt tha itthe da he hai. Ehnu main araam na vekh lena. Chalo beta, shabash.. Anhera ho reha.", Arjun ne ek hath me plate aur dusre se us yuvak ki patloon pichwade ki taraf se pakad kar jis tarah ghuma diya toh wo asahaye sa waise he mudd gaya. Pata toh chal gaya tha usko ki ye pehalwan nidar bhi hai aur kuch soch ke tayaar bhi. Aur kehte kuch bana he nahi jawaab me. Ek baar fir wo sabhi ekatrit the aur Arjun ko ghoor rahe the.
"Arjun baai ji. Atcha hua baai ji aap yahi mil gaye. Aao chale akhade, master ji aur apne dosto se aapko milwata hu. Dipa bhabhi ne bataya ki aap toh vadde pradhaan ji ke paute ho. Pehle he bata dete baai ji. Main toh aapko dur ka rishteydar samajh raha tha.", Nihaal aadat se majboor Arjun ko dekhe he khush ho gaya tha aur unchi awaaj me ye baat jaise usne sabhi ko suna di thi jo aaspas the, un yuvako samet.
"Bhaiya ab isme koyi raaj thodi na hai. Aur dekho hum dost ban chuke hai toh waise he bane raho. Ye aap vaap matt kaho mujhe. Aap bade ho aur dost hai toh fir koyi faltu ijjatt nahi. Akhade chalte hai lekin pehle mujhe is kaale kurte wale se baat karni hai sath he sarpanch ke shehjade se."
"Shehjada nai baai Nawaab hai. Oye Nawaab bai, idhar toh aa jara. Aur is Binder ko bhi bula, amli na ho toh kise tha da.", Nihaal ki pukaar sunn kar wo sabhi ladke sakte me aa chuke the aur rehdi wala toh khud sakte me tha ki wo jisko salah de raha hai wo logo ko salah deta hai.
"Inhe jana hai Nihaal apne pind. Main bhi baad me milta hu.", Ab Nawaab khisakna chahta tha aur 2 yuvak un hare-saleti chetak scooter ki taraf badhe lekin ab Arjun khud he unke saamne aa chuka tha.
"Ek taraf ho ja nahi toh yahi nawaabi is naali me mila dunga. Aur fir daar ji bhi bachane nahi aane wale.", Nawaab Arjun ke saamne aane laga tha us yuvak ke bachaav me lekin ek halke dhakke se he wo un scooter wale yuvako ki taraf bhatak gaya. Halki khichdi daadi, aankhon me jyada he laali aur kada patla jism tha us yuvak ka jo Arjun ko khatak chuka tha. Ghoor wo bhi raha tha Arjun ko jaise usko ummeed ho apne dosto se. Nihaal maamle ko samajh pata us se pehle he thappad ki jordaar awaaj ke sath us yuwak ka jism pichli diwar ke sahare tik gaya. Honth fatt chuka tha aur baaki sab bas darshak ki tarah samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the ki hua kya.
"Tu bol raha tha na ki jaise wo kha rahi hai tu usko apna khilayega. Aur bhi kuch keh raha tha.. Haan jara bol toh kya keh raha tha tu? Lund par meetha gira ke chatwayega? Nikaal be dekhu aisi kaunsi top liye tu ghoomta hai jo ghamand hai.", Arjun ne pyjame ki dori he khinch kar todd di thi us yuvak ki lekin baaki samajh chuke the ki is fasaad ki jadd kya hai. Nihaal Arjun ke sameep aa gaya.
"Bai esne eh gal kisde baare kahi c?", Aur jis tarah us bhole sardar ne gardan dabochi thi baaki sabhi waha se aur dur ho gaye.
"Didi ke liye bola tha isne. Kya behan ko haq nahi Nihaal bhai market me apni marji se aane ka aur jaisa sab karte hai waisa ghoomne khaane ka? Suna tha ke ye gaanv bahot alag hai. Vyavastha hai poori aur log aisa waisa galat kaam nahi karte.", Arjun ek kadam peeche hatt gaya tha lagaam Nihaal ke hatho dekh.
"Sahi suniya c tussi bai. Ye Binder sala itna vadda ho gaya ke pind vich sare -raah saadi behan layi putha bolega? Chal putra tu tah akhade he chal. Bulane ha tere ghar deya nu.", Lekin bolne ke sath sath Nihal ne toh usko wahi patak bhi diya tha. Ab us yuvak ne girte he uske paanv pakad liye aur Nawaab bhi himmat karta apne dost ke bachaav me aa gaya.
"Jaane de Nihaal. Mai galti mann da ha bai tuhade toh bhi. Mere dost ne lekin hun pind nahi bulanda ehna nu. Ek vaari chhad do bas. Vekho bheed kathi ho gayi tah mushkil ho jana.", Wo yuwak toh girne ke baad se jameen par pada tha, niche se lagbhag nirvastra taango ke sath. Hath uske bhi judd chuke the.
"Jaane do Nihaal bai. Mujhe bhi gussa jyada aa gaya tha jo thik nahi. Kabhi kabhi rok nahi pata na jab koyi galat baat kare wo bhi aisi jagah jaha ummeed na ho. Nikal jao tum log jis bhi unche niche pind se. Aainda najar bhi aaye toh fir pakka akhade le jaunga aur waha koyi niyam nahi hoga.", Ab 2 aur yuvak kareeb aaye aur apne us dost ko uthane ke baad jaise taise pajama thik karke scooter me beech baitha kar nikal liye. Dusra scooter bhi unke peeche chal diya jis par 4 log the sarpanch ke ladke ko mila kar.
"Chalo Nihaal bhai, kahi araam se baithte hai."
"Bai tum akhade he chalo. Wahi baithna aur master ji se baat karna. bade julmi aadmi hai baai wo. Maja aa jayega unse mil kar tumhe. Waise samajhdar ho jo baat nahi badhai. Pradhan ji tak jaati toh iski gardan alag ho jaani thi. Vinod ji toh goli he maar dete lekin tum baai taqat ke sath sath thande aadmi bhi ho. Bult yahi rehne do, paidal chalte hai.", Nihaal nikkar aur bina baah ki tshirt me tha toh uska jism saaf dikh raha tha abhi. Atchi mehnat ki thi usne ye tagda sharir banane me. Chahe wo kam tha Arjun se lekin tha majboot. Dono pakke dosto ki tarah hanste batiyate us taraf chal diye jidhar khel sthal tha. Lekin gaanv me pehle he din aisi harkat karke Arjun darjan bhar yuvko ki najar me toh aa he chuka tha.
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Haweli wapis lautne tak andhera gehrane laga tha aur 8 baje Arjun jab waha dakhil hua toh hath me jeans aur tshirt liye tha. Ab wo thik Nihaal wali he poshak me tha jo usko master ji ne khud di thi. Aangan me he chaarpayi par pasre Krishneshwar ji hukka gudguda rahe the aur 2 desi shwaan unke kareeb farsh par aise baithe the jaise kisi ki pratiksha ho.
"Aa gaya beta? Badi der laga di tumne aur Aanchal bata rahi thi ki tum usko bata kar bhi nahi gaye. Ye khiladi wale kapde?" Devaki ji ne toh prashno ki jhadi he laga di thi Arjun ke aate ke sath. Krishneshwar ji ne jagah banate hue Arjun ko apni he charpaayi par baithaya aur wo he jawaab dene lage.
"Khelne koodne patloon me toh nahi jaayega ji. Aur Jugraaj ne diye honge ye. Toh beta pasnad aaya hamara krida-sthal?"
"Ji chhote dada ji aur wo coach sahab toh bade he behtareen insaan hai. Pehle toh wo kaafi samay tak mujhse baat karte rahe aur unhe pata tha ki main kaun hu. Phir baaki sab kabaddi ki practice kar rahe the toh unhone mujhe Shahid bhaiya ke sath kushti ka abhyaas karwaya. Unka kehna hai ki mujhe toh 2 ghante kam se kam kasrat ki jarurat hai. Lekin pehla din tha isliye unhone kam he abhyaas karwaya.", Arjun jaise bahot saari baatein karna chahta tha lekin uske liye paani le kar aayi Meena ne jab mooh par kapda rakha toh dhyaan aaya ki jism par akhade ki mitti lagi hai aur paseena bhi.
"Shahid sirf abhyaas he karta hai beta. Wo bahot badhiya khiladi tha kabhi lekin baaye paanv me chot aane ki wajah se wo aage khel na paya. Subah abhyaas karne jao toh tumhe sahi jodidar mil sakta hai. Naveen tumhare mukable ka bhi hai aur Shahid ki tarah kushti ka waakif bhi. Waise tumhe abhyaas he karna hai toh jis marji ke sath karo. Kabaddi walo se bhi jaan-pehchan rakhna, bhale ladke hai."
"Ji dada ji. Waise aap waha par naye jamane ki thodi machine lagwa dijiye agar mumkin ho. Itne behtareen sansthaan aur coach hai waha lekin kushti wale sabhi khiladi machine hone se aur behtar honge. Main naha kar aata hu. Phir khana khaate hai.", Arjun ke hatho se Devaki ji he uske kapde le gayi thi. Unhe Anamika ne bata diya tha ki din me Arjun ne swayam kapde dho liye the.
"Nahane kaha jana hai beta? Wo pump chal raha hai aur toliya bandh ke baith ja thande paani ke niche. Machine ke liye Vinod ko bol deta hu, tum dekh aana uske sath sehar ja kar aur fir wo bhijwa denge. Damini bitiya, Arjun ko yahi angocha la do aur toliya bhi.", Arjun ko ye nirala andaaj bhi bhaya Krishneshwar ji ka. Purn dehati jisme koyi laag lapet na tha. Arjun wahi joote khol kar baniyaan utaarta hua us badi haud ke pas chal diya jaha motor chalu thi.
"Beta, ye idhar ghuma le aur yaha se isko chalu kar. Baitha ja fir iske niche aur ragad ke naha.", Damini jis tarah se us halki andhere wali jagah par Arjun ke sar par jhuki thi usne lagbhag apne wo bhari chuche uske sar pe he tika diye the. Jabtak Arjun kuch samajhta wo hansti hui dur hatt gayi aur paani ka tej bahaav sidha Arjun ke chehre par.
"Sudhar ja ri sudhar ja. Tera bachpana na ja raha bachpan gujre 25 saal baad bhi. Beta iska bura na maan na, ye hai he uddand.", Devaki ji un kutto ke liye haare se doodh liye kareeb se gujri thi aur shayad unhone wo harkat bhi dekh li thi jo sirf Arjun ne mehsoos ki. Par unka aise najarandaaj karna matlab jaise kuch hua he na ho. Damini toliya taar pe taangne ke baad dikhawe ke liye Arjun ki sahayta karne lagi. Pehle sabun dete hue aur fir wapis lete hue.
"Ae Damini, ye Aanchal bitiya kaha gayab hai? Bula le usko jara. Uski pasand ke meethe chawal banaye hai gudd wale, nariyal daal kar. Aur aap bhi bhojan kar lo ji.", Devaki ki awaaj se Damini ko jana he pada aur Arjun mehnat se lagi hui mitti dhulne ke baad kamar par toliya lapet nikkar dho kar taar pe daalne ke baad waha se apne kamre ki taraf chal diya. Wo hairaan reh gaya jab dhala hua darwaja khol kar andar aaya. Andhere ko kam karne ke liye waha sirf zero ka bulb jagmaga raha tha aur bister par kamar tikaye koyi shaksh pehle se baitha tha.
