Thriller RAAZ..... (Completed)

[Casinar]

Chapter 13 - The Day It Happened

Mujhe Chail aaye ek hafta ho chuka tha aur is beech mere haath koi bhi khaas information nahi aayi thi. Haan ek theroy zaroor maine bana li thi aur mujhe poora andesha tha ke aisa hi kuchh hua tha par vo theroy bhi abhi tak adhoori thi. Ab tak sirf itna hi mujhe samajh aaya tha ke Ravi aur Sunanda ka aapas mein affair tha. Dono ki shaadi na-mumkin thi aur iski vajah dono ke social status ke beech ka antar thi. Jo kuchh bhi dono ke saath hua tha uski vajah ye love affair hi tha par sabse bade jo sawal the unka jawab ab tak mere paas nahi tha.

Kya hua tha un dono ke saath?

Kya vo abhi zinda the ya mar chuke the?

Aur in sabse kahin badhke jo sawal tha vo ye tha ke jo information mujhe ek hafte mein pata lag gayi, Ravi aur Sunanda ke beech ki ye baat kahin bhi police files mein kyun nahi hai? Kya police aur CBI milkar is chhote se point ko dhoondh nahi paayi thi yar unhein is baat ko daba dene ke liye kaha tha? Aakhir kaun chahega ke unke khandan ke ladke ka naam kisi prostitute ki beti se joda jaaye?

"Kya soch rahe ho?" Main subah subah betha police files ki khaak chhan raha tha ke Kamini ek cup chaai bana laayi.

"Samajh nahi aa raha kuchh bhi"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab yaar ye ke aaj tak maine jo bhi cases investigate kiye hain vo ya toh kisi aise mamle se related hote the jo abhi bhi chal raha tha ya kisi aisi ghatna ko lekar jo abhi haal filhal mein hui hai. Had se had kuchh mahino pehle"

"Ok"

"Aise cases mein evidence ya toh fresh hoti hai aur agar fresh nahi hoti toh at least damaged ya khatam bhi nahi hoti. Logon ki yaad dasht taza hoti hai. Incidents ko jodne mein aasani rehti hai"

"Jo ki filhal is case mein nahi hai"

"Nahi bilkul nahi. Main 20 saal purani ek kabar khod raha hoon. 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai Kamini. Us waqt is case mein involved kitne log toh shayad ab tak mar bhi chuke honge aur jo zinda hai unhein dhang se yaad nahi hoga"

"So toh hai"

"Aur koi nayi evidence dhoondhna toh almost impossible hi hai jaise. Jo kuchh bhi hai purani evidence hi hai aur vo yahan police files mein darj hai"

"Jo ke i am sure zyada helpful nahi hogi"

"Exactly. Ab samajh nahi aa raha ke is sabko lekar us 20 saal purani ghanta ko kaise samjhun"

"Why dont you recreate it?"

"What do you mean"

"You know like they show on the TV, on news channel"

"Yeah i know, i work for one"

"So i think a good place to start will be to recreate the incidents of that day, ke us din kya hua tha"

"Arrey vahi toh pata lagana hai par kaise"

"At least jitna pata laga sakte ho toh vo karo"

"I think you are right. Shaam ke baad jab Ravi ghar se nikla toh kya hua ye nahi pata par usse pehle ka toh pata chal hi sakta hai"





"Right"

"I mean jo us din hua of course there will be incidents for day prior to that, or maybe weeks or months which led to what happened to that day. Par in sab sawalon ka jawab is baat mein hai ke us din exactly hua kya tha"

"True" Kamini aise muskura rahi thi jaise pata nahi mera kaun sa bada marg-darshan kar diya ho.

"Samajhdaar ho gayi hai tu bhi mere saath reh rehke"

"Excuse me, main hamesha se hi bahut samajhdaar thi. Tumhein har thode waqt mein meri salah lete rehna chahiye, faayde mein rahoge"

"I agree," Maine apne baalon mein haath pherte hue kaha. "Kuchh saal pehle teri salah le leta toh aaj ye din dekhna nahi padta. Us din hospital mein hi teri baat maan li hoti Renuka ke baare mein toh aaj kahani kuchh aur hi hoti"

"Abhi bhi kuchh nahi bigda hai" Usne fauran mera haath apne haath mein liya, "Ab jo hua use bhool jao aur jo ja chuki hai use dosh nahi dete. Vo jaisi bhi thi, biwi thi tumhari. Bhale thode waqt ke liye hi sahi, ek bahut achha waqt saath guzara tum dono ne aur ek khoobsurat beta deke gayi hai vo tumhein. Ab vo ja chuki hai toh sabki behtari isi mein hai ke tum bhi ab har gile shikve ko dil se chale jaane do. Ek mari hui aurat ke khilaff apne dil mein nafrat paalkar tumhein kuchh haasil nahi hoga. Maaf kar do use. Apne gunaah ki saza usne khud hi apne aapko de di, khud apne haathon apni jaan le li. Ab tumhari baari hai use maaf kar dene ki"

"Yahi maafi agar vo zinda rehte mujhse maangti toh kya main maaf na karta use? Sirf ek baar mere saamne bethkar mujhse maafi ke do shabd kehne the, sab bhool jata main par usne mujhe is layak bhi nahi samjha. Maut ki saza usne sirf apne aapko nahi, apne pichhe apne chhote se bachche aur apne pati ko bhi di hai. Suicide was never the way out, all she needed to do was come back to her family, come back to me"

Mere is sawal ka jawab shayad Kamini ke paas bhi nahi tha. Vo kuchh pal ke liye bas chup chap dekhti rahi aur phir jab uski aankhen bhar aayi toh chehra doosri aur ghuma liya.

"I cant see you like this" Vo chehra doosri aur kiye boli, "Makes my heart break and my eyes water" You will have to let it go, if not for yourself then for your son and your family. And maybe for me"

Ek baar phir kamre mein khamishi chha gayi. Kuchh der baad ek baar phir khamoshi usi ne todi.

"So how are we gonna start" Apne chehre se baal hatate hue usne chehre par muskurahat bikheri aur meri taraf dekha.

"I think a good place to start will be to find out who Ravi spoke to that day, who he spent time with, where all did he go"

"We will have to talk to everyone about that"

"True"

"Who do you want to start with?"

"I think i have a name in mind"

"Who?"

"The same guy who takes care of the entire household, has been doing it for all his life"

"Liyaqat? Vo butler?"

"Right. Raat ko ghar ka main gate vahi lock karta hai aur subah vahi kholta bhi hai. Is ghar ke har insaan ki movement par uski nazar rehti hai. Usse maine pehle ek baar aur baat ki thi par tab koi zyada khaas information haasil nahi hui thi"

"Is baar bolega vo?"

"Nahi I am sure bolega toh abhi bhi kuchh khaas nahi vo. Kaafi ghunna type ka hai par at least mere paas puchhne ke liye behtar sawal hain"

"Do you think he has anything to do with it?"

"I dont think so really"

"Why not?"

"Sabse badi vajah ke aisa karne ka koi motive nahi tha uske paas and i dont think koi fayda bhi hua hai use. Aage pichhe i dont think ke koi hai use aur Ravi ke gayab hone ke baad bhi 20 saal se vo vahi same zindagi ji raha hai"

"Baat toh sahi hai"

"But still, i havent really checked him off my suspect list entirely. He is still on it"

"So when do you want to talk to him"

"Abhi bula leta hoon use. Meanwhile tu ek kaam kar"

"Kya?"

"Kanha ke baap se baat kar"

Main Kamini ko already Kanha ka kissa poora suna chuka tha, aur uske baap ke baare mein bhi.

"Main kya baat karungi usse?"

"Dekh agar koi information milti hai toh"

"You are asking me to go and investigate? Dont you think you will be better off doing it yourself? I wouldnt even know what to ask"

Hmmm sahi chal raha hai sab kuch. .. to ab liyakat se kia puchna hai, aguey dekhta hoon

 

[John Cena]

Yar sach kahon to ma ap ka fan ho gya hon parte parte aisa lagta ha jaise koi film daikh raha hon koi mistake nhi hoi har character ka andar aise lagta ha jaise jaan daal di ho super ho yar tum keep it up

 

[Casinar]

"See that is the point" Maine kaha

"What is?"

"Ke tu vahan investigate karne nahi, usse baat karne ja"

"Usse kya hoga?"

"Jis tarah se tune Sunanda ki maan ke saath bahave kiya tha , vaise hi kar. Usko baaton mein laga aur dekh kya bolta hai buddha"

"Aur usne mujhse puchha ke main kaun hoon aur kyun is baare mein soonghti phir rahi hoon?"

"Toh kehna ke tu is 20 saal pehle hui ghanta ke baare mein ek story likhne ki soch rahi hai"

"Reporter?"

"Nahi, reporter bolegi toh shayad bidak jaaye buddha"

"Phir?"

"Book writer bol. Author"

"Author?"

"Haan, kehna ke tu hamare desh mein hue unsolved cases ke uper ek book likh rahi hai. Aur since ye 20 saal pehle ka ek bahut bada aur famous unsolved case hai toh tu iske baare mein likhna chahti hai. Thoda senti maar, uske bete ko lekar ke tu uski kahani sabke saamne lana chahti hai blah blah"

"Isnt that kinda mean?"

"Could be but that is best choice"

"Do you think it will work?"

"Worth a shot"

Kamini ke jaane ke baad main Liyaqat ko bula bheja aur stove par chaai chadhayi. 10 minute baad main chaai ke cup lekar drawing room mein betha hi tha ke darwaze par knock hua. Khola toh bahar Liyaqat khada tha.

"Aapne bulaya tha?"

"Haan" Maine use andar aane ka ishara kiya," Aao betho"

"Nahi theek hai, kahiye" Usne khade khade hi kaha.

"Beth jao, thoda waqt lagega" Mere zor dene par vo beth gaya.

"Tumse kuchh case ke baare mein baat karni thi"

"Main jo janta tha vo bata chuka hoon aapko"

"Haan par main ek baar phir baat karna chahta tha"

"Jo us din maine bataya tha usse zyada kuchh pata nahi mujhe"

"Well then i need you to repeat what you said that day"

"Puchhiye" Vo hathyaar daalta hua bola.

"Apna poore din ka haal sunao ke kya kiya tha tumne us din, kahan the, kab the vagerah vagerah. Aur ye dialogue mat maarna ke main 20 saal purani baat puchh raha hoon, tumhein yaad nahi. Jo us din hua tha aur jitna hangama us din ke baad hua tha itna kuchh hone ke baad toh ek bachche ke dimaag par bhi us din ka poora naksha chhap jata hai"

"Jitna mujhe yaad hai utna main bata deta hoon" Mere mana karne ke baad bhi usne adiyal ghode ki tarah phir yaad-dasht ka hawala diya.

"Theek hai, batao"

"Subah 4.30 baje main utha"

"Itni subah uthne ki koi khaas vajah?"

"Subah ki namaz"

"Padhte ho?"

"5 waqt"

"Kahin masjid hai aas paas yahan?"

"Nahi thoda door hai isliye ghar par hi padhta hoon"

"Ok, phir?"

"Namaz padhi, ghar ka main gate khola aur phir jogging ke liye bahar nikal gaya"

"Jogging?" Maine hairat se use sar se paon tak dekha.

"Main buddha hi paida nahi hua tha" Usne mere bolne ke andaaz aur nazar ko taadte hue kaha, "Aaj se 20 saal pehle main 34 saal ka hua karta tha. Ab umar ho gayi hai par ab bhi main 10 kms bhaag loon aur mera haath tak na kaanpe"

Baat saaf thi, use mera is tarah se bolna bura laga tha. Aur vaise bhi use dekh kar andaza hota tha ke sehat ka khaas khyaal rakhta hai. Is umar mein bhi uska pet ek inch bhi bahar nahi tha aur jism poori tarah se tandrust aur kasrati lagta tha.

"I am sorry, phir?"

"Yahan se thodi door ek chaai ki dukaan hai, achhi chaai banata hai vo. Ek waqt par main subah roz vahan tak bhaag kar jata tha aur roz subah ki chaai vahin peeta tha."

"Haan jaanta hoon us dukaan ke baare mein, ja chuka hoon ek baar. Phir?"

"Vahan mujhe subah subah Rana Sahab mile"

"Mr. Rana?"

"Nahi hamare Sahab nahi, Pratap Rana Sahab"

"Oh, matlab unki bhi bahut purani aadat hai vahan jakar chaai pine ki?"

"Ji haan"

"Phir?"

"Maine chaai pi, kuchh khaya aur phir tehalta hua vaapis aa gaya"

"Mr. Rana se us din vahan koi baat hui?"

"Nahi koi khaas nahi, bas aise hi haal chaal puchha"

"Ok, phir?"

"Ek baat hui thi us din jo mere dimag se kabhi nikli nahi, mera bhram bhi ho sakta hai"

"Kya?"

"Jab main vaapis aa raha tha toh mujhe laga ke maine ek ladki dekhi"

"Ladki dekhi?"

"Haan"

"Koi khaas baat ismein?" Mujhe uski baat kuchh samajh nahi aayi,

"Us waqt toh koi khaas baat nahi lagi sivaay iske ke kuchh ghabrayi si lag rahi thi"

"Ghabrayi si?"

"Haan jaise kisi se bachke bhaag rahi ho"

"Tumhein aisa kyun laga?"

"Pedon ki aat lekar chal rahi thi, sadak se hatkar jaise darr rahi ho ke sadak par koi dekh na le aur kaafi tezi ke saath chal rahi thi, matlab lagbhag bhaag hi rahi thi"

"Ho sakta hai vo bhi tumhari tarah jogging kar rahi ho"

"Nahi"

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki Saree pehankar koi bevakoof aurat hi jogging karne jaayegi"

"Point, kahan dikhi thi tumhein vo?"

"Yahin ghar se thodi door. Main Bungalow ki taraf aa raha tha aur vo Bungalow ki taraf se Chail ki taraf ja rahi thi"

"Phir tumne kya kiya?"

"Ek pal ke liye toh samajh nahi aaya ke kya karun. Matlab socha ke rok kar puchh loon par is tarah subah subah sunsaan jagah par ladki ko rokna kuchh theek sa nahi laga. Maine socha ke hogi kisi baat ko leke pareshaan isliye maine kuchh nahi kaha"

"Us ladki ne tumhein dekha?"

"Haan bilkul. Mujhe door se aata dekh vo shayad thithak kar ped ke pichhe chhup gayi thi. Maine toh use dekha bhi tab jab main kareeb aaya aur vo ped ke pichhe se nikal kar aage chali gayi"

"Aur tum yahan aa gaye?"

"Haan subah subah ghar par vaise bhi kaafi kaam hota hai toh main ghar vaapis aa gaya"

"Koi idea kaun thi vo ladki?"

"Us waqt toh mujhe yaad nahi aaya haan par shakal kuchh pehchani si lagi. Ghar vaapis aaya aur phir apne kaam mein lag gaya aur phir Ravi Sahab ki gumshudgi ko lekar kuchh din tak hangama raha. Kuchh din baad ek din mere kamre mein rakha ek purana paper mere haath laga jismein us ladki ki tasveer thi. Tab mujhe samajh aaya ke kyun mujhe us ladki ki shakal pehchani si lag rahi thi"

"Kabka akhbaar tha?" Mujhe kuchh kuchh samajh aana shuru ho gaya tha ke vo kya kehne ja raha hai.

"Maine jis din us ladki ko dekha tha usse 3-4 din pehle ka. Us akhbaar mein uski photo chhapi thi aur likha tha ke vo lapata hai, 3 din se ghar nahi aayi hai aur agar kisi ko koi jaankar hai toh falana falana pate par ya police station mein jakar bata de"

"Aur vo ladki Sunanda thi?"

"Ji haan" Usne sar hila kar jawab diya.

"Jis din tumne use dekha vo usse ek hafta pehle se apne ghar se gayab thi"

"Ji haan"

Haan to ye sab uss din kyun nahin bataya tha liyakat ne? Ab jab sunanda k baare mein pata chal chuka hai tab bata raha hai?
Isska matlab saaf ye hua k Sunanda Ravi se milne k baad wapas jaa rahi thi

 

[Casinar]

"Aur tumhein ye baat pata thi?"

"Jaisa ke maine kaha, us waqt pata nahi thi. Us waqt toh sirf shakal jaani pehchani lagi. Baad mein pata chala ke vo kaun thi"

"Toh tum mujhe ye keh rahe ho ke jo ladki ek hafte se ghar se gayab thi us din subah tumne use dekha aur usi din Ravi bhi gayab ho gaya?

"Ji haan"

"Tum ye baat itne yakeen se kaise keh sakte ho ke ladki Sunanda hi thi, koi aur bhi toh ho sakti hai"

"Shakal kaafi gaur se dekhi thi maine. Pehchanne mein galti nahi kar sakta" Use bade confidence se jawab diya.

"Toh tumhein yakeen hai ke vo Sunanda hi thi"

"Haan"

"Aaj 20 saal baad bhi? Aur tumhein ye ek baat itni achhi tarah se yaad hai?"

"Iski bhi ek vajah hai"

"Kya?"

"Jab maine use saamne se dekha toh bas ek ghabrayi si ladki dikhai di jo kisi vajah se chhup chhup kar ja rahi thi. Ek pal ko maine ye bhi socha ke shayad aisa kuchh nahi hai, mujhe hi aisa lag raha hai ke ye thodi pareshan hai. Aur ye bhi ho sakta hai ke ho kisi baat ko lekar pareshan, ab aise sadak chalte har kisi se toh nahi puchh sakte na"

"Right"

"Par jab vo aage nikal gayi toh maine ek baar phir palat kar uski tarah dekha. Us din hawa kaafi tez thi aur ek pal ke liye, sirf ek pal ke liye hawa ka ek tez jhonka aaya aur uski saree ka pallu uske jism se khiska"

"Ok, toh?"

"Use shareer ke upari hisse mein saree ke andar kuchh nahi pehen rakha tha"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab usne sirf uper se saree pehen rakhi thi. Jab aanchal sarka toh mujhe pichhe se uski poori nangi peeth dikhai di. Andar blouse nahi tha. Aise lah raha tha jaise vo kahin se jaldbaazi mein nikli ho, bas shareer par fatafat saree lapet kar hi nikal bhaagi ho"

"Hmmmm"

"Ab aap hi bataiye, ek din aapko ek ladki yun badhawas si aadhe kapdo mein sadak par chhup kar chalti dikhe aur baad mein aapko pata chale ke vo ladki ghar se ek hafta pehle se gayab thi toh kya aap kabhi uska chehra bhool paayenge? Kya is baat ko apne zehan se nikal paayenge?"

"I guess not. Tumne kisi ko ye baat batayi?"

"Nahi"

"Kyun?"

Maine puchha toh vo ek pal ke liye chup ho gaya.

"Kyun?" Maine phir sawal dohraya.

"Vajah thi"

"Jaan sakta hoon ke vo vajah kya thi?"

"Uske baad thodi hi door mujhe Ravi Sahab bhi usi taraf jaate dikhe"

"Tumhara matlab ladki ke pichhe?"

"Pata nahi, par ja usi taraf rahe the"

"Aur tumhein laga ke Ravi us ladki ke pichhe ja raha hai? Ke vo ladki Ravi se bachkar bhaag rahi hai"

Usne phir koi jawab nahi diya par uski khamoshi ne hi mere sawal ka jawab haan mein de diya.

"Ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke Ravi subah subah yun hi ghoomne nikla ho? Ya jogging karne?"

"Nahi, vo jogging wale kapdo mein the nahi. Shirt pent pehen rakhi thi aur neeche leather wale joote aur ...."

"Aur kya?"

"Aur vo chal aise rahe the jaise kisi ke pichhe ja rahe hon. Bhaag toh nahi rahe the par kaafi jhapat kar chal rahe the jaise jaldi mein hon. Meri bagal se guzre toh maine good morning kaha par meri toh unhone jaise suni hi nahi. Apne hi khyaalon mein khoye aage ki taraf chale gaye"

"Toh tumhein ye darr tha ke agar kisi ko tumne ye baat batayi toh sabko yahi lagega ke Ravi us ladki ka pichha kar raha tha?"

Usne haan mein sar hilaya.

"Par us waqt toh Ravi khud bhi gayab tha. Kya tumhein ye nahi laga ke ho sakta hai is baat ko batane se shayad Ravi ko dhoondhne mein madad milti?"

"Ye baat agar main kehta toh Ravi Sahab ka naam us jaisi ladki ke saath judta, badnami hoti"

"Aur tumne apni zubaan band rakhi. Par tumhein kaise pata ke sunanda kaisi ladki thi? Abhi toh tum keh rahe the ke tumhein uske baare mein pehli baar pata hi newspaper mein photo dekh kar chala?"

"Uske baad mein ghar ke ek do naukar ko tasveer dikha kar puchha ke vo us ladki ko jaante the kya? Paas ke gaon ki hi thi aur yahan sab naukar aas paas ke gaon se hi hain. Unmein se ek ne pehchan kar bataya ke vo dono maan beti kis tarah ka kaam karte the"

"Hmmmm. Tumhein lagta hai ke Sunanda yahan Rana Sahab ke ghar se bachkar bhaag rahi thi?"

"Nahi yahan ek hafta agar vo hoti toh pata zaroor chalta. Aur uper se us subah main gate ka lock maine hi khola tha aur uske baad se gate par watchman betha tha, usne kisi ko yahan se jaate nahi dekha"

"Zaroori nahi ke ghar mein hi ho. Ravi vahan pichhe guest house bhi toh use karta tha apne liye. Ho sakta hai usne vahan rakha ho Sunando ko?"

Jawab mein Liyaqat ne sirf pata nahi ke andaaz mein kandhe uchka diya.

"Ek baat aur, tumne jab mujhse pehli baar baat ki us waqt mujhe ye sab kyun nahi bataya?"

"Usi darr se jis darr se 20 saal pehle kisi ko nahi bataya tha"

"Aur ab kyun bata rahe ho?"

"Kyunki 20 saal se ye kissa chala aa raha hai. Ravi Sahab khud toh chale gaye par vo har kisi ke dimag mein abhi bhi base hue hain. Har koi 20 saal se ye jaanna chahta hai ke kya hua tha us din aur kahan gaye vo. Aur un logon mein main khud bhi shaamil hoon. Main bas ab is qisse ko khatam karna chahta hoon. Memsahab ne aapko itni ummeedon se milaya hai, umar ke aakhri padav par hain vo aur is umar mein ek maan ka haq banta hai ke use pata chale ke uske bete ke saath kya hua tha"





"Ok" Maine apna notepad khola, "Ye subah kitne baje ki baat hai?"

"Yahi koi 6 baje ke aas paas"

"Tum ghar se kitne baje nikle the?"

"Takreeban 5.15 ke kareeb, subah ki namaz padhkar"

"Aur usi waqt tumne ghar ka main gate bhi khola tha?"

"Ji haan"

"Un dino Ravi kahan reh raha tha, yahin ghar mein ya vo us guest house mein?"

"Unka aisa kuchh pakka nahi the, ek din yahan rehte the toh agle din vahan"

"Jis roz vo gayab hua usse pichhle din kahan tha?"

"Guest house, do teen din se vahin the. Khane khane bhi ghar nahi aate the, vahin bhijva diya jata tha"

"Kuchh yaad hai ke khana ek aadmi layak ja raha tha ya do aadmi kha sake itna?"

"Ab ye toh sach bataoon toh yaad nahi. Ab ye mujh aur aap jaise middle class aadmi ka ghar toh hai nahi ke andaze se khana banega ke kitne khane wale hain taaki kuchh bekaar na jaaye aur ghar ka ration faaltu kharch na ho"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke yahan agar kisi ek aadmi ka bhi chicken khane ka dil kar raha ho toh poora murga kata jata hai, phir vo insaan usmein se sirf ek leg piece khata hai aur baaki ka ya toh naukar le jaate hain ya phenk diya jata hai"

"Hmmmmm"

"Toh Ravi Sahab ke saath bhi aisa hi tha. Ghar mein jo bana hota toh sab dishes jaati thi. Jitna vo khate the kha lete the aur baaki ka naukar vaapis le aate the"

"Koi khaas vajah ke vo un dino khana vahin kyun khata tha?"

"Sahab se kuchh dino se unki kaha-suni chal rahi thi"

"Mr. Rana?"

"Ji haan"

"I thought kaha suni sirf us din hui thi jis din vo gayab hua tha?"

"Us din bhi hui thi. Us din actually kuchh zyada hi garma garmi ho gayi thi, behas is had tak chali gayi ke unki aawaz ghar ke har naukar ne suni. Par baat asal mein usse kuchh din pehle se hi bigdi hui thi"

"Kitne din pehle se?"

"Takreeban mahina pehle se"

"Aur tumhein ye baat kaise pata?"

"Kayi baar Sahab aur Ravi Sahab ko gusse mein baat karte dekha, dheemi aawaz mein aur phir mujhe aata dekh kar chup ho jaate the"

"Mrs. Rana ko pata hai ye baat?"

"Ji haan"

"Unhone bataya nahi. Mujhe toh unhone sirf ye kaha ke jis din Ravi gayab hua tha usi din kuchh behas hui thi"

"Ab kyun nahi bataya ye toh vahi jaane par baat asal mein mahina bhar se bigdi hui thi"

"Ok, toh tumne raaste mein Sunanda aur Ravi ko dekha aur phir tum ghar aa gaye"

"Ji haan"

"Kitne baje"

"6.15 ya 6.30 ke aas paas"

"Phir?"

"Phir main ghar ke kaamo mein lag gaya. Takreeban 11 baje ke kareeb Mem-Sahab ne kaha ke unhein Solan jana hai aur mujhe gaadi taiyyar karne ko kaha"

"Kitne baje nikle yahan se?"

"12 ke aas paas"

"Tum, Mrs. Rana aur Raj?"

"Ji haan"

"Subah jab Ravi gaya toh vaapis kab aaya phir?"

"Jab tak ham log Solan ke liye nikle tab tak vaapis nahi aaye the"

"Subah ka gaya dopahar tak nahi aaya?"

"Nahi"

"Ok, Phir?"

"Phir ham log Solan pahunche, Madam ko kuchh shopping karni thi vo unhone kari aur ham vaapis aa gaye"

"Vahan kuchh aisa hua ho jo ajeeb laga ho?"

"Nahi vahan toh nahi par jab ham Chail se nikal rahe the toh ek jagah mujhe Ravi Sahab aur unka dost Kanha baat karte hue dikhe"

"Yahi raaste mein sadak ke kinare, Kanha ke ghar se zara door"

"Tum log ruke?"

"Nahi vo zara sadak se thoda hatke khade the, shayad Memsahab ne unhein dekha hi nahi. Vo aur Raj Sahab pichhe ki taraf bethe the gaadi mein"

"Baat karne ke andaaz se kuchh laga?"

"Nahi kuchh khaas nahi. Thoda door khade the mujhe par jaise baat kar rahe the usse yahi lag raha tha ke kisi bade mudde par baat kar rahe hain"

"Jab tum Solan pahunche toh Raj poora time tumhare saath hi tha?"

"Ji haan"

"Vahan koi mila ho, kisi se baat hui ho? Raj kahin gaya ho thodi der ke liye?"

"Nahi, na koi mila aur na hi Raj Sahab kahin gaye"

"Aur vaapis kitne baje aaye?"

"Shaam ke 5 baje"

Kamaal hai itne saare clues the liyakat k paas.... bahot khulassa ho rahe hein ab. Mrs. Rana ne bhi kyun chhupaya tha k Ravi aur usske baap k beech ek mahine se talukaat thik nahin the?

 

[Casinar]

"5 baje?"

"Ji haan"

"Yahan se Solan tak jaane aane aur thodi der vahan shopping karne ke liye 5 ghante? Solan toh kareeb hi hai na? Uhar Kaali ke Tibbe se nazar aata hai neeche valley mein"

"Haan hai toh nazdeek hi"

"Phir 5 ghante?"

"Sadak idhar abhi kuchh saal pehle tak hi itni theek hui hai. Un dino sadak koi khaas nahi hoti thi. Pahadai ilaka hai aur uper se barish. Ek dedh ghanta toh Solan pahunchne mein hi lag jata tha"

"Hmmmmm"

"Aur phir aap bhool rahe hain ke hamare saath ek aurat shopping kar rahi thi" Usne muskurate hue kaha.

"I agree on that" Main bhi uski baat sunkar hasa. Itne waqt se main yahan tha par maine pehli baar use muskurate hue dekha tha.

"Toh aap log 5 baje vaapis aaye, phir?"

"Phir vahi jo maine aapko pehle bataya tha. Hamne gaadi bahar roki, andar aaye, Sahab ke kamre se jhagadne ki aawaz aa rahi thi. Ham logon ke aate hi Ravi Sahab ghar se bahar chale gaye aur Raj Sahab unke pichhe pichhe. Phir baarish shuru ho gayi"

"Aur uske baad se Ravi kabhi vaapis nahi aaya"

"Nahi"

"Uske baad kabhi Sunanda nazar aayi tumhein?

"Nahi, bas vo pehli aur aakhri baar tha ke maine use dekha tha. Phir kabhi nahi. Ek do baar dil mein aaya ke uski maan se mil aaoon par phir irada badal diya"

'Uski maan se, kyun?"

"Jab idhar hamari Memsahab ho dekhta tha ke kaise ek maan apne bete ke liye pareshan ho rahi hai toh aksar us ladki ka khyaal aata tha. Bhale hi vo maan beti kisi bhi tarah ka kaam karti hon, ek maan ke dil mein apni beti ke liye pyaar toh barabar hi hoga. Sochta tha ke kabhi jakar use bataoon ke maine us din uski beti ko dekha, kis haal mein dekha"

"Kya kiya kabhi aisa?"

"Nahi socha kayi baar aur phir irada badal diya"

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki use jis halat mein jis tarah se maine aakhri baar dekha tha, usse andaza laga sakte hain ke kya hua hoga. Ab uski maan ko jakar ye sab batata toh bekaar use takleef hi hoti. Filhal toh gham us bechari ko ye hoga ke beti gayab hai par kahin dil mein shayad ek aas hogi ke vo khud chali gayi hai kisi ke saaath, kahin zinda hai, salamat hai. Agar main bata deta toh ek ye ummeed bhi usse chheen leta"

"Tumne kya andaza lagaya ke kya hua hoga uske saath?" Maine use aur kuredne ki koshish ki.

"Aap sach mujhe sawal hi puchh rahe hain ya mere munh se koi aisi baat sunna chah rahe hain jo aapke matlab ki ho?" Usne fauran mera irada bhaanp liya.

"Mera kaam hi aisa hai Liyaqat" Maine muskura kar raha, "Logon ko kuredna, unse har chhoti chhoti baat puchhna jo unke khud ke mutabik ko ehmiyat na rakhti ho. Aur phir aisi hi 2 aur 2 baaton ko jodkar main 5 banata hoon"

"Toh aapki baat ka jawab ye hai ke mera andaza ek ladki ke saath zabardasti ka hai"

"Kisne ki hogi zabardasti?"

"Ab aap phir mere munh mein alfaaz daalne ki koshish kar rahe hain" Vo muskurata hua bola.

"Nahi main sirf ek sawal puchh raha hoon"

"Toh aapke sawal ka jawab ye hai ke main nahi janta. Main sach nahi janta. Main aapko nahi bata sakta ke kya Ravi Sahab us ladki ke saath zabardasti kar rahe the, kya unhone hi ek hafte se use kahin chhupa kar rakha hua tha. Mere dekhne ki haqeeat sirf itni hi hai ke maine ek ladki ko adh-nangi halat mein jaate hue dekha aur uske pichhe Ravi Sahab ko"

"Tumhein lagta hai ke Ravi uske pichhe ja raha tha?"

"Aapne mera andaza puchha, mera andaza yahi tha par kabhi ye samajh nahi aaya ke Sahab ko uske saath zabardasti karne ki ya zaroorat thi?"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke vo maan beti paiso ke liye yahi kaam toh karte the, toh zabardasti kyun. Kuchh paise de dete use, apni marzi se jo kehte vo karti"
Ek pal ke liye maine socha ke use Sunanda ke baare mein bataoon par uska koi fayda nahi tha. Main ise bata deta ke vo ek prostitute nahi thi par yahan toh saara ilaaka yahi manta hai, main kis kisko samjhata phirunga.

"TUmhein kya lagta hai, vo zinda hai kahin ya mar gayi"

"Andaza ye hai ke mar chuki hai aur dua meri ye hai ke kahin zinda ho"

"Dua?"

"Mushkil se 22-23 saal ki umar thi us bachchi ki us waqt. Bhale hi vo kaisi bhi thi, kaisa bhi kaam karti thi par kisi majboori ke rehte hi karti hogi, marzi se koi aisa kaam kyun kare bhala"

Uski baat sunkar ek pal ke liye mere dil mein aaya ke use bade sheharon ki haqeeqat bataoon jahan ladkiyan ab aise kaam marzi se hi karti hain, aasan paisa kamane ke liye.

"Use bhi haqt tha ke apni zindagi ko poori jeekar jaati aur kisi ko koi haq nahi tha ke usse ye haq chhene" Vo apni baat jaari rakhta hua bola, "Toh meri toh dua yahi hai ke vo us din jis bhi halat mein thi, nikal gayi ho aur salamat ho kahin"

Liyaqat ke jaane ke baad main soch mein pad gaya. Agar uski baat maanta toh Ravi Sunanda ke saath zor zabardasti kar raha tha par phir ye samajh nahi aata ke vo is halat mein kaise thi ke saamne se dekhne par Liyqat ko andaza hi nahi hua ke uske jism par kapda nahi hai? Vo bhale hi chhup kar par chal toh sadakh par hi rahi thi? Agar vo kahin hafte bhar se band thi aur bachkar bhaag rahi thi toh aise mein insaan sabse pehle madad ke liye pukarta hai. Vo Liyqaqt ke paas se guzri aur madad nahi maangi? Kya vo jaanti thi ke Liyaqat Ravi ke yahan kaam karta hai? Kya isliye dar kar madad nahi maangi? Par phir Liyaqat ko dekh kar vo bhaagi bhi toh nahi, aaram se uski bagal se guzar gayi.
Abhi main soch hi raha tha ke mera phone baj utha. Maine call receive ki toh aawaz ek aurat ki thi.

"Sahab main Sunanda ki maan bol rahi hoon"

"Hanji kahiye"

"Vo aapne kaha tha ne mujhe kuchh mile toh aapko phor karun?"

"Ji haan"

"Mila hai mujhe kuchh jo shayad aapki madad kare"

"Kya?"

"Ek letter jaisa hai kuchh"

Mujhe to ab iss Liyakat par bhi shak hone laga hai

 

[Casinar]

No update today immo bhai?

 

[Mishri]

Waiting

 

[The Immortal]

Waiting

Posting

 

[The Immortal]

Chapter 14 : The Extra-Marital Affair


Zindagi mein kaafi kuchhh tezi ke saath badal raha tha. Kuchh bhi pehle jaisa nahi reh gaya tha aur mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke iski vajah kya thi. Mera aur Renuka ka rishta bikhar raha tha aur ye baat shayad ham dono ki hi samajh mein aa gyai thi. Hasna toh main shayad bhool hi gaya tha aur Renuka akeli nahi thi jise ye baat khal rahi thi. Rishtedaar aur mere saare dost aksar mujhse puchhte rehte ke main itna pareshan kyun rehta hoon, khoya khoya sa kyun rehta hoon par main kisi se bhi khulkar baat nahi kar saka.

Vo aksar mujhse puchha karti ke main usse itna khincha khincha sa kyun rehne laga hoon, kyun uske kareeb nahi aata, kyun usse do bol pyaar ke nahi bolta, kyun kabhi usse haskar baat nahi karta. Kayi baar mere dil mein aayi ke use bata doon ke in sab baaton ki vajah uski apni bewafai hai. Kayi baar socha ke usse baat hi kar loon, puchh hi loon ke kyun kiya usne aisa par phir har baar baat zubaan tak aate aate ruk jaati thi. Ek vajah toh sirf yahi thi ke main bina kisi pukhta saboot ke uspar anguli uthana nahi chahta tha aur phir doosri vajah uski pregnancy thi. Main nahi chahta tha ke uski is halat mein main aisi koi bhi baat uthaaon jisse koi bakheda khada ho. Agar mera shak sirf shak hi saabit hua toh use bahut bada dhakka lagega, sadma pahunchega aur iska asar uske pet mein pal rahe bachche par ho sakta tha. Uske baad zaahir tha ke ham dono ka rishta badal jata aur is waqt jabke ham dono maan baap banne wale the, sirf ek shak ki bina par itna bada khatra mol lena theek nahi tha.

Aur use kuchh na kehne ki ek teesri vajah mera apna darr bhi tha. Mujhe pata hi nahi tha ke agar mera shak sahi saabit hua toh main kya karunga? Renuka chori pakde jaane par kaise react karegi? Kya vo mujhse maafi maangegi ya mujhe chhodkar chali jaayegi kisi aur ke paas?

Agar maafi maangi toh kya maaf kar paoonga main use aur agar kar bhi diya toh kya zindagi bhar ke liye phir dobara bharosa kar paoonga uspar?

Aur agar vo mujhe chhodkar chali gayi toh phir bachche ka kya? Divorce ka jhanjhat, bachche ki custody ki pareshani?

Mere khud ke paas hi abhi tak jawab nahi the ke kis situation mein kaise react karunga? Agar usse baat kar li aur mera shak mehaz shak nikla toh kaise sambhalunga phir situation? Kaise munh dikhaoonga zindagi bhar Renuka ko uspar bewafai ka ilzaam lagane ke baad? Vo bhi tab jabki vo pregnant thi.

Idhar main in sab sawalon ke jawab dhoondhne ki koshish kar raha tha aur udhar Renuka bhi kuchh khoyi khoyi si rehne lagi thi. Vo ab bhi mujhe puchhti rehti ke kyun badal sa gaya hoon main. Mahine yun hi uljhan mein guzarte gaye aur uski due date nazdeek aane lagi.
In sab mahino mein vo ghar par hi rahi aur ghar se bahar kadam meri maan ke saath hi rakhti. Maine bharpoor koshish ki ke kuchh aisa mil sake jisse mera shak sahi saabit ho par kuchh haath nahi aaya. Pata nahi uske khoye rehne ka rawaiyya mera apna behaviour tha tha ya uski pregnancy.

"Aap kar kya rahe ho Bhaijaan?"
Akram se us din milne ke baad main kuchh din baad Renuka ka laptop lekar uske paas pahuncha tha. Maine khud hi jaan bhoojh kar Renuka ke laptop ki screen uski nazar bacha kar tod di thi, is andaaz mein ke use ye lage ke Laptop mere haath se chhut kar gira hai. Phir use repair karane ke bahane main Laptop lekar Akram ke paas pahuncha. Use hidayat di ke screen change kar de aur laptop mein email aur chat tracking spyware install kar de. Laptop uske paas chhod kar main office chala gaya aur shaam ko jab lene pahuncha toh vo ajeeb si nazar se mujhe dekhne laga.

"Kya matlab?" Uska sawal sunkar maine puchha.

"Bachcha nahi hoon main, thodi akal mere andar bhi hai"

"Kya bol raha hai yaar, saaf saaf bol"

"Kuchh din pehle aap mere paas aaye, apne ghar ke phone par recorder install karane ke liye. Aur ab aap mujhe Renuka Bhabhi ke laptop mein spyware daalne ke liye keh rahe ho?"

Main samjh gaya tha ke baat uski samajh mein aa gayi hai par uski sawal ka kya jawab doon ye samajh nahi aaya.

"Kaho toh Bhabhi ke sim-card ka ek clone bhi bana kar de doon? Unke cell par jo bhi call aayegi ya jaayegi vo bhi aap sun sakte ho" Usne taana maarne ke andaaz mein kaha.

"Tu nahi samjhega mere bhai" Maine lambi saans lete hue kaha.

"Mere samajhne ki baat bhi nahi hai ye. Jo kuchh bhi hai aap dono ke beech hai. Galat kaun hai aur sahi kaun iska faisla karne ka mujhe koi haq nahi. Main sirf aapse ye kehna chah raha hoon ke jo bhi karna bahut soch samajh kar karna"

"Janta hoon, aisa hi kuchh karne ki koshish kar raha hoon"

"Aur is waqt jabke aap dono bachcha expect kar rahe ho, aise koi bhi baat na ke sirf aap dono ke zindagiyon par asar daalegi balke us masoom ki zindagi ko bhi kharab kar sakti hai. Vo zindagi jo us masoom ne abhi shuru bhi nahi ki"

"Main janta hoon tu kya keh raha hai yaar. Ye baatein khud mere dimag se guzar chuki hain"

"Hidayat dene ki koshish nahi kar raha hoon, aap khud bhi samajhdaaar ho balki mujhse zyada samajhdaar ho par ek aakhri baat aur kahun?"

"Haan bol"

"Saza dene wale se maaf karne wala bada hota hai Bhaijaan. Allah ne aap dono ko saath milaya, ab ek khoobsurat bachche se nawaz rahe hain. Agar kahin koi galti hui hai is rishte mein toh use thande dimag se sochiyega. Rishte jodna aasan hota hai aur rishta todna use bhi aasan par sabse mushkil kaam hota hai rishta nibhana. Dil itna bada rakhiyega ke maaf kar saken aur pichhli baaton ko bhula saken. Har kadam, har majboori, har haalaat mein Bhabhi ka saath nibhane ki kasam uthayi hai aapne shaadi ke waqt aur ab waqt hai us kasam ko nibhane ka. Kam se kam aap toh apni taraf se poori koshish rakhiyega ke rishta qayam rahe aur mazboot rahe. Achhe haalaat mein toh rishta har koi nibha leta hai par asli imtehaan aise waqt par hota hai"

Woh bahut badi baat bol gaya tha jisse main poori tarah sehmat tha.

Uske baad usne laptop mein jo spyware daala tha vo mujhe dikhaya aur samjhaya. Uske baad maine agle din use apne ghar par aakar landline phone mein recorder install karne ko kaha aur uske office se nikla.

"Ummeed karta hoon ke ye baat ham dono ke beech hi rahegi Akram?" Maine jaate jaate usse kaha.

"Aapko kehne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi Bhaijaan, befikar rahiye"

"Aur sun, ek kaam aur kar"

"Kahiye"

"Vo jo tu Renuka ke numer ka duplicate sim banane ki baat kar raha tha na, bana hi de"

Renuka abhi bhi rozana kuchh ghante ghar se kaam karti thi. Akram ne jo bhi software dala tha vo badi safai se dala gaya tha aur na toh Renuka ko hi koi shak hua aur na hi uske laptop mein installed ANti-virus ki pakad mein vo software aaya. Vo sara din jo bhi email apne outlook se bhejti, uski ek copy mere mailbox mein deliver ho jaati. Iske alawa agar vo webmail ke zariye bhi koi email bhejti toh vo software apne aap mera naam bcc mein add kar deta aur email ki ek copy mere paas pahunch jaati.

Do din baad hi Akram mere ghar aakar landline phone mein ek recorder laga gaya tha. Ghar par sara din jo bhi calls aati vo sab record aati jinhein main der raat akele mein beth kar sun sakta tha.

In sabse hatkar mere kahe anusaar hi usne Renuka ke sim card ka ek clone banaya aur mujhe de diya. Ab uske phone par agar koi call aati toh uske phone ke saath hi us purane se phone ki ghanti bhi bajti jismein ke maine uske sim ka clone dala hua tha. Agar koi message aata toh uski ek copy mere paas bhi deliver hoti.

Par meri ye saari koshishen nakam hi rahi. Main uski ek ek email ko bade gaur se padhta, uske phone par aane wali har call ko sunta, har message dekhta par kahin se mujhe kuchh aisa nahi mila jisse mujhe ye pata chal sake ke vo ladka kaun tha jiske saath uska affair chal raha tha. Raat ko ghar mein sabke so jaane ke baad main roz landline phone mein lage recorder ko nikal kar din bhar ki calls sunta par vo sab aam calls hoti, Renuka ke affair se related kuchh bhi nahi.

Kayi baar jab vo ghar se meri maan ke saath nikalti toh main un dono ka chup chap pichha karta par har baar nakami hi haath lagti. Main in sab kaamon mein itna magan tha ke baaki aur sab kaam ko maine andekha karna shuru kar diya tha. Mere office ke kaam par bhi iska asar saaf dikhai dene laga tha aur mera boss kayi baar mujhe kamre mein betha kar is baat par feedback de chuka tha. Renuka ki jasoosi mein main itna obsessed ho chuka tha ke mujhe is baat ke siwa aur koi hosh nahi tha ke uska affair kiske saath chal raha tha.

Waqt guzarta gaya aur Renuka ki due date nazdeek aa gayi. Kehte hain ke waqt bure se bura zakhm bhar deta hai aur aisa hi kuchh mere saath bhi hua. Itni koshishon ke baad bhi jab kuchh haath nahi laga toh mujhe apne uper hi shak hone laga ke kahin ye sab mera khyaali pulaav toh nahi tha. Kahin aisa toh nahi ke us din Renuka yun hi kisi dost ya colleague ke saath ho aur is baat ko lekar maine bekaar ka bakheda bana diya.

Thoda waqt aur guzra toh mujhe yakeen ho chala ke aisa kuchh bhi nahi tha jaisa ke main soch raha tha. Apne uper hi mujhe sharmindgi hone ke itna chahne wali apni biwi par maine is tarah shak kiya. Vo aurat jiske pet mein mera bachcha tha uske baare mein main kitna galat soch raha tha. Hosh aaya toh main ek baar phir apni normal zindagi mein lautne laga. Renuka ki taraf zyada dhyaan deta aur phir dheere dheere uske kareeb aane laga. Jab tak bachche ki delivery hui tab tak main affair wali baat ko poori tarah bhool chuka tha aur ham dono ek baar phir ek normal couple ki tarah hi ho gaye the.

Mere bete ke paida hone ke 2 mahine baad ki baat hai. Renuka ne office jana shuru kar diya tha aur ghar mein bachche ki dekhbhaal meri maan karti thi. Aise hi ek din zyada kuchh kaam nahi tha toh maine dopahar ka khana Renuka ke saath khane ka programme banaya.

 

[The Immortal]

Aisi koshish main aksar ab karne laga tha. Zyada se zyada waqt Renuka aur apne bete ke saath bitane ki koshish karta. Renuka ko aksar bahar le jata aur in sab baaton ki vajah mere apne dil mein chuupa chor tha. Main jaise apne andar hi andar koshish kar raha tha ke Renuka par shak karne ke apni galti ke liye khud ko maaf kar sakun. Jaisa bhi bartav maine Renuka ke saath un dino kiya tha use theek kar sakun.

Cheezen dheere dheere phir se theek ho rahi thi aur meri shaadi shuda zindagi ek baar phir khush-haal hone lagi thi. Renuka ne bhi mere andar aaye is badlaav ko mehsoos kar rahi thi aur phir se khush rehne lag gayi thi.

"Finally i have my husband back" Vo aksar kehti, "Kya ho gaya tha itne din se?"

"Kuchh nahi" Main sirf itna kehkar muskura deta.

Maine Renuka ka cell try kiya toh vo switched off mila. Use surprise dene ke liye maine raaste se kuchh phool kharide aur dopahar ke waqt uske office ja pahuncha. Reception par bethi ladki mujhe shakal se pehchanti thi.

"Phool laaye vo toh theek hai par galat jagah le aaye" Jab maine Renuka ke baare mein puchha toh usne haste hue jawab diya.

"Kya matlab?"

"Matlab ye ke aapko ye phool apne ghar le jaane chahiye the, aaj shayad aapki biwi ko inki zaroorat bhi hai"

"Main samjha nahi"

"Renuka Madam aaj jaldi ghar chali gayi, unki tabiat theek nahi thi toh office aane ke thodi der baad hi vo nikal gayi thi"

"Tabiat theek nahi thi? Kya ho gaya tha, anything serious?"

"I dont know really, vo kuchh sar mein dard hai bolkar chali gayi thi" Usne kandhe uchkate hue jawab diya.

Jabse main Renuka ko janta tha kabhi aisa hua nahi tha. Unless kuchh bahut hi badi baat ho, vo kaam chhod kar kabhi ghar nahi jaati thi. Uska kehna tha ke agar vo is tarah chhoti chhoti baat par chhutti lene lagi toh uske neeche kaam karne wale log bhi uski dekha dekhi aisa hi karne lagenge aur phir vo chah kar bhi unhein mana nahi kar sakegi.

Ye baat soch kar main ghabra utha aur fauran phone nikal kar phir Renuka ka number milaya. Cell ab bhi switched off tha. Maine phool pichhli seat par rakhe aur tezi se gaadi chalata hua ghar pahuncha.

Ghar pahuncha toh maan tab ghar par nahi thi. Vo shayad mere bete ke saath kahin bahar gayi hui thi. Renuka bedroom mein leti bekhabar so rahi thi.

"Hey are you ok? What happened?" Main uske kareeb bed par jakar betha aur uske baalon mein haath phirta hua bola.

Uski neend khuli aur apne saamne mujhe dekh kar vo chaunk si padi.

"Hi" Mera haath apne haath mein leti hui vo boli, "What are you doing home this time?"

"Tumhare office gaya tha, i though we will have lunch together but vahan se pata chala ke tumhari tabiat theek nahi aur tum ghar aa gayi. Everything ok?"

"Yeah everything is fine" Vo uthkar beth gayi, "Aise hi zara theek sa nahi lag raha tha, sar mein dard ho raha tha kaafi"

"Do you want to go to a doctor?"

"Nahi aisa kuchh nahi hai. Delivery ke baad se hi aksar aisa hota hai, kabhi kabhi jee bada kachcha sa hone lagta hai aur kuchh karne ka dil nahi karta. I feel like throwing up"

"I think we should consult a doctor if it has happened more than once"

"Dont worry about it, i will talk to him when we visit him next. Tumne kuchh khaya?"

"Nahi office se sidha yahin aa gaya tha"

"Abhi office jana hai vaapis?"

"Nahi ab nahi jaoonga, ab mera bhi mood nahi hai vaapis kaam par jaane ka"

"Let me fix you something to eat"

"Arrey nahi, tum aaram karo. Bahar se order kar lete hain kuchh"

"Nahi, tum change kar lo. Main kuchh bana leti hoon" Kehkar vo bed se uthi aur kitchen ki taraf badh gayi.

Maine apne kapde change kiye aur bathroom mein jakar haath munh dhoya. Bedroom mein bethe hue maine apne joote vahin bed ke paas hi utaar diye the. Bathroom se nikal kar maine joote lene ke liye bed ke kareeb aaya taaki unhein stand par le jakar rakh sakun. Jaise hi main unhein uthane ke liye jhuka, meri nazar bed ke neeche ek laal rang ki cheez par padi. Maine haath badha kar vo cheez uthayi aur ulat palat kar dekha.

Ek pal ke liye toh samajh nahi aaya ke vo kya hai aur jab aaya toh gusse ke maare mera khoon khaul pada. Vo ek condom ka aadha phata wrapper tha.

Jabse maine Renuka aur us ladke ko hotel ke bahar dekha tha tabse meri aur Renuka ki sex life bahut kam ho gayi thi aur uske pregnant hone ke baad toh maine kabhi uske kareeb gaya hi nahi tha. Delivery ke baad jab cheezen kuchh theek lagne lagi thi toh maine do teen baar raat ko uske nazdeek hone ki koshish ki par usne mana kar diya ye kehkar ke delivery ke baad vo thoda waqt chahti hai. Maine uski marzi ko izzat di aur use kabhi force nahi kiya.

Doosri baat ye ke main jis company ka condom use karta tha ye uska wrapper nahi tha. Jab bhi main aur Renuka saath the, maine hamesha aur hamesha sirf ek hi company ka condom use kiya tha aur vo ye nahi tha. Maine zindagi mein kabhi ye condom nahi kharida tha, aur haal filhal toh bilkul nahi.

Ek pal ke liye main bas khamosh khada us wrapper ki taraf dekhta raha. Phir maine aage badhkar room mein rakhe dustbin ka dhakkan khola toh vo khaali tha. Hamare yahan maid hamesha shaak ke waqt aati thi aur us waqt sab kamron ke dustbins khaali karti thi. Subah jab main office ke liye nikla tha tab mujhe achhi tarah yaad tha ke maine usmein kuchh purane papers phaad kar daale the. Maid abhi tak uske baad aayi nahi thi aur uske bavajood dustbin khaali tha. Maid kal shaam aayi thi aur vo hamesha poora ghar achhe se saaf karti thi, bed ke neeche bhi toh is baat ka sawal hi paida nahi hota ke ye wrapper kuchh din se yahan pada ho. Mujhe aur Renuka ko saath hue kayi mahine beet chuke the. Maine is company ka condom use kiya hi nahi tha aur agar kiya bhi tha toh ye mumkin nahi tha ke ye yahan itne mahino se pada ho.

Bimari ka bahana, Renuka ghar par akeli, Mobile switched off, dopahar ke waqt is tarah sukoon se bekhabar neend, bed ke neeche condom ka aadha phata wrapper, khaali dustbin aur mujhe ghar par dekh kar yun chaunkna. Mere dimag ne fauran 2 aur 2 jod kar chaar kar liye. Vo dopahar ke waqt yahan ghar par kya kar rahi thi ye samajh paane ke liye koi bada dimag lagane ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karun. Vo kitchem mein khadi khana bana rahi thi aur mera dil kar raha tha ke uske baal pakad kar ghaseet-ta hua ghar ke bahar dhakka de kar aaoon. Meri biwi, meri apni biwi jise main jaan se zyada chahta tha vo mere peeth pichhe mere hi ghar mein, mere hi bedroom mein, mere hi bistar par is tarah mere pyaar ka gala ghont rahi thi. Had darja gussa hone ke bavajood bhi meri aankh se ek aansoo nikal kar mere gaal par ludhak gaya. Aakhir kahan kami reh gayi thi mujhse. Main kareeb aata toh bachche ki delivery ka bahana hota aur yahan hamare bedroom mein kisi gair mard ko bula kar ayyashi.

"Roti khaoge ya paranthe banaoon?" Kitchen se Renuka ki aawaz aayi toh mera dhyaan toota.

"Jo tum theek samjho" Main sirf itna hi keh saka aur apne gaal se aansoo ponchh diya.

Us incident ke baad ek baar phir vahi kissa shuru ho gaya jo kuchh din pehle chal raha tha. Mere aur Renuka ke beech phir ek doori si ban gayi. Main phir har waqt bas uski jasoosi mein laga rehta par kisi bhi tarah ye pata nahi chal raha tha ke vo ladka aakhir hai kaun aur na hi kabhi main use range haath pakad paya. Kuchh incidents uske baad aam ho gaye jaise aksar mujhe uska mobile phone switched off milta. Main uske office phone karta toh mujhe bataya jata ke madam is waqt kahin bahar gayi hain.

Raat ko kabhi kabhi neend mein mujhe aisa mehsoos hota ke vo kisi se halki aawaz mein baat kar rahi hai. Main uske sim ka jo clone mere paas tha us phone ko check kiya magar koi call nahi mili. Ek jankar ke zariye maine uske phone records nikalvaye par sab numbers meri jaan pehchan ke log the, zyadatar rishtedaar aur ladkiyan. Kuchh calls uske apne maan baap ko hoti thi, kuchh doston ko aur kuchh meri doston ko jaise ke Kamini par zyadatar sab ladkiyan hi thi aur jo ladke the unke saath uska kisi bhi tarah ka affair hone ka sawal hi paida nahi hota tha.

Is baat ne mujhe ye sochne par majboor kar diya ke ho na ho, uske paas ek doosra phone aur hai jiska mujhe pata nahi aur jiska istemaal vo apni ayyashi ke liye kar rahi hai mujhse chhupa kar. Maine poora ghar chhan maara, Renuka ka saman idhar udhar kar dala par vo phone bhi mujhe mila nahi.

Jahan ek taraf mujhe apni shaadi barbad hone ka gham khaaye ja raha tha vahan doorsri taraf jab bhi maine apne bete ki taraf dekhta toh dil mein sawal ye uthta ke kya sach ye bachcha mera hai ya Renuka ki ayyashi ka nateeja hai? Kya ye mera apna khoon hai ya kisi aur ka paap hai jise main apna naam dekar paal pos raha hoon. Ye sab sochte sochte main itna pagal ho chuka ke us masoom ke chehre mein ye talash karne laga ke uski shakal mujhse milti hai ya kisi aur se? Koi aisa jise main janta hoon aur shayad is tarah mujhe pata chal jaaye ke uska baap kaun hai?

Renuka ne bhi phir se mehsoos kar liya tha ke main usse door hota ja raha hoon. Shuru shuru mein toh vo mujhse puchhti rehti ke main is tarah behave kyun kar raha hoon par phir dheere dheere usne bhi puchhna band kar diya. Ham dono ke beech ek anjaan si deewar khadi ho gayi thi. Kabhi kabhi din beet jaate the ham dono ko ek doosre se baat kiye hue aur jo baat ham karte vo mere maan baap ke chalte bas naam bhar ke liye karte.

"Koi aur pasand aa gayi hai kya? Kya koi doosri aurat hai tumhari zindagi mein jiski vajah se mujhse door door rehte ho?"

Vo aksar mujhse ye sawal karti par mujhe hamesha uska puchhne ka andaaz aisa hi lagta jaise vo mujh par shak nahi balki khud apni bewafai ko justify karne ki koshish kar rahi ho. Jaise khud apne aapko vo dilasa de rahi ho ke kyunki uska pati bhi kisi aur ke saaath so raha hai toh uska bhi aisa karna jaayaz hai.

"Isse pehle ke main aapko results bataoon, agar aap bura na maanein toh kya main ek baat puchh sakti hoon?" Mere saamne bethi Doctor ne mujhse puchha.

"Puchhiye"

"Is test ke karane ki vajah?"

"I think iski vajah saaf hai. Main na bhi jawab doon toh aap jaanti hain ke main ye test kyun kara raha hoon"

"Sahi keh rahe hain aap. Main jaanti hoon par mera sawal asal mein ye tha ke is shak ki vajah?"

"Vo meri personnal life hai, hai mere paas kuchh vajah varna aisa shak apne aap hi kisi ko nahi ho jata" Maine jawab diya.

Kuchh din pehle mere bete Vikram ko bukhar aaya tha jiski vajah se Dr. ne uske blood tests kiye the. Doctor meri pehchan ka tha isliye Vikram ka ek blood sample main usse lekar Delhi se door ek Jaipur ke hospital mein aaya jahan main ye test kara sakta tha ke bachche ka baap main hoon ya nahi. Jaipur mein aane ki vajah sirf yahi thi ke main ye test ek anjaan shehar mein karana chahta tha jahan mujhe koi nahi janta.

"I am sorry, you are right par phir bhi main kehna chahungi ke is tarah ke shak married life kharab kar dete hain. Ab aap dono akela nahi, ek nanhi si jaan bhi aapke saath judi hui aur aap aur aapki biwi jo bhi karenge, uska sidha asar aapke bete par padega"

"I know" Maine sapat se lehze mein jawab diya, "Can i know the results now please?"

"Sure" Vo ek file meri taraf sarkati hui boli, "Bachcha aapka apna hai"

Mujhe samajh nahi aaya ke ye khabar sun kar main khush hua ya udaas. Samajh nahi aaya ke main asal mein sunna kya chahta tha? Ye ke bachcha mera hai ya ye ke bachcha kisi aur ka hai? Jahan ek taraf maine Vikram ke apna hi khoon hone par tasalli ki saans li vahin doosri taraf afsos bhi hua kyunki Renuka par anguli uthane ka ye mauka mere haath se nikal gaya tha.

Aur uske kuchh baad mujhe phir uski bewafai ka saboot apne ghar mein mila. Uske kapdo ke beech chhupaya hua ek condom ka packet jo usi company ka tha jiska phata hua wrapper kuchh din pehle bed ke neeche pada mila tha.

Hairat ki baat ye thi ke iske baad bhi main Renuka ko kuchh keh na saka. Pehle jahan is baat ka darr tha ke agar mera shak galat nikla toh kya hoga vahin ab mere masoom bachche ka chehra mujhe kuchh bhi karne se rok leta tha. Main faisla hi nahi kar pa raha tha ke Renuka se alag ho jaoon ya phir apne bete ki khatir ek bewafa aurat ke saath zindagi bitana shuru kar doon?